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What  a Product 

Norma  Shearer  in 

AFTER  MIDNIGHT 

You’re  Getting! 

The  Strongest  Attractions 
on  the  Screen  Today 

John  Gilbert  in 

TWELVE  MILES  OUT 

COMING  SOON 

The  Greatest  Comedy  Hit 

John  Gilbert  and  Greta  Garbo  m 

of  the  Year — even  greater 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL 

than  Rookies 

Lon  Chaney  in 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES 

THE  MURPHYS 

MR.  WU 

featuring  these  comical  girls 

THE  UNKNOWN 

Greater  f/ia»i  *‘T/ie  Unholy  T/nee” 

MARIE  DRESSLER  and  POLLY  MORAN 
alsoLAWRENCEGRAYand  SALLYO’NEIL 

William  Haines  in 

And  in  1927-1928 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE 

Karl  Dane  and  Geo.  K.  Arthur  in 

3 CHANEYS  4 HAINES 

2 GARBOS  2 GILBERTS 

ROOKIES 

1 NOVARRO  1 GISH 

3 SHEARERS  3 DAVIES 

and  oodles  of  other  Stars  and 

Ramon  Novarro  in 

LOVERS 

Qreat  Specials  to  be  sold 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 

Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 

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Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1179,  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  Subscrifi'^n  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


June  18,  1927 


. N 


iiftBMBBWHi 


others  say  about 

^Jienevi? 

Pit  PIPE  organ: 

‘''All  I can  say  your  instru^ 
ment  playing  to  continuous 
jammed  housed 

Region  theatre 
^(arshalltown,  Bowa 

"Congratulations  on  won^ 
derful  instrument . " 

Glermont  theatre 
Chicago 

"Increased  our  business  more 
than  enough  to  warrant  the 
investment !' 

'tuxedo  theatre 
BN^ew  ^rk  Gity 

"In  itself  a distinct  musical 
attraction/'' 

Srand  ‘theatre 

HiDinter  Biarvcn,  'Florida 

"The  organ  is  a positive 
sensation/'' 

Q)elano  theatre 
Q)elano,  Calif. 

"The  success  of  this  organ 
prompted  us  to  order 
another. " 

Gongress-Srove  theatres 
Newark,  cAC 

"A  wonderful  addition  to 
our  presentations. '''' 

Strand-Empire  theatre 
Chillicothe,  SMo. 


Permanent 
cXusic  Feature  for 
the  Morale  Exhibitor 

-highest  ly^e  performance^ 
at  Minimum  Cost. 

Does  pot  require 
liigh-priced  organist. 

Played  manually  , or  with 
ordinary  88  note  music  rolls. 

THE  ROBERT  MORTON 
ORGAN  CO. 

\^ewyorkj'*^  15(>oBroadwy 

Ghicago-624So.Mchigan  /: 

SarCiranasco 
IBS  Go/dmOafc 


3 It'  . 


Dos  i^ngcles 
1914  So, Vermont 


ROBERT  U^ORTON  ORGAN  CO. 

me  wthout  obligation  fuU 
details  of  your  New  Selling  Platt, 



Theatre. 

Seating  Capacity • • • • • 

City State 


GENUIk/E  DEAGttN  PERCUSSIONS  USED 


Stars 

Featured  Players 
Directors 

Authors  ' Writers 
Producers 


Organization, 


Wallace  Beery 
Raymond  Hatton 
Thomas  Meighan 
Eddie  Cantor 
Florence  Vidor 
Esther  Ralston 
Emil  Jannings 


Jack  Luden 
Raymond  Griffith 
W.  C.  Fields 
Ed  Wynn 
Chester  Conklin 
George  Bancroft 


Harold  Lloyd 
Clara  Bow 
Richard  Dix 
Bebe  Daniels 
Pola  Negri 
Adolphe  Menjou 
Fred  Thomson 


Neil  Hamilton 
Einar  fianson 
DorHd  Keith 
A id  Kent 
Tom  Kennedy 
■ack  i^uden 
Wi  liam  Powell 
narles  Rogers 
Larry  Semon 
Ford  Sterling 


Mary  Brian 

Mona  Palma 

Louise  Brooks 

Fay  Wray 

Joesphine  Dunn 

Richard  Arlen 

Doris  Hill 

Warner  Baxter 

Betty  Jewel 

Noah  Beery 

Marian  Ivy  Harris 

Clive  Brook 

Arlette  Marchal 

Douglas  Gilmore 

Marietta  Millner 

Lawrence  Gray 

Margaret  Morris 

James  Hall 

Power,  Strength! 


Short  Feature  Stars 
releasing  through  Paramount 


Bobby  Vernon  Jimmie  Adams 

Neal  Burns  Billy  Dooley 

Edward  Everett  Horton 


Jack  Duffy 
Anne  Cornwall 


Directors 


[I 

j Dorothy  Ariner 
] Clarence  Badger 
Monte  Brice 
James  Cru:e 
H.  D’Abbadie  D’Arrast 
' Victor  Eleming 
Wallace  Eox 
Lloyd  Ingraham 
I Gregory  La  Cava 


Rowland  V.  Lee 
Ernst  Lubitsch 
Luther  Reed 
Arthur  Rosson 
Richard  Rosson 
Malcolm  St.  Clair 
Josef  von  Sternberg 
Maurit:  Stiller 
Frank  Strayer 
Edward  Sutherland 


Eric  von  Strohein^ 
Frank  Tuttle 
John  Waters 
William  Wellman 
Hector  Turnbull 
Lucien  Hubbard 

Supervisors 

Hector  Turnbull 
Lucien  Hubbard 


r 

I 

V J 

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Authors  and  Writers 


oris  Anderson 
Lajos  Biro 
►Al  Boasberg 
Jessie  Burns 
Hall  Caine 
Anne  Caldwell 
Grant  Clarke 
rank  E.  Clifton 
Pierre  Codings 
Lloyd  Corrigan 
Donald  Davis 
Owen  Davis 
thel  Doherty 


Sam  Forrest 
Jules  Furthman 
Tom  Geraghty 
Benjamin  Glazer 
Elinor  Glyn 
John  F.  Goodrich 
Zane  Grey 
Ray  Harris 
Percy  Heath 
Ben  Hecht 
Robert  Hopkins 
Julian  Johnson 


Grover  Jones 
Julien  Josephson 
Louise  Long 
Frederick  Lonsdale 
Anita  Loos 
Hope  Loring 
Herman  Mankiewicr 
George  Marion,  Jr. 
Sam  Mint: 

John  McDermott 
Anne  Nichols 
Kenneth  Raisbeck 


Arthur  Somers  Roche 
Alfred  Savoir 
Ted  Shane 
Geoffrey  Shurlock 
Chandler  Sprague 
Keene  Thompson 
Ernest  Vajda 
Bernard  Vorhaus 
Dixie  Willson 
P.  G.  Wodehouse 
P.  C.  Wren 
L A.  R.  Wylie 
Rida  Johnson  Young 


This  is  the  Lineup 

GUARANTEES 

Unbeatable  Product 

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WILLIAM  COLLICfija. 
DADBAHA  DCDfOliD 
ALC>ERTA  VAUC4N 
tILtEN  PEUCY 
SUIRLEY  O’UAf^A 
GAYNE  W4ITMAN 
JOCtLYN  LEE 
GUINN  WILLIAMS 
JIMMY  4ARWSON 
.BHOOkS  BENEDICT 

directed 
PHILSTON6 


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Tiff  ANY  PRODUCT  IONS,  INC 

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4 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Real  Reader  Prestige 


from  England 


April  30,  1927 

To  the  Editor 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

I have  now  received  something  like  17  numbers  of  your  paper,  but  long  ago  I found 
myself  looking  forward  to  each  issue.  If  the  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  is  not  in  my 
letter  box  on  Monday  night  or  Tuesday  morning  there  is  distinctly  something  miss- 
ing in  the  day’s  make-up. 

Although  it  is  too  early  to  have  tested  the  most  valuable  (that  is,  in  U.  S.  A.)  por- 
tion of  your  paper,  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  I have  no  doubt,  whatsoever, 
that  when  I do  come  to  use  it  and  prove  it,  in  the  running  of  the  pictures  booked 
on  its  recommendation,  I shall  find  that  this  feature  will  save  and  make  me  pounds  a 
year.  By  merely  comparing  the  results  of  those  pictures  I have  run  and  which  are 
in  your  reports,  it  is  evident  that  the  tastes  of  a small  town  like  mine  in  England 
are  very  similar  to  many  American  small  towns,  allowing  for  differences  or  customs 
and  traditions,  which  cannot  be  bridged. 

It  is  amusing  to  listen  to  the  protestations  of  the  salesmen  here,  that  it  is  foolish 
for  me  to  take  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  as  my  booking  guide,  as  it  is  Ameri- 
can. As  I have  said,  it  is  proved  by  comparison,  and  I shall  soon  prove  it  by  practice. 

English  Exhibitors  are  in  a somewhat  better  position  than  those  of  your  country, 
by  reason  of  their  being  able  to  see  films  trade  shown  (I  believe  I am  right  in  say- 
ing that  trade  shows  are  practically  unknown  in  America),  but  we  cannot  possibly 
see  every  film,  and  reports  of  some  kind  must  be  procured.  Unless  the  latter  are 
written  by  people  who  actually  know  your  needs,  it  is  obvious  that  viewing  reports 
are  of  very  little  use,  and  for  this  reason,  I hope  that  the  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
is  subscribed  to  by  a large  percentage  of  British  exhibitors. 

With  just  a little  circumspection,  it  is  soon  an  easy  matter  to  pick  out  American 
halls  with  tastes  similar  to  one’s  own.  Already  I feel  as  though  I were  personally 
acquainted  with  many  of  those  “stout  fellas”  who  regularly  report.  I only  wish  I 
were  able  to  report  myself,  but  being  in  a small  English  town  makes  most  playing 
dates  much  behind  the  American  releases. 

I enclose  four  application  forms  for  stars’  photographs.  The  star  lobby  will  be  an 
innovation  here,  so  that  if  you  can  procure  the  likenesses  (autographed)  besides  those 
which  are  mentioned  on  the  forms,  I should  be  obliged  (paper  attached). 

Hoping  that  your  paper  will  acquire  a large  circulation  in  this  country,  I am 

(Signed)  Ronald  R.  Temple 
The  Picture  House 
Ludlow,  Salop 
England 

P.  S.  I do  not  mention  the  excellent  services  of  “The  Studio”  and  “Better  Thea- 
tres.” The  former  provides  me  with  excellent  copy  for  the  local  paper. 


An  Appreciation 


'mfM 


Here’s  an 

indication  of 
the  big  things 
you  can  expect 
ontheDlMilLE 
PR0GRAM'1917'2S 


Watch  for  further 
Announcements 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


SHORT  TALKS 

ON 

SHORT  FEATURES 


— An  Eye  Opener 

Here’s  an  eye  opener  for  you.  Go  over  your  booking  records 
for  the  last  year  and  total  up  the  number  of  reels  of  film  you  have 
played  in  the  longer  features.  Then  get  the  total  number  of  reels 
made  up  of  the  short  features  you  have  played.  Then  compare  the 
amount  of  money  you  have  spent  advertising  those  short  feature 
reels  with  the  amount  you  have  put  into  advertising  the  long 
features. 

If  you  are  the  average  exhibitor,  I’ll  bet  these  comparisons  will 
be  a surprise  to  you.  Are  you  being  fair  to  yourself  in  helping  your 
short  features  to  bring  patrons  to  your  box-office?  Those  figures  will 
tell. 

Educational  Pictures  are  not  only  made  to  be  the  finest  short 
features  you  can  show  your  patrons,  but  they  are  backed  up  with 
consistent  national  exploitation  and  magazine  advertising.  They 
are  making  money  for  13,000  exhibitors  right  now.  But  they’ll  make 
more  money  for  you  if  you’ll  tie  up  this  national  advertising  to  your 
own  box-office  with  adequate  local  exploitation. 


EDUCATIONAL  FILM  EXCHANGES,  INC. 


President 


Member,  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. 


♦ WILL  H.  HAYS,  President 


Ifeirelif^iire  COToiiids 


^X>00,00G 

T'LANGIK^ 


yessir2~we’’re  selling  him  as  no  other 
Comedian^s  ever  been  sold  before! 


To  the  Fans-To  the  Kids-To  the  WOMEN! 
dfODOfOOP  of  'em 


Patrons  you've  never  had  before-treating 


THE  MOST  TREMENDOUS 
AUDIENCE-DEMAND  EVER 
BUILT  FOR  ANY  STAR  / 


9 ...  vf.««lh.Circ«whe»HARRY 


l»'»  w cBueb  ftm  I 
LANCOON  «o« 


„ by  hU  t 
; • Roll*-Ro 


HARRIS  iHe 
1*“ 


harry 

VANC^ON 


July 

HARPER’S 
BAZAR 
lOO,  ooo 


July 

AMERICAN 

BOY 

so  0,000 


'O'you  IM£A/M  TO 


I yOUV£  ■ 

IWGOONr 


harry  lancdon, 


■ ~'”r 


Tint  notional  Picture* 


4l9jcRC 


IG-PANtS'v^ 


‘T+IE  STIV.ON&.  MAN?' 

mAMP^ 


'More  oisriNcn 


COUE£Na,’5J|~, 

'a<nou,  ft/,, 

in  ft..  I St, 

ORCHIDS  a 7***^  


June  25th 

JUDGE 

225,000 


gbOUtU* 


,rM  naiona' 
■Rdufe  , 


J;, 


' May 

PHOTOPLAY 

500,000 


August 

GOOD 

HOUSE- 

KEEPING 

1.400,000 


II  I 


FANS 


and 


LIBERTY.  . . 
FILM  FUN  . . . . 


1,200,000 

100,000 


THEATRE  MAGAZINE  60,000 


«r> 

Go  Gufalb'Emwiili 

lARRY  UNGDON 

in 

LONG  PANTS 


HAI^RYLANGDOH  corporation 

in  the 

Sbowmaiils  Group 

FROM  * 

HRSTIdAnONAL 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


The 

hell 

you 

say 


The  incident:  analyzing  all  the 

products,  tells  him  he  has  bought  a bag  of 
wind.  Too  bad — Brown  across  the  street 
had  the  same  chance  but  bought  the  sure 
values  instead. 


Aiorctl : A.nybody  can  promise— but  the  wise 
bird  sticks  with  the  ones  who  deliver/ 


'/filler -feK* 

FIRST  NATIONAL 


THE  SHOWMAN'S  GROUP 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address : 
Quigpubco. 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
William  R.  Weaver,  Associate  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

S6S  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

S617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Harry  E.  Nichols, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 

DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features 31 

Presentation  Acts 33 

The  Theatre 41 

The  Film  Mart ^ 44 

New  Pictures 43 

Classified  Advertising 48 

The  Box  Office  Ticker  47 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  49 

FEATURES 

Broadway  18 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 22 

Re-Takes  29 

New  York,  by  John  S.  Spargo....  28 

Pictorial  Section.. 23 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  42 

Letters  from  Readers 46 

Chicago,  by  D.  H 58 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.  SO  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world— 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


ISSUE  of  $6,000,000  of  Pathe  gold  de- 
-I  bentures  offered  for  sale;  bonds  will 
yield  seven  per  cent  and  are  due  in  1937; 
part  of  proceeds  for  purchase  of  assets  in 
Cinema  Corporation. 

OERIOUS  injury  to  Belleville,  O'nt.,  flre- 
man  during  exploitation  stunt  brings 
proposal  to  restrict  such  stunts;  Royal 
Commission  investigating  Laurier  Palace 
theatre  disaster  to  extend  inquiry  into 
moral  phases  of  motion  pictures. 

T AMES  R.  GRAINGER  is  given  new  con- 
.J  tract  for  five  years  as  general  sales- 
manager  of  the  Fox  Film  Corporation;  re- 
ceives praise  of  William  Fox. 

Five  film  boards  report  the  raising  of 
$85,000  through  benefit  performances 
for  flood  relief;  future  shows  expected  to 
add  much  more  to  Red  Cross  fund. 


CE.  “DOC”  HOLAH  is  dead  after  oper- 
* ation  at  Hollywood  hospital Gov- 

ernment agents  prepare  to  reopen  West 
Coast  cases. 

TD  RODUCERS  Releasing  Alliance  organ- 
izes  in  Hollywood;  formation  of  com- 
pany is  pioneer  move  to  make  city  center 
of  distribution  of  independent  productions. 

T3  ROPER  capital  and  goodwill  essential 
in  industry,  says  new  finance  official; 
program  for  Great  States  involving  mil- 
lion dollar  bond  issue  completed  by  The- 
atre Financing  Corporation. 

pATHE-P-D-C  COMPANY  will  encom- 

pa.ss  all  phases  of  industry  from  manu- 
facturing raw  stock  to  presenting  pictures, 

says  DeMille more  imagination  needed, 

declares  William  Frazer. 


“The  Studio’’  Is  Published  as 
Section  Two  of  This  Issue 


Decision  to  admit  producer-chains  headlines  action  of  M,  P.  T. 

O.  A.  at  Columbus  Convention;  Move  follows  seven  years’ 
fruitless  effort  to  hnance  organization;  Woodhull  re-elected  president. 
Judge  Ben  B.  Lindsey  probable  choice  as  exhibitors’  leader. 

Minister  smashes  two  cameras;  Audience  howls  him  down; 

Women’s  auxiliary  of  church  brings  pictures  into  Community 
Hall  despite  pastor’s  protests;  Taken  into  custody. 

First  national’s  Foreign  Department  heads  get  new  slant  at 
Burbank  convention;  American  sales  methods  can  be  applied,  says 
Franco-Belgian  representative. 

SEVEN  HUNDRED  films  made  in  Japan  a year,  Horace  Clarke  tells 
A.  M.  P.  A. — “Red”  Kann  Testimonial  dinner  is  big  success — 
“Applause  Trailers”  add  to  Vitaphone  interest — It’s  F B O Pictures 
Corporation  now. 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 

HEKALB 

Qhe  independent  ^Im  ^ade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  Editor 

Published  Every  Wednesday  by 

Exhibitors  Herald  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Exhibitors  Herald  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald;  Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week.  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi-annual. 

VoL.  XXX  June  ]8,  1927  No.  1 


12th  Anniversary 

This  issue  marks  the  twelfth  anniversary  of  the  found- 
ing of  Exhibitors  Herald.  Throughout  its  entire 
history  the  publication  has  remained  under  its  original 
editorship  and  management,  a fact  which,  we  believe,  has 
been  one  of  no  little  importance  in  enabling  its  original 
objectives  to  have  been  reached. 

At  this  twelfth  anniversary  the  Herald  is  happy  to 
make  due  acknowledgments  to  the  industry  at  large 
through  whose  unvarying  support  and  cooperation  it  is 
now  permitted  to  record,  with  pride,  its  position  of  lead- 
ership among  all  of  the  publications  devoted  to  the  mo- 
tion picture  trade.  And,  it  may  he  noted,  this  statement 
is  no  hollow  boast  occasioned  merely  through  the  exulta- 
tion of  the  anniversary  spirit.  The  Herald  is  in  fact  the 
acknowledged  leader  among  the  film  trade  publications 
and  this  acknowledgment  is  attested  to  by  the  vast  ma- 
jority opinion  everywhere  throughout  the  trade  and  in 
every  branch  of  the  industry. 

The  Herald  has  always  been  characterized  by  a spirit 
of  independence,  by  an  aloofness  from  petty  and  partisan 
considerations  and  has  been  consistently  animated  by  a 
spirit  of  service  to  the  industry  with  which  it  is  identified. 
The  publication  has  been  made  an  interesting  and  an 
informative  one,  and  it  has  won  a reader  loyalty  and 
devotion  which  has  set  it  distinctly  apart  from  the  gen- 
eral run  of  trade  publications. 

In  Better  Theatres,  appearing  every  fourth  week  as 
Section  11  of  the  Her  ald,  there  has  been  developed  a pub- 
lication which  conclusively  dominates  the  branch  of  the 
business  with  which  it  is  concerned.  Although  other  pub- 
lications in  the  field,  of  greater  age,  have  struggled  with 
plan  after  plan  intended  to  serve  effectively  the  equip- 
ment branch  of  the  business.  Better  Theatres  quickly 
gained  mastery  of  the  situation  through  the  simple  pro- 
cedure of  publishing  a paper  aimed  primarily  to  serve 
the  exhibitor  on  matters  of  equipment,  construction  and 
decoration  and  in  doing  this  it  provided  at  the  same  time 
the  most  eflective  advertising  medium  for  manufacturers 
and  distributors  of  equipment  and  other  theatre  require- 
ments. 

The  Studio  section  of  the  Herald,  also  published  every 
fourth  week,  fulfills  the  urgent  need  of  a substantial  and 
responsible  publication  devoted  to  the  production  branch 
of  the  industry,  for  the  information  and  guidance  of  per- 
sons in  that  branch  of  the  business  and  also  for  the  pur- 


pose of  supplying  the  exhibitor  with  the  vital  production 
knowledge  and  information  which  is  essential  to  the 
successful  conduct  of  his  business.  This  sectional  service 
of  the  Herald,  as  well  as  its  predecessor,  Better  Thea- 
tres, has  met  with  a response  which  assures  its  future. 

The  Herald  is  proud  of  its  contact  with  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  during  these  past  twelve  years  during  which 
time  the  character  of  the  industry  has  been  formed.  As 
the  industry  has  developed,  so  has  the  Her.ald  developed. 

•»  «• 

Columbus  Convention 

The  outstanding  development  of  the  national  con- 
vention of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
America,  concluded  last  week  at  Columbus,  was  the 
unanimous  decision  of  the  association  to  welcome  into 
active  membership  theatre  chains  and  circuits  which  have 
been  previously  excluded,  either  actually  or  in  effect. 

The  result  of  this  is  certain  to  be  important  and  far- 
reaching. 

It  had  become  a matter  of  common  knowledge  that  the 
proper  operation  of  the  association  under  the  former  plan 
of  procedure  was  rapidly  approaching  the  impossible. 
Despite  the  vigorous  and  conscientious  efforts  of  officers 
and  leaders  the  organization  was  becoming  moribund  be- 
cause of  the  apathy  of  the  rank  and  file.  The  financial 
resources  of  the  association  were  sound  enough  in  theory 
hut  in  practical  application  they  were  seriously  impaired 
simply  because  of  the  failure  of  the  state  organizations  to 
meet  the  prescribed  revenues  quotas.  This  led  to  an  ac- 
tual or  threatened  breakdown  of  the  efficiency  of  the  or- 
ganization and  called  for  the  application  of  heroic  treat- 
ment. 

In  the  midst  of  this  situation  it  appeared  that  revenue 
which  would  mean  the  life  of  the  association  was  being 
excluded  because  of  the  exclusion  of  circuit  member- 
ships. Then  came  the  proposition  to  admit  the  circuits. 
At  first  some  apprehension  was  felt  and  expressed;  even- 
tually the  conviction  became  broadcast  among  members 
of  the  association  that  much  was  to  be  gained  by  the  ad- 
mission of  the  circuits  into  membership  and  nothing  of 
consequence  was  to  he  lost.  Hence,*  the  unanimous  de- 
cision of  the  Columbus  convention  to  welcome  the  thea- 
tre chains  into  membership. 

This  development  is  in  tune  with  an  obvious  trend  of 
the  industry.  While  necessarily  there  are  conflicts  be- 
tween the  individual  theatre  and  the  circuit,  at  the  same 
time  each  has  many  broad  matters  of  importance  which 
are  of  common  interest  and  concern.  For  the  proper 
management  of  these,  all  interests  of  the  exhibition 
branch  of  the  business,  individual  houses  and  circuits, 
should  he  handed  together  in  an  association.  This  is  the 
prospect  which  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of 
America  now  faces. 

A strongly  organized  and  soundly  entrenched  associa- 
tion of  theatre  owners,  individuals  and  circuits,  is  essen- 
tial not  only  to  the  welfare  of  the  exhibition  branch  of 
the  business  hut  to  the  industry  as  a whole.  There  are 
many  questions  which  strike  at  the  root  of  the  industry’s 
welfare  and  jirosperity  which  can  only  be  approached 
and  mastered  by  a theatre  owners’  association. 

It  is  to  he  hoped  that  under  the  enlarged  scheme  of 
operation  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  America 
will  now  be  launched  upon  a career  of  wider  usefulness 
than  ever  before.  This  association,  while  a young  one, 
has  not  been  without  much  experience  and  its  battle 
scars  are  many.  Upon  the  solid  foundation  of  this  experi- 
ence we  trust  there  shall  now  be  reared  a structure  of 
great  and  lasting  service  to  the  theatre  owners  themselves 
and  to  the  industry  at  large. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


Judge  Ben  Lindsey  Probable 
Choice  to  Head  Theatre  Men 


Musicians  to  Join 
Operators^  Strike 
in  Butte,  Montana 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BUTTE,  MONT.,  June  14.— The  Butte 
musicians  union  will  join  the  motion  pic- 
ture operators  and  stage  hands  in  a syrnpa- 
thetic  strike  by  order  of  the  musicians 
international  union,  according  to  announce- 
ment just  made.  Unless  an  amicable  agree- 
ment is  reached,  it  is  said  that  on  Saturday 
the  walkout  will  darken  all  Butte  theatres. 

Musicians  at  the  Rialto  have  been  work- 
ing since  the  strike  of  operators  and  stage 
hands  on  June  1.  Members  of  the  execu- 
tive force  of  the  house  have  managed  to 
keep  the  house  open  evenings. 

Managers  of  five  theatres  affected  by  the 
walkout  declare  that  they  will  reopen  only 
when  the  striking  employes  return  at  the 
wage  scale  of  the  previous  contract. 

^^Doc** Holah  Dead 
After  Operation  at 
Hollywood  Hospital 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— C.  E.  “Doc" 
Holah,  prominent  in  sales  and  promotion 
and  well  known  by  exhibitors  throughout 
the  country,  died  at  Hollywood  hospital 
following  an  operation.  Funeral  services 
were  held  Monday  with  many  film  notables 
in  attendance. 

“Doc,”  as  he  was  known  to  the  trade 
generally,  was  founder  and  president  of 
Hollywood  Screen  Test  Studio.  Previous 
to  this  he  had  been  director  of  the  .’round- 
the-country  tour  of  Universal’s  “See 
America  First”  caravan. 

Holah,  who  was  37  years  old,  came  to 
Hollywood  from  Cleveland  two  years  ago. 
He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  Frances 
Ruth  Holah,  two  brothers,  Arthur  and 
Howard,  and  a sister,  Ethel  M.  Hoenig. 

Murdock,  Pearson, 
Flinn  Head  List  of 
Pathe  Executives 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — At  a special 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Pathe 
Exchange,  Inc.,  June  6 the  following  offi- 
cers were  elected : 

J.  J.  Murdock,  president  and  chairman 
Board  of  Directors ; Elmer  R.  Pearson, 
first  vice-president;  J.  C.  Flinn,  second 
vice-president. 

Directors,  J.  J.  Murdock,  E.  F.  Albee, 
George  Armsby,  Frank  Callahan,  Cecil  B. 
DeMille,  Paul  Fuller,  Maurice  Goodman, 
Marcus  Heiman,  E.  G.  Lauder,  Edmund  C. 
Lynch,  Jeremiah  Milbank,  B.  S.  Moss, 
Charles  Pathe,  Elmer  R.  Pearson,  Elisha 
Walker. 

Other  officers  are  John  Humm,  treas- 
urer ; Lewis  Innerarity,  secretary ; W.  C. 
Smith,  assistant  secretary. 


1 


Belief  Is  Noted  Jurist 
Will  Accept  Leadership 

Selection  of  Big  Man  for  Post  Delegated  to  Tempo- 
rary Administrative  Committee  of  Seven 


By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

(New  York  News  Editor) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — Officials  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  zure  jubilant  over  the  results  of  the  Columbus 
convention  and  are  confident  that  the  actions  taken  there  will  make 
the  exhibitors’  organization  a greater  constructive  force  in  the  in- 
dustry than  it  has  ever  been  in  the  seven  years  of  its  existence. 

The  decision  to  take  into  membership  the  theatres  owned  and  controlled 
by  the  producing  and  distributing  members  of  the  Hays  organization  is  ex- 
pected to  place  the  organization  on  its  feet  financially,  as  well  as  numerically, 
and  to  pennit  of  things  being  done  that  have  often  been  planned  but  never 
carried  out  for  lack  of  funds 

Judge  Lindsey  Selected 

One  of  these  important  steps  is  the  employment  of  a high  calibre  man  of 
nation  wide  repute  to  serve  the  exhibitors  somewhat  in  the  capacity  that  Will 
Hays  serves  the  distributors  and  pi'oducei'S.  For  this  most  important  position. 
Judge  Ben  Lindsey  has  been  selected  and,  according  to  present  plans,  strong 


pressure  will  be  brought  to  bear  on  the 
believed  he  will. 

The  matter  of  the  actual  official  selec- 
tion of  the  big  man  to  head  the  exhibitors’ 
organization  has  been  delegated  to  the 
temporary  Administrative  Committee  of 
seven  appointed  at  the  Columbus  conven- 
tion, and  it  is  expected  that  the  proffer  to 
the  Denver  jurist  will  be  made  shortly 
after  the  first  meeting  of  this  committee. 

Figuring  on  working  harmoniously 
with  the  Hays  organization,  and  out  of 
respect  to  Mr.  Hays,  the  man  selected 
to  head  the  exhibitors  would  naturally 
be  some  one  acceptable  to  Mr.  Hays. 
While  no  person  conversant  with  the 
plan  to  secure  the  services  of  Judge 
Lindsey  will  talk  of  the  matter,  it  is 
known  that  the  choice  of  Judge  Lindsey 
will  be  pleasing  to  Mr.  Hays. 

In  speaking  of  the  results  of  the  con- 
vention R.  F.  Woodhull,  president  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  said : 

“Back  home  again,  with  the  excitement 
of  traveling  and  the  convention  over,  a 
careful  recapitulation  of  events  proves  to 
me  that  the  deliberation  by  the  exhibitors 
culminated  in  one  of  the  most  constructive 
moves  in  our  history.  I refer,  of  course, 
to  the  decision  which  will  enable  the  own- 
.ers  and  the  managers  of  all  theatres  to 
become  a part  of  the  Motion  Picture  Thea- 
tre Owners  of  America.  When  the  fact  is 
taken  into  consideration  that  at  least  85 
per  cent  of  the  problems  within  the  indus- 
try are  mutual  it  is  easy  to  see  that  this 
move  is  in  keeping  with  the  economic  de- 
velopment of  the  business. 

“The  proper  presentation  of  the 
motion  picture  to  the  public  is  fre- 
quently hampered  by  undue  official  and 
other  forms  of  regulation,  much  of 
which  is  prompted  and  brought  into 
being  by  agencies  and  personages 
wholly  out  of  sympathy  with  our  busi- 
ness and  seemingly  without  the  proper 
understanding  of  the  great  service  our 


distinguished  jurist  to  accept  and  it  is 


theatres  are  rendering  to  community, 
state,  nation  and  the  world. 

“Through  these  improved  relations  we 
will  now  be  able  to  present  a solid  front 
in  any  line  of  endeavor  affecting  the  wel- 
fare of  our  industry  as  a whole.  All  other 
Iiroblems  including  the  buying  and  selling 
of  product  and  the  overseating  of  com- 
munities can  with  much  more  certainty  and 
protection  for  the  theatre  owners  and  public 
be  solved  through  a mutual  consideration 
of  the  same. 

“I  earnestly  urge  all  branches  of  our 
industry  including  that  all  important  ele- 
ment, the  trade  press,  to  cooperate  in  mak- 
ing this  union  of  forces  a pronounced 
success.” 


Government  Agents 
Prepare  to  Reopen 
West  Coast  Cases 

{Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  14.— Counsel  for 
the  federal  trade  commission  are  now  on 
the  Coast  making  final  plans  for  reopening 
of  hearings  in  the  West  Coast  cases,  started 
in  May,  1925. 

The  holding  of  these  hearings  was  or- 
dered by  the  commission  in  November, 
after  it  had  criticized  its  counsel  and 
thrown  out  a stipulation  of  facts  last  June 
after  the  hearing  of  one  day’s  testimony. 

The  West  Coast  theatres  cases  largely 
parallel  that  against  Paramount,  Famous, 
Lasky,  the  two  West  Coast  Theatres  organ- 
izations and  several  other  respondents  be- 
ing charged  with  having  conspired  to  pre- 
vent competition  and  with  having  used 
other  unfair  methods  of  competition. 


12 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


"DEVEREND  HOOPER’S  act  came  as  a 
climax  to  the  fight  he  has  been  waging 
against  the  showing  of  pictures  in  the 
town’s  community  hall.  Each  Friday  night 
for  several  weeks  the  entertainments  were 
given  under  the  auspices  of  the  women’s 
auxiliary  of  his  church.  During  this  time, 
Hooper  assailed  the  action  of  the  members 
in  bringing  motion  pictures  to  the  town. 
The  women  have  contended  they  were  jus- 
tified because  the  village  has  no  other  en- 
tertainment. Nevertheless,  the  pastor 
termed  them  “sinners”  for  their  part  in  the 
presentations. 

The  showing  of  Douglas  McLean’s  “Let 
It  Rain”  had  just  begun  when  Mr.  Hooper 
stepped  into  the  projection  room  and  pro- 
ceeded to  demolish  the  apparatus  with  a 
hammer  before  the  operator  could  interfere. 

He  then  tried  to  make  a speech  but  failed 


miserably.  Later,  he  was  taken  into  cus- 
tody and  removed  to  the  state  reformatory 
at  Pontiac  by  Frank  Schram,  deputy 
sheriff.  No  charges  have  been  placed 
against  him  but  the  congregation  is  looking 
for  another  pastor,  according  to  a Detroit 
newspaper. 

Start  Construction  of 
$500,000  Phoenix  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHOENIX,  ARIZ.,  June  14.— Con- 
struction  of  a downtown  motion  picture 
theatre  has  been  started  here  by  the  Rick- 
ards and  Nace  amusement  enterprises. 
The  structure  is  to  cost  $500,000.  Mayor 
Frank  A.  Jefferson  broke  ground  while 
many  prominent  citizens  participated  in  the 
ceremonies.  •- 


Offers  $6,000,000 
Pathe  Debentures 
to  Close  Merger 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  June  14. — Pathe  Ex- 
change, Inc.,  is  offering  through  Blair  & 
Company  and  the  Chase  Securities  Cor- 
poration, $6,000,000  of  gold  debentures  to 
yield  7 per  cent  and  due  May  1,  1937,  the 
proceeds  to  go  in  part  toward  the  purchase 
of  certain  assets  of  the  Cinema  Corporation 
of  America  and  its  subsidiaries,  as  provided 
in  the  recent  merger  of  Pathe  with  the 
Cecil  B.  De  Mille  interests  and  Producers 
Distributing  Corporation. 

The  proceeds  will  also  be  used  to  redeem 
Pathe  two  per  cent  ten-year  bonds  amount- 
ing to  $900,000,  and  to  form  additional 
working  capital. 

The  issue  is  to  be  marketed  with  non- 
detachable  warrants  entitling  the  holder  of 
each  $1,000  debenture  to  purchase  20  shares 
of  common  stock  at  prices  ranging  from 
$25  a share  prior  to  May  1,  1929,  to  $50  a 
share  after  May  1,  1935.  Capitalization  of 
Pathe  when  completed  will  be  at  $10,000,000. 

J.  R.  Grainger  Signs 
5-Year  Contract  as 
Director  of  Fox  Sales 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — J.  R.  Grainger 
is  to  continue  as  general  sales  manager  of 
the  Fox  Film  Corporation  for  six  years 
more,  according  to  President  William  Fox, 
who  announces  the  signing  of  Grainger  to 
a new  contract  for  five  years  beginning 
March  30,  1928.  He  has  been  with  Fox  for 
nearly  two  years. 

In  making  the  announcement.  Fox  ex- 
pressed much  pleasure  at  the  assurance  of 
Grainger’s  continuation  with  the  company, 
stating  that  he  regarded  him  “as  the  out- 
standing personality  in  the  field  of  motion 
picture  sales  executives.” 

Winfield  Sheehan,  vicepresident  and 
general  manager,  expressed  himself  simi- 
larly. 

Joe  Brandt  Announces 
Acquisition  of  Unusual 
Mississippi  Flood  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald). 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — A two-reel  sub- 
ject, described  as  a dramatic  and  unusual 
picture  of  the  Mississippi  flood,  has  been 
acquired  by  Columbia  Pictures  for  im- 
mediate release,  according  to  Joe  Brandt. 
“The  Menace  of  the  Mississippi”  is  the 
title  of  the  picture  which,  the  Columbia 
president  said,  is  “not  a news  reel.” 

Seven  cameramen  endangered  their  lives 
for  two  months  in  making  the  picture,  said 
Brandt.  It  contains  many  exclusive  shots, 
he  said,  and  depicts  the  loss  of  human  life 
and  the  destruction  of  millions  of  dollars 
worth  of  property. 

Mayor  William  Hale  Thompson  of  Chi- 
cago already  has  presented  the  subject 
before  the  National  Flood  Conference. 


Reject  Sunday  Shows 

Residents  of  Glen  Ellyn,  Chicago  suburb, 
rejected  a proposal  to  permit  Sunday 
shows  in  a close  vote  last  week.  It  was 
the  second  time  in  two  years  that  theatres 
there  have  been  denied  Sunday  perform- 
ances, though  the  last  proposal  lost  by  a 
much  narrower  margin. 


John  C . F I i n n — 


JOHN  C.  FLINN  . . . general  manager  of  Producers  Dis- 
tributing Corporation  ...  a distinguished  publicist  of 
the  industry  who  graduated  into  managerial  office,  registering 
in  his  new  vocations  the  same  qualities  that  had  distinguished 
him  in  his  former  ...  an  enthusiastic  worker  and  leader  . . . 
natural  builder  of  confidence. 

Minister  Smashes  Projectors; 
Audience  Howls  Him  Down 

Women  s Auxiliary  of  Church  Brings  Pictures  into  Community  Hall 
Despite  Pastor’s  Protest — Taken  into  Custody 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Detroit,  June  14. — a pastor’s  sermon  on  motion  pictures  was 
howled  down  Friday  night  at  the  Franklin  community  hall,  near 
Birmingham,  a suburb  of  Detroit,  after  Rev.  Leo  Hooper,  30  year 
old  minister  of  a church  located  there,  had  run  wild  and  destroyed  two 
motion  picture  machines  before  the  address  of  the  evening  was  to  take 
place. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


Twelve  Years  Young 


The  people  who  make  the  HERALD  hold  an  Anniversary  Parade 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Herald  Camera  Sidelights  on  M.  P.  T.  O.  Convention 


C.  B.  Davis  (left)  of  the  Norwood  at 
Norwood,  Ohio,  is  a veteran  exhib- 
itor With  him  is  Morris  Roth  of  the 
Liberty  at  Duquesne,  Pa. 


The  one  and  only  Roxy  said 
Charles  A.  Lindbergh,  the  New 
York-Paris  flyer,  was  to  appear  at 
his  theatre  some  day  this  week. 


Here  are  T.  M.  Allen  (left)  of  Cin- 
cinnati, of  the  American  Theatre 
Equipment  Company,  and  George 
Wenger,  Miami,  Union  City,  Ind. 


Western  Pennsylvania  exhibitors  and  F.  B.  O.  were  much 
in  evidence.  Kneeling  (1  to  r) : Morris  Roth;  Harry 
Michalson,  F.  B.  O.,  Cincinnati;  Lou  Geiger,  F.  B.  O., 
Cleveland.  Standing:  S.  M.  Lewinder,  Nate  Freedberg, 
Mark  Broward,  Meyer  Winograd,  all  Pittsburgh,  and  C.  E. 
Penrod,  F.  B.  O.  central  salesmanager. 


Flanked  by  an  exchange  man  and  an  interior  decorator, 
George  Schenker  of  the  Pearl,  Park  and  Standard  at 
Lorain,  Ohio,  is  all  set.  Left:  T.  J.  Colby,  Pathe,  Cleve- 
land. Right:  Phillip  Garbo,  interior  decorator,  Cleve- 
land. Mr.  Garbo  is  responsible  for  the  attractive  in- 
teriors of  a number  of  Ohio  theatres. 


Charles  D.  Peiffer  (right)  at  first 
fled  from  the  camera,  thinking  it 
was  a trick.  With  him  is  Bert  Fiala 
of  the  Alhambra  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 


August  Berkholtz  of  the  Meramec 
at  West  Bend,  Wis.,  recalled  he 
early  predicted  the  importance  of 
the  radio  in  the  industry. 


Almost  the  oldest  and  youngest  in 
exhibition.  (L.  to  R.)  W.  H.  (Pop) 
Linton,  Olympic  at  Utica;  A1  Gon- 
sior,  the  Virginia  at  Champaign,  111. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


Vote  to  Admit  Producers 
Ends  Long  M.  P.  T.  O.  Fight 


Woodhull  Is  Re-elected; 
Seider  Resignation  Fails 

Board  Refuses  to  Accept — Business  Manager  to  Be 
Named  Later  by  Directors 

By  ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD 

(News  Editor  of  the  Herald) 

Decision  to  admit  producer-owned  theatres  to  membership  in  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  is  the  outstanding  action  of  the  Eighth  Annual  Con- 
vention of  the  exhibitors’  organization.  This  issue  not  only  sub- 
ordinated all  other  business  of  the  convention  last  week  at  Columbus 
but  also  dominated  most  of  the  addresses  from  the  opening  session 
Tuesday  through  the  banquet  and  the  final  meeting  Thursday  after- 
noon, when  the  new  Board  of  Directors,  with  A.  Julian  Brylawski 
as  chairman,  announced  R.  F.  Woodhull  had  been  re-elected 
president. 

“Pete”  Woodhull  and  the  business  manager,  to  be  named  later  by  the  direc- 
tors, will  be  paid  officials  under  the  new  plan.  Personnel  of  the  new  director- 
ate was  elected  after  a nominating  committee  consisting  of  leaders  of  state 
organizations  present  had  submitted  a slate  to  the  convention 

Line  Up  at  Committee  Meetings 

The  producer-membership  problem  came  to  the  fore  with  the  meeting  of 
the  outgoing  Board  of  Directors  as  well  as  the  Administrative  Committee  on 
Monday  night. 


WHAT  HAPPENED! 

By  EDWIN  S.  CLIFFORD 

Managing  Editor,  Exhibitors  Herald 


Decision  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  at 
Columbus  to  admit  the  producer- 
owned  theatres  to  membership  ends 
a discouraging,  seven  year  fight  to 
finance  the  organization  entirely 
through  independent  theatre  owners. 

The  action  at  Columbus  was  unan- 
imous, although  there  was  a sharp 
difference  of  opinion  over  the  mat- 
ter. Half  of  the  leaders  present  re- 
garded it  as  a forward  step.  The 
other  half  regarded  it  as  a surrender 
to  the  inevitable — an  unpleasant  step 
necessary  if  even  a fragment  of  the 
organization  was  to  be  saved. 

Aside  from  the  leaders  themselves, 
few  exhibitors  have  probably  realized  the 
precarious  financial  condition  of  the  or- 
ganization for  years.  If  complete  finan- 
cial reports  were  available  for  print,  their 
content  would  probably  prove  astound- 
ing to  the  rank  and  file. 

Serve  at  Financial  Loss 

National  officers  have  served  almost 
entirely  without  salaries.  They  have 
been  compelled  to  pay  their  own  ex- 
penses in  traveling  on  official  business. 
Funds  for  needed  clerical  work  and 
printing  have  been  lacking.  In  many  in- 
stances, the  men  at  the  helm  paid  for 
work  of  this  kind  out  of  their  own 
pocket. 

During  the  negotiations  over  the  uni- 
form contract  and  other  important  mat- 
ters, it  has  been  an  open  secret  that  the 
Motion  Picture  Producers  & Distrib- 
utors of  America  paid  the  expenses  of 
many  of  the  leaders  from  distant  points, 
so  that  there  would  be  a representative 
committee  to  deal  with. 

The  independent  theatre  owner  failed 
to  meet  the  expenses  of  the  organiza- 
tion— but  that  statement  is  incomplete 
without  a review  of  the  causes  why. 

Ever  since  the  Washington  convention 
at  which  the  so-called  Cohen-Walker 
fight  was  precipitated,  the  organization 
has  been  torn  by  strife. 

As  the  leaders  of  the  various  factions 
battled,  the  membership  of  their  own  or- 
ganization dropped  away. 

Through  the  haze  and  smoke  of  the 
battle,  the  little  fellows  back  in  the  sticks 
tried  to  get  a complete  picture  of  what 
was  going  on  and  line  up  behind  .the 
right  men.  Confusion  gradually  turned 
to  indifference. 

States  Fail  to  Pay  Dues 

At  all  of  the  recent  national  conven- 
tions, nearly  half  of  the  delegates  had 
to  be  seated  by  special  agreement  on 
account  of  the  fact  that  their  state  or- 
ganizations had  not  paid  dues  into  the 
national. 

At  each  convention,  it  was  declared 
that  the  only  way  to  get  sufficient  cash 
in  dues  from  the  exhibitors  was  to  send 
paid  organizers  into  the  field.  But  after 
the  convention,  there  was  never  enough 
money  to  hire  the  paid  organizers. 

In  the  last  few  years,  the  producer- 
owned  theatre  has  become  a tremendous 
factor  in  the  field.  Some  state  organ- 
izations accepted  them  into  membership 
(Continued  on  page  17) 


Joseph  M.  Seider,  chairman  of  the  Ad- 
ministrative Committee,  also  was  acting 
chairman  of  the  Board  of  Directors 
because  of  the  illness  of  Harry  Davis.  Sei- 
der presented  the  Administrative  Com- 
mittee report  to  the  directors  late  Monday 
night  and  in  turn  presented  the  di- 
rectors’ report  at  the  Convention  open- 
ing after  welcoming  addresses  by  J.  J. 
Harwood,  chairman  of  the  General  Con- 
vention Committee;  William  M.  James, 
president  of  the  Ohio  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. ; 
Mayor  James  J.  Thomas  of  Columbus,  and 
Woodhull. 

Warns  Exhibitors  of  Apathy 
Seider  emphasized  that  “the  contract 
situation  never  will  be  cleared  unless  you 
exhibitors  change  from  the  present  ap- 
parent lack  of  interest  you  have  shown 
Substitution  of  pictures:  “We  do  object 
to  paying  for  a gold  watch  and  then  be- 


Text of  Resolution 
Admitting  Producers 

The  text  of  the  resolution  the 
passage  of  which  opened  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  membership  to 
producer-theatres  read: 

“Resolved  that  it  be  the  sense 
of  the  convention  that  all  theatre 
owners  or  managers  of  motion 
picture  theatres  or  theatres  in 
which  motion  pictures  are  regu- 
larly presented  shall  be  eligible 
to  membership  in  this  organiza- 
tion.” 

The  convention  also  voted  “that 
the  incoming  Board  of  Directors 
be  and  is  hereby  instructed  to  in- 
stitute an  active  campaign  to  en- 
list in  the  organization  each  and 
every  theatre  owner  in  the  United 
States  and  Canada.” 


ing  given  a silver  one;”  Circuits:  “All 
mergers  made  in  the  past  year  were 
based  on  sound  and  constructive  princi- 
ples,” and  “the  haven  of  safety  for  thea- 
tre owners  lies  in  their  own  grasp” 
because  “the  large  chains  have  no  mo- 
nopoly on  Wall  Street.” 

Before  M.  A.  Rosenberg  of  Pittsburgh, 
kicked  over  the  traces  on  the  producer- 
member  proposal.  Arch  Hurley  of  New 
Mexico  recommended  that  executives  of 
producing  companies  be  asked  to  assist  the 
exhibitors  in'  flood  relief  work  and  Hurley 
and  I.  W.  Rodgers  of  Illinois  were  named 
exhibitor  members  of  a flood  committee  to 
appear  before  President  Coolidge.  The 
resolution  was  adopted  on  motion  of 
Louis  Rome  of  Baltimore,  seconded  by 
Wehrenberg  of  St.  Louis. 

When  M.  J.  O’Toole  moved  adoption 
of  the  Seider  report  President  Rosen- 
berg of  the  Western  Pennsylvania  or- 
ganization took  the  floor  with  the 
charge  that  the  contract,  arbitration, 
overbuilding  and  merger  difficulties  had 
been  “brought  into  force  against  us  by 
producers  and  distributors  and  yet  we 
would  ask  them  to  sit  around  the  table 
with  us.”  He  warned  that  his  organ- 
ization would  not  sanction  the  move 
(Wednesday  night  he  was  converted, 
however). 

Seider  explained  that  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors had  taken  into  consideration  the 
likelihood  of  objections  and  recom- 
mended that  an  investigatory  committee 
be  appointed.  The  committee  chosen,  as 
announced  in  the  Her'ald  last  week,  con- 
sisted of  Joe  Walsh  of  Connecticut,  Isaac 
Weinberg  of  Virginia,  William  James  of 
Ohio,  M.  A.  Rosenberg  of  Pittsburgh, 
and  Fred  Wehrenberg  of  Missouri. 

The  committee  was  to  report  the  fol- 
lowing day,  and  the  Tuesday  session  con- 
tinued with  an  address  by  Sydney  S. 
Cohen,  on  “The  Right  to  Live,”  which  is 
detailed  elsewhere  in  this  issue.  Mr. 
Cohen  went  to  the  platform  amid  con- 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


I'hoto  by  International 

Judge  Ben  B.  Lindsey,  of  Denver,  long  an  avowed  friend  of  the  industry,  was 
mentioned  on  the  Convention  floor  for  a position  as  the  Will  Hays  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A. 


tinuous  cheering  and  before  launching 
into  his  address  urged  that  his  “good 
friend  from  Western  Pennsylvania  will 
not  act  hastily.”  The  former  president 
also  stated  that  “this  is  the  least  attend- 
ed convention  we  have  had  since  the  or- 
ganization began,  but  that  may  be  at- 
tributable to  expenses  at  home  and  then 
again  there  may  be  some  other  reason.” 

Other  speakers  were  C.  M.  Burlingame 
on  low  intensity  light  reflection,  and  A. 
J.  Moeller,  president  of  the  American 
Cinema  Association. 

Committees  elected  Tuesday  included: 

LEGISLATION— Chairman,  A.  Ju- 
lian Brylawski,  of  Washington,  D.  C.; 
Henry  Staab,  Milwaukee ; Fred  Weh- 
renberg,  St.  Louis;  Fred  Pickrell,  Okla- 
homa; J.  J.  Harwood,  Cleveland ; Sol 
Raives,  New  York;  C.  J.  Phillips,  Fort 
Worth,  and  Senator  Joseph  Mogler,  St. 
Louis. 

RESOLUTIONS — Chairman  Rudy 
Sanders,  New  York;  J.  C.  Brady,  Can- 
ada; Glenn  Harper,  California;  D.  A. 
Harris,  Pittsburgh;  Nathan  Yamins, 
Massachusetts ; William  Cohen,  Eastern 
Pennsylvania ; Frank  Walker,  Rhode  Is- 
land, and  Charles  Picquet,  North  Caro- 
lina. 

CREDENTIALS— Chairman,  C.  W. 
Maxheld,  Florida;  Arch  Hurley,  New 
Mexico;  Charles  Picquet,  North  Caro- 
lina; E.  Thornton  Kelly,  New  Jersey; 
Lewellyn  Peysor,  Pennsylvania;  David 
Cohen,  New  York,  and  Herman  Blum, 
Maryland. 

Business  Manager  O’Toole,  giving  his 
annual  report  at  the  Wednesday  fore- 
noon session,  attacked  over-emphasis  of 
stars  instead  of  the  pictures  themselves. 


and  declared  that  we  “have  had  an  over- 
surplus of  imperial  stuff.”  He  answered 
a “subtly  offered  suggestion  that  the  na- 
tional organization  is  declining”  by  pre- 
dicting the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  soon  will  be 
in  a position  to  show  “amazing  accom- 
plishments.” 

Brilliant  addresses  were  given  by  S.  L. 
(Roxy)  Rothafel  and  Harry  Reichen- 
bach.  (These  are  detailed  elsewhere  in 
this  issue). 

Year’s  Trial  Proposed 

Joseph  Walsh,  bringing  in  the  report 
on  the  producer-membership  matter,  said 
the  committee  favored  giving  the  plan  a 
thorough  trial  in  the  ensuing  year  but 
recommended  the  problem  be  referred  to 
the  new  Board  of  Directors  for  action, 
following  considerable  dissension  in  the 
committee. 

The  report  was  accepted  on  motion  of 
Brylawski  and  the  convention  went  into 
the  task  of  naming  a nominating  com- 
mittee, with  Woodhull  as  chairman.  Af- 
ter considerable  discussion,  during  which 
Staab  of  Milwaukee,  proposed  a confer- 
ence of  state  leaders  and  finally  agreed 
to  the  committee’s  plan,  the  following 
nominating  committee  was  elected: 

Cecil  Cuff,  Arkansas;  Harper,  Cali- 
fornia; Walsh,  Connecticut ; Brady, 
Canada;  Brylawski,  Washington,  D.  C.; 
C.  W.  Maxheld,  Florida;  E.  P.  Smith, 
Iowa;  Jack  Miller,  Chicago;  I.  W. 
Rodgers,  Cairo,  111.;  Frank  J.  Rem- 
busch..  Indiana;  Clair  M.  Patee,  Kan- 
sas; Fred  J.  Dolle,  Kentucky;  Louis 
Rome,  Maryland;  Nathan  Yamins,  Mas- 
sachusetts; H.  M.  Richey,  Michigan ; 
Wehrenberg,  Missouri;  Seider,  New 
(Continued  on  Page  17) 


NEW  OFFICERS  OF 
M.  P.  T.  0.  A.  FOR 
ENSUING  YEAR 


R.  F.  Woodhull,  Dover,  N.  J., 
President. 

Louis  M.  Sagal,  Connecticut, 
Treasurer. 

M.  J.  O’Toole,  Scranton,  Pa., 
Secretary. 

National  Directors 
A.  Julian  Brylawski,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  Chairman. 

I.  W.  Rodgers,  Cairo,  111. 

Glenn  Harper,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
Ben  Berinstein,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
M.  E.  Comerford,  Scranton,  Pa. 

L.  M.  Sagal,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
Joseph  W.  Walsh,  Hartford,  Conn. 
E.  M.  Fay,  Providence,  R.  I. 
Nathan  Yamins,  Boston,  Mass. 

J.  Louis  Rome,  Baltimore,  Md. 

L.  B.  Wilson,  Louisville,  Ky. 
Fred  J.  Dolle,  Louisville,  Ky. 
Jack  Miller,  Chicago,  111. 

J.  M.  Seider,  Heightstown,  N.  J. 
Fred  Wehrenberg,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
William  M.  James,  Columbus. 
Nate  Freedberg,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
J.  W.  Maxfield,  Miami  Beach,  Fla. 
D.  A.  Harris,  W.  Va. 

Arch  Hurley,  Tucumcari,  N.  M. 
Steve  Bauer,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Fred  PickreU,  Oklahoma  City, 
Okla. 

Jules  Michaels,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Isaac  Weinberg,  Staunton,  Va. 
Leon  Rosenblatt,  N.  J. 

J.  B.  Phillips,  Fort  Worth,  Texas. 
C.  H.  Metzger,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
John  A.  Schwalm,  Hamilton,  Ohio. 
Rudy  Sanders,  New  York  City. 

H.  D.  Wharton,  Warren,  Ark. 
(Seider  offered  his  resignation  but 
board  refused  to  accept  it.) 

Administrative  Committee 

(Temporary  committee  to  serve  three 
months  and  name  own  chairman.) 

Jules  Michaels,  New  York. 

M.  E.  Comerford,  Pennsylvania. 
Jack  Miller,  Illinois. 

W.  M.  James,  Ohio. 

Nathan  Yamins,  Massachusetts. 
Joseph  F.  Walsh,  Connecticut. 
Louis  M.  Sagal,  Connecticut. 

Regional  V ice-Presidents 

J.  C.  Brady,  Canada. 

Henry  Blum,  Maryland. 

J.  J.  Harwood,  Ohio. 

M.  Rosenberg,  Pennsylvania. 
Prank  Koch,  New  York. 

Roy  Grombacher,  Washington. 


The  entire  convention  at  its 
first  session  stood  in  silent 
prayer  for  two  minutes  for  the 
rapid  recovery  of  Harry 
Davis,  chairman  of  the  Board 
of  Directors  for  the  past  year. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


What  Happened! 

{Continued  from  Page  15) 


A Tempest  in  a Teapot 


Harry  Reichenbach,  exploiter  extraordinaire,  after  a sterling  address  at 
the  Wednesday  session  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  at  Columbus,  became  the 
center  of  a storm  of  discussion  following  his  remarks  at  the  banquet  that 
evening.  As  in  the  case  of  the  producer-membership  issue,  it  became  a 
tempest  in  a teapot. 


and  prospered  financially.  Other  state 
organizations  either  barred  them,  or  at 
least  did  not  make  them  welcome. 

Leaders  from  states  which  have  in- 
cluded producer-owned  theatres  in  their 
membership  regard  the  action  at  Colum- 
bus as  a great  step  forward— the  begin- 
ning of  a new  era  for  the  theatre  own- 
ers’ organization. 

They  declare  that  it  means  a budget, 
which  will  permit  the  hiring  of  a man  to 
represent  the  exhibitors  of  a calibre  of 
Will  H.  Hays,  representative  of  the  pro- 
ducers and  distributors.  They  say  it 
means  a formidable  organization,  which 
will  be  able  to  protect  the  theatre  owners 
from  adverse  legislation  and  other  out- 
side dangers  and  give  them  service  which 
would  be  impossible  under  the  old  ar- 
rangement. 

They  are  “sold”  solidly  on  the  solving 
of  disputes  between  the  theatre  owners 
on  the  one  side  and  the  distributor  on 
the  other  at  the  “round  table.” 

New  Tsrpe  Sales  Force 

They  point  to  the  new  type  of  ex- 
change manager  and  salesman,  who  has 
appeared  in  the  last  few  years — declar- 
ing “cooperation  and  understanding” 
will  solve  more  difficulties  and  prevent 
more  injustices  than  belligerency. 

The  producer  who  owns  theatres,  they 
believe,  needs  the  independent  theatre 
owner’s  good  will  more  than  the  inde- 
pendent theatre  owner  needs  the  pro- 
ducer and  distributor.  They  declare  that 
overbuilding  and  overseating  is  the  dis- 
tributor-owner’s problem,  as  much,  if  not 
more,  than  it  is  the  independent’s. 

As  far  as  injustice  to  the  little  fellow 
is  concerned,  they  declare  that  the  dis- 
tributor today  realizes  that  the  small 
man  must  be  kept  in  business  and  per- 
mitted to  make  a fair  profit,  and  that 
this  economic  need  of  big  business  is 
more  assuring  of  a fair  deal  than  any 
protective  measures  the  little  fellow  him- 
self could  take. 

Leaders  who  regard  the  admission  of 
the  producer-owned  theatre  into  the  or- 
ganization as  unpleasant  but  inevitable 
fear  that  regardless  of  safeguards  taken, 
the  men  who  put  up  the  money  to  make 
the  wheels  go  will  eventually  control 
the  organization. 

But  they  are  of  a mind  that  a dis- 
tributor-financed organization  which 
will  at  least  protect  the  theatre  owner 
against  unfair  legislation  is  far  prefer- 
able to  no  organization  at  all. 

Most  of  the  leaders,  while  not  as  en- 
thusiastic as  the  other  faction,  also  be- 
lieve that  economic  laws  will  do  more 
for  the  independent  theatre  owner  than 
any  voluntary  act  on  his  part.  They 
admit  that,  while  not  entirely  satisfied, 
there  is  a more  general  spirit  of  fair 
play  in  dealings  between  the  distributor 
and  the  exhibitor. 

$25,000  from  Producers 

Estimates  of  the  revenue  to  be  re- 
ceived from  distributor-owned  theatres 
vary.  It  is  declared,  however,  that  the 
action  of  the  convention  assures  at  least 
$25,000  from  this  source. 

One  leader — an  enthusiast  for  the  new 
order  of  things — predicted  that  the  time 
is  not  far  distant  when  every  theatre 
owner  in  the  country  will  be  assessed 
an  additional  1 per  cent  on  his  film 
rental  bills;  the  money  collected  by  the 
distributor,  and  the  funds,  thus  realized, 
turned  over  in  equal  parts  to  the  state 
theatre  owner’s  organization  and  to  the 
national  theatre  owner’s  organization. 


Toastmaster  Reichenbach,  in  introduc- 
ing C.  C.  Pettijohn,  accused  Will  H.  Hays 
of  being  a “most  insincere  man”  and 
“yielding  to  private  grudges.”  Pettijohn, 
waiving  a reply  except  to  grant  the 
speaker  the  “right  to  his  own  opinion,” 
went  on  to  promise  the  exhibitors  that 
“we’ll  look  you  in  the  eye,  go  50-50,  give 
you  time  and  cooperate.”  But  H.  M. 
Warner,  the  next  speaker,  took  up  the 
cudgel  for  Hays  bj’’  remarking  that  “we 
shouldn’t  find  fault  with  anything  that 
has  happened  before.”  He  declared  that 
“Hays  sits  there  only  to  guide  us  in 
what  is  right,”  and  called  him  the  “only 
stabilizing  factor”  in  the  industry. 

Cites  Case  of  “Rain” 

Reichenbach,  returning  to  the  attack, 
likened  Hays  to  a ‘“preacher  standing 
in  front  of  a blind  pig:  If  he  moves 
away  the  place  is  raided.”  He  accused 
the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  president  of  permit- 
ting Gloria  Swanson  to  produce  “Rain” 
after  barring  it  to  Fox,  and  said  Hays’ 
stand  on  producers’  morals  is  that  “to 
err  is  human,  but  if  you  must  err  don’t 
let  anybody  see  you.” 

The  aftermath  at  the  Thursday  fore- 
noon session  was  a heated  controversy 


Canon  Chase  Attacks 
Producer-Ownership 

Canon  W.  S.  Chase,  exponent  of 
blue  lawism,  was  on  hand  with 
copies  of  a resolution  which  he 
placed  before  the  Resolutions 
Committee,  Canon  Chase  wanted 
the  organization  to  call  upon  Pres- 
ident Coolidge  and  federal  bodies 
to  prevent  excessive  film  rentals 
and  “unfair  business  methods." 

He  also  proposed  that  M.  A. 
Rosenberg,  John  Alderdice  and 
Frank  J.  Rembusch  be  added  to 
the  Standing  Legislative  Commit- 
tee and  that  an  amendment  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Clayton  Anti-Trust 
Act  to  forbid  theatre  ownership 
by  producers  and  block  booking. 


Admitting  Producers 
Terminates  Long  Fight 

(Continued  from  Page  16) 

Jersey;  Hurley,  New  Mexico;  Sydney 
S.  Cohen,  New  York;  Jules  Michaels, 
Buffalo;  Charles  Picquet,  North  Caro- 
lina; James,  Ohio;  Pickrell  and  W.  Z. 
Spearman,  Oklahoma;  Louis  Pizor, 
Eastern  Pennsylvania;  Rosenberg, 
Western  Pennsylvania;  E.  M.  Fay, 
Rhode  Island;  Joe  Phillips,  Texas; 
Weinberg,  Virginia;  Roy  Grombacher, 
Washington  state;  M.  A.  Sybert,  West 
Virginia,  and  Staab,  Wisconsin. 

That  set  the  stage  for  election  of  the 
Board,  but  the  report  of  the  nominating 
committee  was  postponed  from  the  late 
session  Wednesday  in  order  to  clear  the 
room  for  the  banquet  preparations.  In 
a preliminary  report,  however.  Jack  Mil- 
ler declared  that  “we  had  the  greatest 
meeting  ever  held  for  exhibitor  organi- 


over  the  stand  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  should 
take  on  the  Reichenbach  remarks.  Co- 
lumbus newspapers  had  made  much  of 
the  incident,  with  copious  quotations 
from  the  speakers,  and  so  Isaac  Freed- 
man of  Akron  offered  a motion  that 
the  exhibitors’  organization  disclaim  any 
responsibility  for  the  remarks.  After 
half  a dozen  exhibitors -had  battled  for 
the  floor  and  various  motions  had  been 
tabled  and  ruled  out  of  order,  Freedman 
presented  a resolution  which  finally  was 
passed.  It  read: 

“Whereas  certain  unfortunate  remarks 
were  made  at  a banquet  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  A.  June  8 by  Harry  Reichenbach 
regarding  Mr.  Will  Hays,  which  remarks 
do  not  in  any  sense  represent  the  view- 
point of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A., 

“Be  it  resolved  that  the  Convention 
herewith  goes  on  record  as  sincerely 
regretting  the  fact  that  these  remarks 
were  made  upon  this  occasion  and  hereby 
disclaims  all  responsibility  for  them.” 

It  was  understood  after  the  session 
that  a proposal  was  to  be  made  later 
to  the  new  Board  of  Directors  to  elim- 
inate the  name  of  Reichenbach  from  the 
resolution. 


zation.”  Miller  expressed  himself  vigor- 
ously and  wasted  no  time  on  apologies. 

Pep  Now,  Says  Jack  Miller 

“So  far  the  organization  hasn’t  been 
worth  a good  damn,”  he  charged.  “It 
hasn’t  been  worth  the  powder  to  blow  it 
to  hell.  It  has  been  almost  a corpse. 
But  today  some  pep  has  been  blown  into 
it.  Legislation,  good  will  and  solution  of 
labor  problems  mean  more  to  me  than 
the  contract  issue.”  Miller  drew  a round 
of  laughter  when  he  said  that  “you  buried 
me  in  Los  Angeles,  A1  Steffes  and  me.” 
(It  was  predicted  among  the  leaders  later 
that  Steffes,  who  did  not  attend  the  con- 
vention, would  come  alons’-  on  the  new 
plan.) 

It  had  been  announced  that  the  ban- 
quet would  be  informal  but  even  the 
leaders,  could  not  have  forecast  how  in- 
formal it  was  to  become.  Remarks  re- 
garding Will  Hays  by  Harry  Reichen- 
bach, toastmaster,  provided  much  of  the 
informality. 

C.  C.  Pettijohn,  first  speaker,  declared 
that  the  exhibitors  by  admitting  produc- 
ers to  membership  “had  written  the 
Magna  Charter  of  the  industry”  and  add- 
ed that  the  “producers  are  glad  you’ve 
decided  to  stop  gilding  the  steeple  of  an 
imaginary  structure.” 

After  several  excellent  numbers  by  the 
Elks  Chorus,  Harry  M.  Warner  was  in- 
troduced as  the  “seventh  of  the  six  War- 
ner Brothers.”  Mr.  Warner  declared  his 
company  had  only  five  or  six  theatres 
and  “we  don’t  want  any  more.” 

Dolores  and  Helene  Costello,  who 
graced  the  table  with  their  charm,  were 
introduced  with  their  mother,  and  then 
S.  L.  (Roxy)  Rothafel  told  the  organiza- 
tion that  “admitting  producers  as  mem- 
bers was  the  greatest  step  since  you 
formed  your  organization”  and  promised 
that  “if  my  little  ‘mike’  will  be  of  any 
help  you  can  count  on  me  for  any  re- 
(Continued  on  page  19) 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


New  YORK. — Sam  Sonin  wants  it 
known  that  the  dark  complected  per- 
son he  was  seen  talking  to  in  front  of 
the  Deschler  hotel  at  Columbus  was  a 
friend  of  Harry  Reichenbach’s  and  he 
can't  choose  Harry’s  friends.  . . . Lou 
Metzger  has  a new  story  about  sugar 
w'hich  he!  told  at  the  Red  Kami  dinner: 
get  him  to  tell  you  ....  Will  Murphey, 
after  a number  of  threats,  has  finally  sev- 
ered his  connection  with  the  publicity  de- 
partment of  Warners.  . . . "Fatty”  Ar- 
buckle,  in  a curtain  speech,  referred  to  his 
troubles  in  the  film  industry  and  it  didn’t 
make  a hit  with  the  New  York  critics  or 
even  with  his  friends.  . . . /.  Robert 

Rubin,  of  Metro,  has  sailed  for  Europe 
with  Mrs.  Rubin  and  their  son.  . . . 
Ralph  Wilk,  in  Film  Daily,  refers  to  Pete 
Woodlmll  as  the  “present  incumbent’’  and 
we’d  like  Ralph  to  name  a past  or  future 
“incumbent’’.  . . . Harold  Rodner  is  mak- 
ing a specialty  of  Eskimo  pictures.  . . . 
John  McCormick,  of  Burbank,  Cal.,  is  in 
New  York  for  a conference  with  Dick 
Rowland.  . . . Watterson  Rothacker,  of 
Burbank,  Cal.,  is  in  New  York  conferring 
with  Dick  Rowland,  . . . Dick  Roidand 
is  busy  holding  conferences  with  the  pro- 
duction managers  of  First  National’s  Bur- 
bank studios.  . . . Bud  Rogers,  of  Lumas, 
returned  from  a Western  trip  last  week 
and  w'as  taken  direct  to  a hospital  for  an 
operation  on  his  ears.  ...  Si  Readier  is 
another  of  the  regulars  whose  Western 
trip  laid  him  up  sick  after  his  return.  Si’s 
trouble  being  with  his  throat.  . . . Guy 
Wonders,  who  has  a host  of  friends  in 
New  York,  has  resigned  as  manager  of 
the  Rivoli,  Baltimore,  and  will  take  a long 
vacation.  . . . Herman  Robbins  says  the 
National  Screen  Service  thinks  so  well  of 
Lindbergh  that  it  got  out  a special  150 
reel  that  is  a wonder.  . . . William  Fox 
paid  Chicago  a visit  and  there  is  talk  that 
it  was  in  connection  with  a Roxy  theatre 
in  the  Windy  City.  . . . Victor  Shapiro 
is  back  from  the  Coast  all  browned  up  but 
says  he  didn’t  get  it  playing  golf.  . . . 
Pat  Garyn  was  the  gayest  boy  in  the  party 
at  Columbus,  according  to  some  of  the 
convention  visitors.  . . . John  Humm, 
popular  treasurer  of  Pathe,  has  notified 
the  grdens  committee  of  the  Rockville 
Country  Club  that  it  needn’t  put  in  any 
more  traps  especially  for  his  benefit.  . . . 
Carl  Laemmle  is  due  from  the  Coast  this 
week  and  will  sail  soon  on  his  annual 
visit  to  his  old  home  in  Germany.  . . . 
Frederick  Wynne-Jones  of  UFA  is  ill  in 
the  Polyclinic  hospital.  . . . Harry 

Rozvson,  of  Ideal  Films,  sailed  Saturday 
for  his  home  in  London  after  what  he 
would  say  was  a fortnight  in  New  York. 

. . . Eddie  Cantor  is  back  in  New  York 
and  says  he  is  out  of  films  for  a whole  year 
which  he  will  devote  to  stage  work.  . . . 
Bob  Kane  will  sail  for  Europe  on  a sum- 
rner’s  vacation  as  soon  as  he  completes  the 
picture  he  is  now  making  for  First 
National  at  Cosmopolitan  studio.  . . . 

Harry  Reichenbach  and  Charlie  Pettijohn 
told  the  exhibitors  at  Columbus  about  Will 
Hays  and  they  didn’t  agree  a-tall.  . . . 
Edward  Sloman  is  here  from  the  Coast  to 
film  scenes  for  “We  Americans.”  . . . Jay 
Shreck  sailed  for  Chicago  last  Thursday 
and  there  was  mourning  on  45th  and  other 
cross  streets  which  only  the  arrival  of 
Lindbergh  assuaged.  — SPARGO. 


Willard  Mack  Hurt 

HARTFORD. — Willard  Mack,  actor  and  play- 
wright, was  confined  to  Hartford  hospital  with  a 
fractured  ankle,  the  result  of  a fall  on  a sidewalk. 


The  only  welcome  sign  in  Columbus  was  above  the  marquee  of  the  Neil  House, 
where  the  official  headquarters  of  the  convention  were  located.  (HERALD  foto.) 


Two  of  the  above  are  from  Covington,  Ky.  Their  state  was  active  at  the  Con- 
vention. L.  B.  Wilson  (left)  has  the  Liberty  theatre  at  Covington.  Godfrey 
Kotzin  (right)  is  identified  with  the  Lyric  of  the  same  city.  In  the  middle  is 
Mark  Goldman,  manager  of  the  Tiffany  branch  at  Cleveland.  M.  H.  Hoffman, 
vice-president  of  Tiffany,  was  also  at  the  Convention. 


Roy  L.  Thompson  (extreme  right)  of  Lima,  Ohio,  named  his  theatre  after  Quilna, 
an  old  Indian  chief.  With  him  is  E.  A.  Beilharz  of  the  Page  Organ  Company, 
also  of  Lima.  On  the  left  is  M.  P.  Brown  of  the  Lorain  at  Cleveland,  and  next  to 
him  is  Charles  G.  Burton  of  the  Lincoln,  Lakewood,  Ohio. 


Maryland  delegates  get  together.  Left  to  right  are  L.  Garman  of  the  Pimlico 
theatre  at  Baltimore;  E.  B.  McCurdy  of  the  Columbia  at  Baltimore,  and  H.  A. 
Blum,  Idle  Hour,  sJso  at  Baltimore.  You  might  call  them  friendly  rivals,  but  it’s 
only  in  the  state  song  now  that  gore  runs  through  the  streets  of  Baltimore. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


June  18,  1927 

Admitting  Producers 
Winds  Up  Long  Fight 

{Continued  from  page  17) 

source  at  my  command.”  Edgar  Guest, 
the  poet,  recited  a poem  dedicated  to  the 
convention;  Congressman  James  Francis 
Burke  spoke  on  synchronization.  Gover- 
nor A.  Vic  Donaghey  told  of  Ohio’s 
prosperity,  and  Nathan  Burkan  also  spoke. 

Entertainers  were  many  and  included 
Smith  & Colton,  “The  Whirl  of  the 
Dance,”  Joe  Cristy  and  Ruth  McDonald, 
Owen  Colwell  and  Miss  Frances  Han- 
ford from  the  James  theatre.  From  the 
road  were  Ruth  Fullmer,  Pauline  Cor- 
bett, Beth  Murray,  Dot  Hanauer,  Billy 
Davis,  the  Corbett  Twins  and  Rankin, 
Ralph  Allen,  Indian  singer  from  Denison 
University;  the  Jorg  Fasting  School  of 
the  Ballet,  and  Jack  Sherrick  and  Vir- 
ginia Moore,  local  juveniles. 

Dancing  followed  the  entertainment 
numbers. 

Red  Cross  Thanks  Body 

Thursday’s  first  session  opened  with  an 
address  by  Douglas  Griesemer  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  director  of  the  Flood  Re- 
lief Campaign  Fund  of  the  Red  Cross. 
Mr.  Griesemer  declared  the  theatre  own- 
ers had  won  the  thanks  of  every  Red 
Cross  chapter  in  the  country  for  their 
cooperation.  Other  speakers  were  Fred 
J.  McConnell,  editor  of  Exhibitors  Daily 
Review;  J.  C.  Kroesen,  whose  subject  was 
“Low  Intensity  Projection  and  Standard- 
ization,” and  Ray  Lewis,  who  extended 
an  invitation  from  Toronto  for  the  next 
convention.  It  was  referred  to  the  direc- 
tors. 

A proposed  amendment  by  the  outgo- 
ing Board  that  the  three  months  advance 
notice  for  offering  amendments  was 
tabled.  A motion  to  make  16  the  neces- 
sary number  for  a quorum  in  the  direc- 
torate was  passed.  It  had  been  eleven. 

Reel  to  Be  Distributed 

Brylawski  announced  that  Lou  Jacob- 
son, editor  of  “The  Spice  of  Life,”  one- 
reel  production  to  be  distributed  by  the 
National  Organization,  had  brought  five 
prints  to  the  convention  to  show  to  state 
leaders.  He  emphasized  they  were  a po- 
tential source  of  income,  increased  pres- 
tige and  constructive  propaganda,  and 
that  distribution  arrangements  were  to 
be  made  at  once  by  the  Board. 

As  the  convention  closed,  Seider  asked 
to  be  permitted  to  retire  from  the  Board 
of  Directors  but  the  Board  refused  to  ac- 
cept his  resignation.  Seider  later  empha- 
sized that  the  president  and  business 
manager  were  to  be  paid  officers  and  de- 
clared the  organization  included  a num- 
ber of  men  of  high  caliber  who  merited 
the  position.. 

It  was  announced  after  the  convention 
that  exhibitors  desiring  copies  of  the  of- 
ficial souvenir  program,  an  elaborate  and 
well  arranged  booklet,  can  obtain  them 
by  writing  P.  J.  Wood,  secretary  of  the 
convention  committee,  at  No.  39  West 
Broad  Street,  Columbus. 

The  equipment  exposition  was  a cen- 
ter of  interest  to  exhibitors  at  all  hours, 
including  business  sessions.  Its  com- 
pleteness was  matched  only  by  the  tasty 
arrangement  of  exhibits. 

Entertainment  for  the  women  included 
an  automobile  tour  starting  from  the 
Neil  House,  convention  headquarters, 
and  a reception  at  the  executive  mansion 
by  Mrs.  Donahey. 

Greyhound  races  at  the  field  of  the 
Franklin  Kennel  Club  proved  attractive 
to  both  the  exhibitors  and  their  wives. 
One  had  the  tact  to  commission  his  wife 
to  collect  on  their  certificates  and  as  both 
placed  bets  she  usually  had  something  to 
collect. 


Herald  Sets  Speed  Record 
In  Mid-Convention  Number 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD  smashed  speed  records  in  handling  the 
news  of  the  eighth  annual  convention  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America  at  Columbus,  Ohio. 


Complete  bound  copies  of  the 
June  11  issue,  published  in  two 
sections,  were  distributed  at 
Columbus,  Wednesday  evening, 
June  8.  The  book  not  only  con- 
tained a complete  account  of  the 
opening  session  of  the  conven- 
tion June  7,  but  in  addition, 
eight  photographs  taken  by  a 
HERALD  staff  cameraman  at 
exhibitor’s  golf  tournament  in 
Columbus,  Monday,  June  6.  All 
exhibitors  who  were  not  sup- 
plied with  copies  Wednesday 
evening  were  taken  care  of  by  a 
second  shipment  which  arrived 
Thursday  morning. 

Printing  of  the  pictures  of  the 
golf  tournament  was  a real 
achievement  in  motion  picture 
trade  paper  annals.  The  photo- 
graphs were  taken  Monday  after- 
noon. Special  arrangements  had 


been  made  for  their  development, 
and  the  finished  photos  were 
mailed  to  Chicago  late  Monday 
night.  A delay  in  the  post  office 
resulted  in  their  arriving  in  Chi- 
cago at  2 o’clock  Tuesday  after- 
noon. Half  tones  were  rushed 
through  in  three  hours,  and  the 
presses  on  the  edition  started 
only  two  hours  later  than  regu- 
lar schedule.  Bound  copies  were 
on  the  Pennsylvania  train  headed 
for  Columbus  before  noon 
Wednesday. 

Among  those  congratulating 
the  HERALD  on  its  achieve- 
ment were  R.  F.  Woodhull,  na- 
tional president,  M.  J.  O’Toole 
and  Sydney  S.  Cohen,  past  presi- 
dents, Joseph  M.  Seider,  chair- 
man of  the  Administrative  Com- 
mittee, and  many  other  leaders 
in  the  exhibitor  organization. 


Moratorium  on 
Building  Asked 
By  Sydney  Cohen 

Producer-Chains  “do  not  want  inde- 
pendently owned  theatres  to  exist  even, 
let  alone  to  be  built  anywhere,  or  at  all,” 
Sydney  S.  Cohen  declared  in  his  address 
to  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  convention  on 
“The  Right  to  Live.”  “That  is  denying 
the  right  to  live  to  many  pioneers  in 
exhibition.”  Mr.  Cohen  charged  this  is 
not  competition  but  “attempted  exter- 
mination.” 

Mr.  Cohen  traced  the  development  of 
exhibitor  organization  and  producer- 
chains,  warning  that  the  latter  is  bring- 
ing overshowing,  overproducing,  over- 
theatreing  and  “eventually  will  bring 
about  a -lowering  of  admission  prices  to 
a point  where  profits  will  cease  to  be.” 

“Why  not,  then,  before  this  catastro- 
phe comes  about — and  surely  it  must — 
why  not  a sitting  down  of  the  producing 
heads  engaged  in  this  unintelligent  and 
destructive  competition,  together  with 
the  representatives  of  theatre  owners,  to 
properly  consider  this  situation?”  he 
asked.  “At  such  a gathering,  theatre 
owner  interests  should  insist  that  a mora- 
torium of  at  least  several  years  should 
be  declared  against  theatre  building  by 
producers.” 

Theatre  owners  successfully  may  com- 
bat overbuilding  if  they  are  properly 
organized,  Mr.  Cohen  declared.  “They 
hold  the  balance  of  power  in  their  hands, 
if  they  but  knew  it,  by  virtue  of  their 
numbers,  of  their  contact  with  the  pub- 
lic, and  because  of  the  fact  that  they  are 
buyers. 

“The  small  town  impresarios,  whose 
names  are  legion,  and  the  neighborhood 
‘Roxy’s,’  who  are  equally  numerous,  are 
the  real  ‘White  Hopes’  of  the  theatre 


owner’s  cause,”  the  speaker  said.  “These 
are  the  very  men  and  women  who  pre- 
vent hostile  legislation,  national,  state 
and  local,  as  we  have  found  out  in  our 
experience  matters  at  Washington  and 
in  the  state  capitals.” 

Mr.  Cohen  declared  the  real  trouble 
with  most  theatre  owners  is  the  fact 
that  “they  have  too  much  done  for  them 
gratis  since  the  inception  of  the  indus- 
try and  they  have  not  ‘suffered’  much.” 
He  said  their  profits  in  many  instances 
had  been  very  large  and  had  come  with- 
out much  effort,  but  that  with  the  stabil- 
izing of  the  industry  these  profits  will 
decrease  and  operation  of  theatres  is 
becoming  more  difficult. 

The  speaker  warned  that  if  mergers 
became  too  far  reaching  in  their  extent 
there  was  a danger  of  standardization 
of  product  with  a factory-made  finish, 
which  the  public  would  not  tolerate. 


Reichenbach  Delivers 
Scintillating  Address 

Harry  Reichenbach,  de  luxe  exploiter, 
introduced  himself  to  the  convention  as 
representing  “the  devastated  region  of 
motion  pictures”  and  followed  with  an 
oral  bombardment  of  witticisms  and 
constructive  suggestions  on  showman- 
ship that  left  the  exhibitors  alternating 
swiftly  between  laughter  and  serious  ac- 
ceptance of  ideas  he  brought  forth. 

Institutionalism  is  the  biggest  element 
in  building  attendance,  he  said;  the 
names  of  the  exhibitor  and  the  theatre 
are  the  first  things  to  plant  in  the  minds 
of  the  public. 

He  added  that  “the  man  who  plays  up 
the  name  of  stars  in  his  city  is  crazy.” 
(Other  speakers  later  refuted  this  asser- 
tion.) 

“If  you’ve  got  a piece  of  plaster  out 
of  the  front  of  your  theatre  tell  the  pub- 
lic it’s  that  way  for  a purpose,  that  it’s 
{Continued  on  page  40) 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


F-N  Foreign  Department  Heads 
Get  New  Slant  at  Convention 

American  Sales  Methods  Can  Be  Applied,  Says  Franco-Belgian  Repre- 
sentative— India  Gradually  Aivakening 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  June  14. — Representatives  of  First  National’s  foreign 
department  w^ho  came  from  all  corners  of  the  globe  to  take  part 
in  the  organization’s  first  international  convention  at  Burbank, 
Cal.,  have  departed  for  their  respective  territories  imbued  with  a renewed 
and  more  intimate  knowledge  of  the  product  they  handle  and  its  possibili- 
ties. They  have  had  the  opportunity  of  making  most  of  a brief  but  close 
relationship  wdth  members  of  the  domestic  force  and  their  exchange  of 
ideas  has  done  much  to  encourage  each  other. 


TJ  A.  BANDY,  foreign  salesmanager, 
was  in  charge  of  the  foreign  con- 
tingent during  its  stay  in  the  states,  and 
the  great  opportunity  to  make  the  most 
of  the  short  visit  of  the  field  men  was 
taken  advantage  of  by  him  during  the 
eight  days  of  travel  from  New  York 
to  the  Coast,  when  many  of  the  problems 
confronting  the  various  territories  were 
discussed. 

Joseph  Skirboll,  European  general 
manager,  in  company  of  David  Ross- 
heim,  who  represented  the  United  King- 
dom, was  particularly  enthusiastic  in 
endorsing  the  successful  efforts  of 
Foreign  Manager  Bruce  Johnson  that 
had  given  the  European  representatives 
a chance  to  come  to  this  country  and 
thoroughly  acquaint  themselves,  first- 
hand, with  actual  production  of  the 
wares  they  sell.  “No  better  way  of  ex- 
pressing the  appreciation  of  what  the 
men  in  the  field  are  doing,  or  no  greater 
form  of  encouragement  from  them  in 
the  future  could  be  expressed  in  a more 
wholehearted  manner,”  declared  Mr. 
Rossheim. 

Inspect  Burbank  Studios 

Probably  the  most  interesting  side  of 
the  convention  program  to  the  visitors 
themselves  was  the  complete  inspection 
of  the  new  Burbank  studios.  The 
general  opinion  of  all  was  voiced  by 
Sofus  Berg,  First  National  manager  of 
Scandinavia.  He  said  that  now,  in  ap- 
proaching his  customers  at  home,  he 
would  be  able  to  talk  intelligently  to 


them  about  the  pictures  and  the  process 
of  making  them,  without  any  fear  of 
being  asked  questions  about  their  manu- 
facture such  as  heretofore  have  found 
him  in  the  dark  and  unable  to  answer. 

Louis  Gatto,  who  represented  France 
and  Belgium,  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that, 
with  certain  modifications,  the  American 
sales  methods  described  at  the  conven- 
tion could  be  adapted  to  use  in  his  ter- 
ritory. 

India  Gradually  Awakening 

Alex.  Hague  of  Bombay  found  much 
to  be  gained  from  the  international  con- 
ference. He  explained  that  the  Indian 
gradually  is  awakening  and  is  anxious 
to  obtain  the  best  in  teaching  progress 
through  the  more  active  civilization  of 
the  Western  world. 

Upon  their  return  to  New  York  a 
final  round-table  meeting  was  called  to 
order  by  Mr.  Bandy,  and  from  his  re- 
ports it  was  obvious  that  a greats  im- 
pression had  been  stamped  in  the  minds 
of  each  member  of  the  foreign  staff. 

Managers  from  eleven  countries  were 
present.  In  addition  to  those  mentioned 
were  John  Olsen,  manager  for  Den- 
mark; Sven  Aas,  manager  for  Norway; 
H.  G.  Hibbert,  manager  for  Manchester, 
England,  and  winner  of  the  “Hollywood 
Drive”  in  the  United  Kingdom;  Max 
Stoehr,  manager  for  Switzerland;  Wil- 
liam Fait,  manager  for  Mexico;  Horace 
T.  Clark,  manager  for  Japan,  and 
Luther  M.  Jee,  manager  for  China. 


Accidents  Bring 
Fresh  Worries  to 
Canada  Owners 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  Ont.,  June  14. — A serious  ac- 
cident last  week  to  a Belleville,  Ont.,  fire- 
man participating  in  an  exploitation  stunt 
for  “The  Fire  Brigade,”  has  resulted  in  a 
proposal  by  city  authorities  to  restrict  such 
stunts,  while  the  Laurier  Palace  disaster  in 
Montreal  last  January  is  the  indirect  cause 
of  a decision  made  last  week  by  Premier 
Taschereau  of  Quebec  that  the  Royal  Com- 
mission investigating  the  catastrophe  ex- 
tended its  inquiry  to  the  moral  phases  of 
film  plays. 

The  Belleville  fire  department  had  made 
a special  run  to  the  City  Hall  at  the  request 
of  an  exploitation  man.  The  extension 
ladder  was  raised,  for  the  purpose  of 
dropping  a banner  announcing  that  the  pic- 
ture was  being  shown  at  J.  C.  McCarthy’s 
Belle  theatre.  The  ladder  gave  way  and 
Fireman  Edward  Clark,  who  was  on  the 
ladder,  fell  almost  45  feet  to  the  pavement, 
sustaining  a concussion  of  the  brain  and 
other  injuries. 

Investigation  of  the  moral  tone  of  mo- 
tion pictures  is  at  the  urging  of  various 
social  organizations.  Premier  Taschereau 
said.  For  some  time  the  inquiry  into  the 
Montreal  disaster  has  resolved  itself  into  a 
battle  between  church  representatives  and 
exhibitors  over  Sunday  shows,  the  tragedy 
having  occurred  on  Sunday. 

Usher  Robbed  by  Men 
Ejected  from  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO.,  June  14.— Called  to 
Forest  Park  by  a ruse  William  Power, 
an  usher  at  the  Webster  theatre,  was  at- 
tacked and  robbed  by  two  men. 

Power  told  the  police  the  robbers  were 
two  ruffians  he  had  ejected  from  the 
theatre.  Blows  on  the  head  knocked 
Power  unconscious. 


Cutler  Theatre  Burns 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CUTLER,  ILL.,  June  14.— Fire  here 
on  June  5,  destroyed  the  Gem  theatre. 


J 

I 


FOREIGN  EXECUTIVES  OF  FIRST  NATIONAL — Left  to  right:  Joseph  S.  Skirboll,  European  general  manager;  E. 
Bruce  Johnson,  manager  of  the  foreign  department,  and  H.  A.  Bandy,  foreign  salesmanager.  Their  foreign  staff  was  in 
attendance  at  First  National’s  first  international  convention. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


SVEIN  AAS 
Manager  for  Norway 


ALEX  HAGUE 
Manager  for  India 


MAX  STOEHR 
Manager  for  Switzerland 


JOHN  OLSEN 
Manager  for  Denmark 


In  the  Foreign  Field 
for 

First  National 

These  men  came  from  the  four  comers  of  the 
globe  to  attend  the  company’s  first  international 
convention  at  Burbank,  Cal.  The  foreign  con- 
tingent has  now  returned  to  other  lands  enthusi- 
astic over  the  company’s  announced  product  for 
1927-28. 


DAVID  ROSSHEIM 
Representing  Great  Britain 


LUTHER  M.  JEE 
Manager  for  China 


SOFUS  BERG 
Gen.  Man.,  Scandinavia 


WILLIAM  FAIT  LOUIS  GATTO  H.  G.  HIBBERT 

Manager  for  Mexico  Represent’g  France,  Belgium  Manager,  Manchester,  Eng. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Producers  Releasing  Alliance 
Organizes  in  Hollywood 

Formation  of  Company  Is  Pioneer  Move  to  Make  City  Center  of  Dis- 
tribution for  Independent  Productions 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  June  14. — The  Producers  Releasing  Alliance,  In- 
corporated, a new  motion  picture  distributing  organization,  has  been 
formed  here.  This  is  a pioneer  move  to  establish  Hollywood  as  a 
center  of  distribution  for  independent  pictures.  The  new  organization  is 
headed  by  Abe  Heller  as  president,  Richard  Thomas,  vice-president;  Nor- 
vall  MacGregor,  treasurer ; and  Allan  Rock,  secretary.  Offices  of  the  new 
distributing  firm  are  in  the  Richard  Thomas  Studios  on  Santa  Monica 


Boulevard. 

IV/T  R.  HELLER  recently  organized  the 
Film  Distributing  Company  of  Holly- 
wood out  of  which  has  grown  the  Pro- 
ducers Releasing  Alliance.  The  Alliance 
has  purchased  all  existing  contracts  and 
taken  over  the  assets  of  the  Film  Distribut- 
ing Company.  It  is  capitalized  at  $500,000, 
and  is  a closed  corporation,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  $100,000  worth  of  stock  which  is 
to  be  apportioned  by  the  Alliance  among 
its  field  representatives.  Air.  Heller  will 
make  a national  sales  trip  and  appoint  cap- 
able men  for  the  different  territories,  each 
of  whom  will  share  in  the  profits  of  the 
distributing  concern. 

Short  Novelties  and  Comedies 

For  the  season  of  1927-28  the  Producers 
Releasing  Alliance  will  distribute  princi- 
pally short  novelties  and  comedy  subjects. 
They  have  twelve  Craig  Hutchinson  pro- 
ductions, twelve  single  reel  “Tid  Bits”  pro- 
duced by  Billy  Wilkerson  Productions,  two 
series  of  twelve  two-reel  comedies,  one  fea- 
turing Eddie  Gordon  and  the  other  Fatty 
Alalon,  and  a series  of  twelve  split  reel 
comedies,  with  illustrated  cartoon  produced 
by  Ken  Price. 

^ * 

“Vanity,”  the  De  Alille  production  star- 
ring Beatrice  Joy,  was  given  its  Western 
premiere  at  the  Forum  last  Tuesday.  The 
social  satire  directed  by  Donald  Crisp  was 
received  enthusiastically  by  the  first-night- 
ers. Alan  Hale  scored  a distinct  hit  in  a 
pleasant  “heavy”  role.  The  picture  is  de- 
lightfully titled,  the  work  of  John  Kraft. 
Noble  Johnson  as  a villaninous  sea  cook 
is  very  effective  and  with  Hale  staged  one 
of  the  best  screen  fights  witnessed  in  some 
time.  Following  the  presentation  of  the 
picture  the  various  members  of  the  cast 
were  introduced.  “The  Angelus,”  a two 
reel  feature  written  around  the  famous 
painting  and  directed  by  Arthur  Alaude, 
formed  part  of  the  program.  Several  dance 
tableaux  served  to  introduce  the  picture. 

^ ^ ^ 


lantic  City,  made  stops  at  Chicago,  Pitts- 
burgh, Philadelphia  and  other  cities  enroute. 
Among  the  motion  picture  players  who  ac- 
companied the  Shrine  party  were  Alarie 
Prevost,  Ward  Crane,  Alargaret  DeLa 
Alotte,  Dorothy  Phillips,  Ben  Turpin,  Nita 
Cavaliera,  Josef  Swickard,  Walter  Hiers, 
Ruth  Clifford,  J.  Warren  Kerrigan,  Ann 
Cornwall,  John  Bowers,  Alary  AIcAllister, 
Aladeline  Hurlock,  Jack  Hoxie,  Betty  Fran- 
cisco, Alarion  Aj'e,  Alax  Asher,  William 
Boyd,  Cullen  Landis  and  Otto  Lederer. 

^ ^ ^ 

While  pursuing  Reginald  Denny,  Uni- 
versal star,  as  a part  of  his  new  picture, 
Edgar  L.  Kennedy,  stunt  actor,  crashed  into 
a telephone  pole  with  his  motorcycle  at 
Pasadena  last  Tuesday  and  was  seriously 
injured.  Kennedy  was  impersonating  an 
officer  and  was  chasing  Denny  as  a speeder. 
Kennedy  was  taken  to  the  Good  Samaritan 
hospital  with  his  left  knee  fractured  and 
right  arm  sprained. 

^ ^ ^ 

Harry  Zehner,  former  personal  secretary 
to  Carl  Laemmle,  president  of  Universal, 
has  been  promoted  to  the  post  of  assistant 
to  Air.  Laemmle.  For  the  last  eighteen 
months  he  has  acted  as  assistant  general 
manager  of  Universal  Studios. 

^ ^ ^ 

Alaurice  “Lefty”  Flynn,  athlete  and  pic- 


Film Board  Secretaries 
Win  Taggart’s  Praise 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

FRENCH  LICK  SPRINGS. 
June  14. — "This  is  the  most  highly 
intelligent  group  of  young  men  and 
women  I have  ever  seen  in  any 
organization,’’  declared  Tom  Tag- 
gart, who  has  seen  many  organiza- 
tions, at  the  dinner  he  gave  to  the 
Secretaries  of  Film  Boards  of 
Trade,  closing  the  convention  at 


Train  of  Stars  Goes  East 
Several  hundred  friends  of  the  thirty 
motion  picture  stars  who  left  on  the 
Screenland  Limited  last  Tuesday  gathered 
at  the  Santa  Fe  station  to  bid  them  fare- 
well. The  train,  which  is  bound  for  At- 


Film Board  Secretaries 
Win  Taggart’s  Praise 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

FRENCH  LICK  SPRINGS, 
June  14. — "This  is  the  most  highly 
intelligent  group  of  young  men  and 
women  I have  ever  seen  in  any 
organization,’’  declared  Tom  Tag- 
gart, who  has  seen  many  organiza- 
tions, at  the  dinner  he  gave  to  the 
Secretaries  of  Film  Boards  of 
Trade,  closing  the  convention  at 
his  hotel  here.  And  as  though 
that  were  not  praise  enough,  he 
added,  "I  have  never  seen  a group 
of  better  boys  and  girls  at  French 
Lick.  They  are  all  business.’’ 


ture  pla3  er,  has  been  confined  to  the  Osteo- 
pathic hospital  for  several  days  suffering 
from  a nervous  breakdown.  Flynn’s  con- 
dition is  not  serious,  according  to  Dr.  H. 
B.  K.  Willis,  and  Lefty  will  be  able  to  leave 
the  hospital  this  week. 

=i=  * * 

The  studio  electricians  held  their  fourth 
annual  ball  at  the  Hotel  Ambasador  last 
Saturday  night. 

* * * 

Eiliar  Hanson  Leaves  $50,^000 

Einar  Hanson,  Swedish  film  actor  killed 
Friday  morning,  June  3,  when  his  automo- 
bile overturned  near  Santa  Alonica,  left  an 
estate  valued  at  about  $50,000. 

^ ^ ^ 

Alan  Crosland,  Warner  director,  has 
gone  to  New  York  to  attend  the  opening 
of  “Old  San  Francisco”  at  the  Warner 
Brothers  theatre,  June  27. 

>}5  * 

A1  Jolson,  who  has  signed  with  Warner 
Brothers  to  play  the  lead  in  “The  Jazz 
Singer,”  gave  a party  to  his  friends  and 
the  press  at  the  Warner  Brothers  Studio 
last  Tuesday  night.  Jack  Warner  had  one 
of  the  stages  equipped  as  a theatre  and 
besides  vaudeville  acts  he  showed  several 
new  Vitaphone  short  features.  Jolson’s 
first  camera  test  also  was  shown.  An  elab- 
orate luncheon  was  served  following  the 
show. 

» ^ ^ ^ 

Scores  of  film  celebrities  attended  the 
funeral  services  for  Robert  AIcKim,  actor 
who  died  June  4 following  a paralytic 
stroke. 

New  Jersey  Parley 
to  Review  Work  of 
National  Convention 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — The  annual  con- 
vention of  the  Alotion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  New  Jersey  will  be  held  at  As- 
bury  Park,  June  21-22-23.  Plans  have  been 
made  for  the  greatest  convention  in  the 
history  of  that  successful  state  organiza- 
tion. 

Under  the  able  leadership  of  President 
Leon  Rosenblatt,  the  organization  has  made 
commendable  strides,  and  an  unusually 
large  attendance  is  expected  at  the  Asbury 
Park  session. 

The  work  of  the  recent  national  con- 
vention at  Columbus  will  be  reviewed  and 
the  action  of  the  national  body  in  voting  to 
take  the  big  circuits  into  the  AI.  P.  T.  O.  A. 
will  be  discussed  insofar  as  it  affects  the 
New  Jersey  exhibitors.  AI.  A.  Rosenberg, 
president  of  the  theatre  owners  of  Western 
Pennesylvania,  who  threatened  to  bolt  on 
the  big  circuit  question,  has  accepted  an  in- 
vitation to  be  present. 

The  New  Berkeley-Carteret  hotel,  at  As- 
bury Park,  has  been  selected  as  the  location 
of  the  convention. 

Provisions  have  been  made  for  the  use 
of  two  large  rooms  at  the  entrance  to  con- 
vention hall  to  be  used  for  exhibits. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


T E Li  ^ E 


I I I I 

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June  18,  1927 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

23 

Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  June  18 

by 

the  Camera 

S.  L.  Rothafel,  “Roxy,”  was  one  of  the  head- 
liners on  the  banquet  program,  and  P.  J. 
Wood  of  Columbus’  James  theatres  was  one 
of  the  headliners  on  the  mezzanine  floor  at 
the  Neil  House. 


When  R.  F.  Wpodhull,  president,  who  suc- 
ceeds himself,  visited  Governor  Donahey  of 
Ohio  the  “Herald”  camera  broke  up  their 
chat  for  a minute  but  no  one  minded  that. 


Through 
THE  HERALD 
Camera’s 
Lens 


Joseph  Seider  tried 
to  resign  from  the 
new  Board  of  Direc- 
tors and  do  you  think 
they’d  let  him? 


Jack  Miller  enjoyed  the  Convention,  he  said, 
because  it  was  peaceful.  In  his  delegation 
were  Tess  Heraty,  secretary,  and  H.  C. 
Young,  of  National  Screen  Service,  Chicago. 


Robert  Morton  organs  will  be  featured  on  the 
programs  in  the  Rembusch  houses  in  In- 
diana, says  Frank  of  the  House  of  Rem- 
busch. Right  is  Gene  Wilder,  district 
manager  of  the  Robert  Morton  company 


Rosenberg  led  the  storm  from  Western  Penn- 
sylvania when  producer  owned  theatres  were 
suggested  for  membership.  Left  to  right: 
Lou  Jacobson,  L.  Garman,  Pimlico  theatre, 
Baltimore;  M.  A.  Rosenberg,  president  of  his 
state  organization,  and  John  Alderdioe. 


Thespians  at  the 
convention  were  rep- 
resented by  Dolores 
Costello  (above), 
Warner  star,  and  her 
sister  Helene. 


Michigan  and  Illinois  get  together ! Left  to 
right:  Jack  Miller,  business  manager  of  the 
Illinois  organization;  Harry  Kirchner,  presi- 
dent of  the  Michigan  exhibitors;  C.  C.  Petti- 
john.  Hays  representative;  C.  B.  Fischer  and 
H.  M.  Richey. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Marie  Dressier,  veteran  on 
stag'e  and  screen,  is  at  the 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  lot  to 
make  “The  Callahans  and  the 
Murphys.”  George  Hill  is  the 
director  and  says  it’s  sort  of 
an  Irish  story. 


Schertzinger  entertains  on  the 
“Secret  Studio”  set.  Photo  at 
left:  Ben  Jacksen,  Fox  studio 
manager,  Joseph  Cawthom, 
Olive  Borden,  Sol  Wurtzel, 
Right:  Alec  Francis,  Borden, 
Victor  Schertzinger. 


Estelle  Bradley,  one  time  Miss 
America,  is  the  star  in  the  first 
Lloyd  Hamilton  comedy  to  be 
made  for  the  1927-28  season 
on  Eiducational’s  program. 


Latin  and  Nordic,  both  are  featured  in  Western 
roles.  Dolores  Del  Rio  is  the  woman  of  Spanish 
ancestry  who  appears  in  “The  Trail  of  ’98,”  M-G-M 
film;  Claire  Windsor  is  the  flaxen  haired  heroine 
of  “The  Frontiersman.” 


Lupino  Lane,  symbol  of  dig- 
nity, is  again  named  when 
Educational  announces  stars 
for  the  new  season.  He  is  at 
present  working  under  the 
direction  of  Charles  Lamont. 


Theatre  managers  of  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  convened  the  first  of  June  at  the  Ambassador  hotel  when  the  new  policies 
of  the  organization  were  outlined  by  Harold  B.  Franklin,  new  head  of  the  corporation.  The  Los  Angeles  Division  will  be 
under  the  guidance  of  Harry  C.  Arthur,  Jr.,  the  Northern  Division  will  be  under  A.  M.  Bowles,  Seattle  Division  with  Her- 
schel  Stuart,  and  Portland  under  J.  J.  Franklin. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


Agnes  O’Malley,  publicist  for 
Mack  Sennett’s  Pathe  come- 
dies, declares  she  will  turn  her 
hand  to  original  scripts  and 
free  lance  writing. 


Max  Barwyn  possesses  a lock 
of  hair  exactly  like  Napole- 
on’s, therefore  Max  is  cast  as 
Napoleon  in  De  Mille’s  “Brig- 
adier Gerard,’’  P-D-C.  picture. 


Sid  Grauman,  Sam  Goldwyn,  Carmel  Myers, 
Mary  McAllister  and  Ruth  Renick  at  Breakfast 
Club’s  initiation  of  Cecil  B.  DeMille  (center) 
when  P.  D.  C.’s  “The  King  of  Kings’’  opens  at 
Grauman’s  Chinese. 


A short  cut  to  stardom.  Louise  Lorraine’s 
career  began  recently.  She  is  with  M-G-M, 
and  she  is  important  in  “Rookies”  with 
George  K.  Arthur,  companion  grass  cut- 
ter in  the  above  photo. 


King  Vidor  nears  comple- 
tion of  “TTie  Crowd”  in 
which  Mrs.  Vidor  (Eleanor 
Boardman)  has  the  main 
role.  An  M-G-M  release. 


California’s  climate  permits  snow  in  June 
— when  it’s  shipped  in.  Virginia  Brad- 
ford, who  fashioned  this  snow  man,  is  the 
feature  player  in  “The  Country  Doctor,” 
P.D.C.  film. 


James  R.  Grainger,  general  sales  manager  of  Fox 
Film  Corporation,  takes  a great  interest  in  produc- 
tion. Center  is  Charles  Farrell;  right  is  Frank 
Borzage,  director  of  “7th  Heaven.”  Grainger  has 
returned  to  the  Elast. 


Lawrence  Grey  is  the  young 
scion  of  the  Callahans  (or 

the  Murphys we  don’t  know 

which) — in  M-G-M’s  “Calla- 
hans and  Murphys.” 


Johnny  Mack  Brown,  former 
football  idol,  is  teamed  with 
Jackie  Coogan  in  the  child’s 
next  part  in  “The  Bugle  Call” 
for  M-G-M. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Educational  announces  the  recent 
association  of  Dorothy  Devore,  who 
began  work  on  a long  term  contract 
June  1.  Norman  Taurog  will  direct 
her  in  two  reel  comedies. 


As  the  publicity  writer  writes  “Another 
great  coup  for  Warner  Brothers,” 
which  we  think  is  a caption  clever 
enough.  The  company  has  signed 
Joseph  Rosenblatt,  well  known  cantor, 
for  Vitaphone. 


Lois  Moran  signs  with  Fox  Film 
Corporation.  She  has  hitherto  de- 
clined to  place  her  name  on  a long 
term  contract  but  has  appeared  in 
the  pictures  of  three  of  the  big  com- 
panies. 


Props,  players  and  people  of  prominence  in  “Lonesome  Ladies.”  In 
the  front  row  are  Director  Henabery,  Comedy  Constructor  Stuart 
Beisler,  Aggie  Herring,  Anna  Q.  Nilsson  and  Assistant  Director  Ralph 
Schlosser.  Sol  Polito  and  A1  Green  stand  at  left  of  camera.  Still 
made  on  First  National  set. 


Nellie  Revell  arrives — to  do  her  first  work  as  a 
title  writer.  Samuel  Goldwyn  and  Ronald  Col- 
man  welcome  the  press  agentress  to  “The  Magic 
Flame”  set,  where  she  becomes  an  attache  of 
United  Artists. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


Not  all  the  nobles  attended  the  Shrine  conclave  at  Atlantic 
City  last  week.  One,  Sir  Esme  Howard  of  England,  visited 
the  M.G.M.  studios  where  he  met  Louis  B.  Mayer.  It  was 
Howard’s  first  visit  to  a motion  picture  set. 


Ray  Stinnett  and  Simon  Charninsky  drop  in  on  Lou  Metz- 
ger in  New  York  to  buy  the  next  edition  of  “Cohens  and 
Kellys.”  Lou  (who  is  obviously  showing  them  just  where 
is  the  dotted  line)  sold  it  with  the  rest  of  the  U.  product. 


Albany  welcomes  First  Na- 
tional. Left  to  right:  Sam 
Spring,  A.  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  Ned 
E.  Depinet,  Robert  Lieber,  and 
Cbris  Buckley,  owner  of  Le- 
land  theatre. 


NOBILITY!  His  Imperial  Highness,  Archduke 
Leopold  of  Austria,  shakes  the  hand  of  Carl 
Laemmle!  Eric  Von  Stroheim  was  the  guest  of  the 
president  of  Universal,  together  with  the  H.  1.  H. 
(Early  successes  of  Von  Stroheim’s  were  of  the 
Universal  brand.) 


Lubitscb’s  family  crossed  the 
water  with  him  when  he  went 
to  Germany  to  visit  and  shoot 
“Old  Heidelberg.”  Norma 
Sbearer  stars  in  the  M-G-M 
film. 


Surprise  on  Junior ! Thanks  to  Rosabelle  Laemmle’s  invi- 
tations the  William  Beaudine  company  at  Universal  City 
stopped  work  April  28  and  moved  to  the  home  of  Carl 
Laemmle  where  a surprise  party  was  tended  the  pro- 
ducer’s son,  Carl,  Jr.  The  latter  is  enacting  Balaam. 


Governor  Rolland  Hartley  visits  the  First  National  com- 
pany on  location  making  “The  Patent  Leather  Kid.”  Left 
to  right:  A.  B.  Bowman,  state  commissioner  of  labor,  Al 
Rockett,  producer  of  this  production.  Governor  Hartley, 
Al  Santell. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


700  Films  Made  in  Japan  a Year, 
Horace  ClarkeTells  A.M.P.A. 

‘ Red”  Kann  Testimonial  Dinner  Is  Big  Success — ^‘Applause  Trailers^’ 
Add  to  Vitaphone  Interest — F.  B.  O.  Takes  New  Name 

BY  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  June  14. — TheAssociated  Motion  Picture  Advertisers 
had  an  interesting  luncheon  at  the  Hofbrau  Haus  last  Thursday. 
The  principal  speaker  was  Horace  Clarke,  Far  Eastern  representa- 
tive for  First  National  Pictures,  with  headquarters  at  Kobe,  Japan.  Other 
honor  guests  were  Esther  Ralston,  the  screen  star,  and  her  husband, 
George  ^Vebb.  Howard  Dietz  and  Morrie  Ryskind,  members  of  the 
A.  M.  P.  A.,  co-authors  of  the  current  Broadway  production,  “Merry-Go- 
Round,  ’ were  made  to  do  a lot  of  personal  explaining  on  the  subject  of 
“How  It  Feels  To  Be  a Playwright.” 


TN  his  talk  Mr.  Clarke  mentioned  the  fact 
that  seven  hundred  motion  pictures  are 
produced  in  Japan  every  year.  He  declared 
that  none  of  these  Japanese-made  produc- 
tions is  suitable  for  American  audiences 
and  expressed  doubt  that  the  Japanese 
would  ever  make  pictures  that  could  be 
successfully  shown  in  this  country.  He 
said  the  Japanese  make  some  very  beauti- 
ful pictures  for  their  own  audiences,  but 
they  are  absolutely  out  of  place  when  they 
try  to  make  pictures  for  the  new  world. 
Readers  Interpret  Titles 
“A  comparatively  small  percentage  of 
American  pictures,”  said  Mr.  Clarke,  ‘‘are 
adaptable  for  showing  in  the  Far  East  and 
a good  deal  depends  on  how  the  titles  are 
gotten  over.  This  is  usually  done  in  most 
Japanese  houses  by  a reader,  who  interprets 
the  titles  to  the  audience,  and  the  success 
of  the  picture  depends  in  a large  measure 
on  how  capable  he  is. 

‘‘Kissing  scenes,  anything  showing  revo- 
lution, defiance  of  the  law  or  the  use  of 
deadly  weapons  are  taboo.” 

On  account  of  the  present  revolution 
conditions  in  China  are  very  bad,  accord- 
ing to  Mr.  Clarke,  who  gave  it  as  his 
opinion  that  the  country  is  not  ready  to 
become  a republic  and  that  what  it  needs 
is  a good  strong  dictator. 

* * * 


“Red”  Kann  Testimonial 

BACHELOR  DINNER 

At  Hotel  Astor 

WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  EIGHTH 
nineteen  hundred  and  twenty  seven 

at  seven  o'clock  ten  dollars 


Sam  Eckman  presided.  Vivian  Moses 
spoke.  Bruce  Gallop  talked.  Jack  Alicoate 
panned.  A1  Lichtman  told  stories.  Earl 
Hammons  condoled.  Marcus  Loew  was 
silent  but  looked  happy.  In  spite  of  all  the 
above,  a good  time  was  had  by  the  follow- 
ing: 

Samuel  Eckman,  Jr.,  Marcus  Loew,  A1  Litch- 
man,  Jack  Alicoate,  Felix  Feist,  Earle  W.  Ham- 
mons, Geo.  Neubert,  Walter  Stanley,  Marcell 
Kann,  Dr.  Geo.  Leder,  Max  Stuart,  Walter  Fab- 
ritis,  Winifield  Andrus. 

J.  O.  Cunningham,  A1  Rose,  Harry  M.  Goetz, 
H.  J.  Yates,  Chas.  Hirliman,  M.  H.  Lowenstein, 
J.  W.  Yates,  Bill  Everts,  H.  E.  Witmer,  Artie 
Stebbins,  Tom  Evans,  Ralph  O.  Poucher,  Walter 
Eberhardt,  Lon  Young,  Jack  Koppstein. 

Rutgers  Neilson,  Tom  Wiley,  Murray  Rosen- 
bluh,  Dewey  Bloom,  Gordon  White,  Fred  Roth- 
enberg,  George  Harvey,  Sime  Silverman,  Don 
Mersereau,  Charles  Hynes. 

Harry  Rowson,  Marvin  Kirsh,  Abe  L.  Einstien, 
Frank  W.  Buhuer,  Abe  Sablosky,  Lou  Sablosky, 
Richard  Weil,  Paul  Benjamin,  W.  K.  Hedwig, 
O.  W.  Biarmer,  H.  Cruikshank,  Mike  Glynn. 

Charles  Moses,  Morris  Katinsky,  Harold  Gold- 
berg, N.  E.  Depinet,  A.  W.  Smith,  Jr.,  W.  E. 
Callaway,  S.  W.  Hatch,  R.  W.  Perkins,  W.  C. 


Boothby,  S.  C.  Einfeld,  L.  H.  Mitchell,  L.  Denig, 

C.  F.  Chandler. 

Vivian  M.  Moses,  Mr.  Tally,  Mr.  Gomersall, 
E.  C.  Hill,  Mr.  Sichelman,  E.  C.  Grainger,  D. 
Doherty,  Earl  Hampton,  Roger  Ferri,  Arthur 
Loew,  W.  F.  Rogers,  Tom  Connors,  Paul  Burger. 

L.  Friedman,  F.  C.  Quimby,  Howard  Dietz,  Vic 
Shapiro,  Bruce  Gallup,  Earl  Gulick,  M.  Soring, 

D.  Bloom,  Lee  Ochs,  Joe  Hornstien,  Harry 
Thomas,  C.  Rosenweig,  Dave  Brill,  S.  Shussel, 
Van  Praas,  H.  Gluckman,  J.  Bellman,  D.  Rosen- 
garten,  Lou  Metzger,  Paul  Gulick,  Robert  Welsh, 
Joe  Weil,  Hewey  Herbel. 

Hal  Hodes,  Dave  Bader,  Chas.  Mintz,  Hewey 
Mintz,  Hewey  Batz,  Jerome  Beatty,  Maurice  Mc- 
Kenzie, Lamar  Trotti,  Arthur  De  Bra,  Burt  New, 
Dr.  Carleton  Simon,  W.  E.  Shallenberger,  Fred 
L.  Herron. 

Sam  Dembow,  Harry  Marx,  A1  Grey,  John  Gil- 
more, James  Ashcraft  H.  C.  Hoagland,  Abe  Meyer, 
John  S.  Spargo,  Larry  Moen,  Vincent  Trotta, 
Wm.  Brandt,  L.  F.  Blumenthal. 

C-  Weinstien,  Hy.  Gainsboro,  H.  Ebenstien, 
Jack  Shapiro,  C.  Stiener,  M.  Schwartz,  C. 
Schwartz,  B.  Edelhertz,  Sam  Zierler,  Earl  Swei- 
gert,  Tom  Murray,  Lester  Adler,  Irving  Lesser, 
Nathan  Burkan,  Geo.  A.  Blair,  of  Eastman  Kodak 
Co.,  and  Richard  Brady,  also  of  Eastman  Kodak 
Co. 

* * * 

Vitaphone  Applause  Trailer 

Great  interest  has  been  added  to  Vita- 
phone presentations  in  theatres  throughout 
the  country  through  the  use  of  the  ‘‘Ap- 
plause Trailer”  which  has  been  designed  by 
National  Screen  Service  and  can  be  ob- 
tained through  its  New  York,  Chicago  and 
Los  Angeles  offices. 

Because  of  audiences  knowing  that  Vita- 
phone is  a mechanical  apparatus  and  despite 
the  fact  that  the  artists  could  be  heard  as 
well  as  seen,  patrons  of  theatres  seemed 
reluctant  to  appplaud. 

A clever  exhibitor  conceived  the  idea  of 
a screen  announcement  which  would  put 
patrons  in  a receptive  mood  and  through 
its  unique  wording  induce  them  to  regard 
the  artists  seen  on  the  screen  and  heard 
through  the  medium  of  Vitaphone,  exactly 
as  they  would  regard  these  artists  in  the 
flesh. 


Manager  Ends  Panic 
When  Scamps  Cry  “Fire” 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

MERRICKVILLE,  ONT,,  June 
14. — A panic  among  200  patrons  of 
the  Granville  theatre  recently 
was  narrowly  averted  by  the 
presence  of  mind  of  Manager  E. 
B.  Gravel,  when  several  mischiev- 
ous boys,  seated  on  a fire  escape 
near  the  screen,  called  out  “Fire!” 
The  patrons,  many  of  them  chil- 
dren, leaped  to  their  feet,  but 
Gravel  rushed  to  the  front  of  the 
theatre  and  calmed  them.  He  of- 
fered a reward  of  $50  for  infor- 
mation leading  to  the  arrest  of 
the  boys.  The  theatre  is  on  the 
second  but  is  equipped  with  £ve 
emergency  exits. 


Many  theatres  throughout  the  country  are 
now  using  the  trailer  with  remarkable  re- 
sults and  it  is  widely  commented  upon. 
Where  audiences  undoubtedly  enjoyed  to 
the  utmost  Vitaphone  artists,  they  never 
made  any  demonstration  or  gave  an  indica- 
tion of  their  pleasure. 

This  simple  announcement  has  been  the 
means  of  causing  audiences  spontaneously 
to  applaud  and  in  certain  cases  even  cheer 
at  the  finish  of  each  Vitaphone  presenta- 
tion and  has  resulted  in  a new  atmosphere 
of  warm  contact  between  the  mechanically 
recorded  artists’  performances  and  the  au- 
diences and  has  done  much  to  enhance  its 
successful  presentation. 

4$  iii 

It*s  F B O Picture  Corporation 

Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  president  of  Eilm 
Booking  Offices,  has  decided  that  the  com- 
pany and  its  various  subsidiaries  hereafter 
will  be  known  as  F B O Pictures  Corpora- 
tion. F B O will  be  written  without  peri- 
ods. The  name  has  been  changed  so  that 
the  corporate  name  will  conform  to  the 
name  with  which  exhibitors  so  long  have 
been  familiar.  What’s  a few  periods  in  the 
film  business? 

* * * 

“Roxy”  Rothafel  is  the  busy  bird. 
Scarcely  back  from  Columbus,  where  he 
told  the  exhibitors’  convention  a lot  about 
showmanship,  when  he  drew  another  job. 

“Roxy”  was  requisitioned  by  the  com- 
mittee in  charge  of  arrangements  to  receive 
Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh  in  Washington 
to  act  as  special  radio  announcer  when  the 
hero  of  the  New  York-Paris  flight  spoke 
Saturday  at  the  National  Press  Club. 

* * s}: 

M.  H.  Hoffman,  vicepresident  of  Tiffany 
Productions,  Inc.,  accompanied  by  General 
Salesmanager  Ed.  J.  Smith,  William  D. 
Shapiro  of  Boston  and  A.  L.  Selig  of  the 
advertising  and  publicity  department,  at- 
tended the  Columbus  convention. 

* * * 

Paul  Perez,  long  our  little  playmate  up 
at  Universal,  is  getting  along  now  on  other 
lines  of  endeavor. 

C.  C.  Burr  has  engaged  Paul  to  write 
the  titles  for  Johnny  Hines’  latest  First 
National  picture.  “White  Pants  Willie,” 
which  is  an  adaptation  of  the  Liberty  serial 
story  by  Elmer  Davis. 

♦ * Jjs 

Salesmanager  Smith  Home 

General  Salesmanager  Ed.  J.  Smith  of 
Tiffany  Productions  Inc.,  has  just  returned 
to  New  York  after  a ten  days’  trip  to  the 
Middlewest  visting  Tiffany  exchanges.  He 
reports  there  is  a great  demand  for  the 
new  1927-1928  Tiffany  Twenty  Gems  and 
that  he  has  found  a great  deal  of  interest 
among  the  exhibitors  on  the  announcement 
of  the  Third  Dimension  Pictures  controlled 
by  Tiffany.  Mr.  Smith  was  also  present  at 
the  opening  of  the  new  Fox  Great  Lake 
theatre  in  Buffalo  on  Decoration  Day.  A 
Tiffany  Color  Classic,  “The  Isle  Of  June,” 
was  booked  for  the  inaugural  program. 

* * * 

Major  Edward  Bowes,  managing  director 
of  the  Capitol  theatre,  is  on  the  high  seas 
bound  for  Paris  where  he  will  spend  a six 
weeks’  vacation  from  his  intensive  motion 
picture  and  radio  activities.  A detachment 
of  U.  S.  Marines  from  the  Marine  Corps 
Recruiting  Station  was  at  the  pier  to  reg- 
ister an  official  farewell  in  recognition  of 
the  Major’s  services  in  promoting  the  ac- 
tivities of  the  Marines  on  the  screen,  par- 
ticularly in  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  pro- 
duction, “Tell  It  To  the  Marines.”  In  the 
Major’s  absence  Tony  Dowd  is  officiating 
at  the  microphone  and  doing  a great  job. 

* * * 

W.  R.  Sheehan,  general  manager  of  Fox 
Film  Corporation,  has  accepted  a story  by 
Lewis  Olyphant  called  “Here  Comes  Gold- 
smith,” dealing  with  life  in  the  British 
Army,  which  is  to  serve  Victor  McLaglen 
as  his  next  starring  vehicle. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Re-Takes 


Hurrah,  another  birthday  has  arrived ! 

The  Herald  is  just  passing  another 
milestone — the  twelfth — in  its  career.  How 
time  does  fly.  Why,  it  was  only  yesterday, 
it  seems,  that  Jim  Beecroft  and  I joined 
the  staff  and  started  telling  folks  about  it 
around  Times  Square. 

* * * 

I remember  the  first  time  I saw  a copy. 
There  was  a man  with  a tableful  of 
Heralds — it  had  a green  cover  that  week — 
taking  subscriptions  at  the  big  Motion 
Picture  Exposition  at  Madison  Square 
Gardens,  New  York. 

* * * 

And  right  alongside  was  a fellow  from 
California,  boosting  for  that  state,  by  giv- 
ing everyone  who  entered  the  Garden  a 
ripe  olive  on  a toothpick.  And  what  a 
mess  of  olives  there  was  on  the  floor  a 
few  feet  further  on.  Folks  didn’t  take  to 
them  in  those  days.  It  was  bum  propa- 
ganda. 

* * * 

But  the  Heralds  went  like  hot  cakes  and 
everyone  was  talking  about  the  new  trade 
paper  within  a week.  The  News  was  a 
couple  of  years  old  then  and  the  World 
somewhat  older.  I was  on  the  Billboard  at 
the  time  and  it  had  a lot  of  motion  picture 
business. 

* * * 

That  was  when  the  m.p.  business  was  in 
its  infancy  and  the  trade  journals  were 
terrible  infants  to  look  at.  They  were 
the  press  agents’  paradise.  The  Herald 
then  began  to  print  real  news  about  the 
industry  and  folks  sat  up  and  took  notice. 
It  has  been  printing  the  real  news  ever 
since. 

* * * 

Feature  pictures  of  five  reels  and  under 
were  about  three  years  old  when  the 
Herald  started.  Jesse  Lasky  showed  “The 
Cheat”  at  the  Gardens  that  night  with 
Fanny  Ward  and  Sessue  Hayakawa  and 
it  was  a riot.  Quite  a lot  of  film  has 
flowed  by  since  then. 

* * * 

Jack  Warner  remarked  the  other  night 
at  A1  Jolson’s  party  that  he  started  in 
the  picture  business  25  years  ago.  He  beat 
me  one  year.  I owned  an  old  Edison 
projector  in  1903  and  showed  moving  pic- 
tures in  Churches  and  halls  (no  theatre 
opposition  in  those  days  so  don’t  get  ex- 
cited) and  made  the  price  of  the  machine 
and  films — $100 — in  one  winter.  Oh  for  a 
“King  of  Kings”  in  those  days. 

:|c  :}s 

And  speaking  of  Al  Jolson,  he  said  he 
had  looked  at  so  many  “rushes”  he  felt 
like  Moses. 

Still  a Mystery 

Back  in  the  old  days  directors  were  fond 
of  using  notes  and  telegrams  on  the  screen. 
One  critic  said : “The  story  of  ‘Deserted 
at  the  Altar’  was  so  confusing  that  six 
notes,  three  telegrams  and  four  letters 
failed  to  clear  it  up.” 

^ ^ 

Hasn’t  Changed  Much 

And  along  about  the  time  The  Herald 
was  started,  press  agents  used  to  write ; 
“There  are  certain  actors  and  actresses 
whose  work  is  so  excellent  that  they  always 
suffer  from  having  some  of  their  best  work 
cut  out  of  the  assembled  film,  generally 
because  their  acting  is  too  prominent  to 
suit  the  star.” 

* sf:  * 

Hand  me  my  overcoat,  coonskin  cap  and 
furlined  gloves.  Meadows.  Summer  is  here. 

R.  M. 


Schines  Buy  into  Berinstein 
Chain;  U to  Build  in  16  Cities 

Universal  Spreading  Out  in  Western  New  York  State — Indiana 
Theatre  Opens  at  Indianapolis — United  Artists  and 
Orpheum  Houses  at  St.  I^ouis  Reported  Planned 

Acquisition  of  part  interest  in  the  Berinstein  chain  of  eleven  theatres  in 
upper  New  York  state  by  the  Schine  Brothers,  operating  102  houses,  plans  of 
Universal  to  build  in  sixteen  cities  of  Western  New  York,  and  plans  for  the 
opening  of  the  Indiana  theatre  at  Indianapolis,  owned  by  the  Circle  Theatre 
Company  which  is  affiliated  with  Publix,  headline  chain  and  construction  activi- 
ties of  the  past  week. 

Schines  Compete  with  Stanley 

The  Schine-Berinstein  deal  gives  the  Schines  an  entering  wedge  in  Albany 
and  Troy,  where  they  become  direct  competitors  with  the  Stanley  Company. 
The  eleven  Berinstein  theatres  are  in  Albany,  Troy,  Elmira  and  Dunkirk,  N.  Y. 
In  Schenectady  the  Farash  Corporation  has  obtained  from  the  Dwore  interests 
three  more  theatres  there. 


The  Indiana  theatre,  which  opens  June 
18  at  Indianapolis,  is  a $1,500,000  project. 
Ace  Berry  leaves  his  post  as  general  man- 
ager of  the  Circle  to  become  managing  di- 
rector of  the  Indiana.  Allen  S.  Glenn  is 
the  new  manager  of  the  Circle.  A new 
$5(X),000  theatre  goes  into  construction  soon 
at  South  Bend. 

“U”  Obtains  Many  Sites 

The  sixteen  cities  of  New  York  in  which 
Universal  is  to  built,  with  many  of  the 
sites  already  obtained,  are  Niagara  Falls, 
Batavia,  Buffalo,  Binghamton,  Cortland, 
Dunkirk,  Elmira,  Fredonia,  Fulton,  Hor- 
nell,  Ithaca,  Jamestown,  Kenmore,  Lan- 
caster, Olean  and  Tonawanda. 

Sixty  other  theatres  in  upstate  New  York 
are  affiliated  with  Universal  as  well  as  a 
group  under  control  in  New  York  City. 
It  will  take  over  the  Colony  September  1 
on  a long  lease.  The  $1,500,000  Universal 
theatre  in  Brooklyn  is  to  be  ready  August  1, 
while  the  Central  on  Broadway  is  to  be 
leased  for  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin.”  Univer- 
sal also  has  just  taken  title  to  the  Park 
Lane  and  the  Park  Plaza.  The  proposed 
New  York  state  theatres  will  bring  the 
Universal  houses  past  the  300  mark.  Ne- 
gotiations also  have  been  completed  by 
which  E.  D.  Yost’s  group  of  theatres  in 
Santa  Ana,  Cal.,  become  part  of  the  Uni- 
versal chain. 

At  one  of  a series  of  regional  confer- 
ences of  officials  of  West  Coast  Theatres, 
President  Harold  B.  Franklin  declared  at 
Portland  that  a number  of  changes  are  to 
be  made  in  policy  of  theatres  there.  John 


J.  C.  Flinn  111  on 
Train,  “Thrills”  Doctor 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  June  14.— Dr. 
Phillip  L.  Patrick  of  Marcelline, 
Mo.,  returned  home  last  week 
from  Hollywood,  following  an  ad- 
venture not  unlike  those  of  the 
screen  and  which  took  him  to  the 
attendance  of  John  C.  Flinn,  vice- 
president  of  Producers  Distrib- 
uting Corporation,  who  suddenly 
was  taken  seriously  ill  while  en- 
route  from  New  York  to  the  West 
Coast.  Dr.  Patrick  was  sum- 
moned by  telegram  to  board  the 
train  at  Marcelline.  He  did  so, 
leaving  the  motor  of  his  car  run- 
ning for  the  few  minutes  he  ex- 
pected to  be  occupied.  The  train 
started,  and  in  spite  of  his  pro- 
tests, continued  its  journey  to 
California.  Dr.  Patrick  left  his 
patient  recovered. 


J.  Franklin  was  announced  as  divisional 
manager  of  the  Portland  area; 

At  St.  Louis  the  swinging  of  the  steam 
shovels  on  the  site  of  for  the  proposed 

5.000- seat  Fox  theatre  is  accompanied  by 
rumors  that  United  Artists  will  put  up  a 

3.000- seat  house  there  and  there  will  l>e  a 

4.000- seat  theatre  for  the  Orpheum  circuit. 

Other  developments  in  the  St.  Louis  area  are 
the  return  to  the  field  of  J.  Dozier  Stone  of 
Columbia,  Mo.,  with  plans  for  a $250,000  theatre; 
awarding  of  the  contract  for  a 2,000-seat  house 
at  East  St.  Louis,  111.,  and  plans  for  a $750,000 
theatre  at  Kansas  City. 

This  week  marks  the  opening  of  the  Strand  at 
Whitewater,  Wis.,  which  was  closed  for  remodel- 
ing after  having  been  taken  over  by  Fischer-Para- 
mount. At  Wisconsin  Rapids  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank 
Eckhardt  have  taken  the  lease  of  the  Ideal,  In 
a number  of  the  smaller  towns  of  the  state, 
theatres  are  being  contemplated.  The  Princess 
in  Milwaukee,  operated  by  Saxe,  has  been  re- 
turned to  Helmuth  Heyl  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  It 
was  confiscated  by  the  government  during  the 
war. 

In  Philadelphia  work  is  progressing  on  two 
new  Stanley  theatres,  one  to  be  named  the  Stan- 
ley and  the  other  the  Erlanger,  the  latter  a “legit.” 
Clyde  Basins  has  taken  over  another  theatre, 
the  Diana,  at  Midvale,  Utah.  Earl  D.  Smith  is 
to  build  at  Salt  Lake  and  Joe  Lawrence  has  taken 
over  the  Kinema.  Harry  Lazarus  has  opened  his 
new  house  at  Kingston,  N.  Y. 

The  Gem  theatre  at  Cutler,  111.,  recently 
was  burned. 

Charles  E inf  eld  of 
First  National  Weds 
Miss  May  Band  of  N,  Y. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14.— S.  Charles 
Einfeld  of  First  National’s  publicity  and 
exploitation  department  is  about  to  for- 
sake the  ranks  of  bachelorhood.  To- 


Mise  May  Band 


S.  Charles  Einfeld 


morrow  night  he  and  his  bride,  formerly 
Miss  May  Band,  will  do  the  honors  at  a 
marriage  reception  to  be  given  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Samuel  Band,  parents  of  Mrs.  Ein- 
feld. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Einfeld  will  be  at 
home  after  July  15  at  150  East  Ninety- 
third  street. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Final  P.D.C. -Rathe  Meeting 
Closes;  DeMille  Tells  Plans 


One  Company  W^ill  Encompass  All  Phases  of  Industry  from  Manufac- 
turing Raw  Stock  to  Presenting  Pictures,  Banqueters  Told 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Hollywood,  June  14. — Before  800  people,  invited  to  the  Pro- 
ducers-Distributing  Corp.-Pathe  banquet  Friday,  June  3,  in  the 
Fiesta  room  of  the  Ambassador  hotel,  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  outlined 
the  plans  of  the  newly  combined  companies  for  the  coming  year.  For 
the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  film  business,  Mr.  De  Mille  pointed 
out,  one  company  will  encompass  all  phases  of  the  industry,  from  the 
manufacture  of  raw  stock  to  the  presentation  of  pictures  on  the  screen. 


OTHERS  who  spoke  during  the  evening 
were  Elmer  Pearson,  vice-president  and 
general  manager;  Charles  McDonald,  edi- 
tor, Timely  To'pics;  Rod  LaRocque,  De 
Mille  star ; Robert  Edeson,  William  De 
Mille  and  several  of  the  branch  managers. 

Pleasing  Program  Given 

A very  pleasing  program  was  arranged 
by  Barrett  C.  Riesling,  who  had  charge  of 
the  banquet.  The  entertainment  was  given 
by  Johnny  Burke,  Alice  Gentle,  Mosconi 
Brothers,  Daphne  Pollard,  Demarest  and 
Collette  and  Mack  Sennett  beauties. 

Among  the  film  celebrities  who  attended 
and  w-ere  introduced  by  the  two  toastmas- 
ters, Edeson  and  De  Mille,  were  Beatrice 
Joy,  Mack  Sennett,  Charles  Christie,  Marie 
Prevost,  Franklin  Pangborn,  Harrison 
Ford,  Rod  LaRocque,  Jetta  Goudal,  Jean- 
nie  Macpherson,  Phyllis  Haver,  William 
Boyd,  Jacqueline  Logan,  Lois  Wilson,  Vic- 
tor Varconi,  H.  B.  Warner,  Aileen  Ray, 
Vera  Reynolds,  Leo  Maloney,  Monty  Banks, 
Buddy  Roosevelt,  Walter  Miller,  Buffalo 
Bill,  Jr.,  James  Cruze,  Lois  Weber,  Paul 
Stein,  Karl  Brown,  Elmer  Clifton,  Donald 
Crisp,  E.  Mason  Hopper,  William  K.  How- 
ard, Rupert  Julian,  Paul  Sloane  and  Frank 
LTson. 

Makes  Own  Raw  Stock 

De  Alille  prefaced  his  remarks  by  stating 
that  the  new  concern  through  its  associa- 


tion with  Pathe-Dupont  and  Pathe  inter- 
ests, manufactures  its  own  raw  stock,  cam- 
eras, home  projectors,  and  with  the  affili- 
ation with  the  Keith-Albee  and  Orpheum 
circuits,  provides  an  outlet  for  its  product. 
He  spoke  with  pride  of  the  amalgamation 
of  the  oldest  (Pathe.)  concern  in  the  pic- 
ture business  with  the  youngest.  He  stated 
it  represented  the  independence  of  artists, 
a studio  where  everyone  was  given  his 
opportunity  that  its  slogan  was  youth  and 
advancement. 

O^Brien  Named  Shreck^s 
Successor  at  Paramount 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — Richard  B. 
O’Brien  has  been  appointed  to  the  position 
in  the  Paramount  publicity  department 
vacated  by  Jay  M.  Shreck,  who  recently  re- 
signed to  join  the  staff  of  the  Exhibitors 
Herald  in  Chicago. 


Storm  Damages  Props 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  June  14.— Water 
flooding  the  basement  of  the  Starland  thea- 
tre, Anderson,  Ind.,  as  the  result  of  a 
storm,  damaged  equipment  of  the  Mildred 
Austin  Stock  Company,  the  loss  amounting 
to  several  thousand  dollars. 


Proper  Capital  and  Goodwill  Essential 
in  Industry,  Says  New  Finance  Official 

Program  for  Great  States  Involving  Million  Dollar  Bond  Issue  Com- 
pleted by  Theatre  Financing  Corporation 


Theatre  financing  along  lines  which 
have  won  success  for  some  of  the  nation’s 
largest  business  institutions  is  being  spon- 
sored by  the  Theatre  Financing  Corpora- 
tion, of  America,  a comparatively  new  con- 
cern which  already  has  undertaken  several 
important  theatre  chain  campaigns.  The 
organization,  of  which  John  C.  Schwartz  is 
president,  Donald  Despain,  vicepresident, 
and  Arthur  Bogue,  secretary,  soon  will  an- 
nounce several  financing  campaigns  to  take 
care  of  expansion  of  a number  of  impor- 
tant theatre  circuits. 

Great  States  Program  Finished 

The  new  corporation  recently  completed 
a financing  program  for  Great  States 
Theatres,  Inc.,  Balaban  & Katz  subsidiary 
and  largest  theatre  chain  in  Illinois.  This 
involved  a one  million  dollar  issue  of  pre- 
ferred stock  which  was  distributed  to  ap- 
proximately 2,500  Great  States  patrons. 

Since  its  organization  a little  over  a year 
ago,  the  Theatre  Financing  Corporation  has 
made  an  intensive  study  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  and  has  trained  a large  staff 
in  all  phases. 

“In  this  new  era  of  modern  business,  two 
things  are  necessary  to  a corporation  of  an 
industry  before  it  can  be  said  to  have  an 


assurance  of  permanency  and  success,” 
said  Mr.  Schwartz.  “They  are  proper  capi- 
tal and  goodwill. 

“The  Theatre  Financing  Corporation  of 
America  is  far  more  than  a sales  organiza- 
tion. In  rendering  service  to  a client  we 
concentrate  all  our  facilities  in  the  various 
departments  of  research,  analysis  and  ex- 
ploitation toward  an  education  program  ac- 
quainting the  public  with  the  fact  that  the 
industry  in  general,  and  the  business  of  the 
client  in  particular,  has  grown  from  child- 
hood to  manhood,  has  been  clothed  with 
sound  business  principles  and  now  repre- 
sents a business  of  strength,  service  and 
stability.  Briefly,  the  service  rendered  in- 
volves : 

“(1)  The  supply  of  needed  capital;  (2) 
The  establishment  of  the  asset  of  Good 
Will  through  the  development  of  a large 
stockholder  family;  (3)  The  installation  of 
an  efficient  public  relations  policy;  and 
(4)  Implanting  of  an  enthusiastic  spirit  of 
loyalty  and  healthy  morale  in  the  employe 
organization. 

The  Theatre  Financing  Corporation  has 
published  an  informative  booklet  which 
may  be  obtained  at  its  offices,  162  N.  State 
Street,  Chicago. 


5 Film  Boards  Report 
Over  $85,000  Added  to 
Red  Cross  Flood  Fund 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Exhibitors  in  five  film  board  territories 
contributed  over  $85,000  in  receipts  from 
benefit  shows  to  the  Red  Cross  flood  re- 
lief fund  the  past  few  weeks,  according 
to  reports  from  Film  Boards  of  Trade. 
This  amount  is  considerably  less  than  the 
expected  total  for  the  districts  report- 
ing, since  many  benefit  performances  are 
yet  to  be  given,  while  neither  does  it  in- 
clude the  sums  now  being  raised  in  sev- 
eral important  localities,  including  Chi- 
cago, where  120  exhibitors  have  booked 
pictures  for  from  one  to  five  flood  relief 
shows. 

In  Chicago,  Joe  D.  Abramson,  secre- 
tary of  the  Film  Board,  expects  to  report 
within  a week  or  two  the  addition  of  at 
least  $10,000  to  the  fund  from  exhibi- 
tors in  that  territory,  with  many  more 
shows  yet  to  be  given.  The  boards  re- 
porting at  this  time  and  the  amounts 
raised  are  as  follows: 

Boston,  $23,275;  Memphis,  $8,495; 
Washington,  $32,207 ; Indianapolis,  $5,- 
947;  San  Francisco,  $16,000. 

More  Imagination  in 
Production  Is  Vital, 
Says  William  Fraser 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — Deploring  what 
he  terms  “a  flock  of  ‘sheep’  productions,” 
William  R.  Fraser,  general  manager  of 
Harold  Lloyd  Corporation,  declares  that  a 
vital  need  of  the  motion  picture  industry 
at  this  time  is  more  imagination  and  less 
imitation  in  the  making  of  its  pictures. 

The  moment  a picture  of  a certain  type 
was  successful,  he  said,  the  market  was 
flooded  with  similar  attractions,  and  this, 
in  his  opinion,  “does  not  help  raise  the 
standard  of  entertainment.’ 

He  said  that  the  Harold  Lloyd  pictures 
had  been  the  inspiration  for  scores  of 
“sheep”  productions.  Lloyd’s  next  picture 
for  Paramount  release  will  be  a story  of 
New  York. 


Wanda  Wiley,  Actress, 
Saved  by  Dallas  Fireman 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

OKLAHOMA  CITY,  June  14.— Wanda 
Wiley,  motion  picture  actress,  narrowly 
escaped  death  by  fire  at  Dallas,  Tex.,  when 
she  was  saved  by  Fireman  B.  C.  Hilton 
from  flames  menacing  the  porch  where  she 
was  sleeping. 

Paramount  has  merged  its  Dallas  and  Atlanta 
district  offices  and  appointed  Harry  G.  Ballance, 
former  manager  of  the  Southeast,  to  head  the 
entire  Southern  division.  H.  G.  Rosebaum  of  the 
Dallas  office,  will  be  given  a new  assignment. 
Local  interest  will  erect  a $25,000  theatre  in  South 
Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  while  in  Hot  Springs  another 
$25,000  theatre  is  to  be  built. 

(juy  M.  Butler  is  now  assistant  manager 
of  the  Community  and  Vance  theatres, 
Russellville,  Ark. 


Swift  Opening  Chicago 
Branch  for  Vitaphone 

Paul  Swift  has  arrived  in  Chicago  of- 
ficially to  open  the  Chicago  exchange  of 
the  Vitaphone  Corporation  at  839  South 
Wabash  avenue.  This  branch  will  serve 
immediately  48  theatres  in  the  Middlewest 
and  Northwest. 


Minder  Gets  Trophy 

ATLANTA — William  G.  Minder,  man- 
ager of  the  Tiffany  exchange,  has  received 
a silver  cup  from  the  home  office  in  tribute 
to  his  sales  record  during  the  spring  drive. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Paramount  News  Staff  Meets 
To  Study  Making  and  Selling 

All  phases  of  production  and  distribution  of  news  reels  were  discussed  in 
full  in  a series  of  addresses  at  a four-day  convention  of  the  Paramount  News 
staff  at  the  Roosevelt  hotel,  the  sessions  closing  with  a banquet. 


Short  Features 
and  Anniversaries 

Many  changes  in  conception  and 
context  of  Short  Features  have  taken 
place  in  the  twelve  years  in  which  the 
HERALD  has  served  the  trade. 

High  standards  have  been  injected 
into  every  branch  of  production  of 
Short  Features,  until  today  they  form 
not  only  a vital  part  of  the  program 
but  also  in  a number  of  cases  repre- 
sent a production  cost  reel  for  reel 
as  large  as  that  of  the  long  feature. 

Comedies  are  leaving  the  grind-em- 
out  status;  Westerns  are  now  on  a 
plane  of  production  as  dignified  as 
any  other  type  of  picture;  and  into 
the  field  have  come  scenic  pictures 
of  scope  and  execution  that  has  war- 
ranted their  inclusion  in  the  offerings 
of  the  best  theatres. 

Another  tivelve  years  will  see  theor 
tres  devoted  exclusively  to  Short  Fea- 
tures in  practically  all  the  large  cities 
of  the  country,  according  to  predic- 
tions of  several  leaders  in  the  busi- 
ness. 


Gommersall  Fox 
Sales  Chief  for 
Short  Features 

E.  T.  Gommersall,  formerly  Fox’s  branch 
manager  at  Indianapolis,  has  assumed  his 
new  duties  as  short  features  salesmanager, 
following  years  of  experience  in  the  home 
office  as  well  as  in  the  field. 

Gommersall  joined  Fox  Films  in  1919  as 
salesman  out  of  Cincinnati.  In  September 
of  the  following  year  he  became  manager 
of  the  Buffalo  branch.  He  resigned  in  1921 
but  returned  two  years  later  as  special 
representative,  with  the  Cincinnati  office  as 
headquarters. 

Transferred  to  the  home  office  in  1923, 
he  was  in  the  general  salesmanager’s  office 
for  a time,  returning  to  Cincinnati  as  home 
office  representative.  Then  he  became 
Minneapolis  manager,  being  transferred  in 
1926  to  the  post  of  Indianapolis  manager. 


S,  T.  Early  Joins 
Paramount  News 
At  Washington 

Stephen  T.  Early,  Washington  newspaper 
man,  has  resigned  from  the  staff  of  the 
Associated  Press  to  become  Washington 
representative  of  Paramount  News. 

Mr.  Early  was  born  in  Virginia  and  has 
spent  most  of  his  life  in  Washington,  his 
career  as  a newspaperman  being  linked  with 
the  Capital.  He  affiliated  with  the  United 
Press  in  1908  and  joined  the  Associated 
Press  in  1913,  leaving  to  enter  military 
service  in  1917. 


Emanuel  Cohen,  editor  of  the  Paramount 
News  and  director  of  Short  Feature  produc- 
tion, and  his  editorial  and  sales  staff  pre- 
sented their  case  to  the  assembled  camera- 
men in  a straightforward  and  comprehen- 
sive manner. 

Visit  Laboratory 

The  program  for  the  first  day  opened 
with  a meeting  in  the  office  of  the  Para- 
mount News  executives  in  the  Paramount 
Building  and  the  photographers  made  a 
thorough  inspection  of  the  building.  After 
luncheon  at  the  Roosevelt,  the  afternoon 
was  spent  in  a visit  to  the  new  Paramount 
News  laboratory  which  is  fast  nearing  com- 
pletion, and  later  made  an  inspection  of  the 
Long  Island  Laboratory.  After  dinner  the 
cameramen  spent  a pleasant  evening  at  the 
Paramount  theatre  where  the  pictorial  rec- 
ord of  Captain  Lindbergh’s  landing  and  re- 
ception in  Paris  proved  to  be  the  highlight 
of  the  first  day. 

Cooperation  Assured 

On  Thursday  morning  at  10  o’clock  the 
convention  proper  got  under  way  at  the 
Roosevelt  when  Mr.  Cohen  as  chairman 
sounded  the  keynotes  of  the  meeting.  He 
outlined  the  plans  he  has  in  mind  and 
stressed  the  great  importance  of  the  Para- 
mount News  as  a vital  unit  of  the  Para- 
mount organization,  the  inauguration  of 
which  he  said  was  the  fulfillment  of  his 
life’s  dream,  including  as  it  will  a pictorial 
chronicle  of  the  world’s  events,  giving  to 
the  screen  the  same  service  as  that  which 
the  Associated  Press  and  other  syndicates 
do  for  newspapers.  The  first  edition  of  the 
Paramount  News  was  unreeled. 

Albert  J.  Richard,  assistant  editor  of 
Paramount  News,  addressed  the  men  on 


Screen  Best  to  Develop 
Comedians,  Says  Christie 

The  screen  itself  is  the  best  devel- 
oper of  comedy  talent,  say  Al  Chris- 
tie, pioneer  producer,  who  has  just 
become  affiliated  ivith  Paramount. 

“A  popular  misconception,  which 
may  have  arisen  from  the  fact  that 
many  comedy  girls  luive  ‘graduated' 
from  short  comedies  to  starring  in 
features,  is  that  the  height  of  a com- 
edian’s ambition  is  to  do  a long  com- 
edy,” Christie  declared.  “The  stars 
who  make  the  grade  at  the  head  of 
the  outstanding  two-reel  comedies  tvill 
be  featured  on  as  many  or  more 
screens  than  the  stars  of  the  longer 
productions.” 


feature  stories.  He  assured  the  men  of  his 
fullest  cooperation  and  requested  they  make 
their  problems  his  own. 

After  luncheon  S.  H.  MacKean,  in  charge 
of  the  assignments,  spoke  on  the  proper 
way  to  cover  a news  story  and  reminded 
the  men  they  should  keep  in  mind  the  fact 
that  they  had  a double  duty — that  of  re- 
porter as  well  as  photographer  — and 
charged  them  to  be  faithful  to  their  trust. 
William  C.  Park  of  the  editorial  staff  of 
Paramount  News  commented  on  the  qual- 
ity of  the  work  of  the  various  men  which 
was  screened  during  his  talk  to  bring  home 
his  message  more  graphically.  Stephen  T. 
Early,  who  represents  the  Paramount  News 
in  Washington,  gave  an  enlightening  talk 
on  the  service  of  the  Associated  Press. 
After  dinner  the  men  witnessed  a showing 
of  “Chang”  at  the  Rivoli  theatre. 

Organization  Stressed 

Friday  opened  with  an  address  by  Louis 
S.  Diamond  on  organization,  with  partic- 
ular reference  to  problems  of  the  men  in 
the  field.  He  urged  them  to  keep  in  close 
touch  with  the  home  office.  Stanley  Waite 
and  Miles  P.  Gibbons  of  the  sales  force 
spoke  on  distribution  and  local  and  foreign 
editions,  emphasizing  the  part  the  camera- 
men could  play  in  this  most  important  work. 
After  lunch  the  meeting  resolved  itself  into 
a technical  discussion,  comprising  scientific 
talks  by  Dr.  K.  Hickman  of  the  Eastman 
Kodak  Company;  Fred  Waller,  expert  on 
trick  photography ; David  Sussman,  super- 
intendent of  the  Paramount  laboratory  in 
New  York,  and  Eugene  La  Roche,  who  dis- 
cussed camera  work. 

The  climax  of  the  convention  was  the 
banquet  at  the  Roosevelt  on  Friday  evening. 
Adolph  Zukor,  president  of  the  Paramount, 
who  recently  returned  from  a trip  abroad, 
and  Commander  Richard  E.  B\rd,  whose 
polar  flight  is  now  a matter  of  history,  were 
the  guests  of  honor.  Other  distinguished 
guests  were  Sidney  R.  Kent,  general  man- 
ager of  Paramount,  Sam  Katz  of  the  Pub- 
lix  theatres  and  George  Palmer  Putnam, 
publisher. 

Welcomed  by  Cohen 

Emanuel  Cohen  acted  as  chairman  and 
paid  high  tribute  to  the  men  who  made  up 
the  personnel  of  the  Paramount  News  staff 
both  here  and  abroad.  Mr.  Cohen  intro- 
duced Mr.  Zukor,  who  officially  welcomed 
the  cameramen  into  the  family  of  the  Para- 
mount organization. 

Sam  Katz  in  his  talk  emphasized  the 
value  of  orchestration  as  an  essential  part 
of  the  newsreel.  “Orchestration  in  our 
theatres,”  said  Mr.  Katz,  “is  more  inspired 
by  newsreels  than  by  any  other  factor.  We 
in  our  theatres  feel  very  close  to  you  men 
and  I pledge  you  all  that  our  theatres  can 
give.” 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Banqueting  at  the  close  of  the  Paramount  News  conven- 
tion at  the  Roosevelt  hotel,  New^  York,  were  all  the  field 
representatives  of  the  organization.  Among  those  attending 
the  banquet  were  Adolph  Zukor,  president  of  Paramount; 
Sam  Katz,  president  of  Publix,  Commander  Richard  E. 
Byrd,  Sidney  R.  Kent,  Major  General  Salzman,  George 
Putnam  and  Emanuel  Cohen,  who  presided. 


News  Reels  Set  New  Marks  on 
Lindbergh  Paris  Film 

Delivered  to  Broadway  Theatres  Same  Day  Negatives  Arrive  Aboard 
Liner — Special  Planes  and  Air  Mail  Craft  Speed  Prints 

News  reels  established  new  records  for  speed  and  service  to  exhib- 
itors in  bringing  to  American  theatres  the  motion  pictures  of 
Capt.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh’s  arrival  in  Paris  as  the  consumma- 
tion of  his  historic  transatlantic  flight. 


AS  a result  of  the  enterprise  of  the  pic- 
torial  news  gatherers  theatre  owners 
were  given  an  opportunity  to  tie  up  the 
flight  with  their  box  offices  in  a hurry, 
and  the  many  who  made  a special  play 
on  the  pictures  were  rewarded  hand- 
somely by  the  increased  attendance.  For 
example,  exhibitors  of  Albany,  Troy  and 
Schenectady  estimated  they  netted  $3,000 
in  added  business. 

Special  Planes  Used 

Pathe  News  employed  airplanes,  an 
ocean  liner  and  fast  automobiles  as  well 
as  the  entire  facilities  of  the  Pathe  edi- 
torial and  laboratory  organizations.  The 
film  arrived  aboard  the  Majestic,  was 
taken  off  at  quarantine  and  prints  were 
supplied  to  the  leading  Broadway  the- 
atres before  the  ship  reached  its  dock. 

International  News  also  delivered 
prints  to  New  York  theatres  the  same 
day  the  liner  arrived.  Two  airplanes 
were  waiting  at  Mitchel  Field  for  the 
prints.  One  sped  away  to  Washington, 
Baltimore  and  other  cities  in  that  vicin- 
age, the  other  hopped  off  for  Boston, 
•with  intermediate  stops  at  New  Haven 
and  Providence.  Meantime  prints  for 
Chicago,  other  Middlewest  points  and  the 
Coast  were  delivered  to  an  amphibian 
plane  which  flew  to  Hadley  Field  at  New 
Brunswick,  N.  J.,  where  connections  were 
made  with  the  U.  S.  air  mail. 

Added  to  One-Reel  Special 

Kinograms  rushed  its  shots  to  exhib- 
itors the  same  day  the  negatives  were 
received  aboard  the  Majestic,  and  the 
pictures  of  the  Paris  reception  of  Lind- 
bergh were  added  to  the  one-reel  special, 
“The  Race  to  Paris,”  which  tells  the 
story  of  the  several  attempts  to  fly  to 
France. 

Besides  the  regular  air  mail  planes, 
Pathe  employed  several  special  aerial 
machines  to  get  its  prints  on  Lindbergh 
to  the  larger  cities.  Special  planes  were 
sent  by  Editor  Ray  Hall  to  Boston,  New 
Haven,  Atlanta,  Cleveland,  Washington 
and  Baltimore. 

The  widespread  bookings  on  these  pic- 


tures also  have  spread  to  other  airplane 
pictures.  As  one  instance,  F.  B.  O.  has 
placed  additional  prints  of  Emory  John- 
son’s “The  Non-Stop  Flight,”  in  all  ex- 
changes as  a result  of  the  increased  pub- 
lic demand. 


FOX  NEWS  NO.  72— Lindbergh  tribute  continues 

abroad 145,000  see  Souder  win  Indianapolis 

auto  classic— Scenes  in  Black  Hills  where  Presi- 
dent Coolidge  will  spend  vacation— .4nnapolis 
graduates  1927  class— Tilden  and  Hunter,  Amer- 
ican tennis  stars,  lose  doubles  to  French  team— 
American-Canadian  bridge  opened  at  Buffalo—™ 
15  balloons  start  elimination  race  at  Akron. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  73 Chamberlin  honored  for 

flight  almost  to  Berlin— President  Coolidge  re- 
views fleet — 12.000  flood  control  delegates  at- 
tend conference  at  Chicago— Debutantes  presented 
to  King  and  Queen  of  England— Fans  honor 
Bob  O^Farrell,  Cardinal  manager— Daredevil 
rides  strange  boat  through  Spokane  Falls- 
Kings  of  finance  attend  opening  of  Harvard  busi- 
ness school 15.000  Boston  high  school  cadets 

reviewed  by  governor— Italian  King  dedicates 
lighthouse- Detroit  school  children  hold  athletic 
meet— Indiana  field  day  brings  notables  to 
Culver. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  46 — Lindbergh 
is  hero  of  Paris — Dry  spell  ends  in  rush  for 
liquor  at  Toronto— Balloons  begin  race  at  Akron 
.574  middies  graduated  at  Annapolis— Mussolini 
restores  Christian  cross  in  Coliseum. 
INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  47— Chamber- 
lin and  Levine  conquer  Atlantic— Lindbergh  ac- 
claimed in  Brussels  and  London— U.  S.  fleet  re- 
viewed by  Coolidge. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5297— Lindbergh  meets  French 
airplane  expert  as  Paris  clamors  to  see  hero — = 
170.000  lbs.  of  dynamite  are  used  at  Birds- 
boro,  Pa.,  in  biggest  rock  blast— Van  Orman 
wins  balloon  elimination  contest  at  Akron- 
Great  crowds  see  outsider  win  Australia’s  derby 
—Thousands  attend  laying  of  corner  stone  for 
Berlin  sports  forum— American  beats  Nurmi’s 
conqueror  at  Los  Angeles— San  Francisco  couple 
married  atop  lighthouse. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5298 Chamberlin  and  Levine 

off  on  flight  to  Berlin™ — Impressive  scenes  mark 
reopening  of  Rheims  Cathedral-”BeIgium  and 
England  heap  honors  on  Lindbergh. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  46 — Paris  throngs  hail  Lind- 
bergh—Lindbergh  begins  epochal  flight— Jap- 
anese bluejackets  in  maneuvers  at  Shanghai— 
Founders  of  Anti-Saloon  League  hold  reunion 
at  Oberlin,  O. 


Return  to  U.  S. 
Fully  Covered 

All  national  news  reels  outdid  them- 
selves in  extending  service  to  exhibit- 
ors on  the  return  of  Charles  A.  Lind- 
bergh to  America  last  week  following 
his  New  York  to  Paris  flight.  Here  is 
a resume  of  achievements, 

PATHE  NEWS — Prepared  a com- 
plete pictorial  record  of  Lindbergh’s 
air  exploits  for  showing  at  the  wel- 
eome  home  banquet  at  the  Hotel 
Commodore,  New  York.  Station 
WNYC  was  in  a radio  hookup  to  de- 
scribe the  scene  by  voice  as  the  flight 
and  reception  were  unfolded  on  the 
screen.  The  reel  was  to  be  presented 
to  Lindbergh  by  Mayor  J.  J.  Walker 
with  the  compliments  of  Editor  Ray 
Hall. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL— 
Universal  has  issued  special  one-sheet 
and  three-sheet  posters  and  a slide  on 
the  Lindbergh  homecoming,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  regular  International 
Newsreel  one-sheet.  International’s 
pictures  of  the  flight  and  reception 
in  Paris  were  shown  to  President  and 
Mrs.  Coolidge  aboard  the  Presidential 
yacht,  Mayflower. 

KINOGRAMS — As  soon  as  Coo- 
lidge had  pinned  the  Distinguished 
Service  Flying  Cross  on  Lindbergh  at 
Washington,  undeveloped  negatives 
of  this  and  preceding  events  were 
rushed  to  Long  Island  City  and 
dropped  by  baby  parachute  into  a 
vacant  lot  adjoining  the  Consolidated 
Film  Laboratories,  where  they  were 
developed.  The  finished  pictures  were 
rushed  to  first  run  houses  on  Broad- 
way and  to  other  cities  for  showing 
that  night. 

FOX  NEWS — Made  complete  cover. 
Showed  3,000  feet  of  the  earlier  activ- 
ities at  the  Roxy  theatre  the  after- 
noon of  the  same  day  the  prints  ar- 
rived from  Europe. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS— S.  R.  Sezio, 
head  of  the  European  staff,  was  one 
of  the  cameramen  who  accompanied 
Lindbergh  on  the  U.S.S.  Memphis  on 
the  return. 

M-G-M  NEWS — Covered  the  Lind- 
bergh flight  from  the  start  and  through 
the  New  York  receptions  this  week. 

Theatres  rose  to  the  occasion.  The 
Capitol  in  New  York  made  arrange- 
ments for  exclusive  release  of  the  De- 
Forest  Phonofilm. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Morris  Discovers  Middle  West 


Fisher  at  Senate 

After  rotating  for  six  months  between  the 
Harding,  Senate  and  Belmont  theatres  with 
stagehand  shows,  Mark  Fisher,  one  of  the  young- 
est band  leaders  in  the  country  and  Lubliner 
and  Trinz  chief  presentation  asset,  has  been  as- 
signed permanently  to  the  Senate  theatre,  located 
on  Chicago’s  West  Side. 

The  Senate  is  a first  run  community  picture 
house  and  has  had  the  West  Side  field  practically 
to  itself  until  Marks  Brothers  built  their  new 
Marbro,  located  only  a mile  west  of  it.  Long 
before  stagehands  were  the  fad  that  they  now 
are.  the  Senate  offered  an  evening  entertainment 
with  a symphony  orchestra  thrown  in  for  the 
same  admission  price,  and  at  that  time  the  leader. 
Art  Kahn,  who  since  has  become  noted  as  a 
“jazz-band"  leader  and  recently  resigned  from  the 
above  organization.  Fisher,  now  permanent  leader, 
is  a young  man  of  exceptional  singing  ability 
who  possesses  one  of  the  cleanest  cut  personalities 
in  show  business. 


Gourfain  With  Publix 

Harry  A.  Gourfain,  formerly  presentation  pro- 
ducer at  the  Balaban  & Katz  Central  Park  the- 
atre, is  now  on  the  production  staff  of  Publix 
and  is  a weekly  commuter  between  Chicago  and 
Detroit,  where  he  stages  the  new  shows  at  the 
Michigan.  Besides  supervising  stage  offerings,  of 
which  Eduard  Werner  is  the  musical  director, 
Gourfain  also  stages  the  scrim  organ  solos  which 
are  offered  weekly  by  Arthur  Gutow. 

Eoy  Dieti-ich,  popular  tenor,  is  now  perma- 
nently affiliated  with  this  house  in  the  organ 
solos. 


Circuits  Hold  Flood  Benefits 

In  aid  of  the  Mississippi  flood  sufferers  the 
Allied  Vaudeville  Intere.sts  will  hold  six  benefits 
at  midnight  next  Saturday,  June  18th,  at  the 
Keith-Albee  Hippodrome  and  E.  F.  Albee  theatre, 
Brooklyn  ; Moss’  Tilyou  theatre.  Coney  Island ; 
Loew’s  Grand  theatre  in  the  Bronx  ; Loew’s  Hill- 
side theatre,  Jamaica  ; and  Fox’s  Audubon  in 
upper  Broadway.  ’There  will  be  all-star  programs 
and  special  features  at  each  of  these  houses.  All 
the  concentrated  energy  of  the  Keith-Albee,  Moss, 
Loew  and  Fox  circuits  will  be  directed  toward 
making  these  benefits  notable  in  every  way  as 
befits  the  cause  for  which  they  wiil  raise  funds. 


Publicist  Sells  30tb  Tale 

NEW  YORK,  June  14.— Paula  Gould, 
publicist  for  F.  B.  O.,  last  week  sold  her 
30th  short  story,  entitled  “A  Very  Charm- 
ing Person,”  to  a national  magazine. 


Don’t  Cry,  Eddie! 


Don't  cry,  Eddie*  don't  you  diire^— not 
right  here  where  the  wide  world  could  see 
and  hear  you.  Think  what  would  happen 
if  you  broke  out  that  crying  song  that  has 
made  the  name  of  Eddie  Hill  a crying  need 
in  all  our  best  picture  houses.  Think  of 
all  these  good  exhibitors  who  read  this 
page  breaking  out  in  tears  at  one  and  the 
same  time— and  try  to  think  what  a job 
Max  Turner  would  have  trying  to  fill  all 
those  dates  they'd  demand.  Don't  you 
dare,  Eddie,  don't  dare— but  you  can  keep 
that  smile  on  the  old  phiz  just  as  long  as 
you  like. 

From  Pictures  to  Stage 

Ethel  Clayton,  at  one  time  one  of  the  most  pop- 
ular picture  stars  appearing  on  the  screen  and 
still  holding  her  own,  having  played  the  leading 
role  in  a number  of  productions  lately,  has  fallen 
for  vaudeville.  She  is  to  he  seen  over  the  Keith- 
Albee  and  Orpheum  Circuits  in  a new  sketch  in 
which  she  will  split  billin.g  with  Ian  Keith,  well 
known  to  the  screen  and  stage.  The  act  was 
arranged  by  Harry  Weber  on  the  West  Coast  and 
opens  this  week  at  the  Orpheum  house  in  Long 
Beach,  Cal.,  playing  Eastward  during  the  summer. 


Trains  Guns 
On  Chicago; 
Takes  }Vorks 

Turner,  Tyrrell,  Branison  Doing 
Trio  Under  Banner  of 
Ace  Agent 

William  Morris,  ace  agent  of  all 
tinie,  has  discovered  Chicago, 
trained  his  guns  upon  the  big  little 
town  out  here  where  people  spend 
money  for  picture  shows  and  the 
works  is  (or  are)  his.  Here’s  the 
diagram : 

The  Allied  Theatrical  Service  of 
■■  hich  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell  have 
been  the  principle  members  has  been 
taken  under  the  personal  management 
of  the  William  Morris  office.  Max  Tur- 
ner, founder  of  Allied  Theatrical  Service, 
started  the  office  last  July  as  an  ex- 
clusive picture  house  booking  office. 
Since  then  Phil  Tyrrell,  at  one  time  the 
largest  picture  house  booker  of  inde- 
pendent theatres  in  the  West,  joined 
forces  with  him,  making  it  the  largest 
office  of  its  kind  in  the  Middle  West. 
In  the  last  year  or  so  presentation 
policies  have  been  installed  throughout 
the  country,  taking  examples  from  the 
Middle  West,  and  the  Allied  Theatrical 
Service  has  supplied  most  of  the  presen- 
tation artists  that  has  been  appearing  in 
such  playhouses  as  the  Balaban  & Katz 
and  Lubliner  & Trinz  theatres. 

Turner  Always  Morris 

Max  Turner,  well-known  in  show 
business  as  a theatre  manager,  agent 
and  booker,  has  always  been  considered 
a William  Morris  man  in  Chicago. 

The  new  affiliation  also  marks  the 
affiliation  of  Sam  Bramson,  at  one  time 
one  of  the  largest  independent  picture 
house  bookers  in  Chicago,  with  Turner 
and  Tyrrell.  Mr.  Bramson  joins  the  new 
concern  as  an  associate.  The  new  office 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


will  be  known  as  the  Western  Branch 
of  the  William  Morris  Agency  with  the 
three  aforementioned  agents  in  charge 
of  affairs  and  Max  Turner  in  charge  of 
the  office.  William  Morris  will  per- 
sonally visit  the  Chicago  office  next 
month  to  install  a new  policy  system 
and  personally  supervise  some  of  the 
bookings  that  are  to  be  handled  out  of 
the  Chicago  office  in  the  future. 

Take  New  Offices 

Another  item  of  interest  is  that  the 
agency  is  now  moving  into  larger  quar- 
ters, in  the  Butler  Building,  to  conduct 
its  new  business  which,  starting  next 
month,  will  also  sponsor  a vaudeville 
department  booking  vaudeville  acts  in 
theatres  now  using  pictures  and  vaude- 
ville. Several  managers  now  receiving 
the  above  service  in  the  presentation 
field  have  been  so  satisfactorily  served 
by  the  type  of  entertainment  supplied 
through  klax  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 
that  it  was  deemed  advisable  by  them 
to  add  this  department.  At  a later  date 
the  name  of  a vaudeville  booking  of- 
ficial will  be  announced  as  the  head  of 
this  new  department. 

The  firm  now  entering  its  first  year 
of  activity  in  the  booking  of  de  luxe 
picture  houses  is  already  booking  25 
weeks  throughout  the  country,  with  a 
possible  10  more  added  with  the  new 
expansion. 


STAGE  SHOWS 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  June  17 

Roxy  Symphony  in  overture,  “1812,*'  with 
Roxy  Choral  Group  of  100  grouped  on  stage  in 
spectacular  set.  This  number  repeated  this  week 
by  request  from  program  of  April  9.  It  has 
legend,  story,  action  and  color,  bringing  big  ap- 
plause. 

Divertisements : 

A — Doll  Dance  from  “The  Tales  of  Hoffman.” 
Full  stage,  eight  of  the  ballet  as  dolls  needing 
■winding  in  order  to  carry  on  with  the  dance,  and 
■with  Beatrice  Belkin  as  the  singing  doll  and 
Frank  Moulan  as  the  doll  master.  Very  good, 
with  accent  on  the  very. 


B — Silhouette,  “On  the  Bowery.”  Rose  and 
Arthur  Boyland,  as  the  lovers,  Leon  Leonidoff  as 
the  Lamp  Post  Man  and  M.  Demetrius  as  the 
Policeman.  Effective,  as  have  been  all  the  sil- 
houette dances  here,  and  getting  hard  applause. 
Work  of  the  artists  exceptionally  fine,  and  set- 
ting rich  and  attractive. 

The  Mikado — Gilbert  and  Sullivan.  Scene — 
Garden  of  Ko  Ko’s  Palace.  Mikado  of  Japan, 
J.  P.  Coombs,  Nanki  Poo,  his  son,  disguised  as 
a wandering  minstrel  and  in  love  with  Yum  Yum, 
Harold  Van  Duzee,  Ko  Ko,  Lord  High  Execu- 
tioner, Frank  Moulan,  Pooh  Bah,  Lord  High 
Everything  else,  Douglas  Stanbury,  Yum  Yum, 
Gladys  Rice,  Pitti  Sing,  Marion  Keeler,  Peep-Bo, 
Celia  Branz,  Katiska,  Dorothy  Pilzer. 

A — Opening  Chorus — “We  Are  Gentlemen  of 
Japan,”  Male  Ensemble. 

B — “A  Wandering  Minstrel,”  Mr.  Van  Duzee 
and  Male  Ensemble. 

C — “The  Brass  Will  Crash,”  Messrs.  Stanbury, 
Van  Duzee  and  Male  Ensemble. 

D — “The  Lord  High  Executioner,”  Mr.  Moulan 
and  Male  Ensemble. 

E — “Fve  Got  ’Em  On  My  List,”  Mr.  Moulan  and 
Male  Ensemble. 

F — “Comes  a Train  of  Little  Ladies,”  Female 
Ensemble. 

G — “The  Three  Little  Girls  from  School,”  Misses 
Rice,  Keeler  and  Branz  with  Female  Ensemble. 

H — “I  Would  Fondly  Kies  You  Thus,”  Miss 
Rice  and  Mr.  Van  Duzee. 

I — Madrigal,  “Brightly  Dawns  Our  Wedding 
Day,”  Misses  Rice  and  Branz  and  Messrs.  Van 
Duzee  and  Stanbury. 

J — “The  Moon  and  I,”  Miss  Rice. 

K — “Here’s  a How  De  Do,”  Mies  Rice  and 
Messrs.  Van  Duzee  and  Moulan. 

L — Entrance  of  Mikado — “Bow  to  His  Daughter- 
in- Law-Elect,”  Miss  Pilzer  and  Mr.  Coombs. 

M — Song,  “My  Object  All  Sublime,”  Mr.  Coombs 
and  Ensemble. 

Intermezzo — Japanese  Dance,  “Gamby  and  the 
Ballet  Corps. 

N — “Flowers  That  Bloom  in  the  Spring,”  Misses 
Rice  and  Branz  and  Mesrs.  Van  Duzee,  Stanbui-y 
and  Moulan. 

O — “Tit  Willow,”  Mr.  Moulan. 

P — Finale. 

Well,  sir,  if  you  can  do  any  more  for  presenta- 
tion than  this  offering  and  be  as  well  rewarded 
with  enthusiastic  and  lasting  applause  you’ll  have 
to  get  a bigger  house  and  a bigger  stage.  No 
need  to  comment  on  any  particular  bit.  The 
artists  are  all  regular  members  of  Roxy’s  Gang 
and  this  staging  of  The  Mikado  by  them  seems 
to  this  scribe  to  strike  a new  note  in  entertain- 
ment. 

Roxy  Jazzmanians. 

A — Egyptian  Echoes — Soloist,  Marie  Gambarelli. 

B — Fox  Trot  a la  Russe. 

C — “Crazy  Words,  Crazy  Tune.”  Messrs,  Riano 


RAY  TURNER 

Solo  Organist 
NORTH  CENTER  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Held  Over  by  LUBLINER  and  TRINZ  from  THIRD  KARZAS  engagement  at 
the  above  house. 


Community  Songs — 

JOHNNIE  DEVINE 

Featured  Organist 

PATIO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Where  they  sing  "DEVINELY” 

— Solo  Presentations 


ORGAN  SOLO— SCRIM  PRESENTATIONS 

Conceived  By 

Albert  F.  Brown 

Feature  Organist 

AND  STAGED  BY  RAYMOND  Q.  DALTON 

At  the  Granada  Theatre,  Chicago 

REPRESENTS  A NEW  ERA  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT 


Arnol,  Rees  and  Spurr  and  the  Gamby  Girls  each 
do  a turn  to  a nice  brown  here  for  specialties  in 
front  of  the  orchestra  on  the  last  selection. 

What  a program — juet  look  over  it  again. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  June  10 

The  Prelude,  played  by  the  Paramount  Orches- 
tra, is  one  of  but  a moment,  allowing  the  pit  to 
simply  rise  and  fall  again  during  South  Sea  re- 
frains incidental  to  “A  South  Sea  Idyl.”  Color 
Picture,  introducing  a “trip  to  the  Hawaiian  Isl- 
ands,” including  “The  Imperial  Hawaiians”  sing- 
ers, eight  strong,  including  three  women,  appear- 
ing to  one  side  of  the  screen,  during  the  run, 
playing  the  while,  and  closing  in  front  and  cen- 
ter for  spot  at  finish.  Fair  applause. 

The  Jessie  Crawford  Organ  Concert — Excerpts 
from  "Martha,”  interpolating  “Russian  Lullaby.” 
An  ingenious  bit  that  silenced  the  house  during 
the  rendering  and  brought  good  applause  at  the 
finale. 

Paul  Whiteman  and  His  Orchestra  in  “Rhap- 
sodyland,”  a program  not  quite  up  to  snuff,  open- 
ing a little  weak  but  closing  fair  to  warmer,  with 
promise  and  every  indication  of  next  week  being 
more  of  a genuine  wow.  The  opening  consists  of 
five  straight  numbers  played  by  the  band,  under 
Paul,  with  “The  Rhapsody  in  Blue”  getting  the 
biggest  and  best  hand.  The  playing  of  everything, 
of  course,  is  superb.  The  band  numbers  about 
forty,  but  the  first  week  of  this  stage  show  band 
was  not  diversified  enough.  Banjoist,  cornetist 
and  piano  do  solo  bits  with  cornetist  clowning. 
For  encore  three  of  the  boys  come  down  front 
and  whoop  it  up  over  “We  Want  Women,”  using 
two  baby  pianos,  and  they  get  a good  hand  for 
peppy  efforts.  A gentleman  by  the  name  of  Hall 
is  next  out  front  with  his  fiddle,  and  he  handles 
it  like  nobody  ever  did.  For  laughs  and  applause 
and  releasing  of  stiffness  the  boy  clicked  nicely. 
Screen  trailer  of  a few  minutes  follows,  giving 
the  lay  of  the  land  on  next  week’s  bill,  wherein 
the  injecting  of  girls  would  seem  to  indicate  there 
will  be  a big  improvement  from  a production 
standpoint. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  June  11 

Jimmy  Hussey,  star  of  “Ziegfeld  Follies,”  as- 
sisted by  Eddie  Hickey,  shared  honors  with  Irene 
Franklin,  character  delineator,  and  a prime  favor- 
ite with  Fox  patrons. 

Overture:  The  Fox  Orchestra,  with  Adolphe 

Kornspan  conducting,  played  a special  arrange- 
ment of  Scheherezade”  by  Rimsky-Korsakov, 
Cadman  s At  Dawning,”  played  as  an  accom- 
paniment to  the  scenic  film  “Climbing  to  Canada’s 
Clouds,”  was  thoroughly  enjoyed  by  the  audience. 

Jimmy  Hussey  has  a most  ingratiating  person- 
ality and  his  Uneasy  Street”  is  a skit  packed 
full  of  clever  repartee  and  provided  many  laughs. 
His  second  number,  a Jewish  dialect  song,  “When 
Nathan  Got  Married  to  Rosie,”  was  even  funnier 
and  the  audience  tried  hard  to  persuade  him  to 
give  just  one  more,  without  success. 

Irene  Franklin,  assisted  by  Jerry  Jernigan  at 
the  piano,  added  to  her  laurels  with  her  comic 
character  songs.  She  impersonated  a night  club 
hostess,  a flapper,  and  a six-year-old  who  couldn’t 
keep  her  face  clean,  and  her  songs  “Be  Your 
Age”  and  “You  Took  Me  From  the  Gutter  and 
You  Put  Me  Back  Again,”  were  applauded  to  the 
echo.  Miss  Franklin  has  lots  of  individuality 
and  stands  in  the  front  rank  as  an  impersonator. 


EDMUND  C.  FITCH 


FEATURE  ORGAFIIST 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


June  18,  1927 

Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  June  11 

Like  a scene  from  the  Arabian  Nights  was  the 
“Castle  of  Dreams,”  an  exceptionally  brilliant  and 
entertaining  extravaganza  presented  at  the  Stan- 
ley this  weelc. 

The  Giersdorf  Sisters — Elvira,  Rae  and  Irene — 
made  a charming  trio  as  they  appeared  in  peach- 
colored  chiffon  and  rhinestones.  Their  voices  were 
sweet,  but  weak,  and  their  dancing  perfectly 
proper,  but  lacking  in  dash  and  -pep.  One  of  the 
sisters  danced  to  the  accompaniment  of  the  ukele- 
le  and  trombone  of  the  other  two.  She  danced  a 
black  bottom  and  did  some  graceful  hand  turns 
that  resulted  in  some  applause,  but  the  act  was 
not  enthusiastically  received. 

“Castle  of  Dreams”  was  a beautifully  staged 
and  fantastic  act.  Stage  setting  represented  the 
entrance  to  a medieval  castle.  Edward  Albano, 
who  took  the  part  of  Prince  Charming,  has  a 
pleasing  and  powerful  baritone.  The  princess 
who  lived  in  the  Castle  of  Dreams  was  a dancing 
princess,  Marion  Chambers,  and  maybe  she  couldn’t 
dance.  She  whirled  and  pirouetted  until  the 
audience  was  dizzy.  As  the  act  opened  the  draw- 
bridge of  the  castle  was  lowered  and  the  princess 
was  carried  out  in  a palanquin,  followed  by  two 
ladies  in  waiting,  in  most  unusual  costumes.  The 
hats  had  cone-shaped  crowns  of  pale  green  satin 
with  wide  brims  turned  up  and  faced  with  pale 
pink.  The  two  ladies  in  waiting  sang  beautifully, 
their  voices  showing  splendid  volume  and  charm. 
Marion  Chambers  as  the  princess  captivated  the 
audience  with  her  beauty,  grace  and  spirit,  and 
her  costumes  as  well  as  those  of  the  ladies  in 
waiting  were  extremely  gorgeous.  Mickey  Norton 
provided  the  comedy  of  the  act  with  his  acrobatic 
dancing  and  his  companion  won  hearty  applause 
by  her  dancing,  .seeming  more  like  an  automaton 
than  a human  figure  with  bones  and  muscles. 

In  the  finale  the  princess  stood  at  the  entrance 
to  the  castle  with  a huge  scarlet  shawl  effectively 
draped  from  her  shoulders.  The  corners  of  the 
shawl  were  held  by  the  other  members  of  the 
company  and  colored  lights  were  lowered  from 
above.  The  whole  act  was  exceptionally  good. 

The  Stanley  Symphony  Orchestra.  Gabriel  Hines 
conducting,  played  as  an  overture  Nieolai’e  “Merry 
Wives  of  Windsor.” 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  June  17 

1.  Prelude — “Elegie,”  Gaston  Dubois,  Solo  Cello. 

2.  “The  Elegy — Paramount  Novelty. 

3.  The  Jessie  Crawford  Organ  Concert,  opening 
with  “There’s  Everything  Nice  About  You,”  Jes- 
sie gives  a treat  this  week  of  popular  medlies, 
including  “Sometimes  I’m  Happy”  and  ending 
with  “Sundown.”  He  keeps  the  program  diversi- 
fied enough  to  have  them  always  ready  for  a con- 
cert. They  always  warmly  applaud. 

4.  Paramount  News. 

5.  Paul  Whiteman  and  His  Orchestra  in  “Rus- 
sia.” Well,  here  it  is — something  more  like  a real 
program,  giving  everybody  a break,  from  Paul  to 
the  youngest  customer.  Opening  with  twelve 
girls  in  Russian  costume  out  front,  headed  by 
Sonia  Macie,  an  individual  little  one  who’-s  pep 
seemed  contagious,  they  sing  and  dance  of  Russia 
syncopated  and  make  way  for 

Charles  Irwin.  Welcome,  Charles,  and  how 
welcome  you  did  eeem  here  with  your  chatter. 
Evei-ybody  knows  what  Charles  does — he  talks — 
and  how.  Drop  goes  up  on  band  here  and  Paul 
comes  in  from  wings  costumed  a la  Russia. 


EDDIE 

HILL 

I want  to  Thank  the 
SKOURAS  BROTH- 
ERS for  selecting  me 
as  MASTER  of 
CEREMONIES  for 
their  “SUMMER  RE- 
VUE” at  the  AM- 
BASSADOR, ST. 
LOUIS,  week  May  29 


Just  completed  a week  at  the  STATE, 
DETROIT 

NOTE.  Watch  this  space  for  impor- 
tant announcement 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency 
Max  T’urner  and  Phil  Tyrrell,  associates 


Charles  talks  Paul  into  playing  the  fiddle  for  the 
house,  and  during  his  playing  eight  of  the  band 
boys  come  down  front  and  join  in  on  chorus  of 
“Russian  Lullaby.”  Next  they  work  on  the  “Lift 
Song”  and  encore  with  another  number,  ending 
up  with  “Clap  Hands.” 

Ruth  Etting  breezes  in  here  and  blues  “Sun- 
down.” “If  You  S!ee  Sally”  and  “Sam  the  Accor- 
dian  Man”  were  the  encores,  so  you  must  know 
she  was  good.  Paul  induces  the  band  to  play  an- 
other selection  here,  but  they  develop  tempera- 
ment it  seems,  and  in  a lot  of  by-play  business 
walk  off  in  groups  on  him,  according  to  nation- 
alities, finally  leaving  him  alone  with  his  cor- 
netist.  Orchestra  leader  of  the  Paramount  Or- 
chestra finally  offers  to  help  him  out  by  letting 
Paul  come  down  into  the  pit  and  lead  that  band. 
They  start  on  “1812,”  as  an’anged  by  White- 
man.  Half  way  through  it  the  curtain  goes  up 
again  on  Paul’s  own  band  and  he  is  leading  them 
both  through  the  piece.  Back  gives  way  for 
spectacular  finale  and  house  is  brought  down  for 
a big  hand.  Now  that  we  have  the  swing  of 
things  here,  watch  out. 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  June  10 

In  one  hour  and  ten  minutes,  the  most  preten- 
tious and  ambitious  offering  to  date. 

Lew  White,  Dezo  Von  D’Antalffy  and  C.  A.  J. 
Parmentier  at  the  three  consoles  of  the  Roxy  or- 
gan play  “Indian  Fantasy,”  incorporating  “By 
the  Waters,  of  the  Minnetonka,”  “Indian  Love 
Call”  and  “Land  of  the  Sky  Blue  Water.”  Pret- 
tier music  could  not  be  asked  for,  and  the  house 
knew  it. 

Roxy  Symphony  Orchestra,  Erno  Rapee  con- 
ducting, in  “Excerpts  from  Pagliacci.”  Once  In 
a great  while  do  overtrues  bring  down  the  house. 
This  one  did  and  did  a great  job  of  it. 

Roxy  Choral  Group,  “Kamenai  Ostron,”  usual 
choral  group  class  and  harmony  in  this  work. 

Roxy  Ballet  Corps,  “Nutcracker  Suite.” 

A — “Valse  des  Fleurs,”  Marie  Gambarelli  and 
Ballet  Corps. 

B — “Dance  Arabe,”  Doris  Niles  and  Ballet 
Corps. 

C — “Dance  des  Mirlitons,”  Gamby. 

D — Dance  Chinoise,  Ballet  Corps. 

E — “Dance  Russe  Trepoh — Ensemble.  Each  of 
the  numbers  take  full  stage  and  a set  of  ite  own, 
with  no  loss  of  time  between  curtains.  Doris 
Niles’  and  “Gamby’s”  solo  bits  warmly  received. 
The  ballet  itself  is  a treat  and  has  never  wanted 
for  applause. 

Roxy  Cathedral  Choir: 

A — Masha  song  from  “Redemption,”  soloist, 
Anna  Savina.  Stained  cathedral  window  set 
with  girl  members  of  choir  dresed  in  white,  as 
nuns,  coming  into  view  and  ascending  Heaven- 
wise — on  close  out  of  number,  while  choir  groups 
are  costumed  as  monks.  Warmly  received. 


Roxy  Jazzmanians: 

A — “What  Does  It  Matter,”  Charlotte  Ayres 
and  Georgia  Tapps.  Roxy  Male  Quartette  and 
Roxy  Ballet  Corps.  This  last  number  received 
report  before  and,  ]>eing  exceptionally  good,  is 
repeated  this  week.  Pauline  Albert,  the  only  girl 
among  the  Jazzmanians,  demonstrated  her  ability 
to  entertain  via  the  ivories  and  everybody  liked 
it.  A talented  program  that  entertained  royally. 


Hartford  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  11 

A one  act  version  of  Samuel  Shipman’s  play, 
“Lawful  Larceny,”  with  Lowell  Sherman  as  the 
star,  provides  the  presentation  number.  Its  im- 
mediate success  may  result  in  further  abridged 
plays  being  staged. 

An  added  attraction  is  the  Miller  Sisters’  Re- 
vue, which  started  their  stage  career  in  this  city 
some  time  ago  under  the  name  of  the  Geller  Trio. 

Providence  Emery 

Week  Ending  June  11 

Miss  Julia  Rooney  with  her  company  of  ten 
musical  artists  in  a series  of  unusual  and  tuneful 
numbers,  provides  a musical  stage  number  which 
will  result  in  numerous  other  presentations  of 
musical  character  in  future  weeks,  so  quickly  has 
Providence  responded. 

Ponzini’s  Monkeys,  a troupe  of  trained  Simians 
in  various  capers,  provide  added  interest. 

“Hills  of  Peril”  is  the  feature. 


Springfield  Palace 

Week  Ending  June  11 

Ted  Lorraine,  a Springfield  boy,  comes  back  to 
the  home  town  to  show  his  wares  this  week  at  the 
Palace,  where  he  stars  in  the  stage  number, 
“Miniature  Francaise”  aided  by  Jack  Minto,  Mile. 
Margarette  Davies  and  company. 

“Quicksands”  is  the  feature. 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  June  11 

Gene  Rodemich  and  his  Met  Merry  Makers 
shared  honors  with  the  Publix  “Sports  Revue”  this 
week. 

The  latter  novelty,  beautifully  staged  as  are 
all  Publix  presentations  at  the  Metropolitan, 
shows  a basketball  game  played  on  bicycles  and  a 
group  of  skaters  going  through  some  unusual  as 
well  as  artistic  numbers. 

Next  week  Ted  Lewis  and  his  band  will  be 
featured. 

“Senorita”  is  the  film. 


HAL  SIDARE 

SENSATIONAL  ECCENTRIC  DANCER 


Just  Completed  20  Weeks  of  DeLuxe  Picture  House  Bookings. 

Now  Resting  for  the  Summer Soon  to  open  new  tour  for  PUBLIX. 

Many  thanks  to  all  booking  officials  and  my  representative,  ARTHUR  SPIZZI. 


JOE  FRED 

McKenzie  and  BISHOP 

(Formerly  with  Babe  Ruth) 

Playing  New  Marbro  Thea- 
tre, Chicago,  This  Week. 

Many  Thanks  to 
MURRAY  BLOOM 

Under  Direction  of  MORT  INFIEILD 


CORINNE  ARBUCKLE 

“SONGOLOGIST” 

in 

“SONGS  WHAT  AM” 

Appearing  in  Deluxe  Presentations  in  Deluxe  Picture  Theatres. 
Keith-Albee  Representative — HARRY  WEBER  OFFICE 
Presentation — WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  direction  of  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL 
Personal  Representative RUSSELL  DECKER 


Picked  by  BABE  RUTH 
as  the  best  singing 
team  in  Presentations. 


Discovered  by  JIMMY 
KEEFE,  publicity  director  of 
the  First  National  Pictures 
West  Coast  Studios. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Boston  State 

Week  Ending  June  11 

Phil  Spitalny  and  his  band  returned  from  a 
western  tour  for  another  brief  engagement  this 
week,  receiving  a hearty  welcome,  judging  by  box 
office  standards. 

New  methods  of  presentation  and  added  fea- 
tures were  shown.  Sid  Gary,  the  gentleman  in 
tan,  and  Steve  Weniger  with  his  “voice  with  a 
tear”  were  the  soloists. 

“Lovers”  is  the  feature  film. 


Hartford  Allyn 

Week  Ending  June  11 

It  would  do  Sophie  Tucker^s  heart  good  to  hear 
Bill  Hamilton  and  his  orchestra  render  “Fifty 
Million  Frenchmen  Can’t  Be  Wrong,”  the  central 
number  of  the  musical  presentation  this  week. 
The  parodies  which  members  of  the  orchestra  in- 
ject into  the  number  have  caused  the  whole  city 
to  start  humming  the  refrain. 

Emmett  O’Mara  failed  to  exhaust  his  repeiToire 
of  tenor  numbers. 

“Man  Bait”  is  the  feature. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  June  11 

A glittering  extravaganza,  “V’ienna  Life,”  de- 
picting court  life  in  the  old  monarchist  days  of 
Austria,  was  the  main  attraction. 

Marie  MacQuarrie’s  hai-p  ensemble  forms  the 
background  of  this  excellent  unit,  devised  and 
staged  by  Frank  Cambria.  The  singing  and 
dancing  groups  are  headed  by  Amund  Sjovik, 
baritone  from  the  Royal  Opera  Company  of  Co- 
penhagen ; Harold  Lander  and  Florence  Rudolph, 
both  dancers  of  uncommon  ability ; Ellen  Dono- 
van, prima  donna  possessed  of  a rich  tone  and 
color  voice,  and  Kamburoff,  a fine  acrobatic  jester. 

The  Aristocrats,  four  vocal  and  instrumental 
harmony  men.  were  billed  in  an  added  feature. 

Overture:  Flotow’s  “Stradella,”  conducted  by 

Eduard  Werner. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  11 

The  presentation  this  week  was  heatllined  by 
Herbert  Rawlinson,  who  continued  as  chief  an- 
nouncer of  ceremonies. 

Appreciation  echoes  were  sounded  from  Sun- 
day’s audience  following  specialties  presented  by 
Ruth  Roye,  low-voiced  comedienne,  who  nearly 
brought  down  the  house  with  her  songs  ; Charley 
Jolley,  tenor  solos;  the  Six  Tivoli  Girls,  unit 
dancing;  Hall,  Ermine  and  Brice,  comic  singing 
and  dancing;  also  Nat  Nazarro,  Jr.,  eccentric 
dancer  and  cellist. 


Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  June  11 

A nicely  balanced  show,  “June  Frolics,”  with 
Charles  Melson  and  the  playboy  band,  was  the 
topliner  this  week. 

Opening:  Orchestra  playing  “A  Lane  in 

Spain’’  for  fair  applause. 

Eddie  Moran  came  on  next,  telling  confusingly 
funny  stories  and  jokes. 

Following  this  comedy  relief,  the  Guthier  Twins 
provided  song  and  dance  numbers  which  caused 
no  great  excitement.  After  a brief  speech  by 
Melson,  Paul  Howard  strutted  out  and  did  con- 
tortions  that  went  over  in  ordinary  style.  When 
this  performance  was  finished,  the  Trade  Twins 
made  a snappy  appearance  by  doing  clever  steps 
to  the  tune  of  “A  Little  Bungalow,” 

Melson  then  announced  Eddie  Hill,  who  sang 
his  “Trouble  Song”  and  "Katie  Did”  (Shower  of 
applause  and  encores  when  Hill  finished). 

A baby  grand  was  moved  out  front  for  Mary 
Tudor  and  Charlotte  Myers  when  the  racket 
stopped.  TTiey  did  a few  songs  and  one  of  their 
own  origination  scored  nicely. 

Finale:  Band  went  into  “Russian  Lullaby” 

with  the  assistance  of  a Cossack-costumed  tenor. 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  June  10 

“Memory’s  Garden,”  a Publix  presentation,  was 
on  the  stage  during  the  week. 

Dave  Silverman  arranged  for  his  orchestra  a 
musical  novelty,  entitled  “Overtrue  Syncopation.” 
It  featured  ten  jazz  artists. 

The  third  unit  was  Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ 
playing  a special  solo,  entitled  “Request  Concert.” 
His  menu  included  four  popular  songs : “Put 
Your  Arms  Wfiere  They  Belong,”  “Moonlight  on 
the  Ganges,”  “Let’s  Make  Believe”  and  “It  All 
Depends  on  You.” 

The  “Memory  Garden’s”  cast  included  Rac  and 
Eleanor  Ball,  John  Quinlan,  Ruth  Matlock  and 
Aileen  Hare. 

St.  Louis  Grand  Central 

Week  Ending  June  10 

Paul  Sporleder  and  his  orchestra  offered  “Here 
Comes  the  Bride.”  They  played  the  piece  as  it 
was  written,  and  as  it  might  be  played  in  Spain, 
the  Orient  and  China  and  as  it  probably  will  be 
offered  in  1947. 

The  special  numbers  contributed  by  the  bands- 
men during  the  week  were  songs  by  Charley,  the 
trombonist ; A1  Eldridge,  the  pianist,  and  a drum 
specialty  by  Sporleder. 

Other  entertainers  included  Nan  Blackstone, 
Arthur  Nealy  and  Bill  Randall. 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  June  10 

Brooke  Johns  offered  a production,  entitled 
“Opportunity  Revue,”  as  the  principal  stage  of- 
fering of  the  week. 

Leonid  Leonard!,  directing  the  Missouri  orches- 
tra, played  a novelty  overture,  entitled  “Schubert 
Melodies.” 

“Opportunity  Revue”  had  Peggy  Bernier,  singer 
of  popular  blues  songs,  who  won  an  extra  week’s 
engagement  by  her  work,  and  Stannelli  and  Doug- 
las, dancing  violinists.  Six  local  girls  competed 
during  the  week  for  the  honor  of  being  selected 
for  a stage  try  out.  This  stunt  was  put  on  in 
cooperation  with  an  afternoon  newspaper. 

St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  June  10 

Isham  Jones  and  his  newly  reorganized  Bruns- 
wick Record  Orchestra  was  the  principal  stage 
offering. 

Don  Albert  selected  for  his  overture  “Through 
the  Air.”  Leopold  Broeckaert  was  the  soloist 
with  the  orchestra. 

Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  June  10 

“The  Family  Album,”  a Publix  production,  was 
the  stage  attraction  at  the  Newman  this  week. 
It  marked  the  Eighth  Anniversary  Week  of  the 
theatre,  which  has  featured  elaborate  stage  pro- 
ductions on  that  week  each  year  suice  the  open- 
ing of  the  theatre. 

Louis  Forbstein,  musical  director  of  the  house 
when  it  opened,  selected  “William  Tell”  as  the 
initial  overture.  Each  year  that  selection  has 
been  used  as  the  overture  on  anniversary  week, 
Sigmund  Boguslawski,  present  director  of  the  New- 
man orchestra,  observing  the  tradition. 

The  stage  production  was  in  one  scene,  com- 
posed of  a number  of  figurative  albums,  containing 
girls  in  costumes  of  various  ages.  Alice  White 
and  Harry  Manning  were  featured  in  song 
numbers. 

Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  June  10 

Harry  Webb’s  Entertainers  and  the  Two  Weber 
Girls  continued  to  be  the  center  of  the  stage  pro- 
gram at  the  Mainstreet  this  week,  both  acts  hav- 
ing been  on  long-time  contracts,  the  former  an 
orchestra  and  the  latter  a singing  and  dancing 
team. 

McCarthy  and  Moore  had  a comedy  act,  “Any- 
thing At  All,”  while  Day  and  Aileen  offered  “A 
Terpsichorean  Offeiung.”  Nee  Wong,  styled  as 
“A  Gentleman  of  the  Orient,”  had  a single,  Owen 
and  Anderson  being  harmony  singers.  Freddie 
Stritt,  as  master  of  ceremonies,  was  on  and  off  the 
stage  at  all  times  as  usual. 

Harry  Webb’s  Entertainers  rendered  popular 
selections  as  the  overtrue. 


Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  11 

Jacques  Beaucaire  and  the  Capitol  Orchestra 
played  a jazz  medley  with  a clarinet  obligato. 

A full  reel  of  Lindbergh  pictures  excited  the 
greatest  enthusiasm  of  the  audiences  all  week, 
applauding  roundly  whenever  they  were  shown. 

There  was  a Sportlight,  a Lloyd  Hamilton  com- 
edy, “Man’s  Pals,”  a dog  picture  novelty  and 
“The  Unknown”  as  the  feature. 

“Egypt”  was  the  Publix  stag©  show. 

Des  Moines  Des  Moines 

Week  Ending  June  11 

George  Warde,  the  Freckles  of  the  “Our  Gang” 
comedies,  presented  a stage  act.  The  dancing  fol- 
lowed a bit  of  film  showing  him  before  he  grew 
up.  Four  costume  changes  pepped  up  the  act, 

“Three  Hours”  was  the  feature,  with  a revival 
of  Charley  Chaplin  in  “Shoulder  Arms.” 

Salt  Lake  Empress 

Week  Ending  June  11 

The  prologue  at  the  Paramount  Empress  thea- 
tre this  week  is  presented  by  Joe  Wong,  oriental 
vocalist  and  instrumentalist  of  ability.  Wong 
furnishes  several  minutes  of  suitable  entertain- 
ment with  his  talents  for  popular  musiclore,  his 
songs  and  instrumental  numbers  creating  a fit- 
ting atmosphere  for  the  feature  picture  which 
follows.  'Hie  picture  being  shown  this  week  is 
“The  Love  of  Sunya,”  and  both  picture  and  act 
have  been  very  well  received. 


MURIEL  KAYE 

**The  Distinctive  Dancer** 

For  DeLuxe  Theatres 
Now  Featured  in  Presentations 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  Through  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


PEGGY  ROSS 

CHAMBERLIN  and  HIMES 

(Positively  the  World* s Worst  Apache  Dancers) 
NOW  TOURING  PUBLIX  THEATRES 

Personal  Direction  of  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell  Through 
WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 


BILLY  MEYER 

(The  Golden  Tone  Baritone) 

After  Ten  Weeks  with  BENNIE  KRUEGER  Now  Back  with  PAUL  ASH 
playing  my  750th  performance  at  the  ORIENTAL  theatre,  Chicago 
Many  Thanks  to  A.  J.  Balaban,  Paul  Ash,  Morris  Silver  and  Will  Harris 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


June  18,  1927 

Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  June  10 

The  hit  of  the  week  at  the  Riviera  was  Ber- 
nardo De  Pace,  mandolin  wizard,  who  appeared 
in  the  Publix  stage  show  “Milady’s  Perfumie.’’ 
De  Pace  brought  down  the  house,  climaxing  the 
many  attractions  of  the  pretentious  entertain- 
ment. 

The  stage  show,  as  the  name  implies,  was  a 
setting  of  perfume  bottles  ranged  alongside  a 
cabinet.  Six  huge  bottles  revolved,  one  at  a 
time,  and  out  of  each  stepped  a dancing  girl, 
doing  dances  while  varicolored  lights  played  on 
them.  Amelia  Allen  was  revealed  when  the  cab- 
inet itself  opened.  She  did  several  good  dances. 
Mary  Bothwell  and  Dorothy  Neville  were  soloists. 
For  the  finale,  a gorgeous  setting  revealed  the 
solo  singer  peering  out  of  a huge  costume. 

As  an  added  attraction  Dave  Schooler,  Peggy 
Hart  and  Estelle  MacNeal  appeared  in  “Music 
Hath  Charms.”  The  orchestra  is  under  direction 
of  Arthur  Geissler. 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  June  12 

Custom  did  a fiipflop  this  week,  the  Publix  unit 
making  the  locally  concocted  Orchestral  Produc- 
tion look  like  a bum.  The  routine: 

“Xiife  of  the  Gypsies,”  H.  Leopold  Spitalny’s 
Orchestral  Production  came  right  out  of  the  bot- 
tom of  the  trunk,  both  as  to  music  and  exercises, 
but  got  the  opening  break  and  registered  a 
couple  of  hands  when  the  garglers  let  out. 
“Spitty,”  as  he  is  perhaps  fondly  but  migod  how 
unpleasantly  called  by  those  who  profess  to  know 
him,  needs  to  watch  one  of  his  cantatas  from  out 
front  and  see  what  it  needs  to  make  it  unlike  the 
others.  (No  assessment  for  this.) 

Dean  Fossler  at  the  organ  for  the  vacationing 
Murtagh  and  adequate  to  that  quite  stiff  assign- 
ment. 

“Birthstones,”  or  maybe  the  title  is  more  elab- 
orate than  that,  is  the  thing  John  Murray  Ander- 
son must  have  been  trying  to  do  all  these  months 
(whether  Anderson  is  producer  of  it  or  not). 
Its  got  class,  idea,  routine,  costuming,  talent,  kick, 
significance — oh,  write  your  own  ticket.  If  all 
the  units  had  as  much,  the  stagehand  thing  would 
be  down  to  the  nickel  houses  by  now  and  Publix 
would  be  selling  lots  more  Chex  than  it  is.  No 
use  describing  “Birthstones” — gotta  seeit.  And 
should. 

Observation : Maybe  all  the  units  have  lacked 
is  ideas. 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  June  12 

It’s  six  busy  days  since  Paul  Ash’s  “Harem 
Hokum,”  (if  that  was  the  title)  was  given  appre- 
hensive eye  and  ear  and  you  know  that’s  a long 
time  to  remember  any  show — too  long  for  one  of 
these — so  the  customary  road  map  will  be  omitted 
and  the  two  remembered  items  noted : 

Milton  Watson,  sweet  singer  of  good,  bad  or  in- 
different tunes,  came  back  and  got  the  reception 
he  always  gets  when  he  does  that.  Ash  didn’t 
let  him  sing  much,  frankly  stating  (such  is  the 
Ash  act — and  tact)  that  he  was  saving  his  voice 
for  Columbia  records  being  made  during  the 
week,  but  they  loved  him  just  the  same.  (Ash 
also  mentioned  that  the  records  would  be  out  in 
about  a week  and  the  folks  could  buy  them  then — 
which  is  no  nice  way  to  treat  people  when  they 
pay  to  hear  Milton  sing  in  the  theatre.  Shades  of 
B.  & K.) 

Hank  Winston,  the  young  man  who  plays  Ash’s 
piano  for  him,  got  a break  and  tidied  some  tune 
or  other  up  and  down  the  keyboard  in  such  con- 
summate manner  as  to  leave  no  room  for  memory 
of  the  tune  thus  tidied.  Among  the  curious 
allotment  of  things  for  which  the  always  inter- 
esting Ash  deserves  credit  is  his  knack  of  keeping 
a pack  of  excellent  musicians  and  keeping  them 
(apparently)  satisfied. 

Observation:  There  must  be  something  wrong 
with  a show  that  doesn’t  stick  with  a reporter 
six  days — or  with  the  reporter.  Or  both. 


Chicago  Marbro 

Week  Ending  June  12 

The  second  week*s  band  show  at  this  house 
is  called  “Meet  Mr.  Kaley,”  in  order  to  introduce 
Charles  Kaley,  the  new  band  leader,  to  this  audi- 
ence. The  offering,  with  the  exception  of  a few 
acts,  was  practically  the  same  as  was  offered  at 
the  Granada  theatre  several  weeks  ago  when  Kaley 
made  his  first  appearance  at  that  house.  The 
stage  entertainment  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  front  of  beautiful  blue  silk  velvet 


curtain  with  two  girls  dressed  as  heralds,  one  on 
each  end,  with  trumpets  as  two  more  girls  en- 
tered from  center  curtain  with  special  lyrics  to 
introduce  Kaley  and  his  band.  At  this  point  the 
curtain  parted  and,  as  the  band  played  a special 
tune  to  introduce  their  leader,  Kaley  descends 
down  staircase  singing  “Sunday/*  After  a short 
talk  the  band  struck  up  an  arrangement  of  “Hello, 
Cutie,’*  with  a chorus  sung  by  the  boys. 

The  Marbro  Girls  came  on  next  in  novelty  cos- 
tumes with  double  fronts,  one  as  Russian  Cos- 
sacks and  the  other  as  Raggedy  Ann  Dolls,  in 
which  they  stepped  a neat  Rtissian  routine. 

This  was  followed  by  the  Ishawaka  Japs,  four 
men,  who  offered  an  acrobatic  routine  of  de  luxe 
type.  This  troupe  has  a standard  name  in  vaude- 
ville and  is  one  of  the  best  equilibristic  offerings 
yet  to  perform  in  front  of  a stage  band.  They 
proved  very  entertaining  to  this  audience. 

The  Lovey  Girls  came  on  next,  harmonizing 
“Sundown”  in  their  own  individual  style.  You’ve 
heard  lots  about  the  Lovey  girls  in  these  columns 
before  and  we  still  stick  to  our  previous  state- 
ments. 

A band  arrangement  of  the  “Song  of  the  Wan- 
derer*’ was  played  next  with  Charles  Kaley  sing- 
ing a chorus,  assisted  by  the  boys.  Kaley  re- 
ceived quite  a nice  reception, 

Kerenoff  and  Maree,  who  up  to  this  time  were 
posing  on  the  staircase  post  as  statues,  came  to 
life  and  went  into  the  clever  adagio  routine  for 
which  they  are  noted  around  this  territory  and 
which  held  them  over  from  the  opening  bill.  For 
the  finish  Maree  dived  off  the  staircase  post  into 
Kerenoff’s  arms,  jump  of  about  10  feet.  It  is 
needless  to  say  much  about  this  team,  as  they 
have  been  reported  several  times  before. 

Charles  Kaley  next  followed  in  a vocal  selec- 
tion of  “It  All  Depends  on  You,”  scoring  again 
for  his  fine  voice. 

“Jazz  Lips**  Richardson,  the  colored  eccentric 
dancer,  was  next  and  repeated  his  former  suc- 
cesses with  his  unusual  routine. 

“Saluta,**  a new  comedy  song,  was  next  played 
as  a band  number  and  clowned  by  all  the  boys. 
This  was  followed  by  “You  Don’t  Like  It,  Not 
Much,”  another  band  number  of  which  the  ar- 
ranger deserves  a great  deal  of  credit.  This  was 
assisted  by  the  girls  in  a fast  dancing  routine  as 
the  entire  cast  were  assembled  on  the  stage  for 
the  finale. 

Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  June  12 

Benny  Meroff  returned  to  the  Granada  after 
several  weeks  with  the  same  stage  show  that 
opened  the  Marbro  theatre,  with  the  exception  of 
a few  changes.  The  new  artists  added  for  this 
show  were  as  follows: 

Edith  Murray  in  harmony  songs,  such  as  “Some- 
body Else”  and  “Some  of  These  Days.” 

The  Whirlwinds,  three  expert  roller  skaters  in 


a very  fast  and  clever  routine  of  skating  feats 
that  proved  to  be  one  of  the  big  hite  of  this 
bill. 

Hughie  Clark,  a rotund  comedian,  who  sang 
“Me,  Too,”  “Little  White  House”  and  a new 
tune  called  “Rosy  Cheeks”  for  an  encore. 

Rector  and  Cooper,  who  were  one  of  the  fea- 
ture acts  on  the  opening  Marbro  bill,  were  the 
principal  attraction  in  this  show,  repeating  their 
former  success  by  again  stopping  the  show  cold. 

The  finale  was  a very  clever  band  arrange- 
ment of  “That’s  Dolly,”  Benny  Meroff*s  own  com- 
position which  he  introduced  for  the  first  time 
at  the  Granada  this  week. 

Observation : Meroff  is  very  popular  at  this 

house  and  his  long  absence  has  made  him  more 
so,  which  proves  the  old  adage.  Starting  with  this 
show,  Benny  Meroff  and  Charles  Kaley  will  alter- 
nate between  the  Granada  and  Marbro  with  their 
stage  shows. 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  June  12 

This  week’s  stage  offering  featuring  Verne 
Buck  and  his  orchestra  is  called  “The  Black  Bot- 
tom Wedding,”  with  a cast  of  well-known  pres- 
entation artists,  which  ran  as  follows; 

Opening;  Special  interior  setting  with  orches- 
tra playing  “South  Wind,”  while  Harold  Mauld- 
ing  gives  a saxophone  solo  and  Verne  Buck  sings 
a chorus  off-stage,  entering  for  the  finish  as  the 
Abbott  Girls  follow  him  in  neat  costumes  and 
novel  dance  routine. 

This  was  followed  by  clever  band  arrange- 
ment of  “Clap  Your  Hands,”  which  Verne  and 
the  boys  do  well. 

Orville  Rennie,  noted  tenor,  started  the  pro- 
gram off  with  “What  Does  It  Matter”  and  “Little 
Bit  Nearer  To  You.”  Rennie  has  played  in  nearly 
every  presentation  house  and  back  numbers  of 
this  paper  will  give  you  I’eports. 

He  was  followed  by  Marian  Kane,  who  was  held 
over  from  last  week  and  harmonized  “Sing  Me 
a Baby  Song”  and  “Fonder  of  You,”  to  which 
Verne  Buck  assisted  in  a duet  selection,  dancing 
a few  steps  to  the  finish,  which  stopped  the  show. 

The  Collette  Sisters,  posed  on  bridge  span  across 
setting,  sang  “Under  the  Moon,”  while  Orville 
Rennie  sings  a second  part  as  the  Abbott  Girls 
decorate  bridge  while  band  plays  the  tune.  At 
the  finish  of  this  number  the  girls  come  down  off 
bridge  on  center  stage  and  go  into  a neat  dance 
routine. 

Wilson,  Griswold  and  Buck,  called  Buck’s  Trio 
at  this  house,  offered  a vei-y  nice  vocal  selection 
of  “One  Summer  Night,”  receiving  the  usual 
amount  of  applause  accorded  this  trio  for  their 
weekly  harmony  offerings. 

The  Collette  Sisters  came  back,  this  time  sing- 
ing “That’s  What  I Think  of  You”  and  encoring 
with  a clever  ecentric  dance  step.  These  girls 


DAVEY  WHITE 

(The  Young  Old  Soak  Dancer) 

IN  HIS  ORIGINAL  ECCENTRIC  TWISTS 

Wishes  to  thank  the  following  Balaban  and  Katz  and  Luhliner  and  Trinz  offi- 
cials for  the  successful  bookings  in  their  theatres — PAUL  ASH,  BENNIE 
KRUEGER,  MORRIS  SILVER,  CHARLES  NIGGERMEYER,  WILL  HARRIS  and 
my  agents  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL. 


BUDDY  ^ Tremendous  Hit  at  All  Picture  Houses  JIMMY 

WILLIAMS  and  ROSS 

Funniest  Comedy  Dancing  Team  Playing  Presentations 

OTHERS  IMITATE— WE  ORIGINATE! 

After  Three  Months  of  Deluxe  Picture  House  Bookings 
will  tour  out  of  town  theatres  again 

NOTE:  Have  You  Seen  -VALE  & STEWART? 


Not  New! — Only  Five  Years  Old! 

JACK  born  and  LAWRENCE 

“KOMEDY  KAPERS’^  wish  to  Thank 

Mr.  Sam  Trinz,  Mr.  Morris  Silver  and  Mr.  Will  Harris  who  have  played  us 
in  their  theatres,  and  who  are  responsible  for  our  THREE  YEAR  contract 
with  the  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  secured  through  Max  Turner  and 
Phil  Tyrrell. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


possess  quite  a bit  of  i>€rsonality  and  should  do 
well  in  front  of  bands. 

Clyde  Griswold  offered  AI  Jolson’s  new  song, 
“Me  and  My  Shadow,”  and  a recitation  which, 
by  the  aid  of  novel  lighting,  casts  his  shadow  on 
triangular  setting  above  bridge.  This  number 
and  the  effective  way  Griswold  presented  it 
stopped  the  show. 

After  several  bows,  Buster  Brown,  clever  youth, 
followed  in  a very  fast  eccentric  dance  which  if 
slowed  dow’n  a bit  would  register  better.  Well 
received  for  the  way  it  was  offered. 

Finale:  The  Black  Bottom  Wedding  with  Gris- 
wold as  Groom,  Wilson  as  Best  Man  and  Marian 
Kane  as  the  Bride,  all  entering  from  bridge,  fol- 
lowed by  six  bridesmaids  and  huge  white  bell  as 
orchestra  plays  Mendelssohn’s  Wedding  March  in 
Black  Bottom  time.  Orville  Rennie,  as  minister, 
performed  the  ceremony  in  similar  rythum  as 
bride  and  groom  exit  off  stage  and  Verne  Buck 
steals  the  bride  and  holds  center  stage  until 
finish. 

Observation  : This  was  a very  clever  and  novel 
ending  for  a stage  show  and  Roy  McMullen,  as 
w’ell  as  his  production  aides,  deserves  a great  deal 
of  credit  for  the  idea. 


Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  June  12 

Bennie  Krueger  and  his  augumented  orchestra 
offered  a joyful  stage  frolic  called  “Bennie  and 
His  Bunch.”  The  offering  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  Full  stage  setting  as  band  played 

“You  Don’t  Like  It,  Not  Much”  with  saxophone 
solo  by  Bennie,  later  followe<l  by  a vocal  chorus 
by  Frankie  Masterman,  banjo  player,  and  sev- 
eral novelty  specialties  from  the  boys.  This  was 
followed  by 

George  Boyce,  who  started  the  show  off  with 
his  clever  eccentric  comedy  dancing  routines. 
Boyce,  a dancer  of  exceptional  ability,  managed 
to  take  an  encore  and  several  bows  regaixlless  of 
his  opening  spot. 

This  was  followed  by  the  Neal  Sisters,  a har- 
mony trio,  who  were  stationed  on  level  platform 
above  band  and  offered  one  number,  “That's  My 
Happiness,”  which  was  well  done.  The  girls  are 
nifty  to  look  at  and  possess  unusual  voice  quality 
for  shows  of  this  type. 

Stanley  and  Burns,  two  men  in  tuxedos,  follow 
in  an  ecentric  dance  routine  on  the  type  of  “The 
Old  Soak,”  intermingled  with  the  comedy  drunk 
song,  “ni  Go  Home  To  Your  Wife.”  The  boys 
were  well  received  and  encored  with  a burlesque 
routine  of  Ruth  St.  Dennis’  dancing,  which  hit 
very  hard. 

The  next  band  number  was  a very  clever  ar- 
rangement of  Berlin’s  “Russian  Lullaby,”  with 
Miss  Hutchinson  on  level  platform,  dressed  as  a 
Russian  peasant,  singing  a chorus  while  rocking 
the  cradle.  This  was  followed  later  by  another 
vocal  chorus  rendered  by  Frankie  Masterman  and 


a neat  saxophone  solo  by  Bennie  Krueger,  with 
band  later  going  into  “Russian  Melodies,”  includ- 
ing the  well  known  “Volga  Boat  Song.”  This 
went  over  so  well  that  Bennie  induced  “Victor 
Young  to  play  a violin  solo  while  Bennie  accom- 
panied him  on  the  cello,  again  proving  himself  a 
versatile  band  leader. 

After  a fine  reception.  Bob  La  Salle,  the 
“grown-up  cut-up,”  came  on  dressed  in  comic 
makeup  and  extremely  oversized  coat  which  he 
soon  disposed  of  on  the  stage.  Bob  offered  new 
songs  and  smart  gags,  eliminating  several  of  the 
Blue  ones  which  he  injects  now  and  then  in  his 
routine  according  to  the  class  of  people  he  is  en- 
tertaining. “It  Don’t  Mean  a Darn  Thing  To 
Me”  w'as  a new  number  which  he  put  over  in 
gi’eat  shape  and  was  compelled  to  sing  his  favor- 
ite, “Finnigan  Is  in  Again,”  which  received  another 
encore,  and  after  several  bows  he  made  his  exit 
with  a comedy  version  of  “Boots,”  using  “Food 
and  restaurant”  through  the  parody.  Only  two 
other  artists  could  follow  such  a riot  and  they 
were 

Earl  and  Bell,  favorites  of  presentation,  who, 
after  a long  absence,  are  back  again-  with  their 
guitars  and  comedy  harmony  songs.  The  boys 
harmonize  “Love  Me  Just  the  Same”  and  “Wyo- 
lets,”  which  stopped  the  show,  the  only  way  out 
was  to  offer  “Where  Yo’  Workka,  John,”  the 
number  that  made  them  both  famous. 

The  surprise  act  of  the  bill  were  the  Lassiter 
Bros.,  two  youths  dressed  in  comedy  sailor  uni- 
forms, who  offered  an  eccentric  acrobatic  dancing 
routine  that  hit  the  audience  like  a bomb.  After 
their  bow,  the  band  went  into  a number  and  had 
to  stop  to  let  the  boys  return  for  an  encore.  In 
fact,  the  show  was  tied  up  and  they  were  com- 
pelled to  come  out  several  times  and  in  each  case 
merely  took  a bow  and  thanked  the  audience, 
which  after  considerable  persuasion,  let  the  band 
continue  with  “Fifty  Million  Frenchmen  Can’t 
Be  Wrong,”  a comedy  number  that  was  clowned 
by  the  boys  in  every  conceivable  way  in  order  to 
hold  up  the  fast  pace  that  the  Lassiter  boys  left 
the  show  in,  and  not  until  the  band  struck  up 
“Columbia,  the  Gem  of  the  Ocean”  as  a tribute 
to  Lindy  did  it  show  signs  of  life. 

Finale:  Band  still  playing  as  center  curtain 

parted  displaying  clouds  as  Lindy’s  aeroplane 
flew  across  the  continent  with  entire  cast  assem- 
bled around  band  singing  and  cheering  to  the 
patriotic  tune. 


Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  June  12 

“The  Melody  Shop,”  featuring  Frances  Dempsey, 
Miss  Chicago  of  1927,  and  a cast  of  presentation 
artists  was  the  last  stage  show  with  Art  Kahn  as 
stage-band  leader  at  this  house.  The  offering, 
which  moves  into  the  Senate  next  week  with  a 
few  changes,  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  Full  stage  setting  and  band  playing 


“Ain’t  She  Sweet,”  with  Gould  Girls  stepping  to  a 
plain  routine  with  huge  comedy  masquerade  heads. 
Fenton  McAvoy  sitting  in  chair  on  level  plat- 
form representing  interior  of  melody  shop  with 
sheet  music  and  records  decorating  the  walls  is 
wakened  by  Art  Kahn  from  his  peaceful  nap  and 
goes  into  a harmony  arrangement  of  “Sweet 
Someone,”  which  was  followed  by  a clever  band 
arrangement  of  “He’s  the  Last  Word,”  again 
proving  these  boys  are  the  last  word  in  jazz 
syncopation. 

A black-out  idea  was  used  next  with  Fenton 
McAvoy  and  Harry  Hume,  after  which  Wallace 
and  Cappo  followed  in  their  vaudeville  routine  of 
fast  singing  and  dancing,  which  went  over  very 
nicely. 

This  was  followed  by  Sophie  Tilden,  singing 
“Somebody  Said.”  This  reporter  has  seen  Sophie’s 
work  from  the  time  she  started  in  presentation 
and  is  happy  to  say  that  every  day  in  eveiT  way 
she  is  doing  better  and  better  ; in  fact,  she  gave 
an  encore  at  this  house. 

Harry  Hume,  whose  chief  business  is  to  man- 
age a well  known  music  publisher’s  branch  office, 
but  whose  real  hobby  is  to  don  the  grease  paint 
now  and  then,  appeared  before  the  footlights  in 
a comedy  presentation  intermingled  with  operatic 
bits  which  proved  one  of  the  laugh  hits  of  the 
bill.  Harry’s  sense  of  humor  and  clever  show- 
manship are  too  good  to  be  lost  in  a piano  room. 
Incidentally  he  sang  “Wyolets”  for  an  encore  and 
could  have  taken  more  if  he  cared  to. 

For  the  last  time  in  this  theatre  Art  Kahn  was 
requested  to  play  his  favorite  band  number,  “Tiger 
Rag,”  and  though  the  number  had  been  heard 
here  before  it  proved  as  popular  as  ever. 

Another  black-out  followed,  after  which  the 
Gould  Girls,  dressed  in  bellhop  costumes  with  silk 
white  blouses  and  black  silk  trousers  trimmed 
with  bells,  appeared  on  the  level  platform  in  a 
dance  routine  as  Sophie  Tilden  in  a similar  cos- 
tume rendered  another  number  with  the  band. 

Eddie  Nelson  in  black-face  offered  his  regular 
routine,  creating  a big  hit  with  “Sundown”  and 
coming  back  with  a new  number  called  “Grand 
and  Glorious  Feeling”^for  encore. 

Miss  Chicago  (Frances  Dempsey)  appeared  next 
in  bathing  suit  attire  and  as  the  band  struck  up 
a snappy  tune  she  graced  the  stage  with  her  per- 
sonality and,  after  the  usual  promenading  rou- 
tine, exited  to  quite  a reception. 

She  was  followed  by  Ross  and  Gilbert,  two 
young  men  in  a harmony  singing  and  comedy 
talking  routine,  which  proved  to  be  a big  laugh 
hit  on  the  bill.  Ross’  falsetto  soprano,  inter- 
mingled with  hokum  harmony,  injected  the  enter- 
taining element  that  made  this  act  different. 
Their  “St.  Louis  Blues”  interpretation  in  hum- 
ming style  was  a treat  and  won  them  an  encore 
and  several  bows,  bringing  them  back  for  an- 
other one  due  to  their  novel  finish  with  purple 
spot. 

Finale:  Center  drop  raised  displaying  orna- 

mental panel  with  Miss  Chicago  in  center  dec- 
orated as  modern  beauty  with  four  of  the  Gould 
girls  neatly  draped  around  her. 


Vaudeville  Scribbles 

Fannie  Ward  has  closed  her  vaudeville  season 
and  gone  abroad.  She  will  return  in  the  fall  in 
a new  act  under  the  direction  of  Heimine  Shone. 
. . . Odette  Myitil  has  sailed  for  France. 
She  will  return  in  the  autumn  and  play  a few 
weeks  in  vaudeville  before  opening  in  “Countess 
Maritza”  in  Boston.  . . . Eddie  Leonard  is 

preparing  a new  act  in  which  he  will  appear  in 
blackface  supported  by  a whiteface  company. 

The  Allan  K.  Foster  Girls,  who  made  their 
Broadway  vaudeville  debut  at  the  Palace  New  York 
this  past  week,  were  a sure-fire  hit  and  have  no 
doubt  set  the  pace  for  a number  of  acts  of  this 
character  over  the  Keith-Albee  Circuit.  Ensem- 
bles are  very  much  in  demand,  as  was  shown  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harry  Girard’s  singing  ensemble 
at  the  Hippodrome  a few  weeks  ago,  which  was  a 
decided  sensation. 

if  -if  if 

Out  of  California  comes  twenty  comely  and 
clever  girls  in  a song,  dance  and  orchestral  revue 
called  “The  Ingenues,”  headed  by  pretty  Peggy 
O'Neil.  These  daughters  of  the  Golden  West  will 
be  at  the  Palace  New  York  this  week  and  their 
billing  promises  a variety  of  entertainment. 


Helene  HELLER  and  RILEY  George 

Comedy  — Singing  — Dancing 

Featured  in  “Under  Brooklyn  Bridge,”  Produced  by  Frank  Cambria 

This  Week  at  LOEW’S  PALACE,  Memphis,  Tenn.  Closing  PUBLIX 
TOUR  next  week  at  the  HOWARD  theatre,  Atlanta,  Ga. 
Representative— MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL 

P.  S. — George  Riley  will  do  a “single”  for  six  weeks,  starting  June  19,  at  the 
STATE,  DETROIT. 


LEW  KEENE 

(Tap  and  Acrobatic  Dancer) 

Have  enjoyed  my  stay  in  PRESENTATION.  Will  soon  repeat  All  Balaban  and 
Katz  Chicago  houses  starting  with  Bennie  Krueger  at  the  UPTOWN  theatre  as 

FEATURED  DANCER. 

Courtesy  of  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL  of  the  WILLIAM  MORRIS 

AGENCY. 


Jimmie  WHITE  BROS.  Eddie 

Double  Dancing  DeLuxe 
Dance  as  One** 

Now  Playing  De  Luxe 
Picture  Houses 

Direction— EZ  KEOUGH 


DAVID  GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 
BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


CHICAGO  NOW 


SAM  BRAMSON  has  joined  forces  with  Max 
Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell  and  the  trio  will 
operate  as  the  Western  Branch  of  William  Morris 
Agency.  . . . Lou  Kosloff,  formerly  first  fid- 
dler for  Paul  Ash,  has  replaced  Art  Kahn  as 
stage  band  leader  at  the  Harding.  . . . Nate 

Leavitt,  recently  of  the  Ambassador  orchestra, 
took  Lou’s  place  at  the  Oriental  theatre.  . . . 
Eddie  Hill  is  now  playing  a limited  out  of  town 
tour  for  Publix  before  returning  to  the  B & K 
and  L & T fold  again,  . , . Roy  Smock  is  en- 
giaged  to  be  married  sometime  this  month  to 
Olga  Myra,  a dancer.  , . . Gene  Greene  makes 
all  his  jumps  by  car,  using  his  famous  Stude- 
baker.  . . . Vale  and  Stewart  have  signed  a three 
year  contract  with  the  William  Morris  office 
through  Max  Turner.  ...  A new  catalogue 
illustrating  stagehand  costumes  is  being  prepared 
by  the  New  York  Costume  Company  to  be  sent 
free  to  band  leaders.  . . . A1  and  Louise  Walker 
are  to  be  featured  in  a new  Publix  unit  after 
their  present  tour  of  picture  houses.  . . . Edward 
K.  House,  formerly  featured  organist  at  the  Bel- 
mont is  now  doing  the  same  for  the  new  Marbro 
and  rotates  with  Albert  F.  Brown  at  the  Gran- 
ada. . . . Billy  Meyer  returned  to  the  Oriental  last 
week  as  featured  band  singer  with  Paul  Ash. 

. . . Preston  Sellers,  featured  organist  for  Lub- 
liner  and  Trinz,  broadcasts  his  program  over  the 
radio  every  Wednesday  from  the  Senate  theatre. 

. . . Sunshine  Sammy  is  winding  up  his  vaudeville 
tour  at  the  Norshore  theaU'e  this  week  and  will 
soon  open  a tour  of  picture  houses.  , . . Stuart 
Sisters  appear  on  the  same  bill  with  Kerenoff  and 
Maree  at  the  Granada  this  week,  where  they  are 
featured.  . . . George  Senescu  is  conducting  the 
orchestra  at  the  Windsor  theatre,  a Lubliner  and 
Trinz  house.  . , . Walt  Steely,  foiTnerly  solo 

organist  at  the  Atlantic,  is  now  at  the  Brighton, 
also  a Schoenstadt  theatre.  . . . Shirley  Palmer,  a 
Chicago  girl  who  left  ballroom  dancing  three 
years  ago  to  try  her  luck  in  Hollywood,  is  doing 
nicely  in  Hal  Roach  films  and  is  in  line  as  one 
of  the  1928  Wampus  stars.  . . . Art  Kahn  is  now 
enroute  for  New  York,  where  he  is  to  talk  over 
plans  for  a future  theatre  connection  as  stage 
band  leader.  . . . Jean  Anthony,  radio  artist  and 
organist  for  Marks  Brothers,  is  to  be  the  featured 
organist  at  the  new  Avalon,  according  to  of- 
ficial reports.  . . , Otto  Shafter,  vaudeville  pro- 
ducer of  flash  acts,  is  now  in  Europe  with  his 
wife  scouting  for  new  talent  and  has  already 
seen  “Lindy”  in  regard  to  a limited  Keith-Albee 
tour.  . . . Charles  Olcott,  former  musical  comedy 
and  vaudeville  star,  is  now  doing  a turn  in  pic- 
ture houses  as  master  of  ceremonies  and  appears 
in  this  role  this  week  at  the  Uptown.  . . . Milton 
Watson,  well  know  stagehand  tenor,  is  back  with 
Paul  Ash  after  a three  months’  tour  of  the  West 
Coast.  . . . Earl  Estes,  in  charge  of  the  Tower 
theatre  organ,  is  the  last  woi*d  in  men’s  wearing 
apparel  and  could  pass  as  a film  star  any  day  in 
the  week.  . . . Lucille  Middleton,  presentation 
dancer,  is  to  be  married  this  month  to  Vincent 
Tomei  of  New  York.  . . . Joseph  Alexander,  for- 
merly featured  organist  at  the  Embassy  theatre 
and  now  at  the  Piccadilly,  is  enjoying  his  fourth 
week  at  the  new  house.  . . . Sissle  and  Blake 
are  featured  in  Mark  Fisher’s  new  stage  show  at 
the  Senate  this  week.  . . . Dorothy  Morrison  sends 
word  that  she  is  spending  a few  weeks  visiting 
kin  folks  before  returning  to  presentation.  . . . 
Louts  Moteff,  until  recently  the  official  N.  V.  A. 
club  florist,  has  opened  a new  shop  called  the 
Rialto  Flower  Shop  and  is  distributing  a 12  page 
booklet  in  4 colors  free  to  his  friends  telling  the 
life  of  every  flower  and  their  real  value.  . . . 
Basel  Cristol,  Uptown  and  Tivoli  organist,  is  sport- 
ing a new  car  and  spends  most  of  her  spare 
time  riding  her  friends  around  in  it.  . . . 

Another  lady  organist  who  is  making  a name  for 
herself  is  Miss  Glenn,  the  featured  organist  at 
Portage  Park,  one  of  Ascher’s  new  community 
theatres.  . . . Bobbie  Tremaine,  Norman  and 

Constance  Shelby  appear  again  for  the  second 
time  with  Benny  Meroff  in  the  new  stage  show 
at  the  Marbro  this  week,  featuring  McKenzie  and 
Bishop.  . . . Leonard  Wagner,  singing  organist 
at  the  new  Terminal,  is  creating  a nice  following 
at  the  above  house  through  his  novel  presenta- 
tion. . . . Theodore  Roberts,  the  grand  old  man 
of  the  screen,  is  rounding  up  his  vaudeville  tour 
this  week  and  will  soon  appear  on  the  screen 
in  his  favorite  roles.  . , . Dan  Garamonie,  lead- 
ing the  Crown  orchestra,  is  planning  a tour  of 
the  Ascher  theatres  with  a stagehand,  . . . Buddy 
Fisher,  formerly  of  vaudeville  and  at  the  present 
time  one  of  the  most  popular  cafe  band  Ieadei*6, 
has  refused  many  theatre  offers  to  do  a stage- 
band  leader  and  master  of  ceremonies  stunt  and 
should  do  well  in  case  any  of  the  offers  are  ac- 
cepted. A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


FoXf  Loew,  Hayden  Are 
on  Body  to  Fight  Fraud 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — Twenty-seven 
leaders  in  the  nation’s  business  and  legal 
circles  have  been  appointed  to  a com- 
mittee of  the  National  Better  Business 
Bureau,  Inc.,  New  York,  for  the  purpose 
of  suppressing  fraudulent  methods  of 
trade.  William  Fox,  president  of ' the 
William  Fox  Film  Corporation;  Marcus 
Loew,  head  of  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; 
and  Charles  W.  Hayden  of  Hayden, 
Stone  & Company,  brokers,  are  among 
those  named  to  the  body  by  President 
James  C.  Auchincloss. 

The  committee  will  use  investigation, 
education  and  prosecution  as  means  to 
wipe  out  selling  of  fraudulent  securities. 

Vitaphone  Now  Means 
Reproduction  Only; 
W.E.  to  Sell  Equipment 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — Vitaphone,  as 
a name,  will  hereafter  apply  only  to 
theatrical  productions,  while  the  elec- 
trical equipment  will  be  called  the 
Western  Electric  sound  projector  sys- 
tem. This  is  the  result  of  an  arrange- 
ment just  completed  between  the 
Vitaphone  Corporation  and  Electrical 
Research  Products,  Inc.,  a subsidiary  of 
Western  Electric,  whereby  the  latter  will 
handle  the  sale  and  commercial  relations 
of  the  equipment  for  the  talking-picture 
device. 


Start  Blue  Law  Case 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  June  14. — Argument 
in  Circuit  court  at  Rockville  has  begun  in 
the  case  of  Arthur  Jackson,  owner  of  the 
Strand  and  Arc  theatres  there,  charged 
with  operating  on  Sunday. 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed)... 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Albert  F.  Brown  (Chicago  Marbro)  offered  as 
his  weekly  scrim  presentation  style.  “The  Evo- 
lution of  the  Organ  Solo.”  This  number,  which 
was  scheduled  to  appear  on  the  oiiening  program 
of  this  house,  was  used  the  second  week  and 
offered  old  time  tunes  with  cleverly  illustrated 
slides  sho-wing  the  evolution  of  the  organ  from 
hand  organ  type  to  its  present  form.  The  closing 
number,  in  scrim  style,  was  “Song  of  the  Wan- 
derer,” staged  with  a covered  wagon  in  a woodland 
setting,  assisted  by  two  gypsy  girls  and  a violin 
player.  Lindsey  Stevens,  as  the  traveler,  sang 
the  number,  with  the  violinist  later  playing 
“Zigeuneweiber”  as  an  illusion  effect  took  place  on 
the  right,  showing  pretty  girl  looking  out  window 
as  Stevens  sang  a last  chorus  and  prop  star  shows 
brighter  towards  the  finish.  Mr.  Brown’s  clever 
manipulation  of  the  new  Wurlitzer,  and  the  well 
staged  effect,  drew  a wonderful  reception. 

i(.  if.  if 

Bob  Billings  (Chicago  Crystal)  is  the  feature 
organist  who,  in  addition  to  solos,  is  doing  spe- 
cial community  singing  at  this  house.  Since 
Schaefer  Bros.,  owners  of  the  house,  have  in- 
stalled local  gift  nights,  the  community  singing 
is  becoming  more  popular, 

if  if  ^ 

Ruth  Farley  (Chicago  Capitol)  has  been  con- 
nected with  this  house  since  it  opened.  Miss 
Farley  presents  a musical  concert  at  special  occa- 
sions and  this  week  offered  some  very  catchy 
tunes  for  the  John  Bar.i*ymore  photoplay,  “Be- 
loved Rogue.” 

if  if  if 

Leonard  Wagner  (Chicago  Terminal)  is  one  of 
the  few  singing  organists  who  also  i^resents  solos 
at  picture  houses.  Mr.  Wagner  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  the  Ascher  Bros,  for  a numl>er  of 
years  and  is  considered  one  of  their  ace  music 
men.  Original  scoring  is  one  of  Wagner’s  chief 
hobbies  whenever  he  supplies  a musical  theme 
for  photoplay  accompaniment. 

if  if  if 

Milton  Charles  (Chicago  Oriental)  batted  for 
the  vacationing  Henri  Keates  and  so  what  could 
he  do — and  uphold  the  honor  of  the  brotherhood — 
but  sing  ’em?  He  did  afford  a contrast,  however, 
by  cutting  loose  and  playing  the  socks  off  the 
organ  for  a couple  of  stretches. 

>!<>;«* 

Dean  Fosslcr  (Chicago  Chicago)  substituted  for 
the  absent  Henry  Murtagh  and  got  away  with 
credit  enough  for  both. 

S'  * ’I' 

Ken  Widenor  (Kansas  City  Newman)  did  novel 
things  to  “My  Old  Kentucky  Home.” 

Milton  Slosser  (St.  Louis  Missouri)  did  the 
“When  I Build  a Theati‘e”  thing. 

if  if  if 

Tom  Kerry  (St.  Louis  State)  featured  “When 
the  Pussywillow,  etc.,”  and  “Kiss  My  Blues 
Away.” 

S'  ❖ « 

George  Johnson  (Omaha  Riviera)  played  “Pat- 
ter and  Chatter.” 

if  if  ^ 

Ralph  Jones  (Des  Moines  Capitol)  had  lots  of 
luck  with  “Lucky  Lindy.” 

S'  s«  * 

William  Klaise  (Philadelphia  Stanley)  played 
“Melodies  of  Spain,”  mingling  the  genuine  old 
ones  with  the  synthetic  new  ones. 


SUNSHINE  SAMMY 

Star  of  ‘‘OUR  GANG”  Comedies 
in  SONG  and  DANCE 

Now  terminating  his  25th  week  over  the  ORPHEUM  CIR- 
CUIT as  a featured  headliner.  A Box-Office  Attraction 
that  will  break  all  your  records.  A good  bet  for  Combi- 
nation houses.  

Playing  the  600th  performance  of  deluxe  bookings  this 
week  at  the  NORSHORE  THEATRE,  CHICAGO,  Balaban 
and  Katz  Wonder  Theatre  of  the  North  Side. 

Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Additional  Exhibitor  Registrants  at 
M.  P.  T.  O.  Convention  in  Columbus 


J.  S.  Lustig,  Los  Angeles;  C.  B.  Trotter,  In- 
dianapolis; R.  W.  Cudmore,  Cleveland;  G.  C.  Hall, 
Baltimore;  Bernard  Shapiro,  Philadelphia;  Jack 
Stewart,  Cincinnati;  C.  K.  Weyer,  Philadelphia; 
Chas.  Kuehle,  Cincinnati;  P.  G.  Colby,  Qeveland; 
E.  T.  Kelly,  Ft.  Lee,  N.  J.;  M.  H.  Hoffman, 
White  Stone,  L.  I.;  Joe  Miller,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Ben  Amsterdam,  Philadelphia;  David  Barrist, 
Philadelphia;  E.  M.  Connolly,  Nanticoke,  Pa.; 
Mrs.  Lena  B.  Yoerns,  Bedford,  O. ; C.  S.  Watts, 
W.  Mansfield;  Iva  Riel,  Cleveland;  H.  F.  Atha, 
W.  Mansfield;  Louis  Korson,  Reading,  Pa.;  H.  S. 
Manus,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ; Jack  Van  Borssum, 
Terre  Haute,  Ind.;  John  Manheimer,  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y. ; B.  Van  Borssum,  Terre  Haute,  Ind.; 
Rudolph  Sanders,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.;  S.  M.  Lewin- 
ster,  Ambridge,  Pa.;  Claire  Folay,  Omaha,  Nebr.; 
Wm.  Benton,  Saratoga,  N.  Y. 

Sol  Raives,  New  York;  P.  C.  Shugert,  Colum- 
bus; E.  Bennett,  Dayton^  O. ; E.  F.  Ireland,  Cin- 
cinnati; Willis  Vance,  Cincinnati;  George  Wilbur, 
Mt.  Clemens,  Mich.;  H.  M.  Richey,  Detroit,  Mich.; 
E.  S.  Kinney,  Detroit;  Henry  Suchman,  New 
York;  J.  Louis  Geller,  New  York;  M.  G.  Felder, 
Atlantic  Highlands,  N.  J. ; E.  W.  Kramer,  New 
York;  John  McNulty,  Columbus;  Norris  Needle, 
New  York;  Jack  Enslen,  New  York;  Merritt 
Crawford,  New  York;  Joseph  Suskin,  Philadelphia; 
R.  S.  Fisher,  Detroit,  Mich.;  A.  H.  Altman,  Phil- 
adelphia; C.  C.  Ritter,  Detroit;  Edgar  Kirchner, 
Detroit;  Bob  Handler,  Cleveland;  A.  H.  Lockwood, 
Bristol,  Conn.;  August  Ilg,  Lorain,  O. ; D.  C. 
Spencer,  Cleveland;  H.  T.  Hall,  Detroit;  Earl 
Cunningham,  Indianapolis;  Jean  Wilder,  New 
York;  Miss  Tess  Heraty,  Chicago. 

* * * 

Andrew  Panagatacos,  Johnstown,  Pa.;  Arthur 
Lewis,  Doylestown,  Pa.;  L.  G.  Smale,  Chicago; 
Frank  Boyd,  Cleveland;  L.  G.  Gaffney,  New  York; 
Daniel  Robins,  Warren,  O.;  Geo.  Panagotacos, 
Johnstown,  Pa.;  Saul  Frank,  Pittsburgh;  I.  M. 
Conrad,  Johnstown,  Pa.;  Mrs.  J.  J.  Jenkins,  Co- 
lumbus; Roy  Stone,  Columbus;  F.  J.  Rembusch, 
Indianapolis;  Fred  E.  Johnson,  Cambridge;  L. 
Pizor;  R.  S.  Wallace,  Alliance,  O. ; L.  H.  Makover, 
Washington,  D.  C. ; A.  W.  Armstrong,  Cleveland; 

I.  W.  Rodgers,  Cairo,  111.;  M.  L.  Fineman,  Phil- 
adelphia; William  Cohen,  Philadelphia;  E.  Lee 
White,  Dayton;  E.  Schultz,  Los  Angeles;  Fred 
Feld,  Cincinnati. 

Rosalind  Packer,  Columbus;  C.  H.  Goodwin, 
Philadelphia;  Mrs.  T.  M.  Allen,  Columbus;  Mrs. 

R.  J.  Gardner,  Columbus;  J.  Gardner,  Columbus; 
T.  M.  Allen,  Columbus;  Mrs.  Henry  Levy,  Cin- 
cinnati; Glen  Sun,  Springfield;  E.  J.  Smith,  Cleve- 
land; Phillip  Semeroth,  Dayton;  Clair  M.  Patee, 
Lawrence,  Kan.;  A.  C.  Zaring,  Indianapolis;  Dick 
Barnett,  Cincinnati;  E.  H.  Leon,  Youkon,  Pa.; 

J.  E.  Becker,  Cincinnati;  J.  S.  Storey,  Irwin,  Pa.; 
Mrs.  J.  S.  Becker,  Cincinnati. 

Clare  Foley,  Warren;  Louis  Phillips,  New  York; 
C.  E.  Smoot,  Parkersburg;  F.  C.  Smoot,  Parkers- 
burg; Fred  J.  Krimm,  Dayton;  Marion  McCul- 
lough, Huntington,  W.  Va. ; Lemotte  Smith,  Alli- 
ance; John  Burkart,  Newport,  Ky. ; J.  M.  Heller, 

S.  Charleston,  O. ; Harvey  Palmer,  Painesyille; 
Frank  Goodwin,  Detroit,  Mich.;  R.  V.  Erk,  Piqua; 
J.  J.  Fink,  Cleveland;  F.  B.  Reichart,  Port  Clin- 
ton; C.  B.  Kramer,  Buffalo;  Jack  Covington,  Co- 
lumbus. 

* * 

C.  E.  Reynolds,  Columbus;  S.  P.  Reiden,  New 
York;  T.  J.  Pekras,  Columbus;  W.  J.  Russell, 
Columbus;  Wm.  Skirboll,  Cleveland;  R.  J.  Roach, 
Cincinnati:  J.  A,  May,  Gloversville;  J.  Mayer 
Schine,  Gloversville;  Joe  Shuler,  Ellwood,  Pa.; 

A.  L.  Erhlich,  Cleveland;  E.  C.  Stewart,  Cincin- 
nati; Park  C.  Beatty,  Carrollton;  Max  Shenker, 
Cleveland;  E.  M.  Booth,  Cleveland;  J.  E.  Flynn, 
Detroit;  G.  H.  Foster,  Marion;  H.  E.  Weaver, 
Miamisburg;  P.  A.  Weaver,  Miamisburg. 

Lamar  Funston,  Columbus;  G.  M.  Jordan,  New- 
comerstown;  C.  C.  Pettijohn,  New  York;  W.  H. 
Shull,  Newark;  Emil  George,  Wapakoneta;  Wm. 
Gallagher,  Newark;  S.  N.  Lechter,  Cleveland; 
Paul  Russell,  Somerset;  E.  H.  Walk,  Chicago; 
Wm.  F'lemeon,  Cincinnati;  C.  B.  Davis,  Cincin- 
nati; Phillip  Miller,  Cincinnati;  Charles  Fine, 
Cincinnati;  R.  S.  Wenger,  Union  City,  Ind.;  Jack 
Daly,  Charleston,  W.  Va. ; L.  F.  Eick,  Martins 
Ferry,  W.  Va. ; Max  Fogel,  Rochester;  Harry 
Smoots,  Mt.  Vernon;  M.  E.  Remley,  Richmond, 
Ind. 

Caldv/ell  Brown,  Zanesville;  C.  M.  Koontz,  Co- 
lumbus; Sydney  Thompson,  Nanticoke,  Pa.;  John 
Rolland,  Nanticoke,  Pa.;  A.  F.  Kenzeler,  Dayton; 
Wm.  Quigley,  Nanticoke,  Pa.;  B.  J.  Zehnder,  Day- 
ton:  C.  J.  Stuerle,  Louisville;  J.  B.  Gardner, 
Toledo;  R.  Kudwifle,  Cincinnati;  S.  Weinstein, 
New  York;  E.  F.  Kraus,  Columbus;  N.  H.  Moray, 
Cleveland;  G.  P.  Jacobs,  Cincinnati;  H.  W.  Win- 
staffer,  Cincinnati;  Ralph  Mosher,  Springfield; 
Nat  Barach,  Cleveland;  Oscar  Ruby,  Cleveland; 

B.  Vohwinkel,  Buffalo;  N.  J.  Basil,  Buffalo;  E. 
A.  Williams,  Lima;  Stanley  Jacques,  New  York 

Charles  Braun,  Newport,  Ky.;  J.  R.  Dennison, 
Monroe,  Mich.;  Chester  Loewe,  Cincinnati;  R.  D. 
Hanish,  Columbus;  Ray  Grombacher,  Spokane, 


Wash.;  Human  Kaplan,  Cleveland;  F.  G.  Schram, 
Cleveland;  E.  L.  Schram,  Cincinnati;  R.  D. 
Hanish,  Columbus;  D.  B.  Follett,  Gibsonburg; 
Frank  Gross,  Qeveland;  W.  D.  Shafer,  Detroit; 
M.  J.  Pretzfelder,  New  York  City,  N.  Y. ; C.  B. 
Hall,  Parkersburg,  W.  Va.;  A.  C.  Hayman,  Niag- 
ara Falls,  N.  Y. ; Nat  Barach,  Cleveland;  N.  B. 
Horwitz,  Cleveland;  Budd  Rogers,  New  York 
City,  N.  Y. ; Lester  Shuler,  Sandusky;  Earl 
Seitz,  Sandusky. 

Bob  Burns,  Cincinnati;  John  Balfi,  Kent,  O.; 
E.  P.  Mott,  Wooster:  Nat  Lefkowitz,  Cleveland; 
Wm.  Onie,  Cleveland;  Chas.  Weigel,  Cincinnati; 
R.  J.  Malcolm,  Columbus;  Miss  Ward,  Columbus; 
J.  R.  Rubens,  Celina;  George  Heliotes,  Ft. 
Wayne,  Ind.;  C.  B.  Davis,  Cincinnati;  P.  L.  Lan- 
dis, Chicago:  L.  B.  Wilson,  Covington,  Ky. ; Wm. 
Rosenthal,  Cleveland;  Godfrey,  Covington,  Ky. ; 
Ed.  E.  Wheller,  Cleveland;  M.  A.  Mooney,  Belle- 
fontaine;  J.  D.  Moonev,  Chicago;  Max  Federhar, 
Akron;  Fred  Strief,  Cincinnat:i;  E.  W.  Kramer, 
New  York  City,  N.  Y.;  Leo  Devaney,  Cleveland: 
Richard  Dutsch,  Cleveland;  J.  M.  Greenbaum, 
Mansfield. 

Robert  Greer,  Cleveland:  Lafe  Wareham,  Cin- 
cinnati; Ralph  Lembeck,  Cincinnati:  Bob  Shaw, 
Springfield,  Ohio;  Robert  Greenwood,  Boston;  H. 
A.  Lande,  Cleveland;  Phil  Chakres,  Springfield, 
Ohio;  Mark  Horowitz,  Cincinnati;  E.  C.  Mauger, 
Buffalo;  John  Crawford,  Niagara  Falls;  B.  Raful, 
Kenmore  Falls,  Ohio;  H.  Rosenthal,  Ravenna, 
Ohio:  T.  G.  Evans,  Van  Wert,  O.;  R.  E.  Wells, 
Dayton. 

* * * 

Edwin  Allman,  Dover,  N.  J. ; Geo.  Chrest,  Co- 
lumbus; A.  C.  Clausen,  Union  City,  Ind.;  Geo. 
Wenger,  Columbus;  A.  W.  Janowitz,  New  York; 
Geo.  Mead,  Toledo;  F.  C.  Racy,  Moundsville,  W. 
Va. ; M.  A.  Sybert,  Pittsburgh;  B.  H.  Feldstein, 
Columbus. 

Chas.  Williams,  Cleveland;  W.  C.  Barry,  Cleve- 
land; E.  I.  Newman,  Cleveland;  J.  T.  Flanagan, 
Cleveland;  Frank  J.  Massek,  Barberton,  O. ; Har- 
old Makinson,  Hillsboro,  O.;  H.  W.  Bird,  Mil- 
waukee; M.  C.  Krofta,  Indianapolis;  Chas.  Metz- 
ger, Circleville,  O.;  W.  Baughman,  Columbus. 

W.  C.  Pullin,  Detroit;  H.  P.  Zapp,  Detroit; 

E.  J.  Myers,  Chillicothe;  Richard  Geiselman  and 
H.  J.  Geiselman,  Londonville,  O.;  John  Kaiser, 
Chillicothe;  Arthur  James,  New  York;  Fred  J.  Mc- 
Connell. New  York:  E.  P.  Smith,  Newton,  Iowa; 

F.  A.  Gainsler,  Junction  City,  O ; I.  Libson,  Cin- 
cinnati; Nate  LeVene,  Cincinnati. 

* * * 

Louis  Steurerle,  Louisville;  G.  S.  Granger,  Mt. 
Gilead,  O.;  Bert  Fiala,  Dayton;  Chas.  Peiffer,  Day- 
ton;  D.  A.  Harris,  Pittsburgh:  W.  S.  Ainsworth, 
Cleveland;  C.  A.  Smith,  Chillicothe;  Isadore 
Cohen,  Bluefield,  W.  Va.;  K.  H.  Sink,  Green- 
ville, O.;  T.  G.  Chacos,  Coshocton,  O.;  D.  F. 
Sink,  Greenville,  O.;  George  Brown,  Byseville; 
J.  Silverman,  Altoona,  Pa. 

E.  E.  Oliver,  Cleveland;  I.  Slutzker,  Hagers- 
town, Md.;  W.  L.  Hart,  Akron;  Chas.  Stalder, 
.-\kron;  Steve  Toth,  Columbus;  B.  F.  Kiester, 
Dayton;  Elmer  Fritz,  LTrbana;  H.  A.  Abram,  Lan- 
caster; V.  W.  Price  and  F.  E.  Price,  Newark; 
Gus  Betz,  Hamilton,  O.;  Carl  Gross,  New  Lexing- 
ton; M.  H.  Bryer,  Akron. 

J.  M.  Smith,  Lafayette,  Ind.;  J.  H.  Furrer, 
Clyde,  O.;  W.  J.  Powell,  Wellington,  O.;  G.  L. 
Sears,  Cleveland;  C.  E.  Gallaway,  New  York;  Dr. 

C.  M.  Taylor,  Columbus;  Miss  A.  McNamee,  Cin- 
cinnati: Joe  Adorno,  Columbus:  W.  A.  Callihan, 
Rochester. 

* * * 

H.  Keif,  Cleveland;  David  Lewis,  Shawnee, 
Okla.;  H.  A.  Kiene,  Indianapolis;  Glen  S.  Crockett, 
Cleveland;  I.  Silverman,  Akron;  H.  C.  Seeblohra, 
rn'umhus;  Donald  McRae,  Chicago;  R.  B.  Center, 
Columbus;  M.  L.  Roselli,  Columbus;  Paul  Kline, 
Columbus;  M.  S.  Fine,  Cleveland. 

F.  J.  Kelly,  Columbus;  F.  A.  DeNol,  Bellefon- 
taine,  O.;  L.  J.  Callnan,  Akron;  Herbert  Ohson, 
Columbus;  E.  A.  Lohmeyer,  Columbus;  J.  J.  Col- 
ton, Warsaw,  N.  Y. ; N.  Lane,  Columbus:  Link 
Davis,  Columbus;  W.  J.  Freudenberger,  New  York; 
V.  E.  Guilfoile,  Wellston,  O.;  Miss  lone  Wright, 
Columbus. 

R.  K.  Kerns,  Hillsboro,  O.;  L.  P.  Hudson,  Cin- 
nati;  C.  S.  Tarkowski,  Newton  Falls,  O. ; C.  Cas- 
tle, Cincinnati;  S.  Sonin,  Long  Beach,  N.  Y. ; R. 
Rosnagle,  Minneapolis;  Chas.  T.  Ward,  Columbus; 
William  Ward,  Columbus;  W.  W.  Headings,  Cleve- 
land; C.  E.  Oberle,  Logan,  O.;  G.  A.  Cross,  Battle 
Creek,  Mich.;  Jack  O’Connell,  Toledo;  Howard 
Feigley,  Toledo. 

J.  W.  Dorsey,  Johnstown;  Bert  Demko,  Colum- 
bus; G.  E.  Rappold,  Columbus;  Jack  Needham, 
Columbus;  A1  C.  White,  Zanesville,  O.;  C.  W. 
Aldenderfer,  Columbus;  William  Snyder,  Ashland; 
Harry  Carl,  Ashland;  Herbert  Kneller,  Lancas- 
ter; A.  J.  Ferte,  Cleveland;  R.  E.  Bishop,  Cleve- 
land; J.  E.  Beck,  Qeveland;  Richard  E.  Davis, 
Oak  Hill;  A.  Libbin,  Chicago;  Henry  Thomas, 
Oak  Hill. 


Reichenbach  Address 

Full  of  Witticisms 

{Continued  from  page  19) 

open  to  give  more  air,”  Reichenbach  said, 
amid  laughter. 

One  of  the  speaker’s  best  bits  was  the 
story  of  the  chambermaid  who  leaves  her 
cheap  room,  fights  her  way  downtown  to 
the  theatre  and  after  the  show  philoso- 
phizes thus:  “I’m  a queen  in  this  place 
but  a bum  in  the  place  I work.”  He  said 
that  “the  only  one  who  treats  her  as  a 
human  being  is  the  usher  at  the  Roxy.” 
(At  the  banquet  Reichenbach  said  that 
in  a theatre  he  hoped  to  build  the  audi- 
ence would  move  up  and  down  instead  of 
the  orchestra.) 

“Step  out  and  work  for  yourself,”  the 
speaker  told  the  assembled  exhibitors. 
“Instill  yourself  in  your  public.” 


** Judicial  Extravagance^* 
Needed,  Roxy  Declares 

Showmanship  is  a psychological  treat- 
ment of  any  subject,  S.  L.  (Roxy)  Roth- 
afel  told  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  convention, 
in  his  address,  and  the  theatre  owner 
must  first  of  all  be  a psychologist. 

The  show  business  “must  be  conducted 
on  a basis  of  judicial  extravagance,”  he 
said.  “If  you  did  it  like  any  other  busi- 
ness and  applied  practical  economy  your 
business  would  deteriorate.” 

Roxy  told  how  the  Roxy  theatre, 
“launched  in  the  face  of  the  most  insidi- 
ous propaganda  ever  attempted  at  any- 
one,” had  done  $70,500  business  in  three 
days  and  by  Wednesday  of  this  week 
will  have  played  to  2,000,000  persons 
since  March  11.  The  average  exclusive 
of  a week  ago  Saturday  had  been  $111,- 
000,  while  expenses  averaged  $62,000  to 
$65,000. 

“It  is  impossible  to  get  a good  picture 
every  week,”  Roxy  said.  “You  must 
build  your  theatre  into  a community  in- 
stitution. Be  in  close  touch  with  the 
government;  dip  into  things  you  would 
not  otherwise  do.  You  must  have  good- 
will. 

“No  detail,  noi  matter  how  small,  is 
too  small  for  infinite  care.  Start  with 
yourself.  Gather  around  you  clean-cut 
young  people.  Then  throw  upon  them 
all  the  responsibility  you  can.  Stand  in 
the  background  with  the  reins  in  your 
hand. 


m 


IMS 


Britten  worda  ar®  laasntsblj' 
aafiolent  to  ©spi*®#®  oy  ^eetlcga  to  ^ 
Uotiott  Pletor®  ®i8atre  ownore  of  Aasrlea. 

I ttoTild  infte?itely  prefer  ta  be  with  you 
in  person. 

He  one  esn  gsage  the  benefit* 
.derirable  from  yeor  efforts  by  the  aiiaiens 
of  motion  piotiu-e  fans  in  imerles  » 

elseahare.  3otli  is  play  preeentstles  ssd 
news  reprod-uotien  the  notion  flature  Eseatre 
OwQsre  ^e  Urlng  up  to  the  best  tradltieia 
of  tha  ?be  pobllo  will  bssr  se  out 

in  this,  I 6tD  sure.  A®  Judges  of  - 

taste  In  the  splendid  Intelleetual  &i-f«r«lea  • 
the  aoreen  afford*,  yea  entitled  te  ew 
tlunt*  and  eofi^tnlationa , Teaar  »*t 
saooessee  are  a guaxastee  of  the  isatnal  i 
year  elghtli 


tlst  elll  L- 
eosrentlon. 

X a»  .abeerlsg  eith  you  and  for 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


[THE  THEATRE 

Q^^iSDepartment  of  Practical  Showmanship 


1915  — Exploitation  — 1927 


Every  year  at  this  time  we  older  members  of  the 
staff,  and  older  in  that  case  means  ancient,  try  to  outdo 
each  other  in  recalling  highlights  of  the  years  that 
have  gone,  busy  and  not  uneventful  years  dotted  here 
and  there  with  climax  and  crisis.  Usually  a get- 
together  is  thrown,  as  they  so  slangily  put  it,  and  if 
this  issue  gets  out  of  the  way  without  loss  of  life  or 
limb  no  doubt  something  of  that  kind  will  ensue. 
Meanwhile,  there  is  the  remembering  to  be  done  and 
so  we’ll  have  at  it. 

It  is,  as  you  must  know  by  this  time,  some  twelve 
years  since  this  publication  brought  initial  happiness 
to  the  reading  exhibitor.  It  is  but  nine  years,  how- 
ever, or  maybe  it’s  ten,  since  this  department  sprang 
to  the  rescue  of  the  business  that  has  since  dragged 
in  enough  funds  to  build  bigger  theatres  than  anybody 
had  dreamed  of  theretofore.  While  this  department 
claims  but  little  of  responsibility  for  dragging  all  this 
dough  through  the  wickets,  it  is  of  exploitation  that 
we  speak  at  this  moment  nevertheless. 

Exploitation  isn’t  the  terrible  word  it  was  back  in 
those  days.  Remember  how  the  trade  used  to  juggle 
the  syllables?  How  this  fellow  and  that  ducked  it 
as  long  as  they  could,  each  eyeing  the  other  with 
apprehension  lest  the  emphasis  be  misplaced  or  the 
meaning  confused?  Well,  it’s  not  only  become  com- 
mon but  it’s  almost  gone  out  of  commission.  And 
perhaps  as  well.  It  never  was  the  word  itself  that 
meant  anything. 

* * * 

The  methods  of  exploitation  current  in  1915  are 
pretty  well  standardized,  if  in  use,  and  about  for- 
gotten if  not.  The  advertising  hasn’t  led  the  pictures 
in  improving,  but  it’s  gone  along  in  pace.  In  fact,  at 
several  points  along  the  road  the  studios  have  had  a 
pretty  tough  time  living  up  to  the  billing.  Now  both 
are  far  enough  along  so  that  no  further  concern  need 
be  felt  on  this  point. 

Today  the  newspaper  is  about  the  only  avenue  of 
publicity  that  the  picture  people  haven’t  rebuilt. 
Billboards  aren’t  what  they  used  to  be,  nor  heralds. 


nor  mailing  pieces  nor  house  organs,  but  the  news- 
paper is  pretty  much  as  was.  For  reasons  nobody 
seems  able  to  decipher,  the  theatres  are  being  repre- 
sented by  ads  not  much  unlike  the  1915  output.  This 
despite  the  fact  that  theatres,  pictures,  and  even 
newspapers,  have  changed  mightily. 

But  this  isn’t  a season  to  shout  for  this  or  that  im- 
provement. This  is,  rather,  a season  to  shout  with 
joy  for  the  good  that  has  come  and  with  greater  joy 
for  the  good  that  is  at  hand.  Beyond  the  brink  of 
yon  hill  (a  favorite  phrase)  no  one  doubts  lies  bigger 
and  better  business,  although  if  it  gets  much  bigger 
there’s  not  a ghost  of  a chance  that  it  will  get  much 
better.  For  this  the  exploitation  men  are  well  pre- 
pared, the  cellar  is  full  of  good  ideas  that  haven’t 
been  used  recently  and  the  means  of  getting  them  into 
application  seems  to  be  trickling  through  the  window 
in  fairly  steady  flow. 

H'  4^  ^ 

Now  it  may  be  that  in  twelve  more  years  we  can 
look  back  at  this  time  with  the  same  sort  of  reaction 
that  now  is  ours  as  we  look  backward  to  1915.  It  may 
be  that  the  industry  will  go  forward  as  far  in  the  next 
twelve  years  as  in  the  past,  but  it’s  doubtful.  If 
theatres  grow  at  the  same  rate,  for  instance,  each  will 
serve  a county  and  there  aren’t  so  many  counties.  If 
pictures  go  on  at  the  same  rate,  each  picture  will  run 
for  six  months  or  a year  and  that  won’t  require 
enough  pictures  to  make  it  interesting.  If  exploita- 
tion goes  on  gaining  steam,  a one-sheet  will  bring  in 
enough  shekels  to  buy  a Rolls  and  the  exhibitor  will 
roll  away  to  other  fields. 

But  all  this  cannot  happen.  Fatal  for  everybody  if 
it  did.  Instead — 

We’ll  go  on  finding  things  that  need  fixing,  fixing 
them,  then  finding  more  things.  The  decay  that  gets 
the  human  animal  will  get  the  cinema  (slang  for 
motion  picture  theatre)  and  there’ll  be  things  to  be 
done  about  that.  If  the  decay  hits  Hollywood  there’ll 
be  plenty  to  do.  Most  of  it  will  be  exploitation. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


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42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


“CHANG”  IS  DRAMA 

c 

many  have  written  so  much  about 
“Chang”  that  I hesitate  to  say  it  is  a good 
picture.  And  so  many  of  those  who  have 
written  so  much  have  misinformed  you  that 
I shall  devote  my  time  to  correcting  possible 
misapprehensions  as  to  the  character  of  the 
production.  It  is  drama. 

I was  surprised  to  learn  that,  having  read 
more  about  “Chang”  than  I commonly  read 
about  any  motion  picture,  and  my  surprise 
grew  out  of  anticipations  based  upon 
“Grass.”  The  differences  separating  the  pic- 
tures are  too  numerous  to  chronicle,  but  the 
fact  that  “Chang”  is  a story  suffices  to  get 
the  principal  one  across. 

This  “Chang”  thing  is  running  to  mobs 
at  the  Roosevelt  and  the  mobs  are  well 
pleased.  It  packs  a maximum  amount  of  in- 
formation, geographical  data,  animal  study, 
topical  incident,  but  it  also  packs  a maxi- 
mum amount  of  humor,  or  human  interest, 
and  of  drama.  It  has  not  one  thrill  but 
rows  of  them,  not  merely  the  newsreel  type 
of  thrill  but  the  Hollywood  type  of  thrill 
intensified  by  newsreel  realism.  And  it  is 
running  under  one  of  those  “do-not-tell-the- 
secret”  advertising  campaigns  that  is  not  only 
powerful  in  box  office  effect  but  is  fully 
justified  by  the  picture  in  the  bargain. 

I am  not  one  of  those,  as  you  know,  who 
believe  that  saying  a good  word  for  a pic- 
ture is  helpful  to  it  in  the  trade  sense.  For 
that  reason  I do  not  say  that  yon  should 
exploit  “Chang”  with  every  gun  in  the 
arsenal.  I believe  there  is  no  reason  for  not 
saying,  however,  that  I think  you’re  crazy  if 
you  don’t. 

“TILLIE”  IS  DIFFERENT 

I WENT  to  see  “Tillie  the  Toiler”  in  full 
expectation  of  sitting  through  another  inter- 
minable row  of  gag  captions  interrupted  by 
irrelevant  views  of  Marion  Davies  and  ber 
associates,  such  a row  of  gag  captions  as 
seems  to  have  fooled  the  public  into  think- 
ing “The  Red  MiU”  a good  picture.  I 
found,  instead,  a snappy  and  distinctly  high 
grade  comedy  punctuated  by  perhaps  as 
many  but  decidedly  different  comic  titles. 

I am  not  an  addict  of  tbe  newspaper  strip 
that  the  new  Davies  picture  is  supposed  to 
have  relation  to,  nor  shall  I become  one  of 
those  by  reason  of  having  seen  and  liked 
the  film,  so  I cannot  say  whether  “the  pic- 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

ture  follows  the  story.”  I rather  doubt  that 
it  does — it  is  too  good.  It  is,  in  fact,  as 
good  a picture  as  Miss  Davies  has  had  and 
I am  pleased  to  note  in  the  product  an- 
nouncements that  she  is  to  do  another  comic 
strip  during  the  season  ahead.  She  should 
keep  intact  for  that  purpose  the  force  that 
made  “Tillie.” 

HARDY  BACK  AT  W ORK 

^^AM  HARDY,  who’s  been  in  lots  of 
pictures  but  hasn’t  acted  a stroke  since 
“Wallingford,”  is  back  at  work  again  in 
“Broadway  Nights”  and  now  let’s  keep  him 
doing  something  worth  his  while.  The  man’s 
an  actor,  a different  style  and  type  of  actor, 
and  we  need  more  of  the  sort  of  stuff  he 
can  do. 

This  “Broadway  Nights”  thing  is  about 
what  you  expect  it  to  be,  but  better.  Lois 
Wilson  is  the  girl  in  the  case.  Hardy  the 
man,  and  they  are  show  folks  who  hit  about 
the  kind  of  luck  show  folks  do  hit.  Miss 
Wilson,  of  course,  is  no  surprise  in  her 
adequate  and  intelligent  discharge  of  duties 
at  hand,  but  Mr.  Hardy  is  something  to 
behold  as  he  goes  to  work  on  the  character 
and  builds  it  up  before  your  eyes  without 
the  aid  of  whiskers.  And  the  story  is  a 
logical  yarn  that  involves  projection  of 
some  very  beautifully  photographed  and 
sprightly  exercises  by  a Broadway  stage  out- 
fit that  might  be  Ziegfeld’s  or  anybody’s. 


L.  A.  LETTER 

M Y good  friend  Ray  Murray  sends  me 
the  following  items  concerning  pictures  he’s 
seen  at  the  source: 

I saw  “The  Poor  Nut”  the  other  night  and 
found  it  a highly  amusing  comedy,  in  fact 
one  of  the  best  I’ve  seen  in  several  moons. 
It’s  a Jess  Smith  production  made  for  First 
National  with  Jack  Mulhall  carrying  off  the 
honors.  I had  the  good  fortune  to  see  the 
play  several  months  ago  and  at  the  time 
thought  it  ready  made  for  pictures,  and  I 
was  glad  First  National  got  it.  Richard 
Wallace  directed  it  and  it  is  to  the  credit 
of  this  able  young  director  that  he  didn’t 


resort  to  a lot  of  cheap  hokum  to  put  it 
over. 

It’s  a better  picture  than  “McFadden’s 
Flats,”  which  he  also  directed.  Every  one 
worked  like  a Trojan  in  the  picture  and 
Mulhall  got  laugh  after  laugh  from  the  start. 
The  work  of  Charlie  Murray  stood  out  as 
always.  He  was  the  trainer  and  scored  at 
every  opportunity.  Cleverly  written  titles, 
many  of  them  lines  from  the  play,  served 
to  keep  up  the  interest  and  bring  forth  the 
laughs. 

The  scene  wherein  the  girl  discovers  Jack 
has  an  “inferiority  complex,”  among  other 
faults,  went  over  big,  and  the  title  “We’ve 
lost  the  race  right  in  that  room”  started  a 
cyclone  of  roars.  The  suspense  at  the  race 
track  is  very  well  sustained  and  there  were 
howls  when  it  looked  as  though  “the  poor 
nut”  would  lose  the  race. 

Leo  Meehan,  who  recently  directed  those 
two  thoroughly  delightful  pictures,  “Mother” 
and  “The  Magic  Garden,”  has  another  one 
to  his  credit  that  tops  those  two.  It  is  called 
“Judgment  of  the  Hills,”  an  adapted  Larry 
Evans  story  called  “Down  Our  Way.”  It  is 
one  of  the  simplest  stories  imaginable,  con- 
cerning three  people — a girl,  a big  burly  boy 
and  his  small  brother.  The  three  parts  are 
all  very  well  played,  by  Virginia  Valli, 
Orville  Caldwell  and  little  Frankie  Darro. 
It  was  this  picture  that  elevated  young  Darro 
to  stardom  on  the  F.  B.  O.  program. 

The  locale  is  the  Kentucky  mountains  and 
the  time  back  in  those  dark  days  when 
America  entered  the  world  war.  Brant,  the 
ne’er  do  well,  who  is  always  noasting  of  his 
prowess,  tries  to  evade  serving  by  biding  in 
the  mountains.  His  younger  brother  dis- 
closes his  hiding  place  and  he  goes  abroad, 
wins  war  honors  and  returns  to  his  home 
town  a hero.  As  he  alights  from  the  train 
to  greet  the  reception  committee,  it  is  dis- 
covered he  has  been  drinking,  and  be  joins 
bis  old  gang  at  the  corner  saloon.  The  big 
scene  is  where  the  youngster  walks  up  to 
him  and  says:  “I  prayed  to  God  to  send  you 
back  a man  but — ” and  he  strides  out  in 
disgust. 

The  picture  opens  a little  slowly,  planting 
the  characters  and  establishing  the  atmos- 
phere, but  once  it  gets  under  way  it  is 
interest-compelling  every  foot.  The  story 
was  adapted  by  Dorothy  Yost,  a splendid 
piece  of  work. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


LOIS  MORAN’S  STORMY 
LOVE  FINDS  PEACE  IN  WAR 

PARAMOUNT  BRINGS  THE  WAR 

back  for  one  critical  moment  in  “The 
Whirlwind  of  Youth,”  but  only  as  a mo- 
tivation of  a happy  finish.  Lois  Moran,  as 
Nancy  hlawthorne,  having  left  her  village 
home  in  England  for  Paris  to  study  art, 
meets  Bob  Whittaker  (Donald  Keith),  an 
American  student  at  Oxford  over  for  a 
holiday.  They  fall  in  love,  unhappily  for 
Nancy,  for  to  Boh  she  is  “just  another 
woman.”  Then  the  war — and  Nancy  enlists 
as  an  ambulance  driver,  which  enables  her 
and  Bob  to  meet  and  confess  their  love  be- 
hind the  lines. 

Rowland  V.  Lee  directed  the  production,  which 
is  based  on  the  novel  by  A.  Hamilton  Gibbs, 
“Soundings.”  It  sold  widely  in  America. 

Besides  being  a vehicle  for  Miss  Moran, 
this  picture  brings  to  the  American  studios 
a LTFA  notable,  Vera  Voronina,  who  as  the 
ravishing  Heloise,  shatters  Nancy’s  simple 
faith  in  Bob.  Alyce  Mills  is  also  one  of 
the  featured  players. 

CAST:  Lois  Moran,  Vera  Voronina,  Donald 

Keith,  Alyce  Mills,  Larry  Kent,  Gareth  Hughes, 
Charles  Lane. 


M-G-M  SPINS  THRILLER 
FOR  FRANCIS  McDONALD 

IN  THIS  PICTURE  DIRECTED  BY 

Cliff  Smith  and  produced  at  Big  Horn 
Ranch  for  Metro-Goklwyn-Mayer,  as  a 
thriller  for  Francis  McDonald,  the  story 
of  the  grim  relentless  desert  again  is  told, 
.^n  old  miner,  dying  in  the  arms  of  Frank 
Martin  (McDonald),  entrusts  his  map  of 
a mine  to  the  young  man.  But  desperadoes, 
headed  by  Jasper  Martin  (Tom  Santschi), 
had  been  after  the  map,  and  when  the  min- 
er’s niece,  seeking  him,  comes  West,  the 
desperadoes  tell  her  that  Martin  killed  the 
old  man. 

Joining  them,  she  betrays  Martin,  but 
discovering  the  truth,  acts  accordingly  and 
gets  dangerously  shot  by  the  bad  men  and 
thrillingly  saved  by  Martin,  with  marriage, 
of  course,  ensuing. 

.A.n  opportunity  for  notable  acting  is  given 
McDonald  when,  captured  by  the  despera- 
does, he  is  stripped  to  the  waist  beneath 
the  desert  sun  and  tantalized  by  a canteen 
just  out  of  reach.  Kathleen  Key  is  the 
niece. 

CAST:  Francis  McDonald,  Kathleen  Key, 

Tom  Santschi,  Anna  May  Wong,  Lou  Meehan, 
Quinn  Williams,  Big  Tree. 


FIRST  NATIONAL  TEAMS 
MURRAY  AND  MULHALL 

THE  SUCCESSFUL  STAGE  PLAY, 

“The  Poor  Nut,”  comes  to  the  screen  via 
First  National,  with  Charlie  Murray  team- 
ing this  time  with  Jack  Mulhall,  so  often 
a serious  lover  but  in  this  attraction  the 
“poor  nut”  himself. 

John  Miller  is  a student  at  Harmon, 
where  he  suffers  from  an  inferiority  com- 
plex. A great  student,  he  longs  to  be  a 
great  athlete,  partly  because  he  is  in  love. 
In  his  love  missives  he  lies  to  that  effect, 
and  when  her  school  contests  with  his 
school  for  a certain  track  championship, 
she  comes  expecting  to  find  her  athlete. 
Through  the  sympathy  of  the  coach  and 


the  good  advice  of  Margie,  a girl  in  his 
own  college,  he  wins  the  championship  for 
dear  old  Harmon  and  Margie  for  himself. 

Director  Richard  Wallace  included  a 
number  of  college  track  stars  in  the  pro- 
duction and  good  shots  of  their  prowess 
were  made  in  the  name  of  realism.  Paul 
Schofield,  who  wrote  the  action  for  “Beau 
Geste,”  did  the  same  for  “The  Poor  Nut.” 

CAST:  Jack  Mulhall,  Charlie  Murray,  Jean 

Arthur,  Jane  Winton,  Glenn  Tryon,  Cornelius 
Keefe,  Maurice  Ryan,  Henry  Vibart,  Bruce  Gor- 
don, William  Courtwright. 


TIM  McCOY  AND  HISTORY 
CO-STAR  IN  “CALIFORNIA” 

ON  APRIL  3,  1845,  JAAIeS  K.  POLK, 

President  of  the  United  States,  signs  an 
order  for  Brig.  Gen.  Kearney,  stationed  at 
Santa  Fe,  to  proceed  with  all  his  forces  to 
the  Sacramento  Valley  in  California  to 
protect  the  lives  of  American  citizens,  thus 
starting  the  romance-history  “California,” 
starring  Tim  McCoy  and  produced  by  Met- 
ro-Goldwyn-Mayer  from  the  story  by  Peter 
B.  Kyne. 

Captain  Gillespie  (McCoy)  is  stationed  at 
Los  Angeles.  While  addressing  the  people, 
he  sees  Dona  Carlota  Del  Rev  (Dorothy- 
Sebastian),  and  following  her  home,  leaps 
the  wall,  embraces  her  and  wins  her  ad- 
mission that  she  returns  his  love.  But  it  is 
Dona  Carlola’s  father  who  is  conspiring 
with  a Foreign  Power  for  the  capture  of 
California,  and  into  that  plot  is  woven  a 
true  story  of  the  state.  After  battles  and 
escapes,  Gillespie  is  taken  and  ordered  to 
be  shot  by  the  Foreign  Power.  Dona  Car- 
lota  pleads  for  him  in  vain.  But  in  the 
nick  of  time,  fresh  American  troops  defeat 
the  Californians,  saving  Gillespie,  to  the 
surprise  and  joy  of  Dona  Carlota. 

The  historical  period  depicted  was  that 
when  California  was  being  conquered  by 
the  Americans  and  the  proud  Spanish  fami- 
lies were  losing  their  hold  on  that  country. 
Emphasis  was  laid  on  the  photography, 
which  was  in  charge  of  Clyde  de  Vinna. 
W.  S.  Van  Dyke  directed. 

CAST : Tim  McCoy,  Dorothy  Sebastian,  Marc 
MacDermott,  Frank  Currier,  Fred  Warren,  Lil- 
lianne  Leighton,  Edwin  Terry. 


PARAMOUNT  FARCE 
STARS  FLORENCE  VIDOR 

FLORENCTE  VIDOR’S  LATEST  PARA- 
mount  picture  is  a comic  treatment  of 
the  husband-or-wife  neglecting  one-or-the- 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  JUNE  19 

“Naughty  But  Nice”— First  National— 6520. 

“The  Claw““Jewel8— Universal^— 5252. 

“Hands  Off'’— Blue  Streak^— Universal— 4773. 
“Dearie”^— Warner— 5897 . 

“Code  of  the  Cow  Country"— Action— Pathe— 
Five. 

“The  World  At  Her  Feel"^— Paramount— 5691 . 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  26 

“Ladies  Beware” — -F.  B.  O. 4826. 

“The  Circus  Ace"— Fox  ■•■4810. 

“Framed"^— First  National— 5282. 

“Hard  to  Love— Paramount — 4926. 

“Beware  of  Widows"— Jewels— Universal^— 5670. 
“Pals  in  Peri!"— Action— Pathe— Five. 


other  theme.  In  “The  World  at  Her  Feet” 
both  varieties  of  that  neglect  are  used,  a 
farce  resultin.g. 

Richard  Randall  withdraws  from  the  law 
office  of  his  wife  (Florence  Vidor)  when  he 
Ivecomes  wealthy.  At  the  same  time,  the 
business  of  a wealthy  client  places  the 
world  at  her  feet.  She  neglects  Randall 
(Arnold  Kent),  driving  him  to  intrigue.  At 
the  busiest  corner,  he  deliberately  runs  his 
car  into  that  of  Alma  Pauls-  (Margaret 
(Juimby),  who  turns  out  to  be  neglected  by 
busy  Dr.  Pauls. 

Their  friendship  continues,  and  Pauls, 
becoming  suspicious,  retains  Jane  Randall 
to  procure  him  a divorce.  A detective  finds 
Randall  with  Mrs.  Pauls.  But  Randall, 
hurrying  home,  finds  Pauls  with  Mrs.  Ran- 
dall. Explanations  follow,  with  the  doctor 
swearing  to  end  his  neglect,  and  the  lawyer 
promising  to  give  up  her  law  practice. 

Clothes  appear  at  their  best  in  many  scenes, 
Florence  Vidor  offering  the  latest  fashions  for 
women  in  the  audience.  The  story  is  taken  from 
a French  stage  play,  and  the  camera  work  was 
done  by  Harry  Fishbeck,  for  many  years  D.  W. 
Griffith’s  chief  cinematographer. 

CAST:  Florence  Vidor,  Arnold  Kent,  Mar- 

garet Quimby,  Richard  Tucker,  William  Austin, 
David  Torrence. 


BRAZIL  DIAMOND  MINE 
LOCALE  FOR  SILLS  FILM 

UNIQUE  SCENES  IN  A FRESH  LO- 

cale  mark  “Framed,”  First  National’s  lat- 
est Milton  Sills  picture,  directed  by  Charles 
Brabin.  Most  of  the  action  centers  in  or 
around  a Brazil  diamond  mine,  giving  both 
the  hazards  of  mining  and  the  fever  of  the 
tropics  leading  roles. 

Sills  takes  the  part  of  a Frenchman, 
Hilaire,  who,  dishonorably  discharged  from 
the  French  army,  goes  to  the  diamond  mine 
in  disgrace.  He  meets  the  daughter  of  the 
manager,  and  later  saving  her  from  a “mpfl- 
rush,”  wins  her  love.  But  a diamond  thief, 
Remson,  also  loves  Diane.  He  frames 
Hilaire,  who  is  sent  to  the  penal  colony, 
where,  inevitably,  Remson  himself  soon 
turns  up.  Fever  attacks  them  both  and 
Hilaire  divides  with  Remson  his  small 
store  of  quinine.  When  Remson  dies,  he 
confesses,  freeing  Hilaire,  who  hurries~to 
France  and  Diane. 

Natalie  Kingston,  who  is  making  a featured 
role  in  F.  B.  O.’s  “The  Harvester,”  is  Diane  in 
“pKamed.”  She  and  Sills  have  a time  of  it  in 
the  tunnel  when  the  rushing  mud  engulfs  them 
shoulder-high. 

The  story  is  an  adaptation  by  Mary 
O’Hara  of  “Dawn  of -My  Tomorrow,”  by 
George  W.  Sutton,  Jr. 

CAST:  Milton  Sills,  Natalie  Kingston,  E.  J. 

Radcliffe,  Charles  Gerrard,  Edward  Peil,  Burr 
McIntosh,  John  Miljan. 


Stage  Claims  Cantor 

(Special  to  the  Herald)  ‘ 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Eddie  Cantor 
has  left  Paramount  to  return  to  the  stage. 
He  was  scheduled  to  make  one  more  pic- 
ture before  he  was  due  to  the  legitimate 
field  but  the  time  has  been  thought  in- 
sufficient. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


THE  HIM  MART 


Scores  as  Opener 

Gloria  Swanson’s  “The  Love  of  Sunya” 
opened  its  fourth  large  theatre  when, 
May  28,  it  was  the  screen  attraction  at 
the  Marbro,  new  Marks  Brothers  house 
in  Chicago,  which  seats  5,000  persons. 
This  LIMITED  ARTISTS  picture  also 
opened  the  Roxy,  New  York. 

Change  Boasberg’s  Title 

A1  Boasberg’s  original  screen  story, 
“The  Road  to  Romance,”  in  which  Doro- 
thy Mackaill  and  Jack  Mulhall  are  to  be 
co-starred,  will  be  released  by  FIRST 
NATIONAL  as  “Smile,  Brother,  Smile.” 
Shooting  was  completed  last  week.  John 
Francis  Dillon  directed. 

Reschedule  Men j on  Films 

“With  Their  Eyes  Open,”  which 
PARAMOUNT  was  to  make  as  Adolphe 
Menjou’s  next  picture,  will  be  produced 
after  the  filming  of  “A  Gentleman  of 
Paris.”  No  reason  for  the  switch  is 
given.  Menjou  achieved  his  first  screen 
fame  in  “A  Woman  of  Paris.” 

Tourjansky  Directing  McCoy 

Viaschlev  Tourjansky,  Russian  direc- 
tor responsible  for  “Michael  Strogofif,”  is 
preparing  his  American  debut.  Tim  Mc- 
Coy’s next  METRO  - G O L D W Y N- 
MAYER  picture,  “The  Gallant  Gringo,” 
Tourjansky’s  initial  assignment,  has  just 
been  put  in  production.  It  is  an  original 
by  Jack  Cunningham.  Dorothy  Sebastian 
has  the  feminine  lead. 

Support  Rin-Tin-Tin 

Helen  Ferguson  and  Jason  Robards 
have  been  selected  by  Director  Ray  En- 
right for  the  leads  in  WARNER 
BROTHERS’  next  Rin-Tin-Tin  picture, 
“Jaws  of  Steel.”  Casting  has  not  been 
completed. 

To  Shoot  in  England 

Herbert  Brenon,  who  is  making  for 
UNITED  ARTISTS  an  independent 
production  of  Warwick  Deeping’s  Eng- 
lish novel,  “Sorrell  and  Son,”  announces 


that  he  will  take  the  entire  cast  to  Eng- 
land July  16.  The  party  will  include  H. 
B.  Warner,  Nils  Aster,  Alice  Joyce, 
Mary  Nolan,  Anna  Q.  Nilsson,  Louis 
Wolheim,  and  Norman  Trevor.  Produc- 
tion began  in  Hollywood  May  31. 

Finish  Alaskan  Epic 

“The  Grip  of  the  Yukon,”  drama  of 
Alaska  which  Ernest  Laemmle  has  been 
making  for  UNIVERSAL  with  Francis 
X.  Bushman  starred,  is  completed.  It 
was  filmed  under  the  title  of  “Eternal 
Silence.” 

Picks  Ade  Play  for  Davies 

Marion  Davies’  next  METRO-GOLD- 
WYN-MAYER  picture  will  be  an  adap- 
tation of  George  Ade’s  musical  comedy, 
“The  Fair  Co-ed,”  produced  many  years 
ago.  Sam  Wood  will  direct  this  picture, 
which  is  to  be  started  within  a week  or 
two. 

Named  Paramount  Star 

George  Bancroft  has  been  promoted  to 
stardom  by  Jesse  L.  Lasky,  head  of 
PARAMOUNT,  his  first  picture  as  the 
featured  player  to  follow  the  completion 
of  “Tell  It  to  Sweeney.”  Bancroft  also 
played  in  “Old  Ironsides”  and  “The 
Rough  Riders.” 

Team  Fields,  Conklin 

W.  C.  Fields  and  Chester  Conklin  will 
form  a PARAMOUNT  comedy  team  in 
a series  of  productions,  B.  P.  Schulberg, 
associate  producer,  announces. 

Cooper  Back  in  ‘‘Nevada” 

Gary  Cooper  will  be  starred  in 
PARAMOUNT’S  “Nevada”  after  all. 
Withdrawn  from  that  picture  to  take  the 
lead  in  “Beau  Sabreur,”  companion  pic- 
ture to  “Beau  Geste,”  he  has  been  re- 
placed in  order  that  he  may  work  un- 
der Director  John  Waters  before  they 
both  begin  “Sabreur.”  This  move  takes 
Lane  Chandler  from  “Nevada,”  which 
was  to  have  been  his  first  starring  pic- 
ture. He  is  to  be  featured  instead  in 
a series  of  Westerns. 


Cast  in  “The  Gaucho” 

Six  players  have  been  cast  bv  Douglas 
Fairbanks  for  his  next  UNITED  ART- 
ISTS production,  “The  Gaucho,”  filming 
of  which  has  just  been  started.  They 
are  Gustav  Seyffertitz,  Michael  Vavitch, 
Carlotta  Monti,  Fred  de  Silva,  Charles 
Stevens  and  A1  MacQuarries.  Lupe 
Velez  and  Eve  Sothern  had  previously 
been  assigned  the  feminine  leads. 

Tannings  at  Rialto 

“The  Way  of  All  Flesh,”  PARA- 
MOUNT picture  starring  Emil  Jan- 
nings,  will  open  at  the  Rialto,  New  York, 
June  20.  It  is  Jannings’  first  American 
made  screen  play. 

Fitzmaurice  on  Location 

George  Fitzmaurice,  FIRST  NA- 
TIONAL director,  his  production  staff 
and  several  members  of  the  cast  are  at 
Monterey,  Cal.,  filming  sequences  for 
“The  Rose  of  Monterey,”  in  which  Mary 
Astor  and  Gilbert  Roland  have  the  fea- 
tured roles.  The  story  is  an  original  by 
Minna  E.  Smith  and  Eugenie  Woodward. 

Editing  Gibson  Film 

Hoot  Gibson’s  latest  UNIVERSAL 
Western,  “Painted  Ponies,”  has  been 
filmed  and  is  now  being  cut  and  edited 
under  the  supervision  of  Director  Reaves 
Eason. 

M-G-M  Signs  Writer 

Colin  Clements,  scenarist  and  play- 
wright, has  signed  a contract  with 
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER.  He  has 
not  written  action  for  the  screen  since 
1918,  when  he  was  with  Fox  in  New 
York. 

Casting  Tyler’s  Next 

Players  in  support  of  Tom  Tyler  in 
F.  B.  O.’s  “Tom’s  Gang,”  are  now  being 
named,  and  as  soon  as  the  cast  is  com- 
plete, filming  will  begin  at  once,  with 
Robert  De  Lacy  directing.  The  story  is 
from  “The  Haunted  Ranch,”  by  Frank 
Howard  Clark,  who  also  made  the  adap- 


Claire  Windsor,  as  she  appears  in  three  climactic  moments  of  "The  Claw,’’  Universal-Jewel  production  in  which  she  is 
starred.  Arthur  Edmund  Crewe  has  the  masculine  lead  in  this  picture.  He  is  shown  above  in  the  scenes  pictured  at 
center  and  right. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


tation.  Frankie  Darro,  8-year-old  actor 
recently  made  a star,  will  be  in  the  pic- 
ture, having  been  cast  for  it  prior  to  his 
elevation.  Others  are  Harry  Woods, 
Frank  Rice,  Barney  Furey,  Tom  Ling- 
ham  and  Jack  Anthony,  while  Sharon 
Lynn  will  have  the  feminine  lead. 

Book  “Sky  Raider” 

Pathe’s  reprint  of  “The  Sky  Raider,” 
in  which  Captain  Nungesser,  French 
aviator  recently  lost  in  an  attempted 
trans-Atlantic  flight,  is  starred,  has  been 
booked  for  the  theatres  of  Lubliner  & 
Trinz,  Harris  Amusement  Company  and 
Publix.  Ten  reprints  have  been  made. 

Begin  Gaynor  Film 

FOX  has  begun  production  of  “Two 
Girls  Wanted,”  stage  play  now  on  ex- 
hibition in  New  York.  Janet  Gaynor 
has  the  leading  role.  Alfred  E.  Green 
is  directing,  and  in  support  of  the  star 
are  Glen  Tryon  and  Earle  Foxe,  with 
Joseph  Cawthorn  in  a comic  role. 

Shooting  2 Serials 

Two  serials  are  in  production  at  two 
Pathe  studios.  On  the  West  Coast  Di- 
rector Spencer  Bennett  is  making  “The 
Hawk  of  the  Hills,”  and  “Still  Face,”  is 
being  filmed  in  New  York  under  the  di- 
rection of  Arch  Heath.  Allene  Ray  and 
Walter  Miller  are  starred  in  the  former, 
while  Larry  Kent  and  Jean  Arthur  have 
the  leads  in  the  latter. 

War  Farce  Stars  Fazenda 

Louise  Fazenda  has  been  named  by 
Warner  Brothers  as  the  star  of  “Ham 
and  Eggs  at  the  Front,”  war  comedy. 


NEWSETTES 

Warner  Brothers  has  completed 
the  schedule  for  the  release  of 
productions  on  the  first  half  of  its 
1927-28  program,  “The  Bush 
Leaguer,”  baseball  picture  starring 
Monte  Blue,  being  the  first  to  be 
distributed.  The  others,  in  the  or- 
der of  release,  are  “The  Outpost,” 
starring  Irene  Rich;  “Jaws  of 
Steel,”  starring  Rin-Tin-Tin;  “The 
Broadway  Kid”  (tentative),  star- 
ring George  Jessel;  “Slightly 
Used,”  starring  May  McAvoy;  “A 
Sailor’s  Sweetheart,”  starring 
Louise  Fazenda  and  Clyde  Cook; 
“One  Round  Hogan,”  starring 
Monte  Blue;  “Beware  of  Married 
Men,”  starring  Irene  Rich;  “A  Dog 
of  the  Regiment,”  starring  Rin- 
Tin-Tin;  “Finnegan’s  Ball,”  with  a 
special  cast;  May  McAvoy  in  “Re- 
becca O’Brien;”  “Five  and  Ten 
Cent  Annie,”  starring  Louise  Fa- 
zenda and  Clyde  Cook;  and  “Good 
Time  Charley,”  in  which  Warner 
Oland  is  Charlie. 

* * * 

The  epic  voyage  of  Lief  the  Lucky, 
Scandinavian  navigator  who  is  credit- 
ed with  having  reached  American 
shores  as  early  as  1000  A.  D.,  is  to  be 
made  into  a screen  story  by  Univer- 
sal, according  to  an  announcement  by 
President  Carl  Laemmle.  No  details 
for  the  production  h/tve  been  worked 
out  as  yet,  but  plans  have  been  in  the 
making  for  some  time.  It  is  said  much 
of  the  picture  will  be  filmed  in  Green- 
land, from  which  Lucky  “shoved-off” 
on  his  historic  voyage. 

* * * 

There  will  be  no  missionary  in 
United  Artists  production  of  W. 
Somerset  Maugham’s  “Sadie 
Thompson,”  from  which  the  stage 
play,  “Rain,”  was  made. 


Book  Babe  Ruth  Film 

The  Publix-Gray  circuit  in  New  Eng- 
land has  booked  First  National’s  “Babe 
Comes  Home,”  starring  Babe  Ruth,  for 
early  showings.  Other  recent  bookings 
for  this  picture  are  in  Easton,  Pa.,  and 
in  Norfolk  and  Richmond,  Va. 

Change  Prevost  Title 

The  title  of  “The  Azure  Shore,”  Pro- 
Dis-Co  picture  starring  Marie  Prevost 
and  now  in  production,  will  be  released 
as  “The  Rush  Hour.”  E.  Mason  Hop- 
per is  directing. 

Chooses  Fairbanks,  Jr. 

Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  will  appear  op- 
posite Corinne  Griffith  in  “The  Garden 
of  Eden,”  which  her  unit  of  United  Art- 
ists now  has  in  production.  That  does 
not  mean  that  he  will  be  the  Adam,  for 
there  will  be  no  Adam,  Eden  being  mere- 
ly a modern  Monte  Carlo  hotel.  Emily 
Fitzroy,  who  had  been  cast,  will  not  ap- 
pear in  the  picture,  it  is  now  announced. 

Buys  Divorce  Story 

Metropolitan  has  purchased  Joseph 
Jackson’s  story,  “On  to  Reno,”  and  will 
screen  it  for  Pro-Dis-Co  with  Marie  Pre- 
vost as  the  star. 

Slates  Jessel  Pictures 

Two  stories  have  been  chosen  by 
WARNER  BROTHERS  as  starring  ve- 
hicles for  George  Jessel.  The  first  is 
temporarily  titled,  “The  Broadway  Kid” 
and  production  is  to  begin  soon.  The 
next  will  be  a companion  piece  to  his 
other  Izzy  Murphy  picture,  “Sailor  Izzy 
Murphy”  being  the  title.  Byron  Haskin 
will  direct  the  first  one,  no  director  for 
the  second  being  announced. 

Names  Shumate  Scenarist 

Harold  Shumate  has  been  assigned  the 
task  of  writing  the  action  for  GOTH- 
AM’S production  of  “The  Rose  of  Kil- 
dare,” of  which  Gerald  Beaumont  is  the 
author.  This  assignment  inaugurates 
Gotham’s  new  policy  of  engaging  a high- 
ly successful  screen  writer  for  each  pic- 
ture, instead  of  employing  a staff.  Mae 
Busch  is  to  star  in  this  Beaumont  story, 
which  will  be  released  this  fall. 

Begin  Novarro  Film 

“Romance,”  in  which  METRO-GO LD- 
WYN-MAYER  will  star  Ramon  No- 
varro, has  been  put  in  production  under 
the  direction  of  John  S.  Robertson.  It 
is  an  adaptation  of  Joseph  Conrad’s  novel 
of  the  same  name.  The  supporting  cast 
includes  Marceline  Day  in  the  feminine 
lead,  Roy  D’Arcy,  Marc  McDermott  and 
Patricio  O’Brien. 

Show  Compson  Film 

The  New  Academy  of  Music,  which 
has  reopened  under  the  direction  of  S.  L. 
Rothafel,  last  week  presented  “Say  It 
With  Diamonds,”  which  Chadwick  made 
for  First  Division,  with  Betty  Compson 
as  the  star. 

Begin  Moran  Film  July  15, 

FOX  will  begin  production  of  “I  Don’t 
Want  to  Marry,”  in  which  Lois  Moran 
will  be  starred,  about  July  15.  The  story 
is  an  adaptation  of  a Hungarian  stage 
play  by  Bela  Szenes.  Dr.  Ludwig  Ber- 
ger, who  made  “The  Waltz  Dream,”  will 
direct. 

Directors  Assigned 

B.  P.  Schulberg,  associate  producer  for 
PARAMOUNT,  has  picked  his  directors 
for  several  pictures  soon  to  be  put  in 
production.  Victor  Fleming  will  make 
“Hula,”  in  which  Clara  Bow  is  to  be 
starred.  Emil  Jannings’  next  picture,  as 
yet  untitled,  will  be  directed  by  Mauritz 


Stiller.  Luther  Reed  will  direct  “Shang- 
hai Bound,”  starring  Richard  Dix;  Greg- 
ory La  Cava,  “Tell  It  to  Sweeney,”  star- 
ring Chester  Conklin  and  George  Ban- 
croft; Joseph  von  Sternberg,  Adolphe 
Menjou’s  next  production;  and  Frank 
Tuttle,  a picture  as  yet  untitled  for  Flor- 
ence Vidor. 

Select  McAvoy’s  Next 

May  McAvoy,  who  is  now  working  op- 
posite A1  Jolson  in  WARNER  BROTH- 
ERS’ “The  Jazz  Singer,”  has  been  as- 
signed a story  by  Melville  Crosman  and 
Archie  Mayo  entitled,  “Slightly  Used.” 
Graham  Baker  has  the  scenario  finished 
and  production  is  to  be  started  as  soon 
as  “The  Jazz  Singer”  is  filmed. 

Chancellor  at  Premiere 

METRO-GOLDWN-MAYER’S  “Ben 
Hur”  recently  opened  in  Berlin  and 
among  the  dignitaries  attending  was 
Chancellor  Marx.  American  Ambassa- 
dor Sherman  also  was  present.  The 
square  in  front  of  the  theatre  was  bril- 
liantly lighted  and  cameramen  filmed  the 
celebrities  as  they  arrived. 

F.  B.  0.  Signs  Baxter 

William  LeBaron,  production  head  for 
F.  B.  O.,  has  signed  Warner  Baxter  for 
the  lead  in  “The  Coward,”  the  story  of 
which  is  based  on  that  by  Arthur 
Stringer.  The  complete  cast  will  be  an- 
nounced soon,  production  to  commence 
soon  thereafter. 

Start  Bowery  Film 

ACA  has  placed  “Rose  of  the  Bowery,” 
an  adaptation  of  the  novel,  “Little  Lady, 
Inc.,”  by  Pearl  Doles  Bell  and  Billie 
Shaw,  in  production  with  Bertram 
Bracken  directing.  The  cast  includes  Mil- 
dred Harris,  Edna  Murphy,  Johnny  Walker 
and  Crawford  Kent. 


Keep  Pace  With 
Progress 

More  Patrons  mean  more 
Profits. 

Better  Equipment  means 
Better  Business. 

Utilize  the  services  of  this 
Association  in  finding  out 
new  methods  aiid  means  of 
improving  your  Theatre, 
either  from  our  members 
direct  or  if  you  prefer,  thru 
our  Association  Headquar- 
ters. 

THEATRE  EQUIPMENT 
ASSOCIATION 

Headquarters 
Old  Colony  Building 
Chicago,  111. 

Plan  to  attend  the  New  York 
Convention  July  18-19 
Headquarters:  Pennsylvania  Hotel 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


Jenkins  Visits  Aurora 

AURORA,  MINN. — To  the  editor:  I 
just  want  to  take  a few  lines  to  let  you 
know  that  “The  Herald  Man”  otherwise 
known  as  J.  C.  Jenkins  dropped  in  on  us 
rather  unexpectedly  sometime  ago  and  was 
introduced  to  me  by  Brother  Exhibitor 
Brown  of  Nashwauk,  as  Mr.  Jones  from 
Chicago.  I was  wondering  what  it  was  all 
about  and  then  J.  C.  slips  me  his  card  and 
the  laughs  are  on  me.  I should  have  known 
by  that  highly  advertised  twinkle  in  J.  C.’s 
eye  that  it  was  he  and  nothing  else  but. 
Dilapidated  Clara  w'as  left  at  home  this 
trip  while  the  three  of  us  hopped  into 
Brown’s  Chrysler  and  started  for  Tower 
and  a look  at  beautiful  Lake  Vermillion. 
Exhibitor  Brown  gave  J.  C.  and  me  very 
little  to  say,  and  if  I do  say  so  myself  this 
fellow'  Brown  sure  makes  one  grand 
Spanish  athlete.  He  dumped  everything  on 
us  but  the  lake  itself. 

We  hope  that  Mr.  Jenkins  enjoyed  his 
trip  up  this  way  and  although  he  was  itch- 
ing for  a fish  line  time  w'as  so  short  that  he 
did  not  even  get  a chance  to  see  the  lake 
itself.  Sometimes  we  hope  he  wfill  make 
a pleasure  trip  this  way  and  I am  sure  that 
he  W'ill  go  back  with  his  limit  and  a few 
extra  ones  showed  in  the  odd  corners  of  his 
car. 

Come  again  sometime,  Mr.  Jenkins.  We 
are  always  glad  to  see  you. — J.  A.  Zim- 
merman, Re.x  theatre,  Aurora,  Minn. 


This  Cost  Money  to  Send — 

BURLINGTON,  WASH.,  (By  Wire), 
To  THE  Editor:  Closing  Grand  theatre 
here  tonight.  Going  to  Forks  to  prepare 
hilarious  reception  for  cross  country  racers. 
All  those  successful  in  negotiating  dust  and 
mountains  will  be  greeted  in  BVD  style. — 
Robert  L.  Anderson,  Grand  theatre,  Bur- 
lington, Wash. 


A Reply  to  Tom  Foster 

BREESE,  ill. — To  the  Editor  : Bro- 
ther Exhibitors,  I am  in  a coal  camp  of 
about  1,500  population  at  present,  and  have 
been  reading  Exhibitors  Herald  from  the 
first  issue,  then  they  combined  with  Moti- 
ography  and  later  dropped  that  name.  I 
always  enjoy  reading  it  and  as  long  as  I 
think  I get  my  moneys  w'orth  will  continue. 
Exhibitor  reports  helps  me  in  buying  pic- 
tures, but  I don’t  see  w'here  percentage  re- 
ports help  me  one  bit..  For,  to  speak  plain, 
I don’t  care  a d — how  much  you  gross  on 
a picture,  all  I want  is  your  opinion  on  it, 
as  w'hat  pulls  great  in  the  Star  at  Stanley, 
Wis.,  might  fall  flat  for  me.  Therefore, 
all  I w'ant  is  your  opinion,  and  I sure  read, 
all  I can  get.  So  this  week  I read  a report 
of  G.  Carey  of  the  Strand  theatre  of  Paris, 
Ark.  on  “Mr.  Wu”  with  Lon  Chaney.  Then 
I look  at  P.  S.  Harrison  this  w'eek.  May 
28,  and  after  reading  his  report  I don’t 
W'ant  “Mr.  Wu.” . 

Now  Tom  Foster’s  .letter  reads  as  if  P. 
S.  Harrison  condemns  this  idea  of  sending 
reports  on  pictures;  I understand  that  he 
condemns  percentage  reports  which  I think 
is  wrong.  You  will  find  P.  S.  Harrison 
is  a friend  to  all  exhibitors.  I have  been 


w'ith  him  from  his  first  issue  and  as  long 
as  I think  I get  my  money’s  worth  I will 
stay  W'ith  him. 

And  in  signing  off  I w'ant  to  go  on  rec- 
ord as  being  100  per  cent  in  favor  of  re- 
ports.— Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  thea- 
tre, Breeze,  Illinois. 


FILM  MART 

(Continued  from  Page  45) 


Ship  Five  Prints 

The  home  office  of  FIRST  NATIONAL 
has  just  received  from  the  Burbank  studio, 
prints  on  five  new'  productions,  with 
delivery  promised  on  tw'o  • more.  Those 
received  are  “The  Poor  Nut,”  featuring 
Jack  Mulhall,  which  Richard  Wallace 
directed ; “Framed,”  starring  Milton  Sills 
and  directed  by  Charles  Brabin;  “Naughty 
But  Nice,”  starring  Colleen  Moore  and 
directed  b}'  Millard  Webb ; and  “Lone- 
some Ladies,”  featuring  Lewis  Stone  and 
Anna  Q.  Nilsson,  w'hich  Joseph  Henaberry 
directed.  The  prints  to  follow  soon  are  on 
“The  Stolen  Bride,”  starring  Billie  Dove 
and  directed  by  Alexander  Korda ; and 
C.  C.  Burr’s  production  of  Johnnie  Hines’ 
“White  Pants  Willie.” 

Slate  Team  Films 

An  original  by  Howard  Irving  Young, 
“Tell  the  World,”  Warner  Fabian’s  “Sail- 
ors’ Wives,”  and  “Do  It  Again,”  adapted 
from  Dixie  Willson’s  “Help  Yourself  to 
Hay,”  have  been  chosen  to  follow  “No 
Place  to  Go”  as  pictures  in  the  FIRST 
NATIONAL  series  starring  the  team  of 
Mary  Astor  and  Lloyd  Hughes.  Another 
F-N  team,  Dorothy  Mackaill  and  Jack 
Mulhall,  will  succeed  “The  Road  to  Ro- 
mance” with  “Ladies  Night,”  which  Ed- 
ward Small  will  make  from  Avery  Hop- 
w'ood’s  stage  farce;  “Lady  Be  Good,”  which 
Charles  R.  Rogers  will  produce  from  the 
musical  comedy  of  that  title ; and  “Man 
Crazy,”  another  Rogers  production  from  a 
story  by  Grace  Sartwell  Mason. 

Edit  Two  U-Jewels 

Two  ^UNIVERSAL-JEWEL  produc- 
tions, “Too  Many  Women,”  starring 
Norman  Kerry  and  Lois  Moran;  and 
“Hot  Heels,”  featuring  Patsy  Ruth  Miller 
and  Glenn  Tryon,  have  been  filmed  and 
are  now  being  cut  and  edited.  William 
Beaudine  directed  the  former,  while  Will- 
iam J.  Craft  supervised  the  making  of 
the  latter. 

In  Meighan  Picture 

Marietta  Millner,  whom  PARA- 
MOUNT brought  from  Vienna  and  cast 
Zane  Grey  story  “Nevada”  for  his  next 
opposite  Thomas  Meighan  in  “We’re  All 
Gamblers,”  which  will  be  directed  by 
James  Cruze. 

Buys  Stage  Suecess 

Richard  A.  Rowland,  general  manager 
of  FIRST  NATIONAL,  has  just  closed  a 
contract  for  the  screen  rights  to  “The 
Noose,”  stage  play  now  running  in 
Chicago.  It  is  a melodrama  by  H.  H.  Van 
Loan  and  Willard  Mack.  No  star  or  date 
for  production  has  been  named  for  it  as 
yet. 

M-G-M  Signs  Writer 

Dorothy  Farnum,  who  recently  com- 
pleted an  original  story,  “The  Song  of 
Love,”  based  on  the  life  of  Jenny  Lind, 
as  a forthcoming  picture  starring  Norma 
Shearer,  has  signed  a new  contract  with 
METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER.  She  is 
now  making  an  adaptation  of  Tolstoy’s 
“The  Cossacks.” 


Rork  in  Gotham  About 
Special  to  Star  Rogers 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — Sam  E. 
Rork,  First  National  producer,  is 
in  New  York  for  several  weeks, 
to  confer  with  Richard  A.  Row- 
land regarding  his  next  picture, 
“A  Texas  Steer,”  which  is  taken 
from  Charlie  Hoyt’s  farce  and 
will  star  Will  Rogers.  Rork  wants 
to  put  the  picture  in  production 
about  the  middle  of  July.  Rogers 
will  play  the  role  of  Maverick 
Brander,  while  Anne  Rork  will 
portray  his  daughter.  Bossy.  Paul 
Schofield  is  making  the  screen 
adaptation.  Richard  Wallace  will 
direct.  It  is  to  be  released  as  a 
special. 


Famous  Players 
of  Canada  Opens 
Toronto  House 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  ONT.,  June  14. — Famous 
Players  Canadian  Corporation  last  week 
opened  a new  theatre,  the  Runnymede, 
in  the  residental  section  of  Toronto. 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  “The  Fire  Brig- 
ade” was  the  picture  shown.  James 
Lynch  is  manager  of  the  new  house. 

The  Runnymede  seats  1,800  persons 
and  was  designed  by  Raymond  Card.  It 
is  equipped  for  stage  presentations.  A 
curious  character  of  the  house  is  that 
one-half  of  it  lies  within  the  city  limits 
and  the  other  in  the  Swansea  district. 


Illinois  Exhibitors 
Book  Pictures  for  68 
Flood  Relief  Shows 

Illinois  exhibitors  outside  of  Chicago 
have  booked  pictures  with  the  Chicago 
Film  Board  of  Trade  for  68  perform- 
ances, according  to  Joe  D.  Abramson, 
secretary  of  the  board,  who  is  in  charge 
of  the  flood  relief  campaign.  Many  of 
the  exhibitors  expect  to  make  further 
benefit  bookings,  and  it  is  expected  that 
some  of  them  will  give  from  two  to  five 
such  performances. 

The  film  board  is  seeking  to  have  as 
many  as  possible  give  five  shows  for  the 
Red  Cross  fund,  but  some  of  the  theatres 
are  in  the  flood  region,  while  others  have 
already  given  benefit  performances. 
Bookings  from  60  theatres  are  now  being 
sought,  according  to  Abramson,  who  re- 
ports an  enthusiastic  response  among 
exhibitors  to  the  plan. 

52  Book  Aid  Films 
Raise  Nearly  $34,000 

Fifty-two  theatres  in  the  territory  of 
the  St.  Louis  Film  Board  of  Trade  have 
booked  pictures  for  flood  benefit  shows, 
while  performances  already  given  by  74 
houses  in  this  region  have  turned  in  over 
$7,700.  The  raising  of  $6,000  is  reported 
by  the  New  Orleans  Film  Board  of 
Trade,  and  in  New  England,  25  theatres 
C'Ut  of  400  report  contributions  to  the 
Red  Cross  fund  totalling  $20,000. 


Capitol  Plans  Serial 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — William  M. 
Pizor  of  Capitol  Productions  announces 
that  he  is  planning  production  of  a new 
type  of  ten  episode  serial  picture  to  be 
called  “The  Mansion  of  Mystery.”  The 
featured  players  will  be  William  Barry- 
more and  Teddy  Reavis. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 

HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  ''What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me’^ 
supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing  average 
daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into  average  daily 
gross  of  picture  being'  reported  on.  When  lO  of  these  per- 
centage ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average 
of  these  lO  percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  "The  Ticker.'' 
Each  additional  percentage-rating  report  received  on  pic- 
tures entered  is  combined  with  those  previously  received 
and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 

This  simple  mathematical  operation  may  be  performed 
by  the  reader  who  chooses  to  do  his  own  arithmetic  by 
direct  reference  to  "What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me.”  Indi- 
vidual percentage  ratings  appearing  in  reports  are  included 
in  the  average  ratings  given  in  this  department  of  the  same 
issue. 


1. 

2. 


5, 


7. 


11. 


16. 


20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

30. 

31. 

32. 

33. 

34. 

35. 

36. 

37. 

38. 

39. 

40. 

41. 

42. 

43. 

44. 

45. 

46. 

47. 

48. 

49. 

50. 

51. 

52. 
.53. 

54. 

55. 

56. 

57. 

58. 

59. 

60. 
61. 
62. 

63, 

64, 

65. 

66. 

67. 

68. 

69. 


KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES  (F.  B.  O.). 


ARIZONA 
LADDIE  ( 


ELLA  CINDERS 


CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U (U). 


TIN  HATS 


THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT 


SEA  HORSES 


SENOR  DAREDEVIL  (F.  N.) 

THE  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST  (Para) 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW  (Para) 

UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM  (P.  D.  C.) 


CORPORAL  KATE  (P.  D.  C.). 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER  (F.  B. 


LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY  (U.  A.). 


BEHIND  THE  FRONT 


WAR  PAINT  (M-G-M). 
THE  BUCKAROO  KID 


(U), 


TRAMP.  TRAMP.  TRAMP  (F.  N.)-. 


WILD  TO  GO  (F.  B.  O,). 


THE  TEASER  (U). 


12  reports 

82.16“/o 

10 

31.70% 

12 

81.33% 

25 

78.000/0 

12  “ 

76.580/o 

10 

70.20% 

11 

76.I8O/0 

26 

75.53% 

21  “ 

74.85% 

11 

74.72% 

22 

73.63% 

17 

73.00% 

12 

72.91% 

22  “ 

72.72% 

14 

72.64% 

A.). 16 

72.00% 

19 

72.00% 

14 

71.21% 

18  “ 

71.00% 

10 

09.70% 

13 

69.380/o 

23 

69.340/0 

16 

68.8IO/0 

19 

68.63% 

21 

68.380/o 

32 

07.90% 

11 

67 .900/0 

28 

66.78% 

14  “ 

66.730/0 

10  “ 

66.400/0 

14  “ 

66.210/0 

19 

65.94% 

21  “ 

65.85% 

15 

65.530/0 

35  “ 

64.51% 

18  “ 

64.440/0 

21 

64.33% 

10 

64.20% 

11  “ 

64.I8O/0 

.)....ii  “ 

04.09% 

13 

64.07% 

24  “ 

63.54% 

18 

63.440/0 

12  “ 

62.83% 

10  “ 

62.8OO/0 

12 

02.42% 

12 

62.17% 

13  “ 

62.15% 

14 

62.O70/0 

.16 

02.00% 

26 

61.96o/„ 

12 

61.91% 

19  “ 

61.680/o 

25 

01.40% 

14  “ 

- 61.280/„ 

13 

61.150/0 

10 

61.100/„ 

13  “ 

Ol.OOjo 

12  “ 

60.580/o 

16 

60.56% 

12 

6O.410/0 

11 

60.09% 

10 

60.00% 

i)....ii 

59.8IO/0 

10  “ 

59.5OO/0 

27  “ 

59.11% 

10 

S8.8OO/0 

13 

58.690/0 

11  “ 

58.09% 

70.  CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  (W.  B.) 12 

71.  THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  (F.  B.  O.) 28 

72.  TONY  RUNS  WILD  (Fox) 13 

73.  STRANDED  IN  PARIS  (Para) 14 

74.  THE  ICE  FLOOD  (U) 10 

73.  SUBWAY  SADIE  (F,  N.) 18 

76.  THE  TEMPTRESS  (M-G-M) 13 

77.  KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY  (F.  B.  O.) 15 

78.  THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  (Para) 10 

79.  IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.  N.) 25 

80.  OLD  CLOTHES  (M-G-M) 13 

81.  ROLLING  HOME  (U) 17 

82.  THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER  (U) 20 

83.  MIKE  (M-G-M) 11 

84.  MEN  OF  STEEL  (F.  N.) 27 

85.  THE  WILDERNESS  WOMAN  (F.  N-).... 12 

86.  THE  FLYING  HORSEMAN  (Fox) 11 

87.  WILD  JUSTICE  (U.  A.) 15 

88.  VARIETY  (Para) 16 

89.  WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  JONES  (U) 15 

90.  THE  return  OF  PE'FER  GRIMM  (Fox) 10 

91.  UPSTAGE  (M-G-M) 22 

92.  THE  JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD  (Fox) 12 

93.  BORN  TO  THE  WEST  (Para) 18 

94.  HER  BIG  NIGHT  (U) 13 

95.  KID  BOOTS  (Para) 18 

96.  THE  DARK  ANGEL  ( F.  N.) 11 

97.  THE  ROAD  TO  MANDALAY  (M-G-M) 20 

98.  TIN  GODS  (Para) 19 

99.  PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM  (U) 17 

100.  POKER  FACES  (U) 16 

101.  THE  FLAMING  FOREST  (M-G-M) 25 

102.  THE  BLUE  EAGLE  (Fox) 10 

103.  THE  BARRIER  (M-G-M) 15 

104.  THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER  (P.  D.  C.) 13 

105.  FORLORN  RIVER  (Para) 19 

106.  BATTLING  BUTLER  (M-G-M) 19 

107.  THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN  (U) 17 

108.  MARE  NOSTRUM  (M-G-M) 25 

109.  ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS  (Para)...  17 

110.  PARADISE  (F.  N.) 15 

111.  THE  ARIZONA  STREAK  (F.  B.  O.) 11 

112.  MISS  NOBODY  (F.  N.) 16 

113.  PADLOCKED  (Para) 14 

114.  ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY  (F.  B.  O.)...  . 25 

115.  THE  WANDERER  (Para) 11 

116.  HOGAN’S  ALLEY  (W.  B.) 12 

117.  SPARROWS  (U.  A.) 18 

118.  WET  PAINT  (Para) 10 

119.  THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS  (U) 15 

120.  THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  HANDICAP  (P.  D.  C.).17 

121.  HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR  (F.  B.  0.)....15 

122.  THE  SHOW  OFF  (Para) 13 

123.  THE  DESERT’S  TOLL  (M-G-M) 14 

124.  THE  ANCIENT  HIGHWAY  (Para) 10 

125.  HAIR  TRIGGER  BAXTER  (F.  B.  O.).  ..  10 

126.  TAKE  IT  FROM  ME  (U) 12 

127.  LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM  (Para) 10 

128.  WHISPERING  SMITH  (P.  D.  C. ) 10 

129.  THE  WALTZ  DREAM  (M-G-M)... 12 

130.  SPANGLES  (U) 10 

131.  EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA  (Fox) 16 

132.  THE  STILL  ALARM  (U) 10 

133.  THE  BLIND  GODDESS  (Para) 14 

134.  TUMBLEWEEDS  (U.  A.) 11 

135.  THERE  YOU  ARE  (M-G-M) 19 

136.  THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT  (F.  N.)  11 

137.  THE  OLD  SOAK  (U) 11 

138.  PARTNERS  AGAIN  (U.  A.) 14 

139.  MIDNIGHT  LOVERS  (F.  N.) 12 

140.  SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN  (Para) 14 

141.  HOLD  THAT  LION  (Para) 12 

142.  THE  BORDER  SHERIFF  (U) 10 

143.  LA  BOHEME  (M-G-M) 18 

144.  THE  BROWN  DERBY  (F.  N.) 16 

145.  THE  DUCHESS  OF  BUFFALO  (F.  N.) 10 

146.  THE  LITTLE  .JOURNEY  (M-G-M) 11 

147.  BLARNEY  (M-G-M) 17 

148.  THE  MARRIAGE  CLAUSE  (U) 13 

149.  MISS  BREWSTER’S  MILLIONS  (Para) 12 

150.  FASCINATING  YOUTH  (Para) 13 

151.  THE  LOVE  THIEF  (U) 10 

152.  THE  CANADIAN  (Para) 18 

153.  THE  WISE  GUY  (F.  N.) 10 

154.  NELL  GWYN  (Para) .10 

155.  BARDELYS  THE  MAGNIFICIENT  (M-G-M).  .13 

156.  THE  CAT’S  PAJAMAS  (Para) , ..,i.lO 

157.  INTO  HER  KINGDOM  (F.  N.) 11 

158.  THE  MAGICIAN  (M-G-M) 19 

159.  PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL  (U) 10 

160.  THE  GREAT  GATSBY  (Para) 10 

161.  STEEL  PREFERRED  (P.  D.  C.) 10 

162.  THE  AMATEUR  GENTLEMAN  (F.  N.) 11 

163.  YOU’D  BE  STOPRISED  (Para) 12 


57.75% 

57.5.3% 

57.46% 

57.42% 

57.40% 

57.33% 

57.30% 

56.93% 

56.90% 

56.84% 

56.69% 

56.58% 

56.45% 

56.45% 

56.22% 

56.16% 

-  56.00% 

55.86% 

55.62% 

55.20% 

55.20% 

55.18% 

55.08% 

55.00% 

54.38% 

54.33% 

.54.27% 

54.20% 

53.78% 

53.76% 

53.75% 

53.32% 

53.10% 

53.00% 

52.53% 

52.52% 

52.50% 

52.41% 

52.40% 

52.35% 

52.26% 

52.00% 

51.12% 

51.07% 

50.44% 

50.36% 

50.25% 

50.11% 

50.10% 

49.93% 

49.82% 

49.73% 

49.73% 

49.57% 

49.40% 

49.40% 

48.83% 

48.40% 

47.90% 

-  47.75% 

47.60% 

47.560/0 

47.50% 

47.35% 

47.180/0 

47.150/0 

47.00% 

46.81% 

46.7  lO/o 

46.500/o 

46.07% 

45.16“/o 

45.00% 

44.66% 

44.56O/0 

43.70“/„ 

43.36O/0 

43  230/0, 

42.840/0 

42.I6O/0 

41.230/0 

40.90% 

4O.I6O/0 

4O.OOO/0 

.39.300/0 

39.230/0 

39.IOO/0 

30.90% 

36.47% 

36.IOO/0 

35.8OO/0 

34.7OO/0 

3O.«70/„ 

23.91% 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 


Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00,  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


1 


The  Recognized  N ational  Classified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


A MAN  IN  THE  PRIME  of  his  Business  Life 
— Not  too  young  to  shoulder  heavy  responsibilities, 
not  too  old  to  bring  ener^,  enthusiasm  and  a 
wider  theatre  experience  with  him — seeks  a per- 
manent connection  with  a first  rate  theatre  having 
a good  sound  future  to  offer.  Knows  Theatre 
management;  Advertising.  Splendid  musical  edu- 
cation. He  is  an  American,  live,  cleancut  and 
aggressive.  Able  to  furnish  the  best  of  references 
and  a sound  reason  for  this  ad.  Address  Box  184, 
Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn  Street, 
Chicago,  Illinois. 


ORGANIST  AT  LIBERTY— Experienced  in 
largest  theatres  of  Chicago,  San  Francisco.  Ref- 
erence reads;  “One  of  few  organists  capable  of 
impressing  audience  with  great  variety  of  tonal 
color  in  mammoth  organ.  Music  never  monot- 
onous; always  ear-pleasing;  always  voiced  to  suit 
mood  of  picture.  Classical  and  jazz  solos  created 
much  favorable  comment.”  Wire  W.  J.  Conkie, 
Fourteen  fifty-three  Williams,  Denver,  Colorado. 


OPERATOR  AND  ELECTRICIAN  with  ten 
years  experience.  Married.  Locate  anywhere. 
Address  Operator,  920  W.  1st  Street,  Cedar  Falls, 
la. 


ORGANIST:  At  Liberty.  Married;  Steady; 

Library;  Cue  correctly  and  play  spotlight  solos. 
Address  Box  185,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South 
Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


A-1  ORGANIST:  Union.  12  years  experience. 
Employed  but  wants  to  change  position.  Must 
be  permanent.  Address  A1  Carroll,  720j4  Laur- 
ence Street,  Shreveport,  La. 


AT  LIBERTY — Moving  Picture  Machine  Op- 
erator. Six  years’  experience.  I can  run  any 
make  machine,  also  repair.  Sober,  steady,  reli- 
able and  a willing  worker.  Will  save  you  ex- 
pense. Want  a steady  position.  Address  Hubert 
Swatek,  740  Fifth  Street,  Beloit,  Wis. 


AT  LIBERTY — Projectionist.  Work  guaran- 
teed. Any  kind  of  machine.  Nonunion  or  Union. 
Address  James  Knott,  Box  44,  Nebraska  City, 
Nebr. 


Theatre  Wanted 


THEATRE  WANTED:  To  lease  or  rent.  State 
best  terms,  and  if  trial  given.  Complete  descrip- 
tion wanted.  Address  Fred  E.  Leiser,  Orange- 
ville, Illinois. 


TO  LEASE  WITH  OPTION  OF  BUYING 
Moving  picture  theatre  in  town  without  compe- 
tition. Must  be  good  field.  Priced  right  and 
terms  right.  Missouri  town  preferred.  Consider 
any  state.  Describe  fully  in  first  letter.  Address 
Box  186,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


THEATRES  WANTED:  In  town  of  3,000  or 
over.  No  competition  preferred.  Send  details  in 
f”ll.  We  mean  business.  Address  Box  54, 
Havana,  Illinois. 


Theatres  For  Sale 


F'OR  SALE — Complete  theatre  equipment  (450 
seats),  very  reasonable  rent.  Address  Palace 
Theatre,  Idalou,  Texas.  (On  the  Great  South 
Plains.) 


FULL  MOTION  PICTURE  THEATRE,  Equip- 
ment at  great  sacrifice,  including  Robert  Morton 
Orchestral  Organ.  Detail  inventory  will  be  sent 
you  on  receipt  of  wire.  Address  B.  W.  Prusiner, 
300  Commonwealth  Building,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


THE  ONLY  SHOW  IN  TOWN.  Population 
17,000.  Seats  about  800.  Seven  night  town. 
Building  and  equipment.  Will  take  one  half  cash, 
balance  in  payments  to  suit  buyer.  Reason  for 
sellir!,g,  going  to  leave  state.  Address  F.  W. 
Hughes,  Scammor,  Kansas. 


FOR  RENT — A completely  furnished  picture 
theatre.  $150  per  month.  Ready  to  open.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs.  Small  stage.  Good  town  of 
7,000.  Owner  has  other  business.  Address  Barnes 
Ice  Cream  Company,  Caruthersville,  Mo. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS;  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copv  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated J'dvertisers,  111  W.  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  M'V 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVURE”  PROCESS  PRINTING— 
Distinctive.  250  each  letterheads,  envelopes,  cards 
$4.44  P"5tpaid.  Two  colors  ink  $5.55.  Samples. 
Address  Sollidays,  E.H.124,  Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


M anagers — Operators 
Don’t  Overlook  This 

SCREEN  ADVERTISING  of  the  highest  type 
produces  revenue  for  your  house  and  yourself. 
Not  slides  or  cheap  trailers — Real  little  motion 
picture  playlets  that  often  get  a laugh  or  a hand. 
They  please  your  advertisers  and  actually  add  to 
your  box-office  receipts.  Managers  or  Operators 
wanted  as  agents.  We  lease  the  films,  change 
them  weekly,  and  you  collect  the  revenue.  Big- 
gest and  best  library  in  the  country,  cleverest 
ideas,  constantly  being  enlarged  and  improved. 
Write  quick  for  prices  and  details.  Address  Busi- 
ness Men’s  Film  Exchange,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


Business  Opportunity 


PARTNER  WANTED  for  Best  Road  Show 
out.  Five  reel  novelty  feature  which  has  never 
been  shown.  Address  R.  B.  Selvidge,  Eufaula, 
Okla. 


Organs  For  Sale 


FOTOPLAYER  IN  PERFECT  SHAPE,  con- 
tains all  attachments.  Library  of  six  hundred 
rolls.  Metal  cabinet  for  rolls.  Priced  reasonable. 
Address  Box  571,  Libertyville,  111. 


WE  HAVE  ON  HAND  in  our  various  ware- 
houses a limited  number  of  used  unit  and  pit  or- 
gans which  have  been  rebuilt  and  reprocessed  and 
which  we  are  offering  while  they  last  at  sacrifice 
prices.  Address  Robert  Morton  Organ  Company, 
624  S.  Michigan  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  Box  S3,  Havana,  Illinois. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built  for  a 
purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best  of  re- 
sults and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph  Sprat- 
ler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street.  Chicago,  Illinois. 

BEST_  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 

overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 

BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  the- 
atres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  111. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonablep  rice.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theater  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


BARGAINS:  Theatre  and  road  show  machines. 
Power.  Motiograph.  Edison.  Royal.  Monarch. 
Zenith  Projector.  Graphoscope.  Everything  in 
supplies.  300  reels  of  films.  Lists  free.  We  buy, 
sell  and  exchange.  Address  National  Equipment 
Company,  409  West  Michigan  Street,  Duluth, 
Minn. 

CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes,  Screerjs,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed  Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 

COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing  500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter  , Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 

1000— HIGHEST  QUALITY  upholstered  Opera 
chairs  in  leather.  Deep  spring  construction.  Write 
today  for  photograph  and  details.  Address  C.  G. 
Demel,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  111. 

JUST  FORECLOSED  MORTGAGE  on  a com- 
plete  picture  show  equipment  Used  ninety  days 
in  Palm  Theatre,  St.  Louis.  It  consists  of  two 
latest  model  Powers  machines,  Westinghouse 
transformer,  Dalite  Screen,  Opera  Chairs.  Will 
sell  any  part  at  bargain  prices.  Cash  or  pay- 
ments. Address  S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 


June  18,  192? 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


49 


“What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me*’ 

' VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Columbia 

REMEMBER:  Dorothy  Phillips — 50%.  May  29. 
From  the  standpoint  of  entertainment,  Columbia 
pictures  have  been  hard  to  beat,  and  this  one  is 
no  exception.  A very  good  program  picture. — 
Homer  P.  Moriey,  Princess  theatre,  Buchanan, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

REMEMBER:  Special  cast — We  put  this  on 
for  Mother’s  Day  and  found  it  to  be  suited  for 
the  time.  Try  it. — F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre. 
Hart,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  FOOLISH  VIRGIN:  Elaine  Hammeretein 
—56%.  May  11.  Fairly  good  picture  but  several 
years  old.  Business  very  poor.  Six  reels.— 
Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming, 
111. — General  patronage. 

SWEET  ROSIE  O’GRADY:  Special  cast— Very 
good  comedy  drama.  Ran  it  on  a Sunday  and 
many  favorable  comments. — H.  D.  McChesney, 
Princess  theatre,  Crandon,  Wis. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  LONE  WOLF  RETURNS:  Special  caet— 
Here  was  a dandy,  extra  good.  Drew  good  for 
us.  Everybody  said  that  it  was  one  of  the  best. 
Paid  a little  too  much,  in  fact  I did  that  with 
quite  a few  this  year.  New  York  sets  the  price 
for  all  towns  in  U.  S.  and  the  man  at  that  end 
does  not  know  the  ground. — F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse 
theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

F.  B.  0. 

THE  CYCLONE  OP  THE  RANGE:  Tom  Ty- 
ler— 85%.  Jane  4.  A very  fine  western.  It  really 
has  class.  Little  Fnankie  Darrow  steals  the  pic- 
ture. This  kid  is  going  to  be  the  idol  of  Young 
America.  I can  see  it  coming.  Ran  this  as  part 
of  a double  feature  bill  on  a Saturday,  and  they 
simply  ate  it  up.  Five  reels. — E.  M,  Biddle, 
Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TERROR  OP  BAR  X;  Bob  Custeiv^9%. 
May  31.  Romance  and  rough  stuff.  Good.  Five 
reels. — ^Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson — 40%. 
May  13-14.  Not  as  good  as  previous  Thomsons. 
Will  draw  well  where  there  is  a good  Scout  or- 
ganization, with  a following.  Six  reels. — D.  F. 
Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Nebr. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  SONORA  KID:  Tom  Tyler— 70%.  May 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  47. 


27.  Good  western  to  nice  business.  PMve  reels. — 
E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

DON  MIKE:  Fred  Thomson — 80%.  June  3. 
'This  clicked  at  the  box  office.  Not  as  good  as 
previous  Thomson’s,  but  gets  the  folks  out,  as 
most  of  P.  B.  O.’s  do.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  PYy, 
Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

DON  MIKE:  Fred  Thomson — Very  weak,  poor- 
est Thomson  we  have  ever  shown,  and  we  have 
used  them  all  No  action,  nothing : even  the  kids 
were  disappointed.  Fred  is  slipping. — H.  D.  Mc- 


Chesney, Princess  theatre,  Crandon,  Wis. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

NAUGHTY  NANETTE:  Viola  Dana— May  15. 
Viola’s  latest  and  it’s  a good  one.  Good  subtitles 
which  caused  many  laughs.  Five  reels. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preues,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

WHEN  A DOG  LOVES:  Ranger— 60%.  May 
28.  Was  much  disappointed  in  this  one.  I thought 
Ranger  was  a drawing  card.  Played  it  on  a 
Saturday  with  an  Our  Gang  comedy  to  about  one- 
half  of  the  business  that  we  ordinarily  received 
on  a Saturday.  Six  reels. — Homer  P.  Moriey, 
Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town 
patronage. 

HER  FATHER  SAID  NO:  Special  cast— 75%. 
May  8-9.  A dandy  picture  with  the  well  known 
team,  A1  Cooke  and  Kit  Guard,  furnishing  plenty 
of  laughs.  Story  of  a prize  fighter  who  quits  the 
ring  for  a girl  and  starts  a health  farm.  Seven 
reels. — George  Benson,  Community  theatre,  Min- 
neota,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

RED  HOT  HOOFS:  Tom  Tyler— 50%.  May  21. 
A pleasing  picture  with  the  gang  doing  good 
work.  Five  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

ROSE  OF  THE  TENEMENTS:  Shirley  Mason 
— May  30.  An  old  picture  but  a good  one.  Miss 
Mason  and  Harron  were  excellent,  supporting 
cast  good.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  ARIZONA  STREAK:  Tom  Tyler— 22%. 
May  27-28.  Tom  Tyler  draws  very  well  here. 
People  prefer  him  to  many  of  the  higher  priced 
western  stars.  Six  reels. — Geo.  W.  Keenan,  Gem 
theatre.  Hill  City,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS:  Fred  ’Thomson— 
65%.  May  16-17.  This  is  what  I call  a real 
picture.  Fred,  you  are  the  best  Western  star  on 
the  Bcreen  today,  and  a lot  of  my  girl  patrons 
would  like  a picture  of  you.  I think  I ought  to 
have  one,  to  at  least  put  in  my  lobby,  so  my 
girl  patrons  can  see  you  more  often  than  four 
times  a year.  Six  reels. — L.  H.  Bridgham,  Strand 
theatre,  Oakland,  Me. — General  patronage. 

GOING  THE  LIMIT:  George  O’Hara— 22%. 
June  3-4.  This  was  the  first  O’Hara  that  I 
played  here.  Everyone,  including  yours  truly, 
was  satisfied.  The  greater  majority  of  F.  B.  O. 
pictures  seem  to  hit  this  small  town  about  right. 
Five  reels. — Geo.  W.  Keenan,  Gem  theatre.  Hill 
City,  Minn. — General  patronage. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


YOUKS  TO  COMMAND:  George  O'Hara— 
June  4.  Best  O’Hara  F.  B.  O.  has  released  since 
he  became  a feature  player.  Some  of  the  pep 
he  presentd  in  “Fighting  Blood”  in  this.  Five 
reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIGHTING  COMEBACK:  Buddy  Roose- 
velt— May  28.  A nice  little  Western.  Five  reels. 

■ — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY:  Red  Grange— Just 
another  football  picture,  it’s  only  drawing  power 
being  the  people’s  curiosity  to  see  Grange.  Such 
l>eing  the  case,  it  adds  nothing  to  the  fame  of 
the  picture  business.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros., 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  GORILLA  HUNT:  Special  cast— A very 
educational  reel.  Did  as  much  as  the  feature 
picture.  Four  reels. — Robert  Kessler,  Benn  thea- 
tre, Philadelphia,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

BIGGER  THAN  BARNUM’S:  Special  cast— 
May  29.  Went  over  to  a full  house.  Pretty  good 
circus  picture.  Could  have  been  improved  100  per 
cent  if  it  had  contained  more  actual  circus  shots. 
However,  it  pleased.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Trage- 
dorf,  Ti'ags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis, — ’Small  town 
patronage, 

IF  MARRIAGE  FAILS:  Jacqueline  Logan — 
May  28.  Ran  this  on  Saturday  night.  Not  a 
very  good  pictui*e  for  Saturday.  Had  a fair 
crowd.  Six  reels. — Andrew  Rai>p,  Theatorium. 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

' First  National 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Johnny  Hines— 40%.  A 
very  satisfactory  farce  comedy.  Some  may  think 
it  silly,  but  should  please  that  average  fan.  Eight 
i-eels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel, 
Calif. — General  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  IN  SONORA:  Ken  Maynard— 
50%.  May  28.  Had  a medicine  show  as  compe- 
tition and  picture  di’ew  me  a fair  crowd  in  spite 
of  the  fact,  so  I guess  a fellow  should  feel  satis- 
fied. This  fellow  is  sure  there  with  the  goods. 
Every  bit  afi  good  in  performance  as  Thomson 
and  Mix.  Six  reels. — Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Para- 
mount theatre.  Wyoming  111. — ’General  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  IN  SONORA:  Ken  Maynard— 


’LECTION! 

Complete  returns  in  the 

Ex- 

hihitors’  Beauty  Contest 

are 

published  in  “The  Studio,” 

Sec- 

tion  II  of  this  issue. 

If  you  haven’t  seen  this  picture  you  have  never 
seen  any  riding.  Ken  rides  all  over  the  old 
horse.  Story  not  so  much,  but  all  in  all  it  is  a 
mighty  good  offering,  and  will  please. — C.  A. 
Spainhour,  Twilight  theatre,  Greensburg,  Kans. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
50%.  June  4.  Here  is  a picture  sold  as  a pro- 
gi*am  picture.  As  good  as  any  of  the  big  West- 
ern 6i>ecials  we  have  played.  100  per  cent  satis- 
faction.— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
The  best  Western  I have  run  in  a long  time. 
Good  business.  I think  Carl  Laeramle  had  better 
take  a tip  and  make  a few  like  these  or  he  is 
going  to  be  out  of  the  Western  field  entirely. — 
H.  H.  Chase,  Diamond  theatre,  Lake  Odessa, 
Mich, — General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE;  Ken  Maynard— 
April  15-16.  Very  good.  Some  good  riding  stunts. 
Above  the  average  Western.  Drew  a darned  good 
house  both  nighte.  Seven  reels. — C.  A.  Spain- 
hour,  Twilight  theatre,  Greensburg,  Kans.— Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  GREATER  GLORY:  Conway  Tearle— 
50%.  May  21-23.  Something  they  call  “Greater 
Glory.’’  After  seeing  it  I know  as  much  as  be- 
fore I saw  it.  Too  long  and  drawn  out.  No 
comedy,  no  suspense,  just  a big  nothing  called  a 
special,  with  a bunch  of  airplanes  passing  over- 
head. The  story  is  during  the  World  War.  Beau- 
tiful scenery  and  effects.  Patrons  disappointed. 
Ten  reels. — Perry  G.  Walker,  Amusu  theatre, 
Statesboro,  Ga. — General  patronage. 

SENOR  DAREDEVIL:  Ken  Maynard— 70%. 
May  24-25.  Ken  is  quite  the  stuff.  As  good  a 
Western  as  I have  had  in  some  time,  although 


he  is  not  experienced  enough  before  the  camera 
and  appears  to  be  nerves,  when  the  dirctor  is 
near.  Everyone  had  heard  of  Ken  and  were 
anxious  to  see  him.  I will  buy  more  of  his  pic- 
tures. Six  reels. — Perry  G.  Walker,  Amusu  thea- 
tre, Statesboro,  Ga. — General  patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 
90%.  May  29-30,  Consider  Colleen  at  her  best 
in  this  one.  Much  different  from  other  pictures 
that  she  has  been  appearing  in.  Used  Mabel 
Normand  in  “The  Nickle  Hopper,”  the  comedy 
on  the  bill,  and  everyone  said  that  it  was  100% 
entertainment.  Seven  reels. — Marion  Bodwell, 
Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Special  cast — June  3-4, 
A good  clean  picture.  Pleased  all.  Had  a very 
good  crowd  second  night.  Eight  reels. — Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

MISMATES:  Doris  Kenyon— This  is  a dandy 
program  picture,  tearful  of  course,  but  the  kind 
people  like.  We  gave  a benefit  for  flood  sufferers 
on  this.  Had  small  crowd  on  account  of  rain. 
Good  comments. — A.  F.  Jenkins,  Community  thea- 
tre, David  City,  Nebr. — General  patronage. 

FOREVER  AFTER:  Special  cast — Excellent 
picture.  It  has  everything  we  could  wish  for, 
football,  war  and  a good  story.  Give  us  more 
like  this  one. — H.  D.  McChesney,  Princess  thea- 
tre, Crandon,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

TRAMP,  TRAMP,  TRAMP;  Harry  Langdon— 
A good  clean  comedy.  Not  half  as  bad  as  some 
of  the  reports  would  lead  one  to  believe.  I was 
all  ready  to  hide  when  my  patrons  came  out, 
but  when  I heard  the  noise  inside  I changed  my 
mind.  Just  foolish  enough  to  be  good.  Cyclone 
scene  fine.  Good  comments. — A.  F.  Jenkins, 
Community  theatre,  David  City,  Nebr. — General 
patronage. 

SUBWAY  SADIE:  Special  cast — ^Very  good 
comedy  drama.  Many  favorable  commente.  Good 
Sunday  performance. — H.  D.  McChesney,  Princess 
theatre,  Crandon,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

Fox 

THE  CRADLE  SNATCHERS:  Special  east— 
60%.  June  5-6.  Come  on  Louise  Fazenda.  One 
or  two  more  like  this  and  you  will  be  as  popular 
as  Charles  Lindbergh.  Make  your  directors  give 
you  some  good  comedy  stuff.  If  I wa.sn’t  mar- 
ried, I’d  hunt  you  up.  But  keep  up  the  good 
work  and  you  will  be  able  to  retire  with  some 
“jack”  some  day.  This  pleaeed  our  patrons  100 
per  cent.  Arthur  Lake  was  surely  there,  and 
furnished  plenty  of  good  entertainment.  One  of 
the  best  Fox  has  put  out  this  year.  Did  not 
have  much  of  a crowd,  but  those  who  saw  it 
enjoyed  it.  Seven  reels. — ^R.  D.  Young,  Rex 
theatre,  Montezuma,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

WHISPERING  WIRES:  Anita  Stewart— Very 
good  mystery  play.  Many  tense  scenes.  Good 
comments. — ’A.  F.  Jenkins,  Community  theatre, 
David  City,  Nebr. — General  patronage. 

THE  RETURN  OF  PETER  GRIMM:  Alee  B. 
Francis — 46%.  Nothing  to  brag  about.  Fox  pic- 
tures seem  to  be  getting  worse  all  the  time.  At 
first  they  put  out  some  very  good  pictures,  but 
now  I would  call  them  junk.  Business  on  this 
bad.  We  want  snappy  pictures  with  some  young 
actors.  Janet  Gaynor  was  splendid  in  this  but 
the  picture  was  just  naturally  draggy.  So  are 
all  stage  plays.  We  never  could  do  any  business 
on  a picture  that  was  made  from  a stage  play. 
Generally  they  are  slow  and  draggy.  The  people 
now  days  are  looking  for  something  snappy. 
Seven  reels. — J.  B.  Weddle,  Walnut  theatre,  Law- 
renceburg,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  AUCTIONEER:  George  Sidney— 22%. 
Rotten.  Worst  business  this  year  and  the  best 
night  of  the  week  (Sunday.)  Why,  Oh  Why, 
didn’t  I pay  for  this  and  shelve  it?  No  more 
of  this  so  called  Jewish  comedy  for  me.  Six  reels. 
— J.  B.  Weddle,  Walnut  theatre,  Lawrenceburg, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  MONKEY  TALKS:  Olive  Borden— 50%. 
May  19-20.  A circas  picture  that’s  different.  Ani- 
mal impersonator  excellent.  Good  picture  of  its 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


STORM  LAKE,  IOWA,  Sunday,  May  5,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

Goodbye,  Minne.sota,  we  hate  to  leave  you,  for  you  have  certainly  shown  Clara 
and  I a good  time  and  we  will  be  longing  to  come  hack. 

In  our  travels  we  have  found  but  two  blemishes  on  your  fair  name,  those  two  mud- 
holes  at  Hill  City  and  Deer  River,  and  if  you  will  fix  those  we  will  tie  the  blue  rib- 
bon on  the  Capitol  dome  at  St.  Paul  with  proper  ceremonies.  Of  course  you  have 
Crocket  Brown  of  Nashawauk,  Jack  Zimmerman  of  Aurora  and  Schroeder  & Marten 
of  Mountain  Lake  to  contend  with,  hut  then  just  look  what  Chicago  and  Herrin 
have  to  endure,  and  this  ought  to  make  you  happy. 

We  may  come  hack  in  a couple  of  weeks  to  catch  some  of  your  “Muskys”  and  if 
we  do  we  HERALD  readers  will  have  an  opportunity  to  read  some  fish  stories  that 
will  be  reliable,  for  we  will  probably  have  Eagle  Eye  Joe  with  us,  and  Joe  won’t 
stand  for  any  prevarications. 

For  the  benefit  of  you  exhibitors  who  contemplate  a fishing  trip  this  season  I 
would  advise  you  to  write  F.  D.  Andrei  of  the  Royal  at  Park  Rapids,  Andy  Ander- 
son of  the  State  at  Detroit  or  H.  J.  Longaker  of  the  State  at  Alexandria.  Either 
one  of  these  exhibitors  will  be  glad  to  furnish  you  with  all  the  information  desired 
and  will  also  assist  you  in  finding  a suitable  location,  either  to  camp  or  in  a cottage, 
and  you  can’t  go  wrong  at  either  place  if  you  want  to  catch  “the  big  ones”  and 
plenty  of  them. 

❖ 5i«  ❖ 

Andrew  Severson  of  the  Empress  at  Osakis  had  his  coat  off  and  a shovel  in  his 
hands  throwing  dirt  out  of  a hole  in  the  ground  for  the  basement  of  his  new  theatre 
when  I called.  The  plans  and  specifications  call  for  an  up-to-the-minute  theatre, 
and  from  the  determined  look  on  Andy’s  face  it’s  going  to  be  that  or  nothing.  We 
are  betting  it  will. 

Geo.  H.  Baer  of  the  Palace  at  Frazee  said  “Howdy”  when  I handed  him  my  card. 
Then  he  said,  “I’ve  been  expecting  you  but  didn’t  have  any  idea  I’d  get  to  see  you. 
How’s  your  conduct?”  When  assured  that  it  was  the  best  in  the  world,  he  gave 

me  an  incredulous  look  and  said,  “Cut  out  the  bull  and  come  in  here.” 

Ed  Muchow  (pronounce  it  at  your  own  risk)  of  the  Hub  at  Gaylord  reached  for 
his  gun  when  I handel  him  my  card  but  I beat  him  to  it.  Ed  promises  to  meet  me 

on  any  of  Minnesota’s  lakes  should  I decide  to  go  up  there  fishing,  and  Ed  looks 

like  a man  of  his  word.  His  wife  backed  him  up  in  this  statement. 

R.  J.  Schell  of  the  Gem  at  Morton,  Markuson  Bros,  of  the  Rex  at  Henning,  James 
R.  Elliott  of  the  Grand  at  Dassel,  G.  W.  Berkner  of  the  Luna  at  Waverly,  A.  Felby 
of  the  Triangle  at  Howard  Lake,  Mrs.  Esle  Larson  of  the  Cecil  at  Cokato,  C.  F. 
Schnee  of  the  Unique  at  Litchfield  and  Joseph  Shindele  of  the  Gem  at  Granite 
Falls  all  recognize  that  the  HERALD  fills  a want  none  others  do,  which  it  does, 
and  they  are  all  making  preparations  for  a busy  season,  which  we  hope  they  have. 

❖ * * 

Andy  Anderson  of  the  State  at  Detroit  had  me  about  convinced  that  Detroit  was 
the  best  fishing  place  on  earth  until  I met  H.  J.  Lonkaker  of  the  State  at  Alexandria. 
Since  then  I have  been  wavering  between  two  opinons.  If  you  want  to  see  a nicer 
town  for  its  size  than  Alexandria,  if  you  want  to  see  a nicer  theatre  than  the  State, 
if  you  want  to  meet  a nicer  fellow  than  H.  J.  Longaker,  then  you  are  hard  to  please 
and  you  won’t.  They  don’t  make  ’em.  H.  J.  made  me  promise  to  come  up  there 
fishing  and  he  promised  to  frame  an  exhibitor  golf  tournament  while  I was  there 
and  I would  like  to  know  how  in  thunder  I am  going  to  get  out  of  it.  HELP!  HELP! 

Jay  E.  Gould,  who  operates  the  Eagle  theatre  at  Montevideo,  hasn’t  anything  to 
be  ashamed  of  either  in  the  town  or  his  theatre,  as  they  are  both  right  up  to  the 
minute,  and  Jay  isn’t  so  slow  himself,  since  he  is  the  father  of  nine  children  who 
are  banded  together  in  one  of  the  finest  musical  organizations  in  the  state.  Jay 
has  given  an  order  for  a specially  made  bus  in  which  he  and  his  family  will  tour 
the  country  with  their  musical  and  vaudeville  acts.  This  bus  will  have  all  the  con- 

(’Continued  on  page  54) 


kind.  Six  reels, — 'Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. — ^Smali  town  patron- 
age. 

WHISPERING  SAGE:  Buck  Jones— 60%.  May 

23.  Buck’s  best  to  date  and  our  patrons  were  well 
pleased.  Five  reels. — tMrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Colo, — rSraall  town  patron- 
age. 

WHISPERING  SAGE:  Buck  Jones— May  27, 
We  advertised  this  picture  very  much  and  were 
well  rewarded  to  get  a full  house  of  vei*y  muchly 
pleased  patrons.  A great  picture  with  Jones, 
hie  best  of  the  season.  Five  reels. — S.  G.  Fry, 
Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex, — General  patronage. 

THE  TIMBER  WOLF:  Buck  Jones.  65%.  May 

24.  Pleasing  North  Woods  picture  with  plenty  of 
action  and  fights  galore.  Drew  well  for  first  of 
week.  Six  reels. — 'E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre, 
Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

DESERT  VALLEY:  Buck  Jones— 70%.  May 
14.  Good  western.  Majority  of  all  western  fans 
like  Buck  Jones.  Six  reels. — Marion  F.  Bodwell, 
Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

MARRIAGE:  Virginia  Valli — 44%.  Just  a fair 
picture.  Not  near  as  good  as  Virginia  Valli  is 
capable  of  making.  Business  only  fair.  Six  reels. 
— J,  B,  Weddle,  Walnut  theatre,  Lawrenceburg, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  YANKEE  SENOR:  Tom  Mix— 75%.  May 
30-31.  Entirely  away  from  the  usual  Mix  west- 
ern, but  it  drew  a gO(xl  crowd  anyway.  However, 
they  panned  it  as  they  came  out.  Personally 
thought  it  very  good.  Five  reels. — E.  M,  Biddle, 
Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  COUNTRY  BEYOND:  Olive  Borden— 
May  28.  An  extra  fine  picture  with  the  largest 
crowds  in  months.  Everyone  said  it  was  a great 
picture  and  were  well  pleased  with  Olive  Borden. 
Advertise  this  and  it  means  money.  Six  reels. — 
S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

THE  GREAT  K AND  A TRAIN  ROBBERY: 
Tom  Mix — April  29-30.  A regular  Tom  Mix  pic- 
ture. Lots  of  action  and  comedy.  Some  beau- 
tiful scenery,  a very  clever  story,  and  all  that  it 
takes  to  make  up  a big  western.  Of  course  in- 
consistent, but  that  is  what  they  want.  It  got 
the  dough.  Six  reels. — C.  A.  Spainhour,  Twilight 
theatre,  Greensburg,  Kans. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  FAMILY  UPSTAIRS : Special  cast — 
April  18-19.  A mighty  fine  offering.  Pleased 
all  who  saw  it  and  business  above  average.  J. 
Farrell  MacDonald  is  very  clever  in  this  one. — 
C.  A.  Spainhour,  Twilight  theatre,  Greensburg, 
Kans. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— May  7. 
Very  good.  Pleased  majority.  Business  fair. 
Weather  bad  for  this  time  of  year. — Marion  F. 
Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  III. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

Gotham 

RACING  BLOOD:  Special  cast — 60%.  May  7. 
This  is  a very  good  picture.  The  start  is  very 
slow,  but  there  is  plenty  of  action  in  the  end. 
There  are  at  least  two  extremely  funny  scenes. 
Six  reels. — F.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale  theatre,  Glen- 
wood,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

ONE  OF  THE  BRAVEST:  Ralph  Lewis— 35%. 
May  21.  This  is  really  a fine  picture.  It  con- 
tains plenty  of  thrills  and  comedy,  and  those 
are  the  two  elements  to  attract  the  average  audi- 
ence. Leave  your  hmvy  drama  for  the  big  towns. 
Six  reels. — F.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale  theatre,  Glen- 
wood,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies — ^65%. 
May  22.  Marion’s  latest  and  it’s  a peach.  Packed 
with  laughs,  good  print  and  paper.  Seven  reels. 
■ — 'Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Colo. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies — 75%. 
June  6.  Not  a big  picture,  but  has  all  the  ap- 
pearance of  a box  office  attraction.  Pleased  and 
held  attention.  Seven  reels. — -Tom  Foster,  Star 
theatre,  Stanley,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast — 78%.  June  3-4.  The 
best  comedy  we  ever  had  in  the  house.  When  we 
say  that  it  is  far  better  than  “Behind  the  Front” 
and  “We’re  in  the  Navy  Now”  you  can  judge 
how  good  it  is.  We  used  it  two  nights  at  ad- 
vanced admission.  The  first  night  was  just  aver- 
age for  this  time  of  year,  but  every  person  that 
saw  it  went  out  laughing  and  it  was  the  talk  of 


the  town  the  next  day,  with  the  result  that  the 
second  night  we  had  twice  our  fir.st  night  crowd. 
Not  one,  but  person  after  person,  stopped  to 
say  that  it  was  the  best  comedy  they  had  ever 
seen.  We  advise  any  exhibitor  who  is  using  this 
picture  to  exploit  it  to  the  limit.  The  picture 
will  live  up  to  anything  that  you  can  possibly 
promise.  Lloyd  Or  Chaplin  never  made  anything 
to  Compare  with  it. — Cragin  & Pike,  Majestic 
theatre  & Airdome,  Las  Vegas,  Nev. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

ROOKIES:  Special  ca.st — The  be.st  picture  of 
its  type  I ever  ran.  My  patrons  thought  it  away 
ahead  of  “Behind  the  Front”  or  “We're  in  the 
Navy  Now.”  If  Paramount  ever  had  a picture 
like  “Rookies”  they  would  want  your  theatre  and 
a mortgage  on  your  home  for  it,  then  a percent- 
age besides.  Then  you  would  have  to  buy  a block 
or  30  or  40  pictures  in  the  bargain,  and  if  you 
had  skipped  a block  or  two  of  their  stuff  you 
would  have  to  gd  hack  and  run  that. — H.  H. 
Chase,  Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa,  Mich. — ■ 
General  patronage. 

MR.  WU ; Lon  Chaney — ^50%.  June  5-6.  A 
big  production.  Chaney  and  Adoree  splendid.  A 
great  picture  of  the  kind.  Gave  50  'per  cent  sat- 
isfaction here. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  thea- 
tre, Greenville,  Mich. — General  jjatronage. 

MR.  WU : Lon  Chaney — May  30.  Lavishly 
staged,  and  I presume  pleased  those  followers 


who  admire  Chaney.  Fair  patronage.  No  com- 
ment either  way.  Nine  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace 
theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Special  cast— 
75%.  May  15-16.  Good  picture  of  life  in  the 
Marine  Corps.  Lon  Chaney  does  some  fine  work 
as  the  hard-boiled  sergeant.  Nine  reels. — George 
Benson,  Community  theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
70%.  May  8-9-10.  Boys,  this  is  a real  good  pic- 
ture. If  a fellow  did  not  have  to  pay  a fortune 
for  the  picture  he  could  make  some  money.  It  has 
everything  necessary  to  put  a big  picture  over. 
Ten  reels. — ^Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  thea- 
tre, Wyoming,  111. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Charles  Ray— 50%. 
May  22-23-24.  Rian  this  one  three  days  in  spite 
of  local  Fire  Dept,  and  lacked  $8.02  of  grossing 
film  rental.  A mighty  good  picture,  but  no 
drawing  card.  We  paid  more  than  twice  of  what 
the  picture  is  really  worth.  If  you  can  buy 
these  three  pictures  with  money  okay,  otherwise 
leave  them  alone.  Ten  reels. — Marion  F.  Bod- 
well, Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  III. — General 
patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Special  cast— 23%. 
May  22-23.  A very  good  picture.  Everyone  was 
very  well  pleased.  Seven  reels. — Geo.  W.  Keenan, 
Gem  theatre.  Hill  City,  Minn. — General  patronage. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


ora 


Summer 

pnfits 


Easiest  TERMS! 

Satisfaction  GUARANTEED! 


The  sa<w  ^ B 

e\y  low  cost, 

M its  extremely  Lakeside 

tr'^thf a 'wf ^kelt the 

don’t  ^Yieatre  m oioer  ^ it 

out  of  yo}^"  summer  ^^ok  your 

^"SSyon  do-’L^em  that’s  goo^ 

means  that  y sy®t  The 

money  rato  ^e  rest  J^Lulates  cool- 

for  nothmg  ^ ^^gside  that  ^r  v^ouse 

same  comfort  thro'igay^^^^,  d 

ing  refres^'ag  ^no— -at  neghgi' 

gll  summer  -(j^eather  investment 

healthful  m g^nd  at  a compete 

we  operf  V-S  ‘^a^ther  thes^ 

cost  so  iaw  all  t^e  informa- 

witl'  ^^’TSn  senclcoupo^*  your 

‘pa^ieWartV  ^Pqnirements- 


tion 

theatre 


This  offers  an  improved  and  different 
ventilating  service  to  every  ^exhibitor 
’With  a summer  attendance  problem 
on  his  hands.  A ventilating  service  of 
utmost  economy! 

It  tells  about  the  amazing  ventilating 
invention — the  quie  t Lakeside — quick- 
ly installed  in  any  theatre  on  short 
notice— most  inexpensive  to  buy  and 
to  operate. 

It  invites  you  to  give  the  quiet  Lake- 
side just  30  days  in  'which  to  prove  its 
case — ^in  which  to  convince  you  that 
quiet  Lakeside  ventilation  will  reduce 
the  temperature  inside  your  theatre  to 
a pleasant  comfortable  degree  of  cool- 
ness and  thereby  produce  a substantial 
improvement  in  your  box  office 
receipts  during  the  sultriest  weather. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


Other  exhibitors  report  that  the  quiet  Lakeside  makes  a 
seat  in  their  theatres  1000  per  cent  more  attractive  than 
any  motor  car  or  open  porch.  Will  you  allow  us  to  prove 
that  you  can  say  the  same  thing  of  your  theatre  this 
summer — this  month! 

It  puts  the  free,  fresh  air  to  work 

The  quiet  Lakeside  takes  the  free  fresh  air  of  the  out- 
doors and  compels  it  to  cool  and  freshen  the  theatre 
because  of  a new  ventilating  principle  exclusive  to 


So  engineers  endorse  the  quiet  Lakeside  highly.  All 
metal  and  compact,  it  has  G.  E.  low  speed  motor,  S K F 
ball  bearings,  Tex-rope  drive  and  other  costly  features 
that  insure  efficient  operation  and  long  life — that  make 
its  dollar  for  dollar  value  by  long  odds  the  highest  in  the 
ventilating  field.  Yet  its  price,  ready  for  easy  installa- 
tion, is  the  lowest  known  in  this  business. 

The  quiet  Lakeside  circulates  more  fresh  air  and 
distributes  it  better.  It  runs  for  years  with 
no  more  attention  than  occasional  greasing 
of  the  Tex-rope  drive.  But  we  want 


%e  Cost 


in  Cooling &yentilating 
“IT’S  CERTIFIED” 


self  prove 
its  a d V a n - 
tages  in  actual 

service  in  your  theatre.  So  mail  coupon. 

For  quick  action'^ 
use  coupon 

We  could  never  hope  to  make  all  the  quiet  Lakesides 
that  exhibitors  would  want  this  summer  if  every  exhibitor 
knew  what  a winner  and  a wonder  the  quiet  Lakeside  is. 
So,  at  present,  we  are  limiting  reservations  strictly  to 
inquiries  received  from  our  advertising  in  this  and  similar 
publications.  Thus,  for  you  to  mail  the  coupon  to  us  is 
simply  your  protection.  It  does  not  obligate  you  in  the 
slightest.  It  only  puts  you  on  our  “preference”  list — assuring 
that  you  will  get  a quiet  Lakeside  should  you  decide  you 
want  one. 

No  sum  which  you  might  invest  in  a ventilator  could  get  you 
anything  better  than  the  quiet  Lakeside.  It  easily  pays  for 
itself  in  a year.  As  simple  protection  of  your  business,  therefore, 
we  advise  that  you  fill  out  the  coupon  and  mail  it  now. 


MAIL  THIS  NOW 


LAKESIDE  VENTILATING  CO. 

Dept.  E.  H.,  Hermansville,  Mich. 

Without  obligation,  send  me  further  information 
about  a quiet  Lakeside  for  my  theatre.  Seating 

capacity Balcony? 


Name- 


Address.. 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


I 


veniences  of  the  modern  day  Pullman  and  will  he  a palace  on  wheels. 

R.  H.  Byram  of  the  New  Dream  theatre  at  Redwood  Falls  has  just  installed  two 
I new  Peerless  Low  Intensity  Arc  machines  and  a Syncroverter  which  is  the  first  one 
I to  be  put  to  use  in  the  state.  There  isn’t  much  about  the  New  Dream  that  isn’t 
j up  to  date,  and  R.  H.  looks  like  a live  one  himself. 

i * * * 

I found  a new  type  of  exhibitor,  the  only  one  of  its  kind  in  existance  that  I know 
j of.  This  baby  refused  to  make  out  the  questionnaire  because  he  said  it  wasn’t  any 

! of  the  HERALD’S business  what  kind  of  pictures  he  played,  nor 

' what  his  short  feature  billing  cost.  I tried  to  make  bim  understand  that  the 
HERALD  was  gathering  this  information  for  the  benefit  of  the  e.xhihitors,  hut  it 
hadn’t  soaked  in  when  I left  him.  You  name  him,  I can’t. 

Some  exhibitors  writing  to  the  HERALD  seem  to  think  that  I am  ballyhooing 
Clara  Bow  in  that  BEAUTY  CONTEST.  Why,  folks,  how  could  you?  Clara  doesn’t 
need  any  ballyhoo.  She  ballyhooed  herself  in  “Mantrap”  and  in  “It”  and  in  “Rough 
House  Rosie”  and  a press  agent  is  the  last  thing  on  earth  she  needs.  [Bill,  watch 
those  ballots.  Some  of  the  boys  are  getting  desperate.  Keep  your  eye  on  “Fisby” 
Phil  and  that  Jewish  rabbi  at  Elgin.] 

At  Estberville  I met  Lou  Levy  and  Pearl  Robbins.  Lou  is  selling  M-G-M  service 
and  Pearl  bandies  Paramount.  Lou’s  line  is  about  the  same  as  when  he  used  to 
sell  me  Universal  in  Nebraska.  There  is  one  thing  peculiar  about  Lou.  If  he 
thinks  the  truth  will  answer  better  than  fiction  he  will  tell  the  truth,  and  that’s  why 
I like  him.  Lou  is  a dandy  fellow,  friendly  and  sociable  and  all  that,  and  it  is 
always  a pleasure  to  meet  such  as  he,  especially  when  one  is  far  from  home  and 
among  strangers.  I’d  like  Lou ' better,  however,  if  he  would  break  himself  of  the 
habit  of  continually  chewing  dried  prunes. 

LTp  in  the  pine  timber  country  in  northern  Minnesota  I saw  a sign  which  read: 

I “This  is  God’s  country.  Don’t  set  it  afire  or  you  will  make  it  look  like  hell.”  Where 
the  timber  is  gone,  it  does. 

E.  Recknagel,  manager  of  the  Amuzu  theatre  at  Fonda.  Iowa,  was  brought  to 
the  hospital  here  at  Storm  Lake  last  night  badly  jammed  up  in  an  auto  wreck.  Mr. 
Recknagel  had  three  boys  in  the  car  with  him  and  they  had  been  to  another  town 
Jistributing  billings  for  his  show  at  Fonda  and  were  returning  home,  when  some- 
thing went  wrong  with  the  steering  gear  and  the  car  was  plunged  into  a deep  ditch, 
which  resulted  in  a very  deep  gash  in  Mr.  Recknagel’s  head  and  a broken  left  leg. 
Two  of  the  boys  were  quite  seriously  injured,  one  receiving  a broken  leg  and  the 
other  a very  serious  scalp  wound  and  other  injuries.  Wlien  I called  on  Mr.  Reck- 
nagel this  morning  he  was  resting  comfortably  but  unable  to  give  a very  accurate 
account  of  the  accident. 

Invitations  from  the  North  Dakota  boys  to  Clara  and  I to  visit  tbem  are  now  in 
order  and  may  be  sent  in  care  of  the  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
I St.,  Chicago.  Better  hurry  before  Indiana  beats  you  to  it. 

I ^ ^ ^ 

LIncle  ’Leazer  Biggs  says:  “Nowadays  there  are  two  kinds  of  exposures;  one  is 
[ when  they  go  out  in  a snow  storm  and  t’othern  is  when  they  make  bathin’  pitchers.” 

[Gosh,  Bill,  I’m  getting  sleepy.  Let’s  wind  the  clock  and  put  out  the  cat.l 
There  are  those  who  dearly  love  a lobster  salad, 
i But  others  who  prefer  an  oyster  slew, 

And  while  Clara  Bow  and  I 
Both  love  huckelberry  pie, 

i Yet,  THE  HERALD  FILLS  A WANT  NONE  OTHERS  DO. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

(The  HERALD  man.) 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 

(Continued  front  hage  51) 


THE  FLAMING  FOREST;  Antonio  Moreno — 
May  25-26.  A fine  picture  with  a fine  cast  and 
appreciated  by  all.  Did  excellent  business  on  it 
and  hope  that  we  have  more  like  it.  Antonio 
wan  at  his  best  on  it.  So  were  the  other  play- 
ers. Seven  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre, 
Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Antonio  Moreno — 
May  23.  Wonderful  production  with  color  se- 
quences to  help  out.  Pleased  80  per  cent.  Seven 
reels. — ^S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  TAXI  DANCER:  Joan  Crawford— 18%. 
May  24-25.  A bright  light  picture  that  a bit  too 
spicy  for  the  average  small  towner.  Seven  reels. 
— Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

HEAVEN  ON  EARTH:  Special  cast— 80%. 
May  14.  This  was  a very  good  picture  and  we 
had  a fine  houee.  However,  it  wan  substituted 
to  us  for  “Tin  Hats,”  which  was  held  up  by 
floods.  We  feel  that  "Tin  Hats”  really  drew  the 
crowd,  as  our  people  like  comedy.  Seven  reels. — ■ 
F.  H.  Whitted.  Glendale  theatre,  Glenwood,  Ark. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 
Coogan — 85%.  May  28.  This  is  a very  clever 
story,  working  in  Johnny’s  new  hair  cut  fine. 
Though  we  miss  the  little  boy  with  the  “bob,” 
we’re  going  to  like  the  big  boy  as  well.  There 


is  a thrilling  horse  race  and  when  Johnny  came 
in  first  our  patrons  cheered  as  though  really  at 
the  race.  Seven  reels. — F.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale 
theatre,  Glenwood,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 

Coogan — May  30-31,  June  1,  Not  such  a strong 
one.  Good  for  the  children  only.  Seven  reels. — 
Robert  Kessler,  Benn  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. — • 
General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 

Coogan — Drew  a very  good  business  for  mid- 
week. Patrons  seemed  satisfied. — H.  H.  Chase, 
Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa,  Mich. — General 

patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 

Coogan— Boys,  here  is  a crackerjack.  My  patrons 
just  ate  it  up,  and  it  made  me  some  extra  dough. 
A whale  of  a horse  race  in  it,  and  Jackie  and  his 
big  brown  eyes  just  get  right  under  your  shirt.  I 
think  it  is  the  best  thing  he  has  ever  done.  Buy 
it  and  step  on  it.  It  will  please  100%.  Seven 
reels. — ^C.  A.  Spainhour,  Twilight  theatre,  Greens- 
burg,  Kans. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BARRIER:  Norman  Kerry — 37%.  May 
28-29.  A dandy  picture,  seemingly  liked  by  all. 
Good  for  any  house  any  day.  Seven  reels. — F.  W. 
Kutil,  Alex  theatre.  Alexandria,  S.  Dak. — General 
patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  LETTER:  Lillian  Gish— 50%. 


May  15-16-17.  A very  good  picture  but  no  draw- 
ing card.  The  work  of  Lillian  Gish  is  wonder- 
ful. The  average  picture  fans  in  the  small 
town  do  not  care  for  this  type  of  entertainment. 
Paid  entirely  too  much  for  it.  Nine  reels. — 
Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming, 
111. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special 
cast — 55%.  June  6.  A fairly  good  Forest  Rang- 
er story.  Gave  satisfaction  here. — Tom  Foster, 
Star  theatre.  Stanley,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

VALENCIA:  Mae  Murray— 53%.  May  31.  A 
good  picture.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green. 
Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patron., 
age. 

A SLAVE  OF  FASHION:  Norma  Shearer  ■ 
30%.  May  25.  Well,  we  slipped  on  this,  despite 
several  good  ones  by  Norma.  Did  not  please  25%. 
Too  long  drawn  out.  and  print  not  so  good  either. 
Six  reels. — Wm.  Martin,  New  Patriot  theatre.  Pa- 
triot, Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

MONTE  CARLO:  Special  cast— 40%.  May  11. 
This  is  really  a fine  picture  that  deserved  much 
larger  percentage.  Local  conditions  are  very  bad, 
probably  accounting  for  light  business.  Seven 
reels. — Wm.  Martin,  New  Patriot  theatre.  Patriot, 
Ind. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GAY  DECEIVER:  Lew  Cody— 65%.  May 
10-11.  Rather  an  amusing  picture,  in  spite  of  the 
fact  that  it  is  a story  of  Paris  with  a Con- 
tinental slant  to  it  that  our  people  do  not  care 
for  much.  Seven  reels. — George  Benson,  Com- 
munity theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — Small  town 
patronage. 

BEVERLY  OF  GRAUSTARK:  Marion  Davies 
— 48%.  May  31-June  1.  The  picture  was  re- 
ceived well.  It  contains  all  the  romance  of 
youth  on  a modern  style.  Miss  Davies  plays  a 
double  role,  that  of  a lovely  heroine  and  a dash- 
ing young  prince.  This  is  as  good  a picture  as 
I have  seen  Miss  Davies  in,  in  the  past  two  years. 
I liked  it  fine.  Seven  reels. — Perry  G.  Walker, 
Amusu  theatre,  Statesboro,  Ga.— General  patron- 
age. 

FAUST:  Emil  Jannings— 56%.  May  24.  A 

good  picture  for  the  higher  class  of  people.  Nine 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN:  Rudolph  Valentino 
65%.  May  1-2.  Fair  picture  but  too  high  priced 
for  a re-issue.  Eleven  reels. — George  Benson, 
Community  theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CAPTAIN  SALVATION:  Special  cast— Glad  we 
don’t  have  many  like  this  one.  ’Tragedy  and  no 
action  or  comedy  to  help  save  it.  Poor  picture. 
— H.  D.  McChesney,  Princess  theatre,  Crandon, 
Wis. — General  patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O’Neil— June  1. 
Here  is  a real  good  picture.  The  first  real  en- 
tertaining picture  from  Metro.  Lots  of  comment 
on  it  and  I say  it  ought  to  please  in  most  any 
theatre.  But  no  crowd,  very  poor,  on  account 
of  Metro  advertising  matter.  It  doesn’t  give  any- 
body an  idea  of  the  picture.  Eight  reels. — L.  H. 
Bridgham,  Strand  theatre,  Oakland,  Me. — General 
pati’onage.  * 

TIN  HATS:  Conrad  Nagel— May  12-13-14.  A 
very  good  war  comedy.  Seven  reels. — Robert 
Kessler,  Benn  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. — General 
patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast — A very  good  farce 
comedy.  Very  well  acted  and  suited  80%  of  my 
people.  We  like  comedy  dramas  and  westerns, 
but  do  not  like  too  much  of  the  sameness.  Some 
Westerns  are  one  like  the  other,  the  sets  of 

houses  and  barns  are  all  the  same.  ’That  spoils 
the  show.  Get  them  better  Or  quit. — F.  N.  Har- 
ris, Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL;  John  Gilbert- 
May  16-17-18.  Here  is  one  they  were  waiting 

for  and  sure  did  like.  Business  was  very  good. 
Nine  reels.— Robert  Kessler,  Benn  theatre,  Phila- 
delphia, Pa. — General  patronage. 

EXIT  SMILING:  Special  cast— This  one  is 

on  the  novelty  order.  Very  good. — F.  N.  Harris, 
Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

WAR  PAINT:  Special  cast — Don’t  fool  your- 
self. 'This  one  is  a dandy.  Suited  all.  Get  it 
and  push  it. — F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre.  Hart, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

DESERT  TOLL:  Special  cast— Was  a very 

good  desert  picture  and  suited  75%.  Get  it  and 
you  will  be  satisfied.— F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  thea- 
tre, Hart,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

UPSTAGE:  Norma  Shearer — June  2.  Norma 
Shearer  always  draws  a crowd  for  me.  A good 
picture.  Six  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Bmlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


Paramount 

LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM:  Special  cast— 
75%.  April  9.  The  kind  of  a story  that  goes 
for  a change.  We  liked  it.  Larry  Gray  if?  good. 
Inclement  weather  but  fair  crowd.  Very  few 
said  anything.  Six  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s 
Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM:  Special  cast— 
60%.  May  17-18.  Comedy  drama  of  department 
store  workers.  Good  picture.  Seven  reels. — 
George  Benson,  Community  theatre,  Minneota, 
Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM:  Special  cast— 
28%.  I don’t  think  that  the  title  helps  to  draw 
them  any,  at  least  it  didn’t  help  us,  as  we  only 
had  a few  out  to  see  it.  The  picture  is  not  so 
bad,  just  a program  offering. — Paul  B.  Hoffman, 
Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN:  Douglas  MacLean- 23%.  May 
25.  A peach.  Pleased  patrons  better  than  "We’re 
in  the  Navy  Now’’  for  the  reason  that  they  were 
not  expecting  as  much.  Best  MacLean  for  a long 
time.  Seven  reels. — ^D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre. 
Silver  Creek,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WHIRLWIND  OF  YOUTH:  Lois  Moran 
— 29%.  May  28.  If  Lois  Moran’s  pictures  were 
gratis  we  could  not  make  any  money  on  them. 
This  pleased  very  few  and  drew  fewer  yet.  A clean 
picture  of  some  more  love  on  the  merry-go-round 
of  life.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preues,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— 20%. 
This  no  doubt  would  have  made  a very  nice  two 

reel  comedy,  as  all  the  worth  while  gags  and 

action  could  have  easily  been  handled  in  that 

much  celluloid.  Not  a special  by  any  means  and 
is  worth  probably  one-third  the  rental  asked. 
The  box  office  suffered  and  we  wrote  the  finals  in 
red  ink.  Six  reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita 
theatre.  Carmel,  Calif. — General  patronage. 

SORROWS  OF  SATAN:  Adolphe  Menjou— 
98%.  June  2.  With  extra  advertising  this 

brought  a large  crowd.  The  picture  isn’t  up  to 
much,  in  my  opinion,  although  the  people  said 
they  liked  it.  What  I can’t  understand  is,  this 
kind  of  a picture  brings  a lot,  and  a good  one 
like  “The  Quarterback’’  or  “The  Campus  Flirt’’ 
doesn’t  get  half  as  much.  Nine  r-eels. — ^Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — 
General  patronage. 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW:  Special  cas1>- 
80%.  May  7.  A cracker-jack  comedy  that  pleased 
all  that  we  could  get  on  a rainy  night.  Not  as  good 
as  “Behind  the  Front,’’  but  plenty  good  enough. 
All  exhibitors  should  show  this  one.  Six  reels. — 
Wm.  Martin,  New  Patriot  theatre.  Patriot,  Ind. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW:  Special  cast— 
46%.  May  21.  An  over-rated  picture.  Good  as 
a program,  and  has  lots  of  comedy,  but  not  worth 
a raise  in  small  towns.  Eight  reels. — D.  F.  Davis, 
Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Nebr. — Small  town 
patronage. 

NEW  YORK:  Special  east- 27%.  May  18.  Just 
what  we  personally  like.  Good  drama,  splendid 
acting  and  a top  notch  cast.  Patrons  well 
pleased. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver 
Creek,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

NEW  YORK:  Ricardo  Cortez— 12%.  May  18. 
Good  picture  but  bad  receipts.  ’Title  meant  noth- 
ing here.  Seven  reels. — ^Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

NEW  YORK:  Ricardo  Cortez— May  9-10-11.  A 
wonderful  picture  of  New  York  life.  Business 
was  good.  Eight  reels. — Robert  Kessler,  Benn 
theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

STRANDED  IN  PARIS:  Bebe  Daniels— 22%. 
May  11.  A dandy  little  program  feature,  just 
about  what  people  want  now  days.  Had  a full 
week  of  church  and  school  opposition,  and  that 
hurts  in  the  small  towns. — D.  F-  Davis,  Crystal 
theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Nebr. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

LET’S  GET  MARRIED;  Richard  Dix— 94%. 
May  28.  This  is  sure  a wonderful  drawing  card 
and  a show  hard  to  beat.  Dix  is  at  his  best  her®, 
and  Lois  Wilson  never  looked  better.  General 
conditions  here  are  bad,  rain  for  over  one  year, 
but  a big  crowd  was  on  hand.  Seven  reels. — 
Wm.  Martin,  New  Patriot  theatre.  Patriot,  Ind. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

MANTRAP:  Clara  Bow— 25%.  June  3.  A fair 
entertaining  picture.  Story  good,  star  and  cast 
fine. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

GOD  GAVE  ME  TWENTY  CENTS:  Lya  de 
Putti — 49%.  A powerful  drama  that  will  appeal 
only  to  the  higher  class  patronage.  The  work  of 
Jack  Mulhall  and  Lois  Moran  is  very  convincing. 


The  Spotlight 

Geneve  Jenkins,  through  this  col- 
umn, wishes  to  inform  “Fishy”  Phil 
Rand  of  Salmon.  Idaho,  that  the 
Smith  Brothers  deal  in  something  else 
besides  cough  drops.  She  doesn't 
know  if  they  are  the  same  anti-bar- 
bershop Smith  Brothers  or  not,  but 
they  deal  in  his  favorite  commodity — 
Fish!  Yes  sir,  I mean  Fish. 

5k 

Oscar  says  that  after  reading  some 
of  the  reports  in  “What  the  Picture 
Did  for  Me”  he  feels  confident  that 
“some  of  the  film  salesmen  are  selling 
antiques  instead  of  pictures  to  some 
exhibitors.  If  you  keep  running  such 
old  stuff  you’ll  have  to  rename  your 
theatre  Ye  Olde  Antique  Shoppe. 
Some  of  the  films  being  shown  should 
be  put  under  glass  cases  and  pre- 
served for  posterity — what  ever  that 


Here’s  our  very  expert  idea  on  the 
proper  way  to  report  a film:  “ROMP- 
ING ROLLO — 40%.  Balmy  weather, 
roads  like  boulevards,  all  well  except 
Johnny,  and  he  has  the  measles.  Busi- 
ness fair.  Seven  reels. — C.  U.  Plainer. 

Cheer  up,  boys!  Jesse  Lasky  tells 
us  that  there  is  going  to  be  a war  on 
exorbitant  production  costs.  If  that  is 
true,  then  there  will  be  no  alibi  for 
such  Gosh-awful  film  rentals  and  may- 
be we  can  eat  three  times  a day  and 
have  a chicken  on  Sunday. 

Let’s  give  fifteen  RAHS  for  Jesse. 

ADELINE  FURTHER. 

The  Spotlight  will  get  you  if  you 
don’t  watch  out! 


Many  of  my  patrons  did  not  like  it,  while  some 
said  very  good  and  praised  it  highly.  Seven  reels. 
— O.  B.  Junkins.  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Calif. 
— General  pati-onage. 

THE  SHOW  OFF:  Special  cast — 85%.  June  4. 
A dandy  good  comedy  drama  to  big  Saturday 
business.  Ran  it  a half  of  a double  feature  bill. 
Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli, 
Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GREAT  GATSBY:  Special  cast— 40%. 
June  1-2.  Positively  not  suitable  for  the  small 
town.  The  moral  tone  is  very  bad.  It  may  portray 
life  as  lived  in  and  adjacent  to  our  metropolis, 
but  not  in  our  great  American  Midlands,  thank 
God.  Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Sti'and  theatre, 
Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  pati’onage. 

ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS:  Gilda  Grey 
— 42%.  June  1.  I believe  that  this  one  went  over 
all  right,  but  it  was  nothing  to  go  wild  over. 
There  are  some  mighty  fine  scenes  and  I am  sure 
that  they  will  get  their  money’s  worth  if  you 
don’t  promise  them  too  much.  Nine  reels. — Paul 
B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — ■ 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  QUARTERBACK:  Richard  Dix— 75%. 
May  26.  A dandy  picture.  You  can’t  go  wrong 
on  this  one.  It’s  sure  good.  Eight  reels. — ^Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — 
General  patronage. 

FINE  MANNERS:  Gloria  Swanson — 80%. 
May  28.  A pleasing  comedy  drama  that  drew 
nice  Saturday  business.  Nice  clean  subject  for 
family  trade.  Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand 
theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— 50%. 
May  19-20-21.  We  took  in  just  exactly  $100.00  less 
on  this  picture  than  we  did  on  “For  Heaven’s 
Sake.’’  My  patrons  did  not  think  this  one  was 
up  to  his  standard  of  entertainment.  Personally 
will  say  it  was  two  reels  too  long  We  did  less 
money  and  we  did  not  make  much.  Eight  reels. — 
Marlon  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming, 
111. — General  patronage. 

THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— 50%. 
May  25-26.  One  of  the  best  things  he  has  ever 
done.  Lots  of  new  stuff.  Business  light  due  to 
big  hail  storm  the  first  night  and  a flood  the  sec- 
ond night.  Eight  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand 
theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 


THE  NEW  KLONDIKE:  Thomas  Meighan— 
28%.  May  18.  Why  the  heck  do  they  get  this 
way  ? A story  of  baseball  and  real  estate  that 
should  have  been  two  separate  pictures.  Not  much 
to  hold  interest  and  about  all  walked  out  or  went 
to  sleep.  Eight  reels. — Wm.  Martin,  New  Pa- 
triot theatre.  Patriot,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

PADLOCKED  : Special  cast — 35%.  May  26-27. 
Good  program  picture  which  satisfied  but  caused 
no  excitement  either  way.  Seven  reels. — T.  F. 
Murphy,  Shuler  Auditorium,  Raton,  N.  Mex. — 
General  patronage. 

HOLD  THAT  LION : Douglas  MacLean — 

Mighty  clever  comedy.  Lots  of  action  and  kept 
the  house  in  a roar  throughout  the  picture.  Six 
reels. — C.  A.  Spainhour,  Twilight  theatre,  Greens- 
burg,  Kans. — General  patronage. 

THAT  ROYLE  GIRL:  Carol  Dempster— 75%. 
May  19-20.  A very  good  picture  from  the  novel 
by  Edwin  Balmer.  It  is  the  story  of  the  daugh- 
ters of  today.  'There  are  displays  of  some  of  the 
newest  Paris  creations  and  the  picture  show."? 
scenes  of  a magnificent  modiste’s  shop  with  a 
beautiful  bunch  of  models.  Any  theatre  would 
do  well  to  show  this  picture.  Nine  reels. — Perry 
G.  Walker,  Amusu  theatre,  Statesboro,  Ga. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

TOO  MANY  CROOKS:  Mildred  Davis— May 
19-20-21.  A poor  picture.  Nothing  to  it.  Seven 
reels. — Robert  Kessler,  Benn  theatre,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. — General  patronage. 

EVENING  CLOTHES:  Adolphe  Menjou— May 
23-24-25.  It  seems  the  censors  just  ruined  this 
picture  for  us.  Otherwise  a good  one.  Seven 
reels. — ^Robert  Kessler,  Benn  theatre.  Philadelphia, 
Pa. — General  patronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper— May  26-27- 
28.  Good  for  the  junk  wagon.  One  of  the  worst 
western  pictures  we  have  had  for  a long  time. 
Business  was  rotten.  Five  reels. — Robert  Kess- 
ler, Benn  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt- 
May  6-7.  Good  Zane  Grey  western.  Seven  reels. 
— George  Benson,  Community  theatre,  Minneota. 
Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN : W.  C.  Fields— A 
mighty  clever  comedy  that  sent  them  all  out 
smiling.  One  you  don’t  need  to  be  afraid  to 
boost.  Six  reels. — C.  A.  Spainhour,  Twilight  thea- 
tre, Greensburg, , Kans. — Small  town  patronage. 

VARIETY:  Special  cast— June  1-2.  This  will 

entertain  them  if  you  can  get  ’em  to  come  and 
see  it.  ’Ihe  photographic  shots,  as  well  as  the 
acting  of  the  principals,  very  good.  Six  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Trag.sdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville.  Wis. 
— ^Small  town  patronage. 

Patlie 

TWO  CAN  PLAY;  Clara  Bow— 21%.  May  29. 
This  picture  was  old  and  the  film  very  poor.  The 
picture  itself  was  good,  but  the  people  here  do 
not  agree  with  J.  C.  in  that  they  don  t care  for 
Clara  Bow.  Six  reels.— Geo.  W.  Keenan,  Gem 
theatre.  Hill  City,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

NO  MAN’S  LAW;  Rex— 47%.  May  22-23. 
Not  near  as  good  as  his  previous  picture.  More 
comedy,  but  not  the  action,  and  that  is  what 
the  patrons  were  looking  for.  Failed  to  pull 
them  in  for  some  reason  or  other.  Seven  reels. — 
J.  B.  Weddle,  Walnut  theatre,  Lawrenceburg, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

Pro-Dis-Co 

THE  YANKEE  CLIPPER:  Special  ca.st— 80%. 
April  24-25.  Not  another  “Volga  Boatman,’’  as 
some  of  our  patrons  thought,  but  a good  picture 
of  the  sea.  Good  story  and  interesting.  We 
bought  the  story  books  for  the  kids  to  read,  had 
two  matinees,  and  it  was  well  advertised.  Kids 
talk  a lot  about  it  and  the  old  folks  came,  too, 
and  liked  it.  Rupert  Julian  is  a fine  director. 
Having  met  him  and  visited  the  lot  while  he  was 
directing,  I am  confident  of  my  statement.  Nine 
reels. — ^Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salis- 
bury, Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  YANKEE  CLIPPER:  William  Boyd— 
50%.  May  24.  This  was  sold  as  a special  and 
it  did  click  a little  better  than  program,  but  not 
in  comparison  with  the  cost.  However,  the  pic- 
ture itself  is  very  good.  Eight  reels. — Homer  P. 
Morley,  Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

FOR  ALIMONY  ONLY:  Leatrice  Joy— 85%. 
April  17-18.  Miss  Joy  at  her  best  in  a story  of 
divorce  and  marriage  with  Clive  Brook  as  the 
alimony  payer.  Our  patrons  liked  this.  Settings 
are  good  for  tired  eyes,  .so  is  Miss  Joy’s  boyish 
bob.  Photography  and  lighting  good.  A fine  pic- 
ture for  Joy  fans.  Seven  reels. — Helen  Ulman, 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Ulman's  Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General 
patronage. 

FOR  ALIMONY  ONLY : Leatrice  Joy — 20%. 
June  2.  This  is  an  extra  good  entertaining  pro- 
gram picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FOR  ALIMONY  ONLY:  Special  cast— This 
one  is  a good  one.  It  took  well.  Suited  75%. 
F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

CORPORAL  KATE:  Vera  Reynolds — 89%. 

April  3-4.  This  one  was  better  by  far.  A won- 
derful picture  of  the  part  the  girls  took  in  the 
war.  Julia  Faye  was  good  as  second  Miss  Rey- 
nolds. Kenneth  Thomson  little  short  of  wonder- 
ful as  leading  man.  He  is  a real  find.  The 
whole  story  was  good.  With  the  exception  of  one 
or  two  of  the  tricks  with  the  camera  the  photog- 
raphy was  fine.  Paul  Sloane  is  coming  on  as  a 
director.  Seven  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s 
Opera  House,  Salisbui-y,  Md. — General  patronage. 

CORPORAL  KATE:  Vera  Reynolds— May  12- 
13.  A good  world  war  story  with  no  drawing 
power  whatever.  The  public  as  a whole  are  tired 
of  war  pictures.  Vera  Reynolds  is  always  good. 
Eight  reels. — Marion  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre, 
Wyoming,  III. — General  patronage. 

GETTING  GERTIE’S  GARTER:  Marie  Pre- 
vost — 60%.  May  31-June  1.  Absolutely  unable 
to  understand  this  one.  A box  office  title  and 
a popular  cast,  but  oh  how  it  flopped.  Also  used 
special  advertising  extensively,  but  no  use.  Pic- 
ture wasn’t  there  and  I guess  the  people  knew 
it  better  than  I.  Seven  reels. — ^Horner  P.  Morley, 
Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  SEA  WOLF:  Ralph  Ince— 50%.  May  26. 
A good  picture  of  this  kind  for  the  men,  but 
would  not  please  women.  Entirely  too  gruesome. 
Seven  reels. — Marion  F.  Bodwell  Paramount  thea- 
tre. Wyoming.  111. — General  patronage. 

WHISPERING  SMITH:  H.  B.  Warner— 60%. 
June  4.  Good  acting  but  slow  action.  We  like 
’em  fast.  I mean  the  plots.  Six  reels. — Horn  & 
Cramer,  Royal  theatre,  Gardner,  Kans. — Small 
town  patronage. 

NOBODY’S  WIDOW:  Leatrice  Joy— 35%.  A 
fair  farce  comedy  with  Charles  Ray  contributing. 
It  can  only  be  classed  among  the  program  stuff 
and  will  soon  be  forgotten.  Six  reels. — O.  B. 
Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Calif. — 
General  patronage. 

JIM  THE  CONQUEROR:  William  Boyd— 
June  3-4.  Okay  for  any  theatre  and  especially 
good  for  last  half  of  week  in  small  cities  and 
towns.  Eight  reels. — Clark  & Edwards,  Palace 
theatre,  Ashland.  O. — General  patronage. 

JIM  THE  CONQUEROR:  William  Boyd— May 
28.  Good  feature  picture.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry, 
Palace  theatre.  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

YOUNG  APRIL:  Special  cast — Here  was  an- 
other one  that  was  not  a knockout.  Just  a good 
program  picture.  Very  good,  but  not  a special 
by  any  means.  Another  mistake  in  calling  this 
one  a special.  Only  a good  program  picture. 
Not  worth  the  price  asked. — F.  N.  Harris.  Amuse 
theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FOR  WIVES  ONLY : Special  cast — ^This  one 
was  all  O.  K.  and  the  title  got  out  the  crowd  and 
suited  80%.  Try  it  and  you  will  see. — F.  N.  Har- 
ris, Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  NERVOUS  WRECK:  Harrison  Ford— 
Harrison  Ford  was  good,  very  good,  in  this  but. 
while  it  is  good  clean  comedy,  it  surely  is  not 
a special  and  is  way  over-rated.  It  should  be 
classed  as  a good  regular  program  picture.  The 
old  time  press  agent  stuff  is  working  overtime  now 
in  pictures,  as  it  did  in  the  good  old  days  of  road 
stage  shows,  when  the  advance  agent  blew  into 
town  and,  in  speaking  of  his  show  would  say, 
“We’re  packing  ’em  in,  turned  ’em  away  at  Po- 
dunk  last  night,  etc.,’’  and  then  strike  the  local 
manager  for  the  price  to  get  his  paper  out  of 
the  express  office  where  it  came  in  C.  O.  D.  If 
we  believed  all  the  press  agent  stuff  of  the  pic- 
tures today  there  would  be  no  poor  pictures,  when 
as  a matter  of  fact  most  pictures  are  rotten. 
Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre. 
Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

ALMOST  A LADY:  Marie  Prevost— May  30- 
31.  A fair  picture  but  nothing  extra.  It  was  no 
special,  although  it  did  please  the  people  fairly 
well.  Did  poor  business  on  this. — S.  G.  Fry, 
Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

ALMOST  A LADY : Marie  Prevost.  June  1. 
Satisfactory,  as  all  Producers  have  been  this  sea- 
son. Nothing  so  big,  but  better  than  average. 

Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, Tex. — General  patronage. 


WILD  OATS  LANE:  Viola  Dana — May  3-4. 
Crook  drama.  Very  good  entertainment.  Six 
reels. — George  Benson,  Community  theatre,  Min- 
neota,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

United  Artists 

THE  NIGHT  OF  LOVE:  Special  cast — 40%. 
May  29.  Fitzmaurice  has  always  l^een  a con- 
stantly good  picture  deliverer,  but  this  is  not  a 
good  picture.  Not  for  Sunday,  holiday  or  spe- 
cial. Worth  only  average  program  rental  and 
will  please  less  than  average.  Nine  reels. — ^T.  F. 
Murphy,  Shuler  Auditorium,  Raton,  N.  Mex. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH:  Spe- 
cial cast — 70%,  May  S.  Drew  well,  satisfied  all 
who  wanted  to  be  satisfied.  Great  food  and  good 
cast.  Nine  reels. — T.  F.  Murphy.  Shuler  Audi- 
torium theatre,  Raton,  N.  Mex. — General  patron- 
age. 

WILD  JUSTICE:  Peter  the  Great — 52%.  May 
22,  A very  good  dog  star  and  a good  picture. 
Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  BAT:  Special  cast — 25%.  June  1.  A 
great  mystery  crook  story.  Gave  satisfaction  as 
a program  picture. — ^Bert  Silver.  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  EAGLE:  Rudolph  Valentino — Our  guess 
would  be  that  those  who  have  Valentino  pictures 
had  better  market  them  now,  while  the  market- 
ing is  good.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

Universal 

'THE  PRAIRIE  KING:  Hoot  Gibson— 37%. 
This  Gibson  may  be  all  right  in  some  localities, 
but  he  sure  is  a wash  out  here.  He’s  getting 
worse  all  the  time.  Why  don’t  they  give  him 
some  fast  action  stories  so  he  can  strut  his  stuff  ? 
If  they  are  trying  to  make  a comedian  out  of 
him  why  not  make  comedies  ? But  if  they’re  going 
to  put  him  in  there  so  called  westerns,  we  want 
westerns  that  are  wild  and  wooly,  and  not  some 
of  this  cheap  comedy  with  a few  sand  hills  as  a 
background.  Six  reels. — J.  B.  Weddle,  Walnut 
theatre,  Lawrenceburg,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  FOURTH  COMMANDMENT:  Belle  Ben- 
nett— 75%.  A very  ordinary  picture  sold  as  a 
special.  ’Title  misleading.  Better  called  “As  Ye 
Sow  So  Shall  Ye  Reap.’’  Acting  overdone. 
Pleased  a small  part  of  the  crowd.  Seven  reels. 
— G.  E.  Wendel.  O.  H.  theatre,  Sraithland,  la. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  BUCKAROO  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— 30%. 
April  14-15.  Here  is  a picture  that  is  different 
than  just  a western.  It  is  clean,  plenty  of  ac- 
tion and  everything  you  could  wish  for  in  an 
outdoor  picture,  but  Hoot  is  always  a safe  bet 
for  me,  and  this  one  is  even  better  than  some 
of  the  rest  of  his  are.  Six  reels. — F.  W.  Kutil, 
Alex  theatre,  Alexandria,  S.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  STORM  BREAKER:  House  Peter^60%. 
May  21.  This  one  better  than  expected.  Not 
much  to  please  the  young  folks,  but  a good  moral 
lesson  for  all.  A clean  cut  picture  with  con- 
trasts of  life  all  through.  Seven  reels. — Wm. 
Martin.  New  Patriot  theatre.  Patriot,  Ind. — Small 
town  patronage. 

CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U:  Hoot  Gibson— 
May  30-31.  'This  is  Hoot’s  best  and  pleased 
everyone.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Trag.sdorf,  Trags 
theatre.  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

ROLLING  HOME:  Reginald  Denny — 36%. 

May  29.  Didn’t  care  for  this,  although  it  is  our 
first  of  Reginald  Denny.  ’The  others  will  have 
to  be  better.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patron- 
age. 

UNDER  WESTERN  SKIES:  Special  ca.st— 60%. 
May  28.  A mighty  good  offering.  Ran  this  on  a 
Saturday  night  and  it  gave  them  their  money  s 
worth.  It  has  enough  action  to  put  it  over. — Paul 
B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

ROUGH  AND  READY:  Jack  Hoxie— 25%.  May 
31.  A good  Western  program  picture. — Bert  Sil- 
ver, Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  CALGARY  STAMPEDE:  Hoot  Gibson— 
70%.  May  13-14.  'This  is  really  two  shows  in  one. 
The  scenes  from  the  rodeo  are  very  good,  and  the 
story  is  rather  better  than  the  usual  run  of  west- 
erns. Seven  reels. — George  Benson,  Community 
theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

DOWN  THE  STRETCH:  Special  cast— Race 
track  story,  quite  well  done.  Good  program  pic- 
ture.— H.  D.  McChesney,  Princess  theatre,  Cran- 
don,  Wis. — General  patronage. 


June  18,  1927 

THE  PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL:  Special  cast— 
Now  here  is  another  of  those  that  some  did  not 
under.stand,  and  where  they  got  the  name  I do  not 
know.  It  sure  was  a bum  title.  Better  luck  next 
time.— F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

OH,  BABY : Special  cast — This  one  was  a 
dandy.  Suited  about  60%  and  sure  was  all  right. 
Tiy  it  and  you  will  like  it. — F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse 
theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  ICE  FLOOD:  Special  cast — This  was  a 
dandy.  ’The  ice  coming  down  the  canyon  was 
great.  The  scenery  was  great.  A good  picture. 
Play  it  and  get  behind  it  for  all  you  are  worth. 
— F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  WHOLE  TOWN’S  TALKING:  Special 
cast — Was  very  much  disappointed  in  this  one,  as 
I had  read  a great  many  flattering  reports  on  it. 
I thought  it  was  almost  a special,  but  I was  very 
much  put  out.  Just  a good  program  picture.  Just 
fair. — -F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

HEY,  HEY,  COWBOY:  Hoot  Gibson — 'This  one 
of  Hoot  is  a very  good  one,  but  not  as  good  as 
the  average.  He  is  not  to  blame.  Why  put  him 
in  a picture  when  he  does  not  fit?  Give  him  the 
right  one  and  he  will  put  them  over. — F.  N.  Har- 
ris. Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

HEY,  HEY,  COWBOY:  Hoot  Gibson— May  26- 
27.  A good  clean  comedy  Western  with  Our  old 
standby.  Hoot,  better  than  ever.  Hoot  makes  them 
funny  and  sure  keeps  them  human.  A good  pic- 
ture for  any  day.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SPANGLES:  Special  cast — One  like  this  makes 
a good  change.  There  was  a lot  of  good  acting 
and  the  elephant  did  some  clever  stuff,  but  I did 
not  know  that  canvas  landed  so  far  from  the 
show  ground,  also  had  to  go  through  woods.  I 
think  part  of  some  other  picture  was  used. — F.  N. 
Harris.  Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  OLD  SOAK:  Special  cast— TTiis  was  an 
extra  good  one,  well  acted,  and  a dandy  moral. 
It  pleased  90%  of  my  people.  Only  thing,  paid  too 
much  for  it.  Did  not  make  any  money  on  it. 

I let  myself  get  hooked  on  some. — F.  N.  Harris, 
Amuse  theatre.  Hart,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

POKER  FACES:  Special  cast— TTiis  was  a very 
good  one  but  did  not  draw  for  us  as  well  as 
other  Universals  have.  Not  much  of  a name  and 
do  not  know  how  they  got  the  name.  They  sure 
have  some  bum  title  man.  Better  get  another 
one  quick, — F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre.  Hart, 
Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

A DESPERATE  GAME;  Pete  Morrison — ^May 
31.  A fair  western.  Had  a pretty  good  crowd. 
Pete  Morrison  a new  star  here.  Five  reels.  An- 
drew Rapp.  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General 
patronage. 

THE  CLAW:  Special  cast — ^Not  up  to  standard. 
Neither  good  nor  bad.  Better  use  it  on  a weak 
night.— H.'d.  McChesney,  Princess  theatre,  Cran- 
don,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

BROKEN  HEARTS  OF  HOLLYWOOD:  Patsy 
Ruth  Miller — Fine  entertainment.  Wonderful  ex- 
hibition of  mother  love  by  Louise  Dresser.  Good 
comments.— A.  F.  Jenkins,  Community  theatre, 
David  City,  Nebr. — General  patronage. 

BUTTERFLIES  IN  THE  RAIN;  Specia,!  cast 
— ^Don’t  mi^  this  one,  as  it  is  dandy.  Try  it  and 
you  will  be  pleased.  ’This  star  don  t make  very 
bad  ones. — F.  N.  Harris,  Amuse  theatre.  Hart, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  WESTERN  ROVER:  Art  Acord— Too 

small  unless  double  featured.  Five  reels. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. 
—Small  town  patronage. 

COMPLETE  SERVICE  CONTRACT:  I have 
used  it  for  two  years  and  I fail  to  see  the  advan- 
tage of  it.  You  pay  nearly  as  much  and  run 
everything  they  have,  good,  bad  or  indifferent, 
and  it  takes  up  so  much  of  your  playing  time 
you  have  to  pass  up  a lot  of  other  good  bets. 

H.  H.  Chase,  Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

Warner  Brothers 

WHITE  FLANNELS:  Louise  Dresser— 49%. 

May  21.  A good  picture.  Seven  reels.— Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — 
General  patronage. 

WHAT  EVERY  GIRL  SHOULD  KNOW:  Patey 
Ruth  Miller — 32%.  May  29.  A good  family  pic- 
ture. Title  does  not  sound  it,  but  don’t  be  afraid 
of  it.  It’s  clean,  with  entire  cast  doing  good  work.  . 
Good  print.  It  did  not  draw  well.  Seven  reels. — 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss.  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON  JUAN : John  Barrymore — 30%.  May  24- 
25.  Raised  admission  to  care  for  increased  film 
rental,  but  Barrymore  won’t  draw  in  this  town. 
Got  fewer  admission  than  “Padlocked.”  No  fault 
of  Barrymore  or  picture,  as  both  are  fine.  Nine 
reels. — T.  F.  Murphy,  Shuler  Auditorium,  Raton, 
N.  M. — General  patronage. 

BITTER  APPLES:  Monte  Blue — 75%.  May  24- 
25.  Flopped.  Fathers  sin  and  sons  suffer.  That’s 
“Bitter  Apples.”  Good  acting  by  Monte  Blue,  but 
patrons  did  not  like  Miss  Loy  at  all.  Six  reels. 
— ^Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

MATINEE  LADIES:  May  McAvoy — 50%.  May 
21.  All  about  grownup  ladies  running  wild.  Mal- 
colm MacGregor  a fine  leading  man.  Pleased. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  the- 
atre, Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

OTHER  WOMEN’S  HUSBANDS:  Monte  Blue 
— 46%.  May  28.  A good  comedy  drama.  Seven 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  CAVE  MAN:  Matt  Moore— 20%.  May 
21-22.  Nothing  to  it.  Seven  reels  of  film,  that’s 
all.  Seven  reels. — F.  W.  Kutil,  Alex  theatre,  Alex- 
andria, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  NIGHT  CRY:  Rin  Tin  ’Tin— 55%.  May  14. 
This  is  very  good.  If  they  had  left  out  so  much 
chasing  around,  the  people  would  have  been  better 
pleased.  The  giant  condor  is  a wonder.  How  do 
they  do  it?  Good  for  family  trade.  Seven  reels. 
— Wm.  Martin,  New  Patriot  theatre.  Patriot,  Ind. 

. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

State  Rights 

YANKEE  SPEED:  Kenneth  McDonald — May  18. 
A dandy  little  picture  with  plenty  of  action. 
"Yankee  Speed”  fits  the  fellow  O.  K.  McDonald 
is  new  on  our  screen  but  they  liked  him.  Six 
reels. — F.  W.  Kutil,  Alex  theatre,  Alexandria, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

Serials 

ON  GUARD:  (Pathe) — ^Cullen  Landis — Good 
serial  of  the  army.  Landis  made  a hit  in  this. 
Good  shots  of  army  practice  and  other  scenes 
around  an  army  base. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s 
Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  SILENT  FLYER:  (Universal) — ^Silver 

Streak — On  sixth  chapter  and  holding  interest  and 
bringing  the  kids  back.  Two  reels.— Mrs.  Hulda 
J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

THE  SILENT  FLYER:  (Universal) — Silver 

Streak — On  the  seventh  chapter  and  brings  them 
back.  Two  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green.  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

THE  CLOUD  HOPPER:  Larry  Semon — A good 
comedy,  but  we  got  a bum  print.  Complained 
about  it  and  Educational  made  good  by  shipping 
another  comedy  in  its  place.  Two  reels. — D.  F. 
Davie,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

A CLUSTER  OF  KINGS:  A little  different 
from  the  average  but  good.  One  reel. — F.  W. 
Kutil,  Alex  theatre,  Alexandria,  S.  D.— General 
patronage. 

DANCING  DADDY:  Jack  Duffy — Better  than 
the  average.  Duffy  ie  well  liked  by  my  patrons. 
Two  reels. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver 
Creek.  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

DIRTY  HANDS:  A pretty  good  comedy.  Will 
please  the  children.  The  children  on  this  coming 
are  as  good  as  “Our  Gang.”  Two  reels. — Andrew 
R&PP,  ’Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

HOLD  ’ER,  SHERIFF:  A rough-house  comedy 
that  pleased  the  kids  100%.  Some  are  good,  .sev- 
eral bad.  One  reel. — Wm.  Martin,  New  Patriot 
theatre.  Patriot,  Ind. 

HOOT  MON : Bobby  Vernon — An  extra  good 
comedy.  Two  reels.— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

KINOGRAMS:  'These  are  very  good.  Didn’t 
get  news  reel  for  last  week.  Patrons  were  disap- 
pointed. One  reel. — Andrew  Rapp,  ’Theatorium, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

light  HOUSEKEEPING:  A good  little  com- 
edy. Silly,  but  that’s  Just  what  makes  it  good. 
Two  reels. — F.  W.  Kutil,  Alex  theatre,  Alexandria, 

S.  D. — General  patronage. 

LINDBERGH’S  RACE  TO  PARIS:  It’s  good. 
Feature  it  in  your  ads  and  it  will  get  you  money. 


It  draws  the  “We  don’t,  and  you  must  not”  crowd. 
You  know  them.  The  frock-coated  gents  and 
the  downy  lipped  men  and  bearded  ladies.  One 
reel. — Clark  & Edwards,  Palace  theatre,  Ashland, 
O. — General  patronage. 

NOBODY’S  BUSINESS:  Lloyd  Hamilton— A 
little  better  than  the  average.  Two  reels. — D.  F. 
Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Nebr. — Small 
town  patronage. 

PEACEFUL  OSCAR:  Lloyd  Hamilton — A good 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SAILOR  BEWARE:  Billy  Dooley — One  of 
Dooley’s  best.  Enjoyed  by  all  our  patrons.  'Two 
reels. — Robert  Kessler,  Benn  theatre,  Philadelphia, 
Pa. — General  patronage. 

WHO’S  WHICH : Fair  comedy.  One  reel. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  ’Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  WISECRACKERS : Special  cast — No.  7. 
Left  Kit  Guard  out  of  No.  6,  re.stored  in  No.  7. 
Stay  in  there.  Kit ; we  still  remember  you  in  the 
first  series  of  “Fighting  Blood.”  Need  you  in 
“Wisecrackers”  to  help  A1  with  the  fun.  Two 
reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

F.  B.  O. 

ALICE  CARTOON : Krazy  Kat — These  are  fine 
program  fillers.  One  reel. — S.  G.  Fit,  Palace  the- 
atre, Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

EGGED  ON : Charles  Bowers — A clever  trick 
comedy  that  gets  the  laughs  and  caused  more 
comment  than  the  ’Thomson  feature.  Everybody 
wanted  to  know  how  the  baby  Fords  were  hatched 
from  eggs.  'Two  reels. — D.  F.  Davie,  Crystal  the- 
atre, Silver  Creek,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PACEMAKERS:  George  O’Hara — ’They’re 
all  good.  Two  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  SPANISH  GUITAR:  Alice  Cartoon— A 
real  good  cartoon  which  pleased  the  audience  very 
highly.  One  reel. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre, 
Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

WHAT  PRICE  DOUGH:  'Three  Fat  Men— They 
like  these  Standard  Fat  Men  comedies  and  come 
back  for  more.  'Two  reels. — S.  G.  Fry.  Palace  the- 
atre, Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

WISECRACKERS.  No.  15:  “Cry  and  Get  It.” 
One  of  the  best  Wisecrackers  in  this  series,  ae 


WHY? 

money  from  your 
screen  by  showing  a limited 
amount  of  clever,  attractive, 
short-length  motion  picture 
advertising? 

■pj/  fJY  offend  your  audience  by 
showing  slides  or  cheap  ad- 
vertising trailers  when  you 
can  get  a Service,  changed 
weekly,  that  will  often  bring 
a laugh  or  applause,  and  ac- 
tually add  to  your  box-office 
receipts? 

\YHY  your  money  from  a 

Service  Agency  when  you 
can  collect  it  yourself  from 
the  local  advertiser? 

not  handle  YOUR  OWN  ad- 
vertising service  under  your 
own  Theatre  name,  from  the 
biggest  and  best  library  of 
short-length  ad-films  in  the 
U.  S.? 

py J-JY  write  yourself,  or  appoint 

your  assistant  or  operator  or 
other  local  representative  to 
handle  it  for  you,  and  get 
details  of  the  BEST  proposi- 
tion open  to  you? 

BUSINESS  MEN’S  FILM 
EXCHANGE 

Dayton,  Ohio 


the  people  said.  Thanke  to  F.  B.  O.  Two  reels. 
— S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre.  Naples.  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

WISECRACKERS:  Good  comedy.  Anything 

will  go  with  us  that  has  A1  Cooke  and  Kit  Guard. 
Girls  are  all  right,  but  Danny  O’Shea  is  not  as 
well  liked  as  George  O’Hara,  Larry  Kent  and 
Jack  Luden,  who  have  been  leading  men  in  other 
F.  B.  O.  series.  Two  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ul- 
man’s Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FOX 

FOX  NEWS:  People  come  to  our  theatre  to 
see  “Fox  News”  without  looking  to  see  what  fea- 
ture we  have.  One  reel. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  the- 
atre, Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FOX  NEWS:  "These  seem  to  be  getting  better 
and  better.  All  enjoyed  this,  said  it  was  the  best 
we  have  shown.  One  reel. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace 
theatre,  Naples.  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FOX  VARIETIES:  These  Varieties  are  doing 
Pox  a lot  of  good  through  advertisement,  and 
they  entertain,  too.  One  reel. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace 
theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FOX  VARIETY : "This  was  not  quite  as  good 
as  the  last  “Fox  Variety”  we  had.  One  reel. 
— ^S.  G.  Fry.  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

PATHE 

ARE  BRUNE’TTES  SAFE:  Charley  Chase— A 
very  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — Robert  Kessler, 
Benn  theatre.  Philadelphia,  Pa. — General  patron- 
age. 

DIZZY  DADDIES:  Hal  Roach— Good.  Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Gi'een,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river, Utah. — General  patronage. 

DUCK  SOUP:  Madeline  Hurlock — Good  com- 
edy. Pathe  making  all  good  ones.  Comedies  may 
not  mean  so  much  in  the  long  run  with  us.  but 
we  don’t  fail  to  hear  about  the  bad  ones.  Two 
reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salis- 
bury, Md. — General  patronage. 

FLICKERING  YOUTH:  A pretty  good  comedy, 
although  not  as  good  as  the  last  Mack  Sennett. 
Two  reels. — S.  G.  Fry.  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

GIDDAP : A fairly  good  comedy  that  pleased 
all.  but  nothing  extra.  Two  reels. — ^S.  G.  Fry, 
Palace  theatre,  Naples.  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  MERRY  WIDOWER:  A funny  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SPRINGTIME:  A beautiful  picture.  One  reel. 
— ^Robert  Kessler,  Benn  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
— General  patronage. 

THUNDERING  FLEAS:  Our  Gang— Good  com- 
edy. ’Two  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  the* 
atre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

WHY  GIRLS  SAY  NO:  Marjorie  Daw— A very 
good  comedy.  "Two  reels. — Robert  Kessler,  Benn 
theatre,  Philadelphia.  Pa. — General  patronage. 

YOUR  OWN  BACK  YARD:  Our  Gang— I 
guess  the  comedy  might  have  been  good  at  some 
time,  but  we  think  the  comedy  and  the  print  were 
brought  over  with  Noah  in  the  ark.  It  was  slow, 
no  I>ep.  It  seemed  like  a home-made  affair.  Two 
reels. — L.  H.  Bridgham,  Strand  theatre,  Oakland, 
Me. — General  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

BREAKING  RECORDS:  Special  cast— "This  was 
the  final  of  "The  Collegians”  and  our  patrons 
were  sorry  to  see  it  go.  "Two  reels. — Robert  Kess- 
ler, Benn  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

BROKE  AGAIN:  Andy  Gump — Lots  of  laughs. 
Two  reels. — 'Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  the- 
atre, Arvada.  Colo. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

COLLEGIANS  No.  3:  George  Lewis— “Making 
Good.”  Everyone  said  this  was  the  best  one  of  the 
Collegians.  Thoroughly  enjoyed  by  all.  Two  reels. 

— S.  G.  Fry.  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  George  Lewis— We  have 
played  about  half  these  and  find  they  are  splen- 
did short  subjects.  We  haven’t  noted  an  increase 
in  box  receipts.  However,  these  will  please  100 
per  cent.  Two  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre, 
Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FLASHING  OARS:  ‘"The  Collegians.”  Always 
good.  "Two  reels. — Robert  Kessler,  Benn  theatre, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

JANE’S  INHERITANCE:  Wanda  Wiley— Miss 
Wiley  was  sure  good  in  this  one.  "rwo  reels. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss.  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Colo. — 'Small  town  rxatronage. 

KEEPING  HIS  WORD:  Just  a comedy.  Will 
get  by  if  your  patrons  are  not  too  critical.  Two 
reels. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  18,  1927 


Natalie  Kingston,  left,  Orville  Caldwell  and  his  wife  and  son  were  among  the 
party  which  came  through  Chicago  to  go  to  Rome  City,  Indiana,  to  join  Leo 
Meehan,  F.  B.  O.  director,  in  filming  “The  Harvester.” 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

Hy  D.  H.  =4 

Ah.  MacLAUGHLIN  becomes  division  manager  of  the  Midwest 
territory  of  Tiffany  Productions,  Inc.,  by  the  announcement  of 
• M.  H.  Hoffman  this  week.  “Mac”  has  been  in  charge  of  the 
Chicago  Tiffany  branch  for  the  past  year. 


TO  ser\e  in  the  office  vacated  bt;  him  is 
john  Mednikow,  who  was  onetime  man- 
ager of  the  Associated  Exliihitors  exchange 
in  Chicago.  He 
left  that  position 
several  months  ago 
when  E.  J.  Smith, 
then  general  sales 
manager,  left  A.  E. 

“Eddie”  Smith, 
at  the  time  of  the 
sale  of  Associated 
E X h ib  i t o r s to 
Pathe,  went  to 
Tiffany  and  found 
places  there  for 
many  of  his  men. 

They  are  the  same 
men  who  began 
their  film  experi- 
ence with  him  sev- 
eral years  ago  when  he  w-as  with  Uni- 
versal. 


Chicago’s  film  w’orld  will  shortly  receive 
W'arning  from  Len  Ullrich’s  committee  that 
the  Spring  Oolf  Tourney  is  near  at  hand. 
-A.  date  in  July  wdll  l)e  set  this  week,  and 
Olympia  Fields  is  likely  again  to  lie  the 
locale.  The  committee  hopes  to  gather  as 
many  prizes  as  last  year.  On  the  commit- 
tee headed  by  Ullrich  are  Bill  Burlock,  C.  E. 
Bond,  Tom  Greenwood  and  Jack  Sampson. 

^ ^ ^ 

J.  Leo  Aleehan  was  host  for  a day  last 
week  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sampson  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Floyd  Brockell,  at  Limberlost 
Cottage,  near  Rome  City,  Ind.,  where  Mee- 
han is. directing  an  F.  B.  O.  company  in  se- 
quences for  “The  Harvester.” 

^ ^ 

A.  .J . Obreshk,  prominent  Whiting,  Ind., 
exhiliitor,  was  along  the  Row  last  week. 


having  just  returned  from  a rest  at  West 
Baden. 

* * 5jC 

Clayt  Bond  has  been  absent  an  extended 
period  from  his  Warner  Brothers  office  be- 
cause of  illness. 

K.  L.  Egan  has  resigned  from  the  F.  B. 
O.  sales  organization,  and  the  exhibitors 
in  Southern  Illinois  w'ill  henceforth  buy 
that  company’s  product  from  C.  W.  Vidor, 
who  is,  of  course,  no  stranger  to  them. 
Vidor  has  been  covering  this  territory  for 
a long  time.  He  began  with  Pathe  and 
prior  to  his  present  connection,  was  wdth 
Fox  for  eight  years.  Egan  has  left  on  a 
motor  trip  through  Wisconsin. 

^ 

But  no  one  has  yet  been  added  to  the  F. 
B.  O.  forces  as  temporary  assistant  to  Joe 
Lyon,  whose  injured  leg  continues  to  in- 
terfere with  easy  navigation.  The  ligaments 
were  torn  during  a fishless  fishing  jaunt  to 
Wisconsin  over  Decoration  Day. 

^ ^ ^ 

Harry  Thompson,  former  Chicago  exhib- 
itor, died  suddenly  last  week  at  the  home 
of  his  sister,  Airs.  Robert  F.  Swain,  in 
Wilmette.  Heart  disease  was  the  cause. 

Air.  Thompson  was  the  brother  of  John 
R.  Thompson,  owner  of  a chain  of  popular 
Chicago  restaurants,  whose  illness  had 
brought  him  from  California  three  -weeks 
ago.  Sunday  night  shortly  after  dinner 
Air.  Thompson  dropped  dead.  Mrs.  Thomp- 
son, who  had  remained  in  California,  hur- 
ried East  to  take  charge  of  the  body. 

The  last  theatre  owned  by  Mr.  Thomp- 
son is  the  Cozy,  which  he  sold  to  Lud- 
wig Siegel  about  a year  and  a half  ago. 
At  one  time  he  owned  the  Pastime,  which 
is  now  operated  by  C.  E.  Beck.  In  1910 
he  was  in  the  restaurant  business.  For  the 
past  three  years  he  had  made  his  home  in 
California. 

* * * 

Invitations  are  out  for  one  of  Jack  Mil- 
ler’s Lake  Delavan,  Wis.,  parties  June  24, 
25  and  26.  Those  who  have  been  there  rec- 
ommend it  for  swimming,  fishing,  canoeing 
and — one  or  two  indoor  sports.  The  covet- 
ed bids  have  been  received  by  Jim  Coston, 
Jack  Cooney,  Mart  Singer,  Emil  Stern,  Os- 
car Florine^  M.  Igoe,  Louis  Neivhafer,  Paul 
Sittner,  John  Balaban,  Barney  Balaban, 
Neil  Agnew,  Eelix  Mendelsohn,  Clyde  Eck- 
hardt,  M.  A.  Steinberg,  C.  E.  Bond,  Roy 
Alexander,  Len  Ullrich,  Floyd  Brockell  and 
Frank  Schaefer.  A big  party,  any  way  you 
take  it ! 


— In — “The  Triumph  of  the  Rat” 

The  never-to-be-forgotten  “The  Rat”  is  brought  back  to  mind  by  the  appearance 
of  Ivor  Novello  in  another  of  his  inimitable  triumphs.  This  time  the  screen  s 
handsomest  hero  is  starring  in  a gorgeous  production  entitled  “THE  TRIUMPH 
OF  THE  RAT.” 

It  is  the  best  picture  yet  in  which  this  popular  star  has  appeared.  Contrasting 
the  smart  society  atmosphere  of  Paris  with  the  squalor  of  Montmartre  of  that 
city  the  action  shifts  from  scenes  of  magnificence  to  the  depths  of  the  underworld. 

The  film  is  replete  with  pathos  relieved  with  an  occasional  smile,  and  no  one 
can  fail  to  experience  a thrilling  sensation  as  it  unfolds  on  the  screen. 

“THE  TRIUMPH  OF  THE  RAT”  is  directed  by  Graham  Cutts,  and  Mr. 
Novello  is  starred  with  Isabel  Jeans. 


For  Illinois  " For  Indiana 


Superiority  guarded 

thirty-eight  years 

In  1889  Eastman  film  made  movies 
practicable.  And  today  the  famous  Kodak 
Research  Laboratories  still  safeguard  the 
superiority  that  has  always  marked  Eastman 
Negative  and  Positive. 

Superiority  in  film  includes  higher 
screen  quality.  High  screen  quality  insures 
satisfaction  to  the  public.  And  constant 
satisfaction  is  needed  to  maintain  and  in- 
crease box-office  receipts. 

Always  specify  prints  on  Eastman 
Positive,  and  look  for  the  words  "Eastman 
— Kodak”  in  the  transparent  margin. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Pafh^picture 


TftAOe 


MARK. 


HsI  ROdCh  presents 


REX 

ihe  Kino  oF  Wild  Horses 

^ in  ^ 

NO  MANS 
LAW 

BARBARA  KENT* 

AMO  JAMES  FINLAVSON 

Direci^et/  fred  JocAman . 


You  eagerly  welcomed  the  three 
previous  Rex  pictures  because  they 
gave  you  outstanding  novelty. 

“No  Man’s  Law’’  is  novel  even  for 
a Rex  picture. 

The  human  element,  presented  by 
one  of  the  finest  acting  casts  you 
ever  saw,  dominates.  Yet  Rex,  with 
his  appalling  ferocity  and  his  gentle- 
ness, his  beauty  and  intelligence,  is 
still  the  high  light. 

The  old  prospector  was  too  simple 
to  understand  the  danger  which 


threatened  his  daughter  from  the 
two  bad  men.  But  Rex  knew,  and 
was  her  champion  and  protector. 

A picture  so  vivid  that  it  fairly  bites, 
piling  thrill  on  thrill,  and  masterly 
with  suspense. 


TWO  SECTIONS 


SECTION  II 


:>rw' 


|||>ii)iiiH>iittiHilli|iriiillntniiuuiU(n^|j 


'WYYYVyj 


Dorothy  yost, 

completes  “The 
Harvester,”  which  is  be- 
lieved to  be  her  greatest 
work.  Other  of  her 
Y.  B.  O.  scenarios  in- 
clude “Mother”  and 
“Moulders  of  Men.” 


The  youngest  Western  star  in 
motion  pictures  is  Billy  Butts, 
starred  in  “In  the  Land  Beyond 
the  Law,”  a First  National  film 
with  Ken  Maynard. 


AL  BOASBERG,  above,  goes 
to  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  to 
work  with  Sam  Woods,  director, 
and  Byron  Morgan,  scenarist,  on 
“The  Fair  Co-Ed.” 


1 — 

J 

r-^ 

'"I 

T 

|oI.  XXX,  No.  1 


June  18,  1927 


JACK  WHITE 


Producing 


EDUCATIONAL  COMEDIES 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


“UNCLE  TOM’S  CABIN” 

Universal  Special  to  Be  Released  August  15 


Coming 

“SHOW  BOAT” 

Universal  Special  - - - Edna  Ferber’s  “Best  Seller” 


Now  Running 

“THE  COHENS  and  the  KELLYS” 


HARRY  POLLARD 


again  with  united  artists 


Los  Angeles  Office: 
5617  Hollywood  Bird. 
Tel:  Gladstone  3754 


Ray  Muksay 
Hasky  E.  Nichois 


New  York  Office: 

565  Fifth  Ave. 

Tel:  Vanderbilt  3612 


JoHW  S.  Spakgo 
Jakes  Beecbopt 


A monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald  devoted  to  production. 

Published  by  the  Exhibitors  Herald  Co.,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.,  Martin  J.  Quigley,  Editor  and  Publisher;  Edwin  S.  Qifford,  Mattaging 

Editor;  George  Clifford,  Business  Manager. 


Hail! — The  Director 


The  motion  picture  director  occupies  a position  of 
vast  and  certain  influence  upon  the  life  and  times 
of  the  people  of  his  day.  This  is  the  condition  today — 
and  it  is  a condition  that  is  likely  to  continue  just  so 
long  as  motion  pictures  are  produced. 

The  influence  of  the  director — and  his  consequent  re- 
sponsibility— is  so  great  that  any  conscientious  person  in 
that  position  should  feel  properly  awed  when  he  reflects 
upon  the  power  that  the  megaphone  typifies.  Kings  and 
rulers  of  other  days  exerted  far  less  influence  upon  the 
life  and  times  of  their  eras  than  do  the  directors  of  mo- 
tion pictures.  The  pulpit,  the  classroom  and  the  political 
forum  must  all  bow  in  recognition  to  the  influence  which 
directors  exert  upon  every  segment  of  society  and  upon 
every  age  and  kind  of  people. 

In  fact,  leading  clergymen,  teachers  and  statesmen 
unite  in  declaring  that  the  success  or  failure  of  their 
efforts  is  in  no  little  way  determined  by  what  the  directors 
of  motion  pictures  order  done  upon  the  floors  of  the 
studios. 

The  position  of  the  director  of  motion  pictures  has  been 
and  is  likely  to  continue  a matter  of  some  controversy. 
By  some  it  is  contended  that  his  influence  upon  pictures 
is  definitely  restricted;  others  attribute  to  the  director  a 
supreme  power.  It  is  probably  a fact,  however,  that  in 
some  cases  the  director  is  in  reality  the  supreme  power 
and  in  others  his  influence  is  somewhat  limited  oil  ac- 
count of  supervision  and  because  of  certain  essentials  of 
the  story  which  the  author  has  built  into  it. 

-»  » * 

WE  are  now  considering  not  merely  the  commercial 
significance  of  the  director  upon  production,  but, 
rather,  we  are  looking  upon  his  influence  generally;  upon 
the  power  of  the  completed  motion  picture,  because  of 
the  story  it  tells  and  how  the  story  is  told,  to  affect  the 
thoughts  and  deeds  of  the  public. 

The  influence  of  the  writers  of  screen  material  is  very 
obvious;  this  influence  has  always  been  great  and  it  is 
bound  to  increase  because  of  the  trend  of  present-day 
production.  But  the  author’s  ideas,  stories  and  treat- 
ment, before  reaching  the  screen,  pass  through  the  hand 
and  mind  of  the  director.  In  every  case  the  director  must 
leave  some  imprint  upon  them  and  in  some  cases  their 
whole  character  and  import  will  be  changed,  for  better 
or  for  worse. 

W ith  every  due  acknowledgment  to  the  author,  we  con- 
tend that  the  ultimate  influence  of  a story  is  more  deter- 
mined by  how  it  is  directed  than  by  how  it  is  written. 
The  influence  we  refer  to  is  not  only  the  entertainment 
considerations  involved  but  also  the  effect  of  the  picture 
upon  the  mind  and  heart  of  the  public.  It  is  within  the 
power  of  the  director,  as  he  orders  the  action  that  is  to 
be  photographed,  to  so  change  the  wTiole  spirit  of  the 


story  as  to  give  the  finished  picture  an  effect  upon  spec- 
tators which  was  undreamed  of  by  the  author.  It  is 
within  the  power  of  the  director  to  so  fashion  a sequence 
of  a picture  as  to  win  sympathy  for  a most  reprehensible 
act — regardless  of  the  intent  of  the  author. 

It  is  the  director,  by  the  bits  of  business  which  he  in- 
jects or  which  he  causes  to  be  portrayed  in  a certain 
manner,  who  definitely  and  positively  creates  fashions 
of  the  hour.  In  everything  he  does  he  has  a certain  effect 
upon  all  of  his  spectators,  and  upon  youth  he  has  a posi- 
tive and  sweeping  effect.  The  continuity  cannot  success- 
fully prescribe  just  how  the  character  of  a young  woman 
must  enter  a drawing  room  but  just  how  the  director  per- 
mits her  to  enter  the  room  sets  a fashion  of  the  day. 
When  directors — in  such  a trivial  bit — have  their  fashion- 
able young  men  use  mechanical  cigarette  lighters,  they 
create  a vogue  for  them.  These  are  facts  of  the  situation, 
plain  before  every  eye.  From  these  it  may  easily  be 
seen  what  must  be  the  influence  of  the  director  upon  the 
millions  who  regularly  see  motion  pictures. 

COMMERCIALLY  the  director  is  no  less  influential 
than  he  is  in  his  broad  and  general  effect  upon  the 
public  and  its  life  and  habits.  The  director’s  chair  is  a 
place  for  genius  in  shirt  sleeves,  because  the  business  of 
directing  motion  pictures,  while  calling  for  a quality  of 
genius,  also  calls  for  quantities  of  downright  hard  work. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  exacting  and  patience-trying  tasks 
that  a person  may  set  his  hand  to.  It  is  true  that  in  a 
financial  sense  directors  are  well  rewarded,  but  this  is 
not  without  good  cause.  Directors  have  not  as  yet  re- 
ceived public  recognition  that  is  commensurate  with  their 
influence  upon  motion  pictures  but  as  the  public  better 
learns  the  responsibilities  which  the  directors  shoulder 
this  recognition  will  be  forthcoming. 

If  directors  do  not  constantly  cultivate  a finer  sense 
of  responsibility,  if  they  do  not  give  due  regard  for  the 
tremendous  effect  which  their  thoughts  and  ideas  have 
upon  the  public — the  motion  picture  may  one  day  be 
regarded  as  a public  menace  rather  than  as  a public  bene- 
faction. 

The  clergy,  the  teaching  body  of  the  country  and  the 
statesman  all  have — or  assume  to  have — a sense  of  re- 
sponsibility for  the  public  welfare.  None  of  these,  how- 
ever, has  any  greater  reason  or  need  for  the  cultivation 
and  maintenance  of  a sense  of  responsibility  than  has  the 
director  of  motion  pictures. 

An  author  once  sang  in  lyric  composition  that  he  did 
not  care  who  made  the  laws  of  the  country  if  he  were 
permitted  to  write  the  songs  of  the  country. 

Today  it  might  be  said : 

“I  eare  not  who  write  the  laws  of  the  country  if  I may 
be  permitted  to  direct  its  motion  pictures.” 

Martin  J.  Quigley. 


6 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


IN  CONFERENCE 


' » ^ ~~  ^ mm  m , By  Bob  Early 

It  looks  very  much  as  though  the  efforts  of  some  of  the  big  producing  com- 
panies to  create  a crop  of  screen  writers  from  the  ranks  of  the  litterati  have 
proved  fruitless.  The  first  company  to  admit  failure  was  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer,  although  the  confession  of  defeat  took  a novel  tum.  Irving  Thalberg, 
the  guiding  genius  of  production  at  the  big  Culver  City  plant  called  together 
his  writers  recently — 48  in  number — and  gave  them  a general  bawling  out.  He 
told  them  that  a handful  of  regular  staff  people — the  trained  scenarists  of  the 
plant — were  doing  all  the  work  and  that  all  of  the  others  weren’t  worth  their 
salt — or  sugar. 

And  that  it  was  costing  plenty  of  the  latter  to  keep  them  on  the  payroll.  The  general 
effect  was  to  make  the  writer  feel  that  he  was  a parasite  on  the  cinerhatic  body.  After 
a dozen  or  so  had  been  fired,  Thalberg  called  the  writers  together  again  a week  later  and 
told  the  boys  and  girls  that  their  work  was  somewhat  improved,  so  they  all  felt  a little  bet- 
ter. The  big  companies,  notably  M-G-M  and  Famous  Players,  have  spent  hundreds  of 
thousands  in  the  last  few  years  bringing  out  writers  from  the  East  w'ho  have  distinguished 
themselves  in  literature  or  the  theatre — and  then  sending  them  back  after  failing  to 


make  scenarists  of  them. 


Snookums  and  Cal 

J UST  about  the  best  publicity  stunt  pulled  in  many  moons  was  the  meeting  of  Sunny 
McKeen  and  President  Calvin  Coolidge  some  weeks  ago.  Sunny  is  a three-year-old  screen 
artist  who  plays  “Snookums”  in  “The  Newlyweds”  and  he  is  the  first  screen  star  to  be 
dandled  on  the  knee  of  a president  of  this  geelorious  republic.  No  publicity  man  gets  any 
glory  for  pulling  the  stunt.  The  parents  of  Snookums  come  from  Utah  and  are  related 
to  Senator  Reed  Smoot  who  engineered  the  publicity  stunt.  Hundreds  of  newspapers  and 
most  of  the  news  weeklies  helped  it  along. 


"RAIN”  NO  LONGER  ALL  WET 

w ILL  HAYS  slapped  his  N.  G.  on  the  stage  play  "Rain”  as  screen  material 
in  the  interests  of  morality,  the  clean  screen,  or  what  have  you.  Before  the  ban 
was  placed  on  it,  any  of  the  big  companies  would  have  paid  $100,000  for  the  screen 
rights  to  "Rain.”  Some  weeks  ago  an  agent  called  on  the  ownei  of  the  play,  Sam 
Harris,  and  represented  himself  as  acting  for  a small  independent  producer  out- 
side of  the  Hays  fold  and  offered  $60,000  for  "Rain.”  Harris  accepted  the  offer 
and  a few  days  later  announcement  was  made  that  it  would  serve  as  Gloria  Swan- 
son’s next  vehicle  under  the  name  of  "Sadie  Thompson,”  the  original  name  of 
the  Maugham  story.  The  producers  who  wanted  to  make  it  and  were  stopped  by 
Hays  are  just  as  sore  as  Sam  Harris,  according  to  word  from  New  York.  An  in- 
teresting phase  of  the  affair  is  the  announcement  from  United  Artists  that  there 
won’t  be  any  preacher  in  the  Swanson  version,  which  makes  it  look  like  quite  a 
diluted  "Rain.”  

The  “Jazz  Singer”  Himself 

.^\.L  JOLSON  is  to  play  the  title  role  in  “The  Jazz  Singer,”  a highly  successful  stage 
play  which,  although  played  by  George  Jessel,  was  inspired  by  the  life  story  of  Jolson 
himself.  Jessel  was  to  have  done  it  but  became  involved  in  a dispute  with  Warner 
Brothers  over  the  Vitaphone  phase  of  the  filming.  The  Warners  first  tried  to  get  Eddie 
Cantor  to  play  the  role  but  he  refused  because  of  his  friendship  for  Jessel.  Tests  were 
made  of  Jolson  and  it  is  said  that  they  proved  highly  satisfactory.  So  Jolson  decided 
to  close  his  show  in  San  Francisco  and  return  to  Los  Angeles  the  middle  of  July  to 
start  the  production.  

DIDN’T  LAUGH  AT  TOPSY 

I T sounds  sorta  funny  but  it’s  true  nevertheless.  D.  W.  Griffith  has  never  been 
regarded  as  a comedy  director  but  when  it  was  deemed  necessary  to  make  retakes 
before  the  Duncan  Sisters  “Topsy  and  Eva”  could  be  placed  on  exhibition  at  Grau- 
man’s  Egyptian,  none  other  than  the  celebrated  producer  of  "The  Birth  of  a 
Nation”  was  asked  by  United  Artists  to  direct  the  retakes.  One  of  the  bits  of 
gossip  was  that  at  a preview  of  the  picture  the  audience  insisted  upon  taking  Topsy 
seriously.  

After  Endurance  Record 

A . 

I V.  FEW  7niles  away  Harry  Pollard  is  well  into  his  second  year  in  the  filming  of 
"Uncle  Town’s  Cabin”  upon  which  Utiiversal  is  banking  heavily.  The  Duncan  version  of 
the  anti-slavery  classic  is  played  wholly  for  comedy  but  the  Pollard  photoplay  is  sticking 

(Continued  on  page  12) 


‘‘Smiling  Through^’ 

By  Rufus  McCosh^'^'—"  » 

TT’S  a good  thing  I gotta  sense  of  humor, 
or  Hollywood  would  be  short  one  free 
lance  Press  Agent  this  morning.  I either 
gotta  laugh  at  it,  or  get  a pint,  and  you 
can’t  get  no  pint  for  six  cents — so  Pm 
laughin’. 

It’s  a great  game,  this  here  publicity  and 
exploitation  business,  but  you  gotta  have 
the  breaks  come  your  way  sometimes.  They 
aint  come  my  way  lately,  but  this  month 
I thinks  my  luck  has  changed.  It  has — it’s 
got  worse — but  I don’t  know  that  till  last 
night. 

When  I was  in  New  York  with  Bron- 
stein,  I used  to  run  around  with  Patsy 
Brunner,  you  know — the  Patsy  Brunner. 
She  was  on  the  legit  then  and  makin’  big 
money  too,  and  me  and  her  was  almost 
practically  engaged  you  might  say,  till  one 
night  she  catches  me  out  with  a little  cutie 
which  was  in  the  chorus  of  her  company. 
Then  suddenly  I aint  Patsy  Brunner’s  press 
agent  no  more  till  I meets  her  on  the  Uni- 
versal lot  out  here  about  a month  ago,  and 
we  decides  to  let  has-beens  be  has-beens. 
She  says  she  has  just  come  out  to  take  a 
swell  part  in  “A  Rose  of  Yesterday.” 

“Title  role?”  I asks,  and  that  wise  crack 
like  to  ended  things  right  there.  I wish  it 
had. 

“You’ve  got  a nerve,  Benny  Price,”  she 
says,  “tryin’  to  be  funny  about  my  age,  you 
bald-headed,  bow-legged  sawed-off  bro- 
mide!” she  says.  I just  laughed  and  walked 
away. 

Then  one  of  the  boys  tips  me  off  that 
she  aint  got  no  press  agent,  so  I goes  back 
and  tells  her  I was  only  kiddin’  and  she 
looks  better  than  ever  to  me.  She  does 
too,  tho  she’s  taken  on  25  pounds  since  I 
seen  her  last,  and  25  years  to  the  naked  eye. 
I bet  they  gotta  take  her  “close-ups” 
through  a burlap — a silk  screen  wouldn’t 
soften  her  face  enough.  But  I know  she’s 
got  a lot  of  dough  salted  down  somewheres, 
and  I aint. 

Anyhow  I make  up  to  her,  and  tell  her 
I’m  out  here  because  she  threw  me  down, 
which  is  partly  true  because  Bronstein  fired 
me  when  I lost  her  account.  I says  I’m 
doin’  pretty  well  tho,  and  am  just  the  same 
as  one  of  the  staff  on  the  newspapers  and 
the  Hollywood  magazines.  Also  that  me 
and  Thalberg  of  M-G-M  is  just  like  broth- 
ers, and  that  I have  lunch  with  Jesse  Lasky 
almost  every  other  day  or  so. 

“Yeh?”  she  says,  just  like  that. 

“Sure,”  I says,  “and  I can  do  you  a lotta 
good  in  this  town.  I’ll  be  your  press  agent, 
just  for  old  times  sake,  for  $100  a week.” 

“Yeh?”  she  says,  and  laughs  sort  of 
short. 

“Seventy-five  then,”  I says,  “I  wouldn’t 
let  25  a week  keep  me  from  helpin’  you 
along.” 

“I  know  you  wouldn’t,  Benny,”  she  says, 
“and  I wouldn’t  let  you.” 

“Fifty,”  I says. 

“All  right,”  she  says,  “I  won’t  be  stuck 
more’n  about  $25  at  that.” 

She  almost  gets  on  my  nerves  sometimes, 
but  I gotta  sense  of  humor  so  I just  laughs 
it  off.  Then  I gets  the  first  50  in  advance 
from  her,  and  takes  her  down  to  the  Mont- 
martre for  lunch.  We  went  in  her  new 
Crystal  coupe.  It  was  a swell  little  buggy. 

I told  her  my  car  was  in  the  shop,  and  it 
was.  They  took  it  there  just  because  I got 
a few  months  behind  on  my  installments. 

We  went  around  together  quite  a lot 
after  that,  whenever  she  aint  workin’,  and 
I got  her  some  darn  good  publicity.  Also 
I gradually  began  usin’  her  car.  I tell  her 
there  aint  any  use  in  us  both  havin’  a car, 
(Continued  on  page  43) 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


7 


June  18,  1927 

Brenon  Taking  Nilsson 
and  Others  to  London 
to  Produce  ** Sorrel** 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— On  July  16, 
the  entire  cast  of  “Sorrell  and  Son,”  War- 
wick Deeping’s  popular  novel,  will  sail  for 
London,  to  permit  the  producer-director, 
Herbert  Brenon,  to  shoot  exterior  scenes 
in  the  actual  locales  of  the  story  in  Eng- 
land. 

Among  the  players  going  abroad  are 
Anna  Q.  Nilsson,  H.  B.  Warner,  Nils 
Aster,  Alice  Joyce,  Mary  Nolan,  Mickey 
McBann,  Carmel  Myers,  Norman  Trevor, 
Louis  Wolheim  and  Paul  McAllister. 

Production  on  “Sorrell  and  Son,”  which 
will  be  a United  Artists  release,  got  under 
way  in  Hollywood  last  month.  The  sets 
for  the  interiors  were  designed  by  William 
Cameron  Menzies. 


Capt,  Malins  Says  98% 
of  India* s Films  Are 
Produced  in  America 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CALCUTTA,  June  14. — Motion  pictures 
made  in  Hollywood  are  on  98  per  cent  of 
the  screens  in  India,  according  to  Capt. 
Malins,  who  is  touring  the  world  as  an 
official  agent  to  study  the  foreign  situation 
with  regard  to  British  films.  He  remarks 
that  the  American  plot  centering  about  the 
mistreatment  of  women  is  the  only  harmful 
factor  in  the  American  films  and  it  lowers 
the  standards  of  the  whites  in  the  eyes 
of  the  Indians. 

He  also  believes  the  British  must  com- 
bine and  consolidate  all  their  interests. 


Pangborn  Rewarded  by 
De  Mille  with  Stardom 

(Special  to  the  Studio) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.  — Franklin 
Pangborn  is  among  the  supporting  actors 
whose  outstanding  work  in  recent  pictures 
has  resulted  in  their  promotion  to  stardom, 
DeMille  announcing  that  he  is  to  be  fea- 
tured in  a series  of  productions,  the  first 
one  of  which  is  now  being  sought  among 
well-known  authors. 

Pangborn  has  been  in  pictures  only  about 
a year.  It  was  his  notable  success  in 
“Getting  Gertie’s  Garter,”  “The  Night 
Bride,”  and  “The  Rejuvenation  of  Aunt 
Mary”  which  earned  him  his  elevation. 


Young  Escapes  Death 
Filming  Flood  Region 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14. — Cameraman 
Jack  R.  Young  of  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 
has  returned  from  filming  the  breaks  of 
the  Mississippi  river  and  tributaries  above 
and  below  New  Orleans. 

Young  narrowly  escaped  death  as  levees 
crumbled,  sending  millions  of  tons  of  water 
into  the  Louisiana  towns  and  plantations. 


To  Adapt  F.  B.  O.  Tale 

(Special  to  the  Studio) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14. — Ewart  Adam- 
son has  been  assigned  to  write  the  con- 
tinuity for  F.  B.  O.’s  production  of  “The 
Century  Championship,”  a magazine  story 
by  Frank  Richardson  Pierce.  No  cast  or 
director  has  been  named  as  yet. 


CLARA  BOW  of  Paramount  who  tied  NORMA  SHEARER  of  M-G-M  who 
with  Miss  Shearer  in  Beauty  Contest  shares  honors  in  Exhibitor  vote 


Bow,  Shearer  Tie  for  Honor 
in  “Herald”  Beauty  Contest 

Billie  Dove,  Second,  Colleen  Moore,  Third,  in  Balloting;  1,500 
Participate  in  Race  Prompted  by  Jaysee  Jenkins’ 
Ballyhoo  for  Clara  Bow 

Clara  Bow  and  Norma  Shearer  share  tie  honors  in  the  Exhibitors  Beauty 
Contest  conducted  by  exhibitor  subscribers  of  the  Herald  and  broughi 
to  a close  last  week.  Billie  Dove  takes  second  place,  with  Colleen  Moore 
a close  third.  Other  candidates  string  out  at  considerable  length,  the 
five  named  running  heavy  favorites. 

Conducted  by  Exhibitors 

The  contest  has  been  running  for  several  months  in  the  “Letters  from 
Readers”  and  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  departments  of  the  IIerald, 
where  it  has  attracted  tradewide  attention.  It  is  an  outgrowth  of  a casual 
suggestion  contained  in  an  exhibitor’s  letter  and  immediately  endorsed  by 
other  contributor  subscribers.  Nominations  progressed  steadily  until  closed 
at  press  deadline  of  last  month’s  Studio  Section,  when  portraits  of  all 
entrants  were  published  and  a blank  provided  for  exhibitors’  use  in  cast- 
ing votes. 

Unlike  the  Favorite  Star  Contest  con- 
ducted by  Herald  subscribers  three  years 
ago,  the  Exhibitors  Beauty  Contest,  as  it 
was  called  by  showmen  participating,  was 
carried  out  on  beauty  lines  exclusively. 

Jaysee  Campaign  Feature 

J.  C.  Jenkins,  former  exhibitor  of  Neligh, 

Neb.,  now  covering  the  theatre  field  by 
motor  for  the  Herald,  took  the  initiative 
in  the  campaigning,  boosting  Clara  Bow 
with  all  the  well  known  zest  of  his  power- 
ful pen  and  the  backing  of  his  widely  read 
“Colyum.” 

Other  showmen  contributed  their  share 
of  support  to  the  various  candidates  and 
for  a time  it  looked  as  if  party  lines  were 
to  swing  the  final  result.  In  the  four  weeks 
intervening  between  closing  of  nominations 
and  announcement  of  results,  however, 
fervor  of  competing  supporters  cooled  con- 
siderably and  voting  was  conducted  on  a 
strictly  impartial  basis. 

R.  H.  Chamberlin,  Palm  theatre,  St. 

Cloud,  Fla.,  nominated  Norma  Shearer, 
who  tied  with  Miss  Bow  for  first  honors. 

Billie  Dove  was  nominated  by  E.  C.  Pot- 
ter, Firemen’s  theatre.  New  Hampton,  la. 

Colleen  Moore’s  name  was  entered  by  Philip 
Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho,  tradi- 
tional pen  foe  of  J.  C.  Jenkins  and  all 
comers,  and  Leo  M.  Fay,  Gem  theatre, 

Socorro,  N.  M. 

Interest  in  the  contest  was  such  as  to 
bring  more  than  1,500  signed  ballots  into 


the  office  prior  to  closing  of  the  polls. 
The  board  of  judges  counting  the  votes 
and  responsible  for  accuracy  of  the  re- 
turns noted  consisted  of  T.  O.  Service, 
chairman,  and  the  editors  of  “What  the 
Picture  Did  for  Me,”  and  “Letters  from 
Readers.” 

In  filing  their  report  of  the  election,  duly 
certified,  the  judges  of  election  ask  that 
the  following  paragraphs  be  published ; 

Judges  Ask  Forethought 
“Whereas,  upon  completion  of  the  Favor- 
ite Star  Contest  three  years  ago,  one  of 
the  winning  contestants  did,  with  no  doubt 
excellent  intention,  mail  to  the  exhibitor 
who  had  placed  the  name  of  same  in  nom- 
ination one  handsomely  framed  and  crated 
portrait  of  herself,  said  portrait  arriving 
with  a C.  O.  D.  charge  of  $7.50  (seven 
dollars  and  fifty  cents)  and  being  accepted 
in  the  mistaken  belief  that  said  bulky  pack- 
age contained  previously  ordered  lighting 
fixture  and, 

“Whereas,  said  exhibitor  could  have 
bought  said  star’s  (then)  latest  and  best 
picture  for  an  indefinite  run  for  the  same 
said  figure  (seven  dollars  and  fifty  cents) 
and  did  subsequently  do  so, 

“Therefore,  we  respectfully  suggest  that 
honored  winners  of  this  Exhibitors  Beauty 
Contest  do  exercise  due  forethought  in  any 
and  all  spontaneous  reactions  indulged.” 

(Signed)  E.  B.  C.  Comm. 


8 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


Rambling  ’Round  in  Hollywood 


TO  SAY  that  Harold  B.  Franklin  was  greeted  with  enthusiasm  when 
he  came  to  this  land  of  milk,  honey,  oranges  and  sunshine  to  direct 
the  destinies  of  West  Coast  Theatres  would  be  putting  it  mildly.  Los 
Angeles  got  up  and  shouted  with  joy.  Hollywood  cheered.  The  Master 
Builder  of  Theatres  was  hailed  as  one  who  would  do  big  things. 


T-JE  was  feted,  dined,  and  everything  but 
-*■  -*■  “wined.”  Of  course,  these  celebrations 
were  brief  because  Franklin  is  spending 
most  of  his  time  covering  West  Coast 
Theatres  ground.  First  National  gave  him 
a big  testimonial  dinner  at  the  Biltmore, 
and  our  own  George  Jessel  was  called  on 
for  a few  words. 

“I  first  met  Harold  B.  Franklin  in  Buf- 
falo,” said  George.  “I  was  then  traveling 
with  Gus  Edwards  and  Franklin  was  han- 
dling the  Shea  houses.  Even  at  that  early 
date  he  displayed  a touch  of  the  talent  and 
diplomacy  which  later  made  him  famous  as 
a Captain  of  Industry  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture field.  To  be  plain  about  the  matter,  I 
was  ‘broke.’  I wanted  to  buy  an  ice  cream 
cone.  It  was  a hot  day.  I went  to  Mr. 
Franklin  and  asked  him  for  the  price.  He 
smiled  and  said,  ‘Save  your  money,  George. 
I’ll  tell  you  a story  of  Russia  that  will  make 
your  blood  run  cold.  Then  you  won’t  want 
an  ice  cream  cone.’  You  see,  he  satisfied 
me  right  there.  I heard  the  story  and 
shivered.” 

♦ * ♦ 

“Golf  Nut”  Shocks  Caballeros 

Some  people  never  can  be  happy.  Mack 
Sennett  wanted  to  make  a golf  comedy.  El 
Caballero  Club,  where  the  Herald  tourna- 
ment was  held,  welcomed  the  Sennett  play- 
ers. They  made  a wonderful  comedy  fea- 
turing Billy  Bevan,  Alma  Bennett  and 
Vernon  Dent.  Billy  and  the  Sennett  bath- 
ing girls  swam  in  the  Caballero  pool  until 
the  water  roared  with  fun.  Dent  dented 
the  turf  with  his  golf  clubs.  When  it  was 
all  finished  Sennett  chirstened  it  “The  Golf 
Nut”  and  it  had  a premiere  at  the  Metro- 
politan theatre  here.  Certain  staid  mem- 
bers of  El  Caballero  saw  it  and  were 
shocked.  The  idea  that  anybody  could  play 
terrible  golf  on  their  course  made  them 
shudder.  There  were  many  liberal  members 
who  laughed  heartily  and  thought  it  great 
propaganda,  but  one  club  official  said ; 
“When  people  see  a man  running  with  a 
nest  of  wild  bees  in  his  golf  breeches  what 
will  they  think? 

“And  then  there  are  flirtations  on  the 
links.  And  a fat  woman  falls  into  the  wa- 
ter. And  a bet  of  $50  is  publicly  made. 
The  game  of  golf  is  held  up  to  ridicule.” 
However,  the  liberal  members  have  won 
out,  and  a majority  of  those  at  El  Caballero 
say  “The  Golf  Nut”  is  a crackerjack. 

* * * 

Wampas  Passes  Out  Policies 

It  looked  like  a reunion  of  the  A.  M.  P. 
A.  when  the  Wampas  held  a meeting  re- 
cently to  give  out  its  insurance  policies  to 
members.  Frank  Pope,  popular  publicist 
of  P.  D.  C.,  walked  in  fresh  from  Broad- 
way. Then  along  came  Glendon  Allvine, 
Vic  Shapiro,  C.  F.  Chandler  and  a few 
others.  Allvine,  a former  president  of  the 
A.  M.  P.  A.,  said  he  was  not  there  as  an 
emissary  of  the  New  York  organization 
and  therefore  could  not  extend  greetings. 
He  got  a great  hand.  Ray  Davidson  hand- 
ed out  the  policies  and  many  a hard-work- 
ing member  rushed  home  to  tell  Friend 
Wife  she  needn’t  worry  if  he  “kicked  off” — 
just  as  if  he  thought  she  would. 

H:  * * 

Ireland  Calls  Cohen  Home 

The  call  of  the  Emerald  Isle  is  a long, 
long  irresistible  one,  and  Maurice  Mike 


Cohen,  known  to  the  boys  of  the  theatres 
and  studios  here  as  “Mickey,”  has  heeded  it. 
Maurice  is  the  son  of  Cockney  Cohen, 
former  featherweight  champion  of  Eng- 
land, now  the  owner  of  a chain  of  cabaret 
shows  in  Ireland  and  also  interested  in 
horse  racing. 

About  the  time  of  the  recent  trouble  in 
Ireland  Maurice  disagreed  with  his  father. 
Not  wanting  a personal  encounter  with  his 
wealthy  parent — reasons  self  explanatory — 
he  left  the  family  fireside  and  came  to 
Hollywood.  Here  he  engaged  in  motion 
pictures  when  not  playing  pinochle,  golf, 
tennis  or  the  like  with  Gene  Morgan  of 
Loew’s  State. 

He  was  seen  in  “The  Palm  Beach  Girl" 
and  was  a character  star  in  the  Los  An- 
geles Literary  theatre.  A few  days  ago 
Mickey  got  a cablegram  from  his  parent 
reading:  “Do  you  want  to  come  home?** 
Promptly  he  sent  the  following:  “And 
how.  Dad.”  Back  came  the  answer,  “Get 
the  grips  and  come  on.  Cabling  funds. 
Need  a good  manager  for  one  of  my 
places.”  So  Mickey  sailed  for  Havan^ 
where  he  gets  a boat  for  Ireland.  His 
parting  message  was : “Hollywood  is  O. 
K.,  but  there’s  no  place  like  Ireland.” 

* * * 

Charley  Logue,  scenario  writer  de  luxe, 
was  doing  an  Edgar  Allen  Poe  in  his  Sum- 
mer home  at  Palisades  del  Rey  when  there 
came  a tapping — a gentle  tapping  at  his 
front  door.  He  went  there,  and  in  walked 
Randolph  C.  Lewis,  smiling,  chipper  as  ever. 
Randy  had  just  reached  the  Coast  and  his 
first  call  was  on  Logue.  He  has  come  out 
here  to  write  stories  and  do  subtitling  for 
the  Pathe  studios,  and  already  is  perform- 
ing great  work.  It  was  “Radio  Randy,” 
the  man  who  is  always  trying  to  do  some- 
thing good  for  the  other  fellow,  whose 
smiles  lured  Rudyard  Kipling  to  the  screen 
when  men  of  note  had  failed  in  the  effort. 
Randy  is  one  of  the  most  remarkable  char- 
acters in  the  field  of  motion  pictures. 

* * * 

No  longer  can  the  “Studio  Hounds”  pur- 
sue the  stars.  “Studio  Hounds,”  be  it 
known,  are  tourists  and  others  who  insist 
on  watching  the  making  of  pictures.  Here- 
tofore they  have  been  able  to  crash  the 
gates  by  dint  of  personal  friendship  or  any 


Gardner  James  and 
Bride  in  New  Home 

(Special  to  the  Studio) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Gardner  James  have 
taken  residence  in  their  new  home 
at  the  summit  of  the  tallest  hill 
outskirting  Hollywood.  They  were 
married  a few  months  ago.  J. 
Stuart  Blackton,  Mrs.  James’ 
father,  is  building  a palatial  home 
opposite  the  James  estate,  which 
has  three  acres  on  Woodrow  Wil- 
son drive,  adjoining  the  residential 
properties  of  Ben  Lyon,  Reginald 
Barker,  Clarence  Badger  and  Jack 
McDermott. 


old  sort  of  a “pull.”  But  now  they  are 
out  o’luck.  All  gates  have  been  closed  to 
them.  And  these  hysterical  screen  hero- 
worshippers  have  brought  it  on  themselves. 
One  of  the  stars,  who  is  “regular”  and  in 
no  way  temperamental,  recently  said : “The 
general  order  barring  ‘studio  hounds’  has 
improved  our  work  one  hundred  per  cent. 
It  was  tough  enough  to  have  outsiders 
coming  around  and  watching  us.  Suppose 
any  business  man  sitting  at  his  desk  had  a 
flock  of  people  standing  at  his  office  door 
at  all  times  of  the  day.  Would  it  arouse 
his  Angora?  It  would.  Well,  that’s  what 
we  actors  were  up  against,  and  a whole  lot 
worse.  Not  only  would  these  visitors  watch 
us  at  work  and  make  audible  comments, 
but  they  would  break  into  the  sets  and  ask 
us  to  autograph  photos.  But  no  more.  The 
big  executives  have  barred  them,  and  we 
are  rejoicing.” 

* * * 

Film  salesmen  are  supposed  to  be  pretty 
wise  birds,  but  some  of  the  First  National 
crowd  are  otherwise.  A bus,  loaded  with 
“sign-on-the-dotted-line”  film  purveyors 
who  have  hung  up  records  as  Go-Getters 
in  various  parts  of  the  country,  was  pro- 
ceeding along  the  ocean  front  toward  Santa 
Monica,  when  a voice  from  the  front  line 
shouted : “The  big  house  over  there,  folks, 
is  the  home  of  Gloria  Swanson.  She  has 
just  come  back  to  Hollywood  and  occupies 
the  mansion  with  her  titled  husband.  And 
now  we  are  coming  to  the  palatial  residence 
of  Charles  Chaplin.  Farther  ahead,  people, 
you  can  see  the  house  just  purchased  by 
Emil  Jannings.  His  car  is  in  front.  Mrs. 
Jannings  is  standing  at  the  window  watch- 
ing us.” 

And  the  whole  outfit  fell  for  it.  Some 
began  waving  at  “Mrs.  Jannings.”  Various 
comments  were  made  on  the  big,  frame 
houses,  which  are  occupied  chiefly  by  Sum- 
mer tourists.  The  cat  didn’t  get  out  of  the 
bag  until  the  bus  had  been  emptied  at  Santa 
Monica,  and  then  it  was  too  late  to  mob 
the  man  with  the  ballyhoo  voice,  who  was 
one  of  their  own  number. — James  M. 
Loughborough. 

Garrett  Fort,  Scenarist, 
Signs  with  Paramount 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Garrett  Fort, 
well  known  screen  writer,  has  been  signed 
by  Paramount  to  a long-term  contract,  ac- 
cording to  Darryl  Sanuck,  associate  execu- 
tive. 

Fort  has  been  associated  the  past  two 
years  with  the  Cecil  B.  DeMille  organiza- 
tion. He  wrote  the  scenarios  for  “Gigolo,” 
“White  Gold,”  and  “The  Yankee  Clipper.” 
His  latest  work  was  an  adaptation  of  Ger- 
trude Atherton’s  “The  Crystal  Cup,”  which 
he  did  for  First  National. 

Beauty  Contest  Winner 
Dedicates  New  Studio 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.  — Mildred 
Walker,  who  won  the  title  of  “Miss  Pitts- 
burgh” in  a Pennsylvania  beauty  contest, 
officiated  last  week  at  the  formal  dedica- 
tion of  the  new  studio  being  built  by  Victor 
Adamson  Productions  at  Monrovia.  She 
also  was  tendered  a contract  by  the  pro- 
ducer to  make  10  comedies. 

Warner  Signs  McGill, 
Brodin,  Clarke  of  A,S.C. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.  — Warner 
Brothers  last  week  signed  to  long  term  con- 
tracts three  leading  camera  experts,  Barney 
McGill,  Norbert  Brodin  and  Charles 
Clarke.  McGill  was  leading  cameraman  on 
“What  Price  Glory.” 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


P.D.C.-Pathe  Starts  Work  on 
Lengthy  Production  Schedule 

Three  of  Industry's  Directors  Assigned  to 

Seven  New  P.F.L.  FHms 


Meehan  Continues  in  Indiana  on  Location;  Seiler  Is 
Directing  New  Mix  Vehicle 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14. — Production  heads  of  many  of  the  more  impor- 
tant companies  plan  to  get  under  way  tomorrow  with  their  pretentious  schedules 
announced  at  recent  conventions  held  here  and  in  the  East. 

The  P.  D.  C.-Pathe  combination  has  begun  working  on  the  first  of  the  450 
pictures  on  their  list.  Many  of  the  productions,  announced  a few  days  ago, 
will  be  short  features  but  there  will  also  be  several  pictures  of  the  “King  of 
Kings”  type. 

.Company’s  Resources  Extend  from  Raw  Stock  to  Theatres 

The  company  claims  to  be  well  fortified  for  business,  as  it  will  make  its  own 
raw  stock,  cameras,  projectors  and  (of  course)  its  pictures.  Then  it  has  its  own 
theatres  in  which  to  show  the  product. 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — ^Three  of  the 
largest  stages  used  for  motion  picture  pro- 
duction in  the  United  States  have  been 
built  at  the  enlarged  United  Artists  studio 
in  Hollywood,  according  to  Victor  M. 
Shapiro,  director  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity, who  has  just  returned  to  New  York 
from  the  Coast. 

“The  two  newest  stages,”  said  Shapiro, 
“are  135  feet  wide  by  22 ~,  with  a height  of 
36  1-2  to  35  feet  respectively  to  the  olwest 
trusses.  In  one  of  these  is  a theatrical 
stage  64  feet  deep  with  a height  of  60  feet. 
The  old  stage  is  120  by  240. 

“The  administration  building,  171  feet 
long  and  two  stories  high,  contains  SO 
executive  offices.  A third  story  is  planned 
for  this  structure.  Six  bungalows  are  pro- 
vided for  stars.  Eight  cutting  rooms  and 
four  projection  rooms  are  housed  in  a con- 
crete building.  On  the  roof  of  this  struc- 
ture is  a gymnasium. 

“A  mill  and  woodworking  shop,  90x205, 
has  a clear  height  of  22  feet.  Centrally 
grouped  around  the  mill  are  the  plaster, 
property,  blacksmithing  and  drapery  shops. 
The  casting  department  adjoins  the  ward- 
robe and  ‘extra’  dressing  rooms  and  has  a 
separate  entrance.  Next  to  it  is  the  indi- 
vidual dressing  room  building,  with  76 
rooms  for  supporting  cast  players.  Still 
more  stages  and  shops  are  being  planned 
to  take  care  of  the  increasing  activities  of 
United  Artists.” 

Quimby  Host  to  F.B,0, 
Players  on  Location 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ROME  CITY,  IND.,  June  14.— Director 
Leo  Meehan  and  his  company,  now  at  the 
famous  Limberlost  cabin  near  Rome  City 
making  the  Gene  Stratton-Porter  story, 
“The  Harvester,”  were  guests  last  week  of 
W.  C.  Quimby,  prominent  Indiana  ex- 
hibitor. 

Personal  appearances  were  made  at  the 
Jefferson  and  Palace,  both  Quimby  houses, 
by  Meehan,  Natalie  Kingston,  Orville 
Caldwell,  Belshazzar,  the  canine  actor,  and 
the  technical  staff  of  the  company. 

Garnett  and  Weston  Do 
Screen  Tale  with  Music 

(^Special  to  the  Studio) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.  — Garnett 
Weston  and  Garnett  Fort  have  just  com- 
pleted a screen  story  in  which  the  action 
is  synchronized  with  a musical  score.  It  is 
a tale  of  old  San  Francisco  which  they 
have  entitled  “The  Cradle  Song  ” 

Weston  and  Fort  announce  that  they  in- 
tend to  write  a number  of  screen  and 
magazine  stories  in  collaboration.  They 
made  the  script  for  “The  Yankee  Clipper” 
in  this  way. 


Mizner  Now  on  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14. — -Wilson  Miz- 
ner,  playwright  and  soldier  of  fortune,  has 
arrived  here  to  write  screen  material  for 
Paramount. 


At  the  present  writing  five  companies 
are  working  on  the  Metropolitan  and  De- 
Mille  lots.  The  Pathe  features  will  here- 
after be  made  at  Metropolitan  studios 
and  most  of  the  features  will  come  from 
the  Culver  City  plant  of  DeMille. 

Frank  Urson  is  making  “Beautiful  But 
Dumb,”  with  Vera  Reynolds;  and  Donald 
Crisp  is  shooting  “The  Fighting  Eagle,” 
starring  Rod  LaRocque. 

Ren.  Hoffman  has  “Harp  In  Hock” 
well  under  way,  and  Charles  Horon  is 
directing  Monty  Banks  in  another  com- 
edy for  P.  D.  C.-Pathe.  Spencer  Ben- 
nett is  making  a serial,  “The  Man  With- 
out a Face,”  starring  Walter  Miller  and 
Allene  Ray. 

Clara  Bow  Cast  in  P.  F.  L. 

Paramount  has  just  assigned  directors 
to  seven  new  pictures  and  that  studio’s 
mid-summer  drive  will  get  under  way  to- 
morrow. Victor  Fleming  will  make 
“Hula”  with  Clara  Bow  starred;  Row- 
land V.  Lee  welcomed  Pola  Negri  back 
from  her  honeymoon  last  Sunday  and 
will  next  direct  her  in  a Sidney  Howard 
story,  production  on  which  will  begin  in 
another  week.  Mauritz  Stiller  has  been 
assigned  the  next  Emil  Jannings’  story, 
and  Luther  Reed  will  direct  “Shanghai 
Bound,”  a Richard  Dix  vehicle.  Dix  is 
just  completing  “Man  Power,”  which 
Clarence  Badger  directed. 

A railroad  comedy  entitled,  “Tell  It  to 
Sweeney,”  featuring  Chester  Conklin  and 
George  Bancroft  (Paramount’s  new  com- 
edy team),  will  be  directed  by  Gregory 
LaCava.  Frank  Tuttle  will  direct  Flor- 
ence Vidor’s  next,  as  yet  untitled.  James 
Cruze  has  Thomas  Meighan  as  his  star 
in  “We’re  All  Gamblers”  and  John  Wa- 
ters is  guiding  Gary  Cooper  in  “Nevada.” 
About  half  of  the  Los  Angeles  fire  de- 


West Coast  to  Run 
Egyptian  Theatre 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Ne- 
gotiations have  practically  been 
completed  vf hereby  West  Coast 
Theatres  will  operate  the  Egyp- 
tian Theatre  for  the  United  Art- 
ists Theatres  Corporation,  it  was 
learned  June  11. 


partment  has  been  called  into  play  for 
scenes  in  “Firemen,  Save  My  Child,” 
which  Edward  Sutherland  is  directing 
with  the  Beery-Hatton  comedy  team 
running  up  ladders  and  falling  into  mud 
holes. 

Arthur  Rosson  directed  “The  Last 
Outlaw,”  another  Gary  Cooper  vehicle 
in  which  little  Billy  Butts  played  a 
prominent  part. 

4 on  Location  at  F.  B.  O. 

At  the  F.  B.  O.  studios  things  are 
rather  quiet.  This  is  because  four  com- 
panies are  on  location  and  upon  their 
return  for  interiors  this  will  be  a very 
busy  lot.  Leo  Meehan  and  company 
filming,  “The  Harvester,”  is  in  Rome 
City,  Ind.,  shooting  scenes  on  the  origi- 
nal locale  of  the  Gene  Stratton-Porter 
story.  Robt.  Bradley  has  Bob  Steele  and 
company  on  the  Mojava  desert  filming 
“The  Mojava  Kid,”  and  Robert  DeLacy 
is  filming,  “Tom’s  Gang”  with  Tom  Ty- 
ler and  Frankie  Darro. 

F.  N.  Delays  Rush  Till  Late  June 

The  latter  part  of  June  will  see  re- 
newed activity  at  the  First  National  stu- 
dios. At  present  four  companies  are  in 
work  at  Burbank.  Harry  Langdon  has 
another  week  to  go  on  his  latest  comedy 
and  although  the  thermometer  has  been 
hovering  around  90,  Harry  has  been  run- 
ning around  in  “snow”  and  “ice”  on  a 
street  set  that  makes  one’s  blood  run 
cold. 

Richard  Barthelmess,  having  finished 
“The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  will  next  pro- 
duce “The  Drop  Kick”  under  Ray 
Rockett’s  regime,  with  Millard  Webb  at 
the  megaphone.  Billie  Dove  will  next 
appear  in  “American  Beauty,”  a Carey 
Wilson  production  with  Richard  Wallace 
directing.  Charlie  Murray  will  next  be 
seen  in  a comedy  as  yet  untitled,  pro- 
duced by  E.  M.  Asher.  Shooting  has 
started  on  “Rose  of  Monterey,”  with 
Mary  Astor  starred,  a George  Fitz- 
maurice  production. 

Production  Manager  A1  Rockett  has 
planned  a very  busy  summer  for  First 
National  studios.  The  visiting  sales 
managers  and  executives  attending  the 
recent  convention  witnessed  the  work- 
ings of  the  great  plant  and  gained  from 
Richard  A.  Rowland,  general  manager,  a 
(Continued  on  page  41) 


10 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


2 Ask  Half  Million  from  M-G-M 
for  “Old  Heidelberg”  Rights 


Meyer  Forester,  Author,  Questions  Ufus  Right  to  Give  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  Authority  to  Screen  German  Story 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 


Hollywood,  June  14. — a question  as  to  the  pictorial  rights  to 
“Old  Heidelberg,”  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  production,  has  arisen 
since  Director  Ernst  Lubitsch  finished  the  big  special  at  Culver 
City.  Two  claimants,  its  author,  Meyer  Forester,  and  the  Czerepy  Film 
Company  of  Germany,  assert  ownership  in  the  rights  of  the  story. 


M 


ETRO-GOLDWYN  representatives 
in  Berlin  are  Leinft  confronted  with 


a demand  for  $500,000,  and  the  author  is 
also  criticizing  Lubitsch  for  screening 
the  play  without  his  authorization. 

Produced  by  Ufa 

“Old  Heidelberg’’  was  produced  sev- 
eial  years  ago  by  Lha,  the  largest  Ger- 
man producers  of  films  abroad.  About 
two  years  ago  the  general  manager  of 
Ufa  pledged  the  film  rights  for  a new 
American  version,  which  it  was  proposed 
to  have  Lubitsch  direct,  to  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer studios  free  of  charge,  since 
the  two  companies  had  just  become  asso- 
ciates. 

As  the  copyright  on  the  play  had  ex- 
pired in  the  United  States,  Lubitsch,  who 
was  loaned  to  M.-G.-M.  for  this  one  pic- 
ture, produced  it  at  Culver  City  and 
recently  went  to  Germany  to  get  some 
added  scenes  for  the  picture. 

Claims  Aquisition  Without  Consent 

In  the  meantime  the  Czerepy  company 
had  acquired  the  rights  to  the  story 
(which  do  not  expire  until  1930)  from 
Ufa  without  its  general  manager’s  con- 
sent, it  is  said.  Czerepy  Film  Company 
now  threatens  to  block  the  film’s  release 
in  Europe  unless  its  terms  are  met. 
Foerster,  on  the  other  hand,  states  he 
never  surrendered  his  rights  to  anyone. 


Seastrom  Is  Assigned 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYV\''OOD,  June  14. — Victor  Sea- 
strom has  been  chosen  by  M-G-iM  to  direct 
Greta  Garbo  in  “The  Di\ine  Woman,” 
based  on  Gladys  Unger’s  play,  “Starlight.” 


McDermott  Does  Script 

(Special  to  ihe  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— John  ^Ic- 
Dermott,  comedj-  writer  and  director,  \vho 


recently  severed  connections  with  Para- 
mount, will  write  the  scenario  of  “Tillie’s 
Punctured  Romance”  for  Christie.  Para- 
mount w'ill  release  the  picture. 

Stromberg,  Keller 
Win  Best  Trophies 
in  M-G-M  Tourney 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Hunt  Strom- 
l>erg’s  net  score  of  58  at  the  Aletro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  golf  tournament  last  week  at 
Hillcrest  won  for  him  first  honors  which 
carried  with  them  the  Marcus  Loew  silver 
cup  for  low  gross  and  the  Mayor  Reeve 
Houck  trophy  for  low  score  of  the  execu- 
tive division.  Stromberg’s  gross  was  96. 

The  lowest  gross  score  was  turned  in  by 
Leon  Keller,  for  a total  of  78,  and  he  cap- 
tured the  Louis  B.  Alayer  trophy.  He 
also  took  the  Bernard  Hyman  trophy  with 
three  birdies.  The  Jackie  Coogan  prize  for 
second  low  gross  went  to  Stanley  Cava- 
naugh with  a total  of  79,  39  out  and  40  in. 
His  four  pars  also  netted  him  the  T.  V. 
y\llen  Trophy.  Paul  Keeler  won  the  Ben 
Goetz  prize  for  the  second  best  low  net 
with  a 60. 

Jackie  Coogan  turned  in  the  low  net  in 
the  actors  division,  54-54-108,  with  a net 
of  70  to  wdn  the  Nicholas  Schenck  trophy. 
In  the  directors  and  assistant  directors  di- 
vision Edward  Sedgwick  captured  the 
Joseph  M.  Schenck  trophy  wdth  a 49-46-95, 
gi\'ing  him  a net  of  67.  Joe  Sherman  w'on 
the  Lew  Cody  trophy  in  the  writers  and 
publicity  division  with  a 45-45-90-62.  In 
the  production  division  Gene  Hombostel 
with  40-41-81-61  carried  off  the  Frank  Or- 
satti  trophy.  Paul  Keeler  captured  the  E. 


Hunt  Stromberg,  right,  wins  the  two  big  trophies  in  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
golf  tournament  on  the  Coast,  and  Robert  Z.  Leonard  takes  second  place  in  the 
directors’  division. 


I.  Mannix  trophy  in  the  technical  division 
with  a 53-45-98-60. 

Harry  Rapf  and  Eddie  Mannix,  in  charge 
of  the  tournament,  had  prizes  for  the  win- 
ners of  every  flight,  of  which  there  were 
seventeen. 

•Among  the  players  were: 

Victor  Orsatti,  Sam  Wood,  Edward  Sedwick. 

Jackie  Coogan  won  his  second  prize  of 
the  day  when  he  captured  the  putting  con- 
test for  the  Danny  Grey  cup.  The  driving 
contest  went  to  Reggie  Fanning. 

Harr>'  Jones,  with  a gross  of  144  won  the 
Pete  Smith  booby  prize. 

With  72  entrants  in  the  tournament,  the 
event  proved  so  successful  that  it  promises 
to  be  an  annual  affair. 

The  winners  and  runners-up  played  off 
at  Rancho  country  club,  Sunday,  June  12, 
for  the  Hal  Roach  sweepstakes,  a cocktail 
set. 

Shapiro  Changes  Plan 
of  Publicity  on  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — A new  plan  of 
publicity,  advertising  and  exploitation, 
which  will  mean  closer  contact  between 
the  stars  and  United  Artists,  was  in- 
stalled by  Victor  M.  Shapiro,  director  of 
the  company’s  publicity  and  advertising, 
during  his  sojourn  at  the  enlarged  United 
Artists  studio,  according  to  the  director  of 
advertising  and  publicity  upon  his  return 
to  New  York. 

Shapiro  returned  East  enthusiastic  about 
the  company’s  new  product.  Five  pictures 
have  been  completed,  he  said,  four  are  in 
work  and  actual  shooting  will  begin  soon 
on  four  others.  Completed  are  “The 
Dove,”  “College,”  “The  Magic  Flame,” 
“Two  Arabian  Knights”  and  “Topsy  and 
Eva.”  “My  Best  (jirl,”  “The  Gaucho,” 
“The  Garden  of  Eden”  and  “Sorrell  and 
Son”  are  in  work.  “Sadie  Thompson,” 
“The  Tempest,”  “The  Devil  Dancer”  and 
“Ramona”  are  being  prepared  for  produc- 
tion. 

Harrison  Ford  Likely 
to  Continue  as  Farceur 

(Special  to  the  Studio) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14. — ^Harrison 
Ford  is  likely  to  continue  as  a featured 
player  in  screen  farces,  according  to  studio 
officials,  and  enhanced  by  the  merger  of 
Rathe,  DeMille  and  Pro-Dis-Co,  greater 
opportunities  for  Ford  are  expected. 

Having  for  years  played  straight  mascu- 
line leads.  Ford’s  comic  talents  were  dis- 
covered by  A1  Christie,  who  cast  him  in 
the  male  lead  of  “The  Nervous  Wreck.” 
His  success  there  and  teamed  with  Marie 
Prevost  demonstrated  that  Christie  knows 
his  latent  talents  and  that  Ford  has  plenty 
of  them  to  know.  He  himself  regards  the 
past  year  as  his  best  since  entering  pic- 
tures many  years  ago. 

MacWilliams  Speaks 

at  **  Wasps”  Banquet 

(Special  to  the  Studio) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— The  Wo- 
men’s Association  of  Screen  Publicists  held 
its  June  guest  dinner  at  the  Writers’  club 
last  week,  with  Glen  MacWilliams,  Fox 
cinematographer  under  Director  Victor 
Schertzinger,  as  the  principal  speaker.  He 
spoke  on  the  contributions  of  the  camera- 
man to  the  motion  picture  performance. 
Frances  Deaner  of  the  Fox  publicity  de- 
partment was  hostess. 

Other  speakers  were  Kathleen  Kay,  Fox 
modiste;  Dorothy  Yost  and  Dwight  Cum- 
mins, scenarists ; and  Bodil  Rosing,  Danish 
actress.  Nancy  Smith,  president,  conduct- 
ed the  meeting. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


June  18,  192; 


Exhibitors  to  Be  Judges  of 
Players’  Pay,  Producers  Say 

Salaries  to  Be  Cut  on  Many  Lots;  Many  “New  Finds”  Called 
Unworthy  by  Theatre  Owners ; Mix  Said  to  Receive 
$15,000  Per  Week,  Swanson  $18,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14. — Officials  at  two  sales  conventions  here 
declared  to  delegates  that  the  pay,  fame  and  fates  of  their  stars  now 
depends  entirely  on  the  decisions  of  exhibitors.  Reports  of  theatre  owners 
will  determine  the  worthiness  of  so-called  famous  names. 

Salaries  have  reached  their  peak,  officials  intimated  with  reference  to 
stars. 

Exhibitors  Turn  Thumbs  Down  on  New  Stars 

The  recent  attempt  to  create  new  stars  in  wholesale  lots  has  subsided 
on  many  lots  because  exhibitors  turned  thumbs  down  on  the  product  of 
several  such  efforts.  New  names,  however,  will  be  developed  as  the  need 
arises ; those  whose  popularity  among  exhibitors  is  on  the  wane  will  be 
retired. 


Jerauld  Now  Handling 
Publicity  for  Thomson 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— J.  M.  Jerauld 
has  joined  Fred  Thomson  as  publicity 
representative.  Jerauld  had  been  with  the 
Paramount  organization  for  four  years, 
two  in  the  New  York  office  and  two  in 
charge  of  publicity  department  at  the  Long 
Island  studio.  Recently  he  was  transferred 
to  the  coast. 

The  Fred  Thomson  productions  for 
Paramount  release  will  be  made  on  the 
F.  B.  O.  lot  with  his  own  organization  as 
in  the  past. 

Goldwyn  to  Star  Banky 
and  Colman  Separately 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Ronald  Col- 
man and  Vilma  Banky,  following  their 
appearance  together  in  “Leatherface,”  will 
be  starred  individually,  according  to  Sam- 
uel Goldwyn.  Their  pictures  will  go 
through  United  Artists. 

“Leatherface”  will  conclude  a series  of 
five  costarring  pictures  for  these  two 
artists.  Their  next  release,  soon  to  be 
finished,  is  “The  Magic  Flame.” 

**White  Horse  Troop** 
Ken  Maynard* s Next 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Ken  May- 
nard’s next  Western  production,  “The 
White  Horse  Troop,”  produced  by  Charles 
R.  Rogers  for  First  National,  will  use  the 
picturesque  locality  of  Great  Falls,  Mont., 
as  a background. 

A1  Rogell  will  direct  under  the  super- 
vision of  Harry  J.  Brown. 


Title  New  Dove  Vehicle 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— “The  Stolen 
Bride,”  Alexander  Korda’s  initial  Ameri- 
can made  production  for  First  National, 
is  now  in  the  hands  of  the  title  writers, 
Dwinnelle  Benthall  and  Rufus  McCosh. 
This  is  a Billie  Dove  starring  vehicle. 


Renews  Lyon  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — The  contract 
of  Ben  Lyon,  who  has  just  finished  his 
role  in  Robert  Kane’s  “Hell’s  Kitchen,” 
has  been  renewed  by  First  National. 
Lyon  will  sail  soon  for  a vacation  in 
Europe. 


Pidgeon  in  Nilsson  Cast 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.  --  Walter 
Pidgeon  has  been  signed  by  Universal  to 
play  the  principal  male  role  opposite  Anna 
Q.  Nilsson  in  “Honor  and  the  Woman.” 


Players  with  ability  attested  by  exhib- 
itors will  continue  to  draw  big  checks, 
but  studios  have  already  begun  a read- 
justment of  pa3'^rolls  in  accordance  with 
actual  drawing  power. 

It  is  difficult  to  estimate  the  weekly 
incomes  of  such  stars  as  Mary  Pickford, 
Douglas  Fairbanks,  Gloria  Swanson, 
Douglas  MacLean  or  Harold  Lloyd. 
They  have  their  own  producing  com- 
panies and  share  proportionally  in  the 
profits  of  each  picture.  Fred  Thomson, 
who  recently  joined  Paramount,  has  his 
own  organization  and,  it  is  estimated,  he 
will  net  ten  to  fifteen  thousand  dollars 
a week  under  the  contract. 

Mix  Gets  $15,000  a Week 
Tom  Mix  is  said  to  get  $15,000  a week 
and  other  compensation  from  each  pic- 
ture produced  by  William  Fox.  Gloria 
Swanson’s  salary  is  variously  estimated 
at  $18,000  to  $20,000  a week  under  her 
new  agreement  with  United  Artists,  but 
as  she  has  her  own  unit  the  figure  de- 
pends on  the  popularity  of  her  pictures. 

New  Players  at  Low  Salaries 
Many  of  the  newly  elevated  players  to 
stardom  are  working  at  surprisingly  low 
salaries  and  the  more  popular  freelance 
actors  and  actresses  are  drawing  down 
infinitely  more  and  working  less.  Lois 
Wilson,  to  cite  a recent  case,  received 
$10,000  for  a few  weeks’  work  in  “The 
Gingham  Girl,”  her  first  freelance  picture 
with  F.  B.  O.  Greta  Garbo  recently 
signed  a new  starring  contract  with 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  at  $2,300  a week. 

Matt  Taylor  Added  to 
Banks  Scenario  Staff 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.--Matt  Taylor 
has  been  added  to  the  scenario  staff  of  the 


Monty  Banks  unit,  filming  “An  Ace  in  the 
Hole”  for  Pathe  release. 

Matt,  a brother  of  Sam  Taylor,  the  di- 
rector of  Mary  Pickford’s  new  picture, 
“My  Best  Girl,”  has  written  many  short 
stories  and  originals  for  motion  pictures. 
He  recently  finished  two  originals  for  the 
screen,  “Steppin’  Along”  and  “All  Aboard” 
for  Johnny  Hines. 


AC  A Issues  Booklet 
Naming  1927-28  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14.— A.  C.  A.  is 
issuing  a 24-page  booklet  announcing  its 
product  for  1927-28.  Included  in  the  list  are 
a number  of  pictures  based  on  stories  in 
five  national  magazines,  among  them  the 
Saturday  Evening  Post  and  Red  Book. 
Productions  announced  are  as  follows: 

“Broadway  Chaperones,”  “Forest  Law,” 
“Love,  Devil  and  Divorce,”  “Be  Yourself,” 
“4  Bells,”  “Flapper  Ann,”  “Forbidden 
Lips,”  “The  Wall  Street  Girl,”  “Passion  of 
Hate,”  “Putter  Perkins,”  ‘The  Death 
Dodger,”  “First  Down,”  “The  Pirate  of 
Pittsburgh,”  “Flowers  of  Evil,”  “The  Mar- 
riage Code,”  “Peg  of  the  Alley,”  “Human 
Cargo,”  “The  Inner  Flame”  and  a series  of 
Edgar  A.  Guest  shorts. 

Argentine  Envoy  Guest 
on  Doug  Fairbanks  Lot 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Dr.  Honorio 
Pueyrredon,  ambassador  from  Argentina, 
was  an  interested  visitor  last  week  at  the 
United  Studios.  He  witnessed  Douglas 
Fairbanks  shoot  the  early  scenes  of  “The 
Gaucho,”  a South  American  story. 


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12 


STUDIO 


SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


‘ oheep”  Production  Is  Curse 
of  Industry,  Says  Fraser 

Producers  Noiv  Awaiting  Another  Outstanding  Success  So  They  Can 
Imitate  Theme,  Declares  General  Manager  of  Lloyd  Company 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Hollywood,  June  14. — Producers  who  deliberately  steal  on  a 
wholesale  scale  plots,  gags,  titles,  scenery,  and  stories  come  in  for 
the  damning  of  their  more  honest  contemporaries,  according  to  a 
statement  made  today  by  William  R.  Fraser,  Harold  Lloyd’s  general 
manager. 


WHAT  the  motion  picture  needs  if  it  is 
“in  need”  of  something,  says  Fraser,  is 
a whole  lot  more  imagination  and  a whole 
lot  less  imitation. 

At  present  producers  are  awaiting  an 
outstanding  success  of  another  type  so  that 
they  may  begin  trailing  along  with  pictures 
of  the  same  order,  he  declares. 

Especially  True  of  Comedy 
“Imitation  may  be  the  sincerest  form  of 
flattery,”  he  says,  “but  it  does  not  help  raise 
the  standard  of  entertainment.  Nor  is  it 
dealing  fair  with  the  motion  picture  en- 
thusiast, who  has  been  surfeited  in  recent 
months  with  one  brand  of  picture  until  he 
has  almost  given  up  hope  of  ever  seeing 
anything  new.  This  is  especially  true  of 
comedy  and  farce. 

“The  industry  never  has  seen  such  a flock 
of  ‘sheep’  productions.  They  all  look  alike, 
and  vary  little  in  theme.  One  producer 
makes  a successful  picture  on  the  Irish- 
Jew'ish  order,  and  a score  follow.  Harold 
Lloyd  makes  an  outstanding  football  com- 
edy, and  pigskins  fly  all  over  the  screens 
for  months.  Then  along  comes  a war  pic- 
ture that  meets  with  a happy  vogue,  and 
producers  turn  them  out  until  every  theatre 
in  the  country  reeks  with  the  smell  of  pow- 
der and  flying  mud — not  forgetting  a few 
pies. 

Leaders  Watched  Closely 

“Naturally  there  are  only  a few  leaders 
in  any  industry,  but  in  the  motion  picture 
business  these  pace-makers  are  w'atched 
more  closely  than  in  any  other  line  of  en- 
deavor. 

“The  pace  is  terrific  these  days.  It  brings 
to  my  mind  a story  I heard  recently  of  the 
English  showman  who  was  getting  ready  to 
quit  the  business,  and  was  turning  his  af- 
fairs over  to  his  son. 

“ ‘There  is  one  thing  I want  you  to  re- 


member ,son.  In  the-  old  days  a juggler 
could  satisfy  an  audience  by  juggling  five 
balls  on  an  ’orse’s  back.  Now  they  expect 
him  to  juggle  fifty  balls  and  eat  the  bloody 
animal.’  ” 


IN  CONFERENCE 

{Continued  from  Page  6) 

closely  to  the  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe  story 
and  toill  have  Uncle  Tom  getting  whipped, 
little  Eva  going  to  Heaven  and  everything. 
U niversal , it  is  .mid,  will  roadshozv  its  pro- 
duction which  has  already  cost  close  to  a 
million. 

ON  THIRTY  YARD  LINE 

“yHE  WEDDING  MARCH,”  the 
Yon  Stroheim  opus  is  said  to  have 
been  cut  to  thirty  reels  with  the  Vien- 
nese director-actor  trying  to  make  up 
his  mind  whether  to  make  two  sepa- 
rate productions  of  it,  or  try  to  induce 
Paramount  to  make  a two-night  show 
of  it. 

British  Firm  to  Sell  All 
Lumas  Product  Abroad 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14. — Lumas  product 
is  to  be  distributed  in  every  countrj"  except 
the  United  States  and  Canada  by  British 
and  Continental  Trading  Company,  Inc., 
according  to  Budd  Rogers,  vicepresident 
of  Lumas.  T.  C.  Barnstyn,  president  and 
general  manager,  presented  the  English 
firm. 

Eourteen  definite  subjects,  including  12 
Gothams,  were  included  by  name  in  the 


Work  Begun  on  $300,000 
Studio  in  Oregon 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MEDFORD , Ore.,  June  14. — 
Construction  has  been  started  on 
the  £rst  unit  ol  a $300,000  motion 
picture  studio.  The  project  is 
being  hnanced  by  the  Rogue  River 
Studios,  Inc.,  which  is  incorpor- 
ated for  $500,000.  The  following 
are  at  the  head  of  the  company:  .. 

C.  E.  Gates,  Medford,  president; 
W.  H.  Cope,  Los  Angeles,  general 
manager;  E.  W.  Miller,  Grants 
Pass.,  Ore.,  vice-president ; Harry 
Hutton,Eugene,  secretary ; W.  E. 
Crews,  Medford,  chief  counsel; 
George  A.  Codding,  Medford, 
active  secretary  and  treasurer ; 
C.  E.  Boyce,  director  of  sales. 

The  first  unit  which  will  be 
mostly  given  over  to  stage  facil- 
ities, will  cover  a ground  area  of 
278x82  feet.  This  portion  will  be 
36x82  feet.  The  building  will  be 
erected  on  an  80-acre  tract  do- 
nated by  the  City  of  Medford. 


contract. 

Cutting  Room  Facilities 
Increased  at  Universal 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.  — Universal 
studio  has  found  it  necessary  to  enlarge 
its  cutting  room  facilities  to  take  care  of 
24  companies  now  producing. 

Walter  Stern,  business  manager,  an- 
nounces that  10  new  cutting  rooms  and 
four  additional  projection  rooms  are  being 
constructed  in  a new  concrete  fireproof 
building.  There  are  50  film  editors  at  Uni- 
versal working  on  current  productions. 


Heinemann  Wins  Trip  to 
Europe  in  U Sales  Drive 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SALT  LAKE  CITY,  June  14.— W.  J. 
Heinemann,  manager  of  the  local  Univer- 
sal exchange,  will  accompany  Carl 
Laemmle  to  Europe  this  summer,  the  trip 
being  the  prize  he  won  in  a national  Uni- 
versal sales  contest.  The  exchange  here 
led  all  the  branches  west  of  Chicago. 


Thanks  Hays  for  Gift 
of  Film  to  Lepers 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14.--In  a 
letter  to  Will  H.  Hays,  Governor 
General  Leonard  Wood  of  the 
Philippines,  expresses  his  per- 
sonal appreciation  of  the  gift  by 
the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and 
Distributors  of  America  of  404 
reels  of  film  for  screening  at 
the  Culion  Leper  Colony.  These 
pictures  were  presented  by 
Paramount,  Fox,  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  and  Universal.  Two  hun- 
dred reels  of  film  have  been  pre- 
sented to  the  Leper  Colony  in 
Balboa  by  First  National,  Educa- 
tional and  Kinograms. 


Famed  English  Designer 
Signs  M-G-M  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CULVER  CITY,  June  14. — In  keeping 
with  the  idea  of  expanding  and  bettering 
every  department,  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  studios  have  just  signed  under  con- 
tract, Gilbert  Clark,  famous  English 
costume  designer. 

Clark  began  his  career  in  England  as  an 
actor  in  Shakespearean  repertoire,  and  dur- 
ing one  season  he  played  a triple  role,  that 
of  actor,  costume  designer  and  creator  of 
the  stage  settings. 


Mix  Injured  as  Tony 
Falls  Before  Camera 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14. — Tom  Mix 
has  been  brought  to  his  Beverly  Hills  home 
from  location  near  Saugus,  where  his  right 
leg  was  injured  when  his  horse,  Tony,  fell 
during  the  making  of  a scene  for  his  next 
Eox  picture,  “Scourge  of  Little  C.” 


Grey  Yacht  on  Reef 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  June  14.— Zane 
Grey,  noted  author,  whose  works  are  pic- 
turized  by  Paramount,  has  radioed  friends 
that  his  yacht.  Fisherman,  grounded  in  the 
South  Seas  last  week,  but  has  been  re- 
floated without  further  mishap. 


Dwan’s  College  Training 
Catches  Error  in  Props 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  14.— When 
someone  asks  Allan  Dwan,  Fox 
director,  the  question  so  often 
contemptuously  put  to  college 
graduates,  “What  good  did  your 
diploma  ever  do  you?”  he  can  tell 
this  one:  The  other  day  at  the 
Fox  New  York  studio,  where 
“East  Side,  West  Side”  is  being 
made,  George  O’Brien,  the  star, 
was  to  be  shot  studying  an  engi- 
neering text  book.  The  property 
man  had  bought  a book  for  the 
purpose.  “That  won’t  do,”  Dwan 
declared  suddenly.  “This  boy  is  a 
beginner  and  that  text  book  is  for 
a third  or  fourth  year  student. 
We’ll  have  to  hold  up  this  scene 
until  an  elementary  book  is  ob- 
tained.” Dwan  is  a graduate  of 
Boston  Tech. 


13 


June  18,  1927  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Latest 

Direct 

Production 

^ THE  IiERA,.LD’S}^/ 

to 

News 

^~^ccftion 

Exhibitors 

AN  intelligent  director  and  an  intelligent  star!  Joseph 
■Jx  Hcnabery  and  Anna  0.  Nilsson  study  the  draioings  for 
the  set  to  be  used  in  “Loneso)nc  Ladies,”  on  First  National’s 
schedule  for  the  igsf  season. 


(f^URPRfSfNG  as  if  may  seem  surprise  parties  arc  cnjoy- 
O able  to  a surprisingly  great  number  of  directors.  Clar- 
ence Brown’s  birthday  brought  Harry  Carey,  Dolores  Del 
Rio,  Sylvia  Thalberg  and  Claire  Windsor  to  the  M-G-M  set. 


T)ETTY  OSBORNE,  of  ^Milwaukee, 
-*-)  is  the  winner  of  the  $2,500  offered 
for  a suggestion  for  the  next  Colman- 
Banky  U.  A.  film.  L.  to  R.  Betty,  Mrs. 
Osborne,  and  Nancy  Osborne. 


E 


DMUND  BURNS,  zvho  formerly 
was  leading  man  for  Gloria 


Swanson,  has  taken  residence  for  the 
present  in  Suva  (which  is  near  Aus- 
tralia). 


'T^HE  Lady  in  Ermine  and  the  “Sttn- 
■X  rise  Derby.”  The  former  is  Ger- 
trude Short,  the  latter  is  Roy  D’Arcy 
with  whom  she  appears  in  “His  Broth- 
er from  BraHl,”  M-G-M.  film. 


14 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


ATSY  RUTH  MILLER,  to  be  seen  next  in  Universal’s 
“Hot  Heels,”  polled  a large  number  of  votes  (as  was 
expected)  in  the  Beauty  Contest  begun  and  conducted  by 
contribtitors  to  “IVhat  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  and  car- 
ried on  in  the  columns  of  “The  Studio.” 


ILDRED  IVALKER  (“Miss  Pittsburgh")  breaks  in! 
William  Sistrorn,  general  manager  of  the  P.  D.  C.  Met- 
ropolitan studios,  engaged  her  after  she  had  gone  across  the 
continent  with  her  grandmother,  left,  and  her  mother,  right. 
She  will  be  in  “The  Night  Bride.” 


JESSE  LASKY  calls  the  studio  help  together  to  commend  them  for  their  part  in  making  the  “Ten  Best  Paramount  Pictures” 
of  last  year.  The  meeting  was  held  on  a large  converted  stage.  The  pictures  included  “We’re  in  the  Navy  Now,”  “Behind  the 
Front,”  “Grand  Duchess  and  the  Waiter,”  “Let’s  Get  Married,”  “The  Quarterback,”  “The  Vanishing  American,”  “The  Campus 
Flirt,”  “Mantrap,”  “Kid  Boots”  and  “Forlorn  River.’ 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


W.  Griffith,  ivith  United  Ah'tists,  pre- 
m pares  to  make  his  first  picUire  in  which 
Estelle  Taylor  will  have  the  principle  role. 
The  “Herald”  cameraman  directed  the  director 
in  the  above  picture. 


r\AVID  BUTLER, 
jLJ  who  played  in 
Fox’s  “7th  Heaven,” 
and  the  ubiquitous 
telephone. 


A 


G you’ll  note  on  page  si.v  A I Boasberg’s 
column  fails  to  appear  this  month  but  the 


(now)  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  titler  promises 
it  shall  be  there  as  u.mal  in  the  next  issue 
of  “The  Studio.” 


J\JORMAN  Taurog,  comedy  director,  explains  to  a 
d V not  very  gullible  class  the  distinction  between  a 
Metabolistic  Phenomenon  and  an  experiment  in  In- 
carnation. It’s  an  Educational  group — and  an  educa- 
tional .mbject;  E.  H.  Allen,  center,  and  lack  White. 


WITH  Fox.  (Top)  Buck 
I ones,  noted  Western 
star.  Elizabeth  Pickett  is  a di- 
rector, the  maker  of  “Varie- 
ties.” 


TyEADING  (politely)  from  right  to  left:  Mrs. 

C.  Gardner  Sullivan  and  C.  Gardner  Sullivan, 
the  latter  a zvriter  and  producer  for  Pro-Dis-Co, 
with  several  very  successful  DeMille-Sullivan  pro- 
ductions to  his  credit. 


Makers  of  Fox  Comedies. 

(lop)  Gus  Meins  has 
been  added  to  the  directorial 
staff.  Arthur  West  is  a come- 
dian. 


16 


First  national  believes 

stardom  is  in  the  future  of 
Laska  Winter.  She  had  an  iin- 
portant  role  in  “The  Tender 
Hour.” 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


n^HE  GAIJCHO,”  another  Douglas  Fair- 
-L  banks  picture  is  on  the  way.  Shooting 
began  recently.  Above  are  Director  F.  Richard 
Jones  and  Lupe  Vales  conferring  on  one  of 
the  early  scenes  of  the  United  Artists  film. 


CADDO  Productions,  neiv 
United  Artists  unit,  has  com- 
pleted its  first  picture,  “Two 
Arabian  Knights.”  Above  is  Lewis 
Milestone,  who  directed  it. 


June  18,  1927 


J\J0T  a problem  m pro- 
1 V duction,  merely  Charley 
Lamont  at  one  end  of  an 
“Ask  Me  Another”  contest 
And  he  directs  Educationals. 


rsIRECTING  Ramor, 
Navarro  and  Mar- 
celine  Day  in  M-G-M'; 
“Romance”  is  John  S 
Robertson. 


Garrett  fort, 

IV  a r n e r Brothers 
scenarist,  photographed  at 
work  on  “Pals”  latest  film 
story. 


01 V net  score  in  the 
“Herald”  golf  tourna- 
ment last  month  was  won 
by  Director  Robert  Z 
Leonard  of  M-G-M. 


F 


REDDIE  FRA  FLICK, 
representative  for  many 


stars,  among  them  Anna  Q. 
Nilsson  and  Lloyd  Hughes. 


A LITTLE  nonsense  now  and  then  is  relished  by  the  best 
of  girls  on  the  “My  Best  Girl”  set.  Left,  Mary  Pick- 
ford,  center  Charles  Rosher,  cameraman,  and  Sam  Taylor, 
director  of  the  United  Artists  film. 


A RTHUR  STONE, 
First  National  player, 
now  being  featured  in 
“Hard  Boiled  Haggerty.” 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


JANET  GAY  NOR  (seated  at  left  of  Supervisor  George  Mar- 
shall) recently  visited  the  Fox  Comedies  studio,  where  she 
once  was  refused  the  0.  Henry  Girl  role.  Noiv  she  is  being  seen 
as  Diane  in  “7th  Heaven.’’  Fox  comedy  flayers  are  also  shoivn. 


TKTEIV  as  a Universal  director  is  F.  Harmon  Weight, 
1 V whose  first  picture  for  Carl  Laemmle  is  “Viennese 
Lovers,”  in  zvhich  Jean  Hersholt  (left)  and  Mary  Phil- 
hin  are  starred. 


A LANGUID  lunch  hour  on  location!  In  a little  nook  at  Lone 
Pine  canyon,  where  Fox's  “The  Broken  Dollar”  was  filmed: 
(left  to  right)  Steve  Birch  field,  chef;  Orville  Dull,  director; 
Barbara  Bennett,  leading  "woman;  and  Buck  Jones,  the  star. 


A BIG  bootlegger  and  a big  rum  runner  are  the  frin- 
cipals  in  ‘‘Twelve  Miles  Out,”  which  is  a stage  play 
being  put  into  the  robes  of  a more  dignified  screen  shoiv. 
John  Gilbert,  left,  Hunt  Stromberg  of  M.G.M. 


Philippe  de  lacy,  age 

g,  has  just  finished  six 
and  one-half  years  as  a 
screen  actor. 


fiEN  BARD,  of  Fox  Stu- 
dios, gets  in  trim  for  next 
yeaps  motion  picture  golf 
tournament. 


18 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


WILLIAM  A.  SEITER’S 

Coming  Productions  for  Universal 


“Out  AU  Night” 

with  Reginald  Denny 

“The  Small 

Bachelor” 

All-Star  cast  - Andre  Beran- 
ger  - Barbara  Kent  - Lucien 
Littlefield  in  P.  G.  Wode- 
house  story. 


Pictures  Now  Showing 


^^The  Cheerful  Fraud’’ 
^‘Rolling  Home” 

^What  Happened  To  Jones” 
^‘The  Fast  Worker” 


^‘Take  It  From  Me” 
^^Skinner’s  Dress  Suit” 
^Where  Was  I?” 
all  with  Reginald  Denny 


^‘The  Teaser”  ‘^Dangerous  Innocence” 

with  Laura  La  Plante 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


Credit  the  Director 
Where  Credit  Belongs  ! 

By  T.  O.  SERVICE 


I AM,  I think,  the  perfect  picture  fan.  If  I interpret 
correctly  the  mail  that  I get  from  theatre  owners, 
most  sincere  of  all  the  fans,  and  from  Hollywood, 
capitol  of  fandom,  I enjoy  within  the  industry  about 
the  same  admixture  of  contempt  and  respect  (very 
little  of  this  latter)  that  the  picture  fan  per  se  enjoys 
outside  of  it.  Yet  I have  a considerable  advantage 
over  the  plain  payee  in  that  the  Herald  permits  me  to 
broadcast  my  always  purely  personal  reactions  via  one 
of  its  very  good  pages.  I am  privileged  even  this  space 
in  the  current  volume,  which  I hasten  to  fill  with  a 
group  of  convictions  I’ve  had  on  board  for  quite  a 
spell. 

Like  the  fan — and  distinctly  unlike  the  reviewer  or 
reporter  of  screen  entertainment — I insist  upon  men- 
tioning, in  connection  with  each  picture  I view,  the 
things  which  are  uppermost  in  memory  when  I get  to 
the  mentioning.  Whereas  the  reporter  or'  reviewer 
feels  or  is  made  to  feel  impelled  to  take  the  thing  apart 
and  say  something  about  its  various  component  parts, 
I speak  briefly  or  at  length  about  the  factor  or  factors 
that  stand  out.  This  gives  me  a great  advantage  over 
the  garden  variety  of  critic,  an  advantage  of  which  I 
make  the  most  and  let  the  chips  fall  where  they  may. 
Utilizing  this  unique  liberty,  I shall  now  attack  the 
director  with  both  barrels. 

I think  directors  are  the  poorest  personal  salesmen 
in  the  picture  business.  I think  they  have  come  into 
their  present  trade  prominence  under  tremendous  and 
probably  self  imposed  handicaps.  I think  they  have 
placed  security  above  opportunity  in  the  scale  of  things 
desirable  and  are  a bit  puzzled  as  to  “how  come.”  I 
think  they  need  to  revamp  their  billing,  risking  a bust 
for  the  individual  and  gaining  a break  for  the  calling. 
The  present  arrangement  is  safe,  but  so’s  agriculture. 

With  directors  billed  in  the  present  fashion,  a caption 
among  captions  preceding  a picture  of  (then)  un- 
known quality,  I practically  never  know  who  directed 
the  pictures  I have  seen  in  a given  week.  Like  the 
fan  I am,  therefore,  I look  up  the  name  of  the  director 
only  when  his  work  is  extremely  bad  or  extremely 
good.  Thus  I speak  of  directors,  in  my  published 
observations,  as  I think  of  directors,  emphatically,  and 
certainly  not  always  fairly.  The  man  whose  direction 
has  made  a certain  picture  terrible  in  its  effect  upon 
me,  so  terrible  that  I have  looked  up  his  name  in  order 
that  I might  pan  him  in  my  comments,  is  an  unfor- 
tunate cuss  thereafter  in  the  extent  that  my  typewriter 
is  influential.  Reversely,  the  director  who  has  made 
one  picture  so  good  as  to  send  me  into  the  records  in 
search  of  his  identity  is  recipient  of  endless  enconiums 
thenceforth.  It  is  not  fair,  of  course,  to  either  of  these 
directors,  and  certainly  it  is  not  fair  to  the  great  mass 
of  good  men  who  fall  in  between,  getting  away  safely 
but  getting  nothing  at  all  out  of  their  efforts  in  behalf 
of  my  (and  the  world’s)  entertainment. 

As  I stated  in  the  beginning,  I believe  I am  the  per- 
fect fan,  therefore  that  other  fans  share  this  ignorance 
of  mine  concerning  the  directors  of  pictures  in  general. 
I believe  that  very  few  director  names  are  widely 
known,  and  that  those  most  widely  known  are  not  in 
all  cases  the  names  of  the  men  who  do  the  most  for 
motion  pictures.  I believe  something  can  be  done  to 
correct  this  condition  and  I believe  I know  what  that 


something  is.  Further,  I believe  that  the  doing  of  this 
something  is  worthwhile  not  only  for  the  sake  of  the 
director  but  for  the  sake  of  motion  pictures  and  those 
who  live  by  them. 

My  suggestion  is  new  principally  in  its  present  ap- 
plication. I have  offered  it  to  the  cinematographers 
and  they,  despite  an  immediate  and  promising  re- 
action, have  not  utilized  it.  I had  previously  offered 
it  to  studio  people  in  general  and  of  course  that  offer 
went  begging,  as  was  to  be  expected.  I now  offer  it  to 
directors  with  the  customary  understanding  that  I am 
to  receive  nothing  at  all  in  return  save  such  benefits  as 
naturally  will  accrue  to  me  as  one  of  the  mob  that  eats 
and  sleeps  by  virtue  of  the  motion  picture’s  success. 

I should  like  to  see  the  director  lift  that  name  plate 
of  his  out  of  the  dense  captional  forest  at  the  front  of 
the  epic,  opus  or  what  have  you  and  place  it,  alone  and 
without  ornamentation,  at  the  close  of  the  print,  pre- 
ceding or  accompanying  that  so  often  welcome  sign. 
The  End.  There  is  more  than  one  reason  for  believing 
this  will  do  some  good. 

Firstly:  The  director  who  makes  a good  picture 
would  get  credit  for  it,  as  the  director  who  makes  a 
bad  one  would  be  blamed  for  the  same,  but  the  direc- 
tor whose  handling  of  a picture  that  otherwise  would 
be  remembered  solely  by  the  name  of  the  star  would 
get  a break. 

Secondly:  The  director  of  bad  pictures  would  be 
fired  off  the  lot  in  less  time  than  it  now  takes  to  get 
that  operation  performed,  as  the  director  of  good  pic- 
tures would  come  into  that  pay  increase  more 
promptly  and  with  less  bloodshed,  while  the  director 
of  in-between  pictures  would  be  impelled  to  stir  his 
stumps. 

Thirdly:  The  fellow  who  really  does  the  work,  the 
artist  whose  job  it  is  to  look  at  a messy  script  or  talky 
book,  conceive  it  in  terms  of  completed  print  and  then 
create  that  conception,  would  get  out  in  plain  view  of 
the  public  to  be  boquetted  or  brickbatted  as  the  case 
might  be. 

It’s  all  a very  simple  matter,  perhaps  so  simple  that 
directors  haven’t  given  it  a thought.  Perhaps  so 
simple  that  it  doesn’t  look  like  much.  Neither  does  a 
closeup,  now.  This  is  another  closeup.  Surely  nobody 
begrudges  the  director  one  of  them  to  the  picture. 

If  objections  exist  in  the  ranks  of  producers  and 
others  whose  objections  are  important,  there  is  still 
another  angle  to  the  matter.  It  is  the  matter  of 
efficiency,  the  getting  rid  of  bad  directors  and  the  get- 
ting ahead  of  good  ones.  That  ought  to  appeal  to  pro- 
ducers, to  stars,  to  anybody  who  has  right  ideas  with 
respect  to  the  common  box  office. 

Speaking  again  as  the  perfect  fan  I so  modestly 
believe  that  I am,  I will  add  that  the  suggested  arrange- 
ment would  be  very  convenient  to  me.  When  I arrive 
at  the  end  of  a picture  with  a distinct  pain  in  the  place 
where  such  pains  occur,  I would  see  before  me  in 
plainly  legible  letters  the  name  of  the  person  re- 
sponsible. When  I arrive  at  the  end  of  a picture  with 
that  other  feeling,  I should  know  at  once  who  gave 
me  that.  I flatter  myself  that  I would  know,  in  all 
cases,  whether  the  picture’s  faults  or  virtues  were 
creditable  to  the  director  and  I do  not  flatter  the 
director  when  I say  that  most  of  them  are. 


20 


STUDIO 


SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


JOSEPH  HENABERY 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


RIESNER  IS  LOANED  TO  KEATON 
TO  DIRECT  COMEDY  “COLLEGE” 

'^HE  frozen-faced  Buster  Keaton  and  his  staff  are 
busy  putting  the  finishing  touches  on  “College,” 
and  when  this  task  is  completed  Buster  will  start  a 
feature  under  the  direction  of  Charles  “Chuck"  Ries- 
ner. 

Keaton  is  dividing  his  time  between  editing  “Col- 
lege” and  working  on  the  new  story  with  Riesner. 

Riesner,  a former  featured  player  and  assistant  to 
Charles  Chaplin  and  in  recent  years  one  of  the  most 
successful  comedy  directors,  with  “The  Better  ’Ole” 
and  other  outstanding  pictures  to  his  credit,  has  been 
loaned  to  the  Keaton  studio  by  Warner  Brothers. 
Riesner  is  to  have  every  resource  at  his  disposal  in 
holding  the  megaphone  on  Keaton,  according  to  studio 
executives. 

^ ^ 5^ 


SCOTT  DUNLAP  SAILS  FOR 
AUSTRALIA  TO  DIRECT  FILM 


T^HE  ingenious  American  methods  are  to  be  intro- 
duced by  Scott  R.  Dunlap,  prominent  film  director, 
who  sailed  for  Australia  recently  on  the  S.  S.  Sonoma. 
Dunlap,  who  until  recently  was  with  the  Fox  organi- 
zation, was  lured  away  from  Hollyood  by  a fabulous 
offer  made  him  by  the  Phillips  Film  Company,  Ltd., 
of  Australia. 

Unlike  the  many  American  directors  who  have  gone 
abroad,  only  to  he  absorbed  by  the  foreign  mode  of 
producing  pictures,  Dunlap  is  determined  to  reverse 
the  usual  order  of  things  by  making  pictures  as  is 
done  in  Hollywood. 

The  citizens  of  the  “Kangaroo  Isle”  have  hereto- 
fore been  limited  to  the  average  American’s  ways 
from  what  they  have  gleaned  from  the  screen.  How- 
ever, Dunlap  intends  to  inject  every  phase  of  Amer- 
icanism into  the  productions  he  is  to  direct,  as  they 
are  not  only  for  local  consumption  but  for  the  en- 
tire world. 

* * * 


MEEHAN  KEEPS  F.  B.  O.  COMPANY 
IN  INDIANA  LOCATION 

'T'EMPORARILY,  a section  of  Hollywood  has 
moved  to  Indiana. 

Completing  the  first  half  of  one  of  the  most  un- 
usual location  trips  in  the  history  of  motion  pictures. 
Director  Leo  Meehan  and  an  F.  B.  O.  company  of  40 
people  headed  by  Natalie  Kingston  and  Orville  Cald- 
well, co-stars,  are  working  in  Rome  City,  Indiana, 
after  a transcontinental  trip  from  the  film  capital. 

The  long  journey  was  made  for  the  purpose  of  film- 
ing “The  Harvester,”  perhaps  the  most  popular  of 
Gene  Stratton-Porter’s  novels  on  the  Indiana  farm 
which  was  her  home  for  11  years,  and  which  fur- 
nished the  locale  for  the  entire  book.  The  property 
is  situated  in  the  woods  which  border  Sylvan  Lake 
in  the  Northern  part  of  the  state  and  includes  the 
famous  “Limberlost  Cabin”  and  other  features  which 
have  long  been  familiar  to  the  reading  public. 

A further  item  of  interest  in  the  filming  of  “The 
Harvester”  is  the  fact  that  Leo  Meehan,  director  of 
the  production,  is  the  son-in-law  of  the  noted  author. 


Thumbnail 

Sketches 


Norman  Taurog 
Educational  Director 


Charles  Riesner 
Warner  Director 


Stephen  Roberts 

Educational  Director 


and  himself  lived  for  a long  time  at  the  Limberlost 
Cabin. 

An  entire  hotel  has  been  engaged  by  the  company 
on  the  lake  shore  two  miles  distant  from  the  farm, 
and  each  morning  the  producing  unit  travels  to  the 
“location”  by  motor  boat.  Besides  Caldwell  and  Miss 
Kingston,  the  cast  includes  Will  R.  Walling  and  Jay 
Hunt,  both  well  known  character  actors  of  the  Holly- 
wood film  colony.  In  addition  Director  Meehan  has 
brought  with  him  a complete  technical  staff  from  the 
F.  B.  O.  studios,  together  with  two  carloads  of  sup- 
plies and  equipment. 

Following  the  photographing  of  exterior  scenes  at 
the  Porter  estate,  the  company  will  return  to  Holly- 
wood, where  interior  settings  are  now  being  erected 
by  the  studio  force. 

^ ^ ^ 

LAMONT  FINDS  CHILD  PSYCHOLOGY 
USEFUL  IN  DIRECTING  “BIG  BOY” 

WHAT  characteristics  would  you  expect  to  find  in 
the  director  of  a three-year-old  child  who,  in 
two  years  has  become  a box-office  attraction  and  will 
this  year  have  a series  of  two-reel  comedies  named 
after  him? 

The  child  is  “Big  Boy,”  Educational  star.  The 
director  is  Charles  Lamont,  who  first  selected  the 
child  from  a group  of  youngsters  for  development, 
and  has  directed  all  his  pictures  since  them.  “Big 
Boy’s”  name  is  Malcolm  Sabiston. 

Lamont  is  young.  He  has  no  children  of  his  own. 
It  goes  without  saying  that  Lamont  loves  children, 
especially  “Big  Boy,” — just  as  the  child  loves  him. 
The  best  evidence  of  the  feeling  between  the  half-por- 
tion star  and  his  director  is  the  fact  that  the  only  re- 
ward Malcolm  hopes  for  at  the  end  of  a good  day’s 
work  is  a kiss  from  his  director — and  the  privilege  of 
seeing  the  “dailies,”  that  is,  the  work  of  the  previous 
day  on  the  screen  of  the  studio  projection-room. 

As  there  must  be  rewards  for  work  well  done,  there 
must  be  some  mild  form  of  punishment  for  inatten- 
tion or  half-heartedness.  These  punitive  measures 
take  a very  typical  form — because  “Big  Boy”  is  quite 
a typical  child.  If  his  offense  is  trivial,  Lamont  says 
he  won’t  play  with  him  any  more.  If  he  is  untract- 
able,  Lamont  sends  him  to  stand  in  the  corner  and 
think  it  over  for  five  or  ten  minutes. 

When  all  else  fails,  recourse  is  had  to  the  razor- 
strap  ! However,  in  the  nearly  three  years  Lamont 
has  been  directing  “Big  Boy,”  the  strap  had  to  be 
actually  used  only  once.  It  had  been  so  often  threat- 
ened without  being  used,  that  Malcolm  thought  it  was 
only  a “prop” — or  a symbol.  He  found  out  differently 
on  one  occasion,  without  being  really  hurt  of  course, 
and  since  then  the  strap  hangs  idly  on  the  prop-kit — ■ 
to  be  infrequently  pointed  at  with  a word  of  warn- 
ing. 

Lamont  has  devised  several  methods  to  bring  tears. 
For  a mild  shower,  he  can  persist  in  being  “mad  at 
Malcolm,”  as  described  above.  For  a severe  paroxysm, 
the  director  threatens  to  send  his  mother  home. 
Lately,  this  has  not  worked  so  well,  because  Mrs. 
Sabiston,  nowadays,  frequently  leaves  the  studio  while 
Malcolm  is  working.  So  the  staff  racked  its  brains 
for  another  ruse. 


J.  Leo  Meehan  is  spending  several  weeks  at  Rome  City, 
Ind.,  shooting  “The  Harvester”  for  F.B.O.  Above  is  the 
production  unit. 


Walter  Camp,  Jr.,  head  of  Inspiration  visits  the  Coast.  Left 
is  Edwin  Carewe,  producer,  right  General  Manager  Smith. 


22 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


^ ‘Uncle  Tom  in  A Director  Need  Not 

$2,000,000  Mantle  Be  A Good  Actor 


The  modern  version  of 


an  old  saying:  “ ‘I  care 
not  who  write  the  laws 
of  the  country  if  I may 
be  permitted  to  direct 
its  motion  pictures' ” — 
Martin  J.  Quigley  in 
editorial  in  this  issue. 


HARRY  POLLARD 


XJ ARRY  POLLARD 
-*•  -*■  has  completed  the  ac- 
tual filming  of  “Uncle 
Tom’s  Cabin,”  Universal’s 
super-production  of  the 
most  famous  story  and 
play  in  American  history. 
It  is  highly  significant  that 
Pollard’s  production  of 
the  Harriet  Beecher 
Stowe  classic  is  considered 
to  be  the  most  important 
picture  Universal  has  yet 
contributed  to  film  poster- 
ity. The  director’s  super- 
human devotion  to  the 
making  of  this  picture,  his 
untiring  zeal  and  conscien- 
tious effort  in  the  consum- 
mation of  this  monumental 
task,  during  the  past  year 
has  been  amazing.  Vicis- 
situdes have  been  endured 
and  surmounted.  Although 
Laemmle  originally 
planned  to  spend  one  mil- 
lion dollars  in  the  making 
of  ’’Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,” 
the  production  will  cost 
nearly  $2,000,000 — and  the 
Universal  executives  are 
unanimous  in  their  firm 
convictions  that  the  re- 
sults will  prove  more  than 
worth  it. 

L.acmmle  s faith  in  Pollard  could  have  been  no  better  exemj)li- 
fied  than  in  the  new  five-year  contract  he  recently  tendered  the 
director  in  place  of  the  old  one,  which  had  a year  to  run. 

Pollard  directed  “The  Cohens  and  the 
Kellys,”  which  led  the  Exhibitors  Herald 
“Box  Office  Ticker”  for  several  months  as 
the  biggest  hit  of  the  season.  It  calls  for 
approximately  a million  dollars  in  salary 
during  the  five  year  period. 

Pollard  has  been  selected  to  direct  “Show 
Boat,”  P.dna  Ferber  novel  of  theatrical  life 
on  a Mississippi  river  show  boat,  which 
is  rated  as  the  “best  seller”  in  years. 

Harry  Pollard’s  career  during  the  last 
five  or  six  years  has  been  remarkable. 

After  a number  of  years  as  an  actor  and 
a director  with  more  or  less  success,  he 
flashed  on  the  screen  world  about  six 
years  ago  as  the  man  responsible  for  the 
famous  “Leather  Pushers”  two-reel  fight 
pictures  adapted  from  H.  C.  Witwer’s 
stories,  and  starring  Reginald  Denny.  Since 
he  turned  out  “The  Leather  Pushers”  Pol- 
lard’s record  with  Universal  has  been  an 
unblemished  one.  Not  once  has  he  made 
a flop,  and  in  most  cases  his  pictures  have 
been  outstanding  successes.  “California 
Straight  Ahead,”  “I’ll  Show  You  the 
Town,”  “Oh,  Doctor,”  “The  Reckless  Age,” 

“K — the  Unknown,”  “Sporting  Youth”  and 
“Poker  Faces,”  all  clicked  at  the  box  office. 

(Continued  on  page  40) 


WILLIAM  SEITER 


Charles  Lament  and  “Big  Boy”  of  Edu- 
cational. 


1^  O director  in  motion 
-*■  ’ pictures  has  come  to 
the  front  faster  during 
the  past  three  years  than 
William  A.  Seiter,  who 
has  to  his  credit  a string 
of  no  less  than  eight 
tremendously  successful 
super-comedies  starring 
Reginald  Denny.  This  ad- 
mirable combination  of 
director  and  star  have 
turned  out  some  of  the 
biggest  box-office  suc- 
cesses of  picture  history 
for  Universal. 

Seiter  has  recently 
turned  out  one  of  the 
farce  hits  of  the  season. 

“The  Small  Bachelor,”  the 
highly  amazing  story  by 
P.  G.  Wodehouse  which 
ran  serially  in  Liberty 
magazine  is  said  to  be  a 
riotously  funny  picture. 

It  is  an  all-star  cast 
headed  by  Andre  Be- 
ranger,  Barbara  Kent  and 
Lucien  Littlefield.  “Out 
All  Night”  is  the  most  re- 
cent super-comedy  in 
which  Seiter  directed 
Reginald  Denny.  As  soon 
as  the  director  and  his 
bride,  the  delectable  Laura 

La  Plante,  return  from  their  Honolulu  honeymoon,  he  will  prob- 
ably direct  Reginald  Denny  again  in  “Good  Morning,  Judge.” 

Speaking  of  Laura  La  Plante,  this  able  young  actress  has 
signed  a five-year  contract  with  Universal 
placing  her  among  the  leading  feminine 
stars  of  the  screen  and  in  the  milliona,iress 
class  as  well.  Seiter  directed  the  young 
star  who  was  to  become  his  wife  in  such 
hits  as  “The  Teaser”  and  “Dangerous  Inno- 
cence.” It  is  highly  probable  that  he  will 
again  direct  her  for  at  least  one  special 
production  within  the  near  future. 

William  A.  Seiter  has  earned  his  name 
as  one  of  the  most  successful  directors  in 
pictures.  Although  a scion  of  a well-to-do 
New  York  family,  he  came  to  Hollywood 
in  the  pioneer  days  to  start  at  the  bottom 
as  an  actor  in  pictures. 

After  several  months  as  an  “extra”  the 
erstwhile  director’s  creative  ability  asserted 
itself.  He  determined  to  learn  the  picture 
business  right.  To  that  end,  he  worked  on 
the  camera,  in  cutting  room  and  laboratory, 
and  as  an  assistant  director.  He  actually 
made  his  debut  as  an  actor  as  the  juvenile 
lead  opposite  none  other  than  Norma  Tal- 
made  in  an  early  picture,  in  which  he  also 
acted  as  the  assistant  director.  But,  later, 
when  the  ambitious  young  man  was 
selected  by  D.  W.  Griffith  to  be  co-featured 
in  two-reel  romances,  the  screen  lost  a 
(Continued  on  page  41) 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


‘ Script  Is  Merely 
A Director’s  Guide” 

By  VICTOR  SCHERTZINGER 


I Flop  If  I Can ’t 
Make  Them  Laugh 

By  RICHARD  WALLACE 


Directors’  testimonials 


regarding  their  methods 
of  making  pictures  are 
herewith  set  forth  by 
“‘The  Studio”  for  the 
benefit  of  those  exhibi- 
tors whose  requests  • 
prompted  the  editorial 
staff  to  obtain  them. 


VICTOR  SCHERTZINGER 


(<  ^ UIDED  by  scenarios, 
LJ  but  not  domineered 
by  them,”  is  my  policy  in 
directing  motion  pictures. 

I use  the  script  of  a 
photoplay  merely  as  a 
guide — not  as  a set  of  blue 
prints  which  must  be  fol- 
lowed in  each  minute  de- 
tail. 

I adopted  this  plan  sev- 
eral years  ago  and  have 
made  even  more  extensive 
use  of  it  in  directing  Fox 
Films’  version  of  “The 
Secret  Studio,”  starring 
Olive  Borden. 

I believe  that  the  men 
and  women  of  the  newer 
school  of  playwriting  find 
that  the  best  way  to  write 
a screen  story  is  to  confer 
with  the  director — talk 
over  the  plot.  Start  with 
the  first  scene  and  outline 
the  entire  plot,  deviating 
here  and  there  for  charac- 
terization development, 
sketching  with  adjectives 
the  kind  of  settings  to  be 
used,  the  costumes  to  be 
worn  by  the  players  and 
all  the  other  details. 

This  is  the  clearest  manner  in  which  to  visualize  a screen  play. 
That  is  what  must  be  done  in  preparing  a script,  for  to  tell  a story 
in  pictures  is  the  ultimate  aim  of  the  director. 

After  talking  the  theme  over,  the  story 
should  be  put  in  writing,  however,  for 
often  discrepancies  are  plainly  discernible 
when  read  from  the  printed  page  that  other- 
wise would  not  be  noticed. 

Once  the  story  has  been  written  and  the 
director  has  absorbed  it,  there  is  no  good 
reason  for  his  directing  with  one  eye  on  the 
players  and  the  other  on  the  script,  fig- 
uratively speaking.  If  he  does,  the  action 
is  likely  to  be  stilted  and  an  intelligent  the- 
atre audience — and  what  audience  isn’t  now- 
adays?— always  will  be  conscious  that  the 
picture  on  the  screen  is  just  exactly  that — 
a motion  picture. 

“Be  guided  by  the  script,  but  not  dom- 
ineered by  it !”  I believe  a director  can 
impart  to  his  story  naturalness. 

In  other  words,  the  result  will  be  a well- 
told  story,  instead  of  a few  hundred  stiff, 
stilted  scenes,  linked  together  by  a certain 
number  of  sub-titles  and  without  real  rhyme 
or  reason. 

“The  Secret  Studio,”  which  is  now  in  the 
process  of  being  filmed  at  William  Fox 
West  Coast  Studios,  is  an  interesting  exam-  Victor  Seastrom 
pie  of  what  can  be  done  by  following  this  Wind,”  M-G-M 
method.  Han  Gish. 


RICHARD  WALLACE 


SINCE  my  forte  is  the 
direction  of  motion 
picture  comedies.  I’d  be  a 
terrible  flop  if  I couldn’t 
make  movie  fans  laugh. 

Of  all  the  human  modes 
of  expression,  the  laugh  is 
the  hardest  to  bring  out. 

Try  to  make  people 
laugh.  If  you  doubt  my 
word  that  it’s  one  of  the 
biggest  jobs  there  is,  con- 
sult the  hard  working  cir- 
cus clown,  the  vaudeville 
actor  who  nearly  breaks 
his  neck  sliding  into  the 
orchestra  pit — just  for  the 
pleasure  of  the  spectators; 
or  the  rent  collector. 

The  moment  you  actu- 
ally try  to  make  people 
laugh  they  seem  to  become 
conscious  of  it  and  get  a 
kind  of  “stage  fright.” 

Spontaneity  is  the  thing — 
catch  them  off  their  guard. 

Tickle  them  in  the  ribs 
when  they’re  not  looking 
for  it. 

Spontaneity,  by  the  way, 
is  the  secret  of  the  Irish- 
man’s ability  to  stir  up 
fun.  He  is  naturally  witty, 
but  he  is  especially  clever 
at  repartee.  His  funny 

answer  comes  so  quickly  it  can’t  fail  to  provoke  a laugh.  That 
little  psychological  moment  is  most  precious. 

“McFadden’s  Flats”  was  just  a plain  story  built  around  the 
strange  friendship  of  a big  Irishman  and 
a Scotchman.  The  Irishman  was  a poor 
contractor  who  hoped  to  become  wealthy. 
Eventually  he  launched  himself  into  a big 
construction  project.  Everything  went  won- 
derfully well  until  the  climactic  moment. 
The  Irishman  then  seemed  due  to  financial 
collapse.  The  Scotchman  came  to  his  res- 
cue, silently  lending  money. 

There,  one  might  say,  is  material  for 
a pathetic  story,  not  a comedy. 

True,  Murray  with  his  Hibernian  grim- 
aces, and  Conklin  with  his  walrus  mous- 
tache, are  funny  enough,  but  had  not  all 
their  acts  in  “McFadden’s  Flats”  been  subtly 
timed,  that  spontaneity  necessary  to  keep 
a blase,  skeptical  theatre  audience  in  up- 
roarious laughter  for  more  than  an  hour, 
would  have  been  lacking.  “McFadden’s 
Flats”  was  my  biggest  undertaking. 

Another  big  enterprise  was  the  direct- 
ing of  Mabel  Normand  in  “Raggedy  Rose.” 
Miss  Normand  had  been  out  of  pictures  for 
a long  time.  It  was  necessary,  in  safeguard- 
ing her  future  success,  that  her  return 
, director  of  “The  should  be  triumphant. 

him  starring  Lil-  One  of  these  days  I may  be  found  with 

one  eye  fixed  on  the  lens  of  a microscope. 


24 


June  18,  1927 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


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June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


LEWIS  MILESTONE 

has  just  completed  the  direction 
of 

^TWO  ARABIAN  KNIGHTS” 

A “Caddo  Production,”  released  soon  by  United  Artists 

With 

WILLIAM  BOYD 

Supported  by 

MARY  ASTOR 

and 

LOUIS  WOLHEIM 


«•  - The  comedy  Qem  of  Qemsl 


26 


June  18,  1927 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


Directors 

Confess 

Their 

Favorites 


The  jour  testimonials  re- 
ceived this  month  include 
mention  of  “The  Birth  of 
a Nation,”  “Penrod  and 
Sam,”  “The  Miracle  Man,” 
and  “The  Ten  Command- 
ments.” 


GUS  MEINS,  comedy  director  lor 
Stern  Brothers,  turns  to  more  serious 
product  in  his  letter  to  “The  Studio.” 
He  is  a Universal  director. 


GEORGE  ARCHAINBAUD,  First 
National’s  director  of  such  well  known 
pieces  as  “Men  of  Steel,”  selects  “The 
Birth  of  a Nation”  in  his  confession. 


MEINS,  comedy  director  for  Stern 
Film  Corporation,  confesses  he  would 
like  to  have  directed  more  serious  comedy- 
drama  and  chooses  “Penrod  and  Sam”  the 
Booth  Tarkington  story,  about  a boy  and 
a dog.  He  says; 

There  was  a universal  appeal  in  the  pic- 
ture for  most  everyone  loves  a dog  and 
the  psychology  of  the  boy  and  his  com- 
panions was  so  human  and  true  to  boyhood 
it  struck  a responsive  chord  in  every  heart. 

Many  directors  have  tried  to  transfer  to 
the  screen  stories  of  boyhood  life  but  few 
have  done  it  successfully.  “Penrod  and 
Sam” — while  it  was  not  a big  box  office 
success — made  a deep  impression  upon  me 
and  I hope  some  day  to  be  able  to  make 
a picture  as  true  to  life  and  as  simply  told 
as  “i’enrod  and  Sam”  just  a story  of  a boy 
and  his  dog. — Gus  Meins. 

all  the  pictures  I have  seen,  the  one 
I would  rather  have  directed  was  “The 
Birth  of  a nation,”  says  George  Archain- 
baud. 

In  my  estimation  the  filming  of  “The 
Birth  of  a Nation”  was  the  greatest  for- 
ward step  that  has  ever  been  made  in  the 
motion  picture  industry.  In  giving  this 
picture  to  the  world,  D.  W.  Griffith  pushed 
the  industry  ahead  five  years,  virtually  over 
night. 

We  often  hear  it  said  that  “the  picture 
business  is  still  in  its  infancy.”  If  this  be 
true,  then  the  industry  was  not  born  until 
“The  Birth  of  a Nation”  was  flashed  on 
the  screen  to  awaken  the  world  to  a realiza- 


tion of  the  potentialities  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture camera. 

Since  then  the  industry  has  made  wonder- 
ful strides,  in  technique  and  in  art,  but  in 
no  period  of  its  progression  has  the  ad- 
vance been  so  marked. 

“The  Birth  of  a Nation”  began  a new 
era  of  the  screen  because  for  the  first  time 
in  movie  history  a director  had  attempted 
“bigness.”  He  had  broken  away  from  con- 
temporary inconsequential  drama  and  com- 
edy to  do  something  worthwhile. 

“The  Birth  of  a Nation”  was  the  means 


Dolores  Del  Rio  is  Katusha  Mas- 
lova in  “Resurrection,”  which  Ed- 
win Carewe  has  made  for  United 
Artists. 


of  bringing,  those  who  scoffed  at  pictures 
before  to  a realization  that  an  art  was  in 
the  making. 

“The  Birth  of  a Nation”  was  the  fore- 
runner of  big  pictures. 

“The  Birth  of  a Nation”  was  the  first 
movie  to  lift  the  industry  from  the 
nickelodeon  stage  to  big  time. 

‘The  Birth  of  a Nation”  is  today  a stand- 
ard by  which  all  films  are  gauged. 

Is  there  any  wonder  then  that  I would 
rather  have  been  the  director  of  this  pic- 
ture than  any  other  ever  made.” 


As  to  your  second  question : 

The  picture  that  I have  directed  that 
comes  nearest  to  satisfying  me  was  “Men 
of  Steel,”  which  I directed  with  Milton 
Sills  in  the  starring  role. 

It  comes  nearest  to  satisfying  me  be- 
cause I tried  to  put  into  it,  that  which 
made  “The  Birth  of  a Nation”  outstanding 
— bigness. 

Based  on  the  theme  “that  while  men  are 
making  steel,  steel  is  making  men,”  we  at- 
tempted to  carry  this  thought  throughout 
the  whole  picture.  We  had  the  full  co- 
operation of  The  United  States  Steel  Cor- 
poration in  the  making  of  the  film  and  for 
the  first  time  in  the  history  of  pictures  we 
really  wove  one  of  the  biggest  industries  in 
the  world  into  a story,  that  in  itself  was  an 
important  part  of  the  story  and  not  simply 
a background. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


ALBERT  ROGELL,  First  National  director  of  “The 
Sunset  Derby”  new  picture,  says  he  would  like  to 
have  directed  “The  Miracle  Man.” 


EDWIN  CAREWE,  director  of  “Resurrection”  for 
United  Artists,  is  partial  to  that  kind  of  picture,  no 
doubt.  He  names  “The  Ten  Commandments.” 


TF  I could  choose  from  the  whole  list  of 

pictures  past — but  not  forgotten — one  to 
bear  my  name  as  director,  I would  ask 
that  it  be  “The  Miracle  Man.”  There  is  a 
picture  which  is  truly  a “picture  with  a 
soul.” 

It  was  my  privilege  to  work  on  “The 
Miracle  Man”  very  early  in  my  film  career : 
to  sit  at  the  feet  of  George  Loane  Tucker 
during  a very  impressionable  period  of  my 
youth  and  see  a master  at  work  on  the 
production  of  such  a picture  as  “The 
Miracle  Man.” 

I prize  the  memory  of  that  picture  be- 
cause it  proved  for  me  several  points  about 
which  I have  heard  a lot  of  argument 
since.  The  first  of  these  points  is  that  a 
picture  does  not  need  a star,  or  stars,  to 
make  it  a box-office  success.  “The  Miracle 
Man”  had  no  stars  in  its  cast — -but  it  made 
several  stars.  The  other  point  is  that  pic- 
ture to  be  “great”— not  only  in  the  artistic 
sense,  but  at  the  box-office — does  not  need 
to  be  a spectacle,  or  show  a lavish  produc- 
tion value. 

So  much  for  what  a picture  does  not 
need.  What  it  does  need,  above  everything 
else,  in  my  opinion,  is  sincerity.  Sincerity ! 
In  its  story,  in  its  direction,  in  its  acting. 
“The  Miracle  Man”  was  a sincere  piece 
of  work.  Then,  back  of  its  sincerity,  a pic- 
ture must  have  some  good  reason  for  be- 
ing. If  you  think  it  over,  you’ll  see  that 
a person  can’t  be  sincere,  or  work  up  a 
fine  enthusiasm,  over  something  that  isn’t 
worth  doing — that,  when  it  is  done,  accom- 
plishes nothing  of  real  worth  or  service. 

“The  Miracle  Man”  had  a purpose,  and 
performed  a service.  It  was  sincere;  so 


were  its  actors.  None  could  work  with 
Tucker,  it  seems  to  me,  and  be  other  than 
sincere;  none  could  fail  to  catch  at  least 
some  of  his  splendid  enthusiasm,  and  be 
uplifted  by  his  idealism  and  artistry. 

In  talking  of  the  man,  I am  talking  of 
the  picture,  for  “The  Miracle  Man”  was 
but  the  reflection  of  a great  mind  and 
genius,  the  beautiful  and  deathless  work  of 
a master. — Al  Rogell. 


Ralph  Lewis  and  Mary  Astor 
appear  in  Al  Rogell’ s film,  “The 
Sunset  Derby,”  a First  National 
release. 


Tj'DWIN  CAREWE  says;  I feel  every 
^ star  would  liked  to  have  played  a role 
already  given  the  stage  or  screen  by  an- 
other. I think  every  cameraman  would 
like  to  have  turned  the  crank  on  a story 
that  a brother  cinematographer  has  regis- 
tered. 

I feel  every  writer  would  liked  to  have 
had  a chance  on  a story  that  another  scribe 
had  completed. 

And  so  it  is  with  the  director.  Every 
director  has  at  least  one  production  that 
he  would  liked  to  have  participated  in.  Not 
that  the  director  feels  he  could  give  a dif- 
ferent treatment  to  the  story,  necessarily, 
nor  that  he  could  better  the  finished  prod- 
uct. But  way  down  deep  in  his  “inners,” 
he  would  like  to  have  had  something  to  do 
with  it. 

Personally  I would  liked  to  have  directed 
“The  Ten  Commandments.”  I am  partial 
to  historical  pieces  for  the  screen.  When 
I saw  the  premiere  in  Hollywood  two  years 
since,  I sat  back  and  wished  with  all  my 
heart  that  I could  have  exchanged  places 
during  the  period  of  time  consumed  in  its 
making,  with  Mr.  De  Mille. 

I am  in  deep  sympathy  with  the  historical 
stories.  I feel  “Resurrection”  is  going  to 
take  its  place  among  the  big  productions. 
I spared  no  time  or  expense  in  giving  the 
screen  what,  in  my  opinion,  is  a historical 
classic. 


GO  ON  CANADA  LOCATION 

HOLLYWOOD. — Jack  Blystone,  Fox  director, 
expects  to  leave  tomorrow  with  the  company  to 
make  “Pajamas,”  on  location  in  Canada,  prob- 
ably near  Lake  Louise.  Olive  Borden  is  to  star 
in  this  production,  the  story  of  which  was  writ- 
ten especially  for  her  by  William  Conselman. 


28 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


Christy  Cabanne 

Director  of  Following  M-G-M  Productions 

“The  Midshipman” — with  Ramon  Novarro 
“Masked  Bride” — Mae  Murray 
“Altars  of  Desire” — Mae  Murray 
“Monte  Carlo” — Lew  Cody  and  All-star  Cast 

To  be  released  soon: 

“On  Ze  Boulevard” — Lew  Cody,  Renee  Adoree, 
Dorothy  Sebastian  and  Roy  D’Arcy 


STEPHEN 

ROBERTS 

Director 
“SURE  CURE” 

Educational  Release 


Jack 

Mulhall 

Playing  the 
lead  in 

“Road 

to  Romance” 

A FIRST 
NATIONAL 
PRODUCTION 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


— below  is  the  copy  exhibitors  are 
placing  in  their  home  town  papers 


By  Herald  Representatives  at 

the  Studio 

Publication  Rights  Granted  Exhibitors 


A Double  News  Service  In- 
forming the  Showman  Upon 
Stndio  Events  and  Enabling 
Him  to  Inform  His  Reader 
Patrons  in  Turn. 


^ Special  Assignments  Will 
Be  Covered  for  Exhibitors 
Upon  Request  to  Editor 
“T^e  Studio,”  Exhibitors 
Herald,  Chicago,  111. 


Hollywood,  June  14. — Paramount-Famous-Lasky  employes 
1;o  the  number  of  200,  who  had  helped  in  some  way  to  make 
one  or  more  of  the  “Ten  Best”  Paramount  pictures  of  the  year, 
were  awarded  last  week  at  a get-together  given  by  Jesse  L. 
Lasky.  Awards  were  made  according  to  a scoring  system  for 
success  which  Paramount  studios  instituted  for  the  first  time 
this  year. 

The  listed  ten  best  pictures  of  the  year  and  the  directors  are : 
“We’re  in  the  Navy  Now,”  Edward  Sutherland;  “The  Grand 
Duchess  and  the  Waiter,”  Mai.  St.  Clair;  “Behind  the  Front,” 
Edward  Sutherland ; “Let’s  Get  Married,”  Gregory  LaCava ; “The 
Vanishing  American,”  George  B.  Seitz;  “The  Quarterback,”  Fred 
Newmeyer;  “The  Campus  Flirt,”  Clarence  Badger;  “Mantrap,” 
Victor  Fleming;  “Kid  Boots,”  Frank  Tuttle;  and  “Forlorn  River,” 
John  Waters. 

* * * 

“Big  Boy^  Has  Measles 

According  to  Charlie  Lament,  director  of  Educational  comedies, 
it  is  only  to  be  expected  that  a business  so  often  referred  to  as 
the  “infant  industry”  should  occasionally  suffer  from  “infant  dis- 
orders.” At  any  rate,  a case  of  measles  has  delayed  production 
on  a comedy  in  which  “Big  Boy”  is  featured,  as  the  three-year-old 
star  came  down  with  a mild  case  last  week,  and  Lament  is  now 
directing  Lupino  Lane  until  his  baby  star  recovers. 

* * 

A pathetic  case  of  the  love  of  a dog  for  her  master  was 
revealed  when  Einar  Hansen,  the  Swedish  actor,  who  was  killed 
near  Inceville,  Cal.,  when  his  auto  overturned  and  pinned  him 
beneath  it.  The  dog  was  thrown  clear  of  the  machine  and  stayed 
near  the  injured  actor  until  garage  men  found  him,  then  he 
accompanied  the  actor  to  the  hospital,  and  as  Police  Surgeon  Dr. 
A.  C.  Weaver  worked  over  him,  Bella,  Hansen’s  pet  Doberman 
Pinscher,  remained  outside  the  operating  room  watchful  of  a 
glimpse  of  her  master.  When  the  body  was  taken  away  in  a 
hearse  Bella  followed,  jumped  in  and  laid  down  on  the  clothes 
Hansen  had  worn. 

* * * 

Borden  to  Star  in  “Pajamas^^ 

Bill  Counselman  has  just  written  an  original  story  for  Fox 
Films  Corporation  called  “Pajamas,”  and  is  busy  putting  it  into 
scenario  form  for  Olive  Borden’s  next  vehicle.  Jack  Blystone 
will  direct. 

* 

Margaret  Livingston  is  to  play  a role 
somewhat  different  from  those  that  she  has 
previously  essayed.  In  “An  American 
Beauty,”  a First  National  production,  Mar- 
garet will  have  a comedy  role  opposite 
Billie  Dove. 

* * * 

Buck  Jones  is  next  to  appear  in  an 
adapted  Charles  Alden  Selter  story,  “Brass 
Commandments,”  for  Fox.  Lambert  Hill- 
yer  will  direct. 

* * * 

Goldwyn  Lion  Is  Dead 

Charlie  Gay,  who  owns  a lion  farm  and 
rents  his  “cats”  to  the  motion  picture  trade, 
suffered  an  unusual  streak  of  hard  luck 
recently  when  Slats,  his  most  valuable  lion, 
died  of  appendicitis.  Slats  posed  for  the 
original  Goldwyn  trade  mark  and  was  often 
teanied  with  Numa,  the  favorite  of  the 
movie  colony.  Another  lion  4 months  old 
choked  to  death  the  day  following  Slats’ 
demise,  and  last  Monday  the  trainer  was 


attacked  by  a 4-year-oId  lion,  which  bit  him  on  the  right  leg.  He 
was  treated  at  Hollywood  hospital. 

* * * 

Butler  to  Direct  Fox  Film 

Dave  Butler,  one  of  the  most  popular  players  in  Hollywood, 
is  to  have  his  opportunity  at  directing.  Sol  Wurtzel,  general 
manager  of  Fox  studios,  will  give  him  a story  called  “Atlantic 
City”  as  his  initial  effort,  and  just  to  get  the  proper  atmosphere 
Dave  has  gone  to  Atlantic  City  to  see  what  it  looks  like. 

* * * 

Logan  Signs  with  De  Mille 

Jacqueline  Logan  has  renewed  her  contract  with  De  Mille  and 
will  have  a leading  role  in  a forthcoming  picture,  according  to 
latest  reports.  Miss  Logan’s  work  in  “King  of  Kings”  won  much 
praise  and  several  companies  were  bidding  for  her  services.  How- 
ever, De  Mille  exercised  his  option  and  she  will  remain  at  the 
Culver  City  studios. 

* * * 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller  signed  her  name  in  200  straw  hats  a week 
ago  last  Sunday  when  she  attended  the  barbecue  of  the  First 
National  sales  forces  at  The  Gables  beach  party.  Patsy  Ruth  just 
finished  “Hot  Heels”  for  LJniversal,  under  the  direction  of  Wil- 
liam Craft,  which  was  completed  in  exactly  12  days  and  is  said 
to  have  cost  $41,000.  That  shows  what  a lively  young  director 
can  do  with  a hard  working  star. 

^ ^ 

Dunlap  Goes  to  Australia 

Scott  Dunlap’s  new  directorial  efforts  will  reveal  a group  of 
pictures  of  strictly  American  motif  in  an  Australian  background. 
Scott  recently  sailed  for  the  Antipodes  to  direct  for  Phillips  Com- 
pany, Ltd. 

* * Hi 

Mark  Sandrich  has  been  assigned  the  job  of  directing  a Lupino 
Lane  production  for  Educational.  The  popular  English  comedian 
has  just  finished  a stage  engagement  in  Hollywood. 

^ * 

Tom  Mix  and  Ruth  Mix  in  Film 

Tom  Mix  has  his  own  daughter,  Ruth  Mix,  in  his  company 
making  “The  Scourge  of  the  Little  C.”  Dorothy  Dwan  is  appear- 
ing as  Tom’s  leading  woman  and  the  com- 
pany has  just  returned  from  Arizona, 
where  exteriors  were  made. 

>(:  * * 

They  have  fianlly  selected  a title  for  Ma- 
rie Prevost’s  next  Metropolitan  picture.  It 
is  “The  Rush  Hour,”  a story  by  Fanny  and 
Frederick  Hatton.  E.  Mason  Hopper  di- 
rected, and  David  Butler,  Harrison  Ford, 
Franklin  Pangborn,  Seena  Owen  and  Ward 
Crane  appear  in  Marie’s  support. 

Lois  Moran  with  Fox 

The  Fox  studios  will  welcome  little  Lois 
Moran  to  the  Coast  this  week.  She  has 
signed  a long  term  contract  with  that  com- 
pany and  will  start  work  July  1.  This 
gives  Fox  quite  a lineup  of  female  stars : 
Janet  Gaynor,  Olive  Borden,  Sally  Phipps, 
Marjorie  Beebe,  Virginia  Valli,  Mary  Dun- 
can and  Greta  Nissen. 

* * * 

Victor  Schertzinger’s  next  Fox  produc- 
tion will  be  “Bolaoo,”  a story  of  Paris. 


Are  You  Protected? 


Eddie  Schafer 

Special  Term  Insurance 
for  the  Actors 


65531/2  Sunset  Blvd. 
Hollywood,  Cal. 
Call  HEM.  1412 


30 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


Douglas  Fairbanks  naturally  likes  being 

a pirate,  we  guess,  and  he’s  dressed 

for  one  in  “The  Gaucho,’’  U.  A.  him. 

“What  Happened  to  Father”  will  be  War- 
ner Gland’s  first  featured  production  under 
his  new  Warner  Brothers  contract.  It  was 
adapted  from  the  Mary  Roberts  Rinehart 
farce.  John  Adolfi  will  direct. 

* * * 

Lloyd  Bacon  has  a notable  cast  in  his 
“The  Heart  of  Maryland”  production  for 
Warner  Brothers — Jason  Robards,  Warner 
Richmond,  Helene  Costello,  Myrna  Loy, 
Charles  Edward  Bull,  Walter  Rogers,  Car- 
roll  Nye. 

^ ^ ^ 

Loretta  Young  in  “‘Monterey  ’ 

Loretta  Young,  youthful  First  National 
“discovery”  recently  placed  under  contract, 
has  been  seelcted  for  an  important  role  in 
George  F’itzmaurice’s  picture  “The  Rose  of 
Monterey.” 

* * ❖ 

Carey  Wilson  will  next  produce  for  First 
National  “American  Beauty,”  starring  Bil- 
lie Dove.  Richard  Wallace  has  been 
chosen  to  direct,  and  Lloyd  Hughes  will 
play  the  masculine  lead. 

* * * 

Milton  Sills,  surrounded  by  beautiful 
girls,  is  appearing  in  “Hard-Boiled  Hag- 
gerty.” Natalie  Kingston,  Virginia  Lee 
Corbin,  Yola  d’Avril  are  prominent  in  the 
cast  in  Sills’  support.  Charles  Brabin  is 
directing  the  Wid  Gunning  production  for 
First  National. 

* * Jjs 

Mulhall  Film  Nears 
Completion 

Jack  Mulhall  and  Dorothy  Mackaill  are 
in  the  final  stages  of  “The  Road  to  Ro- 
mance,” according  to  Charles  R.  Rogers, 
who  is  producing  this  film  for  First  Na- 
tional. It  is  the  story  of  a traveling  sales- 
man and  was  written  by  A1  Boasberg. 

* ♦ * 

Alfred  A.  Cohn,  free  lance  writer,  has 
returned  from  a two  months’  vacation  in 
New  York,  where  he  wtnessed  many  new 
plays  and  gathered  material  for  several 
new  stories.  “We  Americans”  and  “The 
Jazz  Singer”  were  his  latest  pictures,  now 
in  production  at  Universal  and  Warner 
Brothers,  respectively. 

* * * 

William  A.  Orlamond  doesn’t  leave  the 
Metrp-Goldwyn-Mayer  lot  between  pictures. 


Having  finished  an  important  role  in  Clar- 
ence Brown’s  picture  “The  Trail  of  ’98,” 
Orlamond  signed  with  Director  Victor  Sea- 
strom  to  play  in  “Wind.” 

* * * 

Lewis  Milestone,  29-year-old  director  of 
“Two  Arabian  Knights,”  comedy  spectacle 
at  United  Artists  studio,  was  a film  cutter 
before  he  was  given  his  first  chance  to  han- 
dle a megaphone. 

* * 

De  Putti  Speaks  for  Herself 

Lya  de  Putti  dispenses  with  an  inter- 
preter for  the  first  time  since  her  arrival  in 
the  United  States,  in  work  on  “The  Buck 
Private,”  which  Mel  Brown  is  directing  for 
L’niversal. 

* * * 

* * 

Jacqueline  Logan  has  returned  from  a 
brief  vacation  trip  to  San  Diego.  Miss  Lo- 
gan has  just  completed  the  featured  femi- 
nine role  in  “The  Blood  Ship”  at  Columbia, 
which  George  B.  Seitz  directed. 

* * * 

“Harp  in  Hock”  is  the  first  of  a series 
of  screen  features  which  Renaud  Hoffman 
will  direct  at  the  De  Mille  studios  for 
P.  D.  C.  release. 

^ ^ ^ 

Exterior  scenes  for  the  ten  chapter  serial 
“Shark  Gods,”  starring  Anita  Stewart,  are 
being  taken  this  week  in  Santa  Ana  can- 
yon, with  Harry  Webb  directing. 

* * * 

Rosetta  and  Vivian  Duncan  are  consid- 
ering “Christopher  Columbus,”  written  by 
themselves,  for  their  next  picture  to  be 
made  at  United  Artists. 

* * * 

Nick  Musuraca  is  following  Tom’s  gang 
around  shooting  “Tom’s  Gang,”  which  is 
Tom  Tyler’s  latest  for  F.  B.  O. 

* =1=  + 

Summer  vacations  are  all  over  for  the 


ALAN  HALE 

DIRBCTOB 

“WEDDING  SONG”— Leatrice  Joy 
“BRAVEHEART”— Rod  LaRoqae 
“RISKY  BUSINESS”— Vera  Reyneldi 
“RUBBER  TIRES”— Besaie  Love 
P.  D.  C.  Reletue 


Lupe  V alez,  17  year  old  Mexican  girl,  is 
in  the  leading  role  of  Douglas  Fair- 
banks’ new  work,  “The  Gaucho,”  a 
United  Artists  release. 


boys  on  the  Educational  lot,  and  Camera- 
man Len  Smith  has  settled  down  with  Di- 
rector Norman  Taurog  for  a hard,  steady 
grind  on  the  1927-28  product. 

* N: 

Arthur  Edeson  heaved  a sigh  of  relief 
when  he  put  the  last  reel  of  “The  Patent 
Leather  Kid”  in  the  can.  Edeson  headed 
a corps  of  12  crank  grinders  at  Camp 
Lewis,  catching  the  war  stuff  for  the  Bar- 
thelmess  super-special  for  First  National. 
* * * 

Charlie  Van  Enger  is  learning  all  about 
the  habits  of  traveling  salesmen.  He’s  cam- 
eraman on  the  First  National  comedy  “The 
Road  to  Romance,”  one  of  A1  Boasberg’s 
stories. 

* * * 

Dan  Clark,  Tom  Mix’s  chief  cameraman, 
is  shooting  “The  Scourge  of  the  Little  C,” 
which  Lou  Seiler  is  directing,  quite  a bit 
of  which  is  on  location. 

* * * 

George  Meehan  is  Jules  White’s  camera- 
man on  the  latest  Fox  comedy,  “Gentlemen 
Prefer  Scotch,”  a picture  I presume  dedi- 
cated to  Mr.  Volstead. 

* * * 

Another  picture  which  sounds  as  though 
it  might  have  some  Scotch  in  it  is  M-G-M’s 
“Twelve  Miles  Out,”  which  John  Arnold 
photographed.  John  is  now  shooting 
“Wind,”  the  Gish  picture. 

* * * 

Tony  Gaudio  is  praying  for  lots  of  sun- 
light these  days,  as  he  needs  it  for  “The 
Gaucho,”  Doug  Fairbanks’  new  one.  F. 
Richard  Jones  is  directing,  and  the  first 
sequence  is  against  red  hills  and  cottages, 
which  requires  lots  of  strong  sunlight. 

* * * 

Barney  McGill,  Lewis  Milestone’s  cam- 
eraman on  “Two  Arabian  Knights,”  got 
some  unusual  effects  of  two  doughboys  in 
a shell  hole  fighting  five  Germans,  with  a 
company  of  German  soldiers  looking  on. 

* * * 

Charlie  Rosher  is  back  with  Mary  Pick- ' 
ord  again,  this  time  shooting  “My  Best 
Girl,”  a story  of  a Woolworth  store  em-’ 
ploye. 

* * * ! , 

John  Boyle  was  on  the  camera  of  “Topsy'- 
and  Eva,”  the  Duncan  Sisters  initial  United 
Artists  production,  which  opened  at  Grau-  - 
man’s  Egyptian  theatre  June  10.  , . 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


I 

“ROOKIES" 

M»G»M’s.“Big  Parade”  of  Comedies 

Directed  by 

SAM  WOOD 

Story  and  Continuity  by 

BYRON  MORGAN 


Now  Preparing 

MARION  DAVIES’ 

Next  Starring  Picture 

^THE  FAIR  CO-ED” 

With 

AL  BOASBERG 

Collaborating 


32 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


J.  Leo  Meehan 

Director  of 

The  1926  Box  Office  Winner 

“Keeper  of  the  Bees” 

Features  in  his  New  Program  two 
great  Gene  Stratton-Porter  novels 

“The  Harvester” 
“Freckles” 

also  two  featuring  the  new  boy  star, 
Frankie  Darro 

“Judgment  of  the  Hills” 

“Mickey  Grogan” 

And  several  other  big  features  all  to  be 
released  through  F.  B.  O. 


In  Production 

“LONESOME  LADIES” 

— First  National 

Current  Releases: 

“Framed,”  Milton  Sills  (Ray  Rockett) — First  National 
“See  You  in  Jail,”  Jack  Mulhall  (Ray  Rockett) — First  National 
“An  Affair  of  the  Follies,”  Billie  Dove  (A1  Rockett) — First  National 
“Naughty  but  Nice,”  Colleen  Moore  (John  McCormick) — First  Na- 
tional 

6372  Hollywood  Blvd 
Hollywood,  Calif. 

TITLES 

Phone  GLAD.  4807 


WILLIAM  ORLAMOND 

Now  playing  role  of  “Sour- 
dough” in  “Wind”  With 
LILIAN  GISH 
M-G-M. 


GEORGE  SIDNEY 

Just  finished 

“HELL’S  KITCHEN” 

A Robt.  Kane-First  National 

Now  Back  at  Burbank  with 
Charlie  Murray  in 


“DOWN  WENT 
McGINTY” 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Cameramen  in 
Peril  During 
Battle  Scenes 


Humor  and 
War  Demand 
of  Theatres 


N’OT  all  the  thrills  in  the  battle 
scenes  made  for  First  National’s 


“The  Patent  Leather  Kid”  went  to 
actors  at  Camp  Lewis,  Washington. 

The  twelve  cameramen,  under  the 
direction  of  Arthur  Edeson,  got  their  share 
of  excitement  and  danger,  when  the  three 
thousand  U.  S.  infantrymen  charged  across 
the  field,  when  the  fifty  tanks  roared  into 
action  and  when  the  German  “army” 
opened  fire. 

The  scenes  were  shot  from  high  trees, 
from  pits  under  the  moving  tanks,  from 
mine  holes  where  charges  of  powder  were 
exploding  and  from  every  possible  angle, 
that  the  mighty  battle  be  shown  in  minute 
detail  on  the  screen. 

There  were  no  serious  injuries  during 
the  making  of  the  entire  picture,  but 
cameramen  had  many  close  calls. 

The  detonations  were  so  great  that  some 
of  the  boys  at  the  cameras  were  tied  to 
their  stands,  if  they  were  high  in  the  air. 

Others  had  the  thrill  of  seeing  huge  tanks 
weighing  tons  crash  down  on  top  of  their 
camouflaged  pits,  while  they  ground  out 
scenes. 

Cameramen  often  deserted  their  cranks 
to  dash  into  the  scene  and  aid  soldiers  in 
danger  of  injury.  They  wore  regulation 

uniforms,  so  that  a civilian  would  not  appear  to  be  running  into 
the  picture. 

Two  of  Edeson’s  men  were  in  the  steeple  of  a church,  while 
the  church  was  under  fire.  Aerial  bombs  broke  so  close  to  them 
that  the  wadding  flew  in  their  faces,  and  the  dizzy  tower  swayed 
under  the  shocks.  One  man  became  seasick  from  the  explosions 
and  was  unable  to  work  for  a day  while  he  recovered. 

As  the  result  of  intrepid  work  of  these  cameramen,  unusual 
battle  shots  will  be  seen  in  this  super  special,  which  stars  Richard 
Barthelmess,  and  which  was  directed  by  Alfred  Santell.  Army 
officers  say  that  no  more  realistic  war  scenes  have  ever  been  made. 


A typical  scene  from  "Two  Arabian  Knights,” 
United  Artists  him,  the  sets  of  which  were 
designed  by  Park  French. 


'T''HE  humor  in  war  is 

-I-  t 


Louis  Wolheim  and  William  Boyd 
are  in  "Two  Arabian  Knights”  (set 
above)  which  Milestone  directed. 


screen  ma- 
terial ! The  horror  in  war  tms 
screen  material.  Motion  picture  pro- 
ducers now  want  to  picturize  the 
comedy  side  of  the  World  war. 
According  to  John  W.  Considine,  United 
Artists’  executive,  exhibitors  have  been 
overfed  with  dramatic  war  films  and  de- 
mand high-class  feature  comedies. 

The  war  is  still  a popular  subject  for 
film-making,  but  the  theatregoer  is  getting 
like  the  veteran,  says  Considine.  “He  wants 
to  forget  the  horrible  aspects  of  the  war; 
he  wants  the  laughs  instead.” 

Considine  supervised  production  of  “Two 
Arabian  Knights,”  a million-dollar  comedy 
spectacle,  in  which  two  American  dough- 
boys (William  Boyd  and  Louis  Wolheim) 
have  some  hilarious  adventures  in  Europe 
and  the  Orient  during  and  after  the  war. 

“In  this  film  we  show  very  little  of  the 
grim  side  of  the  war,”  he  said.  “The  war 
is  just  an  incident  in  the  lives  of  the  two 
doughboy  heroes — and  serves  as  the  means 
of  elevating  them  into  a series  of  humor- 
ous entanglements  in  the  Orient,  where 
they  find  greater  adventure,  and  more 
laughs.” 

The  drama  and  the  horror  of  the  World 
war  is  an  old  story  now — it  has  been 
filmed  over  and  over.  But  the  human  and  the  humorous  angles — • 
they  have  been  barely  scratched  by  the  producers. 

“Two  Arabian  Knights”  presents  Mary  Astor 
princess,  her  first  sophisticated  impersonation, 
directed  liy  Lewis  Milestone. 

The  United  Artists  production  has  many  unique  angles  and 
was  produced  on  a lavish  scale.  The  many  unusual  and  beau- 
tiful settings  were  designed  by  Park  French,  art  director  with  the 
Caddo  productions  unit.  The  story  concerns  the  exploits  of  two 
reckless  American  soldiers,  who  are  captured  by  the  Germans, 
escape  from  prison  and  eventually  arrive  in  the  Orient. 


as  an  Arabian 
The  film  was 


War  scenes  are  highlight  in  "The  Patent  Leather  Kid,” 
First  National  production  in  which  Cameraman  Arthur 
Edeson  risked  his  life. 


A battery  of  cameramen  who  went  into  the  thick  of  a 
battle  to  get  scenes  for  "The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  First 
National  him.  Edeson  is  behind  Director  Santell. 


34 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


V 


A 


THE  WANING  SEX 


THE  DEMI-BRIDE 


ADAM  AND  EVIL 


ROBERT  Z.  LEONARD 
DIRECTOR 


COMING 


TEA  EOR  THREE 

M-G-M 


99 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


JACK  MULHALL  is  the  featured 
player  in  "The  Road  to  Romance  ” 
to  be  made  by  First  National. 


Langdon  Denies  He  Will 

Direct  Own  Productions 

All  the  conversation  being  bandied 
about  town  concerning  Harry  Lang- 
don’s  alleged  plans  to  direct  himself  in  fu- 
ture pictures,  is  rather  ridiculous  to  those 
familiar  with  Langdon’s  mode  of  opera- 
tions. 

Since  his  early  Sennett  days,  Langdon 
has  always  been  his  own  director.  Rather 
than  covet  directorial  screen  credit,  the  star 
has  always  selected  one  of  his  staff  of  gag 
men,  assigned  him  to  the  directorial  chair, 
and  appointed  him  to  watch  the  action  for 
ocular  errors. 


JOHN 

FORD 


Now  Preparing 

“GRANDMA 

BERNLE 

LEARNS 

HER 

LETTERS” 


Fox  Releases 


DIRECTED  BY 


THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
—70%.  February  19.  One  of*  the  best  Westerns 
we  ever  had  the  pleasure  of  ehowins.  so  far 
ahead  of  all  the  rest.  I don't  aee  any  use  in  them 
trying  to'  keep  up.  First  Natit^V  is  sjre  show- 
ing US  what  they  can  do  with  ^Ktenm.  Seven 
reels.— E.  D.  Luna.  Cozy  the^|(e^|ifi^mei , Okla. 
—Small  town  patronage. 


THE  OVERLAND  STAGE: 
May  6>7.  Ken.  you  ^ure  ma 
Plenty^ of  good  conmd9^  As 
Covered  Wagon.”  /tTiA 
Seven  reels.-^— Jay  W.  G6J 
field.  Ill.f— Small  town  pJ 


rd— 75%, 
iwell  western, 
iting  as  “The 
photograph  t 
theatre,  Plain- 


THE  LNKNO 
—55%.  February 
ever  was  one.  Hot; 
ful  scenery. 

This  is  my  first  of 
the  others  are 
with  Fred  and 
had  more  favorable 
Seven  reels.— Eunii 
Fayette,  Ala. — Smj 


iR:XKen  Maynard 
W«ern  if  there 
fiAting.  beauti- 
ple^e|^n  a Western, 
th^  stareplctureh  and  if 
this  one  he  will  rank 
g soon.  I have  never 
nts  on  a Western, 
ichards,  Richards  theatre. 
D patensscra 


|rlL:  Ken  Maynard  — First 
^d  delivered  in  this  one.  Went 
Ipveryone.  This  is  suitable 
ditChell.  Dixie  theatre.  Rjusell* 
r patronage. 

THEf  OVHRL^D  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
Here  il  aInK  who  is  going  to  be  a big  bet  for 
all  of  nis/pi^rds:.  so  far  have  been  good.  Ken 
BCaynand  ind  Hm  McCoy  have  come  into  promi- 
nes'ce  wjn  thmr  prst  few  pictures  which  proves 
the  pubhe  welcomes  a change  away  from  the  sex 
stories,  the  risbue  and  the  lingerie  showa  This  is 
a real  * picture. — T.  F,  McCoy.  Lynwood  theatre. 
Lynwood.  Cal.i-'QeneraJ  patronage. 


ARTHUR  STONE 

HRST  NATIONAL  STUDIOS 

“HARD-BOILED 

HAGGERTY” 


Mark  Sandrich 

Now  Directing 


LUPINO  LANE 

for 


EDUCATIONAL 


36 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


MARIE  PREVOST 

Now  starring  in  “The  Rush  Hour” — Metropolitan  Pictures 
Production  for  Producers  Distributing  Corporation 


ALFRED  A. 
COHN 


FREE  LANCE  WRITER 
Coming  Up: 

“The  Jazz  Singer” 

For  Warner  Bros. 

“We  Americans” 

for  Universal 


Director 
of  Following 
Educational 
Comedies : 


“Monty  of  the  Mounted” 
—Lttpino  Lane 


“Atta  Baby” — Big  Boy 


^^Grandpa’s  Boy” — Big 
Boy 


“Kid  Tricks”— Big  Boy 


Producers  Tui 
Motion  Pictui 

TV/T  OTION  pictures  in  the  making  and 
motion  pictures  now  going  into  first 
and  second  runs  indicate  producers  have 
decided  people  want  the  classics  on  the 
screen. 

They  have  gone  back  to  the  classics.  Not 
only  are  they  thus  assured  of  famous 
characters  and  stories  already  familiar  in 
every  country  but  annoying  copyrights  have 
expired  and  costly  film  rights  need  not  be 
purchased. 

Heroines  and  heroes  as  widely  known  as 
Hester  Prynne,  Don  Juan,  Becky  Sharp, 

Richard  the  Lion-Hearted,  David  Copper- 
field,  Francois  Villon,  Benvenuto  Cellini, 

Silas  Marner,  Prince  Dmitri  Nekhludof, 

Dante  Alighieri,  Cyrano  de  Bergerac,  Lord 
Jim,  Siegfried,  Camille,  Cinderella, 

Katusha  Maslova,  Miles  Standish,  Romola, 

Manon  Lescaut,  Anna  Karenina,  Faust, 

Lady  Windermere,  d’Artagnan,  Salome  and 
Peter  Pan  have  all  been  adjudged  perfect 
screen  characters.  Those  of  the  gallant 
company  listed  who  have  not  already  made 
screen  bows  will  be  seen  in  1927. 

Your  true  scenarist  now  turns  out  to  be 
Isben,  Dickens,  Wilde,  Hawthorne,  Thack- 
eray, Anatole  France,  Byron,  Goethe, 

Dumas,  Barrie,  George  Eliot,  Conrad, 

Rostand,  Hugo  Pushkin,  Melville,  Scott, 

Tolstoy,  or  Dumas  pere.  All  these  great 
novelists,  dramatists  and  poets,  who  have 
long  since  gone  to  the  limbo  of  the  literati, 
are  crowding  out  the  Glyns  and  the 
Davises  and  the  Kraleys. 

The  second  son  of  one  of  the  greatest,  1 

Lyof  Tolstoy,  is  in  Hollywood  now. 

Count  Ilya  Tolstoy,  61-year-old  vegetarian, 
erstwhile  lecturer  at  Yale  and  Harvard, 
outdoor  enthusiast  and  philosopher,  closed 
his  mountain  bungalow  near  Danbury, 

Conn.,  last  summer  and  took  the  Countess 
with  him  to  a Beverley  Hills  cottage. 

Edwin  Carewe,  the  film  producer,  extended 
the  invitation. 

Count  Tolstoy,  a classicist  who  manages 


Sally  Phipps  is  a Scotch  lass  in  the 
comedy  and  its  name  is  "Gentlemen 
Prefer  Scotch.”  Director  Jules  White, 
right,  Nick  Stuart,  left.  All  are  Fox 
people. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


i Classics  for 
ory  Material 

to  scorn  the  ephemeral  wit  of  Shaw,  that 
other  devotee  of  vegetables,  went  to  Holly- 
wood as  literary  adviser  to  Edwin  Carewe, 
director  and  co-producer  with  Inspiration 
Pictures  of  the  film  version  of  “Resur- 
rection,” Lyof  Tolstoy’s  novel.  When  the 
“sage  of  Yasnaya-Poliana”  was  writing 
“Resurrection”  in  laborious  longhand,  it 
was  his  “little  Ilya”  who  helped  him  copy 
and  recopy  the  manuscript.  It  took  Lyof 
Tolstoy  five  years  to  finish  the  tale  of 
Dmitri  and  Katusha,  five  years  in  which  he 
was  afflicted  with  physical  suffering  that 
twice  threatened  to  end  the  novel  and  its 
author. 


Buck  Jones*  Next,  Novel; 
**Black  Jack**  Finished 

{Special  to  the  Studio) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  14.— Buck  Jones, 
Fox  Western  star,  will  have  for  his  next 
picture  an  adaptation  of  a novel  by  Charles 
Adlen  Seltzer,  “Chain  Lightning.”  Lam- 
bert Hillyer,  who  will  direct,  wrote  the 
script  himself. 

Jones  has  just  completed  “Black  Jack,” 
a screen  version  of  a Johnston  McCulley 
magazine  story.  The  greater  number  of 
the  exteriors  were  shot  in  the  rugged 
scenery  at  Mount  Whitney.  The  conclud- 
ing scenes  were  taken  in  a 50  mile  an  hour 
gale  that  swayed  30-year-old  cottonwood 
trees  that  lined  the  location.  Two  men 
were  necessary  to  each  reflector  and  Buck 
and  Barbara  Ilennett  did  a realistic  bit  of 
acting  on  a roof  while  the  gale  was  trying 
to  blow  the  shingles  into  the  next  county. 

While  at  Lone  Pine  and  Bishop,  Buck 
and  his  troopers  staged  benefit  perform- 
ances for  the  Mississippi  flood  victims  and 
turned  over  to  Mark  Watterson,  a banker 
at  Bishop,  who  heads  the  Red  Cross  in 
Inyo  county,  more  than  $500,  the  first 
money  raised  by  that  district  for  the  flood 
sufferers.  In  Buck’s  cast  in  “Black  Jack” 
were  Barbara  Bennett,  who  had  the 
feminine  lead,  Thodore  Lorch,  George 
Berrell,  Harry  Cording,  William  Caress, 
Buck  Moulton,  Murdock  McQuarrie.  Mark 
Hamilton,  Frank  Fanning  and  Sam  Allen. 


WRITING  DARRO  SCENARIO 

HOLLYWOOD. — Dorothy  Yost,  scenarist,  is 
writing  the  continuity  for  “Little  Mickey  Grogan,” 
which  F.  B.  O.  is  to  make  as  Frankie  Darro’s 
first  starring  vehicle.  A vacation  at  the  Grand 
Canyon  is  scheduled  to  follow  completion  of  the 
script. 


1 

i 


VACATION  TIME 


Now  is  the  time 
to  equip  your 
car  with  new 

tires get  ready 

for  that  summer 
trip. 

Prices  lowest 

quality  best! 

RAY  SCOVEL’S 
TIRE  and  SERVICE 
STATION 
5775  Hollywood 
Blvd. 

HOLLYWOOD, 

CAL. 


Dorothy  Yost 


Now  adapting 
“Little  Mickey  Grogan’ 
For  F.  B.  O. 


FRANKLIN 

PANGBORN 

Just  completed  my  first 
year  in  pictures. 

Watch  my  next — and  my 
next  vehicle. 


NORMAN 

TAUROG 

Have  started  directing 
the  new  season’s  produc- 
tions for  Educational. 

“Plumb  Dumb” 

With 

Poodles  Hanaford 


38 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


Kenneth 

Harlan 

Appearing  in 

"Easy 

Pickings” 

First  National 

“The  Secret 
Studio^^ 

Fox  Release 

“Cheating 

Cheaters” 

Universal 


Just  Finished 

“Midnight 

Rose” 

Universal 


GEORGE  MELFORD 

DIRECTOR 

WHISPERING  SMITH:  Special  cast— A 
dandy  westei’n  railroad  melodrama.  Has 
action;  suspense,  thrills,  scenery  and  a 
good  love  story.  Seven  reels. — Kreighbaum 
Bros.,  Char-Bell  theatre,  Rochester,  Ind. — 
General  patronage. 

FLAME  OF  THE  YUKON : Seena  Owen 
— 55%.  A good  picture  with  plenty  of 
action  for  Sunday  crowd.  Good  paper. 
Seven  reels. — ^W.  C.  Wheeler.  Majestic  thea- 
tre, Willite,  Cal.— Small  town  patronage. 

WHISPERING  SMITH:  H.  B.  Warner 
— A very  good  Western.  Different  from 
any  other  I ever  saw.  Very  interesting. 
Pleased  all  who  came  to  see  it. — Martina 
Brothers,  Star  theatre,  Daneville,  N.  Y. — - 
General  patronage. 

ROCKING  MOON:  Lilyan  Tashman— 
60%.  February  23-24.  This  is  a good  pic- 
ture. The  Alaskan  Northern  Lights  are 
beautiful,  the  trained  blue  fox  in  this  pic- 
ture is  the  cat’s  pajamas.  Seven  reels. — 
Murl  Howard.  Wa-Pa-Co  theatre,  Water- 
vliet,  Mich. — General  patronage. 


GUS  MEINS 

Director 

NOW  WITH  FOX  FILMS 


Requests  for  Pho1 
Fan  Letters 

ur-pHE  STUDIO”  editor,  during 
X the  past  four  weeks,  has  re- 
ceived nearly  100  requests  for 
Lobby  Album  photos  from  exhib- 
itors. Several  of  the  requests  were 
in  the  form  of  letters  intended  to 
be  sent  direct  to  the  stars  and 
although  no  agreement  was  made 
by  “The  Studio”  on  this  order  the 
letters  have  been  forwarded  in  each 
case. 

Names  of  stars,  together  with 
exhibitors  wishing  photos  follow : 

RENEE  ADOREE,  J.  C,  Kennedy,  Em- 
press theatre,  Akron,  la. 

VILMA  BANKY,  Cobb  theatre,  D. 

Gouzoule,  Boston,  Mass. 

VILMA  BANKY,  Leonora  Segnoretti, 

19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
VILMA  BANKY,  W.  C.  Sevails,  Sun- 
beam theatre.  Clay  Center,  Nebr. 

JOHN  BARRYMORE,  Hugo  Fanta, 
Bio-Universum  theatre,  Bmo,  Czecho- 
slovakia. 

CLARA  BOW,  D.  Gouzoule,  Cobb  thea- 
tre, Boston,  Mass. 

CLARA  BOW,  M.  W.  Larmour,  Na- 
tional theatre,  Graham,  Tex. 

CLARA  BOW,  A.  J.  Wallace,  Pacific 
Comm.  Ass’n.,  Columbia,  S.  C. 

CLARA  BOW,  United  Theatres,  Inc., 

Box  1627,  Dallas,  Tex. 

CLARA  BOW,  I.  Wiemik,  Strand  thea- 
tre, Philadelphia,  Pa. 

MARY  BRIAN,  Ed.  F.  Cox  theatre, 
Bristol,  Conn. 

MARY  BRIAN,  Virginia  Pollard,  (?) 

theatre,  Nehawka,  Neb. 

LON  CHANEY,  A.  J.  Wallace,  Pacific 
Comm.  Ass’n.,  Columbia,  S.  C. 

LON  CHANEY,  M.  B.  Quire,  Star 
theatre,  Kanawha,  la. 

BEBE  DANIELS,  Ed.  F.  Cox,  Queen 
theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

MARJORIE  DAW,  Ed.  F.  Cox,  Prin- 
cess theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

MARJORIE  DAW,  H.  H.  Ophus,  Star 
theatre,  Erskine,  Minn. 

BILLIE  DOVE,  M.  B.  Quire,  Star  thea- 
tre, Kanawha,  la. 

BILLIE  DOVE,  W.  C.  Sevails,  Sun- 
beams  theatre.  Clay  Center,  Nebr. 

GRETA  GARBO,  Leonora  Segnoretti, 

19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
GRETA  GARBO,  D.  Gouzoule,  Cobb 
theatre,  Boston,  Mass. 

PAULINE  GARON,  Rupert  Awoki, 

Ririe  theatre,  Ririe,  Idaho. 

JOHN  GILBERT,  A.  J.  Wallace,  Pacific 
Comm.  Ass’n.,  Columbia,  S.  C. 

JOHN  GILBERT,  Leonora  Segnoretti, 

19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 
LLOYD  HUGHES,  Garnet  Sheets,  Star 
theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. 

LLOYD  HUGHES,  M,  B.  Quire,  Star 
theatre,  Kanawha,  la. 

ALICE  JOYCE,  United  Theatres,  Inc., 

Box  1627,  Dallas,  Tex, 

CULLEN  LANDIS,  A.  J.  Wallace, 
Pacific  Comm.  Ass’n.,  Columbia,  S.  C. 
MARGARET  LIVINGSTON,  Apollo 
theatre,  D.  Gouzoule,  Boston,  Mass, 

TIM  McCOY,  M.  B,  Quire,  Star  thea- 
tre, Kanawha,  la. 

DOROTHY  MACKAILL,  M.  B.  Quire, 

Star  theatre,  Kanawha,  la. 

EDNA  MARION,  M.  B,  Quire,  Star 
theatre,  Kanawha,  la. 

KEN  MAYNARD,  M.  B.  Quire,  Star 
theatre,  Kanawha,  la. 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


icompanied  by  Many 
im  Players 

COLLEEN  MOOEE,  M,  W.  Larmour, 
National  theatre,  Graham,  Tex. 

COLLEEN  MOORE,  Leo  M.  Fay,  Gem 
theatre,  Socorro,  N.  M. 

COLLEEN  MOORE,  W.  C.  Sevails, 

I Sunbeams  theatre.  Clay  Center,  Nebr. 

1 COLLEEN  MOORE,  Brown  Brothers, 

Hipp  theatre,  Lewellen,  Nebr. 

COLLEEN  MOORE,  Leonora  Segnor- 
etti,  19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

I ANTONIO  MORENO,  Leonora  Seg- 

noretti,  19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleveland, 
Ohio. 

JACK  MULHALL,  Jay  W.  Gould, 
Alamo  theatre,  Plainfield,  111. 

POLA  NEGRI,  D.  Gouzoule,  Cobb  thea- 
tre, Boston,  Mass. 

GEORGE  O’BRIEN,  Mrs.  Berta  Smith, 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. 

SALLY  O’NEIL,  W.  C.  Sevails,  Sun- 
beams theatre.  Clay  Center,  Nebr. 

ESTHER  RALSTON,  Peter  Bylsma, 
Victor  theatre,  Napoleonville,  La. 

I CHARLES  ROGERS,  M.  B.  Quire,  Star 

theatre,  Kanawha,  la. 

NORMA  SHEARER,  Cobb  theatre,  D. 
Gouzoule,  Boston,  Mass. 

NORMA  SHEARER,  Ed.  F.  Cox,  Prin- 
cess theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

II  GLORIA  SWANSON,  Leonora  Seg- 

noretti,  19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

" CONSTANCE  TALMADGE,  Leonora 

Segnoretti,  19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

NORMA  TALMADGE,  Leonora  Seg- 
noretti, 19438  Tyronne  Ave.,  Cleve- 
land, Ohio. 

NORMA  TALMADGE,  M.  W.  Lar- 
mour, National  theatre,  Graham,  Tex. 

NORMA  TALMADGE,  Apollo  theatre, 
D.  Gouzoule,  Boston,  Mass. 

TOM  TYLER,  O.  A.  Fosse,  Community 
theatre,  Ridgeway,  la. 

TOM  TYLER,  Paul  F.  Musser,  L5rric 
theatre,  Casey,  111. 

BILLIE  DOVE,  Auditorium  theatre 
Nehawka,  Nebr. 

CHARLES  ROGERS,  Auditorium  thea- 
tre, Nehawka,  Nebr. 

VIRGINIA  POLLARD,  Auditorium 
theatre,  Nehawka,  Nebr. 

FRED  THOMSON,  Auditorium  thea- 
tre, Nehawka,  Nebr. 


DAVID  ABEL— A.S.C. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 
1 Have  Severed  Connection  with 
Warner  Bros. 

LAST  PICTURE  “DEARIE” 


BUCK  JONES 

Now  Making 

“CHAIN 

LIGHTNING’ 

His  Next  Starring 
Drama  for  Fox 
Lambert  Hillyer  is 
directing 


“THE  BROKEN 
DOLLAR” 
my  last  picture 
changed  to 
“BLACK  JACK” 


•V  Hi  id- 


BILLY  BUTTS 

Played  Juvenile  Roles  in 

**The  Last  Outlaw" 

Paramount 

"The  Country  Beyond  Law" 

First  Natio'nal 


SCOTT  R.  DUNLAP 

Now  Directing 
a Series  of 
Features 
for 

Phillips  Company,  Ltd. 
Australia 


40 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


MARGARET  LIVINGSTON 

nozv  in 

“An  American  Beauty” 

for 

First  National 


Rufus  McCosh,  writer  of  a series  of 
feature  stories  for  “The  Studio,’’  and 
Dwinelle  Benthall.  Both  are  title 
writers  on  “Lonesome  Ladies’’  First 
National  him. 

^^Uncle  Tom”  in  a 
$2,000,000  Mantle 

{Continued  from  page  22) 

His  current  work,  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,” 
has  been  masterfully  handled  in  the  face 
of  odds,  including  a series  of  mishaps  as 
well  as  severe  illness  on  the  part  of  Pol- 
lard. His  force  and  driving  power  in  this 
gigantic  task  alone  stamps  him  as  an  out- 
standing figure  in  motion  pictures. 

An  interesting  coincidence  on  Harry  Pol- 
lard’s direction  of  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin”  is 


LOU  SEILER 

Director  of 

TOM  MIX 

in 

“Outlaws  of  Red  River” 
“Great  K&A  Train  Robbery” 
“No  Man’s  Gold” 

“Tumbling  River” 

Fox  Release 


JULES 

WHITE 

Director 

\m.  FOX  COMEDIES 


AL  HALL 

CHIEF  FILM  EDITOR 
FIRST  NATTONAl,  PICTURES 
WEST  COAST  STUDIOS 


Horace 

Miller 

New 

business 

MANAGER 
JESS  SMITH 
PRODUCTIONS 
FOR 
FIRST 
NATIONAL 
RELEASE 


HOTEL 
ROOSEVELT 

Jones  at  Eddy 

San  Francisco’s 
New  Half  Million 
Dollar  Hotel 

Headquarters  for 
Exhibitors  and 
Exchange  Mon 

One..Block  from  Film  Row 
Biveiy  Room  with  Bath  or  Shower 

Rates  from  $2.00  to  $3.50 
Management  of 

RENE  A.  VAYSSIE 

“Speeiat  Rates  to  Location  Managers" 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


June  18,  1927 


the  odd  fact  that  he  played  the  role  of 
Uncle  Tom  in  Universal’s  original  three- 
reel  version  produced  in  1912.  It  was  his 
last  appearance  as  an  actor.  Even  more 
strange  is  the  fact  that  Mrs.  Pollard  (Mar- 
garita Fischer)  played  Topsy  in  the  orig- 
inal picture.  Today,  Topsy  has  grown  up 
to  be  Eliza,  which  powerful  dramatic  role 
Miss  Fischer  portrays  in  the  modern  epic. 

Harry  Pollard  completed  “Uncle  Tom’s 
Cabin”  on  the  seventy-fifth  anniversary  to 
the  month  that  of  the  publication  of  the 
famous  book. 

A Director  Need 
Not  Be  An  Actor 

(Continued  from  page  22) 
potential  star,  and  gained  a director.  He 
beheld  himself  on  the  screen  for  the  first 
time  in  the  gorgeous  uniform  of  a Royal 
Northwest  mounted  policeman,  and  after 
watching  himself  “act,’  resigned  on  the 
spot. 

It  was  under  the  unerring  eye  of  the  late 
Thomas  H.  Ince  that  William  Seiter  was 
to  first  win  his  spurs  as  a director.  To 
this  dramatic  training,  and  to  his  many 
invaluable  years  of  comedy  experience  in 
most  of  the  studios,  may  be  attributed  the 
steady  rise  of  this  director  to  a place  in 
the  sun  among  the  leaders  of  picture- 
making. 

Covering  William  A.  Seiter’s  career 
would  not  be  complete  without  enumerat- 
ing his  Reginald  Denny  and  other  suc- 
cesses. Beginning  with  “The  Fast 
Worker,”  he  next  scored  hits  with  “Dan- 
gerous Innocence”  and  “The  Teaser,”  in 
which  he  directed  Laura  La  Plante.  Back 
with  Denny  he  produced  “Where  Was  I?” 
and  “What  Happened  to  Jones.”  Then 
the  admirable  triumvirate  of  Denny,  La 
Plante  and  Seiter  got  together  in  “Skin- 
ner’s Dress  Suit,”  which  was  one  of  last 
season’s  biggest  hits.  Since  then  Seiter  has 
directed  Denny  in  “Rolling  Home,”  “Take 
It  From  Me,”  “The  Cheerful  Fraud,”  and 
most  recently,  “Out  All  Night.”  His  pic- 
ture, “The  Cheerful  Fraud,”  bears  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  first  outside  attraction 
to  play  the  new  Paramount  theatre  in  New 
York  City.  It  was  booked  the  third  week 
after  the  opening. 

P.  D.  C.-Pathe  Starts 
Work  on  Schedule 

{Continued  from  page  9) 
conception  of  the  amazing  lineup  for  the 
season  to  come.  Milton  Sills  is  now 
working  on  “Hard  Boiled  Haggerty,” 
which  Wid  Gunning  is  producing  and 
Ken  Maynard  is  making  a new  Western, 
“Captain  of  the  Strong,”  a Charles  R. 
Rogers  production,  up  in  Montana. 

M-G-M  Delegates  See  Studio  Work 

The  delegates  to  the  recent  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  convention  saw  many 
pictures  in  production  at  the  large  plant 
at  Culver  City.  Clarence  Brown  is  mak- 
ing rapid  progress  on  his  Northern  epic, 
“The  Trail  of  ’98,”  but  he  has  yet  far 
to  go  before  completing  the  most  lavish 
picture  ever  filmed  with  the  North  as  a 
locale. 

Three  other  big  pictures  are  under  way 
at  M-G-M.  “Romance”  is  being  directed 
by  John  S.  Robertson,  with  Ramon 
Novarro;  “Terror,”  a Lon  Chaney  fea- 
ture of  the  Russian  revolution,  directed 
by  Benj.  Christensen  and  the  “Gallant 
Gringo,”  starring  Col.  Tim  McCoy,  di- 
rected by  Tourjanski.  William  Haines’ 
initial  starring  vehicle  is  “Spring  Fever,” 
which  Edward  Sedgwick  is  directing. 

Other  features  in  preparation  are  “The 
Fair  Co-ed,”  which  Sam  Wood  will  di- 
rect. Byron  Morgan  is  adapting  the 
George  Ade  story  and  A1  Boasberg  is 
comedy  constructor.  Marion  Davies  will 


HARRISON  FORD 

Metropolitan  Pictures 


“The  Rejuv^ation 
of  Aunt  Mary 


0.  0.  DULL 

Director  of 

Buck  Jones 

in 

“Black 

Jack” 

Fox  Release 


The  SCREEN’S 
SAFETY  CORNER 

WHERE  ALL  THE  FILM 
FOLK  GET  THEIR  BRAKES  FIXED 


Raybestos 

Brake 

Lining 

Lock- Heed 
Brake 
Service 


AsJ{  Laura  LaPlante  About  Us 

Raybestos  “Bill”  Ellenbeck 

Selma  and  Wilcox  Avenue 
HOLLYWOOD,  CAL. 

Gladstone  8270 


Latest 

Drum 

Trueing 

Machines 


Day  and  Night 

HE  5606 

T ALPHA 
FLORAL 
0^0^  SHOP 

“The  Garden  of  Eden” 
Corinne  Griffith 

United  Artists 
5566  Hollywood  Blvd. 

Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


WILLIAM 

NIGH 

DIRECTOR 

“THE  FIRE 
BRIGADE” 

“MR.  WU” 

M.  G.  M. 

Ml 

42 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


T 


ALBERT  AUSTIN 

DIRECTOR 


Now  with  the 

HAL  ROACH  STUDIOS 


CHARLES  (Chuck)  RIESNER 

Director 

“BETTER  ’OLE” 

“THE  MISSING  LINK” 
“WHAT  EVERY  GIRL 
SHOULD  KNOW” 

“THE  FORTUNE  HUNTER” 

Warner  Brothers  Release 


be  starred.  John  M.  Stahl  is  to  direct 
“In  Old  Kentucky,”  Dorothy  Farnum’s 
original  story  from  Charles  Dazey’s  play. 
Fred  Niblo  will  direct  Lillian  Gish  in 
“The  Enemy,”  and  William  Nigh  is  rush- 
ing preparations  on  “Rose  Marie,”  a 
screen  adaptation  of  the  famous  musical 
comedy.  Renee  Adoree  will  have  the 
title  role.  George  Hill,  the  director, 
wrote  “Buttons”  for  Jackie  Coogan  and 
will  also  film  it,  most  of  it  on  board  a 
trans-Atlantic  liner  en  route  from  New 
York  to  Southampton. 

Fox  Well  Up  on  Production 

The  Fox  studios,  after  a slight  letup  in 
production,  will  see  several  new  pictures 
in  production  next  month.  This  com- 
pany is  well  up  on  production.  Those 
shooting  at  present  are  Lou  Seiler,  di- 
recting Tom  Mix  in  “The  Scourge  of 
Little  C”;  Howard  Hawks,  making 
“Prince  Fazil,”  work  on  which  was  held 
up  ten  days  due  to  an  accident  to  Charlie 
Farrell,  the  lead;  A1  Green,  directing 
“Two  Girls  Wanted,”  with  Janet  Gay- 
nor;  and  several  comedies  being  directed 
by  Jules  White,  Zion  Meyers  and  Gus 
Meins. 

Pickford  Making  Shop  Girl  Film 

Another  lot  attracting  attention  of 
Hollywood  is  the  United  Studios.  Never 
before  has  such  a galaxy  of  stars,  direc- 
tors and  writers  been  concentrated  on 
one  lot.  A dozen  companies  are  work- 
ing, preparing  or  cutting  at  present. 
Douglas  Fairbanks’  new  production, 
“The  Gaucho,”  is  well  under  way  under 
F.  Richard  Jones’  direction.  Mary  Pick- 
ford  is  making  an  opus  of  the  shop  girl, 
with  Sam  Taylor  directing. 

Constance  Talmadge  on  Last  F.  N. 

Mai  St.  Clair  is  making  a First  Na- 
tional production  here  with  Constance 
Talmadge,  called  “Dejeuner  de  Soleil,”  a 
story  of  Paris.  It  is  her  last  feature  for 
that  company.  Corinne  Griffith’s  initial 
production  for  United  Artists  is  “The 
Garden  of  Eden,”  adapted  by  June 
Mathis  and  being  directed  by  Hobart 
Henley.  Norma  Talmadge  has  just  com- 
pleted “The  Dove”  and  will  enjoy  an 
European  vacation  Ijefore  starting  her 
next. 

Gloria  Swanson  and  John  Barrymore 
are  both  preparing  new  U.  A.  pictures 
and  D.  W.  Griffith  will  begin  work  soon 
on  his  initial  “Big  Four”  opus.  Miss 
Swanson  will  make  “Sadie  Thomson” 
and  Barrymore  will  do  “The  Tempest.” 

Pictures  in  the  cutting  room  include, 
“Two  Arabian  Knights,”  which  Lewis 
Milestone  directed;  “Topsy  and  Eva,”  the 
Duncan  Sisters”  feature,  directed  by  Del 
Lord.  Herbert  Brenon  is  directing  H.  B. 
Warner  in  “Sorrell  and  Son,”  with  Anna 
Q.  Nilsson,  Alice  Joyce,  Carmel  Meyers 
and  others  in  support. 

Buster  Keaton,  the  other  United  Art- 
ists unit,  is  just  completing  “College,” 
and  Charles  Riesner  the  director,  and 
Carl  Harbaugh,  scenarist,  are  preparing 
an  original  story  for  Buster.  Keaton 
works  at  his  own  studio  a mile  away 
from  the  United  Lot. 

Ten  companies  at  work  on  the  Uni- 
versal lot  with  an  equal  number  prepar- 
ing, keep  directors,  cameramen  and  elec- 
tricians busy  at  Universal  City.  Mel 
Brown  is  producing  “Buck  Private”  with 
Malcolm  MacGregor  and  Lya  DePutti, 
a colorful  story  of  Germany  and  the 
War.  Edward  Laemmle  is  directing 
Anna  Q.  Nilsson  and  Francis  X.  Bush- 
man in  “Honor  and  the  Woman”  and 
Harry  Pollard  is  shooting  the  final 
scenes  for  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin”  which 
promises  to  create  quite  as  big  a stir  as 
“King  of  Kings.”  A number  of  West- 
ern companies  are  shooting  on  the  Uni- 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


June  18,  1927 


versal  lot  and  several  comedy  troupes 
are  seen  inside  and  out  of  the  studios. 

Warner  Studio  Shooting  Fast 

The  middle  of  June  finds  the  Warner 
Brothers  studio  one  of  the  busiest  in 
Hollywood,  housing  more  productions 
than  have  ever  been  working  at  one  time 
before.  Among  pictures  in  work  are 
“The  Jazz  Singer,”  the  Vitaphone  opus 
with  A1  Jolson  starred;  “The  Bush 
Leaguer”  with  Monte  Blue  starred; 
“Ham  and  Eggs  at  the  Front,”  a comedy 
with  Louise  Fazenda  and  an  all  star  cast, 
directed  by  Roy  Del  Ruth;  “The  Heart 
of  Maryland,”  starring  Dolores  Costello, 
which  Lloyd  Bacon  is  directing;  and  “The 
Outpost,”  which  is  a temporary  title, 
starring  Irene  Rich. 

May  AcAvoy  has  the  feminine  lead  in 
“The  Jazz  Singer”  and  Leila  Hyams  is 
appearing  opposite  Monte  Blue  in  “The 
Bush  Leaguer.”  Most  of  “The  Outpost” 
scenes  will  be  made  in  the  heart  of  the 
desert,  where  Director  Michael  Curtiz 
has  taken  his  company.  Byron  Haskin 
is  to  direct  George  Jessel’s  next,  “The 
Broadway  Kid,”  and  Garrett  Ford  is 
writing  an  original  called,  “Sailor  Izzy 
Murphy,”  in  which  Jessel  will  appear 
soon. 


Three  Working  at  Educational 

The  comedy  lots  are  unusually  busy 
at  this  time.  Educational  having  three 
companies  shooting,  viz:  Norman  Taurog 
directing  Lloyd  Hamilton;  Charlie  La- 
ment handling  the  megaphone  on  Lupino 
Lane’s  new  short  feature;  and  Stephen 
Roberts  directing  Beauchamp  in  an  origi- 
nal. Len  Smith  is  cranking  the  camera 
for  the  Hamilton  comedy.  Hal  Roach 
studio  has  three  companies  shooting  also. 

At  Fine  Arts  Douglas  MacLean  is 
shooting  the  final  scenes  of  his  Para- 
mount production,  “Soft  Cushions,”  un- 
der Eddie  Cline’s  direction.  The  Cali- 
fornia studio  is  renting  space  to  no  less 
than  seven  companies  at  present. 

Columbia  recently  felt  the  need  of 
more  space  and  purchased  the  Horsley 
studios  at  1439  Beechwood  drive  abut- 
ting the  company’s  property  on  Gower 
street.  This  practically  doubles  the  stage 
capacity  for  the  Columbia  Pictures  Corp. 


Smiling  Through 

{Continued  from  f>agc  6) 

SO  I’ll  let  mine  go.  By  that  time  we  was 
practically  engaged  again,  so  she  says  “all 
right.” 

Of  course.  I’ve  got  some  other  accounts 
which  pays  me  when  they  are  workin’.  One 
of  ’em  is  Tom  Handy,  a director  who 
works  down  on  Poverty  Row  mostly.  I 
get  him  to  promise  her  the  lead  in  his  next 
picture  which  he  says  he  is  going  to  make 
soon  for  a New  York  bunch  which  have 
lots  of  money  but  no  experience,  and  will 
leave  things  entirely  in  his  hands.  We 
don’t  tell  her  it’s  a dog  picture.  In  the 
meantime  I send  her  down  to  Fox  and  she 
got  a small  part  there,  after  she’s  done 
with  “A  Rose  of  Yesterday.”  Patsy  Brun- 
ner is  well  known  of  course,  even  if  she 
is  gettin’  along,  and  she  can  do  “character” 
parts  great. 

Another  one  of  my  accounts  that  pays 
when  she  is  workin’  is  Daisy  Garrett.  She’s 
a cute  baby,  and  I’m  not  ashamed  to  be 
seen  with  her  an)rwhere,  and  she  takes  quite 
a shine  to  me.  Naturally  I don’t  get  much 
money  from  her,  and  I don’t  get  it  often. 
Still  I’ve  gotta  have  some  relief  from 
Patsy,  so  I slips  out  with  Daisy  as  much 
as  I can.  I explain  to  Patsy  that  these  girls 
don’t  mean  nothing  to  me,  but  I gotta  keep 


ROY  WILLIAM  NEILL 

Author-Director 

Now  writing  four  originals  for  production  and  release 
during  1927-28 


Mildred  Walker 

(Miss  Pittsburgh) 


Now  Being  Featured  in 

Denver  Dixon 
Comedies 

Victor  Adamson 
Productions 

Gladstone  7102 


Marian  Constance  Blackton 

SCENARIOS  AND  ADAPTATIONS 
NOW  AT 

METRO-GOLDWYN- 
MAYER  STUDIOS 

“THE  PASSIONATE  QUEST” 
“HELL  BENT  PER  HEAVEN” 
“BRIDE  OF  THE  STORM” 
“BETWEEN  FRIENDS” 

“THE  CLEAN  HEART” 

“THE  BELOVED  BRUTE” 

“THE  HAPPY  WARRIOR” 

“THE  GILDED  HIGHWAY” 
“BECKY” 

“THE  FLAG  MAKER” 

Phone  GRANITE  4515 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


44 

•a-*- 


in  with  my  clients.  It  don’t  get  over  very 
good — but  it  does  for  awhile. 

“How  about  talcin’  me  down  to  see  Lasky 
or  Thalberg?’’  Patsy  asks  me. 

“There’s  no  use  doin’  that,’’  I tell  her. 
“I’ve  spoke  to  both  of  them  about  you  and 
gave  them  each  one  of  your  pictures,  and 
they’ll  sign  you  up  as  soon  as  they  have  a 
big  enough  part  for  you.  They  take  my 
v/ord  for  it,  and  there’s  no  use  rushin’ 
things  and  gettin’  a small  part.  It  would 
just  cheapen  you  with  them.  Did  you  see 
the  paragraph  about  you  in  the  Record? 
Great  stuff !’’ 

One  day  I’m  in  the  Montmartre  for  lunch 
with  this  Daisy  Garret,  and  Eddie  stops  at 
our  table. 

“Benny,  how  about  someone  for  hostess, 
Friday  night?”  he  says. 

“Oh,  I’ll  be  hostess  for  you,  Mr.  Brand- 
statter!”  says  Daisy,  “I’d  love  to!” 

I’d  promised  Patsy  she  would  be  hostess 
there  the  first  chance  Eddie  gave  me — but 
what  could  I do,  him  bringin’  the  matter 
up  right  in  front  of  Daisy? 

“Meet  Miss  Garrett,  Eddie,”  I says.  “One 
of  the  most  popular  little  ladies  in  this 
town,”  I says. 

What  could  Eddie  do  then?  “Fine!”  he 
says.  “I’ll  count  on  you  and  Benny  then, 
Miss  Garrett.” 

What  to  do ! I hunted  up  Tom  Handy 
and  asks  him  will  he  take  Patsy  to  the 
“Greenwich  Village,”  Friday  night. 

“What  for?”  he  asks. 

“Listen  Tommy,”  I says.  “Patsy  Brun- 
ner and  me  is  practically  engaged,  but  I 
goota  take  Daisy  Garrett  to  the  Montmartre 
Friday.  She’s  gonna  be  hostess,  and  natur- 
ally I can’t  do  justice  to  a party  like  that 
with  my  financee  around.  I’m  gonna  tell 
her  I got  to  drive  down  to  Santa  Monica 
to  see  a feller,  but  I don’t  want  to  run  no 
chance  of  her  cornin’  in  the  Montmartre 
that  night.” 

“Let  me  take  Daisy  to  the  Montmartre,” 
suggests  Tommy.  “I  aint  keen  about  run- 
ning about  with  your  good  lookin’  financee. 
You  might  get  jealous.” 

I gave  him  a look.  “That  dame,  Patsy, 
has  more  money  than  you’ll  ever  see,”  I 
says.  “It  might  do  you  some  good  some 
day,”  I says. 

“Oh,”  he  says.  “So  that’s  it!”  I won- 
dered.” 

“Never  mind  what  you  wondered,”  I 
says.  “Will  you  take  her?” 

“Yes,”  he  says.  “If  you  give  me  twenty 
dollars  for  expenses.” 

“My  God !”  I says,  “You  aint  takin’  her 
to  Tia  Juana!  Ten  is  a plenty!” 

“Twenty — or  take  her  yourself,”  he  an- 
swers. 

That’s  friendship  for  you!  I gave  him 
fifteen. 

“Sweetheart,”  I says  the  next  night,  “Can 
I have  the  car  tomorrow  evening?  I gotta 
go  to  Santa  Monica  to  see  a feller  I think 
can  do  us  both  some  good.” 

“All  right,  Benny  dear,”  she  says,  “I’m 
gonna  stay  in  and  go  to  bed  early  tomor- 
row. I need  the  rest.” 

I gave  her  a look,  but  she  just  smiles 
sort  of  absent  minded,  so  after  I kisses 
her  good-night,  I beats  it  to  the  corner 
drug  store,  and  calls  up  Tommy. 

“How  about  it,”  I asks  him,  “Are  you 
takin’  Patsy  out  tomorrow  night  or  not? 
She  ain’t  said  a thing  about  it  to  me.” 

“Certainly  she  aint,”  he  says.  “I  told 
her  not  to.  Makes  it  look  more  natural 
to  her.” 

“Oh,”  I says,  “Well  keep  her  away  from 
the  Montmartre.” 

“Sure,”  he  says,  and  I hung  up.  Things 
seem  to  be  workin’  out  all  right,  but  I 
don’t  like  her  havin’  secrets  from  me.  A 
girl  ought’a  be  perfectly  frank  with  her 
financee. 

Anyhow  I don’t  say  nothin’  to  her  about 
it  the  next  day,  because  I aint  supposed  to 
know  it,  but  I have  to  laugh  to  my- 


“The  Secret  Studio” 


LLOYD  BACON 

DIRECTOR 

“THE  HEART  OF 

MARYLAND” 

Warner  Bros. 


Victor 

Schertzinger 

Director 


with  Olive  Borden 


Fox  Release 


Gertrude  Short 

Now  Free  Lancing 

Appearing  in 

“TILLIE  THE  TOILER” 
‘‘ADAM  AND  EVIL” 
M-G-M 

Phone:  Gladstone  1913 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


self,  it’s  bein’  my  money  that’s  gonna  be  I 
spent  on  her.  It’s  a good  thing  I gotta 
sense  of  humor. 

I got  the  car  and  took  Daisy  up  to  the 
Montmartre.  The  place  is  crowded,  and 
everybody  had  a great  time.  Naturally  I 
had  a little  something  on  my  hip,  and  I 
was  feelin’  pretty  good  even  tho  I only  got 
one  dance  with  Daisy  all  evenin’. 

When  the  party  broke  up,  I says  to 
Daisy,  “Let’s  take  a little  run  down  to  the 
beach.  It’s  early  yet,  only  two  o’clock.’’ 

“All  right,”  she  says,  “but  you  better  let 
me  drive — you  look  pie-eyed  to  me.” 

“Nothin’  of  the  kind!”  I says.  “But  suit 
yourself.  If  you  drive  it’ll  leave  both  my 
arms  free.” 

“Be  your  age,  Benny,”  she  says.  “You’ll 
be  asleep  most  of  the  time.” 

“Is  that  so?”  I says.  She  wasn’t  kiddin’ 
me  any. 

As  we’re  goin’  down  Wilshire  Boulevard 
on  the  other  side  of  Beverly  Hills,  we 
slowed  down  for  a crossin’,  and  I reached 
over  to  kiss  her. 

“Look  out,  you  old  fool !”  she  says,  and 
right  then  we  run  into  a car  that’s  parked 
under  a tree,  with  the  lights  out! 

My  God — and  me  with  Patsy’s  car.  Lucky 
we  wasn’t  runnin’  fast,  and  neither  of  us 
is  hurt,  but  I can  see  that  the  front  of  the 
car  is  a wreck.  Daisy  starts  to  cry. 

“Shut  up !”  I says.  “What  have  you  got 
to  cry  about?  'Think  of  the  fix  you’ve  got 
me  into!” 

One  of  our  headlights  is  still  burnin’,  and 
as  I get  out  I see  a man  and  a woman  get 
out  of  the  other  car.  It’s  Patsy  Brunner 
and  Tom  Handy!  Laugh  that  off!  I 
couldn’t. 

Daisy  gets  out.  She  was  still  cryin’.  “He 
tried  to  kiss  me,”  she  sniffles,  “and  I didn’t 
see  your  car !”  As  if  I didn’t  have  troubles 
enough. 

Then  Patsy  started  in  on  me,  and  what 
she  said  was  nobody’s  business ! 

“Oh,  shut  up!”  I yells  at  her.  “What 
was  you  and  Tommy  doin’  sittin’  here  with 
your  lights  out  like  a couple  of  kids?  Tell 
me  that ! I aint  got  no  kick  cornin’  at  all ! 
Oh  no !”  I says. 

“Mr.  Handy  very  kindly  took  me  out  for 
the  evenin’,”  says  Patsy  very  dignified,  “af- 
ter you  had  took  my  car  and  left  me  alone. 
And  we  was  takin’  a little  run  down  to  the 
beach,  when  we  got  to  talkin’  about  me 
backin’  him  in  a picture  in  which  I will  be 
the  star,  Mr.  Price,”  she  says,  “and  we 
stopped  here  for  a few  minutes  to  discuss 
plans,”  she  says,  “and  his  batteries  is  weak, 
so  naturally  we  puts  out  the  lights  while 
the  car  aint  runnin’.” 

“His  batteries  may  be  weak,”  I says  sar- 
castic, “but  his  nerve  aint ! A fine  picture 
he’ll  make  for  you!  Yeh!  Try  and  sell  it! 

I says.  “Did  he  tell  you  I give  him  the 
money  to  take  you  to  the  “Greenwich  Vil- 
lage” tonight?”  I asks. 

Right  then  Patsy  began  to  have  hysterics, 
and  Tommy  and  Daisy  tries  to  quiet  her. 
Tommy  puts  his  arm  around  her. 

“There,  there,  honey,”  he  says,  “don’t 
cry !” 

“Take  your  arm  away  from  my  financee !” 

I yells. 

“Financee?”  hollers  Patsy.  “You  aint 
even  my  press  agent  henceforth  !” 

“Nor  mine,  Mr.  Price !”  says  Tommy. 

“I  am  through  with  you  after  such  pro- 
ceedings— forever !” 

I like  to  exploded! 

“And  me,  too,”  says  Daisy,  “you  scoun- 
drel! Dearie,”  she  says  to  Patsy,  “I  would 
not  give  him  one  more  single  thought!” 

Can  you  beat  that?  You  can’t  even  tie  it! 

And  they  all  goes  off  in  Tom  Handy’s 
car,  leavin’  me  with  the  coupe  which  won’t 
run.  So  I has  to  walk  down  to  Santa 
Monica  Boulevard,  and  wait  for  the  owl 
car  back  to  Holl3rwood. 

It’s  a good  thing  I gotta  sense  of  humor ! 1 


JACQUELINE  LOGAN 

Coming  Next  Month  in  Cecil  B.  DeMille's 

“THE  KING  OF  KINGS” 


George  Folsey 

Cinematographer 

“LADIES  AT  PLAY” 

“ORCHIDS  AND 
ERMINE” 

“SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL” 
“NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE” 


Charles  Van  Enger 

A.  S.  C. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 

“SEA  TIGER” 

Milton  Sills 

“THE  SILENT  LOVER” 
“EASY  PICKINGS” 
“FRAMED” 

“ROAD  TO  ROMANCE” 

FIRST  NATIONAL 


PHOTOGRAPHY 

BY 

KARL  STRUSS 

“BEN-HUR” 
“FOREVER  AFTER” 
“SUNRISE” 

F.  W.  MURNAU’S  FIRST 
AMERICAN  PRODUCTION 
WITH  CHARLES  ROSHER 


46 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


Just 

Finishing 


“THE 

PATENT 

LEATHER 

KID” 


ARTHUR  EDESON 


A.  S.  C. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 


R.  J. 

BERGQUIST 

Cinematographer 

“SANDY” 

“WOMAN 

POWER” 

“ONE 

INCREASING 

PURPOSE” 

Fox  Release 


CIIAS.  G.  CLARKE— A.S.C. 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

“RED"  GRA^GE’S  “ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY” 

“LOVE  OF  WOiMEN” FOX. 

“UFSTREAM”— FOX 
Now  with  Famous  Players-Lasky 


BARNEY 

McGILL 

Cinematographer 

“WHAT 

PRICE 

GLORY?” 

FOX 


“Casey  at  the 
Bat” 

PARAMOUNT 

“Two  Arabi- 
an Knights” 

UNITED  ARTISTS 


Camera! 

A Department  Devoted  to  News  and  Affairs  of 
the  American  Society  of  Cinematographers  and  Its 
Members,  Published  as  a “Studio  Section”  Feature. 


Good  Director  of  Future  Must 
Know  Camera,  Says  Clark 

Mere  Knowledge  of  Drama  Not  Enough,  A.  S.  C.  Head  Declares 
in  Second  of  Series  of  Interviews 
By  FOSTER  GOSS 

WHATEVER  methods  stage  production  may  employ  to  achieve  its 
effects,  screen  production  must  employ  photography.  It  is  on  this 
obvious  but,  it  would  seem,  sometimes  forgotten  fact,  that  Daniel 
B.  Clark,  president  of  the  American  Society  of  Cinematographers,  bases  his 
belief  that  motion  pictures  inevitably  shall  be  advanced  by  an  increase  in 
the  number  of  directors  who  have  been  cameramen. 


“TN  the  past,”  Clark  states,  “the  motion 

J-  picture  director  was  chiefly  a hold-over 
from  the  stage,  where  he  held  a similar  post 
as  a ‘stage  director.’  The  more  recent  and 
more  successful  directors  have  been  those 
who  were  not  previously  prepared  with 
legitimate  experience,  but  who  acquired 
their  picture  knowledge  within  the  confines 
of  the  industry.  With  the  coming  of  these 
men,  the  cinema,  as  a self-contained  art 
that  is  not  subservient  to  the  stage,  began 
to  assert  itself.  These  newer  directors  have 
been  successful  in  the  degree  in  which  they 
viewed  their  productions  through  the  me- 
dium of  the  camera,  rather  than  from  the 
perspective  of  stage  limitations. 

Camera  Determines  Future 

“While  the  camera  may  have  gained 
‘self-consciousness’  in  some  of  the  European 
productions,  the  fact  is  clearly  established 
at  last,  I believe,  that  it  is  the  all-powerful 
medium  through  which  a picture  must  rise 
or  fall.  The  director  who  used  the  camera 
in  such  a way  as  to  merely  transfer  the 
conventional  stage  to  the  screen,  with  all 
of  the  former’s  direct  and  inflexible  angles, 
has  long  since  become  obsolete.  The  more 
thoroughly  a director  knows  the  camera, 
the  better  chance  he  has  to  succeed  as  di- 
rector. 

“It  is  my  belief  that  the  producers  recog- 
nize this  fact  more  than  ever  before.  There- 
fore, I further  believe  that  within  the  next 
couple  seasons,  a substantial  number  of 
cinematographers  will  win  deserved  promo- 
tions to  the  posts  of  directors. 

“After  this,  just  what  the  future  holds 
intrigues  the  imagination.  With  camera 
lore  universally  recognized  as  an  indis- 


ROSS  FISHER,  a.s.c. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 

“Two  Gun  Man” — Fred  Thomson 
“Don  Mike”  — Fred  Thomson 

Current  Release 

“The  Sunset  Derby” 

— First  National 

“The  Devil’s  Saddle” 

— Ken  Maynard 


pensable  part  of  the  equipment  of  every 
director,  the  director  of  the  future  will 
recognize  that  a thorough  training  in  the 
technique  of  the  camera  is  just  as  essential 
as  an  understanding  of  the  fundamentals 
of  drama  itself. 

“We  may  contemplate,  then,  a time  when 
this  prerequisite  knowledge  will  produce  a 
production  artist  who  will  in  fact  be  a com- 
bination of  director-cinematographer,  with 
the  chances,  in  many  instances,  that  he  has 
qualified  as  a full-fledged  cinematographer 
before  he  has  graduated  to  the  wider  call- 
ing.” 


LEONARD  SMITH 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 
“Movieland”— LCPINO  1.ANE 
“His  Better  Half” — LLOYD  HAMILTON 
Directed  by  Norman  Taurog: 
EDUCATIONAL  RELEASE 


Nick 

Musuraca 

A.  S.  C. 

Cinematographer 

“Lightning 

Lariats” 


“Cyclone  of 
the  Range” 

“The 

Senora 

Kid” 


“Splitting  the 
Rreeze” 

F.  B.  O.  Studios 


4b 


June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


Exhibitors  Herald  Production 

Directory 


^ A monthly  Service  Devoted 
^ to  Stars,  Directors,  Scenar- 
ists and  Cameramen  at 
Work  Upon  Pictures  in 
Current  Productions. 


Chicago  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St. 


^ Hollywood  Representatives: 
Ray  Murray,  H.  E.  Nichols 

fll  New  York  Representative: 
John  Spargo. 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

ASSOCIATED  STUDIOS,  3800  Mission  Road.  Capitol  2120. 

Von  Stroheim 

Von  Stroheim 

Von  Stroheim 

Pollock  & Sorenson 

“The  Wedding  March** 

Cutting 

CALIFORNIA  STUDIOS,  1420  Beachwood  Drive.  He.  2 

111. 

John  Tansey 

Bobby  Emmeti 

John  Tansey 

Jack  Draper 

“Goofey  Gas'* 

Shooting 

Vic  Potel 

Vic  Potel 

Vic  Potel 

George  Crocker 

Sunkist  Comedy 

Shooting 

Weller  & Gordon 

Bright  Eagle 

Staff 

Lyman  Broening 

“Savages'* 

Preparing 

Noel  M.  Smith 

Johnny  Walker-Silver 

“Cross  Breed'* 

Preparing 

Streak 

Chas.  Hutchinson 

Win.  Fairbanks 

“Brown  Drove'* 

Shooting 

Arthur  Maude 

All  Star 

Waldo  C.  T'witchell 

“Buffalo  Bill” 

Preparing 

Bob  Tansey 

Art  Hammond 

Staff 

Jack  Draper 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Chas.  Hunt 

All-Star 

Arthur  Hoerl 

Hap  Depew 

‘^Million  Dollar  Mystery” 

Shooting 

Frank  Madison 

All-Star 

C.  B.  Hill 

Hap  Depew 

“Hollywood  Dressmaker'* 

Preparing 

Leon  de  la  Mothe 

All-Star 

Bert  Baldridge 

Untitled 

Preparing 

Arthur  Hotaling 

All-Star 

Staff 

Hap  Depew 

“Sorry,  My  Mistake'* 

Preparing 

CHADWICK  STUDIO,  1440  Gower  St.  He.  4111. 


Hampton  Del  Ruth  Betty  Compson 


Hampton  Del  Ruth  Ernie  Miller-Tetzlass  *^The  Temptations  of  a Shop  GirTTreparing 


COLUMBIA  PICTURES  CORP.,  1438  Gower  St.  Ho.  7940. 


Ceo.  B.  Seitz 


Logan-Bosworth-Axlen  Fred  Nyton  J.  O.  Taylor 


“The  Blood  Ship'* 


Cutting 


CHRISTIE  FILM  CO.,  6101  Sunset  Blvd.,  Hollywood.  Hempstead  3111. 


Harold 

Beaudine 

Bobby  Vernon 

Frank  Conklin 

Peterson-Sullivan 

Untitled 

Shooting 

William 

Watson 

Billy  Dooley 

Sig  Herzig 

Phillips-Jacquemin 

Untitled 

Preparing 

Robert 

Kerr 

Jimmie  Adams 

Hal  Conklin 

McGill-Steadman 

Untitled 

Preparing 

F.  B.  O.  STUDIOS,  780  Gower  St.,  Hollywood.  Hollywood  7780. 


Leo  Meehan 

Orville  Caldwell 

Natalie  Kingston 

D.  Yost 

A1  Seigler 

“The  Harvester’* 

Shooting 

Robt.  Bradbury 

Bob  Steele 

Oliver  Drake 

E.  T.  McManigal 

“Mojave  Kid** 

Shooting 

Robt.  DeLacy 

Tom  Tyler 

F.  H.  Clark 

Nick  Musuraca 

“Tom’s  Gang’* 

Shooting 

H.  Mitchell 

“Ranger’*»Sam  Nelson- 

F.  A.  E.  Pine 

Max  Stengel 

“House  of  Courage’* 

Shooting 

Jeanne  Morgan 

)ohn  Twist 

R.  Morris 

Lorraine  £ason-Al  Cooke- 

Dupont  and  McNamara 

Phil  Gannura 

“New  Faces  for  Old 

Shooting 

Kit  Guard-Danny  O'Shea- 
Thelma  Hill 

A.  Rabock 

Arthur  Stringer  - Elfrid 

“The  Coward** 

Preparing 

Bingham  • Enid  Hib- 

bard 

Joe  O'Neill-Peter  Milne 

“Coney  Island’* 

Preparing 

Ralph  Inee 

Ralph  Ince 

Georges  Surdez-Enid 

“South  Sea  Love'* 

Preparing 

Hibbard-J.  G.  Hawks 

Edw.  Luddy 

Eason-Cooke-Guard- 

Dupont  & McNamara 

Phil  Gannura 

“She  Troupes  to  Conquer'* 

Shouting 

O'Shea- Hill 


UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

M.  C.  Levee,  President 

100,000  square  feet  of  props,  garnered  Let  us  supply  the  props  for 
from  the  four  corners  of  the  globe.  .your  next  production. 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

5341  Melrose  Ave.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 


48 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameramafu 

St&ry 

Remarks 

DE  MILLE  STUDIO, 

Culver  City,  Calif. 

Empire  9141. 

‘ 1 i 

; . c . • » 

Rupert  Julian 

Frank  Urson 

Karl  Brown 

Donald  Crisp 

Rudolph  Schildkraut- 
Junior  Coghlan 

Vera  Reynolds 

Joseph  Schildkraut 

Rod  La  Roeque 

Beulah  Marie  Dix 

Clara  Beranger 

Olga  Printzlau 

Douglas  Z.  Doty 

Peverell  Marley 

Lueien  Andriot 

Fred  Westerberg 
Arthur  Miller 

“Til©  Country  Doctor” 

“Beautiful  But  Dumb” 

“His  Dog” 

“The  Fighting  Eagle” 

Cutting 

Shooting 

Cutting 

Shooting 

EDUCATIONAL  STUDIOS,  7250  Santa  Monica  Blvd.  Ho, 

2806. 

Norman  Taurog 

Chas.  Lamont 

Stephen  Roberts 

Lloyd  Hamilton 

Lupino  Lane 

Beauchamp 

Staff 

Len  Smith 

William  Hyer 
Dwight  Warren 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

FINE  ARTS  STUDIO,  4500  Sunset  Blvd. 

Olympia  2131. 

David  Hartford 

Eddie  Cline 

All-Star 

Douglas  MacLean 

David  Hartford 

Walter  Griffin 

Jack  MacKenzie 

“Rose  of  the  Bowery” 

“Soft  Cushions” 

Shooting 

Shooting 

FIRST  NATIONAL, 

Burbank,  Cal.  GL. 

4111. 

M.  St.  Clair 

A1  SantelJ 

C.  Brabin 

A*  Ripley 

A.  Korda 

R.  Wallace 

C.  Hines 

A.  Rogell 

G.  Fitzmaurice 

J.  F.  Dillon 

Constance  Talmadge 
Richard  Barthelmess 
Milton  Sills 

Harry  Langdon 

Billie  Dove 

Billie  Dove 

Johnny  Hines 

Ken  Maynard 

Mary  Aetor,  etc. 
Mulhall-Mackaill 

Winifred  Dunn 

Carey  Wilson 

Robt.  Eddy 

Carey  Wilson 

P.  Scofield 

Rex  Taylor 

A.  Edeson 

S.  Polito 

Leslie 

Kurrle 

Garmes 

Van  Enger 

“Breakfast  at  Sunrise” 

“The  Patent  Leather  Kid” 
“Hard  Boiled  Haggerty” 

No  title  as  yet 
“The  Stolen  Bride” 

“American  Beauty” 

“White  Pants  Willie” 
^^Captain  of  the  Strong” 

“Rose  of  Monterey” 

“Road  to  Romance” 

Shooting 

Cutting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Cutting 

Preparing 

Cutting 

Preparing 

Shooting 

Cutting 

- 

- — - 

i 


FOX  STUDIOS,  Western  at  Sunset.  Hollywood  3000. 


Lou  Seiler 
Zion  Meyers 
O.  O.  Dull 
Howard  Hawks 
Jules  White 
A1  Creen 


Tom  Mix  J.  G.  Jungmeyer  Dan  Clark 

Ernie  Shields-Anita  Garvin  Max  Gold  King  Grey 

Buck  Jones  Harold  Shumate  Reginald  Lyons 

Charles  Farrell-Greta  Nissen  Phillip  Klein  L.  W.  O'Connell 

Nick  Stuart-Sally  Phipps  Greenlaw  & Sam  White-  George  Meehan 

Janet  Gaynor  Seton  I.  Miller  George  Schneiderman 


“The  Scourage  of  the  Little  C“ 
“Suite  Homes” 

“Black  Jack” 

“Prince  Fazil” 

“Gentlemen  Prefer  Scotch” 
“Two  Girls  Wanted” 


Shooting 

Shooting 

Cutting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 


BUSTER  KEATON  STUDIO,  1025  Lillian  Way,  Hollywood.  Ho.  2814. 


James  Home  Buster  Keaton  Carl  Harbaugh-  Dev  Jennings  “College”  Cutting 

Bryan  Foy 

Charles  Reisner  Buster  Keaton  Carl  Harbaugh  Dev  Jennings  Untitled  Preparing 


CLARENCE 

IS  NOW 

“THE  f. 

TRAIL  ^ 

OF 

□Q”  ^ 

BROWN 

DIRECTING 

^ ^ G. 

M. 

W%: 

GARRETT  FORT 

NOW  WRITING  “SAILOR  IZZY  MURPHY”  FOR 

GEORGE  JESSEL  AT  WARNER  BROTHERS  / 

^ 

June  18,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER,  Culver  City, 

Em.  9111. 

Brown 

Ralph  Forbes-Dolores  Del 
Rio  • Harry  Carey  * Karl 
Dane 

Benj.  Glazier 

Sietz 

"The  Trail  of  ’98” 

Shooting 

Conway 

John  Gilbert-Joan  Crawford  A.  P.  Younger 

Arnold 

"Twelve  Miles  Out" 

Shooting 

Sedgwick 

William  Haines* 

Joan  Crawford 

Al.  Lewin-Frank  Davis 

Morgan 

"Spring  Fever" 

Shooting 

Bell 

Norma  Shearer- 
Lawrence  Gray 

Lorna  Moon 

Hilbum 

"After  Midnight" 

Shooting 

Christensen 

Lon  Chaney-Barbara 
Bedford 

Bradley  King 

Gerstad 

“Terror** 

Shooting 

Robertson 

Ramon  Novarro* 

Marceline  Day 

Josephine  Lovett 

Oliver  Marsh 

"Romance" 

Shooting 

Tourjanski 

John  M.  Stahl 

Tim  McCoy- 

Dorothy  Sebastian 

Jack  Cunningham 

Dorothy  Farnum 

Da  Vinna 

"The  Gallant  Gringo" 

"In  Old  Kentucky" 

Shooting 

Preparing 

METROPOLITAN  STUDIO,  1040  Las  Palmas  Ave.  Gr.  3111. 


Renaud  Hoffman 

R.  Schildkraut-Junior  Cogh- 
lan-Bessie  Love* 

J.  Schildkraut 

Sonya  Levien 

"Harp  in  Hock'* 

Shooting 

E.  Mason  Hopper 

Marie  Prevost 

Raymon  Cannon 

Dewey  Wrigley 

Preparing 

Ted  Wilde 

Harold  Lloyd 

Staff 

Walter  Lundin 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Chas.  Horon 

Monty  Banks 

Chas.  Horan-Matt 
Taylor 

James  Diamond 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Spencer  Gordon  Bennett 

Walter  Miller-Allene  Ray 

Joseph  Anthony  Roach 

Edward  J.  Snyder 

"The  Man  Without  a Face" 

Shooting 

Leo  Maloney 

Leo  Maloney 

Ford  Beebe 

Edward  Kull 

Untitled 

Preparing 

PARAMOUNT  FAMOUS  LASKY  CORPORATION,  5451  Marathon  St.,  Hollywood  2400 


James  Cruze 
John  Waters 
Edw.  Sutherland 


Thomas  Meighan 
Gary  Cooper 
Wallace  Beery* 

Raymond  Hatton 


Hope  Loring  Bert  Glennon  **WeVe  All  Gamblers'* 

John  Stone-L.  G.  Rigby  C.  Edgar  Schoenbaum  ''Nevada" 

Monte  Price  and  H.  Kinley  Martin  "Firemen,  Save  My  Child'* 

Tom  Geraghty 


Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 


HAL  ROACH  STUDIO,  Culver  City,  Calif.  Empire  1151. 


Robt.  McGowan 

"Our  Gang” 

Staff 

Art  Lloyd 

Untitled 

Working 

Fred  Guiol 

All  Star 

Staff 

Floyd  Jackman 

Untitled 

Working 

James  Parrott 

Charley  Chase 

Staff 

Len  Powers 

Untitled 

Working 

MACK  SENNETT  STUDIO,  1712  Glendale  Blvd.  Olympia  3181. 


Phil  Whitman  Raymond  McKee-Ruth  Staff 

Hiatt-Mary  Ann  Jackson 

Harry  Edwards  Billy  Bevan-'Vemon  Dent*  Staff 

Madeline  Hurlock 


Vernon  Walker  Untitled 

George  Unholz 

Wm.  Williams  Untitled 

Lee  Davis 


Shooting 

Shooting 


RICHARD  THOMAS  STUDIO,  5821  Santa  Monica  Blvd. 

GL.  1101. 

' i ' ! 

, i' 

Craig  Hutchinson 

W.  R.  Wilkerson 

Ken  Price 

Nita  Cavalier 

Albert  Hurter 

Romances  in  Color  Series 
Screen  Tidbits 
"Giggles" 

Working 

Working 

Working 

TEC-ART  STUDIO, 

5360  Melrose  Ave. 

Gr.  4141. 

Harry  Revier 

Jane  Novak* 

Mahlon  Hamilton 

Mabel  Carroll 

Jimmy  Brown 

"What  Price  Love" 

Shooting 

Joe  Pasternak 

El  Brendel 

Arthur  Hoerl 

Jack  Lannon 

"The  Tray  Pusher" 

Shooting 

GEOI 

RGE 

ARCHAIN 

BAUD 

Recent  Box  Office 
Successes 

( “THE  SILENT  LOVER’’ 

DIRECTOR 

“MEN  OF  STEEL”  ? 
“PUPPETS” 

i' 

HRST  NATIONAL  PICTURES 

50 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


June  18,  1927 


Director  Star  Scenarist  Cameraman  Story  Remarks 


UNITED  ARTISTS  STUDIO,  1041  North  Formosa,  Hollywood.  Gr.  5111. 


Herbert  Brcnon 

H.  B.  Warner 

Herbert  Brenon- 

James  Howe 

“Sorrell  and  Son” 

Shooting 

Warwick  Deeping 

F.  Richard  Jones 

Douglas  Fairbanks 

Lotta  Woods 

Tony  Gaudio 

“Tlie  Gaucho” 

Shooting 

Sam  Taylor 

Mary  Pickford 

Hope  Loring 

Charles  Rosher 

“My  Best  Girl” 

Shooting 

Mai  St.  Clair 

Constance  Talmadge 

Robert  Kurrle 

“Dejeuner  de  Soieil” 

Shooting 

Roland  West 

Nonna  Talmadge 

Fred  de  Gresac-Roland 

West-Wallace  Smith 

Oliver  Marsh 

“The  Dove” 

Cutting 

Del  Lord 

Rosetta  and  Vivian  Duncan 

Lois  Weber 

John  Boyle 

“Topsy  and  Eva” 

Cutting 

Frank  Lloyd 

John  Barrymore 

Fred  de  Gresac 

Joe  August 

“Tempest” 

Preparing 

Hobart  Henley 

Corinne  Griffith 

June  Mathis 

Harry  Jackson 

“Th©  Garden  of  Eden” 

Shooting 

Raoul  Walsh 

Gloria  Swanson 

Raoul  Walsh 

“Sadie  Thompson^’ 

Preparing 

Lewis  Milestone 

William  Boyd 

J.  T.  O'Donohoe 

Barney  McGill 

“Two  Arabian  Knights” 

Cutting 

UNIVERSAL  PICTURES  CORPORATION,  Universal  City,  Calif.  He.  3131. 


Mel  Brown 

Malcolm  McGregor- 

John  B.  Clymer 

J.  Stumar 

“Buck  Private” 

Working 

Emory  Johnson 

Edw.  Laemmle 

Lya  de  Putti 

Francis  X.  Bushman 

Mrs.  Emilie  Johnson 
Chas.  A.  Logue 

Reynolds 

“Arm  of  the  Law” 

“Honor  and  th©  Woman” 

Preparing 

Working 

Harry  Pollard 

Anna  Q.  Nilsson 

All-Star 

Harvey  Thcw- 

C.  Stumar 

“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin” 

Working 

E<lw.  Sloman 

Harmon  Weight 

Irvin  Wiilat 

Nat  Ross 

Mary  Philbin-Jean  Hersholt 

George  Lewis 

Harry  Pollard 

A1  Cohn 

Charles  Logue 

Edw.  Montagne 

Geo.  Plympton 

Robinson 

*^We  Americans” 

‘‘Viennese  Lover” 

“The  Big  Gun” 

“Collegians”  No.  20 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Walter  Fabian 

Fred  Gilman 

Wm.  Lester 

Newmann 

“Smiling  Wolf” 

Working 

Max  Kimmich 

Arthur  Lake 

James  Madison 

Cline 

“Saxaphobia” 

Working 

Joe  Levigard 

Fred  Gilman 

Arthur  Henry  Gooden 

Brotherton 

“South  of  the  Northern  Lights” 

Working 

Henry  MacRae 

Jack  Dougherty 

George  Cooper 

Oswald 

“Trail  of  the  Tiger” 

Working 

Bruce  Mitchell 

Jack  Perrin 

Basil  Dickey 

Adams 

“No  Gun  Man” 

Working 

Ray  Taylor 

F.  X.  Bushman,  Jr. 

Howard  Clark 

Jerry  Ash 

“Scarlet  Arrow” 

Working 

Willy  Wyler 

Ted  Wells 

Basil  Dickey 

Brindenbacker 

“Thunder  Riders” 

Working 

WARNER  BROS.  STUDIO,  Sunset  and  Bronson.  Hollywood  4148. 


Alan  Crosland 
Michael  Curtiz 
Howard  Bretherton 
Roy  Del  Ruth 

Lloyd  Bacon 
Byron  Haskin 
Archie  Mayo 


A1  Jolson-May  McAvoy 
Irene  Rich 
Monte  Blue 
All-Star 

Dolores  Costello 
George  Jessel 
May  McAvoy 


Alfred  A.  Cohn 
Anthony  Coldeway 
Harvey  Gates 
Robert  Dillon- 
Jas.  A.  Starr 
Graham  Baker 
Anthony  Coldewey 
Graham  Baker 


Hal  Mohr 
Barney  McGill 
Norbert  Brodin 
Chas.  Clark 

Hal  Mohr 


“The  Jazz  Singer” 

“The  Outpost” 

“The  Bush  Leaguer” 

“Ilam  and  Eggs  at  the  Front” 


Working 

Working 

Working 

Preparing 


“The  Heart  of  Maryland” 
Not  titled 

“Slightly  Used” 


Editing 

Preparing 

Preparing 


FINE  ARTS,  4500  Sunset  Blvd. 


Duke  Worne 


Robert  Frazer,  Edna  Mur-  H.  H.  Van  Loan.  Con-  Ernest  Smith  “The  Silent  Hero” 

phy-Napoleon-Dog  tinuity  by  Geo.  W. 

Pyper 


Shooting 


LOCATION  CAMPS 
DE  LUXE 

Every  Convenience  of  a Modam  Apartmmt 

Electric  Lights 

Individual  Hot  and  Cold  Showers 

Individual  Inside  Lavatories  Excellent 

Dressing  Room— -Bedroom—Bath  Cuisine 

W,  L.  ANDERSON 

ANDERSON  BOARDING  & SUPPLY  CO. 
1316  Washington  Bldg. 

LOS  ANGELES,  CAL. 

Ask  Executives  in  charge  o£: — “The  Win-  MUTUAL 

ning  of  Barbara  Worth/'  “The  Silent  NEW  MCkg* 
Lover”  (Milton  Sills)  PHONE 

Operators  of  Industrial  Mess-balls  and  Commissaries 


with 

DOROTHY  GISH 

in 

“MADAM  POMPADOUR” 

Presented  by  British  National  Pictures 
To  Be  Released  bv  Paramount 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


iNews  Keels  Add  Ihousands  to  Keceipts 


Hffl? 


kkkKKKKKK 


“Qet  ready  for  another  Big  One — it’s  ‘The  Callahans 
and  the  Murphys*  and  even  funnier  than  ‘Rookies.’ 
We  told  you  we'd  follow  up  on  ‘Slide,  Kelly,  Slide,’ 
‘Tell  It  to  the  Marines,’  ‘Mr.  Wu,’  ‘Lovers',’ 
‘The  Unknown,’  ‘Flesh  and  the  Devil,’  and 
^ those  other  M'Q'M  hits.  What  about  ig27'28?” 


MR.  EXHIBITOR  SPEAKING; 

“Come  right  over  and  let’s  talk  business.  The 
Big  Parade  of  Stars  for  ’27-’ 28  sounds  good  to 
me  with  Lon  Chaney,  John  Qilbert,  Norma 
Shearer,  Lillian  Qish,  William  Haines,  Marion 
Davies,  Jackie  Coogan,  Tim  McCoy,  Ramow 
Novarro,  Dane  & Arthur,  Cody  & Pringle, 
and  all  your  Specials.  I’m  interested!” 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc, 


President 


No.  2 


hiitercd  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  111.,  under  the  act  of  March  3,' 
1879.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


June  25,  1927 


m 


The 


WURUIZER 

ORGAN  in  the  New 
PARAMOUNT  Theatre 

Remarkably  significant!  The  owners  of  the 
world’s  greatest  cinema  palace,  the  new 
Paramount  Theatre,  New  York,  regard  the 
Wurlitzer  Organ  as  one  of  their  main  feat' 
The  Wurlitzer  Organ  can  be  individu- 


ures. 


ally  accommodated  to  large  and  small  thea- 
tres,  the  use  of  which  is  today  considered 
one  of  the  attributes  of  superior  theatre 
management.  Write  today  for  catalog. 

WURI^ER 


Executive  Offices:  Cincinnati,  Ohio 
Factories:  North  Tonawanda,  N.  Y. 


New  York 
Pittsburgh 
San  Francisco 


Cincinnati 
Detroit 
Los  Angeles 


Chicago  Cleveland 

Philadelphia  Buffalo 

St,  Louis  Kansas  City 


June  25,  1927 


E X.H  IBITORS  HERALD 


3 


lg|ike  HAROLD  LLOYD 
ft  MD  BROTHE^^  A 

If  caft;  bfttik  OR  to  pack 


oiintf  y and  proy^  np^to  i^lie 
!St  s^ndaii?ds  of  past  Lloyft 


I^Hip  to  kill  the  sutntiier 

IlAROLD  LLOYD  in 

^ ■ ■■ 


AB^QneNoirWIieiilfim  Need  It  Most/ 


4 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


^ While  the  Cteam  is  Still  <m  g 
^ these  Gieatf2Ro<id  ShonrHits  Ig 


THEROIM 


^Cfoi 


Re; 


^HARLbs 


WxTtf 


we  otfoi*  them  to  yoVi  in 


Pa 


60  Stax  Hits  ^>20  Speda\s-‘(panimomt7lm--Com^es--Vtelil^  Shaw! ' 


Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


it 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


The  Best  Thing  Ever  Offered 
ToMovingPictureExhibitors 

(No.  538— Straight  from  the  Shoulder  Talk  by  Carl  Laemmle, 

President  of  the  Universal  Pictures  Corporation) 

OTHER  COMPANIES  ARE  NOW  MAKING  FRANTIC  EFFORTS  TO  COPY 
the  Universal  Complete  Service  plan. 

OTHER  COMPANIES,  WHOSE  SALESMEN  WERE  WARNING  YOU  MOST 
solemnly  not  to  get  tied  up  with  any  complete  service  plan,  are  telling  you  that  the 
complete  service  plan  is  the  greatest  thing  in  the  world— now  that  they  have  one 
to  sell  you. 

OTHER  COMPANIES  FOUND  THE  UNIVERSAL  COMPLETE  SERVICE 

plan  the  hardest  thing  to  buck  they  ever  encountered  in  all  their  moving  picture  ex^ 

perience.  With  over  8,000  Universal  Complete  Service  Contracts  signed,  sealed  and 
delivered,  you  can  appreciate  their  excitement  and  their  fears. 

WHY  WAS  THE  UNIVERSAL  COMPLETE  SERVICE  PLAN  SUCH  HARD 
competition  for  other  companies  to  meet? 

ANSWER: -FOR  THE  VERY  SIMPLE  REASON  THAT  IT  WAS  AND  IS  THE 
best  thing  ever  offered  to  the  exhibitor  in  the  history  of  the  moving  picture  business. 

I REPEAT -IT  WAS  AND  IS  THE  VERY  BEST  THING  EVER  OFFERED  TO 
the  exhibitor  in  the  history  of  the  moving  picture  business. 

I PREDICT  THAT  BEFORE  LONG,  EVERY  COMPANY  WILL  BE  OFFERING 
you  ‘^something  just  as  good  as  the  Universal  Complete  Service  plan’^  And  the  very  fact 
that  they  call  it  ‘^just  as  good  as  the  Universal  Complete  Service  plan’’  is  in  itself  a recogni- 
tion of  the  fact  that  the  Universal  plan  is  the  standard  by  which  all  others  will  be  judged! 

UNIVERSAL  STILL  OFFERS  YOU  THE  ORIGINAL  AND  THE  ONLY  REAL 
COMPLETE  SERVICE  CONTRACT. 

I SINCERELY  BELIEVE  THE  UNIVERSAL  PLAN  HAS  ENABLEDJMORE 
theatres  to  keep  their  doors  open  than  anything  ever  devised  in  this  industry.  I believe 

the  exhibitors  have  told  the  simple  truth  when  they  have  written  to  me  that  they  would 
have  gone  out  of  business  if  the  Universal  plan  had  not  saved  them  from  doom. 

THE  FACT  THAT  OTHER  COMPANIES  ARE  NOW  TRYING  TO  COPY 
the  plan  is  not  needed  to  prove  its  excellence.  Its  excellence  was  demonstrated  before 
the  others  started  to  copy  it.  That’s  why  they  started. 

A GREAT  IDEA  HAS  BEEN  CONVERTED  INTO  A GREAT  FACT.  A WAY 
has  been  found  to  solve  the  exhibitor’s  problems.  Universal  found  it  and  put  it  into 
effect.  And  you,  if  you  are  quick  to  sign  up,  will  be  the  beneficiary! 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Katz 


Q j:r.  V-lCE.e 


Bauaba>^  ■ 

c^AOO  theatre-- 

Chic.  AGO 


Corporation 


>3  O 


TecePHO^l^ 

rAN  DOL. 


June  15  > 


llr.  M. 

Editor  in  L^sreel 

internatioi^i  He*® 

Eew  York  City 

iff-r  Clofl^^®*  j+v  of  extendi?^ 

* 4.  +0  ta\ce  or  tue 

X want  to  t your  stafi  ^^led  tTae 

inieriork.  - ..  , - r ^ were  sIio«i^°’^,asti- 

Enriy  arrival  ^ 

^,,elous  Pioture^;,  ,^eat^  °P^e^^lc^^e  in  ® 

^"®^®’^Lte  story  of  Hi® 

Voronr  patrons.  cooperation  v.itli 

®'’dltiot  and  1 y'""- 

mprits  coron^Q^^ 

theatres  merr  sincerely 


RSAL 


(Courtesy  Paramount) 


Story  by 

NORMAN  springe!? 


A GEORGE  B.  SEITZ 
PRODUCTION 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


You  Could  Run  a 
Good  Show  in  a Bam 


provided  you  had  the  proper  equipment  and  a capable 
organization. 

And  a modern  auditorium  without  them  would 
make  a mighty  poor  theatre. 

Yet  many  magnificent  theatres  contain  insuffi- 
cient and  inferior  equipment — due  either  to  improper 
budgeting  or  a distorted  sense  of  values. 

Unless  your  new  theatre  is  carefully  budgeted, 
there  will  be  very  little  over  for  equipment. 

And  these  are  the  tools  with  which  you  and  your 
staff  must  work  day  in  and  day  out  for  many  years  to 
come;  they  are  the  tools  with  which  you  must  pro- 
duce results. 

“Better  Theatres,”  issued  as  a supplement  to 
Exhibitors  Herald  every  fourth  week,  is  gauged  to 
inform  you  completely  on  modern  equipment.  If 
you  are  contemplating  building  or  remodeling,  study 
it  carefully  before  you  budget  your  project. 


TO  BE  PRODUCED 
ASA  DeMILLE 
SPECIAL  WITH 


VICTOR  VARCONI 


MORE 

BIG 

NEWS 


‘CHICAGO’  WILL 
BE  DEMILLE  FILM 


HOIJ.VWOOI;.  May  22.  -DcMille  Pic- 
lurcs  b.'iS  outbid  all  rival  jiroduccrs  <*< impel* 
irip  fnr  the  screen  rights  to  Maurine  Wat- 
kins' successful  stage  melodrama  "Chica- 
co”.  The  figures  in  the  transaction  arc  not 
at  [‘resent  obtainable,  but  arc  said  to  es- 
talilisb  a rccor<i  for  the  accjuisition  r>f  a 
property  of  this  nature. 

The  jnirchasc  of  “Chicago"  rights  liy  De 
Mille.  makes  it  a certainty  that  Phyllis 
Haver  will  ret  eive  the  ojijiortunity  nf  her 
c.'ire<‘r  in  the  colorful  role  of  “Roxic  Hart” 
whicli  was  .Teated  on  the  stage  by  Fran- 
cine  l.arriniore. 

U is  understood  that  the  picture  will  be 
put  into  ]>roduction  as  soon  as  details  can 
be  arranged  and  will  lie  one  of  the  im- 
[H.Ttant  box-office  jiroducts  included 
P.D.r.’s  release  schedule. 


J 


/j 

JULIA  FAYE 


LOUIS  NATHEAUX 


L k _ . . 

MAY  ROBSON 


4 B0M> 

a6  SUPER 


CHICAGO  • • the  most 

coveted  piece  of  theatrical 
property  of  the  current 
season  secured  by  CECIL 
B. DeMILLE  to  be  pro- 
duced on  an  elaborate 
scale  •••  Just  a sample  of 
what  you  can  expect  on 
the  DeMILLE  PROGRAM 
1927-28*- -Just  one  of 
a sensational  group  of 
pictures  that  is  destined 
to  make  new  box-office 
history. 

De  mille  pictures 

PATHE  NEWS  * PATHECOMEDIES  - PATHESERIALS-  PATHEPICTURES 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


THANKS,  MR.  EXHIBITOR! 

FOX  NEWS  has  been  deluged  with  so 
many  telegrams  and  letters  from  exhibitors 
in  all  parts  of  the  country  congratulating 
us  on  the  speed  and  quality  of  our  special 
newsreel  service  on  the  four  greatest 
box-office  newsreel  subjects  in  history  - - 

LINDBERGH^S  TRIUMPHAL  TOUR  OF  EUROPE 

LINDBERGH^S  DECORATION  BY  THE  PRESIDENT 

LINDBERGH’S  GREAT  RECEPTION  IN  NEW  YORK 
CHAMBERLIN-LEVINE  ARRIVAL  IN  GERMANY 


- - that  we  wish  to  take  this  occasion  to  ex- 
press our  deep  appreciation  of  all  the  com- 
plimentary things  our  exhibitor  friends  have 
said  about  us  - - and  to  add  our  promise 
that  FOX  NEWS  will  always  remain  FIRST 
IN  SPEED  AND  FIRST  IN  QUALITY! 


MIGHTIEST  DF  ALL 


From  mighty  roai*] 
of  the  world,  F.  B 
Stand  Guard 
^guarding  You^^i 


World'; 

MIGHTIES 


oe  serialized 
500  Daily 
''^papers. 


H KtNNtDV 

/"mtir 


I-ove,.  Trapped 

Tr^fi*edB,W!AStupe«,o® 

Worid.GreatotPJe^u^^ 


The  Brand  of  E\il  Burnetl 
Deep  Into  the  Groping 
Soul  of  a Besuitiful  Girl-” 
and  Her  Smashing  Rghtto  '^' 
Win  Uegencraiion!  A StU' 
pendous  Hiunan  Drama  in ' 
Wltich  an  Abiding  Faith  : 
God  Sw«e|Ki  All  Before  itl  '">i 

« ^ 'S’  rt9»  Tfs*  <z*Hi  8?  '' 


“&ike  The  Plumber” 

“Red  Riders  Of  Canada” 
“Beyond  London's  Lights” 
“Aflame  in  The  Sky” 
“South  Sea  Love” 
“Shanghaied” 

“Hook  and  Ladder  No.  9” 
Geo.  Beban  in 
“Loves  Of  Ricardo” 

Ralph  Ince  in 
“Not  For  Publication” 
“Skinner’s  Big  idea” 
“Great  Mail  Robbery” 
Frankie  Darro  in 
“Little  Mickey  Grogan” 

Al  Cooke  and  Kit  Guard  in 
“A  Legionnaire  In  Paris” 
“Chicago  After  Midnight” 
“Dead  Man's  Curve” 


Hf 


mm. 


“Sally  Of  The  Scandals” 

“The  Coward” 

“Alex  The  Great” 

“Crooks  Can’t  Win” 

“In  A Moment  Of  Temptation” 


Lois  Wilson  and  Geo.  K.  Arthur  in 
“The  Gingham  Girl” 
Gene-Stratton  Porter’s 
“The  Harvester” 

Gene-Stratton  Porter’s 
“Freckles” 

Frankie  Darro  and  Virginia  Valli 

i n 

“Judgment  Of  The  Hills” 

“The  Little  Yellow  House” 
“Wallflowers” 

Geo.  Sidney  in 

“Clancy’s  Kosher  Wedding” 
“Her  Summer  Hero” 


WWt  TAKE  A UCKINC  WHEM  YOU  CAN 

J-/1 


Laufilh  Records  tumbling 
everywhere  Z — Showing 
YOU  just  what  you're 
missind  if  you  miss  those 

11  Summer  Specials 
from  First  National 


<|K>WM»«« 

fcjkt 

Rsr 

^ATIONAir 
WTf 


COLLEEN  MOORE 

in  NauRhty  but  Nice 

BABE  RUTH  in 
Babe  Comes  Home 

Charlie  Murray  and 
Georde  Sidney  in 
LOST  AT  THE  FRONT 

A GcorSc  FItzmauric*  Production 

THE  TENDER  HOUR 

with  Billie  Dove 
and  Ben  Lyon 


. The  Land  Beyond  the  Law 

JiOHNNy  NINES 
tin  All  Aboard 

' BROADWAY  NIGHTS 

with  Lois  Wilson 
and  Sam  Hardy 

I THE  SUNSET  DERBY 
> with  Mary  Astor  and 
! William  Collierr  Jr. 

; DANCE  MAGIC 

'with  Ben  Lyon 
and  Pauline  Starke 


LONESOME  LADIES 

with  Lewis  Stone 
and  Anna  Q.  Nilsson 


ICK  TME  world  TfSIf  /UMMER  / 


16 


The 

story  of 
Chicken 
Hearted 
Sam 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


I 


The  CcttlSet  Sam  always  suffered  from  Chicken  Heartitis. 

He  never  would  take  a chance.  And  when 
it  came  to  signing  for  new  product  Sam 
always  suffered  a nervous  breakdown.  But 
this  year  Sam  quickly  bought  FIRST 
NATIONAL’S  matter-of-fact  Showman’s 
Group.  And  now  he  golfs  for  two  weeks 
instead  of  spending  that  time  in  bed. 

Morcil  ♦ want  to  be  sure  about  any- 

thing, buy  on  FACTS  alone! 

racTs:  facts: 


t J / 1 4 ^ Vaf.  5 


" " " ' "'yf  Y ^ 'Y' 


PIRST  NATIONAL 

58  Values  - named  and  known- 


FIRST  NATIONAL 

the  world  is  yoursZ 

Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


■-•I*',-’ 


HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address : 
Quigpubco. 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
William  R.  Weaver,  Associate  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Harry  E.  Nichols, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 

DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  33 

Presentation  Acts  35 

The  Theatre  43 

The  Film  Mart 46 

New  Pictures  45 

Classified  Advertising  50 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 48 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  51 

FEATURES 

Broadway  — 22 

L.OS  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 26 

Re-Takes  24 

New  York,  by  John  S.  Spargo....  32 

Pictorial  Section  27 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  44 

Letters  from  Readers 48 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 58 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


Flight  news  pictures  boost  receipts  of  theatres  by  hundreds  of 
thousands  of  dollars;  Correspondents  of  the  HERALD  report 
increased  business  in  all  parts  of  country — Phonofilm  scenes  held 
over  at  Capitol,  New  York. 

UNIVERSAL  adds  six  theatres;  Schines  acquire  two  more;  Eight 
houses  under  construction  by  Butterfield  circuit  in  Michigan; 
Site  purchased  for  Fischer’s  Paramount  at  Delavan,  Wis. — “U”  lets 
Sheboygan  contract. 

BRYLAWSKI  and  Hurley  meet  Coolidge  on  flood  control; 

Appear  as  special  committee  on  screen  visualization  of  con- 
servation proposal;  Two  more  Film  Boards  report  relief  funds  from 
theatres. 

LICHTMAN  speeds  Film  Club  plan;  Marcus  Loew  asked  to  head 
^ it;  Emphasis  on  need  of  common  meeting  ground  for  members 
of  industry  brings  enthusiastic  response;  Committees  will  report 
this  week. 


OAX  begins  work  on  second  of  schedule; 

All  stories  set;  Titles  decided  upon; 
Narratives  turned  over  to  scenarists  in  ef- 
fort to  speed  production;  “Rose  of 
Kildare”  ready  August  1 . 

TT ILM  notables  open  Robert  Lieber’s  In- 
diana  theatre  at  Indianapolis;  Sam 
Katz  heads  delegation  from  New  York  to 
first  performance  at  $1,500,000  house; 
Spanish  and  Moorish  design  predominates. 

George  M.  COHAN  sings  own  Lind- 
bergh song  at  midnight  benefit  per- 
formance at  Roxy  theatre  for  families  of 
Nungesser  and  Coli “Wings,”  Para- 

mount epic  of  U.  S.  war  aviators,  opens 
at  Criterion  in  New  York  August  1. 

TA UNCAN  sisters  appear  in  prologue  sis 
well  as  on  the  screen  at  world  pre- 
miere of  “Topsy  and  Eva”;  Sid  Grauman 
offers  double  - barrelled  attraction  at 

Egyptian  theatre A1  Nathan  forms  short 

feature  company. 

Tj'  B O’s  “Moon  of  Israel”  goes  into 
Roxy  theatre  June  25;  Booking  of 
spectacle  by  Rothafel  is  further  indication 


of  his  policy  to  go  into  open  market  for 
films  for  world’s  largest  theatre. 

Strikes  place  nonunion  organists  and 

operators  in  theatres Atlanta  union 

refuses  to  let  Metropolitan  decrease  size  of 

orchestra Green  Bay  organized  operators 

demand  Saxe  house  hire  unemployed  pro- 
jectionist. 

WISCONSIN  State  Senate  rejects  new 

amusement  tax  bill Sponsor  sought 

to  collect  5 per  cent  of  gross  receipts  of 
theatres  and  prize  fights  for  benefit  of 
education  fund. 


H 


ALSEY,  STUART  & COMPANY,  Chi- 
cago brokers,  in  booklet  emphasize 
investment  opportunities  offered  by  mo- 
tion picture  industry — Importance  of 
American  subjects  on  foreign  screens  to 
American  exporter  stressed. 

T)  OLICE  seek  two  men  for  fraud  in  tie- 
up  between  Atlanta  merchants  and 

theatre Sell  stunt  of  offering  in  theatre 

keys  to  boxes  in  stores,  one  of  which  con- 
tains prize. 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 

HEMAL 


|] 


Qjfie  independent  Qrade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  ^>0  Editor 


PubUshed  Every  Wednesday  by 

Exhibitors  Herald  Company 
Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 


Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Exhibitors  Herald  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald:  Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week.  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Indcx,  semi-annual. 


but  it  does  exhibit  quite  a healthy  and  encouraging  re- 
spect for  the  strength  and  influence  of  the  industry. 

We  can  quite  agree  with  Mr.  Gillette  on  these  points: 
That  the  position  of  the  motion  picture  and  the  industry 
behind  it  are  constantly  becoming  more  favorable  and 
that  the  carnival  and  other  traveling  troupe  types  of  show 
are  in  a bad  way. 

The  explanation  of  the  first  is  that  the  public  in  the 
motion  picture  theatres  is  receiving  a better  entertain- 
ment, amid  better  surroundings  and  at  a better  price  than 
elsewhere.  The  explanation  of  the  second  is  that  the 
competition  of  the  motion  picture  has  proven  too  great, 
with  a contributing  reason  the  fact  that  the  public  has 
become  too  wise  to  tolerate  longer  the  come-sucker  atti- 
tude of  the  carnival,  street-show  and  other  itinerant — and 
largely  irresponsible — forms  of  entertainment. 

Mr.  Gillette  deplores  the  passing  of  these  shows  be- 
cause of  the  loss  to  the  public  from  a cultural  standpoint. 
The  author  here  must  have  intended  to  be  funny  and  cer- 
tainly succeeded  as  far  as  we  are  concerned  in  giving  us 
a first-rate  laugh. 

-»  ■»  -» 


VoL.  XXX  June  25,  1927  No.  2 


The  Carnival  Complains 

IN  a recent  number  of  The  American  Mercury,  a maga- 
zine of  the  intelligentsia  and  psuedo-intelligentsia,  Mr. 
Don  Carle  Gillette,  who  is  editor  of  the  carnival  paper. 
The  Billboard,  contributed  an  article  under  the  formid- 
able title,  “The  Amusement  Octopus.”  Mr.  Gillette  is 
not  among  the  well-known  people  of  the  show  world  so 
The  American  Mercury  obligingly  identifies  him  as  fol- 
lows: 

“Mr.  Gillette  was  born  in  the  Italian  Alps,  came  to  the 
United  States  at  seven,  and  educated  himself  in  night 
schools  and  through  the  extension  departments  of  various 
universities.  He  is  thirty  years  old.” 

Mr.  Gillette  is  an  advocate  of  the  carnival  and  other 
outdoor  forms  of  amusement.  He  exhibits  the  tenderness 
and  indulgence  of  a mother  toward  his  favorites  and 
while  we  have  always  regarded  the  carnival,  circus  and 
street  fakir’s  outfits  as  lusty — and  even  rowdyish — gamins 
he  would  have  us  believe  them  innocent  waifs,  buffeted 
about  by  fortune,  and  entitled  to  the  protection  of  all 
kindly  people. 

“The  Amusement  Octopus,”  according  to  Mr.  Gillette, 
is,  of  course,  the  leading  concerns  of  the  motion  picture 
industry.  American  amusement  seekers,  he  says,  are 
crying  for  relief  from  the  monotony  of  exclusively  motion 
picture  entertainment  but  “the  New  York  syndicates” 
decree  that  they  must  take  the  cinema  only — and  like  it. 
He  sees  the  American  public  under  the  hard-fisted  domi- 
nation of  the  movie  men  who  arbitrarily  dictate  what  the 
public’s  amusement  shall  consist  of. 

* * * 

Before  proceeding  to  further  consideration  of  Mr. 

Gillette’s  argument  we  may  be  pardoned  a little 
pleasant  contemplation  upon  the  new  order  of  things: 
Only  a short  time  ago  the  motion  picture  and  the  indus- 
try were  nowhere  more  keenly  despised  and  belittled  than 
among  the  outdoor  showmen.  In  their  lusty  manner, 
smacking  of  the  virility  of  the  big  tops,  they  elbowed  the 
motion  picture  out  of  their  way  at  every  opportunity  and 
were  never  happier  than  when  they  described  pictures  as 
just  a novelty — like  some  kind  of  a new  coaster  ride — 
of  which  the  public  would  soon  tire. 

The  Billboard  editor  pays  the  motion  picture  indus- 
try a rather  neat  compliment  when  he  says  that  it  has 
launched  “a  bold  and  apparently  successful  campaign  to 
eliminate  the  competition  of  all  other  forms  of  amuse- 
ment.” His  assertion  is,  of  course,  quite  without  sense, 


He  has  quite  an  involved  argument  intended  to  show 
that  in  reality  the  motion  picture  theatre  is  not  a 
local  industry,  of  economic  value  locally.  The  confusion 
of  this  extraordinary  proposition  is  added  to  by  the  intro- 
duction of  certain  imaginative  statistics  which  leave  the 
reader  who  knows  the  facts  quite  bewildered.  It  would 
seem  that  some  kind  of  a defense  of  the  carnival  type  of 
show  could  be  made  without  making  it  become  ridicu- 
lous. 

In  his  opening  paragraph  Mr.  Gillette  says: 

“American  amusement-seekers  are  crying  out  for  re- 
lief from  the  monotony  of  exclusively  movie  entertain- 
ment. But  the  Octopus  has  decreed  that  they  shall  have 
no  other  gods  before  them.” 

He  then  leads  off'  the  final  chapter  of  his  article  with 
this: 

“The  fact  is  that  the  better  sort  of  movie  theatres  can 
no  longer  get  along  with  films  alone.” 

Here,  then  is  a first-rate  contradiction,  but  it  is  no  more 
contradictory  than  the  whole  argument  and  position  of 
Mr.  Gillette. 

The  fact  is  that  the  carnival  and  itinerant  troupe  type 
of  show  have  not  only  seen  the  handwriting  on  the  wall, 
but  they  are  already  beginning  to  feel  the  effects  of  the 
approaching  disaster — and  nothing  they  can  do  can  stay 
the  disaster.  The  motion  picture  theatre  in  the  large 
city,  small  town  and  country  place  rescued  the  common 
people  from  centuries  of  imposition  by  so-called  show 
people.  It  recognized  the  principle  that  the  public  in 
seeking  and  buying  amusement  are  no  more  to  be  re- 
garded as  suckers  than  when  they  seek  and  buy  their 
foodstuffs  and  apparel. 

The  motion  picture  theatre  as  a fixture  in  the  commun- 
ity became  a responsible  institution  and  it  recognized  and 
reacted  to  its  responsibilities.  Willing  or  unwilling  it 
was  made  to  answer  for  its  shortcomings  and  failures. 
It  undertook  to  safeguard  the  welfare  of  its  patrons  and 
being  an  integral  part  of  the  community  it  became 
answerable  for  benefactions  never  before  dreamed  of  in 
the  amusement  business.  It  became  not  only  good  busi- 
ness but  a necessity  for  the  motion  picture  theatre  to 
give  the  public  its  money’s  worth.  Likewise  by  neces- 
sity— apart  from  every  other  consideration — it  had  to 
maintain  a standard  of  morality. 

All  of  this  has  bulwarked  the  position  of  the  motion 
picture  theatre — not  for  a day  but  for  an  age  at  least. 
The  attack  by  the  carnival  people  is  an  understandable 
gesture  of  envy. , 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


Flight  News  Pictures  Boost 
Receipts  by  Many  Thousands 

Correspondents  of  HERALD  Report  Increased  Business  in  All 
Parts  of  Country — Phonofilm  Scenes  Held 
Over  at  Capitol  in  New  York 

Theatre  owners  are  reaping  an  extra  harvest  at  the  box  office,  estimated 
in  the  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars,  as  a result  of  the  news  reels  on  the 
Lindbergh  and  Chamberlin  transatlantic  flights. 

Exhibitors  Stage  Campaigns 

Matching  the  record-breaking  accomplishments  of  the  producers  and  dis- 
tributors of  news  reels  in  covering  the  feats  of  the  air  and  the  resultant 
scenes  of  popular  acclaim  for  the  fliers,  a number  of  enterprising  exhibitors 
have  made  special  campaigns  on  the  pictures  with  a proportionate  jump  in 
box  office  figures. 


Writer  Cites  Evil  of 
Small-Minded  Censors 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY.  June  21.— 
“Book  and  stage  censorship 
should  be  conducted  on  broad 
lines.  After  all,  it  is  not  so  diffi- 
cult to  weed  out  the  good  frotn 
the  bad  in  those  Gelds.”  This 
opinion  is  expressed  by  Charles 
Hooper,  writing  in  the  Kansas 
City  Star  last  week.  The  article 
goes  on  to  say  that  “there  are  both 
good  and  bad  in  our  censorship 
laws.  The  evil  in  these  laws  con- 
sists of  the  danger  of  ignorant, 
incompetent,  small-minded  men 
who  may  lay  their  blundering 
hands  on  works  of  genius.” 


Police  Seek  Two 
After  Tie-Up  of 
Stores,  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ATLANTA,  June  21.— Two  of  three 
men  associated  in  an  advertising  stunt 
in  connection  with  motion  picture  thea- 
tres, are  being  sought  by  the  police  for 
operating  a confidence  game.  One  of  the 
men,  W.  W.  Poland,  has  been  released. 

According  to  the  police,  a number  of 
merchants  had  been  sold  the  plan  of  run- 
ning a trailer  at  a local  theatre  offering 
for  sale  to  the  patrons  keys  with  which 
they  could  try  to  open  certain  boxes  in 
the  merchants’  stores.  The  holder  of  the 
effective  key  was  to  receive  a prize. 
Manager  W.  T.  Murray  of  the  Rialto  had 
agreed  to  the  plan.  But  Saturday  night 
efforts  to  get  in  touch  with  the  men  were 
futile  and  only  Poland  later  turned  up. 

Sunday  Matinees  Win 
Favor  of  Hartford*s 
Aldermen  Committee 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HARTFORD,  CONN.,  June  21.— 
Favorable  action  has  been  taken  by  the 
ordinance  committee  of  the  Board  of 
Aldermen  on  petition  of  theatre  man- 
agers to  permit  opening  of  picture  thea- 
tres Sunday  afternoon  starting  at  two 
o’clock.  Heretofore  they  were  not  al- 
lowed to  open  until  Sunday  evening 
through  municipal  ordinance. 

A small  group  of  clergymen  and  wom- 
en opposed  the  ordinance  change.  Col. 
Clarence  W.  Seymour,  head  of  the  Allyn 
Theatre  Co.;  Manager  James  F.  Clancy 
of  the  Capitol;  David  Weinstock,  man- 
ager of  the  Grand;  Henry  Needles,  man- 
ager of  the  Strand,  and  others  spoke  in 
favor  of  the  change,  declaring  theatres 
are  now  overcrowded  Sunday  evenings 
because  of  lack  of  opportunity  to  attend 
in  the  afternoon. 

C.  J,  Schaefer,  Pioneer 
Chicago  Exhibitor,  Dies 

Charles  J.  Schaefer,  one  of  Chicago’s 
first  exhibitors,  died  last  week,  on  the 
64th  anniversary  of  his  birth.  He  began 
showing  pictures  in  1907.  He  has  not 
been  an  active  operator  for  several  years, 
but  owned  three  theatres.  He  was  a 
brother  of  Peter  J.  Schaefer,  vice-presi- 
dent of  the  prominent  Chicago  theatrical 
firm  of  Jones,  Linick  & Schaefer.  A 
widow,  a daughter  and  two  sons  survive. 
Further  information  is  given  in  “Chi- 
cago Personalities”  of  this  issue. 


Estimates  of  a business  increase  easily 
mounting  into  hundreds  of  thousands  are 
borne  out  by  reports  from  correspond- 
ents of  the  Herald  in  various  parts  of 
the  United  States  and  Canada.  Follow- 
ing are  summaries  of  some  of  the  re- 
ports: 

Kansas  City — Appearance  of  the  Lind- 
bergh pictures  brought  packed  houses. 

Albany — Crowds  jammed  the  theatres 
of  Albany,  Troy  and  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 

Denver — Midwinter  business  was  re- 
flected by  the  attendance  at  the  showing 
of  the  airplane  productions. 

Atlanta — Huge  throngs  greeted  the 
Lindbergh  pictures,  enthusiasm  venting 
itself  in  shouts  as  well  as  prolonged  ap- 
plause. 

St.  Louis — Theatre  managers  here  de- 
clared the  spurt  in  attendance  was  due 
directly  to  the  news  reels  of  the  air 
flights  to  the  continent.  In  other  cities, 
where  attendance  had  been  hard  hit  by 
the  coal  strike,  there  was  a noticeable 
increase  of  patronage. 

San  Francisco  — Exhibitors  showing 
the  Lindbergh  reels  were  prepared  to 
see  a rising  attendance,  but  the  response 
far  exceeded  their  expectations. 

Toronto — Canada  thrilled  to  the  ex- 
ploits of  Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh  and 
Clarence  Chamberlin. 

Dallas — It  was  a day  of  triumph  for 
the  news  reels  and  for  the  exhibitors 
showing  them. 

Minneapolis — The  Twin  Cities  went 
wild  over  the  transatlantic  flight  pic- 
tures, and  F & R houses  were  crammed. 

The  public’s  reaction  in  New  York  and 


Dr.  Lee  DeForest  is  shown  with  the 
apparatus  which  made  a PhonoGlm  of 
Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh’s  address 
at  Washington. 


Chicago  theatres  was  immediate.  At  the 
Chicago  theatre,  for  example,  the  “re- 
sponse was  heroic,”  it  was  stated  at  the 
offices  of  Balaban  & Katz.  “There  was 
tremendous  enthusiasm  and  interest,” 
the  official  added. 

The  Paramount  theatre  in  New  York 
pulled  the  title  of  the  feature  picture  of 
the  week  out  of  the  lights  in  part  of  the 
marquee  and  inserted  the  name  of  Lind- 
bergh and  the  news  reel. 

Exhibitor  Indorses 
Herald  Editorial 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  June  21. — The  crowds  that 
jammed  the  theatres  of  Albany,  Troy 
and  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  when  the  Lind- 
bergh pictures  were  featured  fully  justi- 
fied a recent  editorial  in  Exhibitors  Herald 
urging  greater  use  of  news  reels  by  ex- 
hibitors, according  to  Alex  Sayles,  for- 
merly Albany  newspaperman,  who  now 
is  managing  the  Leland  theatre.  Mr. 
Sayles  declared  his  theatre  played  to 
midwinter  business  last  week,  and  at- 
tributed 75  per  cent  of  the  attendance  to 
the  Lindbergh  pictures,  for  he  had  split 
his  week  with  his  feature. 

“Never  have  I had  so  many  calls  by 
telephone  asking  what  was  being  shown 
in  the  news  reel  as  I did  last  week,”  said 
Sayles.  “I  think  that  the  Lindbergh  pic- 
tures will  make  the  news  reels  more 
popular  than  ever  and  go  far  in  convinc- 
ing the  theatre  owner  of  the  important 
place  they  should  be  given  on  the  pro- 
gram.” 

Mr.  Sayles  used  every  foot  of  film  he 
could  obtain  carrying  the  Lindbergh  re- 
ception in  Washington,  as  well  as  the 
one  in  New  York  City,  and  then  added 
the  pictures  of  the  Chamberlin-Levine 
reception  in  Germany. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the 
Mark  Strand  theatre  in  Albany  a con- 
siderable portion  of  the  program  was 
given  over  to  the  news  reels  depicting 
Lindbergh’s  receptions.  All  other  pic- 
tures on  the  news  reel  were  discarded 
for  the  time  being.  Theatre  owners  in 
Albany  declared  at  the  close  of  the  week 
that  the  Lindbergh  pictures  had  netted 
them  many  additional  hundreds  of 
dollars. 

Phonofilm  Scenes 
Held  Over  at  Capitol 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21.— When  Lind- 
bergh speaks  from  the  screen  to  the 
throngs  at  the  Capitol,  where  the  Phono- 
film record  of  the  Washington  reception 
is  being  held  over  this  v/aek,  the  audi- 
ences jump  to  their  feet  and  cheer. 

Dr.  Lee  DeForest,  inventor  of  the 
(Continued  on  page  42) 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Nicholas  M.  Schenck — 


C- 


/<.£.  ,,  L...^ 


Nicholas  M.  schenck  . . . operating  head  of  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  ...  a genius  of  modern  business  ...  a 
forceful  personality,  embodying  the  qualities  of  a sterling  ex- 
ecutive . . . far-visioned  . . . alert  . . . keen — and  a builder. 


Universal  Adds  Six  Theatres; 
Schines  Acquire  Two  More 

Eight  Houses  Under  Construction  by  Butterfield  Circuit — Site  Pur- 
chased for  Fischer’s  Pastime  at  Delavan,  ff  is. 

Six  more  theatres  are  brought  into  the  rapidly  expanding  Universal  cir- 
cuit with  the  closing  of  negotiations  by  Dan  Michalove,  general  manager  of 
Lmiversal  Chain  Theatrical  Enterprises  for  the  Weinberg-Sachs  Circuit 
of  Virginia.  Weinberg  recently  bought  out  Sachs  and  now  Universal  takes 
three-fourths  interest  in  Weinberg’s  entire  holdings.  The  theatres  are  the 
Lyric  and  New  in  Lexington,  Virginia  in  Harrisonburg,  Masonic  at  Clifton 
Forge,  Strand  and  New  at  Staunton. 


Schines  Add  Two  More 

Schine  Brothers  of  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  having  the  largest  chain  in  New 
York  state  through  an  increase  to  106  theatres  last  week,  and  now  stretch- 
ing out  into  Ohio,  added  two  more  by  acquiring  the  Rialto  and  Lincoln  in 
Schenectady  from  Feldman  & Son.  The  Schines,  by  the  way,  are  about  to 
open  a school  for  theatre  managers  in  Rochester. 


A series  of  openings  of  Butterfield 
theatres  in  Michigan  is  in  line  for  next 
year,  with  eight  houses  under  construc- 
tion and  ground  to  be  broken  next 
month  for  a 2,000-seat  house  in  Mus- 
kegon, with  John  Eberson  as  the  archi- 
tect. The  opening  of  the  new  State  in 
Kalamazoo  has  been  postponed  until 
July  14,  while  the  first  show  at  the  Tem- 
ple in  Saginaw  will  be  given  July  21  and 


the  Ready  in  Niles  will  be  opened  Labor 
Day. 

The  Helig  circuit  in  Oregon  will  start 
work  this  summer  on  a $150,000  house  at 
Eugene  and  will  be  the  second  Helig 
theatre  in  that  city. 

In  Wisconsin  a site  for  Fischer’s 
$100,000  Pastime  theatre  at  Delavan  has 
been  purchased.  Frank  Cook’s  Bijou 
at  Appleton  will  be  closed  June  30  and 


razed  to  make  room  for  a new  $500,000 
Sa.xe  theatre.  The  Merrill  Amusement 
Company  has  just  opened  the  Isle  at 
Minocqua,  Wis.  Universal  has  awarded 
the  contracts  for  its  new  theatre  at  She- 
boygan. 

Theatre  Closings  Listed 

Theatres  closing  the  past  week  in- 
clude the  Fox  at  Carrier  Mills,  111.,  and 
Lincoln  at  New  Berlin,  111.;  also  the 
Strand  at  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  to  reopen 
in  the  fall. 

New  theatre  managers  recently  ap- 
pointed include  Montague  Salmon,  the 
Revere  theatre  ( Universal  ),  Revere, 
Mass.,  also  supervisor  of  the  Capitol  at 
.Somerville,  Mass.,  of  which  Mark  Hanna 
will  be  manager;  Harvey  Arlington,  Ri- 
voli  (Fitzpatrick  & McElroy),  Muncie, 
Ind.,  and  W.  A.  Hartung,  Mainstreet 
(Junior  Orpheum),  Kansas  City. 


Chicago  Brokers  Call 
Attention  of  Investors 
to  Motion  Pictures 

Motion  pictures  as  an  industry  in- 
viting investment  is  presented  in  a book- 
let just  issued  by  Halsey,  Stuart  & Co., 
prominent  La  Salle  Street  brokers. 

“Motion  pictures,”  says  the  booklet  in 
part,  “meeting  at  popular  prices  the  uni- 
versal demand  for  recreation  and  amuse- 
ment, have  quickly  become  an  essential 
part  of  modern  living.  And  yet  the  in- 
dustry has  until  very  recently  been  com- 
paratively unknown  in  its  investment 
aspects.” 

The  business  building  power  of  ex- 
ported films  for  American  firms  abroad 
is  shown,  the  booklet  commenting  that 
“what  the  people  of  the  world  see  their 
screen  heroes  wear  and  eat,  they  want 
for  themselves.  Business  follows  the 
film  much  more  dependably  than  it  fol- 
lows the  flag.”  A number  of  the  lead- 
ing producing  and  exhibiting  companies 
are  briefly  described. 

$169,000  Loss  Reported 
at  Atlantic  City  Pageant 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ATLANTIC  CITY,  June  21.— A defi- 
cit of  $169,000  was  reported  following 
the  motion  picture  pageant  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Shriners’  conclave  here, 
due  to  the  small  sale  of  seats.  Harry 
Brown,  Los  Angeles  studio  equipment 
contractor  and  director  general  of  the 
pageant,  paid  all  the  bills  at  a heavy  loss 
to  himself,  it  was  stated. 

A special  train  had  brought  actors  and 
actresses  from  Hollywood  and  there 
were  26  elaborate  floats  for  the  pageant, 
which  was  to  have  been  given  three 
nights,  the  first  night’s  receipts  going 
to  the  Shriners.  The  Friday  sale  was 
negligible  and  so  the  Saturday  perform- 
ance had  to  be  canceled. 

Shirley  Can*t  Stay  Away; 
Will  Head  New  Syndicate 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  June  21.— William  M.  Shir- 
ley, who  was  for  several  years  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  motion  picture 
theatres  of  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  but  who 
sold  his  interests  two  or  three  years  ago 
to  embark  in  Florida  real  estate,  will 
once  more  become  a factor  in  Schenec- 
tady’s entertainment.  The  Van  Curler 
theatre,  which  has  been  leased  by  the 
Farash  Theatres,  will  be  taken  over  by 
a syndicate,  the  active  head  of  which  will 
be  Mr.  Shirley. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Film  Notables  Open  Lieber’s 
Indiana  Theatre,  Indianapolis 

Executives  Head  Delegation  from  New  York  to  Attend  First 
Performance  at  $1,500,000  House — Spanish  and 
Moorish  Design  Predominates 

Opening  of  Robert  Lieber’s  new  Indiana  theatre  at  Indianapolis  last  Sat- 
urday marked  completion  of  a $1,500,000  project  which  gives  the  Middle- 
west  another  de  luxe  theatre  of  the  highest  rank  and  places  one  more  red 
letter  day  on  the  construction  calendar  of  Publix. 

Leaders  in  Industry  Attend 

Several  leaders  in  the  industry  took  an  active  part  in  the  introduction  of 
the  Indiana  theatre  to  the  public.  From  New  York  went  Richard  A.  Rowland, 
general  and  production  manager  of  First  National,  Sam  Spring,  secretary-treas- 
urer, Ned  E.  Depinet,  general  salesmanager,  Sam  Katz,  president  of  Publix 
Theatres,  Sidney  Kent,  general  manager  of  Paramount,  and  Robert  Kane,  First 
National  producer. 


Report  Seider  Will 
Be  Urged  to  Head 
Jersey  Exhibitors 

By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO. 

ASBURY  PARK,  N.  J.,  June  21.— Ex- 
hibitors from  New  Jersey,  and  many 
from  New  York  and  Philadelphia  who 
are  not  exhibitors,  are  gathering  here  to- 
day for  the  annual  convention  of  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  New 
Jersey  which  opens  tomorrow.  A meet- 
ing of  the  executive  committee  is  being 
held  this  afternoon  to  line  up  the  pro- 
gram of  the  convention. 

It  is  expected  that  considerable  atten- 
tion will  be  paid  to  the  actions  of  the 
Columbus  convention,  and  there  are 
rumors  that  the  Jerseyites  will  not  con- 
cur in  some  things  done  by  the  national 
body.  M.  A.  Rosenberg,  president  of 
the  Western  Pennsylvania  theatre  own- 
ers, who  threatened  revolt  at  Columbus, 
has  been  invited  and  is  expected  to  ar- 
rive here  tomorrow  morning. 

Many  of  the  Jersey  men  who  do  not 
favor  the  admission  of  the  producer  and 
distributor  owned  theatres  are  urging 
that  Jersey  secede  from  the  national  or- 
ganization, but  it  is  believed  that  cooler 
heads  will  prevent  such  action. 

Leon  Rosenblatt,  who  has  been  presi- 
dent for  the  past  year,  and  done  much 
for  its  success,  has  announced  that  his 
theatre  interests  will  prevent  him  from 
serving  a second  year.  Joseph  M.  Seider, 
former  president  and  the  man  who  is 
given  credit  for  building  up  the  Jersey 
organization  into  one  of  the  strongest  of 
the  state  units,  is  being  urged  to  again 
accept  the  presidency.  Seider  has  given 
much  time  and  effort  to  state  and  na- 
tional affairs  for  the  last  several  years 
and  would  like  to  devote  the  next  year 
or  so  to  his  own  business  affairs.  It  is 
believed,  however,  he  will  yield  to  the 
strong  pressure  being  brought  to  bear  on 
him.  The  convention  is  being  held  at  the 
New  Berkeley  Cateret. 

Colleen  Moore  Is 
Sued  for  Million 
By  First  National 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — Eirst  National 
is  suing  Colleen  Moore  for  $1,000,000. 
Nathan  Burkan,  of  counsel  for  First  Na- 
tional, Friday  sought  a court  order  to 
require  that  Miss  Moore  arbitrate  terms 
of  a contract  for  twelve  productions  star- 
ring her. 

First  National  charges  the  star  has  re- 
fused to  appear  in  the  last  five  of  the 
twelve  pictures  and  the  company  will  lose 
$1,000,000  because  she  is  “of  special, 
unique  and  extraordinary  attainments 
and  ability  and  has  a large  following 
among  the  public.” 

Producers  Slash  More 
from  Studio  Personnel 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.  — Several 
studios  continue  to  cut  their  forces,  de- 
spite rumors  of  early  resumption  of 
activities.  Paramount  discharged  168 
employees  in  all  branches  last  week. 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  laid  off  a 
number  of  writers  and  there  are  rumors 
of  other  cuts. 


Max  Balaban  and  Lewis  Stone  came 
from  the  West  Coast,  on  the  same  train 
as  Will  H.  Hays,  while  the  Chicago  con- 
tingent was  headed  by  John  Balaban  and 
William  K.  Hollander  of  B & K,  Si 
Greiver,  David  Dubin  and  Tom  North. 

Governor  Speaks  at  Opening 

At  the  pre-opening  performance  Sat- 
urday night,  which  was  a part  invitation 
event,  Governor  Ed  Jackson,  Mayor  Du- 
val and  the  president  of  the  Association 
of  Commerce  were  among  the  speakers. 
The  regular  opening  took  place  Sunday 
at  1 p.  m. 

The  Indiana  theatre,  representing  the 
last  word  in  beauty  of  construction,  is  of 
Spanish  and  Moorish  design.  A circular 
promenade  over  the  lobby  is  enhanced 
by  beautiful  decorations  while  elaborate 
and  tasteful  furnishings  are  evident 
throughout  the  structure. 

The  theatre,  which  has  a large  balcony 
in  addition  to  the  main  auditorium,  seats 
from  3,200  to  3,500.  A magnificent  ball- 
room in  connection  will  be  opened  later 
in  the  season. 

Affiliated  With  Publix 

The  Indiana  is  owned  by  the  Circle 
Theatre  company,  affiliated  with  Publix 
and  operating  the  Circle,  Ohio  and  Up- 
town theatres  in  Indianapolis.  The  new 
house  was  declared  by  those  at  the  open- 
ing to  be  one  of  the  finest  playhouses  in 
America. 

Ace  Berry  had  charge  of  the  opening 
ceremonies.  Mr.  Berry  left  his  post  as 
general  manager  of  the  Circle  to  take 
over  the  managerial  duties  at  the  Indiana 
and  is  conducting  the  new  theatre  along 


Commencement  Days 
In  Talking  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CAMBRIDGE,  MASS.,  June 
21. — Commencement  days  at  the 
Massachusetts  Institute  of  Tech- 
nology  will  be  taken  to  the 
alumni  of  the  Institute  through- 
out the  world  by  means  of  “talking 
pictures.” 

Parts  of  the  commencement 
addresses  are  given  with  the 
speakers’  pictures,  conversation 
as  taking  place  between  officials  as 
their  pictures  were  snapped,  even 
the  shouted  commands  of  Coach 
Bill  Haines  to  the  crews. 

Fox  Film  Corporation  and  the 
General  Electric  Company  co- 
operated with  the  Institute  in 
taking  the  pictures. 


the  same  lines  as  his  former  charge, 
which  now  is  under  the  direction  of  Allen 
S.  Glenn,  formerly  supervisor  of  exploita- 
tion for  First  National. 

Sam  E.  Rork’s  “The  Prince  of  Head- 
waiters”  was  the  long  feature  on  the  open- 
ing program. 


Eastman  Adds  Large 
German  Film  Plant  to 
International  String 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ROCHESTER,  June  21.— Sale  of  the 
Berlin  film  manufacturing  plant  of  the 
Glanz  Film  Aktien  Gesellschaft,  to  the 
Eastman  Kodak  Company  is  announced 
by  officials  of  the  latter  firm.  Acquisi- 
tion of  the  new  unit  was  through  Kodak, 
Ltd.,  Eastman  subsidiary  in  London. 

N.  K.  Miller,  Prominent 
Toronto  Exhibitor,  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TORONTO,  June  21. — N.  K.  Miller, 
manager  of  the  Pantages  theatre  and 
one  of  Canada’s  most  prominent  exhib- 
itors, is  dead  as  the  result  of  heart  fail- 
ure. He  was  in  his  early  forties. 

Born  in  Indiana,  Miller  had  been  a 
resident  of  Canada  for  many  years,  com- 
ing to  Toronto  at  the  invitation  of  N.  L. 
Nathanson,  manager  of  the  Famous 
Players’  Canadian  Corporation,  to  take 
charge  of  the  Pantages,  the  largest  the- 
atre in  the  Dominion. 


A.  F.  Steinman  Drowns; 
Wife  Will  Run  Theatre 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

DEPOSIT,  N.  Y.,  June  21.— A.  F. 
Steinman,  a well  knowm  theatre  owner  in 
New  York  state,  was  recently  drowned 
while  on  a fishing  trip.  Letters  received 
by  exchanges  in  Albany,  during  the  few 
days  from  Mrs.  Steinman,  carried  the 
announcement  that  she  will  continue  her 
husband’s  business. 

U Declares  Quarterly 
Dividend  of  2 Per  Cent 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21.  — Universal 
Pictures  Corporation  last  week  declared 
a quarterly  dividend  of  2 per  cent  a 
share  on  the  outstanding  first  preferred 
stock,  to  be  paid  July  1,  E.  H.  Goldstein, 
treasurer,  announced.  The  dividend  ap- 
plies to  all  first  preferred  stockholders 
of  record  June  20. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


New  YORK. — Howard  Dietz  has  lace 
curtains  on  the  door  of  his  Room  208 
office  in  the  Loew  Building  but  says  they 
don’t  mean  anything.  . . . Roscoe  Ar- 

buckle  was  Abe  Carlos’  guest  for  luncheon 
in  the  Hunting  Room  last  Friday  or  vice 
versa.  . . . Walter  Putter,  returned 

Horn  the  Coast,  says  he  was  as  good  as 
they  would  let  him  be  at  Hollywood  and 
just  what  does  he  mean.  . . . Al  Fein- 

man,  of  Harry  Reichenbach’s  staff,  is  out 
of  the  hospital  after  an  operation  on  one 
eye,  but  the  doctors  have  ordered  him  to 
rest  a couple  of  weeks  before  returning  to 
work.  . . . Red  Kann,  out  on  the  wide 
ocean,  radios  that  he  is  happy  for  several 
reasons,  one  being  that  he  is  out  of  reach 
of  Don  Mersereau.  . . . Elmer  Pearson 
and  his  golf  clubs  will  remain  on  the  West 
Coast  for  a couple  of  weeks.  . . . 

Charlie  Einfeld  and  bride  are  honeymoon- 
ing in  Bermuda.  . . . Harvey  Day  de- 

nies that  he  leaped  from  an  airplane  carry- 
ing a magazine  of  Kinograms  films  of 
Lindbergh  at  Washington.  . . . M.  H. 

Hoffman  and  his  Tiffany  Pictures  company 
are  growing  so  rapidly  that  he  has  secured 
double  his  former  space  in  the  Loew  Build- 
ing. . . . Jack  Connolly  made  the  trip 
to  North  Dakota  with  President  Coolidge 
to  make  sure  that  the  chief  executive  had 
plenty  of  film  entertainment  en  route  and 
there.  . . . John  Flinn,  who  was  taken 
ill  at  the  Coast,  has  returned  to  New  York 
but  will  rest  for  a week  or  two  before 
again  taking  up  his  duties.  . . . Carl 

Jjiemmle  arrived  from  the  Coast  last 
Thursday  and  after  looking  at  about  twenty 
new  Universal  pictures  will  sail  on  his  an- 
nual trip  to  Germany.  . . . Herman 

Starr,  of  Warner  brothers,  has  returned 
from  a two  months  sojourn  in  Europe  and 
says  New  York  looks  pretty  good  after  all. 

. . . Charles  Reed  Jones  is  receiving 

many  congratulations  on  the  appearance  of 
his  24  page  year  book  for  First  Division 
Pictures.  . . . Dan  Michalove  says  he 

is  not  buying  up  all  the  circuits  for  Uni- 
versal, just  a few.  . . . Joe  Brandt  is 
busy  explaining  where  he  got  the  beautiful 
blonde  who  had  them  all  guessing  as  she 
represented  Columbia  Pictures  at  the  Co- 
lumbus convention.  Si  Seadler  is 

recovering  and  expects  soon  to  be  back  at 
his  desk  at  Metro  minus  a few  tonsils. 

. . . Al  Jolson  took  a screen  test  for 

Vitaphone  and  liked  himself  better  than 
when  he  made  a few  tests  for  D.  W. 
Griffith.  . . . Julius  Singer,  boutonniere 

and  all,  has  resigned  from  Universal  and 
is  expected  soon  to  announce  his  future  ac- 
tivities, which  according  to  rumor,  will  be 
in  the  production  line.  . . . Budd  Rog- 

ers, of  Lumas,  is  recovering  from  an  op- 
eration on  his  ears  at  the  Park  West  Hos- 
pital. . . . Alan  Crosland  is  here  from 
the  Coast  looking  over  the  Broadway 
shows  and  holding  conferences  on  future 
productions.  . . . Fatty  Arbuckle  last 
week  looked  over  some  Phonofilm  films 
and  may  break  back  into  pictures  via  that 
route.  . . . Louis  Silvers  has  been  en- 
gaged to  write  the  musical  score  for  “The 
Jazz  Singer’’  in  which  Al  Jolson  will  be 
starred.  . . . John  Wenger,  scenic  art- 

ist of  note,  has  returned  to  New  York 
from  the  West  Coast.  . . . R.  H.  Coch- 
rane plans  to  sail  on  the  Leviathan  on  July 
2 for  a six  weeks  vacation.  . . . Roxy 

Rothafel  was  the  guest  of  honor  and  chief 
speaker  at  last  week’s  session  of  the  A. 
M.  P.  A. 


Morris  Safier,  head  of  Warner  Brothers’  Extended  Run  department,  has  re- 
turned to  New  York  after  two  weeks  on  the  West  Coast.  He  is  pictured 
above  at  a studio  luncheon  with  Director  Alan  Crosland,  who  is  trying  to 
entice  him  with  a dill,  and  (left  end)  Warner  Oland  and  (right)  Otto 
Lederer. 


Harvey  Gates,  Warner  Brothers  scenarist,  and  his  family  (which,  he  says, 
includes  the  canines),  photographed  at  the  Gates  ranch.  He  is  now  work- 
ing on  an  original  for  Louise  Fazenda  called,  “A  Sailor’s  Sweetheart.”  At 
right  Miss  Fazenda  is  shown  with  Clyde  Cook  in  a rather  sentimental  scene 
from  “Simple  Sis.” 


Newspaper  men 
at  luncheon  at 
Park  Lane 
hotel.  New 
York,  given  by 
Warner  Broth- 
ers in  honor  of 
Dolores  C o s - 
tello. 


— SPARGO. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


June  25,  1927 


Lichtman  Speeds  Film  Club 
Plan;  Loew  Asked  to  Head  It 

Emphasis  on  Need  of  Common  Meeting  Ground  for  Members 
of  Industry  Brings  Enthusiastic  Response — 
Committees  Report  This  Week 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — After  a number  of  years  of  talk  on  the  need  of 
a Film  Club,  it  appears  now  as  if  the  industry  will  have  one  in  the  near 
future,  thanks  to  the  efforts  of  A1  Lichtman. 

The  initial  meeting  looking  to  the  formation  of  such  a club  was  held  last 
Thursday  at  the  Astor  hotel  with  about  fifty  members  of  the  industry  in 
attendance  as  the  luncheon  guests  of  Mr.  Lichtman. 

Meets  Enthusiastic  Response 

The  need  of  such  a common  meeting  place  for  members  of  the  industry 
was  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Lichtman  and  met  with  such  enthusiastic  response 
that  there  appears  little  doubt  that  the  proposition  will  be  carried  out  with 
whirlwind  speed. 


Dewey  D,  Bloom  Sails 
for  London  to  Enter 
British  Film  Industry 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21.— Dewey  D. 
Bloom  will  sail  for  London  June  24 
where  he  will  be  identified  with  the 
British  film  in- 
dustry. His  pub- 
licity agency  will 
be  taken  over  by 
Lavner  & Bene- 
dict, who  have 
been  his  associ- 
ates. 

More  than 
eight  years  ago 
Bloom  left  the 
newspaper  field 
to  do  publicity 
work  for  the  Sel- 
wyns  and  later 
handled  publicity 
for  Fox,  Sawyer-  ^ewey  D.  Bloom 

Lubin  and  Pathe. 

He  is  now  visiting  his  home  in  Canada. 

4 Noted  Opera  Stars 
On  New  Vitaphone  List 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — Among  Vita- 
phone  artists  to  appear  in  the  new  releases, 
to  be  issued  shortly,  are  Giovanni  Marti- 
nelli,  Beniamino  Gigli,  Charles  Hackett  and 
Mme.  Schumann-Heink,  opera  stars.  The 
third  number  to  be  made  at  the  West  Coast 
studio  has  been  finished,  a recording  by 
Eddie  Peabody,  banjo  player. 

Vitaphone  announces  that  the  E.  J. 
Sparks  Amusement  Enterprises,  Jackson- 
ville, Fla.,  is  to  remove  the  Vitaphone  in- 
stallation from  its  Riverside,  a neighbor- 
hood house,  to  the  Imperial  downtown. 

Fort,  Young  Film  Scribe, 
Signs  Warner  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.— Garrett 
Fort,  youthful  ace  among  screen  writ- 
ers, is  completing  a successful  career 
with  Cecil  B.  DeMille  Productions  fol- 
lowing the  signing  of  a contract  with 
Warner  Brothers.  Darryl  Francis  Za- 
nuck,  associate  executive  of  Warners, 
made  the  announcement  of  the  con- 
tract last  week. 

Fort  has  written  such  scenarios  as 
“White  Gold,”  “Gigolo,”  “The  Yankee 
Clipper,”  and  “The  Crystal  Cup.” 

Winter  Receipts  Low 

at  Houses  in  Berlin 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  21.— The  de- 
partment of  commerce  reports:  “Ac- 
cording to  a report  issued  by  the  Ber- 
lin chamber  of  commerce  exhibitors’ 
takings  were  so  low  during  the  winter 
that  there  can  be  no  saving  in  the  sum- 
mer months.  According  to  this  same  re- 
port, of  all  the  Berlin  studios  only  12 
were  fully  occupied  during  April,  10  par- 
tially so  and  the  rest  more  or  less 
empty.” 


Airs  Secret  Order 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — “Mysterious 
operations”  of  the  Decimo  Club,  Inc., 
are  outlined  in  a bulletin  issued  by  the 
National  Better  Business  Bureau,  which 
states  that  the  society  “purports  to  seek 
to  assure  the  financial  independence  of 
100,000  members.”  Starting  in  California, 
the  club  now  has  national  headquarters 
in  this  city. 


It  was  proposed  that  the  first  two  hun- 
dred members  become  charter  members 
at  a fee  of  $100  and  this  brought  an  "im- 
mediate return  in  the  way  of  checks 
from  about  half  of  those  present,  and 
promises  of  similar  action  from  nearly 
all  the  others. 

Gallup  Temporary  Secretary 

Bruce  Gallup  was  named  temporary 
secretary  and  Artie  Stebbins  was  chosen 
temporary  treasurer  and  the  money 
turned  over  to  him. 

Last  week’s  meeting  was  the  result  of 
an  invitation  made  by  Mr.  Lichtman  at 
the  Spring  Film  Golf  Tournament  that 
a committee,  named  by  him  at  the  time, 
meet  as  his  guests  at  a luncheon  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  the  initial  steps  for 
the  formation  of  a club. 

Marcus  Loew  Urged  as  President 

It  was  decided  to  hold  an  open  meet- 
ing on  Wednesday  of  this  week  and  it  is 
expected  that  a permanent  organization 
— or  at  least  plans  for  such — will  be 
thoroughly  discussed  at  that  time.  Also 
it  is  expected  that  a reply  will  be  re- 
ceived from  Marcus  Loew  to  an  invita- 
tion made  him  to  become  the  club’s  first 
president.  This  suggestion  was  made  by 
Mr.  Lichtman  at  last  Thursday’s  meet- 
ing and  a committee  consisting  of  Mr. 
Lichtman,  Jack  Alicoate  and  S.  L.  Roth- 
afel  was  named  to  notify  Mr.  Loew  of 
the  honor  conferred  on  him. 

The  following  committees  were  ap- 
pointed, and  each  has  held  sessions  dur- 
ing the  week,  reports  on  which  will  be 
made  at  this  week’s  meeting: 

Ways  and  Means:  William  Johnston, 
chairman;  William  Brandt,  Dave  Chat- 
kin,  W.  Moore,  Ed  Eschmann,  Victor 
Shapiro  and  Jerry  Beatty. 

Membership:  Arthur  Loew,  chairman; 


Station  Agent  Is  Hero 
When  Theatre  Bums 

R.  G.  Raoul,  Missouri  PaciHc 
station  agent  at  Monticello,  Ark., 
proved  a hero  when  fire  broke  out 
in  a local  motion  picture  theatre 
while  the  house  was  crowded  to 
capacity.  When  smoke  came  into 
the  auditorium  spectators  became 
panicky,  some  screamed  and  oth- 
ers rushed  the  exits. 

Raoul  in  a voice  heard  above 
the  din  demanded  order  and  per- 
suaded spectators  to  file  from  the 
house  slowly.  Within  an  hour  the 
building  was  destroyed  by  the 
Games. 


Lee  Ochs,  Harry  Goetz,  Sime  Silverman, 
Sam  Dembow,  Jules  Levy  and  Fred  Rot- 
tenberg. 

Naming  of  Club  and  Publicity:  Paul 
Gulick,  chairman;  Jack  Alicoate,  Howard 
Dietz,  Jerry  Beatty  and  Paul  Lazarus. 

Warner  Paris  Branch 
Reorganized  by  Starr 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21.— Under  the 
plan  of  reorganization  installed  in  War- 
ner Brothers  Paris  office  by  Herman 
Starr,  the  branch  is  now  equipped  to 
handle  actual  distribution  of  the  com- 
pany’s product. 

Mr.  Starr  has  just  returned  to  Amer- 
ica after  a business  trip  which  took  him 
to  France,  Germany,  Great  Britain  and 
other  foreign  countries.  General  busi- 
ness conditions  in  these  localities  are 
perceptibly  improved,  he  said. 

Monopoly  Action  Against 
Distributors  Dismissed 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CHARLOTTE,  N.  C.,  June  21.— Action 
brought  by  H.  J.  Paradis,  exhibitor, 
against  a number  of  leading  motion  picture 
distributors  charging  monopoly  in  restraint 
of  trade,  has  been  dismissed  by  agreement, 
Paradis  consenting  to  let  the  Board  of 
Arbitration  decide  the  amount  of  the 
claims  against  him.  The  board  recently 
placed  this  at  $1,000,  causing  Paradis  to 
bring  the  action. 

Quillan  Sues  Sennett 
to  Invalidate  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.  — Eddie 
Quillan  has  filed  action  against  Mack  Sen- 
nett, asking  that  his  contract  be  declared 
invalid.  Quillan  says  he  signed  the  con- 
tract before  he  was  of  age. 

The  Sennett  company  asserts  Quillan 
is  considered  under  a contract  which  has 
prevented  the  comedian  from  appearing 
on  the  stage  at  $200  a week. 

Niblo  Seeks  Austrians 
for  Roles  in  **Enemy** 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.— There  are 
jobs  for  Austrians  in  Hollywood,  says 
Fred  Niblo,  who  seeks  them  for  parts  in 
“The  Enemy,”  which  he  is  preparing  as 
a starring  vehicle  for  Lillian  Gish.  It  is 
a story  of  the  pre-war  period  from  the 
view  of  Austria. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Sax  Begins  Work  on  Second  of 
Schedule;  All  Stories  Set 


Titles  Decided  Upon;  Narratives  Turned  Over  to  Scenarists  in  Effort 
to  Speed  Production;  ‘‘‘Rose  of  Kildare”  Ready  August  1 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 


Hollywood,  June  21. — stories  and  titles  for  all  the  Gotham  Pro- 
ductions were  definitely  settled  last  week,  and  Sam  Sax  began  pro- 
duction on  the  second  picture  of  the  season’s  program.  Work  ended 
on  the  first  production,  “The  Rose  of  Kildare.” 


Mr.  Sax  has  turned  over  the  entire 
have  already  begun  work  on  them. 

“pOSE  OF  KILDARE”  boasts  such 
LN.  players  as  Henry  B.  Walthall, 
Helene  Chadwick  and  Pat  O’Malley.  Lee 
Moran  is  in  a 
comedy  role  and 
Ena  Greogry  has 
an  important 
part.  The  film 
will  be  released 
August  1. 

Other  releases 
and  dates  are: 


12  stories  to  as  many  scenarists  who 

long  term  contract  by  FBO.  Musuraca 
has  photographed  most  of  the  Tom  Ty- 
ler productions,  the  latest  being  “Tom’s 
Gang.” 


Sam  Sax 


“The  Girl  from 
Rio,”  September 
1;  “Blondes  by 
Choice,”  October 
1 ; “The  Cheer 
Leader,”  Novem- 
ber 1 ; “Through 
Mrs.  Wallace  Reid  t e Breakers,” 

December  1; 
“United  States  Smith,”  January  1;  “The 
Head  of  the  Family,”  February  1;  “The 
Fruit  of  Divorce,’  March  1;  “Turn  Back 
the  Hours,”  April  1;  “The  Chorus  Kid,” 
May  1;  “Bare  Knees,”  June  1;  “The  Man 
Higher  Up,”  July  1. 

The  two  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid  Gotham 
specials  will  be  released  independently 
of  the  Gotham  program.  They  are  “The 
Satin  Woman”  (for  August  1)  and  “Hell 
Ship  Bronson”  (date  uncertain). 


Bill  Seeking  5 
Per  Cent  of  All 
Receipts  Loses 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MADISON,  WIS.,  June  21. — Senator 
Howard  Teasdale’s  bill  to  levy  a tax  of 
5 per  cent  of  the  gross  receipts  of  the- 
atres and  prize  fights  was  defeated  in 
the  State  Senate  by  a vote  of  22  to  4. 
The  framer  said  the  bill  was  intended 
to  raise  money  for  the  education  fund. 


M.P.T.O,  of  Northwest 
to  Distribute  Columbia 
Product  to  Members 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21.— Columbia’s 
1927-28  product,  called  the  “Perfect 
Thirty,”  will  be  distributed  among  900 
member  exhibitors  by  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of 
the  Northwest,  according  to  an  an- 
nouncement by  Columbia.  W.  A.  Steffes, 
president  of  the  owners’  association, 
signed  the  contract  for  the  exhibitors. 


Short,  Hamilton  in  S,  F, 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 


Musuraca  on  Long  Term 
Contract  at  FBO  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.— Nick 
Musuraca,  cameraman,  has  been  given  a 


SAN  FRANCISCO,  June  21.— The  fol- 
lowing film  celebrities  were  visitors 
registered  at  the  Hotel  Roosevelt  last 
week : Lloyd  Hamilton,  Educational 

star,  Gertrude  Short,  and  mother,  and 
Geraldine  Palmer,  secretary  to  the  presi- 
dent of  San  Mateo  studios. 


Theatre  Chills  Defeat 
Film  Thrills,  Is  Charge 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  June  21.  — How 
cold  can  the  average  patron  be  and 
yet  enjoy  a screen  play?  That  is 
the  question  Circuit  Judge  Robert 
W.  Hall  is  to  decide  in  the  case 
brought  before  him  by  Samuel  G. 
Hoffman,  lessor  of  the  Delmonte 
theatre,  who  charges  that  he  could 
not  make  the  house  succeed  be- 
cause the  Delmonte  Investment 
Company,  owners,  did  not  provide 
proper  heating  apparatus.  Hoff- 
man produced  several  witnesses 
who  testified  that  they  had  had  to 
keep  their  wraps  on.  The  defend- 
ants offered  testimony  that  the 
heating  plant  was  in  good  condi- 
tion when  Hoffman  took  the  the- 
atre over. 


Estelle  T aylor  in  East 

Estelle  Taylor,  United  Artists  star, 
and  her  husband.  Jack  Dempsey,  were 
in  Chicago  Monday  en  route  from  Holly- 
wood to  New  York.  Miss  Taylor  will 
return  to  the  Coast  to  begin  work  on  her 
forthcoming  screen  play  July  1. 


Milestone  to  U,  A.  Lot 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.  — Lewis 
Milestone  has  been  assigned  the  task  of 
directing  “The  Garden  of  Eden”  for 
United  Artists,  with  Corinne  Griffith 
starred.  Work  will  start  about  July  1. 


Stars  Club  Hostesses 

• (Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.  — Commenc- 
ing June  24,  for  one  week,  the  Sea  Breeze 
Beach  Club  will  hold  open  house  with  a 
star  as  hostess  each  night. 


Re-Takes 


^^ELL,  “Kid”  Grauman  treated  us  to 

’another  of  his  unique  prologues  last 
Thursday  night  in  connection  with  the 
premiere  of  “Topsy  and  Eva”  and  every- 
one applauded  until  their  hands  looked 
as  though  they  had  been  washing  dishes 
all  evening. 

* * * 

He  gathered  together  enough  nifty 
songsters,  dancers  and  pretty  girls  to  put 
over  four  shows  and  had  for  an  “added 
at-trac-tion”  the  Duncan  sistesr,  Rosetta 

and  Vivian,  in  person.  That’s  the  way 
Sid  does  things.  And  they  tried  to  get 
him  to  make  a speech  afterwards,  but 
Sid  stuck  to  a promise  he  made  himself 
years  and  years  ago,  and  wouldn’t 

“speech.” 

* !(:  ♦ 

He  didn’t  even  wear  his  Tux,  but  he 
made  his  master  of  ceremonies  Fred 
Niblo,  wear  his,  and  Joe  Schenck  and 
everybody  else.  Probably  it  was  being 
pressed  for  the  next  Chinese  theatre 
opening. 

* * * 

Another  Luncheon 

And  all  the  boys  and  girls  who  have 
been  writing  pieces  in  the  papers  here- 
abouts about  Fanchon  and  Marco  got  a 
closeup  of  these  two  at  the  Biltmore 
last  Wednesday,  when  they  outlined 
their  plans  for  the  coming  season.  Marco 
Wolf’s  experiences  as  a newsboy,  a hoof- 
er and  finally  as  master  of  presentations 
would  make  an  interesting  book,  if  he’d 
write  it  himself. 

* * 

And  West  Coast  Theatres  has  gone 
into  the  publication  business.  They  have 
their  own  little  magazine  now  and  copies 
of  Vol.  1,  No.  1,  were  given  to  the  guests 
of  the  Fanchon  and  Marco  luncheon.  It 
is  called  “Now”  and  will  be  published 
semimonthly. 

* * * 

More  Eats 

And  next  week  we  are  to  lunch  with 
the  ten  college  sheiks  who  won  jobs  in 
the  pictures  at  First  National.  Will  tell 
you  about  this  later. 

* * 

Surprising 

Isn’t  it  funny  the  number  of  “home 
towns”  these  trans-Atlantic  fliers  have? 

* * * 

Isn’t  It  Terrible? 

And  didja  read  where  some  bad  kid- 
napers have  been  houndin’  Our  Mary 
again.  One  paper  reported  them  as  say- 
ing “she’ll  be  worth  $1(X),000  to  us”  and 
an  afternoon  paper  got  out  an  extra  and 
added  a cool  million  to  the  above  figures. 

And  the  same  paper  said  Doug  was 
riding  to  and  from  work  with  Mary,  with 
a machine  gun  on  his  lap.  Atta  boy, 
Doug. 

* * * 

Duke  Says 

Have  you  heard  what  Scotch  matches 
are  like?  Let  Gertrude  Astor  tell  you. 
“No  tips.”  And  she  also  said,  it  isn’t  the 
length  of  the  skirt  that’s  worrying  her — 
its  the  upcreep. 

* * * 

Famous  Last  Words 

“Will  you  say  a few  words,  Mr.  Reich- 
enbach,  to  the  exhibitors?” 

* * * 

Spin  the  propellor.  Meadows,  we’re  off 
to  the  High  Sierras  this  awfternoon. 

R.  M. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


Dedication  of  the  Business  School  of  Harvard  brought  together  a number  of  na- 
tional figures,  including  Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  president  of  F.B.O.  Left  to  right 
are  Thomas  N.  Perkins,  former  member  of  the  Reparations  Committee  in  Eu- 
rope; Bishop  William  Lawrence ; Mr.  Kennedy,  and  Owen  D.  Young,  first  ad- 
ministrator of  the  Dawes  Reparation  Plan  and  chairman  of  the  board  of  the 
General  Electric  Company. 

Brylawski  and  Hurley  Meet 
Coolidge  on  Flood  Control 

Appear  as  Special  Committee  on  Screen  Visualization  of  Con- 
servation Proposal — Two  More  Film  Boards  Report 
Relief  Funds  Raised  in  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  21. — A conference  with  President  Coolidge  by 
A.  Julian  Brylawski,  chairman  of  the  new  Board  of  Directors  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  and  Arch  Hurley  of  New  Mexico  marked  the  latest  step 
in  efforts  now  under  way  to  prevent  recurrence  of  Mississippi  river  floods 
which  have  cost  the  industry  as  well  as  the  public  at  large  tremendous 
losses  in  business  and  property. 

Will  Take  Charge  of  Visualization 

Complete  cooperation  was  assured  the  President  in  the  movement,  with 
the  exhibitors’  National  Organization  to  take  full  charge  of  the  screen  vis- 
ualization of  the  conservation  and  control  plan  contemplated. 


June  25,  1927 

Paramount  Names 
Release  Dates  of 
25  in  New  Season 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — Release  dates 
of  25  Paramount  productions,  including 
two  roadshows,  “Beau  Geste,”  (August 
1)  and  “The  Rough  Riders,”  (October  1) 
are  announced  this  week  by  Paramount 
as  follows: 

Aug.  1,  “Firemen,  Save  My  Child”;  Aug.  6, 
reissue  of  "The  Covered  Wagon”  and  “Service 
For  Ladies”;  Aug.  13,  “Metropolis”  and  “Madame 
Pompadour”;  Aug.  20,  “Running  Wild”;  Aug.  27, 
“Hula”  and  “Soft  Cushions.” 

Sept.  3,  “Chang”  and  “We’re  All  Gamblers”; 
Sept.  10,  “Barbed  Wire”  and  “Nevada”;  Sept.  17, 
“Swim,  Girl,  Swim,”  and  “Stark  Love”;  Sept.  24, 
“The  Glory  Girl”  and  “Tell  It  To  Sweeney.” 

Oct.  1,  “The  Way  of  All  Flesh”  and  “A  Cele- 
brated Woman”;  Oct.  8,  “The  Big  Sneeze”  and 
“Shootin’  Irons”;  Oct.  15,  “Shanghai  Bound”  and 
“A  Gentleman  of  Paris”;  Oct.  22,  “Jesse  James.” 

Most  of  the  productions  have  been 
completed. 

DeMille  Schedules  New 
Starring  V ehicles  for 
LaRocque,  Leatrice  Joy 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.— Pictures 
for  Leatrice  Joy  and  Rod  LaRocque  to 
follow  their  current  productions  have 
been  selected  by  DeMille  as  offerings  on 
the  1927-28  program.  LaRocque  is  now 
working  in  “The  Fighting  Eagle,”  his 
first  on  the  new  schedule,  with  Donald 
Crisp  directing. 

Other  stories  for  this  star  will  be  “The 
New  Yorker,”  “Hold  ’Em  Yale!”  by 
Owen  Davis;  and  “Stand  and  Deliver.” 

Pictures  chosen  for  Miss  Joy  include 
one  special,  “The  Blue  Danube,”  a story 
by  John  Farrow  written  around  the  fa- 
mous Strauss  waltz.  Others  are  “The 
Angel  of  Broadway,”  by  Lenore  J.  Cof- 
fee; “Self-Defense,”  an  adaptation  of 
Wallace  Irwin’s  “All  Front  and  No 
Back,”  and  “What  Holds  Men,”  by 
Margaretta  Tuttle. 

British-German  Merger 
Move  by  UFA  Reported 
to  Compete  with  U.  S. 

Dispatches  from  London  declare  that 
Consul  S.  Marx  and  Dr.  A.  Brecker  of 
UFA  are  at  the  British  capital  to  at- 
tempt to  form  a combination  with  Brit- 
ish producers  in  order  to  compete  with 
American  interests. 

Garrett  Fort  Coining 
Laughs  for  Jessel  Film 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.  — Garret 
Fort,  newly  acquired  scenarist  at  Warner 
Brothers  studio,  is  evolving  a series  of 
seagoing  laughs  for  George  Jessel  in  his 
next  starring  vehicle,  “Sailor  Izzy 
Murphy,”  The  Fort  story  will  be  Jessel’s 
third  production  for  Warner  Brothers. 
He  is  now  filming  “The  Broadway  Kid.” 
In  a recent  issue  Fort  was  reported  to 
have  signed  with  Paramount. 

Collings  at  Megaphone 
Under  FBO  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21. — Announce- 
ment from  FBO  is  to  the  effect  that 
Pierre  Collings,  well  known  as  a writer 
and  adapter,  has  signed  to  take  up  the 
megaphone.  Collings  worked  several 
years  ago  as  cameraman  on  the  FBO  lot, 
then  operated  by  Robertson-Cole. 


President  R.  F.  Woodhull  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  A.,  Mayor  William  Hale  Thomp- 
son of  Chicago  and  Congressman  Frank 
Reid  of  Aurora,  111.,  and  others  who  were 
present  to  urge  upon  President  Coolidge 
the  necessity  of  making  flood  control  an 
administrative  measure  in  the  next  Con- 
gress, named  Brylawski  and  Hurley  as 
a special  committee  from  the  exhibitors’ 
organization,  in  line  with  the  action  of 
the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  convention  at  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  in  pledging  its  support  to 
the  movement. 

To  Help  Get  Appropriation 
The  objective  of  the  visualization  cam- 
paign in  the  theatres  is  to  make  the  pub- 
lic so  familiar  with  the  importance  of 
the  situation  that  it  will  urge  upon  con- 


Overflow  at  Theatre? 

Just  Get  Another  One 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MOUNTAIN  GROVE,  IOWA, 
June  21. — If  you  have  an  overflow 
at  your  theatre,  get  another  thea- 
tre to  put  them  in.  That  is  the 
plan  of  F.  H.  Riley  of  the  Cosey 
theatre  here.  The  Cosey  operates 
six  nights  a week  and  has  an 
overflow  on  certain  nights;  so 
Riley  leased  the  old  Opera  House, 
which  will  be  used  for  motion 
pictures  on  the  overflow  nights. 


gressmen  that  they  take  favorable  action 
toward  authorizing  the  needed  appro- 
priation so  that  the  government  will  be 
able  to  proceed  in  time  to  avert  any 
flood  next  spring. 

The  plan  is  to  impound  the  flood  wa- 
ters in  the  entire  Mississippi  valley  along 
the  river  and  its  tributaries.  The  water 
would  be  held  back  in  reservoirs  and  be- 
hind huge  dams  to  permit  release  in  such 
volume  as  to  maintain  the  same  level 
throughout  the  year.  The  project  may 
call  for  creation  of  a hundred  or  more 
artificial  lakes. 

Just  as  the  motion  picture  industry 
won  the  expressed  gratitude  of  the  na- 
tion for  its  efforts  in  the  raising  of  flood 
relief  funds,  so  the  National  Organiza- 
tion is  awake  to  the  opportunity  of  lend- 
ing every  aid  posible  to  make  impossible 
a repetition  of  the  tragedy  of  this  spring. 

Reports  of  relief  work  continue  to 
reach  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  headquarters 
from  all  sections.  The  Oklahoma  City 
Film  Board  of  Trade  announced  that 
theatres  of  Oklahoma  thus  far  had 
raised  $6,984,  while  the  New  Haven  Film 
Board  stated  that  three  theatres  in  that 
city  had  raised  $2,477,  these  being  the 
Olympia,  Palace  and  Roger  Sherman. 


Relief  Body  to  Meet 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.— The  third 
annual  meeting  of  the  Motion  Picture  Re- 
lief Fund  of  America,  Inc.,  will  be  held 
June  28  at  8 p.  m.  at  the  Writers  Club. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Duncan  Sisters  in  Prologue  Too 
at  “Topsy  and  Eva”  Premiere 

Sid  Grauman  Offers  Double-barrelled  Attraction  at  Egyptian  Theatre 
— Al  Nathan  Forms  Short  Features  Company 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  June  21. — Another  festive  opening  attracted  hun- 
dreds of  sightseers  to  the  Egyptian  theatre  last  Thursday  night  for 
the  world  premiere  of  “Topsy  and  Eva.”  There  was  a double-bar- 
reled attraction  staged  by  Sid  Grauman  as  his  final  gesture  at  this  theatre, 
for  he  had  the  Sisters  Duncan  in  the  prologue  as  well  as  on  the  screen. 
Both  were  given  a rousing  reception  and  the  large  and  representative  audi- 
ence paid  signal  honor  to  the  erstwhile  stage  favorites. 


An  elaborate  presentation  of  the  “at- 
mospheric” order  preceded  the  pic- 
ture in  which  hundreds  of  clever  dancers, 
both  men  and  women,  and  a group  of 
well  trained  singers  rendered  old  South- 
ern melodies,  against  a background  rep- 
resenting the  Mississippi  river  in  the 
moonlight.  The  Duncan  sisters  for  their 
part  of  the  prologue  sang  several  of 
their  most  popular  numbers  and  were 
quite  overwhelmed  by  the  reception  ac- 
corded them. 

Follows  Stage  Version 

The  picture,  which  is  the  Duncan  Sis- 
ters’ maiden  effort  on  the  screen,  follows 
the  stage  version  of  “Topsy  and  Eva” 
for  the  most  part.  It  depends  almost 
entirely  upon  gags  and  Rosetta  carried 
the  action  from  one  incident  to  another. 
The  biggest  laugh  is  where  she  attempts 
to  mount  a horse  to  escape  from  Degree 
and  finds  the  saddle  is  on  a fence  and 
shoots-the-chutes  for  quite  a distance, 
landing  in  a snow  bank. 

Del  Lord  directed  “Topsy  and  Eva” 
and  as  a novelty  it  stands  by  itself.  To 
make  the  story  of  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin” 
a burlesque  was  a difficult  task.  The 
novel  introduction  of  the  two  characters, 
one  being  carried  through  the  clouds  by 
a white  stork  and  the  other  by  a black 
one,  drew  a good  hand. 

Fred  Niblo  acted  as  master  of  cere- 
monies and  introduced  members  of  the 
cast  at  the  conclusion  of  the  show.  He 
also  introduced  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  the 
producer  of  “Topsy  and  Eva.” 

Among  those  attending  were: 

Leatrice  Joy,  Fred  Niblo,  Warner  Baxter,  Es- 
telle Taylor,  Jack  Dempsey,  Bebe  Daniels,  William 
Beaudine,  Gertrude  Short,  Percy  Pembrook,  Gloria 
Swanson,  Charles  Christie,  D.  W.  Griffith,  Edwin 
Carewe,  Dolores  Del  Rio,  Jetta  Goudal,  Ronald 
Colman,  Vilma  Banky,  Jacqueline  Logan,  Lionel 
Barrymore,  Harry  Rapf,  Sally  Rand,  Victor 
Schertzinger,  Belle  Bennett,  Lilyan  Tashman,  Con- 
way Tearle,  Charles  Ray,  Patsy  Ruth  Miller,  Tod 
Browning,  Paul  Bern,  S.  Balboni,  June  Mathis, 
Ernest  Torrence,  Montagu  Love,  Lya  De  Putti, 
Lois  Wilson,  Anita  Stewart,  Natli  Barr,  Ruth  Ro- 
land, Carmel  Myers,  Lillian  Rich,  Dorothy  Mac- 
kaill,  Mary  Carr,  Marjorie  Daw,  Alice  Joyce, 
Mabel  Normand,  Shirley  Mason  and  Marion 
Nixon. 

* * * 

A I Nathan  Starts  Company 

Al  Nathan,  producer  of  “Sunkist  Com- 
edies,” released  by  Bray  Productions, 
and  other  short  features,  this  week  or- 
ganized a new  company  to  be  known  as 
Al  Nathan  Productions,  capitalized  at 
$100,000.  Officers  of  the  new  concern 
are  Al  Nathan,  president;  Oscar  Staby, 
vice-president;  Carl  Voss,  secretary,  and 
Dr.  L.  C.  Conrad,  treasurer.  Nathan 
Productions  will  produce  their  own  short 
features  and  will  also  finance  other  pro- 
ducers who  have  a bona  fide  release 
through  a recognized  distributor.  The 
offices  of  the  concern  are  California 
Studios. 

* * * 

The  Culver  City  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce gave  a testimonial  luncheon  to 
Cecil  B.  De  Mille  in  honor  of  “The  King 


of  Kings”  last  Wednesday.  President 
H.  A.  Stern,  of  the  chamber,  presented 
De  Mille  with  a scroll  expressing  the 
appreciation  and  high  esteem  which  the 
people  of  Culver  City  hold  for  him.  Mr. 
De  Mille  also  was  presented  with  an 
honorary  membership  in  the  national  or- 
ganization by  Dr.  J.  T.  Connelly,  of  the 
Culver  City  Exchange  Club.  Benjamin 
F.  Bledsoe,  who  acted  as  toastmaster, 
gave  a toast  to  Col.  Charles  A.  Lind- 
bergh, transatlantic  flier. 

* * 

Joel  David  Martin  Dies 

With  the  passing  of  Joel  David  Mar- 
tin, head  of  the  Martin  Studios,  Cali- 
fornia theatres  lost  one  of  the  pioneer 
leaders.  Dave  Martin,  as  he  was  famil- 
iarly known,  died  at  his  home  last 
Wednesday.  He  was  born  in  Crawfords- 
ville,  Ind.,  and  came  to  the  Coast  in 
1899  as  master  carpenter  with  the  James 
O’Neill  repertoire  company.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  constructing  scenery, 
settings  and  curtains  for  practically 
every  theatre  on  the  West  Coast.  He 
established  the  Scenic  Studios  in  1914. 
Mr.  Martin  was  also  interested  in  boats 
and  designed  and  operated  the  famous 
glass  bottom  boats  at  Catalina. 

* * * 

Monday  marked  the  arrival  of  Phyllis 
Gibbs,  winner  of  the  beauty  contest  re- 
cently held  in  Australia  and  New  Zea- 
land in  which  more  than  1,200  girls  par- 
ticipated. Miss  Gibbs  has  signed  with 
Cecil  De  Mille  and  will  start  soon  on  her 
initial  picture. 

!|:  * * 

A Publicity  Stunt 

All  Hollywood  is  smiling  over  a pub- 
licity stunt  published  by  Doris  Dore,  22- 
year-old  extra,  who  claimed  an  ape  man 
from  New  York  carved  seven  Ks  on  her. 
Hollywood  detectives  have  been  work- 
ing on  the  case  for  the  past  ten  days, 
but  have  been  unable  to  locate  the  go- 
rillaman  who  was  said  to  have  broken 
into  Miss  Dbre’s  apartment.  George  La-' 
monte,  friend  of  Miss  Dore,  states  he 
was  approached  on  the  question  of  pub- 
licity and  advised  her  against  taking  a 
sensational  airplane  ride  over  Holly- 
wood as  a means  of  getting  her  name  in 
the  newspapers.  Miss  Dore  worked  sev- 


Door of  Safe  Jams; 

Bandits  Get  Nothing 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS.  June  21.— Safe- 
crackers opened  the  doors  of  the 
safe  in  the  Ritz  theatre  here  one 
night  recently,  but  the  inner  door 
jammed  and  the  robbers  were 
forced  to  leave  without  loot. 


eral  days  as  extra  at  the  M-G-M  and 
Metropolitan  Studios. 

* * * 

The  engagement  of  Helene  Costello 
and  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  cements  an 
alliance  between  two  of  the  foremost 
families  of  motion  pictures.  Miss  Cos- 
tello is  the  daughter  of  Maurice  Cos- 
tello, one  of  the  earliest  screen  idols, 
while  Douglas,  Jr.,  is  the  19-year-old 
son  of  the  United  Artists’  star.  Miss 
Costello  left  two  weeks  ago  for  New 
York  to  purchase  her  wedding  trous- 
seau. 

* * * 

Wampas  Hear  Meisner 

Fred  Hamlin  was  chairman  of  the  last 
Wampas  meeting  and  had  for  his  guest 
of  honor  Wilson  Meisner,  who  told  of 
his  many  amusing  experiences  in  Alaska 
back  in  ’98.  Will  Rogers  was  scheduled 
to  address  the  publicity  agents,  but  was 
confined  to  his  home  with  an  attack  of 
nervous  indigestion. 

* !|C  * 

Lois  Wilson  has  been  cast  to  play  the 
leading  feminine  role  in  “Alias  the  Lone 
Wolf”  for  Columbia  Pictures.  Mi^  Wil- 
son, who  recently  signed  with  P.  D.  C., 
objected  to  the  initial  role  offered  to 
her  and  refused  to  play  the  part. 

* * * 

Monty  Banks,  Pathe  Comedian,  is 
walking  these  days.  His  driver’s  license 
has  been  revoked  following  three  con- 
victions of  speeding. 

* * * 

Gertrude  Astor  has  been  chosen  by 
Warner  Brothers  to  play  one  of  the  two 
leading  feminine  roles  opposite  George 
Jessel  in  “The  Broadway  Kid.” 

* * * 

Larry  Semon,  as  soon  as  he  has  com- 
pleted his  contract  with  Paramount,  will 
join  Chadwick  Pictures  Corporation  to 
make  a comedy. 

* * * 

Title  Role  for  Estelle  Taylor 

Estelle  Taylor  will  play  the  title  role 
in  D.  W.  Griffith’s  production  of  '“La 
Taiva.”  The  story  is  an  original  by  Karl 
Bollmoeller,  the  author  of  “The  Mir- 
acle.” Camerawork  will  start  July  1 at 
United  Artists  Studio. 

^ ^ ^ 

The  Hal  Roach  Studios  will  close  for 
its  one  month  summer  vacation  July  1. 
Charley  Chase  finished  shooting  his 
“carnival”  comedy  last  week  and  four 
others  will  finish  the  latter  part  of  next 
week. 

* * * 

Al  Martin,  title  writer,  has  been  en- 
gaged by  F.  B.  O.  Studios  to  title 
“Helen  of  Troy,  New  York,”  one  of  the 
Beauty  Parlor  Series  now  in  production. 
He  is  also  titling  “French  Fried,”  a Neal 
Burns  comedy  for  Christie. 

* * * 

Charlie  Murray,  the  First  National 
comedian,  has  been  signed  by  Edward 
Small  to  play  the  role  of  “Garrity”  in 
“The  Gorilla.”  Candidates  for  the  role 
of  “Mulligan”  are  now  being  considered 
and  this  selection  will  be  made  within  a 
few  days.  The  picture  is  scheduled  to 
go  into  production  about  July  11. 

* * * 

Morris  R.  Schlank  has  announced  the 
production  of  twelve  Crescent  Features 
during  the  coming  season.  The  first  of 
the  group  will  be  “The  Slaver,”  a James 
Oliver  Curwood  story,  and  the  second  is 
“What  Price  Love,”  a society  melo- 
drama. “The  Slaver”  cast  includes  Pat 
O’Malley,  Carmelita  Geraghty,  J.  P.  Mc- 
Gowan, John  Miljan  and  Leo  White. 
Crescent  Features  will  be  independently 
distributed  by  Anchor  Films. 

* * * 

Wallace  Fox,  who  was  born  on  an 
Oklahoma  Indian  reservation,  raised  on 
(Continued  on  page  41) 


June  25,  1927 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

27 

Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

«5 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  June  25 

hy 

the  Camera 

Two  of  the  largest  stages  used  in  motion  picture  production 
have  been  built  by  United  Artists,  according  to  Victor 
Shapiro  upon  his  return  from  New  York  a few  days  ago. 
Above  is  shown  the  enlarged  studio.  The  two  newest  stages 
are  135  feet  wide  by  225  feet  long,  he  said. 


Prominent  book  publishers  visit  First  National  studios. 
From  left  to  right,  J.  F.  Dillon,  director;  Charles  Rogers, 
producer;  Dorothy  Mackaill,  Crosset  of  Grosset  & Dunlop; 
J.  J.  Curtis  of  Bobbs-Merrill.  Grosset  & Dunlap  publishes 
novelizations  of  many  outstanding  pictures. 


A fair  job!  Douglas  Fairbanks 
has  chosen  the  fair  Lupe  Valez  as 
his  partner  in  his  next  United 
Artists  production,  now  in  work. 
It  is  called  “The  Gaucho.” 


M-G-M  is  obviously  doing  “Twelve  Miles  Out” 
with  a well  inspired  lot  of  changes  from  the 
original  script.  Saltzman,  an  army  officer, 
left,  is  coaching  Gilbert,  lead,  in  his  role. 
Joan  Crawford,  center. 


During  the  run  of  “The  Tender 
Hour”  in  Loew’s  State,  Los  An- 
geles, Billie  Dove,  F.  N.  star  made 
a personal  appearance.  Irvin  Wil- 
lat,  left,  and  Leo  Laughlin. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


A solon  and  his  son  explore  and  exploit  Hollywood.  Congressman  Guy  U. 
Hardy  is  in  the  center,  John  Francis  Dillon,  director,  is  at  left  with  Master 
Hardy;  Jack  Mulhall,  star  of  “Smile,  Brother,  Smile,’’  First  National  film,  is 
at  right. 


Joan  Crawford  has  been  elevated 
to  stardom  since  last  Fourthojuly. 
Her  latest  work  is  in  a story  of 

Volstead  and  virtue M-G-M’s 

“Twelve  Miles  Out.’’ 


Artists  have  found  their  place  in 
pictures.  Park  French  adds  an- 
other achievement  to  his  list  of 
successes  with  his  art  direction  of 
“Two  Arabian  Knights,’’  U.  A. 


There  are  many  pictures  suitable  to  July 
4th  this  year.  Among  the  war  pictures 
now  completed  is  “Rookies,’’  M-G-M  him, 
in  which  these  patriots,  Louise  Lorraine  and 
Marcelline  Day  appear. 


The  official  nine  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  convention.  Left  to  right:  Frank 
C.  Walker,  of  the  Comerford  houses,  Scranton,  H.  C.  Young,  of  National 
Screen  Service,  Joe  Miller,  Buffalo,  Dave  Cohen,  J.  R.  Cadoret,  Arch  Hurley, 
of  Tucumari,  N.  M.,  Pete  Woodhull,  W.  P.  Garyn,  W.  H.  Cadoret. 


Seven  months  after  the  wedding.  William 
Seiter  and  Laura  La  Plante  (still  on  their 
honeymoon  in  Hollywood)  director  and  star 
in  Universal  pictures. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Topsy  and  Eva  are  making  personal  ap- 
pearances in  Grauman’s  Egyptian  theatre, 
Los  Angeles,  where  the  United  Artists  film 
is  running.  In  the  cab  is  Rosetta  Duncan, 
standing  is  Vivian. 


When  Mr.  Grauman  installed  this  quaint 
bell  to  sound  the  end  of  intermissions  at 
the  Chinese  theatre,  Ralph  Scott,  fire  chief, 
came  to  test  its  high  powers. 


Five  Conventioneers!  Reading  from  left  to  right:  H.  A.  Samwick,  of  the 
American  Display  Company,  Neiw  York,  brought  many  of  the  signs  that 
electrically  provided  the  program  of  the  meeting,  Arthur  Bogue  and  Don- 
ald Despain,  of  Chicago,  represented  the  Theatre  Financing  Corporation, 
B.  M.  Burbank  and  Charles  Stombaugh. 


First  National  signs  Claudette 
Colbert,  a young  leading  woman 
who  has  appeared  in  “Hell’s 
Kitchen.” 


Arthur  Stone  counts  his  closeups 
in  rushes  of  “Hard  Boiled  Hag- 
gerty,” First  National  film,  in 
which  he  is  now  working. 


Girls  don’t  gossip?  Colleen  Moore  finds  they  do  in  her  role  in  “Naughty 
But  Nice,”  her  latest  First  National  picture.  A few  weeks  ago  Miss  Moore 
began  “When  Irish  Eyes  Are  Smiling,”  but  interrupted  her  work  with  a 
vacation. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Sally  O’Neil  reaches  her 
second  Fourth  of  July  as 
a motion  picture  star. 
Her  latest  M-G-M  work  is 
in  “The  Callahans.” 


The  world’s  best  box  of- 
fice name,  Colleen  Moore, 
F.  N.  star,  strikes  the  note 
of  Independence  in  her 
July  4th  costume. 


Barbara  Frietchie  was 
patriotic  but  no  more 
staunch  in  the  hearts  of 
her  press  agents  than 
Barbara  Worth,  player. 


Sammy  Cohen  becomes 
known  as  a motion  pic- 
ture player  as  a result  of 
his  success  in  Fox’s 
“What  Price  Glory.” 


John  McDermott,  comedy  writer,  re- 
ceives the  assignment  to  do  the 
scenario  of  “Tillie’s  Punctured  Ro- 
mance” for  A1  Christie,  left,  and 
Paramount. 


IN  CIRCLE:  A fancy-ed  swimming 
lesson.  Gerturde  Ederle,  left,  shows 
Bebe  Daniels  a stroke  for  “Swim, 
Girl,  Swim,”  to  be  made  by  Para- 
mount. 


Commander  Richard  E.  Byrd  at- 
tends the  Paramount  News  conven- 
tion at  the  Roosevelt  Hotel,  June  4 
in  New  York.  Adolph  Zukor,  presi- 
dent of  the  company,  right. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Madeline  Hurlock  is  one  of 
Mack  Sennett’s  best  femi- 
nine stars  to  be  in  the 
year’s  Pathe  lineup. 


Michael  O’Toole  becomes 
secretary  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners 
of  America. 


M.  E.  Comerford,  head 
of  the  Comerford  chain 
of  theatres,  continues  on 
board  of  directors. 


“Sourdough”  in  “The 
Wind”  is  William  Orla- 
mond  whose  still  herewith 
shows  him  in  a new  char- 
acterization for  M-G-M. 


In  the  makeup  of  a Hoosier.  J.  Leo 
Meehan  is  directing  “The  Harves- 
ter” in  which  Orville  Caldwell, 
above,  appears  in  the  leading  male 
role  for  F.  B.  O. 


IN  CIRCLE:  Lorraine  Eason  is  the 
“barefoot  girl”  with  “cheek  of 
rouge”  in  “The  Beauty  Parlor”  (ac- 
cording to  the  correspondent  at  the 
F.  B.  O.  lot). 


H.  C.  Witwer  arrives  on  the  Coast  to 
resume  work  for  Film  Booking 
Offices,  the  company  for  which  he 
has  written  “The  Beauty  Parlor” 
series  and  other  stories. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Cohan  Sings  Own  “Lindy”  Song 
At  Nungesser-Coli  Benefit 

Use  of  Roxy  Theatre  Donated  for  Midnight  Performance — “fUings” 
Opens  at  Criterion  August  1 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  June  21. — George  M.  Cohan  acted  as  master  of  cere- 
monies at  a monster  midnight  performance  for  the  benefit  of  the 
lost  French  fliers,  Nungesser  and  Coli,  last  Wednesday  night  at 
the  Roxy  theatre  and  also  sung  his  own  new  Lindbergh  song  from  the 
stage.  A long  list  of  stage  stars  were  among  the  7,000  persons  who 
crowded  into  the  big  theatre  and  the  7,000  more  who  were  unable  to 
gain  admission.  Roxy  donated  the  use  of  the  theatre  to  the  committee, 
of  which  James  W.  Gerard  is  chairman  and  C.  Stanley  Mitchell  treasurer, 
with  Alfred  E.  Smith,  James  J.  Walker  and  Grover  Whalen  as  honorary 
chairmen.  Roxy  also  donated  his  110  piece  orchestra  for  the  program. 


Among  the  stars  who  appeared  on  the 
Roxy  stage  that  night  were  Elsie  Janis, 
Weber  and  Fields,  George  M.  Cohan,  Leo 
Carillo,  Julius  Tannen,  Blossom  Seeley, 
Walter  Woolf,  Harry  Richman,  Louis 
Groody,  Ann  Pennington,  Charles  King, 
Howard  and  Howard,  Tom  Patricola, 
Frances  Williams,  Poodles  Hanaford,  Mc- 
Carthy Twins,  Guy  Robertson,  Jean  La- 
Marr,  Phil  Baker,  Texas  Guinan,  Ted  and 
Betty  Healy,  Eddie  Dowling,  Marie  Saxon, 
Winnie  Lightner,  Rose  Perfect,  Norma 
Terris  and  many  other  stage  celebrities. 

Tickets  were  on  sale  at  a special  box 
office  in  the  Roxy  theatre,  prices  ranging 
from  $2  to  $10.  The  entire  proceeds  will 
be  turned  over  to  the  families  of  Nungesser 
and  Coli. 

^ ^ 

“Wings”  at  Criterion  August  1 

“Wings,”  Paramount  epic  of  the  Ameri- 
can aviators  in  the  World  War,  will  have 
its  premiere  presentation  at  the  Criterion 
theatre  on  Monday  evening,  August  1,  it 
was  announced  definitely  last  week  by  A. 
Griffith  Grey,  head  of  the  Paramount  road- 
show department.  “Wings”  has  been  dedi- 
cated to  the  spirit  of  Colonel  Charles  A. 
Lindbergh. 

While  in  sheer  spectacle,  “Wings”  is  a 
great  w'ar  film,  it  is  said  to  have  caught  the 
spirit  of  the  war  birds  who  soared  high 
among  the  clouds  to  match  their  lives  in 
reckless  duels  with  the  air  fighters  of  Ger- 
many. Two  years  of  intensive  effort  were 
expended  by  Paramount  in  the  production 
of  this  pictorial  record  of  the  war  from 
the  air.  In  filming  the  air  scenes  250  air- 
planes were  used  and  in  reproducing  the 
battle  of  St.  Mihiel,  which  brought  victory 
to  the  Allies,  10,000  soldiers  took  part  in 
the  picture. 

William  Wellman,  who  directed  “Wings,” 
was  an  ace  in  the  famous  Lafayette  Esca- 
drille  during  the  war.  He  suffered  a broken 
back  when  his  plane  fell  to  earth  during  a 
combat  with  an  enemy  pilot.  The  author, 
John  Monk  Saunders,  was  an  instruction 
pilot.  In  addition,  Richard  Arlen,  who 
plays  one  of  the  featured  roles  in  the  film, 
w'as  a flier  in  the  British  Air  Service.  Baron 
Karl  von  Hartman,  one  of  the  leading  Ger- 
man aces,  was  among  the  score  or  more 
of  fighting  pilots  who  appeared  in  the  pic- 
ture. 

The  cast  is  headed  by  Clara  Bow,  and 
includes  Charles  (Buddy)  Rogers,  Richard 
Arlen,  Jobyna  Ralston,  Gary  Cooper,  Ar- 
lette  Marchal,  H.  B.  Walthall,  Hedda  Hop- 
per, Claire  McDow'ell,  Gunboat  Smith  and 
El  Brendel. 

-1:  * * 

Capitol  Scoops  ’Em  All 
The  Capitol  theatre  scooped  all  other  mo- 
tion picture  entertainment  on  Broadway  in 
having  secured  the  only  talking  film  re- 
cording Lindbergh’s  arrival  in  New  York. 
The  admiring  populace  who  have  been  un- 


able to  get  within  close  range  of  the  na- 
tion’s hero  feasted  their  enthusiasm  at  the 
Capitol  where  the  DeForest  Phonofilm  pre- 
sented in  sight  and  sound  the  thrilling  de- 
tails of  the  greatest  reception  in  the  history 
of  the  city.  The  New  York  pictures  sup- 
plemented the  earlier  ones  of  the  Wash- 
ington reception,  likewise  recorded  by  the 
DeForest  Phonofilm,  in  w'hich  President 
Coolidge  is  seen  and  heard  presenting  the 
Distinguished  Flying  Cross  to  Lindbergh. 

* * ^ 

Katharine  Hilliker  and  H.  H.  Caldwell, 
the  well-known  team  of  title  writers,  have 
arrived  from  Fox  Films  West  Coast  Stu- 
dios to  work  for  about  two  months  at  the 
company’s  New  York  plant. 

* * * 

“Beau  Geste”  will  continue  at  the  Rialto 
the  coming  week,  when  it  will  be  replaced, 
by  Emil  Jannings  in  “The  Way  of  All 
Flesh.” 

^ 

New  “K.  K.  K.”  Invasion 

Indianapolis  had  a K.  K.  K.  invasion  last 
week.  Robert  Kane,  Sidney  Kent  and  Sam 
Katz  motored  to  Indianapolis  last  Friday  to 
be  present  at  the  opening  of  Robert  Lie- 
ber’s  new  Indian  theatre  there. 

^ ^ ^ 

Walter  Futter  returned  last  week  from 
the  Coast,  where  he  has  been  conventioning 
and  establishing  a Hollywood  Branch  of 
Wafilms,  Inc.,  the  Screen’s  Largest  Film 
Library.  Mr.  Futter  also  produced  in 
Hollywood  the  first  of  the  new  series  of 
Curiosities,  which  are  being  distributed  by 
Educational. 


Calls  Exploitation 
Cars  Traffic  Menace 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

FOND  DU  LAC,  WIS.,  June  21. 
— Police  Commissioner  Paul  Thiel 
charged  that  automobiles  carrying 
exploitation  signs  through  the 
streets  attract  the  attention  of 
pedestrians  and  motorists  and 
thus  interefere  with  the  regula- 
tion of  traffic,  in  appearing  in  op- 
position to  George  Hannan,  man- 
ager of  Saxe’s  Retlaw  theatre, 
before  the  police  commission  last 
week.  An  exploitation  car  had 
been  stopped  by  officers,  in  ac- 
cordance with  a city  ordinance,  as 
it  was  advertising  a “Jubilee 
Week”  program  at  the  Retlaw. 
“The  ordinance  is  out  of  step  with 
modern  business  methods,”  Han- 
nan declared.  “The  law  is  ten 
years  ahead  of  its  time,”  re- 
sponded Thiel.  Mayor  Watson 
is  to  make  an  inquiry. 


Paramount  Votes  $2  a 
Share  in  Cash,  Stock 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — Paramount  de- 
clared an  extra  dividend  of  $2  a share  on 
common  stock,  payable  in  common  stock 
at  $100  a share,  at  a meeting  of  the  board 
last  week.  It  was  also  voted  to  pay  the 
usual  quarterly  cash  dividend  of  $2  a share 
on  the  preferred  stock.  The  stock  divi- 
dend will  be  paid  September  20,  to  stock- 
holders of  record  on  July  28,  while  the 
cash  dividend  is  to  be  paid  August  1,  to 
shareholders  of  record  on  July  15.  The 
books  will  not  close. 

Tiffany  Adds  Space 
to  N.  Y,  Headquarters 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — Tiffany  has 
rented  additional  office  space  adjoining 
the  present  quarters  on  the  sixteenth  floor 
of  the  Loew  State  building.  The  company 
now  occupies  half  of  this  floor,  on  which 
the  home  office  has  been  located  for  five 
years. 

Remove  Summer  Theatre 
to  Downtown  Location 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  PHILADELPHIA.  O.,  June  21.— 
Abel’s  summer  theatre  has  been  removed 
from  the  East  end  of  the  city  to  the  down- 
town section  and  was  opened  to  the  public 
last  week.  The  seats  are  arranged  in  ele- 
vated tiers  in  the  open  air. 

Perry  (la.)  Opens  Roxy 
Theatre  All  Its  Own 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PERRY,  lA.,  June  21.  — William 
Youngclaus  and  C.  J.  Latta  opened  their 
remodeled  Roxy  theatre  here  last  week. 
It  has  been  closed  six  months  for  exten- 
sive changes. 


Schulherg  Off  to  Japan 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21.— B.  P.  Schul- 
berg,  associate  producer  for  Paramount, 
is  enroute  to  Japan  on  his  first  long 
vacation  in  ten  years.  He  is  accom- 
panied by  Mrs.  Schulberg  and  their  son 
and  daughter.  They  expect  to  return 
July  12. 


Marie  Prevost  H urt 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.— A painful 
injury,  which  delayed  production  several 
days,  was  suffered  by  Marie  Prevost  dur- 
ing the  shooting  of  aquaplane  scenes  for 
the  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  picture,  “The 
Rush  Hour.” 


T ripp  of  W.  E.  Dies, 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21. — Brig.-Gen. 
Guy  E.  Tripp,  chairman  of  the  board  of 
the  Westinghouse  Electric  and  Manu- 
facturing Company,  died  here  last  week 
as  the  result  of  complications  following 
an  operation.  He  was  62  years  old. 


Sues  Over  Theatre  Ad 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PITTSFIELD,  MASS.,  June  21.— Mrs. 
Adeline  E.  Sullivan,  wife  of  the  chief  of 
police,  has  brought  action  for  $10,000 
against  George  A.  Markell,  manager  of 
Strand  theatre.  The  action  results  from  an 
advertisement  published  in  connection  with 
showing  of  “Stella  Dallas.” 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Red  Letter  Day  for 
News  Reel  Cameramen 

Now  comes  (or  comes  now,  as  some 
title  writers  would  have  it ) the  com- 
petition of  the  news  reel  organiza- 
tions with  pictures  of  the  flight  of 
Clarence  Chamberlin  and  Charles  A. 
Levine  to  Germany.  Truly  these  are 
great  days  for  the  news  cameramen. 

With  news  dispatches  at  the  time 
of  this  writing  to  the  effect  that 
Lieutenant-Commander  Charles  E. 
Byrd  is  about  to  start  over  the  waves 
as  soon  as  the  weather  is  favorable, 
the  end  is  not  yet  as  far  as  the 
cameramen  are  concerned,  and  cer- 
tainly not,  we  trust,  in  the  case  of  the 
flier  who  already  has  an  air  record 
of  which  to  be  proud. 

Fox  News’  pictures  of  Chamber- 
lin’s arrival  in  Kottbus,  Germany, 
were  shown  at  the  dinner  hour  per- 
formances of  Broadway  theatres  the 
same  day  they  arrived  (last  Tues- 
day) . Prints  were  delivered  to  the 
theatres  an  hour  after  they  reached 
New  York  City  aboard  the  Olympic. 
Preparations  also  had  been  made  for 
their  showing  the  next  night  to 
Chamberlin’s  father  in  the  Opera 
House  at  Denison,  la. 

Truman  H.  Talley,  director  of  Fox 
News,  had  built  up  a comprehensive 
system  for  “covering  the  story.” 


Harry  Lawrenson,  Paris  editor, 
waited  at  Paris  until  certain  that 
Chamberlin  would  continue  on  to- 
ward Germany  and  then  set  out  in 
a fast  pace  accompanied  by  two 
cameramen.  At  the  same  time  two 
other  cameramen  left  Berlin  to  meet 
Chamberlin.  Thus  four  cameramen 
were  at  Kottbus  to  film  the  arrival 
there.  Lawrenson  flew  back  to  Paris 
and  then  eaught  the  Olympic  for 
New  York,  where  the  negatives  were 
rushed  to  the  Fox  laboratories. 

* 

Fox  Takes  to  Air 
For  Lindbergh  Films 

Exhibitors  today  are  getting  an 
opportunity  such  as  they  probably 
never  have  had  before  to  realize  to 
what  limits  the  news  reel  organiza- 
tions go  to  provide  them  with  the 
newsiest  of  the  week’s  news.  The 
achievements  of  the  companies  in  get- 
ting pictorial  stories  of  the  trans- 
atlantic flights  are  matched  only  by 
the  supreme  efforts  made  in  getting 
the  prints  to  the  theatres  at  the  earli- 
est possible  moment.  And  just  as 
the  flights  themselves  continue  to 
head  the  general  news  of  the  day,  so 
the  speed  records  of  the  companies 
in  placing  the  finished  reels  in  the 
exhibitors’  hands  continue  to  lead  the 


news  of  the  trade  in  the  Short  Feature 
field. 

Airplanes,  seaplanes  and  a dirigible 
figures  in  Fox  News’  distribution  of 
pictures  of  the  welcoming  home 
ceremonies  for  Col.  Charles  A.  Lind- 
bergh. A Fox  cameraman  was  aboard 
the  S.  S.  Memphis  which  brought  the 
flier  home.  Seaplanes  carrying  Fox 
cameramen  met  the  Memphis  near 
the  Virginia  Capes,  and  another  Fox 
representative  was  on  the  dirigible 
Los  Angeles. 

Half  an  hour  after  President 
Coolidge  had  decorated  “Lindy”  two 
Fox  News  planes  started  out  with 
film,  one  for  New  York,  the  other  for 
Chicago,  while  a third  group  was 
organized  for  emergency  service.  The 
film  on  the  New  York  plane  was 
transferred  to  a seaplane  at  Staten 
Island  and  sped  along  the  Hudson 
river  to  86th  street  whence  they  were 
taken  to  the  Fox  laboratories.  Prints 
caught  the  first  evening  performance. 
* * * 

Paramount  News 
Banquet  in  France 

A banquet  at  Drouant,  France,  was 
the  climax  of  a meeting  which  re- 
cently brought  together  a score  of 
cameramen  of  the  Paramount  News 
foreign  staff.  The  business  of  the 
gathering  was  similar  to  that  of  the 


HOW  NEWS  REELS  “COVERED”  LINDBERGH 


Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh,  trans- 
atlantic flier,  is  shown  in  a scene  from 
the  Pathe  News  reel  which  was  shown 
and  presented  to  him  on  behalf  of 
Editor  Ray  Hall  at  the  welcome  home 
dinner  in  New  York. 


The  New  York  to  Paris  aviator’s  name 
still  is  on  every  tongue  after  a tumultu- 
ous round  of  receptions  in  St.  Louis, 
Washington,  New  York  and  in  European 
capitals.  Here  is  another  Pathe  News 
scene. 


Pilot  Sears  is  depicted  delivering  In- 
ternational News  reel  pictures  of  Lind- 
bergh’s arrival  in  Paris  to  George  M. 
Dorsey  of  International’s  Washington 
bureau  and  Nat  Sauber  of  Universal’s 
Washington  branch. 


34 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Adolph  Zukor  (standing),  president  of  Paramount,  spoke  at 
a banquet  which  climaxed  a meeting  at  Drouant,  France,  of 
the  cameramen  on  the  foreign  staff  of  Paramount  News. 


Keith’s  Rialto  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  made  a special  play  on 
Educational’s  tieup  with  M.  Hohner,  Inc.,  for  Juvenile  Come- 
dies, through  a harmonica  contest. 


American  staff  in  New  York  as  out- 
lined in  this  department  in  last 
week’s  issue. 

S.  R.  Sozio,  head  of  the  European 
staff  of  Paramount  News,  presided  at 
the  dinner,  Adolph  Zukor,  president 
of  Paramount,  was  a guest  as  were 
Albert  A.  Kaufman,  manager  of  the 
Paramount  theatres  in  Europe;  Ike 
Blumenthal,  Paramount  manager  in 
Central  Europe,  and  Adolph  Osso, 

Paris  manager. 

* * * 

School  Board  Aids 
Educational  Contest 

Members  of  the  school  board  of 
Louisville,  Ky.,  and  teachers  lent  a 
hand  in  helping  Keith’s  Rialto  to 
put  over  another  campaign  with  the 
familiar  Educational- Juvenile  Come- 
dies Harmonica  Playing  Contest. 
These  contests  have  been  an  out- 
standing tieup  in  the  Short  Feature 
field  for  two  years  at  least. 

At  each  of  the  contests,  held  twice 
daily  for  three  days,  a harmonica 
band  from  one  of  the  schools  played 
selections  with  piano  accompani- 
ment. Preceding  the  contest  a hand 
of  youthful  “harmonicians”  appeared 
before  the  governor  at  Frankfort  and 
a Rialto  theatre  cameraman  took 
motion  pictures  of  this  scene  and  of 
the  presentation  of  a gold  harmonica 
to  the  state’s  leading  executive.  A 
delegation  also  serenaded  the  mayor 
of  Louisville.  The  motion  pictures 
were  shown  the  second  night  of  the 
contest  before  the  screening  of  the 
“Big  Boy” — Harmonica  trailer. 

Four  music  stores  participated  in 
the  window  displaying. 

Rogers  Under  Knife; 
Condition  Improving 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21. — Bulletins 
at  the  California  Lutheran  hospital  re- 
port that  the  condition  of  Will  Rogers, 
operated  on  last  week  for  gall  stones, 
is  satisfactory. 

The  humorist  and  philosopher  was 
operated  on  by  Dr.  P.  (3.  White. 

OWNERS’  BODY  MOVES 

INDIANAPOXIS. — Associated  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  Indiana  has  removed  from  the  sixth  floor 
of  Chamber  of  Commerce  building  to  the  third 
floor. 


Paramount  to  Issue 

52  Short  Features 

First  Three  Months 

Paramount’s  short  feature  releases  for 
the  first  three  months  of  the  season  opening 
August  1 will  include  13  two-reel  comedies, 
13  animated  cartoons,  and  two  issues  a 
week  of  Paramount  News,  a total  of  52 
releases. 

Here  is  the  product  and  order  of  release: 

August  1,  “No  Publicity,”  a Horton  com- 
edy, and  “Sealing  Whacks,”  a Krazy  Kat 
cartoon ; Aug.  6,  “The  Elegy,”  a Paramount 
novelty,  and  “KoKo  Plays  Pool,”  an  Ink- 
well cartoon;  Aug.  13,  “Short  Socks,”  a 
Bobby  Vernon  comedy,  and  “Tired  Wheels,” 
a Krazy  Kat  cartoon ; Aug.  20,  “Row, 
Sailor,  Row,”  a Billy  Dooley  comedy,  and 
“KoKo’s  Kane,”  an  Inkwell  cartoon;  Aug. 
27,  “Hot  Heads,”  a Jimmie  Adams  comedy, 
and  “Web  Feet,”  a Krazy  Kat  cartoon. 

September  3,  a Christie  comedy  and 
“KoKo  the  Knight,”  an  Inkwell  cartoon; 
Sept.  10,  “A  Short  Tail,”  a Paramount 
novelty,  and  “School  Daze,”  a Krazy  Kat 
cartoon;  Sept.  17,  a Bobby  Vernon  comedy 
and  “KoKo,  the  Kop,”  an  Inkwell  cartoon; 
Sept.  24,  a Billy  Dooley  comedy  and  “Loco 
Motifs,”  a Krazy  Kat  cartoon. 

October  1,  a Christie  comedy  and  “KoKo 
Explores,”  an  Inkwell  cartoon ; a Jimmie 
Adams  comedy  and  “Aero  Nuts,”  a Krazy 
Kat  cartoon ; Oct.  15,  a Paramount  novelty 
as  yet  untitled  and  “KoKo  Chop  Suey,”  an 
Inkwell  comedy;  Oct.  22,  a Bobby  Vernon 
comedy  and  “Uncle  Tom’s  Caboose,”  a 
Krazy  Kat  cartoon. 


PATHE  NEWS  NO.  48— Bellanca  plane  oflF  for 
Europe— President  Coolidge  reviews  fleet— Bel- 
gium hails  Lindbergh^— Unique  method  used  in 
razing  old  prison  walls  at  Devizes,  England. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5299— Washington  pays  hom- 
age to  Lindbergh^— Cherbourg  bids  Lindbergh 
goodbye  Japanese  celebrate  ancient  customs^^ 
Chamberlin's  home  town,  Denison,  la.,  cele- 
brates his  success— Hartford  children  hold  lawn 
fete-  -Inventor  demonstrates  marine  airplane 
landing  platform  at  Holly  Oak,  Del. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  530(^— Lindbergh  goes  to  church 
with  President  and  Mrs.  Coolidge  New  York 
in  great  tribute  to  Lindbergh^— President  enter- 
tains crippled  war  veterans^— 5,000  students 
drill  at  Chicago— Dayton  man  builds  zoo  in 
back  yard. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWS  REEL  NO.  48 — Lind- 
bergh leaves  Cherbourg  on  Memphis— 300,000 
cheer  winner  of  derby  at  Epsom  Downs,  Eng- 
land-^^Flames  sweep  lumber  ship  at  Aberdeen, 
Wash.— 1,500  pupils  of  Hollywood  in  athletic 
drill— Pheasants  bom  at  East  Sandwich,  Mass. 
INTERNATIONAL  NEWS  REEL  NO.  49 — New  York 
gives  mighty  welcome  to  Lindbergh. 


CIRCUIT  IN  NEW  OFFICE 

INDIANAPOLIS.— The  F.  J.  Eembush  Thea- 
tre  Enterprises  has  removed  from  66  West  New 
York  Street  to  1235  Meyer-Kiser  Bank  building. 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  MAY  22 

“The  Night  Owl,**  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.  one;  “Wine, 
Women  and  Sauerkraut,**  Imperial,  Fox,  two; 
**Meltlng  Millions,  Chapter  7,  Patho,  two ; 
**HorBes,  Horses,  Horses,**  Fables,  Patho,  two- 
thirds;  **Tired  Business  Men,**  Roach,  Patho, 
two;  Pathe  Review,  No.  21,  Patho,  ono;  Topics 
of  the  day.  No.  21;  Timely,  Pathe,  ono-thlrd; 
**Kid  George,**  Stern,  Universal,  two ; **Tho  Bet- 
tor Roll,**  Wisecracker,  F.  B.  O.,  1716. 

WEEK  OF  MAY  29 

**What  Price  Dough,**  Standard,  F.  B.  O.  two ; 
“Monarchs  of  the  Soil,**  Varieties,  Fox,  ono; 
**A  Midsummer  Nlght*a  Steam,**  Imperial,  Fox, 
two;  **MeItlng  Millions,**  No.  8,  Pathe,  two; 
**Digging  for  Gold,**  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“Eve*8  Love  Letters,**  Roach,  Pathe,  two; 
**Smith*s  Fishing  Trip,**  Mack  Sennett,  Patho, 
two ; “Hunting  for  Germans  in  Berlin,**  C.  S. 
Clancy,  Pathe,  one ; **Chills  and  Fever,**  Grant- 
land  Rice,  Pathe,  one ; Patho  Review  No.  22, 
Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  22,  T7moly, 
Pathe,  one-third;  **Alioe*s  Picnic,**  Winkler, 
F.  B.  O.,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  5 

**On  the  Trail,**  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one;  ‘^Rumors 
for  Rent,**  Helen  and  Warren,  F.  B.  O.,  two; 
**Melting  MilUons,**  Chap.  9,  Pathe,  two;  “A 
Dog*8  Day,*’  Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  **The  Prido 
of  Pikeville,**  Sennett,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review 
No.  23,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  23, 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  **Bnster*s  Frame-Up,** 
Stern,  Universal,  two ; “Whispering  Smith  Rides,** 
Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  12 

’^Venders  of  the  World,**  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Roamin’  Gladiator,**  Animal,  Fox,  two ; “Melt- 
ing MilUons,”  No.  10,  Pathe,  two;  “Hard  Cider,** 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Love  ’Em  and 
Weep,**  Roach,  Pathe,  two ; **Cured  in  the  Excite- 
ment,” Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; “Flying  Feet,”  Grant- 
land  Rice,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe  Review,  No.  24, 
Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  24,  Timely, 
Pathe,  one-third ; “Whispering  Smith  Rides,” 
Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “A  Poor  Excuse,” 
Stem,  Universal,  two ; “Steamed  Up,”  Bowers, 
F.  B,  O.,  two;  “Alice’s  Channel  Swim,”  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “A  Sock  in  Time,”  Wisecracker,  No.  10; 
F.  B.  O.,  one;  “On  the  Trail,”  Winkler,  F,  B.  O., 
one. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  19 

“A  Hot  Potato,”  Van  Biber,  Fox,  two ; “Cupid  and 
the  Clock,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crimson 
Flash,”  Pathe,  two;  “Died  In  the  Wool,” 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-third ; “Fluttering  Hearts,” 
Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review  No.  25,  Pathe, 
one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  25,  Timely,  Pathe, 
one-third;  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adven- 
ture, Universal,  two ; “Bo  Guest,”  Wisecracker, 
F.  B.  O.,  1,797;  “Passing  the  Hat,”  Winkler, 
F,  B.  O.  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“Her  Silent  Wow,”  Helen  and  Warren,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  3 Pathe,  two;  The 
Big  Reward,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Don’t 
Tell  Everything,  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  27,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the^  Day, 
No.  27,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Buster’s  In- 
itiation,” Stern,  Universal,  two;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A 
Poor  Excuse,”  Stern,  Universal,  two. 

Cast  Completed  for 

New  O.  Henry  Comedy 

Oliver  Eckhardt  has  the  part  of  Uncle 
in  a new  Fox  two-reel  comedy  based  on 
O.  Henry’s  “Suite  Homes.”  The  picture, 
now  in  production,  also  has  Ernie  Shields, 
Anita  Garvin,  Marjorie  Beebe  and  Harry 
Cornelia.  Zion  Myers  is  director. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


Fanchon  and  Marco  Branch  Out 


Summer  Bump 
No  Brake  on 
Presentation 

De  Luxe  Houses  Mopping  Up — 
Not  So  Good  for  Straight 
Film  Houses 

Summer  has  hit  Chicago  but  not 
the  Chicago  theatres  that  use  pres- 
entation. 

Again  proving  the  wisdom  of  invest- 
ing in  a high-powered  ventilating  plant, 
the  Chicago  houses  that  use  elaborate 
stageshows  and  cool  their  patrons’  shins 
the  while  are  mopping  up.  The  smaller 
theatres,  where  it’s  as  warm  as  it  is  else- 
where, aren’t  doing  so  well,  but  didn’t 
expect  to. 

The  way  the  big  houses  are  buying 
acts  is  something  to  look  at  with  won- 
der. Practically  nobody’s  left  who 
hasn’t  worked  one  or  more  picture  dates, 
and  nobody’s  made  the  switch  who 
hasn’t  been  glad  of  it.  The  money’s 
rolling  in,  the  firms  are  solvent,  the  peo- 
ple out  front  are  loud  in  their  reactions 
— pro  or  con — ^and  it’s  a pretty  good 
show  business. 

To  repeat  a modern  maxim,  the  cool 
theatre  can’t  lose.  Expenses  are  down 
and  crowds  are  up  when  the  weather 
warms.  People  have  to  go  somewhere, 
and  the  beaches  are  all  wet.  Nobody  is 
quite  sure  there  are  any  parks  any  more. 
Radio  is  bad,  and  the  flat  is  warm  any- 
way, so  there’s  nothing  for  it  but  to  go 
to  the  picture  show  and  see  a lot  of 
stagefolks  enjoy  themselves  between 
screenings.  It  all  makes  a good  season 
for  the  De  Luxe  theatre  proprietors  and 
the  good  acts. 


B.  & K.  Grab  A.  C,  Gag 

Constant  demand  for  new  faces  in  stage  en- 
tertainment has  caused  the  Lubliner  and  Trinz, 
Balaban  and  Katz  circuits  of  Chicago  to  look 
for  the  “Miss  Chicago  of  1927.“  This  search  is 
being  conducted  under  the  banner  of  a Bathing 
Beauty  contest  sponsored  by  the  following  thea- 
tres : Harding,  Senate,  Uptown  and  Tivoli, 

where  all  the  preliminaries  will  be  held,  with  the 
hnal  selection  to  be  decided  at  the  Chicago  thea- 
tre. This  contest  is  sponsored  by  a group  of 
business  clubs  and  has  the  official  backing  of  the 
Atlantic  City  Association.  The  contest,  now  in 
full  force,  is  being  conducted  by  the  “Herald 
and  Examiner,”  and  when  the  winner  is  selected 
next  August  she  will  be  recognized  as  the  official 
“Miss  Chicago  of  1927.” 


Breaks  “Dixie  Stomp” 

Bobbie  Tremaine,  well  known  dancer,  has  just 
returned  from  a Southern  trip  where  she  ob- 
served some  new  steps  and  Negro  combination 


W ottanack! 


No,  you  won't  find  that  word  in  any  of 
the  dictionaries.  In  order  to  meet  up 
with  it  you've  got  to  sit  alongside  folks 
fortunate  enough  to  get  into  the  theatre 
where  Markell  and  Faun  are  doing  their 
nonesuch  stepping.  You  can't  sit  more 
than  ten  minutes  in  such  surroundings 
without  hearing  a neighbor  say  to  another, 
^^Wottanack,”  to  which  the  other  replies 
the  same.  It's  a sort  of  trademark  for 
the  dance  team  that  so  many  other  dance 
teams  think  they  are.  The  team  is  seen 
above  in  the  act  of  usurping  the  office 
kodaker's  job  on  the  occasion  of  a recent 
muchly  appreciated  visit  to  these  premises. 

dances  from  which  she  has  originated  the  ‘‘Dixie 
Stomp,”  now  being  introduced  in  Chicago  picture 
houses. 


Higgle  In  Chicago 

Will  Higgle,  one  of  the  best  known  dancers 
of  the  Charleston,  etc.,  is  back  in  Chicago  after 
an  absence  of  several  months.  Higgle  is  touring 
the  Orpheum  Circuit  as  a feature  attraction  in  a 
flaeh  dance  revue  consisting  of  six  girls  besides 
himself.  Higgle  is  one  of  the  originators  of  the 
Black  and  White  Steps  that  became  the  rage  of 
Chicago  during  the  Charleston,  and  at  that  time 
was  the  first  white  performer  to  introduce  the 
Charleston  on  the  stage.  Since  then  Higgle  has 
originated  a new  step  which  is  expected  to  be- 
come as  popular  as  the  Black  Bottom.  The  new 
step  is  called  the  “Higgiejig  Stomp,”  which  he 
introduces  in  his  act.  A song  has  also  been 
written  by  Higgie,  which  has  the  same  rhythm 
as  the  dance. 


Best  Tune 

‘‘When  Lindy  Comes  H<Mne,”  number  seven- 
million-three  in  the  Lindy  series,  is  the  best 
tune  of  the  moment.  It  remained  for  the  kid 
himself,  who  waited  until  the  jitney  tunesmiths 
had  done  their  worst  with  the  war  and  then 
clicked  over  with  ‘‘Over  There,”  to  do  something 
right  and  proper  by  this  glittering  young  com- 
muter between  continents.  It’s  about  time  George 
Cohan  got  into  the  picture  racket  on  some  basis 
or  other. 


Fleurette  Jeoffrie,  the  Keith-AIbee  coloratura 
soprano,  will  put  in  the  summer  studying  the  bella 
canto  with  Isidore  Braggiotti. 


mil  Double 
Circuit  for 
Stage  Shows 

Plans  Announced  at  Dinner  for 
Press  and  Trade — To 
Route  Acts 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

LOS  ANGELES,  June  21.— Elab- 
orate plans  for  the  coming  season 
were  outlined  by  Marco  Wolf,  head 
of  the  presentation  department  of 
West  Coast  Theatres,  at  a luncheon 
given  at  the  Biltmore  Hotel  last 
Wednesday.  The  Fanchon  and 
Marco  acts,  which  are  now  playing 
in  forty  theatres  on  the  west  coast 
with  Los  Angeles  as  the  home  office, 
will  expand  their  circuit  to  prob- 
ably one  hundred  theatres  by  next 
fall. 

These  acts  will  start  at  Loew’s  State 
theatre  and  will  alternate  with  the  Met- 
ropolitan theatre,  which  recently  came 
under  the  regime  of  the  West  Coast  man- 
agement. 

The  first  Fanchon  and  Marco  act  to 
go  in  the  Metropolitan  will  be  Rube 
Wolf  and  his  band,  which  opens  Thurs- 
day, June  24.  Alternate  weeks  the 
Fanchon  and  Marco  acts  will  play  this 
house  with  musical  presentations  every 
other  week.  This  arrangement  was  ar- 
rived at  between  Harold  B.  Franklin, 
president  of  W^est  Coast  Theatres,  Inc., 
and  Frank  L.  Newman,  managing  direc- 
tor of  the  Los  Angeles  Publix  theatres 
Mr.  Newman  introduced  Fanchon  and 
Marco  and  Marco  told  several  amusing 
incidents  of  his  early  career.  Marco  paid 
a glowing  tribute  to  Sid  Grauman,  whom 
he  classed  as  a pioneer  in  the  prologue 
field.  He  also  explained  why  they  did 
not  stage  atmospheric  prologues  with 
every  picture,  feeling  that  a contrast 
often  was  much  more  acceptable.  Hjs 
success  in  the  past  has  proven  that  his 
idea  was  sound. 

At  the  present  time  the  Fanchon  and 
Marco  acts  employ  from  three  to  four 
hundred  girls  and  over  one  hundred 
musicians. 

The  motion  picture  editors  of  the 
various  Los  Angeles  dailies,  as  well  as 
several  national  motion  picture  trade 
journal  representatives  were  present. 
Frank  L.  Newman  presided  at  the  lunch- 
eon and  photos  were  taken  on  the  roof 
of  the  Biltmore  following  the  get-to- 
gether party. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


STAGE  SHOWS 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  June  24 

Roxy  Grand  Organ:  “L’Arlesienne,”  as  ar- 
ranged for  three  consoles  with  Lew  White,  Dezso 
Von  D’Antalffy  and  C.  A.  J.  Parmentier  playing 
it  masterfully  and  getting  big  applause. 

Roxy  Symphony  Orchestra  in  the  overture, 
“Orpheus,”  conducted  by  Erno  Rapee.  Very  few 
features  on  the  bill  here  have  exceeded  the  ap- 
plaut?e  this  body  gets  for  twelve  minutes  of  music 
that  fills  and  thrills  the  house. 

Divertissements : 

A.  Impressions  from  the  Coppelia  Ballet,  by 
the  ballet  corps.  Full  stage  w'herein  twenty-six 
of  the  graces  give  a new  meaning  to  ballet  work, 
of  the  kind  without  the  toe  hold.  If  there  is  bet- 
ter work  than  this  anywhere,  please  write  and  let 
us  know. 

B.  The  Scarf  Dance.  Maria  Gambarelli.  alone 
on  the  big  stage  and  costumed  somewhat  a la 
“Tess  of  the  Stoi'm  Country.”  She  barefoots  it 
about  among  lights  that  are  ever  changing.  Just 
a glimpse  of  a dance.  But  how  they  like  her. 

C.  Dainty  Misses.  Sixteen  of  the  Gamby  Girls 
give  us  the  Tiller  Ballet  formations  against  a 
patent  leather  drop.  Two  minutes  of  toes  here 
and  toes  there.  Like  clockwork.  Entertainment 
that  is  good  anywhere — anytime. 

D.  Silhouette,  “On  the  Bowery.”  Reported 
here  before.  An  exceptional  piece  getting  new 
oh’s  and  ah's  at  every  performance.  Three  min- 
utes of  the  new  type  stage  effect  that  could  be 
reproduced  in  most  any  house,  and  always  could 
be  sure  of  mouth-to-mouth  advertising. 

The  Roxy  Choral  Group  in  “Plantation  Melo- 
dies.” Full  stage.  Seventy-five  people.  Moon- 
light on  a plantation  set,  overhanging  willows, 
a party  picture  of  early  graceful  Virginia  days. 
Grouped  about,  they  sit  and  sing  all  the  familiar 
melodies  over  a time  of  some  seven  minutes.  Big 
applause. 

Magazine,  showing  by  Movietone,  Lindy’s  re- 
ception at  Washington,  including  President 


Coolidge’s  speech  and  Lindy’s  response.  You 
should  have  heard  the  applause. 

The  Roxy  Jazzmanians  in  “Crazy  Words,  Crazy 
Tune”  with  Jack  Riauo,  Phil  Arnold,  Horton 
Spur  and  the  Gamby  Girls  doing  specialties.  Noth- 
ing particularly  striking  here,  but  probably  may 
be  reset  as  week  goes  on. 

The  Romance  of  the  Cards,  wherein  the  King, 
Queen  and  Jack  romp  out  of  their  houses  built 
of  cards  and  trip  about  in  stoi*y  form,  more  so 
than  dance.  Back  made  up  of  cards,  with  three 
card  houses  on  stage.  Piece  has  more  possibilities 
than  those  used,  as  did  not  seem  to  click  strong, 
that  is,  any  further  than  the  novelty  of  the  card 
house  and  drop  idea. 

Observation:  The  Overture,  Plantation  Days 

and  the  Ballet  alone  could  compete  with  any  and 
all  comers  as  to  making  up  a bill  of  real  enter- 
tainment. Where  fill-ins  have  been  rather  strong 
and  prominent  before  they  are  a little  light  for 
the  Roxy  style  this  week. 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  June  24 

“Musical  Sketches,”  played  by  the  Paramount 
Orchestra,  with  Eugene  Dubois,  solo  violin,  Ed- 
ward Marks,  solo  trumpet  and  Leonara  Cori,  lyric 
soprano.  Dimmed  lights,  and  drop  parts  first  on 
either  side  and  then  center  to  allow  presentation 
of  solo  offerings.  Miss  Cori’s  bit  being  the  most 
striking  under  this  arrangement,  which  seemed 
rather  hard  in  competition  to  a full  Haring  coro- 
net, Received  good  hand  all  around.  Time,  four 
minutes. 

Paramount  News. 

Jesse  Crawford  Organ  Concert.  With  slide  ac- 
companying, he  opens  with  “Just  Like  a Butter- 
fly.’’ Mrs.  Crawford,  at  the  stage  console,  fol- 
lows by  syncopating  it.  Jesse  tunes  in  with 
“Hallelujah,”  with  the  slides,  and  then  both  again 
on  the  finale  of  this  popular  hit  score  their  usual 
big  applause. 

Paul  Whiteman  and  hie  orchestra  aboard  “U. 
S.  S.  Syncopation,”  assisted  by  Ruth  Etting  and 
the  Paramount  Girls,  end  up  this  week’s  show 
with  a display  of  fireworks.  Stage  set  of  course 
represents  first  class  cruiser  and  they  open  with 
“Asleep  in  the  Deep,”  jazzed  girls  out  front  and 
songster  putting  it  over  via  the  megaphone.  Paul 
comes  out  here  and  takes  charge  of  the  ship. 


His  first  act  is  to  introduce  Ruth  Etting,  as 
the  sweetheart  of  the  crew.  Ruth  does  great 
work  with  “I  Love  You,”  “A  Russian  Lullaby” 
and  “It  All  Depends  On  You,”  probably  scoring 
her  biggest  hit  with  the  first  selection. 

Band  then  plays  “Sundown”  and  “When  Day 
Is  Done.”  These  are  request  numbers  solicited 
by  couiX)ns  in  the  programs.  Paul  introduces  the 
girls  now  as  sweethearts  of  the  various  ports  and 
they,  costumed  accordingly,  parade  across  stage, 
contributing  a step  or  two. 

Three  boys,  mentioned  here  before,  step  out 
from  the  band  and  down  front  with  two  baby 
pianos  and  just  about  walk  away  with  the  show 
as  far  as  they  go  with  their  new  kind  of  hot 
and  snappy  harmony  and  ditties  and  chatter  about 
“Magnolia.”  After  quiet  is  restored  three  of  the 
more  sober  songsters  give  the  same  piece  the 
Adeline  swing  and  all  six  finish,  tucking  away 
oodles  of  applause,  and  encoring  with  “Sugar  In 
The  Rain.” 

The  girls  are  back  on  again  as  gobs  and  climb 
to  the  top  of  the  ship.  Starting  with  “Lucky 
Lindy”  the  band  swings  into  any  number  of  mar- 
tial airs,  "with  the  audience  in  doubt  as  to  whether 
to  stand  up  or  not.  Two  guns  aboard  ship  go 
in  for  a few  noisy  and  spectacular  shots  now 
and  the  stirring  music  gets  louder,  with  boat 
whistles  blowing  off  stage.  The  house  goes  dark 
and  electrical  flashes  are  sent  over  the  house 
lights  and  electric  streamers  pour  down  on  the 
stage.  This  dim  and  confusion,  right  on  the 
heels  of  Lindy’s  reception  is  one  sure  way  of  giv- 
ing them  all  a thrill.  That’s  what  they  liked 
about  this  the  third  end  best  Whiteman  show  to 
date. 

Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  June  17 

“The  Family  Album”  was  brought  back  to  life, 
magnified  and  glorified,  in  the  Publix  stage  show 
at  the  Riviera  this  week.  Helen  Eck  served  as 
the  introductory  singer,  while  Stanley  and  Lee, 
petite  toe  dancers,  served  as  pages  and  turned  the 
leaves  of  the  huge  red  album. 

Pictures  of  the  tin  type  generation  and  other 
prehistoric  ages  were  revealed  behind  the  album’s 
leaves,  posed  by  a double  quartet  consisting  of 
Eva  Thornton,  Leila  Newman,  Edna  Greenleaf, 
Adelo  Prant,  Alois  Bibiagagnolo,  Maiidy  Shain, 
James  Jordan  and  Herbert  Niles,  all  from  the 
Chicago  Civic  Opera.  They  sang  songs  befitting 
their  costumes,  from  “Sweet  Adeline”  back.  Harry 
White  and  Alice  Manning  did  acrobatic  dancing. 

Roxy  La  Rocca  and  his  big  golden  harp  kept 
the  audience  pleased  throughout  his  act.  He  had 
the  audience  whistling  and  singing  with  him. 

Organist  George  Johnson  played  “Request”  and 
the  orchestra  “Raymond”  overture. 

The  feature  film  was  “Framed” — unless  it  was 
the  Lindbergh  news  reels,  which  brought  far  the 
greater  hand. 

Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  June  18 

The  bandshow  boys  opened  with  “Deep  River,” 
a composition  by  Wheeler  Wadsworth,  the  director 
of  the  orchestra. 

Ackerman  and  Dick  did  two  soft  shoe  dances. 

A string  choir  from  the  band  played  a selec- 
tion. 

Mildred  LaSalle,  blues  singer,  sang  “You 
Gotta  Have  Somebody  to  Love.”  She  next  sang 
“Alnt  He  Sweet”  and  drew  plenty  of  laughs  by 
using  several  of  the  bandshow  boys  as  foils. 

Johnny  Muldoon,  Heller  and  Riley  and  Pearl 
Franklyn  starred  in  “Under  Brooklyn  Bridge,” 
the  Publix  unit. 


SYMPHONIC 

HAWLEY 


PRESTON  SELLERS 

Featured  Organist 

Now  Enjoying  Third  Successful  Year  at 
Lubliner  & Trinz’s  SENATE  THEATRE 
CHICAGO 


Jesse  Crawford  Concerts 

With  Mrs.  Crawford  at  Stage  Console 

Paramount  Theatre 

New  York 

At  the  Cross  Roads  of  the  World 


FEATURE 

ORGANIST 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


June  25,  1927 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  June  19 

This  was  Milton  Charles*  second  and  no  doubt 
hnal  week  at  the  console  commonly  sacrificed  to 
the  currently  vacationing  Henri  A.  Keates  and 
who’ll  console  the  console,  which  has  had  its  first 
real  fling  as  a musical  instrument,  when  it  has 
to  go  back  to  hurdy  gurdy  chores?  Charles  has 
given  the  box  a break,  still  without  dropping  the 
sing  thing,  and  it’s  quite  a tone  arsenal.  This 
week  he  added  another  diflSculty  for  the  returning 
Keates  by  tossing  out  autographed  song  copies, 
the  last  one  from  the  stage,  and  sewing  up  the 
gang  for  him  in  case  he  should  want  to  take  the 
house  and  the  powers  should  decide  to  let  him. 
By  way  of  closing  the  chapter  on  Charles  and 
getting  into  the  stageshow  news,  this  reporter 
herewith  casts  several  dozen  votes  for  bringing 
Charles  downtown  permanently.  After  the  organ 
solo,  Paul  Ash  frolicked  in  with  something  called 
“Foolin’  Around”  which  ran  like  this: 

Opening:  Marionette  drop  with  Paul  Small  and 
some  of  the  gals  poking  heads  through  same  and 
doing  nifty  bit  of  song  “with  gestures.”  Drop 
going  up,  same  came  forward  for  more  with  band 
in  background,  Billy  Meyer  also  kicking  off  a 
chorus  in  this  spot.  Next  on  was — 

Paul  Ash,  the  old  master,  announcing  “South 
Wind,”  a band  number  that  the  band  did  in  nice 
shape. 

Marjorie  Whitney,  dancer,  kicked  up  a flock  of 
intere&t  in  this  spot  and  that’s  a job. 

Ilomay  Bailey,  Oriental  fixture  of  late,  sang 
“Sing  Me  a Baby  Song”  and  did  lots  of  kidding 
with  A1  Kvale  that  helped  considerably. 

Joe  Bennett,  dancer,  stepped  leisurely  but  surely 
into  favor  as  the  show  went  into  accustomed 
routine. 

Band  number. 

Milton  Watson,  still  the  most  securely  estab- 
lished of  all  the  presentation  tenors,  sang  as  much 
as  he  should  but  by  no  means  as  much  as  they 
vented. 

Lloyd  and  Bryce,  comedy  gymnasts,  knotted  the 
cantata  at  this  point  and  wottanact  this  is. 
Watch  ’em. 

Band,  again. 

Finale:  Backdrop  advertisement  for  Columbia 
records  (Is  there  no  end  to  this  Ash  fellow's 
ingenuity?)  through  which  gals  break  in  to  step 
while  evedybody  gets  together  for  one  of  those 
noisy  finishes  without  which,  it  seems  to  be  be- 
lieved, these  didoes  cannot  be  ended. 

Observation : The  Randolph,  a picture  house 

next  door  to  the  Oriental  and  practically  a barren 
waste  of  seats  since  opening  of  the  latter,  took 
the  Ash  waiting  line  away  from  him  last  week 
and  how  do  you  think  ? Ans. — By  luinning  a 
Public  Health  Film  under  “Women  Only”  billing! 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  June  19 

Well,  boys  and  girls,  there’s  more  than  one  way 
to  run  a show  in  the  Summer  time  (or  what 
passed  for  Summer  last  week)  and  this  is  one  of 
the  ways: 

First:  Get  a good  man  like  Herbert  Rawlinson 
to  act  as  master  of  ceremonies.  Rawlinson  is 
excellent  in  this  capacity,  reminding  you  very 
much  of  Charles  Irwin,  and  by  employing  him  you 
get  the  advantage  of  his  screen  fame.  To  be  sure, 
this  screen  past  of  his  is  an  embarrassment  to  his 
very  good  gags  and  neatly  spoken  lines,  the  fans 
apparently  wanting  him  to  do  whatever  impos- 
sible thing  it  is  that  fans  want  picture  people  to 
do,  but  Rawlinson  is  good  enough  to  work  through 
that  fog  and  onto  a proper  basis  for  his  present 
capacity.  In  fact,  he’s  about  perfect  for  this  job. 


Bennie  Krueger 

Feature  Attraction 
— at  — 

Balaban 
and  Katz 

UPTOWN 

and 

TIVOLI 
Theatres, 
Chicago 


Second : Run  some  kind  of  a contest  with  a 
newspaper  and  get  three  winners  who  are  girls 
who  can  sing.  Promise  them  some  kind  of  a re- 
ward, three  of  them  if  necessary,  and  ha\e  your 
master  of  ceremonies  tell  the  audience  that  its 
applause  will  decide  the  winner.  Then  take  the 
thx’ee  girls  and  let  your  Orchestral  Productions 
producer  (in  this  case  H.  Leopold  Spitalny)  rig  up 
tunes  by  Friml  for  them  to  sing,  singly  and  to- 
gether. This  can  be  subtly  put  over  in  place  of 
the  somewhat  expensive  Orchestral  Production  and, 
if  you  select  your  winners  carefully,  the  singing 
isn’t  bad.  The  idea  sells  excellently. 

Third:  Have  your  Henry  B.  Murtagh  play 

“Lucky  Lindy,*  which  is  nothing  at  all  for  so 
good  an  organist  to  play,  but  v/hen  the  slides  are 
over  pull  up  the  screen,  which  you  have  cunningly 
set  back  of  a scrim,  and  drop  a prop  plane  from 
the  flies  with  electric  lights  and  everything  on  it. 
This  is  flag  stuff  and  sells  even  so  dumb  a tune 
as  this  one.  It  may  not  be  fair  to  the  organist, 
but  if  your  organist  is  so  good  as  Murtagh  he  can 
take  a dirty  deal  now  and  then  without  damage. 

Fourth:  Run  a picture  or  something. 

Fifth:  Unveil  the  Publix  unit,  if  you  have  one, 
and  if  it’s  like  “Vienna  Life”  go  downstairs  to 
stoke  the  ice  plant  or  find  business  in  other 
remote  recesses  of  the  building.  You  can  come 
back  in  a little  while,  as  the  people  will  not 
remember  the  thing  long.  It’s  one  of  those 
thematic  burying  grounds  wherein  many  excellent 
performers  are  tossed  for  tw’enty-some  weeks  to 
waste  their  talents  upon  audiences  who  insist 
upon  trying  to  figure  out  what  the  show’s  all 
about  instead  of  just  looking  at  the  acts  and 
liking  them. 

Sixth:  Run  a picture  so  good  as  “Naughty  But 
Nice”  and  rest  assured  that  the  other  five  items 
don’t  matter  anyway. 


Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  June  19 

This  marks  the  debut  of  Lou  Kosloff  as  stage 
band  leader.  Kosloff,  formerly  first  violinist  in  a 
loop  house,  is  a young  man  of  clean  cut  person- 
ality and,  judging  from  the  reception  accorded 
him  in  this  house,  his  future  as  a jazz  band 
leader  is  assurred.  The  stage  show,  which  was 
called  “King  Louis  of  Jazz,”  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  Entire  cast  assembled  on  stage  in 


beautiful  Spanish  patio  setting  with  lagoon  in 
back-ground. 

Marian  Roberts  as  a Spanish  Senorita  sang  a 
folk  song  from  balcony  as  the  band,  dressed  as 
Toreadors,  played  the  tune. 

Bebe  Moffic,  assisted  by  the  Gould  girls  in  a 
pretty  shawl  dance,  decorate  stage  as  Lou  Kosloff, 
playing  the  tolk  song  on  his  violin  off-stage, 
slowly  appears  on  the  scene  in  a gondola,  after 
which  he  takes  up  his  baton  and  directs  the 
orchestra  for  the  remainder  of  the  band  number. 

The  next  artists  on  the  program  were  Burns 
and  Kissen,  a well  known  vaudeville  act  whose 
offering  has  been  standard  for  years.  They  gave 
their  “America  We  Love  You”  and  other  char- 
acter comedy  songs  which  no  other  team  does  as 
well.  These  boys  have  been  reported  in  other 
houses  before  and  again  proved  themselves  artists 
and  showmen,  taking  several  encores  and  many 
more  bows,  finishing  with  a tribute  to  Kosloff, 
the  new  leader. 

Bebe  Moffic  followed  them  in  her  clever  acro- 
batic dance  routine,  similar  to  the  one  she  did  in 
a recent  Publix  Unit.  Miss  Moffic  is  an  excep- 
tional contortionist  and  excels  anything  ever  seen 
in  the  way  of  acrobatic  dancing  to  stage  bands 
hereabouts.  She  is  made  for  Presentation. 

The  Gould  Dancers  followed  in  a carnival  routine 
consisting  of  Tamborine  kicking  and  novel  steps, 
typical  to  the  customs  of  Spain. 

This  was  followed  by  a band  number,  “It  All 
Depends  on  You,”  which  was  preceded  by  a short 
talk  given  by  Kosloff  in  reference  to  his  opening 
show  and,  after  a fine  reception,  the  band  went 
into  a symphonic  arrangement  of  same,  assisted 
later  by  a violin  solo  rendered  by  Kosloff.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  Kosloff  as  a violin  player 
in  the  popular,  semi-classical  field  is  second  to 
none,  as  he  has  become  very  popular  for  his 
splendid  music  interpretation  on  the  violin  and 
this  numl^er  was  so  soul  stirring  that  the  audience 
clamored  for  more,  to  which  he  gladly  submitted. 

Gene  Greene,  Chicago’s  own  entertainer,  pre- 
sented his  program  of  comedy  songs  and  smart 
chatter  which  registered  so  big  that  he  was  com- 
pelled to  hold  the  stage  for  at  least  fifteen  minutes 
before  they  were  satisfied.  Gene  is  from  the  old 
school  and  knows  how  to  sell  his  stuff  regardless 
of  what  it  may  consist  of. 

He  was  followed  by  two  clever  boys,  Brown  and 
Bailey,  one  of  the  neatest  tap  dancing  teams  yet 
seen  by  this  reporter.  They  possess  gracefulness 


MISS  RUTH  ETTING 

“Sweetheart  of  Columbia  Records” 

SECOND  WEEK  WITH 

PAUL  WHITEMAN 

At 

PARAMOUNT  PUBLIX  THEATRE,  NEW  YORK 

Signed  for  New  Ziegfeld  Follies 


JOSEPH  ALEXANDER 

The  Youngest  Solo  Organist  in  Chicago 

Now  at  the  PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 
After  an  Eight  Months  Run  at  MARKS  BROS.  EMBASSY 
THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Specializing  in  Photoplay  Accompaniment 


SOLO  PRESENTATION— 

DON  ISHAM 

THE  INIMITABLE 

PERFECT  PICTURE  SYNCHRONIZING 

Featured  Organist  with  the  MARKS  BROS.  CIRCUIT.  Formerly  with  JENSEN  and  VON  HERBERG, 
JOHN  HAMRICH  ORGANIZATION  and  other  WEST  COAST  CIRCUITS. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


and  i>erfect  time,  in  which  one  could  shut  their 
eyes  and  almost  be  convinced  that  only  one  is 
dancing.  They  have  everything  necessary  to  make 
them  a presentation  act. 

Marian  Roberts  again  sang,  this  time  Night 
in  Spain"  stationed  on  center  of  lagoon  platform 
as  the  Gould  Girls  in  Spanish  outfits  decorated 
platform  while  reflectors  were  flashed  around  sky- 
line, making  the  setting  very  artistic  and  colorful. 

Finale;  Entire  cast  assembled  on  stage  as 
serpentines  rained  on  setting  and  everybody  sang 
and  danced  to  the  finish. 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  June  19 

Gilda  Gray  on  the  screen  in  ‘‘Cabaret"  supplied 
the  theMe  for  Verne  Buck’s  stage  show  this  week, 
entitled  "Night  Life  Strutters."  The  presentation 
ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  Full  stage  setting  with  large  curtain 
in  back  of  orchestra  bearing  decoration  of  Verne 
Buck  and  his  orchestra.  On  curtain  rising  the 
band  went  into  very  fast  and  catchy  medley  as 
the  Abbott  Girls  went  through  one  of  their  regu- 
lar routines.  (This  group  of  Abbotts  are  not  as 
smoothly  routined  as  the  last  one  and,  judging 
from  the  last  performance,  more  coaching  is  badly 
needed.) 

Verne  Buck  enters,  receiving  biggest  reception 
that  has  yet  been  accorded  him  at  this  house,  and 
after  receiving  same  in  a perfect  showman’s  way 
he  then  directs  the  orchestra  to  play  "Forgive 
Me,"  which  enables  Frank  Wilson,  saxophone 
player,  to  render  a vocal  chorus.  Verne  then 
joins  with  a solo  on  his  bass  saxophone  and,  as 
usual,  stops  the  show  with  his  marvelous  playing. 

This  was  followed  by  Jimmy  Harvey,  well  known 
to  vaudeville  for  his  eccentric  dancing  and  com- 
edy pantomime.  Harvey  did  his  drunk  routine, 
staggering  down  the  staircase,  and  secured  oodles 
of  laughter  by  his  trick  cigarette  lighting  and 
lamp  post  bits,  which  were  all  well  received. 

Foley  and  Hawes,  two  men,  follow  next  in  a 
harmony  singing  turn,  using  "How  I’d  Love  to  be 
a Baby  Again."  and  "High,  Up  in  the  Hills,"  to 
which  tune  Foley  also  strums  on  his  uke.  Took 
two  encore  and  several  bows. 


The  Verne  Buck  Trio  followed,  composed  of 
Buck,  Wilson  and  Griswold,  who  went  into  a 
special  arrangement  of  "Sundown"  and  they  sang 
the  skylights  out  of  the  number.  (This  trio  is 
good  enough  to  become  a presentation  feature  in 
itself  and  their  popularity  at  this  house  is  evi- 
denced by  the  great  reception  they  always  receive.) 

Glory  and  Mary  Moore,  follow  them  in  a well 
routined  toe  ballet  which  registers  so  well  that 
they  come  back  for  an  encore  and  this  time  offer 
the  Black  Bottom  in  toe  style. 

This  was  followed  by  a beautiful  band  number 
called  "Oriental  Rose,"  featuring  Luella  Lee  doing 
an  oriental  routine  in  which  she  was  painted  gold 
from  head  to  foot.  This  routine  was  done  in 
the  form  of  a statue  posing  at  the  head  of  stair- 
case and  it  came  to  life  as  the  music  started  to 
play.  Cloyde  Griswold  offers  his  vocal  solo  dur- 
ing this  number.  This  entire  scene  and  offering 
made  a very  pretty  effect  and  was  well  received. 
The  Abbott  girls  join  in  towards  the  end,  following 
Miss  Lee  up  staircase,  making  a pretty  scene  on 
platform  as  they  all  decorate  the  stage. 

The  Tokio  Boys,  Japanese,  follow  in  a very 
clever  routine  of  barrel  and  human  juggling,  all 
done  to  the  tune  of  "Yankee  Doodle."  This  was 
followed  by  an  announcement  made  by  Verne 
Buck  that  Frank  Wilson  would  sing  "If  You  See 
Sally,"  by  request,  and  Frank  sure  sang  the 
number  to  everyone’s  content.  For  a saxophone 
player,  Wilson  possesses  a remarkable  singing 
voice  and  his  personality  puts  it  over  in  great 
style. 

Gray  and  White,  two  young  men  in  tap  dancing, 
came  on  next  offering  a very  neat  routine  that 
was  well  timed  and  looked  i)olished.  The  boys 
stepped  an  eccentric  boob  comedy  dance  for  an 
encore  to  "The  Sidewalks  of  New  York."  As 
far  as  the  audience  was  concerned  these  boys 
could  have  danced  on  forever,  but  the  show  was 
running  late  and  Verne  announced  a real  hot 
tune  which  the  boys  went  into  with  everything 
they  had  and  the  result  was  pleasing  from  both 
sides.  Verne,  as  usual,  came  in  for  a little 
fiddling  in  the  second  chorus  and  this  naturally 
put  the  tune  over  in  great  style. 

Finale:  Same  tune  with  the  Abbott  girls  in  a 
fast  routine  and  Gray  and  White  in  center  stage 
doing  a whirlwind. 


Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  June  19 

Charles  Kaley  offered  his  “One-Hundredth  Per- 
formance Anniversary”  show  this  week,  featuring 
Kerenoff  and  Maree  and  “Jazz  Lips”  Richardson. 
The  presentation  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  Motion  picture  flashed  on  screen 

showing  sea  shore  in  Hawaii  with  surf  rolling 
in  slowly.  Bottom  of  Curtain,  scrim,  parts,  dis- 
closing eight  girls  in  native  costumes  strumming 
“Hello  Aloha”  on  their  ukes.  Picture  fades  out 
and  curtain  rises  as  orchestra  plays  “On  the 
Beach  of  Waikiki”  in  a typical  Hawaiian  setting, 
with  the  Granada  Girls  in  a native  dance. 

Charles  Kaley  enters  playing  the  violin,  for 
which  he  was  accorded  a fine  reception,  and  an- 
nounced Miss  Hotsy  Totsy,  a blonde  blues  singer, 
who  puts  over  her  personality  with  “My  Regular 
Girl,”  which  was  followed  by  a band  number 
called  “Dewey  Days,”  with  banjo  player  singing 
the  chorus  and  the  entire  band  joining  on  the 
last  line  in  real  harmony  style. 

The  Stuart  Sisters  followed  in  a harmony  rou- 
tine, using  “South  Wind”  as  their  feature  num- 
ber. and  finished  with  a clever  tap  dance  as  an 
encore. 

Charles  Kaley  then  went  into  a song  solo,  “If 
You  See  Sally,”  which  he  seemed  to  sing  well 
and  the  audience  seemed  to  like  well. 

Jazz  Lips  Richardson,  the  colored  eccentric 
dancer,  offered  his  inimitable  style  of  entertain- 
ment. which  stopped  the  show  as  usual.  This 
is  the  second  time  Richardson  has  been  reported 
in  this  house  and  from  all  indications  he  can 
return  again  at  will. 

A clever  band  arrangement  of  “Crazy  Words” 
with  drummer  and  piano  player  singing  the  new 
sequel  called  “Vo-do-de-O  Blues,**  which  is  not 
a bad  idea  and  should  go  well  in  this  type  of 
show.  The  arrangement  was  a work  of  clever 
musicianship  and  sure  helped  the  number  go 
over. 

Kerenoff  and  Maree  were  next,  announced  as 
the  feature  act  on  the  bill,  and  offered  the  Beach 
Combers  dance,  which  they  do  as  well  as  their 
Adagio.  They  were  assisted  by  the  Stuart  Sisters 
in  a hula  routine  supported  by  the  Granada  girls 
in  similar  steps.  Kerenoff  as  the  drunken  beach 
comber  comes  out  of  a hut  and  joins  Maree  in 
a native  step.  The  dance  was  so  realistic  that 
one  witnessing  the  performance  would  almost 
swear  that  Kerenoff  was  really  a beach  comber. 
This  is  about  the  fourth  time  this  popular  team 
has  played  this  house  and  we  look  forward  to 
another  visit  soon. 

Finale:  A cut  little  colored  child  in  Hawaiian 
costume  dancing  the  Black  Bottom  assisted  by 
the  entire  company  assembled  on  the  stage. 

Chicago  Marhro 

Week  Ending  June  19 

Benny  Meroff  brought  in  “Let*s  Dance,  the 
stage  show  that  he  offered  at  the  Granada  some 
few  weeks  ago.  The  offering  was  practically  the 
same,  with  the  exception  of  a few  artists.  The 
acts  on  the  program  were  as  follows: 

Norman  and  Constance  Shelby,  who  supplied 
some  of  the  dance  offering  on  the  bill. 

Hughie  Clark,  the  rotund  comedian,  formerly 
of  musical  comedy  and  lately  of  vaudeville,  made 
a decidedly  big  hit  with  popular  tunes. 

Bobby  Tremaine,  who  out-Gildas  Gilda 
offered  a brand  new  step  called  the  “Dixie  Stomp. 
The  entire  dance  is  built  on  variations  with  one 
rhythm  and  one  break.  The  break  step  is  an 
off  beat  stomp  which  gives  the  dance  an  unusual 
twist  that  is  bound  to  make  this  step  very  popul^. 

McKenzie  and  Bishop,  those  harmony  boys  who 
are  now  enjoying  their  third  lap  of  Chicago  pic- 
ture houses,  were  compelled  to  take  three  encores 
before  the  show  could  continue. 

Wright,  Douglas  and  Company  closed  the  bill 
in  a novel  comedy  turn  consisting  of  two  men 
and  a woman,  with  the  two  men  doing  the  hokum 
“Spark  Plug**  routine.  This  act,  which  has  been 
seen  in  vaudevUle,  was  always  a laugh  getter  and 
offers  unusual  comedy  situations  in  stage  band 
shows. 

Chicago  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  June  19 

Out  of  mere  curiosity  this  reporter  dropped  into 
the  above  house  Friday  evening  and  was  sur- 
prised to  find  that  a stage  band  show  policy  was 
being  run  here  entirely  by  an  all  colored  band 
and  stage  talent.  Sammy  Stewart  is  the  “Paul 
Ash”  of  this  house,  which  is  located  at  47th  SL 
and  Grand  Blvd.,  and  is  one  of  the  miany  theatres 
built  and  operated  by  the  Aschcr  Brothers.  The 
stage  show,  in  addition  to  the  feature  and  other 
film  novelties,  ran  as  follows: 

Sammy  Stewart  and  band  in  orchestra  pit,  al- 


WRIGHT-DOUGLAS  and  CO. 


Just  Completed  a Successful 
EiUgagement  at  the  NEW 
MARBRO  THEATRE,  CHI- 
CAGO. Appearing  This  Week 
at  the  PICCADILLY  theatre, 
Chicago. 


IN 

“The  Handicap” 

A Novel  Comedy  Act  for 
Presentation 


Playing  Return  Dates  for 
MARKS  BROTHERS  Chicago 
theatres.  Direction— MORT 

INFIELD W o o d s Theatre 

Building,  Chicago. 


NOTE:  You’ve  laughed  at  "SPARKEY”  in  the  NEWSPAPERS,  now  SCREAM  at  him  on  the  STAGE. 


Shannon’s  Playtime  Frolics 

Novelty  Surprise*^ 

Playing  the  Best  Picture  Houses  in  the  Country.  Now  Touring  MARKS  BROS. 

Chicago  Theatres. 

Direction — William  M.  Morse,  Woods  Theatre  Bldg.,  Chicago 


DARLING  TWINS 


Formerly  featured  in 
ZIEGFELD  FOLLIES 
and  DILLINGHAM 
PRODUCTIONS 


(The  Pocket  E^ticm) 

Now  Touring  PUBLIX 
THEATRES 

This  Week  at  the  PALACE, 
JDEMPHIS 

Next  Week  at  the  HOWARD, 
ATLANTA 


They  Look  Alike — Work 
Alike  And  How!!! 
Now  Being  Featured  In 
Presentations 


StiU  Sailing  Along  on  the  Wave  of  Success 

Direction  of  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell.  Wm.  Morris,  Chicago  OflBce 


GEORGE  BOYCE 

“Nimble-Limbs’ ’ 

Just  Terminated  a tour  of  Balaban  and  Katz  and  Lubliner  and  Trinz  Houses. 
Now  Playing  PUBLIX  DELUXE  THEATRES. 

This  Week  at  the  MISSOURI  theatre,  ST.  LOUIS. 

Direction — Max  Turner,  of  the  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


June  25,  1927 

most  level  with  the  stage,  opened  with  “Poet  and 
Peasant, “ in  which  Stewart  introduces  Major  N. 
Clark  Smith,  of  the  8th  Regiment,  as  the  guest 
conductor  for  the  evening.  Major  Smith  directed 
the  band  through  this  number,  receiving  a tre- 
mendous applause  at  the  finish. 

A very  attractive  young  lady  by  the  name  of 
Naneen  Joyce  did  the  Black  Bottom  and  who  else 
could  do  this  dance  like  a sunkist  daughter  of 
Dixie  can  ? 

Another  clever  young  lady  followed  her,  an- 
nounced by  Stewart  as  Margaret  Jackson,  who 
offered  several  popular  ballads  with  an  excep- 
tionally fine  soprano  voice  of  extra  high  quality. 
She  might  easily  be  compared,  as  to  voice,  with 
any  of  our  prima  donnas  of  musical  comedy. 

Joyner  and  Fluke,  two  young  men  in  an  eccen- 
trie  routine,  presented  tap  dancing  as  tap  danc- 
ing should  be  done  and  offered,  for  good  meas- 
ure, a slow  motion  interpretation  of  same,  which 
set  them  in  solid  at  this  house. 

For  a finale  the  band  went  into  a very  clever 
arrangement  of  “Halleluja”  with  a vocal  solo 
rendered  by  Earl  Moss,  the  saxaphone  player, 
assisted  by  a chorus  of  seven  other  boys  from 
the  band  led  by  “Fat”  Robbins,  comedian  and 
first  trumpeter. 

These  boys  are  sure  hot  players  and  anyone 
affected  with  “dancitis”  can  hardly  keep  their 
feet  still  during  their  musical  offering.  Kenneth 
Anderson  is  the  feature  organist  who,  besides 
operating  the  Kimball  for  photoplay  accompani- 
ment, plays  the  piano  now  and  then. 

Observation:  Since  presentation  has  become  a 
national  institution,  all  sorts  of  theatres  have 
been  installing  stage  band  shows  in  some  form. 
The  above  house,  originally  built  as  a neighbor- 
hood picture  theatre,  has  a very  small  stage,  about 
8 feet  deep.  The  band  is  compelled  to  play 
from  the  pit,  but  the  announcing  is  made  as  by 
other  stage  bands,  with  Sammy  Stewart  as  mas- 
ter of  ceremonies,  band  leader  and  piano  player, 
and  some  piano  player  at  that.  To  be  convinced 
that  this  policy  is  successful  at  the  box  office, 
even  in  this  type  of  house  and  neighborhood,  one 
has  only  to  visit  the  Metropolitan  any  night  and 
try  to  purchase  a ticket. 

St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  June  17 

“Brooke  Johns  at  the  Beach”  was  the  title 
of  the  stage  show  for  the  week. 

Leonid  Leonard!  in  hie  orchestral  presentation 
featured  Slavic  melodies. 

Milton  Slosser  arranged  a novelty  organ  solo 
entitled  “It’s  All  in  Fun.” 

For  the  stage  presentation  Charles  C.  Dahl 
devised  a giant  refrigeration  plant  and  a seaside 
stage  setting  that  gave  the  theatre  patrons  the 
impression  they  were  enjoying  sea  breezes. 

In  addition  to  his  regular  orchestra  and  chorus 
Johns  had  a number  of  special  acts  for  the  week. 
Peggy  Bernier,  blues  singer,  was  held  over  for  an 
extra  week.  She  was  the  first  performer  Johns 
accorded  that  honor  since  coming  to  the  Missouri. 
She  was  the  brightest  star  of  her  second  week 
and  was  encored  so  much  Johns  finally  decided 
to  let  her  remain  on  the  stage  and  help  direct 
the  band. 

Genie  Wirick  pleased  as  usual. 

Arthur  Nealy’s  singing  of  "Hoosier  Sweetheart” 
was  well  received. 

Kelly  and  Lewis  indulged  in  a number  of  setting 
up  exercises,  some  gymnastics  and  a brief  boxing 
bout,  while  Bemis  and  Brown  pleased  with  their 
dancing.  Tlie  Missouri  chorus,  dolled  out  in  bath- 
ing suits,  made  a hit. 

St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  June  17 

“Way  Down  South,”  devised  by  Frank  Cambria, 
was  the  stage  presentation. 

Dave  Silverman  featured  “Robespierre”  in  his 
musical  selections  for  the  week.  The  Spirit  of 
France  was  portrayed  by  the  young  woman  who 
sang  “The  Marseillaise.”  A drum  corps  of  six 
girls  added  to  the  revolutionary  period  atmosphere. 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  took  the  audience 
for  a Trip  Around  the  World,  ending  with  Sousa’s 
“Stars  and  Stripes  Forever.” 

Featui’ed  in  "Way  Down  South”  were  Mammy 
Jinny,  star  of  “Spices  of  1923” ; Edmund  Fitz- 
patrick, late  of  “Song  of  the  Flame” ; Jack 
Russell,  long  with  Eddie  Leonard ; Sam  Aero, 
featured  with  “Lady  Be  Good”  and  Uke  Lew 
and  Chic,  blues  blowers. 

St.  Louis  State 

Week  Ending  June  17 

“The  Whirl  of  Splendor”  was  the  atmospheric 
presentation  devised  for  “Resurrection,”  the  fea- 
ture picture  of  the  week.  In  it  Mile.  Nina  and  BL 


Vladimir  were  headlined,  being  aided  by  a chorus 
of  twelve  girls. 

Don  Albert  and  his  musicians  played  a brief 
march  number. 

St.  Louis  Grand  Central 

Week  Ending  June  17 

Paul  Sporledor  and  his  Grand  Central  orchestra 
offered  “Flying  High”  a non-stop  musical  flight, 

Sporledor  recited  “Eagle  of  the  Sea”  and  ended 
the  offering  with  “Hello,  Lindy,”  a song  written 
by  Dave  Silverman  and  Larry  Conley  in  honor 
of  Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh. 

A1  Eldridgc,  the  singing  pianist,  and  Charlie, 
the  trombonist,  were  the  featured  bandsmen  of 
the  week. 

Added  entertainers  were  Emily  Peet,  child 
dancer,  and  Healy  and  Clifford,  doggers. 


Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  18 

“Milady’s  Perfume”  was  the  Publix  stage  show. 

Ralph  Jones  at  the  organ,  played,  “Laugh  and 
Grow  Thin.” 

Jacques  Beaucaire  and  the  orchestra  introduced 
“Echoes  from  Broadway.” 

Lindbergh  pictures  set  audience  wild  with  ap- 
plause. The  Chamberlin  film  was  received  in 
silence. 

Colleen  Moore  appeared  in  “Naughty  but  Nice.” 

Des  Moines  Des  Moines 

Week  Ending  June  18 

“Tillie  the  Toiler”  was  the  feature. 

“His  First  Flame,”  with  Harry  Langdon  was 
the  comedy. 

Vergne  Ford  at  the  organ  put  on  “A  Minstrel 
Show,”  with  songs  and  jokes. 

Clair  Omar  Musser,  known  a.s  the  emperor  of 
melody,  played  new  and  old  selections  on  the 
marimba  phone. 


Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  June  18 

After  a six-months’  engagement  on  the  stage 
of  this  theatre  as  headliner,  Charles  Melson  made 
his  appearance  in  a big  “Farewell  Show.” 

An  aviation  field  was  represented  on  the  drop 
and  the  playboy  orchestra  helped  to  give  him  a 
big  sendoff.  Eddie  Moran,  Charlie’s  funny  part> 
ner,  also  said  goodbye  convincingly  and  an- 
nounced their  tour  with  Publix.  He  had  a revised 
line  of  patter  to  offer  and  drew  a fair  share  of 
the  applause. 

The  Six  English  Tivoli  Girls,  unit  dancing ; 
George  Ward,  fast  stepping:  Helen  McFarland, 
who  combines  song,  dance  and  a xylophone  in 
her  number  ; also  two  local  radio  favorites,  Char- 
lotte Myers  and  Mary  Tudor,  doing  song  and 
piano  rendition  of  “Sam,  the  Old  Accordion 
Man,”  completed  the  bill. 


Detroit  Capitol  i 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Irene  Franklin,  titian-haired  comedienne,  held 
the  presentation  honors  in  “Whispers  of  Spain,” 
with  Irving  Edwards  as  master  of  ceremonies. 

The  program  presented  the  Eight  Sunshine 
Girls,  who  did  some  interesting  dance  steps  along 
with  their  novel  rope  skipping  number ; Charles 
Jolley,  Capitol  tenor  ; Buss  Morgan  and  his  band, 
and  Rossella,  a musical  laugh-maker,  contributed 
the  rest  of  the  entertaining. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  June  18 

The  Publix  unit,  “Patches,”  a kaleidoscopic 
revue  of  brilliant  color  and  talent,  was  the  chief 
item  on  the  stage  bill  this  week. 

Eduard  Molitore,  tenor  ; the  eight  Russell  Mar- 
ket Dancers:  Johnnie  Mills  and  Tim  Shea,  acro- 
batic clowns,  and  the  Caites  Brothers  in  clever 
tap  dances,  compose  the  cast. 

An  additional  attraction  offered  Henry  Burr, 
tenor,  and  seven  other  Victor  recording  artists 
as  the  entertainers  of  a melody  and  mirth  frolic. 


CHAZ  CHASE 

“The  Unique  International  Comic” 

Juet  Returned  From  Successful  European  Tour.  Now  Playing  Balaban 

& Katz  Theatres.  This  Week  at  the  ORIENTAL  Theatre,  Chicago. 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency — Thanks  to 

A1  Melnick 

“THE  ARISTOCRATIC  STEPPERS” 

VALE  and  STEWART 


Now  Touring  Publix  Theatres. 
Just  signed  a three  years  con- 
tract with  WILLIAM  MORRIS. 


This  Week  at  the  PAL- 
ACE theatre,  DALLAS. 
Next  Week  at  the 
TEXAS,  SAN  AN- 
TONIO. 


A Presentation  Act  With 
Class  and  Speed.  Direction^— 
Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell. 


NOTE:  Have  you  seen  WILLIAMS  & ROSS? 


MARKELL  and  FAUN 

‘^Pantomimic  Mirth” 

After  Six  Solid  Months  of  Picture  House  Bookings  We  Are  Taking  a 
Much  Needed  Rest  at  Home.  Will  Resume  Publix  Tour  Shortly. 
Many  Thanks  to  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL. 

P.  S. — HELLER  and  RILEY  are  closing  their  PUBLIX  tour  this  week  at 
the  HOWARD  theatre.  ATLANTA,  GA. 


MURRAY  and  ALAN 

“Jesters  of  3,000  Years  Ago” 

Just  completed  a tour  for  Balaban  and  Katz  as  Featured  Jesters  in  PUBLIX 
First  Anniversary  Presentation  Show. 

Now  Playing  Lubliner  and  Trinz  Houses 

DIRECTION  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY — Associates,  Max  Turner,  Phil  Tyrrell 

and  Sam  Bramson. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  June  18 

With  a superb  list  of  presentations  headed  by 
Natacha  Nattova  in  “The  Moth  and  the  Flame/* 
the  Fox  theatre  presented  one  of  the  best  bills 
in  many  months. 

Overture:  The  Fox  Theatre  Orchestra,  with 

William  A.  Krauth  conducting:,  was  heard  to  ex- 
cellent advantage  in  Franz  Lehar’e  beautiful  over- 
ture, “Gipsy  Love." 

S.  L.  Rothafel’s  “Silhouettes”  was  a striking 
and  artistic  novelty  in  which  the  sharply-defined 
figures  in  dead  black  appeared  against  a brilliant 
orange  background,  with  silhouette  lighting  ef- 
fect, in  an  amusing  pantomime  and  dance.  The 
act  received  very  favorable  comment  and  keen 
disappointn;ent  was  expressed  because  of  its 
brevity,  only  4 minutes  being  consumed. 

Lillian  Bernard  and  Flo  Henri,  presented  by 
George  White  in  a series  of  “sobbing  blues,” 
sang  “Crazy  Words,”  “High,  High,  High,”  and 
“There’s  a Trick  in  Pickin’  a Chic  Chic  Chicken 
Today”  and  came  in  for  a good  share  of  ap- 
plause. 

Jack  Osterman,  late  star  of  “A  Night  in  Paris,” 
presented  a humorous  him  of  his  trip  to  Holly- 
wood, showing,  according  to  his  running  com- 
ments, his  “cordial”  reception  by  various  well 
known  stars,  while  in  reality  the  film  indicated 
that  he  was  given  the  cold  shoulder.  He  also  gave 
a clever  monologue  and  ended  with  a variation 
of  “It  All  Depends  on  You.” 

Natacha  Nattova  assisted  by  G.  Rodion,  in  a 
beautiful  and  spectacular  symbolic  dance  “The 
Moth  and  the  Flame,”  alone  was  worth  the  price 
of  admission.  Curtain  parted  showing  a large 
candle  with  Rodion  in  red  spot  with  hands  above 
his  head  and  small  tongues  of  fire  around  his  feet 
representing  the  flame.  Nattova  in  pale  green 
with  jeweled  headdress  representing  a moth  is 
lowered  to  the  stage  from  above  and  dances 
around  the  base  of  the  candle  in  yellow  spot. 
Rodion  descends  from  the  candle  and  joins  Nat- 
tova in  a dance  of  marvelous  grace  and  skill. 
'Throughout  the  dance  a red  spot  is  kept  on  Ro- 
dion and  a yellow  one  on  Nattova. 

In  the  spectacular  finale  Rodion  returns  to  the 
top  of  the  candle,  the  flames  flicker  round  him 
and  Nattova  joins  him,  to  be  whirled  around  hi« 
head  in  red  spot  until  the  two  appear  to  be  one 
flame.  At  the  close  of  the  act  she  is  dropped  to 
the  floor  of  the  stage  like  a singed  moth.  “The 
Moth  and  the  Flame”  is  beautifully  staged,  Nat- 
tova and  Rodion  are  artists  in  their  line  and  the 
act  appears  to  this  repoiter  to  be  perfect  for 
presentation  purposes. 

Providence  Fays 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Cecilia  (Cissic)  Loftus  heads  the  presentation 
for  a storm  of  applause  which  was  second  only  to 
that  which  greeted  the  newsreel  views  of  Lind- 


bergh. Her  repertoire  provides  good  entertain- 
ment, especially  her  imitation  of  “the  whispering 
baritone”  and  Fanny  Brice  in  “Spring  Song/* 
“The  Monkey  Talks”  is  the  film. 


Providence  Emery 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Stage  crews  were  forced  to  work  overtime  when 
audiences  refused  to  permit  Roscoe  Ails,  sliding, 
dancing,  comic  Broadway  favorite  to  close  the 
show  on  time. 

Accompanied  by  his  wife,  Katie  Pullman,  and 
Cecil  Graham,  ebony  hued  porter  and  Syncopa- 
tion’s Favorite  Band,  the  number  went  over  big. 
The  first  section  is  a seminary  sketch  and  the 
second  a dance  fest  which  demonstrates  receiving 
an  education  in  installments. 

“Quarantined  Rivals”  is  the  film. 


Hartford  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  18 

William  Faversham,  whose  name  is  known  to 
every  household,  heads  the  presentation  for  the 
week,  appearing  in  a one-act  society  comedy  en- 
titled “The  Sponger.**  Repeated  curtain  calls 
demonstrated  his  popularity. 

On  the  stage,  too,  is  Pisano,  expert  with  the 
rifle,  who  not  only  demonstrates  his  skill  in  the 
usual  method,  but  plays  gi*and  opera  on  the 
organ  and  a xylophone  solo  through  the  use  of 
bullets. 

“The  Whirlwind  of  Youth”  is  the  film. 


Hartford  Allyn 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Eleven  of  the  tiniest  but  most  talented  actors 
comprise  “The  Midget  Follies  of  1927,**  which  is 
the  stage  number  for  the  w'oek.  Their  popularity 
was  attested  by  the  number  of  encores  to  which 
they  were  obliged  to  respond.  None  of  them  over 
three  feet  tall,  they  go  through  all  of  the  songs 
and  steps  of  the  usual  revue,  with  many  changes 
of  scenery  and  costume  adding  interest. 

“Fighting  Love”  is  the  film. 

Worcester  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Joe  Howard,  long  famed  in  vaudeville,  heading 
his  own  company  and  presenting  many  of  his 
own  compositions  in  a 1927  Revue,  provides  the 
stage  number  this  week.  He  provides  just  enough 
banter  and  jokes  to  round  out  a complete  show 
with  the  song  and  dance  numbers  provided  by 
the  six  members  who  handle  that  part  of  the 
entertainment. 

Miriam  Shebesta  proves  herself  a master,  or 
should  we  say  mistress,  of  the  organ,  in  her 


rendition  of  Rossini’s  “William  Tell”  as  the  over- 
ture. 

“Framed”  is  the  feature  film. 

Worcester  Palace 

Week  Ending  June  18 

If  anything  unpleasant  is  brought  to  mind  by 
the  word  Gossips,  then  the  stage  number.  Gossips 
of  1927,  is  a decided  misnomer. 

Thirty  of  the  daintiest  girls,  every  one  a star, 
provide  an  hour  and  a half’s  entertainment  that 
seems  like  ten  minutes.  The  finale,  “In  Paris,” 
is  a whole  show  in  itself,  filled  with  wit  and  song 
which  one  associates  with  the  big  Broadway 
shows. 

“Arizona  Bound”  is  the  film. 

Boston  Boston 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Jack  Donnelly’s  Revue  is  the  central  attraction 
of  the  week’s  stage  number  with  O’Dunn  and 
Day,  Johnnie  Burkes  and  Renne  and  Calvin  com- 
pleting the  bill. 

It  has  been  definitely  decided  to  continue  the 
policy  of  a feature  film  and  this  week’s  selection 
is  “Beware  of  Widows.” 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  June  17 

Ted  Lewis  and  his  band  of  Musical  Clowns, 
playing  a return  visit,  supply  the  jazziest  kind 
of  jazz  with  a gorgeous  setting  and  plenty  of 
patriotic  fervor. 

Gene  Rodemich  and  his  orchestra  also  con- 
tinue to  hold  attention,  this  week  being  assisted 
by  Evelyn  Hoey  in  a number  of  songs  and  Jack 
Miller  in  a series  of  combination  songs  and 
readings. 

Klein  and  the  orchestra  gave  a series  of  oper- 
atic gems  which  are  brought  up  to  date  by  being 
jazzed,  while  Arthur  Martel  at  the  organ  plays 
many  familiar  numbers  similarly  brought  up  to 
date.  “A  Million  Bid”  is  the  film. 

Boston  State 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Phil  Spitalny  and  his  band  are  now  in  their 
second  week  and  are  even  more  popular  than 
in  their  opening  series. 

This  week  they  are  assisted  by  Buck  and 
Bubbles,  “darktown  steppers,”  whose  dancing  is 
set  off  by  unusual  stage  effects.  “Women  Love 
Diamonds”  is  the  film. 

Boston  Keith’s 

Week  Ending  June  18 

Ned  Wayburn’s  “Buds  of  1927”  burst  into 
bloom  as  the  headliner  this  week. 

An  octette  of  decidedly  pretty  girls,  with 
Herb  de  Belle  and  Floyd  Carder  supplying  the 
masculine  element,  provided  a sucession  of  songs, 


I 1717 

BARTON 

EVANS 

**The  Dramatic  Tenor 
With  the  Presentation 
Personality** 

Still  Sailing  on  Successfully 
Under  Direction  of  Harry  Gourfain 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Depf. 
Chicago 

FRANK  HAMILTON 

“Y-Y-You  T-T-Tell  ’Em  I-M  S-S-Stutter  too  Much” 
NOW  PLAYING  DE  LUXE  PICTURE  HOUSES 
If  You  Need  Comedy — I Have  It 


JELLY  BEAN  JOHNSON 

(The  Lightning  Streak  of  Deu-kness) 

Now  Playing  DeLuxe  Picture  Houses  Throughout  the  West  Coast. 

Featured  in  FANCHON  and  MARCO  Presentations 
Booked  Solid  until  November  First 


“JAZZ-LIPS”  RICHARDSON 

The  Most  Talked  of  Eccentric  Dancer  in  Chicago 

Just  completed  a tour  of  MARKS  BROTHERS  THEATRES. 

Will  soon  repeat  Chicago  houses.  Played  my  SECOND  RETURN  engage- 
ment at  the  GRANADA  theatre,  Chicago,  last  week. 

Address  care  SUNSET  CAFE,  CHICAGO 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


CHICAGO  NOW 


Mark  Fisher  will  start  rotating  again  this 
week  between  the  Harding  and  Senate  theatres, 
alternating  with  Lou  Kosloft',  the  new  band 
leader.  . . . Uncle  Bob  of  KYW  radio  fame  is 
making  a few  personal  appearances  in  combi- 
nation houses  for  the  Orpheum  Circuit  and  is  one 
of  the  featured  attractions  at  the  State-Lake 
this  week.  . . . Buck  and  Bubbles,  those  two  boys 
who  took  this  town  by  storm,  are  now  doing  a 
turn  in  vaudeville  over  the  Marcus  Loew  Cir- 
cuit. . . . George  Riley  of  Heller  and  Riley  closes 
a Publix  route  this  week  and  will  do  a single 
for  six  weeks,  opening  next  week  at  the  State, 
Detroit.  . . . Bennie  Krueger^s  new  show,  “Hello. 
Lindy,”  featuring  Peggy  Bernier,  Chicago’s  own, 
is  also  the  official  tribute  paid  Col.  Lindbergh 
by  the  production  staff  of  Balaban  and  Katz. 
. . . Lubin,  Lowry  and  Andre  will  close  their 
Publix  tour  this  week  in  St.  Louis  and  after  a 
short  vacation  will  resume  picture  bookings.  . . . 
George  Boyce,  a featured  dancer,  makes  his  first 
appearance  in  Publix  houses  this  week.  . . . The 
Rialto  theatre  is  now  running  a summer  policy 
of  burlesque  and  vaudeville,  in  addition  to  a fea- 
ture picture  and  other  film  novelties,  at  no  raise 
in  prices.  . . . Three  stars,  each  in  a class  by 
himself,  appear  on  the  same  bill  this  week  at  the 
new  Palace.  They  are  Gus  Edwards,  maker  of 
stars  : Vincent  Lopez,  the  second  Paul  Whiteman, 
and  Walter  McNally,  former  leading  man  of 
“The  Student  Prince.’’  . . . Johnnie  Devine,  fea- 
tured organist  at  the  Patio  theatre,  leaves  for 
his  vacation  next  week,  to  be  spent  in  the  East 
with  relatives.  . . . Another  Lindy  show  given  in 
tribute  to  the  air  hero  is  Charles  Kalcy’s  “Flying 
with  Lindbergh,”  now  playing  at  the  new  Mar- 
bro,  featuring  McGrath  and  Deeds  and  Joey  Ross, 
formerly  with  Elsie  Janis.  . . . Kerenoff  and 
Maree,  now  doubling  at  the  Club  Bagdad  while 
playing  local  picture  houses,  will  soon  leave  for 
New  York  where  they  expect  to  join  a musical 
production.  . . . Word  is  received  that  Leonard 
Smith  will  assist  Jean  Anthony  at  the  new  Ava- 
lon organ.  . . . Speaking  of  organists,  our  good 
friend  Leo  Terry  sends  word  also  that  he  is  now 
in  business  for  himself,  but  what  kind  of  busi- 
ness he  fails  to  state.  We  hope  it’s  no  monkey 
bizz,  Leo.  . . . Hurrah ! Great  news  for  radio 
fans.  Don  your  ear  muffs  again,  for  Lang  and 
Voelk  are  back  in  town.  . . . J.  Walter  Davidson, 
leader  of  the  Norshore  orchestra,  is  reproduc- 
ing Spitalney’s  orchestral  presentations,  starting 
this  week  with  “Vagabonds  of  Paris.”  . . . Lee 
Barton  Evans,  formerly  leading  man  with  Peggy 
Hopkins  Joyce  in  the  Earl  Carroll  Vanities,  is 
playing  the  feature  role.  Lee  also  doubles  at 
the  Rainbo  Gardens  this  week  in  a new  Leroy 
Prinz  show.  . . . The  Ishikawa  Japs  just  closed 
a tour  of  Marks  Brothers  theatres  and  are  now 
featured  in  the  new  Capitol  stagehand  show 
which  is  also  supported  by  Ralph  Bart  and  Colleen 
Adams.  . . . Stanley  and  Lee,  the  versatile  presen- 
tation dancers,  are  back  in  town  this  week  and 
appear  as  one  of  the  featured  acts  with  Bennie 
Krueger  at  the  Uptown.  . . . Grace  Aldrich  is 
now  playing  for  Lubliner  and  Trinz  and  will 
soon  appear  in  a new  presentation  show.  . . . 
Maxine  Hamilton  is  enjoying  her  tenth  week  as 
a Publix  featured  artist.  . . . Walter  Flandorf, 
recently  solo  organist  at  the  Piccadilly  theatre, 
is  doing  a few  special  recitals  before  resuming 
picture  house  work.  . . . Jack  Ostermann,  one 
of  Chicago’s  own  and  recently  of  the  “Night  of 
Paris”  show,  makes  his  bow  to  presentation  this 
week  in  the  new  Marbro  stage  show.  . . . Another 
musical  comedy  star  to  go  into  presentation  is 
Florence  Schubert,  formerly  of  “Le  Mares  Af- 
fairs.” . . . Gray  and  White,  two  new  presenta- 
tion faces,  are  playing  their  first  local  engage- 
ment this  week.  . . . Florence  Hedges,  another 
musical  comedy  and  comic  opera  star  to  try  a 
fling  at  the  two-a-day,  is  now  playing  a limited 
engagement  over  the  Orpheum  Circuit.  ...  A 
new  outdoor  amusement  place  on  the  type  of  the 
Atlantic  City  Boardwalk  opened  this  week  in 
Hammond  Beach  and  is  called  ’The  Boardwalk 
Park.  Many  new  fair  and  circus  attractions 
wUl  find  employment  here  this  summer.  . . . 
Herbert  Rawlinson,  picture  star,  is  doing  cere- 
monial duties  in  De  Luxe  picture  houses  and 
appears  in  town  in  B.  and  K.  theatres.  . . . 
Will  Higgle,  famous  vaudeville  dancer,  now- 
featured  over  the  Orpheum  Circuit,  is  introduc- 
ing his  new  step,  the  “Hig&iejig  Stomp,*'  at  the 
State-Lake  theatre  this  week.  . . . Richard 

Bennett,  the  actor,  wajB  caught  “barking"  at 
White  City  last  Sunday  in  one  of  the  side  show’s 
booths.  This  was  merely  to  secure  local  color 
for  his  new  play,  now  enjoying  a long  run  in 
town. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


dances  and  comedy  acts  that  provide  a complete 
show  in  themselves.  Russ  Brown  and  Jean 
Whittaker  have  some  genuine  new  stuff  in  the 
“nut”  turns  while  Oscar  Loraine  alternates  be- 
tween violin  numbers  and  comedy  for  a clown 
and  musical  number. 

Aileen  Stanley,  just  back  from  London,  pro- 
vided ballads  while  Dok  Eisenbourgh  and  his 
Sinfonians  gave  a musical  program  a la  Lind- 
bergh. 


La  Rocca  Abroad 

Roxy  La  Rocca,  the  syncopating*  harpist  who 
played  a limited  engagement  in  this  country  in 
De  Luxe  picture  houses,  has  sailed  for  England 
where  he  is  to  fill  eight  weeks’  engagement  in 
the  London  music  halls.  La  Rocca  is  gaining 
considerable  newspaper  notariety  due  to  his 
unique  accomplishments  in  inducing  the  audience 
to  do  what  some  of  our  organists  are  attempting 
to  do  when  they  urge  the  audience  to  sing.  The 
Omaha  Bee  and  News,  a daily  newspaper  of 
considerable  circulation,  devoted  the  entire 
theatrical  column  to  La  Rocca  during  his  en- 
gagement in  that  town. 


Signs  With  L.  & T. 

Grace  Aldrich,  for  many  years  a popular 
club  and  banquet  entertainer  of  the  Northwest, 
has  been  engaged  as  an  added  attraction  at  the 
Congress  and  Belmont  theatres,  Chicago,  two  of 
Lubliner  and  Trinz  Northwest  Side  houses.  Miss 
Aldrich,  a songstress  of  comedienne  type,  has 
done  considerable  work  for  the  Orpheum  and 
Pantages  theatres  in  Minneapolis  and  is  known 
in  that  part  of  the  countiy  as  “The  Sweetheart 
of  Minneapolis.”  Nearly  every  popular  number 
published  has  displayed  a photo  of  Miss  Aldrich 
on  the  title  page. 


Murray,  Alan  to  Publix 

Murray  and  Alan,  for  years  a standard  vaude- 
ville act  known  as  the  Jesters  of  3,000  Years 
Ago,  have  signed  for  a tour  of  Publix  theatres 
which  will  take  them  through  the  circuit  con- 
sisting of  23  weeks  in  a unit  which  practically 
features  them.  The  boys,  who  really  are  brothers, 
are  also  known  as  Murray  and  Alan  Howard, 
became  noted  as  entertainers  during  the  World 
war  when,  as  sailors  on  the  battleship  “George 
Washington,”  they  entertained  the  late  Presi- 
dent Wilson  on  his  first  trip  to  England. 


Leary  Leaves  Piccadilly 

Ted  Leary,  the  master  of  ceremonies  who  won 
instant  approval  of  the  Piccadilly  theatre 
audiences,  has  returned  to  his  old  stand,  the 
Stratford,  Chicago.  Leary  has  taken  over  the 
duties  of  master  of  ceremonies  and,  as  featured 
attraction  with  the  Stratford  Syncopators,  will 
continue  in  this  capacity  indefinitely.  The  Strat- 
ford, located  on  Chicago’s  southwest  side,  is  a 
presentation  house  with  split-week  policy. 

Duncan  Sisters  See 
**Topsy  and  Eva**  Open 

(^Continued  from  page  26) 
a Texas  ranch,  and  for  eight  years  as- 
sistant to  Edwin  Carewe,  has  just  been 
signed  with  F.  B.  O.  to  direct  Bob  Steele 
in  a second  western  vehicle,  “The  Ban- 
dit’s Son.” 

* Hs 

The  Belmont  theatre,  which  was  built 
originally  for  motion  pictures  and  has 
been  used  for  the  past  six  months  for 
stage  attractions,  has  again  become  a 
first-run  house.  The  Belmont  opened 
this  week  with  “Tongues  of  Scandal”  and 
screen  presentation. 

* * * 

“Smile,  Brother,  Smile”  has  been 
chosen  as  the  new  title  of  a picture  just 
made  by  Jack  Mulhall  and  Dorothy  Mac- 
kaill  under  the  name  “The  Road  to  Ro- 
mance,” according  to  Charles  R.  Rogers, 
First  National  producer.  Another  story 
of  the  same  name  prevents  use  of  the 
old  title.  The  comedy  drama  was  writ- 
ten for  the  screen  by  A1  Boasberg. 

* * 

Louis  King,  brother  of  Edwin  King, 
vice-president  of  F.  B.  O.  Studios;  also  a 
brother  of  Henry  King,  the  Samuel 
Goldwyn  director,  starts  this  week  di- 
recting Buzz  Barton  for  F.  B.  O. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Preston  Sellers  (Chicago  Senate)  gave  them 
commencement  exercises  with  illustrated  slides 
for  the  class  of  community  singing.  This  was 
combined  with  a semi-scrim  presentation  on 
“Dinah,"  “Some  of  These  Days"  and  “Go  Chi- 
cago,” with  a girl  in  each  instance  in  center  of 
scrim  portraying  the  feature  character  of  the 
song.  “My  Old  Gal,"  “I'm  Sorry,"  “Collegiate" 
and  “I  d Love  to  Call  You  My  Sweetheart"  were 
the  other  numbers  on  the  program.  Sellei's’  ex- 
pert playing,  coupled  with  the  scrim  idea,  secured 
this  specialty  an  unusual  big  hand. 

* >;s  # 

Don  Isham  (Chicago  Embassy).  Since  Joseph 
Alexander  started  the  community  singing  at  this 
house  it  has  been  a popular  treat.  Lsham,  who 
has  replaced  the  former,  continues  with  the  illus- 
trated slides  and  used  among  his  selections  this 
week,  “Go  Wash  an  Elephant,”  intenningled 
■with  comedy  patter  which  proved  very  entertain- 
ing. Isham's  fine  playing  secured  him  an  encore, 
which  happened  to  be  “Sundown.” 

Edmund  C,  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan)  con- 
tinued his  community  singing  program  this  week, 
using  a special  drop  representing  a weather 
barometer,  supposedly  to  register  the  volume  of 
the  singing  voices.  In  his  program  the  follow- 
ing songs  registered:  “What  Does  It  Matter,” 
sung  by  the  ladies,  which  registered  80  per  cent, 
and  when  sung  by  the  men  30  per  cent,  “Sun- 
day" and  “Sam  the  Old  Accordion  Man"  were 
his  encore  numbers  with  the  usual  jazz  sym- 
phonic arrangement  which  Fitch  injects  in  all 
his  selections. 

« * « 

Jean  Anthony  (Chicago  Granada)  offered  as  a 
tribute  to  Lindbergh  a medley  of  patriotic  tunes, 
closing  with  “Lucky  Lindy”  as  his  feature  num- 
ber. The  order  in  which  the  solo  is  presented 
was  as  follows:  News  film  of  Lindy’s  flight  to 
Paris,  while  Bob  Allen  on  other  side  of  stage, 
stationed  on  elevator  platform,  sings  “Our  Hero" 
over  prop  radio  and  telephone.  Later  on  Allen 
announces  a telephone  message  that  Lindy  arrived 
safe  and  sings  over  the  radio  as  Jean  Anthony 
accompanies  him  with  “Lucky  Lindy.”  The  novel 
way  this  stuff  was  presented,  together  with 
Anthony’s  handling  of  the  Wurlitzer,  received 
the  whole-hearted  appreciation  of  the  audience. 

# # * 

Edward  K.  House  (ChicaKo  Marbro)  used  the 
morning',  noon  and  night  idea  in  illustrated 
slides  to  precede  the  song  solo,  “When  Day  Is 
Done.”  Mr.  House,  one  of  the  few  Chicago  sing- 
ing organists,  has  a high  baritone  voice  of  tenor 
quality.  This  is  his  first  week  at  the  above  house 
and  from  the  reception  accorded  him  he  has  es- 
tablished himself  as  a favorite. 

... 

Arthur  Gutow  (Detroit  Michigan)  featured 
“Childhood  Days”  and  “School  Days”  as  pre- 
liminary to  the  Edgar  Gest  reel,  “When  We  Wuz 
Kids.” 

* * * 

F.  Donald  Miller  (Detroit  State)  grouped  “Nest- 
ing Time,”  “Can’t  Get  Over  a Girl  Like  You” 
and  "Red  Lips”  in  a number  called  “Birdology.” 
Not  so  much  singing  this  time. 

* <1 

Stuart  Barrie  (St.  Louis  Ambassador)  took  the 
audience  on  “A  Tidp  Around  the  World"  ending 
with  “Stars  and  Stripes  Forever." 

* « ♦ 

Note:  Organ  solos  reported  as  integral  parts 

of  various  presentations  are  published  under 
“Stageshows." 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed)... 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


“MOON  OF  ISRAEL ’’  F.B.O.  production  which  goes  into  the  Roxy  theatre,  June  25,  has  Marie  Corda  and  Arlette  Marchal 

in  leading  roles. 


F.  B.  O.’s  “Moon  of  Israel”  Goes 
Into  Roxy  on  June  25 

Booking  of  Spectacle  by  Rothafel  Is  Further  Indication  of  His  Policy 
to  Go  into  Open  Market  for  Films  for  World’s  Largest  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  June  21. — S.  L.  Rothafel  is  remaining  steadfast  to  his 
announced  determination  to  go  into  the  open  market  for  suitable 
pictures  to  play  at  the  world’s  largest  theatre,  the  Roxy.  Announce- 
ment has  just  been  made  that  on  Saturday  “Moon  of  Israel,”  an  F.  B.  O. 
release,  will  open  at  that  Broadway  palace. 

Pharaohs  that  the  screen  has  yet  given 
us. 


"D  OXY  has  been  rehearsing  a presenta- 
tion  program  of  unusual  beauty  and 
brilliance  to  surround  this  spectacle, 
which  is  a Sascha  production  from  the 
Sir  H.  Rider  Haggard  story.  Michael 
Curtiz  directed  the  attraction. 

“Moon  of  Israel”  is  a story  of  the  en- 
slavement of  the  children  of  Israel  and 
their  miraculous  deliverance  by  way  of 
the  Red  Sea.  It  has  for  its  theme  the 
love  story  of  Merapi,  an  Israelite  maiden, 
and  an  Egyptian  prince,  with  the  Book 
of  Exodus  for  its  background. 

Marie  Corda,  recently  signed  to  a long 
term  contract  by  Eirst  National,  is  cast 
in  the  leading  role,  that  of  Merapi,  Moon 
of  Israel,  while  Arlette  Marchal,  now 
with  Paramount,  portrays  the  Princess 
Userti. 

In  addition  to  the  principals,  it  is  said 
that  a cast  of  30,000  was  employed. 

The  film  is  colossal,  finishing  with  a 
tremendous  climax,  depicting  the  cross- 
ing of  the  Red  Sea  and  the  drowning  of 
Pharaoh’s  army.  It  has  been  pronounced 
by  those  who  have  seen  it  as  one  of  the 
most  impressive  stories  of  Egypt  and  the 


Jannings  Debut  in 
N.  Y.  for  Charity 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  21.— Emil 
Jannings’  first  American  picture. 
Paramount’s  "Way  of  All  Flesh,’’ 
will  open  Friday  night  at  the 
Rialto  theatre,  for  its  first  show- 
ing. The  first  evening  will  be  in 
the  nature  of  a preview,  with  the 
best  seats  costing  $3  and  the 
presentation  sponsored  by  the 
Union  Settlement  vacation  camp 
committee  and  the  New  York 
Telegram,  for  the  benefit  of  a 
fund  with  which  to  send  poor 
children  to  summer  camps.  An 
extended  run  will  follow. 


The  story  was  adapted  by  Ladislaus 
Vajda,  while  the  titles  come  from  the  pen 
of  the  author. 

Fete  Collegians  Picked 
in  First  National  Tests 

Nine  of  the  ten  college  students  se- 
lected by  Eirst  National  for  trials  as 
screen  actors  following  a series  of  screen 
tests  conducted  in  conjunction  with  Col- 
lege Humor  magazine,  were  given  a 
farewell  banquet  in  Chicago  last  Friday 
evening  by  the  editors  of  the  magazine. 
The  young  men  left  for  the  First  Na- 
tional studios  at  Burbank,  Cal.,  that 
night. 

One  of  the  winners,  Richard  Clenden- 
ing  of  California  university,  was  not 
present.  The  others  are  John  West- 
wood,  Princeton;  Stuart  C.  Knox,  Yale; 
Thomas  Denton  and  Leland  Wilcox, 
Michigan;  John  Stambaugh,  Chicago; 
Edward  Karges  and  Erner  Smoot, 
Northwestern;  D.  C.  Cassidy,  Georgia 
Tech,  and  John  Morris,  Purdue. 

Charters  Maintain  Pace; 
Eight  More  Incorporate 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  June  21. — Keeping  pace 
with  a week  ago,  eight  companies  incor- 
porated in  the  motion  picture  business  in 
New  York  state  during  the  past  week. 
The  companies  chartered  included  San- 
saw  Productions,  Inc.,  capitalized  at 
$100,000;  Whitney  Productions,  Inc.,  $50,- 
000;  Bellrose  Amusement  Corporation, 
$50,000;  Zakaro  Film  Corporation,  $1,000; 
Famous  Italian  Pictures  Corporation, 
$50,000;  Garvey  Theatres,  Inc.,  Utica,  $50,- 
000;  C-K  Amusement  Co.,  Inc.,  $5,000; 
Christian  Anderson  Fairy  Tales,  Inc., 
$5,000. 


Air  News  Pictures 
Add  Thousands  to 
Theatres*  Receipts 

{Continued  from  page  19) 


phonofilm,  tells  of  the  hours  of  hard 
work  behind  the  reproduction,  with  a 
crew  working  like  mad  on  Friday  at 
Washington  setting  up  the  recording 
outfit,  placing  the  camera  on  a 35-foot 
platform  and  connecting  it  with  an  army 
telephone  to  the  amplifier  on  the  ground 
and  with  cables  to  the  speaking  stand. 

“A  watchman  stood  guard  over  the 
apparatus  all  night,”  Dr.  DeForest  said. 
“After  the  President  and  the  hero  had 
addressed  the  microphones,  and  the  din 
of  the  twenty  acres  of  people  in  Monu- 
ment Park  had  died  down,  an  operator 
sprinted  with  the  film  to  a waiting  taxi, 
caught  a train  for  New  York  and  reached 
the  laboratory  at  10  o’clock  Saturday 
night.  The  entire  force  worked  all 
night. 

“The  film  went  into  the  projection 
room  for  editing  and  cutting  at  6 Sun- 
day morning.  It  was  ready  to  be  shown 
on  Broadway  at  10,  and  the  first  show 
began  at  noon.” 

William  Brandt,  head  of  a theatre  cir- 
cuit in  the  East,  says  of  the  news  reel 
companies’  feat:  “This  is  truly  public 
service,  sincerely  and  unstintingly  given.” 


Columbia  Exchange  in 
St,  Louis  Installed  in 
New  Headquarters 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  June  21. — Columbia  Pic- 
tures, local  distributors  of  Columbia 
product,  is  installed  in  its  new  home  at 
3306  Olive  Street.  A number  of  exhib- 
itors have  sent  floral  pieces  and'  other 
expressions  of  their  congratulations.  In 
the  firm’s  program  are  the  Columbia 
“Perfect  Thirty,”  Westerns,  short  sub- 
jects, and  serials. 


Lautenbach  Dead 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PLYMOUTH,  WIS.,  June  21.— 
Charles  Lautenbach,  for  40  years  man- 
ager of  the  Lyceum  Opera  House  here, 
died  last  week.  He  is  survived  by  his 
wife  and  two  sons,  one  of  whom,  Alvin, 
was  associated  with  him  in  the  business. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


THE  THEATRE 

Q^ASDepartmmt  of  Practical  Showmanship 


Stettmund  Makes  Pass 
Pay  Him  Dividends 

H.  G.  Stettmund  of  the  H.  & S.  theatre,  Chandler,  Okla., 
scores  100  in  his  judicial  use  of  the  complimentary  ticket. 

The  tendency  generally  is  to  consider  the  pass  a neces- 
sary evil,  but  Mr.  Stettmund,  in  his  threefold  accomplish- 
ments, has  removed  any  tinge  of  evil  which  might  prevail. 

In  his  letter  to  The  Theatre,  the  Chandler 
theatre  owner  conveys  a live  tip  to  other 
exhibitors.  He  writes : 

Revives  Show  Habit 

“I  am  enclosing  a letter  and  pass  that  I 
mail  out  ini  the  following  way : 

“I  get  a mailing  list  of  the  picture  patrons 
in  the  immediate  surrounding  towns  and 
also  rural  patrons  of  the  Chandler  shows. 

“I  use  a letter  like  the  enclosed  in  which 
I give  away  the  pass.  I only  use  this  pass 
about  once  a month,  or  more  frequently  if 
the  picture  is  good,  and  I think  the  pass 
will  help  business,  or  revive  the  show  habit. 

“We  keep  tab  of  the  passes  used  and  if 
a patron  fails  to  use  the  pass  on  three  pic- 

Stettmund’s  “Annie  Oakley” 


Mr.  B.  M.  Jones 

You  are  cordially  invited  to  the 
showing  of 

“Rough  Hoiise  Rosie” 
on  Sunday-Monday. 

This  ticket  is  good  for  one  admis- 
sion when  accompanied  hy  one  paid 
adult  admission  on  the  above  picture. 

H.  & S.  THEATRE,  Chandler 

Oklahoma’s  most  beautiful  small 
theatre. 


tures  his  name  is  dropped  from  the  mailing 
list  as  hopeless. 

“New  names  are  continually  added  and 
before  long  one  has  a mailing  list  of  live 
prospects. 

“This  mailing  list  is  used  all  the  time. 

“The  free  pass  is  an  idea  to  keep  a live 
list  of  names  and  know  that  you  are  not 
mailing  advertising  to  a bunch  of  dead 
ones.” 

Personal  Note  in  Letters 

The  letter  which  he  mails  to  prospective 
patrons,  with  the  pass  enclosed,  reads : 
“Dear  Friend: 

“Clara  Bow  in  ‘Rough  House  Rosie’  will 
be  at  the  H.  & S.  theatre  Sunday-Monday, 
May  22-23,  for  the  first  time  to  be  shown 
in  the  state. 

“The  Paramount  officials  claim  this  pic- 
ture is  better  than  ‘It.’  I think  if  Clara 
makes  a picture  better  than  ‘It’  she  will  be 
doing  a big  job,  so  I think  we  can  discount 
the  Paramount  boys’  estimation  of  this  pic- 
ture and  say  ‘Rough  House  Rosie’  is  as 
good  as  ‘It’  and  then  we  will  be  saying  a 
whole  lot  because  we  know  ‘It’  was  some 
picture. 

“Just  because  ‘Rough  House  Rosie’  is  an 
exceptionally  good  picture  I want  you  to  be 
sure  to  see  it,  either  Sunday  or  Monday,  so 
I am  enclosing  a pass  that  I hope  you  will 
use. 

“I  have  some  more  good  news. 


88  Exhibitors -Publishers 
on  Exchange  List 

The  House  Organ  Exchange  jumps  this  week  to  a 
membership  of  68 — 68  publishers  of  theatre  magazines 
which  are  cashing  in  for  exhibitors  at  their  box  offices. 

Members  are  requested  to  note  the  following  change 
in  address:  Louis  Lutz,  Fischer’s  Fond  Du  Lac,  Fond 
Du  Lac,  Wis.  Lutz  formerly  was  stationed 
at  the  company’s  Appleton  theatre. 

Exhibitors  desiring  to  exchange  house 
organs  with  their  brother  exhibitors  are 
invited  to  join  the  Exchange. 

Names  of  the  present  members  follow: 
BAIR,  E.  E.,  Falls  theatre,  Cuyahoga 
Falls,  O. 

BARR,  MAURICE  F.,  Saenger’s  New 
Orleans  Theatres,  1401  Tulane  Ave., 
BLAIR,  M.  J.,  St.  Francis  theatre,  San 
Francisco,  Cal. 

BENDER,  A.  R.,  Olympia,  Cleveland, 
Okla. 

BENTLEY,  FLOYD  E.,  Kelso  Amuse- 
ment Co.,  Kelso,  Wash. 

BROWNELL,  OSSIE,  Carthage  thea- 
tres, Gloversville,  N.  Y. 

BROWNING,  HARRY,  Olympia,  New 
Haven,  Conn. 

BUBERT,  E.  H.,  Metropolitan,  Morgan- 
town, W.  Va. 

BURNS,  FRANK  H.,  Orlando  Enter- 
prises, Orlando,  Fla. 
BUTTERFIELD,  K.  A.,  Fischer  theatre. 
Fond  Du  Lac,  Wis. 

CHRISTENSEN,  C.  R.,  Twin  City,  Che- 
halis.  Wash. 

COX,  ED.  F.,  Princess,  Bristol,  Colo. 
DALEY,  THOMAS  S.,  Schine  Amuse- 
ment Co.,  Gloversville,  N.  Y. 
DUREAU,  G.  J.,  Saenger  Theatres,  1401 
Tulane  Ave.,  New  Orleans,  La. 
EATON,  JACK,  The  Legion  Theatre, 
Alamosa,  Colo. 

EVELAND,  EARLE,  Twin  City  Opera 
House,  McConnelsville,  O. 

FAWKS,  E.  L.,  Photo  Phone,  Graford, 
Tex. 

FISHER,  ELDRID,  Gem  theatre, 
Pineville,  Ky. 

GARDNER,  HUGH  T,  Orpheum,  Neo- 
sho, Mo. 

GAULT,  J.  C.,  American,  Oakland,  Cal. 
GILL,  R.  A.,  Strand,  Honey  Grove,  Tex. 
GLASER,  WILL  J.,  Grand,  Faribault, 
Minn. 

HAMBURGER,  F.  M.,  Circle,  Portland, 
Ore.  . 

HARLEY,  ALONZA,  Valentine,  Defi- 
ance, Ohio. 

HEDGES,  HARRY  H.,  Rugby,  820 
Utica  Ave.,  Brooklyn. 

JUDD,  FORREST  E.,  Prospect,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 

KOBLEN,  M.,  Scout,  Oakdale,  La. 
KRAMER,  LOUIS  P.,  Lubliner  & Trinz 
Theatres,  Inc.,  307  North  Michigan 
Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

LITTLE,  T.  L.,  Majestic,  Camden,  S.  C. 
LUKACHIE,  A.  J.,  Hauber,  Camden, 
Ark. 

(Balance  of  list  next  week) 


New  Copy 
Next  Week 

The  Theatre, 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 
Chicago,  111. 

To  the  Editor: 

I am  addressing  the  man  or 
men  who  wrote  the  house  organ 
editorial  copy  in  the  Herald, 
May  21  issue.  Permit  me  to 
congratulate  you  upon  the  qual- 
ity and  subject  matter.  I find 
this  copy  very  useful  as  it  is 
written  with  a view  to  the  house 
organ  publisher.  Rest  assured 
it  is  appreciated. 

In  conjunction  with  the  above 
I would  like  to  see  appear  some 
diplomatic  copy  pertaining  to — ■ 

“Mother^ with  crying  babies.” 

“The  pest  who  uses  the  wall 
for  a match  scratcher,  etc.,  etc.” 

“Neckers.” 

“Boisterous  small  children 
who  occupy  front  seats.”  (An 
appeal  to  parents,  as  it  were.) 

Does  this  give  an  inspiration 
of  any  kind?  Thanks! 

E.  E.  Bair, 

Falls  theatre, 
Cuyahoga  Falls,  O. 


“On  Tuesday-Wednesday  I will  have  the 
Winnipeg  Kiddies  presenting  ‘Juvenile 
Ziegfeld  Follies.’ 

“This  vaudeville  will  be  as  good  as  any- 
thing that  has  ever  played  the  H.  & S. 
theatre.  I can  stand  behind  this  vaudeville 
and  guarantee  it  to  please  you.” 

The  Theatre  believes  that  a more  detailed 
outline  of  Mr.  Stettmund’s  plan  would 
prove  illuminating.  It  might  be  that  he  has 
figures  available  which  would  prove  valu- 
able to  other  exhibitors  who  desire  to  ex- 
periment along  these  same  general  lines. 

Let  us  hear  again  from  Chandler  and 
from  Other  exhibitors  who  have  a workable 
plan  of  this  nature. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


SEE  “RESURRECTION” 

I PLEAD  guilty  to  underestimating  the 
advance  news  on  “Resurrection.”  For 
reasons  I cannot  analyze,  I expected  the 
thing  to  turn  out  a dud.  Perhaps  the  pub- 
licity on  it  smacked  too  strongly  of  import, 
or  perhaps  the  hunch  that  the  yarn  had  been 
done  so  many  times  under  whiskers  as  to 
nullify  its  real  value,  had  something  to  do 
with  it.  At  any  rate,  I expected  little  of  the 
picture  and  it  gave  me  much.  It  is  very 
good  stuff. 

The  story,  as  you  know,  is  of  that  Russia 
which  was — not  of  the  Russia  that  is — and 
you  know  that  the  old  Russia  was  a pretty 
interesting  place.  The  royalty  did  things 
picturesquely.  If  there  was  little  of  justice 
or  democracy  in  the  nation,  that  made  the 
whole  the  more  interesting.  If  codes  were 
nothing  to  speak  of,  still  there  was  a dash 
about  it  all  that  held  attention.  The  period 
and  place  are  good  fiction  settings. 

Rod  LaRocque  is  the  hero  who  turns 
villain  and  then  again  hero  in  the  course 
of  the  narrative.  Dolores  Del  Rio  is  the 
girl.  Neither  have  done  anything  so  well, 
and  Miss  Dell  Rio’s  performance  could  not 
be  bettered  by  any  player  of  past  or  current 
eminence.  Lillian  Gish  is  the  only  one  who 
might  do  the  part  so  well,  and  her  acting 
of  it  would  have  seemed  acting  whereas  Miss 
Rio’s  does  not.  I should  like,  at  this  time, 
to  cast  my  vote  for  more  and  more  import- 
ant assignments  for  this  intense  and  intelli- 
gent young  performer. 

In  addition,  there  are  many  good  actors 
who  do  well  the  jobs  allotted  them.  Out- 
standing, next  to  the  leads,  is  the  veteran 
Marc  McDermott,  a player  to  whom  the 
screen  owes  a great  debt  that  no  doubt  will 
go  unpaid.  Through  many  years  Mr. 
McDermott  has  served  faithfully  the  plot 
purposes  of  a vacillating  fiction  medium. 
He  has  failed  at  no  time  to  make  the  roles 
given  him  better  than  they  were.  This  is 
not  mere  acting — it  is  art.  It  is  time  the 
industry  established  a;  system  of  medal 
awards  for  these  people  who  do  important 
things  for  it,  the  medals,  of  course,  to  carry 
significance  rather  than  monetary  value  as 
incentive. 

The  handling  of  the  story,  which  contains 
a seduction,  is  superb.  It  would  have  to  be 
at  least  that  to  get  by  the  Chicago  censors, 
as  it  did,  without  being  subjected  to  a 
whitewashing  which  would  have  robbed  it 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

of  point.  As  it  stands  it  is  excellent  en- 
tertainment and  possesses  in  addition  that 
“moral”  without  which  so  many  refuse  to 
believe  a picture  worth  while. 

ATTAGIRL,  COLLEEN 

I T is  with  an  almost  audible  mental 
whoop  that  I take  up  discussion  of  Colleen 
Moore’s  “Naughty  But  Nice.”  I whoop  thus 
mightily  because  it  is  so  much  better  than 
that  gag-ridden  thing  (of  which  I recall  not 
even  the  title)  necessitating  publication  of 
ungenerous  remarks  in  these  columns  of  a 
recent  issue.  This  one,  too,  has  gags,  but 
these  belong  and  are  funny.  The  whole 
picture  is  like  that — it  belongs  and  it  is 
funny — and  I believe  it  is  (as  everybody 
seems  always  to  be  saying)  “the  best  thing 
she  has  done.” 

It  is  almost  inconceivable  that  an  actress 
can  be  so  good  as  Miss  Moore  and,  at  the 
same  time,  so  consistent  as  Miss  Moore.  If 
she  would  do  an  occasional  flop,  turn  out  a 
bad  one  now  and  then  by  way  of  contrast, 
perhaps  she  would  seem  more  human  (in 
the  trade  sense)  than  she  now  appears.  It 
gets  almost  tiresome  to  expect  constantly 
better  things  of  an  actress  and  suffer  never 
a disappointment.  In  other  generations 
magic  might  have  been  suspected.  In  this 
one  there  can  be  no  explanation  save  that 
of  genuine  greatness,  genuine  ability  to  do 
the  required  thing  and  do  it  well.  In  this 
greatness  Miss  Moore  has  no  rival. 

If  I seem  to  rave,  as  I feel  I am  doing, 
I am  confident  that  I will  be  forgiven.  It  is, 
at  times,  a great  and  essential  comfort  to 
know  that  I agree  with  the  wide  world  on 
this  one  point  of  Miss  Moore’s  value  to  the 
screen  and  civilization.  In  my  several 
years  of  picturegoing  and  paragraphing  I 
have  written  practically  all  of  the  available 
words  of  praise  for  this  actress,  ransacking 
the  vocabulary  for  additional  ones  on  tbe 
occasion  of  ber  successive  performances,  yet 
never  bave  I failed  to  read  in  the  exhibitor 
comments  praises  more  fulsome  and  ade- 
quate than  I have  been  able  to  grind  out 
of  this  machine.  Curiously,  there’s  an  awful 
kick  in  the  thusly  derived  knowledge  that 
an  actress  lives  who  is  better  than  I can  say. 


TOO  BAD,  EDDIE. 

Q 

kJINCE  Eddie  Cantor  insists  upon  writing 
letters  (in  ads  and  otherwise)  to  his  new 
public,  I see  no  reason  why  I should  not 
couch  in  letter  form  my  unimportant  ob- 
servations anent  “Special  Delivery.”  Where- 
fore, please  consider  the  following  ad- 
dressed, Dear  Eddie: 

It’s  just  too  bad  about  this  “Special  De- 
livery” picture  of  yours,  or  rather  about 
“Kid  Boots,”  for  the  latter  seems  to  be 
standing  pretty  much  in  the  way  of  the 
former.  Now  if  you’d  make  “Kid  Boots”  a 
little  less  good,  “Special  Delivery”  would 
have  seemed  a lot  better,  if  you  know  what 
I mean.  I’m  referring,  of  course,  to  the 
general  reaction  reported  as  meeting  the 
new  picture,  certainly  not  to  my  own.  I 
think  it’s  first  rate. 

You  see,  Eddie,  this  new  public  of  yours 
is  an  emphatic  bunch.  They  do  or  they  don’t. 
They  split  infinitives  and  they  wear  funny 
clothes  to  the  theatre,  but  they  know  what 
they  like.  They  like  you,  Eddie,  but  they 
liked  you  so  excessively  in  “Kid  Boots”  that 
you  hadn’t  a chance  of  getting  away  big  on 
“Special  Delivery.”  No  picture  you  might 
have  made  could  have  been  better — in  their 
eyes — than  the  one  they  chose  to  regard  as 
a sensation. 

It’s  tough,  Eddie,  but  you’ll  get  over  it. 
Don’t  let  ’em  cramp  your  style,  and  don’t 
think  for  a minute  that  you  aren’t  on  exactly 
the  right  track.  You’ve  got  what  they  want 
and  now  that  the  second  edition,  the  in- 
evitable hazard,  is  out  of  the  way,  you’re 
set  for  so  long  as  you  wish  to  be.  And, 
Eddie,  better  make  it  a long  time. 

If  you  care  for  a different  tone  of  voice 
to  spice  up  the  relatively  bad  news  you’ve 
been  getting  about  “Special  Delivery,”  you 
can  listen  to  me  as  I state  that  I consider 
the  second  effort  much  better  than  the  first. 
You  had  less  to  work  with  but  you  made 
more  of  it.  You  convinced  me  that  you  can 
go  ahead  and  still  further  ahead.  Tliat's 
what  a guy’s  gotta  do  in  this  field  and  I’m 
mighty  pleased  to  add  your  name  to  my 
select  list  of  those  who  can  do  it.  More 
power  to  you,  Eddie,  and  better  stay  with  us. 

If  the  newsreels  keep  on  getting  better 
some  bright  showman  will  go  to  advertising 
them  (adding  to  his  copy  “Also  a Feature 
Picture”)  and  run  his  competitors  out  of 
business. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


FIRST  NATIONAL  FILMS 
TURF  TALE  FOR  MARY  ASTOR 

“THE  SUNSET  DERBY”  IS  A STORY 

of  love  and  horse  flesh,  with  a derby 
all  its  own.  Albert  Rogell  directed  it 
for  Eirst  National  from  an  adaptation  of 
a tale  by  William  Dudley  Pelley.  Mary 
Astor  is  the  star,  William  Collier,  Jr., 
playing  in  support.  The  story  goes  like 
this: 

“Queen”  is  a race  horse  owned  by 
Sam  Gibson,  who  runs  a livery  stable  in 
a small  city.  One  day  “Queen”  breaks 
loose  into  the  street  just  as  Jimmy  Burke 
(Collier),  world  famous  jockey,  happens 
to  be  passing  through  in  his  car.  Burke 
leaps  to  the  horse’s  back,  takes  her  to 
Gibson  and  meets  the  latter’s  daughter 
Mollie  (Mary  Astor).  Because  “Queen” 
belongs  to  Mollie’s  pa,  Burke  rides  the 
horse  in  a race  and  is  injured  when  she 
falls.  Mollie  sells  “Queen”  to  pay 
Burke’s  hospital  expenses,  and  Burke 
leaves,  but  later,  finding  the  horse,  de- 
cides to  ride  it  in  the  derby.  At  first 
he  loses  his  nerve,  but,  recovering  it, 
rides  “Queen”  to  victory. 

The  producers  point  out  the  absence 
from  the  picture  of  touts,  betting  and 
all  rough  elements  of  the  turf. 

CAST : Mary  Astor,  William  Collier, 
Jr.,  Ralph  Lewis,  David  Kirby,  Lionel 
Belmore,  Burt  Ross,  Henry  Barrows, 
Bobby  Doyle,  Michael  Visaroff. 


TIM  McCOY  STARS  IN 
M-G-M  HISTORICAL  FILM 

IN  THIS  PICTURE,  METRO-GOLD- 

wyn-Mayer  goes  back  to  the  Erench 
and  Indian  war  of  1755  for  the  setting 
of  a story  of  love  and  daring,  starring 
Tim  McCoy  in  the  role  of  a dashing 
colonel  in  Braddock’s  army.  Joan  Craw- 
ford, as  Renee  Contrecouer,  has  the  femi- 
nine lead. 

O’Hara  (McCoy),  evading  capture, 
hides  in  Renee’s  room,  and  though  he  is 
of  the  enemy,  she  lets  him  escape — with 
her  kerchief.  As  the  English  march 
through  the  forest.  Major  George  Wash- 
ington advises  Braddock  to  order  a loose 
formation  as  a guard  against  ambush. 

Braddock  refuses  to  be  “unmilitary.”  Suddenly 
ambushed  by  Indians  led  by  Dumas,  a suitor  of 
Renee’s,  the  English  are  defeated,  and  O’Hara, 
disguised  in  a French  uniform,  goes  with  the 
victors  to  camp,  where  Dumas  apprehends  him. 

O’Hara  is  ordered  to  be  shot,  but, 
saved  by  a grateful  Indian  chief,  he  re- 
joins Washington  and  is  thus  enabled  to 
rescue  Renee  and  her  father  from  an  In- 
dian attack  instigated  by  the  jealous  Du- 
mas. O’Hara  takes  Renee  “prisoner.” 

A number  of  military  men  who  later 
became  heroes  of  the  American  revolu- 
tionary movement  are  portrayed.  Renee’s 
father  is  in  command  of  Eort  Duqiiesne, 
which  now  is  Pittsburgh.  W.  S.  Van 
Dyke  directed,  while  Clyde  De  Vinna 
was  in  charge  of  the  cameras. 

CAST : Tim  McCoy,  Joan  Crawford, 
Edward  Connelly,  Frank  Currier.  Roy 
D’Arcy,  Louise  Lorraine,  Edward  Hearn, 
Will  R.  Walling,  Tom  O’Brien,  Chief  Big 
Tree,  Lionel  Belmore. 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  JUNE  19 

“Naughty  But  Nice“^— First  National^— 6520. 

“The  Claw”— Jewels^— Universal^— 5252. 

“Hands  Off”— Blue  Streak— Universal— 4773. 
“Dearie”— W arner— 5897 . 

“Code  of  the  Cow  Country”— Action^—Pathe— 
Five. 

“The  World  At  Her  Feet” — Paramount^— 5691. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  26 

“Ladies  Beware”— F.  B.  O.— "^826. 

“The  Circus  Ace”- — Fox— 4010. 

“Framed”- — First  National— 5282. 

“Hard  to  Love— Paramount^— 4926. 

“Beware  of  Widow8”-^Jewels— Universal — 5670. 
“Pals  in  Peril”— Action— Pathe— Five. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“The  Little  Firebrand” Arrow Pathe— five. 


DILEMMAS  GALORE  IN 
COLLEEN  MOORE  VEHICLE 
IN  “NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE,”  WHICH 

is  among  this  week’s  releases.  First 
National  provides  Colleen  Moore  with 
the  usual  number  of  opportunities  for 
the  impish,  mildly  boisterous  capers 
which  have  given  this  star  her  vogue. 
Willard  Webb  directed. 

The  story  is  an  adaptation  of  Lewis 
Allen  Browne’s  “The  Bigamist,”  and  is 
almost  straight  farce.  Berenice  Sum- 
mers (Miss  Moore),  daughter  of  a Texan 
just  become  rich  with  oil,  goes  to  an 
Eastern  finishing  school,  where  she 
quickly  loses  her  rustic  clothes  and  man- 
ner and  impresses  with  her  loveliness, 
not  only  her  schoolmates,  but  also  one 
Paul  Carroll.  One  day  the  principal 
surprises  Berenice  and  her  chum  in  a 
downtown  hotel,  compelling  the  explana- 
tion that  they  have  come  to  see  the  lat- 
ter’s visiting  parents. 

In  carrying  out  the  fib,  they  enter  the  room 
of  Ralph  Ames,  who  is  in  his  bath,  and  as  they 
are  about  to  escape,  in  comes  the  chum’s  par- 
ents. Berenice  explains  that  Ames  is  her  hus- 
band. 

That  night  while  with  Ames,  Berenice 
meets  Carroll,  who  is  broken-hearted. 
Every  effort  is  made  to  get  “bride”  and 
“groom”  in  the  bridal  suite,  and  when 
they  do  enter  it  Berenice  sleeps  on  the 
roof,  rolls  off,  is  chased  by  a policeman, 
finds  Carroll  and  marries  him. 

As  in  the  case  of  previous  Moore  pic- 
tures, John  McCormick,  who  has  since 
left  First  National,  supervised  produc- 
tion. Donald  Reed  is  in  the  leading 
male  role,  which  is,  by  the  way,  his 
first. 

CAST : Colleen  Moore,  Donald  Reed, 
Claude  Gillingwater,  Kathryn  McGuire, 
Hallam  Cooley,  Edythe  Chapman,  Clar- 
issa Selwynne,  Burr  McIntosh. 


Signs  Young  Actress 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21.  — Warner 
Brothers  has  signed  a new  featured 
player,  Audrey  Ferris,  Hollywood  high 
school  girl,  to  play  opposite  George 
Jessel  in  “Broadway  Kid.” 


RICHARD  DIX  KNOWS 
HIS  TRACTORS  IN  THIS  ONE 

IT  IS  SAID  THAT  RICHARD  DIX 

took  a tractor,  as  one  might  a rifle, 
and  spent  whole  days  learning  the  tricks 
of  tractoring  for  Paramount’s  “Man- 
power,” in  which  he  is  starred.  In  the 
story  he  saves  a town  with  one  of  the 
things. 

As  Tom  Roberts,  he  is  enroute  with 
several  others  in  a box  car  when  he 
chances  to  see  Alice  Stoddard  (Mary 
Brian)  in  danger  of  being  killed  by  a 
passenger  train.  He  saves  her  and  de- 
cides to  stay  in  Pineville,  where  the 
Stoddard  company  is  failing  because, 
thanks  to  Randall  Lewis,  the  tractors 
aren’t  any  good.  Tom  gets  a job  at  the 
plant,  where  he  meets  his  war-time 
friend.  Ptomaine,  colored,  with  whom  he 
works  nights  trying  to  see  what  is  wrong 
with  the  tractors.  Christmas  rains  have 
endangered  the  dam,  and  one  day  the 
village  is  in  peril  of  a flood.  Tom  rushes 
a tractor  to  the  dam  and,  when  the 
structure  breaks,  runs  the  machine  into 
the  breach. 

Clarence  Badger  directed  this  picture,  which 
was  written  by  Ray  Harris  and  Sam  Mintz,  who 
wrote  “The  Potters”  and  Ed  Wynn’s  “Rubber 
Heels.”  Mary  Brian  appears  opposite  Dix  for 
the  second  time  since  “Knockout  Reilly.” 

The  action  attempts  to  provide  about 
an  equal  number  of  thrills  and  laughs, 
both  Dix  and  Oscar  Smith  as  Ptomaine 
contributing  the  latter. 

CAST:  Richard  Dix,  Mary  Brian, 

Philip  Strange,  Charles  Hill  Mailes, 
George  Irving,  Charles  Clary,  Oscar 
Smith. 


JAMES  CRUZE  DIRECTS 
MEIGHAN  IN  STAGE  SUCCESS 
“WE’RE  ALL  GAMBLERS”  IS  THE 

title  of  the  Paramount  picture  in  which 
Tom  Meighan  returns  to  the  screen  after 
a rather  lengthy  absence,  and  in  its  pro- 
duction this  star  was  brought  for  the 
first  time  under  the  direction  of  James 
Cruze.  The  story  was  taken  by  Hope 
Loring  from  the  successful  stage  play, 
“Lucky  Sam  McCarver,”  by  Sidney  How- 
ard. 

Meighan  begins  as  a contender  for 
the  world’s  heavyweight  championship. 
As  articles  for  the  title  fight  are  being 
signed,  Carlotta  Asche,  attracted  by  the 
crowd,  comes  in  and,  before  leaving,  out- 
bids everyone  for  the  signatory  pen. 
Wealthy  society  woman  though  she  is. 
Lucky  Sam  McCarver  has  attracted  her. 
And  it  is  her  machine  which  knocks 
Sam  down,  sending  him  to  the  hospital 
with  injuries  that  permanently  end  his 
ring  career.  Sam  starts  a night  club, 
and  though  Carlotta  is  a regular  patron, 
usually  with  Monte  Garside,  a worthless 
fellow  with  matrimonial  designs  on  her, 
she  tries  to  hide  her  love  for  the  “com- 
mon” Sam  McCarver. 

Then  in  a brawl  in  Carlotta’s  box  Monte 
Garside  is  killed.  Sam,  suspecting  Carlotta 
guilty,  takes  the  blame.  But  Carlotta  declares 
she  is  to  blame.  Thus  is  their  love  revealed, 
just  as  it  is  found  that  Monte  died  by  his  own 
hand. 

Marietta  Millner,  Viennese  actress, 
{Continued  on  page  48) 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


THE  HIM  MART 


Tie-up  With  Lindy 

The  Central  theatre,  Washington,  showed 
F.  B.  O.’s  “The  Non-Stop  Flight”  on  the 
day  the  capital  welcomed  Lindbergh,  doing 
a record-breaking  business  in  spite  of  the 
counter  attraction — or  perhaps  because  of  it. 

Maynard  in  Montana 

Ken  Maynard  and  his  company  making 
“The  White  Horse  Troop”  for  FIRST 
NATIONAL,  is  at  Lodge  Grass,  Montana. 
This  picture  is  the  first  of  a new  series 
and  was  formerly  titled  “Captain  of  the 
Strong.”  A1  Rogell  is  directing. 

Envoy  Visits  Doug 

Honorio  Pueyrredon,  ambassador  to  the 
United  States  from  Argentina,  has  been 
looking  in  on  Douglas  Fairbanks  at  work 
in  “The  Gaucho,”  in  which  that  republic’s 
special  brand  of  cowbov  is  being  immortal- 
ized by  UNITED  ARTISTS. 

Dix  Picture  Begun 

PARAMOUNT  has  started  work  on 
Richard  Dix’s  next  starring  production, 
“Shanghai  Bound,”  with  Luther  Reed  di- 
recting. 

Elks  Like  This  One 

F.  B.  O.’s  “Aloulders  of  Men,”  which  is 
dedicated  to  the  Elks  lodge  and  has  just 
been  finished,  was  given  a boost  when  it 
was  shown  at  the  Figueroa  theatre,  Los 
Angeles,  recently.  A local  lodge  sent  out 
cards  urging  all  members  and  their  families 
to  attend.  The  story  was  written  by  John 
Chapman  Hilder,  editor  of  the  lodge  maga- 
zine. 

Made  Barthelmess’  Boss 

FIRST  NATIONAL  has  appointed  Ray 
Rockett  production  manager  for  all  Richard 
Barthelmess  pictures.  He  is  now  acting  in 
this  capacity  in  the  making  of  “The  Drop 
Kick.”  Barthelmess  is  to  work  next  in 
“The  Little  Shepherd  of  Kingdom  Come,” 
famous  novel  by  John  Fox,  Jr.,  and  fol- 
lowing that,  “The  Noose,”  an  adaptation  of 
the  recent  stage  success. 


NEWSETTES 

“Wings,”  Paramount’s  epic  of  the 
American  aviators  in  the  World  War, 
will  have  its  premiere  at  the  Criterion 
theatre.  New  York,  August  1.  Wil- 
liam Wellman,  who  directed  “Wings,” 
was  an  ace  in  the  Lafayette  Escadrille. 
The  cast  is  headed  by  Clara  Bow. 

* * * 

Jack  London’s  story  of  Alaska, 
“Burning  Daylight,”  will  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  screen  by  First  National, 
as  a starring  vehicle  for  Milton  Sills. 

^ :j: 

DeMille  intends  to  put  in  produc- 
tion soon  the  orginal  by  Majors  Rob- 
ert Glassburn  and  Alexander  Chilton 
called  “West  Point,”  and  in  its  mak- 
ing will  have  the  full  co-operation  of 
the  U.  S.  Military  Academy.  William 
Boyd  will  be  starred,  while  Donald 
Crisp  will  direct. 

» « * 

Several  prints  of  Fox’s  “7th 
Heaven,”  special  production  of  the 
stage  success  of  that  title,  will  be 
transported  to  Europe  by  an  airplane 
of  the  Columbia  Aircraft  Company, 
whose  plane  carried  Chamberlain  and 
Levine  practically  to  Berlin. 

* * * 

It  has  been  decided  that  the  lead- 
ing role  in  the  film  version  of  Chan- 
ning  Pollock’s  stage  play,  “The 
Enemy,”  will  go  to  Lillian  Gish. 
Fred  Niblo  will  direct  the  production 
for  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 


Begin  “Sadie”  Soon 

Production  on  Gloria  Swanson’s  next 
UNITED  ARTISTS  picture,  “Sadie 
Thompson,”  is  scheduled  to  begin  in  about 
two  weeks.  George  Barnes  has  been  signed 
as  first  cameraman. 

Film  Modern  Cowboy 

LINIVERSAL’S  series  of  13  one-reel  pic- 
tures immortalizing  the  “drug  store  cow- 


boy,” has  been  started,  the  first  one,  “Saxa- 
phobia,”  having  been  put  in  production  last 
week,  with  Max  Kimmich  directing.  There 
are  to  be,  of  course,  comedies. 

Names  July  Releases 

On  the  EDUCATIONAL  program  for 
July  will  be,  among  others,  “Kid  Tricks,” 
with  “Big  Boy,”  “Monty  of  the  Mounted,” 
with  Lupino  Lane ; Lloyd  Hamilton  in  “His 
Better  Half Jimmie  Adams  in  “Meet  the 
Folks;”  A1  St.  John’s  “High  Spots;”  and 
“Dead  Easy”  with  Bobby  Vernon. 

Cast  Local  Talent 

Seventy  residents  of  Fort  Wayne,  Ind., 
got  into  “pictures”  recently  when  F.  Leo 
Meehan,  directing  an  F.  B.  O.  company  in 
sequences  for  “The  Harvester”  at  Rome 
City,  had  Rev.  William  Wesley  Daup  and 
a choir  of  69  boys  officiate  in  a burial  cere- 
mony before  the  lens. 

Returns  for  Work 

Esther  Ralston,  accompanied  by  her  hus- 
band, George  Webb,  has  returned  to  Holly- 
wood from  New  York  and  expects  to  begin 
work  on  “The  Glory  Girl”  for  PARA- 
MOUNT within  a week  or  two. 

Signs  Pembroke 

COLUMBIA  has  signed  Scott  Pembroke 
to  direct  “For  Ladies  Only,”  comedy  of 
American  business  life  which  that  company 
will  make  with  John  Bowers  and  Jacque- 
line Logan  in  the  leading  roles. 

Start  Atherton  Tale 

Henry  Hobart  has  begun  production  of 
“The  Crystal  Cup,”  notable  novel  by  Ger- 
trude Atherton,  in  which  FIRST  NA- 
TIONAL is  to  star  Dorothy  Mackaill  and 
Jack  Mulhall. 

No.  19  Finished 

The  nineteenth  number  of  UNIVER- 
SAL’S “Collegian”  series  has  been  filmed, 
and  work  has  been  started  on  the  twentieth 
and  last. 

Film  “West  Side”  Next 

Filming  of  the  East  Side  scenes  of 
FOX’S  story  of  New  York,  “East  Side, 


Another  comic  strip  comes  to  the  screen  with  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  productions  of  Russ  Westover’s  “Tillie  the  Toiler,” 
in  which  Marion  Davies  is  the  superbly  self-conhdent  Tillie.  She  is  pictured  above,  first  as  she  daintly  lifts  a sheet  from 
her  typewriter ; again  with  Matt  Moore  and  Bert  Roach,  who  are  in  immediate  support;  and  with  Moore.  Hobart  Henley 
directed. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


June  25,  1927 

West  Side,”  has  been  completed  and  the 
equipment  is  being  moved  to  the  “West 
Side”  for  that  part  of  the  production,  the 
“West  Side”  being,  however,  no  farther 
West  than  Park  Avenue,  street  of  wealth 
in  the  middle  of  Manhattan. 

Get  Savant’s  Aid 

Professor  R.  H.  Newlands,  of  the  Eng- 
lish and  history  departments  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  California,  has  been  engaged  by 
UNIVERSAL  to  get  the  early  English  cus- 
toms and  settings  right  in  “The  Man  Who 
Laughs,”  Victor  Hugo  story  in  which  Con- 
rad Veidt  and  Mary  Philbin  will  be  starred. 

Lloyd  Recovers 

Harold  Lloyd,  who  has  been  ill  with 
pneumonia,  has  practically  recovered  and 
has  resumed  conferences  on  his  next 
PARAMOUNT  picture,  production  of 
which  is  scheduled  to  begin  in  August  in 
New  York. 

Baxter  Given  Lead 

Warner  Baxter  has  been  signed  for  the 
leading  male  role  in  “The  Coward,”  which 
F.  B.  O.  will  make  from  the  story  by 
Arthur  Stringer.  Sharon  Lynn  will  have 
the  leading  feminine  part. 

Change  Classic  Title 

“The  Swell  Head”  is  the  title  under 
which  COLUMBIA  will  release  its  produc- 
tion of  a story  by  Robert  Lord  originally 
called  by  the  classic  phrase,  “The  Side- 
walks of  New  York.”  Production  is  to 
begin  soon. 

Finish  5 Supers 

Of  the  twelve  super  productions  on  the 
UNIVERSAL  program  for  1927-28,  five 
have  been  completed,  “The  Cat  and  the 
Canary,”  “Les  Miserables,”  “Love  Me  and 
the  World  Is  Mine,”  “I’ll  Be  There,”  and 
“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin.” 

Inherits  Role  of  Rip 

Thomas  Jefferson,  who  is  cast  in  FOX’S 
“Paid  to  Love,”  starring  George  O’Brien 
and  Virginia  Valli,  has  played  the  part  of 
Rip  Van  Winkle  for  25  years.  And  what’s 
more  he  is  the  son  of  Joseph  Jefferson, 
renowned  American  actor  of  another  day, 
who  had  the  part  for  45  years,  and  grand- 
son of  Joe  Jefferson,  who  portrayed  Rip 
for  17  years. 

Will  Star  Luden 

Jack  Luden  is  to  be  featured  by  PARA- 
MOUNT in  a series  of  Westerns,  the  first 
to  be  called  “Shootin’  Irons,”  which  Rich- 
ard Rosson  will  direct.  Luden  is  now 
working  in  “Tell  It  to  Sweeney,”  in  which 
Chester  Conklin  and  George  Bancroft  are 
to  be  co-starred. 

Honors  M-G-M  Director 

Viaschlev  Tourjansky,  METRO-GOLD- 
WYN-MAYER  director,  who  is  now  di- 
recting Tim  McCoy  in  “The  Gallant 
Gringo,”  his  first  American  picture,  has  re- 
ceived a cable  informing  him  that  he  has 
been  voted  one  of  the  three  greatest  direc- 
tors in  Europe  by  the  International  Film 
Jury.  Tourjansky  recently  came  to  this 
country  from  Russia,  where  he  made 
“Michael  Strogoff.” 

Begin  Curwood  Film 

Production  started  last  week  on  “No  Gun 
Man,”  UNIVERSAL  picture  to  star  Bob 
Curwood.  Josephine  Hill  has  the  leading 
feminine  role,  while  Bruce  Mitchell  is  di- 
recting. 

To  Write  New  “Tillie” 

John  McDermott,  well-known  comedy 
writer  and  director,  has  been  assigned  to 
write  the  continuity  for  Christie’s  PARA- 
MOUNT production  of  “Tillie’s  Punctured 
Romance.” 


DOES  YOUR  BUSINESS  NEED 

MORE  CAPITAL? 


As  a typical  illustration  of  the  benefits  accruing  from  our  service,  the 
following  results  accomplished  for  a prominent  chain  theatre  organ- 
ization in  the  Central  West  are  set  forth: 


Capital  Financing  (Preferred  stock)  $1,000,000.00 

Volume  sufficient  to  more  than  care  for  expansion  pur- 
poses, placing  this  company  in  an  unusually  strong  cash 
position. 

Patron-Partners  Enrolled 3,000 


Several  hundred  in  each  city  in  which  the  company  oper- 
ated, immeasurably  improving  the  public  attitude.  96% 
of  these  new  stockholders  are  voters,  with  55%  in  busi- 
ness and  professional  circles. 

Employee-Partners  Enrolled 94% 

Creating  a greatly  improved  spirit  in  the  employee  or- 
ganization and  substituting  loyalty  and  cooperation  for 
petty  complaints,  dissatisfaction  and  labor  annoyances. 

Good  Will 

Represented  by  an  army  of  citizen  stockholders  in  whom 
lively  interest,  active  support  and  a hearty  friendliness 
have  taken  the  place  of  a former  passive  attitude. 

Institutional  Development 

By  reason  of  strong,  dignified  and  forceful  publicity,  the 
entire  patron-public  in  this  territory  was  educated  to  a 
higher  opinion  and  respect  for  the  Motion  Picture  Indus- 
try in  general,  and  the  operating  company  in  particular, 
the  institution  being  given  a dignity  and  standing  in  the 
minds  of  the  public  not  previously  existing. 


NOTE— The  identity  of  the  client  and 
the  details  of  the  operation  referred  to 
above  ■will  be  given  upon  request  from 
an  accredited  official  of  any  organization 
interested. 


^BUmOie^humcinq 

COrVPOIVATION  <!r  AMERJCA. 

162  North  State  Street 
CHICAGO 

Phone  Franklin  0773 


A confidential  analysis  of  your  business  furnished  Free  upon  request.  Phone — Wire — Write. 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


A Constructive  Editorial 

STATESVILLE,  N.  C.— To  the  Editor  : 
I am  enclosing  a short  editorial  which  I 
just  clipped  from  the  Charlotte  {N.  C.) 
Nczvs.  It  was  written  by  the  Greer  (S.  C.) 
paper.  It  follows: 

THE  MOVIES 
(Greer  Tribune) 

We  hear  people  say  that  they  do  not  go  to  the 
movie  theatres;  that  they  are  not  interested:  and 
that  they  are  surprised  that  anyone  finds  anything 
of  value  there.  But  these  are  exceptionally  ignor- 
ant people.  To  be  informed  today;  to  stay  in 
touch  with  the  world;  to  know  what  is  “going  on” 
one  must  know  his  “pictures.”  Besides  the  in- 
dustry ranks  with  and  among  the  greatest  in  the 
world.  Select  the  show  that  appeals  to  you  and 
attend  regularly  at  least  once  each  week.  Ot 
course,  if  you  have  attained  full  size  mentally 
and  do  not  care  to  know  more  you  are  in  a posi- 
tion to  neglect  the  pictures. 

As  an  illustration : Who  can  talk  most 
intelligently  concerning  Lindbergh,  those 
who  saw  him  and  the  throngs  in  the  news 
reel,  or  those  who  did  not  see  him?  Did 
we  not  see  all  the  high  and  mighty  officials 
welcoming  him,  the  buildings,  the  ocean, 
the  other  aviators,  and  the  plane  in  taking 
off,  and  landing? 

Did  we  not  cover  the  flooded  areas  with 
the  birdmen  who  showed  us  the  scenes  on 
the  screens?  Etc.,  etc. 

Wonder  if  the  local  exhibitors  could  not 
use  some  such  editorials  in  their  publicity 
stunts?  It  would  pay  them  to  hire  a noted 
lecturer  once  in  a while  who  could  tell  of 
the  great  educational  features  of  the  screen. 

I’m  glad  that  I am  not  so  ignorant  and 
so  damn  narrow  as  to  think  the  “movies” 
are  all  wicked,  and  self-cheater  enough  to 
deny  my  mental  faculties  the  opportunity, 
the  privilege,  and  the  pleasure  to  see,  to 
learn,  and  to  enjoy  much  of  what’s  best  in 
the  great  old  world,  which  is  brought  to 
us  by  the  motion  picture. — Joseph  J. 
Enloe,  Statesville,  N.  C. 


Something  Wrong  There 

NEHAWKA,  NEBK.— To  the  Editor: 
Quite  awhile  ago  I sent  for  an  autographed 
picture  of  Billie  Dove  and  Charles  Rogers, 
and  I never  received  them.  I should  like 
very  much  for  them  to  come  as  soon  as 
possible. — Virginia  Pollard,  Auditorium 
theatre,  Nehawka,  Nebr. — P.  S.  I should 
also  like  a picture  of  Fred  Thomson. 


You  Win,  Mrs.  Preuss 

ARVADA,  COLO. — To  the  Editor:  In 
reading  Mr.  F.  H.  Allen’s  big  boost  letter  in 
the  June  4 issue,  regarding  Beauty  Con- 
test and  Miss  La  Plante,  must  say  he  picked 
a nice  one  at  that,  but  I just  bet  he  has  not 
become  acquainted  with  Norma  Shearer  or 
her  extra  fine  productions,  or  else  he  would 
have  100  reasons  and  most  likely  more  why 
to  vote  for  this  adorable  young  lady. 

Mrs.  L.  L.  Netzer’s  letter  in  the  June 
4 issue  was  the  real  stuff  and  she  said  a 
mouthful  about  J.  C.  which  tickled  our 
interested  help  pink.  I suppose  everybody 
has  voted  by  now,  and  if  Norma  Shearer 
does  not  head  the  list,  there’s  something 
wrong  somewhere.  , 

I do  not  wish  Mr.  Allen’s  little  favorite 
falls  away  behind,  but  I do  hope  to  see 
“None  Such  Norma”  on  the  top  voted  as 
the  most  beautiful  girl  in  filmland. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Ar- 
vada, Colo. 


Are  You  Stumped,  Friend  Brown? 

NACOGDOCHES,  TEX.— To  the  Edi- 
tor : Sorry  to  bother  you  with  some  more 
old  time  stuff,  but  Friend  Brown  from 
Nash  wank  has  stepped  all  over  my  dignity 
and  I must  beg  to  differ  with  him  on  sev- 
eral statements  of  his  letter  in  last  week’s 
issue. 

In  the  first  place  can  you  imagine  a guy 
living  in  a town  named  Nashwauk  talking 
about  a funny  sounding  name?  Nashwauk 
sounds  like  something  you  hang  out  to  dry, 
or  an  automobile  wreck. 

Nacogdoches  is  pronounced  with  the  “g” 
silent  as  in  “fish.”  It  is  the  oldest  town  in 
Texas  and  is  a dignified  old  historical  name 
given  to  this  beautiful  country  by  the  In- 
dians, the  same  people  who  gave  Minne- 
sota its  name. 

N^ow  in  regards  to  who  was  the  Vita- 
graph  Girl.  We  will  have  to  leave  that  to 
some  of  the  old  timers,  as  I am  sure  my 
memory  is  right  and  I suppose  Brown 
thinks  he  is  right.  So  let’s  hear  from  some 
more  of  the  old  timers. 

Would  like  to  know  if  Brown  remembers 
who  made  the  first  double  part  picture, 
Bushman  or  Broncho  Billy,  and  how  many 
parts  King  Baggott  played  in  the  picture  in 
which  he  was  the  only  player. 

Don’t  get  the  idea  from  my  letter  that  I 
am  an  old  foggy,  for  I am  only  29  years 
old,  but  I worked  in  the  first  picture  show 
in  Corsicana,  Tex.  I was  behind  the  screen 
with  a couple  of  cocoanut  shells  and  a 
board  to  make  the  horses  gallop,  and  a 
ruler  and  buggy  seat  to  make  the  bullets 
pop.  We  had  some  “effects”  in  them  days. 

Now  as  for  the  assertion  that  Norma 
Talmadge  is  not  the  most  beautiful  actress 
on  the  screen  today.  I want  you  to  answer 
me  a couple  of  questions.  What  was  the 
picture  that  all  the  critics,  people,  and  all 
intelligent  exhibitors,  such  as  I,  called  the 
most  beautiful  picture  ever  produced?  It 
was  “Smilin’  Through.”  Who  was  the 
most  beautiful  star  on  the  screen  to  make 
this  the  most  beautiful  picture  ever 
screened?  Why,  Norma  Talmadge  of 
course. — L.  L.  Levy,  Nacogdoches,  Tex. 


Maybe,  Some  Day 

MORNING  SUN,  lA.— To  the  Editor: 
Wish  to  gosh  you’d  issue  that  Box  Office 
Record  every  three  months  instead  of  six. 
— C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  theatre.  Morning 
Sun,  la. 


Give  Us  the  Low-Down,  Phil 

GOOSE  CREEK,  TEX.— To  the  Edi- 
tor: Did  you  note  that  Phil  called  my 
tow'n  “gosh-awful” ? Now  just  what  would 
you  do  about  that?  But  he  did  rate  us 
pretty  good,  so  we  guess  we’ll  have  to  over- 
look the  criticism  on  the  town’s  name. 

’Twas  nice  of  him  to  appreciate  our  ef- 
forts to  gain  his  favor,  wasn’t  it?  And 
when  he  decides  just  what  derivation  of 
“flesh,  fowl  or  fish”  he  is,  we’ll  all  be 
interested  to  know.  For  I imagine  it  will 
be  an  intriguing  type,  don’t  you? — Miss 
Thelma  Cassil,  Gulf  theatre.  Goose  Creek, 
Tex. 


New  Pictures 

{Conti}xucd  from  page  45) 


plays  opposite  Meighan  as  Carlotta.  Cul- 
len Landis  has  the  role  of  Georgie  Mc- 
Carver.  Cinematography  is  by  Bert 
Glennon,  who  was  cameraman  for  the 
last  eight  Pola  Negri  productions. 

CAST:  Thomas  Meighan,  Marietta 
Millner,  Cullen  Landis,  Philo  McCul- 
lough, Gertrude  Claire,  Gunboat  Smith, 
Speck  O’Donnell.  ♦ 


FRANCIS  McDonald  in 
ANOTHER  THRILL-MAKER 

“THE  VALLEY  OF  HELL”  IS  DE- 

signed  along  the  lines  typical  of  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer’s  pictures  starring  Fran- 
cis McDonald,  what  those  lines  are  be- 
ing revealed  by  the  following  approxi- 
mate description  of  the  plot: 

George  Montgomery  (McDonald) 
leaves  his  Eastern  college  to  protect  his 
ranch  from  an  outlaw  gang  led  by  Buck 
Peters,  dance-hall  proprietor.  Indians 
teach  George  the  prowess  he  subse- 
quently shows,  his  first  opportunity  com- 
ing when  bandits  waylay  the  stage  car- 
rying Eileen  Faire,  who  is  in  search  of 
her  brother.  He  gets  to  know  Eileen 
better  at  the  dance  hall,  where  Buck 
has  placed  her  following  her  discovery 
of  her  brother  in  his  gang.  The  brother, 
however,  helps  her  escape.  Buck  follow- 
ing them.  But  just  ahead  of  Buck  in  the 
chase  is  George,  who  rescues  her  from 
Buck’s  arms  and  hurls  the  gangster  over 
the  cliff.  The  more  salient  moments 
seem  to  be  these: 

George’s  rescue  of  Eileen  from  the  runaway 
stage — Escape  of  Eileen  and  her  brother  with 
Buck  in  pursuit  and  George  to  the  rescue — 
Upsetting  of  the  rig  carrying  Eileen  and  her 
brother — Fight  on  the  cliff  between  Dolly  and 
Eileen,  Buck  throwing  Dolly  over  the  edge — 
Eileen’s  struggle  with  Buck,  George’s  rescue 
and  subsequent  casting  of  Buck  over  the  preci- 
pice. 

Production  was  conducted  in  the  desert 
around  Moapa,  Nev.,  where  a camp  of 
some  permanence  has  been  built  for  the 
seven  others  in  the  series  of  Westerns 
starring  McDonald.  Cliff  Smith  is  direct- 
ing the  entire  group  of  eight. 

THE  CAST:  Francis  McDonald,  Ed- 
na Murphy,  William  Steele,  Anita  Gar- 
vin, Joe  Bennett. 


Tuttle,  U Boss 
at  Charleston, 
Began  in  1914 

O.  TUTTLE,  Universal’s  manager 
• at  Charleston,  W.  Va.,  was  recruited 
from  Vaudeville  Exchange  management 
by  the  General  Film  Company  in 
September,  1914, 
serving  in  the  vari- 
o u s capacities  of 
salesman,  branch 
manager  and  special 
representa- 
tive.  George  Kleine 
then  had  him  as 
branch  manager  for 
New  Orleans  and 
Atlanta  until  the 
merging  of  the 
Kleine  product  with 
General  Film  Com- 
pany. He  was  branch 
manager  in  Atlanta 
for  Select  Pictures  o.  Tuttle 

Corporation  and 

then  with  Southern  Enterprises  (Para- 
mount exchange),  Dallas  as  branch  mana- 
ger. 

He  owned  and  operated  Criterion  Film 
Service,  Dallas,  until  August,  1921,  then 
became  general  manager  of  the  South- 
eastern Pictures  Corporation,  operating 
exchanges  in  Atlanta,  New  Orleans  and 
Charlotte,  until  March,  1922.  He  left 
the  industry  for  other  commercial  lines 
but  returned  as  salesman  for  Universal 
at  Memphis  in  April,  1925.  Tuttle  was 
appointed  manager  of  the  Charleston 
branch  in  March,  1926. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


llli 

iijliil  ) 

liljiys 

B 

(Win 

IWl 

^pBOX  OFnCE  RCKERl 

HERA.LD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 

' 

' - - ’ 

Exhibitors  reporting  ^^What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me'^ 
supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing  average 
daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into  average  daily 
gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  lO  of  these  per- 
centage ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average 
of  these  lo  percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  ''The  Ticker.'' 
Each  additional  percentage-rating  report  received  on  pic- 
tures entered  is  combined  until  those  previously  received 
and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 

This  simple  mathematical  operation  may  be  performed 
by  the  reader  who  chooses  to  do  his  own  arithmetic  by 
direct  reference  to  "What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me.”  Indi- 
vidual percentage  ratings  appearing  in  reports  are  included 
in  the  average  ratings  given  in  this  department  of  the  same 
issue. 


1. 

2. 


5. 

6. 


9. 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 


18. 


21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

30. 

31. 

32. 

33. 

34. 

35. 

36. 


39. 

40. 

41. 

42. 

43. 

44. 

45. 

46. 

47. 

48. 


51. 

52. 

53. 

54. 

55. 

56. 

57. 
.58. 

59. 

60. 
61. 
62. 

63. 

64. 

65. 

66. 

67. 

68. 

69. 


THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER  (F.  N.>. 


WILD  TO  GO  <F.  B.  O.). 


12 

82.16% 

-.12 

81.33% 

-.11 

79.72% 

..25 

“ 

78.00% 

.12 

76.58% 

.10 

76.20% 

..11 

76.18% 

..26 

“ 

75.53% 

75.09% 

.11 

74-72% 

0‘> 

72.72% 

-.14 

72.64% 

..18 

72.55% 

-19 

“ 

72.00% 

)17 

71.94% 

..14 

71.21% 

..18 

71.00% 

-23 

70.86% 

..14 

** 

70.14% 

..10 

“ . . 

69.70% 

-13 

69.38% 

.24 

“ 

69.37% 

-16 

** 

68.81% 

.19 

68.63% 

..21 

68.38% 

..32 

67.96% 

-.12 

67.66% 

..10 

67.40% 

.29 

** 

67.24% 

..14 

66.78% 

..10 

66.40% 

-19 

“ 

65.94% 

..21 

“ 

65.85% 

..15 

“ 

65.53% 

..35 

64.51% 

..14 

64.50% 

..18 

64.44% 

21 

64.33% 

-10 

64.20% 

..1 1 

“ 

64.18% 

-.11 

64.09% 

..13 

“ 

64.07% 

..15 

63.80% 

..24 

** 

63.54% 

.18 

** 

63.44% 

..13 

62.84% 

-.12 

** 

62.83% 

.10 

62.80% 

..12 

62.42% 

-.14 

“ 

62.07% 

..26 

“ 

61.96% 

..19 

61.68% 

-.25 

61.40% 

-13 

61.15% 

..10 

61.10% 

..13 

61.00% 

..15 

60.60% 

..12 

60.58% 

..16 

*♦  . . 

60.56% 

..17 

“ . .. 

60.47% 

..12 

60.41% 

-11 

60.09% 

-10 

“ 

60.00% 

..10 

59.50% 

..27 

** 

59.11% 

..10 

58.80% 

..13 

58.69% 

-13 

58.61% 

..12 

58.33% 

70. 

71. 

72. 

73. 

74. 

75. 

76. 

77. 

78. 
•9. 
80. 
81. 
82. 

83. 

84. 

85. 

86. 

87. 

88. 

89. 

90. 

91. 

92. 

93. 

94. 

95. 

96. 

97. 

98. 

99. 
100. 
101. 
102. 
103. 
]04. 

105. 

106. 

107. 

108. 

109. 

110. 
111. 
112. 

113. 

114. 

115. 

116. 

117. 

118. 

119. 

120. 
121. 
122. 

123. 

124. 

125. 

126. 

127. 

128. 

129. 

130. 

131. 

132. 

133. 

134. 

135. 

136. 
337. 

138. 

139. 

140. 

141. 

142. 

143. 

144. 

145. 

146. 

147. 

148. 

149. 

150. 

151. 

152. 

153. 

154. 

155. 

156. 

157. 

158. 

159. 

160. 
161. 
162. 

163. 

164. 

165. 

166. 


THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  <F.  B.  O.). 


KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY  (F.  B.  O.). 
THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  (Para) 


THE  FLAMING  FOREST  (M-G-M). 


HER  BIG  NIGHT  (U). 


UPSTAGE  (M-G-M) 


PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM  (U). 


THE  BLUE  EAGLE  (Fox). 


PADLOCKED  (Para)  

ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY  (F.  B.  O.). 


MARE  NOSTRUM  (U.  A.) 

SPARROW'S  (U.  A.) 

WET  PAINT  (Para) 

THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS  (U) 
THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  HAND 
BATTLING  BUTLER  (M-G-M). 
HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOl 
THE  SHOW^  OFF  (Para) 


TUMBLEWEEDS  (U.  A.). 


SO'S  YOUR  OLD  MAN  (Para). 


FASCINATING  YOUTH  ( Para  ) . 


— 1] 

58.09% 

12  “ 

~7  7"% 

— 2« 

57.53% 

— 13 

57.46% 

--13 

57.30% 

--15 

56.93% 

--10 

.56.90% 

—25 

56.84% 

— 13 

,56.69% 

-.17 

56.58% 

-20 

,56.45% 

— 11 

56.45% 

-.12 

56.16% 

1 1 “ 

56.00% 

--19 

55.89% 

— 15 

.55.86% 

— 21 

55.71% 

--16 

55.62% 

1 .1  ** 

55.50% 

— 15 

55.33% 

— 10 

55.20% 

--15 

55.20% 

oo  ** 

55.18% 

— 12 

55.08% 

— la 

55.00% 

—2a 

54.92% 

--.la 

54.33% 

..-11 

54.27% 

—20 

54.20% 

--10 

54.00% 

-„11 

54.00% 

— 19 

53.78% 

17  “ 

53.76% 

— 16 

53.75% 

— 15  “• 

53.00% 

. ...10 

53.00% 

--13 

52.5.3% 

— 17 

52.41% 

- .17  “ 

— 15 

52.25% 

-.11 

52.00% 

-.16 

51.12% 

— It 

51.07% 

-.11 

.50.36% 

12  “ 

50.25% 

07  ** 

50.22% 

— la 

50.11% 

— 10 

50.10% 

...15 

49.9.3% 

.).17  “ 

49.82% 

...20 

49.80% 

» 15 

49.73% 

-..15  “ 

49.73% 

...10  “ 

49.40% 

....10  “ 

49.40% 

...15 

48.26% 

....10 

47.90% 

...12 

47.7.5% 

....10 

47.60% 

-—16 

47.56% 

...10 

47. .50% 

—.11 

47.50% 

—.11 

47.35% 

-„  1 1 

47.18% 

...19 

.17.1,5% 

...11 

47.00% 

— .11 

46.81% 

...11 

46.72% 

....14 

46.71% 

..  .10  “ 

46.60% 

....12 

46.50% 

...11 

.16.07% 

...17 

45.41% 

— 10 

45.00% 

...la 

44.66% 

...13 

44.00% 

— lO 

4.3.70% 

...11 

4,3.36% 

...17 

13.23% 

— 13 

42.84% 

-..12 

42.16% 

....10 

40.90% 

....la 

40.16% 

—.14  “ 

39.71% 

...10 

39.30% 

...13 

39.2.3% 

— 11 

39.09% 

— 11 

39.09% 

....11 

36.90% 

— 19  “ 

36.47% 

—.10  “ 

36.10% 

.—  10  “ 

35.80% 

— 10  “ 

34.70% 

— 13  “ 

32.84% 

— .11  “ 

30.27% 

50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


1 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 

$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The  Recognized  National  Classified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


MANAGER:  Thoroughly  experienced  in  pic- 

tures; married;  of  good  appearance  and  address; 
intelligent;  highly  recommended;  seeks  change. 
Prefers  country  town  but  will  consider  any  propo- 
sition. Address  Box  187,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407 
South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


OPERATOR  AND  ELECTRICIAN  with  ten 
years  experience.  Married.  Locate  anywhere. 
Address  Operator,  920  W.  1st  Street,  Cedar  Falls, 
la. 


A-1  ORGANIST:  Union.  12  years  experience. 
Employed  but  wants  to  change  position.  Must 
be  permanent.  Address  A1  Carroll,  720^  Laur- 
ence Street,  Shreveport,  La. 


AT  LIBERTY — Moving  Picture  Machine  Op- 
erator. Six  years’  experience.  I can  run  any 
make  machine,  also  repair.  Sober,  steady,  reli- 
able and  a willing  worker.  Will  save  you  ex- 
pense. Want  a steady  position.  Address  Hubert 
Swatek,  740  Fifth  Street,  Beloit,  Wis. 


AT  LIBERTY — Projectionist.  Work  guaran- 
teed. Any  kind  of  machine.  Nonunion  or  Union. 
Address  James  Knott,  Box  44,  Nebraska  City, 
Nebr. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED:  To  lease  picture  theatre  in  town  of 
3,000-15,000.  Have  cash.  Give  all  information  in 
first  letter.  Address  Box  188,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  S.  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


WANTED:  To  rent  picture  theatre,  or  would 
accept  position  as  manager.  Ten  years’  experience 
and  two  years  as  operator.  Let  me  hear  at  once. 
Address  C.  E.  Lenninger,  321  N.  Mantua  Street, 
Kent,  Ohio. 


EXPERIENCED  SHOWMAN  will  lease  or  pur- 
chase paying  theatre  (pictures  or  vaudeville)  in 
live  community.  Address  Box  189,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  S.  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


TO  LEASE  WITH  OPTION  OF  BUYING 
Moving  picture  theatre  in  town  without  compe- 
tition. Must  be  good  field.  Priced  right  and 
terms  right.  Missouri  town  preferred.  Consider 
any  state.  Describe  fully  in  first  letter.  Address 
Box  186,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


THEATRES  WANTED:  In  town  of  3,000  or 
over.  No  competition  preferred.  Send  details  in 
full.  .We  mean  business.  Address  Box  54, 
Havana,  Illinois. 


Theatres  For  Sale 


I'OR  SALE — Complete  theatre  equipment  (450 
seats),  very  reasonable  rent.  Address  Palace 
Theatre,  Idalou,  Texas.  (On  the  Great  South 
Plains.) 


FULL  MOTION  PICTURE  THEATRE,  Equip- 
ment at  great  sacrifice,  including  Robert  Morton 
Orchestral  Organ.  Detail  inventory  will  be  sent 
you  on  receipt  of  wire.  Address  B.  W.  Prusiner, 
300  Commonwealth  Building,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


FOR  RENT — A completely  furnished  picture 
theatre.  $150  per  month.  Ready  to  open.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs.  Small  stage.  Good  town  of 
7,000.  Owner  has  other  business.  Address  Barnes 
Ice  Cream  Company,  Caruthersville,  Mo. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS:  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  W.  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVURE”  PROCESS  PRINTING— 
Distinctive.  250  each  letterheads,  envelopes,  cards 
$4.44  Postpaid.  Two  colors  ink,  $5.55.  Samples. 
Address  Sollidays,  E.H.124,  Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


Business  Opportunity 


PARTNER  WANTED  for  Best  Road  Show 
out.  Five  reel  novelty  feature  which  has  never 
been  shown.  Address  R.  B.  Selvidge,  Eufaula, 
Okla. 


Organs  For  Sale 


FOTOPLAYER  IN  PERFECT  SHAPE,  con- 
tains all  attachments.  Library  of  six  hundred 
rolls.  Metal  cabinet  for  rolls.  Priced  reasonable. 
Address  Box  571,  Libertyville,  111. 


WE  HAVE  ON  HAND  in  our  various  ware- 
houses a limited  number  of  used  unit  and  pit  or- 
gans which  have  been  rebuilt  and  reprocessed  and 
which  we  are  offering  while  they  last  at  sacrifice 
prices.  Address  Robert  Morton  Organ  Company, 
624  S.  Michigan  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  Box  53,  Havana,  Illinois. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built  for  a 
purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best  of  re- 
sults and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph  Sprat- 
ler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  marines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tcnn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing  population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  ISO  the- 
atres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  111. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonablep  rice.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theater  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


BARGAINS:  Theatre  and  road  show  machines. 
Power.  Motiograph.  Edison.  Royal.  Monarch. 
Zenith  Projector.  Graphoscope.  Everything  in 
supplies.  300  reels  of  films.  Lists  free.  We  buy, 
sell  and  exchange.  Address  National  Equipment 
Company,  409  West  Michigan  Street,  Duluth, 
Minn. 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed  Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — -Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter  .Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


JUST  FORECLOSED  MORTGAGE  on  a com- 
plete picture  show  equipment.  Used  ninety  days 
in  Palm  Theatre,  St.  Louis.  It  consists  of  two 
latest  model  Powers  machines,  Westinghouse 
transformer,  Dalite  Screen,  Opera  Chairs.  Will 
sell  any  part  at  bargain  prices.  Cash  or  pay- 
ments. Address  S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


“What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me’* 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me’*  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Columbia 

THE  WRECK:  Shirley  Mason— 62%.  This  is 
what  I call  a good  clean  picture.  Nothing  to 
rave  about,  but  just  the  kind  everybody  likes 
and  that  doesn’t  receive  a lot  of  criticism.  Seven 
reels. — J.  B.  Weddle,  Walnut  theatre,  Lawrence- 
burg,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

OBEY  THE  LAW:  Bert  Lytell— 47%.  Bert 
is  there  with  the  goods.  He  sure  does  please  my 
patrons.  A darn  good  program  picture  that  is 
hard  to  beat.  Sieven  reels. — J.  B.  Weddle.  Walnut 
theatre,  Lawrenceburg,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  LONE  WOLF  RETURNS:  Bert  Lytell— 
Here  is  a crook  mystery  that  held  the  interest 
of  our  patrons  from  start  to  finish.  Bert  Lytell, 
a favorite  here,  went  over  fine  and  many  were 
the  favorable  comments  on  Billie  Dove’s  portrayal 
of  her  part.  The  rest  of  the  cast  was  fully  up 
to  standard  and  we  would  say  that  it  was  the 
best  crook  play  for  us  in  a long  while.  Photog- 
raphy good  and  film  in  fine  shape.  Seven  reels. — 
Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. 
— General  patronage. 

F.  B.  0. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fieil  Thomson— 95%. 
•Tune  3-4.  Fred  and  Silver  broke  their  own  rec- 
ord with  this  picture.  Personally,  I don’t  con- 
sider it  as  good  as  “Hands  Across  the  Border," 
but  it  is  a mighty  good  picture  and  each  picture 
seems  to  add  a few  more  admirers  to  this  popular 
pair.  Any  small  town  that  doesn’t  go  back  to 
Fred’s  first  picture  and  play  all  of  them  is  miss- 
ing a good  bet. — ^A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre. 
Eminence.  Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— Run 
this  as  a flood  benefit  with  Boy  Scouts,  if  you 
have  a troop  in  your  town.  It  will  be  a real 
pleasure  to  see  the  satisfaction  it  affords  them, 
and  you.  It  vividly  portrays  the  usefulness  a 
scout  can  be,  and  makes  him  swell  with  pride, 
and  if  the  nature  of  the  play  is  properly  ex- 
plained you  can  get  real  cooperation.  Six  reels. — 
J.  Christen.sen,  Garden  theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich. — ■ 
General  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— This 
is  no  good  for  my  town.  No  Boy  Scouts  here 
and  photo  kept  the  men  away,  but  the  picture  is 
good.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre,  Breese,  HI. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 75%. 
May  24-25.  A picture  any  exhibitor  can  be  proud 
to  run  and  advertise.  Wish  I had  one  a month 
which  would  stand  up  like  the  Porter  books. 
Fine  scenery  with  a clean  film.  Seven  reels. — • 
John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent.  Nebr. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast — May 
16-17.  A nice  clean  picture  that  will  draw  and 
please  people  who  never  attend  movies  much,  but 
the  poorest  Gene  Stratton  Porter  picture  to  date. 
Beautiful  scenery,  and  garden  setting,  but  a sim- 
ple story  without  a thrill.  Would  call  it  a 
mighty  fine  stoi-y  for  girls.  Seven  reels. — A.  J. 
Steggall,  Cozy  theatre,  Fayette,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

OUT  OF  THE  WEST:  Tom  'Tyler- 55%.  May 
13-14.  This  was  well  liked.  Not  a gun  throw- 
ing Western  but  a good  program  with  Western 
action  which  pleased  the  crowd  and  especially  the 
kids.  The  ball  game  was  a dandy.  Five  reels. 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  hy  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  hy  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


— John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

SALVATION  JANE:  Viola  Diana — June  3.  A 
nice  little  program  picture.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

CYCLONE  OF  THE  RANGE:  Tom  Tyler— 
June  4.  A fine  picture  and  did  very  good  busi- 
ness in  spite  of  rain.  Pleased  the  old  people  as 
well  as  the  young.  The  young  folks  cheered  all 
through  the  picture.  Frankie  Darro  was  great 
in  this  one.  A real  Western  picture  that  is  real 
entertainment.  F.  B.  O.  has  them  this  year.  Five 
reels. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

TARZAN  AND  THE  GOLDEN  LION:  James 
Pierce — June  6-7.  A very  nice  picture  but  was 
not  what  the  people  expected  it  to  be.  'There 
was  some  hair  raising  scenes  in  it  and  all  en- 
joyed it  although  it  was  impossible  for  it  to  be 
real.  AH  the  young  folks  said  it  was  great.  Six 
reels. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  BETTER  MAN : Richard  Talmadge — 
May  7.  Yours  truly,  Richard  Talmadge.  As  ever, 
good.  This  bird  always  pleases  my  patrons.  Fine 
medicine  for  your  weak  night  if  you  have  any. 
If  not,  your  best  night  if  your  patrons  like  ac- 
tion. Five  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Cresaent 
theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  MASQUERADE  BANDIT:  Tom  'Tyler— 
It’s  good  but  they  should  feature  the  boy  and  dog 
more.  Five  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 


RED  HOT  HOOFS:  Tom  Tyler— June  4.  A 
good  Tyler  picture.  Five  reeks. — Wm.  E.  Trags- 
dorf. Ti-ags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MOULDERS  OF  MEN:  Conway  Tearle— May 
13-14.  A very  good  clean  program  picture,  but 
photography  very  dark.  Seven  reels. — A.  J.  Steg- 
gall. Cozy  theatre,  Fayette,  la. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  NIGHT  PATROL:  Richard  Talmadge— A 
good  picture.  Will  please  all  classes.  Six  reels. 
— Earl  Somerville,  Opera  House,  Raymond,  Minn. 
— General  patronage. 

KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES:  Special  ca.st— It’s 
good,  but  did  not  look  like  a si)ecial  to  me.  Seven 
reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
111. — General  patronage. 

NO  MAN’S  LAW:  Bob  Custer— A good  West- 
ern. Should  please  all  Western  fans.  Five  reels. 
— ^Earl  Somerville,  Opera  House,  Raymond,  Minn. 
— General  patronage. 

HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR:  Pauline 
Frederick — May  24-25.  Good  story  and  good  act- 
ing. but  sure  fell  down  at  the  box  office.  Pauline 
Fredericks  good.  Seven  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor, 
Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Nebr. — Small  town 
patronage. 

LADDIE:  John  Bowers — June  5-6.  Good  pic- 
ture. Did  not  break  any  house  records  but  was 
not  the  fault  of  the  picture.  Well  liked  by  those 
who  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — Ray  McAmis,  Princess 
theatre,  Sayre,  Okla. — General  patronage. 

THE  LAST  EDITION:  Ralph  Lewis— A good 
picture.  Business  very  poor  but  no  fault  of  the 
picture.  Will  please  any  audience.  Seven  reels. 
— Earl  Somerville,  Opera  House,  Raymond,  Minn. 
— General  patronage. 

First  National 

THE  SILENT  LOVER:  Special  cast— 63%.  June 
2-3.  Give  u«  more  like  this  one  with  more  stars 
that  are  experienced.  Charles  Murray  is  the  life 
of  any  picture  and  I am  glad  that  I have  had 
him  60  often.  Seven  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen, 
Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  SILENT  LOVER:  Milton  Sills— 41%. 
May  25.  A desert  story  that  is  fairly  good.  Far 
from  being  Sills*  best  elfoi't  though  and  pleased 
about  50  per  cent.  Seven  reels, — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre,  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  GREATER  GLORY:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— 
30%.  May  30-31.  Had  a good  house  the  first 
night  and  very  very  few  the  second.  Comments 
about  equally  divided  for  and  against  the  pic- 
ture. Personally,  I think  it  is  entirely  too  long 
and  draggy.  However,  the  rating  of  entire  ca.st 
is  good  and  the  story  laid  in  Vienna  during  and 
after  the  World  War  is  also  good,  if  only  direc- 
tion had  been  better.  Ten  reels. — A.  N.  Miles, 
Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town 
patronage.  , 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
65%.  June  11.  In  a class  with  “North  of  ’36” 
and  other  epic  Westerns.  Good  scenery,  lots  of 
Indians,  action  galore.  Just  right  for  Saturday 
night  Western  fans.  Seven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan, 
American  theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
Another  good  one  from  Maynard.  He  is  the 
best  drawing  card  now  that  1 can  get  in  the 
Western  line.  This  one  is  about  as  good  as  “The 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Covered  Wagon.”  Good  all  the  way  through.  No 
padding. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville, 
Ky. — General  pati*onage. 

RAINBOW  RILEY:  Johnny  Hines — 25%.  May 
12-13.  Had  opposition  on  this  one  and  didn’t  do 
anything.  But  all  that  saw  it  were  pleased. 
Seven  reels. ^ — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  thea- 
tre, Woodville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— 70%,  May  27-28.  This  is  a real  Western  and 
the  horse  Tarzan  is  as  good  as  any  on  the  screen. 
He  shows  up  well  in  this  picture  and  pulls  some 
good  stunts.  Ken  does  some  good  riding  and  I 
will  be  glad  when  the  next  one  arrives.  Six 
reels. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— This  star  has  proven  very  consistent  in  his 
productions.  All  have  been  good.  Western  fans 
cry  for  more. — C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  theatre,  Ben- 
ton, Wis. — General  patronage. 

TOO  MUCH  MONEY:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— 5%. 
June  8.  Good  show  but  too  slow  for  the  sticks. 
Would  have  been  better  for  Sunday  when  they 
like  to  see  stuff  like  this,  and  the  title  was  too 
poor  for  me.  Eight  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Kimball.  S.  Dak. — General  patronage. 

TWINKLETOES:  Colleen  Moore — 30%.  June 
7-8.  An  absolute  flop  and  don’t  know  why.  The 
picture  was  fair  but  lacked  a long  ways  from  be- 
ing a special.  A Ken  Maynard  or  any  other  ac- 
tion picture!  which  can  be  bought  for  a third 
the  price  would  make  three  times  the  money  here. 
Have  one  more  coming  and  glad  that  is  all.  Eight 
reels. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WISE  GUY:  Special  cast — 30%.  May 
10-11.  Some  have  panned  this  but  personally  I 
thought  it  good.  If  a crowd  cannot  take  one 
sermon  from  the  movies  and  enjoy  it  they  should 
be  fed  them  anyhow.  Had  many  good  comments 
and  not  from  churchgoing  people  either.  Eight 
reels. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

RECKLESS  LADY : Special  cast — 33%.  April 
28-29.  Could  have  been  produced  in  six  reels  as 
easy.  Very  weak  climax.  Woman’s  plea  too 
weak  to  convince  any  husband  and  daughter’s 
lover  of  their  innocence.  Eight  reels. — Aubrey 


Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

JOANNA:  Special  cast — 26%.  May  5-6.  Those 
that  read  the  story  will  come  out  and  be  in- 
terested but  the  other  patrons  will  think  of 
nothing  but  suggestiveness.  It  is  above  the  aver- 
age in  entertainment  and  weaker  than  the  best. 
Speaking  of  the  program  pictures.  Eight  reels. — 
Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  PERFECT  SAP:  Ben  Lyon— 22%.  May 
30.  A poor  title  and  only  a fair  program  pic- 
ture. Pleased  50  per  cent.  Seven  reels. —A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 

THE  PERFECT  SAP:  Ben  Lyon— It  will  just 
get  by  and  that  is  all. — C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  thea- 
tre, Benton,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

THE  BROWN  DERBY:  Special  cast— 59%. 
May  2(J.  Good  program  picture.  Very  well  liked. 
— Coffee  & Ellis,  American  theatre,  Perryton, 
Tex.— General  patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  WEST:  Special  cast— 100%. 
Westeim.  Compares  favorably  with  so  called  su- 
per-special Westerns.  Has  everything  to  satisfy 
your  Western  fans,  and  is  very  good  in  every 
respect. — J.  Christensen,  Garden  theatre,  St. 
Clair,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  WEST:  Special  oast— June  7-8. 
Too  long  as  are  most  of  First  National’s.  If 
it  had  been  six  reels  instead  of  nine,  it  would 
have  been  much  better.  The  trailer  heli)ed  get 
us  a good  crowd,  but  they  were  not  satisfied. 
The  public  are  getting  tired  of  these  long  drawn 
out  Indian  fights.  Nine  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor, 
Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Nebr. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SUBWAY  SADIE:  Jack  Mulhall— 30%.  May 
30.  A good  little  program  picture.  Pleased  20 
per  cent.  Seven  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  thea- 
tre, Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

HER  SECOND  CHANCE:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— 
15%.  May  30-31.  Good  picture.  Audience  well 
pleased  and  would  have  done  better  but  we  are 
showing  revival  meetings  all  over  the  county. 
Seven  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  thea- 
tre, Woodville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 


MEN  OF  STEEL:  Milton  Sills— 20%.  May 
27'-28,  Well,  I got  to  playing  it  kind  of  late 
but  Oh,  Boy ! how  they  liked  it.  I won’t  knock 
the  picture  because  I did  not  make  any  money, 
because  the  picture  is  ail  there.  You  will  add 
prestige  to  your  house.  You  can  buy  it  right 
and  the  picture  is  worth  a mise  in  admission  and 
yet  they  will  come  out  satisfied.  I thank  you, 
Milton.  Give  us  more  like  this  one.  Ten  reels. — 
R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  LADY  IN  ERMINE:  Corinne  Griffith— 
A big  flop.  Thought  that  “Three  Hours”  was 
rotten  but  this  one  was  worse.  It’s  a joke  to 
have  to  put  such  pictures  as  this  one  on  the 
public.  This  star  has  made  so  many  bad  ones 
lately  that  I cannot  get  them  in  on  her  produc- 
tions.— A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  PRINCE  OF  TEMPTERS:  Ben  Lyon— 
Absolutely  rotten.  You  will  have  plenty  of  walk- 
outs on  this  one.  I have  my  first  one  yet  to 
play  from  this  fellow  that  has  made  a hit. — A. 
Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville,  Ky. — General 
patronage. 

SYNCOPATING  SUE:  Corinne  Griffith — June 
5.  They  liked  this  one,  as  they  said  so  while 
they  passed  out.  That’s  what  I always  do  after 
the  show — stand  at  the  door  and  hear  what  they 
have  to  say  about  the  picture.  When  a picture 
is  punk  they  never  find  me  standing  at  the  door. 
I always  have  business  where  no  one  knows  where 
I am.  However,  some  tell  me  about  it  when 
they  see  me  afterwards.  Seven  reels. — M.  J. 
Babin,  Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — 
General  patronage. 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Johnny  Hines — A very 
entertaining  picture  for  Saturday  night  show. — 
C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  theatre,  Benton,  Wis. — Gen- 
eral picture. 

JUST  A WOMAN:  Special  cast — It’s  good. 
Seven  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre, 
Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

ALL  ABOARD:  Johnny  Hinee — May  27-28. 
Johnny  as  a guide  on  a world  tour  is  funny  in- 
deed. This  proved  a good  week-end  drawing  card 
and  we  heartily  recommend  it  to  anyone  looking 
for  a good  comedy-drama.  It  has  its  full  quota 
of  laughs.  Six  reels. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence 
theatre,  Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LIVE  WIRE:  Johnny  Hines — ^May  14. 
A fair  comedy  that  seemed  to  please  but  did  not 
draw  much.  Seven  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Ster- 
ling theatre,  Fairmont,  Nebr. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

IRENE:  Colleen  Moore — May  17.  Played  this 
against  a tent  minstrel  show  and  it  drew  good 
in  spite  of  the  fact.  The  trailer  helped  here.  It 
pleased — enough  said  ! Eight  reels. — Dewey  L. 
Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Nebr. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  DARK  ANGEL:  Special  cast — June  11. 
A very  good  picture  that  brought  several  good 
comments.  A little  long  but  it  held  their  in- 
terest all  the  way  through.  Slight  reels. — Dewey 
L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Nebr. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BROADWAY  NIGHTS:  Special  cast— May  28. 
Very  good  picture  but  a show  in  a show  never 
takes  here.  Seven  reels. — C.  H.  Smith,  Electric 
theatre.  Morning  Sun,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

Fox 

A MAN  FOUR  SQUARE:  Buck  Jones— 40%. 
June  6-7.  A Western  far  above  the  average  to 
light  business  because  of  street  carnival  for  op- 
position. Fi/e  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  thea- 
tre, Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

HUSTLING  FOR  CUPID:  Special  cast— 90%. 
A good  picture.  Will  please.  Five  reels. — Earl 
Somerville,  Opera  House,  Raymond.  Minn. — 
General  patronage. 

NO  MAN’S  GOLD:  Tom  Mix — 60%.  June  11. 
A real  good  outdoor  Western  and  it  pleased. 


NATIONAL  SEATS 

*^3ii/rwti^^ozGom^ct£'  ^ 

Any  Show 
in  Any  Theatre 
will  be  Popular 

in  one  of  these  comfortable 
National  Upholstered  Audi- 
torium Chairs. 

This  is  similar  to  the 
National  Seat  used  to  equip 
the  new  Venetian  Theatre, 

Milwaukee,  and  many  other 
fine  new  theatres. 

For  booklets,  photographs 
etc.,  write 

The  Wisconsin  Chair  Co. 

Port  Washington,  Wis. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


J.  C.  Jenkins— /Tis  Colyum 


NELIGH,  NEB.,  June  12,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

You  know  how  it  is  when  you  eonie  hack  to  your  home  town  after  you  have  heen 
away  for  three  or  four  months,  you  expect  the  mayor  to  ho  out  with  a reception 
committee  ami  the  hand  to  receive  you,  hut  that’s  where  you  get  fooled.  Wlien  I 
arrived  last  Tuesday  the  only  thing  that  met  me  was  the  family  cur,  and  he  only 
wagged  his  tail  a little  and  then  went  and  dug  up  a hone.  The  family  was  away  in 
their  new  car  and  the  neighbors  said,  “Hello,  I see  you're  hack.” 

Gosh,  it  seems  like  some  people  never  show  any  spirit  of  appreciation  unless  a 

fellow  flies  across  the  Atlantic  or  runs  off  with  the  ice  man’s  wife.  Even  when  one 
breaks  his  leg  the  neighbors  will  say,  “Wliat’s  the  matter  with  you,  didn’t  you  know 
any  better  than  that?”  Just  look  at  the  way  they  are  treating  Andy  Gump.  My 
sympathy  is  with  Andy  and  I can  appreciate  what  he  has  to  endure. 

Geneve  has  been  writing  to  know  when  I was  coming  home.  She  said  they  were 
saving  something  for  me,  and  when  I got  home  I found  they  were.  There  were 
only  nine  rugs  to  be  beaten,  the  garden  to  he  hoed,  the  trees  to  be  trimmed  and 

the  lawn  mowed.  After  that  I could  go  down  town  and  meet  the  hoys,  provided 

they  couldn’t  dig  up  any  more  rug.s — which  they  could,  and  did — and  that  night 
I went  to  the  show.  Walt  Bradley  was  playing  “The  Midnight  Kiss”  right  in  my 
home  town  theatre,  and  Walt  married  into  my  family  under  the  impression  that  he 
had  good  judgment. 

“The  Midnight  Kiss”  is  another  one  of  those  “things”  the  boys  speak  of.  Janet 
Gaynor,  Arthur  Housman,  Richard  Walling  and  Gladys  McConnell  labored  for  a 
couple  of  hours  trying  to  create  a little  sympathy  for  the  producer,  director  and 
author  and  never  seemed  to  give  a single  thought  to  the  audience.  It  was  an- 
nounced on  the  billing  that  “The  Midnight  Kiss”  was  taken  from  “Pigs.”  Well,  it 
never  should  have  been,  they  should  have  let  the  pigs  kept  it.  The  picture  starts 
off  with  a scene  of  a bunch  of  hoys  in  swimming  in  the  “Ole  Swimmin’  Hole,”  and 
after  they  had  gone  into  the  brush  to  put  on  their  clothes  they  spied  Janet  Gaynor 
doing  a mermaid  in  the  creek  so  they  decided  to  steal  her  clothes,  which  they 
evidently  did,  for  later  on  Janet  was  seen  going  home  in  a barrel. 

Wliat  this  had  to  do  with  “The  Midnight  Kiss”  nobody  seemed  to  be  able  to 
discover,  hut  presumably  the  director  had  to  have  an  Introductory  so  he  ran  in 
this  scene.  Introductories  are  always  necessary,  for  instance,  if  they  are  going  to 
picturize  “Pilgrim’s  Progress”  they  should  introduce  it  with  a scene  from  “Huckle- 
berry Fin,”  or  if  Charlie  Murray  was  going  to  tell  George  Sidney  a good  Irish  joke 
on  the  Jew  he  should  prefix  the  story  by  quoting  a few  lines  from  Homer’s  Iliad  so 
that  George  would  get  a proper  hunch  as  to  what  the  story  was. 

After  this  bathing  scene  the  director  launched  right  slap  dab  into  the  story,  only 
there  wasn’t  any  story.  He  had  Janet  and  Arthur  sit  up  all  night  in  a pig  pen  with 
the  pigs  in  order  that  George  might  kiss  her  at  midnight.  I couldn’t  detect  any 
good  reason  why  he  should  kiss  her  at  all,  hut  if  he  had  to  kiss  her  there  was  no 
reason  why  he  couldn’t  have  kissed  her  at  7:30  and  then  the  agony  would  have 
been  over  with  and  the  audience  would  have  had  time  to  have  gone  to  another 
show,  if  there  were  any  other,  and  I could  have  gone  down  to  the  Owl  club  and 
talked  with  the  boys.  But,  no,  the  director  couldn’t  let  him  kiss  her  until  mid- 
night, consequently  we  had  to  stick  and  the  only  thing  in  the  entire  picture  that 
had  any  reference  to  the  title  was  when  Janet  said  to  George,  “Now  you  have  got 
to  marry  me,  for  you  know  you  kissed  me  at  midnight.”  Good  Lord,  who  wrote 
that  sub-title  anyway?  Are  they  paying  money  for  this 

Fox  slipped  a couple  of  cogs  in  this  one.  One  when  he  made  it  and  the  other 
when  he  released  it.  It  is  too  bad  to,  for  Fox  makes  a lot  of  good  pictures,  as  large 
a percentage  of  good  ones  as  any  of  the  other  producers,  but  this  one  will  curdle 
the  milk  if  I am  any  judge  of  pictures,  and  Bill  says  I am,  but  I have  my  doubts 
about  it. 

If  you  boys  think  your  grandfather  won’t  cut  you  out  of  his  will  for  doing  it, 
you  might  try  this  one,  but  I would  advise  playing  it  on  your  weak  night  so  as  not 
to  break  up  the  continuity  of  your  box  office  record.  The  next  night  I went  to  the 
same  theatre  and  saw  “The  Wrong  Mr.  Wright,”  and  that  night  I had  the  night- 
mare and  a bunch  of  Indians  chased  me  over  a steep  cliff  and  I would  have  been 
scalped  if  Tom  Foster  and  Crocket  Brown  and  Trag  hadn’t  been  there  and  stood 
’em  off.  Thanks,  hoys. 

I found  a companion  fisher  for  Elmer  Gailey,  that  bullhead  fisher  of  the  Crystol 
at  Wayne,  Neb.  Dudley  Scott,  who  operates  both  theatres  at  Le  Mars,  la.,  says  it 

(Continued  on  next  page) 


June  25,  1927 

Five  reel.s. — W.  T.  Bigg’s  Unique  theatre.  Anita, 
la. — General  patronage. 

THE  FLYING  HORSEMAN:  Buck  Jones— 
Good  Western  and  would  be  a good  picture  to 
hook  up  with  your  Boy  Scouts. — ^R.  V.  Fletcher, 
Lyric  theatre,  Hartington,  Nebr. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

ANKLES  PREFERRED:  Madge  Bellamy — 

Snappy  entertaining  little  picture.  Madge  Bellamy 
carried  her  ixile  splendidly.  Plenty  of  comedy. 
Good  picture.  Six  reels. — Ray  McAmis,  Princess 
theatre,  Sayre,  Okla. — General  patronage. 

ONE  INCREASING  PURPOSE:  Special  ca.st 
— Good.  Will  not  appeal  to  your  Saturday  crowd 
but  your  better  people  will  appreciate  it.  Nine 
reels. — R.  V.  Fletcher,  Lyric  theatre,  Harting- 
ton, Nebr. — General  patronage. 

THREE  BAD  MEN:  Special  east — Many  have 
commented  on  this  picture  before  and  the  picture 
is  just  as  good  as  the  be.st  of  comments  already 
given,  and  when  I say  that  I mean  it  is  also 
clean.  Nine  reels. — A.  J.  Steggall,  Oozy  theatre, 
Fayette,  la. — General  patronage. 

THREE  BAD  MEN : Special  cast — Good  We.st- 
ern.  Nine  reels. — R.  V.  Fletcher,  Lyric  theatre, 
Hartington,  Nebr. — General  patronage. 

THE  JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD:  Special  cast— 
June  5-6.  A very  good  picture.  The  flood  seenee 
of  the  breaking  dam  in  the  last  reel  will  keep 
’em  guessing  as  to  how  it  wais  done.  Pleased 
everybody.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf, 
Trags  theatre.  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  east— 
This  picture  gave  satisfaction — not  a single  com- 
plaint— so  we  went  home  satisfied,  for  after  ail 
it’s  what  satisfies  your  box  office  patrons  that 
counts  and  when  an  audience  is  as  mixed  as 
ours  is  then  we  feel  like  sticking  our  chests  out 
every  time  we  show  a picture  that  pleases  them 
all.  Eight  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre. 
Tombstone.  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

LAZY  BONES:  Buck  Jones — ^This  one  was  a 
flop  for  me.  If  Buck  is  popular  in  your  town 
in  Westerns  don’t  book  this  as  it  sure  is  slow, 
and  “Lazy  Bones’’  is  right.  Eight  reels. — Julius 
W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General 
patronage. 

EVERLASTING  WHISPER:  Tom  Mix— 'This 
is  very  good,  especially  if  you  have  heard  the 
“Everlasting  Whisper.”  Seven  reels. — Julius  W. 
Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

OVER  THE  HILL:  Mary  Carr — Just  as  good 
as  the  day  it  came  out,  and  the  kind  you  should 
run  again.  Eight  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt, 
Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

Metro-Gold  wyn -Mayer 

CAPTAIN  SALVATION:  Special  cast— 60%. 
June  5.  This  is  a good  show  of  its  type,  but 
too  rough  for  my  patrons.  Eight  reels. — W.  T. 
Biggs,  Unique  theatre,  Anita,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— 85%. 
May  29.  The  best  drawing  show  I have  had  for 
.some  time  and  it  satisfied  both  the  box  office 
and  the  patrons.  Eight  reels. — W.  T.  Biggs’ 
Unique  theatre,  Anita,  La. — General  patronage. 

THE  SHOW:  John  Gilbert— 34%.  May  29. 
Pleased  only  a few.  A very  poor  role  for  Gilbert 
and  his  admirers  disappointed.  Seven  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines— 

57%.  June  5.  Exceptional  baseball  picture. 
Work  of  entire  cast  superb.  Pleased  everyone 
that  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SUDE:  William  Haines— 

50%.  June  12.  Don’t  get  many  as  good  as  this 
one.  Entertaining  all  the  way  and  the  baseball 
angle  at  this  time  of  the  year  is  rea,l  good. 
Seven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan,  American  theatre, 
Wautoma,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines — 

It  drew  extra  business  in  the  middle  of  the  week 
and  patrons  spoke  very  highly  of  it. — C.  M.  Vail, 
Blende  theatre,  Benton,  Wis. — ’General  patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  Tim  Mc- 
Coy— 42%.  May  22.  The  best  historical  picture 
we  have  had.  Action  from  start  to  finish  and 
entertaining.  If  McCoy  keeps  up  this  pace  he 
will  be  a real  draw.  Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Antonio  Moreno- - 
100%.  June  7.  This  broke  our  Tuesday  night 
record.  It’s  a good  picture  with  some  colored 
photography.  It’s  not  like  the  book  at  all.  Seven 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre.  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General  patronage. 


THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Special  cast— 90%. 
May  30-31.  Broke  the  house  record  for  the  mid- 
dle of  the  week  on  this.  Decoration  Day  and  a 
small  program  with  the  picture  helped  out.  Was 
disappointed  in  the  forest  fire  but  the  rest  was 
fine. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Antonio  Moreno — 
May  9.  Based  on  the  Curwood  story,  dealing 
with  the  organizing  of  the  Northwest  Mounted 
Police.  Good  entertainment.  Seemed  to  please 
and  drew  fair.  Seven  reels. — ^Dewey  L.  Kisor, 
Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Nebr. — Small  town 
patronage. 

DESERT’S  TOLL:  Special  ca.st— 30%.  May  23. 
Some  great  scenei’y  in  this  picture. — Coffee  & 
Ellis,  American  theatre.  Perryton,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

DESERT’S  TOLL:  Francis  McDonald— May  21. 
A fair  picture  but  not  as  good  as  the  Metro 


Westerns  starring  McCoy.  Did  not  draw  on  Sat- 
urday. Six  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor.  Sterling  thea- 
tre, Fairmont,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 
Coogan — 80%.  May  20-21.  Broke  the  house  rec- 
ords on  kids  and  would  have  crowded  the  other 
records  only  for  a storm  which  threatened  at 
the  wrong  time.  Good  race  track  scenes  and 
Jackie  can  always  take  care  of  himself.  Buy  this 
as  it  will  not  fail  to  buck  up  on  the  right  side. 
Seven  reels. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent, 
Nebr. — Small  town  iratronage. 

MARE  NOSTRUM:  Special  cast— 31%.  May 
16.  A good  picture,  but  not  for  small  towns. — 
Coffee  & Ellis.  American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

MARE  NOSTRUM:  Alice  Terry— 15%.  June 
15.  All  we  can  say  is  that  this  picture  is  too  slow 
to  make  good  entertainment.  Seems  as  if  it 
takes  a lot  of  time  to  bring  out  the  story  and 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


54 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


(Continued  fj'oni  preceding  page) 

is  more  fun  catching  catfish  in  the  Sioux  river  than  to  pull  out  bass  anil  walleyed 
pike  and  “Muskys”  in  the  lakes  of  Wisconsin  or  Minnesota.  Maybe  so.  Some 
people  like  “Bevo,”  but  a Manbattan  cocktail  looks  good  to  me. 

Thomas  O.  Service  says  that  if  I don’t  stop  making  erroneous  statements  about 
“Service  Talks”  being  the  best  department  published  in  any  trade  paper  he  is  going 
to  have  Bill  hlue-pencil  my  stuff.  If  Bill  does  that  I’m  going  to  call  out  the  militia 
and  start  for  Chicago  on  Friday  the  13th.  Truth  has  GOT  TO  PREVAIL. 

Since  Eagle  Eye  Joe  has  been  assigned  a private  office  of  his  own  we  haven’t  heard 
a word  from  him.  Presume  that  between  outlining  a policy  for  Mayor  Thompson 
to  follow  and  directing  President  Coolidge’s  vacation  plans  be  is  a pretty  busy 
man. 

We  had  Frank  O’Hara,  the  Jewish  rahbi  of  Elgin,  over  to  dinner  with  us  last 
Friday  and  that  day  my  wife  had  pork.  That’s  one  way  to  get  even  with  ’em.  Frank 
nominated  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  in  that  BEAUTY  CONTEST  and  we  understand  Patsy 
Ruth  is  a Methodist. 

Last  Monday  night  I stayed  in  Akron,  la.  I went  over  there  to  meet  J.  C.  Kennedy, 
who  operates  Akron’s  popular  playhouse.  J.  C.  made  a statement  in  the  HERALD 
not  long  ago  that  had  a little  bearing  on  the  subject  of  golf.  In  fact,  he  made  what 
I would  call  a rash  statement,  so  I went  over  there  to  make  him  prove  up.  He  did. 
He  was  waiting  at  the  hotel  for  me  the  next  morning  and  nothing  would  do  but 
that  I had  to  go  up  to  his  house  for  breakfast.  I went,  and  found  that  the  Mrs. 
had  gotten  up  at  5 o’clock  and  framed  up  a breakfast  that  would  have  made  Louis 
the  XIV  ashamed  of  himself.  They  stuffed  me  until  I could  hardly  get  out  of  my 
chair  and  then  when  I teed  up  a ball  on  No.  1 and  undertook  to  drive  off  I burst 
off  two  of  the  most  important  buttons  I bad  and  the  ball  rolled  something  like  30 
feet  before  it  stopped.  Then  I realized  why  this  banquet  so  early  in  the  morning. 
It  was  a frame-up  between  J.  C.  and  his  wife  to  put  me  out  of  form  for  the  game. 
Well,  J.  C.  can  tell  the  rest  of  it,  but  t’aint  fair,  that  is  just  what  t’aint. 

I wish  that  exhibitor  at  Kissemme,  Fla.,  would  go  over  to  the  newspaper  office 
and  give  my  kindest  regards  to  my  old  friend  Albert  Dennis.  I knew  Albert  when 
he  carried  a lollypop  in  one  hand  and  a rattle  in  the  other  and  I would  like  mighty 
well  to  see  him  again. 

LTncle  ’Leazer  Biggs  was  just  about  to  say  something  this  week  when  his  wife 
yelled  at  him  to  come  home  and  slop  the  shoats. 

An  Open  Letter  to  Fishy  Phil. 

DEAR  PHIL:— 

Your  kind  invitation  to  visit  you  pleases  me  beyond  words  of  expression  and 
nothing  would  please  me  more  than  to  accept  could  I do  so.  Sometime  I hope  to 
be  able  to  visit  you,  but  I want  to  ask  you  what  I would  do  should  Fred  Meyer, 
Bill  Weaver  and  Grasshopper  Sprague  come  with  me.  With  you  quoting  from 
Plato  and  Homer,  Fred  Meyer  doing  a Beau  Brummel  on  the  principal  promenade. 
Bill  Weaver  trying  to  fight  off  Salmon’s  fair  damsels  and  Sprague  consorting  with 
bootleggers  I simply  couldn’t  stand  up  under  the  strain.  Anyhow,  I hope  to  come 
sometime  and  would  be  willing  to  try  the  whole  bunch  once,  even  though  it  ruined 
me  morally,  for  I am  anxious  to  know  whether  or  not  you  have  improved  with  age, 
for — 

/ remember  ivell  when  you  were  but  a tiny  baby, 

And  your  mother  had  to  spank  to  quiet  you, 

But  the  thing  that  puzzles  me 
Is  why  your  mother  couldiPt  see 
That  THE  HERALD  FILLS  A WANT  NONE  OTHERS  DO. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

(The  HERALD  man.) 


most  of  the  trouble  is  no  action  so  we  think 
that  this  is  only  another  10  reels  of  film  wasted 
with  nothing  to  talk  about.  Give  us  a good  six 
or  seven  reel  show  and  keep  the  10  and  11  reel 
specials  on  the  shelf  if  they  are  like  this.  Ten 
reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak. — . 
General  patronage. 

THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN:  Special  cast— 6.5%. 
May  26-27.  Did  good  on  a second  run. — Aubrey 
Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

BATTLING  BUTLER:  Buster  Keaton — 5%. 

June  7,  Just  a fair  comedy.  Not  the  picture 
that  they  think  it  is.  Paid  too  much  money 
and  did  not  draw  at  all  so  we  lost  plenty  of 
ready  cash.  No  more  Buster  for  me.  Seven 
reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies — My  patrons 
said  very  good.  We  take  it  they  were  satisfied. 
— C.  M.  Vail.  Blende  theatre,  Benton,  Wis. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

HEAVEN  ON  EARTH:  Conrad  Nagel — A very 
good  show.  Metro  is  coming  through  with  some 
very  nice  pictures. — C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  theatre, 
Benton,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

SALLY,  IRENE  AND  MARY : Special  cast — 
This  is  very  good.  High  life  but  not  a thing 
out  of  the  way.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt, 
Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

MR.  WU : Lon  Chaney — June  1-2.  A pretty 


pretty  good  picture  but  it  did  not  please  the  r>eo- 
ple  very  good.  Our  first  Chaney  picture,  but  I 
think  that  it  will  not  be  the  last.  Lon  Chaney 
and  Renee  Adoree  are  at  their  best  in  this  pic- 
ture. We  did  lots  of  advertising  on  this  and  it 
did  bring  the  people  in  vei-y  good.  Eight  reels. — 
O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  Special  cast— A 
very  good  show.  One  old  timer  said  it  was  the 
best  .show  he  ever  saw. — C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  thea- 
tre. Benton,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast — May  23.  Very  good 
but  nothing  big. — C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  theatre. 
Morning  Sun,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WANING  SEX:  Norma  Shearer— This  is 
a very  good  picture  and  should  please  any  place, 
any  time.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

THE  BARRIER:  Lionel  Barrymore — Excellent 
acting  but  many  of  our  patrons  said  that  it 
varied  greatly  from  their  conception  of  what  a 
picture  ought  to  be-  following  the  story  of  the 
book.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  thea- 
tre, Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNHOLY  THREE:  Lon  Chaney— This  is 
vei'y  good.  A special. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

GO  WEST:  Buster  Keaton — This  is  good  and 
pleased  all.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre.  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 


Paramount 

LOVE  'EM  AND  LEAVE  'EM:  Special  casE— 
30%.  June  1.  Not  so  good.  Pleased  about  25 
per  cent.  Six  reels. — A.  G,  Wit-wer,  Grand  thea- 
tre, Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO:  Richard  Dix— 25%. 
June  8-9.  A good  farce  comedy  to  poor  business 
because  of  a street  fair  at  my  front  door.  Seven 
reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — 
Small  to’wn  patronage. 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO:  Richard  Dix— May 
20-21.  Not  as  good  as  the  average  Richard  Dix 
picture.  Same  old  story  of  having  to  get  a girl 
to  act  as  •wife  for  a couple  of  weeks,  but  done 
in  a way  that  kept  the  picture  clean. — A.  J.  Steg- 
gall,  Cozy  theatre,  Fayette,  la. — General  t>atron- 
age. 

THE  CAT'S  PAJAMAS:  Betty  Bronson — 40%. 
June  1-2.  A good  picture  and  was  glad  to  see 
Theodore  Roberts  back  again.  Wish  we  could  see 
more  with  him  in  it.  Six  reels. — John  Cosner, 
Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

STRANDED  IN  PARIS:  Bebe  Daniels— 26%. 
May  23,  Not  so  good  as  “The  Campus  Flirt” 
and  did  not  please  or  draw  so  well.  Six  reels. — 

A.  G.  Witwer,  Gi*and  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

BLONDE  OR  BRUNETTE:  Adolphe  Menjou 
— 24%.  May  18.  A pleasing  light  comedy  drama. 
Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

BEHIND  THE  FRONT:  Special  cast— 35%. 
June  3-4.  Good  comedy  and  had  more  comments 
than  “We're  In  the  Navy  Now,”  Don’t  think 
too  many  of  these  anywhere  near  together  would 
work  out. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent, 
Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

LONDON:  Dorothy  Gish — 20%,  A fair  pic- 

ture but  an  exhibitor  must  have  a clientele  suited 
to  such  or  he  will  be  the  loser.  Six  reels, — O.  B. 
Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

HOLD  THAT  LION:  Douglas  MacLean— 30%. 
Silliest  thing  on  our  screen  for  some  time.  Ab- 
solutely punk  to  no  business. — J.  Chris^tensen, 
Garden  theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich, — General  patron- 
age. 

KNOCKOUT  REILLY : Richard  Dix— 60%. 
June  4.  A good  Dix  subject  but  not  near  as 
entertaining  as  “The  Quarterback”  was.  The 
prize  fight  was  real  good  and  pleased  the  men 
patrons,  but  the  women  don’t  care  for  this  type 
of  entertainment,  so  it  was  far  from  a 100  per 
cent  pleaser.  Seven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan,  Ameri- 
can theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

KNOCKOUT  REILLY:  Richard  Dix— June  1. 
About  one  of  the  best  of  Paramount’s  since  I 
began  using  their  service,  which  was  on  May 
1,  1927.  Laid  off  of  Paramount’s  stuff,  for 
reasons,  they  were  alwiays  too  hard  boiled  for  me. 
Don’t  see  anything  extra  to  their  service,  any 
more  than  any  other  film  exchange  out  of  New 
Orleans.  They  make  a big  noise.  That’s  all  I 
can  see  to  them.  Eight  reels. — M.  J.  Babin,  Fairy- 
land theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT:  Bebe  Daniels— 80%. 
Very,  very  good,  Bebe.  Make  them  give  you 
the  stories  you  are  fitted  for,  and  you  can  do 
the  rest.  Seven  reels. — J.  Christensen,  Garden 
theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt- 97%.  June  9. 
Zane  Grey  always  fills  the  house  for  us.  The 
picture  is  nothing  like  the  story,  but  it  is  a good 
Western.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— 75%.  June 
10-11.  Played  two  nights  to  good  houses.  The 
first  night  had  a dance  for  opposition  and  the 
picture  drew  well.  It  is  another  one  of  those 
real  Paramount  Westerns  that  go  good  at  the  box 
office.  It  is  not  a big  special  and  not  worth 
much  of  an  advance  in  admissions,  but  will  please 
where  they  like  action  pictures.  Six  reels. — Paul 

B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

YOU'D  BE  SURPRISED:  Raymond  Griffith— 
80%.  June  4.  One  of  the  biggest  disappoint- 
ments that  we  have  had  this  year.  Thei’e  is 
not  enough  to  this  to  make  a good  two  reel 
comedy.  Griffith  has  always  done  good  with  us 
but  this  picture  has  hurt  him  as  there  were  many 
unfavorable  comments  on  this  one. — Paul  B.  Hoff- 
man,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town 
patronage. 

YOU'D  BE  SURPRISED:  Raymond  Griffith— 
June  7-8.  Personally  thought  the  hokum  in  this 
was  very  good.  However,  no  one  came  to  see  it. 
Consequently  a total  loss  with  no  insurance.  Six 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


And  We  Think  Our  Luck’s  Bad 


SANDY:  (Fox)  Madge  Bellamy — June  4-5.  Everybody  that  was  lucky  enough  to  get 
to  the  show  to  see  the  picture  was  more  than  pleased.  Did  a better  business  than  we 
expected,  as  pretty  near  all  of  the  town  was  covered  by  water. — William  Kreisle, 
Arcade  theatre,  Morgan  City,  La. 

P.  S. — I am  enclosing  a postcard  showing  the  water  in  the  street  in  front  of  the 
theatre.  Also,  a few  fish  that  / caught.  The  only  reason  I can  see  for  the  fish  biting 
so  ivas  due  to  finding  a place  with  a good  old  “Sandy”  bottom. — IT  . K. 


June  25,  1927 

reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

FINE  MANNERS:  Gloria  Swanson~33%.  May 
18-19.  This  was  just  a story  well  acted  and 
clean.  Seven  reels. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre, 
Sargent,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

MANNEQUIN:  Special  cast— 50%.  May  28. 
A good  picture  but  should  be  cut  to  about  five 
reels.  Print  in  poor  shape.  Seven  reels. — B. 
Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wa.sh. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FASCINATING  YOUTH:  Junior  Stars  of 
1926 — 20%.  June  10-11.  An  excellent  hot 
weather  feature  becau.se  of  the  many  snow  and 
ice  scenes.  The.se  young  people  make  a fine  ap- 
pearance. Several  of  the  girls  are  really  beauti- 
ful. No  business  because  of  street  carnival. 
Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli, 
Ind. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

FASCINATING  YOUTH:  Junior  Stars  of 
1926 — A delightful  little  picture  that  did  not  fail 
to  please  a large  crowd. — C.  M.  Vail,  Blende 
theatre,  Benton,  Wis. — Genea’al  patronage. 

SORROWS  OF  SATAN:  Adolphe  Menjou— 
— Did  not  please.  Two  people  made  a favorable 
repox-t,  the  other  38  said  very  poor.  No  pulling 
power. — C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  theatre,  Benton,  Wis. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  SHOW  OFF:  Ford  Sterling— Much  better 
than  I expected.  In  fact,  it  was  very  entertain- 
ing.— C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  theatre,  Benton,  Wis. — • 
General  patronage. 

THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— May  23- 
24-25.  A good  clean  wholesome  comedy.  We 
bought  on  the  percentage  plan  and  had  a little 
left.  Had  I bought  on  a flat  rate  would  have 
lost.  Did  not  draw  and  ha<l  exceilent  weather, 
with  no  opposition  through  three  nights.  Eight 
reels. — A.  J.  Steggall,  Gozy  theatre,  Fayette,  la. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— June 
9-10-11.  Next  time  some  bird  makes  me  give  a 
split  and  him  not  taking  a chance  when  I do, 
will  be  some  man.  The  picture  was  good  and 
people  liked  it,  but  buy  it  your  way  or  don’t 
run  it.  Made  a little  money,  but  a lot  left  town 
when  the  picture  was  bought.  Good  acting  and 
a good  plot.  Not  as  good  as  "Safety  Last”  but 
had  "For  Heaven’s  Sake”  beat  a mile.  Eight 
reels. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

SAY  IT  AGAIN:  Richard  Dix — The  worst  kind 
of  bunk  we  have  had  for  a long  time. — Horn  & 
Cramer,  Royal  theatre,  Gardner.  Kan. — General 
patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt— Zane 
Grey  and  Jack  Holt  a good  combination  for  my 
patrons,  and  this  picture  proved  no  exception. 
Drew  a crowd  on  an  off  night. — C.  M.  Vail, 
Blende  theatre,  Benton,  Wis. — ^General  patron- 
age. 

Pathe 

HIGH  HAND:  Leo  Maloney— 41%.  May  28. 
It  pleased  but  it  couldn’t  buck  church  meetings. 
About  the  best  Maloney  ever  did  that  I have  seen. 
Six  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre. 
Woodville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

ACE  OF  ACTIONS:  Wally  Wales— June  3-4. 
A very  good  Western  that  pleased  all  the  Western 
people  and  had  all  the  small  people  on  their  toes, 
although  did  not  have  extra  business  on  the 
account  of  so  many  parties  and  dances.  Extra 
good  action  in  this  Western  that  caused  many 
yells  and  much  stamping  on  the  floor.  Five  reels. 
— O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — ■ 
General  patronage. 

DRIFTING  THROUGH:  Harry  Carey— May  21. 
Very  good  Western.  Nothing  extra.  Five  leels. 
— Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

Pro-Dis-Co 

THE  VOLGA  BOATMAN:  William  Boyd— 80%. 
A wonderful  picture,  but  print,  especially  reel 
eight,  in  poor  shape.  Eleven  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck, 
Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  HANDICAP:  Vera 
Reynolds — This  is  very  good  and  pleased  all.  Seven 
reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theati'e,  Breese. 
Hi. — General  patronage. 

THE  CLINGING  VINE:  Leatrice  Joy— June  4. 
Did  not  receive  any  favorable  comments  on  this 
one.  A little  too  draggy.  Seven  reels. — M.  J. 
Babin,  Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

PRINCE  OF  PILSEN:  Special  cast — Tliis  went 
good  here  and  we  got  a kick  seeing  George  Sidney 


empty  the  stein.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt, 
Grand  theatre,  Breese,  HI. — General  patronage. 

WILD  OATS  LANE  : Special  cast — Not  much 
to  this  one.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre,  Breese,  HI. — General  patronage. 

United  Artists 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH: 
Ronald  Colman — 70%.  Very  good.  If  you  can 
buy  it  right  it  will  be  worth  your  while  to  play 
it.  United  Artists  make  sure  they  have  the  rental 
fipfured  so  that  they  will  p:et  just  about  all  you 
take  in.  Nine  reels. ~0.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita 
theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  MARK  OF  ZORRO:  Douglas  Fairbanks 
— 43%,  June  5.  This  is  old  but  it’s  good.  Some- 
thing doing  every  minute.  Eight  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — ■ 
General  patronage. 

Universal 

A WESTERN  WHIRLWIND:  Special  cast— 40%. 
May  18.  A fair  Western.  Average  program  pic- 
ture.— Coffee  & Ellis,  American  theatre,  Perryton, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

A WESTERN  WHIRLWIND:  Jack  Hoxie— 
33%.  May  27.  A good  We.stern  that  pleased  gen- 
erally but  these  Blue  Streaks  don’t  mean  much  at 
the  box  office.  Five  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

PROWLERS  OF  THE  NIGHT:  Fred  Humes— 
35%.  June  1-2.  This  We.stern  star  has  a very 
likable  screen  personality.  This  is  our  first  picture 
with  him.  It  is  very  sterotyped  but  seemed  to 
please  those  who  saw  it.  It  really  is  amazing  to 
me  how  these  ordinaiT  five  reel  Westerns  will 
draw  just  as  many  people  as  some  real  good  drama 
that  has  had  brains  and  money  put  into  its  mak- 
ing.— A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence, 
Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

HELD  BY  THE  LAW:  Special  cast — 30%.  We 
did  fairly  well  on  this  considering  heavy  competi- 
tion both  nights.  It  is  a good  murder  mystery 
drama  and  although  you  know  who  committed  the 
dark  and  bloody  deed  your  interest  is  held  firmly 
throughout.  In  fact,  when  they  are  trying  to 
trap  the  murderer  into  a confession,  you  fairly 
hold  your  breath,  the  suspense  is  so  acute.  Play 
it.  Seven  reels. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre. 
Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

MICHAEL  STROGOFF:  Special  cast — 55%.  A 
stupendous  melodrama.  The  colored  scenes  beau- 
tiful. Comments  favorable.  Too  cruel  for  women 
patrons.  The  scene  where  the  hero  has  his  eyes 
seared  with  a red  hot  sword  was  too  much  for 
some  of  them.  Those  who  had  read  the  story  did 


not  like  it  because  the  story  wasn’t  followeci.  Every 
exhibitor  should  buy  it  and  he  won’t  have  to  leave 
his  right  eye  in  the  exchange  when  he  does.  Ten 
reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel, 
Cal. — General  patronage. 

HER  BIG  NIGHT:  Laura  LaPlante— 70%. 

Star’s  acting  very  fine  and  appreciated.  Second 
day’s  business  good. — J.  Christensen,  Garden  thea- 
tre, St.  Clair,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  PHANTOM  OF  THE  OPERA:  Lon 
Chaney — 90%.  If  not  played  in  your  town  it’s 
worth  a date.  Played  at  slight  advance,  and  got 
them  in,  which  is  more  than  I can  say  on  some 
of  the  new  ones.  Buy  at  little  above  your  pro- 
gl’am  price. — J.  Christensen,  Garden  theatre,  St. 
Clair.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  GOOSE  WOMAN:  Special  cast— 31%. 
June  4.  Rex  Beach  story.  Mystery,  good  climax 
and  conclusion.  Give  us  more.  Played  against 
church  meeting.  Eight  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen, 
Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  HOME  MAKER:  Special  cast— 15%.  May 
9-10.  It  is  all  right  to  read  these  kind  of  stories, 
but  on  the  screen  they  wili  plea.se  about  one  out 
of  a hundred.  Eight  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen, 
Cj-escent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BUCKAROO  KID:  Hoot  Gibson  — 51%. 
June  3.  Good  semi-Western  comedy  drama  en- 
joyed by  all.  They  seem  to  like  Hoot  best  in  this 
class  of  production.  Six  i-eels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — Geneial  patronage. 

THE  DENVER  DUDE:  Hoot  Gibson  — 12%. 
June  3-4.  Good  picture  where  they  like  Hoot,  but 
somehow  they  never  turn  out  to  see  him  here. 
His  pictures  are  all  good  now,  but  my  folks  don't 
■see  it  that  way.  They  think.  "Oh  it  is  just 
Hoot,  that's  all,”  so  they  go  riding  or  stay  home 
and  let  Hoot  entertain  the  operator  and  ticket 
seller  and  a few  that  always  come  regardless  of 
the  show  we  have.  Six  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak. — General  patronage. 

THE  DENVER  DUDE:  Hoot  Gibson  June  3. 
In  this  one  Gibson  did  more  society  acting  than 
the  usual  Western  stuff  and  for  this  reason  the 
usual  Western  fans  did  not  like  it  as  much  as 
one  in  which  Hoot  u.ses  the  gun  and  horse  more. 
Six  reels. — M.  J.  Babin.  Fairyland  theatre.  White 
Castle,  La. — General  patronage. 

HIS  PEOPLE:  Special  cast — 19%.  May  23-24. 
All  who  saw  it  said  that  this  was  one  good  picture. 
A boxing  story  with  a good  plot  to  back  it  up. 
Give  us  more  like  this  Uncle  Carl.  Seven  reels. — 
Aubrey  Swearingen.  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Te.x. — General  patronage. 

PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM:  House  Peters 
— 55%.  May  20.  A Curwood  story  and  very  good. 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


Did  well  at  the  box  office  considering  times,  and 
pleased  generally.  Six  reels.  — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

TAKE  IT  FROM  ME:  Reginald  Denny — 50%. 
Just  fair,  Denny’s  style  too  uniformly  the  same. 
Drawing  power  below  average. — J.  Christensen, 
Garden  theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

TAKE  IT  FROM  ME:  Reginald  Denny— 35%. 
Not  as  good  as  some  of  Denny’s  previous  films. 
There  were  times  during  the  show  that  the  house 
was  in  an  uproar  and  a great  many  patrons  thor- 
oughly enjoyed  it,  while  on  the  other  hand  there 
were  a lot  of  walkouts  and  some  exclaimed, 
“Rotten!  Rotten  1”  as  they  went  out.  Seven  reels. 
— O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. 
— General  patronage. 

OUTSIDE  THE  LAW:  Lon  Chaney  — 34%. 
June  8.  Played  to  a small  house,  but  it  received 
many  favorable  comments.  Even  though  it  is 
rather  old  it  is  mighty  good  entertainment.  We 
bought  it  right  so  came  out  in  good  shape  on  it. 
— Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood  Kan. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

SKINNER’S  DRESS  SUIT:  Reginald  Denny— 
71%.  May  16-17.  Denny  has  failed  to  draw  for 
me  but  this  time  I had  some  help  and  did  very 
well.  He  always  pleases  but  heretofore  I could  not 
get  my  patrons  in.  Seven  reels. — Aubrey  Swearin- 
gen, Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

THE  PRAIRIE  KING:  Hoot  Gibson  — May 
27-28.  This  is  one  of  the  Gibson  pictures  of  the 
year,  but  the  reason  for  this  is  not  Gibson  but 
the  two  that  furnish  the  comedy  in  the  picture  and 
the  titles  are  what  put  the  picture  over.  In  fact, 
the  old  aunt  and  the  old  man  that  are  always 
with  Hoot  stole  the  picture  as  their  parts  were 
well  done.  Absolutely  clean.  Six  reels.  — A.  J. 
Steggall,  Cozy  theatre,  Fayett,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  TEXAS  STREAK:  Hoot  Gibson — This  is 
good.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  thea- 
tre, Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERY  CLUB:  Special  cast — June 
3-4.  A good  clean  program  picture.  Seven  reels.. 
— A.  J.  Steggall,  Cozy  theatre,  Fayette,  la. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

COMBAT:  House  Peters — June  4.  Pretty  darn 
rough,  but  they  seemed  to  like  it.  Six  reels. — 
C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  theatre.  Morning  Sun,  la. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PHANTOM  BULLET:  Hoot  Gibson  — A 
very  good  Hoot.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt, 
Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

BUCKING  THE  TRUTH:  Pete  Morrison— May 
28.  Good  Western.  Better  than  average.  Five 
reels. — C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  theatre.  Morning  Sun, 
la. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TRAP:  Special  cast — April  30.  Rotten. 
If  you  have  it  booked,  shelve  it.  If  I had  known  I 
would  not  have  shown  it  for  anything.  Chaney 
wasted  a lot  of  acting  here.  'The  plot  and  char- 
acters consists  of  two  men  and  a child.  Nothing 
to  other  actors.  Six  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen, 
Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  WHOLE  TOWN’S  TALKING:  Special 
cast — May  28.  A good  comedy.  Played  this  on 
Saturday  and  it  drew  us  a good  crowd,  and  also 
pleased  them.  What  more  could  you  ask?  Seven 
reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fair- 
mont, Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

Warner  Brothers 

THE  CLIMBERS:  Irene  Rich — 46%.  June  4. 
A good  picture.  A lot  of  action  in  the  last  part. 
The  title  is  misleading.  You  don’t  know  what 
to  expect.  If  you  get  the  people  i.n  they  will  like 
it.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  thea- 
tre, Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

HILLS  OF  KENTUCKY:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 85%. 
May  14-15.  Oh  boy,  we  sure  packed  them  in  on 
this  one.  Rinty  always  goes  over  good  for  us  and 
this  is  one  of  his  best.  Seven  reels. — B.  Hollen- 
beck, Ro.se  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  GAY  OLD  BIRD:  Louise  Fazenda — 50%. 
May  21.  In  spite  of  several  adverse  reports  we 
ran  this  one  Saturday  and  Sunday  and  it  went 
over  very  nicely.  An  old  plot  but  a good  comedy. 
Seven  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas, 
Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GAY  OLD  BIRD:  Louise  Fazenda — 45%. 
Of  all  the  rotten  pictures  I believe  this  is  the 
worst.  Nothing  to  it  but  cheap,  slap  stick  com- 
edy that  could  have  been  put  in  two  reels.  Too 
silly  to  be  funny.  Story  has  been  made  before. 
Walkouts  on  this  were  very  numerous  and  to 
think  I played  this  on  the  best  night  of  the  week. 
Warner’s  pictures  have  been  terrible  this  year. 


The  Spotlight 


No,  Rollo,  the  picture  above  is 
NOT  of  the  writer!  In  truth,  the 
writer  isn’t  as  intelligent  looking  as 
this  police  clog.  No  remarks,  please, 
about  the  dog’s  ears — you’d  lay  back 
your  ears  too  if  you  had  such  a vile- 
smelling thing  as  that  pipe  near  your 
sensitive  nose.  Her  real  inclination 
is  to  go  bury  it. 

« ^ * 

You  ask  me:  "IVIiy  print  such  a pic- 
ture?” Ji'etl,  I zvant  to  prove  to  you 
that  it  is  not  peculiar  to  the  male  sex 
of  the  human  race  to  have  pictures 
taken  displaying  the  favorite  brand 
of  smoking,  zvhether  it  be  pipe,  cigar 
or  cigarette.  Neither  does  it  sliozv 
depth  of  thought  in  a picture  for  I 
knozsj  positively  that  the  only  thought 
this  dog  had  zjuas  that  it  zvas  much 
too  hot  to  keep  one’s  mouth  closed  on 
a pipe,  as  every  fezv  minutes  her  jazvs 
zvould  gap  open  and  her  tongue 
zoo'uld  loll  out  and  again  the  pipe 
must  he  retrieved. 

^ 

Oh,  dear,  you  are  so  dense!  What 
I am  drivins  at  is,  why  must  men 
clutter  up  what  might  prove  a fine 
photograph  by  a pipe  or  a half 
smoked  cigar?  Every  time  I get  my 
(Continued  on  next  page) 


Even  the  dog  pictures  are  below  the  standard. 
Owing  to  Cincinnati’s  protection  period  over  me 
I have  only  played  10  of  the  ’26-27  product.  Out 
of  thes-e  there  were  four  good  ones  and  six  rotten 
ones.  According  to  the  reports  on  the  pictures  I 
haven’t  played  I’ve  got  a bunch  of  mush  yet  to 
play.  Six  reels. — J.  B.  Weddle,  Walnut  theatre, 
Lawrenceburg,  Ind. — ^General  patronage. 

CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES:  Rin  Tin  Tin— I 
call  this  one  only  fair  and  about  10  per  cent  as 
good  as  “The  Night  Cry.”  Boy,  that  one  was 
great. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
111. — General  patronage. 

DON’T  TELL  THE  WIFE:  Irene  Rich— June  1. 
Could  not  see  much  to  this  one,  but  it  drew  fairly 
well  and  seemed  to  please  them,  so  I guess  it 
was  okay.  Seven  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling 
theatre,  Fairmont,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON’T  TELL  THE  WIFE:  Special  east— Not 
too  good.  Just  get’s  by  and  that’s  all. — C.  M. 
Vail,  Blende  theatre,  Benton,  Wis. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  CAVE  MAN : Owen  Moore — This  went 
over  good  for  me  and  will  for  any  working  man’s 
town.  Seven  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand 
theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

State  Rights 

THE  CLAW:  (SR)  Special  cast — June  6-7.  A 
very  good  clean  program  picture,  a little  above 
the  average.  Six  reels. — A.  J.  Steggall,  Cozy 
theatre,  Fayette,  la. — General  patronage. 


THE  BIG  STUNT:  Special  cast— 30%.  May 
6“7.  A very  poor  picture,  no  story,  no  cast  and 
not  much  action.  Print  very  poor  and  short  end- 
ing reminded  me  of  a serial.  I am  sure  off  of 
these  pictures  and  from  now  on  let  them  battle. 
Five  reels. — Ray  W,  Musselman,  Princess  thea- 
tre, Lincoln,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

BUFFALO  BILL  ON  U P TRAIL:  Roy  Stewart 
— 80%,  Two  Texas  exhibitors  in  these  reports 
classed  this  as  a fake  and  amateur  special  and 
one  of  the  worst  they  had  seen.  Refused  to  buy 
it  until  was  given  a trial,  if  no  good,  no  pay. 
Found  it  to  be  a Western  special  of  the  smaller 
type,  lots  of  historical  action  in  it,  good  people, 
and  the  class  of  picture  that  goes  excellent  in  the 
daily  change  house  where  westerns  are  liked  at 
popular  prices.  E<iually  as  good  in  every  respect 
as  many  of  the  high  priced  specials.  Exhibitors 
in  making  reports  evidently  let  their  personal 
feelings  enter  into  it  and,  though  a picture  does 
not  draw  business,  it  is  not  always  a bad  one. — 
Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bellaire,  Ohio, — 
General  patronage. 

Serials 

THE  FIGHTING  MARINE:  (Rathe)- Gene 
Tunney — Am  on  the  sixth  chapter  and  will  be 
glad  when  it’s  over.  The  poorest  serial  we  have 
ever  played.  Business  off  25  per  cent  on  account 
of  it.  Rathe  should  be  ashamed  to  put  out  a 
serial  like  this.  However,  they  thought  they  had 
a drawing  card,  and  I did  too.  Ten  chapters. — 
Robert  Wygant,  Heights  theatre,  Houston,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

INTO  THE  NET:  (Rathe) — Special  cast — My 
patrons  do  not  care  for  mystery  pictures.  Pleased 
only  a small  per  cent. — R.  K.  Lattin,  Strand 
theatre,  Valparaiso,  Nebr. — General  patronage. 

ON  GUARD:  (Rathe) — Cullen  Landis — I just 
played  the  9th  episode.  A good  serial  but  O.  K. 
What  dumbells  they  make  out  of  the  hero  and 
heroine.  I hope  some  day  to  see  a director  with 
sense  enough  to  screen  a good  story  and  also  to 
make  the  leading  characters  in  it  at  least  as 
smart  as  the  balance  of  the  cast.  Two  reels. — ■ 
C.  S.  Watson,  Electric  theatre,  Caldwell,  Kan. — 
General  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

BABY  BE  GOOD:  Everyone  likes  Big  Boy. 
This  comedy  is  splendid.  Two  reels. — A.  N.  Miles, 
Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  DUFFY  DILL : Can  say  I received  a good 
comedy  from  Educational  since  I began  using 
their  service  a month  ago.  Prints  in  first  class 
condition,  service  A-l,  but  the  grade  of  comedy 
not  as  good  as  Mack  Sennett’s.  TVo  reels. — M.  J. 
Babin,  Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

FELIX  SCRAMBLED  YEGGS:  Good  cartoon 
comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

FELIX  SHATTERS  THE  SHEIK:  Not  so  good 
as  the  general  run  of  these  cartoons.  One  reel. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  MOVIES : Lloyd  Hamilton — Nothing  much 
to  it.  Same  old  line,  and  bet  the  film  was  four 
years  old.  Two  reels. — John  Cosner,  Sun  theatre, 
Sargent,  Nebr. — Small  town  patronage. 

F.  B.  O. 

BILL  GRIMM’S  PROGRESS:  A1  Cooke— Same 
as  all  others — some  like,  others  walk  out  on  it, 
so  that’s  that.  Two  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Kimball,  S,  Dak. — General  patronage, 

A CHIN  HE  LOVED  TO  TOUCH:  AI  Cooke— 
The  further  you  go  the  better  and  more  interest- 
ing it  is.  They  all  are  asking  why  they  left  Kit 
Guard  out  of  this  one.  Plenty  of  entertainment 
in  this  one.  Two  reels. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace 
theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

GOLD  STRUCK:  Krazy  Kat — A cartoon  com- 
edy that  pleased  both  the  young  and  the  old. 
Plenty  of  comedy  in  it. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace 
theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

HEAVY  HICKERS:  Three  Fat  Boys— Better 
than  the  average  comedy.  Two  reels. — R.  Duba. 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak. — General  patron- 
age. 

WHAT  PRICE  DOUGH:  Three  Fat  Boys— 
Good  enough  for  any  crowd.  Plenty  of  laughs. 
Two  reels. — ^R.  Duba,  Royal  theafc,-e,  Kimball,  S. 
Dak. — General  patronage. 

A WILD  RUNNER:  Charles  Bowers — Well, 
Charley  sure  was  a wild  runner.  So  much  dif- 
ferent from  other  two  reelers,  and  they  all  seem 
to  be  good.  Two  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball.  S.  Dak. — General  patronage. 


June  25,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


FOX 

FOX  NEWS:  No.  59.  A very  good  news  and 
a little  better  than  the  last  one.  One  reel. — 
O.  R.  Young-,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex, — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

FOX  VARIETY:  “Venders  of  the  World.” 
Everyone  said  this  was  the  worst  Variety  we  have 
ever  shown,  but  they  are  generally  good.  This 
was  a little  below  the  normal.  One  reel. — O.  li. 
Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PATHE 

BREAKING  THE  ICE:  Ralph  Graves— Nothing 
extra  to  this  picture,  but  pleased  about  half  of  the 
people.  Two  reels. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre, 
Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

MAMMA  BEHAVE:  Charley  Chase— This  one 
is  a humdinger.  Sure  got  the  laughs.  Two  reels. 
— B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

TEN  YEARS  OLD:  Our  Gang— Well,  I h,ave 
waited  a whole  year  for  a good  Oiir  Gang  comedy 
and  at  last  it  arrived.  The  Gang  comedies  this 
year  have  been  very  poor.  Two  reels. — J.  B. 
Weddle,  Walnut  theatre,  Lawreneeburg,  Ind. — 
General  patronage. 

SMITH’S  SURPRISE:  A nice  entertaining 
comedy  with  not  much  foolishness  in  it.  Two 
reels. — M.  J.  Babin,  FaiiTland  theatre.  White 
Castle,  La. — General  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ALI  HOGAN:  Neely  Edwards — Good.  These 
one  reelerS  getting  better.  One  reel. — C.  H. 
Smith,  Electric  theatre.  Morning  Sun,  la. — ^Small 
town  patronage. 

BACKWARD  GEORGE:  Fair  comedy  only. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  PICNIC:  These  comedies  all  good. 
Two  reels. — C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  theatre.  Morning 
Sun,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  SLEIGH  RIDE:  Arthur  Trimble— 
These  are  good  comedies.  This  one  very  good  and 
enjoyed  by  both  young  and  old  alike.  ’Two  reels. 
— A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier.  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

BUSTER  WATCH  TIGE:  This  averages  up 
with  the  rest  of  the  series.  Two  reels. — A.  N. 
Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  George  Lewis — “Cinder 
Path.”  Fair.  That’s  all  we  can  say.  Two  reels. 
— R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  George  Lewis — “Last 
Lap.”  Well,  this  series  is  good,  but  not  satisfac- 
tory for  me.  Every  time  I play  it  the  crowd  is 
getting  smaller,  so  goodby  “Collegians,”  and  I will 
be  glad  when  I am  through  with  this  contract. 
Two  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S. 
Dak. — General  patronage. 

COURAGE  OF  COLLINS:  Ed  Cobb— A fairly 
good  N.  W.  M.  P.  story.  Two  reels. — A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 

GEORGE  LEAVES  HOME:  Quite  a number  of 
laughs  in  this.  Two  reels. — A.  N.  Miles.  Emi- 
nence theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — ^Small  town  pat> 
ronage. 

HONEYMOON  QUICKSTEP:  Arthur  Lake- 
Good  single  reel  comedy. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

JANE’S  FLIRTATION:  Wanda  Wiley— Fair 
comedy.  Two  reels. — C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  thea- 
tre, Morning  Sun,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

KELLY  GETS  HIS  MAN:  Ed  Cobb— Fairly 
good  short  Western  subject.  Two  reels. — A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 

THE  LAST  LAP:  Gedrge  Lewis — “Collegians 
No.  4.”  The  more  you  see  of  this  the  more  you 
want  to  see.  Pleased  everybody.  Some  come  to 
see  the  "Collegians”  when  they  don’t  care  any- 
thing about  the  other  picture.  A great  drawing 
card  at  the  box  office.  Two  reels. — O.  R.  Young, 
Palace  theatre,  Naples.  Tex.^General  patronage. 

THE  LITTLE  PEST : Neely  Edwards — Fairly 
good  short  comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  LITTLE  PEST : Neely  Edwards — ^Not 
much  to  this  one.  Just  a one  reel  filler,  that’s 
all.  One  reel. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball. 
S.  Dak. — General  patronage. 

MIDNIGHT  BOOM:  Arthur  Lake — Good  and 
plenty  of  fun.  One  reel. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  Dak. — General  patronage. 


The  Spotlight 

{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Studio  Section  of  the  HERALD  I go 
through  it,  hoping  that  this  time  I 
may  get  an  unobstructed  view  of  Nor- 
man Taurog.  But  NO — there  he  sits 
biting  the  end  off  that  ordinary  look- 
ing pipe  (it  isn’t  even  a Merschaum). 
I could  understand  a reason  for  ap- 
pearing with  a pipe  if  it  were  one  of 
those  big  curved  ones  that  come  to 
rest  down  on  the  smoker’s  chest.  He 
might  have  forgotten  his  chest  pro- 
tector that  morning  or  something. 
But  a straight  stemmed  one  tluit 
couldn’t  cover  a wart  on  the  chin — 
well,  there  simply  isn’t  any  excuse 
that  I can  think  of  in  that  case. 

❖ * ❖ 

Then  there  is  that  well  known  di- 
rector, Ernest  Lubitch.  He  holds 
forth,  faithful  to  the  last  issue,  for 
cigars.  I can’t  say  whether  it’s  a 
two  f’r  or  if  its  a dollar  a throw, 
anyway  it’s  ever-present.  He  holds  it 
up  for  inspection  and  it  is  always  in 
the  half  smoked  stage — never  gets 
any  shorter  as  the  w'eeks  roll  by. 
Say,  boys,  wouldn’t  that  kind  of  a 
cigar  be  a Scotchman’s  delight ! 

* 

Help!  HELP!  Phil  Rand  says  he 
reads  Plato!  Now  we  know  why  he 
was  named  Phil — it’s  short  for  “Phil- 
osopher.” I guess  the  little  thought 
he  gave  those  two  girls  will  hold  them 
for  a while.  Why,  he  quotes  Plato  as 
easily  as  Jaysee  does  his  Uncle  ’Leaser 
Biggs. 

Oscar  wants  to  know  if  that’s  what 
comes  from  eating  too  much  fish? 

* * * 

Gentlemen,  members  of  the  staff, 
and  readers  kindly  stand  while  Oscar 
confers  our  highest,  honorary  degree 
on  Brother  Rand.  VVe  do  hereby 
give  you  a Ph.D.  Let  me  introduce 
to  you  again  Professor  Rand,  our 
well  known  exhibitor  of  Salmon, 
Idaho.  “Nemine,”  he  may  sling 
around  this  highbrow  reading  but  he 
knows  good  box  office  receipts. 

ADELINE  FURTHER. 

The  Spotlight  will  get  you  if  you 
don’t  watch  out! 


MONEY  BUSINESS:  Alice  Cartoon— Just  a 
cartoon.  If  you  see  one  you  have  seen  them  all. 
One  reel. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S. 
Dak. — General  patronage. 

OH  WHAT  A KICK:  Best  one  reel  comedy  we 
ever  had. — C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  theatre.  Morning 
Sun,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

THANKS  FOR  THE  BOATRIDE:  Wanda 
Wiley — Fairly  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 


“Studio  Section," 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
GENTLEMEN: 

I tihould  like  to  receive  an  autographed 

photo  of  

for  placement  in  my  “Lobby  Album"  of 
stars  whose  pictures  are  especially  popular 
with  my  patrons. 

(Exhibitor) 

(Theatre) 

(City) 

(State)  


TIED  UP:  Pee  Wee  Holmes — Good  comedy 
Western.  Pleased  generally.  Two  reels. — A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre,  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 

TWO  DOLLARS  PLEASE:  A good  one  reeler. 
— A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

UNDER  DESERT  SKIES:  Very  good  short 
Western.  Two  reels. — C.  H.  Smith,  Electric  thea- 
tre, Morning  Sun,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHArLL  YOU  HAVE:  One  of  the  “Excuse 
Maker”  comedies.  Only  fair  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

WHO’S  NEXT:  Neeley  Edwards — Ridiculous, 
not  funny.  One  reel. — R.  J.  Williams,  Pastime 
theatre,  Johnson,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

WHY  GEORGE:  A fair  comedy  that  got  a few 
laughs.  Two  reels. — ^D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre, 
Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

WIDE  OPEN  FACES:  Charles  Puffy — Several 
good  laughs,  most  of  it  rather  silly.  One  reel.— 
R.  J.  Williams,  Pastime  theatz-e,  Johnson,  Neb.— 
General  patronage. 

YOUTH  AND  BEAUTY:  Andy  Gump— Plenty 
funny.  Buy  these  Gumps  and  i*eap.  Two  reels. 
— S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

UP  AGAINST  IT;  Our  first  Gump  for  a long 
time  and  got  a few  laughs.  Two  reels. — D.  F. 
Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

TRY  AND  DO  IT:  Lewis  Sargent — A very 
good  comedy  that  seemed  to  please  the  people  with 
plenty  of  giggles.  Two  reels — O.  R.  Young,  Pal- 
ace theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

WHAT  PRICE  ORPHANS:  A fair  comedy. 
Got  a few  laughs.  Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa, — (General  patronage. 

KID  GEORGE:  Just  a comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

WHY  MULES  LEAVE  HOME:  Fanny,  the 
mule,  was  minus  in  this  one.  This  is  all  right 
for  the  children  under  twelve  years.  One  reel. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preues,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Colo. — Small  town  patronage, 

BEARS  AND  BAD  MEN:  Larry  Semon— This 
one  is  a re-issue  and  Oh  boy,  this  sure  gave  them 
the  laughs.  It  is  fun  to  give  your  people  come- 
dies like  this.  I say  more  good  comedies  is  what 
I want.  Two  I’eels. — L.  H.  Bridgham,  Strand 
theati*e,  Oakland,  Me. — Genei'al  patronage. 

SOME  MORE  EXCUSES:  Charlee  King— Fair. 
Not  as  good  as  the  one  before  this.  Two  reels. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

Report  Gives  Hungary 
535  Film  Houses  in  1926 

{IVashington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  21.  — Hungary 
possessed  a total  of  535  motion  picture 
theatres  at  the  end  of  1926,  according  to  a 
report  from  Trade  Commissioner  G.  R. 
Canty  at  Paris.  These  houses  have  an 
average  seating  capacity  of  321.  In  Buda- 
pest, the  capital,  there  were  91  theatres 
having  a total  seating  capacity  of  43, (XX). 
Budapest  has  900,000  inhabitants.  Suhnrhs 
of  the  capital,  with  a population  of  4(X),000, 
had  55  houses  capable  of  seating  a total  of 
24,000. 

The  report  also  states  that  of  the  pro- 
jection machines  in  318  theatres,  66  per 
cent  are  of  German  make,  and  44  per  cent 
of  French. 

Lois  Weber  to  Direct 

Leatrice  Joy  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  21. — Lois  Weber, 
woman  director,  has  been  assigned  to  direct 
Leatrice  Joy  in  “The  Angel  of  Broadway” 
for  DeMille.  Production  is  scheduled  to 
begin  shortly. 

A new  screen  actress  has  been  found  in 
Elise  Bartlett,  wife  of  Joseph  Schildkraut 
and  well-known  stage  actress,  whom  De- 
Mille has  engaged  to  appear  with  her 
father-in-law  in  “Harp  in  Hock,”  now  in 
production  with  Renaud  Hoffman  directing. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


June  25,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  G.  S'.  I 

CHARLES  J.  SCHAEFER,  one  of  the  first  to  enter  the  business  of 
motion  picture  exhibiting  in  Chicago,  died  last  week  at  his  Chi- 
cago home  on  his  64th  birthday.  He  was  owner  of  the  Keystone, 
Garfield  and  Lyceum  theatres  but  had  not  been  active  in  theatre  opera- 
tion for  several  years. 


Mr.  SCHAEFER  was  also  instrumental 
in  the  erection  of  the  Gem,  Royal, 
Imperial  and  Premiere  theatres  for  Jones, 
Linick  & Schaefer,  of  which  company  his 
brother,  Peter  T.  Schaefer,  is  vicepresident. 
Mr,  Schaefer  began  exhibiting  motion 


Herald  photo. 


It  appears  that  Frank  B.  Campbell 
(right)  had  something  to  do  with  a 
story  in  a Columbus  paper  about  Sol 
Rose  of  Robert  Morton  Organ  Com- 
pany flying  to  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. 
convention.  With  Campbell  are  (left) 
J.  G.  Furrer  and  L.  M.  Agler  of  the 
Harkness  at  Clyde,  Ohio. 

pictures  in  1907,  when  they  were  scarcely 
more  than  curiosities.  At  that  time  his 
three  brothers,  Peter  J.,  Fred  W.,  and 
Frank  G.,  also  entered  this  novel  field.  The 
latter  two  now  operate  the  Crystal. 

Besides  his  brothers,  Mr.  Schaefer  is  sur- 
vived by  his  widow;  a daughter,  Mrs. 
Marie  Bailey;  and  two  sons,  Walter  F.  of 
Detroit,  and  Charles  P.  of  Chicago. 

Of  the  theatres  owned  by  Mr.  Schaefer, 


the  Keystone  is  operated  by  Aaron  Schaak, 
and  the  Garfield  by  Aaron  Satterstein. 

].  S.  Alednikoiv,  new  chief  of  Tiffany’s 
Chicago  office,  has  added  O.  B.  Campbell  to 
his  staff  of  salesmen.  Campbell,  who  was 
with  Tiffany  here  three  years  ago,  and  has 
since  been  wdth  Surety  and  Fox  in  Chi- 
cago, will  handle  the  northside  territory. 
C.  E.  Senning  of  the  sales  force  has  been 
sent  to  Philadelphia,  after  a couple  of 
months  of  selling  Tiffany  products  to  Chi- 
cago theatres. 

^ ^ 

Tommy  Greenwood,  one  of  Harry  Torch’s 
battalion  of  Pro-Dis-Co  salesmen,  last  week 
almost  joined  the  ranks  of  those  who  have 
met  the  President  of  the  United  States.  Al- 
most ! ]\Ir.  Coolidge,  before  leaving  Wash- 

ington for  his  Black  Hills  retreat,  asked 
that  De  Mille’s  “The  Yankee  Clipper”  be 
screened  on  his  special  train  the  evening 
following  his  address  at  Wicker  Park,  Ind. 
So  Tommy  met  the  train  at  Hammond, 
bringing  the  precious  cans — but,  it  so  hap- 
pened, Air.  Coolidge  was  busy  smiling 
greetings  to  the  people  from  the  observa- 
tion platform. 

* * 

Carl  Laonmle,  enroute  to  Europe  via 
New  York,  spent  a day  last  week  with  the 
L’niversal  staff  in  Chicago.  He  was  ac- 
companied by  Carl,  Jr.,  and  Rosahclle,  who 
will  continue  with  him  abroad. 

* * * 

Irving  Mandel  of  Security  Pictures,  has 
bought  1927-28  program  of  18  Excellent 
]>roductions  for  distribution  in  Illinois  and 
1 ndiana. 

Harry  James,  who  has  been  office  man- 
ager at  the  Pro-Dis-Co  Chicago  branch  for 
the  past  four  years,  has  resigned  to  take 
a similar  position  in  the  Vitaphone  offices 
at  Warner  Brothers. 

* * * 

Al  Hoffman  is  now  of  the  Universal  sales 


force,  hax'ing  left  F.  B.  O.  The  latter 
firm’s  sales  staff  has  been  kept  up  to 
strength,  however,  by  the  addition  of  Ten 
Ullrich,  since  early  last  winter  a member 
of  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  organization. 
* * * 

Cecil  Maberry,  district  manager,  and  Dan 
Roche,  Chicago  publicity  director,  made  a 
trip  to  the  Minneapolis  Pro-Dis-Co  branch 
last  week,  while  the  P-D-C  office  here  was 
visited  last  week  by  Haydn  O.  Duke,  sec- 
retary of  the  company,  who  - was  on  his 
way  to  the  home  office  from  the  West 
Coast. 


Herald  photo. 


Michigan  was  well  represented  at  the 
Columbus  convention  and  went  along 
on  the  decision  to  admit  producer- 
owned  theatres  to  membership.  Here 
are  (left  to  right)  E.  S.  Kinley  and 
Joe  R.  Denniston  of  the  Family  thea- 
tre at  Monroe. 

A delegation,  large  and  dignified,  left 
Chicago  June  17  for  Indianapolis  to  attend 
the  opening  of  the  new  Indiana  theatre,  a 
Publix  house.  In  the  group  were  John  BaT 
aban,  ll’illiam  K.  Hollander,  Si  Greiver, 
David  Dnbin  and  Tom  North,  The  house 
was  opened  Juno  18,  and  is  said  to  be  the 
“finest  house  in  Indiana.”  Many  Publix 
officials  from  New  York  City  were  on  the 
opening  program. 

* * 

Lnbliner  and  Trine  has  taken  over  the 
motion  picture  theatre  under  construction 
in  Chicago’s  colored  section,  the  lease 
having  been  transferred  in  negotiations 
with  Harry  M.  Englestein,  lessor.  The  lease 
is  for  25'  years.  The  theatre  will  be  a 
deluxe  house  of  Moorish  architecture  and 
equipped  for  any  type  of  stage  production, 
as  well  as  pictures.  A.  L.  Levy  and  If'.  J- 
I\lein  designed  the  house. 


SHORT  SUBJECTS— SEASON  1927-28 

80  Two-reel  Subjects 96  One-reel  Subjects 

A DANGEROUS  ADVENTURE 
Warner  Brothers’  Serial 


TWO  REEL  SUBJECTS 


SINGLE  REELS 


I 2 College  Sport  Series.  Snap Pep Humor  on 

Campus,  Field  and  Stream  glorifying  the  youth  of 
the  World. 

1 2 Sid  Smith  Comedies. 

12  Cycl  one  Comedies. 

I 2 Shot  and  Powder  Comedies. 

1 2 Al  Joy  Comedies. 

6 Steve  Donoghue  Turf  Classics. 

I 4 George  Bunny  Comedies. 

A Thrilling  SERIAL  of  the  Jungle! 

A DANGEROUS  ADVENTURE 


Novelty  Animals Child  Stories. 

Julian  Ollendorff-Sketchografs. 
Mickey  Bennett-Boy  Adventures. 
New  Era  Novelties. 

Edgar  Guest  Poetic  Jewels. 

Post  Nature  Scenics. 


For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVENUE, 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Produced  by  Warner  Brothers. 
Nothing  on  the  Market  Like  it. 


For  Indiana 

INDIANA. 

^ 218VPimmei®uildm^ 

INDIANAPOLIS 


Superiority  guarded 

thirty-eight  years 

In  1889  Eastman  film  made  movies 
practicable.  And  today  the  famous  Kodak 
Research  Laboratories  still  safeguard  the 
superiority  that  has  always  marked  Eastman 
Negative  and  Positive. 

Superiority  in  film  includes  higher 
screen  quality.  High  screen  quality  insures 
satisfaction  to  the  public.  And  constant 
satisfaction  is  needed  to  maintain  and  in- 
crease box-office  receipts. 

Always  specify  prints  on  Eastman 
Positive,  and  look  for  the  words  "Eastman 
— Kodak”  in  the  transparent  margin. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


KXHit5i'i(JKb  HJiKAJ^D 


H.C.  fVEAVER  PnODUCTZO^S  Aresenis 


ihe  Heart  o^/j^lfukon 


mth  John  Bowers  <»/ Anne  Cornwall 


I NltHT 


What  happened  to  a young  girl  who  ventured  alone  to 
Alaska  in  its  roughest,  toughest  days,  and  found  a home 
in  its  toughest  place.  Adventure,  suspense,  romance. 


Fine.  John  Bowers,  Anne  Cornwall,  Russell  Simpson,  Frank  Campeau 
and  Edward  Hearne. 


Unusual  character  work  by  Campeau  and  Russell;  unique  situ- 
tions  created  by  the  “heavy,”  proprietor  of  a “dive,”  claiming  the 
heroine  as  his  daughter,  to  serve  his  own  ends.  Wonderful  scenery, 
snow  and  ice  effects.  The  metamorphosis  of  the  little  country  girl 
into  the  belle  of  the  dance  hall.  The  dog  team  race. 


lors  Eiquiiy  rimers  rigni  on  o£iia.ry  v/ut 


NEWS:  At  the  moment  of  going 
to  press  another  Big  Bet  joins  The 
Big  Parade  of  Stars.  Welcome 

SYD  CHAPLIN 


Flesh  and  The  Devil  — Gilbert  and  Garbo 
Lon  Chaney  in  Tell  It  to  the 
Marines  and  Mr.  Wm 
Marion  Davies  in 
Tillie  the  Toiler 
John  Gilbert  in 
Twelve  Miles  Out 


After 

Midnight 


The 

Unknown 

The 

Callahans 
and  the 
Murphys 


Dane  ^ 
Arthur  In 
Rookies 
Captain 
Salvation 


THE  BIG  PARADE 

OF  STARS 

' 2 

JOHN  GILBERTS 

3 

MARION  DAVIES 

4 

3 

WILLIAM  HAINES 

NORMA  SHEARERS 

LON  CHANEYS 

1 

RAMON  NOVARRO 

JACKIE  COOGANS 

1 

LILLIAN  GISH 

5 

2 

COSMOPOLITANS 

GRETA  GARBOS 

2 

6 

DOG  STAR 

TIM  McCOYS 

3 

3 

DANE-ARTHURS 

CODY-PRINGLES 

1 SYD  CHAPLIN 

— and  Big  Specials  Including 

IN  OLD  KENTUCKY 

THE  CROWD 

(King  Vidor) 

MADEMOISELLE  FROM  ARMENTIERES 

GARDEN  OF  ALLAH 

(Rex  Ingram) 

NAPOLEON 

BODY  AND  SOUL 

THE  COSSACKS 

(John  Gi/bcrf) 

— and  the  Big  Parade  of  Shorts 

' V /,'t  /vV//  I 


\i  \ ' \ / T7TI, 


M-G-M  HITS  OF  TODAY 
POINT  TO  M-G-M  HITS 
OF  TOMORROW 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


No^ 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1879.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


July  2,  1927 


WLOsmm 


Robeit  MH'ten  & 


Ne>xr  York 

I56O  Broadway  Chica6.0 
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Sdti  Francisco 

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W^hy  TIFFANY  W^ill  Give 

“THE  BETTER  ENTERTAINMENT” 


♦♦♦♦♦♦ 


IFFANY  the  youngest  but  the  most  progressive  National  Oiganization 
in  the  business. 


New  methods  made  Tiffany  what  it  is. 

According  to  old  prescribed  methods  a company  would  present  you  with 
a hundred  page  Year  Book  in  many  colors — it  would  at  least  spend  the  cost 
of  a good  negative  and  then  cheapen  production  in  order  to  make  up  the  cost 

According  to  old  prescribed  methods  a company  would  enumerate  and 
promise  a long  list  of  stars  and  by  the  time  the  pictures  were  delivered  you 
might  find  five  percent  of  stars  promised  appearing  in  the  picture. 

According  to  old  prescribed  methods  a company  would  make  the  same 
empty  promises  regarding  authors,  stories,  cost  of  production,  directors  and 
numerous  other  things — which  promises  would  invariably  not  be  kept. 


\ 


And  it  is  natural  that  the  company  making  such  promises  would  have 
to  accept  one  of  two  evils — namely,  either  adhere  as  close  to  the  promises  as 
possible,  which  would  result  in  poor  pictures  because  the  casts,  the  directors 
and  authors  may  not  fit  eventually — or,  as  stated  above,  all  promises  would 
have  to  be  broken  in  order  to  try  and  make  some  good  pictures. 


in  order  to  make  the  progress  that  Tiffany  has  made  and  the  greater  prog 
ress  It  intends  to  and  will  make.  Tiffany  has  pursued  a more  progressive, 
more  efficient — a modern  policy — of  making  no  promises  unless  they  can  be 
kept,  and  making  very  few  of  those.  The  results  of  this  policy  speak  for  them- 
selves, and  to  further  establish  the  confidence  of  exhibitors  and  public.  Tiffany 
will  continue  with  that  policy  and  will  confine  itself  to  facts — not  imagination 
to  proof — not  promises. 


Controlled  hy  TIFFANY 


NE  of  the  most  interesting  phases  of  the  Third  Dimension  Pictures 
controlled  by  Tiffany  is  the  fact  that  there  will  be  no  installation  costs 
or  expenditures  to  speak  of. 

The  projection  machines  now  being  used  no  matter  what  the  make,  will 
not  need  any  remodelling  or  replacing. 

The  screens,  large  or  small,  have  no  bearing  on  the  effectiveness  of  this 
new  method  of  production  and  projection  of  photoplays. 

The  size  or  age  of  the  theatre  will  have  no  bearing  on  it.  In  other  words 
no  matter  how  small  the  theatre  or  how  long  ago  it  was  built,  the  projection 
of  the  Third  Dimension  Pictures  will  be  just  ao  effective  in  small  ancient 
theatres  as  it  will  be  in  the  most  modern  or  palatial. 

The  lighting  effects  have  no  bearing  on  this  new  method  of  photography 
and  production.  Whatever  the  theatre  employs  for  the  showing  of  the  present 
day  pictures,  will  suit  just  as  well  this  modern  evolution  in  the  motion  picture 
industry. 

No  stage  is  required. 

Wherever  there  is  a projection  machine  and  a screen,  the  Third  Dimension 
Pictures  ecru  be  shown. 

The  patents  and  processes  employed,  and  other  necessary  things  that  are 
done  to  bring  forth  the  effect  upon  the  screen  of  DEPTH  in  photography, 
arc  done  with  the  camera,  the  development  of  negative,  and  the  printing  of 
positive. 

Everything  is  taken  care  of  by  the  producer  before  the  picture  reaches 
the  exchange  or  the  exhibitor. 

Tiffany  contemplates  making  its  first  big  special  production  in  the 
Third  Dimension  Pictures. 

Tiffany  also  contemplates  the  making  of  some  short  subjects  with  this 


99 


The  struggle  of  a human  soul  torn  between  sacred  ’ 

and  profane  love.  Portrayed  with  the  wisdom  of  - 

a judge,  the  idealism  of  a Saint,  the  humanity  of 
a sinner.  Passionate,  powerful  masterpiece  of  the 
American  Balzac — David  Graham  Phillips. 


< 1) 


/ !• 


In  these  divorcmg  days, 
you  never  know  exactly 
who's  whose.  Everybody 
vvnll  enjoy  a good-humored 
satire  on  the  re-married  set. 
A sparkling  comedy^  pepped 
up  with  just  the  proper 
dash  of  sex. 


J J ^ 


Drama  true  to  the  life  of  this 
land  of  quick,  cheap  and  con- 
venient divorce.  The  comedy  of 
love,  the  tragedy  of  marriage. 
It  hits  HOME. 


A broad  comedy  of  Broadway,  peppy  as  the 
latest  slang  intriguing  as  a hide-away  cafe. 
Dramatizing  the  headlong  pace  of  this  dizzy 
age.  Beauty  and  baldheads,  youth  and  humor. 


(\\^j  Q.  ,.^0’ 


She  was  the  flattest  tire  in  town 
— till  she  borrowed  the  wicked 
glamor  of  the  city  by  the  Seine. 
And  then  how  she  did  balloon 
out  socially;  A hilarious  comedy 
of  appearances — a banquet  of 
entertainment,  with  only  the 
menu  in  French. 


Reaches  every  heart  that  has  ever 
thrilled  to  romance.  All  the  ten- 
derness of  a girl’s  love,  all  the 
strength  of  a boy’s — woven  into 
a Humoresque  of  laughter  and 
tears. 


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A new  triangle — the  man,  the 
woman,  and  the  clock.  Dra- 
matic story  of  love,  tempta- 
tion, passion — the  things  that 
move  the  hearts  of  audiences  profoundly. 


X 


-X 


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I'wit! 


f>T 


y, 

Hi  0, 

■X 

■ ‘5  / 

-tfl  — 


City  of  Asians  and 
Caucasians — city  of 
tourists  and  tramps, 
harlots  and  harpies, 
missionaries 
and  madams,  girls 
and  gin. 


Background  for  a talc 
of  the  lotus  hlooming 
in  the  muck — the  mir- 
acle of  lust  turned 
to  love. 


STREETS  Of 

SttANWAI 


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Ti'ie  closest  topic  to  woman’s  heart. 
A picture — lustrous  as  satin,  ex- 
quisite as  silk,  intimate  as  the  title. 
Take  your  audience  on  a tour  of 
Fifth  Avenue’s  corsetiercs — makes 
them  fee!  as  wealthy  as  the  mil- 
lionaires they  meet.  Adapted  from. 
. J.  F.  Natteford’s  ^ 

^ Red  Book  story 

“Striped  Satin.” 


All  those  endearing 
young  charms  are 
frankly  on  display  in 
this  visit  to  the  mar- 
riage market.  A pano- 
rama ofbeauty,  a 
pageant  of  graces,  an 
exhibition  of  allure- 
ments. And  a fascinat- 
ing seductive,  1927- 
modcl  romance. 


Womens 

^Vares" 


Story  of  a modern  lady  of  the 
Camclias,  told  from  the  new 
angle  of  the  other  woman — 
sacrifice.  Sumptuously  mount' 
cd,  hut  as  human  in  its  appeal 
to  the  emotions  as  a laugh  or 
a soh. 


All  the  world  her  stage,  she  the  player.  Hers 
the  part  of  an  adventuress.  But  under  the 
mask  of  rouge  and  powder  she  was  just  a 
loving,  suffering,  sclf-sac- 
rificing  woman.  A dra- 


99 


Hilarious  situations  in  the  life  of  a human  vvnth  a vegetable 
brain.  Her  beauty  alw'ays  got  her  in,  and  her  stupidity 
always  let  her  out.  They  told  her  that  beauty  was  only 
skin  deep,  but  she  thought  that  was  deep  enough — and  in 
the  end,  was  she  right  or  wrong? 


A talc  of  the  town  of  bangtails  and  cock- 
tails,  where  the  land  of  liberty  ends  and 
the  land  of  license  begins.  Only  thirty 
minutes  from  San  Diego — but  what  a 
long  and  wcarj-  way  back  to  decency 
and  honor.  The  thrill  of  a hundred-to- 
one  chance,  the  drama  of  a fighting 
come-back — the  entertainment  an  audi- 
ence loves. 


' 


I 

I 


I 


Shows  what  liappcns  when  the  children  realize  t 
father  s no  prophet  and  mother’s  no  saint.  A soc 
problem  treated  with  fairness  and  good  humor 

hut  a problem  so  big  that 


“^MOlUrE 

oficmoM. 

I Love  with  a background 

of  spying  eyes  and  lying 
tongues.  Suspenseful  sit- 
uations that  build  and 
build  until  nobody 
knows  whether  the  out- 
come will  be  marriage  or 
murder. 


w 


99 


This  title  has  been  famous  for 
three  generations.  A luxury 
picture — An  exotic,  gorgeous 
pageant  of  fashion  and  passion. 


66 


Wh.it  goes  on  behind  tlie 
bachelor’s  door?  This  discreet- 
ly  daring  revelation  answers 
what  every  woman  wants  to 
know.  A Tiffany  entertain- 
ment  of  gasps,  chuckles,  howls 
— and  just  enough  drama  to 
make  it  sure-hre. 


A flashlight  turned  upon 
the  city’s  darkness,  with 
its  joys  and  sorrows. 
Thrilling  romance,  glori- 
ous adventure,  baffling 
mystery.  All  the  clash 
and  conflict  that  makes 
box-office  power. 


The  mystery  ship  of  forbidden 
romance.  Are  there  any  re- 
spectable people  on  board?  Yes. 
the  Captain  has  a license  and 
a certificate.  And  some  of  the 
passengers  are  married.  A 
swift  comedy  of  this  dizzy  age 
— taking  the  searchlight  off 
the  shore  and  turning  it  on 
the  staterooms  for  the  first 
time 


I K sMITH 

I OROVVf* 

JONES 


TIFFANY  V 

f 

announces  < : 

Several  Special  Productions  Suitable  for 

Extended  Runs 

You  hear  a lot  said  about  Special  and  super-special  productions.  We  are 
making  them  all  the  time  but  do  not  boast  about  them,  nor  do  we  use  them  as 
a whip  to  get  blood  out  of  a stone.  Instead  of  that  the  Tiffany  exhibitor  buys 
the  Specials  at  the  average  price  and  the  more  big  productions  he  gets  from  us 
the  better  we  like  it. 

What  we  mean  by  Special  Productions  are  pictures  suitable  for  extended 
runs  and  Tiffany  will  make  those  for  the  sole  purpose  of  helping  its  customers 
— not  robbing  them.  Tiffany  will  only  use  the  specials  for  extended  runs  for 
a sufficient  length  of  time  to  establish  their  Box  Office  value.  They  will  not 
be  run  indefinitely  to  take  off  the  cream  and  turn  over  the  skimmed  milk 
to  the  exhibitor  as  others  have  been  doing. 

24  TIFFANY  COLOR  CLASSICS 

You  will  also  notice  that  Tiffany  will  not  give  to  the  exhibitor  the  ordi- 
nary short  reel  subjects.  The  very  fact  that  they  are  from  Tiffany  will  make 
them  entirely  different  from  the  average  short  reel  features  and  a progressive 
step  forward  in  such  entertainment. 


y 


7M 

Lowell  Sherrrwn 


Agnc<  Ayres 


TIFFANY 

“THE  BETTER  E7s[TERTA7NME7s[T“ 
1926^1927 

“LOST  AT  SEA  ” 

“The  Production  itself  is  ot  the  first  order  " — 

Vai'icfv 

“THAT  MODEL  FROM  PARIS” 

“Pleasing  story  nicely  told.” — Film  Daily. 

“FOOLS  OF  FASHION  ' 

“'Very  Good.  Has  been  produced  lavishly  “ — 

Harrison'.'!  Rcfxyrt . 

“CX)LLEGE  DAYS” 

“A  spirited  bit  of  entertainment.  A subject  well 
done.” — Variety.  ‘ 

•JOSSELYN'S  WIFE  ” 

“An  interesting  and  dramatic  story." — Motum 

Picture  J^eies. 

“SIN  CARGO  ’ 

“Will  surprise  and  thrill  audiences  wherever  it 
is  shown.” — Telegraph . 

“REDHEADS  PREFERRED 

“One  of  the  week’s  best  film  bets." — J\[.  T.  Daily 

tiraphic . 

“ONE  HOUR  OF  LOVE” 

■“Is  as  amusing  a film  farce  as  I have  inspected  in 
quite  a while.” — (Chicago  Herald  Fxaininer 

“THE  FIRST  NIGHT” 

“Should  ring  the  bell  at  the  b«>X'othee  ” — Mcn'ing 

Ptcfnie  World. 

“HUSBAND  HUNTERS’ 

“This  film  is  going  to  make  the  boys  step  up  to 
the  window,  lay  down  the  coin  and  catch  a 
thrill.'  — Vurietv. 

“CHEATERS  ” 

“Should  make  a strong  bid  at  any  box-office.’ 

— Fxliihitirrs  Daily  Rei’ic-w 

“ THE  BROKEN  GATE  ’ 

“Is  a splendid  picture,  carefully  and  effectively 
presented.” — May  Tinee,  C/iicago  Tribune. 

THE  PRINCESS  FROM  HOBOKEN  ’ 

“A  well-made  film,  with  a finish  in  production 
and  photography.” — Variefv. 

"THE  ENCHANTED  ISLAND” 

One  of  the  most  unusual  pictures  of  the  yeai  . 
Effectively  presented. 

“ THE  BEAUTY  SHOPPERS’ 

A great  box-office  bet.  A wow  for-  every  kir.-l  ot 
audience. 

•“BAQKSTAGE  ” 

An  amusing,  interesting  story  well  dir«.cted  and 
acted. 

“SNOWBOUND” 

A type  of  comedy  that  audiences  prefer. 

“LIGHTNING' 

A Zane  G.rey  story. 

“WILD  GEESE” 

From  the  popular  novel  by  Martha  Ostenso.  Read 
bv  more  than  2,000,000  people. 

“ THE  TIRED  BUSINESS  MAN  " 

A farce  comedy  with  a great  cast. 


Kuigbinii 


r 

\Vm.  Collier.  Jr  Jacqueline  Logan 


Hpiiry  13.  Wdlihail  B.irKirj  Btxifoid 


Johnnir  Walk^i 


HcJi'j  Hoppci 


WASHINGTON,  DC. 
916  G Street,  N.W 


MINNEAI’OLIS,  MINN 

Loch  Arcade  Buildins 


ALBANY,  N Y. 
1048  Broadway 


MONTREAL,  QUE 
12  M.iyor  Street 


MILW'AUKEE,  W'IS 
713  Wells  Street 


ATLANTA,  GA 
106  Walton  Street 


NEW  YORK  CITY,  N.  Y 
729  Seventh  Avenue 


BUFFALO,  N Y 
.‘>05  Pearl  Street 


TCJRONTO,  ONT 
105  Bf>nd  Street 


NEW  HAV'EN,  CONN 
126  Meadow  Street 


BOSTON,  MASS 
42  Piedmont  S 


LONDON. ENC 
99.1  CTarine  C. 


OMAHA,  NEB 
Film  Exehan 


CHARLOTTE,  N C 
United  Film  Build: 


LIVERPOOL 

“i  Balmoral  Rd 


PHILADELPHIA.  PA 
1313  Vine  Street 


CLEVELAND,  OHIO 

Film  Exchange  Building 


LEEDS 

‘>7  Albion  Street 


PORTLAND.  OREG 
449  Glisan  Street 


CINCINNATI,  OHIO 

Broadway  Film  Building 


CARDIFF,  W ALES 


PITTSBURGH,  PA 
1010  Forbes  Street 


CHICAGO,  ILL 

,S(16  S Wabash  Avenue 


em 


SALT  LAKE  CITY.  UTAH 
62  Exchange  Place 


MANCHESTER 

60  V'ictoria  Street 


DENVER,  COL. 
2040  Broadway 


SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL 
295  'F urk  St  reet 


GLASGOW 

68  Great  Cl>  de  Street 


DES  MOINES.  lA. 
1019  High  Street 


SEATTLE,  WASH 
2015  Third  Avenue 


DETROIT,  MICH 
2310  Cass  Avenue 


NEWCASTLE-ON-TY  NE 
19  Bath  Lane 


.ST.  LOUIS,  MO 
3312  Lindel!  Blvd 


DALLAS,  TEX. 

308  S.  Harwood  Street 


BIRMINGHAM 
28  Severn  Street 


INDIANAPOLIS,  IND 
432  N.  Illinois  Street 


PARIS,  FRANCE 
6.3  Avenue  Des 


lamps 
Ely. sees 


KANSAS  CITY,  MO 
1 13  W,  I8th  Street 


BERLIN,  GERMANY 
Friedrich  Strasse  218 


97ie  better  tntertainment 


LOS  ANGELES,  CAL 

1916  S.  Vermont  Street 


HAVANA,  CUBA 
R.M.  de  Labra,  33 


,i!lCT'0Har>ffl£ 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


*HAROLD  LLOYD 
CLARA  BOW 
RICHARD  DIX 
BEBE  DANIELS 
BEERY-HATTON 
POLA  NEGRI 
THOMAS  MEIGHAN 
EMIL  JANNINGS 
ADOLPHE  MENJOU 
FRED  THOMSON 
ZANE  GREY 
FIELDS-CONKLIN 
ESTHER  RALSTON 
CONKLIN-BANCROFT 
FLORENCE  VIDOR 
GEORGE  BANCROFT 
WALLACE  BEERY 
W.  C.  FIELDS 
JACK  LUDEN 


“BEAU  GESTE” 

“THE  ROUGH  RIDERS” 

“CHANG” 

“METROPOLIS” 

“GENTLEMEN  PREFER 
BLONDES” 

“UNDERWORLD” 
‘JESSE  JAMES’ 

“THE  WAY  OF  ALL  FLESH” 
“HITTING  FOR  HEAVEN” 

“TILLIE’S  PUNCTURED 
ROMANCE” 

“BEAU  SABREUR” 

“GLORIFYING  THE 
AMERICAN  GIRL” 

“DAVY  CROCKETT” 
and  10  Other  Big  Specials 


■Produced  fcy  Harold  l.loyd  Corfj-  Released  by  Paramount. 

Short  Features 


104  PARAMOUNT  NEWS 


36  CHRISTIE  COMEDIES 


6 HORTON  COMEDIES  10  MINTZ  NOVELTIES 


26  KRAZY  KAT 


26  INKWELL  IMPS 


dtafs  Ttour  ansM^  lor 1927^8.^ 


4 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


Sure  Winners  in  thd 


CARYL 

LINCOLN 


JIMMIE 

HARRISON 


LORRAINE 

EDDY 


SID 

SMITH 


EDDIE 

BAKER 


Entire  Christie  comedies  output 
leased  by  PARAMOUNT  in  1927'8— thatl 
the  Big  News  in  the  short  features  field 


Christie’s  the  class  in  2-reel  comedies  d 
surely  as  Paramount’s  the  leader  in  feature! 
Christie  stars  and  players,  backed  by  finj 
product  for  years  and  consistent  nation*} 
advertising,  are  favorites  with  the  publi 


Christie’s  another  reason  why  contraC| 
already  in  on  PARAMOUNT’S  100%  PR( 
GRAM,  stack  up  like  Lindbergh’s  fan  mail 


I 


5 


July  2,  1927 


30,7’' 8 Laugh  Pace! 


BILLV 

VERA  DOOLEV 

JIMMIE  STEADMAN 

ADAMS 


FR/^CES  BOBBY' 

lee  VERNON 


ETHEL 


SHANNON 


— The  First  3 — 


BILLY 

DOOLEY 


■"SiKS 


BOBBY 

ERNO 

Shorl- 

Socks 


JIMMIE 

ADAMS 


nMEDYFIEU) 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


St  with 

Coyp! 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927  i 


r July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


fUTPEP 


Vr 

% — *' 

IN  ANY  SHOW 


Crack!  Bang!  Bing!  Just  watch  the 

fans  as  they  see  these  cannon  crackers 
loaded  with  laughter  and  novelty.  And 
how  they  like  it! 

Every  one  of  them  a sure-fire  explosion. 
There’s  never  a dud  in  the  pack  — never 
a fizz-out.  You  can  bank  on  that,  because 
back  of  them  are  seven  years  of  special- 
ized experience  in  charging  these  one  and 
two-reel  features  with  the  T N T of  laugh- 
ter, novelty  and  good  entertainment. 

Get  this  packet  of  cannon  crackers  for 
1927-1928  lined  up  now.  Then  touch  them 
off  with  the  spark  of  local  exploitation. 
The  explosions  will  bring  more  patrons 
— and  added  profits— to  your  box-office. 


KINOGRAMS 

The  News  Reel  Built  Like  a 
Newspaper  Twice*  a - Week 


26 
One -Reel 

live  Cat. 

Cartoons 
by  Pal  Sullivan 


12 

One-Reel 

YMAN  H HOWE5 
lODGE-PODGE 


EDUCATIONAL 
FILM  EXCHANGES.  Inc. 


MEMBER-MOTION  PICTURE  PRODUCERS 
AND  DISTRIBUTORS  OF  AMERICA  .INC.  - WILE  H. HAYS  , PRESIDENT 


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EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


GUN 


Roxy 


The  stage  hit  of  the  year  by 
John  B.  Hymer  and  Leroy 
Clements.  Starring  Jean 
Hersholt,  with  June  Mar- 
lowe, Ralph  Graves,  Myrtle 
Stedman,  etc. 


CARL  LAEMMLE  presents 

AN  EDWARD  SLOMAN 

PRODUCTION 


GREAT 
PICTURE 

Xn  all  the  years  that  I have  been  active  in  the  Motion 
Picture  Industry,  I have  never  viewed  a coming 
production  season  with  such  enthusiasm  as  I now 
feel  in  looking  ahead  at  the  product  that  will  be 
released  by  United  Artists  Corporation* 

This,  the  year  of  its  Eighth  Anniversary,  United 
Artists  will  offer  to  showmen  the  strongest  line-up  of 
Big  Money  Pictures  ever  distributed  through  any 
one  company* 

So,  it  is  with  pleasure  and  confidence  that  1 gladly 
place  my  signature  beside  those  of  my  associates,  as 
endorsement  of  my  belief  in  their  pledge:— 

that  this  coming  season,  for  United  Artists, 
will  be  the  most  sensational  in  the  history  of 
Box  Office  Picture  Production* 

I know  you  will  share  our  enthusiasm  as  you  read 
the  following  pages* 

J’rcsidenf  and  Cliairinan  of  Board  of  Directors 


GREATEST 


r" 


of  STARS  in 
BOX  OFFICE  PICTURES 


Each  Picture  Sold  Individually  » ♦ . On  Merit 

Season  19274928 


m 


From  original  modern  story  by  Vladimir 
Dantchenko.  Adapted  by  Fred  deGresac. 
Direaed  by  Frank  Lloyd.  With  Greta 
Nissen. 


in 


Samuel  Goldv/yn’s  presentation  of  the 
Henry  King  production.  Based  on 
Rudolf  Lothar's  stage  play,  “King 
Harlequin.’’ 


in 

^‘COLLEGF^ 

An  original  story  of  college  athletics. 
Directed  by  James  W.  Horne.  Presented 
byjoseph  M.  Schenck.  Cast  includes  Ann 
Cornwall,FlorenceTurner,Snitz  Edwards. 


in 


From  original  story  by  Harry  Hervey. 
A Samuel  Goldwyn  presentation.  Her 
first  release  through  United  Artists  Cor- 
poration. 


tvill  produce 


From  stage  play  by  David  Belasco  and 
John  Luther  Long.  With  great  interna- 
tional cast.  His  first  United  Artists 
picture. 


will  produce  and  direct 

^‘LAUGH,  CLOWN, 
LAUGH^^ 

Based  on  David  Belasco’s  stage  produc- 
tion by  Tom  Cushing. 


will  produce  and  direct 


Based  on  Warwick  Deeping’s  current 
novel.  With  H.  B.  Warner,  Nils  Aster, 
Alice  Joyce,  Anna  Q.  Nilsson,  Carmel 
Myers,  Louis  Wolheim,  Norman  Trevor. 
His  first  United  Artists  Picture. 


in 


From  Helen  Hunt  Jackson’s  Novel. 
Presented  by  Inspiration  Pictures,  Inc., 
and  Edwin  Carewe.  An  Edwin  Carewe 
Production. 


in 


From  the  play  by  Catherine  Chisholm 
Cushing.  Directed  by  Del  Lord.  Their 
first  United  Artists  Picture. 


in 


FromDonaldMcGibney’smagazinestory. 
Directed  by  Lewis  Milestone.  Presented 
by  Howard  Hughes  and  John  W. 
Considine,  Jr. 


OhowMEN  are  judged  by  the  pictures  they  show. 

Showmen  become  great— by  showing  Great  Pictures. 

Never  before  has  it  been  a film  salesman's  privilege 
to  offer  to  showmen  as  many  Great  Pictures  at  one 
time  as  is  represented  in  the  pages  you  have  just  read. 

Yes,  they  are  costly,  but  each  of  them  represents  an 
investment  of  a fortune  — not  to  speak  of  the  genius 
and  the  artistic  talent  that  created  each  of  them. 

It  is  the  economic  law  that  ^^that  which  costs  most 
is  the  cheapest  in  the  end.’’ 

There’s  the  secret  of  success  of  Great  Showmen*  Pay 
more — show  the  best — and  make  the  most  money. 

As  always  — — you  buy  United  Artists  Pictures 
individually,  on  merit.  What  could  be  fairer? 

It  will  be  our  pleasure  to  fill  your  best  dates.  Keep 
them  open! 


Vice  President  and  General  Manager  of  Distribution 
United  States  and  Canada. 


PERSONALITIES 

Greatest 


PICTURES 

Biggest 


POLICY 

Fairest 


UNITED  ARTISTS  CORPORATION 


^^ryTickfoni  WonmTalmadqe  Swanson  ^ ^ diaries OtiapUn  Jhaglas  Jaitbanki 

JOSEPH  M.  S CH'Eh}  CK^-  Presidtnt^^^fj^  und  Chairman  Board  of  Directors  < — — — — 


He  will  make  new  box-office  Histoi^ 
on  the  De  Mille  Profirram  — I927'28 


C.  GARDNER  SULLIVAN  presents 


Rod  La  Rocqu 


Fighting  Eaoit 


4$ 


PHYLLIS  HAVER 


Adapted  by  Douglas  Z.  Doty  from 


“The  Adventures  of  Gerard” 


by  A.  Conan  Doyle 


A DONALD  CRISP 

Production 


aDeMILLE 

SPECIAL 


HIS  FIRST  IN  A SERIES 
OF  4 SMASHING  HITS 

inc/udinq 

HOLD 'EM  YAU 

A DeMILLE  special 

TTke  NEW  YORKER 

A de  mille  super-feature 

STAND^/y^DELIVER 

A DE  MILLE  SUPER-FEATURE 

A FEW  OF  THE  BIG  BETS 
ON  A SENSATIONAL 
PROGRAM' 


De  mille  pictures 

PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  - PATHESERIALS-  PATHEPICTURES 


JOSEPH- e.  KENNEDY  presents  ^ 

; mM-m  mcmf'  / 


1 

^ . >1 

r 

•’S  ' v ' 1 

^^Skiitner’s  Big  Idea*'' 

‘The  Devils  Trade  Mark" 

A!  Cooke  and  Kit  Guard  in 
“A  Legionnaire  In  Paris" 

“Crooks  Can't  Win" 

‘Chicago  After  Midnight" 


“Her  Summer  Hero" 
“Sally  Of  The  Scandals" 

Warner  Baxter  in 
“The  Coward" 

“Alex  The  Great" 

“Red  Riders  Of  Canada" 
“Beyond  London's  Lights" 
“Aflame  In  The  Sky" 


Patsy  Ruth  Miller  and  Ralph  Ina 
“South  Sea  Love" 

“Coney  Island'' 

“Hook  and  Ladder  No.  9" 

Geo.  Behan  in 
“Loves  Of  Ricardo" 

“Jake  The  Plumber" 

“In  A Moment  Of  Temptation" 
“Dead  Man’s  Curve" 


mger,  the  Dog  and  the  trade's  greatest  line  of  short  product 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


1 


If  we  may  say  so — 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  carried  more  paid  advertising 
in  the  first  six  months  of  1927  than  any  other  motion 
picture  trade  paper. 

It  has  now  maintained  leadership  in  its  field  for  a period 
of  eighteen  months. 

It  has  under  contract  for  thirteen  or  more  insertions 
nearly  double  the  number  of  advertisers  of  any  other 
medium  in  the  field. 

Prestige  of  the  publication  is  particularly  reflected  in  two 
departments  in  this  issue,  which  mirror  its  appeal  to  two 
classes  of  advertisers  who  overwhelmingly  favor  the 
Herald:  the  Presentation  department  page  41  and  the 
Want  Ad  department  page  58. 


Coming 

NEXT  WEEK— Better  Theatres  for 
July  as  Section  2. 

July  16 — The  Studio  for  July  as 
Section  2. 


.1 


Oh  boy/A  Jummer 

LIfC-MVER/ 


o 


2) 


i *'’!  1 

^4;  r 


'-  , ■>' 


■ - . 


w ■5  '•j.  ^ ^ 1 

-f 


Out  of  the  IIED'''Z— You  can*t  ^o  under  withi 
the  kind  of  Hot-Weather  Hits  we've  ^ot 
for  you  ...■  Colleen  and  a dozen  others  willl 
keep  you  on  the  ristht  side  of  the  ledger.—' 
And  she  IS  right  in  this  one  . ■ . . with  thei 
sauciestf  snappiest  scenes  and  ^ads  that  even 
broke  a house  record  2 


PIR5T  NATIONAL  ii  the  ULU 


the  iHDvsTRWBmmm^n 


delivei 


a 


SUMMER 


in  L o 


COLLEEN  HOORE 

in  Haughty  fut  Nice 

HARRIMEKNCDON 

ants 

U T H 

in  Babe  Com,e  s Home 

Charlie  Hurray  >4AC^oriie  Sidney 

„ LOST  AT-THE  FRONT 

A Geortfe  Firzmaurice  Production 

THE  TENDER  HOUR 
BROADW&  NIGHTS 

with  Lois  Wilson  and  Sam  Hardy 

THE  SUHllf  DERBY 

with  Nary  Astor  & William  Coilierr  Jr. 

DAN  G I C 

with  Ben  Lyon  and  Pauline  Starke 


c o 


with 


N ¥ O Y 

Dorothy  Nykaill_&_J^owell  Sherman 

HILT  O^Vs  ILLS 

# i n E_r_ajn  e d # 

KEN  NAYNARD 

in  The  Land  Beyond  The  Law 

JOHNNY  HINES 

in  A I a r d 

KEN  NAYNARD 

in  The  P,e¥^t^^  Saddle 

LON  ESdHE  I ADI  E S 

with  Lewis  Stone  and  Anna  Q.  Nilsson 

FOR  fHE  LOVE  OF  NIKE 

with  Ben  Lyon  and  Claudette  Colbert 

SEE  JAIL 

with  Jack  Nulhall  and  Alice  Day 


it  ii 


I 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address; 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Holljrwood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  39 

Presentation  Acts  41 

The  Theatre  49 

The  Film  Mart  54 

New  Pictures  53 

Classified  Advertising  58 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 57 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  59 

FEATURES 

Broadway  22 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 28 

Re-Takes  28 

New  York,  by  John  S.  Spargo....  34 

Pictorial  Section  29 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  52 

Letters  from  Readers 56 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 66 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue — 


EiQUITY  active  as  proposal  is  made  to  cut  pay  of  players; 

^ Economy  move  said  to  hit  home  offices  also ; Martin  J.  Quigley 
comments  editorially  on  situation. 

EIDER  now  at  helm  in  New  Jersey;  Organization  defers  action 
, on  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. — South  Carolina  exhibitors  organize — N.  C. 
Body  meets — Cole  again  heads  Texans. 

WATTERSON  R.  ROTHACKER  heads  activities  at  F-N’s 
West  Cocist  studios  eis  vice-president  of  First  National  Pro- 
ductions Corporation;  A1  Rockett  continues  in  managerial  post. 

T)UBL1X  forms  bandshow  circuit  and  Chicago,  cradle  of  the  new 
^ show  business,  is  to  be  headquarters  for  the  nine  weeks  route 
operating  in  conjunction  with  the  class  unit  circuit  operated  from 
New  York. 


DRUCE  GALLUP  slated  to  head  A.M.P.A. 
for  next  year;  Lon  Young  nominated 

for  vice-president Fox  Athletic  club 

holding  Joy  Carnival. 

t)  REMIERE  of  “Old  San  Francisco”  en- 
hances Dolores  Costello’s  appeal;  Vita- 

phone  program  given  in  conjunction 

Le  Baron  adds  four  directors. 

PXCHANGES  decl  are  moratorium  on 
payment  of  bills  for  exhibitors  in 

Mississippi  flood  district Paramount  tie- 

up  with  nine  radio  stations  reported. 

AGREE  to  offer  amendments  to  British 
Film  Quota  bill  for  reduction  of  quota 

from  25  to  20  per  cent Universal  opens 

Capitol  theatre,  Atlanta,  its  first  big  house 
there. 


“Better  Theatres”  will  appear  as 
Section  Two  of  Next  Week’s  Herald 


1^  ILING  of  papers  by  Nathan  Burkan 
makes  Motion  Picture  Club  of  New 
York  a reality;  A1  Lichtman  named  tem- 
porary president;  Headquarters  being 
sought. 

IRL  cripple,  I 5,  runs  community  thea- 
tre;  Buys  pictures  like  veteran;  Leg 
amputated  after  accident,  child  makes 
shows  come  to  her. 

FJ'XHIBITOR  gives  world  tour  to  children 
for  one  dollar;  Principal  and  ex- 
changes cooperate  with  George  E.  Fuller 
of  Playhouse,  Fairhope,  Ala. 

wAXE  Houses  fete  Silver  Jubilee  in  all 
sections  of  Wisconsin;  Two  vandals 
bind  janitors  and  destroy  $5,000  equip- 
ment, wrecking  organ. 


18 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

Q}ie  independent  ‘^Im  Qrade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  Editor 

Published  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Exhibitors  Herald  Company 
Publicafion  OfiBce:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Exhibitors  Herald  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald:  Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week,  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi-annual. 

VoL.  XXX  July  2,  1927  No.  3 


This  Economy  Wave 

An  economy  wave  is  sweeping  over  the  business. 

Although  the  movement  is  obviously  of  a distinctly 
business  nature,  its  advent  is  being  advertised  and  pub- 
licized in  a strictly  theatrical  manner.  Anyone  familiar 
with  conditions  is  well-advised  of  the  reason — and  the 
urgent  necessity — for  inducing  a wave  of  economy  to 
sweep  across  the  industry,  hut  the  judgment  involved  in 
making  it  all  a matter  for  ballyhoo  is  properly  subject  to 
question. 

This  much  already  has  been  done  by  the  voluble  talk 
about  economy:  The  public  has  gained  the  idea  that 
those  responsible  for  the  management  of  the  business 
have  been  lax  in  their  methods;  the  investing  public  has 
been  discouraged  from  continuing  present  investments  in 
the  industry  and  financial  concerns  have  been  left  with  a 
somewhat  uneasy  attitude  toward  the  picture  business. 
Here,  again,  it  would  seem,  a theatrical  method  of  bally- 
hoo has  been  employed  on  a straight  matter  of  business 
to  the  detriment  of  the  business. 

However,  the  economy  wave  is  a necessary  and  indis- 
pensable treatment  which  certain  phases  of  the  motion 
picture  business  must  speedily  and  effectively  be  sub- 
jected to.  It  is  unfortunate  that  an  upheaval  of  this 
nature  must  be  brought  about,  but  the  trend  of  condi- 
tions leaves  no  alternative  open. 

It  just  happens  that  there  is  no  reasonable  doubt  as  to 
responsibility  for  the  conditions  which  now  cry  for  eco- 
nomic reformation.  It  is  important  to  note  where  this 
responsibility  rests  because  it  is  only  upon  the  future 
disposition  of  the  responsible  persons  that  any  hope  for 
permanent  improvement  may  be  predicated. 

* * * 

The  bad  economic  condition  which  has  been  growing 
up  in  the  business  has  been  before  the  eye  and 
under  the  hand  of  the  producer.  It  is  no  new  condition ; 
it  dates  back  to  the  days  just  following  the  dissolution  of 
the  General  Film  Company,  when  the  earlier — and  more 
conservative — managers  of  the  industry  were  dislodged 
by  their  successors.  At  that  moment  there  commenced  a 
free  and  easy  attitude  toward  production  expenditures.  A 
vicious  spirit  of  competition  for  the  services  of  star  per- 
sonalities started.  An  idea  was  bom — which  still  persists 
— that  if  enough  money  was  spent  the  resultant  picture 
had  to  be  good. 

Stars,  directors  and  other  great  and  essential  personali- 


ties in  pictures  have  been  bitterly  condemned  for  their 
financial  demands,  but  these  demands  have  been  nur- 
tured, encouraged  and  promoted  by  producers.  Times 
without  number  producers  have  approached  leading 
production  personalities,  who  were  already  receiving 
exorbitant  incomes,  with  new  and  more  extravagant 
propositions.  Persons  of  no  proven  ability  in  the  studios 
have  been  given  practically  carte  blanche  on  production 
costs.  If  an  occasional  good  picture,  by  accident  or  some 
other  foreign  reason,  happened  along  then  the  production 
executive  was  made;  his  demands  went  up  and  they  were 
eonsidered  quite  in  order.  If  this  particular  executive 
was  dropped  then  another,  at  a higher  salary,  was 
employed — apparently  on  the  supposition  that  regardless 
of  the  record  of  the  individual  if  he  were  paid  enough 
money  he  had  to  be  good. 

Pennies  have  been  guarded  religiously  in  sales  and  dis- 
tribution and  dollars  have  been  tossed  about  lavishly  in 
production.  An  attitude  of  money-madness  has  been 
fixed  upon  the  production  branch  of  the  business.  Per- 
sons of  sanity  and  balance  who  realized  that  their  worth 
could  not  possibly  match  the  salary  being  paid  or  offered 
feared  to  take  less  because  the  stigma  of  a reasonable 
salary  in  HollyT\mod  marked  them  as  being  of  no  account. 


The  picture  business  has  considered  itself  a great 
advertiser.  It  has  never  been  a great  advertiser. 
The  publicity  that  the  pictures  themselves  earned  has 
always  been  the  major  advertising  force.  An  accidental 
feature  of  the  business  has  gained  the  bulk  of  the  pub- 
licity which  the  business  has  obtained  and  on  the  actual 
expenditure  of  money  for  advertising  the  motion  pictime 
business  has  made  an  absurd  showing.  Millions  of  dollars 
have  been  appropriated  on  production  schedules  and 
then  when  it  comes  to  advertising  budgets  it  is  usually 
found  that  there  is  very  little,  if  any,  money  left.  With 
trade  opinion  a great  influence  on  every  picture  and  the 
determining  factor  between  success  and  failure  on  many, 
it  is  usually  the  case  that  about  1 per  cent  of  the  produc- 
tion costs  is  spent  on  trade  advertising.  And,  strangely 
enough,  some  of  the  economic  wizards  of  the  business 
have  recently  seized  upon  this  1 per  cent  as  a field  for 
accomplishing  a great  economic  retrenchment. 

The  success  or  failure  of  this  economic  wave,  whether 
it  will  accomplish  the  necessary  reforms  and  whether  it 
will  last  depends  altogether  upon  the  attitude  of  the  pro- 
ducer. In  the  present  emergency  he  may  feel  inclined  in 
the  natural  order  to  blame  other  people  and  other  things 
for  the  condition,  but  in  the  final  analysis  it  should  be 
plain  to  everyone  that  if  a bad  condition  exists  because 
of  unnecessary,  unreasonable  and  excessive  expenditures 
the  responsible  factor  is  the  person  who  has  been  saying 
okay  to  these  expenditures. 

There  is  no  reason  why  an  artist  should  not  ask  a mil- 
lion dollars  a year  for  his  services.  A production  execu- 
tive may  continue  to  feel  that  he  is  cheapening  his  status 
if  he  does  not  demand  three  to  five  times  what  he  could 
earn  in  any  other  profession.  Individuals,  hoping  to 
make  a name  for  themselves,  may  be  expected  to  dole  out 
lavishly  someone  else’s  money.  But,  certainly,  all  these 
things  do  not  have  to  be  agreed  to  by  the  producer.  In 
the  past,  to  one  extent  or  another,  he  has;  the  future  will 
tell  whether  the  economic  sanity  that  is  being  talked 
about  is  going  to  be  practiced. 

We  are  inclined  to  think  that  it  is  going  to  be  prac- 
ticed. But  in  this  we  give  the  producer  no  great  credit. 
Conditions  have  forced  his  hand.  And  if  the  hand  now 
playing  the  cards  has  not  been  properly  impressed  with 
the  situation,  there  will  be  a new  man  at  the  table.  Banks 
and  bankers  will  listen  to  excuses — ^but  not  often. 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


19 


July  2,  1927 


Equity  Active  as  Proposal  Is 
Made  to  Cut  Pay  of  Players 


New  York  Offices 
Noncommittal 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.— Little 
or  no  comment  is  forthcoming 
from  the  New  York  offices  rela- 
tive to  the  reduction  in  studio 
salaries.  The  general  attitude  is 
that  the  matter  has  been  handled 
on  the  Coast,  and  all  information 
should  originate  at  that  source. 

Richard  Rowland,  general  and 
production  manager  of  First  Na- 
tional, did  say,  however,  that  his 
company  did  not  contemplate 
“anything  extreme”  in  salary 
cuts.  Other  economies  also  are 
necessary,  he  said,  for  the  stabil- 
ization of  the  business. 

From  other  sources  it  has  been 
learned  that  the  economy  move- 
ment also  is  in  force  at  the  home 
offices,  where  salary  reductions 
have  been  effected  among  the 
higher  ups,  and  departmental  per- 
sonnel reduced.  This  movement 
in  the  home  offices  started  some 
three  weeks  ago. 


Defeated  Aldermen 
Seek  to  Crown  Careers 
with  Censorship  Law 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONG  BEACH,  CAL.,  June  28.— The 
outgoing  city  council  is  attempting  to  put 
over  a last  minute  ordinance  which  would 
foist  upon  this  town  a censorship  bill  plac- 
ing the  selection  of  books,  magazine,  news- 
papers, as  well  as  motion  pictures  and 
spoken  plays  in  the  hands  of  two  council- 
men,  the  chief  of  police  and  four  appointed 
citizens,  two  women  and  two  men. 
Churches,  Women’s  Clubs,  prominent  citi- 
zens and  the  motion  picture  industry  have 
already  gone  on  record  as  opposed  to  the 
measure. 

K~M  Owners  to  Base 

Dues  on  Population 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  June  28.— Abolition  of 
the  minimum  dues  of  $12  marked  the  first 
meeting  of  the  new  board  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  Kansas-Missouri,  and  in  the  future 
it  was  voted,  exhibitors  will  be  assessed 
one  and  a half  cents  per  capita  population 
of  their  respective  cities. 

Action  was  also  taken  granting  Presi- 
dent R.  R.  Biechele  a salary,  making  him 
the  first  president  to  receive  pay. 

Poles  Close  Theatres 
in  Protest  Against  Tax 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  28.— Exhibitors 
of  Bromberg,  Poland,  are  reported  to  have 
closed  their  houses  as  protest  against  ex- 
orbitant taxes  by  the  municipality.  Ac- 
cording to  the  French  trade  press,  these 
taxes  in  that  locality  reach  60  per  cent  of 
the  gross  receipts. 


F.  N.  Branch  Ready  July  15 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO. — First  National’s  new  ex- 
change building  here  will  be  ready  for  occupancy 
on  July  15.  It  is  at  3211  Olive  street. 


Economy  Move  Said  to 
Hit  Home  Offices  Also 


Sixteen  Companies  Plan  Reduction  in  Overhead  at 
Studios — Understanding  Said  to  Have  Been 
Reached  During  Hays^  Coast  Trip 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLLYWOOD  June  28. — An  economic  wave  in  motion  pictures, 
which  started  in  ripples  some  weeks  ago,  has  now  reached  the  propor- 
tions of  ocean  swells. 

Jesse  L.  Lasky,  first  vicepresident  in  charge  of  production  for  Para- 
mount, was  the  first  to  take  the  initiative  and  to  confirm  indirectly  rumors 
which  have  been  buzzing  about  studios  and  the  cafes  which  are  fre- 
quented by  motion  picture  people  for  some  time  past. 

Equity  Active  Following  Pay-Cut  Proposal 


A veritable  panic  was  caused  here  last  week  by  the  Paramount  executive’s 
pronouncement  that  all  salaries  over. $50  would  be  trimmed  from  10  to  25  per 
cent,  and  the  subsequent  announcement  that  15  other  companies  would  take 
similar  action.  These  announcements  had  the  effect  of  bringing  to  the  fore- 
ground in  Hollywood  the  Actors’  Eqfiity  Association,  of  which  many  of  the 


leading  film  players  are  members. 

Behind  this  economic  move,  accord- 
ing to  Lasky,  is  the  fact  that  “a  serious 
situation  has  arisen  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  and 
we  might  as  well 
face  the  facts.” 

“These  are,”  he 
said,  “that  the 
net  income  from 
pictures  is  not 
sufficient  because 
costs  have 
mounted  too 
high.  The  indus- 
try as  a whole 
has  been  spend- 
ing too  much  for 
what  it  has  been 
getting.” 

Besides  Para-  Jesse  L.  Lasky 

mount  those  join- 
ing in  the  economic  move  are:  Christie, 
De  Mille,  F B O,  First  National,  Fox, 
Goldwyn,  Harold  Lloyd,  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer,  Metropolitan,  Roach,  Sen- 
nett,  United  Artists,  Universal,  Warner 
Brothers  and  Jack  White. 

Meetings  Held  With  Hays 

Decision  to  ask  a reduction  in  studio 
salaries  was  reached  during  the  recent 
stay  in  Hollywood  of  Will  H.  Hays, 
president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers & Distributors  of  America,  ac- 
cording to  Fred  Beetson,  in  charge  of 
the  headquarters  here  of  the  Association 
of  Motion  Picture  Producers. 


The  announcement  of  the  pay-cut  pro- 
posal followed  several  star  sessions  of 
producer  representatives  and  a final 
meeting  at  the  Hollywood  Chamber  of 
Commerce. 

All  contract  stSrs,  directors,  writ- 
ers and  others  were  asked  last 
week  to  take  the  desired  cut  in 
salaries.  The  proposed  measure 
took  effect  yesterday  at  the  studios 
of  Paramount,  Fox,  Warners  and 
First  National.  It  becomes  effec- 
tive on  Thursday  on  the  Universal 
and  other  lots. 

Although  it  is  difficult  to  estimate  the 
number  of  employes  affected  by  the  re- 
duction order,  it  is  said  that  it  will  hit 
something  like  1,500  persons  at  each  of 
the  following  studios:  Universal,  First 
National,  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  and 
Paramount.  It  is  said  that  in  the  cases 
of  some  stars  the  pay-reduction  will 
range  from  $500  a week  to  more  than 
$1,000.  It  is  said  that  the  saving  effected 
at  the  studios  will  total  many  thousands  of 
dollars  weekly. 

Executives  Salaries  Also  Hit 

The  proposed  pay-cut  is  expected  to 
warp  the  salaries  of  executives  as  well  as 
stars,  directors,  players  and  other  studio 
workers.  It  is  said  that  many  of  the 
executives  expect  to  take  cuts  of  from  5 
per  cent  up. 

Just  what  action  Actors’  Equity  con- 
templates is  problematical  at  this  time. 

(Continued  on  page  36) 


This  Economic  Wave 

“The  success  or  failure  of  this  economic  wave,  whether  it  will  accomplish  the  nec- 
essary reforms  and  whether  it  will  last  depends  altogether  upon  the  attitude  of  the 
producer.  In  the  present  emergency  he  may  feel  inclined  in  the  natural  order  to 
blame  other  people  and  other  things  for  the  condition,  but  in  the  final  analysis  it 
should  be  plain  to  everyone  that  if  a bad  condition  exists  because  of  unnecessary, 
unreasonable  and  excessive  expenditures  the  responsible  factor  is  the  person  who  Iws 
been  saying  okay  to  these  expenditures.” 

THE  BASIS  OF  THE  ECONOMY  DRIVE  BY  PRODUCERS,  AND  THE  POSSI- 
BILITIES OF  ITS  FUTURE,  ARE  SET  FORTH  BY  MARTIN  J.  QUIGLEY  IN 
HIS  EDITORIAL,  AN  EXCERPT  OF  WHICH  IS  PRINTED  ABOVE,  PUBLISHED 
ON  PAGE  18. 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  192; 


A I Christie 


AL  CHRISTIE  . . . alike  famous  for  comedies  and  as  the 
discoverer  of  Hollywood  for  motion  picture  production 
. . . the  producing  and  directorial  half  of  the  Christie  Broth- 
ers ...  a keen  student  of  men — and  comedies  ...  an  impla- 
cable hunter  of  laughs  ...  a steadying  force  in  production 
councils. 


Girl  Cripple,  15,  Runs  Theatre; 
Buys  Pictures  Like  Veteran 

Leg  Amputated  After  Accident,  Child  Makes  Shows  Come  to  Her — 
Starts  Community  House  and  It’s  Real  Success 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Benton  city,  Mo.,  June  28.— -Exhibitors  who  are  wont  to 
grumble  or  become  discouraged  when  business  drops  off  for  a week 
may  take  a lesson  in  grit  and  showmanship  from  the  example  of 
Miss  Mildred  Russell,  17,  crippled  manager  of  the  successful  Community 
theatre  here.  Miss  Russell  started  managing  the  theatre  when  15  years 
old  and  combines  her  duties  of  operating  a theatre  and  buying  pictures 
with  those  of  a junior  in  high  school.  And  she’s  a personification  of 
optimism. 


IV/riSS  RUSSELL’S  right  leg  was  ampu- 
tated  following  an  accident  at  a Hal- 
lowe’en party  of  the  school  children.  When 
someone  stepped  on  her  foot  during  a 
game  she  laughed  off  the  pain  and  rejoined 
the  funmakers.  Poisoning  developed  later 
and  it  became  necessary  to  amputate  the 
foot.  Finally  the  amputation  had  to  be 
extended  to  the  knee. 

That  didn’t  stop  Mildred.  When  a com- 
munity building  was  made  out  of  a re- 
modeled church,  Mildred,  who  was  unable 
to  attend  shows  in  neighboring  towns  as 
did  her  comrades,  decided  that  the  moun- 
tain might  just  as  well  come  to  Mahomet. 


So  she  asked  the  businessmen  and  the 
pastor  to  help  her  set  up  a theatre  in  the 
community  structure. 

Equipment  was  purchased  and  a projec- 
tion booth  and  machine  were  installed. 
Then  Mildred  went  to  work  as  manager  of 
the  theatre.  That  she  has  been  successful 
is  evidenced  by  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
townsfolk,  who  wouldn’t  let  their  school- 
girl manager  leave  the  theatre  even  if  she 
did  want  to — and  she  doesn’t.  A test  of 
her  success  that  is  even  more  convincing 
than  the  commendation  of  the  city  officials 
is  the  praise  from  the  film  salesmen.  No 
one  can  “size  up”  a theatre  manager  more 


rapidly  and  accurately  than  a film  repre- 
sentative, and  the  salesmen  without  excep- 
tion are  voluble  in  their  plaudits  for  the 
unerring  sagacity  with  which  Miss  Russell 
picks  pictures  for  the  weekly  show,  given 
in  addition  to  the  community  events  and 
roadshows. 

Helps  Postmaster  Father,  Too 

Incidentally,  Miss  Russell’s  father  is 
postmaster  of  Benton  City  and  on  Satur- 
days and  Sundays  and  during  the  summer 
months  the  happy,  redhaired  daughter 
assists  him  with  his  work  as  well. 

Many  a new  film  salesman  has  run  into 
a real  surprise  because  all  bookings  and 
reports  in  the  exchanges  in  St.  Louis  are 
in  the  name  of  “M.  Russell.”  When  they 
arrive  at  “M.  Russell’s”  home  in  Benton 
City  and  look  for  the  owner  of  the  name 
they  have  to  revise  their  sales  talk  when 
the  door  opens  and  a cheerful  girl  propels 
herself  in  a wheelchair  into  the  room  and 
starts  talking  about  bookings  and  prices  of 
pictures. 

Miss  Russell  has  learned  to  walk  on 
crutches  and  will  get  an  artificial  limb  as 
soon  as  her  physician  considers  it  advis- 
able. She’s  studying  to  be  a journalist,  but 
in  the  meantime  she’s  a 100  per  cent  tJiea- 
tre  manager  and  she’s  too  busy  and  happy 
to  complain  about  her  misfortunes. 

Universal  Opens  Capitol, , 
Large  Atlanta  Theatre; 
Dan  Miehalove  Feted 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

ATLANTA,  June  28. — Universal  opened 
its  first  large  theatre  here,  the  Capitol,  last 
night  with  ceremonies  led  by  Dan  Micha- 
love,  general  manager  of  Universal  thea- 
tres in  the  South ; Paul  Gulick,  Universal 
director  of  publicity,  and  the  screen  per- 
formers Walter  Hiers  and  Ethlyn  Claire. 

Following  the  opening  show  local  theatri- 
cal leaders  gave  a banquet  in  honor  of 
Miehalove,  George  Allison,  president  of  the 
local  Film  Board  of  Trade,  presiding. 

The  Capitol  is  being  managed  by  Martin 
L.  Semon,  with  Carter  Barron  as  his  assist- 
ant. Besides  pictures,  the  house  plays  Pan  • 
tages  vaudeville. 

Party  Planned  to  Fight 
Blue  Law  Candidates 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  28.  — Political 
candidates  who  favor  Sunday  closing  or 
other  blue  law  legislation  will  be  fought  in 
their  own  districts  next  year  by  the  anti- 
blue law  party  which  is  to  be  formed  by  the 
Association  Opposed  to  Blue  Laws.  The 
organization  is  now  perfecting  plans  for 
the  formation  of  the  new  party. 

It  is  stated  that  the  party  will  name  no 
candidates  of  its  own.  A national  con- 
vention is  planned,  at  which  a program  will 
be  mapped  out.  Candidates  of  the  republi- 
can and  democratic  parties  who  favor  blue 
legislation  will  be  fought  locally  by  units 
of  the  anti-blue  party. 


Opening  New  Theatre 

Pat  Duffy,  manager  of  the  Rialto  theatre 
at  Mangum,  Okla.,  announces  that  the  com- 
pany is  opening  a new  house  at  Mangum 
July  11  with  450  seats  and  Simplex  ma- 
chines. Duffy  formerly  was  manager  of 
the  Liberty  at  Lone  Wolf. 


Quits  to  Free  Lance 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.— Belle  Bennelt 
has  secured  her  release  from  her  contract 
with  Samuel  Goldwyn  and  intends  to  free 
lance.  The  contract  had  several  years  to- 
run. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


July  2,  1927 


Seider  Chief  of  Jerseymen; 
Defer  Action  on  M.P.T.  O. 

Stanley  Fabian  Protection  to  Be  Considered  at  Request  of 
Special  Committee — National  President  Suggests  Solu- 
tion of  Differences  by  Negotiation 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — As  predicted  in  last  week’s  Herald,  Joseph  M. 
Seider  was  unanimously  chosen  president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Own- 
ers of  New  Jersey,  succeeding  Leon  Rosenblatt,  whose  personal  business  in- 
terests forced  him  to  decline  renomination.  The  annual  convention  which  was 
held  last  week  at  Asbury  Park  was,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Jerseymen,  one  of 
the  most  important  in  the  history  of  the  organization. 

Movement  to  Secede  Does  Not  Materialize 
The  Columbus  convention  came  in  for  a goodly  share  of  the  deliberations  of 
the  Jerseymen  and  it  had  been  pi*edioted  before  the  Asbury  Park  gathering 
that  a movement  would  be  started  to  secede  from  the  national  organization. 
This  movement  did  not  materialize  but  the  action  taken  would  indicate  that  the 
New  Jersey  organization  is  desirous  of  being  shown  several  things  before 
approving  or  disapproving  the  actions  of  the  national  convention. 


Growth  of  Quigley 
Publications  Leads 
to  Editorial  Shift 

Publication  of  “The  Chicagoan’’  maga- 
zine and  “Polo”  magazine  has  resulted  in 
a number  of  changes  and  additions  in  the 
personnel  of  Quigley  Publishing  Company. 

Edwin  S.  Clifford  retires  as  managing 
editor  of  Exhibitors’  Herald  after  eight 
and  one-half  years  of  service  to  assume 
an  advisory  supervision  of  the  editorial 
and  circulation  departments  of  the  Quigley 
publications. 

George  Clifford  continues  as  business 
manager  of  the  Herald  and  in  addition 
takes  over  the  business  managemenit  of 
“The  Chicagoan”  and  “Polo.”  George 
Schmidt,  formerly  of  Candy  magazine,  be- 
comes his  assistant. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  news  editor  of  the  Her- 
ald six  years  before  joining  Paramount’s 
publicity  staff  two  years  ago,  returns  to 
the  organization  as  managing  editor  of  the 
Herald.  William  R.  Weaver,  eight  and  a 
half  years  with  the  Herald,  retires  as  as- 
sociate editor  to  become  managing  editor 
of  “The  Chicagoan.”  Ernest  A.  Rovel- 
stad,  news  editor  of  the  Herald,  becomes 
managing  editor  of  “Polo.” 

Douglas  Hodges,  for  the  past  three  years 
a member  of  the  Herald  staff  in  Chicago, 
goes  to  the  Herald’s  West  Coast  office, 
succeeding  Harry  E.  Nichols,  who  is  to 
conduct  an  exhaustive  survey  of  the  thea- 
tre field. 

Recent  additions  to  the  Herald  editorial 
staff  include  George  Schutz,  formerly  of 
Red  Book  magazine ; A.  Raymond  Gallo, 
formerly  Chicago  manager  of  Zit’s,  and 
Gannon  Kearins,  formerly  of  Billboard. 

Good  Films  Win 
Despite  Source, 
Declares  Zukor 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — 'Foreign  produc- 
ers must  get  the  best  elements  into  their 
production  activities  if  they  hope  to  estab- 
lish their  industry 
on  a worldwide 
basis,  Adolph 
Zukor,  president 
of  Paramount,  de- 
dared  in  com- 
menting on  his 
observation  on  his 
recent  visit  over- 
seas. 

‘‘The  public 
throughout  the 
world  will  patron- 
ize good,  whole- 
s o m e entertain- 
ment, no  matter 
what  the  source,” 

Mr.  Zukor  aL 
firmed.  “It  makes  no  difference  in  what 
country  or  in  what  particular  company’s 
studios  pictures  are  turned  out.” 

Mr.  Zukor  indirectly  took  the  British 
quota  plan  to  task  when  he  warned  that 
“unnatural  limitations  in  any  industry  are 
never  healthful.  Throwing  fences  or  bar- 
riers around  any  business  endeavor  never 
makes  for  a prospering,  advancing  enter- 
prise.” 


Pearson  and  Storey  Return  East 

NEW  YORK. — Elmer  Pearson,  vicepresident  of 
Pathe,  and  J.  E.  Storey,  assistant  general  man- 
ager in  charge  of  short  features,  have  returned 
east  following  the  conventions  of  the  Pathe  and 
De  Mille  interests.  Both  made  a survey  of  pro- 
duction activities  in  Hollywood  following  adjourn- 
ment of  the  annual  meetings. 


A special  committee  was  appointed  to 
take  up  this  matter,  and  this  committee 
submitted  the  following  report,  which 
was  adopted  without  dissent: 

“Your  committee  appointed  to  con- 
sider the  relationship  between  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  N.  J.,  and  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  here- 
by submits  the  following  unanimous 
report : 

“Your  committee  finds  that  the  ques- 
tion of  arbitration  for  and  by  New  Jer- 
sey, contract  in  equalities  and  the  60  day 
protection  reported  to  be  demanded  by 
the  Stanley  Fabian  Corporation  are  in- 
terwoven with  the  question  of  the  ad- 
mission of  producers  theatre  chains  into 
our  organization. 

Urges  Solution  Through  Negotiation 

“Therefore,  your  committee  reports 
that  we  adopt  the  suggestion  of  Messrs. 
Woodhull,  O’Toole  and  Brylawski  to  at- 
tempt a solution  through  negotiations 
and  that 

“We  recommend  the  appointment  of  a 
committee  to  meet  with  the  Stanley 
Fabian  Corporation  to  take  up  with  them 
the  question  of  protection,  and  that  this 
committee  report  back  to  the  new  board 
of  directors. 

“We  recommend  that  a committee  be 
appointed  to  meet  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  in 
an  effort  to  obtain  immediate  relief  on 


Lizzie,  for  Once,  Is 
Out  of  the  Running 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.— War- 
ner Brothers  pulled  a live  one  in 
exploiting  the  opening  of  “The 
First  Auto”  at  the  company’s 
Broadway  house.  In  conjunction 
with  the  Daily  Mirror,  a contest 
was  conducted  to  find  “the  first 
auto”  in  New  York.  Sixty-three 
antiquated  motor  vehicles  creaked 
and  rattled  from  Dyckman  street 
to  City  Hall,  thrilling  the  thou- 
sands who  watched  this  nonde- 
script parade. 

At  City  Hall  a board  of  judges 
composed  of  Mayor  James  J. 
Walker,  Barney  Oldfield,  H.  K. 
Maples,  president  of  the  New 
York  Auto  Club,  and  the  auto- 
mobile editor  of  the  Mirror,  se- 
lected the  prize  winners. 

A 1900  Knox,  a 1900  Cadillac 
and  a 1900  Oldsmobile  were  win- 
ners of  the  first  three  awards. 


certain  phases  of  the  standard  contract. 

“In  the  interim  we  recommend  that  the 
question  of  approving  or  disapproving 
the  actions  of  the  national  convention, 
the  payment  of  national  dues  by  our  or- 
ganization, and  the  admission  of  produc- 
ers theatres  be  referred  to  the  new 
board  of  directors. 

“It  is  specifically  understood  that  the 
new  board  of  directors  is  hereby  given 
full  and  complete  authority  to  take  such 
action  on  the  reports  of  the  above  com- 
mittee to  best  conserve  and  protect  the 
interest  of  this  organization.” 

Board  of  Directors  Increased 

Other  resolutions  adopted  were:  That 
the  board  of  directors  be  increased  to  12 
members,  four  to  be  elected  each  year 
for  a period  of  three  years. 

That  the  national  organization  be  re- 
quested to  obtain  release  channels  for  the 
Louis  Jacobson  single  reels  exhibited  to 
this  organization  at  the  Atlantic  City 
convention  last  year. 

That  each  member  of  this  organization 
display  at  his  theatre  and  in  his  ad- 
vertising the  words,  “Member  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  New  Jer- 
sey.” 

Following  are  the  officers  elected  for 
the  ensuing  year:  President,  Joseph  M. 
Seider,  Hightstown;  Vice  presidents, 
Henry  P.  Nelson,  Elizabeth;  E.  Thorn- 
ton Kelly,  Fort  Lee;  Joseph  Bernstein, 
Jersey  City;  Charles  Hildinger,  Trenton; 
Treasurer,  Louis  Rosenthal,  Orange; 
Secretary,  Leon  Rosenblatt,  Bayonne; 
Directors,  Sidney  Samuelson,  Newton, 
Chairman  ; Peter  Adams,  Paterson  ; George 
Brenner,  Jersey  City;  Louis  Gold,  New- 
ark; Ben  Harris,  Newark;  1.  M.  Hirsch- 
blond,  Toms  River;  W.  C.  Hunt,  Wild- 
wood; Leo  Juskowitz,  New  Brunswick; 
I.  A.  Roth,  Morristown;  Benj.  Schindler, 
Camden;  Samuel  Stiefel,  Bridgeton, 
Frank  L.  Warren,  Princeton. 

Attractive  Booklet 
Gives  First  Division 
Product  for  1927-28 

An  attractive  pressbook  just  issued  by 
First  Division  Pictures  announces  that 
the  company  is  “dedicated  to  the  policy 
of  releasing  annually  eighteen  special 
offerings  and  one  roadshow,”  twelve  of 
them  from  Chadwick,  and  James  Ormont 
personally  supervising  six  pictures. 

The  booklet  is  printed  in  three  colors 
and  contains  a spread  of  cuts  of  the  play- 
ers. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


New  YORK. — Lou  Metzger,  debonair 
salesmanager  of  Universal  denies  the 
rumor  that  he  is  considering  taking  up 
flagpole  sitting  as  a regular  occupation.  . . . 
Yasha  Bunchuk  is  a tough  enough  name  to 
get  by  with,  but  when  the  Film  Daily  man 
has  him  at  Asbury  Park  under  the  monicker 
of  Jashn  Buchuck,  something  ought  to  be 
done  about  it.  . . . Edgar  Hatrick,  just 
back  from  Rome  and  other  places,  says 
Kid  Mussolini  is  a right  good  guy  when 
you  get  to  him  right.  . . . Artie  Stebbins 
says  receiving  checks  for  Motion  Picture 
Club  memberships  is  just  like  writing 
insurance ; everything  coming  in  and  noth- 
ing going  out.  . . . Elmer  Pearson  re- 
turned last  week  from  the  Coast  with  his 
mirtd  made  up  that  picture  making  is 
costing  a lot  of  money.  . . . Charles  Reed 
Jones  has  resigned  from  First  Division 
Pictures  and  the  film  industry,  Mort  Shaw 
taking  his  place  as  director  of  advertising 
and  publicity.  . . . Si  Seadler  is  back  on 
his  job  minus  a whole  bunch  of  tonsils 
and  says  he  is  looking  forward  to  getting 
rid  of '3.  few  adenoids  as  a vacation  pleas- 
ure. . . . Tom  Gerety,  advertising  mana- 
ger of  Warner  Brothers,  is  spending  a 
vacation  chasing  the  elusive  golf  ball  over 
the  course  at  Rockville  Country  Club.  . . . 
Charles  Duell  is  tired  of  litigation  with 
the  Gish  family  and  has  withdrawn  his  suit 
against  the  mother  of  Lillian  and'  Dorothy. 
Eddie  Eschmann,  as  a baseball  pitcher  at 
the  Pathe  outing,,  showed  the  boys  more 
curves  than, a chorus  girl.  . . . John  Flinn 
is  recuperating  from  his  recent  illness  at 
his  home  and  is  expected  back  at  his  office 
the  latter  part  of  this  week.  . . . Sol 

Raives  and  Sam  Sonin  represented  the 
T.  O.  C.  C.  at  the  Jersey  convention  at 
Asbury  Park  and  did  the  job  well.  . . . 
Winnie  Sheehnn  sails  this  week  for  Europe 
on  a vacation  that  will  be  interspersed  with 
some  business  for  the  Fox  company.  . . . 
Jack  Dempsey,  former  picture  actor,  came 
to  the  big  town  to  sign  a costarring  con- 
tract with  a young  man  named  Sharkey. 
. . . O'Too/^  got  his  picture  in  several 

of  the  papers  last  week  and  really,  Mike  is 
a pretty  good  looking  fellow.  . . . Hal 
Modes,  short  feature  salesmanager  of  Uni- 
versal, left  last  week  on  a long  Western 
trip,  and  it’s  tough  to  be  away  from  home 
on  the  Fourth.  . . . Arthur  Whyte,  who 
was  on  the  Coast  with  Elmer  Pearson, 
John  Flinn,  et  ah,  is  back  on  Broadway 
again  and  glad  of  it.  . . . Mabel  Living- 
stone, diminutive  but  capable  director  of 
publicity  of  Inspiration  Pictures,  left  last 
week  for  the  Coast.  . . . Dan  Michalove 
is  being  honored  this  week  by  his  fellow 
citizens  of  Atlanta  via  a testimonial  dinner. 

Dick  Rozvland  settled  the  First 
National  production  boss  muddle  last  week 
by  announcing  the  selection  of  Watterson 
Rothaker  as  vicepresident  in  complete 
charge  of  all  Burbank  studio  activities. 
. . . Castleton  Knight,  prominent  film  man 
from  London,  is  paying  New  York  a visit. 
. . . Gordon  White,  hustling  advertising 
and  publicity  chief  of  Educational,  is  taking 
a well  earned  rest  on  his  New  Jersey  estate. 
. . . Budd  Rogers,  who  has  been  seriously 
ill  for  the  past  two  weeks,  is  expected  back 
at  the  Lumas  offices  this  week.  . . . Ham 
Beall,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Beall,  was  in 
New  York  last  week  on  a flying  trip  from 
the  Coast,  but  didn’t  travel  as  Lindbergh 
did.  . . . M.  H.  Hoffman,  always  keen 
for  the  bounding  main,  made  an  ocean  trip 
from  Sandy  Hook  to  New  York,  en  route 
from  the  New  Jersey  convention  at  Asbury 
Park.  SPARGO. 


The  Victor  Seastrom  Smile — Director  Jack  Conway  snapped  with  Mrs. 
and  beard,  photographed  Conway  (right)  and  his  sister-in-law,  Len- 

while  he  was  directing  M-G-  ore  Bushman,  on  the  set  tor  “Twelve  Miles 

M’s  “The  Wind.’’  Out,’’  M-G-M  him  with  Jack  Gilbert. 


Ramon  Navarro  getting  a taste  of  college  life  Norma  and  Ramon  as  sweet- 
a la  Heidelberg.  Navarro  co-stars  with  heart  and  Heidelberg  stu- 

Norma  Shearer  in  “Old  Heidelberg,’’  re-  dent,  respectively,  in  the 

titled  “The  Student  Prince’’  by  M-G-M.  German  romance. 


Very  much  pleased,  Norma  Shearer  seems  to  be,  as  she  opens  the  Studio  sec- 
tion of  her  HERALD.  Well,  why  not? — especially  since  the  issue  before 
her  contains  the  happy  information  that  she  has  tied  with  Clara  Bow  for 
£rst  honors  in  the  HERALD’S  recent  Beauty  Contest.  The  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  star  is  shown  costumed  for  scenes  of  “The  Student  Prince.” 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


If  Chicago  likes  its  comedy-drama, 
its  light  romances  of  modern  life,  its 
society  dramas,  its  melodramas  and 
Westerns,  its  serious  dramas  and  its 
pictures  of  mother  love,  as  stated  in 
the  Chicago  Daily  News,  which  con- 
ducted a survey  among  local  theatre 
owners  and  managers,  including  Max 
Balaban  of  Balaban  & Katz,  and  L.  P. 
Neivhafer  of  Ascher  Brothers,  what  is 
the  preference  of  motion  picture  fans 
in  other  sections  of  the  country? 

Next 

Week 

. . . The  HERALD  will  publish  the 
results  of  a comprehensive  survey 
which  it  has  been  conducting  through 
states  of  the  Northwest.  Its  field  rep- 
resentative, J.  C.  Jenkins,  who  has  cov- 
ered the  cities  and  towns  of  these 
states,  and  has  discussed  every  phase 
of  the  motion  picture  situation  with 
theatre  owners,  has  collected  valuable 
data  from  these  film  buyers.  Next 
week  the  HERALD  will  offer  a com- 
pilation of  this  information,  which  is 
of  significance  to  producers,  stars,  di- 
rectors, exhibitors  and  all  others  con- 
cerned in  motion  pictures. 


Fulton  Starting 
New  Circuit  of 
Supply  Houses 

Carl  H.  Fulton,  of  the  E.  E. 

Fulton  company,  upon  bi^eturn  to  Chicago 
from  New  York  this  '^ek  declared  that 
he  would  make  an  offifel  announcement 
within  a week  conces^g  the  reported 
establishment  of  a new"  chain  of  motion 
picture  supply  houses  bearing  the  Fulton 
name.  A number  of  prominent  theatre 
chains  are  said  to  be  the  financial  backers 
of  the  Fulton  company  in  the  establish- 
ment of  the  new  supply  house  circuit.  The 
impending  official  announcement  by  Mr. 
Fulton  is  regarded  as  a signal  that  details 
of  the  transaction  have  been  completed  and 
the  new  organization  is  ready  to  begin 
functioning  on  a national  scale  in  the  very 
near  future. 

Among  the  circuits  which  are  mentioned 
as  being  interested  in  the  Fulton  enterprise 
are  Publix  Theatres,  the  Stanley  Company 
of  America,  Loew’s,  Universal,  West  Coast 
Theatres  and  severel  others.  It  is  re- 
ported that  the  new  supply  organization 
will  be  capitalized  at  $500,000  with  about 
10  circuits  having  an  interest  to  the  extent 
of  about  $25,000  each. 

Branches  will  be  started  in  operation  at 
an  early  date  in  a number  of  key  cities 
throughout  the  country,  with  further  stores 
being  opened  just  as  quickly  as  their 
establishment  and  organization  will  permit. 
It  is  said  to  be  the  plan  of  the  Fulton  com- 
pany to  have  stores  and  sales  represen- 
tatives in  every  part  of  the  country. 


Exhibitors  of  Alabama 
Face  State  Assessment 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MONTGOMERY,  ALA.,  June  28.— Sad- 
dling of  a state  tax  upon  the  motion  pic- 
ture theatre  owners  of  Alabama  appears 
imminent,  despite  efforts  of  exhibitors  led 
by  H.  C.  Farley. 

One  bill  in  the  House  would  permit  the 
tax  commission  and  its  agents  to  enter 
offices  and  examine  private  records.  It  is 
estimated  that  100  theatres  may  have  to 
close  if  such  a measure  becomes  law. 


Rothacker  Heads  Activities 
at  F-N’s  West  Coast  Studios 

Assumes  New  Duties  Early  in  July  as  Vice-president  of  First 
National  Productions  Corporation— A1  Rockett  j 

Continues  in  Managerial  Post  i 4- 

(Fit  lure  on  First  Page  of  Pictorial  Page) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Watterson  R.  Rothacker,  newly  elected  vice- 
president  of  First  National  Productions  Corporation  and  managing  director 
in  complete  charge  of  all  activities  at  the  West  Coast  Studios,  will  assume 
his  new  duties  at  Burbank,  Cal.,  early  in  July. 

A1  Rockett  West  Coast  Production  Manager 
Selection  of  Mr.  Rothacker  was  announced  last  week  by  Richard  A.  Row- 
land, general  and  production  manager  of  First  National  Pictures.  A1  Rockett, 
who  succeeded  John  McCormick,  continues  as  West  Coast  production  manager. 


Mr.  Rothacker  is  one  of  the  pioneers 
of  the  industry,  having  been  associated 
with  the  production  phase  for  a long 
time,  one  of  his  projects  having  been 
First  National’s  “The  Lost  World.”  His 
ability  and  experience  is  firmly  estab- 
lished both  in  this  country  and  Europe. 

In  Thunder  Mountain  Gold  Rush 

He  was  born  in  Chicago  May  6,  1885. 
His  father  was  O.  H.  Rothacker,  editor 
of  various  Western  newspapers.  His 
grandfather.  Lion.  Sterling  Parker 
Rounds,  was  owner  of  a string  of  news- 
papers and  prominent  in  the  councils  of 
Presidents  Garfield  and  Arthur.  His  god- 
father was.  Col.  Henry  Watterson. 

True  to  the  adventurous  spirit  of  the 
Rothacker  family,  young  Watterson 
abandoned  the  courses  at  the  Lewis  In- 
stitute of  Technology,  where  he  was  pre- 
paring for  West  Point,  to  take  part  in 
the  Thunder  Mountain  gold  rush.  After 
this  experience,  he  engaged  in  news- 
paper work. 

15  Years  of  Achievement 

He  founded  the  Rothacker  Film  Manu- 
facturing Company  in  1910  in  association 
with  Carl  Laemmle  and  R.  H.  Cochrane, 
and  became  the  pioneer  specialist  in  pro- 
duction of  industrial  pictures.  He  was 
also  founder  and  president  of  the  Roth- 
acker-Aller  Laboratories,  Hollywood, 
both  of  which  concerns  recently  were 


WATTERSON  R.  ROTHACKER 


sold  to  Consolidated  Film  Industries. 

Mr.  Rothacker  has  been  noted  for  his 
readiness  to  accept  and  promote  new 
ideas.  It  was  through  his  initiative  that 
“The  Lost  World,”  one  of  the  most  un- 
usual and  successful  pictures  ever  made, 
was  produced  for  First  National.  It  was 
Mr.  Rothacker  who  had  the  happy  idea 
of  sending  “Miles  of  Smiles,”  a record 
of  mothers,  sisters  and  sweethearts  back 
home,  to  the  doughboys  in  Europe.  He 
also  conceived  and  carried  through  the 
plan  of  projecting  motion  pictures  for 
an  audience  in  an  airplane.  For  more 
than  fifteen  years  his  record  has  been 
one  of  consistent  achievement. 

Mr.  Rothacker  was  at  one  time  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  directors  at  the 
United  Studios  in  Hollywood  and  was 
vice-president  of  the  first  Motion  Picture 
Board  of  Trade.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Lambs  Club  of  New  York;  American 
Club  of  London;  Chicago  Athletic  As- 
sociation; Chicago  Riding  Club;  Sons  of 
American  Revolution  and  the  Forty  Club. 


Curiosity  Greets  ! 

M-G-M  Trackless 
Train/*  Is  Report 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Reports  from 
the  “crew”  taking  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer’s  “trackless  train”  through  South 
America,  says  that  everywhere  crowds 
welcome  the  unique  “locomotive”  and 
coach  all  along  the  route.  The  train  was 
shipped  from  Europe  to  Buenos  Aires 
May  12. 

Says  one  of  the  letters,  “the  crowds 
were  tremendous  and  as  the  train  passed 
through  the  city  the  curiosity  was  as 
great  as  in  the  other  countries  we  ,had 
toured.  The  second  day  of  the  tour  was 
a riot,  traffic  being  jammed  a number 
of  times.  The  president  of  Argentina 
called  the  train  a ‘big  toy.’  ” 

Pathe  Ties  for  First 

with  Eschmann  in  Box 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.— Pathe,  with  Ed 
Eschmann  in  the  box,  downed  the  First  Na- 
tional scrappers,  19  to  12,  and  climbed  into 
a tie  for  first  place  in  the  film  baseball 
league.  The  league  standing  follows : 

\v  L 


Pathe  3 1 

Fox  3 1 

Warner  Brothers  3 1 

First  National  3 1 

United  Artists  1 3 

Consolidated  0 4 


Ed  will  be  in  the  box  again — ^if  his  arm 
heals. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


The  Playhouse  theatre,  of  which  George  E.  Fuller  is  proprietor,  was  the  scene  of 
accomplishment  of  a program  that  brought  the  children  of  Fairhope,  Ala.,  a 
combination  of  education  and  entertainment  and  netted  a marked  increase  in 
community  interest  in  motion  pictures. 

Exhibitor  Gives  World  Tour  to 
Children  for  One  Dollar 

Principal  and  Exchanges  Co-operate  ivith  Showman  George  E.  Fuller, 
Proprietor  of  Playhouse  at  Fairhope,  Ala. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Fairhope,  Ala.,  June  28. — Jules  Verne  went  around  the  world  in 
80  days  when  steam  transportation  was  the  fastest  means  of  travel. 
American  aviators  bettered  his  record  by  several  days  and  planted 
the  Stars  and  Stripes  of  American  pluck  and  science  in  the  remote 
places  of  the  known  earth.  But  it  remained  for  the  school  children  in 
the  little  out-of-the-way  town  of  Fairhope  to  circle  the  globe  in  the 
record  breaking  time  of  25  hours. 

Yes,  that  feat  was  really  accomplished.  Records  in  the  form  of  essays, 
notes,  pictures  and  reports  prove  the  statement  and  furnish  tangible 
proof  of  the  value  of  travel  as  an  aid  to  education. 


QUT  whereas  Jules  Verne’s  trip  was 
merely  an  inspired  flight  of  imagination 
and  the  American  aviators’  was  a real 
flight  by  our  fastest  means  of  physical  lo- 
comotion, the  Fairhope  boys  and  girls  util- 
ized the  more  modern  and  far  less  ex- 
pensive mode  of  motion  picture  travel,  and 
saw  the  greatest  sights  the  world  provides. 
Moreover,  they  never  slept  in  strange 
hotels  with  unwelcome  bed-fellows ; never 
got  lost  or  missed  a pound  of  baggage. 
And  their  shouts  and  laughs  attested  to  the 
fun  they  had  the  entire  trip.  They  thor- 
oughly enjoyed  every  one  of  the  25  hours 
travel  and  now  having  really  seen  the 
world,  they  will  never  forget  the  sights 
they  saw  and  the  experience  will  remain  a 
vivid  memory  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

Schools’  Principal  Helps 

To  the  broad  vision  and  earnest  co-op- 
eration of  Principal  Alexander  of  the 
Fairhope  public  schools  the  success  of  the 
trip  is  largely  due ; and  in  this  he  had  the 
full  support  of  his  teaching  staff  and  of 
George  E.  Fuller,  proprietor  of  the  Play- 
house theatre  in  Fairhope.  Programs  of 
motion  picture  travel  were  laid  out  in  ad- 
vance and  pupils  given  the  opportunity  to 
prepare  for  what  they  were  to  see.  School 
was  dismissed  early  on  each  Tuesday  for 
12  weeks  so  that  all  the  pupils  might  go 
to  the  special  matinee  provided  at  the 
Playhouse.  Essays  and  notes  were  written 
up  after  each  trip  so  that  maximum  results 
would  be  accomplished.  And  now,  look- 
ing back  over  the  experience,  is  the  con- 
sensus that  the  trip  was  a wonderful  ex- 
perience from  every  standpoint. 

Tickets  resembling  the  usual  railroad 
tickets  and  covering  the  entire  trip  were 


printed  well  in  advance  of  the  first  picture 
program,  which  was  “England  and  the 
British  Isles.’’  When  the  pupils  entered 
the  theatre  on  the  afternoon  each  program 
was  shown,  the  coupon  or  ticket  for  the 
program  was  torn  off  and  deposited  in  the 
office  of  the  theatre.  The  price  of  each 
coupon  was  10  cents,  but  pupils  who 
bought  the  entire  ticket  of  12  coupons, 
paid  $1,  or  a little  more  than  8 cents  for 
each  trip. 

Seeing  World  in  25  Hours 

After  “England  and  the  British  Isles,” 
came  “France  and  Northern  Europe,” 
“Northern  Italy,”  “Italy  and  its  Art  Treas- 
ures,” “Northern  Africa,”  “Egypt,”  “The 
Holy  Land,”  “India,”  “China,”  “South 
Seas,”  and  so  on  around  the  world  and 
home  through  the  Panama  Canal.  Twelve 
complete  programs  of  selected  pictures  of 
approximately  2 hours  each,  comprised  the 
entire  series  and  included  the  most  inter- 
esting places  in  a complete  circling  of  the 
globe — all  in  less  than  25  hours,  and  at  a 
cost  of  $1  ! 

The  several  reels  of  film  comprising  each 
complete  program  came  from  several  film 
producing  companies.  And  the  work  of 
booking  these  various  subjects  through  the 
several  film  companies  represented  a vast 
amount  of  work  and  involved  not  a few 
disappointments. 

Burton  Holmes  laboratories  in  Chicago 
provided  the  greater  part  of  the  travel 
pictures,  but  Pathe,  Educational,  Film 
Booking  Offices,  Fox  and  Paramount  and 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  supplemented  the 
list.  Moreover,  reels  were  obtained  from 


Yale  University,  University  of  Florida, 
New  York  Museum,  Manchurian  Railroad, 
General  Electric  Company,  Goodyear  Tire 
and  Rubber  Company,  and  others  who  have 
produced  industrial  films  of  great  value 
from  an  educational  and  entertainment 
standpoint. 

Comedy  Touches  Added 

One  mistake  which  has  contributed  in  no 
small  measure  to  the  lack  of  interest  in 
picture  programs  of  an  educationad  nature, 
is  the  lack  of  comedy.  Too  much  travel — 
too  much  sight-seeing — is  wearisome  to  the 
point  of  boredom,  but  comedy  touches  in 
the  form  of  cartoons  and  short  comedies 
with  a child  appeal,  lightened  the  travel 
programs  and  left  the  children  refreshed 
after  their  “trip.”  A good  laugh  is  a splen- 
did relaxation  for  the  child  mind,  and  a 
bit  of  comedy  makes  it  possible  for  the 
child  to  take  in  and  assimilate  more  of  the 
real  substance  of  the  picture  program  of 
this  world  tour. 

It  was  planned  to  provide  relaxation  and 
stimulate  greater  interest  through  little  di- 
versions provided  by  groups  of  students  in 
connection  with  certain  of  the  picture  pro- 
grams. An  English  folk  dance  in  costume 
to  supplement  the  pictures  of  “England 
and  the  British  Isles,”  was  planned,  also 
folk  songs  of  the  various  nations ; a skit 
showing  Japanese  children  in  costume  was 
discussed — and  various  other  entertaining 
diversions  of  similar  nature  planned.  But 
the  press  of  other  things  unfortunately 
prevented  these.  If  started  several  weeks 
in  advance  of  the  date  of  the  picture  pro- 
gram, there  is  no  reason  why  such  diver- 
sions would  not  greatly  supplement  the 
pictures. 

From  a financial  standpoint  these  pro- 
grams just  about  paid  for  themselves,  but 
in  a larger  measure  they  justified  the  mo- 
tion pictures  in  the  eyes  of  a skeptical  pub- 
lic, and  gave  the  motion  picture  man  a 
thrill  of  satisfaction  in  assisting  in  a really 
worthwhile  educational  experiment. 


F.  N.  to  Build  in  Minneapolis 

MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. — Charles  M.  Steele, 
supervisor  of  First  National  exchanges,  has  closed 
a contract  for  the  erection  of  an  exchange  build- 
ing at  Fir.st  avenue  and  Eleventh  street.  Univer- 
sal will  share  the  exchange  with  First  National. 


THE  PLAYHOUSE 

FAIRHOPE,  Ala. 

GEO.  E.  FULLER,  Manager 

Presents 

“A  TRIP  AROUND  THE  WORLD” 


for. 

(Name  on  this  line) 

In  12  Motion  Picture  Programs 
Price  Entire  Trip  S3.00  Individual  Trips  25c  each 


THE  PLAYHOUSE 

A 1 L January  25, 

,/xciiTiit  1927 

“A  Trip  Around  The  World” 

THE  panama  canal  AND  HOME 

Here  is  a part  of  the  string  of  tickets 
issued  at  the  Playhouse  for  the 
school  children’s  circling  of  the 
globe.  The  tickets  covered  the  en- 
tire trip. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


In  these  scenes  from  Columbia’s  “The  Blood  Ship,”  which  has  just  been  booked  into  the  Roxy,  are  Jacqueline  Logan  and 
Richard  Arlen  and  Hobart  Bosworth  (extreme  right.) 


Filing  of  Papers  by  Burkan 
Makes  M.P.  Club  a Reality 

Lichtman  Is  Appointed  Temporary  President — Committee  to 
Be  Named  to  Seleet  Temporary  and  Permanent  Quar- 
ters— Executive  Secretary  Is  Sought 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  lYORK,  June  28. — With  the  filing  of  an  application  at  Albany  this 
week  for  a charter  the  Motion  Picture  Club  of  New  York  actually  will  come 
into  being.  The  application  will  be  made  by  Nathan  Burkan,  authorization 
for  such  action  having  been  made  at  the  second  organization  meeting  which 
was  held  at  the  Hotel  Astor  last  Wednesday. 

Charter  Memberships  Net  $5100  for  Treasury 

The  meeting  was  attended  by  nearly  100  members  of  the  industry,  and  from 
the  enthusiasm  shown  there  is  no  doubt  now  but  that  the  plan  for  a club  will  be 
brought  to  a speedy  culmination.  At  the  close  of  the  meeting  temporary  treas- 
urer, Artie  Stebbins,  announced  that  $5100  had  been  received  in  checks  and 
payments  of  $100  each  for  charter  meraber.ships. 


Columbia  Feature 
Booked  by  **Roxy*^ 
for  Broadway  Run 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Announce- 
ment was  made  today  that  “The  Blood 
Ship,”  the  first  production  on  the  new 
season’s  schedule  of  Columbia  Pictures, 
has  been  booked  into  the  Roxy  Theatre. 

“It  is  one  of  the  finest  sea  pictures  I ever 
had  the  pleasure  of  viewing,”  remarked  Mr. 
Rothafel,  after  he  had  screened  it.  “It  ranks 
with  the  best  product  of  any  of  the  leading 
companies,  and  is  vastly  superior  to  a lot 
of  productions  I am  called  upon  to  look  at 
in  my  desire  to  give  the  public  the  best 
attractions  obtainable.  In  fact.  I’m  shelving 
..  a picture  I have  already  bought  to  play 
‘The  Blood  Ship,’  because  my  policy  has 
always  been  to  give  the  public  the  best  en- 
tertainment, no  matter  what  the  cost. 

“Columbia  is  certainly  to  be  congratu- 
lated for  possessing  the  acumen,  the  ability 
and  the  organization  to  produce  picture  so 
high  in  entertainment  qualities  and  show- 
manship standards.” 

Cole  in  5th  Term 
As  Head  of  Texas 
Exhibitors^  Body 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DALLAS,  June  28. — Col.  H.  A.  Cole,  re- 
elected president  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of 
Texas  for  a fifth  term,  has  several  com- 
mittees at  work 
on  problems  con- 
fronting the  ex- 
hibitors of  the 
stale.  One  of  the 
outstanding  efforts 
is  to  prepare  a de- 
fense against  in- 
imical legislation. 

The  other  offi- 
cers elected  at  the 
Galveston  conven- 
tion are  Ross  Dor- 
bandt,  Jackson- 
ville, vicepresi- 
dent; Jack  Lilly, 
Greenville,  secre- 
tary-treasurer, and 

the  following  directors : 

Reuben  Frels,  Victoria;  C.  W.  Batsell, 
Sherman,  former  vicepresident;  H.  G. 
Stein,  Luling;  A.  Martini,  Galveston;  W. 
A.  Stuckert,  Brenham;  H.  H.  Starcke,  Se- 
guin ; Homer  Mulkey,  Clarendon,  and  H.  B. 
Robb,  Dallas. 


The  meeting  was  presided  over  by  A1 
Lichtman  and  the  following  temporary 
officers  were  elected: 

President,  A1  Lichtman;  vice 
presidents,  Arthur  Loew  and  Wil- 
liam Johnston;  secretary,  Bruce 
Gallup;  treasurer,  Arthur  W.  Steb- 
bins. 

Nominations  for  these  officers  were 
presented  by  a committee  consisting  of 
Lee  A.  Ochs,  James  V.  Ritchey  and 
Jack  Alicoate. 

Will  Draft  Constitution 

A committee  composed  of  M.  H.  Hoff- 
man, Lou  Metzger  and  Joe  Brandt  was 
named  to  draft  a constitution  and  by- 
laws and  it  is  expected  that  this  and 
other  committees  will  report  back  at  a 
meeting  to  be  held  this  week. 

The  question  of  a temporary  and  a 
permanent  home  for  the  club  was  dis- 
cussed and  a resolution  was  adopted  to 
the  effect  that  a committee  be  appoint- 
ed to  select  temporary  quarters,  and  an- 
other to  scout  for  a permanent  loca- 
tion. It  was  the  sense  of  the  gathering 


New  Sign  Goes  Up — 

It’s  *‘Lindy  Theatre”  Now 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 
ALBANY , June  28. — And  now 
it’s  “Lindy’s  Theatre.”  J.  J.  Mc- 
Loughlin,  Poland,  N.  Y.,  exhibitor, 
whose  house  has  been  known 
simply  as  “Jim’s  Theatre,”  has 
renamed  it  in  honor  of  Col. 
Charles  Lindbergh,  the  air  hero, 
and  a new  electric  sign  is  now 
telling  the  world,  including 
Poland,  of  the  unexpected  change. 


that  the  club  should  eventually  buy 
property  and  build  its  own  permanent 
home,  with  the  possibility  of  a country 
club  also  being  established  some  time 
in  the  future. 

Will  Name  Executive  Secretary 
It  was  pointed  out  that  no  man  in  the 
industry  could  devote  sufficient  time  to 
the  organization  of  the  club  and  the 
handling  of  the  many  details  involved, 
and  the  ways  and  means  committee  was 
instructed  to  select  an  executive  secre- 
tary of  experience. 


F,  N,  Shifts  Releases 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — First  National 
has  announced  the  following  changes  in 
releases  for  July: 

“The  Prince  of  Head  Waiters”  will  be  released 
July  17  instead  of  July  31.  “The  Devil’s  Saddle” 
goes  in  on  July  10,  replacing  “For  the  Love  of 
Mike,”  which  is  pushed  back  to  July  31.  The 
latter  formerly  was  known  as  “Hell’s  Kitchen.” 


Fans  Cool  During  Fire 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO.,  June  28.— A fire  on 
the  stage  of  the  Municipal  theatre  in 
Forest  Park  last  week  failed  to  disturb 
the  thousands  of  persons  in  the  big  open 
air  amusement  place.  The  blaze  was 
caused  by  a discarded  cigarette. 


Jesse  James*  Kin  in  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.— Jessie  Es- 
telle James,  granddaughter  of  Jesse  James, 
is  in  Hollywood  for  a screen  test.  Her 
father,  Jesse  E.  James,  is  technical  adviser 
for  Fred  Thomson  in  Paramount’s  “Jesse 
James.” 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


ThirdDimensionFilmsIncluded 
in  Tiffany’s  New  Lineup 


Tiventy  Attractions  Listed  for  Release  During  Coming  Year — New 
Process  Pictures  Will  Be  Issued  as  Specials 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  June  28. — One  of  the  significant  facts  included  in  the 
fall  and  winter  announcement  of  Tiffany  Productions  is  that  the 
company’s  new  third  dimension  process  will  be  used  in  making 
the  first  special  productions  which  will  be  offered  for  extended  runs. 


'^HESE  specials  will  supplement  the 
regular  Tiffany  program  of  20  box 
office  attractions  and  24  short  reel  color 
classics. 

M.  H.  Hoff- 
man, vice  - presi- 
dent, said  that 
the  company  now 
has  its  complete 
program  for  1927- 
28  in  preparation, 
with  production 
well  advanced  on 
a number  of  sub- 
jects. 

“Tiffany,”  said 
Hoffman,  “is  the 
youngest  but  the 
most  progressive 
national  organi- 
zation in  the  bus- 
iness. In  order  to 
make  the  progress  that  Tiffany  has  made 
and  the  greater  progress  it  intends  to 
and  will  make,  it  has  pursued  a more 
progressive,  more  efficient — a modern — 
policy  of  making  no  promises  unless 
they  can  be  kept,  and  making  very  few 
of  those.  The  results  of  this  policy 
speak  for  themselves,  and  to  further  es- 
tablish the  confidence  of  exhibitors  and 
public.  Tiffany  wll  continue  with  that 
policy  and  will  confine  itself  to  facts — 
not  imagination ; to  proof — not  prom- 
ises.” 

Among  the  pictures  for  the  new  year, 
Hoffman  announced  the  following: 

Produces  Phillips’  Story 

“The  Grain  of  Dust,”  by  David  Gra- 
ham Phillips,  a story  of  the  struggle  of 
a human  soul  torn  between  sacred  and 
profane  love. 

“Grass  Widows,”  a good  - humored 
satire  on  the  re-married  set. 

“Ladies  of  the  Night  Club,”  a comedy 
of  Broadway. 

“Domestic  Relations,”  a dramatic  story 
of  life. 

“Once  and  Forever,”  described  as  a 
Humoresque  of  laughter  and  tears. 

“The  Girl  from  Gay  Paree,”  a hilari- 
ous comedy  with  “only  the  menu  in 
French. 

“Their  Hour,”  a man,  a woman  and  a 


Extra  Seeks  Pay 
For  Actress’  Punches 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.— De- 
claring he  has  lost  three  months 
work  and  is  still  under  the  care 
of  a physician,  Basil  Webb,  him 
extra,  has  applied  for  compensa- 
tion to  the  state  industrial  com- 
mission because  of  injuries  al- 
leged to  have  been  received  when 
struck  by  Eileen  Sedgwick  during 
the  hlming  of  a scene  for  “Slide, 
Kelly  Slide,”  an  M-G-M  produc- 
tion. He  testihed  that  the  actress 
struck  him  several  times  injuring 
his  right  eye,  nose  and  several 
teeth. 


clock  in  a new  triangle  story. 

“Streets  of  Shanghai,”  a powerful 
story  of  the  Orient. 

“Lingerie,”  adapted  from  J.  F.  Nat- 
teford’s  Red  Book  Magazine  story, 
“Striped  Satin.” 

“Women’s  Wares,”  described  as  a pan- 
orama of  beauty. 

“A  Woman  of  the  World,”  a dramatic 
picture  of  wide  feminine  appeal. 

To  Adopt  Tia  Juana  Story 

The  Scarlet  Dove,”  a story  of  a mod- 
ern lady  of  the  Camellias. 

Tia  Juana  Rose,”  the  drama  of  a 
fighting  “comeback.” 

“Beautiful,  But  Dumb,”  described  as  a 
picture  of  hilarious  situations  in  the  life 
of  a human. 

“The  Tragedy  of  Youth,”  a social 
problem  treated  with  fairness  and  good 
humor. 

“The^  House  of  Scandal,”  a story  of 
love  with  a background  of  spying  eyes 
and  lying  tongues. 

“Bachelor  Apartments,”  a sure-fire 
drama. 

Clothes  Make  the  W^oman,”  a pageant 
of  fashion. 

“Night  Life,”  thrilling  romance,  glori- 
ous adventure  and  baffling  mystery. 

“The  Albany  Night  Boat,”  a story  of 
the  mystery  ship  of  forbidden  romance. 

314  Producers  Place 
Their  1925  Assets  at 
More  Than  98  Millions 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  28. — ^Statistics  of 
income  for  1925  just  compiled  by  the  Bu- 
reau of  Internal  Revenue  show  that  367 
motion  picture  producing  corporations  filed 
capital  stock  returns  for  the  year. 

Returns  of  314  producing  companies 
furnishing  statements  of  assets  and  liabili- 
ties showed  total  assets  of  $98,779,719,  of 
which  property  investment  comprised  $25,- 
860,055,  and  liabilities  of  $51,706,843.  Com- 
panies reporting  surpluses  showed  a total 
surplus  of  $47,567,996,  while  deficits  of 
$16,323,468  were  reported  by  other  com- 
panies. The  aggregate  value  of  the  capital 
stock  ^of  these  314  companies  was  set  at 
$70,825,469  and  its  fair  taxable  value  at 
$69,970,469. 

Reports  of  54  companies  filing  no  financial 
statements  showed  surpluses  aggregating  $1,184,093 
and  deficits  aggregating  $34,437.  The  aggregate 
value  of  the  capital  stock  of  these  companies  was 
placed  at  $374,250  and  its  fair  taxable  value  at 
$275,200.  Returns  were  also  filed  by  $376 
amusement  corporations  which  furnished  financial 
statements  showing  $586,996,408  in  assets,  of 
which  $482,311,634  comprised  property  invest- 
ment, and  $268,935,690  in  liabilities,  of  which 
$38,234,658  was  bonded  debt  and  $99,591,953 
mortgages.  Surpluses  reported  totaled  $229,360,- 
658  and  deficits  $52,772,362.  The  aggregate 
value  of  the  capital  stock  of  these  concerns  was 
set  at  $371,824,402  and  its  fair  taxable  value  at 
$354,474,402. 

Not  financial  statements  were  furnished 
by  466  other  amusement  companies  making 
capital  stock  reports.  Surpluses  reported 
by  these  companies  to  total  $403,037  and  de- 
ficits $866,558.  The  aggregate  value  of 
their  capital  stock  was  placed  at  $3,167,242 
and  its  fair  taxable  value  at  $1,879,350. 


Smith  Names  Katz 
Division  Sales  Head 
cf  Tiffany  in  East 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Sid  Katz  has 
been  appointed  Eastern  division  manager 
of  Tiffany  Production,  his  territory  em- 
bracing New 
York,  Philadel- 
phia, Washington, 

Albany,  Buffalo 
and  Canada,  ac- 
cording to  Ed  J. 

Smith,  genera! 
sales  manager. 

Previously  Katz 


E.  J.  Smith 

had  been  with 
FBO  as  assistant 
sales  manager. 

Mr.  Katz  had 
been  a member  of 
the  FBO  organiza- 
tion for  the  last 
five  years. 

He  will  cover 
practically  the  same  territory  as  he  did 
with  FBO,  although  during  his  connection 
with  that  company  he  supervised  the  addi- 
tional offices  at  Atlanta,  New  Haven,  Bos 
ton  and  Jacksonville. 


Form  Large  Combine 
to  Produce  Super-Films 
in  the  Transvaal 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

JOHANNESBURG,  June  28.  — I.  W. 
Schlesinger  has  announced  the  formation 
of  a large  English  film  combine  with  a 
capital  of  £2,000,000,  for  the  production  of 
super  films,  with  operations  to  begin  shortly 
in  South  Africa. 

* * * 

Phonofilms,  being  introduced  here,  are 
attracting  theatre-goers  and  being  reviewed 
in  the  press  enthusiastically.  One  critic 
stated  in  his  report  that  it  was  “hard  to 
believe  that  the  thing  is  genuine.” 

* * ^ 

Formation  of  a new  South  African  mo- 
tion picture  theatre  circuit  under  the  con- 
trol of  the  recently  formed  Kinemas  South 
Africa  (Proprietary),  Ltd.  The  company, 
it  is  stated,  will  soon  be  in  a position  to 
offer  entertainment  to  a widely-spread  sec- 
tion of  the  public. 


Blair  Adds  Theatre 

to  His  Kansas  String 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  June  28.— J.  S.  Bunch 
has  sold  his  Strand  theatre,  (Jsage,  Kan., 
to  Sam  Blair,  owner  of  the  Opera  House 
and  Standard,  Mankato ; the  Majestic, 
Belleville,  and  Rialto,  Clyde;  and'  the 
Princess,  Scandia,  all  in  Kansas. 

F.  R.  Broom  succeeds  Frank  Cassel  as 
the  manager  of  the  Sedalia  and  Liberty, 
Sedalia,  Mo.  C.  W.  McAbee  and  Harold 
Gibbons  have  opened  their  new  South  Main 
theatre,  Joplin.  The  Lyric,  Rolla,  Mo., 
managed  by  Kenneth  Gray,  has  installed  a 
new  cooling  system. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


Exchanges  Give  Moratorium 
On  Debts  in  Flooded  Districts 

Reasonable  Credit  Also  Allowed  on  New  Picture  Programs — 
M.  P.  T.  0.  A.  and  Hays  Officials  Map  Relief 
Program  for  Theatre  Owners 

Letters  have  been  received  by  the  HERALD  from  the  owners 
recommending  that  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  or  M.  P,  P.  D.  A.  make  a com- 
plete investigation  of  the  losses  of  exhibitors  in  the  flood  districts  of 
the  Mississippi  valley  so  that  the  industry  can  give  intelligent  assis- 
tance to  each  exhibitor  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  damage 
caused  to  his  theatre  by  the  flood  waters.  The  theatre  owners  in 
their  letters  offer  to  do  all  they  can  to  assist  their  less  fortunate 
colleagues.— -From  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  issue  of  June  4. 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Exhibitors  in  the  flooded  areas  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley  are  receiving  as  much  assistance  from  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  and  the 
M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  as  is  possible  under  present  circumstances,  says  an  announce- 
ment issued  this  week  from  the  National  Pleadquarters  of  the  theatre  own- 
ers’ organization. 

Moratorium  Declared  on  Bills 

One  definite  line  of  help  that  now  is  in  operation  is  the  establishing  of  a sort 
of  moratorium  under  which  theatre  owners  are  not  pressed  for  payment  of 
bills  by  the  exchange  managers,  and  reasonable  credit  is  allowed  on  new  pic- 
ture programs. 


Finish  Severe 
Probe  of  Quebec 
Film  Conditions 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MONTREAL,  June  28.  — The  Royal 
Commission  which  was  appointed  to  in- 
vestigate theatre  conditions  in  Quebec,  con- 
cluded its  hearings  at  Montreal  last  week, 
according  to  Ernest  Bertrand,  K.  C.,  who 
has  represented  the  Crown  during  the  in- 
quiry of  the  past  month.  Justice  Boyer, 
who  conducted  the  investigation,  is  now 
engaged  in  preparing  his  report  which  will 
be  presented  to  Premier  Taschereau  of 
Quebec,  and  his  recommendations  will 
come  before  the  next  Quebec  legislature. 

An  important  witness  during  the  con- 
cluding days  of  the  inquiry  was  Charles  C. 
Pettijohn  of  New  York,  general  counsel  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors Association  of  America.  Petti- 
john gave  the  commission  a comprehensive 
review  of  the  steps  taken  by  his  association 
to  raise  the  standards  of  motion  pictures. 
Pettijohn’s  talk  was  valuable  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  the  scope  of  the  investigation 
has  been  widened  to  consider  the  morals 
of  the  moving  pictures. 

Martin  Singher,  censor  of  theatre  posters 
for  the  City  of  Montreal,  said  posters  de- 
picting nudity  or  violence  were  banned  as 
well  as  those  of  a suggestive  nature.  He 
declared  that  during  1926  he  had  con- 
demned 3,914  posters,  window  cards  and 
still  photographs  in  Montreal. 

Alexander  Marier,  representing  the  St. 
Francois  D’Assisse  Society,  Montreal,  pre- 
sented a resolution  advocating  the  prohi- 
bition of  all  children  from  moving  picture 
theatres  at  all  times,  while  Dr.  Dufresne, 
also  representing  this  society,  made  the 
drastic  recommendation  that  all  moving 
pictures  be  suppressed,  declaring  that 
adults  had  everything  to  lose  and  nothing 
to  gain  by  attending  moving  picture  thea- 
tres. He  admitted  that  he  had  attended 
the  theatre  a few  times. 

West  Coast  Theatres 
Starts  House  Organ; 
**Now**  Is  the  Name 

Copies  of  a new  house  organ,  pub- 
lished by  West  Coast  Theatres  following 
the  advent  of  Harold  B.  Franklin  as 
president,  have  been  received  and  evi- 
dence of  interesting  treatment  of  ma- 
terial as  well  as  tasty  makeup  is  to  be 
had  in  every  page.  “Now”  is  the  name 
of  the  publication. 

Vol.  1,  No.  1 contains  a foreword  by 
Mr.  Franklin,  reports  on  four  regional 
meetings  of  managers,  an  explanation 
and  chart  of  the  organization  officers, 
and  exploitation  stories. 

A cut  of  Fred  Schader,  advertising 
manager,  together  with  an  outline  of 
the  advertising  department  policy,  ap- 
pears among  those  on  the  page  describ- 
ing the  organization  system. 

Zierler  Off  to  Europe 
on  Excellent s Business 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Samuel  Zier- 
ler, president  of  Excellent  Pictures  Cor- 
poration, sailed  last  Saturday  on  the  Ma- 
jestic on  a business  trip  to  England  and 
the  Continent. 

It  is  expected  that  the  initial  Excellent 
release  will  be  “The  Nest,”  starring 
Pauline  Frederick,  with  “Your  Wife  and 
Mine,”  featuring  Barbara  Tennant,  Phyl- 
lis Haver,  Stuart  Holmes  and  Wallace 
MacDonald,  to  follow. 


In  cases  where  an  extreme  emergency 
exists — and  several  such  instances  have 
come  to  light — additional  consideration 
is  exercised  in  making  the  burden  as 
easy  as  possible  while  the  exhibitor’s 
business  is  recuperating. 

Meet  with  Hays  Representatives 

In  conformity  with  a resolution  passed 
at  the  exhibitors’  Columbus  convention, 
representatives  of  the  exhibitors’  and  the 
producers’  organizations  got  together 
last  week  in  conference  at  the  Hays 
office.  Present  were  R.  F.  Woodhull, 
president,  and  M.  J.  O’Toole,  business 
manager  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  repre- 
senting the  exhibitors,  and  C.  C.  Petti- 
john and  Gabriel  Hess  of  the  Hays  or- 
ganization. 

A review  of  the  situation  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi flood  districts,  where  exhibitors 
have  lost  uncounted  thousands  both  in 
damages  to  theatres  and  especially  loss 
of  business,  shows  that  exchange  man- 
agers and  Film  Boards  of  Trade  have 
taken  up  the  handling  of  the  business 
situations  caused  both  by  the  necessary 
delays  of  film  shipments  and  the  tem- 


Sudden Rise  Takes 
Chandler  to  Stardom 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.— 
Lane  Chandler  has  been  signed  to 
a five-year  contract  by  Para- 
mount, it  is  announced,  just  prior 
to  starting  on  his  first  starring 
picture,  “Open  Range,”  the  pic- 
turization  of  Zane  Grey’s  latest 
melodrama.  Seven  months  ago 
Chandler  was  passenger  agent  for 
the  Yellowstone  Park  Company 
at  Old  Faithful  Inn.  An  inde- 
pendent producer  who  came  there 
on  location  met  Chandler  and  see- 
ing in  him  the  ideal  type  of 
Western  hero,  signed  him  for  a 
small  role.  Upon  completion  of 
the  picture,  the  director  suggested 
that  Chandler  come  to  Hollywood. 
He  first  called  on  Fred  Datig, 
casting  director  for  Paramount, 
was  given  a screen  test  and  four 
days  later  was  signed. 


porary  closing  of  theatres  caused  by 
the  tragedy.  The  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  like- 
wise has  undertaken  an  investigation  of 
particular  cases,  and  in  cooperation  the 
Film  Boards  of  Trade  and  the  exhibitors’ 
organization  have  evolved  a working 
program  of  relief. 

Additional  meetings  will  be  held  joint- 
ly as  the  occasions  appear. 

Benefit  Funds  Swelling 

Meantime  the  M.  P.  P.  D^  A.  daily  is 
receiving  additional  reports  from  vari- 
ous centers  on  relief  work  accomplished 
and  funds  collected. 

D.  C.  McWatters,  chairman  of  the  Los 
Angeles  chapter  of  the  Red  Cross,  stated 
in  a letter  to  Will  H.  Hays  that  the 
cooperation  of  the  industry  in  the  big 
benefit  program  at  the  Hollywood  Bowl 
and  the  $35,112  of  contributions  from 
the  studios  and  other  personnel  of  the 
industry  had  “really  furnished  the  im- 
petus” which  helped  the  district  to  go 
at  least  $20,000  over  its  quota  of  $350,000. 
Mr.  MacWatters  paid  special  tribute  to 
the  cooperation  given  by  Fred  L.  Beet- 
son  and  Jason  S.  Joy. 

The  Hollywood  Bowl  benefit  brought 
$10,900  and  a midnight  performance 
added  $8,261,  making  the  total  direct 
proceeds  from  the  industry  in  Holly- 
wood more  than  $54,000. 

A total  of  3,780  cans  of  food  stuffs, 
collected  at  a morning  matinee  at  the 
Criterion,  was  contributed  to  the  Red 
Cross  relief  unit  in  IMemphis. 

Reports  from  Film  Boards  of  Trade 
received  the  past  week  show  the  follow- 
ing receipts; 

Indianapolis — 57  theatres  raised  $7,715 
(preliminary  report). 

Buffalo — Total  raised  to  $14,057  when 
Binghampton,  N.  Y.,  collected  $2,370. 
Gratis  film  service  valued  at  $2,025  was 
contributed  by  distributors. 

Kansas  City — 33  theatres  raised  $5,079, 
with  ten  theatres  still  to  report. 

Dallas — 141  theatres  gathered  $15,294, 
with  59  still  to  be  heard  from,  while 
a number  forwarded  money  direct  to  the 
Red  Cross.  Estimated  industry  in  Texas 
contributed  more  than  $50,000. 

Atlanta — 22  theatres  brought  in  $2,057, 
while  more  contributions  from  this  ter- 
ritory are  expected. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


Sennett  Studio  First  to  Go  Up 
In  New  20  Million  Colony 

Ground  Broken  for  First  Unit  of  Production  Center  in  San  Fernando 
Valley — Hays  to  Build  Coast  Home 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  June  28. — Ground  was  broken  last  Wednesday  on 
the  first  unit  of  the  new  $20,000,000  film  production  colony  in  San 
Fernando  Valley.  The  Central  Motion  Picture  District,  Inc.,  has 
purchased  503  acres  of  land  at  the  intersection  of  Ventura  boulevard  and 
Pacoima  avenue  and  plans  a huge  development  project  at  this  point,  which 
is  about  two  and  a half  miles  from  Hollywood.  The  price  paid  for  the 
site  is  reported  to  be  $3,000,000.  The  first  studio  to  be  erected  will  occupy 
about  500  acres.  This  will  be  the  home  of  the  Mack  Sennett  Comedies  and 
ground  was  broken  for  an  $800,000  studio.  Sennett  will  abandon  his 
present  plant  at  Glendale  boulevard  and  sell  the  property  for  business  and 
apartment  houses. 


Executives  of  the  Central  Motion  Pic- 
ture District  include  Milton  E.  Hoffman, 
executive  manager  of  Paramount,  presi- 
dent; Gilbert  H.  Bessmyer,  vicepresi- 
dent; Harry  H.  Merrick,  vicepresident; 
B.  P.  Schtilberg  and  Hector  Turnbull, 
Roy  Pomeroy,  B.  F.  Fineman,  Fred 
Harris,  Noah  Berry,  Mack  Sennett,  Wal- 
ter Finglin,  James  R.  Canterbury,  Jr., 
Alarlow  M.  Merrick,  Karl  Thompson 
and  Will  Thompson. 

Most  Modern  on  Coast 
The  studio  city  will  have  one  mile 
frontage  on  Ventura  boulevard  and  two 
miles  on  Pacoima  avenue.  The  new 
Sennett  Studios  will  be  the  most  modern 
on  the  Coast.  The  administration  build- 
ing will  be  of  California  renaissance  type 
of  architecture,  two  stories  high  and  425 
feet  long.  The  administration  building 
will  be  set  back  125  feet  and  the  grounds 
will  be  improved  with  fountain,  trees  and 
shrubbery.  It  is  proposed  to  erect  sev- 
eral stages  200  feet  by  120  feet  to  be 
equipped  with  the  latest,  most  approved 
motion  picture  apparatus.  The  Pacific 
Electric  railway  will  extend  its  line  to 
the  new  studios. 

*  *  * * 

Al  Rockett  Fetes  College  Boys 
A1  Rockett,  production  chief  for  First 
National  Studios,  tendered  a luncheon 
to  the  ten  men  of  their  national  college 
boys’  contest  last  Tuesday  noon  on 
Stage  3 of  the  Burbank  plant.  The  news- 
paper and  magazine  writers  joined  the 
film  chiefs  in  welcoming  the  boys  to 
California.  Immediately  following  the 
luncheon  they  left  for  the  Rose  Bowl, 
Pasadena,  where  they  worked  in  the 
picture,  “The  Drop  Kick,”  starring  Rich- 
ard Barthelmess. 

* * * 

Will  Hays,  head  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Producers’  Association,  will  be  be- 
sieged by  real  estate  brokers  the  next 
time  he  comes  to  California,  as  he  made 
the  announcement  recently  that  on  his 
next  trip  here  he  plans  to  purchase  a 
site  and  to  build  himself  a large  resi- 
dence. 

* * * 

Evelyn  Egan,  pretty  Christie  Studio 
player,  is  slowly  recovering  from  her 
recent  automobile  accident,  and  will  un- 
dergo plastic  surgery  operation  to  re- 
store her  beauty.  Dr.  William  Ball- 
singer  is  her  attending  physician  and 
surgeon. 

* * * 

Stevens  Weds  Miss  Krug 
Ashton  Stevens,  dramatic  critic  of  the 
Chicago  Herald  and  Examiner,  and  Miss 
Florence  Katherine  Krug,  beautiful  act- 
ress of  Chicago,  were  married  last  Tues- 
day at  Santa  Ana,  California.  The  new- 
lyweds will  spend  a brief  honeymoon  in 
Glendale. 


Scott  R.  Dunlap,  former  director  of 
Buck  Jones,  Fox  star,  writes  from  Aus- 
tralia that  he  is  rapidly  nearing  com- 
pletion of  his  first  picture  for  the  Phil- 
lips Company,  Ltd.  This  picture  will 
embrace  the  American  motif  throughout. 
♦ * * 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller  started  this  week 
on  her  second  F B O picture,  “South 
Sea  Love,”  which  Ralph  Ince  is  direct- 
ing. Nick  Musuraca  is  the  cameraman. 
* * ♦ 

Mrs.  David  Kirkland,  wife  of  the  di- 
rector and  former  Follies  girl,  has  taken 
a brand  new  screen  name  which  will  be 
Anne  Page,  and  has  signed  to  appear  in 
a series  of  Craig  Hutchinson  Romances 
in  colors.  Mrs.  Kirkland  has  played  a 
number  of  roles  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  studios. 

♦ * * 

Edward  H.  Griffith  is  directing  “Alias 
the  Lone  Wolf”  with  Lois  Wilson  and 
Bert  Lytell  costarring  at  the  Columbia 
Studios. 

♦ * * 

New  Jacqueline  Logan  Film 

Announcement  will  be  made  in  a few 
days  of  Jacqueline  Logan’s  initial  pic- 
ture on  her  new  long  term  contract  with 
the  De  Mille  Studio. 

* * * 

Lloyd  Bacon,  who  directed  Louise 
Fazenda  in  “Finger  Prints,”  again  will 
handle  the  magaphone  on  her  next 
Warner  Brothers  production,  “A  Sailor’s 
Sweetheart.” 

* * * 

Reginald  Denny,  wishing  to  get  ac- 
quainted with  the  boys  of  the  press, 
invited  a few  to  his  home  last  Monday 
night.  Denny  has  had  many  unusual 
experiences,  both  on  the  stage  and  the 
screen,  and  is  a delightful  story  teller. 

* * * 

Ruth  Boyd  Taken  III 

Ruth  Boyd,  ingenue  lead  appearing  in 
the  Gotham  Productions,  was  taken  sud- 
denly ill  last  week  and  rushed  to  the 
California  Lutheran  hospital,  where  she 
was  operated  on  for  appendicitis. 

* * * 

William  LeBaron,  vicepresident  of 
F B O,  plans  a business  trip  to  New 
York  this  week. 

* * * 

William  Beaudine  is  well  along  with 
his  direction  of  “The  Life  of  Riley”  at 
First  National  Studios.  George  Sidney 
and  Charles  Murray  are  costarring  in 
this  Irish  comedy.  The  carnival  se- 
quence will  be  completed  this  week. 

* * * 

“Our  Gang”  on  Vaudeville  Tour 

For  the  first  time  in  history,  Hal 
Roach,  the  comedy  producer,  has  con- 
sented to  permit  his  rascals,  the  famous 


kiddies  of  “Our  Gang”  to  make  a vaude- 
ville tour.  They  will  be  booked  on  the 
Orpheum  Circuit  for  four  weeks  during 
their  summer  vacation  from  the  studio, 
under  the  management  of  Harry  Weber, 
and  their  itinerary  will  include  Oak- 
land, San  Francisco  and  Los  Angeles. 
They  will  open  at  the  Orpheum  theatre 
in  San  Francisco  July  2. 


Re-Takes 


WELL,  there  wasn’t  much  news  around 
the  film  camp  last  week.  When  the 
thermometer  hovers  around  90  it  just  seems 
to  dry  all  the  news  sources. 

:i|«  * * 

They’ve  got  a new  question  they  ask  at 
all  studios.  A sort  of  “Ask  me  another.” 
It  is  “how  much  was  you  cut?” 

* ^ * 

The  Down  East  bankers  have  been  read- 
ing the  papers,  it  seems,  and  concluded 
everyone  in  Hollywood  connected  with 
pictures  was  getting  rich  too  fast — whence 
the  10  to  30  per  cent  cuts  in  salaries. 

* * * 

Those  who  went  on  vacations  and  drew 
two  weeks  pay  in  advance  will  receive  the 
surprising  news  that  they  owe  the  film 
firm  money  when  they  get  back. 

* * + 

Big  Surprise 

Oh  yes,  the  boys  who  form  that  ancient 
and  noble  organization — the  Guzintas — 
pulled  a fast  one  on  us  the  other  night; 
a surprise  party  and  showered  the  Re-takes 
ed.  with  a lot  of  nice  gifts.  We  ate  at  a 
Pasadena  cafe  where  they  give  you  eight 
helpings  of  everything  if  you  want  it,  and 
consequently  the  proprietor  lost  money  on 
the  bunch  of  press  agents  present. 

* * * 

Yep,  we’ve  got  a nice  desk  set  with  a 
fountain  pen  all  ready  to  write  checks 
and  now  if  we  can  find  a kindly  banker 
who  will  loan  us  some  money  and  a check 
book,  we’ll  be  all  set. 

♦ * ♦ 

Another  Party 

And  Reg.  Denny  invited  us  up  on  the 
highest  mountain  overlooking  Hollywood, 
to  inspect  his  home,  the  other  night  and 
everyone  present  voted  him  the  perfect 
host. 

* * * 

And  while  we’re  on  the  subject  of  par- 
ties, Bill  Boyd  and  his  charming  wife, 
Elinor  Fair,  entertained  quite  a group  of 
thin  but  honest  reporters  at  his  pretty 
home  Sunday  night  with  eats  and  every- 
thing. Hurrah  for  Elinor  and  Bill ! 

* * * 

Hurrah  Again 

Our  mail  was  quite  heavy  last  Friday. 
It  included  a post  card  from  Estelle  Taylor, 
clear  from  Atlanta,  Ga.  She  didn’t  say 
how  she  was  betting  on  the  fight  July  21. 
Just  sent  regards. 

And  just  after  we’d  got  through  bidding 
H.  E.  N.  goodbye  in  his  orange  colored  car, 
in  popped  Doug.  Hodges  from  Chicago  and 
we  had  to  take  him  on  a tour  of  the 
studios.  Yes  he  got  quite  a kick  outa  seeing 
the  wheels  go  round  in  the  big  picture 
factories.  * ♦ 

Big  Issues 

I see  Senator  Borah  says  President 
Coolidge  isn’t  catching  trout,  if  he’s  fishing 
with  worms.  They  ought  to  call  an  extra 
session  of  Congress  to  decide  if  he’s  right 
and  settle  this  vital  question  once  and  for 
all  time.  Anyway,  Cal’s  havin’  a good 
time.  * * 

Famous  First  Words 
“Da  Da.”  (Ask  Bill,  he  knows.) 

— R.  M. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


29 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

by 

the  Camera 

July  2,  1927 


Joe  Seider,  nationally  prominent  in 
exhibitor  circles,  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  New  Jersey  organiza- 
tion at  its  annual  meeting  at 
Asbury  Park. 


Walter  Lindlar  has  been  appointed 
exploitation  mamager  of  First  Na- 
tional by  C.  F.  Chandler,  director 
of  advertising  and  publicity.  He 
has  been  with  F.  N.  three  years. 


In 

the  Week’s 
News 


THE  BRIDE.  Vilma  Banky,  Sam  Gold- 
wyn  star,  now  appearing  in  “The 
Magic  Flame,”  was  married  on  July 
26  to  Rod  LaRocque. 


THE  GROOM.  Rod  LaRocque,  DeMille 
star,  with  his  bride.  Miss  Banky,  will 
honeymoon  in  Canada.  The  couple 
will  motor  through  the  North  Woods. 


A1  Lichtman,  vice  president  and 
general  manager  of  distribution  for 
United  Artists,  is  named  temporary 
president  of  Motion  Picture  Club 
of  New  York. 


Bruce  Gallup,  head  of  advertising 
and  sales  promotion  of  United  Art- 
ists, will  be  next  president  of 
AMPA,  according  to  those  in  the 
know  in  Times  Square. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


f 


The  Glorious  Fourth!  Marceline  Day  leads 
the  Independence  Day  parade  through  the 
streets  of  an  old  fashioned  New  England 
village  during  the  filming  of  M-G-M’s  “Cap- 
tain Salvation.” 


“Big  Boy,”  Educational- 
Juvenile  comedy  star,  is 
all  set  for  the  Fourth. 
Oh,  Boy! 


A reincarnation!  James  Welch  as  Robert 
E.  Lee;  Charles  Edward  Bull  as  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  Walter  Rogers  as  Ulysses  S. 
Grant  in  Warner  Brothers  “The  Heart  of 
Maryland.” 


Italy  and  Spain  offer  two  youths  for  screen  fame.  Right 
to  left:  Alberto  Rabagliati  of  Italy;  George  O’Brien,  Fox 
star,  and  Antonio  Cumellas  of  Spain,  on  the  “East  Side, 
West  Side”  set  at  the  Fox  New  Yonk  studios. 


Notice  the  resemblance?  On  the  right  is  George  O’Brien’s 
father,  photographed  with  Director  Allan  Dwan  while  visit- 
ing his  son  at  the  Fox  New  York  studios,  where  “East  Side, 
West  Side”  is  being  made.  Dan  O’Brien  is  police  chief  in 
San  Francisco. 


Indianapolis’  newest  picture  palace  is  now  in 
operation.  Owned  by  interests  headed  by  Rob- 
ert Lieber  of  First  National,  the  Indiana  repre- 
sents the  best  in  modem  theatre  architecture  and 
equipment.  Celebrities  throughout  the  nation 
attended. 


Corinne  Griffith  is  making  her 
first  U.-A.  picture,  “The  Garden 
of  Eden.”  Lewis  Milestone  is 
directing. 


At  29,  John  W.  Considine,  Jr., 
superivsed  production  of  the 
first  Caddo-U.-A.  picture,  “Two 
Arabian  Knigbts,”  now  ready 
for  release. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


On  the  set  for  Warner  Brothers’  “The  Heart 
of  Maryland”  are  (left  to  right)  Helene 
Costello,  Dolores  Costello,  Warner  Rich- 
mond and  Jason  Robards.  . 


Tommy  Dowd  is  direct- 
ing the  Capitol,  New 
York,  while  Major 
Bowes  is  in  Europe. 


The  sociable  Scotch  game  recently  brought 
together  in  Hollywood  Harvey  Jorden  of 
Keith’s  Philadelphia  theatre  (left),  Ben 
Bard,  Fox  player  (center),  and  Frank  Vin- 
cent, Orpheum  Circuit  manager. 


Autos  as  they  were  form  the  material  which  Warner 
Brothers  have  made  into  “The  First  Auto.”  Above  is 
Patsy  Ruth  Miller  portraying,  perhaps,  the  first  girl  to 
walk  home.  Barney  Oldfield,  veteran  auto  racer,  is 
featured. 


And  Barney  just  had  to  go  to  New  York,  to  see  the  premiere 
of  “The  First  Auto.”  But  no  Pullman  for  Barney!  The  pic- 
ture shows  Jack  Warner  bidding  him  bon  voyage  before  the 
start  of  his  long  motor  ride. 


H.  B.  Warner  is  Sorrell  in 
United  Artists’  “Sorrell  and 
Son,”  to  be  partly  made  in 
England. 


Herbert  Brenon  is  producing 
“Sorrell  and  Son,”  which  is 
based  on  Warwick  Deeping’s 
successful  novel. 


Motion  picture  personages  on  the  Riviera,  where 
Rex  Ingram  recently  completed  filming  “The 
Garden  of  Allah.”  Left  to  right,  Antonio 
Moreno,  a visitor;  Alice  Terry  and  Ivan  Petro- 
vitch,  the  stars.  Ingram  is  seated. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


East  meets  West  on  the  United  Artists  lot.  Komaka  Sunada,  screen  star 
of  Japan,  and  her  husband  Frank  Tokunaga,  who  is  her  director,  re- 
cently visited  Douglas  Fairbanks  and  Mary  Pickford,  while  on  a trip 
to  America.  Educated  in  Los  Angeles,  Miss  Sunada  entered  pictures  in 
Japan  six  years  ago. 


Isabelle  Sheridan  has  been  given  her  first 
chance  as  a screen  actress  by  her  cousin  Mary 
Pickford,  who  made  her  a saleslady  (as  por- 
trayed above)  in  “My  Best  Girl.” 


Charles  Rogers,  with  a 
screen  career  two  years 
young,  is  opposite  Mary 
Pickford  in  “My  Best  Girl.” 


John  McDermott  (rolling  on  the  ground)  wrote  such 
funny  stuff  into  his  adaptation  of  “Tillie’s  Punctured 
Romance,”  he  has  to  laugh  at  his  own  stuff.  A1  Christie 
is  to  revive  the  famous  comedy  for  Paramuont. 


Gardner  James  will  leave 
Inspiration  the  end  of  this 
month,  intending  to  free 
lance. 


Unforgettable  to  the  stage  public  in 
“Liliom,”  Joseph  Schildkraut  now  seems 
loyal  to  the  screen.  Above  he  is  shown 
in  his  newest  role,  in  DeMilles’  “His 
Dog.” 


Charles  Chaplin  as  he  will 
sometimes  appear  in  “The 
Circus,”  his  next  United  Art- 
ists production. 


Seeking  film  laurels  in  America  is  Mar- 
cella Battelini  (left),  pictured  above  with 
Virginia  Valli,  Fox  star.  Signorina  Bat- 
telini won  a Fox  screen  contest  in  Italy. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Snookums  In  the  arms  of  Harry  Croll,  mana- 
ger of  Fabian’s  Branford  theatre,  Newark, 
where  Stem  Brothers’  baby  star  recently  made 
a personal  appearance.  Mrs.  L.  D.  McKeen, 
Snookums’  mother,  is  at  left. 


It  was  Carl  Laemmie,  Jr.’s  birthday  and  photograph  shows  him  in  the 
center  of  a group  working  under  him  on  one  of  the  “Collegian  series, 
with  their  floral  tribute  behind  him.  On  either  side  are  Dorothy  Gulli- 
ver and  George  Lewis,  who  have  featured  roles.  We  also  say,  “Good 
luck,  Carl!’’ 


Guy  P.  Morgan  is  namf^l 
Eastern  business  manager 
of  the  Samuel  Goldwyn  en- 
terprises. 


Takes  a lot  o’  cake  to  hold  sixty-three  candles — and  a 
heap  o’  living  to  deserve  them.  Above  is  Joseph  Schild- 
kraut  cutting  himself  a piece  of  the  sweet  and  seasonable 
tribute  recently  presented  by  the  others  making  Pro-Dis- 
Co’s  “The  Country  Doctor.” 


Douglas  Fairbanks  has 
selected  Carlotta  Monti  for 
the  cast  of  his  U.  A.  pic- 
ture “The  Gaucho.” 


Barbara  Bedford  and  William  Collier,  Jr., 
in  love  scene  from  “Backstage,”  a Tiffany 
production  from  the  story  by  Sarah  Y. 
Mason.  A current  film. 


“The  Circus”  lady.  Merna 
Kennedy  is  leading  woman  in 
Charlie  Chaplin’s  new  United 
Artiste  film,  “The  Circus.” 


Left  to  right:  Richard  A.  Rowland,  gen- 
eral and  production  manager  of  First  Na- 
tional; Major  MacDonnell,  technical  ad- 
visor, and  Richard  Barthelmess  on  “The 
Patent  Leather  Kid”  set. 


34 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


Bruce  Gallup  Slated  to  Head 
A.  M.  P.  A.  for  Next  Year 

Lon  Young  Nominated  for  Vice-President — Fox  Athletic  Club  Hold- 
ing Joy  Carnival — David  Warfield  Praises  Industry 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  June  28. — Bruce  Gallup,  the  hustling  advertising 
manager  of  United  Artists,  will  be  the  next  president  of  the  Asso- 
ciated Motion  Picture  Advertisers,  unless  present  plans  are  kicked 
in  the  midriff. 

At  a meeting  last  week  of  the  nominating  committee  of  the  A.  M.  P,  A. 
for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a candidate  for  the  coming  year,  Gallup  was 
selected  as  the  presidential  nominee,  and  Lon  Young,  of  Lumas,  was  chosen 
for  vicepresident.  The  selection  of  men  for  treasurer,  secretary  and  the 
board  of  directors  will  be  made  at  another  meeting  to  be  held  this  week. 


The  nominating  committee  is  com- 
posed of  L.  A.  Young,  Jerome  Beatty, 
Fred  Baer,  A.  L.  Selig,  C.  W.  Barrell, 
George  Harver,  Victor  Shapiro,  Jacques 
Kopstein,  P.  A.  Parsons  and  Julius 
Solomon. 

Changes  Procedure 

It  has  been  the  custom  in  the  A.  M. 
P.  A.  for  the  vicepresident  to  be  selected 
the  following  year  for  the  major  office, 
and  this  is  the  first  time  in  the  history 
of  the  organization  that  this  unwritten 
rule  has  been  deviated  from.  Charlie 
Einfeld  has  served  as  vicepresident  dur- 
ing the  past  year,  and  it  was  generally 
believed  that  he  would  succeed  to ' the 
presidency  as  per  custom. 

Einfeld’s  multitudinous  duties  at  First 
National  have  prevented  him  from  at- 
tending many  of  the  meetings  during  the 
past  year,  and  while  it  has  not  been  so 
stated,  it  is  believed  that  this  had  much 
to  do  in  deciding  the  committee  to  pass 
him  by  for  the  nomination. 

Bruce  Gallup  is  said  not  to  have  sought 
the  nomination  and  to  be  reluctant  about 
accepting  the  nomination.  He  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  livest  members  of 
the  local  film  fraternity  and  it  has  be- 
come the  custom  in  the  industry  to  draft 
him  when  any  unusual  or  hard  work  is 
to  be  done.  Among  other  things  he  is 
now  serving  as  temporary  secretary  of 
the  new  Motion  Picture  Club  which  is 
being  formed.  Gallup  is  an  entertaining 
and  ready  speaker  and  his  choice  for  the 
nomination  is  a pleasing  one  to  the 
A.  M.  P.  A.  members. 

* * ♦ 

Fox  Joy  Carnival  July  1 
The  members  of  the  Fox  Athletic 
Club  will  hold  their  annual  Joy  Carnival 
at  the  Claridge  hotel  on  Friday  evening, 
July  1.  At  that  time  medals  will  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Fox  bowlers  and  basketball 
players,  athletic  trophies  won  by  the  club 
formally  accepted,  and  the  official  Fox 
A.  C.  flag  adopted. 

Music  will  be  provided  by  Luke  F. 
Stager  and  the  original  Bluebird  Seren- 
aders.  At  midnight  a special  buffet 
supper  will  be  served,  and  prominent 
entertainers — the  kind  who  add  sparkle 
to  any  affair — will  be  on  hand. 

Fox  Athletic  Club  directors  and  of- 
ficers for  1927  are:  William  Fox, 
honorary  president;  Jack  G.  Leo,  hon- 
orary vicepresident;  Douglas  N.  Tauszig, 
executive  advisor  and  chairman  of  coun- 
cil; George  Blake,  club  counsel;  Fred 
Bullock,  Jr.,  president:  Harry  Rein- 
hardt, vicepresident;  Leon  De  Titta, 
treasurer;  Ida  Myckon,  recording  secre- 
tary; and  Doris  Berman,  financial  secre- 
tary; four  directors  are  to  be  elected  to 
the  executive  council  at  the  meeting. 

iK  * * 

Robert  Woodhull  Appointed 

David  R.  Hochreich,  president  of  the 
Vocafilm  Corporation  of  America,  has 


appointed  Robert  (“Bob”)  Woodhull, 
son  of  R.  F.  (“Pete”)  Woodhull,  presi- 
dent of  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre 
Owners  of  America,  as  assistant  to 
Julian  M.  Solomon,  director  of  advertis- 
ing and  publicity. 

Young  Woodhull,  as  house  manager 
of  the  Baker  theatre,  Dover,  N.  J.,  han- 
dled all  of  the  local  publicity  and  ex- 
ploitation. His  work  with  Vocafilm  will 
be  on  trade  paper  and  New  York  news- 
papers. 

* * * 

Warfield  Pays  Tribute 

David  Warfield,  the  eminent  character 
delineator  of  a decade  past,  who  retired 
from  the  stage  a few  years  ago  after 
having  established  himself  as  one  of  the 
foremost  actors  of  all  time,  pays  a glit- 
tering tribute  to  motion  pictures  in  an 
interview  of  considerable  length  pub- 
lished in  the  August  number  of  Motion 
Picture  Magazine. 

“God  bless  the  movies,”  said  Mr.  War- 
field  in  his  opening  remark  and  followed 
that  emphatic  statement  with  an  exceed- 
ingly interesting  resume  of  conditions 
on  the  dramatic  stage  and  prophecy  for 
the  future  of  both  the  motion  picture 
and  the  drama.  In  terms  of  regret,  Mr. 
Warfield  deplored  the  conditions  which 
brought  the  drama  into  such  ill  repute 
during  the  past  season  and  drew  a com- 
parison between  certain  types  of  sala- 
cious productions  and  the  hundreds  of 
pictures  that  had  been  produced  upon 
the  screen  during  the  same  period. 

“God  bless  the  movies,”  he  said, 
“because  they  are  clean.” 

The  editor  of  Motion  Picture  Magazine 
has  embellished  Mr.  Warfield’s  interview 
with  pictures  showing  Mr.  Warfield  in  the 
roles  he  portrayed  in  “The  Auctioneer,” 
“The  Music  Master”  and  “The  Return  of 
Peter  Grimm,”  along  with  pictures  of  Alec 
Francis  and  George  Sidney  in  the  characters 
they  portrayed  upon  the  screen. 

* * * 

Ed  Klein  Recovering 

Friends  of  Ed  Klein,  the  well  known 
film  exporter,  will  be  glad  to  know  that 
he  is  on  the  mend  again  after  his  illness 
in  England. 

A message  from  the  Daily  Film  Renter 
of  London  states  that  “Eddie  hasn’t  had 
much  luck  on  this  visit ; he  got  a pretty 
bad  attack  of  influenza  and  just  as  he  was 
well  on  the  mend  was  stricken  with  an  at- 
tack of  toxin  poisoning.  I know  the  whole 
trade  will  be  pleased  to  hear  that  he  will 
soon  be  his  old  self  once  again.” 


Beaumont  in  Texas 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BEAUMONT,  Tex.,  June  28.— Fred  W. 
Putnam  has  been  appointed  theatre  manager 
for  the  Jefferson  Amusement  Company, 
coming  here  from  Richmond,  Va.,  where 
he  has  been  manager  of  Wilmer  & Vin- 
cent’s Colonial. 


Sprained  Ankle  Costs 
Ince  Role  in  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28. -~ 
Ralph  Ince  was  scheduled  to  di- 
rect and  play  the  leading  role  in 
FBO’s  “South  Sea  Love.”  But 
schedules  often  go  amiss.  Ince 
found  himself  in  a fast  game  of 
tennis  recently  and  when  he 
emerged,  victor  or  otherwise,  he 
found  himself  suffering  from  a 
severe  ankle  sprain  and  a torn 
ligament  in  his  left  leg.  Conse- 
quently, Ince  will  direct  the  £lm 
and  his  role  in  the  cast  will  have 
to  be  assigned  to  another.  Patsy 
Ruth  Miller  is  the  only  member 
of  the  cast  thus  far  selected. 


British  Firm  Prepares 
Huge  Studios  for  Joint 
Use  of  Producers 

Large  Property  Purchase  Por- 
tends Wembley  as  English 
Hollywood 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

I.ONDON,  June  28. — Wembley  is  to  be- 
come the  Hollywood  of  Great  Britain. 
Property  covering  35  acres  has  been  pur- 
chased by  a newly  formed  company,  Wem- 
bley Studios,  Ltd.,  to  be  used  by  British 
Incorporated  Pictures  and  British  Authors 
Productions,  possibly  also  by  others,  in- 
cluding independent  producers.  The  finan- 
cial backer  is  said  to  be  Rupert  Mason, 
Lancashire  cotton  magnate.  Operations  are 
expected  to  begin  at  Wembley  by  the  first 
of  the  year. 

* * * 

Sir  Philip  Cunliffe-Lister,  president  of 
the  Board  of  Trade,  has  agreed  to  intro- 
duce amendments  to  the  films  bill  now 
before  Parliament,  providing  for  the_  re- 
duction of  the  proposed  quota  of  British 
pictures  from  25  to  20  per  cent.  It  is  also 
agreed  to  start  the  exhibitor’s  quota  at  five 
instead  of  seven  and  a half  per  cent.  His 
amendment  making  the  renter’s  quota 
operative  for  only  12  years,  from  April  1, 
1928,  has  already  been  passed. 

* * * 

Syd  Chaplin,  interviewed  last  week  in 
London,  where  he  is  shortly  to  make  a 
picture  for  British  International,  declared 
that  he  had  not  signed  any  other  contracts. 

Paramount  and  Others 
Sued  As  Result  of  1925 
Boston  Subway  Fire 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON,  June  28. — -Suits  totalling  a 
million  dollars  in  amounts  asked,  have  been 
started  in  Suffolk  Superior  court  as  a re- 
sult of  a film  fire  January  3,  1925.  The 
defendants  are  the  Boston  Elevated  Rail- 
way, Paramount-Famous-Lasky,  and  John 
F.  Bowditch.  There  are  88  suits  filed,  of 
which  three  will  be  tried  as  test  cases. 

Milliken  Talks  to  Clubs 
On  Picture  of  Future 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WORCESTER,  Mass.,  June  28. — Secre- 
tary Carl  E.  Milliken  of  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A., 
addressed  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  and 
Women’s  Club  here  last  week,  speaking  on 
the  motion  picture  of  the  future.  A film 
entitled  “Thirty  Years  of  Picture  Prog- 
ress,” was  shown. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


July  2,  1927 

« 

Barry  Concludes 
Managers  School 
Of  Saenger  Chain 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  ORLEANS,  June  28. — Saenger's 
entire  managerial  staff  of  125  took  part  in 
the  second  school  for  managers  of  the  cir- 
cuit, conducted  by  John  F.  Barry  of  the 
Publix  training  school.  The  school,  held 
at  Bay  St.  Louis,  has  just  closed  after 
eleven  days  of  sessions. 

Lecturers  included,  in  addition  to  Barry, 
President  Julian  H.  Saenger  of  the  circuit ; 
E.  V.  Richards,  Jr.,  vicepresident;  Eugene 
M.  Clarke,  secretary;  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Wer- 
lein.  Hays  organization ; Rudolph  Hecht, 
Hibernian  National  Bank;  Marshall  Bal- 
lard of  the  New  Orleans  Item,  and  Dr. 
A.  B.  Dinwiddle,  Tulane  University. 

Those  attending  included : 

New  Orleans:  E.  V.  Richards,  E.  M.  Clarke, 
L.  M.  Ash,  J.  H.  Saenger,  M.  F.  Barr,  C.  W. 
Greenblatt,  G.  J.  Dureau,  Jr.,  N.  L.  Carter,  Louis 
Rosen,  Leon  Rich,  L.  E.  Stouse,  Jack  Meredith, 
L.  G.  Boyer,  John  A.  Ross,  J.  C.  Duffy,  Miss  Mai 
Coltraro,  Miss  Marion  Murphy,  Miss  Louise  Rich- 
ards, Louie  Boyer,  Frank  Sanders,  Elizabeth  Wer- 
lein,  C.  Briant,  Lucas  Conners,  A.  W.  Harrison, 
Miss  Feme  Houghland,  Miss  Worth  Dinwiddie, 
A.  E.  Chadick.  Marion  Ferrera,  Dominick  Olister, 
H.  A.  Brownlee,  Jos.  Levy,  A.  Cunningham,  A.  H. 
Johnson,  Nat  Sobel,  Vic  Howard,  Louis  Yarrut, 
L.  C.  Montgomery,  Miss  Ethel  Shuber,  G.  Zibilich, 
Gus  Miller,  H.  Houghland,  H.  J.  Ardoin,  B.  Cohn, 
Larry  Jacobs,  Milton  Greenblatt,  Frank  Heidrich, 
H.  E.  Fitzsimmons,  L.  Patterson,  M.  J.  Nundy. 

Others  were:  J.  B.  Procter,  Muskogee,  Okla- 
homa; Matt  Press,  Shreveport,  La.;  Arthur  Leh- 
man, Canton,  Miss.;  R.  B.  Wilby,  Atlanta,  Ga. ; 
H.  S.  Kincey,  Greensboro,  N.  C. ; Gus  E.  Brown, 
Raleigh,  N.  C. ; W.  H.  Ponton,  Fayettesville,  N. 
C. ; Don  Nichols,  Durham,  N.  C. ; S.  Baum,  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.;  T.  B.  Coleman,  Atlanta,  Ga. ; R.  M. 
Kennedy,  Birmingham,  Ala.;  C.  B.  Grimes,  Tusca- 
loosa, Ala.;  K.  R.  Towns,  Selma,  Ala.;  Tom 
Clemmons,  Beaumont,  Tex.;  Jos.  Clemmons,  Beau- 
mont, Tex.;  Bob  Clemmons,  Beaumont,  Tex.;  E. 
W.  Cook,  Beaumont,  Tex.;  Allen  Boyd,  Beaumont, 
Tex.;  W.  H.  Dunbar,  Beaumont,  Tex.;  W.  E. 
Pascall,  Dallas,  Tex.;  L.  H.  Grandjean,  Dallas, 
Tex.;  H.  C.  Federee,  Abilene,  Tex.;  Carlos  Frias, 
El  Paso,  Tex.;  J.  A.  Jones,  Pensacola,  Fla.;  J.  J. 
Speilberger,  Pensacola,  Fla.;  J.  D.  Howard,  Mo- 
bile, Ala.;  H.  O.  Orr,  Biloxi,  Miss.;  Pat  Klein- 
peter,  Gulfport,  Miss.;  E.  Boehringer,  Gulfport, 
Miss. 

John  Brower,  Hattiesburg,  Miss.;  R.  E.  Nor- 
man, Hattiesburg,  Miss.;  H.  W.  Rice,  Meridian, 
Miss.;  R.  Monteil,  Jackson,  Miss.;  G.  B.  Snow, 
Jackson,  Miss.;  E.  A.  Greenblatt,  Baton  Rouge, 
La.;  A.  Swanke,  Baton  Rouge,  La.;  W.  H.  Jones, 
Natchez,  Miss.;  J.  O.  Lambert,  Vicksburg,  Miss.; 
G.  R.  McCormick,  Greenwood,  Miss.;  Kelly  King- 
man,  Clarksdale,  Miss.;  J.  H.  Marchand,  Helena, 
Ark.;  Dan  Burgum,  Greenville,  Miss.;  J.  K.  Mc- 
Eachron,  Pine  Bluff,  Ark.;  C.  E.  O’Donnell,  Mon- 
roe, La.;  S.  M.  Solley,  Monroe,  La.;  Simon  Ehr- 
lich, Shreveport,  La.;  H.  L.  Swain,  mgr.,  Shreve- 
port, La. ; Henry  Seel,  mgr.,  Shreveport,  La. ; 
Arthur  Hardin,  Texarkana,  Tex.;  H.  C.  Wind- 
ham, Texarkana,  Tex.;  F.  R.  Shipley,  Alexandria, 
La.;  A1  R.  Lever,  Dallas,  Tex.;  Rupert  Richards, 
Bay  St.  Louis,  Miss.;  Will  Howitz,  Houston,  Tex.; 
Fred  Carnata,  Houston,  Tex.;  Eddie  Barnes, 
Houston,  Tex.;  Herman  Dees,  Houston,  Tex. 


Duell  Sues  Lillian  Gish, 
M-G-M,  Others  for  Five 
Million,  Charging  Plot 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28. — A suit  for 
$5,000,000  was  filed  last  week  against  Lil- 
lian Gish,  her  mother,  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  Corporation,  and  a group  of  cinema 
officials,  by  Charles  H.  Duell,  president  of 
Inspiration  Pictures,  Inc.  Duell  claims 
. that  it  was  his  picture,  “The  White  Sister,” 

■ that  raised  Miss  Gish  to  stardom  and  that 
- at  that  time  she  signed  a long  term  contract 
with  him. 

Due  to  an  alleged  conspiracy  between  the 
parties  named,  in  which  a plot  was  formed 
to  break  him  financially,  Miss  Gish  broke 

iher  contract  and  officials  of  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  refused  to  handle  his  picttire 
unless  he  released  the  star,  he  charges. 


South  Carolina  Exhibitors 
Organize;  N.  C.  Body  Meets 

George  Parr  Elected  President  of  S.  C.  Association,  with  First 
Convention  Slated  for  September  6 and  7 — 

North  Carolinians  Have  Big  Year 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CHARLESTON,  S.  C.,  June  28. — Formation  of  the  South  Carolina  The- 
atres Assoication,  with  George  Parr  of  Lancaster  as  president,  welds  the 
theatre  owners  and  managers  of  this  state  in  a working  orgafiization  which, 
its  sponsors  are  confident,  not  only  will  give  the  exhibitors  a solid  front 
of  defense  in  the  face  of  any  possible  inimical  action  in  the  legislature  or 
elsewhere  but  also  will  produce  a number  of  constructive  measures  to  the 
industry  at  large. 

First  Convention  Set  September  6-7 
The  new  organization  will  have  its  first  convention  here  September  6 
and  7,  when  a progTam  for  the  coming  year  will  be  placed  in  operation. 
Sessions  will  be  at  the  Francis  Marion 


Evolution  of  the  plans  for  the  Theatres 
Association  has  been  a steady  process, 
involving  months  of  hard  work  by  the 
e.xhibitor  leaders  of  the  state.  Half  a 
hundred  exhibitors  met  recently  at  the 
behest  of  the  sponsors  of  the  associa- 
tion and  preliminary  plans  of  organiza- 
tion and  operaton  were  outlined,  in  prep- 
aration for  the  fall  convention. 

Other  Officers  Named 

Besides  Parr,  the  following  officers 
were  chosen:  Vicepresident,  Roy  Smart, 
Greenville;  secretary,  George  Hendrick- 
son, Darlington;  treasurer,  Albert  Sotille, 
Charleston. 

Directors  and  zone  managers  are 
George  Parr,  Roy  Smart,  Albert  Sotille, 
George  Plendrickson,  J.  M.  O’Dowd, 
Florence;  Jack  Sheeley,  Clinton;  J.  Y. 
Perry,  attorney,  Columbia;  Tom  Holli- 
day, Columbia;  I.  H.  Sims,  Orangeburg; 
and  J.  H.  W^elborn,  Aiken. 

Exhibitors  in  the  smaller  towns  are 
benefited  by  the  system  inaugurated  for 
the  collection  of  dues.  The  regular 
schedule  is  cut  in  half  in  cases  of  ex- 
hibitors who  play  only  second-runs. 
The  schedule  for  others  is:  $200  a year 
for  theatres  in  cities  with  at  least  20,000 
population;  $150  in  towns  of  10,000  to 
20,000;  $100  in  towns  of  5,000  to  10,000; 
$50,  2,500  to  5,000;  and  $20  for  those  in 
towns  of  less  than  2,500. 

North  Carolinia  Body 
Gathers  for  Convention 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WRIGHTSVILLE  BEACH,  N.  C., 
June  27. — Motion  picture  theatre  owners 
of  North  Carolina  were  gathering  here 


Pathe  “Monopolizes” 

Two  Theatre  Openings 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.— The 
rooster  crowed  at  the  opening  of 
the  Embassy  theatre,  Brooklyn, 
and  the  Roxy  theatre.  Perry,  la. 
Both  houses  used  Pathe  product 
exclusively  at  their  premieres. 

Shown  at  the  Embassy  were 
Pathe  News,  “Jewish  Prudence,” 
a HaJ  Roach  comedy,  Pathe  Re- 
view, Aesop’s  Fables  and  the 
serial,  “The  Crimson  Flash.”  The 
Roxy  chose  a program  composed 
of  “Here  ’Tis,”  Harry  Langdon 
in  “His  First  Flame,”  “Will  Rog- 
ers in  Berlin,”  “Songs  of  Ire- 
land,’ Pathe  News  and  the  Aesop 
Fable,  “Horses,  Horses,  Horses.” 


today  for  what  promised  to  be  the  best 
convention  in  the  history  of  the  organi- 
zation following  an  unusually  successful 
year  in  which  the  rolls  have  increased 
to  150  paid  members,  called  the  largest 
number  in  the  association’s  annals. 

A banquet  tonight  at  the  Oceanic  ho- 
tel will  climax  the  first  day’s  activities, 
which  call  for  the  taking  up  of  special 
subjects,  with  arbitration  as  a center  of 
discussion. 

President  Charles  W.  Picquet,  back 
from  the  Columbus  convention  of  the 
National  Organization,  is  to  report  on 
the  accomplishments  of  the  gathering 
there  and  the  decision  to  admit  produc- 
ers to  membership  in  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. 
may  bring  up  some  debate. 

Secretary-Treasurer  Royster  has  been 
one  of  the  leaders  in  making  arrange- 
ments for  the  state  convention. 

Gotham  Distributors 
in  Buffalo,  Pittsburgh 
Sign  for  New  Product 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Gotham  has 
completed  distribution  contracts  for  the 
1927-28  product  in  Buffalo  and  Pittsburgh. 
R.  C.  Fox,  president  of  the  R.  C.  Fox  Ex- 
changes of  Buffalo,  is  a new  Gotham  dis- 
tributor. In  Pittsburgh  the  representative 
is  J.  C.  Alexander  of  the  Columbia  Film 
Service. 

From  the  Coast  comes  the  report  that 
illness  of  Ruth  Boyd,  who  had  to  undergo 
an  operation  for  appendicitis,  delayed  the 
picture  “The  Woman  Who  Did  Not  Care.’ 
Olive  Hasbrouck  assumed  the  role. 

Exhibitors  Protest 
Raise  in  Liability 
Insurance  Premiums 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Liability  insur- 
ance companies  declare  that  premiums  for 
motion  picture  theatres  are  to  be  raised 
from  12  to  40  cents  each  $100  insurance, 
and  theatre  owners  of  Greater  New  York 
are  considering  calling  a special  meeting  to 
protest  the  action  and  to  create  a fund  for 
mutual  insurance. 


Egan  Injuries  Healing 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.— Evel\n  Egan, 
actress  in  Christie  comedies,  is  reported  at 
the  hospital  as  recovering  from  injuries 
received  several  weeks  ago  in  an  auto- 
mobile accident  here. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


FBO’s  “Moon  of  Israel”  at  Roxy 
Gets  Elaborate  Presentation 

Picture  of  Deliverance  of  Jews  Is  Surrounded  With  Colorful  Program 
by  Master  Showman — Palestine  Athletes  Guests 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  June  28. — Elaborate  presentations  by  S.  L.  Rothafel 
vie  for  honors  with  “Moon  of  Israel,”  F B O special,  at  the  Roxy 
this  week.  The  picture  went  into  the  Roxy  last  Saturday.  Roth- 
afel has  given  to  this  picture  one  of  the  most  colorful  surrounding  pro- 
grams of  the  many  outstanding  presentations  which  he  has  contributed 
to  the  industry. 

QTARTING  two  days  in  advance  of 
his  regular  schedule,  Roxy  put  ten 
days  into  the  work  of  building  up  a spe- 
cial program  of  musical  arrangements 
and  stage  performances  and  lightings  to 
fit  in  with  the  screen  spectacle. 

Setting  and  Dance  Divertissements 
Two  of  the  colorful  parts  added  to  the 
program  by  the  master  showman  are 
“Watchman,  What  of  the  Night’’  and 
“The  Moth  and  the  Flame,”  the  latter  a 
dance  divertissement  starring  Maria 
Gambarelli. 

Roxy  added  another  touch  of  show- 
manship when  he  had  as  his  guests  at 
last  night’s  performance  the  members  of 
the  Macabee  soccer  football  team,  who 
arrived  recently  from  Palestine. 

As  “Moon  of  Israel”  treats  of  the  en- 
slavement and  deliverance  of  the  Jews, 
with  the  climax  consisting  of  the  cross- 


ing of  the  Red  Sea  and  the  drowning 
of  Pharaoh’s  army,  the  production 
elicited  considerable  commendation  from 
the  athletes,  who  come  from  a district 
familiar  with  the  history  of  the  Jews  of 
the  period  of  the  Book  of  Exodus,  which 
provides  the  background  for  the  screen 
production.  Michael  Curtiz,  European 
director  before  his  recent  arrival  in  this 
country,  made  the  picture  from  the 
novel  by  Sir  H.  Rider  Haggard. 

Maria  Corda  in  Title  Role 

Maria  Corda  portrays  the  part  of 
Merapi,  Moon  of  Israel,  and  Arlette 
Marchal,  now  with  Paramount,  is  cast  as 
Princess  Userti.  Miss  Corda  is  now 
playing  the  lead  in  First  National’s 
“Private  Life  of  Helen  of  Troy.” 

An  Egyptian  city  was  built  for  “Moon 
of  Israel”  and  30,000  extras  are  said  to 
have  been  used. 


Equity  Active  as  Proposal  Is  Made 
To  Reduce  Salaries  of  Film  Players 


(Continued  from  page  19) 


Frank  Gillmore,  secretary  of  Equity,  has 
been  on  the  Coast  for  some  time  con- 
ferring with  the  organization’s  members 
in  the  studios.  So  far  he  has  refused  to 
discuss  the  situation. 

It  is  known,  however,  that  a 
mass  meeting  of  actors  was  held 
last  Saturday;  another  is  to  be 
held  tomorrow,  and  a third  on  Fri- 
day, when,  it  is  understood,  repre- 
sentatives of  the  producers  will  be 
present.  The  Saturday  meeting 
was  an  executive  session  with 
everyone  as  silent  as  the  proverbial 
sphinx  on  adjournment. 

From  one  source  it  was  learned  that 
what  the  actors  really  resented  was  what 
they  termed  the  arbitrary  manner  in 
which  the  pay-cut  proposal  had  been 
placed  before  them.  According  to  this 
source  of  information  there  is  no  alter- 
native— either  take  the  cut  or  suffer  the 
consequences. 

Extras  Not  Affected 
According  to  Beetson  the  reduction 
order  will  not  affect  extras.  Just  what 
the  situation  is  relative  to  technical 
workers  is  uncertain.  Labor  officials 
have  said  that  such  workers  cannot  ac- 
cept wage  reductions. 

Because  of  the  reticence  of  the  play- 
ers to  talk,  it  is  difficult  to  determine 
the  present  standing  on  the  score  board, 
although  Hoot  Gibson  has  stated  that 
he  will  not  accept  the  cut.  It  is  said  also 
that  Harry  D’Arrast,  Paramount  direc- 
tor, has  refused  to  accept  a reduction, 
and  Eddie  Sutherland’s  absence  from  a 
meeting  of  Paramount  employes  last 
week  is  taken  to  mean  that  he  will  ex- 
pect the  producers  to  live  up  to  the  terms 
of  his  contract. 


Several  players  and  directors  have  in- 
ferred that  they  have  taken  the  matter 
under  advisement. 

Equity  likely  will  take  no  definite  ac- 
tion until  after  the  meeting  Friday. 
There  is  talk  that  at  that  gathering  a 
compromise  may  be  reached. 

Prominent  Stars  in  Equity 

Equity  members  in  the  studios  include: 
Richard  Dix,  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Conrad 
Nagel,  Jack  Mulhall,  John  Barrymore, 
Gloria  Swanson,  Milton  Sills,  Lois  Wil- 
son, Jack  Holt,  Alex  Francis,  Ernest 
Torrence,  Robert  Edeson,  Marion 
Davies,  Norma  Talmadge,  Charles  Ray, 
Mitchell  Lewis,  Gayne  Whitman,  Lionel 
Belmore,  Charles  Thurston,  Hallam 
Cooley,  Claude  Gillingwater,  Kenneth 
Harlan,  Richard  Tucker,  Wedgewood 
Nowell,  Bryant  Washburn  and  many 
others. 

Lasky,  in  commenting  upon  the  pay- 
reduction  plan,  said  that  it  was  the  com- 
pany’s intention  to  practice  whatever 
economy  possible  without  sacrificing  the 
quality  of  production. 

“The  management  is  prepared,”  he 
said,  “to  consider  all  suggestions  for  the 
economic  solution  of  our  problems.  We 
have  been  studying  every  possible  means 
of  solving  the  problem.  The  first  was  to 
close  the  studios,  the  second  to  curtail 
the  production  schedule,  and  the  third 
was  to  make  a reduction  in  salary  as 
described  so  that  we  might  continue  with 
the  most  ambitious  program  this  com- 
pany ever  has  undertaken.  Our  hope 
is  to  carry  through  this  readjustment 
with  humanity,  intelligence  and  justice 
for  the  ultimate  good  of  all. 

“The  reason  for  this  is  that  a serious 


The  Laemmles  in  N.  Y. 

For  Trip  to  Europe 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK.  June  28. — Carl 
Laemmie,  president  of  Universal, 
arrived  in  New  York  last  week, 
accompanied  by  his  son,  Carl  Jr., 
and  his  daughter,  Rosabelle,  who 
will  accompany  him  to  Europe. 
They  sail  June  29,  on  the  Beren- 
garia.  One  of  the  £rst  messages 
received  by  Laemmie  was  that 
“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,”  which  has 
been  in  production  since  fall  1925, 
will  be  filmed  within  a week.  In- 
tensive cutting  and  editing  is  ex- 
pected to  prepare  it  for  its  initial 
showing  at  the  Central  theatre. 
New  York,  the  last  week  in 
August. 


situation  has  arisen  in  the  film  industry. 
The  fact  is  that  the  net  income  from 
pictures  has  not  been  sufficient  because 
costs  have  mounted  too  high.  We  have 
been  spending  too  much  for  what  we 
have  been  getting  and  we  cannot  go  on 
this  way  any  longer.  Preposterous  ru- 
mors are  afloat.  Pay  no  attention  to 
them.  This  company  will  recognize  out- 
standing merit  and  be  willing  to  pay 
for  it  at  its  true  value. 

“The  progress  of  stabilizing  will  bring 
to  light  the  shirkers  and  wasters.  All 
incompetent  persons  hindering  progress 
or  costing  us  money  regardless  of  their 
position  and  reputation  must  go.  Those 
of  you  who  have  worked  faithfully  have 
nothing  to  fear.  Pictures  made  on  a 
sound  business  basis  will  bring  greater 
prosperity  to  the  company  and  that 
means  greater  prosperity  for  everyone 
connected  with  it.” 

World-Wide  Pedagogic 
Film  Exchange  Urged 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  28. — Organiza- 
tion of  an  international  educational  film 
exchange  was  proposed  at  the  conference 
on  educational  films  held  at  Basel,  Switz- 
erland, and  participated  in  by  representa- 
tives from  Austria,  Belgium,  Denmark, 
Germany,  Finland,  France,  Great  Britain, 
Hungary,  Ireland,  Italy,  Liechtenstein, 
Latvia,  Lithuania,  Netherlands,  Poland, 
Spain,  Sweden  and  Switzerland. 

2 Circuits  Book  Entire 
FBO  1927-28  Product 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.— FBO  prod- 
uct for  1927-28  in  its  entirety  has  been 
booked  by  the  Small  Strausberg  circuit 
in  Brooklyn  and  Long  Island,  for  its  23 
theatres,  according  to  Charles  Rosen- 
zweig,  manager  of  the  New  York  ex- 
change. 

All  of  the  new  FBO  program  will 
also  be  shown  in  Tulsa,  Okla.,  at  the 
three  theatres  of  the  W.  M.  Smith 
Amusement  Enterprises. 

Offices  Exceed  Quotas 
in  First  National  Drive 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.— Ned  E.  Depi- 
net,  general  sales  manager,  announces 
that  nine  of  the  company’s  branches  ex- 
ceeded or  equalled  their  quotas  during 
the  first  week  of  First  National’s  annual 
summer  sales  drive. 

Ranking  highest  were  Omaha,  Okla- 
homa City,  Salt  Lake  City,  Seattle,  De- 
troit, Los  Angeles,  San  Francisco,  New 
York  and  Winnipeg. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


Saxe  Houses  Fete  Silver  Jubilee 
In  All  Sections  of  Wisconsin 

Parade  Through  Banner-Strung  Milwaukee  Baeked  by  Mer- 
ehants — Airplane  Drops  Passes — Tieup  with  Bank 
at  Racine — Operate  42  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MILWAUKEE,  June  28. — Celebrating  its  Silver  Jubilee  and  also  the 
twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  motion  pictures  in  Wisconsin,  the  Saxe  Amuse- 
ment Enterprises  made  the  week  of  June  19  to  25  a memorable  one.  All 
over  the  state  in  cities  in  which  Saxe  theatres  are  located  and  in  Milwaukee, 
this  week  was  a gala  period.  The  theatres  are  dressed  in  their  best  “bib  and 
tucker”  and  thousands  of  dollars  were  spent  for  the  most  elaborate  of  programs. 

Parade  Staged  in  Milwaukee 

In  Milwaukee  the  week  was  introduced  with  a parade  down  the  main  thor- 
oughfares, and  banners  were  strung  across  the  downtown  streets.  Placards 
and  posters  of  all  kinds  wei'e  distributed  in  merchants’  windows  and  displayed 
all  over  the  town.  A special  ten  page  edition  dealing  exclusively  with  Saxe 
news  and  carrying  no  advertising  was  distributed  with  the  Wisconsin  News. 
More  than  180,000  of  these  copies  were  distributed  in  Milwaukee  alone  and 
60,000  over  the  state.  A truck  decked  in  holiday  trimmings  and  carrying  a 
lively  jazz  orchestra  played  in  front  of  the  twelve  Saxe  theatres  in  the  city. 


Inventor  Reports 
A Greater  Magnascope 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

' NEW  YORK,  June  28.-— Re- 
ports to  Paramount  from  Lorenzo 
del  Riccio,  inventor  of  the  Mag- 
nascope, say  that  new  effects  of 
reality  will  be  achieved  when  the 
triple-sized  screen  is  used  for 
screening  “Wings,”  which  opens 
at  the  Criterion  August  1.  Ex- 
periments conducted  since  the 
hrst  use  of  the  device  in  screen- 
ing “The  Rough  Riders,”  have  in- 
creased its  effectiveness  consid- 
erably, it  is  said. 

2 Vandals  Bind 
Janitors,  Destroy 
$5, 000  Equipment 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SEATTLE,  June  28. — Two  men  entered 
the  Florence  theatre  in  early  morning  last 
week  and  after  binding  and  gagging  the 
two  janitors,  wrecked  the  pipe  organ, 
slashed  the  screen  and  curtains  to  ribbons, 
smashed  three  projection  machines  and  de- 
stroyed several  reels  of  the  film.  The 
damage  is  put  at  $5,000. 

Because  of  the  extreme  destruction 
wrought,  it  is  thought  that  the  men  are 
demented,  although  the  theory  has  been 
advanced  that  they  are  anti-motion  picture 
fanatics.  This  theory,  however,  has  been 
objected  to  because  the  vandals  took  $100 
which  had  been  secreted  in  the  projection 
room. 

The  Florence  is  a small  house,  seating 
600. 

Marcus  Buys  Orpheum 
at  Salt  Lake,  for  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SALE  LAKE  CITY,  June  28.-yPurchase 
of  the  Orpheum  theatre  by  Louis  Marcus 
Enterprises  was  announced  last  week.  It 
was  indicated  the  price  was  about  $300,000. 

The  house,  which  was  originally  built 
for  Orpheum  vaudeville,  is  to  be  rebuilt  for 
road  shows  and  pictures,  at  a cost  of  about 
$50,000.  The  seating  capacity  is  2,300. 
Edwin  A.  Morris,  managec  under  the 
Ackerman-FIarris  direction,  has  returned 
to  California. 

Fox  Shifts  Three  in 

Memphis  and  St.  Louis 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.  — G.  W. 
McKean  of  the  Fox  sales  force,  has  been 
transferred  from  the  Memphis  exchange 
to  St.  Louis.  J.  C.  Shannon,  a Memphis 
salesman,  has  been  named  manager  at 
Memphis,  and  George  McKean  has  been 
promoted  from  manager  at  St.  Louis  to 
special  home  office  representative  in  the 
territory  embracing  that  city,  Kansas 
City  and  Omaha. 

T wo  Owners  Fined  for 
Ignoring  Regulations 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TORONTO,  June  28. — Two  exhibitors 
were  fined  by  Magistrate  Cohen  last  week, 
for  violations  of  regulatory  laws.  J.  O. 
Barbino  of  the  Odeon,  was  fined  $20  and 
costs  for  failing  to  destroy  cancelled  amuse- 
ment tax  tickets,  while  permitting  patrons 
to  stand  in  the  aisles  cost  F.  Piton  of  the 
Globe,  the  same  amount. 


Cities  throughout  the  state  responded  to 
the  Jubilee  Week  in  fine  style  and  merch- 
ants co-operated  with  the  theatres  in  mak- 
ing the  week  a big  affair. 

Airplane  Drops  Passes 

Jubilee  Week  was  ushered  in  over  Nee- 
nah  and  Menasha  with  an  airplane  roaring 
over  the  city  dropping  passes  to  the  Saxe 
theatres  in  those  cities.  At  Oshkosh  the 
local  merchants  combined  in  a full  spread 
advertisement  in  the  Daily  Northwestern, 
each  ad  carrying  part  of  a picture  of  a 
motion  picture  star.  Each  of  the  advertis- 
ers had  bought  six  tickets  for  the  Saxe 
theatres  and  to  the  first  person  turning  in 
the  photos  of  the  stars  correctly  assembled, 
with  the  stars’  names,  three  passes  were 
awarded.  Two  were  given  to  the  second 
highest  and  one  to  the  third. 

In  Racine  the  Saxe  Amusement  Enter- 
prises decided  to  give  out  $20,000  to  pa- 
trons attending  the  Saxe  State  theatre  dur- 
ing Jubilee  Week.  In  awarding  this  money 
they  hit  upon  a feasible  plan  with  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Racine.  The  Saxe 
Amusement  Enterprises  decided  to  issue 
the  ^0,000  in  $1  checks  drawn  on  the  First 
National  Bank,  and  made  payable  to 
bearer.  The  bank  will  accept  these  $1 
checks  at  their  face  value  when  presented 
at  the  bank  with  $9  in  cash  as  initial  de- 
posit for  a savings  account  in  the  amount 
of  $10  or  more,  the  depositor  to  receive  a 
pass  book  showing  a credit  of  $10. 

Operating  42  Theatres 

At  present  the  Saxe  Amusement  Enter- 
prises are  operating  42  theatres  and 
Thomas  Saxe,  president  of  the  company, 
states  that  they  intend  to  cover  the  city 
and  state  with  their  theatres.  Three  thea- 
tres are  under  construction  in  Milwaukee. 
The  Oriental  will  open  July  2,  and  cost  in 


Anti-Vice  Society 
Seeks  Women’s  Club  Aid 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  June  28.— The 
Society  for  the  Suppression  of 
Commercialized  Vice  in  Kansas 
City,  has  asked  the  co-operation 
of  local  Women’s  Clubs  in  a cam- 
paign to  stamp  out  immoral 
shows.  Thus  far  no  theatre  or 
class  of  theatres  has  been  desig- 
nated. All  the  legitimate  houses 
here  are  closed. 


the  neighborhood  of  $1,200,000  to  erect.  It 
will  have  a seating  capacity  of  2,800.  Be- 
sides this  the  Liptown  theatre  will  be  ready 
early  in  the  fall,  followed  shortly  by  the 
Garfield  theatre.  At  Appleton  the  plans 
and  specifications  for  the  new  $50O,OOO 
theatre  will  be  ready  by  August  1.  This 
theatre  will  have  a seating  capacity  of 
2,(XK).  A new  theatre  is  being  erected  in 
Kenosha,  and  in  Beloit,  where  they  already 
are  operating,  a new  theatre  will  be  opened 
very  soon. 

First  National  Cutting, 
Titling  Six  Pictures, 
Filming  Eight  More 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.— Production 
activities  at  the  First  National  plant  are 
concerned  just  now  with  the  editing  and 
titling  of  six  pictures,  filming  of  eight 
others,  and  preparatory  work  on  a dozen 
more.  Just  emerging  from  the  cutting 
room  are  “Lonesome  Ladies,”  Ray  Rockett’s 
production,  featuring  Lewis  Stone  and 
Anna  Q.  Nilsson,  and  C.  C.  Burr’s 
Johnny  Hines  picture,  “White  Pants 
Willie.”  Others  being  cut  or  titled  are 
as  follows: 

“The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  starring  Rich- 
ard Barthelmess ; “The  Stolen  Bride,”  star- 
ring Billie  Dove;  “Smile,  Brother,  Smile,” 
starring  the  team  of  Dorothy  Mackaill  and 
Jack  Mulhall ; and  Robert  Kane’s  “For  the 
Love  of  Mike.”  Pictures  in  various  stages 
of  production  are : 

Harry  Langdon’s  “Gratitude,”  “Break- 
fast at  Sunrise,”  with  Constance  Tal- 
inadge;  “Red  Raiders,”  starring  Ken 
Maynard:  Milton  Sills’  “Hard-Boiled 
Haggerty”;  “Rose  of  Monterey,”  a 
George  Fitzmaurice  i)roduction;  “Amer- 
ican Beauty,”  starring  Billie  Dove; 
Richard  Barthelmess’  “The  Drop  Kick” ; 
and  “The  Life  of  Riley,”  featuring  the 
team  of  Charlie  Murray  and  George  Sidney. 

West  Coast,  Portland, 
to  Broadcast  Programs 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PORTLAND,  Ore.,  June  28.  — West 
Coast  Theatres  here  has  taken  over  the 
radio  station  KFWV  and  renamed  it 
KWJJ.  William  Jerman  will  continue  as 
manager,  and  the  programs  will  be  takeit 
from  the  Broadway  and  Liberty  theatres. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


“Old  San  Francisco”  Enhances 
Dolores  Costello’s  Appeal 

Premiere  at  W arner  Brothers’  Theatre  in  New  York  Given  with  Vita- 
phone — Startling  Effects  Achieved 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  June  28. — “Old  San  Francisco,”  starring  Dolores 
Costello,  was  given  its  premiere  showing  last  week  at  the  Warner 
theatre,  and  this  newest  of  Warner  pictures  brings  the  beautiful 
young  star  much  enhanced  popularity.  As  the  daughter  of  an  old  Spanish 
family,  beset  by  modern  times  and  modern  plotters.  Miss  Costello  is  given 
greater  opportunities  for  the  display  of  her  talents  and  beauty  than  in  any- 
thing she  has  done  hitherto. 

The  premiere  was  given  with  Vitaphone  attachments  and  while  the 
picture  is  itself  a roaring  melodrama,  with  all  of  the  thrills  and  striving 
after  effects  of  a Perils  of  Pauline  serial,  its  fast  action  and  thrilling 
sequences  will  please  many  audiences. 


Many  of  the  effects  are  most  start- 
ling, especially  the  earthquake  and 
subsequent  fire  scenes.  The  destruction 
of  many  blocks  of  houses  is  so  cleverly 
done  by  Director  Alan  Crosland  that  in 
watching  it  one  soon  forgets  that  it  is 
miniature  stuff,  and  the  crashing,  tum- 
bling city  becomes  very  real.  This  effect 
is  heightened  to  a large  extent  by  the 
use  of  the  Vitaphone,  and  it  is  safe  to 
say  that  never  before  has  such  a bedlam 
of  noises  greeted  a motion  picture  audi- 
ence as  that  prepared  by  Dr.  Hugo  Reis- 
enfeld  to  accompany  the  earthquake  de- 
struction. 

Vitaphone  Presentation  Given 
Prior  to  the  showing  of  the  picture, 
and  taking  up  fully  half  of  the  long  eve- 
ning, a Vitaphone  presentation  of  a num- 
ber of  entertaining  acts  was  put  on. 
These  included  Tom  Brown  and  the 
original  six  Brown  Brothers ; Blossom 
Seeley  and  Bennie  Fields;  Willie  and 
Eugene  Howard  and  Beniamino  Gigli, 
the  celebrated  Metropolitan  tenor. 

The  picture  is  in  two  parts,  a pro- 
logue and  the  drama  proper,  and  in  both 
a cast  of  unusual  excellence  had  been 
chosen.  Personal  appearances  were 
made  by  Miss  Costello,  her  sister  and 
mother;  Warner  Oland,  Joseph  Swick- 
ard,  Anna  May  Wong,  and  Director 
Crosland,  each  of  whom  received  a great 
ovation  from  the  invited  audience. 

Following  is  the  cast  of  the  produc- 
tion: 

The  Prologue — Captain  Enrique  de 
Solano  Y Vasquez,  Lawson  Butt;  Vas- 
quez  grandson,  Otto  Mattiesen;  Vasquez 
grandson,  Walter  McGrail;  Mother, 
Martha  Mattox;  Captain  Stoner,  Tom 
Santschi. 

The  Drama — Dolores  Vasquez,  Do- 
lores Costello;  Chris  Buckwell,  Warner 
Oland;  Terrence  O’Shaugnessy,  Chas.  E. 
Mack;  Don  Hernandez  Vasquez,  Joseph 
Swickward;  Don  Luis,  John  Miljan;  a 
Promoter,  William  Demarest;  Michael 
Brandon,  Anders  Randolph;  Lu  Fong, 
Sojin;  Dwarf,  Angelo  Rossitto;  Chinese 
girl,  Anna  May  Wong;  a Procuress,  Rose 
Dione. 


LeBaron  Adds  Three 
Directors^  One  Actor 
to  F.  B.  O/s  Forces 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.— William  Le- 
Baron, vicepresident  of  F.  B.  O.  in  charge 
of  production,  has  signed  three  new  direc- 
tors and  a comedy  actor.  Among  the  di- 
rectors is  Phil  Carle,  for  eight  years 
assistant  to  Director  Robert  Vigola,  who 
has  been  engaged  to  direct  “In  a Moment 
of  Temptation.”  The  other  new  members 


of  the  F.  B.  O.  forces  are  Jesse  Devorska, 
comedy  actor,  who  has  been  assigned  the 
featured  role  in  “Jake,  the  Plumber;”  and 
Louis  King,  and  Wally  Fox,  directors. 

It  is  announced  that  Wallace  Fox  will 
direct  Bob  Steele  in  this  star’s  next  West- 
ern, “The  Bandit  Son.”  Steele  is  now  re- 
covering from  three  broken  ribs,  the  result 
of  working  in  fight  scenes  for  “The  Mo- 
jave Kid,”  his  first  starring  vehicle  now 
being  completed. 

Paramount  Tieup  to 
Use  9 Radio  Stations 
in  Publicity  Reported 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Paramount, 
the  Columbia  Phonograph  Company  and 
the  Judson  Concert  Bureau  are  reported 
to  be  cooperating  in  a tieup  which  will 
give  Paramount  a publicity  medium  in  a 
national  chain  of  possibly  nine  stations, 
the  hookup  to  go  into  operation  Septem- 
ber 4. 

Dramatizing  of  Paramount  product 
and  phonograph  records  is  said  to  be 
part  of  the  plan,  the  organization  to  be 
called  the  United  Independent  Broad- 
casters Association.  The  stations  are 
reported  to  include  WOR,  Newark; 
WMAK,  Lockport;  WLW,  Cincinnati; 
WAIU,  Columbus,  and  KMOX,  St. 
Louis. 

New  Business  Tardy, 
Albany  Salesmen  Say 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  June  28. — Film  exchange 
managers  in  Albany,  who  serve  about  480 
theatres  in  northern  and  central  New 
York,  declare  that  exhibitors  are  not 
booking  as  early  as  a year  ago.  In  fact, 
managers  say  that  this  summer  has  been 
an  extremely  dull  one  in  so  far  as  new 
business  is  concerned.  Instead  of  de- 
pending entirely  upon  their  salesmen,  the 
managers  themselves  are  spending  prac- 
tically all  of  their  time  in  the  field. 

Exhibitors  on  the  other  hand  com- 
plain that  business  has  taken  a decided 
slump  during  the  last  week  or  so  and 
that  with  the  large  number  of  pictures  in 
the  market,  there  is  no  reason  why  they 
should  hurry  in  completing  their  book- 
ing for  the  fall  and  winter  months. 

Pathe  Advances  Cook 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  June  28.— C.  E.  Cook, 
former  business  manager  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  Kansas-Missouri,  and  more  recently 
Pathe  salesman  here,  has  been  named  fea- 
ture salesman  for  that  company.  He  suc- 
ceeds Art  Levy  now  city  sales  head. 


Shubert  Buys  Theatre 
Property  in  Boston  of 
Value  of  Over  Million 

Berinsteins  Sell  Troy  House  After 
Schine  Deal  Fails 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON,  June  28. — Lee  Shubert  of  the 
New  York  theatrical  firm  of  the  Shuberts, 
has  bought  the  Copley  theatre  and  adjoin- 
ing property  from  M.  Douglas  Flattery. 
No  plans  have  been  announced  for  devel- 
opment. The  taxable  value  of  all  the  prop- 
erty transferred  totals  $1,333,000. 

Other  theatrical  activities  in  this  section 
involve  a $150,000  house  to  be  erected  in 
West  Hartford,  Conn.,  by  William  Heimo- 
vitch,  and  the  Lenox  theatre,  Hartford, 
which  has  been  taken  over  in  a $200,000 
transaction  by  the  Park  Street  Investment 
Company,  operators  of  the  Lyric.  The 
Orpheum,  Malden,  Mass.,  has  reopened  as 
a straight  picture  house.  It  is  reported 
that  the  Elks  Auditorium  in  Providence 
has  been  leased  by  the  Provincetown 
Players,  thus  postponing  the  erection  of  a 
new  house. 

Berinsteins  Sell  House; 

Theatre  Building  Lively 

Negotiations  between  Berinstein  Broth- 
ers and  Schine  Brothers,  New  York  State 
circuits,  concerning  sale  of  the  former 
firm’s  Palace  in  Troy,  have  been  ended,  it 
being  announced  that  the  theatre  has  been 
bought  by  Emanuel  Rosen,  formerly  oper- 
ator of  the  Cozy,  Schenectady.  Abe  Stone, 
former  owner  of  the  Arbor  Hill  in  Albany, 
has  taken  over  the  Bright  Spot  and  Col- 
umbia, Rensselaer. 

The  Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit,  sub- 
sidiary of  Universal,  has  taken  a 20  year 
lease  on  a 1,600  seat  theatre  to  be  built  by 
the  Arabian  Realty  Company.  Theatres 
under  construction  in  New  York  State  in- 
clude one  being  built  by  L.  H.  Garvey  at 
Hartford,  one  by  William  Smalley  in 
Stamford,  and  one  by  Harry  Heilman  in 
Albany.  Skouras  Brothers  and  Harry 
Koplar  will  build  a $1,000,000  theatre,  store, 
and  apartment  building  in  a St.  Louis 
neighborhood,  the  theatre  to  seat  2,200. 
West  Coast’s  Liberty,  Portland,  Ore.,  is 
undergoing  extensive  remodelling. 


Beauty  from  Australia 
to  Play  in  P.D,C.  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL.— State  and 
city  officials  welcomed  Phillis  Gibbs  to 
America  when  she  arrived  at  the  port 
here  en  route  to  Hollywood,  where  she 
will  appear  in  pictures  under  a long  term 
contract  with  Cecil  B.  De  Mille. 

Miss  Gibbs  was  winner  of  an  Austra- 
lian beauty  contest.  She  was  adjudged 
winner  over  the  1,200  girls  who  par- 
ticipated. 

Stanley  Chain  Books 
Columbia  Jungle  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28. — Columbia’s 
jungle  feature,  “Through  Darkest 
Africa,”  will  be  shown  over  the  entire 
Stanley  circuit,  as  the  result  of  the  first 
contracts  signed  for  this  picture. 

Casting  started  last  week  on  the  Co- 
lumbia production,  “The  Swell  Head,” 
in  which  Johnnie  Walker  and  Eugenia 
Gilbert  will  be  starred.  This  picture  was 
originally  called  “The  Sidewalks  of  New 
York.” 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


Now  Comes  New 
Camera  Car 

A specially  consti  acisd  camera  car, 
containing  a dark  room,  is  the  latest 
in  improvements  for  the  news  reel 
photographers.  The  Fox  News  cam- 
era car,  shown  on  the  next  page,  with 
Arthur  Bell,  staff  cameraman,  at  the 
Akely  camera  mounted  on  the  top, 
was  used  in  making  pictures  of  the 
recent  convention  of  the  Elks  of  the 
country  at  Troy,  N.  Y. 

Truman  Talley,  editor-in-chief  of 
Fox  News,  planned  the  camera  car 
to  give  every  possible  aid  to  the  pho- 
tographer. In  the  dark  room  film 
tests  can  he  made  immediately  after 
the  shooting.  A ladder  along  the 
wall  of  the  inside  leads  to  the  roof. 
The  car  is  equipped  with  special 
springs  to  avoid  the  “jumpiness” 
sometimes  noted  in  pictures  taken 
from  a moving  vehicle.  One  prac- 
ticable angle  is  that  the  car  permits 
the  shooting  of  scenes  over  the  heads 
of  crowds. 


Roxy  has  used  Aesop’s  Film  Fables  for 
the  second  time  in  three  weeks.  This 
picture  shows  how  the  animated  car- 
toons, made  by  Fable  Pictures  and 
distributed  by  Pathe,  were  used  on 
the  boards  of  the  Roxy  theatre.  New 
York. 


Do  You  Believe — ? 

O you  believe  Short  Features 
are  the  spice  of  the  pro- 
gram and,  if  so,  are  you  backing 
up  your  conviction  with  your 
newspaper  advertising? 

Do  you  believe  that  not  enough 
accessories  are  being  provided 
for  Short  Features? 

Do  you  believe  that  it  is  the 
Short  Feature  that  brings  the 
children  into  your  theatre? 

Or  do  you  believe  the  Short  Fea- 
ture is  only  a filler? 

These  are  a few  of  the  interest- 
ing points  brought  up  by  exhib- 
itors themselves  in  a personal 
survey  ibhich  J.  C.  Jenkins,  the 
FIERALD  man,  is  making  for 
this  department. 

DonT  miss  the  story  in  next 
iveeEs  issue. 


Internationars  Train 
Speeds  Lindbergh  Film 

While  Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh, 
transatlantic  flier,  is  planning  a trans- 
continental commercial  line,  the  news 
reels  are  keeping  pace  with  his  activ- 
ities. International  calls  attention  to 
a mark  of  3 hours  and  7 minutes  set 
by  a special  train  on  the  Pennsyl- 
vania from  Washington  to  New  York, 
one  car  of  which  had  been  fitted  up 
as  a laboratory  for  the  developing  of 
its  pictures  of  the  Washington  re- 
ception. The  negatives  were  devel- 
oped, printed,  edited  and  cut  and 
shown  in  Broadway  theatres  a few 
minutes  after  arrival  at  the  Pennsyl- 
vania station. 

An  International  Newsreel  airplane 
lost  the  race  to  New  York  against 

the  speeding  laboratory  train. 

* * * 

Pathe  and  Fox 
Set  New  Records 

Twelve  airplanes  brought  the 
Pathe  News  pictures  of  Washington’s 
Lindbergh  reception  to  five  labora- 
tories and  congratulatory  messages 
have  been  received  by  the  company 
from  theatre  managers  in  such  cities 
as  Indianapolis,  St.  Louis  and  Dallas. 

The  telephone  company  at  Den- 
ison, Iowa,  a little  town  of  3,473,  but 
big  in  history  now  as  the  home  of 


Clarence  Chamberlin,  New  York-to- 
Germany  flier,  notified  every  sub- 
scriber when  Fox  News’  pictures  of 
the  landing  in  Kottbus  reached  Deni- 
son. In  addition  the  event  was  broad- 
cast from  Omaha  by  radio. 

-X-  * * 

Minneapolis  to  Get 
Successor  to  Branton 

Resignation  of  G.  Ralph  Branton 
as  manager  of  the  Minneapolis  ex- 
change of  Educational  brought  Max 
Stahl,  special  home  office  representa- 
tive, to  the  city  to  take  charge  of  the 
office  pending  selection  of  a perma- 
nent successor  to  Branton,  who  will 
direct  operation  of  the  Finkelstein  & 
Ruben  theatres  in  Minneapolis  and 
St.  Paul. 

^ * -:<• 

Premier  Mussolini  of  Italy  is  build- 
ing 500  camions  to  carry  motion  pic- 
tures into  the  country  where  there 
are  no  theatres  and  to  present  in- 
structive subjects  to  the  people,  Ed- 

(Contvnued  on  next  page) 


International  Newsreel  developed  and 
printed  its  pictures  of  Col.  Charles  A. 
Lindbergh  aboard  a special  train  on 
the  Pennsylvania  railroad  bound  for 
New  York  from  Washington.  Uni- 
versal distributes  the  International 
films. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


This  specially  constructed  camera  car  of  Fox  News  photographed  the  national 
convention  of  the  Elks  at  Troy,  N.  Y.  There  is  a dark  room  in  the  car. 


500  Theatres  on  Wheels 
in  Italy:  Hatrick 

, {ConliiuicJ  from  preceding  fage) 

gar  B.  Hatrick,  vice-president  and 
general  manager  of  the  Hearst  com- 
panies, declared  on  his  retTirn  to  New 
York  from  Rome,  where  he  com- 
pleted negotiations  with  Mussolini  for 
exchange  of  motion  pictures  with  the 
government  concern. 

Hatrick  strengthened  the  Hearst 
motion  picture  interests  in  London, 
Paris,  Berlin,  Vienna  and  Moscow  on 
his  six  weeks  trip. 

* * * 

Bits  of  News 
from  the  Field 

“Big  Boy,”  star  of  Educational- 
Juvenile  comedies,  is  getting  over  a 
siege  of  whooping  cough.  His  little 
sister  had  measles  at  the  same  time 
hut  nary  a measle  caught  the  boy 
player.  . . . An  “Our  Gang”  com- 

edy and  the  Pathe  News  participated 
in  the  opening  of  the  Marlboro  the- 
atre in  Brooklyn.  . . . Billy  Engle 
has  signed  a contract  as  a regular  fea- 
tured player  in  the  Christie  comedies 
to  he  distributed  by  Paramount,  and 
will  take  the  place  formerly  held  by 
Jack  Duffy,  who  has  been  elected  to 
stardom.  . . . E.  T.  Gomersall, 

new  salesmanager  of  Fox  short  fea- 
tures, is  on  a six  weeks  swing  around 
the  branches.  . . . Dorothy  De- 

vore takes  to  the  air  in  her  first  star 
comedy  in  a new  series  for  Educa- 
tional. 

Blue  Law  Foes  Urge 

Lindy  to  Follow  Dad 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  June  28.  — Col. 
Charles  A.  Lindbergh  was  urged  to 
“stand  firmly  by  your  father’s  liberal 
principles  against  bigotry,  intolerance 
and  clerical  domination,”  in  telegrams 
sent  him  separately  by  Dr.  Joseph  A. 
Themper,  president,  and  Linn  A.  E.  Gale, 
secretary  of  the  Association  Opposed  to 
Blue  Laws. 


Cops  and  Chief  Escort 
Pathe  Lindbergh  Reels 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY.  June  28.~ 
Pathe  news  pictures  showing  Col. 
Charles  Lindbergh’s  welcome  in 
New  York,  were  brought  here  by 
airplane  and  taken  to  the  Main- 
street  theatre  by  Police  Chief 
William  Shreeve  and  four  motor- 
cycle policemen.  The  theatre 
changed  its  schedule  to  include 
four  shows  daily. 

Work  in  Full  Blast 

at  Educational  Studio 

All  producing  units  at  the  Educational 
studio  are  in  action  on  the  new  comedy 
product  except  the  “Big  Boy”-Juvenile 
group.  Lupino  Lane  has  made  his  first ; 
Dorothy  Devore  is  on  her  initial  starring 
picture;  Johnny  Arthur  has  done  his  first 
Tuxedo  comedy;  Lloyd  Hamilton  has  com- 
pleted a training  camp  comedy ; George 
Davis  is  beginning  a Mermaid  production 
and  the  opening  Cameos  are  in  the  making. 


[NEWSPICTURES] 


P.VTHE  NEWS  NO.  49— — Lindbergh  welcomed  home 
in  Washington  tribute^— Lindbergh  sails  for 
America  on  Memphis. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  50 — German 
honors  Chamberlin  and  Levine— Lindbergh  takes 
to  skies  above  Long  Island— Oarsmen  race  from 

Long  Beach  to  Catalina French  aviator  takes 

auto  along. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  51 — President 
Coolidge  arrive.s  in  Black  Hills-^— Chinese  students 
reopen  war  on  whites Hydromel  wins  Ameri- 

can Derby. 

KINOGR.AMS  NO.  5.301 — Lindbergh  returns  to 

Roosevelt  Field,  L.  I. West  Point  graduates  203 

officer.s— England  honors  men  at  arms. 

KINOGR.AMS  NO.  5302— President  Coolidge  es- 
tablishes summer  capitol  in  South  Dakota 
school  house— Old  Iron.sides  goes  into  drydock 
for  reconditioning— Byrd  ready  for  third  hop- 

off  to  Eurpe Berlin  fetes  Chamberlin  and 

I.,evine. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  76— Coolidge  dedicates  Indiana 
park— LaCoste  beats  Tilden  in  French  tennis 
finals Chamberlin  and  Levine  arrive  in  Ger- 
many  Troops  celebrate  birthday  of  King 

George  ■ ■Thousands  see  start  of  Catalina  boat 
race"" Officers  graduated  from  West  Point— Great 
polo  players  stage  match  at  Sands  Points,  L.  I. 
Open  bridge  at  Mobile  connecting  Old  Span- 
ish Trail. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  77 — St.  Louis  welcomes  Lind- 
bergh—Coolidges  arrive  in  South  Dakota— Tom 
Mix  gives  son  of  Will  Hays  a pony— Indian 
athletes  run  in  480  mile  marathon  along  Paci- 
fic coasl^— Hydromel  wins  American  Derby, 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  MAY  29 

“What  Price  Dough,”  Standard,  F.  B.  O.  two; 
^^Monarchs  of  the  Soil,**  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“A  Midsummer  Night*8  Steam,**  Imperial,  Fox, 
two;  “Melting  Millions,**  No.  8,  Pathe,  two; 
**Digging  for  Cold,**  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“Eve's  Love  Letters,**  Roach,  Pathe,  two; 
“Smith's  Fishing  Trip,**  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe, 
two;  ^'Hunting  for  Germans  in  Berlin,**  C.  S. 
Clancy,  Pathe,  one;  ^'Chills  and  Fever,’*  Grant- 
land  Rice,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe  Review  No.  22, 
Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  22,  Timely, 
Pathe,  one-third ; “Alice's  Picnic,**  Winkler, 
F.  B.  O.,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  5 

**On  the  Trail,**  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one;  **Ramors 
for  Rent,**  Helen  and  Warren,  F.  B.  O.,  two; 
“Melting  Millions,”  Chap.  9,  Pathe,  two;  “A 
Dog's  Day,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  **The  Pride 
of  Pikeville,”  Sennett,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review 
No.  23,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  23, 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Buster's  Frame-Up,” 
Stern,  Universal,  two ; ‘’Whispering  Smith  Rides,” 
Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  12 

“Venders  of  the  World,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Roamin'  Gladiator,”  Animal,  Fox,  two;  “Melt- 
ing Millions,”  No.  10,  Pathe,  two;  “Hard  Cider,” 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Love  'Em  and 
Weep,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two ; “Cured  in  the  Excite- 
ment,” Sennett,  Pathe,  two;  “Flying  Feet,”  Grant- 
land  Rice,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe  Review,  No.  24, 
Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  24,  Timely, 
Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,” 
Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A  Poor  Excuse,” 
Stem,  Universal,  two;  “Steamed  Up,”  Bowers, 
F.  B.  O.,  two;  “Alice's  Channel  Swim,”  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “A  Sock  in  Time,”  Wisecrackcr,  No.  10; 
F.  B.  O.,  one;  “On  the  Trail,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  0-, 
one. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  19 

“A  Hot  Potato,”  Van  Bibber,  Fox,  two;  “Cupid  and 
the  Clock,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crimson 
Flash,”  Pathe,  two;  “Died  In  the  Wool,” 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Fluttering  Hearts,” 
Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review  No.  25,  Pathe, 
one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  25,  Timely,  Pathe, 
one-third;  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adven- 
ture, Universal,  two;  “Bo  Guest,”  Wisecracker, 
F.  B.  O.,  1,797;  “Passing  the  Hat,”  Winkler, 
F.  B.  O.  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“Her  Silent  Wow,”  Helen  and  Warren,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  3 Pathe,  two;  “The 
Big  Reward,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Don't 
Tell  Everything,  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  27,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  27,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Buster's  In- 
itiation,” Stern,  niversal,  two;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A 
Poor  Excuse,”  Stern,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  10 

“Over  There,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two; 
“Cat’s  Meow,”  Schott  and  Powder,  Cranfield  and 
Clark,  two ; “Grabbing  Crabbers,”  Boy  Adven- 
ture, Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  “Beauty  and  the 
Beach,”  Skelchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clark,  one; 
“Nothin’  Doin,’  ” Bowers  Novelty,  F.  B.  O. 
two;  “Alice's  Medicine  Show,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “Snow  Rambles,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  “A 
Wolf  in  Cheap  Clothing,”  Animal,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  4,  Pathe,  two;  “Rid- 
ing High,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Eyes  and 
Spooks,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review,  No. 
28,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  28; 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  Whispering  Smith 
Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “A  Kick  in 
the  Dark,”  F.  B.  O.,  1,780;  “Best  Wishes,” 

W'inkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one. 


Hal  Roach  Gets  Set  for 

July  Vacation  of  Studios 

The  Hal  Roach  studio  is  working  at 
top  speed  to  get  ready  for  a thirty-day 
vacation  starting  July  1.  “Our  Gang’’  has 
started  a football  comedy.  Charley  Chase 
is  completing  a carnival  comedy.  Max  Da- 
vidson and  Fred  Guiol  also  are  busy,  while 
Clyde  Bruckman,  latest  directorial  addi- 
tion, is  preparing  a story. 


Three  ewlyweds^^  on 

Broadway  in  3 Weeks 

“The  Newlyweds’  Surprise”  is  the  third 
of  the  Stern  Brothers  series  to  appear  on 
Broadway  in  three  weeks.  It  was  shown 
at  the  Capiitol.  “The  Newlyweds’  Trouble” 
was  at  the  Roxy  two  weeks  earlier  while 
“The  Newlyweds’  Mistake”  ran  at  the  Hip- 
podrome. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


PRESENMON  ACTS 


Publix  Forms  Bandshow  Circuit 


Class  Units 
Still  Coming 
From  Gotham 

Cambria  to  Europe,  But  Staff  to 
Continue  Producing  as 
Department 

By  GANNON  KEARINS 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.— Publix 
presentation  units  of  the  class 
variety  for  major  city  theatres  will 
continue  with  New  York  the  pro- 
duction source  and  Frank  Cam- 
bria in  charge. 

Rumor  that  production  headquarters  of 
Publix  were  to  be  removed  to  Chicago, 
with  Mr.  Cambria  returning  to  the  city 
where  he  spent  many  years  as  production 
head  for  the  original  Balaban  & Katz 
theatres,  is  said  to  be  without  foundation. 

Cambria  to  Europe 

Mr.  Cambria  is  to  make  a three  months 
tour  of  European  centers,  accompanied  by 
his  wife  and  family,  for  the  purpose  of 
observing  conditions,  checking  American 
with  European  production  methods  and, 
possibly,  arranging  for  a supply  of  talent 
from  abroad. 

During  Mr.  Cambria’s  absence,  the  de- 
partment which  he  has  established  for  Pub- 
lix will  continue  to  turn  out  the  units 
which  open  at  the  New  York  Paramount 
and  route  to  Chicago. 


“Hank’’  on  Air 

Henry  “Hank”  Lustgarten,  manager  of  the 
Harding,  Chicago,  announces  the  opening  of  the 
Harding  Radio  Studio  which  has  its  broadcasting 
room  in  the  theatre.  The  station,  formerly  leased 
by  Stewart-Warner,  is  called  WBBM  and  has  a 
remote  control  relay  system  from  the  Broadmoor 
Hotel,  Chicago.  The  studio,  which  opened  last 
week,  is  draped  with  crazy  quilt  curtains  and 
offers  stage  entertainment  on  Wednesday,  Friday 
and  Sunday.  On  Thursday  evenings  from  11  to 
12.  “Hank”  and  his  gang  broadcast  an  hour’s 
program  of  fun.  Besides  Mark  Fisher  and  Lou 
Kosloff,  who  are  two  of  the  feature  attractions 
over  the  radio  at  this  theatre.  Billy  Mills,  Johnny 
Wolf,  Harold  Kooden  and  Jules  “Granpaw” 
Swarts  form  the  "Fish-House  Four”  who  offer  a 
comedy  program  every  week. 

Buck  Forms  Club 

Verne  Buck  has  the  club  craze,  too.  While 
looking  over  the  morning’s  mail  we  found  a 
postcard  with  Verne’s  photo  and  an  invitation  to 
join  his  "Lucky  Club”  on  the  opposite  side.  The 
object  of  this  club  is  to  get  together  every  Sun- 
day afternoon  and  let  the  audience  mingle  with 
the  orchestra  boys  in  the  first  De  Luxe  perform- 
ance. Those  joining  now  are  promised  to  be- 
come charter  members  and  the  idea  seems  to  be 
very  much-  thought  of  by  Verne’s  admirers. 


Yep,  It’s  Them 


WILLIAMS  AND  ROSS— —nobody  else—  - 
came  up  to  the  office  doing  something  that 
looked  like  a ballroom  version  of  their 
hokum  eccentric  showstopper  and  danced 
right  into  the  focal  spot.  Whereupon  the 
kodaker  recorded  them  for  posterity,  not 
to  mention  you  folks,  in  a characteristic 
pose  which  may  have  a significance  but 
probably  doesn't.  Anyway,  they're  the 
boys  who  started  the  eccentric  thing  hit- 
ting hereabouts  and,  as  such,  belong  in 
your  album. 

Vacationing 

Among  those  prominent  and  less  prominent 
show  people  currently  vacationing  or  prepared 
to  get  that  way  in  the  near  future  is  yours  truly, 
earnestly  and  all  that,  whose  absence  from  the 
downtown  theatres  during  the  next  few  weeks  no 
doubt  will  bring  joy  to  cheer  leader  organists, 
dirty  jokesmiths  and  merely  bad  actors  who  get 
themselves  set  into  shows  by  whatever  unknown 
devious  devices. 

Hale  Training 

Chester  Hale,  director  of  the  New  York  Capitol 
Ballet,  is  admitting  girls  over  16  to  training 
without  tuition  charge.  Applicants  are  accepted 
Monday  mornings. 

Crawford  West 

Jesse  Crawford,  topliner  among  topline  organ- 
ists, is  spending  his  vacation  for  New  York 
Paramount  console  duties  making  records  in 
Chicago,  Mrs.  Crawford  is  soloing  at  the  Para- 
mount in  his  absence. 

Best  Tune 

"At  Sundown,”  old  enough  to  be  frowsy  but 
good  enough  to  be  still  young,  is  for  these  rea- 
sons the  _ best  tune  of  the  week. 


Chicago  the 
Base  of  Nine 
Weeks  Route 

Class  Units  Disband,  Jazz  Units 
Form,  Where  Presentation 
Means  B.  O. 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Chicago,  cradle  of  new  show 
business,  is  to  be  production  head- 
quarters for  a Publix  bandshow 
circuit  of  nine  weeks  operating  in 
conjunction  with  the  class  unit  cir- 
cuit operated  from  New  York 
which,  under  the  new  arrangement, 
will  terminate  in  this  city.  Switches 
involved  in  the  new  deal,  herein- 
after detailed,  promise  to  make  the 
new  and  better  show  business 
newer  and  better  for  all  concerned. 

It’s  been  no  secret  that  the  plush  and 
ivory  playlets  sent  out  from  Times 
Square  haven’t  been  so  hot  in  these 
rugged  and  syncopated  regions.  Neither 
has  the  news  about  the  onrush  of  the 
bandshow’s  popularity  been  suppressed 
to  any  considerable  extent.  Taking 
these  intimately  related  items  and  ana- 
lyzing them  with  a logic  not  common 
to  the  theatrical  industry,  Publix  has 
touched  off  the  brightest  little  bomb 
that  has  kicked  up  dust  in  this  depart- 
ment of  the  business  since  Frank  Cam- 
bria took  over  the  production  depart- 
ment and  made  it  start  producing. 

No  Secondary  Circuit 

Under  the  new  plan  combining  class 
and  jazz  units  without  overlapping  one 
upon  the  other,  each  section  of  the  coun- 
try will  be  served  with  that  type  of 
presentation  for  which  it  has  shown  pref- 
erence. Neither  division  of  the  route, 
it  should  be  understood,  is  secondary  to 
the  other,  each  having  its  distinct  or- 
ganization and  its  distinct  purpose.  Acts 
will  work  out  of  one  circuit  into  the 
other,  and  back,  according  to  their  fit- 
ness for  the  productions  in  the  mak- 
ing. 

Milton  Feld,  brought  to  Chicago  from 
Kansas  City  Neman,  will  be  in  charge 
of  bandshow  unit  production.  Dave 
Gould,  producer  of  dance  routines  for 
B.  & K.  and  L.  & T.  theatres,  will  have 
charge  of  that  department,  furnishing 
a chorus  of  six  girls  for  each  of  the 
units  forming  in  the  city.  Units  will 
be  costumed,  equipped  with  scenery,  etc., 
with  the  resources  of  the  B.  & K.  or- 
ganization at  the  production  depart- 
ment’s disposal. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


Local  Bands  Stay 

Each  of  the  nine  cities  using  the  jazz 
units  will  maintain  a stagehand  under 
direction  of  a leader  with  local  draw. 
The  units,  each  to  consist  of  five  or  six 
specialty  acts  and  chorus,  will  work  in 
front  of  the  local  band  in  each  city. 
Each  unit  will  contain  a comedy  dance 
team,  casts  running  to  constituency 
proven  popular  in  Chicago’s  big  row  of 
bandshow  houses. 

Units  will  be  rehearsed  and  routined 
in  Chicago,  but  will  not  open  here, 
breaking  cold  in  Des  IMoines  and  then 
working  Omaha,  Kansas  City,  Tulsa, 
Dallas,  San  Antonio,  Houston,  New  Or- 
leans and  Atlanta,  returning  to  Chicago 
to  disband.  As  the  returning  units 
break  up,  acts  will  be  absorbed  in  other 
units  for  the  same  route,  for  class  units 
working  New  York  to  Chicago,  or  in 
Chicago  bandshows. 

Class  Units  Ditto 

Similarly,  acts  released  from  class 
units  disbanding  in  Chicago  after  work- 
ing the  Chicago,  Tivoli  and  Uptown  will 
be  absorbed  in  jazz  units  for  the  rest  of 
the  Publix  presentation  dates,  in  new 
class  units  or  in  local  stageshows  of  one 
type  or  another.  Just  what  effect  the 
new  plan  will  have  upon  the  elaborate 
bandshow  productions  now  offered  by 
five  Publix  and  Publix-affiliated  houses 
in  Chicago  has  not  been  made  clear. 

Adoption  of  the  plans  outlined  will 
set  at  rest  various  rumors  that  have  been 
afloat  for  several  weeks,  causing  presen- 
tation people  not  a little  uncertainty  in 
acceptance  of  dates.  Rotation  of  person- 
ality leaders,  long  a favorite  item  among 
the  rumorers,  seems  definitely  out.  Lo- 
cation of  all  Publix  production  activities 
here,  another  favorite  and  a pretty  well 


defended  one,  seems  postponed  indefi- 
nitely if  not  permanently  set  aside. 

Chicago  Mob  Scene 
Selection  of  Chicago  as  the  point  of 
disembarkation  for  class  units  and  take- 
off for  jazz  outfits,  a selection  dictated 
by  local  conditions  which  make  use  of 
both  t5rpes  practically  mandatory,  adds 
to  the  mob  scene  that  has  been  some- 
thing to  look  at  for  quite  a spell.  It  is 
figured  that  the  new  deal  will  provide 
employment  for  100  more  girls  and  a 
similar  number  of  acts.  While  the  over- 
lapping will  eat  up  most  of  this,  in  all 
likelihood,  the  general  prospect  is  a lot 
of  work  for  everybody  and,  since  the 
universally  popular  A.  J.  Balaban  is  to 
be  last  word  in  matters  pertaining  to 
everything,  not  a tear  is  being  wept 
along  the  Rialto. 


STAGE  SHOWS 


New  Y ork  Mark  Strand 

Week  Ending  June  25 

This  week’s  feature  was  another  “Mark  Strand 
Frolic” — a light,  easily  digested  bit,  conceived 
and  staged  by  Joseph  Plunkett. 

A — Gershwin’s  “Rhapsody  in  Blue”  for  solo 
pianist  and  orchestra.  David  Pcsetzki,  soloist, 
and  symphony  orchestra,  led  by  Alois  Reiser,  con- 
ductor. Both  exceptionally  fine  and  appealing, 
winning  good  reception. 

B — “Salut  D’Amour” — Margaret  Schilling,  so- 
prano, Mile.  Kleraova,  assisted  by  Nikolas  Daks, 
George  Kiddon  and  the  Mark  Strand  Ballet.  Phill 
stage.  Six  minutes.  Flanked  by  a male  choral 
ensemble  of  sixteen.  Miss  Schilling,  via  this  mu- 
sical poem  of  love,  displays  one  of  those  rare 
combinations  of  voice  and  personality  that  gen- 
erally send  the  musical  show  press  agents  into 
raptures  and  the  customers  to  the  box-office.  The 


dance  and  ballet  part  of  this  number  is  more  or 
less  a fill-in  or  background.  As  such  it  fills  its 
mission  nicely. 

C — “A  Flower  from  an  Old  Bouquet” — Vir- 
ginia Johnson  and  male  chorus.  Above  a gar- 
den wall  loaded  with  big  sunflowers  Miss  John- 
son opens  with  her  song,  the  meanwhile  water- 
ing these  flowers,  which,  when  chorus  time  ar- 
rives, coma  to  life  by  simply  turning  about  and 
facing  the  audience.  A tried  and  true  arrange- 
ment, especially  when  you  have  something  to 
back  it  up.  Miss  Johnson  heading  this  group  in 
a major  rule  sweetly  proved  that. 

D — “The  Drum” — Full  stage  with  lone,  im- 
mense drum  in  center,  out  of  which  pop  the  male 
choi-us,  drum  major  uniforms,  and  they  pro- 
ceed to  sing  the  merits  of  that  life.  Follow  the 
Four  Drummer  Boys — steppers  de  luxe.  Their 
work  gets  a great  hand.  TTiis  set  and  all  that 
is  in  it,  and  she  could  stand  a lot  more  if  they 
only  had  it,  is  for  Feon  Van  Marr,  late  of  “Le 
Maire’s  Affairs.”  Lithesome,  graceful,  pretty 
and  talented,  she  supplied  that  air  the  tired  busi- 
ness man  is  always  supposed  to  be  after.  She 
simply  danced  and  smiled — and  the  audience 
seemed  to  want  to  do  more  than  applaud.  Bour- 
man’s  Steppers  follow  in  support  and,  well 
trained  ballet  that  it  is,  they  are  good.  All 
swing  into  the  singing  of  “Hallelujah”  for  the 
finale.  Cui-tain  and  applause. 

Pictorial  News. 

Van  and  Schenck:  Second  and  last  week  of 
this  pennant-winning  battery  of  songland.  TTiey 
start  off  with  “Sundown,”  then  roam  off  into 
their  original  dialect  bits  of  ditty  and  patter, 
and  are  generous  to  the  core.  Big  applause  and 
encores  have  been  the  i-ule  with  this  popular  duo 
for  years  and  it  has  not  changed. 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  25 

First,  if  not  foremost,  one  must  explain  the 
goodly  early  crowd  that  awaits  the  opening  of 
the  house  here  daily.  It  is  the  early  bird  here 
that  is  a music  lover.  Since  the  Capitol  opened 
years  ago,  and  incidentally  they  have  the  only 
genuine  recital  organ  on  Broadway,  Dr.  Melchi- 
orre  Mauro-Cottone  has  been  master  thereof  and 
thereon,  holding  daily  recitals  from  noon  till 
12:30.  This  week’s  program  included  “Turkish 
Patrol,”  “Madrigale,”  “A  Little  Grey  Home  in 
the  West”  and  “Pilgrims’  Chorus”  from  “Tann- 
hauser.”  A visiting  leader  in  the  music  world 
said,  after  hearing'  one  of  these  recitals,  “Here  is 
an  organ  that  fits  the  man — and  a man  that  fits 
the  organ.”  What  more  can  we  say  than  that 
we  have  also  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing. 

Capitol  Grand  Orchestrei,  under  David  Men- 
doza, in  the  “Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody.”  Gov- 
ernor AI  Smith  wired  Major  Bowes  a while  back, 
complimenting  him  in  behalf  of  the  thousands 
this  orchestra  has  entei-tained.  The  Governor 
also  confessed  he  slips  into  the  Capitol  often  on 
this  account  when  in  the  city.  Bless  our  ears : 
they  are  good. 

“The  Pirates’  Frolic” — full  stage — ten  minutes. 
Pirate  set  and  costumes.  Richard  Hale,  baritone 
(debut).  The  Capitol  Male  Ensemble  and  'The 
Chester  Hale  Girls. 

A — “Pirate  Song” — Mr.  Hale  and  ensemble. 

B — “Pirate  Dance” — Chester  Hale  Girls. 

C — “Captain  Mac” — Mr.  Hale  and  ensemble. 

You  know  this  story.  All  gathered  on  the 
beach,  of  the  deep  and  intimate,  bloody  deeds  of 
dark  nights,  all,  of  course,  via  song  and  dance. 
Judging  from  applause,  the  life  of  a pirate  is 
not  what  it  used  to  be,  even  though  they  seemed 
to  have  a corner  on  the  market  of  the  girls  of  to- 
day, whose  work,  by  the  way,  would  be  the  boast 
of  any  big  Broadway  show. 


GEORGE  RILEY 

of 

Heller  and  Riley 

now  acting  as 

MASTER  of  CEREMONIES 

at  the 

STATE  Theatre,  DETROIT 

Booked  for  4 Weeks 
starting  June  20th 
Just  completed  a 22  Weeks’  tour  over 
PUBLIX  THEATRES  with  “Under 
Brooklyn  Bridge,”  a Publix-Cambria 
Unit. 

Many  Thanks  to  Max  Turner,  Phil 
TjTrell  and  Sam  Bramson 


M AURO — COTTONE — mus.  doc. 

Lately  Appointed  by  King  Victor  Emmanuel  Chevalier  of  the  Crown  of  Italy 

Six  Years  of  Continuous  Unparalleled  Success  as 
Chief  Organ  Soloist, 

Capitol  Theatre,  New  York 


Walter  Flandorf 
SOLO  ORGANIST 

lor  tneaiies 

and 

recitals 

CHICAGO 

ORGAN  SOLO— SCRIM  PRESENTATIONS 

Conceived  By 

Albert  F.  Brown 

Feature  Organist 

AND  STAGED  BY  RAYMOND  Q.  DALTON 

At  the  Granada  Theatre,  Chicago 

REPRESENTS  A NEW  ERA  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT 


CORNELIUS  MAFFIE 

(The  Admiral  of  Organists) 

Featured  at  the 

ADMIRAL  THEATRE 

CHICAGO 

(Also  Broadcasting  from  Station  WBBM) 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


July  2,  1927' 

Capitol  Magazine. 

“Bird  Capers” — Joyce  Coles,  John  Treisault — 
Ballet  Corps  and  the  Chester  Hale  Girls. 

A — “Owls.” 

B — “The  Butterfly  and  the  Net.” 

C — “Chicks.” 

D — “Babbits.” 

Spring  has  come,  according  to  these  bits,  faeb- 
ioned  into  routines  of  by-play.  Thirty-five  strong, 
paired  off  as  noted  above,  these  girls  do  some 
exceptionally  fine  work  with  the  dance.  You 
simply  have  to  applaud.  Presentation  ballet 
competition  in  old  Manhattan  is  rather  keen — 
the  results  making  it  hard  to  find  anything  sec- 
ond rate  in  this  line.  More  power  to  the  mas- 
ters. The  dance,  as  stage  entertainment,  will 
always  hold  them. 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  2 

Whoopy  doo,  and  wet  yor  whistle!  Paramount 
is  not  merely  among  them  this  week.  It  IS  them. 

“Favorites  from  Martha” — and  what  a nice 
girl  she  was  to  inspire  this  arrangement!  The 
orchestra  opens  the  number,  but  soon  gets  into 
a hushed  swing,  allowing  William  Royalo,  tenor, 
to  sing,  from  the  elevated  pit,  “None  So  Fair,” 
and  they  liked  it;  but  it  really  was  for  Virginia 
Johnson,  singing  "Last  Rose  of  Summer”  to  per- 
fume the  house  with  the  delicate  warmth  of  a 
musical  bouquet.  “Prayer,”  by  the  Paramount 
Trumpet  Trio,  topped  oft  the  offering  that  started 
rolling  the  best  program  this  house  has  had  in 
some  time. 

Paramount  News. 

Mrs.  Jessie  Crawford,  all  alone  and  putting 
the  situation  into  ditty  and  song  to  the  air  of 
popular  tunes.  Herself  and  baby  on  the  slides 
went  big  and  this  little  partner  of  Jessie’s  has 
something  to  write  him  about.  He’s  vacationing 
in  Chicago,  making  records. 

Paul  Whiteman  and  his  orc’nestra  in  “Jazz 
a la  Carte,”  assisted  by  Ruth  Etting,  Helen 
Yorke,  Chamberlin  and  Himes  and  the  Paramount 
Girls.  A knockout  stage  set  to  begin  with,  the 
boys  all  togged  out  in  red  coats  begin  weaving 
a spell  over  the  great  crowds  by  serving  them 
music  as  perhaps  only  Whiteman  can  serve  it. 
“Deep  in  My  Heart”  and  “The  Drink  Song”  are 
two  of  the  openers,  with  orchestra  singing  the 
laet  one.  Helen  Yorke  does  some  sonata  sing- 
ing here  that  is  different.  Anyone  troubled  with 
sonatas  should  hear  her.  She  gives  them  a new 
meaning.  And  the  house  gave  her  lots  of  hand 
music  in  return. 

Ruth  Etting  first  served  “Take  in  the  Sun” 
and,  secondly,  pattered  with  the  orchestra  and 
Paul  in  a bit  of  foolery.  This  is  her  third  hold- 
over week  here,  and  after  that  Ziegfeld’s  Follies. 
Continued  big  applause  and  no  few  curtains. 

Band  now  plays  what  would  seem  to  be  a mas- 
terpiece, as  is  the  “Rhapsody  in  Blue.”  Paul 
said  it  was  called  “Madrt  Gras  Of  Sweet  Mis- 
sissippi,” and  then  a request  number,  “Some- 
times I’m  Happy.” 

Chamberlin  and  Himes  actually  take  the  place 
home  with  them  in  this  spot.  Miss  Chamberlin 
is  as  winning  in  her  mannerisms  as  George  _M. 
Cohan  was  winning  in  his.  “A  Hard  Boiled 
Broad,”  as  she  sings  it,  should  be  preserved  if 
at  all  possible.  It’s  a treat,  a record,  and  a 
wow.  More  adjectives  if  we  had  them — and 
more  applause  if  the  house  could. 

A Jazzoperatic  is  the  finale,  in  which  the 
competition  is  uniquely  played  up.  Additional 
novel  lighting  effect,  and  back  drop  parts  for 
hot  color  scheme,  with  girls  costumed  strikingly. 
Pack  a lot  of  music  a la  Whiteman  into  a bill 
like  this,  stage  and  light  it  as  it  was,  and  you 


have  a show  that  is  a treat  even  for  Publix,  and 
they  have  had  a lot  of  treats. 

New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  July  2 

The  show  was  opened  via  the  Roxy  Grand  Or- 
gan with  its  three  consoles,  played  by  Lew 
White,  Dezo  Von  D*Antalffy  and  C.  A.  J.  Par- 
mentier,  and  with  “L’Arlsienne”  as  the  selec- 
tion. It  seemed  to  roll  up  more  applause  than 
ever.  Folks  get  set  here  for  this  weekly  treat, 
and  applause  indicates  they  love  it. 

“Capriccio  Italien,”  by  the  Roxy  Symphony 
Orchestra,  as  usual,  thrills  the  sixty-two  hun- 
dred customers,  and  they  in  turn  thrill  the  or- 
chestra with  applause.  Some  ninety  or  more 
reasons  for  liking  music. 

“An  Italian  Fantasy” — full  stage,  peopled  and 
costumed,  set  and  played  in  a manner  that 
should  put  the  big  producers  on  the  i-un  over 
here  to  see  what  it’s  all  about.  Here  is  Venice 
as  it  would  like  to  be. 

A — “Signor  Signora” — The  ensemble. 

B— “Pray  Signora,  Say” — Angelo  Boschette. 

C — “,Tust  a Little  Souvenir” — Marion  Keeler 
and  Anna  Savina. 

D — Tarantella  Dance — Ballet  Corps. 

E — “Gondoliers  and  Divorcees” — The  ensemble. 

F — “Caro  Mio” — Marion  Keeler,  Harold  Van 
Duzee  and  male  chorus. 

G — “Ukin*  the  Uke” — Frank  Moulan,  with 
Charlotte  Ayres,  Georgia  Tapps  and  the  Gamby 
Girls. 

H — “Santa  Lucia” — Douglas  Stanbury. 

I — Finale — “Venice,  You’re  Going  to  Be” — En- 
tire ensemble  of  about  one  hundred. 

One  picture  of  this  with  your  eyes  and  ears 
would  be  worth,  as  they  say  in  China,  a thou- 
sand words.  But  here  are  a few  words : Marion 
Keeler  and  Anna  Savina  in  song  have  a tint  in 
the  pattern  of  their  harmony  that  twinkles.  The 
Ballet  Corps  seemed  to  have  lived  among  the 
flowers,  courting  every  one  that  blooms.  The 
Gamby  Girls — ^alive  and  perfect — light  and  win- 
some— are  ripples  of  rhythm.  All  strike  a great 
stride  in  the  above  piece,  and  hold  it. 

Magazine* 

Divertissements : 

A — “Wedgewood” — The  Ballet  Corps — full  stage 


— simple  Greek  classic  set.  Ten  of  the  corps 
awake  and  intoxicate  the  house  in  the  wake  of 
their  radiant  loveliness.  Two  minutes. 

B — Flapperettes” — The  Gamby  Girls  bring  us 
back  to  normalcy  with  some  great  team  work 
in  a meri’y  routine. 

C — “Watchman,  What  of  the  Night” — Doug- 
las Stanbury,  Harold  Van  Duzee,  on  stage  in 
dim  water  and  sky  set,  and  female  voices  off- 
stage. Big  hand. 

D — “The  Moth  and  the  Flame” — “Gamby” — Pull 
stage — two  minutes  and  a walloping  hand.  Here 
is  a Goddess  of  the  dance. 

E — “Eli,  Eli” — Gladys  Rice  and  Roxy  Cathedral 
Choir.  Full  stage,  dim  and  outlining  multitude 
with  anxious  eyes  and  heart  turned  heavenward. 
Beautiful,  with  applause  anything  but  modest.  A 
spectacle  they  appreciated. 

Observation ; In  reporting  the  show  here  one 
has  to  hunt  for  words  to  do  it  justice.  Inci- 
dentally, one  has  to  hunt  for  a place  in  line 
when  it  comes  to  getting  in  the  house. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  June  25 

A dancing  sextet  secured  directly  from  New 
York  was  the  highlight  in  the  bang-up  stage 
presentation  at  the  Wisconsin  theatre  this,  Saxe’s 
Silver  Jubilee  Week. 

Arthur  Richter  and  Les  Hoadley  started  off 
the  entertainment  with  a musical  prologaie  to 
“The  Old  Time  Movie,”  telling  the  audience  to 
follow  them  if  they  wanted  to  see  an  old-time 
picture  show — the  kind  that  the  Saxe  Brothers 
gave  in  the  days  of  long  ago. 

“The  Show  of  Long  Ago,”  an  exact  reproduc- 
tion of  a program  as  offered  25  years  ago  in 
Saxe’s  first  theatre  in  Milwaukee,  opened  with 
an  outside  scene  of  the  old  nickelodeon.  Frank 
McConville  then  did  a clever  imitation  of  Char- 
ley Chaplin,  with  a few  clever  dance  steps  thrown 
in  for  good  measure. 

The  next  scene  showed  the  inteidor  of  the  old 
show-house  with  the  old  piano  and  drum  orches- 
tra and  a lady  in  the  audience  with  a large  os- 
trich feathered  hat.  Before  the  feature  started 
one  of  the  members  of  the  six  Jubilee  dancers 
sang  from  a small  box  alongside  the  screen  “Only 
a Bird  in  a Gilded  Cage.” 


Joe  BROWN  and  BAILEY  Slan 

“Two  Boys  in  Blue” 

A Deluxe  Act  for  Deluxe  Houses 
Just  Completed  a tour  of  BALABAN  and  KATZ 
Now  Playing  LUBLINER  and  TRINZ  theatres 
Opening  a PUBLIX  tour  on  July  First  at  the  MISSOURI  theatre, 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 

Direction — Arthur  Spizzi  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


DAN 


STANLEY  and  BIRNES 

“Two  Bright  Lights  from  Broadway” 

Formerly  with  Edith  Kelly  Gould  in  London 
Just  Finished  a Tour  for  Balaban  & Katz 
Now  Playing  Lubliner  & Trinz  Theatres 

Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


AL 


LOUISE  NELSON 

Piano  Accordion 


MILDRED  LETT 

Piano 


ARMINE  LETT 

Banjo 


THE  PREMIER  TRIO 


Played  First  Picture  House 
Engagement  with  PAUL  ASH 
at  the  ORIENTAL,  Chicago. 
Soon  to  open  a tour  of  B. 
& K.  and  L.  & T.  theatres. 


Harmony  Singers 
DeLuxe 

Address— Miss  Lett,  Belleaire 
Hotel,  Chicago 


Many  Thanks  to  ROY  Me- 
MULLEN,  VERNE  BUCK, 
and  ASCHEU  BROS,  for  a 
Successful  Engagement  at  the 
SHERIDAN  theatre. 


RAY  TURNER 

Solo  Organist 
NORTH  CENTER  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Held  Over  by  LUBLINER  and  TRINZ  from  THIRD  KARZAS  engagement  at 
the  above  house. 


IRENE  TAYLOR 

(The  Southern  Darlin’) 

Chicago^  III. 

June  30,  1927 

Here  / am  folks: 

Back  into  the  old  **fold**  again.  Gee, 
I sure  teas  getting  pretty  lonesome  with- 
out you  all.  Well  note  that  I*ve  had  my 
little  **fling**  let*s  get  right  down  to  work. 

Am  starting  Picture  houses  again  next 
week  with  the  First  Stagehand  Show  at  the 
Wisconsin  theatre,  Milwaukee. 

Dave  Schooler  is  the  nice  young  leader, 
i wish  you  lots  and  lots  of  good  luck 
Davey, 

See  you  all  later,  bye; 

Always 

(Wistful  and  Blue) 

••IT** 

P.  S.  Please  give  the  boys  in  the  Wil- 
liam Morris  office  all  these  XXXXXX  for 
me. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


During  the  changing  of  the  scenes  Master  Gil- 
bert sang  several  numbers,  among  them  “Hello, 
Cutie.” 

Before  the  modern  show  wa/5  introduced,  Ann 
and  Jean  and  Markel  and  Faun  did  a clever 
dance  attired  in  costumes  of  twenty-five  years 
ago,  to  the  tune  of  “Walking  Home  with  Rosie,” 
the  dancers  singing  the  chorus. 

A 1927  show  was  opened  with  all  kinds  of 
dancing  by  the  Six  Jubilee  Dancers,  including 
acrobatic  dancing,  soft  shoe  dancing  and  the 
latest  jazz  steps.  The  modern  costumes  were 
worn,  of  course,  and  most  of  the  dancing  took 
place  before  the  curtain  to  allow  for  the  chang- 
ing of  scenes. 

The  final  scene  showed  a replica  of  the  “Spirit 
of  St.  Louis”  and  Master  Gilbert  sang  “America 
Did  It  Again,”  attired  in  flying  suit  and  gog- 
gles. Then  he  stepped  into  the  plane  and  it 
was  drawn  upward  as  the  rest  of  the  company 
combined  in  a number  of  classy  steps  for  the 
grand  finale. 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  June  26 

With  nothing  outstanding,  but  everything  all 
right,  the  week  slipped  away  like  this: 

Opening:  Orchestra  on  elevated  pit  playing 

divers  ditties,  old  and  new.  somber  and  snappy, 
while  various  individuals,  invisible  from  a seat 
down  front  at  left,  sang  ’em  and  played  'em. 
Good  returns. 

Spitalny  Unit:  Frances  Ingram  and  Yvone 
X.  Bonheur  singing  a scene  from  “La  Gioconda” 


in  colorful  but  somewhat  vaguely  lighted  set  to 
orchestral  accompaniment.  Both  girls  good  sing- 
ers, but  the  folks  seemed  not  to  know  what  it 
was  all  about  and  their  applause  had  that  duti- 
ful aspect. 

Murtagh  in  one  of  his  standard  perfonnances 
at  the  console. 

“Patches,”  Publix  unit,  which  runs  mainly  to 
dance  and  seems  patterned  with  lightness  in 
mind.  It’s  pretty  well  rigged  out  as  to  cos- 
tumes, setting,  arrangement,  development,  point 
— but  in  this  bandshow  town  a jazz  idea  done 
otherwise  isn’t  understood. 

Observation:  The  persistent  and  persistently 

denied  rumor  that  this  house  is  to  be  made  the 
birthplace  of  Publix  units,  both  kinds,  ought  to 
be  true  if  it  isn’t.  It  is  the  only  house  in 
America  with  a record  free  of  so  many  as  one 
really  bad  show,  and  it’s  had  its  problems  to 
solve  in  maintaining  that  record. 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  June  26 

Where  but  at  the  Oriental  would  you  expect 
a show  called  “Swiss  Cheese  Follies”?  And  who 
but  Paul  Ash  and  Louis  McDermott  would  you 
expect  to  make  of  that  show  a riproaring  knock- 
out? Well,  anyway,  that’s  where  it  happened 
and  that’s  who  did  it*  And  here,  in  a few 
words  due  to  the  sweeping  advance  of  press  time, 
is  how  it  was  done: 

Opening:  This  had  a kick  in  it  and  there 

wasn’t  a letdown  thereafter.  A screaming  yel- 
low drop  in  one  had  a cheese  moon  upper  left 


and  sundry  similar  absurdities  here  and  there, 
the  mere  flash  getting  a laugh.  Out  of  the 
moon,  then,  a head  singing  something  or  other 
drowned  in  the  laughter,  with  band  music  back 
of  drop,  and  gag  lines  in  the  lyrics.  Finally, 
the  drop  went  away  and  the  girls  stepped  out 
in  front  for  their  accustomed  exercises.  Every- 
thing, then  and  later,  was  Tyrolean  if  that 
means  Alpine — and  if  it  doesn't,  you  know,  Swiss 
and  all  that,  but  by  no  means  cheese, 

Ilomay  Bailey  sang,  probably  not  in  this  spot 
(the  show  was  too  interesting  for  the  taking  of 
notes),  but  in  her  constantly  steadying  manner 
and  to  her  standard  returns.  Likewise  did  Mil- 
ton  Watson  sing,  and  of  course  you  need  not  be 
told  that  he  sewed  up  the  proceedings.  Then, 
maybe  here  and  maybe  elsewhere  in  the  lineup, 
Billie  Gerber  did  her  boy  routine,  exhibited  once 
before  at  this  house,  but  refreshed  this  time  to 
suit,  and  they  seem  to  love  Billie.  And  Stanley 
and  Birnes,  two  men  danced  their  way  into  the 
good  graces  of  everybody  and  became  an  instant 
hit  of  the  bill.  'These  boys  just  recently  came 
over  from  the  London  music  halls  and  are  just 
fit  for  this  type  of  show.  Small  and  Bill  Myers 
sang  and  the  band  played  and  everything  ran  off 
smoothly  and  as  integral  parts  of  a show  that 
had  everything  in  its  favor  and  not  anything— 
at  least  not  anything  perceptible  to  this  nude 
optic — against  it. 

But  waitl  Wait  11  WAIT!!! 

Chaz  Chase,  the  one  and  only,  the  absolutely 
nonesuch,  the  incomparable,  the  unrivaled  and 
the  undisputed  champion  devourer  of  matches, 
match  boxes,  harmonicas,  shirt  bosoms,  fire  and 
brimstone,  hot  house  plants  and  what  have  you 
was  brought  on  in  the  home  run  spot  to  bat 
out  not  one  but  three  four-baggers.  (For  a time 
it  looked  as  if  he'd  have  to  eat  the  picture  screen 
to  make  'em  behave.)  And  be  it  recorded  here, 
for  those  who  haven't  seen  his  final  bow-off,  that 
his  ultimate  geteway  (a  gag  with  sheet  music) 
packs  a nifty  just  hot  enough  to  register  after 
all  that  routine  of  his  and  that  hot  is  blazing. 
When  Chase  had  finished  there  was  nothing  to 
do  but  shoot  the  finale  and  run  the  pitchers. 

Observation:  After  all  this  good  news  about 
the  outfit  that  keeps  the  Oi-iental  in  the  thick  of 
things,  and  in  all  frankness  it  is  admitted  that 
the  few  words  given  most  of  the  individual  per- 
formers are  woefully  inadequate,  it  seems  too 
bad  to  mention  that  Henri  A.  Keates  got  back 
to  town  and  the  house  threw  one  of  those  bunk 
receptions  for  him,  meeting  him  at  the  train, 
escorting  him  to  the  theatre,  making  a picture 
of  the  thing  and  throwing  it  into  the  newsreel, 
only  to  see  it  curl  up  like  a pai)er  collar  when 
submitted  to  the  customers.  The  folks  should 
have  been  ashamed  of  themselves  for  the  way 
they  took  this  effort.  It  was  the  same  sort  of 
thing  the  house  did  for  Paul  Ash  when  the  old 
master  returned  from  Florida,  and  on  that  occa- 
sion the  crowd  yelled  like  Indians.  On  this  occa- 
sion they  snickered  like  school  children.  And 
Keates  had  to  plunge  into  his  elides,  containing 
a chatty  and  not  bad  account  of  his  trip,  with- 
out a hand,  to  sing  'em  into  good  fellowship 
again  and  thus  to  restore  in  some  degree  the 
status  quo  if  that  applies  to  organists.  It  may 
have  been  a tactical  error  to  have  Milton 
Charles  substitute  for  Keates  during  his  vaca- 
tion, or  it  may  not,  depending  upon  the  point  of 
view. 

Chicago  Marhro 

Week  Ending  June  26 

“The  Yankee  Clipper,”  a sea  photoplay,  and 
“Flying  With  Lindbergh”  was  this  week’s  offering 
featuring  Charles  Kaley  and  his  band,  assisted 
by  several  artists.  The  stage  show  ran  as  fol- 
lows: 

Opening:  Film  trailer  offering  foreword  on 

“Louis  the  IX,  the  Hero  of  France,”  the  most 
daring  hero  of  Europe  and  for  whose  deeds  Amer- 
ica honored  him  by  naming  St.  Louis  in  memory 
of  his  name.  After  this  trailer  faded  out,  a 
photo  of  Lindy  was  flashed  on  the  scrim  curtain 
as  a miniature  aeroplane  flew  across  the  back- 
ground. Curtain  then  went  up  on  full-stage  set- 
ting with  background  drop  representing  Lindy's 
aeroplane  with  band  boys  dressed  in  French  mili- 
tary costumes  as  the  band  went  into  “The  Mar- 
sellaise.”  The  Marbro  Girls,  in  native  costumes, 
each  bearing  an  enormous  silk  banner  shield 
fastened  to  tall  spear,  with  backs  to  audience 
during  the  playing  of  this  number. 

The  band  next  went  into  an  arrangement  of 
“Just  Like  a Butterfly,”  intermingled  with  a med- 
ley of  “Poor  Butterfly.”  Hotsy-Totsy,  a blond 
girl,  followed  in  blues  style  with  “My  Regular 
Gal.”  Hotsy-Totsy's  offering  is  typical  cabaret 
and,  although  she  has  considerable  personality, 
her  present  routine  does  not  fit  in  picture  houses. 
In  fact,  any  talented  chorus  girl  could  do  her  bit 
and  probably  save  the  house  that  much  expense. 

The  Whirlwinds  were  next  in  one  of  the  most 
clever  roller  skating  offerings  that  this  reporter 


WHISTLING  LOVE  BIRDS 


SOUTHSEA  HAWAIIAN  DANCE 

NOVELLE  BROS. 

Pantomimist  Artists 

A Presentation  Turn  for  Any  Theme. 
Just  completing  a Second  Tour  of 
Lubliner  and  Trinz,  also  repeating 
Saxe  Theatres  next  week. 

Soon  opening  a PUBLIX  LTNIT  tour. 
Guess  what  this  means — 
WMAMTPTSB? 

A.  B.  MVRR4Y  and  ALAN  "could"  sing 
( near  beer,)  3,000  years  ago. 


CHARLES  IRWIN 

“Deluxe  Master  of  Ceremonies” 

For  Deluxe  Picture  Theatres 

Just  Concluded  a Successful  Engagement  at  the 

PARAMOUNT  THEATRE 

with  PAUL  WHITEMAN  as  First  Master  of  Ceremonies 
Now  Back  at  the  CAPITOL  THEATRE,  DETROIT 


CORINNE  ARBUCKLE 

“SONGOLOGIST” 

in 

“SONGS  WHAT  AM” 

Appearing  in  Deluxe  Presentations  in  Deluxe  Picture  Theatres. 
Keith-Albee  Representativ®^— HARRY  WEBER  OFFICE 
Presentation — WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  direction  of  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL 
Personal  Representative— RUSSELL  DECKER 


MIGUEL  GALVAN 


(t 


The  Spanish  Banjo-Boy** 


Opening  July  5th  As  First  Master  of  Ceremonies 

At  nSCHER’S  APPLETON  THEATRE 
Appleton,  Wisconsin 
Which  Goes  Into  a New  STAGEIBAND 
PRESENTATION  POLICY 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


July  2,  1927 

has  ever  seen  displayed  in  front  of  a band.  The 
offering  consists  of  three  men,  all  clever  special- 
ists, who  go  into  a series  of  fast  stunts,  closing 
with  a double-neck  spin  aeroplane  which  sends 
echoes  of  applause  ringing  all  over  the  house. 

A few  years  ago  this  type  of  act  was  consid- 
ered out  of  place  in  presentation.  Today  they 
are  the  features  of  any  bill  and  help  inject  the 
fini.shing  punch  that  a lot  of  stage  band  shows 
lack. 

Joey  Ross  followed  them  with  his  eccentric 
dancing  in  acrobatic  style.  Joey  has  done  con- 
siderable work  hereabouts  and,  although  he  has 
had  some  very  good  production  experience,  he 
lacks  that  necessary  punch  that  a presentation 
artist  requires  when  doing  a single. 

A band  arrangement  of  “Dew-Dew-Dewey  Days” 
was  played  next  and  was  put  over  in  great  style. 

Charles  Kaley,  dres6ed*as  a French  aviation 
officer,  sang  "If  You  See  Sally,”  by  request,  and 
from  the  applause  accorded  him  it  is  evident  that 
he  is  becoming  popular  at  this  house. 

Joey  Ross  came  back  again,  this  time  dressed 
in  artist’s  smock,  a.ssisted  by  the  Marbro  Girls  in 
similar  costumes,  who  danced  to  the  band's  tune 
of  “Who,”  while  Joey  sang  the  same. 

Pisano  and  Landauer.  two  men  in  a comedy 
singing  and  talking  act,  followed,  Pisano  doing 
the  Wop  comic,  while  Landauer  in  the  extremely 
flashy  outfit,  impersonated  the  big  overgrown 
Swede.  Landauer’s  extremely  high  tenor  voice  is 
a treat  and  his  particular  style  of  singing  “It 
All  Depends  On  You”  won  him  a hearty  recep- 
tion. This  act  is  a standard  turn  in  vaudeville 
as  a next-to-closing  team  and  even  now,  with 
their  condensed  version,  wowed  them  with  their 
sure-fire  finish.  In  fact,  they  stopped  the  show 
here, 

Tom  Faxon,  local  radio  artist,  followed  them 
with  “Lucky  Lindy,”  assisted  by  the  Marbro 
Girls  in  a dance  routine  as  the  band  struck  up  a 
series  of  patriotic  tunes. 

Finale:  A drop  representing  the  White  House 
slowly  descends  in  background  as  several  little 
planes  fly  around  while  Lindbergh’s  plane  draws 
near  as  the  lights  around  dome  illuminate. 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  June  26 

“Monte  Cristo,”  a reissued  Fox  film  featuring 
John  Gilbert,  and  Verne  Buck  in  “Hello,  Vacation 
Days”  was  this  week’s  offering.  The  entertain- 
ment took  place  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  of  college  cam- 
pus, with  an  unusually  good  drop,  representing 
the  artist’s  idea  of  the  University  of  Chicago, 
with  orchestra  playing  “Collegiate”  while  boys 
sing  a parody.  Verne  Buck  enters  upon  scene 
to  a house  full  of  applause  and  takes  the  band 
into  a series  of  college  medlies.  After  three 
well  known  tunes  have  been  played,  Frank  Wil- 
son, the  singing  saxophonist,  renders  “'The  Sweet- 
heart of  Sigma  Chi,”  which  he  does  very  favor- 
ably and  as  usual  is  well  paid  for.  Band  finishes 
program  with  “On  Northwestern”  and,  according 
to  the  reception  received,  there  must  have  been 
a number  of  college  people  in  the  audience. 

Verne  Buck  next  announces  Lamarrc’s  Flashes, 
four  girls  who  sing  and  dance,  opening  with 
“I  Ain’t  Got  Nobody”  and  later  dancing  to  the 
same  tune,  which  was  well  received. 

They  were  followed  by  Fenton  McAvoy,  well 
known  local  singer,  whose  offering  this  time  con- 
sisted of  “Sweet  Someone”  and  “The  Eagle  of  the 
U.  S.  A.,”  one  of  the  many  new  songs  dedicated 
to  Lindy.  A band  arrangement  of  “So  Blue” 
was  played  next  with  the  chorus  sung  by  Cloid 
Griswold,  the  banjoist,  in  the  usual  pleasing 
manner. 

The  next  one  on  the  program  was  announced 
by  Buck  as  the  hottest  accordion  player  in  town 
and  the  young  lady  jrossessing  the  title  was  none 
other  than  Louise  Nelson,  of  the  Premier  Trio, 
who  instrumented  and  sang  popular  songs  of 
today.  Miss  Nelson’s  clever  interpretation  of 
“Sam,  the  Old  Accordion  Man”  on  her  accordion 
won  the  young  lady  an  encore  and  several  bows. 

She  was  followed  by  Mirth  Mack,  another  local 
singer,  who  offered  popular  numbers  in  a popular 
way,  assisted  by  Griswold  at  the  end  of  her 
last  number  in  a vocal  offering  of  “Swanee 
River.” 

The  Shannon  Sisters,  two  of  the  little  girls  of 
Lamarre’s  Flashes,  appeared  next  in  a specialty 
dance  routine,  joined  later  by  Bernice  Thomas, 
another  member  of  the  same  act,  who  did  a very 
clever  black  bottom  and  Russian  routine  on  her 
toes.  The  girls’  good  work  was  highly  appre- 
ciated by  this  audience. 

Another  hand  number  called  “Brown  Sugar” 
and,  announced  by  Verne  as  a hot  tune,  failed  to 
burn  as  far  as  the  melody  was  concerned,  but 
went  over  through  the  clever  manipulation  of 
the  arrangement  as  handled  by  these  boys.  A 
military  routine  followed,  assisted  by  Lamarr’s 
Flashes,  ’The  Premier  Trio  during  this  number 


harmonized  "Hoosier  Sweetheart”  and  interix)- 
lated  the  “Wabash  Blues.”  For  an  encore  they 
offered  “Me  and  My  Shadow,”  which  brought 
them  back  for  another  chorus  and  several  bows. 

Jazz  Lips  Richardson  again  appeared  in  his 
entertaining  routine  and  for  further  details  we 
recommend  you  dig  up  back  copies  of  this  paper. 

Finale:  Verne  Buck  and  orchestra  sing  and 

play  “Oh,  Doris,”  with  Buck  dancing  on  second 
chorus  with  a “dummy,”  assisted  by  entire  com- 
pany on  .stage. 


Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  June  26 

*‘Birthstones/’  a Publix  Unit  featuring  Myrio 
and  Desha,  and  Bennie  Krueger  with  his  bunch  in 
“Hello,  Lindy,*'  featuring  Peggy  Bernier  and  a 
cast  of  talented  players,  were  this  week’s  offering. 
The  Krueger  show  ran  as  follows : 

Opening:  In  front  of  scrim  cuiTain  with  light- 
ing effect  in  background  displaying  White  House 
with  planes  flying  around  dome  as  Lindbergh’s 
“We"  lands  near  capitol.  Bennie  enters  in  front 
of  curtain  at  end  of  this  scene,  dressed  in  aviation 
costume,  and  goes  into  a short  tribute  to  the  air 
hero.  Curtain  then  rises  to  full  stage  setting  as 
band  plays  “You  Don’t  Like  It,  Not  Much,"  with 
a chorus  solo  sung  by  the  banjoist.  This  number 
is  so  well  played  that  an  extra  chorus  is  given. 

Stanley  and  Lee,  two  college  maids,  follow  in 
eccentric  comedy  dance  routine,  one  dressed  in 
boy’s  logs.  These  girls  have  been  reported  many 
times  before  in  these  columns  and  are  very 
versatile  in  their  offerings.  Their  eccentric 
Charleston  and  clever  finish  was  well  received. 


It  seems  that  little  more  consideration  should 
have  been  shown  in  giving  them  the  opening  spot 
on  this  bill ; however,  they  proved  themselves 
artists  by  taking  honors  in  first  place. 

Ross  and  Gilbert  followed  in  their  comedy  har- 
mony singing  and  talking  routine,  same  as  re- 
ported in  other  houses.  As  usual,  these  boys 
created  a riot  of  fun  during  their  "St.  Louis 
Blues’  ’’  interpretation,  and  again,  as  before, 
they  stopi>ed  the  show. 

Wallace  and  Cappo  in  songs  and  steps,  some 
eccentric  and  others  typical  of  mu.sical  comedy 
stvlc.  Their  encore  consisted  of  a new  dance  step 
called  the  New  Orleans  shuffle  and  is  something 
that  should  be  eliminated  in  picture  houses.  That 
type  of  dance  may  be  popular  in  productions,  but 
is  inclined  to  be  too  hot  for  family  audiences.  In 
fact,  if  the  boys  had  left  this  number  out,  they 
would  have  received  their  due  amount  of  applause. 

A band  arrangement  of  "Just  Like  a Butterfly" 
was  next  played,  with  Bennie  Krueger  doing  one 
of  his  nice  saxoi>hone  solos,  assisted  by  the  pian- 
ist, Rudy  Wagner,  and  a vocal  chorus  sung  by 
Frankie  Masterman.  During  this  number  a cur- 
tain in  the  background  parted  and  a scrim  effect 
took  place,  representing  a woodland  scene  on  a 
rainy  day.  Stanley  and  Lee,  the  two  dancers, 
came  in  on  this  number  dre.ssed  in  beautiful  but- 
terfly costumes  and  did  a clever  routine  to  the 
band’s  tune  of  “Poor  Butterfly.’’ 

Bernier,  the  little  girl  who  has  created 
a big  name  in  picture  houses  for  her  personality, 
followed  with  “Who,"  “Absolutely,  Positively’’  and 
“Dew-Dew-Dewey  Days."  Peggy’s  clov/ning  with 
Bennie  Krueger  and  her  clever  interpretation  of 
the  lyrics  compelled  her  to  take  several  encores 


MURIEL  KAYE 

**The  Distinctive  Dancer** 

For  DeLuxe  Theatres 
Now  Featured  in  Presentations 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  Through  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


Jimmie  WHITE  BROS. 

Double  Dancing  DeLuxe 
**We  Dance  as  One** 

Now  Playing  De  Luxe 
Picture  Houses 
Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


Eddie 


Nick  “LINDY” 


LANG  and  VOELK 

“The  Two  Ambassadors  of  Songland” 


George  “WE” 


over  Deluxe 
Wings"  and 
the  land  of 
“We"  shall 
over  some  new 


After  EIGHT  SOLID  months  of  “Flying" 

Picture  Mouses,  we  are  now  resting  our 
will  resume  a new  “Flight"  into  Wisconsin; 

SAXE  THEATRES  and  COL.  LINDBERGH. 

“fly"  back  to  Chicago  next  week  to 
“Air-ial"  plan.s. 

MANY  thanks  to  MILTON  WEIL  for  the  BRASS  BAND 
reception  also  to  GEORGE  M.  COHAN  for  the  wonderful 
TRIBUTE. 

NOTE : We  are  now  honor  houn<l  to  our  Country  and 

can  not  accept  any  theatrical  engagements,  BUT— if  you 
can  FILL  next  week  for  us  WIRE Max  Turner,  Pliil  Tyr- 

rell or  Sam  Bramson  and  they'll  try  to  “fix"  it. 


PEGGY 


ROSS 


CHAMBERLIN  and  HIMES 

(Positively  the  World* s Worst  Apache  Dancers) 

Now  Playing  Two  Weeks’  Engagement  at  PARAMOUNT  THEATRE, 
NEW  YORK,  with  PAUL  WHITEMAN 
Personal  Direction' of  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tsnrrell  Through 
WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


and  many  bows.  In  fact,  the  audience  would  not 
let  her  off  the  stage  and  completely  stopped  the 
show  for  several  minutes. 

Lioyd  and  Brice,  two  men  in  a comedy  acixi- 
batic  offering,  followed,  similar  to  that  done  by 
Dare  and  Wohl  of  the  “Follies”  and  several  other 
vaudeville  teams  who  since  have  imitated  the 
originators  of  this  routine.  To  the  best  knowl- 
edge of  this  reporter,  Lloyd  and  Brice  are  about 
the  first  team  to  offer  this  hokum  in  picture 
houses  and,  as  the  offering  has  plenty  of  clean 
comedy  situations,  it  ought  to  be  a big  hit  in 
presentations.  They  did  remarkably  well  here  in 
next  to  closing. 

“Red  Lips,  Kiss  My  Blues  Away”  was  next 
offere<l  as  a band  number  played  in  real  hot 
style  by  Bennie  and  his  boys,  with  novelties  in- 
termingled, as  usual. 

Finale:  Man  on  platform  above  band  singing 
“Lucky  Lindy”  as  sky  turns  blue,  while  huge 
aeroplane  descends  with  wings  expanding  entire 
span  of  stage  while  bulbs  over  pilot’s  booth  illu- 
minate spelling  “Lindbergh.” 

Observation : Taking  into  consideration  that 

almost  every  stage  band  show  has  been  running 
a “Lindy”  presentation,  this  one  is  an  exception- 
ally fine  staging  with  a talented  cast. 

Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  June  26 

“Summer  Fancies,”  a brilliant  stage  offering 
featuring  Jack  Osterman  and  Florence  Schubert, 
was  this  week^s  presentation.  Vitaphone  still 
continues  at  this  house.  The  stage  show  ran  as 
follows : 

Opening:  Man  from  band  singing  in  a rather 
pleasing  voice  “Summer  Girls,”  as  the  Granada 
girls,  outfitted  in  sport  costumes,  appear  from  be- 


MARK  FISHER 


hind  black  scrim  curtain  and  gradually  walk  into 
spotlight.  Benny  Meroft'  makes  his  entrance  to  a 
healthy  reception  and  announces  a band  number 
of  “Sundown,”  to  which  Benny  also  does  a saxo- 
phone solo. 

Florence  Schubert,  a Chicago  girl  and  recently 
one  of  the  featured  members  of  “Le  Maire’s 
Affairs,”  makes  her  appearance  with  “Song  of 
Songs”  and  the  “Russian  Lullaby”  which,  with 
her  marvelous  soprano  voice,  is  put  over  in  great 
style.  Florence  has  what  a !ot  of  other  presen- 
tation artists  lack — voice. 

Gardner  and  Douglas  follow  in  a very  clever' 
boob  eccentric  dance  routine  which  secured  them 
an  encore  and  several  bows.  In  this  day  and 
age  of  comedy  dance  routines,  one  appreciates  the 
style  and  originality  this  team  displays. 

An  announcement  was  made  next  that  “Muddy 
Waters”  would  be  played  by  the  band  from  a 
special  arrangement  with  Benny  Meroff  again 
doing  a vocal  choi"US,  something  unusual  for  this 
leader  to  attempt  and,  since  there  is  nothing  left 
for  him  to  show  that  he  is  not  capable  of  doing, 
we  must  say  that  he  did  a pretty  good  job  of  it 
and  both  he  and  the  band  were  well  paid  for 
their  efforts.  At  this  particular  moment  the 
audience  were  about  ready  for  Benny  to  dance, 
and,  of  course,  he  responded  with  one  of  his 
clever  steps  and,  as  usual,  stopped  the  show. 

Carroll  and  Grady,  two  radio  entertainers  re- 
ported many  times  before  in  these  columns,  again 
repeated  their  offer.  A new  band  number  fol- 
lowed called  “Frankfurter  Sandwiches,”  inter- 
mingled with  comedy  lines  and  bits  interpreted 
by  the  boys.  This  number  offered  unusual  comedy 
possibilities  and  was  well  liked. 

Jack  Osterman,  one  of  Chicago’s  own  and  for 
years  heralded  as  one  of  Broadway’s  favorite  ac- 
tors, made  his  initial  bow  .at  this  theatre  as  a 
presentation  star  in  a cycle  of  comedy  gags  and 
songs.  Jack  uses  almost  the  same  routine  he 
has  offered  to  vaudeville  audiences  in  the  last  two 
or  three  seasons,  and  is  aided  in  his  monologue 
by  a film  trailer  taken  in  Hollywood,  which  dem- 
onstrates the  reception  accorded  him  by  the  stars. 
Jack’s  entertainment  value  has  slumped  consid- 
erably in  the  last  few  years.  However,  his  name 
and  popularity  such  as  he  has  in  Chicago  will  at 
least  bring  them  in  wherever  he  is  playing.  He 
manage-d  to  take  three  encores  at  this  house. 

Florence  Schubert  came  on  next  in  a produc- 
tion number  called  “Summer  Fancies,”  aided  by 
the  Granada  Girls  again  in  pretty  summer  cos- 
tumes and  parasols. 

Finale:  Band  playing  .same  tune  while  stage 

and  house  lights  grow  dark  as  the  girls  twirl 
their  parasols  for  a neat  routine  with  entire 
company  essembled  on  the  stage. 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  June  26 

Mark  Fisher  and  his  Music  Masters  returned  to 
this  house  after  an  absence  of  two  weeks  and, 
starting  with  this  show,  will  again  alternate  with 
the  Senate  theatre.  To  the  people  of  the  West 


That  Golden  Voiced  Leader  of  the 
MERRY  MUSIC  MASTERS 

Alternating  Weekly  Between  SENATE  and 
HARDING  Theatres,  Chicago 
Featured  in  LUBLINER  and  TRINZ 
Stage  Presentations 


EDDIE 

HILL 

After  200  Solid  Days 
of  Work  and  600  Con- 
secutive Performances 
in  Deluxe  Picture 
H o')U  s e s throughout 
the  Middle  West  I am 
taking  a much  needed 
rest  before  resuming 
bookings  again. 

I wish  to  thank  EX- 


HIBITORS of  PUBLIX,  B & K and  L & T 
Circuits  for  their  wonderful  co-operation 
while  playing  their  houses. 


BUDDY  ^ Tremendous  Hit  at  All  Picture  Houses  JIMMY 

WILLIAMS  and  ROSS 


F unniest  Comedy  Dancing  Team  Playing  Presentations 

OTHERS  IMITATE^WE  ORIGINATE! 

After  Three  Months  of  Deluxe  Picture  Hotise  Bookings 
will  tour  out  of  town  theatres  again 

NOTE:  Have  You  Seen— VALE  & STEWART? 


Side,  Mark  Fisher’s  return  was  more  than  a treat. 
To  them  it  meant  their  favorite  was  returning  to 
enlighten  their  cares  with  his  golden  voice.  The 
stage  presentation  was  catted  “Hey,  Hay,  Mark 
Is  Back,”  and  same  took  place  as  follows: 

Opening:  Street  scene  representing  Home 

Town  junction  with  typical  small  town  depot 
background.  Joe  Bennett  as  small  town  rube  en- 
ters, greeting  Mark  Fisher,  who  follows  him  on. 
For  fully  sixty  seconds  or  more  the  applause  was 
deafening.  (If  that  isn’t  a reception,  what  is?) 
And  all  for  Mark  Fisher,  the  unassuming  young 
man  who  in  a short  appearance  as  stage  hand 
leader  has  created  more  friends  than  Solomon  had 
wives. 

Curtain  rises  exposing  full  stage  setting  rep- 
resenting hayloft,  with  posts  and  pickets  on  each 
end  and  with  two  girls  dressed  as  scarecrows 
who  came  off  of  their  perch  and  went  into  a rou- 
tine. assisted  by  the  Gould  Girls,  dressed  as 
farmerettes,  in  a clever  dance  to  the  band’s  ar- 
rangement of  country  medleys. 

After  the  scarecrow  number,  which  was  cleverly 
interpreted  by  Lillian  Moore  and  Edith  Berg,  the 
band  hit  up  a hot  arrangement  of  ‘"Turkey  in 
the  Straw”  and  Joe  Bennett  and  Mark  Fisher 
enter,  looking  over  the  hayloft.  Murray  and 
Alan  open  the  procession  with  a special  ditty  on 
“Lire  Players,”  dressed  in  extreme  comedy  robes, 
supposedly  as  in  the  days  of  St.  Peter.  ’The  boys 
stopped  the  show  with  their  unusual  comedy 
lyrics  and  promised  to  come  back  later.  Joe 
Bennett  next  brings  Marjorie  Whitney  to  Mark 
Fisher  and  he  in  turn  puts  her  through  a series 
of  high  kicking.  Miss  Whitney  is  a tall  blond 
of  neat  personality,  who  is  very  graceful,  even 
when  she  “kicks.” 

A band  arrangement  of  “Red  Lips”  was  next 
played,  with  Fisher,  Kelly  and  Buckley  forming  a 
harmony  trio,  who  sang  through  megaphones  in 
a pianoissmo  style  with  music.  'This  novelty 
scored  an  encore. 

They  were  followed  by  Novelle  Brothers  in  their 
routine  of  comedy  tumbling  and  novel  violin 
acrobatic  by-play,  which  repeated  their  former 
success.  These  boys  have  played  nearly  every 
presentation  house  in  town,  making  this  one  their 
third  appearance  in  the  above  house  and  always 
hit  bigger  than  ever. 

'The  Gould  Girls  came  on  next,  dressed  as  con- 
victs chained  in  twos  and  handcuffed  likewise, 
offering  a chain  dance  to  the  tune  of  the  pris- 
oners’ song.  Part  of  this  routine  was  danced  in 
dark  stage,  offering  a very  effective  scene  from 
the  front  as  jailbirds.  Dave  Gould,  the  ballet 
master,  deserves  to  be  commended  on  some  of 
the  novel  ideas  he  injects  in  stage  shows  appear- 
ing over  this  circuit. 

Mark  Fisher  gave  his  interpretation  of  “Me 
and  My  Shadow,”  aided  by  an  arc  spot  which 
cast  his  reflection  on  the  black  drop  and  made 
his  singing  more  realistic.  We  have  heard  Mark 
Fisher  sing  many  songs  before,  but  none  have  had 
the  dramatic  touch  and  heai-t-stirring  interest  that 
he  interpreted  in  this  number.  The  offering  cre- 
ated such  an  interest  that  the  audience  would  not 
let  the  rest  of  he  show  go  on  unil  Mark  sang 
the  number  over  several  times. 

Joe  Bennett,  who  up  to  this  time  was  more  or 
less  exercising  throughout  other  specialties,  came 
in  for  some  entertaining  on  his  own  and  offered 
his  eccentric  comedy  number  which  scored  so  ■well 
that  he  gave  an  encore  in  the  way  of  an  eccen- 
tric country  black  bottom. 

Murray  and  Alan  returned,  this  time  dressed  as 
Egyptians,  and  offered  a special  comedy  song, 
“Tliree  Thousand  Years  Ago,”  which  provoked 
laughter  from  the  very  start.  The  boys  were 
compelled  to  sing  a number  of  extra  verses  be- 
fore they  could  sign  off. 

They  were  followed  by  the  Gould  girls  in  a 
chicken  walk  dance  routine,  dressed  in  novel 
costumes  with  head-comb  representing  chickens 
and  roosters. 

Finale:  By  request  at  this  show,  Mark  Fisher 
sang  “It  All  Depends  On  You”  and,  as  far  as  the 
audience  was  concerned,  the  show  need  to  have 
never  ended.  After  several  choruses  the  hand 
went  into  an  arrangement  of  “Everything  Nice 
About  You,”  with  Mark  singing  a chorus,  as- 
sisted by  the  Gould  Girls  in  a dance  routine. 

Observation:  It  is  unusual  for  a presentation 
show  to  close  the  exercises  with  just  a band 
number,  but  with  a i)opular  leader  such  as  Mark 
Fisher  all  that  is  necessary  in  any  of  his  shows 
is  for  him  to  sing  a song.  That  in  itself  is  a 
punch  finish. 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Cbicigo 

July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  25 

Russ  Morgan  and  the  members  of  his  orches- 
tra wore  the  scarlet  coats  and  blue  trousers  of 
the  Canadian  Mounted  Police  on  the  stage  this 
week,  adding  color  to  the  presentation  called 
“Midst  Whispering  Pines/* 

Their  appearance  in  a picturesque  northwest 
setting  was  reminiscent  of  “Rose  Marie,”  and 
band  numbers  of  Friml’s  music  completely  won 
the  audience. 

Edna  Leedom  and  Dave  Stamper,  of  Ziegfeld’s 
Follies,  shared  the  headlines  in  a smooth  comedy 
and  melody  skit.  Remaining  acts  comprised  the 
Eight  Sunshine  Girls,  Tiller  trained  dancers ; the 
Andre  Accordion  Sextette;  Sid  Gary,  who  sings 
both  baritone  and  soprano ; and  Charley  Jolley, 
tenor. 

Charles  Irwin,  master  of  ceremonies,  enlisted 
for  service  with  the  “mounties”  and  supervised 
the  events. 

Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  June  25 

Quaint  mannerisms  and  jovial  artistry  were 
displayed  by  George  Riley,  headliner  on  this 
week’s  program.  With  a cigar,  college  crushed 
hat  and  walking  stick  for  makeup,  he  recited 
several  gags  that  broug'ht  forth  heavy  chuckles 
and  heaA'ty  laughter.  “Hello  George**  was  the 
title  of  the  show. 

Opening:  Playboy  band’s  “By  the  Sea,”  with 
variations,  proved  an  adequate  preliminary  for 
Riley’s  welcome  address  and  the  entrance  of  the 
Six  Tivoli  Girls,  who  specialize  in  unit  dancing. 

An  orchestral  arrangement,  “Who  Do  You 
Love,”  which  went  over  nicely  under  Walter  Bas- 
tian’s  guidance,  was  the  next  major  number. 

Remis  and  Brown,  in  an  eccentric  tandem, 
songs  by  Zelma  O’Neal  and  the  several  minutes' 
melody  making  of  Adler,  Weil  and  Herman  com- 
pleted the  festivities. 

Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  June  25 

“Sports  Revue,”  a Publix  production  with  sev- 
eral scenes  of  collegiate  and  gymnastic  action, 
and  six  other  units  eomprised  the  offering  at 
this  theatre. 

The  athletic  procession  was  marshaled  by 
Charley  Calvert,  bedecked  as  a cheer  leader. 
Others  included  in  the  directory  are  Ruth  Glan- 
fille,  saxophone  syncopation ; The  Icelanders, 
fancy  skating ; Burns  and  Foran,  eccentric  step- 
pers ; and  the  Kaufman  Dancers. 

Overture:  Eduard  Werner  and  the  Michigan 

symphony  presented  “Moonlight  Melodies,”  an 
array  of  all  the  “moon”  songs  of  recent  date. 
In  this  connection,  Roy  Dietrich  gave  a tenor 
solo,  “Moonlight  on  the  Ganges,”  before  a temple 
of  India  setting. 

The  rest  of  the  bill  listed  Sonya  Rozann  and 
Pietro  Barchi’s  vocal  rendition  of  “Miserere,” 
news  reels,  a Will  'Rogers’  travelogue  and  “The 
Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  with  Lewis  Slone. 

St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  June  24 

Brooke  Johns  took  advantage  of  the  popularity 
of  Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh,  the  boy  who  flew 
The  Spirit  of  St.  Louis  from  New  York  to  Paris, 
France,  and  styled  his  stage  show  “Hello,  Lindy.” 

Leonid  L>eonardi  offered  for  his  overture  “Vic- 
tor Herbert  Favorites.”  During  the  overture  by 
the  orchestra  Arthur  Nealy  sang  “Gypsy  Sweet- 
heart,” while  a sextet  of  pretty  girls  danced. 

The  special  acts  in  “Hello  Lindy”  were  the 
Cook  Sisters,  harmonizers ; four  banjo  players  ; 
Margaret  Ball,  a peppy  dancer,  and  a white  and 
black  team. 

St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  June  24 

“The  Sampler,”  devised  and  staged  by  John 
Murray  Anderson  and  featuring  A1  and  Gussie 
Blum  and  the  Lassiter  Brothers,  was  the  principal 
stage  event  of  the  week. 

Dave  Silverman  offered  his  fourth  orchestral 
production,  “A  Jazz  Surprise,”  in  which  the 
musicians  were  aided  by  the  fast-stepping  Am- 
bassador ballet  sextet. 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  i>aid  a tribute  to 
Col.  Charles  A.  Lindbergh. 

St.  Louis  Grand  Central 

Week  Ending  June  24 

On  the  stage  Paul  Sporleder  and  his  orchestra 
presented  “Breezin’  Along.” 


Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  June  24 

“Way  Down  South,”  a Publix  presentation, 
was  the  stage  offering  at  the  Newman  this  week. 
The  presentation,  as  the  title  suggests,  is  a res- 
ume of  southern  songs  and  mannerisms. 

The  company  of  fourteen  launches  itself  into 
a struttin’  shufflin'  show  in  two  scenes. 

Sigmund  Boguslawski  and  his  Newman  Concert 
Orchestra  offers  an  operatic  medley  as  the  over- 
ture. 

Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  June  24 

Richy  Craig,  Jr.,  in  his  act,  “Brightens  Up 
Matters,”  was  at  the  head  of  the  stage  bill  at 
the  Mainstreet  this  week,  his  act  being  a mono- 
logue. 

Taylor  and  Green,  “Two  Dark  Knights,”  were 
comedians  who  drew  their  share  of  applause. 

Ewing  Eaton  had  a music,  song  and  dance 
act,  while  the  Brock  Sisters  also  did  song  num- 
bers. 

The  Ben  Hassan  Troupe  was  composed  of  Ara- 
bian acrobats. 

Ted  Tieman  and  His  Tunesmiths  were  featured 
in  conjunction  with  the  entire  program,  as  well 
as  rendering  the  overture,  composed  of  popular 
selections. 

Pinkie  Dees,  who  succeeded  Freddie  Stritt, 
was  master  of  ceremonies. 

Salt  Lake  Empress 

Week  Ending  July  17 

The  Matson  Dancers,  in  a presentation  titled 
“Dance  Varieties,”  was  the  stage  offering  at  the 
Paramount  Empress  this  week. 

This  act  is  constituted  of  a group  of  seven 
young  ladies  who  present  a newly  costumed  danc- 
ing revue  that  is  excellent  in  every  detail.  Spe- 
cialty numbers,  ensemble  and  solo  dances  of 
marked  gracefulness  and  artistic  appeal  comprise 
the  program,  with  Miranda  Matson  in  a solo 
dance. 

This  prologue  has  been  offered  all  week  in 
connection  with  a split-week  picture  program. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  June  25 

The  bandshow  opened  with  “June”  by  the  or- 
chestra. 

Beth  Miller,  blues  singer,  sang  “Who  Do  You 
Love?” 

Davy  Jones,  singer  and  eccentnc  dancer,  did 
“Down  by  the  Gas  House”  and  “You  Tell  Her,  I 
Stutter”  as  an  encore. 

Badger  and  Muessler,  harmony  boys,  sang 
three  numbers. 

The  orchestra  closed  with  “High  Up  in  the 
Hills.” 

The  Publix  show  this  week  was  “The  Paper 
Revue.” 

Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  June  24 

“Memory’s  Garden”  was  the  stage  show  at 
the  Riviera,  featured  by  good  singing  in  additioo 
to  a pretty  setting.  Rae  Elcanoir  Ball,  violin 
star,  was  featured  throughout  the  show,  while 
scenes  and  singers  came  and  went.  Ruth  Russell 
Matlock  was  a dancer,  while  Ann  Balthy  and 
John  Quinlan  were  soloists.  The  twelve  Liebling 
sisters  constituted  the  chorus  in  old-time  styles 
and  with  very  good  voices. 

The  hit  of  the  stage  show  was  the  Roma  Broth- 
ers. They  were  part  of  a golden  piece  of  statu- 
ary on  rear  of  the  stage.  The  statuary  was  ad- 
vanced to  the  front  of  the  stage  and  the  two 
figures,  which  wex’e  part  of  the  golden  setting, 
oame  to  life.  It  was  an  effective  method  of  put- 
ting on  an  acrobatic  act. 

“Salt  and  Pepper,”  recent  stars  with  “Gay 
Paree"  at  the  Winter  Garden,  won  the  audience 
with  their  clever  songs  and  clean  lines.  The 
young  singers  were  unusual  and  won  applause 
in  proportion. 

Another  bit  of  entertainment  which  Manager 
Arthur  Stolte  had  for  his  theatregoers  was  a 
musical  contest  between  organist  and  orchestra, 
introduced  with  an  adaptation  of  Mr.  Gallagher 
and  Mr.  Shean’s  famous  song  by  George  John- 
son, organist,  and  Arthur  Geissler,  orchestra 
leader.  The  organ  won  out  in  volume,  but  oth- 
erwise it  was  a diaw. 

The  feature  film  was  “Naughty  but  Nice.” 


AMERICA’S  PREMIER  DANSEUSES 

Kerenoff  R/f 

AND  lYiaree 

“THE  ADAGIOS” 

Just  Terminated  Fourth  Return  Engagement  at  the 
GRANADA  THEATRE 
Which  completes  25  Successful  Weeks  of 
Deluxe  Picture  House  Bookings  in  Chicago 
Also  closed  Four  Weeks  at  CLUB  BAGDAD,  Chicago 
Now  vacationing  will  soon  open  in  a 
BROADWAY  PRODUCTION 
Many  thanks  to  ERNIE  YOUNG— MURRAY  BLOOM— 
and  CHARLEY  HOGAN 


WELLINGTON  SISTERS 

“The  Song  and  Dance  Debutantes” 

Now  Touring  in  a PUBLIX  UNIT  as  a 
FEATURED  ACT 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


AL  and  LOUISE  WALKER 

THE  TEAM  WITH  THE  EDUCATED  FEET 

FOR  DELUXE  PRESENTATION  THEATRES 

Playing  GREAT  STATES  THEATRES  now 
Will  Soon  open  a tour  of  PUBLIX  with  a UNIT  as  a Featured  Turn 
Direction William  Morris  Agency 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


CHICAGO  NOW 


’^ARING’S  PENNSYLVANIANS  will  open  a 
” new  tour  of  picture  houses  starting  July  H 
at  the  Uptown.  . . . Verne  Buck  has  started  a 
“Lucky  Club**  idea  at  the  Ascher  Bros,  new  Sheri- 
dan theatre.  . . . Louis  Lazar,  managing  di- 

rector of  the  Metropolitan  theatre,  Boston,  was  a 
visitor  of  our  city  last  week.  . . . Dave  Schooler 
will  lead  the  stage-band  at  the  Wisconsin  theatre. 
Milwaukee,  .starting  next  week.  . . . Lynn 

Wright,  managing  the  St.  Louis  office  of  Villa 
Moret,  Inc.,  is  in  towm  and  will  assist  Jack  Lavin 
for  a few  weeks.  . . . L,  Carlos  Meier  is  back 

at  the  organ  in  the  new  Terminal  theatre.  . . . 
McGrath  and  Deeds  have  split  partnership,  Joe 
McGrath  is  now  breaking  in  a new'  picture  house 
double  with  Elsie  Travers,  formerly  of  the  Lane 
and  Travers  Revue.  . . . Doris  Gutow  is  now 

enjoying  her  two  and  one-half  years'  engagement 
at  the  Stratford  theatre  as  solo  organist.  . . . 

Novelle  Brothers  just  completed  a third  run  over 
B.  & K.  and  L.  & T.  theatres  and  leave  for  New 
York  shortly  to  join  a Publix  Unit.  . . . Miguel 
Galvan,  now  playing  at  the  Rialto  theatre,  will 
make  his  bow  as  master  of  ceremonies  at  Fischer’s 
Appleton  theatre,  in  Appleton.  Wis.,  on  July  5. 
. . . Shannon’s  Playtime  Frolics,  now  filling 

cafe  dates,  will  resume  picture  house  bookings  in 
a few  weeks  under  the  direction  of  Edward 
Morse.  . . . Chamberlin  and  Himes  have  just 
opened  a two  weeks’  engagement  .at  the  new 
Paramount  theatre  with  Paul  Whiteman.  . . . 

Jimmy  Savage,  well  knowm  locally  as  a lyric  and 
solo  writer,  has  gone  into  the  organ  solo  business 
of  supplying  out-of-town  organists  with  weekly 
stunts.  . . . The  Duncan  Sisters  have  accepted 
nearly  a year’s  bookings  to  tour  with  their  "Topsy 
and  Eva”  film  production  as  an  extra  added  at- 
traction for  a Publix  Unit.  . . . Charles  Irwin 

is  now  back  at  the  Capitol  theatre.  Detroit,  as 
master  of  ceremonies  after  two  weeks  in  the  same 
role  with  Paul  Whiteman  at  the  new  Paramount 
theatre.  . . . Edmund  C.  Fitch,  featured  organ- 
ist at  Ascher’s  Sheridan  theatre,  is  now  doing  his 
S50th  solo  at  the  new  house.  . . . Billy  Gross, 

vaudeville  comedian,  is  back  in  town  after  a sec- 
ond tour  of  West  Coast  houses.  . . . Chaz  Chase, 
a Chicago  boy,  and  recently  of  the  ’’Follies,”  is 
now  making  a tour  of  picture  houses  as  an  added 
attraction  and  has  been  selected  as  Ring  Master 
for  the  Circus  Week  show  to  be  held  at  the  Senate 
next  week.  . . . Eddie  Sittner,  of  the  Dixon- 

Lane  Music  Co.,  was  a visitor  last  week.  . . . 
Harry  Gribbon,  formerly  with  Mack  Sennett.  is 
now  breaking  in  a new  turn  to  play  combination 
houses  with  his  wife.  . . . George  Piantadosi, 

general  professional  manager  for  Shapiro-Bern- 
stein  Music  Co.,  was  in  town  last  week  and  told 
Harry  Hume,  his  Chicago  man,  to  give  all  his 
best  to  “WoiTying,”  a brand  new  tune  now  being 
recorded  by  Jesse  Crawford.  . . . Pisano  and 

Landauer,  now  playing  Marcus  Loew  Circuit,  will 
terminate  their  contract  next  fall  and  take  up 
picture  house  work.  . . . George  Riley,  formerly 
of  Heller  and  Riley,  is  now  doing  a M.  of  C.  at 
the  State.  Detroit,  and  will  do  the  same  here 
next  month.  . . . Earl  Abel  is  the  new  solo 

organist  at  the  Belmont  theatre  that  makes  ’em 
sing.  . . . Lucille  Middleton,  now  at  the  Orien- 

tal Room  in  the  Davis  hotel,  will  leave  town  in  a 
few  weeks  to  become  an  Eastern  bride.  . . . 

Angelo  Vitale  has  replaced  Phil  Spitalney  as 
stagehand  leader  at  the  Allen  theatre  in  Cleve- 
land. . . . Harry  “Dream  Daddy”  Davis,  well 

known  on  the  radio  for  his  Bed  Time  Stories 
over  WEBH.  has  been  made  professional  man- 
ager for  the  Harold  Rossiter  Music  Co.  . . 

The  new  Marbro  theatre  will  run  Vitaphone  pro- 
grams starting  next  week.  . . . Joe  Laurie,  Jr., 
has  been  booked  to  play  three  weeks  in  town  for 
B.  & K.  as  an  extra  added  attraction  with  their 
annual  National  Fur  Show.  . . . Dan  Russo, 

the  man  who  discovered  Mark  Fi.sher  and  also 
better  known  as  leader  of  the  Oriole  Orchestra, 
has  been  booked  with  his  band  into  the  Senn 
Gardens,  Cincinnati,  for  an  all-summer-  run, 
through  the  office  of  Stevens-With.  . . . Caites 
Brothers,  formerly  of  vaudeville  and  recently  fea- 
tured in  “Artists  and  Models.”  ax-e  now  touring 
with  “Patches,”  a Publix  Unit.  . . . George 
Olsen  and  his  orchestra  may  go  into  Roxy’s 
theatre  for  an  extended  run.  . . . Stanley  and 

Lee,  featured  dancers,  now  completing  their  sec- 
ond tour  of  B.  & K.  houses,  open  a run  of  L.  & T. 
theatres  ne.xt  week.  . . . “Our  Gang,”  comedy 

stars,  will  make  a tour  of  combination  houses 


during  the  summer  school  vacation.  . . . Dorothy 
Morrison  was  held  over  for  another  week  at  the 
Branford  theatre,  Newark,  N.  J.  . . . Lew 
Keene,  now  playing  local  cafes,  will  resume  pic- 
ture house  work  in  a few  weeks.  . . . Paul 


Sporleder,  the  “Paul  Ash”  of  St.  Louis,  is  doing 
well  for  the  new  policy  just  installed  by  Skouras 
Bros.  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  June  25 

The  Stanley  Symphony  Orchestra,  with  Gabriel 
Hines  conducting,  presented  a selection  of  mu- 
sical comedy  favorites  which  were  very  popular 
with  the  audience  and  called  forth  some  real  ap- 
plause. 

Edna  Thomas,  the  Lady  from  IxjuisLana,  might 
have  been  the  aristocratic  mistreat  of  an  old 
Southern  plantation,  so  well  did  she  fit  in  with 
the  spirit  of  the  plantation  melodies.  She  wore 
delighful  colonial  costumes  and  her  rich  con- 
tralto voice  seemed  perfectly  adapted  to  the  negro 
spirituals  and  plantation  melodies  which  she 
sang.  Her  selections  included  “David,  Play  Your 
Harp,"  “Kentucky  Babe,"  “Way  Down  upon  the 
Swanee  River"  and  “All  God’s  Chillun  Got 
Wings."  Rarely  has  the  Stanley  presented  a 
more  finished  and  appealing  act. 

The  sixteen  Tiller  Sunshine  Girls  were  easy  to 
look  at  and  their  act,  while  it  contained  noth- 
ing new,  w'as  well  done  with  lots  of  snap.  Eight 
of  the  girls,  with  high  hats  and  short  skirts, 
entered  from  the  right  side  of  the  stage  and  did 
some  clever  stepping,  supplemented  by  eight  oth- 
ers from  the  opposite  side  of  the  stage.  This 
group  was  costumed  in  red  with  background  of 
black  and  silver.  The  girls  cleverly  assisted  the 
orchestra  by  tapping  out  the  rhythm  on  small 
xylophones  attached  to  the  backs  of  each  girl.  As 
movement  demanded  that  the  girls  reverse,  they 
played  first  on  the  xylophone  of  the  girl  to  the 
right  and  then  on  that  of  the  girl  to  the  left. 
The  finale  showed  all  of  the  girls  in  a spirited 
dance  and  the  audience  applauded  right  heartily. 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  June  25 

Gene  Rodemich  and  his  Met  Merry  Makers  hold 
the  center  of  the  stage  for  another  week  at  the 
Metropolitan,  this  week  having  the  assistance  of 
Sonia  Meroff  and  Marita  and  Sedano,  dancers 
and  vocalists.  John  Murray  Anderson's  Publix 
presentation  is  “Winter  Nights,"  with  Arnaut 
Brothers  and  Stella  Powers  assisting. 

Joseph  Klein  and  the  Metropolitan  Grand  Or- 
chestra are  heard  in  a series  of  Russian  num- 
bers featuring  the  “Slavic  Rhapsody." 

“Barbed  Wire"  is  the  film. 


Hartford  Allyn 

Week  Ending  June  25 

Barney  Rapp's  Palm  Beach  Orchestra  occupies 
the  central  position  in  the  stage  bill  at  the  Allyn, 
working  in  some  good  stunts  in  connection  with 
the  other  acts. 

Phonofilm’s  presentation  of  the  Washington  re- 
ception of  Lindbergh  was  a tremendous  hit. 

“His  First  Flame"  is  the  film. 


Galvan  M.  O.  C. 

Miguel  Galvan,  known  as  the  Spanish  Banjo 
Boy.  who  has  been  creating  a lot  of  interest 
lately  in  presentations,  is  filling  a week’s  en- 
gagement at  the  Rialto,  Chicago,  before  assum- 
ing the  ceremonial  duties  at  Fischer’s  Appleton 
theatre  in  Appleton,  Wisconsin,  This  house  start- 
ing July  5 will  inaugurate  a policy  of  stage 
band  shows,  and  Galvan  has  been  selected  as 
master  of  ceremonies  indefinitely. 

Vitale  Hitting 

Angelo  Vitale,  jazz  band  leader,  who  replaced 
Phil  Spitalney  at  the  Allen,  Cleveland,  is  fast 
becoming  the  most  popular  artist  in  that  town. 
Angelo,  who  wears  his  hair  cut  like  Paul  Ash,  is 
a young  man  of  extreme  personality  and  is  mak- 
ing a name  for  himself  as  a stage  band  leader. 

Warings  Back 

Waring’s  Pennsylvanians,  that  incompai'able 
a.ggregation  of  musical  boys  who  have  created  a 
large  following  all  over  the  country,  are  return- 
ing next  week  to  Balaban  and  Katz  theatres.  The 
Warings  will  be  in  Chicago  for  three  weeks  be- 
fore taking  to  the  road  again. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Albert  F.  Brewn  (Chicago  Marbro)  selected 
popular  melodies  for  this  week’s  offering,  using 
“It  All  Depends  On  You"  and  “I  Think  of  You" 
as  the  feature  numbers.  This  is  done  in  the  form 
of  a scrim  presentation  with  a girl  singing  from 
left  of  stage,  propped  up  in  decorated  balcony 
scene,  and  a man  on  right  of  stage  singing  a 
duet  ai-rangement  to  the  same  number.  This  idea, 
as  well  as  the  interesting  manner  in  which  the 
tunes  were  played,  even  prompted  the  audience 
to  sing. 

♦ * * 

Edward  Meikel's  (Chicago  Harding)  “Acknowl- 
edgements" was  this  week’s  offering  to  the  club 
members,  which  consisted  of  the  following  songs, 
“Honolulu  Moon,”  “Million  Miles,"  “Song  of  the 
Wanderer,"  “The  Whisper  Song”  and  many  others 
for  the  community  exercise.  As  a tribute  to  the 
return  of  Mark  Fisher,  special  lyrics  were  sung 
by  the  audience  to  the  tune  of  “Hello,  Aloha" 
(such  as  Hello,  Mark  Fisher,  We’re  Glad  You’re 
Back)  which  received  a huge  reception  and,  as 
u.sual,  an  encore  was  played. 

•T.  Virgel  Huffman  (Chicago  Irving)  offered 
popular  numbers  on  his  organ  for  his  community 
to  sing  this  week.  It  seems  that  his  playing  and 
his  selections  are  just  the  thing  that  this  house 
wants.  His  program  consisted  of  “Sam,"  “Last 
Word"  and  “Sundown,"  leading  the  audience  with 
his  right  hand  while  playing  the  melodies  with 
his  left.  His  pleasing  personality  and  fine  play- 
ing ability  have  made  him  very  popular  at  this 
house ; in  fact,  he  had  to  play  three  encores 

before  the  feature  picture  could  go  on. 

« « « 

Ken  Widenor  (Kansas  City  Newman)  used  the 
slides  and  the  customers  for  mob  attack  on  old 
man  gloom. 

if  if  * 

F.  Donald  Miller  (Detroit  State)  hit  hard  with 
a scrim  presentation  of  “Honolulu  Moon."  When 
the  scrim  went  into  action  a blonde  songstress 
in  a canoe  paddled  her  way  across  the  horizon, 
singing  the  while.  The  audience  loved  it. 

# 4E 

Arthur  Gutow  (Detroit  Michigan)  fixed  “If 

You  See  Sally”  as  “A  play  in  two  acts"  and  fea- 
tured the  phantom  voice  idea.  It  clattered  over 
like  a ten-ton  tinick. 

* * # 

Arthur  Martel  (Boston  Metropolitan)  accom- 

panied the  James  Fitzpatrick  Music  Reel, 
“Charlee  Gounod,”  than  which  office  the  organ 
serves  none  more  properly. 

* * . 

Milton  Slosser  (St.  Louis  Missouri)  called  his 
number  “Are  you  with  me  or  against  me?”  and 
they  indicated  that  they  were. 

... 

Note;  For  organ  numbers  worked  into  pro- 
gram routine,  see  “Stage  Shows.” 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed)... 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


Week  to  Week  Stunts ATTENTION!  Vocal  Variety 

ORGANISTS  ! 

“JIMMY  offers  for  RENTAL 

SAVAGE’’  ORGAN  SOLOS 

The  Last  W ord  in  Community  Singing 

lt05  Waada  Theatre  Buildings  Chicago,  III. 

Community  Comics  Exclusive  Rights  — Original  Organloques 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


r THE  THE  AT  RE 

J$^y4jj)epartment  of  Practical  Showmanship 


Some  Hot  Weather  Copy 
For  the  House  Organ 

Little  Doses  of  Common  Sense  of 
Summer-Time  Flavor 


Summer-Time  Pep 
In  Thermos  Bottles 

What  we  all  need  is  reserve  stock.  You  can’t  drink 
your  coffee  and  have  it  too.  Before  starting  on  a jour- 
ney one  may  eat  and  drink  his  fill,  even  more  than  his 
fill,  in  an  effort  to  stave  off  hunger  until  his  journey  is 
done.  But  a better  way  is  for  one  to  eat  and  drink  only 
as  much  as  he  wants — and  take  along  a lunch.  That’s 
where  the  thermos  bottle  comes  in. 

And  since  after  all  we  are  not  speaking  of  the  human 
body,  but  of  the  human  heart  and  spirit — which  is  just 
as  much  related  to  health  and  pep — we  can  say  that  to 
take  to  business  or  to  the  tasks  of  the  home  each  day, 
a mind  full  of  hope,  humor,  courage,  romance,  and 
triumph,  i.s  as  wise  as  taking  a lunch  along  on  a journey. 
Or  should  we  say  it  is,  under  modern  conditions,  more 
necessary?  And  that  is  where  your  favorite  motion  pic- 
ture theatre  comes  in — 

You  can  put  up  your  “lunch”  the  evening  before! 

The  human  heart  and  spirit  are  peculiarly  adapted  to 
use  as  thermos  bottles.  They  retain.  They  can  hold 
feelings  for  many,  many  hours  just  as  you  received 
them.  Drink  of  them  as  you  need  to.  The  mind,  in 
fact,  so  operates  that  one  does  not  deliberately,  con- 
sciously drink  of  them.  They  flow  by  their  own  energy 
— you  miss  them  only  when  the  “bottle”  is  empty. 

What  are  you  missing?  Perhaps  you  only  know  that 
you  are  fagged-out,  touchy,  a little  sour  on  life,  pep- 
less.  Those  are  the  symptoms.  They  are  the  things 
that  tell  you  it  is  time  to  refill  the  “bottle” — to  get 
another  reserve  stock  of  pep — at  your  favorite  motion 
picture  theatre. 

Motoring  Through 
Romantic  Country 

After  all,  the  automobile  is  about  the  finest  invention 
of  this  wondrous,  miracle-filled  century.  Advances  in 
medical  science  have  brought  health  to  people  who  in 
the  old  days  would  have  been  condemned  by  ignorance 
to  die.  The  airplane  carries  important  mail  in  a few 
hours  between  business  men  separated  by  hundreds  of 
rniles — and  has  brought,  in  the  spectacular  trans-atlantic 
flights,  two  hemispheres  within  the  scope  of  a single 
week-end!  Then,  there’s  the  washing  machine,  the 


electric  iron,  the  thousand  and  one  devices  that  make 
fine  shoes  and  clothing  cheaper  than  poor  shoes  and 
clothing  cost  our  forefathers.  And,  though  last  in  this 
particular  list,  among  the  first  in  the  lives  of  all  people 
everywhere  is  the  motion  picture. 

Still,  the  automobile  stands  out  among  all  the  won- 
ders of  this  age.  It  is  indispensable  to  modern  business, 
it  brings  humanity  infinitely  closer  together,  it  carries 
Man  into  the  heart  of  Nature!  Indeed,  as  an  educa- 
tional and  recreational  force,  the  automobile  has  but 
one  rival — the  motion  picture. 

Warm  evenings,  of  course,  stress  the  argument  in 
favor  of  the  automobile. 

And  yet,  in  this  age  of  marvelous  inventions  when 
theatres  are  cool,  warm  evenings  only  emphasize  the 
powers  of  the  motion  picture.  Where  else  than  in  the 
theatre  can  Man  relax  so  completely  as  when  he  is  being 
carried  along  the  swift,  broad  highway  of  Romance? 
He  sits  as  comfortably  as  in  his  own  easy  chair  at  home, 
in  air  cool  and  clean,  forgetful  of  himself  and  the  worries 
of  today  and  tomorrow  as  before  him  unfolds  some 
great,  gripping  adventure  of  life,  while  instead  of  bumps 
he  feels  the  emotions  that  come  from  appropriate  music, 
and  instead  of  in  weariness,  the  ride  ends  in  new  vigor. 

The  whole  world,  its  actual  events  in  the  news  reel, 
its  astounding  curiosities  in  the  educational  and  scenic 
features,  the  ageless  sorrows,  follies,  loves,  comedies, 
triumphs  of  all  people  everywhere,  loom  one  by  one 
along  the  roadside.  Even  as  considered  on  warm  eve- 
nings the  automobile  has  in  the  motion  picture  at  least 
a rival  among  the  inventions  that  have  put  more  fun 
and  achievcement  into  life.  For  to  go  to  the  theatre 
is  not  only,  in  a way,  to  go  motoring — but  to  go  motor- 
ing through  always  new,  romantic  country. 

ri  W or d About 
Eros  and  Thespis 

We  don’t  know  that  the  Greeks  in  the  Golden  Age 
ever  tried  to  combine  these  two  popular  gods.  Of 
course,  Eros  and  Thespis,  or  as  we  folks  should  say,  Love 
and  Drama,  have  always  liked  each  other  pretty  well — 
so  well,  in  fact,  that  when  Drama  is  seen  going  through 
the  ways  and  byways  of  life,  we  instinctively  look 
around  for  Love,  knowing  that  the  little  winged  lad 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


will  not  be  far  behind.  Few,  indeed,  like 
a story,  be  it  on  paper,  stage  or  screen, 
that  doesn’t  end  in  that  triumphant  final 
“clinch?”  But  in  the  motion  picture 
theatre,  we  think,  that  “clinch”  should 
be  on  the  screen  and  not  in  the  audi- 
ence ! 

Oh,  youth  is  youth,  and  motion  pic- 
ture theatres  are  usually  darkened.  Of 
both  facts  we  are  aware.  Nor  do  we 
condemn  youth  for  being  amorous.  To 
do  so,  we  suppose,  would  be  to  condemn 
youth  for  being  natural.  We  merely  con- 
tend _ that  the  theatre  is  no  place  for 
“petting”  parties,  and  having  made  a 
practice  of  looking  over  our  audiences, 
to  see  how  they  are  enjoying  tliem.selves, 
we  know  that  many  of  our  patrons  are 
of  the  same  opinion. 

We  hope,  therefore,  that  our  young 
and  smitten  patrons  will  remember  that 
what  may  be  fun  for  them  may  be  a 
great  nuisance  to  others,  and  ask  that 
they  let  all  the  “petting”  done  in  this 
theatre  he  on  the  screen,  where  we  try 
to  have  it  done  by  experts. 

Crying  Babies 

Mother-love  is  a wondrous  thing,  a 
miraculous  thing  that  makes  the  whole 
world  bow  in  veneration  to  mothers. 
Perhaps  it  is  that  veneration  that  keeps 
the  average  Mr.  World  and  Mrs.  World 
and  young  Worlds  from  tearing  up  the 
seats  in  rage  when  some  well-meaning 
but  over-indulgent  mother  allows  her 
baby  to  cry  in  the  theatre.  The  man- 
agement of  this  theatre  has  no  advice 
to  offer  on  how  to  stop  a baby’s  crying. 
It  only  suggests — and  requests — that 
when  Baby  begins  to  cry,  let  mother  re- 
tire to  the  ladies’  room — or,  if  preferred, 
postpone  seeing  the  show  and  have  the 
admission  money  refunded. 

Unsung  Favorites 

It  is  clear  enough  that  certain  screen 
actors  and  actresses  are  so  capable  of  win- 
ning the  hearts  of  theatre  patrons  that 
some  folks  don’t  care  what  kind  of  a story 
they  are  in,  they  just  like  to  go  and  see 
them  “do  their  stuff.”  Perhaps  there  are 
not  many  of  such  performers.  But  there 
are  some.  And,  of  course,  they  are  stars. 

But  there  are  also  actors  and  actresses 
who  are  NOT  stars  and  yet  are  capable  of 
attracting  many  people.  These  are  the  un- 
sung favorites  of  the  screen. 

A certain  middle-aged  lady  we  know 
started  a few  months  ago  to  ask  us  at  least 
once  a week  when  we  were  going  to  have 
a picture  with  one  of  the  less  well-known 
actors  who  plays  the  part  of  various  types 
of  middle-aged  men.  We  didn’t  even  rec- 
ognize the  name.  But  finally,  discovering 
what  company  he  was  with,  we  obtained  a 
picture  in_  which  he  had  a similar  part. 
Then  we  informed  the  lady,  who  came  to 
the  very  first  performance. 

The  actor  was  splendid,  it  is  true.  No 
director  could  have  been  able  to  find  fault 
with  him.  But  the  part  was  small — ^that  of 
a storekeeper  who  didn’t  have  much  to  do 
with  the  story.  Undoubtedly  most  of  the 
people  scarcely  noticed  him — though  of 
course  they  would  have  if  he  had  not  Mted 
the  role  perfectly.  We  couldn’t  help  won- 
dering, therefore,  why  our  friend  took  so 
much  delight  in  watching  this  particular 
obscure  actor.  And  to  satisfy  our  curiosity, 
had  the  nerve  to  ask  her  when  we  chanced 
to  meet  her  a few  days  later. 

“Well,”  she  said,  smiling  rather  bash- 
fully— blushing  too,  we  guess,  “I  don’t 
mind  telling  you,  as  I suppose  you  wonder 
why  I have  kept  at  you  to  get  a picture 
with  him  in  it.  But — well,  you  see  I — I once 
knew  a young  man  of  whom  I thought  a 
great  deal.  And  I had  reason  to  think  that 
he  liked  me  very  much  too.  When  he  got  a 
chance  to  get  an  excellent  position  in  an- 
other town  quite  distant,  he  said  he  would 


write  and, some  day  come  back.  Well,  he 
wrote  for  awhile,  but  after  a few  months 
the  letters  got  fewer  and  fewer  and  finally 
ceased.  And  he  never  did  come  back.  . . . 
Now,  I suppose  you  wonder  what  all  that’s 
got  to  do  with  my  pestering  you  about  this 
certain  actor.  Well,  when  I saw  him  for 
the  first  time  a few  months  ago,  it  struck 
me  that  he  looked  exactly  as  this  young 


House  Organ 
Exchange 

{Contimied  from  last  issue) 


LUTZ,  LOUIS,  Fischer’s  Fond  Du  Lac, 
Fond  Du  Lac,  Wis. 

MacLEOD,  M.,  Wolverine,  Saginaw, 
Mich. 

MASSEY,  EARL  D.,  Texas,  Killeen, 
Tex. 

MEREDITH,  G.  J.,  Saenger  Theatres, 
1401  Tulane  Ave.  New  Orleans,  La. 

MILLER,  CARL  F.,  Miller  theatre,  Fre- 
mont, Ohio. 

MOCK,  CARL  F.,  56th  Street,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

MOSS,  EDGAR  A.,  Marion  Theatre 
News,  Glass  Block,  Marion,  Ind. 

MULLER,  BENJAMIN,  California 
Theatre,  Santa  Rosa,  Cal. 

MURPHY,  HAROLD  S.,  Woodlawn, 
Chicago. 

NICHOLS,  DON,  Durham  Amusement 
Company,  Durham,  N.  C. 

O’ROURKE,  JACK,  Laurel,  Laurel 
Springs,  N.  J. 

OLSON,  H.  G.,  Majestic  theatre,  Reeds- 
burg,  Wis. 

OSTENBERG,  J.  H.,  Orpheum,  Scotts- 
bluff.  Neb. 

PAYNE,  EARLE  HALL,  Kentucky, 
Lexington,  Ky. 

PESKAY,  EDWARD  J.,  Sun  Amuse- 
ment Co.,  St.  Joseph,  Mo. 

PIERCE,  HOWARD  O.,  Kunsky  The- 
atrical Ent.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

POPE,  CLEM,  T.  & D.,  Oakland,  Cal. 

RANDALL,  E.  H.,  Liberty,  Condon, 
Ore. 

RIVERS,  EDWIN  B.,  1718  South  Main 
street.  Royal  theatre,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

ROSS,  C.  A.,  Bijou  theatre.  Fall  River, 
Mass. 

SACHS,  S.  M.,  Masonic,  Clifton  Forge, 
Va. 

SCHWIE,  F.  F.,  Duluth,  Duluth,  Minn. 

SHARPE,  PHILIP  B.,  Strand  Theatre 
Publishing  Co.,  Portland,  Me. 

SHIMON,  LOUIS,  Uptown  theatre, 
Sheboygan,  Wis. 

SNYDER,  E.  A.,  Rialto-Virginia,  Cham- 
paign, 111. 

SOLOMON,  H.,  Strand,  McComb,  Miss. 

SORG,  J.  H.,  Jefferson,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

STIEFEL,  S.,  Roxboro,  Philadelphia, 
Pa. 

STILES,  J.  H.,  The  Dalles  Amusement 
Co.,  The  Dalles,  Ore. 

THOMPSON,  N.  T.,  Crystal  theatre. 
Fort  Atkinson,  Wis. 

WALLACE,  H.  JIM,  Lincoln  Square, 
Decatur,  111. 

WHEELER,  ED  A.,  Ohio,  Cleveland,  O. 

WEINBERG,  D.  H.,  Virginia  theatre, 
Harrisonburg,  Va. 

WEINBERG,  I.,  New  and  Lyric,  Lex- 
ington, Va. 

WHITBECK,  FRANK,  West  Coast 
Theatres,  Inc.,  134  Leavenworth  St., 
San  Francisco,  Cal. 

WILSON,  T.  S.,  Seeley,  Abilene,  Kan. 

WOODWARD,  KENNETH  V.,  Penn- 
State  Amusement  Co.,  Uniontown,  Pa. 

ZIPRIK,  G.,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Westboume, 
Tex. 

In  exchanging  house  organs  don’t  for- 
get The  Theatre.  This  department  is 

exceedingly  interested  in  this  phase  of 

theatre  promotion. 


man  of  mine  would  look  now.” 

She  had  never  married. 

That,  of  course,  is  an  extreme  case.  But 
there  can  be  no  doubt  that  a large  percent- 
age of  the  appeal  of  a picture  is  in  the  type 
of  acting  that  is  done  in  the  small  parts — 
and  that  some  people  are  drawn,  for  vari- 
ous reasons,  to  certain  obscure  actors  and 
actresses  because  there  is  something  in 
their  personalities  that  expresses  something 
peculiar  to  themselves. 

In  other  words,  there  is  a lot  in  a good 
motion  picture — more  than  a title,  a star, 
and  a story.  The  reason  some  people  do 
not  get  ALL  the  enjoyment  that  is  to  be 
got  from  a screen  play,  is  often  the  same 
reason  that  some  people  do  not  get  ALL 
the  enjoyment  that  is  to  be  got  out  of  life. 
It  takes  a lot  of  living  to  learn  how  to 
enjoy  life.  And  it  takes  at  least  a great 
deal  of  interest  in  motion  picture  story 
telling  to  appreciate  to  the  fullest  extent  all 
the  genius  that  goes  into  that  telling. 

A Free  Country 

Folks  there  are  who  say  it  isn’t.  They 
don’t  only  say  it,  they  shout  it.  But  they 
have  to  get  on  top  of  a soap  box  to  get 
themselves  heard.  And  even  if  the  box  is 
a tall  one,  about  all  they  accomplish  is  to 
raise  themselves  to  new  heights  of  the 
ridiculous.  However — 

That  isn’t  what  we  started  out  to  say. 
We  started  to  say  that  we  like  to  have  our 
patrons  speak  up  and  tells  us  when  and 
why  they  like  or  do  not  like  a picture  at 
this  theatre.  In  that  way  they  prepare  bet- 
ter programs  for  themselves  in  the  future 
and  help  us  answer  that  big  everlasting 
question:  What  do  you  want  to  see?  It 
is  a practical  method  of  assuring  finer 
entertainment  for  you — and  more  restful 
sleep  for  us.  Besides,  it  adds  one  more 
privilege  to  many  enjoyed  by  the  citizens 
of  this  free  (though  sane  and  lawful)  re- 
public. 

T railers 

Charlie  Lindbergh’s  great  flight  from 
New  York  to  Paris  certainly  proved  a lot 
of  things.  But  if  it  didn’t  do  anything  else, 
it  gave  the  people  of  this  country — and  of 
the  whole  civilized  world ! — a chance  to 
prove  that  what  it  likes  best,  to  take  them 
out  of  the  more  or  less  hum-drum  ways  of 
life,  is  a hero ! 

* * * 

They  say  that  there’s  a reason  for  every- 
thing and  maybe  there  is.  We  suppose  that 
some  smart  lawyer  could  justify  a man’s 
hitting  his  wife — or  stealing  pennies  from 
a child.  But  we  can’t  possibly  imagine  any- 
one, no  matter  how  learned  or  gifted  with 
fine  words,  giving  a good  reason  for  a per- 
son’s wiping  his  (or  her)  shoes  on  theatre 
seats. 

* * Hs 

News  reels  have  always  been  popular 
with  our  audiences.  And  that  makes  ’em 
popular  with  us.  But  even  if  they  didn’t 
attract  patrons,  we’d  still  have  a personal 
liking  for  them.  The  only  time  we  could 
think  up  anything  against  them  was  re- 
cently, when  we  showed  pictures  of  the 
Mississippi  flood.  From  reading  the  papers, 
we  got  up  enough  sympathy  for  the  flood 
victims  to  send  a few  dollars  to  the  fund. 
It  wasn’t  until  we  saw  that  news  reel  that 
we  dove  really  deep  into  the  pocket — and 
if  not  broke,  we  were  rather  bent  for  a 
week  or  two  afterward. 


Hamilton  Weds  Former 
Lead,  Irene  Dalton 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.  — Lloyd 
Hamilton,  Educational  comedian,  and 
Irene  Dalton,  his  former  leading  woman, 
were  married  at  Santa  Ana,  Cal.,  Satur- 
day night. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


SALES  EXECUTIVES  who  will  place  the  United  Artists  product  lor  next  season  before  the  exhibitors  include  (left  to 
right)  A1  Lichtman,  vicepresident  and  general  manager  of  distribution;  Moxley  A.  Hill,  Eastern  salesmanager ; Paul  N. 
Lazarus,  Southern  and  Western  salesmanager ; and  Cresson  E.  Smith,  Midwestern  salesmanager.  Harry  Brand  is  general 
manager  of  the  Buster  Keaton  studio. 


Picture  Is  First, 

Says  Lichtman 

The  public  still  goes  to  the  theatre  pri- 
marily to  see  the  picture  and  “the  picture 
has  to  be  in  there  clicking  strong  or  the 
theatre  won’t  do  the  business’’,  A1  Licht- 
man said  last  week  in  emphasizing  that  the 
productions  on  the  screen  are  the  barom- 
eter of  box  office  receipts. 

While  emphasizing  that  good  music  in 
accompaniments  and  overtures  not  only 
aids  in  public  appreciation  but  also  pro- 
vides definite  education,  the  vice-president 
and  general  manager  of  distribution  of 
United  Artists  product  declared  the  stars 
will  be  in  the  roles  the  public  has  shown  it 
prefers. 

“Mary  Pickford,”  he  said,  “will  be  a 
happy  litle  girl  in  a five-and-ten,  Norma 
Talmadge  an  emotional  figure  in  a dra- 
matic romance,  Charlie  Chaplin  the  Chaplin 
of  old,  rounding  the  corner  on  one  leg, 
tripping  a cop  with  his  cane,  giving  low- 
brow comedy  to  highbrows.  Gloria  Swan- 
son as  ‘Sadie  Thompson,’  Douglas  Fair- 
banks as  a wild-riding  Gaucho  and  Gilda 
Gray  in  ‘The  Devil  Dancer’  are  right  in  the 
parts  the  fans  want  them  in.” 

Salesmen  of  United  Artists  are  under 
orders  to  keep  on  the  road  and  stay  out  of 
offices,  he  said,  adding  that  eight  men  who 
kept  on  the  go  in  the  last  six  months  have 
been  advanced  to  responsible  executive 
posts. 

Competition  will  be  keener  than  ever  this 
year,  he  declared,  and  from  production  to 
exhibition  selling  points  on  the  seventeen 
pictures  are  being  driven  home  because 
“.^nnie  Oakleys  don’t  pay  off  mortgages 
and  scholarly  dissertations  on  visual  flow 
and  rhythmic  swing  don’t  pay  the  cashier’s 
salary.” 


Here^s  Order 
of  Releases 
From  U-A 

AUG.  6 — Duncan  Sisters  in  “Topsy 
and  Eva,”  their  first  motion  picture; 
August  20,  Caddo  Production  tempo- 
rarily titled  “Two  Arabian  Knights,”  di- 
rected by  Lewis  Milestone,  with  Wil- 
liam Boyd,  supported  by  Mary  Astor 
and  Louis  Wolheim. 

Sept.  10 — Buster  Keaton’s  “College;” 
Sept.  24,  Samuel  Goldwyn’s  Colman- 
Banky  film,  “The  Magic  Flame,”  a 
Henry  King  Production. 

Oct.  8 — Mary  Pickford’s  “My  Best 
Girl ;”  Oct.  22,  Gorinne  Griffitli’s  first, 
“The  Garden  of  Eden,”  directed  by 
Lewis  Milestone. 

NOV.  12 — Gloria  Swanson’s  “Sadie 
Thompson,”  direction  of  Raoul  Walsh; 
Nov.  26,  John  Barrymore’s  “Tempest,” 
direction  of  Frank  Lloyd,  and  based  on 
an  original  story  by  Vladimir  Nemiro- 
vitch-Dantchenko,  co-founder  of  the 
Moscow  Art  theatre. 

Dec.  3 — Herbert  Brenon  production 
of  “Sorrell  & Son,”  with  a cast  including 
H.  B.  Warner,  Nils  Asther,  Alice  Joyce, 
Carmel  Myers,  Anna  Q.  Nilsson  and 
Louis  Wolheim;  Dec.  17,  Samuel  Gold- 
wyn’s production  of  Gilda  Gray  in  “The 
Devil  Dancer.”  This  is  Miss  Gray’s  first 
picture  for  Samuel  Goldwyn. 

■Jan.,  1928,  is  the  only  month  in  which 
three  pictures  are  scheduled  for  release. 
Jan.  7,  D.  W.  Griffith’s  first  United 
Artists  production  in  three  years  will  be 
released.  It  is  based  on  the  story  “La 
Piava,”  by  Dr.  Karl  Vollmoeller,  author 
of  the  book  of  “The  Miracle,”  and  with 
Estelle  Taylor  featured. 

Jan.  14  — ■ Inspiration-Carewe  produc- 


All  Bunk  Is  Out, 
Says  Schenck 

The  bunk  of  false  production  standards 
has  been  driven  out  of  United  Artists  pic- 
ture-making and  the  new  product  will  be 
based  on  plays  and  novels  which  have 
served  as  the  best  “advance  men”  for  films 
bearing  the  same  titles.  President  Joseph 
AI.  Schenck  told  I.  C.  Freud,  builder  of 
the  United  Artists  theatres  in  Detroit  and 
Los  Angeles,  en  route  to  Hollywood. 

“There  has  been  a lot  of  bunk  in  this 
business  for  years,”  Schenck  declared. 
“Certain  stars,  certain  executives  and  cer- 
tain press  agents  have  been  getting  by  with 
bunk  consistently.  As  far  as  United 
Artists  is  concerned,  this  year  the  bunk  is 
out. 

Exploitation  has  become  a science  in  it- 
self embracing  psychology,  showmanship 
and  sociology,  says  Victor  M.  Shapiro,  di- 
rector of  advertising  and  publicity  for 
United  Artists.  Each  pressbook  is  keyed 
to  the  tone  and  spirit  of  the  picture,  he 
said. 


tion,  “Ramona,”  starring  Dolores  Del 
Rio,  and  based  on  the  Helen  Hunt  Jack- 
son  novel. 

Jan.  21 — Norma  Talmadge’s  “The 
Dove,”  with  Noah  Beery  and  Gilbert 
Roland,  direction  of  Roland  West,  and 
based  on  David  Belasco’s  presentation 
of  the  Willard  Mack  stage  play. 

Feb.  4 (Tentative) — Charlie  Chaplin  in 
“The  Circus;”  Feb.  18,  Douglas  Fair- 
banks in  “The  Gaucho,”  direction  of  F. 
Richard  Jones,  with  Eve  Sothern  and 
Lupe  Velez  as  leading  women. 

March  10 — Fred  Niblo  production, 
“Laugh,  Clown,  Laugh,”  based  on  the 
Belasco  play  by  Tom  Cushing.  March 
24,  the  first  Morris  Gest  spectacle,  “The 
Darling  of  the  Gods,”  based  on  the  play 
by  David  Belasco  and  John  Luther 
Long.  Mr.  Gest  is  now  in  Europe  se- 
lecting an  international  cast. 


RESPONSIBLE  FOR  ADVERTISING  AND  PUBLICIZING  United  Artists  productions  are  (left  to  right)  Victor  M. 
Shapiro,  director  of  advertising  and  publicity ; G.  Bruce  Gallup,  head  of  advertising  and  sales  promotion ; Charles  E, 
Moyer,  head  of  foreign  publicity  and  advertising ; Fred  Schaefer,  in  charge  of  exploitation,  and  Warren  Nolan,  publicity 
chief. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


A CORRECT  TITLE 

“tr 

AST  and  Furious”  is  the  extremely  ac- 
curate title  of  Reginald  Denny’s  new  pic- 
ture. It  is  such  a title  as  all  pictures  should 
bear,  giving  well  fitting  key  to  the  pace, 
tone  and  weight  of  the  story  without  betray- 
ing its  exact  character.  And  the  picture  is 
as  good  as  its  title. 

In  “Fast  and  Furious”  Mr.  Denny  seems 
to  me  to  attain  finally  that  degree  of  star- 
dom where  the  player  need  not  fear  the  im- 
mediate future.  It  is  difficult,  perhaps  im- 
possible, to  analyze  the  process  by  which  a 
performer  comes  to  this  point  in  his  career. 
He  must  first  make  a succession  of  good  pic- 
tures, excellent  pictures,  each  better  than  its 
predecessor.  Gradually  people  cease  to  men- 
tion him  as  a “comer”  and  to  group  him, 
conversationally,  with  those  other  perform- 
ers who  have  arrived  before  him.  Once  this 
pitch  of  popularity  is  attained,  the  player 
may  slip  badly  or  triumph  greatly  without 
exciting  particular  comment.  In  other 
words,  he  is  “set”  for  a substantial  run  in 
the  top  line  electrics.  He  has,  then,  but  to 
watch  his  step  and  he  may  go  on  indefi- 
nitely as  a major  star. 

But  “Fast  and  Furious”  is  important  other- 
wise than  as  Mr.  Denny’s  diploma.  It  is  a 
rollicking  comedy  wholly  worthwhile  in 
its  own  right  as  entertainment.  It  is  com- 
posed of  humorous  incidents  preceding  an 
automobile  race,  and  the  race  itself.  The 
cast  contains  several  other  good  players  and 
the  whole  is  excellent  entertainment.  I 
hope  to  see  Mr.  Denny  continue  a long 
while  in  similar  occupations. 

MYOPIC  CENSORS 

J BELIEVE  a perfect  case  against  censor- 
ship might  be  founded  upon  the  cuts  and 
substitutions  made  in  “Captain  Salvation” 
by  the  Chicago  hoard.  Perhaps  I should 
see  the  original  print  before  making  this 
statement,  hut  I believe  such  investigation 
would  bear  out  my  conclusion  that  the 
operations  performed  for  the  alleged  pur- 
pose of  protecting  the  unsophisticated  Chi- 
cagoan against  something  or  other  resulted 
in  subjecting  this  purely  hypothetical  per- 
son to  worse  things  than  could  have  existed 
in  a picture  flying  the  M-G-M  banner. 

“Captain  Salvation”  seems  to  have  been 
a story  about  a minister  from  down  Boston 
way,  who,  in  1825  or  thereabouts,  insisted 
upon  practising  Christianity,  though  the 
practice  of  this  little  known  creed  carried 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

him  into  odd  places  and  definite  dangers. 
My  hunch  is  that,  in  the  original  story,  a 
shipwreck  brought  to  town  a lady  of  known 
delinquencies  whose  nearness  to  death 
aroused  compassion  in  the  man  of  the  pul- 
pit; that  he  did  save  her  life  and  then,  by 
more  heroic  effort,  her  soul  in  the  course  of 
a voyage  on  a prison  ship  during  which  the 
captain  thereof  did  attempt  the  expected 
liberties.  I believe  there  was  suspense  in 
the  original  story,  and  point,  and  that  the 
eventual  return  of  the  minister  to  his  flock 
had  a kick  like  a mule.  Performances  by 
Lars  Hanson,  Ernest  Torrence,  George  Faw- 
cett, Pauline  Starke  and  others,  in  the  muti- 
lated print,  lead  me  to  believe  that  the  orig- 
inal picture  was  pretty  strong,  in  the  proper 
sense  of  that  word. 

What  the  censors  made  of  the  picture  is 
something  quite  different.  They  have  ren- 
dered uncertain,  by  use  of  dumb  captions, 
the  character  of  the  loose  lady,  thus  making 
much  of  the  action  meaningless.  They  have 
cut  down  the  bloodshed  as  to  volume  and 
by  the  same  operation,  naturally  enough, 
have  made  it  seem  merely  and  unnecessarily 
gory.  They  have  left,  in  short,  the  sticky 
skeleton  of  a strong  story  and  it  is  strong 
only  in  the  wrong  sense  of  that  word.  In 
fact,  it  is  now  fit  for  censorship,  if  you  know 
what  I mean,  and  for  little  else. 

It  seems  peculiarly  ridiculous  that  things 
like  this  should  happen  in  a city  which,  by 
repute,  is  familiar  with  bloodshed  and  its 
accompaniments  as  is  no  other  city  on  the 
globe.  But  that  is  of  little  moment.  The 
important  absurdity  is  that  law  should  be 
misused  to  authorize  this  dumb  destruction 
of  valuable  property.  And  an  interesting 
footnote  is  that  a theatre  a short  block  from 
the  one  showing  “Captain  Salvation”  is 
blocking  sidewalk  traffic  with  a “social  evil” 
picture  running  to  “women  only”  under 
guise  of  education. 

AN  UNDECIDED  SALOME 

w E need  more  courage  in  Hollywood. 
Just  a little  more  would  have  made  “The 
Heart  of  Salome”  a major  photoplay.  As  it 
stands  it  doesn’t  quite  rate  that  rank. 

Alma  Rubens  is  the  highly  atractive  mod- 
ern Salome  of  this  Parisian  fantasy  and  it  is 
not  long  before  her  program  of  persever- 
ance is  made  clear.  The  early  and  middle 
stretches  of  the  picture  are  progressively 


interesting.  Then,  when  the  gal  has  de- 
manded her  loved  one’s  life  and  seems  in  a 
fair  way  to  get  it  unless  something  out  of 
the  rut  comes  to  pass,  she  weakens  as  Sa- 
lome emphatically  did  not  and  the  picture 
slithers  into  a messy  and  only  academically 
happy  ending.  When  she  says,  “I  can’t  go 
through  with  it,”  the  plot  is  shot  and  from 
there  on  it’s  just  too  bad. 

I cannot  believe  that  Mr.  Sheehan  was  on 
the  lot,  or  even  in  Hollywood,  when  the 
decision  was  reached  to  slip  the  clutch  and 
let  the  picture  coast  to  dead  center.  In  fact, 
it  looks  as  if  the  production  might  have 
been  turned  over  to  the  office  boy  at  the 
point  specified  and  let  go  hang.  Hang  it 
did,  at  any  rate,  and  we’ll  say  no  more 
about  it  save  to  point  out  again  that  a little 
death  is  good  for  most  pictures  and  a life- 
saver  for  such  as  this. 

ADDENDA 

J AM  puzzled  by  the  tie  vote  in  the  Exhib- 
itors Beauty  Contest.  Were  I not  among 
those  privileged  to  view  the  counting  of 
ballots  I should  suspect  doity  woik.  But 
the  tie  is  on  the  level  and  it  admits  of 
analysis. 

Miss  Bow,  of  course,  is  the  big  bet  of  the 
minute.  Miss  Shearer,  by  common  consent, 
is  the  talent  discovery  of  recent  years.  That 
talent  should  run  alongside  personality  in  a 
contest  specifically  cast  on  a basis  of  beauty 
seems  illogical  unless  the  duration  of  the 
stars’  respective  vogues  is  considered.  Then 
the  results  look  about  right  and  reflect  ex- 
cellent judgment  on  the  part  of  the  voters. 

The  fact  that  I lost  a weighty  wager  on 
Colleen  Moore  to  win  has  nothing  at  all  to 
do  with  my  inquiry  into  the  official  returns. 
* 

If  you  are  a director  and  have  not  read 
my  excellent  suggestion  in  the  last  issue  of 
“The  Studio”  you  must  do  so  at  once.  When 
I write  a whole  page  about  anything  I de- 
mand a reading.  Sometimes  I get  it. 

* 

To  L.  D.  and  A.  M. — Pardon  me  for  delay 
in  answering  your  splendid  letters.  Replies 
to  them  will  be  the  first  written  on  the  nice 
new  machine  in  the  nice  new  office  an  in- 
dulgent organization  is  fitting  up  for  me — 
perhaps  in  the  hope  that  it’ll  brighten  my 
perspective. 

* 

Summer  having  descended  upon  Chicago 
at  last,  I shall  spend  more  time  in  our 
extremely  ventilated  theatres  and  write  you 
more  paragraphs  if  I don’t  catch  cold. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


NEW  PICTURES 


PAULINE  STARKE  AND 
BEN  LYON  IN  PRIZE  STORY 

FIRST  NATIONAL  HAS  TEAMED 

Pauline  Starke  and  Ren  Lyon  to  lead 
the  cast  of  “Dance  Magic,”  an  adapta- 
tion of  a I-adies’  Home  Journal  prize 
novel  by  Clarence  Budington  Kelland, 
noted  author, 

DIRECTOR:  Victor  Halperin. 

CAST : Pauline  Starke,  Ben  Lyon, 

co-stars  Louis  John  Bartels,  Isabel  El- 
son,  Harlan  E.  Knight  and  others. 

STORY  AND  TYPE:  Jahala  Chand- 
ler (Miss  Starke)  is  talented  in  danc- 
ing, but  her  father,  a bigoted  New  Eng- 
land farmer,  thinks  dancing  is  sinful. 
Jahala  rebels,  going  to  New  York.  There 
with  the  man  she  loves  (Ben  Lyon),  she 
is  involved  in  the  murder  of  the  theat- 
rical man  who  starred  her.  She  returns 
home,  is  forced  to  confess  in  church  her 
“sinful”  dancing,  but  is  rescued  from 
her  “disgrace”  by  her  lover,  who  comes 
to  take  her  back  to  New  York. 


DOUGLAS  MacLEAN  A 

WISE  CROOK  IN  PERSIA 

PARAMOUNT’S  FORTHCOMING 

Douglas  MacLean  production,  “Soft 
Cushions,”  is  a crook  story,  but,  starring 
as  “the  Young  Thief,”  MacLean  tempo- 
rizes felony  with  comedy  and  does  his 
dirty  work  in  the  oriental  town  of  Cas- 
par. 

DIRECTOR:  Eddie  Cline,  who  also 
made  MacLean’s  last  picture,  “Let  It 
Rain.” 

CAST:  Douglas  MacLean,  star;  Sue 
Carol,  feminine  lead;  Richard  Carle, 
Russell  Powell,  Frank  Leigh,  Nigel  de 
Brulier,  Albert  Prisco  and  others. 

STORY  AND  TYPE:  A fat  thief,  a 
lean  thief,  and  a young  thief  (MacLean) 
have  introduced  modern  methods  in 
Caspar,  Persia.  Forward  passes  and 
Houdini  stuff  aid  in  their  success.  It  is 
while  fleecing  an  oriental  goof  that  Mac- 
Lean  sees  “the  Girl”  (Sue  Carol),  and, 
crashing  the  gate  of  the  harem,  gets 
himself  into  a lot  of  trouble.  But  after 
many  narrow  escapes,  he  saves  the  Sul- 
tan, and  with  the  reward  buys  Sue  Carol 
for  himself. 


TOM  TYLER  ADDS  MORE 
THRILLS  TO  GROWING  LIST 

“SPLITTING  THE  BREEZE,”  F.  B. 
O.’s  latest  Tom  Tyler  vehicle,  tells  a 
story  of  a mining  “boom”  town  in  ’49. 

CAST:  Tom  Tyler,  star;  Peggy 

Montgomery,  feminine  lead;  Harry 
Woods,  Barney  Furey,  Tom  Lingham, 
Red  Lenox,  Barbara  Starr  and  others. 

DIRECTOR:  Dobert  DeLacy. 

STORY  AND  TYPE:  Boulder  Gulch, 
in  the  high  Sierras,  has  a crime  wave. 
The  real  bad  man  is  Matlock,  who  runs 
a saloon  and  a gang,  but  the  sheriff  has 
his  eye  on  Drake  (Tyler),  who  has  his 
eye  on  the  sheriff’s  daughter,  Janet 
(Miss  Montgomery).  One  of  Matlock’s 
gang  shoots  the  sheriff,  and  Drake,  get- 
ting into  the  fray,  is  accused.  But  he 
•escapes  from  jail  and  later  is  able,  after 
a hot  pursuit  and  fight,  to  rescue  Janet 
from  Matlock. 


Among  this  week’s  releases  is  “Beware 
of  Widows,’’  Universal- Jewel,  featur- 
ing Laura  La  Plante  and  Bryant 
W ashburn. 

GARY  COOPER  STARS 
IN  ZANE  GREY  WESTERN 

TYPICAL  OF  THE  OLD  WEST  AND 
typical  of  its  author,  Zaire  Grey,  is 
“Nevada,”  in  which  Paramount  stars 
Gary  Cooper.  It  is  a tale  of  ranch  and 
cattle  rustlers,  two-gun  play  and  wild 
riding,  filmed  in  such  natural  locations 
as  Brice  Canyon  and  Zion  National 
Park. 

DIRECTOR:  John  Waters,  who  also 
directed  Zane  Grey’s  “Drums  of  the 
Desert.” 

CAST:  Gary  Cooper,  star;  Thelma 
Todd,  feminine  lead;  Philip  Strange, 
Ernie  S.  Adams,  William  Powell,  Chris- 
tian J.  Frank  and  others. 

STORY  AND  TYPE:  “Nevada” 
(Cooper)  fights  the  sheriff  and  deputies 
to  get  his  friend  Burridge  out  of  jail. 
Deciding  to  live  without  the  aid  of  guns, 
they  get  jobs  on  the  ranch  of  a young 
Englishman,  whose  sister  Hettie  (Aliss 
Todd)  has  attracted  Nevada.  Cattle 
rustlers  have  been  stealing  the  cattle 
and  Nevada,  going  to  their  rendezvous, 
finds  that  the  foreman,  Powell,  is  the 
leader.  Powell  shoots  Nevada,  who  in 
spite  of  the  wound,  hunts  out  and  brings 
the  foreman  to  justice. 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  JUNE  26 

“Beware  of  Widows”— Jewels^— Universal — 5670. 
“Pals  in  Peril”— Ac tion-^Pa the— Five. 

“The  Secret  Studio” Fox—5869. 

“The  Unknown”— M-G-M — —5517. 

“Callahans  and  The  Murphys”^— M-G-M— ^126. 
“Ten  Modern  Commanilments”— Paramount^— 6 191. 

“Man  Power” Paramount 5617. 

“The  Beauty  Shoppers”^— Tiffany— 5669. 

“What  Happened  to  Father— Warner— 5567. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“The  Little  Firebrand”— Arrow— Pathe— five. 
“Colleen— F ox— 5380. 

“The  Last  Outlaw”— Paramount— ^032. 

“Tom's  Gang”— F.  B,  O.— 4931. 


PARAMOUNT  FINISHES 
FIRST  ‘ YOUTH^’  PICTURE 

"ROLLED  STOCKINGS”  is  the  first 

of  the  series  Paramount  is  making  un- 
der the  general  classification  of  “Youth” 
pictures.  The  title  is  young  and  mod- 
ern, but  stands  for  nothing  peculiar  to 
this  production. 

DIRECTOR:  Richard  Slosson. 

CAST : James  Hall,  Louise  Brooks, 
Richard  Arlen,  Nancy  Phillips,  El  Bren- 
del,  called  “Junior  Stars”;  David  Tor- 
rence, Chance  Ward. 

STORY  AND  TYPE:  Ralph  and 
Jim  Treadway  go  to  college,  Ralph  as  a 
freshman.  Both  are  attracted  by  Carol 
Fleming,  but  Jim,  more  aggressive,  is 
the  one  to  start  a courtship.  Ralph  is 
on  the  crew  and,  longing  for  an  evening 
with  Carol,  escapes  from  training  quar- 
ters. But  Jim  is  with  Carol,  so  Ralph 
takes  a flirt  to  a dance  hall.  Going 
there  to  force  Ralph  bac.k  to  quarters, 
Jim  is  found  and  expelled,  whereupon 
Ralph,  now  hero  of  the  race,  confesses. 
Jazzy,  irresponsible  modern  youth  is 
given  a wild  fling  throughout  the  action. 


‘‘TIME  TO  LOVE”  FULL 
OF  MATTERS  RIDICULOUS 

FARCE  IS  TAKEN  TO  PERHAPS 

new  heights  of  the  ridiculous  in  Para- 
mount’s “Time  to  Love,”  in  which  Ray- 
mond Griffith  is  starred.  Griffith  was 
absurd  enough  in  “A  Regular  Fellow.” 
In  this  pictlire,  laid  in  Paris,  absurdities 
run  riot.  The  footage  is  4,926. 

DIRECTOR:  Frank  Tuttle,  who  made, 
among  others,  Eddie  Cantor’s  “Kid 
Boots.” 

CAST:  Raymond  Griffith,  star;  Vera 
Veronina,  feminine  lead;  William  Pow- 
ell, Josef  Swickard,  Mario  Carillo. 

STORY  AND  TYPE:  Raymond 
(Griffith),  a young,  disillusioned  French- 
man, attempts  suicide  by  jumping  off  a 
bridge,  but  lands  in  a boat  in  which  is 
Countess  Elvire  (Miss  Veronina),  whose 
father,  a spiritualist,  commands  her  to 
marry  de  Daddo  because  a medium  has 
told  him  it  is  her  dead  mother’s  wish. 
A duel,  balloons,  a near-sighted  minis- 
ter and  other  similar  devices  finally  ef- 
fect the  marriage  of  Raymond  ancl  El- 
vire. 


JEWEL  THIEVES  MIX 
MYSTERY  AND  COMEDY 

F.  B.  O.’s  “LADIES  BEWARE,” 
starring  George  O’Hara,  is  a comedy 
story  of  society  crooks. 

DIRECTOR:  Charles  Giblyn. 

CAST:  George  O’Hara,  star;  Nola 
Luxford,  feminine  lead;  Florence  Wix, 
Kathleen  Myers,  Mario  Carillo,  Allen 
Brooks  and  others. 

STORY  AND  TYPE:  “Jack  of  Dia- 
monds” (George  O’Hara),  after  being 
told  by  the  police  to  leave  town,  hap- 
pens upon  an  invitation  to  his  friend 
from  Georgette  Ring,  owner  of  the  pre- 
cious Star  Ruby.  Fie  goes  to  the  party, 
falls  in  love,  catches  a thief,  and  decides 
to  go  straight. 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


THE  FILM  MART 


Warners  Borrow  Nagel 

WARNER  BROTHERS  have  borrowed 
Conrad  Nagel  from  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
to  play  the  masculine  lead  opposite  May 
McAvoy  in  “Slightly  Used,”  production  of 
which  is  to  begin  as  soon  as  Miss  McAvoy 
completes  her  role  in  “The  Jazz  Singer.” 

Filming  Stage  Play 

Production  of  Caesar  Dunn’s  stage  suc- 
cess of  another  day,  “The  Four  Flusher,” 
has  been  started  by  UNIVERSAL  under 
the  direction  of  Wesley  Ruggles.  George 
Lewis,  Eddie  Phillips  and  Marian  Nixon 
have  the  leading  roles. 

Release  Feature  July  3 

PATHE  will  release  the  feature  comedy, 
“The  Little  Firebrand,”  July  3.  Edith 
Thornton  is  starred,  with  Lou  Tellegen  in 
suppport. 

France  Invites  Borzage 

Frank  Borzage,  director  of  FOX’S  “7th 
Heaven,”  has  received  an  invitation  from 
the  French  Ministry  of  Education  to  go  to 
France  regarding  the  making  of  an  official 
French  version  of  the  early  days  of  the 
war. 

Color  Subs  for  Music 

Efforts  to  perfect  a special  camera  and 
lens  are  being  made  at  the  METRO- 
GOLDWYN-MAYER  studios  for  the  film- 
ing of  the  musical  comedy  “Rose  Marie.” 
It  is  desired  to  create  a psychological  sub- 
stitute for  the  music  of  the  stage  show. 
William  Nigh  is  to  direct  the  picture,  in 
which  Renee  Adoree  is  to  be  starred. 

Kane  Names  Pictures 

Robert  Kane  has  announced  the  pro- 
ductions he  will  make  for  FIRST  NA- 
TIONAL under  his  new  contract,  all  to 
be  released  on  the  1927-28  program. 
They  are  “French  Dressing,”  “Harold 
Teen”  (from  the  comic  strip),  “The 
Golden  Calf,”  “The  Man  and  the  Mo- 


Ready  for  release  in  the  near  future  is 
First  National’s  “Lonesome  Ladies’’ 
in  which  Lewis  Stone  and  Jane  Win- 
ton  are  featured. 


ment’-’  (an  Elinor  Glyn  story)  and  “A 
Child  in  Their  Midst.” 

Ince  to  Make  “Coney” 

Ralph  Ince  will  begin  directing  produc- 
tion of  F.  B.  O.’s  “Coney  Island”  as  soon 
as  he  is  through  with  “South  Sea  Love,” 
which  is  about  ready  for  filming.  Exteriors 
will  be  made  at  the  famous  playground  this 
summer. 

Books  Ingram’s  Latest 

Rex  Ingram’s  “The  Garden  of  Allah,” 
METRO-GOLDWYN  production,  starring 
Alice  Terry,  will  be  shown  at  the  Embassy 
theatre.  New  York,  following  the  run  of 
Lillian  Gish’s  “Annie  Laurie,”  the  current 
attraction. 

Condon  With  Warners 

Charles  R.  Condon,  scenarist,  has  been 
signed  to  a long-term  contract  by  WAR- 
NER BROTHERS.  Condon  recently 
adapted  “Jaws  of  Steel”  as  a picture  for 
Rin-Tin-Tin. 

Tannings  Resumes  Work 

Emil  Jannings,  PARAMOUNT  star,  has 
started  work  in  his  second  American  pro- 
duction, which  is  tentatively  titled  “Hitting 
for  Heaven.”  His  first  picture  on  this  side, 
“The  Way  of  All  Flesh,”  began  a run  at 
the  Rialto  theatre.  New  York,  last  Satur- 
day. 

Start  New  “Beau”  Film 

PARAMOUNT  has  put  “Beau  Sabreur,” 
P.  C.  Wren’s  companion  picture  to  “Beau 
Geste,”  under  production.  The  company 
will  leave  July  4 for  Guadalupe,  Cal.,  on 
location. 


NEWSETTES 

Universal  has  decided  to  advance 
the  release  dates  for  the  first  two  of 
the  five  air  pictures  starring  A1  Wil- 
son, because  of  the  sudden  interest 
in  transatlantic  flights  and  flyers. 
“Three  Miles  Up”  is  to  be  released 
July  5,  and  “Sky  High  Saunders,” 
July  19. 

^ ^ ^ 

Blagoe  Stephanoff-Pop-Petroff  has  a 
new  job.  He  has  been  appointed  chief 
make-up  technician  by  United  Artists. 
Blagoe  is  also  called  Bob  Stephanoff, 
presumably  for  short. 

* * * 

“Dearie,”  Warner  Brothers’  pic- 
ture  starring  Irene  Rich,  will  be 
the  feature  picture  at  the  Roxy 
theatre.  New  York,  next  week. 

^ ^ 

Edtvin  Carewe  expects  to  begin  pro- 
duction of  “Ramona,”  in  which 
Dolores  del  Rio  will  be  starred,  some- 
time in  August. 

* * * 

Paramount  is  to  begin  produc- 
tion soon  of  another  air  picture, 
from  a story  by  John  Monk  Saun- 
ders, author  of  “Wings.”  The  title, 
at  least  for  the  present,  is  “The 
Legion  of  the  Condemned.” 


Names  U-A  Pictures 

Joseph  M.  Schenk,  head  of  UNITED 
ARTISTS,  announces  the  following  pic- 
tures and  release  dates  for  the  1927-28  pro- 
gram : Mary  Pickford  in  “My  Best  Girl,’' 
October  8;  Norma  Talmadge  in  “The 
Dove,”  January  21,  1928;  Gloria  Swanson 
in  “Sadie  Thompson,”  November  12;  Co- 
rinne  Griffith  in  “The  Garden  of  Eden,’' 
October  22;  Charles  Chaplin  in  “The  Cir- 
cus,” February  4,  1928;  Douglas  Fairbanks 
in  “The  Gaucho,”  February  18,  1928;  John 
Barrymore  in  “The  Tempest,”  November 
26;  Buster  Keaton  in  “College,”  September 
10 ; Ronald  Colman  and  Vilma  Banky  in 
“The  Magic  Flame,”  September  24;  Her- 
bert Brenon’s  “Sorrell  & Son,”  December 
3 ; D.  W.  Griffith  picture,  starring  Estelle 
Taylor,  January  7,  1928;  Duncan  Sisters  in 
“Topsy  and  Eva,”  August  6;  Dolores  del 
Rio  in  “Ramona,”  January  14,  1928 ; Wil- 
liam Boyd  in  “Two  Arabian  Knights”  (re- 
lease undated)  ; Fred  Niblo’s  “Laugh, 
Clown,  Laugh,”  March  10,  1928,  and  Mor- 
ris Gest’s  “The  Darling  of  the  Gods,’' 
March  24,  1928. 

Cast  With  Meighan 

Thomas  Meighan’s  next  PARAMOUNT 
picture,  as  yet  untitled,  will  have  in  the  cast 
Marietta  Milner,  Wyndham  Standing,  Fred 
Kohler,  Charles  Hill  Mailes,  Gunboat 
Smith,  Duke  Martin  and  Nancy  Phillips. 

Finishes  “Maryland” 

Lloyd  Bacon,  director  of  “The  Heart  of 
Maryland,”  has  finished  cutting  and  edit- 
ing the  picture.  WARNER  BROTHERS 
expect  to  release  it  some  time  this  month. 

Changes  Maynard  Title 

FIRST  NATIONAL  has  changed  the 
title  of  Ken  Maynard’s  newest  picture  for 
the  second  time.  Originally  called  “The 
White  Horse  Troop”  and  subsequently 
“Captain  of  the  Strong,”  it  will  be  released 
as  “Red  Raiders.” 


Samuel  Goldwyn  is  starring  Ronald 
Colman  and  Vilma  Banky  in  “'The 
Magic  Flame,”  which  will  be  a United 
Artists  release. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


Change  Pola  Negri’s 
Next  to  “Sun  Kissed” 

Pola  Negri's  next  picture  tor 
Paramount  will  concern  Cali- 
fornia orange  groves,  instead  of 
vineyards.  It  is  announced  that 
“Sun  Kissed,”  a story  by  Row- 
land V.  Lee,  has  been  substituted 
for  the  Sidney  Howard  tale  of  the 
California  vineyards.  Lee  will 
also  direct  and  expects  to  have 
the  picture  under  way  in  about  a 
week.  Miss  Negri  will  have  the 
role  of  an  American  girl  of  for- 
eign parentage,  her  first  American 
part  in  nearly  two  years.  Lee  di- 
rected her  in  “Barbed  Wire,”  her 
last  production. 


In  N.  Y.  for  Sequences 

Alan  Crosland,  WARNER  BROTH- 
ERS director  now  making  “The  Jazz 
Singer,”  is  in  New  York  with  several 
of  the  cast  to  film  sequences. 

In  “Harp  in  Hock” 

May  Robson  and  Bessie  Love  have 
been  added  to  the  cost  of  “Harp  in 
Hock,”  which  PRO-DIS-CO  has  just 
put  into  production.  Others  to  appear  in 
this  picture  are  Rudolph  Schildkraut, 
Junior  Coghlan,  Joseph  Striker,  and 
Elise  Bartlett.  Renaud  Hoffman  is  di- 
recting it  for  De  Mille. 

To  Make  Sets  for  Gilda 

Samuel  Goldwyn  has  engaged  Willy 
Pogany,  noted  mural  painter  and  deco- 
rator, to  design  the  settings  for  “The 
Devil  Dancer,”  in  which  UNITED 
ARTISTS  is  to  star  Gilda  Gray.  Po- 
gany has  just  arrived  on  the  West  Coast 
to  begin  work. 

Reschedule  Cody,  Pringle 

The  next  METRO-GOLDWYN- 
MAYER  picture  starring  Lew  Cody  and 
Aileen  Pringle  will  be  “Tea  for  Three,” 
instead  of  “Be  Your  Age,”  as  previously 
announced.  The  stage  comedy  was  re- 
cently purchased  for  them.  Robert  Z. 
Leonard  will  direct. 

Buzz  Begins  Stardom 

Production  has  been  started  by  _F.  B. 
O.  of  “Saddles  and  Spurs,”  first  picture 
to  star  Buzz  Barton,  boy  Western  actor. 
Louis  King  is  directing. 

Changes  Serial  Title 

The  PATHE  serial  now  being  made 
in  New  York  from  a magazine  story  by 
Clarence  Budington  Kelland  and  here- 
tofore called  “Still  Face,”  has  been  re- 
titled “The  Masked  Menace.” 

Five  F-N  Films  in  July 

FIRST  NATIONAL  will  release  five 
pictures  in  July.  They  are  “Lonesome 
Ladies,”  3rd;  “For  the  Love  of  Mike” 
(formerly  called  “Hell’s  Kitchen”),  10th; 
“The  Devil’s  Saddle,”  17th;  “White 
Pants  Willie,”  24th;  and  “The  Prince  of 
Head  Waiters,”  31st. 

Stop  to  Better  Story 

Work  on  “The  Garden  of  Eden,” 
UNITED  ARTISTS  picture  to  star 
Corinne  Griffith,  has  been  stopped  in 
order  to  enlarge  the  theme. 

Rajah  Visits  M-G-M 

METRO  - GOLDWYN  - MAYER 
studios  were  recently  visited  by  the 
Maharajah  Kumar  of  Benares,  Vizinana- 
gram,  who  rules  over  a province  in 
South  India.  He  is  22  years  old. 


Syndicate  “Wings”  Tale 

A novelization  of  PARAMOUNT’S 
“Wings,”  which  will  open  at  the  Cri- 
terion theatre.  New  York,  August  1,  is 
to  be  circulated  by  the  Chicago  Tribune 
Syndicate.  The  author,  John  Monk 
Saunders,  wrote  the  serialization. 

Kent  Opposite  Denny 

Barbara  Kent  has  been  given  the 
feminine  lead  in  UNIVERSAL’S  “Now 
I’ll  Tell  One,”  an  original  by  and  with 
Reginald  Denny.  Production  recently 
began  under  the  direction  of  Fred  New- 
meyer. 

Columbia  Starts  Special 

COLUMBIA  has  started  production 
of  “Sally  in  Our  Alley,”  which  will  be 
its  second  special  of  tbe  season.  Rich- 
ard Arlen,  loaned  by  Paramount,  has 
the  leading  masculine  role,  the  star  be- 
ing Shirley  Mason.  Walter  Lang  is  di- 
recting. 

Cast  Dad  and  Daughter 

Father  and  Daughter  have  prominent 
roles  in  F.  B.  O.’s  “The  Bandit’s  Son,” 
second  of  the  series  of  Bob  Steele 
Westerns  soon  to  be  put  in  production. 
Lillian  Gilmore  has  the  feminine  lead, 
while  her  father,  Barney  Gilmore,  well- 
known  stage  actor,  has  the  role  of  a small 
town  banker. 

Is  Hero,  Also  Villain 

Buddy  Roosevelt  will  have  a double 
role  in  PATHE’S  “Phantom  Buster,” 
Western  written  by  Walter  Coburn.  He 
will  be  both  hero  and  villain. 

And  One  From  Chicago! 

Production  of  “The  Last  Waltz,”  now 
going  on  in  the  UFA  studios  in  Berlin, 
is  an  international  affair,  the  star,  Suzy 
Vernon,  being  French  and  others  in  the 
cast  being  Russian,  Polish,  Italian, 
Swedish,  Danish — and  Chicagoan,  the  di- 
rector, Arthur  Robison,  having  been 
born  in  that  city.  PARAMOUNT  will 
release  the  picture  in  this  country. 

What  Next? 

J.  Leo  Meehan,  directing  “The  Har- 
vester” for  F.  B.  O.  on  location  near 
Rome  City,  Ind.,  wanted  to  incorporate 
in  the  story  the  emerging  of  moths  from 
the  cocoon.  But  the  weather  being  too 
cold  to  bring  this  about  naturally,  Mrs. 
Stella  Kummings  of  Marion,  Ind.,  moth 
fancier,  used  artificial  heat.  Of  course 
they  will  never  see  themselves  on  the 
screen,  since  moths  die  within  seven 
days. 

Aids  De  Mille  Director 

Roy  Burns  has  been  made  assistant 
to  Frank  Urson  in  the  direction  of  De 
MILLE’S  “Beautiful  But  Dumb,”  in 
which  Vera  Reynolds  will  be  starred. 
Burns  assisted  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  in  mak- 
ing “The  King  of  Kings.” 

Buys  Husband’s  Story 

Edwin  Carewe  has  purchased  the 
screen  rights  to  a story  called  “The 
Lady  from  Hell,”  by  Jaime  Martinez  del 
Rio,  husband  of  Mrs.  del  Rio — that  is  to 
say,  Dolores  del  Rio,  who  will  be  starred 
in  it  by  UNITED  ARTISTS. 


“Ben  Hur”  in  Eighth 
Month  at  Tivoli,  London 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  Special 
Production  “Ben  Hur”  is  in  its 
eighth  month  at  the  Tivoli,  Lon- 
don, where  it  wilt  continue  indefi- 
nitely, it  is  said,  unless  the  theatre 
is  needed  for  another  M-G-M 
Special.  The  list  of  those  who 
have  witnessed  the  spectacle  in- 
clude the  Prince  of  Wales,  the 
Princess  Royal,  the  Duke  and 
Duchess  of  York,  Princess  Mary 
Louis  (on  three  occasions,  it  is 
said).  Queen  Victoria  of  Spain, 
King  Albert  and  the  Queen  of 
Belgium,  Archbishop  of  Canter- 
bury, Lord  Asquith,  Lloyd  George, 
Ramsey  MacDonald  and  many 
other  members  of  the  nobility, 
clergy,  and  government. 


To  Direct  “Lovelorn” 

John  P.  McCarthy  has  been  assigned 
to  direct  “Lovelorn,”  an  original  by 
Beatrice  Fairfa.x,  conductor  of  an  advice- 
to-the-lovelorn  column  in  Hearst  papers. 
It  will  be  a Cosmopolitan  Production 
released  by  METRO-GOLD WYN- 
MAYER. 

Will  Adapt  “Abie” 

Julien  Johnson  will  adapt  the  phenom- 
enal stage  success,  “Abie’s  Irish  Rose,” 
according  to  B.  F.  Schulberg,  PARA- 
MOUNT associate  producer. 

Hold  Up  “Gorilla” 

FIRST  NATIONAL  will  not  be  able 
to  begin  production  of  “The  Gorilla,” 
mystery  story  by  Ralph  Spence,  until 
about  the  middle  of  this  month  because 
Charlie  Murray,  who  will  have  a princi- 
pal role,  is  now  working  in  “The  Life  of 
Reilly.”  A1  Santell  will  direct. 

Choose  Vidor  Story 

Florence  Vidor’s  next  starring  vehicle 
for  PARAMOUNT  will  be  a story 
called  “A  Celebrated  Woman,”  now  be- 
ing prepared  by  James  Campbell.  Pro- 
duction is  to  start  as  soon  as  Miss  Vidor 
returns  from  a vacation  trip  to  Hawaii. 
Frank  Tuttle  will  direct. 

To  Title  Hines  Film 

Paul  Perez  will  write  the  titles  for  Johnny 
Hines’  latest  FIRST  NATIONAL  picture, 
“White  Pants  Willie.”  George  Amy  is  now 
editing  the  picture,  which  was  directed  by 
Charles  Hines. 

Garbo  as  Woman  Divine 

“The  Divine  Woman,”  is  the  title  of  the 
picture  which  METRO-GOLD WYN- 
MAYER  will  make  as  Greta  Garbo’s  next 
starring  vehicle.  It  is  an  adaptation  of 
Gladys  Unger’s  story,  “Starlight.”  Victor 
Seastrom  will  direct. 

Start  Perrin  Series 

“South  of  Northern  Lights,”  which  will 
mark  the  return  to  the  screen  of  Jack  Per- 
rin, was  started  last  week  by  UNIVERSAL 
as  the  first  of  series  starring  this  Western 
actor. 

(Continued  on  page  6S) 


CASH  FOR  CHAIN  THEATRE  OPERATION 

^BiSrme^inancinq 

COI\,l?OI\A.TION  AIMErVICA.  CX 

162  North  State  Street  CHICAGO 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


Here’s  Room  for  Argument 

ST.  CLOl'D,  FLA. — ^To  the  Editor: 
Congratulations,  J.  C.,  for  picking  one  of 
the  winners.  We  know  how  to  pick  beau- 
ties, don’t  we? 

I want  you  to  come  to  Florida  so  that 
you  can  have  that  cross  country  race  with 
my  Norma,  then  we  will  go  after  the  big 
mouth  lake  bass  which  there  is,  or  are, 
plenty  of  them  that  will  weigh  15  pounds, 
and  plenty  of  lakes  when  you  come  to 
I'lorida.  You  will  hate  to  leave,  as  all 
Florida  exhibitors  are  fishermen,  because 
when  all  the  tourists  return  north  in  the 
summer  we  have  to  eat  fish. 

Well,  J.  C.,  you  will  have  to  admit  that 
Norma  Shearer  is  the  heauty  of  ithe  two. 
— R.  G.  Chamiseklin,  Palm  theatre,  St. 
Cloud,  Fla. 


Attention:  Mr.  E.  W.  Hammons 

BOSTON,  MASS.— To  the  Editor:  May 
I call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  I think 
Mr.  Hammons  of  Educational  has  done  a 
fine  piece  of  work  in  producing  “The  Race 
to  Paris,’’  and  I think  his  company  should 
be  honored  for  this  outstanding  reel  of  the 
year. 

I ha\'e  worked  in  theatres  for  a numher 
of  years,  hut  owing  to  poor  health  had  to 
get  a position  in  the  open  ; yet,  1 still  keep 
track  of  the  industry  because  it  was  my 
first  love. 

I,  therefore,  thought  that  by  calling  your 
attention  to  this  reel  that  your  powerful 
edition  might  help  out  in  honoring  “The 
Race  to  Paris.’’ — Joseph  J.  O’Connor,  Bos- 
ton, Mass. 


Hope  You’ll  Be  Back  Soon 

( OTTONWOOD  FALLS,  KAN.— To 
the  Editor:  Please  address  my  Herai.d 
to  me  personally  now-',  as  I have  sold  the 
show,  but  I still  want  the  paper.  It  is 
certainly  a boost  to  any  showman.  I expect 
to  have  another  show  somewdiere  soon.  I 


Louise  Fazenda  in  an  episode  ot  Warner 
Brothers’  “Simple  Sis,”  in  which  she 
co-stars  with  Clyde  Cook. 


want  to  keep  posted  as  to  what  other  ex- 
hibitors are  doing. 

1 had  the  pri\ilege  of  seeing  several  of 
the  stars  in  person  last  week  as  they  passed 
through  limporia  on  a special  train  carry- 
ing them  east  to  a con\'cntion  of  motion 
picture  actors.  The  most  noted  on  the 
train  were  l\:Iarie  Prevost,  Patsy  Ruth  A'lil- 
ler  and  Jack  Hoxie.  There  were  ofthers 
loo  numerous  to  mention. 

This  was  the  second  time  that  I had  seen 
actors  in  jterson,  and  they  sure  do  not  look 
anything  like  they  do  on  the  screen  in  their 
makeup.  Ben  Turpin  was  in  his  makeup, 
and  it  made  me  think  of  thajt  awful  flop 
that  he  made  in  “The  Shriek  of  Arahy,’’ 
If  there  was  ever  a flop  for  me  at  the  box 
office  this  was  one.  I am  much  peeved  at 
Miss  Marie  and  Aliss  Patsy  Ruth,  as  they 
have  been  my  liest  drawing  cards  here,  and 
T drove  25  miles  just  to  get  a peep  at  them 
in  person,  and  the  announcer,  Walter  Hiers, 
stated  that  they  were  in  the  dining  car  and 
would  not  he  out. 

Well,  T won’t  say  just  what  I thought, 
but  anyway  I wish  them  both  good  luck. 

Would  like  for  each  to  send  me  a photo 
for  my  next  lobby  and  1 will  forget  about 
their  not  showing  up. — W.  L.  Rockwell, 
Cottonwood  Falls,  Kan. 


A Bouquet  for  Clara 

iSlANGUM,  OKLA. — To  the  Editor:  We 
are  opening  a new  theatre  in  Mangum  on 
July  11 — 450  seats.  Simplex  machines.  T 
am  already  a subscriber  to  Exhiuitors 
Herald,  as  I was  formerly  owner  of  the 
Liberty  theatre.  Lone  Wolf. 

Would  you  please  give  me  release  dates 
on  some  of  Clara  Bow’s  old  pictures  before 
she  went  to  Paramount,  “Parisian  Love,’’ 
for  instance.  Clara  Bow  is  so  popular  that 
some  exhibitors  are  getting  some  of  her  old 
pictures  and  going  to  show  them  when  we 
are  showing  her  late  ones.  That  is  why  I 
would  like  to  get  that  information.  If  v’ou 
could  give  it  to  me  I would  appreciate  it 
very  much. — Pat  Duffy,  Rialto  theatre, 
iMangum,  Okla. 

[EDITOR’S  NOTE:  Miss  Bow  has  appeared 
in  the  following  pictures:  “Kiss  Me  Again,*’ 
Warner  Brothers,  and  “Free  to  Love,”  November 
20,  1925;  “Parisian  Love,”  August  1,  1925;  “The 
Plastic  Age,”  December  25,  1925;  “Capital  Pun- 
ishment.” January  1,  1925,  and  “My  Lady’s 

Lips,”  July  1,  1925.  Information  relative  to  the 
last  five  may  be  obtained  from  Famous  Attrac- 
tions Corporation,  1560  Broadway,  New  York 
City.  Miss  Bow  has  appeared  in  probably  200 
or  more  pictures  since  ‘Down  to  the  Sea  in 
Ships.”  Perhaps  other  exhibitors  can  amplify 
this  list  for  Mr.  Duffy.] 


A Challenge  to  Wheeler — and  All 

BENTON  CITY,  MO.— To  the  Editor: 
The  enclosed  item  from  (the  Mexico  (Mo.) 
Ledger  (reprinted  from  St.  Louis  Post  Dis- 
t'otch),  which  is  self-explanatory,  is  in  re- 
ply to  C.  J.  Wheeler’s  letter  w'hich  ap- 
peared in  the  June  4 issue. 

I’ll  forego  the  pleasure  of  the  “wild 
game  of  marbles,”  but  send  on  your  all-day 
suckers,  Mr.  Wheeler! 

Best  wishes  to  the  Herald  and  the  “Her- 
ald Family.” — Miss  M.  B.  Russell,  Benton 
Community  House,  Benton  City,  Mo. 

[EDITOR’S  NOTE:  The  item  to  which  Miss 
Russell  refers  is  published  on  page  20  in  the 
news  section.  We  believe.  Miss  Russell,  that 
your  friends  in  the  “Herald  Family”  would  ap- 
preciate our  publishing  your  picture.  We  can- 
not do  that,  however,  without  your  co-operation.] 


Hats  Off  to  Henry  B.  Walthall 

HASTINGS,  MICH.— To  the  Editor  : I 
have  read  a lot  of  reviews  and  comments 
relative  to  the  picture  “Fighting  Love,”  and 
agree  perfectly  with  them  all  in  showering 
glory  on  Jetta  Goudal’s  work  in  the  pic- 
ture, but  so  far  I have  failed  to  notice  any 
special  comment  on  the  superlative  work 
of  Henry  B.  Walthall,  and  if  you  would 
care  to  overlook  this  wonderful  character 
throughout  the  film  and  just  watch  his  wmrk 


Meeting  Indorses  U 
Americanization  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  June  28.  — Uni- 
versal’s  production  of  a second 
picture  seeking  to  promote,  in 
accordance  with  Will  H.  Hays’ 
suggestion  to  the  industry,  a more 
rapid  Americanization  of  immi- 
grants, was  given  whatever  stimu- 
lus may  be  derived  from  the 
presence  of  35  men  and  women 
interested  in  Americanization,  at 
a luncheon  recently  at  the 
W aldorf -Astoria  hotel.  Universal’s 
first  film  of  this  kind  was  “We 
Americans.”  Among  those  at  the 
luncheon  were  Jerome  Beatty, 
Arthur  Bra,  Major  F.  L.  Herron, 
and  Maurice  McKenzie  of  Hays’ 
office;  Paul  Gulick,  Nat  Rothstein, 
Len  Fields  and  Joe  Weil  of  Uni- 
versal; Benjamin  Day,  commis- 
sioner of  immigration ; and  Carl  E. 
Milliken,  secretary  under  Hays. 
The  new  picture,  to  be  a second 
chapter  of  the  first  picture  and 
called  “We  Americans,”  is  being 
directed  by  Edward  Sloman,  who 
has  already  taken  scenes  in  New 
York. 


in  the  very  last  scenes  of  the  picture,  you 
would  get  a sample  of  the  finest  bit  of  act- 
ing ever  seen. 

The  Little  Colonel  of  old  stands  out  so 
prominently  that  I should  think  every  di- 
rector who  even  contemplates  doing  a mili- 
tary story  would  by  all  means  witness  the 
punch  scene  of  this  story,  and  if  Henry  B. 
doesn’t  thrill  you  there  is  surely  something 
wrong.  He  simply  can’t  be  heat. — Ray 
Branch,  Strand  theatre,  Hastings,  Mich. 


Hines  Buys  Film  Rights 
to  N.  Y.  Musical  Comedy 

(St'ecial  to  the  Herc.ld) 

HOLLYWOOD,  June  28.  — Johnny 
Hines,  comedian,  has  purchased  the 
screen  rights  to  “The  Girl  Friend,”  musi- 
cal comedy  produced  in  New  York  last 
season,  according  to  an  announcement 
by  C.  C.  Burr,  his  producer,  who  states 
that  the  rights  were  bought  personally 
for  future  production. 


Lewis  Milestone,  left,  and  O.  L.  Aller 
get  the  first  glimpse  of  the  negatives 
of  “Two  Arabian  Knights,”  United 
Artists  film. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 


HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  SMotion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me” 
supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing  average 
daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into  average  daily 
gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  lO  of  these  per- 
centage ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average 
of  these  lO  percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.” 
Each  additional  per  cent  age -rating  report  received  on  pic- 
tures entered  is  combined  with  those  previously  received 
and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


1.  TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES  (M-G-M) 13 

2.  IT  (Para)  13 

3.  NO  MAN’S  GOLD  (Fox) 11 

4.  THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  (U) 25 

5.  KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES  (FBO) 12 

6.  IRENE  (F.N.)  10 

7.  ARIZONA  SWEEPSTAKES  (IJ) 11 

8.  LADDIE  (FBO)  27 

9.  JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT  (M-G-M)— .22 

10.  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL  (M-G-M) 13 

11.  THE  VANISHING  AMERICAN  (Para) 22 

12.  CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U (U) 14 

13.  THE  TOUGH  GUY  (FBO) 15 

14.  THE,  VOLGA  BOATMAN  (P.D.C.) 19 

15.  THE  BAT  (U.A-) 18 

16.  ELLA  CINDERS  (F.N.) 23 

17.  THE  OVERLAND  STAGE  (F.N.) 19 

18.  THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH  (U.A.)  19 

19.  THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER  (F.N.) 25 

20.  SLIDE  KELLY  SLIDE  (M-G-M) 14 

21.  THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE  (U) — 10 

22.  LET’S  GET  MARRIED  (Para) 13 

23.  THREE  BAD  MEN  (Fox) 16 

24.  THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK  (U.A.) 21 

25.  THE  QUARTERBACK  (Para) 32 

26.  TIN  HATS  (M-G-M)  20 

27.  THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN  (M-G-M) 12 

28.  THE  SCARLET  WEST  (F.  N.) 10 

29.  THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT  (Para) 29 

30.  THE  LAST  FRONTIER  (P.D.C.) 14 

31.  SEA  HORSES  (Para) 10 

32.  THE  BLACK  PIRATE  (U.A.) 19 

33.  SENOR  DAREDEVIL  (F.N.) 21 

34.  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST  (Para) 15 

35.  WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW  (Para) 35 

36.  A REGULAR  SCOUT  (FBO)  14 

37.  UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM  (P.D.C.) 18 

38.  THE  NIGHT  CRY  (W.B.) 21 

39.  CORPORAL  KATE  (P.D.C.) 10 

40.  THE  PHANTOM  BULLET  (U) 11 

41.  HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER  (FBO) 11 

42.  ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC  (W.B.) 13 

43.  LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS  (FBO).  19 

44.  TWINKLETOES  (F.N.)  15 

45.  THE  KID  BROTHER  (Para)  24 

46.  SKINNER’S  DRESS  SUIT  (U) 13 

47.  LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY  (U.A.) 12 

48.  FOR  HEAVEN’S  SAKE  (Para) 10 

49.  THAT’S  MY  BABY  (Para) 12 

50.  WAR  PAINT  (M-G-M) 26 

51.  SWEET  DADDIES  (F.N.) 14 

52.  BROWN  OF  HARVARD  (M-G-M) 26 

53.  THE  DEVIL  HORSE  (P) 11 

54.  THE  MAN  IN  THE  SADDLE  (U) 19 

55.  FOREVER  AFTER  (F.  N.) 13 

56.  FOREVER  AFTER  (F.  N.) 13 

57.  THE  BUCKAROO  KID  (U) 15 

58.  MANTRAP  (Para)  16 

59.  THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART  (M-G-M)  .10 

60.  BEHIND  THE  FRONT  (Para) 17 

61.  UNDER  WESTERN  SKIES  (U) —11 

62.  WILD  TO  GO  (FBO) 10 

63.  THE  RED  MILL  (M-G-M) 13 

64.  THE  TEASER  (U) 10 

65.  THE  WANING  SEX  (M-G-M) 27 

66.  THE  SILENT  RIDER  (U) 13 

67.  THE  TEMPTRESS  (M-G-M) 14 

68.  THE  RAIN  MAKER  (Para) 10 

69.  HIS  PEOPLE  (U» 13 

70.  WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS  (M-G-M). .12 

71.  THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  (Para) 11 

72.  THE  FLAMING  FOREST  (M-G-M) 29 

73.  SALLY,  IRENE  AND  MARY  (M-G-M) 11 

74.  CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  (W.B.) 12 

75.  THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  (FBO) 28 

76.  TON~Y  RUNS  WILD  (Fox) 13 

77.  CANYON  OF  LIGHT  (Fox) 10 

78.  PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY  (W.B.) 14 


reports 82.76% 

“ 81.23% 

“ .79.72% 

“ 78.00% 

“ --76.58% 

“ 76.20% 

“ 76.18% 

“ 75.51% 

“ 75.09% 

“ 73.53% 

“ 72.72% 

“ 72.64% 

“ 72.46% 

“ 72.00% 

“ 71.00% 

“ 70.86% 

“ 70.68% 

“ 70.84% 

“ 70.60% 

“ 70.14% 

“ 69.70% 

“ 69.38% 

“ 68.81% 

“ 68.38% 

“ 67.96% 

“ ...  67.70% 

“ 67.66% 

“ 67.40% 

“ 67.24% 

“ 66.78% 

“ 66.40% 

“ 65.94% 

“ 65.85% 

“ 65.53% 

“ 64.51% 

“ 64.50% 

“ 64.44% 

’•  64.33% 

“ 64.20% 

“ 64.18% 

“ 64.09% 

“ 64.07% 

“ 64.05% 

“ 63.80% 

“ 63.54% 

“ 62.84% 

“ 62.83% 

“ 62.80% 

“ 62.42% 

“ 62.30% 

“ 62.07% 

“ 61.96% 

“ 61.90% 

“ 61.68% 

“ 61.15% 

“ 61.15% 

“ 60.60% 

“ 60.56% 

“ 60.50% 

“ 60.47% 

“ 60.09% 

“ 60.00% 

“ 59.61% 

“ 59.50% 

“ 59.11% 

“ 59.00% 

“ 58.92% 

“ 58.80% 

“ 58.61% 

“ 58.33% 

“ 58.27% 

“ 58.10% 

“ 58.09% 

“ 57.75% 

“ 57.53% 

“ 57.46% 

“ 57.40% 

“ 57.00% 


79.  KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY  (FBO) 15 

80.  IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.N.) 25 

81.  FORLORN  RIVER  (Para) 22 

82.  OLD  CLOTHES  (M-G-M) 13 

83.  ROLLING  HOME  (U) 17 

84.  UPSTAGE  (M-G-M)  23 

85.  THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER  (U) 20 

86.  MIKE  (M-G-M) 11 

87.  THE  WILDERNESS  WOMAN  (F.N.) 12 

88.  THE  FLYING  HORSEMAN  (Fox) 11 

89.  SUBWAY  SADIE  (F.N) 19 

90.  WILD  JUSTICE  (U.A) 15 

91.  THE  BIG  NIGHT  (U) 14 

92.  STRANDED  IN  PARIS  (Para) 15 

93.  THE  RETURN  OF  PETER  GRIMM  (Fox) 10 

94.  WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  JONES  (U) 15 

95.  THE  JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD  (Fox) 12 

96.  BORN  IN  THE  WEST  (Para) 18 

97.  MEN  OF  STEEL  (F.N.) 28 

98.  THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER  (P.D.C.) 14 

99.  VARIETY  (Para)  17 

100.  KID  BOOTS  (Para) 18 

101.  THE  DARK  ANGEL  (F.N.) 11 

102.  THE  ROAD  TO  MANDALAY  (M-G-M) 20 

103.  THE  GREATER  GLORY  (F.N.) 10 

104.  TIN  GODS  (Para).  19 

105.  PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM  (U) 17 

106.  POKER  FACES  (U) 16 

107.  THE  BARRIER  (M-G-M).  15 

108.  THE  BLUE  EAGLE  (Fox) 10 

109.  THE  ICE  FLOOD  (U) 12 

110.  THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN  (U) 17 

111.  ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS  (Para) 17 

112.  PARADISE  (F.N)  15 

113.  STEPPING  ALONG  (F.N.) 10 

114.  ARIZONA  STREAK  (FBO) 11 

115.  MISS  NOBODY  (F.N.) 16 

116.  PADLOCKED  (Para)  14 

117.  ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY  (FBO) 25 

118.  THE  WANDERER  (Para) 11 

119.  BATTLING  BUTLER  (M-G-M)...  21 

120.  HOGAN’S  ALLEY  (W.B.) 12 

121.  MARE  NOSTRUM  (M-G-M) 27 

122.  SPARROWS  (U.A.) .18 

123.  THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS  (U) 15 

124.  THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  HANDICAP  (P.D.C.)  17 

125.  THE  SHOW-OFF  (Para) 15 

126.  BRED  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY  (FBO) 10 

127.  THE  ANCIENT  HIGHWAY  (Para) 10 

128.  HAIR  TRIGGER  BAXTER  (FBO) 10 

129.  DESERT’S  TOLL  (M-G-M) 15 

130.  HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR  (FBO) 16 

131.  THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT  (F.N.) 12 

132.  WHISPERING  SMITH  (P.D.C.) 10 

133.  THE  WALTZ  DREAM  (M-G-M) 12 

134.  SPANGLES  (U)  10 

135.  EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA  (Para) 16 

136.  THE  STILL  ALARM  (U) 10 

137.  TAKE  IT  FROM  ME  (U) 14 

138.  TUMBLEWEEDS  (U.A.)  11 

139.  THE  OLD  SOAK  (U) 11 

140.  WEF  PAINT  (Para) . 11 

141.  THERE  YOir  ARE  (M-G-M) 20 

142.  LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM  (Para)..  11 

143.  PARTNERS  AGAIN  (U.A.) 14 

144.  FINE  MANNERS  (Para) 10 

145.  MIDNIGHT  LOVERS  (F.N.) 12 

146.  PARADISE  FOR  TWO  (Para) 10 

147.  THE  BLIND  GODDESS  (Para) 15 

148.  THE  BROWN  DERBY  (F.N.) .17 

149.  THE  BORDER  SHERIFF  (U) 10 

150.  SO’S  YOUR  OUl  MAN  (Para) 15 

151.  THE  DUCHESS  OF  BUFFALO  (F.N.) 10 

152.  LA  BOHEME  (M-G-M) 19 

153.  THE  LITTLE  JOURNEY  (M-G-M) 11 

154.  BLARNEY  (M-G-M)  17 

155.  THE  MARRIAGE  CLAUSE  (U) 13 

156.  HOLD  THAT  LION  (Para) 14 

157.  MISS  BREWSTER’S  MILLIONS  (Para) 12 

158.  THE  LOVE  THIEF  (U) 10 

159.  THE  CANADIAN  (Para) 18 

160.  FASCINATING  YOUTH  (Para)  14 

161.  NELL  GWYN  (Para) 10 

162.  BARDELYS  THE  MAGNIFICENT  (M-G-M) 13 

163.  THE  C:.1T’S  PAJAMAS  (Para) 11 

164.  THE  WISE  GUY  (F.N.) 11 

165.  INTO  HER  KINGDOM  (F.N.) 11 

166.  THE  MAGICIAN  (M-G-M) 19 

167.  PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL  (U) 10 

168.  THE  GREAT  GATSBY  (Para) 10 

169.  STEEL  PREFERRED  (P.D.C.)  10 

170.  YOU’D  BE  SURPRISED  (Para) 14 

171.  DON  JUAN’S  THREE  NIGHTS  (F.N.) 10 

172.  THE  AMATEUR  GENTIJ;MAN  (F.N.) 11 


-56.93% 

-56.84% 

56.81% 

-.56.69% 

-.56.58% 

...56.47% 

..56.45% 

..56.45% 

..56.16% 

.56.00% 

.55.89% 

..55.86% 

-.55.50% 

..55.33% 

..55.20% 

-.55.20% 

-.55.08% 

..55.0O»/„ 

..54.92% 

..54.50% 

..54.41% 

..54.33% 

..54.27% 

..54.20% 

.54.00% 

..53.78% 

..53.76% 

..53.75% 

..53.00% 

..53.00% 

..52.58% 

..52.41% 

-52.3.5% 

-52.25% 

-52.10% 

-.52.00% 

-.51.12% 

-.51.07% 

-.50.44% 

50.36% 

-50.28% 

-.50.25% 

-.50.22% 

.50.11% 

-.49.93% 

-.49.82% 

-49.73% 

,.49.50% 

.49.40% 

-49.40% 

.48.26% 

48.18% 

48.08% 

-.47.90% 

-47.75% 

.47.60% 

-47.56% 

.47.50% 

-17.50% 

.47.18% 

.46.81% 

.46.81% 

46.80% 

.46.72% 

-46.71% 

46.60% 

.46.50% 

-45.90% 

.45.53% 

.45.41% 

45.00% 

.44.33% 

.43.70% 

-43.63% 

.43.36% 

-43.23% 

.42.84% 

.42.28% 

.42.16% 

.40.90% 

40.16% 

-39.71% 

39.30% 

.39.23% 

39.09% 

.39.09% 

.36.90% 

-.36.47% 

-36.10% 

35.80% 

.34.70% 

-31.92% 

30.80% 

.30.27% 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


1 CLASSIFIED 

1 

1 Advertising 

1 Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 

$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 

Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The 

Recognized  National  Classified 

Advertising  Medium 

Position  Wanted 


UNIQUE  VIEWPOINT:  There  is  a man  who 
combines  many  years  of  theatre  experience  with 
an  intimate  technical  knowledge  of  advertising,  ex- 
ploitation and  music.  A good  business  getter. 
Only  high-class  proposition  considered  as  manager 
or  assistant  to  busy  executive.  He  has  education, 
taste  and  poise  and  is  anxious  to  connect  where 
this  splendid  background  could  be  utilized  to  a 
fuller  extent.  Will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
184,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


PROJECTIONIST — Non-union.  Twelve  years' 
experience  operating  and  repairing.  Desires  con- 
nection with  chain  of  theatres  as  Projectionist  and 
Supervisor  of  Projection.  Complete  machine-shop 
enables  me  to  rebuild  equipment  by  factory  meth- 
ods. Address  Box  190,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407 
South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  III. 


OPERATOR  with  ten  years’  experience  in  large 
houses.  Married.  Wants  steady  job.  Address 
Gene  Ingalls,  New  Hampton,  la. 


EXPERIENCED  PROJECTIONIST  wants  year 
around  theatre.  Married;  reliable;  go  anywhere. 
Address  George  King,  490  Newport,  Detroit, 
Michigan. 


OPERATOR  AND  ELECTRICIAN  with  ten 
years  experience.  Married.  Locate  anywhere. 
Address  Operator,  920  W.  1st  Street,  Cedar  Falls, 
la. 


A-1  ORGANIST:  Union.  12  years  experience. 
Employed  but  wants  to  change  position.  Must 
be  permanent.  Address  A1  Carroll,  72054  Laur- 
ence Street,  Shreveport,  La. 


AT  LIBERTY — Moving  Picture  Machine  Op- 
erator. Six  years’  experience.  I can  run  any 
make  machine,  also  repair.  Sober,  steady,  reli- 
able and  a willing  worker.  Will  save  you  ex- 
pense. Want  a steady  position.  Address  Hubert 
Swatek,  740  Fifth  Street,  Beloit,  Wis. 


AT  LIBERTY- — Projectionist.  Work  guaran- 
teed. Any  kind  of  machine.  Nonunion  or  Union. 
-Address  James  Knott,  Box  44,  Nebraska  City, 
Nebr. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED:  To  lease  picture  theatre  in  town  of 
3,000-15,000.  Have  cash.  Give  all  information  in 
first  letter.  Address  Box  188,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  S.  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


WANTED:  To  rent  picture  theatre,  or  would 
accept  position  as  manager.  Ten  years’  experience 
and  two  years  as  operator.  Let  me  hear  at  once. 
Address  C.  E.  Lenninger,  321  N.  Mantua  Street, 
Kent,  Ohio. 


WILL  LEASE  OR  BUY  THEATRE  in  town 

3,000  or  over.  No  competition.  State  best  terms, 
amount  of  business,  rental,  equipment  and  if  trial 
given.  Complete  description  wanted.  Address 
Box  191,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


PICTURE  HOUSE  WANTED  in  Northern  In 
diana  or  Western  Michigan.  Lease  or  purchase 
Give  full  particulars.  Address  Box  192,  Exhib 
itors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago 
Illinois. 


Theatres  For  Sale 


FOR  SALE — Complete  theatre  equipment  (450 
seats),  very  reasonable  rent.  Address  Palace 
Theatre,  Idalou,  Texas.  (On  the  Great  South 
Plains.) 


FOR  RENT — A completely  furnished  picture 
theatre.  $150  per  month.  Ready  to  open.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs.  Small  stage.  Good  town  of 
7,000.  Owner  has  other  business.  Address  Barnes 
Ice  Cream  Company,  Caruthersville,  Mo. 


THEATRE  FOR  SALE — Six  year  lease  on  Hip- 
podrome Theatre  on  Amusement  Row  in  Dallas. 
Seating  capacity  1,000.  Reason  for  selling,  other 
investments  taking  my  time.  Can  arrange  very  at- 
tractive buy.  Address  tlippodrome  Theatre, 
Dallas,  Texas. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 

GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE;  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS:  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  W.  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVURE”  PROCESS  PRINTING— 
Distinctive.  250  each  letterheads,  envelopes,  cards 
$4.44  Postpaid.  Two  colors  ink,  $5.55.  Samples. 
.^ddress  Sollidays,  E.H.124,  Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


Business  Opportunity 


PARTNER  WANTED  for  Best  Road  Show 
out.  Five  reel  novelty  feature  which  has  never 
been  shown.  Address  R.  B.  Selvidge,  Eufaula, 
Okla. 


Organs  For  Sale 


FOTOPLAYER  IN  PERFECT  SHAPE,  con- 
tains all  attachments.  Library  of  six  hundred 
rolls.  Metal  cabinet  for  rolls.  Priced  reasonable. 
Address  Box  571,  Libertyville,  111. 


WE  HAVE  ON  HAND  in  our  various  ware- 
houses a limited  number  of  used  unit  and  pit  or- 
gans which  have  been  rebuilt  and  reprocessed  and 
which  we  are  offering  while  they  last  at  sacrifice 
prices.  Address  Robert  Morton  Organ  Company, 
624  S.  Michigan  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  Box  53,  Havana,  Illinois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


ler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICrrURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  the- 
atres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Clhicago,  111. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonablep  rice.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theater  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  One  Powers  6B,  one  Powers 
Type  E lamp  house  used  only  two  weeks.  2 A() 
Block  Motors  54  Horse  Power,  60  Cycle.  First 
Class  Condition.  Address  H.  B.  Albright,  2213 
Bakwell  Street,  Toledo,  Ohio. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter  , Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built  for  a 
purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best  of  re- 
sults and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph  Sprat- 


JUST  FORECLOSED  MORTGAGE  on  a com- 
plete picture  show  equipment.  Used  ninety  days 
in  Palm  Theatre,  St.  Louis.  It  consists  of  two 
latest  model  Powers  machines,  Westinghouse 
transformer,  Dalite  Screen,  Opera  Chairs.  Will 
sell  any  part  at  bargain  prices.  Cash  or  pay- 
ments. Address  S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


59 


“What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Columbia 

REMEMBER:  Special  cast — 30%.  Good  war 
picture.  Pleased  those  who  saw  it.  Not  much 
carnage.  Mostly  romance,  the  lighter  side  of  war. 
Will  make  good. — L.  Mayne  Jones,  Arcadia  thea- 
tre, Vandergrift,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

PERILS  OF  THE  SEA:  Elaine  Hammerstein — 
June  10-11.  A very  good  sea  picture.  Different 
from  many  and  sprinkled  throughout  with  good 
comedy.  It  proved  quite  entertaining.  Photog- 
raphy very  good.  Six  reels. — H.  C.  Mauler,  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

PERILS  OF  THE  SEA:  Elaine  Hammerstein 
— Just  a program  picture,  classed  as  one  of  the 
regulars.  Five  reels. — Giacomia  Bros.,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

DESERT  DEMON:  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr.-Junc  7. 
Just  a fair  Western  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.,  not  much 
of  an  actor.  Had  a pretty  good  crowd.  Five 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
General  patronage. 

DASHING  THROUGH:  Frank  Merrill— May  24. 
A good  picture.  Merrill  good  actor.  Five  reels. 
— Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

F.  B.  O. 

SILVER  COMES  THROUGH:  Fred  Thomson— 
75%.  June  13-14.  Introducing  Silver’s  little 
■colt — Silver  Prince.  A drama  of  sage  and  turf 
spiced  with  roaring  guns  and  flashing  feet,  and 
a race  that  will  make  them  cheer  for  Silver  and 
Fred.  Six  reels. — ^Mre.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS:  Fied  Thomson— 
75%.  Good  picture  and  pleased  us  all.  Six  reels. 
— ^Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre.  Staple- 
ton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS:  Fred  'Thomson— 
Another  good  one  from  Fred  and  Silver  King. 
Business  not  as  good  as  some  former  ones,  but 
business  is  way  off  this  year  with  us.  Condi- 
tions good.  Thanks  for  complying  with  our  lit- 
tle request.  It  sure  brought  joy  into  the  heart  of 
a little-stick  admirer.  You  are  a regular  fellow, 
and  Hollywood  has  not  enlarged  the  diameter  of 
your  headgear.  Six  reels. — E.  W.  McClelland, 
Rex  theatre,  Gilman  City,  Mo. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  BORDER  WHIRLWIND:  Bob  Custer- 
85%.  June  18.  Ran  this  good  Western  as  part 
of  a double  feature  Saturday  bill  to  big  business. 
Five  reels. — ^E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli, 
Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

ADORABLE  DORA:  Alberta  Vaughn — 65%. 
Oh!  The  life  of  a policewoman  (as  a man)  when 
one  man  has  all  the  influence  in  tin  can  alley. — 
J.  W.  Ryder,  Jewel  theatre,  Verndale,  Minn. — 
General  patronage. 

SIR  LUMBER  JACK:  Lefty  Flynn— 25%. 
June  14.  A good  program  picture. — Bei-t  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

BRED  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY:  Viola  Dana— 
15%.  June  8.  Business  was  very  poor,  but  was 
not  the  fault  of  the  picture.  I had  nothing  but 
good  comments  on  it.  Five  reels. — Geo.  W.  Kee- 
nan, Gem  theatre.  Hill  City,  Minn. — Small  town 
patronage. 

LADDIE:  Special  east — 75%.  May  29-30.  We 
did  a good  business,  but  not  as  well  as  we  thought 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report) . 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


we  would.  The  patrons  were  well  pleased.  A 
very  good  picture.  Seven  reels. — Chas.  McCabe, 
Liberty  theatre,  Walworth,  Wis. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  TRAFFIC  COP:  Lefty  Flynn — 70%.  Good 
picture,  clean  and  interesting  to  the  end.  Six 
reels. — ^Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre, 
Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TOUGH  GUY:  Fred  Thomson— 90%. 
April  8-9.  Good  attendance  in  spite  of  weather 
conditions.  Everybody  well  pleased.  Just  another 
Western  by  Silver  and  Fred,  a great  pair.  Six 
reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Poetville  theatre,  Postville, 
la. — General  patronage. 

HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR:  Pauline 
Frederick — 25%.  June  7.  This  is  a splendid  pic- 
ture. Story  good.  The  star  great. — ^Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THE  COWBOY  COP:  Tom  Tyler— 50%.  Good, 
but  his  pictures  are  too  much  alike  to  show 
many  of  them.  We  like  the  boy,  and  that  dog 
is  some  smart  dog. — ^Minnie  M.  Schnoor.  Para- 
mount theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  MERRY  CAVALIER:  Richard  Talmadge 
— 20%.  June  10-11.  Just  another  Talmadge. 
Six  reels. — Geo.  W.  Keenan,  Gem  theatre.  Hill 
City,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

SALVATION  JANE:  Viola  Dana — June  4.  A 
good  little  crook  picture  with  Miss  Dona  excep- 
tionally good.  Pleased  and  drew.  Five  reels. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 


HER  FATHER  SAID  NO:  Special  cast— Silly 
and  nothing  to  it.  Failed  to  please  a Saturday 
night  crowd.  Was  disappointed  in  this  one  as 
well  as  my  patrons. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre. 
Russellville,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY:  Viola  Dana— Not 
very  good.  Something  lacking  somewhere. 
Whether  it  was  the  director  or  the  story  I don’t 
know.  Anyhow,  it  lacked  fire.  Would  class  it 
a good  program  picture.  Seven  reels.  — L.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General 
patronage. 

THE  COWBOY  MUSKETEER:  Tom  Tyler- 
Terrible,  with  so  many  unreal  events.  Give  'Tyler 
something  to  work  with  and  he  will  be  O.  K. 
And  say.  give  him  a pretty  girl.  Frances  Dair, 
his  leading  lady,  is  hard  to  look  at.  ’The  boy 
and  dog.  Beans,  are  the  whole  show.  They  are 
well  liked  on  the  screen.  Five  reels. — ^Minnie  M. 
Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER:  Fred  'Thom- 
son— Good  Western,  good  crowd,  everybody 
pleased.  What  more  is  necessary  ? I’d  like  to 
see  Fred  and  Silver  with  First  National.  What  a 
great  pair  Fred  and  Ken  would  be! — I,.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville,  Poetville,  la. — General  patron- 
age. 

First  National 

VENUS  OF  VENICE:  Constance  Talmadg.^ 
30%.  June  10-11.  This  is  all  price  and  no  pic- 
ture. Our  patrons  considered  this  a very  weak 
story.  Seven  reels. — Jay  Gould,  Alamo  theatre, 
Plainfield,  III. — Small  town  patronage. 

SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL:  Special  cast— 75%. 

June  4.  A very  pleasing  comedy  that  drew 
well.  Had  lots  of  favorable  comment.  Would 
appreciate  a photo  from  Jack. — Orris  F.  Collins, 
Capitol  theatre,  Paragould,  Ark. — General  patron- 
age. 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Special  cast — 65%.  April 
13-14.  Hines  always  seems  to  get  the  crowd  with 
him  at  the  very  start.  Not  a great  comedy.  In 
fact,  not  too  good,  but  Johnny  works  hard  and 
puts  over  the  picture  in  nice  shape.  Seven  reels. 
— L,  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— 100%,  April  15-16.  All  I can  do  is  say  this 
boy  as  a Western  star  is  the  greatest  of  all. 
Drew  big,  pleased  everybody.  Keep  up,  Ken, 
we"re  with  you.  Gee,  I’d  like  a photo.  Seven 
reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville, 
la. — General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
40%.  June  1-2.  Another  dandy  Western  for 
Ken  to  good  business.  He  is  sure  put  in  wonder- 
ful pictures  and  the  kid  sure  can  ride.  Seven 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

A LUNATIC  AT  LARGE:  Leon  Ei-rol— 40%. 
We  do  not  care  for  Mr.  Errol  and  our  patrons  care 
less,  it  seems  from  the  comments. — Coffee  & Ellis, 
American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

A LUNATIC  AT  LARGE:  Leon  Errol— 30%. 
May  21.  Too  crazy  for  our  crowd.  Play  it  on  your 
lowest  admission  night. — G.  Carey,  Strand  theatre, 
Paris,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

SYNCOPATING  SUE:  Corinne  Griffith— 60%. 
A very  weak  program  offering.  Fair  show,  but 
no  drawing  power.  Pass  it  up  if  you  can.  Very 
light  comedy  with  no  pep  or  action  to  keep  things 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


moving. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Post- 
ville,  la. — General  patronage. 

BLONDE  SAINT:  Lewis  Stone— 10%.  May  25. 
Another  Lewis  Stone  picture  which  didn’t  mean 
anything  in  my  town.  Poorest  Wednesday  busi- 
ness in  months. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  DANCER  OF  PARIS:  Dorothy  Mackaill 
80%.  June  12.  Very  fine  picture.  Did  a big 
business.  Will  go  over  big  anywhere.  Eight 
reels. — Temple  theatre.  Baton  Rouge,  La. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

DON  JUAN’S  THREE  NIGHTS:  Lewis  Stone 
— 15%.  A program  picture  that  gave  fifty-fifty 
satisfaction. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

ELLA  CINDERS:  Colleen  Moore— 10%.  May 
30-31.  Well,  Colleen,  I will  compliment  you  on 
this  picture  as  a good  one  or  else  people  must 
have  changed  their  taste.  Had  opposition  right 
next  door  on  the  stage  of  a dance  hall,  given  by 
the  Community  Club  at  that,  but  the  admission 
might  have  played  the  Cupid,  as  I charged  25 
cents  and  they  charged  50  cents  as  any  other 
stage  players  do,  but  Colleen  and  I got  the  bigger 
crowd,  so  all  is  well.  Thank  you.  Black  Eyes. 
Seven  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball, 
S.  Dak. — General  patronage. 

THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT:  Special  casL- 
60%.  May  29-30.  We  put  this  over  on  our  best 
nights  by  tying  up  with  war  vets  by  inviting  all 
the  war  boys  and  their  escorts  to  see  this  world 
war  love  drama.  We  got  our  crowd,  but  the  pic- 
ture proved  to  be  more  love  than  war.  However, 
no  kicks  were  registered.  The  director,  Howard 
Higgin,  is  a fine  director,  but  he  drew  out  the 
clinches  to  the  point  where  the  audience  roared 
in  amusement.  He  also  was  guilty  of  breach  in 
continuity  and  spoiled  the  effect  of  Miss  Sweet’s 
fine  acting.  The  main  object  of  the  story  was 
to  prove  that  Miss  Sweet,  though  an  artist’s 
model,  was  a refined  girl  of  high  morals.  Five 
minutes  after  she  met  Ben  Lyons  she  was  in  a 
loving  embrace  which  lasted  one  entire  night  in 
a taxicab.  Pretty  poor  breach  of  fiist  rules  in 
directing,  I should  say.  This  is  a high  cla^s 
beautiful  drama  with  enough  war  backing  round 
to  give  it  the  name  of  special. — ^Philip  Rand,  Bex 
theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

THE  GIRL  FROM  MONTMARTE:.  Special 
casT — 3%.  May  19.  It’s  a shame  the  way  they 


make  and  shoot  a lot  of  scenes  on  a film  and 
call  it  a picture.  Barbara  LaMarr,  poor  girl,  she 
never  had  a chance  in  anything  worth  the  film 
it  was  on.  I mean  real  honest  to  goodness  pic- 
tures. Not  like  this  one.  Rotten.  Eight  reels. 
— Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Wood- 
ville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Special  cast — June  8-9. 
Very  goo<l  comedy  drama.  A picture  the  whole 
family  csan  enjoy.  Eight  reels — Jas.  J.  Crowell, 
Star  theatre.  Middleport,  N.  Y. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

FOREVER  AFTER:  Special  cast — When  other- 
picture  companies  are  raving  about  their  so- 
called  specials,  First  National  turns  out  a pic- 
ture like  this  that  they  (First  National)  con- 
sider only  a program  picture  and,  boys,  it’s  got 
the  goods.  Book  it,  boost  it,  and  watch  the 
smiles  in  their  faces  as  they  leave  your  theatre. 
More  good  comments  on  this  than  anything  since 
“Imperial.” — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre, 
Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 
June  14-15.  From  an  entertainment  standpoint, 
I believe  this  is  the  best  Colleen  has  made  since 
I don’t  know  when.  The  story  is  good  and  the 
gags  are  about  the  best  that  have  appeared  in  any 
picture  for  a long  time  and  they  kept  the  house 
in  good  humor  from  start  to  finish.  It  was  pic- 
tures such  as  this  that  put  Colleen  at  the  top 
of  the  heap  and  not  such  dizzy  highbrow  flops 
as  “So  Big’’  and  “We  Moderns.’’  May  all  her 
future  pictures  be  as  good  as  this  one.  Seven 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

LADIES  AT  PLAY:  Special  cast — A little  bit 
snappy,  but  they  all  liked  it,  and  how  they 
laughed.  Drawing  power  not  very  good  even 
with  good  paper,  which  First  National  always 
haa. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville, 
la. — General  patronage. 

MIDNIGHT  LOVERS:  Lewis  Stone— June  12. 
A good  entertainer,  but  Stone  is  getting  out  of 
his  class  trying  to  take  a young  man's  part  when 
he’s  old  enough  to  be  a great  grandfather.  My 
dear  Mr.  Stone,  don’t  you  ever  think  you  are 
getting  too  old  for  the  stunts  you  pull  now| 
Six  reels.— M.  J.  Babin,  Fairyland  theatre,  White 
Castle,  La. — General  patronage. 

THE  LADY  IN  ERMINE.  THE  WHITE  BLACK 
SHEEP,  THE  NOTORIOUS  LADY,  SEE  YOU 


July  2,  1927  1 

IN  JAIL,  AN  AFFAIR  OF  THE  FOLLIES,  OR-  I 
CHIOS  AND  ERMINE,  LONG  PANTS  and 
JUST  ANOTHER  BLONDE:  Special  casts— I 
ran  all  of  these  pictures  during  May  and  will 
Ray  the  acting,  directing  and  story  of  each  one 
has  been  far  above  the  average  and  I can  rec-  ' 
ommend  them  to  any  exhibitor  anywhere. — R.  V. 
Fletcher,  Lyric  theatre,  Hartington,  Neb. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

LOST  AT  THE  FRONT:  Special  oast-^ust  a 
good  program  comedy.  Not  a special  by  any 
means,  and  much  too  raw  in  smutty  wise 
cracks.  A little  bit  rougher  and  it  would  make  ' 
a knockout  stag  picture.  Don’t  let  Bill  Hays  see  I 

this  one  from  a standpoint  of  censorship.  This  | 

pleased  the  gang  fine,  but  many  kicks  from 
heads  of  families.  Six  reels. — Joe  Hewitt,  Strand 
theatre,  Robinson,  III. — General  patronage.  | 

EASY  PICKINGS:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson — June  11.  j 
A very  good  crook  story. — Orris  F.  Collin-s,  Capi- 
tol theatre,  Paragould,  Ark. — General  patronage.  i 

OLD  LOVES  AND  NEW : Special  cast — 'This 
is  the  best  First  National  picture  we  have  had 
in  several  weeks,  and  that’s  saying  a lot. — M.  K. 
Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — General 
patronage. 

SUNSET  DERBY : Special  oast — One  of  the 
best  race  horse  dramas  ever  .shown  and  the 
bunch  of  pictures  that  make  business  good. — C. 

S.  Bovee,  Florence  theatre.  Elk  Point,  S.  Dak. 

— General  patronage. 

THE  LOST  WORLD:  Special  cast — 'This  one 
packed  my  house  on  the  first  i-un.  Played  it  the 
second  time  and  it  drew  well.  This  is  a big 
one.  If  you  haven’t  played  this  one  do  so  and 
advertise  it  big.  Ten  reels. — M.  K.  Harris,  Lnb- 
eity  theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

Fox 

CRADLE  SNATCHERS:  Louise  Fazenda — 

100%.  June  8.  A hot  farce  comedy.  Some  were 
shocked  and  some  were  saying,  “More  like  it.’* 
Plenty  of  laughs  and  spice.  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Ricliard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. 

— Small  town  patronage. 

WHISPERING  SAGE:  Buck  Jones — 90%, 

June  12.  Here  is  a real  picture.  It  takes  this 
kind  of  a picture  to  bring  in  the  patrons.  Fox 
pictures  are  all  fine  this  year. — Jay  Gould,  Alamo 
theatre,  Plainfield,  111. — Small  town  patronage. 

DESERT  VALLEY:  Buck  Jones — 40%,  June  4. 
Another  good  picture  from  Buck  to  big  Saturday 
business.  Buck  and  Tom  seldom  disappoint  me 
on  my  customers.  A good  Western  is  always 
welcome  in  my  town,  but  only  four  Western 
stars  mean  anything,  Mix,  Jones,  Maynard  and 
MoCoy.  Five  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  thea- 
tre, Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

DESERT  VALLEY : Buck  Jones — -A  very  good 
Western  with  plenty  of  comedy  in  it.  All  said 
it  was  good,  but  not  very  much  business.  F’ive 
reels. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples, 

Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— 75%. 

June  1.  One  day  to  a good  sized  house.  The 
usual  Mix  stuff,  overflowing  with  action.  Six 
reels. — ^Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix-^0%, 

May  21.  As  usual  Mix  packs  ’em  in  and  satis- 
fies. Plenty  of  action. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MONKEY  TALKS:  Olive  Borden — 18%. 

May  28.  A good  entertaining  novelty  picture,, 
but  poor  weather  kept  them  away. — R.  Pfeiffer, 
Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  GREAT  K.  & A.  TRAIN  ROBBERY: 

Tom  Mix — 50%.  This  is  a good  one.  I think  one 
of  Mix’s  best.  Pleased  90  per  cent  of  patronage. 

Harry  Gribbon  as  a tramp  supplies  quite  a lot 
of  comedy.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  Darst,  Dante  thea- 
tre, Dante,  Va. — General  patronage. 

A TRIP  TO  CHINATOWN:  Earle  Fox— 35%. 

May  27-28.  Poor  title  I put  as  cause  of  poor 
l>ercentage.  A nice  comedy.  Print  good,  paper 
fair,  acting  good,  photography  good.  Seven 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


61 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


NELIGH,  NEB.,  June  19,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

The  Beauty  Contest  is  over,  the  ballots  have  been  counted  and  the  canvassing  hoard 
has  canvassed  the  returns  atid  declared  the  result,  which  we  all  accept  as  final,  and, 
while  I doubt  if  Miss  Clara  Bow,  one  of  the  contestants,  has  ever  heard  of  the  con- 
test, yet,  being  one  who  took  a deep  interest  in  her  candidacy  and  whose  influence 
may,  or  may  not,  have  had  some  efl'ect  on  the  results,  I wish  to  take  this  means  of 
thanking  the  exhibitors,  on  part  of  Miss  Bow,  for  the  loyal  support  given  her  and  to 
assure  each  of  you  that  your  support  is  very  much  appreciated.  It  was  fine  of  you 
boys,  just  fine,  and  we  both  feel  grateful  for  it. 

We  wish  also  to  thank  the  eanvassing  board  for  the  efficient  manner  in  which  it 
performed  its  duty.  We  feel  that  honesty  and  fairness  were  the  governing  factors  in 
all  its  proceedings  and  that  the  result  as  announeed  is  fully  warranted  by  the  re- 
turns. So,  in  the  words  of  Tiny  Tim  Cratchet,  “God  bless  us  everyone,”  we  will  dis- 
miss the  subject. 

If  you  have  not  already  done  so,  I would  advise  you  to  turn  to  Mr.  Martin  J. 
Quigley’s  editorial  in  The  Studio  under  date  of  June  18  and  read  it.  This  editorial 
is  under  the  caption,  “Hail — The  Director,”  and  it  voices  what’s  been  on  my  mind 
for  all  the  years  I have  heen  connected  with  the  motion  picture  industry,  only  it 
voices  it  a thousand  times  louder  than  it  would  be  possible  for  me  to  do. 

The  interest  of  the  public  has  always  been  centered  on  the  star  and  but  little  atten- 
tion has  been  paid  to  the  director,  when  as  a matter  of  fact  the  director  is  the  one 
who  makes,  or  breaks,  a picture,  A poor  story  in  the  hands  of  a good  director  is 
oftentimes  made  into  a picture  of  delightful  entertainment,  while  on  the  other  hand 
a good  story  directed  by  an  incompetent  director  quite  frequently  turns  out  to  be 
a bad  mess  and  the  producers  get  the  blame  for  it. 

When  describing  a picture  they  have  seen  the  common  inquiry  is,  “Who  played 
in  it?”  and  seldom  ever,  “Wlto  directed  it?”  I seriously  doubt  if  1 per  cent  of  the 
picturegoing  public  could  name  the  director  of  any  picture  they  have  seen  outside 
of  “The  Birth  of  a Nation,”  and  yet  the  director  is  the.  most  important  factor  in 
motion  pictures.  We  bass  drum  and  idolize  stars  when,  as  a matter  of  fact,  they  are 
only  tools  in  the  hands  of  directors  who  shape  our  entertainment,  and  in  my  humble 
opinion  there  are  thousands  of  men  and  women  who  have  never  passed  before  a 
camera,  and  who,  if  placed  in  the  hands  of  competent  directors,  could  produce  even 
better  results  than  many  who  are  now  the  idols  of  the  picturegoing  public. 

As  a homely  illustration  of  what  I mean,  should  you  be  given  a piece  of  nice, 
fresh  huckelberry  pie,  with  the  proper  seasoning  and  properly  baked  you  would 
naturally  exclaim,  “What  delicious  pie  this  is,”  but  your  first  inquiry  would  be, 
“Who  made  it?”  You  wouldn’t  give  much  thought  to  the  huckelberries,  or  the 
crispy  crust,  or  the  seasoning,  although  they  are  important  factors,  but  your  interest 
would  be  centered  in  the  party  responsible  for  the  results.  On  the  other  hand,  if 
salt  had  been  put  in  the  pie  instead  of  sugar,  if  the  dough  was  “soggy,”  if  the  pie 

was  only  half  baked,  you  would  most  naturally  exclaim,  “Well  who  the  made 

this  mess  anyway?”  That’s  what  I said  when  I saw  “The  Kiss  at  Midnight  and 
“Loves  Greatest  Mistake,”  In  these  two  cases  the  stars  weren’t  to  blame,  no  fault 
could  be  attached  to  the  producers,  but  the  directors  had  to  shoulder  all  the  re- 
sponsibility, and  they  both  must  have  had  lumbago  or  rheumatism.  But  why  should 
I attempt  to  write  on  the  subject  of  the  importance  of  directors  after  Mr,  Quigley’s 
masterful  editorial  on  the  subject?  No  reason  in  the  world  why  I should,  there- 
fore, I would  advise  that  you  pay  no  attention  to  what  I say,  but  go  back  right  now 
and  get  The  Studio  and  turn  to  his  editorial  and  read  it.  It  is  worth  the  cost  of  the 
magazine, 

I am  probably  the  most  disappointed  man  in  the  whole  United  States.  I have 
been  here  waiting  for  those  contestants  to  arrive  in  the  HERALD’S  cross-country 

(Continued  on  next  page) 


July  2,  1927 

reels. — A.  C.  Digney,  Peerless  theatre,  Hartney 
Manitoba,  Can. — General  patronage. 

THE  EVERLASTING  WHISPER:  Tom  Mix— ^ 
75%.  June  13-14.  It  makes  no  difference 
whether  the  picture  is  good  or  bad,  Tom  Mix 
never  fails  to  get  the  money  here.  This,  by  the 
wiay,  was  a good  one.  Six  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle, 
Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

NO  MAN’S  GOLD:  ..Tom  Mix — ^One  more 
added  to  what  we  have  shown  makes  the  total 
just  one  higher.  Six  reels. — Giacoma  Bros., 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

SUMMER  BACHELORS:  Madge  Bellamy— A 
very  ordinary  program  picture  sold  as  a special. 
Very  much  overrated.  Cannot  tell  drawing  power 
as  a storm  hit  the  town  at  show  time.  No  busi- 
ness. Six  reels. — E.  W.  McClelland,  Rex  theatre, 
Gilman  City,  Mo. — General  patronage. 

SUMMER  BACHELORS:  Madge  Bellamy— 

June  15-16.  Sold  to  me  for  a special,  but  was 
a picture  that  did  not  please  10  per  cent.  Wi.sh 
I had  left  it  in  the  can — just  junk.  I did  not 
clear  expenses  and  with  no  opposition.  Six  reels. 
— Jas  J.  Crowell,  Star  theatre,  Middleport,  N.  Y. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

ONE  INCREASING  PURPOSE:  Special  cast 
— This  is  one  of  the  best  Fox  pictures  we  have 
played  lately.  It  is  more  than  an  ordinary  pro- 
gi'iam  picture  of  the  Fox  group.  So  far  I have 
played  only  one  bad  picture,  “The  Monkey 
Talks.” — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin, 
Ky. — General  patronage. 

THE  COUNTRY  BEYOND;  Special  oast>— NoD 
withstanding  some  have  panned  this  one,  we  will 
call  it  a darn  good  one.  The  scenery  is  fine  and 
the  Broadway  stuff  is  keen,  without  any  off  :ense. 
Our  folks  liked  it,  and  said  so.  Six  reels. — E. 
W.  McClelland,  Rex  theatre,  Gilman  City,  Mo. — 
General  patronage. 

HILLS  OF  PERIL:  Buck  Jones — An  average 
Jones  to  average  Jones  business.  A good  Western. 
Five  reels. — E.  W.  McClelland,  Rex  theatre,  Gil- 
man City,  Mo. — Small  town  patronage. 

THREE  BAD  MEN:  George  O’Brien — June 
13-Id.  Everyone!  said  this  was  the  greatest  West- 
ern picture  that  we  have  ever  shown.  A 100 
percent  entertainment,  althought  we  did  not  do 
very  good  business,  which  was  on  the  account  of 
rain.  Much  bigger  and  larger  than  “The  Cov- 
ered Wagon”  or  “The  Iron  Horse.”  Nine  reels. — 
O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  FLYING  FOOL:  Special  cast— A good 
two  reel  comedy. — Earl  Somerville,  Opera  House, 
Raymond,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

THE  DIXIE  MERCHANT:  Madge  Bellamy— 
June  9-10.  A very  good  picture.  Instead  of  the 
usual  running  race,  it  has  a good  sulky  race  for 
a windup.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Tmgs 
theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

Gotham 

—.THE  DANGER  SIGNAL:  Special  cast — 98%. 
A real  good  show.  Will  please  all,  so  what  more 
do  we  want?  Six  reels. — Earl  Somerville,  Opera 
House,  Raymond,  Minn, — General  patronage. 

WOMEN  AND  GOLD:  Frank  Mayo — May  12- 
13.  A very  good  mining  picture  of  South  Ameri- 
ca. The  story  above  all  was  excellent  but  I be- 
lieve there  are  other  actors  who  could  have  done 
better  justice  to  the  story.  Fmnk  Mayo  and 
Sylvia  Breamer  seem  too  old  to  be  convincing. 
Little  Frankie  Darro  adds  to  the  picture.  It’s  a 
good  program  picture,  nevertheleee.  Six  reels — 
H.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast — 100%.  June  2-3.  The 
best  comedy  of  the  year.  One  long  laugh  from 
start  (to  finish.  A i^oadshow  sold  at  program 
price.  Some  patrons  said  this  picture  was  better 
than  “The  Big  Pai’iade.”  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast — 85%.  This  puts  Metro 
back  on  the  map  for  awhile  and  will  cause  you 
to  overlook  a lot  of  the  bad  ones.  This  one 
slipped  through  on  the  big  bosses  or  it  would 
have  been  pulled  out  for  a special,  as  that  is 
just  what  it  is  in  the  comedy  line.  It  gets  as 
many  natural  laughs  as  any  Chaplin  or  Lloyd 
comedy  that  has  been  made.  It  has  a story  and 
interest  of  the  kind  you  like  to  follow  and  with 
it  all  it  is  a big  boost  for  an  American  idea — 
the  Citizen’s  Military  Training  Camp. — Ben  L. 
Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bella!  re,  O. — General  paG 
ronage. 


CAPTAIN  SALVATION:  Special  cast — 38%. 
June  11.  Neither  drew  nor  pleased.  Too  ginie- 
some.  A melodrama  of  the  sea.  Bad  tone.  Not 
for  Sunday  or  special.  Eight  reels. — Mrs.  Richard 
A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O’Neil— 75%. 
June  12.  Here’s  one  of  those  pictures  that’s  for 
the  whole  family.  Good,  clean  and  so  entertain- 
ing. Photography  excellent.  Paper  poor.  Sun- 
day, yes.  Good  appeal.  Eight  reels. — Mrs.  Rich- 
ard A,  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

MR.  WU:  Lon  Chaney— 75%.  May  29.  A 
very  good  Chinese  picture  and  drew  big  business, 
but  did  not  please  all  the  men  as  they  don’t  ex- 
pect Lon  Chaney  to  take  a part  like  this.  Eight 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. 
Small  town  patronage. 

LOVERS:  Ramon  Novarro — ^40%.  June  4,  A 
very  good  picture  but  my  patronage  did  not  seem 
to  like  this  one  so  well.  Seven  reels. — J.  C. 
Darst,  Dante  theatre,  Dante,  Va. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies — 50%.  June 
12-13.  'This  is  a good  picture.  Story  good.  Star 
and  cast  fine. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  VALLEY  OF  HELL:  Francis  McDonald 
— 75%.  June  4.  A wild  and  woolly  one  done  in 
the  high  class  manner.  M-G^M  Westerns  are 


clicking  at  the  box  office.  Sunday  and  special — 
no.  Five  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART : Special 

cast — 75%,  May  22-23.  A mighty  good  Peter  B. 
Kyne  picture  of  the  forests  with  lots  of  good 
comedy  supplied  by  two  old  gentlemen.  Goo<l 
cast  and  wonderful  scenery.  Everybody  pleased 
and  did  a good  business. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  pati*onage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART : Special 

cast — 50%.  June  11.  Had  some  very  good  com- 
ments on  this  one.  Patronage  very  good  due  to 
the  fact  that  Metro  has  been  giving  us  some 
very  good  pictures.  Just  a program  picture. 
Seven  reels. — J.  C.  Darst,  Dante  theatre,  Dante. 
Va. — General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
90%.  June  2-3-4.  This  was  our  first  Chaney  pic- 
ture and  it  went  over  big.  William  Haines  is  a 
knockout.  Ten  reels. — Jay  Gould,  Alamo  theatre, 
Plainfield,  III. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Special  cast— 85%. 
The  country  without  law,  Indians,  forest  fires  and 
battles  for  life  itself,  romance  and  tragedy.  Seven 
reels. — J.  W.  Ryder,  Jewel  theatre,  Verndale. 
Minn. — General  patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Special  casG-80%. 
April  11-12.  Very  good  picture.  Good  paper  and 
a good  drawing  power.  This  is  the  stuff  that  my 
patrons  like  to  see.  A well  made  picture  that 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

classics  since  June  10,  and  not  a doggone  one  has  pul  in  an  appearance.  The  race 
was  to  have  started  from  here  on  June  15,  and  the  Jenkins  wigwam  was  decorated  in 
all  the  colors  of  the  rainbow,  the  town  band  was  ready  to  be  summoned  on  a 
moments  notice,  the  mayor  had  a 30  minute  speech  all  prepared,  and  my  wife  had 
seven  spring  chickens  and  13  huckelberry  pies  all  ready  for  the  oven  and  not  a guy 
showed  up.  P.  G.  Este  flunked.  Bill  Weaver  has  said  nothing,  “Fishy”  Phil  is  as 
quiet  as  the  rest  of  them  and  there  you  are.  I knew  it  all  the  while,  they  were 
all  afraid  of  Clara,  and  now  R.L.  Anderson  of  Forks,  Wash.,  has  started  the  breweries 
working  overtime  in  anticipation  of  our  visit  and  nothing  will  come  of  it.  Had  this 
race  been  pulled  off  as  planned  Clara  and  I would  just  about  be  pulling  into  Forks, 
Wash.,  as  these  lines  are  written,  and  we  would  have  had  the  pleasure  of  of  a visit 
with  R.  L.  (and  his  cellar)  instead  of  sitting  here  writing  with  the  mercury  at  98  in 
the  shade,  danitheluckanyhow. 

Northeast  Nebraska  looks  like  a garden.  It  is  probably  the  brightest  agricultural 
spot  in  the  United  States  today.  The  rains  have  been  abundant  and  the  outlook  for 
crops  was  never  better,  notwithstanding  a cold  and  backward  spring,  but  with  Ne- 
braska’s sunshine  it  doesn’t  take  long  to  mature  a crop,  and  with  these  prospects 
business  is  beginning  to  show  a decided  improvement.  Rye  will  soon  be  ready  for 
the  reaper,  wheat  is  heading  out,  oats  promise  well  and  the  farmers,  for  the  most 
part,  have  the  cornfields  looking  like  gardens  and  all  is  well  in  Nebraska.  Hurrah 
for  the  Goldenrod  state. 

On  page  13  of  the  HERALD  of  June  18  is  a cartoon  of  the  HERALD’S  twelfth 
annual  parade,  and  you  will  notice  that  the  cartoonist  didn’t  put  Clara  and  I in  the 
parade  at  all,  but  stuck  us  out  in  the  cow  pasture  where  we  could  watch  the  parade 
go  by.  We  would  have  preferred  to  have  been  placed  among  that  bunch  of  exhibi- 
tors right  alongside  of  “Fishy”  Phil,  Tom  Foster,  Tragsdorf,  Frank  O’Hara  and  the 
rest  of  the  boys,  but  we  weren’t  consulted.  T’ainl  fair,  that’s  what  t’aint.  Anyhow, 
the  cartoonist  has  proven  that  the  HERALD  is  suaviter  in  modo,  foriter  in  re,  (if 
you  haven’t  forgotten  what  they  told  you)  and  the  cartoon  also  proves  what  I have 
been  preaching  to  you  for  years,  that  the  HERALD  fills  a want  none  others  do.  So, 
with  these  few  remarks  we  will  excuse  the  cartoonist  for  putting  us  in  the  cow  pasture. 

Some  folks  claim  there  isn’t  anything  in  a name.  Well,  maybe  there  isn’t,  but  you 
play  “Her  Unborn  Child,”  and  “Madam  Wants  No  Children”  and  then  talk  with 
the  box  office  and  see  what  it  says  about  it. 

Uncle  ’Leazer  Biggs  says,  “Some  title  writers  are  like  Jim  Smith’s  locoed  mule. 
They  start  out  to  go  some  place  but  don’t  know  where  they’re  goin’  nur  when  they’ll 
git  thar.” 

I saw  Marion  Davies  in  “Beverly  of  Graustark”  and  Clara  Bow  in  “Rough  House 
Rosie”  in  Walt  Bradley’s  theatre  reeently  and  since  then  I have  had  a little  more 
confidence  in  my  son-in-law’s  judgment,  and  a few  more  conferences  with  me  and 
he  ought  to  come  out  of  it  all  right. 

It  would  please  me  very  much  if  my  friend.  Bill,  would  send  his  card  into  Eagle 
Eye  Joe’s  office  and  see  if  he  could  arrange  a conference  with  him  and  could  find 
out  if  Joe  uses  profanity.  If  he  does  it  will  be  no  use  for  him  to  go  on  that  fishing 
trip  to  Minnesota,  for  the  fish  up  there  are  very  particular  about  one’s  language. 

It’s  show  time.  Wonder  if  I can  keep  awake. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  Man. 


«vei-yone  should  see.  Seven  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer, 
Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  John  Gilber^- 
100%.  June  16-17.  Book  this  and  you  won’t  re- 
gret it.  Has  a great  drawing  power.  Went  over 
big  here  in  bad  weather.  Pleased  everyone.  Nine 
reels. — Temple  theatre.  Baton  Rouge,  La. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  John  Gilbert— 
34%.  June  6-7.  A good  picture  and  will  satisfy 
your  patronage. — Coffee  & Ellis.  American  thea- 
tre, Perryton,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THERE  YOU  ARE:  Conrad  Nagel — 40%.  June 
15.  Did  not  draw  as  well  as  most  Metro’s,  but 
pleased  those  who  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — ^Temple 
theatre.  Baton  Rouge,  La. — General  patronage. 

WAR  PAINT:  Special  cast — 85%.  Not  as  good 
as  a Maynard,  but  a very  good  offering.  Well 
directed  and  well  made.  Pleased  and  drew  quite 
well.  McCoy  is  a little  too  old  and  too  hard 
looking  to  please  the  flappers.  Six  reels. — L.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General 
patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast — 50%.  April  18-19. 
I was  frankly  disappointed  in  this.  I expected  too 
much  and  advertised  it  too  highly.  Will  not 
compare  with  "Behind  the  Front.”  I made  a mis- 
take by  playing  it  on  a Monday.  Play  it  on  Sat- 
urday and  it  will  go  big.  Seven  reels. — L.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — ^General 
patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  LETTER:  Lillian  Gish^5%. 
June  13-14.  A wonderful  picture  in  every  re- 
spect but  failed  to  click  at  the  box  office.  I put  on 
an  extra  big  advertising  campaign  but  failed  to 
draw. — Orrifl  F.  Collins,  Capitol  theatre,  Para- 
gould.  Ark. — General  patronage. 

LA  BOHEME:  Lillian  Gish — 25%.  June  12. 


This  is  terrible  for  the  smaller  towns.  Had  the 
most  walkouts  that  I ever  had  on  a single  picture. 
’The  so-called  parade  of  hits  seems  to  be  about 
hitless  as  far  as  the  small  town  is  concerned. 
How  do  they  expect  to  sell  us  again  after  any- 
thing like  this?  Nine  reels. — Geo.  W.  Keenan, 
Gem  theatre.  Hill  City,  Minn. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  TEMPTRESS:  Si>ecial  cast — 80%.  April 
4-5.  Very  good  picture  to  a large  and  apprecia- 
tive audience.  Looks  like  Metro  has  the  pictures. 
— L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — 
General  patronage. 

BATTLING  BUTLER:  Buster  Keaton — 60%. 
Terrible.  Played  it  late  and  wish  I hadn’t  played 
it  at  all.  'This  is  the  only  poor  Metro  I have 
played  this  year. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre, 
Postville,  la.- — ^General  patronage. 

UPSTAGE:  Norma  Shearer — 85%.  Gives  life 
of  actors  and  actresses  on  the  stage,  as  it  really 
is.  Beautiful  Norma  and  her  good  and  ill  luck  on 
the  stage. — J.  W.  Ryder,  Jewel  theatre,  Verndale, 
Minn. — General  patronage. 

THE  TOWER  OF  LIES:  Lon  Chaney — 68%, 
June  14-15.  A piece  of  cheese..  Could  not  get 
them.  Gave  away  500  passes.  The  house  seats 
three  hundred  and  only  had  one-third  house  each 
day.  It  carries  only  one  good  moral  lesson. 
Scenery  poor,  story  poor.  Directing  fair.  It’s  all 
a bunch  of  gorgeous  lies.  Lay  off.  Some  people 
walked  out  on  it.  It  was  too  rotten  for  them. 
Six  reels. — Perry  G.  Walker,  Amusu  theatre, 
Statesboro,  Ga. — General  patronage. 

VALENCIA:  Mae  Murray — 10%.  June  9.  This 
pictui-e  did  not  give  satisfaction  here. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

FAUST:  Special  cast — 40%.  May  26-27.  A 


July  2,  1927 

bighty  good  picture  for  a change  and  surprised 
me  at  the  drawing  power  the  first  night.  Second 
night  business  not  so  good.  The  kind  of  picture 
that  will  not  go  over  in  many  small  towns. — R. 
Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  MIDSHIPMAN : Ramon  Novarro — 60%. 
June  8. — Little  old  but  a good  picture. — Jay  Gould, 
Alamo  theatre,  Plainfield,  111. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

HEAVEN  ON  EARTH:  Conrad  Nagel — June 
8-9.  Very  ixjor  business  but  all  that  saw  it  said 
it  was  a very  good  picture.  Renee  Adoree  and 
Conrad  Nagel  were  real  stars  in  this  one.  Plenty 
of  comedy.  Seven  reels. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace 
theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

Paramount 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Clara  Bow— 75%. 
June  5-6.  Not  as  good  as  “It”  but  it’s  a money 
maker  and  is  real  entertaining.  Miss  Bow  is 
more  attractive  and  does  good  work  but  "It”  was 
liked  the  best.  Leading  man  (Reed  Howes)  not 
so  good.  Good  paper,  new  print  and  A-1  service 
out  of  Denver  exchange.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Rich- 
ard A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre.  Arvada,  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Clare  Bow — -It’s  good. 
Some  said  they  liked  it  better  than  “It,”  and 
drew  well  the  first  night  against  rain.  Rather 
slow  in  getting  started  but  after  that  it  gains 
speed  and  delivers  in  good  shape. — Joe  Hewitt, 
Strand  theatre,  Robinson,  111. — General  patronage. 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Clara  Bow— Good 
star,  good  title,  good  picture,  good  house.  What 
more  do  you  want?  Come  on  Paramount  with 
some  more  of  them. — C.  S.  Bovee,  Florence  thea- 
tre, Elk  Point,  S.  Dak. — General  patronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— 50%. 
June  9-10.  Drew  only  fair.  Miss  J.  Ralston  very 
good  ae  leading  lady.  Good  for  those  that  like 
Cantor,  but  others  will  say,  “Not  much.”  Six 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

HOTEL  IMPERIAL:  Pola  Negri— 90%.  Boys, 
here  is  a picture.  I have  played  no  better  pic- 
tures this  year  than  this  one.  Fellows  get  be- 
hind it  and  boost  it  hard.  If  you  have  an  in- 
telligent audience  they’ll  go  wild  over  it.  I wish 
all  Paramount  pictures  were  this  good.  Eight 
reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville, 
la.— General  patronage. 

HOLD  THAT  LION:  Douglas  MacLean— 20%. 
June  1.  A very  good  comedy.  Seemed  to  please 
just  about  all  who  came.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  Darst, 
Dante  theatre,  Dante,  Va. — General  patronage. 

I'f:  Clara  Bow — 80%.  June  11.  “It”  is  a 

very  fine  picture.  Miss  Bow  certainly  has  “It” 
and  if  you  haven’t  had  “It”  don’t  fail  to  do  so. 
Seven  reels. — Chas.  McCabe,  Liberty  theatre,  Wal- 
worth, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  POPULAR  SIN:  Florence  Vidor— 85%. 
Jime  18.  Drew  big  Saturday  business.  It’s  en- 
tirely too  sophisticated  for  small  town  entertain- 
ment. ’They  trade  wives  and  husbands  in  this 
with  all  the  nonchalance  of  a group  of  small 
fans  swapping  jack  knives.  Don’t  misunderstand 
me,  it’s  a swell  picture,  finely  acted  and  pro- 
duced on  the  usual  Paramount  lavish  scale,  but 
it  just  didn’t  fit  in  here.  Seven  reels. — ^E.  M. 
Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town 
patronage. 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO:  Richard  Dix— 50%. 
This  is  the  weakest  of  all  Dix  pictures.  Very 
poor  entertainment.  Dix  fans  were  badly  dis- 
appointed. I think  this  picture  hurt  the  at- 
tendance on  “Knockout  Reilly”  which  I have 
just  played.  Seven  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Post- 
ville theatre,  Postville,  la.- — General  patronage. 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN:  W.  C.  Fields— 20%. 
April  6-7.  “So’s  your  old  man”  if  I play  another 
like  this.  No  drawing  power  and  very,  very 
ordinary.  Six  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville 
theatre,  Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

A KISS  IN  A TAXI:  Bebe  Daniels— 40%.  June 
5.  Another  good  picture  spoiled  by  a poor  title. 
People  in  small  town  communities  do  not  come 
to  a show  when  a title  of  this  kind  is  shown 
on  the  billboard.  The  producers  should  look  for 
different  titles  to  draw  the  crowds  for  small 
towns. — Chas.  McCabe,  Liberty  theatre,  Walworth, 
Wis.— Small  town  patronage. 

NEW  YORK:  Special  cast^55%.  This  did 
not  draw  for  some  reason  or  other.  Not  a bad 
picture  and  has  good  people  in  it.  Believe  the 
title  is  bad  as  in  the  smaller  towns  there  is  a 
feeling  that  New  York  is  not  so  much,  and  then 
the  many  news  picture  views  of  the  big  town 
take  the  edge  off. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre, 
Bellaire,  O. — General  ijatronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— 80%.  June 
15-16.  A fine  Zane  Grey  Western.  ’This  type 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


63 


July  2,  1927 

of  picture  appeals  to  my  patrons  and  they  turned 
out  in  goodly  numbers  to  let  me  know  it.  Some 
of  the  finest  outdoor  shots  you  ever  saw  in  all 
your  life.  If  Paramount  would  make  more  of 
this  type  and  fewer  of  the  red  hot  sexy  kind,  it 
would  suit  me  down  to  the  ground,  and  then 
some.  Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre, 
Paoli,  Ind.. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels— 
72%.  June  2-3.  A whirlwind  of  light  romance 
with  a dash  of  pepper.  Bebe  comes  and  delivers 
a right  and  breezy  comedy  of  speed  boat  racing 
by  the  author  of  Wally  Reid’s  auto  hits.  The 
pace  that  kills  is  all  that  thrills  the  "Palm  Beach 
Girl.’’  It’s  funny  with  a wild  turmoil  of  ad- 
venture. Seven  reels. — Perry  G.  Walker,  Amusu 
theatre,  Statesboro,  Ga. — General  patronage. 

THE  BLIND  GODDESS:  Special  cast^20%. 
June  9-10.  A very  good  picture  that  pleased. 
Prom  the  novel  by  Arthur  Train.  For  some 
unknown  reason  I lost  money  on  this  one.  The 
picture  is  of  New  York’s  criminal  courts  and 
centering  around  the  character  of  a brilliant 
young  man  and  a family  romance.  Eight  reels. 
— Perry  G.  Walker,  Amusu  theatre,  Statesboro, 
Ga. — General  patronage. 

VARIETY:  Emil  Jannings— 35%.  June  8. 

This  is  a fair  program  picture.  Something  dif- 
ferent. Trapeze  work  very  good.  Pleased  about 
80  per  cent.  Five  reels. — J.  C.  Darst,  Dante 
theatre,  Dante,  Va.— General  patronage. 

WET  PAINT:  Raymond  Griffith — 14%.  June 
10.  Can’t  say  very  much  for  this  one. — Coffee  & 
Ellis,  American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

YOU’D  BE  SURPRISED:  Raymond  Griffith— 
20%.  June  17.  I’ve  exhibited  pictures  in  this 
town  for  better  than  15  years  and  this  is  the 
poorest  thing  I’ve  ever  flashed  on  my  screen. 
Nothing  but  bait  for  a mouse  trap.  You  get  me, 
don’t  you  7 You  guessed  it  the  first  time — 
cheese!  It’s  a shame,  too.  With  the  proper  ma- 
terial Griffith  could  make  them  howl.  Seventy- 
five  percent  of  the  audience  walked  out.  Six 
reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

IRISH  LUCK:  Thomas  Meighan— 70%.  Good 
with  some  lovely  scenery  of  Ireland  mixed  in  for 
good  measure.  Clean  and  entertaining  to  the  end. 
Seven  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount, 
Stapleton,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

A REGULAR  FELLOW : Raymond  Griffith — 
50%.  Silly.  So  much  so  that  we  could  hardly 
wait  for  the  end  to  come.  Too  silly  to  be 
funny.  My  patrons  agreed  with  me  on  this  one. 
Seven  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount 
theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

EVENING  CLOTHES:  Adolphe  Menjou — 

June  8.  A nice  title,  a nice  entertainer,  but  it 
seemed  to  fall  flat  in  drawing  power  as  I did  not 
take  in  film  rental.  Seven  reels. — M.  J.  Babin, 
Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — General 
patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— June 
12-13.  A good  Zane  Grey  Weetern.  Jack  Holt 
good  and  the  trained  mountain  lion  makes  it 
better  than  a program  picture.  As  a matter  of 
fact,  it  doesn’t  make  much  difference  who  the 
star  is  in  a Zane  Grey  picture,  just  so  they 
stick  to  the  story.  However,  it’s  a cinch  that 
Holt  will  draw  more  than  some  of  the  unknowns 
that  Paramounts  intends  to  wash  off  on  us  next 
year,  without  any  probable  cost  in  the  price  of 
films.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  ’Trags 
theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

SENORITA:  Bebe  Daniels — Bebe  a regular 

Fairbanks.  They  do  not  make  them  much  better. 
— C.  S.  Bovee,  Florence  theatre.  Elk  Point,  S. 
Dak. — General  patronage. 

THE  ANCIENT  HIGHWAY:  Jack  Holt— Good 
Western  and  I’m  sure  it  pleased  the  majority. 
Seven  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor.  Paramount  thea- 
tre, Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

Pathe 

THE  DEVIL  HORSE:  Rex— 70%.  June  3-4. 
Whilst  "Black  Cyclone”  was  our  best  box  oflice 
picture  since  opening  here,  ‘"The  Devil  Horse’’  is 
the  best  picture.  Advertise  this  picture  and  boost 
it  all  you  like.  You  will  please  all  who  come. 
It  is  one  of  the  best  fqr  small  towns.  Book  it, 
boost  it,  and  you  will  come  out  on  top.  Print 
good,  paper  good,  acting  good,  photography  good 
and  receipts  good.  You  bet,  that’s  the  stuff.  Six 
reels. — A.  C.  Digney,  Peerless  theatre,  Hartney 
Manitoba,  Can. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAN  FROM  HARDPAN:  Leo  Maloney— 
This  is  a good  one  and  will  please  most  of  your 
IMitrons.  Have  played  four  Maloney’s  and  have 
yet  to  find  a bad  one. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty 
theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — General  patronage. 


Photo  Is  Fine,  But 

Where’s  Affidavit? 


25‘pound  Great  Northern  pike 

A recent  catch  made  by  J.  C.  Jen- 
kins while  at  Alexandria,  Minn.  Bass 
season  not  open  until  June  21,  or  he 
would  have  caught  the  limit  of  bass, 
as  they  are  biting  like  a mad  dog. 

There  are  over  200  lakes  in  this 
county  and  all  of  them  full  of  bass, 
pike,  pickerel,  croppies.  Great  North- 
ern pike,  etc. 

Yours  truly, 

H.  J.  LONGAKER, 

State  Theatre, 
Alexandria,  Minn. 

P.  S. : J.  C.  casts  a mean  line  and 
when  he  returns  this  summer  will  set 
a record  for  size  of  catch. 


Pro-Dis-Co 

PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY:  George  Jes.sel— 
35%.  May  30-31.  A good  program  picture. 
Pleased  majority.  Personally  I can’t  see  much  in 
this  George  Jessel.  Women  don’t  like  him.  He 
will  never  be  a great  success  on  the  screen. — ■ 
R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER:  Special  cast— 
80%.  June  13.  Very  good  picture.  All  star  cast. 
Book  it  and  boost  it.  Nine  reels. — Temple  thea- 
tre, Baton  Rouge,  La. — General  patronage. 

MADAM  BEHAVE:  Special  cast— 60%.  May 
25-26.  Another  A1  Christie  comedy  that  is  ridicu- 
lously funny.  Perhaps  cleaner  than  most  of 
Christie’s  but  there  were  a few  raw  titles,  one 
saying  that  Madam  has  such  sex  appeal.  Was 
not  necessary,  nor  was  reference  to  corsets,  etc. 
Julian  Eltinge  was  very  fine  and  the  cast  was  all 
splendid. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

RED  DICE:  Rod  LaRoeque — 80%.  June  17. 
Played  this  one  rather  late  but  it  is  a dandy 
picture.  Had  a wonderful  crowd  on  this  one  and 
it  pleased  them  all.  Seven  reels. — Orris  F.  Col- 
lins, Capitol  theatre,  Paragould,  Ark. — General 
patronage. 

THE  YANKEE  CLIPPER:  William  Boyd— 
June  9-10-11.  Possibly  the  best  sea  picture  in  10 
years.  Starts  slow  and  plenty  of  hokum,  but  it’s 
good  for  any  theatre.  At  times  Mr.  Coghlan  over- 
shadows the  stars,  but  nobody  minds  a little  thing 
like  that.  Nine  reels. — -Clark  & Edwards,  Palace 
theatre,  Ashland,  O. — General  patronage. 

PALS  IN  PARADISE:  John  Bowers — June  11. 
A real  good  picture  with  plenty  of  comedy,  that 
brought  in  extra  business.  We  had  to  hang  out 
an  S.  R.  O.  sign  on  this  one.  Pleased  everyone 
that  saw  it.  ’They  said  it  was  the  best  Saturday 
night  picture  that  we  have  shown  in  a long 
time.  Seven  reels. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre, 
Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  SPEEDING  VENUS:  Priscilla  Dean— 
June  11.  I think  they  seemed  to  like  it.  Had  no 


unfavorable  comments,  although  it’s  only  an  ordi- 
nary program  feature.  Seven  reels. — M.  J.  Babin, 
Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — General 
patronage. 

WEST  OF  BROADWAY:  Priscilla  Dean— 
June  10.  Used  this  one  on  a Western  night  and 
it  went  over  and  pleased  the  Western  fans  okay, 
so  I would  advise  you  to  use  it  on  a night  you 
use  Western  features.  Seven  reels. — M.  J.  Babin, 
Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — ^General 
patronage. 

Tiffany 

SIN  CARGO:  Special  cast — 80%.  This  inde- 
pendent bought  at  a right  price  and  run  at  the 
proper  time  is  just  as  good  a feature  for  a high 
class  house  as  you  would  want.  Ran  it  three 
days  to  excellent  business.  L#ots  of  talk  about 
it.  Story  is  well  mounted,  maybe  not  so  elaborate 
in  detail  as  some  poorer  stories,  but  one  has  to 
watch  awful  close  to  see  the  sham,  and  it  does 
not  hurt  the  story.  Good  people  in  it  and  they 
know  their  stuff.  Better  box  office  profit  than 
most  big  specials. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  thea- 
tre, Bellaire,  O. — General  patronage. 

FOOLS  OF  FASHION:  Hedda  Hopper— 90%. 
This  society  drama  from  an  independent  com- 
pany did  something  in  our  house  no  other  picture 
has  done  this  year,  increased  the  business  each 
of  the  three  days  it  was  run.  We  always  open 
big  Monday  and  fall  off  the  following  two  days. 
This  story  is  a society  drama  of  a woman  who 
let  her  love  for  clothes  cause  her  to  almost  stray 
from  the  straight  and  narrow.  Good  people  in 
this  who  handled  their  parts  well. — Ben  L.  Morris, 
Temple  theatre,  Bellaire,  Ohio. — General  patron- 
age. 

COLLEGE  DAYS:  Marceline  Day — May  27-28. 
Very  good  picture  of  college  football.  Well  cast 
and  well  acted.  Seven  reels. — Clark  & Edwards, 
Palace  theatre,  Ashland,  O. — General  patronage. 

United  Artists 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH: 

Vilma  Banky — 75%.  With  a rain  storm  one  night 
and  a circus  the  next  to  buck  we  didn’t  come 
out  as  well  as  we  expected  to,  but  at  that  made 
a few  dollars  and  pleased  our  patrons  with  this 
picture.  Some  said  beet  they  had  eeen  for  some 
time.  Nine  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Para- 
mount theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH:  Spe- 
cial cast — 45%.  June  13.  This  is  a good  Western 
picture.  Had  several  comments  on  this  one.  A 
good  picture  for  any  small  town.  Nine  reels. — 
J.  C.  Darst.  Dante  theatre,  Dante,  Va. — General 
patronage. 

THROUGH  THE  BACK  DOOR:  Mary  Pick- 
ford — 65%.  June  15.  Old  but  certainly  did 
bring  in  a crowd.  Used  for  Family  Night  with 
very  satisfactory  results. — Horn  & Cramer,  Royal 
theatre,  Gardner,  Kan. — General  patronage. 

PARTNERS  AGAIN : George  Sidney — ^Good 
clean  comedy,  but  failed  to  get  the  laughs  as  we 
expected.  The  picturegoing  public  appears  to  be 
getting  hard  boiled  and  they  sure  are  getting 
to  be  discriminating  to  the  limit.  You  cannot 
fool  ’em  with  Westerns  socalled,  nor  you  cannot 
hand  them  press  stuff  that  every  picture  that 
comes  out  is  the  best  ever.  The  public  knows 
that  only  one  picture  in  a million  or  thereabouts 
is  a real  picture  with  a kick  that  is  more  than 
just  entertaining.  This  is  no  criticism  of  "Part- 
ners Again,’’  for  it  is  a good  picture  and  the  work 
of  George  Sidney  is  always  100  percent  perfect. 
Six  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone, Ariz. — General  patronage. 

A TAILOR  MADE  MAN:  Charles  Ray— June 
9.  Not  much  of  a picture.  Too  old.  Had  a 
very  poor  crowd.  Some  of  them  got  up  and  left 
before  it  was  over.  Nine  reels. — Andrew  Rapp. 
Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

THE  HILL  BILLY:  Jack  Pickford— May  26. 
A very  poor  picture.  If  you  have  it  booked  pay 
for  it  and  let  them  keep  it.  Had  a veiTr  poor 
crowd.  Six  reels. — Andrew  Rapp.  Theatorium, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

Universal 

DOWN  THE  STRETCH:  Special  cast— 22%. 
I do  not  know  anything  about  the  making  of 
pictures  but  I do  know  how  they  act  at  the  box 
office  and  the  reaction  on  the  audience.  'This 
one  did  not  do  any  good  at  the  ticker  ; was  dis- 
appointed as  I expected  this  being  a hor.se  race 
pictuer  that  it  would  make  up  for  the  sins  of 
some  of  the  Jewels  that  failed  to  shine.  This  is 
the  first  racing  picture  I ever  ran  that  never 
pulled  a rise  out  of  the  kids  until  the  very  last. 
Too  draggy.  The  porest  race  horse  picture  I 
ever  ran. — L.  Mayne  Jones,  Arcadia  theatre, 
Vandergrift,  Pa. — General  patronage. 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


THE  SILENT  RIDER:  Hoot  Gibson— 40%. 
June  2.  Just  the  average  Gibbon  picture.  Hoot 
has  always  gone  over  good.  Enough  comedy  and 
action  to  please  most  any  small  town  patronage. 
Six  reels — J.  C.  Dai'st,  Dante  theatre,  Dante,  Va. 
— General  patronage. 

HEY,  HEY,  COWBOY:  Hoot  Gibson— 6.5%. 
June  11.  Hoot  always  draws  the  crowds  for  us. 
The  kids  nearly  raise  the  roof  when  Gibson  comes 
to  town.  We  had  a good  house.  Six  reels. — 
Chas.  McCabe,  Liberty  theatre,  Walworth,  Wis. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  COMBAT:  House  Peters— 68%.  May  14. 
Poor  old  House  Peters.  Six  reels. — Aubrey 
Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  ICE  FLOOD:  Kenneth  Harlan— 37%.  June 
8-9.  Good  average  program  picture  that  will  go 
over  and  please. — Coffee  & Ellis,  American  thea- 
tre, Perryton,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  ICE  FLOOD:  Kenneth  Harlan— 20%. 

May  29.  A real  good  clean  picture  with  lots  of 
action  and  all  outdoor  scenery.  Just  what  people 
like.  Producers,  you  better  make  more  outdoor 
pictures  and  get  away  from  all  society  mush  and 
slobber  pictures  and  the  pleasure  %vill  be  all 
yours.  I say  again,  good  picture.  Six  reels. — 
R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak. — ^Gen- 
eral patronage. 

BLAZING  DAYS:  Fred  Humes— 50%.  June 
11.  A good  action  picture.- — -Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  SPOOK  RANCH:  Special  cast— 60%.  May 
27-28.  While  I thought  this  was  one  of  Hoot’s 
poorer  ones,  my  crowd  seemed  to  like  it  im- 
mensely. They  liked  the  negro  who  was  really 
funny  and  enjoyed  the  spooky  scenes.  Hoot 
rides  quite  a bit  in  this.  I wish  Hoot  would  get 
a pretty  leading  lady. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre, 
Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS:  Special  cast— 
This  is  a wow.  This  is  the  best  comedy  we  have 
shown  for  many  months.  If  Paramount  had  this 
one  it  would  be  roadshowed  for  now  and  ever 
after.  Don’t  fail  to  step  on  this  one  big  and  you 
won’t  regi'et  it.  It’s  a Universal  and  Uncle 
Carl  sure  gives  you  a square  deal. — M.  K.  Harris, 
Liberty  theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

THE  BORDER  SHERIFF:  Jack  Hoxie — June 
11.  Good  little  Western  for  Saturday  night. 
Five  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  YELLOW  BACK:  Fred  Humes — A good 
Western,  but  as  Humes  is  a new  star  in  feature 
lengths  it  did  not  draw  well.  It’s  a Universal 
picture  and  you  are  sure  to  get  a square  deal  from 
Uncle  Carl. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre, 
Franklin,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

Warner  Bros. 

THE  BETTER  OLE:  Syd  Chaplin — 80%.  June 
6-7-8-9.  A good  comedy,  but  some  of  my  patrons 
did  not  like  it.  Not  worth  the  price  I paid.  The 
20  and  40  cent  admission  kept  many  at  home. 
Did  more  business  wilth  “Charley’s  Aunt’’  in  two 
days.  Ten  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  pati’onage. 

MY  OFFICIAL  WIFE:  Irene  Rich — 30%.  June 
6-7.  Not  a picture  for  small  towns.  Not  a pic- 
ture for  children  to  see.  Very  raw.  What  are 
the  censors  getting  $7,500  a year  for?  Eight 
reels. — Jas.  J.  Crowell,  Star  theatre,  Middleport, 
N.  Y. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  THIRD  DEGREE:  Dolores  Costello — 55%, 
June  5.  A very  good  picture,  but  a complete 
flop  at  box  office.  Did  only  75  percent  of  regular 
Sunday  business.  Warner  pictures  cannot  get  the 
business  for  me.  Rin  Tin  Tin  only  bet  on  pro- 
gram. Eight  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON  JUAN:  John  Barrymore — 75%.  May 
17-18-19-20.  After  a big  advertising  campaign  did 
only  a fair  business  four  nights.  Could  easily 
have  handled  them  in  two  nights.  A mighty  good 
picture  but  will  not  be  a big  drawing  card  in 
small  towns.  Barrymore  don't  mean  a thing  in 
this  town.  Ten  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  thea- 
tre, Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHY  GIRLS  GO  BACK  HOME:  Patsy  Ruth 
Miller — 15%.  June  8.  A good  entertaining  pro- 
gram picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  ALARM:  Special  cast— 50%. 
June  11-12.  A real  picture.  Old?  Yes,  but 
what  difference  does  that  make  when  you  satisfy 
your  patrons.  The  fire  scenes  vei-y  realistic. 
Pi’int  fair,  owing  to  rain  it’s  a wonder  the  fire 
burned.  Paper  good,  acting  good,  photography 
good.  If  you  haven’t  shown  this  do  so,  it’s  good. 
Seven  reels. — A.  C.  Digney,  Peerless  theatre, 
Harney,  Manitoba,  Can. — General  patronage. 

WHITE  FLANNELS:  Special  cast — June  11. 


So  far  as  I could  find  there  had  been  but  one 
report  turned  in  and  that  was  scathingly  ad- 
verse. Of  coarse  I was  afraid  to  play  it.  Now 
here  is  my  report:  It  is  a beautiful  picture. 
Louise  Dresser  is  wonderful  and  the  mine  scenes 
are  absolutely  authentic  (I  was  born  and  raised 
in  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and  si>€ak  by  the  book). 
The  audience  sat  absolutely  still.  Even  the  chil- 
dren were  moved  during  the  emotional  scenes, 
and  there  were  mors  favorable  comments  from 
the  people  as  they  left  the  theatre  than  I have 
heard  for  a long  time.  We  all  know  ones  audi- 
ence likes  to  laugh  but  we  also  know  they  like 
to  shed  an  occasional  tear,  and  this  is  one  picture 
where  they  can  do  both.- — -San  Juan  theatre,  Fri- 
day Harbor,  Wash. — General  patronage. 

THE  BRUTE:  Monte  Blue — One  of  the  few 
Warners  of  late  that  comes  up  to  standard.  Good 
melodrama  for  the  masses.  Drew  fair  and  pleased 
in  a general  way. — Joe  Hewitt,  Strand  theatre, 
Robinson,  III. — General  patronage. 

THE  LOST  LADY:  Irene  Rich— This  picture 
did  not  make  any  particular  stir  with  our  people. 
When  it  was  over  they  seemed  to  pass  out  with 
the  expression  on  their  faces  of  just  another  pic- 
ture. Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  thea- 
tre, Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

HILLS  OF  KENTUCKY:  Rin  Tin  Tin— April 
26-27.  The  best  Rin  Tin  Tin  picture  for  a long, 
long  time.  The  story  is  perhaps  not  the  best  but 
the  work  of  the  dog  is  better  than  his  previous 
best.  'The  picture  will  please. — C.  A.  Miller, 
Strand  theatre,  Alma,  Mich. — ^Small  town  pa- 
tronage. 

HOGAN’S  ALLEY:  Monte  Blue— Only  had  95 
in  to  see  this  last  night.  I believe  the  public  is 
a little  tired  of  alley  fights  and  prize  rings.  As 
well  as  Jewish-Irish  comedies.  Hope  it  does  better 
tonight. — A.  F.  Jenkins,  Community  theatre,  David 
City,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

THE  SEA  BEAST : John  Bari*ymore — April  27. 
A wonderful  picture.  Everyone  seemed  to  enjoy 
Barrymore  in  this  one.  Business  was  not  very 
good,  but  in  no  way  the  fault  of  the  picture. 
Ten  reels. — Abe  P.  Werbner,  Princess  theatre 
Quincy,  111. — General  patronage. 

State  Rights 

GOD’S  GREAT  WILDERNESS:  Mary  Carr— 
April  10-11.  Very  good  picture.  One  with  a 
moral.  Pleased  75  percent.  Good  print  and 
paper.  Six  reels. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre, 
Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  PHANTOM  EXPRESS:  David  Butler- 
May  20-21.  A mighty  fine  railroad  picture.  One 
that  holds  your  interest  from  the  first  flash  to  the 
laf^t  flicker.  Acting,  direction  and  photography 
good.  Frankie  Darro  plays  in  this  picture.  Five 
reels. — H.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  RAT : Special  cast — 80%.  Believe  that 
this  is  the  first  good  foreign  picture  we  have 
ever  had.  Comes  nearer  being  the  American  idea 
of  a story  than  any  yet.  Ivor  Novello  is  won- 
derful, a combination  of  Valentino  and  Ramon 
Novarro,  yet  is  distinctly  original.  Story  is  just 
the  same  as  when  under  the  direction  of  D.  W. 
Griffith.  Settings  are  refreshingly  original,  many 
being  shots  in  and  about  Paris.  It  is  a picture 
any  house  can  run, — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  thea- 
tre, Bellaire,  O. — Genei’al  patronage. 

TEN  DAYS:  Richard  Holt— May  27-28.  Ex- 
hibitors, look  here.  I dare  you  to  play  this  fine 
little  picture  and  not  please  your  patrons  to 
perfection.  It  has  a little  of  everything  in  it 
thus  almost  universal  appeal.  The  picture  is  a 
fast  action  comedy  drama  and  it  starts  where 
lots  of  pictures  leave  off.  Did  they  laugh?  I’ll 
say  they  did.  Every  actor,  although  almost  un- 
known, does  very  good  work  with  special  mention 
to  Holt,  Hazel  Keener  and  Vic  Potal.  I re- 
ceived many  good  comments.  'The  photography 
was  excellent.  Some  of  you  fellows  who  are 
running  some  of  the  big  companies  tommy  rot, 
would  advise  you  to  give  the  little  state  rights 
companies  a chance.  They  have  some  poor  stuff, 
but  who  hasn’t?  From  Independent  Film  Com- 
pany, Omaha,  Neb.  Five  reels. — H.  C.  Mauler, 
Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage. 

Serials 

THE  PHANTOM  POLICE:  Herbert  Rawlinson 
— This  is  our  first  episode  and  starts  out  fine.— 
F.  W.  Kutil,  Alex  theatre,  Alexandida,  S.  Dak. — 
General  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

BURNING  LIZZY:  A good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 


CASH  AND  CARRY:  Neal  Burns — Pretty  cute 
and  good.  Two  reels.-^Mrs.  Richaixi  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  i>at- 
r on  age. 

DOG  DAZE:  Fair  one  reeler. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

GIDDY  GOBBLERS:  Jack  Duffy— Pretty  punk. 
Two  reels — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  thea- 
tre, Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOOSE  FLESH:  Lloyd  Hamilton — A spooky 
one.  Lots  of  laughs.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard 
A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

HIS  PRIVATE  LIFE:  Good.— R.  Pfeiffer, 

Princess  theatre,  Chilton.  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

HONEST  INJUN:  This  was  a good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Geo.  W.  Keenan,  Gem  theatre.  Hill 
City,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

JAIL  BIRDIES:  Bobby  Vernon— Real  good 
and  funny.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

NAUGHTY  BOY:  Lupino  Lane — This  is  a very 
funny  comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  i>at- 
ronage. 

OPEN  SPACE:  A good  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

PLEASURE  BOUND:  Lige  Connelly— A little 
old,  but  a dandy  good  one.  Two  reels. — E.  W. 
McClelland,  Rex  theatre,  Gilman  City,  Mo. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

QUEEN’S  WILD:  Fair.  Two  reels.^Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

RACE  TO  PARIS:  ..Charles  Lindbergh— Every 
exhibitor  should  grab  this  reel.  Very  good. 
Showing  other  heroes  of  the  air  along  with 
famous  “Lindy.”  Start  to  finish  of  trip.  One 
reel. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

SCRAMBLED  EGGS:  Babe  London — ^This  is  a 
pretty  good  single  reel  comedy.  Better  than  lots 
of  two  reelers. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Em- 
lenton, Pa. — General  patronage. 

SHELL  SOCKED:  Fair  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— Geo.  W.  Keenan,  Gem  theatre.  Hill  City,  Minn. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

SLIPPERY  FEET;  Fair.  Two  reels.— R. 
Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Clinton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

F.  B.  O. 

ALICE  BLUES:  Just  a fair  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
— General  patronage. 

BROWN  DERBY : Alice  Caiix>on — Another 

good  cartoon  that  had  plenty  of  comedy.  All 
liked  it. — O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

A CHIN  HE  LOVED  TO  TOUCH:  Special 
cast — “The  Wisecrackers.”  Not  the  best  of  this 
series. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

DONE  GONE:  Krazy  Kat — Good.  One  reel. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

IN  THE  AIR:  This  one  kept  them  laughing 
all  the  way  through.  Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

SHY  KNEES:  “Wisecrackers  No.  7.”  This 
has  been  the  best  of  the  Wisecrackers  yet.  Has 
plenty  of  comedy  and  the  people  screamed  while 
this  was  showing.  Two  reels. — O.  R.  Young, 
Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

UNSOCIAL  THREE:  Three  Fat  Men— Not 
much  to  this  comedy.  Two  reels. — Geo.  W. 
Keenan,  Gem  theatr'e,  Hill  City,  Minn. — Small 
town  patronage. 

YOU  CAN  DO  IT:  Charles  Bowers — Another 
trick  novelty  comedy  which  proved  good.  Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Aiwada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

FOX 

BABES  IN  THE  JUNGLE:  This  is  a good  one 
like  all  the  rest  of  the  O.  Henry  stories.  Two 
i-eels. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin, 
Ky. — 'General  patronage. 

BACK  TO  MOTHER:  A fair  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver.  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  FEUD:  Earle  Fox — Not  as  good  as  other 
Van  Bibbers.  Two  reels. — ^A.  C.  Digney,  Peerless 
theatre,  Hartney,  Manitoba,  Can. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FOX  NEWS:  One  of  the  best  News  we  have 
had  in  a long  time.  It  was  unusually  good  and 
was  appreciated  by  all.  One  reel. — O.  R.  Young, 
Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 


July  2,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


65 


According  to  the  Batance  Sheet 


Pictures  that  slunved  the  most  profit 
for  me  during  1927: 

].  “The  Thief  of  Bagda.l"  (U.  A.). 

2.  “Tin  Hats"  ( M-G-M  ) , 

3.  “Ankles  Preferre<l"  (Fox) 

1.  “The  Understanding  Heart"  (M-G-M). 

5.  ‘‘Altars  of  Desire"  (M-G-M). 

6.  “The  Return  of  Peter  Grimm"  (Fox). 

7.  “Mr.  Wu"  (M-G-M). 

}{.  “Summer  Bachelors"  (Fox). 

9.  “Subway  Sadie"  (F.  N.). 

10.  “The  Demi-Bride"  (M-G-M). 

11.  “The  Winning  of  Barbara  Worth"  (U.  A.). 

12.  “The  Three  Batl  Men"  (Fox). 

I. 3.  “Forever  After*'  (F.  N.). 

II.  “Twinkleloes"  (F.  N.). 

15.  “The  Lady  in  Ermine"  (F.  N.). 

16.  “Flesh  and  the  Devil"  (M-G-M). 

17.  “The  Taxi  Dancer"  (M-G-M). 

18.  “Battling  Butler”  (M-G-M). 

19.  “Syncopating  Sue"  (F.  N.). 

20.  “The  Flaming  Forest"  (M-G-M). 

RAYMOND  PFEIFFER, 
Princess  Theatre, 

Chilton,  Wis. 


Pictures  that  did  the  poorest  business 
for  me  during  1927: 

1.  “Footloose  Widows"  (War.), 

2.  “A  Little  Journey"  (M-(»-M). 

.3,  “George  Washington,  Jr."  (War.). 

4.  “The  Masked  Woman"  ( F.  N.). 

.3.  “Millionaires"  (War.). 

6.  “The  Boy  Friend"  (M-G-M). 

7.  “Blarney"  (M-G-M). 

8.  “Gilded  Highway"  (War.). 

9.  “Don  Juan's  Three  Nights"  (F.  N.). 

10.  “The  Amateur  Gentleman"  (F.  N.). 

11.  “I'he  Marriage  Circle"  (War.). 

12.  “Beau  Brummel"  (War.). 

13.  “Lord  Jim"  (Par.). 

14.  “Re<l  Dice"  ( PDC  ) . 

15.  “The  Scrappin*  Kid"  (IFni.). 

16.  “Ladies  at  Play"  (F.  N.). 

17.  “My  Official  Wife"  (War.). 

18.  “The  Man  Upstairs"  (War.). 

19.  “La  Boheme"  (M-G-M). 

20.  “Sparrows"  (IF.  A.). 

RAYMOND  PFEIFFER, 
Princess  Theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis. 


HELLO  LAFAYETTE:  A good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MERRY  MONTH  OF  MAY:  If  this  is 
called  a comedy  I am  the  prince  of  pep.  Not  a 
cackle  in  it.  Lay  off  of  this  one  as  it’s  just  two 
reels  of  nothing.  Two  reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor, 
Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage. 

PORES  AND  PURES:  Good.— R.  Pfeiffer, 
Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

ROSES  AND  RUSHES:  Good.  Two  reels.— 
Jay  Gould,  Alamo  theatre,  Plainfield,  III. — Small 
town  patronage. 

RUMORS  FOR  RENT : A good  comedy.  Two 
reels.  Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

SOCIETY  ARCHITECTS:  Good.  Two  reels.— 
R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

TOO  MANY  RELATIONS:  This  Helen  and 
Warren  very  good.  Another  Housman  sure  brings 
the  laughs.  Two  reels. — A.  C.  Digney,  Peerless 
theatre,  Hartney,  Manitoba,  Can. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PATHE 

BABY  CLOTHES:  Our  Gang — These  kids  are 
.sure  fine.  Have  to  pay  too  much  money.  Two 
reels. — Jay  Gould,  Alamo  theatre,  Plainfield,  111. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BIGGER  AND  BETTER  BLONDES:  Cfharley 
Chase — As  usual  Charley  always  laughs  them  out 
of  their  seats.  Two  reels. — Oi*ris  F.  Collins, 
Capitol  theatre,  Paragould,  Ark. — ^General  pat- 
ronage. 

FORGOTTEN  SWEETIES : Charley  Chase— 
This  one  was  good.  Had  a good  story.  Not  any 
of  that  silly  stuff  and  not  overdone.  Two  reels. 
— M.  J.  Babin,  Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle, 
La. — General  patronage. 

FOURTH  ALARM:  Our  (iang—The  old  Gang 
was  back  with  bells  on  in  this  one.  Two  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

HITTING  THE  RAILS:  Not  as  good  as  the 
average  Fable. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre, 
Franklin,  Ky. — General  i>atronage. 

THE  HONORABLE  MR.  BUGGS:  Matt  Moore 
— Very  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — Orris  F.  Col- 
lins, Capitol  theatre,  Paragould,  Ark. — General 
patronage. 

THE  HONORABLE  MR.  BUGGS:  Matt  Moore 
— Not  up  to  Sennett’s  standard.  A little  too  silly. 
Two  reels. — M.  J.  Babin,  Fairyland  theatre.  White 
(Jastle,  La. — General  patronage. 

LOVE  MY  DOG:  Our  Gang — One  of  the  best 
Gang’s  in  a long  time.  Plenty  of  laughs.  Two 
reels. — Onus  F.  Collins,  Capitol  theatre,  Para- 
gould, Ark. — General  patronage. 

MONKEY  BUSINESS:  Our  Gang— I believe 
Darwin  was  right.  Then,  again.  Will  Rogers  is 
right.  Here  is  a real  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
A.  C.  Digney,  Peerless  theatre,  Hartney,  Mani- 
toba, Can. — General  patronage. 

PRESENT  ARMS:  Our  Gang — A real  good 
comedy  but  a little  slow  for  the  gang,  but  every- 
one seemed  to  like  it.  Two  reels. — ^O.  R.  Young, 
Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

RADIO  CONTROL:  The  best  Fable  we  have 
shown  for  some  time. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty 
theatre,  Franklin,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

WHEN  A MAN'S  A PRINCE:  Ben  Turpin- 
Only  fair.  Two  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  thea- 
tre, Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

WISE  GUYS  PREFER  BRUNETTES:  A 

mighty  good  comedy. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Pnncess  thea- 
tre, Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

AROUND  THE  BASES:  George  Lewis— “Col- 
legians No.  5.”  Every  one  of  the  Collegians  has 
been  good  so  far,  and  the  last  was  great.  Every- 
one comes  out  to  see  this.  Two  reels. — O.  R. 
Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

BIG  SURPRISE:  The  Gumps — An  extra  good 
comedy  that  had  the  people  on  their  toes  all  the 
lime  that  it  was  being  .shown.  There  was  plenty 
of  comedy  in  it.  Appreciated  by  all.  Two  reels. 
— O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. — 
Genei’al  patronage. 

BUSTER'S  SKY  ROCKET:  Thank  the  Lord 
Universal’s  smutty  hand  has  not  fallen  on  these 
Buster  Brown  comedies  so  far.  This  is  clean  and 
fairly  funny,  the  fireworks  going  off  and  taking 


Tige  with,  them  saves  the  day. — Philip  Rand,  Rex 
theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

PIPEROCK  GOES  WILD:  A good  one  like 
all  the  Westerns  made  by  Holmes  and  Corbett.  A 
comedy  Western.  Yes,  it’s  one  of  Uncle  Carl’s. 
Two  reels. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre, 
Franklin,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

THE  SADDLE  TRAMP:  Edmund  Cobb — A 
Western  from  Uncle  Carl.  Enough  said.  Two 
reels. — M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theatre,  Franklin, 
Ky. — 'General  patronage. 

SNOOKUM’S  MERRY  CHRISTMAS:  Not  as 
good  as  the  average  Snookum  comedies,  but  good 
at  that.  It’s  a Universal.  Just  a paiff  of  the 
square  deal  you  get  from  Uncle  Carl.  Two  reels. 
— M.  K.  Harris,  Liberty  theati'e,  Franklin,  Ky. — 
General  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

EAST  IS  WORST:  Monty  Banks— A very  good 
comedy.  I’ve  never  shown  a poor  Monty  Banks 
comedy.  Monty  goes  out  West  to  make  a man  of 
himself,  furnishing  a good  Western  comedy.  Two 
reels. — li.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage 

IN  AND  OUT:  Bobby  Ray— A pretty  good 
comedy  that  pleased.  Two  reels. — H.  C.  Mauler, 
Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MORNING  JUDGE:  “Carrie  of  the  Chorus." 
Here’s  something  diffei*ent  in  comedies.  A chorus 
girl  comedy  and  it’s  very  funny  and  clever.  It 
reminds  one  of  some  of  F.  B.  O.’s  “Telephone 
Girl’’  series  of  a few  years  ago.  You’ve  got 
something  good  when  you  play  this.  There  is 
a certain  dance  wiggle  in  the  first  reel  that 
might  offend  if  you  show  to  a high  class  crowd. 
Two  reels. — H.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre, 
Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SAWMILL:  Larry  Semon — Ridiculous, 
but  they  enjoy  it.  I’ll  say  they  do.  That  is,  if 
laughing  is  any  criterion.  Two  reels. — A.  C. 
Digney,  Peerless  theatre,  Hartney,  Manitoba,  Can. 
— General  patronage. 

Patrons  Leave  Calmly 
When  Fire  Threatens 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OKLAHOMA  CITY,  June  28.  — Pa- 
trons of  the  Liberty  theatre,  Lone  Wolf, 
Okla.,  filed  out  quietly  when  fire  was  dis- 
covered during  an  evening  performance. 
The  damage  was  small.  Fire  destroyed 
the  American,  Charleston,  Mo.,  last  week. 
O.  W.  McCutcheon,  the  owner,  is  re- 
building it. 

L.  L.  Dent,  Inc.,  is  building  a 1,600  seat  house 
at  Harlington,  Tex.,  and  with  Jack  Pickens  has 
bought  the  Empire,  Mercedes.  M.  L,  Levine  is 
remodeling  his  Ideal,  Corsicana,  Tex.  Harry  Kelly 
is  erecting  a theatre  at  Bentonville,  Ark.,  while  at 
Spearman,  Tex.,  H.  L.  Dumas  and  C.  F.  Sturde- 
vant  have  opened  their  new  Rex.  Mrs.  Margaret 
Day  is  remodeling  her  Dome  theatre,  Lawton, 
Okla.,  at  a cost  of  $20,000. 

The  Ritz  and  Huston  theatres,  Ponca 
City,  Okla.,  and  the  Theatorium,  Ard- 
more, Okla.,  have  closed  for  the  summer. 


The  Film  Mart 

(Continued  from  foge  55) 

Denny  Carded  in  N.  Y. 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  in  which  UNIVER- 
SAL stars  Reginald  Denny,  has  been 
booked  by  the  Paramount,  New  York,  for 
an  early  showing.  Melville  W.  Brown  di- 
rected this  picture,  the  story  of  which  is 
an  original  by  Denny. 

Named  M-G-M  Director 

Robert  T.  Flaherty  has  been  added  to  the 
staff  of  METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  di- 
rectors and  will  make  as  his  initial  effort 
a story  of  the  South  Sea  Islands,  as  yet 
iinselected.  He  won  fame  in  character  por- 
trayals. 

“Steer"  Scenes  in  D.  C. 

Will  Rogers  and  Director  Richard  Wal- 
lace will  head  a FIRST  NATIONAL 
company  on  a location  trip  to  Washington 
to  take  c-Kteriors  for  Rogers’  starring  pic- 
ture, “A  Texas  Steer.” 

Writer  Named  Scenarist 

John  Thomas,  author  of  “Dry  Martini,” 
recent  novel,  has  joined  the  PARA- 
MOUNT scenario  staff.  Paramount  also 
announces  that  due  to  a decision  to  make 
a harvest  festival  an  important  part  of  the 
picture,  production  of  Pola  Negri’s  next 
vehicle  has  been  postponed. 

Cast  as  Rose  Marie 

Renee  Adoree  has  lieen  chosen  hy 
METRO-GOLDWN-MAYER  as  the  star 
of  its  production  of  the  highly  successful 
musical  comedy,  “Rose  IMarie.”  William 
Nigh  will  direct,  and  production  is  to  he- 
gin  soon. 


“Studio  Section," 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
GENTLEMEN: 

I should  like  to  receive  an  autographed 

photo  of  

for  placement  in  my  “Lobby  Album"  of 
stars  whose  pictures  are  especially  popular 
with  my  patrons. 

( Exhibitor) - 

(Theatre) 

(City) 

(Slate) J 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  2,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  G.  S.  ^ 

BALABAN  & KATZ  will  operate  the  deluxe  neighborhood  theatre 
originally  projected  by  the  National  Theatres  Corporation  and  to 
be  known  as  the  Paradise,  as  a result  of  a transfer  of  the  property 
to  Lubliner  & Trinz,  associated  with  the  operating  firm.  The  deal  was 
finally  consummated  last  week. 


The  Cooney  Brothers  house  will  open, 
according  to  Balaban  & Katz,  shortly 
after  the  first  of  the  year  as  the  fourth 
Chicago  theatre  presenting  Publix  units. 
The  policy,  it  is  expected,  will  be  sub- 
stantially that  of  the  other  B & K-Publix 
houses,  the  Chicago,  Uptown  and  Tivoli. 
:(:  * * 

Four  houses  of  the  Ascher  Brothers  cir- 
cuit, large  Chicago  chain,  have  been  bought 
outright  by  the  Coston  theatrical  interests. 
They  are  the  Vista,  Oakland  Square,  Met- 
ropolitan and  Frolic,  all  neighborhood 
houses. 

Coston  has  also  taken  over  the  Earl  John- 
son theatres,  and  Johnson  will  represent 
the  purchaser,  closing  his  own  offices. 
Eddie  Rosecan,  who  was  managing  direc- 
tor for  Johnson,  has  been  named  a repre- 
sentative of  the  Gregory  and  Bernasek  the- 
atres, a circuit  booked  through  Balaban  & 
Katz  Midwest. 

The  Coston  organization  is  negotiating 
for  the  purchase  of  several  other  neighbor- 
hood theatres,  according  to  James  Coston, 
head  of  the  firm.  Among  them  are  the 
Crown  and  Commercial,  both  Ascher 
houses. 

* * * 

It’s  an  ill  wind,  they  say,  that  doesn’t  do 
somebody  some  good.  And  that  was  the 
effect  of  Harry  James’  resignation  from 
the  Producer  Distributing  Company  offices 
to  become  manager  of  the  newly  estab- 
lished Chicago  Vitaphone  exchange.  His 
position  has  been  given  to  IV.  R.  Drake, 
who  has  been  chief  booker.  The  other 
promotions  are  the  appointment  of  Dell 
Halliday  from  head  shipper  to  booker  and 
of  L.  Matakaitux  from  accessories  (to  head 
shipper.  Stanley  Brindo  has  been  placed 
in  the  accessories  department. 

* sK  * 

Vice  President  Elmer  Pearson  of  Pathe 
was  here  for  a day  last  week,  being  on  his 
way  from  the  West  Coast  to  New  York. 
* * * 

Harold  {"Red”'}  Wise,  formerly  of  Fitz- 


patrick and  McElroy,  is  now  with  Colum- 
bia Pictures,  on  the  city  sales  force. 

* * * 

J.  C.  McConville,  Pro-Dis-Co  travelling 
auditor,  expects  to  terminate  his  sojourn 
in  Chicago  next  week, 

^ jji 

Death  came  last  week  to  Philip  Kamp, 
father  of  Charley  Kamp  of  the  Madlin  and 
Ashland  theatres,  and  father-in-law  of 
Max  Berling. 

■+.  * * 

Paul  Swift,  who  has  been  in  Chicago 
the  past  few  weeks  establishing  the  Chi- 
cago Vitaphone  exchange,  returned  to  New 
York  last  Saturday,  and  Harry  James,  for- 
merly of  Pro-Dis-Co,  is  now  in  charge  of 
Vitaphone  affairs  in  the  West. 

* * * 

less  Heraty,  leading  (and  we  don’t 
mean  maybe ! ) woman  at  the  Chicago  Ex- 
hibitors Association  offices — or  should  we 
say  studios? — has  returned  from  a short 
trip  to  New  York,  which  came  as  an  ex- 
tension of  her  journey  to  Columbus  for 
the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  national  convention. 
And,  having  been  generally  picked  out  by 
Dame  Fortune  for  the  good  things  in  life, 
she  had  a box  seat  on  Fifth  Avenue  when 
Aviator  Lindbergh  passed  in  review.  She 
said  that  she  was  only  one  of  four  million 
people  . . . but  many,  many  know  that  she 
couldn’t  be  Tess  Heraty  and  be  that. 

^ ^ 

And  Bill  Sweeney,  secretary  of  the  Chi- 
cago Exhibitors  Association,  has  been 
forced  lately  to  spend  less  time  than  usual 
in  his  office,  because  of  illness.  The  com- 
ment along  Film  Row  is  that  he  aid  the 
getting-well  process  by  taking  very  good 
care  of  himself. 

* * * 

Eddie  Grossman  has  been  added  to  the 
sales  force  of  United  Artists.  Manager 
C.  C.  Wallace  has  assigned  him  to  Illinois. 

'Jfi.  ^ 

Harry  Lorch  has  augmented  his  sales 
staff  by  naming  /.  A.  Stinson,  former 


operator  of  the  Alhambra  and  Crescent 
theatre,  Decatur,  111.,  representative  in 
Northern  Illinois. 

♦ * 

Visitors  last  week  from  the  inner  pre- 
cincts of  the  trade  were  John  C.  Flinn, 
vicepresident,  who  looked  in  on  the  Chi- 
cago Pro-Dis-Co  forces,  and  Carroll  Trow- 
bridge, Eiastern  representative  of  A1 
Christie,  who  was  also  a P-D-C  guest. 
Flinn  seemed  almost  fully  recovered  from 
the  illness  which  suddenly  attacked  him  on 
the  train  while  enroute  to  the  West  Coast, 
where  he  was  confined  to  his  bed  for  sev- 
eral weeks. 

* * * 

Jack  Miller  spent  the  week-end  in  the 
role  of  host  to  a number  of  local  film 
(office)  celebrities  and  exhibitors,  at  his 
Lake  Delavan,  Wis.,  summer  home.  Spring- 
field  has  been  Jack’s  stamping  ground  the 
past  few  weeks,  the  gentlemen  who  make 
laws  for  us  and  certain  laws  they  might 
make,  being  the  object  of  his  attention. 
The  lisit  of  the  guests  at  Lake  Delavan  was 
presented  in  a recent  issue. 

* * * 

Marvin  A.  Moss,  member  of  the  Lub- 
liner & Trinz  corps  of  publicity  experts,  is 
passing  the  cigars  (or  so  we  suppose,  not 
having  first-hand  information),  the  occa- 
sion being  the  arrival  of  a baby  boy  at  his 
home  June  15. 

* sf«  * 

Hank  J^ustgarten,  who  directs  affairs  at 
the  Harding  theatre,  deluxe  L.  & T.  neigh- 
borhood house,  has  his  radio  station  in 
shape  for  broadcasting  Hank  and  his  cele- 
brated Gang  three  nights  a week  through 
station  WBBM. 

^ ^ 

The  decision  of  Publix  to  make  band- 
shows  in  Chicago  for  touring  over  that 
circuit,  has  brought  to  the  Windy  City 
film  world  two  new  personalities  in  Milton 
Feld  and  George  Wood.  They  came  from 
Kansas  City,  where  Feld  was  production 
manager  at  the  Newman,  and  Wood  his 
assistant.  They  have  the  same  positions  in 
the  Publix  production  department,  which 
is  in  B.  & K.’s  Chicago  theatre. 

* 

Cooney  Brothers  expect  to  open  their 
new  South  Side  theatre,  the  Avalon,  Aug- 
ust 1.  The  house  seats  over  3,000,  and  will 
stage  presentations. 

^ ^ 

Louis  Lazar,  director  of  Publix’  Metro- 
politan in  Boston,  spent  a few  days  in  Chi- 
cago last  week,  conferring  with  Balaban  & 
Katz  officials  on  new  talent  for  Publix 
presentations. 


SEASON  1927-28 

John  Gorman’s  ** Superior  Six’* 


Ritzy  Rosie  Cohen 

From  the  story  by  Oliver  Murray something  entirely 

new  and  unique  in  genuine  comedy-drama. 

Morals  of  Today 

A thrill-drama  of  the  magnificent  Modern  Girl  who  has 
supplanted  the  Flapper  of  Yesterday. 

Human  Nature 

Life!  Love  I Color!  A screen  production  that  strikes 
like  a boU  from  the  blue!  A photoplay  epic  of  common 
humanity,  with  all  its  follies  and  good  deeds,  its  sins  and 
blessings. 

For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVENUE, 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Black  Tears 

The  heart-gripping  regeneration  of  Cilda  Dutton a 

“good”  Gold-Digger — plying  her  age-old  vocation  on 
Broadway,  the  Canyon  of  Fools,  with  its  hollow  gayety 
and  burning  heartaches,  tinsel  and  tarnish;  wild  parties 
and  terrible  penalties. 

False  Hopes 

Startling  in  conception,  tremendous  in  scope,  and  pro- 
duced in  a magnificent  manner. 

Home,  Sweet  Home 

A dramatic  picturization  of  the  Immortal  Song. 


For  Indiana 


\ INDIANA, 


INDIANA 

21S\^immedhiiI(lin^ 

INDIANAPOLIS 


Get  the  Combination 


Productions  of  quality  usually 
reflect  the  use  of  Eastman 
Negative  Film. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman 
Positive  and  you  get  the 
combination  that  carries 
photographic  quality  through 
to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.Y. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Sennett 


^eaturincj 


Mary  Ann  Jackson 
Raymond  McKee 
and  Ruth  Hiatt* 


Meet  the  Marvetous 
Mary  Ann! 


A year  ago  a name. 

Today  a shining  light. 

Clever  comedy  stories  with  corking 
casts,  lots  of  gags,  a dog  comedian  and 
— ^Mary  Ann  Jackson. 

That’s  a straight  flush  in  comedy  with 
the  queen  in  the  middle.  Which  means 
an  unbeatable  combination. 


SECTION  I 


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SYD 


CHAPLIN 

he,  too,  is  now  included 
in  The  Big  Parade  of  Stars 

3 CHANEYS  — 3 SHEARERS  — 2 GILBERTS— 2 GARBOS 
IGISH— 3 DAVIES— 1 SYD  CHAPLIN— 1 NOVARRO 

4 HAINES  — 3 DANE -ARTHURS  — 3 COD  Y - PRI NGLES 
6 McCOYS— 2 COOGANS— 5 COSMOPOLITANS— 2 DOG  STAR 

And  Great  Specials:  GARDEN  OF  ALLAH  (Ingram) — THE 
CROWD  (Vidor)— THE  COSSACKS  (Gilbert)- NAPOLEON 
ROSE-MARIE  — MADEMOISELLE  FROM  ARMENTIERES 
And  Junior  Features:  HAL  ROACH  — Our  Gang  — Charley 
Chase  — Max  Davidson  — All  Star  — M-G-M  ODDITIES 
M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS  — M-G-M  NEWS  (Twice  Weekly) 

#METRO-COLDWYN-R!i]AYERA 

Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


/(( 


July  9,  1927 


►L^XXX,  No.  4 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1879.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  83.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


The 

W Photodramati^ 
went  of  the  Season! 

GLITTERING/ 

L GORGEOUS./  J 
kSPECTACUlA# 


mu: 


iJtlUMli,  i-KUUUUTIUJN  AINU  AUUiblNUb 

SdM  Sdi'^Ljoreseni^  1 


WALLAC 


STAR  (AS 
INCIUDE) 

ROCKIIFFE  FELLOWJ 

ALICE  WHITE 
JOHN  MILJAN 
GUDYS  BROCKWELL 
RUTH  STONEHOUSE 
ETHEL  WALES 

DieCCIlD  6V 

WALTER  UNO 


RELEASED  REGIONALLY  ON  AUG.  1st  BY 

LUMAS  FILM  CORPORATION 


1650  BROADWAY 


SAM  SAX,  Pres.  BUDD  ROGERS.  Vice  Pres. 


The 


Exhibitor 

Books  the 


Paramount  Program 
and  cashes  in 


52  weeks  in  the  year! 


Once  More— 

ifs  Paramount’S  year! 

Don’t  take  our  word  for  it.  It’s  right  out  where  you  can 
see  it.  PARAMOUNT  is  the  WHOLE  SHOW!  You  knew 
it  when  you  read  the  announcement  of  Paramount’s  100% 
Program.  Now  you’re  SURE.  Every  other  announce- 
ment of  product  has  only  strengthened  Paramount’s. 

Month  for  month,  week  for  week — there’s  nothing  to  touch 
it.  All  BIG  Stuff— all  MONEY  Product— all  KNOWN 
Values — from  the  one  company  BIG  enough  and  STRONG 
enough  to  deliver. 


Once  more,  it’s  Paramount’s  year!  Book  the  100%  Para- 
mount Program  SOLID  and  make  it  YOUR  year  too! 


60  Features  20  Long 
Run  Specials ‘^Paramount 
News  Paramount  Short 


^ ’i 

R AMOUNT  j 

Whole  Show  • 

in  1927-28!  1 


PA 

The 


ASlSSSf 

(fanwioimtTlews 

^ as  iwowen  by  flie 
speed  and  oomL 
nvitt  iwliidi  dtis  NewSnpet 
News  Red  coveted 


teness 


Receptions  Paris,  Brussels,  London.  Preliminary  scenes  in  New  York 

Departure  Cherbourg.  Departure  from  New  York. 

On  board  U.  S.  S.  Memphis  during  Arrival  at  Kottbus,  Germany  (first 

I trip.  scene.) 

All  events  Washington,  New  York  Receptions  Berlin,  Vienna, 

Brooklyn,  St.  Louis,  Dayton.  Budapest. 


All  preliminary  scenes  in  New  York. 
Departure  from  New  York. 

All  scenes  following  landing  in 
English  Channel  including  recep- 
tion in  France. 


Only  3 of  over  500  events  already  covered  by  Paramount  News 

First  Release  datE'Julv  31si 

Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


UNIVERSAL  gave  you  “COHE  ^ 

comedy  success  in  history  anil 

tops  “GRAB  THIS  ONE  QUE' 


Here’s  the  year’s  GREAI 

An  absolute  knockout  of  fast  mf 


i AND  KELLYS”  for  the  greatest 
•JOW  shouts  from  the  house- 
C” — and  play  it  for  extra  days! 


GLENN  TRYON 
PATSY  RUTH  MILLER 


1ST  COMEDY  SPECIAL! 

ing,  rip-roaring,  hilarious  laughs! 

3N  SIGHT!  ’Take  his  tip! 


scorn 


FIMIOREAT 


nUUMPH/ 


BOB  LIEBER 

combed  the  field  for 
the  Pick  of  new  Pictures 
to  open  his  sumptuous 
new  INDIANA. ▼▼  Natur- 
ally he  found  it  in  THE 
SHOWNAN'S  CROUP! 
And  did  it  deliver^... 
DON'T  ASK 


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EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Retrenchment 

May  Be  Either 
Sensible  or 
— Senseless 


Any  move  in  the  name  of  economy 
which  robs  a program  of  sufficient 
trade  paper  advertising  to  make  its 
attraction  values  known  is — senseless. 

The  success  or  failure  of  every  motion 
picture  is  in  some  important  degree 
influenced  by  trade  paper  advertising 
— or  the  lack  of  it. 

There  is  no  economy  in  saving  dollars 
in  trade  paper  appropriations  and  los- 
ing thousands  in  contracts. 


They  Call  The 
Sucker  Aspirin 


Because  You  Can 
^^Take  Him  for 
Anything^^ 


ii^OOO  theatres  are  playing 

THE  one  and  only  product 

THAT  Never  Stops  Delivering  the  Goods. 

THE  theatre  man  who  was 
SAP  enough  not  to  book 
THIS  great  product  has 
BEEN  nicknamed  by  film  salesmen 


THEY  call  him  “ASPIRIN”. 

BECAUSE  they 

CAN  take  him  for  anything. 

THE  WISE  GUYS  of  the 
INDUSTRY  booked 
M ETRO”Goldwyn  'Mayer 

SOLID. 

AND  what  a harvest  they  are 

REAPING! 

FOLKS,  you  know  that  this 
IS  not  advertising  bull — 

BOX-office  figures  don’t  lie. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 
PICTURES  ARE  CLICKING 

WHEREVER  THEY  ARE 
PLAYING 

Ifs  the  only  product 
on  the  market  that  is 
dragging  them  in  every 
day,  every  hour,  every 
show,  every  season. 


TO  HELL  WITH 

ROSE-COLORED 

GLASSES 


SEE  things  as  they  are. 

THE  other  fellow  might  tell 
YOU  that  a weed  is  a geranium — 
THAT  a Box-office 
SMALL-POX  sign  is  a sure-fire 

ATTRACTION. 

BUT  the  men  who  play  them  all 
WILL  tell  you  this  .... 


IT’S 


METRO  - GOLDWYN  - 
MAYER  PICTURES 


That  Are  Registering  Strongest 
with  John  X.  Public 

John  Gilbert  and  Greta  Garbo  in 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL 

Hot  damn!  What  a great  picture! 

Lon  Chaney  in 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES 

The  strongest  attraction  of  the  year 
Karl  Dane  and  George  K*  Arthur  in 

ROOKIES 

The  Qreatest  Comedy  in  Five  Seasons 
William  Haines  in 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE 

Sweet  Cookie — what  a knockout! 

LON  CHANEY  IN  “MR.  WU" 

A clean-up  everywhere 
and  in 

“THE  UNKNOWN” 

No  kidding — this  is  greater  than 
^^The  Unholy  Three^^ 


Incidentally 

2 GILBERTS 
and  3 

GARBOS  in 
1927”28 


3 LON 
CHANEYS 
in  1927- 
1928 


3 DANE  and 
ARTHURS 
Next 
Season 


4 WILLIAM 
HAINES 
Pictures 
Next  Season 


You*ll  Get 
Lon  Chaney 
in  error** 
Next  I 

Then 

**The 

Hypnotist** 


RAMON  NOVARRO  in  “LOVERS  ' 

A Quaranteed  Attraction 

NORMA  SHEARER  in 
"AFTER  MIDNIGHT” 

The  best  picture  of  a sure-fire  Star 

COMING  SOON 


Coming 
RAMON 
NOVARRO  in 
THE  PRINCE 
ofGRAUSTARK 


3 SHEARERS 
next 
season 


ifs  the 
big  wow 
of  the 
silly 
season 

It's  even  better  than 
^^Rookies”— which  is  saying 
bo'coo  (french  for  a lot) 

THE  CALLAHANS 
AND  THE  MURPHYS 

SOMETHING  new  in 
COMEDY_and  in 
COMEDY  teams.  Wait 


Some  Excerpts 
from  one  issue  of 
^^Variety** 

Buffalo — Lon  Chaney  in  “The 
Unknown”  — Lafayette  Theatre. 
Business  held  up  here,  with  Sun* 
day  and  Monday  top  notch  days. 
Almost  half  week’s  gross  garnered 
first  two  days.  Claims  over  $15)000. 


New  Orleans — Dane  and  Arthur 
in  “Rookies”  — Saenger  Theatre. 
Acclaimed  comedy  riot.  Brought 
best  business  in  months*  $13*300. 


Chicago*— John  Gilbert  in  “The 
Show”— Chicago  Theatre. 

Picture  good  enough  for  $45«000* 
considerable  for  time  of  season  and 
surrounding  conditions.  The 
street’s  top  notcher.  About  $5*000 
better  than  usual  for  house. 


Baltimore— Lon  Chaney  in  “Mr. 
Wu” — Valencia  Theatre. 

The  picture  continued  to  build  at 
the  Valencia.  Best  second  week 
this  upstairs  house  has  had  since 
^Tlesh  and  the  Devil.”  About 
$10*500. 


Portland*  Oregon'— Ramon 
Novarro  in  **Lovers”— Broadway 
Theatre. 

Business  solid  all  week  $12,000. 
Played  to  SRO  in  spite  of  hot 
weather  with  the  picture“Lover8,” 
a natural.  Lines  for  blocks  long 
with  packed  matinee  mobs. 


TILL  you  see 
MARIE  Dressier  and 
POLLY  Moran 
M-G-M  NEVER  STOPS! 

ANOTHER  one  that 
DESERVES  a great 

BIG  Mention  is (Just  turn  the  page,  pliz) 


Seattle— Dane  and  Arthur  in 
“Rookies”— Coliseum  Theatre. 
Crowds  give  vent  to  most  contin* 
uous,  sustained  lau^ter  due  to 
natural  situations.  Raleigh  says 
picture  record  laugh  producer  in 
his  twelve  years’  show  experience. 
Held  over  $10*200.  Coliseum  was 
a bright  spot  with  the  second  week 
of  **Rookies”  has  been  doing  con* 
sistently  good  business. 


Los  Angeles — Marion  Davies  in 
“Tillie  The  Toiler” — Loew’s  State. 
That  the  heat  meant  nothing  was 
easily  demonstrated  at  Loew’sState 
where  “Tillie  the  Toiler*’’  a 
Marion  Davies  product*  backed 
with  a ton  of  liberally  dispensed 
space  in  the  Hearst  papers*  ran 
over  $7*000  ahead  of  the  Metro* 
politan*  even  though  the  former 
househadnocoolingsystem  which 
the  other  house  has.  The  Davies 
picture  broke  the  house  records  for 
the  first  three  days  of  its  run  and 
hit  over  $30*000  on  the  week. 


JOHN 


GILBERT 


Kansas  City — “The  Taxi-Dancer** 
— Main  Street  Theatre. 

Cash  customers  like  action  and 
plenty  in  this  flicker  comedy. 
House  is  In  summer  stride. 
$12,500. 


TWELVE  MILES  OUT 

IT*S  positively  the  greatest .... 

OH  shucks,  what’s  the  use, 

THIS  could  go  on  ’till  dizzy. 


Portland,  Ore.— “Frisco  Sally 
Levy**— Broadway  Theatre. 
Fighting  for  seats  from  noon  to 
night,  standing  in  line  and  being 
turned  away  at  the  Broadway  last 
week.  The  house  came  near  break- 
ing  its  record,  doing  more  on  the 
first  three  days  of  the  picture 
“Frisco  Sally  Levy**  than  on  the 
week  of  the  theatre*8  opening 
which  is  going  some.  The  Broad- 
way stepped  on  it  for  this  program, 
getting  near  all  the  24-6heet  stands 
in  town, making  numerous  tie-ups, 
grabbing  alt  the  free  space  and  do- 
ing other  stunts.  House  was  forced 
to  run  five  complete  performances 
Sunday  instead  of  the  regular  four, 
for  the  first  time.  Over  $400  was 
given  back  to  patrons  as  refund. 
About  $16,000. 


25  MILLION 
SALESMEN 
NOW  WITH  M-G-M 


Providence — Lillian  Gish  in  “The 
Scarlet  Letter**— Victory  Theatre. 
A decisive  hit.  Good  at  $8500. 


San  Francisco— Dane  and  Arthur 
in  “Rookies**— Granada  Theatre. 
Sure  picked  a good  one.  Ran  over 
23  grand. 


“Rookies’*  in  Philadelphia — 
Stanley  Theatre. 

The  Stanley  had  “Rookies.”  This 
made  three  war  pictures  in  the 
larger  (houses  running  simultane- 
ously and  “Rookies”  looked  the 
best.  **Rookies**  well  liked. 
$28,000. 


The  largest  organization 
in  the  world 

EVERYBODY  who  goes  to  movies 
SELLS  M'G'M  Pictures. 

THEY  tell  what  they’ve  seen  and 
THEY  sell  seats  for  you  .... 


“Rookiei”  in  Kansas  City~LiMle 
Royal  Theatre. 

“Rookies”  at  the  Royal  got  the 
newspaper  breaks  and  just  about 
ail'lhe. word'of  mouth  advertising. 
Business  gained  during  the  week 
and  looks  good  for  a second  week. 
Set  for  two  weeks,  with  eight  shows 
daily.  Steady  play  means  big 
business  for  the  little  show  shop. 
When  they  stand  in  line  and  wait 
for  seats  in  this  town  there  is  some 
attraction,  and  they  sure  stood  for 
this  onej  $9, XOO.— VARIETY 


NOTE)  As  we  go  to  press  “Rook- 
ies” in  its  fourth  week  at  the 
MajesticTheatre.Coiumbus.Ohio. 


The  best  advertising  is 

GOOD  PICTURES - 

dicit^s  why  M'Q'M  pictures  go  over 
so  welL 

TOM  TELLS  DICK 


DICK  TELLS  HARRY 


and  you  get  the  customers 

{in  spades) 

LINE-UP  AND  SIGN-UP 
WITH  YOUNG  BLOOD 

The  most  aggressive  hunch 
of  hoys  in  the  husiness 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


HERE’S  YOUR  1927-1928 
PRODUCT - - - 

and,  sister,  it  knocks  everything 
else  for  a row  of  bath  houses 


The  Big  Parade  of  Stars 


3 LON  CHANEYS 

4 WILLIAM  HAINES 
2 JOHN  GILBERTS 

2 GRETA  GARBOS 

1  RAMON  NOVARRO 

3 NORMA  SHEARERS 
3C0DY-PRINGLES 


1 LILLIAN  GISH 

3 MARION  DAVIES 

2 JACKIE  COOGANS 
6 TIM  McCOYS 

5  COSMOPOLITANS 

2 DOG  STAR 

3 DANE-ARTHURS 


and  among  the  specials 

IN  OLD  KENTUCKY 

THE  CROWD 

(King  Vidor* s) 

THE  COSSACKS 

(John  Qilbert) 

ROSE-MARIE 


ready  for  booking  are: 

GARDEN  OF  ALLAH 

(Rex  Ingram) 

NAPOLEON 
BODY  AND  SOUL 

MADEMOISELLE 
from  ARMENTIERES 


JUNIOR  FEATURES-1927'1928 

HAL  ROACH  PRODUCTIONS  M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS  in  Technicolor 

10  “OUR  GANG"  Comedies  „ ® -^chmcol^Productions-Bi-monAIy 

10  CHARLEY  CHASE  Comedies  IVI-U-m  NEWb 

— Produced  by  the  Hearst  Organization 

10  MAX  DAVIDSON  Dialect  Comedies  X04  Annual  Issues — Twice  weekly 

10  HAL  ROACH  ALL-STAR  Comedies  M-G-M  ODDITIES— Produced  by  UFA 

26  Novelties  from  all  over  the  world 


METRO-GOLDWYN -MAYER 

NO  USE  TALKING 


haL/  the  product  for  I927~^8 


Loves  of  CARMEN  EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE 


l 


2 GIRLS  WANTED 


SINGED 
PAJAMAS 
SILK  HATS 
THE  JOY  GIRL 
PAID  TO  LOVE 
THE  COMEDIAN 
HANGMAN’S  HOUSE 
GOME  TO  MY  HOUSE 
THE  BLOND  PANTHER 
THE  A LA  CARTE  GIRL 
NONE  BUT  THE  BRAVE 
THE  GIRL  DOWNSTAIRS 
THE  UNKNOWN  BEAUTY 


BALAOO 
SILK  LEGS 
LUNA  PARK 
THE  ESCAPE 
WIDOW-IN-LAW 
HOLIDAY  LANE 
ATLANTIC  CITY 
SUGAR  DADDIES 
FRENCH  ANKLES 
SOUL  OF  PASSION 
A.  W.  O.  L.  (Temp,  title) 
HONEYMOON  DREAMS 
THE  GIRL  FROM  HAVANA 


and  in  addition 


WHAT  PRICE 
C LO  R Y 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Loves  of 

CARMEr^ 


DOLORES  DEL  R] 


VICTOR  McLAGLl 


Adapted  hy  GFRnU.'DE  ORR 


RAOUL  WALSH 

Production 


iitt 


A Saturday  Evening  Post  Story 
by  May  Edginton 


ALLAN  DWAN 


Production 


THE 

ESCAPE 


A Melodrama  Extraordinary  based 
Paul  Armstrong’s  Stage  Hit 


JANET  GAYNOR 


Ju>K  Kmi! 

Holmes  Herbtit 

- by  WILLIAM  Cou^SLLMAN  aad 
Edward  Marshall 


CHARLES  FARRELL 


(The  Immortal  team  fri 


•om  “7th  Heaven”) 


RAOUL  WALSH 

Pruductiou 


k'Mvw 


THE 

JOY  GIRL 


The  Matrimonial  Mixups  of  a Fortune 
Hunting  Flapper 
with 

OLIVE  BORDEN 

Neil  Hamilton  Helen  Chandler 
Marie  Dressier  Mary  Alden 
Jerry  Miley  Jimmy  Grainger,  Jr. 

and 

A Flying  Squadron  of  Palm  Beach 
Beauties 


Ju/t 


of  th< 
box  officl 


offer/ yo 


comim 


July  9,  1927  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


sv. 


Hangman’S 

House 


•4 


^ B B 

Bk  B 

B 1 

J m \ 


A Diam^  of  Oft*-  Girl  U 1u  l.oi  V\  h n 
SboWrttttf.l 

Glenn  1 ryon  Di>riv  Llo> 

Ben  B^rd  \Lcc  Mil 

Joseph  Cawthoin 

Basitd  on  |OHN  GoimN'?  New  Y« 
%tase  hit 

B^  GLAD’iS  UNOLK 

'■•  -f<  ' 


CHARLES  FARRELL 

Virginia  Valli 
J,  Parrell  Macdonald 


50RC5E  O’BRIEN 

b T Viitginia  VaHJ 
l*’an«S  Macsdonald 


A Story  of  a Man  and  a Girl  who  were  like  the 
thoroughbreds  they  loved 


JOHN  FORD 


\LLAN  DVVAN 

Piodiutian 


Production 


.v'.,"v:  .: 


LUNA 

PARK 


A Stoy  o/ the  UnaerworU 

' Mar^bforTiura-xOmce 

■■lilllifillfli^lilllp 

MADGE  BELLAMY 

VICTOR  McLAGLEN 
EDMUND  LOWE 


All  the  Life,  Color  and  Thrills  of 
Carnival  Life 


VICTOR  McLAGLEN 
GRETA  NISSEN 
CHARLES  FARRELL 


HOWARD  HAWKS 


Production 


•HV-vvv/.V/A%VA'Avy\v/j;Vi5y5sityr.i; 


mil  paiit 
ireAter 

lit/  FOX 

or  the 
eA/on 


tth.  Glorious  Youth  Dominates 

HE  GIRL 

OWNSTAIRS 

with 

t>LIVE  BORDEN 
DMUND  LOWE 

Clifford  Holland 
itten  by  MAYiEDGlNTON,  author  of 

^‘THE  JOY  GIRL” 

llANKBORZAGE 

Product^' 


a/yo 


ThcWorldy  Create/t 
Motion  Picture 

WHAT  PRia  GLORY 

co/th 

ViaOR  M'LACIEN  - EDMUND  LOWE 
DOLORE/  DEL  RIO 

From  theytaqe  play  by 

UURENCE/TALLINC/W  MAXWELL  ANDER/ON 

RAOUL  WAL/H  production 


12 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Dolores  Del  Bio 


%c^ofN^Laglea  Edmund  love 


Bariy  Noitoa%^ 


XomMix 


Olive  Borden  Janet  Gayncn: 


CiiarleS  Farrdi  Geoj^e  dBrien. 


I jMadge  Bellamy  Lois  iloram 


Greta.  Nissen 


YOPTH-lEAiTY  AMD 
PiR^ONALITY 

//I 

FOX  PICTURE/ 


OLIVE  BORDEN 
DOLORES  DEL  RIO 
GEORGE  O’BRIEN 
VICTOR  McLAGLEN 
MARY  DUNCAN 
CHARLES  MORTON 
MARJORIE  BEEBE 
TED  McNAMARA 


MADGE  BELLANY 
LOIS  MORAN 
CHARLES  FARRELL 
SALLY  PHIPPS 
NANCY  NASH 
ARTHUR  HOUSMAN 
SAMMY  COHEN 


JANET  GAYNOR 
GRETA  NISSEN 
EDMUND  LOWE 
NEIL  HAMILTON 
BELLE  BENNETT 
EARLE  FOXE 
VIRGINIA  VALLI 
BEN  BARD 


BARRY  NORTON 
RICHARD  WALLING  CLIFFORD  HOLLAND  JOHN  HILLIARD 
BLANCHE  SWEET  ALEC  B.  FRANCIS  WILLIAM  POWELL 
WARNER  BAXTER  WALTER  PIDGEON  JERRY  MADDEN 
MARGARET  LIVINGSTON  J.  FARRELL  MACDONALD 


Theatre  owners  are  signing  for  Fox 
Product  for  next  season  faster  than 
ever  before  in  all  the  history  of 
Fox  Film  Corporation, 

The  titles  of  Fox  Pictures  for  next 
year-the  names  of  Fox  Players  and 
of  Fox  Directors  "tell  you  why! 

Think  it  over!  and  ACT!! 


'and  the  DIRECTOR/ f 
BRAIN/- with  year/”  of 

production  experience  make/' 
there  men  the  BE/T  DIRECTOR/ 
in  theBU/INE//r 


RAOUL  WALSH 
F.  W.  MURNAU 
HOWARD  HAWKS 
ALBERT  RAY 
ORVILLE  DULL 


FRANK  BORZAGE 
ALLAN  DWAN 
LUDWIG  BERGER 
BENJAMIN  STOLOFF 
GEORGE  E.  MARSHALL 
VICTOR  SGHERTZINGER 


JOHN  FORD 
ALFRED  E.  GREEN 
J.  G.  BLYSTONE 
LEW  SEILER 
SCOTT  DUNLAP  i 

i 


i 


FLAME  WOMAN  4 
[OSE  JEALOUSY  i 1 
EANT  DEATH  ; 


tvith  - '■ 

lOSEPH  SOHILpKRAtm 
rffict  VICTOR  VARCONI 


WITH  her  black  unfathomable  eyes  and  her  danger* 
ously  soft  bewitchments,  she  came  from  her  hot 
desert  country  to  the  luxurious  heart  of  France  to  ensnare 
a man.  Deliberately  she  threw  the  spell  of  her  enchantment 
over  her  victim  that  she  might  bend  him  to  her  own  cruel 
purpose. 

Then  suddenly  Fate  outwitted  her.  She  who  meant  to  be 
ruler  was  made  victim.  She  was  caught  in  the  fire  of  her 
own  flaming  passion — with  desperate  consequences. 

Because  of  the  secret  promise  in  those  black  eyes,  brother 
was  set  against  brother,  diplomats  trembled  and  one  brave 
man  came  face  to  face  with  Death. 


“THE  FORBJDDEN  WOMAN” 
By.EImer  Harris 

is  an  absorbing  drama  of  tremen- 
dous power  and  passion  — ^ typical 
of  the  four  super-dramas  in  which 
Jetta  Goudal  will  star  on  the 

DEMILLE  PROGRAM,  1927-1928 


Jeha  Goudal 

Ieo0rdjjady 

With  a Sawdust  Setting — and  all  the 
enchantment  of  life  under  the  big  tent 
— “The  Leopard  Lady”  is  a distinctly 
“different”  kind  of  a film. 


thriU-  Wicrd,bre 

dentures  foUo-  the 

ing  the  magic- cov 

,«.fdy  unde; 

darkness  ot  m 


.^I^QOI'OAI 

"^nidn  o/ 

ihe  “•  ■ 


the  velvet  . . ■ 
a girl  of  rare  ch 

""'«'eptine„  the 


De  MILLE  PICTURES 

PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  • PATHESERIALS-  PATHEPICTURES 


■ 


Jetta 

Goudal 

Exotic,  bc^iing,fascinating 
- ^^she  ivdi  register  new 
triumblts  onihe  Vb  MILLE 
PKOGfKAM  /9n^l8-^ 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

S6S  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House.  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 

DEPARTMENTS 


Short  Features  29 

Presentation  Acts  31 

The  Theatre  41 

The  Film  Mart  39 

Classified  Advertising  50 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 49 


“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  51 
FEATURES 


Broadway  18 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 22 

Re-Takes  22 

New  York,  by  John  S.  Spargo....  26 

Pictorial  Section  23 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  38 

Letters  from  Readers 48 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 58 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue — 


Theatre  men  approve  economy  campaign,  with  reservations; 

Salary  cut  postponed  at  studios  until  August  1 ; Producers  be- 
lieve new  spirit  of  cooperation  in  production  will  effect  saving. 

XHIBITORS  classify  films;  Tell  which  bring  most  cash;  new 
“L-/  product  conforms  to  demands  of  public;  Theatre  men  in  Mid- 
dle west  and  Northwest  give  preference  in  “Herald”  survey. 

SHERIFF  wars  on  carnival  gambling;  Minneapolis  bars  tent 
shows;  Elgin,  111.,  civic  bodies  protest  against  evils — Four  killed, 
many  injured  in  long  series  of  accidents. 

Associated  artists  moving  to  San  Fernando;  Buys  tract — 
. North  Carolina  in  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. ; Favors  admitting  producers 
— U-A  gets  two  Broadway  theatres  and  bookings  in  400  Paramount 
houses. 


^ETRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  will  re- 
■^’-*-lease  3 1 productions  by  February  4; 
stars  to  appear  in  22  of  them — Crash  ends 
Pacific  hop  by  Richard  Grace,  stunt  flier. 

Tj'EJDERATlON  of  British  producers  plans 
-*■  organisation  of  all  resources  on  co-op- 
erative basis — Training  of  directors  and 
exchange  of  players  among  measures  pro- 
jected. 

Administrative  committee  of  Motion 

Picture  Owners  Association  of  Amer- 
ica holds  first  meeting  since  convention 

Machinery  to  admit  circuits  to  membership 
discussed. 


House  committee  on  ways  and  means  to 
meet  October  3 I . 


IJNIVERS.AL’S  comedy,  “Painting  the 
Town,”  called  hit  in  initial  showing  at 
Roxy,  New  York Production  brings  ele- 

vation of  Glenn  Tryon  to  stardom. 

IVTEW  political  party  opposed  to  blue 

' laws  names  national  committee 

Convention  planned  to  nominate  candi- 
dates or  endorse  those  of  other  parties. 

\^7  B.  FRANK  appointed  manager  of 

* * Pathe  Eastern  offices Formerly 

with  Pathe,  became  Eastern  salesmanager 
for  Hal  Roach  three  years  ago. 

T I NIVERSAL  announces  plan  to  attach 
trailers  to  all  pictures  repeating  the 

cast  and  title Designed  to  help  patrons 

remember  facts  after  seeing  picture. 


“Better  Theatres”  is  published  as 
Section  Two  of  This  Week's  Herald 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

independent  ^Im  ^ade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  <§>o  Editor 

Publrehed  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Exhibitors  Herald  Company 

Publicafion  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Qdigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Exhibitors  Herald  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald;  Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week.  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Eooipment  Index,  semi-annual. 

VoL.  XXX  July,  9,  1927  No.  4 


Economy 

F the  producer  and  distributor  are  honestly  and  seri- 
ously seeking  a thorough-going  plan  of  economy  there 
are  a number  of  suggestions  which  may  respectfully  be 
submitted.  Among  these  are  the  following: 

A ban  on  trade  luncheons  and  dinners.  If  there 
ever  was  an  example  of  an  extravagant  and  useless 
expenditure,  this  is  one.  These  events,  tiresome  to 
all  and  productive  of  no  commensurate  good,  have 
been  done  to  death  in  the  picture  business. 

Elimination  of  the  forced  “Broadway  run.”  Huge 
sums  have  been  squandered  in  this  worn  out  trick  of 
attempting  to  make  what  is  usually  just  a good  pic- 
ture look  like  “the  production  of  the  Century.”  In 
addition  to  the  heavy  loss  shouldered  by  the  pro- 
ducer there  often  follow  losses  by  exhibitors  who 
believe  that  a Broadway  run  necessarily  means  that 
the  subject  in  question  is  an  extraordinary  one. 

Putting  a stop  to  these  special-trains-across-the- 
country  convention».  As  a ballyhoo  conventions 
conducted  in  the  manner  noted  undoubtedly  have 
been  effective — but  not  nearly  effective  enough  to 
justify  the  costs  involved. 

Curtailment  of  personal  publicity  which  serves  no 
good  purpose  other  than  being  pleasing  to  the  in- 
dividual concerned. 

In  Hollywood: 

Elimination  of  the  wild  excess  which  the  Holly- 
wood “first  nights”  have  become. 

Acknowledgment  that  publicity  about  luxurious 
“dressing  room”  bungalows  and  swimming  pools  does 
not  convey  to  the  man  in  the  street  any  reasonable 
application  of  a spirit  of  economy. 

Propaganda  to  the  effect  that  a million  dollars  is 
still  quite  a lot  of  money,  even  in  motion  picture 
production. 

Guarding  Human  Life 

Four  human  lives  were  sacrificed  in  making  motion 
pictures  in  a single  day  last  week.  This  is  a shocking 
toll  in  human  lives  to  pay  for  the  making  of  entertain- 
ment and  while  it  is  only  fair  to  assume  that  unavoidable 
accidents  contributed  directly  to  the  fatalities,  it  still 
should  be  recognized  that  the  industry  is  very  likely  to 


July  9,  1927 

be  let  in  for  a great  deal  of  trouble  some  day  if  greater 
safeguards  against  serious  accident  are  not  provided. 

As  a general  rule  directors  exert  every  possible  care 
against  serious  hurt  coming  to  the  people  they  are  using. 
Unfortunately,  however,  there  are  directors  who  by  their 
very  attitude  disclose  the  feeling  that  an  “ordinary” 
human  life  is  not  of  any  great  importance  as  compared 
with  the  effects  they  are  attempting  to  get  in  their 
pictures. 

IT  is  commonly  known  that  in  Hollywood  there  are 
dare-devils  who  wall  attempt  the  most  hazardous  stunts 
at  a stipulated  wage  scale.  These  dare-devils  have  drifted 
into  Hollywood  from  many  parts  of  the  world  and  from 
a variety  of  spectacular  former  callings.  Some  of  them 
have  been  just  reckless  adventurers;  others  circus  stunt 
performers,  steeplejacks,  rodeo  riders,  etc.  These  men 
depend  upon  stunt  work  in  motion  pictures  for  their  live- 
lihood and  with  their  temperamental  indifference  toward 
danger  they  will  attempt  practically  any  stunt  suggested 
to  them. 

It,  therefore,  remains  for  the  director,  the  responsible 
executive  on  the  set  or  on  the  location,  to  shoulder  a 
sense  of  responsibility — not  merely  the  legal  and  pre- 
scribed responsibility,  but  a decent  and  human  regard 
for  the  lives  of  the  persons  on  his  pay-roll. 

It  may  be  recognized  that  the  very  nature  of  this  kind 
of  motion  picture  work  involves  inescapable  hazards  and 
that  there  will  be  accidents.  But  there  have  been  alto- 
gether too  many  “accidents”  in  production  during  the 
past  year.  A complete  list  of  the  fatalities  and  casual- 
ties would  be  staggering.  Doubtlessly  safeguards  are 
provided,  but  the  results  prove  that  too  many  chances 
are  being  taken  and  that  certain  directors  are  not  as  con- 
scientious as  they  should  be. 

A few  more  fatal  accidents  in  Hollywood  and  official 
notice  may  be  expected.  This  would  probably  mean  the 
introduction  of  legal  restrictions  which  would  be  cumber- 
some and  ineffective  but  which  would  stamp  the  pro- 
ducers’ representatives  as  being  hardened  in  their  attitude 
of  being  willing  to  risk  unwarrantedly  human  life. 

“Big  Name”  Failures 

A FAMOUS  American  stage  comedian  who  recently 
acted  the  leading  part  in  a motion  picture  made 
the  assertion  that  after  viewing  the  completed  picture  he 
offered  to  return  the  amount  of  compensation  received  if 
the  producer  would  agree  to  scrap  the  film.  Of  course, 
the  actor  was  just  making  a rhetorical  period  because 
these  wily  performers  simply  do  not  resign  large  sums 
of  money  and,  certainly,  they  do  not  hand  them  back  to 
the  picture  business,  although  most  of  them  should  hand 
back  all  they  receive,  and  more,  in  order  to  square  the 
account. 

The  industry  in  its  determination  to  improve  product 
takes  many  and  costly  chances  with  “outside”  names. 
These  names,  of  course,  demand  and  receive  heavy  com- 
pensation but  strangely  enough  when  the  picture  becomes 
a failure  it  is  the  outside  name  and  not  the  producer 
who  does  the  complaining.  The  performer  has  been  paid 
and  paid  well  for  his  efforts  and  a big  loss  is  left  to  the 
producer.  But  it  is  the  performer  who  seems  to  feel  that 
he  is  the  aggrieved  person  and  he  becomes  loud  in  his 
denmiciation  of  producers  as  a class  and  the  picture  busi- 
ness as  a whole.  j, 

And  all  of  this  in  face  of  the  fact  that  the  reason  foT 
the  failure  is  simply  that  the  performer  is  not  only  not 
good  in  pictures  but  is  actually  bad.  Success  on  the 
speaking  stage  does  not  insure  success  on  the  screen. 
When  failure  comes  as  the  result  of  the  attempt  of  a 
stage  performer  to  make  pictures,  the  performer  never 
admits  his  part  in  the  failure.  He  invariably  insists  that 
he  was  all  right  but  that  the  director,  the  story  or  some- 
thing else  was  all  wrong. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


July  9,  1927 


Theatre  Men  Favor  Economy 
Campaign,  with  Reservations 


Stars  Relieved 
As  Wage  Cut  Is 
Delayed  to  Aug.  1 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.  — The 
proposed  salary  cuts  of  from  12  to 
25  per  cent  at  all  studios  has  been 
temporarily  postponed.  It  was  to 
become  effective  with  last  week’s 
pay  checks.  The  heads  of  14  of  the 
major  studios  accepted  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  Academy  of  Arts 
and  Sciences,  recently  formed  here, 
and  agreed  to  postpone  the  wage  cut 
until  August  1.  The  announcement 
followed  a meeting  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Academy  Thursday  night. 

Great  relief  was  felt  throughout  the 
film  colony  when  the  news  reached  the 
actors,  directors  and  writers,  especially 
those  receiving  more  than  $50  a week. 

Those  who  signed  the  pact  were:  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer,  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  Fox, 
Mack  Sennett,  Jack  White,  FBO,  Univer- 
sal, First  National,  Warner  Brothers, 
Christie,  DeMille,  Sam  Goldwyn,  Harold 
Lloyd  and  Hal  Roach. 

Paramount,  which  was  first  to  an- 
nounce the  wage  cut,  was  the  last  to  an- 
nounce a temporary  abandonment  of  the 
plan.  This  studio  has  created  a “cabinet” 
which  will  inaugurate  policies  to  reduce 
excessive  costs  of  pictures. 

♦ * * 

Meetings  were  held  nightly  of  every 
branch  of  the  industry  all  last  week  and 
the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  with 
a most  imposing  membership  of  pro- 
ducers, stars,  directors,  writers  and  tech- 
nicians, headed  the  assault  on  the  wage 
cut.  The  Academy  at  its  Tuesday  meet- 
ing passed  a resolution  recommending 
an  economy  program  and  suggested  that 
strict  and  efficient  methods  in  the  studios 
would  save  enough  money  so  that  a sal- 
ary cut  would  not  be  necessary. 

Two  producers,  Joseph  M.  Schenck 
and  Louis  B.  Mayer,  were  members  of 
the  board  that  passed  the  resolution. 

Another  meeting  which  was  in  session 
at  the  same  time  at  the  Writers  Club— 
the  Screen  Writers  Guild  of  the  Authors 
League  of  America — passed  a resolution  in 
which  they  flat-footedly  opposed  any  salary 
cut  for  contract  actors,  writers  or  directors. 

The  meeting  was  attended  by  the  majority 
of  the  big  screen  writers  of  Holljrwood. 

The  Writers’  resolution  caused  consid- 
erable comment  as  it  expressed  the  be- 
lief that  “the  excessive  cost  of  motion 
picture  production  is  due  to  executive 
mismanagement  rather  than  to  high  sal- 
aries.” It  urged  the  members  of  the 
Guild  not  to  accept  or  acquiesce  in  a 
reduction  in  salaries  under  existing  con- 
tracts. The  writers  also  pledged  coop- 
eration with  every  director,  actor  and 
technician  in  the  industry  “to  prevent  the 
threatened  invasion  of  rights  and  evasion 
of  obligations  by  organized  producers.” 
* * * 

Jesse  L.  Lasky,  vicepresident  of  Para- 
mount, has  appointed  31  pers*ns  repre- 
senting players,  writers,  directors  and 
{Continued  on  page  28) 


Salary  Cut  Postponed 
at  Studios  to  August  1 

Producers  Believe  That  New  Spirit  of  Cooperation  in 
Production  Will  Effect  Saving 

By  JAY  M.  SHRECK 

Exhibitors  this  week,  in  exclusive  communications  to  the  HERALD,^ 
commend  producers  for  their  announced  policy  of  economy  in  production. 
These  endorsements,  however,  are  made  with  reservations,  exhibitors  hold- 
ing that  any  curtailment  in  production  is  purposeless  unless  the  theatres 
may  also  benefit. 

The  news  of  the  week,  bearing  upon  the  economy  program  announced 
some  days  ago  by  the  producers,  may  be  summarized  as  follows : 

1.  Exhibitor-readers  of  the  Herald  endorse  proposed  economy  pro- 
gram, providing  it  is  sincere  and  the  forerunner  of  lower  rentals. 

2.  The  10  to  25  per  cent  salary  cut  announced  by  the  producers  is 
postponed  until  August  1,  at  the  suggestion  of  the  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences. 

3.  Formation  of  a cabinet  at  the  Paramount  studio  to  formulate  a 
policy  which  will  result  in  economy  and  reduce  the  excessive  cost  of 
pictures. 

4.  Producers  believe  that  new  spirit  of  cooperation  among  all  classes 
of  studio  employes  will  result  in  a decided  saving  in  production  costs. 

5.  The  motion  picture  branch  of  Actors’  Equity  states  that  more  than 
800  players  joined  the  organization  in  one  week  as  a result  of  proposed 
wage  cut. 

Exhibitors  express  the  belief  that  the  mounting  costs  of  production  have 
been  a detriment  to  the  entire  industry  and  have  brought  certain  branches 
face  to  face  with  a crisis  which  may  be  bridged  only  through  curtailment  in 
production  expenditures. 

They  take  exception  to  the  manner  in  which  the  proposed  curtailment  in 
production  expenditures  was  broadcast,  declaring  that  “approved  business 
methods  do  not  approve  of  the  ballyhooing  of  a negative  thought.” 

Such  a program  of  economy  can  be  beneficial,  they  say,  only  if  it  is  under- 
taken sincerely.  It  must  apply,  some  say,  not  only  to  the  studios,  but  to 
every  branch  of  the  business. 

One  prominent  exhibitor  states  that  the  greatest  waste  in  the  industry 
today  is  over-production.  A real  economy  could  be  effected,  he  declares,  if 
fewer  pictures  were  made,  adding,  however,  that  these  pictures  must  be 
enhanced  in  production  value. 

Following  are  the  opinions  of  exhibitors  relative  to  the  announced  econ- 
omy drive : 

Says  Over-Production 
Is  Evil  of  Industry 

STANLEY  CHAMBERS,  Miller  Theatres,  Wichita,  Kan.— The  pro- 
ducers’ campaign  of  economy,  involving  the  proposal  to  cut  studio  salaries, 
is  very  laudable  if  the  saving  will  be  applied  to  added  production  value  and 
better  pictures.  My  suggestion  as  to  real  economy  would  be  for  the 
producers  to  make  less  pictures  and  to  concentrate  more  on  those  they  do 
make.  The  greatest  waste  this  industry  has  to  confront  is  over-production. 

Ballyhoo  Methods 
Wrong,  Says  Cohen 

SYDNEY  S.  COHEN,  former  president  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. — Economy 
— real,  lasting  economy — is  essential  to  the  success  of  every  industry,  espe- 
cially so  in  the  motion  picture  industry  where  several  years  of  unintelligent, 
uneconomic  and  unsound  business  competition  have  brought  this  present 
situation  to  pass.  But  economies  should  be  effected  in  a businesslike  man- 
ner, and  genuine  business  methods  do  not  approve  of  the  ballyhooing  of  a 
negative  thought.  Producers  of  films  never  tell  exhibitors  the  bad  part  of 
their  films,  nor  do  exhibitors  tell  the  public  since  such  emphasis  of  negative 
thought  would  be  destructive  in  a business  way.  The  front  page  publicity 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


1 


July  9,  1927 


Joe  Brandt  — 


JOE  BRANDT  . . . president,  Columbia  Pictures  Corporation 
. . . a veritable  pioneer  of  the  motion  picture  industry  in  its 
production  and  distribution  branches  ...  a level-headed  . . . 
keen-witted  . . . and  four-square  person  who  has  travelled  far  in 
the  picture  business  and  made  friends  all  along  the  way. 


which  this  economy  ballyhoo  has  received 
can  bring  about  no  good  results.  It  weakens 
the  public’s  confidence,  it  occasions  confu- 
sion and  unrest  among  the  rank  and  file  of 
the  industry  since  it  creates  a feeling  that 
conditions  are  worse  than  they  are.  Econ- 
omy by  all  means,  but  not  a blatant  bally- 
hoo of  private  business  conditions  in  an  in- 
dustry— a ballyhoo  which  can  only  turn 
out  to  be  a boomerang.  The  purpose  ac- 
complished thus  far  by  the  inopportune  and 
negative  front  page  story  appearing  in  all 
newspapers  will  be  to  build  up  a strong 
branch  of  the  Actors’  Equity  in  Los  Ange- 
les, and  to  make  the  motion  picture  public, 
who  have  hitherto  thought  that  the  indus- 
try was  prosperous  and  who  have  liked  to 
follow  a winner,  feel  that  their  idol  has 
feet  of  clay. 

Says  Moderate  Cost 
Pictures  Make  Money 

FRED  C.  HINDS,  Cresco  Theatre, 
Cresco,  la. — The  curtailment  of  studio  pro- 
duction expense  is  highly  commendable.  A 
good  story  produced  at  moderate  cost  will 
draw  twice  the  crowd  of  a poor  story  lav- 
ishly made.  The  move  would  have  to  be 
general  to  be  effective.  The  bidding  of 
ridiculous  salaries  among  producers  is  in- 
jurious to  the  industry.  I do  not  favor  the 
augmentation  of  the  move  to  the  sales  or 
business  forces.  They  are  not  overpaid. 

Waste  Brings  Suffering 
to  Business,  Says  O'Hara 

F.  J.  O’HARA,  Community  Theatre,  El- 
gin, Neb. — I have  always  contended  that 


the  stars  were  paid  too  much.  Imagine  any 
person  being  paid  the  enormous  salary  of 
$18,000  per  week.  There  is  no  business  in 
this  country  that  will  support  such  a waste 
of  money  without  somebody  suffering,  and 
any  man  with  horse  sense  can  figure  out 
the  party  who  will  be  the  sufferer.  Let  the 
good  work  proceed.  There  are  plenty  of 
young  people  who  would  like  to  do  the 
work  for  one-tenth  the  money  and  possibly 
just  as  good  could  they  get  the  chance. 

False  Values  Created, 

Declares  Munson 

CLARK  MUNSON,  Robey  Theatres, 
Spencer,  W.  Va. — After  years  of  lethargy 
producers  awaken  finding  stars  they  cre- 
ated and  studio  executives  they  glorified 
sapping  the  economic  stability  of  their  or- 
ganization. False  values  placed  on  these 
people,  pampered  temperaments  by  pro- 
ducers bidding  against  each  other  for  their 
services  have  cost  producers  and  exhib- 
itors huge  sums.  Uneconomic  production 
breeds  inflated  rentals.  Curtailment  should 
be  made  solely  at  the  studio,  the  hotbed  of 
extravagance,  and  not  in  already  underpaid 
theatre  departments  as  Publix  intention. 

Will  Be  Boon  to 
Business,  States  McGuirk 

JOHN  J.  McGUIRK,  President  of  Stan- 
ley Company — ^Mr.  McGuirk  stated  that  the 
contemplated  salary  cut  at  the  studios 
would  prove  a boon  to  the  entire  indust^. 
Economy  in  production,  as  well  as  the  dis- 
tributing end  of  the  business,  he  said,  is 
the  present  keynote  of  the  industry. 


Will  Be  Approved  by 
Public,  Says  Biechele 

R.  R.  BIECHELE,  President  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Kansas  and  Missouri— The 
action  of  producers  in  reducing  salaries,  I 
believe,  will  meet  the  approval  of  all  ex- 
hibitors and  the  public  throughout  the 
country.  I feel  sure  I am  expressing  the 
sentiment  of  those  in  this  district  in  stating 
that  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  have  the 
future  welfare  of  the  industry  at  heart  all 
branches  of  the  motion  picture  industry,  in- 
cluding the  exhibiting  end,  should  follow 
the  action  the  producers  have  taken  by 
making  an  effort  to  reduce  the  cost  of 
operation  to  a sane  level.  If  the  pace  that 
has  been  operative  for  the  last  few  years  is 
continued  there  is  no  doubt  in  my  mind  the 
industry  would  become  so  topheavy  in  a 
very  short  time  as  to  face  financial  disaster. 

Must  Extend  Relief  to 
Public,  Rosenberg  Believes 

M.  A.  ROSENBERG,  President  of  the 
Western  Pennsylvania  M.  P.  T.  O. — The 
proposal  to  institute  an  economic  campaign 
liy  producers  should  be  all  embracing.  Sal- 
aries are  not  the  only  item  to  be  pared. 
Unless  the  producer  intends  to  extend  re- 
lief to  the  exhibitors  this  economic  bally- 
hoo will  be  misleading  to  the  public  and 
detrimental  to  the  exhibitors.  Many  news- 
paper editors  have  already  made  this  an 
issue.  Let  us  have  more  action  and  less 
public  talk  regarding  the  matter. 

Should  Have  Been  Done 
Years  Ago:  Wehrenberg 

FRED  WEHRENBERG,  President  of 
the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Eastern  Missouri  and 
Southern  Illinois — Commenting  on  the  pro- 
ducers’ proposal  of  salary  cuts,  I believe 
this  should  have  been  done  years  ago.  All 
waste  in  studios  should  also  be  eliminated. 
Exhibitors  are  facing  the  worst  crisis  in 
years.  Film  rental  and  overhead  must  be 
cut.  Musicians  and  operators  must  give 
exhibitors  some  relief  or  a great  many  ex- 
hibitors will  be  forced  out  of  business. 
Economy  Means  Success, 

Declares  G.  W,  Parr 

GEORGE  W.  PARR,  President  of  the 
Exhibitor  Association  of  South  Carolina, 
Lancaster,  S.  C.— Economy  is  the  watch- 
word of  success.  I heartily  endorse  the 
movement  initiated  by  the  producers  in 
their  campaign  of  economy  and  I hope  it 
will  ultimately  be  reflected  in  lower  film 
rentals.  I firmly  believe  that  the  press 
agents’  publicity  of  the  exorbitant  salaries 
paid  stars  today  is  partly  responsible  for 
the  excessive  and  burdensome  taxation  we 
have  in  this  state  at  present,  namely,  the 
10  per  cent  admission  tax. 

Tragsdorf  Takes  Rap 
at  Junketeers 

W.  E.  TRAGSDORF,  Trags  Theatre, 
Neillsville,  Wis. — All  the  blah  and  shouting 
from  the  roof  tops  relative  to  the  proposed 
cut  in  the  salaries  for  practically  everyone 
of  any  consequence  connected  with  the  stu- 
dios for  the  production  of  pictures  seems 
to  be  in  order,  provided  we  can  believe 
even  half  of  what  we  read  in  the  trade 
papers,  and  elsewhere,  in  regard  to  the 
shameful  waste  of  money  in  practically 
every  branch  of  this  business. 

The  stars  who  actually  mean  anything  at 
the  box  office  should  receive  every  cent  of 
salary  to  which  they  are  entitled.  However, 
where  is  their  worth  to  be  decided?  On 
my  screen,  Roxy’s,  or  around  the  festive 
boards  out  in  Hollywood  where  the  stars 
and  near  stars  are  wont  to  gather  and 
bunk  each  other  into  believing  how  good 
they  are? 

This  film  business  is  conducted  in  the 
most  spendthrift  manner  of  any  legitimate 
business  in  the  world.  As  a shining  ex- 
ample, take  the  various  junkets  of  the  film 
{Continued  on  page  28) 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


July  9,  1927 


Exhibitors  Classify  Films; 
Tell  Which  Bring  Most  Cash 


First  Authentic  Story 
of  Fulton  Supply  Chain 
Is  in  “Better  Theatres” 

First  official  announcement  of 
the  establishment  of  a nationwide 
chain  of  motion  picture  equipment 
and  supply  houses,  in  which  ten 
prominent  theatre  circuits  and 
producers  have  an  interest,  is 
given  this  week  in  detail  in  ‘‘Bet- 
ter Theatres,"  which  appears  as 
Section  Two  of  the  HERALD. 
The  announcement  is  made  by 
Carl  H.  Fulton,  president  of  the 
E.  E.  Fulton  Company,  which  has 
been  reorganized  and  capitalized 
at  $500,000. 

While  rumors  of  the  activities 
of  the  new  equipment  and  supply 
house  chain  have  been  current  for 
some  weeks,  the  first  authorized 
announcement  concerning  the  plans 
of  the  organization  appears  in 
‘‘Better  Theatres." 

In  addition  to  the  £rst  authentic 
information  on  the  new  angle  in 
the  equipment  and  theatre  situa- 
tion, ‘‘Better  Theatres"  this  week 
publishes  an  informative  article 
on  theatre  remodeling  which  ex- 
plains how  a 1,000  seat  theatre, 
new  in  all  features  of  comfort  and 
equipment,  was  achieved  at  a cost 
of  $60,000  while  the  same  theatre 
would  have  represented  no  im- 
provement except  an  increased 
capacity  of  150  seats  at,  a cost  of 
$20,000. 


T.  O.  C.  C.  Calls  Meet 
of  Exhibitors  July  14 
to  Consider  Problems 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — “The  Theatre 
Owners  Chamber  of  Commerce  has 
taken  the  initiative  in  calling  together 
what  promises  to  be  the  most  important 
meeting  of  exhibitors  ever  held  in  the 
metropolitan  zone,”  says  the  announce- 
ment of  a gathering  July  14  at  the  Hotel 
Actor.  “Increased  expenses,  higher  over- 
heads, high-pressured  selling  methods, 
keener  and  ruthless  circuit  competition, 
a constant  falling-off  of  receipts,  and 
poor  attractions  all  face  the  independent 
theatre  owner. 

“The  buying  season  is  here,  the  sea- 
son that  means  so  much  to  the  theatres 
for  the  coming  year,  and  with  all  the 
prospects  of  a crucial  year  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce  is  asking  for  a get-together 
to  see  where  they  are  going.” 


Rogers  Signs  Passion” 
for  U.  5.  and  Canada 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — ^Louis  T.  Rogers 
announces  that  he  has  acquired  the  Amer- 
ican and  Canadian  rights  to  the  UFA  pro- 
duction, “Passion,”  in  which  Pola  Negri, 
Emil  Jannings,  and  Ernest  Lubitsch  were 
first  made  known  to  audiences  on  this  side. 

It  is  expected,  Rogers  declares,  that 
prints  will  be  ready  for  release  early  in 
August. 


New  Product  Conforms 
to  Demands  of  Public 

Theatre  Men  in  Middlewest  and  Northwest  Give 
Picture  Preferences  in  ** Herald”  Survey 

By  J.  C.  JENKINS 

The  public  is  as  fickle  in  its  demands  upon  the  motion  picture  producer,  dis- 
tributor and  exhibitor  as  it  is  in  everything  else  of  which  it  partakes.  Perhaps 
more  so. 

Investigation  among  exhibitors  who  are  daily  at  the  task  of  holding  and 
building  attendance  stresses  the  problem  which  this  industry  is  trying  constantly 
to  solve — ^the  problem  of  maximum  box  office  performance. 

Fickleness  o£  Public  Creates  Problem  for  Industry 

But  for  the  fickle  public  this  problem  would  be  inconsequential.  It  would 
evolve  itself  into  a mere  matter  of  judicious  promotion.  Unfortunately  for  the 
industry  that  is  not  the  situation — and  never  will  be.  The  exhibitor  must 
exploit  motion  pictures  as  a fonn  of  entertainment  and,  in  addition,  he  must 
educate  his  public  to  accept  the  individual  picture  regardless  of  its  classification. 

Historical  7% 

Costume  

FIFTH  CHOICE 

Dramas  35% 

Comedies  25% 

War  plays  12% 

Westerns  9% 

Historical  9% 

Action  plays  6% 

Costume  3% 

Comedy  dramas  1% 

SIXTH  CHOICE 

Historical  34% 

War  plays  30% 

Comedies  11% 

Dramas  10% 

Costume  7% 

Action  plays  4% 

Comedy  dramas  3% 

Westerns  1% 

SEVENTH  CHOICE 

Historical  45% 

War  plays  34% 

Costume  10% 

Comedies  6% 

Comedy  dramas  2% 

Action  plays  2% 

Dramas  2% 

Westerns  

EIGHTH  CHOICE 

Costume  84% 

War  plays  6% 

Historical  5% 

Westerns  3% 

Comedies  - 2% 

Action  plays  

Comedy  dramas  

Neither  a producer  nor  an  exhibitor  can 
find  much  solace  in  percentages,  such  as 
the  foregoing,  which  indicate  a motion  pic- 
ture public  whose  tastes  are  so  varied. 

Producers  Meet  Demands 

Yet,  a study  of  the  product  announce- 
ments published  in  the  Herald  reveals  that 
the  producers,  in  formulating  their  new 
year’s  programs,  have  come  very  close  to 
the  percentage  values  given  in  the  fore- 
going tabulation.  It  was  impossible  to 
make  a complete  analysis  of  the  forthcom- 
ing programs  because  of  the  fact  that  in 
some  cases  the  information  was  not  definite. 
However,  the  following  will  illustrate  my 
point : 

FIRST  NATIONAL— 51%  of  this 
company’s  program  will  be  comedy 
dramas:  17%,  dramas;  17%,  comedies; 
13%,  Westerns,  and  2%,  action  plays. 

[The  percentage  on  action  plays  is  difficult  to 
arrive  at  owing  to  the  fact  that  all  types  of 
pictures,  not  including  Westerns,  may  have  plenty 
of  action  and  be  classed  as  action  plays  by  exhib- 
(Continued  on  page  43) 


I have  just  returned  from  a tour  of 
Minnesota,  Wisconsin  and  Illinois.  In  my 
association  with  scores  of  exhibitors  in 
each  of  these  states  I collected  information, 
both  interesting  and  valuable.  My  survey 
of  this  territory  revealed  these  facts : 

Comedy  dramas,  by  a large  mar- 
gin, lead  in  popularity  in  these  three 
states. 

Westerns  are  popular,  but  they 
fall  way  short  of  equaling  the  com- 
edy drama  in  public  favor. 

Third  in  the  percentage  list  are 
action  plays. 

Next  come  the  dramatic  pictures. 

Comedies  of  feature  length  follow 
the  drama  in  popularity. 

Historical,  war  and  costume  plays 
follow  in  the  order  listed. 

In  giving  me  the  information  on  which 
the  foregoing  conclusions  are  based,  the  ex- 
hibitors placed  pictures  in  eight  classifica- 
tions, then  listed  them  in  the  order  of  their 
popularity  at  the  individual  theatre.  The 
results  are  based  solely  on  box  office  per- 
formances. Following  are  the  percentage 
standings  of  pictures  according  to  first 
choice,  second  choice,  etc. : 

FIRST  CHOICE 

Comedy  dramas  48% 

Westerns  22% 

Action  plays  21% 

Comedies  6% 

Dramas  3% 

Historical  

War  plays  


Westerns  

Action  plays  

Comedy  dramas  . 

Comedies  

Dramas  

War  plays  

Historical  

Costume  ... 


SECOND  CHOICE 


80% 

28% 

19% 

10% 

8% 

3% 


THIRD  CHOICE 

Action  plays  29% 

Dramas  18% 

Comedy  dramas  1B% 

Comedies  16% 

Westerns  14% 

War  plays  — 6% 

Historical  3% 

Costume  

FOURTH  CHOICE 

Dramas  24% 

Comedies  22% 

Westerns  — 18% 

Action  plays  11% 

Comedy  dramas  9% 

War  plays  9% 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


New  YORK.— Tim  Beecroft,  fallen 

away  to  a quarter  of  a ton  during  a 
six  month  lay  up  with  a broken  thigh,  is  so 
far  recovered  as  to  be  at  his  desk  one  day 
last  week.  . . . Al  Feinman  says  his  in- 
jured optic  is  now  sufficiently  good  to  en- 
able him  to  see  what  Famous  Players  stock 
is  doing.  . . . Pete  Woodhull  is  back  from 
North  Carolina  having  told  the  multitude 
there  all  about  the  National  organization. 
. . . Al  Lichtman  left  for  the  Coast  last 
Tuesday  and  Bill  Johnston  presided  at  the 
Motion  Picture  Club  meeting.  ...  A.  M. 
Botsford  crossed  everybody  up  by  failing  to 
appear  to  introduce  his  sixteen  prize  beau- 
ties to  the  members  of  the  A.  M.  P.  A.  last 
Thursday.  . . . Joe  Schnitzer  expressed  the 
opinion  last  week  that  “The  Moon  of 
Israel”  is  a right  good  picture  and  a lot  of 
others  who  saw  it  at  the  Roxy  are  of  the 
same  opinion.  . . . Kann  is  due  back 

in  New  York  next  week  with  his  bride  af- 
ter a honeymoon  trip  abroad.  . . . Fred 
McConnell,  according  to  Hotel  Astor  bulle- 
tins, has  quit  the  Daily  Review  and  will 
again  become  a producer  of  pictures.  . . . 
Jack  Alicoate  is  being  widely  complimented 
on  his  excellent  editorials  on  the  short- 
sightedness of  the  big  film  companies  in 
their  method  of  advertising.  . . . Motley 
Flint,  West  Coast  banker,  is  here  on  a 
business  trip.  . . . VPatterson  Rothacker 
left  last  week  for  Chicago  and  will  go  from 
there  to  the  Coast  to  take  up  his  new 
duties  with  First  National.  . . . R.  H. 
Cochrane,  accompanied  by  his  family, 
sailed  last  Saturday  on  the  Leviathan  for  a 
six  weeks  trip  to  Europe.  . . . “Fatty  ’ Ar- 
buckle  has  been  booked  for  a tour  of  the 
Loew  Circuit,  opening  at  Cleveland  and 
later  coming  to  New  York.  . . . /o/iw  Mc- 
Gtiirk  says  the  proposed  salary  cut  will  be 
a boon  to  the  industp^,  but  a lot  of  actors 
and  actresses  will  disagree  with  him.  . . . 
Eddie  Grainger  returned  for  the  Fourth 
after  a two  weeks  sojourn  in  St.  Louis  and 
Cincinnati  doing  some  heavyweight  stuff 
for  Fox  Films.  . . . Paul  Gulick  says  every 
golf  player  owes  a great  debt  of  gratitude 
to  the  gentlemen  who  signed  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence.  ...  IP.  R.  Sheehan 
sailed  last  week  on  the  Berengaria  for  a 
lengthy  vacation  in  Europe.  . . . C.  F. 
Chandler  is  being  congratulated  on  his  se- 
lection of  Walter  Lindlar  as  exploitation 
manager  of  First  National.  . . . Charles  K. 
Archibald,  Los  Angeles  exhibitor,  arrived 
in  New  York  last  week  after  a long  tour 
of  Europe.  . . . Dick  Rowland  denies  print- 
ed reports  that  Boh  Kane  would  leave  First 
National  and  Kane  says  Rowland  knows 
what  he’s  talking  about.  . . . Harry  Reich- 
enbach  spent  the  holiday  weekend  in  West- 
chester county,  but  indignantly  denies  that 
he  played  any  golf.  . . . Jules  Levy_  is 
thinking  about  taking  up  polo — just  think- 
ing. . . . Gordon  White  took  a week’s  va- 
cation in  the  wilds  of  New  Jersey,  and  says 
he  had  a dern  good  sleep.  . . . Carroll 
Troivbridge,  Christie  New  York  represen- 
tative, is  back  from  a month  at  the  Holly- 
wood studios  and  looks  well  considering. 
. . . John  Flinn  is  back  on  his  job  again 
and  busy  as  usual  or  more  so.  . . . Carl 
iMemmle  sailed  last  week  for  his  usual 
summer  visit  to  his  old  home  in  Germany. 
. . . Major  Bowes  is  due  back  from  abroad 
next  week  with  a lot  of  new  ideas  for  Capi- 
tol presentations Herbert  Crooker, 

one  of  the  bright  and  shining  lights  of  the 
publicity  and  advertising  brotherhood,  has 
been  given  a boost  and  is  now  Eastern  rep- 
resentative of  the  Burr  and  Hines  combina- 
tion. — -SPARGO. 


Putting  over  “Convoy”  in  a big  way  in  Seattle  was  effected  by  dramatizing 
in  real  life  the  title  of  that  First  National  Special.  The  reels  were  delivered 
by  airplane,  which  was  convoyed  by  other  planes,  and  over  the  city  para- 
chutes were  dropped,  displaying  American  flags  and  dropping  tickets  to  a 
pre-view  performance  at  United  Artists’  theatre.  Top  picture,  delivering 
the  films;  at  left,  releasing  the  parachute;  at  right,  Dorothy  Mackaill,  co- 
star  with  Lowell  Sherman,  in  a hospital  scene. 


Summer-time  hits  the  studios,  and  in  consequence  First  National’s  “Smile, 
Brother,  Smile”  momentarily  suffers.  Pictured  above,  feeling  extremely 
listless,  are  Director  John  Dillon  (in  chair);  Dorothy  Mackaill;  Jack  Mul- 
hall  (accepting  refreshment);  and  (pensive  and  bald)  Gene  Towne,  gag 
man. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


July  9,  1927 


Connolly  Quits  Hays  for  Fox; 
Burt  New  Goes  to  Washington 

Representative  of  Industry  at  Washington  for  Twelve  Years 
Now  with  Courtland  Smith  on  Movietone — 

Joined  Old  National  Association 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — Jack  Connolly  h'as  resigned  from  the  Hays 
organization  to  accept  a position  with  the  Fox  Film  Corporation.  For  the 
present  his  work  will  be  with  Courtland  Smith  on  the  Movietone,  but  it 
is  said  that  later  he  will  be  transferred  to  a responsible  position  in  the  home 
office  of  the  Fox  company. 

Sails  for  Month  Abroad 

Before  taking  up  his  new  duties  Mr.  Connolly  will  spend  a vacation 
abroad  and  sailed  last  week  for  a month’s  trip. 

For  the  past  twelve  years  Connolly  has  represented  the  film  industry  at 
Washington  and  during  that  period  has  endeared  himself  to  thousands  of 
people  by  his  readiness  and  ability  to  help  out  anyone  who  needed  help  at 
the  national  capital. 


National  Owner 
Group  Plans  Way 
to  Admit  Chains 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — An  important 
meeting  of  the  Administrative  Committee 
of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  will  be  held  at  the 
National  Headquarters  here  tomorrow 
morning.  This  will  be  the  first  meeting 
of  the  committee  since  the  Columbus  con- 
vention and  lines  of  procedure  associated 
with  the  reception  of  chain  theatres  on  a 
nation-wide  scale  will  be  agreed  upon  and 
other  business  transacted. 

National  President  R.  F.  Woodhull  is- 
sued the  call  for  the  meeting  previous  to 
leaving  for  the  convention  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  of  North  Carolina. 

Members  of  the  administrative  commit- 
tee are  Joseph  Walsh,  Hartford;  M.  E. 
Comford,  Scranton;  J.  H.  Michael,  Buf- 
falo; William  James,  Columbus;  Jack 
Miller,  Chicago;  L.  M.  Sagal,  New  Haven; 
and  Nathan  Yamins,  Fall  River,  Mass. 

McCormick  Reported 
Back  as  Supervisor 
for  Colleen  Moore 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  S.— John  McCormick 
is  returning  to  First  National  as  super- 
visor of  Colleen  Moore’s  productions,  ac- 
cording to  newspaper  reports  here.  It  was 
said  also  that  McCormick  would  be  asked 
to  supervise  another  unit. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCormick  will  leave  for 
Hollywood  in  the  next  few  days,  according 
to  this  report,  their  European  trip  being 
cancelled. 

No  information  on  the  matter  was  forth- 
coming at  the  First  National  offices  here. 

U.  S.  Senator  Robert  F.  Wagner  has 
been  appointed  arbitrator  in  Miss  Moore’s 
case. 


Public  Opposition  to 
Censorship  Changes 
Minds**  of  Aldermen 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONG  BEACH,  CAL.,  July  5.— The  city 
council  last  week,  after  a brief  meeting, 
indefinitely  tabled  the  proposed  censorship 
ordinance  which  was  designed  to  inaugurate 
rigid  censorship  of  motion  pictures,  maga- 
zines and  newspapers.  A large  delegation 
of  W.  C.  T.  U.  members  present  demanded 
its  passage.  Present  also  were  represen- 
tatives of  the  Federated  Women’s  Clubs 
who  strongly  opposed  the  passage  of  the 
measure. 

Optimism  Spreads  in 

Coal  Strike  District 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  5. — Exhibitors  are 
sharing  in  the  more  optimistic  tone  noted 
in  Southern  Illinois  despite  the  failure  of  a 
conference  between  coal  operators  and 
miners  in  Chicago  to  reach  a settlement  of 
the  strike.  The  inside  tip  is  that  there  will 
be  a peace  agreement  signed  within  a few 
weeks. 

Ragland  Now  Columbia 
Sales  Head  on  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.— John  C.  Rag- 
land has  become  general  manager  of  sales 
of  Columbia  Pictures  Corporation,  in 
charge  of  Columbia  exchanges  at  Los  An- 
geles, Portland,  San  Francisco,  Seattle  and 
Butte. 


Originally  a Boston  newspaperman,  Con- 
nolly went  to  Washington  as  secretary  to 
Congressman  Carter  of  Massachusetts. 
Twelve  years  ago, 
after  serving  two 
terms  with  Carter, 

Connolly  joined 
the  old  National 
Association  of  the 
Motion  Picture  In- 
dustry  as  the 
Washington  repre- 
sentative of  the  in- 
dustry. Later, 
when  the  old  or- 
ganization was 
succeeded  by  the 
Motion  Picture 
Producers  and 
Distributors  o f 
America,  Connolly 
was  retained  by  Mr.  Hayes  in  the  same 
position. 

Following  is  the  official  announcement 
sent  out  from  the  Hays  office  telling  of 
Connolly’s  resignation : 

“Burt  New,  for  the  past  year  a member 
of  the  legal  staff  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  has 
been  appointed  Washington  representative 
of  that  organization,  succeeding  Jack  Con- 
nolly, who  has  resigned  to  join  the  Fox 
corporation.  Mr.  Connolly  has  represented 


Who’s  Youngest 
Exhibitor? 

Considerable  interest  has  been 
aroused  by  publication  in  last 
week’s  issue  of  the  HERALD  of  a 
story  about  Miss  Mildred  Russell 
of  Benton  City,  Mo.,  who  at  15 
started  managing  the  community 
theatre  of  that  city.  Comment 
seems  to  be  centering  on  whether 
she  is  the  youngest  exhibitor 
(Miss  Russell  is  17  now). 

All  right.  We’ll  leave  it  to  you 
exhibitors.  Who  is  the  yungest 
exhibitor  in  your  territory!*  We 
welcome  nominations  from  either 
the  entrant  himself  or  any  ac- 
quaintance. Each  territory  has  its 
own  youngest  exhibitor  and  we 
want  the  names  of  all  of  them. 

It’s  a race  from  scratch,  with 
no  handicaps.  The  held  is  open  to 
all,  and  the  youngest  man  (or 
woman)  wins.  Come  one,  come 
all,  with  your  nominations! 


the  motion  picture  industry  in  Washington 
for  twelve  years. 

Legal  Adviser  to  Two  Governors 

“Mr.  New  was  born  in  North  Vernon, 
Ind.,  the  son  of  Judge  Jeptha  E.  New,  an 
eminent  lawyer.  Burt  New  was  legal  ad- 
viser to  two  governors  of  Indiana,  former 
Vice-President  Thomas  A.  Marshall  and 
Senator  Samuel  Ralston.  He  was  appointed 
by  President  Wilson  as  a member  of  the 
Commission  to  Panama  which  handled  and 
disposed  of  claims  growing  out  of  the 
building  of  the  Panama  Canal.  For  seven 
years  he  was  in  Washington  as  executive 
secretary  of  the  Democratic  National  Com- 
mittee. 

“Mr.  New  is  married,  has  one  daughter, 
now  in_  Panama,  and  a son,  Gordon,  a 
student  in  Lehigh  University,  who  last  week 
won  a scolarship  in  the  University  of  Mad- 
rid, Spain.  Mr.  New  will  move  to  Wash- 
ington at  once.’’ 

Equipment  Men  Speed 
Plans  for  Convention 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  4. — Final  touches  are 
being  given  to  plans  for  the  convention  of 
the  Theatre  Equipment  Association  at  the 
Hotel  Pennsylvania,  on  July  18  and  19. 
A number  of  interesting  as  well  as  infor- 
mative talks  have  been  lined  up  by  the 
special  program  committee  consisting  of 
Walter  Green,  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company,  New  York;  J.  C.  Kroesen,  Edi- 
son Lamp  Works,  Harrison,  N.  J.,  and 
Irving  Samuels,  Automatic  Devices  Com- 
pany, Allentown,  Pa.  President  John  H. 
Hertner  is  cooperating. 

FBO’s  “Moon  of  Israel” 
Held  Hit  at  N.  Y.  Roxy 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — Press  and  public 
have  aclaimed  FBO’s  “Moon  of  Israel,” 
which  was  shown  at  the  Roxy  the  week 
of  June  25.  Statements  ran  from  “lavish 
stupendous  production”  to  “excellent  pro- 
duction.” Over  a hundred  rabbis,  invited 
to  attend,  were  at  the  week-end  perform- 
ances. 

Dix  Hero  of  Rescue 

Script  Didn*t  Call  For 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.— Richard  Dix 
played  hero  in  real  life  Saturday  by  rescu- 
ing a Chinese  extra  in  the  Sacramento  river, 
while  filming  a scene  for  “Shanghai 
Bound.” 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Sheriff  Hits  Carnival  Gambling; 
Minneapolis  Bars  Tent  Shows 

Free-for-All  Fight  at  Quincy,  III.,  Brings  Warning  from  Officer — Civic 
Bodies  at  Elgin  Protest  Against  Evils 

“The  fact  is  that  the  carnival  and  itinerant  troupe  types  of  show  have 
not  only  seen  the  handwriting  on  the  wall,  hut  they  are  already  begin- 
ning to  feel  the  effects  of  the  approaching  disaster — and  nothing  they 
can  do  can  stay  the  disaster.  The  motion  picture  theatre  in  the  large 
city,  small  town  and  country  place  rescued  the  common  people  from 
centuries  of  imposition  by  so-called  show  people.” — Excerpt  from  an 
editorial  article  by  Martin  J.  Quigley  in  the  Jane  25th  issue  of  the 
Herald. 

PASSAGE  of  a resolution  by  the  Minneapolis  council  prohibiting  car- 
nivals, issuance  of  a warning  by  the  sheriff  at  Quincy,  111.,  that  he  will 
not  permit  gambling  at  carnivals,  and  protestations  by  several  civic 
organizations  at  Elgin,  111.,  demanding  that  carnivals  be  prohibited  from 
showing  in  that  city,  are  developments  of  the  past  week  pointing  toward  the 
speeding  of  the  exit  of  the  tent  show. 


‘*TT  IS  a wellknown  fact  that  most  car- 
nivals  depend  more  upon  their  gamb- 
ling devices  for  profit  than  they  do  on  their 
shows,”  Sheriff  Kenneth  Elmore  declared  at 
Quincy  in  announcing  a war  against  the 
carnival  evils  there  and  promising  to  pro- 
tect any  organizations  making  any  con- 
tracts with  carnivals. 

Citizens  File  Complaints 
Filing  of  a number  of  complaints  by  citi- 
zens regarding  the  games  of  chance  at  a 
recent  tent  show  at  Quincy  prompted  the 
sheriff’s  action.  Jack  HocfEer  of  the  Wash- 
ington (Great  States  theatre)  at  that  city, 
in  commenting  upon  the  situation,  declared 
that  the  Illinois  state  laws  back  up  the 
sheriff  of  any  county,  inferring  that  the 
sheriffs  have  it  in  their  power  to  help 
eliminate  the  evil. 

“I  feel  that  it  is  but  fair  to  such  so- 
cieties and  organizations  that  may  enter 
into  contracts  with  carnival  companies,  to 
play  them  here  on  a percentage  basis,” 
Ellmore  explained.  “The  local  societies  are 
innocent  of  wrongdoing. 

“No  gambling  is  to  be  permitted  of  any 
kind.  A recent  state  law  covers  these 
games  of  chance  pretty  thoroughly  and  it 
is  under  this  law  I propose  to  act.” 

Patron  Beaten  in  Fight 
In  a fight  at  one  of  the  gambling  stands 
during  the  appearance  of  the  Brundage 
shows  at  Quincy,  a Negro  was  tricked  out 
of  $2  and  severely  beaten  when  carnival 
employes  armed  with  clubs  and  hammers 
precipitated  a free-for-all  fight. 

The  passing  of  the  anti-camival  resolu- 
tion at  Minneapolis  is  a preliminary  action 
to  bar  the  shows  while  an  ordinance  is 
being  drafted.  The  resolution  instructs  the 


Hungarian  Actor  Here 
Soon  for  Film  Career 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BUDAPEST,  July  5.  — Paul 
Lukacs,  Hungarian  actor  famous 
in  Europe,  has  finally  set  July  16, 
as  the  date  on  which  he  will  sail 
for  America,  where  he  hopes  to 
begin  a screen  career.  He  has  de- 
cided to  call  himself  Lukas  in  the 
films.  His  departure,  scheduled 
earlier,  has  been  delayed  by  his 
engagement  at  the  National  thea- 
tre here.  Lukacs  has  been  in  a 
few  European  pictures,  Alexander 
Korda,  who  is  now  here  directing 
for  First  National,  having  been 
one  of  his  directors.  In  America 
Lukacs  will  be  under  the  manage- 
ment of  E.  M.  Somlyo. 


license  bureau  to  issue  no  more  permits. 
This  decision  was  an  outgrowth  of  a recent 
accident  on  a ferris  wheel  in  which  four 
were  injured,  two  severely. 

At  Elgin  several  organizations  for  com- 
muntiy  welfare  have  petitioned  the  author- 
ities to  shut  out  the  carnivals  as  a detri- 
ment to  public  morals  as  well  as  a civic  and 
financial  annoyance. 

Laemmle  Voted  Head 
of  Cinema  Relief  Fund, 
Succeeding  DeMille 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5. — Carl  Laemmle, 
president  of  Universal,  was  elected  presi- 
dent of  the  Motion  Picture  Relief  Fund 
of  America,  at  a meeting  at  the  Writers’ 
Club.  He  succeeds  Cecil  B.  DeMille. 
Laemmle  was  not  present  at  the  meeting, 
being  in  Europe  on  a vacation. 

Other  officers  elected  were  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  Mary  Pickford,  Will  H.  Hays  and 
Cecil  B.  DeMille,  vice-presidents;  Rev.  Neal 
Dodd,  secretary;  and  Donald  Crisp,  treas- 
urer. The  following  trustees  were  elected: 
Fred  W.  Beetson,  Charles  Chaplin,  Rev. 
Neal  Dodd,  William  S.  Hart,  Rupert 
Hughes,  Jesse  L.  Lasky,  Tom  Mix,  Conrad 
Nagel,  Hal  Roach  and  H.  M.  Walker. 
The  new  executive  board  includes  Frank 
Woods,  Fred  Beetson,  Rev.  Neal  Dodd, 
Duell  M.  Moore,  Donald  Crisp,  John  W. 
Considine,  Jr.,  L.  M.  Goodstadt,  E.  H. 
Allen  and  Wm.  P.  Wyatt. 

Those  who  attended  the  meeting  and 
voted  were  Mary  Pickford,  Douglas  Fair- 
banks, Harrison  Ford,  E.  H.  Allen,  Regi- 
nald Barker,  Constance  DeMille,  Barrett 
Keisling,  Cecil  DeMille,  Donald  Crisp,  Ray 
Murray,  Louis  Goodstadt,  Olga  Printzlau, 
Alfred  Fischer,  Fred  Beetson,  Fred  Schues- 
sler,  Nora  Cecil,  Fritz  Feld  and  Rev.  Neal 
Dodd. 

Publix  Signs  Whiteman 
44  Weeks  at  $12,000  Per, 
Say  Newspaper  Reports 

Paul  Whiteman  signed  a contract 
Tuesday  of  this  week  with  Publix  for  44 
weeks  appearance  with  his  jazz  band  at 
$12,000  a week,  according  to  newspaper 
dispatches  from  New  York.  Most  of  the 
appearances  under  the  $528,000  contract 
will  be  at  the  Paramount  theatre,  the 
dispatches  said,  his  share  to  be  $264,000. 


U.  S.  Filins  Deteriorate, 
Declares  Gavazzi  King 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON , July  5. — W.  Gavazzi 
King,  consulting  secretary  of  the 
Cinema  Exhibitors’  Association 
and  editor  of  the  Film  Report, 
made  some  scathing  remarks  about 
American  films  in  a paper  he  de- 
livered before  the  Exhibitors’  An- 
nual Convention  at  Morecambe. 

He  urged  that  British  producers 
should  not  try  to  imitate  Holly- 
wood, where  factory  methods  had 
resulted  in  the  production  of  a lot 
of  films  of  which  even  the  Ameri- 
can public  is  growing  very  impa- 
tient. 

He  declared  that  American  Elms 
are  deteriorating  and  said  that  of 
709  Elms  which  he  personally  ex- 
amined last  year  ( 683  of  them  be- 
ing American  and  26  British),  only 
167  American  pictures  obtained 
eight  marks  or  over,  but  of  the  26 
British  14  received  that  number  of 
marks,  which  showed  that  the  ratio 
of  good  Elms  was  25  per  cent 
American  and  54^  per  cent  Brit- 
ish. 


Herbert  Crooker  Made 
Eastern  Representative 
of  Johnny  Hines  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — ^Herbert  Crooker, 
who  joined  B.  & H.  Enterprises  a year 
ago  as  director  of  advertising  and  pub- 
licity for  the  Johnny  Hines  pictures  for 
First  National,  has  been  appointed  East- 
ern representative  of  that  organization  by 
C.  C.  Burr.  In  his  new  capacity  Crooker 
will  look  after  the  interests  of  Johhny 
Hines  in  New  York  as  well  as  supervise  all 
advertising  and  publicity. 

Exhibitor  Alliance  to 
Compete  with  Producer 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

CLEVELAND,  July  5.— Alliance  between 
the  Affiliated  Theatrical  Utilities  Corpora- 
tion and  the  Associated  Theatrical  Utilities 
Corporation  and  the  Associated  Theatres 
of  Ohio  is  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  the 
competition  of  producer-owned  theatres, 
according  to  Fred  R.  Zimmerman,  vice- 
president  of  the  alliance.  Reduction  of 
rental  prices  is  the  immediate  aim  but  the 
organization  is  not  a booking  combine, 
Zimmerman  said. 

It  was  stated  that  Charles  L.  Capnave 
of  the  Associated  Theatres  of  Ohio  has 
gone  into  the  alliance  with  27  houses. 

U Adding  15  Theatres 
Laemmle  Says  on  Sailing 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — Fifteen  or  twenty 
first-class  theatres  will  be  added  to  Uni- 
versal’s theatre  chain  by  January  1st,  Presi- 
dent Carl  Laemmle  predicted  before  sailing 
last  week  for  Europe.  The  chain  now  in- 
cludes 300  houses,  he  said. 

“The  recent  salary  cut  will  make  the  in- 
dustry much  sounder,”  he  declared.  “Pros- 
pects of  the  industry  are  good.” 


MacArthur,  Pathe  Split 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.— Arthur  Mac- 
Arthur, business  manager  of  the  Monty 
Banks  feature  comedy  unit  of  Pathe,  has 
resigned.  A difference  over  business  policy 
is  given  as  the  reason  for  the  split. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


FBO  to  Produce 
Student’s  Scenario 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5.— Joseph 
P.  Kennedy,  head  of  FBO,  has  his 
£rst  fruit  of  collegiate  genius. 
Since  his  announcement  several 
weeks  ago  that  he  welcomed  the 
manuscripts  of  college  students, 
the  FBO  scenario  department  has 
been  swamped  with  campus  crav- 
ings for  screen  expression...  They 
came  by  the  hundreds — and  then 
some!  And  now  Kennedy  has  one, 
called  “Operator  XCPA,”  which 
he  thinks  worthy  of  production. 
It  was  written  by  George  S. 
Lybecker,  a student  of  photoplay 
composition  in  Columbia,  and  will 
be  used  as  a starring  vehicle  for 
either  Bob  Steele  or  Tom  Tyler. 


U^s  **Painting  the 
Town ''  Is  to  Open 
at  Roxy  in  July 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5.  — Universal’s 
“Painting  the  Town,”  has  been  booked  at 
the  Roxy  theatre  following  a private  show- 
ing of  the  first  print  to  reach  the  home 
office.  It  is  also  announced  that  Glenn 
Tryon,  star  of  this  Universal-Jewel,  has 
been  given  a five-year  contract  as  a result 
of  his  success.  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  has  the 
feminine  lead. 

Prints  are  being  rushed,  it  is  said,  at  the 
Fort  Lee  laboratories  and  will  be  rushed 
to  the  exchanges  for  July  release.  An  ex- 
tra supply  of  prints  is  being  made  to  take 
care  of  day  and  date  bookings. 

Schenck  Issues  ^‘Camille” 
Brochure  of  Elaborate 
Design,  Fitting  Film 

Joseph  M.  Schenck  has  issued  an  elabor- 
ate 20-page  brochure  on  United  Artists’  pre- 
tentious screen  rendition  of  “Camille,”  the 
French  classic  by  Dumas  fils.  It  is  artis- 
tically done  in  the  best  manner  of  modern 
typographic  art,  is  lavishly  illustrated  with 
half-tones,  and  contains,  besides  a synopsis 
of  the  immortal  story,  brief  articles  of 
comment  by  the  star,  Norma  Talmadge; 
the  adaptor,  Fred  de  Gresac;  and  the  direc- 
tor, Fred  Niblo. 


Anti-Blue  Law  Party 
Names  National  Board 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  5. — Organization 
of  a national  committee  of  the  newly 
formed  anti-blue  law  political  party,  has 
been  effected,  while  plans  are  also  being 
drawn  for  a national  convention,  to  be  held 
probably  in  New  York  City,  at  which  candi- 
dates for  president  and  vice-president  will 
be  nominated  or  the  candidates  of  some 
other  party  be  endorsed,  k is  stated. 

The  national  committee  is  composed  of 
A.  S.  Bosworth,  West  Virginia;  Charles  D. 
Raymer,  Washington  State;  L.  W.  Ran- 
dolph, Maryland ; Chester  C.  Platt,  Florida ; 
Howell  S.  England,  Michigan ; Olin  J.  Ross, 
Ohio;  J.  W.  Nigh,  Virginia;  Dr.  Joseph  A. 
Themper,  District  of  Columbia;  George  C. 
Marcley,  New  York;  E.  Haldeman-Julius, 
Kansas ; Clarence  Darrow,  Illinois ; Rupert 
Hughes,  California;  George  N.  Falconer, 
Colorado;  Hugh  P.  Meese,  Pennsylvania; 
E.  B.  Gaston,  Alabama;  H.  G.  Teigan,  Min- 
nesota; and  P.  Maurice  McMahon,  Hawaii. 


Four  Killed,  Many  Injured 
In  Long  Series  of  Mishaps 

Three  Drown  While  Shooting  Rapids  in  Scene — Actress  Dies 
When  Head  Strikes  Rock  after  Boat  Tips — Ralph 
Ince  Victim  of  Mysterious  Chloroform  Attack 

Accidents  resulting  in  four  deaths  and  injuries  to  a number  of  others 
wreaked  an  unusual  toll  in  the  industry  in  the  past  week.  Three  were 
drowned  and  a fourth  was  killed  when  her  head  struck  a rock  after  the  boat 
in  which  she  was  appearing  in  a scene,  struck  a rock  and  was  overturned 
by  rapids. 

Rescuer  Loses  Own  Life 


The  three  who  were  drowned  were  Ray  Thompson,  29,  Los  Angeles  stunt 
man;  Joseph  Bautin,  24,  of  Juneau,  Alaska,  and  F.  H.  Daughters,  23,  of 
Spokane.  The  mishap  occurred  during  the  filming  of  “The  Trail  of  ’98” 
by  Clarence  Brown’s  M-G-M  unit  on  location  along  the  Copper  river  in 
Abercrombie  canyon  50  miles  from  Cordova,  Alaska. 


Bautin  lost  his  life  trying  to  save  Daugh- 
ters and  Thompson,  who  were  in  a boat 
with  Gordon  Craveth  and  Tom  Granville, 
stunt  men,  shoot- 
ing the  rapids  as  in 
Alaskan  gold  rush 
days  at  Skagway. 

Five  more  boats 
landed  safely.  Cra- 
veth and  Thomp- 
son jumped  into 
the  torrent.  Gran- 
ville landed  the 
boat  singlehanded. 

Craveth  battled  the 
current  and  reach- 
ed shore  but 
Thompson  was 
lost.  Daughters  fell 

out  of  a lifeboat  Glenn  Harper 

and  was  swept 

away.  Bautin’s  body  was  recovered. 

The  fourth  death  occurred  in  the  rapids 
of  the  Merced  river  in  California.  Ethel 
Hall,  doubling  for  Dorothy  Dwan,  the  her- 
oine of  “The  Scourge  of  Little  C,”  a Tom 
Mix  production  for  Fox,  was  in  a boat 
with  Wallace  McDonald,  actor,  in  a scene. 
Caught  in  the  grip  of  the  torrent,  the  boat 
struck  a rock  and  overturned.  Miss  Hall 
was  a skilled  swimmer  but  her  head  struck 
a rock  and  she  was  taken  out  of  the  water 
unconscious.  She  died  in  the  Merced  Falls 
hospital.  McDonald  had  swum  ashore 
safely. 

Ralph  Ince,  FBO  director,  while  a guest 
of  the  Fullerton  hotel  at  Fullerton,  Cal, 
was  the  victim  of  a mysterious  chloroform 
attack  last  week.  Several  other  guests 
smelled  the  fumes  and  awoke  Ince.  The 
FBO  company  is  making  “South  Sea  Love” 
at  Santa  Ana  Canyon  and  has  been  making 
its  headquarters  at  Fullerton.  Patsy  Ruth 
Miller  and  other  members  of  the  troupe 
were  not  molested. 

Two  Hurt  as  Snow  Slides 

Earle  Emlay,  director,  and  Paul  Powers, 
leading  man  of  the  E.  R.  L.  Products 
Company,  a Los  Angeles  motion  picture 
concern  which  has  been  operating  in  South- 
ern Oregon  the  past  three  weeks,  met  with 
injuries  when  a bank  of  soft  snow  gave 
way  and  precipitated  them  into  a canyon 
some  distance  below. 

The  accident  occurred  in  Crater  Lake 
National  Park,  half  a mile  from  Anna 
Springs.  Emlay  is  reported  to  be  suffer- 
ing from  head  injuries  but  has  not  been 
removed  from  the  company’s  camp  in  the 
park.  Powers  received  numerous  body 
bruises  in  the  fall.  A camera  valued  at 
$3,000  was  wrecked. 

Pola  Negri,  Paramount  star,  was  forced 
to  suspend  work  on  her  current  picture  at 
Hollywood  because  of  illness  and  the  swell- 


ing of  her  forehead,  caused  by  the  bite  of 
a poisonous  spider. 

Glenn  Harper  in  Accident 

Glenn  Harper,  secretary  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  of  Southern  California,  narrowly 
escaped  death  when  a heavy  sedan  he  was 
driving  plunged  down  a lOO-foot  embank- 
ment in  Millard’s  Canyon,  killing  George 
Vorhes,  16  years  old,  and  injurying  Har- 
per’s two  sons,  Ernest  and  Leslie.  The 
boj^s  were  going  on  a hike  and  Harper 
had  taken  them  to  the  foot  of  the  trail 
at  the  forest  range  station,  on  Edison 
road,  where  the  accident  happened. 

Blanche  Sweet,  and  her  husband,  Mar- 
shall Neilan  came  close  to  drowning  off 
•Santa  Monica  beach  when  they  were 
caught  in  a riptide  and  were  unable  to 
get  back  to  shore.  Several  strong  swim- 
mers came  to  their  aid. 

Arm  Broken  in  Auto  Crash 

Paul  Vincenti,  27-year-old  actor,  under 
contract  with  First  National  studios,  was 
injured  last  Thursday  when  he  lost  control 
of  his  automobile  and  plunged  over  a 300- 
foot  embankment  in  Laurel  Canyon.  He  is 
in  the  Hollywood  hospital  with  a broken 
arm. 

Gladys  Mills,  secretary  to  Mrs.  Harriet 
service  and  educational  department  of  the 
Hawley  Locher,  director  of  the  public 
Crandall  Theatres  at  Washington,  D.  C., 
was  painfully  injured  in  an  automobile  ac- 
cident in  Evanston,  111.  Miss  Mills,  on  a 
motor  tour  from  Washington  to  the  Mid- 
dle West,  was  run  into  by  a car  racing  60 
miles  an  hour  without  lights.  Miss  Mills 
was  severely  cut  and  bruised  about  the 
head  and  shoulders  and  was  rushed  by  train 
back  to  her  home  in  Washington. 

William  Mahoney,  a representative  for 
United  Artists,  and  Jack  Byrne,  a salesman 
for  the  Metro  forces  in  Albany,  narrowly 
escaped  being  killed  one  night  last  week 
when  Alahoney’s  car  was  struck  by  a train 
in  a fog  at  a grade  crossing  near  Platts- 
burg.  The  men  were  thrown  and  severely 
bruised  and  cut.  The  automobile  was 
smashed. 

Steal  Fans  From  Pathe 
Exchange — and  IPs  Hot! 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OKLAHOMA  CITY,  July  5. — Burglars 
broke  into  the  Pathe  exchange  at  Dallas, 
Tex.,  last  week  and  stole  12  electric  fans. 

W.  H.  Hall  has  resigned  the  managership  of 
the  Melba,  Dallas,  to  become  manager  of  the  Ma- 
jestic there,  while  J.  I).  Mayo  is  succeeded  as 
the  manager  of  the  Liberty,  Hartshorne,  Okla., 
by  H.  L.  Winner.  The  Ark,  Jonesboro,  Ark.,  has 
been  purchased  by  Preston  Hatcher.  French  Via 
is  erecting  a theatre  at  Blackwell,  Okla. 

Miss  Lucile  Wilson  of  the  Dallas  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  exchange,  has  announced 
her  marriage.  May  22,  to  C.  C.  Crandall. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Associated  Artists  Moving  to 
San  Fernando;  Buys  Tract 

Quillan  Settles  Suit  Against  Sennett  Out  of  Court — Lou  Anger  on  Coast 
— Renee  Adoree  and  Jane  W inton  Wed 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  July  5. — Associated  Artists  Corporation  of  New  York 
has  purchased  100  acres  of  land  from  the  W.  J.  Petit  ranch,  a mile 
west  of  Van  Nuys,  and  will  soon  move  its  entire  holdings  from  the 
East  to  the  San  Fernando  valley  location.  The  picture  company’s  property 
has  a half  mile  frontage  on  Vanowen  street  and  160  feet  on  Balboa  avenue. 
The  price  paid,  it  is  stated,  was  $1,500  an  acre.  Plans  of  the  organization 
have  not  been  disclosed  and  it  has  not  been  announced  when  they  expect  to 
erect  stages  on  the  new  studio  location.  Mr.  Petit  has  offered  the  company 
twenty  additional  acres  should  construction  start  at  once. 


OTHER  activities  in  the  vicinity,  besides 
the  recently  announced  Sennett  studio, 
include  the  Donald  Parker  Pictures  Corpor- 
ation, which  first  planned  to  erect  a studio 
at  Moorpark  and  Fulton  avenue,  Southeast 
of  Van  Nuys.  This  concern  now  proposes 
using  part  of  the  Petit  ranch,  or  a part 
of  the  Newport  ranch,  about  a mile  east 
of  Van  Nuys.  The  recent  announcement 
that  a picture  studio  colony  representing  an 
investment  of  $20,000,000  would  soon  be 
built  along  Ventura  boulevard  between  Van 
Nuys  and  Universal  City,  has  stimulated 
"real  estate  in  this  vicinity  and  other  sec- 
tions of  the  San  Fernando  valley. 

Jjj  ^ 

Quillan  Settles  Suit 

Eddie  Quillan,  comedian,  has  settled  his 
suit  against  Mack  Sennett,  producer,  out 
of  court.  Quillan  has  been  released  from 
his  contract  with  Sennett,  which  he  asked 
to  be  set  aside  on  the  ground  that  he  was 
a minor  at  the  time  he  entered  into  it.  He 
was  to  receive  from  $150  to  $700  a week 
during  the  time  the  agreement  was  in 
force.  The  contract  was  signed  Nov.  7, 
1925,  and  had  two  years  to  run. 

Lou  Anger  on  West  Coast 
Lou  Anger,  vice-president  and  general 
manager  of  LTnited  Artists  Theatre  Circuit, 
arrived  here  last  Wednesday  for  a confer- 
ence with  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  president  of 
United  Artists,  after  a six  months’  tour  of 
the  principal  cities  of  America,  making  a 
survey  of  the  picture-exhibiting  situation. 
A1  Lichtman,  distribution  manager,  and 
Dennis  O’Brien,  general  counsel  of  United 
Artists,  also  are  here  to  confer  with  Mr. 
Schenck.  Mr.  Anger  announced  that  14 
theatres  leased  in  important  cities  are  now 
under  construction  by  LTnited  Artists. 

^ ^ 

Stealing  a march  on  her  friends,  who 
were  not  aware  of  her  engagement,  Renee 
Adoree,  M-G-M  screen  star  and  former 
wife  of  Tom  Moore,  was  married  last  week 
to  Sherman  Gill,  Los  Angeles  business  man. 
Tommie  Meighan  acted  as  best  man. 

Another  wedding  which  attracted  the  at- 
tention of  the  picture  colony  was  that  of 
Jane  Winton  and  Charles  Kenyon.  Miss 
Winton  is  playing  in  a picture  at  First 
National  studios,  and  Kenton  is  a Uni- 
versal scenarist.  Miss  Winton  is  22  and 
Kenton  is  46  years  of  age. 

*  *  * * 

Rogell  Named  in  Suit 
Albert  Rogell,  First  National  director, 
was  named  in  a suit  for  $2,000  damages, 
brought  by  W.  M.  Brown,  his  former  part- 
ner in  a picture  venture.  Brown  claims 
Rogell  bought  a half  interest  in  his  produc- 
tion company  and  signed  a promissory  note 
in  1921  for  $2,000.  Rogell  states  the  note 
was  to  be  paid  out  of  the  profits  of  the  pic- 
tures, but  as  there  were  no  profits  received 
from  the  sale  of  the  pictures  the  note  was 
not  paid. 


C.  Gardner  Sullivan,  who  was  head  of 
the  DeMille-Sullivan  unit  at  the  DeMille 
studios.  Culver  City,  has  resigned  from  that 
post,  after  completing  ten  pictures  for  that 
organization.  Mr.  Sullivan  has  not  an- 
nounced his  plans.  No  successor  has  been 
announced  at  the  DeMille  studios. 

* ^ ^ 

A message  received  by  S.  Balboni,  the 
director,  from  his  wife,  June  Mathis,  who 
was  called  to  New  York  through  the  illness 
of  her  grandmother,  states  that  Miss 
Mathis’  relative  is  on  the  road  to  recovery. 
^ ^ 

Gibson  Leaves  After  Oct.  1 

Hoot  Gibson,  Llniversal  western  star,  has 
definitely  decided  to  leave  that  organization 
at  the  expiration  of  his  contract  October  1. 
Universal  offered  Gibson  a new  contract 
and  a production  unit  of  his  own,  but  they 
could  not  agree  upon  the  amount  alloted  to 
each  production,  hence  the  break. 

* * * 

The  play  season  ended  last  Thursday  at 
ithe  Writers  Club  with  the  presentation  of 
four  short  sketches.  The  first  was  a satir- 
ical comedy  called  “Thou  Shalt  Not,”  writ- 
ten by  Ewart  Adamson,  FBO  scenarist ; 
the  second,  “By  the  Sword,”  was  by  Sonya 
Levien ; the  third,  “Columbine  In  Busi- 
ness,” a fantasy  by  Rachel  Lyman  Field, 
and  fourth,  “What  Price  Morning  Glory,” 
a burlesque  on  Stallings’  noted  war  drama. 
Eddie  Cline  staged  the  latter  and  it  was 
very  well  acted  by  Jack  Carlyle,  Harold 
Salter  and  Ruth  Renick. 

* * 

J.  Leo  Meehan,  FBO  director,  is  back 
from  Indiana  with  his  “The  Harvester” 
company  and  shooting  interiors.  He  has 
reproduced  the  interior  of  the  Gene  Strat- 
ton Porter  home  even  to  a unique  mantle 
decorated  with  flint  and  stone  arrowheads. 
* * 

Fred  Thomson  Casting 

Fred  Thomson  expects  to  start  next  week 
upon  his  initial  Paramount  production, 
“Jesse  James,”  and  is  now  casting  the  pic- 
ture. 

Hi  ^ 

Samuel  W.  Glover  of  Glover  Productions 
is  now  occupying  space  at  the  Tec  Art 
studios  on  Melrose  avenue  and  has  entered 


2 to  1 Quota  to  Guard 
German  Films  Is  Asked 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  5.— 
Changing  of  the  importation  quota 
to  two  to  one  instead  of  the  pres- 
ent one  to  one  contingent  was  ad- 
vocated at  a recent  meeting  of  the 
Association  of  German  Film  Man- 
ufacturers as  necessary  for  pro- 
tection of  home  product. 


upon  production  of  “Our  People,”  a com- 
edy drama  of  Rumania  and  New  York. 
Glover  was  formerly  with  D.  W.  Griffith 
and  Selznick  and  also  in  charge  of  produc- 
tion and  distribution  of  Glover  Produc- 
tions in  New  York  city. 

Hi  Hi  Hi 

Pasadena  is  to  have  a new  theatre,  the 
Pantages,  running  pictures  and  vaudeville. 
It  will  be  at  Hudson  avenue  and  Colorado 
boulevard  with  a frontage  of  116  feet  on 
Colorado.  The  building  will  be  a Class  A, 
combination  theatre,  store  and  office  build- 
ing and  will  cost  approximately  $1,000,000. 


Re-Takes 


WELL,  that  sinister  movie  villain.  Old 
Ten  Per  Cent  Cut,  has  been  hog-tied 
and  throttled  for  the  time  being  and  every- 
body’s breathing  easier  around  the  studios. 

H<  H<  H^ 

The  producers  are  going  to  save  the  10 
per  cent  by  effecting  certain  economies, 
such  as  smoking  '5  cent  cigars,  shining  their 
own  shoes  and  reading  the  other  fellow’s 
morning  paper. 

Revised  rules  for  shooting  on  every  lot 
will  include  the  following: 

A 9 o’clock  call  will  mean  10  o’clock, 
not  11. 

Carpenters  will  be  provided  with  rubber 
hammers  so  they  can  keep  right  on  working 
and  not  disturb  the  actors  slumbering  on 
beautiful  divans. 

Electricians  will  only  hold  up  a scene 
forty  minutes  to  trim  a lamp,  instead  of 
1 hour. 

Musicians  will  play  livelier  tunes  here- 
after for  all  scenes,  instead  of  “Hearts 
and  Flowers.” 

Directors  will  not  hold  up  production  for 
a player  to  grow  a beard. 

* * * 

The  wage  cut  threw  a terrible  scare  into 
the  bootleggers.  They  reduced  the  price 
of  gin  10  per  cent,  and  the  sandwich  shops 
cut  prices  to  all  cash  customers.  But  the 
same  week  gasoline  went  up  6 per  cent. 
You  can’t  scare  John  D. 

* * * 

Speaking  of  Operations 
Will  Rogers,  mayor  of  Beverly  Hills, 
Follies  actor,  screen  player  and  cowboy 
humorist,  isn’t  letting  a visit  to  a hospital 
for  gallstones  interfere  with  his  success. 
He’s  syndicating  the  operation. 

* * * 

Perfect 

Sat  through  a lengthy  preview  of  a pic- 
ture the  other  night  with  a screen  writer 
and  he  never  once  criticized  the  titles.  (He 
wrote  ’em.) 

* =K  * 

Oi.  OH 

If  you  want  to  get  swatted  down,  ask 
someone  who  got  pinched  in  the  Julian 
oil  deal  if  he  doesn’t  want  to  buy  a little 
oil  stock. 

* * * 

Enterprising 

This  reading  about  “intrepid  airmen”  fly- 
ing to  Europe  and  Honolulu  is  like  watch- 
ing a three  ring  circus.  The  newspapers 
get  out  an  “extra”  for  every  mile  they 
hop  and  one  L.  A.  paper,  for  fear  the  others 
would  get  a scoop  on  them,  had  Byrd 
landed  and  snugly  in  bed,  hours  before  he 
swam  ashore. 

* * 

Famous  Last  Words 
“Light  this  one,  father,  with  your  cigar, 
the  stem’s  short.” 

* * * 

Lay  out  my  ham  and  egg  suit,  Meadows, 
the  Wampas  boys  are  putting  on  a feed  at 
the  Breakfast  club,  Wednesday  morning. 

R.  M. 


July  9,  1927 


23 


Film  News 
in 

Pictures 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 
of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  June  9 


Stories  Told 


by 


the  Camera 


Robert  Z.  Leonard 
has  just  completed 
Lew  Cody’s  and 
Aileen  Pringle’s  first 
team  picture,  “Adam 
and  Evil”  (Metro- 
Gold  wyn  - Mayer). 

Mrs.  Leonard that 

is  to  say,  Gertrude 
Olmstead  — had  her 
most  recent  role  in 
Chaney’s  “Mr.  Wu.” 


Renee  Adoree  was 
married  last  week  to 
Sherman  Gill,  Los 
Angeles  business 
man.  The  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  fea- 
tured player  kept  her 
wedding  a secret  un- 
til the  ceremony  was 
over.  She  was  at 
one  time  the  wife  of 
Tom  Moore. 


David  Rossheim  has 
been  appointed  man- 
aging director  of  the 
British  First  National 
organization,  to  suc- 
ceed J.  Frank  Brock- 
liss,  who  resigned  to 
look  after  other  in- 
terests. Rossheim 
has  been  identified 
with  First  National 
in  England  for  four 
years  and  in  import 
and  export  business 
for  twenty. 


Oolong  Chink  and  his 
proud  master, 
Charles  L a m o n t. 
Educational  director. 
Lamont’s  entries  took 
three  first  prizes  and 
one  special  novice 
prize  in  the  recent 
Culver  City  dog 
show.  Oolong  is  a 
year  old  and  the  son 
of  Chinaman,  de- 
clared champion 
chow  of  the  United 
States. 


Every  vestige  of  the  “legitimate”  is  being  slashed  away  from  the  Apollo  theatre,  Chicago,  which  United  Artists  is  reconstruct- 
ing into  a pre-release  motion  picture  house.  Situated  in  the  heart  of  the  city’s  Rialto,  the  Apollo  joins  the  LaSalle,  a theatrical 
landmark,  as  a screen  theatre,  and  both  may  be  joined  by  the  Playhouse,  on  Michigan  Boulevard. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Partly  for  fun,  partly  for  work,  Robert  Kane’s  production  staff  watched  the  Harvard 
crew  beat  Yale’s  for  the  first  time  in  six  years.  Scenes  were  shot  for  First  National’s 
“For  the  Love  of  Mike,”  formerly  called  “Hell’s  Kitchen.”  From  left  to  right,  Frank 
Capra,  co-director;  Kane,  Joseph  C.  Boyle,  co-director;  and  Leland  Hayward,  pro- 
duction manager. 


Promisingly  seventeen,  Lillian  Gil- 
more is  opposite  Bob  Steele  in 
FBO’s  “The  Mojave  Kid,”  in  which 
her  father,  Barney  Gilmore,  also  is 
cast. 


The  star  arrives!  . . . Dolores  Cos- 

tello (center),  leading  player  in  “Old 
San  Francisco,”  attended  the  premiere 
at  Warners’,  New  York,  accompanied  by 
her  mother  (left)  and  Sister  Helene. 


Presenting  a freckled  kid  on  a freckled 
pony.  But  a hard-as-nails  ranchman 
when  necessary  is  Frankie  Darro,  whom 
FBO  recently  decided  to  star  in  West- 
erns. 


How  homely  can  a pretty  girl  be?  The  answer  is  Dorothy 
Mackaill.  . . . and  First  National’s  “Smile,  Brother,  Smile” 
will  have  to  achieve  much  to  warrant  the  catastrophe  exhib- 
ited above.  Jack  Mulhall,  who  plays  opposite  her,  and  John 
Francis  Dillon  apparently  think  likewise. 


The  star  and  a sometimes  forgotten  reason  for  a star’s  suc- 
cess— the  cameraman.  Molly  O’Day  is  opposite  Richard 
Barthelmess  in  “The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  which  is  now 
being  edited,  while  Arthur  Edeson  had  charge  of  the  cine- 
matography. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


Arriving  at  Grauman’s,  Los 
Angeles,  for  the  premiere  of 
United  Artists’  “Topsy  and 
Eva,”  are  (top,  left  to  right) 
Eugene  O’Brien,  Mrs.  Charlotte 
Pickford,  Mabel  Normand,  Beu- 
lah Livingston,  Myron  Selznick, 
Kathryn  Perry,  Marjorie  Daw, 
Owen  Moore;  (left)  Gloria 
Swanson  and  (behind  gend- 
arme in  Tuxedo)  her  husband, 
the  Marquis  de  la  Falaise;  and 
Dolores  del  Rio  with  her  hus- 
band, Jaime  Martinez. 


Back  to  the  grind  again,  “even  as  you  and  1.”  Julia  Faye, 
after  a short  vacation,  returned  to  the  De  Mille  studios  to 
work  in  “His  Dog,”  production  starring  Joseph  Schildkraut 
and  directed  by  Karl  Brown.  We  have  no  scientific  appella- 
tion for  her  headgear. 


What  more  appropriate  to  summer  than  bathing  girls?  Yola 
d’Avril  seems  to  be  painting  Virginia  Lee  Corbin,  but  no 
matter — the  effect  is  refreshing.  However,  First  National  has 
just  cast  Virginia  in  “The  Drop  Kick,”  and  Yola  in  “Smile, 
Brother,  Smile.” 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


U- A Gets  2 Broadway  Theatres, 
Bookings  in  400  Paramounts 

Purchases  Half  Interest  in  Rivoli  and  Rialto — Motion  Picture  Club  to 
Adopt  Constitution — Thaw  Forms  Company 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  July  5. — United  Artists  gets  two  Broadway  theatres  as 
outlets  for  its  productions  through  a deal  closed  last  week  and  also 
gets  bookings  in  all  of  the  400  or  more  Paramount  houses  through- 
out the  country. 

The  deal  for  the  Broadway  theatres  gives  United  Artists,  through  pur- 
chase, a half  interest  in  the  Rivoli  and  the  Rialto.  This  has  been  hanging 
fire  for  some  time  but  an  agreement  was  reached  last  week,  the  contracts 
made  out  and  signed  by  Paramount,  and  forwarded  to  the  Coast  for  the  sig- 
nature of  Joe  Schenck.  As  soon  as  this  signature  is  affixed  and  the  papers 
returned  to  New  York,  the  deal  becomes  operative. 


'^HE  deal  does  not  involve  the  sale  of 
-*■  property,  as  Paramount  held  the  two 
theatres  under  long  time  lease.  The  pur- 
chase of  United  Artists  was  a half  interest 
in  this  leasehold. 

The  acquisition  of  a half  interest  in  the 
Rivoli  and  Rialto  is  generally  considered 
an  excellent  one  both  for  United  Artists 
and  Paramount.  It  gives  the  former  a 
Broadway  outlet,  something  it  long  has 
needed,  and  furnishes  Paramount  with  suf- 
ficient good  product  to  keep  both  houses 
in  bookings  of  class. 

With  the  opening  of  the  new  Paramount 
theatre  about  thirty  features  are  needed  to 
supply  that  house  alone,  so  Paramount  did 
not  have  sufficient  feature  films  also  to 
supply  the  Rivoli  and  Rialto. 

❖ * * 

/Wtc  Club  Functioning 

Last  week’s  meeting  of  the  newly  organ- 
ized Motion  Picture  Club  of  New  York, 
was  the  last  open  meeting,  and  beginning 
with  a session  this  week,  at  which  consti- 
tution and  by-laws  are  expected  to  be 
adopted,  the  body  will  function  as  a club. 

Applications  for  charter  membership  con- 
tinue to  pour  in  to  Arthur  Loew  and  checks 
to  Treasurer  Artie  Stebbins  and  it  is  ex- 
pected one  of  the  first  actions  following 
the  adoption  of  constitution  and  by-laws, 
will  be  to  decide  on  membership  and  dues, 
and  close  the  rolls  to  charter  members. 

Nathan  Burkan  has  made  application  for 
a charter  for  the  club  and  the  scouting  com- 
mittee has  several  tentative  sites  in  view 
for  a temporary  home  for  the  club,  which 
will  serve  until  a site  for  a permanent  club 
house  is  obtained. 

President  A1  Lichtman  was  unable  to  be 
present  at  last  week’s  session,  owing  to  his 
departure  for  the  Coast.  William  A.  John- 
ston, vice  president,  presided.  Reports 
from  several  committees  were  heard  and 
it  was  voted  that  the  present  officers  of  the 
club  become  a temporary  board  of  gover- 
nors to  handle  all  matters  for  the  advance- 
ment of  the  project. 

J{c  ^ ^ 

Official  announcement  was  made  last 
week  of  the  formation  of  the  Kenilworth 


Production  Company,  with  Harry  K.  Thaw, 
of  Pittsburgh,  New  York,  and  other  sea- 
ports, as  its  head.  For  some  time  past  it 
has  been  known  that  Thaw  was  interested 
in  a company  making  short  features  at  the 
old  Pathe  Studio,  134th  street  and  Park 
avenue.  The  official  announcement  that  he 
is  head  of  the  company  which  is  going 
seriously  into  the  business  of  making  short 
features  and  comedies,  indicates  that  neith- 
er money  nor  care  will  be  spared  to  make 
the  new  company  a factor  in  the  short  sub- 
ject field. 

* * * 

An  increase  in  the  authorized  capital 
stock  of  the  Stanley  Company  of  America 
from  1,000,000  shares  to  2,500,000  will  be 
voted  upon  by  stockholders  at  their  annual 
meeting  on  July  15,  it  was  -announced  last 
week.  Of  the  present  authorized  stock,  ap- 
proximately 901,000  shares  are  now  out- 
standing. 

The  proposed  increase  will  enable  the 
company  to  provide  for  further  expansion 
of  its  activities,  but  the  management  does 
not  contemplate  issuing  any  of  the  new 
stock  at  this  time. 

* * 

Ad  Swindling  Charged 

National  Director  John  A.  Schwalm,  of 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  has  notified  the  National 
headquarters  of  the  Motion  Picture  The- 
atre Owners  of  America  that  a man  giving 
the  name  of  J.  H.  Bender  and  claiming  to 
represent  a concern  known  as  the  National 
Advertising  Company  has  been  swindling 
a number  of  people  in  Ohio  through  false 
representations  of  screen  advertising.  Ac- 
cording to  Schwalm  this  man  goes  to  dif- 
ferent merchants  and  makes  a contract  for 
advertising,  agreeing  to  run  the  same  on 
neighborhood  theatre  screens.  He  is  said 
to  collect  half  of  the  contract  amount  at 
once  and  then  do  the  vanishing  act. 

The  contract  he  uses  has  “Wabash”  ave- 
nue and  “Wabash”  telephone  indication,  but 
no  city  named.  In  the  Middlewest  that 
gives  out  the  impression  that  Chicago  is  his 
headquarters,  but  an  investigation  reveals 
none  of  the  telephone  or  street  numbers 
he  uses. 

^ ^ 


Blue  Law  Foes  Ask 
Literal  Enforcement 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  5.— The 
Association  Opposed  to  Blue  Laws 
has  sent  an  open  letter  to  Director 
of  Public  Safety  Elliott,  in  Phila- 
delphia, demanding  that  all  blue 
laws  of  Pennsylvania  be  literally 
enforced,  the  purpose  being  to 
arouse  public  opinion  against  the 
obsolete  statutes.  The  letter  fol- 
lows the  decision  of  the  Pennsyl- 
vania Supreme  court  declaring 
Sunday  baseball  unconstitutional. 


Represents  German  Firms 

Michael  J.  Gourland  has  opened  tempo- 
rary offices  in  the  Chandler  building,  220 
West  42d  street,  in  order  to  represent  in 
the  United  States  two  German  concerns ; 
Filmwerke  Staaken  and  Phoenix-Film 
Aktiengesellschaft,  the  first  being  the  owner 
of  the  largest  studios  in  the  world,  in 
Staaken,  near  Berlin ; the  second,  is  a film 
distributing  and  releasing  organization,  with 
branches  in  different  European  countries. 

The  Staaken  Studios  were  formerly  the 
hangars  built  by  Count  Zeppelin  and  are 
considered  not  only  the  largest  but  the  best 
equipped  studios  in  existence.  Both  com- 
panies represented  by  Mr.  Gourland  are 
affiliated.  The  Phoenix  Company  releases 


Changes  in  Playdates 
Keep  M2magers  Guessing 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY , July  5. — Exchange 
managers  in  Albany  report  that 
more  exhibitors  are  changing  play 
dates  at  the  present  time  than 
ever  before.  At  some  of  the  ex- 
changes one  person  has  been  dele- 
gated to  handle  this  work.  The 
changes  are  coming  in  by  mail  and 
by  wire  from  all  sections  of  the 
territory.  Managers  are  unable  to 
explain  the  rather  unusual  situa- 
tion. 


not  only  its  own  films,  made  in  Staaken, 
but  as  well  product  of  other  firms,  who 
also  produce  films  in  the  same  studios. 

* * sj; 

A1  Lichtman,  United  Artists’  vice-pres- 
ident and  general  manager  of  distribution 
for  United  States  and  Canada,  left  New 
York  last  week  to  join  Joseph  M.  Schenck, 
president  and  chairman  of  the  board  of 
directors. 

Mr.  Lichtman  said  that  he  and  Mr. 
Schenck  would  discuss  the  details  of  the 
announced  United  Artists’  sales  campaign 
on  seventeen  pictures,  a greater  number 
than  the  organization  has  released  in  any 
year  in  its  history.  The  executive  expected 
to  stop  in  one  or  two  key  cities  en  route. 
He  will  remain  in  Los  Angeles  for  three 
weeks. 

Theatre  Bandits 
Get  Second  Haul 
In  Three  Months 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  5. — The  second 
holdup  of  a motion  picture  treasurer  in 
Philadelphia  within  three  months  took 
place  last  week  when  John  Matershead  of 
Mike  Lessy’s  Diamond  theatre  was  way- 
laid as  he  was  taking  the  day’s  receipts  of 
$400  to  a nearby  bank  for  deposit. 

Segal’s  Palace  also  lost  a day’s  receipts 
when  its  treasurer  was  held  up  at  mid- 
night en  route  to  the  bank. 

Film  Academy  Starts 
All-Studio  Production 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLI.YWOOD,  July  5. — Work  has  been 
started  on  the  all-star  motion  picture  pro- 
duction to  be  produced  by  members  of  the 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  It  will  be 
distributed  throughout  the  country  by  the 
various  exchanges  under  the  Hays  organ- 
ization. In  three  reels,  it  will  contain 
practically  every  big  star  in  the  industry. 

M-G-M  Awarded  $5,000 
in  Suit  Over  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SOUTH  BEND,  IND.,  July  5.— Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  has  been  awarded  a $5,000 
judgment  in  its  suit  against  the  Blackstone 
Theatre  Corporation,  for  recovery  of  losses 
claimed  when  the  latter  disposed  of  its 
theatre  without  providing  for  transfer  of  a 
Goldwyn  contract. 

Herbert  Robinson  Joins 
Universal  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5.— Herbert  L.  Rob- 
inson has  been  appointed  general  auditor 
for  Universal  theatres  by  Dan  Michalove, 
director  for  the  South.  Robinson  has  been 
with  Paramount  and  Publix  for  a number 
of  years  in  the  same  capacity. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


North  Carolina  in  M.  P.  T.  O.; 
Favors  Admitting  Producers 

Woodhull,  Introduced  as  a “Missionary  from  the  North,” 
Says  Present  Readjustments  in  Industry  Make 
Exhibitor  Organization  Essential 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WRIGHTSVILLE  BEACH,  N.  C.  July  5— Exhibitors  of  North  Caro- 
lina are  now  solidly  behind  the  National  Organization  as  a result  of  the  har- 
mony session  concluded  last  week  at  the  Francis  Marion  hotel.  Outstanding 
in  the  decisions  of  the  state’s  theatre  owners  was  the  passage  of  a resolution 
petitioning  for  admission  of  the  organization  into  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. 

Approves  Admitting  Producers 

Approval  of  the  Columbus  convention’s  decision  to  admit  producer-owned 
theatres  itno  the  national  exhibitors’  association  was  contained  in  the  reso- 
lution. 


10,  000  Feet  Shot  in  Day 
During  Canadian  Jubilee 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  July  5— Probably 
the  most  strenuous  time  on  record 
for  the  Canadian  Government  Mo- 
tion Picture  Studio  at  Ottawa  was 
during  the  three-day  celebration 
for  Canada’s  Diamond  Jubilee  of 
Confederation,  July  1,  2 and  3, 
when  the  historical  events  of  the 
program  at  the  Canadian  capital, 
including  the  arrival  of  Col. 
Charles  A.  Lindbergh,  with  an  es- 
cort of  12  U.  S.  Army  planes  on 
July  2,  were  shot  for  Govern- 
mental purposes.  One  member  of 
the  escort  group  was  killed  when 
his  plane  crashed. 

Capt.  Frank  Badgley,  M.  C.,  act- 
ing director  of  the  Canadian  Gov- 
ernment studio,  directed  the  oper- 
ations of  no  less  than  30  camera- 
men and  announcement  was  made 
that  10,000  feet  of  film  was  used 
on  July  1 alone. 

Moving  pictures  of  the  official 
celebration  at  Ottawa  were  rushed 
through  by  the  laboratory  staff  of 
the  Government  bureau  and  the 
night  trains  leaving  the  capital 
carried  many  prints  addressed  to 
film  exchanges  and  others  who  had 
ordered  Government  films. 


W.  B.  Frank  Leaves 
Roach  to  Become  Pathe 
Eastern  Office  Head 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5. — W.  B.  Frank, 
formerly  Eastern  sales  manager  for  Hal 
Roach,  has  taken  the  position  of  Eastern 
office  manager  of 
Pathe,  with  which 
firm  he  was  affili- 
ated for  a number 
of  years  prior  to 
his  connection  with 
Roach  three  and  a 
half  years  ago. 

A sales  execu- 
tive with  a tractor 
company  in  1917, 

Frank  entered  mo- 
tion picture  sales 
in  the  employ  of 
the  old  General 
Film  Company.  He 
was  in  the  Pathe 
Indianapolis  ex- 
change for  a year  and  a half,  being  trans- 
ferred then  to  Chicago  as  feature  represen- 
tative. His  next  advance  came  with  his 
appointment  as  assistant  feature  sales  man- 
ager for  Associated  Exhibitors  under  J.  E. 
Storey,  and  when  the  latter  went  to  Pathe, 
Frank  became  general  sales  manager.  It 
was  this  position  he  gave  up  to  join  Pathe 
as  feature  sales  manager. 

5-Y ear-Old  Film  Actor 
Bitten  by  Dad*s  Panther 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NICE,  FRANCE,  July  5. — An  African 
panther  being  trained  for  a new  animal 
picture,  became  unruly  and  carried  off 
Cloclo  Machin,  a 5 year  old  film  artist, 
yesterday.  The  animal  bit  the  child  seri- 
ously before  being  captured.  The  boy’s 
father  was  training  the  panther. 


Gilda  Arrives  on  Job 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.— Gilda  Gray, 
famous  dancer,  arrived  here  Friday  to  ful- 
fill her  five-year  starring  contract  with 
Samuel  Goldwyn. 


Factors  in  the  North  Carolina  theatre 
owners’  vote  to  enter  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. 
were  addresses  by  R.  F.  Woodhull,  newly 
elected  president,  and  A.  Julian  Brylawski, 
chairman  of  the  board  of  directors.  In- 
troduced by  President  Charles  W.  Picquet 
of  the  state  organization  as  a “missionary 
from  the  North  who  came  to  the  South- 
land to  preach  the  doctrine  of  peace  when 
practicable  and  militant  aggression  against 
a common  enemy  when  necessary,”  Wood- 
hull  declared  that  present  readjustments 
within  the  motion  picture  business  make 
exhibitor  organization  most  essential  in  ef- 
fecting stabilization  with  the  public. 

Ready  to  Back  Independentts 
President  Picquet  said  Woodhull  typified 
the  spirit  of  progress  and  union  within  the 
industry  as  advanced  by  the  national  con- 
vention’s actions. 

Bi'ylawski  and  Woodhull  explained  the 
purposes  and  achievements  of  the  National 
Organization,  emphasizing  that  the  inter- 
ests of  the  independent  theatre  owner  were 
uppermost  in  the  thoug'hts  of  the  leaders. 

Attendance  at  the  convention  here  reg- 
istered up  to  the  high  expectations  engen- 
dered by  a year  of  unusually  rapid  growth 
in  membership. 

See  Constructive  Progress 
The  text  of  the  resolution  approving  of 
the  Columbus  action  and  directing  appli- 
cation be  made  for  membership  in  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  reads : 

“Whereas  the  National  Convention  at 


Jazz  Defeats  Classics 
For  New  Midlemd  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  July  11.— Jazz 
has  won  over  classical  music  at 
the  $4,000,000  Midland  theatre  in 
Kansas  City,  to  be  opened  next 
fall.  The  verbal  contract  by  which 
an  orchestra  under  the  leadership 
of  N.  DeRubertis,  known  in  Kan- 
sas City  as  the  Little  Symphony, 
was  engaged  to  provide  the  music 
at  the  Midland,  which  will  seat 
4,000,  has  been  reported  to  be  de- 
clared off. 

The  New  York  sponsors  of  the 
theatre,  which  is  to  be  a Loew 
house  of  first  run  pictures,  were 
not  friendly  to  the  engagement  of 
the  orchestra  in  the  first  place,  but 
were  persuaded  by  M.  B.  Shan- 
berg,  Kansas  City  manager,  who 
knew  the  quality  of  the  orchestra 
and  the  reputation  it  had  estab- 
lished in  the  Kansas  City  terri- 
tory. Failure  to  sign  the  contract 
on  the  part  of  Loew  interests  is 
due  to  the  conviction  that  the  pub- 
lic still  wants  jazz. 


Columbus  was  productive  of  aims  and 
plans  that  we  believe  will  make  for  con- 
structive progress  in  National  organization, 
“Therefore  be  it  resolved  that  the  The- 
atre Owners’  Association  of  North  Car- 
olina in  convention  assembled  at  Wrights- 
ville  Beach,  June  27,  go  on  record  as  being 
in  entire  sympathy  with  the  aims  and  as- 
pirations of  the  National  Association  and 
pledge  their  loyal  allegiance,  moral  and 
financial  support  upon  their  reinstatement 
as  a member  state  unit  of  the  Motion  Pic- 
ture Theatre  Owners  of  America.” 


Carolinas  Collect 
$3,778  for  Flood  Aid 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CHARLOTTE,  N.  C.,  July  5. — Motion 
picture  theatres  in  North  and  South  Caro- 
lina raised  $3,778.27  for  the  Mississippi 
flood  sufferers,  the  Charlotte  Film  Board 
of  Trade  announced  last  week. 

Crash  Soon  Ends 
Film  FlyeFs  Hop 
Across  Pacific 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HONOLULU,  July  5.— The  plane  of 
Richard  Grace,  motion  picture  stunt  flyer 
who  was  trying  to  fly  from  Hawaii  to 
California,  crashed  to  earth  yesterday 
morning  near  the  village  of  Koloa,  wreck- 
ing the  fuselage  and  one  wing.  Grace 
escaped  unhurt,  but  Lieut.  E.  B.  Koger, 
manager  of  the  flight,  collapsed. 

Grace,  returning  disheartened  to  his  resi- 
dence, said  that  something  was  the  mat- 
ter with  the  rudder.  It  is  not  decided 
whether  the  2,400-mile  hop  will  be  aban- 
doned.   

Harry  Franklin,  Long  a 
Universal  Director,  Dies 
Following  Heart  Stroke 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.— Harry  L. 
Franklin,  45  years  old,  veteran  motion  pic- 
ture director,  was  found  dead  in  his  home 
Saturday  afternoon.  He  suffered  a heart 
stroke.  Franklin  came  here  eight  years 
ago  to  direct  for  Universal.  He  is  a brother 
of  Philip  Franklin,  Chicago,  and  Mrs.  J.  A. 
Fisk,  Jamestown,  N.  Y. 

Fire  Wrecks  Calexico 
Theatre;  Loss  $15,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.— Fire  of  un- 
known origin  destroyed  the  Rialto  theatre 
at  Calexico  last  week.  Damage  is  esti- 
mated at  $15,000. 


W.  B.  Frank 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


M-G-M  to  Release  31  Pictures 
By  Feb.  4 with  Stars  in  22 

“r/ie  Big  Parade”  Set  for  Sept.  10  and  “Ben  Hur”  Oct.  8 — First  Issue 
of  News  Reel  Will  Come  in  August 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  July  5. — Thirty-one  productions  are  to  be)  distributed 
up  to  February  4 by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  according  to  the  tenta- 
tive release  schedule,  with  22  of  them  starring  vehicles.  Dates  for  road- 
shows include  September  10  for  “The  Big  Parade”  and  October  8 for  “Ben- 
Hur.”  An  innovation  in  the  product  will  be  the  appearance  in  August  of 
the  initial  issue  of  the  semi  weekly  M-G-M  News,  first  of  the  short  features. 


big  Parade,”  with  a record  for 
endurance  and  first-run  receipts,  is 
now  in  its  87th  week  at  the  Astor  with 
$2  top. 

Following  is  the  list  of  releases  by 
months; 

June  and  July. — “Twelve  Miles  Out,” 
with  John  Gilbert;  “The  Callahans  and 
the  Murphys,”  Marie  Dressier  and  Polly 
Moran  as  a comedy  team;  “The  Fron- 
tiersman,” Tim  McCoy;  and  “On  Ze 
Boulevard,”  Lew  Cody  and  Renee 
Adoree,  directed  by  Harry  Millarde. 

Four  Coming  in  August 

August. — “Mockery,”  Lon  Chaney;  un- 
der direction  of  Benjamin  Christiansen; 
“The  Bugle  Call,”  Jackie  Coogan,  Ed. 
Sedgwick  directing;  Norma  Shearer’s 
“After  Midnight,”  directed  by  Monta 
Bell;  and  “Adam  and  Evil,”  first  co- 
starring  picture  of  Lew  Cody  and  Aileen 
Pringle,  Robert  Z.  Leonard,  directing. 

September. — “The  Big  Parade;”  “Annie 
Laurie,”  with  Lillian  Gish;  “A  Certain 
Young  Man,”  with  Hobart  Henley  direct- 
ing Ramon  Novarro;  and  Tim  McCoy’s 
“Foreign  Devils.” 

October.  — “Ben-Hur;”  “The  Fair 
Coed,”  Marion  Davies;  “Spring  Fever,” 
William  Haines’  first  starring  vehicle, 
with  Joan  Crawford  in  the  feminine  lead; 
“In  Old  Kentucky;”  and  “Body  and 
Soul,”  directed  by  Reginald  Barker,  the 
cast  being  headed  by  Aileen  Pringle, 
Norman  Kerry  and  Lionel  Barrymore. 

Ingram  Production  in  November 

November. — “The  Garden  of  Allah,” 
made  by  Rex  Ingram  with  Alice  Terry 
and  Ivan  Petrovich  in  the  leads;  “Qual- 
ity Street,”  Marion  Davies  picture  di- 
rected by  Sidney  Franklin;  “Becky,”  with 
Owen  Moore,  Sally  O’Neil  and  Gertrude 
Olmsted,  John  P.  McCarthy  directing, 
and  “The  Thirteenth  Hour.” 

December.  — “The  Hypnotist,”  Tod 
Browning  directing  Chaney;  “Buttons,” 
Jackie  Coogan;  “The  Bridal  Night,” 
Norma  Shearer  special;  “The  Lovelorn;” 
and  another  Tim  McCoy  production. 

January. — “Fires  of  Youth,”  John  Gil- 
bert directed  by  Monta  Bell;  “Romance,” 
John  S.  Robertson  directing  Ramon 
Novarro;  “The  Divine  Woman,”  with 
Greta  Garbo,  and  a West  Point  story 
starring  William  Haines. 

“Napoleon,”  French  production  di- 
rected by  Abel  Gance,  will  be  released  in 
February. 

Stars  Relieved  as  Wage 
Cut  Is  Delayed  to  Aug.  1 

{Continued  from  page  15) 

technicians,  to  meet  weekly  and  bring 
about  the  desired  economies. 

_ Warner  Brothers  was  the  first  to  de- 
cide against  any  cut  and  in  a separate 
reply  to  the  Academy  said  the  company 
did  not  believe  in  the  clause  offering  the 
possibility  of  enforcing  it  on  August  1. 

According  to  Conrad  Nagel,  head  of 
the  local  branch  of  Motion  Picture  Ac- 


tors Equity,  that  organization  has  taken 
in  more  than  800  members  in  a week. 

The  following  list  of  rules  has  been 
laid  before  the  directors,  players,  screen 
writers,  cameramen  and  other  workers, 
although  varying  in  manner  of  presenta- 
tion at  different  lots: 

Co-operation  between  everyone  working 
upon  a picture. 

Directors  must  start  to  work  at  9 a.  m., 
as  production  costs  range  from  $400  to 
$2000  per  hour,  and  every  minute  counts. 

No  star  is  to  tell  the  director  or  scenario 
writer  how  to  do  his  work.  The  supervisor 
or  manager  in  charge  will  take  care  of 
that. 

One  hour  only  will  be  granted  for  lunch, 
and  afternoon  production  must  be  resumed 
on  time. 

Directors  will  be  given  a definite  amount 
of  money  for  a production  and  a definite 
length  of  time  to  make  it.  If  he  fails  (with 
the  weather,  unforeseen  difficulties  and  ill- 
ness as  exceptions),  his  immediate  dis- 
missal will  be  demanded. 

Any  deliberate  effort  to  hold  up  a 
“shooting”  schedule  and  waste  company 
funds  will  be  cause  for  dismissal. 

No  director  is  to  take  it  upon  himself  to 
add  scenes  without  first  consulting  his 
supervisor.  He  is  to  shoot  according  to 
the  okayed  scenario  and  nothing  else. 

Many  other  rules  were  discussed  by 
the  producers  and  will  become  effective 
where  production  costs  can  be  reduced  it 
is  announced. 

* 4:  * 

In  a statement  issued  by  Louis  B. 
Mayer,  the  producer  said  that  the  10 
per  cent  wage  cut  proposal  was  wrong. 

“Following  a mass  meeting  of  all  M-G-M 
artists,  directors,  writers,  department  heads  and 
technicians  at  the  studio  and  at  which  we  an- 
nounced to  our  associates,  our  acceptance  of  the 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  suggestion,  we  are 
today  united  in  one  common  cause. 

“That  cause  involves  the  determination  on  the 
part  of  everyone  at  our  studio,  to  do  away  with 
any  necessity  of  uniform  salary  cuts  either  on 
August  first  or  any  other  time. 

“It  has  been  established  that  the  uniform  10 
per  cent  salary  cut  is  wrong  and  I am,  there- 
fore, happy  that  it  will  not  be  instituted  here. 
It  is  not,  and  never  was,  the  intention  of  M-G-M 
to  do  anything  that  is  unfair. 

“At  the  same  time  the  fact  that  something  must 
be  done  and  done  immediately,  to  relieve  the 
present  crisis  involving  high  production  costs,  is 
thoroughly  appreciated  by  everyone  in  our  or- 
ganization. 

“The  discussions  emanating  from  the  uniform 
salary  cut  idea  served  one  good  purpose  and  that 
was  the  realization  on  the  part  of  everyone  that 
production  costs  must  come  down. 

“As  a result  of  our  meeting  each  person  asso- 
ciated with  M-G-M  will  do  his  or  her  full  share 
in  this  specific  direction.  A greater  spirit  of  co- 
operation than  ever  before  exists  today  within 
our  plant.  Specific  policies  tending  to  bring 
down  costs  will  be  instituted  immediately. 

“This  is  not  a matter  of  classes.  It  is  not  a 
matter  of  one  versus  the  other.  It  concerns  all 
of  us.  If  we  are  united  in  this  cause  we  will  all 
benefit.  Every  person  from  the  office  boy  to  the 
executives  can  help  and  at  M-G-M  everyone  will 
help  to  make  pictures  at  more  reasonable  costs. 

“Direct  action  has  already  been  instituted  to 
speed  up  production  and  to  eliminate  the  possi- 
bilities of  waste.  This  depends  entirely  upon  the 
100  per  cent  cooperation  of  everyone  and  this 
necessary  cooperation  we  feel  has  been  achieved.” 


Missouri  Theatre  Nine  Wins 

ST.  LOUIS. — The  Missouri  Theatre  baseball 
team  downed  the  fast  Ambassador  Theatre  team 
14  to  9 in  the  Skouras  Brothers  Baseball  League 
competition,  and  next  tangles  with  the  West  End 
Lyric  team. 


Theatre  Men  Approve 
Campaign  for  Economy 
But  With  Reservations 

{Continued  from  page  16) 
hound  conventions.  I think  the  Herald 
stated  last  week  that  these  conventions  cost 
the  producers  over  a million  dollars.  What 
was  accomplished  by  this  wasteful  expendi- 
ture of  money?  Absolutely  nothing.  When 
one  of  these  junketeers  comes  in  to  sell  me 
film,  I feel  that  I am  slated  to  pay  for  his 
convention  trip,  and  I guess  I am  not  very 
far  wrong  in  my  feeling. 

The  stars  should  receive  all  they  are 
worth,  and  all  the  dizzy  blah  spreaders, 
press  agents,  “yes”  men  and  such  rubbish 
around  the  lot  should  be  given  the  ax. 

Popular  Entertainment  Prices 
Demanded,  Says  Rand 

PHILLIP  RAND,  Rex  Theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho — The  theatres  exist  for  the  masses 
and  they  demand  popular  prices  for  enter- 
tainment. Thousands  are  losing  the  pic- 
ture habit  because  of  too  high  priced  ad- 
mission. Studio  salaries  are  out  of  all  due 
proportion  to  those  in  other  businesses  and 
professions.  People  are  heartily  sick  of 
digging  down  into  their  pockets  to  enable 
movie  stars  to  build  million  dollar  palaces 
in  California.  There  should  be  a drastic 
cut  in  costs  so  prices  may  return  to  a point 
that  will  create  greater  theatre  attendance. 

Film  Rentals  Too  High, 

Declares  Stettmund 

H.  G.  STETTMUND,  H.  & S.  Theatre, 
Chandler,  Okla. — Film  rentals  are  now  ex- 
orbitant. On  features  alone  the  rental  runs 
from  so  to  80  per  cent  of  gross  receipts. 
Small  shows  must  have  equitable  rentals 
for  the  coming  year.  Gross  business  can- 
not be  increased  with  pictures  alone.  Forty 
producers  now  realize  that  rentals  must  be 
reduced  or  every  small  show  will  be  forced 
out  of  business.  It  is  up  to  them  to  econo- 
mize, as  the  goose  is  about  dead. 

“That’s  a ‘Beau  Geste,’  ” 

States  Roy  Adams 

ROY  W.  ADAMS,  Pastime  Theatre, 
Mason,  Mich. — So  the  producers  threaten 
to  cut  those  fabulous  star  salaries  which 
they  themselves  have  pyramided  and  adver- 
tised around  the  world  and  stick  the  money 
in  their  own  pockets.  That’s  a “Beau  Geste” 
any  way  you  spell  it.  Maybe  they  will  re- 
duce rentals  in  proportion.  Better  and  bet- 
ter. Maybe  they  will  loosen  up  and  spend  a 
bit  for  better  pictures.  That  will  be  the 
best  ever  if  it  happens. 

Should  Have  Support, 

In  Richey’s  Opinion 

H.  M.  RICHEY,  Business  Manager  of 
the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Michigan — ^If  the  an- 
nounced campaign  of  economy  at  the  stu- 
dios will  effect  star,  etc.,  alike  and  will 
bring  pictures  to  the  exhibitor  cheaper  or 
enable  the  producer  to  make  better  pictures 
at  the  same  price  it  will  be  the  most  for- 
ward step  taken  in  the  industry.  That  pic- 
tures cost  too  much  to  produce  is  freely 
admitted.  Such  a situation  could  not  con- 
tinue. This  move  should  have  the  support 
of  every  element  of  the  industry  that  has 
the  future  of  the  industry  at  heart,  and  as 
for  the  stars,  directors  and  supernumeraries 
who  refuse  to  cooperate  they  should  have 
their  contracts  completed  as  written,  but 
their  refusal  should  not  be  forgotten.  Com- 
plete cooperation  on  the  part  of  all  who  are 
interested  in  production  will  accomplish  the 
desired  result  if  the  effort  be  sincere  and 
positive  and  apply  to  all  and  not  just  an 
important  few.  If  this  be  done  I believe  it 
will  make  friends  for  the  industry. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Weisman  Beats 
Old  Man  Par  at 
Selling  and  Golf 

EJ.  Weisman,  manager  o£  Educational’s 
• Milwaukee  branch,  made  his  first  ap- 
pearance in  the  film  industry  as  shipping 
clerk  for  the  Pathe 
exchange  of  Mil- 
waukee. He  was 
successively  a d - 
vanced  to  assistant 
booker,  booker  and 
office  manager  dur- 
ing his  three  years 
with  that  organi- 
zation. 

On  leaving 
Pathe,  Weisman 
became  associated 
with  Educational 
as  booker  under 
Max  Stahl.  When 
Stahl  was  made  Weisman 

special  representa- 
tive of  Educational  out  of  the  home  office, 
Weisman  was  advanced  to  the  present 
position. 

Weisman  is  an  ardent  baseball  fan,  and 
admits  that  he  likes  golf.  He  admits  it 
both  orally  and  actively,  and  when  he  gets 
into  plus-fours  he  “says  it  with  birdies.” 


Pictures  of  Byrd 
Takeoff  Shown  to 
Broadway  in  Hurry 

International  Newsreel  pinned  another 
feather  in  its  cap  last  week.  Pictures  of 
Commander  Richard  Byrd’s  hop-off  to 
Paris  were  shown  at  leading  Broadway 
theatres  for  their  first  performances.  The 
pictures  included  not  only  the  takeoff  but 
also  the  preparations  that  preceded  the 
actual  start. 

Despite  the  fact  that  a drizzling  rain  was 
falling  when  Byrd  hopped  off.  Interna- 
tional Newsreel  was  able  to  obtain  excep- 
tionally good  pictures.  They  were  made 
by  a staff  of  twelve  cameramen,  most  of 
whom  have  been  on  the  field  the  past  two 
weeks. 

In  addition  to  the  delivery  of  prints  to 
the  Broadway  theatres.  International  News- 
reel sent  others  to  all  parts  of  the  country 
by  airplane. 

Phonofilm  of  Byrd 

Is  Shown  at  Capitol 

DeForest  Phonofilm’s  synchronized  pic- 
tures of  the  hop-off  of  Commander  Rich- 
ard Byrd’s  flight  to  France  are  being  shown 
at  the  Capitol  in  New  York  this  week. 
Equipment  had  been  installed  in  time  for 
the  arrival  of  the  completed  film  early  in 
the  afternoon  of  last  Wednesday. 


News  Reels  and  Accessories 
Emphasized  in  Survey  Replies 

Each  theatre  should  show  two  newsreels  each  week.  That  is  one  of  the 
highlights  of  comment  from  exhibitors  in  answer  to  a questionnaire  from  this 
department  of  the  HERALD.  Theatre  owners  are  being  asked  by  J.  C.  Jen- 
kins, the  “HERALD  Man,”  to  state  what  percentage  of  the  gross  advertising 
of  the  programs  in  the  local  newspapers  should  be  allotted  to  Short  Features. 

This,  the  third  compilation  of  the  replies  to  Jaysee,  follows  the  trend  of 
the  two  previously  recorded  in  these  columns.  A recapitulation  also  is  pro- 
vided herewith. 

Outstanding,  however,  are  the  special  suggestions  of  a number  of  exhibitors 
on  the  relative  values,  as  their  experience  has  taught  them,  of  the  short  and 
long  features. 

More  Accessories  Called  Necessary 

H.  J.  Longaker  of  the  State  and  Howard  theatres  at  Alexandria,  Minn., 
emphasizes  the  importance  of  the  news  reel  at  the  box  office,  urging  that  two 
news  reels  should  be  on  each  week’s  program. 

A suggestion  that  the  distributors  of  Short  Features  provide  more  litera- 
ture, more  accessories,  is  advanced  by  Jay  E.  Gould  of  the  Eagle  theatre  at 
Montevideo,  Minn.  “If  we  were  able  to  get  accessories  we  could  increase  our 
box  office  receipts,”  Gould  declares.  “Too  little  attention  is  paid  to  short 
subjects.” 

Several  exhibitors  have  noted  the  fact  that  the  Short  Feature  has  a par- 
ticular appeal  to  children  and  advocate  its  usage  to  draw  the  younger  element 
to  the  theatre.  L.  D.  Anderl  of  the  Royal  theatre  at  Park  Rapids,  Minn.,  be- 
lieves that  one-third  of  the  exhibitor’s  total  advertising  should  be  devoted  to 
Short  Features,  explaining  as  follows: 

“One-third  of  my  audience  is  young  people  and  children,  and  I find  that  is 
the  big  part  of  the  program  to  them.” 

Calls  Them  Spice  of  Program 

Crockett  Brown  of  the  Grand  at  Nashwauk,  Minn.,  an  exhibitor  who  knows 
his  public,  as  we  have  learned  in  chats  with  him  at  conventions  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  of  the  Northwest,  gives  his  conception  of  the  value  of  Short 
Features  in  these  words: 

“I  find  they  are  the  spice  of  the  program.” 

Another  way  of  stating  the  same  thing  is  adopted  by  0.  H.  Steindorff  of 
the  Gem  Circuit  at  Amery,  Wis.  Steindorff  says  of  the  Short  Feature  that 
“we  think  it  is  necessary  to  balance  up  a program.”  Note  that  he  says  “bal- 
ance,” and  that  means  something  decidedly  different  from  the  old  term 
“fiUer.” 

Following  is  a list  of  exhibitors  who  replied  to  the  questionnaire,  classified 
according  to  the  percentage  of  the  total  newspaper  advertising  which  they 
consider  proper  to  give  to  Short  Features: 

{Continued  on  Next  Page') 


CASH  FOR  CHAIN  THEATRE  OPERATION 

^Biaiue^nmebui 

CORPORATION  Q^AZMEIVICA 

162  North  State  Street  CHICAGO 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


E.  C.  Chamberlin  (right),  father  of  Clarence  Chamberlin,  transatlantic  flier,  i^ 
presented  with  the  first  print  of  Fox  News"  pictures  of  the  arrival  of  his  son  in 
Germany.  Max  Roth  (left)  home  office  representative,  is  making  the  presenta- 
tion in  the  presence  of  Mayor  Hunt  in  front  of  Mr.  Chamberlin’s  store  in  Deni- 
son, Iowa. 


News  Reel  Factor  in 
Program  Emphasized 
in  Answer  to  Survey 

{Continued  from  page  29) 


50  PER  CENT  (4) 

Jay  E.  Gould,  Eagle  theatre,  Montevideo, 
Minn. 

J.  W.  Ryder,  Jewel,  Verndale,  Minn. 

Jeffries  Rose,  Apollo,  Ottawa,  III. 

C.  E.  Halford,  Coliseum,  Marseilles,  III. 

33  1/3  PER  CENT  (2) 

L.  D.  Anderl,  Royal,  Park  Rapids,  Minn. 

A.  M.  Ashenbrener,  Palace,  Staples,  Minn. 

30  PER  CENT  (3) 

Crockett  Brmvn,  Grand,  Nashivauk,  Minn. 

J.  C.  Quincer,  Cozy,  W adena,  Minn. 

L.  P.  Charles,  Grand  Opera  House,  Chetek, 
W’is. 

25  PER  CENT  (9) 

Emerson  McMinn,  Royal,  Virginia,  Minn. 

E.  H.  Meecliow,  Hub,  Gaylord,  Minn. 

Clmrles  E.  Lyons,  Moveum,  Aitkin,  Minn. 
Charles  B.  Closson,  Green,  Anoka,  Minn. 

L.  W.  Webster,  Unique,  Ladysmith,  W’is. 

R.  K.  Lang,  Lang’s  Wisconsin,  Spring  Green, 
Wis. 

W'.  Bair,  Orpheum,  Lancaster,  Wis. 

Hanimli  & Martin,  World,  Mineral  Point, 
Wis. 

W.  L.  Uglon,  Crystal,  Burlington,  W^is. 

20  PER  CENT  (7) 

Anderson  & Anderson,  State,  Detroit  Lakes, 
Wis. 

H.  J.  Longaker,  State  and  Howard,  Alexan- 
dria, Minn. 

McDonald  & Burt,  Majestic,  Barron,  Wis. 

D.  M.  Mallory,  Muscoda,  Muscoda,  W'is. 

L.  C.  Flynn,  Auditorium,  Cuba  City,  W'^is. 

H.  L.  Hanson.  Majestic,  Elroy,  Wis. 

Mrs.  Harry  Wilson,  Royal,  Marengo,  III. 

15  TO  20  PER  CENT 

Charles  Perrizo,  New  Grand,  Grand  Rapids, 
Minn. 

15  PER  CENT  (12  ) 

R.  J.  Schell,  Gem,  Morton,  Minn. 

R.  H.  Byram,  New  Dream,  Redwood  Falls, 
Minn. 

Joseph  Schindell,  Gem,  Granite  Falls,  Minn. 
George  H.  Baer,  Palace,  Frazee,  Minn. 

H.  B.  Smoots,  Lowell,  Little  Falls,  Minn. 
Markuson  Bros.,  Rex,  Henning,  Minn. 

Tom  Foster,  Star,  Stanley,  Wis. 


W.  C.  Tracy,  Gem,  Platteville,  W is. 

A.  J.  Benn,  Crystal,  Dodgeville,  Wis. 

R.  J.  Theiler,  Orpheum,  Richland  Center, 
W’is. 

Louis  Simnet,  Rialto,  Nekoosa,  Wis. 

Leach  & Christenson,  Opera  House,  Hart- 
ford, Wis. 

10  PER  CENT  (27) 

Al  Filbey,  Triangle,  Howard  Lake,  Wis. 
Redding  & Stroud,  Wonderland,  Windom, 
Minn. 

J.  R.  Elliott,  Grand,  Dassel,  Minn. 

Andrew  Seversori,  Empress,  Osakis,  Minn. 
George  W.  Keenan,  Gem,  Hill  City,  Minn. 
W".  H.  Gilum,  Palace,  Royalton,  Minn. 

O.  W\  Heiberg,  Princess,  Linstrom.  Minn. 
William  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags,  Neillsville, 
Wis. 

B.  A.  Hiles,  Opera  House,  Greenwood,  W''is. 
W.  L.  Crouse,  Ideal,  Bloomer,  Wis. 

J.  P.  Gruwell,  Ideal,  Wisconsin  Rapids,  W’is. 
J.  E.  Grimm,  Orpheum,  Darlington,  Wis. 

E.  H.  Brechler,  Opera  House,  Fennimore, 
Wis. 

Frank  Nowachik,  Adams,  Adams,  Wis. 

Mrs.  R.  J.  Slack,  Slack’s,  Mazomanie,  Wis. 

T.  F.  Lee,  manager,  Shullsburg  Amusement 
Co.,  Shullsburg,  Wis. 

A.  T.  Kincannan,  Oneida,  Blue  River,  Wis. 
L.  S.  Aren,  Legion,  Almena,  Wis. 

O.  H.  Steindorff,  Gem  Circuit.  Amery.  W'is. 
Charles  McCabe,  Liberty,  Walworth,  Wis. 
Eugene  Saunders,  Saunders  theatre.  Har- 
vard, III. 

Miles  S.  Fox,  Apollo,  Princeton,  III. 

E.  Barber,  Apollo,  Belvidere,  III. 

H.  C.  Jarnagin,  Strand,  Mendota,  III. 

G.  J.  Burkitt,  Lyric,  Morrison,  III. 

W'.  A.  Allaben,  Blackhawk,  Oregon,  III. 

W.  L.  Howard,  Sheffield,  Movies,  Sheffield, 
III. 

Henrietta  Eckardt,  New  Palace,  Wisconsin 
Rapids,  W'"is. 

5 PER  CENT 

Mrs.  J.  Z.  Jensen,  Auditorium,  White  Bear, 
Wis. 

H.  H.  Steffen,  Rex,  Racine,  Wis. 

H.  D.  Travis  of  the  Park  theatre  at  La- 
Salle, 111.,  stated  that  he  felt  Short  Features 
should  not  he  given  one-half  as  much  as  the 
long  productions,  hut  did  not  name  the  pro- 
portion he  considered  hest. 


A second  harmonica  contest  is  being 
planned  by  the  Gaiety  theatre  of  Industry, 
111.,  following  a recent  campaign  in  the 
Educational  Juvenile  Comedies  tieup  in 
which  four  prizes  were  awarded. 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  JUNE  12 

“Venders  of  the  World,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Roamin’  Gladiator,”  Animal,  Fox,  two;  “Melt- 
ing Millions,”  No.  10,  Pathe,  two;  “Hard  Cider,” 
Fables,.  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Love  ’Em  and 
Weep,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  “Cured  in  the  Excite- 
ment,” Sennett,  Pathe,  two;  “Flying  Feet,”  Grant- 
land  Rice,  Pathe,  one ; Pathe  Review,  No.  24, 
Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  24,  Timely, 
Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,” 
Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “A  Poor  Excase,” 
Stern,  Universal,  two;  “Steamed  Up,”  Bowers, 
F.  B.  O.,  two;  “Alice’s  Channel  Swim,”  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “A  Sock  in  Time,”  Wisecracker,  No.  10; 
F.  B.  O.,  one;  “On  the  Trail,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O., 
one. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  19 

“A  Hot  Potato,”  Van  Bibber,  Fox,  two;  “Cupid  and 
the  Clock,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two ; “The  Crimson 
Flash,”  Pathe,  two;  “Died  In  the  Wool,” 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Fluttering  Hearts,” 
Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review  No.  25,  Pathe, 
one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  25,  Timely,  Pathe, 
one-third;  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adven- 
ture, Universal,  two;  “Bo  Guest,”  Wisecracker, 
F.  B.  O.,  1,797 ; ^’Passing  the  Hat,”  Winkler, 
F.  B.  O.  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“Her  Silent  Wow,”  Helen  and  Warren,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  3 Pathe,  two ; “The 
Big  Reward,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Don’t 
Tell  Everything,  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  27,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  27,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  **Buster’s  In- 
itiation,” Stern,  Universal,  two;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “A 
Poor  Excuse,”  Stern,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  10 

“Over  There,”  Al  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two; 
“Cat’s  Meow,”  Schott  and  Powder,  Cranfield  and 
Clark,  two ; “Grabbing  Grabbers,”  Boy  Adven- 
ture, Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  **Beauty  and  the 
Beach,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clark,  one; 
“Nothin’  Doin,’  ” Bowers  Novelty,  F.  B.  O. 
two  ; “Alice’s  Medicine  Show,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “Snow  Rambles,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  “A 
Wolf  in  Cheap  Clothing,”  Animal,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  4,  Pathe,  two;  “Rid- 
ing High,”  Fahles,  Pathe,  two-third;  ’*Eyes  and 
Spooks,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two ; Pathe  Review,  No. 
28,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  28; 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  Whispering  Smith 
Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A  Kick  in 
the  Dark,”  F.  B.  O.,  1,780;  “Best  Wishes,” 

Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  17 

“Nothing  to  Live  For,”  Al  Joy,  Cranfield  and 
Clarke,  two;  “Sappy  Days,”  Schott  and  Powder, 
Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two;  “Way  of  a Boy,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two;  “The 
Big  Show,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Wild  Rival,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one; 
“Suite  Homes,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crim- 
son Flash,”  No.  5,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Love 
Nest,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Why  Girls 
Love  Sailors,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  29,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  29,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 


[NEWSPICTURES; 


KINOGRAMS  NO.  5303 — 200,000  In  St.  Louis  see 
Lindbergh  made  colonel^“Commander  Byrd  given 
degree  at  Yale  and  Tufts  General  Wood  arrives 
at  Seattle  on  way  to  visit  Coolidge— President 
and  Mrs.  Coolidge  hear  sermon  by  20-year-old 
pastor  at  Hermosa,  S.  D. — Duke  and  Duchess  of 
York  dedicate  new  Australian  capitol—— Harvard 
stadium  bowl  filled  as  confetti  battle  is  on^^ 
Autos  run  on  own  power  over  cliff  to  junk  heap 
at  Amarillo,  Tex.— Crowds  pack  Brussels  streets 
to  see  annual  parade  of  giants. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5304 Russian-American  aviatrix 

flies  11,000  feet  high  to  claim  new  altitude  rec- 
ord  at  Long  Island — President  Coolidge  reviews 

South  Dakota  National  Guard Harvard  crew 

heats  Yale— Alfred  Erickson  wins  15-inile  water 
derby  at  Atlantic  City— Members  of  Pickwick 
Club,  London,  follow  route  taken  by  Dickens 
characters— Paris  throngs  to  opening  of  race 
track— Berlin  rookie  police  leam  new  exercises. 
INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  52 — President 
hears  boy  pastor  deliver  first  sermon  in  Black 
Hills  town— Berlin  tobogganist  makes  startling 
loop-the-lo  op— Interesting  personalities.  General 
Wood,  Jack  Dempsey,  Lindbergh— English  society 
flocks  to  Ascot  races^— British  stage  show  of  old 
and  modern  battles. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  S3  — Three 
planes  prepare  to  hop  Pacific  at  San  Francisco- 
Chamberlin  and  Levine  greet  wives  at  Bremen^— 
General  Wood  confers  with  Cbolidge  at  summer 
White  Houses— Open  Yellowstone  Park  by  blast- 
ing snow— Fashionable  Parisians  throng  Auteuil 
track  for  opening. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  78 — President  Coolidge  receives 
eflitors  at  his  Black  Hills  retreat^— Berlin  offi- 
cially greets  Chamberlin  and  Levine— Harvard 
stages  annual  battle  of  confetti 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


PRESENMONACB 


Production 

Publix ’s  New 
Band  Policy 
Is  in  Effect 

Jimmy  Ellard  Directing  Orchestra 
at  Capitol,  Des  Moines — Saxe 
Also  to  Have  Bandshow 

The  reorganization  of  Publix 
stage  units  which  took  place  June 
20  went  into  effect  June  25  at  the 
Capitol  theatre,  Des  Moines,  open- 
ing with  their  first  stage  bandshow 
with  the  orchestra  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Jimmy  Ellard  who  is  booked 
in  this  house  for  an  indefinite  en- 
gagement. 

The  opening  program  consisted  of  an 
hour  stage  attraction  with  an  exploitation 
angle  involving  practically  all  the  automo- 
bile firms  in  the  city  which  served  to  intro- 
duce Ellard  and  his  boys  to  the  public  in 
the  form  of  a parade  through  downtown 
streets. 

Now  in  Effect  at  Riviera 

Starting  this  week  at  Omaha  the  Riviera 
theatre,  one  of  the  recent  Publix  houses 
which  up  to  this  time  was  playing  the  orig- 
inal Publix  class  units  out  of  the  New 
York  production  department,  will  present 
the  new  Publix  stagehand  units  which  leave 
intact  from  Des  Moines  after  they  are  cast 
and  staged  in  Chicago,  and  will  play  Kan- 
sas City,  Tulsa,  Dallas,  San  Antonio,  Hous- 
ton, New  Orleans,  and  Atlanta  to  follow  a 
week  later  in  each  town.  In  each  of  the 
above  places  a local  band  leader  is  stationed 
in  the  theatre  permanently  to  present  the 
new  form  of  stage  band  presentation. 

As  we  go  to  press  news  reaches  us  that 
effective  July  9 the  Wisconsin  theatre,  Mil- 
waukee, a Saxe  house,  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Eddie  Weisfeldt,  changes  its  pol- 
icy of  stage  presentation  to  conform  with 
the  new  policy  of  stage  bandshows.  This 
change  means  that  in  addition  to  the  regu- 
lar performance,  presentation  will  be  aug- 
mented with  one  of  the  finest  stage  bands 
in  the  country  under  the  direction  of  Dave 
Schooler.  Weisfeldt  also  will  act  as  pro- 
duction manager,  a position  he  always  held 
at  this  house  and  for  which  he  is  highly 
fitted. 

Stage  Being  Remodeled 

To  conform  with  this  change  of  policy  at 
the  Wisconsin,  the  present  stage  is  now  un- 
dergoing remodeling  from  the  “U”  shaped 
style  to  the  regulation  width  and  depth 
which  will  give  it  about  10  feet  more  space 
for  both  artists  and  band  to  work  in,  using 
a motorized  stage  platform  arrangement 
which  gives  the  audience  better  access  to 
the  entertainment. 


Centering 

Modern  Pied-Piper 


NOVELLE  BROTHERS— Who  else  could 
fill  the  role  of  that  famous  story-book 
character  in  theso  days  of  women  gover- 
nors and  transatlantic  airplane  fliers? 
These  boys,  whose  theatrical  lineage  looks 
like  a round  trip  ticket  to  Eygpt,  are  the 
first  acrobatic  offering  to  do  comedy 
tumbling  and  pantomime  musical  bits  in 
presentation  hereabouts.  The  result  is  that 
their  popularity  is  even  spreading  to 
stage-door  admirers  such  as  you  see  gath- 
ered around  this  photo. 

Tyrrell  Denies  Shift 

Rumors  to  the  effect  that  Phil  Tyrrell,  associat- 
ed with  the  William  Morris  Chicago  office,  would 
leave  that  firm  are  unfounded,  according  to  a 
statement  made  by  Tyrrell  denying  these  false 
statements.  Tyrrell,  formerly  an  independent 
picture  house  booker,  recently  became  associated 
with  the  William  Morris  Agency  and  is  respon- 
sible for  a great  number  of  vaudeville  names 
booked  in  picture  houses  lately. 


Lichter  with  B.  & K. 

Joie  Lichter,  a violin  player  who  is  now  con- 
sidered one  of  the  youngest  leaders  in  the  country, 
is  the  well  known  chap  who  graces  the  orchestra 
pit  at  the  Central  Park  theatre  in  Chicago,  the 
first  Balaban  & Katz  house  that  started  the  firm 
on  the  road  to  success.  Lichter,  who  replaced 
Sammy  Kahn,  was  formerly  at  the  Highland  thea- 
tre, Chicago,  and  originally  led  a presentation 
band  in  the  Strand  theatre,  Milwaukee.  Joie,  as 
he  is  called  by  all  his  friends,  plays  original 
musical  themes  for  photoplay  besides  conducting 
for  the  vaudeville  acts  that  appear  at  this  house. 
Edgar  Amstein,  featured  organist  in  this  house, 
besides  accompanying  photoplays  also  assists  Lich- 
ter in  some  special  overture. 


in  Chicago 

Mangan  May 
Return  Soon 
to  Mid-  West 

Twelve  De  Luxe  Houses  in  Windy 
City  Now  Using  Bandshow 
Poliey — Number  Grows 
By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Continued  rumors  that  Chicago 
will  soon  be  the  production  center 
of  presentation  are  being  made 
more  reliable  each  day  by  the  add- 
ing of  new  production  brains  and 
new  theatres  to  house  the  ideas. 

Now  that  Publix  has  established  a per- 
manent production  branch  in  Chicago  offer- 
ing presentation  artists  nine  weeks  of  Mid- 
dle-Western-Southern bookings,  which  were 
announced  in  last  week’s  issue,  the  plan 
seems  like  it  may  go  through.  The  stage 
bandshow  idea  which  formulated  in  Chi- 
cago about  three  years  ago  at  McVickers’ 
theatre  was  originally  introduced  by  Paul 
Ash,  now  ace-stage  band  leader  who,  it  is 
said,  first  introduced  this  type  of  entertain- 
ment in  San  Francisco  four  or  five  years 
ago. 

Report  Mangan  Returning 

Among  the  numerous  reports  and  rumors 
received  each  week  by  this  department  is 
one,  which  comes  from  reliable  sources,  to 
the  effect  that  Francis  A.  Mangan,  for- 
merly director  of  presentation  with  A1 
Short  at  the  Capitol  theatre,  Chicago,  is  re- 
turning to  the  Windy  City,  or  thereabouts. 

Mangan,  who  has  toured  Europe  since  de- 
parting from  these  environs,  is  production 
manager  at  the  Plaza  theatre,  London,  a 
Paramount  house. 

According  to  the  Herald’s  informant, 
Mangan  is  returning  with  a fist-full  of  new 
and  novel  stage  ideas.  Just  what  organiza- 
tion he  will  connect  with  our  informant  did 
not  say. 

Taking  into  consideration  the  possible  re- 
turn of  Mangan  and  the  fact  that  there  are 
now  12  de  luxe  picture  houses  in  Chicago 
running  stage  bandshow  policies  with  ap- 
proximately that  many  production  mana- 
gers to  conceive  and  construct  the  shows 
each  week,  it  is  not  a very  difficult  prob- 
lem to  decide  which  part  of  the  country  is 
best  fitted  to  become  the  logical  produc- 
tion center  for  presentation.  So  far  some 
of  the  best  production  brains  are  centered 
in  Chicago,  namely,  Louis  McDermott  of 
the  Oriental,  Charles  Niggermeyer  of  Dub- 
liner & Trinz,  Will  Harris,  Milton  Feld  and 
Dave  Gould  of  the  Balaban  & Katz  and 
Chicago  Publix,  Murray  Bloom  and  Albert 
Coppack  of  Marks  Brothers,  Clyde  Hood 
and  Charles  Hogan  of  Cooney  Brothers, 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Roy  McMullen  and  Harry  Beaumont  of 
Ascher  Brothers  and  Roy  Mack  of  the  Pic- 
cadilly theatre. 

Orpheum  Producing  in  Chicago 

Another  feature  of  interest  that  makes 
this  constant  rumor  seem  logical  is  the  fact 
that  the  Orpheum  Circuit  has  its  produc- 
tion headquarters  in  Chicago  with  approxi- 
mately 10  franchised  producers  who  cos- 
tume and  stage  their  vaudeville  acts  here, 
averaging  10  to  30  productions  a piece  each 
year  who,  after  touring  the  circuit,  disband 
in  Chicago  thereby  permitting  the  artist  to 
either  secure  picture  house  work  or  rejoin 
a new  act. 

This,  in  addition  to  the  permanent  head- 
quarters of  the  William  Morris  Agency  un- 
der the  direction  of  Max  Turner,  enables 
Chicago  to  completely  cast,  stage  and  route 
picture  theatres  all  over  the  country  using 
Chicago  as  a starting  point,  a known  fac- 
tor for  better  transportation  facilities. 


STAGE  SHOWS 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  July  9 

A Poalar  Paraphrase,  arranged  by  Lew  White, 
of  “When  Day  Is  Done,”  “Rippling  Waters”  and 
“Hallelujah”  was  the  treat  of  the  three  consoles 
this  week,  getting  things  off  to  a nice  start. 
“Rienzi”  by  the  Roxy  symphony  orchestra,  Erno 
Rapee,  conducting,  took  the  usual  storm  of  ap- 
plause that  heretofore  this  reporter  has  always 
associated  with  philharmonic  orchestras  and  the 
like. 

“Viennese  Impressions.” 

A — “Old  Refrain” — Douglas  Stanbury  and 

Roxy  Chorus. 

B — “Schon  Roemarin” — Maria  Gambarelli. 


C — “The  Beautiful  Blue  Danube” — Beatrice  Bel- 
kin, Charles  Magante,  The  Ballet  Corps,  Roxy 
Troubadours  and  Ensemble. 

The  setting  is  a picture  in  itself,  moonlight 
terrace  leading  to  graceful  colonial  home,  en- 
semble of  100  grouped  about  in  every  kind  of 
costume  you  can  think  of.  Harmony  of  first 
selection  is  beautifully  shaded,  seeming  to  float 
with  the  clouds  in  the  background.  “Gamby’s” 
dance  is  a little  treat  itself.  “The  Blue  Danube,” 
however,  as  danced  by  the  Ballet,  of  course, 
seemed  to  overshadow  the  entire  piece,  16  of 
them,  veil  bearers,  weave  in  and  about  the 
group,  seemingly  float  half  the  time,  so  graceful 
is  their  work  and  routine.  Quite  worth  while 
to  work  hard  and  long,  when  you  can  get  ap- 
plause such  as  this  piece  brought. 

“Eli  Eli.”  reported  in  these  columns  last  week, 
and  retained  a second  one  due  to  its  popularity. 
A spectacle  more  or  less  a prelude  to  last  week’s 
picture  “Moon  of  Israel,”  but  as  proved  by  this 
week’s  applause  good  anywhere. 

“Wedgewood.”  dance  bit  by  eight  of  the  ballet, 
interpreting  the  soul  of  grace,  also  retained  a 
second  week  due  to  its  great  reception  last  one. 

“Vanitay  Fair,”  arranged  by  Leon  Leonidoff. 

Powder  Puff — “Gamby.” 

Pupie  Valsante — Florence  Rogge. 

Kerchief — Clara  Fay. 

Lipsticks — Gail  Glenn  and  Virginia  Hawthorne, 
assisted  by  the  ballet  corps.  Full  stage,  set 
representing  top  of  milady’s  dressing  table,  out 
of  vanity  box  stepping  the  above  characters  for 
look  at  life  via  the  dance.  It  takes  a master  of 
the  old  school  to  create  something  like  this. 
Only  five  minutes  but  not  quickly  forgotten. 

Roxy  Magazine — Ring,  Grandpa,  Ring — The 
Roxy  Ensemble.  A stirring  incident  in  our  coun- 
try’s struggle  for  independence,  showing  anxious 
forefathers  gathered  about  meeting  hall  awaiting 
news  of  the  signing  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence. Little  girl  comes  rushing  up  with  glad 
tidings  and  cry  to  grandparent  whose  ringing  of 
the  bell  is  signal  for  great  rejoicing.  Just  a flash, 
appropriate  and  in  such  good  taste.  There’s  flag 
waving  and  dud  fireworks  on  practically  every 
stage  this  week  here.  It’s  absence  at  the  Roxy 
is  conspicuous  and  refreshing. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  8 

“Musical  Notions,”  a medley  of  popular  and 
grand  opera  gems,  played  by  the  Paramount  or- 
chestra, with  Eugene  DuBois,  solo  violinist,  Helen 
Yorkc,  soprano,  and  the  Whiteman  Brass  En- 
semble. Miss  Yorke  and  Mr.  DuBois  entertain, 
and  royally  so,  from  the  pit  with  the  orchestra, 
while  the  brass  ensemble  flare  in  on  the  last  selec- 
tion, from  the  stage.  This  combination,  in  place 
of  a straight  overture  went  well,  was  nicely 
balanced  and  arranged. 

Paramount  News. 

Jesse  Crawford  treated  them  to  “Rhapsody  in 
Blue”  on  his  return  to  the  console  this  week, 
and  it  seems,  judging  from  the  applause,  he 
picked  everybody’s  favorite. 

Paul  WTiiteman  and  his  orchestra  in  “Fire- 
works,” assisted  by  Chamberlin  and  Himes,  Evelyn 
Hoey,  John  R.  Walsh,  the  Paramount  Quartet, 
and  the  Paramount  Girls. 

Trying  a little  bit  of  everything  this  week  and 
having  them  all  work  is  the  happy  situation  this 
piece  ran  into.  Evelyn  Hoey  comes  on  early  after 
band  opening,  and  singing  “I  Can’t  Believe”  to  a 
big  hand.  Encored  with  “Everything’s  Made  for 
Love,”  overturning  it  the  while  to  Paul  and  His 
Pals,  receiving  from  one  of  them  an  apple  as 
some  token  or  other.  Paul  leads  the  crowd  in 
giving  her  a “big  hand,”  as  he  says. 

“Bugle  Taps”  follows,  with  12  of  the  girls  and 
squad  leader  in  West  Point  outfits,  tapping  away 
on  elevated  stage  above  orchestra.  Great  team 
work  and  a nice  little  routine.  Three  of  the  gang 
come  out  front  now  and  hotlip  a bugle  blues  all 
their  own,  using  neither  words,  music  nor 
gestures,  simply  humming  it  in  a jazzed  up  style, 
and  going  over  good. 

“So  Blue,”  written  by  Mrs.  Crawford,  is  the  re- 
quest number  this  week  for  the  band.  Six  other 
stage  bands  are  playing  it  here  this  week,  that 
we  know  of,  and  that  should  be  an  indication  of 
its  popularity. 

Chamberlin  and  Himes  again  this  week  rolled 
up  tumultuous  applause  with  their  burlesque  and 
foolery  on  the  bowery.  Rumor  has  it  they  are 
headed  for  a big  production,  and  two  weeks  ago 
was  the  first  date  they  played  on  Broadway. 

Evelyn  Hoey  alone  with  slides  to  picture  it, 
sings  and  recites  “Dream  of  the  Big  Parade,” 
after  which  Paul  steps  out  on  the  stage  with  big 
silver  baton  and  directs  his  band  as  they  come 
up  the  aisles  through  the  house. 

Brooklyn  Strand 

Week  Ending  June  25 

The  stage  band  show  which  originated  here 
some  time  ago  continued  with  Art  Landry  and 
his  Victor  recording  orchestra  in  his  fourth  week 
at  this  house.  Besides  “Lost  at  the  Front”  and 
a Harry  Langdon  comedy  the  stage  offering  called 
“In  the  Army”  took  place  as  follows: 

Overture  by  the  famed  Mark  Strand  orchestra 
playing  “Dance  of  the  Hours”  from  Ponehielli’s 
“Gioconda.”  Hal  Sidare,  a clever  acrobatic  con- 
tortionist in  an  eccentric  dance  routine  with  which 
he  has  created  a huge  following  throughout  the 
West.  Frankie  Stein  was  next  singing  “There  Is 
No  Maybe  in  My  Baby’s  Eyes”  working  in  one 
under  a pink  spot.  The  Hicks  Brothers  followed 
in  banjo  playing  extraordinary  strumming  “Lolly- 
pops”  which  set  them  in  solid  with  this  house. 
Burns  and  Hope  novelty  dancers  were  next  in 
full  stage  assisted  by  the  house  ballet  in  a rou- 
tine called  “American  Patrol”  supported  by  prin- 
cipals of  the  cast  as  the  band  struck  up  the  tune 
of  “American  Patrol,”  as  flashes  of  red,  white 
and  blue  criss-crossed  across  stage  background. 


SYMPHONIC 

HAWLEY 

FEATURE 

ORGANIST 

BROADWAY 

THEATRE 

Portland,  Oregon 


VERNE  BUCK 

*‘The  Prince  O’  Pep** 

Featured  at  ASCHER  BROS. 

SHERIDAN  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Direction— MARGARET  FELCH 

BILLY  MEYER 

(The  Golden  Tone  Baritone) 


After  Eight  Solid  Months  of  Deluxe  Picture  House  Bookings  in  Chicago,  now 
playing  indefinite  engagement  at  the  Wisconsin  Theatre  Milwaukee  Opening  with 
the  first  Stagehand  Show  this  week. 


RUTH 


LUELLA 


STANLEY  and  LEE 

DANCERS  PERSONIFIED 

Just  Closed  Second  Return  Engagement  for  BALABAN  & KATZ. 
Now  Touring  GREAT  STATES  THEATRES. 


VALE 


‘THE  ARISTOCRATIC  STEPPERS 

and 


STEWART 


Novr  Touring  Publix  Theatres. 
Just  signed  a three  years  con« 
tract  with  WILLIAM  MORRIS. 


At  the  Howard,  Atlanta, 
Ca.,  this  week  with 
Chattanooga  and  Knox- 
ville to  follow. 


A Presentation  Act  With 
Class  and  Speed.  Direction—* 
Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell. 


NOTE:  Have  you  seen  WILLIAMS  & ROSS? 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


July  9,  1927 

New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  9 

Mauro-Cattone’s  recital:  a — “Poet  and  Peas- 
ant;” b — “Berceuse;”  c — “Miffhty  Lak  a Rose;” 
a— “Miserere”  from  “II  Trovatore.’  This  accounts 
for  half  an  hour  with  the  master  that  has  become 
an  institution  at  the  Capitol,  and  to  thousands 
of  those  who  tune  in  on  Major  Bowes  Family  at 
the  mike. 

Selections  from  “The  Merry  Widow,”  Dayid 
Mendoza  leading,  containing  all  the  striking  melo- 
dies from  this  favorite,  is  the  grand  orchestra’s 
way  of  entertaining  10  big  minutes  on  the  cur- 
rent program, 

William  Robyn,  Ijrric  tenor,  sang  “Roam  on 
Little  Gypsy  Sweetheart,”  assisted  by  the  Capitol 
male  ensemble  and  the  Chester  Hale  Girls.  Full 
stage  gypsy  camp  scene.  Two  minutes  of  song 
and  two  of  dance.  Very  good. 

Capitol  Magazine. 

“Emeralds” — Joyce  Coles-John  Triesault,  Capi- 
tol ballet  corps  and  Chester  Hale  Girls. 

A — “The  Spirit  of  the  Emerald” — Miss  Coles. 

B — “Emerald  Maids” — Ballet  corps. 

C — “The  Stranger” — John  Triesault. 

B — Adagio  and  Finale” — Miss  Coles,  Mr.  Trlc- 
sault  and  entire  ensemble. 

Miss  Coles  opens  with  some  exceptionally  fine 
work  portraying  the  beauty  of  the  emerald,  by 
way  of  the  dance,  then  blends  in  with  the  ballet 
whose  routine  is  great.  John  Triesault  intrudes 
on  the  mermaids  here,  finally  winning  over  Miss 
Coles,  at  least  as  a dancing  partner.  Just  enough 
story  and  dance  to  be  easily  understood  and  ap- 
preciated. The  stage  show  this  week  cut  down 
to  the  minute  due  to  the  long  unwinding  time 
of  the  feature  film,  “Annie  Laurie.”  Then 
again,  there  are  three  days  wherein  five  shows 
must  be  given  to  satisfy  the  holiday  crowds. 

New  Y ork  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  2 

“Kreisleriana”  is  the  title  given  Joseph 
Plunkett’s  stage  presentation  this  week,  and  very 
good  it  is. 

A — “Who  Can  Tell”  (theme  song).  Margaret 
Schilling,  soprano,  full  stage.  Garden  gate  set-in 
relief  against  black  drop.  Time  two  minutes, 
beautifully  sung,  and  warmly  received. 

B — “Tambourin  Chinois”  wherein  Frederick 
Fradkin,  violin  soloist,  stood  out  front  to  the  left 
of  stage,  rendering  a solo,  at  completion  of  which 
drop  parts  for  six  of  the  ballet  and  two  male 
dancers  in  coolie  costume,  doing  routine  ala  rice- 
land.  Simple  cherry  tree  set,  in  relief  against 
black  drop.  All  in  good  taste,  short  and  sweet. 

C — “Toy  Soldier  March” — Bourman  Steppers. 
Some  12  of  the  girls  take  mute  commands  from 
bewhiskered  general  and  execute  them  in  the 
dance.  Another  short  subject  handled  just  right, 
with  relief  set  also. 

D — “Caprice  Viennois”^ — Fradkin  and  Mile. 
Klemova.  He  comes  back  to  his  old  stand  out 
front  and  she  takes  up  her  work  against  still 
another  relief  background.  'This  good  bit  lasts 
but  a moment.  In  fact  all  these  numbers  are 
like  the  good  old  prologues  that  used  to  be  given — 
but  these  numbers  are  all  exceptionally  short — 
yet  very  good. 

G — ^“Liebesfreud” — Entire  ensemble.  The  pret- 
tiest number  of  the  lot.  Relief  tree,  with  girls 
and  two  male  dancers  grouped  about,  they  dis- 
band and  go  into  short  routine,  then  gather  about 
tree  again  which  now  begins  to  revolve  and  the 
girls  turn  about  with  it,  meanwhile  silver  droop- 
ing vines  descend  as  further  background  and  all 
this  in  relief  against  black  back  gives  a pretty 
picture.  Heartily  applauded. 

Strand  Pictorial. 


I FF 

BARTON 

EVANS 

Now  Featured  in  Le  Roy 
Prim’s  “Spanish 
Rainbo” 

Playing  nightly  at  Fred  Manns 
Rainbo  Gardens 
Chicago 


Fred  Waring’s  Pennsylvanians  ended  up  with 
what  sounded  like  downright  thunder,  when  it 
comes  to  expressing  the  applause.  Their  selec- 
tions included  “I  Wonder  How  I Look  When 
I’m  Asleep,”  a foolish  little  ditty,  and  good,  with 
which  they  open  in  the  dark,  one  of  the  band 
crossing  stage  in  old  fashioned  night  shirt,  carry- 
ing candle  and  wearing  night  cap — “Regular  Gal” 
soloed  by  Tom  Waring,  at  first,  was  next.  “When 
Day  Is  Done”  and  “Saluta”  followed,  and  it 
seemed  all  too  quickly  for  the  audience.  Tom 
again  solos  with  “One  Sweet  Letter”  followed 
by  band,  who  by  the  way  are  a choral  group  of 
the  first  order,  and  especially  good  at  picking 
numbers  that  click,  and  click  hard  and  fast. 

Curtain  now  but  that  does  not  mean  much. 
First  encore  was  all  choral,  using  only  the  banjo 
for  tune  and  tempo — “Under  the  Moon”  it  was 
called,  and  proved  to  be  both  a medley  and 
melody  that  was  a wonderful  wow.  Curtain  again 
and  again,  finally  another  encore  of  “A’int  She 
Sweet.”  Warings  have  a stage  set  that  is  in 
great  taste  also.  Here  is  a resourceful  bunch, 
using  no  additional  artists  other  than  their  own, 
and  at  that  no  one  of  them  leaves  his  set,  so 
they  entertain  in  song  and  music  exclusively,  and 
it  is  exclusive,  and  in  a class  all  its  own.  Care- 
free and  collegiate  like,  they  seemed  fresh,  peppy 
and  eager  to  entertain.  They  did  it  so  well  as 
to  have  to  beg  off. 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  July  3 

Lou  Kosloff  and  his  novelty  syncopators  pre- 
sented “Breezing  Along,”  the  second  stage  offer- 
ing since  joining  this  house.  In  addition  to  this 
were  Clara  Bow  in  her  latest,  and  Ben  Turpin 
in  person  as  an  added  attraction.  Stage  show 
ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  “In  special  setting  with  back  drop 

representing  cut-out  effect  over  staircase  with  the 
Gould  girls  stationed  in  each  cutout  with  plume 
headgears  as  the  band  plays  a special  arrange- 
ment of  “Cherie.”  Two  of  the  Gould  specialty 
girls,  now  known  as  Peaches  and  Poppy,  dressed 
in  striking  rhinestone  costumes,  delivered  an  acro- 
batic routine  in  semi-fan  style  and  brought  un- 
tisual  applause  for  the  spot. 

After  this  number  the  Gould  girls  joined  in  a 


fan  dance,  each  possessing  a huge  colored  plume 
fan  which  opened  in  the  manner  of  a peacock 
tail.  During  this  number  Lou  Kosloff  made  his 
appearance  with  his  violin  and  finished  with  a 
medley  of  “Cherie.”  The  band  next  went  into 
a hot  arrangement  of  “Too  Bad,”  played  with  all 
the  fire  and  lung  power  the  boys  i)Ossess.  inter- 
mingled with  several  specialty  bits  on  the  brass 
side  including  also  a novelty  by  Frank  Pappile, 
the  accordionist. 

Briscoe  and  Delorto,  two  men  in  hokum  comedy 
intermingled  with  musical  variations  and  songs 
followed.  'The  little  fellow,  who  was  presumably 
Deloito,  has  an  abundance  of  pantomime  ability 
that  provokes  laughter  in  every  move.  His  take- 
off violin  bit  was  funny  and  clever,  which  caused 
them  to  stop  the  show  in  opening  spot.  For  an 
encore  they  did  the  old  Salvation  Army  bit 
which  was  a sure-fire  bet.  This  couple  is  a 
standard  vaudeville  act  and  should  find  easy  slid- 
ing in  presentation. 

Peaches  and  Poppy,  the  two  young  women  who 
did  the  opening  specialty,  were  on  again  in  a 
series  of  clever  acrobatic  steps  which  included 
one-hand  cartwheels  and  everything  else.  ’Their 
pleasing  personality  and  graceful  interpretation 
should  do  a great  deal  toward  landing  these 
girls  in  productions.  After  another  splendid  re- 
ception they  were  followed  by  Ben  Turpin,  who 
outside  of  stating  how  glad  he  was  to  be  there, 
had  very  little  to  offer  in  the  way  of  a routine 
entertainment  but  seemed  to  please.  Ben  is  too 
well  known  to  pass  any  further  comment  and  for 
the  fact  that  on  the  evening  of  his  appearance 
(the  first  real  hot  day)  the  house  was  full  and 
more  were  anxious  to  get  in,  which  proved  that 
box  office  name  will  always  draw  them  in. 

Iloma  Bailey,  who  has  made  a name  for  her- 
self as  a presentation  artist  in  one  of  the  loop 
houses,  appeared  next  with  her  usual  program  of 
songs  opening  with  “You  Don’t  Like  It,  Not 
Much,”  and  “Love  and  Kisses,”  announced  as  a 
brand  new  number.  It  is  very  seldom  that  a 

rare  voice  like  Miss  Bailey’s  is  heard  in  stage 
bandshows  and  if  the  proper  selecting  of  songs 
are  given  to  the  young  woman  a great  deal  more 
shall  be  heard  of  her.  The  Gould  dancers  fol- 
lowed in  a military  routine  dressed  to  befit  the  — 
occasion,  offering  more  of  the  drill  than  the  danc- 
ing which  proved  a great  deal  of  patience  on 


JOSEPH  ALEXANDER 

The  Youngest  Solo  Organist  in  Chicago 

Now  at  the  PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 
After  an  Eight  Months  Run  at  MARKS  BROS.  EMBASSY 
THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Specializing  in  Photoplay  Accompaniment 


JOE  FRED 

McKenzie  and  BISHOP 

(Formerly  with  Babe  Ruth) 

Just  Completed  Second  Return 
Engagement  at  the  GRANADA, 

CHICAGO 

The  talk  of  Chicago  Deluxe 
Picture  Houses 

Under  Direction  of  MORT  INFIEILD 

Shannon’s  Playtime  Frolics 

Novelty  Surprise^* 

Playing  the  Best  Picture  Houses  in  the  Country.  Now  Touring  MARKS  BROS. 

Chicago  Theatres. 

Direction  Edward  W.  Morse,  Woods  Theatre  Bldg.,  Chicago 


LUCILLE  MIDDLETON 

IN 

“The  Fan  Dance” 

Just  Completed  Three  Successful  Weeks  for  B & K and  L & T Circuits 

Now  Playing  MILLER’S  THEATRE,  Wichita. 

Next  Week  at  the  Mainstreet,  Kansas  City. 


Picked  by  BABB  RUTH 
as  the  best  singing 
team  in  Presentations. 


D I icovere  d by  JIMMY 
KEEFE,  publicity  director  of 
the  First  National  Picture* 
West  Coast  Studios, 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Dave  Gould  as  well  as  the  girls.  It  is  a very 
novel  number  that  fits  in  a show  now  and  then. 

lloma  Bailey  appeared  again  in  a scrim  presen- 
tation on  a platform  setting  above  band,  this 
time  interpreting  in  costume  the  “Russian  Lul- 
laby” after  which  KoslofF  joined  in  on  the  second 
chorus  with  his  violin  and  tied  the  show  up  into 
a knot.  As  stated  before  in  these  columns  Lou 
Kosloff  can  master  the  violin  as  very  few  young 
musicians  can  and  his  popularity  in  this  house 
is  growing  in  leaps  and  bounds  due  to  the  fact 
that  he  knows  how  to  play  a violin.  If  Lou 
keeps  his  head  he  has  very  far  to  go  as  a stage 
band  leader  and  he  will  find  this  audience  at  his 
service  if  he  maintains  the  same  attitude  he 
now  shows. 

Stanley  and  Bimes,  two  men  in  an  eccentric 
soft  shoe  dance,  were  on  to  closing  and  repeated 
their  former  success.  In  fact,  after  following 
such  a splendid  bill  they  even  stopped  the  show 
and  were  compelled  to  repeat  their  burlesque  on 
Ruth  St.  Dennis. 

Finale:  The  Gould  girls  dressed  in  capes  of 
red  and  blue  lined  vrith  white  silk,  each  deco- 
rated in  a cute  rhinestone  costume,  stepped  about 
as  the  band  played  a catchy  tune  with  Peaches 
and  Poppy  coming  in  for  a whirlwind  finish. 


Chicago  Marbro 

Week  Ending  July  3 

Benny  Meroff  and  his  band  offered  “Ship  Ahoy,” 
a syncopation  stage  show  which  was  originally 
offered  at  the  Granda  several  weeks  ago.  The 
new  cast  of  players  were  as  follows: 

Jack  Osterman  who  was  featured  in  Songs  and 
Smart  Chatter. 

Jazz  Lip  Richardson  in  eccentric  dancing. 

Stewart  Sisters,  harmony  singers. 

Kohn  and  De  Pinto  instrumentalists. 

Sylvester  and  Worth,  acrobats. 

The  featured  picture  was  “Slaves  of  Beauty,” 
featuring  Sue  Caroll,  Chicago’s  screen  prodigy. 
Edward  K.  House,  the  singing  organist,  in  his 
usual  entertaining  solo  and  and  announcement  of 
V’taphone  to  follow  completed  this  week’s  pro- 
gram. 


Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  July  3 

Sam  Kauffman  and  his  band  offered  “Musical 
Moments”  featuring  Gardner  and  Douglas  and 
several  others.  It  has  been  quite  some  time  since 
this  reporter  has  witnessed  any  of  the  stage  shows 
at  the  above  house.  In  fact,  since  the  last  report 
there  have  been  a few  changes  made  as  usual, 
mainly  a new  band,  w’hich  is  not  the  best  by  any 
means  but  a great  deal  better  than  the  one  be- 
fore. The  offering  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  Band  playing  an  arrangement  of 
“Hallelujah,”  taken  from  a Broadway  show,  with 
band  dressed  in  tuxedos  working  in  full  stage 
setting  with  artistic  background  representing  a 
lake  scene  from  the  distance.  Sam  Kaufman, 
dressed  neat,  gave  his  best  in  directing  the  band 
through  this  number.  The  first  artist  on  the  bill 
was  introduced  as  William  Mitchell,  a tenor  of 
concert  style,  who  sang  “Dreams  of  Long  Ago” 
and  “When  Irish  Eyes  Are  Smiling.”  Mitchell 
has  a neat  personality,  but  lacks  the  pep  and 
punch  required  in  presentation,  evidently  because 
he  is  a concert  artist  and  will  find  that  field  is 
more  responsive  to  his  talent.  Nevertheless,  his 
offering  was  a treat  here  due  to  the  lack  of  talent 
on  the  bill. 

By  special  request  a clever  arrangement  of 
“Moonlight  and  Roses”  was  played  with  specialties 
offered  by  the  three  violinists  and  some  novelties 
on  the  brass  side  with  a xylophone  bit  thrown 
in  for  good  measure.  For  an  aggi’egation  of  13 
men  this  number  was  well  handled  and  the  ap- 
preciation was  shown  by  a healthy  reception. 

Gardner  and  Douglas  followed  in  their  eccentric 
comedy  dance  which  was  reported  in  these  columns 
before.  These  boys  were  well  liked  and  could 
have  taken  several  more  encores  had  they  desired 
to. 

Marion  Rubovits,  announced  as  the  pride  of  the 
South  Side,  followed  in  classical  songs,  chiefly, 
“If  I Ck)uld  Look  Into  Your  Eyes,”  written  by 
the  author  of  “Cherie.”  Miss  Rubovits,  a lyric 
soprano  with  a pleasing  personality,  fits  in  the 
same  category  as  William  Mitchell.  Both  are 
concert  artists  and  lack  the  showmanship  neces- 


July  9,  1927 

sary  to  go  over  in  this  type  of  show.  However, 
as  we  stated  before,  anything  to  relieve  the 
monotony  in  this  house  was  well  received.  Some 
times  merely  to  enlighten  the  artiets.  The  young 
lady  did  an  encore  duet  with  Sam  Eiaufman  ac- 
companying her  on  the  piano. 

After  announcing  everybody  and  everything, 
Kaufman  sat  down  to  offer  one  of  his  nut  style 
pianologues  using  “In  a Little  Spanish  Town” 
with  an  arrangement  of  medleys.  This  secured  a 
fine  reception  which  induced  him  to  give  an  en- 
core in  the  way  of  “The  World  Is  Waiting  for 
the  Sunrise,”  and  for  the  type  of  playing  Sara 
does  it  was  not  a bad  job,  and  this  also  received 
a well  round  of  applause.  Judging  from  the 
amount  of  reception  this  leader  received  it  is 
evident  that  he  is  becoming  popular  at  this  house 
and  he  should  for  the  boy  has  clever  ideas  if  he 
were  allowed  to  make  use  of  them.  The  stage 
show  was  closed  with  another  band  arrangement 
of  “Wherever  You  Go”  with  several  specialties 
and  with  talent  assembled  on  stage  for  finale. 

Observation:  It  is  now  approximately  six  weeks 
since  this  leader  and  policy  went  into  effect  here 
and  unless  changes  are  made  while  we  are  going 
to  press  it  looks  like  the  management  may  stick 
to  it  after  all.  (If  they  are  wise,  they  should 
stick  to  it.) 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  July  3 

Verne  Buck's  stage  show  was  called  “Artists 
Gambols”  with  a host  of  players  featuring  the 
McCune  Sisters.  The  exercises  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  representing  ar- 
tist studio  with  Verne  Buck  doing  one  of  his 
nifty  violin  solos  offering  a classical  number 
which  started  the  show  off  to  good  speed.  The 
band  followed  with  a hot  arrangement  of  “Mag- 
nolia” and  these  boys  played  like  nobody  can. 
The  Three  Ryans  were  next  announced  and  the 
offering  consisted  of  two  boys  in  a tap  routine 
with  patched  costumes  and  studded  gloves.  The 
third  member  of  the  act  was  a young  lady  who 
sang  “Running  Wild”  as  the  boys  danced  after 
which  the  trio  did  a soft  shoe  routine  for  a 
closing  number.  This  turn  is  intermingled  with 
a lot  of  comedy  gags  and  unique  comedy  cos- 
tumes which  assist  them  in  putting  over  their 
offering. 

Frank  Wilson  sang  “I’d  Walk  a Million  Miles” 
and  as  it  was  stated  before  this  audience  always 
goes  for  Frank.  Here  is  a chap  that  deserves 
watching  or  else  somebody  will  tempt  him  away 
with  an  interesting  offer  to  do  a single. 

Elsie  Travers,  a new  face  in  presentation,  fol- 
lows with  an  acrobatic  routine  of  dancing  offer- 
ing some  very  intricate  steps  and  finishing  off 
with  a Spanish  costume  in  typical  latin  type  with 
the  use  of  a shawl.  Her  high  kicking  won  her 
an  encore. 

Harry  Hume,  who  was  reported  in  these  col- 
umns before,  repeated  his  offering  to  a good  re- 
ception. Harry  as  usual  sang  “Wiolets,”  the 
new  comedy  number  which  is  slowly  coming  to 
the  front.  He  was  followed  by  a band  arrange- 
ment of  “Just  Like  a Butterfly”  with  Verne  join- 
ing on  the  chorus  with  a violin  solo  as  stage 
lights  grow  dim  and  background  displays  a clever 
floating  cloud  effect.  This  is  followed  by  the 
trio  consisting  of  Griswold,  Wilson  and  Buck  in 
a usual  harmony  selection.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  boys  again  stopped  the  show  in  fact 
this  specialty  is  one  of  the  weekly  features  and 
it  is  as  much  a part  of  the  show  as  Verne  is  the 
reason  for  the  splendid  business  at  this  house. 

Jack  Housh,  a man  of  splendid  tenor  voice, 
makes  his  appearance  and  displays  his  volume 
with  the  “Russian  Lullaby”  and  “Cherie.”  Wheth- 
er this  man  has  appeared  in  presentation  before 
or  whether  he  has  not,  someone  has  been  over- 
looking a great  bet  for  he  has  the  voice,  the 
personality  and  the  knack  that  goes  to  make 
this  style  of  singing  popular  in  picture  houses. 
Mossberg  and  Sulton,  the  band’s  pianist,  do  a 
duet  number  called,  “Dog  On  the  Piano,”  a very 
difficult  piece  to  play  which  they  do  in  a very 
easy  manner,  scoring  such  a hit  that  they  are  com- 
pelled to  play  “Pyramyths,”  another  difficult  num- 
ber which  they  rattle  off  on  the  ivory  as  easy  as 
eating  pie,  joined  by  the  orchestra  in  the  finale. 

The  McCune  Sisters  were  next  introduced  and 
as  these  girls  have  been  reported  so  many  times 
before  all  we  can  say  is  they  were  again  the 
favorites  they  always  have  been  and  the  audience 
showed  their  appreciation  once  more.  Their  new 
“Lindbergh  Stump”  created  a riot  which  stopped 
the  show,  not  an  unusual  thing  for  them  to  do. 

A clever  arrangement  of  “South  Wind”  was 
next  played  by  the  boys  as  Verne  Buck  sings  for 
the  first  time  since  appearing  on  this  stage. 
One  has  to  witness  Verne  Buck’s  show  weekly  to 
really  appreciate  the  versatility  of  this  clever 
chap. 

Finale:  The  entire  cast  assembled  on  the  stage 
in  a fast  dance  routine  as  Buck’s  trio  sang  the 
same  number  to  the  band’s  tune. 


HAL  SIDARE 

SENSATIONAL  ECCENTRIC  DANCER 


Now  Playing  Deluxe  Picture  Houses  in  the  East. 

Just  Completed  a Successful  Engagement  at  the  MARK  STRAND, 
BROOKLYN.  Direction — ARTHUR  SPIZZI. 


FRANK  HAMILTON 

‘‘Y-Y-You  T-T-Tell  ’Em  I-I-I  S-S-Stutter  too  Much” 
NOW  PLAYING  DE  LUXE  PICTURE  HOUSES 
If  You  Need  Comedy — I Have  It 


MAXINE  HAMILTON 

IN  A CLASS  BY  HERSELF 

THE  LITTLE  BLUES  SYNCOPATRESS  WHO 
ALSO  DANCES  HER  WAY  INTO  YOUR  HEARTS 

NOW  TOURING  PUBLIX  THEATRES 

This  week  at  Pueblo,  Colo.  Next  week  at  the  Wisconsin  Theatre,  Milwaukee. 
Direction — Phil  Tyrrell  and  Max  Turner 


Not  Neiv! — Only  Five  Years  Old! 

JACK  born  and  LAWRENCE 

“KOMEDY  KAPERS” 

Just  completed  a tour  of  Great  States  Theatres.  Opening  in  first  Stagehand 
Show  at  the  Wisconsin  Theatre,  Milwaukee,  This  Week.  Playing  Return 
Engagement  over  B & K and  L & T houses  starting  July  25th. 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


July  9,  1927 

Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  July  2 

Charles  Kaley  offered  the  “Spirit  of  St.  Louis,” 
the  same  show  that  appeared  at  the  Marbro  last 
week  with  Brooks  and  Powers  as  the  feature  at- 
traction added  to  the  presentation.  The  number 
appeared  as  follows: 

Shelton  Brooks,  the  well  known  colored  song 
writer  of  "Some  of  These  Days,”  “Darktown’a 
Strutter’s  Ball”  and  several  other  tunes  in  the 
days  of  yore,  assisted  by  his  partner  Ollie  Brooks, 
who  sang  “If  I Cry  You’ll  Never  Know.”  “Some 
of  these  Days”  and  several  other  numbers,  that 
they  were  compelled  to  sing  for  encores.  Brooks, 
who  is  a hound  at  the  piano  as  well  as  a song 
writer,  rattled  off  these  tunes  so  tempting  that 
some  of  the  audience  were  even  dancing  in  their 
seats.  No  doubt  these  boys  will  be  seen  in  other 
presentation  houses  for  their  riopularity  as  well 
as  their  entertainment  value,  is  well  worth  the 
admission  price  to  see. 

Charles  Kaley  sang  a new  number  this  week 
called  “Baby  Feet”  which  he  put  over  in  great 
style  assisted  by  the  orchestra  in  a very  clever 
arrangement  of  same. 

Broadway  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  3 

The  above  house,  originally  built  as  a neighbor- 
hood picture  theatre,  is  owned  and  controlled  by 
Marks  Brothers,  one  of  the  leading  independent 
theatre  owners  in  Chicago,  For  the  last  six 
months  this  house  has  been  doing  exceptional 
good  business  with  stage  band  show  policy  fea- 
turing A1  Copeland  and  his  musical  boys.  An 
aggregation  of  six  men  including  the  leader.  Be- 
low is  a report  of  one  of  the  many  stage  offerings 
that  this  organization  gives  to  its  people. 

A1  Copeland  and  his  boys  opening  with  a ven: 
catchy  arrangement  of  the  “Whisper  Song”  played 
in  real  hot  tune  style  with  A1  Copeland  tickling 
the  ivories  besides  leading  his  band.  “Fred,” 
the  violinist,  assisted  by  “Al”  in  a duet  offering 
of  “O  Sole  Mio”  assisted  by  the  cornet  player 
in  a weeping  style.  The  next  specialty  on  the 
bill  was  Stevens  and  Osman,  man  and  girl  who 
offered  harmony,  singing  and  talking  in  typical 
vaudeville  style,  using  several  special  numbers. 
'The  girl  possessing  an  unusual  good  voice  for  a 
blues  singer.  'The  entire  routine  was  well  per- 
formed and  received  its  due  appreciation.  Another 
band  number  followed  called  “Mapleleaf  Rag,” 
and  these  boys  sure  ragged  it.  This  number  also 
concluded  the  stage  performance  which  lasted 
about  thirty  minutes. 

Observation:  The  theatre,  located  at  Roosevelt 
and  Paulina,  seats  about  1,500  people  and  has  a 
stage  only  10  feet  deep,  limiting  many  original 
settings  and  also  a large  cast  of  talent.  How- 
ever, the  public  seemed  to  enjoy  the  entertain- 
ment and  look  forward  to  the  new  bills  every 
other  day. 

Chicago  Alamo 

Week  Ending  July  3 

Among  the  many  small  Chicago  picture  houses 
who  have  gone  into  presentation  policy  lately  is 
also  the  above  theatre  with  a seating  capacity  of 
about  1,500  located  on  Monticello  and  Chicago 
avenues.  The  stage  entertainment  which  is  run- 
ning in  a semi-vaudeville  presentation  style  takes 
place  every  Saturday  and  Sunday  with  musical 
specialties  during  the  week  played  by  Paul  Zimm 
and  his  band.  One  of  the  programs  ran  as  fol- 
lows : 

Overture  in  the  pit  played  by  Paul  Zimm  and 
his  boys  featuring  “Whtf’  from  the  show  “Sunny.” 
Zimm  opens  with  a violin  solo  of  the  number 
playing  it  as  Fritz  Kreisler  would,  later  assisted 
by  the  drummer  on  the  marimba  doing  the  same 
number  a la  Signor  Frisco.  During  these  solos 
slides  are  flashed  on  the  screen  announcing  the 
players  and  naming  the  famed  musician  that  each 
would  interpret. 

Ramon  Beery,  the  featured  organist  at  this 
house,  played  the  same  number  with  Zimm  this 
time  playing  the  saxophone  as  Rudy  Weidoeft 
would  play  it  while  Beery  accompanied  him  on 
the  organ  a la  Jesse  Crawford.  For  the  last 
chorus  of  this  number  the  entire  orchestra,  com- 
posed of  six  men  including  the  leader,  played  and 
hummed  the  number  in  typical  Waring’s  Penn- 
sylvanians style,  finishing  up  with  their  own  in- 
terpretation of  the  song.  Ramon  Beery  also  of- 
fered “Lesson  Number  Two”  for  his  school  class, 
an  idea  which  he  uses  each  week  as  a community 
singing  organ  solo.  This  seems  to  amuse  and  the 
novelty  keeps  them  in  to  the  finish. 

Providence  Emery 

Week  Ending  July  2 

The  theatre  closed  Saturday  for  the  summer  and 
will  reopen  the  latter  part  of  August.  It  is 


planned  to  continue  the  policy  of  a feature  and 
a stage  presentation  with  the  reopening  of  the 
house. 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  3 

This  was  a semi-cIassical  week  at  the  Chicago 
and  no  one  seemed  to  mind  it  a bit.  In  fact,  the 
hand  given  Roy  Cropper  was  anything  but  re- 
strained. 

The  night  started  off  with  a "Southern  Fan- 
tasy” arranged  by  H.  Leopold  Spitalney,  one  of 
the  aces  of  the  orchestra  pit.  His  arrangement 
of  Southern  melodies  was  appetizing  and  soothing. 

“Old  Heidelberg,”  with  melodies  from  “The 
Student  Prince,”  brought  down  the  house.  Roy 
Cropper,  the  tenor,  has  a Chicago  audience,  and 
shoulr  have  an  audience  wherever  he  might  go. 
He  has  a clear  tenor  voice  and  in  the  tunes  of 
Elinor  Glyn,  “it.” 

We  add  here  that  the  organ  accompaniment  to 
the  picture,  “Man  Power,”  was  “This  Is  My 
Lucky  Day,”  and  a better  selection  could  not 
have  been  chosen. 

We  liked  Henry  Murtagh’s  organ  solo.  The 
fact  that  he  has  clicked  is  apparent.  If  possible 
he  is  doing  work  superior  to  that  which  he  did 
at  the  Rivoli  in  New  York.  I am  sure  that  it 
was  the  Rivoli  or  Broadway  where  we  last  heard 
him.  He  has  a personality  which  he  mixes  with 
good  technique  on  the  console. 

Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  3 

You  might  recall  the  days  of  the  armistice  if 
you  had  attended  the  Oriental  this  past  week. 
“Jazz  Fireworks,”  the  creation  of  Ash  and  Mc- 
Dermott, was  alive  with  song,  dance  and 
patriotism.  It  was  a full  show  that  gave  everyone 
his  money’s  worth. 

The  show  opened  with  Paul  Ash’s  gang  dressed 
in  orange  costumes  designed  along  the  style  of 
the  fun-makers  in  Ringling  Bros,  and  Barnum’s 
and  Bailey’s. 

After  a lively  time  the  Oriental’s  favorite. 
Milton  Watson,  came  to  the  front  and  was  forced 
to  take  at  least  four  encores. 

(NOTE:  If  the  Oriental  would  issue  programs 


we  could  give  you  the  program  in  sequence  with 
the  musical  numbers — ^but  the  Oriental  does  not 
issue  programs.) 

Ash  maintains  a hold  on  the  audience  that  is 
phenomenal.  Mere  mention  of  his  name  on  the 
screen  is  the  occasion  for  applause. 

The  Strand  Twins  are  clever  with  their  feet. 
Here  are  two  boys  that  take  down  the  house. 
Their  acrobatics  are  worth  the  spot  any  old  time. 
Encores?  You  count  ’em. 

Paul  Small  and  Billy  Meyer  take  to  popular 
airs  like  ducks  do  to  water.  Two  more  favorites 
with  the  Oriental  crowd. 

In  the  way  of  eccentric  and  acrobatic  dancing 
the  bill  was  amply  provided.  Peanuts  and  Pop- 
corn are  two  girls  that  know  their  steps.  The 
two  might  have  rest  periods  were  it  not  for  the 
encores. 

The  second  part  of  the  bill  brought  Paul  and 
his  gang  out  in  khaki.  Watson  sang  the  inter- 
ludes with  others  of  the  cast  presenting  war 
episodes  on  a raised  stage  back  of  the  orchestra. 
'This  was  an  effective  bit  that  set  well  with  the 
audience. 

Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  July  2 

The  Stanley  Symphony  Orchestra  presented  the 
overture  “Orpheus”  by  Offenbach  to  great  ap- 
plause. 

Bert  Rome  and  Henry  Dunn  contributed  two 
numbers,  “Whose  Oozy  Woozy  Is  Oo?”  and 
“What  Does  It  Matter,”  which  made  such  a hit 
that  the  audience  demanded  an  encore.  'The  two 
then  entered  into  competition  with  the  orchestra 
to  see  which  could  make  the  greatest  volume  of 
sound.  The  boys  won  and  the  audience  was  en- 
thiuiiastic  about  it. 

Antonio  and  Nina  De  Marco  are  delightful  ex- 
ponents of  artistic  and  graceful  dancing.  Their 
Sheik  Orchestra  of  stringed  instruments  added 
greatly  to  the  effectiveness  of  the  act  and  enter- 
tained successfully  between  dances.  In  the  first 
dance  Nina  wore  a fringed  skirt  which  swirled 
with  every  graceful  movement  of  her  body.  While 
the  Sheiks  played  popular  airs  she  changed  to  a 
charming  rose  costume  and  the  act  ended  in  a 
breath-taking  spin  with  Nina  on  Antonio’s 
shoulders. 


CHAZ  CHASE 

“The  Unique  International  Comic” 

Just  Finished  a Tour  of  BATABAN  & KATZ.  Now  Appearing  in 
LUBLINER  & TKINZ  THEATRES.  Featured  tliis  week  with 
MARK  FISHER  at  tlie  Harding  Theatre,  Cliicago,  in 
“CIRCUS  HTSEK” 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency — Thanks  to 
Al  Melnick 


“JAZZ-LIPS”  RICHARDSON 

The  Most  Talked  of  Eccentric  Dancer  in  Chicago 
After  Having  Played  All  Chicago  Deluxe  Picture  Houses  Three  Times  am  now 

making  Fourth  Tour. 

This  Week  at  the  Capitol,  Chicago. 

Address  care  SUNSET  CAFE,  CHICAGO 


DARLING  TWINS 

(The  Pocket  Eldition) 

Now  Touring  PUBLIX 
'THEATRES 

Tills  week  at  the  Howard, 

Atlanta,  Chattanooga  and 
Knoxville  to  follow. 

Still  Sailing  Along  on  (he  Wave  of  Success 
Direction  of  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell.  Wm.  Morris,  Chicago  Office 


MARKELL  and  FAUN 

**Pantomimic  Mirth** 

JNow  at  the  Capitol,  Des  Moines,  with  full  Western  Publix  Tour  to  follow 
in  new  Stagehand  Unit  Policy 
Many  thanks  to  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL 
P.  S. — George  Riley  is  now  master  of  ceremonies  at  State  Theatre,  Detroit 


Formerly  featured  in 
ZIEGFELD  FOLLIES 
and  DILLINGHAM 
PRODUCTIONS 


They  Look  Alike — Work 
Alike  And  How!!! 
Now  Being  Featured  In 
Presentations 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  July  2 

The  glowing:  setting  of  a tropical  paradise  was 
arranged  on  the  stage  this  week  for  “Ukelele 
Isle,”  headlining  George  Riley  as  master  of  cere- 
monies. 

Opening:  “Aloha,”  with  the  playboy  band  do- 
ing it  under  Walter  Bastian’s  leadership,  ran  into 
Riley’s  pleasing  vocal  effort,  “It’s  a Million  to 
One.”  The  next  number  listed  a unified  hula 
dance  in  which  the  Six  Tivoli  Girls  scored  fairly 
well.  Gilbert  and  Wimp  were  then  called  out  by 
Riley,  who  has  a knack  of  getting  the  entertain- 
ers on  at  the  right  moment,  to  give  a ukelele 
and  song  duet  of  “Russian  Lullaby.”  Their  an- 
tics seemed  to  satisfy  a fair  majority  of  the 
audience  and  an  encore  followed.  When  they 
signed  off,  Raymond  Wilbert  entered  with  a set 
of  golf  clubs  and  some  amusing  patter.  Frank 
McConvUle  performed  his  sax  solo,  eccentric  and 
Chaplin  stunt. 

Boston  State 

Week  Ending  July  2 

Phil  Spitalny  continues  as  the  stage  attraction 
with  his  group  of  musicians.  This  week  Spitalny, 
in  addition  to  a sijecially  arranged  group  of  num- 
bers, presents  his  protege,  Steve  Weniger,  tenor, 
and  Johnny  Dove,  fast  stepping  dancer  and  skater. 

“The  Taxi  Dancer”  was  the  film. 

St.  Louis  Loew  State 

Week  Ending  July  1 

On  the  stage  of  Loew’s  State  theatre  the  week 
ending  on  July  1 the  Cornell  Collegians,  a band 
combination,  in  conjunction  with  the  Loew’s  State 
Bathing  Beauties  was  the  headline  attraction. 

Don  Albert  also  prepared  three  divertissments 
for  the  week.  The  first  was  the  playing  of  Fritz 
Kriesler’s  “Caprice  Viennois”  by  David  Jacobs,  a 
pupil  of  Vincente  Windy.  The  second  was  Paul 
Lincke’s  “The  Glow  Worm”  interpreted  by  Al- 
bert’s Band  and  Loew’s  Ballet.  The  third  was  the 
ballet  music,  “The  Dance  of  the  Hours.”  from 
Ponchielli’s  “La  Gioconda,”  also  interpreted  by 
Don  Albert  and  his  men  and  the  chorus  girls. 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  July  1 

The  principal  stage  show  for  the  week  was 
called  “Brooke  Johns’  Birthday  Party”  in  honor 
of  the  birthday  of  Brooke  Johns,  who  has  charge 
of  the  musical  shows  for  the  Grand  Boulevard 
house,  and  Johns  was  very  lavish  in  his  treat  for 
the  occasion. 

For  the  overture  Leonid  Leonard!  offered  “Gems 
From  Carmen.” 

Milton  Slosser  at  the  organ  played  “Way  Back 
When,”  bringing  back  some  semd-popular  and  rag- 
time melodies,  including  “Kiss  Me  Again,” 
“That’s  What  I Think  of  You,”  and  “Meet  Me 
Tonight  in  Dreamland.” 

In  his  birthday  party.  Brooke  Johns  trotted 
forth  his  usually  jazzy  collection  of  entertainers. 
As  an  added  attraction  each  chorus  girl  was  per- 
mitted to  kiss  Johns  in  honor  of  his  birthday. 
Arthur  Nealy  sang  “At  Sundown”  very  pleasingly. 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  July  1 

Borrah  Minevitch,  late  star  with  Ziegfeld  Fol- 
lies and  “Sunny,”  and  his  world  famous  har- 
monica band  was  the  big  stage  offering  of  the 
week.  Arthur  Klulh,  the  boy  tenor,  also  added 
to  the  show,  while  Bailey  and  Barnum,  late  of 
the  Greenwich  Village  Follies;  Bert  Darrell,  eccen- 
tric dancer;  Harold  and  Roth,  whirlwind  steppers, 
and  the  Ten  Ambassador  Rockets  were  also  fea- 
tured. 

Dave  Silverman  led  his  orchestra  in  playing 
“The  Forge  in  the  Forest.” 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  played  a series  of 
ix)pular  numbers. 

St.  Louis  Grand  Central 

Week  Ending  July  1 

Paul  Sporleder  and  his  band  offered  “Till  We 
Meet  Again”  during  the  week.  It  probably  marked 
the  last  time  the  band  will  appear  in  the  Grand 
Central  as  the  house  is  to  be  converted  into  a 
big  run  theatre,  playing  super-special  films  ex- 
clusively. 


Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  July  1 

Something  different  from  week  to  week  seems 
to  be  one  of  the  aspirations  of  the  planners  of 
Publix  stage  shows.  This  has  been  achieved  in 
“Away  Down  South,”  the  entertainment  for  last 
week.  Mammy  songs.  Southern  belles,  sunny  gar- 
dens and  riverboats  comprised  the  settings  for  the 
show.  There  was  good  singing  and  good  dancing. 

Mammy  Jinny  provided  many  of  the  Southern 
songs,  while  Russell  and  Aero  in  novelty  danc- 
ing, the  novelty  Blue  Blowers  and  a chorus  of 
girls  added  to  the  entertainment. 

The  second  part  of  the  evening’s  performance 
was  taken  by  Sissle  and  Blake.  Piano  playing, 
singing  and  dramatic  singing-reading— they  were 
equally  good  in  all. 

Boyd  Senter,  Omaha  boy,  who  has  been  out 
in  the  world  and  earned  himself  a name  as  an 
entertainer,  is  back  in  town  and  has  signed  up 
for  a series  of  programs  at  the  Riviera  in  con- 
junction with  the  New  Idea  Publix  stage  shows. 
With  Senter  will  be  a musical  organization  of  16 
players  to  be  called  the  Riviera  Jazz  Jesters. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  July  1 

Walter  Davison  and  his  Louisville  Loons,  with 
Harlan  Christie  were  the  feature  of  the  stage  pr*.- 
gram  at  the  Mainstreet  this  week,  the  “Loons” 
featuring  as  the  orchestra  for  all  acts,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  usual  Mainstreet  policy. 

George  Hunter  did  hie  act  as  ‘“rhe  Prince  of 
Jesters,”  while  Margureite  Ball  was  billed  as  the 
“Terpsichorean  Streak.”  Hearst  Brothers,  prote- 
ges of  Gus  Edwards,  had  a novelty  song  and 
dance  act,  while  George  Dewey  Washington  played 
a return  engagement  by  jmpular  request. 

Taylor  & Lake  have  a singing  act  and  Eddie 
Mathews  is  billed  as  the  “It”  dancer. 

’The  “Loons”  rendered  a selection  of  popular 
songs  as  the  overture. 

Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  July  1 

“The  Sampler,”  a Publix  presentation,  was  of- 
fered at  the  Newman  this  week.  It  is  a fast 
moving  presentation  depicting  the  human  desire 
to  sample  the  kisses  and  beauty  of  others.  A1 
and  Gussie  Blum  are  featured  in  the  cast,  along 
with  Simone  Andre,  the  Neal  Sisters,  Warren  and 
Franc  Lassiter  and  Billy  Smith, 

The  Newman  Concert  Orchestra,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Sigmund  Boguslawski,  rendered  a well 
selected  group  of  numbers  as  the  overture. 

Ken  Widenor,  organ  soloist,  again  induces  the 
audience  to  join  him  in  his  original  “stunts”  and 
musical  numbers  arranged  in  connection  with 
slides.  This  week  marked  a reduction  in  prices 
from  50  to  25  cents  at  the  Newman  until  after 
6 o’clock  in  the  evening. 

Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  2 

The  “new  idea”  show  for  the  Publix  stage  act 
was  introduced  at  the  Capitol  this  week  when 
Jimmie  Ellard  and  his  jazz  orchestra  put  on  an 
hour’s  entertainment. 

Herbert  Koch,  organist,  joined  in  with  the  or- 
gan as  the  curtain  arose.  ’The  feature  picture 
was  “Framed.” 

A big  parade  with  a tieup  with  automobile 
dealers  introduced  Jimmy  Ellard,  new  jazz  or- 
chestra leader  at  the  Capitol,  to  Des  Moines,  just 
before  the  first  appearance  of  that  group  June  25. 

Des  Moines  Des  Moines 

Week  Ending  July  2 

Vergne  Ford  at  the  organ  played,  “Gloomy 
Bill,”  a novelty  song  hit.  Pathc  News  was  es- 
pecially interesting.  Monte  Banks  in  “Horse- 
shoes,” was  presented.  Hope  Emerson,  local 
young  woman,  sang  comedy  songs.  The  feature 
was  “Monte  Cristo.” 

Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  2 

A special  celebration  week  was  held  in  honor 
of  Charley  Jolley,  the  popular  Kunsky  tenor  who 
has  been  actively  engaged  at  this  theatre  for  the 
past  year  and  a half.  The  main  offering  was 
Jolley’s  solo  of  “Eli-Eli,”  and  you  should  hear 
him.  Charles  Irwin  continued  a second  week  do- 
ing more  clever  supervisory  work.  Others  billed 
were:  The  Three  Gibson  Girls,  vocalists;  an 

Ernie  Young  group  of  girls  in  uniform  dances; 
Dufor  Boys,  dancers;  and  Arthur  Graham,  pian- 
ist. In  addition,  Russ  Morgan’s  orchestral  ar- 
rangement of  “The  Doll  Dance”  was  featured. 


SUNSHINE  SAMMY 

Star  of  ‘‘OUR  GANG”  Comedies 
in  SONG  and  DANCE 

Like  ‘‘OUR  GANG”  comedy  films  brought  them  into  your 
theatre  SUNSHINE  SAMMY  will  bring  the  DOLLARS  rolling 
into  your  box-office. 


One  of  the  BIGGEIST  ‘‘Little  Star”  attractions  ever  offered 

COMBINATION  THEATRES. 


He  has  broken  Box-Office  Records  all  over  the  ORPHEUM 
CIRCUIT  and  will  do  the  same  for  YOU. 


BOOKINGS  under  direction  of  EZ  KEOUGH,  Woods  Theatre 
Bldg.,  CHICAGO. 


JELLY  BEAN  JOHNSON 

(The  Lightning  Streak  of  Darkness) 

Now  Playing  DeLuxe  Picture  Houses  Throughout  the  West  Coast. 

Featured  in  FANCHON  and  MARCO  Presentations 
Booked  Solid  until  November  First 


LEW  KEENE 

(Tap  and  Acrobatic  Dancer) 

Have  enjoyed  my  stay  in  PRESENTATION.  Will  soon  repeat  All  Balaban  and 
Katz  Chicago  houses  starting  with  Bennie  Krueger  at  the  UPTOWN  theatre  as 

FEATURED  DANCER. 

Courtesy  of  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL  of  the  WILLIAM  MORRIS 

AGENCY. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


CHICAGO  NOW 


ITH  the  opening  of  a Publix  stagehand  unit 
tour  out  of  Chicago  the  new  policy  went  into 
effect  in  two  more  theatres  this  week,  the  Capitol 
Des  Moines  and  the  Wisconsin  Milwaukee.  . . . 
speaking  of  stagehand  shows  and  leaders  two 
more  popular  boys  make  their  appearance  this 
week  as  stagehand  leaders,  they  are  A1  Morey, 
formerly  of  the  Aragon  ballroom  and  Wheeler 
Wadsworth  well  known  in  vaudeville.  . . . Gypsy 
Lenora  recently  featured  in  Will  Higgie’s  revue 
is  now  filling  an  engagement  at  the  Morrison 
Hotel  in  the  new  Terrace  Gardens  show.  . . . 
Herbert  Rawlinson  former  screen  star  now  play- 
ing a tour  of  picture  houses  for  Publix  is  the 
star  presentation  artist  at  the  Senate  this  week. 
Dean  Fossler  who  took  Henry  B.  Murtagh’s  place 
at  the  Chicago  theatre  organ  while  the  latter 
wan  vacationing,  has  replaced  Chauncey  Haines 
at  the  Norshore  as  featured  organist,  . . . 

another  vaudeville  headliner  to  do  a turn  in  pic- 
ture houses  is  Billy  Glason  who  is  being  featured 
this  week  at  the  Uptown  in  Bennie  Krueger’s 
new  show.  . . . Lydia  Harris  shares  the  head- 
line honors  at  the  Oriental  this  week  with  Milton 
Watson.  . . . Karyl  Norman  the  creole  fashion 
plate  returned  to  vaudeville  this  week  in  a new 
offering  which  he  features  at  the  Palace.  . . . 
Jack  Osterman  was  held  over  by  Marks  Bros,  to 
play  a return  engagement  over  their  theatres.  . . . 
Norman  Stepp  stagehand  leader  of  the  Embassy 
closes  a six  months  engagement  at  this  house 
next  week.  . . . Lucille  Middleton  is  now  play- 
ing deluxe  picture  houses  out  of  town  and  ap- 
pears in  Wichita  this  week  at  Millers.  . . . Sym- 
phonic Hawley  formerly  with  Lubliner  and  Trinz 
as  a featured  organist  is  now  soloist  at  the 
Broadway.  Portland,  Ore.  . . . George  Givot  is 
still  going  strong  throughout  the  West  Coast  as 
a Fanchon  and  Marco  star.  . . . Eddie  Peabody 
for  two  years  band  leader  in  the  Publix  house 
at  Los  Angeles  is  now  directing  the  presentation 
shows  in  Seattle  at  the  Fifth  Avenue.  . . . the 
Premier  Trio  consisting  of  Louise  Nelson  and 
the  Lett  Sisters  are  being  featured  at  the  Liberty 
in  Zanesville,  Ohio,  this  week  a picture  theatre 
that  recently  went  into  presentation.  . . . George 
Dewey  Washington  is  back  in  town  and  repeats 
the  Balaban  and  Katz  theatres  starting  this  week. 

. . . Johnnie  Devine  just  returned  from  his  vaca- 
tion and  is  back  at  hie  organ  at  the  Patio  thea- 
tre. . . . Asher  B.  Samuels,  formerly  orchestra 
manager  for  the  Irving  Berlin  Music  Co.,  is  now 
Western  representative  for  J.  W.  Jenkins  Sons 
Music  Co.,  with  offices  in  the  Woods  theatre 
bldg.  . . . Orville  Rennie  is  in  presentation  again 
touring  deluxe  houses  throughout  the  East.  . . . 
Eddie  Mathews  well  known  dancer  and  ballet 
master  is  booked  to  appear  as  a featured  artist 
in  the  new  presentation  show  at  Miller’s  theatre 
Wichita  next  week.  . . . George  A.  Johnson  who 
opened  the  Riviera  theatre  Omaha  as  solo  organ- 
ist is  still  enjoying  his  stay  at  this  new  Publix 
house.  . . . Clark  Fiers  the  boy  organist  fea- 
tured at  Commerford’s  West  Side  theatre  in 
Scranton,  Pa.,  sends  us  word  that  he  shall  be  a 
visitor  next  month.  . . . Margaret  Felch  well 
known  picture  house  booker  was  the  i>ereonal 
guest  of  Ace  Berry,  managing  director  of  the 
new  Indiana  theatre  which  just  opened  as  a 
Publix  house  to  carry  stagehand  shows.  . . . 
Hillbert  Stewart  is  one  of  the  featured  organists 
at  Ascher’s  Metropolitan  theatre.  . . . Markell  and 
Faun  were  among  the  first  lot  to  be  cast  in  the 
new  Publix  stagehand  unite,  being  featured  in 
the  first  unit  that  opened  last  week  in  Dee  Moines. 

. . . Eddie  Perry  stagehand  leader  of  the  Metro- 
politan theatre  in  Houston.  Texas,  sends  in  word 
that  business  at  that  house  has  increased  over 
75  per  cent  since  the  new  policy  of  presentation 
went  into  effect  there.  . . . the  Great  States 
Theatres  a subsidary  of  Balaban  and  Katz  and 
also  affiliated  with  Publix  announces  a stagehand 
show  policy  in  three  of  their  theatres,  namely 
the  Palace  Peoria,  Orpheum  Galesburg,  and  the 
Washington  Quincy  all  in  the  state  of  Illinois. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


MerofF  Reopening  Act 

Benny  Meroff,  the  popular  stage  band  leader 
for  Marks  Brothers  who  is  now  alternating  with 
Charles  Kaley  at  the  Granada  and  Marbro  thea- 
tres, Chicago,  reopens  his  original  “High-Hatters” 
stage  show  which  he  offered  a few  seasons  ago 
over  the  Orpheum  Circuit.  This  presentation  fea- 
tures Jack  Osterman,  who  is  now  playing  his 
second  return  engagement  for  Marks  Brothers. 
Commencing  with  this  show  all  stage  shows  will 
open  at  the  Granada  and  appear  a week  later 
intact  at  the  Marbro. 


Roxy^s  Chief  Organist 
Plays  for  Show  Without 
Aid  of  the  Orchestra 

What  is  believed  to  be  a precedent  was  Lew 
White’s  playing  of  the  entire  second  stage  show 
last  week  at  the  Roxy  theatre.  Be  it  known 
that  Lew  is  Roxy’s  chief  organist,  and  as  such 
his  ability,  in  this  one  instance  alone  permitted 
the  withdrawal  of  a symphony  orchestra  for  the 
day’s  second  show,  an  orchestra  numbering  one 
hundred  pieces.  The  accomplishment  can  be  more 
readily  appreciated  when  it  is  disclosed  that  the 
stage  and  its  performers  can  not  be  seen  when 
the  organ  is  down  in  the  pit,  where  it  was  dur- 
ing these  shows,  necessitating  of  course,  the  con- 
ductor remaining  in  his  stand,  on  a semi-elevated 
pit  to  conduct,  and  keep  the  beat  and  rhythm 
contact  between  organ  and  stage. 

With  the  orchestra  pit  deserted  it  resembled 
somewhat  of  a phantom  orchestra,  the  music,  with 
full  orchestral  effect,  coming  from  somewhere,  but 
nowhere  in  sight.  Yet  the  director  was  there, 
and  many  instruments  were  in  sight.  Numbers 
on  the  stage  included  one  full  ballet  corps  for  a 
fast  and  merry  routine,  another,  slow,  classical 
and  interpretive  one.  Accompanying  of  a spec- 
tacle, using  eighty  i)eople,  in  choral  effect,  and 
still  another  for  duet.  Only  a master  of  the 
mighty  pipes  would  or  could  accept  the  responsi- 
bility on  occasions  like  this,  and  draw  the  praise 
and  comment  that  Lew  did  following  these  per- 
formances. Combined  time  of  these  stage  num- 
bers was  a little  over  a half  hour. 


Rommell  Travels  East 

Rox  Rommell,  formerly  musical  leader  of  Mil- 
waukee, is  now  filling  the  same  capacity  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  as  orchestra  director  of  independent 
picture  houses.  Rommell  is  a well  known  char- 
acter in  the  music  field  having  been  in  the  busi- 
ness for  a great  many  years.  Orville  Rennie,  well 
known  tenor  of  musical  comedy  and  presentation 
theatres  who  formerly  sang  in  the  same  theatre 
that  Rommell  directed  an  orchestra  for  in  Mil- 
waukee, is  now  making  his  appearance  for  the 
third  time  with  Rommell  in  Washington  in  the 
same  theatre. 


Manning  Back  in  Pit 

A1  Manning,  band  leader  of  the  Atlantic  thea- 
tre, Chicago,  now  in  his  third  month  run  at  this 
theatre  returns  to  the  orchestra  pit  this  week 
until  early  August  when  he  shall  resume  stage 
bandshows  again.  The  Atlantic  is  a small  neigh- 
borhood picture  theatre  owned  by  Schoenstadt  & 
Sons,  and  during  the  summer  runs  a split  week 
policy  of  pictures  and  vaudeville  with  presenta- 
tion and  pictiures  every  other  day  for  the  balance 
of  the  year.  Husk  O’Hare  was  formerly  the 
leader  at  this  theatre  before  Manning  joined 
the  organization. 


Stroud  at  American 

Charles  H.  Stroud,  leader  and  violinist  of  the 
American  theatre,  Chicago,  a Junior  Orpheum 
house,  playing  five  acts  of  vaudeville  on  a split 
week  policy  basis,  formerly  held  the  same  posi- 
tion with  Lubliner  & Trinz.  Stroud  is  one  of  the 
best  liked  leaders  by  artists  performing  in  his 
theatre  for  the  liberal  patience  he  takes  in  re- 
hearsing their  music  on  opening  day.  He  also 
is  noted  for  many  musical  compositions  and  or- 
chestral scores  played  at  this  house  during  the 
run  of  features  of  which  he  also  arranges. 


Rawlinson  at  Senate 

Herbert  Rawlinson,  motion  picture  star,  just 
completed  a tour  of  the  Balaban  & Katz  Chicago 
theatres  and  makes  his  appearance  this  week  at 
the  Senate  theatre,  Chicago,  a Lubliner  & Trinz 
house.  Rawlinson,  with  his  stories  of  screen  life, 
also  performs  ceremonial  duties  for  the  balance  of 
stage  offerings.  It  is  likely  that  the  screen  star 
will  make  a complete  tour  of  Publix  theatres  in 
a similar  capacity  after  playing  the  Chicago 
houses. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Joseph  Alexander  (Chicago  Piccadilly),  for  the 
first  time  since  this  organist  has  become  feature 
manipulator  of  the  Kilgen  here,  this  reporter  has 
witnessed  one  of  his  novel  solos.  “A  Lane  in 
Spain”  with  illustrated  slides  was  offered  as  the 
feature  number  with  Marion  Rubovits  singing 
off  stage  as  Joe  injected  his  own  symphonic  ar- 
rangement which  has  made  him  so  well  liked  in 
this  house.  The  healthy  reception  accorded  him 
convinced  this  reporter  that  he  will  be  a perma- 
nent fixture  at  this  house,  (and  if  the  manage- 
ment haven’t  given  this  a thought,  it  might  be  a 
wise  thing  to  think  over). 


Symphonic  Hawley  (Portland.  Ore.,  Broadway) 
made  his  bow  at  this  theatre  last  week  as  fea- 
tured organist  and  offered  as  an  opening  solo, 
“The  Wurlitzer,”  featuring  the  overture  from 
“Poet  and  Peasant”  which  was  very  well  re- 
ceived. Hawley,  formerly  of  Chicago,  is  con- 
sidered one  of  the  best  symphonic  organ  players 
in  the  country,  which  has  earned  for  him  the 
nickname  of  Symphony  Hawley. 


Ray  Turner  (Chicago  North  Center)  used  a 
Marathon  stunt  this  week  for  his  community 
singing  solo  featuring  the  following  numbers  in 
his  program:  “He’s  the  Last  Word,”  “If  You 
See  Sally,”  “You  Don’t  Like  It.”  “Sam,  Old 
Accordion  Man,”  and  the  choice  of  “Lucky 
Lindy,”  “Sundown.”  and  “It  All  Depends  on  You.” 
with  “Lindy”  and  “Sundown”  being  chosen  as  the 
choice  songs  on  the  program  of  selections. 


Edmund  C.  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan)  called 
this  week’s  organ  solo,  “Meet  My  Friend”  with 
illustrated  slides  in  this  manner:  Girl  represent- 
ing “Jazz”  and  man  representing  “Classic”  with 
a controversy  as  Fitch  plays  “When  Day  Is  Done” 
with  girl  going  into  “Muddy  Waters”  as  curtain 
lowers  to  the  tune  of  the  “Second  Hungarian 
Rhapsody.”  Fitch  puts  every  ounce  of  energy 
in  this  number  proving  that  in  addition  to  his 
symphonic  jazz  playing  he  is  nobody’s  fool  when 
it  comes  to  classical  interpretations. 


Albert  F.  Brown  (Chicago  Granada)  offered  a 
“Medley  Romance”  for  this  week’s  scrim  presenta- 
tion opening  with  “So  Blue,”  a piece  made  popu- 
lar by  Mrs.  Jesse  Crawford,  using  the  following 
selections:  “It  All  Depends  On  You”  and  "That’s 
What  I ’Think  of  You,”  making  use  of  the  same 
setting  that  was  staged  at  the  Marbro  last  week 
in  which  Ruth  Hamrich  and  Irwin  Barg  offered 
a duet  on  the  last  number.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  Brown*s  exi>ert  handling  of  the  Wurlitzer  as 
well  as  his  clever  organ  solo  scrim  idea  has  be- 
come a standard  offering  in  this  theatre  in  fact, 
they  would  be  greatly  mi^ed. 


Word  comes  from  abroad  that  Major  Edward 
Bowes,  who  is  enjoying  his  first  extensive  holi- 
day from  the  duties  of  the  Capitol  theatre,  sailed 
for  home  on  the  Paris  on  July  6,  to  resume  his 
various  activities  as  producer,  exhibitor  and  radio 
impresario. 


Van  Marr  in  Follies 

Feon  Van  Marr,  lately  with  Van  and  Schenck, 
at  the  Strand,  New  York.  Art  Landry,  Strand, 
Brooklyn,  and  foi-merly  of  “LeMaire’s  Affairs.” 
has  been  signed  for  the  New  Ziegfeld  Follies, 
to  start  rehearsals  in  August. 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 

Jesse  Crawford  Concerts 

With  Mrs.  Crawford  at  Stage  Console 

Paramount  Theatre 

New  York 

At  the  Cross  Roads  of  the  World 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


“GIVE  US  DEATH” 

I I AD  I Patrick  Henry’s  eloquence,  and 
his  spotlight,  I should  cry  as  loudly  as  did 
that  staunch  American,  “Give  us  death.” 
But  of  course  I would  mean,  give  us  death 
in  our  pictures.  We  are  entirely  too  spar- 
ing in  our  use  of  that  excellent  “kick” 
which  lies  always  at  hand  when  the  plot’s 
being  doped.  A good,  unexpected  death  in 
the  first  or  second  reel  would  have  saved 
half  the  flops  in  film  history. 

In  this  connection  I always  recall  the 
early  Griffith  pictures  in  which  he,  know- 
ingly perhaps,  although  his  later  work 
doesn’t  bear  out  that  assumption,  started 
his  picture  with  an  extra  character  (on  the 
right  side  of  the  sympathy  fence)  to  be 
killed  off  at  the  first  opportunity.  With 
this  character  thus  done  away  with,  the 
audience  had  no  reason  for  thinking  other 
favored  characters  might  not  pass  out  at 
any  moment — and  the  pictures  were  inter- 
esting, for  that  reason,  from  the  point  of 
death  onward. 

Now  there  isn’t  anything  about  this  trick 
that  is  trademarked  or  patented.  It  is  a 
wholly  legitimate  and  very  valuable  artifice. 
I implore  directors,  authors,  scenarists,  to 
whet  their  knives  and  let  some  blood  into 
their  pictures.  They’ll  all  be  more  inter- 
esting (better)  for  it. 

“BEAU  GESTE”  PROOF 

P 

A.  ROOF  of  the  above  theory  is  to  be 
found  in  “Beau  Geste,”  brought  into  Mc- 
Vickers  last  week  after  an  extended  run 
in  the  city  some  months  back  at  stage 
prices.  In  “Beau  Geste,”  of  which  you’ve 
heard  a great  deal  and  may  hear  more, 
people  die  singly,  doubly,  in  droves  and 
in  battalions.  Nor  do  they  return  to  life 
in  the  mysterious  manner  so  often  employed 
in  pictures.  When  they  are  dead  they  stay 
dead  and  the  story  moves  forward  just  as 
the  story  of  life  moves  ahead  when  you  or 
I step  out  of  the  cast  into  a coffin. 

I am,  as  I’ve  noted  before,  one  of  those 
who  didn’t  see  “Beau  Geste”  when  it  was 
new.  I can  now  add  that  I agree  with  the 
majority  of  those  who  did  see  it,  that  it’s  an 
interesting,  surprising,  strong  and  substan- 
tial picture,  with  practically  everything  in 
it  that  should  be.  It’s  too  bad  they’re  run- 
ning it  at  McVickers  (or  were  on  Wednes- 
day night  of  last  week)  with  two  of  the 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

captions  transposed,  making  it  a bit  hard 
for  the  mere  payee  to  know  what  parts  of 
it  were  about. 

DIX  ON  A TRACTOR 

ICHARD  DIX  drives  a tractor  to  the 
rescue  of  a dam  in  “Man  Power”  much  as 
Wallace  Reid  drove  a Mack  truck  (there 
was  an  exploitation  hookup,  you  remember) 
to  another  dam  disaster  in  one  of  his  Para- 
mount pictures  preceding  the  toboggan. 
There  is  a lot  about  “Man  Power”  that 
recalls  the  Reid  picture,  title  of  which  I do 
not  recall,  but  it  is  still  a good  picture,  as 
why  should  it  not  be? 

My  liking  for  Dix  is  one  of  the  influences 
that  make  my  picturegoing  a pleasure.  I 
know  the  boy  is  good,  was  good  in  his  last 
picture  and  will  be  better  in  the  one  that 
I am  to  see.  He  does  not  disappoint  me. 
Even  when  he  works  out  an  ancient  plot, 
performing  the  nifties  that  others  have  per- 
formed before  him,  he  has  a freshness  about 
him  that  makes  everything  seem  new.  He’s 
a great  asset  to  the  pictures,  to  Paramount, 
and  now  let’s  see  if  we  can’t  get  him  some 
new  pictures  to  work  in. 

STOCKINGS  MY  EYE 

ARAMOUNT,  which  had  about  all  the 
downtown  screens  last  week,  may  have  out- 
smarted me  in  titling  the  picture  they  call 
“Rolled  Stockings,”  but  I doubt  it.  I think 
it  must  have  been  one  of  those  things.  At 
any  rate,  such  stockings  as  I saw  in  the 
picture  were  not  rolled — nor  was  there  at- 
tempt to  couch  the  thing  in  the  terms  one, 
for  some  obscure  reason,  associates  with 
the  present  manner  of  maidenly  support. 

Not,  of  course,  that  I care.  Indeed,  what 
with  Chicago  styles  making  it  quite  im- 
possible to  read  one’s  newspaper  on  the 
way  to  the  office  without  blinders,  the  mod- 
esty of  the  young  folks  in  this  fillum  was 
a relief.  Not  even  Louise  Brooks,  who  has 
two  of  the  best  reasons  outside  a Pointex 
ad,  got  a closeup  lower  than  the  neekline. 

Disregarding  which  (I  always  constitu- 
tionally object  to  titles  that  don’t  fit)  the 
picture  is  pretty  good.  It  has  Miss  Brooks, 
James  Hall  and  Richard  Arlen  as  principals 
and  the  yarn  concerns  those  two  jerkwater 
colleges,  of  which  Colfax  is  always  one,  in 
their  boatracing  aspect.  There’s  lots  of 


family  interest,  brother  stuff,  a little  gin  and 
a great  deal  of  college  spirit.  It’s  nothing 
to  cable  the  Geneva  conference  about,  but 
you  might  ad  a postscript  mentioning  it 
next  time  you  write  the  home  folks. 

ALAS,  POOR  DOLORES 

I PLEAD  guilty  (and  also  offer  this  in 
mitigation)  to  reading  Mae  Tinee’s  review 
of  “A  Million  Bid”  and  going  to  see  it  at 
least  in  part  because  she  said  it  was  good. 
I add  that  I made  an  honest  effort  to  con- 
sider the  thing  (for  a change)  from  the  Mae 
Tinee,  or  general  newspaper  public,  angle. 
And  I pronounce  the  picture  about  as  bad 
as  most  of  the  pictures  Miss  Tinee  pro- 
notinces  good. 

“A  Million  Bid”  has  in  it  just  about  all 
the  story  elements  that  we  like  to  assume 
have  been  buried  in  the  dear  (expensive) 
dead  past.  To  mention  a few — there’s  the 
mother  (Betty  Blythe,  and  you  wouldn’t 
know  her)  who  sidetracks  her  daughter’s 
letters  to  the  true  love  boy  friend  and 
shunts  her  into  one  of  those  wife-in-name- 
only  aliances  with  the  millionaire  (Warner 
Oland)  who  tanks  up  and  breaks  into  his 
wife’^  room  in  disregard  of  pre-nuptial 
agreement  just  before  the  honeymoon  yacht 
(yes,  even  that’s  in  it)  is  run  down  by  a 
bigger  boat.  And  there  is,  after  the  usual 
three  years,  the  great  though  very  young 
surgeon  who  was  the  heroine’s  boy  chum 
and  now  is  her  husband  and  father  of  her 
child.  And  to  him  comes  the  man  who  has 
lost  his  memory  (the  supposedly  drowned 
millionaire  husband,  of  course)  and  the 
duty-at-any-cost  doctor  performs  the  opera- 
tion that  restores  the  man’s  memory.  And 
there  is  the  walk-away  of  the  original  hus- 
band, who  for  no  reason  that  squares  with 
medical  science  or  psychology,  prefers  to 
leave  the  happy  little  family  as  he  found  it 
even  though  doing  so  involves  telling  the 
extremely  eminent  surgeon  that  his  opera- 
tion has  been  a flop. 

It’s  all  like  that,  ancient  and  not  very 
logical.  It  isn’t  the  sort  of  stuff  that  actors 
like  Dolores  Costello,  Malcolm  McGregor, 
Warner  Oland  and  the  now  quite  adult 
Betty  Blythe  should  have  to  work  with. 
Indeed,  I doubt  that  it’s  the  sort  of  stuff 
that  should  occupy  the  working  hours  of  a 
Hollywood  unit  or  the  playing  hours  of  the 
people  who  pay  to  see  screen  entertainment. 
Not  that  it’s  bad,  for  it  isn’t,  but  that  it’s 
so  unnecessary. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


With  Which  Is  Incorporated  “New  Pictures” 


First  National  is  to  release  “Camille”  September  4. 
. . . Paramount  begins  work  on  “Beau  Sabreur”  and 

Emil  Jannings'  new  picture — and  this  company  is  rush- 
ing fresh  prints  on  “The  Covered  Wagon”  to  be  released 
nationally  soon.  . . . Fox  is  to  star  Janet  Gaynor 

and  has  begun  production  on  Buck  Jones’  next  Western. 
. . . Two  New  Mexico  theatres  book  FBO’s  coming 

product  100  per  cent.  . . . Nine  of  Metro-Goldwyn- 

Mayer’s  1927-28  pictures  more  or  less  ready  for  produc- 
tion, while  preparations  are  being  made  to  adapt  two 


more  comic  strips.  . . . Pro-Dis-Co  prepares  am- 

bitious program  for  its  exotic  star,  Jetta  Goudal — -and  is 
doing  about  as  well  for  Marie  Prevost.  , . . United 

Artists  is  to  release  two  pictures  a month  between 
August  and  March — and  all  units  not  yet  finished  are 
producing  or  about  to  begin.  . . . Two  more  pic- 

tures are  named  by  Warner  Brothers  for  Monte  Blue — 
while  that  company’s  new  partially  talking  picture,  “The 
Jazz  Singer,”  intrigues  the  writer’s  imagination. 


First  National  Sets 
Sept,  4 for  **Camille** 

First  National’s  modernized  version  of 
Dumas’  undying  classic,  “La  Dame  aux 
Camellias,’’  in  which  Norma  Talmadge  is 
the  justly  celebrated  Camille,  will  be  avail- 
able to  exhibitors  nationally  on  September 
4,  according  to  an  announcement  by  Ned 
Depinet,  general  sales  manager.  It  cost 
New  Yorkers  and  near-New  Yorkers  $2  to 
see  it  at  the  Globe,  where  it  has  just  com- 
pleted a run  of  eight  weeks.  It  will  also 
have  an  extended  run  at  McVickers,  Chi- 
cago, before  the  general  release  date. 

That  there  may  be  a run  on  this  pic- 
ture is  indicated  by  the  bookings  already 
announced.  Seven  alone  are  reported 
from  the  Pittsburgh  exchange,  while  the 
Lisbon  circuit  has  signed  it  for  its  the- 
atres in  Cincinnati,  Columbus  and  Day- 
ton. 

Depinet  also  reports  that  Colleen  Moore 
is  “knocking  ’em  dead”  (his  very  phrase) 
with  “Naughty  But  Nice”  in  St.  Louis. 
“Why  only  St.  Louis?”  I ask,  divulging, 
perhaps,  a slight  favoritism  for  this  some- 
times naughty,  but  always  nice  little  star. 

It  appears  that  work  has  finally  com- 
menced on  “The  Drop  Kick,”  in  which  Dick 
Barthelmess  will  act  collegiate,  with  the 
youthful  Virginia  Lee  Corbin  opposite. 
Ray  Rockett  is  producing,  and  Millard 
Webb  is  handling  the  megaphone.  “The 
Patent  Leather  Kid,”  Barthelmess’  last  pro- 
duction, is  being  edited  and  titled.  The 
premiere  is  scheduled  for  August  15,  at 
the  Globe,  New  York. 

Molly  O’Day,  Barthelmess’  leading 
woman  in  this  production,  is  now  work- 
ing opposite  Milton  Sills  in  “Hard- 
Boiled  Haggerty.”  And  one  of  the  most 
venerable  personalities  on  the  screen, 
George  Fawcett,  has  been  added  to  the 
cast.  Charles  Brabin  is  directing  this 
Wid  Gunning  production. 

To  what  extent  it  was  good  for  the  ex- 
hibitors, I do  not  know,  but  two  weeks  ago 
First  National’s  picture  of  Babe  Ruth, 
laundries,  and  love,  “When  Babe  Comes  5 
Home,”  was  being  shown  simultaneously 
in  three  important  Boston  houses.  But 
maybe  the  Bambino  can  fill  several  the- 
atres at  once — I know  he  could  ball  parks. 
But  have  you  noticed  his  team-mate  this 
year?  I should  not  be  surprised  if  next 
year  we  get  a picture  called  “How  Gehrig 
Beat  Babe” — with  a pretty  girl  as  the 
reason. 


Pro-Dis-Co  Projects 
A Career  for  Goudal 

It  will  be  a big  year  for  Jetta  Goudal,  it 
appears.  Pro-Dis  Co  thinks  a lot  of  this 
exotic  star  from  France  and  has  sched- 
uled four  stories  for  her. 

“The  Forbidden  Woman”  will  be  the  first, 
according  to  present  plans.  The  story  in- 
volves a war  between  France  and  Mo- 
rocco, which  recalls  this  star’s  work  in 
“Three  Faces  East,”  in  which  international 
intrigue  had  a similar  prominent  part.  That 
theme  seems  to  be  particularly  fitted  for  this 
actress,  who,  without  being  the  vampire 
of  the  Theda  Bara  days,  is  yet  a woman 
who  knows  her  wiles — that  is,  of  course, 
on  the  screen. 

And  the  other  pictures  are  probably 
equally  appropriate.  Listen  to  these 
titles:  “The  Leopard  Lady,”  “Midnight 
Romance,”  “Woman  of  the  Night.” 
The  second  picture  is  laid  in  the  African 
jungles. 

An  effoct  of  the  recent  merger  of  Pathe 
and  Pro-Dis-Co  is  the  bringing  of  Marie 
Prevost  to  the  De  Mille  studios.  She  is 
now  at  work  on  “The  Rush  Hour,”  a 
story  from  Harper’s  Bazaar,  and  will  fol- 
low up  for  the  new  season’s  program  with 
“Free  and  Easy,”  “A  Blonde  for  a Night,” 
and  “The  Girl  in  the  Pullman” — all  come- 
dies of  dash  and  go,  I gather. 

Other  work  at  the  De  Mille  studios  in- 
cludes “Harp  in  Hock,”  which  is  now 
almost  ready  for  production,  with  Rudolph 
Schildkraut  named  as  the  star.  Renaud 
Hoffman  is  to  direct — let  us  hope  in  the 
manner  he  made  “The  Unknown  Soldier.” 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  JUNE  26 

“Pals  in  Peril”— Action^— Pathe^— Five. 

“The  Secret  Studio”^— Fox— 5869. 

“The  Unknown”^— M-G-M— 5517. 

“Callahans  and  The  Murphys”— M-G-M— 6126. 
“Ten  Modern  Commandments”^— Paramount^— 6491. 
•;'“Man  Power”— Paramount— 5617. 

**The  Beauty  Shoppers”^— Tiffany^— 5669. 

“\^Tiat  Happened  to  Father— Warner— 5567. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“The  Little  Firebrand”— Arrow— Pathe— five. 
“Colleen— Fox— 5300. 

“The  Last  Outlaw”— Paramount*^-6032. 

“Tom’s  Gang”— F.  B.  0.^—4931. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  18 

“Two-Gun  Of  the  Tumbleweed”— Maloney— Pathe 


Paramount  to  Begin 
**Beau  Sabreur*  Soon 

“Beau  Sabreur,”  companion  picture  to 
“Beau  Geste,”  is  among  the  principle  Para- 
mount productions  scheduled  for  produc- 
tion soon.  And  with  his  first  American 
picture,  “The  Way  of  All  Elesh,”  already 
“premiered,”  Emil  Jannings  began  work 
last  week  on  his  second,  an  original  by  the 
noted  director,  Josef  von  Sternberg. 

Apparently  the  Paramount  studio  is  a 
hustling  place  just  now.  Thomas  Meighan, 
Esther  Ralston  and  Florence  Vidor  have 
just  begun  making  new  roles,  while  Bebe 
Daniels,  Richard  Dix,  Clara  Bow  and 
Gary  Cooper  have  been  working  in  their 
new  productions  for  some  time. 

Jannings’  new  vehicle  is  as  yet  un- 
titled, but  it  will  be  quite  a spell  before 
we  need  to  worry  about  that.  The  gen- 
eral run  of  exhibitors  won’t  be  inter- 
ested in  Jannings  until  they  find  out 
how  his  last  picture  draws  after  the 
“foreign”  appeal  is  gone.  Meighan’s 
picture  is  called  “First  Degree  Mur- 
der”— an  arresting  title  any  way  you 
take  it.  James  Cruze  is  directing,  while 
Marietta  Milner  has  the  feminine  lead. 

But  we  nearly  forgot  Menjou — the  deb- 
onair, unbelievably  sophisticated  Menjou, 
who  is  undoubtedly  the  most  perfect  gen- 
tleman-waiter on  the  screen  (or  off)  and 
also  undoubtedly  a consistent  entertainer 
for  certain  types  of  audiences. 

Menjou’s  new  vehicle  is  tentatively  called 
“A  Gentleman  of  Paris.”  He  won  fame  in 
“A  Lady  of  Paris,”  so  Paris  may  be  his 
lucky  town.  If  so,  the  “exhib”  won’t  like 
Paris  any  less. 

Worthy  of  mention  in  the  reports 
from  Paramount  is  the  fact  that  fresh 
prints  are  being  rushed  on  “The  Cov- 
ered Wagon,”  the  James  Cruze  epic 
which  won  many  hearts  and  the  same 
number  (approximately)  of  dollars. 

However,  when  shown  two  years  ago, 
the  release  was  confined  to  the  larger  cities. 
Soon  it  is  to  be  released  generally,  giving, 
as  it  were,  the  exhibitor  in  the  less  noisy 
places  a “break.” 

Janet  Gaynor  s 
First  for  Fox  Begun 

Fox  will  present  the  coming  season  a 
new  star  in  Janet  Gaynor — ^^that  is,  new  as 
a start  in  Fox  product,  for  a certain  amount 
of  fame  is  her’s  even  now.  “Two  Girls 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Wanted”  is  the  title  of  the  picture,  the 
story  of  which  is  an  adaptation  of  the  stage 
play  produced  by  John  Golden.  Miss  Gay- 
nor  had  a prominent  part  in  Fox’s  “7th 
Heaven,”  and  perhaps  it  is  because  she  did 
so  well  that  this  picture  was  given  her  to 
star  in.  Earle  Foxe  has  the  masculine 
lead,  and  Alfred  E.  Green  is  directing. 

A new  Buck  Jones  picture  is  also  immi- 
nent— ^though  perhaps  I should  say  being 
promised. 

"Chain  Lightning"  Buck’s  latest,  has 
gone  into  production  under  the  direction 
of  Lambert  Hillyer.  Most  of  Buck’s 
old  stand-bys  are  with  him,  including 
Ted  McNamara,  Buck  Moulton,  and 
Gene  Cameron.  McNamara  did  well  in- 
deed in  “What  Price  Glory." 

Word  arrives  that  Beth  O’Shea  has  re- 
signed from  the  Fox  publicity  staff  to  go 
to  Europe  for  a spell,  and  that  she  intends 
to  walk  through  Ireland.  All  of  which 
confirms  my  suspicion  that  publicity  folks 
are  hardy  people. 

Two  Theatres  Book 
Entire  FBO  Program 

Two  New  Mexico  theatres,  the  Pastime 
and  New  at  Albuquerque,  will  show  the 
entire  output  of  the  EBO  studios  the  com- 
ing year,  according  to  an  announcement  of 
that  company’s  sales  department.  Manager 
S.  D.  Weisbaum  of  the  Denver  exchange 
put  over  the  deal. 

And  FBO’s  studios  are  busy  on  the  new 
product.  An  outstanding  number  on  the 
list  is  expected  to  be  “South  Sea  Love,” 
and  that  picture  was  put  in  production  a 
week  ago.  The  exteriors  are  being  made 
in  California,  where  you  can  have  most 
anything  you  want,  they  say,  including 
South  Sea  islands. 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller,  who  is  gaining  a 
truly  significant  following,  has  the  lead. 
There  seem  to  be  several  of  prominence 
in  the  roster — Allan  Brooks,  for  in- 
stance. He  was  featured  in  “Ladies 
Beware."  Harry  Crocker  also  has  been 
cast,  while  the  director  is  Ralph  Ince. 

The  cast  of  “A  Moment  of  Temptation” 
is  complete,  and  this  member  of  FBO’s 
1927-28  family  is  ready  for  production. 
Charlotte  Stevens  and  Cornelius  Keefe  have 
the  leading  roles,  while  Phil  Carle,  recently 
elevated  from  the  position  of  assistant  di- 
rector, is  holding  the  megaphone. 


One  of  the  new  pictures  became  entirely 
filmed  last  week.  It  is  the  picture  with 
Ranger,  FBO’s  star  dog  (I  nearly  said  dog 
star,  which  shows  what  narrow  escapes  we 
journalists  have).  In  “The  House  of 
Courage”  Ranger  is  supported  by  a couple 
of  other  members  of  the  canine  intelli- 
gentsia. Howard  Mitchell  directed  the 
picture,  which  by  this  time  is  in  the  cutting 
room. 

M-G-M  Ready  for 
Nine  Major  Pictures 

Nine  productions  scheduled  to  be  among 
the  major  pictures  on  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer’s  1927-28  program,  are  more  or  less 
ready  for  production,  according  to  advices 
from  that  company. 

The  first  to  go  to  the  camera  will  be  “In 
Old  Kentucky,”  part  of  which  will  be  filmed 
in  the  state  of  which  it  treats.  And  in 
about  a week  a screen  adaptation  of  Chan- 
ning  Pollock’s  notable  stage  play,  “The 
Enemy,”  will  go  into  production.  John 
M.  Stahl  is  to  direct  the  former,  while 
Fred  Niblo  will  make  the  latter. 

Not  only  is  the  dramatic  stage  lending 
its  wares  to  the  screen,  but  musical 
comedies  likewise.  “Rose  Marie"  and 
“The  Fair  Co-Ed,”  both  of  which  are 
scheduled  to  be  started  soon,  are  of  that 
variety. 

It  seems  to  me  that  another  “Big  Pa- 
rade” kind  of  picture  is  in  the  offing,  with 
production  to  be  started  soon  on  “The  Big 
Ditch.”  This  is  a story  written  around 
the  building  of  the  Panama  Canal,  from 
the  gifted  pen  of  Laurence  Stallings,  who 
wrote  “The  Big  Parade.” 

And  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  will  add  to 
its  season’s  product  one  production  starring 
Syd  Chaplin.  Chaplin,  who  just  now  is  in 
Europe  to  make  a picture  for  a British 
company,  said  in  an  interview  a week  or 
so  ago  that  he  had  not  made  any  contracts 
except  for  a single  picture.  The  M-G-M 
film  is  to  be  started  this  summer,  so  he 
will  have  to  finish  over  in  Britain  rather 
quickly. 

“The  Fair  Co-Ed,”  referred  to  above, 
will  be  a starring  vehicle  for  Marion 
Davies,  who  recently  finished  the  role  of 
Tillie  in  “Tillie  the  Toiler,”  adapted  from 
the  comic  strip  of  that  title. 


United  Artists  to 
Release  Two  a Month 

Joseph  M.  Schenk,  head  of  United  Art- 
ists, announced  last  week  that  his  com- 
pany will  release,  with  the  exception  of 
January,  two  pictures  every  month  during 
the  period  between  next  month  and  next 
March. 

In  January  three  pictures  will  be  released. 

Last  year’s  program  is  still  getting 
good  bookings.  In  Lexington,  Ky.,  the 
Opera  House  is  to  conduct  a season  of 
United  Artists  pictures,  having  booked 
the  following,  each  to  run  a week: 

“The  Winning  of  Barbara  Worth,”  “The 
Beloved  Rogue,”  “The  Love  of  Sunya,” 
‘A  Night  of  Love,”  ‘Sparrows,”  ‘The  Gen- 
eral,” ‘Partners  Again,”  and  “Resurrec- 
tion.” 

Production  on  product  for  the  new  sea- 
son is  now  well  under  way,  the  exceptions 
being  Gloria  Swanson’s  and  Gilda  Gray’s 
starring  pictures.  But  these  are  to  begin 
within  a few  weeks.  Miss  Gray  having  al- 
ready arrived  on  the  West  Coast,  not  to 
return  East  until  next  summer. 

Warners  Slate  Two 
for  Monte  Blue 

Warner  Brothers  has  decided  on  two  of 
the  productions  on  the  1927-28  program  in 
which  Monte  Blue  will  be  starred.  The 
one  is  “One  Round  Hogan,”  the  other 
“Across  the  Atlantic.”  Blue  is  now  work- 
ing in  “The  Bush  Leaguer,”  a baseball 
yarn. 

In  writing  about  Warner  Brothers,  one 
can  not  help  referring  to  the  experiment — 
I have  no  doubt  it  will  be  a fact  when 
the  time  comes — being  conducted  in  the 
making  of  “The  Jazz  Singer.”  It  will  be 
interesting  to  see  just  how  far  the  motion 
picture  can  go  in  giving  one  the  human 
voice,  and  still  be  a motion  picture. 

I almost  forgot  to  present  one  very  im- 
portant announcement  from  this  producer. 
It  is  that  “Ham  and  Eggs  at  the  Front,” 
which  is  to  star  Louise  Fazenda,  has  been 
retitled.  Now  it  is  called  just  “Ham  and 
Eggs.”  Well,  so  be  it.  We  all  must  take 
life  as  it  comes. 


First  National 
Picks  10  College 
Men  for  Trials 


Ten  college  men  are  now  at  the 
First  National  Burbank  studios, 
receiving  screen  tests  which  may 
win  them  roles  in  coming  produc- 
tions— it  all  depends  on  a lot  of 
things.  College  Humor  editors 
thought  up  the  idea,  and  First 
National  made  camera  tests  of 
about  15,000  collegians. 


Stuart  Knox  John  Stambaugh  Edward  Karges 
(Yale)  (Chicago)  (Northwestern) 


Warner  Smoot  John  Morris  Richard  Clendenin  Thomas  Denton  John  Westwood  D.  C.  Cassidy  Leland  Wilcox 
(Northwestern)  (Purdue)  (California)  (Michigan)  (Princeton)  (Georgia  Tech)  (Michigan) 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


THE  THEATRE 

j$.ytJDepartment  of  Practical  Showmanship 


Junior  24-Sheet  Paper,  Suggested 
by  Exhibitors,  Replaces  24-Sheet 


These  Junior  24-sheets,  running  horizontal,  are  the  new  offering  of 
Universal  to  aid  exhibitors  in  exploiting  the  company’s  serials.  This 
style  of  horizontal  g-sheet  was  suggested  by  “Herald”  readers.  Universal 
was  so  impressed  with  the  idea  that  it  has  eliminated  24-sheets  on  all  but 
feature-serials. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  this  page  embodies  the  same  qualities  found  gen- 
erally in  the  regulation  size  24-sheet. 

Thus  far  Universal  has  prepared  this  new  style  of  paper  on  two  serials. 
If  this  paper  proves  beneficial  to  exhibitors  playing  serials  its  use  may 
become  more  general. 

Two  members  of  the  “Herald  Family,”  Exhibitors  Digney  and  Carey, 
suggested  the  creation  of  this  new  style  paper. 


Ideas  Offered  by  “Herald”  Readers 

Are  Adopted  by  Universal — Com- 
pany Issues  New  Paper 
on  Serials 

A junior  24-sheet! 

That  is  the  thing  that  is  new  in  ad 
sales  today.  It  was  suggested  some 
weeks  ago  by  two  “Herald”  readers, 
Exhibitors  Digney  and  Carey.  Univer- 
sal’s ad  sales  department,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Dave  Bader,  sensed  the  pos- 
sibilities of  this  new  style  of  paper  and 
immediately  included  it  in  its  stock  of 
accessories  accompanying  serials. 

In  announcing  that  this  new  exhibitor- 
paper  is  now  on  the  market,  Bader  says : 

* * * 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir ; 

You  remember  some  time  ago  I wrote 
you  a letter  regarding  a new  style  poster 
which  you  were  kind  enough  to  publish. 
I stated  that  Universal  thought  so  well  of 
the  suggestion,  made  through  your  valuable 
publication  by  Exhibitors  Digney  and 
Carey,  that  we  were  going  to  issue  a hor- 
izontal 3-sheet,  to  be  known  as  a Junior 
24-sheet,  on  all  our  serials. 

If  you  will  remember,  we  mentioned  that 
we  would  institute  this  very  novel  and 
businesslike  exhibitors’  suggestion,  start- 
ing with  our  first  super-serial,  “Blake  of 
Scotland  Yard.”  We  not  only  thought 
enough  of  this  idea  to  have  this  Junior  24- 
sheet  made  for  “Blake  of  Scotland  Yard,” 
but  we  immediately  had  our  artists  prepare 
a Junior  24-sheet  for  our  second  serial 
which  we  consider  will  also  be  outstanding 
in  the  annals  of  serials.  This  picture  is 
entitled  “Trail  of  the  Tiger”  and  for  the 
benefit  of  your  many  exhibitor  readers  who 
thought  enough  of  this  Junior  24-sheet  sug- 
gestion to  coincide  with  the  ideas  of  Ex- 
hibitors Digney  and  Carey,  we  are  sending 
you  herewith  photographs  of  this  horizon- 
tal 3-sheet.  You  will  notice  that  they  em- 
body the  same  outstanding  action  that  serial 
24-sheets  carried  in  the  past. 

For  your  information,  on  account  of 
these  horizontal  3-sheets  having  been  in- 
stituted through  the  kind  co-operation  of 
the  Herald,  Universal  has  taken  the  initia- 
tive to  discontinue  24-sheets  on  all  future 
serials  excepting  those  listed  in  the  super- 
serial class,  such  as  “Blake  of  Scotland 
Yard.”  No  future  Universal  serials  will 
have  24-sheets  unless  they  are  super-pro- 
ductions. We  believe  that  in  issuing  these 
Junior  24-sheets  we  are  making  it  easier 
for  exhibitors  all  over  the  country  to  m^e 
wider  and  wiser  use  of  something  identical 
with  the  24-sheet,  but  yet  small  enough  to 
paste  and  post  around  the  countryside. 

I am  sure  that  exhibitors  will  look  for- 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


ward  to  seeing  what  this  wonderful  paiper 
looks  like,  and  that  they  will  make  exten- 
sive use  of  as  much  of  it  as  they  possibly 
can.  The  photographs  attached  herewith 
will  give  them  a very  fine  idea  of  what 
they  really  look  like,  and  I know  that  many 
of  your  readers  have  been  looking  forward 
to  seeing  what  they  do  look  like  since  the 
publication  of  my  letter  many  weeks  ago. 
We  have  had  many  letters  regarding  them. 

Assuring  you  that  you  have  the  utmost 
co-operation  of  Mr.  Laemmle  and  Univer- 
sal officials  at  all  times  in  anything  that 
will  benefit  and  advance  the  cause  of  ac- 
cessories, and  wishing  you  continued  suc- 
cess in  your  splendid  department.  The 
Theatre,  we  are,  with  kind  regards, 

(Signed)  DAVE  BADER. 


Russian  Dinners 
Exploit  **Strogoff* 

When  the  Capitol  theatre  in  Bellaire, 
O.,  booked  Universal’s  “Michael  Stro- 
golT,”  Homer  Graybill,  the  theatre’s  pub- 
licity man,  and  A.  J.  Sharick,  one  of 
the  Universal  exploitation  men,  laid  out  a 
campaign  which  Graybill  put  over  in 
such  a way  that  “Michael  Strogoff” 
stands  out  as  one  of  the  best  box  office 
bets  of  the  year  at  the  Capitol. 

Here  is  the  “Strogofif’’  campaign : First, 
a cooperative  page  was  sold  in  the  Daily 
Leader  with  a mispelled  word  contest.  Then 
a “Michael  Strogoff”  coloring  contest  was 
arranged  in  the  Despatch,  prizes  for  which 
were  procured  by  Sharick  from  the  Ameri- 
can Crayon  Company  of  Sandusky.  The 
local  American  Crayon  Company  dealer 
gave  up  an  entire  window  in  the  best  part 
of  town  to  a display  of  the  prizes  and  stills 
from  the  picture. 

Then  Graybill  sold  a local  grocer  the 
idea  of  putting  out  100  pounds  of  coffee  in 
small  envelopes  upon  which  were  stated,  in 
red  ink,  that  this  was  a sample  of  the  cof- 
fee which  cheered  Michael  Strogoff  on  his 
Russian  trip,  together  with  the  play  date 
of  the  picture  and  the  theatre’s  name.  The 
grocer  gave  out  thousands  of  these  samples 
to  his  patrons  and  had  others  distributed 
by  boys  from  house  to  house.  Then  2,000 
paper  napkins  were  printed  and  given  to  all 
the  restaurants  in  town. 

Five  splendid  window  tie-ups  were  ar- 
ranged. Two  stunts  were  worked  by  Mr. 
Graybill,  which  to  our  knowledge  have 
never  been  used  before.  He  persuaded  two 
of  the  largest  restaurants  in  town  to  serve 
special  Russian  dinners  during  the  time 
that  the  picture  was  showing  at  the  Capitol 
and  to  advertise  them  in  the  newspapers. 
He  also  arranged  with  a pet  shop  to  fea- 
ture imported  Russian  canaries  while  Bel- 
laire was  interested  in  things  R.ussian  due 
to  “Michael  Strogoff’s”  presence. 

The  campaign  was  topped  off  by  a fine 
shadow-box  made  by  Graybill  in  which 
the  figure  of  Strogoff  was  used  against  a 
background  of  artificial  ice  and  snow.  The 
lobby  was  done  in  barbaric  colors  and  com- 
pleted one  of  the  best  campaigns  on  “Stro- 
goff” that  have  yet  been  reported. 


Red  Hearts  Ballyhoo 
**Fourth  Commandment** 

A clever  means  of  ballyhooing  “The 
Fourth  Commandment”  the  Universal  pic- 
ture of  mother  love,  was  originated  by 
James  P.  Ryan,  manager  of  the  Palace 
theatre,  Muscatine,  la.  Ryan  cut  50  hearts, 
12x12  inches  in  size,  and  60,  22x24  inches  in 
size,  from  red  cardboard.  On  these  he 
stenciled  borders  of  roses  and  the  title  of 
the  picture  with  the  play  date. 

Through  personal  friends  he  planted  all 
of  these  hearts  on  the  spare  tires  of  pleas- 
ure prs  and  delivery  trucks,  and  for  a week 
previous  to  the  showing  he  had  a constant 
ballyhoo  for  his  show  in  every  part  of  the 
city. 


Tower  of  Lies — Chaney 

Merry  Widow  — Mae  Murray 

Faust — Emil  Jannings 

The  Four  Horsemen 

The  Three  Bad  Men 

Iron  Horse 

Over  the  Hill 

Connecticut  Yankee 

The  Wanderer 

On  With  the  Dhnce 

The  Dark  Angel 

Lost  World 

Sea  Hawk 

Smiling  Thru 

Quo  Vadis 

Shore  Leave 

The  Volga  Boatman 

Where  the  North  Begins 

Orphans  of  the  Storm 

Lovelight 

Tess  of  Storm  Country 

Dorothy  Vernon 

Man  Who  Played  God 

Captain  Blood 

Count  of  Monte  Cristo 

Romola 

Old  Clothes 

Beverly  of  Graustark 

Vanishing  American 

Ten  Commandments 

Dr.  Jekyll  and  Mr.  Hyde 

Miracle  Man 

Annie  Rooney 

Sally  of  the  Sawdust 

Rosita 

Cohens  and  Kellys 

Don  Q 

Mark  of  Zorro 

You  Have  Seen 


certain  photoplays  that  you  would 
like  to  see  again.  Why,  it  might  be 
difficult  for  you  to  explain.  They  seem, 
to  have  found  an  echo  in  your  life 
and  heart. 

According  to  tentative  plans,  Sidney 
Lust’s  Theatres  will  repeat,  the  best 
photoplays  of  the  past  this  summer. 

Make  a check  mark  on  the  list  to  the 
left,  naming  your  favorite  film  of  the 
past,  the  photo-drama  you  want  to 
see  again,  or  give  the  name  of  the 
films  you  missed  when  released  and 
would  walk  a mile  to  see  now. 

SIDNEY  LUST'S  THEATRES 
Elite— Olympic— Hippodrome— Leader 

Main  Office,  916  G Street  N.  W. 
Wachington,  D.  C. 

Gentlemen: 

I should  like  very  much  to  see  the 
following  "Old  Favorite"  photoplays 
presented  in  the  near  future: 


Your  Name 
Address  


Sidney  Lust,  who  operates  four  houses  in  the  national  capital,  has  hit  upon 
an  effective  means  of  sustaining  interest  in  these'  theatres  and  in  reviving 
attendance.  Lust  has  found  that  by  bringing  back  pictures  of  the  past  he 
creates  a new  interest  in  motion  pictures.  Above  is  the  type  of  throwaway 
on  which  patrons  designate  the  pictures  of  the  past  which  they  desire  to  see. 
In  the  words  of  Lust,  “This  stunt  has  gone  over  great.”  It  is  the  best  evi- 
dence that  pictures  never  grow  old. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


Exhibitors  Give  B.  O.  on  Film  Classes 


(Continued  from  page  17) 
itors.  In  the  case  of  First  National,  and  others 
to  follow,  the  percentage  on  action  plays  will  be 
found  to  be  too  low.] 

PARAMOUNT  — Comedy  dramas, 
37%;  comedies,  20%;  dramas,  18%;  West- 
erns, 13%;  historical,  6%;  war  plays,  4%, 
and  action  plays,  2%. 

COLUMBIA — Comedy  dramas,  57%; 
dramas,  40%,  and  action  plays,  3%. 

FBO — Westerns,  36%;  dramas,  20%; 
action  plays,  20%;  comedy  dramas,  17%, 
and  comedies,  7%. 

METRO  - GOLDWYN  - MAYER  — 

Comedy  dramas,  32%;  dramas,  19%; 
Westerns,  16%;  action  plays,  14%;  war 
plays,  9%;  comedies,  5%,  and  his- 
torical, 5%. 

FOX — Westerns,  43%;  comedy  dramas, 
29%  (more  definite  information  will 
show  a higher  percentage  here);  dramas, 
24%,  and  war  plays,  4%. 

TIFFANY  — Comedy  dramas,  50%; 
dramas,  40%,  and  action  plays,  10%. 

UNITED  ARTISTS— Dramas,  47%; 
cornedy  dramas,  35%;  comedies,  12%,  and 
action  plays,  6%. 

Exhibitors  List  Preferences 

Among  the  exhibitors  supplying  the 
information  to  me,  along  with  the  types 
of  pictures  in  the  order  of  their  popu- 
larity, were  the  following: 

J.  W.  RYDER,  Jewel  theatre,  Verndale,  Minn. 
— Come'dy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas.  Westerns, 
comedies,  historical,  costume,  and  war. 

CHAS.  PERRIZO,  New  Grand  theatre.  Grand 
Rapids,  Minn. — Comedy  dramas,  action  plays. 
Westerns,  dramas,  comedies,  war,  historical  and 
costume. 

A*  ASHENBRENER,  Palace,  Staples, 

Minn. — Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas. 
Westerns,  comedies,  historical,  costume  and  war. 

EMERSON  McMINN,  Royal,  Virginia,  Minn. 
— Comedy  dramas,  war,  historical,  dramas,  West- 
erns, action  plays,  comedies  and  costume. 

CROCKETT  BROWN,  Grand,  Nashwauk,  Minn. 
—Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays,  come- 
dies, dramas,  war  historical  and  costume. 

HANNAH  & MARTIN,  World,  Mineral  Point, 
Wis. — Comedy  dramas,  historical,  dramas,  action 
plays,  war,  costume  and  comedies. 

C.  BURR,  Orpheum,  Lancaster,  Wis. — Comedy 
dramas,  action  plays.  Westerns,  dramas,  comedies, 
historical,  war  and  costume. 

L.  F.  LEE,  Shullsbury  Amusement  Company, 
Shullsbury,  Wis. — Comedy  dramas,  action  plays, 
dramas.  Westerns,  comedies,  historical,  war  and 
cotume. 

MRS.  R.  J.  SLACK,  Slack’s,  Mazomanie,  Wis., 
— Action,  Westerns,  comedies,  dramas,  comedy 
dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

FRANK  NOWACHIK,  Adams,  Adams,  Wis. — 
Action  plays.  Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  dramas, 
comedies,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

E.  H.  BRECHLER,  Opera  House,  Fennimore, 
Wis. — Comedies,  Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy 
dramas,  dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume 

HENRIETTA  ECKARDT,  New  Palace,  Wis- 
consin Rapids,  Wis. — Comedy  dramas,  dramas, 
comedies,  action  plays.  Westerns,  war,  historical 
and  costume. 

J.  E.  GRIMM,  Orpheum,  Darlington,  Wis. — 


Quebec  Counsel  Makes 
Plea  for  Sunday  Shows 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MONTREAL,  July  5. — Strong 
arguments  in  favor  of  continuation 
of  Sunday  shows  in  Quebec  thea- 
tres were  launched  by  Ernest  Ber- 
trand, representing  the  Crown,  at 
tthe  Royal  Commission’s  investi- 
gation into  theatre  conditions  in 
the  province. 

“Shall  we  stand  in  the  ranks  of 
the  Christian  civilized  world,”  he 
said,  "or  shall  we  range  ourselves 
with  the  people  of  Ontario  and  the 
Americans  whose  attempts  to  im- 
pose purity  and  temperance  by 
law  have  rendered  them  the  ob- 
ject of  worldwide  ridicule!*” 


Action  plays.  Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  historical, 
dramas,  comedies,  war  and  costume. 

R.  K.  LANG,  Lang’s  Wisconsin,  Spring  Green, 
Wis. — Comedies,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays, 
dramas,  war,  historical,  costumes  and  Westerns. 

H.  L.  HANSON,  Majestic,  Elroy,  Wis.— Com- 
edy dramas,  action  plays.  Westerns,  comedies, 
dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

L.  C.  FLYNN,  Auditorium,  Cuba  City,  Wis. — 
Action  plays.  Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  dramas, 
comedies,  war,  historical  and  costmne. 

D.  M.  MALLORY,  Muscoda,  Muscoda,  Wis.. — - 
Action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  comedies,  dramas, 
costume,  historical,  war  and  Westerns. 

LOUIS  SIMNET,  Rialto,  Nekoosa,  Wis.— 
Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  comedies,  dramas, 
action  plays,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

R.  J.  THEILER,  Orpheum,  Richland  Center, 
Wis. — Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  Westerns, 
comedies,  dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume*. 

A.  J.  BENN,  Crystal,  Dodgeville,  Wis. — Action 
plays,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  comedies, 
dramas,  war,  costume  and  historical. 

W.  C.  TRACY,  Gem,  Platteville,  Wis. — Comedy 
dramas,  action  plays,  dramas,  comedies.  Westerns, 
historical,  war  and  costume. 

J.  P.  GRUWELL,  Ideal,  Wisconsin  Rapids, 
Wis. — Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  comedies,  action 
plavs,  dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

WM.  E.  TRAGSDORF,  Trags,  Neillsville,  Wis. 
Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas, 
comedies,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

O.  W.  HELBERG,  Princess,  Lindstrom,  Minn. 
— Comedy  dramas,  comedies,  war.  Westerns, 
dramas,  historical,  action  plays  and  costume. 

W.  L.  CROUSE,  Ideal,  Bloomer,  Wis. — Com- 
edy dramas,  action  plays,  comedies.  Westerns, 
dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

TOM  FOSTER,  Star,  Stanley,  Wis. — Comedy 
dramas,  Westerns,  action  plays,  comedies,  dramas, 
war,  historical  and  costume. 

J.  C.  QUINCER,  Cozy,  Wadena,  Minn. — Com- 
edy dramas,  Westerns,  action  plays,  war,  dramas, 
comedies,  historical  and  costume. 

McDonald  & BURT,  Majestic,  Barron,  Wis. 
— Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  dramas,  comedies, 
action  plays,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

L.  P.  CHARLES,  Grand  Opera  House,  Chetek, 
Wis. — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedies,  comedy 
dramas,  dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

L.  S.  AREN,  Legion,  Almena,  Wis. — Action 
plays.  Westerns,  war,  comedies,  dramas,  comedy 
dramas,  historical  and  costume. 

B.  A.  HILES,  Opera  House,  Greenwood,  Wis. 
— Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  dramas,  comt'die's, 
historical,  action  plays,  war  and  costume. 

L.  W.  WEBSTER,  Unique,  Ladysmith,  Wis. — 
Action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  comedies,  dramas, 
Westerns,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

MRS.  J.  Z.  JENSEN,  Auditorium,  White  B'ear, 
Wis. — Dramas,  comedies.  Westerns  and  action 
plays. 

CHAS.  B.  CLOSSON,  Green,  Anoka,  Minn. — 
Action  plays,  comedies,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns, 
dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

W.  H.  GILUM,  Palace,  Royalton,  Minn. — 
Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  come- 
dies, war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume. 

H.  B.  SMOOK,  Lowell,  Little  Falls,  Minn. — 
Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays  and 
dramas. 

CHAS.  E.  LYONS,  Moreum,  Aitkin,  Minn. — - 
Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  dramas  and  action 
plays  (Mr.  Lyons  ranks  both  third),  comedies 
and  war  (Mr.  Lyons  ranks  both  fourth),  historical 
and  costume. 

GEO.  W.  KEENAN,  Gem,  Hill  City,  Minn.— 
Westerns,  comedies,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas, 
dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

GEO.  H.  BAER,  Palace,  Frazer,  Minn. — West- 
erns, dramas,  comedy  dramas,  comedies,  action 
plavs,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

MARKUSON  BROTHERS,  Rex,  Henning, 
Minn. — Westerns,  action  plays,  dramas,  war, 
comedies,  historical,  comedy  dramas  and  costume. 

H.  J.  LONGAKER,  State  & Howard,  Alex- 
andria, Minn. — Comedy  dramas,  action  plays, 
dramas,  war,  comedies,  historical  and  costume. 
(Mr.  Longaker  states  Westerns  are  better  than 
anything  for  Saturday). 

ANDREW  SEVERSON,  Empress.  Osakis; 
Minn. — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas, 
war,  dramas,  comedies,  historical  and  costume. 

JAY  E.  GOULD,  Eagle,  Montevideo,  Minn. — 
Action  plays,  dramas,  comedy  dramas,  war. 
Westerns,  comedies,  historical  and  costume. 

JOSEPH  SCHINDELL,  Gem,  Granite  Falls, 
Minn. — Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays, 
comedies,  war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume. 

J.  R.  ELLIOTT,  Grand,  Dassel,  Minn. — West- 
erns, comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  war,  comedies, 
dramas,  historical  and  costume. 

REDDING  & STROUD,  Wonderland,  Windom, 
Minn. — Comedy  dramas,  war,  action  plays.  West- 
erns, dramas,  comedies,  historical  and  costume. 

jR.  H.  BYRAM,  New  Dream,  Redwood  Falls, 
Minn. — Comedy  dramas,  dramas,  action  plays. 
Westerns,  comedies,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

E.  H.  MEECHOW,  Hub,  Gaylord,  Minn.— 
Comedv  dramas,  dramas,  action  plays,  historical, 
war.  Westerns  and  costume. 

AL  FILBEY,  Triangle,  Howard  Lake,  Minn. 


— Westerns,  comedies,  action  plays,  come'dy 
dramas,  war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume. 

ANDERSON  & ANDERSON,  State,  Detroit 
Lakes,  Minn. — Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  war, 
comedies,  costume,  action  plays  and  historical. 

R.  J.  SCHELL,  Gem,  Morton,  Minn. — Comedy 
dramas,  action  plays.  Westerns,  comedies,  wa,, 
dramas,  historical  and  costume*. 

O.  H.  STEINDORFF,  Gem,  Amery,  Wis.— 
Comedy  dramas,  Westerns,  action  plays,  dramas, 
war,  comedies,  costume  and  historical. 

A.  BERKHOLTZ,  Mermac,  West  Bend,  Wis. 
— Dramas,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  historical, 
action  plays,  war  and  comedies. 

LEACH  & CHRISTENSON,  Opera  House, 
Hartford,  Wis. — Come*dy  dramas,  comedies,  action 
plays,  dramas.  Westerns,  costume,  war  and  his- 
torical. 

C.  M.  VAIL,  Blende,  Benton,  Wis.. — Westerns, 
action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  historical,  d amas, 
war,  comedies  and  costume. 

R.  O.  PEPPER,  Bide-A-We*e,  St.  Croix  Falls, 
Wis. — Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas. 
Westerns,  historical,  war,  comedies  and  costume. 

JEFFRIES  BROTHERS,  Apollo,  Ottawa,  111. 
. — Westerns,  comedies,  action  plays,  comedy 
dramas,  dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

W.  L.  HOWARD,  Sheffield  Movies,  Sheffield, 
111. — Come'dy  dramas.  Westerns,  comedies,  action 
plays,  dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume. 

G.  J.  BURKITT,  Lyric,  Morrison,  111.^ — Comedy 
dramas.  Westerns,  comedies,  dramas,  action  plays, 
war,  historical  and  costume. 

H.  C.  JARNAGIN,  Strand,  Mendota,  111.— 
Comedies,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays, 
dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

C.  E.  HARTFORD,  Coliseum,  Marseilles,  111. — 
Comedy  dramas,  dramas,  action  plays.  Westerns, 
comedies,  war  and  historical. 

MILES  S.  FOX,  Apollo,  Princeton,  111.— 
Action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  historical.  Westerns, 
dramas,  comedies,  costume  and  war. 

MANAGER,  Park,  LaSalle,  111.— Westerns, 
action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  comedies,  war, 
dramas,  historical  and  costume. 

MRS.  HARRY  WILSON,  Royal,  Mare*ngo, 
III. — Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays, 
dramas,  comedies,  costume,  historical  and  war. 

EUGENE  SAUNDERS,  Saunders,  Harvard, 
III. — Action  plays,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns, 
comedies,  dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

CHAS.  McCABE,  Liberty,  Walworth,  Wis.. — . 
Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  historical, 
comedies,  dramas,  war  and  costume. 

W.  L.  UGLON,  Crystal,  B’urlington,  Wis. — 
Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas.  Westerns, 
historical,  costume,  war  and  comedies. 

F.  H.  STEFFEN,  Rex,  Racine,  Wis. — Action 
plays.  Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  dramas,  his- 
torical. comedies,  war  and  costume. 

ELMER  BACKER,  Apollo,  Belvidere,  111. — 
Action  plays,  We*ste’rns,  comedies,  comedy  dramas, 
dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume. 

A.  T.  KINCANNAN,  Oneida,  Blue  River,  Wis. 
— Comedies,  action  plays,  war.  Westerns,  his- 
torical, comedy  dramas,  dramas  and  costume. 

L.  D.  ANDERL,  Royal  theatre,  Park  Rapids, 
Minn. — Action  plays.  Westerns,  dramas,  comedy 
dramas,  comedies  and  war  (Mr.  Anderl  ranks 
the'se  two  equally),  historical  and  costume. 

BLACKHAWK  THEATRE,  Oregon,  111.— 
Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays,  dramas, 
comedies,  war,  historical  and  costume. 


Bowes  T ouring  France 

NEW  YORK — Major  Edward  Bowes,  director 
of  the  Capitol  theatre,  who  is  in  Europe  on  his 
vacation,  has  left  Paris  and  is  motoring  through 
rural  France,  according  to  a message  received 
here. 


Warners  Cutting 
Accessory  Prices 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  5.— Warner 
Brothers  has  decided  to  cut  the 
prices  of  many  accessories,  it  is 
announced,  and  a special  depart- 
ment to  handle  accessory  sales  has 
been  formed  with  Louis  R.  Brager 
at  the  head.  Brager  is  to  make  a 
six-weeks’  tour  of  the  exchanges 
at  once.  It  is  also  announced  that 
Frank  B.  Rogers  has  been  ap- 
pointed special  representative  for 
Morris  Safier,  head  of  Warner 
Brothers’  Extended  Run  aepart- 
ment.  Rogers’  office  will  be  in 
New  York  and  his  supervision  will 
be  over  New  York,  New  Jersey 
and  Brooklyn  territories. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Rapid  Growth  Gives  Tiffany 
Chain  of  28  Exchanges 

Producing  and  Distributing  Company,  Once  on  State  Right 
Market,  Expands  Into  Present  Position  in  Year’s  Time 


M.  H.  HOFFMAN 

Vice-President  of  Tiffany 


'T''HE  rapid  strides  Tiffany  has  made  as 
one  of  the  prominent  organizations  in 
the  motion  picture  field  has  elicited  much 
favorable  comment,  both  because  of  the 
rapid  rise  of  the  company  and  because  of 
its  program  of  this  year,  including 
“Twenty  Gems”  of  hox  office  value. 

Within  a short  space  of  time— one  year 
—Tiffany  Productions,  which  started  as 
one  of  the  foremost  of  the  independent 
producing  organizations  with  its  product 
distributed  through  the  states  right  market, 
has  come  to  the  front  as  one  of  the  impor- 
tant national  producing  and  distributing 
companies  with  its  own  chain  of  exchanges. 
The  company  now  has  28  branches  in  the 
United  States  and  has  a full  representation 
in  England,  on  the  continent  and  through- 
out the  world. 

The  guiding  genius  of  Tiffany’s  rapid 
development  is  M.  H.  Hoffman,  vice  pres- 
ident, whose  indefatigable  work,  aims  and 
ambitions  have  placed  his  company  in  the 
niche  it  now  occupies. 

* * * 

But  few  people  in  the  business  know 
that  it  took  more  than  Mr.  Hoffman’s  abil- 
ity, experience  and  finance  to  place  the 
Tiffany  company  where  it  is.  The  fact 
that  L.  A.  Young’s  name  is  seldom  men- 
tioned as  president  of  Tiffany  Productions, 
is  due  solely  to  that  gentleman’s  modesty 
and  dislike  of  publicity.  Nevertheless,  it 
should  be  known  that  L.  A.  Young  is  not 
only  a financier,  but  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful business  men  in  the  United  States. 
In  addition  to  finance  he  supplied  the  same 
good  business  judgment,  experience  and 
stability  to  the  success  of  Tiffany  that  has 
made  him  a powerful  factor  in  the  business 
world. 


Smith  Develops 
Country -Wide 
Field  Force 

In  selecting  a general  sales  man- 
ager, M.  H.  Hoffman,  vice  presi- 
dent of  Tiffany  Productions,  made 
a ten-point  strike  when  he  ap- 
pointed Edwin  J.  Smith. 

Although  Mr.  Smith  is  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  leading  exhibi- 
tors throughout  the  country,  he 
came  to  Tiffany  with  a wealth  of 
valuable  knowledge  and  experience 
gained  in  a similar  capacity  with 
other  producing  companies.  E.  J., 
as  he  is  generally  called,  has 
gained  the  splendid  reputation  of 
being  an  inspiration  and  coworker 
instead  of  a boss. 

Mr.  Smith  hrst  became  acquaint- 
ed with  Mr.  Hoffman  about  15 
years  ago,  when  Mr.  Hoffman  as 
general  manager  of  Universal  ap- 
pointed Smith  manager  of  the 
Cleveland  exchange.  While  with 
universal,  E.  J.,  after  proving  his 
ability  as  a capable  manager,  was 
assigned  the  post  of  managing  di- 
rector of  London  and  the  Conti- 
nent. He  then  was  recalled  to 
New  York  to  become  general  man- 
ager of  the  company.  Later,  Mr. 
Smith  left  Universal  to  assume  the 
managership  of  Associated  Exhibi- 
tors. 

In  December,  1926,  Mr.  Hoffman 
invited  Smith  to  become  the  gen- 
eral sales  manager  of  Tiffany.  The 
offer  was  accepted.  In  a short 
period  Mr.  Smith  more  than  grati- 
fied Mr.  Hoffman’s  expectations 
by  obtaining  results  which  were 
far  more  than  expected. 


E.  J.  SMITH 
General  Sales  Manager 


L.  A.  YOUNG 
President  of  Tiffany 


It  was  through  Mr.  Young’s  judgment 
and  knowledge  of  executives  that  the  duties 
of  putting  Tiffany  on  the  map  developed 
upon  Mr.  Hoffman,  who  started  off  with 
Mae  Murray  as  a star.  She  appeared  in 
eight  Tiffany  productions  which  were  re- 
leased through  Metro.  The  box  office  per- 
formance of  these  is  well  known. 

Shortly  after  the  last  Mae  Murray  pro- 
duction had  been  completed  and  released, 
Mr.  Hoffman  made  several  big  features  for 
the  states  right  market  at  considerable  cost. 
The  pessimists  shook  their  heads  at  this 
outlay  of  production  money  and  freely  pre- 
dicted that  ‘‘Hoffman  can  never  get  his 
money  out  of  the  independent  exchanges.” 
Most  of  them  were  quite  right,  but  so,  too, 
was  Mr.  Hoffman,  who  was  thinking  just 
about  two  jumps  ahead. 

* * :): 

“Mr.  Hoffman,”  said  a man  who  has 
known  him  intimately  for  several  years, 
“was  willing  to  give  the  exhibitor  about  a 
dollar’s  worth  of  picture  value  for  a quar- 
ter merely  to  demonstrate  to  the  exhibitor 
and  the  public  that  with  proper  application 
and  good  judgment,  good  entertainment, 
good  box  office  pictures  of  a high  standard 
can  be  made  without  a big  star — in  other 
words,  that  ‘the  play  is  the  thing.’ 

“In  this  Mr.  Hoffman  more  than  suc- 
ceeded this  past  year.  No  theatre  owner 
now  needs  to  be  told  what  the  trade  mark 
of  ‘Tiffany’  stands  for,  whether  he  has  run 
Tiffany  pictures  or  not.  He  knows  that 
their  standard  of  quality  will  compare  more 
than  favorably  with  the  best.” 

Mr.  Hoffman  has  long  enjoyed  a reputa- 
tion as  a master  showman.  He  has  handled 
(Continued  on  page  47) 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


Tiffany  Specials  to  Have  Third  Dimension 


According  to  M.  H.  Hoffman,  vice  president  of  Tiffany, 
the  company’s  first  special  production  suitable  for  extended 
runs  will  be  produced  with  the  third  dimension  process, 
which  is  owned  and  controlled  by  Tiffany. 

Third  dimension  photography  adds  depth  to  the  photo- 
play and  puts  the  finishing  touches  of  realism  to  a picture 


which  has  heretofore  appeared  to  be  just  a flat  picture  on 
a flat  surface. 

Scientists  and  inventors  for  many  years  have  been  striv- 
ing to  add  depth  to  motion  pictures.  None  of  the  methods 
devised  has  been  wholly  satisfactory,  according  to  Tiffany, 
most  of  the  processes  requiring  the  use  of  colored  spec- 
tacles by  the  audience  in  order  to  bring  out  the  stereopti- 
con  effects. 

By  using  the  invention  of  Emil  and  Jacques  Burkhardt, 
of  Switzerland,  no  accessories  are  needed  to  give  depth  to 
the  picture.  The  entire  process  is  applied  to  the  negative. 
Furthermore,  it  does  not  require  the  installation  of  special 
and  expensive  equipment  for  its  presentation. 

The  patents  and  processes  employed,  and  other  necessary 
things  that  are  done  to  bring  out  depth  upon  the  screen, 
are  done  with  the  camera,  the  developing  of  the  negative 
and  the  printing  of  the  positive  him.  This  means  that  the 
screening  of  third  dimension  pictures  will  be  possible  in 
any  theatre  in  the  country.  It  will  also  mean  that  one  can 
witness  a picture  from  any  angle  in  the  theatre  without 
noticing  distortion. 

The  perfection  of  third  dimension  pictures  will  do  much 
to  promote  the  motion  picture  as  a visual  art.  Every  effort 
will  be  made  to  give  the  screen  spiritual  depth  as  well  as 
mere  optical  depth. 


Tiffany  Has  20  Features,  24  Shorts  and 
Specials  for  New  Season 


For  the  coming  season  an  imposing 
line-up  of  20  box  office  attractions  has 
been  announced  hy  M.  H.  Hoffman,  vice- 
president  of  Tiffany.  Besides  the  sched- 
uled 20  feature  productions  and  24  color 
classics,  short  reel  gems,  it  is  planned  to 
have  several  special  productions  suited  for 
extended  runs  in  the  leading  cities  of  the 
United  States  and  Europe. 

The  program  for  the  1927-1928  season 
includes : "Bachelor  Apartments,”  a reve- 
lation which  answers  what  every  woman 
wants  to  know.  “The  Grain  of  Dust,”  by 
David  Graham  Phillips.  “Streets  of  Shang- 
hai,” a powerful  background  for  the  por- 
trayal of  lust  turned  to  love.  “Lingerie,” 
as  intimate  as  the  title.  “Their  Hour,”  a 
dramatic  love  story  with  a new  climax. 
“Women’s  Wares,”  a panorama  of  beauty 
splendidly  picturized.  “The  Albany  Night 
Boat,”  a swift  comedy  of  this  dizzy  age. 
“The  Tragedy  of  Youth,”  a social  prob- 
lem treated  with  fairness. 

“Tia  Juana  Rose,”  the  thrill  of  a hun- 
dred-to-one  shot,  the  entertainment  an  audi- 
ence loves.  “Ladies  of  the  Night  Club,” 
a comedy  of  peppy  Broadway.  “The  House 
of  Scandal,”  love  amid  spying  eyes  and 
lying  tongues.  “Beautiful  but  Dumb,”  her 
beauty  was  skin  deep — she  thought  that  was 
enough.  “The  Scarlet  Dove,”  the  story 
of  a modern  love  of  the  Camelias.  “The 
Girl  from  Gay  Paree,”  a hilarious  comedy 
with  only  the  menu  in  French.  “Domestic 
Relations,”  a comedy  of  love  and  tragedy 
of  marriage.  “Night  Life,”  a baffling  mys- 
tery in  the  city’s  darkness.  “A  Woman 
of  the  World,”  a dramatic  gem  of  world 
wide  appeal.  “Grass  Widows,”  a sparkling 
comedj'  with  a dash  of  sex.  “Once  and 
Forever,”  the  tenderness  of  a girl’s  love 
with  all  the  strength  of  a boy  woven  into 
laughter  and  tears.  “Clothes  Make  the 
Woman,”  an  exotic,  gorgeous  pageant  of 
fashion  and  passion. 

Mr.  Hoffman  also  stated  in  his  plans  for 


the  coming  season  that  the  quality  of  pro- 
duction maintained  by  Tiffany  in  the  past 
year,  which  was  favorably  received  by  ex- 
hibitors and  their  patrons,  will  be  equally 
as  fine  and  in  many  cases  better  than  any 
pictures  on  the  market.  Plans  now  for- 
mulated tend  to  use  unlimited  expense  in 
bringing  forth  the  highest  quality  in  cast 
and  direction  in  producing  each  of  the  20 


Depth  Pictures  Use 
Normal  Projector 

The  great  invention  of  third 
dimension  pictures,  owned  and 
controlled  by  Tiffany,  will  be 
available  for  all  exhibitors  with- 
out any  installation  expense. 

Any  projection  machine  now 
used  by  exhibitors,  no  matter  what 
make,  will  not  require  any  re- 
modeling or  replacing  in  order  to 
properly  exhibit  this  revelation  to 
the  screen.  The  screens  now  used 
in  all  theatres,  large  or  small,  will 
have  no  bearing  on  the  effective- 
ness of  this  new  method  of  the 
third  dimension  pictures. 

No  matter  how  small  the  thea- 
tre or  how  long  ago  it  was  built, 
the  showing  of  the  third  dimen- 
sion pictures  will  be  just  as  fine 
in  small  houses  as  in  the  modern 
palatial  ones. 

Lighting  effects  now  used  will 
have  no  bearing  on  this  method 
of  photography  and  production. 
Whatever  the  theatre  employs  for 
showing  the  present  day  pictures, 
will  suit  just  as  well  this  modern 
evolution  in  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry. 


gems  from  Tiffany  for  worthwhile  enter- 
tainment and  box  office  supremacy. 

Regarding  the  special  features:  These 
will  be  of  the  regular  Tiffany  quality,  but 
will  merit  extended  runs  in  the  leading 
cities  of  the  country.  A staff  of  experi- 
enced scenario  writers  are  now  busily  en- 
gaged in  preparing  the  scripts  for  the  Tif- 
fany banner  year,  1927-1928. 

Tiffany  to  Employ 
Notable  Casts 

Tiffany  Productions,  as  in  the  past, 
will  pursue  a policy  of  making  no 
promises,  but  will  deliver  the  best  casts 
capable  of  portraying  the  proper  char- 
acters in  each  of  the  coming  “Twenty 
Gems”  for  the  new  season,  according  to 
the  company’s  announcement.  The  re- 
sult of  this  policy  has  in  the  past  proven 
more  than  satisfactory  and  tends  to  fur- 
ther establish  the  confidence  of  all  ex- 
hibitors in  Tiffany  pictures. 

Some  of  the  many  stars  that  composed 
the  previous  casts  of  Tiffany  Produc- 
tions, and  will  most  likely  appear  in  the 
new  season’s  productions  are:  Pauline 
Frederick,  Edmund  Lowe,  Claire  Wind- 
sor, Lowell  Sherman,  Agnes  Ayres,  Wil- 
liam Collier,  Jr.,  Marceline  Day,  Jack 
Mulhall,  Anita  Stewart,  Robert  Agnew 
Dorothy  Phillips,  Edmund  Burns,  Rod 
LaRocque,  Henry  B.  Walthall,  Hedda 
Hopper,  Jane  Novak,  Helen  Ferguson, 
M’ard  Crane,  Doris  Hill,  Huntly  Gordon 
, Alberta  Vaughn,  Eugene  O’Brien,  Jac- 
queline Logan,  Conway  Tearle,  Bert 
Lytell,  Shirley  Mason,  Raymond  Hitch- 
cock, Mae  Busch,  Montague  Love, 
Jocelyn  Lee,  James  Harrison,  Lillian 
Rich,  Gayne  Whitman,  Natalie  Kingston, 
Betty  Blythe,  Pat  O’Malley,  Eileen 
Percy,  Dorothy  Devore,  Lou  Tellegen, 
and  Barbara  Bedford. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Advancements  in  Tiffany 
Announced  by  Hoffman 


Field  Staff 
and  Smith 


Branch 

Managers 


CUPPORTED  by  M.  H.  Hoffman,  vice- 
president  of  Tiffany,  General  Sales 
Manager  E.  J.  Smith  has  successfully 
welded  a group  of  branch  managers  and 
field  men  thoroughly  capable  of  holding 
more  than  their  own  with  the  best  selling 
forces  in  the  business. 

In  line  with  a recent  announcement  by 
Mr.  Hoffman,  that  men  in  the  organiza- 


Branch 

Managers 


Wm.  G.  Minder 
Atlanta 


N.  Provencher 
Indianapolis 


Sid  Katz 

Eastern  Div.  Mgr. 


A,  H.  McLaughlin 
Midwest  Division  Manager 


Bob  W.  Cobe 
Pittsburgh 


Able  Davis 
Denver 


Dave  Brill  D.  Biedermann 

New  York  Los  Angeles 


Joe  Miller  Allan  Moritz 

Buffalo  Detroit 


Louis  Reichert  Roy  Dickson 

San  Francisco  $t*  Louis 


tion  meriting  advancement  to  higher  rank 
will  be  given  preference  to  outsiders,  A. 
H.  McLaughlin,  formerly  salesman  and 
more  recently  branch  manager  of  the  Chi- 
cago exchange,  has  been  appointed  man- 
ager of  the  Mid-West  division.  Harry 
Goldstein,  who  was  branch  manager  at  the 
Cincinnati  office,  has  been  advanced  to 
special  representative  for  the  Central 
division. 

* * * 

Charles  Weiner,  formerly  district  man- 
ager of  Canada  for  United  Artists,  is  now 
connected  with  Tiffany  in  the  capacity  of 
special  representative  for  the  New  England 
territory.  Marcel  Mekelburg  is  special  rep- 
resentative with  headquarters  at  Boston 
and  Rudolph  Flothow  also  has  been  ap- 
pointed in  charge  of  short  subjects.  Harry 
Lefholz,  considered  one  of  the  best  known 
and  ablest  salesmen  in  Omaha,  having  been 
connected  with  Universal  for  15  years,  has 
been  made  special  representative  at  Omaha. 

The  managers  in  charge  of  the  various 
Tiffany  exchanges  are : Dave  Brill,  for- 
merly with  Universal  in  New  York,  is  man- 
aging Tiffany’s  New  York  exchange;  John 
Mednikow,  formerly  with  Associated  Ex- 
hibitors and  Universal,  is  head  of  the  Chi- 
cago office;  Dave  Biederman,  recently  with 
Warners,  manages  the  Los  Angeles  ex- 
change ; Ben  Lourie,  one  of  the  best  known 
film  men  in  the  territory,  is  head  of  the 
New  Haven  exchange;  "Tracey  Cunning- 
ham, who  has  been  managing  Universal’s 
Washington’s  exchange  for  eight  years, 
now  heads  Tiffany’s  Washington  office ; A1 
Blofson  has  charge  of  the  Philadelphia  ex- 
change, and  George  P.  Jacobs  is  handling 
Cincinnati ; Abel  Davis  is  branch  manager 
of  the  Denver  and  Salt  Lake  City  ex- 
changes; Jack  Huey,  who  managed  Vita- 
graph’s  Dallas  exchange  for  eight  years,  is 
in  charge  at  the  Dallas  office ; Roy  Dickson 
is  managing  the  St.  Louis  office  and  Meyer 
Gruber  takes  care  of  the  Boston  exchange ; 
the  Albany  exchange  is  ably  handled  by 
Jack  Krause. 

* * * 

William  G.  Minder  is  in  charge  at  At- 
lanta and  Joe  Miller  is  handling  Buffalo; 
Frank  L.  Hudson  takes  care  of  the  Char- 
lotte office  with  Mark  Goldman  at  the 
Cleveland  exchange;  Allan  S.  Moritz  is 
(Continued  on  page  47) 


A1  B.  Blofson  Benj.  J.  Lourie 

Plhiladelphia  New  Haven 


Mark  Goldman 
Cleveland 


Eph  Roeen 
Kansas  Qty 


Meyer  Gruber 
Boston 


Geo.  P.  Jacobs 
Cincinnati 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


Color  Films  Round  Out  Tiffany  Group 

24  Short  Classics  to  Be  Prominent  Newspaperman 

Offered  for  New  Year  Directs  Advertising 


Tiffany  Productions,  states  M.  H.  Hot¥- 
man,  vice  president  of  the  company,  has 
followed  along  with  other  companies  in  sur- 
rounding their  feature  productions  with  a splen- 
did array  of  Color  Classics,  thus  assuring  ex- 
hibitors a complete,  well  balanced  program 
from  Tiffany.  In  line  with  the  20  feature  pro- 
ductions and  several  extended  run  specials, 
there  will  be  24  Color  Classics — short  reel  gems 
of  the  screen — delivered  by  Tiffany  for  1927- 
1928. 

In  this  series  of  24  Color  Classics  there  will 
be  subjects  of  intense  interest  portrayed  by  a 
cast  of  well  known  screen  favorites.  Each 


I ''HE  advertising  and  publicity  destinies  of 
-*•  Tiffany  Productions,  for  the  past  three 
years,  has  been  ably  handled  by  A.  L.  Selig,  who 
has  had  20  years  of  newspaper  experience  be- 
fore entering  the  motion  picture  industry. 

He  first  became  associated  with  motion  pic- 
ture work  in  1914  when  he  was  approached  by 
Winnie  Sherman  of  Pox  Eilm  Corporation  to 
leave  his  editorial  desk  with  International  News 
and  handle  publicity  campaigns  for  Theda 
Bara.  For  three  years  Selig  publicized  this 
Director  Advertising  and  great  cinema  Star,  making  her  fame  known  the 
world  over  and  placing  her  in  the  foremost 
rank  of  screen  artists.  After  many  successful 


classic  will  be  produced  in  the  usual  Tif- 
fany manner,  abounding  in  beauty  and  en- 
tertainment. 

The  very  fact  that  they  are  from  Tif- 
fany will  make  them  entirely  different 
from  the  average  short  features.  As 
the  name  implies,  Color  Classics,  these 
short  reel  gems  will  all  be  photographed 
in  natural  colors  and  no  doubt  will  again 
meet  the  approval  of  exhibitors  and  their 
patrons  as  successfully  as  those  of  last 
season. 

Some  of  the  Color  Classics  on  last 
season’s  schedule  were:  “The  Barefoot 
Boy,”  “The  Isle  of  June,”  “The  Trail 
of  a Ranger,”  “Clothes  Make  the 
Woman,”  featuring  Sigrid  Holmquist; 
“Fisherman’s  Luck”  and  “A  Greenwich 
Village  Romance,”  featuring  Earl  Car- 
roll’s  “Vanities.” 

It  can  be  seen  from  the  foregoing  that 
Tiffany  Productions  in  its  selections  of 
short  subjects  will  supply  exhibitors  with 
a variety  of  picture  entertainment  of  the 
better  kind. 


Tiffany  Now  Has  28 
Branch  Offices 

(Continued  from  page  44) 

the  biggest  of  sales  campaigns  and  has 
planned  and  “put  over”  numerous  box  office 
successes. 

This  year  Tiffany  Productions  has  its 
own  string  of  national  exchanges  handling 
Tiffany  pictures  exclusively  with  no  open 
spaces  on  the  distribution  map — and  all  this 
in  less  than  a year. 

* * 4: 

specialization  and  close  application  is  the 
secret  of  Tiffany’s  success.  Yes — and  hard 
work — -intelligent  work.  There  are  no  non- 
producing executives,  no  waste,  no  lost  mo- 
tion. There  is  solid  teamwork  in  all  branch- 
es of  the  Tiffany  organization. 

For  the  coming  1927-1928  schedule  Tiffany 
has  listed  for  release  “Twenty  Gems,”  sev- 
eral special  productions  suitable  for  ex- 
tended runs,  24  color  classics — short  reel 
gems,  and  one  of  the  greatest  inventions 
of  the  age,  the  third  dimension  on  the 
screen,  which  promises  to  be  a revolution- 
ary step  in  motion  pictures. 


Show  Instructional  Films 

PORTLAND.^  Ore.,  June  28. — A special  pro- 
gram of  educational  films,  sponsored  by  the  Ore- 
gon council  of  the  National  Motion  Picture 
League,  was  given  at  Liberty  Hall  last  week. 


Weber  Directing 
Sales  Abroad 


Fred  Bernhard  John  W.  Weber 

Managing  Director  Director  Foreign  Sales 

London  for  Tiffany 


One  of  the  ablest  assistants  to  Gen- 
eral Sales  Manager  Ed.  J.  Smith,  of  Tif- 
fany Productions,  is  John  Norbert 
Weber. 

Mr.  Weber,  after  a thorough  schooling 
for  a commercial  career,  first  entered 
the  motion  picture  industry  as  assistant 
cashier  for  Universal  Film  Manufactur- 
ing Company.  Steadily  advancing  he 
soon  became  the  auditor  for  the  New 
York  exchange  for  the  same  company. 

Four  years  later,  in  1916,  Mr.  Weber 
climbed  another  step,  being  appointed 
traveling  auditor.  A year  later  and  for 
a period  of  nine  months  he  assumed 
another  important  post  as  assistant 
manager  of  the  Detroit  exchange. 

After  returning  from  the  war  in  which 
he  served  in  the  medical  corps  of  the 
United  States  army,  Weber  joined 
Universal  as  auditor  of  the  New  York 
exchange.  During  October,  1919,  he  be- 
came an  assistant  to  J.  I.  Schnitzer  of 
Equity  Pictures.  He  served  in  this 
capacity  until  1923,  when  Mr.  Hoffman, 
vice  president  of  Tiffany,  offered  him 
the  post  as  his  assistant.  The  offer  was 
accepted. 

John  Weber  soon  proved  his  ability 
and  was  rewarded  by  being  put  in  charge 
of  foreign  sales  for  Tiffany. 


campaigns  for  Theda  Bara,  Selig  was 
transferred  to  William  Farnum,  whose  pub- 
licity destinies  he  handled  for  a year. 

During  his  connection  with  Fox,  Selig 
handled  the  entire  advertising  and  exploi- 
tation campaign  of  the  big  specials,  “Cleo- 
patra” and  “Salome.”  After  leaving  Fox, 
Selig  joined  United  Artists,  handling  “The 
Three  Musketeers”  on  the  road. 

Before  his  entrance  into  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry,  Selig  was  on  the  reportorial 
staff  of  the  Vciw  York  World,  joining  that 
newspaper  about  27  years  ago.  After  be- 
ing with  them  for  three  years  he  joined 
the  reportorial  staff  of  the  Nnv  York 
Evening  Journal,  being  one  of  its  star  re- 
porters and  after  being  with  that  paper  for 
nearly  12  years  left  to  inaugurate  a news 
department  with  Underwood  & Underwood. 
Later  he  held  editorial  desk  with  the  Inter- 
national News,  Boston  American,  New 
York  Globe  and  the  New  York  City  News 
Association. 

Advancements  in  Sales 
Staff  Announced 

{Continued  from  page  46) 

managing  the  Detroit  exchange  and  E.  H. 
Provencher  is  head  of  the  Indianapolis  of- 
fice; Eph  Rosen  manages  Kansas  City; 
G.  Ralph  Branton  is  head  of  the  Minneap- 
olis exchange  and  J.  S.  Grauman  is  at  the 
Milwaukee  office ; the  Portland  and  Seattle 
exchanges  are  in  charge  of  D.  C.  Millward; 
Robert  Cobe  is  in  charge  at  Pittsburgh ; 
and  Louis  Reichert  is  manager  of  the  San 
Francisco  exchange. 

_ The  men  in  charge  of  the  various  for- 
eign exchanges  are : G.  A.  Balsdon,  Mont- 
real ; J.  M.  Anderson,  St.  John ; Douglas 
Thomas,  Toronto;  Fred  Bernhard,  Lon- 
don ; Arthur  Russell,  Liverpool ; Charles 
Thompson,  Leeds;  Matt  Gill,  Manchester; 
Joseph  Kean,  GlasgoAv;  Dr.  R.  W.  Simp- 
son, Newcastle-on-Tyne ; Harry  Goodman, 
Birmingham ; Laurence  Lee,  Home  Coun- 
ties ; Jacques  Haik  at  Paris ; Frederick  E. 
Schoninger  at  Berlin ; and  E.  Carrera  at 
Havana. 


New  South  Africa  Chain 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  5. — The  Cinema 
South  Africa  Film  Company,  formed  in 
opposition  to  the  African  Theatres,  Ltd.,  is 
reported  to  be  planning  several  new 
theatres. 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


A Curtain  Call  for  Norma 

PLEASANTON,  NEB. — To  the  Editor  : 
After  reading  friend  L.  L.  Levy’s  Nacog- 
doches, Tex.,  letter  in  the  June  25  issue,  1 
felt  that  I must  break  into  print. 

I am  glad  there  is  one  exhibitor  who 
hasn’t  forgotten  beautiful  Norma  Talmadge 
nor  her  masterpiece,  “Smilin’  Thru.”  Yes, 
it  certainly  was  a beautiful  picture  and  it  is 
pictures  like  it  that  the  industry  has  been 
crying  for  ever  since.  “Smilin’  Thru”  was 
so  well  made  and  acted  that  the  characters 
seemed  to  breathe  the  Breath  of  Life.  I 
saw  the  play  on  the  stage  after  seeing  it  in 
pictures.  Everything  was  fairly  good,  but 
the  leading  lady  who  took  Norma’s  part  in 
the  film  version  made  a miserable  mess  of 
it.  I have  always  said  that  no  one  but 
Norma  could  “do  her  stuff.” 

As  “Smilin’  Thru”  was  a costume  picture 
it  could  be  reissued  again  by  First  National 
and,  of  course,  never  be  out  of  date.  I 
have  often  wondered  why  First  National 
hasn’t  done  it.  If  Norma  makes  a hit  in 
Lmited  Artists’  production,  “Camille,”  they 
no  doubt,  will.  Let’s  hope  so  for  the  good 
of  the  coming  generation  who  didn’t  see  it, 
anyway. 

Norma  didn’t  win  the  recent  contest,  but 
I am  inclined  to  believe  what  some  other 
exhibitor  said  in  a letter  to  the  Herald 
during  the  contest  that,  “Some  of  the  old 
bald  headed  fossils  must  have  been  looking 
to  see  if  they  ‘rolled  ’em’  instead  of  at 
their  faces  or  Norma  would  have  won  the 
contest,”  or  at  least  words  to  that  effect. 

How  about  it,  old  timers?  — H.  C. 
Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. 

Write  Mr.  Brill  of  Broadway 

PIPESTONE,  MINN.— To  the  Editor: 
Can  you  advise  us  as  to  who  handles,  owns, 
or  produced  the  picture,  “Lena  Rivers,” 
and  address  of  said  company  holding 
rights  ? 

Who’s  Youngest 
Exhibitor? 

Considerable  interest  has  been 
aroused  by  publication  in  last 
week’s  issue  of  the  HERALD  of  a 
story  about  Miss  Mildred  Russell 
of  Benton  City,  Mo.,  who,  at  15, 
started  managing  the  community 
theatre  of  that  city.  Comment 
seems  to  be  centering  on  whether 
she  is  the  youngest  exhibitor 
(Miss  Russell  is  17  now). 

All  right.  We’ll  leave  it  to  you 
exhibitors.  Who  is  the  youngest 
exhibitor  in  your  territory?  We 
welcome  nominations  from  either 
the  entrant  himself  or  any  ac- 
quaintance. Each  territory  has  its 
own  youngest  exhibitor  and  we 
want  the  names  of  all  of  them. 

It’s  a race  from  scratch,  with 
no  handicaps.  The  field  is  open  to 
all,  and  the  youngest  man  (or 
woman)  wins.  Come  one,  come 
all,  with  your  nominations ! 


Hoping  that  you  will  be  able  to  give  us 
the  information  desired. — L.  V.  Feldman, 
Orpheum  theatre,  Pipestone,  Minn. 

[EDITOR’S  NOTE:  “Lena  Rivers,” 
formerly  distributed  by  Arrow,  is  now 
owned  by  Sol  Brill,  1560  Broadway, 
New  York  City.  Mr.  Brill  can  give  the 
information  desired.] 

Give  a Helping  Hand 

MANITOWOC,  WIS. — To  the  Editor: 
Would  you  kindly  give  me_  the  informa- 
tion where  I can  get  a negative  of  the 
picture,  “Silver  Threads  Among  the  Gold,” 
featuring  Richard  Yhose,  the  lyric  tenor? — 
R.  J.  Cull,  George  hotel,  Manitow'oc,  Wis. 

[EDITOR’S  NOTE:  Can  any  one 
give  Mr.  Cull  a helping  hand?] 

Mr.  Hersh  Asks  Assistance 

CHICAGO,  ILL. — To  the  Editor:  Be- 
ing that  we  are  subscribers  to  your  maga- 
zine we  were  wondering  whether  you  could 
accommodate  us  with  the  following  infor- 
mation : 

During  the  existence  of  Federated  Ex- 
changes of  America  there  was  one  feature 
released  through  them,  entitled  “Dangerous 
Toys.”  We  are  enclosing  a press  sheet  for 
further  information. 

We  would  like  to  locate  the  Bradley 
Feature  Film  Company  which  originally 
produced  this  subject.  Will  you  please  try 
to  obtain  this  information  for  us. — H.  Z. 
Hersh,  Olympia  theatre,  Chicago,  111. 

[EDITOR’S  NOTE:  Who  among 
the  Herald  readers  can  supply  Mr. 
Hersh  with  this  information?] 


Jenkins*  Daughter  and 
Husband,  W,  Bradley, 
Badly  Hurt  in  Crash 

Exhibitors  throughout  the  country  will 
regret  to  learn  that  Mrs.  Marjorie  Brad- 
ley, daughter  of  J.  C.  Jenkins,  field  repre- 
sentative of  the  Herald,  and  Walter  Brad- 
ley, who  operates  the  Moon  theatre  at 
Neligh,  Neb.,  were  severely  injured  in  a 
recent  automobile  accident. 

Mrs.  Bradley’s  condition  is  critical.  She 
suffered  serious  head  bruises,  both  jaws  and 
all  her  teeth  were  shattered,  and  there  were 
other  injuries.  Mr.  Bradley’s  nose  was 
broken  and  he  sustained  other  injuries 
which  may  prove  serious. 

A car  running  without  lights  crashed 
head  on  into  the  Bradleys’  car  at  1 a.  m. 
Mr.  Bradley  did  not  see  the  other  auto  be- 
fore they  collided.  Both  cars  were  wrecked 
and  the  boys  driving  the  other  auto  were 
severely  injured  but  will  recover. 


Col.  Joy  Speaks  Before 
Educational  Conclave 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  5.— Colonel  Jason 
S.  Joy,  director  of  public  and  industrial 
relations  of  the  Hays  organization,  has  left 
for  Seattle,  where  he  will  address  the  an- 
nual National  Educational  Association  July 
7th.  The  subject  of  Colonel  Joy’s  talk 
wall  be  “The  Relationship  Between  Educa- 
tion and  Motion  Pictures.” 


Barret  Keisling  Goes 
to  Canada  on  Vacation 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CULVER  CITY.  July  5.— Barret  Keis- 
ling, director  of  publicity  at  the  DeMille 
Studios,  has  left  for  a month’s  vacation 
in  Canada. 

Billy  Leyser,  formerly  director  of  pub- 
licity of  Metropolitan  Studios,  has  been 
transferred  to  the  DeMille  Studios  as  office 
manager. 


Deaths 


Ethel  Hall 

Ethel  Hall,  age  29,  died  of  injuries  re- 
ceived while  doubling  for  Dorothy  Dwan 
during  the  production  of  a picture  in  which 
Wallace  McDonald  also  appears. 

General  Guy  E.  Tripp 

Brigadier  General  Guy  E.  Tripp,  chair- 
man of  the  board  of  Westinghouse  Electric 
& Manufacturing  Company,  died  in  New 
York  following  an  operation. 

Joel  David  Martin 

Joel  David  Martin,  head  of  the  Martin 
Studios  in  Los  Angeles,  which  has  con- 
structed scenery  for  the  local  theatres  for 
the  last  decade,  died  recently. 

A.  F.  Steinman 

A.  F.  Steinman,  exhibitor  of  Deposit, 
N.  Y.,  was  drowned  during  a fishing  trip. 
Mrs.  Sigmund  Alexander 

Mrs.  Sigmund  Alexander,  sister  of  Abe 
and  Julius  Stern,  died  at  Fulda,  Germany. 
Mrs.  Sigmund  was  a sister  of  the  late  Mrs. 
Carl  Laemmle  and  of  Mrs.  Maurice  Fleckles 
of  Chicago. 

Eugene  Sloman 

Eugene  Sloman,  Detroit  theatre  and  real 
estate  man,  died  recently  at  his  home  in 
the  Michigan  metropolis.  He  owned  the 
Bonistell  theatre. 

Arthur  Van  Vleet 

Arthur  Van  Vleet,  projectionist  at  the 
Summit  theatre,  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  was  killed 
during  an  automobile  race  at  the  Minnesota 
State  Fair  track. 

Royston  B.  Hall 

Royston  B.  Hall,  manager  of  the  Com- 
munity theatre  at  Hamilton  and  active  in 
the  motion  picture  business  for  more  than 
20  years,  died  in  Baltimore.  A widow  and 
three  sons  survive. 

Harry  L.  Franklin 

Harry  L.  Franklin,  motion  picture  direc- 
tor, died  in  Los  Angeles  of  heart  failure. 
Ray  Thompson 

Ray  Thompson,  29,  stunt  man,  was 
drowned  in  the  Copper  river  in  Alaska 
during  the  filming  of  Metro-Goldwyn- 
ing  M-G-M’s  “The  Trail  of  ’98.” 

Joseph  Bautin 

Joseph  Bautin,  34,  of  Juneau,  Alaska, 
lost  his  life  in  the  Copper  river  while  film- 
ing Metro’s  “The  Trail  of  ’98.” 

F.  H.  Daughters 

F.  H.  Daughters,  23,  Spokane,  was  the 
third  of  the  trio  drowned  in  the  Copper 
river  while  filming  the  new  M-G-M  feature. 
Madge  Stemmel 

Madge  Stemmel  of  Albany,  formerly  an 
employe  of  Bond  Photoplay  exchange,  died 
at  her  home  in  the  capital  cit}'. 


Replevin  Brings  Prize 
After  Charge  of  Fraud 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  5.— James  M.  Kelly, 
claimant  of  the  first  prize,  an  automobile, 
in  a contest  conducted  by  a business  men’s 
association  and  the  Cinderella  theatre,  has 
gained  temporary  possession  of  the  machine 
through  a writ  of  replevin,  following  ob- 
jections of  the  contest  officials  that  Kelly’s 
claim  was  illegal. 

The  merchants  gave  a key  with  each  $1 
purchase,  several  of  the  keys  being  able  to 
open  boxes  entitling  the  holders  to  prizes. 
It  was  charged  that  Kelly  had  mutilated 
his  key  to  fit  the  box  representing  the  auto- 
mobile. Kelly  also  had  keys  that  won 
other  prizes. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 


%e  HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  SMotion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  ^'What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me” 
supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing  average 
daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into  average  daily 
gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  lo  of  these  per- 
centage ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average 
of  these  lo  percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  *'The  Ticker.” 
Each  additional  percentage-rating  report  received  on  pic- 
tures entered  is  combined  with  those  previously  received 
and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


1. 

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60. 
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62. 
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04. 

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74. 

75. 

76. 

77. 

78. 

79. 

80. 
81. 
82. 


HTTI.E  ANME  ROONEY  (U.  A.) 


THE  TEASER  (ll). 


WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS  (M-G-M)  12 

THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  (Para) 11 

THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  (F.  B.  O.) 29 

THE  flaming  forest  (M-G-M) 29 

SALLY,  IRENE  AND  MARY  (M-G-M) 11 

CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  (W.  B.) 12 

TONY  RUNS  WILD  (Fox) 13 

THE  RED  MILL  (M-G-M) 14 

PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY  (W.  B.) 14 

FORLORN  RIVER  (Para) 23 

IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.  N.) 25 

OLD  CLOTHES  (M-G-M)....  13 


.58.33% 
..58.27% 
..58.13% 
.58  10% 
.58.09% 
..57  75% 
..57.46% 
..57.42% 
..57.00% 
..56.86% 
.56.84% 
.56.69% 


83. 

84. 

85. 

86. 

87. 

88. 

89. 

90. 

91. 

92. 

93. 

94. 

95. 

96. 

97. 


.14 

reports 

82.2  l%c, 

98. 

..13 

-..81.23%o 

99. 

..11 

“ 

....79.72%o 

100. 

-.25 

.78.00%o 

101. 

..12 

....76.58%, 

102. 

.10 

“ 

..-.76.20%o 

103. 

.11 

“ 

...76.18%, 

104. 

-.28 

“ 

....74.25%o 

105. 

-.23 

....73.39%o 

106. 

.15 

....72.80%o 

107. 

.22 

....72.72%(, 

108. 

..15 

“ 

....72.46%o 

109. 

..19 

....72.00%o 

110. 

..10 

“ 

....71.90%o 

111. 

.14 

....71.78%o 

112. 

..18 

....71.00%o 

113. 

..23 

...70.86%, 

1 14. 

..19 

“ 

....70.84%o 

1 15. 

.25 

....70.60%,, 

1 16. 

-.14 

“ 

....70.14%o 

117. 

..10 

. 69.70%, 

118. 

-.13 

“ 

...69.38%, 

119. 

..16 

...  68.81%o 

120. 

.21 

....68.38%o 

121. 

.20 

“ 

....68.15%o 

122. 

-.32 

67.96%„ 

123. 

.21 

“ ..  . 

.67.80% 

124. 

..10 

...-67.40%, 

125. 

-.30 

....67.30%„ 

126. 

-.14 

....66.78%o 

127. 

.10 

....66.40%o 

128. 

..13 

....66.30%o 

129. 

..19 

**  

....65.94%, 

130. 

.21 

“ 

....65.85%, 

131. 

.15 

“ 

....65.53%, 

132. 

.14 

“ . . 

....64.50%o 

133. 

.36 

....64.50%o 

134. 

..18 

«« 

....64.44%o 

135, 

..21 

....64.33%o 

136. 

..10 

44 

....64.20%o 

137. 

..11 

“ 

....64.18%„ 

138. 

..11 

44 

....64.09%o 

139. 

.13 

44 

....64.07%o 

140, 

..15 

“ 

....63.80% 

141. 

....63.54%, 

142. 

-.11 

44 

....63.45%o 

143. 

-.12 

44 

....63.41%o 

144. 

.13 

44 

....62.84%o 

145. 

..12 

44 

62.83%, 

146. 

-.11 

44 

....62.72%o 

147. 

..12 

44 

....62.42%o 

148. 

.26 

44 

....62.30% 

149. 

..14 

....62.07%o 

150. 

.26 

....61.96%o 

151. 

-.20 

....61.85%o 

152. 

..19 

...61.68%, 

153. 

-.13 

44 

....61.00%, 

154. 

.17 

44 

....60.94% 

155. 

44 

....60.56%„ 

156. 

.17 

44 

....60.47%„ 

157. 

.10 

44 

....60.40%o 

158. 

-.14 

“ 

....60.35%o 

159. 

..11 

...  60.09%o 

160. 

....59.50%„ 

161. 

.27 

...59.1 1%„ 

162. 

.11 

....59.09%o 

163, 

..13 

...59.00%, 

164. 

.-14 

....58.92%„ 

165. 

.10 

“ 

...58.80%, 

166. 

...  58.61%o 

167. 

168. 

169. 

170. 

171. 

172. 

173. 

174. 

175. 

176. 

177. 

178. 

179. 


ROLLING  HOME  (U) 17 

UPSTAGE  (M-G-M) 23 

THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER  (U) 20 

MIKE  (M-G-M) 11 

THE  DARK  ANGEL  (F.  N.) 12 

THE  WILDERNESS  WOMAN  (Fox) 12 

THE  FLYING  HORSEMAN  (Fox) 11 

SUBWAY  SADIE  (F.  N.) .19 

WILD  JUSTICE  (U.  A.) 15 

HER  BIG  NIGHT  (U) 15 

STRANDED  IN  PARIS  (Para) 15 

KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY  (F.  B.  O.) 16 

THE  RETURN  OF  PETER  GRIMM  (Fox) 10 

WHAT  happened  TO  JONES  (U) 15 

(TIE  JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD  (Fox) ]2 

BORN  TO  THE  WEST  (Para) 18 

PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM  (U) 18 

MEN  OF  STEEL  (F.  N.) 28 

CANYON  OF  LIGHT  (Fox) 11 

THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER  (P.  D.  C.) 14 

KID  BOOTS  (Para) 19 

THE  ROAD  TO  MANDALAY  (M-G-M) 20 

THE  GREvATER  GLORY  (F.  N.) 10 

TIN  GODS  (Para) 19 

POKER  FACES  (U) 16 

THE  BARRIER  (M-G-M) 15 

THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN  (U) 19 

THE  ICE  FLOOD  (U) 12 

THE  BLUE  EAGLE  (Fox) 11 

ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS  (Para) 17 

PARADISE  (F.  N.) 15 

ARIZONA  STREAK  ( F.  B.  O.) 11 

VARIETY  (Para) 18 

THE  PRINCE  OF  PILSEN  (P.  D.  C.) 10 

STEPPING  ALONG  (F.  N.) 11 

MISS  NOBODY  (F.  N.) 16 

HERO  OF  THE  BIG  SNOWS  ( W.  B.).  10 

ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY  (F.  B.  O.) 25 

THE  WANDERER  (Para) 11 

BA  FILING  BUTLER  (M-G-M) 21 

HOGAN’S  ALLEY  (W.  B.) 12 

MARE  NOSTRUM  (M-G-M) 27 

SPARROWS  (U.  A.) 18 

THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  HANDICAP  ( P.  D.  C)  ..17 

THE  SHOW  OFF  (Para) 15 

BRED  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY  (F.  B.  O.) 10 

THE  ANCIENT  HIGHWAY  (Para) 10 

HAIR  TRIGGER  BAXTF;R  ( F.  B.  O.) 10 

THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS  (U) 16 

PADLOCKED  (Para)  15 

DESERT’S  TOLL  (M-G-M) 15 

HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR  ( F.  B.  O.) 16 

THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT  (F.  N.) 12 

WHISPERING  SMITH  (P.  D.  C.) 10 

THE  WALTZ  DREAM  (M-G-M) 12 

SPANGLES  (U)  - 10 

EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA  (Fox) 16 

THE  STILL  ALARM  (U) 10 

TAKE  IT  FROM  ME  (U) 14 

TirMBLEWEEDS  (U.  A.) 11 

THE  OLD  SOAK  (U) 11 

WET  PAINT  (Para) 11 

THERE  YOU  ARE  (M-G-M) 20 

LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM  (Para) 11 

PARTNERS  AGAIN  (U.  A) 14 

FINE  MANNERS  (Para) 10 

MIDNIGHT  LOVERS  (F.  N.) 12 

THE  BLIND  GODDESS  (Para) 15 

THE  BROWN  DERBY  (F.  N.) 17 

THE  BORDER  SHERIFF  (U) 10 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO  (P.ara) 12 

BIGGER  THAN  BARNUM’S  (F.  B.  O.) 10 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN  (Para) 15 

LA  BOHEME  (M-G-M) 19 

THE  LFTFLE  JOURNEY  (M-G-M) 11 

BLARNEY  (M-G-M)  17 

THE  MARRIAGE  CLAUSE  (U) 13 

THE  DUCHESS  OF  BUFFALO  (F.  N.) 11 

HOLD  THAT  LION  (Para) 14 

EVERYBODY’S  ACTING  (Para) 10 

MISS  BREWSTER’S  MILLIONS  (Para) 13 

FIG  LEAVES  (Fox) 10 

THE  LOVE  THIEF  (U) 10 

THE  CANADIAN  (Para) 18 

FASCINATING  YOUTH  (Para) 14 

NELL  GWYN  (Para) lO 

BARDELYS  THE  MAGNIFICENT  (M-G-M) 13 

THE  CAT’S  PAJAMAS  (Para) 11 

THE  WISE  GUY  (F.  N.) 11 

INTO  HER  KINGDOM  (F.  N.) 11 

THE  MAGICIAN  (M-G-M) 19 

THE  GREAT  GATSBY  (Para) 10 

STEEL  PREFERRED  (P.  D.  C.) .10 

PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL  (U) 11 

YOU’D  BE  SURPRISED  (Para) 14 

DON  JUAN’S  THREE  NIGHTS  (F.  N.) 10 

THE  AMATEUR  GENTLEMAN  (F.  N.) 11 


...56.58% 

...56.47% 

...56.45% 

...56.45% 

...56.41% 

...56.16% 

...56.00% 

...55.89% 

...55.86% 

...55.80% 

...55.33% 

...55.25% 

...55.20% 

...55.20% 

...55.08% 

.55.00% 

...54.94% 

...54.92% 

...54.90% 

...54.50% 

...54.42% 

...54.20% 

...54.00% 

...53.78% 

...53.75% 

...53.00/0 
...52.68% 
...52.58% 
...52.54% 
...52.35% 
...52.25% 
...52.00% 
...51.94% 
51.60% 
...51.27% 
..51.12% 
.50.50% 
..50.44% 
...50.36%, 
.50.36% 
...50.25%, 
...50.22%o 
.50.1  l%o 
..49.82%o 
...49.73% 
...49.50%„ 
..49.40%o 
..49.40%o 
..49.31%o 
..49.00%o 
...48.26%o 
. 48.18%o 
...48.08%o 
...47.90%o 
...47.75% 
..47.60% 
..47.56%o 
..47.50%o 
..47.50%o 
...47.18% 
..46.81%o 
..46.81%o 
..46.80%o 
..46.72%o 
..46.7  l%o 
..46.60%o 
..46.50%o 
..45.53% 
..45.4 1%„ 
..45.00%o 
..44.91%o 
..4.1.60%o 
..44.33%o 
..43.6,3% 
..43.36%o 
..43.23%o 
..42.84%„ 
..42.45%„ 
..42.28%o 
..41.30%o 
..41.23%o 
..41.10%o 

.40.93% 

..40.16%o 

..39.71% 

..39.30%„ 

..39.2.3%„ 

..39.09%o 

..39.09%„ 

..36.90%, 

..36.47%, 

.35.80%o 

..34.70%„ 

..33.27%o 

..3l.92%o 

..30.80%, 

..30.27%, 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


I 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 

$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The  Recognized  National  Classified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


UNIQUE  VIEWPOINT:  There  is  a man  who 
combines  many  years  of  theatre  experience  with 
an  intimate  technical  knowledge  of  advertising,  ex- 
ploitation  and  music.  A good  business  getter. 
Only  high-class  proposition  considered  as  manager 
or  assistant  to  busy  executive.  He  has  education, 
taste  and  poise  and  is  anxious  to  connect  where 
this  splendid  background  could  be  utilized  to  a 
fuller  extent.  Will  go  anywhere.  Address  Box 
184,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


OPERATOR  with  ten  years*  experience  in  large 
houses.  Married.  Wants  steady  job.  Address 
Gene  Ingalls,  New  Hampton,  la. 


MOTION  PICTURE  PIANIST  at  liberty.  Ex- 
cellent musician.  Plays  violin  also.  Nonunion. 
Address  R.  Blattan,  2646  S.  Hamlin  Avenue,  2d 
Floor,  Chicago,  111. 


PROJECTIONIST  DESIRES  POSITION. 
Available  at  once  and  will  go  anywhere.  Non- 
union. Run  any  make  machine.  Address  W.  F. 
Smith,  223  Bonner  Street,  Dayton,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED:  To  lease  picture  theatre  in  town  of 
3,000-15,000.  Have  cash.  Give  all  information  in 
first  letter.  Address  Box  188,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  S.  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


WANTED:  To  rent  picture  theatre,  or  would 
accept  position  as  manager.  Ten  years’  experience 
and  two  years  as  operator.  Let  me  hear  at  once. 
Address  C.  E.  Lenninger,  321  N.  Mantua  Street, 
Kent,  Ohio. 


WILL  LEASE  OR  BUY  THEATRE  in  town 

3,000  or  over.  No  competition.  State  best  terms, 
amount  of  business,  rental,  equipment  and  if  trial 
given.  Complete  description  wanted.  Address 
Box  191,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


PICTURE  HOUSE  WANTED  in  Northern  In- 
diana or  Western  Michigan.  Lease  or  purchase. 
Give  full  particulars.  Address  Box  192,  Exhib- 
itors Herald,  407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


Theatres  For  Sale 


J'OR  SALE — Complete  theatre  equipment  (450 
seats),  very  reasonable  rent.  Address  Palace 
Theatre,  Idalou,  Texas.  (On  the  (Jreat  South 
Plains.) 


FOR  SALE — Theatre  and  Insurance  Agency. 
Good  combination  for  right  party.  Population  500. 
Building  seats  225.  Also  residence  for  sale.  Ad- 
dress P.  O.  Box  130,  Arenzville,  Illinois. 


SUBURBAN  THEATRE,  350  seating  capacity, 
all  modem  improvements  and  new  equipment. 
Doing  splendid  business.  Good  reason  for  selling. 
Location  and  full  information  given  to  interested 
parties  addressing  W.  C.  Burgert,  Box  4232, 
Tampa,  Fla.  ^ Other  Florida  theatres  for  sale. 
Full  information  on  request. 


THEATRE  AND  LEASE  for  sale  in  Tampa, 
Florida.  Prefer  selling  half  interest.  Address 
Box  347,  Largo,  Florida. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Avc., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS:  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 color*, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  W.  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
3x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet,  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVURE”  PROCESS  PRINTING— 
Distinctive.  250  each  letterheads,  envelopes,  cards 
$4.44  Postpaid.  Two  colors  ink,  $5.55.  Samples. 
Address  Sollidays,  E.H.124,  Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HEADS, 8j4xll,  and  100  6J4  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Business  Opportunity 


PARTNER  WANTED  for  Best  Road  Show 
out.  Five  reel  novelty  feature  which  has  never 
been  shown.  Address  R,  B.  Selvidge,  Eufaula, 
Okla. 


Organs  For  Sale 


FOTOPLAYER  IN  PERFECT  SHAPE,  con- 
tains  all  attachments.  Library  of  six  hundred 
rolls.  Metal  cabinet  for  rolls.  Priced  reasonable. 
Address  Box  571,  Libertyville,  111. 


WE  HAVE  ON  HAND  in  our  various  ware- 
houses a limited  number  of  used  unit  and  pit  or- 
gans which  have  been  rebuilt  and  reprocessed  and 
which  we  are  offering  while  they  last  at  sacrifice 
prices.  Address  Robert  Morton  Organ  Company, 
624  S.  Michigan  Avenue,  Chicago,  111. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  Box  53,  Havana,  Illinois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta..  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built  for  a 
purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best  of  re- 
sults and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph  Sprat- 
ler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 


equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2.100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  ISO  the- 
atres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
® $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  111. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guarr- 
anteed  condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theater  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  One  Powers  6B,  one  Powers 
Type  E lamp  house  used  only  two  weeks.  2 AC 
Block  Motors  yg  Horse  Power,  60  Cycle.  First 
Class  Condition.  Address  H.  B.  Albright,  2213 
Bakwell  Street,  Toledo,  Ohio. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES."  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


SUBURBAN  THEATRE,  350  seating  capacity, 
all  modern  improvements  and  new  equipment. 
Doing  splendid  business.  Good  reason  for  selling. 
Location  and  full  information. 


ONE  PATHE  STUDIO  MODEL  Moving  Pic- 
ture Camera,  6 — 400-ft.  magazines,  tripod  and 
carrying  cases.  Camera  recently  fitted  with  all 
improvements  and  outfit  in  perfect  condition.  Cost 
originally  over  $1,000.00.  First  offer  of  $375.00 
cash  will  be  accepted.  $25.00  deposit  required  for 
C.  O.  D.  shipment  with  privilege  of  examination 
in  express  office.  Write  W.  C.  Burgert,  c/o 
Tampa  Photo  & Art  Supply  Co.,  Tampa,  Fla. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


July  9,  1927 

“What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

**What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me**  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  *‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,**  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  lU. 


Columbia 

SWEET  ROSIE  O’GRADY:  Shirley  Mason— 
25%.  June  23,  This  is  a good  clean  entertaining 
picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SWEET  ROSIE  O'GRADY:  Shirley  Mason— 
With  a superb  cast,  Shirley  Mason  put  this  over 
100  per  cent.  It  was  a clean  wholesome  picture 
and  Shirley  after  a long  absence  came  back  to 
o\ir  patrons  strong  as  horseradish  and  we  felt  that 
we  had  given  our  people  a run  for  their  money. 
Shirley  is  a prime  favorite  here.  Fellow  ex- 
hibitors, “Step  on  de  gas"  with  this  one.  Shirley 
and  cast  will  do  the  rest.  Six  reels. — Giacoma 
Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General 
patronage. 

THE  BETTER  WAY:  Special  cast— 46%.  May 
31.  A good  picture,  but  this  percentage  ratuig 
should  really  be  credited  to  news-pictures  of  the 
Bath  school  explosion  which  I ran  on  the  same 
program. — ’Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 


F.  B.  0. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 75%. 
Junt  11-12.  A very  nice  picture  with  wonderful 
BCenefi,  and  a very  nice  love  story  commencing 
at  childhood.  The  children  steal  the  picture. 
Seven  reels. — W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  theatre. 
Steuben,  Wie. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 40%. 
June  20-21.  Pleased  every  woman  present.  No 
business  on  account  of  miners'  strike.  Seven 
reels. — G.  Carey,  Strand  theatre,  Paris,  Ark. — 
General  patronage. 

MAN  OF  NERVE:  Bob  Custer— 60%.  June  4. 
A dandy  Western.  Custer  is  always  good.  I hate 
to  see  him  leave  FBO. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic 
theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON  MIKE:  Fred  Thomson — 80%.  June  25. 
This  is  a great  entertainment.  Better  than  most 
of  the  so-called  specials.  We  have  played  all  of 
this  star's  pictures  and  not  one  poor  one.  Some 
record  I say. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

TARZAN  AND  THE  GOLDEN  LION:  Special 
cast — 50%.  June  15.  A good  jungle  picture 
that  drew  a lot  of  children  and  less  adults.  But 
all  were  well  pleased  who  attended.  Good  print. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

TARZAN  AND  THE  GOLDEN  LION:  Special 
cast — ^June  8.  This  drew  kids  and  pleased  them. 
But  for  adults,  especially  ladies,  bah.  Six  reels. — 
S.  G.  FVy,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS : Fred  Thomson — 
20%.  June  17-18.  Fred  is  good  and  Siiver  is  bet- 
ter and  they  make  a good  team.  Crowd  should 
be  satisfied  with  any  of  Fred’s  shows  because 
there  is  always  plenty  of  action  and  entertain- 
ment. Six  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

WILD  TO  GO:  Tom  Tyler— 50%.  May  24-25. 
A very  good  little  Western.  The  kids  like  the 
kid  and  that  draws,  but  had  bad  weather.  Rain. 
Five  reels. — A.  J.  W.  Koehler,  Koehler  theatre, 
Uehling,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

THE  TWO  GUN  MAN:  Fred  Thomson — 75%. 
June  18.  Fred  is  good  and  Silver  King  is  won- 
derful. I take  my  hat  off  to  this  team.  They 
sure  pul!  and  ploaae  the  crowd. — J.  G.  Flandeio, 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

LADDIE:  Special  cast — 40%.  June  12.  Good 
picture  and  the  local  conditions  we  have  just 
now  are  something  fierce  but  "Laddie"  brought 
them  out  and  we  think  they  were  all  pleased.  So 
it  shows  that  a good  book  story  will  bring  them 
out  no  matter  how  hard  they  are  up  and  makes 
us  feel  that  it  will  change  soon  to  an  upward 
road.  It’s  worth  boosting  and  it  teaches  every- 
one a better  lesson  than  a sermon.  Seven  reels. — 
Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY:  Viola  Dana— 30%. 
A rather  small  chip  off  the  "Cohens  and  Kellys” 
block.  Only  fairly  amusing.  Seven  reels. — O.  B. 
Junkine,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 

BIGGER  THAN  BARNUMS:  Viola  Dana— 15%. 
June  7-8.  Biggest  flop  for  years.  Nothing  at  all. 
Had  a comedy  which  was  good  help  to  save  the 
few  that  saw  it. — A.  J.  W.  Koehler,  Koehler  thea- 
tre, Uehling,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

FLAMING  FURY:  Ranger — 40%.  All  dog  pic- 
tures are  about  alike  and  this  one  is  no  diffierent 
from  the  rest.  Okay  for  Saturday  to  please  the 
kids.  Five  reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  thea- 
tre, Carmel,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  WALL  STREET  WHIZ:  Special  cast— 
60%.  May  27.  A very  good  action  comedy.  My 
patrons  all  like  Talmadge.  Pleased  90  per  cent. — 
J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

HER  FATHER  SAID  NO:  Special  cast — June 
17.  This  one,  to  our  mind,  is  a flop  when  it 


comes  to  comedy.  We  have  run  a lot  of  pictures 
on  our  screen  that  had  more  comedy  in  one  reel 
than  this  one  did  through  the  whole  show.  About 
the  poorest  Gold  Bond  we  have  used.  Has  a good 
plot  and  some  good  acting,  but  to  advertise  it  as  a 
side-splitting,  earthquake  producing  comedy  is 
“nix” — Roy  V.  Wuest,  Crossett  Loggers’  Y.  M. 
C.  A.,  Hamburg,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

HOME  STRUCK:  Viola  Dana— June  11.  Fair 
picture.  Not  enough  action.  Five  reels. — S.  G. 
Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

CACTUS  TRAILS:  Bob  Custer^une  18.  This 
is  the  kind  they  like  for  Saturdays.  Plenty  of 
action  and  good  riding.  Five  reels. — R.  G.  Cham- 
berlin, Palm  theatre,  St.  Cloud,  Fla. — General 
patronage. 

THE  COWBOY  COP:  Tom  Tyler— June  22. 
Picture  good.  Fine  story,  but  the  fans  didn’t 
care  for  their  old  friend  being  dolled  up  in  a 
party  suit.  Action  is  what  they  want  from  Tyler, 
and  they  only  got  a little  of  it  in  the  last  reel. 
My  bunch  wants  action.  Five  reels. — Roy  V. 
Wuest,  Crossett  Loggers’  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Hamburg, 
Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BETTER  MAN : Richard  Talmadge — June 
15.  Say.  this  is  one  of  the  best  Talmadge  ever 
made  from  what  our  crowd  says.  They  certainly 
did  like  this  one.  Lots  of  comedy  with  Talmadge 
in  some  rather  laughable  predicaments.  It  went 
over  very  well.  You  won’t  go  wrong  with  this 
one.  Six  reels. — Roy  V.  Wuest,  Crossett  Loggers’ 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Hamburg,  Ark. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

MOULDERS  OF  MEN:  Special  cast — June  2-3. 
A good  picture  that  was  sold  under  the  title  of 
“Hello  Bill”  which  was  a much  better  one  than  it 
now  has  as  “Moulders  of  Men.”  Sounds  like  you 
are  going  to  get  preached  at  and  people  do  not 
go  to  shows  for  that  purpose.  It’s  a good  picture 
but  you  can  not  get  them  in  to  see  it.  Would 
be  a wow  if  properly  titled. — ^H.  G.  Stettmund,  Jr., 
H.  & S.  theatre.  Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town 
patronage. 

First  National 

BABE  COMES  HOME:  Babe  Ruth— 40%.  June 
26-27.  One  of  the  best  comedy  features  we  ever 
played.  Star  good  and  the  cast  extra  good.  Some 
very  funny  comedy.  Gave  satisfaction  here. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

BABE  COMES  HOME:  Babe  Ruth— 44%.  ..If 
your  fans  like  baseball  it  will  please.  It  is  good. — 
Coffee  & Ellis,  American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

CONVOY:  Special  cast — 60%.  A high  class 

picture  and  one  that  will  go  over  good. — Coffee  & 
Ellis,  American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

EASY  PICKINGS:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson — 24%. 
June  13.  A good  mystery  drama  but  poor  title 
and  cast  don’t  mean  much  at  the  box  office  here. 
Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Specail  cast — 43%.  Can’t 
say  very  much  for  this  one.  Not  so  good  as  some 
of  Johnny’s  pictures. — Coffee  & Ellis,  American 
theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — -General  patronage. 

THE  LADY  IN  ERMINE:  Corinne  Griffith— 
24%.  June  8.  A poor  small  town  offering.  Seven 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre,  Rainier,  Ore. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  LADY  IN  ERMINE:  Corinne  Griffith- 
Very  ixK>r  picture.  No  reason  to  make  a thing 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


like  that. — W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  theatre,  Frank- 
fort, Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

MEMORY  LANE:  Special  cast — 7%.  June  16. 
Good  Sunday  picture  for  the  younger  generation. 
Good  love  story  and  some  comedy  relief,  but  Con- 
rad sure  had  tough  luck  I I felt  sorry,  Conrad, 
but  it  was  only  a movie  so  I guess  nothing  is 
wrong,  and  it  all  ended  well.  Haines  put  it  over 
good  but  failed  to  get  the  girl  after  all.  Good 
show,  boys.  Give  us  some  just  like  it  and  it’ll  be 
jake.  Eight  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

PALS  FIRST:  Special  cast — 50%.  June  4. 
Not  a special  but  a very  good  program  picture. 
The  tramps  give  comedy  relief.  Eight  reels. — 
W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — 
General  patronage. 

ALL  ABOARD:  Johnny  Hines — 25%.  June 
22-23.  A good  comedy  play  ruined  by  a rainy 
print.  Johnny  Hines  not  liked  in  this  town.  First 
National  sure  has  some  lemons  for  stars.  In 
fact,  you  can’t  call  them  stars.  When  they  lose 
Norma  and  Colleen  they  haven’t  much  left  outside 
of  Maynard.  Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  DUCHESS  OF  BUFFALO:  Constance 
Talmadge — 30%.  Very  good.  Pleased  all  who  saw 
it.  Seven  reels. — 0.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  thea- 
tre, Carmel,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  STRONG  MAN:  Harry  Langdon— 35%. 
Excellent.  The  story  is  rather  weak  but  the  antics 
of  Harry  save  the  picture.  Should  please  100  per 
cent  in  communities  where  good  clean  comedies 
are  liked.  Seven  reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita 
theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

MLLE.  MODISTE:  Corinne  Griffith — 4%.  June 
22,  Of  all  the  punk  shows  I ever  ran  this  was 
the  biggest  lemon,  so  that  shows  that  all  pro- 
ducers have  some  good  ones  and  some  rotten. 
Hope  they  make  fewer  pictures  and  better,  as  it 
is  time  the  movies  were  much  improved  on.  The 
people  will  have  to  quit  coming.  Leave  this  one 
in  the  can  and  pay  for  it.  Seven  reels. — Rudolph 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

FOREVER  AFTER:  Special  cast — 50%.  June 
16.  One  of  the  best  program  pictures  I ever 
played. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  DARK  ANGEL:  Special  east — 80%.  June 
5.  Played  this  picture  late  but  they  came  out 
to  see  it.  Photography  excellent,  good  comedy 


touches  and  the  acting  of  Vilma  and  Colman  ex- 
ceedingly fine.  A picture  that  should  please  all. 
Print  in  good  condition.  Eight  reels. — L.  L. 
Netzer,  American  Legion  theatre,  Lena,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

IRENE:  Colleen  Moore— 60%.  June  18.  Con- 
trary to  the  many  wonderful  reports  on  “Irene” 
I must  say  “Irene”  was  not  the  success  I thought 
it  would  be,  especially  with  the  men.  Ladies,  of 
course,  thought  it  great,  which  I think  it  is.  Per- 
haps I got  a poor  start  with  Colleen  when  I played 
“Sally.”  Nine  reels. — W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  thea- 
tre, Steuben,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

KIKI:  Norma  Talmadge — 20%.  June  26.  Good 
enough  picture  but  Norma  should  not  play  this 
kind  of  a part,  as  it  is  too  comical.  She  should 
play  heavy  parts  like  “Within  the  Law,”  but 
these  kind  of  plays  would  kill  her  for  me.  I did 
not  take  in  enough  to  have  any  profit  and  I played 
this  on  Sunday  to  awfully  poor  business.  Nine 
reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball, 
S.  D. — General  patronage, 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— This 
was  a dandy  picture.  Just  the  type  for  Miss 
Moore,  and  it  went  over  fine. — W.  H.  Hardman, 
Royal  theatre,  Frankfort,  Kan. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

SYNCOPATING  SUE : Corinne  Griffith— June 
21-22.  One  of  Corinne’s  best  from  an  entertain- 
ment point  of  view.  Pleased  everyone.  Nothing 
highbrow  about  it.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Trags- 
dorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

A LUNATIC  AT  LARGE:  Leon  Errol— This 
was  a different  kind  of  a comedy  and  pleased  the 
people  that  came. — W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Frankfort,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard- 
This  one  was  a knockout.  It  went  over  big. — 
W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  theatre,  Frankfort,  Kan. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

Fox 

SUMMER  BACHELORS:  Madge  Bellamy— 
81%.  June  15.  Played  this  to  the  best  midweek 
house  we  have  had  for  months  and  it  certainly 
did  please  them  all.  Not  a big  special  but  a little 
better  than  the  average  program  picture.  We 
bought  it  right  and  so  made  a nice  piece  of  money 
on  it.  Seven  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion 
theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 


THE  LOST  TRAIL:  Tom  Mix^2%.  June 
17-18.  Another  good  action  picture  from  Mix 
which  ploaeed  big  Friday  and  Saturday  crowds. 
Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chil- 
ton, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOING  CROOKED:  Special  cast — 5%.  June 
21.  Good  little  program  picture  with  good  com- 
edy. You  will  give  your  patrons  a good  evening’s 
entertainment.  Six  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  CITY : Robert  Prazer — 15%.  June  24. 
Only  a fair  program  picture.  Will  get  by  for 
one  night  or  as  a double  feature  program.  Stage 
plays  don’t  mean  much  in  this  town.  Popular 
stories  and  stars  are  what  get  the  money.  Seven 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

FIG  LEAVES:  Special  cast — 25%.  June  15.  A 
good  novelty  picture.  ’The  cast  fine.  Some  of 
the  finest  colored  parts  we  ever  played.  ’The  star 
extra  good.  Satisfied. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FIG  LEAVES:  Special  cast — June  15.  A money 
maker  from  Mr.  Bill  Fox.  Six  reels. — S.  G. 
Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

HONESTY  IS  THE  BEST  POLICY:  Special 
cast — 10%.  June  24.  One  of  the  poorest  excuses 
for  an  entertainment  we  ever  put  on. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THE  GREAT  K AND  A TRAIN  ROBBERY: 
Tom  Mix — 68%.  June  3-4.  Another  good  Mix. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— 30%.  June 
10-11.  Dandy  Western  from  Tom.  Plenty  of 
action  and  lots  of  hokum  which  most  of  the  rough 
crowd  likes,  so  Tom  and  his  horse  seem  to  please 
pretty  good.  Five  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  BLUE  EAGLE:  George  O’Brien— 17%. 
June  17-18.  A good  action  picture  that  pleased 
everyone,  including  the  manager. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  COUNTRY  BEYOND:  Olive  Borden— 
This  one  pleased.  It  is  a very  good  picture  and 
has  mighty  fine  scenery. — W.  H.  Hardman.  Royal 
theatre,  Frankfort,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHISPERING  SAGE:  Buck  Jones— Good 
Western  picture. — W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  theatre, 
Frankfort,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BRONCHO  TWISTER:  Tom  Mix— It  is 
hard  to  beat  Tom  for  action  and  fun.  This  one 
as  good  as  usual. — W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  theatre, 
Frankfort,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

MY  OWN  PAL:  Tom  Mix— June  16-17.  An- 
other good  Mix  picture.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— 100%. 
June  19-20-21.  A good  comedy  drama  with  ex- 
cellent east  and  clever  subtitles.  Did  big  busi- 
iess  for  three  nights  and  broke  the  house  records 
for  1927.  Metro-Gold wyn  sure  has  the  stars  and 
box  office  hits.  Marion  is  my  best  feminine  star. 
Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre.  Chilton. 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

CALIFORNIA:  Tim  McCoy— June  10.  Not  a 
Western  but  a darn  good  picture.  Six  reels. — S. 
G.  Fry.  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex.— 
General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
75%.  June  18.  A very  good  picture  and  we  sure 
packed  them.  A good  special  but  don’t  let  them 
hold  you  up  on  it.  Ten  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck, 
Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special  cast 
— 85%.  June  18.  Patrons  said  does  not  follow 
book  closely.  But  they  liked  it  at  that.  Fair- 
banks, Jr.,  very  good  and  so  likeable.  Seven 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 


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EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


NELIGH,  NEB.,  June  26,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

I have  been  home  for  nearly  three  weeks  and  the  town  hasn’t  staged  a demonstra- 
tion yet.  I have  been  identified  with  the  growth  of  this  city  from  the  time  the 
railroad  put  in  its  first  whistling  post  up  until  today  when  she  has  three  filling  sta- 
tions, two  garages  and  lock  boxes  in  the  post  office.  I have  held  some  important 
positions  during  the  life  and  growth  of  this  city.  I have  played  left  field  on  the 
home  team.  I was  president  of  the  Owl  club  for  one  term.  I played  the  slide 
trombone  in  the  band  and  was  editor  of  the  “SQUAWK”  until  it  was  suppressed 
by  the  authorities.  And  the  citizens  don’t  seem  to  show  a particle  of  appreciation. 

I met  the  mayor  yesterday  and  told  him  I was  leaving  in  a day  or  so  for  North 
Dakota  and  wanted  to  know  if  the  town  was  going  to  do  anything  about  it.  He 
wanted  to  know  bow  long  I expected  to  be  gone  and  I told  him  three  or  four 
months  and  he  said:  “Well,  if  you  will  agree  to  make  it  a year  I will  have  the 
sheriff  and  chief  of  police  escort  you  to  the  city  limits.”  Wasn’t  that  fine  of  him? 
Someday  I am  going  to  expose  this  town  for  its  indifference,  see  if  I don’t. 

A friend  of  mine  came  to  me  the  other  day  and  said:  “Say,  Colonel,  I am  going 
to  Europe  on  a vacation  trip  and  am  booked  to  sail  on  tbe  American  line  on  July 
16,  and  since  you  bave  traveled  a bit  I didn’t  know  but  you  could  give  me  some 
advice.”  “Well,”  I replied,  “that’s  very  sensible  of  you,  what  do  you  want  to  know?” 

“First,  I want  to  know  what  to  do  if  the  boat  goes  down,”  be  replied,  “and  wbat 

to  do  to  keep  from  being  seasick?”  “Well,”  said  I,  “in  the  first  place  you  have 
made  two  very  serious  mistakes,  one  in  going  to  Europe  for  your  vacation  and  the 
other  in  shipping  on  an  American  boat.  You  can  get  more  vacation  for  a dollar  in 
this  country  than  you  can  in  Europe  for  10,  and  I would  like  to  know  what  you  are 
going  to  do  on  an  American  boat  after  you  cross  tbe  three  mile  limit?  They  will 
probably  serve  you  ice  tea,  but  who  ever  had  a vacation  on  ice  tea?  The  first  day 
out  you  will  feel  like  a millionaire  and  when  you  pass  the  Statue  of  Liberty  you 
will  want  to  take  it  with  you,  but  from  then  on  until  you  land  you  will  have  a 
grudge  against  your  parents. 

“As  soon  as  the  boat  leaves  the  dock  the  steward  will  pass  around  the  dishpans 
and  you  want  to  take  one  and  get  in  line  like  they  do  at  a cafeteria,  and  march 
down  to  the  kitchen  and  the  chef  will  fill  it  up  with  dried  apples.  Then  go  up  on 
the  deck  and  eat  ’em.” 

“What  the  deuce  do  they  want  to  eat  dried  apples  for?”  he  inquired.  “That’s  so 

that  when  the  boat  sinks  and  the  dried  apples  get  wet  and  swell  up  they  will  float 

you,”  I answered.  “In  this  way  you  can  float  for  several  days  when  some  boat  may 
come  along  and  pick  you  up.  They  all  do  it. 

“Then  there  is  another  way  to  keep  from  being  seasick.  They  say  if  you  will 
keep  your  head  warm  and  your  feet  cool  you  will  not  be  sick.  Will  Rogers  went 
across  tbe  Atlantic  a couple  of  times  and  be  wasn’t  sick,  and  that’s  because  Will 
insisted  on  sleeping  with  his  feet  out  the  porthole,  and  that’s  why  there  were  so 
many  sharks  followed  Will’s  boat.” 

“Say,”  said  my  friend,  “did  you  ever  cross  the  Atlantic?”  “No,”  I replied  “I 
never  did,  and  that’s  only  half  of  the  story.”  “Well,”  he  replied,  “I  thank  you 
for  the  information,  but  I don’t  tbink  you  know  a damtbing  about  it.”  “Well, 
maybe  I don’t,”  I answered,  “but  you  will  know  a lot  more  about  it  by  tbe  time 
you  get  back  for  I want  to  tell  you  that,  besides  the  Lindbergh  way,  there  are  just 
two  proper  ways  to  cross  the  Atlantic,  one  is  to  go  around  by  Pittsburgh  and  the 
other  is  to  stay  at  home,  and  if  I were  going  to  Europe  on  a vacation  I would  buy 
my  ticket  via  Alexandria  and  Park  Rapids,  Minn.,  and  stop  off  there  until  time 
to  come  back.” 

Uncle  ’Leazer  Biggs  says:  “There  are  more  American  suckers  in  Europe  every 
summer  than  there  are  German  carp  in  this  country,”  and  Uncle  ’Leazer  knows,  for 
he  has  traveled  some  himself. 

I go  on  the  theory  that  any  country  that  is  good  enough  for  Bill  and  Thomas 
O.  Service  is  good  enough  for  Cal  and  me,  but  I presume  that  Adeline  Further 
will  hardly  agree  with  this  statement,  but  then  Adeline’s  vacation  experience  may 
have  been  limited  to  Newaygo,  Mich. 

In  Bradley’s  theatre  the  other  evening  I saw  “Demi-Bride”  with  Lew  Cody  and 

{Continued  on  folloiving  page) 


July  9,  1927 

TIN  HATS:  Special  east— 70%.  June  19.  A 
very  good  comedy  with  plenty  of  iaughs.  Ralph 
Spence’s  titles  are  a scream.  Pleased  100  per 
cent.  Drew  well  against  counter  attractions. 
Seven  reels. — L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  thea- 
tre, Lena,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies — 29%.  June 
14-15.  This  is  a very  good  picture  and  will  please. 
Don't  be  afraid  to  book  it.  Played  against  heavy 
rains. — Coffee  & Ellis,  American  theatre.  Perry- 
ton,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  John  Gilbert— 
49%.  June  12.  This  is  a fine  production.  Story, 
cast  and  direction  very  good.  Pleased  most  all 
here.  Eight  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  LETTER:  Lillian  Gish— 80%. 
June  lG-17.  A wonderful  picture  that  pleased  a 
goodly  percentage  of  our  audience,  but  not  one 
that  takes  in  a small  town.  Acting  of  Lillian 
Gish  and  Lars  Hanson  very  fine.  Ten  reels. — 
L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  theatre,  Lena, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Charles  Ray^8%. 
June  10-11.  An  exceptionally  good  picture,  but  I 
couldn’t  get  my  people  out  to  see  it. — Roy  W. 
Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 

Coogan — This  pleased  100  per  cent,  which  all 
Coogan’s  do  here.  Let  us  have  more  of  them. 
Seven  reels. — R.  G.  Chamberlin,  Palm  theatre,  St. 
Cloud,  Fla. — General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 

Coogan — 36%.  June  19.  A good  race  track  story 
with  Jackie  at  his  best.  Pleased  young  and  old 
alike.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN:  Lon  Chaney — 65%.  June 
16-17.  Chaney  always  has  something  different  to 
offer  and  here  he  is  as  “Alonzo  the  Armless.”  A 
good  picture  but  he  has  to  die  in  the  end  again. 

Joan  Crawford  is  a beauty  in  this  and  does  some 

wonderful  acting.  Norman  Kerry  is  good  as  her 
lover.  Good  paper,  print  and  service  from 
M-G-M.  Seven  reels. — Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

UPSTAGE:  Norma  Shearer — June  13.  This 

star  is  okay  in  most  anything,  even  this.  Seven 
reels.— S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant, 
Tex. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN:  Rudolph  Valentino 
- 50%.  May  29-30.  A very  good  picture.  The 
lighting  seems  rather  poor,  otherwise  it  compares 
well  with  present  day  product. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast — June  5-6.  Tliis  be- 

yond la  doubt  the  best  feature  length  comedy  that 
has  been  released  during  the  past  year  or  more. 
If  you  run  features  two  days  the  second  day  will 
be  better  than  the  first.  One  of  those  exceptional 
pictures  that  pleases  everyone  and  leaves  them  in 
a happy  frame  of  mind  and  will  boost  it  to  their 
friends. — H.  G.  Stettmund,  Jr.,  H.  & S.  theatre. 
Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 

HEAVEN  ON  EARTH:  Special  cast — June  6. 
Better  than  average,  and  will  please.  Glad  we 
are  receiving  few  good  ones  from  M-G-M  to  make 
up  for  poor  pictures  first  of  season.  Seven  reels. 
— S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

WOMEN  LOVE  DIAMONDS:  Pauline  Stark- 
Very  poor  business  on  this.  Miss  Stark  is  good 
but  needs  different  stories  to  please  in  small 
towns. — W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  theatre,  Frank- 
fort, Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

MONTE  CARLO:  Lew  Cody — This  picture  had 
no  story  but  flashed  some  good  clothes  and  it  also 
brought  much  laughter.  Six  reels.— Giacoma 
Bros..  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz.— General 
patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  Tim 

McCoy— Good  historical  picture.  Does  not  go  so 
big  with  the  Western  fans  as  the  shoot  kind. — 
W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  theatre,  Frankfort,  Kan.— 
Small  town  patronage. 

Paramount 

ROLLED  STOCKINGS:  Special  cast — 75%. 

June  23-24.  A real  good  clean  picture  that  the 
whole  family  will  enjoy.  No  rolled  stockings, 
cigarette  smoking  or  anything  offensive.  Arlin 
and  Hall  great.  Miss  Brooks  is  fine  as  the  girl. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  REILLY:  Richard  Dix-A5%. 
Any  Dix  fan  who  has  developed  a dislike  for  him 
can  surely  forgive  him  for  any  shortcomings  after 
seeing  “Knockout  Reilly.”  The  best  thing  he  has 
given  us  in  many  moons.  Not  a box  office  'wow 
because  feminine  patrons  do  not  care  for  this 
type  of  picture.  Seven  reels.— O.  B.  Junkins, 


Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General  patron- 
age. 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith— 50%. 
June  22.  Good  picture  but  no  draw.  Gnffith 
better  than  ever  in  this  one.  Seven  reels. — 'Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith— 40%. 
Pretty  good.  However,  the  action  and  comedy  do 
not  appear  until  very  late,  possibly  the  last  reel. 
Will  please  most  Griffith  fans.  I never  see  a 
Griffith  vehicle  but  that  I think  of  “Red  Lights,” 
the  greatest  picture  he  ever  made.  Why  not  an- 
other of  that  type?  Six  reels. — O.  B.  Junkins, 
Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General  patron- 
age. 

RUBBER  HEELS:  Ed  Wynn~28%.  June 
19-20.  Just  about  the  poorest  picture  I have  ever 
had  the  pleasure  of  showing.  Ed  should  be  given 
gas  or  something  before  trying  to  make  another 
picture  as  it  would  put  him  out  of  his  misery 
quicker.  Run  this  picture  on  an  off  night  if  you 
cannot  afford  to  shelve  it. — H.  G.  Stettmund,  Jr., 
H.  & S.  theatre,  Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town 
patronage. 


PARADISE  FOR  TWO:  Richard  Dix— 60%. 
June  18.  A fair  comedy  but  pretty  dead  in  spots. 
Seven  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas, 
Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO:  Richard  Dix— 20%. 
June  7.  Nice  little  comedy  drama  which  pleased 
majority.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre,  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

BLIND  ALLEYS:  Thomas  Meighan — 25%. 

Very  poor.  Tom,  you  are  slipping  fast.  You  used 
to  be  very  popular,  but  no  more.  Maybe  if  you 
had  the  proper  story  you  could  stage  a comeback, 
but  with  the  present  type  stuff  there  is  no  chance. 
Six  reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre, 
Carmel,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

DRUMS  OF  THE  DESERT:  Warner  Baxter — 
60%,  June  20-21.  First  Zane  Grey  that  fell  down 
at  box  office.  Pleased  those  who  came.  An  Indian 
story,  but  not  nearly  so  good  as  “The  Vanishing 
American.”  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

EVENING  CLOTHES:  Adolphe  Menjou — 40%. 
My  patrons  had  such  a bad  taste  left  from  the 
“Satan”  picture  that  they  didn’t  risk  'seeing  this 
one.  It  is  a fairly  good  picture,  but  quite  sug- 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

Norma  Shearer.  “Demi-Bricle”  is  another  of  those  “Frenchy”  pietures,  and  you 
know  what  a “Frenchy”  picture  is,  and  they  say  Norma  tied  with  Clara  in  that 
Beauty  Contest.  How  come? 

Then  Bradley  followed  this  with  “Tip-Toes”  with  Dorothy  Gish,  Bill  Rogers  and 
another  guy,  and  I would  say  that  this  was  rather  a weak  sister  were  it  not  for 
the  fact  that  Bill  Rogers  was  in  it,  and  you  know  Bill  played  in  “Jes  Call  Me  Jim,” 
one  of  the  most  pleasing  pictures  ever  made,  and  I am  partial  to  Bill.  “Jes  Call 
Me  Jim,”  you  know,  was  directed  by  Clarence  Badger,  and  I want  to  ask  you,  did 
you  ever  see  a poor  picture  Clarence  Badger  directed?  Excuse  me,  brother,  if  I 
dispute  you,  but  you  never  did,  for  he  never  made  a poor  one.  I am  not  trying 
to  throw  any  bouquets  at  Mr.  Badger,  but  I will  go  and  see  any  picture  he  directs 
at  double  the  usual  admission.  That’s  what  I think  of  Mr.  Badger  as  a director. 

Last  night  I saw  “Held  by  the  Law.”  The  press  agent  said  it  was  made  by  an 
“All  Star  Cast,”  and  while  the  “All  Star  Cast”  doesn’t  mean  anything,  yet  “Held  by 
the  Law”  was  a very  good  picture  in  spite  of  that  fact,  and  it  helped  to  take  a bad 
taste  out  of  my  mouth. 

Don’t  it  beat  all  how  the  kidnapers  are  building  the  market?  Some  of  them  want 
as  high  as  $100,000.  Mygosh,  they  are  not  worth  2 per  cent  of  it,  and  they  do 
claim  that  Doug  lugs  a machine  gun  around  with  him  this  hot  weather.  These  press 
agent  boys  certainly  do  try  to  gull  the  public. 

Glory  be,  H.  G.  Stettmund  of  Chandler,  Okla.,  has  finally  come  to  life  and  gets 
back  in  the  HERALD  with  some  good  suggestions  how  to  stimulate  box  office 
receipts.  I was  thinking  I would  have  to  go  down  there  and  wake  that  baby  up 
again.  Come  on  Stett,  come  on. 

Somebody  would  be  doing  humanity  a real  service  if  he  would  formulate  a system 
whereby  Grasshopper  Sprague  of  Goodland,  Kan.,  could  be  pried  out  of  his  shell. 
There  is  a lot  of  talent  going  to  waste  out  there  on  those  arid  plains  and  not  a 
drop  of  rain  in  sight.  Wonder  if  Sprague  has  been  disappointed  in  love 

I notice  that  “Fishy”  Phil  of  Salmon,  Idaho,  and  Miss  Thelma  Cassil  of  Goose 
Creek,  Tex.,  have  struck  up  quite  a correspondence.  SHIP  AHOY!  there  are  break- 
ers ahead. 

It  seems  like  cruelty  to  animals  to  keep  a bunch  of  pigs  awake  all  night  so  some 
fellow  could  “Kiss  Her  at  Midnight.”  The  attention  of  the  humane  society  should 
he  called  to  this.  Wlien  the  bull  dog  was  tied  up,  the  front  porch  or  garden  gate 
was  good  enough  for  me,  but  times  bave  changed  since  then. 

But  speaking  of  kisses.  I saw  a trailer  in  Bradley’s  theatre  last  night  announcing 
a coming  picture  wherein  three  couples,  one  right  after  another,  were  deadlocked 
in  an  all-day-sucker  clinrh,  and  the  director  no  doubt  yelling,  “Hold  it.”  Betcha 
that’ll  be  a good  show.  Sorry  I will  have  to  miss  it.  Did  you  ever  see  Bill  Rogers 
kiss  anybody?  That’s  why  I like  Bill.  But  then,  mygosh,  who’d  kiss  him? 

I don’t  know  whether  to  go  or  come 
Since  my  wife  bought  a car. 

This  whole  darned  ranch  is  on  the  bum 
Since  my  wife  bought  a car. 

She  and  the  girls  drive  around  each  day 
And  I don’t  know  how  long  they’ll  stay. 

It’s  “Cook  your  grub  or  starve,”  they  say 
Since  my  wife  bought  a car. 

I try  to  bear  up  like  a man 

Since  my  wife  bought  a car, 

I eat  my  grub  from  out  the  can 
Since  my  wife  bought  a car. 

My  pants  are  baggy  at  the  knees 
My  shirt-tail  fans  the  cool  north  breeze. 

When  winter  comes  I know  I’ll  freeze 
If  my  wife  keeps  that  car. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  Man. 


gestive  in  places.  Not  suitable  for  Sunday.  Seven 
reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel, 
Cal. — General  patronage. 

TOO  MANY  CROOKS:  Mildred  Davis— 30%. 
A farce  comedy  of  the  stereotyped  variety.  Noth- 
ing new  in  the  plot.  However,  the  players  handle 
their  respective  parts  with  ability.  Six  reels. — 
O.  B.  Junkins.  Manzanita  theatre.  Carmel,  Cal. — 
General  patronage. 

SORROWS  OF  SATAN:  Adolphe  Menjou— 
13%.  Very  sorrowful.  I think  Satan  must  have 
chuckled  just  a little  when  the  exhibitors  were 
handed  this  one.  If  you  haven’t  already  contract- 
ed for  this,  don’t  do  it.  Nine  reels. — ^O.  B.  Jun- 
kins, Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General 
patronage. 

THE  POTTERS:  W.  C.  Fields— 21%.  June  15. 
Excellent  comedy  drama  of  middle  class  American 
life.  Enjoyed  by  all  who  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — - 
General  patronage. 

PADLOCKED:  Special  cast — 20%.  June  25. 
Good  picture.  Should  please  the  better  class  of 
people  with  some  good  heart  throbbing  scenes. 
Good  for  the  whole  family.  Seven  reels. — Rudolph 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 


WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW:  Special  cast— 
64%.  May  20-21.  Beery  and  Hatton  a gaeat  team. 
Everyone  seemed  to  enjoy  this,  espeeally  some  ex- 
service  men.  You  can’t  go  wrong  on  this  team. 
Keep  up  the  good  work.  Six  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny, 
Community  theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW:  Special  casf>— 
This  was  a very  good  picture.  Went  over  fine. 
Lots  of  comedy  with  pep.  Eight  reels. — Giacoma 
Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General 
patronage. 

THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT:  Bebe  Daniels— 63%. 
May  28.  One  of  Bebe’e  best,  and  that’s  saying  a 
good  deal.  Plenty  of  action  and  comedy  to  inter- 
est any  audience.  Good  cast,  good  story,  well 
presented.  Seven  reels.- — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community 
theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT:  Bebe  Daniels— You  tell 
’em  they  liked  it.  It  pleased  the  fans. — W.  H. 
Hardman,  Royal  theatre,  Frankfort,  Kan. — Small 
town  patronage. 

A KISS  IN  A TAXI:  Bebe  Daniels— 25%. 
About  the  poorest  thing  Miss  Daniels  has  done. 
Six  reels. — ^O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre, 
Carmel,  Cal. — Genex-al  patronage. 


July  9,  1927 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— 58%.  May  31. 
This  was  a good  Zane  Grey  story,  well  played. 
'The  comedy  role  of  Raymond  Hatton  stands  out  as 
about  the  beet  character  in  the  picture.  Seven 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny.  Community  theatre.  Green- 
wood, Ind. — General  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— June  19-20.  A 
good  Zane  Grey  picture.  Should  suit  the  most 
blood-thirsty.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  ’Tragsdorf, 
Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt — ^This  one 
pleased  the  Western  fans.  It  is  a very  good  pic- 
ture.— W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  theatre,  Frankfort, 
Kan. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

FOR  HEAVEN’S  SAKE:  Harold  Lloyd— 70%. 
June  3-4.  When  you  say  Lloyd,  you  know  what 
to  expect.  His  plays  are  always  good  and  well 
enjoyed.  Six  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community 
theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

EVERYBODY’S  ACTING:  Special  cast— 38%. 
June  14.  Here  is  a splendid  play,  well  acted, 
with  comedy.  TTiis  picture  deserves  a better 
rating  than  my  percentage  shows,  for  it  has  real 
entertainment,  and  what  a cast.  It  was  a pleasure 
just  to  see  this  cast  of  players  working  together. 
Seven  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  theatre, 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

KID  BOOTS:  Eddie  Cantor— 56%.  June  11. 
This  is  a very  good  comedy  and  several  took  the 
trouble  to  tell  me  they  enjoyed  it.  Clara  Bow 
and  Billie  Dove  help  to  keep  this  interesting. 
Six  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny.  Community  theatre. 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

LOVE’S  GREATEST  MISTAKE:  Special  casb- 
20%.  Just  fair  and  of  the  program  class.  Six 
reels. — 0.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel, 
Cal. — General  patronage. 

DIPLOMACY : Special  cast — 50%.  June  7. 
’This  is  not  a big  picture,  but  is  well  worth  show- 
ing. Has  a good  oast,  and  holds  interest.  Secret 
service,  treaties,  etc.,  misunderstandings  and  the 
all  right  ending.  Seven  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Com- 
munity theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patron- 
age. 

VARIETY : Emil  Jannings — 10%.  June  19. 
Well,  fellows,  “Variety”  is  a good  show  and  some 
of  the  fellows  that  played  it  before  me  have  re- 
ported eight  reels,  but  I don’t  know  how  it  comes 
that  I got  only  six  reels.  I wish  they  would 
count  the  reels  before  they  put  out  a misleading 
report  like  this  into  the  HERALD  and  make 
someone  think  that  he  is  going  to  get  a show 
and  only  get  half  of  the  film  which  disappoints 
one.  Six  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  SONG  AND  DANCE  MAN:  Special  cast— 
19%.  June  15.  This  is  an  odd  story,  but  nobody 
squawked,  and  that’s  praise  for  a picture  here. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

MISS  BREWSTER’S  MILLIONS:  Bebe  Daniels 
- — 30%.  June  12-13.  Light  farce  comedy  that 
seemed  to  please  the  hoi  poloi. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  WHIRLWIND  OF  YOUTH:  Lois  Moran 
—June  21-22.  Do  not  know  if  this  was  sup- 
posed to  be  taken  from  the  book  or  not.  'The 
book,  if  adhered  to,  would  be  too  complicated 
for  a picture.  This  picture  is  above  the  average 
and  will  give  satisfaction. — ^H.  G.  Stettmund,  Jr., 
H.  & S.  theatre.  Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town 
patronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper — June  20. 
One  of  the  best  Westerns  we  have  run  yet  and 
we’ve  tried  them  all.  Gary  can  show  some  of 
the  old  timers  how  to  ride  a horse,  and  the  print 
was  as  clear  as  day.  El  Brendel’s  comedy  touches 
are  some  of  the  best  ever  and  here’s  hoping 
Paramount  gives  this  gentleman  all  the  work  he 
can  do.  He’s  fine. — Mrs.  Harry  E.  Puterbaugh, 
Victory  theatre,  Milledgeville,  111. — -Small  town 
patronage. 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN:  W.  C.  Fields- This 
is  an  extra  good  comedy.  It  has  real  comedy  and 
gets  close  to  home. — W.  H.  Hardman,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Frankfort,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

WILD  HORSE  MESA:  Jack  Holt— Very  good 
picture,  and  drew  a good  business.  Seven  reels. — 
H.  T.  Nokes,  Elite  theatre,  Nixa,  Mo. — General 
patronage. 

Pathe 

ARIZONA  WHIRLWIND:  Bill  Cody^0%.  A 
good  action  Western.  Excellent  for  Saturday  in 
small  towns.  Six  reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Man- 
zanita theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

A’TTA  BOY : Monty  Banks — 65%.  May  29.  An 
exceedingly  good  comedy  with  some  good  laughs 
throughout.  Monty’s  soap  dance  was  a wow.  Re- 
ceived good  comments.  Print  in  good  condition. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


July  9,  1927 

Six  reels.— L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  thea- 
tre, Lena,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

ALASKAN  ADVENTURES:  25%.  June  12.  A 
wonderful  travel  picture  and  worth  anyone’s  time 
to  see  it.  But  our  crowd  won’t  come  for  educa- 
tional pictures  so  we  lost  money  on  this  one.  Six 
reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

SPUDS:  Larry  Semon— 60%.  June  22.  A 
very  clever  war  farce  comedy,  and  had  them  roar- 
ing from  start  to  finish.  Nothing  big.  Just  some 
funny  stuff  that  goes  over.  Five  reels. — W.  L. 
Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — General 
patronage. 

THE  DEVIL  HORSE:  Rex— 80%.  June  15. 
This  is  the  stuff  that  clicks  at  the  box  office  in 
the  small  towns.  The  best  Rex  picture  to  date. — 
W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — 
General  patronage. 

IDNG  LOOP  ON  THE  PECOS : Leo  Maloney— 
June  18.  One  of  the  best  Maloneys  I ever  played. 
Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

NO  MAN’S  LAW:  Rex — ^June  18.  Having  just 
read  J.  C.  Jenkin’s  Colyum  and  his  comments 
on  “The  Midnight  Kiss”  makes  me  want  to  ex- 
press my  opinion  of  this  Pathe  flop.  Here’s  where 
they  slipped  a couple  of  cogs.  Another  swimming 
scene  which  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  picture 
and  a bunch  of  rotten  love  making  which  they 
sell  you  for  an  animal  picture,  to  please  the  horse 
fans.  It  said  “Passed  by  the  National  Board  of 
Censorship,”  on  the  introduction  to  the  picture. 
Didn’t  think  a censor  would  let  one  like  this 
through.  Too  bad  Rex  didn’t  kick  up  his  heels 
and  smash  the  camera  when  they  made  this  one. — 
Mrs.  Harry  E.  Puterbaugh,  Victory  theatre, 
Milledgeville,  111. — Small  town  patronage. 

Pro-Dis-Co 

CRUISE  OF  JASPER  B:  Rod  LaRoeque— 10%. 
June  22.  My  patrons  said,  “Rotten,”  when  they 
went  out,  and  we  agreed  with  them.  Why  waste 
good  talent? — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  CLINGING  VINE:  Leatrice  Joy— 25%. 
June  22-23.  Played  in  conjunction  with  “All 
Aboard”  and  both  plays  gave  satisfaction.  Neither 
was  very  good  drawing  card.  First  National  and 
Producers  very  weak  on  box  office  pictures  and 
stars.  Six  reels.— R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

PALS  IN  PARADISE:  Special  cast— 50%. 
June  17.  This  is  a splendid  entertainment.  Cast 
extra  good.  Lots  of  action  and  comedy.  All 
satisfied. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  NIGHT  BRIDE:  Marie  Prevost — 30%. 
Excellent.  Many  favorable  comments  from 
patrons.  'The  comedy  is  fast  and  furious  all  the 
way  through.  Franklin  Pangborn  is  a comer  and 
handled  his  part  in  this  piece  very  well.  Six 
reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel, 
Cal. — General  patronage. 

THE  SEA  WOLF:  Special  cast- 20%.  June 
23.  Don’t  buy  it.  Pull  of  profanity.  An  in- 
sult to  any  audience.  Had  someone  reported  it  as 
it  is,  I would  not  now  be  sorry. — G.  Carey, 
Strand  theatre,  Paris,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

THE  PRINCE  OF  PILSEN:  Special  cast— 55%. 
May  17-18.  Fine,  fine.  Only  hate  to  see  him 
empty  all  those  big  steins.  Good  in  a dry  country. 
Six  reels. — A.  J.  W.  Koehler,  Koehler  theatre, 
Uehling,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

Tiffany 

REDHEADS  PREFERRED:  Special  caBt^60%. 
One  of  the  beet  farce  comedies  that  we  have 
played  this  year.  Pleased  100  per  cent.  Played 
Thursday  and  Friday  to  good  business.  The  cast 
does  fine  work  with  Raymond  Hitchcock,  Mar- 
jorie Daw  and  Theodore  Von  Eltz  starring. — 
Julius  Hollander,  Sanders  & Southside  theatres, 
Indianapolis,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

COLLEGE  DAYS:  Special  cast — 86%.  Truly  a 
great  college  picture  with  a real  football  cast  and 
plays.  Played  Sunday  and  Monday.  Received 
many  favorable  comments  and  everyone  looked 
pleased.  Charles  Delaney  and  Marceline  Day  do 
excellent  work.  Business  good. — Julius  Hollander, 
Sanders  & Southside  theatres,  Indianapolis,  Ind. — 
General  patronage. 

THAT  MODEL  FROM  PARIS:  Special  cast — • 
54%.  A very  good  comedy  drama  that  went  over 
fine.  Marceline  Day,  Bert  Lytell  and  Eileen 
Percy  do  excellent  work  and  are  supported  by  a 
good  cast.  Played  Thursday  and  Friday  and 
pleased  the  majority. — Julius  Hollander,  Sanders 
& Southside  theatres,  Indianapolis,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

THE  FIRST  NIGHT;  Special  cast — 30%.  Got 
many  laughs  on  this  comedy  and  it  pleased  the 


The  Spotlight 

Whoops  my  dears!  Here’s  a nice 
one  from  Prof.  Rand  of  Salmon, 
Idaho.  It  rambles  as  follows: 

Turn  on  the  Spotlight 
There’s  a Spotlight  lady  named  Ade- 
line, 

Who  claims  to  spot  anything  super- 
fine; 

She’ll  spot  sense  in  a sonnet. 

Or  bees  in  your  bonnet — 

Now  spot  us  a profit  in  summer  time. 

P.  S. — Now  don’t  you  get  gay  with 
Fishy  Phil,  Miss  Further,  for  the 
further  you  go  the  farther  you’ll  be. 
However,  I’m  glad  to  hear  you  say 
that  you  aren’t  trying  to  Sheik  us 
male  exhibitors,  but  just  wait  until 
your  searchlight  illumines  one,  Rob- 
ert L.  Anderson,  of  Forks,  Wash. 
If  that  gorgeous  specimen  of  HOMO 
SAPICUS  doesn’t  make  your  heart 
flutter  then  you’re  no  female,  but  a 
Sphinx.  I wish  you  would  turn  that 
spotlight  of  yours  on  J.  C.  Jenkins. 
Think  he  and  Clara  are  lost  a la 
Babes-in-the-woods  in  Wisconsin,  or 
need  to  be  pulled  out  of  the  bad 
lands  of  S.  Dak.  Please,  also,  see 
if  that  spotlight  will  turn  up  that  old 
recluse,  Sprague  of  Goodnight,  Kan. 

I see  that  you  say  you  are  a 
blonde — ^Mm-m  I Always  was  partial 
to  blondes  anyway.  Have  you  a tele- 
phone number,  Adeline?  Mine  is 
Fishville  108,  but  don’t  let  on  to 
Geneve  or  Thelma. 

(Signed)  PHIL  RAND. 

* * * 

About  that  profit  in  Summer  time — 
Cast  your  optics  over  this: 

If  your  collar  is  wilted  and  sweat  runs 
down  your  back, 

’Taint  any  reason  for  your  business  to  be 
slack. 

If  you  listen  kinder  careful  I’ll  fill  you 
up  on  dope — 

You  c’n  bet  your  bottom  dollar  that  it  isn’t 
soft  soap! 

Just  wipe  off  your  whiskers  and  pull  down 
your  vest. 

Watch  out  for  buttons  when  you  swell  out 
your  chest — 

Go  after  business  from  early  until  late, 
Give  away  your  fish  pole  and  send  Cal 
your  bait. 

Give  ’em  snappy  pictures  full  of  lots  of 
fun. 

Go  get  the  business  if  you  have  to  use 
your  gun. 

Forget  about  refreshments — -that’s  for 
Ladies  Aid — - 

Give  ’em  entertainment  and  your  success 
is  made! 

* * * 

Isn’t  it  wonderful  the  way  some  of 
us  lean  towards  poetry  for  expres- 

{Contniued  on  following  page) 


majority.  Played  Tuesday  and  Wednesday.  Bert 
Lytell,  Frederic  KoVert  and  Dorothy  Devore  do 
fine  work  in  this  one,  but  Harry  Myers  seems 
ridiculous  as  the  hotel  detective.  ’The  little  colored 
boy  as  the  bell  hop  does  excellent  work,  even 
though  he  isn’t  listed  in  the  cast. — Julius  Hol- 
lander, Sanders  & Southside  theatres,  Indianapolis, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

LOST  AT  SEA:  Special  cast — 72%.  An  ex- 
ceptionally good  drama.  Played  on  Saturday,  but 
should  have  played  two  days.  Pleased  almost  all. 
Huntly  Gordon  and  Jane  Novak  and  Lowell  Sher- 
man do  excellent  work  in  this  picture  and  are 
well  supported. — Julius  Hollander,  Sanders  & 
Southside  theatres,  Indianapolis,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

United  Artists 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH: 
Ronald  Colman — 20%.  June  23-24.  Very  good 
and  big  picture,  but  it  did  not  draw  for  us,  so 
what  is  the  use  of  playing  nine-reelers  when  we 
get  a better  crowd  for  the  smaller  pictures  ? 
Why?  Because  of  raising  the  admission  to  come 
out  on  the  high  rentals  we  have  to  pay.  Good- 
bye long  pictures.  If  your  business  is  good,  play 
this  one  and  it  will  give  your  house  a record. 
Nine  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  GENERAL:  Buster  Keaton — 62%.  June 


18.  “The  General”  does  not  have  the  comedy 
that  Keaton’s  pictures  usually  do,  but  leans 
toward  the  drama  in  a more  serious  tone.  How- 
ever, it  was  well  received,  excellently  staged  and 
shows  lots  of  effort  to  make  it  a success.  Six 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  theatre.  Green- 
wood, Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  GENERAL:  Buster  Keaton — 50%.  June 
26-27.  A good  comedy  for  its  kind  but  no  busi- 
ness getter.  Poorest  Sunday  business  for  some 
time.  Did  only  half  as  much  business  as  ‘"Tillie.” 
Hereafter,  I don’t  buy  Keaton  unless  I can  get 
some  for  $10  which  is  all  he  is  worth  in  my  town. 
This  picture  will  not  draw  the  women.  Seven 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. 
— ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  NUT:  Douglas  Fairbanks — 10%.  June 
13-14.  Awful.  Rotten.  Lay  off.  I am  the  nut 
for  doing  business  with  U.  A.  at  all. — J.  G. 
Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

A WOMAN’S  WOMAN:  Special  cast— 10%. 
June  3.  Rotten. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre, 
Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  HILL  BILLY:  Jack  Pickford— 85%.  June 
12.  Old  but  our  folks  seemed  to  enjoy  it.  'The 
only  one  that  we  bought  from  United  Artists  that 
has  made  some  money.  Print  in  good  condition. 
Seven  reels. — L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  thea- 
tre. Lena.  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MOLLYCODDLE:  Douglas  Fairbanks— 
20%.  May  23-24.  Old  and  rotten.  Lay  off. — 
J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  LOVE  LIGHT:  Mary  Pickford— 15%,  A 
poor  picture  and  old. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic 
theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BLACK  PIRATE:  Douglas  Fairbanks — 
June  19-20.  A goshawful  terrible  print  of  a high- 
ly artistic  subject  that  didn’t  pay  expenses.  Too 
bad,  Doug.  You’ve  been  a good  old  organ  grinder 
but  you’ve  done  played  your  last  tune  in  this 
man’s  town. — Roy  W.  Adams.  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

Universal 

PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL:  Special  cast— 5%. 
June  14.  A picture  well  made  and  worth  running 
in  any  house.  Leaves  something  with  everyone 
to  think  about  and  it  pleases  the  more  critical 
movie-goer.  O’Malley  is  good  and  the  two  girls 
just  fit  their  parts  to  perfection.  Step  on  it. 
boys.  Seven  reels. — Rudolph  Duba.  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

BEWARE  OF  WIDOWS:  Laura  LaPlante— 
50%.  June  19.  A weak  farce  comedy.  Not  as 
good  as  “Her  Big  Night.”  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WRONG  MR.  WRIGHT;  Jean  Hersholt— 
34%.  June  14.  Light  comedy,  and  pretty  good, 
too. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  TEXAS  STREAK;  Hoot  Gibson- 50%.  A 
fair  Gibson  vehicle,  but  does  not  contain  the 
action  that  the  title  suggests.  Will  please  the 
majority  of  Gibson  fans.  Six  reels. — O.  B.  Jun- 
kins, Manzanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Oal. — General 
patronage. 

MICHAEL  STROGOFF:  Special  cast— 90%. 
Good!  It’ll  please  them  all,  high  brows,  regular 
fans  and  those  that  like  action  and  thrills. 
Several  of  the  boys  told  me  it  was  one  of  the  best 
they  had  ever  seen.  This  is  the  best  European 
picture  I have  ever  seen  and  one  that’ll  stand  up 
with  some  of  the  finer  American  made  pictures. 
Plenty  of  action,  suspense  and  some  beautiful  and 
artistic  scenes.  I noticed  that  one  of  my  brother 
exhibitors  panned  this  picture,  so  I didn’t  adver- 
tise too  strong  or  promise  too  much.  But  it 
brought  out  a number  of  patrons  that  will  only 
respond  to  the  unusual,  in  addition  to  all  the 
regulars  and  they  all  seemed  highly  pleaseu.  Buy 
it  right  and  then  step  on  it.  Ten  reels. — Pat 
Sharkey,  Nelson  theatre.  Nelson,  Ga. — ^Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN;  Laura  LaPlante— 60%. 
June  5-6.  This  pleased  better  than  I expected, 
and  drew  well. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN;  Laura  LaPlante— 50%. 
June  19-20.  This  is  a good  big  picture.  'The  star 
and  cast  fine.  The  picture  is  a city  entertain- 
ment over  the  head  of  most  of  my  patrons.  They 
did  not  know  what  it  was  all  about.  I call  it 
great.  Satisfied  60  per  cent. — Bert  Silver.  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  BUCKAROO  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— 90%. 
June  4-5.  Say,  Hoot,  you  are  getting  real  again. 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Keep  it  up  and  we  can  make  a tittle.  Very 
good  Western.  Let  me  hear  from  you,  Hoot.  Six 
reels. — A.  J.  W.  Koehler,  Koehler  theatre,  Uehling, 
Neb. — General  patronage. 

THE  BUCKAROO  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— 37%. 
June  7.  If  I had  run  this  Friday  and  Saturday 
it  would  have  registered  a bigger  percentage.  It’s 
good,  and  has  a real  story. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pas- 
time theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SENSATION  SEEKERS:  Billie  Dove— 23%. 
June  17.  Fairly  good  program  offering,  but  poor 
appeal.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  thea- 
tre, Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

HER  BIG  NIGHT:  Laura  LaPlante— 60%. 

June  11-12.  Laura,  you  are  good.  This  is  a 
dandy  picture.  Book  it  fellows.  I am  voting  for 
you.  Eight  reels. — A.  J.  W.  Koehler,  Koehler 
theatre.  Uehling,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

PROWLERS  OF  THE  NIGHT:  Fred  Humes— 
75%.  May  28.  First  of  this  boy’s  pictures,  but 
I think  he  will  make  good.  A fair  Western. — 
J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  RAMBLING  RANGER:  Jack  Hoxie— 
50%.  June  18.  A good  'Western.  Jack  did  scrap 
in  this  one.  All  pronounced  it  good. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

RED  HOT  LEATHER:  Jack  Hoxi(^0%. 
June  15-16.  Here  is  the  kind  of  Western  that  the 
boys  like.  Rodeo  stuff  and  hard  riding  and  hard 
fighting.  Pleased  90  per  cent. — J.  G.  Flanders, 
Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — ^Small  town 
patronage. 

YELLOW  BACK:  Fred  Humes — 50%.  June  11. 
A good  action,  but  not  an  old  style  Western. 
Good  comedy  and  good  riding. — J.  G.  Flanders, 
Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U:  Hoot  Gibson— 
75%.  June  18.  One  of  the  best  Gibsons  that  we 
have  ever  played.  'They  sure  did  eat  it  up.  It 
is  a good  clean  picture  that  carries  some  good 
comedy  anJ  plenty  of  action.  Makes  a good  Satur- 
day picture.  Bought  it  right  and  so  we  made  a 
little  money  on  it.  Seven  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoff- 
man, Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town 
patronage. 

HIDDEN  LOOT:  Jack  Hoxi^-42%.  June  21. 
This  is  an  extra  good  Hoxie  picture,  but  the  per- 
centage rating  really  goes  to  the  rain  which  drove 
the  people  off  the  streets,  where  they  were  wait- 
ing for  a band  concert,  into  my  place  for  shelter. 

■ — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM:  House  Peters 
— 75%.  May  28-29.  Here  is  a star.  Draws  good 
for  he  puts  on  a real  show  and  they  tell  me  so. 
Seven  reels. — A.  J.  W.  Koehler,  Koehler  theatre, 
Uehling.  Neb. — General  patronage. 

BRONCO  BUSTER:  Fred  Humes — 32%.  June 
10.  A good  Western  program  picture  all  seemed 
to  enjoy,  but  the  fans  don’t  take  to  this  star  here. 
Five  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

Warner  Brothers 

HILLS  OF  KENTUCKY:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 48%. 
June  25.  A good  dog  picture  and  sure  drew  the 
business.  These  Rin  Tin  Tin  pictures  are  my 
only  moneymakers  on  the  Warner  contract.  If 
this  dog  should  die  it  sure  will  be  hard  picking 
for  Warners.  Seven  reels. — ^R.  Pfeiffer.  Princess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  RUNAWAY"  EXPRESS:  Special  cast— 
40%.  May  30-31.  A good  railroad  drama.  Pleased 
all  who  saw  it. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre, 
Kerens,  Tex. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

BITTER  APPLES:  Monte  Blue — 50%.  June 
19.  A dandy  little  picture  with  lots  of  action, 
and  that’s  what  our  crowd  likes.  Six  reels. — B. 
Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small 
town  patronage. 

COMPROMISE:  Irene  Rich — 40%.  May  25-26. 
A fair  program  picture.  Pleased  about  75  per 
cent. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

HERO  OF  THE  BIG  SNOWS:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 
50%.  June  1-2.  A very  good  dog  picture.  My 
patrons  all  like  Rinty.  Pleased  100  per  cent. — 
J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre.  Kerens,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BROKEN  HEARTS  OF  HOLLYWOOD:  Special 
cast — 40%.  June  10.  A good  program  picture. 
Well  received.  Some  wonderful  acting. — J.  G. 
Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

SILKEN  SHACKLES:  Irene  Rich— 50%.  June 
17.  A fair  program  picture.  Some  said  it  was 
fine.  I did  not  think  so  much  of  it  myself. — 
J.  G.  Flanders.  Majestic  theatre.  Kerens,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


The  Spotlight 

{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

sion?  I tell  you  it’s  next  to  marvel- 
ous! I have  heard  it  said  that  any- 
one who  could  write  poetry  was  con- 
sidered queer.  Well,  just  look  the 
professor  and  me  over  and  you’ll  see 
it’s  not  true. 

* * * 

Now  listen  to  me,  Robert  L.  An- 
derson, if  anyone  called  me  what  Mr. 
Rand  did  you  in  his  letter  above,  I’d 
sue  him  for  damages  for  slander. 
He  called  you  a HOMO  SAPICUS 
and  I believe  it’s  just  his  way  of 
saying  “Homely  Sap.’’  Now  I never 
have  seen  a likeness  of  you  but  I 
like  your  style  of  writing  and  now 
for  the  sake  of  the  good  of  the  in- 
dustry assert  yourself  and  defend 
your  good  name. 

* * * 

Oh,  yes,  Mr.  Anderson,  I forgot  to 
tell  you  that  I am  sorry  to  hear  about 
your  stiff  neck  and  do  hope  that  it 
is  better  by  noiv.  It’s  a shame  those 
cross-country  racers  kept  you  out 
there  watching  the  road  for  them! 
I’d  certainly  present  J.  C.  a bill  for 
liniment. 

* * * 

And  about  that  old  Sandpiper  Jen- 
kins. The  last  I heard  of  him  he  was 
headed  for  Cal  Coolidge’s  hangout  in 
S.  Dak.  and  he  was  dressed  in  a foot- 
ball -suit,  head-gear  and  all.  When 
asked  why  such  regalia  he  said  he 
wasn’t  going  up  there  in  that  mdb 
and  run  any  chances  of  having  Na- 
ture’s handiwork  spoiled,  and  he 
never  enjoyed  getting  his  knees  and 
elbows  skinned. 

;!:  * * 

I’ve  almost  given  up  ever  hearing 
from  Mr.  Sprague  of  Goodnight,  Kan. 
They  say  the  only  way  one  can  get 
a rise  out  of  him  is  to  play  that  Na- 
tional Anthem,  “How  Dry  I Am.” 

* * Hi 

Thelma  and  Geneve  probably  think 
they  have  the  edge  on  me  because 
they  have  a few  weeks  start.  But  let 
me  tell  you  that  the  woods  are  full 
of  exhibitors  and  for  them  to  keep  in 
mind  that  “Gentlemen  prefer 
blondes.”  Yes,  Mr.  Rand,  I have  a 
telephone  number  and  it’s  no  secret. 
Just  get  Central  and  ask  for  67  and 
she’ll  connect  you  with  my  private 
wire.  What  do  you  say  to  that  girls? 

ADELINE  FURTHER. 
THE  SPOTLIGHT  WILL  GET 
YOU  IF  YOU  DON’T  WATCH 
OUT! 


THE  SAP:  Kenneth  Harlan — 40%.  May  21-22. 
A very  pleasing  picture,  but  did  not  draw  for  me. 
Not  the  fault  of  the  picture.  Six  reels. — A.  J.  'W. 
Koehler,  Koehler  theatre,  Uehling,  Neb. — General 
patronage. 

THE  NIGHT  CRY:  Rin  Tin  ’Hn- Mighty, 
mighty  good.  Had  more  comments  on  thie  than 
any  picture  we  have  had  in  months.  Six  reels. — 
H.  T.  Nokes,  Elite  theatre,  Nixa,  Mo. — General 
patronage. 

BELOW  THE  LINE:  Rin  Tin  Tin— Not  as 
good  as  ‘"The  Night  Cry,”  but  everyone  satisfied. 
Six  reels. — H.  T.  Nokes,  Elite  theatre,  Nixa,  Mo. — 
General  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

BRAIN  STORMS:  They  laughed  hard  every 
once  in  a while.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Aiwada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CURIOSITIES:  Good.  Adds  to  entertainment. 
One  reel. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  theatre. 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

DUCK  OUT:  It’s  a good  one.  Two  reels. — 


Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — Genera!  patronage. 

FELIX  HUNTS  THE  HUNTER:  Good  cartoon 
comedy.  One  reel, — A.  G,  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore, — General  patronage, 

FRENCH  PASTRY:  Many  good  laughs  in  this 
one.  Two  reels. — L,  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion 
theatre,  Lena,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

FRESH  FACES:  Walter  Hiers — Not  much  to 
this.  Just  a lot  of  running  around.  Two  reels. — 
G,  S.  Kenny,  Community  theatre.  Greenwood, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

HAVE  COURAGE : Good  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

HODGE  PODGE:  Always  good,  always  en^ 
joyed.  One  reel. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  thea- 
tre, Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

MISTER  WIFE:  Bobby  Vernon — Had  lots  of 
action  in  this.  Some  old  and  some  new  stunts. 
All  in  all,  a very  good  comedy.  Two  reels, — G.  S. 
Kenny,  Community  theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — 
General  patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BOY:  Lupino  Lane — Good.  Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A,  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  patronage, 

PAPA'S  PEST:  Neal  Burns — Call  this  a good 
comedy.  Lots  of  laughs.  Two  reels, — G.  S, 
Kenny,  Community  theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — 
General  patronage. 

SEA  SCAMPS:  Big  Boy — The  kid  is  good,  and 
most  of  his  comedies  worth  showing.  Two  reels. — 
G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  theatre.  Greenwood, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

SHELL  SHOCKED;  This  is  a real  funny 
comedy.  Better  than  the  average.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

SOMEBODY'S  FAULT : Very  funny.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

TIME  FLIES:  Lupino  Lane — Some  good  laughs 
and  plenty  of  action.  Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny, 
Community  theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

TIN  GHOST;  Lige  Conley — Very  good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — A,  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre,  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

WATCH  OUT;  Bobby  Vernon — Plenty  of 
action.  Keeps  moving.  Good.  Two  reels. — G.  S. 
Kenny,  Community  theatre.  Greenwood,  Ind. — 
General  patronage. 

WHO  HIT  ME:  A1  St.  John — None  of  them 
put  more  action  into  a comedy  than  St.  John. 
His  two=reelers  always  prove  satisfactory.  Plenty 
of  fun.  Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community 
theatre,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

FBO 

BRUISES  AND  LOSERS:  This  was  a real 
knockout.  Boys,  a little  more  pep,  that's  what 
we  need.  It's  good.  Two  reels.—Rudolph  Duba. 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  FIGHTERS:  Krazy  Kat — Just  a 
punk  cartoon.  I don’t  see  why  they  make  this 
kind  of  bunk.  One  reel. — Rudolph  Duba.  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

HOW  HIGH  IS  UP : Three  Fat  Men — Nice 
comedy.  Just  like  all  other  Standards.  Give 
plenty  of  laughs  and  that  is  what  they  want. 
Two  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball, S.  D. — Genera!  patronage. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  SON:  Grimm’s  Prog- 

ress." This  was  much  different  from  all  others 
and  sure  made  them  laugh,  so  must  have  been 
good.  Two  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SHOOSH:  Charley  Bowers — Another  trick 
novelty  subject  that’s  good.  Two  reels. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

STEAMED  UP:  Charley  Bowers — Nice  two- 
reel  entertainment. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNSOCIAL  THREE:  Three  Fat  Men— 
These  comedies  are  always  good  and  bring  many 
laughs.  Two  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

VANISHING  VILLAIN;  Charley  Bowers — I 
hope  FBO  loses  this  bird.  His  comedies  started 
with  a bang  and  became  poorer  and  poorer.  Two 
reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

WISECRACKERS : "Oily  Boyd" — A good  one 
with  lots  of  action.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard 
A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FOX 

COMPLETE  LIFE ; O’Henry — Just  a good 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


July  9,  1927 

THE  MOTOR  BOAT  DEMON:  Van  Bibber— 
A very  funny  comedy.  Two  reels?. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THE  NON-STOP  BRIDE:  Imperial— Dandy 
comedy  that  is  good.  Two  reels. — Rudolph  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

PATHE 

CRAZY  LIKE  A FOX:  Charley  Chase — Eix- 
cellent  1 I ran  this  with  “Wedding  Bills”  and  it 
got  more  laughs  and  comments  than  the  feature. 
Hal,  you've  got  ’em  all  backed  off  the  map  when 
it  comes  to  making  comedies.  You  certainly  know 
your  onions ! Two  reels. — O.  B.  Junkins,  Man- 
zanita  theatre,  Carmel,  Cal. — General  patronage. 

A HOLLYWOOD  HERO:  Ben  Turpin— Ben 
made  two  good  comedies  and  the  rest  of  them 
are  a disgrace  to  the  cockeyed  world.  He  should 
get  away  from  this  sheik  stuff.  Two  reels. — 
H.  G.  Stettmund,  Jr.,  H.  & S.  theatre,  Chandler, 
Okla. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

MONKEY  BUSINESS:  Our  Gang— The  best 
comedy  we’ve  had  this  year.  Sure  is  a hum- 
dinger. Two  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre, 
Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  MYSTERY:  Our  Gang- 
One  of  those  kind  that  you  can’t  go  wrong  on. 
It  certainly  pleased  adults  as  well  as  the  kids. 
They  are  great.  Two  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman, 
Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WISE  GUYS  PREFER  BRUNETTES:  Helene 
Chadwick — A good  comedy  and  one  that  will  go 
over  big  with  my  audience.  Two  reels. — L.  L. 
Netzer,  American  Legion  theatre,  Lena,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ANDY’S  LION  TALE;  Boy.  here  is  a riot.  My 
crowd  went  wild  and  asked  for  more  Gumps. — 
J.  G.  Flanders.  Majestic  theatre.  Kerens,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BACKWARD  GEORGE:  A good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

BIG  SURPRISE:  One  of  the  poorest  Gumps 
we  ever  played.  Not  up  to  standard.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre.  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  DARK  MYSTERY:  Buster  Brown- 
Good  comedy.  Two  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace 
theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  FRAME-UP : Good  as  all  Busters 
are.  Two  reels. — ^Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  GIRL  FRIEND:  A good  comedy. 
A number  of  laughs  in  this  one. — J.  G.  Flanders. 
Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  NARROW  ESCAPE:  A good 
comedy.  The  dog  is  real  good. — J.  G.  Flanders, 
Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

BUSTER  WATCH  TIGE:  B.  B.’s  are  good 
clean  comedies. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre, 
Kerens.  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

BY  GEORGE:  Fairly  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre,  Rainier,  Ore.- 
General  patronage. 

CHESTER’S  DONKEY  PARTY:  A fair  com- 
edy. Not  as  good  as  some  of  the  Gumps. — J.  G. 
Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Genera! 
patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  Acclaimed  best  short 
subject  by  patrons.  These  series  are  wonderful. 
Two  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  These  are  about  the  best 
two-reelers  we  ever  played  since  “The  Leather 
Pushers.”  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 


A ‘"^Stranger  ^ Returns 
to  Family  Circle — 
Greetings  ! 

PORTLAND,  ORE.— To  the  Edi- 
tor: I haven’t  reported  to  EXHIBI- 
TORS HERALD  for  a long  time  but 
last  week  two  unexpected  turns  took 
place  which  affected  my  box  office 
receipts  and  I cannot  refrain  from 
giving  you  the  facts  so  that  exhibitors 
can  be  encouraged  not  to  rely  on  one 
or  two  film  companies  for  their  main 
supply  of  good  pictures  that  click  at 
the  ticket  window. 

“THE  MAGIC  GARDEN”:  Special 
cast — I have  always  considered  Gene 
Stratton  Porter’s  stories  good  box 
office  material  but  never  have  I 
really  realized  the  strength  of  her 
name  until  last  week.  In  Portland 
we  had  one  of  the  worst  slumps  in 
my  showman  experience.  I thought 
the  business  was  just  going  to  the 
dogs  when  along  comes  “The  Magic 
Garden”  and  despite  what  I thought 
was  adverse  conditions,  I established 
a new  box  office  record  for  this 
house. 

Talk  about  buying  pictures  for 
prestige!  I used  to  buy  from  one  of 
the  biggest  companies  (I  won’t  men- 
tion names)  big  outstanding  pictures 
knowing  I was  going  to  lose  money 
just  for  prestige.  I would  a darn 
sight  rather  run  Gene  Stratton  Porter 
pictures  for  prestige  because  in  addi- 
tion to  the  fun  of  running  them  an 
exhibitor  can  make  money.  “The 
Magic  Garden”  holds  one  of  my  larg- 
est records  and  I hope  that  nothing 
happens  to  the  two  new  Porters  FBO 
advertised  in  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  a fetv  weeks  ago.  We  small 
exhibitors  surely  need  ’em. 

The  OUTLAW  DOG:  Ranger  — 
This  is  the  last  of  the  four  dog  pic- 
tures contracted  from  FBO  last  sea- 
son. I am  sorry  that  I have  no  more 
under  contract.  Here’s  one  of  the 
finest  dog  pictures  I have  ever  seen  in 
my  career.  Seemed  to  lift  my  people 
right  out  of  their  seats.  If  the  FBO 
salesmen  in  Portland  don’t  read  this 
I am  sure  going  to  contract  for  the 
Ranger  pictures  again  next  season. 
To  my  way  of  thinking  he  is  the 
finest  dog  in  pictures  today  and  the 
producer  should  be  encouraged,  and 
I for  one  want  to  encourage  him. — 
H.  J.  Updegraff,  Roseway  theatre, 
Portland,  Ore. — General  patronage. 


THE  FIGHTING  SPIRIT:  George  Lewis— Good 
two-reelers  for  bigger  towns  where  they  have 
plenty  of  college  boys,  but  no  good  out  in  the 
sticks.  Most  everyone  thinks  it  silly  nonsense. 
Benson  and  Trent  are  the  w’nole  show  and  it’s 
all  easy  to  guess  what  comes  next.  Two  reels. — 


Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

HELD  BY  THE  LAW:  Ralph  Lewis— 25% 
June  21.  A good  program  picture. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

IN  FOR  LIFE:  Neely  Edwards — Fair  short 
comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

JANE’S  HONEYMOON:  Fair  comedy.— J,  G. 
Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

JANE’S  HUBBY:  Good  comedy.^.  G.  Flan- 
ders, Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

JANE’S  HUBBY:  A fair  comedy.  Two  reels.— 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theati'e,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

JANE’S  INHERITANCE:  A good  comedy. 
Some  laughs. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre, 
Kerens,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

LET  GEORGE  DO  IT:  Kid  George— Pretty 
good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LOST  SOUL;  Charles  Puffy — Nice  one- 
reel  filler.  Charles  always  makes  them  laugh. — 
Rudolph  Duba.  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

MEET  THE  HUSBAND:  Arthur  Luke— Fairly 
good  short  comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

NEWLYWED’S  NEIGHBORS:  This  is  a riot 
of  laughs.  Snookums  is  sure  there. — J.  G.  Flan- 
ders. Majestic  theatre,  Kerens.  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

NEWLYWEDS  QUARANTINED:  A riot  of  fun. 
and  laughs. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  theatre, 
Kerens,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

OH  WHAT  A KICK:  Slim  Summerville — This 
one  was  the  best  one-reeler  I have  ever  run.  Most 
of  it  was  done  at  the  World  War  front  and  it  is 
good.  One  reel. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball.  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

PIPE  ROCK  GOES  WILD:  Just  fair.— J.  G. 
Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Genera! 
patronage. 

THE  SMASH-UP:  Good  comedy.  I never 
played  one  before  but  I would  class  this  one  as 
one  of  the  better  comedies,  if  they  are  all  as  good 
as  this  one.  Two  reels. — Rudolph  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS  DISAPPEARS:  A pleasing  com- 
edy. Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS’  FIRST  TOOTH:  Darn  clever  kid 
in  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace 
theatre.  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS’  FIRST  TOOTH:  A fine  comedy. 
Plenty  of  laughs. — J.  G.  Flanders,  Majestic  thea- 
tre, Kerens,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS’  MERRY  XMAS:  Good  kid  com- 
edy. Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  thea- 
tre, Greenville.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

STRANGE  INHERITANCE:  Pee  Wee  Holmes- 
Very  good  comedy  Western.  Two  reels. — A.  G.. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 

TENDERFOOT  COURAGE:  Fred  Gilman- 
Short  Western.  Okay  for  filler.  Two  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — • 
General  patronage. 

WHAT  PRICE  DOUGH:  Good  as  all  Busters 
are.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHICH  IS  WHICH:  A good  comedy.— J.  G. 
Flanders.  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 


Who’s  Youngest  Exhibitor? 

Considerable  interest  has  been  aroused  by  publication  in  last  week’s  issue  of  the  HERALD  of  a story  about 
Miss  Mildred  Russell  of  Benton  City,  Mo.,  who  at  15  started  managing  the  community  theatre  of  that  city. 
Comment  seems  to  be  centering  on  whether  she  is  the  youngest  exhibitor  (Miss  Russell  is  17  now). 

All  right.  We’ll  leave  it  to  you  exhibitors.  Who  is  the  youngest  exhibitor  in  your  territory?  We  wel- 
come nominations  from  either  the  entrant  himself  or  any  acquaintance.  Each  territory  has  its  own  youngest 
exhibitor  and  we  want  the  names  of  all  of  them. 

It’s  a race  from  scratch,  with  no  handicaps.  The  field  is  open  to  all,  and  the  youngest  man  (or  woman) 
wins.  Come  one,  come  all,  with  your  nominations! 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

- By  G.  S. 

The  State  Legislature  has  completed  another  session— and  the 
motion  pictures  business,  like  many  other  businesses,  can  breathe 
a little  easier,  for  a while  at  least.  Nine  bills  adverse  to  the  welfare 
of  the  film  industry  in  Illinois  were  up  for  consideration,  and  that  not 
one  of  them  passed  is  a tribute  to  the  intelligence  of  some  legislators 
and  a regular  Lindberghian  triumph  for  astute  and  hard-working  Jack 
Miller. 


The  president  of  the  Illinois  Exhibitors’ 
Association  was  in  the  capital  every  time 
one  of  the  bills  threatened  to  rear  its  head. 
He  spent  practically  the  entire  last  two  or 
three  weeks  in  Springfield,  working  with 
committees  and  individual  legislators,  in 
behalf  of  both  the  selling  and  exhibiting 
branches  of  the  trade. 

As  a result  Illinois  exchanges,  exhibitors 
and  patrons  will  not  have  to  be  harassed 
by  what  a St.  Louis  editorialist  recently 
called  “incompetent,  small-minded  people.” 
The  proposed  censorship  law  is  dead  for 
another  j'ear — dying,  let  us  hope,  from  the 
infection  of  its  own  viciousness,  though  it 
is  well  to  be  thankful  that  Jack  Miller 
was  on  the  job. 

Likewise,  the  padlocking  bill  is  dead. 
Even  more  ridiculous,  if  possible,  than  the 
censorship  bill,  was  this  proposal.  Fully 
as  ridiculous  and  far  more  vicious.  Its 
sponsor  sought  to  give  the  police  the  right 
to  “padlock”  a theatre  for  showing  what 
some  person  or  some  organization  thought 
obscene  or  otherwise  immoral.  Obviously, 
its  author  borrowed  the  idea  from  the  pro- 
hibition department  and  could  not  get  it 
clear  in  his  mind  that  motion  picture  the- 
atres are  not  night  clubs  and  dives. 

The  bill  drafted  to  prohibit  block-booking 
was  similarly  killed,  while  among  the  nine 
suffering  the  same  well-earned  fate  were 
the  prominent  measures  making  the  use  of 
slow-burning  film  compulsory,  and  estab- 
lishing a six-day  week  for  theatre  employes, 
with  extra  pay  provided  for  the  seventh. 

So  Jack  Miller  went  with  his  family  to 
spend  the  Fourth  of  July  holidays  at  his 
Lake  Geneva,  Wis.,  retreat,  doubtless  feel- 
ing, though  it  must  be  an  old  story  to  him, 
that  he  had  done  an  important  job  rather 
better  than  well.  And  so  he  did. 

* * * 

Paul  Benjamin  of  the  National  Screen 
Service  home  office  in  New  York,  has 


arrived  in  Chicago  to  spend  his  vacation 
here.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  “scorchers” 
last  week  did  not  make  him  give  up  his 
confidence  in  the  Windy  City  (as  some 
folks  call  it),  and  the  Herald  hastens  to 
assure  him  that  it  was  “the  first  time  in 
years”  we  have  had  weather  like  that. 

* * * 

Finding  somebody  in  the  offices  along 
Film  Row  the  latter  part  of  last  week  was 
an  achievement  indeed.  What  is  needed  is 
not  a law  compelling  the  use  of  slow-burn- 
ing film,  but  a statute  making  it  illegal 
for  the  weather  to  get  film  folks  so  hot. 

* * * 

The  violet  ray  may  be  very  good  for  us 
and  all  that,  but  it’s  lots,  lots  cooler  in  the 
shade. 

* * * 

Frank  Schaefer  is  one  of  those  fortunate 
enough  to  have  a summer  retreat.  He  went 
up  to  his  place  at  Lake  Delavan,  Wis.,  for 
the  holidays. 

* * * 

Pauline  Lyon — the  Lyon  part  having  been 
bestowed  upon  her  by  Joe  Lyon  of  the 
FBO  city  sales  forces — recently  sighed, 
to  her  estimable  husband  that  she  hadn’t 
been  mentioned  in  Chicago  Personalities 
since  she  was  an  exhibitor  on  the  South 
Side,  operating  the  Verdi,  Archer  and 
Grand  theatres.  Well,  once  a part  of  the 
film  business,  always  a part  of  it— so,  here, 
Mrs.  Lyon,  is  where  you  return  to  this  page. 

+ :(c 

Marilyn  Holquist  is  a newcomer  among 
Chicagoans  in  the  trade.  In  fact,  she’s  a 
newcomer  to  the  world  in  general,  having 
been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harry  Holquist 
only  a few  weeks  ago.  She  weighed  eight 
and  a half  pounds  but  doubtless  has  picked 
up  since  then.  Twenty  years  from  now 
she’ll  start  reducing.  Harry  is  editor  of 
Better  Theatres,  the  monthly  supplement 
of  the  Herald. 


A Portrait 

of 

HARRY  ASCHER 

"LJ  ERE  is  a likeness  of  Harry  Ascher, 
the  genial  gentleman  who  besides  be- 
ing the  G.  M.  of  Ascher’s  new  Sheridan 
theatre,  is  also 
part  of  the  theatre 
circuit  bearing  his 
name. 

Harry,  as  he  is 
called  by  his 
friends — and  there 
are  a great  many 
of  them  at  that — 
is  one  of  the 
youngest  pioneers 
in  the  Chicago  the- 
atre business, 
starting  22  years 
ago  as  an  usher  in 
the  once  famous 
Hamburg  theatre. 
He  was  also  the 
first  manager  to  install  a ten  cent  admis- 
sion policy  for  feature  pictures  and  short 
films  with  the  opening  of  the  President 
theatre  on  Chicago’s  far  South  Side.  Be- 
sides being  one  of  the  best  liked  showmen 
on  film  row,  Harry  is  also  the  happy 
wearer  of  the  Champion  Chicago  Exhibit- 
ors Bachelor  Belt. 


George  Hopkinson,  for  many  years  a 
Chicago  exhibitor  and  consequently  well 
known  in  film  circles,  exchanged  greetings 
along  the  Row  last  week.  The  Hamlin 
theatre,  now  operated  by  Harry  Luts,  for- 
merly belonged  to  Hopkinson. 

* if  if 

“Clayt”  Bond,  Chicago  manager  for  War- 
ner Brothers,  is  still  confined  to  his  home 
by  illness,  though  he  reports  that  he  expects 
to  be  out  among  us  again  in  about  a week. 

* * * 

O.  E.  Florine  of  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
and  family  spent  the  patriotic  holidays  at 
the  Crystal  Lake  Country  Club,  of  which 
he  is  a member. 

* * * 

And  Tess  Heraty  celebrated  her  country’s 
independence  at  Union  Pier,  Mich.,  where 
one  goes  swimming,  rowing  and  other  cool 
things. 

* + ♦ 

Simon  Samansky  and  family  also  escaped 

the  hot  city,  nor  will  they  return  until 

next  week. 


LON  CHANEY 


A PREFERRED  PICTURE 

“SHADOWS’’ 

featuring 

LON  CHANEY 

Pictures  which  make  the  most  lasting  impression  are  those  which  deal  with  normal 
people  in  normal  surroundings  . . . with  a sprinkling  of  tears  ...  a laugh 

here  and  there  . . . and  thrills  that  quicken  the  pulses! 

The  Greatest  Story  Ever  Told  in  Motion  Pictures  adapted  from  Wilbur 
Daniel  Steele’s  famous  prize  story  “CHING,  CHING  CHINAMAN.” 


For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS  Season  1927-28 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVENUE, 

CHICAGO,  ILL. 


For  Indiana 

218\^inmerBttUdiii^ 

INDIAJNAPOUSS 


Get  the  Combination 


Productions  of  quality  usually 
reflect  the  use  of  Eastman 
Negative  Film. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman 
Positive  and  you  get  the 
combination  that  carries 
photographic  quality  through 
to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.Y. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Pafh^comedy 


DEMILLE  P/CrURES,  PATHE  NEWS, 
PA  THESERIA LS  , PA  THEPJCTURES 


IX  ^^Mach  Sennetts^* 

Comedy’s  most  famous  name  gives 
box  office  value  to  these  sparklers 
of  fun. 


12  ^^Smiths^^ 

Mary  Ann  Jackson,  Raymond 
McKee  and  Ruth  Hiatt  continue 
their  success  of  the  past  year 
with  twelve  new  laughter-makers. 


12  ^^Sennett  Girt 
Comedies^^ 

A brand  new  idea,  enabling  exhib- 
itors to  cash  in  on  picturedom’s 
most  famous  personalities,  the 
shapely  and  beautiful  Mack 
Sennett  girls. 


rom 


Equipped  with  either 

Cutler-Hammer  or  Ward-Leonard  Dimmers 


m 


rV'A 

y?;  - * •‘•,- 


m 


. aM; -ri"'-.-:?!:. 


Theatre  Lighting 
Control 

The  sensible  equipment  from  every 
viewpoint — economy — profit — service 
— safety.  So  widely  accepted  that 
it  eliminates  one  big  problem  in  theatre 
construction  by  simply  specifying  @ 
Major. 

^ank  *s€dam 

ELECTRIC  COMPANY 

ST.  LOUIS 

Offices  in  Principal  Cities 


Hundreds  of  Installations 


Used  in  More  Theatres 
than  all  other  makes 
combined 


XXX,  No.  4 


fTWO  SECTIONS 


SECTION  II 


July  9,  1927 


Ill  I 

fl 


WuRuIZER 

ORGANS 

Your  feature  picture  may  require 
as  accompaniment  one  of  Wagner’s 
immortal  compositions  to  vividly 
portray  the  workings  of  human 
emotions  and  shades  of  feeling.  On 
such  an  occasion  the  Wurlitzer 
Organ  with  its  exclusive  features 
and  exceptional  resources  is  far  su- 
perior to  all  others  in  conveying  to 
the  audience  the  true  spirit  of  the 
performance. 

Write  for  catalog — today 

New  York  Chicago  Cincinnati 

Cleveland  Pittsburgh  Detroit 

Philadelphia  Buffalo  Kansas  City 

St.  Louis  San  Francisco  Los  Angeles 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


3 


July  9,  1927 


Press  # 
ONE4CEY 


Pays  Right  Change 

INSTANTLY  , 


."'f  i:an. 

'^®*°era®|ist9°eQTi  thi 


yoiu-g 


Service  is  not 
a question  of  sise 


Service  depends  on  showmanship — and 
the  proper  equipment,  especially  in  the  box 
office.  The  Arcada  Theatre — seating  800 
to  1,000 — gives  the  5,000  residents  of  St. 
Charles,  Illinois  a type  of  service  on  a par 
with  the  larger  metropolitan  theatres.  The 
Brandt,  with  its  one-key-only-to-press  for 
correct  change — instantly — does  its  share. 
But  let  Mr.  Pracht,  the  manager  tell  you — 


CTl\e  tNew  jar 

THEATRE  MODEL 

(p  With  the  Subtracting  Keyboard 


Mail  this  coupon 
for  30  Days  FREE  Trial 


Sold 

Direct 

to 

Users 

Not 

Through 

Dealers 


Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  Co., 
Department  A,  Watertown,  Wis. 


Please  place  with  us  on  Thirty  Days'  Free  Trial  your 
Brandt  Automatic  Cashier.  It  is,  of  course,  understood  that 
we  can  return  it  as  we  accept  the  trial  without  obligation  or 
expense. 

Please  check  whether  used  on  the  riglit  or  left  side  of  the 
Box  Office. 


□ Right 

Firm  Name 

Individual 


□ Left 


4 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Saenger’s 

Qanal  Street  Theatre 
Tle'w  Orleans,  £a. 

EMIL  WEIL,  ARCHITECT 


American  Seating  Company 


^he  South 

turns  to 

“American” 

(^hairs 

Yuma,  Yuma,  Ariz. 

Smith,  Conway,  Ar\. 

Alice,  Hope,  Ar\. 

Saenger,  Pine  Bluff,  At\. 

New  Lexington  Opera  House 

Lexington,  Ky. 

Brown,  Louisville,  Ky. 

Rapids,  Alexandria,  La. 

Saenger,  Bay  St.  Louis,  La. 

Saenger,  Covington,  La. 

Saenger,  Monroe,  La. 
Cosmopolitan,  IHew  Orleans,  La. 
Granada,  ?iew  Orleans,  La. 

Lyric  Amusement  Co., 

Hfiw  Orleans,  La. 

Saenger’s  Canal  Street  Theatre, 
New  Orleans,  La. 
Loew’s  State,  New  Orleans,  La. 
IsTRiONE  Theatre,  New  Orleans  La. 
Broadmoor,  New  Orleans,  La. 
Saenger,  Shreveport,  La. 

Liddon,  Corinth,  Miss. 

Istrione,  Jac\son,  Miss. 


J\(ationally  Organized 
for  Sales  and  Service 


Baker’s  Grand,  Natchez,  Miss. 
Sutherland,  Raymond,  Miss. 
Strand,  Tupelo,  Miss. 

Palace,  Muscogee,  OI{la. 

Orpehum,  Tulsa,  0\la. 

Ritz,  Tulsa,  OLla. 

Rialto,  Chattanooga,  Tenn. 
Majestic,  Johnson  City,  Tenn. 
Strand,  Knoxville,  Tenn. 

Bullos  Bros.,  M.  P.,  Memphis,  Tenn. 
Rialto,  Memphis,  Tenn. 

Belmont,  ?{ashville,  Tenn. 

Tennessee  Woodland,  Paris,  Tenn. 

Saenger,  Abilene,  Texas 

The  R.  R.  Gulp  Amusement  Co., 

Corpus  Christi,  Texas 
Majestic,  Dallas.  Texas 
R.  y R.,  Hillsboro,  Texas 
Kirby,  Houston,  Texas 
Metropolitan,  Houston,  Texas 
Arcadia,  Kerrville,  Texas 
R.  fe?  R.,  Palestine,  Texas 
Parisian,  Paris,  Texas 
Saenger,  Paris,  Texas 
Texas,  San  Antonio,  Texas 
Fox,  Waco,  Texas 
R.  iP  R.,  San  Angelo,  Texas 


AMERICAN  SEATING  COMPANY  - 12  E.  JACKSON  BLVD.,  CHICAGO 

121  W.  40TH  STREET,  NEW  YORK  CITY  * 1211'H  CHESTNUT  STREET:  PHILADELPHIA 

65-D  CANAL  STREET,  BOSTON 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


( 

' July  9,  1927 


i 


Lighting  Control 


the  Talisman 


of  profit 


The  C-M  Book,  ^'^Illttmina- 
tion  Control  for  the  Modern 
Theater”  explains  all  details 
— lists  by  name  and  address 
over  800  theaters  using  C’H 
Dimmers,  including  most  of 
the  largest,  newest  and  best 
— points  your  way  to  stead* 
ier  patronage  and  consistent 
profits.  Write  for  your  copy. 


SOFTLY  falling,  smoothly  fading  light  makes 
a big  difference  in  program  presentation. 

Therein  lies  your  chance  to  establish  prefer- 
ence for  your  theater — to  make  it  the  talked -of 
recreation  center  of  the  community. 

Beautiful  lighting  effects — so  easily  produced 
with  C-H  "Simplicity”  Dimmers— help  your 
patrons  forget  the  cares  of  everyday.  They  leave  your  theater  rested 
— satisfied — resolving  to  come  again. 

Superior  design  make  C-H  "Simplicity”  Dimmers  almost  the  uni- 
versal selection  of  discriminating  managers.  Such  features  as  low 
ratio  rack  and  pinion  drive,  eliminating  back-lash  — 110  distinct 
steps  of  contact  from  full  brilliancy  to  black  out  assuring  smooth 
fading  and  crescendo  of  light  without  a trace  of  flicker.  Every  de- 
sired color  blend  is  produced  with  ease.  C-H  Dimmers  don’t  over- 
heat or  burn-out  — installations  have  been  in  continuous  service 
for  over  20  years. 

C-H  Dimmers  are  adaptable  to  every  theater — regardless  of  size. 
Ask  your  architects  or  electrical  contractor  about  them.  Get  an 
estimate  of  the  cost.  You  will  find  it  surprisingly  low. 


The  new  booklet,  “Illumination  Control  for  the  Modern  Theater” 
and  cost  estimate  form  sent  on  request.  Shall  we  mail  you  a copy,  now? 


The  CUTLER-HAMMER  Mfg.  Co. 


Pioneer  Manufacturers  of  Electric  Control  Apparatus 

1268  St.  Paul  Avenue  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin 


CUTLER^HAMMER 

T^ei^ect  Illurnirtatiort  Control  Jot  the  'Modern  Theater 


6 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Tlie 

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 


Only  Reason  for  Reseating. 

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIH^ 


I^^HERE  IS  only  one  good  reason  for  reseating  your  tkcatre, 
1.  e.,  to  kring  in  more  t)rolits.  Hey  wood  - Wakefield 
tkeatre  ckairs  do  just  tkis.  Tkey  offer  tkc  kind  of  com- 
fort tkat  increases  kox  office  receij>ts.  Tkey  kclf>  you 
kuild  and  kold  steady  fiatronage.  In  tkis  long  line  of  well- designed 
tkeatre  ckairs  you  will  ke  sure  to  find  a scat  tkat  will  filease 
your  Jiatrons  and  fiay  you  kig  dividends.  Just  droj)  a line  to  tkc 
nearest  Hcywood- Wakefield  tkeatre  seating  office.  A.n  ex|)e- 
ricnced  ret)rescntative  will  call  on  you  — ready  to  make  money- 
making suggestions  for  reseating  your  tkeatre. 


HEYWOOD -WAKEFIELD 

Tkeatre  Seating  Division 


Baltimore 
Boston 
Buifalo 
CKicago 
Kansas  City 
Los  Angeles 
New  York 
Pkiladeljiliia 
Portland 
St.  Louis 
San  Francisco 


Maryl  and 
Massackusetts 
New  York 
. Illinois 

Missouri 
. California 
. New  York 
Pennsylvania 
. Oregon 

Missouri 
California 


Tkousands  of  tkis  inexjiensive, 
yet  excejitionally  comfortakle 
ckair  kave  been  sold  to  tke  Saxe 
Amusement  Enterjirises,  A.  H. 
Blank  Enter;^rises,  Publix 
Soutkern  Tkeatres,  and  kun- 
dreds  of  inde;^endent  owners. 
Tkis  design  can  now  be  sujifilied 
witk  tke  new  round-front  seat 
used  in  tke  Roxy  Tkeatre.  if 
desired 


O.  C.  437 

iliilliilllllililliilllllilllliilliliiiliiiii 


illlllllllll 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


7 


July  9,  1927 


I 


A monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  published  for  the  information  and 
guidance  of  theatre  owners  in  matters  of  theatre  construction,  operation  and 
equipment  and  to  promote  the  ideal  of  greater  and  finer  theatres. 


I Editor,  Harry  E.  Holquist  Eastern  Representative  Advertising  Manager,  Charles  B.  O’Neill 

||  Albert  W.  Randle 

Published  by  the  Exhibitors  Herald  Co.,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  HI.;  Martin  J.  Quigley,  Editor  and  Publisher;  Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary; 

George  Clifford,  Assistant  Treasurer.  Eastern  Office:  565  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York  City. 


'Nationwide  Equipment  House 
' Chain  Announced  by  Fulton 

Reorganization  of  E.  E.  Fulton  Company  Is  Completed-Ten 
Prominent  Theatre  Circuits  Interested  in  Equipment  Concern 


OFFICIAL  announcement  of 
the  reorganization  of  the  E. 
E.  Fulton  company  into  a 
I national  organization  which  will 
[ operate  equipment  supply  houses 
! throughout  the  country  was  made 
in  a statement  issued  last  week  by 
I C.  H.  Fulton,  president  of  the  com- 
1^  pany.  Under  the  reorganization  ten 
prominent  theatre  circuits  and  pro- 
ducers became  financially  interested 
in  the  theatre  equipment  and  supply 
business. 

The  companies  which  are  inter- 
ested in  the  expanded  activities  of 
the  Fulton  company  and  which  will 
be  supplied  and  serviced  by  the  Ful- 
ton Company  are : 

Paramount  Famous-Lasky 
Universal  Pictures  Corporation 
The  Stanley  Company  of  America 
Publix  Saenger  Theatres 
West  Coast  Theatres 
Loew,  Incorporated 
B.  F.  Keith  Circuit 
Kunsky  Enterprises 
Saenger  Theatres 
Publix  Theatres 

, and  affiliated  companies  of  the  foregoing. 
It  is  reported  that  the  theatre  cir- 
cuits have  put  $25,000  each  into  the 
new  Fulton  Company,  which  is  capi- 
talized at  $500,000.  The  exact 
amount,  however,  is  not  disclosed 
in  Mr.  Fulton’s  statement,  though 
he  indicated  the  circuits  have  a 
financial  interest  in  the  business. 

Mr.  Fulton’s  statement  follows : 
“This  company  has  just  completed  reor- 
ganization and  increased  its  capital  to  $500,- 
000  in  order  to  function  effectively  as  a 
nationwide  concern.  Branch  offices  will 
be  opened  in  all  principal  cities,  supple- 
mented by  sales  representatives  in  various 
' important  centers. 


“Conditions  in  the  motion  picture  the- 
atre industry  have  undergone  very  consid- 
erable change  in  recent  years  and  to  meet 
demands  of  the  present  day  and  age,  vastly 
improved  facilities  are  necessary. 

* * * 

“Until  recently,  practically  all  theatres 
of  importance,  value  or  consequence  were 
concentrated  in  the  larger  cities  of  the 
country.  During  that  earlier  period,  the 
small  town  show  was  usually  a small  in- 
vestment proposition  and  the  outlay  for 
equipment  and  supplies  very  limited. 

“This  situation  did  not  justify  branch 
supply  and  equipment  stores  to  any  extent 
and  consequently  a large  percentage  of  ex- 
hibitors and  prospective  exhibitors  were 
far  removed  from  markets  for  theatre 
goods. 

“But  everywhere  today  the  standard  of 
picture  theatre  architecture,  decoration,  fur- 
nishing and  mechanico-electro  equipment 
has  been  raised  to  such  a level  that  even 
small  towns,  often  in  remote  parts  of  the 
country,  boast  of  theatres  built  or  contem- 
plated which  compare  favorably  with  many 
metropolitan  show  houses. 

* * 4= 

“The  immediate  result  of  our  reorgan- 
ization and  increased  capital  will  be  the 
creation  of  many  branch  offices  and  stores. 
In  addition  to  Chicago  headquarters  and 
present  branches  at  St.  Louis  and  Indianap- 
olis, offices  and  stores  will  soon  be  opened 
in  New  York,  .San  Francisco  and  Atlanta 
with  the  subsequent  opening  of  branches  in 

Philadelphia,  Pa. ; Boston,  Mass. ; Cleve- 
land, Ohio ; Pittsburgh,  Pa. ; Milwaukee, 
Wis. ; Detroit,  Mich. ; Kansas  City,  Mo. ; 
Omaha,  Neb.;  Dallas,  Texas;  Jacksonville, 
Fla. 


“Better  Theatres”  welcomes  the  follow- 
ing nezv  advertisers  in  this  issue:  Holmes 
Projector  Co.,  Chicago,  111. ; Display  Stage 
Lighting  Co.,  New  York  City;  Stevens 
Sound  Proofing  Co.,  Chicago,  111.,  Ver- 
MOND  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing,  Allentown,  Pa. 


“Additional  branches  are  contemplated  in 
Washington,  D.  C. ; Minneapolis,  Minn. ; 
Denver,  Colo.;  Los  Angeles,  Calif.;  Seat- 
tle, Wash.;  New  Orleans,  La. 

“Sales  representatives  will  also  be  located 
in:  Oklahoma  City,  Okla. ; Des  Moines, 
Iowa;  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah;  Portland, 
Ore. ; Albany,  N.  Y. ; Buffalo,  N.  Y. ; Balti- 
more,  Md. ; Charlotte,  N.  C. ; Tampa,  Fla.; 
Memphis,  Tenn. ; Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

* * * 

“We  have  completed  negotiations  where- 
by we  will  supply  and  service  ten  of  the 
most  powerful  theatre  circuits,  as  follows, 
and  also  the  subsidiaries  of  these  ten : 

Paramount  Famous  Corp. ; Loew  Incor- 
porated ; Universal  Pictures  Corp. ; B.  F. 
Keith  Circuit ; Stanley  Company  of  Amer- 
ica ; Kunsky  Theatres  Corp. ; Publix-Saen- 
ger  Theatres,  Inc. ; Saenger  Theatres,  Inc. ; 
West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc. ; Publix  Theatres 
Corp. 

“With  the  superb  coast  to  coast  organ- 
ization and  unrivalled  material  resources 
at  our  command  a most  superior  service 
is  assured  to  anyone  situated  in  any  part 
of  the  country,  who  may  be  interested  in 
any  way  in  the  creation,  equipping  or  main- 
tenance of  a picture  theatre. 

“Our  experience  in  this  line  is  with- 
out parallel,  and  we  have  a long  estab- 
lished reputation  for  exceptional  service.” 
* * * 

When  asked  whether  or  not  the  theatre 
circuits  interested  were  obligated  under  the 
new  arrangement  to  purchase  only  from 
the  E.  F.  Fulton  company  Mr.  Fulton  stated 
they  were  not. 

Canada  Equipment 
House  Opens  Office 

The  Dominion  Theatre  Equipment 
Company,  of  Vancouver,  B.  C.,  has  se- 
cured an  Ontario  chapter  and  has  opened 
offices  and  display  rooms  in  the  Variety 
Theatre  Bldg.,  10  Queen  Street  East, 
Toronto  2,  Ontario,  in  order  to  give  bet- 
ter service  to  its  patrons  in  the  East. 


8 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


CONTENTS 


Nationwide  Equipment  House 
Chain  Is  Announced  by  E.  E. 
Fulton  Company  of  Chicago.... 
New  1,000  Seat  Theatre  for  $60,- 
000  Points  Lesson  in  Remod- 
eling   

Saenger  Managers  and  Depart- 
ment Heads  Undergo  Inten- 
sive Training  Course  in 


Theatre  Management 10 

R.  P.  Matthews  Placed  in  Full 
Charge  of  Operations  of  Rob- 
ert Morton  Organ  Company.  ..  10 
Projectionists  Given  Data  on 
Operation  of  Vitaphone  in 
Article  by  H.  M.  Wilcox  of 

Western  Electric  Co 11 

Organization  Chart  of  West 
Coast  Theatres  Shows  How 

Large  Circuit  Is  Operated 13 

Lieut.  Renter,  Director  of  U.  S. 
Marine  Band,  Describes  Music 

for  Navy  and  Sea  Film 15 

Featuring  the  Player — Or  Play- 
ing the  Feature,  a Music  Arti- 
cle by  Clark  Fiers 17 

Variety  Is  Needed  Element  in 
Success  of  Solo  Work,  Says 
Harold  J.  Lyon,  Theatre  Or- 
ganist   17 

Page  Organ  Company  Demon- 
strates New  Style  Instrument 

at  Columbus  Convention..... 18 

Inspects  Equipment  of  Theatres 

Abroad  in  22,800  Mile  Trip 22 

New  High  Intensity  Lamp  Is 

Developed  by  Ashcraft 25 

Some  Technical  Aspects  of  Vita- 
phone — Concluding  Article....  29 


Report  Kansas  City  May  Get 
Two  New  Modern  Theatres  ...  33 
Television — Its  Possibilities  and 
Effects  in  the  Film  Industry..  34 
Lamb  Designs  4,000  Seat  The- 
atre in  London  for  Metro- 


Goldwyn-Mayer  37 

Court  Decision  in  Litigation  In- 
volving Theatre  Owners  Re- 
viewed by  Attorney  Leo  T. 

Parker  38 

Emergency  Lighting  System 
Safeguards  Against  Panic 

Loss  43 

Complete  Plans  for  Equipment 
Meeting  in  N.  Y.  July  18  and 

19  45 

Seattle  Playhouse  Costing 
$1,500,000  Will  Open  in  Au- 
gust   46 

Four  New  Theatres  in  Wiscon- 
sin Set  Dates  for  Opening 46 

Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Elected 
President  of  Wurlitzer  Com- 
pany   47 

The  Exhibitors  Information  and 

Catalog  Bureau 48 

Index  to  Advertisers  50 


Better  Theatres 
Advisory  Staff 

In  order  to  render  its  readers 
assistance  on  various  problems 
of  equipment  and  construction 
that  arise  from  time  to  time, 
Better  Theatres  has  obtained 
the  co-operation  of  the  individ- 
uals and  associations  listed  fol- 
lowing in  this  work. 

Through  the  co-operation  of 
this  advisory  staff  this  depart- 
ment feels  that  it  has  allied  itself 
with  sources  of  expert  knowl- 
edge on  virtually  every  phase  of 
theatre  building  and  furnishing 
and  is  able  to  offer  theatre  own- 
ers a valuable  service  in  provid- 
ing information  and  answers  on 
a wide  range  of  subjects  of  a 
general  nature. 

ELMER  F.  BEHRNS,  Theatre 
Architect. 

ROBERT  O.  ROLLER,  Boiler 
Brothers,  Architects. 

A.  B.  COPPOCK,  Presentation 
Producer. 

E,  ^ B.  CRESAP,  Secretary,  Na- 
tional Association  of  Fan  Manu- 
facturers. 

N.  E.  DURAND,  Frederick  C. 
Foltz  & Co. 

JOHN  EBERSON,  Architect. 

G.  E.  EICHENLAUB,  Architect. 

W.  S.  HAYS,  Secretary,  National 
Slate  Association  and  The  Na- 
tional Federation,  Construction 
Industries. 

F.  K.  HILL,  Seating  Engineer. 

F.  J.  HUSE,  Chief  Engineer,  Hol- 
low Building  Tile  Association. 

CLELL  JAY,  Projectionist,  New 
Theatre,  Little  Roek,  Ark. 

SAMUEL  R.  LEWIS,  Member, 
American  Society  of  Heating 
and  Ventilating  Engineers. 

A.  C.  LISKA,  Remodeling. 

E.  M.  LURIE,  Assistant  to  Com- 
missioner, Associated  Metal  Lath 
Manufacturers. 

HENRY  L.  NEWHOUSE,  Archi- 
tect. 

J.  F.  O'MALLEY,  Architect. 
GEORGE  L.  RAPP,  Architect. 

GEORGE  W.  REPP,  Service  Divi- 
sion, American  Face  Brick  Asso- 
ciation. 

HENRY  J.  SCHWEIM,  Chief 
Engineer  of  The  Gypsum  Indus- 
tries. 

R.  L.  SIMMONS,  Architect. 

HORACE  L.  SMITH,  JR.,  Thea- 
tre Engineer. 

NORMAN  M.  STINEMAN,  As- 
soc. Mem.  American  Society  of 
Civil  Engineers,  Portland  Ce- 
ment Association. 

MAX  Y.  SEATON,  Technical 
Director,  National  Kellastone 
Company. 

J.  L.  STAIR,  Chief  Engineer, 
Curtis  Lighting,  Inc. 


EDITORIAL 


Members  of  the  Theatre  Equip- 
ment Association,  consisting  of  man- 
ufacturers and  distributors  of  mo- 
tion picture  theatre  equipment  and 
supplies  will  meet  in  New  York 
City  July  18  and  19  for  their  annual 
convention. 

Whatever  may  be  the  outcome  of 
this  meeting,  one  featnre  will  re- 
main outstanding  in  the  minds  of 
the  equipment  industry  and  the 
theatre  industry  generally.  That  is 
the  important  work  an  association 
of  the  present  type  can  and  will  per- 
form for  the  benefit  of  all  concerned. 

The  Theatre  Equipment  Associa- 
tion in  the  past  year  has  functioned 
with  aggressiveness  and  progres- 
siveness it  has  never  done  hereto- 
fore. It  has  been  ever  on  the  alert 
to  serve  the  industry  and  its  mem- 
bers. A notable  achievement  is  the 
nationwide  advertising  campaign 
carried  on  in  the  trade  press  in 
which  the  association  has  empha- 
sized and  focused  attention  on  its 
desire  to  be  of  service  to  exhibitors 
on  all  problems  of  a technical  or 
mechanical  nature.  Many  theatre 
owners  have  taken  advantage  of  this 
offer 

In  the  forthcoming  national  con- 
vention the  association  faces  the 
problem  of  organizing  a program 
for  its  future  development.  At  the 
present  time  the  membership  is  com- 
posed, in  the  majority,  of  manufac- 
turers, although  distributors  - and 
dealers  are  also  members.  Whether 
or  not  this  is  the  policy  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  association  will  prob- 
ably be  one  of  the  questions  settled 
at  the  convention.  Under  the  pres- 
ent scheme  of  things,  and  in  view  of 
the  situation  in  the  distribution 
field,  the  question  has  been  raised  as 
to  whether  or  not  the  association 
should  not  be  strictly  an  organiza- 
tion of  manufacturers.  Equipment 
dealers  were  the  original  sponsors 
of  the  organization  and  it  is  pointed 
out  in  some  quarters  that  the  prob- 
lems of  the  dealers  and  manufac- 
turer no  longer  call  for  the  close 
co-operation  which  made  apparent 
the  necessity  for  a united  organiza- 
tion at  the  outset. 

* * 

Despite  a general  lull  in  some 
lines  of  building  activity  a survey 
of  construction  work  shows  that  the 
building  of  new  motion  picture  the- 
atres continues  at  the  rapid  pace 
established  early  in  the  year.  The 
present  building  program  is  lacking 
the  glamour  surrounding  earlier  ac- 
tivities and  this,  it  hais  been  found, 
is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  great  de- 
velopment is  taking  place  in  theatres 
in  smaller  towns  and  communities. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


Architect’s  sketch  of  the  new  Princess  theatre,  Woodstock,  111.,  the  interesting  story  of  the  remodeling  of  which  is  detailed  in  article  on 
this  page.  Elmer  F.  Behrns,  Chicago,  is  the  architect. 


New  1,000  Seat 
House  for  $60,000 

Points  Lesson  in  Remodeling 


Balcony  plan  of  the  Princess.  Elmer  F. 
Behrns,  architect. 


'I'he  e.xhibitor  who  is  i)lanning  to  remodel 
his  theatre  is  facing  an  extremely  serious 
problem.  If  it  is  imT)ortant  to  have  com- 
petent advice  and  suggestions  in  the  Iniild- 
ing  of  a new  theatre  it  is  even  more  neces- 
sary that  a remodeling  job  be  expertly 
analyzed.  The  remodeling  proposition  is 
decidedly  more  ramified  and  very  fre- 
quently lends  itself  to  a solution  in  several 
forms. 

An  interesting  example  of  this  is  fur- 
nished in  the  case  of  the  Princess  theatre, 
Woodstock,  111.  The  Princess  has  for  some 
time  been  successfully  operated  by  John 
Miller.  It  has  served  the  community  and 
the  owner  well.  However,  with  the  devel- 
opment of  the  community  the  necessity  for 
a larger  seating  capacity  and  some  modern 
improvements  became  apparent  to  Mr. 
Miller. 

* * * 

The  present  house  has  a seating  capacity 
of  550.  Under  one  plan  of  remodeling  Mr. 
Miller  would  have  been  able  to  move  the 
stage  portion  of  his  old  house  back  far 
enough  to  give  him  an  additional  150  seats. 
In  order  to  accomplish  this,  a complete  new 
floor  would  be  necessary.  Other  work  un- 
der this  arrangement  would  have  made  a 
shut  down  inevitable.  A careful  analysis 
showed  that  the  job  would  run  about  $20,- 
000  and  when  completed  the  theatre  would 
boast  virtually  only  the  advantage  of  the 
extra  150  seats,  the  house  as  a whole  still 
remaining  in  the  class  of  being  an  old 
theatre. 

As  compared  to  the  foregoing  program 
a plan  for  the  Princess  remodeling  was 
worked  out  by  Architect  Elmer  F.  Behrns 
which  gives  Mr.  Miller  an  almost  entirely 
new  theatre,  modernly  equipped  throughout 
(Continued  on  page  20) 


•Orchlstli  - Fiooe-- 


Main  floor  plan  of  the  new  Princess  thea- 
tre at  Woodstock,  111. 


10 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE 


July  9,  1927 


A gathering  of  125  officials,  department  heads  and  managers  of  Saenger  theatres  at  the 
Saenger  manager's  training  school  at  Elmwood  Manor  Bay,  St.  Louis,  Miss.  John  F.  Barry 
is  addressing  the  men. 


Saenger  Managers  Undergo 

Intensive  Training  Course 


'"P'HE  progressive,  public  spirit  of  the 
Saenger  Theatres,  Inc.,  and  its  affilia- 
tions was  again  evidenced  this  year  by  the 
fact  that  despite  depressed  summer  and 
after-flood  conditions,  the  Saengers’  gath- 
ered their  officials,  departmental  chiefs  and 
managers,  and  those  of  their  affiliations  at 
Elmwood  Manor,  Bay  St.  Louis,  Miss., 
from  June  6 to  16th  for  a post-graduate 
managers’  training  school,  under  the  tute- 
lage of  John  F.  Barry,  dean  of  the  Public 
Theatres’  Managers’  Training  School. 

One  hundred  and  twenty-five  strong  they 
met,  and  participated  in  an  intensive  con- 
densed course  in  house  management,  public 
contact,  projection,  ventilation,  theatre  light- 
ing, color  effects,  program  balance,  theatre 
advertising,  newspaper  advertising,  exploi- 
tation, publicity,  orchestration,  theatre  equip- 
ment and  maintenance. 

The  word  “intensive”  perfectly  describes 
the  school.  The  hours  were  from  9 a.  m. 
to  5 p.  m.,  with  from  four  to  eight  hours 
at  night  for  “home  work.”  Few  colleges 
can  boast  of  such  strenuous  pursuit  of 
knowledge,  since  the  days  of  the  Middle 
Ages,  when  students  read  by  moonlight  be- 
cause they  did  not  have  money  for  candles. 

Besides  the  lectures  of  Mr.  Barry,  the 
students  were  given  addresses  by  leading 
men  and  women  of  New  Orleans,  which  is 
fifty  miles  from  Bay  St.  Louis,  and  by  offi- 
cials of  the  Saenger  corporation. 

Rudolph  Hecht,  president  of  the  Hi- 
bernia Bank  and  Trust  Company,  of  New 
Orleans,  and  a leader  in  civic  and  financial 
enterprises,  discussed  economy  in  all  lines 
of  business  as  the  foundation  stone  of  suc- 
cess. Dr.  A.  B.  Dinwiddle,  president  of 
Tulane  university,  complimented  the  Saen- 
gers on  their  course,  and  stressed  the  im- 
portance of  intense  specialization  as  a fact 
that  was  being  recognized  in  commerce  and 
now  by  the  universities.  Marshall  Ballard, 
editor  of  the  New  Orleans  Item,  made  a 
talk.  His  address  was  featured  by  humor 
and  wit,  and  his  sharp,  but  pleasant  satire. 
^ ^ ^ 

Julian  H.  Saenger,  president  of  the  Saen- 
ger Theatres,  Inc.;  E.  V.  Richards,  Jr.,  vice- 
president  and  general  manager;  Eugene  M. 
“Pop”  Clarke,  secretary,  and  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Werlein,  director  of  civic  extension 


and  eduaction  for  the  Will  Hays’  organiza- 
tion, were  among  the  other  speakers.  The 
importance  of  the  school,  especially  from 
the  angle  of  public  contact,  described  by 
them  all  as  an  item  of  tremendous  impor- 
tance, was  stressed  by  these  speakers,  every- 
one of  whom  has  a long  and  enviable  ex- 
perience in  the  motion  picture  industry. 

The  students  came  from  Louisiana,  Miss- 
issippi, Texas,  Oklahoma,  Arkansas,  Geor- 
gia and  North  Carolina.  Here’s  the  roster: 

New  Orleans:  E.  V.  Richards,  E.  M.  Clarke, 
L.  M.  Ash,  J.  H.  Saenger,  M.  F.  Barr,  C.  W. 
Greenblatt,  G.  J.  Dureau,  Jr.,  N.  L Carter,  Louis 
Rosen,  Leon  Rich,  L E.  Stouse,  Jack  Meredith, 

L.  G.  Boyer,  John  A.  Ross,  J.  C.  Dufify,  Miss  Mai 
Coltraro,  Miss  Marion  Murphy,  Miss  Louis  Rich- 
ards, Louie  Boyer,  Frank  Sanders,  Elizabeth  Wer- 
lein, C.  I.  Briant,  Lucas  Conners,  A.  W.  Harri- 
son, Miss  Feme  Hougland,  Miss  Worth  Dinwiddie, 
A.  E.  Chadick,  Marion  Ferrera,  Dominick  Glister, 
H.  A.  Brownlee,  Joseph  Levy,  A.  Cunningham, 
A.  H.  Johnson,  Nat  Sobel,  Vic  Howard,  Louis 
Yarrut,  L.  C.  Montgomery,  Miss  Ethel  Shuber, 
G.  Zibilich,  Gus  Miller,  H.  Hougland,  H.  J.  Ar- 
doin,  B.  Cohn,  Larry  Jacobs,  Milton  Greenblatt, 
Frank  Heidrich,  H.  E.  Fitszimmons,  L.  Patterson, 

M.  J.  Nundy. 

Others  were:  J.  B.  Procter,  Muskogee,  Okla. ; 
Matt  Press,  Shreveport,  La.;  Arthur  Lehman, 
Canton,  Miss.;  R.  B.  Wilby,  Atlanta,  Ga. ; H.  S. 
Kinsey,  Greensboro,  N.  C. ; Gus  E.  Brown,  Ral- 
eigh, N.  C. ; W.  H.  Ponton,  Fayettesville,  N.  C. ; 
Don  Nichols,  Durham,  N.  C. ; S.  Baum,  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.;  T.  B.  Coleman,  Atlanta,  Ga. ; R.  M. 
Kennedy,  Birmingham,  Ala.;  C.  B.  Grimes,  Tus- 
acloosa,  Ala.;  K.  R.  Towns,  Selma,  Ala,;  Tom 
Clemmons,  Beaumont,  Tex.;  Joseph  Clemmons, 
Beaumont,  Tex.;  E.  W.  Cook,  Beaumont,  Tex.; 
Allen  Boyd,  Beaumont,  Tex.;  W.  H.  Dunbar, 
Beaumont,  Tex.;  W.  E.  Pascall,  Dallas,  Tex.; 
L.  H.  Grandjean,  Dallas,  Tex.;  H.  C.  Federee, 
Abilene,  Tex.;  Carlos  Frias,  El  Paso,  Tex.;  J.  A. 
Jones,  Pensacola,  Fla.;  J.  J.  Speilberger,  Pensa- 
cola, Fla. ; J.  D.  Howard,  Mobile,  Ala. ; H.  O. 
Orr,  Biloxi,  Miss.;  E.  Boehringer,  Gulfport,  Miss.; 
John  Grower,  Hattiesburg,  Miss.;  R.  E.  Norman, 
Hattiesburg,  Miss.;  H.  W.  Rice,  Meridian,  Miss.; 

R.  Monteil,  Jackson,  Miss.;  G.  B.  Snow,  Jackson, 
Miss. ; A.  E.  Greenblatt,  Baton  Rouge,  La. ; A. 
Swanke,  Baton  Rouge,  La.;  W.  H.  Jones,  Natchez, 
Miss. ; J.  O.  Lambert,  Vicksburg,  Miss. ; G.  R. 
McCormick,  Greenwood,  Miss.;  Kelly  Kingman, 
Clarksdale,  Miss. ; J.  H.  Marchand,  Helena,  Ark. ; 
Dan  Burgum,  Greenville,  Miss.;  J.  K.  McEachron, 
Pine  Bluffi  Ark.;  C.  E.  O’Donnell,  Monroe,  La.; 

S.  M.  Solley,  Monroe,  La.;  Simon  Ehrlich,  Shreve- 
port, La.;  H.  L.  Swain,  manager,  Shreveport,  La.; 
Henry  Seel,  manager,  Shreveport,  La. ; Arthur 
Hardin,  Texarkana,  Tex.;  H.  C.  Windham,  Tex- 
arkana, Tex.;  F.  R.  Shipley,  Alexandria,  La.;  A1 
R.  Lever,  Dallas,  Tex.;  Rupert  Richards,  Bay  St. 
Louis,  Miss.;  Will  Horwitz,  Houston,  Tex.;  Fred 
Carnata,  Houston,  Tex.;  Eddie  Barnes,  Houston, 
Tex. ; Herman  Dees,  Houston,  Tex. 


R.  P,  Matthews  Is 
New  Chief  Executive 
of  Robert  Morton  Co. 

"D  P.  MATTHEWS  has  been  placed 
< in  full  charge  of  all  operations  of 
the  Robert  Morgan  organ  company,  it 
is  announced  in  a statement  issued  by 

S.  AI.  Smith,  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  company. 

The  appointment  of  “Joe”  Matthews 
does  not  come  as  a surprise  to  his  many 
friends  in  the  industry,  who  know  him 


R.  P.  MATTHEWS 


as  a man  of  exceptional  ability  and  ex- 
perience. Mr.  Matthews  is  a pioneer  in 
the  pipe  organ  business  and  is  thor- 
oughly conversant  with  every  phase  of 
organ  music  as  it  pertains  to  the  re- 
quirements of  the  modern  theatre.  He 
has  for  some  years  been  an  important 
factor  in  the  success  of  the  Robert  Mor- 
ton company. 

The  Robert  Morton  Organ  Co.  is  to- 
day one  of  the  largest  theatre  organ 
companies  in  the  world.  They  have  com- 
plete and  well  equipped  studios  and  fac- 
tories at  Van  Nuys,  California,  in  the 
heart  of  the  motion  picture  land,  em- 
ploying a staff  of  expert  voicers,  crafts- 
men and  engineers,  and  have  installed 
their  unit  organs  all  over  the  world. 
Recent  sales  include  the  wonderful 
super-unit  at  the  New  Saenger  theatre  in 
New  Orleans,  the  superb  Robert  Morton 
at  the  new  Universal  built  Capitol  the- 
atre in  Atlanta;  Loew’s  new  palatial  the- 
atres now  under  construction  at  Pitts- 
burgh, Kansas  City  and  Brooklyn;  the 
new  Cecelia  theatre  in  Panama  City,  and 
many  others. 


Equips  Proctor  House 

The  Liberty  No.  11  seven  light  organ  set 
has  proven  very  popular,  particularly  in 
Cleveland,  where  more  than  60  sets  have 
been  installed.  Two  orders  recently  filled 
for  complete  orchestra  equipment  were  for 
Proctor’s  New  86th  Street  theatre.  New 
York;  and  Euclid  Beach  Park,  Cleveland, 
have  recently  been  filled  by  the  Liberty 
Music  Stand  Co. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


July  9,  1927 


Data  for  Projectionists  on 
Operation  of  Vitaphone 

Editor’s  Note:  Projectionists  Throughout  the  Country  Have  Indicated  an  Aggressive 
Interest  in  the  Subject  of  Vitaphone  Operation  as  It  Applies  to  the  Projection  Room 
and  It’s  Equipment.  In  Response  to  Numerous  Demands  “Better  Theatres”  Has 
Obtained  Through  the  Western  Electric  Company,  the  Special  Article  Published  Fol- 
lowing Which  Treats  with  Vitaphone  from  the  Angle  of  the  Motion  Picture  Machine 
Operator.  We  Believe  Every  Projectionist  Will  Find  This  Article  of  Value  for  Present 
or  Future  Reference. 

By  H.  M.  Wilcox 

Western  Electric  Company 


<<  DAY  attention  to  the  little  things.” 

^ Those  six  words  constitute  the  first 
■I  — and  last — great  commandment  for  better 
.1  projection  of  Vitaphone  presentations.  If 
I;  the  projectionist  will  bear  that  command- 
i;  ment  in  mind,  his  operating  problems  need 
tl  cause  him  no  anxious  moments. 

With  more  than  a hundred  theatres  in 
; the  United  States  now  showing  Vitaphone 
productions  and  still  others  rapidly  having 
■i  the  necessary  equipment  installed,  scores  of 
j projectionists  are  vitally  interested  in  know- 
I ing  how  the  Vitaphone  is  operated  and  how 
|!  the  best  possible  results  are  to  be  obtained 
,1  with  it.  The  answer  to  those  questions 
ji  may  have  a number  of  ramifications,  but, 
•['  boiled  down  to  essentials,  it  still  remains — 
I “Pay  attention  to  the  little  things.” 

* * * 

■ In  the  first  place  it  is  well  to  bear  in 
:ji  mind  what  the  main  purpose  of  a Vita- 
i;  phone  system  is.  It  is  to  reproduce  speech 
or  music  in  connection  with  moving  pic- 
j tures  in  a manner  so  realistic  that  the  effect 
is  equal  to  having  (he  artists  present  in  per- 
son. A further  use  is  to  reproduce  cued 


music  as  an  accompaniment  to  feature  pic- 
tures so  that  every  scene  has  music  suited 
to  it.  If  the  character  of  the  music  changes 
with  a new  scene,  then  the  change  must  be 
accurately  made.  The  system  can  also  be 
used  to  furnish  music  alone  during  an  in- 
termission. 

The  various  elements  involved  in  the 
operation  of  the  system  are  a projector  of 
standard  make,  a turntable  carrying  a rec- 
ord of  speech  or  music — and  the  necessary 
driving  mechanism  to  keep  projector  and 
turntable  in  perfect  synchronism  while  ful- 
filling the  purpose  of  the  system.  To  oper- 
ate it  successfully,  the  projectionists  need 
not  know  in  detail  the  theory  and  construc- 
tion of  all  the  apparatus  employed.  He 
should,  however,  know  how  to  start  up  the 
equipment  and  shut  it  down,  how  to  set  the 
controls  so  as  to  get  hte  best  results  in  the 
theatre,  how  to  maintain  the  equipment  in 
the  proper  condition,  and  how  to  locate 
simple  troubles  and  make  the  changes  and 
replacements  needed  to  correct  them.  For 
these  purposes  it  is  desirable  for  him  to 
know  the  functions  of  the  various  units  and 
controls,  so  that  he  understands  the  reason 


for  every  step  he  takes  in  handling  the 
equipment. 

Suppose  we  touch  briefly,  then,  on  some 
of  the  essential  parts  of  the  equipment  and 
the  parts  they  play. 

* * * 

There  is  the  projector,  of  standard  make. 
The  film  used  with  a Vitaphone  record  is 
the  same  as  an  ordinary  film,  except  that 
one  frame  at  the  beginning  is  specially 
marked  to  indicate  the  starting  point. 

The  speech  or  music  to  be  employed  is  on 
the  record,  which  functions  upon  the  turn- 
table. The  speech  or  music  is  picked  up 
from  the  record  by  an  electrical  reproducer 
that  gives  out  a small  electrical  current  car- 
rying the  sound.  This  current  passes 
through  amplifiers,  similar  in  principle  to 
those  used  in  the  audio-frequency  stages'  6f 
radio  sets,  and  is  converted  into  sound  by 
means  of  loud  speakers  consisting  of  re- 
ceivers and  horns  located  at  the  screen. 

In  a system  of  this  kind,  it  is,  of  courSe, 
essential  to  have  perfect  synchronism  be- 
tween sound  and  pictures — that  is,  the 
sound  must  be  heard  at  the  same  instant 
that  the  action  accompanying  it  is  seen.  So, 


KEV  TO  CIBCUIT.S 


Tq  A.c  SUPPLY 

:-WmehTmb  Tmeatbc  Supply  Is  D.C  The 
SwtrcHfNO  S Charo'mo  Pancu  Arfo 
Th*  VirAPHOMB  MoTOP  Control  Boxes  At Tmb 
PROJECTORS, Affe  Opcbatco  OnTmjs  Supply 
A MotBh  GEMERAroR  fs  Used  Produce 

A.c  pQO  OPERATtHG  EAfM  6000-A  PeCTlPlERi  ' 


FIGURE  - t 

VITAPHONE  A' -EQUIPMENT 

GEr^ERAI-  LaVOLIT 

Not  To  Scale 

NOTE:  - This  Is  a Simplified  Diagram 

See  OwLLETir*  Text  For  Full  Infodmatiom 


12 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


} 

July  9,  1927 


in  the  Vitaphone  system,  the  projector  and 
the  turntable  are  both  driven  by  the  same 
motor,  and  if  the  film  and  record  are 
started  together,  they  must  keep  in  perfect 
synchronism.  By  using  two  machines  alter- 
nately and  switching  both  film  and  record 
at  the  right  moment,  a continuous  program 
can  be  run  just  as  with  ordinary  pictures. 

^ ^ ^ 

Other  pieces  of  apparatus  with  which  the 
projectionist  has  to  deal  are  a motor_  con- 
trol box;  a fader;  amplifiers,  with  their  as- 
sociated apparatus ; the  horns  and  a horn 
control  panel ; storage  batteries ; and  cer- 
tain miscellaneous  equipment. 

Without  going  into  detail  at  this  point 
concerning  these  several  parts  of  the  equip- 
ment, let  us  sketch  what  occurs  when  a 
Vitaphone  subject  is  on  the  point  of  being 
projected: 

The  film  is  threaded  into  the  projector  in 
the  usual  way,  but  with  the  special  frame 
marked  “Start”  directly  in  front  of  the 
aperture.  Then  the  record — which,  by  the 
way,  plays  from  inside  to  outside — is  placed 
upon  the  turntable.  The  reproducer  needle 
is  carefully  set  in  the  inside  groove  at  the 
point  of  the  starting  arrow  and  the  record 
clamp  put  in  place.  The  motor  flywheel  is 
then  rotated  by  hand  until  the  turntable  re- 
volves half  a turn  and  everything  is  found 
to  run  correctly. 

At  the  proper  cue  the  motor  used  for 
both  projector  and  turntable  is  started  by 
turning  a switch  on  the  motor  control  box. 
The  matter  of  speed  is  a vital  one  in  suc- 
cessful reproduction.  All  Vitaphone  sub- 
jects must  be  projected  at  exactly  the  speed 
at  which  they  were  taken — 90  feet  per  min- 
ute. To  do  otherwise  would  be  ruinous, 
resulting  in  a distortion  of  the  voice  or 
music  and  a change  in  pitch.  For  running 
pictures  other  than  Vitaphone  the  motor 
speed  can  be  regulated  as  desired. 

The  output  of  the  reproducer  goes  to  the 
fader  and  through  it  to  the  amplifiers.  The 
fader — a box  with  a pointer  mounted  upon 
it — is  used  to  control  the  loudness  of  the 
sound  heard  in  the  theatre  from  each  rec- 
ord and  also  to  make  the  change-over  from 
one  record  to  the  next.  Each  record  has  a 
fader  setting  indicated  upon  it — the  proper 
setting  if  the  best  results  are  to  be  se- 
cured. 

^ ^ si? 

The  amplifiers  and  associated  apparatus, 
including  storage  batteries  supplying  the 
filament  current,  next  come  into  play.  As 
has  been  said,  these  amplifiers  are  similar 
in  principle  to  those  used  in  the  audio-fre- 
quency stages  of  radio  sets.  A detailed  de- 


Ul-ri....  “DON  JUAN” 

VITAPHa»  CUE  SHEET  YlTAPBOI.. 

— 

SM— Start  Motor  U-1— Fader  UPone 

CO— Change  over  D-1— Fader  DOWN  one 

1 

323 

LAST  TITLE  — THERE  IS  NOTHING  OF  VALUE  ETC 

SM  When  men  lift  last  stone 

CO  When  last  be«m  of  light  fades. 

2 

324 

SM  BOY  PUTS  BOTH  HANDS  TO  FACE,  BENDS  OVER  FATHER 
CO  Fade  out 

3 

329 

SM  SERVANTIS  ABOUT  TO  OPEN  DOOR  FOR  TWO 

WOMEN 

CO  Servant  looks  at  camera. 

4 

5 

331 

SM  SERVANT  TEARS  PAGE  FROM  BOOK. 

CO  Fade  out 

226 

SM  LUCRETIA  ENTERS  LABORATORY 

CO  Nest  scene  (Lcboraiory,  when  Neri  at  left  looks  down) 

6 

230 

SM  Scene— SERVANT  GIVES  DO.N  JUAN  HAT  AND  COAT. 

CO  Fade  out 

7 

8 

232 

SM  GIRL  SI  IS  DOWN  (AFTER  DON  JUAN  EXITS  THRU 
WINDOW) 

CO  Fade  nut. 

238 

SM  TWO  WOMEN  EMBRACE  EACH  OTHER 

CO  Fade  out 

9 

241 

S.M  DON  JUAN  BENDS  OVER  WOMAN  IN  CARRIAGE. 

CO  After  second  curtain  is  closed.  (Fede  out) 

10 

244 

SM  Don  JUAN  THROWS  DOWN  CUP  AND  STARTS  TO 

RAISE  HAND. 

CO  Fade  out. 

11 

248 

LAST  TITLE  — - NERI  WILL  BE  DELIGHTED” 

SM  Two  soldien  pick  girl  from  stepr 

CO  Fade  out. 

12 

252 

LAST  TITLE  — -oo  AND  BEGIN  THY  LIVING  HELL" 

SM  As  prison  guards  wade  into  water  in  cell,  holding  lanicrns  up 

CO  Fe”eoui” 

13 

F 

256 

\DEOU- 

FATEb 

DON  JUAN  RIPS  VINE  AT  WINDOW— U-l 

DON  JUAN  MOUNTS  HORSE— D-2 

DON  JUAN  TAKES  GIRL  FROM  TREE— U-l 

DON  JUAN  RIDES  INTO  SUN— U-l 

D OF  “WARNER  BROS.”  (AFTER  ORCHESTRA  TAKES  BOW  , 

Reproduction  of  cue  sheet  for  Vitaphone 
presentation  of  “Don  Juan.” 


This  projection  machine  gives  hoth  visual 
and  audible  entertainment.  The  picture 
shows  the  Vitaphone  equipment  as  it  looks 
on  a projector. 

scription  of  the  system  would  require  more 
space  than  is  permitted  by  this  article,  so 
let  us  pass  on  to  the  next  step. 

The  output  from  the  amplifiers  goes  to 
the  output  or  horn  control  panel  from 
which  the  sound  current  is  distributed 
through  separate  output  channels  to  re- 
ceivers attached  to  the  loud  speaking  horns 
on  the  stage.  Provision  is  made  for  con- 
trolling the  individual  horn  circuits  and  also 
a monitoring  horn,  mounted  in  the  projec- 
tion room.  The  latter  is  to  enable  the  pro- 
jectionist to  follow  the  program  as  it  is 
being  given.  In  each  circuit  for  the  theatre 
horn  is  a dial  switch  with  numbered  steps, 
called  a horn  control.  This  control  is  for 
balancing  the  horns  to  get  the  proper  effect 
in  the  theatre  from  the  different  types  of 
subject.  For  this  purpose  three  settings 
are  used  for  the  horn  controls,  and  each 
record  is  marked  A B or  C to  indicate 
wdiich  of  the  three  settings  should  be  used. 


The  receivers  attached  to  the  horns  con- 
vert into  sound  the  energy  of  the  current 
with  which  they  are  supplied  from  the  out- 
put control  panel.  In  addition  to  the  cur- 
rent from  this  panel,  each  receiver  requires 
a magnetizing  current  which  is  supplied  by 
storage  batteries.  The  circuits  for  both  the 
sound  current  and  the  magnetizing  current 
pass  through  a metal  cabinet  called  the 
horn  output  box,  located  back-stage.  This 
arrangement  provides  ready  means  of 
checking  and  testing  the  horns  and  circuits. 
* ^ 

P'inally,  it  is  desirable  to  have  some 
means  by  which  a person  in  the  theatre  ob- 
serving the  performance  can  communicate 
with  the  projectionist.  For  this  purpose 
two  portable  telephone  sets  are  provided, 
one  for  the  projectionist  and  one  for  the 
observer.  This  is  by  no  means  an  unim- 
portant part  of  the  equipment. 

Now,  having  touched  briefly  upon  some 
of  the  chief  elements  in  the  Vitaphone 
equipment,  let  us  indicate  some  of  the 
things  the  projectionist  must  keep  con- 
stantly in  mind  if  he  is  to  get  the  results  he 
should  from  the  system. 

Every  day,  without  fail,  the  projection- 
ists should  make  careful  tests  of  all  of  his 
batteries,  to  make  certain  that  they  are 
properly  charged.  If  the  storage  batteries 
are  to  realize  their  full  life  and  cause  no 
trouble,  they  must  have  proper  care  and 
attention.  They  should  never  have  any- 
thing put  into  them  except  clean,  distilled 
water.  At  intervals  of  about  once  a week 
the  acid  level  in  the  cells  should  be  in- 
spected and  distilled  water  added  to  bring 
the  acid  level  up  to  about  a quarter  of  an 
inch  above  the  top  of  the  plates.  This 
should  be  done  before  the  batteries  are 
charged. 

Even  a small  particle  of  dirt  getting  into 
a battery  cell  may  reduce  its  efficiency, 
therefore  the  filling  caps  should  be  screwed 
on  tight  after  testing  the  gravity  or  adding 
water.  Also,  speaking  of  dirt,  battery  tops 
should  be  kept  clean,  for  a little  acid  mixed 
with  dirt  will  soon  form  an  electrical  leak- 
age path  on  the  battery  top  between  ter- 
minals, which  may  prove  objectionable. 
Once  each  week  the  tops  and  connectors 
should  be  wiped  off  with  a rag  moistened 
in  a solution  of  baking  soda  in  water  or  a 
solution  of  household  ammonia  and  water 
in  equal  parts.  Occasionally  after  cleaning 
it  is  well  to  coat  the  battery  terminals  with 
vaseline.  To  ensure  proper  care  of  the 
^Continued  on  page  26) 


Cross  section  of  typical  theatre  showing  schematically  the  apparatus  necessary  for  Vitaphone- 
presentations. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


Organization  Chart  Shows  How 
Large  Chain  Is  Operated 


Division  of  responsibility  and  departmentalization 
covering  the  activities  of  a theatre  circuit  are  revealed 
in  the  organization  chart  published  above,  which  hais 
been  worked  out  by  Harold  B.  Franklin,  the  new  presi- 
dent and  general  manager  of  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc. 

DIVISION  MANAGERS 

H.  C.  Arthur,  Jr.,  Los  Angeles. 

A.  M.  Bowles,  San  Francisco. 

Hershel  Stuart,  Seattle. 

J.  J.  Franklin,  Portland. 

Division  Managers  will  be  in  direct 
contact  with  theatre  managers  at  all 
times.  Will  meet  the  theatre  managers 
in  their  theatres  and  will  discuss  all 
problems  pertaining  to  the  theatres  with 
the  theatre  managers. 

LEGAL  DEPARTMENT 
C.  A.  Buckley 

No  manager  has  the  right  to  engage 
legal  counsel  or  settle  legal  questions 
without  referring  same  first  to  the  Legal 
Department. 

ACCOUNTING 
H.  G.  Delabar 

All  managers  are  familiar  with  this 
department  and  it  needs  no  explanation. 

BUDGETING 
W.  H.  Lollier 

This  means  that  we  will  have  to  plan 
what  your  expenses  are  going  to  be  for 
any  particular  operation.  Anyone  who 
operates  a theatre,  should  plan  what  he 
is  doing.  You  should  know  what  you 
are  going  to  spend,  before  you  spend  it. 

If  you  can  do  this  for  a week,  or  for  two 
weeks,  you  can  do  it  for  a month,  or  six 


It  is  reprinted  from  the  initial  issue  of  “Now,”  a new 
house  organ  of  the  company. 

An  explanation  of  the  chart,  detailing  the  duties  and 
responsibility  of  the  various  departments  and  depart- 
ment heads  is  given,  following : 


months.  We  will  establish  certain  fig- 
ures which  will  govern  your  operations. 
If  any  manager  exceeds  his  budget  at 
any  time,  it  must  be  absolutely  on  his 
own  responsibility.  In  other  words,  he 
must  have  a good,  sufficient  reason  for 
so  doing. 

REAL  ESTATE 
Louis  Cohen 

This  department  covers  everything 
pertaining  to  the  operation  of  theatre 
property. 

PURCHASING  AND  MAINTE- 
NANCE 

Eventually  as  this  department  is  de- 
veloped and  functions  as  we  intend  it 
should  function — all  theatres  will  go  to 
this  department  for  all  supplies,  etc. 

COSTUME  COMPANY 
This  is  a subsidiary  of  the  Production 
Department. 

VAUDEVILLE  DEPARTMENT 
(Club  Entertainments) 

All  arrangements  for  entertainment 
will  be  made  through  this  department. 
The  theatre  managers  can  help  a lot  to- 
ward the  development  of  our  Club  De- 
partment. There  will  be  no  benefit  or 
other  free  performances  given,  without 
first  being  submitted  to  the  Home  Office 
for  approval. 


BUYING  AND  BOOKING 
DEPARTMENT 
J.  H.  Goldberg 

Every  Division  will  have  its  own 
Booker.  Each  manager  will  be  expected 
to  do  his  own  booking — the  Booking  De- 
partment to  be  the  Clearing  House,  to 
transport  the  wishes  of  managers  into 
mechanical  means,  so  that  bookings  will 
be  done  systematically.  All  bookers  will 
be  under  the  direct  supervision  of  Mr. 
Goldberg  as  to  physical  operation.  The 
manager  who  knows  his  business,  is  one 
who  can  get  the  most  out  of  his  product. 
It  will  be  the  duty  of  the  Booking  Man- 
ager to  comply  with  wishes  and  sugges- 
tions of  the  theatre  managers  as  far  as 
possible. 

PHYSICAL  OPERATION 
J.  E.  Mansfield 

This  is  the  point  where  the  Personnel 
is  guided.  This  department  will  not  en- 
gage the  theatre  staff — with  the  excep- 
tion of  managers.  Every  manager  will 
engage  his  own  help,  but  under  certain 
standard  established  by  this  department. 
Each  manager  will  be  held  responsible 
for  his  Personnel. 

PERSONNEL  SERVICE 

There  will  be  no  excuse  for  anyone  to 
{Continued  on  page  25) 


14 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  Of 


July  9,  1927 


“Aim  at  a star . . . 

An  old  saying  goes,  “Better  aim  at  a star  than  shoot  down 
■ a well;  you’ll  hit  higher.’’  When  selecting  a pipe  organ 
for  your  theatre,  don’t  shoot  down  a well. 

The  remarkable  performance  of  Page  Unit  Orchestral 
Organs  is  the  finest  recommendation  they  can  have.  Won- 
derful tonal  qualities  and  instantaneous  response  make 
them  supreme  for  the  theatre.  The  picture-going  public 
has  fallen  in  love  with  Page  Organs  wherever  they  have 
been  installed. 


and  Page  Organ  Players 

The  same  fine  materials  and  design 
that  distinguish  Page  Unit  Organs, 
are  features  of  Page  Organ  Players. 
Page  Players  solve  the  problem  of 
attractive  music  for  small-town  and 
suburban  theatre  owners.  Prom  ordinary 
88-note  piano  rolls,  purchaseable  any- 
where, they  provide  the  best  orchestral 
pipe  organ  music  with  extraordinary 
naturalness.  The  Page  patented  solo  de- 
vice enables  the  operator  to  select  the 
solo  or  obligato  at  will.  Page  Players  can 
be  installed  anywhere  or  attached  to  any 
modern  organ  now  in  use.  Low  prices 
and  convenient  terms.  Mail  the  coupon 
for  complete  information. 

THE  PAGE  ORGAN  GO. 

523  N.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio 


THE  PAGE  ORGAN  CO.,  ' 

523  N.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio.  ^ 

I 

Please  send  me  complete  information,  prices  and  | 

terms  on  the  following:  | 

O Unit  Organ  and  Player  Combined  . 

□ Page  Unit  Orchestral  Organ  I 

There  are seats  in  my  theatre,  j 

Name . 

Street , 

City. 


Model  M-X-40  is  a Page  Unit 
Organ  and  Player  combined. 
Equipped  with  two  rolls  and  two  manuals, 
it  can  be  played  by  hand  or  by  roll. 
Acclaimed  as  a wonderful  development  in 
theatrical  music. 

Shown,  demonstrated  and  sold  on  the 
floor  at  the  Convention  of  the  M.  P.  T. 
O.  A.  in  the  Neil  House  at  Columbus, 
Ohio,  June  7th,  8th  and  9th. 


.State. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


Lieut,  Benter  Describes  Music 
for  Navy  and  Sea  Films 

An  Interview  With 
LIEUT.  CHARLES  G.  BENTER 

Director  of  the  United  States  Navy  Band 


Lieut.  Charles  c.  ren- 
ter, organizer  and  director  of 
the  United  States  Navy  Band, 
gave  me  some  valuable  tips  about 
playing  pictures  dealing  with  the 
Navy  and.,the  sea,  and  I am  going  to 
pass  thenilia|ong  to  other  organists  via 
Better  TEfjtres. 

The  liei^^ant  isn’t  a fussy  old  fel- 
low who  1^^  popular  music  and  calls 
anything  di^osed  after  1900  positive 
trash.  O^^the  contrary.  He  is  a 
wide-awake  good  looking  young  fel- 
low, quick  to  grasp  anything  new  and 
has  a band  of  seventy-six  men  which 
he  built  up  from  four  men  in  a period 
of  less  than  ten  years.  To  be  exact, 
the  Navy  Band  idea  was  actively 
brought  into  being  soon  after  the 
Armistice  was  signed,  and  Lieut.  Ben- 
ter was  not  going  to  tell  me  that  he 
organized  this  nationally  famous  band 
until  I actually  asked  him  where  the 
band  came  from  and  when  it  wasn’t 
a band  how  did  it  get  to  the  United 
States  Navy  Yard. 

^ * 

He  does  not  seem  to  realize  he  has 
done  such  a marvelous  thing.  Rather 
takes  it  as  part  of  his  daily  life  and 
work.  He  likes  good  popular  music, 
is  especially  fond  of  the  better  known 
American  composers  and  advises  the 
use  of  their  numbers. 

“Be  sure  of  yourself,”  said  Lieut. 
Renter.  “Don’t  wave  your  arms 
around  and  try  to  impress  people  with 
your  ability.  Do  your  playing  or  di- 
recting quietly.  Make  each  move 
mean  something.  If  you  are  nervous, 
your  men,  or  your  audience  will  react 
to  that  nervousness  and  be  hard  to 
control.” 

“And  now,  Lieut.  Benter,”  I asked, 
“when  an  organist  has  a burial  at  sea 
what  should  we  play?  Asleep  in  the 
Deep,  or  should  we  ring  chimes  or 
be  tacit?” 

He  laughed  long  and  loud  when  I 
mentioned  Asleep  in  the  Deep.  “I 
have  heard  that  played  by  organists,” 
he  said,  “but  we  consider  it  a popular 
ballad.  It  could  be  used  to  advantage 


By  Irene  Juno 

in  a sea  picture  if  a fellow  were  shown 
singing,  or  could  be  used  as  atmos- 
phere. As  for  bells  ringing,  NO; 
they  give  us  the  correct  time  at  sea. 

“When  a burial  at  sea  takes  place 
(and  he  added  that  that  happens  only 
in  the  movies  now,  our  ships  are  so 
swift  we  can  make  port  for  burial)  a 
funeral  march  is  used.  Chopin’s  and 
Dead  March  from  Saul  are  the  best 
known.  A hymn  is  used  during  the 
service,  usually  Nearer,  My  God,  to 
Thee.  A moment  of  silence  when  the 
body  is  lifted  to  the  rail.  Three  vol- 
leys and  taps  are  sounded  after  it 
strikes  the  water,  and  you  have  a cor- 
rect and  effective  Burial  at  Sea.  No 
chimes  unless  you  play  the  hymn  on 
them.  You  movie  organists  lean 
toward  the  spectacular,  you  know.” 

* * * 

When  I inquired  if  sailors  really 
sang  when  they  pulled  ropes  and  so 
on  as  they  are  shown  in  pictures,  he 
replied  that  they  did  indeed  and  ad- 
vised “Naval  Songs,”  published  by 
Fisher,  and  a book  of  “Sea  Songs,” 
published  by  Hawkes  in  London,  as 
good  for  the  organist’s  Library.  “An- 
chors Away”  is  a very  popular  Navy 
song  and  was  written  by  the  late  band 
master  Zimmerman. 

You  have  probably  played  marches 
written  by  Lieut.  Benter,  published  by 
Fisher.  He  has  any  number  to  his 
credit,  and  a new  one  just  arrived 
from  the  pub- 
lisher the  day  I 
interviewed  him. 

He  takes  an 
active  interest  in 
pictures  and  his 
orchestra  of  76 
men  play  the  big 
pictures  for  first 
showing  in  diplo- 
matic circles.  He 
views  the  picture 
and  arranges  his 
own  score  from 
the  big  library 


which  fills  the  four  sides  of  a large 
room.  Another  equally  large  room 
is  devoted  to  the  band  numbers. 
“Beau  Geste,”  “Black  Pirate”  and 
“Man  Without  a Country”  were 
some  of  his  favorites  for  scoring. 

An  orchestra  from  the  United 
States  Navy  Band  plays  on  the  Presi- 
dent’s yacht  the  Mayflower,  under 
Lieut.  Renter’s  direction.  Such  a pro- 
gram always  includes  numbers  of  the 
highest  type. 

Lieut.  Benter  likes  the  Vitaphone 
and  approves  of  organists.  Thinks 
they  are  wonderful  people  to  play  such 
big  organs  and  treat  them  as  a band 
or  orchestra,  but — he  continues: 
“Some  of  them  ought  to  play  a little 
better.  If  an  organist  or  leader  is 
going  to  be  a success  he  should  study 
history.  Should  be  a great  reader,  a 
student  of  history  as  well  as  music  to 
be  able  to  correctly  interpret  the  scene. 
If  some  organists  knew  the  story  of 
the  music  they  played,  and  had  read 
about  the  picture  and  been  familiar 
with  its  history,  they  would  find  the 
music  and  scene  did  not  fit.” 

* * * 

Lieut.  Benter  has  been  around  the 
world  four  times,  and  he  finds  the 
knowledge  he  has  gathered  through 
experience  priceless  when  it  comes  to 
scoring  foreign  scenes  or  pictures  or 
playing  foreign  numbers. 

There  is  only  one  thing  on  which 
he  has  very  detennined  ideas,  and  that 
is  “Syncopating  the  Classics.”  He  will 
not  play  it,  will  not  listen  to  it  if  he 
can  get  away,  and  when  operas  and!, 
classics  are  played  by  the  men  in  the 
United  States  Navy  Band  they  are 
played  with  the  original  interpretation. 
Jazz  orchestra  sections  of  this  band 
are  under  the  same  orders,  and  I 
shudder  to  think  of  what  would  hap- 
pen to  them  if  the  lieutenant  ever 
caught  them  playing  Samson  and  De- 
lilah as  a red  hot  fox-trot. 

(O.  K.’d  by  Lieut.  Benter,  Washington  Navy 
Yards,  June  28,  1927.) 


IRENE  JUNO 
Instructor,  College  of 
Music,  Washington. 

D.  C. 


16 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


f 


July  9,  1927 


Another  Universal^ 

for 

CARL  LAEMMLE! 


^2,300,000 

In  Building 


WITH  the  new 
theatre  in  She- 
boygan under  con- 
struction, we  now 
have  in  work  for 
Universal  Piet  ures 
Corporation,  alone, 
projects  totaling  $2,- 
300,000. 

$1,000,000  Theatre 
Racine,  Wis. 

$700,000  Theatre 
Kenosha,  Wis. 

$600,000  Theatre 
Sheboygan,  Wis. 


The  new  $600,000  theatre  at  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin,  will 
represent,  when  completed,  all  that  modern  thought  can  con- 
tribute  to  the  motion  picture  theatre.  Everything — the  erection, 
complete  decoration  and  equipment  has  been  entrusted  to  United 
Studios,  Inc. 

As  another  phase  of  our  complete  service  we  are  now  recon^ 
ditioning  and  beautifying  seven  of  the  Milwaukee  Theatre  Cii' 
cuit’s  houses — ^The  New  State — Downer — ^Riviera — Juneau — 
Jackson — Astor — Kosciuszjko.  Our  entire  service  is  available  to 
you  including  assistance  to  your  local  architect  in  designing  and 
equipping  your  new  theatre. 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

28  West  Lake  St.  Chicago,  111. 

L.  P.  LARSEN,  Managing  Art  Director 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


Featuring  the  Player — Or 
Playing  the  Feature 

By  CLARK  PIERS 

Organist,  Comerford’s  PVest  Side  Theatre,  Scranton,  Pa. 


T EX’S  begin  by  asking  the  organist 
reader  which  he  likes  the  better:  the 
playing  for  the  pictures  or  organ  solo 
work  with  song  slides,  scrims,  singers  et  al. 

We  realize,  naturally,  that  some  organists 
shine  like  the  head  lamps  on  a Rolls-Royce 
when  doing  an  organ  solo,  while  others 
make  a name  and  niche  for  themselves  by 
their  merited  accompanying  of  films.  One 
writer  made  the  statement  that  it  was  a 
rare  instance  where  the  organist  was  a 
howling  success  at  both  picture  playing  and 
organ  solos — and  this  seems  reasonable  and 
true.  He  mentioned  exceptions  to  the  rule, 
and  for  my  example  I think  Jesse  Craw- 
ford at  the  New  York  Paramount  clever 
beyond  words  at  photoplay  playing,  and  as 
for  his  organ  solos,  what  could  be  better? 

* * 

There  really  are  but  very  few,  if  any, 
organ  soloists  who  do  nothing  but  play 
solos.  They  usually  play  a bit  of  the  fea- 
ture film,  perhaps  an  animated  cartoon  and 
the  solo.  But  their  specialty  is  strictly  solo 
work  and  to  that  they  devote,  the  most  of 
their  time.  The  vast  majority  in  the  the- 
atre organist  field  is  confined  to  picture 
playing.  There  are  lots  of  organ  fellows 
who  would  much  rather  face  a firing  squad 
at  simset  than  to  face  an  audience,  seated 
at  the  console,  in  the  spot.  One  might 
term  it  a species  of  “organ-ic”  stage  fright, 
and  we  all  get  it  no  matter  how  long  we 
have  been  used  to  it.  The  one  boon  to 
film  playing  is  that  the  audience  is  at  your 
back,  but  the  knees  ofttimes  grow  weak 
and  trembling  when  the  time  comes  for  the 
solo.  There  are  also  organists  who  have 
great  ability  for  solo  work,  but  who  lack 
the  necessary  showmanship  to  put  it  across. 
Crawford  has  been  called  an  expert  show- 
man, and  this  probably  constitutes  an  im- 
portant factor  in  the  phenomenal  success 
with  which  he  has  met  in  the  theatre. 

Both  solo  work  and  picture  playing  call 
for  great  skill,  and  of  the  two,  I believe 
picture  work  is  more  exacting,  more  de- 


manding. Quick  and  almost  lightning-like 
thinking  as  to  appropriate  musical  settings 
to  portray  certain  emotions  depicted  on  the 
silver  sheet,  originality  as  to  registrations 
and  trick  effects,  a good  jazz  and  a good 
classical  foundation,  scores  of  numbers 
(memorized  if  possible) — all  these  things 
and  many  more  are  asked  of  the  picture 
player.  To  go  into  detail  of  either  would 
be  too  much  of  a task  for  me  to  undertake. 
* ^ * 

The  majority,  as  I said  before,  are  pic- 
ture players  and  they  probably  throw  in  a 
solo  every  so  often  for  good  measure. 
What  organist  does  not  experience  a very 
pleasing  sensation  when,  under  the  spot, 
thousands  (or  hundreds)  of  eyes  and  ears 
are  fonised  on  what  he  is  doing?  And 
the  sensing  that  you  have  accomplished 
some  definite  thing  when  the  applause 
greets  you  after  the  conclusion  of  your 
efforts;  or  the  down  and  out  feeling  when 
the  audience  sit  on  their  hands  and  a 
frigid  quiet  prevails — -it’s  all  in  the  game. 

But — we  get  an  equal  thrill  in  e^ress- 
ing  the  emotions  on  the  screen,  getting  the 
people’s  reaction  to  the  kind  of  music  jrou 
use  to  express  those  emotions  by  making 
them  laugh  with  comedy  and  trick  effects, 
or  making  ’em  sob  salty  tears  with  the 
vox  humana. 

So  we  who  tread  the  thorny  and  devious 
path  of  theatre  organ  playing  often  wonder 
to  ourselves  just  which  we  do  the  best,  the 
solo  or  the  feature. 

* * * 

One  is  aware  that,  inasmuch  as  both  are 
concerned,  the  various  styles  of  organ  play- 
ing in  theatres  change  constantly.  Right 
now  it  seems  that  the  more  quiet  and  sub- 
dued accompaniment  for  features  is  in  pop- 
ular favor,  for  I think  the  day  of  the  cease- 
less mighty  crashing  chords  from  the  lofts 
is  dawning.  Do  not  get  me  wrong,  how- 
ever ; crashing  out  is  all  very  well  and  good 
in  the  desired  places,  and  no  one  likes  to 
hear  a “Salut  a Pesth,”  a ‘Staccato  Etude,” 


a “Largo”  played  with  all  the  brilliancy  and 
majesty  of  “full  organ”  more  than  I do. 
And  I enjoy  the  quieter  things  just  as  much, 
a bit  of  both  and  no  partiality  to  either. 

Organ  solos  are  fairly  new  in  theatre 
work,  but  they  now  play  a big  part  in  the 
better  theatres,  such  as  community  singing, 
scrim  presentations  and  using  the  organ 
with  vocalists,  instrumentalists  and  sym- 
phony orchestras. 

Organists  who  orchestrate  carefully  are 
always  interesting,  for  the  unit  organ 
strives  to  imitate  a symphony  orchestra.  It 
is  sometimes  very  helpful  to  listen  to  re- 
cordings of  good  orchestras  and  imitating 
their  style  as  near  as  possible  on  the  organ. 
For  instance,  I listened  to  Nat  Shilkret’s 
Victor  recording  of  “DOLL  DANCE”  and 
“FLAPPERETTE”  and  copied  this  or- 
chestra’s style  as  best  I could. 

* ♦ * 

Then  there  is  another  important  item, 
that  much  discussed  subject  of  pedaling 
with  both  or  just  one  foot.  I earnestly  think 
that  one  is  sufficient  for  the  average  organ- 
ist. WTiy?  We  all  know  that,  after  all,  the 
organ  is  purely  a mechanical  instrument ; 
that  no  expression  may  be  accomplished  by 
the  light  or  forceful  touch,  the  tone  of  the 
speaking  pipe  is  always  the  same.  With  the 
swell  pedals,  we  are  given  the  means  to 
shade  this  tone — and  that,  with  the  careful 
study  of  the  swells,  we  are  on  the  high- 
road to  the  making  of  a living,  breathing 
organ.  Therefore,  my  cry  is  the  right  for 
the  swells  and  the  left  for  the  pedals,  in 
theatre  work.  Perhaps  this  is  just  sour 
grapes,  because  I cannot  pedal  single  note 
with  my  left  foot,  but  I still  stick  to  my 
story,  let  the  heavens  peal  forth  their  thun- 
dering disapprovals. 

Back  to  our  theme — which  will  it  be,  fea- 
turing the  player  or  playing  the  feature?  It 
is  probably  none  of  my  business.  It  is 
without  a doubt  up  to  the  various  organ- 
ists’ employers. 


Variety  Is  Needed  Element  in 
Success  of  Solo  Work 

By  HAROLD  J.  LYON 

Supervisor  of  Music,  Strand  Amusement  Co.,  Ottumwa,  la. 


TN  keeping  the  organ  solo  a drawing 
power  the  organist  must  have  a continu- 
ous flow  of  new  ideas  and  the  ability  to 
work  them  out  and  put  them  before  the 
public  in  a way  that  will  please. 

Community  singing  does  not  always  ap- 
peal to  theatre  patrons;  then,  it  is  up  to 
the  organist  to  give  such  variety  in  good 
slide  solos  and  classics  that  he  may  keep 
the  people  “talking.”  The  applause  is  the 
best  way  to  judge  how  well  the  audience 
likes  your  numbers,  so  don’t  kid  yourself 
into  believing  that  your  community  does 
not  appreciate  anything.  Give  them  what 
they  want  and  they’ll  respond.  Study  the 


different  audiences  that  you  play  to,  find 
out  the  kind  of  pictrues  they  like,  even  if 
you  have  to  play  two  different  solos  on  one 
picture;  for  instance,  on  the  last  part  of 
the  week  picture.  Thursday  night  a classic 
such  as  “Souvenir,”  by  Drdla,  might  go 
over  splendidly;  then  on  Saturday  night  it 
would  not  appeal  to  the  crowd  that  usually 
attends  the  theatre,  although  a selection  of 
popular  songs  would  reach  the  majority. 

* * * 

A short  time  ago  I played  a slide  novelty 
entitled  “I’ve  Never  Seen  a Straight  Ba- 
nana.” There  were  no  special  gag  lines, 
but  merely  two  verses  and  three  choruses 


of  the  song,  although  these  were  very  clever. 
I used  this  set  on  the  last  part  of  the  week 
program  and  on  Thursday,  the  opening  day, 
I played  it  in  the  usual  way,  and  woe  be- 
tide, the  applause  was  rather  light ; in  fact, 
my  audiences  are  in  the  habit  of  expecting 
more  than  merely  an  organ  accomipaniment 
to  a small  set  of  slides,  such  as  this  hap- 
pened to  be.  Of  course,  this  could  not  go 
on,  so  I secured  enough  bananas  to  fill  the 
top  of  the  console.  Then  when  the  trailer 
flashed  on  the  screen,  announcing  the  or- 
ganist, the  spotlight  disclosed  him  looking 
over  the  bananas — yes,  and  even  eating  one. 
Naturally  this  put  the  audience  in  a more 


18 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Console  of  the  new  style  Page  organ  exhibited  and  played  at  the  convention  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  America  in  Columbus,  0.,  last  month. 


PageOrganCompany  Shows  New 
Style  Instrument  at  Columbus 


receptive  mood.  After  a few  moments  of 
this  the  title  slide  was  flashed  on  the  screen 
“Fve  Never  Seen  a Straight  Banana,”  and, 
another  round  of  laughter  from  the  audi- 
ence. I then  played  the  verse  and  sang  the 
first  chorus,  then  a second  verse  and  chorus 
as  an  organ  solo,  third  verse  I sang.  Need- 
less to  say  that  the  difference  in  applause 
more  than  paid  for  the  extra  pains,  ba- 
nanas, etc.  In  introducing  a number  such 
as  this  to  the  public,  one  or  two  choruses 
sung  in  the  right  way  make  a world  of 
difference. 

♦ * * 

When  featuring  “Honolulu  Moon”  I 
omitted  slides  entirely  and  used  it  as  a spot- 
light solo,  entitled  “A  Medley  of  Hawaiian 
Airs.”  This  included  such  numbers  as, 
“Aloha  Oe,”  “Plello,  Aloha,”  “Dreamy  Ha- 
waii,” and  “On  the  Beach  of  Waikiki.” 
Ukelele  and  guitar  effects  may  be  used  to 
a good  advantage  on  these  numbers.  After 
this  I played  the  introduction  to  ‘Honolulu 
Moon,”  and  then  a soprano  was  heard  from 
backstage  singing  the  A'erse  and  chorus.  On 
the  end  of  the  chorus  the  young  lady  ap- 
peared on  the  stage  and  another  spot  was 
used  on  her.  She  sang  a second  verse  and 
chorus  then  took  her  bow  and  acknowl- 
edged the  same  to  me  for  the  last  bow  and 
finish. 

“Sam,  the  Old  Accordion  Man”  was 
worked  out  in  a similar  method.  I used  it 
in  conjunction  with  an  overture  of  southern 
melodies,  then  had  a blackface  comedian  on 
the  stage  sing  the  chorus  and  I imitated  the 
accordion  on  the  organ. 

On  Mothers’  Day  I featured  “Little  Grey 
Mother  of  Mine”  with  slides.  There  was 
no  light  on  the  console  during  the  per- 
formance, a tenor  sang  the  song  from  the 
organ  chamber,  on  the  last  chord  the  spot 
was  turned  on  the  organist  for  the  bow. 

* * * 

It  is  always  well  to  render  a classical 
solo  at  intenals  for  the  benefit  of  those 
that  do  not  care  for  the  popular  melodies 
and  for  variety.  People  love  to  hear  num- 
bers that  they  know  played  in  a different 
way.  For  instance,  not  long  ago  “The  Sea 
Tiger”  was  shown  here,  and  as  Spanish  at- 
mosphere predominated,  I played  the  Tore- 
ador scng  from  the  opera  “Carmen”  as  an 
organ  solo.  I worked  “In  a Little  Spanish 
Town”  in  as  a chime  solo.  This  pleased 
the  young  generation  and  consequently  the 
selection  went  over. 

In  playing  a slide  solo  many  organists 
do  not  put  the  snap  into  it  that  is  really 
needed,  especially  wdth  fox-trots.  Edward 
Eigenshenk,  a well-known  Chicago  organ- 
ist, recently  came  to  the  aid  of  such  organ- 
ists who  are  not  well  trained  in  jazz  play- 
ing and  has  put  his  knowledge  on  this  sub- 
ject into  a book  entitled  “Organ  Jazz.”  It 
has  been  carefully  edited  by  Frank  Van 
Dusen  for  use  in  the  School  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Playing  of  the  American  Conserva- 
tory of  Music.  Each  step  is  clearly  pre- 
sented and  lucidly  explained  and  I can  see 
no  reason  why  anyone  following  the  in- 
structions in  a shrewd  way  cannot  succeed 
in  producing  results  for  the  audiences  to 
which  he  plays.  I find  it  excellent  for 
teaching  and  all  my  pupils  have  a copy. 

The  Quality  Slide-o-Gram  is  another 
boon  to  we  pedal  pushers.  This  is  a paper 
printed  every  month  by  Quality  Slide  Com- 
pany, 6 East  Lake  Street,  Chicago,  contain- 
ing News  for  Organists.  It  includes  a list 
of  “Special  Versions”  and  the  names  of  the 
many  different  firms  and  their  latest  publi- 
cations. In  addition  there  are  sections 
devoted  to  such  topics  as  Laugh  Lyrics, 
Story  Section,  Question  Box,  Hall  of  Fame, 
etc.  I am  sure  every  organist  will  be  glad 
to  welcome  this  handy  little  paper  and  will 
use  it  in  arranging  solos.  If  you  are  not 
receiving  this  paper,  writci  at  once  and  get 
on  the  free  mailing  list. 


/’^NE  of  the  interesting  exhibits  at  the 
'^Columbus  convention  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O. 
Association  was  that  of  the  Page  Organ 
Company,  Lima,  Ohio.  This  concern  in 
addition  to  showing  two  of  their  standard 
type  organ  consoles,  had  erected  a complete 
pipe  organ  with  swellbox  and  all  the  ac- 
cessories. It  was  installed  in  one  corner  of 
the  large  convention  hall  and  furnished 
music  throughout  the  convention. 

Two  organists  alternated  at  the  console. 
The  exhibit  made  a hit  with  the  attending 
theatre  owners.  They  were  particularly  in- 
terested in  the  MX-40  organ,  which  was  ex- 
hibited for  the  first  time  at  the  convention. 

This  instrument  is  a combination  unit 
pipe  organ  and  player.  The  console  resem- 
bles almost  identically  the  pleasing  designs 
of  the  regular  two-manual  horseshoe  type 
console.  But,  in  addition,  two  rolls  are 
mounted  side  by  side  in  the  console  directly 
above  the  manuals,  so  that  it  may  be  played 
either  by  hand  or  by  roll.  Ordinary  88-note 
piano  rolls  are  used. 

The  rolls  can  be  quickly  and  easily  placed 
into  playing  position  or  rewound,  and  their 
speed  controlled  through  the  use  of  a sim- 
ple lever  conveniently  located  in  the  key 
bed  of  the  console.  The  rolls  are  kept  in 
perfect  alignment  by  means  of  a mechan- 
ical tracker. 

As  a relief  organist  or  for  the  theatre 
that  finds  it  difficult  to  employ  a full-time 
organist,  the  new  Page  MX-40  is  said  to  be 
a step  forward  in  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry. 

Brief  specifications  of  the  new  self-play- 
ing organ  are  as  follows ; 

The  page  organ  is  built  complete  in  itself 


with  individual  shutter  expressions,  traps 
and  percussions.  The  console  is  the  full 
horseshoe  type,  finished  in  solid  American 
black  walnut.  There  are  two  manuals  of 
61  notes  each,  having  a compass  of  CC  to  C. 

It  has  a full  scale  pedal  board  of  AGO  pat- 
tern with  comapss  of  CCC  to  G and  32 
notes.  The  visible  combinations  are  adjust- 
able at  the  console. 

The  player  has  three  playing  divisions : 

(1)  The  pedal  consisting  of  the  basses;  (2) 
the  accompaniment  corresponding  to  the 
stops  of  the  first  manual  of  the  organ  played 
by  hand;  (3)  the  solo  or  upper  manual  di- 
vision. Thus  all  the  effects  of  a two-man- 
ual unit  pipe  organ  played  by  an  organist 
are  obtained  with  the  roll  player. 

The  pedal  division  is  so  arranged  that 
only  one  pedal  note  can  be  struck  at  a time, 
just  the  same  as  an  organist  would  pedal 
with  the  feet. 

The  solo  obligato  is  an  exclusive  patented 
Page  feature.  It  is  so  placed  that  a solo 
can  be  played  on  any  one  of  the  numerous 
stops  arranged  on  the  solo  manual  of  the  j 
organ  and  may  be  played  at  16  pitch  or  in 
unison  with  the  player  roll.  I 

The  organ  pipes  are  fully  unified.  There  j 
are  four  complete  unit  sets  of  pipes — tibia  | 
clausia,  horn  diapason,  solo  violin  and  vox 
humana.  There  are  14  of  the  most  essen- 
tial traps  in  this  instrument.  There  are  two 
percussion  stops,  chimes  and  xylophone  or 
orchestral  bells,  as  preferred.  | 

Several  churches  and  theatre  owners  and  i 
organists  who  visited  the  convention  played 
the  new  Page  MX-40  and  a number  of 
them  placed  orders  for  immediate  delivery, 
the  Page  Organ  Company  announces. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


At  last,  a sure  shot  attendance  builder  for 
the  summer  months,  at  a price  every  ex- 
hibitor can  pay.  Does  everything  a $100,- 
000  cooling  system  can  do  but  without  dampness  or 
unhealthy  chill — and  at  an  unbelievably  low  price. 

The  device  is  the  quiet  Lakeside  Cooler  and  Venti- 
lator— an  amazing  invention.  Nothing  like  it  on  the 
market  for  the  money.  A size  that  will  keep  your 
theatre  delightfully  fresh  and  cool  during  the  most 
stifling  weather  is  oflered,  ready  for  easy  installation 
on  remarkably  easy  terms. 


It  keeps 


theatres 

CROWDED 


A little  a day  for  one  year 
and  it’s  paid  for 

Successful  exhibitors  consider  cool- 
ing and  ventilating  as  business  in- 
surance not  expense.  And  the  quiet 
Lakeside  has  no  competition  on  that 
basis.  Set  aside  a small  sum  a day 
and  in  one  year  the  size  you  require 
is  paid  for.  It  will  keep  on  giving 
dependable  service  for  year  after 
year.  It’s  unreservedly  guaran- 
teed. All  metal  construction. 


Leading  engineers  endorse  it  highly 

Nobody  can  offer  you  a cooling  sys- 
tem at  quiet  Lakeside  low  prices  that 
equals  the  quiet  Lakeside  for  effici- 
ency. With  its  low  speed  motor,  S K F 
ball  bearings  and  Tex-rope  drive  you 
have  to  strain  your  ears  to  hear  it  run- 
ning. Engineers  say  that  this  feature 
plus  its  special  improved  method  of 
deflecting  air  without  drafts  puts  the 
quiet  Lakeside  in  a class  by  itself. 
All  the  air  that  the  quiet  Lakeside 
takes  in  is  circulated  through  the 
theatre — none  stays  in  the  drum. 


Reserve  one  now — mail  the 
coupon — no  obligation 

At  these  prices  we  expect  to  be  oversold 
before  the  summer  half  starts.  If  you  want  to 
make  sure  of  getting  a quiet  Lakeside,  mail 
the  coupon  and  it  will  act  as  a reservation 
order  without  obligating  you  to  buy.  Re- 
member your  theatre  needs  ventilation  all 
year  as  well  as  cooling  ventilation  in  hot 
weather.  Your  quiet  Lakeside  circulates 
fresh  warm  air  as  efficiently  as  fresh  cool  air 
— meets  ventilating  requirements  of  all  health 
boards.  Take  a real  step  in  the  direction  of 
net  profit  protection.  Clip  coupon  now 
while  it’s  before  you. 


%e  S^uiet^Jhw  Cost 


^ejast  Word  in  Cooling &yentilatinf^  I 


‘‘IT’S  CERTIFIED” 


THIS  BRINGS  INFORMATION 


LAKESIDE  VENTILATING  CO., 

Dept.  E.  H.  Hermansville,  Mich. 

Without  obligation,  please  send  further  information 
about  the  quiet  Lakeside.  Our  theatre  has  a seating 

capacity  of Balcony? - 

* ( Direct 

Kind  of  Current  •<  Volts 

( Alternating 

Phase Cycles 


Address 


20 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Majesty  of  Jjght 

MAKES  GOOD  PRESENTATIONS  BETTER 


No  matter  how  good  your  presentations  may  be,  you  can  make 
them  better  with  the  Majesty  of  Light  under  control  of  the 

WURDACK 

MULTI-PRE-SET,  REMOTE-CONTROL  SWITCHBOARD 

This  is  not  just  an  “ordinary”  switchboard.  It  is  a highly  de- 
veloped controlling  unit,  perfected  after  years  of  research  by 
Wurdack  engineers,  and  embodying  new  and  original  features 
found  on  no  other  board. 

Exhibitors,  architects  and  electrical  contractors  have  been 
quick  to  recognize  the  manifold  advantages  of  the  new  model 
Wurdack  board.  They  know  that  a switchboard  produced  by 
a concern  that  has  been  making  current  control  equipment  for 
thirty  years  must  be  good,  and  their  experience  has  confirmed 
their  judgment.  The  result  is  a rapidly  increasing  number  of 
Wurdack  installations. 


Write  for  details 


New  House  Ach ieved 
at  Cost  of  $60,000 
by  Remodeling  Plan 

{Continued  from  page  9) 

at  a cost  of  less  than  $60,000.  At  the  sug- 
gestion of  the  architect  a plot  25  feet  wide 
adjacent  to  the  old  theatre  wasi  purchased. 
With  this  acquisition  it  was  possible  to 
provide  1,000  seats  instead  of  the  maximum 
of  700  under  the  first  plan  considered. 

* * 

The  old  theatre  was  completely  demol- 
ished except  for  one  side  wall  and  the 
foundation.  From  this  point  the  house  is 
entirely  new  and  when  completed  will  be 
strictly  up-to-date,  not  only  from  the  stand- 
point of  construction  but  in  point  of  equip- 
ment, comfort,  decoration  and  furnishing 
as  well.  The  cost  of  the  new  theatre!  will 
be  less  than  $60,000,  which  figure  includes 
everything  except  booth  equipment,  carpets, 
drapes,  organ  and  stage  scenery. 

As  the  architect’s  rendering  on  this  page 
indicates,  the  new  theatre  will  have  an  at- 
tractive front  of  Moorish-Spanish  design, 
with  a roof  of  handsome  fire-flash  tile.  The 
auditorium  will  be  done  in  a pleasing  color 
tone  of  deep  brilliant  colors  and  gold.  A 
modern  lighting  system  with  dimmers  will 
be  installed. 

A handsome  marquise  will  be  placed  over 
the  entrance.  In  the  lobby  will  be  the  ticket 
office  and  recessed  grills  with  glass  frames 
for  literature.  On  either  side  of  the  lobby 
will  be  modern  toilet  facilities  for  men  and 
women,  a feature  that  was  inadequate  in 
the  old  house. 

♦ * * 

Stairs  on  either  side  of  the  lobby  will 
lead  to  a balcony  foyer.  The  balcony  will 
have  a seating  capacity  of  286,  with  an 
artistic  loge  section  in  the  foreground  to 
accommodate  56. 

In  the  old  building  the  organ  chamber 
was  placed  under  the  stage.  In  the  new 
Princess  it  will  be  placed  in  lofts.  The 
under-stage  space  will  be  given  over  to 
dressing  rooms  and  the  heating  and  ven- 
tilating equipment. 

Another  interesting  comparison  is  fur- 
nished in  the  projection  room.  The  old 
booth  which  formerly  housed  two  pro- 
jectors only,  is  replaced  in  the  new  house 
by  a modern  projection  room  which  will 
accommodate  two  projectors,  spotlight 
lights  and  an  effect  machine. 

To  say  that  the  new  Princess  will  be  a 
strictly  modern  theatre  providing  for  every 
comfort  of  its  patrons  under  surroundings 
that  are  beautiful  and  pleasing  seems  to 
sum  up  everything  that  is  included  in  the 
plans  and  specifications  without  detailing 
each  modern  feature.  The  highly  interest- 
ing feature  of  this  job,  however,  is  the  in- 
formation it  reveals  on  at  least  one  remod- 
eling proposition. 

* * * 

It  shows  the  two  ways  of  working  out 
this  problem,  one  of  which  would  have  re- 
sulted in  an  expenditure  of  approximately 
$20,000  with  the  achievement  of  only  a few 
additional  seats  and  the  theatre  remaining 
in  about  the  same  condition  it  has  always 
been,  as  against  the  expenditure  of  $60,000 
which  in  this  case  makes  possible  a new 
and  modern  house  throughout.  The  latter 
figure  covers  the  entire  cost  with  the  ex- 
ceptions noted  previously,  namely ; booth 
equipment,  carpets,  drapes,  organ  and  stage 
scenery. 


Handle  Roth  Product 


13-21  S.  ELEVENTH  ST.  ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 

Chicago  Kansas  City  Omaha  Minneapolis  Dallas  New  Orleans  Louisville 


Distribution  of  the  Roth  Actodector, 
manufactured  by  Roth  Brothers,  Chicago, 
has  been  acquired  by  the  E.  E.  Fulton 
Company. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


DONT  GAMBLE  WITH  THE  j 
LIVES  OF  YOUR  PATRONS  J 

FOR  A FEW  CENTS  A DAY  YOU  CAN  ELIMINATE 
THE  DREAD  MENACE  OF  THE  FILM  FIRE  WITH 
ITS  ATTENDANT  PANIC  AND  POSSIBLE  LOSS  OF 
LIFE.  A FEW  CENTS  A DAY  IS  THE  ENTIRE  COST 
OF  INSTALLING  AND  ENJOYING  THE  COMPLETE 
SECURITY  OF 


THE  AMAZINGLY  EFFICIENT 

SENTRY 

SAFETY  CONTROL 

“THE  POSITIVE  FIRE  PREVENTER” 

CAN  BE  PLACED  ON  ANY  PROJECTION  MACHINE 

NOW  BEING  INSTALLED  AS  RAPIDLY  AS  FACTORY 
OUTPUT  WILL  PERMIT  IN  HUNDREDS  OF  LEADING 
THEATRES  AND  A SCORE  OF  CIRCUITS  INCLUDING 
THE  STANLEY  AND  ITS  AFFILIATED  COMPANIES, 
WILMER  & VINCENT,  EAST  COAST  THEATRES, 
INDORSED  BY  THE  M.  P.  T.  O.  OF  EASTERN  PA., 
SOUTHERN  N.  J.  AND  DELAWARE. 


DONT  DEL  AY  — TOMORROW  MAY  BE  TOO  LATE! 


Sentry  Safety  Control  Corp. 


Sales  and  Demonstration 
1229  Vine  Street 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Main  Office 
Lincoln  Building 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Sales  and  Demonstration 
1560  Broadway 
New  Yoric  City 


22 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Inspects  Equipment 
of  Theatre  A broad 
in22,800Mile  Trip 

By  ROY  CHANDLER 

(Note: — Mr.  Roy  Chandler,  luho  has 
been  (iromoting  American  products  in  for- 
eign countries  for  over  twenty  years,  re- 
cently returned  from  a 22,8oo-mile  trip 
around  South  America,  South  Africa, 
Egypt  and  Europe  in  the  interests  of  the 
Electrocolor  Advertising  Eejuipment,  Inc., 
of  Neiv  York,  of  which  he  is  the  presi- 
dent, and  the  American  Silvershect  Com- 
pany, of  St.  Louis,  for  zvhom  he  is  foreign 
representative.  Details  of  his  obserzrations 
on  theatre  equipment  conditions  in  these 
countries  are  given  in  his  article.) 

Motion  picture  theatres  in  South 
America,  South  Africa  and  Egypt  are 
mostly  of  the  type  that  ours  were  fifteen 
years  ago  and  I am  convinced  that  there 
is  an  extensire  market  for  screens  in  all 
the  countries  that  I visited. 

“The  majority  of  the  exhibitors  believed 
that  in  view  of  the  fact  that  they  were 
doing  a fairly  good  business,  there  was  no 
ity  of  their  projection  or  the  comfort  of 


their  theatres,  but  the  economy  of  using 
good  eriuipment  did  interest  them.  Of 
course,  there  were  exceptions  to  this,  as, 
for  instance,  in  Panama  City  and  Lima, 
Peru,  these  each  have  one  theatre  quite 
modern  as  far  as  the  projection  equipment 
is  concerned. 

* * * 

need  for  them  to  improve  either  the  qual- 

“But,  on  the  other  hand,  the  equipment 
in  Chili  and  Argentina  was  more  or  less 
antiquated.  The  principal  theatres  of  San- 
tiago, the  capital  of  Chili,  were  using  plain 
white  sheets  for  screens,  and  outside  of  a 
few  of  the  principal  theatres  in  Buenos 
Aires,  the  balance  of  the  theatres  in  Argen- 
tina are  using  only  one  projection  machine. 

“While  visiting  one  of  the  theatres  in 
Buenos  Aires,  after  noticing  that  there  was 
a wait  of  about  five  minutes  between  each 
reel,  I asked  the  exhibitor  to  let  me  see 
his  booth.  Upon  entering  it,  I found  two 
high  class  American  projectors.  I asked 
the  exhibitor  why  he  did  not  run  his  film 
continuously  and  he  replied  that  the  public 
enjoyed  the  waits  between  the  reels,  as  the 
young  men  went  to  the  picture  shows  to  see 
the  young  ladies,  and  that  it  w^as  at  the  end 
of  each  thousand  feet  that  they  had  the 
opportunity  to  admire  the  fair  sex. 

“These  conditions  somewhat  hamper  the 
installation  of  modern  equipment,  as  the 


exhibitors  were  of  the  opinion  that  the  ad- 
ditional expense  will  bring  them  no  more 
revenue,  and  they  are  all  anxious  for  any 
kind  of  economy.  Box  office  receipts  in 
these  countries  are  nothing  like  they  are 
in  the  United  States,  and  each  impresario 
is  a strong  belie\  er  in  the  old  saying — ‘a 
dollar  saved  is  a dollar  earned.’ 

“However,  after  making  practical  dem- 
onstrations with  the  silversheet,  I proved 
that  not  only  could  they  obtain  a far 
brighter  picture,,  but  also  save  considerable 
each  month  on  their  electric  current  bills, 
and  this  appealed  to  them  so  that  interest 
was  immediately  created  in  the  silversheet. 

“Llntil  just  recently  many  of  the  theatres 
in  South  America  used  screens  nearly  twice 
the  size  that  we  do  in  this  country,  but  of 
late  have  seen  fit  to  reduce  them,  having 
been  convinced  that  they  obtain  better  re- 
sults on  smaller  screens. 

“Incidentally,  back  in  1916,  I was  a pio- 
neer in  South  America,  introducing  big 
American  productions  when  I presented 
“The  Fall  of  a Nation”  with  big  orchestral 
accompaniment  and  scenic  effects  in  the 
largest  South  American  theatres,  and  I was 
obliged  to  increase  the  size  of  my  screen, 
as  the  people  who  saw  the  picture  the  open- 
ing night  said  it  was  no  good  as  it  made 
the  picture  too  small. 

(Contimted  on  page  28) 


Announcement 

To  Prospective  Purchasers  of  Projection  Lamps  (both  High  Intensity 
and  Reflector  Arcs),  an  entirely  new  source  of  light  for  projection 
purposes  has  been  developed  by  the  Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Company 
and  will  be  announced  as  ready  for  the  market  in  a very  short  time. 

It  will  pay  you  to  investigate  the  merits  of  this  lamp  before  buying  any 
type  of  lamp.  This  lamp  is  a high  intensity  reflector  arc  radically  dif- 
ferent from  anything  on  the  market  at  the  present  time  and  will  be 
known  as  the 

Ashcraft  Intensiflector 

High  Intensity  Efficiency  Increased 

100%  by  the  use  of  the  Intensiflector 

At  the  Uptown  Theatre,  Chicago,  recently  a demonstration  of  this  type 
of  lamp  was  given,  proving  for  all  time  and  without  a doubt  that  it  is 
the  most  brilliant  and  most  economical  source  of  light  yet  invented  for 
motion  picture  projection.  This  lamp  with  a current  of  63  amp.  gave 
a more  brilliant  picture,  greater  definition  and  more  evenly  illuminated 
field  than  was  obtained  on  high  intensity  lamps  at  125  amperes  an 
increase  in  efficiency  of  100%. 

Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Co. 

4214  Santa  Monica  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles,  Gal. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


CUT  AWL  WITH  EXTENSION  ARM 


The  Scenic  and  Poster  Studios  of  the  Leading 
Theatres  throughout  the  United  States  are 
now  Producing  More  Work  and  Better  Work,  with 


Used  for  Backgrounds  and 
Advertising  Posters  by 
these  Theatres 


Strand 

Capitol 

Joi 

Broadway 

Alcazar 

Granada 

Victory 

Strand 

Olympia 

Crandall 

Queen 

Arcade 

Capitol 

Fairfax 

Victoria 

Florida 

Victory 

Howard 

Rialto 

Grand 

Rialto 

Chicago 

Granada 

Woodlawn 

Orpheum 

Ohio 

Palace 

Strand 

Wabash 

Saenger 

Beacon 


Birmingham,  Ala. 
Little  Rock,  Ark. 
Little  Rock,  Ark. 
Oakland,  Calif. 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 
San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Denver,  Colo. 
Hartford,  Conn. 

New  Haven,  Conn. 
Washington,  D.  C. 
Ft.  Lauderdale,  Fla. 
Jacksonville,  Fla. 
Miami,  Fla. 

Miami,  Fla. 

New  Smyrna,  Fla. 

St.  Petersburg,  Fla. 
Tampa,  Fla. 

Atlanta,  Ga. 

Augusta,  Ga. 
Columbus,  Ga. 
Macon,  Ga. 

Chicago,  III. 

Chicago,  III. 

Chicago,  111. 

Peoria,  111. 
Indianapolis,  Ind. 
Indianapolis,  Ind. 
Shelby ville,  Ind. 
Terre  Haute,  Ind. 
New  Orleans,  La. 
Boston,  Mass. 


THE  INTERNATIONAL 

C UT/WVU 

You’ll  like  the  way  the  Cutawl  works.  You’ll  be 
amazed  and  delighted  at  the  results  that  your 
cheapest  studio  “helpers”  can  obtain  with  the 
speedy,  accurate  aid  of  this  simple,  easy-to-operate 
machine. 

Studio  Managers  can  greatly  increase  their  daily 
and  weekly  output  of  advertising  cut-outs.  Posters 
and  special  stage  settings  with  the  Cutawl  and 
SAVE  PRODUCTION  COSTS  all  along  the  line  by 
having  all  mechanical  cut-out  work  DONE  by  a 
machine  specially  designed  TO  DO  SUCH  WORK. 

You  couldn’t  ask  for  a mechanical  device  so  un- 
failing in  service  as  the  Cutawl.  Simply  attach  to 
an  ordinary  electric  light  socket  and  let  it  do  the 
difficult,  tedious,  cutting-out  you  have  been  in  the 
habit  of  doing  by  hand.  Ornamental  Grille  effects, 
stencils,  big  figures,  letters,  flowers  . . . any  design, 
in  fact,  that  must  be  cut-out  of  wall-board,  felt, 
leather,  cardboard  or  tissue  . . . the  Cutawl  will  DO 
for  you  with  amazing  speed  and  accuracy. 

Many  of  the  leading  Theatrical  Studios  in  the 
Country  have  already  installed  this  machine.  It  is 
saving  time,  labor  and  materials  for  THEM  . . . 
it  will  do  the  same  FOR  you. 


Found  to  be  a Great  Time 
and  Labor  Saver  by 
these  Theatres 


Dudley 

Keith 

Metropolitan 

Main  Street 

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Lincoln 

Central 

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Branford 

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Broadway 

Imperial 

Alhambra 

B.  F.  Keith  Palace 

Rialto 

Palace 

Carolina 

Rex 

Rialto 

Riviera 

Loew's  Palace 

Palace 

Palace 

Queen 

Plaza 

Ogden 

Victor 

Lyric 

Cinderella 

Fischer 


Boston,  Mass. 
Boston,  Mass. 
Boston,  Mass. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 

St.  Louis  Mo. 

Great  Falls,  Mont. 
Lincoln,  Neb. 

Jersey  City,  N.  J. 
Morristown,  N.  J, 
Newark,  N.  J. 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Newburgh,  N.  Y-* 
Charlotte,  N.  C. 
Canton,  O. 
Cleveland,  O. 
Chickasha,  Okla. 
McAlester,  Okla. 
Greenville,  S.  C. 
Spartanburg,  S.  C. 
Chattanooga,  Teem. 
Knoxville,  Tenn. 
Memphis,  Tenn. 
Dallas.  Texas 
Fort  Worth,  Texas 
Houston,  Texas 
Paris,  Texas 
Ogden  Utah 
Norfolk,  Virginia 
Huntington,  W.  Va. 
Williamson,  W.  Va. 
Madison,  Wis. 


Let  US  send  the  CUTAWL  to  Your  Studio  on  Trial 


Try  it  out  on  some  of  your  own  work.  Give  it  something  hard  to  do.  Test  the  Cutawl  your  own  way  ...  at 
your  own  convenience.  We  shall  be  very  glad  to  send  it  on  a 15-Day  Free  Trial  to  concerns  of  established  credit 
or  to  any  individuals  who  furnish  us  satisfactory  references  as  to  their  credit  standing.  Write  today  for  further 
particulars  and  Booklet  describing  the  Cutawl  and  its  work.  Address: 


THE  INTERNATIONAL  REGISTER  COMPANY 

21  South  Throop  Street,  Chicago 


24 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


USHER  SIGNAL 

SYSTEM 

As  necessary  to  the  modern 
theatre  as  the  telephone — 
perhaps  more  so. 

Big  theatres  are  not  successful  just  because  they  are  big — it’s  the 
care  to  details,  profit  details — that  does  it. 

Don’t  think  that  you  are  too  small  for  an  Acme — if  you  have 
ushers  even  for  week  ends  only,  better  plan  to  handle  your  box 
office  crowds. 

ACME  ELECTRIC  CONSTRUCTION  CO. 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO 


The  first  seats  filled  is  your  overhead 
The  last  seats  filled  is  your  profit 

ACME  guards  your  profit 


Wherever 
Better  Projection 

Exists 

Throughout  the  United  States 
and  Europe 

you  will  find 

“HC”  High  Intensity 
Lamps 

The  “HC”  High  Intensity  Lamp 
will  improve  YOUR  projection 


Send  for  Booklet 

HALL  & CONNOLLY,  Inc. 

129  Grand  Street,  New  York  City 


More 

Patrons 


More 

Profits 


An  Invitation  to  Those  Interested  in  the 
Manufacture  and  Sale  of  Equipment  in  the 
Motion  Picture  Industry. 

T ou  are  cordially  invited  to  attend  the  coming  convention  of 

The  Theatre  Equipment  Association 

to  be  held  at  the  Pennsylvania  Hotel,  New  York  City 

JULY  18th  and  19th 

at  which  time  further  plans  will  be  formulated  for  the 
continuance  of  our  Better  Equipment  Program. 

It  will  be  a session  of  National  Importance  and  Interest. 

THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  ASSOCIATION 

Association  Offices,  Old  Colony  Building,  Chicago,  Illinois 


'Better  Ecuiptnenf  Means  'Better  'Business 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


Organization  Chart 
Shows  How  Theatre 
Chain  is  Operated 

{Continued  from  page  13) 

come  into  our  theatres  and  not  get  serv- 
ice. The  manager  himself  must  give 
service.  There  must  be  the  highest  moral 
conduct  on  the  part  of  the  manager  in 
connection  with  the  operation  of  the 
theatre.  The  Company  will  not  tolerate 
for  one  minute  any  intimacy  between  the 
manager  and  his  employees.  Every 
manager  must  set  an  example  of  good 
conduct  for  his  employees. 

ADVERTISING  DEPARTMENT 
Fred  Schader 

This  department  will  establish  a con- 
tact with  every  manager,  with  an  inter- 
change of  thought  and  ideas,  and  advise 
the  managers  on  problems  of  theatre 
advertising. 

ART  DEPARTMENT 
H.  G.  Robinson 

This  department  functions  closely  with 
the  Advertising  Department  and  will 
guide  the  managers  in  lobby  and  poster 
display. 

PRODUCTION  AND  MUSIC 
Marco  Wolf 

It  is  intended  to  have  the  question  of 
music  fit  in  with  the  Production  Depart- 
ment and  all  orchestra  leaders,  etc.,  will 
be  engaged  through  this  department. 

All  of  these  departments  are  a part  of 
the  Cabinet  which  meets  once  a week  at 
the  Main  Office.  The  head  of  each  de- 
partment functions  as  a Director  in  this 
Cabinet.  Any  change  of  policy  for  a 
theatre  will  be  thoroughly  discussed  at 
the  Cabinet  meeting,  before  being 
adopted. 

NewHig  h Intensity 
Lamp  Is  Developed 
By  C,  S,  Ashcraft 

A NEW  projection  lamp,  said  to  be  rad- 
ically  different  from  anything  now  on 
the  market,  is  soon  to  make  its  appearance. 
This  new  lamp  is  of  the  high  intensity  re- 
flector arc  type  and  is  known  as  the  Ash- 
craft Intensiflector.  It  has  been  put  to 
severe  tests  in  several  large  theatres  in  the 
middle  west  and  on  the  west  coast  and 
found  to  be  entirely  efficient. 

At  the  Uptown  theatre,  Chicago,  where 
a recent  demonstration  was  given,  this  new 
larfip,  with  a current  of  63  amperes,  gave 
an  excellent  picture  on  the  screen.  The 
former  lamps  used  drew  123  amperes. 

A recent  installation  in  the  Glendale  the- 
atre, Glendale,  Cal.,  where  many  pre-views 
of  films  are  held,  proved  the  Intensiflector 
the  most  economical  and  giving  a better  and 
more  brilliant  picture  on  the  screen  than 
the  old  equipment. 

The  film  being  used  by  many  producers 
at  present  is  very  heavy  and  it  is  increas- 
ingly difficult  to  get  light  through  it.  One 
hundred  and  twenty  amperes  is  the  mini- 
mum that  is  practical,  but  many  theatre 
projectionists  force  this  up,  with  disastrous 
results. 

The  new  Ashcraft  Intensiflector  will  be 
on  the  market  within  another  thirty  days, 
and  it  is  planned  to  hold  demonstrations  at 
different  key  centres,  subjecting  the  new 
projector  to  the  severest  tests  known.  C.  S. 
Ashcraft,  the  inventor,  will  personally  con- 
duct many  of  these  demonstrations. 


YOUR  LIGHTING  PROBLEM 
CAN  BE  SOLVED  WITH  OUR 

NEW  CATALOG 

*‘A  Light  for  Every  Purpose” 


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DESCRIPTIONS  AND  PRICES 

SEND  FOR  ONE 

Dept.  C 


Theatre  Beauty 
and  the 
Box  Office 

Certainly,  undeniably,  “the  play’s  the 
thing.”  But  more  and  more  now,  as 
every  showman  knows,  the  surround- 
ings—the  “atmosphere” — of  the 
theatre,  have  a big  part  in  pulling  the 
heavy  patronage. 

There's  nothing  you  can  do  to  an 
existinghouse — nothingyoucanspecify 
in  your  new  one — that  will  go  further 
toward  permanent  beauty  for  small 
cost,  than  having  walls  and  ceilings 
done  in  Textone,  the  new  plastic  paint. 

Textone  gives  you  any  texture  you 
desire,  in  any  color  or  combination  of 
colors,  and  it  doesn’t  take  a crew  of 
high-priced  specialists  to  doit  for  you. 
Your  own  painter-decorator  can  apply 
and  texture  Textone. 

Let  us  send  you  all  the  facts  and  re- 
productions of  typical  Textone  interi- 
ors. Just  send  the  coupon. 


New  Scate  Theatre,  Baltimore.  Nid.,  FinisKed  in  Textone 

TEXTONE 

Reg.  U.  S.  Pat.  Off. 

THE  PLASTIC  PAINT 

Made  by  the  United  States  Qypsum  Company 


MATERIALS 


UNITED  STATES  GYPSUM  COMPANY 
Dept.  159,  300  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  I!l« 

M Ai JL  T 

: UNITED  STATES  GYPSUM  COMPANY 
; Dept.  159,  300  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

: Please  send  me  full  particulars  about  Textone. 

2 Name 

; Address 

: City State — 


26 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


THE  HOULYWS°° 


-the  pride  of 


„l.L  PHONl  »»• 


Stamfor4,  Conn. 


jaimnry 


Gentlemen; 


“®“'  - i^TmcroTertors 

1 have  been  using  one  °^/^/^ven  months 

renCS®---^*  steady 

fe^en^^rhs  of  any 

light  without  the  iir 

hind.  the  most 

^3  a whole  yonr  ^ytiorov  attention 

ri^^.  -rto 

of  any  i.c* 


tnow  of. 


Tours  very  truly. 


Read  What  This  Syncrovertor  User  Says 

'^HE  Hollywood  Theatre  at  Pottsville,  Pa.,  is  one  of  the  most  mod- 
-a  ern  picture  houses  of  its  size  in  America.  The  selection  of  the 
Syncrovertor  is  in  keeping  with  the  high  resolve  of  the  proprietors 
of  this  theatre  to  install  only  the  most  efficient  equipment  available 
consistent  with  economy.  The  Liberty  S}mcrovertor  as  a unit  for 
the  conversion  of  A.C.  to  D.C.  proves  its  superiority  beyond  all 
question  of  doubt.  It  will  save  fully  25%  in  your  current  cost  of 
projection.  The  transformer  of  the  Syncrovertor  is  the  machine’s 
own  emergency  unit.  If  the  motor  ceased  to  function,  the  trans- 
former would  furnish  A.C.  current  of  the  proper  voltage  to  the  arc. 

Write  for  Specifications  and  Prices 

Liberty  Electric  Corporation 

Stamford,  Conn. 


A Better  Method  of  Rectification 


Data  on  Vitaphone 
Operation  Detailed 
for  Projectionists 

(Continued  from  page  12) 

batteries,  it  is  not  a bad  idea  to  give  full 
responsibility  for  them  to  one  operator, 
allowing  no  one  else  to  touch  them. 

Before  a show  the  amplifier  system 
should  be  put  in  operation.  The  larger 
vaccuum  tubes  of  the  amplifiers  should  first 
be  well  warmed  up  by  lighting  the  filaments 
before  the  plate  current  is  turned  on,  as 
otherwise  there  is  risk  of  injuring  them  by 
a flash-over.  While  the  larger  tubes  are 
warming  up,  the  filament  current  for  the 
smaller  ones  is  turned  on  and  regulated. 
Next  the  plate  current  is  put  on  the  ampli- 
fiers and  regulated.  After  the  amplifiers 
have  been  tested  by  means  of  the  monitor 
horn  they  are  ready  for  use. 

Then  the  projectoinist  should  lubricate 
the  projector  and  turntable  mechanism  and 
check  the  operation.  This  is  done  by  rub- 
bing the  needle  or  needle  holder  with  the 
finger  and  listening  to  the  sound  in  the 
monitor  horn.  The  portable  telephone  set 
should  be  plugged  in  downstairs  and  some 
one  qualified  to  judge  the  quality  of  the 
sound  coming  from  the  horns  should  take 
his  place  at  the  telephone. 

Then,  the  amplifiers  being  ready  for  use, 
a test  record  should  be  put  on  the  turn- 
table. 

* * * 

The  fader  should  then  be  given  its  proper 
setting.  Each  of  the  theatre  horns  should 
next  be  tested  singly,  the  observer  in  the 
theatre  reporting  by  telephone  to  the  pro- 
jectionist on  volume  and  the  quality  se- 
cured. Where  two  projectors  are  used, 
both,  of  course,  should  be  tried  out.  When 
all  the  tests  have  been  satisfactorily  con- 
cluded, the  Vitaphone  equipment  is  ready 
for  operation. 

Other  points  to  be  noted  both  in  making 
these  daily  tests  of  the  equipment  and  in 
its  operation  are  never  to  attempt  to  slow 
up  a Vitaphone-equipped  projector  by  hold- 
ing onto  the  turntable  carrying  the  record 
as  this  may  spoil  the  .synchronism  for  the 
subject  or  cause  damage  to  the  apparatus. 
Never  turn  the  motor  until  after  the  record 
has  been  adjusted  on  the  turntable. 

On  account  of  the  need  for  synchronism 
between  record  and  film,  Vitaphone  films 
should  be  examined  carefully  when  rewind- 
ing so  as  to  catch  torn  spots  before  they 
develop  into  breaks.  This  rewinding  should 
be  done  by  hand. 

As  yet  nothing  has  been  said  about  one 
of  the  most  important  matters  connected 
with  successful  Vitaphone  operation.  It  is 
the  matter  of  adequate  rehearsals  of  all 
such  subjects  before  a public  performance. 

(Continued  on  page  27) 


MAIL  YOUR  TRIAL  ORDER  TODAY 


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OTHER  RT^ICES 

PAPER  BANNERS  per  foot  25  ^ 


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ILLUSTRATED  MUSLIN  BANNERS 




PRICES  DO  NOT  INCLUDE  POSTAGE . 


Organ  Heaters— 

Eliminate  “foggy”  and 
off  pitch  notes.  Pro- 
vide an  even  tempera- 
ture and  protect  your 
organ’s  mechanism. 

EVENHEETERS 

The  correct  method  of 
organ  chamber  heating. 
Write  for  Details 

Cramblet  Engineering 

Corporation 

286  Milwaukee  St., 
Milwaukee 


I 


I 


Are  Y ou  Going  to 
Build,  Remodel 
or  Re-Equip? 

Whichever  it  may  be,  the  following  five  good  business  reasons  why 
you  should  use  the  NATIONAL  ONE-CONTRACT  EQUIPMENT 
PLAN  are  submitted  for  your  thoughtful  consideration: 

^ ^ NATIONAL  ENGINEIERING  SERVICE  insures  a correct  start.  A thor- 
I ough  scientific  survey  of  your  mechanical  requirements;  eliminating  the 
possibility  of  error  in  both  selection  and  installation,  through  a pre- 
arranged plan  of  procedure. 

2  NATIONAL  OFFERS  YOU  the  services  of  theatre  experts.  Each  depart- 
ment is  headed  by  a specialist  in  his  particular  line,  whose  business  it  is 

to  work  for  your  ultimate  satisfaction giving  you  utmost  value  in  both 

service  and  merchandise  best  suited  to  your  individual  needs. 

3  BY  GROUPING  YOUR  REQUIREMENTS  you  not  only  insure  “on  time” 
deliveries,  but  establish  in  ONE  FIRM  a definite  responsibility  that  would 
otherwise  be  divided  among  many  and  recognized  by  few  in  the  final 
analysis. 

4  THE  ONE-CONTRACT  PLAN  saves  you  MONEY because  it  gives  you 

the  benefit  of  volume  purchases;  TIME — because  all  details  are  worked 
out  in  advance  and  you  are  spared  the  necessity  of  searching  here  and 
there  for  the  equipment  you  need;  WORRY — because  it  places  men  at  your 
service  who  will  relieve  you  of  all  details  and  the  anxiety  incident  to  scattered 
buying  and  uncertain  delivery. 

5S1MPL1F1ELS  YO'UR  FINANCING  PROBLEM;  enables  you  to  do  business 
with  one  firm  and  on  one  extension  of  credit  (if  such  is  desired)  and  at 
one  negotiation.  The  National  Deferred  Payment  Plan,  the  most  liberal 
in  existence,  applies  to  your  entire  contract  and  saves  you  the  expense  and 
inconvenience  of  many  obligations. 

Give  Us  4 Walls  and  a Roof- 


We’ll  Do  the  Rest 


95 




^J^tional  Q[heatre  Supply  "Company 


Only  products  of  recognized  merit 
are  distributed  through  National 
Service. 


Offices  in  all 
Principal  Cities 


Read  the  announcements  of  firms 
we  represent  in  this  insert.  Watch 
for  others. 


SERVING  AND  SERVICING  THE  AMERICAN  THEATRE  INDUSTRY 


POWER’S 
PROJECTOR J 

WERE  INSTALLED  IN 


THE  NEW  GRAUMAN’S 
CHINESE  THEATRE 

LOS  ANGELES,  CAL. 


MARKING  AN  EXCLUSIVE  USE  OF 

POWER’S  PROJECTORS 

IN  THE 


GRAUMAN  THEATRES 
FOR  MANY  YEARS 


POWER’S  DIVISION 

INTERNATIONAL  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 
90  Gold  Street  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Greatest 


tn 


Value  • 


f 


THE 


DISSOLVING  STEREOPTICON 

ATTACHMENT 

This  new  and  exclusive  feature  further  widens  the  lead  of  PEERLESS 
Reflector  Arc  Lamps  over  all  other  reflector  lamp  equipment. 

Dissolving  stereopticon  views  and  pleasing  lighting  effects  are  now  possible 
without  the  installation  of  separate  equipment  for  such  purposes. 

Tire  PEEJILESS  Dissolving  Stereopticon  Attachment  opens  a wide  field  of 
projection  possibilities  for  the  theatre  now  using  PEERLESS  Reflector  Arc 
Lamps  as  well  as  those  contemplating  the  purchase  of  new  equipment. 

Remember  please — there  are  more  PEERLESS  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  in  use 
than  the  combined  total  of  all  other  makes  put  together.  That  to  avail  your- 
self of  the  great  advantages  reflector  arc  lamps  afford,  PEER!  .ESS  must  be 
your  choice,  and  after  you  have  thought  the  matter  over  and  have  made 
direct  comparisons  we  then  ask — 


WHY  HAVE  LESS? 


Have  you  written  for  our  neiv  catalogue? 

Distributed  by  the  National  Theatre  Supply  Co. 

Mf’d  by 

J.  E.  McAULEY  MFG.  CO. 

552-54  W.  Adams  St. 

Chicago,  111. 


Have  Y ou  Requested  Y our 
Copy  of  the  Most  Complete 
Treatise  onTheatre  Organs? 


WHAT  part  does  the  pipe  organ  play  in 
theatre  programs?  . . . What  should  an 
exhibitor  consider  in  planning  an  organ  installa- 
tion? . . . How  are  pipe  organs  made?  . . . What 
is  the  background  of  the  modern  theatre  organ? 
. . . How  does  the  organ  help  to  put  the  pic- 
ture across? 


A Few  of 
the  Chapter 
Headings 

The  F unctions  of  the 
Modern  Theatre  Organ 


These  are  a few  of  the  questions  answered  in  an  intensely 
interesting  and  informative  Theatre  Pipe  Organ  Manual 
published  by  Geo.  Kilgen  & Son,  287  year  old  guild  of 
organ  builders.  The  book  is  pleasingly  illustrated  in  colors 
and  written  in  an  absorbing  style.  One  section  written  by 
John  Eberson,  the  eminent  theatre  architect,  tells  how  to 
purchase  a pipe  organ.  This  discussion  alone  makes  the 
book  the  most  notable  and  helpful  organ  treatise  ever  pre- 
sented to  the  motion  picture  industry. 


^ ^ 

Responsibility  of  an  Ex- 
hibitor to  His  Audience 

^ ^ 

Background  of  the  The- 
atre Organ 

^ ^ ^ 

How  to  Purchase  a Pipe 
Organ 

(by  John  Eberson) 

^ S St 


We  will  be  glad  to  present  a copy  of  this  book  free  to  any 
exhibitor  who  plans  a new  pipe  organ  for  his  theatre.  Please 
make  your  request  on  one  of  your  business  letterheads  and 
state  the  number  of  seats  in  your  theatre.  . . . Geo.  Kilgen 
& Son,  Inc.,  4040  North  Union  Blvd.,  St.  Louis,  U.  S.  A. 
(A  Kilgen  Theatre  Organ  architect  is  readily  available  at 
any  of  the  branch  offices  of  the  National 
Theatre  Supply  Co.) 


A Trip  Through  an  Or- 
gan Plant 

s St  St 

Dramatising  the  Photo- 
play with  Organ  Expres- 
sion 


Wonder  Organ 


THE  VOICE  OE  THE  SILENT  DRAMA 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


July  9,  1927 


{Continued  from  page  26) 

The  house  manager  should  be  present  at  all 
rehearsals  with  an  observer  at  the  tele- 
phone set.  The  subjects  should  be  run  off 
exactly  as  for  an  actual  performance. 
Points  to  be  noted  on  synchronized  feature 
pictures  are  the  number  of  seconds  that 
should  elapse  after  the  change-over  before 
the  fader  is  brought  up  to  its  full  setting. 
It  should  reach  this  point  just  before  the 
voice  or  music  begins.  Cue  sheets  similar 
to  the  one  shown  in  the  illustration  are  fur- 
nished with  all  synchronized  features.  With 
short  subjects,  the  point  should  be  deter- 
mined at  which  the  picture  should  fade  out 
following  the  end  of  the  music.  The  time 
when  the  motor  of  the  incoming  machine 
should  be  started  to  allow  the  proper  time 
interval  between  the  subjects  should  also  be 
determined. 

* * * 

Furthermore,  the  horn  settings  and  the 
empty  house  fader  settings  for  each  num- 
ber should  be  settled  upon.  This  should  be 
done  with  care,  making  certain  that  too 
high  a volume  is  not  obtained. 

Then,  having  rehearsed  the  show  and  de- 
termined all  the  settings,  they  should  be 
recorded  in  the  form  of  a cue  card  and 
posted  in  the  projection  room  for  the  guid- 
ance of  the  operator  during  performances. 

Another  important  matter  is  to  have  an 
observer  stationed  in  the  theatre  during 
every  performance,  so  that  he  may  notify 
the  projectionist  to  bring  up  the  volume  as 
the  house  fills  or  to  notify  him  immediately 
in  case  any  part  of  the  presentation  is  not 
registering  as  it  should.  This  observer 
should  be  competent  to  judge  both  quality 
of  reproduction  and  synchronism. 

Some  of  these  points  are  little  things,  you 
say?  That’s  just  the  point!  They  are  “little 
things” — but  it  is  only  by  paying  attention 
to  them  that  Vitaphone  productions  can  be 
presented  in  the  fullness  of  their  perfec- 
tion. 


Broadcasting  Station 
Erecting  Building  for 
Productions  and  Films 

U.  S.  Scenic  Studios  of  Omaha  are  con- 
structing and  equipping  one  of  the  largest 
stage  broadcasting  studios  in  the  country, 
which  is  being  built  at  Shenandoah,  la.,  by 
station  KM  A. 

The  building  will  be  equipped  to  handle 
pictures  and  small  theatrical  productions. 
It  will  seat  approximately  1,10(>— is  135  feet 
long — 61  feet  wide  and  about  three  stories 
high.  It  is  of  strictly  Moorish  and  Persian 
type  construction.  It  has  a minaret  in  the 
corner  which  is  90  feet  high  and  the  entire 
building  is  indirectly  flooded  with  light. 

The  building  faces  a sunken  garden  on 
the  long  side,  on  which  side  the  main  en- 
trance is  placed.  The  interior  of  the  audi- 
torium will  be  a Moorish  temple  design 
using  the  exterior  effect. 


SPECIAL 


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BELSON  MFG.  CO. 

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Representatives  in  all  principal  cities 


This  is  the  new  one 


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Stereoptican  at- 
tachment with- 
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Send 

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Transformer  not 
included  in  price 
above 


HOLMES 

PROJECTOR  CO. 


1634  North  Hakted  St. 
CHICAGO 


^1 

llllllllllllllllillllllllilllllllllilllllllllllilli 

IIB 

m 

THEATRE  ORGANISTS 

Furnished  on  Short  Notice 

Managers,  let  us  solve  your  musical  problems.  We  have  expert 
organists  thoroughly  trained  in  showmanship  available  at  all  times. 

No  service  charge. 

Two-  and  three-manual  Kimball  theatre  unit  organs  for  lessons  and 
practice.  Advanced  pupils  have  the  advantage  of  lessons  before  the 
screen  under  the  same  conditions  as  prevail  in  any  large  theatre. 

Our  pupils  succeed  where  other  organists  fail. 

Write  for  Catalogue  H. 

VERMOND  KNAUSS  SCHOOL  OF 

THEATRE  ORGAN  PLAYING 

210  North  7th  St.  Allentown,  Pa. 

= 

■ 

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111 

28 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Cool  Comfort  Pulls 
Them  In 

You  can’t  beat  cool,  refreshing  breezes  as  a business-getter 
in  hot  weather. 

And  they  cost  you  nothing  at  all. 

More  than  2,000  theatres  prove  that  the  extra  business  pays 
for  Typhoons  in  one  summer.  That’s  real  profit. 

Why  not  get  started  for  that  profit.  Just  ask  for  Booklet 
H-5. 


TYPHOON  FAN  COMPANY 

345  West  39th  Street  New  York,  N.  Y. 

New  Orleans  Jacksonville 


Inspects  Equipment 
of  Theatres  A broad 
on22,800 Mile  Trip 

(.Continued  from  page  22) 

“After  spending  ten  days  in  Buenos 
Aires,  I crossed  the  South  Atlantic  on  the 
Asturias,  which  was  making  its  second 
African  cruise,  reaching  Cape  Town  ten 
days  thereafter. 

“In  the  Union  of  South  Africa,  the 
South  African  Theatres,  Ltd.,  control  the 
film  situation  and  the  standard  and  quality 
of  performances  is  high  above  that  in 
Latin  America.  Great  interest  was  shown 
in  the  silversheet  in  South  Africa,  where 
some  are  already  in  use.  There  are  excel- 
lent theatres  in  Cape  Town,  Johannesburg 
and  Durban.  While  the  performances  do 
not  have  large  symphony  orchestras,  they 
have  very  good  small  orchestras  with  spe- 
cially prepared  scores  for  the  pictures  they 
present. 

“After  spending  three  weeks  in  South 
Africa,  I proceeded  north  with  the  cruise 
ship  and  visited  Mozambique  in  Portuguese 
East  Africa,  which  supports  a picture  show 
operating  twice  a week,  showing  very  old 
French  films.  An  old  sheet  with  a hole  in 
one  corner  of  it  constituted  the  screen  that 
was  being  utilized  there. 

“Practically  the  same  conditions  existed 
in  Dar-es-Salaam,  the  capital  of  the  Tan- 
ganyika Colony,  and  also  in  Zanzibar,  but 
in  all  these  places  there  is  a fair  attend- 
ance. The  great  difference  of  races  re- 
tards the  advance  of  the  industry,  how- 
ever, as  there  are  Hindus,  Arabs,  Zulus 
and  Swahilis,  who  all  speak  different  lan- 
guages and  naturally  know  nothing  of 
European  customs.  Therefore,  the  patron- 
age is  usually  made  up  of  the  few  Euro- 
peans who  may  live  in  these  towns. 

“After  a call  at  Aden  in  Arabia  and 
Port  Sudan,  I spent  several  days  in  E^pt, 
and  there  found  that  the  various  exhibitors 
displayed  considerable  interest  in  advancing 
the  perfection  of  their  performances.  Cairo 
has  several  good  motion  picture  theatres  of 
their  type,  and  while  vaudeville  is  added  to 
nearly  all  of  the  picture  performances,  the 
film  is  still  quite  the  attraction.  There  are 
also  fair  sized  houses  in  Alexandria  and 
Port  Said,  but  in  these  two  houses  the  ex- 
hibitors were  still  projecting  their  pictures 
on  white-washed  walls,  which  reverts  back 
to  what  I said  in  the  beginning  that  most 
of  their  equipment  is  fifteen  years  behind 
ours. 

“From  Egypt  I crossed  into  Italy,  France 
and  England,  and  after  spending  about 
three  weeks  in  these  countries,  returned  to 
New  York,  having  covered  22,800  miles. 


E.  J.  VALLEN 


Constantly  Alert 

Striving  to  maintain  and  promote 
present  standards  and  quality  of 
Noiseless  Curtain  Controls  and 
Tracks.  That’s  why  Vallen  leads! 

HE’S  THE  MAN  BEHIND 


VALLEN  ELECTRICAL  COMPANY 

225  Bluil  Street,  Akron,  Ohio 


WINDOWCRAFT  DRAPERY  CO. 

328  Superior  Ave.,  N.  W. 
CLEVELAND,  OHIO 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Some  Technical  (Concluding  Article) 

Aspects  of  the 

Vitaphone 

By  P.  M.  Rainey 

Electric  Research  Products  Division,  Western  Electric  Co. 

A Paper  Read  Before  the  Spring  Meeting  of  the  Society  of  Motion  Picture 

Engineers,  1927 


IGURE  NO.  g shows  another  form  of 
pick-up  equipment,  a condenser  micro- 
phone and  amplifier.  The  advantage  of  this 
transmitter  over  the  one  just  described  is 
that  it  has  no  carbon  and  hence  can  gen- 
erate no  carbon  noise  currents.  However, 
its  efficiency  in  converting  air  vibrations 
into  electrical  agency  is  much  lower  than 
the  carbon  button  transmitter  previously 
described,  and  it  is  necessary  therefore  to 
amplify  its  output  to  bring  it  up  to  the 
same  level  as  the  output  of  the  carbon 
transmitter.  As  its  name  implies,  this  mi- 
crophone or  transmitter  is  an  electro  static 
condenser,  in  which  the  capacity  is  varied 
by  the  vibration  of  its  stretched  diaphragm 
in  response  to  air  vibrations.  The  capacity 
of  the  condenser  is  so  small  that  it  is  neces- 
sary to  mount  its  amplifier  with  exceed- 
ingly short  electrical  connections  ; otherwise 
the  electro  static  capacity  of  these  connec- 
tions would  still  further  decrease  the  al- 
ready low  efficiency.  For  this  reason  the 
microphone  is  mounted  directly  on  top  of 
the  amplifier. 

Figure  No.  lO  shows  a simplified  wiring 
diagram  of  the  amplifiers  of  a Public  Ad- 
dress System,  a recording  outfit  or  a repro- 
ducing outfit.  If  the  input  is  a microphone 
and  the  output  feeds  into  loud  speakers,  we 
have  a Public  Address  System.  If  the  loud 
speakers  are  replaced  by  an  electrical  re- 
corder, we  have  a recording  outfit.  If  the 


Fig.  9 — Shows  another  form  of  pick-up 
equipment,  a condenser  microphone  and 
amplifier. 


microphone  is  replaced  by  a reproducer  and 
the  amplifier  feeds  into  loud  speakers,  we 
have  a reproducing  outfit.  As  previously 
mentioned  ( all  of  the  units  making  up  this 
amplifier  are  so  designed  as  to  maintain  the 
general  straight  line  characteristic  which  is 
essential  to  faithful  recording  and  repro- 
duction. This  circuit  shows  a number  of 
vacuum  tubes  connected  with  transformers. 
Reference  has  already  been  made  of  the 
part  played  by  the  vacuum  tube,  and  in 
connection  with  this  service  you  will  see  a 
short  motion  picture  of  vacuum  tube  called 
the  “audion,”  which,  I am  sure  will  explain 
better  without  words  than  I can  with  words, 
just  how  these  tubes  render  the  service  that 
they  do  in  this  connection. 

higure  No.  ii  shows  the  amplifier  of  a 
Vitaphone  1-B  theatre  equipment.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  amplifiers,  we  have  mounted  on 
this  frame  work  other  panels,  which  are 
essential  to  the  practical  operation  of  the 
system.  Fortunately,  or  unfortunately,  the 
arrangement  of  the  apparatus  of  these 
panels  does  not  follow  the  arrangement  of 
the  schematic  circuit — which  you  have  just 
witnessed.  The  8-B  Amplifier,  whose  input 
is  the  output  of  the  Magnetic  Reproducer, 
is  mounted  at  the  bottom  of  the  right  hand 
frame- work.  This  amplifier  panel  carries  a 
grid  battery  box,  jacks  for  measuring  cur- 
rents in  the  fialment  and  plate  circuits,  a 
transmitter  cut-off  key  which  is  used  in 


Figs.  16  and  17 — Scenes  in  a studio  of  the  Victor  Talking  Machine  C ompany  showing  the  electric  method  of  recording  as  well  as  a 
view  showing  the  now  discarded  acoustic  method  of  recording. 


30 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Fig.  15 — Shows  a close-up  of  recording  turn- 

Fig.  13 — Shows  what  might  be  called  a worm’s  eye  view  of  a magnetic  recorder,  since  the  table  with  wax  disc  in  place  during  the  op- 
picture  was  taken  from  beneath  to  one  side.  eration  of  recording. 


Fig.  10 — Shows  a simplified  wiring  diagram 
of  the  amplifiers  of  a public  address  system. 

Public  Address  work  for  switching  a mi- 
crophone on  or  off,  and  in  sound  motion 
pictures  is  used  for  cutting  off  the  mag- 
netic reproducer.  This  panel  also  carries  a 
potentio-meter,  which  makes  it  possible -to 
vary  the  amount  of  amplification  and  thus 
control  the  volume  of  the  output.  The 
transformers  are  mounted  on  the  back  of 
the  panel,  above  the  8-B  Amplifier  is  a 
Volume  Indicator  panel,  which  is  not  now 
being  supplied  as  a part  of  the  theatre 
equipment.  The  function  of  this  panel  is 
to  give  a visual  indication  of  the  output  of 
the  amplifier  as  a guide  to  the  operator  con- 
trolling the  volume.  Experience  to  date  in- 
dicates that  this  is  not  absolutely  necessary, 
if  the  records  have  been  properly  recorded. 
It  is  standard  practice  to  have  an  observer 
located  in  the  audience  with  a telephone  to 
advise  the  operator  whether  the  volume 
should  be  raised  or  lowered  in  order  to 
produce  the  most  desirable  effect  for  the 
audience. 


Fig.  II — Shows  the  amplifier  of  a Vitaphone 
1-B  theatre  equipment. 

Above  the  Volume  Indicator  panel  is  the 


Fig.  12 — Shows  a line  cut  of  magnetic  recorder.  There  is  also  shown  a mechanical  filter 
which  has  the  property  of  suppressing  certain  frequencies. 


meter  panel.  These  meters  provide  means 
for  the  operator  to  c^bserve  the  current  and 
voltage  in  various  parts  of  the  equipment. 
Above  the  meter  panel  is  the  microphone 
control  panel  which  is  not  required  in 
sound  motion  picture  projection,  but  is  used 
in  connection  with  microphones  for  Public 
Address  and  recording  work.  This  panel 
provides  means  for  fading  out  one  micro- 
phone and  fading  in  another.  At  the  top 
of  the  right  hand  frame-work  is  a volume 
control  panel  equpiped  with  the  apparatus 
for  controlling  the  volume  of  a number  of 
loud  speaker.s.  The  potentio-meter  on  the 
6-B  Amplifier  just  described  makes  it  possi- 
ble to  vary  the  column  of  all  the  loud 
speakers  up  or  down,  whereas  the  Volume 
Control  panel  makes  it  jiossible  to  vary  the 
volume  of  the  individual  loud  speaker  or 
groups  of  loud  speakers.  At  the  top  of 
the.  left  hand  frame-work  is  the  power 
amplifier.  This  mounts  four  50- Watt  tubes 
and  carries  its  own  grid  battery  box,  volt- 
meter and  DC  Milliameter. 

Below  the  10-A  Amplifier  is  the  6,000-A 
Rectifier,  consisting  of  three  units.  The 
lower  unit  carries  a rheostat  for  controlling 
the  filament  current  of  the  large  tultes. 
Above  that  is  the  unit  which  mounts  two 
large  rectifier  tulies  for  rectifying  llO-wlt 


or  220-volt  AC  to  give  the  necessary  plate 
voltages  for  the  8-B  and  lO-.A.  Amplifiers 
previously  described. 


Fig.  14 — A view  in  a recording  room  of 
the  Vitaphone  studios. 

Alioye  this  rectifier  unit  is  the  potentio- 
meter filter  unit.  The  filters  are  necessary 
to  smooth  out  the  rectified  plate  voltage  so 
as  to  eliminate  objectionable  hum,  the 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


July  9,  1927 


potentio-meter  makes  it  possible  to  con- 
trol the  gain  of  the  10-A  Power  Amplifier 
at  the  top  of  the  frame-work.  The  tubes 
used  with  the  10-A  Amplifiers  require  750 
volts  DC,  which  is  dangerous,  hence  the 
high  voltage  wiring  is  all  protected  to  guard 
against  accidental  contact.  Safety  switches 
are  provided  so  that  the  power  is  automati- 


Fig.  18 — Shows  the  frequency  characteristics 
of  the  output  of  new  style  phonographs  with 
electrically  recorded  records  and  old  style 
phonographs  using  old  acoustical  recorded 
records. 

cally  cut  off  in  case  the  apparatus  is  opened. 

Figure  No.  I2  shows  a linecut  of  the  mag- 
netic recorder.  This  is  of  the  balanced 
armature  type,  and  the  method  of  pivoting 
are  shown.  There  is  also  shown  here  a 
mechanical  filter,  which  has  the  property  of 
suppressing  certain  frequencies.  This  is 
necessary  in  order  to  maintain  a proper 
straight  line  characteristic  which  has  al- 
ready been  discussed.  This  functions  with 
physical  vibrations  in  the  same  manner  as 
electrical  filters  with  alternating  currents  of 
various  frequencies.  The  field  is  excited 
by  an  electro  magnet. 

Figure  No.  13  shows  what  might  be  called 
a worm’s  eye  view  of  a magnetic  recorder, 
since  the  picture  was  taken  from  beneath 
to  one  side.  The  stylus  is  shown  project- 
ing at  the  bottom  and  the  energizing  coil  is 
shown  on  top  to  the  left. 

Figure  No.  14  is  furnished  through  the 
courtesy  of  the  Vitaphone  Corporation,  and 
shows  a view  in  a recording  room  in  one 
of  their  studios.  In  the  rear  will  be  noticed 
two  turn-tables  on  which  the  records  are 
made.  The  panels  to  the  right  of  the  re- 
corders’ mount  amplifiers,  switching  panels 
and  other  control  equipment. 


Fig.  22 — Shows  diagrammatically  a side  ele- 
vation of  a Vitaphone  installation. 


Fig.  19 — Shows  one  of  the  balance  armature 
connection  with  public  address  systems. 

Figure  No.  15  shows  a close-up  of  the 
recording  turn-table  with  wax  in  place  dur- 
ing the  operation  of  recording.  An  attend- 
ant is  shown  viewing  the  record  cut  through 
a microscope.  This  is  deemed  advisable  to 
insure  that  proper  recording  is  being  ef- 
fected, and  that  the  stylus  is  making  suffi- 
cient, but  not  too  great  an  excursion  so  as 
to  cut  over  into  the  adjacent  groove. 

Figure  No.  16  is  furnished  through  the 
courtesy  of  the  Victor  Talking  Machine 


Fig.  20 — Shows  one  of  the  Western  Electric 
Company’s  newer  types  of  loud  speakers, 
now  used  in  Vitaphone  installations. 

Company,  and  shows  a scene  in  one  of  their 
studios  using  the  electrical  method  of  re- 
cording described  above. 

Figure  No.  if  is  also  furnished  through 
the  courtesy  of  the  V’ictor  Talking  Machine 
Company.  It  shows  a typical  scene  in  one 
of  their  studios  using  the  now  discarded 
acoustic  method  of  recording. 

Figure  No.  18  shows  the  frequency  char- 
acteristics of  the  output  of  new  style 
phonographs  using  old  acoustically  recorded 
records.  It  should  be  noted  that  the  im- 
provement in  the  new  equipment  is  due  to 
adding  a band  of  low  frequenices  and  cut- 
ting off  a peak  in  the  higher  frequencies 

Figure  No.  iq  shows  one  of  the  balance 
armature  type  of  loud  speakers  used  exten- 
sively in  connection  with  the  Public  Ad- 
dress systems.  The  constructicn  is  similar 
to  that  used  in  Radio  Loud  Speakers  manu- 
factured by  the  Western  Electric  Company. 
The  diaphragm  is  of  duralumin,  the  center 
of  which  is  connected  to  one  end  of  the 
balanced  armature.  This  balanced  armature 
construction  is  used  in  the  recorder  and  re- 


type of  loud  speakers  used  extensively  in 


producer  as  well  as  in  this  form  of  loud 
speaker.  In  the  reproducer  the  movement 
of  armature  by  the  needle  following  the 
groove  in  the  record  generates  sound  cur- 
rents which  are  amplified  and  then  con- 
verted into  sound  by  the  loud  speakers. 

Figure  No.  20  shows  one  of  the  Western 
Electric  Company’s  newer  types  of  loud 
speakers,  and  the  one  now  used  in  Vita- 
phone installations.  It  is  electro  magnetic, 
and  requires  an  outside  source  of  direct 
current  for  excitation.  It  is  of  the  moving 
coil  type,  and  has  a stretched  duralumin 
diaphragm.  The  efficiency  of  this  loud 
speaker  is  considered  higher  than  the  one 
])reviously  shown.  Its  characteristics  ap- 
proach more  nearly  a straight  line. 

Figure  No.  21  shows  one  of  the  horns 
used  with  the  555-W  Loud  Speakers  in  con- 
nection with  Vitaphone  installations,  and 
is  designed  to  give  maximum  efficiency  with 
minimum  distortion.  Notwithstanding  its 
appearance,  it  is  actually  designed  to  give 
a straight  line  characteristic. 

Figure  No.  22  shows  diagramatically  a 
side  elevation  of  a Vitaphone  installation. 
This  shows  the  installation  of  the  amplifier 
equipment  in  the  Projector  Room  with 
leads  running  to  the  Loud  Speakers,  one 
above  and  behind  the  screen,  and  one  below 
immediately  in  front  of  the  screen.  Proper 
location  and  the  number  of  loud  speakers 
for  a given  installation  depends  on  the  size 
and  acoustic  properties  of  the  theatre. 

The  Vitaphone  equipment  installed  in 
connection  with  a Simplex  projector,  in- 
cludes ; The  motor  used  for  driving  the 
projector  and  the  turn-table  is  designed  to 
operate  on  110  volts  DC  or  AC  commercial 
service,  and  is  provided  with  a special  cir- 
cuit by  means  of  which  the  speed  of  the 
machine  is  maintained  at  1200  RPM.  It  is 
mounted  on  a substantial  base  supported  by 
three  telescoping  legs  by  means  of  which  its 
height  may  be  adjusted.  The  control  cir- 


Fig.  21 — Shows  one  of  the  horns  used  with 
555-W  loud  speakers  in  connection  with 
Vitaphone  installations. 


32 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


The  Entire  Publix  Theatre 
Circuit  Is 

Peter  Clark  Equipped 


TO  BE  PETER  CLARK  EQUIPPED  means 

that  all  the  individual  problems  which  have  to 
do  with  the  complete  stage  rigging  and  equips 
ment  of  your  theatre  will  be  worked  out  by  a 
perfected  organiziation  whose  combined  experi' 
ence  reaches  over  the  past  quarter  of  a century, 
and  who  have  to  their  credit  the  installation  of 
stage  equipment  of  practically  every  leading  the- 
atre  in  the  country. 

PETER  CLARK  SERVICE  IS 
CONTINUOUS 

All  the  equipment  installed  by  PETER 
CLARK  is  guaranteed,  and  will  maintain  its 
initial  efficiency  throughout  the  period  of  its  use. 

TO  BE  PETER  CLARK  EQUIPPED  IS  TO 
BE  THOROUGHLY  EQUIPPED  FOR  ALL 
TIME. 

Peter  Clark,  Inc. 

534-546  West  30th  St.  New  York  City 


cuit  is  contained  in  a steel  box  and  is  con- 
nected to  the  motor  by  a multi-conductor 
cable  encased  in  flexible  conduit.  A special 
1/5  H.  P.  shunt  or  repulsion  type  motor  is 
furnished  together  with  its  control  circuit, 
according  to  whether  the  power  supply  is  a 
nominal  110  volts  DC  or  AC. 

* * !l! 

This  equipment  consists  of  a drive  or 
gear  box  mounted  on  the  same  base  as  the 
motor  and  coupled  directly  to  the  shaft  of 
the  _ motor,  a • vertical  extensible  shaft 
equipped  with  universal  joints  and  a second 
drive,  which  is  a bevel  gear  box,  and  re- 
places the  speed  regulator  of  the  projector 
machine.  By  means  of  these  two  sets  of 
gears,  the  speed  is  reduced  from  a motor 
speed  of  1200  RPM  to  a speed  on  the  pro- 
jection machine  shaft  of  90  RPM,  which 
corresponds  to  a film  speed  of  90  feet  per 
minute. 

On  the  opposite  end  of  the  motor  from 
the  projector  driving  mechanism  is  the  turn- 
table equipment.  The  turn-table  mechanism 
is  mounted  on  a heavy  telescoping  pedestal 
base,  the  three  supporting  kgs  of  which  are 
provided  with  adjusting  screws  so  that  it 
may  be  leveled.  A worm  gear  mechanism 
is  housed  in  a casting  in  the  top  of  the  ped- 
estal. The  shaft  of  the  worm  projects  out- 
ward, and  is  connected  to  the  driving  motor 
shaft  through  a flexible  coupling  designed 
to  prevent  the  transmission  of  vibrations 
from  the  motor  to  the  turn-table.  The  gear 
wheels,  which  meshes  with  the  worm,  car- 
ries a vertical  shaft  on  which  the  turn- 
table disc  is  mounted.  Between  the  gear 
wheel  and  the  vertical  shaft  of  the  turn- 
table is  a meclianical  filter  of  “shock-ab- 
sorber,” consisting  of  light  springs  designed 
to  prevent  the  transmission  of  gear  noises 
from  the  worm  gear  to  the  turn-table  and 
thence  to  the  record  and  reproducer.  The 
worm  gear  ratio  is  such  as  to  reduce  the 
speed  from  1200  RPM  to  33 1/3  RPM, 
which  is  the  correct  turn-table  speed. 

The  turntable  is  designed  to  accommo- 
date 18-inch  records,  and  has  a clamping 
device  to  hold  the  record  firmly  against  its 
surface.  A guard  is  provided  to  protect 
the  rotating  parts.  The  operation  of  Vita- 
phone  equipment  naturally  divides  itself 
into  two  parts,  (1)  Recording  and  (2)  re- 
producing. Briefly,  the  operation  of  record- 
ing equipment  is  as  follows : 

♦ * * 

First,  the  set  is  prepared  to  meet  all  of 
the  requirements  for  ordinary  motion  pic- 
tures in  the  usual  manner.  This,  of  course, 
must  be  done  in  a studio  which  is  acoust- 
ically suitable,  i.  e.,  free  from  extraneous 
noise  during  the  recording,  and  not  subject 
to  objectionable  reverberations  or  echoes. 
The  microphones  are  placed  so  as  to  pick 
up  in  proper  volume  the  sounds  which  it  is 
desired  to  record.  The  film  in  the  camera 
behind  the  shutter  is  marked,  the  recording 
wax  is  placed  on  the  turn-table  and  the  in- 


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July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


ter-locking  electrical  drive  which  maintains 
synchronism  between  the  camera  and  the 
recorder  is  energized. 

The  recorder  is  lowered  on  the  wax  disc 
and  the  motor  started,  and  the  act  pro- 
duced. The  sound  recording  is  effected 
from  the  center  of  the  disc  to  the  periphery 
instead  of  the  reverse,  as  in  the  case  of 
commercial  phonograph  records.  In  order 
to  insure  proper  amplitude  and  to  insure 
high  quality,  the  recording  is  observed  un- 
der a microscope  during  the  process.  The 
beginning  of  the  cut  on  inside  of  the  rec- 
ord is  marked  by  an  arrow  which  will  indi- 
cate the  starting  point  of  the  record  for 
reproduction.  From  here  on  the  prepara- 
tion of  sound  and  film  records  for  produc- 
tion follows  standard  procedures  in  phono- 
graph and  moving  picture  practice. 

In  reproduction  the  film  is  placed  in  the 
machine,  the  Starting  Frame  on  the  film 
which  is  marked  “START”  with  the  desig- 
nating number  of  the  film,  is  placed  exactly 
in  the  center  of  the  aperture  of  the  motion 
picture  machine,  when  the  shutter  is  in  the 
open  position.  The  corresponding  sound 
recording  is  placed  on  the  turn-table  with 
the  needle  of  the  reproducer  opposite  the 
arrow  on  the  inside  groove.  With  the  film 
and  record  thus  set,  the  amplifiers  should 
now  be  turned  on,  the  potentiometer  set  to 
give  the  desired  volume,  projector  light 
turned  on  and  the  starting  switch  on  the 
control  box  operated.  This  starts  both 
records  simultaneously  and  the  show  is  on. 

Report  K.  C.  May 
Get  Two  Theatres 

Rumors  of  two  more  large  motion  pic- 
ture theatres  are  going  the  rounds  in  Kan- 
sas City.  A $500,000  project  is  reported  to 
be  under  consideration  at  Spring  and  Main 
streets,  with  a 700  foot  frontage.  The 
largest  theatre  in  Kansas  City  will  be 
erected  at  the  corner  of  West  Linwood 
boulevard  and  Main  streets,  according  to 
reports  received  by  Matt  Shinnick,  super- 
intendent of  buildings. 


Hertner  Installations 

The  Hertner  Electric  Company  are  main- 
taining their  rapid  sales  record  on  New 
Transverters.  A few  of  the  recent  theatres 
ordering  Transverters  are  as  follows; 

Tibbets  theatre,  Coldwater,  Michigan;  Grant, 
Philadelphia,  Pa.;  H.  C.  Coffee,  Amarillo,  Texas; 
Hunt’s  Casino,  Wildwood,  New  Jersey;  New,  Lex- 
ington, Virginia;  Jefferson,  Roanoke,  Va. ; New 
Norwood,  Norwood,  Mass.;  State,  Kalamazoo, 
Michigan.;  Capitol,  Passaic,  New  Jersey;  Monta 
Vista,  Cincinnati,  Ohio;  Ancient  Order  of  Pil- 
grims Auditorium,  Houston,  Texas;  Ritz,  Tolles- 
ton,  Indiana;  Zarah,  Great  Bend,  Kansas;  Nov- 
elty, La  Follette,  Tennessee;  Strand,  Tupelo, 
Texas;  Pharr,  Pharr,  Texas;  Family,  Gary,  Indi- 
ana; Pearson’s,  Clayton,  New  York;  Yale,  Cle- 
burne, Texas;  Bernard  Eagle  Home,  Cincinnati, 
Ohio;  Bonnie  Kate,  Elizabethton,  Tennessee;  Para- 
mount, Kokomo,  Indiana. 


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PRICE 

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LIGHT  PROJECTION  COMPANY 

Manufacturers  of 
Projection  Equipment 

DETROIT,  MICHIGAN 


For  Qreater  Profits 


The  Stevens  Fire  Proof  Chair  base 

Theatre  Owners  and  Architects 
send  for  our  booklet  "Silence  is 
Golden.”  No  obligation. 


YOU  can  now  make  a Recreation  Center 
of  your  theatre.  You  can  derive  the  ad- 
ditional revenues  from  bowling  alleys, 
dance  hall,  billiard  parlor,  etc.,  because  Stev- 
ens System  of  Sound-Proofing  makes  possible 
the  complete  isolation  of  these  activities.  No 
sound  reaches  your  theatre  auditorium. 

The  Stevens  System  also  rids  your  theatre 
of  annoying  noises  from  fans,  motors,  pumps, 
etc. 

STEVENS  SOUND-PROOFING 
COMPANY 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Representatives  in  all  large  cities 


Music  for  every  unit  of 
your  screen  program 


The 

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not  only  offers  exhibitors  best  music 
at  low  cost,  but  will  play  your  feature 
picture,  news  reel  and  comedy. 

It  is  a box-office  tonic,  too,  and  helps 
to  reduce  your  overhead.  Will  pay 
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Chicago,  111. 

Kindly  send  us  catalogue,  details,  and  list  of 
users  of  the  Reproduco  Pipe  Organ  for  Theatres. 


Name. 


Address 


34 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Television — Its  Possibilities 


and  Effects  in 

By  xMONROE  SHERMAN 
(Monroe  Sherman  is  one  of  a few  mo- 
tion picture  men  who  visualizes  the  fu- 
ture which  television  holds  in  store  for 


Film  Industry 

the  industry.  He  was  educated  at  New 
York  University,  is  well  versed  with 
the  scientific  and  commercial  progress 
of  television  and  has  conducted  some 


Don’t  Throw 
$1,000,000  away! 


The  producer  spends  a million  on  footage — 
thousands  on  advertising  . . . Don’t 

throw  it  all  out  the  window,  by  poor  pro- 
jection. 

B & L Cinephors  insure  the  best  that’s  in 
the  film — and  the  audience  is  quick  to  ap- 
preciate. 

Try  them  and  see — at  your 
dealer's  or  write 

I.omb  Opliral  Co. 

fi")2  r.iul  ^l.,  Rodii*  h't,  N.  . 


The 

Major 

fitted 

clear 

c u s e 

wher 

want 

time. 


The  perfection  of  details 
is  the  show’s  success 

Many  a well-meaning  showman  is  de- 
feated by  the  failure  of  so-called  “just- 
as-good”  equipment.  When  it  comes 
right  down  to  it,  considered  point  by 
point,  in  design,  in  build  and  in  service 
there  is  not  any  stage  lighting 
equipment  that  is  just  as  good  as 
Major. 

Ask  any  experienced 
exhibitor'  who  has 
made  it  pay  at  the  box  office. 


improved 
Spotlight, 
to  give  a 
spot  fo- 
I d to  size 
ever  you 
it  — any 


The  new  Princi- 
ple Major  Spot- 
Flood  for  con- 
trolled  area 
liguting  — 0 r - 
chestra  pits  and 
special  settings. 


4603  Fullerton  Avenue, 

District  Offices 


Atlanta.  Ga. 
Baltimore.  Md. 
Boston.  Mass. 
Brooklyn.  N.  Y. 
Buffalo.  N.  Y. 
Cincinnati.  Ohio 
Cleveland,  Ohio 
Dallas.  Texas 
Denver,  Colo. 


Detroit,  Mich 
Indianapolis.  Ind. 
iCansas  City,  Mo. 
Los  Angeles.  Calif. 
Miami.  Fla. 
Memphis,  Term. 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 
New  Orleans,  La. 
Omaha,  Nebr. 


Philadelphia.  Pa. 
Pittsburgh.  Pa. 

Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 
Seattle,  Wash. 

St.  Louis.  Mo. 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Vancouver,  B.  C..  Can. 
Winnipeg,  Man.,  Can. 


televisual  research  of  his  own.) 

O PECULATIONS  have  emanated  from 
many  authoritative  sources  of  late  rela- 
ti^'e  to  the  future  of  that  newtborn  miracle — 
television.  The  majority,  and  that  includes 
such  men  as  David  Samoff,  vicepresident 
of  the  Radio  Corporation  of  America,  and 
Herbert  Hoover,  United  States  Secretary 
of  Commerce,  concede  that  when  actually 
perfected  television  promises  a new  era  of 
radio  broadcasting. 

Little,  however,  has  been  said  of  its  ulti- 
mate effect  upon  the  status  of  the  motion 
picture  industry.  That  it  will  have  an 
omnipotent  effect  is  clearly  obvious,  since 
television  promises  broadcasted  movies,  di- 
rectly into  the  home.  Any  project  which 
tends  to  eliminate  the  institution  of  the 
motion  picture  theatre  as  such  is  detrimen- 
tal to  the  continued  success  of  the  industry 
as  it  exists  today. 

* * * 

Though  this  brief  article  is  by  no  means 
intended  as  a scientific  treatise,  a brief 
outline  of  the  science  of  television  seems 
relevant.  Television  itself  is  the  transmis- 
sion of  photographs  instantaneously  by 
wire  or  radio.  It  must  not  be  confused 
with  telephotography,  which  has  been  in 
use  by  newspapers  since  1924  in  transmit- 
ting still  photographs.  Rather  is  television 
an  outgrowth  of  telephotography. 

In  telephotography  a photographic  nega- 
tive is  traced  into  its  component  lights  and 
darks  on  a machine  which  closely  resem- 
bles an  early  cylindrical  phonograph.  The 
tracings  are  transformed  into  electrical  im- 
pulses and  merely  reconverted  and  reassem- 
bled at  the  receiving  end  into  variating 
intensities  of  light.  The  whole  process,  in- 
cluding the  development  of  picture  nega- 
tives at  both  ends,  consumes  approximately 
twenty  minutes  to  send  a single  picture. 


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full  hoods — on  to  clear  lamps  of 
standard  sizes,  and  you  instantly 
get  rich,  brilliant  color  that 
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Manufacturers  also  of 
Motors,  Flashers,  Traffic 
Controls,  Signboard  Re- 
flectors, Food  Mixers, 
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EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


July  9,  1927 

Television,  however,  transmits  a complete 
picture  in  less  than  one-sixteenth  of  a sec- 
ond, thus  making  practical  the  sending  of 
motion  pictures.  Various  intricate  proc- 
esses which,  for  detail,  cannot  be  described 
here,  have  been  developed  by  C.  F.  Jenkins 
of  Washington,  Dr.  E.  F.  W.  Alexanderson 
of  the  General  Electric  Co.,  John  L.  Baird 
of  London,  Dr.  Herbert  E.  Ives  of  the 
A.  T.  & T.  Co.,  as  well  as  b}'  many  minor 
experimenters,  of  which  the  writer  is  rep- 
resentative, who  have  carried  on  vain  re- 
search lacking  the  financial  assistance  es- 
sential to  success. 

The  recent  televisual  achievement  ac- 
claimed in  countrywide  headlines  was  that 
of  Dr.  Herbert  E.  Ives.  Although  the  feat 
won  endless  praise,  it  is  interesting  to  note 
that  it  was  only  possible  to  clearly  transmit 
a picture  two  inches  long  by  two  and  one- 
half  inches  wide.  The  slightest  enlarge- 
ment resulted  in  aberration  and  distortion. 

* * * 

Thus  it  can  be  seen  that  television  is  yet 
an  embryonic  development.  The  estab- 
lished processes  developed  by  the  above 
named  pioneers  depend  upon  the  improve- 
ment of  two  factors  for  their  perfection. 
The  first  is  the  increased  ratio  of  mechan- 
ical speed;  the  second  is  the  development 
of  a supersensitive  photo-electric  cell, 
which  is  the  name  of  the  mechanical  eye 
used.  The  advancement  of  television  will 
go  on  only  as  fast  as  this  photo-electric 
cell  is  perfected. 

There  is  little  doubt  but  that  the  intro- 
duction of  television  into  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  will  materially  affect  every 
branch  of  it  as  well  as  allied  industries. 

Television,  broadcasting  motion  pictures, 
will  accomplish  the  biggest  thing  ever  done 
for  the  motion  picture.  It  will  bring  the 
movie  directly  into  the  homes,  reaching  the 
eyes  of  at  least  seventy-five  millions  daily, 
instead  of  the  present  nine  millions.  What 
minds  can  grasp  this?  It  means  increasing 
the  range  of  business  more  than  eight-fold. 

With  the  greatly  increased  number  of 
movie  fans,  picture  tastes  will  be  sharp- 
ened. A demand  for  superior  pictures  will 
assert  itself.  More  thorough  technicians — 
directors  who  are  a dynamic  combination 
of  artist,  author  and  composer — will  be  be- 
hind the  scenes. 

The  nature  of  television,  which  can  be 
easily  coupled  with  radio,  makes  talking 
pictures  a perfectly  synchronized  achieve- 
ment. It  makes  symphonic  accompaniment 
practical  at  all  times.  It  promises  third 
dimension  pictures  in  color. 

* * * 

Television  will  revolutionize  the  news- 
reel, delivering  world-wide  news  with  the 
speed  of  our  modern  newspaper. 

Television  will  mark  the  universal  estab- 
lishment of  a recognized  curriculum  of  vis- 
ual education  in  the  schools,  creating  a de- 
mand for  educational  films  of  a new  order. 

The  vast  size  of  the  television  audience 
will  attract  advertising  interests  and  bring 
about  gigantic  radio-motion  picture-adver- 
tising combines. 

Television,  which  can,  broadcast  a drama, 
sporting  event  or  a vaudeville  show  as  eas- 
ily as  a motion  picture,  wiU  ipause  keener 
competition  than  heretofore  kncKvn  between 
these  various  types  of  entertainment. 

One  might  ask  how  the  revenue  could  be 
derived  from  broadcasting  motion  pictures. 
The  question  is  a worthwhile  one — and  one 
which  will  soon  cause  many  headaches 
within  the  industry. 

There  are  several  ways  in  which  revenue 
might  be  collected,  and  a few  are  suggested. 
For  example,  motion  picture  programs 
could  be  sponsored  and  paid  for  by  na- 
tional advertisers  much  the  same  as  we 
have  various  “radio  hours’’  at  present.  Or 
else  the  receiving  machines  could  be  leased 
under  seal,  instead  of  sold.  Care  would 

necessarily  be  essential  to  prevent  pirating 


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Letters  like  the  following  come 
^ to  us  often:  “We  opened  night 
before  last  and  I can’t  refrain  from 
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makes  all  told  me  that  one  blower 
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tried  to  sell  me  two.  Opening  night 
we  were  filled  far  beyond  capacity 
and  the  Supreme,  running  at  just 
a bit  over  half  speed,  was  one  of  the 
most  talked  of  featuresof  the  house. 

*It  cools  every  corner  in  the 
theatre  perfectly.” 

Mission  Theatre,  Menard,  Tex. 

UNEXCELLED  PERFORMANCE 

There  are  no  frills  on  the  Supreme.  It 
is  built  for  unexcelled  performance  — 
not  for  fancy  looks.  Big,  efficient  and 
quiet,  it  will  keep  your  theatre  cool  and 
your  patrons  coming,  in  the  hottest 
weather.  That’s  the  thing  that  counts 
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SUPREME  HEATER  & VENTILATING  CORP.  < < ' ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 

Kindly  send  us  Catalog  E and  Information  on  the  Supreme  Cooling  and  Ventilating  Sys- 
tem. Also  details  of  your  term-payment  plan.  This  request  does  not  obligate  us  in  any  way. 


Price  ^225  f.o.b.  St.  Louis 


Name Theatre 

City State Seating  Capacity^. 


36 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE 


July  9,  1927 


CHANNON  AGAIN 

COMPLETE  RIGGING  EQUIPMENT 
AT 

MUNICIPAL  AUDITORIUM 
MINNEAPOLIS,  MINN. 


installed  by 


£23-333  W.  ERIE  STREET 


in  oiir  new  quarters 

more  space  improved  equipment 
enables  us  to  qive  you  ^ -.o 

better  SLIOE  S 

better  service  <i 


IkiKkaphSfecy^ 


of  manufacture.  Either  of  these,  or  a com- 
bination of  both  methods,  could  undoubt- 
edly be  made  to  operate  successfully. 

Is  television,  then,  a threat  or  a promise? 
* * 

It  is  both.  The  key  men  of  any  of  our 
great  industrial  giants  today  are  most  often 
those  who  started  with  these  respective 
industries  at  their  inception,  and  with  an 
unusual  amount  of  vision  grew  up  with 
them.  Adolph  Zukor,  Marcus  Loew,  Wil- 
liam Fox  and  Jesse  Lasky  are  familiar 
examples. 

Television  is  now  in  its  inception.  That 
it  will  materially  affect  the  countenance  of 
the  entire  motion  picture  industry  is  mani- 
fest. To  those  who  have  the  resourceful 
vision  to  truly  appraise  the  future  of  tele- 
vision and  who  will  harness  it  to  the  inter- 
ests of  the  industry  a golden  future  is 
ahead.  To  the  short-sighted,  the  conserva- 
tives and  the  dollar-blinded  diehards  tele- 
vision foreshadows  ruination. 

Tom  Brown  on  Tour 
of  Theatres  in  the 
Northwest  District 

Tom  Brown,  general  sales  manager  of 
B.  F.  Reynolds  & Company,  theatre  air 
warming,  ventilating,  air  conditioning  and 
refrigerating  specialists,  has  left  Chicago 
for  a tour  of  the  Northwest  and  West 
Coast  for  the  purpose  of  making  a survey 
of  the  theatre  work  in  that  territory  as 
regards  Reynolds  system.  Several  of  the 
new  modern  atmospheric  type  theatres  such 
as  the  Riviera  at  Omaha;  Palace  theatre 
at  Canton,  Ohio ; Riviera  Annex,  Detroit, 
Michigan;  Ritz  theatre  at  Tulsa,  Oklahoma 
and  others  have  Reynolds  air  warming, 
ventilation  and  air  conditioning  systems. 

It  is  understood  the  air  warming,  venti- 
lating and  refrigerating  contact  for  the  new 
3,500  seat  theatre  to  be  erected  by  the  Fox 
Realty  Company  in  Fort  Wayne,  Indiana, 
has  been  let  to  the  B.  F.  Reynolds  & Com- 
pany. The  architect  on  this  theatre  and 
hotel  project  is  A.  M.  Strauss  of  Fort 
Wayne,  with  John  Eberson  of  Chicago  as 
associate  architect. 


Supreme  Sales  Grow 

Supreme  Heater  & Ventilating  Corp.,  St. 
Louis,  report  many  sales  of  Supreme  Cool- 
ing Systems  and  the  demand  rapidly  in- 
creasing. Over  200  theatres  have  purchased 
this  system  since  February  1st,  and  repeat 
orders  have  been  placed  by  a number  of  the 
large  circuits. 


^^Kaus-a-Lite”  Seats  Patrons  Quietly! 

The  well  lighted  theatre  aisle  is  essential  to  the 
safety  of  patrons.  “Kaus-a-Lite”  seats  patrons 
quietly — efficiently — without  annoyance  to 
those  already  seated.  Write  today  for  particu- 
lars. 

KAUSALITE  MANUFACTURING  CO. 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.  Chicago 


Adaptmhls  im  any  kind  of  thaatra 
§aat,  fits  diraetly  under  arm  •/ 
aUla  ehair. 


Kaus-a-Lite 

Light  Without  a Glare! 


JHEATKI^U 


(.lAOST 

Q/*\PLEf^ 
Send  for 


Catalogue 


SyracuseN.Y 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


Lamb  Designs  4,000 
Seat  London  House 
for  MetrO'Goldwyn 

The  New  Empire,  Leicester  Square, 
London,  the  new  M-G-M  theatre  in  that 
city,  will  mark  a departure  in  theatrical 
construction  and  equipment,  accordirig 
to  news  reports.  It  will  be  palatial  in 
design,  with  a seating  capacity  of  ap- 
proximately 4,000  people,  divided  into  the 
orchestra  floor  and  one  balcony. 

Plans  for  the  new  house  call  for  a 
stage  large  enough  for  the  presentation 
of  grand  opera.  The  style  of  construc- 
tion is  a Georgian  adoption  of  the  classic 
renaissance.  The  front  of  the  theatre 
will  be  stone,  with  a balcony  off  the 
street.  Utility  has  bowed  to  beauty  in 
that  there  will  be  no  stores  adjacent 
to  the  street  but  all  architectural  efforts 
will  be  bent  toward  a beautiful  theatre 
front. 

It  goes  without  sa3Mng  that  the  equip- 
ment will  be  ultra-modern,  including 
lighting  effects  not  yet  in  use  any  place 
in  the  world.  The  theatre  will  be  cooled 
by  a refrigerating  system.  Incidentally, 
it  will  be  the  only  cinema  house  in  Eng- 
land and  the  continent  so  cooled.  The 
architect  in  charge  of  construction, 
Thomas  W.  Lamb  of  New  York,  has  a 
long  line  of  notable  achievements  to  his 
credit,  including  the  New  York  Capitol 
and  Loew’s  State  theatre,  on  Broadway. 
Mr.  Lamb’s  English  associates  are  Erank 
Matcham  & Co. 

The  New  Empire  site  itself  is  a his- 
toric monument  in  London.  At  one  time 
it  supported  a French  Cafe  Chantant, 
then  a panorama,  later  a full-grown  the- 
atre, then  a palace  of  varieties.  In  1865 
it  was  consumed  by  fire  and  remained 
in  ruins  for  fourteen  years.  In  view  of 
this  history,  there  is  very  little  of  the 
experimental  about  this  site.  It  always 
was  and  probably  always  will  be  a good 
theatrical  location.  After  the  erection 
of  the  New  Empire  theatre  M-G-M  will 
operate  two  of  the  finest  theatres  in 
London,  The  Tivoli  and  the  New  Empire. 


New  Theatre  Ready 

W.  S.  Butterfield,  president  of  W.  S. 
Butterfield  Theatres,  Inc.,  Detroit,  an- 
nounces that  the  new  State  theatre  at 
Kalamazoo,  Mich.,  will  be  entirely  com- 
pleted and  ready  for  the  formal  open- 
ing on  Thursday,  July  7th.  Construc- 
tion is  of  the  new  atmospheric  type,  and 
the  theatre  will  be  one  of  the  finest  in 
Michigan.  There  is  also  a modern  three 
story  office  building  in  connection  with 
the  theatre. 


CIRCU1H6^L05 

0PT6rPO5T6RJ 


EXHIBITORS 

' Printing  Service  ' 

^ 711  South  Dearborn  Street  , 

CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Perfection  Rheostats 

Are  a Quarantee  of 
Continuous  and  Efficient  Service 

Installed  as  standard  equipment  by 


Roxy  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Paramount  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Rialto  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Rivoli  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Loew’s  State  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Astor  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Proctors  86th  St. 

— New  York  City 
Cohan  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Publix  Theatre 

—Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Keith’s  Circuit  M.  & S.  Circuit  Loew’s  Circuit 

What  Price  Glory — Road  Shows 

Big  Parade — Road  Shows  Beau  Geste — Road  Shows 

Simplex  Division,  International  Projector  Corp.  Vitaphone  Companies 
Eastman  Kodak  Company  U.  S.  Navy,  and  others 


HOFFMANN  & SOONS 

522  First  Avenue  New  York  City 

Contracting  Electrical  Engineers — Moving  Picture  Theatre  Electrical  Specialists 


GALLAGHER 


The  new  Junior  Leader 
Stand — like  its  big  brother, 
built  for  medium  size  houses. 


The  Vaudeville 
Leader  Stand — 
fastens  against 
the  apron  rail 
or  on  a ped- 
estal. 


NEW  LEADER 
STANDS 

The  two  new  leader  stands 
serve  to  indicate  the  complete- 
ness of  the  Gallagher  line. 

With  a beautiful  and  correct 
music  stand  for  every  require- 
ment no  theatre  large  or  small 
need  look  further  for  pit 
equipment. 

GALLAGHER  ORCHESTRA 
EQUIPMENT  CO. 

Incorporated 

616  Elm  Street,  Chicago 

GALLAGHER 
Improved  Resonator 

This  new  resonator  can  be  placed  in  any 
position  in  the  pit  floor,  musicians  and 
stands  located  w'here  desired,  and  still 
the  improved  tone  and  increased  volume 
is  produced. 


38 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE 


July  9,  1927 


Although  differences  of  opinion  make  interesting  repartee  in  the  advertis- 
ing columns,  they  do  not  seriously  affect  THE  FACTS. 


You  are  invited  to  learn  these  facts  for  yourself.  Try  PERFECTIONS 
in  your  own  booth  for  90  days.  Your  money  back  with  6%  if  FOR  ANY 
REASON  you  are  not  COMPLETELY  SOLD  ON  PERFECTIONS. 

Still  selling  at  $195  each. 

PERFECTION  ARC  COMPANY 

Incorporated 

736-742  37th  St.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Reference:  Liberty  State  Bank  of  Milwaukee 


Court  Decisions  in 
Theatre  Litigation 
Detailed,  Reviewed 

By  LEO  T.  PARKER,  Attorney 

ANOTHER  point  of  the  law  that  quite 
often  is  important  in  a litigation  involv- 
ing damages  for  injury  is : Did  the  acci- 
dent occur  because  the  patron  disobeyed  an 
usher  or  other  employe  of  the  theatre? 
Generally  the  proprietor  is  not  liable  if  the 
injury  occurs  under  these  circumstances. 

For  illustration,  in  Nicoletti  v.  Park 
Circuit,  287  So.  661,  it  was  disclosed  that 
a patron  was  injured  as  a consequence 
of  disobeying  an  attendant.  The  court 
held  this  to  be  the  proximate  cause  of 
the  injury  and  refused  to  allow  the  pa- 
tron damages. 

Patron  Injured  by  Employe 
Sometimes  a patron  is  accidentally  in- 
jured by  an  employe.  The  courts  con- 
sistently hold  that  the  proprietor  of  a 
theatre  is  bound  to  exercise  ordinary 
care  to  protect  patrons  against  injury 
from  this  source.  Legally  a theatre 
owner  invites  the  public  upon  his  prem- 
ises when  he  opens  the  doors  of  his  the- 
atre for  the  admittance  of  patrons. 

In  the  case  of  Easier  v.  Donie  Amuse- 
ment Company,  133  A.  905,  it  was  dis- 
closed that  just  before  the  evening  per- 
formance, while  a patron  was  watching 
a game  being  played  by  some  of  the 
employes,  his  right  arm  was  broken  by 
an  implement  which  slipped  from  one  of 
the  player’s  hands. 

The  court  held  the  proprietor  liable 
and  explained  the  law  on  the  subject 
as  follows: 

“The  defendant  (proprietor)  having 
invited  the  .ptiblic,  was  chargeable  with 
the  duty  of,  iising  reasonable  care,  not 
only  to  see'^at  the  premises  which  it 
occupied  were  in  a reasonably  safe  con- 
dition, but  also  that  they  were  kept  so, 
and  if  games  and  sports  of  a character 
to  jeopardize  the  safety  of  those  who 
were  present  . . . were  permitted,  the 
duty  rested  upon  the  latter  to  take  due 
precaution  to  guard  against  injury  to 

the  spectators It  (proprietor) 

has  an  active  duty  to  use  reasonable 
care  to  prevent  the  same,  or  see  to  it 
that  due  precautions  were  taken.  . . . 
We  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  man- 
agement . . . must  be  presumed  to  share 
in  this  knowledge.  . . . The  duty  owed 
this  plaintiff  (patron)  by  the  defendant 
(proprietor),  we  think,  required  that 
warning  be  given  of  this  danger,  or  pro- 
tection be  furnished  if  the  game  was  al- 
lowed to  proceed. 

“It  is  incontroverted  that  no  warning 
was  given  or  no  protection  furnished. 
. . . They  (proprietors)  assert  that  the 


Programs 

prepared  by  us 
get  the  pubHc 
interested  in 
your  shows. 

Let  us  send  you 
some  samples. 

THE  NATIONAL 

PROGRAM  & PRINTING  CO. 
729  So.  Wabash  Ave.  - Chicago 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


game  was  played  without  their  permis- 
sion and  deny  that  it  was  in  progress. 
They  go  farther  and  say  that  they  were 
ignorant  of  the  existence  of  the  game, 
and  the  dangers  arising  from  it  relieve 
them  from  liability  in  this  action.  We 
do  not  think  this  defense  can  prevail. 
The  defendant  (proprietors)  was  charged 
with  the  affirmation  duty  of  keeping  the 
premises  reasonably  safe  for  its  invitee. 
Having  failed  to  perform  this  duty  and 
the  premises  being  in  fact  in  an  unsafe 
condition,  its  knowledge  or  ignorance 
of  the  dangerous  condition  is  immate- 
rial. ...  If  the  manager  and  other  of- 
ficers were  ignorant  of  the  situation  we 
think  there  was  negligent  ignorance,  which 
in  law  is  equivalent  to  actual  knowledge.” 

With  respect  to  the  required  careful- 
ness of  a child,  the  court  said  in  effect: 
* * * 

“Contributory  negligence  on  the  part 
of  the  patron  ...  is  advanced  to  defeat 
his  recovery.  He  was  12  years  old  when 
he  received  his  injuries  and  possessed, 
so  far  as  the  record  discloses,  the  usual 
intelligence  of  a child  of  these  years.  He 
was  thus  to  use  a degree  of  care  only 
which  ordinarily  prudent  children  of  that 
age  and  like  intelligence  are  accustomed 
to  use  under  like  circumstances  . . . and 
unless  he  voluntarily  exposed  himself  to 
a danger,  the  existence  of  which  he 
knew  ...  he  is  entitled  to  a recovery 
for  the  injuries  sustained.” 

Injury  Caused  by  “Horseplay” 

In  the  recent  case,  Cassell  v.  U.  S. 
Fidelity,  283  S.  W.  127,  the  litigation 
involved  the  injury  of  a theatre  employe 
who  was  accidentally  shot  by  another 
theatre  employe,  while  the  two  individ- 
uals had  temporarily  discontinued  their 
work. 

The  court  held  that  the  injured  work- 
man was  entitled  to  compensation  and 
explained  the  law  on  this  subject  as  fol- 
lows: 

“Considering  every  employe  peculiar- 
ly exposed  to  such  pranks  from  his  co- 
employes as  are  inspired  by  nothing 
more  than  a well  nigh  universal  human 
craving  for  fun,  and  recognizing  that 
such  pranks,  when  careless  though  in- 
nocent, not  infrequently  occasion  bod- 
ily harm,  we  are  forced  to  consider 
these  pranks  as  a hazard  which  the  em- 
ploye, required  to  work  with  others, 
must  encounter  in  the  performance  of 
his  duties,  and  hence  such  pranks  consti- 
tute a risk  reasonably  inherent  in  or  in- 
cident to  the  conduction  of  the  employ- 
er’s business.” 

Sunday  Closing  Law 

During  the  past  few  months  several 
courts  have  rendered  decisions  concern- 
ing Sunday  closing  laws. 

Recently  in  State  v.  Loomis,  242  Pa. 
345,  a law  which  excluded  theatres  from 


“BEST”  Rewind  Pulley 


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on  shaft.  Elasily  at- 
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Price  $2.50 

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Don^t  Say — 

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“The  Sun  Never  Sets  on  Strong  Lamps” 


BETTER,  because  it’s — 


The 

Selector-Duplex 
Organ 
built  by 
Nelson-Wiggen 


The  Answer  to 
TODAY’S 
COMPETITION 


TODAY’S  pocketbooks  no  longer  de- 
mand that  low  price  be  the  deciding 
factor  in  making  purchases. 

Thousands  of  exhibitors  have  learned  to 
their  sorrow  that  meeting  price  compe- 
tition does  not  open  the  door  to  big 
profits. 

The  answer  to  this  competition  lies,  to 
a tremendous  extent,  in  Product  Im- 


provement rather  than  price  competi- 
tion. 

The  Selector-Duplex  is  an  instrument 
surpassing,  in  features  and  construction, 
anything  on  the  market  today. 

Consider  the  roll  arrangement  which 
permits  continuous  playing  with  a roll 
traveling  both  ways — forward  and  back. 
The  operator  may,  by  pressing  a button, 
select  any  one  of  the  pieces  on  the  roll. 


Write  for  details  today! 


NELSON-WIGGEN  PIANO  COMPANY 

“The  Better  Automatic” 

1731-45  BELMONT  AVE.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 


40 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE  July  9,  1927 


EDWARDS  SHEET  METAL 
MARQUEES  or  CANOPIES 

For  use  over  entrances  to  theatres,  hotels,  cafes,  store  buildings,  etc.  A work  of  art 
and  they  have  the  massive  and  ornamental  appearance  of  cast  iron,  at  but  a fraction  of 
the  cost.  Furnished  complete,  easy  to  erect — Made  of  galvanized  iron  or  copper  in  any 
style  or  size  desired.  Shipped  in  largest  convenient  sections,  with  glass  packed  sep- 
arately. Our  large  catalog  showing  complete  line  Marquises  or  Canopies,  Balconies, 
Cornices,  Theatre  Fronts,  Signs,  Skylights,  'Metal  Roofing,  Metal  Ceilings  and  Walls, 
etc.,  sent  free  on  request. 

The  Edwards  Manufacturing  Co. 

409-459  East  Fifth  St.  Cincinnati,  Ohio 

The  World's  Largest  Manufacturers  of  Metal  Roofing,  Metal  Shingles, 

Metal  Spanish  Tile,  Metal  Ceilings,  Metal  Garages,  Portable 
Buildings,  Rolling  Steel  Doors,  Partitions,  etc. 


The  Columbia 


Paducah,  Ky. 

MILNE-EQUIPPED 


The  Sign  and  Marquee  That 
Draws  the  Crowds 

The  new  Columbia  Theatre,  Paducah, 
Ky.,  has  installed  a Milne  Attention- 
Compelling  Electric  Sign.  From  its 
point  of  vantage  on  the  front  of  The 
Columbia,  this  Milne  sign  is  giving  its 
sales  talk  for  blocks  around — silently 
but  effectively. 

Milne  Signs  are  built  for  showmen  by 
men  who  know  showmanship. 

MILNE 

SIGNS 

Changeable  Letter  Marquise  or  Canopies 

Send  us  the  name  of  your  theatre  and 
let  us  submit  a colored  sketch  to  you-^ 
no  obligation  on  your  part, 

MILNE  ELECTRIC  SIGN 
COMPANY 

189  Sth  St.  MILWAUKEE 


Sunday  closing  regulations  read  in  part 
as  follows: 

“Every  person  who  on  Sunday  or  the 
first  day  of  the  week  keeps  open  or 
maintains  or  who  aids  in  opening  or 
maintaining  any  dance  hall,  dance  house, 
race  track,  gambling  house  or  poolroom 
variety  hall  . . 

The  point  of  the  law  considered  by 
the  court  is  whether  a law  is  valid  which 
excludes  theatres  from  penalties.  The 
court  held  the  law  valid  and  said: 

* * * 

“It  will  be  observed  that  one  effect  of 
the  amendment  was  to  relieve  theatres 
and  playhouses  from  the  restriction 
theretofore  imposed  upon  them,  while 
dance  houses  and  dance  halls  were  con- 
tinued under  the  ban  of  the  law  ...  It 
is  conceded  as  it  must  that  it  is  com- 
petent for  the  law  makers  to  classify 
subjects  of  legislation  and  to  deal  dif- 
ferently with  the  different  classes  cre- 
ated, if  the  classification  is  reasonable 
and  not  a mere  artificial  arrangement  or 
subterfuge  to  avoid  the  inhibition  of  the 
fourteenth  amendment  of  the  federal 
constitution.  Whether  the  classification 
made  by  the  amended  act  is  reasonable 
was  a matter  for  legislative  determina- 
tion in  the  first  instance  and  every  rea- 
sonable presumption  will  be  indulged  in 
favor  of  the  validity  of  the  act  . . . The 
mere  fact  that  the  act  discriminates  be- 
tween theatres  and  playhouses  on  the 
one  hand  and  dance  houses  and  dance 
halls  on  the  other  will  not  condemn  it. 
Discrimination  is  the  very  essence  of 
classification  and  is  not  objectionable 
unless  founded  on  distinction  which  the 
courts  are  compelled  to  pronounce  un- 
reasonable or  purely  fictitious  ...  It  is 
always  competent  for  the  legislature  to 
recognize  different  degrees  of  the  pos- 
sible evil  tendencies  inherent  in  different 
forms  of  amusement  or  entertainment 
and  to  give  effect  thereto  in  classifying 
the  subjects,  without  being  open  to  the 
charge  that  the  act  is  arbitrary  or  un- 
warranted.” 

In  State  v.  Kennedy,  277  S.  W.  943 
it  was  shown  that  an  ordinance  provided 
that  all  business  except  “household  offices 
of  daily  necessity”  must  close  on  Sun- 
days. 

The  court  held  that  theatres  must  re- 
main closed  on  Sundays  and  said: 

“In  construing  this  statute  specially, 
what  is  to  the  meaning  of  the  words 
“household  offices  of  daily  necessity”  as 
used  therein?  . . . Whether  Sunday  laws 
are  upheld  on  the  theory  of  religious, 
political  or  social  duty,  it  was  certain 
that  religous  promptness  has  been  in 
great  part  at  least  the  cause  of  their 
enactment  in  this  country.  Judge  Bur- 
gess said  . . . that  the  policy  of  such 
lavvs  was  ‘to  compel  the  observance  of 
Sunday  as  a day  of  rest  . . .’  Under 
these  actions,  it  must  be  held  that  the 
operation  of  a picture  show  . . . does  not 
constitute  such  ‘household  offices  of 
daily  necessity’  as  the  statute  contem- 
plates.” 

Therefore  it  is  quite  apparent  that  the 
present  attitude  of  the  courts  is  to  give 
a very  broad  construction  in  favor  of 
Sunday  closing  laws,  but  a law  is  valid 
which  excludes  theatres  from  the  regula- 
tions. 

Licenses  and  Taxes 

In  Fox  Film  Corp.  v.  Trumbull, 
American  Feature  Film  v.  Same,  7 F. 
(2nd)  715,  the  court  construed  the  va- 
lidity of  a statute  entitled  “an  Act,  and 
providing  for  the  imposition  of  a tax  on 
films  from  which  motion  pictures  are  to 
be  exhibited  within  the  State.”  It  was 
passed  by  the  general  assembly  in  1925. 
It  was  approved  at  a later  date  by  the 
Governor. 

Section  1 of  the  law  reads  as  follows: 

“No  person,  firm,  corporation  or  other 
association  shall  deliver  any  motion  pic- 
ture film  or  copy  thereof  for  the  pur- 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


pose  of  exhibiting  in  this  state  any  mo- 
tion picture  therefrom  without  having 
registered  the  same  and  paid  the  tax 
thereof  as  required  by  the  provisions  of 
this  act.  The  amount  of  such  tax  in- 
cluding the  fees  for  registration  of  each 
such  reel  of  film  or  copy  thereof,  1,000 
feet  or  less,  shall  be  $10,  and  for  each 
100  feet  of  film,  in  addition  to  1,000  feet, 
contained  in  any  reel  50  cents,  which 
amount  shall  be  paid  to  the  tax  commis- 
sioner at  the  time  of  such  registration.” 

The  Circuit  Court  of  Appeals  held  the 
law  valid  and  said: 

“The  court  of  this  case  is  asked  to  en- 
join the  enforcement  of  the  act  passed 
by  the  general  assembly  of  the  state  of 
Connecticut  at  its  last  session,  upon  the 
ground  that  it  constitutes  an  unlawful 
restraint  and  burden  upon  interstate 
commerce,  that  its  enforcement  would 
abridge  the  privilege  and  immunities  of 
citizens  of  the  United  States,  and  de- 
prive plaintiffs  of  their  property  with- 
out due  process  of  law,  and  deny  to 
plaintiff  the  equal  protection  of  the  laws 
all  contrary  to  the  provisions  of  the 
constitution  of  the  United  States  . . . 
It  is  said  that  the  statute  imposes  an 
arbitrary  and  unjust  tax  and  is  there- 
fore illegal  . . . The  question  here  raised 
is  a serious  and  important  one.  The 
motion  picture  industry  is  understood  to 
be  one  of  the  most  highly  organized 
and  best  financed  industries  in  the 
United  States.  The  motion  picture 
business  is  of  recent  origin,  and  its  ca- 
pacity for  good,  as  well  as  for  evil,  is 
immense.  It  is  an  instrument  of  edu- 
cation, and  the  public  welfare  demands 
that  it  shall  be  kept  clean  and  its  influ- 
ence tend  to  promote  what  is  good  and 
not  what  is  evil.  It  may  be  an  inesti- 
mated  assistance  for  human  improve- 
ment or  deterioration  as  the  case  may 
be.  This  has  led  certain  states,  in  the 
exercise  of  “police  power,”  to  legislate 
on  this  subject  by  passing  laws  which 
control  or  supervise  the  exhibition  of 
moving  pictures.  New  York,  Pennsyl- 
vania, Ohio,  Maryland,  Kansas,  Florida, 
Virginia  and  Connecticut  have  passed 
statutes  with  this  end  in  view.  The 
power  is  inherent  in  the  state  govern- 
ment, with  the  constitutional  limits  to 
legislature  to  promote  the  order,  safety, 
health,  morals  and  general  welfare  of 
society.  It  is  an  attribute  of  sovereignty 
and  corresponds  to  the  right  of  self 
preservation  in  the  individual.  The  power 
is  so  essential  to  government  that  it 
cannot  be  bargained  away  ...  It  is  set- 
tled that  the  police  power  embraces  reg- 
ulations designed  to  promote  the  public 
convenience  or  the  general  welfare  and 
prosperity,  as  well  as  those  in  the  exer- 
cise of  the  public  health,  morals  or 
safety.” 

The  exercise  by  the  states  of  the 
power  to  regulate  moving  picture  exhi- 
bitions has  been  sustained  by  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  the  United  States  in  a 
number  of  cases. 

In  Crute  v.  State,  109  So.  617,  the 
litigation  involved  the  legal  relation  of 
a motion  picture  and  a vaudeville  exhi- 
bition. The  owner  advertised,  staged 
and  charged  admission  for  vaudeville 
shows  in  combination  with  a motion 
picture  show.  He  had  obtained  a license 
to  operate  a moving  picture  show,  but 
refused  to  take  out  a license  to  run  a 
vaudeville  show.  The  license  he  obtained 
read  “to  operate  a motion  picture,  or 
show  of  like  character.” 

However,  the  court  held  that  he  must, 
also,  obtain  a license  to  operate  a vaude- 
ville show,  and  said: 

"But  one  question  is  here  presented, 
whether  or  not  the  appellant  (proprie- 
tor) was  required  to  procure  and  pay 
for  a license  for  conducting  a vaudeville 


how  to  fill  your  house 

when  the  weather 


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Your  theatre  can  be 
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a refuge  against  sum- 
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truthfully  advertise  it 
as  such.  For  there  is  today  a 
method  scientifically  designed 
to  insure  these  results  to  your 
individual  theatre.  It  operates 
under  what  is  known  cis  the 
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the  practical  application  of 
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stimulating  air  to  all  parts  of 
your  theatre.  It  is  automatic.  It 
is  trouble-free. 

COOL-VELNT  is  as  low  in  cost 
as  a perfectly  designed  system 
can  be.  It  gives  years  of  service. 
It  makes  good  to  a remarkable 
degree  your  promises  to  your 
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Detailed  recommendations  for 
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THE  ZACK  COMPANY 

2311  Van  Buren  Street,  Chicago 


METHOD 


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FOOTUGHTS  or  SPOTLIGHTS 


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made  by  us  will  give  all  users  the 
utmost  in  service  and  efficiency  and 
every  satisfaction  anticipated. 

THGHT  YOUR  THEATRE  WITH  MADELITE  and  realize 


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the  wonderful  quality  in  lighting  equipment  that  is  in  use  most 
satisfactorily  in  De  Luxe  houses  all  over  the  country.  We  have 
made  stage  equipment  for  eight  years  and  know  the  needs  of  your 
theatre  to  give  you  the  right  equipment  at  a 
reasonable  figure  and  guarantee  abso- 
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42 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


“FOR  PERFECT 
CURTAIN  MOVEMENTS” 


A.  D.  C.  AUTOMATIC 
CURTAIN  CONTROL 
AND  ROLL  E-Z  TRACKS 


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Aerogram  of  good  pic- 
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The  “Movie  Standards’’  of 
the  American  Family — clear, 
unflickering  reproduction, 
eliminating  all  eye  strain — are 
readily  attained  with  good  pro- 
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922-24  W.  Monroe  St. 
CHICAGO 


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show  ...  or  did  the  license  procured 
by  him  (to  operate  motion  picture  show) 
authorize  him  to  conduct  such  vaude- 
ville performances  also,  without  procur- 
ing the  actual  license  . . . Appellant 
(proprietor)  insists  that  the  phrase,  “or 
show  of  like  character,”  contained  in  his 
license  precluded  the  necessity  of  secur- 
ing a specified  license  for  his  vaudeville 
show,  thus  contended  that  a vaudeville 
show  is  a show  of  like  character  to  a 
moving  picture  show,  in  contemplation 
of  law.  We  do  not  so  conclude.  We 
are  of  the  opinion  as  a matter  of  com- 
mon knowledge  that  there  is  a marked 
distinction  between  a moving  picture 
show  and  a vaudeville  show.” 

In  Public  Welfare  Pictures  Corpora- 
tion V.  Beeman,  134  Atl.  868,  it  was  dis- 
closed that  a picture  named  “The  Naked 
Truth”  was  restricted  by  the  Board  of 
Censors. 

The  Board  of  Censors  thought  it  was 
objectionable  unless  it  was  shown  in  a 
Y.  M.  C.  A.,  in  a school  building,  or  a 
church  without  charge. 

The  board  gave  notice  to  the  theatre 
owner  that  the  presentation  of  the  film 
was  prohibited,  that  he  would  prevent 
the  production  by  force  and  would  re- 
voke the  owner’s  license  and  arrest  all 
persons  connected  with  the  exhibition. 

The  theatre  owners  then  went  to  the 
Commissioner  of  the  Board  and  offered 
to  exhibit  the  film  to  him,  and  if  he  de- 
cided that  it  was  objectionable  it  would 
not  be  produced.  The  commissioner 
said  he  would  not  view  the  exhibition, 
stating  that  there  were  persons  in  his 
department  in  whom  he  had  confided 
the  censorship  of  films,  and  that  he 
would  stand  behind  their  judgment. 

The  court  reversed  the  Board  of  Cen- 
sors’ verdict  and  said: 

“In  passing  I may  say  I cannot  see 
why  a play  objectionable  in  itself  is 
made  less  so  by  allowing  the  public  to 
see  it  in  a church  and  for  nothing. 
What  the  invited  ladies  thought  of  it 
does  not  appear  . . . The  question  here 
is  not:  Has  the  legislature  the  right  to 
say  by  statute  that  a municipality  may, 
in  the  exercise  of  its  police  power,  con- 
trol theatres  and  moving  picture  shows 
and  decide  what  are  and  what  are  not 
proper  exhibitions  . . . No  one  is  more 
anxious  than  I to  see  that  the  city  of 
Newark  is  and  remains  a clean  city,  and 
no  one  is  more  opposed  to  indecent  ex- 
hibitions than  I.  However,  I cannot  set 
up  my  personal  opinon  in  the  matter  and 
I must  decide  this  motion  according  to 
the  law  which  seems  to  me  to  govern 
and  according  to  the  decisions  hereto- 
fore rendered  by  this  court.  I wish  it 
to  be  distinctly  understood  that  I am  not 
expressing  my  opinion  as  to  the  moral- 
ity or  immorality  of  this  production.  I 
have  not  seen  it.” 


Remodel  Theatre  at 
Cost  of  $7Sy000 

Seventy-five  thousand  dollars  will  be 
spent  to  refurnish,  refit  and  redecorate  the 
Liberty  theatre,  Wenatchee,  Wash.,  which 
is  one  of  the  chain  of  theatres  owned  by  the 
Northwest  Theatre  Company,  lessee  of  both 
the  Liberty  and  Rialto  theatres. 

The  stage  will  be  entirely  rebuilt  and  a 
hardwood  floor  installed.  A complete  new 
ventilating  system  is  part  of  the  program 
of  improvement.  Included  in  the  work  will 
be  new  equipment  for  the  projecting  room 
and  improvements  to  the  organ. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


EmergencyLig  hting 
System  Safeguards 
Against  Panic  Loss 

PANIC — ^it  may  come  only  once  in  a 
hundred  years ; it  may  come  to  only  one 
theatre  in  a thousand— but  when  it  comes 
there  is  only  one  relieving  feature — light. 
In  Chicago,  the  spectre  of  the  Iroquois 
tragedy  ever  looms  as  a vision  of  warning 
to  the  theatre  manager.  It  is  a lesson  that 
never  will  be  forgotten,  and  when  the  fire 
inspector  makes  his  daily  visit  to  each 
theatre  it  is  like  a warning  sent  down 
through  the  years  to  theatres  that  they  may 
never  hear  the  shrieks  of  a frenzied  audi- 
ence as  were  heard  on  the  memorable  day 
of  the  Iroquois  fire. 

No,  Chicago  will  never  forget  the  Iro- 
quois. Florida  will  never  forget  the  storm 
of  1926.  San  Francisco  will  never  forget 
the  earthquake.  And  from  the  memory 
comes  the  precept : There  must  be  light. 

* * * 

So  emergency  lighting  is  the  established 
thing  in  moving  picture  houses  today,  and 
the  flickering  flame  of  a gas  light  behind  a 
red  “Exit”  sign  is  to  be  seen  before  every 
avenue  to  the  outdoors.  The  thought  be- 
hind the  gas  light  is  that  if  there  is  a break 
in  the  electric  circuit  the  gas  will  remain  on 
duty. 

Gas  as  a means  of  giving  light  in  emer- 
gency received  a blow  within  the  last  few 
years.  With  the  advent  of  theatres  con- 
structed on  a grand  scale,  with  beauty  the 
keynote,  gas  was  objected  to  because  the 
gracefully  finished  walls  and  draperies  were 
harmed  by  the  smoke.  As  the  result,  emer- 
gency lighting  by  electricity,  from  a source 
independent  of  the  regular  circuit  is  being 
adopted  by  the  better  class  theatres. 

The  state  of  Pennsylvania  approved  and 
passed,  more  recently,  regulations  providing 
for  emergency  lighting  by  means  of  elec- 
tricity, which  makes  this  type  of  lighting 
compulsory.  Seattle,  Wash.,  may,  accord- 
ing to  C.  W.  Roberts,  Superintendent  of 
Buildings,  require  emergency  electric  light- 
ing equipment. 

^ ♦ 

The  first  electrical  emergency  equipment 
was  put  in  a Chicago  theatre  when  a famous 
syndicate,  building  a series  of  de  luxe  the- 
atres, applied  to  the  city  inspection  depart- 
ment for  permission  to  use  electricity  in- 
stead of  gas,  claiming  that  gas  smoked  the 
walls.  The  city  inspection  department  ap- 
proved the  use  of  electricity  as  well  as  gas, 
and  since  then  a great  number  of  motion 
picture  houses  in  all  sections  of  the  country 
have  taken  advantage  of  the  benefits. 

Use  of  electricity  for  emergency  lighting 
has  always  presented  many  difficulties,  and 
was  not  practicable  until  recent  develop- 
ments made  the  equipment  dependable.  The 
latest  equipment,  approved  by  the  Chicago 
city  inspection  department,  which  has  the 
most  rigid  code  of  any  in  the  country. 
Board  of  Fire  Underwriters  of  the  Pacific 
and  by  the  legislatures  of  several  states,  in- 
cluding Pennsylvania,  has  been  produced  by 
Roth  Brothers  & Co.,  a 33-year-old  Chicago 
Electrical  Machinery  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany. 

In  addition  to  providing  a source  of 
electricity  for  lighting  exits,  it  can  easily 
be  arranged  so  as  to  allow  the  projection 
machine  to  continue  in  operation  should  the 
normal  power  fail.  Most  municipal  ordi- 
nances demand  that  the  theatre  be  emptied 
entirely  after  one  hour  of  failure  of  the 
main  current  supply.  During  this  hour, 
however,  the  supply  may  be  continued,  and 
if  projection  continues  during  this  period 
the  audience  can  be  kept  in  ignorance  of 
the  failure.  After  the  house  is  filled  the 


Find  out  about 
the  **Light  That 
Never  Fails**  the 
Roth  Emergency 
Lighting  System. 


What 

are  the  requirements  for  successful  summer 
operation?” 

Good  pictures,  a cool  house  and 
^of  course,  good  projection 


99 


Better  theatres’  recent 

^ survey  on  the  question  of  sum- 
mer operation  brought  out  the 
importance  of  attention  to  good  pro- 
jection along  with  all  the  other  things 
that  are  required  in  successful  opera- 
tion. 

Twenty-three  exhibitors  included 
good  projection  among  their  absolute 
requirements  for  successful  operation. 
A Roth  ACTODECTOR  gives  you 
the  smooth,  steady  power  supply 


which  is  absolutely  necessary  for 
good  projection.  It  also  relieves  the 
projectionist  of  any  necessity  for 
regulation  or  adjustments  while  the 
show  is  running. 

Get  these  advantages  of  better  pro- 
jection, simpler  operation  and  real 
economy  by  installing  an 
ACTODECTOR  in  your  projection 
booth.  Send  for  the  special 
ACTODECTOR  bulletins  with  com- 
plete descriptions. 


Chicago,  Illinois 


Roth  Brothers  & Co. 

1409  West  Adams  Street 

Roth  Brothers 

ACTODECTOR- 


-9-Gray 


Replace  your  old  screen 
. as  conscientiously  as  you 
do  your  other  equipment — 
and  you’ll  be  astonished  at  the 
results  your  box-office  receipts 
show!  ^ Which  is  another  way 
of  saying:  Install  a Minusa  De 
Luxe  Special.  It  will  pay  you! 

Minusa  Cine  Screen  Company 

Bomont  at  Morgan  Saint  Louis 


^MINU/'A^ 

De  Luxe  Special  * 


44 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE 


July  9,  1927 


Emphasize  Comfort 
in  Seating 


Modern  Theatres 


The  Wisconsin  Chair  Co. 

Port  Washington,  Wis. 


by  equipping  with  such  com- 
fortable National  Upholstered 
Auditorium  Chairs. 

This  is  similar  to  the  National 
Seat  used  to  equip  the  new  Vene- 
tian Theatre,  Milwaukee,  and 
many  other  fine  new  theatres. 

For  booklets,  photographs, 
etc.,  write 


OfSS^" 


*^30 


Stage  Lighting 

Anything'  required,  from  a color  cap  to  a dimmer  hank. 


FOOTLIGHTS 

BORDERLIGHTS 

SPOTLIGHTS 

FLOODLIGHTS 


SCENIC  EFFECTS 
SCIOPTICONS 
COLOR  WHEELS 
COLOR  MEDIUMS 

Write  /or  descriptive  literature 


CONNECTORS 
STAGE  CABLE 
RESISTANCES 
MUSIC  STANDS 


Universal  Electric  Stage  Lighting  Co.,inc 

32f  West  50th  Street 

NEW  YORK.N,^ 


.^*30 


The  ^‘Warner"  Variable  Speed  Projector  Motor 


Speed 

Control 

Handle 


110  Tolts,  26  to  60  cycles 


Speeds 

150  R.  P.  M.  to  4000  R.  P.  M. 


Speed  control  entirely  self  con- 
tained within  motor. 

No  external  control  necessary. 
Speed  variations  accomplished  by 
simply  moving  the  handle  as 
shown  in  cut. 

Hundreds  of  theatre  owners  have 
replaced  constant  speed  motors 
with  “Warner”  variable  motors. 
Write  for  bulletin 

The  Wigginton  Company 

434  North  Church  Street 
KALAMAZOO,  MICHIGAN 

Also  Ventilating  Fans  and  Blotvers. 


cashier  has  nearly  all  of  the  money  in  bills 
and  consequently  cannot  give  back  each 
patron’s  admission  money  because  of  not 
having  small  change. 

* * * 

There  are  a number  of  models  for  use  in 
any  building,  all  of  which  are  modifications 
of  one  design.  The  apparatus  consists  of 
four  essential  elements,  namely,  a step  down 
transformer  (when  32  to  80  volts  are 
used)  of  sufficient  capacity  to  operate  all 
lights  on  the  system  continuously.  In  nor- 
mal operation,  when  the  building  is  open, 
and  the  system  is  connected,  the  emergency 
lights  are  always  on  this  transformer,  ex- 
cept when  the  primary  source  fails  or  the 
transformer  goes  bad.  No  transformer  is 
used  if  the  voltage  of  the  plant  is  120  volts. 
The  second  element  is  a storage  battery  of 
sufficient  capacity  to  carry  all  emergency 
lights  for  from  one  to  three  hours,  depend- 
ing upon  conditions,  when  the  main  source 
fails. 

Third,  a motor  generator  of  sufficient 
capacity  to  charge  the  fully  discharged  bat- 
tery. In  normal  operation  the  motor  gen- 
erator functions  to  keep  the  battery  in  an 
approximately  fully  charged  state.  It  is 
never  called  upon  to  carry  lighting  load,  in 
addition  to  charging  the  battery,  except 
when  the  transformer  fails  while  the  main 
source  is  still  on.  The  fourth,  and  oper- 
ating element,  is  a control  equipment  to 
provide  means  of  operating  and  controlling 
the  system. 

sK  }{;  i}j 

In  operation  the  emergency  lights  continue 
in  service  from  the  main  lighting  supply. 
As  soon  as  there  is  a break  in  the  main  line, 
automatic  switches  are  thrown  to  put  the 
load  on  the  storage  battery.  The  action  is 
so  quick  and  sure  that  even  when  the  pro- 
jection machine  is  in  the  circuit  there  is  no 
interruption  in  the  film  when  this  break 
occurs  and  the  current  is  transferred  to  the 
storage  battery  system,  which  can  be  of 
sufficient  capacity  to  operate  the  projector. 
All  of  the  equipment  is  mounted  in  a unit 
on  a compact  switchboard. 

When  the  fire  inspector  enters  the  theatre  , 
before  a performance,  he  closes  the  master 
switch,  which  turns  on  the  main  lighting 
supply  and  the  emergency  lighting  equip- 
ment. A switchboard,  located  near  the 
electrician,  with  a green  and  a red  light, 
and  voltmeter,  is  put  on  the  circuit.  If  the 
green  light  flashes  everything  is  well,  but  the 
red  light  indicates  failure  somewhere  in  the 
emergency  lighting  equipment.  This  is  im- 
mediately repaired.  The  voltmeter  indi- 
cates the  condition  of  the  battery  and  auto- 
matically puts  on  the  generator  to  bring  the 
battery  up  to  full  charge  in  case  it  is  run 
down.  C)n  some  models  there  is  a time 
clock  on  the  switchboard  which  automati- 
cally turns  on  the  generator  at  a specified 
time  interval  to  keep  the  battery  up  to  full 
power.  This  is  one  of  the  features  on 
which  a patent  has  been  applied  for. 

J{J  ^ 

Emergency  lighting,  while  particularly 
necessary  to  the  motion  picture  theatre, 
where  panic  is  so  greatly  feared,  is  gradu- 
ally being  spread  to  all  public  buildings, 
especially  hospitals.  There  have  been  many 
tragic  tales  of  disaster  due  to  failure  of 
light  during  storm  and  fire,  especially  in 
the  past  six  months.  ILspecially  interesting 
is  a recent  example  which  appeared  in  the 
newspapers  of  a large  eastern  city  and  was 
spotlighted  dramatically  by  “Time.”  It  is 
reprinted  below,  and  was  titled  “Palpable 
Darkness” : 

“One  of  the  most  delicate  of  all  opera- 
tions is  that  for  mastoid.  It  is  especially 
difficult  and  dangerous  when  the  patient  is 
very  young.  The  slightest  inaccuracy  on 
the  part  of  the  surgeon  will  let  his  scalpel 
pierce  the  meninges  and  brain,  but  the 
parents  of  the  16-month-old  child  that  lay 

on  the  operating  table  of  the  hos 

pital  one  night  last  week  had  the  fullesl 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


confidence  in  the  operator,  Dr.  Raphael 
Schillinger.  Rubber-gloved  and  white-suited, 
he  bent  tensely  over  the  tiny  head.  High 
powered  lamps  poured  their  white  fire  down. 
Two  assistants,  working  beside  him,  watched 
him  make  a deep  incision  in  the  porcelain 
curve  of  tissue  and  bone  behind  the  baby’s 
ear,  held  their  breath  as  he  worked  his  bright 
instrument  deeper,  upward  and  sideways, 
toward  the  brain — then  stood  frozen  with 
horror  as  the  palpable  darkness  of  tragedy 
blinded  them.  Every  light  in  the  hospital 
had  suddenly  gone  out. 

* * * 

“The  emergency  was  met.  The  supervis- 
ing nurse  rushed  pocket  flashlights  to  the 
operating  room;  by  their  feeble  and  uncer- 
tain light  Dr.  Schillinger  finished  his  opera- 
tion. The  baby  lived.  But  a question  has 
been  raised  which  the  nurses,  doctors,  in- 
ternes of  the  hospital  began  to  ask 

each  other,  ‘Should  not  our  hospital,  and 
every  hospital,  have  its  own  emergency  light 
system?’  ’’ 

The  loss  of  one  life  in  a hospital  is  tragic, 
but  the  danger  of  wholesale  slaughter  by  a 
frantic  audience  in  a theatre  is  horrible  to 
conceive.  And  the  sudden  loss  of  light  is 
nowhere  more  palpable  than  in  the  theatre, 
when  the  thousands  of  human  creatures 
suddenly  grow  tense,  and  the  silent  moment 
between  order  and  panic  lends  a palpability 
— a smothering  grip  to  the  darkness. 

Complete  Plans  for 
Equipment  Meet  in 
N.  Y.  July  18,  19 

Plans  for  the  Theatre  Equipment  Asso- 
ciation’s annual  convention  are  rapidly 
nearing  completion.  The  affair  will  be  held 
at  Hotel  Pennsylvania  July  18  and  19. 

Program  details  are  being  arranged  by 
the  special  committee  composed  of  Walter 
Green,  of  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company ; J.  C.  Kroesen,  of  Edison  Lamp 
Works,  and  Irving  Samuels,  of  Automatic 
Devices  Company.  Details  of  the  program 
will  be  announced  in  the  near  future.  The 
principles  of  the  Association  have  just  re- 
cently been  endorsed  by  Will  H.  Hays, 
President  of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers 
and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc.  Mr.  Hays 
in  endorsing  this  movement  said : 

“Any  movement  to  encourage  exhibitors 
to  give  their  patrons  the  best  service  pos- 
sible is,  of  course,  one  to  be  encouraged. 
The  most  representative  motion  picture  the- 
atres today  are  those  which  give  their  pat- 
rons every  comfort  and  convenience.  Their 
projection  is  perfect,  their  music  inspiring, 
and  to  the  entire  family  their  favorite  the- 
atre becomes  a community  center  rather 
than  just  a place  for  finding  amusement.” 

The  officers  and  directors  of  the  Theatre 
Equipment  Association  include  some  of  the 
best  known  men  in  the  industry.  They  are 
as  follows ; 

John  H.  Hertner,  of  the  Hertner  Electric 
Company,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  president ; S.  A. 
Louis,  of  the  Rialto  Theatre  Supply  Com- 
pany, Minneapolis,  Minn.,  vice-president ; 
S.  S.  Behrends,  of  the  Movie  Supply  Com- 
pany, Chicago,  111.,  treasurer;  I.  L.  Nixon, 
of  the  Bausch  & Lomb  Opt.  Company,  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y. ; J.  E.  McAuley,  of  the 
J.  E.  McAuley  Manufacturing  Company, 
Chicago,  111.;  Walter  Green,  of  the  Na- 
tional Theatre  Supply  Company,  New  York 
City,  N.  Y. ; Irving  Samuels,  of  the  Auto- 
matic Devices  Company,  Allentown,  Pa. ; 
J.  C.  Brown,  Amusement  Supply  Company, 
Tampa,  Fla.;  C.  D.  Struble,  of  the  Na- 
tional Theatre  Supply  Company,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


Artificial  Flowers  & Plants 

that  look  natural 

G.  REISING  & GO. 

227  W.  Austin  Ave.,  Corner  Franklin  St.  Chicago,  111. 

Write  for  Catalogue 


Remodeling  ? Expanding  ? 
Re  - equipping  ? 

Your  problem  is  our  problem  if  we  can  help 
you  to  secure  better  projection  results. 

THE  TRANSVERTER 


is  made  in  every  size  and  type  to  meet  the  needs 
of  Theatres  large  or  small. 


Our  Engineering  Department  is  at  your  service 
to  give  you  in  lay  language  the  information  so 
that  you  can  order  intelligently  and  project 
efficiently. 

Consult  us  on  your  needs 


M 


i 


ELECTRIC  COMPANY 


1900  W.  114th  Street  CLEVELAND.  OHIO 


46 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


'/{  Just  CAN'T  Be  Torn 


The  Tear-Proof  Silversheet  is  the  only 
screen  made  which  offers  these  four  recog- 
nized points  of  superiority  all  combined 
in  one  screen,  and  selling  at  a price  no 
higher  than  that  of  ordinary  screens: 

1.  CANVAS  BASE 

The  Tear-Proof  Silversheet  is  built  on  a non- 
tearable,  abuse-resisting,  puncture-proof  canvas 
base.  This  fabric  is  so  tough  it  resists  the  dam- 
age that  would  ruin  a screen  built  on  a lighter 
base. 

a.  SPECIFICATION  SURFACE 

The  Tear-Proof  Silversheet  is  the  only  screen 
made  with  a specification-built  surface  on  a can- 
vas base.  This  is  the  same  Knobel-built  pebble 
surface  that  has  brought  Silversheet  world-wide 
fame  for  its  projection  qualities. 

3.  GENUINE  REDWOOD  FRAME 

The  genuine  Redwood  Silversheet  tension  frame 
is  fitted  with  our  well  known  steel  jacket  ten- 
sion device,  which  always  keeps  the  screen  taut 
and  gives  the  frame  unlimited  life. 

4.  SATISFACTION  GUARANTEED 

We  back  each  Tear-Proof  Silversheet  with  a 
money-back,  absolute  guarantee  of  satisfaction 
in  every  respect.  Why  experiment  when  you 
KNOW  you  can’t  go  wrong  on  a positively 
guaranteed  Silversheet? 

AMERICAN  SILVERSHEET  CO. 

Saint  Louis 

Write  direct  or  to  the  nearest  “National” 
Branch  for  details  and  prices. 


Four  New  Theatres 
in  Wisconsin  Set 
Dates  for  Opening 

Tentative  dates  for  the  opening  of  a 
number  of  theatres  in  Wisconsin  have  been 
announced,  among  them  being  Universal’s 
new  theatre  at  Oshkosh,  which  is  being 
erected  at  a cost  of  $725,000  with  a seating 
capacity  of  2,500.  The  theatre  is  of  the 
atmospheric  type  and  modern  throughout. 
This  theatre  will  open  Sept.  1. 

At  Monroe  Frank  W.  Fischer  of  the 
Fischer  Paramount  theatre  has  announced 
that  his  new  theatre  in  that  city  will  open 
between  Dec.  1 and  25.  The  theatre  will 
be  on  the  style  of  Fischer’s  Portage  theatre 
with  the  exception  that  it  will  be  more 
elaborate. 

N.  J.  Blumberg,  Milwaukee  representa- 
tive of  the  Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit  an- 
nounces that  work  on  the  new  theatre  in 
Sheboygan  will  start  soon  and  will  be  ready 
for  occupancy  by  January  1,  1928.  The 
theatre  will  be  of  the  atmospheric  type 
and  have  a seating  capacity  of  1,800. 

At  Burlington  plans  are  being  made  by 
Oberg-Hogansen  interests  for  the  erection 
of  a $60,000  theatre.  These  plans  were 
originally  announced  in  April  but  were 
temporarily  held  up  due  to  a lease  which 
another  motion  picture  theatre  concern  took 
on  neighboring  property.  This  has  now 
been  settled  and  work  will  commence 
shortly. 

Harry  Hart,  sales  manager  of  Celebrated 
Players,  has  taken  over  the  Strand  theatre 
at  Manitowoc,  Wis.  George  Herzog  was 
the  former  operator  of  the  theatre.  At 
Port  Washington,  Wis.,  Harry  Perliwitz, 
Milwaukee,  has  leased  the  Ozaukee  theatre 
from  Hoff  and  Adams,  joint  owners. 


Seattle  Playhouse 
Costing  $ly500,000 
to  Open  in  August 

Early  in  August  Seattle’s  new  $1,500,000 
Orpheum  theatre  in  Times  Square  will  open 
its  doors,  marking  a milestone  in  theatre 
building  on  the  Pacific  Coast. 

With  a reddish  brick  and  terra  cotta 
surface,  the  new  Orpheum  will  be  of  late 
Spanish  architecture,  and  besides  the  huge 
theatre  about  sixty  offices  vyill  be  in  the 
six-story  Orpheum  building  itself. 

The  big  balcony  in  the  theatre  is  reached 
by  runways  and  also  by  elevators  of  sixty- 
persons  capacity.  A dozen  huge  chande- 
liers, three  to  go  over  the  orchestra  and 
three  over  the  balcony  have  been  ordered. 
In  addition  to  the  exits  from  the  sides,  two 
outside  balcony  runways  on  Fifth  avenue 
are  being  constructed  with  an  artistic  touch 
to  get  away  from  the  big  blank  wall  effect. 

The  latest  and  most  efficient  electrical 
system  for  operating  the  curtains  and  lights 
throughout  the  theatre  are  now  being  in- 
stalled. 

An  examination  of  the  present  interior 
shows  a spacious  theatre  which  will  seat 
3,000  persons  and  the  architect’s  designs 
necessitate  the  furthest-back  seat  in  the 
house  to  be  within  sound  and  vision  of  the 
stage  as  clearly  as  a seat  in  the  orchestra. 

Manager  Carl  Reiter  will  have  his  entire 
staff  from  the  former  Orpheum  working 
with  him,  and  the  opening  date  will  be  an- 
nounced in  the  near  future. 


Newest 

and 

Best 


LIBERTY 


MUSIC  STAND 

Patented 


Standard  for 
All  Purposes 

Send  for  Our  New 
Booklet 


LIBERTY  MUSIC  STAND  CO. 

I960  E.  116th  St.  Cleveland,  O. 


Your  Patrons 
are  Guests— 

treat  them 
as  such  ! 

^ UESTS  in  your  home 
are  treated  with  the 
utmost  of  consideration. 
Their  slightest  whims  are 
readily  granted.  And  you, 
as  a host,  do  everything 
in  your  power  to  make 
them  comfortable  and 
happy.  . . . 

But  what  about  the 
guests  in  your  theatre- 
are  they  happy  and  com- 
fortable? What  if  they  do 
sit  in  soft,  roomy  chairs— 
what  if  they  do  witness 
marvelous  pictures  flaw- 
lessly projected  — is  the 
air  they  breathe  fresh  and 
healthful?  That's  most 
important. 


The 

Noiseless 

Blizzard 

Cooliiig 

aind 

Ventilating 

System 

Sells  for 
As  Low  As 

$100 


MR.  EXHIBITOR: 

Don’t  merely  hope  and  pray 
for  business  these  hot  days— 
install  a Blizzard  now  and 
make  certain  of  it. 

Ask  about  our 
Easy  Payment  Plan 

See  your  National  Theatre 
Supply  Company  Salesman 


or  tear  out  and  mail 


E.H. 


BLIZZARD  SALES  CO. 
OMAHA,  NEBR. 

Send  me  more  details  relative  to 
your  Guaranteed  Blizzard  Fan. 


..Theatre 


..City.. 


..State 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


July  9,  1927 


Many  New  Theatres 
Under  Construction 
in  Canadian  Cities 

An  extensive  theatre  building  program 
is  under  way  in  Canada,  many  film  palaces 
being  under  construction  or  contemplated. 
One  of  the  largest  of  these  is  the  Orpheum 
theatre  in  Vancouver,  B.  C.  Other  build- 
ing in  British  Columbia  includes  Famous 
Players  houses  at  New  Westminster,  Trail 
and  Kimberley. 

There  is  also  considerable  construction  in 
the  Province  of  Ontario.  S.  Major,  head 
of  the  Major  Theatre  Company,  Toronto, 
is  sponsoring  the  erection  of  a $75,000  the- 
atre for  Silverthorne,  a suburb  of  Toronto. 
T.  H.  Moorehead,  of  Brampton,  is  super- 
vising the  construction  of  a new  theatre  in 
Brampton,  Ontario,  to  cost  $100,000.  S. 
Weller,  of  the  Capiitol  theatre,  Trenton, 
contemplates  the  erection  of  a new  house 
in  Kingston. 

At  Bridgburg,  the  Ontario  terminus  of 
the  new  Peace  Bridge  over  the  Niagara 
river  from  Buffalo,  a new  theatre  is  being 
erected  to  be  called  the  Regent.  At  Otta- 
wa, Famous  Players  propose  to  finish  the 
large  downtown  theatre  which  was  started 
some  four  years  ago  but  was  never  com- 
pleted. This_  will  replace  the  Russell  the- 
atre, which  is  to  be  torn  down  ito  make 
way  for  a new  Government  park. 

The  Ukrainian  Society  of  Toronto  has 
taken  out  a permit  for  the  erection  of  a 
theatre  at  Bathurst  and  Dundas  streets. 

_ The  town  council  of  Dundalk,  Ontario 
IS  securing  figures  for  the  erection  of  a 
theatre  as  a municipal  venture, 

A theatre  and  hotel  project  at  London, 
Ontario,  has  the  backing  of  Detroit,  Mich., 
interests,  it  is  announced.  ' 

The  B and  F.  Circuit,  Toronto,  headed 
^am  Bloom  and  Sam  Fine,  have  under- 
^ken  the  erection  of  two  more  theatres  for 
Toronto  suburbs. 


Rudolph  Wurlitzer 
Elected  President 
of  Music  Company 

Howard  E.  Wurlitzer,  who  was  affiliated 
^Bh  The  Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Company  since 
1892,  and  who,  since  June  23,  1912,  has 
served  this  company  as  director  and  pres- 
ident, was  re-elected  one  of  the  directors 
and  made  chairman  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors. 

Rudolph  H.  Wurlitzer,  who  has  been 
with  the  company  since  1894  and  who  has 
been  vice  president  since  1912,  has  been 
made  president. 

The  officers  and  directors  elected  are  as 
follows ; 

Board  of  Directors : Howard  E.  Wur- 
litzer, chairman;  Rudolph  H.  Wurlitzer, 
Farny  R.  Wurlitzer,  Thomas  P.  Clancy, 
James  L.  Ryan,  Raimund  B.  Wurlitzer, 
I.  H.  Lyons. 

Other  officers  of  the  company  are : Ru- 
dolph H.  Wurlitzer,  president;  Farny  R. 
Wurlitzer,  vice  president  and  treasurer; 
Thomas  P.  Clancy,  vice  president  and  as- 
sistant treasurer;  James  L.  Ryan,  vice  pres- 
ident; John  P.  Weis,  secretary;  Walter 
Wolf,  assistant  treasurer;  Ruth  Selby,  as- 
sistant secretary. 


U'P  Hundreds  of  theatres,  like  the  Lyric  of 

^ Covington  (above),  have  found  that  the 

installation  of  an  attractive  A.  M.  P.  Marquise  over  the 
theatre  entrance  is  an  investment  in  patronage  good  will — ■ 
which  always  means  increased  box  office  receipts.  Make 
it  your  turn  next ! 


You  will  want  to  know  more  about  A.  M.  P.  Marquise — 
Let  us  send  the  information  to  you. 


Architectural  Metal  Products,  Inc, 

COVINGTON,  KENTUCKY 


70c  of  Every  Dollar 

IS  PROFIT 

“To  any  Theatre  Owner  looking  for  a ‘new  profit 
getter’  I heartily  recommend  the  Cretors  Popcorn 
Machine”  (name  on  request). 

Theatre  owners  have  described  their  “Cretors”  as 
priceless.  A sure  source  of  profit.  A marvel  in 
Simplicity — Large  Capacity — Quick  Popping  Feature. 
Seasons  Each  Kernel  Alike — while  popping. 
Write  for  Catalog — Easy  Installment  Terms. 

C.  CRETORS  & CO. 

Established  1885 

612  W.  22ND  STREET  CHICAGO 


The  choice  of  a 

MASTER  SHOWMAN 

ROXY 

uses  the 


Picture  Quality  Prompted  the  Choice 


Raven  Screen  Corporation  New  York,  N.  Y. 


48 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


July  9,  1927 


Better  Theatres  Information 
and  Catalog  Bureau 

Many  of  the  products  listed  below  are  advertised  by  reliable  companies  in  this  issue  of  “Better  Theatres" 


Free  Service  to  Readers 
of  “Better  Theatres” 

“Better  Theatres”  offers  on  these  pages  an  indi- 
vidual service  to  its  readers  through  this  Exhibitors 
Information  and  Catalog  Bureau.  Detailed  informa- 
tion and  catalogs  concerning  any  product  listed  on 
these  pages  will  be  sent  to  any  theatre  owner,  man- 
ager, architect  or  projectionist. 

^Fill  in  the  coupon  on  the  next  page  and  mail  it  to 
^ the  “Better  Theatres”  division,  Elxhibitors  Herald, 
407  S.  Dearborn  street,  Chicago. 

of  the  products  listed  by  this  Bureau  are 
advertised  in  this  issue  of  “Better  Theatres.”  See 
Advertisers  Index. 

^We  are  glad  to  serve  you.  Do  not  hesitate  to  ask 
^ us  for  any  information  on  equipment  or  problems 
pertaining  to  the  efficient  operation  of  your  theatre. 


IjrMany 

^ adver 


A 

1 Accounting  systems. 

2 Accoustical  installations. 

3 Adapters,  carbon. 

4 Adding,  calculating  ma- 

chines. 

5 Admission  signs. 

6 Addressing  machines. 

7 Advertising  novelties, 

materials. 

8 Advertising  projectors. 

9 Air  conditioning  equip- 

ment. 

10  Air  dome  tents. 

11  Aisle  lights. 

12  Aisle  rope. 

13  Alarm  signals. 

14  Arc  lamps,  reflecting. 

15  Architectural  service. 

16  Arc  regulators. 

17  Artificial  plants,  flowers. 

18  Art  titles. 

19  Automatic  curtain  con- 

trol. 

20  Automatic  projection 

cutouts. 

21  Automatic  sprinklers. 

B 

22  Balloons,  advertising. 

23  Banners. 

24  Baskets,  decorative. 

25  Bell-buzzer  signal  sys- 
tems. 

26  Blocks,  pulleys,  stage- 

rigging. 

27  Blowers,  hand. 

28  Booking  agencies  for  mu- 

sicians. 

29  Booking  agencies  (state 

kind). 

30  Boilers. 

31  Bolts,  panic. 

32  Booths,  projection. 

33  Booths,  ticket. 

34  Box,  loge  chairs. 

35  Brass  grills. 

36  Brass  rails. 

37  Brokers-Theatre  promo- 

tion. 

38  Bulletin  boards,  change- 

able. 

c 

39  Cable. 

40  Cabinets. 

41  Calcium  lights. 

42  Cameras. 

43  Canopies  for  fronts. 

44  Carbons. 

45  Carbon  sharpeners. 

46  Carbon  wrenches. 

47  Carpets. 

48  Carpet  cushion. 


49  Carpet  cleaning  com- 

pound. 

50  Carpet  covering. 

51  Cases,  film  shipping. 

52  Cement,  film. 

53  Chair  covers. 

54  Chairs,  wicker. 

55  Chairs,  theatre. 

56  Change  makers. 

57  Changer  overs. 

58  Color  hoods. 

59  Color  wheels. 

60  Condensers. 

D 

61  Date  strips. 

62  Decorations  (state  kind). 

63  Decorators,  theatre. 

64  Dimmers. 

65  Disinfectants — perfumed. 

66  Doors,  fireproof. 

67  Draperies. 

68  Drinking  fountains. 

69  Duplicating  machines. 

E 

70  Electric  circuit  testing 

instruments. 

71  Electric  fans. 

72  Electrical  flowers. 

73  Electric  power  generat- 

ing plants. 

74  Electric  signs. 

75  Electric  signal  and  con- 

trol systems. 

76  Emergency  lighting 

plants. 

77  Exit  light  signs. 

F 

78  Film  cleaners. 

79  Film  splicing  machine. 

80  Film  tools  (state  kind). 

81  Film  waxing  machine. 


82  Fire  alarms. 

83  Fire  escapes. 

84  Fire  extinguishers. 

85  Fire  hose. 

86  Fire  hose  reels,  carts. 

87  Fire  proof  curtains. 

88  Fire  proof  doors. 

89  Fire  proofing  materials. 

90  Fixtures,  lighting. 

91  Flashlights. 

92  Flashers,  Electric  sign. 

93  Flood  lighting. 

94  Floorlights. 

95  Floor  covering. 

96  Floor  runners. 

97  Flowers,  artificial. 

98  Footlights. 

99  Fountains,  decorative. 

100  Fountains,  drinking. 

101  Frames-poster,  lobby  dis- 

play. 

102  Fronts,  metal  theatre. 

103  Furnaces,  coal  burning. 

104  Furnaces,  oil  burning. 

105  Furniture,  theatre. 

106  Fuses. 

G 

107  Generators. 

108  Grilles,  brass. 

109  Gummed  labels. 

110  Gypsum  products. 

H 

111  Hardware,  stage. 

112  Heating  system,  coal. 

113  Heating  system,  oil. 

I 

114  Ink,  pencils  for  slides. 

115  Insurance,  Fire. 

116  Insurance,  Rain. 

117  Interior  decorating  serv- 

ice. 

118  Interior  illuminated 

signs. 


J 

119  Janitors’  supplies. 

L 

120  Labels,  film  caution. 

121  Lamps,  decorative. 

122  Lamp  dip  coloring. 

123  Lamps,  general  lighting. 

124  Lamps,  incandescent  pro- 

jection. 

125  Lamps,  reflecting  arc. 

126  Lamp  shades. 

127  Lavatory  equipment,  fur- 

nishings. 

128  Lavatory  fixtures. 

129  Ledgers,  theatre. 

130  Lenses. 

131  Lights,  exit. 

132  Lights,  spot. 

133  Lighting  fixtures. 

134  Lighting  installations. 

135  Lighting  systems,  com- 

plete. 

136  Linoleum. 

137  Liquid  soap. 

138  Liquid  soap  containers. 

139  Lithographers. 

140  Lobby  display  frames. 

141  Lobby  gazing  balls. 

142  Lobby  furniture. 

143  Lobby  decorations. 

144  Lubricants  (state  kind). 

145  Luminous  numbers. 

146  Luminous  signs,  interior, 

exterior. 

M 

147  Machines,  ticket. 

148  Machines,  pop  corn. 

149  Machines,  sanitary  vend- 

ing. 

150  Make  up,  boxes,  theatri- 

cal. 

151  Marble. 

152  Marquise. 

153  Mats,  leather. 

154  Mats  and  runners. 

155  Mazda  projection  adapt- 

ers. 

156  Metal  lath. 

157  Metal  polish. 

158  Mirror,  shades. 

159  Motor  generators. 

160  Motion  picture  cable. 

161  Musical  instruments 

(state  kind). 

162  Music  publishers. 

163  Music  rolls. 

164  Music  stands. 

N 

165  Napkins. 

166  Novelties,  advertising. 

167  Nursery  furnishings  and 

equipment. 


July  9,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


Exhibitors  Information  and  Catalog  Bureau 


o 

168  Oil  burners. 

169  Orchestral  pieces. 

170  Orchestra  pit  fittings, 

furnishings. 

171  Organs. 

172  Organ  novelty  slides. 

173  Organ  lifts. 

174  Organ  chamber  heaters. 

175  Ornamental  fountains. 

176  Ornamental  metal  work. 

177  Ornamental  metal  thea- 

tre fronts. 

P 

178  Paint,  screen. 

179  Paper  drinking  cups. 

180  Paper  towels. 

181  Perfumers. 

182  Photo  frames. 

183  Pianos. 

184  Picture  sets. 

185  Player  pianos. 

186  Plastic  fixtures  and  dec- 

orations. 

187  Plumbing  fixtures. 

188  Positive  film. 

189  Posters. 

190  Poster  frames. 

191  Poster  lights. 

192  Poster  paste. 

193  Portable  projectors. 

194  Pottery,  decorative. 

195  Power  generating  plants. 

196  Printing,  theatre. 

197  Programs. 

198  Program  covers. 

199  Program  signs,  illumi- 

nated. 

200  Projection  lamps. 


201  Projection  machines. 

202  Projection  machine 

parts. 

203  Projection  room  equip- 

ment. 

R 

204  Radiators. 

205  Radiator  covers. 

206  Rails,  brass. 

207  Rails,  rope. 

208  Rain  insurance. 

209  Rectifiers. 

210  Reconstruction  service. 

211  Redecorating  service. 

212  Reflectors  (state  kind). 

213  Refurnishing  service. 

214  Regulators,  Mazda. 

215  Reels. 

216  Reel  end  signals. 

217  Reel  packing,  carrying 

cases. 

218  Resonant  orchestra  plat- 

form. 

219  Reseating  service. 

220  Rewinding  film. 

221  Rheostats. 

222  Rigging,  stage. 

223  Roofing  materials. 

s 

224  Safes,  film. 

225  Scenery,  stage. 

226  Scenic  artists’  service. 

227  Screens. 

228  Screen  paint. 

229  Seat  covers. 

230  Seat  indicators,  vacant. 

231  Seats,  theatres. 

232  Signs  (state  kind). 


233  Signs,  parking. 

234  Signals,  reel  end. 

235  Sign  flashers. 

236  Sign-cloth. 

237  Sign  lettering  service. 

238  Sidewalk  machines,  corn 

poppers. 

239  Slides. 

240  Slide  ink,  pencils. 

241  Slide  lanterns. 

242  Slide  making  outfits. 

243  Slide  mats. 

244  Shutters,  metal  fire. 

245  Soap  containers,  liquid. 

246  Speed  indicators. 

247  Spotlights. 

248  Stage  doors-valances,  etc. 

249  Stage  lighting  equipment. 

250  Stage  lighting  systems. 

251  Stage  rigging-blocks, 

pulleys. 

252  Stage  scenery. 

253  Stair  treads. 

254  Statuary. 

255  Steel  lockers. 

256  Stereopticons. 

257  Sweeping  compounds. 

258  Switchboards. 

259  Switches,  automatic. 

T 

260  Talley  counters. 

261  Tapestries. 

262  Tax  free  music. 

263  Telephones,  inter-com- 

municating. 

264  Temperature  regulation 

system. 

265  Terra  Cotta. 

266  Terminals. 

267  Theatre  accounting  sys- 

tems. 

268  Theatre  dimmers. 


269  Theatre  seats. 

270  Tickets. 

271  Ticket  booths. 

272  Ticket  choppers. 

273  Ticket  holders. 

274  Ticket  racks. 

275  Ticket  selling  machines. 

276  Tile. 

277  Tile  stands. 

278  Tool  cases,  operator’s. 

279  Towels,  paper. 

280  Towels,  cloth. 

281  Trailers. 

282  Transformers. 

283  Tripods. 

284  Turnstiles,  registering. 

285  Typewriters. 

u 

286  Uniforms. 

V 

287  Valances,  for  boxes. 

288  Vases,  stone. 

289  Vacuum  cleaners. 

290  Ventilating  fans. 

291  Ventilating,  cooling  sys- 

tem. 

292  Ventilating  systems, 

complete. 

293  Vending  machines,  soap, 

towels,  napkins,  etc. 

294  Vitrolite. 

w 

295  Wall  burlap. 

296  Wall  leather. 

297  Watchman’s  clocks. 

298  Water  coolers. 

299  Wheels,  color. 


USE  THIS  COUPON 

“BETTER  THEATRES”  DIVISION 

Exhibitors  Herald 

407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago. 

Gentlemen:  I should  like  to  receive  reliable  information  on  the  items  listed  following: 

(Refer  to  Items  by  Number) 


Remarks  : 


Name Theatre City. 

State Seating  Capacity 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  9,  1927 


Advertised  in  This 

BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION 

(If  you  desire  something  not  listed  here,  Exhibitors  Information  and  Catalog 
Bureau  on  preceding  pages  will  get  it  for  you.) 


Page 

AISLE  LIGHTS 


Kausalite  Mfg.  Co 36 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

ANCHOR  EXPANSION  BOLTS 
The  Paine  Co 35 

2951  Carroll  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

ASSOCIATIONS 

Theatre  Equipment  Ass’n 24 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 


AUTOMATIC  CURTAIN 
CONTROL 

Automatic  Devices  Co 42 

17  N.  7th  St.,  Allento'.irn,  Pa. 

E.  J.  Vallen  Elec.  Co 28 

Akron,  Ohio. 

BANNERS,  HAND  PAINTED 

H.  Dryfhout  26 

736  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

CARBONS 

Hugo  Reisinger  32 

11  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 

CHANGE  MAKERS 

Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  Co 3 

W atertown,  Wis. 

DIMMERS 

Cutler-Hammer  Mfg.  Co 5 

12th  & St.  Paul  Ave.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

DISPLAY  CUTOUT  MACHINES 

International  Register  Co 23 

15  Throop  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

DRAPERIES 

Windowcraft  Drapery  Co 28 

328  Superior  Ave.,  N.  W.,  Cleveland. 

ELECTRIC  FLASHERS,  COLOR 
HOODS 

Reynolds  Electric  Co 34 

2651  W.  Congress  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

EQUIPMENT  SUPPLIES 


624  S.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chiacgo,  III. 

FLOWERS,  PLANTS — ARTIHCIAL 
G.  Reising  & Co 45 

227  W.  Austin  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

HEATING  & VENTILATING 

B.  F.  Reynolds  & Co 38 

118  W.  Ohio,  Chicago,  III. 

INTERIOR  DECORATING  PROD- 
UCTS 

U.  S.  Gypsum  Co 25 

205  W.  Monroe  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

LENSES 

Bausch  & Lomb 34 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

MARQUISE,  CANOPIES 

Architectural  Metal  Prod.,  Inc....  47 

19  W.  8th  St.,  Covington,  Ky. 

Edwards  Mfg.  Co 40 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


MOTION  PICTURE  CABLE 

Rockbestos  Products  Corp 

New  Haven,  Conn.  3rd  Cover 

MOTOR  GENERATORS 

Automatic  Devices  Co 42 

Allentown,  Pa. 

MOTORS  FOR  PROJECTORS 

The  Wigginton  Co 44 

434  N.  Church  St.,  Kalamazoo,  Mich. 


Page 

MUSIC  STANDS 

Gallagher  Orchestra  Equip.  Co....  37 

616  W.  Elm  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Liberty  Music  Stand  Co 46 

1960  E.  116th  St.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

ORGANS 

George  Kilgen  & Son,  Inc Insert 

4016  N.  Union  Blvd.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Nelson-Wiggen  Piano  Co 39 

1731  Belmo.nt  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Operators  Piano  Co 33 

715  N.  Kedzie  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Page  Organ  Company 14 

519  N.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio. 

Schaefer  Organ  Co 32 

Slinger,  Wis. 

Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Co .2nd  Cover 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ORGAN  HEATERS 

Cramblet  Eng.  Corp 26 

286  Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

POP  CORN  MACHINES 

C.  Cretors  & Co 47 

612  W.  22nd  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

PROJECTORS 

Enterprise  Optical  Co 4th  Cover 

564  W.  Randolph  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Holmes  Projector  Corp 27 

1632  N.  Halsted  St.,  Chicago,  III. 
International  Proj.  Corp.,  Pow- 
er’s Division Insert 

90  Gold  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

International  Proj.  Corp.,  Sim- 
plex Division Insert 

90  Gold  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

REFLECTING  ARC  LAMPS 

Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Co 22 

4214  Santa  Monica  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles, 

Cal. 

Hall  & Connolly,  Inc 24 

129  Grand  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

McAuley  Mfg.  Company Insert 

554  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Perfection  Arc  Co.,  Inc 38 

736  37th  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Strong  Electric  Co 39 

2501  Lagrange  St.,  Toledo,  Ohio. 

REWIND  PULLEYS 

Best  Devices  Co 39 

Film  Building,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

RHEOSTATS 

Hoffmann  & Soons 37 

522  First  Ave.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

SAFETY  APPARATUS 

Sentry  Safety  Control  Corp 21 

Lincoln  Bldg.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


SCHOOLS  FOR  ORGANISTS 
Vermond  Knauss  School  of  The- 


atre Organ  Playing 27 

210  N.  7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

SCREENS 

American  Silversheet  Co 46 

915  Wash  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Da-Lite  Screen  Co 42 

922  W.  Monroe  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Minusa  Cine  Screen  Co 43 

Morgan  at  Bomont,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Raven  Screen  Corp 47 

1476  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 


Page 


SEATS 

American  Seating  Co 4- 

14  E.  Jackson  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Heywood- Wakefield  Co 6 

209  Washington  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

Wisconsin  Chair  Company 44 

Port  Washington,  Wis. 

SIGNS — ELECTRIC 

Milne  Elec.  Co 40 

189  Fifth  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

SLIDES 

J.  F,  Ransley 36 

54  W.  Randolph  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

SOUND  PROOHNG  SYSTEMS 

Stevens  Soundproofing  Co 33 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

STAGE  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Frank  Adam  Elec.  Co 1st  Cover 

3650  Windsor  Ave.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Belson  Mfg.  Company 41 

800  Sibley  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Brenkert  Light  Proj.  Co 33 

7348  St.  Aubin  Ave.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Display  Stage  Lighting  Co 25 

334  W.  44th  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

Kliegel  Brothers  44 

321  W.  50th  St.  N.  Y.  C. 

Major  Equipment  Co 34 

4603  Fullerton  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Wm.  Wurdack  Elec.  Mfg.  Co 20 

21  S.  11th  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

STAGE  RIGGING  HARDWARE 

J.  H.  Channon  Corp 36 

223  W.  Erie  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

J.  R.  Clancy. 36 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Peter  Clark,  Inc 32 

534  W.  30th  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

STAGE  SCENERY 

Tiffin  Scenic  Studios 34 

Tiffin,  Ohio. 

THEATRE  BUILDING  SERVICE 

United  Studios,  Inc 16 

28  W.  Lake  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

THEATRE  PRINTING,  PROGRAMS 

Exhibitors  Printing  Service 37 

711  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

The  National  Program  & Print- 
ing Co 38 

729  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

TRANSFORMERS 

Hertner  Electric  Co - 45 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Liberty  Elec.  Corp 26 

Stamford,  Conn. 

Roth  Brothers  & Co 43 

1400  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

USHERS’  SIGNAL  SYSTEMS 

Acme  Elec.  Construction  Co 24 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

VENTILATING  EQUIPMENT 

Blizzard  Fan  Sales  Co 46 

1514  Davenport  St.,  Omaha,  Neb. 

Lakeside  Ventilating  Co 19 

Hermansville,  Mich. 

Supreme  Heat.  & Vent.  Co 35 

1915  Pine  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Typhoon  Fan  Co 28 

345  W.  39th  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

Zack  Company  — 41 

2311  W.  VoM  Buren  St.,  Chicago,  III. 


ROCKBESTOS 


-the  asbestos  covered  wire 


“Roxy”  Projection  Room 


In  building  the  “Roxy”,  the  Cathe- 
dral of  Motion  Pictures,  everything 
that  went  into  this  beautiful  theatre 
was  selected  because  of  its  preemi- 
nent quality. 

Simplex  Projectors  equipped  with 
Rockbestos  Motion  Picture  Cable 
are  used  in  the  Projection  Rooms. 

Long  life,  perfect  insulation,  real 
service  make  Rockbestos  Motion 
Picture  Cable  the  choice  of  most 
theatre  owners  and  projectionists. 


has  Simplex  Projectors 
a7id  they  are  equipped 

with  ROCKBESTOS  Motioti 
Pictui'e  Cable. 


“Roxy” 


Better  Projection  Equipment  Pays. 


Roxy  Theatre,  New  York 


ROCKBESTOS  PRODUCTS 

CORPORAT  I ON 

NEW  HAVEN,  CONN. 

6942  Grand  Central  Term.  Bldg.,  New  York  465  Union  Trust  Bldg.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  224  Madison  Term.  Bldg..  Chicago 


On  the  Pacific  Coast — Allied  Industries,  Inc, 


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CHAPLIN 

is  added  to 

2 GILBERTS 

3 SHEARERS 

2 GARBOS 

3 DAVIES 
1 GISH 

3 CHANEYS 

4 HAINES 

1 NOVARRO 
3 DANE- 
ARTHURS 

3 CODY- 
PRINGLES 

2 COOGANS 
6 McCOYS 

5 COSMO- 
POLITANS 

2 DOG  STAR 

and  Great  Big 
Specials  and 
Junior  Features 

— what  a product! 


EXTRA! 


^TALLAHANS  and  Murphys” 
STARTS  on  historic  career 
CHALLENGING  '‘Rookies”  record 
A sensation  at  the  State,  Los  Angeles 
2nd  WEEK  at  Cameo,  Cleveland 
AND  read  this  Telegram: 

“Callahans  opened  to  capacity  Leland 
Theatre,  Albany,  Greatest  box-office 
comedy.  Patrons  in  hysterics.” — C.  BUCKLEY 

WHEN  considering  ’27'’28 

REMEMBER  who  makes 
THE  hits! 


0M-G-M^ 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


|w 

yWm/ 


I 


ol.  XXX,  No.  5 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  2, 
1879.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


July  16,  1927 


Lcmdus 


.New  York 

1560  Bvoadway  Chicago 

624So.A\iclvi^an 

San  Francisco 
168  Golden  Gate 


1914  So: 


■mont 


I K^e>tumeJD(a^an  Ptreuss  tons  Used 


InAmencasy 
L Fi'nGst  I 
A Theatres  L 


" SAENGER 

c7V&)  Orleans 

Conceded  b\/  architectural  critics  to  be  one 
of  the  World’s  most  palatial  thcatres,thG-A^»z^^ 
SAENGER  theatre  at  New  Orleans  is  an 
artistic  triumph. 

The  pro^rcs  s of  the  ^reat  SAEN GER  op 


■ -»  A V J.  T Xl'A  *1  VB-J.  B'VB-  A » »V«X  A »■  V X •] 

have  shared  in  the  general  prosperitv  of  ti 
tr\|,  without  departing  from  the  highest  possible 
standard  of  buisness  ethics. 

The  same  resourceful  showmanship  and  dis- 
cerning jud^i^nt  that  created  this  Wonderful 
organization,  is  re^onsible  for  the  choice  of  the 
Robert  Morton  Super-Unit  now  installed  in 
the  World’s  most  beautiful  theatre,  the-" 
GREATER  SAENGER  New  Orleans. 


It  takes  more  than 
“just  movies”  to  roll 
up  the  big  grosses 

today 

I 

It  takes  super- 
pictures  - like 

Far  off  the  beat- 
en path,  daring, 
talk-provoking 

9 weeks  at  Rivoli,  N.  Y. 

4th  week  at  Roosevelt,  Chicag< 
3rd  week  at  Adams,  Detroit 
2nd  week  at  Fenway,  Boston 

That’s  just  the  start! 


-G- 


HAS  NO 


COMPETITION 


2 JOHN  GILBERTS 


NORMA  SHEARERS 


I MARION  DAVIES 


■examine  every  other  product,  then  look 
at  M'Q'M’s  line-up— there’s  no  comparison! 


NEVER  have  exhibitors 
RESPONDED  SO  quickly 
TO  a product* 

M-G-M  has  no  competition 
FOR  19274928! 

NATURALLY 
WITH  such  a product 
M-G-M  gets  the  contracts! 

NO  competitor 
CAN  even  touch  the 
BIG  Parade  of  Stars! 

YOU  know  it! 

TRY  to  find  a group  of 
NAMES  to  compete  with  these! 
IT  can’t  be  done — 

M-G-M  is  your  Best  Buy. 


THE  GARDEN  OF  ALLAH 

(Rex  Ingram’s  Qreatest!) 

THE  CROWD 

(King  Vidor’s  New  Triumph!) 

THE  COSSACKS 

(A  Big  John  Qilbert  Special) 

ROSE-MARIE 

(The  Famous  Stage  Hit) 

NAPOLEON 

(The  Sensation  of  Today!) 

MADEMOISELLE  FROM 
ARMENTIERES 

(The  Big  Parade  of  England) 

BODY  AND  SOUL 

(From  the  world-famed  booh) 


HAL  ROACH  COMEDIES 
Our  Gang 
Max  Davidson 
Charley  Chase 
All  Star 

M-G-M  NEWS  Tu  'ice  Weekly 
(Produced  by  Hearst) 

M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS 

(Entirely  in  TecKnicolorJ 

M-G-M  ODDITIES 

Produced  by  UFA  all  over  the  world 


THINK  it  over 


Also 

5 COSMOPOLITAN 
2 DOG  STAR 


3 LON  CHANEYS 


THE  GIANT 


3 DANE-ARTHURi 


6 TIM  McCOYS 


2 JACKIE  COOGANS 


1 LILLIAN  GISH 


4 WILLIAM  HAINES  1 RAMON  NOVARRO 


2 GRETA  GARBOS 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


7 


July  16,  1927 


Let’s  get  down  to  cases  / 


A week  a^o  we  ^ave  you  the 
list  of  early  profit  pictures 
on  the 

FOX  PRODUCT 

LINE-UP  fot  1927  ^ 1928 

Now  examine  the  first 

Released  In  August 


NEED 
WE  SAY 
MORE 
.THAN 


wnirimacippsir 

EDMUND  IWE'VICTOR.M‘MIEN>DOLORES  DEL  1^0 

FR.OM  THE  STAGE  TR.IUMPH  BY 
LAUR.ENCE  5TALLING5  and  MAXWELL  AN  DER50N 

RAOUL  WALSH  pr-odoction 


A BOX 
OFFICE 
STAR  IN 
A BOX' 
OFFICE 
PICTURi 


WILLLAM  FOX  presents 


BLANCHE  SWEET 


Flaming  Drama 
of  the  New 


West  and  Its 
Old  Passions, 


With 

%ARNER  BAXTER 
MARYM'ALLISTER 

Story  by 

Adela  Rogers  sxjohns 

Scenario  by 

Ger,tr,ude  Orr 

JOHN  GRIFFITH  WRAY 


PROOUCTIQM 


THE 

EXTRA 

IDIVIDENB 

PICTURE 


Story  by 

HARRY  CARR 

Jdapledbf 

BENIAMIN  GIA2ER. 


PffSjjJSfl 

■rVTS 

10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


Next  Week 


1 


4 to  be  announced  for  September 
including 


with 


DOLORES  DELRIOaBdVICTORMfLAGLEN 
RAOUL  WALSH ‘^ro£/«cKon 


Again  toe  say  - ^ GREAT  TRUTHS  ARE  QUICKLY 

FOX  Has  The  Product  for  1927-28 

52  DRAMATIC  PRODUCTIONS 


STATED! 


Loves  of  CARMEN 


including 


EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE 


2 Girls  Wanted 
The  Comedian 
Luna  Park 
None  But  The  Brave 
Pajamas 

The  Unknown  Beauty 


Paid  To  Love 
The  Escape 
Soul  of  Passion 
Holiday  Lane 
French  Ankles 
Silk  Legs 


The  A La  Carte  Girl 


The  Joy  Girl 
Silk  Hats 

Come  to  My  House 
The  Blonde  Panther 
Balaoo 

Atlantic  City 


The  Girl  From  Havana 


Widow-in-Law 
and 

14  WESTERNS  with  TOM  MIX  and  BUCK  JONES 

and  in  addition 

WHAT  PRICE  GLORY 


Hangman’s  House 
Singed 

A.  W.  O.  L.  (temp,  title) 
Sugar  Daddies 
The  Girl  Downstairs 
Honeymoon  Dreams 


i 

1 


Featuring 

Hobart  Bosworth 
Jacqueline  Logan 
Richard  Arlen 


C'U,*****;«*«»*‘ 


(Courtesy  Paramount) 


Story  by 

NORMAN  SPRINGER 


GEORGE  B.  SEITZ 
Production 


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WEST  POI NTE  R 

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\JNE  of  the  biggest  on  any  program*  A tremendous  drama  of  splendid 
young  American  manhood  at  its  best*  An  inspiring  story  of  Youth, 
Ambition  and  Love,  produced  with  the  cooperation  of  the  United  States 
Government  and  the  West  Point  Military  Academy,  with  beautiful 
scenic  shots  and  spectacular  settings  of  time-honored  buildings,  parade 
grounds,  and  the  cadets,  at  our  great  Military  College*  From  a story  by 
Major  Robert  Glassburn  and  Major  Alexander  Chilton* 

Continuity  by  Douglas  Doty.  Supervised  by  C.  Gardner  Sullivan 


PUBLIC 

MADE 

STAR 


6^ 


in  a series  of  4 hits 

includina 

POWER’ 


A mighty  epic  of  the  mastery  of 
man.  over  the  forces  of  nature. 

By  WILLIAM  C.  De  MILLE 


The  N IGHT 
FLYER 


A smashing  drama  of  the  Railroad 
from  the  story  “Held  for  Orders.” 

By  FRANK  SPEARMAN 


The  S KY- 

SCRAPER’ 


A thrilling  romance  of  the  modern 
skyscraper. 

By  DUDLEY  MURPHY 

Supervised  by  Walter  Woods 


De  MILLE  PICTURES 

PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  • PATHESERIALS . PATHEPICTURES 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


!^ipiiur^ne 

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Otte  ~J?eeJ 

Cujio^jeS 

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•COMEDIES* 


Two  -jReel 

f=^OROTHY  '=■' 


tIHAMILTON 


Comedies 


JOHNNY  A1 


/ One-Reef^ 

loUTDOOU 
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KINOOi?AMS 
NEWS  REEL 


Two- Reel 

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Cmmdks 


V/, Robert  C-Bruce 

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THE  SPICE  OF  THE  PROGRAM 


AfOR^  THp:^  A fO^  VO  UR, 

PAtROA/S— 4UP/NO  tAAie  AiVP  H\S  PEULOIV 
COMEDIANS  ON’X^^  Mduca^ionaT  J^icfitufes' 

9ROaRAM>  fOR  CoiAepIgS,  A^OV'euT/ES  ANP 
/VtV/S  Rteu,  YOU  cJOST  CAN'-t  BEAT  '*'THEr 
SPICB  OP  THB  PROGR^Hf  40HG  BSTADM5^EP 
Asvne  \5APBRS  op  AVL  S//0RT  fBATuRCS, 

LEAPING  A<?‘A\^  PoR  1927— 1928. 

9tAY  THEM : E.)«PLoiT  THEM-  'THEY'LL  MA^^E  MONEY  Eor  VoU^ 

IIDUCATIOKAl.  FILM  EXCH ANOES , Inc 

Memfeer,  Motion  Pictura  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. 


wmj  H.  HAYS.  President 


12 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


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EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


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IS  GIGANTIC  SPECIALS 


THE  BE 
Nobna  TALNAPGE  In 

“Camille” 

COLLEEN  NOORE  m 

“Lilac  Time” 

Constance  TALNADGE  m 

“Breakfast  at  Sunrise”  .T>n.u...<> 

Richard  BARTHELNESS  m 

“The  Patent  Leather  Kid” 

An  Alfred  Santell  Production 

‘LOUISIANA' 

A George  Fitzmaurice  Production 
With  Billie  Dove 


ST  OF  EVER 
B,  Harold  Bell  WRIGHT 

“The  Shepherd  of  the  Nilis” 

WILL  ROGERS  in 

“A  Texas  Steer” 

“THE  GORILLA  ' 

An  Alfred  Santell  Production 

“The  Private  Life  of 

HELEN  OF  TROy " 

With  Maria  Corda,  Lewis  Slor.e 


y T H I N G 
“THE  NIRACLE" 

Max  Reinhardt’s  Epoch-Making  Stage  Spectacle 

“ THE  ROSE  OF  NONTEREy  " 

A George  Fitzmaurice  Production 

With  Mary  Astor,  Lewis  Stone  and  Gilbert  Roland  of 
“Camille" 

An  Adaptation  of 

“ THE  BARKER  ” 

A George  Fitzmaurice  Production 

Kenyon  Nicholson’s  play  produced  on  the  stage  by 

diaries  Wagner 

MILTON  SILLS 

A Special  Announcement  to  be  made  later 


45  WEEK->'>»-WEEK  HITS 

ivinr  VALUE  named  and  known 


COUEEN  MOODE 


" Baby  Face"  ‘The  Head  of  The  House  of  Cooinbe" 

And  1 other 


niCMAnD  BARfHELHESS 


“The  Little  Shepherd  of  Kingdom  Come*'  “The  Noo^e“ 
And  2 others 


HARRy  iANCOON 

‘The  Nineteenth  Hole’' 


“The  Butter  and  Egg  Man' 
And  a Third 


sills 

“Burning  Daylight**  “Just  A Sticker”  “Man  Power” 


If 


with  JACK  MUi.HALI. 


CHAprfP  Knrnn  AV 


From 

ROBERT  KANE 

“The  Golden  Calf*  “Man  and  The  Mottient” 

“ A Child  in  Their  Midst”  “French  Dressing” 

“Harold  Teen”  From  CARL  ED’S  Famous  Comic  Strip 
The  last  two  with  BEN  LYON 


“The  Life  of  Riley”  **Wine,  Women  and  Song” 
“Kellv’s  Kids”  “Down  Went  McGinty” 


JOHNNy  HINES 

“A  Pair  of  Sixes”  /‘The  Lottery  Man”  “Kid  Gloves 


“The  Cafavan  Trail”  “The  Royal  American’’  “The 


BILLIE  DOVE 


“American  Beauty”  “The  Stolen  Bride”  V 

“Heart  of  A Follies  Girl”  “Once  There  Was  A Princess” 


DODoiNy  NACKAILL  and 
JACK  NULHALL 


*'Ladv  Be  Good”  “Ladies'  Night  in  a Turkish  Bath” 
“Smile,  Brother,  Smile”  “Man  Crazy” 


MADT  ASTOR  .nu  LLOYD  HUGHES 

“The  Lde  of  Romance”  “Sailors’ Wives”  by  Warner  Fabian 
“Tell  The  World”  “Do  It  Again” 


'^TME  PftlliCE  OF 


HEADWAITERS 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


If  we  may  say  so — 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  carried  more  paid  advertising 
in  the  first  six  months  of  1927  than  any  other  motion 
picture  trade  paper. 

It  has  now^  maintained  leadership  in  its  field  for  a period 
of  eighteen  months. 

It  has  under  contract  for  thirteen  or  more  insertions 
nearly  double  the  number  of  advertisers  of  any  other 
medium  in  the  field. 

Prestige  of  the  publication  is  particularly  reflected  in 
Section  Two  of  this  issue,  which  mirrors  the  appeal  of 
Exhibitors  Herald  to  the  substantial  creative  artists  in 
the  Film  Capitol  of  the  World. 


This  Week 

Among  memy  importEint  features,  The 
Herald  presents  to  the  motion  picture 
industry  the  first  complete  facts  con- 
cerning the  orgainization  of  the  P.  D.  C.- 
Pathe  merger,  together  with  details  of 
its  production  plans. 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  EMltor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  HoUsrwood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-18  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  33 

Presentation  Acts  35 

The  Theatre  47 

The  Film  Mart  44 

Classified  Advertising  60 

The  Box  Office  Ticker  59 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  61 


FEATURES 


Broadway  22 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 26 

Re-Takes  26 

New  York,  by  John  S.  Spargo,...  30 

Pictorial  Section  27 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  43 

Letters  from  Readers  58 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 66 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada— $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  i>er  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue — 

SUPREME  COURT  fight  predicted  over  Federal  Trade  Commis- 
sion’s decision  that  block  booking  is  illegal,  that  Paramount  must 
not  use  coercion  in  the  acquiring  theatres,  and  that  Zukor  and  Lasky 
conspired  for  monopoly. 

Michael  l.  CLOFINE  named  editor-in-chief  of  M-G-M  News; 

First  issue  out  August  15;  Claude  R.  Collins  appointed  news 
editor — 13  “Best  Girls”  to  West  Coast  July  23  as  Mary  Pickford’s 
guests. 

ORIENTAL,  new  Saxe  Milwaukee  theatre,  excels  in  Indian  art; 

Buddhist  idols  placed  in  niches  in  auditorium  walls — Bandits 
bind  three,  obtain  $6,000  at  amusement  park — Gertrude  Ederle 
saves  extra  from  drowning. 

OVER  a million  dollars  weekly  is  being  paid  to  5,000  people  em- 
ployed in  stagehand  shows  throughout  the  coimtry;  this  in- 
cludes presentation  acts,  bands,  scenery,  costumes  and  lighting 
effects  in  over  200  deluxe  picture  houses. 


Tea  dance  for  Colleen  Moore  by  First 
National  marks  star’s  return  to  work; 
Will  take  rest  before  resuming  production 

Wampas  entertain  New  York  advertisers 

at  Breakfast  Club. 

TANLEY  building  thirteen  theatres;  20 

added  to  circuit  this  year Foreign 

producers  brand  film  American  to  aid  box 

office  Four  Broadway  houses  book 

F.  B.  O.  films  in  month. 

Mrs.  fanny  e.  mastbaum,  mother 

of  former  executives  of  the  Stanley 
Company  of  America,  dies  in  Philadelphia 

of  heart  disease Six  Film  Boards  report 

$54,000  collected  for  Flood  Relief. 

Head  of  British  Board  of  Trade  has 
agreed  to  introduce  amendment  to 
Quota  bill  permitting  exhibitors  to  ignore 
quota  if  British  product  is  poor  or  too 
expensive — Final  action  predicted  in  three 
weeks. 


■^ATTERSON  R.  ROTHACKER  starts 
» • duties  as  managing  director  of  First 

National  studio  at  Burbank Lone  bandit 

robs  two  women  of  $2  7 in  the  lobby  of 
St.  Louis  neighborhood  theatre. 

A/ OUNG  married  woman,  bookkeeper 
■I-  for  the  National  Theatre  Supply  Com- 
pany, Detroit,  is  arrested  on  charge  of 

embezzling  $3,000 Prosecutor  declares 

she  told  him  she  used  part  of  money  to 
buy  husband  two  motor  trucks. 

EMBERS  of  Detroit  church  dismiss 
pastor  who  recently  smashed  a pro- 
jection machine  in  the  Franklin  town  hall 
during  a benefit  performance;  His  trial 
for  malicious  destruction  of  property  due 
September  1 2. 

COLUMBIA’S  “The  Blood  Ship’’  goes 
into  Roxy  theatre  July  16;  Columbia 
studio  goes  rapidly  toward  goal — Sunday 
show  petitions  issued  at  Massena,  N.  Y. — 
Victor  Schertzinger  leaves  Fox. 


“The  Studio”  Is  Section  Two 
of  This  Week’s  Issue  of  die  Herald 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


hemal: 

Qhe  independent  ^Im  '3jrade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  Editor 


Published  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Exhibitors  Herald  Company 
Publication  OfiBce:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 


Marti  ir  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwim  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Exhibitors  Herald  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  he  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
notion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald;  Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week.  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi-annual. 


VoL.  XXX  July  16,  1927 


No.  5 


The  State  of  Affairs 

The  state  of  the  industry’s  affairs  is  causing  grave 
concern  in  quarters  where  the  real  facts  are  known 
and  where  these  facts  are  being  intelligently  considered. 
While  it  may  appear  at  first  glance  that  there  is  some- 
thing for  alarm  in  this,  the  contrary  is  true;  the  industry 
is  now  taking  intelligent  stock  of  its  affairs  and  a wide- 
spread and  basic  improvement  is  certain  to  ensue.  How- 
ever, if  the  old  care-free  drift  of  matters  continued  much 
longer,  then,  indeed,  there  would  be  real  cause  for  alarm. 

“Pyramiding”  is  the  one  term  that  most  accurately 
describes  what  has  been  going  on  and  what  must  be 
stopped.  The  pyramiding  has  been  centered  chiefly  on 
the  production  branch  of  the  business,  with  a secondary 
— but  most  important — application  of  it  on  the  exhibi- 
tion branch  of  the  business. 

Theatre  business  has  not  been  bad  but  it  has  not  re- 
cently shown  the  degree  of  increase  that  it  has  been  ac- 
customed to.  This  situation  has  made  film  buyers 
apprehensive  about  the  immediate  future  and  this  has  led 
to  a postponement  of  buying  which  is  the  source  of  great 
worry  to  producer  and  distributor.  The  postponement  in 
buying  has  also  been  radically  affected  by  the  prospect  of 
higher  and  still  higher  rentals  which  the  exhibitor  has 
been  facing. 

Looking  broadly  at  this  situation  it  is  very  plain  that 
this  process  of  pyramiding,  which  we  speak  of,  has  car- 
ried just  about  as  far  as  it  can  carry.  In  production  costs 
there  have  been  no  substantial  recessions  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  business.  Year  after  year  costs  mounted 
higher,  which  meant  that  year  after  year  distributors 
were  compelled  to  demand  higher  rentals.  It  does  not 
take  a very  keen  mind  to  see  that  a halt  in  this  system 
must  sooner  or  later  be  effected.  And  it  now  appears 
that  the  halt  is  in  order. 

* * * 

PRODUCERS  generally  have  let  slip  from  their  hands 
the  real  reins  of  management  as  far  as  production 
costs  are  concerned.  Instead  .of  running  production,  pro- 
duction has  been  running  producers.  Production  has 
constantly  demanded  larger  appropriations  and  has  given 
no  good  accounting  for  the  monies  received.  A false  eco- 
nomic atmosphere  and  foundation  has  been  created  in 


Hollywood  and  now  the  producer  has  found  that  the 
studio  has  run  off  with  the  business. 

This  phase  of  the  industry’s  current  problem  is  sus- 
ceptible to  only  one  solution:  The  reins  of  real  and 
practicable  authority  which  always  should  have  been 
held  by  the  producer  must  now  be  regained.  That  large 
and  varied  assortment  of  crack-pot  notions  which  have 
been  having  a too-great  play  in  the  production  center 
must  be  pushed  into  the  discard  and  production  people 
must  be  impressed  with  the  fact  that  they  are  simply 
manufacturing  a product  which  first  must  be  saleable 
and,  secondly,  must  be  saleable  at  a figure  which  will 
enable  the  buyer  to  operate  at  a profit. 

The  upheaval  which  is  now  affecting  the  business  is 
aimed  to  bring  this  all  about. 

On  the  exhibition  side,  there  has  been  a pyramiding 
of  just  as  sinister  character  but  of  a decidedly  different 
kind.  The  exhibition  branch  of  the  business  cannot  in 
the  present  situation  assume  a superior  attitude  and  hold 
that  the  producer  is  altogether  responsible  for  the  con- 
dition which  now  exists.  The  exhibitor — and  principaUy 
the  large  chain  operator — has  done  just  as  much  to  bring 
about  the  present  unfavorable  condition  as  has  any  other 
factor. 

Impelled  by  the  same  motives  of  the  producer  in  his 
rash  and  reckless  pursuit  of  “bigger  and  better”  pictures, 
the  chain  operator  has  gone  on  building  and  buying 
properties,  not  on  any  sound  economic  basis  but  on  the 
impulse  of  seeking  to  dominate  a territory,  block  out  com- 
petition and  be  the  king  pin  in  the  game. 

* * * I 

Many  territories  and  districts  have  been  over-built 
and  over-expanded  to  a ridiculous  extent.  Houses 
away  beyond  the  actual  requirements  of  communities 
have  been  built.  And  now  the  exhibitor,  after  very  ob- 
viously committing  the  mistake  of  over-building  and 
over-expansion,  is  looking  around  for  something  besides 
his  own  actions  to  blame  for  the  plight  he  is  in. 

Things  in  the  picture  business  will  get  worse  instead 
of  better  until  there  is  a dawn  of  reason. 

In  production  there  will  be  no  relief  until  the  condi- 
tion which  stamps  a salary  equal  to  that  of  the  president 
of  the  United  States  as  being  the  proper  compensation 
for  some  kind  of  an  “assistant”  is  removed.  What  pro- 
duction needs  and  needs  badly  is  a decent  appreeiation 
of  the  value  of  a dollar. 

When  the  production  situation  is  relieved  an  immedi- 
ate relief  will  be  felt  by  the  vast  majority  of  theatres 
because  they  will  immediately  start  to  receive,  at  reason- 
able priees,  pictures  which  may  not  have  quite  as  much 
goldleaf  and  satin  on  them  but  which,  on  the  whole,  will 
be  just  as  good  entertainment. 

Some  of  the  theatre  situations,  however,  seem  very  defi- 
nitely to  be  in  for  a long,  hard  pull.  And  the  present 
policies  of  these  are  not  likely  to  expedite  a better  day. 

It  was  easy  enough  to  see  danger  ahead  when  great, 
outstanding  motion  picture  theatres  have  gotten  so  far 
away  from  essentials  as  to  relegate  the  motion  pieture  part 
of  their  entertainment  to  a decidedly  subordinate  posi- 
tion. This  policy  has  unsold  the  public  on  motion  pic- 
ture entertainment  to  some  degree  and  the  damage  that 
has  been  done  must  be  repaired.  When  a great  theatre 
like  the  Paramount  on  Broadway  feels  that  it  must  buy, 
at  a heavy  price,  an  ephemeral  attraction  like  Paul 
Whiteman  and  give  the  jazz  band  major  emphasis  over 
motion  pictures,  then  something,  somewhere,  is  wrong. 

When  a great  producing  organization  builds  a great 
theatre  on  Broadway  for  a show  window  for  its  product 
and  then  puts  variety  attractions  in  the  front  of  the  show 
window,  it  typifies  a rather  shocking  condition. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


What  Commission  Prohibits  Paramount  From  Doing 

1.  From  continuing  a conspiracy  among  themselves  or  with  other  persons  to  lessen  competition  and  re- 
strain trade  hy  interstate  and  foreign  commerce  on  the  production,  distribution  and  exhibition  of  motion 
picture  films. 

2.  From  the  practice  of  block  booking:  namely,  leasing  films  in  a block  or  group  and  compelling  the 
picture  house  which  shows  the  films  to  take  all  pictures  in  the  group  or  block,  or  none  at  all,  without  regard 
to  the  character  of  the  pictures  or  the  wishes  of  the  picture  house. 

3.  From  acquiring  or  threatening  to  acquire  theatres  for  the  purpose  of  intimidating  or  coercing  an  ex- 
hibitor of  films  to  book  and  exhibit  films  of  the  Famous  Players-Lasky  Corporation. 


Supreme  Court  Fight  Looms 
On  Ruling  Against  Paramount 

Bars  Block  Sales:  , 


’^Ruling  to  Effect  No 
Change  Now*\Zukor 


Finds  Conspiracy 

Commission  Decision  Does  Not  Order 
Corporation  to  Give  Up  Theatres 

{Washington  Bureau  of  The  Herald) 


^Ruling  to  Effect  No 
Change  Now  Zukor 

NEW  YORK,  July  12.— No  change  in  Para- 
mount’s existing  distribution  method  is  contem- 
plated for  the  present  despite  the  decision  of  the 
Federal  Trade  Commission,  President  Adolph 
Zukor  declared  today  in  the  following  statement : 

“The  formal  order  and  findings  of  the  Federal 
Trade  Commission  were  served  upon  us  yester- 
day. We  are  glad  to  find  that,  after  the  commis- 
sion’s searching  investigation  begun  in  1921  and 
but  recently  completed,  the  only  existing  busi- 
ness practice  of  this  corporation  to  which  its 
order  purports  to  apply  is  the  sales  method  of 
offering  pictures  in  groups,  referred  to  by  the 
commission  as  ‘block  booking.’  This  is  the  offer- 
ing of  a number  of  pictures  as  a unit. 

“It  is  also  the  offering  of  a number  of  pictures 
for  an  aggregate  price  substantially  less  than  the 
combined  prices  for  various  pictures  in  the  group 
if  purchased  separately.  In  other  words,  it  is  the 
offering  of  a group  of  pictures  at  a wholesale 
price  below  the  retail  price  of  single  pictures.  It 
does  not  prevent  exhibitors  purchasing  pictures 
singly.  The  average  advance  upon  the  price  of 
single  pictures  as  against  the  block  price  of  such 
pictures  is  only  about  25  per  cent. 

“This  sales  method  is  not  peculiar  to  our 
company  but  is  almost  universal  in  the  in- 
dustry. It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  com- 
mission’s order,  if  sustained  by  the  courts, 
will  present  a question  which  will  have  to 
be  dealt  with  not  alone  by  the  Paramount 
Company  but  the  entire  motion  picture  in- 
dustry. Therefore,  no  change  in  our  existing 
sales  policies  is  contemplated  at  the  present. 
“The  commission’s  order  does  not  attempt  to 
interfere  with  the  ownership  and  operation  of  the 
existing  theatre  holdings  of  the  Paramount  Com- 
pany, known  as  the  ‘Publix  Circuit,’  nor  with  any 
additions  thereto  which  may  be  made  in  the 
normal  development  and  expansion  of  our  busi- 
ness in  the  future.’’ 


WASHINGTON,  July  12. — A bitter  legal  battle 
winding  up  in  the  United  States  Supreme  Court  is 
expected  to  follow  a decision  rendered  July  9 by  the 
Federal  Trade  Commission  that  block  booking  of 
motion  pictures  is  illegal  and  must  be  discontinued  by 
Famous  Players-Lasky  Corporation  (corporate  name 
recently  changed  to  Paramount-Famous-Lasky). 

The  commission  also  decided,  while  holding  that 
theatre  ownership,  as  such,  is  not  illegal,  to  prohibit  the 
company  from  acquiring  or  threatening  to  acquire 
houses  for  the  purpose  of  intimidating  or  coercing 
exhibitors  to  book  films  distributed  by  Famous  Players. 

Famous  Players-Lasky  Corporation  and  Adolph 
Zukor  and  Jesse  L.  Lasky  are  found  guilty  of  having 
conspired  to  control  the  motion  picture  industry,  and 
are  ordered  to  abandon  such  conspiracy. 

The  decision  just  rendered  does  not  mean  that  the 
case,  pending  more  than  six  years,  is  closed.  On  the 
contrary  it  is  predicted  that  the  respondents  will  seek 
to  have  the  commission’s  findings  set  aside  and  the  final 
verdict  will  be  up  to  the  highest  tribunal. 

The  other  respondents,  Realart  Pictures  Corporation, 
the  Stanley  Company  of  America,  Stanley  Booking 
Corporation,  Black  New  England  Theatres,  Inc., 
Southern  Enterprises,  Inc.,  Saenger  Amusement  Com- 
pany, Jules  Mastbaum,  Alfred  S.  Black,  Stephen  A. 
Lynch  and  Ernest  V.  Richards,  Jr.,  are  exonerated  and 
the  complaint  dismissed,  so  far  as  they  are  concerned. 

All  other  charges  against  Famous  Players,  Zukor  and 
Lasky  also  are  dismissed. 

The  three  respondents.  Famous  Players,  Zukor  and 
Lasky,  are  found  by  the  commission  to  have  “conspired 
and  confederated  together  and  from  time  to  time  with 
other  persons  unduh^  to  hinder  competition  in  the 
production,  distribution  and  exhibition  of  motion 
picture  films  in  interstate  and  foreign  commerce  and 
to  control,  dominate,  monopolize  or  attempt  to 
monopolize  the  motion  picture  industry.” 

In  pursuance  of  this  policy,  it  is  declared,  they 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


John  J.  McGuirk — 


JOHN  J.  McGUIRK  . . . president  of  the  formidable  Stanley 
group  ...  a solid  and  substantial  citizen  of  Philadelphia  whose 
influence  radiates  throughout  the  motion  picture  world  ...  a 
dynamic  and  aggressive  executive. 


acquired  theatres  throughout  the  country 
and  on  June  30,  1926,  Famous  Players  had 
an  interest  in  368  theatres  which  in  the  case 
of  128  theatres  was  100  per  cent,  in  13  thea- 
tres more  than  50  per  cent,  in  128  theatres 
exactly  50  per  cent,  and  in  99  theatres  less 
than  50  per  cent.  In  Jacksonville,  Miami, 
Tampa,  Dallas  and  Philadelphia  the  cor- 
poration, directly  or  through  subsidiaries, 
has  from  time  to  time  acquired  and  enjoyed 
the  control  of  all  or  nearly  all  of  the  first- 
class  motion  picture  theatres,  including  the 
first-run  theatres,  it  was  asserted. 

Called  Blow  to  Competition 

With  respect  to  block  booking,  the  com- 
mission held,  “the  purpose  and  necessary 
effect  of  such  distribution  policy  is  to 
lessen  competition  and  to  tend  to  create 
a monopoly  in  the  motion  picture  industry, 
tending  to  exclude  from  the  market  and 
the  industry  small  independent  producers 
and  distributors  of  films  and  denying  to 
exhibitors  freedom  of  choice  in  leasing 
films.” 

The  respondents,  and  their  officers,  di- 
rectors, agents,  representatives  and  em- 
ployes, are  ordered  by  the  commission  to 
cease  and  desist: 

■j  FROM  continuing  in  force,  recogniz- 

• ing,  complying  with,  carrying  into 
effect  or  enforcing,  or  attempting  to  com- 
ply with,  carry  into  effect  or  enforce  the 
conspiracy  heretofore  made  or  entered  into 
by  and  among  the  respondents  or  any  of 
them,  or  by  and  among  the  respondents  or 
any  of  them  and  any  other  person  or  per- 
sons, for  the  purpose  of  lessening  and 
restraining  competition,  and  restraining 
trade  or  commerce  among  the  several  states. 


or  with  foreign  nations,  in  the  business  of 
producing,  distributing  and  exhibiting  mo- 
tion picture  films  for  profit  or  the  business 
of  producing  and  distriluiting  such  films, 
and  from  making  or  entering  into  any  like 
conspiracy  among  themselves  or  any  of 
them,  or  among  themselves  or  any  of  them 
and  any  other  person  or  persons,  for  any 
of  the  purposes  above  set  forth  and 
enumerated  in  this  paragraph  of  this  order. 

2 FROM  leasing  or  offering  to  lease  for 
• exhibition  in  a theatre  or  theatres 
motion  picture  films  in  a block  or  group 
of  two  or  more  films  at  a designated  lump 
sum  price  for  the  entire  block  or  group 
only  and  requiring  the  exhibitor  to  lease 
all  such  films  or  be  permitted  to  lease 
none;  and  from  leasing  or  offering  to 
lease  for  exhibition  such  motion  picture 
films  in  a block  or  group  of  two  or  more 
at  a designated  lump  sum  price  for  the 
entire  block  or  group  and  at  separate  and 
several  prices  for  separate  and  several  films, 
or  for  a number  or  numbers  thereof  less 
than  the  total  number,  which  total  or  lump 
sum  price  and  separate  and  several  prices 
shall  bear  to  each  other  such  relation  as  to 
operate  as  an  unreasonable  restraint  upon 
the  freedom  of  an  exhibitor  to  select  and 
lease  for  use  and  exhibition  only  such  film 
or  films  of  such  block  or  group  as  he  rnay 
desire  and  prefer  to  procure  for  exhibi- 
tion ; or  shall  bear  such  relation  to  each 
other  as  to  tend  to  require  an  exhibitor  to 
lease  such  entire  block  or  group  or  forego 
the  lease  of  any  portion  or  portions 
thereof ; or  shall  bear  such  relation  to  each 
other  that  the  effect  of  such  proposed  con- 
tract for  the  lease  of  such  films  may  be 


substantially  to  lessen  competition  or  tend 
to  create  a monopoly  in  any  part  of  the 
certain  line  of  commerce  among  the 
several  states,  or  with  foreign  nations,  in- 
volved in  said  proposed  sale,  to-wit : the 
business  of  the  production,  distribution 
and  exhibition  of  motion  picture  films  to 
the  public,  or  the  business  of  production 
and  distribution,  or  of  production  or  dis- 
tribution of  moving  picture  films  for  pub- 
lic exhibition. 

FROM  building,  buying,  leasing  or 
• otherwise  acquiring,  or  threatening 
so  to  do,  any  theatre  building  or  buildings 
or  theatre  or  theatres,  for  the  purpose  and 
with  the  intent  or  with  the  effect  of  in- 
timidating or  coercing  an  exhibitor  or  ex- 
hibitors of  motion  picture  films  to  lease  or 
book  and  exhibit  motion  picture  films  pro- 
duced or  offered  for  lease  or  leased  by 
respondent  Famous  Players-Lasky  Cor- 
poration. 

The  respondents  are  ordered  to  make 
a report  to  the  commission  within  60 
days,  showing  the  manner  with  which 
its  order  is  complied  with. 

Probably  no  case  which  has  ever  come 
before  the  Federal  Trade  Commission,  in- 
cluding that  of  the  Aluminum  Company  of 
America,  has  aroused  as  widespread  in- 
terest as  has  the  proceeding  against  Fa- 
mous Players.  It  has  been  pending  more 
than  six  years,  the  original  complaint,  filed 
after  preliminary  investigation  of  the 
charges,  having  been  dated  Aug.  31,  1921. 

Amended  Complaint  in  1923 
After  lying  quiescent  for  nearly  18 
months  an  amended  complaint,  on  which 
subsequent  proceedings  were  based,  was 
issued  Feb.  14,  1923.  That  complaint  was 
signed  by  Victor  Murdock,  chairman,  and 
Commissioners  John  F.  Nugent,  Huston 
Thompson,  Vernon  W.  Van  Fleet  and 
Nelson  B.  Gaskill,  of  whom  only  Commis- 
sioner Nugent  is  still  in  office. 

During  the  course  of  arguments  on  the 
case,  one  of  the  commissioners  predicted 
that  not  one  of  the  memibers  who  signed 
the  original  complaint  would  be  in  office 
to  see  the  decision,  a prophecy  which  came 
very  near  being  true  and  which  might  have 
proven  entirely  true  had  the  case  lingered 
another  three  months.  Commissioner  Nu- 
gent’s term  of  office  expiring  in  Septenffier. 

Unfair  Methods  Charged 
The  case  has  long  been  known  as  the 
Famous  Players  or  Paramount  case,  that 
company  bearing  the  brunt  of  the  prosecu- 
tion, although,  in  addition  to  the  Famous 
Players-Lasky  Corporation,  the  commis- 
sion named  as  respondents  the  Realart  Pic- 
tures' Corporation,  The  Stanley  Company 
of  America,  the  Stanley  Booking  Corpora- 
tion, Black  New  England  Theatres,  Inc., 
Southern  Enterprises,  Inc.,  the  Saenger 
Amusement  Company,  and  Adolph  Zukor, 
Jesse  L.  Lasky,  Jules  Mastbaum,  Alfred  S. 
Black,  Stephen  A.  Lynch  and  Ernest  V. 
Richards,  Jr. 

The  complaint  charged  the  respondents 
with  using  unfair  methods  of  competition 
in  commerce  in  violation  of  Section  5 of 
the  Eederal  Trade  Commission  Act.  This 
charge  was  amplified  in  11  paragraphs.  It 
was  alleged  that  the  respondents  “con- 
spired and  confederated  together”  to  “un- 
duly hinder  competition  in  the  production, 
distribution  and  exhibition  of  motion  pic- 
ture films  in  interstate  and  foreign  com- 
merce and  to  control,  dominate,  monopolize 
or  attempt  to  monopolize  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry.” 

“Dummy”  Companies  Claimed 
To  carry  this  out,  it  was  alleged, 
“dummy”  companies  were  organized,  and 
a “progressive  program”  was  embarked 
upon  “of  acquiring  or  controlling,  by  pur- 
chase or  otherwise,  motion  picture  theatres 
throughout  the  United  States,  and  more 
particularly  first-run  theatres,  and  of  com- 
pelling and  coercing  exhibitors  throughout 
the  United  States  to  book  and  exhibit  all 

(^Continued  on  Next  Page) 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Fear  Group  Sales  Ban  W^ould  Hit  All 


Bv  TOHN  S.  SPARGO 
NEW  YORK,  July  12.— The  long 
expected  decision  of  the  Federal 
Trade  Commission  in  its  investigation 
of  the  business  methods  of  Famous 
Players-Lasky  Corporation  (Para- 
mount) has  been  made  public.  While 
the  decision  was  the  subject  of 
considerable  comment  here,  the  indus- 
try doesn’t  appear  to  have  become 
excited  over  the  findings. 

The  investigation  was  started  nearly  six 
years  ago  and  had  the  decision  come  with- 
in a year  or  two  of  that  time,  it  would 
likely  have  been  considered  sensational. 
Arriving  as  it  does  after  such  a long  period 
during  which  the  industry  has  undergone 
many  changes,  the  report  of  the  findings 
of  the  commission  reads  about  as  interest- 
ingly as  the  account  of  a last  year’s  ball 
game. 

Specifically  the  commission  has  or- 
dered the  corporation  to  discontinue  an 
alleged  conspiracy  to  restrain  trade 
through  the  acquisition  of  theatres  for 
purposes  of  intimidation,  and  to  discon- 
tinue the  practice  of  block  booking. 

The  order  does  not  direct  the  company 
to  divest  itself  of  its  more  than  500  the- 
atres, nor  does  it  say  other  theatres  may 
not  be  acquired.  It  merely  says  theatres 
must  not  be  acquired  for  the  purpose  of 
coercing  independent  exhibitors.  This  ob- 
viously leaves  much  latitude  for  interpre- 
tation. 

In  the  industry  it  is  now  generally 
agreed  that  the  Paramount  methods  of 
block  booking  are  no  different  from  those 
of  virtually  all  producers.  Nearly  every 
producer  strives  to  sell  in  block  since  this 
makes  for  stabilization  and  economy,  but 
few  meet  with  entire  success  in  inducing 
the  exhibitor  to  give  up  his  right  to  pick 
and  choose  among  films. 

Strict  enforcement  of  the  commission’s 
order  would  certainly  embarrass  to  some 


Reports  of  New  Quiz 
Of  Industry  Denied 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  12.— No 
investigation  of  the  motion  picture 
industry,  based  on  the  Paramount 
decision  of  the  Federal  Trade 
Commission,  has  been  undertaken 
by  the  Department  of  Justice,  so 
far  as  could  be  learned  at  the  de- 
partment today.  (Earlier  reports 
had  it  that  such  an  inquiry  had 
been  started.) 

Officials  at  the  department  de- 
clared themselves  to  be  ignorant 
of  any  such  investigation  if  one 
was  contemplated,  and  pointed  out 
that  the  department  does  not  ordi- 
narily move  as  rapidly  as  would  be 
the  case  were  an  inquiry  under- 
way, the  commission’s  decision 
having  been  rendered  July  9. 

Complaints  have  been  lodged 
with  the  department  from  time  to 
time  regarding  the  activities  of  an 
alleged  “trust,”  including  a com- 
plaint by  Frank  J.  Rembusch,  In- 
diana exhibitor,  and  the  depart- 
ment is  known  to  be  studying  the 
Supreme  Court  decision  in  the 
Eastman  case,  but  so  far  as  can  be 
learned  no  investigation  is  under- 
way. 


extent  the  company  against  which  it  is 
directed,  but  those  familiar  with  the  indus- 
try regard  the  effect  of  the  decision  as 
unfair  in  application  only  to  one  large  pro- 
ducer. 

The  company  is  given  60  days  to 
notify  the  commission  of  its  compliance 
with  the  order.  It  is  expected  the  issues 
involved  ultimately  will  have  to  be 
threshed  out  in  court,  either  by  the  com- 
pany seeking  to  restrain  enforcement  of 
the  commission’s  order  or  by  the  latter 
initiating  action  to  force  compliance. 

The  decision  on  a case  which  originated 
so  long  ago  involves  much  ancient  history. 
The  industry  moves  a great  deal  faster 
than  a government  investigation.  There  is 
a widespread  belief  the  charge  of  monopoly 
would  have  been  much  nearer  the  mark 
several  years  ago. 

In  the  last  few  years  the  tendency  in  the 
industry  has  been  toward  concentration  of 
theatre  ownership  in  fewer  and  fewer,  but 
larger  and  larger,  chains,  and  in  the  build- 
ing of  self-contained  units  which  produce, 
and  exhibit  their  own  films.  The  move- 
ment has  applied  chiefly  to  first  run  and  key 
pictures,  leaving  the  independents  the  less 
profitable  field  in  small  theatres. 

Most  of  t'ne  large  producers  have  gone 
in  more  and  more  for  theatre  ownership, 
not  only  for  protection  but  because  it 
has  been  found  the  largest  profits  in  the 
industry  are  to  be  had  from  exhibition 
in  modern  theatres.  In  this  respect,  it  is 
pointed  out,  the  position  of  Paramount 
is  no  different  from  that  of  several 
others. 

The  findings  of  the  commission  trace  the 
development  of  Famous  Players-Lasky  Cor- 
poration in  the  industry  and  the  part  played 
in  it  by  Messrs.  Zukor  and  Lasky.  They  de- 
scribe the  acquisition  and  ownership  of 
theatres  by  the  corporation. 

The  commission  also  finds  that  in  Phila- 
delphia, Jacksonville,  Miami,  Tampa  and 
Dallas  the  corporation,  directly  or  through 
subsidiaries,  has  from  time  to  time  “ac- 
quired and  enjoyed  the  control  of  all,  or 
nearly  all,”  of  the  first-class  moving  picture 
houses,  including  the  first-run  theatres. 

The  five  members  of  the  commission  all 
join  in  signing  the  order  against  Zukor, 


Theatre  Owning  and 
Block  Booking  Basis 
of  Government  Case 

(Continued  from  page  20) 


the  motion  picture  films  produced  or  dis- 
tributed by  Famous  Players-Lasky  Cor- 
poration ; and  of  inducing  and  compelling 
such  exhibitors  to  book  a substantial  num- 
ber or  “block”  of  films  by  refusing  to  lease 
a given  film  or  films,  unless  the  exhibitors 
also  book  a substantial  number  or  ‘block’ 
of  other  films,  the  exhibition  of  all  of 
which  will  take  up  either  the  whole  or  a 
large  portion  of  their  available  exhibiting 
time  and  close  their  theatres  to  the  films 
of  producers  or  distributors  who  are  com- 
petitors of  said  Famous  Players-Lasky 
Corporation ; and  the  respondents,  Adolph 
Zukor,  Jesse  L.  Lasky  and  Famous  Play- 
ers-Lasky Corporation  procured  millions 
of  dollars  to  put  said  program  in  successful 
operation.”  The  charges  of  theatre  owner- 
ship and  block  booking  were  the  backbone 
of  the  Government’s  case,  although  the 
respondents  were  also  charged  with  various 
forms  of  coercion  to  obtain  control  of 
theatres  and  to  compel  independent  ex- 
hibitors to  book  and  exhibit  Famous  Play- 
ers pictures. 


Lasky  and  Famous  Players.  Commissioner 
Nugent  dissented  in  the  dismissal  of  the 
complaints  against  the  other  respondents. 

The  righteousness  or  unrighteousness 
of  block  booking  is  a subject  that  lends 
itself  to  much  discussion.  Many  exhib- 
itors prefer  to  buy  that  way  as  it  insures 
a continuous  line  of  product  and  prevents 
his  being  forced  into  the  open  market 
in  order  to  keep  his  house  going.  Many 
others  are  strongly  opposed  to  block 
booking  on  the  theory  that  they  are 
compelled  to  take  many  pictures  they  do 
not  want  in  order  to  get  the  successes 
they  desire. 

In  regard  to  the  alleged  evils  of  block 
booking  the  commission  has  this  to  say: 

“Because  of  the  dominant  position  of 
Famous  Players-Lasky  Corporation  in 
the  motion  picture  industry,  its  methods 
of  compeittion,  policy  and  practice  are 
necessarily  followed,  adopted  and  main- 
tained by  all  competitors  of  Famous 
Players-Lasky  Corporation  that  are 
strong  enough  to  acquire  and  operate 
first-class,  first-run  theatres  to  exploit 
their  most  meritorious  pictures  and  to 
offer  to  lease,  and  lease  films  in  blocks 
only,  and  in  sufficient  numbers  to  occupy 
the  available  exhibition  time  of  exhib- 
itors. Thereby  it  is  made  difficult  for 
small  and  independent  producers  or  dis- 
tributors of  films  to  enter  into  or  remain 
in  the  moving  picture  industry  or  market 
or  to  lease  individual  pictures  on  merit. 

“It  destroys  the  freedom  of  exhibitors  to 
choose  according  to  their  judgment  and 
taste  films  for  exhibition  and  to  exhibit 
only  films  that  in  their  opinion  are  meritori- 
ous and  acceptable  to  their  patrons ; and 
the  public  is  deprived  of  the  power  to  influ- 
ence exhibitors  in  the  choice  of  films  and 
of  the  benefit  of  continuous  exhibition  of 
meritorious  and  acceptable  films  only.” 


Lasky  Goes  in  Hiding 
To  Escape  Questioners 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Jesse 
L.  Lasky’ s home  and  office  were  be- 
sieged by  newspapermen  for  hours 
following  announcement  of  the 
ruling  by  the  Federal  Trade  Com- 
mission against  Paramount.  The 
result  was  that  both  Lasky  and 
Walter  Wanger  left  early  Satur- 
day for  a destination  unknown  but 
believed  to  be  a San  Francisco 
hotel. 

Bernard  Fineman,  who  has  been 
acting  in  charge  of  production  in 
the  absence  of  B.  P.  Schulberg, 
expects  both  men  to  return  to  the 
lot  today.  Schulberg  returns  from 
a vacation  in  the  Orient  July  20. 
Lasky  would  make  no  statement  to 
the  newspapers  except  that  he  has 
received  no  official  notification  of 
the  commission’s  ruling  and  will 
reserve  comment  until  the  latter 
part  of  week,  when  such  notifica- 
tion is  expected.  Others  at  the 
Lasky  lot  are  reticent,  explaining 
that  Lasky  is  the  spokesman. 

It  has  been  learned  that  there  is 
more  resentment  among  West 
Coast  officials  over  the  block  book- 
ing decision  than  over  other  parts 
of  the  ruling.  Conversation  in  all 
local  circles  bears  a trend  different 
from  daily  gossip.  All  companies 
are  wondering  what  the  decision 
will  mean  to  them. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


New  YORK. — Paul  Gulick  was  second 
in  the  Pelham  golf  sweepstakes  on 
July  Fourth  and  then  they  had  to  go  and 
put  his  name  in  the  papers  as  “P.  Gulick" 
. . Harvey  Day,  seeing  the  Hindoo 
grooms  of  the  visiting  polo  ponies  pass 
through  New  Rochelle,  'W'anled  to  know 
how  they  all  got  their  heads  hurt.  . . . 
Sol  Raives,  new  president,  shows  real 
signs  of  bringing  the  T.  O.  C.  C.  back  to 
life  by  calling  a general  meeting  of  ex- 
hibitors to  remedy  a lot  of  things.  . . . 
Courtland  Smith  thinks  so  well  of  the 
Hays  organization  men  that  he  is  taking 
Hickman  Price  over  to  the  Movietone, 
closely  following  the  capture  of  Jack  Con- 
nolly. . . . John  Zanft,  head  of  Fox  thea- 
tres, has  moved  his  office  to  the  Roxy 
theatre  building  and  is  now  handling 
finances  there.  . . . Dick  Rowland  and 
John  McCormick  did  a brother  act  as 
hosts  in  welcoming  the  guests  to  the  tea 
dance  First  National  gave  in  honor  of 
Colleen  Moore  at  the  Plaza.  . . . June 
Mathis  was  the  guest  of  honor  at  last 
week’s  session  of  the  A.  M.  P.  A.  . . . 
Willard  Patterson,  Atlanta  heavyweight, 
spent  last  week  in  New  York  and  says 
Broadway  looks  almost  as  good  to  him 
as  Peachtree  Street.  . . . Eddie  Eschmann 
leaves  for  a trip  out  west  looking  for  more 
golf  links  to  conquer.  . . . Jack  Alicoate 
pertly  asks  “Why  Is  a Critic”  and  we  give 
it  up  and  repeat  “Why?”.  . . . Jitiimy 
Johnston,  the  Boy  Bandit  of  the  pugilistic 
world,  has  recently  declined  several  offers 
to  become  a film  actor.  . . . Vivian  Moses, 
looking  for  a cool  place,  spent  the  Fourth 
and  several  other  days  in  Richmond,  Va., 
where  it  gets  so  hot  the  sparrows  make 
tracks  in  the  asphalt.  . . . Kelcey  Allen, 
Broadway’s  most  regular  first  nighter  and 
bon  vivant  (whatever  that  is)  was  the 
gayest  boy  at  Colleen  Moore’s  party.  . . . 
Dan  Miclmlove  left  last  week  on  a four 
weeks  trip  of  inspection  of  all  Universal 
theatres.  . . . Herman  Robbins  holidayed 
at  Asbury  Park  and  added  two  shades  to 
the  already  attractive  maroon  color  of  his 
golf  tan.  . . . Julian  Brylawski  came  to 
New  York  last  week  to  attend  a meeting 
of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  administrative  com- 
mittee but  Pete  IVoodhull  put  the  session 
over  until  July  19.  . . . Paul  Whiteman 
put  the  old  John  Hancock  on  the  dotted 
line  of  a $5^,000  contract  for  44  weeks 
work,  and  who  wouldn’t?  . . . Joe  Lee 
returned  last  week  from  a long  stay  on  the 
Coast,  and  looked  for  a guide  to  show  him 
about  Broadway.  . . . Theodore  Dietrick 
says  if  the  International  Newsreel  didn’t 
beat  all  others  on  the  Byrd  hop  off,  what 
newsreel  did?.  . . William  Vogel  sailed 
last  week  for  London,  Paris,  Berlin  and 
other  foreign  capitals  to  let  them  know 
about  the  new  deMille  pictures. 

James  J.  Jeffries  has  been  signed  up  by 
Warner  Brothers  for  a father  part  in  a 
picture  and  how  tempus  does  keep  on 
limiting.  . . . Charlie  Einfeld,  back  from 
his  honeymoon,  is  firm  in  the  opinion  that 
either  Dempsey  or  Sharkey  will  win  the 
big  fight  on  July  21,  and  become  Tunney’s 
opponent  for  the  championship.  . . . 

Herbert  Brenon  and  part  of  his  “Sorrel  & 
Son”  company  got  in  from  the  Coast  last 
Thursday  and  sailed  Friday  for  London. 
. . . William  LeBaron,  head  of  F.  B.  O. 
production,  is  due  this  week  from  the 
Coast  for  a conference  with  Joe  Kennedy. 

— SPARGO. 


The  Maccabee  soccer  football  team,  pictuied  above,  was  the  guest  of  S.  L. 
Rothafel  during  the  showing  recently  of  FBO’s  “Moon  of  Israel”  at  the  Roxy, 
New  York,  where  the  spectacular  story  of  the  deliverance  of  the  Jews  from 
enslavement  was  revealed  as  a production  of  extraordinary  beauty.  Particu- 
larly impressive  was  held  the  climactic  opening  of  the  Red  Sea,  to  let  the 
fugitives  pciss,  and  the  subsequent  drowning  of  Pharaoh’s  army.  The  film 
is  Sacha  production  from  a story  by  Sir  H.  Rider  Haggard. 


William  Le  Baron,  who  as  vice 
president  and  West  Coast  pro- 
duction executive,  is  among 
those  building  Greater  FBO. 


A critical  moment  in  FBO’s  “Moon  of 
Israel.”  Marie  Corda  and  Arlette  Mar- 
chal  have  the  leading  roles  in  this  Jewish 
epic  in  which  30,000  were  cast. 


Bob  Steele,  mounted  but  for  the  moment 
in  repose,  shown  with  a part  of  the  com- 
pany and  staff  on  location  for  his  next 
FBO  starring  vehicle,  “The  Mojave  Kid.” 


J.  Leo  Meehan,  eminent 
among  directors,  is  now 
making  “The  Harvester” 
for  FBO. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


Do  You  Know — 

Just  what  the  Pathe-P.  D.  C.  merger  means? 

Who  are  the  new  officials  of  the  amalgamated  companies? 

What  product  will  be  forthcoming? 

The  HERALD  in  this  issue  gives  the  first  detailed,  authentic 
account  of  the  Pathe-D.  C.  C.  consolidation,  official  personnel  and 
product. 

Turn  to  Page  49. 


Clofine  Named  Editor-in-Chief 
Of  M-G-M  News,  Out  Aug.  15 

Claude  R.  Collins  Appointed  News  Editor,  Herman  G.  Stock- 
hoff,  Associate  News  Editor,  and  Leonard  Mitchell, 

Film  Editor,  Hatrick  Announces 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12. — Michael  I.  Clofine  has  been  named  editor-in- 
chief  of  the  new  M-G-M  News,  according  to  announcement  by  Edgar  B. 
Hatrick,  who  has  charge  of  all  the  motion  picture  interests  of  William 
Randolph  Hearst. 

Claude  R.  Collins  News  Editor 

Claude  R.  Collins  is  news  editor  of  the  new  reel ; Herman  G.  Stockhoff 
is  associate  news  editor  and  Leonard  Mitchell  is  film  editor,  Hatrick  stated. 
The  first  issue  of  the  news  reel  will  be  August  15. 


July  16,  1927 

Bandits  Bind  3; 
Obtain  $6,000  at 
Amusement  Park 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  12. — Joe  Erber,  oper- 
ator of  an  amusement  resort  near  Valley 
Park  and  former  motion  picture  exhibitor, 
lost  the  receipts  of  the  three  Fourth  of 
July  holidays,  amounting  to  $6,000,  when 
robbers  held  him  up  at  the  park  the  night 
of  July  4.  The  men  first  cut  the  telephone 
wires,  then  bound  Erber,  Mrs.  Erber  and 
the  night  watchman. 

The  same  night  a lone  bandit  held  up 
two  women  in  the;  lobby  of  the  Family 
theatre  here,  getting  $27. 

Casanave  Denies  New 
Merger  in  Ohio  Seeks 
to  Reduce  Film  Rental 

“The  object  of  the  affiliation  between  the 
Associated  Theatres  of  Ohio  and  Affiliated 
Theatrical  Utilities  Corporation  is  to  fur- 
rier protect  the  members  of  this  organiza- 
tion against  the  various  elements  that  are 
at  present  using  destructive  methods  and 
threatening  the  elimination  of  the  inde- 
pendent exhibitor,”  Charles  L.  Casanave, 
general  manager  of  the  Associated  The- 
atres of  Ohio,  states  in  a letter  to  the 
Herald. 

Casanave  takes  exception  to  the  follow- 
ing statement  in  the  Herald,  issue  of  July 
9:  “Reduction  of  rental  price  is  the  im- 
mediate aim  but  the  organization  is  not  a 
booking  combine,”  Zimmerman  said.  Casa- 
nave declares  that  “the  last  thought  in  the 
minds  of  the  exhibitor  members  of  these 
organizations  is  reduction  in  film  rental.” 
He  adds  that  “the  only  method  we  have 
used  in  securing  members  was  by  offering 
them  collective  protection.  We  feel  that 
protection  means  more  than  film  rental. 
The  Dipson-Zimmerman  and  Associated 
Theatres  combine,  recently  organized,  is 
operating  on  the  same  principles.” 

Senator  Edwards  Calls 
Intolerance  Vital  Issue 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  12.— Senator  Ed- 
ward I.  Edwards  of  New  Jersey,  in  a 
letter  to  the  Association  Opposed  to  Blue 
Laws,  congratulated  the  association  on  its 
“wise  and  prudent  stand  concerning  such 
legislation.”  “Bigotry  and  intolerance,” 
the  letter  said,  “are  two  vital  issues  which 
both  major  political  parties  in  this  country 
must  face  if  the  nation  is  not  to  be  flooded 
with  silly  laws  governing  personal  con- 
duct.” 

Last  week  the  association  passed  into 
the  third  year  of  its  existence,  and  Presi- 
dent Joseph  A.  Themper  and  Linn  A.  E. 
Gale,  secretary  and  treasurer,  were  unani- 
mously re-elected  for  their  third  terms. 
All  other  officers  and  counsel  were  re- 
named. 

Sunday  Show  Petitions 
Issued  at  Massena,  N,  Y, 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  July  12. — Petitions  will  be 
circulated  in  Massena,  N.  Y.,  to  ascertain 
the  feeling  on  Sunday  motion  picture 
shows.  If  these  petitions  are  well  signed, 
they  will  be  presented  to  the  village  au- 
thorities with  a request  for  a special  elec- 
tion. Sunday  motion  picture  shows  in 
Northern  New  York  have  been  a source 
of  agitation  for  several  months,  but  have 
been  downed  in  a number  of  instances. 


The  M-G-M  News  will  be  produced  by 
Hearst  News  Service,  Inc.,  one  of  the 
subsidiaries  of  the  worldwide  Hearst 
organization,  and  will  be  distributed  by 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 

Was  International  Chief 

Clofine,  who  was  editor  of  International 
Newsreel  for  several  years,  joined 
Hearst  as  a member  of  the  staff  of  the 
New  York  Evening  Journal  after  working 
on  several  other  newspapers.  He  later 
helped  establish  the  Atlantic  Georgian, 
being  news  editor.  He  was  an  editor  of  the 
New  York  American  when  he  joined  the 
316th  Infantry  in  the  World  War.  On  his 
return  he  went  with  International  News- 
reel. 

Collins  was  former  night  editor  of  the 
Philadelphia  Press,  and  afterwards  asso- 
ciated with  the  New  York  Evening  Journal, 
The  Universal  Service  and  other  Hearst 
enterprises.  Stockhoff  has  been  connected 
with  the  Hearst  organization  for  more 
than  twenty  years.  Mitchell  was  formerly 
a New  York  newspaperman,  and  in  recent 
years  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  motion  picture  industry,  also  with  the 
United  States  Shipping  Board,  developing 


Shriner  3-Reeler 
Draws  Like  a Super 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CULVER  CITY,  July  12,— Met- 
ro-GoIdwyn-Mayer  has  produced 
a picture  of  only  three  reels  which 
now  seems  likely  to  make  more 
money  than  many  of  the  Super 
Specials  of  the  screen.  It  is  called 
“An  Equal  Chance”  and  was  made 
as  a contribution  to  the  Shriners’ 
campaign  for  money  with  which 
to  erect  additional  Shriners’  hos- 
pitals for  crippled  children.  It  is 
being  shown  at  Shrine  Temples  in 
the  principal  cities. 


its  motion  picture  travel  departments  in 
this  country  and  Europe. 

Separate  From  International 

“In  launching  M-G-M  News  for  the 
Hearst  organization,”  said  Hatrick,  “I 
would  like  tO'  emphasize  the  fact  that  it 
will  be  as  separate  and  distinct  from  In- 
ternational Newsreel  as  any  one  of  the 
Hearst  newspapers  is  separate  from  the 
other  twenty-five  comprising  the  vast  chain. 
Each  will  have  its  own  quarters;  each  its 
own  staff,  from  office  boy  to  editor,  and 
the  spirit  of  competition  will  be  as  keen  as 
between  other  newsreels,  or  between  the 
staffs  of  various  Hearst  newspapers — and 
no  keener  rivalry  exists  anywhere. 

“One  thing  they  will  have  in  common : 
each  will  be  a cog  in  the  gigantic  Hearst 
news-gathering  organization.  This  organi- 
zation not  only  has  the  gathering  facilities 
of  the  twenty-six  Hearst  newspapers,  which 
blanket  the  country  and  are  read  daily  by 
6,000,000  persons,  but  also  the  telegraph 
facilities  of  two  wire  services.  Interna- 
tional News  Service  and  Universal  Service, 
which  have  bureaus  in  every  corner  of  the 
globe  where  civilization  exists. 

“In  every  key  city  in  the  Llnited  States, 
and  in  every  European  capital,  M-G-M 
News  now  has  a complete  staff  function- 
ing under  Mr.  Clofine,  who  will  have  com- 
plete charge  and  devote  his  entire  time  and 
efforts  to  the  new  newsreel.” 

Cameramen  in  All  Keypoints 

Clofine,  outlining  the  editorial  policy  of 
M-G-M  News,  said: 

“A  staff  of  cameramen  has  been  organ- 
ized embracing  keypoints  throughout  the 
world. 

“I  believe  that  undue  emphasis  has  been 
placed  on  socalled  specials  and  beats.  A 
newsreel  is  issued  twice  a week,  fifty-two 
weeks  in  the  year  and  the  wise  exhibitor 
must  realize  that  it  benefits  him  little  to 
have  a special  or  a beat  now  and  then,  and 
a dull  reel  most  of  the  time.  Week  in  and 
week  out  M-G-M  News  will  strive  to  avoid 
dullness  and  ponderosity.” 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


13  “Best  Girls”  to  Coast  July  23 
As  Mary  Bickford’s  Guests 

W inners  of  Newspaper  Contests  in  13  Cities  Will  Start  from  Chicago 
for  Vacation  in  United  Artists  Tieup 

Thirteen  “best  girls,”  who  are  being  chosen  by  thirteen  news- 
papers in  thirteen  cities  for  a thirteen-day  trip  to  Hollywood  with 
Mary  Pickford  as  hostess,  will  leave  Chicago  July  23  in  a special 
car  of  the  Santa  Fe.  “Thirteen”  is  to  be  a lucky  number  for  the  winners 
of  the  tieup  contests,  staged  in  connection  with  the  United  Artists’  star’s 
next  production,  “My  Best  Girl.” 


HE  Dallas  and  Minneapolis  girls  will 
-*•  join  the  group  at  Kansas  City  July 
24;  the  Denver  winner  will  board  the 
train  at  La  Junta, 
while  the  Seattle 
and  San  Francis- 
co girls  will  go 
to  Los  Angeles 
by  the  Coast 
route. 

Special  enter- 
tainment and  ra- 
dio tieups  are  be- 
ing arranged  in 
Chicago  prelim- 
inary to  the  de- 
parture West- 
ward. On  the 
way  newspaper 
accounts  are  to 
be  sent  daily  to 
the  newspapers  participating.  City  offi- 
cials and  motion  picture  folk  will  join  in 
the  entertainment  at  Los  Angeles  for 
Miss  Pickford’s  guests.  On  the  return 
trip  the  girls  will  take  a boat  from  Los 
Angeles  to  San  Francisco  and  come 
East  over  the  LTnion  Pacific. 

A number  of  different  methods  of 
staging  the  contests  have  been  adopted 
by  the  newspapers.  In  some  cases  horo- 
scopes most  similar  to  that  of  Miss  Pick- 
ford  are  the  bases  of  choosing  the  win- 
ners. In  some  cases  the  contestants  are 
writing  their  ten  best  reasons  for  desir- 
ing the  trip,  while  in  others  there  is  a 
direct  application  of  the  circulation  angle 
by  the  printing  of  voting  coupons. 

The  only  restrictions  made  by  Miss 
Pickford  are  that  the  girls  are  not  to  be 
picture  aspirants  and  they  are  to  return 
to  their  homes  after  the  trip. 

The  newspapers  in  the  tieup  are  the 
Chicago  Herald  and  Examiner,  New 


“Shoot”  Bootleggers  at 
Work,  Then  Arrest  ’Em 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Mo.,  July  12.— 
Motion  pictures  were  put  to  a new 
use  in  Trenton,  Mo.,  when  two 
local  ministers  and  the  county  au- 
thorities “shot”  scenes  to  gather 
evidence  against  two  bootleggers 
— Sam  Ferguson  and  Roger  Ren- 
fro. The  camera  scenes  brought  to 
a termination  hfteen  days  of  de- 
tective work  on  the  part  of  Thom- 
as J.  Layson,  prosecuting  attorney, 
and  Sheriff  Dan  McKinnon.  To 
trap  the  bootleggers,  they  rented  a 
house  and  constructed  a hidden 
place  for  the  photographer,  who 
cranked  the  camera  as  the  bootleg- 
gers made  their  individual  deliv- 
eries to  a man  who  had  been 
“planted”  in  the  house  by  authori- 
ties. The  him  showed  the  boot- 
leggers arrive  separately  in  motor 
cars,  walk  to  the  door  and  make 
the  deliveries.  Both  were  ar- 
rested. 


York  Mirror,  Cincinnati  Post,  Cleveland 
Press,  Pittsburgh  Press,  Philadelphia 
News,  Minneapolis  Tribune,  Denver 
Post,  Dallas  Dispatch,  The  Atlanta 
Georgian,  Seattle  Times,  San  Francisco 
Bulletin  and  the  Boston  Advertiser. 

Mother  of  Late  Stanley 
Company  Officials  Dies 
After  Heart  Attack 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  12.— Mrs.  Fanny 
E.  Mastbaum,  mother  of  the  late  Jules  E. 
and  Stanley  V.  Mastbaum,  former  oper- 
ating executives  of  the  Stanley  Company 
of  America,  died  suddenly  of  heart’s  dis- 
ease at  her  home  here  last  week.  She  was 
77  years  old. 

Her  son,  Jules,  died  seven  months  ago, 
and  it  is  thought  that  grief  over  his  death 
hastened  her  end.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  Jules  was  head  of  the  Stanley  thea- 
tre circuit. 

Just  prior  to  the  day  she  died,  Mrs. 
Mastbaum  had  been  informed  that  the  new 
5,000  seat  Stanley  house  being  erected 
downtown,  was  to  be  named  the  Jules,  in 
honor  of  her  son.  It  had  been  his  policy 
to  similarly  honor  his  mother  by  having 
built  into  each  theatre  a private  box  for 
her. 

She  is  survived  by  two  daughters,  the 
wives  of  Louis  S.  and  Ellis  A.  Gimbel, 
senior  members  of  Gimbel  Brothers,  de- 
partment store  operators. 

Six  Film  Boards  Report 
Collection  of  $54,000 
for  Flood  Relief  Fund 

Reports  of  receipts  of  flood  benefit  per- 
formances, most  of  them  incomplete,  from 
six  Film  Boards  of  Trade,  contain  totals 
aggregating  over  $54,000,  with  the  rental 
value  of  the  free  films  shown  amounting 
to  over  $8,000.  The  figures  are  as  follows : 

Film  Board  of  Trade  at  Butte,  Mont., 
receipts  $1,216,  rental  value  $206;  Indian- 
apolis, $8,000  and  $923 ; Philadelphia,  $16,- 
800  and  $2,000;  Omaha,  $5,000  and  $1,300; 
Buffalo,  $14,000  and  $2,000;  St.  Louis,  $10,- 
000  and  $1,500. 

Rothacker  Begins  as 
Head  of  F-N  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— W.  R. 
Rothacker,  recently  appointed  managing 
director  of  the  First  National  studios,  has 
started  in  his  new  position. 

William  Smith  Chain 
Builds  Tulsa  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Oklahoma  City,  July  12. — The  William 
Smith  theatre  chain  is  building  a 1,500 
seat  theatre  at  Tulsa,  to  be  called  by  the 
name  of  the  city.  A new  theatre,  the 
Mecca,  has  opened  at  Enid,  Okla. 


Priest  Opens  Theatre 
He  Helped  to  Build 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  July  12.— The  entire 
village  of  Schroon  Lake  turned 
out  last  week  when  Father  Blaise, 
Catholic  priest,  opened  his  Com- 
munity House  there,  with  an  en- 
tertaining program  of  motion  pic- 
tures. Father  Blaise  has  labored 
for  the  past  several  months  in 
building  the  community  house, 
working  with  his  own  hands  and 
with  many  of  the  men  contribut- 
ing their  labor  to  the  enterprise. 
Rev.  Mr.  Blaise  does  all  of  his 
own  booking  and  makes  frequent 
visits  to  Albany’s  Film  Row. 


Columbia  Studio  Goes 
Rapidly  Toward  Goal; 

2 1927-28  Films  Done 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12. — ^Production  work 
on  the  earlier  releases  of  Columbia’s  1927- 
28  program,  the  ‘Perfect  Thirty,”  is  pro- 
gressing rapidly,  according  to  advices  from 
the  Hollywood  studio,  where  Vice-presi- 
dent Harry  Cohn  is  in  charge. 

Two  of  the  1927-28  pictures,  “The  Blood 
Ship”  and  “Sally  in  Our  Alley,”  have  been 
completed,  while  the  third  on  the  release 
schedule,  “Alias  the  Lone  Wolf,”  is  in  pro- 
duction. The  others  on  the  new  program 
include  the  following: 

“Virgin  Lips,”  “Modern  Mothers,”  “Lady 
Raifles,”  “Beware  of  Blondes,”  “Sporting  Age,” 
“Stage  Kisses,”  “So  This  Is  Love,”  “The  Col- 
lege Hero,”  “Forgotten  Women”  “Say  It  With 
Sables,”  “San  Francisco,”  “By  Whose  Hand,” 
“Fashion  Madness,”  “Bridge,”  “Golf  Widows,” 
“The  Siren,”  “After  the  Storm,”  “The  Adven- 
turess,” “My  Wife’s  Relations,”  “B'roadway  Dad- 
dies,” “The  Way  of  the  Strong,”  “That  Certain 
Thing,”  “The  Opening  Night,”  “The  Warning,” 
“Come  Back  to  Aaron,”  “The  Tigress,”  “A 
Woman’s  Way.” 

Preparations  are  about  complete  for  the 
production  of  these,  and  it  is  intended  to 
finish  them  all  well  in  advance  of  the  re- 
lease date. 


Fox  Athletic  Club 

Votes  5 to  Council 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12. — New  directors 
elected  to  the  council  of  the  Fox  Athletic 
Club  are  George  Blake,  Roger  Ferri,  Alan 
E.  Freeman,  Milton  Schwartz  and  Jack 
.Sichelman. 

Douglas  N.  Tauszig,  chairman  of  the 
council,  remains  in  office,  as  do  Fred 
Bullock,  Jr.,  and  the  other  officers. 


Fox  Workers  in  Oregon 
Filming  for  Shorts 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  12.— Miss 
Elizabeth  Pickett  and  J.  A.  Valentine  of 
the  Fox  short  subject  department,  are  here 
and  plan  to  remain  a week  taking  pictures 
of  this  region,  for  the  series  to  be  called 
“Know  Your  Own  State.’’ 


Victor  Schertzinger, 

Director,  Leaves  Fox 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Victor  Schert- 
zinger, Fox  director,  has  severed  his  con- 
nections with  that  company. 


Lloyd  Picks  Ann  Christy 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Harold  Lloyd 
has  chosen  Ann  Christy  of  Logansport, 
Ind.,  as  his  next  leading  woman.  She 
entered  films  a year  ago. 


T 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


July  16,  1927 


Derr  Returns  East 
After  Three  Months 
At  Studio  of  FBO 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 


Proposal  Would  Permit 
Ignoring  of  Quota  If 
British  Films  Are  Bad 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON,  July  12.— Sir  Philip  Cunliffe- 
Lister,  president  of  the  Board  of  Trade, 
in  response  to  representations  by  the 
Cinematograph  Exhibitors’  Association,  has 
promised  to  sponsor  another  amendment 
to  the  Films  Bill  now  in  committee,  to 
provide  that  where  compliance  on  the  part 
of  any  renter  and  exhibitor  with  the  quota 
was  not  commercially  practicable  by  reason 
of  the  character  of  the  British  films  avail- 
able or  the  excessive  cost  of  such  films, 
non-compliance  shall  be  treated  as  due  to 
reasons  beyond  his  control.  In  this  case 
the  Advisory  Committee  may  recommend 
his  exemption  from  quota  obligations. 

Its  is  expected  that  the  Films  Bill  will 
pass  the  committee  stage  in  three  weeks, 
go  through  the  report  stage,  and  reach  the 
House  of  Lords  at  the  end  of  November. 
* * * 

In  connection  with  the  total  eclipse  of 
the  sun  on  Wednesday,  cinemas  in  the 
total  eclipse  around  Southport  were  spe- 
cially permitted  to  open  from  midnight 
Tuesday  to  5 o’clock  the  next  morning,  in 
order  that  the  vast  crowds  of  visitors  who 
had  journeyed  there  to  witness  the  phe- 
nomenon might  be  entertained  during  the 
waiting  hours. 

Harry  Long  Appointed 
Assistant  Director  of 
Schine  Chain  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

UTICA,  July  12. — Harry  E.  Long  has 
been  appointed  assistant  managing  director 
of  all  theatre  operations,  of  the  Schine 
Brothers  circuit,  it  was  announced  at  the 
convention  at  the  Hotel  Utica. 

A number  of  tie-ups  with  prominent 
manufacturing  companies  were  also  an- 
nounced, and  it  is  planned  to  place  all  of 
them  under  the  direction  of  Buddy  Hooton, 
director  of  publicity. 


Meighan  to  Ireland 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— T h o m a s 
Meighan,  Paramount  star,  was  to  leave 
here  today  for  a vacation  trip  in  Ireland. 


NEW  YORK,  July  12.— E.  B.  Derr, 
treasurer  of  F B O,  is  back  in  New  York 
after  a three  months  sojourn  at  the  West 
Coast  studios  of 
the  company.  Dur- 
ing his  visit  in 
Hollywood  Mr. 

Derr  conferred 
with  William  Le 
Baron  and  Henry 
C.  King  on  the 
FBO  product 
for  the  coming 
season. 

Production  is 
going  ahead  under 
full  steam  at  the 
studios.  “A  Mo- 
ment of  Tempta- 
tion”, with  Char-  £ 3_  j}e„ 

lotte  Stevens  and 

Cornelius  Keefe  in  the  leads,  is  g9ing  into 
production.  “South  Sea  Love”  is  in  its 
third  week  of  making  and  “The  House  of 
Courage,”  with  Ranger  the  dog,  has  been 
finished. 


Combating  the  Enemy — 

Exhibitors  need  the  help  of  patrons,  not  as  investors  but  as  part- 
ners. 

Exhibitors  need  patron-partners  to  cooperate  in  preventing  hostile 
legislation. 

If  you  wish  to  learn  a proven  and  most  effective  method  of  enlist- 
ing your  public  in  warding  off  blue  laws  and  other  inimical  legisla- 
tive measures  . . . 

Be  sure  to  read  next  week’s  issue  of  the  HERALD. 


Stanley  Building  13  Theatres; 
20  Added  to  Circuit  This  Year 


McQuirk  Predicts  Even  Better  Earnings  in  1927 — Universal 
Opens  Madison  at  East  Atlanta,  Ga. — Several  New 
Houses  Planned  in  St.  Louis  Area 

Thirteen  new  Stanley  theatres,  to  cost  $15,000,000,  are  now  underway,  while 
twenty  others  have  come  into  the  circuit  since  the  first  of  January,  raising 
to  231  the  total  number  of  theatres  controlled  by  the  circuit,  according  to 
the  Wall  Street  Journal. 

Gross  Assets  Reach  $71,669,386 

Gross  assets  of  the  company  have  increased  to  $71,669,386  from  the 
$24,497,293  of  December,  1925,  says  the  Journal,  which  adds  that  receipts 
in  the  first  twelve  weeks  to  March  19,  1927,  totaled  $8,642,878  contrasted 
with  $3,566,186  for  the  same  period  last  year.  Total  income  has  grown 
from  $8,228,647  in  1924  to  $22,909,812  in  1926;  net  income  from  $969,302 
to  $2,231,419,  and  owned  property  from  $16,068,651  to^  $46,205,865. 


“Judging  from  the  record  of  the  past 
25  weeks  and  its  most  encouraging  re- 
flections of  increased  earnings  there  is 
every  indication  that  the  year  1927  will  be 
a better  one  for  Stanley  Company  of 
■America,”  President  John  J.  McGuirk 
predicts. 

Opens  East  Atlanta  House 

ITniversal  continues  to  add  to  its  thea- 
tre holdings.  Its  new  Madison  opened 


Foreign  Producers  Brand 
Film  American  To  Aid  B.  O. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12.— Reports 
from  Delhi,  India,  of  a riot  by 
Moslems  against  “Moon  of  Israel," 
named  in  cables  as  being  an  Amer- 
ican him,  when  in  reality  it  is  an 
Austrian-made  picture  of  a story 
by  an  English  author,  indicate 
that  foreign  producers  are  mis- 
branding their  pictures  in  order  to 
capitalize  upon  public  preference 
for  American  product.  Will  Hays 
said  last  week. 

“This  production  was  produced 
by  the  Sascha  Film  Company  of 
Vienna,”  Hays  declared.  “It  was 
made  in  Austria  from  a story  writ- 
ten by  H.  Rider  Haggard,  an  Eng- 
lish author.  Americans  had  noth- 
ing whatever  to  do  with  its  pro- 
duction. ‘Moon  of  Israel’  is  known 
on  the  Continent  as  one  of  the 
best  of  the  Austrian  productions. 
The  American  rights  are  owned  by 
Film  Booking  Offices,  an  Ameri- 
can company.  Why  it  is  desig- 
nated in  India  as  an  American  pro- 
duction I do  not  know,  unless  it  is 
falsely  branded  by  persons  who 
wished  to  take  advantage  of  the 
popularity  of  American  pictures.” 


July  2 at  East  Atlanta,  Ga.  It  is  a 
$100,000  theatre.  Universal  has  also  re- 
opened the  State  in  Milwaukee.  August 
La  Renzie,  A.  L.  Robarge  and  William 
Robarge  have  formed  the  Eagle  River 
Amusement  Company  at  Eagle  River,  Wis. 
Fischer’s  Paramount  Theatres  is  offering 
for  sale  $500,000  in  common  shares  of 
class  B securities  at  $12.50  a share,  in 
connection  with  plans  for  further  ex- 
pansion. 

In  the  St.  Louis  area  rebuilding  has 
started  on  the  Odeon  theatre  and  office 
building  which  was  damaged  by  fire.  A 
new  theatre  is  to  be  erected  on  South 
Grand  boulevard.  Dr.  John  O’Connell  of 
Overland  Park,  Mo.,  is  taking  bids  on  a 
new  theatre  and  office  building  there, 
while  Roller  Brothers  has  been  retained 
to  prepare  plans  for  a theatre  and  office 
structure  to  be  erected  at  Columbia,  Mo., 
by  J.  Dozier  Stone  and  associates. 

The  Grand  Central  in  St.  Louis  closes 
temporarily  on  the  16th  for  remodeling 
into  an  extended  run  theatre.  City  offi- 
cials at  Cairo,  111.,  recently  decided  to  re- 
model the  facade  of  the  Municipal  Opera 
House  but  now  are  planning  to  build  an 
entirely  new  theatre. 

25  Chosen  for  Schine  School 

Construction  has  started  on  the  $45,000 
Graham  theatre  at  Elma,  Wash. 

Out  of  several  hundred  applicants  only 
25  were  chosen  for  the  first  class  of  the 
Schine  Enterprises’  managers  school,  now 
underway  in  New  York  state.  Some  of 
the  latest  students  accepted  are  Frank  Bul- 
nick,  E.  T.  Murphy,  T.  E.  Warne,  C.  C. 
Langtry,  Albert  Room,  Elmer  Bailey, 
Harry  L.  Armington  and  John  W. 
Williams. 

Harry  Grecman  has  returned  to  St. 
Louis  as  manager  of  Loew’s  State  after 
having  opened  a new  house  at  Pittsburgh 
for  the  circuit. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Wampas  Fete  N.  Y.  Advertisers 
After  Convention  in  Denver 

President  Ray  Coffin  Tells  Guests  479  Pictures  Will  Be  Made  in  Com- 
ing Year  at  Cost  of  $128,000,000 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  July  12. — One  hundred  members  of  the  New  York 
Advertising  Club  and  their  wives,  visiting  Los  Angeles  following 
their  recent  convention  in  Denver,  were  entertained  by  the  Wam- 
pas Wednesday  morning  at  the  Breakfast  Club.  Ray  Coffin,  president  of 
the  Wampas,  welcomed  the  Advertisers,  and  gave  them  some  statistics  to 
think  over.  He  stated  during  the  coming  year  479  pictures  will  be  made 
here  at  a cost  of  $128,000,000. 


Those  who  addressed  the  gathering, 
following  the  ham  and  eggs,  were 
Daniel  McGarry,  president  of  Los  Ange- 
les Chamber  of  Commerce,  who  ex- 
tended an  official  welcome;  M.  C.  Levee, 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of 
United  Studios,  who  invited  them  to 
visit  the  studios;  Harold  Stonier,  presi- 
dent, Pacific  Coast  Advertisers’  Club; 
S.  Wilbur  Corman,  spokesman  for  the 
New  York  delegation;  D.  W.  Criffith  of 
United  Artists,  and  Maurice  Demond, 
president  of  the  Breakfast  Club.  John 
A.  Wilkens,  who  heads  the  party  on 
their  Western  visit,  was  initiated  into 
the  Breakfast  Club  and  given  a life  mem- 
bership. 

Fred  Hamlin,  of  the  Sam  E.  Rork  pro- 
ductions, arranged  the  party.  About 
fifty  screen  stars  were  present  to  greet 
the  delegates,  and  all  were  guests  at  the 
various  studios  during  the  day.  A lunch- 
eon was  served  at  the  Uplifters’  Ranch, 
and  the  Carthay  Circle  theatre  acted  as 
host  during  the  evening  at  a showing  of 
“7th  Heaven.” 

* sjj *  * 

James  Kirkwood  Recovering 

James  Kirkwood,  well  known  stage 
and  screen  actor,  is  recovering  from  an 
attack  of  acute  appendicitis  at  Osteo- 
pathic hospital. 

* * * 

L.  Lipman,  owner  of  the  yacht  Te- 
layha,  was  awarded  $620.80  damages  in 
Municipal  Judge  Stafford’s  court  last 
week,  for  rental  and  damage  to  his  boat 
from  the  Phil  Coldstein  Productions. 
Lipman  rented  his  yacht  to  Coldstein 
Productions  for  the  filming  of  a fight 
scene  and  the  70  “mutineers”  fighting 
Milton  Sills,  who  raged  up  and  down  the 
ship  with  hobnailed  boots  ruined  the 
decks,  he  claimed. 

Sheridan  Hall,  former  assistant  direc- 
tor on  Monty  Banks  pictures,  has  been 
promoted  to  production  manager  of 
Banks’  Enterprises.  Hall  was  formerly 
with  American  Film  Company  and  later 
with  the  Brunton  studios.  He  worked 
under  Ceorge  Fitzmaurice  on  a number 
of  productions. 

* * 

W'aldron  Is  All  Smiles 
John  A.  Waldron,  general  manager  of 
Sennett  Studios,  passed  out  cigars  to  all 
the  Sennett  bathing  girls  last  week  and 
explained  his  wider  than  usual  smile  sim- 
ply, “It’s  a boy.” 

* ^ ^ 

Jules  White,  Fox  comedy  director,  an- 
nounces he  has  just  returned  from  the 
High  Sierras,  where  he  enjoyed  a three 
weeks’  fishing  trip,  and  says:  “You 
ought  to  see  the  big  ones  that  got 
away.” 

* 

Crete  Sipple,  motion  picture  stunt  ac- 
tress, has  filed  suit  against  the  Pacific 
Electric  Railway  for  injuries  to  her  hand, 
caught  in  a door.  She  is  asking  $10,000 


damages,  claiming  she  has  lost  the  use  of 
her  right  hand. 

* * * 

Carrett  Fort,  who  recently  resigned 
from  the  staff  of  Warner  Brothers,  has 
just  dashed  out  an  original  story,  “Pass- 
ing the  Buck,”  written  around  a well- 
known  indoor  Hollywood  sport. 

* * sK 

Col.  Jasper  Ewing  Brady,  member  of 
the  Metro-Coldwyn-Mayer  scenario  de- 
partment in  New  York,  has  arrived  here 
for  a month’s  vacation. 

^ ^ ^ 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller  Recovering 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller  is  recovering  from  a 
badly  sprained  ankle  sustained  through 
refusal  to  use  a double  while  making  a 
scene  for  “South  Sea  Love,”  an  FBO 
production.  While  at  Santa  Ana  Can- 
yon Miss  Miller  descended  a 20-foot  cliff, 
lost  her  footing  and  received  a sprained 
ankle.  She  continued  the  scene,  how- 
ever, in  the  pool  at  the  foot  of  the  cliff, 
then  was  rushed  to  her  home.  Work  on 
the  picture  will  be  held  up  several  days 
awaiting  her  recovery. 

* * * 

Fred  Thomson  and  his  Paramount 
troup  have  left  for  Bridgeport,  Cal., 
where  the  first  scenes  of  “Jesse  James” 
are  to  be  made.  The  location  is  185 
miles  from  Hollywood  in  the  Sierras. 
William  Courtright  has  been  added  to 
the  cast  to  play  “Old  Bill”  and  Harry 
Woods  will  play  the  role  of  Bob  Ford, 
Jesse  James’  cousin. 

* * * 

William  K.  Howard  will  have  as  art 
director  and  scenarist  when  he  directs 
“The  Main  Event”  for  Cecil  DeMille 
studios  Rochus  Cliese,  former  Ufa  direc- 
tor, who  came  to  Hollywood  with  F.  W. 
Murnau,  director  of  “Sunrise”  for  Fox. 
Work  on  the  new  picture  will  begin  this 
week. 

^ ^ ^ 

“A  Night  in  a Turkish  Bath”  is  to 
reach  the  screen.  Asher,  Small  and 
Rogers  have  purchased  the  Avery  Hop- 
wood  farce,  and  Jack  Mulhall  and  Dor- 
othy Mackaill  will  be  teamed  up  in  it. 

^ ^ ^ 

Harry  Jones,  55,  stepfather  of  Janet 
Gaynor,  Fox  star,  died  Wednesday  morn- 


U-A  Spending  17  Millions 
This  Year,  Says  Schenck 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES.  July  12.— 
More  than  $17 ,000,000  will  be 
spent  by  United  Artists  in  its  17- 
picture  program  for  next  year. 
President  Joseph  M.  Schenck  an- 
nounces. He  said  close  to  $3,000,- 
000  had  been  expended  in  improv- 
ing the  studio,  where  955  are  em- 
ployed, and  that  an  auxiliary 
studio  is  to  be  built  on  a 60-acre 
tract  in  Culver  City. 


July  16,  1927 

ing  from  a heart  attack  at  his  home, 
6125  Selma  avenue,  Hollywood.  His 
death  came  as  a surprise  to  the  family. 
He  is  survived  by  his  wife  and  two  step- 
daughters. 

* * * 

Funeral  services  were  conducted  for 
Harry  L.  Franklin,  veteran  motion  pic- 
ture director,  last  Thursday  morning. 
Many  film  celebrities  attended.  Edwin 
Carewe,  an  old  friend  and  associate,  was 
in  charge  of  the  funeral  arrangements. 


Re-Takes 


WELL,  I see  the  actors  are  going  to 
unionize.  And  the  writers  and  direc- 
tors too.  Everybody’ll  have  to  carry  a din- 
ner pail  and  be  on  the  job  early  now.  And 
when  a walking  delegate  blows  a whistle 
it  won’t  mean  “hit  the  lights.”  It’ll  mean 
turn  ’em  off. 

* * * 

The  actors  were  quite  excited  over  the 
proposed  wage  cut,  but  they’re  more  pepped 
up  over  the  proposed  Actors  Equity  branch 
of  motion  pictures. 

* * * 

At  Breakfast 

And  when  Eastern  ad  men  meet  Western 
ad  there’s  bound  to  be  something  doing. 
Yes,  sir.  We  all  had  breakfast  at  the 
Breakfast  Club,  under  the  trees,  last  week, 
and  the  speeches  sounded  just  like  reading 
the  ads  in  the  big  monthly  journals. 

* * * 

Explains  Everything 
One  Western  ad  man  explained  why  Cal- 
ifornia was  populated  mostly  by  lowans. 
He  said  a few  of  ’em  came  out  here  years 
ago  and  sent  post  cards  back  telling  about 
the  orange  juice  and  the  sunshine.  Then 
a few  more  arrived  and  they  sent  back 
more  post  cards  about  the  orange  juice 
and  sunshine.  And  now  the  only  folks  left 
in  Iowa  are  those  who  don’t  like  orange 
juice  or  can’t  read. 

* * * 

Pictures 

Two  premieres  last  week  occupied  the 
attention  of  the  film  folk — “When  a Man 
Loves”  and  “The  Way  of  All  Flesh.”  John 
Barrymore  played  the  “Man”  role  in  the 
Warner  Brothers  production  and  the  way 
he  makes  love,  rolls  dem  eyes,  and  throws 
money  around  is  something  scandlous.  Jt 
looks  like  that  boy  has  a future  in  pic- 
tures. “The  Way  of  All  Flesh”  had  Emil 
Jannings  in  it  with  an  all-American  cast, 
and  all  in  all  I considered  the  evening  well 
spent.  Jannings  can  show  the  boys  over 
here  a few  things  about  acting. 

;4: 

Yes,  Isn’t  It? 

Isn’t  it  funny  the  newspapers  don’t  say 
something  about  these  “intrepid  airmen” 
who  are  hopping  off  almost  hourly? 
They’re  crowding  out  the  oil  scandals  and 
the  murders. 

* * * 

They’ve  formed  an  “Ex-Husbands’  Club” 
in  Hollywood  and  plans  are  being  made  to 
hold  the  first  meeting  in  the  Bowl,  which 
seats  30,000. 

* * * 

Gertrude  Says 

Gertrude  Astor,  who  loves  to  say  things, 
says  the  hardest  thing  confronting  some  of 
the  Hollywood  boys  and  girls  is  how  to 
make  both  ends  meet. 

* if  * 

Famous  Last  Words 
“What  do  you  think  of  the  Equity,  Mr. 
Producer?” 

* * * 

Hurry,  Meadows,  mix  me  up  another 
limeade  and  put  plenty  of  ice  in  this  one. 

R.  M. 


July  16,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  27 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  July  16 

by 

the  Camera 

Youngest  Exhibitor? 


Newlyweds 


LEFT  — Mildred  Russel 
operates  a motion  picture 
theatre  at  the  age  of  17. 
Is  she  the  youngest  ex- 
hibitor in  the  United 
States?  She  was  only  15, 
however,  when  she  started 
the  Community  theatre 
in  Benton  City,  Mo., 
shortly  after  losing  a leg 
at  the  knee.  Her  inspir- 
ing story  appeared  in  a 
recent  issue. 


RIGHT  — Bride  and 
groom  after  the  recent 
marriage  ceremony  in 
Beverly  Hills,  Cal.,  which 
made  Vilma  Banky  Mrs. 
Rod  La  Rocque.  Samuel 
Goldwyn,  in  whose  United 
Artists  productions  Miss 
Banky  stars,  gave  the 
bride  away,  while  Cecil 
B.  De  Mille,  head  of  the 
company  starring  La 
Rocque,  was  best  man.  A 
short  honeymoon  trip  fol- 
lowed the  wedding. 


Burt  New,  member  of  the 
M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  legsd  staff, 
has  been  named  Washington 
representative,  succeeding 
J.  S.  Connolly,  now  with  Fox. 


OfBcials  of  Schine  Brothers’  circuit  recently  convened  in 
Utica.  Left  to  right,  J.  A.  Carrier,  director  of  theatres; 
L.  W.  Schine,  general  manager;  J.  Herbert  Gilroy,  repre- 
senting the  mayor  of  Utica;  Max  Milder,  director  of  book- 
ing; and  Harry  E.  Long,  assistant  director  of  theatres. 


Lou  Anger,  head  of  U-A 
theatres,  in  Hollywood  after 
six  months  in  key  cities,  pre- 
dicts two  million  more  pat- 
rons in  1927-28. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


Margaret  and  Katherine  Tuttle,  daughters  of  the  novelist,  Margaretta 
Tuttle,  while  visiting  their  mother  were  unexpectedly  given  small  roles 
in  Pro-Dis-Co’s  “The  Country  Doctor.”  They  are  pictured  above  on  the 
set,  at  extreme  right,  with  Director  Rupert  Julicin  (seated).  Cameraman 
Peverell  Marley,  and  Virginia  Bradford. 


Uneeda  receives  his  rations  following  a half  hour  on  the  air  broadcast- 
ing a little  publicity  for  the  cracker  industry.  Uneeda  is  the  favorite 
parrot  at  station  WHN.  He  is  shown  being  butlered  by  George  Fecke, 
director  of  Radio  Movie  Clubs  (left)  and  George  K.  Arthur,  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  star. 


James  Montgomery  Flagg,  the  artist,  recently  took 
Raymond  McKee’s  place  as  the  head  of  Pathe’s 
celebrated  Smith  family.  Perhaps,  however,  for 
only  this  photograph.  Nevertheless,  Mr.  Smith- 
McKee  appears  very  glum  about  it. 


Reading  from  left  to  right.  Trade  and  Mark 
Smith,  inventors  of  the  cough  drop as  incar- 

nated in  A1  Cooke  and  Kit  Guard  of  FBO’s 
“Beauty  Parlor”  series. 


For  the  sake  of  old  Yom  Kippur,  Clancy  and  his  friends  sample  the 
props.  This  imprudent  feast  occurred  on  the  set  for  FBO’s  “Clancy’s 
Kosher  Wedding”  and  was  indulged  in  by  George  Sidney,  the  star  (left). 
Will  Armstrong  (center),  and  Director  A.  E.  Gilstrom. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Ride  ’em,  cowboys! — or  should  we  say  gauchos?  Doubtless 
a year  from  now  the  South  American  term  will  be  in  favor, 
since  Douglas  Fairbanks’  “The  Gaucho,”  is  to  be  released 
next  winter.  F.  Richard  Jones  is  directing — is  in  the  saddle 
as  it  were. 


Argentine,  the  land  of  the  gaucho,  has  sent  a new  ambassa- 
dor, who,  with  his  family,  recently  dropped  in  to  see  Fair- 
banks at  work.  From  left  to  right,  Miss  Marta,  Miss  Julia, 
Ambassador  Honorio  Pueyrredon,  Mrs.  Pueyrredon,  “the 
Gaucho,”  and  Miss  Angelica. 


A new  star  in  the  Comedy 
heavens  is  Jesse  EJevorska,  who 
recently  was  signed  by  FBO  to 
be  Jake  in  “Jake  the  Plumber.” 
As  Jake  he’s  “jake.” 


Roland  West,  who  made  “The 
Bat”  for  United  Artists  last  year, 
is  directing  Norma  Talmadge  in 
her  first  U.  A.  picture,  “The 
Dove.’” 


And  now  matrimony.  Next  month  Vivian  Dun- 
can (left)  and  Sister  Rosetta,  co-stars  of  U-A’s 
“Topsy  and  Eva,”  will  be  married,  Eva  to  Milo 
Asther,  Topsy  to  William  Beri.  Both  men  are 
screen  players. 


With  us  again — and  never  to  die,  for  Weber  and 
Fields,  superb  fun-makers  for  two  generations  of 
American  stage-theatregoers,  have  been  immor- 
talized in  Vitaphone.  They  are  now  on  the 
“Exclusive”  programs. 


Mitchell  Leisen  snapped  as  he 
works  on  models  for  “The 
Fighting  Eagle,”  DeMille  Spe- 
cial about  ready  for  production 
with  Rod  La  Rocque  starring. 


Russell  Simpson  as  an  old  fellow 
with  a dry  wit  and  whiskers,  in 
Metro  - Goldwyn  - Mayer’s  “The 
Trail  of  ’98.”  Clarence  Brown  is 
making  this  gold  rush  film. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


Tea  Dance  For  Colleen  Moore 
Is  Given  By  First  National 

Star  Will  Take  Rest  Before  Resuming  Production — Theatre  Named 
Jules  in  Honor  of  Mastbaum 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  July  12. — The  differences  between  Colleen  Moore  and 
First  National  Pictures,  which  for  a time  threatened  to  sever  all 
relations,  were  amicably  adjusted  last  week,  and  the  winsome 
young  star  will  soon  return  to  the  West  Coast  to  resume  work. 

Last  Thursday  a tea  dance  was  given  at  the  Hotel  Plaza  by  First 
National  in  honor  of  Miss  Moore,  which  was  attended  by  a number  of 
First  National  officials,  headed  by  Richard  A.  Rowland,  several  promi- 
nent exhibitors  and  the  film  writers  of  the  daily  press,  magazines  and 
trade  papers. 


According  to  th  e announcement 
made  by  First  National,  John  Mc- 
Cormick, husband  of  the  little  star,  will 
devote  his  time  exclusively  to  supervis- 
ing the  productions  of  Miss  Moore. 

“Synthetic  Sid,”  from  the  play  by  Fred- 
eric and  Fanny  Hatton,  will  be  the  first 
of  Miss  Moore’s  pictures  for  the  new 
season,  to  be  followed  by  “Lilac  Time” 
by  Jane  Cowl  and  Jane  Murfin,  a George 
Fitzmaurice  production  adapted  from  the 
stage  success  of  the  same  title.  “Lilac 
Time”  is  scheduled  to  be  one  of  First 
National’s  biggest  specials  during  the 
coming  year.  Other  pictures  will  be 
made  as  planned. 

Will  Take  Rest 

During  the  past  few  years  Miss  Moore 
has  been  constantly  busy  in  the  studio 
and  is  in  need  of  a rest  before  she  re- 
sumes work  in  what  promises  to  be  the 
biggest  roles  of  her  screen,  career. 
Within  the  next  few  days  she  will  leave 
New  York  and  for  a few'  weeks,  at  least, 
remain  far  removed  from  the  atmosphere 
of  picture  making. 

In  speaking  of  the  present  arrange- 
ment, Richard  A.  Rowland,  general  and 
production  manager,  said  that  the  differ- 
ences between  Miss  Moore  and  First  Na- 
tional had  never  been  of  a really  serious 
nature  and  that  he  always  felt  certain  of 
their  reaching  an  understanding. 

“Colleen  has  been  a treasured  mem- 
ber of  the  First  National  family  ever 
since  we  started  producing,”  said  Mr. 
Rowland,  “and  we  are  looking  forward 
to  the  next  season  being  her  greatest.” 

Miss  Moore  expressed  herself  as  being 
delighted  over  the  complete  reconcilia- 
tion and  said  she  had  never  looked  for- 
ward to  a year  with  such  keen  enthusi- 
asm. She  said  she  heartily  approved  of 
the  story  material  selected  for  her  and 
the  plans  for  production  as  outlined. 

* * * 

New  Theatre  to  Honor  Mastbaum 

The  late  Jules  Mastbaum,  who  died 
during  the  greatest  period  of  activity  of 
the  company  he  organized  and  served  as 
president,  is  to  be  honored  by  having  a 


Eastman’s  $25,000  Fund 
May  Go  to  Northwestern 

The  $25,000  endowment  fund 
offered  by  George  Eastman  for  re- 
search into  government  and  city 
administration  may  go  to  North- 
western University  of  Evanston, 
III.,  according  to  Professor  S.  D. 
Harris. 

Mr.  Eastman  offered  the  gift, 
which  is  contingent  upon  the  rais- 
ing of  an  additional  $25,000,  to  the 
City  Managers’  Association,  with 
headquarters  in  Kansas  City. 


five-million-dollar  theatre  named  for  him. 
The  Stanley  Company  of  America,  which 
operates  the  largest  chain  of  theatres  in 
the  East,  has  decided  to  name  its  new 
theatre,  being  erected  at  Twentieth  and 
Market  streets,  Philadelphia,  the  “Jules.” 

* * * 

When  the  Paramount  theatre  was  built 
there  was  plenty  of  talk  along  Broadway 
that  the  big  street  was  overseated.  Fol- 
lowing this  the  Roxy  came  along  with 
its  6,000  seats  and  then  a lot  of  the  wise 
ones  knew  that  some  of  the  other  the- 
atres would  be  compelled  to  close. 

However,  this  is  different.  Since  the 
Roxy  opened  its  doors  on  March  11  more 
than  2,000,000  pay  passengers  have  passed 
the  portals.  The  Paramount  has  played 
constantly  to  turnaway  business,  and  in- 
stead of  closing  up,  the  other  Broadway 
picture  houses  have  done  more  business 
than  formerly. 

* * * 

Unusual  Ceremony  at  Roxy 

The  Roxy  theatre  was  the  scene  of  a 
very  unusual  ceremony  last  Monday 
night,  when  the  American  Legion  initi- 
ated a new  member  via  the  radio  in  the 
broadcasting  room  with  Roxy  as  master 
of  ceremonies.  The  regular  ritual  was 
observed  with  several  high  officers  and 
honor  men  officiating.  Among  those 
who  took  part  in  the  ceremonies  were 
State  Commander  Arthur  E.  Brundage, 
Past  State  Commander  Maj.  William  F. 
Deegan,  Past  State  Commander  Harry 
Wilder,  Past  State  Commanders  Russell 
E.  Sard  and  Edward  E.  Spafford,  Con- 
gressional Medal  of  Honor  Man  Dan  E- 
wards.  Congressional  Medal  of  Honor 
Man  Sydney  Gumpertz  and  Queens 
County  Chaplain  Rev.  Father  Ward  B. 
Meehan.  The  member  installed  is  Rev. 
Dr.  Cross,  chaplain  of  Richmond  Hill 
Post  No.  212. 

* * * 

Maj.  Edward  Bowes,  after  an  exten- 
sive holiday  from  the  multitudinous  du- 
ties of  the  Capitol  theatre,  arrived  home 
this  week  on  the  S.  S.  Paris  to  assume 
his  various  activities  as  producer,  exhib- 
itor and  radio  impresario.  His  holiday 
included  a stay  in  the  French  capital  and 
a motor  trip  through  rural  France.  At 
the  personal  invitation  of  Dr.  Lefort,  di- 
rector of  the  Rheims  Memorial  hospital, 
he  paid  a visit  to  that  section  of  the 
country.  Dr.  Lefort,  who  was  decorated 
by  the  French  and  Belgian  governments 
for  heroic  and  memorable  services  dur- 
ing the  war,  and  is  thoroughly  familiar 
with  the  battle  area,  acted  as  his  guide 
on  a complete  tour  covering  all  the 
points  of  historic  interest. 

* * * 

Arthur  Lang  Weds 

Arthur  Lang,  baritone,  popular  mem- 
ber of  Roxy’s  gang,  betook  himself  to 
the  Little  Church  Around  the  Corner 
last  week  and  married  little  Genie 


Theatre  Flagpole  Sitter 
Is  Fined  $25  as  Nuisance 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON.  July  12.— A fine  of 
$25  was  imposed  on  "Sparrow” 
Holl,  who  remained  at  the  top  of 
the  Metropolitan  Theatre  Bagpole 
55  hours  until  ordered  down  by 
the  police.  He  was  charged  with 
being  a common  nuisance. 

Judge  Michael  J.  Murray,  in 
passing  sentence,  deffned  a nu- 
isance as  anything  which  worked 
harm,  inconvenience  or  damage 
to  the  public.  He  maintained  ob- 
struction of  a highway  was  a nu- 
isance and  that  H oil’s  stunt  caused 
serious  traffic  delays  and  some 
minor  accidents.  Counsel  for  Holl 
appealed  and  will  carry  the  case 
to  the  Superior  court. 


Wirick,  dancer  and  singer  from  St. 
Louis,  who  has  been  appearing  with 
Brook  Johns  in  that  city  and  with  the 
Skouras  enterprises  in  the  West.  Lang, 
who  hails  from  Lehighton,  Pa.,  was 
graduated  from  Muhlenberg  college, 
Allentown,  and  is  known  as  “the  little 
man  with  the  big  voice.”  After  the  cere- 
mony the  diminutive  pair  returned  to  the 
theatre,  where  they  informed  their  sur- 
prised associates  that  they  had  taken  the 
“final  step.” 

* * 

Carroll  S.  Trowbridge,  general  repre- 
sentative for  A1  and  Charles  Christie,  has 
returned  to  his  New  York  office  after 
spending  a month  with  his  associates  at 
the  Christie  studios  in  Hollywood. 

Beet  son  Denies  Salary 
Cut  Decision  Was  Made 
During  Hays*  Coast  Stay 

The  following  communication  has  been 
received  from  Fred  W.  Beetson  of  the 
A.  M.  P.  P.  on  the  West  Coast; 

“The  July  2 issue  of  Exhibitors  Herald 
contains  the  following : ‘The  decision  to 
ask  a reduction  in  studio  salaries  was 
reached  during  the  recent  stay  in  Holly- 
wood of  Will  H.  Hays,  president  of  the 
M.  P.  P.  D.  A.,  according  to  Fred  Beetson, 
in  charge  of  the  headquarters  here  of  the 
A.  M.  P.  P.’ 

“I  wish  to  emphatically  deny  that  I ever 
made  such  a statement  to  anyone.  While 
Mr.  Hays  was  in  the  West  he  did  discnss 
and  lay  stress  upon  the  necessity  of 
economy  in  the  making  of  pictures  and  a 
very  elaborate  plan  was  devised  to  save 
money  to  reduce  production  costs  by  the 
application  of  more  intensive  and  efficient 
business  methods.  At  no  time  was  the  re- 
duction of  salaries  discussed  while  Mr. 
Hays  was  here.  I believe  in  fairness  to 
me  you  should  correct  this  statement.” 

£.  H.  Wells  Now  Heads 
FBO  Montreal  Branch; 
Other  Changes  Made 

(Special  to  the  Herald)  - 

NEW  YORK,  July  12. — Changes  in  the 
FBO  Canadian  personnel  are  announced 
by  P.  C.  Taylor,  general  manager  in  the 
Dominion.  E.  H.  Wells  has  succeeded 
S.  H.  Decker  as  manager  of  the  Montreal 
branch.  Decker  being  transferred  to  the 
managership  of  the  Winnipeg  office. 

Walter  Kennedy  has  rejoined  the 
Toronto  sales  force  after  an  absence  of 
a year,  while  Jack  Allen  has  been  pro- 
moted from  booker  to  salesman,  his  former 
position  being  taken  by  R.  W.  Smith. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Four  Broadway 
Houses  Book  FBO 
Films  for  July 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12. — Four  Broadway 
theatres  have  booked  FBO  pictures  for 
July  showings,  according  to  an  announce- 
ment by  Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  head  of  FBO. 
One  picture,  “The  Moon  of  Israel,”  has 
already  been  shown  at  the  Roxy  and  will 
be  given  another  July  presentation  at  the 
Cameo. 

“The  Gingham  Girl,”  which  stars  Lois 
Wilson  and  George  K.  Arthur,  goes  into 
the  Capitol  next  week,  while  “The  Great 
Mail  Robbery,”  a George  Seitz  production, 
is  to  open  at  the  Hippodrome  July  18. 


Richard  Pearl  Heads 
Sales-Contract  Work 
For  Burr-Hines  Unit 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 


HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Richard  Pearl 
is  coming  to  Burbank  to  take  charge  of 
the  sales  and  contract  department  of 
B.  & H.  Enter- 
prises, producing 
unit  of  First  Na- 
tional. Mr.  Pearl 
has  acted  as  first 
assistant  in  that 
department  in  the 
East  for  the  past 
year. 

One  of  the 
youngest  sales  de- 
partment heads  in 
the  industry,  Mr. 

Pearl  began  four 
years  ago  with 
Samuel  Goldwyn 
under  the  tutelage 
of  G.  P.  Morgan, 

J.  R.  and  E.  C.  Grainger.  When  Goldwyn 
affiliated  with  First  National  Mr.  Pearl 
followed  suit.  Next  he  joined  the  Burr- 
Hines  unit. 


Richard  Pearl 


Gertrude  Ederle  Saves 
Girl  from  Drowning 
At  Filming  of  Scene 

(Special  to  the  Herald} 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.  — ■ Gertrude 
Ederle,  English  channel  swimmer,  has  had 
to  renege  on  her  avowed  intention  to 
drop  marathon  swimming  for  good.  By 
changing  her  decision  she  saved  an  actress 
from  drowning. 

Mary  Ashcraft,  extra  in  Bebe  Daniels’ 
“Swim,  Girl,  Swim,”  was  the  rescued  girl. 
Miss  Ederle,  who  has  a role  in  the  picture, 
was  taking  her  lunch  when  the  call  for 
help  came.  She  dashed  through  the 
breakers  and  dragged  Miss  Ashcraft 
ashore. 

New  Plane  for  Grace 
To  Attempt  Hawaii  Hop 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MANA,  HAWAII,  July  12. — A new 
plane  will  be  ready  for  Richard  Grace, 
motion  picture  stunt  flier,  when  he  tries 
again  to  span  the  distance  between  Cali- 
fornia and  Hawaii.  He  crashed  July  5 
when  he  tried  to  take  off  for  California. 
The  next  effort  will  be  in  the  competition 
for  the  $35,000  Dole  prizes  and  will  be 
from  the  mainland  to  Hawaii,  with  noon 
of  August  12  as  the  hour  for  the  competi- 
tion to  start. 


Oriental,  New  Saxe  Milwaukee 
Theatre,  Excels  in  Indian  Art 

Buddhist  Idols  Placed  in  Niches  in  Auditorium  Wails — Mural 
Decorations  in  Natural  Pastel  Shades — 

Draperies  Sparkle  with  Jewels 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MILWAUKEE,  July  12. — The  Oriental,  Saxe  Amusement  Enterprises’ 
new  $1,500,000  theatre  at  Farwell  and  North  avenues,  which  opened  July  2 
with  a number  of  B.  & K.  and  L.  & T.  production  executives  and  other  officials 
attending,  is  the  last  word  in  theatrical  architecture,  and  is  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  and  artistic  temples  of  oriental  art  to  be  found 
in  America. 

East  India  Art  Is  Motif 

The  architects,  Dick  & Bauer,  in  seeking  a motif  for  the  new  theatre,  de- 
cided upon  the  East  India  art  as  the  most  novel  and  feasible.  Certain  aspects 
of  the  Indian  art  have  repelled  the  Western  mind  and  their  association  with 
religious  and  mythological  fancies  has  created  a prejudice  against  Hindu 
sculpture  especially,  but  today  when  modelers,  sculptors  and  architects  are 
taking  up  the  chisel  and  mallet,  a pencil  or  a modeling  tool,  a new  apprecia- 


tion of  the  peculiar  qualities  of  Indian 

On  entering  the  theatre  one’s  attention 
immediately  is  attracted  to  the  cashier’s 
booth,  which  is  designed  entirely  with  re- 
productive tile  found  in  the  innermost 
parts  of  India.  The  basic  motif  of  the 
colonnade  is  taken  from  various  pillars, 
among  which  were  the  Kankali,  Mathura 
and  the  Amaravati.  The  staircase  at  the 
end  of  the  lolbby,  instead  of  the  ordinary 
railing,  has  been  designed  with  a series  of 
lions  serving  as  a railing  and  forming  an 
imposing  and  gorgeous  spectacle.  These 
lions  have  been  designed  in  porcelain  tile 
and  arei  symbolic  of  spiritual  protection  of 
the  Buddhist  temple.  Behind  the  lions  is 
depicted,  by  means  of  mural  painting,  an 
oriental  street  scene.  The  lobby  ceiling 
is  highly  ornamental,  and  is  supported  by 
heavy  teakwood  timbers,  while  the  wall  of 
the  promenade  adjoining  the  lobby  is 
pierced  by  large  openings  typifying  the 
Indian  arch. 

Buddhist  Idols  in  Niches 

The  entire  auditorium,  comfortably  seat- 
ing 2,500,  is  designed  to  lend  a feeling  of 
mysticism.  Buddhist  idols  are  placed  in 
niches  in  the  side  walls  with  elaborate  col- 
ored lighting.  The  auditorium  ceiling  is 
flooded  with  colored  lighting,  featuring  an 
enormous  sunburst.  A secondary  ceiling 
is  introduced,  supported  by  huge  dragons. 


Fourth  of  July  Reel 
In  Vault  Until  1976 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PROVIDENCE,  R.  I.,  July  12. 
— Edward  F.  Albee  has  presented 
to  the  city  a reel  showing  the 
Fourth  of  July  parade.  Prior  to 
acceptance  of  the  him,  a run  off 
was  given  in  the  council  cham- 
ber before  the  city  officials. 

The  him  will  be  sealed,  placed 
in  a vault  and  will  not  be  shown 
again  until  1976,  on  the  occasion 
of  the\  200th  anniversary  of  Amer- 
ican Independence.  The  Rhode 
Island  Historical  society  has  been 
made  custodian  of  the  sealed  him. 
One  section  shows  the  Grand 
Army  veterans,  another  the  Span- 
ish War  veterans,  none  of  whom 
will  be  alive,  in  all  probability, 
when  the  him  again  is  shown,  and 
the  World  War  veterans,  who  will 
be  aged  men  when  the  him  again 
appears. 


plastic  art  is  growing. 

which  in  turn  are  supported  by  corbels  in 
the  form  of  elephants. 

Important  in  enhancing  the  beauty  of 
the  theatre  are  the  decorations.  Mural 
decorations  in  their  natural  pastel  shades 
in  conformity  with  the  type  of  architec- 
ture form  a pleasing  contrast  to  the  vivid- 
ness of  the  black  and  gold  marble  columns 
introduced  in  the  lobby  and  auditorium. 

The  stage  curtains  and  draperies  are  so 
unusual  and  so  sumptuous  that  they  give 
spectators  an  entirely  new  aspect  of  the 
beauty  of  the  Orient.  The  organ  loft 
draperies  are  very  ornate  and  are  of  ruby 
plush  with  lavish  applique  work  of  many 
colored  satins.  On  the  draperies  two 
haughty  peacocks  flaunt  brilliantly  colored 
trains  embellished  with  sparkling  jewels. 
An  exotic  green  oriental  shawl  hung  under 
a mammoth  jeweled  lavalliere  adds  to  the 
picturesque  setting. 

Draperies  Sparkle  with  Jewels 

Authorities  on  the  draperies,  hangings 
and  floor  coverings  say  they  are  unlike 
those  in  any  other  theatre  in  this  part  of 
the  country.  The  stage  opening  draperies 
are  a gorgeous  array  of  sparkling  fabrics 
and  jewels.  The  draw  curtains  are  of 
heavy  gold  satin  on  which  are  appliqued 
two  enormous  peacocks.  The  grand  lam- 
brequin is  of  ruby  silk  plush  with  an  ap- 
plique relief  of  blending  colored  satins. 
Three  huge  East  India  shawls  of  green 
satin,  appliqued  and  trimmed  with  hand- 
tied  fringe,  hang  between  the  festoons  of 
the  grand  draperies.  Llpholstered  pendants 
of  satin  and  jewels  hang  before  this 
setting. 

Lighting  Fixtures  Oriental 

In  the  lighting  fixtures  East  Indian  idols, 
elephants  and  other  symbols  are  used  in 
profusion. 

Seats  with  a round  .front  were  selected 
after  investigation  of  this  feature  in  the 
Roxy  theatre.  New  York.  The  fireproof 
])rojection  booth  contains  two  of  the  latest 
type  Motiograph  De  Luxe  projectors. 
Ventilation  is  from  a system  installed  at 
the  cost  of  $175,000. 

Colleen  Moore’s  “Naughty,  but  Nice,” 
First  National,  was  the  opening  day 
feature. 

The  Oriental  is  managed  by  Jack  Plant, 
formerly  of  the  Mojeska.  Arnold  Saxe 
is  assistant  manager  and  Bernard  Cowhan 
is  organist.  Billy  Adair  and  his  Arabian 
Nights  orchestra  provide  the  music. 

The  Oriental  is  the  43d  Saxe  house  and 
the  12th  theatre  of  the  circuit  in 
Milwaukee. 


32 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


Improved  Printing  Costs  Less, 
Says  Yates  of  Consolidated 

Direct  Saving  of  $3,000J)00  to  Producers  on  Negatives  Cited  by 
President — Millions  Spent  on  Improvements 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  July  12. — The  anomaly  of  spending  millions  to  improve 
the  quality  of  printing  and  at  the  same  time  lower  the  cost  to  the 
consumer  is  presented  in  the  operations  of  the  Consolidated  Film 
Industries,  Inc.,  in  line  with  the  steady  progress  of  the  industry  in  other 
directions,  Herbert  J.  Yates,  president  and  general  manager,  stated  last 
week. 


CONSOLIDATED  has  brought  about  a 
direct  saving  of  ^,000,000  a year  in 
print  bills  and  an  indirect  saving  of  mil- 
lions more  to  the 
trade  in  general, 

Mr.  Yates  de- 
clared. 

Mr.  Yates  ac- 
counted for  the 
a c h i e V ement  in 
two  ways,  estab- 
lishment  of  a 
smaller  margin  of 
profit  and  elimina- 
tion of  waste  in 
overhead  and  in- 
efficient manage- 
ment.  Use  of 
larger  units  and 
specialization  O f Herbert  J.  Yates 

plants  for  large 

scale  production  have  reduced  operating 
costs. 

New  processes  and  methods  have  been 
achieved,  new  machines  invented  reducing 
costs  while  increasing  output,  and  scientific 
operation  effected  in  the  various  depart- 
ments. All  these  developments  have  added 
their  part  to  improving  quality,  and  Con- 
solidated stands  prepared  to  spend  addi- 
tional millions  to  add  still  more  benefits 
for  the  exhibitor,  Mr.  Yates  said. 

Ramshackle  “Labs”  Gone 
The  ramshackle  laboratories  of  the  pio- 
neer days  have  gone  out  and  the  uptodate 
plants  of  Consolidated  today  reflect  the 
progress  in  the  art  of  film  printing  and 
development  of  scientific  operation  of  labo- 
ratories, a definite  contribution  to  advance- 
ment of  the  industry. 

“Today  producers  can  be  absolutely  as- 
sured of  perfect  reproduction  of  their  neg- 
atives, with  every  effect  preserved,  and  at 
a price  amazingly  low,”  Mr.  Yates  de- 
clared. 

The  cost  of  film  printing  is  much  less 
than  it  ever  has  been  before,  the  presi- 
dent of  Consolidated  added. 


Theatre  Supply  Firm 
Misses  $3,000;  Woman 
Employe  Is  Arrested 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DETROIT,  July  12. — Attempts  to  col- 
lect outstanding  accounts  resulted  in  the 
discovery  of  a deficit  in  funds  at  the  Na- 
tional Theatre  Supply  Company,  which  has 
its  headquarters  in  the  New  Film  building, 
and  Mrs.  Eleanor  Maris,  24-year-old  book- 
keeper employed  by  that  firm  was  arrested 
last  week  on  a warrant  charging  her  with 
the  embezzlement  of  $3,029.92,  following 
the  check  up. 

Seward  F.  Nichols,  assistant  prosecut- 
ing attorney,  who  took  a statement  from 
Mrs.  Maris,  said  she  admitted  taking 
money  from  the  organization,  but  that  she 
did  not  think  the  amount  would  run  over 
$1,000.  Mrs.  Maris  declared  she  gave  some 
of  the  money  to  her  husband  to  help  him 
pay  for  two  motor  trucks  which  he  is  buy- 


ing on  contract,  and  that  she  gave  money 
to  her  mother  to  pay  back  sums  which  she 
had  borrowed,  according  to  Nichols. 

An  audit  of  the  company  books  shows 
the  amount  missing  to  be  slightly  over 
$3,000,  Nichols  stated. 


Exchange  Eliminations 
Feared  as  Results  of 
Expansion  of  Circuits 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  July  12. — Constant  expansion 
of  motion  picture  theatre  chains  in  New 
York  state  is  being  viewed  with  alarm  by 
the  exchange  managers  and  film  salesmen 
of  Albany,  one  of  the  chief  distributing 
points  of  the  state.  Some  of  the  managers 
go  so  far  as  toi  predict  that,  within  the 
next  year  or  two,  forces  will  be  cut  in 
half  and  that  in  some  instances  the  ex- 
changes will  be  done  away  with  altogether. 

It  is  now  necessary  to  see  but  the  heads 
of  the  Schine  chain,  the  Smalley  chain,  the 
Benton  chain  and  one  or  two  others  in 
order  to  book  hundreds  of  theatres.  This 
is  being  generally  taken  care  of  by  the  ex- 
change managers  themselves,  which  leaves 
a constantly  narrowing  field  to  be  covered 
by  the  film  salesmen.  In  some  instances, 
the  heads  of  the  chains  are  now  going  to 
New  York  and  booking  direct  from  the 
home  offices. 


Church  Discharges 
Pastor  Who  Smashed 
**Satanic’*  Projector 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DETROIT,  July  12.— The  Rev.  Leo 
Hooper,  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  at  Franklin,  who  recently 
smashed  a motion  picture  projection  ma- 
chine in  the  Franklin  town  hall,  was  dis- 
missed last  night  by  the  board  of  trustees 
of  his  church. 

Hooper  smashed  the  machine  during  a 
benefit  performance  because,  he  said,  he 
regards  motion  pictures  as  “a  work  of  the 
devil.”  He  is  scheduled  to  be  tried  in  the 
Circuit  Court  for  the  County  of  Oakland 
Sept.  12  on  a charge  of  malicious  destruc- 
tion of  property. 

Four  Script  Writers 
Signed  by  Jack  Warner 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Four  script 
writers  have  just  been  added  by  Jack  L. 
Warner  to  the  nine  other  scenarists  under 
exclusive  contract  to  Warner  Brothers. 
The  four  new  members  are  Robert  Lord, 
Ed  Lowe,  Jr.,  Peter  Milne  and  Norman 
McLeod. 


West  End  Lyric  Wins 

The  St.  Louis  West  End  Lyric  Theatre  base- 
ball team  defeated  the  Missouri  Theatre  outfit, 
17  to  12,  at  Forest  Park  July  6 and  assumed  the 
leadership  in  the  Skouras  Brothers  Baseball 
League. 


British  Ad  Body 
Elects  Wallace; 
Enters  3d  Year 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON,  July  12. — H.  A.  Wallace,  pub- 
licity manager  of  Pathe  Freres,  is  the  new 
chairman  of  the  British  Motion  Picture 
Advertisers,  affili- 
ated with  the  A. 

M.  P.  A.  and  the 
Wampas  in  Amer- 
ica. Mr.  Wallace 
was  elected  at  the 
annual  meeting, 
held  last  month, 
at  which  the  B. 


Company,  Ltd.,  and  formerly  was  general 
manager  of  the  film  department  of  the  War- 
time Ministry  of  Information.  W.  F.  Hus- 
band of  Tiffany  continues  as  secretary,  as- 
sisted by  W.  L.  Streeton  of  Fox.  Horace 
Judge  and  Horace  Williams  of  First  Na- 
tional retain  their  offices  as  editor  of  the 
“Bumper”  and  treasurer.  Robb  Lawson  of 
Allied  Artists,  retiring  chairman,  will  act 
as  lay  press  representative,  while  Freder- 
ick J.  Allen  of  First  National  becomes 
trade  representative. 

The  general  committee  will  consist  of 
Guy  Austin  of  First  National,  H.  Burgess 
of  Ideal  and  Frank  Marr  of  Western  Im- 
port. 

A review  of  the  successful  operation  of 
the  organization  the  past  two  years  shows 
a number  of  highlights.  An  address  by 
T.  C.  Cramp  of  the  National  Union  of 
Railwaymen  resulted  in  considerable  lay 
press  publicity.  Mr.  Lawson  was  respon- 
sible for  obtaining  reduced  rates  for  ex- 
hibitors in  newspaper  ads  and  prevailed 
upon  J.  Murray  Allison,  advertising  direc- 
tor of  the  Allied  Newspapers,  to  address 
the  organization.  Film  critics  cooperated 
with  the  B.  M.  P.  A.  in  producing  a spe- 
cial film  used  in  a campaign  for  the  Trade 
Benevolent  Funds. 


H.  A.  Wallace 


M.  P.  A.  went  into 
its  third  year. 

W.  Arthur  Nor- 
tham,  O.  B.  E., 
succeeds  Mr.  Wal- 
lace as  vice-chair- 
man. Mr.  Nor- 
tham  is  director 
of  publicity  of  the 
Motion  Picture 


Grand  Becomes  Arco 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  July  12.— The  new 
Grand  theatre  henceforth  will  be  known 
as  the  Arco.  The  Arcade  Amusement 
company  was  formed  to  take  over  the  busi- 
ness, the  stockholders  being  the  Broadway 
Amusement  company,  composed  of  G.  A. 
Metzger,  and  his  brother  Gus  Metzger. 
Sidney  G.  Shubach  has  been  named  man- 
ager. 


Ash*s  Father  Killed 

Paul  Ash’s  father,  Robert  Aschenbrenner, 
was  killed  by  a train  last  Friday  at  Mil- 
waukee, where  he  is  a member  of  the 
National  Soldiers  Home  Band.  The  father 
of  the  orchestra  director  of  the  Oriental  in 
Chicago  was  on  his  way  to  visit  his  son. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


RELEASES 


Do  Your  Patrons  Want  More 

Short  Features  in  Summer? 

Are  Short  Features  more  popular  during  the  summer  months  than  in 
the  winter?  Does  warm  weather  bring  a special  preference  for  the  one 
and  two  reel  product? 

That  question  has  been  brought  up  and  it’s  something  for  you  exhibi- 
tors to  answer,  basing  your  reply  upon  your  own  experience.  This  de- 
partment takes  no  stand  in  the  matter  but  is  interested  in  knowing  what 
you  theatre  owners  think  about  it.  We’ll  be  glad  to  act  as  a sort  of 
shipping  office  for  information,  if  it  will  be  of  value  to  other  exhibitors. 

Habits  Change  During  Summer 

Habits  of  eating,  working  and  even  thinking  do  change  during  the 
summer.  We  eat  less — that  is,  some  of  us  do — we  may  work  just  as 
hard  but  we  do  take  vacations,  and  it’s  very  easy  for  one’s  thoughts  to 
switch  to  pulling  in  muskies,  loafing  at  a lake,  or  even  beating  J.  C. 
Jenkins  at  golf. 

The  question  is : Does  that  same  “summer  fever’’  alter  the  public 
taste  for  entertainment,  so  that  the  patron  wants  more  of  it  in  small 
dishes?  And  if  so,  do  you  make  your  bookings  in  accordance,  alter  your 
tactics  in  publicizing  your  programs,  or  make  any  other  changes  in  your 
method  of  operating  your  theatre? 

Fellow-Exhibitors  Want  to  Know 

If  you  have  found  any  difference  during  the  summer,  your  fellow- 
exhibitor  wants  to  know  how  you  have  handled  the  situation. 

We  pause  for  your  reply.  Address  it  to  Short  Features  Department, 
Exhibitors  Herald,  407  S.  Dearborn  street,  Chicago. 


WEEK  OF  JUNE  12 

“Venders  of  the  World,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
**Roamin*  Gladiator,”  Animal,  Fox,  two;  **Melt* 
ing  Millions,”  No.  10,  Paihe,  two;  **Hard  Cider,” 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  **Love  'Em  and 
Weep,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two  ; **Cured  in  the  Excite- 
ment,” Sennett,  Pathe,  two;  “Flying  Feet,”  Grant- 
land  Rice,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe  Review,  No.  24, 
Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  24,  Timely, 
Pathe,  one-third ; ^‘Whispering  Smith  Rides,” 
Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “A  Poor  Excuse,” 
Stem,  Universal,  two;  “Steamed  Up,”  Bowers, 
F.  B.  O.,  two;  “Alice’s  Channel  Swim,”  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “A  Sock  in  Time,”  Wisecracker,  No.  10; 
F.  B.  O.,  one;  “On  the  Trail,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.. 
one. 

WEEK  OF  JUNE  19 

“A  Hot  Potato,”  Van  Bibber,  Fox,  two;  “Cupid  and 
the  Clock,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crimson 
Flash,”  Pathe,  two;  “Died  In  the  Wool,'* 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Fluttering  Hearts,’* 
Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review  No.  2.‘>,  Pathe. 
one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  25,  Timely,  Pathe. 
one-third ; “Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adven- 
ture, Universal,  two;  “Bo  Guest,”  Wisecracker, 
F.  B.  O.,  1,797;  “Passing  the  Hat,”  Winkler. 
F.  B.  O.  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“Her  Silent  Wow,”  Helen  and  Warren,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  3 Pathe,  two ; “The 
Big  Reward,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Don’t 
Tell  Everything,  Roach,  Pathe,  two ; Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  27,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  27,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third ; “Buster’s  In- 
itiation,” Stern,  Universal,  two ; “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A 
Poor  Excuse,”  Stern,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  10 

“Over  There,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two ; 
“Cat’s  Meow,”  Schott  and  Powder,  Cranheld  and 
Clark,  two ; “Grabbing  Grabbers,”  Boy  Adven- 
ture, Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  “Beauty  and  the 
Beach,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clark,  one ; 
“Nothin’  Doin,’  ” Bowers  Novelty,  F.  B.  O. 
two;  “Alice’s  Medicine  Show,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “Snow  Rambles,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  “A 
Wolf  in  Cheap  Clothing,”  Animal,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  4,  Pathe,  two;  “Rid- 
ing High,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Eyes  and 
Spooks,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two ; Pathe  Review,  No. 
28,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  28; 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third ; Whispering  Smith 
Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A  Kick  in 
the  Dark,”  F.  B.  O.,  1,780;  “Best  Wishes,” 

Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  17 

“Nothing  to  Live  For,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and 
Clarke,  two;  “Sappy  Days,”  Schott  and  Powder, 
Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two;  “Way  of  a Boy,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two ; “The 
Big  Show,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Wild  Rival,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one; 
“Suite  Homes,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two  ; “The  Crim- 
son Flash,”  No.  5,  Pathe,  two ; “The  Love 
Nest,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Why  Girls 
Love  Sailors,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  29,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  29,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  24 

“Spooky  Money,”  Al  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
two;  “Beachnuts,”  Shott  and  Powder,  Cranfield 
and  Clarke,  two ; “What  Price  Swimming,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  “Learn 
by  Mail,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Campus  Romeos,”  Standard,  FBO,  two; 
“Alice  the  Whaler,”  Winkler,  FBO,  one;  “The 
Glory  That  Was  Greece,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Why  Blondes  Leave  Home,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  6,  Pathe,  two;  “Sub- 
way Sally,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Taking 
Punishment,”  Grantland,  Pathe,  one;  “With  Will 
Rogers  in  London,”  Clancy,  Pathe,  one ; Pathe 
Review  No.  30,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  30,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 


Several  Signed  for 

Paramount-Christies 

Several  players  have  been  signed  the  last 
few  days  for  the  new  Paramount-Christie 
comedies.  Ethel  Shannon  is  leading  woman 
in  Jimmie  Adams’  “Doctor  Quack.”  Babe 
London,  back  from  vaudeville,  is  in  Jack 
Duffy’s  first  starring  comedy  for  the  sea- 
son. Cissy  Fitzgerald  has  been  signed  to 
feature  in  Anne  Cornwall’s  first  star  com- 
edy under  the  new  schedule.  Virginia  Sale, 
sister  of  “Chic”  Sale  of  vaudeville,  will 
be  the  widow  in  a Duffy  comedy.  Dorothy 
Vernon,  mother  of  Bobby  Vernon,  will 
appear  in  the  same  production. 

Other  comedians  just  engaged  for  sup- 
porting roles  include  Cliff  Lancaster,  Bud 
Ross,  Gus  Leonard,  Bobby  Watson  and 
Kalla  Pasha. 


Can  Dempsey  Come  Back? 
Kinograms  Asks  in  Film 

“Can  Dempsey  Come  Back?”  That’s 
the  title  of  225  feet  of  the  current  Kino- 
grams news  reel  which  shows  the  former 
heavyweight  champion  in  training  for  his 
fight  with  Sharkey  July  21.  The  pictures 
portray  Dempsey  starting  the  day  with  a 
road  hike,  going  through  his  gymnasium 
drill  and  finally  in  exhibition  bouts  with  his 
sparring  partners. 


Educational  Books 
Reissue  100  Days 
On  Loew ’s  Circuit 

Educational  has  booked  “The  Ne’er  to 
Return  Road,”  Selig-Rork  dramatic  short 
feature,  to  play  100  days  on  Loew’s  Cir- 
cuit of  Greater  New  York  and  the  show- 
ing is  well  under  way. 

The  two-reel  drama  features  Wallace 
Beery  and  Jack  Mulhall,  and  is  the  second 
picture  reissued  of  the  series  released 
originally  by  Educational  several  years 
ago.  The  first,  “The  White  House,” 
started  a similar  showing  a month  ago. 
“The  Ne’er  to  Return  Road”  is  from  Mrs. 
Otis  Skinner’s  play  which  won  a Lambs’ 
Gambol  prize.  The  cast  also  includes 
Margaret  Landis,  Walt  Whitman  and 
Margaret  MeWade. 


‘‘Man  Without  a Face’ 

Patheserial,  Starting 

“The  Man  Without  a Face,”  Patheserial, 
is  now  in  production  with  Allene  Ray  and 
Walter  Miller  in  the  starring  roles  under 
Spencer  Bennet’s  direction.  The  cast  in- 
cludes Sojin  and  Isioka,  Oriental  film  play- 
ers ; E.  J.  Calvert,  Gladden  James,  Helen 
Chambers  and  Jeannette  Loft. 


.34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


S.  J.  Hankin  of  I 

Educational  Was  t 
Grocer  in  1911  t 


While  Will  Rogers,  mayor  of  Beverly  Hills,  humorist  and  motion  picture-actor — 
when  the  exigencies  of  his  electorial  offices  will  permit — is  recuperating  from 
his  illness,  the  exhibition  of  his  series  of  one-reel  productions  for  Pathe  con- 
tinues. Here  is  a scene  from  “Exploring  Switzerland  and  Bavaria.”  It’s  diffi- 
cult to  tell  which  appears  the  more  lonesome  here,  the  lion  or  Rogers. 


Flight  Pictures 
Add  Prestige  to 
News  Reel:  Tally 

The  day  is  past — if  there  ever  was  such 
a day — when  an  exhibitor  can  safely  ignore 
or  minimize  the  necessity  and  importance 
of  the  news  reel,  says  Truman  H.  Talley, 
director-in-chief  of  Fox  News,  in  com- 
menting on  the  achievements  of  news  reels 
on  the  transoceanic  flights  of  the  past  few 
weeks. 

Fox  News  will  “talk”  when  it  has  some- 
thing to  say,  Talley  added  in  considering 
the  effect  of  Movietone  in  the  presentation 
of  the  news  reel. 

“Whenever  anything  occurs  that  can  be 
photographed  which  will  be  more  interest- 
ing and  entertaining  when  accompanied  by 
sound,”  he  declared,  “we  will  spare  no  effort 
to  see  that  it  is  done.” 


[NEWSPICTURES] 


INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  54 Commander 

Byrd  and  three  aids  hop  off  for  Europe  - 
Woman  on  horseback  leaps  75  feet  into  sea— 
Columbia  wins  Poughkeepsie  regatta— St.  Louis 
monkeys  score  hit  in  revue. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  55 — Descriptive 
pictures  connected  with  Byrd's  flight— Abyssinia 
shows  Italian  envoy  its  military  power  Airplane 
pageant  staged  at  Spittlegate  airdrome  in  Eng* 
land— Brilliant  style  dsplay  at  French  racetrack 
—Lou  Cehrig  passes  his  Yankee  teammate.  Babe 
Ruth,  in  home  run  race— Providence  monkeys 
take  vacation. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  80— Byrd  arrives  in  France  after 
hop  over  Atlantic^— .Vmbassador  Gibson  and  Ad- 
miral Jones  U.  S.  envoys  to  armament  confer- 
ence  Germany  opens  world's  largest  motor 

speedway— Columbia  crew  wins  intercollegiate' 
race  at  Poughkeepsie  Arkansas  colored  people 
meet  to  thank  Secretary  Hoover  for  aid  durng 

flood Advertisng  delegates  welcomed  at  Denver 

—New  York  flappers  adopt  “dog  collar"  garters. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5305^— Byrd  and  three  others  hop 
for  France—  Two  aviators  start  flight  to  Hawaii 
—Columbia  wins  Poughkeepsie  crew  race  War- 
ship  Philadelphia,  relic  of  war  with  Spain,  sold 
as  junk  at  San  Francisco — Jack  Dempsey  trains 
for  Sharkey  bout. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5306— Lindbergh  visits  Ottawa, 

Can.,  during  jubilee  celebration Lou  Gehrig 

beats  Ruth  in  home  run  hitting-— Dr.  Crouch 
wins  national  archery  contest  at  Newton  Center, 
Mass.^— Portland.  Ore.,  Chinese  carry  giant  dragon 
through  streets  to  keep  devils  away. 


Fox  Cameraman 
*Pulls  a Lindy* 

How  Paul  Webber,  Fox  News 
cameraman,  “pulled  a Lindy” 
ivas  recalled  when  he  met  Col- 
onel Charles  A.  Lindbergh  on 
the  latter  s return  to  New  York 
after  Webber  had  “shot”  the  St. 
Louis  reception  for  the  trans- 
atlantic flier,  as  well  as  the 
Washington  celebration.  Web- 
ber was  one  of  the  first  to  greet 
Lindbergh  at  the  landing  field, 
at  Teterboro  Airport,  Has- 
brouck  Heights,  N.  J. 

Webber  was  in  Washington 
shooting  Lindbergh" s reception 
there  when  he  received  a tele- 
graphic assignment  from  the 
New  York  office  to  “cover”  the 
St.  Louis  celebration.  Hopping 
into  a plane  he  flew  to  the  Mis- 
souri city  and  was  waiting  on 
the  landing  field  when  Lind- 
bergh came  doivn.  The  trans- 
atlantic hero  looked  surprised. 

“Thought  you  were  in  Wash- 
ington,” he  remarked. 

“/  was,”  replied  Webber,  glee- 
fully, “but  I did  a ‘Lindy.’  ” 

The  incident  brought  to  vet- 
eran newspaper  men  a recollec- 
tion of  assignments  in  their  day 
when  a reporter  hired  a horse 
and  rig  to  cover  a story  fifty 
miles  away  and  took  two  days  to 
bring  the  copy  back. 

Pathe  Will  Reissue 

Lloyd  ‘‘Haunted  Spooks” 

Harold  Lloyd’s  “Haunted  Spooks,”  two- 
reel  comedy  produced  by  Hal  Roach,  will 
be  reissued  by  Pathe  July  10.  “Haunted 
Spooks”  was  made  shortly  before  “A 
Sailor-Made  Man”  and  “Grandma’s  Boy.” 


Q J.  HANKIN,  manager  of  Educational’s  * 

• St.  Louis  branch,  deserted  the  store 
business  in  1911,  when  he  found  both  the 
grocery  and  dry 
goods  business 
slow  progress,  for 
his  first  venture  in 
the  motion  picture 
industry.  He  was 
attracted  to  the 
films  because  at 
that  time  St.  Louis 
was  a producing 
center.  O.  T.  Craw- 
ford, “king  of  the 
movies”  in  those 
days,  had  his  stu- 
dio there  and  was 
producing  many 
pictures.  Hankin 
bought  the  exclu- 
sive rights  in  three  states  for  “The  James 
Boys  in  Missouri”  and  “Nick  Carter,”  two 
leading  features  at  that  time.  Encouraged 
by  his  success  with  these  films,  he  ob- 
tained another  feature  for  three  different 
states,  and  later  on  acquired  such  pictures 
as  “Arizona,”  “Checkers,”  and  “Lorna 
Doone.” 

Tiring  of  touring  the  road  with  his  pic- 
tures, Hankin  opened  an  independent  ex- 
change in  St.  I.ouis  in  1914,  handling  in- 
dependent product.  His  exchange  became 
known  as  the  Central  Eilm  Exchange  and 
later  as  the  Fine  Arts  Picture  Corpora- 
tion. He  sold  it  under  the  latter  name  in 
1922.  This  enabled  him  to  take  a vacation, 
and  Hankin  spent  the  next  ten  months 
traveling  through  Europe. 

On  his  return  to  America  he  joined  the 
Educational  ranks. 

42  Players,  5 Directors 
Appear  in  New  Columbia 
“Screen  Snapshots”  No.  17 

Forty-two  name  players  and  five  di- 
rectors are  shown  in  Columbia’s  “Screen 
Snapshots  No.  17,”  a release  of  July  21. 
The  players  are  shown  at  work  in  the 
studios  or  at  play  in  the  privacy  of  their 
homes. 

The  players  include : 

Ben  Lyon,  Billie  Dove,  Irene  Rich, 
Arthur  Rankin,  Buster  Collier,  Rin-Tin- 
Tin,  Mary  Pickford,  Jack  Pickford,  George 
Fawcett,  Montagu  Love,  Sojin,  Alma 
Rubens,  Jack  Holt,  Raymond  Hatton,  Jean 
Hersholt,  George  Beban,  Junior  Coghlan, 
George  K.  Arthur,  Bebe  Daniels,  Lew 
Cody,  the  Duncan  Sisters,  Marguerite  de  i 
la  Motte,  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Colleen 
Moore,  Cleve  Moore,  Monty  Banks,  Marie 
Dressier,  Ricardo  Cortez,  Wallace  Beery, 
Robert  Edeson,  Sam  de  Grasse,  Alec 
Francis,  Theodore  Kossloff,  Rudolph 
Schildkraut,  Charlie  Paddock,  Mabel  Nor-  ^ 
mand,  Johnny  Hines,  John  Bowers,  Tom 
Mix,  George  Sidney  and  William  Arm- 
strong. 


Six  Comedies  from 

Stern  Brothers  Go 

Out  During  Summer 

Six  two-reel  productions  of  the  Stern 
Brothers  will  be  released  in  the  summer 
months  by  Universal.  The  six  include 
“Stop  Snookums,”  “Buster’s  Frame-up,” 
“My  Mistake”  and  “That’s  No  Excuse,” 
both  from  the  Excuse  Maker  series, 
“George’s  Alany  Loves”  and  “Jane’s 
Sleuth.” 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


PRESENMONACB 


Stage  Acts  Cost  Million  Weekly 


Albert  Brown 

Organist  Is 
Inventor  of 
Scrimaphone 

New  Form  of  Entertainment  May 
Be  Installed  by  Small 
Picture  Theatres 
By  JAY  M.  SHRECK 

So  much  has  been  said  of  the  talking 
motion  pictures  in  the  past  few  months 
that  it  has  now  become  a fact  and  part 
of  motion  picture  entertainment  in  the 
stablized  field.  Since  the  beginning  of 
motion  picture  production,  various  com- 
panies have  been  experimening  with  me- 
chanical devices  that  would  register  the 
human  voice  as  well  as  any  other  me- 
chanical effect  that  would  cause  music. 

In  this  long  list  of  experiments  were 
included  the  phonograph,  which  has  so 
many  times  been  tried  as  a substitute  in 
the  theatre  for  the  now  well  known 
Vitaphone.  Now  that  color  photography 
and  motion  picture  synchronizing  of  the 
voice  simultaneously  with  the  action  has 
been  perfected  to  such  an  extent  that 
it  is  now  an  enjoyed  factor  that  we  are 
gradually  coming  to  the  point  where 
great  things  will  be  done  on  the  organ. 

About  eight  months  ago  when  Marks 
Brothers  opened  their  first  big  picture 
theatre  in  Chicago,  the  Granada,  a well 
liked  and  capable  organist,  Albert  F. 
Brown,  became  associated  with  that 
house  as  feature  organist.  It  was  at  this 
time  and  at  this  theatre  that  Brown  re- 
vived the  organ  solo  scrim  presentation 
which  has  since  made  him  famous  all 
over  the  country. 

Now  this  same  artist  makes  his  public 
appearance  again  with  a new  idea  called 
“The  Organ  Scrimaphone,”  an  entirely 
different  arrangement  of  electrical,  me- 
chanical and  steroptican  scrim  and 
musical  appliances,  which  was  developed 
by  Brown  under  the  direction  of  Ray- 
mond Q.  Dalton  with  the  cooperation 
of  the  Victor  Talking  Machine  Company 
and  the  Marks  Brothers. 

This  scrimaphone  idea  is  a simple  ma- 
chine similar  to  a Victrola  which  is 
easily  wired  back  stage  close  to  the 
switchboard  with  as  many  amplifiers  sta- 
tioned around  the  auditorium  as  neces- 
sary to  bring  out  the  object.  It  is 
simply  operated  and  controlled  by  the 
organist  at  the  console  and  its  only 
fuel  is  an  ordinary  phonograph  record 
run  by  an  electric  motor. 

{Continued  on  page  42) 


ring 


Aint  They  Sweet? 


Who-oo?  Why  CHAMBERLIN  and 
HIMES  of  course,  who  left  these  parts  a 
few  weeks  ago  and  have  taken  New  York 
presentationgoers  by  storm  with  their 
“hard  boiled**  apache  dance  known  as  the 
“world*s  worst.’*  (They  are  going  to  join 
a big  Broadway  show  soon)  sh-h!  this  is 
supposed  to  be  a secret,  but  we  don’t 
mind  letting  you  folks  in  on  it.*  Isn’t  that 
nice? 


Club  Elects  Officers 

Officers  and  a board  of  governors  were  re- 
cently elected  at  a meeting  held  by  the  Chicago 
Comedy  Club,  the  new  theatrical  club  recently 
organized  in  Chicago  by  Milton  Weil,  who  has 
been  appointed  president  with  Ez  Keough  as 
vicepresident  and  Abe  Glatt  as  secretary  treas- 
urer. The  board  of  governors  follows:  Dr. 

Henry  J.  Schireson,  famous  plastic  surgeon, 
Benjamin  Urlich,  theatrical  attorney ; Laurence 
Jacobs,  A1  Beilin,  general  manager  of  Irving 
Berlin,  Rocco  Vocco,  professional  manager  of 
Leo  Fiest,  Willie  Horowitz,  manager  for  Water- 
son,  Berlin  & Snyder,  and  Max  Turner,  Chicago 
manager  for  William  Morris. 


Saxe  Opens  New  House 

Saxe  Enterprises  opened  a brand  new  picture 
theatre  in  Milwaukee  last  week,  called  the  Orien- 
tal. The  new  house  carries  the  policy  of  feature 
pictures  and  stage  presentations.  A ventilating 
system  was  installed  at  the  cost  of  $175,000.  A 
stagehand  was  installed  permanently  with  a per- 
sonality leader,  Bernie  Cowham,  presiding  at  the 
organ.  The  following  acts  appeared  on  the  open- 
ing program : Billy  Adair  and  his  Arabian 

Knights,  Arthur  (Jorey,  Gauthier  Sisters,  Novelle 
Brothers,  Eddie  Willis,  and  Eddie  Gailbreths. 


Scrim  Show 

5000  Players 
Now  Working 
in  200 Houses 

2,000  Acts  Now  Appearing  at 
De  Luxe  Theatres,  States 
HERALD  Informant 
By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Since  the  inception  of  presenta- 
tion acts  and  stage  bands  in  De 
Luxe  picture  houses  little  thought 
has  been  given  to  the  tremendous 
sums  that  are  being  paid  out  each 
week  in  salaries,  scenery,  costumes, 
and  lighting  effect.  This  new  enter- 
tainment field,  new  only  in  its  pres- 
ent form  of  offering,  originated  in 
Chicago  three  years  ago  and  has 
since  then  prompted  over  200  first 
class  picture  theatres  in  the  country 
to  install  this  policy. 

From  authentic  reports  and  official  in- 
formation Exhibitor’s  FIerald  learns  that 
today  there  are  over  2,000  individual  spe- 
cialty acts  working  in  presentation  shows 
or  in  front  of  stagehands.  This  does  not 
include  the  musicians  and  ballets  which  in 
some  instances  number  from  25  to  50  in 
every  first-class  theatre. 

From  a careful  and  constant  sur- 
vey we  have  gathered  the  follow- 
ing information : That  today  any 
vehicle  or  artist  with  the  proper 
routine  and  offering  fitted  for  pic- 
ture houses  can  secure  from  25 
weeks  to  an  entire  year’s  work  con- 
sistently in  picture  houses. 

The  25  weeks  are  now  being  booked  by 
the  William  Morris  Agency  of  Chicago 
with  approximately  that  many  more  out  of 
New  York  through  the  Publix  office. 
There  are  over  100  specialty  acts  employed 
in  Chicago  each  week  that  are  booked  by 
the  Morris  Agency  and  appear  exclusively 
for  Balaban  & Katz  and  Lubliner  & Trinz 
interests. 

A careful  study  of  production  costs  has 
enabled  us  to  set  an  approximate  figure  for 
the  producing  in  its  entirety  a stage  band- 
show  for  a de  luxe  theatre.  This  figure 
covers  the  following  items  in  the  produc- 
tion field : 

Five  acts  of  specialties,  at  a 
gross  booking  cost  of  about  $2,000; 
scenery,  costumes  and  lighting 

{Continued  on  page  42) 


36 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


Loew  Will  Route  Publix  Shows 


New  Merger 
Gives  Acts 
30  Weeks 

Arrangement  Affects  Only  Deluxe 
Theatres  in  Key  Cities  Oper- 
ated by  Loew’s,  Inc. 

By  GANNON  KEARINS 

New  York,  July  12. — A bit  of  im- 
portant presentation  news  came  to  us  this 
morning  in  the  official  announcement  from 
Publix  Theatres  and  Loew’s,  Inc.,  bearing 
the  signatures  of  Sam  Katz  and  E.  A. 
Schiller,  to  the  effect  that  starting  Sept- 
ember 1,  and  thereafter  the  Loew  circuit 
will  route  the  Publix  stage  presentations 
in  the  key  city  de  luxe  house  throughout 
the  country. 

This  move  is  considered  a step  forward  in 
the  interests  of  better  stage  entertainment 
for  both  the  Publix  and  Loew  theatres 
now  carrying  this  type  of  entertainment  in 
some  form.  The  new  arrangement  will 
embrace  only  the  de  luxe  houses  on  the 
Loew  circuit. 

The  merging  of  these  two  routes  enables 
both  production  departments  to  concentrate 


every  effort  and  ability  in  offering  elabor- 
ate stagings  of  high  quality  now  made  pos- 
sible by  the  added  strength  of  the  Loew 
houses,  those  now  in  operation  and  others 
in  the  course  of  construction. 

The  two  routes  through  which  Publix  and 
Loew  will  send  their  future  Units,  starting 
next  September,  will  include  the  following 
cities:  New  York,  Syracuse,  Buffalo,  Cleve- 
land, Detroit,  Chicago,  Kansas  City,  St. 
Louis,  Dallas,  Houston,  San  Antonio,  New 
Orleans,  Atlanta,  Washington,  Baltimore, 
Providence,  Boston,  Indianapolis,  Colum- 
bus, Pittsburgh,  Omaha,  Denver,  Birming- 
ham, Brooklyn,  New  Blaven,  Minneapolis, 
Toledo,  Des  Moines,  Fort  Worth  and  Louis- 
ville. 


STAGE  SHOWS 


New  Y ork  Roxy 

Week  Ending  July  15 

“L’  Arlesienne,”  billed  to  have  been  played  last 
week,  but  was  not.  Is  the  occasion  of  the  weekly 
applause  for  the  three  organists  this  week.  Lew 
White,  and  may  we  say  his  two  playmates,  Dezso 
Von  D’Antalffy  and  C.  A.  J.  Parmentier. 

Espana — A Potpourri — The  Roxy  Symphony  Or- 
chestra, Chorus  and  Ballet  Corps. 

A — Overture — “Capriecio  Espagnol” — Ten  min- 
utes of  this  and  you  wish  you  were  in  Spain. 

B — Song  of  the  Cigarette  Girls  from  “Carmen” 
— Chorus  of  Women’s  Voices.  Full  stage,  Span- 


ish set,  and  ensemble  with  girls,  about  30  of 
them,  sending  out  this  volley  that  hit  home. 

C — Los  Torros — -Male  Chorus — a recipe  for  en- 
tertaining somewhat  like  the  above,  with  the  boys 
taking  a turn. 

D — “Lolito” — Jose  Santiago  sings  this  love  lyric 
to  his  senorita,  and  everybody  listened. 

E — "Malaugene”  from  “Boabdil” — Ballet  Corps 
and  Ensemble — this  tricky  name  means  little,  it’s 
a Spanish  festive  bit  in  disguise,  wherein  the 
ballet  corps  step  out  merrily  and  helps  roll  up 
the  applause.  In  here  somewhere  was  a solo 
dance  by  an  unbilled  one  from  the  land  of 
Olives  that  was  good  enough  to  remember. 

Roxy  Magazine. 

Divertissements. 

A — Ballet  Imperial — Florence  Rogge  and  the 
Ballet  Corps.  Full  stage  set  with  immense  crowd 
mounted  on  steps,  out  of  which  step  these  players 
for  a little  of  the  old  Royal  Russian  routine,  and 
as  regal  as  one  would  imagine  the  old  Czarina, 
Catherine,  to  be  regal,  yet  coy.  Big  applause. 

B — Songs  of  the  Siberian  Prisoners — Russian 
Cathedral  Choir.  In  almost  total  darkness,  Si- 
berian snow  scenery  barely  discernible,  they 
chant  this  piece,  as  the  sentry  paces  back  and 
forth  in  the  shadows.  The  applause  cheered 
them  up  greatly. 

C — “L’Abat — jour” — arranged  by  Martha  Gra- 
ham, and  neat  enough  to  call  attention  to  her 
name.  An  Egyptian  silhouette  dance  by  three 
of  the  misses,  that  was  a knockout  for  effect. 
Like  a slow  lazy  breeze  they  drifted  back  and 
forth  for  two  minutes.  This  will  probably  be 
repeated  on  another  bill.  They  generally  do 
when  they  are  this  good. 

D — The  Glow-Worm  — “Gamby,”  the  Ballet 
Corps  and  Ensemble,  full  stage,  beautiful  effect. 
Flanked  by  the  ballet  shifting  ever  into  prettier 
routines,  “Gamby”  twits  about,  while  the  en- 
semble hums  the  old  favorite  tune,  called  “Glow- 
Worm.”  A great  little  number  to  end  an  ex«- 
ceptionally  nice  bill. 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  15 

“Young  America, “ Publix  National  Opportunity 
Contest,  in  which  the  winners  from  16  cities  are 
presented  for  the  first  time  open,  and,  gentle- 
men, they  open  big.  Loads  of  us  have  always 
been  skeptical  on  these  new  stage  contests,  but 
Publix  has  done  itself  proud  in  whipping  this 
little  vehicle  into  shape  for  these  girls  to  make 
their  initial  appearance. 

Arranged  in  minstrel  show  fashion,  with  (I 
don’t  think  she  was  one  of  their  number,  she  was 
so  good)  a girl  as  the  center  chair  announcer, 
and  leader  of  the  crew,  they  step  out  in  one, 
twos  and  threes  and  entertain  well  enough  to 
tickle  everybody.  Not  a weak  spot  in  the  num- 
ber. Each  girl  will  head  the  revue  as  it  moves 
to  her  respective  home  town. 

Here  it  was  Rose  Colgan  of  New  York.  You’ll 
like  her.  She  is  much  like  little  Francis  White 
of  musical  comedy  fame.  The  others,  16  in  num- 
ber, are  all  good  and  each  one  worth  writing 
about.  They  will  hit  16  cities. 

Paramount  News 

Jessie  Crawford’s  concert  this  week  includes  a 
popular  interpolation  of  “Lucia” — “Someone  to 
Watch  Over  Me,”  dedicated  to  Gertrude  Lawrence, 
who  appears  here  next  week,  “If  You  See  Sally” 
and  the  “Sextette  from  Lucia.”  Here  was  a top- 
notch  little  program  that  tucked  away  mighty 
nice  applause. 

Paul  Whiteman  and  his  orchestra  in  “Ali 
Baba,”  assisted  by  Mrs.  Paul  Whiteman,  Helen 
Yorke,  and  in  the  grand  finale,  by  the  Para- 
mount Orchestra.  The  orchestra  this  week  comes 
into  view  through  the  stage  floor,  via  the  elevat- 
ing trap.  All  are  in  Turkish  costume,  and  in  the 
opening  numbers  the  girls  .representing  Fatima, 
and  several  of  her  near  relatives  do  a few  dances 
and  parade  in  front  of  band.  For  additional 
effect  there  are  three  dancers,  whose  bodies  are 
painted  all  gold,  on  elevated  stage,  above  or- 
chestra. 

“When  Day  Is  Done”  by  the  band  follows. 
This  is  the  kind  of  music  the  crowd  was  crazy 
about.  “Clap  Hands”  for  second  number,  and 
then  Vanda  Hoff,  whom  Paul  says  is  Mrs.  White- 
man  on  pay  days.  She  does  a classical  oriental 
dance  that  is  a wow,  and  brings  her  house  full 
of  applause.  Three  boys  of  the  band,  mentioned 
here  before,  trot  out  their  two  baby  music  boxes 
and  do  some  great  entertaining  with  “Aint  It  a 
Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling”  at  the  close  of 


Week  to  Week  Stunts — ATTENTION!  — Vocal  Variety 

ORGANISTS  ! 

“JIMMY  offers  for  RENTAL 

SAVAGE”  ORGAN  SOLOS 

The  Last  Word  in  Community  Singing 

005  Woods  Theatre  Building,  Chicago,  III. 

Community  Comics  — Exclusive  Rights  — Original  Organloques 


J.  VIRGIL  HUFFMAN 

CHIEF  ORGANIST 

IRVING  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Doing  Something  Different  Every  Week 


RAY  TURNER 

Featured  Organist 
NORTH  CENTER  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Now  Under  LUBLINER  & TRINZ  Management 


Community  Songs — 

JOHNNIE  DEVINE 

Featured  Organist 

PATIO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Where  they  sing  “DEVINELY” 

— Solo  Presentations 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


July  16,  1927 

■which  two  more  of  the  orchestra  in  hick  costume 
come  in  for  a little  comedy  and  burlesque  that  is 
great.  Helen  Yorke,  was  tucked  in  the  bill  here 
was  four  minutes  of  classical  sonatas,  that,  as 
is  usual  with  her,  brought  big  applause. 

Paul  now  appears  in  the  director’s  stand  with 
the  pit  orchestra,  who  have  been  busy  getting 
into  oriental  costume.  Both  bands,  with  Jessie 
Crawford  at  the  pipes,  come  in  for  a grand 
finale,  helping  Paul  close  his  run  here  with 
flying  colors. 

New  York  Mark  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  8 

Due  to  the  three-day  holiday  run,  and  a fiv^ 
show-a-day  schedule,  the  prelude  this  week  is 
merged  right  in  with  the  weekly  news  reel.  Then 
too  Isham  Jones  and  His  Brunswick  Recording 
Orchestra  has  come  to  town,  and  right  on  top  of 
plenty  of  prominent  stage  bands,  gives  Broadway 
a fresh  idea  of  how  it  is  done. 

Opening  with  “Hallelujah,”  he  swings  into 
(himself  at  the  piano)  his  own  compositions  and 
melodies,  "Swingin  Down  the  Lane,”  “Spain,” 
“The  One  I Love  Belongs  to  Somebody  Else,” 
“It  Had  to  Be  You,”  “I’ll  See  You  in  My 
Dreams,”  and  his  latest  novelty,  “The  Cat.” 
Each  one  brings  big  enough  applause  to  be  an 
inspiration  for  more  composing  of  like  gems. 

“Sundown”  by  the  band,  masterfully  played 
with  that  strain  of  syncopation  and  rhythm, 
original  with  Isham  Jones,  and  12  of  the  Strand 
Ballet  come  across  stage  for  a moment  of  dance, 
but  no  more.  The  house  did  whoop  it  up  for 
Betsy  Rees,  who  i>epped  it  up  on  her  toes,  atop  the 
baby  grand,  a great  spot  for  a single  turn,  and 
a great  single  turn,  the  bit  reminding  us  a 
little  of  Bobby  Amst’s  work  with  Ted  Lewis. 
“So  Blue,”  at  first  a mandolin  solo  by  one  of 
the  orchestra,  with  an  exceptionally  pleasing 
voice,  and  then  another  vehicle  for  the  band  to 
get  big  applause. 

“Individualism.”  wherein  several  of  the  or- 
chestra strut  their  art,  solos  and  duets.  Ar- 
rangement of  this  is  somewhat  different  than  the 
usual  run  of  personal  bits  and  was  swamped 
with  applause  as  the  curtain  began  its  series  of 
ups  and  downs.  Two  encores,  and  they  expected 
to  get  at  least  another,  but  Jones  had  to  beg  off. 
But  there  were  plenty  in  the  house  who  will  be 
back  to  hear  him  again  before  he  departs. 

New  York  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  15 

Joseph  Plunkett’s  “Post  Card  Frolics,”  Musical 
greetings  from  Abroad,  with  Fay  Adler  and  Ted 
Bradford,  offer  a simple  little  diversion  that  for 
staging  and  execution,  and  being  without  preten- 
tions, gets  one  of  those  blue  ribbons  going  about. 

A— Holland-Mark  Strand  Ballet  Corps,  cos- 
tumed as  three  boys  and  three  girls.  All  of  these 
sets  open  as  postcards  addressed  with  simple 
greetings,  and  reversing,  the  players  step  out  of 
the  pictures,  and  allow  the  curtains  to  close  for 
setting  of  next  scene,  a simple  effect  suitable  for 
any  small  house  with  limited  stage  space.  The 
routine  in  this  opening  number  is  short  and 
rather  simple,  dutch  wooden  shoe  dancing.  But 
good. 

B Vienna — Betsy  Rees  and  Male  Ensemble. 

Two  gentlemen  in  top  hats  a la  Dickens  time, 
court  the  young  lady  while  she  trips  a light  fan- 
tastic. Good — says  you,  and  so  does  the  audience. 

C — London — Four  London  Bobbies  doing  group 
stepping  in  a routine  that  seemed  okay  but  not 
hot  as  they  say. 

D — Spain — “hove  Dreams” — Margaret  Schilling 
and  Nema  Montes.  Miss  Schilling  sings  this  little 
hit  perfectly,  being  the  possessor  of  a voice  that 
is  winning.  Having  heard  her  once  you  11  an- 
ticipate her  as  often  as  you  get  the  opportunity. 
This  is  her  tenth  week  at  the  Strand.  Nema 
Montes  comes  out  here  like  a bit  of  salt  and 
pepper,  with  her  short,  snappy  Spanish  dance. 
The  applause  for  both  was  warm. 

E — Paris — Fay  Adler  and  Ted  Bradford,  assist- 
ed by  the  Strand  Ballet.  Scene  opens  as  highly 
colored  envelope,  unfolding  and  disclosing  this 
good  group.  Ballet  unwinds  a little  routine,  and 
then  from  the  top  mount  of  the  envelope  Miss 
Adler  starts  a series  of  sensational  team  work  by 
diving  into  her  partners  arms,  some  15  feet 
below.  Here  is  a team  that  is  class  personified, 
doing  everything  in  and  of  this  type  of  dancing 
just  a little  different.  Every  effort  brought  indi- 
vidual applause,  when  a team  gets  the  house 
warmed  this  way  you  know  they  are  good. 

Pictorial  News. 

Jan  Garber  and  His  Victor  Recording  Orchestra. 
Their  first  stage  appearance  in  New  York,  and 
something  they  will  be  proud  of.  Selections  in- 
cluded “Red  Lips  Kiss  Those  Blues  Away,”  “Just 
Like  a Butterfly,”  “What  Do  I Care”  and  “Tiger 


Rag.”  Specialists  in  entertaining  and  hidden  in 
the  band  till  introduced  were  Cook  and  Gayber, 
Harry  Goldford,  whom  everybody  seemed  to 
know,  and  Charley  Nigh.  Each  is  an  artist  with 
a song,  instrument  or  bit  of  foolery  when  work- 
ing them  in  solos.  'This  outfit  came  rather  un- 
sung and  unheralded,  and  this  is  the  way  Broad- 
way likes  them  to  come  it  seems,  for  few  favor- 
ites could  entertain  more,  or  receive  more 
applause. 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  10 

There  were  four  good  reasons  why  the  Chicago 
audiences  were  satisfied  last  week.  One  was 
H.  Leopold  Spitalney’s  scrim  presentation  with 
a Glorious  Fourth  flavor ; another  was  Henry 
Murtagh’s  organ  solo  with  an  unseen  voice  on 
the  chorus;  another  was  the  Publix  unit,  “Sports 
revue,”  and  the  last  was  “Rookies,”  the  Metro- 
Gold  wyn-Mayer. 

We  will  also  add  a fifth  reaeon : A scrim 
presentation  of  “Just  Like  a Butterfly,”  sung  by 
a soprano  voice.  This  reporter  regrets  that  he 
cannot  identify  the  possessor  of  this  voice.  'The 
orchestra  picked  up  strains  from  “Poor  Butterfly,” 
as  an  accompaniment  for  an  interpretive  dance. 
The  effect  of  this  scrim  presentation  was  beau- 
tiful, and  it  was  enhanced  by  the  projection  of 
colorful  butterflies  on  the  scrim. 

Spitalney’s  presentation  was  called  “The  Year 
of  1917.”  It  was  a well  arranged  selection  of 
compositions  to  denote  the  evolution  of  a country 
through  the  stagee  of  peace  and  war.  Projected 
on  the  screen  were  the  marching  soldiers  of 
the  allied  countries,  and  as  the  orchestra  broke 
into  the  thunder  of  war  the  coloi’ed  lights  in 
the  coves  around  the  proscenium  flashed  as  the 
guns  back  stage  were  fired.  Trumpet  and  organ 
solos  were  used  effectively,  eepeeially  during  the 
strains  of  “Over  There.”  As  a finale  the  lights 
were  thrown  on  behind  the  scrim,  revealing  the 
tanks  of  wartime  plodding  over  the  trenches. 

Murtagh  called  his  organ  solo  “Gloomy  Bill,” 
with  the  key  selection  being  “Sundown.”  Mur- 
tagh, who  is  a whiz  at  the  organ,  deviated  from 
his  community  singing  to  permit  an  unseen 
singer  and  reader  accompany  him.  The  pro- 


tracted applause  tells  the  story  of  this  phase 
of  the  program. 

“Sports  Revue”  was  an  unusually  lively  act — 
or,  better,  relay  of  acts.  Charles  Calvert,  a per- 
sonality boy  right,  was  master  of  ceremonies  and 
this  reporter  will  say  that  the  job  was  well  done. 
A highlight  of  the  revue  was  the  dancing  of  six 
girls,  who  did  their  tricks  with  the  same  skill 
of  the  Tiller  Girls.  Each  dance  by  this  sextette 
was  representative  of  some  branch  of  sport — 
boxing,  football,  etc. 

Another  act  that  was  entertaining  was  com- 
prised of  two  skaters — a man  and  a woman. 

Next  came  Ruth  Glanville  on  the  sax.  Ruth 
plays  a wicked  reed.  Bemis  and  Brown  are  two 
dancers  not  to  be  sneezed  at.  All  in  all  a very 
entertaining  show. 

A pleasing  effect  as  a finale  to  the  Spitalney 
presentation  was  the  dropping  of  a curtain  of 
varied  colored  electric  lights. 

It  was  a good  week  for  the  Chicago, 

Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  10 

“Goofy  Golfers”  was  the  advertised  title  of  the 
creation  for  the  week  presented  with  a well 
arranged  terrace  set  and  the  band  and  most  of 
the  performers  in  golf  togs.  Despite  Paul  Ash’s 
absence  through  most  of  the  week,  the  audience 
was  unusually  enthusiastic  for  hot  weather  and 
the  absence  of  vacant  scats  augured  well  for  the 
box  office  totals. 

The  show  opened  with  a bit  of  horse  play  about 
golf,  which  was  not  very  funny  and  did  not  elicit 
much  of  a response.  'Then  the  band  swung  into 
“Magnolia”  with  the  brass  and  clarinets  fea- 
tured and  Paul  Small  in  for  the  chorus.  From 
that  time  on  everything  went  big  and  the  encores 
had  to  be  chopped  off  with  curtain  speeches. 

Milton  Watson  was  in  unusually  good  voice  in 
singing  “If  I Could  Look  Into  Your  Eyes,”  by 
the  author  of  “Cherie”  and  “At  Sundown.”  On 
shouted  requests  from  the  audience,  he  included 
“Russian  Lullaby”  among  his  encores.  The 
“Lullaby”  was  made  for  Watson  and  it  rocked 
the  house. 

The  Collette  Sisters,  better  in  dance  than  in 
voice,  but  good  enough  vocally  to  bring  applause 


EDWARD  K,  HOUSE 

'*The  Singing  Organist** 

MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago 


Originator  of  the  New  Organ  SCRIMAPHONE  PRESENTATIONS 

Albert  F.  Brown 

FEATURE  ORGANIST 

Alternating  at  the  MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago 
All  Solos  Conceived  by  Albert  F.  Brown  and  Staged  by  RAYMOND  Q.  DALTON 
REPRESENTS  A NEW  EI£A  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT 


MIGUEL  GALVAN 

**The  Spanish  Banjo-Boy*’ 

Now  Enjoying  A Successful  Run 
at  the  FISCHER  THEATRE 

Appleton,  Wisconsin,  as 

MASTER  OF  CEREMONIES 


L.  CARLOS  MEIER 

Featured  Organist 
Ascher’s  TERMINAL  Theatre 
CHICAGO 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


to  their  snappy  rendition  of  “He  Calls  Me 
Gorgeous,"  brought  another  big  hand.  To  keep 
things  moving,  the  orchestra  swung  into  “I’m 
Not  That  Kind  of  a Baby"  before  the  sisters’ 
applauf^e  had  died.  Small  did  his  stuff  on  a 
chorus. 

Elinore  Chariere,  announced  as  a Sunday 
morning  discovery  of  Paul  Ash,  sang  “Sweet 
Someone"  and  “Hello  Cutie,  Hello."  A pleasing 
voice  and  good  enunciation  indicated  she  had 
won  her  spurs  as  a performer.  Then  came  a real 
treat  with  Watson,  Small  and  Tony  Hillis  form- 
ing a trio  to  sing  “Just  Like  a Butterfly  Caught 
in  the  Rain"  with  the  band  at  top  form  following 
up. 

Lydia  Harris,  fresh  from  a year’s  tour,  was 
boistrously  welcomed  and  obliged  with  “South 
Wind,”  “You’ll  Never  Be  Missed  a Hundred 
Years  from  Now"  and  “Forgive  Me."  Miss 
Harris  has  the  voice  and  stage  presence.  A 
little  less  mechanical  gestures  would  make  her 
big  time. 

Wallace  and  Cappo,  song  and  dance  stuff, 
would  grace  any  bill  anywhere.  Their  act  was 
short  but  it  was  a pip,  concluding  with  the  in- 
troduction of  their  step,  the  New  Orleans  Shuffle. 

Then  came  the  finale  “Waiting  for  the  Rain- 
bow” with  the  male  trio  competing  with  the 
orchestra  in  putting  over  a smashing  finish  and 
rain  falling  on  the  rear  part  of  the  stage. 

Henri  Keates  at  the  organ  presented  an  ar- 
rangement called  “Summer  Here  and  Summer 
There”  getting  the  audience  singing  “Under 
Honolulu  Moon,"  “If  You  See  Sally,"  “You  Don't 
Like  It,  Not  Much,"  “Sam,  the  Old  Accordion 
Man"  and  others. 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  July  10 

“Navy  Blues,”  with  Verne  Buck  and  his  band 
was  this  week’s  stage  presentation...  The  Frolics 
took  place  as  follows: 

Opening:  With  scene  of  ocean  surf  in  the 

background  flashed  on  the  scrim  curtain  as  or- 
chestra behind  it  plays  “Over  the  Bounding 
Main.”  Curtain  rises  on  this  number  to  full 
stage  set  on  deck  of  a battle  ship  as  orchestra 
boys,  dressed  in  sailor  suits,  go  into  a medley  of 
novel  tunes  as  Verne  Buck  comes  on  deck  in  a 
comedy  sailor  outfit. 

Hal  Hiatt  follows  with  a piano  solo  and  E.  J. 
Salisbury  accompanies  him  with  a bass  solo. 

They  are  followed  by  Stuart  Sisters  who  sing 
“South  Wind”  and  then  go  into  a tap  dancing 
routine  followed  by  the  orchestra  in  a very  catchy 
arrangement  of  “You  Don’t  Like  It,  Not  Much.” 

Tommy  Mally,  local  song  writer,  followed  with 
a new  composition  called  “I’ll  Hold  the  World  in 
the  Palm  of  My  Hand.”  Mally,  a young  man 
minus  both  arms  is  the  composer  of  “Rose  Col- 
ored Glasses”  and  several  other  popular  tunes. 


His  convincing  style  of  singing  earned  him  an 
encore  of  “Highways  are  Happy  Ways.” 

Ray  Schuster,  a young  man,  evidently  a new 
comer  in  presentation,  made  his  appearance  car- 
rying a large  box  upon  which  he  rendered  a very 
neat  tap  routine,  next  doing  a similar  dance  on 
a staircase.  His  offering  although  short  was 
snappy  and  well  received. 

The  orchestra  followed  with  a clever  arrange- 
ment of  Tommy  Mally’s  latest  song,  “That’s  What 
I Think  of  You,”  with  Verne  Buck  doing  a 
chorus  of  it  on  his  saxophone.  Registering  so 
big  that  Verne’s  Trio  consisting  of  Griswold, 
Buck  and  Wilson  offer  a harmony  solo  of  the 
number. 

Phyllis  Ray,  apparently  another  new  comer  in 
stage  band  shows,  hopped  on  next  singing 
“You’re  In  Love”  and  “Dew-Dewey  Days,” 
assisted  by  Verne  Buck  in  the  latter  number 
doing  the  straight  to  her  clowning.  Miss  Ray 
also  does  some  pretty  high  kicks  and  a back 
roll-over  which  earned  her  a good  reception.  The 
young  lady  owns  a sweet  personality  that  should 
put  her  over  in  any  house. 

After  an  encore  Lamberti  came  on  next  wise- 
gagging  as  usual  and  then  went  into  ‘“rhe  Stars 
and  Stripes  Forever”  on  his  Xylophone  as  an 
opening  number  using  “Humoresque”  for  his 
feature  and  after  playing  it  straight  does  another 
chorus  in  ragtime  which  stopped  the  show.  His 
encore  was  “Let  Me  Call  You  Sweetheart”  done 
in  a similar  style  and  as  far  as  the  audience 
was  concerned  the  rest  of  the  show  could  wait 
for  all  they  wanted  was  Lamberti  to  play  and  he 
sure  did  play  “that  thing.”  He  finished  up  with 
a clowning  bit  and  medleys  with  Verne  Buck 
also  playing  with  him. 

Another  clever  band  arrangement  was  played 
called  “Baby  Feet”  with  Griswold  singing  his 
usual  solo  in  his  pleasing  style  which  earned  him 
an  encore,  a request  number  “Muddy  Waters.” 
The  tune  he  made  a tremendous  hit  with  a few 
weeks  ago. 

Finale:  The  entire  company  assembled  on  the 
stage  as  Old  Glory  floats  over  the  background 
while  the  orchestra  plays  a medley  of  patriotic 
tunes  chiefly  “Over  'There,”  “Stars  and  Stripes” 
and  “Tipperary.” 

Chicago  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  10 

Vitaphone  still  continues  at  (his  theatre.  “The 
Yankee  Clipper,”  a photoplay,  furnished  the 
theme  for  this  week’s  musical  score  used  in  the 
stageshow  featuring  Del  Delbridge  and  his  Capi- 
tol Merry  Makers,  called  “A  Firework  of  Jazz,” 
which  ran  as  follows : 

Opening  with  the  Capitol  Girls  in  cute  costumes, 
doing  one  of  their  cute  dance  routines  as  the 
band  played  a catchy  tune.  Del  next  directed  the 
band  into  a fine  arrangement  of  the  “Light  Cav- 


alry Overture,”  the  musical  theme  for  the  fea- 
ture picture  which  these  boys  did  in  great  style, 
and  the  customers  received  it  in  fine  shape. 

Frances  Allis,  draped  in  kippy  red  costume 
which  displayed  her  blonde  beauty  came  on  with 
a nice  acrobatic  dance  routine  and  furthered  her 
charms  with  “My  Sunday  Girl”  as  a harmony 
song. 

Rizzo,  the  band’s  accordion  player,  next  made 
his  appearance  from  the  front  of  the  house  and 
ran  down  the  center  isle  with  straw  hat  and  fur 
coat  pulling  his  witty  gags  and  wop  dialect. 
When  he  got  up  on  the  stage  they  made  him  do 
a few  numbers  on  his  accordion  besides  his 
comedy  chatter  on  Independence  Day.  This  chap 
is  very  popular  here  and  always  hits  with  his 
weekly  offering. 

Jazz  Lips  Richardson,  the  eccentric  com.ic 
dancer  was  next,  making  this  his  fourth  appear- 
ance in  this  house  and  as  big  a favorite  as  ever. 

Shapiro  and  O’Malley,  well  known  in  vaude- 
ville, followed  with  a series  of  comedy  songs  that 
went  over  with  a bang. 

“Lucky  Lindy”  was  next  played  as  a band 
number,  while  the  Capitol  Girls,  all  costumed  in 
red,  entered,  forming  the  shape  of  an  airoplane 
as  the  lead  girl  did  a propeller  turn  in  front. 

Finale,  with  back  drop  rising  as  curtain  dis- 
plays Eagle  in  spread  position  forming  a shield. 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  July  10 

Mark  Fisher  and  his  Merry  Music  Masters 
appeared  under  the  “big  top”  this  week  with  a 
circus  show  featuring  Peggy  Bernier,  Chaz  Chase 
and  several  other  talented  artists.  The  circus 
show  was  done  in  typical  circus  style  with  the 
usual  bearded  lady,  strong  man,  skeleton  man, 
and  many  others  promenading  up  and  down  the 
marquee  with  brass  band  and  regular  ballyhoo 
ticket  seller.  The  proceedings  went  along  in  this 
manner. 

Opening:  With  two  boys  parading  up  and 

down  the  aisles  selling  pop  corn  and  peanuts  as 
the  Merry  Music  Masters  in  the  role  of  the  brass 
band  marched  up  and  down  the  run  way  extend- 
ing to  the  front  row.  After  several  minutes  of 
comedy  ballyhoo  done  by  Jack  Kelly,  the  drum- 
mer of  the  band,  the  talent  parades  in  and  the 
audience  is  ready  for  the  doings  under  the  big 
top. 

Full  stage  setting  of  interior  of  big  top  with 
back  ground  to  resemble  grand  stand  and  brass 
band  assembled  in  center  of  tent  playing.  “When 
Will  We  Meet  Again,”  introducing  Mark  Fisher 
as  the  ring  master.  After  the  band  trio  sing 
the  chorus  of  this  number,  the  Weiss  Trio,  one 
doing  comedy  offers  a series  of  equilibristic  feats 
in  risley  style  with  the  smaller  man  working  as  a 
top  mounter  performing  on  pole  and  ladder. 
This  is  apparently  a new  turn  in  picture  houses 
and  seems  to  fit  the  spot  for  this  occasion.  The 
comedy  relief  lends  just  enough  novelty  to  the 
turn  to  make  it  very  popular  in  picture  houses. 
The  last  stunt  with  man  lying  on  his  back  bal- 
ancing a ladder  with  the  top  mounter  balancing 
on  top  of  it  on  his  head  as  the  bottom  fellow 
plays  a fiddle  received  a very  good  round  of 
applause. 

The  Gould  girls  came  on  next  dressed  in  black 
and  white  outfits  to  represent  horses  and  stepped 
to  a lively  tune  interpreting  same.  They  were 
followed  by  Peggy  Bernier  whose  past  comments 
in  this  book  could  fill  another  book.  Again 
Peggy  stopped  the  show  an  every  day  occurrence 
for  her  in  picture  houses. 

Chaz  Chase,  who  up  to  this  time  was  cutting 


CHARLES  KALEY 


(C 


‘The  Singing  Band  Leader’ 

An  Exclusive  COLUMBIA  Artist 
Now  conducting  MARKS  BROS.  Presen- 
tations, alternating  at  MARBRO  and 
GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago. 


LOUISE  NELSON  MILDRED  LETT  ARMINE  LETT 

Piano  Accordion  Piano  Banjo 

THE  PREMIER  TRIO 

Harmony  Singers 
DeLuxe 

Address^— Miss  Lett,  Belleaire 
Hotel,  Chicago 


CORINNE  ARBUCKLE 

“SONGOLOGIST” 

in 

“SONGS  WHAT  AM” 

Appearing  in  Deluxe  Presentations  in  Deluxe  Picture  Theatres. 

Keith-Albee  Representativo^— HARRY  WEBER  OFFICE 
Presentation — WILLIAM  MORRIS  ACENCY  direction  of  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL 
Personal  Representative  RUSSELL  DECKER 


Now  Featured  with  SA3I 
ILAI  FMAN  at  the  PICCA- 
DILLY Theatre,  Cliu^ago. 


Just  Completed  a S u c - 
<*essful  Engagement  at  the 
LIBERTY  Theatre,  Zanes- 
ville, Ohio. 


EDMUND  C.  FITCH 


FEATURE  ORGAniST 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


July  16,  1927 

up  during  the  opening  number,  followed  with  his 
novel  routine  of  swallowing  not  swords,  but 
cigars,  cigarettes,  shirt  fronts  and  so  forth. 
Chaz  had  the  center  stage  for  nearly  fifteen 
minutes  and  kept  the  audience  in  a continuous 
uproar  of  laughter  through  his  comedy  antics 
and  hokum  eccentric  steps.  We  have  expressed 
our  opinion  of  this  chap  before  and  the  same  still 
goes. 

Mark  Fisher  next  offered  a song  solo  of  “Baby 
Feet”  of  which  it  is  needless  to  say  he  put  over 
in  great  style  taking  the  usual  encore.  This 
was  the  only  number  that  Mark  sang  throughout 
the  show  and  it  was  a treat  even  though  it  was 
a short  number. 

Olympia  and  Jules  man  and  woman  appeared 
next  with  leaping  hounds  similar  to  many  seen 
in  vaudeville  and  appeared  to  be  crowded  for 
space,  however  the  routine  which  showed  consid- 
erable patience  on  the  master  was  very  nicely 
received.  The  hounds,  of  which  there  were  many, 
consisted  of  some  of  the  most  valuable  breeds 
of  Russian  Wolf  and  so  forth. 

Lloyd  and  Brice,  those  two  boys  who  brought 
hokum  acrobatic  into  picture  bouses,  followed 

and  stopped  the  show.  They  had  the  next  to 

closing  spot  and  walked  away  with  it. 

Finale;  Three  of  the  Gould  girls  attired  in 

white  tights  assembled  on  trapeze  as  the  Weiss 
Trio  went  into  a series  of  whirlwind  acrobatics 
for  the  finish  as  entire  cast  assembled  around 
band. 

Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  July  10 

Benny  Krueger  and  his  boys  presented  “Jazz 
Jingles”  this  week  augmented  with  “Patches,”  a 
Publix  Unit,  featuring  the  Caites  Brothers.  Billy 
Glason  and  George  Dewey  Washington  were  fea- 
tured in  the  Krueger  show.  The  entire  stage 
entertainment  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  With  the  Market  Dancers,  an  aggre- 
gation of  eight  girls,  doing  a neat  ballet  routine 
in  front  of  a crazy  quilt  curtain.  Ftill  stage  set- 
ting next  with  flower  folios  and  peacock  tail  in 
spread  position  covering  black  background  as  the 
band  went  into  arrangement  of  “Sundown.” 

After  one  chorus  Benny  Krueger  took  his  sax 
and  gave  us  one  of  his  popular  solos.  The  new 
harmony  trio  composed  of  boys  in  the  band  also 
sang  the  number.  A young  lady  announced  ae, 
Miss  Calvert  or  at  least  we  thought  that  was  the 
name,  did  some  high  kicking  in  this  spot  which 
coupled  with  her  charm  and  graceful  interpre- 
tation won  her  a nice  hand. 

George  Dewey  Washingrton,  the  colored  singer 
with  the  golden  voice,  followed  and  after  the 
rousing  reception  went  into  “I  Love  You”  and 
“Forgive  Me.”  The  convincing  way  this  man 
sings  and  the  dramatic  punch  that  he  exercises 
in  all  his  songs  has  placed  him  in  a class  all  his 
own.  The  show  was  stopped  again,  as  usual, 
which  compelled  him  to  sing  “South  Wind”  twice 
before  they  would  let  him  sign  off. 

Mills  and  Shea,  two  men  in  clownish  outfits, 
tumbled  on  next  in  a comedy  acrobatic  offering 
and  some  very  clever  and  intricate  stunts.  Only 
an  act  of  this  sort  and  of  their  ability  could 
have  followed  such  a tremendous  hit  as  George 
Dewey  Washington. 

The  band  next  played  “The  Doll  Dance”  with 
Rudy  Wagner,  piano  soloing.  We  have  heard 
other  bands  play  this  number  before  but  to  the 
best  of  our  knowledge  none  have  played  it  so 
interesting  and  so  enticing  as  these  boys  did. 

Mills  and  Shea  brought  in  a young  lady  at  this 
particular  time  who  was  dressed  as  a doll  and 
whose  name  we  failed  to  hear  but  who  went  into 


EDDIE 

HILL 

In 

“Just  Songs 
and 

Smart  Sayings” 


That  Created  a New  Sensation 
in  Deluxe  Picture  Houses 


Special  Material  by  BENOLD  ROSS 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


a series  of  toe  dancing  and  Russian  eccentric  all 
on  her  well  trained  toes.  She  was  well  liked  and 
should  have  been  for  her  offering. 

Market  Girls  in  bell  fringed  costumes  came  on 
again  with  one  of  their  cleverly  trained  routines. 

Billy  Glason  of  vaudeville  and  musical  comedy 
fame  presented  his  cycle  of  songs  and  chatter 
which  took  up  at  least  fifteen  minutes  and  which 
the  audience  seemed  to  enjoy  very  much.  Billy 
has  a style  of  delivering  all  his  own  and  became 
a favorite  from  the  very  start.  He  was  com- 
pelled to  give  several  encores  befoi-e  the  audience 
consented  to  let  him  off. 

To  the  Caites  Brothers  the  real  credit  mu.st  go 
for  these  boys  who  followed  Glason  have  such  a 
sensational  routine  of  clog  and  eccentric  tap 
dancing  that  they  started  to  click  tremendously 
from  the  time  they  stepped  their  feet  on  this 
stage.  The  younger  one  of  the  two  offered  a 
very  well  timed  military  tap,  while  the  other  in 
a comedy  vain  offered  one  just  as  well,  later  both 
working  in  union  a picture  of  perfect  rhythm  of 
feet  music. 

The  orchestra  went  immediately  into  a number 
at  their  finish  which  prevented  them  from  taking 
an  encore  at  this  show. 

Finale:  The  Market  Dancers  assembled  around 
band  all  doing  a whirlwind  finish. 

Chicag^o  Marbo 

Week  Ending  July  10 

“Sunshine  Days”  with  Charles  Kaley  and  band. 
Brooks  and  Powers,  and  Laura  Lee,  was  this 
week's  stage  band  show.  The  offering  which  is 
one  of  the  best  this  outfit  has  presented  to  the 
new  West  Side  house  since  it’s  opening  ran  as 
follows: 

Opening:  Similar  to  the  one  used  in  the  show 
at  the  Granada  several  weeks  ago,  with  man 
singing  in  “one”  special  number  called  “Summer 
Girls”  as  transparent  curtain  illuminated  display- 
ing the  Marbro  Girls  in  various  costumes. 

This  was  followed  by  a band  number  called 
“Katydid,”  with  an  arrangement  that  offered  sev- 
eral specialties  rendered  by  the  boys  in  a novel 
way. 

This  was  followed  by  Gardner  and  Douglas,  two 
boys  in  eccentric  comedy  routine  of  dancing, 
which  stopped  the  show.  'The  boys  have  been 
reported  many  times  before  and  for  further  de- 
tails we  recommend  back  issues  of  this  book. 

Carol  and  Grady,  two  men  who  emerged  from 
local  radio  work,  came  on  next  with  a little  bit 
of  everything  and  not  much  of  anything.  Their 
routine  is  of  mediocre  vaudeville  style  and  failed 
to  register  properly  at  this  house. 

Charles  Kaley  next  conducted  his  band  through 
a very  fine  arrangement  of  “The  Russian  Lulla- 
by” and  after  the  introduction  Kaley  sang  two 
choruses  in  his  own  individual  way  receiving  a 
good  reception  with  band  finishing  the  tune. 


Laura  Lee,  announced  as  a late  star  of  the 
“Vanities,”  and  “Listen  Dearie,”  was  brought  on 
by  the  orchestra  boys  in  typical  musical  comedy 
style.  Miss  Lee  commenced  her  exercises  with  a 
series  of  syncopated  tunes  and  a jazz  strut  which 
she  seemed  very  much  at  home  at.  The  young 
lady  has  a nice  personality  and  is  clever  in  her 
style  of  work,  but  somehow  failed  to  impress 
this  audience  and  her  name  and  reputation  was 
saved  by  a clever  last  minute  thought  of  Charles 
Kaley,  who  did  a duet  number  with  her  called 
“Side  by  iSde.”  (Thusly  the  embarrassing  situa- 
tion was  saved). 

Brooks  and  Powers,  those  two  colored  enter- 
tainers of  “Shuffle  Along”  and  writers  of  “Some 
of  These  Days,”  came  on  next  and  it  is  needless 
to  say  that  from  then  on  the  audience  forgot 
what  had  happened  before.  These  boys  have  been 
reported  in  our  columns  before  and  what  hap- 
pened then  also  happened  now.  Their  type  of 
entertainment  is  presentation  from  the  first  to 
the  end. 

Charles  Kaley  again  sang,  this  time  offering  a 
solo  of  “Baby  Feet,”  which  was  neatly  done  as  a 
feature  number  with  black  curtain  lowering  on 
second  chorus  as  Kaley  stepped  out  in  front 
and  baby  feet  effect  walked  across  the  stage. 
(An  effect  secured  by  keeping  the  curtain  raised 
approximately  two  feet  off  the  floor.)  Very 
cleverly  sung  and  a novel  way  of  presenting  it. 

Finale:  Band  playing  medleys  of  patriotic 

tunes  as  curtain  rises  on  level  platform  display- 
ing huge  portrait  of  the  “Spirit  of  ’76,”  while 
band  plays  several  shutters  revolve  and  from 
within  each  shutter  a girl  dressed  in  Yankee 
uniform  emerges  as  the  portrait  took  the  form 
of  “Old  Glory.” 

Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  July  10 

Benny  Meroff  in  his  original  “Hi-Hatters”  fea- 
turing Jack  Osterman,  was  this  week’s  stage 
attraction.  The  show  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  With  orchestra  playing  catchy  tune 
as  the  Granada  girls  dressed  in  similar  outfits 
worn  by  Benny  lead  the  orchestra  later  doing  a 
vocal  parody  on  “Clap  Your  Hands,”  which 
serves  as  an  introduction  for  Benny  Meroff. 
Benny  enters  at  this  spot,  takes  command  of  the 
orchestra  as  the  girls  go  into  one  of  their  regu- 
lar routines  as  the  band  plays  “You  Don’t  Like 
It,  Hot  Much,  with  Paul  Thontias  Jacobs,  the 
new  banjoist,  singing  a chorus  of  the  song. 

This  was  followed  by  Tuck  and  Cinns,  two  men 
in  a novel  offering  with  Tuck  doing  a very  diffi- 
cult contortion  routine  as  his  partner  goes  into 
a song,  later  rendering  a soft  shoe  tap.  The 
turn  was  very  well  received. 

Colleen  Adams,  announced  as  one  of  the  fea- 
tured players  of  “Le  Maire’s  Affairs,”  came  on 
next  singing  "Blame  It  On  The  Waltz”  and  “I 


SAM  KAUFMAN 

**The  Personality  Leader* 

(A  Performing-Pianist-Conductor) 

Now  Directing  Stage  Band  Shows  at  the 
PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


MURIEL  KAYE 

‘‘The  Distinctive  DanceP* 

For  DeLuxe  Theatres 

Now  Featured  in  Presentations 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  Through  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


MURRAY  and  ALAN 

“Jesters  of  3,000  Years  Ago” 

Just  Finished  a Tour  of  Balaban  & Katz  and  Lubliner  and  Trinz  Theatres. 

Now  Featured  in  “Steamboat  Syncopation,”  a Chicago  Publix  Stagehand 
Unit  Opening  at  the  Capitol,  Des  Moines,  This  Week. 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


Can’t  Get  Over  A Girl  Like  You.”  The  young 
lady  has  a very  charming  personality  and  seems 
to  deliver  her  material  in  pleasing  style. 

By  special  request  Benny  Meroff  next  led  the 
orchestra  into  a very  well  arrangement  of 
“Faust,”  which  these  boys  deserve  a great  deal 
of  credit  for  interpreting.  Occasionally  this  band 
offers  a classical  number  and  certainly  receives 
the  appreciation  of  the  house. 

Charles  Wilkins,  one  of  the  late  stars  of  the 
“Follies,”  made  his  appearance  after  this  num- 
ber with  an  offer  of  a slow  tap  dance  routine 
costumed  in  comedy  clothes.  This  was  so  well 
received  that  he  encored  with  a Jumping  Dance. 
Wilkins  is  a very  clever  comic  and  should  do 
great  things  in  picture  houses. 

This  was  followed  by  a band  arrangement  of 
“Oh  Doris”  with  the  boys  speaking  lines  and 
parts  of  college  songs  as  Benny  tries  to  keep 
their  attention  centered  on  the  number.  A clever 
number  offered  in  a novel  way. 

Jack  Ostermian  in  his  second  appearance  at 
this  house  made  his  entrance  this  time  via  a 
taxi  and  immediately  went  into  his  smart  chatter 
which  later  led  him  into  “Just  Like  a Butter- 
fly.” interpolating  “April  Showers.”  For  an  en- 
core Jack  used  “Baby  Feet”  and  “That’s  My 
Baby.”  and  for  still  another  encore  he  was  com- 
pelled to  sing  “If  You  See  Sally”  which  stopped 
the  show  and  kept  him  on  the  stage  for  a few 
minutes  longer  where  he  rattled  off  a few  more 
old  gags. 

Benny  Meroff  starts  to  put  on  his  high  hat  as 
the  orchestra  goes  into  the  following  number, 
especially  when  solo  bits  are  played,  thereby 
gaining  the  title  of  Benny’s  hi-hat.  In  this 
number  with  hat  on  Benny  does  a fast  routine  of 
his  clever  dancing. 

Finale:  The  Granada  Girls  dancing,  as  above 
on  platform  appears  a huge  red,  white  and  blue 
hat. 

Chicago  Tivoli 

Week  Ending  July  10 

To  have  witnessed  the  mob  at  this  house  this 
week  one  would  believe  that  some  great  national 
celebrity  was  making  his  farewell  appearance. 
At  least  this  was  the  impression  this  reporter 
gained  when  he  so  patiently  was  compelled  to 
wait  in  line  to  witness  an  evening’s  performance 
of  “Waring’s  Pennsylvanians.”  To  some  of  you 
who  have  never  heard  this  organization  allowance 
will  be  made  for  this  thought  but  to  those  who 
have  been  fortunate  in  hearing  these  boys  play, 
one  can  readily  see  why  the  whole  town  flocks  to 
the  theatre  where  they  make  their  appearance. 
This  year’s  offering  took  place  as  follows: 

Opening  number  “I  Wonder  How  I Look  When 
I’m  Asleep”  with  the  entire  band  clad  in  night- 
shirts in  dim  stage  light  each  holding  a candle. 
A very  clever  opening  and  novelly  presented. 

The  second  number  was  “When  Day  Is  Done” 
with  a solo  sung  by  Tom  Waring,  the  pianist 


and  several  specialties  introduced  by  the  string 
and  brass  sides  as  stage  lights  grow  brighter  to- 
ward finish  of  number. 

The  next  one  was  “Saluta,”  sung  and  played 
by  all  in  comedy  style  with  a burleque  bit  offered 
by  the  drummer  during  “O  Sole  Mio”  with  ban- 
dana handkerchief  and  tamborine.  This  young 
fellow  is  well  noted  for  his  keen  sense  of  humor 
and  wholesome  comedy  dispersed  throughout  the 
musical  numbers. 

Tom  Waring  next  sang  “One  Sweet  Letter,” 
one  of  the  latest  in  the  blues  style  offered  in 
typical  blues  style  accompanied  by  soft  musical 
strains  from  the  band. 

“Hallelujah”  was  the  clo.sing  number,  played 
with  all  the  fire  and  pep  that  these  youths  possess 
putting  the  number  over  in  great  style.  Of 
course,  they  stopped  the  show  and  had  to  come 
back  for  one  of  their  old  time  favorites,  such  as 
“Under  the  Moon”  which  was  sung  in  a hum- 
ming-crooning style  to  the  soft  instrumental 
strains  in  a complete  dark  stage  with  background 
displaying  huge  stained  glass  panels  giving  the 
appearance  of  the  inside  of  a cathedral  with  il- 
lumination back  of  each  panel. 

After  this  number  the  audience  was  still  not 
contented  and  Fred  Waring  stepped  out  in  front 
of  curtain  with  a gratifying  tribute  introducing 
the  “ten  original"  Waring’s  Pennsylvanians  who 
made  their  first  appearance  in  this  theatre  five 
years  ago.  Today  the  same  ones  with  an  addi- 
tional eight  have  become  nationally  known  for 
their  individual  style  of  interpreting  songs  and 
arrangements. 

Their  last  encore  was  “Ain’t  She  Sweet”  offered 
with  many  novelties  and  original  closing  bits. 

Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  July  10 

“McFadden’s  Flats,”  the  new  comedy  film,  was 
the  feature  and  “Musical  Melange”  featuring  Sam 
Kaufman  and  his  orchestra  was  this  week’s  stage 
presentation  which  ran  as  follows : 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  of  Garden  set 
as  band  plays  “Brotherly  Love.”  a new  tune 
offered  with  many  novelties. 

Wells  and  Winthrop,  two  eccentric  steppers, 
opened  the  show  with  their  usual  routine,  start- 
ing slow  and  gradually  getting  an  encouraging 
reception. 

“The  Doll  Dance”  was  next  done  as  a band 
number  with  Sam  Kaufman  at  the  piano  playing 
a duet  with  the  other  pianist.  This  is  a cute 
number  and  was  played  in  a catchy  style  by  these 
boys. 

A young  lady  announced  as  Miss  Helma  came 
on  next  with  her  violin  and  went  into  a series  of 
classical  numbers  which  took  up  approximately 
ten  minutes  and  was  well  worth  the  time. 

Wells  and  Winthrop  came  back  again  with 
their  burlesque  Egyptian  routine  which  the  boys 
did  a few  years  back.  This  number  practically 
laid  in  it’s  tracks  due  mostly  for  its  age. 


Sam  Kaufman  next  announced  a medley  of 
“When  I First  Met  Mary,”  which  he  soloed  on 
the  piano  improvising  “Farmer  in  'The  Dell” 
“Silver  Threads  Among  The  Gold”  and  back  to 
the  “Mary”  tune.  Sam  has  earned  considerable 
popularity  at  this  house  for  the  alertness  he 
displays  and  the  sportsmanship  he  shows  by 
improvising  on  the  piano  any  tune  the  audience 
requests  him  to  play.  From  every  direction  there 
came  requests  for  more,  for  an  encore  he  did 
“Russian  Lullaby”  and  “Song  of  the  Wanderer” 
after  which  the  audience  compelled  him  to  play 
again,  this  time  offering  “Kiss  Me  Again”  and 
“Sundown.” 

An  orchestra  arrangement  of  “Tannhauser” 
followed  and  the  boys  exercised  every  musical 
cell  they  possessed  which  gave  the  number  a 
classical  swing  that  few  jazz  bands  can  interpret. 

Finale:  With  entire  talent  on  stage  for  finish 
of  this  number. 


Los  Anodes  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  14 

A very  excellent  stage  presentation  greeted 
Los  Angeles  patrons  of  the  Met  this  week.  The 
act  was  called  “Blues”  and  was  staged  by  Fan- 
chon  and  Marco.  It  was  embellished  with  dozens 
of  girls.  As  usual  Nell  Kelly  and  Rube  Wolf 
head  the  fun  makers  and  get  rounds  of  applause 
with  their  burlesque  number,  a Spanish  song 
and  dance  travesty.  Oscar  Taylor  sings  a blues 
song  to  good  applause.  The  serpentine  dance 
which  closes  the  show  is  well  done  but  is  get- 
ting somewhat  shopworn  from  repetition. 

Los  Angeles  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  July  8. 

Lynn  Cowan  has  a great  hand  at  this  theatre 
and  he  is  doing  much  to  popularize  “I’m  Looking 
Over  a Fourleaf  Clover.”  The  Fanchon  and 
Marco  Idea  consists  of  the  1927  summer  edition 
of  O’Neill  Kiddie  Revue,  which  made  a hit  over 
the  Fourth.  There  are  40  youngsters  in  the  act 
and  the  kids  in  the  audience  seemed  to  enjoy  it 
immensely. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  July  9 

Paul  Howard,  sensational  acrobatic  dancer, 
dusted  the  boards  of  the  Wisconsin  theatre  stage 
this  week  with  some  clever  dancing  and  won  the 
plaudits  of  the  audience.  He  did  everything 
possible  with  his  long  loose  legs,  even  to  imitat- 
ing a monkey  seratching  his  ear  with  his  toes. 

Arthur  Richter  at  the  organ  played  “A  Medley 
of  Popular  Airs,”  among  them  being  “Forgive 
Me”  and  “Hello  Cutie.”  The  audience  received 
this  selection  with  much  approval. 

Lang  and  Voelk,  harmonists,  also  tickled  the 
palate  of  the  harmony  loving  audience.  TKe 
setting  for  their  number  consisted  of  a theatre 
box  on  the  Wisconsin  stage,  into  which  they 
walked  with  a rather  bashful  mien.  They  sang 
several  slangy  harmony  numbers  and  ended  up 
with  “Sundown”  which  brought  much  applause 
from  the  audience. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  July  9 

The  Casa  Lopez  Orchestra  conducted  by  Vin- 
cent himself  and  “Winter  Nights,”  a John  Mur- 
ray Anderson  atmospheric  fantasy,  shared  the 
headlines  this  week. 


AMERICA’S  PREMIER  DANSEUSES 

Kerenoff  liy| 

AND  lYiaree 

“THE  ADAGIOS” 

Having  Created  a Sensation  in 
Presentations 

Will  Soon  Be  Featured  in 

A Broadway  Production 


DAVEY  WHITE 

(Tlie  Young  Old  Soaik  Dancer) 

IN  HIS  ORIGINAL  ECCENTRIC  TWISTS 

Wishes  to  thank  the  following  Balaban  and  Katz  and  Lubliner  and  Trinz  ofB- 
cials  for  the  successful  bookings  in  their  theatres — PAUL  ASH,  BENNIE 
KRUEGER,  MORRIS  SILVER,  CHARLES  NIGGERMEYER,  WILL  HARRIS  and 
my  agents  MAX  TURNER  and  PHIL  TYRRELL. 


GEORGE  RILEY 

of 

Heller  and  Riley 

now  acting  as 

MASTER  of  CEREMONIES 

at  the 

STATE  Theatre,  DETROIT 

Will  Soon  Open  a Run 
in  CHICAGO 
as  M.  of  C. 
for  Balaban  & Katz 
Theatres 

Many  Thanks  to  Max  Turner,  Phil 
Tyrrell  and  Sam  Bramson 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  July  8 

The  so-called  “New  Idea”  stageshow  came  to 
the  Riviera  this  week,  with  Boyd  Senter,  Omahan 
who  has  come  back  from  the  states  of  the  East, 
as  master  of  ceremonies.  The  theatregoers  were 
somewhat  prepared  for  the  new  plan  of  putting 
on  the  various  acts,  however,  as  they  became 
accustomed  to  it  when  Monk  Watson  was  at  the 
Rialto  several  weeks  last  year. 

Senter’s  show  went  over  .very  nicely.  With  his 
orchestra  of  16  pieces  in  clown  attire  amid  a 
gaudy  setting,  Senter  stood  out  in  his  conven- 
tional evening  dress.  Jazz  music  by  the  orches- 
tra and  by  Senter  himself  with  his  saxophones 
and  clarinets,  were  interspersed  with  acts  by 
A1  Reynolds,  singer  and  dancer : Babe  Sherman, 
soprano ; Healy  and  Clifford,  dancing  bellhops  ; 
Delano  Dell,  comedian,  who  possibly  was  the  big- 
gest hit  of  the  evening,  and  Jerrie,  accordion 
player.  And  a lively  chorus  of  six. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  July  8. 

“Tuneful  Tales  and  Timely  Topics”  was  the 
title  of  the  part  of  the  stage  program  rendered 
by  Walter  Davison  and  His  Louisville  Loons  at 
the  Mainstreet  this  week. 

Wally  Jackson  did  some  eccentric  dancing, 
while  Ada  Brown’s  part  of  the  program  consisted 
of  Southern  syncopation. 

Bob,  Bobbie  and  Bob  offer  a juggling  novelty 
while  Davie  Jamieson’s  act  was  titled  “Doing 
His  Stuff.”  Pam  and  Peggy  Garvin  had  an  act, 
“The  Two  Rag  Dolls,”  which  was  entertaining, 
while  Dorothy  Stone  and  Alma  Davis  are  seen 
in  “Petite  Terpsichoreans.” 

The  Louisville  Loons  render  popular  selections 
as  the  overture. 

Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  July  8. 

Borrah  Minevitch  and  His  Merry  Mad  Gang 
of  15  were  the  stage  attraction  at  the  Newman 
this  week.  It  marked  the  last  presentation  of 
its  type  prior  to  the  change  in  policy  of  Publix 
in  stage  presentation. 

Minevitch  and  His  Gang  of  funsters  rendered 
some  real  jazz  on  harmonicas,  made  famous  in 
Zeigfeld’s  Follies.  The  entire  program  was  musi- 
cal, varying  to  various  degrees  in  all  types  of 
jazz  music. 

Sigmung  Boguslawski  and  his  Newman  Con- 
cert Orchestra  render  selections  from  popular 
numbers  as  an  overture. 

Ken  Widenor  at  the  organ  again  had  the  audi- 
ences following  him  vocally  in  slide-illustrated 
numbers. 

St.  Louis  Grand  Central 

Week  Ending  July  8. 

Paul  Sporleder  and  his  band  presented  “So 
Long*’  as  their  farewell  musical  offering  to  Grand 
Central  audiences.  Sporleder  moves  on  to  Dallas. 
Tex.,  to  become  musical  conductor  of  the  3,000 
seat  Palace  theatre  while  the  Grand  Central  will 
be  closed  to  be  changed  into  a super-run  big 
picture  house. 

St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  July  8. 

Jean  Goidkette’s  Orchestra  was  headlined  this 
week. 

Don  Albert  for  his  overture  played  Walter 
Donaldson’s  popular  ballad,  “At  Sundown,”  with 
a special  stage  presentation  in  which  Edwin  Sny- 
der, tenor,  and  Jeanne  Bronenkamp,  soprano, 
were  used  to  advantage. 

Tom  Terry  at  the  organ  played  “I’ll  Always 
Remember  You.” 

St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  July  8. 

“Brooke  Johns’  Fireworks”  was  the  seasonal 
title  for  the  scorching  stage  entertainment  pre- 
sented the  week  ending  July  8. 

Arthur  Nealy,  tenor,  and  Jolms  did  a number 
called  “Moonbeam,  Kiss  Her  for  Me,”  while 
Johns  sang  another  number  which  proved  one 
of  the  big  hits  of  the  show. 

The  new  acts  brought  on  for  this  stage  pre- 
sensation included  Burns  and  Kissen,  comedy 
singers,  and  Brown  and  Bailey,  fast  dancers. 

In  keeping  with  Independence  Week,  Leonid 
Leonardos  overture  was  styled  “America,  Tri- 
umphant.” 

Milton  Slosser  at  the  organ  played  “Follow  the 
Crowd.” 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  July  8 

“Birthstones,”  featuring  Kendall  Capps,  was 
the  presentation  of  the  week.  In  addition  to  Capps 
the  show  included  Myrio  and  Desha,  a pair  of 
dancers. 

Dave  Silverman  selected  for  his  overture  “The 
Sons  of  Uncle  Sam  Through  the  Ages.” 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  pressed  out  “A 
Battle  of  the  States.” 

Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  July  9 

Merriment,  song  and  dance  were  combined 
nicely  to  make  up  “The  Spirit  of  *76,”  a gala 
presentation  with  George  Riley  head-lining  as 
master  of  ceremonies.  Between  rounds  of  quick 
repartee  and  laughter  making,  Riley  introduced 
the  Six  Tivoli  Girls  with  their  rhythmic  dances; 
Jack  and  Kay  Spangler,  song  and  dance  expon- 
ents; the  Ercell  Sisters  in  musical  fare;  George 
Boyce,  novelty  stepping ; and  the  playboy  band 
under  Walter  Bastian’s  direction. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  9 

A timely  offering,  “Red,  White  and  Blue,” 
toplined  Charles  Irwin  in  the  master  of  cere- 
monies role.  Giant  firecrackers  formed  a large 
part  of  the  stage  background  and  the  uniformed 
aviator  chorus  lent  further  color  in  keeping 
with  the  spirit  of  the  Fourth. 

Charles  Olcott  opened  the  entertaining  with 
lines  of  clean  fun  and  an  excellent  piano  tech- 
nique. He  was  followed  by  the  Ernie  Young 
girl’s  military  ensemble.  “Pomp  and  Circum- 
stance.” sung  by  Charley  Jolley,  the  Capitol 
tenor,  was  next.  Lora  Hoffman,  former  prima 
donna  at  the  Winter  Garden,  presented  some 
popular  hits  and  Ann  Garrison’s  eccentric  steps 
completed  the  performance. 


Brooklyn  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  8 

Edward  L.  Hyman,  managing  director  of  this 
leading  Brooklyn  theatre,  never  disappoints  the 


customers  with  something  of  timely  interest.  This 
week  it  happened  to  be  the  Fitzpatrick  Music 
Master  film,  “Stephen  Foster,”  as  that  composer 
was  born  on  July  4 and  here  was  opportunity  to 
run  it  during  Independence  Week. 

The  Art  Landry  stage  band,  in  its  fifth  week, 
held  its  own  with  a brand  new  program  and 
with  new  entertainers. 

Stage  -“College  Days”  was  the  name  of  the  big 
stage  act,  with  the  band  boys  dressed  in  summer 
collegiate  fashion  with  flannel  trousers  and 
striped  sport  coats.  The  setting  included  a white 
oilcloth  eye  draped  with  large  pennants  repre- 
senting the  various  colleges.  There  was  a border 
of  pennants  and  tw'o  pianos  were  covered  with 
college  colors.  Landry  and  his  band  opened  with 
“Collegiate”  and  then  Walter  Smith,  baritone, 
stepped  out  to  sing  “Sweetheart  of  Sigma  Chi.” 

With  Landry  serving  as  master  of  ceremonies, 
the  Mark  Strand  Girls,  twelve  in  number,  came 
next,  dressed  as  Freshies  for  a dance  to  the  tune 
of  “Flapperettes,”  Harry  Breuer  pounding  a mean 
xylophone  as  part  of  the  accompaniment  for  this 
dance. 

Fion  Van  Mar,  a featured  dancer,  c.ame  next, 
the  melody  for  her  dance  being  “Sometimes  I’m 
Happy.”  Then  came  a duet  by  Ruth  W’atson,  so- 
prano, and  Walter  Smith,  baritone,  “Put  Your 
Arms  Where  They  Belong.” 

The  Roundup  Four,  a young  men  quartette  of 
dance  and  songs,  then  came  forth  for  a dance 
called  “Creeiung”  and  the  act  closed  with  a foot- 
ball dance  by  the  Ensemble. 

Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  8 

As  Coue  would  say,  the  program  at  the  Metro- 
politan theatre  has  been  growing  better  and 
better,  hence  this  week’s  revue,  Andre  Chariot’s 
“The  Peddler,”  is  a masterpiece  and  quite  over- 
shadows the  rest  of  the  bill.  It  is  done  after 
the  fashion  of  the  Continental  ballets,  with  a 
rather  intricate  prologue  followed  by  dancing 
which  is  far  ahead  of  anything  of  that  character 
seen  in  Boston  recently.  It  is  staged  with  real 
genius  and  has  proven  the  best  drawing  card  for 
the  Publix  house  in  many  weeks. 

Gene  Rodemich,  in  his  offering,  provides  a 
group  of  comedy  dancers,  some  excellent  jazz 
and  a finale  which  surpasses  anything  in  its  com- 
pleteness which  his  members  have  ever  offered. 


GEORGE  DEWEY  WASHINGTON 

‘Uust  Songs” 

Now  Completing  a Second  Tour  of 
BALABAN  and  KATZ 

WHAT  PRESS  AND 
PUBLIC  THINK  OF 
THE  “ADMIRAL- 
PRESIDENT”— 
“ACE”,  Dramatic  Critic 
of  the  “Kansas  City 
Post”,  says:  — “When 
George  Dewey  Washing- 
ton sings  a song,  you 
have  heard  it  sung’’. 

Just  Terminated  a Successful  Two  Weeks  Engage- 
ment at  the  MAINSTREET  Theatre,  Kansas  City 

Soon  to  Repeat  ORIENTAL  Theatre  Chicago  for 
the  FOURTH  time  within  three  months 

Many  Thanks  to  PAUL  ASH 

Jimmie  WHITE  BROS.  Eddie 

Double  Dancing  DeLuxe 
**We  Dance  as  One” 

Now  Playing  De  Luxe 
Picture  Houses 
Direction— EZ  KEOUGH 


BUDDY  ^ Tremendous  Hit  at  All  Picture  Houses  JIMMY 

WILLIAMS  and  ROSS 

Funniest  Comedy  Dancing  Team  Playing  Presentations 

OTHERS  IMITATE— WE  ORIGINATE! 

Now  Playing  Deluxe  Picture  Houses. 

Th  is  Week  at  the 
LYCEUM  THEATRE,  DULUTH 
NOTE:  Have  You  Seen— VALE  & STEWART? 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


CHICAGO  NOW 


rpED  LEWIS  the  high-hatted  tragedian  of  jazz 
and  his  hand  is  here  making  his  first  ap- 
peaiance  at  the  Chicago  theatre  as  a presenta- 
tion star.  . . . Waring’s  Pennsylvanians  are  at 
the  Uptown  this  week  and  follow  Ted  Lewis  in 
the  Chicago  next  week  . . . give  the  theatre  time 
table  a once  over  this  week  and  note  all  the 
famous  names  and  favorites  that  appear  in  town 
...  to  top  it  off  even  the  circus  is  coming  in  to- 
wards the  end  of  this  week.  . . . Billy  Meyer, 
baritone  for  eight  months  at  the  Oriental  theatre 
here  is  now  stationed  at  the  Wisconsin  theatre 
doing  the  same  duties.  . . . Tony  Hillis  has  re- 
placed him  at  the  loop  house.  . . . Frank  A.  Till- 
man featured  organist  for  Loew’s  Columbia  at 
Washington,  sends  us  word  that  he  is  now  di- 
recting the  Madrillion  Trio.  . . . George  Boyce 
just  completed  a successful  engagement  at  the 
State,  Detroit.  . . . Genie  Wirick,  staff  singer  of 
the  Missouri  theatre  in  St.  Louis  was  married 
last  week  to  Artie  Lang  of  New  York  also  a 
singer.  . . . Herbert  Rawlinson  who  just  finished 
four  weeks  in  town  opens  next  week  as  master  of 
ceremonies  at  the  Ambassador  theatre  in  St. 
Louis  when  that  house  goes  into  a new  policy 
of  stagehand  shows.  . . . Abe  Olman  professional 
manager  of  Forster  Music  Company  took  a busi- 
ness trip  to  New  York  this  week,  . . . Billie 
Gerber  has  been  added  to  the  Krueger  unit  at 
the  Tivoli  this  week.  . . . Phil  Miller,  brother  of 
Ned.  the  local  song  writer  is  now  with  the  Spier 
and  Coslow  Music  Company.  . . . William 
Michalson,  manager  of  Ascher’s  Terminal  theatre 
is  acting  as  master  of  ceremonies  in  the  Diamond 
Ring  contest  finals  this  week.  . . . Novellc  Broth- 
ers now  playing  the  Allen  theatre  in  Cleveland 
open  in  “A  Musical  Cocktail”  for  a tour  of 
Publix  on  the  new  9 weeks  circuit  out  of  Chi- 
cago starting  July  23.  . . . Paul  Sporledcr  form- 
erly stagehand  leader  at  the  Grand  Central  thea- 
tre in  St.  Louis,  is  now  doing  the  same  thing 
for  Publix  at  the  Palace  theatre  in  Dallas.  . . . 
Milton  Charles,  B.  & K.  solo  oi’ganist,  started 
recording  for  Columbia  last  week.  . . . Sol  Dorf- 
man  and  Rosalyn  Tureck  winners  of  the  Herald- 
Examiner  Piano  Contest  are  appearing  in  the 
Marks  Brothers  theatres  as  a featured  act  with 
Benny  Meroff  and  Charles  Kaley.  . . . Paul  How- 
ard and  Jack  and  Kay  Spangler  work  in  the  same 
bill  this  week  with  Lang  and  Voelk,  who  are 
featured  with  Paul  Ash  at  the  Oriental.  . . . 
Charles  Calvert  is  the  featured  comic  in  “The 
Sports  Revue”  a Publix  unit  now  playing  the 
Uptown  theatre.  . . . Morris  Silver  general  book- 
ing manager  for  Balaban  and  Katz  is  routing  all 
acts  on  the  new  9 weeks  Publix  circuit  out  of 
Chicago.  . . . Bernard  Cowham  formerly  of 
Saxe’s  Tower  theatre  is  now  the  featured  organist 
at  their  new  Oriental  in  Milwaukee.  . . . Jack 
Martin  recently  of  the  Mojeska  replaced  Cow- 
ham at  the  Tower  and  Rubin  Scholz  formerly  of 
the  Strand  has  taken  Martin’s  place  at  the  Mojes- 
ka giving  Clarence  Each  formerly  assistant  at 
that  house  a chance  to  do  solo  work  at  the  Strand. 
. . . Murray  and  Alan  opened  with  “Steamboat 
syncopation”  this  week  in  Des  Moines  as  a Pub- 
lix stagehand  unit.  . . . Bennie  Krueger  is  now 
spending  a two  weeks  vacation  in  New  Jersey 
and  Frankie  Masterman  his  banjo-player  is  tak- 
ing his  place  until  he  returns.  . . . Glen  Welty 
has  been  made  assistant  to  Dave  Schooler  stage- 
band  leader  of  the  Wisconsin  theatre  in  Milwau- 
kee. . . . Clyde  Kerr  just  returned  from  a 30 
weeks  tour  of  combination  houses  as  leading 
man  for  Jimmy  Allard  and  Company.  . . . 
Charles  Irwin  is  still  mastering  ceremonies  at 
the  Capitol  theatre  in  Detroit. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed)... 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


5000  Players 
Now  Working 
in  200  Houses 

(Continued  from  Page  35) 

This  compiTomises  the  entire  production 
cost  in  producing  a weekly  stage  bandshow 
and  maintaining  a permanent  production 
staff  such  as  the  big  leagues  now  do.  With 
an  approximate  of  5,000  people  working  in 
over  200  de  luxe  picture  theatres  all  over 
the  country  today  a sum  of  over  $1,000,000 
is  paid  out  in  salaries  and  production  costs 
alone  each  week,  a sum  worthy  of  puttirig 
this  new  field  in  a standard  class  as  a big 
part  of  the  show  business  and  the  infant 
that  will  some  day  give  old  pop  vaudeville 
a terrible  run  for  its  money. 

The  above  data  and  items  do  not  cover 
the  number  of  small  picture  theatres  and 
neighborhood  houses  throughout  the  coun- 
try which  are  offering  this  form  of  enter- 
tainment as  their  part  of  the  new  policy. 
In  fact,  to  date  no  correct  figure  has  been 
set  itemizing  the  number  of  theatres  com- 
bining the  big  circuits  and  the  little  inde- 
pendent houses  using  stage  bandshows,  but 
it  is  assumed  that  they  apparently  number 
as  many  as  the  de  luxe  houses,  if  not  more. 

Another  point  of  a special  interest  is  the 
fact  that  presentation  acts  of  any_  calibre, 
even  those  which  served  as  opening  and 
closing  numbers  for  vaudeville  bills  of  a 
few  years  ago,  can  now  play  picture  houses 
as  a featured  act  at  twice  as  much  money 
for  as  less  combined  time  of  performing 
than  they  ever  expected  to  get  in  the 
vaudeville  field.  Not  alone  this  fact  but 
also  the  one  that  it  is  possible  for  them  to 
work  all  year  around,  thereby  eHminating 
the  summer  lay  off  that  the  majority  of 
vaudeville  acts  had  to  contend  with  before 
this  new  field  opened. 

Organist  is 

Inventor  of 
Scrimaphone 

(Continued  from  Page  35) 

This  new  form  of  organ  entertainment 
makes  it  possible  for  a number  of  the 
smaller  picture  theatres  throughout  the 
country  to  present  any  number  of  the 
famous  opera  voices  and  musical  cele- 
brities whose  offering  is  recorded  by 
various  companies  and  whose  services 
can  be  easily  obtained  by  a mere  pur- 
chase of  one  of  their  records.  The 
expense  of  installing  this  new  device  is 
next  to  little  as  the  machine  can  be 
secured  by  a special  arrangement  with 
the  Victor  people. 

The  scrimaphone  will  advance  the 
organ  to  such  as  extent  that  it  will  be 
possible  to  offer  delightful  playlets  and 
operatic  bits  without  illiminating  the 
use  of  artists  who  are  augmented  with 
the  presentation. 

The  first  scrimaphone  presentation 
took  place  this  week  at  the  Marbro 
theatre,  Chicago,  in  the  following  style: 
A film  trailer  announcing  Albert  F. 
Brown  in  a “Southern  Rhapsody”  as 
scrim  curtain  illuminated  showing  man 
singing  the  “Highways  Are  Happy 
Ways”  with  a cutback  on  the  other  end 
of  a small  cottage  on  top  of  hills  with 
lights  in  windows  as  from  an  amplifier 
the  voices  of  the  “Shannon  Quartette” 
emerged  singing  “Carry  Me  Back  to  Old 
Virginia”  and  “Songs  of  Dixie”  while 
Brown  occompanied  the  voices  on  the 
Wurlitzer  exactly  in  the  same  arrange- 
ment and  key  that  they  sang  without 
drowning  their  voices.  This  gradually 
faded  away  and  a cutback  of  the  same 
man  finishing  his  “Highway”  number  as 
lights  dissolved  and  curtain  came  down. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


A.  Carlos  Meier  (Chicago  Terminal)  put  on  a 
clever  and  novel  stunt  this  week,  called  ‘"The  One 
Man  Orchestra.”  Comedy  slides  served  to  intro- 
duce each  instrument  later  flashing  one  called 
‘"That’s  What  I Think  of  You.”  a new  number 
which  he  interprets  masterfully  on  the  Wurlitzer, 
in  a pleasing  manner  that  is  winning  him  many 
friends  in  this  house. 


Cornelius  Maffie  (Chicago  Admiral)  cued  a 
medley  of  RUssian  songs  for  the  musical  theme 
of  “The  Volga  Boatman,”  the  photoplay  offered 
at  this  house  this  week.  Maffie’s  fine  manipula- 
tion of  this  program  kept  the  interest  throughout 
the  picture. 


Preston  Sellers  (Chicago  Senate)  used  the  boy 
and  girl  idea  for  this  week’s  community  singing 
program.  “Me  and  My  Shadow,”  “When  Day  Is 
Done”  and  “Sundown”  were  the  songs  with  slides 
illustrating  lyrics  with  boys  snging  one  line  and 
girls  the  other.  At  this  performance  (Thursday 
evening)  the  stunt  stopped  the  show  while  half 
of  the  news  film  flashed  on  the  screen  compelling 
Sellers  to  play  an  encore  in  his  usual  snappy 
style. 


Edmund  C.  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan)  played 
the  “Light  Cavalry”  as  an  overture  this  week 
before  the  stage  show  went  on.  He  also  played 
an  original  musical  theme  for  “Captain  Salva- 
tion,” this  week’s  photoplay. 


Edward  K.  House  (Chicago  Granada)  offered 
a stunt  called  “Tit  for  Tat,”  using  the  prologue 
from  “Pagliacci”  to  which  he  sings  the  parody. 
The  idea  is  that  the  audience  sings  one  number 
and  then  he  sings  the  next  and  so  on  through 
the  program.  Some  of  the  songs  he  selected  were 
“Song  of  the  Wanderer,”  “Honolulu  Moon,”  “If 
You  See  Sally,”  “Sundown.”  “He’s  ’The  Last 
Word”  and  “Sam,  the  Old  Accordion  Man”  done 
in  fast  syncopation  time. 


Edward  Meikels  (Chicago  Harding)  presented  a 
“Circus  Week”  stunt  to  members  of  his  organ 
club  using  “'Red  Lips,”  “Me  and  My  Shadow,” 
“Sundown,”  and  “Four  Leaf  Clover.”  The  com- 
munity singing  here  is  a big  item,  in  fact  one 
of  the  reasons  why  they  attend  this  house  is  to 
be  able  to  sing  popular  numbers  to  the  clever 
interpretation  of  the  tunes  as  Meikels  injects. 
The  encore  this  time  was  the  “Whisper  Song.” 


Pease  Secures  Ideas 

Harold  T.  Pease,  concert  organist  at  the  Col- 
only  theatre,  Washington,  D.  C.,  just  returned  to 
his  console  after  a week’s  trip  to  New  York  where 
he  attended  shows  at  the  Paramount  and  Roxy 
theatres  to  obtain  new  angles  on  organ  solos. 


Try  This  Record 
on  Your  Box  Office 

Paul  Small  the  young  baritone  tenor 
who  sings  daily  at  the  Oriental  the- 
atre, Chicago,  probably  enjoys  the  ex- 
clusive honor  of  being  the  first  and 
only  artist  to  appear  in  one  theatre 
over  a year.  Before  joining  the  Ori- 
ental, Paul  spent  four  months  at  Mc- 
Vickers  in  a similar  capacity!  for 
Paul  Ash.  Last  week  he  renewed  an- 
other year’s  contract  for  Balaban  & 
Katz.  Since  appearing  in  Chicago 
Paul  Small  has  sung  over  10,000  per- 
formances or  nearly  250  popular 
songs  in  the  period  of  80  consecutive 
weeks,  a record  that  is  hard  to  beat. 
Paul  recently  became  a Columbia  art- 
ist. 


DAVID  GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 
BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


FLORENCE  VIDOR 

P 

JL  EOPLE  who  write  opinionated  columns 
about  motion  pictures  should  be  prohibited 
from  falling  in  love.  In  fact,  they  are.  But 
when  the  wife  of  such  a person  not  only  en- 
courages but  emphatically  insists  upon  the 
person  doing  so,  what  are  a few  prohibi- 
tions? And  so  I hereby  declare  myself 
deeply  in  love  with  Florence  Vidor  and 
proceed  into  raptures  anent  her  new  pic- 
ture, “The  World  at  Her  Feet,”  apparently 
tided  with  facts  rather  than  the  film  in  mind. 

This  new  picture  of  Miss  Vidor’s  is  a 
splendid  thing,  and  I speak  not  only  for 
myself  but  for  my  wife  and  several  others 
of  almost  equal  intelligence  and  discrimina- 
tion. (You  see,  I do  not  trust  my  own 
opinion.)  It  is  nothing  that  the  title  sug- 
gests, but  it  would  be  difficult  to  select  a 
title  that  would  suggest  it.  The  picture  con- 
cerns a lawyer,  his  lawyer  wife,  a doctor, 
his  wife,  and  a new  type  of  detective  who 
does  a lot  to  bring  the  story  within  limits 
of  popular  comprehension.  It  would  be 
called  a farce,  I suppose,  although  the  word 
has  been  badly  treated  for  application  in 
this  case. 

Besides  Miss  Vidor,  the  picture  has  Rich- 
ard Tucker  and  three  other  good  principals, 
not  to  mention  incidental  performers  who 
belong  in  the  full  sense  of  the  word.  The 
plot  has  to  do  with  divorce,  its  practical 
and  merely  entertaining  aspects,  and  there 
is  an  uncommon  nicety  about  the  working 
out  of  the  whole  thing.  Gregory  LaCava 
directed  it,  if  memory  serves,  and  they  can 
put  his  name  in  streamer  type  now  with 
my  full  endorsement.  I didn’t  know  he 
could  do  it. 

But  I could  write  all  morning  (and  it  is 
morning)  about  this  or  any  picture  in  wliich 
Miss  Vidor  appears.  The  important  thing 
about  this  one  of  her  vehicles  is  that  it’s 
worthy  of  her.  That  makes  it  practically 
perfect. 

SYNTHETIC  WAR  STUFF 

T 

J.  HOSE  people  out  in  Hollywood  are 
getting  smarter.  There  is  evidence  of  bril- 
liance in  the  case  of  “Rookies,”  a type  of 
brilliance  which — in  abundant  supply — 
would  save  the  economy  situation  by  re- 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

moving  the  cause.  Here  is  a war  comedy 
in  everything  except  fact,  a happy  idea  of 
placing  it  in  a citizens’  training  camp  seg- 
regating it  from  all  other  war  comedies  and 
making  it  an  independent  knockout.  Per- 
haps it  would  be  that  latter  anyway,  but 
there’s  no  doubt  about  it  as  is. 

Karl  Dane  and  George  K.  Arthur  are  the 
Beery  and  Hatton  of  this  one,  neither  Dane 
nor  Arthur  recalling  Beery  or  Hatton  in 
any  way.  The  great  Dane  is  bigger,  busier 
and  brighter  in  this  than  in  anything  that’s 
preceded  it.  The  artful  Arthur  is  swifter, 
smoother  and  surer  than  in  any  of  his  very 
good  previous  efforts.  And  the  captions  are 
good  and  the  gags  are  fresh  and  it’s  a howl 
of  a picture  from  beginning  to  end  and  the 
sedate  patrons  of  the  Chicago  theatre  rolled 
on  the  floor  and  screamed  at  intervals  dur- 
ing its  unveilment. 

No  account  of  the  picture  can  he  con- 
sidered complete,  however,  without  men- 
tion of  the  balloon  and  parachute  stuff  at 
the  finish.  Endless  patience  and  not  a little 
daring  are  wholly  evident  in  the  positive 
print.  Thrills  produced  are  genuine,  pro- 
ducing the  requisite  heartleap  in  spite  of 
their  pseudocomic  aspect.  The  same  foot- 
age might  have  sustained  a seething  melo- 
drama of  Lindbergh  lane.  It  represents  the 
fiction  factory  at  its  best. 

DOUG  ARRIVES 

i Douglas  hodges,  for  long  a desk 

neighbor  and  forever  a highly  respected 
opinion,  has  arrived  in  Hollywood  and  has 
found  time  to  write  a letter.  The  achieve- 
ment of  arrival  is  not  extraordinary  in  it- 
self, but  I have  never  been  able  to  figure 
out  how  people  who  reside  there  find  time — 
or  provocation — for  writing  letters.  I can’t 
even  get  letters  written  in  Chicago. 

However,  the  first  letter  from  Mr.  Hodges 
concerns  a picture  he  has  seen  and  I turn 
it  over  to  you  herewith: 

“After  Midnight”  could  be  (from  its  title) 
a stirring  melodrama  of  dope  and  dawn.  It 
is  a story  having  something  to  do  with  dawn 
and  drinking  but  is  neither  a thriller  nor  a 
metier. 


It’s  a good  show  to  see.  It’s  a piece  of 
good  work  for  Norma  Shearer. 

Norma’s  work  is  given  relief  by  the  com- 
edy work  of  Gwen  Lee  and  is  straighter 
drama  than  other  vehicles  have  provided 
her.  However,  .she  gets  into  the  fun  during 
the  supper  party  sequence. 

I saw  the  picture  at  its  preview  at  the 
Westlake,  where  the  director  and  cast 
watched  it  for  the  first  time  with  an  audi- 
ence. Since  then  it  is  possible  that  Mr. 
Monta  Bell  has  returned  the  film  to  the 
studios  and  jazzed  it  up  with  comedy  touches 
and  action.  If  he  hasn’t  done  that  it  is  to 
be  hoped  he  will. 

One-thousand-dollar  liberty  bonds  have 
quite  a part  in  the  story.  The  younger  sis- 
ter proves  the  moral  by  working  steadily 
for  two  to  20  years  to  buy  her  liberty  bond 
while  the  older  sister  spends  consistently, 
parties  consistently  and  breaks  even  by  re- 
ceiving a liberty  bond  as  a favor  at  a 
wealthy  bachelor’s  dinner  party. 

But  she  keeps  it  only  a short  time  when 
she  is  killed  in  an  accident  with  the  result 
that  Miss  Shearer  ivinds  up  the  picture  with 
both  liberty  bonds,  having  inherited  one  of 
them. 

DOUGLAS  HODGES. 
GOOD  W ORK,  BOBBY 

A 

X\.T  one  of  the  theatres  last  week  I saw  a 
comedy  in  which  Bobby  Vernon  renewed 
his  unwritten  contract  to  supply  me  with 
occasional  laughter  throughout  our  respec- 
tive lives.  I do  not,  I blush  to  admit,  re- 
member the  name  of  the  thing,  but  it  was 
the  one  about  the  desperado  named  Bull 
(and  Bull  was  in  the  title)  whom  nobody 
save  Bobby  seems  able  to  restrain. 

What  Bobby  does  with  this  idea  is  plenty. 
He  is  all  over  the  place,  in  and  out  of  ap- 
parently fatal  situations,  and  he’s  as  funny 
out  of  them  as  in  them.  Bobby  has  always 
been  very  funny  to  me,  and  I’ve  been  look- 
ing at  his  stuff  at  least  a dozen  years. 

Against  the  possibility  that  time  may 
stiffen  those  apparently  eternally  youthful 
joints  of  his,  I suggest  advance  manufacture 
of  innumerable  two-reelers  (perhaps  period 
things,  which  nobody  has  done  properly)  to 
be  issued  at  intervals  throughout  the  coming 
century. 


44 


EXHIBH'ORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


THE  FILM  MART 


With  Which  Is  Incorporated  “New  Pictures” 


Withdrawal  of  Mary  Philbin  in  “Viennese  Lovers” 
from  the  schedule  of  summer  releases  and  the  substitution 
of  “Painting  the  Town”  is  announced  by  Universal.  The 
comedy,  in  which  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  and  Glenn  Tryon 
have  the  leading  roles,  will  be  available  to  the  general 
exhibitor  August  7,  with  pre-release  bookings  being  enter- 
tained. It  has  already  been  signed  for  a July  date  at  the 
Roxy,  New  York.  The  reason  given  for  the  change  is 
that  the  comedy,  which  depicts  the  adventures  of  a “hick” 
inventor  just  come  to  New  York,  seems  more  suitable  to 
hot  weather  programs  than  the  Philbin  vehicle. 

The  week’s  reports  also  bring  the  announcement  of  a 
new  picture  exploiting,  for  the  purpose  of  entertainment, 
a branch  of  the  PTnited  States  fighting  forces.  DeMille  is 


to  make  “The  West  Pointer.”  Donald  Crisp  will  direct 
the  production,  and  William  Boyd  will  have  the  lead.  A 
DeMille  company  is  expected  to  invade  West  Point  within 
a week  or  two  for  the  first  sequences.  The  story,  it  is 
said,  has  the  official  approval  of  the  War  department. 
Two  army  officers  wrote  it. 

New  bookings  for  Columbia’s  “The  Clown”  which  fea- 
tures Johnnie  Walker  and  Dorothy  Revier,  included  the 
first-run  Capitol,  Chicago,  for  next  week,  while  this  pic- 
ture is  also  included  in  a group  of  eight  Columbias  booked 
by  the  first-run  Hippodrome,  Baltimore.  The  other  seven 
are  “Poor  Girls,”  “Rich  Men’s  Sons,”  “Birds  of  Prey,” 
“The  Romantic  Age,”  “Paying  the  Price,”  “Pleasure 
Before  Business,”  and  “The  Kid  Sister.” 


Fox  Names  August  28 
for  ‘^What  Price  Glory” 

Fox  has  decided  to  move  up  the  release 
date  of  the  war  Special,  “What  Price 
Glory,”  to  August  28,  according  to  an  an- 
nouncement of  General  Sales  Manager 
James  R.  Grainger.  The  date  for  this  pic- 
ture, which  has  been  playing  the  larger 
cities  on  extended  runs  for  the  past  six 
or  seven  months,  was  originally  in  Sep- 
tember. Demand  for  the  tragi-comedy, 
which  is  based  on  the  decidedly  and  de- 
servedly successful  stage  play  of  the  same 
title,  was  so  great,  according  to  Grainger, 
that  the  earlier  release  date  was  chosen. 

Included  in  the  August  releases 
are  “Paid  to  Love,”  starring  George 
O’Brien;  and  “Singed,”  in  which 
Blanche  Sweet,  a favorite  of  long 
standing,  makes  her  debut  as  a Fox 
star.  The  other  August  Fox  releases 
will  be  two  Westerns,  “Chain  Light- 
ning,” starring  Buck  Jones;  and 
“Tumbling  River,”  a Tom  Mix,  to 
use  the  parlance  of  the  exhibitor. 
Another  Fox  may  be  released  in  August 
— the  adaptation  of  the  Merimee  classic, 
“Carmen,”  which  is  known  everywhere  as 
one  of  the  few  sure-fire  operas.  Fox  has 
decided  to  release  this  production  under 
the  title  “Loves  of  Carmen,”  and  although 
the  date  has  not  beerv  decided  definiteb% 
exhibitors  may  be  able  to  get  this  picture 
on  August  14. 

Eight  Paramount 
Casts  on  Location 

Eight  of  the  ten  Paramount  companies 
now  working  are  on  location,  a situation 
not  without  precedent  but  significant.  It 
means  a preponderance  of  product  dis- 
tinctly of  the  outdoors  and  requiring  much 
“local  color.” 

The  two  “drawing  room”  productions 
now  at  the  studios  are  Adolphe  Menjou’s 
“A  Gentleman  of  Paris”  and  Florence 
Vidor’s  “A  Celebrated  Woman.” 

As  for  the  others,  Clara  Bow  and  her 
cohorts  are  working  in  scenes  for  “Hula” 
at  the  seashore ; the  “Beau  Sabreur”  com- 
pany is  at  Guadalupe;  Pola  Negri  and  aids 
are  in  the  California  citrus  belt;  and  the 
“Tell  It  to  Sweeney”  cast,  headed  by  Ches- 
ter Conklin  and  George  Bancroft,  is  work- 


ing at  the  Lasky  ranch.  The  other  com- 
panies are  similarly  distributed  over  the 
diversified  Western  landscape. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  new  year’s  pic- 
tures from  all  producers  will  be  similarly 
partial  to  action  in  the  Great  Outdoors. 
And  if  that  reflects  the  youthful  vigor  and 
athleticism  of  today’s  American  life,  as  I 
think  it  does,  then  new  profits  are  in  the 
shadows  for  the  exhibitor. 

FBO’s  ‘^Harvester” 

Company  at  Studios 

Director  J.  Leo  Meehan’s  company, 
which  has  been  filming  exteriors  for  “The 
Harvester”  at  the  original  locale  in  Indiana, 
has  returned  to  Hollywood  to  begin  shoot- 
ing the  interiors.  It  is  expected  that  this 
production,  in  which  Natalie  Kingston  and 
Orville  Caldwell  have  the  leading  roles, 
will  be  ready  for  cutting  and  editing  with- 
in ten  days. 

Inasmuch  as  Meehan  directed  this 
adaptation  of  the  famous  Gene- 
Stratton  Porter  story  and  also  be- 
cause I’ve  been  reading  enormous 
quantities  of  publicity  about  it,  I 
am  a bit  eager  for  the  first  show- 
ings. I expect  a great  deal — per- 
haps more  than  I’ll  get.  But  it  was 
Meehan  who  made  “Keeper  of  the 
Bees,”  and  with  the  material  in 
“The  Harvester”  at  his  command, 
he  should  be  able  to  produce  some- 
thing outstanding. 

While  “The  Harvester”  is  progressing 
nicely,  two  other  pictures  have  received  set- 
backs through  accidents.  Bob  Steele,  in- 
jured during  a fight  for  “The  Mojave  Kid,” 
is  still  in  the  hospital,  necessitating  post- 
ponement of  future  scenes  and  the  starting 
date  for  his  next  production,  “The  Bandit’s 
Son.”  And  Ralph  Ince  has  had  to  with- 
draw from  “South  Sea  Love”  because  of  a 
sprained  ankle. 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  JULY  17 

“Two-Gun  Of  the  Tumbleweed” Maloney — Pathe 

WEEK  OF  JULY  24 
“Quicksands''’'^Paramount— -1593 
“Galloping  Thunder"— F.  B.  O.— five 


Gotham  Starts  on 
1927-28  Program 

The  last  of  Gotham’s  1926-27  progam, 
“The  Woman  Who  Did  Not  Care,”  has 
gone  to  the  cutting  room,  while  the  first 
1927-28  picture,  “The  Rose  of  Kildare,” 
starring  Helen  Chadwick,  is  in  its  second 
week  of  production,  with  the  second,  Car- 
mel Myers’  “The  Girl  from  Rio,”  just  be- 
gun. 

Of  last  year’s  program,  several 
productions  incomplete  a week  or 
two  ago  are  now  being  prepared  for 
release.  Although  Mrs.  Wallace 
Reid’s  “The  Satin  Woman,”  is  not 
due  for  release  until  next  month, 
all  prints  and  accessories  are  being 
shipped  now  to  all  Gotham  ex- 
changes. “The  Down  Grade”  is  the 
next  to  be  prepared  for  release, 
while  “The  Silent  Avenger,”  ex- 
ploiting the  dog  player.  Thunder, 
will  follow. 

As  to  Mrs.  Reid’s  “The  Satin  Woman,” 
President  Sam  Sax  still  plans  to  have  her 
appear  personally  with  the  picture  in  all 
the  key  city  showings. 

Tiffany’s  “College 
Days”  Gets  Boost 

One  of  the  more  prominent  Tiffany 
productions  of  this  year  received  extra- 
ordinary praise  recently,  when  it  played  at 
the  Ritz  theatre  in  Birmingham.  The  Bet- 
ter Film  Committee  of  that  city,  after 
officially  attending  one  of  the  showings, 
made  a statement  endorsing  the  production. 

This  picture  was  directed  by  Richard 
Thorpe,  and  the  cast,  which  is  headed  by 
Marceline  Day  and  James  Harrison,  in- 
cludes Charles  Delaney,  Duane  Thompson, 
Kathleen  Key  and  others. 

.Another  Tiffany  picture  showing  at  the 
Hippodrome  in  Oakland,  Cal.,  made  con- 
siderable local  stir  with  the  aid  of  an 
interesting  exploitation  stunt.  The  picture 
being  “Redheads  Preferred,”  the  theatre 
admitted  all  red-headed  girls  free,  thus 
giving  all  the  bystanders  a good  time  and 
breaking  into  the  news  columns  of  the 
papers. 

(And  so  far  as  I am  concerned,  red- 
heads are  preferred — and  if  that  makes  me 
no  gentleman,  so  be  it!) 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


Seven  Warner 
Films  Near  Finish 

Seven  productions  are  nearing  TOmpIe- 
tion  at  the  Warner  Brothers  studios,  in- 
cluding the  Vitaphonic  picture,  “The  Jazz 
Singer,”  which,  though  recently  inter- 
rupted by  the  absence  of  Director  Alan 
Crosland,  is  now  progressing  smoothly. 

Filming  of  Monte  Blue’s  next 
starring  picture,  ’’The  Bush 
Leaguer,”  was  completed  last  week, 
the  Elm  now  being  in  the  cutting 
room.  He  is  to  start  almost  im- 
mediately on  “One  Round  Hogan,” 
in  which  James  J.  Jeffries  will  have 
a role.  With  the  exteriors  com- 
pleted, the  interiors  are  now  being 
shot  for  “The  Outpost,”  in  which 
Irene  Rich  is  to  be  starred.  Among 
the  others  soon  to  be  entirely 
filmed  are  “Ham  and  Eggs,”  with 
Louise  Fazenda;  “Jaws  of  Steel,” 
featuring  Rin-Tin-Tin ; and  “Slight- 
ly Used,”  starring  May  McAvoy. 
Rin-Tin-Tin’s  next  production,  now 
called  “A  Dog  of  the  Regiment,”  is  already 
in  the  hands  of  the  scenarists,  as  is  Irene 
Rich’s  next  picture,  “Beware  of  Married 
Men.”  Nor  will  Louise  Fazenda  and  May 
McAvoy  have  much  of  a rest  between  pro- 
ductions. The  former’s  “A  Sailor’s  Sweet- 
heart,” and  the  latter’s  “Rebecca  O’Brien” 
are  alx)ut  ready  for  the  cameras. 

M-G-M’s  ‘‘Callahans” 
at  New  York  Capitol 

The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys,  with 
their  kids,  large  and  small,  and  other 
trials  and  tribulations,  were  at  the  New 
York  Capitol  the  past  week  and  according 
to  the  reports  of  the  earlier  showings,  the 
Irish  registered  very  well. 

The  story  of  “The  Callahans  and 
the  Murphys”  was  taken  from  a 
novel  by  Kathleen  Norris,  who,  of 
course,  knows  her  shillalah.  And 
for  the  leading  masculine  role, 
Metro  - Goldwyn  - Mayer  borrowed 
Lawrence  Gray  from  Paramount. 
Sally  O’Neil  has  the  feminine  lead, 
while  the  cast  also  includes  such 
past-mistresses  of  screen  comedy 
technique  as  Marie  Dressier  and 
Polly  Moran.  (Sure’n  I bet  yez 
’tis  a good  show!) 

Activities  at  the  M-G-M  studios  are 
much  the  same  as  I reported  to  you  last 
week,  that  is,  the  same  pictures  mentioned 
then  are  progressing  toward  completion  in 
the  same  old  way. 

There  is  news,  however,  in  the  an- 
nouncement of  the  acquisition  of  Virginia 
Sales,  the  sister  of  the  celebrated  “Chick” 
Sales  of  vaudeville  and  musical  comedy 
fame.  She  has  been  in  the  variety  shows 
for  some  time  and  has  plenty  of  farcical 
talent.  Hal  Roach  will  use  her. 

First  National  Gets 
Important  Bookings 

Four  recent  First  National  productions 
have  been  booked  for  important  showings 
during  the  next  month  or  two.  Ned 
Depinet,  general  sales  manager,  announces 
that  the  Loew  circuit  in  the  New  York 
City  district  will  show  “The  Tender  Hour” 
in  all  its  more  important  houses,  begin- 
ning July  25,  at  the  State  in  Manhattan. 
This  circuit  has  also  booked  Constance 
Talmadge  in  “Venus  of  Venice,”  to  play 
in  the  major  theatres.  This  picture  played 
two  weeks  ago  at  Loew’s  State. 

The  U.  B.  O.  circuit  in  Greater  New 
York  has  signed  for  showings  over  its 
entire  loop  of  Robert  Kane’s  “Broadway 
Nights,”  which  began  this  week,  and  Col- 
leen Moore  in  “Naughty  But  Nice,”  which 
will  start  on  the  circuit  July  25. 


HE  ART  of  the  Armourer  was  highly 
perfected  during  the  Middle  Ages. 
The  Art  of  superior  film  printing 
has  been  perfected  by  the  Consolidated. 
Science  and  revolutionary  methods  ex- 
clusively in  our  laboratories  reproduce 
the  artistry  of  your  productions  with 
amazing  accuracy. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


IN  COLUMBIA’S  ‘‘BLOOD  SHIP” 


Fred  Kohler,  Jacqueline  Logan  and  Richard  Arlen 


Hohart  Bosworth,  Walter  James 


Walter  Janies  and  Jacqueline  Logan 


Miss  Logan,  Fred  Kohler 


Miss  Logan,  Arlen,  Bosworth  and  James 


^Wood  Ship^^  Set 
into  Roxy  July  16; 
Columbians  First 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12. — Columbia’s  “The 
Blood  Ship’’  will  open  at  the  Roxy  theatre 
Sunday,  giving  the  new  product  of  the 
company  a sendoff  by  the  screening  of  its 
first  picture  in  the  largest  theatre  in  the 
country. 

An  elaborate  presentation  is  planned  by 
S.  L.  Rothafel  for  the  picture,  which  was 
booked  only  three  weeks  ago. 

“The  success  of  ‘The  Blood  Ship,’  ’’  said 
President  Joe  Brandt  of  Columbia,  “proves 
what  I have  always  maintained — that  a pic- 
ture and  a company  stands  on  its  own  mer- 
its immaterial  of  trademark  prestige.  What 
counts  is  the  ‘brain  power’  behind  the  or- 
ganization, and  no  one  in  the  industry  can 
monopolize  ‘production  brains.’  ’’ 

Hobart  Bosworth,  Jacqueline  Logan  and 
Richard  Arlen  are  featured  in  the  produc- 
tion, which  was  directed  by  George  B.  Seitz. 

From  the  West  Coast  it  is  reported  that 
Ricardo  Cortez,  just  signed  by  Harry  Cohn, 
has  given  up  a European  trip  with  his  wife, 
Alma  Rubens,  to  start  on  “By  His  Hand.’’ 

British  Producers  Plan 
Co-operative  Action  in 
Picture  Manufacturing 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON,  July  12.— The  Film  Manufac- 
turing Group  of  the  Federation  of  Brit- 
ish Industries,  which  comprises  practically 
the  whole  of  the  film  producing  resources 
of  this  country,  is  considering  a scheme 
for  co-operative  action  among  British  pro- 
ducers. This  scheme  involves  the  train- 
ing of  directors,  artists  and  technicians; 
the  mutual  interchange  of  staff,  properties, 
sets,  etc.,  and  the  establishment  of  a cen- 
tral library  for  tests. 

Several  other  suggestions  are  being  con- 
sidered, including  that  of  the  maintenance 
of  a central  store  to  which  firms  may  send 
their  surplus  material  and  where  it  may  be 
catalogued  under  the  names  of  the  owners, 
other  firms  arranging  for  the  hire  or  pur- 
chase of  any  item  or  items. 

* * * 

A new  British  producing  company 
formed  this  week  is  British  Dominions 
Films,  Ltd.  With  a nominal  capital  of 
£55,000,  it  includes  on  its  directorate  Nel- 
son Keys,  Herbert  Wilcox  and  Chas.  Wil- 
cox. 

* * * 

Arthur  Maude,  the  British  director,  who 
last  year  won  the  Riesenfeld  medal  for 
his  picture,  “The  Vision,’’  has  returned  to 
this  country  after  nine  years  in  Hollywood. 
He  has  just  commenced  making  the  Brit- 
ish International  film,  “Poppies  of  Flan- 
ders,’’ based  on  one  of  the  Sapper  stories. 

S chines  Hold  District 
Meetings  for  Managers 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

GLOVERSVILLE,  N.  Y.,  July  12.— 
Three  district  conventions  for  managers 
were  held  by  Schine  Brothers,  operators  of 
over  100  theatres  in  this  state,  the  first  in 
Buffalo  June  27,  the  second  in  Syracuse 
June  28,  the  third  in  Utica  June  29. 

Home  office  officials  attending  the  meet- 
ings were  J.  Meyer  Schine,  Louis  W. 
Schine,  J.  A.  Carrier,  and  Max  Milder. 
Harry  E.  Long  and  C.  C.  Young,  supervis- 
ors, and  Albert  P.  Kaufman  and  Buddy 
Hooton,  promotion  men,  also  attended. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


THE  THEATRE 

O^AjDepartment  of  Practical  Showmanship 


More  Timely  Copy 
for  the  House  Organ 

And  Two  Exhibitors  Present 
Unique  Types  of  Programs 


It  has  not  been  particularly  g-ood  for  the  average 
person  that  the  word  education  has  come  to  mean 
chiefly  the  information  one  gets  in  a room  with  black- 
boards on  the  walls.  Education  means,  obviously,  the 
acquisition  of  knowledge.  But  with  the  growth  of 
public  instruction  and  universities,  the  person  who  has 
not  had  considerable  communion  with  these  formal 
bureaus  of  information,  is  said  to  be  uneducated. 
Indeed,  today  it  is  not  an  uncommon  belief  that  a 
person  who  does  not  have  a college  diploma  is  very 
like  something  we  slangy  Americans  call  a dumb-bell. 

It  is  not  true,  of  course — never  has  been.  No  uni- 
versity can  give  what  living  life  can  give. 

The  trouble,  perhaps,  was  that  the  average  person 
did  not  look  upon  Life  beyond  his  own  fundamental 
contact  with  it — and  the  average  person’s  life  was  con- 
fined, localized,  narrow.  It  was  narrow.  But  now  the 
cheap  newspaper,  the  comparatively  inexpensive  magazine 
and  book,  and  the  motion  picture  can  bring  to  everyone. 
Life  in  every  cranny  of  the  world. 

But  it  is  the  motion  picture  only  which  is  visual.  And 
when  one  sees,  one  knows ! That  has  been  the  great 
revolution  in  education  today.  The  eye  has  been  given 
the  power  to  see  Life  everywhere.  Schools  themselves 
have  been  forced,  by  their  own  logic  to  adopt  visual  educa- 
tion. Because  when  one  sees,  one  knows. 

And  so  the  word  education  will  soon  return  to  its 
original  meaning.  Schools  there  will  be — greater  ones 
than  we  now  have.  And  they  will  use,  instead  of  sleep- 
producing  lecturers,  the  all-life-revealing  projection  ma- 
chine. Perhaps  they  then  will  not  be  so  very  different 
from  the  motion  picture  theatre,  which  even  today  makes 
true  education — the  study  of  Life — accessible  to  all  who 
would  learn. 

* * * 

How  would  you  like  to  have  this  theatre  run  a “kick” 
department  in  these  pages?  It  is  an  idea  that  has  been 
considered  for  some  time,  and  now  we  are  ready  to  act 
according  to  the  advice  of  our  patrons.  It  is  not  that 
we  enjoy  receiving  “kicks.”  But  the  knowledge  of  what 
our  patrons  have  not  liked,  is  just  as  important,  if  not 
so  pleasant,  as  that  of  the  things  that  pleased  them.  Cer- 
tainly the  “kicks”  should  prove  important  also  to  those 
who  send  them,  inasmuch  as  this  theatre  shall  make 
every  effort  to  act  upon  them.  If  enough  patrons  write 
in  asking  for  this  department,  it  shall  be  inserted.  Send 


Models. 

Just  as  a Johnson  Motor  revolut- 
ionised the  design  and  perform- 
ance of  outboard  motors  five 
years  ago-  today  the  announcement 
of  three  new  Johnson  Tv/in  Motors 
sets  a hew  standard  of  power  smo- 
othnees, . ,a, hew  measure  of  motor 
ef  f Icienciy. . .a'  new  degree  of 
riding  comfort, 

DakStvap  ' dohxrsoaCo. 

Richfield. ..,Utah. 

•T7e  kTB  The  Sportsmen’s  Friend” 

SondeKy-  Dune  19 

CORRIiniE 

GRIFFITH  TK 

Most  Brllliar.t|jl^  -and 

Role-Told  In  . U UrA':  "FELIX 

The  Blaek  D!  SIIEKS 

laghte-The  T ’ kf  SOLITUDE" 

Red  Days  Of 

SPECIAL  IIUSICAL  tlUMBERS  — 

Vocal  and  Instrumental 

Regular  Prices  Of  Admission, 

Two  unique  and  effective  pages  from  one  of  the  programs 
of  A.  L.  Stallings’  Kinema  theatre,  Richfield,  Utah.  The 
Kinema  programs  are  done  entirely  in  mimeograph. 

in  your  opinion — today.  And  if  you  have  any  ideas  as  to 
what  the  department  should  be  called,  send  them  along, 
too. 

4^  4^ 

What  was  the  most  interesting — or  most  thrilling — or 
weirdest — or  most  comical  moment  you  ever  experienced 
in  a motion  picture  theatre  ? I’his  theatre  would  like  to 
know  and  asks  for  letters  relating  such  experiences.  They 
vdll  be  printed  in  these  pages  as  soon  as  enough  letters  are 
received  to  make  the  department  practicable — printed  for 
the  entertainment  of  all  who  read  this  publication.  The 
experience  need  not  have  been  in  this  theatre,  and  it  need 
not  have  been  on  the  screen.  Both  real  life  and  reel  life 
are  included  in  the  scope  of  this  proposed  department, 
which,  we  believe,  our  patrons  can  make  very  interesting. 
Have  you  a little  experience — as  described  above — in  your 
life?  Send  it  in.  We  believe  our  readers  would  like  to 
know  about  it. 

* * * 

The  old-fashioned  motion  picture  theatre,  with  its  num- 
berless aggravating  slides  saying  “Intermission,”  “One 
Moment  Please,”  “Ladies  Kindly  Remove  Their  Hats,” 
and  so  on,  has  passed.  Progress  wiped  them  out — and 
with  them,  the  slide  saying  “Your  Silence  Is  Requested 
During  the  Performance.”  There  is  no  intermission  any- 
more and  ladies  have  learned  to  remove  their  hats.  But 
sometimes  the  management  of  this  theatre  wishes  it  could 
have  back  the  old  slide  about  silence  during  the  perform- 
ance. The  talking-to-one’s-neighbor  habit  still  persists 
and  there  is  nothing  more  annoying  to  the  attentive 
patrons.  Sometimes  it  is  only  whispering.  But  isn’t  that 
almost  as  obnoxious?  Yes,  the  old  slide  is  gone  from 
the  screen.  But  common  politeness  ought  to  keep  it  still 
in  our  minds. 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


The  House  Organ  Exchange 
Is  Yours — Have  you  Joined? 

Here  is  the  complete  up-to-date  list  of  the  members 
of  the  House  Organ  Exchange.  There  are  67  names — 
a goodly  number.  But  perhaps  there  ought  to  be  more. 
If  your  name  is  not  in  this  list,  join  now.  For  your 
convenience — though  a letter  is  always  more  accept- 
able— a membership  blank  is  at  the  bottom  of  the 
page. 

BAIR,  E.  E.,  Falls  theatre,  Cuyahoga  Falls,  O. 

BARR,  MAURICE  F.,  Saenger’s  New  Orleans  Theatres, 
1401  Tulane  Ave. 

BLAIR,  M.  J.,  iSt.  Francis  theatre,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 
BENDER,  A.  R.,  ORmpia,  Cleveland,  Okla. 

BENTLEY,  FLOYD  E.,  Kelso  Amusement  Co.,  Kelso, 
Wash. 

BROWNELL,  OS.SIE,  Carthage  theatres,  Gloversville, 

N.  Y. 

BROWNING,  HARRY,  Ol3mipia,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
BUBERT,  E.  H.,  Metropolitan,  Morgantown,  W.  Va. 
BURNS,  FRANK  H.,  Orlando  Enterprises,  Orlando,  Fla. 
CHRISTENSEN,  C.  R.,  Twin  City,  Chehalis,  Wash. 
COX,  ED.  F.,  Princess,  Bristol,  Colo. 

DALEY,  THOMAS  S.,  Schine  Amusement  Co.,  Glovers- 
ville, N.  Y. 

DUREAU,  G.  J.,  Saenger  Theatres,  1401  Tulane  Ave., 
New  Orleans,  La. 

EATON,  JACK,  The  Legion  theatre,  Alamosa,  Colo. 
EVELAND,  EARLE,  Twin  City  Opera  House,  McCon- 
nelsville,  O. 

FAWKS,  E.  L.,  Photo  Phone,  Graford,  Tex. 

FISHER,  ELDRID,  Gem  theatre,  Pineville,  Kv. 
GARDN^ER,  HUGH  T.,  Orpheum,  Neosho,  Mo. 
GAULT,  J.  C.,  American,  Oakland,  Cal. 

GILL,  R.  A.,  Strand,  Honey  Grove,  Tex. 

GLASER,  WILL  J.,  Grand,  Faribault,  Minn. 
HAMBURGER,  F.  M.,  Circle,  Portland,  Ore. 

HARLEY,  ALONZA,  Valentine,  Defiance,  Ohio. 
HEDGES,  HARRY  H.,  Rugby,  820  Utica  Ave., 
Brooklyn. 

JUDD,  FORREST  E.,  Prospect,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
'KOBLEN,  M.,  Scout,  Oakdale,  La. 

KRAMER,  LOUIS  P.,  Lubliner  & Trinz  Theatres,  Inc., 
307  North  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

LITTLE,  T.  L.,  Majestic,  Camden,  S.  C. 

LUKACHIE,  A.  J.,  Hauber,  Camden,  Ark. 

LUTZ,  LOUIS,  Fischer’s  Fond  du  Lac.  Fond  du  Lac, 
Wis. 

MAC  LEOD,  M.,  Wolverine,  Saginaw,  Mich. 

MASSEY,  EARL  D.,  Texas,  Killeen,  Tex. 

IMEREDITH,  G.  J.,  Saenger  Theatres,  1401  Tulane  Ave., 
New  Orleans,  La. 

MILLER,  CARL  F.,  Miller  theatre,  Fremont,  Ohio. 
MOCK,  CARL  F.,  56th  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

MOSS,  EDGAR  A.,  Marion  Theatre  News,  Glass  Block, 
Marion,  Ind. 

MULLER,  BENJAMIN,  California  theatre,  Santa  Rosa, 
Cal. 

MURPHY,  HAROLD  S.,  Woodlawn,  Chicago. 
NICHOLS,  DON,  Durham  Amusement  Company,  Dur- 
ham, N.  C. 

O’ROURKE,  JACK,  Laurel,  Laurel  Springs,  N.  J. 
OLSON,  H.  G.,  Majestic  theatre,  Reedsburg,  Wis. 
OSTENBERG,  J.  H.,  Orpheum,  Scottsbluff,  Neb. 
PAYNE,  EARLE  HALL,  Kentucky,  Lexington,  Ky. 
PESKY,  EDWARD  J.,  Sun  Amusement  Co.,  St.  Joseph, 
Mo. 

PIERCE,  HOWARD  O.,  Kunsky  Theatrical  Ent., 
Detroit,  Mich. 

POPE,  CLEM,  T.  & D.,  Oakland,  Cal. 

RANDALL,  E.  H.,  Liberty,  Condon,  Ore. 

RIVERS,  EDWIN  B.,  1718  South  Main  Street,  Royal 
theatre,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


Satur  "'.ay  I Amufiu 

3 30T01IP.  M.  1 <0nlinn  PirturPB 

CONTINUOUS  I WALKER.  Prop,  aod  Manager  Phone  3 Statesboro  Ga. 

I The  Home  of  High  Class  Photo  Plays 

Program  Through  Week  of  July  5th  to  11th,  1927 


WEDNESDAY 


MF-TKO-GObDWYN-MAVKR  Presents  I>on  Chaney.  Lois  Moran,  Owen  Moore.  Henry 
B-  Walthall  and  Rose  Langdon  (Melodram.a)  in 

"THE  ROAD  TO  MANDALAY” 

Written  and  directed  by  Tod  Browning.  Lon  Chaney,  the  man  with  a thousand  faces,  n 
brings  llie  greatest  of  bis  amazing  characterizations  to  the  -screen.  Lon  Chaney  goes  now 
the  tlirobbing  orient  for  his  greatest  film — and  wliat  a picture  this  one  is.  Never  a moment  | 
without  a gasp'or  a thrill.  "The  Road  To  Mandalay”  is  the  road  to  adventure;  the  road 
romance;  the  road  to  fascinating  mystery.  This  is  a vivid  picture  of  a sea  captain  who  de- 
generates  into  the  sinister  ruler  of  an  oriental  underworld,  to  be  redeemed  through  a combi- 
nation of  circumstances  almost  unbelievable,  but  still,  as  worked  out  in  the  story,  its  grue- 
some— gripping — and  great.  A romantic  poem  set  iu  tbe  scum  of  the  universe.  A story  of  [ 
human  souls.  The  magic  of  the  orient — audits  grim  realitiee — in  a wonderful  love  story. 
‘‘[’ATHE  NEWS  NO.  .52”.  the  latest  and  greatest  news  collector  in  the  world  and  "TRIP- 
PING THE  RHINE",  an  Aesop  Fables.  They  are  always  funny. 

Admission  15  and  33  Cents.  Matinee  10  and  30  Cents. 


THURSDAY 


JULY  7-8 


SATURDAY 


JESSE  L.  LASKY  presents  Bessie  Love,  Warner  Baxter.  Raymond  Hatton  and  Walter  Mc- 
Grail  (Western  Drama)  in 

"A  SON  OF  HIS  FATHER" 

Adaided  from  Harold  Bell  Wrjglit's  novel.  Directed  by  Victor  Fleming.  .\  stirring  tale  of  ' 
the  Southern  Arizona  border  country  with  the  plot  woven  around  a band  of  .smugglers  that 
is  over  running  tbe  Unit-jd Slates.  "A  Son  of  His  Father’’  was  the  fir.st  Harold  Bell  Wright_  j 
novel  aver  serialized,  li  ran  in  McCall’s  Magazine.  Four  out  of  five  Americans  have  read  1 
Harold  Bell  Wright’s  novids.  The  story  of  'A  Son  of  His  Father”  is  the  fascinating  one 
the  changing  West,  and  concerns  a desi)erate  uphill  battle  against  invading  smugglers  who  : 
attempt  to  gain  possession  of  a ranch.  Many  of  the  e.vtra  players  engaged  on*  tbe  location  | 
actn.'iUy  took  part  in  the  real  encounter  between  the  ranchmen  and  the  smugglers.  There  a 
laughs  galore,  too.  Bessie  Lovb  backing  into  a giant  cactus.  She  also  l»as  quite  a lime  with  ' 
a none  too  friendly  bull  landing  on  the  other  side  of  the  fence  just  iu  time.  SPECI.AL  FOR  , 
THURSD.'VY — All  boys  under  12  years  who  attend  the  theatre  Thursday’  with  their  fathers  I 
will  be  aduiitteii  free.  Iu  case  there  are  more  tliaii  one  Son  only  one  will  be  admitted  free. 
"THE  ROAD  HOUSE’’,  the  house  will  be  in  an  uproar. 

Admission  15  and  30  Cents.  Matinee  10  and  25  Cents. 


William  Courtwrigbl  and 


F-B-O  presents  Fred  Thomson,  Tyrone  Powers,  Hess  Flowei 
Tom  Saotsebi  (Western  Romance)  uj 

"HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER" 

Storv  by  Frank  M.  Clifton.' Directed  by  David  Kirkland.  Hey,  fellows!  Frcd'sliere  again!  I 
The  man  who  puts  more  adveiiiure.  more  thrills,  more  action,  more  horsemanship, 
comedy  into  his  pictures  than  any  otbcr’Western  star,  is  here  again  in  his  biggest  on 
date.  Fred  Thomson  and  his  marvel  horse,  Silver  King,  in  ‘‘Hands  .Across  the  Border"  will  | 
thrill  you,  delight  you.  enthrall  you  as  you  have  never  been  thrilled,  delighted  and  enthrall- 
ed before.  A whiz/.ing  lileiid  of  a comet  and  a South  Sea  typhoon  That's  Fred  Thomson — I 
stalwart  idol  of  youug  America.  Be  sure  to  see  i his  greatest  Lingh  and  liirj;l  show — fine, 
clean  melodrama,  fit  lor  all  eyes  to  see — for  .young  and  olfl.  Extra.  ALICE  CHARMS  j 
THE  FISH’’  'i'licse  comedies  are  enjoyed  by  everyone.  ' 

Admission  13  and  30  cents.  Mondav  Maiiuee  10  mid  23  cents. 


FRIENDLY 

CHAT 


I AM  THE  MOTION  PICTURE— I show  morn  travel  than  all  the  books,  peuocd  by  all  the  , 
writers  of  the  world.  I preach  sermons  to  congregations  greater  than  the  combined  flocks  of  | 
(he  pulpits  of  all  lands.  I make  happiness.  I make  for  kiinliicss;  I am  the  one  great  ioter- 
natioual  friend;  I am  history’  written  for  generations  to  come  in  a toiignc  that  every  rac 
sect  and  creed  can  understand.  1 have  more  friend.^  than  all  the  frieiully  men  of  the 
I stir  the  blood,  I quicken  the  pulse.  I stimulate  the  young.  I comfort  and  solace  the  old  .md  j 
sorrowing — I am  the  Motion  Picture. 

"LADDIE”  P G.  WALKER.  Mgr  "THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT” 


P.  G.  Walker,  owner  of  the  Amusu  theatre,  Statesboro,  Ga., 
presents  this  interesting  single  page  program.  It  is  distinc- 
tive, concise,  and  business-like — with  a friendly,  intimate 
finish. 

ROSS,  C.  A.,  Bijou  theatre,  Fall  River,  Mass. 

SACHS,  S.  M.,  Masonic,  Clifton  Forge,  Va. 

SCHWIE,  F.  F.,  Duluth,  Duluth,  Minn. 

SHARPE,  PHILIP  B.,  Strand  Theatre  Publishing  Co., 
Portland,  Me. 

SHIMON,  LOUIS,  Uptown  theatre,  Sheboygan,  Wis. 
SNYDER,  E.  A.,  Rialto- Virginia,  Champaign,  111. 
SOLOMON,  H.,  Strand,  McComb,  Miss. 

SORG,  J.  H.,  Jefferson,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

STIEFEL,  S.,  Roxboro,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

STILES,  J.  H.,  The  Dalles  Amusement  Co.,  The  Dalles, 
Ore. 

THOMPSON,  N.  T.,  Crystal  theatre.  Fort  Atkinson,  Wis. 
WALLACE,  H.  TIM,  Lincoln  Square,  Decatur,  111. 
WHEELER,  ED 'A.,  Ohio,  Cleveland,  O. 

WEINBERCi,  D.  H.,  Virginia  theatre,  Harrisonburg,  Va. 
AVEINBERG,  I.,  New  and  Yyric,  Lexington,  Va. 
WHITBECK,  FRANK,  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  134 
Leavenworth  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

WILSON,  T.  S.,  Seeley,  Abilene,  Kan. 

AA^OODAVARD,  KENNETH  V.,  Penn-State  Amuse- 
ment Co.,  Uniontown,  Pa. 

ZIPRIK,  G.,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  AVestbourne,  Tex. 


Editor  THE  THEATRE, 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  Illinois. 

Sir : 

I shall  be  pleased  to  exchange  house  organs 
with  fellow  exhibitor-publishers  and  you  may 
enter  my  name  in  your  House  Organ  Exchange. 

(Signed)  - 

(Theatre)  - - 

(City) (State) 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


RECIPROCITY  IN  INDUSTRY  VITAL 
DECLARES  MURDOCK,  PATHE  HEAD 


ELMER  PEARSON 

Fathers  Slogan 
Will  Govern 
Output  of 
Company 

By  ELMER  PEARSON 

Vice  President  of  Pathe 

Pathe  Exchange,  Inc.,  has  many  fine 
traditions.  Among  the  finest  has  been 
living  up  to  its  slogan,  “The  best  of 
its  kind  in  every  department.” 

We  are  certain  that  this  year’s  pro- 
gram, from  the  shortest  short  subject, 
to  the  biggest  roadshow  will  fully  live 
up  to  this  slogan. 

I am  certain  that  after  perusing 
Pathe’s  annual  announcement  exhib- 
itors will  agree  that  nowhere  else  this 
year,  or  any  other  year,  have  they  seen 
a list  of  better  titles  or  of  better 
stories. 

Certainly  there  can  be  no  argument 
as  to  the  ability  of  our  producing  units 
or  their  facilities  for  making  the  finest 
pictures  from  an  artistic  as  well  as 
craftsmanship  standpoint.  Likewise, 
the  showmanship  of  the  B.  F.  Keith 
Company,  the  Orpheum  Theatre  Com- 


JOHN  C.  FLINN 

Exhibitors  Will 
Cooperate  in 
Advertising 
Campaign 

By  JOHN  C.  FLINN 

Vice  President  of  Pathe 

Motion  pictures  are  made  to  be 
shown  for  profit.  U^nless  it  possesses 
the  essential  elements  of  entertain- 
ment for  the  great  mass  of  the  thea- 
tre going  public,  no  picture  can  be 
said  to  be  a showman’s  picture. 

The  1927-28  product  of  Patiie- 
DeMille  studio  pictures  is  offered  to 
the  exhibitor  with  the  assurance  that 
showmanship  is  the  basis  of  every 
picture  on  the  program. 

The  reputations  of  Cecil  B.  DeMille 
and  Pathe  stand  behind  the  promise 
of  a program  of  unparalleled  bo.x 
office  successes.  Pathe  Exchange, 
Inc.,  enters  its  twenty-fourth  selling 
season  with  the  utmost  confidence. 

Cecil  B.  DeMille  is  the  greatest  di- 
rectorial genius  the  screen  has  ever 
developed.  He  is  the  master  shozaman. 

For  14  years  he  has  studied  demands 
of  the  motion  picture  public ; and 


J.  J.  MURDOCK 


J.  J.  Murdock,  president  of  the  new  Pathe  or- 
ganization, is  one  of  the  most  conservative  men 
in  the  picture  industry.  He  has  issued  no  publie 
statement  and  given  no  interview  since  his  elec- 
tion, but  the  following  notes,  taken  from  his  recent 
message  to  the  convention  of  the  joint  Pathe-Pro- 
ducers-De  Mille  personnel  in  Los  Angeles,  are 
illuminating  reflections  of  the  motives  and  princi- 
ples which  will  provide  the  inspiration  for  the 
future  constructive  policy  of  reciprocity  and  co- 
operation. Mr.  Murdock  said: 

“May  I not  first  call  to  the  minds  of  the  repre- 
sentatives of  the  two  companies  that  our  use,  for 
the  present,  of  the  name  ‘Pathe-P.  D.  C.’  is  to  make 
a distinction  between  the  short  reel  and  the  fea- 
ture? Although  they  are  both  under  one  banner, 
it  is  the  intention  to  start  a competition  as  soon  as 
Mr.  Flinn  returns  to  New  York  and  offer  a suit- 
able cash  prize  to  the  person  who  will  suggest  a 
combination  of  names  which  will  best  express  the 
fact  that  Pathe  is  not  only  in  the  short  reel  busi- 
ness but  in  the  feature  end  of  the  industry  as  well, 
so  that  it  will  be  clear  in  the  minds  of  the  public, 
the  distinction  and  meaning  of  the  name. 

“Man  power  and  brain  power  are  the  essential 
elements  needed  to  get  the  results  which  we  have 
set  out  for.  It  takes  brain. 

“No  great  organization  is  an  accident  any  more 
than  any  great  man  is  an  accident.  In  the  motion 
picture  industry  we  have  many  great  organizations 
and  many  great  men,  and  not  one  organization  or 
one  individual  is  the  creature  of  good  luck.  Men 
like  Adolph  Zukor,  Jesse  Lasky,  Sam  Katz,  Sidney 
Kent,  Marcus  Loew,  Nicholas  and  Joseph  Schenck. 
Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  William  Fox  and  his  associate, 
W.  R.  Sheehan,  Carl  Laemmle,  R.  H.  Cochrane, 
John  McGuirk,  and  a score  of  others  whom  I have 
unintentionally  omitted  to  mention,  are  not  acci- 
dents. They  rose  from  the  ranks.  Jesse  Lasky, 
Adolph  Zukor  and  Cecil  B.  Del  Mille  were 
pioneers  in  the  feature  picture — these  men  are  not 
accidents. 

“All  these  men  mentioned  are  men  of  foresight 
and  resourcefulness,  as  wert?  the  pioneers  in 
another  line  of  business  with  which  I am;  so 
happily  associated — Keith-Albee-Orpheum  vaude- 


(Continued  on  page  54) 


(Continued  on  page  57) 


(Continued  on  page  57) 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


LEATIUCE  JOY  will 
have  a splendid  role 
in  **Angel  of  Broad- 
U'ay,”  in  which  she 
will  be  directed  by 
Lois  Weber. 


ROD  L i ROQUE  has 
been  assignt>d  to  the 
stellar  roles  in  **The 
Fighting  Eagle^**  **The 
IS  e w Yorker**  and 
other  features 


MARIE  PREVOST  will 
be  seen  in  dashing 
roles.  Her  first  will 
be  **The  Rush  Hour^** 
which  E.  Mason  Hop- 
per will  direct 


BUFFALO  BILL,  JR., 
will  star  in  .'eight 
Westerns,  the  fitst  of 
which  will  be  **The 
Inter ferin*  Gen  t.*’ 

Richard  Thorpe  directs 


VERA  REYNOLDS  is 

scheduled  to  star  in 
**Beautiful  but  Dumb,** 
**Walking  Back**  and 
a number  of  other 
attractions 


WILLIAM  BOYD,  re- 
cently elevated  to  star- 
dom,  will  appear  in  a 
number  of  important 
pictures,  among  them 
**The  West  Pointer** 


486  FEATURES  AND  SHORTS  FOR 
NEW  YEAR  SCHEDULED  BY  PATHE 

Four  Roadshows  from  DeMille  Studios  Included  in  Imposing  Program 
for  1927-28^  Which  Newly  Merged  Company  Has  Just  Announced 

Four  hundred  and  86  pictures  from  one  concern  in  one  season!  That  will  be  the  output  of  the  Pathe-De  Mille 
studios  for  the  season  of  1927-28,  an  output  that  can  supply  a complete  program  for  any  motion  picture  theatre. 

No  company  in  the  motion  picture  industry,  declare  officials  of  the  organization,  can  show  a finer  or  more  com- 
plete program  nor  a greater  list  of  stars,  featured  players,  and  supporting  artists,  than  can  this  newly  formed  amal- 
gamation of  Pathe  Exchange,  Inc.,  and  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  Studio  Productions. 


In  California  this  company  has  two  great 
studios,  the  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  studio  at 
Culver  City,  and  the  Metropolitan  studio 
in  Holhwood.  There  are  no  better  equipped 
motion  picture  plants  in  the  world.  From 
them  will  come  this  season  big  specials, 
feature  pictures.  Westerns  and  short  sub- 
jects. 

The  stars  and  featured  players  whose 
names  have  hitherto  been  inscribed  upon 
the  DeMille  banner,  will  be  seen  in  10  De 
Mille  studio  specials  and  26  program  re- 
leases. In  addition,  there  will  be  four 
roadshows,  one  of  which  is  “The  King 
of  Kings,”  and  another  to  be  directed  by 
Cecil  B.  De  Mille  personally,  with  a cast 
which  will  include  Joseph  Schildkraut, 
Jacqueline  Logan,  Robert  Edeson,  Julia 
Faye  and  Louis  Matheaux.  The  other  two 
roadshows  will  be  “The  Pioneer  Woman” 
and  “The  Army  Mule,”  both  of  which  will 
be  produced  by  James  Cruze. 

Program  Includes  40 
Features  from  Pathe 

The  joint  program  also  includes  40  or 
more  features  of  the  kdnd  for  which  Pathe 
has  been  famed,  including  Westerns,  melo- 
dramas, comedies  and  serials,  in  addition 
to  a short  feature  schedule  embracing 
Pathe  News,  Pathe  Review  and  similar 
subjects. 

Stories,  noA'els  and  plays  by  noted  screen 
writers,  novelists  and  dramatists  will  be 
produced  and  in  the  casts  will  be  screen 
stars  of  proven  merit,  with  supporting  casts 
of  players  of  exceptional  ability.  They 
will  be  directed  by  directors  of  world  wide 
fame. 

The  first  of  the  10  De  Mille  studio  spe- 
cials will  be  “The  Fighting  Eagle,”  a screen 
adaptation  of  A.  Conan  Doyle’s  “Brigadier 
Gerard”  stories.  Rod  LaRoeque  will  star, 
with  Phyllis  Ffaver  as  his  leading  woman 
and  Donald  Crisp  as  director.  Douglas  Z. 
Doty  made  the  adaptation. 

Jetta  Goudal  with  two  leading  men, 
Joseph  Schildkraut  and  Victor  Varconi, 


will  be  seen  in  “The  Forbidden  Woman,” 
a story  of  love  and  intrigue,  laid  in  Morocco 
during  a war  between  natives  and  French. 

LaRoeque  is  represented  on  the  program 
in  another  special,  “Hold  ’Em  Yale,”  a col- 
lege picture  made  from  an  original  by 
Owen  Davis. 

“Chicago,”  one  of  the  sensations  of  the 
Broadway  stage  during  last  season,  will 
be  produced  with  an  all-star  cast  including 
Phyllis  Haver,  Victor  Varconi,  Robert  Ede- 
son, Julia  Faye,  Louis  Matheaux  and  May 
Robson. 

Leatrice  Joy  Will  Star 
in  “The  Blue  Danube” 

Leatrice  Joy  will  be  seen  in  “The  Blue 
Danube,”  a story  written  by  John  Farrow 
around  the  theme  of  the  fascinating  Strauss 
waltz.  The  locality  is,  Austria  and  Victor 
Varconi,  an  Austrian,  will  be  the  leading 
man. 

William  Boyd,  just  elevated  to  stardom, 
will  be  seen  in  two  specials,  the  first,  “The 
Vi’est  Pointer,”  will  be  produced  by  Direc- 
tor Donald  Crisp  at  West  Point,  with  the 
co-operation  of  the  academy  and  the  war 
department. 

Boyd’s  second  special  will  be  “Power,” 
from  a story  by  William  C.  de  Mille,  which 
depicts  the  mastery  of  man  over  the  forces 
of  nature. 

“The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,”  adapted 
from  the  famous  story  by  Henry  Wads- 
worth Longfellow,  is  another  in  this  group 
of  10.  Elmer  Clifton,  producer  of  “Down 
to  the  Sea  in  Ships,”  will  direct. 

“Rip  Van  Winkle”  comes  to  the  screen 
at  last  with  Rudolph  Schildkraut  in  the 
title  role  of  the  Washington  Irving  classic. 

Still  another  Broadway  stage  success, 
“Craig’s  Wife,”  by  George  Kelly,  will  be 
screened  with  Victor  Varconi  as  the  fea- 
tured player. 

26  Program  Releases 
Are  Also  Scheduled 

Eollowing  these  10  specials  come  the  26 
program  releases. 


“The  New  Yorker,”  starring  LaRoeque, 
is  a story  of  ultra-smart  New  York  soci- 
ety. It  will  give  LaRoeque  one  of  the 
finest  opportunities  of  his  career. 

“The  Angel  of  Broadway,”  by  Lenore 
Coffee,  stars  Leatrice  Joy  as  a cabaret  en- 
tertainer, who,  to  get  atmosphere  for  a 
new  act,  pretends  to  be  converted  at  a Sal- 
vation Army  mission,  and  later  finds  that 
her  conversion  is  real. 

“The  Rush  Hour”  stars  the  charming 
Marie  Prevost  in  a rapid  fire  comedy  of 
many  complications,  based  on  the  story, 
“The  Azure  Shore,”  by  Frederick  and  Fanny 
Hatton.  E.  Mason  Hopper  will  direct  and 
F.  McGrew  Willis  will  supervise.  The  con- 
tinuity is  by  Zelda  Sears  and  Fred  Stanley. 

Boyd  will  star  in  “The  Skyscraper,”  a 
romance  of  the  modern  steel  building  by 
Dudley  Murphy. 

Vera  Reynolds’  first  picture  on  the  new 
program  is  “Beautiful  but  Dumb,”  an  un- 
usual comedy  drama  by  Clara  Beranger,  in 
which  a dog  is  the  dominating  factor  in 
a romance,  and  in  which  the  story  is  seen 
through  the  eyes  of  the  dog. 

Phyllis  Haver  Assigned 
To  “Hes  My  Man” 

Phyllis  Haver  will  be  featured  in  “He’s 
My  Man,”  the  story  of  a girl  who  fights 
and  wins  her  battle  for  the  man  she  loves. 
Peter  B.  Kyne  wrote  it. 

The  exotic  Jetta  Goudal  will  be  starred 
in  “The  Leopard’s  Lady,”  a story  of  circus 
life. 

Rudolph  Schildkraut  has  been  assigned 
the  feature  role  in  “Such  Is  Fame,”  an 
adaptation  of  Richard  Connell’s  “A  Friend 
of  Napoleon.” 

Another  starring  vehicle  for  LaRoeque 
will  be  “Stand  and  Deliver,”  in  which  he 
will  be  seen  as  a Greek  bandit.  It  is  a 
story  of  adventure,  laid  in  New  York  and 
in  Southern  Europe. 

Under  the  title,  “Self  Defense,”  Wallace 
Irwin’s  story,  “All  Front  and  No  Back,” 
will  serve  as  a starring  vehicle  for  Leatrice 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


LEO  MALOJSEY  will 
appear  in  four  West- 
erns and  will  direct 
probably  Don  Cole- 
man in  a series  of 
eight  outdoor  films 


PHYLLIS  HAVER  will 
have  a great  feature 
role  in  **The  Fighting 
Eagle**  a De  Mille  at- 
traction which  will 
star  Rod  LaRocque 


WALLY  WALES  will 

appefir  in  a series  of 
eight  outdoor  pic- 
tures^ the  first  to  be 
**W'  h i t € Pebble  s,” 
u'i  th  on  ve  Hasbrouck 


HAROLD  LLOYD'S 

gre€tt  comedy^  **Grand- 
m«*s  Boy^**  will  be 
reissue^  by  Pathe  on 
September  4.  This 
was  a money  picture 


JETTA  GOVDiL  will 
star  in  four  pictures^ 
the  first  being  **The 
Forbidden  Woman,** 
which  is  one  of  the 
10  specials 


BIDDY  ROOSEVELT 

will  appear  in  two 
features  abounding  in 
virile  action  and  ro- 
mance. **  P h a n t o m 
Buster  **  will  be  first 


Joy.  It  is  a remarkably  interesting  tale  of 
a young  couple  who  live  far  beyond  their 
means. 

“The  Girl  in  the  Pullman”  will  present 
Marie  Prevost  in  a roaring  farce,  the  action 
of  which  takes  place  in  a Pullman  car  on 
a transcontinental  train.  The  picture  is 
adapted  from  Wilson  Collison’s  farce,  “The 
Girl  in  Upper  C.” 

Romantic  Story  Selected 
For  Vera  Reynolds 

Another  Vera  Reynolds  starring  picture 
will  be  “Walking  Back,”  a romantic  and 
exciting  story  of  a modern  flapper  and 
her  boy  friend,  who  get  mixed  up  with  a 
band  of  crooks. 

“The  Wise  Wife,”  made  from  a Cosino- 
po'litan  Magazine  serial  by  Arthur  Somers 
Roche,  will  feature  Phyllis  Haver.  It  is 
a story  of  a wife  who  demands  and  gets 
from  her  husband  first-hand  information 
about  his  friendships  with  other  women. 

“The  Jungles  of  Africa,”  an  absorbing 
and  thrilling  love  story,  will  star  Jetta 
Goudal. 

Joseph  and  Rudolph  Schildkraut,  father 
and  son,  will  appear  in  “My  Country,”  a 
human  story  by  Julien  Josephs,  of  an  im- 
migrant’s devotion  to  his  adopted  land. 

“What  Holds  Men,”  by  Margaretta  Tut- 
tle, will  present  Leatrice  Joy  as  the  daugh- 
ter of  a wealthy  family,  whose  education 
and  training  fail  her  when  it  comes  to 
holding  the  man  she  loves,  forcing  her  to 
fall  back  on  her  woman’s  wit  and  intuition. 

P.  G.  Wodehouse,  noted  writer  of  com- 
edy fiction,  is  the  author  of  “In  Bad  With 
Sinbad,”  in  which  Franklyn  Pangborn  is 
featured.  It  presents  an  amazing  adventure 
of  a young  Englishman  with  hi- j ackers, 
waterfront  bullies  and  taxi  bandits,  who 
try  to  keep  him  away  from  the  girl  in 
the  case. 

Junior  Coghlan  will  be  seen  as  the  news- 
paper office  boy  in  “Let  ’Er  Go  Gallagher,” 
based  on  Richard  Harding  Davis’  famous 
short  story. 

Marie  Prevost  to  Star 
in  “Free  and  Easy” 

“Free  and  Easy”  will  star  Marie  Prevost 
in  the  story  of  a country  duckling  who 
wishes  to  be  a city  peacock. 

In  “The  Heart  of  Katie  O’Doone,”  Leroy 
Scott’s  delightful  novel,  Vera  Reynolds  will 
portray  a girl  of  the  tenements,  who, 
through  her  beauty  and  brain,  wins  a place 
in  the  world. 

“Woman  of  the  Night,”  starring  Jetta 
Goudal,  is  a weird  story  by  Max  Marcin, 
with  a psychological  angle  which  undoubt- 
edly will  make  it  one  of  the  most  talked 
of  pictures  of  the  year. 

Marie  Prevost  will  star  in  “On  to  Reno,” 
the  story  of  a girl  who  acts  as  substitute 
for  a wealthy  woman  in  establishing  a 
residence  in  the  divorce  colony,  and  gets 
herself  into  trouble  by  so  doing. 


“The  Main  Event”  is  a prize  fight  story, 
with  Vera  Reynolds  as  the  star.  William 
K.  Howard  will  direct. 

Franklin  Pangborn  will  be  seen  again  in 
the  famous  old  stage  farce,  “My  Friend 
from  India,”  one  of  the  finest  comedies 
of  the  American  theatre. 

Alarie  Prevost  will  also  star  in  Wilson 
Collison’s  “A  Blonde  for  the  Night,”  the 
story  of  a young  wife  who,  when  her  hus- 
band seems  to  be  attracted  by  blondes,  be- 
comes one  herself  to  teach  him  a lesson. 

Will  Select  Casts  from 
Best  Available  Talent 

The  supporting  casts  will  be  selected  both 
from  the  De  Mille  stock  company  and 
from  the  best  available  talent.  It  is  planned 
to  release  the  foregoing  pictures  as  fol- 
lows : 

Five  in  September,  four  in  Oc- 
tober, four  in  November,  and  three 
in  December,  1927,  and  four  in 
January,  four  in  March,  four  in 
April,  three  in  May  and  two  in 
June,  1928. 

The  Pathe  feature  program  offers  a wide 
diversity  of  multiple-reel  entertainment. 

Harold  Lloyd  will  be  presented  in  a re- 
issue of  his  great  feature-comedy,  “Grand- 
ma’s Boy.” 

Charles  Chaplin  will  be  offered  in  a re- 
issue of  his  howling  success,  “Sunnyside.” 

In  addition,  there  will  be  a series  of  three 
Monty  Banks  feature  comedies  and  five 
series  of  Westerns  totalling  40  pictures. 

Monty  Banks’  first  of  three  releases  will 
be  “A  Perfect  Gentleman,”  in  which  Ruth 
Dwyer  appears  opposite  him.  Previews 
have  stamped  this  picture  a worthy  suc- 
cessor to  Banks’  “Horse  Shoes.” 

Leo  Maloney,  who  brings  an  absorbing 
sympathetic  strain  into  his  characterization, 
will  1)6  aided  by  his  marvelous  trained  horse, 
jMonte  Cristo,  and  his  clever  dog.  Bullet. 
“Border  Blackbirds”  will  be  one  of  his 
first  releases  and  “The  Devil’s  Twin”  will 
probably  follow. 

Scott  Will  Offer  Three 
Series  of  24  Westerns 

Lester  Scott,  Jr.,  will  offer  his  trio  of 
Western  stars  in  24  features  of  the  type 
which  have  won  box  office  approx  al  during 
the  past  season. 

Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.,  is  a dyed-in-the-wool 
Cheyenne  cowboy,  born  in  the  West  and 
living  it  in  his  Westerns  such  as  “Pals  in 
Peril”  and  “The  Interferin’  Gent”  and 
others,  making  up  the  eight  of  the  series. 

Buddy  Roosevelt  is  a college-bred  cow- 
boy who  is  popular  today.  Young  Roose- 
velt, a Harvard  man,  has  finished  “Code 
of  the  Cow  Country,”  and  is  now  making 
“The  Phantom  Buster.”  There  will  be 
eight  in  his  series. 

Wally  Wales,  a dashing,  happy-go-lucky. 


genuine  cowboy,  has  completed  “Skedaddle 
Gold”  as  the  first  of  his  eight. 

George  Walsh  will  appear  in  a series  of 
six  melodramas  produced  by  Pathe.  The 
initial  vehicle  features  Walsh,  with  Claire 
Adams  and  Gladys  Hulette  in  support. 

Eight  other  features  embracing  comedy 
and  melodrama  will  be  placed  on  the 
schedule. 

Every  release  on  the  Pathe  short  fea- 
ture program  offers  concentrated  entertain- 
ment value. 

Three  Series  of  12 
Each  from  Sennett 

Mack  Sennett  will  offer  three  series  of 
12  comedies  each : Mack  Sennett  Comedies, 
a series  of  12  two-reelers  featuring  Billy 
Bevan,  Madeline  Hurlock,  Eddie  Quillan, 
Andy  Clyde,  Barney  Helium,  Mary  Mabery 
and  .'Mma  Bennett;  Mack  Sennett  Girl 
Comedies,  a series  of  12  two-rcelers,  offer- 
ing the  glorified  bathing  girls  in  sprightly 
fun ; and  Sennett-Smith  Comedies,  a series 
of  12  two-reel  comedies  featuring  Mary 
Ann  Jackson,  Ruth  Hiatt  and  Raymond 
McKee.  Sennett  also  will  offer  two  new 
Harry  Langdon  comedies,  “Soldierman” 
and  “Fiddlesticks” ; also  two  two-reelers 
starring  Ben  Turpin,  “Love’s  Languid  Lure” 
and  one  to  be  announced. 

Gaiety  Comedies,  a series  of  two-reel 
domestic  comedies  with  Taylor  Holmes  and 
Leah  Baird.  Lawrence  Windom  is  direct- 
ing this  series  under  the  supervision  of 
Leander  de  Cordova.  Roy  McCardell  pre- 
pared the  scenarios  for  the  first  three, 
which  insures  laughs  aplenty. 

Hal  Roach  will  offer  a number  of  pop- 
ular brands  of  comedies. 

Will  Rogers  stars  in  a series  of  12  one- 
reel  featurettes  entitled,  ‘Will  Rogers,  Our 
l^nofficial  Ambassador  Abroad.”  Rogers 
appears  personally  in  each  picture  and  of- 
fers a personally  conducted  tour  of  various 
countries.  The  scenes  are  interspersed  with 
sparkling  sub-titles  by  Will. 

Grantland  Rice  Sportlights,  a series  of 
26  one-reel  films  revealing  the  best  in  sport. 
J.  L.  Hawkinson,  the  producer  of  this 
series,  is  in  Europe  gathering  new  material. 

There  will  be  five  10-chapter  Pathe  seri- 
als: “Crimson  Flash,”  a mystery  melo- 
drama by  George  Arthur  Gray,  directed 
by  Arch  Heath,  with  a cast  including  Cul- 
len Landis,  Eugenia  Gilbert  and  Thomas 
Holding;  “The  Hawk  of  the  Hills,”  also 
by  George  Arthur  Gray,  directed  by  Spen- 
cer Bennet,  with  Allene  Ray,  Walter  Miller 
and  Frank  Lacktecn ; “The  Masked  Men- 
ace,” adapted  by  Paul  Fairfax  Fuller  from 
Clarence  Budington  Kelland’s  Saturday 
Evening  Post  story,  “Still  Face,”  directed 
by  Arch  Heath  and  enacted  by  Larry  Kent, 
Jean  Arthur  and  Thomas  Holding.  Other 
serials  will  include  “The  Man  Without  a 
Face”  and  two  others. 


52 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


1 


July  16,  1927  ’ 


PATHE  SECOND  TO  NONE:  DEMILLE 


Cecil  B.  De  Mille 


A Message  to  Exhibitors 

By  CECIL  B.  DE  MILLE 

A few  weeks  over  a year  ago  I spoke  at  a convention  banquet  in  Los  Angeles.  I 
painted  a picture  of  the  possibilities  of  the  future  for  an  organization  which,  in  12 
months,  had  won  the  respect,  the  business,  and  the  affiliation  of  the  largest,  most 
valuable,  most  envied  association  of  theatrical  circuits  in  this  country.  I referred  to 
the  group  represented  by  Keith-Albee,  the  Orpheum  Circuit,  Moss,  Proctor  and  their 
associates. 

At  that  moment  the  prospect  ahead  looked  rosy.  Even  then,  however,  I could 
hardly  have  anticipated  the  still  greater  growth  and  advancement  which  has  come 
since  that  speech. 

In  this  new  merger  of  forces  we  find  an  organization  which  is  not  limited  to  any 
one  branch  or  brand  of  pictures,  but  which,  out  of  one  company,  can  supply  every 
type  and  variety  of  entertainment  any  theatre  owner  could  possibly  require  for  a 
consistent,  well-rounded  program  of  entertainment. 

From  two  concerns  of  medium  size  has  developed  a concern  second  to  none  in  the 
business. 

Consider  the  achievements  of  PDC.  Consider  the  reputation  and  name  of  Pathe. 
Consider  the  advantage  to  our  production  forces  of  the  association  with  the  film- 
making affiliation  of  Pathe-Dupont;  of  the  camera-making  facilities  of  the  Pathe 
interests.  Consider  the  prestige  given  our  pictures  through  their  presentation  in  the 
theatres  of  the  Keith-Albee,  Orpheum  affiliation. 

It’s  a great,  a tremendous  organization,  an  organiation  based  on  fair,  equitable 
business  principles,  which  carries  pictures  every  step  of  the  way  from  the  raw  stock 
to  the  final  exhibition. 


A Showmanship  Product 


By  HARRY  SCOTT 

General  Sales  Ma)iager  of  Short  Features 


Pathe  starts  its  twenty-fifth  season  better 
equipped  than  ever  to  supply  exhibitors  with 
the  best  in  screen  entertainment.  Past  per- 
formances are  film  and  box  office  history. 
Pathe  leadership  this  3'ear  will  be  maintained 
and  strengthened  through  its  increased  ability 
to  deliver  showmanship  product. 

VVe  cannot  help  feeling  that  Pathe  is  justi- 
fied in  believing  that  in  the  coming  season  the 
sale  of  short  subjects,  ttvo-reel  comedies, 
serials  and  news  films  wdll  exceed  those  of 
any  previous  season. 

Exhibitors  are  recognizing  the  entertain- 
ment value,  and,  in  many  instances,  the  box 
office  value  of  short  subjects.  In  consequence, 
they  are  devoting  a considerable  part  of  their 
advertising  space  to  heralding  these  important 
units  of  their  programs. 

For  many  years  Pathe  has  specialized  in 
this  class  of  product.  The  best  evidence  of 
its  success  in  selecting  its  programs  is  that 
we  are  distributing  successfully  practically 


the  same  product  we  started  with  several 
years  ago. 

The  Pathe  News  has  long  been  recognized 
as  the  world’s  greatest  news  film.  The 
Pathe  Review  has  appeared  on  the  screens  of 
the  majority  of  the  leading  theatres  of  the 
country  season  after  season.  The  same  ap- 
plies to  Aesop’s  Film  Fables,  Topics  of  the 
Day,  Grantland  Rice’s  Sportlight.  etc.  They 
fire  as  well  established  with  the  theatre-going 
public  as  the  Saturday  Evening  Post  is  with 
the  readers  of  magazines. 

This  season  we  are  adding  another  single 
reel  release  to  our  short  subject  program — 
the  “Rarebits”  series — depicting  unusual 
things,  unusual  places  and  unusual  happen- 
ings. “Our  Unofficial  Ambassador  Abroad” 
series,  featuring  Will  Rogers,  has  proved 
most  successful. 

In  our  product  announcement  is  given  a 
complete  list  of  the  short  features  we  wdll 
distribute. 


Harry  Scott 


Pat  Campbell 


Pa  the  Fea  ture  Weste  rns 

By  PAT  CAMPBELL 

Sales  Manager  of  Feature  Westerns  and  Comedies 


This  year  Pathe  is  in  a most  enviable 
position  with  its  feature  W^esterns  and 
comedies. 

For  many  years  exhibitors  throughout 
the  country  have  been  clamoring  for  some 
distributing  organization  to  produce  and 
distribute  Western  pictures  of  the  best 
quality  and  in  sufficient  quantities  to  enable 
them  to  play  one  a week — pictures  that  are 
box  office  attractions  which  could  be  se- 
cured at  rentals  that  would  assure  profits 
for  the  exhibitor. 

Pathe,  this  year,  has  done  that. 

The  schedule  of  releases  this  year  in- 
clides  52  Western  pictures  to  be  released 
at  the  rate  of  one  a week.  Those  Westerns 
will  include  seven  different  series,  featuring 
seven  different  Western  stars.  In  selecting 
these  series  and  stars  Pathe  first  went  out 
after  sterling  young  men  who  had  the 
three  outstanding  qualities — youth,  good 


looks  a nd  ability  to  portray  the  cow'boy 
type  in  all  its  different  phases.  After  these 
men  were  picked  Pathe  secured  writers 
who  could  write  action  material  which 
would  assure  the  exhibitor  of  getting  the 
best  stories  ever  produced  for  Western  pic- 
tures. Pathe  did  not  stop  there.  It  also 
secured  the  best  directors  of  Western 
pictures  in  the  industry. 

Very  serious  consideration  was  given  to 
every  one  of  the  above  points,  and  the  re- 
sult is  the  following  line-up  for  1927-28: 

Twelve  Leo  Maloney  Westerns,  four  of 
which  will  star  Maloney.  The  other  eight 
will  be  directed  by  Leo  Maloney  and  will 
feature  Don  Coleman.  The  stories  for  the 
12  will  be  written  by  Ford  Beebe.  There 
will  be  18  Lester  Scott,  Jr.,  action  pictures, 
eight  featuring  Buffalo  Bill,  eight  featuring 
VVall  Wales  and  two  featuring  Buddy 
Roosevelt.  There  will  be  nine  productions 
featuring  Jack  Donovan  and  many  others. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


July  16,  1927 

REISMAN  ANNOUNCES  SALES  PLAN 


100  Per  Cent  Service 

By  PHIL  REISMAN 

General  Sales  Manager  of  Pathe 

Quality  of  production  and  efficiency  in  service  are  two  of  the  great  essentials  of 
the  motion  picture  industry,  and  it  is  in  these  two  branches  that  Pathe  Exchange, 
Inc.,  this  year  will  lead.  Those  are  two  things  that  every  exhibitor  must  consider, 
because,  unless  those  are  satisfactory,  he  cannot  expect  to  satisfy  his  public  and  keep 
his  theatre  filled. 

Pathe  is  offering  a program  that  challenges  comparison.  It  is  a rising,  not  a sink- 
ing organization.  It  is  great  now.  It  will  he  infinitely  greater. 

In  past  years  it  has  won  the  confidence  of  exhibitors.  It  will  retain  what  it  has 
won  and  it  will  win  more.  The  sales  plan  has  met  with  the  approval  of  every  exhib- 
itor. We  will  sell  and  deliver  36  stories  and  titles.  This  plan  was  based  on  the  sug- 
gestion of  an  exhibitor  and  on  the  advice  of  the  editor  of  one  of  the  trade  publications. 

Heretofore  definite  pictures  and  people  have  l)een  sold  to  the  exhibitor.  Under 
our  plan  the  producer  has  the  right  to  suggest  and  improve  any  picture  by  changing 
the  cast  whenever,  in  his  judgment,  that  is  necessary,  or  will  make  for  the  better- 
ment of  the  product. 

Of  the  36  Pathe-De  Mille  studio  pictures  on  the  1927-28  program,  I have  seen  “The 
Fighting  Eagle,”  “Beautiful,  But  Dumb”  and  “The  Rush  Hour.”  I have  also  seen 
“The  Country  Doctor”  and  that  uproarious  comedy,  “Tlie  Rejuvenation  of  Aunt 
Mary,”  in  which  May  Robson  plays  her  original  role. 

These  set  the  standard  which  will  he  maintained  throughout  the  entire  program, 
and  I am  convinced  that  no  company  has  had,  has  now,  nor  will  ever  have  a better 
program  of  attractions. 

Another  point:  Every  title  is  hox  office.  Every  title  lends  itself  to  exploitation, 
and  every  title  is  catchy  and  has  real  pulling  power. 

(Continued  on  page  55) 


Phil  Reisman 


The  Pathe  Short  Feature 

By  J.  E.  STOREY 

Short  Feature  Production  Manager 


A good  short  subject,  built  upon  the  firm 
foundation  of  quality  and  showmanship  un- 
derstanding adds  essentially  to  the  com- 
pleteness of  an  exhibitor’s  program,  and 
can  weather  all  competition. 

The  thought  recalls  the  story  of  the  house 
built  upon  the  rock  and  the  house  built 
upon  the  sand.  The  exhibitor  who  builds 
his  program,  including  good  shorts,  builds 
up  on  a rock  foundation  that  can  easily 
weather  the  keenest  competition. 

The  Pathe  short  subjects  production  de- 
partment functions  along  these  lines:  With 
a real  foundation-idea  as  the  basis  for  film, 
with  proper  development  of  that  idea  by 
skilled  production  personnel  commanding 
ideal  performers  and  staging  facilities,  a 
showmanship  attraction  of  maximum  enter- 
tainment values  is  brought  into  being. 

Pioneering  in  news  films,  serials  and 
other  short  subject  offerings,  Pathe  has  al- 
ways built  upon  ideas  born  in  the  minds 
of  the  showmen.  Charles  Pathe,  founder 
of  the  great  house,  is  the  rightfully  proud 


parent  of  Pathe  News,  now  the  world’s  best 
known  film,  at  the  youthful  age  of  16  years. 
Pathe  News  has  always  continued  to  be  the 
leader  in  the  mos't  competitive  field  the 
motion  picture  knows.  It  has  weathered 
the  arrival  of  newcomers  and  has  seen 
many  imitators  come  and  go.  During  the 
past  few  months  Pathe  News  has  speeded 
up  as  a news  gatherer.  It  has  eclipsed  its 
own  glorious  records.  The  new  editor  is 
Ray  Hall,  a man  of  wide  experience  and 
vision. 

Pathe  Review  was  founded  upon  the  idea 
that  a screen  magazine  should  prove  nearly 
as  acceptable  in  the  theatre  as  the  screen 
“newspaper” — the  news  reel.  The  success 
of  the  Review  attests  convincingly  to  the 
basic  showmanship  idea.  Pathe  Review, 
too,  has  taken  a “Lindbergh  hop”  ahead  in 
entertainment  qualities  within  the  last  few 
months.  L^pon  the  belief  that  a showman 
should  be  able  to  build  this  magazine  reel 
to  meet  the  continual  needs  of  showmen 
{Continued  on  page  55) 


J.  E.  Storey 


Facilities  for  Production 


With  two  great  studios,  each  equipped 
with  every  modern  facility,  in  addition  to 
the  producing  plants  of  Mack  Sennett,  Hal 
Roach  and  others  who  will  contribute  to 
the  program.  Pathe  Exchange,  Inc.,  stands 
in  the  forefront  in  the  matter  of  its  abiilty' 
to  give  to  exhibitors  a product  of  supreme 
excellence. 

The  two  main  studios  are  the  Cecil  B. 
Pathe  studio,  formerly  called  the  Metropoli- 
Pathe  studio  , formerly  called  the  Metropoli- 
tan in  Hollywood. 

A little  more  than  two  years  ago — April, 
1925 — the  DeMille  studio  made  its  bow. 
Today  it  is  on  an  equal  footing  with  the 
leading  producing  plants  of  the  world.  The 
story  of  this  advance  is  one  of  persever- 
ance and  faith  in  an  ideal. 

The  De  Mille  studio  was  formerly  the 
Thomas  H.  Ince  studio.  When  it  became 
the  De  Mille  studio  improvements  started 
with  a rush.  Three  new  stages  were  built, 
miles  of  pavement  were  laid,  all  equipment 
was  modernized  and  increased,  and  many 


new  buildings  constructed.  This  was  done 
in  the  first  year.  In  the  second  year  the 
studio  acquired  an  additional  42  acres,  in- 
creasing its  property  to  65  acres;  raised  its 
numbered  of  covered  stages  to  seven,  and 
completed  the  modernization  of  its  me- 
chanical and  production  facilities  by  install- 
ing every  device  that  made  for  the 
betterment  of  motion  pictures. 

Then  the  De  Mille  studio  amalgamated 
with  the  Metropolitan  studio,  in  order  to 
make  possible  a more  e.xtensive  program. 
Improvements  were  installed  at  the  Metro- 
politan studio  along  the  lines  of  those  at 
the  De  Mille  studio.  In  the  second  year 
the  combined  studios  produced  40  pictures 
of  an  unusually  high  quality  and  established 
a noteworthy  reputation  among  exhibitors. 

At  the  head  of  this  physical  organiza- 
tion is  William  Sistrom,  an  executive  genius 
of  the  film  industry.  His  righthand  helper 
is  A.  George  Volck,  who  is  a member  of 
the  American  Society  of  Civil  Engineer  and 
the  Society  of  Motion  Picture  Engineers. 


William  Sistrom 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,.  1927 


55  SHORTS  FROM  SENNETT,  ROACH 


Four  ^^Our  Gang’’ 
Comedies  Are 
Scheduled 

Hal  Roach  will  offer  15  two-reel  com- 
edies on  the  Pathe  short  feature  program 
during  the  new  season. 

Three  groups  of  comedies  will  figure  in 
the  1927-28  lineup : “Our  Gang”  will 
cavort  in  four  comedies;  Charley  Chase 
will  star  in  three  farces  and  a Hal  Roach 
star  series  of  eight  two  reelers  enacted  by 
such  favorites  as  Jimmy  Finlayson,  Martha 
Sleeper,  Oliver  Hardy,  Stan  Laurel  and 
Max  Da\idson  will  be  available. 

The  clever  Hal  Roach  rascals  in  “Our 
Gang”  will  appear  in  the  following  four 
releases:  “The  Glorious  Fourth,”  “Chicken 
Feed,”  “Olympic  Games,”  and  “The  Smile 
Wins.”  Seven  youngsters  have  been  booked 
on  the  Orpheum  circuit  for  a summer 
tour.  They  are  Joe  Cobb,  Farina,  Jean 
Darling,  Jackie  Condon,  Jary  R.  Smith, 
-Aroma  and  Harry  Spear.  Anthony  Mack, 
Charles  Oelze  and  Robert  McGowan  direct- 
ed the  comedies.  AlcGowan  is  supervisor 
of  these  pictures. 

Charley  Chase  will  star  in  the  following 
three  two  reel  comedies  produced  by  Hal 
Roach:  “What  Women  Did  for  Me,” 

“Now  I’ll  Tell  One”  and  “Assistant 
Wives.” 

Chase  is  a headliner  in  the  short  feature 
fiin  field.  His  delineations  are  put  over 
with  finesse  and  are  always  human.  Charley 
writes  many  of  his  own  continuities.  Lupe 
Valez,  a Hal  Roach  discovery,  and  Edna 
Marion,  a blonde  beauty,  appear  opposite 
the  comedian.  James  Parrott  directs  the 
Chase  comedies. 

Supporting  casts  in  the  two  reelers  in- 
clude such  well  known  comedians  as  Stan 
Laurel,  Lincoln  Plummer,  Garyd  Lincoln, 
Eric  Mayne  and  members  of  the  Roach 
contract  players. 

Unusual  titles  identify  each  of  the  Hal 
Roach  star  comedy  releases,  each  of  which 
is  enacted  by  comedians  with  reputations 
won  in  the  film  comedy  field. 

Eight  Roach  star  comedies  will  be  pre- 
sented, including:  “Sailors  Beware,” 

“Should  Second  Husbands  Come  First?” 
“Do  Detectives  Think?”  “Galloping 
Ghosts,”  “Flaming  Fathers,”  “Should  Tall 
Men  Alarry?”  and  “Flying  Elephants.” 

Alartha  Sleeper,  Anita  Garvin,  Lupe 
Valez,  Viola  Richard,  Stan  Laurel,  Oliver 
Hardy,  Max  Davidson,  David  Butler, 
Lillian  Elliott,  Spec  O’Donnell,  Jimmy 
Finlayson,  Noah  Young,  Ora  Carew,  John 
T.  Murray  and  Fred  Malatesta  are  in  the 
casts  of  these  pictures  which  are  directed 
by  Hal  Yates,  Leo  McCarey,  Fred  Guiol 
and  James  Parrott. 

Pathe  Slogan  Will 

Govern  Studio  Work 

{Continued  from  page  49) 

pany,  and  Pathe  Exchange,  Inc.,  has 
been  taken  full  cognizance  of  by  Mr. 
C.  B.  De  Mille  and  our  other  producers, 
and  we  cannot  conceive  of  any  or  our 
may  pictures  failing  to  hit  at  the  box 
office. 

The  exhibitors  must  have  good  pic- 
tures with  that  “IT”  called  box  office 
appeal,  and  if  ever  a great  effort  was  put 
forth  to  establish  a company  to  which 
exhibitors  can  turn  with  entire  con- 


fidence, that  effort  is  being  made  today 
bv  Pathe  Exchange,  Inc. 

We  believe  that  the  exhibitors  of 
America  believe  in  us.  We  believe  they 
are  going  to  accept  us  in  the  faith  ex- 
pressed above  and  every  man  of  our 
excellent  personnel  is  going  to  do  his 
best  to  justify  that  confidence. 


Array  of  Forty 
from  Studio 
of  Sennett 

Mack  Sennett  will  offer  a tremendous 
array  of  40  short  feature  comedies  on  the 
Pathe  program  for  1927-1928. 

Three  series  will  be  offered : Mack 
Sennett  Comedies,  a series  of  12  rapid-fire 
fun-fests  enacted  by  such  comics  as 
Aladeline  Hurlock,  Billy  Bevan,  Alma 
Bennettt  and  Vernon  Dent;  Mack  Sen- 
nett Girl  Comedies,  a series  of  12  two-reel 
glorifications  of  the  bathing  girl  and  fea- 
turing a prominent  comedienne,  and  “The 
Smith  Family”  comedies,  a series  of  12 
lively  domestic  laugh  films  featuring  Mary 
-Ann  Jackson,  Raymond  McKee  and  Rutb 
Hiatt.  Also,  Sennett  will  present  two 
Harry  Langdon  and  two  Ben  Turpin 
comedies. 

The  Mack  Sennett  brand  for  1927-28 
will  offer  famous  beauties  such  as  Mad- 
eline Hurlock,  Alma  Bennett  and  Mary 
Mabery,  and  clever  comedians  like  Billy 
Bevan,  Eddie  Quillan,  Andy  Clyde,  Ver- 
non Dent  and  Barney  Helium.  Included 
in  the  new  lineup  will  be  “The  Gold  Nut,” 
“The  Bull  Fighter,”  “For  Sale,  a Bunga- 
low,” “Love  in  a Police  Station,”  and 
“The  College  Kiddo.” 

For  years  the  Mack  Sennett  girls  have 
received  tremendous  publicity  in  every 
type  of  publication  and  the  Mack  Sennett 
beauty  is  as  frequently  spoken  of  as  is  the 
Ziegfeld  charmer.  In  the  past  the  Sen- 
nett girls  presented  as  added  attractions 
in  the  regular  two-reel  releases  have  been 
a highly  valuable  box  office  asset  which 
exhibitors  have  come  to  realize. 

According  to  present  plans,  each  of  the 
12  releases  will  have  some  famous  com- 
edian leading  the  girls  in  the  action. 
Daphne  Pollard  has  been  recruited  from 
\audeville  by  Sennett  as  one  of  the  star 
comediennes  in  the  new  series. 

“Why  Is  a Bathing  Girl?”  is  to  be  the 
title  of  the  first  one  scheduled  for  pro- 
production. 

According  to  Sennett’s  present  plans, 
the  series  is  to  be  a study  in  evolution — 
the  evolution  of  bathing  girl  comedies 
from  the  days  when  a few  sweet  things 
in  abbreviated  suits  capered  by  the  sad  sea 
waves,  down  to  the  present  when  a chorus 
of  Venuses  make  the  ensemble  of  the  Sen- 
nett “Follies.”  The  pictures  are  to  bur- 
lesque the  picture  comedy  idea,  with  Miss 
Pollard  doing  a travesty  on  bathing  beau- 
ties. Special  technicolor  sequences  of  the 
girls  will  be  produced. 

In  giving  “The  Smith  Family”  a life 
upon  the  screen  in  a series  of  Pathe  do- 
mestic comedies.  Mack  Sennett  is  meeting 
the  public  demand.  These  comedies  have 
Iieen  woven  around  the  homes  of  the  mid- 
dle class. 

Numbered  in  the  1927-28  releases  of  this 
popular  series  are : “Smith’s  Candy 

Shop,”  “Smith’s  Pony,”  “Smith’s  Cook,” 
“Smith’s  Cousin,”  “Smith’s  Modiste  Shop,” 
“Smith’s  Cafeteria,”  “Smith’s  Farm  Days,” 
“.Smith’s  Holiday”  and  “Smith’s  Army 
Life.” 

Jimmy  Smith  is  portrayed  by  Raymond 
McKee,  Mrs.  Smith  is  enacted  by  Ruth 
Hiatt,  and  Bubbles  Smith  is  played  by 
Mary  Ann  Jackson. 

Harry  Langdon  will  be  presented  by 
Sennett  on  the  Pathe  program  in  two 
comedy  subjects,  “Soldier  Man,”  in  three 
reels,  and  “Fiddlesticks,”  in  two  reels. 
Both  were  directed  by  Harry  Edwards  and 
supervised  by  John  Waldron. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

NOTED  DIRECTORS  AND 


55 

WRITERS 


Men  and  Women 
of  Talent  on 
Studio  List 

The  brilliant  group  of  directorial  and 
literary  talent  which  will  produce  the 
output  of  the  Pathe-DeMille  studios  for 
192^28  means  that  these  pictures  will 
provide  the  finest  possible  entertainment. 

In  the  forefront  of  this  galaxy  of  direc- 
tors and  writers,  are  two  of  the  outstand- 
ing figures  of  the  screen  world — William 
De  Mille  and  Jeanie  Macpherson. 

William  de  Mille  has  been  made  an  as- 
sociate producer,  Miss  Macpherson  stands 
at  the  top  of  the  list  as  a scenarist.  If 
for  nothing  else,  her  fame  would  be 
secure  because  she  did  the  story  for 
“The  King  of  Kings”;  but  even  before 
that,  she  was  responsible  for  “The  Ten 
Commandments”,  “The  Affairs  of  Ana- 
toi”,  “'j'he  Golden  Bed”  and  a great  many 
more.  She  also  acts  in  a supervisory 
capacity. 

Among  the  supervisors  are  such  lead- 
ers as  Walter  Woods,  Bertram  Mill- 
hauser  and  F.  McGrew  Willis. 

The  directorial  fores  are  headed  by 
Cecil  B.  De  Mille  himself  and  include 
William  K.  Howard,  Rupert  Julian, 
Elmer  Clifton,  Erie  Kenton,  Karl  Brown, 
Lois  Weber,  Rochus  Glease,  Paul  Sloan, 
E.  Mason  Hopper,  Frank  Urson  and 
Paul  Stein. 

Next  on  the  list  comes  James  Cruze, 
and  it  seems  unnecessary  to  comment 
upon  the  man  who  produced  “The  Cov- 
ered Wagon”.  Mr.  Cruze  is  slated  to 
produce  two  of  the  road  shows  on  the 
program — '“The  Pioneer  Woman”  and 
“The  Army  Mule”.  He  will  supervise 
three  other  productions. 

So  far  as  the  literary  end  of  the  group 
is  concerned,  it  includes  such  authors 
and  writers  as  Harry  Carr,  Leonore  Cof- 
fee, Clara  Beranger,  Douglas  C.  Doty, 
Dr.  Karl  Vollmoeller,  Tay  Garnett,  Den- 
nison Clift,  John  Farrow,  Max  Marcin, 
Carl  Hovey,  Sonia  Levien,  Beulah 
Marie  Dix,  Zelda  Sears,  Raymond  Can- 
non, Albert  Shelby  LeVino,  Elmer  Har- 
ris and  Dudley  Murphy. 

And  added  to  this  group  the  two  men, 
who,  in  the  past  year,  have  forged  ahead 
into  the  front  rank  of  title  writers- — 
John  Krafft  and  Lesley  Mason. 


100  Per  Cent  Service 
Is  Pledged  by  Reisman 

{Continued  from  page  53) 

The  formation  of  the  new  company  has 
necessitated  some  changes  in  sales  and 
distribution.  These  departments  will 
function  through  three  main  divisions, 
each  under  a divisional  sales  manager. 
Under  these  will  be  11  district  managers, 
exclusive  of  Canada,  and  35  branches. 

The  Eastern  division  will  be  in  charge 
of  William  J.  Morgan,  who  will  super- 
vise Albany,  Boston  and  New  Haven, 
under  District  Manager  L.  J.  Hacking; 
New  York  and  New  Jersey,  and  possibly 
a new  office  in  Brooklyn,  under  District 
Manager  George  Dillon;  and  Philadel- 
phia, Washington  and  Charlotte,  a dis- 
trict for  which  no  manager  has  yet  been 
named. 

The  Middle  West  will  be  the  division 
of  Ed  Eschmann.  His  division  will  in- 
clude Buffalo,  Cleveland  and  Detroit,  un- 
der District  Manager  Robert  Cotton; 
Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  and  Indianapolis, 


where  a district  manager  is  still  to  be 
appointed;  Chicago,  Milwaukee  and  Min- 
neapolis, under  District  Manager  C.  E. 
Maberry,  and  New  Orleans,  Atlanta,  and, 
possibly,  Jacksonville,  under  District 
Manager  Ralph  Morrow. 

The  third  divisional  sales  manager  will 
be  Les  Weir  who  has  been  district  man- 
ager for  PDC,stationed  at  Los  Angeles. 


The  Pathe  Short 
Feature  by 
J.  E.  Storey 

{Continued  from  paoe  53) 
at  large,  S.  Barret  McCormick  of  exhib- 
itor fame,  was  placed  at  the  helm.  The 
new  editor  has  given  production  values 
to  the  subject  and  presented  this  ma- 
terial in  most  attractive  form.  Pathe 
Review  maintains  a camera  staff'  which 
goes  to  the  far  corners  of  the  world  and 
brings  back  the  pictured  record  of 
strange  peoples  and  places  and  it  like- 
wise maintains  a producing  organization 
for  the  creation  of  photographic  novel- 
ties. 

Upon  the  foundation — success  of  the 
“Perils  of  Pauline,”  the  first  of  all 
serials,  Pathe  has  consistently  bettered 
the  chapter  film  until  today  it  offers 
these  attractions  with  big  stars  and  fea- 
ture production.  For  this  season’s  of- 
ferings Pathe  is  placing  behind  its  serial 
production  units  the  best  stories,  serial 
scenarists,  directors  and  feature  players 
that  money  can  buy.  We  have  com- 
pleted “The  Hawk  of  the  Hills.”  This 
serial  will  be  released  August  28  and  I 
personally  guarantee  it  to  be  an  excel- 
lent box  office  attraction. 

Pathe  two  reel  comedies  are  the  prod- 
uct of  veteran  producers  backed  with 
the  foundation  of  years  of  successful  ex- 
perience in  catering  to  the  “funny-bone” 
of  the  theatre-goers  of  the  world. 

Mack  Sennett  this  year  will  give  us  a 
new  series  in  addition  to  the  regular 
Sennett  comedies  featuring  Madeline 
Hurlock,  Billy  Mevan,  etc.,  and  the  Smith 
Family  series  with  Raymond  McKee, 
Ruth  Hiatt  and  Mary  Ann  Jackson.  The 
new  seres  will  be  known  as  the  Mack 
Sennett  Bathing  Girls,  and  when  Mack 
Sennett  says  “Bathing  Girls”  he  means 
just  that. 

Hal  Roach  this  season  will  release 
four  “Our  Gangs”  and  eight  rollicking 
Hal  Roach  star  comedies  through  aPthe. 
Charley  Chase  will  appear  in  three  two 
reel  farces  under  these  auspices. 

“Henry  and  Polly  Comedies,”  featur- 
ing Taylor  Holmes  and  Leah  Baird, 
have  been  developed  along  the  lines  of 
the  great  success  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sidney 
Drew.  The  subjects  are  carefully  pro- 
duced and  staged  in  accordance  with  the 
Pathe  standard  of  production  values. 

Sportlights,  a name  synonymous  with 
the  name  of  Grantland  Rice,  one  of  the 
greatest  sports  writers  of  all  times,  is  in 
a class  by  itself.  J.  L.  Hawkinson,  co- 
editor,  has  spent  the  greater  portion  of 
the  past  year  on  the  continent  collecting 
new  material  with  which  to  give  this  reel 
more  color  and  variety. 

Aesop’s  Film  Fables  trace  their  founda- 
tion to  the  wisdom  of  ancient  Aesop 
back  some  2,000  years.  A moral,  prop- 
erly sugar-coated,  will  entertain  to  a high 
degree.  Clever,  animated  cartooning, 
cleverly  gagged,  provides  the  sugar- 
coating  to  the  basic  theme  that  hits 
home — in  the  humorous  regions. 

Topics  of  the  Day  is  a sure-fire  idea — 
the  presentation  of  tried  and  proven  wit 
and  wisdom  from  the  world’s  press.  This 
little  reel  is  in  its  10th  year,  52  times 
each  year,  and  still  going  strong. 

Will  Rogers  is  the  world’s  jester. 
When  Will  went  to  Europe,  C.  S.  Clancy 
conceived  the  idea  of  filming  his  jaunts 
in  foreign  climes.  What  a showmanship 
idea! — “With  Will  Rogers,  Our  Unoffi- 
cial Ambassador,  Abroad.”  This  idea, 
garnished  with  Will’s  witticisms  as  titles, 
provides  a mirth-meal  for  any  audience. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


56 


ON  THE  PATHE-PDC  PROGRAM 


George  \^’alsh  and  Gladys  Hulette 
Stars 


Ruth  Hiatt,  Mary  Ann  Jackson,  Raymond  McKee 
Stars 


Bathing  Girls 
Mack  Sennett  Unit 


A.  Van  Beuren 
Timely  Films 


Grantlan<l  Rice 
Sportlight 


S.  Barret  McCormick 
Pathe  Review 


Ray  Hal! 
Pathe  News 


Jeanie  Macpherson 
Scenarist 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


July  16,  1927 

Reciprocity  Is  Vital, 
States  J,  J.  Murdock 

{Continued  from  page  49) 

ville.  E.  F.  y\lbee  who,  through  his  wis- 
dom and  vision,  has  carried  on  a business 
started  some  40  years  ago  by  B.  F.  Keith, 
is  a brilliant  example  of  the  heights  a man 
can  attain  who  combines  honor  with  a firm 
intent.  Mr.  Alliee  was  Mr.  Keith’s  associate 
from  the  very  beginning,  and  it  was  be- 
cause his  word  was  his  bond  and  everyone 
who  became  associated  with  him  had  to 
follow  that  creed,  that  Keith-Albee- 
Orpheum  Vaudeville  holds  its  present 
exalted  niche  in  the  show  world. 

“I  am  reminded  too,  in  this  connection, 
of  a policy  of  the  Keith-All)ee  Circuit  since 
its  inception — a doctrine  of  fair  play  and 
cooperation  with  all  other  circuits  and  men 
in  the  same  branch  of  show  business.  The 
policy  has  always  been  one  of  the  honest 
cooperation,  helpfulness  and  a constructive 
determination  to  advance  the  welfare  of 
the  business  generally. 

“Nor  can  I pass  over  this  galaxy  of 
names  without  mentioning  Marcus  Heiman, 
of  the  Orpheum  Circuit.  Mr.  Heiman  was 
not  an  accident.  He  started  as  a poor  l)oy 
and  has  risen  to  the  position  of  president 
of  this  powerful  circuit. 

“The  personnel  of  the  two  great  or- 
ganizations known  as  Pathe,  Inc.,  and 
De  Mille  Pictures,  is  one  gigantic  or- 
ganization of  which  I have  the  honor  to 
be  president,  is  composed  of  men  who  are 
no  more  accidents  than  were  the  companies 
which  they  piloted  to  enviable  positions  in 
the  amusement  industry. 

“Cecil  B.  De  Alille,  John  C.  Flinn  and 
Elmer  Pearson  are  without  peers  in  their 
respective  fields  of  endeavor.  The  record 
of  the  creator  of  ‘The  King  of  Kings,’ 
‘The  Ten  Commandments,’  ‘The  Volga 
Boatman,’  and  more  than  a score  of  the 
greatest  pictures  ever  filmed,  is  a chronicle 
of  the  progress  of  the  art  of  motion  pic- 
ture-making itself.  What  this  great  master 
producer  has  done  in  the  past,  is  but  an 
augury  of  the  stupendous  achievements  we 
can  confidently  expect  in  the  future. 

“I  cannot  close  without  a word  with 
reference  to  the  splendid  men  who  are  to 
constitute  what  we  may  call  our  executive 
cabinet. 

“Elmer  R.  Pearson,  who  played  such  a 
big  part  in  the  success  of  Pathe  and  will 
continue  to  play  an  important  part  in  the 
new  company,  in  charge  of  the  manage- 
ment, is  one  of  the  outstanding  personali- 
ties in  the  entire  industry. 

“P.  D.  C.  brings  to  the  organization  a 
man  who,  through  the  strenuous  days  that 
his  youthful  organization  was  fighting  for 
its  place  in  the  sun,  inspired  his  men  with 
a confidence  that  assured  success ; a true 
executive  who  built  around  him  an  or- 
ganization that  commanded  the  respect  of 
every  company  and  every  individual  in  the 
business — John  C.  Flinn,  who  will  take  full 
charge  of  all  exploitation  and  advertising 
and  all  road  shows  with  complete  super- 
vision. 

“It  would  seem  that  no  company,  no 
new  company  at  least,  could  ask  for  more 
than  three  men  of  such  calibre  as  these; 
yet  we  had  such  big  things  in  our  mind 
for  our  new  company  that  we  went  still 
further,  getting  a man  whom  we  consider 
one  of  the  greatest  in  his  line,  to  head  the 
feature  distribution  of  our  organization. 
This  man  certainly  was  the  star  pupil  of 
the  master  in  that  line.  He  comes  to  us 
from  one  of  the  biggest  and  certainly  the 
most  experienced  company  in  the  country, 
with  all  the  good  wishes  of  Sidney  Kent, 
and  his  former  associates,  and  with  the 
cabled  congratulations  and  best  wishes  of 
his  former  president,  Adolph  Zukor.  This 
man  is  Phil  Reisman.  Phil  Reisman’s 
taking  charge  of  feature  distribution  in  no 
way  detracts  from  the  credit  due  Mr.  Mor- 


gan, whose  position  is  of  such  great  value 
in  the  line  of  work  to  which  he  is  so 
admirably  adapted,  and  who  has  been  re- 
tained in  his  post. 

“Harry  Scott,  who  made  such  a brilliant 
record  with  Pathe,  will  remain  in  the  same 
position  he  has  had  for  many  years,  as  the 
head  of  the  distribution  of  the  Pathe  short 
reels. 

“Arthur  Whyte,  who  has  been  with  us  so 
long,  will  hold  a place  of  great  importance 
on  the  e.xecutive  staff. 

“Each  man  will  be  supreme  in  his  own 
field  and  every  man  under  these  will  be 
answerable  to  his  own  head.  These  six 
men,  each  prominent  in  his  own  line,  with 
others  whose  names  may  have  been 
omitted,  will  form  a nucleus  of  a cabinet 
and  they  will  debate  all  matters  which  will 
tend  to  make  our  company  one  of  far- 
reaching  importance. 

“In  the  three  great  sales  conventions 
held  in  New  York,  Chicago  and  Los 
Angeles,  I stressed  to  the  sales  force  the 
point  that  our  ol)ligation  does  not  end 
when  we  sell  the  picture  to  the  exhibitor. 
It  will  be  the  duty  of  every  salesman  in 
our  organization  to  follow  up  any  sug- 
gestion that  will  aid  the  exhibitor  to  place 
the  picture  before  the  public  to  the  greatest 
advantage.  The  exhibitor  should  be  en- 
couraged to  advertise  and  have  confidence 
in  the  picture. 

“We  are  not  setting  up  the  claim  that 
we  are  going  to  make  all  the  best  pictures. 
Others  will  make  good  pictures,  but  we 
will  make  them  equally  as  good  in  quantity 
and  quality.  In  going  out  to  sell  our 
product  we  want  every  man  to  visualize 
a new  era.  He  should  cast  aside  the  old 
methods  of  trying  to  sell  his  product  by 
knocking  the  other  fellow.  No  man  should 
tear  down  his  competitor’s  product  to  Iwost 
his  own.  Boost  all  moving  pictures  in 
general — and  sell  your  own  because  you 
believe  they  are  the  best  he  can  buy.  I 
am  speaking  generally  throughout  the  trade. 

“The  exhibitor  gets  his  advance  informa- 
tion regarding  all  the  producers  from  the 
knockers  who  cannot  see  their  way  to 
putting  in  a Iwost  for  the  other  makers  in 
the  same  line  of  business.  What  is  the 
result?  After  the  exhibitor  has  talked  to 
half  a dozen  salesmen  he  knows  all  the 
supposed  bad  points  of  every  producer  in 
the  Inisiness,  including  the  one  represented 
by  the  salesman  present.  Such  a policy 
misleads  the  exhibitor  and  makes  him  lack 
confidence  in  the  pictures  he  is  buying  and 
selling  to  the  puldic,  regardless  of  who 
makes  them.  He  knows,  or  thinks  he 
knows,  all  the  bad  points  in  every  picture 
that  has  been  made.  He  learned  it  from 
the  knockers.  He  learned  it  from  the 
picture  men  themseh'es.  He  learned  it 
from  those  men  who,  instead  of  construct- 
ing, want  to  tear  down.  This  is  apt  to  be 
true  in  any  line  of  competitive  endeavor. 

“But  there  should  be  no  room  in  any 
successful  business  for  the  knocker, 
whether  he  be  exhibitor  or  distributor. 
If  every  producer  makes  good  pictures, 
the  better  for  him,  the  better  it  helps 
every  other  producer,  the  better  it  helps 
the  entire  picture  enterprise,  the  better 
the  public  is  pleased,  and  the  greater  our 
industry  prospers. 

“The  exhibitor  and  the  sales  department 
are  two  big  factors  beating  their  heads 
together  and  very  often  referring  to  each 
other  in  the  most  derogatory  manner  pos- 
sible when,  in  fact,  neither  one  can  succeed 
without  the  other.  We  recognize  that  fact 
and  it  will  be  the  duty  of  our  salesmen 
to  extend  helpful  constructive  considera- 
tion to  the  exhibitor. 

“With  cooperation,  loyalty  and  honest 
belief  in  ourselves,  I am  confident  that  the 
coming  year  will  establish  our  organization, 
with  Cecil  B.  De  Mille,  the  master  mind, 
at  the  head  of  the  producing  unit,  assuring 
you  a non-beatable  combination — second  to 
none  in  the  greatest  amusement  industry 
the  world  has  ever  known.” 


Exhibitors  Will  Aid 

in  Advertising  Drive 

{Continued  from  page  49) 
for  14  years  he  has  imoduced  a sequence 
of  box  office  successes  unparalleled  in 
the  industry. 

The  mind  that  conceived,  the  brain 
and  hand  that  produced,  “The  Ten  Com- 
mandments,” “The  Volga  Boatman”  and 
that  greatest  picture  ever  made,  “The 
King  of  Kings,”  will  guide  the  coming 
program  of  DeMille  studio  productions. 
His  name  alone  is  sufficient  guarantee  of 
the  production  quality  and  entertainment 
values  of  this  group  of  pictures. 

I’athe-DeMille  studio  pictures  this  year 
step  into  the  front  rank  in  the  amuse- 
ment world.  They  take  the  place  which 
they  have  earned  by  sheer  merit,  by  con- 
sistent advancement,  by  novel  ideas,  by 
clean,  honest,  skilled  showmanship,  by  a 
policy  of  fair  dealing  with  the  exhibitor 
and  the  public. 

Details  of  the  most  remarkable 
national  advertising  and  publicity  cam- 
paign for  Pathe  and  DeMille  studio  pic- 
tures, with  an  eye  exclusively  to  the  box 
offices  of  the  thousands  of  theatres  which 
will  exhibit  the  1927-28  product,  will  be 
revealed  shortly. 

With  the  beginning  of  the  exhibition 
season  in  September,  millions  of  motion 
picture  fans  will  be  informed  in  a posi- 
tive and  expert  manner  of  the  merits  of 
Pathe  and  DeMille  studio  productions. 
The  determination  is  to  reach  the  public 
directly,  so  that,  on  the  nights  the  De- 
Alille  studio  and  Pathe  offerings  compose 
the  attractions,  theatre  patrons  will  have 
been  told  in  advance  of  the  excellence 
of  the  entertainment.  Huge  appropria- 
tions for  this  purpose  have  been  made. 

It  shall  not  be  a campaign  of  coercion 
and  force  upon  the  exhibitor,  but  a coast- 
to-coast  message  of  help  and  assistance 
that  every  customer  of  the  company  will 
welcome  and  approve. 

An  Exhibitors’  Advisory  Advertising 
Council  will  be  selected,  on  which  a 
representative  of  every  great  motion  pic- 
ture theatre  circuit  will  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  express  and  see  fulfilled  its 
needs  and  desires  in  connection  with  the 
constructive  expenditure  of  the  appropri- 
ations. Also,  the  representatives  of  the 
thousands  of  independent  theatre  opera- 
tors will  be  called  upon  for  representa- 
tion on  the  advisory  council. 

TRADE  PAPERS  AND  MAGA- 
ZINES: Five  million  readers  of  the  fan 
magazines  and  motion  picture  trade  pub- 
lications will  receive  the  message  of  the 
DeMille  and  Pathe  pictures  continuously. 

NEWSPAPERS:  A large  appropria- 
tion will  be  distributed  among  leading 
newspapers,  not  only  of  the  key  cities, 
but  in  hundreds  of  other  communities, 
all  copy  to  be  prepared  and  placed  with 
the  cooperation  of  theatre  operators. 

BILLBOARDS:  Highw'ay  displays 

for  many  years  have  been  synonymous 
with  successful  theatrical  exploitations 
and  will  be  used  for  the  DeMille  studio 
and  Pathe  pictures  in  the  great  popula- 
tion centers. 

RADIO:  Several  years  ago  regarded 
as  a new  competitor  of  popular  family 
entertainment,  the  radio  has  been  turned 
into  an  ally  of  tremendous  force,  and  the 
magnificent  campaign  .of  “The  Yankee 
Clipper,”  through  which  millions  w’ere 
reached,  millions  of  ears  were  told  simul- 
taneously of  the  glories  of  its  story,  is 
but  an  indication  of  future  plans  of  ex- 
ploitation. 

The  showmanship  elements  of  our  1927- 
28  product  is  beyond  dispute.  The  ad- 
vertising and  publicity  campaign  behind 
this  great  product  will  blaze  a golden 
trail  to  the  exhibitor. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


And  We  Welcome  You 

ROCKMART,  GA.— To  the  Editor: 
Next  week  I hope  to  be  on  my  way  to 
California  with  a day  in  Chicago. 

Of  course,  the  most  interesting  thing 
there  to  me  is  the  Exhibitors  Herald,  and 
as  number  142  of  the  “Herald  Only  Club” 
I am  planning  to  visit  your  paper  while 
there.  Kindest  regards. — B.  Smith,  Palace 
theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. 


The  Boys  Are  Fighting 

NASHWAUK,  MINN. — To  the  Editor: 
This  sure  is  a crool,  crool  world.  Your 
man,  Friday,  better  known  as  J.  C.  Jenkins, 
landed  in  our  town  recently,  cold,  wet  and 
hungry.  He  admits  that  we  took  him  in, 
fed  him  up,  gave  him  a bed  to  sleep  in  and 
even  allowed  our  big  dog  to  lick  him  in  the 
face.  He  parked  his  dilapidated  Clara  in 
the  shade  so  the  paint  would  not  fall  off 
and  used  our  benzine  buggy  to  cover  North- 
eastern Minnesota,  and  then  when  he  writes 
up  his  stay  here,  he  calls  our  Chrysler  a one 
cylinder  brush,  he  calls  our  pedigreed  Saint 
Bernard  dog  a Newfoundland  bull  dog, 
and  winds  up  by  saying  that  I (Brown) 
am  a pretty  good  scout  but  I talk  too  much 
with  my  mouth. 

That  accounts  for  the  wise  crack  J.  C. 
made  at  the  breakfast  table  when  I re- 
marked, “I  don’t  think  you  slept  well,  J.  C., 
I heard  you  talking  in  your  sleep.”  “Well,” 
he  piped  back,  “I  had  to,  it’s  the  only 
chance  I get.”  And  he  kept  right  on  eat- 
ing. 

From  the  way  that  old  boy  can  put  away 
the  food  you  would  think  his  legs  are  hol- 
low right  down  to  his  shoe  heel.  To  add 
insult  to  misery,  Zimmerman  of  Aurora, 
who  held  down  the  back  seat  with  J.  C. 
on  the  wild  ride  in  the  North  woods,  agrees 
with  the  old  bird,  and  adds  that  I dumped 
everything  on  them  but  the  lake.  I don’t 
blame  J.  C.  for  kicking  on  those  two  mud 
holes.  A man  driving  a dry  land  turtle 


EUlch  Has  Nine  Lives; 
They’re  Audience  Alone 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY , July  12. — For  the  last 
few  months  the  expense  sheets  of 
Farash  Theatres,  Inc.,  of  Schenec- 
tady, N.  Y.,  owning  and  control- 
ling a majority  of  the  theatres  in 
that  city,  have  carried  a rather  un- 
usual item. 

This  item  included  the  cost  of 
milk  and  meat  for  no  less  than 
eleven  black  cats  that  had  been 
given  a home  at  the  VanCurler 
theatre.  At  first  there  was  but  one 
cat.  Then  there  came  another  and 
in  due  course  of  time  the  family 
had  grown  until  it  numbered  no 
less  than  eleven.  These  cats  kept 
the  theatre  free  from  rats. 

The  company  gave  up  its  lease 
of  the  theatre  last  week  and  one 
of  the  cats  found  a home  at  the 
State  theatre,  while  another  was 
taken  to  the  Strand  and  the  nine 
others  were  permitted  to  shift  for 
themselves. 


like  his  has  no  business  trying  to  get  over 
muddy  roads.  I rode  with  him  to  Grand 
Rapids,  25  miles,  and  I kept  my  mouth 
shut  all  the  way,  as  my  teeth  were  shaken 
loose  before  we  got  half  way.  'When  I 
said,  “J.  C.,  where  did  you  get  this  rattle 
trap?”  he  just  said: 

I took  some  hay,  wire  and  old  tin  can, 

I made  myself  a car  and  the  durn  thing 
ran. 

It  rides  awful  rough  and  rattles  like 
sin. 

But  she’s  a damn  good  “chevie”  for  the 
shape  she’s  in. 

I see  in  the  issue  of  June  25  that  our 
good  friend  Levy  of  Nacogdochesfghjkhsd, 
Tex.,  fires  a couple  of  questions  at  me  re- 
garding our  friendly  argument  on  the  Vita- 
graph  girl.  I still  say  it  was  none  other 
than  Florence  E.  Turner.  J.  C.  and  I 
agreed  on  this  one  point  if  no  other.  He 
asked  me  if  I knew  'who  made  the  first 
double  part  feature,  Bushman  or  Broncho 
Billy.  This  may  or  may  not  be  news  to 
Mr.  Levy,  but  Broncho  Billy,  whose  real 
name  was  George  M.  Anderson,  in  asso- 
ciation with  George  K.  Spoor,  organized 
the  old  Essanay  Company  (S.  & A.)  named 
for  Spoor  & Anderson,  and  I am  positive 
that  Broncho  Billy  was  ahead  of  Bushman 
in  the  making  of  two-reelers. 

As  to  the  name  of  our  respective  towns, 
so  as  we  know  how  to  pronounce  the  name 
of  our  own  town,  we  won’t  argue  about  it. 
but  in  Nashwauk  the  “u”  is  silent  as  in 
“soup,”  and  if  you  want  to  know  how  to 
pronounce  it  ask  some  film  salesman  who 
has  tried  to  put  over  a fast  one  on  me. 
They  can  tell  you. 

I hope  some  of  the  old  timers  will  horn 
in  and  settle  this  Vitagraph  girl  question, 
but  I am  willing  to  bet  my  Chrysler  70 
against  J.  C.’s  Vibrator  that  I am  right. — 
Crockett  Brown,  Nashwauk,  Minn. 


“P.  G.”  On  the  Air 

PARKER,  S.  D. — To  the  Editor:  Now 
that  the  beauty  contest  is  over  we  wish  to 
congratulate  the  fortunate  ladies.  They 
are  charming;  but  no  more  charming  than 
our  own  choice.  Miss  Marion  Nixon.  And 
here  is  something  for  Dad  Jenkins  to 
mark  up : Miss  Nixon  took  the  trouble  to 
write  us  a letter  of  appreciation,  and  that’s 
more  than  any  of  them  has  done  for  our 
friend,  even  when  he  calls  his  car  after 
them.  Witness,  Viola  and  Clara. 

Wonder  if  Dad  really  meant  that  invita- 
tion to  Neligh?  That  array  of  viands 
added  to  the  pleasure  of  visiting  with 
Friend  Jenkins  and  his  estimable  family, 
would  tempt  us  to  a longer  drive  than  the 
one  from  Parker  to  Neligh. 

We  were  serious,  too,  about  that  Coast 
trip.  It’s  the  one  thing  toward  which  we 
have  been  saving;  even  knocking  down  now 
and  then,  from  our  own  till — pretending 
that  it’s  extra  profit,  therefore,  properly 
appropriated  toward  a junket.  If  the  dis- 
tance to  Forks  is  too  great,  why  can  we  not 
set  a more  central  point  for  a gathering? 
How  about  it.  Brother  Anderson? 

Think  of  the  good  fellows  from  all  the 
Central  states  who  could  and  would  make 
a reasonable  journey.  Editor  Weaver, 
Crockett  Brown,  O’Hara,  Eagle  Eye  Joe, 
Tom  Foster,  Mason,  Trag,  and  scores  of 
others.  It  would  beat  any  exhibitors’  con- 
vention ever  held — and  I’ll  bet  the  con- 
structive benefits  would  be  greater  than 
ever  accrued  from  any  convention  we 
have  attended  to  date. 

Do  we  hear  any  seconds?  Fraternally 
vours.— P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker, 
S.  D.  

Jaysee  Breaks  Heat  Wave 

ESTELLINE,  S.  D. — To  the  Editor: 
Well,  after  months  of  anxious  waiting  the 
inevitable  has  happened.  Dad  Jenkins  has 
come  and  gone. 

We  had  been  having  an  awful  spell  of 
torrid  weather  and  things  were  starting  to 
look  tough  until  Dad  breezed  through  here 


and  now  we’ve  had  a good  rain  and  the 
air  is  cool  and  everybody  is  happy,  so  why 
not  give  him  credit  for  it. 

I had  been  planning  on  installing  a bliz- 
zard ventilator  but  have  decided  to  let  my 
subscription  to  the  Herald  lapse  and  get 
Dad  back.  Well,  anyhow,  he  got  my  re- 
newal without  a struggle  and  I enjoyed  a 
short  visit  and  took  a look  at  Clara  and 
will  say  that  for  the  company  she  keeps 
she  is  very  well  preserved. 

I would  like  to  have  had  Dad  stay  over 
for  supper,  as  I had  just  returned  from 
Lake  Geneva  Lodge  near  Alexandria,  Minn., 
with  some  fine  black  bass  and  pike  and  I 
figured  that  he  would  founder  himself  and 
then  I might  get  my  money  back,  but  he’s 
a wily  old  hawk  and  so  full  of  business 
that  he  won’t  stop  long  enough  to  let  his 
pencil  cool  off. 

So,  he’s  still  at  large  and  if  any  of  you 
brother  exhibitors  haven’t  got  the  three 
dollars  for  a subscription  to  the  Herald 
you  might  just  as  well'  go  out  some  dark 
night  and  get  it,  because  you  just  naturally 
will  have  to  have  it  when  Dad  comes,  and 
the  best  part  of  it  is  you  will  be  glad  to 
give  it  to  him,  because  the  Herald  fills  a 
want  none  other  can. — Guy  S.  Abbott, 
Hamline  theatre,  Estelline,  S.  D. 


Deaths 


Ben  Simpson 

Ben  Simpson,  active  in  motion  picture 
work  for  many  years,  died  at  his  home  in 
San  Francisco  following  a long  illness. 
He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  his  mother, 
three  brothers  and  a sister. 

Mrs.  Fanny  E.  Mastbaum 

Mrs.  Fanny  E.  Mastbaum,  mother  of  the 
late  Jules  E.  and  Stanley  V.  Mastbaum, 
died  suddenly  last  week  at  her  home  in 
Philadelphia.  Mrs.  Mastbaum,  who  was 
77  years  of  age,  is  survived  by  two  daugh- 
ters. Mrs.  Louis  S.  and  Mrs.  Ellis  A. 
Gimbel. 

Gregory  Kelly 

Gregory  Kelly,  noted  star  of  screen  and 
stage,  died  Saturday  night  at  Harbor  Sani- 
tarium in  New  York  following  an  illness  of 
several  months.  Mr.  Kelly  was  36  years 
of  age.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  Ruth 
Gordon,  prominent  on  the  stage. 

John  Drew 

John  Drew,  one  of  the  foremost  actors 
on  the  American  stage,  died  last  week  in 
San  Francisco,  where  he  had  been  sick 
since  May  31.  Mr.  Drew  was  73.  He  is 
survived  by  his  daughter,  Louise  Dever- 
eaux,  his  niece,  Ethel  Barrymore,  and  his 
nephews,  John  and  Lionel  Barrymore. 

Robert  Aschenbrenner 

Robert  Aschenbrenner,  father  of  Paul 
Ash,  ace  bandshow  leader  at  the  Oriental, 
Chicago,  was  killed  last  week  when  struck 
by  a train  in  Milwaukee.  Mr.  Aschen- 
brenner was  a member  of  the  National  Sol- 
diers’ Home  band  in  Milwaukee. 

Joseph  Dalton 

Joseph  Dalton,  70  years  of  age,  father 
of  Julian  Eltinge,  died  at  the  Methodist 
hospital  in  Hollywood  following  a yeaPs 
illness. 


Births 


Samuel  Van  Ronkel,  producer  of  the 
Andy  Gump  comedies  for  Universal,  is  the 
proud  father  of  an  8 pound  boy.  Con- 
gratulations. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


59 


BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 

herald  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  'pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  '‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me'* 
supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing  average 
daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into  average  daily 
gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  lO  of  these  per- 
centage ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average 
of  these  lo  percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  "The  Ticker," 
Each  additional  percentage-rating  report  received  on  pic- 
tures entered  is  combined  with  those  previously  received 
and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


ROLLING  HOME  (U). 
UPSTAGE  (M-G-M)  ... 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9, 

10. 

11. 

12. 

13. 

14. 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 
21. 
22. 

23. 

24. 

25. 

26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 

30. 

31. 

32. 

33. 

34. 

35. 

36. 

37. 

38. 

39. 

40. 

41. 

42. 

43. 

44. 

45. 

46. 

47. 

48. 

49. 

50. 

51. 

52. 

53. 

54. 

55. 

56. 

57. 

58. 

59. 

60. 
61. 
62. 

63. 

64. 

65. 

66. 

67. 

68. 
6Q. 

70. 

71. 

72. 
7.3. 

74. 

75. 

76. 

77. 

78. 

79. 

80. 
81. 


TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES 


NO  MAN’S  GOLD  (Fox) 

THE  COHENS  AND  THE  KELLYS  (U) 

THE  KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES  (F.  B.  O.) 


IRENE 


LADDIE  (F.  B.  O.) 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT  i 
CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U (U) 


THE  VOLGA  BOATMAN  (P.  D.  C.) 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL  (M-G-M) 

THE  BAT  (U.  A.) 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE  (F.  N.) 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER  (F.  N.) 

ELLA  CINDERS  (F.  N.) 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE  (M-G-M) 

THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE  (U) 


THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK  (U.  A.). 
THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WOR 

THE  QUARTERBACK  (Para) 

TIN  HATS  (M-G-M) 

THE  SCARLET  WEST  (F.  N.) 


SEA  HORSES  (Para) 

THREE  BAD  MEN  (Fos 
THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN 
THE  BLACK  PIRATE  (U 
SENOR  DAREDEVIL  (F. 


THE  KID  BROTHER  (Para) 

A REGULAR  SCOUT  (F.  B.  O.) 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW  (Para) 

UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM  (P.  D.  C.) 

THE  NIGHT  CRY  (W.  B.) 

CORPORAL  KATE  (P.  D.  C.) 

THE  PHANTOM  BULLET  (U) 

HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER  (F.  B. 

ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC  (W.  B.) 

FOR  HEAVEN’S  SAKE  (Para) 

THE  DEVIL  HORSE  (P) 

SKINNER’S  DRESS  SUIT  (U) 


TWINKLETOES  (F.  N.) 

THAT’S  MY  BABY  (Para) 

WAR  PAINT  (M-G-M) 

BROWN  OF  HARVARD  (M-G-M) 

LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS  (F.  B.  O.) 

THE  MAN  IN  THE  SADDLE  (U) 

TRAMP,  TRAMP,  TRAMP  (F.  N.) 


MANTRAP  (Para)  

BEHIND  THE  FRONT  (Para 
THE  TEXAS  STREAK  (U)... 
FOREVER  AFTER  (F.  N.). 


SWEET  DADDIES  ( 
THE  TEASER  (U)... 
THE  WANING  SEX 


THE  SILENT  RIDER  (U) 

THE  TEMPTRESS  (M-G-M) 


HIS  PEOPLE  (U) 


THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  (Para) 

THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  (F.  B.  O.) 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST  (M-G-M) 

SALLY,  IRENE  AND  MARY  (M-G-M) 

THE  CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  (W.  B.). 

TONY  RUNS  WILD  (Fox) 

THE  RED  MILL  (M-G-M) 

PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY  (W.  B.) 

THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER  (U) 


14  report«) 82.21% 

13 

81.23 '/„ 

11 

79.72  yo 

25  “ 

78  OO  /o 

13  “ 

76.69% 

11 

76.18% 

11 

74.72"/o 

10  “ 

74.30% 

28  “ ' 

74.25% 

23  “ 

73  39% 

15  “ 

72.80% 

22 

72.72% 

x)..ll 

72.63% 

15 

72.46% 

...19  “ 

72.00% 

14  “ 

71.78% 

18  “ 

71  00% 

. 19  “ 

70.84% 

25 

70  60% 

...  24  “ 

70.41% 

14 

70.14% 

..  ..10  “ 

69.70yo 

13  “ 

69.38% 

..  . 21  “ 

68.38% 

^.)..20 

68.15% 

32  “ 

67.96% 

21 

67.80% 

10 

67.40% 

30  “ 

67.10% 

14 

66.78% 

10  ** 

66.40% 

18  “ 

66.38% 

13  “ 

66.30% 

19  “ 

65.94% 

21  “ 

65.85% 

15 

65  53% 

26  “ 

64.92% 

14  “ 

64  50% 

36  “ 

64.50% 

18  “ 

64.44% 

21  “ 

64.33% 

.10  “ 

64.20% 

11  “ 

64.18% 

12  “ 

64.16% 

13  “ 

64  07% 

11  “ 

63.45% 

, ..  12  “ 

63.41% 

13 

62.84% 

12  “ 

62.83% 

11  “ 

62.72% 

....  16  “ 

62.62% 

12 

62.42% 

26  “ 

62.30% 

- 26  “ 

61.96% 

20  “ 

61.85% 

19  “ 

61.68% 

13  “ 

61.00% 

17  “ 

60.94% 

....16  “ 

60.56% 

17  “ 

60.47% 

10  “ 

60.40% 

14  “ 

60.35% 

11  “ 

60.09% 

15  “ 

59.93% 

....10  “ 

59.50% 

27  “ 

59.11% 

11  “ 

59.09% 

13  “ 

59.00% 

14  “ 

58.92% 

10  “ 

58.80% 

13  “ 

58.61% 

12  “ 

58.33% 

11  “ 

58.27% 

29  “ 

58.13% 

29  “ 

58.10% 

11  “ 

58.09% 

12  “ 

13  “ 

57.46% 

14  “ 

57.42% 

14  “ 

57.00% 

21  “ 

56.85% 

82. 

83. 

84. 

85.  MIKE  (M-G-M) 

86.  THE  DARK  ANGEL  (F.  N.) 

87.  THE  FLYING  HORSEMAN  (Fox) 

88.  IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.  N.) 

89.  FORLORN  RIVER  (Para) 

90.  THE  WILDERNESS  WOMAN  (F.  N.) 

91.  SUBWAY  SADIE  (F.  N.) 

92.  WILD  JUSTICE  (U.  A.) 

93.  HER  BIG  NIGHT  (U) 

94.  STRANDED  IN  PARIS  (Para) 

95.  KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY  (F.  B.  O.) 

96.  THE  RETURN  OF  PETER  GRIMM  (Fox). 

97.  WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  JONES  (U) 

98.  THE  JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD  (Fox) 

99.  BORN  TO  THE  WEST  (Para) 

300.  PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM  (U) 

101.  MEN  OF  STEEL  (F.  N.) 

102.  CANYON  OF  LIGHT  (Fox) 

103.  THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER  (P.  D.  C.) 

104.  KID  BOOTS  (Para) 

105.  THE  ROAD  TO  MANDALAY  (M-G-M) 

106.  THE  GREATER  GLORY  (F.  N.) 

107.  TIN  GODS  (Para) 

108.  THE  BARRIER  (M-G-M) 

109.  THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN  (U) 

110.  VARIETY  (Para) 

111.  THE  ICE  FLOOD  (U) 

112.  THE  BLUE  EAGLE  (Fox) 

113.  ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS  (Para) 

114.  POKER  FACES  (U) 

115.  PARADISE  (F.  N.) 

116.  ARIZONA  STREAK  (F.  B.  O.) 

117.  THE  PRINCE  OF  PILSEN  (P.  D.  C.) 

118.  STEPPING  ALONG  (F.  N.) 

119.  HERO  OF  THE  BIG  SNOWS  (W.  B.) 

120.  MISS  NOBODY  ( F.  N.) 

121.  ONE  MIN'UTE  TO  ULAY  (F.  B.  O.) 

122.  THE  WANDERER  (Para) 

123.  BATTLING  BUTLER  (M-G-M) 

124.  HOGAN’S  ALLEY  (W.  B.) 

125.  MARE  NOSTRUM  (M-G-M) 

126.  SPARROWS  (U.  A.) 

127.  THE  MILLION  DOLLAR  HANDICAP  (P.  B 

128.  THE  SHOW  OFF  (Para) 

129. 

130. 

131. 

132.  THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS  (U) 

133.  PADLOCKED  (Para) 

134.  DESERT’S  TOLL  (M-G-M) 

135.  HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR  (F.  E 

136.  THERE  YOU  ARE  (M-G-M) 

137.  THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT  (F.  N.) 

138.  SWEET  ROSIE  O’GRADY  (Col.) 

139.  WHISPERING  SMITH  (P.  D.  C.) 

140.  THE  WALTZ  DREAM  (M-G-M) 

141.  spangles  (U) 

142.  EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA  (Fox) 

143.  THE  .STILL  ALARM  (U) 

144.  TAKE  IT  FROM  ME  (U) 

145.  TUMBLEWEEDS  (U.  A.) 

146.  WET  PAINT  (Para) 

147.  LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM  (Para) 

148.  PARTNERS  AGAIN  (U.  A.) 

149.  FINE  MANNERS  (Para) 

150.  MIDNIGHT  LOVERS  (F.  N.) 

151.  THE  BLIND  GODDESS  (Para) 

152.  THE  BROWN  DERBY  (F.  N.) 

153.  THE  BORDER  SHERIFF  (U) 

154.  PARADISE  FOR  TWO  (Para) 

155.  A LITTLE  JOURNEY  (M-G-M) 

156.  BIGGER  THAN  BARNUM’S  (F.  B.  ( 

157.  THE  OLD  SOAK  (U) 

158.  SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN  (Para) 

159.  LA  BOHEME  (M-G-M) 

160.  BLARNEY  (M-G-M) 

161.  THE  DUCHESS  OF  BUFFALO  (F.  N. 

162.  HOLD  THAT  LION  (Para) 

163.  THE  MARRIAGE  CLAUSE  (U) 

164.  EVERYBODY’S  ACTING  (Para) 

165.  MISS  BREWSTER’S  MILLIONS  (Pat 

166.  FIG  LEAVES  (Fox) 

167.  THE  LOVE  THIEF  (U) 

168.  THE  CANADIAN  (Para) 

159.  THE  WISE  GUY  (F.  N.) 

170.  FASCINATING  YOUTH  (Para) 

171.  NELL  GWYN  (Para) 

172.  BARDELYS  THE  MAGNIFICENT  ( 

173.  THE  CAT’S  PAJAMAS  (Para) 

174.  INTO  HER  KINGDOM  (F.  N.) 

175.  THE  MAGICIAN  (M-G-M) 

176.  THE  GREAT  GATSBY  (Para) 

177.  STEEL  PREFERRED  (P.  D.  C.) 


BRED  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY  (F.  B.  O.). 
THE  ANCIENT  HIGHWAY  (Para) 


13 

17 

23 

11 

12 

1 <>  ** 

26 

24 

12  “ 

56.69% 

56.58% 

56.47% 

56.45% 

56.41% 

56.33% 

56.19% 

56.16% 

56  16% 

19 

55.89% 

15 

55.86 '/o 

15 

55.80yo 

15 

55.33% 

16 

55.25% 

10  “ 

.5.5.910% 

15 

55.20% 

12 

55.08% 

18 

55.00% 

18  “ 

54.94% 

28 

54.92% 

11 

54.90% 

14 

54.50% 

19 

54.42% 

20 

54.20% 

10 

54.00% 

19  “ 

53.78% 

15 

53.00% 

19  “ 

52.6870 

19  “ 

52.63% 

1 o “ 

- 52.58% 

....  11  “ 

52 .54% 

17 

52.35% 

17 

52.35% 

15 

52.25% 

11 

52.00% 

10 

51.60% 

11 

51.27% 

10 

50.50% 

17 

50.47% 

25 

50.41% 

11 

50.36% 

21 

50  28% 

12  “ 

50.25% 

27  “ 

50.22% 

18  “ 

50.11% 

.)..17 

49.82% 

15  “ 

49.73% 

10  “ 

49.50% 

10 

49.40% 

10 

49.40% 

16 

49.31% 

15 

4,9,00% 

15  “ 

48.267o 

16 

48.18% 

21 

48.14% 

12 

48.08%, 

...  10  “ 

48.00% 

10 

47.90% 

12  “ 

47.75% 

10  “ 

4,7.60% 

16 

47.56% 

10 

47.50% 

14 

47.50% 

12 

47.00% 

11  “ 

46.81% 

-...11  “ 

46.72% 

14 

46  71% 

...10 

46.60% 

12 

46.50% 

15 

45.53% 

....17  “ 

45.41% 

10 

45.00% 

....12  “ 

44.91% 

...12  “ 

44.75% 

...10 

44.60% 

...12 

44.58% 

.--15 

44.33% 

....19 

43.63% 

...17 

43.23% 

...11 

42.45% 

...14 

42.28% 

14  “ 

41.92% 

...10 

41.30% 

...13  “ 

41.2,3% 

...10 

41.10% 

...10  “ 

40.90% 

....18  “ 

40.16% 

IP  *4 

39.83% 

...14  “ 

39.71% 

.—  10  “ 

39.30% 

1 ^ “ 

39.23% 

n “ 

,39.09% 

...11  “ 

36.90% 

...19  “ 

36.47% 

.10 

36.80% 

....10  “ 

...34.70% 

60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 

$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The  Recognized  National  Classified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


ORGAjSISTS — Thoroughly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Buren  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 

SINGERS — Experienced  for  theatre  singing. 
Men  and  women.  Write  salary  and  other  data. 
Address  Chicago  Musical  College,  64  E.  Van 
Buren  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

PROJECTIONIST — Years  experience.  High, 
low,  straight  arcs.  .^11  machines.  Do  own  re- 
l)airing.  Go  anywhere.  Address  Wayne  Berkins, 
R.  3,  Lansing,  Michigan. 


OPERATOR  with  ten  years’  experience  in  large 
houses.  Married.  Wants  steady  job.  Address 
Gene  Ingalls,  New  Hampton,  la. 

Manager  IF anted 

MANAGER  WANTED  FOR  SUBURBAN 

theatre.  Experienced  in  vaudeville  piresentation 
and  motion  pictures.  Must  be  able  to  build  lobby 
displays.  State  all  in  letter  including  salary  ex- 
pected. Address  Box  194,  Exhibitors  Hearld,  407 
South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Cartoons — Illustrations 


C-\RTOONS  — ILLUSTRATIpNS  — POST- 
ERS: High  class  work.  Prices  right.  Also  Ani- 
mated cartoons.  Original  ideas  a specialty.  Write 
for  details  or  call  Martin  Topper,  2131  \V.  Divi- 
sion Street,  Chicago,  Illinois.  Phone  Armitage 
45.39. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED:  To  lease  picture  theatre  in  town  of 
3,000-15,000.  Have  cash.  Give  all  information  in 
first  letter.  Address  Box  188,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  S.  Dearborn  Street,  Cliicago,  Illinois. 

WILL  LEASE  OR  BUY  THEATRE  in  town 

3,000  or  over.  No  competition.  State  best  terms, 
amount  of  business,  rental,  equipment  and  if  trial 
piven.  Complete  description  wanted.  Address 
Box  191,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


WANTED:  To  buy  or  lease  theatre  in  town 
of  3,000  to  10,000  population.  Cash.  Give  full 
information.  Address  Box  193,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatres  For  Sale 


FOR  SALE — Complete  theatre  equipment  (450 
seats),  very  reasonable  rent.  Address  Palace 
Theatre,  Idalou,  Texas.  (On  the  Great  South 
Plains.) 


EITHER  OR  ALL  OF  CIRCUIT  OF  THEA- 
TRES FOR  SALE:  One  Spencer,  West  Virginia. 
Plenty  population.  No  other  show  within  30 
miles.  Capacity  700.  Price  $85,000.00.  One 
Saint  Marys,  West  Virginia.  Only  show  in  county. 
Pay  roll.  Capacity  600.  Price  $16,000.00.  Above 
includes  equipment  and  properties.  Tent  thea- 
tre, Vienna,  West  Virginia.  Capacity  300.  Popu- 
lation 8,500.  No  opposition.  Building  can  be 
secured  on  same  lot  in  fall.  Good  equipment. 
Good  proposition.  Good  spot.  Price  $2,500.00. 
Terms  sixty  per  cent  cash  on  either.  Logical 
reason  for  selling.  Address  H.  H,  Robey,  Spen- 
cer, West  Virginia. 


SUBURBAN  THEATRE,  350  seating  capacity, 
all  modern  improvements  and  new  equipment. 
Doing  splendid  business.  Good  reason  for  selling. 
Location  and  full  information  given  to  interested 
parties  addressing  W.  C.  Burgert,  Box  4232, 
Tampa,  Fla.  Other  Florida  theatres  for  sale. 
Full  information  on  request. 


THEATRE  AND  LEASE  for  sale  in  Tampa, 
Florida.  Prefer  selling  half  interest.  Address 
Box  347,  Largo,  Florida. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS:  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
3x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet.  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


Theatre  Printing 


"NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post- 
paid. Samples.  Address  Sollidays,  E.  H.,  124, 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HEADS, 8;/2x11,  and  100  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


FOTOPLAYER  IN  PERFECT  SHAPE,  con- 
tains  all  attachments.  Library  of  six  hundred 
rolls.  Metal  cabinet  for  rolls.  Priced  reasonable. 
Address  Box  571,  Libertyville,  111. 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS:  Fac- 
tory rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
i^erfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin, 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built 
for  a purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best 


of  results  and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph 
Spratler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing  population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  the- 
tres  @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


■ HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theater  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  (XEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mi^ 
cellaneous  articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  One  Powers  6B,  one  Powers 
Type  E lamp  house  used  only  two  weeks.  2 AC 
Block  Motors  % Horse  Power,  60  Cycle.  First 
Class  Condition.  Address  H.  B.  Albright,  2213 
Bakwell  Street,  Toledo,  Ohio. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


ONE  PATHE  STUDIO  MODEL  Moving  Pic- 
ture Camera,  6 — 400-ft.  magazines,  tripod  and 
carrying  cases.  Camera  recently  fitted  with  all 
improvements  and  outfit  in  perfect  condition.  Cost 
originally  over  $1,000.00.  First  offer  of  $375.00 
cash  will  be  accepted.  $25.00  deposit  required  for 
C.  O.  D.  shipment  with  privilege  of  examination 
in  express  office.  Write  W.  C.  Burgert,  c/o 
Tampa  Photo  & Art  Supply  Co.,  Tampa,  Fla. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


61 


“What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


Columbia 

SWEET  ROSIE  O’GRADY:  Shirley  Mason— 
40%.  Any  theater  can  show  this  and  be  well 
proud  of  the  fact.  One  of  the  big  dramas  of  the 
year.  A dandy  money  maker.  Thanks  to  Frank 
R.  Strayer  (the  director)  for  such  a fine  at- 
traction. Six  reek. — George  Khattar,  Khattar's 
theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

OBEY  THE  LAW:  Bert  Lytell.— Here  is  an- 
other crook  picture  that  held  the  attention  of  the 
entire  patronage  during  the  six  reels.  Interest 
did  not  lag  at  any  point.  Lytell  is  a great 
favorite  here.  Six  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  SHEEP  TRAIL:  Gordon  Clifford— June 
21.  A fair  Western.  Not  much  to  it.  Had  a 
poor  crowd.  Five  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Thea- 
torium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

F.  B.  0. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 80%. 
Everyone  in  the  cast  deserves  to  be  called  a star. 
A perfectly  cast  picture.  Just  too  beautiful  for 
words.  This  picture  should  make  money  even 
though  Gene  Stratton-Porter’s  name  didn’t  give  it 
the  extra  drawing  power  it  usually  does.  Every- 
one raves  over  Raymond  Keane.  He  is  sure  to 
be  one  of  our  big  stars. — Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace 
theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BLUE  STREAK:  Richard  Talmadge— 
55%.  June  4-5.  Strike  up  another  knockout  for 
the  screen’s  daredevil.  Talmadge  is  a superman 
and  the  box  office  proves  that.  Talmadge  for 
thrills,  Talmadge  for  profits.  Five  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

THE  BETTER  MAN : Richard  Talmadge — 45%. 
June  17-18.  The  smallest  crowd  to  ever  see  a 
Talmadge  production  was  on  hand  to  view  his 
worst  picture.  The  usual  pep  was  missing.  The 
title  was  the  best  thing  in  the  picture.  Five 
reek. — George  Khattar.  Khattar’s  theatre.  Syd- 
ney, N.  S.,  Canada. — General  patronage. 

HEADS  UP:  Lefty  Flynn — 50%.  June  10-11. 
Flynn  good  as  usual.  Pleased  and  drew  good. 
Plenty  of  action  and  fights.  Five  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar's  theatre.  Sydney.  N.  S.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

THE  GORILLA  HUNT:  Special  cast— 60%. 
This  is  the  best  picture  I ever  used  of  its  kind. 
It  made  money  for  me.  It  will  be  enjoyed 
more  by  men  and  boys  but  it  seemed  to  please  all. 

The  drawing  power  surprised  me.  Five  reels. 

Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER:  Fred  Thom- 
son— 65%.  This  is  the  best  picture  Thomson 
has  made  for  all  classes  of  patronage.  It  did 
the  best  Monday-Tuesday  business  for  me  of 
any  picture  ever  used.  A splendid  Mexican  story 
full  of  action,  romance  and  beauty.  Have 
used  all  of  FBO  Westerns  the  past  season  and 
not  a poor  one  in  them.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  B. 
Smith,  Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small 
town  patronage. 

KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES:  Special  casb-78%. 
June  27.  My  patrons  well  pleased  with  this 
one.  even  though  it’s  a little  old.  This  is  my 
first  FBO  service  and  am  sorry  that  the  film 
was  in  poor  condition.  Heard  some  complaints 
from  the  audience,  too,  but  that’s  no  fault  of 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
follo'wing  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report) . 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  re.ports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


the  story  and  actors,  for  it*s  good  and  should 
pleaj^e  any  small  town  audience. — H.  E.  Lane 
Amuzu  theatre,  Gate  City,  Va. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

DEADLINE : Bob  Custer — 60%.  A good  West- 
ern. Custer  is  one  of  the  most  popular  Western 
stars  with  my  patronage.  Haven’t  seen  any 
announcement  of  his  coming  pictures  for  coming 
season.  Am  sorry  we  will  miss  him.  Is  this 

what  marriage  did  for  him  and  us?  Five  reels. 

Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

ALL  AROUND  THE  FRYING  PAN:  Fred 
Thomson— 80%.  ..May  23-24.  Great  as  are  all 
of  Fred’s  pictures.  Drew  good  for  the  holiday. 
Fred  and  Silver  King  are  big  favorites  here. 
Five  reels. — George  Khattar.  Khattar’s  theatre, 
Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — General  patronage. 

THE  OUTLAW  DOG:  Ranger — July  2.  Fourth 
and  only  Ranger  picture  this  season  worth  a 
tinkers  d — . Now,  FBO,  keep  plenty  of  human 
interest  in  these  dog  dramas  and  you  will  build 
a dog  that  will  excel  Rin  Tin  Tin.  He  is  gifted 
with  intelligence,  and  folks  are  tired  of  too 
much  dog.  Give  them  plenty  of  story  and  watch 
’em  come  to  the  front.  Five  reels. — S.  G.  Fry. 
Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

TERROR  OF  BAR  X:  Bob  Custer — June  24. 
Folks  said  plenty  good.  Played  to  S.  R.  O.  for 
10  cents.  On  account  of  opposition  cutting  price 
to  10  cents,  also  came  down.  Some  fair  competi- 
tion we  have  in  Texas,  eh?  We  can  all  fill  our 
seats  at  a dime,  but  where  will  we  profit.  FBO 
have  the  Westerns.  Five  reels. — S,  G.  Fry, 


Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FLASHING  FANGS:  Ranger— For  a change 
from  a straight  Western  on  Saturday  these 
dog  pictures  will  please.  This  has  a new 
player  in  it.  Robert  Ramsay  and  he  is  a 
splendid  type.  Does  good  work. — Mrs.  B.  Smith, 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS:  Fred  Thomson— 
July  2.  Had  to  turn  some  away.  Thomson 
and  Silver  King  have  big  following  here.  This 
story  not  as  good  as  other  Thomsons  have  been. — 
Donald  E.  Jefferson,  Temple  theatre,  Federale- 
burg,  Md. “General  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— June 
18.  Fred  is  still  there  at  the  box  office.  Drew 
good  and  seemed  to  please.  Not  as  good  as  some 
of  Fred’s  but  has  a good  story.  Six  reels. — 
Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BREED  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  cast — June 
14-15.  A very  good  South  Sea  picture  that  drew 
and  pleased.  Work  of  Ralph  Ince  and  Mar- 
garet Livingston  very  good.  Think  this  picture 
will  please  most  everywhere.  Seven  reels. — Dewey 
L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

SMILIN’  AT  TROUBLE:  Lefty  Flynn— June 
25.  A pretty  good  program  picture.  Didn’t  have 
much  of  a crowd  on  account  of  tent  show.  Five 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
— General  patronage. 

First  National 

THE  SILENT  LOVER:  Milton  Sills— 40%.  June 
6-7.  Silk  k good  in  this  Arabian  picture.  The 
box  office  didn’t  click  as  it  should  have  done. 
Why  ? No  fault  of  the  picture.  Seven  reels. — 
George  Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre.  Sydney  N.  S., 
Canada. — General  patronage. 

TWINKLETOES:  Colleen  Moore — 45%.  May 
25-26.  Mark  up  another  good  one  from  Colleen. 
Pleased  and  drew  good.  Seven  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N:  S.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

CLASSIFIED:  Corrinne  Griffith —50%.  The  only 
picture  I ever  ran  that  doubled  business  the 
second  night.  This  waa  due  to  the  advertising 
the  first  night  people  gave  it.  It  is  one  of  the 
best.  One  of  the  older  ones  but  get  it  while 
they  have  a print.  Made  me  more  money  than 
some  specials.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Pal- 
ace theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

MISS  NOBODY : Anna  Q,  Nilsson — 40%. 
Several  of  my  patrons  told  me  as  they  came 
in  they  had  seen  this  in  a nearby  city,  but 
it  was  worth  seeing  again.  What  better  re- 
port could  one  give  ? Not  one  of  the  newest. 
Good  for  any  small  town  as  long  as  you  can 
get  good  profit.  Five  reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith, 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

ELLA  CINDERS:  Colleen  Moore — 60%.  While 
this  is  not  Colleen’s  best  it  will  please  as  hers 
do.  It  drew  better  than  any  I have  run  of  her 
due.  I am  sure,  to  the  cartoon  angle.  A good 
money  maker  for  any  small  town.  Seven  x-eels. 
— Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WISE  GUY:  Special  cast — 40%.  ..June 
30.  A very  poor  title  and  a much  poorer  picture. 
Absolutely  the  worst  thing  we  have  had  here  for 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


months.  It’s  even  worse  than  “Greater  Glory” 
or  “You’d  Be  Surprised”.  My  patrons  panned 
me  severely,  especially  the  younger  set.  They 
said  that  if  they  wanted  to  hear  a sermon 
they’ll  go  to  church  to  hear  it  and  not  to  the 
movies.  Eight  reels. — H.  E.  Lane,  Amuzu  the- 
atre. Gate  City.  Va. — General  patronage. 

IT  MUST  BE  LOVE:  Colleen  Moore— 40%. 
Just  the  type  picture  for  Colleen.  My  patrons 
called  it  one  of  her  best.  Good  clean  comedy. 
This  is  what  we  want,  clean  pictures ; and  you 
can  always  depend  on  this  little  star  to  please. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith.  Palace  theatre, 
Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LOST  WORLD:  Special  cast— 90%.  June 
7-8.  This  is  certainly  a big  production.  It  takes 
one  into  the  land  of  the  unreal  and,  in  my 
opinion,  is  good  entertainment.  The  only  ob- 
jection is  the  length.  Ten  reels  is  too  much  for 
the  small  town  theatre  goer.  However,  it  drew 
a good  house  for  two  nights,  which  is  a long  run 
here,  so  why  kick  on  anything  but  the  price  we 
paid.  Ten  reels. — F.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale  thea- 
tre. Glenwood,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

RAINBOW  RILEY:  Johnny  Hines— 40%.  May 
41-12...  Another  good  one  from  Johnny.  Pleased 
mostly  all.  Drew  only  fair,  but  no  fault  of 
the  picture.  Seven  reels. — George  Khattar. 
Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney.  N.  S.,  Canada. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

BLUEBEARD’S  SEVEN  WIVES:  Ben  Lyon— 
60%.  May  16-17.  Drew  good  and  was  well 
liked.  Personally  thought  it  fine.  Small  towns 
should  watch  their  step  on  this.  Eight  reels. 
— George  Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre.  Sydney,  N. 
S.,  Canada. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— May  24.  Westerns  always  draw  well  for  us 
and  Ken  is  a comer.  The  best  we  can  say  for 
him  is  that  he  is  pu.shing  Fred  Thomson  closely. 
— Donald  E.  Jefferson,  Temple  theatre,  Federals- 
burg,  Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  BROWN  DERBY:  Johnny  Hines — June 
11.  Well  liked.  Johnny  usually  pulls  them  in. 
— Donald  E.  Jefferson,  Temple  theatre.Federals- 
burg,  Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  LIVE  WIRE:  Johnny  Hines— April  9. 
Not  as  good  as  the  other  Hines  we  have  run. 
— Donald  E.  Jefferson.  Temple  theatre,  Federals- 
burg,  Md. — General  patronage. 


Another  Ten  That 
Cashed  In 

LAUREL,  MONT. — To  the  Edi- 
tor: I am  enclosing  a list  of  the  10 
best  pictures  that  I have  run  during 
the  past  year.  These  are  considered 
“Best”  strictly  on  the  box  office  value 
or  receipts,  taking  into  consideration 
the  playing  time  (day  of  week)  and 
admission  charged. 

They  are  not  given  in  the  proper 
order  but  are  those  that  showed  the 
10  highest  gross  receipts  with  the 
above  conditions  taken  into  consid- 
eration. They  are ; 

“The  Flaming  Frontier”  (Uni.) 

“The  Two  Gun  Man”  (FBO) 

“The  Devil  Horse”  (Pathe) 

“The  Midnight  Sun”  (Uni.) 

“The  Bat”  (U.A.) 

“Son  of  the  Sheik”  (U.A.) 

“Best  Bad  Man”  (Fox) 

“Forlorn  River”  (Par.) 

“The  Quarterback”  (Par.) 

“Braveheart”  (P.D.C.) 

Yours  very  truly,  AIurray  S.  Dol- 
LivER,  Strand  theatre.  Laurel,  Mont. 


SHORE  LEAVE:  Richard  Barthelmess — May  7. 
Barthelmess  is  always  well  liked  here. — Donald 
E.  Jefferson,  Temple  theatre,  Federalsburg,  Md. 
— General  patronage. 

Fox 

THE  FLYING  HORSEMAN:  Buck  Jones— 
60%.  May  20-21.  Another  dandy  from  Buck. 
Jones  is  well  liked  and  always  draws  a good 
crowd.  Five  reels. — George  Khattar.  Khattar’s 
theatre,  Sydney  N.  S.,  Canada. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  GREAT  K.  AND  A.  TRAIN  ROBBERY: 

Tom  Mix — 80%.  ..May  13-14.  Drew  one  of  the 


biggest  week  end  crowds  in  months.  Pleased  100 
per  cent.  Mix  is  sure  making  good  features 
this  year.  (It  was  time  he  did).  Five  reels. — 
George  Khattar.  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N. 
S.,  Canada. — General  patronage. 

THREE  BAD  MEN:  Special  cast — 60%  June 
13-14.  One  of  the  biggest  Westerns  ever  made. 
Any  exhibitor  can  be  well  proud  of  this  epic 
of  the  West,  “Three  Bad  Men”.  Get  behind 
this  gem.  Nine  reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar’s 
theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — General  patron- 
age. 

SUMMER  BACHELORS:  Madge  Bellamy— 
June  29.  Look  out  Mr.  Billum  Fox,  we  paid  a 
special  price  for  this  baby.  It’s  all  right  at  regu- 
lar rental  and  regular  admission.  Seven  reels. 
— S.  G.  Fry.  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  WAR  HORSE:  Buck  Jones— July  1. 
This  is  a knockout,  although  not  a Western. 
Why  should  we  crab  when  it  has  the  kick  of  a 
Western.  Our  Western  crowd  went  wild  about 
it,  so’d  your  ’ole  man  and  woman,  and  our 
other  fans.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  the- 
atre, Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FAMILY  UPSTAIRS:  Special  cast— A 
very  enjoyable  picture  that  will  please  the  entire 
family.  Six  reels. — Giacoma  Bros..,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

THERE  YOU  ARE:  Special  cast— 75%.  June 
11.  This  is  a pretty  good  comedy.  Far  better 
than  “The  Boy  Friend”.  Metro’s  comedies  lack 
a lot  of  being  as  good  as  their  Westerns.  Six 
reels. — F.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale  theatre.  Glen- 
wood. Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O’Neil— 48%. 
June  5-6.  About  an  average  program  picture. 
Seven  reels. — O.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy  ’Theatre, 
Duchesne,  Utah.  Small  town  patronage. 

HEAVEN  ON  EARTH:  Special  cast— 68%. 
June  28.  A fairly  good  picture  but  nothing  to 
rave  about.  Just  a good  average  program  picture. 
Drew  only  moderately  well. — H.  E.  Lane,  Amuzu 
theatre.  Gate  City,  Va. — General  patronage. 

A LITTLE  JOURNEY:  Special  cast— 60%. 
June  25.  Was  this  comedy  a very  romantic  love 
.story  or  just  plain  mush  ? We  aren’t  quite  sure, 
but  we  don’t  especially  recommend  this  one, 
although  the  stars  all  very  good  to  look  at  and 
very  accomplished  at  making  love.  Seven  reels. 
— F.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale  theatre.  Glenwood, 
Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines— 

June  20.  100  per  cent  entertainment.  Metro 

may  make  ub  forget  about  that  bunch  of 
lemons  with  a few  good  ones.  This  is  a pos- 
itive knockout,  especially  at  this  season.  Play 
it  quick.  Boost  to  the  sky.  Seven  reels. — S.  G. 
Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines- 

One  of  the  best  liked  pictures  we  have  shown. 
— Donald  E.  Jefferson,  Temple  theatre,  Federals- 
burg, Md. — General  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  Wiliam  Haines— 

June  28-29.  Here  is  as  good  a picture  as  I have 
shown  for  some  time,  but  was  a total  flop  as 
far  as  the  box  office  was  concerned.  Did  a lot 
of  advertising  on  this  but  just  could  not  get 
them  in.  But  it  will  please  if  you  can  get  them. 
Eight  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre, 
Fairmont,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

MR.  WU : Lon  Chaney — May  10.  Good  act- 
ing but  story  not  so  well  liked. — Donald  E. 
Jefferson,  Temple,  theatre,  Federalsburg,  Md. — 
General  patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast — July  4.  Very  good 
comedy.  Acting  and  titles  number  one. — Don- 
ald E.  Jefferson,  Temple  theatre,  Federalsbui'g, 
Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  TAXI  DANCER:  Special  cast — -June  27. 
A nice  juicy  lemon  and  poor  attendance  is  ef- 
fect of  that  good  one  from  Metro  last  week. 
“Slide,  Kelly,  Slide.”  Seven  reels. — S.  G.  Fry, 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


63 


J.  C.  Jenkins— //is  Colyum 


VALLEY  CITY,  N.  D.,  July  4,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

This  is  the  grand  and  glorious  FOURTH  OF  JULY.  The  151st  anniversary  (I 
believe  that  is  correct)  of  the  famous  day  when  the  American  Eagle  chewed  up  his 
iron  cage  and  went  soaring  down  the  cycles  of  lime  with  a Yankee  Doodle  scream  as 
an  invitation  to  any  nation  on  earth  to  come  out  and  step  on  the  tail  of  our  coat  if 
they  dared.  Uiere,  how’s  that  for  a prelude  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence? 

The  day  starts  off  propitiously.  The  young  hopefuls,  upon  whose  shoulder  the 
future  destiny  of  this  nation  rests,  are  out  in  the  street  shooting  firecrackers  and 
exploding  torpedoes  and  otherwise  disturbing  the  peace  and  quietude  of  this  beau- 
tiful little  city.  The  boys  are  coming  in  from  the  country  with  their  Fords  beautifully 
decorated  with  flags  and  bunting  and  the  neighbors’  girls.  The  band  is  tuning  up 
the  bass  drum  and  bull  fiddle  preparatory  to  making  musical  sounds  befitting  the 
occasion.  Uncle  Josh  and  Aunt  Sarah  are  coming  in  from  Smith’s  Corners  and 
bringing  in  the  children  to  join  in  the  festivities  of  this  glorious  occasion,  and  the 
pink  lemonade  and  hot  dog  stands  are  anticipating  a general  rush  of  business  after 
the  reading  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  by  Susie  Jones  and  the  address  of 
welcome  by  the  mayor. 

Therefore,  it  looks  like  a great  day.  HURRAH  FOR  THE  AMERICAN  EAGLE. 
She’s  SOME  bird,  and  GOD  BLESS  THESE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,  She’s 
SOME  country. 

But  speaking  of  celebrations.  There  is  just  one  proper  way  to  celebrate  occasions 
of  this  kind,  and  that  is  to  get  out  in  a boat  among  the  lily-pads  and  cast  for  bass. 
It  is  best  to  have  a good  pal  with  you  and  a bucket  of  ice  and  plenty  of  Velvet  or 
Prince  Albert  and  you  can  enjoy  the  day  away  from  this  jazz  humanity,  and  when 
the  day  is  over  you  can  go  home  feeling  like  a man  and  can  sleep  the  sleep  of  the 
just  and  dream  of  the  big  ones  that  got  away. 

But  speaking  of  fish.  Did  you  notice  that  picture  of  that  big  Northern  pike  in  the 
last  issue  of  the  HERALD  sent  in  by  H.  J.  Longaker  of  the  State  theatre  at  Alex- 
andria, Minn.?  H.  J.  gives  me  credit  for  having  caught  it.  That’s  very  nice  of  him, 
but  the  fact  is  that  he  is  responsible  for  that  fish  himself.  Mine  was  a great  deal 
larger  than  that  one  but  it  got  away.  It  would  probably  have  weighed  40  or  50  pounds 
but  just  as  I was  about  to  land  it  H.  J.  asked  me  what  I thought  of  “The  Midnight 
Kiss,”  and  in  answering  the  question  I slacked  up  on  the  line  and  away  went  Mr. 
Pike,  and  I am  holding  H.  J.  responsible  for  the  loss. 

In  connection  with  that  picture  I shall  have  to  write  my  friend  Bill  a letter.  Bill 
was  very  unethical  in  asking  for  an  affidavit  as  substantiating  proof.  That’s  a thing 
sportsmen  will  not  tolerate,  and  William  will  probably  be  called  upon  to  publish  a 
proper  apology.  It  grieves  me  to  think  that  he  would  question  the  veracity  of  my 
friend  Longaker,  a man  who  has  an  enviable  reputation  for  truth  and  veracity  in  the 
community  in  which  he  lives.  Besides  that,  there  was  the  picture  of  the  fish  itself, 
and  what  more  could  a democrat  ask?  William,  that  tamarack  juice  is  working 
on  you. 

V ^ ¥ 

Last  week  I was  pleased  to  have  for  company  Sam  Cornish,  who  operates  the 
Princess  theatre  at  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.  Sam  was  driving  the  territory  selling  Warner 
Brothers  product  and  we  were  together  for  several  days  and  parted  company  at 
Aberdeen.  Sam  is  a prince  of  a fellow  and  Warner  Brothers  have  a real  salesman  and 
a man  who  can  meet  exhibitors  in  a spirit  of  understanding  and  fairness. 

I hated  to  leave  Sam,  but  he  had  to  go  South  and  I had  to  go  North,  consequently 
we  had  to  separate.  More  po\ver  to  him,  and  may  his  Princess  theatre  continue  to 
be  in  the  spot  light  of  Sioux  Falls. 

* ^ * 

B.  A.  Butler  of  the  Elite  theatre  at  Arlington,  S.  D.,  is  a regular  Romeo.  He  oper- 
ates a cream  station  through  the  day  and  cranks  the  projector  at  night.  When  asked 
if  he  was  a decendant  of  old  Ben  Butler  of  “Silver  Spoons”  fame  he  blushingly  ad- 
mitted that  he  was  a great  grandson  of  that  famous  old  character.  That’s  why  the 
boys  around  town  call  him  “Spoons.” 

“Spoons”  is  quite  a favorite  with  the  ladies,  I noticed  that  it  seems  that  about  all 
the  cream  that  comes  to  his  station  is  brought  in  by  ladies  and  it  seemed  to  take 
“Spoons”  much  longer  to  wait  on  them  than  on  the  men.  Every  time  a lady  would 
drive  up  with  some  cream  cans  “Spoons”  would  get  up  before  the  mirror  and  smear 
cream  on  his  hair  to  smooth  it  down  before  he  went  out  to  wait  on  her.  Betcha  it’s 

(Continued  on  next  page) 


July  16,  1927 

Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

Pathe 

ALASKAN  ADVENTURES:  Special  cast— 50%. 
June  21.  This  is  truly  a fine  picture.  It  is 
unusual  in  that  there  is  no  story,  but  it  is  the 
filming  of  the  actual  adventures  of  two  men  in 
the  wonderful  country  near  the  North  Pole. 
There  is  a clever  element  of  comedy  provided  by 
the  little  dog  who  accompanies  them.  Well  ad- 
vertised, this  ought  to  make  good  money  and 
the  audience  will  surely  be  pleased.  Six  reels. 
— F.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale  theatre,  Glenwood, 
Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

ACE  OF  ACTION : Special  cast — 35%.  An 

extra  good  action  Western.  Wales  is  a good 
looking  boy  that  can  please  all  classes.  His 

pictures  are  good  for  Saturday  program.  Five 
reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace  theatre,  R'ockmart, 
Ga. — Small  town  patronage. 

GALLOPING  COWBOY:  Bill  Cody— 50%.  One 
of  our  youngest  Western  stars  and  rider  and 

acts  in  the  class  with  the  best  of  them.  This 

is  one  of  his  best.  Five  reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith, 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

Paramount 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— 40%.  A 
great  picture  in  the  midst  of  an  industrial  slump 
that  kills  all  business.  They  liked  it  immensely 
and  Dix  had  his  part  down  fine.  The  fight 
was  as  well  staged  as  any  ever  done  in  the 
movies. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bell- 
aire,  O. — General  patronage, 

RITZY : Betty  Bronson — 30%,  Not  so  much. 
Too  light  in  story  and  even  if  Elinor  Glyn 
wrote  it,  she  has  nothing  to  be  proud  of  for 
most  any  scenario  writer  could  have  turned 
out  a better  thing  with  a couple  of  hours  time. 
Betty  is  always  nice  to  watch  and  that  saved  the 
picture. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bollaire, 
O. — General  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— 40%.  A good 
Zane  Grey  story  with  the  best  type  star  we  have 
for  these  pictures.  Both  author  and  star  draw 
well  here.  This  one  is  helped  by  Raymond  Hat- 
ton’s fine  comedy.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith, 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— June  24-25. 
Another  humdinger  from  Jack  Holt  and  Zane 
Grey.  Holt  is  one  of  the  biggest  drawing  cards 
here.  He  sure  can  act.  Six  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

DRUMS  OF  THE  DESERT:  Warner  Baxter— 
75%.  Say,  Warner,  why  did  you  try  to  get  out 
of  Westerns?  You  were  sure  good  in  this  one 
and  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  you  do  not  want 
to  play  more  of  them.  You  looked  the  part, 
dressed  it  to  perfection  and  had  the  action  stuff 
just  right,  even  to  whistling  for  the  horse,  with 
the  same  whistle  that  brought  on  all  the  Indians. 
I liked  it  all  the  way  and  I seldom  sit  through  a 
Western.  This  story  is  good  and  the  Indian 
drum  stuff  lends  itself  to  some  effective  organ 
music, — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bellaire, 

O.  — General  patronage. 

VARIETY:  Emil  Jannings — 65%.  May  30. 
One  of  the  biggest  thrill  shows  in  the  game. 
Advertised  no  children  under  16  admitted  and 
the  picture  made  a big  hit.  In  “Variety”  you 
have  one  of  the  best  photoplays  of  the  year. 
Six  reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre, 
Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada, — General  patronage. 

THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— 83%. 
July  1-2,  My  patrons  can  stand  any  kind  of 
Lloyd  picture.  They  like  ’em  all,  good  and  bad. 
And  I don’t  mean  by  that  that  “The  Kid  Brother” 
is  not  good  for  it’s  excellent.  Many  told  me 
that  it  was  better  than  “For  Heaven’s  Sake” 
and  that’s  saying  a great  deal,  I think.  Only 
one  objection : Just  one  reel  too  long.  Eight 
reels. — H.  E.  Lane,  Amuzu  theatre,  Gate  City, 
Va. — General  patronage. 

the  kid  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— 80%. 
June  18.  In  spite  of  strong  competition  Harold 
Lloyd  is  still  the  “King  of  Comedy,”  at  least  in 
our  town.  He  will  certainly  win  your  hearts  on 
his  pathetic  role  as  “kid  brother”  in  a family  of 
he-men.  The  gags  are  frequent  and  very  clever 
and  there  is  a thrilling  story  with  an  amusing 
and  satisfying  climax.  We’re  still  laughing  and 
even  the  box  office  can  smile.  Eight  reels. — 

P.  H.  Whitted,  Glendale  theatre,  Glenwood,  Ark. 

THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels— 

June  22-23.  A nice  breezy  romance  that  went 
over  in  good  shape.  Seven  reels. — George  Khattar. 
Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 


Pro-Dis-Co 

THE  NIGHT  BRIDE:  Marie  Prevost— 45%. 
June  26-27.  I want  to  tell  you  this  is  a good 
picture  ruined  with  a bum  title.  Titles  mean 
more  than  anything  else  here  for  drawing  power. 
Six  reels. — R.  D.  Young,  Rex  theatre,  Montezuma, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

RUBBER  TIRES:  Special  cast — 60%  June 
lO-ll.  This  is  a good  one.  Pleased  far  more 
than  the  average  picture  will  and  turns  out  at 
the  end  as  it  should.  Seven  reels. — O.  A.  Hal- 
stead, Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  YANKEE  CLIPPER:  Special  cast— 22%. 
This  is  the  only  picture  I have  reported  on  for 
some  little  time.  If  you  have  not  bought  it 
do  not  do  so.  If  you  have  bought  it  refuse 
to  run  it.  This  picture  had  less  drawing  power 
for  me  than  any  picture  I have  run  in  five  years. 
Sold  as  a sriecial  at  $60  and  grossed  only  $47.15 


in  three  days  including  Sunday.  Seems  like  a 
fair  program  picture  but  the  public  didn’t  come 
for  it  so  what  the  good  does  “seems”  do.  Nine 
reels. — Murray  S.  Dolliver,  Strand  theatre,  Laurel. 
Mont. — Small  town  patronage. 

JIM  THE  CONQUEROR:  William  Boyd— 25%. 
An  extra  good  • story  that  brought  the  lowest 
night’s  business  on  the  second  day  we  have  ever 
had.  Wish  someone  would  tell  me  why  a story 
like  this  with  names  like  Peter  B.  Kyne,  William 
Boyd  and  a few  others  failed  to  attract  any 
attention. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bell- 
aire, O. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER:  Special  casf^A 
good  picture  but  couldn’t  make  the  audience 
believe  it.  A bad  ending.  Seven  reels. — Edward 
Casey,  Casey’s  theatre,  Sterling,  Okla. — Small 
town  patronage. 

UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM:  Marie  Prevost— 
Extra  good  feature.  Book  it  and  make  money 
and  don’t  be  afraid  to  advertise.  Pleased  100 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

costing  that  cream  company  a lot  of  cream  to  keep  “Spoons’”  hair  smoothed  down. 
But  “Spoons”  is  all  right  now.  He  has  been  initiated  into  the  great  family  of 
HERALD  fans  and  from  this  on  there  will  be  no  flies  on  “Spoons.” 

* * * 

The  Jewish  rahbi  of  Elgin,  Neh.,  and  myself  drove  over  to  Cedar  Rapids  not  long 
ago  to  call  on  Charles  De  Widf  of  the  Star  theatre.  Charles  is  city  street  commissioner 
and  had  worked  up  a sweat  digging  out  an  old  sewer  pipe  when  wei  called.  He  took 
us  down  to  his  house  and  introduced  us  to  the  Mrs.,  then  he  asked  up  if  we  would 
like  to  meet  an  old  friend  of  his  by  the  name  of  H.  B.  and  Erank  looked  at  me  and 
smiled  and  I looked  at  Frank  and  smiled  and  the  Mrs.  v/ent  to  the  sideboard  and 
Charles  went  down  the  cellar.  After  that  Frank  drove  home  and  didn't  hit  a tele- 
phone pole  nor  go  into  the  ditch. 

* * 

Sam  Cornish  and  I called  on  Vik  & Butcher,  who  operate  the  City  Hall  theatre  at 
Lake  Norden,  S.  D.  Vik  was  the  man  on  the  job,  and  judging  from  his  conversation 
I would  take  him  to  be  of  Swedish  extraction,  for  he  said  to  Sam,  “A  yust  bane 
wonderin’  what  dos  old  fossil  looked  like  who  bane  writin’  dos  bull  for  dos 
HERALD,”  and  after  he  had  given  me  the  once  over  he  said,  “A  tank  you  bane  one 
hell  of  a feller  but  you  can’t  spoil  dos  HERALD  for  me,”  then  I wrote  him  up  for 
two  more  years.  These  Swedes  know  a good  article  when  they  see  it. 

Among  the  cracking  good  fellows  I have  met  the  past  week  I note  the  following: 
J.  E.  Davis,  Orpheum  at  Castlewood;  G.  S.  Ahhott  of  the  Hamline  at  Estelline;  W.  J. 
Roggenheck  of  the  Orpheum  at  Waubay;  Blank  & Dubel  of  the  Liberty  at  Webster; 
E.  A.  Esche  of  the  Orpheum  at  Bristol;  J.  W.  Goodman  of  the  Gem  at  Frederick; 
O.  C.  Johnson  of  the  Dakota  at  Yankton;  E.  W.  McFarland  of  the  Cozy  at  Groton; 
Art  Johnson  of  the  Orpheum  at  Aberdeen,  all  of  South  Dakota,  and  Boom  & Durand 
of  the  Lyric  at  Ellendale;  P.  S.  Neilson  of  the  Rex  at  Le  Moure,  North  Dakota.  All 
of  these  boys  tvill  interpose  no  serious  objection  to  a reduction  in  film  production 
costs,  and  being  an  oldtime  exhibitor,  Vd  favor  it  myself. 

^ ^ 

When  I met  Jay  Gould  of  Montevideo,  Minn.,  some  w'eeks  ago  and  learned  that  he 
was  the  father  of  nine  children  I thought  1 had  run  onto  something  rather  unique, 
but  migosh!  John  Peller  of  the  New  Peller  Grand  here  in  Valley  City  has  got  Jay 
beat  hands  down,  for  John  is  the  father  of  11  hopefuls,  numbered  consecutively 
from  one  to  11  and  they  all  put  their  feet  under  John’s  table  three  times  a day  except 
number  11,  and  she  occupies  the  honored  position  in  the  high  chair.  I know,  for 
the  Mrs.  had  me  up  there  for  dinner  last  evening.  That  is,  I should  have  said  a 
banquet,  for  the  table  was  loaded  down  with  good  things  until  it  fairly  groaned  and 
I left  the  table  feeling  like  a hoa  constrictor  that  had  swallowed  a mule.  “Mine  Got 
how  dot  Voomans  can  cook.” 

After  dinner  John  and  the  Mrs.  drove  me  around  town  and  out  in  the  country  iu 
their  Packard  sedan  and  certainly  showed  me  a good  time,  for  which  I shall  always 
remember  Valley  City  and  John  and  Mrs.  Peller.  These  North  Dakota  boys  certainly 
are  there  and  over  when  it  comes  to  hospitality.  The  New  Peller  is  a beautiful 
theatre  and  will  take  first  rank  with  the  best  of  them  in  the  state,  and  three  of  John’s 
fair  daughters  are  the  uniformed  usherettes  who  treat  the  public  with  every  courtesy 
and  impresses  one  that  it  is  a theatre  of  class. 

That  boy  who  operates  the  Palm  theatre  at  St.  Cloud,  Fla.,  and  who  nominated 
Norma  Shearer  in  that  Beauty  Contest,  congratulates  me  on  my  ability  in  picking 
beauties.  Thanks,  boy.  there  are  two  of  us,  and  Norma  should  thank  her  lucky  stars 
that  she  tied  with  Clara.  It  is  quite  a feather  in  her  cap.  She  sure  is  a lucky  girl 
and  I congratulate  both  of  you,  but  then  they  just  can’t  beat  Florida  and  Nebraska 
no  way  they  can  fix  it. 

Looks  like  Jl  all  Street  had  started  to  talk,  and  if  they  will  yell  as  loud  as  the 
exhibitors  have  been  yelling  for  a number  of  years  possibly  there  will  be  a reduction 
in  production  costs.  There  is  no  time  like  the  present,  except  the  past. 

i\:  tit 

Uncle  ’Leazer  Biggs  says,  “'If  that  Adeline  Further  gal  will  turn  her  spot  light  on 
Hollywood  there  will  he  an  awful  scrambling  to  pull  down  the  blinds.” 

All  of  which  prompts  me  to  again  remind  you  that — 

THE  HERALD  FILLS  A JJ  A^T  NONE  OTHERS  DO, 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  Man. 


per  cent.  Seven  reels. — Edward  Casey,  Casey’s 
theatre,  Sterlinj?,  Okla. — Small  tow'n  patronage. 

FOR  WIVES  ONLY : Marie  Prevost — June  25. 
Poorest  Prevost  we  have  ever  played.  She’s 
usually  very  prood.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace 
theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FLAME  OF  THE  YUKON:  Seena  Owen 
— A corking:  prood  picture  of  its  kind.  Seven 
reels. — Giacoma  Bros.,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone, Ariz. — General  patronage. 

RISKY  BLISINESS:  Vera  Reynolds — June  22. 
Fair  entertainment.  No  comment  either  way. 
Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt. 
Pleasant.  Tex. — General  patronage. 

Rayart 

THE  WOLF  HUNTERS:  Special  cast— 60%. 
June  4.  Personally  we  didn’t  think  much  of  this 
one  though  it  drew  a pretty  good  crowd.  There 
is  some  very  pretty  scenery  and  a little  fair 
action.  Six  reels.— F.  H.  Whitted.  Glendale  the- 
atre, Glenwood,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

HIGH  FLYER:  Reed  Howes— 10%.  May  13-14. 
Nice  show.  Reed  Howes  looks  like  a good  acter 
to  me,  but  the  airships  should  have  been  used 
a little  more  and  that  last  sweet  taste  should 
have  been  lengthened  out  and  brought  them  all 
back  home  to  get  united.  Six  reels. — R.  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  Dak.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

United  Artists 

TUMBLEWEEDS:  William  S.  Hart — 45%. 

June  2-3.  A dandy  Western.  Was  well  liked  and 
drew  good.  A good  program  picture.  Seven 
reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Syd- 
ney, N.  S.,  Canada. — General  patronage. 

LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY:  Mary  Pickford— 
June  23.  A very  good  picture.  The  best  picture 
of  Mary  we  have  ever  shown.  Had  a very  good 
crowd.  Nine  reels. — Andrew  Rapp.  Theatorium. 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

Universal 

RED  HOT  LEATHER:  Jack  Hoxie — 75%.  May 
27-28.  A dandy  from  Jack.  Pleased  and  drew  an 
unexpected  crowd.  Five  reels.— George  Khattar 
Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada.— Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER:  Hoot  Gibson— 
6o%.  May  9-10.  ^ One  of  the  biggest  Westerns 
that  we’ve  had  in  a long  while.  A positive 
knockout.  Get  behind  this  one,  it’s  a sure  box 
office  wow.  Nine  reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar 's 
theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  OLD  SOAK:  Jean  Hersholt — 20%.  While 
Hersholt  is  a wonderful  actor  he  does  not  draw 
for  me.  George  Lewis  and  June  Marlowe  are 
in  the  cast,  too,  and  the  picture  is  an  excellant 
one.  Will  please  all  who  see  it.  Many  told  me 
they  came  not  expecting  much  and  were  de- 
lighted. Eight  reels.— Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace 
theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  patronage. 

POKER  FACES:  Laura  LaPlante — 30%.  If 
you  want  lots  of  comedy  this  is  the  picture.  It 
IS  a well  made  picture  and  will  please  all 
classes.  As  a whole  Universal  has  given  us 
splendid  pictures  this  year.  Eight  reels.— Mrs. 
B.  Smith,  Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  MARRIAGE  CLAUSE:  Special  cast — 30%. 
The  best  all  ’round  acting  I have  ever  seen  in 
any  picture.  It’s  beautifully  made.  Gorgeous 
stage  setting.  How  this  could  fail  to  plea.se  any 
place  I cannot  understand.  Has  no  drawing 
Iiower  but  will  give  those  who  see  it  a real  treat. 
Eight  reels.  Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace  theatre,  Rock- 
mart, Ga.  Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WOMAN  HATER:  Special  cast — Made  no 
particular  hit.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Bros.. 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

LORRAINE  OF  THE  LIONS:  Patsy  Ruth 
Miller— June  28.  Good  picture.  Had  a nice  crowd 
Seven  reels,  Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlen- 
ton Pa. — General  patronage. 

Warner  Brothers 

LADIES  AT  PLAY:  Louise  Fazenda — 35%. 
June  15-16,  A dandy  comedy  that  made  ’em 
laugh.  Seven  reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar’s 
theatre.  Sydney.  N.  S..  Canada.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

HILLS  OF  KENTUCKY:  RIN  TIN  TIN— 65%. 
June  19-20.  Never  fail  to  have  Kood  house  with 
this  dog,  and  by  the  comments  I believe  this  one 


to  be  one  of  the  best  of  this  dog’s  pictures.  Seven 
reels. — O.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne, 
Utah. — Small  town  patronage. 

FOOTLOOSE  WIDOWS:  Louise  Fazenda— 
30%.  June  '8-9.  Played  this  as  feature  No.  1 
on  a double  program  and  it  went  over  in  fine 
shape.  Would  not  consider  this  feature  as  a 
good  program  attraction  for  small  towns.  Drew 
rotten  bii^iness.  Seven  reels. — George  Khattar, 
Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  BRUTE:  Monte  Blu^50%.  One  of  the 
best  things  we  have  had  from  Warners.  No 
business  but  not  picture’s  fault.  Stirring  drama 
of  the  oil  fields  and  done  in  a manner  that  holds 
interest  to  the  end.  Those  we  had  liked  it  im- 
mensely.— Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bel- 
laire,  O. — General  patronage. 


THE  CLIMBERS:  Irene  Rich— 10%.  Warners 
should  refund  every  exhibitor  his  money  on  this. 
It  is  not  only  a poor  story  but  a fraud.  Passed 
off  on  you  as  a Clyde  Fitch  society  drama  of 
American  life,  and  it  is  a Spanish  costume 
drama.  Every  exhibitor  should  make  Wamers 
pay  for  this  when  it  comes  to  new  contracts. — 
Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bellaire,  O. — 
General  patronage. 

SILKEN  SHACKLES:  Irene  Rich— 30%.  June 
8-9.  Played  this  as  feature  No.  2 on  a double 
program  and  it  didn’t  please.  Drew  the  worst 
crowd  in  10  months.  Warner  features  are  the 
bunk  for  this  theatre.  Seven  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  9.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

OTHER  WOMEN’S  HUSBANDS:  Monte  Blue 
— 25%.  May  18.  Fairly  good  comedy-romance 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


65 


The  Spotlight 


That  picture  of  that  magnified  pike 
which  J.  C.  Jenkins  is  supposed  to 
have  caught  is  a nice  clear  print  hut 
what  isn’t  clear  to  us  is  why  if  J.  C. 
caught  it  he  didn’t  pose  with  it.  Then 
I might  have  believed  he  was  at  least 
present  when  it  was  caught.  I’m  not 
from  Missouri  but  just  the  same  you'll 
have  to  show  me,  J.  C. 

/.  C.  has  been  on  other  fishing  trips 
and  I ivas  in  the  party  on  one  of 
these  trips  some  few  years  ago.  11 'e 
were  invited  to  the  same  home  on 
Newaygo  Lakes  in  Michigan.  Also,  in 
the  party  ivas  Mr.  Zelano,  editor  of 
the  Opera  House  Reporter.  It  teas 
open  season  on  blue  racers  as  well  as 
on  bass.  The  tivo  gentlemen  were  re- 
turning from  a stroll  around  the  lake 
when  all  of  a sudden  they  both  broke 
into  a run  and  talk  about  your  fat 
man’s  race!  Those  hoys  certainly  cut 
through  the  deio.  J.  C.  heat  Mr. 
Zelano  by  just  a nose.  After  they  got 
through  giving  ns  imitations  of  a 
steamboat  we  found  out  the  cause  of 
the  burst  of  speed.  Mr.  Zelano  saw 
a snake — a blue  racer.  J.  C.  said  it 
"wasn’t  a snake,  it  was  a rabbit.  There 
"was  much  controversy  over  it.  J.  C. 
7cas  so  coiwinced  that  it  was  a rabbit 
that  he  beat  Mr.  Zelano  in  the  cross 
country  classic  at  any  rate.  But  if 
you  want  our  private  opinion  it  zvas 
simply  a difference  in  choice  of  ani- 
mals. I haz'c  heard  of  people  seeing 
snakes  hut  rabbits — that’s  o new  one! 

^ if! 

Our  friend,  Bill,  fears  he  will  catch 
cold  in  our  modern  “Keep  Cool”  the- 
atres. Well,  Bill,  you  are  not  the  only 


one.  We  have  a friend  who  always 
carries  a skull  cap  to  wear  when  they 
turn  on  the  blizzard.  He  says  that 
when  that  breeze  strikes  him  he  feels 
just  like  he’d  been  hit  by  a Texas 
Norther.  And  when  one  speaks  of  a 
Texas  Norther  one  isn’t  talking  about 
a nice  spring  Zephyr. 

Now,  Bill,  I might  give  you  a few 
.siiggesti'on.'i  for  preventatives  for  that 
cold.  Fishy  Phil  Rand  would  suggest 
Smith  Brothers  Cough  Drops.  J.  C. 
would  insist  that  an  extra  big  chew 
of  your  favorite  “thin”  would  do  the 
trick.  Grasshopper  Sprague  would 
say,  perhaps,  a “.snort”  of  just  the 
proper  kind  would  insure  your  safety 
from  cold  germs.  (We  have  under- 
stood that  this  boy,  Sprague,  is  a great 
believer  in  that  old  maxim,  “A  ‘snort’ 
in  time  .saves  nine.”)  And  last  but 
not  least,  Harry  Langdon  swears  by 
Limburger  Cheese  to  relieve  conges- 
tion in  the  chest  by  merely  applying 
freely  over  the  infected  parts.  (Yes, 
we  say  “The  Strong  Man.’*'  Did  you?) 
Certainly,  Bill,  you  could  find  a sug- 
gestion among  these  to  suit  your  most 
fastidious  mood. 

:i:  ^ 

Oscar  says  he  is  just  dying  to  see 
how  thingsi  are  going  to  develop  out 
in  Hollywood  since  this  wage  cutting 
has  started.  He  says  he  bets  his  new 
straw  hat  that  Herrin,  111.,  won’t  have 
much  on  Hollywood  if  some  of  those 
actors  get  real  “het”  up. 

ADELINE^  FURTHER. 
THE  SPOTLIGHT  W ILL  GET  YOU 
IF  YOU  DON’T  W ATCH  OUT. 


Nothing  much  for  small  towns.  Lay  oft  of  this 
one  if  you’re  wanting  a good  program  picture. 
Seven  reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre, 
Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — General  patronage. 

FINGER  PRINTS:  Louise  Fazenda — June 

26-27.  Here  is  a good  picture  but  they  must 
come  in  when  the  picture  first  starts  because  it 
must  be  followed  closely  to  keep  track  of  it.  Will 
be  too  deep  for  some.  They  will  argue  a good 
deal  about  it  after  the  show.  Seven  reels. — O.  A. 
Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small 
town  patronage. 

NOVELTY  REEL:  Very  entertaining.  Helps 
program. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  theatre. 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 
A .very  fine  picture  and  good.  Very  good 
Pleased  80  per  cent.  Seven  reels. — Edward 
Casey,  Casey’s  theatre.  Sterling,  Okla. — Small 
town  patronage. 

WOLF’S  CLOTHING:  Monte  Blue— June  21-22. 
A very  entertaining  program  as  it  is  something 
different.  Seven  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling 
theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

Serials 

FIGHTING  WITH  BUFFALO  BILL:  On  No. 

6 and  just  fair.  Does  not  pull  for  me. — J.  G. 
Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  FIRE  FIGHTERS— Jack  Daugherty- 
Played  episode  9 tonight  and  the  fans  are  all 
wild  with  joy  over  it.  Closing  episode  next  week 
and  expect  a big  crowd.  Two  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

MYSTERY  PILOT:  (Rayart)  Rex  Lease— 

This  proved  to  be  one  of  the  best  serials  we 
have  ever  used.  Lease  is  a handsome  fellow 
with  a pleasing  personality.  Serial  has  navy  as 
background.  Plenty  of  action,  mystery  and 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace  thea- 
tre, Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  patronage. 

OFFICER  444:  (State  Rights)  Ben  Wilson— 
A good  serial  of  the  old  type  underworld  stories 
that  gives  you  that  creepy  feeling.  Good  my.stery 
plot.  Should  please  any  Saturday  patronage  with 
a Western  feature.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  B.  Smith. 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  SILENT  FLYER:  Silver  Streak— This 
serial  is  a good  one.  Have  run  eight  chapters 
and  it  is  holding  up  fine.  Two  reels. — O.  A. 
Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small 
town  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

DAFFY  DILL:  Neal  Burns — A very  good  com- 
edy. Neal  is  well  liked  and  always  pleases  the 
crowd.  Two  reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar’s 
theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — General  patron- 
age. 

HERE  COMES  CHARLIE:  Lloyd  Hamilton- 
Good  as  are  all  of  Lloyd’s  comedies.  Hamilton 
is  a laugh  producer  here.  Two  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar's  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S..  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

KNICKNACK  OF  KNOWLEDGE:  Hodge 

Podge — These  one  reel  subjects  are  all  interest- 
ing and  splendid  to  fill  in  with  a feature  comedy. 
— Mrs.  B.  Smith,  Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

KINOGRAMS:  Best  news  reel  ever  run.  One 
reel. — Andrew  Rapp.  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  MERRY  MAKERS:  Cliff  Bowes— These 
Cameo  comedies  are  fine  where  you  want  a one 
reeler.  This  is  one  of  the  best. — Mrs.  B.  Smith. 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

WHAT  A NIGHT:  Lige  Conley — Very  good 
comedy.  Funny  all  the  way  through.  Two  reels. 
— Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

FBO 

GALLOPING  GHOSTS:  Three  Fat  Men— An 
extra  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — Mrs,  B.  Smith. 
Palace  theatre,  Rockmart,  Ga. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

HEAVY  LOVE : Three  Fat  Men — Fair  com- 
edy. Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

HOW  HIGH  IS  UP:  Three  Fat  Men — You 
just  can’t  beat  FBO's  Standard  comedies  for  the 
laughs.  Book  ’em  and  reap.  Two  reels. — S.  G. 
Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant.  Tex. — General 
patronage. 


STEAMED  UP:  Charley  Bowers — Congratu- 
late yourselves  FBO,  if  you  have  not  signed  this 
bird  for  12  comedies  next  season.  Worse  and 
worse.  Sorry,  Charley,  but  you  must  give  us 
tricks  or  something  funny.  Two  reels. — S.  G. 
Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt,  Pleasant,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

FAST  COMPANY:  Our  Gancr — A verv  sorry 
comedy  and  cost  too  much  money.  Pathe  sure 


News  of  the 
Week 

STUDIO  SECTION — In  The  Studio, 
which  is  published  as  Section  2, 
of  this  issue  of  the  HERALD,  ex- 
hibitors will  find  much  valuable  in- 
formation which  may  be  used  in 
house  organs  and  which  will  keep 
both  the  trade  and  the  public  in 
touch  with  production  activities. 

PATHE-PDC — The  first  authentic  in- 
formation concerning  the  Pathe- 
PDC  merger,  including  executives 
of  the  combined  organization  and 
the  comprehensive  schedule  of  re- 
leases, is  published  in  Section  1,  of 
this  issue  of  the  HERALD. 

BLOCK  BOOKING— The  federal 

trade  commission’s  decision  in  the 
Paramount  case,  which  holds  block 
booking  illegal,  is  big  news  to  every 
branch  of  the  industry.  You  will 
find  this  story  treated  in  detail  in 
Section  1,  of  the  HERALD. 


tryped  me  on  this  one.  Two  reels. — Edward 
Casey,  Casey’s  theatre,  Sterling,  Okla, — Small 
town  patronage. 

HERE  HE  COMES:  Harry  Langdon— Didn’t 
think  much  of  this.  If  it  had  been  in  two  reels 
it  might  have  been  different.  Three  reels. — 
George  Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S., 
Canada. — General  patronage. 

YOUR  OWN  BACK  YARD:  Our  Gang— An- 
other laugh  gem  from  the  kids.  ’Nuf  sed ! Two 
reels. — George  Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney. 
N.  S.,  Canada. — General  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

BUSTER’S  CONTEST:  Arthur  Trimbl<^ 

Nothing  much  to  this  one.  Two  reels. — George 
Khattar,  Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Can- 
ada.— General  patronage. 

THE  CINDER  PATH:  George  Lewis — Another 
“Collegian,”  and  excellent  in  our  opinion,  though 
fans  growing  slightly  tired  of  them.  Should  in- 
troduce more  comedy  in  next  series.  Two  reels. — 
S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre.  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — • 
General  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  George  Lewis — These  are 
proving  one  of  the  best  short  features  we  have 
used.  Two  reels. — Donald  E.  Jefferson.  Temple 
theatre,  Federalsburg,  Md. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS’  OUTING:  More  laughs,  more 
fun  from  this  wee  little  star.  Universal  can  be 
well  proud  of  this  youngster.  Two  reels. — George 
Khattar’s  theatre,  Sydney,  N.  S.,  Canada. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

FRAUD  AND  FRENZIES:  Larry  Semon— 
Very  good.  It  will  please  very  well.  Two  reels. 
— Edward  Casey,  Casey’s  theatre.  Sterling,  Okla. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

HAM  AND  EGGS:  Extra  good  comedy,  as 
good  as  Our  Gangs.  Two  reels. — Edward  Casey, 
Casey’s  theatre.  Sterling,  Okla. — Small  town 
patronage. 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  G.  S.  ■ 


ONE  of  Lubliner  & Trinz’s  largest  theatres,  the  Belmont,  has  passed 
into  the  hands  of  the  Orpheum  circuit.  The  vaudeville  corporation 
been  seeking  a new  Chicago  theatre  for  some  time  and  pur- 
chased the  house  outright,  closing  the  deal  last  week. 


A S a result  the  Lincoln  Hippodrome, 
Orpheum  house,  will  be  discontinued. 
That  theatre  is  now  closed  on  account 
of  street  widening  now  in  progress.  It 
may  be  demolished. 

The  Belmont  is  to  take  the  place  of 
the  Lincoln  as  the  “try-out”  house  on 
the  Orpheum  loop.  Acts  which  succeed 
in  the  probationary  theatres,  such  as  the 
Academy  and  Englewood,  will  be  booked 
into  the  Belmont,  with  success  there 
meaning  a run  over  the  circuit. 

The  new  owners  will  take  possession 
August  1,  and  the  plan  to  show  pictures 
in  conjunction  with  the  Orpheum  acts. 

* « * 

Eddie  Rosecan  has  left  for  the  West 
Coast,  where  he  will  assist  John  Ragland, 
manager  there  for  Columbia  Pictures. 

* * 

Summer  took  its  toll  of  a few  more  the- 
atres last  week,  the  warm  weather  season 
being  the  cause  of  the  partial  closing  of 
the  Home,  Charm,  Pastime,  Prairie,  Vernon 
and  Gaelic.  They  will  operate  three  days 
a week  until  September. 


Congratulations 


y^atriued-al  0;13  P.  M, 
June  V5(b.  1927,  at  Si. 
Joseplis  Hospital.  Md 
parents  are  Wr,  and 
l/lrs.  J.  R,  Moss.  I lip 
the  scales  at  8 pocnds 
and  6 ounces. 

Hoping  to  see  you  soon. 

MARUIN  A.  MOSS 


John  Balaban  is  in  New  York,  where  he 
will  remain,  wary  of  Publix  affairs,  until 
the  return  of  Sam  Katz,  w’ho  is  in  Europe 
in  search  of  new  talent  . 


Our  mutual  friend,  Henri  Ellman,  was 
host  last  Wednesday  noon  at  a party  in 
the  Stevens  in  honor  of  Hobart  Bosworth, 
Jacqueline  Logan,  Richard  Arlen — and  Sam 
Sax.  They  were  not  present  except  by 
proxy  in  the  form  of  “The  Blood  Ship,”  a 
mighty  sea  drama  of  unusual  appeal.  The 
party  was  a special  preview  for  the  trade 
(and  us  journalists)  with  a luncheon  for 
those  who  are  not  troubled  by  high  blood 
pressure.  I might  add,  with  all  kidding 
aside  (and  putting  down  all  such  bias  as 
may  result  from  an  excellent  luncheon), 
that  Columbia  Pictures,  plus  our  mutual 
friend,  have  a winner  in  “The  Blood  Ship.” 
So,  at  least,  it  seemed  to  me. 

* :i: 

Hladge  Kennedy,  who  wavers  between 
screen  and  stage,  was  among  us  Chicagoans 
last  week.  She  met  her  mother,  Mrs. 
Caroline  Kennedy  of  New  York,  then 
packed  up  again  and  left,  Los  Angeles 
bound. 

❖ * ❖ 

/.  R.  McPherson  and  H.  C.  Young,  of 
National  Screen  Service,  spent  the  week 
end  at  Paw  Paw,  .Mich. 

^ ^ 'Jsi 

Billy  Wilson  of  Samansky  and  Miller’s 
Park  theatre,  has  returned  from  Park 
Falls,  Wis.,  where  he  spent  a week  fishing. 

* * 

-Another  Film  Row  fisherman,  Jo'c  Lyon 
of  F.  B.  O.,  got  his  first  muskie  during  a 
sojourn  at  Star  Lake,  Wis.,  last  week.  It 
wasn’t  much  of  a muskie,  perhaps — a 
twelve  pounder — but  it  was  a muskie,  and 
that’s  something.  But  there  are  no  buts 
about  Mrs.  Lyon’s  achievement.  She  cap- 
tured a black  bass  weighing  five  and  a 
half  pounds.  Congratulations. 

* * 

-Among  the  many  executives  and  produc- 
ers of  the  B.  & K.  and  L.  & T-  theatres 
who  attended  the  opening  of  Saxe’s  Ori- 
ental in  Milwaukee  last  week  were  Sam 
Trim:,  A.  J.  Balaban  and  Morris  Silver. 
The  Saxe  theatre  books  through  B.  & K. 


A Portrait 

— ~^of— — 

HARRY  LUSTGARTEN 

Once  a doorman,  not  always  a doorman — 
if  your  a Harry  Lustgarten. 

You  may  get  to  be  called  “Hank”  and 
have  a Gang  to 
broadcast  over  the 
radio  — though 
officially  “Hank” 
Lustgarten  is  man- 
ager of  the  big 
Lubliner  & Trinz 
Harding  theatre 
on  Chicago’s 
Northwest  side. 

Lustgarten  joined 
the  L.  & T.  or- 
ganization 16  years 
ago,  being  given 
the  necessary  if 
tiresome  job  of 

Harry  Lustgarten  tlckct-takcr.  That 

was  at  the  20th 
Century,  where  the  tickets  “Hank”  took 
cost  the  patron  a nickel. 

Lustgarten  proved  to  be  a most  efficient 
ticket-taker.  In  only  four  years  he  be- 
came assistant  to  Joseph  Trinz,  and  has 
since  managed  a number  of  L.  & T.  houses. 
In  addition,  he  has  supervised  the  opening 
of  eight  theatres  in  this  chain,  including 
that  of  the  Harding,  where  he  is  general 
house  manager  and  from  which  he  broad- 
casts Hank  and  His  Gang  every  Thursday 
night  through  station  WBBM. 

He  was  born  in  Montreal.  But  Chicago 
got  him,  which  was  fortunate  for  L.  & T. 
and  “Hank’s”  legion  of  friends. 


Sam  Gorlick  of  F.  B.  O.  took  upon  him- 
self last  week  the  added  responsibility  of 
steering  a daughter  through  the  troubled 
waters  of  life.  (Don’t  let  mere  words  dis- 
courage you,  Sam.)  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gorlick 
have  named  the  little  newcomer  Rita 
Marcia,  which  shows  that  Rita’s  parents 
have  an  ear  for  pleasant  sounds. 

❖ ^ ^ 

V.  T.  Lynch  has  acquired  the  lease  of 
the  Villard  theatre.  Villa  Park,  now  under 
construction. 

* * * 

George  Wood  of  the  Publix  bandshow 
production  staff  went  to  Des  Moines  last 
week  for  the  opening  of  the  first  achieve- 
ment of  the  new  Chicago  department. 


Season  1927-28 

A Thrilling  Serial  of  the  Jungle 

“A  Dangerous 
Adventure” 

PRODUCED  BY  WARNER  BROS. 

Who  have  released  the  greatest  animal  serials  ever  made,  first  “The  Lost  City” 
and  “Miracles  of  the  Jungle”  and  now  “A  Dangerous  Adventure” 


ASK  FOR  A SCREENING 


For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVENUE, 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 

NOTHING  ON  THE  MARKET  LIKE  IT 


For  Indicina 


218VPimmerBuiIdm^ 

INDIANAPOUS 


Get  the  Combination 


Productions  of  quality  usually 
reflect  the  use  of  Eastman 
Negative  Film. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman 
Positive  and  you  get  the 
combination  that  carries 
photographic  quality  through 
to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.Y. 


WALLY  WALES 


^^tstera 


Features 


LEO 

MALONEY 


1927-28 


BUFFALO  BILL,  JR 


12  Leo  Maloney 

Maloney  to  star  in  four;  the  others  to  be  produced  by  him. 

The  record  made  by  this  star-producer  during  the  past  year  has  been 
remarkable — every  picture  GOOD,  not  one  ordinary.  Ask  the  exhib- 
itor showing  them! 


6 Buffalo  Billj  Jr. 


Action  Pictures  Inc.  have  been  delivering  with  this  star  a succession 
of  real  knockouts,  with  strong  stories,  casts  and  splendid  direction. 
Now  is  promised  more  of  the  same.  They  couldn’t  be  better. 


6 Wally  Wales 


If  you  show  one  you’ll  show  all.  You'll  never  get  more  for  your 
money  than  you  do  in  these  Action  Pictures.  Wales  has  a personality 
your  audiences  will  remember. 


Also  Two  Series  of  Eight  Each 

Stars  and  producers  to  be  announced  later. 


More  and  Better  Westerns  Than 
Any  Distributor 


PafLdnicture 

(?r 


DE  MILLE  PICTURES 
PATHE  NEWS 


PATHE  COMEDIES 
PATHESERIALS 


fTWO  SECTIONS 


SECTION  II 


(^HARLES  RIESNER  is 
at  work  on  the  United 
Artists  lot  where  he  is  di- 
recting Buster  Keaton  in 
“Steamboat  Bill.” 


Margaret  Liv- 
ingston completes 

a role  in  “The  American 
Beauty,”  which  Richard 
Wallace  is  directing  forF.N. 


. ‘1/ 

F 

L J 

1 

\ 

J 

-J. 

J 

1.  XXX,  No.  5 


July  16,  1927 


When  You  Pay  Good 
vertising  Space — See  That  the  Space 
Is  In  a Publication  That  Is  Read. 


Money  for  Ad- 


Exhibitors  Herald  receives  and  prints  more 
communications  from  Exhibitors  than  all  the 
other  papers  in  the  field  combined. 


There’s  READER  INTEREST 
— Great  and  Proven 


Los  Angeles  Office: 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd. 
Tel:  Gladstone  3754 


Ray  Murray 
Douglas  Hodges 


New  York  Office: 

565  Fifth  Ave. 

Tel.  Vanderbilt  3612 


John  S.  Spargo 
James  Beecroft 


A monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald  devoted  to  production. 

Published  by  the  Exhibitors  Herald  Co.,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.,  Martin  J.  Quigley,  Editor  and  Publisher;  Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary; 

George  Clifford,  Assistant  Treasurer 


Economy  In  Hollywood 


The  crusade  against  high  production  costs,  now  in  a 
heated  stage  in  Hollywood,  will  leave  its  mark  upon 
the  production  capital  for  many  a day  to  come.  At  its 
first  launching  it  may  be  regarded,  according  to  the  view- 
point, as  either  a disaster  or  as  only  a mildly  disturbing 
influence.  However,  in  fact,  it  probably  will  prove  out 
to  be  a disaster  for  some  and  for  others  it  will  not  even 
be  a mildly  disturbing  influence. 

The  first  thing  to  be  realized  about  the  economy  cru- 
sade is  that  it  is  deadly  in  earnest,  deadly  serious  and 
that  it  will  follow  through.  We  do  not  assert  that  there 
will  not  be  individual  and  periodic  recessions  but  gener- 
ally it  may  be  understood  that  a major  operation  on  pro- 
duction costs  has  been  ordered  and  that  the  present 
executives  of  the  picture  business  could  not  call  it  off  if 
they  wanted  to. 

Production  has  been  resting  on  a decidedly  bad  eco- 
nomic basis;  a change  must  be  brought  about  by  one 
means  or  another.  This  certainly  does  not  mean  that 
everyone  in  production  is  going  to  suffer  a curtailment  in 
income  but  it  does  mean  that  gross  expenditures  are  go- 
ing to  be  less  and  also  that  there  is  going  to  be  a saner 
and  sounder  distribution  of  these  expenditures. 

Productions  personalities,  great  and  small,  are  going  to 
be  weighed  in  the  balance.  Many  great  illusions  will  be 
exposed  but  on  the  other  hand  much  talent  that  has 
been  obscured  will  be  brought  out  into  the  light  of  day 
and  appropriately  rewarded.  Any  movement  which 
promises  to  take  some  of  the  bunk  out  of  Hollywood,  to 
expose  the  fourflusher  and  to  reward  the  person  who  has 
something  genuine  to  contribute  to  motion  picture  pro- 
duction, should  be  welcomed  and  not  opposed. 

* * * 

The  Hollywood  situation  in  this  economy  movement 
is  likely  to  be  somewhat  complicated  by  the  activities 
of  the  motion  picture  division  of  the  Actors’  Equity  As- 
sociation. In  the  first  place,  let  us  make  it  plain,  we  quite 
recognize  the  right  of  actors — or  any  other  group  of  peo- 
ple of  common  interests — to  band  together  for  protection 
and  advancement  and  to  treat  collectively  with  their  em- 
ployers when  they  are  able  to  do  so.  The  Actors’  Equity 
has  done  little  in  the  picture  business  because  there  has 
been  little  for  it  to  do.  But  its  record  of  accomplishment 
in  the  field  of  the  speaking  stage  is  a splendid  one. 

In  the  present  situation  in  Hollywood  the  Equity 
stands  in  danger  of  defeating  its  own  ends.  The  Equity — 
or  any  other  fair-minded  body,  for  that  matter — ^must 
realize  and  appreciate  the  need  of  reform  and  readjust- 
ment in  Hollywood.  To  complicate  the  situation  at  this 
time  with  the  introduction  of  a demand  for  an  eight  hour 
day  may  be  a good  move  politically  but  it  is  a bad  move 
practically.  Producers  could  not,  if  they  wanted  to, 
temporize  with  present  conditions.  This  is  the  worst  pos- 
sible time  for  the  Equity  to  interpose  objections  to  the 


present  system  where  the  allowing  of  such  objections 
might  in  any  possible  way  increase  production  costs. 

There  has  been  little  for  Equity  to  do  thus  far  in 
Hollywood  because  even  the  greatest  visionary  could  not 
have  foreseen  greater  advantages  for  the  actor  than  he 
has,  on  the  whole,  received  in  motion  picture  production. 
As  the  motion  picture  business  is  unequivocally  one  of 
personalities  there  are  no  good  grounds  for  apprehen- 
sion that  the  actor  will  not  continue  to  find  Hollywood 
and  motion  picture  production  a paradise. 

As  everyone  familiar  with  production  knows  excessive 
salaries  are  not  paid  to  extra  and  bit  players.  The  ex- 
orbitant angle  of  the  situation  comes  in  the  case  of  cer- 
tain feature  players  and  certain  so-called  stars.  Certainly, 
the  Equity  as  a labor  union  is  not  going  to  worry  about 
the  financial  status  of  persons  receiving  thousands  of  dol- 
lars a week  in  salaries. 

«•  * «■ 

THERE  is  a great  deal  of  serious  concern,  study  and 
thought  among  actors  about  tbe  future  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  business.  Perhaps  this  is  not  generally 
credited  but  we  know  it  to  be  a fact.  Actors  have  con- 
tributed mightily  to  the  advancement  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture, not  only  upon  the  screen  but  in  production  coun- 
cils and  in  other  ways. 

With  the  present  emergency  on — and  it  is  a real  emer- 
gency— the  actors  may  be  expected  to  do  their  part  in 
assisting  the  trade  to  get  its  house  in  order. 

Talent — real  talent — will  not  suffer  in  any  readjust- 
ment that  is  effected.  It  is  better  known  in  Hollywood 
than  anywhere  else  that  much  of  the  counterfeit  variety 
is  masquerading  as  the  real  article.  The  unmasking  will 
help  the  position  of  those  who  really  have  something  to 
contribute;  and  will  only  hurt  those  who  have  been  sail- 
ing under  false  colors. 

We  do  not  think  there  is  going  to  be  any  opposition — • 
or  rebellion — against  the  economy  movement  on  the  part 
of  the  acting  profession.  Right  before  tbeir  eyes  they 
have  seen  the  evidences  of  waste  and  useless  expendi- 
ture. They  may  have  thought  that  the  picture  business 
was  some  most  extraordinary  thing  that  could  go  on  in- 
definitely absorbing  all  of  this  but  now  tbat  they  know 
the  facts  a wholehearted  and  intelligent  cooperation  may 
be  expected. 

A great  deal  of  publicity,  which  might  better  have 
been  avoided,  has  already  been  given  to  the  economy 
program  of  the  industry.  In  many  places  it  doubtlessly 
has  caused  much  ungrounded  apprehension.  We  have 
heard  expressions  which  would  indicate  the  belief  that 
there  would  be  broadcast  and  arbitrary  reductions  in 
salary,  regardless  of  the  individual  and  regardless  of  what 
he  has  been  contributing  toward  the  advancement  of  pic- 
tures. 

But  no  such  policy  is  either  contemplated — or  possible. 


4 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


IN  CONFERENCE 

Smiling  Through  j 

The  Low  Down  in  Hollyivood 

S one  speaker  said  in  the  course  of  one  of  the  many  conferences  in  Holly- 
wood during  the  past  ten  days : “It’s  the  biggest  flop  in  the  history  of  motion 
pictures.”  Of  course  he  referred  to  the  recent  abortive  attempt  to  effect  a 
ten  per  cent  cut  in  salaries. 

The  direct  outcome  of  the  proposed  slash  in  weekly  paychecks  has  been 
an  almost  miraculous  crystalization  of  sentiment  among  those  in  the  crea- 
tive departments  of  picture  production  against  the  monstrous  fly  in  the 
ointment — inefficient,  ignorant,  incompetent  supervision  of  creative  effort. 

In  one  devastating  blast,  they  have  called  the  attention  of  the  world  and 
Wall  Street  to  what  the  Screen  Writers’  Guild  in  its  resolution  against  the  sal- 
ary cut  designated  as  “executive  mismanagement.” 


It  has  been  a condition  lasting  over  a 
period  of  three  or  four  years  that  has  been 
familiar  to  every  person  of  intelligence  in 
the  studios,  but  it  would  have  gone  on  in- 
definitely had  not  the  producers  uninten- 
tionally drilled  the  holes  for  the  blast  by 
placing  the  burden  of  culpability  for  exces- 
sive picture  costs  on  the  salaries  of  actors, 
directors  and  writers.  With  one  fell  swoop 
the  halos  have  been  whisked  from  the 
brows  of  the  demi-gods,  the  Napoleonic 
geniuses  who  have  sat  in  the  seats  of  the 
mighty — the  young  men  who,  incapable  of 
doing  a thing  themselves,  have  compelled 
writers  to  write  as  they  dictated^  and  di- 
rectors to  direct  as  they  laid  out  their  shots 
for  them. 

There  can  be  no  doubt  as  to  the  ultimate 
result.  If  the  men  at  the  top  who  blindly 
placed  their  faith  in  the  judgment  of  these 
self-styled  geniuses  did  not  know  it  before, 
they  must  know  it  now.  And  there  is  only 
one  remedy. 

M ILLIONS  of  dollars  have  been 
wasted  by  incompetents  employed  as 
heads  of  production  for  the  sole  reason 
that  at  some  time  or  other  these  men 
had  made  a picture  or  two  cheaply,  or 
were  personal  friends  of  the  producer. 
Two  of  the  highest  paid  executives  in 
as  many  studios  were  notorious  failures 
when  producing  on  their  own  hook.  I 
do  not  know  of  one  production  super- 
visor in  any  of  the  large  studios  who  is 
capable  of  writing  a good  continuity  or 
directing  a passable  picture,  yet  these 
men  have  despotic  power  over  those 
who  can  do  those  things. 

T 

J.  HE  most  significant  and  important  re- 
sult of  the  proposed  cut  has  been  the  im- 
mediate solidifying  of  the  workers  in  the 
creative  departments.  For  years  Actors 
Equity  has  sought  to  organize  the  high 
priced  folk  of  screenland.  They  have  al- 
ways failed  to  get  them  in.  Now  they  are 
all  in  and  within  ten  days  after  the  at- 
tempted slash  in  salaries.  Actors  Equity, 
with  a solid  front,  is  demanding  a uniform 
contract  and  an  eight-hour  day  from  the 
producer.  As  the  head  of  Equity  said  at 
a meeting  of  actors : “Overnight  they  have 


delivered  themselves  into  our  hands.”  Just 
how  this  power  will  be  used  is  problemat- 
ical, but  there  is  every  indication  that  it 
will  not  be  abused. 

T 

J.  HE  same  is  true  of  the  screen  writers. 
For  five  years  they  have  been  clamoring  at 
the  doors  of  the  producers  for  a standard 
contract.  They  have  been  ignored  com- 
pletely. Now  the  Screen  Writers’  Guild, 
backed  by  Equity,  as  well  as  the  Authors’ 
League  of  America  and  the  Dramatists’ 
Guild,  are  demanding,  not  asking,  a stand- 
ard, equitable  contract  in  place  of  the 
scraps  of  paper  which  the  attorneys  for 
the  producers  foist  upon  them. 

T 

X HERE  have  been  some  amusing 
phases  of  the  upheaval.  One  very  large 
producer  has  taken  the  rebellion  of  the 
workers  as  a personal  affront.  The  Mo- 
tion Picture  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences, 
which  was  really  organized  by  the  pro- 
ducers, has  turned  upon  the  employers  who 
gave  birth  to  their  institution.  Its  presi- 
dent, Douglas  Fairbanks,  was  one  of  the 
most  active  in  fighting  the  cut.  The  “goat” 
of  the  whole  fiasco  is  Jesse  Lasky,  who 
came  from  New  York  with  the  message  of 
enforced  economy.  And  when  failure 
loomed,  Lasky  graciously  withdrew  and 
threw  himself  on  the  mercy  of  the  crea- 
tive workers,  asking  them  to  show  him  how 
to  effect  economies  without  cutting  salaries. 
They  are  showing  him — ^with  a unanimous 
demand  for  a general  cleaning  out  of  in- 
competent executives. 

XS  TO  FAMILY  TREES 

NQUIRY  into  the  genuineness  of 
titles  borne  by  herald-bedecked  hus- 
bands of  screen  luminaries  has  been  pro- 
ductive of  considerable  amusement  in 
Hollywood.  It  has  also  called  attention 
to  other  betitled  denizens  of  our  little 
community.  One  of  them  created  some 
considerable  social  furore  recently 
when  introduced  as  a prince  of  the  Ro- 
manoffs and  a close  relative  of  the  late 
lamented  czar  of  Russia.  Jack  Warner 
gave  him  a job  at  $50  a week,  but  a few 

{Continued  on  page  20) 


T WAS  sittin’  in  my  office  last  Tuesday 
wonderin’  if  I could  stall  the  telephone 
company  another  week,  or  whether  they 
would  do  as  they  said  and  cut  off  the  phone 
on  Wednesday.  These  here  big  corpora- 
tions is  hard  to  argue  with.  They  got  so 
many  rules  and  they  wont  listen  to  reason. 
For  instance  just  this  mornin’  I had  ex- 
plained to  my  landlady  that  two  of  my  best 
clients  was  on  location  in  Texas  and  would 
pay  me  when  they  got  back,  and  while  she 
was  kinda  suspicious  and  sourcastic  about 
it  she  had  agreed  to  wait  till  Sunday  any- 
how. Tr}"  and  pull  that  on  the  telephone 
company ! Bein’  a free  lance  press  agent 
in  fiollyw'ood  has  its  drawbacks.  Some- 
times I almost  feel  like  gettin’  a job  some- 
where. 

Anyhow  as  I’m  sittin’  there  a feller  walks 
in,  a sporty  dressed  feller — looks  like  real 
money  to  me  or  a dam  good  front. 

“Mr.  Benjamin  Price?”  he  asks,  very 
polite. 

“Sure,”  I says,  “What  can  I do  for  you?” 

I You  can  be  of  great  assistance  to  me  I 
think,”  he  says,  ‘and  an  arrangement  should 
be  to  our — ah — mutual  advantage,”  he  says, 
just  like  that. 

Doesn’t  Care  for  “Ah”  Stuff 

“That’s  what  I’m  here  for,”  I says,  “my 
mutual  advantage,”  I says,  “but  my  services 
is  cash  in  advance,”  I says.  I don’t  care 
much  for  this  “ah”  stuff.  Sounds  like  he’s 
tryin’  to  high  hat  me.  I’ve  met  them  kind 
of  bluffers  before,  but  this  guy  don’t  bat 
an  eye. 

“Ah  yes,”  he  answers,  pullin’  out  a check 
book,  “quite  so,  quite  so,”  he  says,  “How 
much  for  a month’s  services  in  advance? 
I shall  want  not  only  a publicity  campaign 
but  your  advice.  I was  referred  to  you 
by — by  a friend.  I am  Don  Graflin  of  San 
Francisco.  You  may  have  heard  of  me.” 

“Who  aint?”  I says,  and  I could’a  kicked 
myself  for  that  crack  about  money— now 
that  it’s  in  sight.  You’ve  read  of  Don 
Graflin — rich  guy,  big  game  hunter  and  the 
etcetera  with  a private  yacht,  travelin’  all 
over  the  world  for  fun  and  excitement. 
Well  I thinks,  he  can  get  all  he  wants  of 
both  right  here  in  Holl3rwood,  and  I de- 
cides to  get  mine  before  he  goes  broke. 

“Five  hundred  dollars  a month  is  my 
regular  terms  for  a publicity  campaign,”  I 
says,  “and  the  advice  will  be  free  whether 
you  use  it  or  not,”  I says,  “but  nobody  in 
this  burg  can  give  you  better  of  either  or 
each,”  I says. 

Sorry  He  Didn’t  Say  Grand 

It  never  fazed  him.  He  opens  his  check 
book  and  writes  it  out  without  a peep. 
I’m  sorry  I don’t  make  it  a grand — been 
just  as  easy.  He  hands  it  to  me. 

He  has  a fair  scheme  at  that.  It  seems 
his  yacht  is  off  Long  Beach,  and  him 
bein’  fed  up  with  everything  else  he  de- 
cided to  take  a fling  at  the  movies.  Wants 
to  hire  a company,  director  and  all,  and 
go  over  around  Catalina  Island  and  shoot 
a picture. 

He’s  got  a scenario  he’s  wrote  himself. 
Well  that’s  all  right — 'they  wont  use  it  any- 
how. 

“Mr.  Graflin,”  I says,  “if  you  will  come 
back  at  noon  tomorrow  I will  have  every- 
thing arranged.  You  come  to  the  right 
place  all  right.  I honestly  could  not 
recommend  anyone  to  do  this  job  for  you 
better  than  I can.” 

“Fine !”  he  says,  “I  leave  everything 
altogether  in  your  hands,  Mr. — ah — Price,” 
he  says. 

As  soon  as  he’s  gone  I beats  it  over  to 
{Continued  on  page  21) 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


Writers,  Actors,  Directors 
Meet  to  Force  Closed  Shop 

Ask  Eight-Hour  Day  and  Standard  Contract  with  Cancellation 
Clauses;  Wage  Cut  Order  Proves  Boomerang; 

Nagel  Is  Chairman  of  Meeting 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12. — The  recent  attempt  of  the  producers  to  “estab- 
lish a more  economic  basis  of  production  costs,”  by  reducing  all  salaries  10  to 
25  per  cent  last  week  proved  a boomerang. 

As  a direct  result  of  the  proposed  salary  cut  500  actors,  writers,  and  directors 
met  at  the  Writers  Club  July  6,  and  resolved  to  enforceJ  the  closed-shop  prin- 
ciple in  the  entire  motion  picture  industry. 

Hurls  Charges  at  Producers 

The  meeting  was  addressed  by  Frank  Gilmore,  executive  secretary  of  the 
Actors  Equity  Association,  and  was  attended  by  the  leading  film  players,  writers 
and  directors  in  the  business.  Charges  were  openly  made  that  several  pro- 
ducers had  deliberately  attempted  to  interfere  with  the  meeting  by  calling 
many  to  start  that  day  for  night  work. 


Proposed  Cut  Would 
Have  Saved  $6,000 
Per  Studio  Per  Week 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12. — Discussion  of 
the  wage  cut  ultimatum  at  studios  here 
has  brought  up  facts  and  figures  issued 
by  the  studios  January  1.  At  that  time 
Warner  Brothers  announced  its  year’s 
budget  for  production  expenditures  is  $12,- 
500,000. 

First  National  said  its  expenses  would 
be  $14,000,000.  In  the  group  with  First 
National  was  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  and 
Paramount. 

Will  Hays  issued  data  in  March  showing 
that  25  per  cent  of  a film’s  cost  goes  into 
salary  for  the  cast.  Twenty  per  cent  goes 
into  overhead ; 19  per  cent  into  sets ; 10 
per  cent  into  salaries  for  directors  and  cam- 
eramen ; 10  per  cent  into  scenarios ; and 
the  remaining  16  per  cent  into  miscellane- 
ous expenditures. 

Consequently,  the  figure  fixed  by  each  of 
the  large  companies  for  salaries  is  approxi- 
mately $62,500  weekly.  And  ten  per  cpt 
of  that  is  little  more  than  $6,000,  which 
might  be  shot  in  a half  day  in  a wasted 
scene. 

Christie  Heads  Big 
Project  to  Bring 
Studios  Together 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Charles  H. 
Christie,  of  the  Christie  Film  Company, 
was  last  week  elected  chairman  _ of  the 
executive  committee  of  Central  Motion  Pic- 
ture District,  Inc.,  sponsors  of  the  $20,- 
000,000  studio  city  in  North  Hollywood. 
It  is  in  that  vicinity  that  the  Mack  Sen- 
nett  Studios  will  be  built. 

It  is  Christie’s  belief  that  the  Central 
District  will  be  a means  of  bringing  the 
motion  picture  studios  into  a single  area. 

Other  officials  of  the  District  are : Mil- 
ton  E.  Hoffman  of  P-F-L,  G.  H.  Beese- 
myer,  H.  H.  Merrick,  Charles  A.  Albright. 
Directors  and  stockholders  are:  B.  P. 
Schulberg,  Hector  Turnbull,  Roy  Pomeroy, 
Bernard  Fineman,  Fred  Harris,  Noah 
Beery,  Walter  Finglen,  James  R.  Canter- 
bury, Jr.,  Marlowe  Merrick,  Karl  and  Will 
Thompson,  Mr.  Albright  and  Thomas 
Bundy. 

Rogers  to  Start  East 

This  Week  for  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BEVERLY  HILLS,  CAL.,  July  12.— Will 
Rogers  has  returned  from  the  hospital  and 
will  be  ready  the  latter  part  of  this  week 
to  leave  for  the  East,  where  he  will  begin 
work  in  “A  Texas  Steer,”  a Rork  produc- 
tion. 


Cochrane  Sails  for  Japan 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— T.  D.  Coch- 
rane, “Paramount’s  Ambassador  DeLuxe” 
to  Japan,  who  came  to  America  last  April 
to  bury  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in 
Japan,  will  sail  for  Tokio  July  19. 


Bacon  to  Direct  Fazenda 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12. — Lloyd  Bacon 
will_  again  direct  Louise  Fazenda  when  he 
begins  work  on  “A  Sailor’s  Sweetheart” 
soon. 


Conrad  Nagel,  as  chairman  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  Los  Angeles 
branch  of  Actors  Equity,  Mr.  Gilmore 
and  others  present  unanimously  adopted 
a motion  endorsing  the  Actors  Equity 
policy.  This  means  that  only  members 
of  the  Actors  Equity  can  appear  in  com- 
panies composed  of  Equity  players  in 
motion  pjetures. 

Open  to  Actors,  Writers  and 
Directors 

Any  actor,  writer  or  director,  who  has 
received  screen  credit  or  who  has  ap- 
peared on  the  legitimate  stage,  can  be- 
come a member  of  the  Actors  Equity. 
At  Wednesday  night’s  meeting  the  ques- 
tion of  salaries  was  not  touched  upon. 

A letter  from  the  Screen  Writers  Guild 
of  the  Authors  League  of  America  was 
read  asking  to  be  permitted  to  affiliate 
with  the  Actors  Equity. 

Ask  Eight  Hour  Day 

A motion  was  put  through  instructing 
the  executive  committee  to  meet  with  the 
producers  to  offer  them  the  heartiest  co- 
operation and  to  request  that  they  issue 
a basic  agreement.  A rough  draft  of  the 
demands  includes  an  eight  hour  day, 
cancellation  clause  in  a standard  con- 
tract, and  better  working  conditions. 

The  eight  hour  day  clause  was  to  pro- 
tect the  actors  who  work  on  schedule, 
regulating  their  hours  according  to 
necessity  of  the  picture  that  is  being 
made. 

A standard  contract  for  all  motion  pic- 
ture players  was  urged  to  which  the 
Equity  would  be  a party.  Several  things 
were  suggested  to  better  working  con- 
ditions. 

The  basic  agreement  will  outline  regu- 
lations for  both  producers  and  actors 
and  set  forth  the  powers  of  actors  in 
the  choice  of  plays  in  which  they  are 
to  be  cast. 

Strike  Is  Threatened 

At  one  time  during  the  meeting  the 


Miller  Uses  Pan 
In  All  Shots 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— 
Arthur  Miller,  cameraman  of  the 
De  Mille  him,  “Fighting  Eagle,” 
is  using  Panchromatic  him  stock 
entirely  in  interiors  and  exteriors. 
Previously  the  highly  sensitive 
material  has  been  used  chiefly  for 
exterior  shots. 


enthusiasm  ran  high  and  a resolution 
was  passed  amounting  to  a threat  of 
widespread  strike  if  producers  do  not 
accede  to  the  demands  to  be  made  upon 
them. 

On  the  speakers  platform  were  Ernest 
Torrence,  Wallace  Beery,  Charles  Ray, 
Thomas  Meighan,  Conrad  Nagel  and 
Bert  Lytell.  Mr.  Nagel,  who  presided 
at  the  meeting,  is  one  of  the  founders  of 
the  Academy  of  Sciences  and  Arts,  an 
organization  recently  formed  to  promote 
harmony  among  various  branches  of  the 
industry.  Great  secrecy  was  maintained 
in  regard  to  the  meeting  Wednesday 
night.  No  printed  notices  were  sent  out, 
the  actors,  directors  and  writers  being 
called  together  by  word  of  mouth.  Gil- 
more has  been  working  industriously 
during  the  past  two  weeks  laying  the 
foundation  for  the  meeting. 

Actors  View  the  Future 

Although  the  producers  announced  last 
week  that  they  had  abandoned  the  pro- 
posed salary  cut,  the  meeting  Wednes- 
day night  was  a direct  outcome  of  the 
recently  considered  plan.  The  actors 
stated  they  were  unprepared  for  such 
a step  and  that  forming  the  motion  pic- 
ture branch  of  the  Actors  Equity  is  a 
precautionary  measure  aimed  against 
such  action  in  the  future. 

Cards  were  distributed  at  the  close  of 
the  meeting  asking  each  one  present  to 
sign  and  give  his  address.  This  will 
form  a roster  of  members  for  the  motion 
picture  branch  of  the  Equity. 

Among  those  who  attended  the  meet- 
ing were  Richard  Dix,  Lois  Wilson, 
Milton  Sills,  Conrad  Nagel,  Richard 
Barthelmess,  Jack  Holt,  Charles  Ray, 
Kenneth  Harlan,  Ernest  Torrence, 
Richard  Tucker,  Alec  B.  Francis,  Wal- 
lace Beery,  Hallam  Cooley,  Lincoln 
Plummer,  Claude  Gillingwater,  Douglas 
MacLean,  William  Conklin,  Bert  Lytell, 
Emma  Dunn,  Thomas  Meighan,  Fred 
Niblo,  Lew  Cody,  Dolores  Del  Rio  and 
Aileen  Pringle. 


Syd  Chaplin  Joins  M-G~M 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Sydney 
Chaplin  has  signed  a contract  to  appear 
in  M-G-M  pictures,  according  to  the  an- 
nouncement of  Irving  Thalberg.  Chap- 
lin went  from  P.D.C.  to  Warner  Broth- 
ers and  from  Warners  to  Thalberg  and 
his  latest  step  was  likely  the  direct  con- 
sequence of  his  work  in  “Better  ’Ole.” 


6 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


it 


Does  a college  education  pay?” 

Up  comes  the  old  question  again  in  connection  with  First 
National’s  splendid  exploitation  stunt  in  sending  cameramen 
to  universities  all  over  the  country  for  the  purpose  of  taking  “test  shots” 
of  students.  The  idea,  of  course,  was  to  discover  new  types  of  college 
stars  for  the  movies. 


TpiFTEEN  thousand  students  were 

“shot.”  Of  this  number  ten  were 
selected  as  promising  material  and  sent  to 
Hollywood.  Of  that  number  one  student, 
a youth  from  Michigan,  will  likely  re- 
main at  the  studios.  Thus  the  experiment 
proves  to  be  a 15,000-to-l  shot.  Carl 

Plate,  a student  at  the  University  of  South- 
ern California,  summed  up  the  matter, 
from  the  collegiate  point  of  view,  as 
follows : 

“Being  a motion  picture  star  is  great 
business.  But  the  average  college  student 
never  has  been  trained  for  that  work.  He 
goes  into  a university  with  the  idea  of 
becoming  a doctor,  lawyer,  mining  engi- 
neer, business  man  or  a college  professor. 
The  matter  of  becoming  a motion  picture 
actor  rarely  enters  his  brain.  Therefore, 
how  could  it  be  expected  that  college 
students  would  succeed  as  picture  actors. 

“The  elusive,  spiritual  something  called 
‘personality’  forms  the  basis  of  picture 
acting.  It  is  a trait  that  has  to  be  culti- 
vated. The  average  student  gets  to  be 
somewhat  ingrown  during  his  college  days. 
He  sees  the  world  through  books  and  lec- 
tures and  meditation.  This  smothers  his 
personality.  Take  the  greatest  literary  men 
of  history.  Who  among  them  would  have 
made  good  movie  actors?  Dean  Swift 
was  a fright,  always  out  of  temper;  Dr. 
Johnson  was  silent  and  morose ; Dante 
might  have  made  a Mack  Sennett  come- 
dian ; Lord  Byron  had  a club  foot ; the 
great  poet.  Pope,  was  deformed ; Cowper 
was  always  afraid  of  himself  and  shunned 
the  public.  And  so  it  goes.  A good  movie 
actor  must  naturally  be  a good  mixer,  in 
order  to  know  people  at  all  times.  He  has 
small  time  for  Latin,  less  for  Greek  and 
none  for  Euclid.” 

Atta  boy,  Carl ! You  certainly  know 
your  Allium  cepa  (the  same  being  Latin 
for  onions). 

* * * 

There’s  Still  Money  in  the  Peep-Hole  Films 

While  it  is  true  that  motion  pictures 
have  made  great  strides  since  their  incep- 
tion, one  form  of  their  early  development 
still  remains  a lucrative  business.  This  is 
the  old  “peep-hole”  movies,  printed  on 
white  paper  and  shown  in  boxes  through 
which  the  observer  peers. 

Out  Hollywood-way,  where  $1,000,000 
productions  are  ordinary  events,  the  Nel- 
son Evans  Studios,  one  of  the  original 
makers  of  “peephole  movies,”  still  carries 
on  with  these  antiquated  affairs,  and  makes 
good  money  by  it. 

Evans  has  his  own  stock  company,  which 
he  takes  out  in  the  open.  A camera  with 
a stereoscopic  lens  is  used.  Evans  directs 
the  “peephole  production”  from  scenarios 
written  by  himself.  Then  he  ships  his 
prints  to  Chicago,  the  point  of  world  dis- 
tribution. 

“Funny  thing  about  this  work,”  said 
Evans,  “is  that  our  pictures  must  have  a 
clean  moral  tone  all  the  way  through.  The 
reason  is  that  these  movies  are  shown 
near  schools,  and  children  form  a large 
part  of  the  patrons.” 

It  was  in  this  type  of  motion  pictures 
that  many  men  now  at  the  head  of  the 
industry  got  their  first  start.  In  those 
early  days  of  motion  pictures  the  backers 


of  the  “peephole”  movies,  put  out  by 
Thomas  A.  Edison,  were  considered  weak- 
minded.  Now  they  are  multi-millionaires. 

^ ^ 

JF/ry  Not  Charge  $10  a Head  for  Laymen? 

“Studio  hounds”  got  another  severe  set- 
back at  a recent  meeting  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Relief  Fund  at  the  Writers’  Club. 
Mary  Pickford,  in  discussing  means  of 
raising  money  for  the  fund,  suggested  that 
25  cents  admission  be  charged  those  ad- 
mitted to  studios.  Cecil  B.  DeMille  stated 
that  he  would  rather  pay  35  cents  a head 
out  of  his  own  pockets  than  to  have 
visitors  at  the  DeMille  Studios.  Studio 
visitors,  he  declared,  interfered  with  the 
work  of  the  players  and  even  of  the  me- 
chanical force. 

* * * 

Cohn  Camps  in  Canada 

This  is  the  Saga  of  Sam  W.  B.  Cohn, 
Hollywood  “publicity”  man:  Sam  worked 
hard  and  long  and  his  clients  rejoiced. 
Then  he  decided  to  take  a vacation,  and 
sent  cards  to  that  effect  to  those  whose 
business  he  was  handling.  Violent  pro- 
tests resulted.  They  maintained  that  a 
publicity  man  never  earned  a vacation.  So 
Sam  packed  up  his  lares  and  penates  and 
boarded  a train  for  Canada.  There  he 
had  photographs  of  himself  taken  amid 
bibulous  surroundings,  sending  to  each 
client  a photo  inscribed:  “Sorry  I can’t 
agree  with  you  regarding  vacations.  But 
I believe  you  will  now  agree  with  me.” 

* * 

Sam  Goldwyn  Does  a Wedding 

Never  was  there  a wedding  of  noted 
people  that  didn’t  have  its  humorous  as 
well  as  its  solemn  moments.  The  nuptials 
of  Rod  LaRocque  and  Vilma  Banky  proves 
no  exception.  Sam  Goldvyyn  acted  as 
master  of  ceremonies  and  gave  the  bride 
away.  Sam  staged  the  entire  production 
and  did  it  on  an  Elaborate  Scale. 

When  the  guests  arrived  there  was  much 
awe.  Hundreds  of  flappers  stood  behind 
lines  established  by  the  police.  Tom  Mix 
came  along  in  true  Western  style.  He  was 
in  a Coach  drawn  by  Four  Horses.  When 
he  stepped  out  it  was  seen  that  he  was 
resplendent  in  a Cutaway  Coat.  He  cer- 
tainly looked  like  an  Earl — or  maybe  a 
Floor-Walker.  Anyhow,  he  was  a Stun- 
ning Figure. 

Pretty  soon  the  Press  came  along.  They 
drove  their  own  cars.  Nobody  was  on 
hand  to  park  the  Lizzies,  so  the  boys  had 
to  pilot  them  beyond  the  Police  Lines. 
Then  they  found  they  were  being  held 
back  with  the  Flappers  and  other  Curious 
Observers.  After  much  muttering  they  in- 
duced the  Police  to  open  the  lines,  and  with 
them  toward  the  church  rushed  flappers,  et 
cetera.  A wildly  exciting  time  followed. 
Some  of  the  flappers  crashed  into  the 
church. 

These  are  only  side  glimpses,  however, 
of  what  was  one  of  the  most  impressive 
ceremonies  in  the  history  of  the  movie 
colony.  Everybody  likes  Rod.  Everybody 
likes  Vilma.  And  everybody  was  de- 
lighted to  see  them  united  in  Marriage. — 
J.  M.  Loughborough. 


Many  Locate  on 
Ingram  Lot  Abroad 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NICE,  FRANCE,  June  27. — (By  Mail) 
— Rex  Ingram  has  established  permanent 
quarters  here,  and  since  his  studios  were 
built  many  European  companies  have  lo- 
cated at  Nice.  Recently  five  companies 
were  shooting  in  the  Ingram  lot,  represent- 
ing America,  Germany,  France,  England 
and  Italy.  It  is  the  one  site  in  Southeast- 
ern Europe  believed  to  afford  possibilities 
for  picture  making  approaching  ii)  value 
those  of  Hollywood. 

Rents  in  this  country  are  so  low  that 
companies  can  make  the  trip  to  Nice  from 
many  other  countries  and  hold  production 
costs  to  reasonable  figure.  Labor  is  cheap, 
wages  demanded  by  actors  are  less  than  in 
America  and  the  Riviera  climate  corre- 
sponds to  that  of  Southern  California. 

Harry  Lachmani  is  making  a series  of 
comics  entitled  “Travelaughs”  on  the  In- 
gram lot  while  the  Metro-Goldwyn  pro- 
ducer is  between  pictures. 

Alice  Terry  changed  her  plans  to  re- 
turn to  America  upon  the  recent  comple- 
tion of  “The  Garden  of  Allah”  and  will 
remain  at  the  French  Riviera  to  do  a pic- 
ture with  Ivan  Petrovich,  new  leading  man, 
under  a German  director. 

Ingram  will  not  begin  his  next  produc- 
tion for  six  months. 

McArthur  Goes  to  Court 
to  Air  Banks*  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Claiming  that 
Monty  Banks  broke  his  contract  with 
Arthur  McArthur,  his  general  manager, 
without  just  cause,  McArthur  has  asked 
that  Banks  be  enjoined  from  refusing  to 
allow  him  to  continue  in’  his  position  with 
the  company,  to  have  access  to  the  books 
and  to  the  business  assets  of  the  concern. 
McArthur’s  ’ contract  was  for  four  years 
and  was  entered  into  April  12,  1926.  He 
was  to  receive  $1,000  from  each  of  the  first 
four  pictures  made  for  Pathe  and  the  con- 
tract provided  Banks  was  to  receive  70 
per  cent  and  McArthur  30  per  cent  of  the 
profits  of  the  pictures  made. 

Wife  of  Star  Begins 
Career  in  M.P.  Industry 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Elise  Bartlett, 
wife  of  Joseph  Schildkraut,  and  stage 
actress,  enters  motion  pictures  with  her 
debut  in  “Harp  in  Hock,”  in  the  making, 
it  was  announced  today  by  Producers  Dis- 
tributing Corporation. 

Three  at  Roach  Studios 
Suffer  Sprained  Ankles 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.  — Directors 
Robert  MacGowan  and  Clyde  Bruckman, 
and  Richard  Currier,  film  editor,  of  the 
Hal  Roach  Studios,  are  suffering  from 
sprained  ankles. 

Blue  to  Star  in  Warner 
Film,  ** Across  Atlantic** 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Monte  Blue 
will  be  starred  in  a film  called  “Across  the 
Atlantic,”  Warner  Brothers  announced  this 
week. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


7 


Studios  on  West  Coast 
as  Cut  in  Salaries  Is 


Boom 

Delayed 


Officears  Named  for 
New  Paramount  Club 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Lynn 
H.  Buell,  head  of  the  Paramount 
purchasing  department,  has  been 
elected  the  £rst  president  of  the 
newly  formed  Paramount  Studio 
Club,  a social  and  fraternal  society 
on  the  Paramount  lot.  Frank  E. 
Garbutt,  head  of  the  laboratory,  is 
vice-president:  Milly  Lou  Mobley, 
chief  stenographer,  secretary,  and 
John  W.  Fingerlin  of  the  produc- 
tion department,  treasurer. 

, Members  of  the  board  of  gov- 
ernors are  James  A.  Souter,  A.  C. 
Martin,  Clarence  Badger,  John  J. 
Gain,  Fred  Harris,  Dr.  H.  J.  Strat- 
hearn,  Ross  O’Neill,  Ray  Wil- 
kinson, William  Chase,  Peggy 
Schwartz,  Frank  A.  Brandow  and 
Henry  Herzbrun. 

**Watty^^  Rothacker 
Arrives  on  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Watterson 
Rothacker  (or  “Watty”  as  Hollywood 
knows  him)  arrived  five  days  ago  from 
f Europe  and  by  this  time  is  in  unending 
conferences  with  “Al,”  “Ray,”  “George” 
and  “Ned”  at  the  First  National  lot  where 
he  is  the  new  managing  director. 

From  the  day  he  stepped  off  the  train 
to  face  reporters  he  has  been  as  elusive 
as  a managing  director  would  be  because 
of  the  confabs  which  have  been  awaiting 
him  these  past  few  weeks. 

Sloman  Speaks  Before  35 
Immigration  Authorities 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12. — Edward  Slo- 
man spoke  before  35  men  and  women 
here  a few  days  ago  at  a luncheon  under 
the  chairmanship  of  Former  Governor 
Milliken.  He  explained  the  aims  and 
purposes  of  Universal  in  filming  “We 
Americans”  to  the  guests,  all  of  whom 
are  interested  in  some  branch  of  Ameri- 
canization and  immigration. 


Newspapers  Honor  Vidor, 
Brown,  Ingram  in  Vote 

Clarence  Brown,  King  Vidor  and  Rex 
Ingram  headed  the  list  of  directors  voted 
as  among  the  ten  best  by  critics  of  rep- 
resentative newspapers  in  the  poll  made 
by  Film  Daily. 


Flaherty,  Explorer,  to 
Direct  Film  for  M-G-M 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Robert  J. 
Flaherty,  naturalist,  explorer  and  film 
producer,  will  direct  “White  Shadows,” 
a South  Sea  story  for  M-G-M. 


8 Shooting  at  F.  N.  as 
Rothacker  Takes  Reins 

Cry  of  Economy  Inspires  Bolstered  Enthusiasm  of 
Producers  to  Speed  Up  Production 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12. — ^^The  socalled  “postponement”  of  the  proposed 
salary  cuts  and  the  inauguration  of  more  economic  methods  oJ  production  at 
all  studios  has  brought  a mild  boom  on  several  large  lots. 

Thirteen  pictures  are  in  production  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
studios,  four  being  classed  as  super-productions. 

Eight  companies  are  shooting  under  the  First  National  banner  as 
Watterson  Rothacker  arrives  from  the  East  to  take  upon  general 
management  of  production. 

Nine  companies  are  in  work  at  the  Lasky  lot ; others  are  to  start 
soon. 

It  was  generally  conceded  that  reducing  wages  10  to  25  per  cent  at  this  time, 
when  production  was  at  a very  low  ebb,  was  poor  policy,  and  that  the  end  could 


be  gamed  by  exerting  efforts  to 
efficiency  in  all  departments,  rather  than 

At  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios  13 
pictures  are  in  production,  four  being 
classed  as  super-productions.  This  com- 
pany is  preparing  to  launch  six  more  pic- 
tures by  August  1,  three  of  these  being 
specials.  The  M-G-M  specials  now  being 
filmed  are;  “The  Trail  of  ’98,”  an  epic  of 
the  North,  under  direction  of  Clarence 
Brown;  “Love,”  a sceen  version  of  Tol- 
stoy’s “Anna  Karenina,”  which  Edmund 
Goulding  is  directing ; “The  Enemy,”  which 
Fred  Niblo  is  making  from  Channing  Pol- 
lock’s stage  success,  and  “The  Crowd,” 
King  Vidor’s  12-reel  picture  called  “the  big 
parade  of  peace.” 

Davies  Starring  in  Ade  Story 

Marion  Davies  is  being  starred  in  “The 
Fair  Co-Ed,”  a screen  version  of  George 
Ade’s  musical  comedy.  Sam  Wood  is  di- 
recting, with  Byron  Morgan  and  Al  Boas- 
berg  collaborating  on  the  story  details. 
William  Nigh  is  in  the  midst  of  “Rose 
Marie,”  an  elaborate  screen  version  of  the 
musical  comedy,  and  George  Hill  is  mak- 
ing “Buttons,”  starring  Jackie  Coogan. 

John  S.  Robertson  is  directing  Ramon 
Novarro  in  “Romance”:  Robert  Z.  Leon- 
ard is  guiding  Lew  Cody  and  Aileen  Prin- 
gle through  “Tea  for  Three,”  and  Benja- 
min Christensen  is  making  “Mockery”  with 
Lon  Chaney.  Edward  Sedgwick  has  left 
with  his  company  for  the  National  Mili- 
tary Academy,  West  Point,  to  make  scenes 
for  a West  Point  story,  featuring  William 
Haines.  “Lovelorn”  is  John  P.  McCarthy’s 
present  vehicle,  with  Sally  O’Neil  featured. 

Among  the  specials  to  be  launched  are 
“White  Shadows  of  the  South  Seas,”  to 
be  directed  by  Robert  J.  Flaherty;  “The 
Big  Ditch,”  a Laurence  Stallings  original 
story,  to  be  directed  by  King  Vidor,  and 
“In  Old  Kentucky,”  which  John  M.  Stahl 
will  direct. 

“Be  Your  Age”  and  “The  Divine 
Woman”  are  two  others  soon  to  go  into 
production. 

4 Shooting  at  De  Mille’s 

At  the  De  Mille  studios.  Culver  City, 
four  companies  are  shooting  at  present. 
William  K.  Howard  is  shooting  the  early 
scenes  of  “The  Main  Event,”  a story  of 
the  fighting  arena;  William  Boyd  is  being 
starred  in  “The  West  Pointer,”  Donald 
Crisp  directing;  Jetta  Goudal’s  next  star- 


production  methods  and  increase 
chop  10  per  cent  off  pay  checks, 
ring  vehicle  is  “The  Forbidden  Woman,” 
which  Paul  Stein  is  directing,  and  “The 
Wise  Wife”  is  Phyllis  Haver’s  new  fea- 
ture, which  E.  Mason  Hopper  is  directing. 

Prevost  in  Pullman  Story 
Marie  Prevost  will  star  in  “The  Girl  in 
the  Pullman,”  which  Earle  Kenton  will  di- 
rect from  the  scenario  of  Fred  Stanley. 
Franklyn  Pangborn  has  been  assigned  the 
featured  role  in  “In  Bad  with  Sinbad,”  a 
P.  G.  Wodehouse  story.  Ray  Cannon  pre- 
pared the  continuity.  Lois  Weber  is  di- 
recting Leatrice  Joy  in  “The  Angel  of 
Broadway”  from  Lenore  Coffee’s  script. 
Elmer  Clifton  is  finishing  “The  Wreck  of 
the  Hesperus”  and  Frank  Urson  has  just 
finished  “Beautiful,  But  Dumb,”  with  Vera 
Reynolds. 

Warner’s  Shooting  on  7 Stages 

Seven  units  are  in  work  at  Warner  Broth- 
ers, taxing  the  capacity  of  that  studio.  Al 
Jolson  is  making  “The  Jazz  Singer,”  with 
Alan  Crosland  directing;  Roy  Del  Ruth  is 
directing  Louise  Fazenda  in  a war  comedy, 
“Ham  and  Eggs  at  the  Front”;  Michael 
Curtiz  is  making  “The  Outpost,”  with 
Irene  Rich,  this  title  being  but  a temporary 
one : and  Archie  Mayo  is  directing  May 
McAvoy  and  Conrad  Nagel  in  “Slightly 
Used.”  “Jaws  of  Steel”  is  Rin-Tin-Tin’s 
latest,  which  Ray  Enright  is  directing. 
Helen  Ferguson  and  Jason  Robards  play 
the  leads. 

George  Jessel  is  now  working  in  “The 
Broadway  Kid”  (temporary  title),  with 
Lincoln  Stedman,  William  Demarest,  Ger- 
trude Astor  in  support.  Byron  Haskin  is 
directing  this  original  story  by  Garret 
Fort.  “One  Round  Hogan”  is  Monte  Blue’s 
latest  starring  vehicle,  in  which  James  Jef- 
fries appears  as  his  father.  Howard 
Bretherton  is  directing  his  third  Blue  pic- 
ture. 

Many  Fox  Companies  on  Location 
Things  are  rather  quiet  on  the  Fox  lot, 
several  companies  being  away  on  location 
and  others  just  preparing.  The  Tom  Mix 
company,  making  “Scourge  of  the  Little 
C,”  shot  most  of  this  picture  on  the  Merced 
river,  California.  Buck  Jones  had  a lengthy 
stay  on  location  making  “Chain  Lightning,” 
while  Howard  Hawks  directed  “Guard  of 
the  Night”  and  Al  Green  “Two  Girls 
{Continued  on  page  27) 


8 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


I 


This  formal  request,  placarded  in  the 
anteroom  of  the  editorial  department  of 
the  Los  Angeles  Times,  ends,  as  far  as  the 
Times  and  other  Los  Angeles  dailies  are 
concerned,  the  informal  chats  of  cheap 
press  agents,  who  with  their  ever-present 
gift  cigar  and  ballyhoo  try  to  ease  the 
names  of  their  clients  into  the  news  col- 
umns. 

The  press  agents,  who,  several  years 
ago,  “crashed”  the  front  page  at  the  ex- 
pense of  the  uninitiated  city  editor,  is 
through  sitting  on  the  desk  of  that  city 
editor.  Today,  he  meets  the  motion  pic- 
ture editor,  and  takes  what  he  can  get  from 
that  worthy,  if  he  gets  that  far. 

Los  Angeles  newspapers  have  a motion 
picture  department,  just  asl  they  have 
woman’s  page,  an  automobile  section,  a 
society  section,  and  a real  estate  section. 
The  motion  picture  actors,  actresses,  di- 
rectors and  producers  are  classified,  just 
like  so  many  ads  and  they  bloom  in  their 
small  section  of  the  news  garden  each  day. 

One  may  read  in  Los  Angeles,  if  one  is 
interested,  that  Lottie  Gotstyle,  the  former 
bathing  beauty,  has  bought  herself  a pet 
South  African  whiffenpoof  and  takes  it 
for  a walk  down  Sunset  boulevard  every 
morning;  that  Jimmy  Twinklestar  has  a 
new  automobile  with  a shower  attachment; 
and  that  Tim  Silversheet  is  shouting  at  the 
top  of  his  lungs  that  he  made  the  record 
catch  of  the  season  while  on  his  vacation  at 
Tadpole  Lake. 

Practically  the  only  things  that  can  get 
motion  picture  people  onto  the  front  pages 
of  the  Los  Angeles  newspapers,  and  from 
these  pages  to  the  national  prominence  of 
other  front  pages  via  the  United  Press, 
Associated  Press,  or  other  news  services, 
are  accidents,  civil  and  criminal  suits, 
police  blotter  events,  illnesses  and  deaths. 
Accidents  are  carefully  investigated  by 
city  editors,  and  there  must  be  a police 
record  of  them.  Civil  and  criminal  ac- 
tions must  be  bona  fide.  Police  blotter 
cases  are  shouted  by  the  city  editors  from 
all  nearby  housetops. 

No  one  yet  has  found  a star  who  will 
j permit  himself  to  get  “bumped  off”  to 
get  his  name  in  the  newspapers. 

Occasionally  a local  press  agent  pulls  a 
master  stroke  and  “makes  the  grade,” 
through  one  or  more  of  the  above  me- 


Space  Grabbers 
Get  Air  from 
L.  A.  Editors 

By  EDWARD  C.  OFF 

Editorial  Staff,  Los  Angeles  Evening 
Herald 

diums.  It  was  interesting  to  note,  recently, 
that  while  one  of  our  leading  actresses  was 
making  her  latest  vehicle,  she  was  sued 
for  $100,000  on  a charge  of  “stealing”  a 
scenario  plot. 

A few  days  later,  headlines  told  the 
nation  that  another  plot  was  on  foot  to 
kidnap  her. 

Not  so  long  ago  a nationally  known 
“screen  lover”  got  national  publicity  when 
he  was  jailed  for  the  night  on  charges  of 
disorderly  conduct. 

These  instances  are  isolated,  however, 
and  only  a press  agent  of  real,  honest-to- 
goodness  ability  can  do  them  successfully. 

Probably  the  most  often  tried  blurb  is 
this : 

“Miss  Carlotta  Filmlots,  noted  motion 
picture  actress,  today  lies  seriously  ill 
at  the  Blotto  Hospital  with  a compli- 
cation of  diseases,  brought  about  by  her 
devotion  to  duty.  Although  stricken  a week 
ago  with  this,  that  and  the  other  thing. 
Miss  Filmlots,  against  the  advice  of  a 
corps  of  physicians,  continued  with  her 
work  to  keep  on  schedule. 

“Last  night  she  collapsed  while  in  the 
midst  of  a love  scene  with  Bombo  Pas- 
sionflower, the  noted  screen  lover,  in  the 
production  of  ‘One  Idle  Moment,’  an 
S.  O.  S.  production  directed  by  Bill  Meg- 
aphone. She  attempted  to  continue,  but 
again  collapsed.  Physicians  said  that  if 
she  had  halted  her  work  and  rested  a 
week  ago  her  life  would  not  be  hanging 
in  the  balance  today.” 

The  city  editor  tells  a cub  reporter  to 
find  if  Miss  Filmlots  really  is  in  the  hos- 
pital; to  learn  the  name  of  the  physician 
in  attendance  and  just  what  is  the  matter. 

If  everything  is  as  represented,  the  story 
will  get  about  eight  lines,  minus  reference 
to  anyone  else  and  usually  the  name  of 


the  production.  Adjectives  will  be  elim- 
inated. 

Another  stock  story  is  the  plunge  of 
some  noted  film  star  from  his  horse  while 
on  Beverly  Hills  bridle  paths.  This  gives 
the  sensation-loving  public  a picture  of 
the  star  as  a “society  feller” — ^you  know, 
horseback  riding  and  that  sort  of  thing. 

The  moral  to  all  this  is  as  follows: 

The  vanity  ridden  star,  anxious  to 
“make”  the  newspapers,  is  spending  money 
to  get  a few  lines  of  bluff,  blotto  and 
blooey  in  the  motion  picture  section  of  the 
local  daily  newspapers. 

About  all  the  good  this  does  the  star 
can  be  added  in  fractions.  A few  per- 
sonal friends  note  the  line.  The  general 
public  of  Los  Angeles  looks,  sneers,  scoffs 
and  says: 

“Oh,  is  zat  so!  When  are  they  going 
to  can  this  stuff  out  of  the  paper?  Who 
believes  it?” 

(I.  e.  Ninety  percent  of  the  newspaper 
reading  world  thought  Rudy  Valentino  was 
joking  until  he  actually  had  passed  on. 
The  country  is  scoffing  at  the  truth.) 

Now — these  silly  tales  have  hit  only  Los 
Angeles.  They  haven’t  gone  all  over  the 
nation.  They  haven’t  hit  the  people  who 
count,  in  the  eyes  of  the  stars.  The  stars 
have  spent  a lot  of  money. 

Some  of  the  actors  and  actresses  are 
getting  wise  after  having  ten  dollar  a 
week  press  agents  on  their  payrolls.  They 
are  now  investing  money  in  national  pub- 
lications— buying  advertising  space  to  tell 
the  public,  the  producers,  the  exhibitors 
and  the  distributors  about  themselves. 

“I’m  mighty  sick  of  this  drivel  that’s 
getting  into  local  newspapers  about  me,” 
one  prominent  star  told  me  the  other  day. 
“I  can’t  see  where  my  income  is  increasing 
because  a few  local  people  have  read  in 
the  newspapers  that  I am  drinking  sauer- 
kraut juice  to  keep  my  figure;  that  I am 
building  a yacht  to  make  a trip  around  the 
world;  that  I have  discovered  that  certain 
exercises  make  my  cheeks  pink,  or  that 
I’ve  bought  a complete  hulahula  costume 
in  Honolulu.  None  of  it’s  true — and  it 
doesn’t  prove  I’m  an  actor.” 

On  the  other  hand  newspapermen  here 
have  learned  to  respect  many  publicity 
men  who  have  a reputation  for  sincerity. 
Many  of  the  Wampas  boys  know  pub- 
licity values  and  do  not  confine  their  ef- 
forts to  local  newspapers. 


Chadwick  Completing 
Famous  Old  Stage  Play 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  12.— I.  E.  Chadwick 
has  about  completed  “Finnegan’s  Ball,”  an 
adaptation  of  the  well-known  stage  comedy 
of  many  years  ago,  for  First  Division 
Distributors,  advices  received  here  declare. 
As  a stage  production  the  play  was  pre- 
sented in  hundreds  of  cities  for  over 
twenty  years.  Charlie  Murray  and  Ollie 
Mack  at  one  time  had  the  principal  roles 
on  the  boards.  Mack  Swain  and  Charles 
McHugh  have  the  leading  parts  in  the 
Chadwick  production. 

Theodore  Roberts  Back 
After  Year  on  Stage 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Theodore 
Roberts,  Paramount  player  and  screen 
veteran,  is  back  after  a year’s  absence  on 
the  vaudeville  stage.  His  Paramount  con- 
tract calls  for  his  services  until  death. 


Warners  Sign  Famous  Athlete 

HOLLYWOOD. — Frank  Hagney,  famous  Aus- 
tralian athlete,  boxer  and  actor,  has  signed  with 
Warner  Brothers  to  appear  in  an  important  part 
in  Monte  Blue's  next  film. 


Nephew  of  Rupert  Hughes 
Producer  of  U.A.  Picture 

Howard  hughes,  wealthy  young 
nephew  of  Rupert  Hughes,  the  author 
bids  for  recognition  in  the  motion  picture 
field  with  “Two  Arabian  Knights,”  a fea- 
ture comedy  he  is  co-producing  with  John 
W.  Considine,  Jr.,  of  United  Artists. 

Hughes  has  expended  almost  $500,000  in 
filming  this  postwar  production,  which  will 
be  released  by  United  Artists  in  the  fall. 

“Two  Arabian  Knights”  concerns  exploits 
of  two  American  doughboys  during  and 
after  the  war,  in  Europe  and  the  Orient. 
William  Boyd  and  Louis  Wolheim  play  the 
title  roles,  with  Mary  Astor,  as  an  Oriental 
vampire,  in  the  leading  feminine  part. 

Preview  audiences  have  approved  the  film 
heartily.  It  is  an  unending  series  of  laughs. 

Before  producing  “Two  Arabian 
Knights,”  Hughes  financed  a number  of 
smaller  productions.  He  is  only  26. 

He  is  already  making  plans  for  the  pro- 
duction of  additional  pictures,  details  of 
which  will  be  announced  later. 

Hughes  is  a retiring  individual.  He  will 
talk  on  almost  any  subject  except  motion 
pictures. 


Name  First  Vitaphone 
West  Coast  Subjects 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— The  first  eight 
subjects  produced  at  the  West  Coast  Vita- 
phone  studios  include  the  Four  Kings  of 
Harmony,  William  Demarest  in  “A  Night 
in  Coffee  Dan’s,”  Lina  Basquette  and  Sam 
Ash  in  “Visions  in  Spain,”  Carolyne  Snow- 
den and  company,  Allen  Prior,  and  George 
Givot. 

Sam  L.  Warner  is  here  supervising  the 
first  West  Coast  productions  of  Vitagraph. 


Vidor  Finishing  Crowd** 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— King  Vidor  is 
shooting  final  scenes  of  “The  Crowd”  here 
following  his  return  from  a location  trip 
that  took  him  and  his  company,  including 
James  Murray  and  Eleanor  Boardman,  to 
many  Eastern  cities. 


Small  Signs  O* Donohoe 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— Edward  Small 
has  signed  James  T.  O’Donohoe,  writer,  to 
adapt  “The  Gorilla.” 


July  16,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  9 


Latest 

Direct 

Production 

^ THE  HEMALTJ’SM/ 

to 

News 

^Z^iefforiat  "^^edlion 

Exhibitors 

COLLEGIATE ! Ten  proteges  of  Leroy 
Johnston  and  Ned  Holmes  receive  a 
warm  and  rousing  reception  in  Ilollyvoood 
when  First  National  imports  college  boys 
for  bleacher  scenes  in  “Drop  Kick.” 


T)OXY  is  showing  “The 
-il  Secret  Studio”  in  his 
New  York  theatre.  In  the 
lead  role  is  Olive  Borden, 
Fox  player  above. 


JSILLY  BUTTS,  who  has  made  a steady 
climb  for  the  past  two  years,  has  come 
to  be  the  most  steadily  cast  child  of  his 
age  in  pictures.  He  is  at  present  at  Uni- 
versal City  in  a comedy  role. 


REAKING  ground  on  the  new  Del  Rio  tract.  Edimn 
Carewe  receives  a hatful  of  the  earth  in  ceremony  when 
Dolores  starts  improvements  on  her  estate.  She  is  Carewe’s 
star  in  “Resurrection,”  U.  A.  film  recently  presented.  The 
other  four  in  the  still  are  “John,”  “Joe,”  “Joe”  and  “John.” 


Lowe  and  LOIS — a racquet  and  a half — two  vets  and  a 
net!  What  name  do  you  suggest  for  the  above  photo? 
The  exhibitor  who  suggests  the  most  suitable  name  will  re- 
ceive a self  winding  soup  ladle  at  small  cost.  Lois  JHoran  has 
recently  come  under  Fox  Films’  contract. 


/N  the  business  of  “rent- 
ing out  players!”  John  S. 
Hahn  is  in  charge  of  the 
Artists  Rental  Bureau  under 
Dave  Thompson  at  F.  N. 
Studios. 


jyiLL  JENNER  built  this  stairway,  bought  a heavy  snow 
storm,- — and  the  old  set  looked  like  new.  It’s  the  street 
set  where  Harry  Langdon  sells  coal  in  the  First  National 
comedy  he  finished  at  sunup  lo  days  ago.  No  title  has  yet 
been  given  to  this  neio  comedy  vjhich  is  being  cut  at  the 
F.N.  plant. 


CASTING  Stone  in  “Hard 
Boiled  Haggerty”  was 
no  “harder”  than  casting 
Stone  in  any  other  fillutn. 
In  the  F.  N.  piece  Arthur 
plays  a soldier. 


r HERE’S  the  smile  that  makes 
Antonio  “Tony”  to  his  studio 
friends.  Moreno  is  the  lead  male 
player  in  First  National’s  “Venus  of 
Venice.” 


'DILLIE  DOVE’S  next  starring  pic- 
hire  is  “The  American  Beauty.” 
Other  important  figures  in  the  unit  are 
Lloyd  Hughes,  Richard  Wallace,  George 
Folsey,  cameraman.  Jack  Wagner. 


CHRISTY  CABANNE,  the  direc- 
tor of  many  magnificent  Mae 
Murray  pictures,  is  at  the  megaphone 
on  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  lot 
making  “Frisco  Sal.” 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


POOR  NUT,”  which  stars 
■L  Mulhall,  has  been  released  and 
Jack  is  zvorking  in  the  big  role  of 
“The  Crystal  Cup,”  a First  National 
production. 


PATSY  RUTH  MILLER  and 
Glenn  Tryon  appear  together  at 
Universal  City  where  Miss  Miller  re- 
cently completed  her  star  role  in 
“Painting  the  Town.” 


JACQUELINE  LOGAN,  left,  signs 
a contract  to  work  at  the  De 
Mille-P.D.C.  lot  after  she  receives 
comment  for  her  success  in  the  colos- 
sal cinema,  “King  of  Kings.” 


Marie  PREVOST  returns  to  Holly- 
wood after  attending  the  Shrine 
Movie  Pageant  at  Atlantic  City.  She  will 
make  “The  Girl  in  the  Pullman”  and  other 
P.D.C.  farces  during  1927-28. 


**  JJALE,  Hale,  the  gang’s  all  here” 
J1  (or  what  have  you?)  Harrison 
Ford  right,  and  Bessie  Love  are  stars 
in  Alan  Hale’s  “Rubber  Tires,”  a 
P.D.C.  feature  attraction. 


ALCOLM  STUART  BOYLAN  becomes  production 
editor  of  the  Fox  Films  production  company  by  ap- 
pointment of  Sol  M.  Wurtzel,  studio  superintendent.  Boylan 
has  built  himself  the  reputation  of  being  the  ace  title  writer 
on  that  lot. 


HE  Riesner  family!’  The  youngest  of  the  Riesners  will 
be  a very  lucky  fellow  if  the  peach  bough  he  is  holding 
does  not  change  hands.  Chuck,  by  the  way,  is  still  at  the 
United  Artists  lot  where  he  is  directing  the  latest  Buster 
Keaton  comedy,  as  yet  untitled. 


12 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


file  HARD  BARTHELMESS’  lat- 
I cst  leading  ivoinan  is  Alberta 
Vaughn,  who  is  a college  co-ed  in 
“The  Drop  Kick,”  ivhich  -first  Na- 
tional has  about  coinplelcd: 


their  directing  to  crayon  and  canvas  on  the  U.  A. 
sets.  French's  handiwork  ttnll  be  seen  when  “Two 
Arabian  Knights”  is  released. 


Gertrude  shorts 

long  stay  on  the  M-G-M 
lot  zoas  made  longer  by  her 
work  in  a role  in  "Adam 
and  Evil,”  nozi'  completed. 


TpRED  NIBLO,  director 
of  “1  he  Enemy”  at 
AI-G-M,  explains  his  use  of 
subtleties  iristead  of  sub- 
titles on  page  17. 


"WICTOR  SCHERTZINGER  discusses  the  con- 
y tinuity  and  film  possibilities  of  “Balooa”  zmth 
Alec  B.  Francis,  right,  on  the  Fox  Films  lot. 
Schertzinger  has  put  aside  the  megaphone  until 
all  plans  on  the  story  are  ready  for  shooting. 


pj  ORMAN  TAUROG  and  Mrs. 
X V Taurog  are  among  the  home 
owners  of  Hollywood.  He  is  the  di- 
rector of  a number  of  Educational 
comedies. 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


tional  lot,  handles  the  magaphone  on 
many  of  the  animal  comedies  yon 
show. 


Garrett  fort  has  completed 
the  script  for  "Sailor  Izzy  Mur- 
phy” at  Warner  Brothers  studio. 
George  Jessel  will  star  in  the  pro- 
duction. 


T\ON’T  dab  dogs  ivith  powder  puffs, 
■L'  Dorothy,”  Norman  Taurog  is 
probably  saying  to  Miss  Devore.  {Or 
it  may  be:  "What  can  be  done  with  a 
poodle?”  They  are  on  Educational  lot. 


ILL  COIVEN,  who  is  assisting  F. 
Richard  Jones  on  the  Fairbanks 
stage  at  U.  A.,  knows  2,ooo  actors  by 
name  and  tells  us  he  uses  no  trick 
"system.” 


14 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


— below  is  the  copy  exhibitors  are 
placing  in  their  home  town  papers 


By  Herald  Representatives  at 

the  Studio 

PuBUCATioN  Rights  Granted  Exhibitors 


^ Special  Assignments  Will 
Be  Covered  for  Exhibitors 
Upon  Request  to  Editor 
“The  Studio,”  Elxhibitors 
Herald,  Chicago,  111. 


^ A Double  News  Service  In- 
^ forming  the  Showman  Upon 
Studio  Events  and  Enabling 
Him  to  Inform  His  Reader 

Patrons  in  Turn. 


Hollywood,  July  12. — a baptism  of  fire  was  experienced 
by  the  10  husky  college  boys  who  were  winners  of  First 
National’s  contest,  when  they  took  part  in  the  football  sequence 
of  Richard  Barthelmess’  picture,  “The  Drop  Kick,”  at  Pasadena 
Rose  Bowl.  It  was  a hot  day  and  the  huge  reflector  spotlights 
helped  the  efforts  of  Old  Sol,  but  they  declared  they  were 
delighted  to  be  “working  before  the  cameras.” 

^ ^ 

Hale  Decides  to  Act 

Alan  Hale,  who  made  such  a distinct  hit  in  “Vanity,”  the  PDC 
production,  isn’t  going  to  hide  behind  a director’s  megaphone  any 
longer.  Hale  has  been  given  an  important  role  in  Elmer  Clifton’s 
picture,  “The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,”  and  it  is  rumored  he  is 
to  be  featured  in  “Gasoline  Alley,”  to  be  made  from  the  comic 
strip.  Hale  has  had  marked  success  as  a director,  both  “Brave 
Heart”  and  “Rubber  Tires”  scoring  among  others  he  made.  The 
critics  would  like  to  see  Hale  in  the  kind  of  roles  Wallace  Beery, 
Charles  Murray,  George  Sidney,  George  Bancroft  and  others  do 
so  well. 

^ * 

Semon  Plans  Own  Studios 

Larry  Semon,  who  is  making  eight  comedies  for  Educational 
release,  like  many  others  hereabouts,  has  the  building  bug.  He 
states  he  will  soon  erect  his  own  studios  near  Burbank,  where 
he  will  add  several  comedy  units  to  his  program. 

^ * 

This  business  of  making  airplane  pictures  isn’t  confined  to  the 
big  production  lots.  Arvid  Gillstrom  is  directing  one  at  the 
Christie  studios  called  “Crazy  to  Fly”  with  Bobby  Vernon  starred. 


Courtright  and  James  Pierce.  Lloyd  Ingram  is  directing  and 
A1  Werker  is  production  supervisor.  Two  cameramen,  A1  Zieg- 
ler and  Max  Stengler,  are  shooting. 

* * 

FBO  Re-engages  Dorothy  Yost 

Dorothy  Yost  is  adapting  Temple  Bailey’s  story,  “Wallflower,” 
for  FBO,  having  just  been  re-engaged  by  that  company  under  a 
new  contract.  She  has  to  her  credit  several  box  office  bets, 
notably  Fox  Film  Corporation’s  version  of  “Kentucky  Pride”  and 
“On  the  Wings  of  the  Storm.” 

^ ^ 4; 

Emmett  Flynn,  who  made  “A  Connecticut  Yankee  in  King 
Arthur’s  Court”  for  Fox  and  many  other  successful  pictures,  is 
en  route  to  England,  where  he  has  accepted  an  offer  from  a 
large  concern  to  direct.  He  aims  to  inject  American  pep  into 
British  films. 

^ ^ 

Counselman  to  Write  Script  for  Butler 

William  Counselman,  Fox  writer,  has  been  assigned  the  task 
of  writing  David  Butler’s  initial  story  and  the  two  are  seen  in 
daily  conference  over  it.  Butler,  who  was  recently  promoted  from 
actor  to  director,  will  not  make  “Atlantic  City,”  but  will  do 
instead  a story  of  American  school  boy  and  girl  life. 

* * * 

Gertrude  Olmstead,  who  made  such  a hit  in  “The  Calbhans 
and  the  Murphys,”  George  Hill’s  production  for  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer,  will  play  the  heroine  in  “Buttons,”  Jackie  Coogan’s  new 
vehicle.  Hill  also  wrote  the  story  and  Marion  Constance  Black- 
ton  scenarized  it. 


Ken  Maynard,  First  National’s  Western  star,  was  the  guest  of 
President  Coolidge  a week  ago  at  the  summer  White  House  near 
Rapid  City,  S.  D.  Maynard’s  director,  A1  Rogell,  wanted  to 
substitute  an  “iron  horse”  for  Tarzan,  Ken’s  horse,  and  journeyed 
ISO  miles  from  location  at  Lodge  Grass,  Mont.,  to  the  president’s 
headquarters. 

* * 

Alberta  Vaughn,  she  of  the  famous  two-reelers  of  FBO,  is 
playing  a featured  role  opposite  Richard  Barthelmess  in  “The 
Drop  Kick.”  This  is  Alberta’s  second  ap- 
pearance at  the  First  National  studios — 
several  years  ago  she  played  as  an  extra, 
now  she  is  a featured  player. 


Sydney  Chaplin  has  become  a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  star, 
through  a contract  recently  signed  in  New  York.  Chaplin  has 
made  several  hits  for  Warner  Brothers. 

* !): 

Garrett  Fort,  magazine  fictionist  and  screen  playwright,  has 
just  completed  work  on  a three-act  romantic  comedy,  “The  Last 
Lover,”  which  is  to  be  staged  in  New  York  next  fall.  Fort 
recently  resigned  from  Warner  Brothers  after  writing  “Sailor 
Izzy  Murphy”  and  “Kid  Gloves”  for  that  company. 


Ena  Gregory  has  signed  to  make  a series 
of  four  comedy  dramas  for  Chadwick  Pic- 
tures. She  will  be  co-starred  with  a bru- 
nette actress. 

* * =|: 

Estelle  Taylor  has  arrived  back  in  Hol- 
lywood, after  getting  her  husband,  Jack 
Dempsey,  settled  in  his  training  quarters 
at  Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.  She  is  sched- 
uled to  appear  in  the  title  role  of  D.  W. 
Griffiths’  next  production  for  United  Ar- 
tists, “La  Paiva.” 

* * * 

Fred  Thomson,  who  began  his  first  pro- 
duction for  Paramount  this  week,  has  the 
granddaughter  of  Jesse  James  in  the  cast. 
The  Picture  will  be  called  “Jesse  James” 
and  has  in  the  cast  Nora  Lane,  Montagu 
Love,  Mary  Carr,  Harry  Wood,  William 


Hold  Theatre  Men  for 
“War  on  China”  Stunt 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Hot  Springs,  July  12. — Sydney 
M.  Nutt,  owner  of  three  motion 
picture  theatres  here,  and  his  press 
agent,  Charles  Hefley,  have  been 
bound  over  to  the  grand  jury  on 
a charge  of  fraud,  resulting  from 
an  advertising  stunt  last  week  for 
a picture  at  one  of  the  Nutt  houses. 
Across  the  top  of  page  looking 
like  a newspaper,  a headline  stated 
that  war  had  been  declared  on 
China.  Hefley  said  that  Nutt  was 
not  informed  that  synthetic  hostil- 
ities would  be  featured  in  the 
“newspaper.” 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios  have  re- 
named “Old  Heidelberg”  and  thereby  set- 
tled all  trouble  with  foreign  rights  to  the 
play.  It  is  to  be  called  “The  Student 
Prince,”  the  concern  having  bought  the 
rights  to  the  operetta  from  the  Shuberts. 
M-G-M  had  expended  about  $800,000  on  the 
production  when  the  author  set  up  the 
claim  that  he  had  never  disposed  of  his 
rights.  But  the  Shuberts  had  the  rights  to 
the  play  and  hence  they  sold  them  to  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer.  Ernst  Lubitsch,  who  di- 
rected it,  is  now  in  Germany  getting  added 


Jacqueline  Logan’s  and  Hobart  Bos- 
worth’s  names  appeared  on  Broadway,  New 
York,  last  week  when  “The  Blood  Ship,” 
made  by  Columbia  Pictures,  played  the  new 
Roxy  theatre,  thus  showing  a good  inde- 
pendent picture  can  always  get  a break. 

* * * 

Lya  de  Putti,  the  Hungarian  actress,  who 
(Continued  on  page  25) 


July  16,  1927 


The  photograph  of  the  mantlepiece  in  the  home  of  Gene  Stratton-Porter  appears  at  left  and,  as  may  be  noted  by  referring  to 
the  photo  at  right,  has  been  reproduced  in  detail  on  the  Leo  Meehan  set  at  the  FBO  lot  in  Hollywood.  The  technical 
staff  who  built  the  set  had  only  the  photograph  reproduced  here  to  work  with.  The  cost  was  small  compared  with  the 
authenticity  value  added  to  the  production. 

Does  Realism  in  Details  Cost 
More  in  the  Long  Run? 


Hollywood,  July  12. — Leo  Meehan 
has  returned  to  Hollywood  with  a 
I company  which  shot  scenes  for  “The  Har- 
vester” in  the  original  setting  near  the 
banks  of  the  Wabash  river  in  Indiana. 
F.  B.  O.  met  a considerable  expense  to  get 
I the  scenes  in  the  exact  location  described 
1 1 by  the  author,  Gene  Stratton-Porter,  in  her 
i novel  so  that  readers  of  the  book  might 
i enjoy  the  picture  as  much  if  not  more  than 
II  they  have  enjoyed  the  novel, 
j F.  B.  O.  is  one  of  the  companies  that 
has  learned  that  people  want  authenticity  in 
1 motion  pictures.  People  take  delight  in 

h 


I Men  may  not  note  errors  but  Julie 
Herin  believes  a bedroom  set  must  be 
built  correctly  lest  women  criticize. 
She  is  of  the  P F L staff. 


Accuracy!  Paramount  gets  it  by  the  use 
of  hies  and  extensive  research.  Miss 
Peggy  Schwartz  above. 


criticizing  pictures  when  they  find  technical 
errors. 

To  obtain  accuracy  in  details  Meehan  has 
built  interiors  in  Hollywood  which  are 
replicas  of  those  described  in  the  book. 
One  of  these  is  an  unusual  type  of  mantel- 
piece that  adorned  the  home  of  Mrs.  Strat- 
ton-Porter. 

The  props  you  see  in  the  pictures  made 
by  any  good  company  are,  whenever  pos- 
sible, genuine.  It  was  interesting  to  note 
on  the  set  for  “Harp  and  Hock”  at  the 
Metropolitan  lot  a few  days  ago  that  deli- 
cacies enough  to  feed  a legion  of  men  had 
been  collected  on  the  stage  for  the  cabaret 
scene.  “Ren”  Hoffman  said  the  danger  in 
using  artificial  food  would  jeopardize  the 
scenes  he  was  taking.  Consequently  it  is 
less  expensive  to  expend  the  money  for 
the  realism  and  take  no  risk  on  the  value 
of  the  film. 

* * * 

The  day  of  the  fireplace  painted  on  a 
backdrop_  of  canvas  is  gone.  Sears  & Roe- 
buck chairs  in  an  Italian  garden  scene  are 
passe.  The  technical  experts  are  as  im- 
portant in  the  work-day  schedule  of  the 
modern  motion  picture  studio  as  the  camera. 

This  demand  for  realism  in  pictures  fol- 
lowed the  opening  of  the  worldwide  mar- 
ket. Today  Hollywood-made  pictures  with 
a French  locale  are  as  authentically  French 
as  if  they  had  been  made  in  Paris.  It  is 
easily  apparent  that  the  foreign  market 
could  not  be  held  under  any  other  system. 

The  pictures  made  by  Paramount  are 
distributed  to  67  different  countries.  The 
subtitles  are  translated  into  35  languages. 
Paramount  has  a representative  in  every 
capital  city  of  the  globe.  One  thing,  and 
one  thing  alone  built  up  this  tremendous 
organization : attention  to  detail. 

Trained  artists  labor  faithfully  on  every 
production  to  make  sure  it  is  as  right  as 
possible.  Sometimes  they  slip.  You  have 
seen  inconsistencies  in  pictures.  But  for 
every  one  mistake  it  is  safe  to  say  that 
there  are  a thousand  things  that  someone 
planned  as  technically  correct.  It  is  human 
to  note  the  faults. 

At  the  Paramount  studio  in  Hollywood 
there  is  a small  but  skilled  staff  of  tech- 
nical directors.  One  specializes  in  things 
French,  another  German  and  Austrian,  an- 
other English  and  Colonial,  another  in  the 
Oriental  and  Far  Eastern.  Then,  in  the 
art  department,  are  men  acquainted  with 
the  peculiarities  of  architecture  and  archi- 
tectural decoration  in  every  land.  They 


are  the  men  who  design  the  various  sets. 
The  technical  directors  have  the  responsibil- 
ity of  seeing  that  these  sets,  when  com- 
pleted, are  stocked  with  the  right  proper- 
ties and  that  the  costumes  or  dress  of  the 
various  players  conform  to  the  atmosphere 
and  the  period. 

* * * 

Louis  Van  den  Ecker,  who  served  for 
15  years  in  the  Foreign  Legion,  is  one  of 
Paramount’s  experts  on  French  things  mili- 
tary. Van  den  Ecker  spent  weeks  of  labor 
during  the  preparation  for  and  the  filming 
{Continued  on  page  29) 


James  R.  Souter,  foreman  of  carpenter 
shop,  supervises  the  building  of  sets 
at  Paramount  Famous  Lasky  lot. 


The  young  man  is  Travis  Banton, 
fashion  expert  at  Paramount’s  Coast 
lot.  Right  is  Gladys  Percy,  costume 
expert. 


16 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


(Twenty-sixth  of  the  Series) 

J T is  easy  for  me  to  answer  your  question.  I 
believe  “The  Merry  Widow”  will  always  stand 
out  in  my  mind  as  the  picture  I would  prefer  to 
have  directed. 

Von  Stroheim  directed  it  with  the  skill  of  one 
who  understands  the  manufacture  of  a motion 
picture  from  beginning  to  end  and  with  the  skill 
of  an  artist  who  appreciates  finer  technique  in 
pictures. 

It  was  the  first  picture  that  made  Mae  Murray 
a real  personality  on  the  screen.  She  performed 
in  “The  Merry  Widow”  as  a greater  Mae  Murray  than  an  audi- 
dience  had  ever  seen.  Von  Stroheim’s  direction  is  directly  re- 
sponsible for  that. 

In  my  mind  it  is  the  greatest  directing  that  has  ever  been  done. 

Von  Stroheim  was  fortunate  enough  to  have  a great  story  to 
work  with;  he  had  three  players,  Gilbert,  D’Arcy  and  Murray, 
who  can  act  when  they  try;  and  he  had  the  kind  of  theme  he  can 
do  best. 

The  latter,  however,  does  not  mean  he  had  an  easy  theme  to 
work  with.  It  is  a difficult  one.  It  would  be  impossible  for  many 
directors  to  handle.  Its  success  depended  on  incident,  detail,  flour- 
ish and  acting.  With  all  those  things  in 
mind  he  went  about  the  telling  of  the  story 
with  a rhythm  that  left  his  spectators  awed 
as  if  they  had  spent  an  hour  and  a half 
looking  at  the  canvas  of  an  old  master. 

But,  as  I said,  up  to  that  time  Mae  Mur- 
ray had  been  a star  who  had  never  at- 
tained her  real  screen  personality.  With 
“The  Merry  Widow”  she  became  greater 
than  ever  before. 


U 


Delays  F.N.  Location  T rip 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.  — George 
Fitzmaurice  has  postponed  the  location 
trip  of  the  First  National  company  mak- 
ing “Rose  of  Monterey”  until  July  15. 
They  will  go  to  Monterey,  Cal. 


y> 


Gilbert,  Garbo  in  ‘‘Love 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12.— John  Gil- 
bert and  Greta  Garbo  have  signed  to 
appear  in  the  principal  roles  of  “Love.” 


By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

P to  last  week  “Jack  White  Productions” 
had  been  as  legendary  to  me  as  “Heinz  57.” 
Now  it  has  been  my  fortune  to  meet  the  man 
who  has  made  that  inscription  a national  phrase. 

He  might  have  been  (for  his  personality,  in- 
tellect and  bearing)  a great  actor,  distributor  or 
exhibitor.  He  is  a combination  of  talents  which 
would  have  made  him  successful  in  their  branches 
of  the  industry.  But  he  prefers  the  production 
JACK  WHITE  phase  of  the  industry  and  therefore  he  is  no 

distributor  or  exhibitor — he  need  not  be — because 
he  is  a Jack  White. 

I found  that  the  word  “Art,”  when  referring  to  motion  pictures, 
is  as  impertinent  as  it  would  be  when  referring  to  Jack  Dempsey. 
“The  place  for  an  artist  is  at  an  easel  and  the  place  for  an  actor 
is  on  a stage.” 

Combine  common  sense  and  a bulk  of  hard  work  and  if  you 
apply  them  to  a good  idea  you  can  produce  pictures.  That,  in 
brief,  is  a lesson  you’ll  learn  from  an  interview  with  this  man 
whose  name  stands  out  above  the  studios  of  the  Educational  lot. 

“Jack  White  Productions”  now  accompanies  all  the  comedies 
that  are  made  on  that  lot.  It  was  Jack’s  production  several  years 
ago  that  brought  E.  W.  Hammons  to  the 
conclusion  to  expand  from  a producer  of 
scenics  and  reviews  to  a producer  of  all 
kinds  of  short  features.  Since  that  time 
Jack  White’s  product  has  formed  the  back- 
bone of  the  Educational  lineup. 

At  the  beginning  he  had  made  a series 
of  comedies  which  were  released  by  Edu- 
cational. Later  his  function  has  developed 
into  supervising  all  Educational  comedies. 
One  of  the  company’s  series  is  produced 
personally  by  him  each  year. 

In  a mahogany  setting  with  eight  mother 
of  pearl  buttons  attached  to  the  edge  of  a 
heavy  desk  and  a swivel  chair  swivelling 
back  and  forth  the  manufacturer  of  Arch- 
protector Shoes  and  Boots  sits  in  Indian- 
apolis, Indiana,  calling  stenographers  from 
each  of  seven  adjoining  offices.  Private 
secretaries  and  office  clerks  are  ready  to 
jump  from  their  benches  at  an  instant’s 
notice. 

Decorum  and  mysticism  surround  the 
CHARLES  LAMONT  (^Continued  on  page  27) 


CharlesLamont  Confesses 
He  V/  Like  to  Have  Made 
“The  Merry  Widow’’ 


He  Might  Have  Been 
A Distributor  But 
Prefers  Producing 


Director  Believes 
Star  of  Von  Stro- 
heim Film  At- 
tained Her  Greatest 
Personality  in  That 
Role 


Jack  White  Noiv 
Supervises  All  Edu- 
cationals — Former- 
ly Made  the  Film 
That  Induced  Ham- 
mons to  Enter 
Comedy  Field. 


tV- 


July  16,  1927 


H 


OLLYWOOD,  July  5.— Holly- 
wood is  talking  economy.  The 
dollars  must  be  saved ! 

There  are  directors  here  who  are 
specialists  in  economy,  specialists  by 
admission  and  reputation,  but  not  spe- 
cialists in  saving  dollars  as  much  as  in 
saving  film,  subtitles  and  unnecessary 
action. 

Delicate  touches  in  a production  are 
brief,  yet  they  tell  a story  more  effect- 
ively than  dozens  of  words,  said  Fred 
Niblo  today. 

It  is  the  aim  of  many  directors  to 
build  a production  without  the  use  of 
words  on  the  screen.  And  why  not? 

Novelists  do  not  depend  on  illustra- 
tions to  tell  their  stories,  but,  instead, 
tell  their  stories  with  words  and  use 
illustrations  frugally.  When  the  mo- 
tion picture  is  as  independent  of  the 
English  language  as  the  novel  is  of 
the  illustration  motion  pictures  may 
be  distributed  throughout  the  world 
with  no  change  from  the  American 
version. 

When  Niblo  spoke  of  delicate 
touches  he  declared  that  public  intelli- 
gence is  underestimated  in  regard  to 
screen  subtleties.  “We  are  apt  to  rob 
the  audience  of  their  share  of  com- 
mon sense  by  trying  to  do  all  their 
thinking  for  them.  Better  leave  some- 
thing to  their  imagination  by  skillful 
use  of  directorial  delicacies.  A clever 
little  by-play  can  better  sustain  an 
effect  than  a long  labored  subtitle. 

These  relishes  enhance,  not  detract 
from,  the  central  plot.” 

Defining  directorial  delicacies,  Niblo 
said ; “They  are  revelations  in  human 
nature — incidents  not  contained  in  the 
continuity,  but  gleaned  by  the  director 

from  his  own  life  experiences.”  While  Niblo  was  gathering  lec- 
ture material  in  Spain  and  Portugal,  for  instance,  he  encountered 
many  interesting  incidents  that  were  incorporated  in  the  late  Val- 
entino’s greatest  personal  triumph.  “Blood  and  Sand.” 

The  audiences  never  knew  that  these  sequences  were  actual 
experiences  of  the  director  that  had  occurred  twenty  years  before. 
He  was  then  unwittingly  filling  the  bag  of  tricks  that  was  to  be 
a great  asset  later  as  screen  material. 

Years  spent  in  France  contributed  much  to  the  authenticity  of 
Norma  Talmadge’s  “Camille,”  which  Niblo  recently  completed. 
“The  Enemy”  will  recall  Austrian  incidents  to  enhance  its  atmos- 
phere. 

“Directing,”  he  continued,  “means  seeing  and  storing  away  the 
tragedy  and  romance  in  the  so-called  commonplace — later  to  apply 
in  pictures  those  intensely  dramatic  incidents  that  daily  cross  one’s 
; ; path.  They  may  come  in  handy  at  the  most  unexpected  moment. 
I ' ‘Ben-Hur’  is  a motion  picture,  but  I had  to  call  to  my  assistance 
every  bit  of  stage  technique  that  I had  ever  studied.  Without 
theatrical  experience,  I would  not  have  been  able  to  do  justice  to 
' the  photoplay.” 

On  the  screen  scenes  seem  vivid  at  first  hand,  but  in  reality 
I jr  they  are  often  plucked  from  the  trusty  bag  o’  trix,  whose  accumu- 
lation  has  probably  taken  the  better  part  of  a lifetime. 

Often  these  seemingly  trivial  incidents  will  be  startlingly 
etched  in  the  public’s  memory,  like  a shaft  of  light,  long  after 
the  rest  of  the  play  is  forgotten.  Some  might  argue  that  inci- 
dental touches  detract  from  the  central  plot. 

i “There  is  a crudity  about  realism,”  he  said.  “Pictures  must 
portray  a glorified  state  of  affairs.  The  photoplay  is  not  always 
truthful  in  its  portrayal  of  American  life.  Yet  it  does  throw  on 
the  screen  the  reflection  of  the  subconscious  self  of  America.  We 
cannot  show  this  accurately  because  we  know  so  little  about  it, 

. 


Delicate  Touches 
Effect  Economy, 
Declares  Niblo 


There  are  incidents  not  contained  in 
the  continuity,”  says  the  director, 
‘‘but  gleaned  from  life  that 
are  often  the  proving 
point  of  a good 
production” 


NORMA  TALMADGE 
appears  in  the  star  role 
of  F.  N.’s  “Camille.” 


GRETA  GARBO  appears 
in  the  star  role  of  Niblo’s 
“Temptress”  for  M.G.M. 


FRED  NIBLO,  director  of  “Camille” 
for  F.  N.,  outlines  another  way  in 
which  producers  can  economize. 


but  at  least  we  can  try  to  convey  an  impression  by  subtle  sug- 
gestiveness. I consider  this  its  excuse  for  being.  Screen  deli- 
cacies are  being  employed  more  and  more  as  people  come  to 
appreciate  their  value.  They  aren’t  merely  for  the  chosen  few 
of  an  audience,  but  fans  as  a whole  have  begun  to  clamor  for 
comedy  and  drama  that  does  not  verge  on  the  broad.” 

Don’t  suppose  that  subtleties  are  meant  to  save  footage  by  leav- 
ing much  to  the  public’s  imagination.  For  a subtlety  in  itself 
often  takes  more  footage  and  painstaking  preparation  than  a 
complete  explanation  might  demand.  Such  deft  touches  as  the 
banquet  scene  in  “The  Temptress”  illustrate  their  significance.  In 
one  scene  only  the  silken  limbs  of  the  revelers  are  shown  under 
the  table.  One  woman,  sensing  a run  in  her  stocking,  slyly 
moistens  her  finger  to  halt  it. 

But  how  many  know  that  this  scene  was  not  contained  in  the 
story,  but  suggested,  while  casting  for  the  picture  was  going  on? 
One  of  the  extra  women  applying  for  work  had  accidentally 
snagged  her  stocking  on  a splinter  and  was  applying  first  aid 
measures  to  the  injured  hosiery  when  Niblo  noticed  her.  The 
incident  suggested  a humorous  revelation  of  human  nature,  so 
the  girl  was  paid  a day’s  wages  and  given  a close-up  of  her 
shapely  legs  to  repeat  the  performance  before  the  camera,  with 
a new  pair  of  stockings  to  boot. 

In  “The  Famous  Mrs.  Fair,”  another  Fred  Niblo  production,  a 
whole  sequence  is  inferred  when  the  likeness  of  a man,  in  the 
mirror,  brushes  grains  of  powder  from  his  coat  lapel.  To  the 
sophisticate  this  situation  is  completely  conveyed  without  further 
explanation. 

Pictures  without  subtle  touches  are  like  stripped-down  cars — 
the  mechanism  is  all  there,  but  the  distinctive  lines  of  the  body 
are  lacking. 


18 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


A1  Boasberg 

WATCH  FOR  FUTURE 
ANNOUNCEMENT 


UNDER  EXCLUSIVE  MANAGEMENT  OF  EDWARD  SMALL  CO. 


MERVYN  LE  ROY 

COMEDY  CONSTRUCTOR 

First 

National 

Pictures 


The  SCREEN’S 
SAFETY  CORNER 

WHERE  ALL  THE  FILM 
FOLK  GET  THEIR  BRAKES  FIXED 


Raybestos 

Brake 

Lining 

Lock- Heed 
Brake 
Service 


As\  Laura  LaPlante  About  Us 

Raybestos  “Bill”  Ellenbeck 

Selma  and  Wilcox  Avenue 
HOLLYWOOD,  CAL. 

Gladstone  8270 


Mark 

Sandrich 

Now 

Directing 


LUPINO 

LANE 

for 

Educational 


VACATION  TIME 


Now  is  the  time 
to  equip  your 
car  with  new 
tires — get  ready 
for  that  summer 
trip. 

Prices  lowest 

quality  best ! 

RAY  SCOVEL’S 
TIRE  and  SERVICE 
STATION 

5775  Hollywood 
Blvd. 

HOLLYWOOD, 

CAL. 


“Studio  Section,” 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

GENTLEMEN; 

I should  like  to  receive  an  autographed 

photo  of  — — 

for  placement  in  my  “Lobby  Album”  of 
stars  whose  pictures  are  especially  popular 
with  my  patrons. 

(Exhibitor) 

(Theatre) 

(City) 

(State) 


Exhibitor  Mail  i 


Inception  of  ] 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  12. — (Coast 
Office  of  the  Herald.)  Stars, 
featured  players  and  others  have  re- 
ported to  the  Herald  that  their  ex- 
hibitor mail  has  grown  since  the 
inception  by  the  paper  of  the  Lobby 
Album  Photo  department. 

Those  individuals  take  this  means 
of  forwarding  expression  of  their 
appreciation  to  exhibitors  who  have 
posted  their  autographed  photos  in 
theatre  lobbies,  and  to  those  exhib- 
itors who  have  written  gracious  letters 
to  the  Hollywood  studios. 

Exhibitors  who  request  autographed 
photos  this  month  follow ; 

RENEE  ADOREE,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

VILMA  BANKY,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

VILMA  BANKY,  Edward  F.  Cox,  Prin- 
cess Theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

MADGE  BELLAMY,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

ELEANOR  BOARDMAN,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

CLARA  BOW,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black,  The 
King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shropshire, 
Eng. 

CLARA  BOW,  Edward  F.  Cox,  Prin- 
cess Theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

CLARA  BOW,  J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight 
Theatre,  Kingston,  West  Va. 

MARY  BRIAN,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black,  The 
King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shropshire, 
Eng. 

CLIVE  BROOK,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

EDMUND  BURNS,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

EDDIE  CANTOR,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shro.p- 
shire,  Eng. 

LON  CHANEY,  H.  K.  Poffenberger, 
Crescent  Theatre,  Belzoni,  Miss. 

LON  CHANEY,  L.  C.  Tidball,  Roseland 
Theatre,  1448  North  Main  St.,  North 
Fort  Worth,  Texas. 

RONALD  COLMAN,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

JOAN  CRAWFORD,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

LYA  DE  PUTTI,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

EICHARD  DIX,  R.  M.  Junkin,  Cozy 
Corner  Theatre,  Vail,  Iowa. 

BILLIE  DOVE,  H.  K.  Poffenberger, 
Crescent  Theatre,  Belzoni,  Miss. 

ALLAN  FORREST,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

GRETA  GARBO,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  'Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

NEVA  GERBER,  Edward  F.  Cox,  Prin- 
cess Theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

HOOT  GIBSON,  Edward  F.  Cox,  Prin- 
cess Theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

JOHN  GILBERT,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

JOHN  GILBERT,  H.  K.  Poffenberger, 
Crescent  Theatre,  Belzoni,  Miss. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


'July  16,  1927 

jsult^  of  Studio’s 
n of  Film  Stars 


DOROTHY  GISH,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

LILLIAN  GISH,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

HUNTLY  GORDON,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

JAMES  HALL,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black,  The 
King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shropshire, 
Eng. 

ALICE  JOYCE,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black,  The 
King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shropshire, 
Eng. 

BUSTER  KEATON,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

LAURA  LaPLANTE,  Wm.  C.  Hill 


Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

BEN  LYON,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black,  The 
King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shropshire, 
Eng. 

KEN  MAYNARD,  H.  K.  Poffienberger, 
Crescent  Theatre,  Belzoni,  Miss. 

KEN  MAYNARD,  L.  E.  Palmer,  Post- 
ville  Theatre,  Postville,  la. 

KEN  MAYNARD,  Earl  J.  Williams, 
Tivoli  Theatre,  Knoxville,  111. 

SHIRLEY  MASON,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

MAY  McAVOY,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
sire,  Eng. 

MAY  McAVOY,  R.  M.  Junkin,  Cozy 
Corner  Theatre,  Vail,  Iowa. 

DOUGLAS  MacLEAN,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

PATSY  RUTH  MILLER,  W.  L.  Rock- 
well, Cottonwood  Falls,  Kan. 

TOM  MIX,  Edward  F.  Cox,  Princess 
Theatre,  Bristol,  Colo. 

LOIS  MORAN,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black,  The 
King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shropshire, 
Eng. 

COLLEEN  MOORE,  H.  K.  Poffen- 
berger.  Crescent  'Theatre,  Belzoni, 
Miss. 


ANTONIO  MORENO,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

JACK  MULHALL,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

JACK  MULHALL,  Orris  F.  Collins, 
Capitol  Theatre,  Paragould,  Ark. 

CONRAD  NAGEL,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 


Classified 

Advertising 

Five  cents  per  word  payable  in  advance. 
Minimum  charge,  $1.00.  Copy  and  checks 
should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad.  Dept., 
Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St., 
Chicago,  111. 


Foreign  Studios  For  Rent 

REX  INGRAM  CINE  STUDIOS  on  French 
Riviera,  with  six  company  capacity.  Expertly 
staffed.  Free  for  the  next  six  months.  Holly- 
wood climate.  Europe’s  greatest  studios.  Latest 
Hollywood  equipment.  American,  German,  French, 
English  and  Italian  hits  filmed  there  this  year. 
Near  every  place  of  interest  your  script  might 
call  for.  Stages  as  low  as  $60  a day.  For  full 
data,  reservations,  etc.,  cable:  Metrorex,  Nice, 
France;  or  write:  Harry  Lachman,  Rex  Ingram 
Cin^-Studios,  Nice,  A.  M.  France. 


A 

LEO  MEEHAN  Production 

For  more  than  four  years  Leo  Meehan 
has  turned  out  nothing  but  box  office  money" 
makers — His  ambition  is  to  make  pictures 
which  make  money  for  the  exhibitor,  and 
which  please  the  public. 

WATCH  FOR  THE  NEXT  TWO 

‘judgment  of  the  Hills’’ 

and 

‘^The  Harvester” 

They  will  set  new  box  office  records 

Released  through  F.B.O. 

^^Ask  the  Man  who  Runs  ’em*” 


CHARLES  (Chuck)  RIESNER 

Director 

“BE'TTER  ’OLE” 

“THE  MISSING  LINK” 

“WHAT  EVERY  GIRL  SHOULD 
KNOW” 

“THE  FORTUNE  HUNTER” 

IFarner  Brothers  Release 
Now  Directing  Buster  Keaton  in 
“STEAMBOAT  BILL” 


LLOYD  BACON 

DIRECTOR 

“HER  SAILOR 

SWEETHEART” 

Warner  Bros. 


20 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


MARGARET  LIVINGSTON 

now  in 

“American  Beauty” 

for 

First  National 


Gertrude  Short 

Now  Free  Lancing 

Appearing:  in 

“TILLIE  THE  TOILER” 
“ADAM  AND  EVIL” 

Phone:  Qladitone  1913 


SCOTT  R.  DUNLAP 

Now  Directing 
a Series  of 
Features 
for 

Phillips  Company,  Ltd. 
Australia 


Charles  G.  Clarke  puts  an  Eyemo  to  use 
on  the  P.  D.  C.  lot  where  George  Mel- 
ford  is  directing  an  untitled  feature. 


GERTRUDE  OLMSTED,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

AILEEN  PRINGLE,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

MARIE  PREVOST,  W.  L.  Rockwell, 
Cottonwood  Falls,  Kan. 

ESTHER  RALSTON,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

JOBYNA  RALSTON,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

LOWELL  SHERMAN,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

ANITA  STEWART,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 

NORMA  TALMADGE,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

CONWAY  TEARLE,  Wm.  C.  Hill 
Black,  The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry, 
Shropshire,  Eng. 

ALICE  TERRY,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shro.p- 
shire,  Eng. 

FRED  THOMSON,  George  H.  Fisher, 
Savoy  Theatre,  Northfield,  Vermont. 

LOIS  WILSON,  Wm.  C.  Hill  Black, 
The  King’s  Theatre,  Oswestry,  Shrop- 
shire, Eng. 


In  Conference 

(Contitiued  from  page  4) 

days  later  gave  him  the  gate  when 
prominent  members  of  the  Russian  col- 
ony denounced  the  prince  as  a fake. 
He  must  have  been,  because  he  didn’t 
even  have  any  crown  jewels  to  prove 
his  claim.  But  it’s  hard  to  walk  down 
Hollywood  boulevard  without  kicking  in 
the  shins  a baron,  count,  marquis,  or 
what  have  you.  And  they’re  not  such  a 
bad  lot  either. 

Welcome  “Watty" 

w ATTERSON  ROTHACKER,  the 

new  general  manager  of  First  National,  is 
being  given  a sincere  welcome  as  a per- 
manent member  of  the  Hollywood  colony. 
I doubt  if  there  is  a person  in  the  industry 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Ewart  Adamson  is  the  author  of  the 
stories  in  which  Rin  Tin  Tin  has 
starred  on  the  Warner  Brothers  lot. 
“What  say,  Rinty?  Do  you  like  the 
gags?” 

as  popular  personally  or  as  highly  regarded 
for  his  business  qualities  as  “Watty”  Roth- 
acker  and  there  is  a general  sentiment  that 
he  will  make  good  in  his  new  job.  There 
is  also  a feeling  of  general  satisfaction  re- 
sulting from  the  pact  of  peace  between 
First  National  and  John  McCormick,  who 
is  returning  with  his  popular  wife,  Colleen 
kloore,  to  resume  picture  making. 

ECONOMY  NOTE 

^ HE  production  of  “We  Americans,” 
which  is  planned  by  Universal  to  be  its 
next  season  leader,  has  been  postponed  un- 
til September  because  Carl  Laemmle,  Jr., 
the  19-year-old  son  of  Carl  Senior,  has 
gone  to  Europe  for  a vacation.  He  has  re- 
cently been  appointed  supervisor  for  the 
production. 

Takes  Rebbits  from  Hets 

G EORGE  JESSEL,  Broadway’s  favor- 
ite and  Hollywood’s  chief  wise-cracker,  is 
playing  a unique  role  in  his  new  Warner 
Brothers  picture,  that  of  “Ginsburg  the 
Great,”  a Hel>rew  stage  magician.  Georgie’s 
latest  wise-crack,  uttered  at  a Barrymore 
picture  opening  at  which  he  presided  as 
master  of  ceremonies,  was  that  the  gener- 
osity of  the  Warners  was  about  to  be  dem- 
onstrated by  the  offering  of  a $25,000  prize 
for  the  first  person  to  cross  Catalina  chan- 
nel— on  a bicycle. 


Smiling  Through 

{Continued  from  page  4) 

the  bank  and  deposits  his  check.  I draws 
out  a hundred  bucks  on  the  strength  of 
it,  but  I don’t  expect  to  need  no  money 
that  night — and  I don’t.  I goes  up  and 
down  Hollywood  Boulevard  from  Henry’s 
Cafe  to  the  Montmartre  and  everything  is 
free  as  far  as  I’m  concerned.  The  first 
place  I’m  in  I strikes  Bill  Nevada,  the 
heavy,  and  he  drives  me  around  the  rest 
of  the  evenin’.  Ten  per  cent  of  the  salary 
they’re  gonna  get  is  all  I asks  these  birds 
and  believe  me.  I’m  one  popular  guy  that 
night.  Towards  the  end  I seen  Patsy 
Brunner,  the  character  actor,  and  Tom 
Handy,  the  director,  at  a table  together. 
I asks  Bill  to  get  Tommy  to  one  side  and 
kinda  tip  him  off  to  what’s  goin’  on.  I fig- 
ured he’d  had  time  enough  to  find  out  that 


ROY  WILLIAM  NEILL 

Author-Director 

Now  writing  four  originals  for  production  and  release 
during  1927-28 


BILLY  BUTTS 

Played  Juvenile  Roles  in 

“The  Last  Outlaw” 

Paramount 

“The  Country  Beyond  Law” 

First  National 


Mildred  Walker 

(Miss  Pittsburgh) 

Now  Being  Featured  in 

Denver  Dixon 
Comedies 

Victor  Adamson 
Productions 

Gladstone  7102 


22 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


JOHN 

FORD 


Noiv  Preparing 

“GRANDMA 

BERNLE 

LEARNS 

HER 

LETTERS” 


Fox  Releases 


ALFRED  A. 
COHN 

FREE  LANCE  WRITER 


Coming  Up: 

“The  Jazz  Singer”  * 

For  Warner  Bros. 


“We  Americans” 

for  Universal 


WILLIAM 

NIGH 

DIRECTOR 

“THE  FIRE 
BRIGADE” 

“MR.  WU” 

“ROSE 
MARIE” 
is  next 

M.  G.  M. 


JULES 

WHITE 

Director 

WM.  FOX  COMEDIES 


The  great  Dane  paddles  his  own.  It’s 
a scene  from  “The  Trail  of  ’98”  which 
Clarence  Brown  has  been  diligently 
directing  for  several  weeks  for 
M-G-M.  Brown  at  extreme  right. 


Patsy’s  got  a rubber  band  around  her  roll 
that  don’t  come  off  easy.  He  looks  kinda 
glum  to  me.  I’m  right.  He  comes  runnin’. 

“Did  you  wish  to  speak  to  me,  Mr. 
Handy?”  I asks,  very  stiff. 

“Lissen  Benny,”  says  Tommy,  “You  know 
dam  well  I didn’t  do  nothin’  you  wouldn’t 
have  d}d  yourself  under  the  circumstances,” 
he  says.  “At  that,”  he  says,  “I  ain’t  sure 
you  didn’t  play  me  for  a sucker.  That 
dame  is  about  as  loose  with  her  money  as 
President  Coolidge  is  with  words,”  he 
says.  “Her  idea  of  financin’  a picture  is 
to  pay  herself  a salary,  and  before  she  lets 
go  a dollar  she  bores  a hole  in  it  and  ties 
a string  to  it  which  she  don’t  let  go  of, 
ever.  And  she  must  be  the  star  in  parts 
which  would  make  Clara  Bow  look  like  a 
grandmother,”  he  says.  “God  knows  I’ve 
had  my  troubles,  Benny!  You  couldn’t 
have  wished  me  worse,”  he  says. 

“Do  you  want  to  direct  a real  picture?” 
I asks,  “With  almost  practically  unlimited 
capital  back  of  it?” 

“Do  I?”  he  almost  yells,  “And  how! 
Write  your  own  ticket,  Benny.” 

So  that’s  all  right. 

“But  what  about  your  contract  with 
Patsy  Brunner?”  I asks. 

“Contract?”  he  says.  “I  got  about  as 
much  contract  with  her  as  director  as  you 
had  as  her  finance.” 

Just  then  Bill  Nevada  comes  up.  “Patsy 
Brunner  wants  to  see  you,”  he  tells  me. 

“First  call  for  lunch!”  says  Tommy. 
“I’m  for  you  Benny.  Send  back  my  hat.” 

I takes  another  drink  from  Tommy’s 
flask,  and  goes  over.  I’ve  made  up  with 
Patsy  before.  All  I got  to  do  is  lissen  to 
her  tell  me  she’s  sorry,  but  it  was  all  my 
fault,  and  agree  with  her. 

“And,”  she  ends  up,  “if  you  ever  wish 
an  oil  can  like  Tom  Handy  on  me  again 
we’ll  be  strangers  from  thenceforth !”  she 
says. 

So  I’m  up  bright  and  early  that  mornin’ — • 
that  is  I’m  up  early.  Naturally  my  eyes 
aint  so  good  either  so  I gets  a public 
stenographer  to  write  up  my  story  on  Don 
Graflin  and  his  new  venture  and  the 
etcetera.  Then  I goes  down  to  Los  Angeles 
to  the  newspaper  offices.  In  the  first  one 
I gets  to  I has  to  see  Reed  Malloy.  I 
walks  up  to  his  desk,  and  he  looks  up  but 
don’t  stop  workin’. 

“Well,  well,”  he  says,  “It’s  Mr.  Price,  the 
demon  news  builder ! To  what  am  I in- 
debted for  this  visit,  Mr.  Price?”  he  asks. 
“Has  one  of  your  stars  become  unmarried 
by  court  of  law  or  gun  play,  or  got  their 
jewelry  box  stole — or  got  a job?  Don’t 
tell  me  one  of  them  has  got  a job,  Mr. 
Price,”  he  says.  “I  might  believe  you,  and 
my  heart  aint  been  so  good  lately.  I think 
it’s  kinda  hardened  or  something  since  I 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


They’re  not  resting,  they’re  working. 

The  camera  is  off  the  right  and  Will- 
iam Nigh  is  directing  Miss  McAvoy 

in  a swimming  tank  scene  on  the 

M-G-M  lot. 

saw  your  girl  friend  Patsy  Brunner,  after 
printin’  that  story  you  gave  me  about  her 
bein’  offered  the  part  of  Little  Eva  in  Uni- 
versal’s stupendous  production  of  ‘Uncle 
Tom’s  Cabin,’  on  account  of  her  grand- 
mother playin’  the  role  in  the  original 
company.  Surely  tho’,  you  didn’t  mean  her 
grandmother,  Mr.  Price — ^you  must  have 
meant  her  grand-daughter.  But  my  heart 
aint  never  been  the  same  since  then,  Mr. 
Price — to  you,”  he  says,  ‘‘Get  the  hell  outa 
here !” 

It’s  a good  thing  I gotta  sense  of  humor ! 
I just  laughs — but  he  don’t. 

“Wait  a minute,”  I says,  “I  got  a big 
story  for  you,  about — ” 

“Don’t  slam  the  door  as  you  go,”  Reed 
says,  as  if  I aint  spoke,  “the  glass  is 
cracked.” 

“ — about  Don  Graflin  goin’  into  the 
movies!”  I says,  and  he  looks  up  quick. 

“Your  imagination  is  workin’  fine  this 
mornin’,  Mr.  Price,”  he  says,  but  I see  he’s 
interested,  so  I shove  the  writeup  across 
the  desk  to  him.  He  picks  it  up  and  reads 
it  very  careful.  Then  he  looks  at  me  a 
minute  sorta  funny. 

“I’m  a great  admirer  of  yours,  Benny,” 
he  says  at  last,  “but  your  talents  is  goin’ 
to  waste  in  the  business  you’re  in.  This  is 
a news  office.  You  will  find  the  Sunday 
Magazine  fiction  editor  on  the  second  floor, 
but  if  I was  you  I’d  change  the  names  in 
this  masterpiece  or  some  day  a big  man 
with  a badge  on  his  vest  is  gonna  call  on 
you  and  let  you  explain  it  all  to  the  judge 
instead  of  me.” 

“Yeh,”  I says,  “Well  all  the  wise  guys 
aint  in  newspaper  offices.  Giggle  this  off. 
I gets  a check  for  five  hundred  berries 
from  Don  Graflin  in  person  yesterday, 
when  he  hires  me.” 

“So?”  Reed  says,  “Well  I’m  real  sorry 
I can’t  use  your  effort,  which  is  about  the 
best  you’ve  ever  done,”  he  says,  “but  I’ve 
got  a conscience  and  incidentally  I like 
my  job — a poor  thing  but  mine  own,”  he 
says. 

“When  you  come  to  a good  place  to  stop 
your  speech,”  I says  sarcastic,  “will  you 
tell  me  since  when  Don  Graflin’s  name 
ain’t  good  for  a story  any  time,  anywhere?” 
I asks.  “You  ought  to  be  a movie  di- 
rector,” I says,  “You’ve  got  just  the  voice 
for  it — and  the  disposition,”  I says,  “Goodby 
and  don’t  blame  me  if  the  other  papers 
scoops  you  on  this”  and  I starts  out.  I got 
some  feelin’s. 

“Hold  on,  Benny,”  he  says,  “I  was  only 
kiddin’  you.  I am  really  so  much  interested 
that  if  you  will  let  me  handle  this  thing 
myself.  I’ll  run  it  big,  front  page — only 
you  must  agree  not  to  give  it  to  any  of 
the  other  papers  until  tomorrow.  Then 
they  will  be  ripe  for  you  after  they  see 
my  story,”  he  says. 


GUS  MEINS 

Director 

NOW  WITH  FOX  FILMS 


DIRECTED  BT 


SOM£WH^RE  IN  SONORA:  Ken  Maynard  - 
If  you  haven't  seen  thie  picture  you  have  never 
seen  any  riding.  Ken  rides  all  over  the  old 
horse.  Story  not  so  much,  but  all  in  all  it  is  a 
mighty  good  offering,  and  will  please. — C.  A. 
Spainhour.  Twilight  theatre,  Greensburg,  Kans. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIE 
—100%.  April  15-16.  All 
boy  as  a Western  star  is 
Drew  big,  pleased  everyb 
we’re  with  you.  Gee.  I’d  li^ 
reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postvi^k 
[a. — General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAG  iCen  Maynard— 

10%.  June  1-2.  /*T^other  /y  Western  for 

Ken  to  good  bu6iness.\  He^  e put  in  wonder- 
ful pictures  and/ the  Ikid^  :an  ride.  Seven 

reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  , TrCve  heatre,  Chilton. 

Wis. — Small  tov, 


Kejii/  Maynard 
say  this 
^ajfest  of  all. 
up,  Ken. 
oLo.  Seven 
re,.  Postville, 


THE  OVERL’ 
65%.  June  11 
and  other  epic  W 
Indians,  action  ^lo 
night  Western 


iKen  Maynard — 
' ‘f-K 


T 

assf^vitl/  ‘^Ncrth  of  ’36” 
me.  /^lo^  scenery,  lots  of 
right  for  Saturday 
Se\)en  reels. — H J.  Eagan, 
Wis. — Small  town 

A(  jE:  Ken  Maynard — 

Maynard.  He  is  the 
that  I can  get  in  the 
e is  about  as  good  as  "The 

Covered  IWagKA.”  Cifcni  all  the  way  through.  No 
padding. \-A.  lM>trhell.  Dixie  theatre,  Russellville. 
Ky. — GenVral/  patronage. 


THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard- 
'>0%.  Juno  4.  Here  is  a pictuie  sold  as  a pro- 
givim  picture.  As  good  as  any  of  the  big  West- 
ern specials  we  have  played.  100  per  cent  satis- 
faction.— Bert  Silver.  Silver  Family  theatre 
Greenville.  Mich. — General  patronage. 


24 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


CHAS. 

LAMONT 

Director 


LOU  SEILER 

Director  of 

TOM  MIX 

in 

“Outlaws  of  Red  River” 
“Great  K&A  Train  Robbery” 
“No  Man’s  Gold” 

“Tumbling  River” 

“The  Scourge  of  the  Little  C” 
Fox  Release 


of  the 
Following 
Educational 
Comedies 

“The  Half  Hero” 

— Lupino  Lane 

^^Live  News^’ 

— Johnny  Arthur 


Well  a first  page  write  up  in  his  paper 
would  sure  start  things,  so  I cools  down 
and  agrees. 

“When  will  you  see  Graflin  again?”  Reed 
asks. 

“I’m  to  meet  him  and  all  the  people  I 
hired  for  him  in  my  office  at  12  o’clock,” 
I says. 

“I’ll  be  there,”  he  says. 

When  I gets  back  to  the  building  my 
office  is  in,  the  elevator  man  who  is  also 
the  janitor  speaks  to  me.  “There  was  a 
dude  in  here  yesterday  asked  me  for  the 
name  of  some  press  agent  which  wasn’t 
very  busy,”  he  says,  “and  I sent  him  to 
you.” 

“Thanks,”  I says.  So  that’s  how  it  was ! 

They  All  Drifts  In 

Towards  noon  they  all  begins  to  drift 
in.  Most  of  ’em  has  to  stand  but  nobody 
minds.  I’m  feelin’  great  and  we’re  all 
kiddin’  back  and  forth,  except  Tommy 
Handy  and  Patsy  Brunner.  They  aint 
speakin’  together  but  what  their  looks  says 
is  plenty. 

Then  Don  Graflin  arrives,  and  I intro- 
duce him  all  around.  He  starts  right  in 
makin’  a speech  about  what  a wonderful 
industry  motion  pictures  has  become  and 
all  that,  and  wanders  on  mentionin’  John 
Rockerfeller  and  Henry  Ford  incidental, 
brings  in  some  California  history,  backs 
up  to  George  Washington  and  Abraham 
Lincoln,  and  is  just  workin’  up  to  the  Big 
War  when  my  phone  rings. 

I’m  kinda  dazed  like  the  rest  of  ’em 
but  I reaches  over  and  answers  sorta  auto- 
matic. It’s  Reed  Malloy.  He’s  in  the 
lobby  downstairs,  and  wants  me  to  come 
down  and  see  him  before  he  comes  up.  I 
excuses  myself  and  goes.  Don  Graflin  goes 
right  on  speakin’  and  the  others  is  just 
lookin’  at  him. 

Reed  and  another  feller  is  waitin’  for  me 
and  as  I come  up  Reed  shoves  a picture  at 
me.  “Is  that  your  Don  Graflin?”  he  asks. 

It’s  a feller  in  a soldier  suit,  but  it’s  him 
all  right.  “Sure,”  I says,  “Now  maybe 
you’ll  believe  me.  He’s  in  my  office  now.” 

Other  Feller  Beats  It 

The  other  feller  beats  it  up  the  steps 
and  Reed  hands  me  a Associated  Press 
proof  slip.  I reads  it  and  like  to  fainted. 
It’s  dated  the  day  before  from  Cairo, 
Egypt,  and  says  that  Don  Graflin  has  just 
arrived  and  is  leavin’  his  yacht  there  while 
he  goes  on  to  explore  the  Nile  river  to  its 
sources ! 

I’m  sure  dizzy  now.  “But  who’s  that?” 
I asks,  pointin’  to  the  picture. 

“His  younger  brother  who  was  shell 
shocked  in  France,”  says  Reed.  “He’s 
broke  out  of  a private  sanitorium  near 
here.” 

“My  God !”  I says,  “You  mean  he’s 
crazy !” 

“Not  much  more  than  some  of  you  press 
agents,”  says  Reed,  “He’s  goofy  over  pic- 
tures too  it  seems.  That’s  how  I placed 
him  from  what  you  told  me — this  slip  bein’ 
on  my  desk  at  the  time.” 

“But  my  check?”  I hollers. 

“All  rubber,  Benny — it’ll  bounce  right 
back,”  he  says. 

“Pve  already  drew  out  a hundred  of  it 
and  give  out  checks  for  more’n  that !”  I 
almost  sobs. 

“Don’t  worry,  Benny,”  says  Reed,  “I 
called  up  his  folks  on  long  distance  and 
they’re  gonna  give  me  the  five  thousand 
dollars  they  had  offered  for  his  return. 
I’ll  split  it  with  you  since  you  played  fair 
with  me — but  I can’t  print  your  story.” 

Then  I did  faint — but  not  for  long.  As 
I’m  cornin’  to,  I grabs  Reed’s  arm. 

“Reed,”  I says,  “I’m  goin’  to  Honolulu 
for  my  health!  You  break  this  to  them 
birds  in  the  office!” 

I always  says  that  if  a feller  keeps  on 
the  job  he’ll  get  the  breaks  sooner  or  later. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


July  16,  1927 


Production  Notes 
for  Local  Papers 

{Continued  from  page  14) 
has  been  appearing  in  “Buck  Privates,”  Uni- 
I versal  film,  is  in  New  York  for  a brief 
vacation.  Upon  her  return  she  will  be 
starred  in  “He  Knew  Women,”  at  Uni- 
versal City. 

^ t-  ^ 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller,  having  finished  one 
hit  at  Universal,  “Painting  the  Town,” 
which  is  soon  to  have  a Broadway  run,  is 
playing  the  feminine  lead  in  “South  Sea 
Love,”  an  FBO  production,  which  Ralph 
Ince  is  directing. 

* * * 

Lois  Wilson  at  Columbia  Lot 

Lois  Wilson  has  joined  Columbia  pictures 
and  is  co-starring  with  Bert  Lytell  in  “Alias 
the  Lone  Wolf.”  E.  H.  Griffith  is  directing. 

^ 

Renaud  Hoffman,  who  is  directing  “Harp 
in  Hock”  at  Metropolitan  studios,  will 
start  immediately  upon  the  completion  of 
this  picture  upon  another  for  DeMille 
studios. 

* * 

Duncan  Sisters  to  Introduce  Songs 

1 Rosetta  and  Vivian  Duncan,  stars  of 
“Topsy  and  Eva,”  the  United  Artists  hit, 

I are  working  on  the  words  and  music  of 
several  song  hits  which  they  plan  to  intro- 
duce on  their  forthcoming  15  week  tour 
of  key  cities  in  connection  with  the  film. 

* * * 

Raymond  Keane,  Universal’s  newest  lead- 
ing man,  is  enjoying  a few  weeks  vacation 
granted  by  President  Carl  Laemmle,  for 
his  splendid  work  in  “The  Lone  Eagle,” 
just  completed. 

4:  jjc  51: 

“Our  Gang”  in  Sketch 
“Our  Gang”  has  a vaudeville  sketch  called 
: “Unde  Tom’s  Cabin”  wherein  little  Jean 

' Darling,  blonde  leading  woman  and  Aroma, 
i Farina’s  little  sister,  will  plaj'  Topsy  and 
i Eva.  Farina  is  Unde  Tom  in  the  sketch 

■ and  Joe  Cobb  is  the  “heavy,”  playing  Simon 

Degree. 

* * * 

I Stedman  Family  Working  Hard 

I The  Stedman  family — Lincoln  and  Myr- 
tle— are  busier  than  the  proverbial  bee  these 
I days.  Myrtle  is  playing  opposite  Charles 
[ Murray  in  “The  Life  of  Riley”  at  First 
National  and  Lincoln  has  just  signed  with 
! Warner  Brothers  to  play  in  “The  Broad- 
way Kid”  opposite  George  Jessel. 

I * * * 

1 Jules  Cowles  has  been  added  to  the  cast 
; of  “Romance,”  Ramon  Novarro’s  starring 
' vehicle  for  M-G-M.  Cowles  plays  the  role 
of  “Angelo,”  the  pirate  in  Joseph  Conrad’s 
,!  novel. 

* '-K 

j Ralph  Spence  has  completed  the  titles 
I for  Buster  Keaton’s  new  comedy,  “College,” 

! according  to  announcement  of  Harry  Brand, 
general  manager  of  Keaton  studios. 

^ t-  t- 

; George  Sidney  and  Charlie  Murray  are 
, on  the  last  scenes  of  “The  Life  of  Riley,” 
j which  William  Beaudine  is  directing.  This 
I title  will  not  be  used  by  First  National 

; when  the  picture  is  released,  as  it  is  the 

j property  of  Mary  Pickford. 
i;  t * * 

1 John  Ford  is  assembling  a cast  for  his 
j next  Fox  production,  “Grandma  Bernle 
j Learns  Her  Letters.” 

E :i:  * 

I Martin  Signs  with  Bray 

1 Al  Martin  has  just  signed  a contract 
to  title  26  pictures  for  Bray  Pictures  Cor- 
poration. He  will  also  continue  to  free 


Noiki  Playing  the 
Male  Lead  in 

“The  Crystal 
Cup 


FIRST  NATIONAL 
PRODUCTION 


Jack 

Mulhall 


ALAN  HALE 

DLRBCTOB 

“WEDDING  SONG”— Leatrice  Joy 
“BRAVEHEART”— Eod  LaRoqa® 
“RISKY  BUSINESS”--YerB  Rayiioliii 
“RUBBER  TIRES”— Besaie  Love 
P.  D.  C.  Release 


GEORGE  SIDNEY 

Doing  Another  One  with 
Charlie  Murray 

Supervision,  E.  M.  Asher 

Directed  by 
Bill  Beaudine 

Smells  Good 


26 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


JACQUELINE  LOGAN 

As  the  result  of  my  characterization  of  “Mary  Magdalene”  in 
“THE  KING  OF  KINGS,”  Cecil  B.  DeMille  has  given  me  a 
Long  Term  Contract. 


TITLES 


“THE  STOLEN  BRIDE” 

First  National 


“FRAMED”  ' Milton  Sills  ' First  National 

“SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL”  ' Jack  Mulhall  ' First  National 

“AN  AFFAIR  OF  THE  FOLLIES”  ' BilUe  Dove  ' First  National 

“NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE”  ' Colleen  Moore  ' First  National 

6372  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 

Phone  Gladstone  4809 


ARTHUR  STONE 

HRST  NATIONAL  STUDIOS 

“HARD-BOILED 

HAGGERTY” 


Jules  caught  a Scotch  sardine  on  his 
trip  into  the  Sierras  and  Art  West 
(•with  the  Scotch  hligree)  hears  about 
that  sardine’s  corpulence  Mr.  White, 
right,  is  the  Educational  director. 

lance  and  at  present  is  writing  titles  for 
Christie  studios  and  FBO. 

* * 

Arthur  Stone  and  Milton  Sills  are  still 
hobnobbing  together  with  their  O.  D.  uni- 
forms in  “Hardboiled  Haggerty.”  The 
weather  man  has  been  holding  up  the  film- 
ing of  the  air  sequences  and  Director 
Charles  Brabin  and  Producer  Wid  Gunning 
are  praying  for  favorable  conditions  for 
the  dangerous  flying  stunts. 

^ ^ 

George  Folsey,  cinematographer  by  pro- 
fession and  tennis  shark  in  his  leisure  mo- 
ments, is  turning  the  crank  on  “American 
Beauty,”  the  Richard  Wallace  production 
for  First  National. 

^ 

Over  at  Educational  studios  Mark  Sand- 
rich  is  putting  Lupino  Lane,  the  English 
comedian,  through  his  paces  in  a new  rib- 
tickler  as  yet  untitled. 

^ ^ 

Prevost  in  Amethyst 

Marie  Prevost  returned  to  Hollywood 
a week  ago  from  New  York  and  Atlantic 
City  with  a beautiful  amethyst  ring,  and 
in  order  to  complete  the  ensemble  has  had 
her  finger  nails  tinted  a delicate  amethystine 
shade,  and  is  wearing  a bracelet  of  the  same  j 
color.  It  may  become  a Hollywood  fad. 
Who  knows? 

sK  * * 

Mildred  Walker  Stars  in  Series 

Production  activities  are  much  in  evi  j 
dence  around  the  Victor  Adamson  studios,  1 
where  preparations  are  being  completed  for  * 
the  first  of  a series  of  ten  comedies,  star-  j 
ring  Mildred  Walker.  Miss  Walker  will  j 
be  supported  by  Billy  Cinders,  Baby  Jane  i 
Ortman,  F.  B.  Falett  and  Tommy  Vernola. 

^ 

Frank  Butler,  well  known  writer  and  i 
director,  has  joined  the  Hal  Roach  studio 
forces.  He  came  to  Hollywood  several 
years  ago  from  the  British  army,  worked  i 
as  an  extra  and  six  years  ago  was  given  ; 
minor  parts.  He  was  featured  in  the  “Spat  i 

Family”  series  and  later  became  interested  ! 
in  scenario  writing  and  more  recently  was  | 
successful  as  a director.  | 

* * * I: 

Morris  R.  Schlank  is  producing  the  third  ] 

Crescent  feature,  “Devil  Dogs,”  a war  com-  | 
edy-drama.  Fred  Windermere  is  directing.  > 
Stewart  Holmes,  Pauline  Curley  and  J.  P.  ! 
McGowan  are  in  the  cast.  . 

* * * f 

Norman  Stephenson  has  been  appointed  | 

general  manager  of  the  Monty  Banks  En- 
terprises, succeeding  Arthur  McArthur,  re- 
sided. Stephenson  began  his  association 
with  Banks  when  the  comedian  was  mak- 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


July  16,  1927 


ing  two  reel  subjects  at  the  old  Grand- 
I Asher  studios. 

* * * 

Garrett  Graham,  free  lance  title  writer, 
has  just  completed  titling  “The  Last  Out- 
' law”  for  Paramount. 

sf:  * * 

Charles  Lament’s  last  comedy  for  Edu- 
cational, in  which  Johnny  Arthur  played 

ithe  lead,  has  been  titled  “Live  News.”  He 
is  now  directing  Arthur  in  another  with  a 
large  cast. 

^ 

Brandon  Hurst,  famous  screen  character 
man,  has  been  signed  by  _M-G-M  for  the 
role  of  “Count  Karenin”  in  “Love,”  star- 
ring John  Gilbert  and  Greta  Garbo. 

* * * 

White  at  June  Lake 

Jules  White,  Fox  comedy  director,  has 
been  spending  his  vacation  at  June  Lake. 
Some  folks  have  all  the  luck. 

* * * 

Margaret  Livingston,  having  completed 
her  role  in  “American  Beauty”  at  First 
National,  is  hoping  she  can  take  a brief 
vacation  in  the  mountains. 

Hodges  Interviews 
Jack  White 

i (Continued  from  page  16) 

shoeman’s  personality.  He  is  a big  figure 
-■  in  the  shoe  and  boot  world — and  he  knows 
I it.  He  claims  great  modesty  and  reporters 
are  beneath  his  dignity. 

li  But  his  income  would  not  come  to  half 
of  that  which  Mr.  White  receives  each 
year.  The  shoe  and  boot  man’s  responsi- 
bility would  not  come  to  one-tenth  of  that 
held  by  Mr.  White  each  day.  The  num- 
: ber  of  people  wearing  the  Archprotector 

I shoes  is  only  1 per  cent  of  the  number  of 
^ people  laughing  at  the  comedies  Mr.  White 
makes  each  month. 

But  in  Mr.  White’s  office  there  are  no 
nervous  maidens  bursting  in  and  out  of 
panelled  doors.  There  is  no  mystery.  It 
is  a business-like  office  where  deals  con- 
I cerning  thousands  of  dollars  are  passed  on 

I quietly  and  calmly.  No  pretense.  No 

i “wah.” 


•E 

i 

I 


Coast  Production 
Now  Booming 

(Continued  from  page  7) 

Wanted”  on  the  lot.  Gus  Meins,  _ newly 
added  director  to  the  comedy  unit,  has 
just  completed  “Why  Blondes  Love 
Home.” 

Baxter  in  “Coward”  for  FBO 


^ J.  Leo  Meehan,  directing  “The  Har- 
- vester”  for  FBO,  has  returned  from  In- 
diana, where  the  greater  part  of  that  pic- 
ture was  filmed  at  the  home  of  the  late 
' Gene  Stratton-Porter.  Warner  _ Baxter, 

I erstwhile  Paramount  star,  is  making  “The 
Coward”  under  A1  Raboch’s  direction  at 
FBO.  Ralph  Ince  and  company,  shooting 
“South  Sea  Love”  with  Patsy  Ruth  Miller 
starred,  has  returned  from  location.  Nick 
, Musuraca,  now  under  contract  with  FBO, 
did  the  camera  work.  Bob  DeLacy  had 
^ the  Tom  Tyler  company  on  location  also 
k for  several  weeks  making  “Flying  U 
M Ranch,”  and  Louis  King  is  shooting  “Sad- 
B dies  and  Spurs”  with  Buzz  Barton,  FBO’s 
r new  star. 

I Pickford  and  Fairbanks  on  Sets 

f Not  in  many  months  has  the  big  United 
K Artists’  lot  been  so  busy  as  it  is  at  present. 


Dorothy  Yost 


Now  adapting 
“Wild  Flowers” 
For  F.  B.  O. 


CHAS,  G.  CLARKE— A.  S.  C. 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

“RED”  GRANGE’S  “ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY” 
and  Latest  “THE  MOTOR  MANIAC” 
“GOING  CROOKED” — FOX— “UPSTREAM” 
Now  with  Warner  Bros. 


Nick 

Musuraca 

A.  S.  C. 

Cinematographer 

“Cyclone  of 
the  Range” 

“The  Senora 
Kid” 

“Splitting  the 
Breeze” 

“Tom’s  Gang” 

“South  Sea 
Love” 

F.  B.  O.  Studios 


28 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


Victor 

Schertzinger 

Director 


“The  Secret  Studio” 

with  Olive  Borden 


Fox  Release 


Day  and  Night 

he  5606 

ALPHA 

FLORAL 

SHOP 

“The  Geurden  of  Eden” 
Corinne  Griffith 

United  Artists 
5566  Hollywood  Blvd. 

Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


HOTEL 
ROOSEVELT 

Jones  ai  Eddy 

San  Francisco’s 
New  Half  Million 
Dollar  Hotel 

Headquarters  for 
Exhibitors  and 
Exchange  Mon 

One  Block  from  Film  Row 
Every  Room  with  Bath  or  Shower 

Rates  from  $2.00  to  $3.50 
Management  of 

RENE  A.  VAYSSIE 

"Special  Rates  to  Location  Managers^’ 


Horace 

Miller 

New 

BUSINESS 
MANAGER 
JESS  SMITH 
PRODUCTIONS 
FOR 
FIRST 
NATIONAL 
RELEASE 


AL  HALL 

CHIEF  FILM  EDITOR 
FIRST  NATIONAL  PICTURES 
WEST  COAST  STUDIOS 


with  four  companies  shooting  and  others 
ready  to  start.  Herbert  Brenon  and  his 
company  are  on  location  .this  director  be- 
ing en  route  to  England  with  H.  B.  War- 
ner and  others  to  make  exteriors  for  “Sor- 
rell & Son.”  Mary  Pickford  and  Douglas 
Fairbanks  are  both  in  production.  Miss 
Pickford  is  making  “My  Best  Girl”  with 
Sam  Taylor  directing  and  her  old  camera- 
man Charles  Kosher  photographing.  Fair- 
banks is  rapidly  completing  “The  Gaucho,” 
with  F.  Richard  Jones  directing.  Gloria 
Swanson’s  “Sadie  Thompson,”  based  on 
W.  Somerset  Maugham’s  story  from  which 
the  stage  play  “Rain”  was  taken,  is  work- 
ing with  Raoul  Walsh,  and  Corinne  Grif- 
fith’s “The  Garden  of  Eden”  has  just  been 
started,  with  Lewis  Milestone  directing. 
D.  W.  Griffith  will  direct  “La  Paiva,”  a 
tale  of  the  days  of  Napoleon  Third,  in 
which  Estelle  Taylor  is  featured;  and 
Frank  Lloyd  is  about  ready  to  shoot 
“Tempest”  with  John  Barrymore. 

Barthelmess  Film  Nearly  Complete 
At  First  National  studios  Richard  Bar- 
thelmess is  about  through  with  “The  Drop 
Kick,”  a college  story  in  which  the  ten 
college  students  gathered  from  all  parts 
of  the  country  participate.  Millard  Webb 
is  directing  and  Arthur  Edeson  is  at  the 
camera.  Charles  Brabin  is  directing  Mil- 
ton  Sills  in  “Hard-Boiled  Haggerty,”  with 
Arthur  Stone  and  Molly  O’Day  in  support. 
Richard  Wallace,  directing  Billie  Dove  in 
“American  Beauty,”  is  progressing  rapidly 
with  this  story  of  American  Life. 

George  Fitzmaurice,  producing  “The 
Rose  of  Monterey,”  has  departed  with  his 
company  for  Monterey,  Cal.,  to  make  the 
exteriors  for  this  drama  of  early  Cali- 
fornia. Mary  Astor,  Gilbert  Roland, 
Montagu  Love  and  others  are  in  the  big 
cast.  William  Beaudine,  making  “Life  of 
Riley,”  has  those  two  fun-makers,  George 
Sidney  and  Charles  Murray,  together 
again.  Charlie  Van  Enger  is  shooting. 

Jack  Mulhall  and  Dorothy  Mackaill  are 
co-featured  in  “The  Crystal  Cup,”  which 
Jack  Dillon  is  directing.  “Helen  of  Troy” 
has  gone  into  production  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Alexander  Korda,  with  Lewis 
Stone  and  Maria  Corda  featured,  and  Al 
Rogell  is  shooting  “The  Caravan  Trail,” 
with  Ken  Maynard  starred. 

Denny  Film  Completed 
Over  at  Universal  City  several  impor- 
tant productions  have  been  finished  and 
others  are  just  starting.  “Buck  Privates,” 
the  Mel  Brown  film,  is  in  the  cutting  room 
and  Edward  Laemmle  has  just  finished 
“Honor  and  the  Woman.”  Reginald  Denny 
likewise  has  completed  “I’ll  Be  There”  un- 
der William  Seiter’s  direction.  Other  com- 
panies in  work  are  Reeves  Eason,  shooting 
“The  Flying  Nutt”;  George  Melford  mak- 
ing “A  Man’s  Past,”  Fred  Newmeyer  di- 
recting “Now  I’ll  Tell  One”  and  Harry 
Pollard  making  added  scenes  for  “Uncle 
Tom’s  Cabin.”  Irvin  Willat,  Ed.  Sloman, 
Wesley  Ruggles  and  Emory  Johnson  are 
preparing  stories  which  will  go  into  pro- 
duction at  an  early  date.- 

Clara  Bow  Starred  in  “Hula” 
Paramount  has  nine  companies  in  work, 
with  others  scheduled  to  start  soon.  Clara 
Bow  is  being  starred  in  “Hula,”  which  Vic- 
tor Fleming  is  directing;  Mauritz  Stiller  is 
handling  the  megaphone  on  “Hitting  for 
Heaven,”  which  is  a temporary  title,  and 
in  which  Emil  Jannings  is  starred. 

“Tell  It  to  Sweeney”  is  Gregory  La- 
Cava’s  latest,  with  Chester  Conklin  and 
George  Bancroft  featured.  Harry  D’Ar- 
rast  is  directing  Adolphe  Menjou  in  “A 
Gentleman  of  Paris”  and  Director  Luther 
Reed  has  just  returned  from  location  with 
Richard  Dix,  making  “Shanghai  Bound,” 
after  many  thrilling  experiences,  near 
Fresno. 

James  Cruze  is  directing  Thomas  Mei- 
ghan  in  “The  City  Gone  Wild”;  Frank 
Tuttle  has  Florence  Vidor  in  “A  Cele- 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


July  16,  1927 


brated  Woman,”  while  Pola  Negri  is  mak- 
ing “Sun  Kissed”  under  Rowland  V.  Lee’s 
direction.  The  latest  Bebe  Daniels’  film  is 
called  “Swim,  Girl,  Swim,”  in  which  Clar- 
ence Badger  is  putting  her  through  her 
paces.  1 i 1 il 

Comedy  Lots  Close 

Several  of  the  comedy  lots  have  closed 
for  a month’s  vacation.  There  is  nothing 
doing  at  Stern  Brothers,  nor  at  Hal  Roach 
Studios  this  month. 

Three  companies  are  working  at  Mack 
Sennett’s  studios,  and  four  at  Educational. 
Norman  Taurog  is  directing  Dorothy  De- 
vore in  a hilariously  funny  comedy,  with 
a Scotch  background.  Len  Smith  is  shoot- 
ing the  Devore  picture.  Charles  Lamont 
has  Johnny  Arthur  doing  stunts  in  an- 
other one,  Stephen  Roberts  is  directing 
George  Davis  in  a two-reeler,  and  Mark 
Sandrich  is  finishing  a Lupino  Lane  opus. 

Buster  Keaton  has  just  finished  “Col- 
lege,” his  second  for  United  Artists,  and 
has  left  for  location  to  make  “Steamboat 
Bill,”  which  Charles  Chuck  Riesner  is  di- 
recting. It  is  a story  of  the  Mississippi 
river.  The  Sacramento  river  and  Lake 
Tahoe  will  serve  as  locations. 

3 Pathe  Units  Working 

Three  Pathe  units  are  at  work  at  the 
Metropolitan  studios.  They  are  Stuart 
Payton  directing  Jack  Donovan  in  “Lady 
Luck”;  Herman  Raymaker  directing  Monty 
Banks,  in  “An  Ace  in  the  Hole,”  and  Spen- 
cer Bennett  making  “Man  Without  a 
Face,”  with  Walter  Miller  and  Allene 
Ray.  Ted  Wilde  is  directing  Harold  Lloyd 
in  an  untitled  production  at  Metropolitan 
studios  also. 

Does  Realism 
Cost  More? 

{Continued  from  page  15) 

of  “Beau  Geste.”  He  is  now  at  work  pre- 
paring for  this  picture’s  sequel,  “Beau 
Sabreur.” 

Tom  Gubbins  in  private  life  is  known 
as  “the  king  of  Los  Angeles’  Chinatown.” 
In  that  intriguing  district  he  is  the  owner 
of  the  Asiatic  Importing  Company.  He 
gained  his  experience  in  things  Chinese 
during  10  years  in  that  country.  He  speaks 
several  of  the  Chinese  dialects  and  can 
read  thousands  of  their  characters.  Gub- 
bins is  Paramount’s  technical  director  when 
Oriental  sequences  are  called  for.  He  is 
now  devoting  all  of  his  time  to  the  super- 
vision of  Richard  Dix’s  next  starring  ve- 
hicle, “Shanghai  Bound.” 

Paramount  maintains  a complete  library 
and  research  department  in  charge  of  three 
trained  women.  Upon  short  notice  they 
can  get  information  on  any  subject  desired. 
Hundreds  of  shelves  are  filled  with  vol- 
umes of  pictures  from  every  land.  Their 
service  proved  invaluable  during  the  filming 
of  Pola  Negri’s  “Barbed  Wire,”  a picture 
dealing  with  the  civilian  aspect  of  the  war 
but  at  the  same  time  carrying  a background 
of  the  entire  conflict  from  declaration  till 
armistice. 

During  the  four  years  of  the  war  the  uni- 
form of  the  German  army  changed  nine 
times  and  the  French  nearly  as  often.  The 
research  department  supplied'  the  wardrobe 
department  with  the  information  which  en- 
abled it  to  costume  accurately  each  period 
that  was  pictured. 

^ ^ ^ 

A detail  is  seldom  too  small  to  be  missed 
by  the  alert  technician.  In  Emil  Jannings’ 
first  American  made  picture  for  Paramount, 
“The  Way  of  All  Flesh,”  Jannings’  musi- 
cian son,  played  by  Donald  Keith,  appears 
frequently  as  a master  violinist.  Victor 
Fleming,  director  of  the  picture,  required 
that  Keith  take  lessons  on  the  violin  so 
that  he  might  handle  it  properly. 


FRANKLIN 

PANGBORN 

Just  completed  my  first 
year  in  pictures. 

Watch  my  next — and  my 
next  vehiele. 


GEORGE 

MELFORD 

DIRECTOR 

THE  FLAME  OF  THE  YUKON:  Special 
cast — The  westerns  nearly  always  draw 
well.  Thisi  one  went  ahead  of  pictures 
costing  six  times  as  much  so  far  as  box 
office  is  concerned.  Six  reels. — E.  T. 
Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash. 
— General  patronage. 

ROCKING  MOON : John  Bowers — Very 
good  picture  to  good  business. — C.  C.  Grif- 
fin, New  Piedmont  theatre,  Oakland,  CaL 
— General  patronage. 


NORMAN 

TAUROG 


Now  Directing  the  new 
season’s  productions  for 
Educational. 


“AT  EASE  ” 

ivith 

LLOYD  HAMILTON 


30 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


George  Folsey 

Cinematographer 

“LADIES  AT  PLAY” 

“ORCHIDS  AND 
ERMINE” 

“SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL” 
“NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE” 


66 


AMERICAN  BEAUTY 


99 


Charles  Van  Enger 

A.  S.  C. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 


^*SEA  TIGER” 

Milton  Sills 

“THE  SILENT  LOVER” 
“EASY  PICKINGS” 
“FRAMED” 

“SMILE,  BROTHER  SMILE 
“LIFE  OF  RILEY” 

FIRST  NATIONAL 


ff 


BARNEY 

McGILL 

Cinematographer 

‘WHAT 

PRICE 

GLORY?” 

FOX 


“Casey  at  the 
Bat” 

PARAMOUNT 

“Two  Arabi- 
an Knights” 

UNITED  ARTISTS 


ROSS  FISHER,  a.s.g. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 

“Two  Gun  Man” — Fred  Thomson 
“Don  Mike”  — Fred  Thomson 

Current  Release 

‘“The  Sunset  Derby” 

— First  National 

“The  Devil’s  Saddle” 

— Ken  Maynard 


Camera! 

A Department  Devoted  to  News  and  Affairs  of 
the  American  Society  of  Cinematographers  and  Its 
Members,  Published  as  a “Stndio  Section”  Feature. 


Koenekamp,  D upon!  and  Du  bray 
Work  for  New  Camera  Methods 


By  FOSTER  GOSS 

TT'XPERIMENTS  conducted  by  individ- 
ual  cinematographers  cost  hundreds  of 
dollars  each  year,  but  result  in  cinema- 
tographic improvements  which  save  mo- 
tion picture  producers  thousands  per 
annum,  according  to  a statement  by  Daniel 
B.  Clark,  president  of  the  American 
Society  of  Cinematographers. 

“Practically  every  cinematographer  of 
note,”  Clark  reveals,  “spends  much  of  his 
own  leisure  time  in  experimenting  along 
various  lines  in  cinematography.  Many 
of  them  have  small  experimental  labora- 
tories and  private  workrooms  equipped 
with  precision  instruments  and  machinery, 
wherein  they  pass  hours  working  out  im- 
proved methods  and  machinery  for  mo- 
tion photography.  Hans  Koenekamp,  Max 
Dupont  and  Joseph  A.  Dubray  are  among 
the  A.  S.  C.  members  whom  I might  men- 
tion offhand  as  maintaining  equipment  of 
this  sort. 

“Such  activities,  it  can  easily  be  seen,  mean  a 
substantial  capital  investment  to  an  individual, 
not  only  for  the  outfitting  of  such  establishments 
but  for  the  materials  used  in  experiments,  not  to 
mention  the  fact  that  no  reward  is  at  hand  for 
the  time  consumed  in  such  work.  Many  other 
cinematographers,  who  do  not  maintain  their  own 
little  laboratories,  have  special  arrangements  with 
precision  mechanics  for  the  execution  of  what- 
ever improvements  they  work  out  in  their  camera 
instruments. 

“Speaking  of  these  improvements,”  Clark  con- 
tinued, “there  is  little  or  no  effort  on  the  part  of 
the  rank  and  file  of  cinematographers  to  capital- 
ize on  the  fruits  of  their  ingenuity.  What  they 
work  out  is  applied  on  first  opportunity  in  their 
next  production;  and,  at  meetings  of  the  Ameri- 
can Society  of  Cinematographers,  one  of  the 
prime  purposes  of  which  is  the  exchange  of  ideas, 
these  new  wrinkles  are  explained  and  passed  on 
to  fellow  cinematographers,  who,  in  turn,  are  en- 
abled to  incorporate  them  in  their  own  produc- 
tions. 

“It  is  therefore  readily  evident  how  the  efforts 
of  a single  cinematographer  are  carried  on  to  the 
benefit  of  the  industry  generally,  with  the  saving 
of  thousands  of  dollars  in  production  costs. 
Practically  every  cinematographer  contributes 
toward  this  cause.  For  the  cinematographer,  there 
is  no  personal  recompense  and  little  credit  for 
these  endeavors.  There  is  no  increase  in  salary, 
even  when  they  are  applied  in  his  own  produc- 
tions; and  no  one  thinks  of  the  originator  of  such 
improvements  when  they  are  taken  advantage  of 


DANIEL  B. 
CLARK 

A.  S.  C. 

Clnematograph«r 

Tom  Mix 
Productions 


at  other  studios.  But  it  is  this  spirit,  coupled 
with  self-effacement,  that  has  made  possible  the 
progress  of  the  industry.” 


R.  J. 

BERGQUIST 

Cinematograpbar 

“SANDY” 

“WOMAN 

POWER” 

“ONE 

INCREASING 

PURPOSE” 

Fox  Release 


LEONARD  SMITH 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 
“Movieland”— LUPINO  I^ANE 
“His  Better  Half”— LLOYD  HAMILTON 
Directed  by  Norman  Taurog: 
EDUCATIONAL  RELEASE 


PHOTOGRAPHY 

BY 

KARL  STRUSS 


“BEN-HUR” 
“FOREVER  AFTER 
“SUNRISE” 


F.  W.  MURNAU’S  FIRST 
AMERICAN  PRODUCTION 
WITH  CHARLES  ROSHER 


»» 


July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Exhibitors  Herald  Production 


A monthly  Service  Devoted 
to  Stars,  Directors,  Scenar- 
ists and  Cameramen  at 
"Work  Upon  Pictures  in 
Current  Productions. 


Directory 

Chicago  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St. 


^ Hollywood  Representatives: 
Ray  Murray,  Douglas  Hodges 

New  York  Representative: 
John  Spargo. 


Director  Star  Scenarist  Cameraman  Story  Remarks 


ASSOCIATED  STUDIOS,  3800  Mission  Road.  Capitol  2120. 


NO  PRODUCTION  THIS  MONTH 


CALIFORNIA  STUDIOS,  1420  Beachwood  Drive.  He.  2111. 


Leo  Maloney  Leo  Maloney  Ford  L.  Beebe  Untitled  Shooting 

Chas*  Hunt  - Kormit  Maynard  Arthur  Hoerl  Hap  de  Pew  “Prince  of  the  Times'*  Shooting 

A1  Netz  All  Star  A.  B.  Barringer  '^Hazardous  Valleys'*  Shooting 


CHADWICK  STUDIO,  1440  Gower  St.  He.  4111. 


Wilford  Nye 
Larry  Semon 


Pauline  Garon 
Larry  Semon 


Buffington 
Larry  Semon 


Ernie  Miller 
Ted  Tetzlass 
Koenecant 


“Eager  Lips’’ 
“Dummies” 


Shooting 

Shooting 


CHRISTIE  FILM  CO.,  6101  Sunset  Blvd.,  Hollywood.  Hempstead  3111. 


Robert  Kerr 

Jimmie  Adams 

Sig  Herzig 

McGill- Jacquemin 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Arvid  Gillstrpm 

Neal  Burns 

Frank  Conklin 

Peterson-Sullivan 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Harold  Beaudine 

Bobby  Vernon 

Hal  Conklin 

Phillips-Steadman 

Untitled 

Shooting 

William  Watson 

Billy  Dooley 

Sig  Herzig 

Lyons-Walsh 

Untitled 

Preparing 

COLUMBIA  PICTURES  CORP.,  1438  Gower  St.  Ho.  7940. 


Edward  H.  Griffith  Bert  Lytell-Shirley  Mason  Dorothy  Howell-Fred  J.  O.  Taylor  ‘’Alias  the  Lone  Wolf” 

Myton 


Shooting 


DE  MILLE  STUDIO,  Culver  City,  Calif.  Empire  914i. 


Lois  Weber 

Leatrice  Joy 

Lenore  Coffee 

Arthur  Miller 

“Angel  of  Broadway” 

Shooting 

Elmer  Clifton 

All  Star 

Harry  Carr  and  John 

Farrow 

John  Mescall 

“The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus” 

Shooting 

Frank  Urson 

'Vera  Reynolds 

Clara  Beranger 

Lucien  Andriot 

“Beautiful  But  Dumb” 

Shooting 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

M.  C.  Levee,  President 

100,000  square  feet  of  props,  garnered  Let  us  supply  the  props  for 
from  the  four  corners  of  the  globe.  your  next  production. 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

5341  Melrose  Ave.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 


32 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


July  16,  1927 


tfirector 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

EDUCATIONAL  STUDIOS,  7250  Santa  Monica  Blvd.  Ho. 

2806. 

Norman  Taurog 

Charles  Lamont 

Stephen  Roberts 

Mark  Sandrich 

Dorothy  Devore 

Johnny  Arthur 

George  Davis 

Lupino  Lane 

Staff 

Staff 

Staff 

Staff 

Len  Smith 

William  Hyer 

Dwight  Warren 

Jay  Turner 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

F.  B.  0.  STUDIOS, 

780  Gower  St.,  Hollywood.  Hollywood  7780. 

Leo  Meehan 

A1  Raboch 

Ralph  Ince 

Robt.  DeLacy 

Louis  King 

Ralph  Ince 

Wallace  Fox 

Leo  Meehan 

Phil,  Carle 

Natalie  Kingston  and 
Orville  Caldwell 
Warner  Baxter 

Palsy  Ruth  Miller 

Tom  Tyler 

Buzz  Barton 

Bob  Steele 

Frankie  Darro 

Charlotte  Stevens  and 
Cornelius  Keefe 

Dorothy  Yost  A1  Seigler 

Enid  Hibbard  Jules  Cronjager 

Ewart  Adamson  Nick  Musuraea 

Oliver  Drake  Jos.  Walker 

Oliver  Drake  E.  L.  McManigal 

Peter  Milne 

Frank  Howard  Clark 

Dorothy  Yost 

Buck  Oxford  and  Ewart 

Adamson 

“The  Harvester'* 

“The  Coward” 

“South  Sea  Love” 

“Flying  U Ranch” 

“Saddles  and  Spurt” 

“Coney  Island'* 

**The  Bandit's  Son” 

“Little  Mickey  Grogan” 

“A  Moment  of  Temptation” 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Preparing 

FINE  ARTS  STUDIO,  4500  Sunset  Blvd. 

Olympia  2131. 

Duke  Wome 

All  Star 

Geo.  W.  Pyper 

Walter  Grifllin 

“Cruise  of  the  Hellioei'* 

Shooting 

FIRST  NATIONAL, 

Burbank,  Cal.  GL. 

4111. 

A1  Santell 

Richard  Barthelmess 

Winifred  Dunn 

Arthur  Edeson 

'*The  Patent  Leather  Kid” 

Cutting 

Millard  Webb 

Richard  Barthelmess 

Winifred  Dunn 

Arthur  Edeson 

“The  Drop  Kick** 

Shooting 

C.  Brabin 

Milton  Sills 

Carey  Wilson 

S.  Polito 

“Hard  Boiled  Haggerty” 

Shooting 

G.  Fitzmaurice 

Mary  Astor 

Bess  Meredyth 

Garmes 

“Rose  of  Monterey” 

Shooting 

R,  Wallace 

Billie  Dove 

Carey  Wilson 

Folsey 

“American  Beauty'* 

Shooting 

A.  Ripley 

Harry  Langdon 

Robert  Eddy 

Lesslie 

No  title 

Cutting 

J.  F.  Dillon 

Mackaill-MuUiall 

Gerald  Duffy 

Van  Trees 

“The  Crystal  Cup’* 

Shooting 

W.  Beaudine 

Sydney-Murray 

Van  Enger 

“Lif.  of  Riley” 

Shooting 

A.  Korda 

Maria  Corda^Lewis  Stone 

Carey  Wilson 

“Helen  of  Troy’* 

Shooting 

A*  Rogell 

Ken  Maynard 

“The  Caravan  Trail” 

footing 

FOX  STUDIOS,  Western  at  Sunset.  Hollywood  3000. 


Howard  Hawks 

Charles  Farrell 

Greta  Nissen 

Phillip  Klein-Seton 
Miller 

I.  L.  W.  O'Connell 

**Guard  of  the  Night” 

Shooting 

Lou  Seiler 

Tom  Mix 

J.  G.  Jungmeyer 

Dan  Clark 

“Scourge  of  Little  C” 

Shooting 

Al  Green 

Janet  Gaynor 

Seton  1.  Miller 

George  Schneiderman 

“Two  Girls  Wanted” 

Shooting 

Gus  Meins 

Richard  Walling>Marjorie 
Beebe 

Henry  Dunn 

King  Grey 

“Why  Blondes  Love  Home” 

Shooting 

Lambert  Hillyer 

Buck  Jones 

Lambert  Hillyer 

Reginald  Lyons 

“Chain  Lightning” 

Shooting 

BUSTER  KEATON  STUDIO,  1025  Lillian  Way,  HoUywood.  Ho.  2814. 


James  W.  Horne 

Buster  Keaton 

Carl  Harbaugh  and 

Dev  Jennings  and  Bert 

“College” 

Cutting 

Bryan  Foy 

Haines 

Chas.  “Chuck”  Reisner 

Buster  Keaton 

Keaton,  Harbaugh  and 

Dev  Jennings  and  Bert 

“Steamboat  Bill” 

Preparing 

Reisner 

Haines 

"White  Gold”  — "Gigolo”  — "The  Yankee  Clipper”  {See  Box  Office  Reports) 

THE  Story  Record  in  the  Last  Year  of  Picturemaking  Is  the  Record  of 

GARRETT  FORT 

"Sailor  Izzy  Murphy”  — "Prince  of  Headwaiters”  — "Her  Man-O-War”  And  Others 

Management  Eldward  Small  Company 

July  16,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Director  Star  ScenarUt 

Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

METRO-GOLD WYN-M AYER,  Culver  City,  Em.  9111. 

Clarence  Brown 

Ralph  Forbes-Dolores  Del 

Benj.  Glazier 

John  F.  Seitz 

“The  Trail  of  '98'’ 

Shooting 

Edmund  Goulding 

Rio-Harry  Carey 

John  Gilbert-Greta  Garbo 

Frances  Marion 

Bill  Daniels 

"Love" 

Shooting 

John  Robertson 

Ramon  Novarro-Marceline 
Day 

Tim  J.  McCoy 

Josephine  Lovett 

Oliver  T’.  Marsh 

"Romance" 

Shooting 

Viatcheslav  Tourjaxisky 

Jack  Cunningham 

Clyde  de  Vinna 

"The  Gallant  Gringo" 

Shooting 

Benjamin  Christensen 

Lon  Chaney 

Bradley  King 

Merrit  Gerstead 

"Mockery" 

Shooting 

George  Hill 

Jackie  Coogan 

Marion  Constance 

Ira  Morgan 

"Buttons" 

Shooting 

Sam  Wood 

Fred  Niblo 

Robert  Z.  Leonard 
William  Nigh 

John  M.  Stahl 

King  Vidor 

Marion  Davies 

Lillian  Gish 

Aileen  Pringle-Lew  Cody 
Renee  Adoree-Owen  Moore 

Eleanor  Boardman 

Blackton 

Byron  Morgan 

Willis  Goldbeck 

Barlatier 

John  Arnold 

Henry  Sharp 

"The  Fair  Co-Ed" 

"The  Enemy" 

"Tea  for  Three" 

"Rose  Marie" 

"In  Old  Kentucky" 

"The  Crowd'* 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Shooting 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Shooting 

METROPOLITAN  STUDIO,  1040  Las  Palmas  Ave.  Gr.  3111. 


Earl  C.  Kenton  Marie  Prevost  Fred  Stanley 

Ted  Wilde  Harold  Lloyd  Staff 

Stuart  Peyton  (Pathe)  Jack  Donovan  Jos.  Roach 

Herman  Raymaker  (Pathe)  Monty  Banks  Chas.  Horan 

Spencer  G.  Bennett  (Pathe)  Walter  Miller-Allene  Ray  Jos.  Anthony  Roach 

Dewey  Wrigley 
Walter  Lnndin 
Allan  Davy 

James  Diamond 
Eidw.  Snyder 

"The  Girl  in  the  Pullman" 

L^ntitled 

"Lady  Luck" 

"An  Ace  in  the  Hole" 

"Man  Without  a Face" 

Preparing 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

PARAMOUNT  FAMOUS  LASKY  CORPORATION,  5451 

Marathon  St., 

Hollywood  2400 

Victor  Fleni^g 

Clara  Bow 

Ethel  Doherty 

William  Marshall 

"Hula" 

Shooting 

Mauritz  Stiller 

Emil  Jannings 

Benjamin  Glazer  and 
Josef  von  Sternberg 

Victor  Milner 

"Hitting  for  Heaven" 

Shooting 

Gregory  LaCava 

Chester  Conklin-George 
Bancroft 

Percy  Heath  and 

Kerry  Clarke 

Paul  Perry 

**TeII  It  To  Sweeney" 

Shooting 

H.  D'Abbadie  and 

D'ArrastAdoIphe  Menjou 

Benjamin  Glazer  and 
Chandler  Spragrue 

Hal  Rosson 

"A  Gentleman  of  Paris" 

Shooting 

Luther  Reed 

Richard  Dix 

John  Goodrich  and 

Ray  S.  Harris 

Edward  Cronjager 

"Shanghai  Bound" 

Shooting 

Clarence  Badger 

Bebe  Daniels 

Lloyd  Corrigan 

J.  Roy  Hunt 

"Swim,  Girl,  Swim" 

Shooting 

Rowland  V.  Lee 

Pola  Negri 

Rowland  V.  Lee 

Harry  Fischbcck 

"Sun  Kissed" 

Shooting 

Frank  Tuttle 

Florence  Vidor 

J.  L«  Campbell 

L.  Guy  Wilky 

"A  Celebrated  Woman" 

Shooting 

James  Cruze 

Thomas  Meighan 

Jules  and  Charles 
Furthman 

Bert  Glennon 

"The  City's  Gone  Wild" 

Shooting 

MACK  SENNETT  STUDIO,  1712  Glendale  Blvd.  Olympia  3181. 


Harry  Edwards 

Billy  Bevan 

Vernon  Dent 

Alma  Bennett 

Staff 

William  Williams 

Newlywed  Story 

Shooting 

Eddie  Cline 

Daphne  Pollard 

Mack  Swain 

Dot  Farley 

Staff 

St.  Elmo  Boyce 

Untitled 

Shooting 

HAL  ROACH  STUDIO,  Culver  City,  Calif.  Empire  1151. 


NO  PRODUCTION  DURING  JULY. 


TEC-ART  STUDIO,  5360  Melrose  Ave.  Gr.  4141. 


Sidney  Goldin 


Johnny  Hlzies 

Zita  Ma-Kar  Abe  Goldener 


Preparing 

**The  Jewel  of  the  Ghetto'*  Shooting 


RICHARD  THOMAS  STUDIO,  5821  Santa  Monica  Blvd.  GL.  1101. 


Craig  Hutchinson  Nita  Cavalier 

W.  R.  Wilkerson 
Ken  Price 

Chas.  Saxton  Eddie  Gordon 


Albert  Hurter 
Len  Levinson 


Romances  in  Color  Shooting 

Screen  Tidbit  Shooting 

''Giggles'*  Shooting 

Preparing 


GEORGE  ARCHAINBAUD 

DIRECTOR 


Recent  Box  Ofifice 
Successes 

“THE  SILENT  LOVER” 
“MEN  OF  STEEL” 
“PUPPETS” 


FIRST  NATIONAL  PICTURES 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  16,  1927 


Director  Star  Scenarist  Cameraman  Story  Remarkt 


UNITED  ARTISTS  STUDIO,  1041  North  Formosa,  Hollywood.  Gr.  5111. 


Herbert  Brennon 

H.  B.  Warner 

Herbert  Brennon 
Warwick  Deeping 

James  Howe 

“Sorrell  & Son” 

Shooting 

F.  Richard  Jones 

Douglas  Fairbanks 

Lotta  Woods 

Tony  Gandio 

“The  Gaucho” 

Shooting 

Sam  Taylor 

Mary  Pickford 

Hope  Loring 

Chas.  Rosher 

“My  Best  Girl” 

Shooting 

Mai  St.  Clair 

Constance  Talmadge 

Fred  De  Gresac 

Jack  Jevne 

Robert  Kurrle 

‘^Breakfast  at  Sunrise** 

Cutting 

Frank  Lloyd 

John  Barrymore 

Fred  De  Gresac 

Joe  August 

“Tempest” 

Preparing 

Louis  Milestone 

Corinne  Griffith 

Hans  Kraly 

Harry  Jackson 

“The  Garden  of  Eden” 

Preparing 

Raoul  Walsh 

Gloria  Swanson 

Raoul  Walsh 

“Sadie  Thomson” 

Shooting 

Buster  Keaton 

Chas.  Reisner 

Carl  Harbaugh 

Dev  Jennings 

Untitled 

Preparing 

D.  W.  Griffith 

Estelle  Taylor 

D.  W.  Griffith 

“La  Paiva” 

Preparing 

UNIVERSAL  PICTURES  CORPORATION,  Universal  City,  Calif.  He.  3131. 


Craft 

Glen  Tryon  & Patsy 

Ruth  Miller 

“The  Flying  Nut” 

Preparing 

Eason 

Hoot  Gibson 

Statter 

Neuman- Jones 
Hidkson-Dyer 

“The  Tidy  Toreador” 

Shooting 

Johnson 

All  Star 

“The  Arm  of  the  Law” 

Preparing 

Melford 

Conrad  Veidt 

Logue-Melford 

Warrenton 

“A  Man's  Past” 

Shooting 

Newmeyer 

Reginald  Denny 

Snell 

Todd-Drought 

“Now  ril  Tell  One” 

Shooting 

Pollard 

All  Star 

Thew  and  Pollard 

C.  Stumar-KuU 

“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin” 

Shooting 

Buggies 

Marion  Nixon,  Geo.  Lewis 
Eddie  Phillips 

Snell 

“The  Fourflusher” 

Preparing 

Sloman 

Cohn  Sloman 

“We  Americans” 

Preparing 

Willat 

Montague 

“The  Big  Gun” 

Preparing 

Cox 

Madison  & Plympton 

Ash 

“Laugh  That  Off” 

Preparing 

Fabian 

“Wolves  of  the  Rangee” 

Preparing 

Hill 

Brotherton 

‘^Haunted  Island” 

Preparing 

Kimmich 

Arthur  Lake 

“Beware  of  Dogs” 

Shooting 

Levigard 

Jack  Perrin 

Gooden 

Miller 

‘^Madden  of  the  Mounted” 

Shooting 

Mitchell 

Billy  Butts 

**Bo88  of  the  Rancho” 

Shooting 

Corby 

Joe  Murphy 

Billy  Butts 

Scheurich 

“Andy  Gump  Comedy” 

Shooting 

WARNER  BROS.  STUDIO,  Sunset  and  Bronson.  Hollywood  4148. 


Archie  Mayo 

May  McAvoy 

Hal  Mohr 

“Slightly  Used” 

Shooting 

Alan  Crosland 

A1  Jolson 

Alfred  A.  Cohn 

Hal  Mohr 

“The  Jazz  Singer” 

Shooting 

May  McAvoy 

*^Ham  and  Eggs  at  the  Front” 

Roy  Del  Ruth 

Louise  Fazenda  and 

Charles  Clark 

Shooting 

all-star  cast 

Michael  Curtiz 

Irene  Rich 

Anthony  Coldewey 

Conrad  Wells 

“The  Outpost” 

Shooting 

Ray  Enright 

Rin-Tin-Tin 

Chas.  R.  Condon 

Barney  McGill 

“Jaws  of  Steel” 

Shooting 

Howard  Bretherton 

Monte  Blue 

Harvey  Gates 

Norbert  Brodin 

“The  Bush  Leaguer” 

Editing 

Byron  Haskin 

George  Jessel 

Anthony  Coldewey 

“The  Broadway  Kid” 

Shooting 

Lloyd  Bacon 

Louize  Fazenda 

Harvey  Gates 

“A  Sailor’s  Sweetheart” 

Preparing 

Clyde  Cook 

Howard  Bretherton 

Monte  Blue 

Chas.  R.  Condon 

“One  Round  Hogan” 

Shooting 

LOCATION  CAMPS 
DE  LUXE 

Every  Convenience  of  a Modem  Apartment 

Electric  Lights 

Individual  Hot  and  Cold  Showers 

Individual  Inside  Lavatories  Excellent 

Dressing  Room — Bedroom — Bath  Cuisine 

W.  L.  ANDERSON 

ANDERSON  BOARDING  & SUPPLY  CO. 
1316  Washington  Bldg. 

LOS  ANGELES,  CAL. 

Ask  Executives  in  charge  of : — “The  Win-  MUTUAL 

ning  of  Barbara  Worth,”  “The  Silent  NEW  OAO/* 
Lover”  (Milton  Sills)  PHONE  JJ^ZO 

Operators  of  Industrial  Mess-balls  and  Commissaries 


Retrenchment 

May  Be  Either 
Sensible  or 
— Senseless 


Any  move  in  the  name  of  economy 
which  robs  a program  of  sufficient 
trade  paper  advertising  to  make  its 
attraction  values  known  is — senseless. 

The  success  or  failure  of  every  motion 
picture  is  in  some  important  degree 
influenced  by  trade  paper  advertising 
— or  the  lack  of  it. 

There  is  no  economy  in  saving  dollars 
in  trade  paper  appropriations  and  los- 
ing thousands  in  contracts. 


JUNE  MATHIS 

Adapted 

‘THE  GARDEN  OF  EDEN” 
CORINNE  GRIFFITH 
Star 

For  United  Artists 


Star  of 

“TOM’S  GANG’’ 


DIRECTED  BY 

ROBERT  DeLACY 


CYCLONE  OF  THE  RANGE:  Tom 
Tyler — June  4.  A fine  picture  and  did  very 
good  business  in  spite  of  rain.  Pleased  the 
old  people  as  well  as  the  young.  The  young 
folks  cheered  all  through  the  picture. 

Frankie  Darro  was  great  in  this  one.  A real 
Western  picture  that  is  real  entertainment. 

F.  B.  O.  has  them  this  year.  Five  reels. — 
O.  R.  Young,  Palace  theatre,  Naples,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 


WILD  TO  GO;  Tom  Tyler — 509^.  May  21. 
Very  good  V/estern.  The  boy  and  horse  and  dog 
are  there.  My  crowd  went  wild  over  it. — J.  G. 
Flanders,  Majestic  theatre,  Kerens,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 


OUT  OF  THE  WEST:  Tom  Tyler- 
Very  good.  One  of  the  best  Tyler  has 
made  to  date.  Direction  and  photography 
above  the  average.  Five  reels. — P.  C. 
Schram,  Orpheum  theatre,  Kalamazoo, 
Mich. — General  pattronage. 


OUT  OF  THE  WEST:  Tom  Tyler— 
May  13-14.  This  was  well  liked.  Not  a gun 
throwing  Western  but  a good  program 
with  Western  action  which  pleased  the 
crowd  and  especially  the  kids.  The  ball 
game  was  a dandy.  Five  reels. — John  Cos- 
ner.  Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. — Small 
tov/n  patronage. 


TOM  TYLER 


se  Attacks  Coolidge,  Demands  Film  Quiz 


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The  most  important  ellort  you  can  maKe 

tills  year  for  tke  kenefit  of  your  tlieatre  is  tlie 
improvement  o f tke  quality  o f Skort  S ukjects. 
Atetro  - Goldwyn  - jViay er  lias  tlie  cream  of  all 
Junior  Features:  Hal  R^oacli  comedieS;,  including 
o ur  Gang  — Cliarley  Cliase  — ax  Daviason  — 
All-St  ar  M-G-M  N ewS;,  twice  w e e Ic  I y — 

Ai-G-Ai  Oddities  and  M.-G-AI  Great  Events 
111  Xeclinicolor.  Tk  ese  are  (Quality.  ^ ^ ^ 

Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


> > N ■' 
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No.  6 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1879.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


July  23,  1927 


1 


In  tonal  beauty  and  musical  expression  of 
varying  themes  that  cross  the  screen,  in  realis- 
tic interpretation  of  roaring  strife  and  battle 


or  the  peacefulness  of  pastoral  scenes  the 
Wurlitzer  is  supreme  and  retains  the  leader- 
ship in  the  organ  field  it  has  so  richly  earned. 


NEW  YORK 

CLEVELAND 

PHILADELPHIA 

ST.  LOUIS 

CHICAGO 

PITTSBURGH 


V/uRuIzER  Organ 


BUFFALO 
SAN  FRANCISCO 
CINCINNATI 
DETROIT 
KANSAS  CITY 
LOS  ANGELES 


FACTORY.  N.  TONAWANDA.  Y 


1 


ADMINISTRATION  BUILDING,  DE  MILLE  STUDIOS  CULVER  CITY,  CALIFORNIA 


PATHE'DeMILLE 

STUDIOS 


Cecil  B.  DeMILLE’S  The  King  of  Kings  marks  wha 
is  unanimously  conceded  to  be  a giant  step  forwar 
in  the  great  art  of  the  motion  picture.  It  definitely  an 
conclusively  establishes  Cecil  B.  DeMille  as  the  Maste 
Genius  of  Motion  Picture  Production,  and  heralds 
new  and  greater  era  in  the  creation  of  motion  plctur 
attractions  of  stupendous  road  show  calibre. 

The  genius  of  this  great  producer  will  be  reflected  ii 
the  tremendous  Road  Show  Attractions  to  be  produce 
at  the  DeMille  Studios  in  1927-1928. 


CECIL  B.  DEMILLE’S 

The  KING  of  KINGS 

Story  by  Jeanie  Macpherson 

Ordinary  methods  are  futile  in  attempting  to  appraise 
the  absolutely  stupendous  box-office  possibilities  of  this 
triumphant  achievement.  Variety  says:  “The  King  of 
Kings  will  not  only  erect  itself  as  the  greatest  picture 
ever  produced,  but  it  will  reach  the  largest  gross  ever 
earned  by  a motion  picture.” 


ANOTHER  GREAT  CECIL  B.  DEMILLE  PERSONALLY  DIRECTED 
PICTURE  WILL  BE  PRODUCED  DURING  THE  CURRENT  SEASON 


Two  mighty  James  Cruze  epics  such 
as  only  James  Cruze  can  produce 


THE  PIONEER 
WOMAN 


A gigantic  production  of  an  un- 
usual and  spectacular  type,  visu- 
alizing an  intensely  interesting 
and  dramatic  phase  of  Army  Life. 


In  addition  to  producing  two 
road  shows,  James  Cruze  will 
supervise  three  other  produc' 
tions  on  the  general  program 


A glorious  and  thrilling  epic  of 
American  womanhood,  produced 
on  an  elaborate  scale  of  tremen- 
dous road  show  calibre. 

THE  ARMY 
MULE 


1 


i 


I 


0 


N ITS  MERITS 


THE  MOST  SENSATIONAL  PROGRAM 


/N  SHEER  entertainment  and  showmanship  qualities  the  DeMille 
Program  of  Feature  Productions  listed  herein  stands  alone  as  the 
sensation  of  this  or  any  other  season.  In  assembling  this  group  of 
pictures,  every  facility  of  a great  organization  was  concentrated  on  securing 
the  greatest  stories,  novels  and  stage  successes  of  an  unusual  and  sen- 
sational  type.  You  have  but  to  turn  the  pages  of  this  announcement 
and  glance  through  the  productions  listed  to  realize  how  well  the  task 
of  securing  this  material  was  performed.  Never  before  has  an  entire 
program  been  assembled  that  combined  to  such  a marked  and  uniform 
degree  great  dramatic  and  showmanship  values. 

Stars  and  featured  players  have  been  given  vehicles  that  insure  the 
maximum  in  dramatic  and  showmanship  results.  Equal  discrimination 
will  be  exercised  in  the  selection  of  supporting  casts  from  the  great 
DeMille  Stock  Company,  with  the  addition  of  many  new  and  powerful 
box-office  personalities  as  production  develops. 

The  acquisition  of  James  Cruze  is  an  indication  of  the  Big  things 
you  can  expect  and  will  receive. 

An  unprecedented  array  of  the  screen’s  most  brilliant  directors, 
writers  and  skilled  technicians  has  been  assembled  at  the  augmented 
DeMille  Studios  under  the  management  of  William  Sistrom. 

Here  is  a program  that  commands  attention,  backed  by  every  tre- 
mendous showmanship  factor  made  possible  by  the  great  Pathe-DeMille, 
Keith-Albee-Orpheum  and  P.  D.  C.  combination. 


PHYLLIS  HAVER 
VICTOR  VARCONI 
ROBERT  EDESON 
JULIA  FAYE,  LOUIS 
NATHEAUX  and 
MAY  ROBSON 


From  the  Sensational  Stage 
Success  by  Maurine  Watkins 

A De  MILLE  studio  SPECIAL 

T’HYLLIS 


A Dramatic  Scene 
from  the  Play 


of  the  New  York  season  made  into 


The  outstanding  stage  success 

a film  that  capitalizes  every  dramatic  possibility  to  the  full. 

A biting,  daring  satire  indicating  that  Only  a Beautiful  Woman 
can  Afford  a Murder! 

A Vivid  picture  of  a ‘^Jazz  Queen  Slayer”  on  Trial  for  Her  Life. 

A frank  presentation  of  the  manner  in  which  public  sentiment  is 
skilfully  roused  on  behalf  of  a Pretty  Murderess  — 


“ROXIE”  HART 
as  portrayed  by 
Francine  Larrimore 
on  the  stage 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 


\im 

IjtJ 

PATHE  NEWS  ■ PATHECOMEDIES  • PATHESERIALS  - PATHEPICTURES 


K mighty  spectacle 
n which  a storm 
if  human  passions 
caches  its  height 
igainst  a raging 
torm  of  the  sea. 


WRECK 


HESPEB 


A DRAMA  of  an  old,  deep, 
rooted  hate  and  beautiful 
young  love. 

A play  of  powerful  situations, 
tense  emotions,  and  extraordi- 
nary acting  with  the  Sea  as  a 
tremendous  force  shaping  the 
destinies  of  the  human  actors — 
the  grimmest  actor  of  them  all. 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 

PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  ■ PATHESERIALS  ■ PATHEPICTURES 


C.G/\R.DM£R  SULLIVAN 


E 3 I 

ptesenfs  __ 


Spies,  Adventurers,  Stolen  Papers, 
a dashing  Countess,  and  a Cour- 
ageous Country  Lad  who  became 
a General,  keep  the  plot  moving 
forward  at  a tremendous  pitch  of 
excitement. 


TUE  riGNTING 


I the  color  and 
romance  of  the 
Napoleonic  period 
captured  in  one 
great  picture  — 


I 


Fascinating  and  alluring 
Phyllis  Haver  scores 
another  triumph  in  the 
colorful  role  of  the 
Countess 


with 

PHYLLIS  HAVER 

Adapted  by  Douglas  Z.  Doty  from 
“The  Adventures  of  Gerard” 
by  A.  Conan  Doyle 

A DONALD  CRISP  PRODUCTION 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 

PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMfiDlES  - PATHESERIALS  - PATHEPICTURES 


The  Secret  Message  brought  to  him  in 
the  night  by  this  beautiful  woman 
was  imperative — demanding  that  he 
sacrifice  personal  honor  for  the 
glory  of  his  country 


»NE  or  THE  BIGGEST 
ON  ANY  PROGHAM 


AN  inspiring  story  of  Youth,  Ambh 
XX  tion,  and  Love,  produced  with 
the  cooperation  of  the  United  States 
Government  and  the  West  Point  Milh 
tary  Academy,  with  beautiful  scenic 
shots  and  spectacular  settings  of  time- 
honored  buildings,  parade  grounds  and 
the  cadets,  at  our  great  Military  College. 


44 

V 


POINTER 


A Tremendous  Drama  of 
Splendid  Young  American 
Manhood  at  Its  Best 


From  a Story  by  Major  Robert  Qlassburn 
and  Major  Alexander  Chilton 

Continuity  by  Douglas  Doty 
Siipervised  by  C.  Qardner  Sullivan 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 


PATHE  NEWG  - TATHECOMEDIES  - PATHESERIALS  - PATHfiPICTURES 


In  modern  dress  this  good  old  story  has  a ripe 
sophisticated  charm  that  will  keep  audiences 
chuckling  sympathetically. 

It  is  one  of  those  rare  films  that  make  satisfy- 
ing, heart-warming  entertainment  for  audi- 
ences of  all  ages. 


\ 

Beloved  old  RIP,  the  darling  of 
childhood,  brought  to  life  by  Rudolph 
Schildkraut,  in  an  up-to-date  version 
of  this  classic. 


College  colors  flying  in  the  breeze,  a cheering 
section  shouting  itself  hoarse,  thrills  and  wild 
enthusiasm  as  the  home  crew  comes  into  its  own. 
That’s  the  atmosphere  for  the  greatest  college 
story  filmed  in  years,  a stirring  romantic  drama 
based  on  the  story  by  Owen  Davis;  with  Rod 
LaRocque  as  the  boy  whose  splendid  sportsman- 
ship and  fighting  instincts  bring  him  triumph. 


Here’s  an  absolute 
natural.  A knockout 
title,  a big  star  and 
the  splendid  spirit  of 
a fine  old  American 
College  at  its  best. 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 


PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  • PATHESERIALS  - PATHEPICTURES 


. - 


By  JOHN  FARROW 


This  is  a stimng  and  beautiful  drama  woven 
around  that  haunting  melody  The  Blue  Danube, 
The  Austrian  Tyrol,  that  romantic  and  picturesque 
spot,  still  unspoiled  by  progress,  is  the  locale. 

Leatrice  Joy  is  at  her  lovliest  as  the  peasant 
girl  who  treads  love’s  difficult  path  through  disap. 
pointment  and  sorrow,  and  who  finally,  by  a 
dramatic  twist  of  circumstances,  is  able  to  climb 


Suspicious  W i/e 


A Splendid  Screen  Version 
of  the  Great  New  York 
Stage  Success 


“CRAIG’S  WIFE”  is  a powerful,  relent- 
less portrait  of  a domineering  woman 
who  destroyed  Love  through  Selfish- 
ness! A domestic  drama  with  a great 
lesson — a film  that  may  mean  the  turn- 
ing' noint  for  hanniness  in  thousands 


of  American  Homes. 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 

tHE  NEWS . PATHECOMEDIES  . PATHESERl  ALS  . PATHEPICTURES 


A tremendous  film  spec- 
tacle in  which  the  forces 
of  man  are  pitted  against 
Nature—a  struggle  between 
human  brain  and  will  and 
the  boundless  energies  of 
Earth*  (j[  Against  a back- 
ground of  this  immensity  a 
man  and  woman  play  out 
their  own  stirring  drama 
—powerful  characters  in  a 
powerful  setting* 

DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 

PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  - PATHESERIALS  - PATHEPICTURES 


^ 0OUDAL  AS  THE  £X- 
|BAFFL1NG  EASTERN 

Antress  creates 

ptACTER  THAT  WILL 
R BE  FORGOTTEN  — 


ERE  is  an  absorbing  drama  of  tremendous 

An  Exotic  Eastern 


JL.  JL.  power  and  passion 
woman,  at  the  bidding  of  her  Oriental  Master, 
seeks  out  her  victim  in  the  heart  of  romantic, 
sophisticated  France.  The  Destiny  of  two  great 
countries  lies  within  reach  of  those  slim  ivory 
hands,  when  suddenly  her  own  world  comes 
crashing  about  her  ears. 


SHE  registers  oife 

umph  after  another  ^ 
as  she  portrays— 

The  tvoman  who  played  with 
a man’s  love  to  gain  her  sec' 
ret  ends. 

The  woman  of  flame  — victim 
of  her  own  burning  emotions. 

The  ivoman  who  decides  to 
have  the  man  she  loves  killed 
rather  than  surrender  him  to 
another  woman. 

The  woman  who  perishes  by 
% her  otvn  jealousy. 


De  MltLE  PICTURES 

HE  NEWS . PATHDECOMEDIES  - PATHESERIAI5-  PATHEPICTURES 


^foubidden 


by  ELMER.  HARR.IS 


with  JOSEPH  SCHILDKRAUT  and  VICTOtL  VAR.CONI 


ROD 
LA  ROCQ 


STAND  AND 
DELIVER 


A stirring  drama  against  a backg  u 
of  war  and  banditry 


LEATRICi 
JOY 


SELE  DEFENSI 


from 

Wallace  Irwin’s  Sensational  St  y 
“All  Front  and  No  Back”  - 


MARIE 

PREVOS' 


THE  GIRL  IN 
THE  PULLMAN 


A beautiful  girl- — a sleeping  car  a Ja 
mix-up  — a fast-moving  hilarious  ra 
By  Willson  Collison 


WILLIAM 

BOYD 


THE  NIGHT  FLY] 


A Smashing  Drama  of  the  Raibad 
from 

Frank  Spearman’s  “Held  forOnrs” 


VERA 

REYNOLE5 


WALKING  BACi: 


Reckless  Youth — from  George  K be 
Turner’s  “A  Ride  in  the  Countr  ’ 


THE  RUSH  HOUR 


with  Harrison  Ford,  Seena  Owen 
Directed  by  E.  Mason  Hopper 
By  Frederick  and  Fanny  Hatton 


WILLIAM 


BOYD 


THE  SKYSCRAPER 


A thrilling  romance  of  the  modern 
skyscraper  by  Dudley  Murphy 
Supervised  by  Walter  Woods 


VERA 

REYNOLDS 


BEAUTIFUL  BUT 
DUMB 

With  Kenneth  Thomson 
Suggested  by  Richard  Harding  Davis’ 
“The  Bar  Sinister” 


JETTA 

GOUDAL 


THE  LEOPARD 
LADY 

Nerve-tingling  drama  under  the 
big  top  by  Clara  Beranger 


HE’S  MY 
MAN 

with 

PHYLLIS  HAVER 


from 

The  Cosmopolitan  Magazine  Story 
“Money  to  Burn”  by  Peter  B.  Kyne 


ROD 


LA  ROCQUE 


THE  NEW  YORKER 


A smart  sophisticated  drama 
of  modern  New  York  Society 


LEATRICE 


JOY 


SUCH  IS 


FAME 


with 


RUDOLPH 

SCHILDKRAUT 


A delightful  romantic  drama  from 
Richard  Connell’s  famous  story 
“A  Friend  of  Napoleon” 


THE  ANGEL  OF 
BROADWAY 

The  story  of  a night  club  entertainer 
who  assumes  the  role  of  a Salvation 
Army  lass.  By  Lenore  J.  Coffee. 


MARIE 

PREVOST 


The  WISE 
WIFE 

with 

PHYLLIS  HAVER 

from 

^^e  Cosmopolitan  Magazine  Serial 
By  Arthur  Somers  Roche 


JETTA 

GOUDAL 


in 


MDNIGHT  MADNESS 

L irring  super-drama  of  modern  love 
in  the  depths  of  the  jungle 
By  Daniel  Rubin 


MY 

COUNTRY 


ivith  JOSEPH  and  RUDOLPH 
SCHILDKRAUT 

reat  human  story  of  an  immigrant’s 
devotion  to  his  adopted  country 
By  Julien  Josephson 


LEATRICE 

JOY 


in 


WHAT  a program 
of  pictures!  What 
a variety  of  super-enter-* 
tainment  to  thrill  and 
delight  your  patrons. 
Make  no  mistake— when 
the  records  for  the  com- 
ing year  are  written  you 
will  find  this  list  in  the 
Big  Money. 

Make  Your  Reservations! 

. , ACT  :‘NOW:  'n3: 


LET  ’ER  GO, 
GALLAGHER 

with 

JUNIOR  COGHLAN 

A realistic  drama  of  the  big  city 
newspapers 

By  Richard  Harding  Davis 

MARIE 
PREVOST 

in 


JETTA 

GOUDAL 


in 


WOMAN  of  the  NIGHT 

Exotic  Jetta  Goudal 
in  a breath-taking  mystery  drama 
By  Max  Marcin 


MARIE 

PREVOST 

in 


ON  TO  RENO 

Husband  and  lover — two  toys  in  the 
daring  game  of  a designing  woman 
By  Joe  Jackson 


VERA 

REYNOLDS 


in 


THE  MAIN  EVENT 

A vivid,  powerful  drama  of  the 
prize  ring 


MY  FRIEND 
from  INDIA 

with 


VHAT  HOLDS  MEN  FREE  AND  EASY  franklin  PANGBORN 


i absorbing  drama  of  love  played 
)jt  against  a luxurious  background  of 
iciety,  by  Margaretta  Tuttle. 

IN  BAD 

•with 

SINBAD 

with 

I 

IRANKLIN  PANGBORN 

[rhe  screen’s  new  comedy  find  in  a 
‘ riotous  comedy  knockout 
, By  P.  G.  Wodehouse 


An  actionful  comedy  drama  from  the 
story  “The  Shock  Absorber’’ 

By  Frederick  and  Fanny  Hatton 

VERA 
REYNOLDS 

in 

THE  HEART  OF 
KATIE  O’DOONE 

A girl  of  the  tenements  who  was  bom 
under  a lucky  star 
By  Leroy  Scott 


From  the  celebrated  stage  farce 
a real  comedy  special 

MARIE 
PREVOST 

in 

A BLONDE  for  a NIGHT 

Hubby  had  a weakness  for  blondes, 
but  his  wife  found  the  cure 
By  Willson  Collison 


A SELECTED  CAST  OF  BOX- 
OFFICE  POWER  IN  EACH 
AND  EVERY  RELEASE- 


DE  MILLE  STARS 

LEATRICE  JOY  ROD  LA  ROCQUE  VERA  REYNOLDS 
JETTA  GOUDAL  WILLIAM  BOYD 

MARIE  PREVOST 


DE  MILLE  STOCK  COMPANY 


PHYLLIS  HAVER 
JOSEPH  SCHILDKRAUT 
VICTOR  VARCONl 
HARRISON  FORD 
ELINOR  FAIR 
ETHEL  WALES 
LOUIS  NATHEAUX 
VIRGINIA  BRADFORD 
DOROTHY  CUMMINGS 
RICHARD  CRAWFORD 


JAMES  CRUZE 
WILLIAM  K.  HOWARD 
ERLE  C.  KENTON 
E.  MASON  HOPPER 


RUDOLPH  SCHILDKRAUT 
THEODORE  KOSLOFF 
MAY  ROBSON 
JACQUELINE  LOGAN 
KENNETH  THOMSON 
SALLY  RAND 
CLARENCE  BURTON 
FRANK  MARION 
MILTON  HOLMES 
LOIS  WILSON 

DIRECTORS 

WILLIAM  C.  de  MILLE 
DONALD  CRISP 
PAUL  SLOANE 
LOIS  WEBER 
PAUL  STEIN 


JUNIOR  COGHLAN 
H.  B.  WARNER 
JULIA  FAYE 
ROBERT  EDESON 
SEENA  OWEN 
FRANKLIN  PANGBORN 
JOSEPHINE  NORMAN 
LENA  MALENA 
ROBERT  ST.  ANGELO 
IVAN  LEBEDEFF 


RUPERT  JULIAN 
KARL  BROWN 
ALAN  HALE 
ELMER  CLIFTON 


BE  WITH  THE  LEADERS 

IN  1927-28 

DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 


PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  - PATHESERIALS  - PATHEPICTURES 


Presenting  the  most  complete,  diversified  and  well  balanced 
program  everV^ffered  to  exhibitors. 


58  SHORT  COMEDIES 

12  The  Smiths,  Mack  Sennett 
1 2 Mack  Sennett 
1 2 Sennett  Girl 
2 Ben  Turpin,  Mack  Sennett 

2 Harry  Lanydon,  Mack  Sennett 
4 Our  Gang,  Hal  Roach 

3 Charley  Chase,  Hal  Roach 
8 Roach  Star 

3 ‘‘Henry  and  Polly,"  vvith  Taylor 
Holmes  and  Leah  Baird,  Gaiety 
Pictures  Inc. 


52  WESTERN  FEATURES 
12  Leo  Maloney 
8 Buifalo  Bill.  Jr. 

8 Wally  Wales 
2 Budd'y  Roosevelt 
8 Jack  Donovan 
8 Padjan 
6 Dog  Features 


5 PATHESERI AES,  lO  Two  Reel  Episodes  Each 
PATHE  NEWS,  104  issues.  One  Reel  Each 
PATHE  REVIEW.  52  issues.  One  Reel  Each 
52  AESOP'S  FILM  FABLES,  One  Reel  Each 
52  TOPICS  OF  THE  DAY  One  Reel  Each 
26  GRANTLAND  RICE  SPORTLIGHTS,  One  Reel  Each 
12  RAREBITS,  One  Reel  Each 
7 WILL  ROGERS  ABROAD,  One  Reel  Each 
3 MONTY  BANKS  FEATURE  COMEDIES 
CHARLIE  CHAPLIN  in  a reissue, "Sunnyside" 

HAROLD  LLOYD  in  "GRANDMA’S  BOY,"  a reissue. 

7 SPECIAL  FEATURES 


Pafhe 


Distributing  De  Mille  Studio  Productions 


There  are  no  short  cuts  to  success  in  making  the  world’s 
best  news  reek 


The  public  knows  the  Pathe  News,  loves  it,  wants  it, 
and  nothing  else  can  take  its  place.  It’s  good  showman- 
ship to  give  the  public  what  it  wants. 

Its  box  office  value  is  incomparable.  Its  quality  today 
is  better  than  ever.  It  is  being  nationally  advertised 
to  over  forty  million  magazine  readers.  It  is  the  most 
satisfactory  film  you  can  play. 


A Vital  Part  of  Any  Show-^aft^  the'^raofi 


Pictures, 


T. 


^ “One  of' the  best  ntoney*getters  on 
itivket,”  ■■■..  ; ■■■  ■ .: 

' F.  JB;  Caiwer,  Royal  Theatre 


In  a elass  by  themselves.'* 

. ■ ‘ ■ A:  t.  HAyES,  Palace 

New  Smyrna,  Fla. 


“In  my  opinion  Fables  and  To| 
best  all-around  short  subjects  avaif 
Herbert 
Anderson  ^eat 
Louisville,  Fiy. 

“Fables  tremendously-  pjpptUar 
here. -We  show  one  every  we«k:.” 

R.  E.  SLAVKm,,^^, 

- Academy  ’ 


'-I 


“We  started  Aesop’s  Fables  October,  1921, 
and  haye  never  missed  a Sunday  and  Monday 
showing.  We  have  used  all  the  Fables  issued 
before  we  started  and  have  repeated  about  fifty 
. . . We  think  it  the  greatest  short  subject  bn 
the  market  and  don’t  know  what  our  patrons 
would  do  if  we  missed  showing  them.  1 am 
a great  believer  in  short  .subjects  and  have  bought 
nearly  every  short  subject,  on  the  market.”- 

E.  W.  Van  Norman.,  Parkway 
Amusement  Co.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

“I  think  Aesop’s  Fables  the  best  single  reel 
obtainable.” 

: H.  C.  KuellUj  Lyric  Theatre, 

■ Lancaster,  O. 


“Very  popular  with  my  patrons. 

E.  E.  Fredeen,  Orpheupi  Theatre, 
Ryder,  N.  D. 

“We  think  Fables  the  best  short  subject  on 
the  market.” 

W.  A.  Erwin,  Capitol  Theatre, 
Benton,  111. 

“Have  been  showing  Fables  for  the  past 
five  years  on  Sunday  and  Monday  nights.  My 
patrons  look  forward  to  them  as  much  as  they 
do  to  the  features  1 run  with  them.” 

S.  Wolff,  Marquee  Theatre, 
Oaklandj^  Calif. 


“Fables  are  as  pernj^- 
nent  as  any  fixture  in 
theatre  because  I have  y^**  " 

to  receive  one  that  doesril 
get  the  laughs.  Kids  and 
grown-ups  applaud  when 
they  flash  onto  the  screen.’^ 

C.  J.  Latta, 

Empress  Theatre, 
Shenandoah,  la.  . 

■‘Fables  best 
short  reel  oa  mat-' 
ket  today.” 

C.D.McElfatrick  . 

Victory  Theatre, 

Timpson,  Tex. 


®PafhG'rt 

Distributors  tr.-  - 
demju,e  pictures  PATHr. pictures 
PATHECOMEDIES  Pvl^HESE^IALS 
PATHS' NE 


Timely  Films,  Inc.  J^resenis 

Topics 


ONE  EVERY  WEEK 


"ABSOLUTELY  ESSENTIAL  TO  OUR  PROGRAM!" 


. -^*rs.,4;jOPics  OF  THE  Dav  has  been  shown  every 
five  years  in  our  new.  Palace  and 
'Wailjw lifeasires,  and  this  very  clever  reel  never, 
fails  to  ,giye  etitire  satisfaction.  We  would  not 
think  of'trying'to  do  without  it.” 

7 ‘ ■ 1.  Libson,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

■“I  recomntemi  Topics  of  thl  Day  very 
,)tighly  as  both  emerfaining  and  instructive.” 

Harry  Davis,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

' . “We  have  been  using  it  in  a number  of  our 
theatres  and  the  reception  given  it  by  the  public 
'has  Wen  very  gratifying,” 

A.  S.  DAV!$,i  GerHl  Manager, 

, Stanley-Rowland-Clark  Corporation, 

Pittsburgh,.  Pa. 

“We  havd  used’^Spics  of  the  Day  weekly 
for  a puirdser  of  years  and  feet  that  it  is  a 
vefy  e'nfertainii^  portion  of  our  program.” 
VinceMt  R;*‘McFaul,  Gen'l  Miinagei, 

“Shea  iOperating  Corporation, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

“We  have  shown  it  a long  long  time  at  the 
and  I am  now  transferring  jt  to  vhe 
a better  house  where  the ’ admission 
This  Is  proof  of  what  I ^ink  of 

S OF  THE  Day.''^ 

John  DanZj,  Danz  Theatre  Circuit, 

' Seattle,  -Wash. 

..  ..  ..  --'I 

uring  the  seven  years  we  have  ’i'un  the 
cs  it  has  never  failed  to  get  hearty  laughs.” 
R.  j.  Speck,  Kenwood  Theatre, 
Chicago,  III. 


ibutors 


PATHE'PICTURES 

PATHISERIALS 


“Have  used  it  for  the  last  three  or  four 
years  each  week  and  it  has  become  a perma- 
nent fixture  of  our  theatre.  Our.  patrons  look, 
forward  to  these  little  reels  which  very  often 
, get  more  laughs  than  our  comedy  picture  or 
'-even  a feature  comedy.” 

Isaac  Victor,  Victor  Theatre, 
McKeesport,  Pa. 

“We  have  used  ToPtos.  OF  the  Day  in  our 
Columbus  and  Liberty  Theatres  for  six  years 
and  find  it  to  be  the  most  enjoyable  of  any 
short  subject  played  by  us  at  any  time.” 

S,  Haimovitz,  Gen'l  Manager, 
Columbus  Amusement  Co. 

New  Kensington,  Pa. 

“Have  been  running  it  for  some  years  and 
recommend  it  as  a sure  fire  hit.  Pathe  can 
well  be  proud  to  sell  this  subject  to  exhibitors 
, and  we  are  equally  proud  to  recommend  it  to 
them.” 

J.  E.  Stahl,  Stahl  Amusements  Co., 
Homestead.  Pa. 

“We  have  used  it  continuously  for  seven 
years,  ever  since  its  start.  This  indicates  what 
we  think  of  it.” 

Rex  W.  Midgely,  American  Theatre, 
Oakland,  Calif, 

“We  have  run  Topics  steadily  for  over  eight- 
een months.  Our  audiences  have  again  and 
again  remarked  how  entertaining  they  are.  I 
feel  if  we  should  take  it  from  our  program  it 
would  hurt  our  business.” 

C.  W.  Bedel,  Madison  Theatre. 

Peoria.  III. 


i 


i 


MARfC 


C.S.Clancy 

fi>/i£S£/\frS 

^WILL 

Rogers 


Ambassador 

Abroad 


Pafh^plcture 


DeMille  Pictures 
Pathe  News 


Pathecomedies 

Patheserials 


Seven  One  Reel  Pictures  to  Come  During  1927-28 


America’s  greatest  humorist  and 
premier  box  office  attraction  has 
made  a hit  in  this  unique  series. 

He’s  in  the  papers  every  day.  What 
he  says  is  news.  When  his  name 


goes  up  in  front  of  your  theatre 
your  business  is  assured. 


The  biggest  theatres  are  proving 
the  box  office  value  of  this  series. 
They  bill  each  picture  like  a feature 
for  each  draws  like  a big  feature. 


100,000,000  persons  will  pay  admission 
during  1927tase^jji2Qjc£i^^ 


■HjDIPto  motion  pictures  m a 
■^HK^rama  and  b@iuty  directly  toj^e 
HB||  a tremendous  humac^tor^«; 

and  have  a db^t  and  vital 

its  have  rarely  been  cancelled  where  | 

Grantl^  Ri<^| 

Produced  by  John  1^  Hwkinssn  InsH 


PATIIECOMENIES 
= JiATIIESEKIALS 


,LE  PICTURES 


Rarebits  are  rare  tun. 

The  odd,  unusual 
and  eye  - getting 
things  of  every  day 
life  fitted  around 
one  central  idea. 

Rather  hard  to  de- 
scribe but  awfully 
easy  to  look  at. 

Certain  to  add  a 
dash  of  paprika  to 
any  program. 

TWELVE  ONE  REEL 
PICTURES 

Produced  by  Record  Pictures,  Inc. 

PafhdDicture 


ieuict 


DelVlille  Pictures  ' Pathe  News 
Patheserials  Pathecomedies 


One  Reel,  Every  Week 


Coming 

Eye-Catching  Novelties,  Brilliant  Pathecolor 
Specialties,  Marvelous  Scientific  Discoveries, 
Human  Interest  Brevities,  etc.,  etc. 


Wonders  of  Science;  among  the  subjects  of  the  widest  in- 
terest is  a microscopic  masterpiece  which  scientists  say  is  an 
absolute  revelation,  and  will  compel  them  to  readjust  their  theories 
as  to  sex  in  plants.  It  reveals  the  whole  process  of  germination. 

Expeditions;  this  series,  so  popular  during  the  past  year,  will 
be  continued.  Remote  corners  of  the  world  will  be  visited. 

Pathecolor;  famous  for  years  for  brilliance  and  beauty.  Among 
the  subjects  will  be  a series  of  American  and  Hawaiian  flowers 

Interesting  Personalities;  a series  of  the  greatest  interest. 
Among  the  subjects  is  “Words  and  Music  By — ,”  depicting  the 
men  who  create  the  music  which  ever-yone  sings,  whistles  and 
hums. 

Big  American  Industries;  sidelights  on  famous  corporations 
on  whose  payrolls  are  armies  of  men  and  women. 

Other  Subjects  To  Be  Announced 


12  ^^Mack  Sennett  Girl  Comedies” 


Mack  Sennett  is  known  the  world  over  as  the  most 
pre-eminent  Picker  of  Peaches. 

Now  these  far-famed  Sennett  beauties  are  to  have  their 
own  comedies,  in  each  of  which  will  be  a real  star,  an 
outstanding  juvenile  comedian,  a comedy  plot  and  a 
raft  of  gags. 

The  title  is  a box-office  mint. 

12  ‘‘Mack  Sennett  Comedies” 

Two  Reels 

Probably  the  best  known  short  comedies  ever  made. 
Celebrated  for  years  for  fast  action,  numerous  gags 
and  great  casts. 


TRADE 


DeMille  Pictures 
Pathe  News 


Pathepictures 

Patheserials 


_ Lyiiack  ( 

Sennett 


presents 


Oy^eaiurin^ 

Mary  Ann  Jackson 
Raymond  McKee  and  Ruth  Hiatt 


A marvelous  kid,  a clumsy  comic  dog,  a 
beautiful  girl,  a fine  comedian-^ 

play  them  and  the  world  is  yours. 

A year  ago  an  experiment.  Today  a big 
success. 

Exhibitors  say  they  could  play  them 
oftener.  The  public  looks  for  them,  asks 
for  them,  laughs  at  them,  praises  them. 

Little  features,  perfect  gems,  to  give 
more  brilliance  to  your  shows. 

A SERIES  OF  TWELVE 

Two  Reels  Each 


Pathepictures 

Patheserials 


DeMille  Pictures 
Pathe  News 


Path^comedy 

TRAOC  # tel  MARK 

DeMILLE  PICTURES  v£/  PATHE'NEWS 
PATHEPICTURES  PATHESERIALS 


The  man  with  the  in-grow- 
ing eyes  and  hair -brush 
moustache  in  two  laughter 
Specials.  | 

As  soon  as  his  name  appears 
in  the  headtitles  on  the 
screen  people  start  to  laugh, 
in  anticipation.  That  means 
box  office. 

Sennett  and  Turpin,  a great 
team  for  laughter  and  busi- 
ness getting. 


Pathepicturea 

Patheserials, 


tJcMHle  Pictures 
Pathe  News 


Business  builders,  not  for  one  week  hut  for  ten* 

Intense  drama  by  well  known  authors,  rich  in  mystery, 
action  and  suspense* 

Numerous  exhibitors  have  found  that  Patheserials  are 
the  most  profitable  pictures  they  can  play* 


The  Crimson  Flash 

Eugenia  Gilbert.  Cullen  Landis  and  J. 
Barney  Sherry.  Story  by  George  Arthur 
Gray.  Eastern  production.  Ready  now. 
Mystery  melodrama. 

The  Masked  Menace 

Larry  Kent  and  Jean  Arthur. 

From  the  Saturday  Evening  Post  story, 
“Still  Face,”  by  Clarence  Budington  Kelland. 
Arch  Heath,  director.  Eastern  Production, 
now  completed.  Mystery  melodrama. 


The  Hawk  of  the  Hills 

Allene  Ray,  Walter  Miller  and  Frank  Lack' 
teen.  Story  by  George  Arthur  Gray.  Directed 
by  Spencer  Bennet.  Western  production, 
now  completed.  Frontier  perils. 


The  Man  Without  a Face 

From  the  story  by  C.  N.  and  A.  M. 
Williamson.  Title  subject  to  change.  To 
be  produced  in  the  West,  Spencer 
Bennet  directing.  Action  drama. 


The  Fellowship  of  the  Frog 

From  the  book  by  Edgar  Wallace,  author  of  “The  Green 
Archer”.  To  be  produced  in  the  East.  Action  drama.  Title 
subject  to  change. 

The  Terrible  People 

From  the  book  by  Edgar  Wallace,  author  of  “The 
Archer”.  To  be  produced  in  the  West.  Mystery  melodrama. 


Pafli^erial 


DE  MILLE  pictures 
PATHE  news 


PATHECOMEDIKS 
PATHEPICTURES 


0 


These  two  comedies,  “Fiddlesticks”  iil 

■jl 

two  reels,  and  “Soldier  Man”  in  thre 
reels  were  produced  just  beforr 
Langdon  went  into  features  and  hav  j 
never  been  released. 

They  are  brilliant,  true  laughtei 
creators,  right  up  to  the  Langdoii 
standard. 


They  mean  a busier  box-office. 


Pafhepicture 


DeMille  Pictures 
Paihe  News 


Pathecomedies 

Patheserials 


HAL  ROACH  flfiSSSNrs 


Picture 


DEMi^LLE  PICTURES 
PATHECOMEOIES 


PATH^NEWS 

PATHESERIALS 


Harold 


IN 


"Grandma's 

Boy 

fA^£-/SSU£j 

“His  greatest  picture”  would  be  the  verdict 
of  seventy-five  persons  out  of  a hundred,  if 
asked  their  opinion  of  “Grandma’s  Boy.’ 

Not  only  is  it  one  of  the  most  mirth-pro< 
ducing  pictures  ever  produced,  but  it  also 
makes  a tremendous  appeal  to  the  e 
tions.  Laughter  and  tears  are  never 
apart,  comedy  finds  its  foil  in  pathos. 

Only  about  a tenth  of  its  potential  audience 
saw  the  picture  when  it  was  first  released. 
Today  its  field  is  practically  virgin,  its  box 
office  value  greater  than  ever.  It  presents 
tremendous  possibilities  to  any  exhibitor. 


**Atta.  Boy/^  ‘Tlay  Safe”  and  *‘Horse  Shoes”  have  been  outstand- 
ing in  a season  notable  for  comedy  successes. 

There  is  more  than  comedy  in  each  Monty  Banks  production. 

There  are  also  high  speed  action,  suspense,  originality. 

Banks  is  building  a reputation  for  delivering  feature  comedies 
with  a style  all  their  own,  each  sure  to  please. 

Gasps,  thrills,  laughs!  What  a combination  for  your  audiences ! 


Three  Feature  Comedies  for  1927-28 

Pafhdpicture 


DE  MILLE  PICTURES 
PATHE  NEWS 


PATHECOMEDIES 

PATHESERIALS 


In  Popularity 
Westerns  LEAD 

In  number,  quality  and  diversity  of 
Western  features  Pathe  is  preeminent. 
There  are  no  better  pictures  made  than 
these  listed  below,  yet  production  costs 
have  been  kept  at  such  a point  that  prices 
are  surprisingly  reasonable.  If  you 
look  you’ll  book. 


12  LEO  MALONEY 


8 BUFFALO  BILL,  JR. 


Few  producers  have  averaged  so  high  in  re- 
viewers’ reports  as  Maloney.  Maloney  will  star 
in  six  of  the  new  series,  and  supervise  the  pro- 
duction of  the  other  six.  Stories  by  Ford 
Beebe. 


A real  Wyoming  cowboy  and  once  a trick  rider 
with  the  Sells-Floto  Wild  West  Show.  Each  of 
his  pictures  delivers  the  fastest  of  action  and 
sure-to-please  romance.  Lester  F.  Scott,  Jr., 
Producer. 


8 WALLY  WALES 

Another  real  cowpuncher,  \\  ith  a most  likeable 
personality.  He  can  not  only  act  but  he  shines 
in  a rough  and  tumble  fight.  Lester  F.  Scott,  jr., 
Producer. 


8 JACK  DONOVAN 

A new  star  of  whom  great  things 
are  expected  and  promised. 


8 PAD  JAN 

Another  new  star,  who  will  be  heard  from. 

2 BUDDY  ROOSEVELT 

Has  consistently  delivered  high  quality  entertainment 
with  a maximum  of  action  and  thrills. 

6 DOG  PICTURES 

Deservedly  popular,  consistently  good. 


CHARLIE 


^resents  a; 


The  screen^s  greatest  celebrity  in 
one  of  the  best  of  his  pictures* 

^‘Shoulder  Arms’^  has  proven  that 
a Chaplin  reissue  gets  more  busi- 
ness at  the  box  office  than  most 
new  pictures* 


I 


it  s a 

new  world! 

^ Flaming  orange  fountain  pens.  Purple  raincoats.  New  York  to  Paris  in  33^A  hours.  ^ A book 
called  ''The  Story  of  Philosophy”  sells  157,000  copies.  Unthinkable  five  years  ago.  A brain- 


taxing game  called  "Ask  Me  Another”  becomes  a nation-wide  fad.  Stevedores  wear  knickers 
over  the  week-end.  ^ A motion  picture  theatre  does  $140,000  in  a week.  A fresh,  saucy  girl, 
Oara  Bow,  is  an  over-night  sensation,  displacing  the  baby-faced  idols  of  yesteryear.  A picture 
called  "Chang”,  made  in  the  jungles  of  Siam  with  wild  beasts  and  natives  for  a cast,  sets  Broadway 
and  Chicago  agog.  Another  picture,  "Beau  Geste”,  without  a love  story,  runs  36  weeks  in  New 
York  at  $2.  "Way  of  All  Flesh”,  with  an  unhappy  ending,  sends  critics  and  public  into  par- 
oxysms of  praise.  ^ It’s  a new  world  in  the  picture  business  too!  ^ The  public  is  shopping  for 
pictures.  They  won’t  fall  for  just  movies  any  more.  New  desires,  new  trends.  They  cry  for 
beauty,  color,  life,  the  unusual.  ^ 1927-8  is  a critical  year  for  you.  Are  you  geared  up  to  the 
times?  Can  you  satisfy  this  modern  public?  There’s  a way  to  do  it!  ^ Paramount  had  its  finger 
on  the  vibrant  pulse  of  this  new  world.  Paramount  foresaw  what  was  coming.  A new,  ultra- 
modern, greatly  enlarged  studio  was  purchased  and  equipped  in  1928  style.  Deadwood  was 
ruthlessly  discarded.  New,  eager,  young  showmen.  Stars  that  can  shine  io  this  shining  age. 
A new,  sparkling  type  of  story  material.  ^ Paramount  Pictures 
in  a brand  new  style  — different  from  anything  else  ever  seen 
in  this  business — pictures  attuned  to  this  brilliant  age — are  flood- 
ing forth.  X X X X X X X X 


4 EXHIBITOR  SHE  RALD  July  23,  1927 

^ They  are  your  salvation.  They  are  your  chance  to  synchronize  your  theatre  with  the  trend  « 

the  times.  Pictures  not  made  according  to  some  star’s  or  director’s  whims.  Pictures  not  release 
to  bnild  volnme  or  meet  a schednle.  Bnt  pictnres  shrewdly  fitted  to  the  public  of  today.  Picture 
a la  mode.  ^ Pictures  that  will  pull  crowds  and  pile  np  record  grosses  in  these  breathless  day 
when  any  other  kind  of  picture  will  die  on  its  feet!  ^ 14  of  them  are  finished.  Many  of  thei 
you  can  see  at  your  exchange.  Here’s  the  release  schednle  of  the  New  1927"8  Paramount  100‘ 
Program  for  the  first  three  months: 


august 


OUP  CMP 


X X >j 


The  new  kind  of  Road  Show 


"BEAU  GESTE 


with  Ronald  Colman  and  all  star  cast.  Herbert 
Brenon  Production  from  the  novel  by  P.  C.  Wren. 


Plenty  of  near-Beerys  & Hattons  around,  only  one 

BEERY  & HATTON 


in  "FIREMEN,  SAVE  MY  CHILD”.  Edward  Suther- 
land  Production. 


The  "It”  Wonder-Girl  in  the  South  Seas 

CLARA  BOW 

in  "HULA”,  with  Clive  Brook.  Victor  Fleming  Pro- 

|y  A 4ai  duction. 

A cine-miracle  of  the  days  of  1950 

"METROPOLIS  ’ 


Paramount-UFA  Production,  directed  by  Fritz  Lang, 
adapted  by  Channing  Pollock. 


Smart,  sophisticated,  up  to  the  second 

ADOLPHE  MENJOU 


in  "SERVICE  FOR  LADIES”,  with  Kathryn  Carver. 
Directed  by  H.  D'’Abbadie  D’Arrast. 


See  it  at  your  exchange  — that’s  all  we  ask ! 

W.  C.  FIELDS 


in  "RUNNING  WILD”,  with  Mary  Brian.  Gregory 
La  Cava  Production. 


Booked  at  Paramount,  N.  Y. — 6rst  runs  everywhere 

fM  "The  Covered  Wagon” 


James  Cruze  Production. 


A glittering  imported  special 

DOROTHY  GISH 


in  "MADAME  POMPADOUR”,  withAntonio  Moreno,  jl 
Directed  by  Herbert  Wilcox.  British  National  Pic-  * 
tures.  Ltd.,  Production. 


September 


Today  the  public  cries  for 

"CHANG" 


Merian  Cooper  and  Ernest  Shoedsack’s  daredevil 
melodrama  filmed  in  the  jungles  of  darkest  Siam. 


The  one-piece  college  comedy  gem 

BEBE  DANIELS 


in  "SWIM,  GIRL,  SWIM”.  Gertrude  Ederle,  James 
Hall  & Josephine  Dunn.  Clarence  Badger  Prod.  V, 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 

A new  comedy  team — a rollicking  railroad  roar 

Conklin  & Bancroft 

in  "TELL  IT  TO  SWEENEY”.  Gregory  La  Cava 
Production. 


They  want  action,  romance  — it’s  inZane  Grey’s 

"NEVADA” 

with  Gary  Cooper,  Thelma  Todd,  Phillip  Strange 
and  William  Powell.  Directed  by  John  Waters. 

Blonde,  alluring— and  a story  out  of  today’s  headlines! 

ESTHER  RALSTON 

in  "GOOD  MORNING,  DEARIE”.  Directed  by 
Dorothy  Arzner. 


Look  at  this  and  rub  your  eyes 

POLA  NEGRI 

in  "BARBED  WIRE”,  with  Clive  Brook  and  Einar 
Hanson.  Eric  Pommer-Rowland  V.  Lee  Production. 


The  new,  brilliant  type  of 

THOMAS  MEIGHAN 

picture  "WE’RE  ALL  GAMBLERS”,  with  Marietta 
Millner.  James  Cruze  Production. 


Grim,  relentless — so  real  it  hurts 

"STARK  LOVE  ” 

Karl  Brown  Production  filmed  in  the  Great  Smoky 
Mountains  of  Tennessee. 


)Ctober 


X X 


X X X 


We  passed  up  choice  August  and  September  road 
show  bookings  already  set  to  give  you  now 

"The  Rough  Riders’’ 

Victor  Fleming  Production.  With  an  all  star  cast. 
Yesterday  they  loved  goody-goodies  — now  it’s 

ADOLPHE  MENJOU 

in  "A  GENTLEMAN  OF  PARIS”.  Directed  by  H. 
D’Abbadie  D’Arrast. 

Smartly  gowned,  excpiisite,  the  modern  woman 

Florence  Vidor 

in  "A  CELEBRATED  WOMAN”.  Directed  by  Frank 
Tuttle. 

Paramount’s  new  star — the  King  of  Action 

FRED  THOMSON 

in  "JESSE  JAMES”.  Directed  by  Lloyd  Ingraham. 


A masterpiece — to  put  it  mildly 

EMIL  JANNINGS 

in  "THE  WAY  OF  ALL  FLESH”.  Belle  Bennett, 
Phyllis  Haver  & Donald  Keith.  Victor  Fleming  Prod. 

The  male  idol  of  today’s  public 

RICHARD  DIX 

in  " SHANGHAI  BOUND  ”.  Directed  by  Luther  Reed. 
It  goes  on  from  where  "Behind  the  Front”  left  off 

WALLACE  BEERY 

in  "THE  BIG  SNEEZE”.  With  Ford  Sterling  and 
ZaSu  Pitts.  James  Cruze  Produetion. 

Thin,  blonde,  raw  boned,  daring 

JACK  LUDEN 

in"SHOOTIN’  IRONS”.  Direction  Arthur  Rosson. 


haPs  only  the  start.  56  more  are  coming  for  1927-8.  Including  Harold  Lloyd,  Gentlemen  Prefer  Blondes  , 

Beau  Sahreur”,  ’’^Underworld”,  more  specials,  more  star  hits  that  really  hit.  To  say  nothing  of  the  new  and 

iper-news  reel.  Paramount  News;  36  Greater  Christie  Comedies;  6 Horton  Comedies;  10  Mintz  Novelties,  the 

rst  of  which  Variety  hailed  as  ^^a  new  era  in  short  features”;  26  Krazy  Kat  Cartoons  and  26  Inkwell  Imps. 

'/J*A  R.A  M O 


for  showmen  of  today 


6 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


J 


The  success  of  any 
publication  or  any 
department  of  any 
publication  depends 
upon  editorial  merit, 
reader  interest,  pres- 
tige in  its  field,  and 
bona  fide,  paid  sub- 
scribers. 


“I  have  been  advertising  in  theatrical  papers 
at  times  for  the  past  fifteen  years.  In  all  that 
time,  I never  received  a letter  from  anyone 
who  referred  to  seeing  my  ad  and  wanted  to 
book  me.  Imagine  my  surprise  when  I re- 
ceived a dozen  inquiries  from  my  first  small 
advertisement  in  the  Presentation  Depart- 
ment of  Exhibitors  Herald.” 

This  statement  from  a veteran  entertainer, 
who  a few  months  ago  left  vaudeville  to 
enter  presentation  work  in  motion  picture 
theatres,  tells  its  own  story. 

Entertainers,  since  the.  advent  of  theatrical 
papers,  have  advertised  to  keep  their  names 
before  the  trade,  to  let  their  professional 
friends  know  where  they  were,  to  ingratiate 
themselves  with  a booker,  and  for  many 
other  reasons—but  seldom  for  the  purpose 
of  obtaining  inquiries  from  theatre  owners 
or  managers. 

The  Presentation  Department  of  Exhibitors 
Herald  to  them  has  proven  a wonderland 
— the  Open  Sesame  to  a new  and  almost 
limitless  field  of  employment.  The  extent  to 
which  it  is  being  taken  advantage  of  can  be 
seen  by  turning  to  page  41  of  this  issue. 


ASK  THE  WIFE! 


! A Dialogue  from  Life 

t 

> 


CHARACTERS 

MR.  ADAMS,  an  exhibitor 
MRS.  ADAMS,  his  wife 


MR:  I’m  about  to  sign  for  '27-18 
MRS:  Watch  your  step,  pop! 

MR:  What  do  you  mean? 

MRS:  You  remember  how  sore  you  were  when 
that  fellow  Jones  showed  ^^Rookies”  last  week  and 
killed  your  business— 

MR:  Yeah  — you  bet  — and  the  weeks  before 
that  “Tell  It  to  the  Marines”  and  “Slide,  Kelly,  Slide” 
MRS:  I guess  that  Metro  outfit’s  got  the 
pictures  — 


(Continued) 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


MR: 


Hi 


(i 


(Continued) 

You  said  it  — I wish  I’d  had  ^‘Rookies,’’  “Marines”  ant 
‘Slide,  Kelly”—  and  those  others  “Flesh  and  the  Devil, 
Lovers,”  Mr.Wu,”  “Tillie  the  Toiler,”  “The  Unknown’ 
— and  now  they  tell  me  this  “Callahans  and  Murphys 
is  another  wow! 

MRS:  Are  they  ^ M-G-M’s? 

MR:  Yep,  those  birds  are  there!  JP 

MRS:  The  Joneses  are  stepping  out. 

MR:  They  can  afford  to,  now!  “Are they oUm-q-m’s 

MRS:  Here’s  an  ad  that  says  M'G'M’s  got  “The  Bh 

Parade  of  Stars’’— listen  to  this:  2 John  Qilberts,  3 Norma 
Shearers,  i Lillian  Qish,  3 Marion  Davies,  i Syd  Chaplin,  2 Qreta 
Qarbos,  4 William  Haines,  3 Lon  Chaneys,  i Ramon  Novarro, 
2 Jackie  Coogans,  6 Tim  McCoys,  3 Dane-Arthurs,  3 Cody-Pringles, 
5 Cosmopolitans,  2 Dog  Star,  M-Q-M  News,  Hal  Roach,  “Our  Qang” 

and  other  comedies— Some  names!  And  it  says  they’re 
releasing  “Big  Parade,”  “Ben-Hur”  and  other  specials 

—you’d  better  get  busy  pop  and  land  M-G-M! 

You  think  I’ve  been  sleeping  — look  at  this  li’I 
document— signed  and  sealed! 

MRS:  Good  Lord!  Is  it  M-G-M? 

MR:  You  said  a houseful,  mom! 

{Curtain) 


MR: 


^‘Look  at  this 
Wl  document!’ 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


TUC  AKT  THAT  PKE/EPVE/ 

YOUKAM 


vv''  ■■  • 


Standing  Room 
Only 


■ J} 

■ A.  , 


HADING  exhibi- 
tors know  that 
the  quality  of  their 
screen  reproductions 
is  just  as  important 
as  the  productions 
themselves. 

For  quality  reproduc- 
tion of  the  beauty  of 
your  productions, 
CERTIFIED  PRINTS 
are  absolutely  unsur- 
passed. 


IlieCOHS 


THAT’S  Universal.  WILD  W^ITH  ENTHUSIASM!  Shouting, roaj 
You’ve  heard  the  news  that  started  like  a whisper,  flamed  acros 
Oh,  boy,  it’s  a grand  and  glorious  feeling!  THEY’RE  FIGHTINC 
scrambling  to  get  those  Universal  pictures.  They’ve  heard  about  “A1 
praise  it  to  the  skies  and  the  critics  echo  every  word  he  said.  They’v( 

. .1  /W'ith  GLENN  TRYON-PATSY\  -t  ^ . , - 

\ JAMES  ^RA^%R^^CTIO^  ) and  saw  Roxy  grab  it  on  sight.  They  knov 

COUNTRY”  but  they  don’t  KNO^\ 

BACHELOR”  C And  WILLIAM  BEAUDINE’J 

watch  his  speed  this  year!  Then  there’s  “WILD  BEAUTY”  f HENRY  Macrae 

' PRODUCTION 

tion.  And  “CHEATING  CHEATERS”  ( Betty  Contipson.  Lucien  Littlefield.  f” 

EDWARD  LAEMMLE  PRODUCTION/  VVildL  € 

Completed.  Rushing  prints  to  exchanges.  Showing  pictures  to  ej 
greater  one.  THEY’RE  ALL  GREAT ! We’re  standing  ’em  on  theii 

world.  SITTING  ON  TOP  OF  THE  WORLD! 


tig, sizzling!  SITTING  ON  TOP  OF  THE  WORLD!  You’ve  heard  it. 
le  country,  grew  to  a tornado:  UNIVERSAL  HAS  THE  PICTURES! 
VER  US!  Big  first  runs,  key  city  houses  everywhere— battling, 
VS  THE  DEACON,”  at  Roxy,  heard  Roxy 

eard  the  rumble  of  laughter  that  “PAINTING  THE  TOWN” 
oout  RENEE  ADOREE  — some  star  — in  “BACK  TO  GOD’S 
HE  HALF  OF  IT- YET!  Wait  until  they  see  “THE  SMALL 
THE  IRRESISTIBLE  LOVER”  CrSSXr).  Norman  Kerry- 
-ex,  the  Wonder  Horse,  comes  into  his  own  in  first-run  produc- 
itle  and  a picture.  UNIVERSAL  HAS  THE  PICTURES!  Finished, 
ibitors.  Got  ’em  fighting.  Today  they  see  a great  one.  Tomorrow  a 
eads.  We’ve  got  the  world  by  the  tail.  W^e’re  sitting  on  top  of  the 

ItNIVERSAl.  HAS  THE  PICTURES! 


The  devil  was  bored  and  he  sum- 
moned his  henchmen.  “Pour  for  me,” 
he  said,  “into  one  mold,  the  heart  of 
a child,  the  body  of  a wanton  and 
the  soul  of  a woman.  Let  us  see  what 
will  happen.” 

— Foreuord^  **Lov€s  of  Carmen^^ 


with 

DOLORES  DEL  RIO 
VICTOR  McLAGLEN 

Based  on  the  story  by  PROSPER  MERIMEE 
Adapted  by  GERTRUDE  ORR 


RAOUL  WALSH 

PRODUCTION 


li 

J 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


This  is  the  tropical  tale  of  Carmen  and  her  tempestuous  love  affairs; 
and  of  the  great  T oreador,  who  threw  the  bull  — and  how! 


WILLIAM  FOX 


WES  OF  k I 

mm 


Victor  McLaglen  and  Dolores  Del 
Rio,  brilliant  stars  from  “What  Price 
Glory”  are  the  central  figures  of  this 
great  epic  of  Spain  and  the  bull  ring. 


A.  powerful  and  audience- 
appealing  story  with  a sen- 
sational box  office  com- 
bination — DEL  RIO  and 
McLAGLEN. 

We  make  no  bones  about 
it — this  year  it’s  FOX! 

When  you’re  talking  about 
BIG  PICTURES,  about 
PROFIT  PICTURES  you 
are  surely  talking 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


GIVES  YOU 
4 MORE  BIG 
ONES  IN  SEPT. 


Oh,man-— what  alove  stoiy! 


The  stage  play 
one  solid  year  on  Broadway! 


with 

DOLORES  DEL  RIO 

and 

VICTOR  McLAGLEN 

Based  on  the  story  by  PROSPER  MERIMEE 
Adapted  by  GERTRUDE  ORR 

RAOUL  WALSH 

Production 


JANET  GAYNOR 

in 

2 GIRLS 
WANTED 

A Drama  of  One  Girl  Who  Got  Wl](at 
She  Wanted 

with 

Glenn  Tryon  Doris  Lloyd 

Ben  Bard  Alyce  Mills- 

Joseph  Cawthorn 

Based  on  JOHN  GOLDEN’S  Neiv  York 
stage  hit 

By  Gladys  Unger 

ALFRED  E.  GREEN 

Production 


THE  WORlbS 
GREATEST 
MOTION 
PICTURE 


RAOUL  WALSI 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


3 in  August-  4 in  September 
51  all  told  and  every  one 
a box  office  bonanza ! Fox 
doesiit  make  'em  any  other  way. 
playing  fox  for  PROFIT! 


5 


The  most  thtilling  and 
tealistic  story  of  New  York 
ever  written  I 


4 


Millions  of  Saturday  Evening 
Post  readers  are  waiting  to  see 
it  on  the  screen! 


EAST  SIDE, 
WEST  SIDE 

From  the  noveCby  FELIX  RIESENBERG 

The  Real  New  York  as  depicted  in 
Today’s  “Best  Seller” 

with 

GEORGE  O’BRIEN 

Virginia  Valli 
J.  Farrell  Macdonald 


THE 

JOY  GIRL 

The  Matrimonial  Mixups  of  a Fortune 
Hunting  Flapper 

with 

OLIVE  BORDEN 

Neil  Hamilton  Helen  Chandler 
Marie  Dressier  Mary  Alden 
Jerry  Miley  Jimmy  Grainger,  Jr. 

and 

A Flying  Squadron  of  Palm  Beach 
Beauties 

A Samrday  Evening  Post  Story 
by  May  EDGINTON 


ALLAN  DWAN 

j Production 

■if' 


ALLAN  DWAN 

Production 


acmr 

PRODUCTION 


WITH 

VICTOR  McLAGLFN 
EDMUND  LOWE 
DOLORES  DEL  RIO 

FROM  THE  STAGE  TRIUMPH  BY 
LAURENCE  STALLINGS  and  MAXWELL  ANDERSON 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


^Vhata  sweetfireakior 


FIRST  NATIONAL 

timed  tMs 

R'emendoiis  Punch. 

toland  ri^t 
intbeMiddl^P  * 

Sizzlind  Summer/ 


oJsP^'^ 


\^Iod.^I  "the  j 


Collee 


NAUGHTY  bu^  NICI 

Adapfcd  Prom  LEWIS  ALLEN  BROWNE'S  *THE  BIGAMIS 

Scenario  by  ...  . CAREY  WILSO 
Direcred  by.  . . . MILLARD  WED 

A Tinit  Rational  Pictur 


EXHIBITORS 


HERAL 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

S6S  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

Janies  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  39 

Presentation  Acts  41 

The  Theatre  54 

The  Film  Mart 51 

Classified  Advertising  58 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 57 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  59 

FEATURES 

Broadway  22 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 30 

Re-Takes  30 

New  York,  by  John  Spargo 36 

Pictorial  Section  31 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  50 

Letters  from  Readers 56 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 66 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions— 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue — 

CHASE  attacks  Coolidge,  asks  quiz  for  federal  control;  Bluenose 
leader  urges  Hays  body  be  dissolved;  Holds  president  respon- 
sible for  failure  of  attorney  general  to  take  action  against  industry. 

Five  meetings  in  week  point  to  solution  of  economy  issue;  All 
branches  realize  production  costs  must  be  reduced;  Hearst  lays 
waste  to  picking  poor  stories. 

TO.  C.  C.  wars  on  high  cost  of  film  and  abuses  of  contract; 

• Theatres  to  take  issue  to  courts;  300  exhibitors  adopt  resolu- 
tion of  protest  to  be  sent  to  Hays. 

PATRON  partners  will  aid  in  correcting  ills,  says  Despain;  Urges 
that  employes  be  taken  into  partnership — Exhibitor  exposes  car- 
nivals; Ottawa  bars  tent  shows. 


OPERA,  Musical  Comedy  and  other 
forms  of  amusements  now  supply 

cream  of  presentation  talent 9 more 

stagehand  shows  replace  Publix  class 

units  in  key  cities A1  Short  formerly  of 

Chicago  now  leads  bandshow  at  Atlanta. 

EDEflAL  Trade  Commission  invites 
leading  producers  arid  distributors  to 
conference  on  block  booking;  Suit  to 
force  Paramount  to  comply  with  Com- 
mission’s orders  may  be  instituted  in  Sep- 
tember. 

/^HAMPION  boy  fan  at  14  holds  rec- 
'^ord  of  12  years  at  shows;  Ernest 
Nablefeld  of  Niagara,  Wis.,  began  attend- 
ing picture  theatres  when  2 years  old. 

"^T  EW  concession  made  to  British  exhibi- 

^ tors  in  picture  quota  bill Patrons  of 

Colonial  at  Indianapolis  name  127  pro- 
ductions for  Revival  Week. 


yHREE  Paramounts  play  downtown  Los 
Angeles  at  same  time ^Tiffany  con- 
ducts sales  contest  for  exchanges St. 

Louis  Jews  object  to  news  reel  of  Henry 
Ford. 

TTIVE  new  theatres  projected  at  Philadel- 

phia  at  cost  of  $5,000,000 Village  of 

Stirling,  Ont.,  votes  to  have  new  commu- 
nity theatre. 

y EGIONARIES  greet  Marne  cab  exploit- 
ing Fox  ‘‘7th  Heaven  ”;  New  York 
post  arranges  to  billet  Eloise  at  Armory; 
Veterans  of  several  nations  on  reception 
committee. 

r''LAlRE  WINDSOR,  Tearle  and  Cortez 

will  be  cast  in  Columbia  specials 

Fred  Thomson  saves  man  from  drowning 
— Nineteen  Pathe-DeMille  films  to  be  re- 
leased before  January  I . 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HEMAL 


QJie  independent  ^Im  ^ade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  ^Editor 

Published  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 


Martiw  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwih  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 


Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyrigfht,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald:  Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week,  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi-annual. 


VoL.  XXX  July  23,  1927 


No.  6 


The  Report  Against 
Paramount 

The  impression — or  lack  of  impression — upon  the 
trade  created  by  the  adverse  report  of  the  Federal 
Trade  Commission  on  the  Paramount  company  presents 
an  interesting  picture.  Although  it  would  seem  on  the 
surface  that  the  finding  against  Paramount  would  be 
an  incident  of  sensational  effect  and  importance,  still 
the  trade  at  large  has  accorded  it  a cold  and  indifferent 
reception. 

This  may  he  surprising  to  some  but,  in  reality,  it  is  a 
logical  result. 

In  the  first  place,  the  Federal  Trade  Commission  is 
considered  by  many  competent  people  as  a useless  body 
engaged  in  a futile  work.  Its  inquiry  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  seems  accurately  to  bear  out  this  opinion. 
It  is  pretty  well  understood  that  the  Commission  does 
not  stand  in  good  grace  at  this  time  with  the  Adminis- 
tration and,  again,  there  seem  to  he  vary  good  grounds 
for  the  attitude  of  the  Administration. 

Whatever  may  have  been  the  grounds  for  the  investi- 
gation of  Famous  Players  at  the  start  of  the  inquiry  the 
six  years  which  have  elapsed  since  the  commencement 
of  the  investigation  have  wiped  out  in  whole  or  in  part 
these  grounds.  Six  years  is  a long  time  in  the  history 
of  most  industries  and  in  the  picture  business  it  is  a 
lifetime.  The  report  of  the  Commission  against  Para- 
mount now  comes  as  a belated  and  bewhiskered  finding, 
which  is  out  of  tune  and  out  of  reason  with  conditions  as 
they  now  stand  in  the  industry. 

It  would  seem  that  the  Commission  had  a most  diffi- 
cult time  in  making  up  its  mind.  Practically  everything 
vital  in  the  situation — of  today  and  of  six  years  ago — 
was  slipped  away  and  the  final  report  handed  in  looks 
more  like  an  effort  to  justify  the  time  and  expense  of 
the  six  years’  inquiry  than  anything  calculated  to  pro- 
vide a remedy  or  correct  ills  that  may  exist. 

* * * 

WE  venture  now  the  guess  that  the  case  for  all  prac- 
tical purposes  is  dead;  occasional  echoes  may  be 
heard  from  the  tomb  but  nothing  of  importance  is  going 
to  happen  as  the  result  of  the  Commission’s  long — and 
apparently — studious  investigation  of  the  picture  business 
generally  and  Famous  Players  in  particular. 

We  shall  attempt  no  legal  interpretation  of  the  report 


but  a plain,  commonsense  reading  of  it  leads  to  various 
interesting  conclusions : 

As  we  read  the  report  two  questions  are  involved: 
First,  the  “cease  and  desist”  order  against  the  “illegal” 
acquisition  of  theatres;  and,  secondly,  the  injunction 
against  block-booking.  Nothing  else  of  any  trace  of  im- 
portance is  introduced. 

Now  on  the  matter  of  the  “illegal”  acquisition  of  thea- 
tres, it  certainly  was  not  necessary  for  the  trade  to  sit 
back  for  years  and  wait  to  hear  an  injunction  against 
the  “illegal”  acquisition  of  theatres.  Everyone  knows 
that  the  “illegal”  acquisition  of  theatres  is  wrong,  ob- 
viously “against  the  law”  and  anyone  engaging  in  such 
a practice  should  “cease  and  desist.”  It  is  like  the  case 
of  a Grand  Jury  making  a long  inquiry  into  a situation 
and  then  solemnly  announcing  that  murder  is  wrong 
and  that  anyone  contemplating  it  should  “cease  and  de- 
sist.” 

That  section  of  the  Commission’s  report  which  deals 
with  the  acquisition  of  theatres  on  the  part  of  Famous 
Players,  to  our  mind,  is  utterly  futile  and  means  nothing. 

The  Commission  was  confronted  with  the  question  of 
determining  whether  the  ownership  and  operation  of 
theatres  by  producers  was  inside  or  outside  the  spirit 
and  the  letter  of  the  law.  It  is,  of  course,  to  be  deduced 
from  the  report  that  it  was  held  that  the  acquisition 
and  operation  of  theatres  by  producers  is  legal  and  per- 
missible. But  this  can  hardly  be  held  to  be  informative 
because  a contrary  opinion  is  now  nowhere  entertained. 

It  may,  therefore,  be  seen  that  the  practical  effect  of 
the  Commission’s  finding  on  the  theatre  question  is  ab- 
solutely nil.  The  report  seems  to  assume  the  attitude 
that  it  was  imposing  some  kind  of  an  injunction  on  the 
Paramount  company  with  respect  to  theatres.  But  all 
that  it  actually  does  is  to  express  the  very  obvious 
thought  that  Paramount  shall  not  “illegally”  acquire 
theatres.  Again  addressing  ourselves  to  the  practical  ef- 
fect of  the  matter,  it  is  quite  plain  that  if  Paramount 
were  currently  in  the  business  of  “illegally”  acquiring 
theatres  they  would  be  stopped  by  the  people  being 
hurt  and  these  people  would  not  have  to  wait  for  any  six 
years’  investigation  by  the  Federal  Trade  Commission. 

* * * 

The  second  point  covered  by  the  Commission’s  re- 
port is  on  the  subject  of  block-booking.  Paramount 
is  ordered  to  “cease  and  desist”  engaging  in  practice  of 
block-booking.  Here  again  we  will  venture  a guess: 
Paramount  will  not  desist  from  the  practice  of  block- 
booking and  the  Trade  Commission  will  never  be  suc- 
cessful in  court  in  any  effort  that  may  be  made  to 
compel  such  action.  If  the  practice  of  block-booking  is 
discontinued  it  will  be  discontinued  by  agreement  as  a 
trade-wide  practice,  but  it  is  ridiculous  to  consider 
Paramount  being  compelled  to  give  up  this  type  of  sell- 
ing arrangement  when  it  is  an  almost  general  practice. 

Also,  it  may  be  noted,  that  this  practice  of  block- 
booking which  the  Commissioners,  out  of  their  little 
knowledge  of  the  industry,  stamp  as  an  unqualified  evil 
is  not  held  generally  in  the  motion  picture  industry  as 
an  unqualified  evil.  We  are  quite  aware  of  the  fact 
that  a great  many  exhibitors  do  not  like  the  practice 
and  would  like  to  see  it  abolished.  We  are  also  quite 
aware  that  a great  many  other  exhibitors  (and  this 
number  probably  constitutes  the  majority)  find  the 
practice  acceptable  and  are  willing  to  have  it  continued. 

The  Commission  apparently  has  listened  to  a few 
voluble  persons  and  has  missed  most  of  the  vital  facts 
of  the  matter. 

Block-booking  will  be  continued  just  as  it  is  now  be- 
ing practiced.  The  Commission’s  finding  will  accom- 
plish nothing.  If  the  practice  is  eventually  given  up  it 
will  be  the  result  of  agreement  within  the  trade  but  no 
agreement  on  this  point  may  even  be  expected  until 
there  is  an  agreement  that  block-booking  is  either  good 
or  bad.  And  there  is  no  such  unanimity  of  opinion  now. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


Chase  Attacks  Coolidge,  Asks 
Film  Quiz  for  Federal  Control 


Bluenose  Leader  Urges 
Hays  Body  Be  Dissolved 

Holds  President  Responsible  for  Failure  of  Attorney 
General  to  Take  Action  Against  Industry 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  19. — Attacking  President  Coolidge  and  Will  H. 
Hays  as  being  responsible  for  failure  of  Attorney  General  Sargent  to  take 
action  against  the  motion  picture  industry,  Canon  William  Sheafe  Chase, 
bluenose  leader  as  superintendent  of  the  International  Reform  Federation, 
indicated  in  a letter  sent  to  the  President  last  P'riday  that  the  findings  of 
the  Federal  Trade  Commission  in  the  Paramount  case  are  to  be  seized  as  a 
weapon  for  Federal  control. 

Demands  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  Be  Dissolved 
On  the  basis  of  those  findings.  Canon  Chase  demands  appointment  of 
special  counsel  to  bring  suits,  both  criminal  and  civil,  against  Paramount 
under  the  antitrust  laws;  prosecution  of  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  and  its  officers 
as  an  unlawful  combination  in  restraint  of  trade,  with  a view  to  its  dissolu- 
tion; and  a full  investigation  of  the  failure  of  the  Department  of  Justice  to 
have  proceeded  with  such  cases  on  its  own  initiative. 


Loot  2 Wisconsin 
Theatres;  Fail  in 
Attempt  on  Third 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MILWAUKEE,  July  19.— Burglars 
broke  into  three  Wisconsin  theatres 
recently  and  succeeded  in  looting  two  of 
them.  The  safes  of  the  Van  Der  Vaart 
and  Rex  theatres  at  Sheboygan  were 
blown  open,  the  robbers  escaping  with 
$450  in  cash  and  checks  from  the  Van 
Der  Vaart,  and  approximately  $1,000 
from  the  Rex. 

In  both  theatres,  seat  cushions  were 
used  to  pack  the  safes  after  which  the 
nitro-glycerine  charges  were  set  off. 
Entrance  was  gained  at  the  Rex  theatre 
by  jimmying  the  front  door.  It  is  be- 
lieved the  robbers  secreted  themselves 
in  the  Van  Der  Vaart. 

At  LaCrosse,  Wis.,  only  the  return  of 
the  stage  manager,  William  McMahan, 
after  the  close  of  the  theatre,  saved  the 
LaCrosse  theatre  from  being  robbed  of 
several  hundred  dollars.  McMahan  heard 
footsteps  in  the  theatre  and  summoned 
police.  A pint  of  nitro-glycerine,  fuses, 
and  a bar  were  found  near  the  safe  but 
the  thieves  had  escaped. 

**Prince  of  Adventurers*’ 
Well  Received  in  London 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON,  July  19.— “Prince  of  Ad- 
venturers,” Universal  Film  de  France 
production,  drew  an  enthusiastic  recep- 
tion at  a trade  showing  here.  Exhibitors 
declared  it  a magnificent  spectacle. 
Mosjoukine  (Moskine)  dominated 
throughout  the  production. 


Hammons  Broadcasts 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19.— E.  W.  Ham- 
mons, president  of  Educational,  will  give 
a radio  talk  on  the  importance  to  the 
motion  picture  program  of  the  short  fea- 
ture picture  over  Station  WPCH  tomor- 
row at  5:45  p.  m.  The  talk,  which  will 
cover  comedies,  animated  cartoons,  nov- 
elties and  news  reels,  will  be  in  the  na- 
ture of  an  interview  conducted  by 
Michael  L.  Simmons, 

Theatre  Switchboard 

Electrocutes  Worker 

While  repairing  a switchboard  in  the 
Norshore  theatre,  Chicago,  Harry  Ha- 
worth, 35,  was  electrocuted. 


Victor  Nordlinger  III 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.— Victor  Nord- 
linger, casting  director  at  Universal  studios, 
is  critically  ill  at  his  home.  He  was  stricken 
last  Saturday.  Harold  Dodds  is  in  charge 
of  the  casting  office  at  present. 


To  Produce  Bolivar  Epic 

Washington — The  Venezuelan  government  has 
approved  a scenario  depicting  the  life  of  Bolivar 
written  by  the  former  Ecuadorian  Minister  of 
War,  Pinto-Roco,  according  to  the  Department 
of  Commerce.  Bolivar  is  the  “George  Wash- 
ington’’ of  Venezuela.  The  author  has  been 
given  a sum  of  money  to  start  production. 


“The  motion  picture  industry,”  Canon 
Chase  asserts,  “for  years  has  been  the 
school  of  crime  in  every  country  of  the 
world,  a continuous  affront  to  decency  and 
to  public  morality,”  and  responsibility  for 
the  failure  of  the  Attorney  General  to  have 
taken  necessary  action  is  laid  at  the  door 
of  the  President,  with  the  information  that 
Congress  next  session  will  be  asked  to 
order  a thorough  investigation  of  the 
matter. 

“The  spectacle  of  the  immunity  from 
effective  prosecution  which  this  indus- 
try has  enjoyed  for  nearly  six  years 
while  operating  under  the  direction  of  a 
former  presidential  cabinet  officer  brings 
the  administration  of  justice  under  your 
term  of  office  into  serious  question  and 
it  is  not  proposed  by  those  who  have  a 
right  to  expect  that  the  laws  of  this 
country  be  enforced  in  the  motion  pic- 
tixre  industry  as  it  is  in  other  trades,  to 
sit  idly  by,  content  with  further  spe- 
cious excuses  for  failure  to  perform 
official  duties,”  the  President  was 
warned. 

Canon  Chase,  in  his  letter  to  the  Presi- 
dent, demands  prosecution  of  Paramount 
officials  under  the  antitrust  laws,  warns 
that,  unless  proceedings  are  started,  the 
Federal  Trade  Commission  ruling  “will 
amount  to  nothing  and  will  bring  reproach 
to  the  administration  of  justice  in  this 
country.” 

“I  desire  to  call  your  attention,”  Canon 
Chase  continues,  “to  the  opinion  rendered 
by  your  Attorney  General  or  one  of  his 
deputies  in  August,  1926,  which  actually 
commended  the  practices  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture producers  and  distributors  and  the  ac- 
tivities of  their  trade  association  which  I 
am  informed  by  those  competent  to  know 
are  violative  of  our  existing  antitrust 
laws. 

Attacks  Attorney  General 

“I  am  informed  by  counsel  thoroughly 
familiar  with  the  industry  and  with  the 
legal  aspects  of  the  subject,  that  this  opin- 
ion states  neither  the  facts  nor  the  law, 
and  that  the  producers  and  distributors’ 
trade  association,  of  which  Mr.  Will  H. 
Hays  is  the  head,  is  a combination  in  re- 
straint of  trade  in  this  industry  operating 
in  plain  violation  of  the  antitrust  laws. 

“Whatever  the  reason  may  be  for  the 


inaction  on  the  part  of  your  Attorney  Gen- 
eral, the  opinion  to  which  I refer  demon- 
strates that  an  Attorney  General  who  has 
already  approved  as  legal  the  illegal  acts 
complained  of  would  not  be  a proper  per- 
son to  conduct  such  proceedings. 

“I  therefore  urge  you  to  appoint  a 
competent,  disinterested,  special  prose- 
cutor to  institute  appropriate  proceed- 
ings, both  criminal  and  civil,  under  the 
antitrust  laws  of  this  country  based 
upon  the  findings  of  fact  now  made  by 
the  Federal  Trade  Commission  in  the 
case  to  which  attention  has  been  di- 
rected, and  (2)  that  the  same  prosecutor 
institute  proceedings  under  the  same 
statutes  to  dissolve  the  Motion  Picture 
Producers  and  Distributors  of  America, 
Inc.,  as  an  unlawful  combination  in  re- 
straint of  trade  and  to  prosecute  those 
responsible  for  its  maintenance  and 
operation. 

“In  support  of  this  petition  I enclose 
herewith  a pamphlet  written  by  the  well- 
known  authority  in  these  matters,  Mr. 
William  Marston  Seabury,  in  which  ample 
facts  to  require  such  action  are  set  forth. 
In  most  instances  the  major  and  essential 
facts  are  not  the  subject  of  dispute. 

“It  is  believed  that  the  thinking  peo- 
ple of  this  country  are  thoroughly 
aroused  at  the  lawless  conduct  of  the 
motion  picture  industry. 

“For  years  it  has  been  the  school  of 
crime  in  every  country  of  the  world,  a 
continuous  affront  to  decency  and  to 
public  morality. 

“The  public  welfare  organizations  of  this 
country  now  seek  a restoration  of  compe- 
tition in  this  industry  as  one  of  the  means 
by  which  they  can  reasonably  hope  to  ob- 
tain pictures  which  are  better  in  a moral, 
educational  and  cultural  sense  than  those 
with  which  the  public  is  now  surfeited. 

“We  believe  that  the  I’nited  States  can- 
not effectively  regulate  the  centralized  mo- 
tion picture  industry  unless  Congress  gives 
power  over  it  to  a Federal  commission  as 
over  the  radio.  Those,  however,  who  like 
yourself,  are  represented  as  opposing  such 
legislation,  must  believe  that  the  Federal 
antitrust  laws  should  be  enforced. 

“Hence  the  demand  that  the  antitrust 
laws  of  this  country  be  enforced  in  their 
(Continued  on  page  38) 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Musicless  Shows  Threaten  in 
Outlying  St.  Louis  Houses 

Reduction  of  Wages  or  Feiver  Musicians  in  Orchestras  Proposed  Solu- 
tion to  Lower  Operating  Costs 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  19. — Musicless  shows  loom  up  as  an  almost  certainty 
for  the  patrons  of  the  neighborhood  and  outlying  theatres  of  St. 
Louis  and  its  suburbs  unless  the  Musicians  Union  agrees  to  grant 
some  concessions  in  the  way  of  either  reduced  wages  or  fewer  members 
for  orchestras.  Business  in  the  St.  Louis  neighborhood  houses  has  been 
low  in  recent  months,  and  it  is  considered  certain  that  unless  operation 
costs  are  cut  many  houses  will  be  forced  to  close  permanently. 


T^HE  present  wage  contract  with  the 
Musicians  Union  expires  in  August 
and  recently  in  preliminary  negotiations 
the  representatives  of  the  smaller  thea- 
tres of  St.  Louis  sought  to  drop  one 
man  from  their  orchestras  as  a means 
of  holding  down  the  overhead.  This 
suggestion  promptly  was  rejected  by 
the  union  officials,  it  is  said. 

The  theatre  owners  have  practically 
decided  it  is  a question  of  either  one 
man  or  the  entire  orchestra  going,  that 
is,  unless  the  musicians  are  willing  to 
reduce  their  wage  scale  so  that  the  total 
reduction  for  an  orchestra  will  equal  the 
present  wage  of  a musician.  The  latter 
course  seems  very  improbable. 

The  move  for  cooperation  in  lowering 


operating  expenses,  it  is  understood, 
will  be  followed  by  requests  on  other 
employes  of  the  St.  Louis  houses,  such 
as  projectionists  and  stagehands. 

Whether  the  big  downtown  and  Grand 
boulevard  first-run  houses  will  assist 
their  smaller  brethren  in  their  argu- 
ments with  the  musicians  is  not  yet 
apparent. 


Rosenberg  to  Fox  Post 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DENVER,  July  19. — Ben  F.  Rosenberg 
has  been  appointed  temporary  manager 
of  the  Fox  Denver  exchange  by  James 
R.  Grainger,  general  sales  manager,  fol- 
lowing the  resignation  of  H.  H.  Brooker. 


July  23,  1927  f 

Universal  Erecting  a 
T heatre  at  Phoenix 
at  Cost  of  $500,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OKLAHOMA  CITY,  July  19.— Erec- 
tion of  a $500,000  theatre  has  been 
started  by  the  Universal  Chain  Theatri- 
cal Enterprises,  Inc.,  at  Phoenix,  Arig., 
the  opening  to  take  place  next  spring. 
The  Arkansas  Amusement  Company  ex- 
pects to  open  its  new  Riceland,  Stutt- 
gart, Ark.,  within  a few  weeks. 

A new  theatre  to  be  partonized  by  colored 
people  only  is  to  be  built  in  Houston,  Tex.,  by 
W.  S.  Rhodes,  at  a cost  of  $47,000  The  Criterion, 
recently  damaged  by  fire,  has  been  purchased  from 
A.  Hover  by  the  Griffith  Brothers  Amusement 
Company,  and  will  be  remodeled.  The  Bison  at 
Dallas,  Tex.,  and  the  Jones  at  Shawnee,  Okla., 
will  be  opened  soon. 

H.  G.  Stettmund  has  purchased  the 
Odeon  and  H & S theatre  at  Chanler, 
Okla. 

Managers  for  Canadian 
Famous  Players  Convene 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  CAN.,  July  19.— The  an- 
nual convention  of  theatre  managers  of 
Famous  Players  Canadian  Corporation 
in  Western  Canada,  is  to  be  held  this 
week  at  Vancouver,  from  Thursday  to 
Saturday. 

The  Eastern  managers  will  gather  Au- 
gust 22,  23  and  24,  at  Toronto,  when  they 
will  be  addressed  by  N.  L.  Nathanson, 
managing  director;  Clarence  Robson, 
Eastern  manager;  John  Arthur,  director 
of  Presentations;  and  Arthur  Cohen,  vice 
president  of  Regal  Films. 

St,  Louis  Exchange  of 
First  National  Moves 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  19.— The  St.  Louis 
First  National  exchange  is  celebrating  a 
double  event  this  week.  It  has  moved 
into  its  new  exchange,  3212  Olive  street, 
and  is  also  observing  the  fifth  anniver- 
sary of  Harry  Weiss  as  manager  and  the 
tenth  year  of  his  connection  with  First 
National. 

This  home  of  First  National  is  new 
throughout  and  is  extremely  well  fur- 
nished. 


“Give  Us  More  U.  S. 
Films,”  Says  Brazilian 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19.— Amer- 
ican pictures  were  emphatically 
defended,  both  as  to  their  morals 
and  artistry,  in  an  editorial  in  a re- 
cent issue  of  the  “Times  of  Brazil,” 
a copy  of  which  has  been  sent  to  the 
M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  The  writer  says 
that  “it  has  become  the  fashion  to 
speak  slightingly  of  the  moral  in- 
fluence of  films,  and  superior  Eng- 
lishmen often  refer  to  the  Hood 
of  nonsense  that  comes  from  the 
States.  This  kind  of  talk  is  more 
than  nine  tenths  cant.  In  Amer- 
ican films  the  public  is  asked  to 
admire  the  ‘he  man."  Their  films 
make  a universal  appeal  tor  tney 
are  based  on  universal  sentiments. 
An  example  of  the  morality  of  the 
American  film  was  ‘Gigolo,’  pre- 
sented this  week  by  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  at  the  Santa  Helena., 
The  whole  thing  was  done  with 
as  much  artistic  restraint  as  can 
be  expected  on  the  screen.  Give 
us  more  American  films  of  the 
same  sort  and  the  world  will  be 
a better  place.” 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


July  23,  1927 


T.O.C.C.  Wars  on  High  Cost 
of  Film  and  Contract  Abuses 


Lewis  Will  Handle 
Trade  Paper  Ads 
for  Warner  Bros. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Warren  Lewis, 
well  known  in  motion  picture  and  theat- 
rical circles,  has  joined  the  advertising 
department  of  Warner  Brothers.  Under 
the  supervision  of  A.  D.  Waxman,  Lewis 
will  have  charge  of  trade  paper  adver- 
tising, posters  and  the  Warner  house 
organ.  Brass  Tacks. 

Lor  the  past  five  years  he  has  been 
connected  with  the  Schubert  office  and 
prior  to  that  time  was  associated  with 
Selznick  and  Metro. 

Colleen  Moore  Sails  to 
Florida  with  McCormick 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Colleen  Moore 
and  John  McCormick  have  sailed  to  Llor- 
ida  for  several  weeks’  rest.  The  Lirst  Na- 
tional star  and  her  husband,  who  will  su- 
pervise her  productions,  sailed  Sunday  on 
the  Cojo,  formerly  the  Maya  the  Lourth, 
a 70-foot  cruising  yacht  which  Miss  Moore 
recently  purchased. 

Miss  Moore  and  Mr.  McCormick  will 
spend  a few  weeks  resting  and  deep  sea 
fishing.  They  plan  to  return  to  the  Coast 
by  August  IS,  where  production  will  be 
started  immediately  on  Miss  Moore’s  next 
picture  for  Lirst  National,  “Synthetic  Sin,” 
an  adaptation  of  the  stage  play  by  Frederic 
and  Fanny  Hatton.  Following  “Synthetic 
.Sin,”  Miss  Moore  will  appear  in  the  George 
Fitzmaurice  special,  “Lilac  Time,”  from 
the  famous  play  by  Jane  Cowl  and  Jane 
Murfin. 


Frank  Zimmerman  Tries 
To  Take  His  Own  Life 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  19.— Frank  Zim- 
merman, for  many  years  one  of  the  lead- 
ing exhibitors  in  Philadelphia,  and  for- 
merly head  of  the  Nixon-Zimmerman  chain 
of  theatres,  taken  over  by  the  Stanley 
Company  of  America,  attempted  suicide  in 
his  apartment  by  shooting.  He  was  hur- 
ried to  Misericordia  hospital,  where  it  is 
expected  he  will  recover. 

P-D-C  at  Kansas  City 
Moves  to  Pathe  Office 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  July  19.— The  Kansas 
City  P.  D.  C.  branch  moved  into  the  Pathe 
exchange  Saturday,  marking  the  first  Mid- 
dle Western  move  of  the  merger  of  those 
two  companies.  Additional  space  recently 
was  provided  in  the  Pathe  office  with  a 
view  to  the  move. 


Grace  Mack  Story  Editor 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BURBANK,  July  19. — Grace  Mack,  for 
two  years  a member  of  the  reading  and 
reviewing  department  of  First  National, 
has  been  appointed  story  editor  and  is  now 
at  the  studios  here. 


300 Exhibitors  Threaten 
To  Take  Issues  to  Courts 


Will  Present  Grievances  to  Hays — O* Reilly  Attacks 
Chain*s  Long  Protection  on  Play  Dates 

By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 


NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Closely  following  the  decision  of  the  Federal 
Trade  Commission  in  the  Famous  Players-Lasky  investigation,  trouble 
with  a large  capital  T has  broken  out  between  the  theatre  owmers  of  the 
New  York  district  and  the  distributing  companies. 

Three  Hundred  Exhibitors  Meet 


This  trouble  has  been  brewing  for  a long  time  and  came  to  a head 
at  a meeting  of  three  hundred  exhibitors  held  last  week  at  the  Astor 
Hotel  on  a call  from  President  Sol  Raives  of  the  Theatre  Owners  Chamber 
of  Commerce. 


At  this  meeting  war  was  declared  on 
the  high  cost  of  film;  the  Standard  Ex- 
hibition Contract  and  some  of  the  al- 
leged abuses  al- 
lowed by  the  con- 
tract. Resolutions 
were  adopted  that 
the  grievances  be 
taken  up  with  the 
Hays  association 
for  rectification, 
and  that  if  this 


Charles  L.  O'Reilly 


Sol  Raives 

could  not  be  ac- 
complished in 
that  way,  the  T. 
O.  C.  C.  members 
will  withdraw 
from  arbitration 
and  take  the  mat- 
ter into  the 
courts. 


One  of  the  chief  grievances  of  the 
theatre  owners  is  the  long  time  protec- 
tion given  the  big  chain  theatres  on 
account  of  the  larger  number  of  play 
dates  the  chain  houses  can  give.  This, 
the  independent  theatre  men  claim,  al- 
lows the  cream  of  all  pictures  to  be  taken 
before  they  get  a chance  to  play  the 
productions. 


Wampas  Hemors  Past 
Presidents  at  Meeting 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.— The 
Wampas  held  a “Past  President 
Night”  last  week,  with  George 
Thomas  as  chairman.  Among  the 
former  presidents  of  the  associa- 
tion who  attended  were  Joseph 
Jackson,  Harry  Brand,  Ray  Leak, 
and  Pete  Smith.  Among  those  who 
helped  entertain  the  boys  were 
Arthur  Stone,  Mervyn  LeRoy, 
Hank  Mann  and  others.  Watterson 
R.  Rothacker,  new  head  of  the 
First  National  studios,  and  Ned 
Marin,  associate  executive,  were 
introduced  and  spoke  briefly. 


Charles  L.  O’Reilly,  one  of  the  speak- 
ers, in  talking  on  one  of  the  resolutions, 
said : 

“We  are  at  the  crossroads.  The  pub- 
lic is  on  to  the  fact  that  the  neighbor- 
hood exhibitor  is  getting  the  skimmed 
milk  in  films.  The  time  is  here.  The 
exhibitor  must  have  the  same  right  in 
getting  films  as  the  producer-owned  cir- 
cuit. Wholesale  prices  are  all  right. 
When  a man  pays  $100  a day  and  buys 
product  for  ISO  days,  he  is  entitled  to 
liave  the  price  brought  down  to  $65. 
But  when  you  pay  $100  or  more  than 
the  wholesaler  and  then  can’t  get  the 
picture  until  the  wholesaler’s  protection 
period  has  expired,  it  looks  very  much 
to  me  as  if  such  operation  were  in  re- 
straint of  trade.” 

O’Reilly  said  that  four  years  ago  the 
T.  O.  C.  C.  had  informed  Mr.  Hays  that 
block  booking  and  buying  unseen  were 
all  wrong. 

“Crazy  Quilt  for  Contract” 

“I  believe  in  Mr.  Hays’  integrity,”  said 
he.  “But  his  organization  won’t  allow 
him  to  function.  Many  things  are  wrong. 
We  have  a crazy  quilt  for  a contract. 
Even  the  distributors  don’t  know  what  it 
is  all  about. 

“I  tell  you  that  we  will  make  no  fur- 
ther progress  in  this  industry  until  the 
producers  and  distributors  in  his  organ- 
ization give  Hays  the  right  to  function 
fully.  Star  salary  cuts  won’t  help,  but 
opening  the  market  in  fair  competition  to 
those  who  build  beautiful  theatres  will 
give  this  industry  all  that  it  needs. 

“Paramount  has  $143,000,000  of  the 
public’s  money.  It  should  give  that  pub- 
lic the  break  by  allowing  day  and  date 
showings  for  neighborhood  theatres  in 
conjunction  with  the  big  circuit  houses. 
And  if  the  trade  doesn’t  do  this,  take  my 
word  for  it  that  the  government  will.” 

Others  speakers  were  Leo  Brecher, 
Pete  Harrison,  Harry  Suchman,  J.  Ar- 
thur Hirsch,  William  Brandt,  Pete  Wood- 
hull  and  Joe  Seider. 

The  exhibitors  resolved  that  a con- 
ference be  called  immediately  under  the 
auspices  of  the  American  Arbitration 
Society  between  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  and 
the  T.  O.  C.  C.  to  provide  for  an  amend- 
ing of  the  present  Standard  Exhibition 
Contract  and  the  elimination  of  those 
clauses  found  to  be  inequitable,  and  in 
the  event  that  the  conferees  fail  to  agree 
on  any  specific  clauses  that  the  same 
should’ be  left  to  arbitration  by  the  arbi- 
(Continued  on  page  36) 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


NEW'  YORK.— Howard  Dielz,  after 
careful  study  of  the  chances  of  Demp- 
sey and  Sharkey,  and  then  consulting  an 
astrologer,  feels  confident  that  Jack  ^ will 
win  the  big  fight.  . . . “Red"  Kami, 

after  an  eminently  successful  honeymoon 
trip  abroad,  is  liack  on  the  job  and  Jack 
Alicoatc  has  sailed  away  for  a vacation. 

. . Joe  Kennedy,  after  a peep  at  the 

thermometer  one  day  last  week,  issued  an 
order  closing  F B O Othces  on  Saturdays 
until  the  end  of  August.  . . . Ben 

Amsterdam  came  up  from  Philadelphia 
one  day  last  week  to  escape  the  heat,  and 
then  turned  around  and  went  right  back. 

. Mike  Comerford  has  been  made 
honorary  fire  chief  of  Scranton,  and  to 
make  it  complete,  we’d  like  a picture  of 
him  in  full  uniform.  . . . C.  C.  Burr, 

after  a brief  visit  to  New  York,  has  re- 
turned to  the  Coast.  . . . Merritt  Craw- 
ford may  be  asked  to  explain  what  he 
meant  ■when  he  printed  something  about 
“Metro’s  scenario  staff.”  . . • Hal 

Hozoc,  after  setting  Lya  de  Piitti  in  right 
with  all  the  new'spaper  folks  at  a tea  at 
the  Buckingham,  has  gone  to  the  Coast  and 
left  here  alone.  . . . M-  H.  Hoffman  is 

now'  on  the  Coast,  but  with  A I Selig  left 
on  the  job  here,  everything  is  jake.  . . ■ 

Arthur  Kelly,  v.p.  of  United  Artists  blew 
in  from  Europe  last  week  and  blew  right 
out  again  to  the  Coast.  . . • Sam  Ber- 

man, who  spoke  at  the  T.O.C.C.  ^meeting, 
wonders  about  the  “Sam  Herman.”  quoted 
in  Film  Daily  as  having  spoken  at  the 
same  meeting.  . . . Joe  Lee  was  an  in- 

terested listener  to  the  speeches  at  the 
T.O.C.C.  meeting  and  rumors  are  current 
that  he  is  thinking  of  buying  a fe\v  thea- 
tj-gs.  . . . W.  IV.  Hodkinson  is  out 

with  a denial  that  he  is  to  make  sorne 
women’s  club  pictures.  . . . J.  D.  Wil- 

liams is  in  London,  according  to  the  news 
dispatches,  when  we  all  thought  he  was 
still  playing  golf  on  the  Coast.  . . . Sol 

Raives,  president  of  the  T.O.C.C.,  explains 
that  the  last  Thursday  meeting  was  called 
before  the  Federal  Trade  commission  had 
filed  its  finding.  . . . Sidney  Kent  is 

back  at  his  desk  after  a rest  in  the  Maine 

woods fohnny  Ragland  is  now  in 

charge  of  all  of  Columbia  s exchanges  on 
the  West  Coast.  . . . Bill  Mack,  ur- 

bane publicity  director  for  Pathe,  celebraR 
ed  a combined  birthday  and  w'edding  anni- 
versary last  week,  admitting  he  had  been 
married  sixteen  years  but  refusing  data  on 
age.  . . . George  Morris,  who  used  to 

be  a good  press  agent,  is  now  a rival  of 
Graham  McMamee  as  a bioadcaster. 

Harry  Buxbaum,  the  handsome 
devil,  got  his'  pictures  in  some  of  the  trade 
papers  last  week.  . . . Dr.  Hugo  Rie- 

senfeld  is  due  back  from  Europe  early  next 
month,  according  to  his  general  factotum, 
Abe  Meyer.  . . . Bert  Moeller,  presi- 

dent of  American  Cinema  Association,  has 
gone  to  the  Coast  to  look  after  production. 

. . . Hobart  Henley,  M-G-M  director,  is 
in  New  York  for  a short  vacation  visit. 

. . . King  Fisher,  press  agent  of  parts, 

is  in  the  Adirondacks  resting  up  from  his 
arduous  labors.  . . . William  LeBaron, 

production  manager  of  F B 0,  is  here  from 
the  Coast  for  a conference  wdth  his  com- 
pany officials.  . . . Harry  Reichenbach 

says  once  it  was  au  fait  to  put  “R.S.V.P.” 
on  luncheon  invitations ; this  was  pushed 
off  by  “B.Y.O.L.”  but  that  now'  the  real 
eclatty  thing  is  “O.B.C.T.” 

. . . SPARGO. 


It  won’t  be  long  now!  And  it  is  bound  to  be  a sure  cure — -for 
both  patient  and  patron,  since  it  is  an  Educational  comedy, 
called,  curiously  enough,  “Sure  Cure,’’  and  directed  by  Stephen 
Roberts,  with  Clem  Beauchamp,  Phil  Dunham,  Lucille  Hutton, 
Kitty  Barlow'  and  others  featured. 


Three  men  who  add  spice  to  the  program — (left)  E.  W.  Hammons,  president 
of  Educational  and  organizing  genius;  (center)  Robert  Kerr,  director,  who 
made  the  Jimmie  Adams  comedy  represented  below;  and  Stephen  Roberts, 
another  comedy  director,  whose  recent  work  is  the  laugh-maker  “Sure 
Cure.” 


Rifles  and  weak  hearts  are  oil  and  water — but  that  truth  need  not  be  heart 
to  take,  as  witness  above  in  this  scene  from  the  recently  completed  Elduca- 
tional-Jimmie  Adams  comedy,  “Meet  the  Folks,”  directed  by  Robert  Kerr. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


July  23,  1927 


Patron-Partners  Will  Aid  in 
Correcting  Ills,  Says  Despain 


Public  Investments  Are 
Vital,  Declares  Expert 

Points  Out  That  All  Great  Industries  Have  Also 
Urged  Employes  to  Become  Investors 

In  the  appended  article,  Donald  Despain,  an  authority  on  finance  and  a 
student  of  public  relations,  sets  forth  clearly  his  conception  of  a solution  for 
the  problems  which  confront  the  motion  picture  industry.  Mr.  Despain  S 
article  follows: 

A Remedy  for  the  Troubles 
of  the  Industry 

By  DONALD  DESPAIN 

Vice  President  and  Director  of  Public  Relations, 

Theatre  Financing  Corporation  of  America 

Leaders  of  the  industry  everywhere  are  trying  to  read  the  signs  of  the 

times.  . . j-  • A.- 

Troubles  and  problems  seem  to  be  striking  from  many  directions.  At  any 
gathering  of  producers,  exhibitors  or  distributors,  in  private  convei  sations 
or  conventions,  discussions  are  filled  with  disturbing  talk  about  unfair  and 
injurious  taxation  from  various  sources;  labor  troubles  and  union  dictation, 
threatening  legislation ; federal  enactments  entailing  public  utility  supervision ; 
and,  always  in  the  offing,  is  the  impending  threat  of  moral  revolt  against 
pictures. 


Girl  Manages  James 
Theatres  in  Vacations 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Columbus,  July  19— Jean  LaRoe 
is  the  hist  girl  manager  of  a down- 
town Columbus  theatre.  She  is 
acting  manager  of  the  Grand  thea- 
tre while  John  James,  manager,  is 
on  a vacation,  and  she  is  booked 
to  be  manager  of  every  James  thea- 
tre in  the  city  while  the  other 
managers  are  vacationing,  includ- 
ing the  State  (Earl  Pepper,  man- 
ager), Clinton,  Vernon  and  East- 
ern. 

Miss  LaRoe  formerly  was  a re- 
porter for  the  ’“Columbus  Citizen.” 
This  brought  her  to  the  notice  of 
the  James  Amusement  Enterprises 
and  the  Sharr  & Neth  Booking 
office,  of  which  she  was  held  repre- 
sentative. J.  Real  Neth  is  manag- 
ing director  of  the  James  circuit 
which  also  includes  the  Pythian 
theatre.  Two  others  of  the  orig- 
inal chain  of  eight  theatres  were 
the  James  and  the  Broadway,  taken 
over  by  Marcus  Loew  June  18  for 
$2,000,000. 


Theatres  in  4 Cities 
Report  Money  Sent 
to  Mississippi  Area 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19.— Reports  from 
the  Film  Board  of  Trade  in  cities 
throughout  the  country  to  the  M.  P.  P. 
D.  A.  show  that  motion  picture  theatres 
are  helping  to  swell  the  contributions  to 
sufferers  in  the  Mississippi  valley. 

The  Minneapolis  Film  Board  of  Trade 
reports  that  theatres  in  that  territory 
raised  $5,897.73.  Distributors  contrib- 
uted films  with  a rental  value  of  $1,214.50. 
The  Detroit  Film  Board  of  Trade  re- 
ports a contribution  from  theatres  of 
$8,191.63,  with  a total  value  of  films  con- 
tributed by  distributors  of  $476. 

Fifty-two  theatres  in  Denver  raised 
$3,440.37.  The  total  value  of  films  and 
advertising  material  donated  by  ex- 
changes was  $1,285.50.  The  Seattle  Film 
Board  of  Trade  in  a partial  report  shows 
that  16  theatres  raised  $2,424.11. 


Stanley  Chain  Increases 
Shares  to  2,500,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  19.— Author- 
ized capital  stock  of  the  Stanley  Com- 
pany of  America  was  increased  from  one 
million  to  two  and  a half  million  shares, 
at  the  annual  meeting  last  week.  The 
stock  is  without  nominal  or  par  value. 

The  phenomenal  growth  of  the  com- 
pany the  past  year  was  given  as  the  rea- 
son for  the  increase,  affiliation  with  First 
National  being  cited  a.s  one  of  the  causes 
of  the  growth.  John  J.  McGuirk,  presi- 
dent, said  that  124  theatres  have  been 
acquired  the  past  year,  with  leases  being 
taken  on  25  others.  The  company  now 
operates  245  theatres. 


The  headlines  are  now  telling  us  of  re- 
trenchment, of  the  drop  in  patronage  and 
the  sinking  of  interest,  as  represented  by 
the  box  office  re- 
ceipts. 

True,  these  are 
enough  to  cause 
alarm  and  suf- 
ficient to  cause  the 
leaders  to  seek  a 
proper  reading  of 
the  signs  of  the 
times.  Large  in- 
vestments are  en- 
dangered, the  per- 
manency of  the 
industry  hangs  in 
the  balance,  and 
unless  these  prob- 
lems are  remedied, 
disaster  threatens 
the  entire  industry. 

Do  not  forget  that  public  sentiment  is  a 
most  fickle  element.  It  creates  a hero 
today  and  tosses  him  aside  tomorrow.  It 
swings  in  cycles.  As  its  fancy  runs,  it 
builds  or  tears  down,  as  Rome  rose  and 
fell.  , ■ , 

It  seems  strange,  however,  that  in  seek- 
ing a panacea  for  these  ills  the  leaders  turn 
their  backs  on  the  only  practical  remedy. 
They  do  not  seem  to  be  able  to  recall  from 
very  recent  history  the  methods  and  policies 
adopted  by  other  American  industries  for 
the  solution  of  these  very  same  problems. 

Fails  to  Turn  to  Public 

The  principal  troubles  which  beset  the 
industry  today  are  due  to  the  fact  that  the 
industry  has  never  gone  to  the  people.  It 
has  never  turned  to  the  American  public 
for  support.  It  has  never  asked  public 
cooperation.  It  has  taken  the  position  that 
it  could  govern  public  opinion  without 
courting  public  friendship.  Eyery  Ameri- 
can industry  that  has  taken  this  stand  has 
found  that  it  cannot  be  done. 

The  motion  picture  industry,  by  errors 
in  policy  rather  than  by  the  spoken  word, 
has  said  to  the  American  people,  “We  do 
not  need  your  cooperation  other  than  that 


you  fill  our  coffers  at  the  box  office.” 

The  American  public  is  quick  and  cheer- 
ful in  its  ready  response  to  proper  tenders 
of  cooperation.  It  has  demonstrated  this 
in  its  attitude  toward  every  leading  public- 
serving industry  in  the  country.  The 
American  Telephone  and  Telegraph  Com- 
pany, the  Standard  Oil  Company,  and  the 
railroad  industry,  all  of  whom  were  the 
targets  of  criticism,  legislation  and  public 
dislike  only  a few  years  ago,  can  testify 
with  powerful  and  convincing  facts  that 
to  hold  the  public  aloof  and  keep  the  peo- 
ple in  ignorance  of  the  affairs  of  the 
industry  is  ruinous — ^but  to  seek  and  gain 
the  cooperation  of  the  public  is  the  most 
practical  and  profitable  of  all  policies. 

Cites  an  Illustration 

An  illustration  in  point:  Preliminary  to 
a financing  program  for  a large  chain 
system,  the  writer  conducted  research  work 
throughout  the  organisation  and,  in  the 
cities  and  tOTsms  wherein  this  chain  system 
operated. 

To  the  question,  "Whom  do  you  work 
for?”  asked  of  employes,  over  70  per  cent 
answered,  "I  don’t  know;  I zvork  at  the 
Rialto  theatre.” 

To  the  question  asked  of  citisens  of  a 
town,  "Who  owns  and  operates  your 
theatres?”  more  than  go  per  cent  anszvered, 
"I  do  not  knozo.” 

This  is  the  condition  of  ignorance  and 
lack  of  interest  that  exists  in  employe  or- 
ganizations, as  well  as  the  public,  through- 
out practically  the  entire  industry.  It  is 
inexcusable,  and  gives  birth  to  lack  of 
interest,  a tendency  to  unfriendliness, 
ready  criticism,  and  antagonistic  legislation 
and  public  sentiment. 

The  leaders  in  the  industn'  may  be 
masters  of  film  production  and  de  luxe 
theatre  construction,  but  they  are  not 
masters  of  the  subject  of  psychology.  The 
present  widespread  announcements  of  re- 
trenchment are  producing  exactly  _ the 
wrong  psychology.  They  are  undermining 
the  faith  of  the  public  in  the  industry  and 
sowing  discontent  in  the  employe  personnel. 

Retrenchment  does  not  always  spell 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


In  this  chart  line  “A,** 
based  on  definite,  au- 
thentic figures,  shows 
the  growth  in  the 
number  of  stockhold- 
ers enrolled  in  Amer- 
icans largest  public 
utility.  From  less  than 
3,000  in  1900,  its 
stockholder  list  has 
been  built  up  by  stock 
offerings  to  the  Ameri- 
can public  to  approx- 
imately  600,000 
stockholders  located 
in  every  state  in  the 
Union. 

Line  “B,”  showing  the 
prevailing  trend  of  an- 
tagonistic public  senti- 
ment during  the  pe- 
riod of  stockholder 
build-up,  is  arbitrary 
so  far  as  specific  data 
is  concerned,  but  is 
supported  by  general 
knowledge  and  opin- 
ion of  those  convers- 
ant with  public  affairs 
and  familiar  with  the 
political  trend  of  the 
last  quarter  of  a cen- 
tury. 


economy.  Economy  is  thrifty — not  cheap. 
Expansion  can  mean  economy. 

The  remedy  for  viost  of  the  troubles  of 
the  motion  picture  industry  can  be  found 
in  the  development  of  good  will.  This  in- 
volves the  human  element — the  bringing  of 
the  patron  public  into  cooperation-  veith  the 
industry.  All  formulas  of  business  success 
have  been  found  worthless  zvithout  good 
zufill.  No  business  that  deals  so  directly  and 
in  close  contact  zmth  the  public  as  the 
motion  picture  theatre  can  exist  without 
that  good  will. 

An  industry  having  no  other  contact  with 
the  public  than  that  of  collecting  money 
therefrom  will  enjoy  the  friendliness  of 
public  opinion  only  so  long  as  the  product 
delivered  in  exchange  for  the  public’s 
money  is  able  to  satisfy  its  varying  and 
changing  fancies. 

A closer  connection  than  that  of  seller 
to  buyer  is  necessary  to  insure  a per- 
manent bond  of  friendship  and  interest  be- 
tween the  public  and  the  industry. 

Good  will  involves  the  friendly  interest, 
patronage  and  support  of  the  public.  No 
method  has  ever  been  devised  for  insuring 
a deep  personal  interest,  permanent  patron- 
age and  sustained  support  of  a business  by 
the  average  citizen  except  through  the  bond 
of  financial  investment  therein. 

Patron  -Partnership 

Patron-partnership  means  more  than 
patron  participation  in  profits. 

The  family  fireside  is  the  source  of  pub- 
lic opinion. 

Around  the  family  table  and  in  the  dis- 
cussions of  the  home,  opinion  and  senti- 
ment are  created  to  a greater  degree  than 
in  any  other  center  of  human  association. 

It  is  a truth  that  cannot  be  denied  that 
the  average  citizen’s  interest,  support  and 
vote  will  follow  his  investment.  His  in- 
vestment is  his  property.  It  is  his  privilege 
and  right  to  protect  his  property. 

In  every  city  or  hamlet  in  America  are 
to  be  found  citizen-voters  who  have  in- 
vested in  the  securities  of  America’s  lead- 
ing industries.  This  investment  first  of  all 
develops  friendliness ; secondly,  active  sup- 
port ; and  third,  militant  defense  when 
necessary. 

These  stockholders,  or  patron-partners, 
should  be  built  up  around  each  chain  thea- 
tre operation.  This  would  mean  not  only 
the  development  of  an  increased  patronage 
hut  a support  that  would  be  strongly  re- 
flected in  public  attitude  toward  theatre 
operation,  and  in  event  of  attack  by  radical 
moral  movements  or  political  assault  would 
react  in  the  form  of  vigorous  defense  to 
the  industry. 

Em  ploye-Partnership 

Employes  who  own  stock  in  the  corpora- 
tion they  work  for  will  do  better  and  more 


conscientious  work  than  if  their  interest  is 
limited  to  the  salary  they  draw. 

In  addition  to  the  knowledge  of  build- 
ing profits  for  themselves,  this  stock  in- 
terest develops  a personal  pride,  an  am- 
bition to  perform  service  of  a higher  type. 

An  employe-stockholder  feels  a responsi- 
bility for  the  property  which  he  is  han- 
dling, a greater  care  for  the  safety,  com- 
fort and  satisfaction  of  the  patron  or  cus- 
tomer of  the  corporation.  As  a stock- 
holder, his  courtesy  to  the  public  is  volun- 
tary and  spontaneous  rather  than  forced. 

With  a group  of  employes  having  no 
more  than  a salary  connection  with  the 
company  they  work  for,  the  labor  agitator 
and  disturber  finds  a responsive  field  for 
his  work.  When  these  same  employes  are 
stockholders  in  their  company,  they  will 
resent  interference  and  demands  which 
over-step  the  bounds  of  reason  and  fair- 
ness. 

These  are  some  of  the  very  logical  and 
forcible  reasons  why  the  Theatre  Financing 
Corporation  of  America  includes  in  its 
broad  service  the  upbuilding  of  employe- 
partnersip.  Our  experience  proves  con- 
clusively that  it  elevates  to  a remarkable 
degree  the  ambition,  morale  and  loyalty 
of  an  organization  and  its  benefits  are  im- 
possible of  measurement  in  dollars. 

Industries  Adopt  Remedy 

Prior  to  1910  corporate  ownership  and 
combinations  of  capital  were  distasteful 
and  in  bad  repute  with  the  American  pub- 
lic. 

The  new  movement  for  putting  democ- 
racy into  industry  had  for  its  purpose : 

(1)  Education  of  the  public. 

(2)  The  making  of  the  worker 
a capitalist. 

(3)  The  conversion  of  the  cus- 
tomer or  patron  into  a partner. 

In  1911  the  Standard  Oil  Company  of 
New  Jersey,  owning  22  subsidiaries,  had 
only  6,000  stockholders,  with  eight  persons 
owning  50  per  cent  of  the  stock.  Today 
the  company  has  over  144,000  stockholders, 
of  whom  41,000  are  employe-owners,  this 
total  group  holding  over  $373,000,000  of 
securities. 

Only  a few  years  ago  Armour  & Com- 
pany was  almost  entirely  owned  by  the 
Armour  family.  Today  77,000  persons  own 
the  business,  nearly  one-half  being  em- 
ployes. 

At  the  time  this  movement  commenced, 
33  railroads  had  a stockholder  list  num- 
bering 81,000.  At  the  close  of  1923,  the 
Class  1 railroads,  those  of  the  yearly  op- 
erating revenue  of  more  than  $1,000,000, 
had  800,000  stockholders. 

The  Western  Union  Telegraph  Company 
has  built  its  stockholder  list  from  1,382  to 
26,276.  The  Commonwealth  Edison  Com- 


pany formerly  had  11  stockholders,  but  is 
now  owned  by  more  than  44,000  persons. 

The  adoption  of  this  policy  of  employe 
and  customer  ownership  by  the  leaders  in 
all  the  business  and  industrial  fields  un- 
questionably proves  the  same  to  be  logical, 
practical  and  fundamentally  sound. 

Its  results  are  shown  in  the  fact  that 
labor  disturbances  are  steadily  growing  less 
and  less;  political  upheavals  led  by  dema- 
gogues against  certain  industries  and  com- 
binations are  becoming  well  nigh  impos- 
sible, and  both  big  business  and  the  public 
are  prospering  from  the  new  condition. 

All  of  these  benefits  can  be  brought  to 
the  motion  picture  industry  by  financing 
programs  under  which  the  public  is  offered 
the  advantages  of  patron-partnership  in  the 
industry.  The  financing  involves  junior,  or 
secondary,  stock  issues. 

While  the  railroad  business  boasts  nearly 
1,000,000  stockholders;  the  public  utilities 
more  than  2,000,000  patron-owners ; the 
telephone  industry  more  than  500,000  cus- 
tomer-ozmiers,  and  all  other  leading  indus- 
tries in  ^ proportionate  degree,  the  motion 
picture  industry,  now  ranking  as  the  fourth 
industry  of  the  nation,  is  sadly  lacking  this 
great  safegicard  which  promotes  employe 
cooperation,  public  moral  support  and  inde- 
pendence in  financing. 

Someone  may  say  in  defense  of  the  in- 
dustry that  there  has  been  some  distribu- 
tion of  motion  picture  securities.  Yes, 
some.  From  data  available  there  are  ap- 
proximately 50,000  holders  of  motion  pic- 
ture securities  in  the  United  States,  with 
average  holdings  of  about  $4,000  each.  This 
does  not  spell  distribution. 

_ Furthermore,  these  50,000  owners  of  mo- 
tion picture  securities  are  for  the  most  part 
regular  buyers  of  stock  market  securities. 

Such  a stockholder  list  embraces  the 
financier,  the  capitalist  and  the  follower  of 
the  stock  ticker.  The  addresses  of  the  list 
will  include  a few  large  cities,  but  prin- 
cipally New  York  City.  It  is  neither  the 
character  of  people  nor  the  territory 
wherein  the  public  opinion  of  the  nation  is 
molded. 

The  ideal  condition  is  to  be  found  in  the 
great  stockholder  list  of  the  American 
Telephone  and  Telegraph  Company,  total- 
ing more  than  600,000  spread  over  the  en- 
tire United  States — a wonderful  army  of 
representative  citizens  creating  and  main- 
taining a cordial  friendship  and  good  will 
for  the  telephone  industry.  Does  it  pay 
to  maintain  and  steadily  recruit  that  large 
army?  The  American  'Telephone  and  Tele- 
graph Company  in  answer  to  that  question 
could  recite  a most  interesting  contrast  be- 
tween the  restless,  turbulent  and  disturb- 
ing public  attitude  of  20  years  ago  as  com- 
pared to  the  serenity  of  public  sentiment 
and  legislative  halls  today, 

Siich  financing  programs  will  give  the 
motion  picture  industry  a better  balanced 
and  safer  fitiancing  than  now  exists,  and  in 
the  aggregate  will  place  the  varioxis  organi- 
sations in  stronger  cash  position,  develop 
the  interest,  regard  and  confidence  of  the 
public,  instill  a spirit  of  loyalty  and  ambi- 
tion among  employes,  and  equip  the  particu- 
lar institution  and  the  industry  in  general 
to  face  the  future  fully  prepared  to  over- 
come its  obstacles. 

It  is  true  there  have  been  spasmodic  ef- 
forts to  attempt  some  of  the  benefits 
of  employe  and  public  affiliation,  but  prac- 
tically all  have  been  ill-advised  and  im- 
properly directed  by  those  inexperienced  in 
public  relations  work. 

If  the  motion  picture  industry — produc- 
ers and  exhibitors — desire  freedom  from 
exorbitant  taxation,  relief  from  labor 
troubles,  and  protection  against  threatening 
legislation  and  impending  moral  revolts, 
let  them  get  clese  to  the  public. 

Tender  the  public  some  participation  in, 
and  knowledge  of,  the  industry,  and  its 
cooperation  will  prove  the  relief  required 
to  meet  the  problems  involved  in  the 
present  signs  of  the  times. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


This  is  the  way 
the  newspaper  car- 
toonist sees  the 
economy  move- 
ment in  the  mo- 
tion picture  indus- 
try. This  cartoon 
appeared  in  the 
Los  Angeles  Times 
last  Friday.  The 
dawn  of  economy 
is  shown,  with  the 
stars  wide  - eyed 
over  the  possibil- 
ity of  salary  cuts 
and  studio  over- 
head releasing  its 
clutch  on  produc- 
tion dollars. 


Five  Meetings  in  Week  Point 
To  Solution  of  Economy  Issue 

All  Branches  Realize  Production  Costs  Must  Be  Reduced — 
Fairbanks  Predicts  System  Without  Salary  Cuts 

Will  Be  Developed  i « i 

(Special  to  the  Herald)  ' ' ’ 'i 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19. — Five  meetings  within  a week  have  crystal- 
lized sentiment  at  the  center  of  production  on  solution  of  the  high  cost  of 
picture  making  and  the  results  of  these  gatherings  are  expected  to  play  a 
vital  part  in  final  disposition  of  the  economic  problem. 

All  Realized  Cost  Reduction  Need 

All  branches  of  the  industry  have  come  to  the  realization  that  production 
costs  must  be  reduced  and  this  series  of  meetings  was  called  to  bring  all 
interested  parties  together  in  a spirit  of  intelligent  cooperation  to  work 
out  a program  that  will  insure  the  continued  prosperity  of  the  industry. 


$5,000,000  to  Be  Cost 
of  Five  New  Theatres 
Planned  in  Philadelphia 

Three  in  Other  Cities  Going  Up; 
Kansas  City  Midland 
Progresses 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  19.  — Five 
new  theatres,  three  of  them  to  seat  over 
2,500,  are  to  be  erected  here  at  a total 
cost  of  $5,000,000.  This  is  in  addition 
to  the  two  5,000-seat  houses  now  under 
construction. 

The  projected  theatres  are  the  Roxy 
Amusement  Company  house,  to  seat 
2,500;  a Green  & Altman  theatre,  to  seat 
2,500;  one  by  the  Shubert  interests; 
another  by  Brown  & Sons;  while  Wil- 
liam Freihofer  is  planning  a 3,000-seat 
neighborhood  theatre. 

Erect  Three  Theatres 
Steel  Up  on  Midland 

Construction  will  be  started  within 
the  next  ten  days  on  Harry  Redmon’s 
$500,000  theatre  at  East  St.  Louis,  111. 
It  will  have  a seating  capacity  of  2,000. 
A $115,000  house  to  seat  1,100  is  to  be 
erected  at  Everett,  Wash.,  while  at  Port- 
land, Ore.,  1.  Geller  has  let  the  contract 
for  a $40,000  theatre  to  seat  600. 

Structural  work  on  the  $4,000,000  Mid- 
land at  Kansas  City  is  complete  and  the 
concrete  is  now  being  poured.  In 
Seattle,  construction  has  been  resumed 
on  the  million  dollar,  2,500  seat  house 
being  erected  by  the  Real  Estate  Im- 
provement Company. 

Herb  Jennings,  manager  of  the  Palace 
in  Indianapolis,  has  gone  to  the  Keith 
interests  in  Detroit.  He  is  succeeded  by 
William  Hough,  formerly  of  the  Indian- 
apolis Keith. 

Albany  Board  Outing 
Finally  Set  for  Aug.  8 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  July  19. — The  third  annual 
outing  of  the  Albany  Film  Board  of 
Trade  will  be  held  at  White  Sulphur 
Springs,  Saratoga  Lake,  August  8.  One 
of  the  features  of  the  outing  will  be  a 
baseiball  game. 


Hearst  Lays  Costs  to 
Picking  Poor  Stories 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19. Pro- 
ducers’ troubles  are  due  in  great 
measure  to  starting  with  a poor 
story  or  making  a good  story  poor 
by  discarding  the  good  parts,  and 
a 10  per  cent  reduction  in  salaries 
means  a 50  per  cent  reduction  in 
efficiency,”  William  Randolph 
Hearst  said  last  week  in  commen- 
ting on  the  economy  move  in  the 
industry. 

‘Take  10  per  cent  off  a man’s 
salary  for  no  reason  except  your 
own  requirements  and  he  is  natur- 
ally resentful,  disgruntled  and  cor- 
respondingly inefficient”,  Hearst 
declared,  adding  that  persons  em- 
ployed in  the  motion  picture  in- 
dustry work  harder  than  in  any 
other. 

“The  way  for  producers  to 
make  more  money  is  to  stop  put- 
ting their  money  on  'dead  cards’, 
stop  trying  to  rival  each  other  in 
extravagant  productions  which 
have  no  essential  merit  or  fund- 
amental interest.” 


The  sessions,  conducted  by  a committee 
appointed  by  the  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences,  are  the  result  of  a pledge  ob- 
tained by  the  Academy  from  the  producers 
two  weeks  ago  that  they  would  not  put 
into  effect  the  proposed  wage  cut  pending 
a survey  by  all  departments  concerned. 

200  Attend  First  Session 
Two  hundred  attended  the  first  meeting 
held  last  Monday  night  with  Douglas  Fair- 
banks, president  of  the  Academy,  presid- 
ing. Speakers  included  Fred  Niblo  and 
John  M.  Stahl,  representing  the  directors; 
Conrad  Nagel,  Milton  Sills  and  Mary  Pick- 
ford,  for  the  stars;  Jeanie  Macpherson, 
Carey  Wilson  and  Joe  Farnham,  writers ; 
Louis  B.  Mayer,  Joseph  M.  Schenck,  Sam- 
uel Goldwyn  and  Irving  Thalberg  for  the 
producers. 

This  was  preliminary  to  special  meetings 
of  the  producers  with  other  branches. 
They  met  the  directors  Thursday  night  at 
the  Biltmore  hotel,  the  screen  writers  on 
Friday,  the  actors  on  Monday  and  the 
technicians  tonight. 

Producers  Endorse  Conferences 
Frank  Woods,  secretary  of  the  Academy, 
had  announced  at  the  first  meeting  that  all 


producing  companies  had  endorsed  the  plan 
for  the  series  of  conferences  and  that 
Joseph  M.  Schenck  and  Samuel  Goldwyn 
would  be  co-chairmen.  — 

Thursday’s  meeting  brought  the  pro- 
ducers and  directors  together  for  a two- 
hour  discussion,  but  before  the  session 
Fairbanks  told  the  press  he  felt  confident 
that  ways  to  reduce  production  costs  would 
be  found  without  resorting  to  salary  re- 
ductions. 

Fairbanks  declared  he  felt  certain  the 
result  of  the  meetings  will  be  the  “de- 
velopment of  the  real  architects  and  en- 
gineers of  our  business,  who  will  be 
able  to  systematize  and  regulate  the 
amount  of  time  consumed  in  the  prepar- 
ing of  a picture,  the  ‘shooting’  of  a pic- 
ture and  the  editing  of  a picture  so  that 
a maximum  result  will  be  obtained  with 
minimum  effort.” 

He  said  that  “the  problem  is  to  eliminate 
waste,  save  money,  but  we  will  go  on 
spending  more  than  ever  to  make  good 
pictures  better.” 

Mary  Pickford  added  that  “better  pic- 
tures with  fewer  but  larger  theatres  and 
(^Continued  on  page  38) 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


3 Paramounts  Play  Downtown 
Los  Angeles  at  Same  Time 

“The  fTay  of  All  Flesh,”  “Chang”  and  “Barbed  Wire”  Show  to 
Capacity  Theatres  at  Once — All  Contrasting  Themes 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  July  19. — Three  Paramount  productions,  all  of  dif- 
ferent types,  played  simultaneously  to  capacity  houses  last  week 
in  three  downtown  theatres  of  Los  Angeles,  presenting  an  unusual 
situation  and  setting  a new  mark  for  producers  to  shoot  at. 


WAY  OF  ALL  FLESH,”  first 

-*•  American-made  production  of  Emil 
Jannings,  has  opened  at  the  Criterion 
for  an  indefinite  run. 

“Chang,”  novel  melodrama  of  the  jun- 
gles, is  playing  to  large  crowds  at  the 
Million  Dollar  theatre. 

“Barbed  Wire,”  starring  Pola  Negri  in 
what  Paramount  considers  the  most  pow- 
erful drama  of  her  career,  is  making  rec- 
ords at  the  Aletropolitan. 

Simultaneous  showing  of  three  con- 
trasting productions  from  the  same  com- 
pany at  three  theatres  within  a few  blocks 
of  one  another  is  hailed  by  Paramount 
officials  as  an  achievement  unprece- 
dented. 

.Tannings’  “The  Way  of  All  Flesh,” 
called  the  greatest  characterization  by 
the  German  star,  is  based  upon  a simple 
story  of  a single  family,  and  has  a small 
cast. 

“Chang”  was  made  thousands  of  miles 
from  any  studio  and  reflects  the  hard- 
ships endured  for  two  years  by  Merian 
C.  Cooper  and  Ernest  B.  Schoedsack  in 
bringing  to  the  screen  the  drama  of 
jungle  life. 

“Barbed  Wire”  differs  from  both  the 
others  in  being  built  upon  the  theme  of 
the  futility  of  war. 


Warner  Brothers  Give 
Release  Dates  on  14 
Winners,  4 Long  Runs 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK.  .Tuly  19.— W a r n e r 
Brothers  has  announced  definite  release 
dates  on  14  of  the  26  “Warner  Winners” 
for  1927-28,  and  the  dates  for  the  gen- 
eral release  of  four  extended  run  pro- 
ductions. 

The  dates  for  the  14  Winners  are; 
“The  Bush  Leaguer,”  August  20;  “The 
Outpost,”  August  29;  “Slightly  Used,” 
September  3;  “The  Broadway  Kid,”  tem- 
porary title,  September  10;  “Jaws  of 
Steel,”  September  17;  “A  Sailor’s  Sweet- 


St. Louis  Jews  Object 
to  News  Reel  of  Ford 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  Louis,  July  19. — Despite 
Henry  Ford’s  apology  to  the  Jews, 
Jewish  patrons  of  the  West  End 
Lyric  theatre  objected  to  pictures 
of  Ford  shown  in  a news  reel  and 
as  a result  of  their  complaint,  the 
objectionable  sections  of  the  film 
were  deleted  in  subsequent  shows. 

The  news  reel  showed  Ford  and 
his  son,  Edsel,  inspecting  an  air- 
plane. This  shot  was  followed  by 
a brief  excerpt  from  Ford’s  state- 
ment of  apology. 

Last  week  when  the  pictures 
were  shown,  four  Jews  in  the  aud- 
ience complained  to  the  manager. 
Their  complaint  was  that  the  pic- 
ture was  merely  an  advertisement 
for  Ford’s  new  automobile. 


heart,”  September  24;  “One  Round  Ho- 
gan,” October  1;  an  untitled  Deluxe  Win- 
ner, Otocber  8;  “Beware  of  Married 
Men,’’  October  22;  “Finnegan’s  Ball,” 
temporary  title,  November  5;  “A  Dog  of 
the  Regiment,”  November  19;  “Rebecca 
O’Brien,”  December  3;  “Five  and  Ten 
Cent  Annie,”  December  17;  and  “Good 
Time  Charley,”  December  31. 

The  four  extended  run  productions  to 
which  definite  release  dates  have  been 
given  are:  “The  Missing  Link,”  August 
7;  “When  a Man  Loves,”  August  21; 
“Old  San  Francisco,”  September  4;  and 
“The  First  Auto,”  September  18. 


Film 
Boards’ 
Secretaries 

Thee«  officers  of  the  Film  Boards  of 
Trade  probably  do  more  than  any  other 
agency  to  promote  harmony  between  exhib- 
itor and  distributor.  Here  is  given  one  of 
a series  of  sketches  appearing  in  the 
HERALD. 


WHEN  David  Palfreyman,  now  secre- 
tary and  general  manager  of  the  De- 
troit Film  Board  of  Trade,  became  old 
enough  to  realize, 
as  he  puts  it,  that 
good  Hoosiers 
were  supposed  to 
step  out  and  make 
a name  for  them- 
selves,  he  mi- 
grated to  Detroit, 
and  having  a han- 
kering for  the 
show  business  in 
general,  decided  he 
would  work  for 
John  H.  Kunsky. 

The  latter  wasn’t 
aware  of  Palfrey- 
man’s  decision  so 
it  took  a little 
time  to  convince  George  W.  Trendle, 
Kunsky’s  general  manager,  that  any  im- 
portance should  be  attached  to  the  con- 
clusion. 

This  pleasant  arrangement  was  disrupted 
by  the  Big  War.  After  the  shooting  was 
all  over  the  urge  for  more  knowledge  seized 
him  and  he  started  in  with  First  National 
to  learn  exchange  operation  and  at  the 
same  time  at  the  Detroit  College  of  Law, 
from  which  he  received  a degree.  He  adds 
that  no  degree  was  given  him  by  First 
National,  however. 

Three  years  ago  Palfreyman  became 
secretary  of  the  Film  Board.  He  says  his 
activities  consist  chiefly  in  saying  “Let’s.” 
All  of  which  means  carrying  out  ideas, 
and  some  of  those  ideas  have  developed 
into  a Central  Shipping  Service,  a good 
arbitration  system,  uniform  zoning,  a credit 
committee,  a directory  system  and  informa- 
tion bureau,  employment  bureau  and  pro- 
motion of  a new  film  exchange  building. 


Eastman  Hailed  on 
His  73rd  Birthday 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ROCHESTER,  July  19.—Geoge 
Eastman,  chairman  of  the  board 
of  the  Eastman  Kodak  Company, 
celebrated  his  73rd  birthday  here 
last  week  by  spending  the  day 
quietly  at  his  home.  Many  of 
his  friends  called  for  a short  visit, 
while  many  hundreds  sent  mes- 
sages of  congratulation  from  all 
over  the  country. 


Tiffany  Conducts  Sales 
Contest  for  Exchanges; 
Hoffman  Goes  to  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Announce- 
ment of  a national  sales  contest  open  to 
all  Tiffany  exchange  men,  was  made  last 
week  by  General  Sales  Manager  Ed  J. 
Smith,  on  his  departure  on  a trip  to  the 
Midwestern  branches,  in  the  last  issue  of 
the  Tiffany  house  organ,  “The  Sparkler.” 
Three  cash  prizes  will  be  awarded,  the 
contest  extending  from  July  5 to  Octo- 
ber 1. 

Smith  left  last  week  on  a visit  to  the 
Midwestern  exchanges,  accompanied  by 
Vice-President  M.  H.  Hoffman,  who  con- 
tinued to  the  coast.  Prior  to  his  de- 
parture, Hoffman  announced  that  Ferdi- 
nand V.  Luporini  has  been  appointed  the 
exclusive  Tiffany  representative  for  the 
Latin-American  countries,  with  offices  in 
New  York. 

Gaumont  to  Distribute 
12  First  Division  Films 
Except  in  U,  S,,  Canada 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — The  Gaumont 
Company  of  London,  a leading  European 
distributing  firm,  is  to  distribute  12  of  the 
First  Division  Distributors’  pictures  every- 
where except  in  the  United  States  and 
Canada  as  the  result  of  a deal  just  consum- 
mated. The  productions  to  be  handled 
by  Gaumont  are  not  named,  but  will  be  the 
leading  items  on  the  First  Division  1927-28 
program. 

Gary  Cooper  Severely 
Cut  in  **Sahreur”  Scene 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19. — Gary  Cooper, 
Paramount  star,  suffered  severe  injury  to 
his  hand  while  on  location  with  the  com- 
pany making  “Beau  Sabreur”  at  Guadalupe, 
Cal.,  when  he  was  cut  on  the  back  of  the 
hand  with  an  Arabian  saber. 


M.  E.  Comerford  Made 
Honorary  Fire  Chief 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SCRANTON,  July  19.— New 
honors  have  been  given  M.  E. 
Comerford,  president  of  the  Com- 
erford Circuit,  and  administrative 
committee  member  of  the  M.  P.  T. 
O.,  when  he  was  recently  made 
honorary  chief  of  the  Scranton 
fire  department. 

Comerford  was  the  Srst  presi- 
dent of  the  Pennsylvania  exhib- 
itor’s organization  which  was 
founded  in  the  early  days  of  the 
industry  and  has  maintained  his 
interest  in  theatre  owner  move- 
ments ever  since. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


A Personal 
Announcement 

Regarding  traveling  tent  shows 
which  s?y  they  are  being  run  for  the 
benefit  of  local  organizations.  This 
statement  is  made  for  one  purpose 
only,  to  tell  you  frankly  what  we  will 
do  when  such  outside  traveling  tent 
shows  come  here  claiming  to  put  on 
their  entertainment  for  the  benefit  of 
some  local  organization,  when  the  so- 
called  benefit  represents  but  a small 
percentage  of  the  receipts. 

A benefit  is  understood  to  mean  a 
performance  from  which  a substantial 
part  of  the  proceeds  are  turned  over 
to  some  worthy  cause  or  local  organi- 
zation. 

Any  tent  show  which  comes  to  this 
city  for  a few  days,  and  advertises 
that  it  is  putting  on  the  performance 
for  the  benefit  of  some  local  organi- 
zation, and  gives  to  that  organization 
only  a small  per  cent,  is  not  playing 
fair  with  the  public,  nor  with  that 
organization.  It  is  not  doing  what  it 
leads  the  public  to  believe.  It  is 
simply  using  that  organization’s  name 
as  a cloak,  behind  which  it  can  arouse 
public  interest  and  loyalty  to  that  or- 
ganization. 

The  Strand  theatre  will  no  longer 
submit  to  this  kind  of  unfair  com- 
petition. We  give  notice  now  that  we 
will  meet  that  kind  of  competition 
from  any  tent  show  that  comes  into 
this  locality  in  this  manner  by  getting 
the  best  counter  attractions  we  can. 
The  only  time  we  will  not  do  so  will 
be  on  the  following  conditions,  viz: 

That  the  tent  show,  claiming  to 
be  so  public  spirite<l,  must,  when 
gpving  a benefit  to  some  local  or- 
ganization give  to  such  organization 
a sum  equal  to  50  per  cent  of  the 
gross  amount  collected  from  the 
people,  and  thus  make  its  entertain- 
ment a real  benefit  rather  than  just 
an  advertising  scheme. 

The  Strand  theatre  holds  itself 
ready  at  any  time  to  assist  in  any 
worthy  benefit;  and  when  it  does  it 
expects  to  make  a contribution  that 
IS  a benefit  and  not  use  a local  or- 
ganization as  an  advertising  medium. 

Signed: 

Strand  Theatre 

By  RAY  BRANCH,  Manager. 


Above  is  a copy  ot  the  announcement 
issued  by  Manager  Ray  Branch  of  the 
Strand  theatre  at  Hastings,  Mich.,  in 
his  fight  against  carnivals. 

Adds  2 States  to  Field 
of  Arbitration  Society 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — The  area  for 
the  amicable  settlement  of  commercial 
disputes,  through  the  American  Arbitra- 
tion Association,  has  been  extended  to 
California  and  Pennsylvania.  The  other 
states  are  New  York,  New  Jersey, 
Massachusetts  and  Oregon. 

The  standard  arbitration  clause  of  the 
association  declares  that  “any  contro- 
versy arising  from  or  concerning  the 
transaction  of  which  this  contract  is  a 
part  shall  be  settled  by  arbitration  and 
judgment  may  be  entered  on  the  award 
in  any  court  having  jurisdiction.’’ 

F-N  Promotes  Wilson,  Crosbie 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK. — Sterling  H.  Wilson,  who  has 
been  in  the  First  National  contract  approval  de- 
partment, goes  to  Cincinnati  as  a salesman,  and 
Fred  Crosbie  is  now  salesman  in  New  York. 


Exhibitor  Exposes  Carnival; 
Ottawa  Bars  All  Tent  Shows 

Manager  Ray  Branch  at  Hastings,  Mich.,  Calls  Turn  ©n  “Bene- 
fit” Hoax — Dares  Unfair  Competitors  to  Give 
HaK  of  Proceeds  to  Civic  Body 


Carnivals  that  invade  a city  under  the  guise  of  giving  socalled  “Ijenefit” 
shows,  through  the  timeworn  device  of  tricking  a local  organization  by 
allowing  the  society  a percentage  of  the  gross  intake,  are  given  a blow  in 
the  strategy  adopted  by  Ray  Branch,  manager  of  the  Strand  and  Family 
theatres  at  Hastings,  Mich. 

Manager  Branch,  in  informing  the  community  of  the  unfair  competition 
thus  brought  into  the  city,  throws  down  the  gage  to  the  tent  shows  and 
advises  the  public  that  “when  these  public-spirited  tent  shows  wish  to  give 
a real  benefit  such  as  50  per  cent  of  their  gate  to  some  local  organization, 
I will  always  stand  ready  to  cooperate  with  them.”  (Mr.  Branch’s  letter  to 

Letters  from  Readers”  columns. 


the  Herald  is  printed  in  full  in  the 
page  56.) 

The  cloak  adopted  by  such  tent  shows 
in  gaining  entrance  to  the  city  by  tying 
up  with  civic  organizations  places  the 
exhibitor  at  the  disadvantage  of  appear- 
ing to  be  running  in  opposition  to  the 
community  society  if  he  offers  a special 
counter  attraction.  Deciding  that  the 
situation  was  unfair  to  the  public  “as 
they  were  under  the  impression  that  the 
tent  shows  were  so  public  spirited  that 
they  were  coming  here  to  give  their  lo- 
cal people  a large  portion  of  their  re- 
ceipts, which  every  broadminded  person 
knows  is  only  a scheme,”  Mr.  Branch 
went  into  action. 

The  exhibitor  first  called  a meeting  of 
the  fire  board  (the  carnival  company  had 
tied  up  with  the  firemen  of  Hastings). 
Each  member  of  the  board  said  he  did 
not  even  want  a benefit  from  the  tent 
show,  that  it  practically  was  forced  on 
them  and  that  the  firemen  did  not  realize 
the  trap  until  the  tent  show’s  advertising 
had  appeared.  All  members  agreed  to 
support  the  exhibitor’s  stand.  Then  Mr. 
Branch  issued  the  announcement  printed 
elsewhere  on  this  page. 

The  final  results  of  Mr.  Branch’s  activ- 
ities in  the  situation  are  still  to  be  de- 
termined, yet  it  is  a foregone  conclusion 
that  he  not  only  has  placed  show  com- 
petition upon  a fair  basis  in  his  city  but 
also  has  added  tremendously  to  the 
goodwill  he  already  held  in  the  commun- 
ity. 

Ottawa  Exhibitors 
Win  Over  Carnivals 

OTTAWA,  July  19. — Exhibitors  of 
Ottawa  apparently  have  won  out  in  their 
agitation  against  the  presence  of  car- 
nivals in  the  Canadian  capital  almost 
continuously  since  early  in  June.  A dep- 
utation of  the  theatre  managers,  headed 
by  P.  J.  Nolan,  proprietor  of  the  Rex 
and  Columbia  theatres,  appeared  before 
the  Board  of  Control  to  offer  their  side 
of  the  story,  but  the  carnivals  continued 
to  operate.  The  corner-lot  Midways  be- 
came such  a nuisance,  however,  that  the 
Ottawa  Police  Commission  on  July  15 


Canadian  Village 
Votes  Town  Theatre 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

STIRLING,  Ont.,  Julyl9. — This 
town  is  to  have  a community  mo- 
tion picture  theatre  as  the  result 
of  a vote  at  which  the  project  won 
225  to  60.  The  structure  is  to  cost 
$19,000,  the  site  being  the  prop- 
erty of  the  village. 


heeded  the  word  of  the  exhibitors  and 
decided  that,  on  and  after  July  25,  no  car- 
nivals would  be  tolerated  in  the  city  for 
any  reason,  charitable  or  otherwise. 

No  less  than  three  carnivals  were  op- 
erating noisily  on  private  property  in 
different  parts  of  Ottawa  during  the 
week  of  July  11  and  many  complaints 
were  received  regardin'^  their  activities. 

The  exhibitors  asked  for  a fee  of  $200 
a day  by  the  city  from  the  traveling 
shows  or  their  banning  altogether.  The 
Police  Commission  decided  on  the  latter 
course,  making  it  plain  that  all  religious 
and  fraternal  organizations  would  be 
treated  alike  in  the  matter. 

Those  who  fought  the  matter  included 
P.  J.  Nolan,  J.  M.  Franklin,  manager  of 
B.  F.  Keith’s;  Ray  Tubman,  manager  of 
the  Regent  and  Imperial  theatres;  J.  T. 
Moxley,  manager  of  the  Francais;  A.  H. 
Coplan,  Princess,  and  Herb.  Benson  of 
the  Fern. 

Large  Resources,  Skill, 
Reliability  Essentials  of 
Firm*s  Success:  Goetz 

(Speciol  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Resources 
capable  of  building  a big,  responsible  or- 
ganization of  skilled  workers,  years  of  ex- 
perience, and  the 
desire  to  build 
future  business 
on  the  basis  of 
dependability  is 
given  by  Harry 
M.  Goetz  as  the 
essentials  of  suc- 
cess for  a large 
corporation,  such 
as  Consolidated 
Film  Industries, 

Inc.,  of  which  he 
is  vice-president 
and  production 
manager. 

“At  C O n S O 1 i-  Harry  M.  Goelz 

dated,”  says  his 

statement,  “each  production  is  consid- 
ered as  a work  of  art — the  result  of  the 
efforts  of  a skilled  organization.  Mil- 
lions of  feet  of  negative  have  been 
printed  at  our  plants,  which  have  served 
the  motion  picture  industry  for  many 
years.” 


Marangella  Goes  West 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Lou  Maran- 
gella, who  has  been  connected  with 
Warner  Brothers’  publicity  department 
for  the  last  two  years,  has  resigned.  He 
left  today  for  Hollywood. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Legionaries  Greet  Marne  Cab 
Exploiting  “7th  Heaven” 

Neiv  York  Post  Arranges  to  Billet  Eloise  in  Armory — Veterans  of  Sev- 
eral Armies  on  Reception  Committee 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  July  19. — American  Legionaries  prepared  an  elaborate 
reception  for  the  Marne  taxicab  which  Fox  Film  Corporation  is 
making  the  medium  of  progressive  exploitation  from  California  to 
New  York  for  “7th  Heaven.” 


L'  OLLOWING  is  a story  sent  out  by  the 
-F  S.  Rankin  Drew  Post  of  the  .‘\merican 
Legion  : 

“ ‘Eloise,’  one  of  the  taxical)s  that  saved 
Paris  during  the  first  battle  of  the  Marne, 
and  which  has  been  making  a journey 
Eastward  over  the  roads  from  California, 
will  arrive  in  New  York  on  Thursday 
morning  and  will  be  accorded  a reception 
befitting  such  a picturesque  veteran.  Upon 
her  arrival  in  New  York  ‘Eloise’  will 
become  the  guest  of  the  S.  Rankin  Drew 
Post  of  the  American  Legion,  which  has 
arranged  to  house  her  in  the  Armory  of 
the  212th  Anti-.Aircraft  Regiment  at  62d 
Street  and  Broadway.  The  post  has  also 
arranged  for  an  escort  of  Yellow  taxicabs 
so  that  ‘Eloise’  will  not  be  lonesome  during 
her  visit.  Incidentally  ‘Eloise’  will  be 
towed  by  a Yellow  cab  inasmuch  as  her 
own  motive  power  broke  down  at  In- 
dianapolis. 

War  Veterans  Greet  Cab 

“As  soon  as  the  cab  disembarks  from 
the  ferry  at  Liberty  street  she  will  be  met 
by  officials  of  the  French  War  Veterans' 
Society,  the  British  Legion,  the  Italian 
Legion,  the  Belgian  W’ar  Veterans’  Society, 
the  Polish  Veterans’  Club  and  the  S.  Ran- 
kin Drew  Post  of  the  American  Legion.  A 
procession  will  then  proceed  to  the  Ar- 
mory, where  a welcoming  ceremony  will 
be  held  at  1 p.  m.  Following  the  ceremony 
the  members  of  the  procession  will  be  the 
guests  of  William  Fox  at  a performance  of 
‘7th  Heaven’  in  the  Sam  H.  Harris 
theatre.” 

Lieut.  Horace  A.  Didot,  son  of  the  con- 
sul general  in  Los  Angeles,  who  piloted  the 
cab  across  country,  will  be  at  the  wheel  in 
the  local  procession.  Lieutenant  Didot,  him- 
self a veteran  of  the  Great  War,  was  one 
of  the  men  who  was  piled  into  the  thou- 
sand taxicabs  which  General  Gallienne  mo- 
bilized to  rush  to  the  Marne  when  Von 
Kluck’s  army  threatened  Paris  from  the 
northwest.  General  Joffre,  using  these 
troops,  was  enabled  to  halt  the  enemy’s  ad- 


Fred Thomson  Saves 
Man  from  Drowning 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.— Fred 
Thomson  risked  his  life  to  rescue 
a member  of  his  motion  picture 
unit  from  drowning  in  the  Los 
Angeles  river  north  of  Hollywood 
last  week. 

Low  water  made  it  necessary  to 
construct  a dam  of  sand  bags 
across  the  river  so  that  Thomson 
could  make  a scene  for  “Jessie 
James.”  In  an  effort  to  release 
some  of  the  water  at  the  end  or 
the  day,  one  of  the  workmen  be- 
came entangled  in  a sheet  or  can- 
vas covering  the  spillway  and  was 
swept  underneath  the  surface. 

Thomson  rushed  to  the  aid  of 
other  workmen  and  together  they 
succeeded  in  dragging  the  man 
to  safety. 


vance  long  enough  to  dig  in  and  make  the 
defense  of  the  F'rench  capital  permanent. 

‘Eloise’  is  one  of  five  of  the  original 
cabs  still  in  existence.  She  was  built  in 
1910,  and,  according  to  the  records  of  the 
French  War  Office,  she  carried  a sergeant 
and  thirteen  men  during  the  memorable 
rush. 

Nineteen  Pathe-De  Mille 
Films  to  Be  Released 
Before  January  First 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Beginning 
with  August  22  as  the  date  for  its  first 
release  on  the  1927-28  program  of  Pathe- 
De  Mille  features,  Pathe  will  release  19 
pictures  before  January  1,  1928. 

Eight  of  these  are  listed  as  specials. 
They  are:  “The  Fighting  Eagle,”  Au- 
gust 29;  “The  West  Pointers,”  October 
3;  “The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus,”  Octo- 
ber 10;  “The  Forbidden  Woman,”  Oc- 
tober 17;  “Hold  ’Em  Yale,”  October  31; 
“Power,”  December  5;  “The  Blue  Dan- 
ube,” December  12;  and  “Rip  Van 
Winkle,”  December  26. 

The  other  features  and  their  release 
dates  are:  “The  Country  Doctor,”  Au- 
gust 27;  “The  Rush  Hour,”  September 
5;  “Beautiful  But  Dumb,”  September  12; 
“Turkish  Delight,”  September  19;  “The 
Angel  of  Broadway,”  September  26; 
“The  Wise  Wife,”  October  24;  “The  Girl 
in  the  Pullman,”  November  7;  “The 
Main  Event,”  November  14;  “Let  ’Er  Go 
Gallagher,”  November  21;  “In  Bad  with 
Sinbad,”  November  28;  and  “He’s  Aly 
Man,”  December  19. 

First  National  All  Set 
For  Outing  on  Steamer 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — They’re  hav- 
ing a difficult  task  “keeping  their  eye  on 
the  ball”  over  at  First  National  these 
days.  They’re  all  talking  about  some- 
thing. It’s  the  second  annual  outing,  to 
be  held  at  Indian  Point  on  the  Hudson 
Saturday,  July  23. 

The  steamer  Chauncey  M.  Depew  has 
been  chartered  to  take  the  picnickers  up 
the  river  and  to  bring  them  back.  The 
steamer  will  leave  West  42nd  St.  at  9:30 
a.  m.,  and  West  125th  St.  at  9:50,  return- 
ing about  10  p.  m.  Various  amusement 
events  have  been  arranged  for  entertain- 
ment of  the  First  Nationalites,  such  as 
races  for  men  and  for  girls,  a baseball 
game  between  the  married  men  and  the 
bachelors,  tennis,  swimming  and  danc- 
ing. William  P.  Mullen,  office  personnel 
manager,  is  in  charge  of  arrangements. 


Denny  Off  for  England 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.  — Reginald 
Denny,  Lffiiversal  star,  has  left  for  a vaca- 
tion trip  to  his  home  in  England.  He  de- 
clares he  is  going  to  dodge  all  meetings, 
public  appearances,  etc.,  while  away.  He 
will  return  to  make  “Good  Morning 
Judge,”  in  August. 


Thank  You! 

“I  get  just  about  all  of  the 
trade  journals  on  the  market, 
and  can  frankly  say  that  1 can- 
not seem  to  warm  up  to  any  of 
them  like  the  HERALD  and 
BETTER  THEATRES.  They 

have  “it”  without  a doubt. — 
Clark  Freis,  Comerford’s  West 
Side  Theatre,  Scranton,  Pa. 


Windsor,  Tearle  and 
Cortez  Will  Be  Cast 
in  Columbia  Specials 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.  — Harry 
Cohn,  vice-president  of  Columbia  in 
charge  of  production,  announces  the 
signing  of  Claire  Windsor,  Ricardo  Cor- 
tez and  Conway  Tearle  to  appear  in  the 
company’s  “Perfect  Thirty.” 

This  gives  Columbia  an  imposing 
galaxy  of  players,  among  them  being 
Lois  Wilson,  Hobart  Bosworth,  Jacque- 
line Logan  and  Richard  Arlen,  for  its 
forthcoming  attractions. 

Akron  Orpheum  Theatres 
To  Play  Columbias 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CLEVELAND,  O.,  July  19.— The 
Orpheum  theatre  at  Akron,  an  important 
first-run  house,  has  signed  to  play  all  of 
the  Columbia  specials,  according  to 
William  .Skirboll,  Columbia  franchise 
holder.  This  is  one  of  the  first  times 
that  this  theatre  has  booked  product 
from  an  independent  company. 


Nathanson  Is  Honored 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  ONT.,  July  19.— Henry 
Nathanson,  general  manager  of  Regal 
Films,  Ltd.,  was  given  a great  sendoff 
at  the  Rouge  Hills  Country  club  by  lead- 
ing motion  picture  men  as  a preliminary 
to  his  marriage  to  Lillian  Laurie  of  To- 
ronto. He  was  presented  with  a silver 
tray  and  water  bottle. 


F B O Grants  Holidays 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19.— Joseph  P.  Ken- 
nedy, president  of  F B O Pictures  Corpora- 
tion, announces  that  the  home  office  of  the 
company  will  be  closed  all  day  on  Satur- 
days starting  immediately,  up  to  and  in- 
cluding August.  27. 


Hoodoo  Dogs  Trail 
of  James  Burnham 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY , July  19. — James  S. 
Burnham,  owner  of  the  Hippo- 
drome theatre,  Ogdensburg,  be- 
lieves he  is  under  a hoodoo  so  far 
as  hres  are  concerned.  It  was 
about  a year  ago  that  he  lost 
heavily  when  the  Ogdensburg 
opera  house  burned  to  the  ground. 
Two  weeks  ago  he  lost  all  his  be- 
longings when  the  apartment  in 
which  he  resided  went  up  in  smoke. 

Last  week  a fire  occurred  in  the 
projection  room  of  Burnham’s  the- 
atre and  as  he  rushed  in  to  fight 
the  flames,  his  hair  and  eyebrows 
were  badly  singed.  The  audience 
left  the  theatre  without  undue  ex- 
citement. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Bluenoses  Ready  for 
Biggest  Move,  Is  Warning 

There  is  a warning  for  theatre 
owners  in  the  fact  that  the  Lord’s 
Day  Alliance  is  confident  that  the 
coining  session  of  the  Legislature 
will  see  final  passage  of  the  Lank- 
ford bill  to  prevent  Sunday  shows 
in  the  District  of  Columbia.  Rev. 
Harry  L.  Bowlby,  general  secre- 
tary of  the  Alliance,  declares  more 
progress  has  been  made  on  the 
measure  than  on  “any  preceding 
Sunday  bill  within  the  last  15 
years.” 

The  District  of  Columbia  bill, 
if  it  should  pass,  would  not  be 
made  a_  model  for  blue  laws  in 
other  states  because  it  would  not 
be  as  strong  as  the  present  legal 
bars  to  Sunday  shows  in  several 
of  them.  Rev.  Bowlby  said. 

In  Illinois,  he  declared,  the 
Lord’s  Day  Alliance  plans  soon 
to  obtain  introduction  of  bills 
strengthening  the  present  Sunday 
laws. 

Exhibitors  awake  to  the  situa- 
tion are  urging  their  colleagues  to 
write  their  Congressmen  now,  pro- 
testing against  the  threatened 
action,  as  they  see  the  passage  of 
the  Lankford  bill  in  Washington 
would  be  an  entering  wedge  for 
foisting  blue  law  enforcement 
upon  all  states  through  the  Con- 
gressional precedent  which  thus 
would  be  established. 


House  Body  Sits 
Oct.  31 — ^*Goodby 
Mr.  Ticket~Tax^^ 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON  D.  C.  July  19. — The 
drafting  of  the  tax  revision  bill  which  is 
to  be  submitted  at  the  next  Congress  will 
be  undertaken  by  the  House  committee  on 
ways  and  means  October  31,  it  was  an- 
nounced last  week  by  Congressman  Green 
of  Iowa,  chairman.  Indications  are  that 
one  of  the  features  of  the  measure  will 
be  the  repeal  of  what  is  left  of  the  ad- 
mission tax,  the  elimination  of  one  or  two 
of  the  other  remaining  war  excise  levies, 
rate  reductions  in  the  income  taxes  on  in- 
comes of  between  $30,000  and  $100,000, 
and  a cut,  probably  to  IZyi  per  cent,  in  the 
corporation  tax  rate. 

Famous  Players  Athletes 
at  Toronto  Meet  Defeat 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TORONTO,  July  19. — The  crack  team 
of  the  Famous  Players  Canadian  Corpora- 
tion, Toronto,  struck  a snag  in  the  Toronto 
softball  league  when  they  stacked  up 
against  the  Langley  team  before  a large 
crowd.  The  film  boys  were  off  color  and 
were  beaten  to  the  tune  of  9 to  5.  This  is 
practically  the  only  time  in  the  past  two 
seasons  that  the  Famous  Players’  team  has 
suffered  a loss. 


Miss  Memphis  Signed 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19. — Virginia 
Hobbs,  who  was  awarded  the  title  of 
Miss  Memphis  in  the  recent  Atlantic 
City  beauty  pageant  and  was  winner  of 
the  Marcus  Loew  stage  and  screen  con- 
test, arrived  last  week  and  is  under 
Christie  contract. 


Producers  Silent  on  Call  to 
U.  S.  Hearing  on  Block  Sales 

Expected  to  Withhold  Comment  Pending  Probable  Court 
Action  on  Trade  Commission’s  Decision  Against  Para- 
mount— Booking  System  Defended  and  Opposed 

(IVashington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  July  19. — Producers,  invited  by  the  Federal  Trade  Com- 
mission to  attend  a conference  at  which  the  desirability  of  declaring  block 
booking  outlawed  will  be  discussed,  are  expected  to  withhold  comment  pending 
probable  court  action  which  may  result  in  declaring  invalid  the  Commission’s 
findings  on  this  question  in  the  Paramount  case. 

Date  Depends  on  Producer  Interest 

No  date  or  place  for  the  conference  was  given  in  the  Commission’s  invita- 
tion to  the  producers.  These  points  are  to  be  settled  when  and  if  a substantial 
majority  of  the  leaders  of  the  industry  indicate  an  interest  in  the  proposed 


meeting. 

In  the  event  that  Paramount  refuses  to 
abide  by  the  decisions  of  the  Commission, 
it  is  probable  that  suit  will  he  instituted  in 
September  in  the  Circuit  Court  in  New 
York.  y\ction  cannot  be  taken  earlier  as 
Paramount  was  given  60  days  in  which  to 
make  a report  as  to  the  manner  in  which 
the  commission’s  orders  are  to  be  complied 
with.  Under  the  provisions  of  the  Trade 
Commission  Act,  suit  can  be  brought  in 
United  States  courts  to  require  compliance 
with  orders  which  respondents  refuse  to 
accept. 


Opinion  Widely  Varied 

Meantime  the  divergence  of  opinion 
within  the  industry  on  the  matter  of  block 
booking  is  evidenced  in  the  comment  of 
executives  in  various  branches. 

Spyros  Skouras,  president  of  Skouras 
Brothers  Enterprises  at  St.  Louis,  was 
quoted  by  the  St.  Louis  Star  last  week  as 
defending  block  booking  and  other  prac- 
tices of  Paramount. 

“I  think  Zukor  is  right,”  Skouras  is 
quoted  as  saying.  “Adoption  of  a hand- 
to-mouth  method  of  leasing  pictures 
would  mean,  in  our  case,  only  one  thing 
— extra  and  unnecessary  work.” 

“If  we  started  out  marketing  for  pic- 
tures, as  the  Commission  wants  us  to 
do,  we  would  have  no  market  to  go  to 
not  already  supplying  us,”  he  declared. 
“You  have  not  heard  Skouras  Brothers 
complain  against  block  booking.  Of 
course,  there  is  the  possibility  all  the 
time  of  exhibitors  getting  stung  on  some 
of  the  pictures  they  take  under  ‘advance 
leasing’.” 

R.  F.  Woodhull,  president  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  A.,  calls  the  decision  “an  interesting 


West  Coast  Hearings 
Moved  to  New  York 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SAN  FRANCISCO,  July  19.— 
The  Federal  Trade  Commission 
has  closed  its  hearings  here  on 
charges  of  unfair  trade  practices 
against  the  West  Coast  Theatres 
and  will  convene  again  in  New 
York  August  22  or  29,  according 
to  Examiner  John  W.  Bennett. 

At  the  final  session  here  Exam- 
iner C.  T.  Sadler  testified  that 
owners  of  Independent  theatres 
had  complained  to  him  that  dis- 
tributors were  “taking  orders  from 
the  West  Coast  Theatres”  and  dis- 
criminating against  Independents. 


bit  of  news  to  the  exhibitors”  and  goes  on : 

“If  it  is  made  effective  within  the  next 
sixty  days  or  later  by  virtue  of  the  decision 
being  upheld  l)y  the  courts,  many  new 
methods  of  selling  on  behalf  of  the  dis- 
tributor will  have  to  be  worked  out.  Our 
industry  has  met  its  problems  during  its 
growing  period  in  a constructive  manner 
and  I am  sure  that  this  particular  one  will 
have  careful  analysis  and  will  be  met  in  a 
way  that  will  prove  a lienefit  to  the  exhib- 
itor in  film  rentals  and  the  securing  of 
pictures  appropriate  to  his  neighborhood 
without  the  producer  being  compelled  to 
sacrifice  quality  in  any  way. 

“The  other  decision  which  distinctly 
frowns  upon  the  acquiring  or  threaten- 
ing to  acquire  theatres  by  producers 
and  distributors  should  tend  to  act  as  a 
stay  in  the  present  overseating  of  com- 
munities which  is  conceded  to  be  a men- 
ace to  our  industry  by  both  independent 
and  producer  theatre  owners.” 

Block  booking  is  “excellent  if  used  mod- 
erately, dangerous  if  done  to  excess,”  in 
the  opinion  of  Budd  Rogers,  Gotham’s  vice- 
president  in  charge  of  distribution. 

“It  is  perfectly  logical  and  in  line  with 
good  business  principles  to  sell  a large 
quantity  of  goods  at  a less  price  than  a 
single  article,”  Rogers  said.  “On  the  other 
hand,  to  force  a merchant  to  stock  up  a 
line  of  goods  that  is  more  than  he  can 
carry  successfully,  or  to  the  entire  exclu- 
sion of  other  similar  and  desirable  lines  of 
merchandise,  is  not  good  business  in  the 
long  run  for  their  manufacturer  and  mer- 
chant or  i)roducer  and  exhibitor.” 

W.  A.  Steffes,  president  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  of  the  Northwest,  thinks  that  the 
decision  “is  the  one  thing  that  is  going 
to  save  Famous  Players  and  the  indus- 
try from  going  on  the  rocks,”  and  calls 
block  booking  “an  evil  and  a menace.” 

“Producers  coming  into  the  exhibition 
end  of  the  business,  in  my  opinion,  was  a 
blessing,”  Steffes  said,  “as  it  has  taught 
them  that  the  exorbitant  prices  that  they 
ask  for  their  product  cannot  be  paid,  even 
in  their  own  theatres,  and  they  themselves 
realize  that  a halt  had  to  be  called  on  the- 
atre expansion,  so  what  could  be  sweeter 
for  them  than  the  F'ederal  Trade  Commis- 
sion decision?” 


Aust  Joins  Columbia 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19.— Joe  Brandt, 
president  of  Columbia  Pictures,  has  an- 
nounced that  Paul  Aust  has  been  made 
manager  of  the  Seattle  branch.  Mr. 
Aust  has  been  connected  with  the  motion 
picture  industry  for  many  years. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Paramount  Buys  San  Fernando 
Tract  to  Film  Westerns 

John  Gilbert  May  Form  Own  Company — Eugene  O’Brien  Breaks  Leg 
— Lindsey’s  Juvenile  W^ork  May  Be  Dramatized 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  July  19.— Paramount-Famous-Lasky  Corporation 
has  just  purchased  a 2,766  acre  tract  of  land  known  as  Los  Birgenes 
Ranch  in  San  Fernando  Valley.  This  is  the  second  large  motion 
picture  transaction  in  that  vicinity  during  the  past  month. 


'T'HE  price  paid  was  approximately 
-* *■  $500,000.  The  site,  which  is  known  as 
the  Malibu  Estates,  is  on  Ventura  boule- 
vard three  miles  east  of  Las  Turas  Lake. 
The  ranch  will  be  used  for  the  filming  of 
Western  pictures  and  at  some  future 
date  the  corporation  will  erect  new 
stages. 

* * H! 

John  Gilbert  Protests 

Rebelling  at  the  economy  wave  re- 
cently instituted,  an  open  break  has 
occurred  between  John  Gilbert  and 
Metro-Goldyn-Mayer  Studio.  Gilbert,  in 
a recent  statement,  said,  “I  don’t  like 
the  stories  and  the  management  I have 
had  lately.  The  recent  economy  wave 
will  ruin  any  good  picture  under  the  cur- 
tailment conditions  laid  down  by  officials. 
I suppose  this  economy  wave  will  pass 
but  it  is  bad  for  me  and  the  picture  while 
it  lasts.”  At  present  Gilbert  is  working 
on  a Russian  story  with  Greta  Garbo. 
He  has  just  finished  “Twelve  Miles 
Out.”  Gilbert’s  contract  has  eighteen 
months  to  run  and  the  actor  states  he 
will  take  several  years  vacation  before 
signing  with  another  company.  He  may 
form  his  own  company  provided  he  can 
get  a satisfactory  release. 

* * * 

Eugene  O’Brien,  popular  picture  star, 
slipped  on  the  stairs  of  his  home  last 
week  and  broke  his  leg:.  The  actor  will 
be  confined  to  his  bed  for  the  next  six 
weeks.  He  had  planned  to  embark  upon 
a vaudeville  tour  last  week. 

* * * 

Mrs.  Williamson  on  Coast 

Mrs.  A.  M.  Williamson,  author  of  “The 
Lightning  Conductor”  and  other  stories, 
is  here  writing  a story  to  be  called 
“Alice  in  Alovieland.”  While  visiting 
California  she  will  witness  the  screening 
of  her  last  book,  “Bill,  the  Sheik.” 

* * * 

Judge  Ben  Lindsey,  the  Denver  jurist, 
has  held  several  conferences  with  promi- 
nent film  producers  and  as  a result  his 
juvenile  work  may  be  dramatized  for  the 
screen.  Judge  Lindsey  states  if  he  does 
consent  to  lend  his  name  to  the  making 
of  a picture  it  will  be  for  the  sake  of 
education  and  enlightenment. 

!(C  * ^ 

Lila  McComas,  young  film  actress  who 
was  seriously  injured  last  January  while 
working  in  a picture,  has  been  admitted 
to  the  Good  Samaritan  hospital  for  a 
major  operation.  Miss  McComas  fell 
from  the  back  of  an  elephant  when  a 
chair  on  which  she  was  seated  broke 
loose.  She  has  been  confined  to  a hos- 
pital ever  since  the  accident. 

sc  * * 

Helen  Lee  Worthington  Weds 

Helen  Lee  Worthington,  former  Fol- 
lies girl,  now  under  contract  with  Uni- 
versal, was  married  at  Tiajuana  June  28 
to  Dr.  Eugene  Nelson  of  Los  Angeles. 
Another  religious  ceremony  will  be 
performed  in  Mexico  City  on  Wednesday 
of  this  week  when  the  couple  will  leave 
for  a honeymoon  in  the  East. 

* * * 

Franklin  Pangborn,  famous  stage  actor 


and  screen  comedian,  who  has  appeared 
in  DeMille-Metropolitan  pictures  for 
the  last  year,  is  to  be  featured  by  Cecil 
B.  DeMille  in  “In  Bad  With  Sinbad,”  the 
screen  story  adapted  by  Sonya  Levien 
from  P.  G.  Wodehouse’s  tale,  “The  In- 
discretions of  Archie.” 

* * 

Cameras  will  begin  grinding  tomorrow 
on  “Ramona,”  the  Edwin  Carewe  pro- 
duction at  Tec-Art  Studio.  The  story 
was  adapted  for  the  screen  by  Finis  Fox 
from  Helen  Hunt  Jackson’s  novel. 

^ 

George  Sidney  and  Jean  Hersholt  are 
to  be  costarred  in  Louis  Mann’s  stage 
success,  “Give  and  Take.”  Sidney  has 
just  completed  his  role  in  “The  Life 
of  Riley”  for  First  National. 

Grainger  at  W^estern  Conference 

James  R.  Grainger,  general  sales 
manager  for  Fox  Film  Corporation,  ar- 
rived here  Sunday  for  a conference  with 
local  executives. 

* * * 

The  Educational  Studio  is  making  ex- 
tensive improvements,  having  moved  its 
executive  offices  to  the  front  of  the  lot 
facing  Santa  Monica  boulevard,  back  of 
which  they  will  erect  a new  two-story 
stage. 

* ^ * 

Will  Seiter  and  wife,  Laura  LaPIante, 
are  completing  their  summer  vacation 
cruising  ofT  Catalina  Island  in  a char- 
tered yacht.  Seiter  is  working  on 
Reginald  Denny’s  next  story,  “Good 
Morning,  Judge,”  and  has  his  staff  on 
the  yachting  trip. 

Charles  Edison  at  Studios 

Charles  Edison,  son  of  the  famous  in- 
ventor, arrived  here  this  week  for  a 
tour  of  the  studios.  The  Wampas  boys 
plan  an  Edison  testimonial  night,  during 
the  visit  of  Charles  Edison. 

jf:  ^ 

Riverside,  Cal.,  is  to  have  a new  mo- 
tion picture  theatre  costing  $300,000.  It 
is  to  be  erected  at  Seventh  and  Market 
streets,  according  to  Roy  Hunt,  manager 
of  the  present  Rubidoux  theatre.  It 
will  be  opened  about  January  1.  The 
Universal  Theatres  Corporation  has  a 


Offer  to  Help  Writers 
Makes  Tolstoy  “Popular” 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD  July  19.— Count 
Leo  Tolstoy,  son  of  the  noted 
Russian  author  of  “Resurrection,” 
is  a busy  count  these  days.  Since 
his  published  offer  to  help  would- 
be  screen  play  writers,  his  mail 
has  been  growing  heavier  and 
heavier,  while  in  addition  he  is  in- 
terviewing aspiring  actors,  direc- 
tors and  title  writers  eager  tor 
his  help.  One  of  them  had  had 
only  a quart  of  cherries  to  eat  alt 
day.  The  count  gave  him  some 
advice. 


lease  on  the  new  house  of  twenty  years. 
Eugene  Durfee  is  architect. 

* 

Fred  Thomson  is  looking  around  for 
thirty  cowboys  who  think  they  have  the 
nerve  to  jump  from  their  horses  and 
climb  into  the  car  windows  of  a train 
moving  thirty  miles  an  hour.  This  is  to 
be  one  of  the  scenes  for  Paramount’s 
new  picture,  “Jesse  James.”  Fred  and 
Silver  King  will  lead  the  stunt  men. 

* * * 

Charles  Lamont,  who  is  directing  a 
mountaineer  story  with  Johnny  Arthur 
starred,  can’t  get  away  with  the  excuse 
“detained  at  the  studio”  these  days. 
Estelle  Bradley,  who  is  Mrs.  Lamont  in 
private  life,  is  Arthur’s  leading  woman. 


Re-Takes 


WELL,  now  that  the  wage  question 
has  been  forestalled,  we  hope  the  boys 
and  girls  of  the  pictures  will  return  to 
work. 

^ ^ * 

Quite  a few  of  the  stars  have  cancelled 
reservations  at  the  poor  house  (with  south- 
ern exposure)  and  are  eating  lamb  chops 
and  cantaloupe  again. 

« * * 

And  it  looks  like  the  millennium  for 

the  exhibitors,  doesn’t  it?  What  with  the 
Federal  authorities  ordering  Paramount  to 
desist  from  block  booking  and  buying  up 
theatres  ? 

* ^ 

We’ve  attended  so  many  meetings  and 
read  so  many  statements  about  the  Acad- 
emy of  M.P.  Sciences  and  Arts  lately  that 
we’re  convinced  of  one  thing.  They’ve 

picked  an  awful  long  and  cumbersome  title 
for  a snappy  organization. 

^ ^ ^ 

Exposing  Their  Trade 
President  Coolidge  is  making  it  tough 
for  the  movie  cowboys  by  wearing  that 
ranch  outfit.  He  looks  as  near  like  a real 
cowboy  as  most  of  them  along  Hollywood 
and  Sunset  boulevards. 

H:  ^ ^ 

Too  Expensive 

Will  Rogers,  mayor  of  Beverly  Hills  for 
the  time  being,  has  told  his  last  Ford  joke. 
His  last  one  cost  him  $500,  and  was  a 
nifty  he  thought  up  while  lying  in  a hos- 
pital. 

* * * 

Divorces  on  the  Run 
It  won’t  be  long  now  says  Henry  Ford 
before  we’ll  be  hopping  back  and  forth  to 
Paris  in  fast  airplanes.  And  many  a hubby 
won’t  know  whether  he’s  married  or  not 
until  he  buys  the  evening  paper. 

* * * 

Which  reminds  us  of  what  David  Butler 
said  the  other  day.  Dave  observed  that 
if  these  fliers  keep  on  flying  to  Europe  the 
home  folks  will  soon  know  the  names  of 
all  our  foreign  ambassadors. 

* * * 

We  Do 

And  now  that  we’ve  taken  up  golf,  we 
read  all  the  golf  jokes.  Marie  Prevost 
says  the  fact  that  one  has  to  keep  an  eye 
on  the  ball  w’hile  playing  is  proof  of  the 
Scotch  origin  of  the  game. 

* * * 

Famous  Last  Words 
“I’d  have  made  300  yards  if  I hadn’t 
stopped  it.” 

* * =1: 

Help  me  up  this  fire  escape.  Meadows, 
I want  to  get  a good  story  on  the  meet- 
ing of  the  janitors  benevolent  association. 

R.  M. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


31 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  July  23 

by 

the  Camera 

Colleen  Moore  and  Rich- 
ard A.  Rowland,  general 
manager  of  First  Nation- 
al, “bury  the  hatchet” 
at  the  home  offices  in 
New  York.  Left  to  right, 
Samuel  Spring,  secre- 
tary and  treasurer;  Miss 
Moore,  Rowland,  John 
McCormick,  husband  of 
the  star  and  supervisor 
of  her  productions;  and 
Ned  Depinet,  general 
sales  manager.  Colleen’s 
next  is  “Synthetic  Sin.” 


Louis  Silvers,  creator  of 
“April  Showers,”  A1  Jol- 
son’s  successful  song, 
will  write  the  music  for 
Warner  Brothers’  “The 
Jazz  Singer,”  starring 
Jolson.  Left  to  right. 
Silvers,  Darryl  Zanuck, 
production  officer,  Jol- 
son and  Jack  Warner. 


Guests  of  Henri  Ellman,  Chicago  distributor  for  Columbia.  About  170  from  the  Middlewestern  film  world  gathered  last  Wed- 
nesday at  the  Stevens  hotel,  for  luncheon  at  a trade  showing  of  Columbia’s  sea  drama,  “The  Blood  Ship,”  whic  hopened  Sat- 
urday at  the  Orpheum.  Hobart  Bosworth,  Jacqueline  Logan  and  Richard  Arlen  have  the  featured  roles,  while  George  Seitz 
directed. 


A 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Hardboiled and  no  perhaps  intended!  As  one  half-hour 

egg  to  another,  Director  Charlie  Brabin  orders  Milton  Sills 
to  get  back  into  his  role  for  “Hardboiled  Haggerty.”  which  is 
his  next  starring  vehicle  for  First  National  and  is  scheduled 
for  release  next  month. 


Another  notch  in  Jack  Feinberg’s  artillery,  which  has  slain 
many  dull  moods  in  the  breasts  of  M-G-M  players.  Renee 
Adoree  is  shown  adding  her  name  to  the  others,  following 
completion  of  “On  Ze  Boulevard,”  in  which  she  co-stars 
with  Lew  Cody. 


Anna  Q.  Nilsson  (pictured  above  at  her 
home,  with  Hobo  and  Rentz)  has  sailed 
for  England  with  Herbert  Brenon’s  com- 
pany, for  scenes  in  United  Artists’ 
“Sorrel  and  Son.” 


Exotic  Etta  Lee  has  been  cast  in  support 
of  Hobart  Bosworth  and  Marion  Nixon 
in  “The  Chinese  Parrot,”  a coming 
Universal -Jewel. 


The  cool  Pacific  often  precipitates 
Myrna  Loy  into  this  costume — and 
we’re  sorry  the  ingratiating  ocean 
is  so  far  in  the  foreground.  Now- 
adays Miss  Loy  is  working  in 
“Ham  and  Eggs,”  a Warner 
Brothers  vehicle  for  Louise  Faz- 
enda. 


Love’s  young  dream  affords  Ramon 
Navarro  his  next  role  for  M-G-M  in  an 
adaptation  of  Joseph  Conrad’s  “Rom- 
ituce.”  Marceline  Day  shares  with  him 
the  grand  illusion. 


What  do  the  heavens  foretell?  For  the 
present, Alice  Lake  is  making  a featured 
role  in  Pathe-DeMille’s  “The  Angel  of 
Broadway,”  starring  Lcatrice  Joy. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Modern  grails  for  an  up-to-date  crusade  with  Hunt  Stromberg, 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  executive,  on  guard.  These  trophies please 

count  ’em  yourself were  posted  as  something  to  shoot  for  in  the 

recent  M-G-M  golf  tourney.  And  perhaps  we  have  here  an  explana- 
tion of  the  present  renaissance  in  mantles. 


Reginald  Denny,  a Universal  “jewel,”  with  his  aids 
past  and  present.  Harry  Pollard  (left)  directed  a 
number  or  this  star’s  successes,  while  William  A. 
Seiter  (right)  recently  finished  Denny’s  “I’ll  Be 
There.”  Pollard’s  latest  is  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin.” 


-■t  -fiNsi 


Harry  Rapf  “follows  through”  according 
to  the  manner  of  our  best  linksmen,  in- 
cluding Irv  Thalberg.  The  M-G-M  execu- 
tive was  snapped  teeing  off  in  the  tourna- 
ment. 


Beauty’s  prize  went  to  Ruth  Hiatt 
of  Pathe  when  the  electricians 
chose  her  queen  of  their  ball. 


“Goodbye,  Broadway,  see  you  next  sum- 
mer!” And  in  Hollywood  Gilda  Gray 
already  has  started  work  in  Samuel 
Goldwyn’s  “The  Devil  Dancer,”  for 
United  Artists’  release. 


Daughters  of  Venus  visit  Universal.  On  the  “Buck  Pri- 
vates’ ” set  with  Director  Mel  Brown,  Lya  de  Putti  (cen- 
ter) and  Malcolm  Macgfregor,  are  (left)  Dorothy  Britton 
of  New  York,  “Miss  United  States”  at  Galveston,  and 
Lesley  Storey,  crowned  “Miss  New  York.” 


First  National  was  a recent  host  to  a film  journalist  from  Brazil. 
A.  A.  Gonzaga  is  editor  of  Cinearte,  a trade  paper  in  our  sister 
republic.  He  is  shown  on  the  “Smile,  Brother,  Smile”  set  with 
Dorothy  Mackaill,  who  co-stars  in  this  F-N  production  with 
Jack  Mulhall. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Australia,  too,  lends  beauty  to  the  screen^of  the  world — via  Hollywood. 
Above,  being  met  by  Pathe-DeMille  Australians,  is  Phyllis  Gibbs,  re- 
cently crowned  “Miss  Autralasia.”  and  subsequently  engaged  by  Pathe- 
DeMille.  Left  to  right.  May  Robson,  John  Farrow,  Miss  Gibbs,  E.  O. 
Gurney,  Josephine  Norman,  and  Rupert  Julian. 


Shall  1 or  shall  1 not?  Contemplating  this  ques- 
tion recently  and  rather  late,  perhaps was  Anna 

May  Wong,  who  is  now  appearing  in  Warner 
Brothers’  “Old  San  Francisco.’’  And  did  she  bob? 
Why,  of  course  she  did. 


Sir  James  and  Lady  Owen,  while  visiting  First 
National  recently,  dropped  in  on  the  noted  com- 
moners, Richard  Barthelmess  and  Director  Mil- 
lard Webb,  at  “The  Drop  Kick’’  set.  Sir  James 
(left)  heads  Reuters’  press  service. 


People  everywhere,  some  of  them  curious,  some  of  them  directors, 
players,  technicians,  but  ail  expressing  that  eclectic,  nervous  spirit 
that  drives  a crowd — the  very  theme  of  King  Vidor’s  “The  Crowd,’’ 
M-G-M  Special  to  star  Eleanor  Boardman.  The  picture  shows  prep- 
arations for  shots  on  the  S.  S.  Seagate  in  New  York  bay. 


Only  thirteen  but  never  been  daunted. 
And  so  FBO  has  made  Buzz  Barton  a 
Western  star,  his  debut  to  be  in  “Sad- 
dles and  Spurs,’’  which  Henry  King  is 
directing. 


An  ultra-comely  accomplice  is 
Edna  Marian,  in  the  co'micalities 
practiced  at  the  Hal  Roach  studios 
and  released  through  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer. 


Mickey  Himself  McGuire  (right),  star 
of  the  FBO  comedies  trade-marked 
under  his  name,  recorded  with  his  direc- 
tor, A1  Herman,  and  his  feminine  lead, 
Tomboy  Taylor. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


Ancient  splendor,  reigning  in  a night 
club,  crowns  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  in  this 
becoming  fashion  in  “Painting  the 
Town.”  This  Universal-Jewel  com- 
edy will  be  released  August  7. 


At  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios,  where  production  schedules  permit  no  armis- 
tice. Guests  of  Louis  B.  Mayer,  production  head,  on  this  recent  occasion  were 
(to  his  right)  Maj.  H.  B.  Clagett,  aviation  commander  in  the  Ninth  Corps  area;  (to 
his  left)  F.  Trube  Davidson,  assistant  secretary  of  war,  and  Lieut.  Erik  Nelson, 
round-the-world  flyer. 


Tribute  from  fellow-citizens  was  Cecil  B.  De  Mille’s  recently,  when  the  Cham- 
ber of  Commerce  of  Culver  City  presented  him  with  a scroll  eulogizing  his 
latest  triumph,  “The  King  of  Kings.”  Left  to  right,  Henry  Stem,  head  of  the 
chamber;  De  Mille,  William  Sistrom,  De  Mille  studio  chief;  Judge  B.  F.  Bledsoe, 
and  Louis  B.  Mayer  of  M-G-M. 


Napoleonic  ambition  shall  flare  again,  this 
time  in  Max  Barwyn,  who  is  to  be  Bona- 
parte in  De  Mille’s  “The  Fighting  ELagle,” 
Rod  La  Rocque’s  next  starring  vehicle  and 
the  first  of  ten  Specials. 


Smiles! — and  from  left  to  right  they  are 
those  of  Billie  Dove,  Colleen  Moore,  Rosa- 
belle  Laemmle  and  Agnes  Ayres,  recorded 
at  Miss  Laemmle’s  recent  tea. 


New!  But  Gene  Gowing’s 
stage  work  has  won  him  the 
lead  in  Sterling’s  “Broken 
Faces.” 


Cool!  Conrad  Veidt  and  Mrs.  Veldt  with 
(left)  Emil  Jannings  and  Mauritz  Stiller, 
in  the  Veidt  backyard.  Veidt's  next  Uni- 
versal is  “A  Man’s  Past.” 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


It  Won’t  Be  Long  Now;  Shaw 
Settles  World  Problems 

Canceling  of  A.  M.  P.  A.  Session  Delays  Nominating  Committee’s 
Report — Pathe  in  Hays  Body — Roxy’s  Gang  Takes  to  Stage 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  July  19. — Something’s  wrong  with  everything.  And 
this  doesn’t  exclude  the  picture  business,  women’s  skirts,  the 
weather  or  bum  smokes.  And  always  when  something’s  wrong 
with  everything,  some  long  haired  reformer  bobs  up  with  remedies. 


And  this  time  Mort  Shaw  bobs  up. 

He  may  object  to  being  called  a 
reformer,  but  the  observation  about  his 
hair  is  correct.  Shaw  is  one  of  those 
guys  who  go  about  all  day  without  a hat. 
I haven’t  been  able  to  figure  out 
whether  the  long  hair  is  the  cause  of  the 
effect. 

This  long  hair,  or  this  going  hatless, 
permits  Shaw  to  think  thoughts,  so  he 
worries  a lot  about  what  is  wrong  with 
things.  After  several  days  of  hot 
weather  cogitations,  the  longhaired  one 
evolved  the  following,  which  ought  to 
settle  about  everything  except  block 
booking: 

TO  WHOM  IT  MAY  CONCERN— AND 
WHY? 

(Especially  the  People  Interested 
in  motion  picture  news) 

DEAR  FOLKS: 

What  this  country  really  needs  these  tor- 
rid days  is: 

( 1 )  A snowstorm. 

(2)  A good  five-cent  cigar*. 

( 3 )  Shorter  skirtsf. 

(4)  More  reliable  racing  tips. 

(5)  More  smiling  exhibitors. 

(6)  Well  packed  picture  palaces. 

(7)  More  first  runs  for  independent 
pictures. 

(8)  Complete  booking  on  First  Division 
Pictures^:. 

1 9)  Salesmen  who  visit  their  territory 
nightly. 

(10)  Stars  who  “hate”  publicity. 

(11)  Cameramen  who  realize  they  are  not 
directors. 

(12)  Adaptors  who  follow  the  “original” 
versions. 

(13)  Title  writers  who  do  not  pun. 

(14)  Censors  who  are  not  strabismic§. 
(These  14  points  are  not  endorsed  by  the 

League  of ) 

*Autborized  by  the  former  vice  president, 
Mr.  Marshall. 

tSaves  the  cost  of  fur  neck  pieces. 

$Just  in  search  of  some  free  advertising. 
§Usually  means  cockeyed. 

Honest-n-truly  yours, 

FIRST  DIVISION  DISTRIBUTORS,  INC. 

MORT  E.  SHAW, 

Director  of  Advertising  and  Publicity. 

Last  week’s  meeting  of  the  A.  M.  P.  A. 
was  called  off  for  hot  weather  or  some- 
thing, so  the  expected  report  of  the 
nominating  committee  was  not  made. 
Some  time  ago  this  committee  met  and 
decided  on  part  of  the  ticket,  with  Bruce 
Gallup  as  the  presidential  nominee.  An- 
other session  was  to  have  been  held  to 
name  the  rest  of  the  ticket,  and  it  was 
expected  this  would  be  made  known  to 
the  members  last  week. 

There  is  some  talk  of  a contest  for 
the  head  of  the  ticket.  S.  Charles  Ein- 
feld,  who  has  been  vice  president  for 
the  past  year,  and  by  precedent  should 
have  fallen  heir  to  the  next  job  above, 
was  passed  by  in  the  partial  selection  of 
the  ticket.  Friends  of  Einfeld  are  urging 
him  to  allow  his  name  to  be  used  as  an 
opponent  to  the  regular  nominee,  but  so 
far  he  has  not  consented. 

With  Gallup  and  Einfeld  heading  op- 


position tickets,  there  sure  would  be  a 
merry  scramble,  for  each  has  many 
friends  in  the  organization. 

* >i:  !K 

Pathe  Joins  M.  P.  P.  D.  A. 

At  a meeting  held  last  week  Pathe 
Exchange,  Inc.,  was  elected  to  member- 
ship in  the  Motion  Picture  Producers 
and  Distributors  (Hays). 

At  the  same  time  John  J.  Murdock, 
newly  elected  president  of  Pathe,  was 
appointed  to  the  Board  of  Directors. 

* * * 

Arthur  Kelly,  vice-president  and 
foreign  sales  manager  of  United  Artists, 
returned  last  week  from  an  eleven  weeks’ 
survey  of  picture  conditions  in  Europe. 
Kelly  will  leave  this  week  for  Holly- 
wood. 

* * * 

Roxy’s  Gang  in  Person 

Roxy’s  Gang  of  famous  radio  artists 
are  appearing  in  person  on  the  stage  of 
the  Roxy  theatre  this  week,  in  a special 
presentation  which  is  being  devised  by 
S.  L.  (“Roxy”)  Rothafel.  Several  new 
singers,  including  Marion  Keeler,  Adel- 
aide De  Loca  and  James  Melton,  appear 
in  addition  to  most  of  the  older  and^ 
more  familiar  members  of  the  Gang. 

^ 3k 

Major  Edward  Bowes  got  back  from 
Europe  last  week  in  time  to  press  the 
button  at  the  Capitol  theatre  that  put 
into  operation  for  the  duration  of  the 
summer  months  its  gigantic  cooling 
plant.  The  plant  has  a capacity  of  40(3 
tons  of  refrigeration.  Two  gigantic  mo- 
tors weighing  11  tons  drive  the  com- 
pressors. A total  of  more  than  600 
horsepower  is  used  in  operating  the 
plant. 

^ ^ ^ 

Griffith’s  First  Announced 

Via  Victor  Shapiro  a waiting  world  is 
informed  that  D.  W.  Griffith  will  make 
as  his  first  L^nited  Artists  picture  “A  Ro- 
mance of  Old  Spain.”  This  definitely  es- 
tablished that  his  former  choice  of  “La 
Paiva”  as  a subject  has  been  scheduled 
for  later  production. 

According  to  a wire  received  by 
L^nited  Artists  Corporation  in  New 
York,  “A  Romance  of  Old  Spain”  is 
founded  upon  an  old  classic  situation 


Suit  for  Custody 
Checks  Child’s  Career 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.  — The 
motion  picture  career  of  little 
Priscilla  Moran,  nine-year-old 
player,  was  ended  for  several  years 
when  Superior  Judge  W.  C.  Miller 
awarded  her  custody  to  her  aunt, 
Margaret  Moran  Becker  of  Long 
Beach,  Cal.  Three  contestants, 
John  C.  Ragland,  Mrs.  Ella  Smith 
Schaber,  owner  of  a motion  pic- 
ture theatre  at  Tulsa,  Okla.,  and 
Mrs.  Becker  contended  each  was 
the  legal  guardian  because  of 
agreements  made  with  the  child’s 
father,  the  late  Leo  A.  Moran. 


adapted  by  Jack  Lloyd.  Estelle  Taylor, 
who  has  been  chosen  for  a big  role  in 
“La  Paiva,”  will  be  one  of  the  featured 
players  in  the  new  story.  Negotiations 
are  pending  with  Lionel  Barrymore  to 
play  the  Spanish  Duke  in  the  produc- 
tion. Gilbert  Roland  has  been  men- 
tioned as  leading  man,  but  so  far  his  en- 
gagement has  not  been  confirmed  by  Mr. 
Griffith. 

* * * 

David  J.  Lustig,  known  in  “legit”  and 
picture  circles  as  an  energetic  press 
agent  and  exploiter  as  well  as  theatre 
manager,  recently  left  the  Steiner-Blin- 
derman  circuit  to  join  the  Unity  Theat- 
rical Exchange,  Strand  Theatre  building, 
as  general  office  manager. 

During  the  past  three  years  “Dave,” 
as  he  is  known  to  the  showmen  along 
every  main  street  in  the  metropolitan 
territory,  handled  the  affairs  of  a num- 
ber of  sinking  houses  successfully  and 
box  office  reports  prove  that  a number 
of  picture  theatres  in  particular  were 
brought  out  of  the  “red”  by  his  efforts. 

Before  his  managing  days,  Lustig  did 
a magic  act  on  the  “big  time”  vaudeville 
circuits,  but  the  magic  of  the  picture 
business  soon  proved  more  alluring  and 
he  turned  to  the  managing  end. 

Sidney  Rheingold  and  his  associates  at 
Unity  admit  that  they  had  been  dicker- 
ing with  “Dave”  for  the  past  six  months 
before  he  agreed  to  sign  up  with  them. 

F.O.C.C.  Wars  on  High 
Cost  of  Pictures  and 
on  Abuses  of  Contract 

(Continued  from  page  21) 

tration  society,  and  if  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A. 
“refuses  to  attend  such  a conference  or 
to  submit  to  arbitration  in  disputed 
clauses  in  this  contract,  then  and  in  that 
event  all  arbitration  as  at  present  con- 
ducted should  cease  until  such  time  as 
the  Motion  Picture  Producers  & Dis- 
tributors of  America,  Inc.,  shall  see  fit 
to  adhere  to  that  one  great  principle 
which  is  supposed  to  be  the  backbone  of 
our  industry,  namely,  arbitration.  The 
Theatre  Owners  Chamber  of  Commerce 
does  this  in  the  interest  of  its  patrons 
— the  theatre-going  public.” 

The  following  theatre  owners  attended 
the  meeting; 

Sol  Raives,  Charles  L.  O’Reilly,  J.  Arthur 
Hirsch,  J.  Louis  Geller,  A.  Barr,  John  Manheimer, 

D.  Manheimer,  A.  Manheimer,  S.  S.  Manheimer, 
A.  B’erglickter,  Harold  Raives,  Peter  S.  Harrison, 
S.  Lesselbaum,  San  Sonin,  A1  Harsn,  Harry 
Suchman,  Henry  Suchman,  A1  Suchman,  Chas. 
Steiner,  Marty  Schwartz,  Sam  Schwartz,  Chas. 
Schwartz. 

Rudolph  Sanders,  B.  Grob,  B.  Knobel,  Jack 
Steinman,  Ben  Sherman,  Chas-  Moses,  Leo 
Brecher,  Harry  Brandt,  William  Brandt,  L.  F. 
Blumenthal,  P.  Rosenson,  S.  Weinberg,  D.  Kei- 
zerstein,  L.  Frisch,  Hyman  Rachmil,  D.  Selikoff, 
H.  Britwar,  Irving  Gerber,  William  Salkin,  J. 
Kruleck,  H.  Goldblatt,  J.  Nadel,  G.  Josephson, 
A.  S.  Goldberg,  J.  Parascondola,  A.  H.  Eisenstadt, 

E.  R.  Behrend,  Wm.  Atkin,  Leon  Greenfield,  E. 
Thornton  Kelly,  A1  Friedlander,  Max  Felder,  C.  J. 
Levine’,  Julius  Joelson,  Lee  A.  Ochs. 

Morris  Shahan,  Clarence  Cohen,  S.  Kleinfeld, 
M.  L.  Fleischman,  B.  Rossasy,  Leon  Rosenblatt, 
Max  I.  Katz,  E.  Jones,  H.  Weingarten,  H.  Schlitt, 
Ben  Harri.s,  M.  Rosenthal,  I.  Roth,  M.  B,  Horo- 
witz, E.  Zerner,  George  Ruckle,  George  Morris, 
Fred  Zimmerman  N.  Dipson,  J.  L.  Schulman, 
William  Shirley,  R.  F.  Woodhull,  Robert  Mintz, 

A.  L.  Goldberg,  A.  S.  Goldsmith,  J.  Schwartz, 
Wm.  H.  Chorosh,  J.  Genell. 

George  Cohen,  W.  A.  Salmon,  D.  Barhydt,  I.  M. 
Hirschblond,  Frank  O.  Warren,  S.  E.  Samuelson, 

B.  Idson,  V.  M.  Trainor,  Abe  Peshkin,  J.  M. 
Seider,  S.  Rosenthal,  Max  Rudnick,  Max  Schwartz, 

L.  Rosenthal,  L.  SchiUman,  D.  Oberlander,  Ed- 
ward J.  Levy,  Howard  Lesser,  Joe  Lee,  Nickitas 
Dipson,  Jules  Michaels. 

M.  J,  O’Toole,  John  Dillon,  Edward  Bimberg, 
Samuel  Fisher,  Maxwell  Platt,  Chas.  Hayman, 

M.  Bloom,  C.  Fisher,  William  Stern,  B.  Schind- 
ler, S.  Varbarlow,  J.  Golden,  Frank  Gersten,  J. 
Horwitz,  L.  Bolognino,  J.  Star,  J.  Ungerfeld,  J. 
Bruno,  J.  D.  Fink,  J.  Sokoloff. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


Patrons  Name  27 
Films  for  Revival 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  July  19.— 
More  than  27  pictures  were  named 
on  ballots  distributed  by  the  Col- 
onial theatre  in  a canvas  to  de- 
termine what  Sims  to  show  during 
its  projected  Revival  Week,  those 
receiving  the  greatest  number  of 
votes  being  “The  Volga  Boatman,’’ 
“The  Three  Musketeers,”  “Tess  ol 
the  Storm  Country,”  “The  Quar- 
terback,” “Orphans  of  the  Storm,” 
“One  Exciting  Night,”  and  “A 
Woman’s  Secret.”  Notations  on 
some  of  the  2,000  votes  said  that 
the  voter  wanted  his  or  her  chil- 
dren to  see  the  picture  named, 
they  having  been  too  young  to  see 
it  before. 


Paramount  Production 
Strikes  Summer  Peak; 
Work  on  11  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.— With  11 
pictures  in  various  stages  of  production, 
Paramount  this  week  reached  the  peak 
of  its  summer  producing  activity.  A 
number  of  companies  are  out  on  loca- 
tion, other  units  are  working  on  the 
studio  stages;  prints  of  several  features 
are  in  the  cutting  and  titling  rooms. 
More  are  slated  for  filming  in  August 
to  be  followed  by  seven  in  September. 

Pictures  that  are  now  being  produced 
are:  “Hula,”  “Swim,  Girl,  Swim,”  “Hit- 
ting for  Heaven,”  “Heaven  Help  the 
Working  Girl,”  “Tell  It  to  Sweeney,” 
“One  Woman  to  Another,”  “Beau  Sa- 
breur,”  “Shootin’  Irons,”  “Shanghai 
Bound,  ’’and  “A  Gentleman  of  Paris.” 

Preparations  are  being  made  for  the 
presentation  of  “Wings.’  Victor  Flem- 
ing is  to  direct  the  next  Paramount  pic- 
ture starring  Emil  Jannings  with  a tem- 
porary title  of  “Victory.” 

Three  Theatre  Robbers 
Get  5 Years;  4th  Freed 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  19. — Because  he  helped 
the  state  in  prosecuting  former  compan- 
ions on  two  robbery  charges,  the  same 
charges  against  Marlin  O.  G.  Whetsel,  a 
former  patrolman,  have  been  dismissed. 

Whetsel  agreed  to  testify  against  Elmer 
Henke  and  James  Walsh  for  robbing  the 
Liberty  Music  Hall  and  a jewelry  store. 
Henke  and  Walsh  then  pleaded  guilty  and 
were  given  five-year  sentences.  A third 
man,  William  Rickert,  received  the  same 
sentence. 

Committees  Named  for 
Philadelphia  Film  Board 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  July  19.— William  J. 
Heenan  has  named  the  following  Film 
Board  of  Trade  committees  to  serve  for 
the  ensuing  three  months : 

Membership : Ben  Amsterdam,  Harry 
Weiner,  Edgar  A.  Moss;  Credit:  Charles 
Goodman,  Jay  Von  Tilzer,  S.  Wittman; 
Transportation:  Oscar  Neufeld,  Henry 
Lewis,  Roibert  Lynch;  Arbitration:  Gene 
Marcus,  Percy  A.  Bloch,  Wm.  Humphreys. 
Nombinations  for  new  officers  will  be  made 
at  the  August  meeting  of  the  Film  Board 
of  Trade  and  election  will  take  place  in 
September. 


Champion  Boy  Fan  at  14  Holds 
Record  of  12  Years  at  Shows 


Ernest  Nablefeld  of  Niagara,  Wis.,  Began  Attending  Motion 
Picture  Shows  When  2 Years  Old,  with  Mother’s 
Arms  as  Vantage  Point 


The  long  distance  record  for  continuous  attendance  at  one  theatre  is  held 
at  present  by  young  Ernest  Nablefeld,  a 14-year-old  lad  living  in  Niagara, 
Wis.  According  to  Fred  Petersen,  manager  of  the  Niagara  Club  theatre, 
this  prodigy  began  attending  motion  picture  shoves  at  the  Niagara  Club 
when  he  was  but  2 years  of  age,  his  first  seat  being  in  his  mother’s  arms. 

From  this  vantage  point  Ernest,  as  years  went  on,  was  graduated  on  to 
his  mother’s  lap  and  later,  when  he  donned  trousers,  he  finally  obtained  a 
seat  by  himself. 


During  all  of  this  twelve-year  period  the 
earnest  Ernest  attended  each  and  every 
performance  given  in  the  Niagara  Club, 
and  as  it  is  a four 
nights  a week 
house,  this  enter- 
prising young  man 
has  witnessed  ex- 
actly 2,496  long 
feature  pictures 
during  that  period 
without  taking 
count  of  the  vast 
number  of  news 
reels,  short  fea- 
tures and  come- 
dies which  have 
been  seen  by  him 
in  that  time. 

Ernest  came  to  Ernest  Nablefeld 

the  attention  of 

Cecil  E.  Maberry,  division  manager  for 
P-D-C,  during  a recent  visit  to  Niagara, 
and  Cecil  immediately  proclaimed  him  the 
“Champion  Long  Distance  Attendant”  and 
issued  a challenge  to  other  exhibitors  to 
beat  his  record. 

Incidentally  Mr.  Maberry  says  that 
Ernest  confided  in  him  that  he  liked  De 
Mille’s  pictures  and  was  looking  forward 
to  seeing  “The  King  of  Kings”  in  the  near 
future. 


New  Concession  Made 
T o British  Exhibitors 
In  Picture  Quota  Bill 

Provision  to  Take  Up  License  on 
Conviction  Is  Elimi- 
nated 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON,  July  19.— The  Films  Bill 
Committee  now  nearing  the  end  of  its 
sittings  decided  on  Tuesday  last  to 
eliminate  from  the  bill  the  provisions 
that  an  exhibitor  on  conviction  should 
be  automatically  deprived  of  his  exhib- 
iting license.  This  is  regarded  in  ex- 
hibiting circles  as  a great  concession, 
s):  * H: 

Censors  Report  for  1926 

The  British  Board  of  Film  Censors  in 
its  annual  report  for  1926  states  that  of 
the  1,618  subjects  examined,  only  334 
were  given  the  restrictive  “A”  certificate. 
Four  films  were  entirely  rejected,  one 
for  the  displays  of  drugging  and  ruining 
of  young  girls;  one  for  Bolshevist  propa- 
ganda, and  two  others  for  habitual  im- 
morality, and  scenes  in  a lunatic  asylum. 
In  eighteen  other  cases  no  certificate 
was  issued  while  the  films  were  in  their 
present  form. 

The  report  stresses  the  tendency  on 
the  part  of  some  producers  to  depict 
organized  knuckle  fights — which  are 


illegal  in  this  country — and  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  Trade  has  inti- 
mated that  in  future  such  scenes  must 
be  regarded  as  prohibitive. 

Sydney  Cohen  and  England 

Sydney  Cohen’s  address  to  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  A.  at  Columbus  on  the  “Right  to 
Live” — reproduced  in  part  in  the  Bio- 
scope— has  raised  comment  among  mem- 
bers of  the  exhibiting  trade  in  Sussex. 
This  district  is  the  source  just  now  of 
a spirited  effort  to  bar  the  producer- 
renter-exhibitor  combines  from  entering 
their  theatres  for  membership  in  the 
Cinematograph  Exhibitors  Association 
and  so  gaining  control  of  the  movement, 
and  also  enjoying  the  benefit  as  mem- 
bers, of  entering  into  the  private  de- 
liberations of  the  independent  or  small 
exhibitors. 

The  Sussex  people  quote  the  state  of 
America  in  relation  to  this  question  as 
offering  an  ominous  warning  of  what 
the  British  exhibitor  may  expect  in  this 
country  very  soon.  There  is  a sugges- 
tion that  the  independent  exhibitors,  if 
unable  to  purge  the  existing  organiza- 
tion of  the  combine  element,  should 
immediately  form  an  alternative  body 
to  which  only  independents  are  eligible. 

Somefin’  for  Nuffin’ 

The  Imperial  Institute  has  just  opened 
in  South  Kensington  a daintily  equipped 
cinema  to  which  the  public  will  be  ad- 
mitted free.  Performances  of  “educa- 
tional” films — a sugared  alternative  to 
the  sorry  word  “propaganda” — are  given 
twice  daily  on  weekdays  and  once  on 
Sundays.  The  shows  are  well  patronized 
by  the  public,  more  because  of  the 
absence  of  the  box  office  than  the  ap- 
parent excellence  of  the  program. 

K-M  Exhibitors  Offices 
Given  Brand  New  Dress 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  July  19.— The  M.  P. 
T.  O. -Kansas  Missouri  headquarters  in 
Kansas  City  is  the  scene  of  housecleaning 
and  redecorating  and  rearranging  of  furni- 
ture this  week.  President  R.  R.  Biechele 
had  a difficult  time  finding  a piece  of  fur- 
niture which  did  not  have  fresh  paint  on 
it,  while  Mrs.  June  Medcalf,  secretary, 
managed  to  retain  her  typewriter  out  of 
the  wreckage. 

Majestic  Owner  Loses 
$2000  Ring  to  Bandit 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO.,  July  19.  — A lone 
bandit  held  up  Harry  Redmon,  owner- 
manager  of  the  Majestic  theatre.  East 
St.  Louis,  in  front  of  his  home  and  re- 
lieved him  of  a ring  valued  at  $2,000,  and 
$150  in  cash. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


31 F B O’s  Made,  LeBaron  in  East 
Confers  on  1928-29  Pictures 

Production  Department  at  Studios  Reorganized — Fifteen  Long  Fea- 
tures and  1 6 Short  Completed  for  Coming  Season 
(St<ecial  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  July  19. — Fifteen  long  features  and  sixteen  short  pro- 
ductions on  FBO’s  1927-28  schedule  have  been  completed,  Wil- 
liam LeBaron,  vice-president  in  charge  of  production,  announces. 
LeBaron  arrived  last  week  and  is  conferring  with  President  Joseph  P. 
Kennedy  and  other  home  office  officials  on  the  1928-29  production  plans. 
He  also  announced  completion  of  reorganization  of  the  production  de- 
partment of  FBO  Studios  on  the  West  Coast. 


TDRODUCT  for  the  coming  season 
already  completed  or  just  getting  the 
finishing  touches  includes  eleven  of  the 
Greater  Attrac- 
tions,  three 
Western  pictures, 
one  dog  picture, 
a complete  series 
of  “Beauty  Par- 
1 o r ” comedies, 
two  Mickey  Mc- 
G u i r e comedies 
and  two  Standard 
Fat  Men  com- 
edies. 

“We  feel  that 
we  have  set  a 
record  for  ad- 
vance production 
of  pictures  on  Wiliam  LeBaron 

our  new  season’s 

schedule,  and  have  decided  to  begin 
work  selecting  our  program  for  1928-29,’’ 
explained  Mr.  LeBaron.  “Our  schedule 
for  next  year  will  be  even  more  ambi- 
tious than  the  one  on  which  we  are  now 
at  work,  so  it  is  necessary  for  us  to  make 
plans  for  the  future  immediately.  The 
pictures  which  have  been  completed  have 
come  up  to  the  high  standard  for  which 
we  have  been  striving  and  everyone  at 
the  studio  is  proud  of  our  record  of  ac- 
complishment.” 

The  productions  already  finished  in- 
clude: “The  Gingham  Girl”  with  Lois 
Wilson  and  George  K.  Arthur,  which 
opened  at  the  Capitol,  New  York,  Satur- 
day; “The  Great  Mail  Robbery,”  with 
Theodore  von  Eltz  and  Jeanne^  Morgan 
and  directed  by  George  B.  Seitz,  play- 
ing the  Hippodrome,  New  York,  this 
week;  “Clancy’s  Kosher  Wedding”;  “Not 
For  Publication”  and  “Shanghaied,” 
directed  by  Ralph  Ince;  “Judgment  of 
the  Hills”  with  Frankie  Darro  and  Vir- 
ginia Valli  and  directed  by  Leo  Meehan; 
“The  Coward,”  starring  Warner  Baxter; 
“Hook  and  Ladder  No.  9,”  “The  Flying 


Writers  Guild  Backs 
Actors  Equity  Demands 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD.  July  19.— The 
Motion  Picture  Writers  Guild  has 
pledged  complete  cooperation  with 
the  Actors’  Equity  in  seeking  com- 
pliance with  the  latter’s  demands, 
including  a standard  contract  be- 
tween free  lance  writers  and  pro- 
ducers. 

The  Guild,  at  a meeting  last 
week,  adopted  a resolution  which 
recited  at  length  the  demands 
made  the  past  four  weeks  and  not 
granted.  A copy  was  to  be  sent 
to  the  Hays  Organization. 


U Ranch,”  the  first  of  the  big  special 
Westerns  starring  Tom  Tyler;  “The 
Mojave  Kid,”  Bob  Steele’s  initial  starring 
vehicle;  “The  Boy  Rider,”  the  first  of  the 
series  starring  Buzz  Barton,  and  “Breed 
of  Courage,”  starring  Ranger,  the  dog. 

This  week  three  more  feature  produc- 
tions— “South  Sea  Love”  with  Patsy 
Ruth  Miller,  “The  Harvester”  which  Leo 
Meehan  directed  based  on  Gene  Stratton- 
Porter’s  famous  novel,  and  “In  a 
Moment  of  Temptation,”  the  well  known 
Laura  Libbey  novel — will  be  finished, 
thus  completing  eleven  of  the  thirty 
Greater  Attractions  on  the  1927-28 
schedule. 

Chase  Attacks  Coolidge 
Urges  Quiz  of  Industry 
in  Federal  Control  Move 

{Continued  from  page  19) 

application  to  this  industry  so  that  by  a 
restoration  of  free  competition  in  it  and 
by  a dissolution  of  the  existing  monopoly 
which  controls  it,  better  pictures  may  be 
obtained  from  those  ready,  willing  and  able 
to  make  them  as  soon  as  market  conditions 
permit  their  exhibition. 

Warns  of  Petition  in  Fall 

“I  beg  to  convey  to  you  the  assurance 
that  at  the  opening  of  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States  in  the  fall,  a petition  will 
be  presented  to  it  which  will  pray  for  a 
complete,  full  and  impartial  investigation 
of  the  failure  of  the  Attorney  General  of 
the  United  States  to  institute  long  ago  the 
appropriate  proceedings  described  in  this 
communication,  and  also  into  the  activities 
of  the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  America,  Inc.,  through  its  offi- 
cers and  employed  agents  in  their  relations 
to  political  leaders  and  federal  officials. 

“The  spectacle  of  the  immunity  from 
effective  prosecution  which  this  industry 
has  enjoyed  for  nearly  six  years  while 
operating  under  the  direction  of  a former 
presidential  cabinet  officer  brings  the  ad- 
ministration of  justice  under  your  term  of 
office  into  serious  question  and  it  is  not 
proposed  by  those  who  have  a right  to  ex- 
pect that  the  laws  of  this  country  be  en- 
forced in  the  motion  picture  industry  as  it 
is  in  other  trades,  to  sit  idly  by,  content, 
with  further  specious  excuses  for  failure 
to  perform  official  duties.” 


Joyzelle  toTour  Orpheum 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.— J o y z e 1 1 e, 
stage  and  screen  dancer,  has  completed 
a role  at  the  Fox  lot  and  is  rehearsing 
a pretentious  dancing  act  in  which  she 
will  be  featured  on  a tour  of  the  Or- 
pheum circuit. 


Respect  Authors, 

Hughes  Demands 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  19.—  The 
most  important  remedy  for  evils 
within  the  industry  is  a changed 
attitude  toward  the  author,  says 
Rupert  Hughes,  and  the  Academy 
of  Arts  and  Sciences  gives  the 
successful  writer  a public  voice. 

“Autocrats  who  will  listen  to 
nobody  and  who  make  radical  de- 
cisions that  destroy  promising 
pictures’’  are  doing  the  industry 
great  harm,  Hughes  said,  adding 
that  these  may  be  found  among 
executives,  directors,  writers,  and 
actors  as  well. 


Five  Sessions  in  Week 
Crystallize  Sentiment  on 
Economy  Introduction 

(.Continued  from  page  25) 
longer  runs  is  the  ideal  toward  which  the 
industry  should  work.” 

Many  Directors  Attend 

The  directors’  branch  of  the  Academy 
at  Thursday  night’s  meeting  was  repre- 
sented by  George  Archainbaud,  Reginald 
Barker,  William  Beaudine,  J.  Stuart  Black- 
ton,  Sam  Wood,  King  Vidor,  Frank  Bor- 
zage,  Eddie  Cline,  William  De  Mille,  Sid- 
ney A.  Franklin,  William  K.  Howard,  F. 
Richard  Jones,  Rupert  Julian,  Henry  King, 
Rowland  V.  Lee,  Frank  Lloyd,  Fred  Niblo, 
Sidney  Olcott,  Malcolm  St.  Clair,  Edward 
Sloman,  John  M.  Stahl,  Edward  Suther- 
land, Lois  Weber  and  Raoul  Wash. 

Conrad  Nagel  and  Milton  Sills  headed 
the  actor  members  in  the  Monday  night 
conference. 

The  producers  at  these  conferences  were 
Joseph  M.  Schenck,  Sam  Goldwyn,  Jesse 
Lasky,  Louis  B.  Mayer,  Sol  Wurtzel,  Cecil 
B.  De  Mille,  Watterson  R.  Rothacker, 
Jack  Warner  and  Charles  Christie. 


Number  of  Theatres 
in  Kansas  City  Belt 
Get  New  Managers 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  July  19.— Recent 
changes  in  the  management  and  ownership 
of  theatres  in  this  territory,  and  new  im- 
provements made,  are  as  follows: 

The  Opera  House  at  Ellinwood,  Kas., 
has  been  leased  by  W.  H.  Weber,  owner 
of  the  Echo  and  Lakin  theatres  at  Great 
Bend,  Kas.,  succeeding  C.  W.  Hermes. 
Warren  Weber  will  manage.  The  Strand 
theatre,  Osage  City,  Kas.,  has  been  sold 
by  J.  S.  Bunch  to  S.  H.  Blair  of  Belle- 
ville, Kas.,  who  will  take  possession  August 
1.  Max  Davidson  will  be  the  temporary 
manager.  An  Artic-Nu-Air  cooling  sys- 
tem has  been  installed  in  the  Empress  the- 
atre, St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  by  Manager  Sam 
Howard.  The  construction  of  an  airdome 
in  Montezuma,  Kas.,  has  been  completed 
by  Prof.  H.  Viskers. 

Walter  Faulkener  has  started  a motion 
picture  theatre  in  the  SLkes  building  at 
Leonardville,  Kas.  The  Ne-Go  theatre  at 
Toronto,  Kas.,  has  been  opened.  The  Rezac 
theatre,  Rossville,  Kas.,  has  been  purchased 
by  C.  E.  Craft,  who  will  construct  a new 
house  on  the  site.  Frank  Celoud  has  been 
succeeded  by  J.  G.  Weigand  as  manager  of 
the  Columbia  theatre.  Junction  City,  Kas. 
Frank  Barnes  has  been  named  as  manager 
of  the  Varsity  and  Bowersock  theatres, 
Lawrence,  Kas.,  owned  by  the  Glen  W. 
Dickinson  circuit. 


July  23,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  39 


Several  Promoted  in 
Christie  Organization 

A number  of  the  members  of  the 
Christie  production  staffs  have  won 
promotions  as  a result  of  the  in- 
creased activity  at  the  studio,  where 
three  of  the  36  comedies  for  Para- 
mount have  heen  completed  and  four 
others  are  underway. 

Harry  D’Arcy  and  Arthur  Black, 
formerly  property  men,  have  joined 
Bill  Holland  and  Eddie  Baker  as  as- 
sistant directors.  Arthur  Huffsmith 
has  become  a permanent  member  of 
the  cutting  room  staff.  He  formerly 
was  head  cutter  on  many  productions 
at  the  Metropolitan  studios. 

Sid  Walsh  of  the  electrician  staff 
has  been  promoted  to  cameraman 
and  his  first  assignment  is  with  Ed- 
die Lyons  on  a Billy  Dooley  comedy. 
Frank  Sullivan,  second  cameraman 
with  Gus  Peterson  for  years,  now  is 
a first  cameraman.  Alexis  Phillips, 
cameraman  lent  to  Metropolitan,  has 
heen  recalled. 

The  three  comedies  completed  are 
Bohhy  Vernon’s  “Short  Socks,” 
Billy  Dooley’s  “Row,  Sailor  Row,” 
and  Jimmie  Adams’  “Doctor  Quack,” 
all  three  to  be  released  by  Paramount 
in  August.  Four  in  work  are  Neal 
Burns’  “French  Fried,”  Bohby  Ver- 
non’s “Crazy  to  Fly,”  Dooley’s  “A 
Moony  Marine”  and  a comedy  of  a 
haunted  house  featuring  Anne  Corn- 
wall. 

•Jf  * 

How  News  Reels 
Profit  by  Locals 

Are  news  reel  locals  an  important 
asset  to  the  exhibitor  as  well  as  the 
producer?  Pathe  says  they  are,  and 
points  to  the  results  of  a local  made 
at  Minneapolis  in  connection  with 
ground  breaking  ceremonies  and  a 
barbecue  of  the  Calhoun  Beach  Club, 
which  was  attended  hy  the  governor, 
lieutenant-governor  and  other  state 
officials. 

The  Pathe  office  cooperated  with 
theatres  of  Minneapolis  and  St.  Paul 
and  postcards  were  sent  to  all  mem- 
bers of  the  club  pointing  out  that  pic- 
tures of  the  event  were  being  shown 
at  the  Strand  and  Hennepin  Or- 
pheum  in  Minneapolis  and  the  Astor 
and  Palace  Orpheum  in  St.  Paul. 


Who*s  Pioneer  in 
Showing  News  Reels? 

Sixteen  years  of  uninterrupt- 
ed showing  of  one  company’ s 
news  reel!  That’s  the  record 
claimed  for  the  Casino  theatre 
at  Leavenworth,  Kan.  Pathe 
News  has  not  missed  a perform- 
ance at  the  Casino  since  1911, 
when  it  first  was  screened  there. 

A Missouri  exhibitor,  Walter 
Wallace,  declares  he  has  shown 
Pathe  News  since  its  inception. 

This  department  is  interested 
in  knowing  the  names  of  pio- 
neer exhibitors  of  news  reels, 
whatever  the  company.  This  de- 
partment also  wants  to  know 
who  has  shown  any  company’ s 
news  reel  the  longest  period, 
without  interruptions.  If  you, 
Mr.  Exhibitor,  know  of  some- 
one who  is  a logical  candidate 
for  the  News  Reel  Exhibition 
Marathon,  send  in  his  name.  If 
you  can  hang  up  a record  your- 
self, so  much  the  better.  If  you 
know  of  any  exhibitor  who  has 
played  any  company’ s news  reel 
since  it  started,  his  name  will 
be  welcomed,  too.  Address  your 
replies  to  Short  Features  De- 
partment, Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  S.  Dearborn  street,  Chicago, 
III. 

Fox  Flood  Films 
Requested  by  Hoover 

Fox  News  has  sent  a complete  reel 
of  its  pictures  of  the  Mississippi  flood 
to  Washington  to  become  perma- 
nent records  of  the  government,  at 
the  request  of  Herbert  Hoover,  sec- 
retary of  Commerce.  Webber  Hall, 
who  took  scenes  from  the  air,  also 
did  rescue  work  for  the  government. 
Roy  Anderson  spent  two  days  and 
nights  in  an  open  motorboat  and  took 
pictures  of  the  submerged  town  of 
Clarendon,  Miss.,  and  of  the  break- 
ing of  the  levees  at  Greenville. 

■»  » -X- 

Cour  on  Visit  to 
Editor  Ray  Hall 

Eugene  J.  Cour,  in  charge  of  Mid- 
west activities  of  Pathe  News  as  edi- 
torial representative,  stationed  at 
Chicago,  was  in  New  York  last  week 
for  conferences  with  Editor  Ray  Hall. 


Laboratory  Completed 
for  Paramount  News 

Paramount  News’  four-story  lab- 
oratory on  West  43d  street  in  New 
York,  has  just  been  completed  and 
the  developing  and  printing  ma- 
chines now  are  being  installed.  The 
latest  devices  for  air  conditioning  are 
to  be  added. 

The  laboratory  was  “necessary  be- 
cause of  the  speed  demanded  in  the 
distribution  of  the  news  high  spots 
of  the  day,”  declared  Emanuel 
Cohen,  director  of  Paramount  News 
and  Short  Features,  in  commenting 
on  completion  of  the  structure. 

* * 

Here’s  One  Example  of 
Exploiting  That  Exploits 

Clippings  just  received  of  the  Har- 
monica Contest  put  on  at  the  Gaiety 
theatre  in  Industry,  Ilk,  by  A.  P. 
Kniss  show  how  this  exhibitor  drew 
community-wide  interest  by  making 
use  of  the  Educational  tieup  with  the 
M.  Hohner  company,  manufacturing 
harmonicas,  in  furtherance  of  the 
Juvenile  comedies  of  Big  Boy. 

Three  large  advertisements  in  the 
local  newspaper  helped  put  over  the 
stunt  and  the  newspaper  made  much 
of  the  affair,  despite  the  fact  that 
one  of  the  worst  electrical  and  rain 
storms  of  the  season  cut  into  the  at- 
tendance. One  of  the  stores  made  a 
particularly  impressive  display  of  the 
event. 

* 

Four  Mintz  Subjects 
Finished  for  Paramount 

Four  of  the  ten  Mintz  novelties  in 
two  reels  for  Paramount  have  been 
completed  and  others  are  in  the  mak- 
ing. The  four  finished  are  “Elegy,” 
“Fantasy”  and  “Frenzy,” — all  of  a 
dramatic  type — and  “A  Short  Tail.” 
In  the  latter,  a serio-comedy  on  a 
lost  dog  and  a newsboy,  only  the 
hands  and  feet  of  the  human  actors 
are  shown,  and  there  are  no  subtitles. 

Paramount  has  decided  to  advance 
the  release  date  of  “Aero  Nuts,” 
Krazy  Kat  cartoon,  to  August  13 
from  October  8.  “Tired  Wheels,”  an- 
other of  the  same  series,  will  go  out 
on  the  latter  date.  “Aero  Nuts”  con- 
cerns an  air  flight  from  New  York  to 
Paris. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


WW  f 

IV.  A.  V.  Mack,  director  of  exploitation  and  publicity  of  Pathe,  seems  quite  con- 
tented holding  Mary  Ann  Jackson,  the  “Smith  baby” — and  Mary  Ann  appears 
just  as  happy.  Mack  spent  a day  recently  with  the  “Jimmy  Smiths”  on  the  Coast 
and  this  is  the  way  the  photographer  lined  them  up:  (Left  to  right)  Raymond 
McKee,  the  “Jimmy  Smith”  of  the  comedy  series;  Daphne  Pollard,  newly  added; 
Phil  Whitman,  director;  Mack  and  Mary  Ann,  and  Ruth  Hiatt,  “Mrs.  Jimmy 
Smith.” 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  JUNE  19 

“A  Hot  Potato,”  Van  Bibber,  Fox,  two;  “Cupid  and 
the  Clock,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two;  ‘The  Crimeoo 
Flash,”  Pathe,  two;  “Died  In  the  Wool,” 
Fables,  Pathe,  two-third;  “Fluttering  Hearts,” 
Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review  No.  25,  Pathe, 
one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  25,  Timely,  Pathe, 
one-third;  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adven- 
ture, Universal,  two;  “Bo  Guest,”  Wisecracker, 
F.  B.  O.,  1,797;  “Passing  the  Hat,”  Winkler, 
F.  B.  O.  one- 


WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“Her  Silent  Wow,”  Helen  and  Warren,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,'*  No.  3 Pathe,  two;  “The 
Big  Reward,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Don't 
Tell  Everything,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No-  27,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  27,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Buster's  In- 
itiation,” Stem,  Universal,  two;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “A 
Poor  Excuse,”  Stern,  Universal,  two. 


WEEK  OF  JULY  10 

“Over  There,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two; 
“Cat's  Meow,”  Schott  and  Powder,  Cranfield  and 
Clark,  two ; “Grabbing  Grabbers,”  Boy  Adven- 
ture, Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one ; “Beauty  and  the 
Beach,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clark,  one; 
“Nothin'  Doin,'  ” Bowers  Novelty,  F,  B,  O. 
two;  “Alice's  Medicine  Show,”  Winkler,  F-  B.  O., 
one;  “Snow  Rambles,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  “A 
Wolf  in  Cheap  Clothing,”  Animal,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  4,  Paths,  two;  “Rid- 
ing High,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Eyes  and 
Spooks,”  Roach,  Patlie,  two;  Pathe  Review,  No- 
28,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  28; 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering  Smith 
Rides.”  Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “A  Kick  in 
the  Dark,”  F.  B.  O.,  1,780;  “Best  Wishes,” 

Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  17 

“Nothing  to  Live  For,”  Al  Joy,  Cranfield  and 
Clarke,  two;  “Sappy  Days,”  Schott  and  Powder, 
Cranfield  and  aarke,  two;  “Way  of  a Boy,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two ; The 
Big  Show,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Wild  Rival,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one; 
“Suite  Homes,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crim- 
son Flash,”  No.  5,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Love 
Nest,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Why  Girls 
Love  Sailors,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  29,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  29,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  24 

“Spooky  Money,”  Al  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
two;  “Beachnuts,”  Shott  and  Powder,  Cranfield 
and  Clarke,  two;  “What  Price  Swimming,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one ; “Learn 
by  Mail,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Campus  Romeos,”  Standard,  FBO,  two; 
“AUco  the  Whaler,”  Winkler,  FBO,  one;  “The 
Glory  That  Was  Greece,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Why  Blondes  Leave  Home,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  6,  Pathe,  two;  “Sub- 
way Sally,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Taking 


Punishments'*  Crantland,  Pathe,  one;  “With  Will 
Rogers  in  London,”  Clancy,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe 
Review  No.  30,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  30,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  31 

^Silk  Legs,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crimson 
Flash,”  No.  7,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Bully,”  Fables, 
Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Chicken  Feed,”  Roach, 
Pathe,  two;  “Skedaddle  Gold,”  Action,  Pathe, 
five;  Pathe  Review,  No.  31,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  31,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“^^hispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal, 
two. 


Farm  To  Store 
To  Film;  That’s 
J.  A.  Bachman 


JA.  BACHMAN,  manager  of  Educa- 
• tional’s  Washington  branch,  obtained 
his  start  in  a general  merchandise  store 
while  taking  a busi- 
ness course  at  a 
night  school.  Born 
in  Strasburg,  Pa., 
he  found  life  on 
his  father’s  farm  a 
bit  irksome,  and 
soon  he  was  a 
bookkeeper  in  the 
Hubley  Manufac- 
turing Company  at 
Lancaster.  The 
wanderlust  took 
possession  of  him 
again  after  three 
years  and  he  went 
to  St.  Paul  as  an 
auditor  with  the 
Great  Northern  Railroad  company.  He 
soon  left  this  job  to  go  with  the  Minne- 
apolis Drug  Company,  a wholesale  house. 

After  four  years  with  this  firm,  he  re- 
signed to  become  assistant  manager  of  the 
Minneapolis  office  of  the  Mutual  Film 
Corporation.  The  office  work  did  not  ap- 
peal to  him  and  he  took  to  the  road,  han- 
dling the  feature,  “Purity.”  Then  he 
became  affiliated  with  the  Sax  Feature  Com- 
pany, later  to  become  First  National  Pic- 
tures of  the  Northwest.  He  remained  with 
First  National  until  1917,  when  he  went 
with  Goldwyn  Distributing  Corporation  in 


J.  A.  Bachman 


Philadelphia. 


NEWSPICTURES 


INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  57 — Paris  wel- 
comes Byrd  and  aids—Pictures  of  the  wrecked 
America  (shiped  separately ) -^Sharkey  and 
Dempsey  show  good  form  in  work-outs  for 
fight““-Earl  Sande  rides  Chance  Play  to  victory 
in  Lincoln  Fields  handicap  at  Chicago— English 
are  thrilled  by  sight  of  sun's  eclipse. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  56 Coolidge 

dons  cowboy  clothes  at  his  55th  birthday  party 
in  Black  Hills. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  Sl—Yachts  Vanite  and  Resolute 
prepare  for  race  at  Newport-^World’s  records 
fall  in  A.  A.  U.  meet  at  Lincoln,  Neb.— -Fami- 
lies of  those  who  flew  with  Byrd  rejoice  on 
learning  aviators  are  safe— Babe  Ruth's  su- 
premacy as  home-run  king  disputed  by  team- 
mate Gehrig— ^Chamberlin  and  Levine  are  hon- 
ored by  Austrian  government— Vilma  Banky  and 
Rod  LaRocque  are  married  at  Beverly  Hills, 
Cal.— Newest  fashions  are  diplayed  at  Paris  race 
track. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5307"““Byrd's  flight  ends  in  dis- 
aster—Duke  and  Duchess  of  York  welcomed 
home  from  Australia*^ — Fast  yachts  race  in  Buf- 
falo regatta— ^Hundreds  enter  beauty  contest  at 
Venice,  Cal.— Cowbows  celebrate  President 
Coolidge's  birthday  at  South  Dakota  game  lodge 
De  Paola  wins  200  mile  auto  race  at  Salem, 
N.  H.— First  contingent  of  naval  reserves  leave 
New  York  on  vacation  cruise. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5308^— President  Coolidge  is 
treated  to  real  Western  rodeo— Pacific  flyers 
given  banquet  in  honor  of  2,400  mile  flght-^ 
Chamberlin  and  Levine  arrive  at  Paris  aviation 
field— Judge  Landis  has  a day  at  golf— Jack 
Sharkey  trains  for  Dempsey  fight. 


Moran  in  Trade 
15  Years;  Began 
With  Kleine  Co. 


P-  ^lORAN,  Oklamoha  City  “U” 
* * • manager,  has  been  in  the  business 
around  fifteen  years,  his  first  position  being 
inspector  for  the 
George  Kleine 
Film  Company  in 
Denver  where  he 
was  advanced  to 
head  booker.  A 
year  or  so  later 
the  General  Film 
Company  came  to 
the  front  and  the 
George  Kleine  ex- 
change was  one  of 
those  that  consol- 
idated with  three 
other  exchanges 
under  the  heading 
of  the  General  p.  Moran 

Film  Company  of 

Denver.  Moran  was  head  booker  for  Gen- 
eral Film  for  a number  of  years  and  finally 
severed  connections  to  buy  the  Crescent 
and  Comet  theatres  in  Denver,  which  he 
operated  for  over  a year. 

He  then  left  Denver  and  went  to  Salt 
Lake  City  in  the  capacity  of  booker  and 
salesman  for  Mutual  Film  and  was  pro- 
moted to  branch  manager.  His  next  step 
was  to  become  Universal’s  manager  in 
Denver,  but  he  went  back  to  Salt  Lake 
City  as  branch  manager  of  the  K.  E.  S.  E. 
exchange.  Next  he  opened  an  independent 
exchange  of  his  own,  and  then  organized 
a company  and  bought  the  state  rights  on 
“Eyes  of  the  World”  for  Illinois,  Indiana 
and  Ohio.  After  finishing  distribution  in 
these  three  states  he  went  back  to  Salt 
Lake  City  in  the  capacity  of  salesman  for 
Paramount  and  later  was  promoted  to 
branch  manager. 

Severing  connections  with  Paramount, 
Moran  went  with  Universal  as  manager 
of  the  Butte  office  and  later  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  Oklahoma  City  office  as 
branch  manager,  which  position  he  has  held 
the  past  four  years. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


PRESENMON  ACK 


Presentation  Is  Proving  Inviting 


Bandshow  Is 
Stabilizer  of 
Presentation 

Policy  Adopted  by  Theatres 
Throughout  the  Country 
Here  to  Stay 

During  the  last  three  years  consider- 
able talk  has  been  going  on  regarding 
presentation.  Some  was  favorable  while 
much  was  unfavorable,  the  opinion  being 
held  that  the  stage  bandshow  is  only  a 
fad  that  has  suddenly  emerged  from  all 
branches  of  entertainment  and  would 
eventually  fade  away  into  oblivion. 

For  those  who  are  still  skeptical  of 
the  presentation  form  of  entertainment 
let  us  give  them  a little  inside  tip  that 
the  stage  bandshow  is  here  to  stay.  Of 
course,  like  any  new  enterprise  when  in 
its  formative  stage  it  is  condemned,  and 
its  life  is  timed  by  a few  of  the  wise- 
crackers  and  typical  “it  can’t  last’’  kind. 

Theatre  managers  all  over  the  country 
are  watching  the  situation  carefully  and 
are  of  the  same  opinion  as  we  are  that 
presentation  is  going  to  take  the  place  of 
the  old  stereotype  form  of  variety  acts. 
One  has  only  to  look  at  the  tremendous 
list  of  deluxe  picture  houses  throughout 
the  country  that  are  carrying  this  policy 
today  to  be  convinced  that  the  style  is  a 
huge  success. 

Recently  a new  circuit  has  been  creat- 
ed by  Publix  which  has  given  the  presen- 
tation artist  nine  weeks’  more  work  out 
of  Chicago  in.  addition  to  the  25  weeks 
now  being  routed  out  of  the  New  York 
Publix  office.  This,  in  addition  to  the 
recent  booking  merger  of  the  Loew  de- 
luxe theatres  with  the  Publix  route,  en- 
ables all  capable  acts  and  artists  to  play 
40  weeks  or  more  consecutively  in  pic- 
ture houses. 

Some  of  the  new  stagehands 
that  have  been  installed  since  the 
recent  launching  of  the  nine  weeks 
Publix  circuit  out  of  Chicago  are 
as  follows:  Walter  Bastian,  State 
theatre,  Detroit;  Russ  Morgan, 
Capitol  theatre,  Detroit;  Dave 
Schooler,  Wisconsin  theatre,  Mil- 
waukee; Jimmy  Ellard,  Capitol 
theatre,  Des  Moines;  A1  Short, 
Howard  theatre,  Atlanta;  Brooke 
Johns,  Missouri  theatre,  St.  Louis; 
Boyd  Senter,  Riviera  theatre, 
Omaha;  Ralph  Pollack,  Newman’s 
theatre,  Kansas  City;  and  several 
others  that  are  now  functioning  in 
over  forty  key  cities. 

Reports  from  Wisconsin,  Des  Moines 
(Corftinited  art  page  42) 


Operatic  Presentation 


SONYA  ROZZANN  and  PIETRO  BAR- 
CHI,  two  operatic  artists  who  have  estab- 
lished a name  in  both  the  concert  and  opera 
fields,  and  recently  found  recognition  for 
their  talents  in  deluxe  picture  houses  dur- 
ing their  tour  of  Middle  Western  bookings. 
The  two  are  now  Eastward  bound  to  win 
new  laurels  in  Broadway  Presentations  and 
have  prepared  a novel  and  condensed  ver- 
sion of  famous  operas  whieh  they  will  offer 
for  the  first  time  in  any  cinema  theatre. 


Glued  to  Their  Seats 

Ted  Lewis  pulled  this  nifty  at  the  Chi- 
cago theatre,  Chicago,  last  week: 

The  High-Hatted  Tragedian  stepped  to 
the  footlights  to  announce  the  finale  of  his 
act  during  the  second  show  at  night. 

**Ladies  and  gentlemen,”  he  said,  smiling, 
“for  the  benefit  of  those  (he  hesitated) 
who  have  staid  over  from  the  last  show 


The  uproar  and  applause  was  too  much. 
It*s  a safe  wager  that  several  hundred  re- 
mained in  their  seats  through  two  Lewis 
shows. 

“ • • . • for  the  benefit  of  those  who 

have  staid  over  from  the  last  show  I will 
present  a little  specialty  number,  the 
^Marriage  of  Ham  and  Egg,*  by  the  tronv* 
bone  and  the  comet.” 

Ted  made  good  his  promise  and  those 
who  were  glued  to  their  seats,  including 
this  reporter,  were  treated  with  an  extra 
number. 

Outside,  it  might  be  added,  there  were 
waiting  a jammed  lobby  and  a line,  four 
abreast,  extending  for  half  a block. 


Cold  Shoulder 
by  Players  Is 
Thing  of  Past 

Stage  Stars  Are  Finding  Big  Field 
for  Their  Talents  in  the 
Picture  Theatres 
By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

There  is  a new  day  in  the  field 
of  presentation. 

Not  so  long  ago  (any  one  in 
presentation  can  remember  it  very 
clearly)  the  ladies  and  gentlemen 
of  the  stage  looked  askance  at  the 
motion  picture  theatre  as  a medium 
for  the  display  of  their  talents. 

They  viewed  presentation  in  some- 
what the  same  ligiit  as  tlieir  brothers 
and  sisters  did  the  motion  picture  when 
it  really  was  in  its  infancy  20  odd  years 
ago.  In  those  days  the  motion  picture 
producer  found  it  almost  impossible  to 
obtain  suitable  talent  for  the  particular 
roles  scenarists  called  for. 

One  of  the  most  difficult  tasks  of  the 
directors  of  the  early  days  was  to  induce 
players  of  the  stage  to  turn  their  in- 
terests to  the  motion  picture.  At  that 
time  an  artist  who  had  spent  most  of 
his  life  on  the  so-called  legitimate  stage 
thought  it  a disgrace  to  abandon  the 
stage  for  the  screen. 

Conditions  Now  Reversed 

This  situation  continued  until  the 
motion  picture  became  something  with 
which  to  reckon.  Then  there  was  a de- 
cided reversal  and  through  the  years 
many  prominent  folk  from  the  stage 
have  turned  to  the  screen  and  gained 
new  laurels  and  won  continued  fame 
and  fortune. 

Some  of  the  most  noted  stage  stars, 
such  as  John  Barrymore,  Eddie  Cantor, 
A1  Jolson,  W.  C.  Fields,  and  others  too 
numerous  to  mention,  have  succumbed 
to  the  call  of  the  camera. 

Presentation  has  suffered  through  the 
same  conditions.  When  the  presentation 
policy  was  adopted  some  three  years  ago 
in  picture  houses,  the  theatres  and  book- 
ing offices  were  hard  pressed  for  talent 
of  box  office  value. 

Since  then  every  one  has  realized  the 
value  and  the  possible  power  that  pic- 
ture houses  will  exercise  in  the  book- 
ing field  of  the  very  near  future  and 
up  to  date  there  have  been  very  few 
box  office  names  of  any  branch  of  show 
business  that  haven’t  made  their  appear- 
{Continued  on  page  42) 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Presentation  Inviting 


{Continued  from  page  41) 
ance  in  picture  houses,  or  expect  to 
before  long. 

For  the  convenience  of  those  who  are 
watching  the  constant  progress  and  fast 
strides  of  picture  houses  presenting 
stage  bandshows,  we  have  compiled  a 
list  of  artists  who  have  come  from  all 
branches  of  amusement  to  entertain  with 
their  wares  in  the  deluxe  picture  thea- 
tres. Some  of  the  most  noted  artists 
who  have  made  their  appearance  follow: 

From  the  concert  and  opera 
held:  Sousa’s  Band,  Delores  Cas- 
sinelli,  Sarah  and  Nellie  Kuhn, 
and  others.  From  the  vaudeville 
held:  Van  and  Schenck,  Benny 

Meroff,  Karly  Norman,  Stanley 
and  Birnes,  Williams  and  Ross 
and  others.  From  the  musical 
comedy  held:  Nora  Bayes,  Ted 
Lewis,  Chaz  Chase,  McCune  Sis- 
ters, Darling  Twins,  Charles  Irwin 
and  others. 

Stage  Calls  on  Talent 

It  is  also  of  interest  to  know  that 
since  the  launching  of  stage  bandshows 
in  deluxe  picture  houses  the  musical 
comedy  producers  have  been  keeping 
constant  watch  on  the  artists  appearing 
in  presentations  and  among  some  of  the 
specialty  acts  selected  for  next  year’s 
production  in  the  musical  comedy  fields 
are : Chamberlin  and  Himes,  Ruth 

Etting,  Kerenoff  and  Maree,  Hal  Sidare, 
Maxine  Hamilton,  Lucille  Middleton 
and  several  others. 

It  may  also  be  of  interest  to  know 
that  since  masters  of  ceremonies  have 
been  installed  in  picture  houses  and 
have  proven  a big  success  some  of  the 
best  names  in  the  motion  picture  field 
have  been  making  their  appearances  in 
these  roles  in  the  last  few  months.  Mo- 
tion picture  stars  now  appearing  in  de- 
luxe houses  are:  Herbert  Rawlinson, 


Sunshine  Sammy,  Theodore  Roberts, 
Charles  De  Roche  and  several  others. 

Proving  the  fact  that  artists  of  all 
classes  and  of  all  branches  of  amuse- 
ment are  now  available  for  picture  house 
work  and  in  most  cases  are  delighted  to 
appear  in  them. 


Bandshows  Success 


{Continued  from  page  41) 
and  Omaha  state  that  the  new  policy 
has  aroused  unusual  interest  and  was  a 
very  huge  success  on  opening  week.  As 
stated  before  the  local  band  leader  will 
also  act  as  master  of  ceremonies  and 
will  receive  the  Publix  stagehand  units 
out  of  Chicago  intact  as  they  leave  the 
Capitol  theatre,  Des  Moines,  the  start- 
ing point,  closing  at  the  Howard,  At- 
lanta, Ga. 

STAGE  SHOWS 

Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  17 

Paul  Ash  and  his  Merry  Mad  Musical  Gang 
delivered  this  week  in  a dance  hall  of  the  frontier 
days  in  a piece  entitled  “Dangerous  Dan’s  Revue.” 
It  caught  the  fancy  of  the  audience  and  merited 
the  come-back  applause  that  it  got. 

The  act  opened  with  the  stage  dark  with  the 
exception  of  a dim  light  playing  on  Paul  Small 
and  the  pianist.  Hank  Winston,  who  were  at  front 
and  right  in  front  of  a scrim.  Paul  sang  the 
words  to  “The  Shooting  of  Dan  McGrew”  to  a 
special  piano  arrangement.  Then  he  recited  the 
famous  poem. 

The  scrim  parted  with  the  orchestra  on  a dais 
in  the  dance  hall.  Two  shots  were  heard  and 
Ash  popped  through  the  swinging  doors  on  a bal- 
cony backstage.  Al  Kvale  was  summoned  and 
performed  on  his  two  instruments,  clarinet  and 
sax.  Always  popular. 

Ash  next  announced  that  in  deference  to  those 
who  had  written  asking  that  an  occasional  classi- 
cal piece  be  played  the  orchestra  would  render 
"Me  and  My  Shadow.”  in  which  would  be  com- 
bined classical  and  jazz.  Very  well  done  and 
favorably  received. 


Chicago’s  Newest  Sensation 

LOU  KOSLOFF 

“Suhan  of  Syncopation” 

Now  Directing  Presentations  at  L & T 

Harding  and  Senate  Theatres,  Chicago 

(PUBLIX  CIRCUIT) 

PRESTON  SELLERS 

Featured  Organist 

Now  Enjoying  Third  Successful  Year  at 
Lubliner  & Trinz’s  SENATE  THEATRE 
CHICAGO 


“THE  ARISTOCRATIC  STEPPERS” 

VALE  and  STEWART 


Soon  to  Repeat  All  Chicago 

Just  Completed  a Tour 

A Presentation  Act  With 

Houses  of  B & K and  h & T. 

of  Publix  Theatres 

Class  and  Speed.  Direction’-^- 
Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell. 

NOTE:  Have  you  seen  WILLIAMS  & ROSS? 


Jack  and  Kay  Spangler  — Jack  dressed  as  a 
woolly  Westerner — gave  a treat  in  their  eccentric 
dancing.  A clever  couple. 

Small  got  himself  in  for  a lot  of  throat  work 
this  week.  So  insistent  was  the  crowd  that  he 
came  back  (two  or  three  times)  with  a novelty 
stunt,  wherein  Winston  drifted  from  one  selection 
to  another  with  Paul  following  with  the  words. 
A knockout,  if  applause  means  anything. 

Paul  Howard,  one  of  the  cleverest  of  the  con- 
tortion dancers  that  it  has  been  the  privilege  of 
this  reporter  to  see,  stopped  the  show.  A good 
personality  and  a boy  you  won’t  forget. 

Lydia  Harris,  a Chicago  favorite,  selected  a 
program  composed  of  “Magnolia,”  “I  Ain’t  That 
Kind  of  a Gal,”  “My  Daddy’s  Just  an  Icecream 
Cone.”  and  “South  Wind.” 

For  the  finale  the  orchestra  played  “At  Sun- 
down,” with  the  trio.  Small,  Tony  Hillis  and 
Milton  Watson,  in  on  the  chorus.  This  was  an 
odd  week  in  view  of  the  fact  that  Watson  did  not 
do  his  usual  stuff  until  the  finale. 

Henri  Keates  played  the  organ. 


“South  Wind — South  Wind — 
Blo-ozv  me  home  again  ” 

Chicago  Stratford 

Week  Ending  July  17 

A split  week  policy  of  pictures  and  presentation 
still  continues  to  click  here  with  Ted  Leary  as 
Master  of  Ceremonies  featured  with  Maurie  Hill- 
blom’s  Stratford  Syncopators.  The  bandshow  ran 
as  follows : 

Opening — in  full  stage  as  band  is  led  by  Maurie 
Hillblom  into  an  arrangement  of  “A  Lane  in 
Spain,”  played  in  a soothing  latin  style. 

Ted  Leary  started  his  wise-cracking  and  fun- 
making from  here  on  and  offered  as  the  opening 
act,  the  Valdo  Sisters  who  sang  Hawaiian  songs 
and  danced  native  steps.  Later  both  doing  eccen- 
tric and  jazz  dancing  that  won  a good  hand. 

O.  K.  Segel  followed  with  a prop-stand  some- 
what like  a hot-dog  stand,  and  started  his  funny 
juggling  of  hats,  balls  and  everything  else  he  drew 
forth  from  the  table.  His  entire  routine  was  done 
in  comedy  pantomime  style  with  no  talking 
throughout,  and  proved  a laughing  hit. 

Two  boys  working  under  the  name  of  Uke  and 
Lew  came  on  next  with  a banjo  and  a uke  selec- 
tion of  popular  tunes  sung  and  played  in  peppy 
style  and  intermingled  with  comedy  chatter. 

Maurie  Hillblom  next  directed  his  band  through 
a series  of  an  arrangement  of  “When  Rastus  Plays 
His  Gazook”  and  the  boys  sure  did  it  in  typical 
negro-jazz  manner  with  brass  specialties  assisted 
by  Hal  Scholer,  the  banjoist  who  sang  and  played 
it,  Al  Benson,  who  drummed  it  and  Don  Barber 
who  not  only  Saxed  it,  but  also  Gazooked  it. 
These  boys  are  very  popular  here  and  always 
have  something  that  this  audience  likes. 

Gray  and  White,  another  male  team  came  on 
next  with  a fast  routine  of  neat  tap  dancing  and 
eccentric  steps  that  has  been  reported  in  these 
columns  before  and  again  proved  a big  success. 

Ted  Leary  thought  that  by  this  time  he  was  due 
for  some  soloing  on  his  own,  so  he  sang,  “It 
All  Depends  On  You”  and  “Bye-Bye  Pretty  Baby,” 
with  the  usual  punch  and  pep  that  he  always  in- 
jects in  all  his  songs  which  makes  him  stand  out 
as  a clever  entertainer.  Is  Ted  popular  here  ? 
Well,  we  should  say  so.  this  makes  his  2,000th 
if  not  more  performance  in  this  house,  and  as  far 
as  the  audience  is  concerned  he  is  here  to  stay. 

The  band  closed  the  progi'am  with  a clever  ar- 
rangement of  “Red  Lips”  a red-hot  tune  played 
in  burning  style. 

Not  a bad  show  at  that,  for  a local  house  with 
two-a-week  changes  and  an  Orpheum  house  right 
across  the  street  from  it. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


NEW  SONGS 

Reviewed  by 

IRENE  JUNO 

(Instructor  Washington  College  of  Music) 


Good  Morning,  folks.  In  getting  under  way 
with  this  department,  we  feel  that  we  are 
creating  something  that  will  be  of  interest 
to  theatre  musicians.  Music  is  50%  of  the 
show  nowadays  and  if  the  organists  are  in- 
terested they  will  find  this  department  will 
keep  them  from  playing  numbers  that  will 
never  be  hits  and  will  not  appeal  to  the  audi- 
ence. It  will  also  be  good  for  the  pocketbook, 
as  it  will  gradually  embrace  the  heavier  class 
of  music  and  the  organist  who  does  not  have 
direct  contact  with  music  houses  will  be  able 
to  buy  good  music  suitable  for  picture  work. 

If  you  need  any  assistance  with  your  musical 
programs,  drop  a line  in  care  of  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  and  if  the  answer  can  be  found  you 
will  get  it. 

SONG  SLIDE  NOVELTIES 
LOVE  IS  JUST  A LITTLE  BIT  OF  HEAVEN. 

— Bryan  & Baer  (Feist.)  It’s  a waltz  that’s 
haunting.  Harmonic  thirds  and  fourths  with  a 
melody  that’s  good,  makes  a number  that  will  be 
heard  from. 

« * • 

SAM,  THE  OLD  ACCORDION  MAN  (Feist). 
Good  slide  novelty.  Runs  to  comedy  and  should 
prove  a good  number  for  organists.  Well  known 
enough  for  audience  to  sing.  Not  complicated  to 
play.  Time  length,  six  minutes. 

« « « 

ALL  ABOARD  (The  Syncopated  Ship)  (Henry 
Waterson,  Inc.)  Very  good  slide  specialty.  Has 
song  choruses  that  keep  the  audience  singing  and 
comedy  slides  that  explain  why  they  ought  to 
sing.  Was  a big  success  where  I used  it.  Add 
a singer  on  stage  who  invites  the  audience  to  sing 
and  lead  the  numbers.  Time  length,  eleven  min- 
utes. 

« « • 

HONOLULU  MOON. — Lawrence  (Feist.)  Is  a 
waltz  with  Hawaiian  atmospheric  notes.  Do  you 
get  me  ? You  will  hear  it  whistled  on  the  streets. 
Easy  to  get  and  it  will  stick  in  your  memory. 
The  United  States  Navy  Band  is  featuring  it  on 
their  programs  to  good  returns  this  month.  An 
old  name  with  a new  tune. 

* « * 

COLLETTE. — (Feist.)  A number  with  a march 
swing.  It  won’t  sweep  the  country  but  don’t  neg- 
lect it.  A number  that  comes  in  handy  when  you 
want  good  rhythm  and  don’t  know  just  what  to 
play.  Not  a syncopated  number. 

* « * 

MY  SUNDAY  GIRL— Ruby-Cooper  & Stept 
(Berlin.)  A fox  trot  to  be  played  and  remem- 
bered. A little  bit  different. 

« » * 

HAP-HAP-HAPPINESS.  • — Johnson,  Tobias  & 
Sherman  (Berlin.)  A fox  trot  of  strong  rhythm, 
plenty  counter  melody  and  a good  up  to  date 
singable  tune.  “Sob”  words  would  put  it  over  if 
the  music  didn’t  get  them. 

» « « 

RUSSIAN  LULLABY.— (Berlin.)  Another  Ber- 
lin waltz  that  grows  on  you.  The  more  you  play 
it  the  better  you  like  it. 

« « « 

LOVE  AND  KISSES.— Baker  & Silver  (Berlin.) 
Fox  trot  song  of  ordinary  calibre.  Easy  to  play 
and  easy  to  forget. 

* # # 

I LOVE  NO  ONE  BUT  YOU.— Spitalny  (Henry 
Waterson,  Inc.)  It’s  a waltz.  Nothing  to  recom- 
mend it  but  simplicity.  A good  organist  might 
make  an  attractive  theme  of  it. 

# ■»  # 

SO  BLUE. — (De  Sylva,  Brown  & Henderson.) 
A waltz  that  I hope  no  one  has  missed.  The 
waltz  hit  of  the  season. 

« « « 

WISTFUL  AND  BLUE.— Etting  & Davison 
(Feist.)  A slow  rhythm  fox  trot  with  a plaintive 
melody  and  some  haunting  “blues  harmony.” 
Don’t  miss  it. 

# » * 

AGER,  YELLEN  AND  BORNSTEIN  have  just 
put  out  four  of  the  hottest  fox  trot  numbers  of  the 
season.  You  can’t  afford  to  miss  them : 

1.  AIN’T  IT  A GRAND  AND  GLORIOUS 
FEELING? 

2.  WHO-OO  YOU-OO  THAT’S  WHO. 

3.  SHE  DON’T  WANNA. 

4.  VO-DO-DO  DE-O  BLUES  which  promises  to 
take  the  place  of  “CRAZY  WORDS,  CRAZY 
TUNES.”  Slides  for  all  of  them  are  promised. 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  17 

This  was  Ted  Lewis  week  at  the  Chicago — and 
how!  The  High-Hatted  Tragedian,  as  Bill 
Hollander  chose  to  bill  him,  had  the  house  plead- 
ing for  more,  which  he  might  gladly  have  given 
but  for  the  sardine-effect  in  the  lobby  and  the 
long  line  of  waitees  at  the  wicket. 

Lewis’  act  opened  behind  the  curtains  of  a 
circus  tent.  They  parted  with  the  orchestra  play- 
ing “Lock  a Little  Beam  of  Sunshine.”  Members 
of  the  band  were  dressed  in  the  uniforms  of  the 
circus  lackey  and  Ted  was  groomed  in  a semi- 
clownish  outfit  of  black  and  white — not  forgetting 
his  high  hat. 

As  supplementary  acts  Lewis  has  with  him  two 
girl  dancers  and  Eddie  Chester,  who  sings  with 
his  mouth  and  talks  with  his  feet. 

Following  the  opening  number  Eleanor  Brooks 
or  Marilyn  Duncan  pleased  with  a toe  dance  to  a 
song  which  might  be  called  “When  We  Danced 
’Til  Dawn.”  Then  followed  “Hello  Bluebird”  by 
Chester,  with  Miss  Brooks  or  Miss  Duncan,  dressed 
in  something  red,  giving  the  audience  what  they 
liked  in  jazz. 

Lewis’  clowning  of  the  drum  major  of  a small 
town  band,  with  the  orchestra  playing  favorite 
march  numbers,  brought  down  the  house.  The 
High-Hatted  Tragedian  then  chose  to  sing  “When 
My  Baby  Smiles  at  Me.”  What  a wow  that  proved 
to  be.  This  reporter  decided  it  was  no  use  con- 
tinuing with  the  stop  watch  after  Lewis  had  regis- 
tered four  curtain  calls.  Lewis  then  sang  a new 
song  which  might  be  called  “There’s  No  End  to 
My  Love  for  You.” 

It’s  too  bad  Ted  can’t  hit  the  small  towns. 

The  garden  scene  from  “Faust”  was  the  basis 
of  a pleasing  overture  and  scrim  presentation  by 
H.  Leopold  Spitalny  and  his  orchestra.  Strains 
from  “The  Flower  Song”  and  “The  Jewel  Song” 
were  illustrated  on  the  scrim  by  specially  posed 
motion  pictures  in  color.  As  a finale  to  this  the 
lights  were  thrown  up  back  of  the  scrim,  disclos- 
ing a balcony  from  which  a feminine  singer  sang 
strains  from  the  opera. 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  July  17 

This  week’s  stage  offering  was  called  “Garden 
Follies/'  featuring  Verne  Buck  and  his  boys  to- 
gether with  a bevy  of  players.  The  Follies  ran 
as  follows: 

Opening:  In  pretty  full  stage  garden  set  as 
orchestra  played  “There’s  a Trick  in  Picking  a 
Chick.”  After  a chorus  Verne  Buck  made  his 
entrance  and  went  into  a vocal  chorus  of  the  same 
tune  as  the  boys  joined  him  on  the  last  few  lines. 

The  Jandon  Sisters  started  the  fun  with  a rou- 
tine of  boob  comedy  dancing  later  followed  by  the 


brunette  in  a clever  Black  Bottom,  after  which 
the  sister  does  a good  round  of  buck  dancing  while 
the  other  made  a change  of  costume  and  both 
finished  the  series  of  dancing  with  a clever  rou- 
tine. 

They  were  followed  by  Ruth  Marie  Marcott, 
attractive  Prima  Donna  of  musical  comedy  fame, 
who  offered  “Only  a Rose”  in  her  pleasing  man- 
ner and  soothing  voice.  Miss  Marcott  has  been 
reported  in  many  other  presentation  houses  and 
judging  from  the  audience  reaction  she  has  found 
her  goal  in  picture  houses.  As  an  encore  she 
sang  “Forgive  Me,”  assisted  by  Verne  Buck  play- 
ing the  violin  to  the  same  tune. 

Johnny  Dunn,  young  man  with  ukulele  followed, 
singing  “A  Quiet  Evening  at  Home,”  which  he 
strums  on  his  uke,  later  going  into  a harmony 
arrangement  of  “Let  Me  Call  You  Sweetheart.” 
As  an  encore  this  boy  plays  “Melody  in  F”  on  his 
uke  giving  the  sounds  of  two  ukes  playing  at  the 
same  time.  His  closing  number  consisted  of  a 
buck  and  wing  routine  as  he  plays  “Stars  and 
Stripes”  on  the  uke. 

The  band  next  went  into  a symphonic  arrange- 
ment of  “When  Day  Is  Done”  with  Verne  Buck 
doing  a solo  on  his  bass  sax  and  Frank  Wilson 
following  with  a vocal  chorus  with  which  he 
stopped  the  show.  After  repeating  the  chorus 
Verne  Buck  then  went  into  a violin  solo  of  a 
pretty  classical  number  called  “By  a Brook.”  His 
splendid  playing  and  technique  almost  placed  a 
brook  and  a lonely  spot  in  front  of  you.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  this  artist  has  found  a very 
choice  spot  in  the  hearts  of  this  audience. 

Martha  Martelle,  a little  blues  singer,  followed, 
doing  “Someday  Sweetheart”  and  “That’s  You,” 
doing  both  of  the  numbers  in  Peggy  Bernier  style, 
using  Verne  Buck  as  a straight  to  her  clowning. 
She  also  repeated  a second  choinis  in  dance  style 
which  won  her  an  encore  and  several  bows. 

The  young  lad  next  introduced  as  Ted  Lewis,  Jr., 
followed  with  a series  of  hot  tunes  on  the  clarinet 
which  he  played  in  mean  manner.  The  young  fel- 
low wears  a high  slik  hat  and  plays  the  instru- 
ment almost  in  the  same  laughing  style  as  Ted 
Lewis,  Sr.,  the  originator  of  this  routine.  The 
boy’s  clever  showmanship  earns  him  three  encores 
and  several  bows. 

Claire  and  Wilmar,  man  and  woman  dance 
team,  followed  in  a comedy  bowery  routine  similar 
to  the  one  made  popular  in  picture  houses  by 
Chamberlin  and  Himes.  Wilmar,  the  man.  next 
offered  eccentric  tap  routine  in  perfect  time  with 
the  music.  For  closing  number  he  and  his  partner 
dressed  in  extremely  comedy  hulu  costumes  offered 
a very  funny  native  dance  which  stopped  the  show 
entirely.  The  funny  antics  and  pantomime  bits 
that  Wilmar  does  throughout  this  routine  causes 
one  row  of  laughter  after  another. 

Finale;  Girl  members  of  the  cast  on  swings 
with  illuminating  ropes  singing  “He’s  the  Last 
Word,”  together  with  the  boys  as  the  band  does 
the  tune. 


RAMON  BERRY 

Featured  Organist 
ALAMO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Now  Preparing  a Huge  Anniversary  Program 
To  Be  Celebrated  Week  of  AUGUST  18th 


WRIGHT-DOUGLAS  and  CO. 


IN 

A Riot  In 

“The  Handicap” 

Now  Making  A 

Vaudeville 

A Novel  Comedy  Act  lor 
Presentation 

Tour  of  De  Luxe 

On  Any  Spot 

Direction-^Mort  Infield 
W'oods  Theatre  Bldg.^ 

Picture  Houses 

Chicago 

• 

NOTE:  You've  laughed  at  “SPARKEY”  in  the  NEWSPAPERS,  now  SCREAM  at  him  on  the  STAGE. 


JIMMIE  FERGUSON 

Late  Co-Starring  Comic  of 
SISSLE  & BLAKE’S  “CHOCOLATE  DADDIES  ” 

Also  Producer  of  the  Revues  for  CAFE  De  PARIS 

Now  Playing  the  Better  Class  Presentation  Houses 

Personal  Direction LEO  SALKINS 

Standard  Oil  Bldg.,  910  So.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  July  17 

Lou  Kosloff  and  his  novelty  syncopators  of- 
fered ‘‘Dutch  Follies*’  this  week  as  the  new  stage 
attraction.  Eddie  Lambert,  Billy  Randell,  Myrtle 
Gordon,  and  several  others  were  featured  in  the 
show  that  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  Full  stage  set  representing  a garden 
in  Holland  with  typical  windmills  and  tulips  in 
background  as  two  Gould  Girls  offered  specialties 
later  joined  by  the  rest  of  the  Ballet  in  a Tiller 
routine  attired  in  Tulip  costumes. 

After  this  number.  Kosloff  enters  in  Dutch 
costume  announcing  “Grand  and  Glorious  Feel- 
ing” as  a band  arangement  which  was  played  like 
nobody’s  business. 

Billy  Randell,  formerly  with  Gus  Edwards, 
started  the  Foolies  off  singing  “Wild  Flower,” 
later  going  into  eccentric  violin-dancing  routine. 
His  Russian  eccentric  and  knee-drops  almost 
stopped  this  show.  This  boy  has  appeared  in  these 
houses  before  and  as  usual  is  always  a favorite. 

Myrtle  Gordon,  the  big  girl  with  the  blues 
voice,  sand  “Vo-Do-De-o  Blues,”  and  a sob  ballad 
which  didn’t  seem  to  fit  her  voice.  Miss  Gordon 
is  a typical  Sophie  Tucker  and  should  stick  to 
that  type  of  work.  Her  “Absolutely-Positively” 
number  won  her  two  encores  and  many  bows. 

A band  arrangement  of  “Absolutely-Positively” 
followed  with  Miss  Gordon  joining  in  the  second 
chorus  using  Lou  Kosloff  as  straight  man  for  her 
clowning.  This  bit  went  over  very  big  proving 
that  this  artist  is  a favorite  in  picture  houses. 

She  was  followed  by  Ann  and  Jean,  two  young 
girls  dressed  as  maids,  singing  “You  Don't  Like 
It”  and  later  go  into  a series  of  high  stepping 
with  cartwheels  and  so  on  in  a clever  style,  dis- 
playing a charming  personality. 

The  Gould  girls  followed  in  light  blue  trousers 
with  fringes,  topped  with  yellow  blouses  and  tarns 
with  a pair  of  clappers  in  each  hand  as  they  go 
into  a routine  of  Dutch  Black  Bottom  later  in- 
ducing Kosloff  to  do  a few  steps  with  them.  This 
routine  received  an  encouraging  hand  and  was 
compelled  to  take  an  encore. 

It  was  followed  by  Clem  Dacey  singing  “Just 
Like  a Butterfly”  with  scrim  curtain  going  up  on 
second  chorus  displaying  drop  on  platform  repre- 
senting rain  and  Marie  Peterson  portraying  the 
butterfly. 

During  this  number  Lou  Kosloff  did  one  of  his 
nifty  violin  solos  which  compelled  him  as  usual 
to  take  another  solo  and  take  an  extra  encore 
on  his  own.  Kosloff  is  very  well  liked  in  this 
house,  especially  for  his  splendid  violin  selections 
and  it  seems  that  they  never  tire  of  him  whatever 
he  plays. 

The  evening’s  fun  was  closed  with  Eddie  Lam- 
bert in  a routine  of  burlesque  recitations  attired 
in  hokum  outfits.  Lambert  is  now  playing  his 
second  Chicago  engagement  and  judging  from  the 
audience  reaction  his  tyi>e  of  entertainment  seems 
to  evoke  laughter  and  after  all  a satisfied  audience 
is  all  that  any  theatre  management  strives  to 
please.  This  reporter  does  not  particularly  like 
the  type  of  work  offered  by  Lambert,  or  rather 
feels  it  is  not  picture  house  entertainment,  never- 
theless the  artist  is  clever  and  for  the  fact  that 
he  was  a huge  success  here  proves  that  the  ma- 
jority rules  in  any  case. 

Finale:  The  Gould  girls,  half  dressed  as  boys 
and  half  dressed  as  girls,  join  in  the  orchestra  in 
a clever  arrangement  of  “Hi-lee,  Hi-lo”  as  all  the 
windmills  in  the  background  start  to  revolve 
while  the  lights  are  illuminated  with  Kosloff  fin- 
ishing the  tune  on  his  violin. 


Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  July  17 

Charles  Kaley  and  his  singing  orchestra  pre- 
sented a very  novel  and  unique  stage  offering  this 
week  called  “Traveling  On  The  Broadway  Lim- 
ited.” The  presentation  featured  Laura  Lee,  Lyn- 
den  and  Farman,  and  several  other  versatile  play- 
ers. The  attraction  ran  Ss  follows: 

Opening:  In  front  of  black  drop  representing 
track  gate  of  a railroad  station,  Kaley  entering 
from  one  side  as  Wayne  Allen,  his  pianist,  enters 
from  the  other,  each  carrying  a suitcase,  and  both 
go  into  a routine  of  comedy  chatter  as  they  wait 
for  the  train  to  arrive. 

The  next  scene  displays  full  stage  setting  of 
interior  of  the  Union  Station,  Chicago,  with  ob- 
servation platform  on  closeup  setting  of  train 
bearing  an  emblem  of  “The  Broadway  Limited.” 
During  this  time  the  band  goes  into  an  arrange- 
ment of  “It’s  a Million  to  One  You’re  in  Love,” 
as  Wayne  Allen  and  Julius  Stirn,  the  band’s  pi- 
anists sing  special  lyrics  on  “The  Pennsy  Line.” 

After  this  number  the  Granada  girls  enter,  each 
carrying  a small  grip,  and  go  into  routine  dancing 
and  while  they  are  still  dancing,  trains  are  an- 
nounced and  the  girls  go  into  a comedy  offering  as 
lights  go  out  and  each  grip  displays  on  the  oppo- 
site side  a miniature  train  car  which  is  very 
effective  when  illuminated,  with  the  first  girl 
holding  the  locomotive  and  the  entire  line  moves 
about  in  shuffling  style  giving  the  effect  and  ap- 
pearance of  a miniature  train  in  the  distance. 
Whistle  blowing  and  steam  puffing  effects  are  in- 
jected from  back  stage  during  this  number  which 
makes  it  very  interesting  and  novel. 

On  the  next  number  lights  go  on  again  as 
Charles  Kaley  announces  the  Broadway  Linuted 
Quartette  through  the  courtesy  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Railroad,  after  which  the  boys  went  into  a very 
fine  arrangement  of  harmony  singing. 

Lynden  and  Farman  follow  next  with  a novel 
routine  of  comedy  Apache  with  man  opening  in 
dark  stage  as  safe-blower  with  flashlight  which 
he  throws  on  the  safe  and  brings  forth  a young 
lady  who  assists  him  in  the  dance.  Their  novel 
opening  and  comedy  pantomime  won  them  an  en- 
core and  several  bows. 

Charles  Kaley  next  announced  a band  arrange- 
ment of  “Sundown”  and  after  one  chorus  he  went 
into  a vocal  arrangement  of  same,  offered  in  his 
pleasing  manner.  The  number  won  him  an  en- 
core and  was  followed  by  harmony  playing  and 
singing  by  the  band. 

Laura  Lee,  late  of  musical  comedy,  followed 
next  in  a similar  routine  that  she  presented  at  the 
Marbro  last  week.  The  young  lady  registered  a 
great  deal  better  here  and  was  liked  in  some  of 
her  offerings. 

She  was  followed  by  Jimmy  Ferguson,  a colored 
dancer,  who  offered  harmony  singing  and  tap 
dancing.  His  eccentric  tap  routine  won  him  four 
encores  at  this  show. 

Charles  Kaley  followed  with  a song  solo  of 
“I’d  Walk  a Million  Miles,”  accompanied  by  the 
orchestra  in  a fine  arrangement  of  same.  Julius 
Stein  next  played  an  arrangement  called  “Digging 
Deeper,”  to  which  Kaley  plays  a violin  solo 
assisted  by  soft  band  arrangement.  This  number 
was  well  liked  and  very  well  delivered. 

At  this  point  the  curtain  lowers  again  display- 
ing the  opening  scene  where  Kaley  is  carrying  a 
suitcase  followed  by  the  girls  as  he  goes  through 
the  train  gate.  The  Pennsylvania  Quartette  then 
goes  into  another  harmony  song  after  which  they 


all  follow  through  the  gate  shouting  All  Aboard. 

The  next  scene  shows  interior  of  Train  Cab 
with  observation  platform  as  mentioned  before 
with  Charles  Kaley  on  it,  waving  goodby  as  whistle 
and  bells  ring.  At  this  point  the  lights  begin  to 
dim  as  Kaley  is  still  in  the  waving  position  and 
by  the  aid  of  a motion  picture  film  flashed  on  a 
back  curtain  hanging  in  rear  of  observation  car 
it  gives  the  appearance  of  the  train  traveling  full 
speed  and  scenery  appears  rushing  through  on  both 
ends  as  curtain  lowers  for  Finale. 

Observation:  Since  joining  this  organization 

“Traveling”  is  one  of  the  best  stage  shows  that 
this  leader  has  offered  to  the  public. 

Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  July  17 

Sam  Kaufman’s  stageshow  this  week  featured 
the  Premier  Trio,  assisted  by  several  other  artists. 
The  policy  still  continues  as  a split  week  with 
feature  film  and  another  novelty.  The  presenta- 
tion was  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  as  band  played 
in  catchy  tune  a very  pretty  arrangement  of 
“Where  Is  That  Rainbow?”  This  was  done  in 
neat  style  after  which  Kaufman  announces  Tillie 
Corrin,  a cute  little  miss,  who  delivers  a clever 
acrobatic  dance  to  good  results.  Louise  Nelson, 
one  of  a trio,  followed  this  girl  in  an  accordion 
offering  in  red-hot  style  playing  several  popular 
tunes  that  were  enjoyed  immensely.  After  several 
bows  Sam  Kaufman  went  into  one  of  his  own 
clever  piano  solos  this  time  offering  a special 
arrangement  of  “The  Merry  Widow,”  an  oldtime 
favorite.  As  usual  Sam  injected  his  improvised 
melodies  which  are  always  a treat  on  this  bill 
and  received  its  due  amount  of  appreciation. 

After  this  number  the  Premier  Trio,  consisting 
of  Lett  Sisters  and  Louise  Nelson,  offer  their 
deluxe  harmony  singing  using  “Hoosier's  Sweet- 
heart,” and  “Me  and  My  Shadow.”  As  usual  the 
girls  scored  heavily  and  for  an  encore  sang  “I 
Ain’t  Got  Nobody”  which  went  over  very  well. 
These  girls  have  been  reported  many  times  before 
and  have  always  proven  a good  picture  house  bet. 

Sam  Arco  followed  next  in  a routine  of  clever 
eccentric  and  acrobatic  dancing  which  set  him  in 
solid  with  this  audience. 

The  type  of  Arco’s  work  and  the  manner  in 
which  he  delivered  it  could  have  kept  him  on 
indefinitely  had  the  show  not  been  running  late. 

The  stage  offering  closed  with  a very  clever 
arrangement  of  “One  Summer  Night,”  which  was 
ably  played  by  these  boys. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Inaugurating  its  new  stage  policy  on  its  re- 
modeled stage,  the  largest  in  the  West,  Saxe’s 
Wisconsin  introduced  Dave  Schooler  and  his  Play 
Boys  to  the  Milwaukee  public.  However,  before 
we  begin  with  the  show  proper  let  us  stop  to  com- 
ment upon  the  new  stage  and  the  settings.  A 
gorgeous  red  and  orange  silk  curtain  hid  the 
orchestra  from  view.  After  this  was  drawn  aside 
the  lights  shining  from  back  stage  through  a 
beautiful  gray  silk  curtain  disclosed  the  new 
orchestra,  seated  upon  the  raised  platform  with 
another  platform  above  them  but  further  back 
stage,  for  the  other  members  of  the  stage  presen- 
tations. 

The  stage  is  elaborate  with  red  brick  stairways 
leading  to  the  second  and  third  platforms,  be- 
sides marble  like  walls  along  side  the  steps. 
Dave  Schooler  opened  the  program  by  reading  a 
number  of  fake  telegrams  of  welcome,  all  of 


Bennie  Krueger 

Feature  Attraction 
— at  — 

Balaban 
and  Katz 

UPTOWN 

and 

TIVOLI 

Theatres, 
Chicago 


DARLING  TWINS 

(The  Pocket  Edition) 

Just  Finished  a Long  and  Successful  Tour  of 
Publix  and  Orpheum  Circuits 

Now  enjoying  a rest  before  going  into  rehearsal  for 
a Broadway  Show — Direction,  Max  Turner, 
William  Morris  Agency. 


**One  of  Chicago* s Foremost  Manipulators  of 

the  Organ** 

Featured  in  ONE  Theatre  in  CHICAGO  for  the 
last  SIX  YEARS— WHO?  - - - 

RAMON  RICHELIEU-MORSE 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


July  23,  1927 

them  in  a humorous  vein.  He  then  introduced 
each  member  of  his  orchestra  in  a clever  skit, 
“Meet  the  Boys.”  He  had  some  little  failing  or 
meritorious  characteristic  for  each  member.  He 
then  lead  the  orchestra  in  popular  songs,  among 
them  “Sundovpn”  and  “Fooling  Along.” 

Next  the  eight  Tiller  Sunshine  Girls,  direct 
from  Marylin  Miller’s  “Sunny,”  proceeded  to 
dance  before  the  gray  silk  curtain,  accompanied 
by  the  orchestra  seated  behind  the  curtain.  They 
did  a snappy  bit  of  clog  and  appeared  twice  more 
during  the  presentation,  the  second  time  appear- 
ing in  a blue  rope  dance. 

Born  and  Lawrence  next  appeared,  donned  as 
hoboes,  and  tickled  the  comedy  palate  of  the  audi- 
ence with  clever  dancing  and  singing.  They  sang 
a number  of  old-time  songs,  such  as  “Down  by 
the  Old  Mill  Stream,”  accompanied  by  funny 
pantomimes.  The  audience  was  so  pleased  that 
the  two  were  forced  to  appear  several  times  dur- 
ing the  presentation. 

Irene  Taylor,  recording  artist,  rendered  a num- 
ber of  negro  and  mammy  songs,  which  she  did 
to  perfection. 

Brown  and  Bailey,  the  two  tall  dancers,  dusted 
the  boards  with  some  clever  fancy  dancing  and 
several  jig  steps.  They  were  dressed  in  tight- 
fitting  blue  jackets  and  trousers  and  added  greatly 
to  the  color  of  the  presentation. 

Kellogg  and  Lewis,  two  feminine  Olympic  stars, 
pleased  the  audience  with  some  clever  acrobatic 
dancing,  which  they  performed  with  seemingly 
great  ease  combined  with  much  grace  and  beauty 
of  motion. 

The  grand  finale  consisted  of  a huge  electric 
setting  sun  with  its  lighted  rays  streaming  off 
at  an  angle  and  all  the  company  on  the  stage. 
The  Eight  Tiller  Sunshine  Girls  were  atop  the 
upper  platform,  with  the  orchestra  below  and  the 
rest  of  the  personnel  on  the  lower  stage.  The 
entire  presentation  was  colorful  and  most  of  the 
members  had  to  answer  several  encores.  The 
presentation  lasted  45  minutes  and  Glenn  Welty 
was  responsible  for  all  musical  arrangements. 

Arthur  Richter  at  the  new  silver  organ  played 
a medley  on  “It’s  Not  So  Much  Fun  to  Be  an 
Organist,”  during  the  course  of  which  he  imi- 
tated on  the  organ  the  various  instruments  in 
the  orchestra. 

New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  July  22 

“Martha”  by  the  Roxy  Orchestra,  and  all  is 
well,  at  least  sixty-five  hundred  pair  of  hands 
say  so.  And  that  to  the  car  is  some  say  so,  in 
this,  the  show  business. 

Peer  Gynt  Suite 

A — “Morning” — Chorus  and  Ballet  Corps — One 
chants  of  praise  and  thanks,  in  song  over  the 
coming  of  a new  day,  while  the  other  echo  that 
feeling  of  spirit,  versus  the  dance.  Meanwhile 
darkness  is  dispelled,  and  the  rose  hue  of  the  dawn 
spreading  itself  over  the  stage  and  set,  is  signal 
for  curtain  and  applause. 

B — “The  Dance  of  Anitra” — Doris  Niles.  Amid 
a Tropical  relief  set.  this  young  disciple  of  inter- 
petive  dances,  steps  out  and  in  three  minutes  of 
graceful  work,  brings  home  the  well  known,  and 
liked  bacon,  called  “Applause.” 

C — ^“The  Death  of  Asa — The  Ensemble — So  dark 
is  the  opening  of  this  number,  that  half  of  it’s 
beauty  is  spent  before  the  house  gets  an  oppor- 
tunity to  read  the  program  to  find  out  what  it  is 
they  are  portraying.  In  crypt  like  surroundings, 
and  in  the  shadow  of  the  cross,  the  loved  one  of 
Asa,  kneels  at  his  bedside,  awaiting  death.  Kindly 
neighbors,  or  villagers,  are  off  to  the  far  side  of 
the  room,  and  in  the  faintest  vocalizing,  express 
their  feeling  of  sympathy  and  prayer,  in  a half- 


chant, half-hymn.  A gong,  thrice  sounded,  and 
the  arrival  of  dawn  brings  light  to  the  scene, 
quickened  bodies  and  then  the  graceful  slump  of 
resignation  and  abandonment  as  they  realized. 
Death  had  stolen  a march  and  a friend. — Curtains 
have  drawn  and  fully  ten  seconds  elapse  before 
the  first  applause  is  even  thought  of.  Caught 
unawares  in  the  deepest  of  drama,  here  was  a 
house  so  impressed,  that  even  then  only  a third 
of  it  answered  the  desire  to  applaud,  in  the  mo- 
ment between  numbers. 

D — “The  Hall  of  the  Mountain  King” — The 
Ballet  Corps.  A shore  cave,  flooded  in  green, 
with  distant  waves  breaking  on  the  rocks  (this 
effect  accomplished  with  movies)  and  all  appear- 
ing with  grotesque  false  faces.  The  clan,  under 
their  King  hold  forth  in  revel  in  their  lair,  say- 
ing it  with  a barbaric  dance,  gathering  momentum 
as  the  tom  tom  cries  harder  and  louder.  Falling 
in  exhaustion  on  the  final  bang,  their  energy  was 
not  spent  in  vain,  for  the  house  took  this  par- 
ticular piece,  and  whooped  it  up  for  them. 

Weekly  News. 

Divertissements. 

A — Mexican  Dance — Doris  Niles  and  Trouba- 
dours. In  silhouette,  cactus  and  everything,  the 
troubadours,  one  by  one,  toss  their  ten  quart 
straws  in  the  ring  for  Miss  Niles  to  dance  around 
and  about.  It  took  the  house  but  one  second  to 
applaud  this  Mexican  Situation. 

B — “La  Plaque  de  Cameo” — Maria  Gambarelli. 
Entire  drop  represents  scarf  with  large  cameo  in 
center,  in  which  is  posed  “Gamby.”  Lowered  to 
the  floor,  the  figure  in  the  brooch,  takes  on  life 
and  with  a frailness  and  dainty-like  quaintness — 
somewhat  a Lillian  Gish,  she  waltzes  about  in  half 
dance  and  half  play.  Resuming  her  former  posi- 
tion in  the  brooch  when  she  has  limbered  herself 
but  for  a moment. 

C — ^The  Roxy  Gang,  of  Radio  fame,  in  set, 
drops  of  which  looked  like  red  patent  leather. 

1 —  “Indian  Love  Call” — Merion  Keeler  and  Male 
Quartette.  This  little  song  bird  knew  how  to  fill 
so  big  a house  with  real  music.  The  house  voting 
her  a straight  ticket  on  applause.  The  quartette, 
as  a background  for  an  encore  of  the  verse,  was 
just  right. 

2 —  “The  Drum” — The  Male  Quartette.  A catchy 
and  tricky  little  quartette  piece,  that  gave  them  a 
big  chance  to  spill  some  real  husky  harmony. 

3 —  Russian  Lullaby” — Adelaide  De  Loca,  Marion 
Keeler  and  Male  Quartette.  Miss  De  Loca.  alone 
with  the  first  verse  and  chorus,  speaks  well  of 
what  a little  girl  with  a good  voice  could  do  for 
the  Russians.  The  natives  in  these  parts  how- 
ever stayed  that  thought  with  hard  Yankee 
applause. 

4 —  “Would  You  Care” — James  Melton — Marion 
Keeler  at  the  piano.  A junior  John  McCormack 
— there  is  no  downing  these  tenors.  They  are  good 
and  everybody  seems  to  know  and  appreciate  it. 

5 —  “The  Italian  Street  Song” — Victor  Herbert’s 
merry  minstrel  lore  of  bygone  days,  with  Marion 
Keeler  again  putting  new  life  to  the  complexion 
of  the  rafters,  assisted  by  the  entire  Gang,  and 
encouraged  by  the  entire  house. 


New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  15 

“Merry  Widows  of  Windsor”  was  the  sparkling 
and  attractive  overture  played  by  the  Capitol 
Grand  Orchestra,  under  David  Mendoza,  reaping 
the  usual  reward  of  big  applause. 

Edgar  Fairchild  and  Ralph  Rainger,  pianists  do 
some  lighting  and  master  playing  of  “Minne- 
tonka” ere  that  same  piece  is  sung  by  Majorie 
Harcum,  contralto.  “Jack-in-a-box,”  Fairchild’s 


own  composition,  is  the  next  good  reason  for 
applause,  with  the  latter  part  of  it  offering  an 
opportunity  for  Jane  Overton,  to  come  out  and 
catch  the  spirit  of  it,  and  portray  it  in  a moment 
of  dance.  An  unpretentious,  yet  fully  entertaining 
ten  minutes. 

Capitol  Magazine. 

“Legend  of  Killarney,”  telling  the  story  of  a 
child  straying  away  from  her  loved  ones,  and 
being  lured  into  the  woods  by  the  Pied  Piper. 
Captured  by  the  fairies,  she  is  transformed  into 
one  of  them.  Later  she  is  rescued,  through  the 
pleading  of  the  King’s  henchmen,  and  restored 
to  a mortal. 

The  Ballet  Corps  and  the  Chester  Hale  Girls 
open  in  a routine  laid  in  the  forest,  among  them 
playing  the  while  is  the  Pied  Piper — John  Trie- 
sault,  the  child — Jeanne  Walton,  star  fairies, 
headed  by  Joyce  Coles  and  the  "Hunters” — Mr. 
Leslie  and  Misses  Beardsley  and  Pack.  All  of 
their  work  especially  good  in  this  little  vehicle 
with  Miss  Walton  taking  full  advantage  of  the 
opportunities  her  role  offered.  “Killarney”  by  the 
entire  company  closed  the  bit.  with  Sylvia  Miller, 
lyric  soprano,  tucked  in  for  an  early  solo  of  it. 
Incidentally  it  is  her  debut.  'The  end  seemed 
rather  weak  on  the  singing  end  of  it,  though  the 
groupings  of  the  ballet  and  Hale  Girls,  brought  a 
big  hand. 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  22 

While  “Traumerei”  is  billed  as  the  prelude  by 
the  orchestra,  a combination  of  stage,  screen  and 
orchestra  is  used,  and  very  effectively  so,  in  one 
of  the  Music  Master  Series,  entitled  “Robert  and 
Clara  Schumann.”  Violette  Chantal  is  the  solo 
pianist  during  the  piece  and  Willard  Andelin,  solo 
bass.  Of  course  “Traumerei”  is  the  theme  through- 
out the  picture,  with  stage  piano  showing  through 
the  screen  in  several  spots.  Beautiful  execution 
and  deeply  appreciated  by  the  house. 

Gertrude  Lawrence  in  “Bits  from  Chariot  Re- 
vues.” 

Scene  1 — “Parisian  Pierrot” — by  Niel  Coward. 

Wistful  like  she  sits  among  a flock  of  pillows, 
as  Pierrot,  and  sings  of  the  life  and  fate  of  all 
Pierrots.  A mere  clown  in  the  scheme  of  things. 
Columbine  and  Harlequin  and  even  the  dolls  march 
in  upon  her,  first  tantalizing,  then  ignoring,  then 
dancing  with  her.  An  impressive  little  piece  made 
to  order  for  Miss  Lawrence.  Staged  even  better 
than  when  originally  presented  in  the  Revue. 

Scene  2 — “Incredible  Happenings” — short  one 
minute  fillers,  all  presented  in  pantomime,  and 
with  a flash  of  the  spotlight.  Each  one  announced 
by  one  of  the  company,  and  then  played  out  by 
them.  “Waiter  with  a Conscience,”  wherein  he 
refuses  a tip — “Liberal  Scotchman” — he  who 
bought  the  drinks  and  left  a ten  dollar  tip  for 
the  barmaid. — “Truthful  Barber” — the  kind  you 
try  to  find,  one  who  claims  you  need  nothing 
more  than  what  you  want.  “Hard  Working  Broad- 
way Builder” — refusing  to  quit  work  for  the  noon 
whistle  “A  Law  Abiding  Citizen” — one  marching 
upon  the  income  tax  bureau  bragging  of  his  tripled 
income,  and  asking  for  more  blanks,  in  view  of  the 
fact  they  forgot  to  .send  him  some. — “Honest  Book- 
maker”— pays  off  on  the  horse  you  intended  bet- 
ting on,  and  who  won  the  race,  but  that  you 
were  not  on. — “Telephone  Operator” — yes  she  does 
get  the  right  number.  These  were  all  bright  and 
snappy  little  bits — each  one  good  for  a laugh. 

Scene  3 — “Limehouse  Blues,”  a piece  Miss 
Lawrence  is  by  now  internationally  famous  for. 
Caught  up  in  the  throes  of  the  thing,  and  in  the 
arms  and  love  of  a sailor,  she  sighs  in  song  of 


JOSEPH  ALEXANDER 

The  Youngest  Solo  Organist  in  Chicago 

Now  at  the  PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 
After  an  Eight  Months  Run  at  MARKS  BROS.  EMBASSY 
THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Specializing  in  Photoplay  Accompaniment 


Shannon’s  Playtime  Frolics 

Novelty  Surprise^* 

Playing  the  Best  Picture  Houses  in  the  Country 

Direction  Edward  M.  Morse,  Woods  Theatre  Bldg.,  Chicago 


IN  CHICAGO  IT’S 

ED.  MEIKEL’S 

ORGAN  SOLO 
CLUB 

of  Community  Singing 
With  Weekly  Meetings 


Conducted  at  the 
HARDING  THEATRE 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


another  life,  more  to  her  make  and  call.  The 
Chinaman  offers  the  sinister  touch  and  opportunity 
for  her  to  declare  herself  in  on  a little  killing. 

Scene  4 — “Far,  Far  Better  Things” — Robert 
Hobbs  and  Chorus.  One  of  those  stickfulls  they 
put  into  musical  reviews.  A song  and  dance  piece 
for  the  chorus  and  lead. 

Scene  5 — “I  Don’t  Know” — Another  of  Miss 
Lawrence’s  trademarks — wherein  via  song  and 
patter,  knowing  nods  and  intimating  gestures, 
she  lets  it  out  that  there  was  a flirtation  of  the 
sort  you  would  have  to  wink  at.  That  is  until  the 
last  line,  wherein  she  is  most  reassuring  and  that 
of  course  is  the  part  she  was  sure  of — of  the  piece 
”1  Don’t  Know.” 

Scene  7 — “Night  May  Have  It’s  Sadness” — The 
only  touch  of  sadness  in  it  being  that  it  was  the 
finale  for  this  little  treat.  Otherwise  number 
bathed  in  moonlight  was  the  only  indication  that 
the  title  meant  something.  Simply  a little  finale 
offering,  allowing  the  company  to  offer  background 
for  the  gracious  adieu  of  a gracious  little  star, 
who  leaves  us  shortly  to  again  twinkle  London- 
wise  in  “Oh  Kay.” 

When  and  wherever  presentation  gets  them  like 
Miss  Lawrence,  if  only  for  a week — they  have  got 
something  to  shout  about. 

New  York  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  22 

“Mignon,”  the  overture  by  the  Strand  Sym- 
phony Orchestra,  accounted  for  eight  minutes  of 
music  that  the  house  quickly  appreciated. 

Joseph  Plunkett’s-“Mark  Strand  Frolic,”  di- 
vided into  five  little  numbers,  nicely  arranged, 
marks  the  return  here,  for  a time  at  least,  of  this 
style  of  presentation.  The  house  having  been 
given  over  to  good  stage  bands,  the  last  three 
weeks. 

A — “The  Ladder  of  Love,”  sung  by  Richard 
Bold,  tenor,  and  Margaret  Schilling,  soprano.  A 
little  summer  garden  set,  in  relief,  with  rising 
and  falling  ladder,  singers  seated  on  either  side, 
going  up  and  down  on  it,  during  the  number. 
Both  Mrs.  Schilling  and  Mr.  Bold  are  possessors 
of  voices  and  presentation,  pleasant  to  the  last 
chord,  and  somehow  this  piece  did  not  seem  to 
click  for  them,  as  they  have  clicked  individually 
on  former  occasions. 

B — Gus  Mulcahy,  in  Harmonica  Novelties.  Out- 
fitting himself  in  derby  and  a white  patched  suit, 
this  demon  of  the  blues,  sways  them  hard  enough 
to  demand  an  encore,  of  another  hot  selection. 

C — “The  Doll  Dance,”  with  Betty  Rees,  and 
Mark  Strand  Ballet  Corps.  Two  step  out  of  doll 
house,  and  proceed  to  bring  shrubbery  to  live  via 
the  watering  can.  Balance  of  ballet  trip  out  from 
within,  all  outfitted  as  dolls.  Half  way  in  routine 
Betty  Rees  appears  on  roof  of  house  by  way  of 
the  chimney,  and  corps  play  paying  homage  of  the 
doll  court  while  she  gives  her  toes  a teasing  work- 
out on  the  roof.  Curtain  on  finale  being  signal 
for  her  clown  falling  back  into  chimney,  and 
there  not  being  any  brave  firemen-laddies  or  lad- 
ders about — there  she  sits. 

D — The  Dc  Marcos,  assisted  by  Richard  Bold, 
and  Their  Shiek  Band.  Mr.  Bold  opens  out  front 
with  ditty  relative  to  Spanish  romance.  Curtain 
on  flash  set,  with  six  sheiks  and  their  string 
instruments  awaiting  milady  of  the  shawl,  while 
they  offer  nothing  spectacular  in  their  two  num- 
bers, this  team,  late  of  “The  Cocoanuts”  and 
George  White’s  “Scandals,”  do  class  work  to  a 
nice  brown,  and  work  up  some  warm  applause 
that  lasts.  In  between  numbers,  the  first  being 
sort  of  a Spanish  one.  and  the  second  their  inter- 


pretation of  the  waltz,  the  sheiks  play  a medley 
of  popular  numbers,  that  while  it  was  nothing  to 
write  home  about,  filled  in  nicely. 

Richard  Bold  tunes  in  on  the  fore  part  of  their 
second  number,  accompanying  them  with  some 
genuine  melody  in  the  piece  that  he  sang.  Ap- 
plause indicated  that  they  were  well  liked  and  well 
rewarded. 


Washington  Palace 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Two  cool  spots  in  Washington  today,  the  top  of 
Washington  Monument  and  Loews  Palace.  You 
always  see  the  same  thing  from  the  top  of  the 
Monument  so  I went  to  the  Palace  and  laughed  at 
“Tillie  the  Toller”  with  Marion  Davies,  until  I 
cried  and  icicles  froze  on  my  eyelashes. 

For  presentations  Colby  Harriman  has  out  Col- 
beyed himself.  Gannon’s  Orchestra  played  an 
overture  of  jKipular  hits,  among  them  numbers 
from  “Hit  the  Deck”  and  the  stage  coloring  was 
exquisite.  In  watching  Colby’s  lighting  effects 
one  forgets  the  music  of  the  moment. 

Dorothy  Wilson  Halbock  sang  some  well  known 
airs  in  a beautiful  setting,  and  a “Harriman 
novelty”  of  scenes  run  from  the  projection  room 
showing  on  each  side  of  the  living  picture  fin- 
ished the  last  number. 

Montana,  the  cowboy  banjoist,  did  some  of  his 
usual  clever  work  and  the  sixteen  Tiller  Girls 
stepped  high,  wide  and  handsome.  They  had  to 
work  fast  to  keep  warm. 

Dick  Liebcrt  usually  does  an  organ  solo  but 
the  length  of  the  bill  gave  him  a rest  this  week. 


Washington  Rialto 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Managing  Director  Frank  Steffey  grave  me  the 
key  to  the  Rialto  Theatre  and  forgot  to  tell  his 
doorman.  “Orders  is  orders,**  said  Mr.  Doorman,  and 
by  the  time  House  Manager  Collier  arrived  and  I 
was  escorted  past  Richard  the  Lionhearted,  Rox 
Rommell  had  started  his  overture,  “Cycle  of 
Sweetheart  Songs.** 

And  at  last  I found  out  that  the  much  talked 
of  Orville  Rennie  is  a singing  usher  who  just 
walks  down  the  aisle,  faces  the  audience,  opens 
his  mouth  and  what  a voice  comes  forth. 

No  wonder  no  popular  local  affair  is  complete 
without  Rox  Rommell  and  Orville  Rennie  of  the 
Rialto.  Mortensen,  on  the  stage,  plays  one  piano 
then  two  at  the  same  time,  then  whirls  from  one 
to  the  other  in  a program  of  both  standard  and 
popular  numbers.  His  presentation  was  well  re- 
ceived. 

The  feature  was  Laura  LaPlante  in  “Beware 
of  Widows.**  


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  July  16 

For  real  comfort  on  a hot  night  the  Fox  theatre 
is  the  place.  One  steps  from  the  almost  unbearable 
heat  of  Market  street  into  the  refreshing  coolness 
of  the  theatre  in  a mood  to  enjoy  the  program  to 
the  fullest.  This  week  the  surrounding  features 
have  been  gathered  together  in  six  acts  and  pre- 
sented in  revue  form  as  the  “Midsummer  Syncopa- 
tion Frolic,”  with  the  Yale  Collegians  supplying 
the  music. 

The  orchestra  played  the  “Hungarian  Rhapsody” 
by  Liszt  and  without  waiting  for  the  applause 
of  the  audience,  glided  into  the  lively  rhythm  of 
the  syncopation  of  the  Collegians.  The  colors  of 


the  background  resemebled  an  artist’s  palette, 
blended  and  softened  in  a most  artistic  manner. 
Japanese  lanterns  were  scattered  about  the  stage 
and  two  fountains  played  at  the  sides.  The  boys 
wore  white  suits  and  everything  combined  to  make 
patrons  forget  the  heat. 

The  Jannet  Sisters,  Doris  and  Phyllis,  gowned 
in  turquoise  chiffon,  danced  creditably.  They  were 
dressed  alike  and  did  unison  dancing.  Jack  North 
sang  “Sophie”  and  several  other  breezy  songs, 
which  he  interspersed  with  clever  quips  and  jokes. 
He  then  made  himself  master  of  ceremonies  and 
introduced  the  other  participants  as  they  appeared. 

Lillian  Bernard  and  Flo  Henri,  creators  of 
“Sobbing  Blues,”  sang  “My  Idea  of  Heaven  Is 
to  Be  in  Love  With  You,”  followed  by  a song  in 
dialogue  form,  one  singing  the  questions  and  the 
other  the  answers.  Their  voices  are  somewhat 
harsh  but  are  adapted  to  the  type  of  song  sung. 
They  jazzed  their  songs  and  jazzed  their  playing 
and  kept  time  to  the  rhythm  with  heads,  hands 
and  body. 

Cy  Landry  with  his  eccentric  dancing  excited 
the  house  to  enthusiastic  applause.  He  looked 
and  acted  more  like  a scarecrow  loosely  strung 
together  with  wires  than  a man. 

Leonora  Chamberlain  and  Fred  Himes,  dressed  in 
Apache  costumes,  do  a hard-boiled  act.  The  voice, 
manner,  dress  and  speech  of  each  are  tough  be- 
yond a doubt.  Their  act  was  not  beautiful  but  it 
was  convincing  and  deserved  the  applause  accorded 
by  the  audience. 

The  Yale  Boys  furnished  the  finale  of  the  act 
with  a saxophone  solo  while  the  others  clapped  in 
rhythm.  Their  playing  is  full  of  rhythm  and 
swing  with  just  enough  jazz  to  make  it  peppy. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Despite  the  excessively  hot  weather  the  Stanley 
reported  good  attendance.  The  outstanding  feature 
on  the  surrounding  bill  was  the  appearance  of 
B.  A.  Rolfe  and  his  Palais  D’Or  Orchestra  and 
the  reception  accorded  them  proves  that  the  jazz 
band  is  still  a popular  favorite. 

Attired  in  bright  blue  coats  with  white  trousers 
and  with  an  attractive  setting,  the  talented  mem- 
bers of  the  orchestra  are  generous  with  their  num- 
bers and  a spirit  of  jollity  and  goodwill  jjervades 
the  performance  that  is  partly  attributable  to  the 
personality  of  Rolfe,  who  is  a trumpeter  of  no 
mean  ability. 

Among  their  numbers  were  “Sometimes  I’m 
Happy,”  "Russian  Lullaby,”  “The  Lady  or  the 
Ship,”  a paraphrase  of  “The  Chocolate  Soldier,” 
a cornet  duet,  “Tea  for  Two,”  and  “Down  in  the 
Old  Neighborhood,”  in  which  a black  curtain  was 
lowered  before  the  orchestra  and  scenes  described 
in  the  song  are  thrown  on  a screen  behind  scrim 
as  the  orchestra  plays  in  the  background.  There 
was  a splendid  trumpet  solo  by  Rolfe  and  then 
each  member  of  the  orchestra  was  given  an 
opportunity  to  display  his  talents.  The  boys  were 
given  a tremendous  applause. 

Charlotte  Woodruff,  colorature  soprano,  sang  a 
group  of  songs  including  “O  Luce  Di  Quest 
Anima,”  “When  Day  Is  Done”  and  a popular 
number  “Monterey,”  to  a very  appreciative  audi- 
ence. In  the  first  number  the  ease  and  clarity 
of  her  trills  and  the  difficult  intervals  were 
especially  noteworthy.  She  possesses  a voice  of 
excellent  timbre  and  in  addition  a very  unaffected 
manner  which  lends  charm  to  a most  likeable 
personality. 

There  was  a Will  Rogers  travelogue  “In  Lon- 
don” and  an  overture  “My  Maryland,”  by  the 
Stanley  Orchestra  with  Graham  Harris  conducting. 


lew  White 

Chief  Organist 


JACK  born  and  LAWRENCE 

“KOMEDY  KAPERS” 

Now  Making  Second  Appearance  Over  Balaban  & Katz  Houses 
This  Week  at  the  Chicago  Theatre 

Week  of  July  25th  Uptown — Week  of  August  1st  Tivoli 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


Exclusive  3 runswich  Artist 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


July  23,  1927 


Los  Angeles  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  21 

The  Fanchon  and  Marco  act  this  week  is  called 
“Diversities”  and  proved  one  of  the  strongest 
that  the  West  Coast  impresarios  have  thus  far 
staged  at  the  Met.  It  opens  with  an  orchestra 
number  in  semiclassical  vein  and  closes  with  waltz 
medlies.  Prosper  and  Maret,  two  unusually  clever 
athletes,  give  a splendid  demonstration  of  their 
art.  Ivan  Bankoff  and  Beth  Cannon  present  a 
sensational  dance  number.  Rube  Wolf  is  assisted 
by  the  versatile  Nelly  Kelly.  This  is  her  last  week 
as  well  as  that  of  the  popular  Oscar  Taylor  at 
this  house.  Taylor’s  baritone  solos  will  be  missed 
by  Met.  audiences. 

Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  July  16 

This  is  A1  Short’s  second  week  as  bandshow 
leader  at  this  house,  he  having  been  installed 
after  Wheeler  Wadsworth  failed  to  go  over  in  his 
seven  weeks  stay.  Short  reorganized  the  band 
for  this  week’s  show.  He  came  in  without  any 
of  the  ballyhoo  and  the  first  week  audiences  liked 
him  fine.  Was  nothing  short  of  a wow  this  week. 
The  Howard  has  dropped  the  “New  Idea’’  adver- 
tising and  Short  is  billed  simply  as  “A1  Short  and 
his  Melody  Boys.’’ 

The  orchestra  opened  with  “Sam,  the  Old 
Accordion  Man,’’  played  as  only  Short  could 
arrange  it. 

Robina  Astin,  second-prize  winner  in  the  recent 
Opportunity  Contest  here,  sang  and  danced  to 
“Some  Day,  Sweetheart.”  She  followed  with  a 
Black  Bottom. 

TTie  orchestra  then  played  “Mademoiselle 
Modiste,”  which  number  proved  conclusively  to 
the  audiences  that  AI  was  a musician  as  well  as 
a bandshow  leader. 

Vale  and  Stewart,  two  nifty  hoofers,  did  two 
tap-dances  to  a great  hand. 

Ginger  Rogers,  personality  girl,  proved  the  hit 
of  the  show  with  her  two  songs,  “Positively,  Abso- 
lutely— And  How  1”  and  “So  Will  I.”  She  also 
did  a Chai'leston,  but  only  to  quiet  the  customers 
out  front  who  refused  to  hush,  so  you  can’t  blame 
her  for  it. 

A novelty  act  featuring  Sybil  Sanderson  Fagan, 
whistler,  and  titled  “The  Mocking  Bird,”  took 
the  place  on  the  program  formerly  occupied  by  the 
Publix  units  which  closed  here  last  week.  It  was 
a novelty  reel  of  decidedly  juvenile  flavor,  which 
was  flashed  on  a drop  screen  on  the  stage  with  a 
large  cage  on  either  side.  Miss  Fagan  was  seen 
in  one  and  a flute  player  in  the  other. 

Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  July  15 

The  second  one  of  the  new  style  stageshows  was 
at  the  Riviera  this  week,  with  popular  favor  in- 
creasing. The  show  was  “Rush-Ya.”  Really,  the 
stageshow  was  worthy  of  a less  jazzy  title  and 
less  jazzy  exploitation,  for  it  was  entertainment 
of  merit  which  did  not  need  to  rely  upon  its  jazz 
to  get  across.  Settings,  costumes,  good  singing 
and  good  dancing  all  contributed  toward  enter- 
tainment which  won  the  hearty  approval  of 
public. 

Boyd  Senter,  commander-in-chief,  ran  his  15- 
piece  orchestra  and  the  various  acts  with  clever- 
ness.^ The  settings  were  Russian,  the  dances  were 
Russian  and  the  v/hole  effect  was  satisfactory. 

Four  dancers,  the  Four  Siberian  Sweethearts, 
in  white  Russian  suits  with  black  Russian  boots, 
put  on  some  clever  dances  after  the  Senter  orches- 
tra had  played  a medley  of  Russian  airs. 


Then  there  was  a jump  across  the  Behring 
straits  from  Russia  to  America,  and  Chief  Eagle- 
feather  appeared,  in  white  togs  and  the  proper 
eagle  feathers.  He  told  the  history  of  the  various 
forms  of  dancing,  and  was  well  qualified  to  do 
so,  judging  by  his  later  execution.  He  was  the 
hit  of  the  whole  show. 

Next  Fulce  and  Sebastian,  men  singers,  in  popu- 
lar songs  such  as  “You’re  the  One”  and  “I’m 
Looking  Over  a Four  Leaf  Clover.”  More  Russian 
music  by  the  orchestra  on  the  stage  with  a woman 
singer  joining  in  “A  Russian  Lullaby.”  Markel 
and  Faun  shared  honors  with  Eaglefeather  in 
popularity,  with  eccentric  dancing,  particularly  a 
cat  dance.  Others  were  Dave  Jones,  “The 
Cracked  Nut,”  and  Lillian  Barnes,  singer. 

Senter  performed  on  his  saxophone  and  clarinet 
and  the  orchestra  furnished  many  jazzy  numbers. 
The  four  girl  dancers  made  their  last  appearance 
in  black  tights  and  red  sashes. 

Whiskers,  whiskers,  whiskers ! There  was  an 
expanse  of  them  on  every  face  for  the  finale,  and 
it  was  a fitting  climax  to  “Rush-Ya.” 


Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  July  15 

The  change  from  the  old  style  of  Publix  presen- 
tation to  the  new  was  greeted  by  greatly  increased 
crowds  all  week  at  the  Newman  theatre.  It  was 
one  of  the  best  weeks  the  house  has  had  in 
several  months,  according  to  L.  J.  McCurdy,  man- 
aging director. 

’The  presentation,  “Jazzland,”  saw  Ralph 
Pollock  and  His  Newman  Orchestra  in  gayly  ar- 
ranged costumes  on  the  stage  throughout  the 
program  in  conjunction  with  the  presentation. 
Pollock  acting  as  master  of  ceremonies.  The 
entertainers  included  Jerrie,  Healy  and  Clifford ; 
Delano  Dell;  Babe  Sherman,  and  Al  Reynolds. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  July  15 

Lucille  Middleton  played  her  home  town,  Kansas 
City,  with  her  dance  program  at  the  Mainstreet 
this  week.  Ernest  Hiatt  had  a comedy  monologue 
titled,  “Nothing  Serious,”  while  “Big  Boy” 
Williams  rendered  musical  imitations. 

King  and  King  had  a tap  dancing  number, 
while  DeMaris  Dore  had  a comedy  number  titled, 
“The  Hotsy  Totsy  Girl.” 

Walter  Davison  and  His  Louisville  Loons  were 
the  stage  orchestral  feature  for  the  third  week, 
being  blended  with  the  entire  program.  The 
orchestra  played  a selection  of  popular  numbers 
as  the  overture,  as  well  as  other  numbers  scat- 
tered throughout  the  program. 

St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  July  15 

“At  the  Country  Club”  was  the  title  for  Brooke 
Johns  stageshow  at  the  Missouri.  It  featured  the 
Barstows  and  Kendall  Capps. 

Leonid  Leonardi  selected  for  his  overture  Friml 
Melodies,  including  the  singing  of  “Rose  Marie” 
by  Arthur  Nealy,  tenor.  There  was  a suitable 
stage  presentation. 

Milton  Slosser  at  the  organ  played  “Sing  and 
Grow  Thin.” 

St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  July  15 

Max  Fisher  and  His  Cocoanut  Grove  Orchestra 
played  a return  engagement  as  the  principal  stage 
attraction. 


During  the  overture  by  Don  Albert's  Orchestra, 
Burt  Rome  and  Henry  Dunn  harmonized  in  duets. 
They  are  old  favorites  at  the  State  and  received 
a good  reception. 

Tom  Terry  was  at  the  organ. 

St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  July  15 

“Vienna  Life,"  a Publix  roadshow,  was  on  the 
stage. 

Dave  Silverman’s  overture  was  “Mississippi 
Blues"  and  featured  a black  face  trio  that  sang 
Southern  plantation  melodies,  while  an  octet  of 
girls  danced. 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  played  “A  Variety 
Concert,"  combining  jazz  and  classical  selections. 

Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Bidding  his  many  admirers  farewell,  George 
Riley  completed  his  final  week  as  master  of  cere- 
monies here.  -A  night  club  setting  with  appropriate 
drops  and  pleasant  entertainment  were  included 
in  “The  Cabai'et,”  a gay  presentation  in  which 
he  played  a conspicuous  part.  Some  intricate  dance 
steps  were  done  by  the  Tivoli  Girls  who  also 
received  heavy  applause.  Burns  and  Kissen,  com- 
edy singers,  caused  much  merriment  and  Margaret 
Ball  thrilled  the  crowd  with  acrobatic  dances  while 
Rozella,  musical  merry  maker,  and  the  playboy 
band  participated  in  the  interesting  hodge-podge 
of  melody  and  fun  numbers. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Lottie  Mayer  and  Her  Diving  Girls  were  featured 
in  “Maid  of  the  Mist,"  a stage  offering  with  plenty 
of  water  for  their  disappearing  stunt.  The  troupe 
hops  into  a large  tank  and  remains  away  for  most 
of  the  act,  only  to  bob  up  at  the  finish  in  different 
costumes.  How  it  is  done  and  where  they  go 
proves  a mystery  and  therein  lies  its  appeal.  A 
water  ballet  performs  some  unique  dances  during 
the  meantime. 

Overture : Liszt’s  Rhapsody  with  Eduard 

Werner  conducting  the  Michigan  Symphony. 

An  extra  attraction  billed  Carlo  Restive  in 
accordion  solos. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  16 

“The  Hunter’s  Horn,"  a comedy  dancing  and 
singing  revue,  headlined  Charles  Irwin.  His  wit, 
facile  play  of  words  and  originality  made  a nice 
hit  in  this  atrtaction  which  also  presented  DeWolff 
and  Kindler,  dancers ; Evelyn  Hoey,  charming 
songstress  doing  popular  ballads  ; a skillful  skater 
in  the  person  of  Johnnie  Dove  and  the  Ernie 
Young  Ensemble.  Charley  Jolley,  the  Capitol 
tenor,  was  heard  in  special  numbers  adapted  to 
the  occasion. 


Springfield  Palace 

Week  Ending  July  16 

AI  Garbelle  and  his  bevy  of  beauties  in  “Silks 
and  Satins,"  is  easily  the  headline  number.  As 
a mystery  number,  George  Lovett,  with  Georgia 
Templeton  and  Elsa  J.  Brown,  appears  in  “Con- 
centration." On  the  bill  also  are  Thornton  and 
Carlton,  Bert  Coleman  and  Morrell  and  Elynor. 

“Ten  Modern  Commandments"  is  the  film. 


SOLO  PRESENTATION— 

DON  ISHAM 

THE  INIMITABLE 

PERFECT  PICTURE  SYNCHRONIZING 

Featured  Organist  with  the  MARKS  BROS.  CIRCUIT.  Formerly  with  JENSEN  and  'VON  HERBERG, 
JOHN  HAMRICH  ORGANIZATION  and  other  WEST  COAST  CIRCUITS. 


ii 


JAZZ-LIPS”  RICHARDSON 

The  Most  Talked  of  Eccentric  Dancer  in  Chicago 

Stopping  All  Shows  At  All  Picture  Houses 
Now  Playing  Great  States  Theatres 
Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


SYMPHONIC 

HAWLEY 

FEATURE 

ORGANIST 

BROADWAY 

THEATRE 

PORTLAND,  OREGON 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  15 

Kid  Days  holds  forth  at  the  Metropolitan  for 
this  week  as  the  Publix  stage  presentation,  staged 
by  Paul  Oscard.  It  is  delightful,  warm  weather 
entertainment,  largely  comedy  with  the  usual 
beautiful  lighting  effects. 

Gene  Rodemich  and  the  Met  Merry  Makers  con- 
tinue as  the  musical  stage  feature  this  week  being 
assisted  by  Peggy  English,  playing  before  a drop 
curtain  which  resembles  an  advance  poster  of 
“Metropolis.” 

“Ten  Modern  Commandments’’  is  the  film. 

Boston  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Olivette,  dancing  comedienne  of  the  recent 
"Queen  High”  production,  holds  the  center  of  the 
stage  with  a series  of  comedy  snatches  and  dancee 
which  fairly  sweep  the  audience  along  with  her, 
so  spontaneous  is  her  ready  wit  and  humor. 
Phil  Spitalney  and  his  band  with  Steven  Weniger 
in  the  solo  parts,  continue  in  popularity. 

“The  Unknown”  is  the  film. 

Boston  KeitWs 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Bashful,  droll  Jack  Lee  in  his  ventriloquist 
number,  proves  the  chief  attraction  of  the  mid- 
summer bill.  In  cowboy  regalia  and  Western 
drawl,  he  goes  through  his  paces  to  repeated 
applause. 

Then  there  are  the  lingering  blues  and  soft- 
ehoe  dances  of  the  Ncgor  team.  Small  and  Mays. 
Radio  Jazz  Bands  are  imitated  to  the  delight  of  all 
by  Lee,  Arthur  and  Morton  Havel  give  a one-act 
variation  of  “Charlie’s  Aunt”  which  they  have 
sprinkled  with  occasional  songs.  Frank  J.  Sidney 
opens  the  program  with  acrobatic  acts.  Dora 
Maughan  gives  sophisticated  songs  and  imper- 
sonations in  an  act  entitled  “The  Barrymores 
and  Me.  ’ Ed  Lord  and  Si  Wills,  in  comedy  slap- 
stick gag:  Maryon  Vadie  and  Ota  Gygi,  dancers 
and  violinists,  and  Rex  and  Rector,  tuxedo  acro- 
batics, are  on  the  program. 

Worcester  Palace 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Franklyn  Famum  appears  in  person  in  the 
Ziegfeld  novelty  “Shadowgraphs”  and  proved  a 
big  drawing  card.  George  Chos*  production, 
Ballet  Caprice,”  with  Broderick  and  Felsen,  sup- 
ported by  a large  cast,  was  a second  feature 
combining  to  make  up  a bill  w^ell  above  the 
average. 

“Faust”  is  the  film. 

Providence  Fay*s 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Fay  s now  bears  the  distinction  of  presenting 
the  only  vaudeville  show  in  this  city,  Albee’s 
theatre  presenting  midsummer  stock  while  Emery’s 
ie  closed  for  redecoration.  Fay’s  program  moves 
through  the  five  stage  numbers  at  top  speed,  from 
the  novel  trained  animal  act  with  dog  and  pony 
to  the  headline  number,  a song  and  dance  revue 
by  Riicker-Bard  and  Co.  Mollie  Fuller  and  Co. 
hold  the  comedy  prize  in  “An  Even  Break.”  ’Two 
dumb-bells.  Wood  and  White,  make  merriment  to 
order  while  Braxton  and  Bray  are  seen  and  heard 
in  a comedy  dance  number.  The  Animated  Toy 
Shop  is  a real  feature  filled  with  surprises. 


I 1717 

BARTON 

EVANS 

Now  Featured  in  Le  Roy 
Prim’s  “Spanish 
Rainbo” 

Playing  nightly  at  Fred  Manns 
Rainbo  Gardens 
Chicago 


Hartford  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  16 

Tampa,  magician,  easily  holds  the  centre  of  the 
bill  with  his  remarkable  work  with  women,  birds, 
playing  cards  and  other  articles.  The  crystal  ball 
act,  ordered  hither  and  thither  on  the  stage  with 
the  wave  of  his  wand,  and  even  sent  out  into  the 
audience,  is  easily  the  most  mystifying  of  all. 
Shaw  and  Lee  with  a program  of  good  songs  and 
Howard  Anderson  and  Rean  Graves  in  “Taking 
Her  Fishing”  provide  comedy.  Wheeler  and  Wood 
as  musical  funsters  and  Baggert  and  Sheldon  in 
juggling  numbers  complete  the  bill. 

“Man  Power”  is  the  film. 


Hartford  Allyn 

Week  Ending  July  16 

The  Barr  Twins,  a comely  pair  of  nimble 
artists,  provide  an  excellent  dancing  number  with 
many  new  steps  in  this  age  of  new  steps,  but  the 
big  hit  is  the  mirror  dance,  in  which  one  appears 
as  the  reflection  of  the  other  dancer  in  the  big 
mirror.  McCoy  and  Walton  in  “A  Few  Minutes 
with  the  Spirits”  provide  maximum  of  comedy  in 
the  short  time  they  are  before  the  footlights.  The 
Frolic  Four  provide  the  vocal  numbers.  Cliff 
Jordan  as  a juggler  brought  down  the  house. 

“The  Bachelor’s  Baby”  is  the  film. 

Providence  Emery 

Week  Ending  June  25 

Hamid  Bey,  with  a series  of  acts  of  mysticism, 
baffling  and  entertaining,  heads  the  bill,  assisted 
by  Zulcifer  EfTendi  and  Prof.  BartellonL  The 
bill  is  announced  as  a series  of  experiments, 
weird  and  uncanny,  in  the  realm  of  science. 

“Closed  Gatee”  is  the  film. 

Worcester  Capitol 

Week  Ending  June  25 

Gertrude  Ederle,  with  June  Jefferson  and  Helen 
Wainwright,  swimming  in  the  world’s  largest 
stage  tank,  is  the  presentation.  Miss  Ederle  does 
many  diving  stunts  while  there  are  some  unusual 
mermaid  formations  under  water  but  within 
view  of  the  audience  by  the  trio. 

“The  Lure  of  the  Night  Club”  is  the  film. 


Boston  Orpheum 

An  Amateur  Frolic,  in  which  more  than  half 
a hundred  Boston  girls  and  boys  participate, 
supplies  a novelty  in  stage  numbers  which  has 
attracted  unusually  large  audiences  during  the 
entire  week. 

Victor  Hyde  staged  the  production  and  has 
moulded  a real  musical  revue  from  the  talent  of 
the  amateurs  which  has  already  received  offers 
for  bookings  in  other  cities. 

“Lovers”  is  the  film. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  July  9 

The  presentation  acts  at  the  Fox  this  week 
were  diversified  in  character,  the  most  popular 
being  the  Joe  Thomas  Sax-o-tctte,  and  an  amus- 
ing Roxy  Silhouette,  “On  the  Bowery.” 

’The  weekly  “Silhouette”  is  becoming  a popular 


feature  at  the  Fox.  The  background  represented 
an  East  Side  tenement  section  of  New  York,  with 
a park  in  the  foreground.  ’The  company  con- 
sisted of  three  men  and  a woman,  who  danced 
to  the  strains  of  various  well  known  airs,  such 
as  “East  Side.  West  Side,”  and  “Sweet  Rosie 
O’Grady.”  A policeman  and  a lamplighter  also 
joined  in  the  dance  and  in  the  finale  the  police- 
man attempted  to  separate  the  lovers  who  were 
sitting  on  a park  bench.  The  pantomime  was  so 
admirably  done  and  the  gestures  so  eloquent  that 
their  meaning  wafi  unmistakable. 

Bob  Nelson,  the  tuneful  comedian,  told  numer- 
ous jokes,  many  of  them  old.  His  outstanding 
joke  was  about  a song  that  he  intended  to  sing 
by  courtesy  of  the  Morris  Plan,  entitled  "A  Loan 
at  Last.”  He  sang  “It  All  Depends  on  You.” 

The  Joe  Thomas  Quinette  attired  in  variegated 
trousers  and  tight  fitting  caps,  played  some 
snappy  jazz  compositions  that  drew  great 
applause.  Joe  Thomas,  coronetist,  and  Archie 
Nichol,  saxophonist,  gave  a conversational  duet 
that  was  very  amusing  and  there  was  a clever 
imitation  of  a mosquito  that  the  audience  en- 
joyed. However,  the  number  most  applauded 
was  a take-off  of  a German  band  hanging  around 
street  corners  and  saloons  in  pre-Volstead  days. 
The  flippant  remarks  of  the  conductor  added  to 
the  enjoyment  of  the  number. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  July  2 

Ted  Lewis  and  his  eight  musical  clowns  top- 
lined  the  program  here  with  a repertoire  of  old 
and  new  compositions.  They  were  assisted  by 
Eleanor  Brooks  and  Eddie  Chester,  both  excellent 
dancers. 

Overture:  Gounod’s  “Faust.”  with  the  Michi- 
gan symphony  directed  by  Eduard  Werner. 

‘ Just  Like  a Butterfly,”  was  the  song  featuring 
Arthur  Gutow  at  the  organ. 


Bandshow  for  S.  A. 

The  Marcus  Loew  Vaudeville  Circuit  is  going 
in  for  the  stagehand  show  idea  in  its  numerous 
theatres  controlled  throughout  South  America. 
Phil  Fabello,  “ace”  band  leader  for  Loew’s  left 
last  week  to  look  over  the  territory  before  or- 
ganizing a stage  band  which  will  rotate  over 
Loew’s  South  American  interests. 

Star  on  Stage 

Harry  Gribbon,  formerly  of  Mack  Sennett 
Comedies  and  recently  one  of  the  featured  play- 
ers with  Richard  Dix  in  “Knockout  Reilly,”  is  to 
make  personal  appearances  in  picture  houses  and 
vaudeville  theatres  in  a new  comedy  act  featuring 
Mrs.  Gribbon  and  himself.  William  Morris 
Agency  through  Max  Turner  is  representing  the 
screen  actor  in  the  middle  Western  bookings. 

Killed  by  Auto 

Arline  Connors,  five  year  old  child  actress 
appearing  at  the  Hartford  (Conn.)  Capitol  a few 
weeks  ago  died  of  a skull  fracture  after  being 
struck  by  an  automobile  on  her  way  from  the 
theatre.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John  W.  Con- 
nors, whose  home  is  in  Danville,  111. 


FRANK  HAMILTON 


Just  Completed  a Successful 
Engagement  at  the  State^ 
Hammond^  4s  Master  of  Cere- 
monies 


PLAYING 

DELUXE  PICTURE 
HOUSES 


NOW  PLAYING 
GREAT  STATES 
THEATRES 


JELLY  BEAN  JOHNSON 

(The  Lightning  Streak  of  Daikness) 

Now  Playing  DeLuxe  Picture  Houses  Throughout  the  West  Coast. 

Featured  in  FANCHON  and  MARCO  Presentations 
Booked  Solid  until  November  First 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


GALLO  SAYS: 


A Ij  short,  formerly  band  leader  of  the  Capitol 
and  Piccadilly  theatres,  Chicago,  has  replaced 
Wheeler  Wadsworth  as  stagehand  leader  at  the 
Howard,  a Pnblix  house  in  Atlanta.  . . . The 

Darling  Twins  just  closed  a six  months  tour  of 
Publix  and  are  training  for  a new  Broadway 
musical  comedy.  . . . Roy  Cropper  is  playing 

a return  engagement  at  the  Chicago  theatre,  Chi- 
cago, this  week.  ...  Del  Delbridge  and  his 
Capitol  theatre  merry  makers  supplied  the  musical 
score  for  “The  Blood  Ship,”  a new  Columbia  pic- 
ture that  was  screened  at  a pre-view  last  week  in 

the  Stevens  Hotel,  Chicago Rox  Kom- 

mell,  popular  Washington  musical  director  of  the 
Rialto  theatre,  became  a proud  daddy  last  week  of 
a baby  girl.  . . . Mrs.  Maurie  Hillblom  replaced 

Doris  Gutow  at  the  Stratford  theatre,  Chicago,  as 
featured  organist.  . . . KerenoCE  and  Maree 

are  to  be  featured  in  a new  Broadway  show  this 
Fall.  . . . Ralph  Pollack,  well  known  in  Chi- 
cago as  a cafe  band  leader  is  now  directing  stage- 
band  shows  at  the  Newman  theatre,  Kansas  City. 

. . . Speaking  of  band  leaders  Boyd  Senter  of 

saxophone  fame  is  also  leading  a stagehand  which 
opened  at  the  Riviera,  Omaha,  last  week  his 
home  town.  . . . Iloma  Bailey  is  being  fea- 

tured in  Lou  Kosloff’s  new  presentation  show  at 
the  Senate  theatre,  Chicago,  this  week.  . . . 

Another  standard  act  to  desert  vaudeville  for  pic- 
ture houses,  is  Victoria  and  Dupree,  now  fea- 
tured in  Benny  Meroff’s  new  stage  show  at  the 
Granada,  Chicago,  this  week,  . . . Raymond  E. 

Rapp,  former  concert  organist  of  the  Ambassador 
theatre  in  St.  Louis,  is  now  at  the  console  at  the 
York  theatre  in  Washington,  where  Mrs.  Pearl  F. 
Hauer  presided  before  being  transferred  to  the 
Home  theatre  of  the  same  city,  made  vacant  by 
the  resignation  of  Mrs.  Towne.  . . . Marty 

Bloom  is  in  charge  of  the  Chicago  office  of  Mel- 
rose Bros,  publishers  of  the  largest  collections  of 
Blues.  . . . King  and  King,  well  known  pres- 

entation dancers  are  filling  in  a few  Orpheum 
dates  while  waiting  for  new  contracts  for  picture 
houses.  . . . Cloyd  Griswold,  a member  of 
Verne  Buck’s  band  just  returned  from  a week’s 
vacation  he  spent  at  the  home  of  his  folks.  . . . 

Margaret  Felch,  Chicago  picture  house  booker  just 
installed  a bandshow  at  the  Circle  theatre,  In- 
dianapolis, and  the  Strand,  Detroit.  . . . 
Harry  Rappi  formerly  of  vaudeville  is  now  doing 
a turn  in  picture  houses.  . . . Lester  C.  Essig, 

president  of  the  National  Costumers  Association, 
announces  that  their  annua!  convention  will  be 
held  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  this  year.  . . . I,es- 

ter  is  Chicago’s  leading  theatrical  costumer. 

. . . Walter  Hirsh,  a song  writer  and  recently 

with  the  Forster  Music  Co.,  has  been  appointed 
Western  general  manager  for  the  Larry  Conley 
Co.,  with  headquarters  in  the  Woods  theatre 
building,  Chicago.  . . . Edward  Meikel  fea- 

tured organist  of  the  Harding  theatre,  Chicago, 
broadcasts  his  entire  program  every  Friday  eve- 
ning from  WBBM  during  the  hour  of  12 :15  and 
1 :30.  . . . Jack  Neville  formerly  band  leader 

of  the  Palace  and  Aztec  theatres,  San  Antonio, 
is  getting  a new  band  together  to  be  installed 
in  a deluxe  picture  house  soon.  . . . George 

Riley,  our  good  friend  is  doing  the  ceremonial 
honors  at  the  Uptown  theatre,  Chicago,  this  week, 
and  will  continue  along  the  same  lines  for  the 
next  three  weeks.  . . . The  annual  fur  show 

to  take  place  at  B.  & K.  Chicago  theatre,  Chicago, 
next  week  will  also  feature  Milton  Watson  and 
Frances  Dempsey,  Miss  Chicago  of  1927,  besides 
Joe  Laurie,  Jr.  . . . Marcelli,  musical  director 
of  the  Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres,  Chicago,  has 
something  new  to  offer  his  audience  each  week. 
. . . Last  week  he  gave  them  a fine  selection 

of  Italian  melodies  compiled  for  the  film  scenic 
called  “Songs  of  Italy.”  . . . Vitaphone  is  now 

entering  its  second  week  at  the  Senate,  Chicago. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


Peabody  in  Seattle 

Eddie  Peabody,  personality  director,  has  as- 
sumed direction  of  the  orchestra  at  the  Seattle 
Fifth  Avenue. 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  ^ TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 

Short  Big  at  Atlanta 

A1  Short  will  produce  his  own  stageshowe  at 
the  Atlanta  Howard  until  the  new  Publix  band- 
show  units  arrive  there.  A ballet  of  local  girls 
is  the  first  addition  under  the  new  ixjlicy.  Short 
has  made  a great  hit  here  the  two  weeks  that  he 
has  been  on  the  Howard  stage. 


Pollock  Becomes  Leader 

Ralph  Pollock,  formerly  of  the  Granada  theatre, 
San  Francisco,  where  he  succeeded  Paul  Ash  in 
the  type  of  entertainment  that  Ash  originated 
there,  is  now  in  a similar  capacity  at  the  New- 
man theatre,  Kansas  City.  This  house  recently 
went  into  a new  policy  of  stage  bandshows  from 
the  form  of  Publix  Unit  which  has  been  discon- 
tinued. Before  going  to  Kansas  City,  Pollock  was 
one  of  the  popular  band  leaders  in  a Chicago 
cafe.  • 

Savage  Opens  Office 

Jimmy  Savage,  local  song  writer,  who  for  the 
last  three  or  four  years  has  originated  organ 
solos  for  some  of  the  leading  organists  in  the 
country,  has  established  an  office  of  his  own  with 
headquarters  in  the  Woods  theatre  building,  Chi- 
cago, in  which  he  will  devote  his  entire  time  to- 
wards the  conceiving  and  writing  of  organ  solos. 
Among  a number  of  well  known  organists  now 
using  Savage’s  stunts  are  Preston  Sellers.  Eddie 
Meikel,  Edmund  C.  Fitch  and  many  tohers. 


Contest  Is  Closing 

The  “Miss  Chicago”  Bathing  Beauty  contest 
which  is  being  conducted  by  Balaban  & Katz  and 
Lubliner  & Trinz  organizations  in  conjunction 
with  the  Herald  and  Examiner,  will  come  to  a 
close  this  week  when  finals  of  the  preliminary 
series  will  be  selected.  Since  the  launching  of  this 
contest  some  eight  weeks  ago  business  has  in- 
creased considerably  in  the  neighborhood  houses 
belonging  to  these  firms.  The  winner  will  be 
offered  a grand  prize  and  the  official  title  of 
“Miss  Chicago’’  together  with  a free  trip  to 
Atlantic  City  to  compete  in  the  Miss  America 
Tournament. 


Edwards  Still  Discovering 

Gus  Edwards,  the  discoverer  and  maker  of 
stars,  is  just  winding  up  his  30th  week  of  New 
Talent  Contest  which  he  has  conducted  in  over  30 
cities  during  his  tour  of  the  Orpheum  Circuit. 
To  date  Edwards  has  selected  about  60  boys  and 
girls  who  have  shown  some  possibility  that  they 
are  talented  to  perform  on  the  stage.  These 
winners  will  be  offered  in  a new  revue  next  year 
and  every  one  will  be  featured  in  his  respective 
town  as  the  new  revue  hits  that  particular  town. 
In  a statement  made  by  Edwards  before  he  left 
Chicago  this  week,  he  announced  that  some  of 
these  people  would  soon  api>ear  in  a new  revue 
that  he  would  produce  for  de  luxe  picture  houses. 


Aid  ‘^Safety”  Drive 

At  a meeting  of  Bronx  and  Harlem  theatre 
managers  held  in  New  York  City  last  week  it  was 
voted  that  an  impressive  parade  would  take  place 
in  the  principal  uptown  thoroughfares  of  New 
York  City  for  the  purpose  of  reminding  the  public 
of  the  great  danger  of  jay-walking.  Keith-AIbee, 
Procter  and  Moss  enterprises,  together  with  other 
affiliated  circuits,  voted  to  assist  Governor  Smith 
in  a three  weeks’  “Safety  Drive”  which  com- 
menced July  18.  This  drive  will  be  carried  on 
with  the  means  of  advertising,  posters  and  other 
form  of  exploitation  that  the  vaudeville  managers 
will  present  to  their  patrons  during  the  course 
of  this  drive. 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used..... 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed)... 
(Theatre) 
(City).. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


John  H.  La  Mothe,  (Lincoln  Theatre,  Lincoln, 
Neb.)  sends  us  word  that  he  used  “Sweet  Marie” 
last  week,  as  his  organ  solo  with  lighting  effects 
and  a singer  off-stage,  and  did  real  well  with  the 
number. 


F.  Le  Roy  Nelson,  (Rivoli  'Th^tre,  Muncie.  Ind.) 
states  that  “Go  Wash  an  Elephant”  served  him  as 
an  organ  stunt  last  week,  using  it  with  slides  and 
special  version  for  a community  sing  that  lasted 
10  minutes. 


Harold  T.  Pease,  (Colony,  Washington)  intro- 
duced a decided  novelty  of  twenty-six  slides  en- 
titled "On  Vacation.”  The  special  descriptive 
slides  were  made  up  by  De  Sylva,  Brown  & Hen- 
derson describing  his  New  York  trip,  and  he  clev- 
erly introduced  an  imitation  of  Mrs.  Jesse 
Crawfords'  playing  of  “So  Blue.”  Also  Ruth 
Etting  singing  “Magnolia”  with  Paul  Whitman’s 
band,  as  he  heard  them  at  the  Paramount  Thea- 
tre. The  finish  was  a new  song  by  the  same  firm 
called  “Oh  Doris.”  Although  Pease  is  always  get- 
ting up  something  new,  this  was  his  best  effort. 
The  entire  house  was  flooded  with  blue  during 
his  “So  Blue”  number.  In  red  during  “Oh  Doris.” 
Picture,  “Better  Ole.” 


Otfo  F.  Beck,  (Tivoli,  Washington)  introduced 
a decided  novelty  with  a scenic  reel  entitled 
“June  Night.”  A spot  light  with  color  wheel  was 
used  on  the  screen  while  picture  was  being  run 
and  the  house  lights  were  made  to  harmonize. 
Otto  played  Hawaiian  airs  and  the  novelty  went 
over  big. 


As  a musical  presentation,  Ida  V.  Clarke,  asso- 
ciate Tivoli  organist,  played  piano  and  with  Beck 
at  the  organ  they  did  a song  slide  number  en- 
titled “A  Play  in  Two  Acts,”  based  on  the  Fei.st 
number,  “If  You  See  Sally.”  Special  lighting  put 
this  over  to  good  I’eturn.  Feature  picture  Louise 
Fazenda  in  “Cradle  Snatchers.” 


Jessie  Crawford,  with  Mrs.  Crawford  (New  York 
Paramount)  at  the  stage  console,  gives  another 
master  recipe  this  week  for  organ  concert  enter- 
tainment that,  were  there  galleries  in  the  movie 
palaces,  would  fill  it  with  the  old  time  gods.  But 
nowadays  they  get  right  up  in  the  front  row,  and 
that’s  where  the  applause  starts  I’olling  from. 
“Under  The  Moon,”  “Me  and  My  Shadow,”  “Dawn 
of  Tomorrow”  and  "When  Day  Is  Done,”  all  on 
the  slides,  and  Mrs.  Crawford  in  on  the  last  piece. 
These  popular  summer  melodies  hit  big. 


Miifon  Charles  (Chicago  Uptown)  offered  for  his 
solo  a stunt  called  “Love  Songs,”  opening  with 
“Love’s  Old  Sweet  Song,”  and  gradually  going 
into  “Just  a Song  at  Twilight,”  closing  with  a 
syncopated  arrangement  of  “Sundown.”  These 
numbers  were  used  with  illustrated  slides  and 
lyrics  flashed  on  the  curtain.  It  is  needless  to 
say  that  Charles  is  very  popular  with  his  audience. 


Don  Isham  (Chicago  Embassy)  presented  his 
own  arrangement  of  “Sundown”  and  “Under  the 
Moon”  for  his  community  singing  this  week.  This 
chap’s  clever  arrangements  have  instilled  an  un- 
usual interest  in  his  audience  to  join  him  in 
weekly  offerings. 


Joseph  Alexander  (Chicago  Piccadilly)  offered 
for  this  week’s  organ  solo  “When  Day  Is  Done,” 
using  slides  to  illustrate  landscapes  giving  the  vari- 
ous effects  of  morning,  noon  and  night.  ’This 
boy’s  symphonic  arrangement  a la  Milton  Charles 
won  him  as  usual  a hearty  reception. 


Henry  Murtagh  (Chicago  Chicago)  chose  to  title 
his  solo  for  last  week,  “Woman  Lovely  Woman,” 
and  his  happy  selection  for  the  theme  was  “Gonna 
Get  a Girl.”  How  they  loved  it.  The  organ  talks 
when  Murtagh’s  fingers  become  nimble. 

Arthur  Richter  (Milwaukee,  Wisconsin)  at  the 
new  silver  organ  played  a medley  on  "It’s  Not 
So  Much  Fun  to  Be  an  Organist,”  during  the 
course  of  which  he  imitated  on  the  organ  the 
various  instruments  in  the  orchestra. 


Julia  Dawn  (Kansas  City  Newman)  who  re- 
placed Ken  Widenor  at  the  organ,  rendered  spe- 
cially arranged  novelty  in  conjunction  with  slides 
in  which  various  types  of  songs  were  played. 


George  A.  Johnson  (Omaha  Riviera)  played 
“Song-o-log”  and  “Will  We  Meet  Again.”  The 
feature  film  was  Pola  Negri  in  “Barbed  Wire.” 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


SHOCK 

|~^vVERY  time  I cheer  for  the  boys  in 
Hollywood  they  do  me  dirt.  Every  time  I 
become  so  convinced  of  their  maturity  as  to 
send  up  a rocket  in  their  behalf,  some  one 
of  them  looses  upon  the  world  another  bum 
idea.  The  latest  thing  of  this  sort  is  shock 
comedy.  If  I knew  the  name  of  the  person 
who  sold  this  idea  to  the  seemingly  always 
gullible  okayers  of  negative,  I’d  employ 
the  largest  type  in  the  shop  and  ransack  a 
dictionary  for  suitably  violent  terms  of  de- 
nunciation. Lacking  this  no  doubt  carefully 
guarded  information,  I can  speak  merely  of 
the  idea  and  plead  for  its  immediate  aban- 
donment. 

This  shock  comedy  of  which  I speak  is 
not  comedy  at  all.  It  consists  of  plain  dirt, 
the  barnyard  rather  than  the  boudoir 
variety,  and  it  gets  executive  okay  for  the 
sole  reason  that  its  exhibition  stirs  an  audi- 
ence to  gusty  audibility  which  a certain  type 
of  apprehension  interprets  as  laughter.  It  is 
in  rank  taste,  it  is  indicative  of  a mental 
state  several  degrees  below  the  moronic  and 
it  promises  to  depopulate  the  picture  houses 
at  a rate  unprecedented  in  the  rather  exten- 
sive annals  of  auditorium  depopulation. 

Lest  these  somewhat  broad  terms  be  mis- 
construed, a wholly  likely  eventuality  where 
brain  boxes  of  the  designated  order  are  con- 
cerned, I’ll  be  more  specific.  The  shock 
comedy  of  which  I speak  is  perfectly  repre- 
sented by  the  gag  (a  very  accurate  word  in 
this  case ) wherein  the  actor  gazes  upward  at 
a bird  and  encounters  the  experience 
prompting  the  old  wheeze  about  flying  cows, 
elephants  and  such.  There  are  as  many 
variations  of  the  theme  as  there  are  gagmen 
in  Hollywood,  multiplied  by  the  number  of 
pictures  each  of  these  gagmen  have  to  work 
upon  in  a given  period.  The  period  should 
not  be  a protracted  one  unless  all  the  front 
office  people  are  as  bad  as  the  gagmen, 
which  they  are  not.  (Not,  of  course,  that 
all  the  gagmen,  or  even  a majority  of  them, 
are  down  to  this  means  of  promoting  re- 
action.) 

The  audience  looking  at  one  of  these  pic- 
tures, and  I mean  any  audience,  does  the 
normal  thing.  The  women  present  shriek, 
blush  and  apply  handkerchief  to  eye.  The 
men  present  make  no  visible  sign  of  com- 
prehension, but  their  lips  tighten  a bit.  The 
ensemble  displays  unmistakable  signs  of 
embarrassment;  unmistakable,  that  is,  save 
by  the  nitwit  who  construes  all  audience 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

manifestation  as  approbation  and  scurries 
back  to  his  gutter  in  search  of  fresh  smut 
for  future  efforts. 

But  this  is  a lot  of  space  to  give  an  odious 
subject.  I beg  pardon  of  my  readers  for 
defiling  the  column  with  it  and  leave  dis- 
position of  the  matter  to  duly  appointed 
scavengers. 

QUEEN  IRENE 

.^^BOLITION  of  royalty,  despite  in- 
numerable sound  arguments  in  favor  of  the 
practice,  makes  it  difficult  to  write  properly 
of  Irene  Rich.  No  word  save  queenly  de- 
scribes her.  With  queens  out  of  date,  the 
word  does  her  obvious  injustice.  Perhaps  I 
can  get  my  meaning  across  by  saying  that 
royalty  would  have  endured  and  flourished 
had  it  produced  at  reasonable  intervals  a 
queen  made  in  the  Rich  pattern.  Any  popu- 
lace that  would  object  to  the  rule  of  Miss 
Rich  wouldn’t  be  worth  ruling  anyway. 

In  “Dearie’^  this  excellent  actress  is 
queenly  in  spite  of  her  role  rather  than 
otherwise.  The  story  makes  her  a mother 
who  becomes  a cabaret  singer  to  support  a 
collegiate  youngster  very  badly  played  by 
William  Collier,  Jr.,  and  it  is  Miss  Rich’s 
performance  that  makes  the  picture  good 
entertainment.  It  does  that;  it  sustains 
interest  when  the  plot  goes  to  pieces  time 
after  time  and  it  carries  through  a final  sob 
session  that  would  be  ridiculous  if  played 
by  a lesser  personality.  It  even  persuaded 
me  to  sit  through  the  dreary  stretch  in  which 
Mr.  Collier  gives  a protracted  and  sadly 
blunted  impersonation  of  Andre  Beranger 
impersonating  a scenarist  (Collier’s  stunt  is 
switched  to  author)  enacting  his  synopsis. 
It,  in  short,  makes  the  picture. 

I have,  as  I have  intimated,  a deep  respect 
for  the  talent  of  Miss  Rich.  With  that, 
naturally,  goes  an  earnest  hope  that  Warner 
Brothers  will  find  precisely  the  proper 
vehicle  for  her  sooner  or  later.  For  their 
consistent  effort  to  find  such,  they  have  my 
sincere  gratitude. 

FIELDS  IS  FUNNY 

J’VE  come  to  the  conclusion  that  W.  C. 
Fields  is  genuinely  funny.  On  no  other 
basis  can  I explain  the  plainly  audible  suc- 


cess of  his  “Running  Wild,”  a picture  made 
directly  over  the  pattern  of  his  “The  Pot- 
ters,” which  the  new  feature  seems  to  sur- 
pass in  point  of  audience  satisfaction,  both 
pictures  having  been  seen  in  the  same 
theatre. 

There  is  something  uncanny  about  this 
kind  of  a talent,  the  kind  that  recks  not  of 
story,  plot  or  idea.  The  thing  doesn’t  square 
with  any  of  the  known  rules  and  regulations 
for  the  manufacture  of  entertainment  and  it 
plainly  is  not  a patented  product.  I get  the 
impression  that  Mr.  Fields  would  be  quite 
as  funny  in  a newsreel  as  in  a James  Graze 
masterpiece  and  there  is  a lot  of  comfort  in 
the  conviction  that  we  still  have  a few  men 
like  this  at  work  for  us. 

The  yarn  that’s  called  “Running  Wild”  is 
another  of  those  homely  things  about  the 
underpaid  clerk  who  goes  haywire  and  mops 
up  the  province.  Hypnotism  is  dragged  into 
this  one,  most  humorously,  and  the  thing’s 
no  less  than  a riot.  I am  very  sure,  how- 
ever, that  it  would  be  much  less  than  a 
squawk  if  anyone  save  Fields  did  the  major 
chores. 

NOW  IT’S  IRISH 

I MAY  as  weU  confess  to  a considerable 
lineage  off-shooting  into  the  Callahan,  and 
even  the  Murphy  family  tree.  For  this 
reason,  I look  with  a good  deal  of  earnest- 
ness into  such  a picture  as  the  one  called 
“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys.”  I should 
look  with  similarly  expert  mien  into  any- 
thing named  for  the  O’Donnells,  the  Sheas, 
the  Dugans  and  I know  not  how  many  re- 
lated tribes.  I mention  this  as  possible 
extentuation  for  my  remarks  concerning  the 
above  named  production. 

I have  admiration  for  the  idea  back  of  the 
picture — the  idea  of  giving  the  Irish,  of 
which  there  are  so  many,  special  reason  for 
buying  tickets.  I have  admiration  for  the 
several  good  performances  in  it,  for  several 
good  gags  in  it,  and  especially  for  the  sec- 
tion enacted  in  the  immediate  environs  of 
an  inviting  if  anachronistic  beer  keg.  And 
I have  a sizeable  contempt  for  the  bozo 
who  felt  it  necessary  to  insert  the  title  which 
reads,  “He  ain’t  a Jewish  baby.”  When  the 
Celtic  sense  of  humor  gets  down  to  need  of 
signposts  I’ll  stop  reciting  my  relationships 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


With  Which  Is  Incorporated  “New  Pictures” 


First  National’s  “The  Tender  Hour”  and  “Naughty 
But  Nice”  continue  to  “stand  ’em  up”  in  their  respective 
careers  over  the  country,  according  to  reports  issuing  from 
Ned  Depinet’s  general  sales  office.  The  former,  a Billie 
Dove  vehicle,  did  unusual  business  at  the  Florida  theatre, 
Jacksonville,  and  the  Broadway,  Portland,  Ore.,  while  the 
same  theatres  repeated  the  box-office  rush  a week  later 
with  the  Colleen  Moore  production.  Prosperity  was  ex- 
pected, of  course,  to  follow  in  the  wake  of  Miss  Moore, 
and  First  National  is  to  be  congratulated  on  the  “tea-party” 
at  which  all  wounds  were  recently  healed. 

First  National  August  releases  have  been  decided  on 
definitely,  and  give  “The  Poor  Nut,”  with  Jack  Mulhall 


and  Charles  Murray,  August  7 ; “The  Stolen  Bride,”  an- 
other Billie  Dove  vehicle,  August  14;  Milton  Sills’  “Hard- 
boiled  Haggerty,”  August  21 ; and  Harry  Langdon’s  latest, 
as  yet  untitled,  August  28. 

The  new  producing  unit  on  the  West  Coast,  ACA  Pro- 
ductions, is  preparing  to  begin  work  on  the  first  of  the  18 
pictures  scheduled  for  the  new  year.  This  will  be  “Rose 
of  the  Bowery,”  in  which  Edna  Murphy  and  Johnny 
Walker  will  have  the  leading  roles. 

A.  J.  Moeller,  president  of  American  Cinema  Associa- 
tion, has  arrived  on  the  Coast  to  supervise  the  making  of 
the  ACA  product,  Vice-President  H.  S.  Manus  being  in 
charge  of  the  New  York  headquarters  during  his  pro- 
tracted absence. 


Warners^  Civil  War 
Film  Booked  in  N.  Y. 

One  of  the  first  bookings  of  Warner 
Brothers’  ‘The  Heart  of  Maryland,’'  civil 
war  production  based  on  the  stage 
play  of  a number  of  years  ago,  calls  for 
an  early  showing  at  the  Paramount  thea- 
tre, New  York.  The  release  date  is  July 
23. 

This  is  the  picture  that  has  been  in  work 
for  several  months,  built  around  the  drama 
in  which  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Leslie  Carter 
made  a great  success.  Both  Dolores  and 
Helene  Costello  are  cast,  Dolores  having 
the  starring  role.  Among  the  others  are 
Jason  Robards  and  Myrna  Loy.  Lloyd 
Bacon  directed. 

Another  Warner  Brothers’  picture 
which  had  a prententious  produc- 
tion, has  had  its  Western  premiere 
at  the  Forum,  Los  Angeles.  It  is 
the  John  Barrymore  vehicle,  “When 
a Man  Loves,"  which  also  contains 
Dolores  Costello.  This  team  suited 
me  very  well  in  “The  Sea  Beast,” 
the  entirely  delectable  Dolores  con- 
ducting herself  equally  as  commend- 
ably  as  the  gifted  Barrymore,  I 
thought. 

And  now  with  Alan  Crosland  back  from 
New  York  to  resume  directing  “The  Jazz 
Singer,’’  that  production  is  again  proceed- 
ing swiftly  at  the  studio.  And  its  late  star, 
George  Jessel,  who  stepped  out  in  favor 
of  A1  Jolson,  has  begun  work  in  the  pro- 
duction tentatively  called  “The  Broadway 
Kid.” 


Three  Million  Read 
FBO^s  Next  Tom  Tyler 


“The  Boy  Raider.”  Interiors  are  now 
being  made  at  the  studios. 

With  the  filming  of  interiors  for 
“The  Harvester"  nearing  comple- 
tion, it  is  announced  that  the  titles 
will  be  written  by  Jeanette  Porter 
Meehan,  who  is  the  daughter  of  the 
late  Gene  Stratton-Porter,  the  au- 
thor, and  the  wife  of  the  director, 

J.  Leo  Meehan. 

Mrs.  Meehan  is  said  to  have  been  inti- 
mately conversant  with  the  story  and  its 
characters  during  its  preparation  as  a novel, 
which  experience  perhaps  eminently  fits  her 
to  invest  her  titles  with  the  appropriate 
atmosphere. 

Fox  Picks  Anita  Loos 
Tale  for  Olive  Borden 

Fox  has  selected  a story  submitted  by 
Anita  Loos,  to  whom  I admiringly  re- 
ferred above,  for  Olive  Borden.  It  is 
called  “Pajamas”  and  will  be  filmed  at 
Banff,  Canada,  where  they  may  wear  paja- 
mas— and  then  again  they  may  not. 

Among  the  others  to  appear  with  Miss 
Borden  are  Lawrence  Gray  (now  being 
seen  in  M-G-M’s  “The  Callahans  and  the 
Murphys”),  Jerry  Miley,  and  John  G. 
Clark.  J.  Cj.  Blystone  is  to  direct. 

Fox  added  a new  player  to  its  roster 
last  week  when  Tom  Mix  bought  or  cap- 
tured himself  another  horse.  He  calls  this 
one  “The  Buzzard,”  said  to  be  thoroughly 
undomesticated.  Buzz,  as  Tom  calls  him, 
is  to  appear  in  his  master’s  next  picture, 
“Arizona  Wildcat.” 

It  is  announced  at  the  Fox  studios  that 
June  Collyer,  who  is  now  in  New  York 
working  in  “East  Side,  West  Side,”  has 
been  given  a long-term  contract. 


De  Mille  Ready  for 
First  of  Ten  Specials 

Preparations  for  the  production  of  “The 
Fighting  Eagle,”  the  first  of  ten  Specials 
on  the  1927-28  program,  are  complete  and 
the  actual  beginning  waits  on  only  Rod 
La  Rocque’s  return  from  his  honeymoon, 
which  by  now  (press-time)  should  have  oc- 
curred. Donald  Crisp  will  direct,  while  the 
supporting  cast  includes  Phyllis  Haver  as 
the  feminine  lead;  Max  Barwyn,  a pro- 
duct of  the  European  stage,  in  the  eminent 
part  of  Bonaparte;  and  Sam  De  Grasse  as 
Talleyrand. 

The  second  of  the  Specials  is  to 
be  based  on  a poem — not  one  by 
Eddie  Guest  (thanks  to  the  gods,  in- 
cluding De  Mille),  but  by  Longfel- 
low. Harry  Carr  and  John  Farrow 
have  written  a story  around  his 
great  classic,  “The  Wreck  of  the 
Hesperus,”  and  I take  it,  the  pic- 
ture is  to  be  a kind  of  “Down  to 
the  Sea  in  Ships.”  In  fact,  Elmer 
Clifton,  who  directed  the  latter,  will 
make  the  Hesperus  picture.  Two 
of  De  Mille’s  youngsters,  Frank 
Marion  and  Virginia  Bradford, 
have  been  assigned  the  leading 
roles. 

I have  not  seen  “The  King  of  Kings” 
as  yet,  but  I watched  Victor  Varconi  work 
in  “The  Volga  Boatman”  and  am  glad  to 
hear  that  he  has  been  given  the  masculine 
lead  opposite  Leatrice  Joy  in  “The  Angel 
of'  Broadway.”  Reports  current  are  that 
Varconi  stole  considerable  glory  for  him- 
self as  Pilate  in  the  Christ  spectacle.  It 
will  be  remembered  that  this  new  Leatrice 
Joy  vehicle  is  the  production  recently  given 
to  Lois  Weber  to  direct. 


More  than  three  million  people  have 
read  “The  Flying  U Ranch,”  which  is  now 
in  production  at  the  FBO  studios  with  Tom 
Tyler  in  the  lead,  according  to  the  count 
of  studio  experts.  The  B.  M.  Bower  story 
is  supposed  to  have  run  to  750,000  volumes 
as  a novel,  and  the  FBO  mathematicians 
justifiably  figure  that  the  book  had  lots  of 
borrowers. 

The  FBO  studios  welcomed  Buzz  Barton 
back  last  week.  The  youthful  Western  star 
has  been  near  Hemet,  Cal.,  with  the  com- 
pany making  his  next  starring  vehicle. 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  JULY  17 

“Two-Gun  Of  the  Tumbleweed'*^— Maloney^— Pathe 

WEEK  OF  JULY  24 
“Quicksands**— Paramount— 4593 
'^Galloping  Thunder’*- F.  B.  O.— five 

WEEK  OF  JULY  31 
^‘Cradle  Snatchers**— Fox— 6281 


First  National  Film 
to  Open  in  N.  Y.  at  $2 

“The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  Richard 
Barthelmess’  current  First  National  pro- 
duction, is  to  open  at  the  Globe  theatre. 
New  York,  August  15,  with  an  admission 
of  $2.  This  picture  is  to  have  all  its  first 
bookings  as  extended  runs. 

Alfred  Santell,  who  directed  the  produc- 
tion, is  to  return  to  Barthelmess  as  his 
director  with  the  star’s  next  production. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


When  money  means  so  little!  Johnny 
Hines  is  shown  in  a scene  from  his 
latest  First  National  picture,  "White 
Pants  Willie.” 

Charles  Brabin  is  making  the  picture  now 
in  work,  “The  Drop  Kick.” 

It  was  “The  Drop  Kick”  that 
gave  the  ten  college  boys  recently 
chosen  in  a series  of  screen  tests, 
their  first  baptism  of  camera  fire. 
According  to  one  report  they  liked 
the  experience,  while  according  to 
another,  they  haven’t  been  prom- 
ised any  long-term  contracts  as  yet. 
Prints  of  Johnny  Hines’  latest  produc- 
tion, “Wdiite  Pants  Willie,”  are  ready  for 
distribution  to  the  exchanges.  The  home 
office  executives,  as  is  natural,  liked  the 
picture  very  much.  It  is  the  first  of  what 
is  intended  to  be  a series  of  comedies  with 
some  sport  as  the  theme. 

Paramount  Selects 
Clara  Bow’s  Next 

Clara  Bow,  who  recently  took  a merely 
impersonal  pronoun  and  made  it  as  famous 
as  any  “thee”  or  “thou,”  will  make  her  next 
screen  appearance  in  “Red  Hair,”  which  is 
by  the  same  Elinor  Glyn  who  wrote_  “It.” 
Malcolm  St.  Clair  is  to  direct  the  picture 
and  expects  to  begin  production  immedi- 
ately. 

After  the  Bow  vehicle  is  confined 
to  the  cans,  St.  Clair  will  start  mak- 
ing that  fabulous  success  (finan- 
cially speaking),  "Gentlemen  Pre- 
fer Blondes.”  That  is  the  first  defi- 
nite information  that  has  been  given 
out  concerning  the  projected  screen 
version  of  the  ultra-celebrated 
novel  and  stage  play  by  Anita  Loos 
and  if  production  plans  go  through 
as  scheduled,  there  may  be  a con- 


siderable stir  in  motion  picture 
circles  before  winter  comes. 

I am  informed  that  Shirley  Dorman, 
the  young  actress  recently  given  a five- 
year  contract  by  Paramount,  has  replaced 
Josephine  Dunn  in  the  cast  of  Florence 
Vidor’s  “A  Celebrated  Woman.”  The 
same  production  notes  say  that  Victor 
Fleming  is  to  direct  Jannings’  next  produc- 
tion, the  story  of  which  has  not  been  se- 
lected. Jannings  is  now  working  in  “Hit- 
ting for  Heaven.” 

Bebe  Daniels’  next  picture  is  also  named 
in  the  week’s  reports.  She  is  now  work- 
ing in  “Swim,  Girl,  Swim,”  and  fairly  soon 
after  that  has  been  filmed,  she  is  to  begin 
in  “She’s  a Sheik,”  an  original  by  John 
VIcDermott  to  be  directed  by  Clarence  Bad- 
ger. 

Universal  Wins 
Popularity  Cup 

Cuba  has  registered  a preference  for 
Universal  pictures  and  stars.  Carl 
Laemmle’s  company  has  been  declared  the 
winner  of  a contest  conducted  by  La 
Prensa,  Havana  newspaper,  to  decide  what 
films  its  readers  preferred  the  past  year, 
and  accordingly  Universal  was  awarded 
the  official  Diploma  of  Honor. 

In  America  and  in  regards  to  the 
coming  year.  Universal  seems  to  be 
particularly  proud  of  Reginald 
Denny’s  showing  in  his  last  picture, 
"Fast  and  Furious.”  This  has  al- 
ready played  in  such  £rst-run 
houses  as  B & K’s  Oriental,  Chi- 
cago; the  Grenada,  San  Francisco ; 
the  Paramount,  New  York;  and  the 
Main  Street,  Kansas  City.  Typical 
of  Denny,  this  picture  ought  to  do 
well  for  this  popular  star— -and  it 
probably  will. 

Another  1927-28  production  slated  for 
Denny  has  been  given  to  George  Le’vis, 
who  has  been  working  in  the  “Collegian” 
series.  This  is  “The  Four  Flusher,”  and 
Lewis  will  be  starred.  Moreover,  this 
young  actor  is  tentatively  scheduled  to  have 
the  lead  in  a Super,  to  be  called  “The  Big 
Gun”  and  to  be  concerned  with  the  navy 
both  in  peace  and  war.  Perhaps  we  have 
in  Lewis  another  Denny  in  the  making. 

Theatre  Has  Unique 
Fairbanks  Film  Record 

A1  Lichtman,  general  manager  of  distri- 
bution for  Lffiited  Artists,  reports  a unique 
record  of  a Los  Angeles  theatre  with  old 
Pl-A  Fairbanks  productions.  The  Virginia, 
a small  house  but  prominently  located,  has 
filled  in  every  open  date  over  a period  of 
years  with  one  of  Douglas  Fairbanks’  past 
releases,  such  as  “His  Majesty  the  Ameri- 


Ken  Maynard’s  best  friend  is  the  sheriff, 
in  "The  Devil’s  Saddle,”  Maynard’s 
latest  starring  vehicle  for  First  Na- 
tional. 

can,”  “Mollycoddle,”  and  the  “klark  of 
Zorro,”  not  only  once,  but  as  repeats,  and 
Manager  Edwards  avers  that  all  of  them 
have  drawn  well. 

And  that,  we  believe,  is  something  of  a 
record ! 

To  consider  further  this  unusual 
slant  on  Fairbanks’  career,  Edwards 
reports  that  one  of  the  old  pictures 
has  been  repeated  seven  times, 
another  six,  another  eight,  another 
nine,  and  still  another  (to  effect  a 
climax)  ten! 

And  “The  Gaucho”  is  yet  to  come. 
United  Artists  is  about  to  follow  its  new 
Caddo  productions,  which  recently  com- 
pleted its  first  picture,  “Two  Arabian 
Knights,”  with  the  Samuel  Goldwyn  U-A 
picture,  “The  Magic  Flame.”  This  picture, 
starring  Vilma  Banky  (now,  as  you  know, 
Mrs.  Rod  La  Rocque)  and  Ronald  Colman, 
was  completed  last  week,  and  is  to  be  re- 
leased September  1. 

And  now,  it  appears,  Buster  Keaton  is 
to  begin  production  on  his  next  comedy 
immediately.  Buster  just  finished  “Col- 
lege,” but  things  being  in  readiness  for  the 
next  laugh-maker,  he  thought  he  might  as 
well  get  it  over  with.  Curiously  enough, 
Ernest  Torrence  has  been  signed  for  a 
prominent  role  in  this  comedy,  which,  at 
least  for  the  present,  is  called  “Steamboat 
Bill.” 

Parent-T  eachers 
Endorse  M-G-M  Films 

Three  recent  Metro-Goldwyn-iMayer  re- 
leases have  been  endorsed  by  the  Parent- 
Teachers’  Association  of  California,  accord- 


Universal’s  "Painting  the  Town”  is  scheduled  for  July  release.  In  these  scenes  from  the  picture  are  shown  (left)  Glenn 
Tyron,  who  has  the  male  lead,  and  George  Fawcett;  (center)  Tyron  and  Patsy  Ruth  Miller,  who  is  starred ; (right) 
Tyron,  as  the  "hick”  inventor,  arriving  with  Sowers  and  good  intentions  at  the  stage  door  of  Miss  Miller’s  cabaret. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


53 


ing  to  an  article  in  the  last  issue  of  that 
society’s  official  publication.  The  pictures 
named  are  “Slide,  Kelly,  Slide,”  “Rookies,” 
and  “Heaven  on  Earth.”  Naturally,  this 
boost  was  from  the  point  of  view  of  those 
chiefly  interested  in  the  moral  education 
of  the  young. 

Irving  G.  Thalberg,  M-G-M 
studio  executive,  announced  last 
week  that  John  Gilbert’s  next  star- 
ring picture  is  to  be  an  original  by 
Monta  Bell,  the  director  who  has 
just  completed  filming  Norma 
Shearer’s  “After  Midnight.’’  Gil- 
bert’s vehicle  is  called  “Fires  of 
Youth,’’  which  seems  like  a title 
that  will  stick.  He  will  begin,  un- 
der Bell’s  direction,  as  soon  as  he 
completes  his  present  role  in 
“Love,”  in  which  he  co-stars  with 
Greta  Garbo. 


w d W W 


$lt* 

w A A w w W w 


$ $ 


PREFERRED  STOCK 

FEVANCING 


The  numerous  inquiries  that  reach  us  indicate  a lack  of  general  knowl- 
edge as  to  the  exact  nature  of  Preferred  Stock,  its  practicability  and 
advantages.  The  following  brief  facts  are  given  for  the  benefit  of  those 
interested. 


First  Division 
Names  Release  Dates 

Release  dates,  more  or  less  definite,  have 
been  decided  on  by  Tiffany  for  its  1927-28 
productions.  The  first  ones  are  “Lady- 
bird,” starring  Betty  Compson,  which  has 
already  been  released  and  “The  Return  of 
Boston  Blackie,”  starring  Corliss  Palmer 
and  Raymond  Glenn,  which  will  be  dis- 
distributed  August  1. 

Prints  of  the  Boston  Blackie  pic- 
ture, the  story  of  which  is  based  on 
a story  by  Jack  Boyle,  creator  of 
this  well-known  fiction  character, 
are  now  being  sent  to  the  exchanges. 
The  other  pictures  will  be  released 
about  fifteen  days  apart,  beginning 
with  “Say  It  With  Diamonds”  on 
August  15,  and  will  come  forth  in 
the  following  order: 

“Ragtime”  (now  being  cast  with  Betty 
Blythe  in  the  lead),  “Finnegan’s  Ball,” 
“Death  Valley,”  “Comrades,”  “Temptations 
of  a Shop  Girl,”  “Lure  of  the  South  Seas,” 
“Polly  of  the  Movies,”  “You’ll  Never  Get 
Rich,”  “Love  in  a Cottage,”  “Creole  Love,” 
“The  Age  of  Sex,”  “Algerian  Nights,” 
“Free  Lips,”  “Brunettes  Preferred,”  and 
“Belle  of  Avenue  A.” 


Its  Advantages 

The  advantages  to  a company  In  having  a proper  amount 
of  its  financing  represented  by  Preferred  Stock  are  many: — 

(1)  It  gives  INDEPENDENCE  from  definite  maturity  dates. 
Bonds  and  bank  loans  must  be  met  on  definite,  certain  dates 

regardless  of  good  or  poor  times Preferred  Stock  has  no 

set  date  of  repayment. 

(2)  Preferred  Stock  need  not  require  SURRENDER  OF 
OWNERSHIP  nor  any  control,  supervision  or  participation  in 
the  affairs  of  the  business. 

(3)  Cash  from  Preferred  Stock  issues  can  be  used  for  ten, 
twenty  or  forty  years,  or  until  the  company  desires,  OF  ITS 
OWN  OPTION,  to  repay. 

(4)  By  having  its  Preferred  Stock  distributed  among  hun- 
dreds or  thousands  of  people,  a business  gains  the  interest, 
friendship  and  support  of  that  body  of  citizens.  That  is  what 
is  known  as  GOOD  WILL — the  most  valuable  asset  a business 
can  have. 

(5)  A satisfied  body  of  Preferred  Stockholders  is  a great 
SAFEGUARD  in  protecting  a business  against  sudden  or  un- 
reasonable demands  of  bond  or  loan  holders.  In  event  of  exact- 
ing demands,  a new  issue  of  Preferred  Stock  can  be  offered  to 
and  absorbed  by  the  stockholders,  thereby  giving  relief  to  meet 
those  demands  and  avoiding  loss  of  control  or  ownership. 


Nuptials 


Henry  Nathanson,  general  manager  of 
Regal  Films,  Ltd.,  in  Canada,  is  to  marry 
Miss  Lillian  Laurie  of  Toronto.  Mr. 
Nathanson  recently  was  the  honor  guest  of 
leading  motion  picture  men  of  Toronto. 

Ray  Davidson,  Hollywood  publicity  man, 
has  announced  his  engagement  to  Margaret 
Browning  Clark.  The  wedding  will  take 
place  early  this  week. 

Harry  Papayanakos,  owner  of  the  Rialto 
theatre,  Potsdam,  N.  Y.,  surprised  friends 
last  week  by  his  announcement  that  he  had 
been  married  since  last  October. 

George  Landy,  head  of  publicity  at  the 
First  National  studio,  has  announced  his 
engagement  to  Kathryn  McGuire.  No 
wedding  date  has  been  set. 


Deaths 


Harry  Still 

Harry  Still,  37,  for  a number  of  years 
manager  of  the  Paramount  theatre,  Cort- 
land, N.  Y.,  died  of  typhoid  fever. 


Births 


John  A.  Waldron  is  proud — and  why  not ! 
A seven  and  a half  pound  boy  has  arrived 
at  the  Waldron  domicile.  Waldron  is  gen- 
eral manager  of  the  Mack  Sennett  studio. 


How  To  Establish 
Financial  Independence 


Generally  speaking,  any  established  or  organized  corporation  can  re- 
ceive the  advantages  of  Preferred  Stock  Financing.  Bonds  or  mortgages 
outstanding  do  not  interfere.  The  fact  that  dividends  have  never  been 
paid  does  not  necessarily  prevent.  Good  grounds  for  Preferred  Stock 
issues  are:  (a)  To  take  up  indebtedness,  (b)  Expansion,  (c)  Improve- 
ments, (d)  To  provide  proper  Working  Capital,  or  (e)  Simply  to  build 
Good  Will  and  win  the  support  of  the  public. 

[Our  services  for  Consultation  and  T 
Analysis  of  your  needs  are  always  I 
available  and  cheerfully  given  with-  I 
out  obligation.  I 


^Bioftte^umcinq 

COR-PORATION  AMERICA. 

162  North  State  Street 

CHICAGO 


^p  ^p  ^p  ^p  ^p 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


fTHE  THEATRE] 

^Q_yiJ)tpartmmt  of  Practical  Showmanship  ^ 


Exploitation — Some  Theory  and  Some  Practice 

An  exploitation  man  sJiozvs  his  partiality  for  lithos  and  stills — Press  sheets 
suggested  as  souree  of  material  for  home-made  posters — Circle  thea- 
tre prsents  its  manner  of  running  newspaper  advertising 


One  day  recently  I happened  in  on 
a friend  who  is  an  exploitation  man 
for  one  of  the  leading  producing  com- 
panies, finding  him  at  work  planning 
a tie-up  with  a chain  of  drug  stores. 

Excusing  himself,  he  asked  me  to  wait 
a moment,  and  after  several  moments, 
perhaps  by  way  of  apology,  he  ex- 
plained the  nature  of  the  tie-up. 

“Sounds  pretty  good,”  I commented 
— diplomatically. 

“It’s  the  bunk !”  said  my  friend. 

Apparently  he  noted  my  look  of 
surprise,  for  he  went  on  immediately 

“The  trouble  with  the  noble  art  of  ballyhooing  is 
that  it  over-emphasizes  mere  loudness.  Take  this  tie-up 
of  ours.  I am  willing  to  wager  that  it  will  not  pay 
us  in  exhibitor-satisfaction  more  than  a fraction  of  the 
gross  cost.  For  what  will  it  do?  Only  announce,  as 
any  newspaper  advertisement  or  billboard  would 
announce,  that  this  picture  is  to  be  shown  at  a certain 
theatre.  I grant  that  since  it  is  a unique  announcement, 
it  will  speak  more  loudly  than  the  others.  But  mere 
loudness,  as  I said,  is  not  what  draws  His  Majesty, 
the  American  Citizen,  past  the  box-office  and  into  the 
theatre.” 

“What  is  that  wonderful  lure,  then?”  I inquired. 

My  friend  stopped  toying  with  his  fountain  pen. 
“Curiosity,”  he  replied. 

“You  know,”  he  went  on,  “what  I would  do  if  I were 
an  exhibitor?  I would  concentrate  on  mere  poster 
displays.  I mean  lithos  and  stills  showing  scenes  from 
the  picture.  I would  have  frames  for  the  lobby  and 
marquee  in  which  to  display  in  an  attractive  style  as 
many  scenes  from  the  picture  as  possible  without  over- 
whelming the  eye.  And  in  doing  that  I should  be 
doing  only  what  the  greatest  showmen  on  earth — the 
circus  men — do.  They  line-up  their  freaks  and  other 
performers  and  give  the  crowd  a little  taste  of  what 
they  can  see  from  the  price  of  admission.  Lithos  and 
stills  also  give  that  little  taste,  and  likewise  they  arouse 
curiosity,  which  is  the  stuff  that  makes  people  part 
with  their  money  more  quickly  than  anything  else.” 

“But,”  I objected,  “how  would  you  get  people  in 
front  of  the  theatre  in  the  usual  instances?” 

“Newspaper  advertising  and  programs  circulated  at 
the  theatre  and  through  a mailing  list.  And  I would 
apply  the  same  principle  there,  too — print  stills  in  the 
ads  and  programs. 

“Oh,  once  in  a while,  in  the  case  of  an  extraordinary 
Special,  a little  bandplaying  on  the  street,  or  a ballyhooo 
auto,  or  tie-ups  with  merchants  or  clubs  may  be  useful 


in  focussing  an  extra  amount  of  atten- 
tion on  a theatre.  But  attention  like 
that  won’t  stand  up  long,  for  it  is  too 
artificial — like  keying  up  a football  team 
before  a game.  And  another  thing,  if 
the  public  is  aroused  to  an  unusual  inter- 
est, it  expects  an  unusual  entertainment. 
If  it  doesn’t  get  it — flop  goes  the  picture, 
and  with  it,  at  least  temporarily,  the 
theatre.” 

“Do  you  think  exhibitors  would  be- 
lieve you  if  you  told  them  your  opinion  ?” 
I asked,  smiling. 

My  friend  smiled,  too.  “If  they  did,” 
he  said,  “I’d  soon  be  out  of  a job.  So  you  know  just  how 
mum  I’m  going  to  stay.” 

Making  Poster  Signs 
With  Scissors  and  Paste 

A poster,  of  any  size,  in  colors  of  black,  and  with  cuts, 
costing  but  a few  cents  and  a little  time  and  ingenuity! 
Why  not  ? 

It  is  possible.  This  department  knows  that,  for  it 
has  seen  several  examples.  The  letters,  some  of  them 
in  colors,  were  cut  out  of  an  obsolete  three-sheet,  stills 
were  trimmed  to  fit  and  cut  into  decorative  shapes, 
and  all  pasted  on  a piece  of  cardboard.  The  result — 
the  maker  being  rather  talented  in  that  way — was  as 
pleasing  and  therefore  as  effective  a poster  sign  as 
any  lithographer  could  turn  out.  And  it  cost,  I think, 
about  seven  cents. 

All  exhibitors  could  produce  attractive  signs  in  this 
way.  If  originality  is  lacking,  there  are  plenty  of  ideas 
to  be  got  from  the  advertisements  in  magazines  or  on 
billboards.  And  even  though  the  usual  paper  is  neces- 
sary, it  could  be  effectively  augmented  by  the  home- 
talent  poster  wherever  freshness  and  variety  might  be 
called  for. 

The  only  apparent  objection  is  that  the  material  is 
not  easily  accessible,  and  the  answer  is  that  the  press 
sheets  could  be  made  up  to  supply  this  material.  For 
example,  the  front  page  could  have  the  title  of  the 
picture  in  big  letters,  either  black  or  colored,  to  be 
cut  out  if  the  exhibitor  desires.  And  inside  the  sheet, 
along  with  the  usual  press  copy,  descriptive  paragraphs 
and  catch-phrases  could  be  set  in  letters  large  enough 
to  be  read  easily  on  a poster,  while  illustrations,  pref- 
erably in  color,  could  be  included. 

Particularly  useful  would  such  press  sheets  be  when 
the  exhibitor  desires  a special  sign  poster  with  a local 
appeal,  such  as  some  local  event  or  a tie-up  with  a 
store  would  have.  And  many  times,  doubtless,  the 
home-made  sign  is  just  the  thing  to  give  a new,  fresh, 
original  twist  to  the  usual  lobby  and  sidewalk  display. 


The  Theatre  presents  two 
subjects  which,  it  is  hoped, 
will  attract  pertinent  opin- 
ions from  readers.  One  is 
what  an  exploitation  man 
thinks  of  lithos  and  stills, 
the  other  is  the  making  of 
sign  posters  out  of  material 
cut  from  press  sheets.  Ex- 
hibitors should  have  interest- 
ing ideas  on  both — and  this 
department  would  appreciate 
them. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


How  the  Circle  Runs  Its  Advertising 


COLLEEN 


HONesdy,  my  DEAR,  you  MUST  sec  this  POSi» 
lively  deLIGHTful  comedy;  it’s  absolUTEly  the 
most  RlotdtXs,  viVAcious  and  peppy  Naughty* 
but'oice  picture  you’ve  EVER  seen,  if  you 
KNOW  what  I MEAN. 


Well,  ANYways,  can  you  imAgine  ANA’thing 
more  aDDRable  than  Colfeen  Moore?  1 mean  it’s 
TERribly  CHIC,  sort  of,  the  way  ^he  puts  the 
fihisbing  touches  to  a finishing  school.  Could 
ANYthing  be  more  exClTiog,  1 mean  ACtually? 

And  I’m  sort  of  CRAZY  about  Donald  Reed,  that 
diVINE  leading  man!  Oh,  my  DEAR,  you  MUST 
come  over! 

F/rst  'b^ational 


VINCENT 

lOffil 

and  bis 

Casa  Lopez  Orchestra 

You’ve  NEV*er  heard  such  GOR-gcous,  thrilHng 
MU-sic.  It’s  too  BURNing  to  describe.  You  just 
MUST  HEAR  it.  And  it’s  SO  much  better  than 
bearing  him  over  RA*dio.  You’ll  LOVE  him!' 


PRICE  SCHEDULE 


Seven  advertisements  of  the  Circle  theatre,  deluxe  Indianapolis  house  belonging  to 
the  Lieber  chain,  are  presented  to  show  how  one  of  the  country’s  most  successful 
theatres  designs  its  newspaper  copy,  revaluing  each  day  the  comparative  importance 
of  picture,  stage  show,  and  next  week’s  bill.  At  right  is  the  two-column  Sunday  ad, 
with  the  screen  attraction  getting  the  best  space  and  position,  a relationship  which 
gradually  changes  through  the  week,  as  may  be  seen  below.  (Note  the  absence  of 
odd  layouts  so  prevalent  in  many  theatre  ads.) 


'‘Circle 

the  show  place  of  Indiana 


HONestly,  my  DEAR,  I’m  PER- 
fectly  CRAZY  about 

Colleen  Moore 


in  that  aDORable  comedy 


And  I think 

= Vincent  Jjopez 

and  His 

, CASA  LOPEZ  Orchestra 

’ areSIMPLYTOOenCHANTing 
for  words.  I’m  just  WILD  about 
him!  I ACTually  am.  Aren't  you 
just  THRILLED!  I mean  I 
THINK  it’s  the  most  WONder- 
ful  band  I EVER  heard. 

• Topics — COMEDY — News 


PRICE  SCHEDULE 
WEEKDAYS  lp.m/o6p.m. 

AH  S^ts  All  Seats  . . 40C 

/ ^ EVE.  - SUN.  — HOL. 

Main  ^ A Bal* 

11a.m. /o  1p.m.  FloorOUC-conv^V^ 


MONDAY — The  picture 
begins  to  lose  in  impor- 
tance. This  ad  was  one 
column  by  70  agate  lines. 


'‘Circle 

the  show  place  of  Indiana 


(f 

11 

HONESTLY,  § and  I 

my  dear.  I’m 

VINCENT 

. just  TERribly 

LOPEZ 

CRAZY  about 

and  his 

COLLEEN 

famous 

MOORE 

CASA 

in 

LOPEZ 

“NAUGHTY 

Orchettra 

BUT 

simply  , 

• NICE” 

BURN  me  ‘ 

A First 

if  you  know 

National 

what  I 

! Picture  ( 

y MEAN!  1 

To^/o — COMEDY- - Nyu-j 

mhhhh 

TUESDAY  — Arriving 
close  to  the  middle  of  the 
week,  the  space  drops  to 
only  43  lines,  partly  be- 
cause of  the  business  al- 
ready created,  and  partly 
because  this  day  marks  a 
lull  before  the  rising 
“storm”  of  the  week  end 
and  the  tidings  of  a new 
attraction.  Here  stage  and 
screen  are  almost  equals. 
This  is  the  ad  of  the  week 
in  which  the  unique  style 
of  copy  taken  from  “Gen- 
tlemen Prefer  Blondes,” 
is  used. 


'Circle 

the  show  place  of  Indiana 


COLLEEN  MOORE 
I'N^ughty  hut  l^ce", 

COLLEEN  IN  HER  MOST 
EXCITING  COMEDY 

' VINCENT  LOPEZ  ‘ 

(Himself) 

. tind  his  famous  . 

CASA  LOPEZ  Orchestra 
ONE  OF  THE  YEAR'S  EVENTS 


PRICE  SCHEDULE 
WEEK  DAYS  I p.  m to  6 p.  m. 

All  Seats  . . ^Oc 


EVE. -SUN.— HOL. 
n./olp.m.  ^o"60c  fon‘v40c 


oTED  LEWIS  5 


"THE  HIGH-HATTED 
TRAGEDIAN  OF  SONG" 


WEDNESDA  Y— Space 
now  was  increased  to  53 
lines,  with  the  picture 
leading  the  stage  by  only 
its  top  position.  Note  the 
intrusion  of  next  week’s 
attraction  (in  this  case  a 
stage  show),  adding  new 
life  to  the  ad  as  it  begins 
the  advance  campaign  for 
next  week’s  business. 


"Circle 

the  show  place  of  Indiana 


Vincent  Lopez 


and  his 

CASA  LOPEZ  Orchestra 

P ONE  OF  THE 
YEAR'S  EVENTS  ^ 


k Vi  I ■■  — -=-0^ 

Colleen  Moore 

IN 

* ?>iaughty  biit  ISlice^^  * 

P LAUGHTER  ENOUGH  ^ 

FOR  ALL  OF  US  ^ 

j Topics  — COMEDy  — News  , 

■ j « 

COMING  SUNDAY 

TED  LEWIS 

"THc  High'Hatted 
Tragedian  of  Song'* 

FIRST  TIME  AT  THE  CIRCLE 


THURSDAY  — The 
stage  show  leads  for  a 
day,  varying  the  appeal, 
while  next  week  looms 
larger.  Space  53  lines. 


'"‘Circle  |'‘Circle 

the  show  place  of  Indiana  Ithe  show  place  of  Indiana 


2 BIG 

ATTRACTIONS 


COLLEEN 

MOORE 

in 

“Naughty 

But 

Nice” 


VINCENT 

LOPEZ 

and 

Casa 

Lopez 

Orchestra 


Topics  — COMEDY — News 
COMING  SUNDAY 

The 

High-Hatted 
Tragedian 
(HIMSELF)  of  Song 
ON  THE  SCREEN 

IS  ZAT  SOI 


LAST  TIMES  TODAY 

COLLEEN  MOORE 

IN 

"Naughty  but  Nice'' 

It  is  to  laugh! 

VINCENT  LOPEZ 

and  his 

CASA  LOPEZ  Orchestra 


COMING  TOMORROW 

TED  LEWIS 

You’ve  heard  him  on  records — 
seen  him  in  sHou's — 
NOW 

SEE  HIM  AT  THE  CIRCLE 

ON  THE  SCREEN 

IS  ZAT  SO? 


FRIDAY  — With  stage 
and  screen  about  equal, 
next  week  presses  both 
attractions  hard,  adding 
its  picture.  Space  53  lines. 


SATURDAY  — This 
week  is  ready  to  slip  into 
next.  Today  53  lines,  to- 
morrow, the  two  column 
“smash.” 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


C.  J.  Latta  and  Bill  Youngclaus,  Iowa  exhibitors,  in  a touching  scene  with  Viola 
Dana  on  the  FBO  lot,  where  Viola  starred  in  the  FBO  picture,  “Homestruck.” 
The  significance  of  the  scene  is  described  by  Latta  in  his  letter  published  on 
this  page. 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


Branch  Solves  Tent  Show  Tieups 

HASTINGS,  MICH. — To  the  Editor: 
I am  enclosing  a copy  of  a special  an- 
nouncement which  I saw  fit  to  have  printed 
and  distributed,  and  an  exact  copy  of  the 
same  appeared  in  our  newspaper  here,  and 
my  explanation  of  the  same  follows 
briefly. 

We  have  for  some  time  past  (and  I 
presume  that  other  exhibitors  have  a 
similar  trouble)  been  bothered  with  tent 
stock  company  show^s  coming  here  for  a 
week  stand  and,  not  content  with  just  com- 
ing to  our  town  and  pitching  their  tent 
and  playing  fair  competition  with  us,  they 
all  seem  to  use  the  old  tactics  of  getting 
some  local  organization  to  let  them  give 
them  a benefit  (socalled)  and  which 
amounts  to  in  most  every  case  10  per  cent 
of  the  gross,  and  which  in  real  hard 
boiled  figures  is  about  one-third  of  what 
the  advertising  value  of  their  name  means 
to  them. 

Now,  you  can  readily  see  what  this 
means.  In  the  first  place,  an  exhibitor 
realizes  that  if  he  puts  on  a counter  at- 
traction he  is  in  the  eyes  of  his  public 
running  opposition  to  the  local  organiza- 
tion, and  he  either  lays  down,  or  at  least 
he  dare  not  step  out  in  any  concentrated 
campaign  for  fear  that  he  will  invoke  the 
wrath  of  the  public  and  get  them  down 
on  him. 

I stood  for  this  for  quite  some  time  and 
had  the  tent  shows  give  me  the  laugh 
until  recently  I decided  that  it  was  not  a 
fair  shake  to  me  and  neither  was  it  a 
fair  shake  to  the  public,  as  they  were  under 
the  impression  that  the  tent  shows  were 
so  public  spirited  that  they  were  coming 
here  to  give  their  local  people  a large  por- 
tion of  their  receipts,  which  every  broad- 
minded person  knows  is  only  a scheme. 

So,  I have  come  out  flat-footed  and  ad- 
vised the  general  public  that  when  these 
public-spirited  tent  shows  wish  to  give  a 
real  benefit  such  as  SO  per  cent  of  their 
gate  to  some  local  organization,  that  I will 
always  stand  ready  to  cooperate  with  them, 
which  I arn  quite  sure  they  will  not  do, 
but  which  is  the  way  we  handle  benefits 
ourselves.  But,  hereafter,  we  will  no 
longer  lay  down  and  let  them  use  some 


organization  to  hide  behind,  but  that  we 
will  step  out  and  meet  such  competition 
with  good  counter  attractions. 

I was  sorry  to  learn  that  one  of  our 
trade  papers,  namely,  the  Billboard,  upon 
receipt  of  a letter  from  the  last  tent  show 
we  had,  proceeded  to  writeup  an  article  on 
me  and  my  apparent  selfishness  in  daring 
to  buck  a show  that  was  giving  a benefit 
to  our  local  firemen  and,  in  other  words, 
ripped  me  terribly  for  such  a breach  of 
ethics  when,  as  a matter  of  fact,  had  they 
taken  the  time  to  study  the  situation  they 
would  have  on  the  other  hand,  I believe, 
patted  me  on  the  back  for  having  sense 
enough  to  realize  that  I was  being  licked 
and  to  come  to  the  front  and  fight  for  my 
rights.  Nevertheless,  they  had  their  ver- 
sion of  the  thing  and  I cannot  undo  their 
acts. 

Now,  I would  appreciate  your  sizing  up 
this  situation  and  if  you  think  this  is  wrong 
you  might  tell  me,  as  I feel  that  you  are 
competent  to  judge  a thing  of  this  kind, 
and  I certainly  will  appreciate  your 
answer. 

To  conclude  my  story,  I will  say  that  I 
called  a meeting  of  the  fire  board  before  I 
printed  my  announcement  and  each  and 


The  ‘‘Honest  Exhibitor”  visits  the  Fox 
lot.  When  C.  J.  Latta  (left)  and  his 
partner.  Bill  Youngclaus,  took  to  the 
studios  for  a vacation  Tom  Mix 
knocked  off  from  work  to  show  ’em 
the  sights.  Latta  gives  you  the  low- 
down  in  his  letter  published  on  this 
page. 


every  member  of  that  board  said  that  they 
didn’t  even  want  a benefit  from  the  tent 
show,  and  that  it  was  practically  forced  on 
them.  They  didn’t  realize  what  the  show 
was  up  to  until  after  their  advertising  came 
out,  and  they  were  in  sympathy  with  me. 
They  said  they  would  morally  support  me 
in  any  way  that  I wished  and  heartily  en- 
dorsed my  announcement  and,  still  further, 
told  several  people  that  I was  justified  in 
my  stand. 

Quite  contrary  to  the  Billboard’s  version 
of  my  article,  we  have  always  strived  to 
give  the  best  obtainable  to  our  patrons  and 
the  very  large  crowds  that  we  had  during 
this  last  opposition  would  tend  to  show  that 
we  were  being  favored  and  that  the  ma- 
jority believed  the  article. — Ray  Branch, 
Strand  and  Family  theatres,  Hastings, 
Mich. 

(EDITOR’S  NOTE:  A copy  of  Mr.  Branch’s 
announcement  and  advertisement  is  published  in 
the  news  section,  page  27.  It  will  bear  reading. 
Let’s  hear  from  other  exhibitors  who  have  been 
confronted  by  difficulties  similar  to  those  which 
Mr.  Branch  has  just  solved.) 


Latta  Reveals  a Secret 

PERRY,  lA. — ^To  THE  Editor:  The  last 
time  you  heard  from  me  I was  headed  for 
California  and  though  I have  been  more 
or  less  silent  the  past  few  months  don’t 
think  I have  been  standing  still. 

In  Los  Angeles  I met  a former  partner 
of  mine,  Mr.  Youngclaus,  formerly  of 
Jefferson,  la.,  and  after  looking  over  the 
most  of  California  we  decided  we  had  some 
unfinished  business  back  in  Iowa.  So,  here 
we  are,  right  back  where  we  started  from 
and  doing  business  in  a very  lovely  little 
theatre.  We  will  soon  take  over  the  Grand 
theatre  here  as  we  own  the  building.  But 
this  is  not  what  I started  out  to  tell  you 
about. 

I am  encloseing  some  stills  and  I ask 
you  confidentially,  “Ain’t  She  Nice’’????? 
No,  you  get  me  all  wrong.  I mean  the  one 
of  the  three  cowboys.  You  will  recognize 
in  this  picture  C.  J.  Latta,  Tom  Mix  and 
Bill  Youngclaus. 

Let  me  say  right  here  that  we  certainly 
take  our  hats  off  to  Tom  Mix.  He  is  not 
only  a regular  fellow  but  a royal  enter- 
tainer. 

We  met  Tom  early  one  morning  and  de- 
clared a holiday.  He  spent  the  day  with 
us  around  the  studio  and  his  ranch.  That 
evening  we  were  entertained  by  him  and 
Mrs.  Mix  in  their  home.  Tom  doesn’t  get 
all  the  glory  because  Mrs.  Mix  is  a won- 
derful hostess  indeed. 

I know  you  think  the  other  picture  looks 
suspicious  but,  instead,  it’s  a dead  give 
away  on  “Old  Man  Jenkins”?  Remember 
how  for  many  moons  he  raved  in  your 
trade  paper  about  Viola?  Then  all  of  a 
sudden  switched  over  to  Clara  Bow  with- 
out any  apparent  reason?  Well,  I just 
can’t  keep  the  secret  any  longer.  You 
know  he  came  down  to  Shenandoah  shortly 
before  I left  for  California  and  I told  him 
then  I was  going  to  steal  Viola. 

You  now  have  the  story  and  the  evidence. 
I simply  beat  it  out  there  and  made  good 
my  threat.  Bill  Youngclaus,  my  partner, 
upon  bended  knee  pleaded  for  J.  C.  but 
it  was  all  in  vain.  I know  this  exposure 
is  going  to  be  a terrible  shock  to  “The  Old 
Man,”  but  he  has  weathered  many  a storm 
and  I am  sure  he  can  this  one.  I would 
have  kept  this  secret  but  I feel  the  boys 
should  know  the  truth. 

You  can  tell  J.  C.  he  has  been  passing 
up  some  good  business  right  here  in  Perry. 
The  enclosed  check  and  application  proves 
it.  Don’t  you  dare  give  him  the  commis- 
sion? ???? 

I haven’t  seen  an  Exhibitors  Herald 
for  the  last  three  weeks  so  please  rush  the 
back  numbers.  I’m  getting  mighty  lone- 
some. I don’t  even  know  where  J.  C.  is. 
He  may  be  off  on  a fishing  trip  for  all  I 
know.  With  kindest  regards  and  best 
wishes. — C.  T.  Latta,  Roxy  theatre,  Perry, 
la. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


BOX  OFnCE  TICKER 


HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me”  supply  a percentage 
rating  obtained  by  dividing  average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction 
into  average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  10  of  these 
percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average  of  these  10 
percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  "The  Ticker.”  Each  additional  percentage- 
rating report  received  on  pictures  entered  is  combined  with  those  previously 
received  and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


1.  TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES  (M-G-M) 13 

2.  IT  (Para)  13 

3.  NO  MAN’S  GOLD  (Fox) 11 

4.  THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  (U) 25 

5.  KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES  (FBO) 13 

6.  ARIZONA  SWEEPSTAKES  (L) 11 

7.  IRENE  (F.  N.) 11 

8.  THE  MAGIC  GARDEN  (FBO) 10 

9.  LADDIE  (FBO)  28 

10.  JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT  (M-G-M) 23 

11.  CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U (U) 15 

12.  THE  VANISHING  AMEJIICAN  (Para) 22 

13.  THE  GREAT  K.  AND  A.  TRAIN  ROBBERY  (Fox)..ll 

14.  THE  TOUGH  GUY  (FBO) 15 

15.  THE  VOLGA  BOATMAN  (P.  D.  C.) 19 

16.  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL  (M-G-M) 15 

17.  THE  OVERLAND  STAGE  (F.  N.) 19 

18.  THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER  (F.  N.) 25 

19.  THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE  (U) 10 

20.  SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE  (M-G-M) IS 

21.  LET’S  GET  MARRIED  (Para) 13 

22.  THE  BAT  (U.  A.) 19 

23.  ELLA  CINDERS  (F.  N.) 25 

24.  THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK  (U.  A.) 21 

25.  TIN  HATS  (M-G-M) 22 

26.  THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH  (U.  A.)..20 

27.  THE  QUARTERBACK  (Para) 32 

28.  THE  SCARLET  WEST  (F.  N.) 10 

29.  THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT  (Para) 30 

30.  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST  (Para) 17 

31.  THE  LAST  FRONTIER  (P.  D.  C.) 14 

32.  SEA  HORSES  (Para) 10 

33.  THREE  BAD  MEN  (Fox) 18 

34.  THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN  (M-G-M) 13 

35.  THE  BLACK  PIRATE  (U.  A.) 19 

36.  SENOR  DAREDEVIL  (F.  N.) 21 

37.  THE  KID  BROTHER  (Para) 26 

.38.  THE  DEVIL  HORSE  (P) 13 

39.  HIS  SECRETARY  (M-G-M) _...10 

40.  A REGULAR  SCOUT  (FBO) 14 

41.  WERE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW  (Para) 36 

42.  UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM  (P.  D.  C.) 18 

43.  THE  NIGHT  CRY  (W.  B.) 21 

44.  CORPORAL  KATE  (P.  D.  C 10 

45.  THE  PHANTOM  BULLET  (U) 11 

46.  HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER  (FBO) 12 

47.  ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC  (W.  B.) 13 

48.  FOR  HEAVEN’S  SAKE  (Para) 11 

49.  SKINNER’S  DRESS  SUIT  (U) 13 

50.  LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY  ( U.  A.) 12 

51.  THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART  (M-G-M) 11 

52.  TWINKLETOES  (F.  N.)  16 

53.  THAT’S  MY  BABY  (Para) .12 

54.  WAR  PAINT  (M-G-M) 26 

55.  BROWN  OF  HARVARD  (M-G-M) 26 

56.  LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS  (FBO) 20 

57.  THE  MAN  IN  THE  SADDLE  (U) 19 

58.  THE  TEXAS  STREAK  (U) 11 

59.  TRAMP,  TRAMP,  TRAMP  (F.  N.) 13 

60.  THE  BUC3CAROO  KID  (U) 17 

61.  BEHIND  THE  FRONT  (Para) 17 

62.  UNDER  WESTERN  SKIES  (U) 11 

63.  SWEET  DADDIES  (F.  N.) 15 

64.  THE  TE.ASER  (U) 10 

65.  MANTRAP  (Para)  17 

66.  THE  WANING  SEX  (M-G-M) 27 

67.  WILD  TO  GO  (FBO) 11 

68.  THE  SILENT  RIDER  (U) 13 

69.  THE  TEMPTRESS  (M-G-M) 14 

70.  THE  RAIN  MAKER  (Para) 10 

71.  HIS  PEOPLE  (U) 13 

72.  WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS  (M-G-M) 12 

73.  THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  (Para) 11 

74.  THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  (FBO) 29 

75.  THE  FLAMING  FOREST  (M-G-M) 29 

76.  SALLY,  IRENE,  AND  MARY  (M-G-M) 11 

77.  CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  (W.  B.) 12 

78.  TONY  RUNS  WILD  (Fox) 1.3 

79.  THE  RED  MILL  (M-G-M) 14 

80.  IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.  N.) 27 

81.  PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY  (W.  B.) 14 

82.  THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER  (U) 21 

83.  OLD  CLOTHES  (M-G-M) 13 

84.  FOREVER  AFTER  (F.  N.) 15 

85.  ROLLING  HOME  (U) 17 

86.  UPSTAGE  (M-G-M)  23 

87.  MIKE  (M-G-M)  11 


reports 82.06% 

“ 81.23% 

“ 79,72% 

“ 78.00% 

“ 76.69% 

“ 76.18% 

“ 74.72% 

“ 74.30% 

“ 74.25% 

“ 73.39% 

“ 72.80% 

“ 72.72% 

“ 72.63% 

“ 72.46% 

“ 72.00% 

“ 71.66% 

“ 70.84% 

“ 70.60% 

“ 69.70% 

“ 69.46% 

69.38% 

“ 69.36% 

“ 68.80% 

“ 68.38% 

“ 68.36% 

“ 68.15% 

“ 67.96% 

“ 67.40% 

“ 67.10% 

“ 66.94% 

“ 66.78% 

“ 66.40% 

“ 66.38% 

“ 66.30% 

“ 65.94% 

“ 65.85% 

“ 64.92% 

“ 64.69% 

“ 64.50% 

“ 64.50% 

“ 64.50% 

“ 64.44% 

“ _..,64.33% 

“ 64.20% 

“ 64.18% 

“ 64.16% 

“ 64.07% 

“ 63.45% 

“ 62.84% 

“ 62.83% 

“ 62.72% 

“ 62.62% 

“ .62.42% 

“ 62. .30% 

“ 61.96% 

“ 61.85% 

“ 61.68% 

“ 61.09% 

“ 61.00% 

“ 60.94% 

“ 60.47% 

“ 60.09% 

“ 59,93% 

“ 59.50% 

“ -...59.35% 

“ 59.11% 

“ 59.09% 

“ 59.00% 

“ 58.92% 

“ 58.80% 

“ 58.61% 

“ 58.33% 

“ 58.27% 

“ 58.13% 

“ 58.10% 

“ 58.09% 

“ 57.75% 

“ 57.46% 

“ 57.42% 

“ 57.07% 

“ 57.00% 

“ 56.85% 

“ 56.69% 

“ 56.66% 

“ 56.58% 

“ 56.47% 

“ 56.45% 


88. 

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183. 


THE  BARRIER 


PARADISE 


TIN  GODS 


STEPPING  ALONG 


BLARNEY 


...12 

reports 

56.41% 

—.12 

“ 

56.33% 

2 1 

a 

56.16% 

...12 

56.16% 

19 

55.89% 

....15 

55.86% 

15 

44 

55.80% 

....15 

“ 

55.33% 

....10 

55.20% 

....15 

55.20% 

....12 

“ 

55.08% 

.....18 

54.94% 

....28 

54.92% 

....11 

54.90% 

15 

54.86% 

19 

54.68% 

....19 

44 

54.42% 

— 10 

54.00% 

....21 

“ 

53.90% 

....17 

53.17% 

....10 

“ 

52.68% 

....19 

52.68% 

....19 

52.63% 

—.12 

“ 

52..58% 

1 1 

52.72% 

....11 

52.54% 

....17 

*4 

52.35% 

...17 

52.35% 

....15 

52.25% 

....11 

“ 

52.00% 

....20 

51.85% 

....10 

“ - ... 

51.60% 

....11 

4* 

51.27% 

....17 

50.82% 

....10 

50.50% 

....17 

“ 

50.47% 

....25 

“ 

50.44% 

....11 

“ 

50.36% 

...50.28% 

—.12 

50.25% 

....27 

50.22% 

....18 

50.11% 

)..17 

“ 

49.82% 

....15 

49.73% 

....10 

“ 

49.50% 

-.17 

49.47% 

...10 

49.40% 

10 

44 

49.40% 

....15 

49.00% 

....10 

48.80% 

“ 

48.26% 

....16 

48.18% 

....21 

48.14% 

....12 

“ 

48.08% 

....10 

44 

47.90% 

....12 

“ 

47.75% 

....10 

47.60% 

...10 

“ 

47.50% 

....14 

44 

47.50% 

....12 

44 

47.00% 

....11 

46.81% 

..-.11 

46.72% 

...14 

46.71% 

—.10 

“ 

46.60% 

....12 

“ 

46.50% 

— .15 

45.53% 

—.17 

45.41% 

-...10 

45.00% 

—.12 

“ 

44.91% 

....12 

“ 

44.75% 

—.12 

44.58% 

....15 

44.33% 

....11 

“ 

43.27% 

....17 

43.23% 

...11 

42.45% 

...14 

“ 

42.28% 

...20 

“ 

41.95% 

—.14 

“ 

41.92% 

— .10 

41.30% 

....13 

41.23% 

—.30 

41.10% 

—.10 

40.90% 

....38 

44 

40.16% 

....12 

39.83% 

It 

—.14 

44 

39.64% 

....10 

39.30% 

....11 



39.09% 

—.11 

36.90% 

....19 

44 

36.47% 

—.10 

“ 

34.70% 

...11 

34.00% 

....11 

33.27% 

—.14 

31.92% 

— 10 

“ 

30.80% 

— 11 

“ 

30.27% 

58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 

Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


The  Recognized  N ational  Classified  Advertising 


Medium 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANISTS — Thoroughly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Buren  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 


SINGERS — Experienced  for  theatre  singing. 
Men  and  women.  Write  salary  and  other  data. 
Address  Chicago  Musical  College,  64  E.  Van 
Buren  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


PROJECTIONIST — Years  experience.  High, 
low,^  straight  arcs.  All  machines.  Do  own  re- 
pairing. Go  anywhere.  Address  Wayne  Perkins, 
R.  3,  Lansing,  Michigan. 


OPERATOR  with  ten  years*  experience  in  large 
houses.  Married.  Wants  steady  job.  Address 
Gene  Ingalls,  New  Hampton,  la. 


LIVE.  HUSTLING  THEATRE  MANAGER  at 
liberty.  Producer  of  presentation  novelties,  pro- 
logues and  novelty  musical  programs.  Up  in 
special  weeks  and  events.  Recognized  press  and 
exploitation  expert.  Managed  combination  and 
two-a-day  vaudeville  theatres  also.  Highest  ref- 
erences. Address  Box  195,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


MUSICAL  DIRECTOR — Piano  or  baton.  De- 
sires change.  At  present  leader  Keith  Vaude. 
Experienced  all  lines  of  music.  Graduate  Euro- 
pean. Conservatory.  Highly  educated.  Large 
library.  Pictures  cued  absolutely  correct.  Guar- 
antee to  make  orchestra  feature.  Produce  pro- 
logues and  presentations.  Union;  married;  refer- 
ences. Write  or  wire  M.  A.  Springer,  Smoot 
Theatre,  Parkersburg,  W.  Va. 


ORGANIST  WANTS  POSITION.  Ten  years 
experience  in  best  theatres.  Feature  all  music 
from  Jazz  to  Classic.  Cue  to  perfection.  Can 
make  organ  feature  attraction.  Address  “Musi- 
cian,” 612  North  Roosevelt,  Bloomington,  Illi- 
nois. 


_ WANTED— POSITION  AS  MANAGER  or  as- 
sistant. Young  man  experienced  in  management, 
advertising  and  accounting.  Future  important. 
Write  Box  196,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South 
Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Manager  Wanted 


MANAGER  WANTED  FOR  SUBURBAN 
theatre.  Experienced  in  vaudeville  presentation 
and  motion  pictures.^  Must  be  able  to  build  lobby 
displays.  State  all  in  letter  including  salary  ex- 
pected. Address  Box  194,  Exhibitors  Hearld,  407 
South  Dearborn  Street,  Cliicago,  Illinois. 


Cartoons — Illustrations 


CARTOONS  — ILLUSTRATIONS  — POST- 
ERS; High  class  work.  Prices  right.  Also  Ani- 
mated  cartoons.  Original  ideas  a specialty.  Write 
for  details  or  call  Martin  Topper,  2131  W.  Divi- 
sion Street,  Chicago,  Illinois.  Phone  Armitage 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED;  To  buy  or  lease  theatre  in  town 
of  3,000  to  10,000  population.  Cash.  Give  full 
information.  Address  Box  193,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatres  For  Sale 


EITHER  OR  ALL  OF  CIRCUIT  OF  THEA- 
TRES FOR  SALE:  One  Spencer,  West  Virginia. 
Plenty  population.  No  other  show  within  30 
miles.  Capacity  700.  Price  $85,000.00.  One 
Saint  Marys,  West  Virginia.  Only  show  in  county. 
Pay  roll.  Capacity  600.  Price  $16,000.00.  Above 
includes  equipment  and  properties.  Tent  thea- 
tre, Vienna,  West  Virginia.  Capacity  300.  Popu- 


lation 8,500.  No  opposition.  Building  can  be 
secured  on  same  lot  in  fall.  Good  equipment. 
Good  proposition.  Good  spot.  Price  $2,500.00. 
Terms  sixty  per  cent  cash  on  either.  Logical 
reason  for  selling.  Address  H.  H.  Robey,  Spen- 
cer, West  Virginia. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS;  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
3x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet,  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


WANTED;  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


FOR  SALE;  USED  POSTERS,  Photos, 
Slides,  Banners,  and  other  kinds  of  Accessories 
on  any  subject,  new  or  old — regardle.ss.  Save 
60%.  Write  for  order  blanks  and  price  list.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  & Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post 
paid.  Samples.  Address  Sollidays,  E.  H.,  124 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HEADS,  8^2x11,  and  100  6j4  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS;  Fac- 
tory  rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE;  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


Chair  Repairs 

BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREA.T 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built 
for  a purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best 
of  results  and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph 
Spratler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  _ for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  ISO  the- 
tres  @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE;  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
priees.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 

COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing  500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 

JUST  FORECLOSED  MpRTGAGE  on  follow- 
ing equipment.  Will  sacrifice.  4 used  Motio- 
graph Machines,  complete,  with  motors,  $150 
each.  Two  used  Compensarcs,  $30  each.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs,  used  3 months,  $2  each,  cost 
$3.75  each.  All  now  in  a Theatre  in  Southeast 
Missouri.  Also  have  two  Powers  6B  with  mo- 
tors and  two  Simplexs  motor  driven,  perfect 
condition,  guaranteed,  $375  each,  228  new  heavy 
Opera  Chairs,  17  inch,  $2.75  each,  never  used, 
regular  price  $4.20  each.  Some  Screens,  Genera- 
tors and  Arc  controls  at  bargain  prices.  Must 
turn  these  articles  into  cash  immediately.  Ad- 
dress S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Avenue,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


59 


‘What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

*‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  *‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


n 


Columbia 

SWEET  ROSIE  O’GRADY:  Shirley  Mason— 
100%.  July  7.  Excellent  picture.  Nothing  elabo- 
rate about  it  but  it  is  packed  with  genuine  first 
class  entertainment.  Seven  reels. — Homer  P. 
Morley,  Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FLYING  HIGH:  William  Pairbanlfs— 65%. 
June  27.  Sure-fire  plane  picture.  In  this  day 
of  tranoceanic  flights  and  aviation  heroes,  pa- 
trons are  sure  to  like  air  thrillers.  The  William 
Fairbanks  series  are  all  right.  Five  reels. — 
Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury, 
Md. — General  patronage. 

ACTION  GALORE:  Buddy  Roosevelt — July  5. 
Just  a fair  Western.  Five  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

FBO 

MOULDERS  OF  MEN:  Special  cast — 75%. 
June  30.  Good  picture  that  held  the  interest 
throughout.  Darro  and  Lease,  the  two  Kid  stars, 
are  wonderful.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

NAUGHTY  NANETTE:  Viola  Dana— 60%. 
June  30.  Miss  Dana’s  pictures  are  running  good 
and  poor,  about  half  and  half.  This  ranked  with 
the  good,  ‘‘Bred  in  Old  Kentucky”  and  “Home- 
struck.”  FBO  are  handing  her  some  poor  stories 
and  supporting  casts,  and  it’s  strange  they  draw 
as  good  as  they  do.  Six  reels. — Helen  Ulman. 
Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General 
patronage. 

TOM  AND  HIS  PALS:  Tom  Tyler — 6%.  July  6. 
Nice  little  show.  Not  Western  so  much,  but 
plenty  of  good  riding.  Nobody  got  excited  over 
Tom  here.  Receipts  small.  Five  reels. — Riidolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  DEAD  LINE:  Bob  Custer — 5%.  June  29. 
Good  Western,  and  Bob  sure  always  peps  up  the 
fights.  Good,  quick  Bob  is  getting  better  all  the 
time.  Bigger  stories  would  make  Bob  a real 
man.  Five  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  SONORA  KID:  Tom  Tyler — 60%.  Look 
out,  Tom,  you  had  better  not  leave  little  Frankie 
and  the  pony  out  of  your  pictures.  After  this 
one  you’ll  be  on  the  shelf.  Not  as  good  as  most 
Tyler  pictures.  Five  reels. — J.  E.  Gillenwaters, 
Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn.— General  patron- 
age. 

THE  GORILLA  HUNT,  THE  FIGHTING 
HOMBRE:  Special  cast — 90%.  This  was  played 
as  double  feature.  We  decorated  with  vines  and 
cutouts  and  got  them  in.  The  Western  is  good, 
better  than  any  Bob  has  made  recently.  You 
can  make  jack  on  these  two.  Five  reels. — J.  E. 
Gillenwaters,  Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn. — 
General  patronage. 

KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY : Special  cast — 20%. 
This  is  a good  picture  of  its  type,  but  did  not 
draw.  My  advice  is  lay  off  unless  you  feel  that 
your  people  like  Irish-Jew  comedies.  Paper  fair. 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report) . 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


print  worse.  Seven  reels. — J.  E.  Gillenwaters, 
Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn.— General  patron- 
age. 

MOTHER:  Belle  Bennett — 80%.  June  7-8. 
Not  the  usual  sob  stuff  that  the  title  may  sug- 
gest. In  fact,  it  has  enough  heart  interest  and 
jazz  to  please  most  anyone.  Credit  the  success 
to  Director  J.  Leo  Meehan.  This  man  has  made 
some  of  the  best  FBO  has  ever  offered.  Run 
this.  It  wilt  help  atone  for  some  of  the  poorer 
ones  this  company  has  had  this  season.  Seven 
reels. — ^Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Sal- 
isbury, Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  OUTLAW  DOG:  Ranger— 65%.  July  7. 
This  picture  pleased  all  who  came,  but  Ranger 
has  failed  to  develop  into  any  kind  of  a box  office 
draw  for  me.  Five  reels. — Homer  P.  Morley, 
Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town 
patronage. 

OUT  OP  THE  WEST:  Tom  Tyler— 86%.  I 
don't  think  FBO  need  worry  when  Thomson  goes. 
Tyler  more  than  takes  his  place  for  me.  Frankie 
Darro  helps  put  Tyler’s  pictures  over  in  great 
shape.  This  picture  is  a little  different  than  the 
ordinary  Western.  Everyone  satisfied.  Six  reels. 
W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — 
General  patronage. 

BIGGER  THAN  BARNUMS:  Special  cast— 30%. 
June  27.  This  is  a very  good  circus  picture  that 
flopped  completely,  despite  heavy  exploitation  and 
lobby  display.  Watch  out  about  paying  any  fancy 


rental  on  this.  Paper  fair,  print  out  of  At- 
lanta good.  .Six  short  reels. — J.  E.  Gillenwaters, 
Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn. — General  patron- 
age. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— June 
23-24.  A good  Thomson  picture.  Silver  King  is 
much  in  evidence  and  does  his  stuff  in  good 
shape.  It  is  a good  one  to  tieup  with  the  Boy 
Scouts.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  DUDE  COWBOY:  Bob  Custer— June  25. 
Nice  little  Western  for  Saturday  night.  Five 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

First  National 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Special  cast— 60%. 

July  3-4.  This  picture  is  great.  Two  of  the  best 
comedians  that  ever  lived.  Gave  100  per  cent  sat- 
isfaction.— Bert  Silver.  Silver  Family  theatre. 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Special  cast — Gave  en- 
tire satisfaction.  Played  three  days  to  excellent 
business.  Seven  reels. — Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn 
theatre.  Detroit,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  MASKED  WOMAN;  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— 
33%.  June  27.  A rather  good  story,  nicely  done. 
Pleased  generally.  Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAKING  OF  O’MALLEY:  Milton  Sills— 
60%.  Very  well  pleased  with  this  picture,  as 
well  as  most  of  my  patrons.  Many  good  com- 
ments and  a better  crowd  second  night.  Not  a 
big  picture,  but  will  get  by  in  fine  shape  in  most 
small  town  theatres.  Eight  reels. — W.  L.  Camp- 
bell, Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FOREVER  AFTER:  Lloyd  Hughes— 5%.  July 
5.  Here  is  a good  picture,  but  after  the  Fourth 
of  July  comes  the  fifth,  and  it  sure  is  a dead  one 
every  time,  no  matter  what  you  play,  in  a town 
of  this  size.  They  usually  are  played  out  after 
a celebration.  I think  it’s  human  nature  to  stay 
home.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

LADIES  AT  PLAY:  Special  cast— 30%.  June 
28.  This  is  a good  entertaining  picture. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre.  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

LONG  PANTS:  Harry  Langdon— 70%.  July  2. 
A good  comedy,  but  it  lacks  a lot  of  having  the 
laughs  that  were  in  “The  Strong  Man.”  Seven 
reels. — Homer  P.  Morley.  Princess  theatre,  Buch- 
anan, Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

IT  MUST  B.E  LOVE:  Colleen  Moor(^80%. 
July  10.  A very  clever  picture  and  how  Colleen 
does  get  it  across.  A human  story,  one  that 
makes  the  young  happy  and  the  old  folks  young 
again.  Colleen,  if  there  were  only  more  like  you. 
Jean  Hersholt  fine  as  Pop  Schmidt.  Eight  reels. 
— L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  theatre,  Lena, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LADY:  Norma  Talmadge— 21%.  June  22. 
Old,  but  a good  picture.  Norma  does  a wonder- 
ful bit  of  work  in  this.  Pleased  the  better  class 
patrons  only.  Eight  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


ELLA  CINDERS:  Colleen  Moore— 30%.  Mighty 
poor  business  on  this  one.  However,  not  the 
fault  of  the  picture.  Everyone  was  satisfied.  The 
photography  is  not  so  good  and  the  paper  is 
worse,  except  the  sixth  sheet.  Seven  reels. — 
J.  E.  Gillenwaters,  Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville, 
Tenn. — General  patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 
Here’s  Colleen’s  best.  How  they  roared,  and  in 
spite  of  the  hot  weather  we  packed  them  in  as 
usual.  Colleen  always  hits  the  mark.  Seven 
reels. — Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn  theatre,  Detroit, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  SEA  TIGER:  Milton  Sills— June  26-27. 
Should  please  the  Sills  fans.  Pretty  rough. 
Seems  like  everyl>ody  has  it  in  for  everybody 
else  and  they  took  it  out  scrapping.  Seven  reels. 
— Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  WEST:  Special  cast— July  3. 
If  they  would  have  knocked  a couple  of  reels  out 
of  this  most  anywhere  it  would  have  improved 
it  immensely.  Too  long  and  draggy.  No  comedy 
relief  to  speak  of.  Nothing  special  about  it  ex- 
cept its  length.  Nine  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf, 
Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  PERFECT  SAP:  Ben  Lyon — Very  good 
comedy.  Seven  reels. — Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn 
theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THREE  HOURS:  Corinne  Griffith— A very  fine 
production.  Pleased  a big  crowd  much  better 
than  “Lady  in  Ermine.”  Seven  reels. — Jack 
Cairns,  Brooklyn  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THREE  HOURS:  Corinne  Griffith — The  cast, 
Hobart  Bosworth,  John  Bowers  and  Corinne 
Griffith,  do  splendid  acting  in  this,  and  the  story 
sustains  interest  so  well  that  the  picture  holds 
you  as  a good  book.  This  photoplay,  while  it 
has  some  outstanding  things  that  will  hit  you, 
will  be  well  and  favorably  received.  The  making 
of  this  offering  has  been  made  with  brains  and 
hard  work.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  H.  Brenner,  Cozy 
theatre,  Winchester,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

Fox 

BRONCHO  TWISTER:  Tom  Mix— 90%.  July  2. 
Tom  Mix.  you  can’t  be  beat.  Drew  lots  better 
than  “Slide,  Kelly,  Slide.”  Your  pictures  are  my 
life  savers.  I have  not  received  your  photo. 
Won’t  you  please  send  me  one. — Jay  W.  Gould, 
Alamo  theatre,  Plainfield,  III. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

BRONCHO  BUSTER:  Tom  Mix— 60%.  July  2. 
This  is  a good  Tom  Mix  picture.  They  are  all 
good. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  FAMILY  UPSTAIRS:  Virginia  Valli— 
5%.  June  28.  Be.st  picture  we  had  for  some  time, 
but  the  title  must  have  been  rotten  for  draw- 
ing any  business,  because  here  was  no  business. 
But  the  picture  is  a real  up-to-date  home  life 
drama,  with  many  laughs,  and  I say  good  laughs 
that  shake  off  anyone’s  blues.  Step  on  it,  boys  ; 
invite  the  whole  family  because  it  will  please 


them  all  and  it’s  very  clean.  Six  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball.  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

STAGE  MADNESS:  Special  cast— 30%.  June 
29.  Rotten  in  all  ways.  This  is  the  second  poor 
picture  I have  received  from  Fox  this  year,  so  I 
shouldn’t  kick.  They  certainly  have  had  a good 
program  this  year. — Jay  W.  Gould.  Alamo  theatre, 
Plainfield,  111. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE:  Buck  Jones— June 
30- July  1.  An  extra  good  Buck  picture.  Buck 
licks  everybody  in  sight  and  then  goes  out  and 
looks  for  some  more.  Good  action  picture.  Six 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf.  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

Gotham 

HEROES  OF  THE  NIGHT:  Special  cast— 70%. 
June  29.  The  picture  pleased.  Story  of  two 
brothers,  one  a policeman  and  the  other  a fire- 
man, both  in  love  with  the  heroine,  combined 
with  the  thrills  make  a first-class  program  pic- 
ture. Such  is  a relief  from  the  so-called  “spe- 
cials” offered  by  some  of  the  leading  companies. 
Many  times  there  turns  out  to  be  nothing  special 
about  them,  except  the  price.  Six  reels. — Helen 
Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisburg,  Md. — 
General  patronage. 

MONEY  TO  BURN:  Special  cast— 65%.  June  9. 
Nothing  wrong  with  this.  It’s  all  I bought  it 
to  be.  Independents  always  hold  to  expectations. 
This  is  well  acted  and  photographed.  Six  reels. 
— Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury, 
Md. — General  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  MURPHYS:  Special 
cast — 90%.  June  26-27.  Hurrah  for  the  Irish! 
If  this  is  true  to  life,  they  give  themselves  away 
in  this  one.  Lots  of  fightin’,  drinkin’,  ’n  every- 
thing in  this  one.  But  it’s  merry  and  gay  at 
that.  Good  business.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard 
A.  Preuss.  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

CAPTAIN  SALVATION:  Lars  Hanson— 30%. 
July  4.  ’Too  rough  and  gruesome  for  the  women 
and  many  did  not  care  for  it.  It  did  not  draw  or 
please.  Where  they  like  sea  pictures  it  no  doubt 
will  go  over.  Seven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan,  Ameri- 
can theatre,  Wantoma,  Wis. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines— 
60%.  July  1-2.  Very  good  pictui-e.  Didn’t  draw 
as  good  as  I expected.  Haines  is  certainly  build- 
ing a name  for  himself. — Jay  W.  Gould,  Alamo 
theatre,  Plainfield,  111. — Small  town  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
80%.  July  7-8.  Played  two  nights  and  with  good 
advertising  we  failed  to  do  the  business  expected. 
No  fault  of  the  picture  for  it’s  wonderful  in 
every  way.  Will  stand  all  the  boosting  you  can 
give  it  and  should  please  any  audience.  Ten 
I'eels. — L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  theatre. 
Lena,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

MR.  WU : Lon  Chaney — 100%.  June  26.  I 
shall  not  try  to  pass  any  opinion  as  to  the  qual- 
ity of  this  production.  Contrary  to  my  expecta- 


tions this  grossed  me  biggest  Sunday  night  busi- 
ness in  over  a year.  More  money  in  one  night 
than  I did  in  two  with  “Tell  It  to  the  Marines” 
and  I am  still  wondering  why.  Eight  reels. — 
Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess  theatre,  Buchanan, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

LOVERS:  Ramon  Novarro — 51%.  June  3. 
Good  story  which  appealed  to  the  better  class  pat- 
rons. Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer.  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  John  Gilbert— 
70%.  June  28-29.  Gentlemen,  here’s  a grand 
show,  but  not  as  good  as  “The  Merry  Widow.” 
Greta  Garbo  does  splendid  work,  but  she  is  a bit 
too  hot  for  the  elder  people.  Personally  I think 
she  will  hurt  Gilbert’s  Carlos  as  the  romantic 
lover.  “Flesh  and  the  Devil”  is  just  as  good  as 
“Bardelys  the  Magnificent”  and  is  adopted  from 
the  novel  “The  Undying  Past.”  Garbo  may  be 
Swedish,  but  she  acts  like  Spanish  fire.  Well, 
Metro,  how  about  “The  Big  Parade?”  Let’s  show 
it  here  soon.  Eight  reels. — Perry  G.  Walker, 
Amusu  theatre,  Statesboro.  Ga. — General  patron- 
age. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  John  Gilbert— 
July  2.  A very  good  picture.  It  would  have  been 
better  if  it  wasn’t  so  long.  Had  a good  crowd. 
Nine  reels. — Andrew  Rapp.  ’Theatorium,  Emlen- 
ton.  Pa. — General  patronage. 

THE  ROAD  TO  MANDALAY;  Lon  Chaney— 
48%.  July  5-6.  The  man  with  a thoitsand  faces 
does  not  do  so  well  here.  House  seats  300,  gave 
away  500  passes  and  could  not  get  but  half  a 
house  in  an  all  day  run.  Still  there  is  some 
splendid  work  done  in  the  picture.  I cannot  say 
much  for  the  picture.  Six  reels. — Perry  G.  Walk- 
er. Amusu  theatre,  Statesboro,  Ga. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  ROAD  TO  MANDALAY:  Lon  Chaney— 
Chaney  very  good  in  this,  but  the  ending  was  not 
at  all  pleasing  to  the  audience.  Seven  reels. — • 
Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — General  patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast— 80%.  We  used  this 
on  the  Fourth  of  July  to  good  business.  It  is 
good  and  has  more  actual  laughs  in  it  than  “Be- 
hind the  Front.”  Seven  reels. — J.  E.  Gillen- 
waters, Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn. — General 
patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast — June  30.  Here  is  the 
best  picture  we  have  had  from  Metro  for  a long 
time.  Had  a good  crowd.  My  people  all  like 
Conrad  Nagel.  Conrad.  I would  like  an  auto- 
graphed photo  of  you  for  my  lobby.  Seven  reels. 
— Andrew  Rapp.  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

ALTARS  OF  DESIRE:  Mae  Murray— 34%. 
June  26.  Fairly  good  program  offering.  Pleased 
about  60  per  cent.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

LOVE’S  BLINDNESS:  Special  cast — 25%.  July 
5.  A good  picture  of  the  kind,  but  a little  strong 
in  places  for  towns  of  this  size.  Possibly  over 
their  heads.  Pleased  about  50-50. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

BARD  LEYS  THE  MAGNIFICIENT : John  Gil- 
bert— 45%.  July  4.  Those  who  came  liked  it, 
but  too  many  counter  attractions  caused  us  to 
lose  money.  Gilbert  very  good  in  this  one.  Nine 
reels. — L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  theatre, 
Lena.  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BARRIER:  Norman  Kerry — 48%.  June 
21-22.  Story  by  Rex  Beach,  directed  by  George 


We  Apologize 

TO  THE  hundreds  of  Motion  Picture  Exhibitors  who  are  interested  in  our  proposi- 
tion. We  regret  that  we  were  delayed  in  giving  complete  details,  of  how  you  can 
increase  your  profits  by  operating  your  own  Merchants  Advertising  Service. 

BUT  we  were  swamped!  We  received  so  many  letters  that  we  were  unable  to 
give  them  all  our  immediate  attention. 

NOW,  we  are  glad  to  announce  that  we  are  prepared  to  handle  promptly  inquiries 
from  an  unlimited  number  of  Exhibitors.  Our  full  equipment  is  all  ready  and  all 
of  you  will  be  immediately  supplied  with  the  proper  information  and  material. 

LET’S  GO ! 

OUR  proposition  involves  showing  on  your  screen,  clever,  attractive,  popular  short- 
length  motion  picture  advertising  films  from  the  biggest  and  best  library  in  the 
United  States.  It  will  enable  you  to  handle  your  own  service  under  your  own 
Theatre  name. 

IF  there  are  other  Exhibitors  interested  in  learning  how  they  can  increase  their 
profits,  we  invite  their  inquiries. 

BUSINESS  MEN’S  FILM  EXCHANGE,  INC. 

Dept.  EH  Dayton,  Ohio 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


61 


J.  C.  Jenkins— jyis  Colyum 


ALBERT  LEA,  MINN.,  July  10,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD 

I read  in  this  morning’s  paper  the  startling,  and  most  welcome  information,  that 
the  federal  trade  commission  has  ordered  the  Eamous  Players-Lasky  Corporation  to 
halt  its  movie  monopoly. 

It  is  said  that  “The  mills  of  the  Gods  grind  slowly  but  they  grind  exceedingly 
small,”  and  the  exhibitors  all  over  the  country  will  hope  and  pray  that  the  power 
that  turns  the  wheels  will  not  fail,  and  that  a thorough  investigation  will  be  made  and 
a just  decision  rendered. 

As  one  who  has  had  17  years’  experience  as  an  exhibitor,  and  who,  in  the  last  16 
months,  has  covered  12  states  and  visited  thousands  of  theatres,  I think  I can  speak 
with  a fairly  accurate  knowledge  of  conditions.  I have  watched  film  prices  advance 
year  by  year;  I have  watched  the  net  that  has  been  tightening  around  exhibitors;  I 
have  sat  in  hundreds  of  theatres  and  taken  an  invoice  of  receipts,  and  I can  truthfully 
say  that  many,  many  times  the  receipts  have  not  been  50  per  cent  of  the  cost  of  the 
program. 

We  read  that  star  salaries  range  anywhere  from  S5,000  to  $16,000  per  week,  that 
the  salaries  of  some  of  the  producing  heads  range  from  $60,000  to  $150,000  a year. 
One  publication  stated  that  one  of  the  prominent  stars  had  accumulated  $15,000,000 
within  the  last  15  years,  and  I will  venture  to  say  that  if  the  entire  net  recepits  of 
every  small  town  exhibitor  in  Nebraska  were  combined  for  the  past  10  years  the  sum 
total  would  not  reach  that  amount,  for  there  isn’t  more  than  one  out  of  20  who  has 
been  able  to  more  than  make  a living  for  himself  and  family,  and]  what’s  true  of  the 
small  exhibitor  in  Nebraska  I find  true  in  other  states. 

Producers  and  distributors  contend  that  the  increase  in  film  costs  is  due  to  the 
increased  quality  of  the  product.  This  is  open  to  argument  with  a preponderance 
of  evidence  favoring  the  negative  side  of  the  question.  When  did  they  produce  a 
better  picture  than  “The  Battle  Cry  of  Peace,”  “The  Birth  of  a Nation,”  “The  Old 
Nest,”  “Over  the  Hill,”  “The  Girl  from  Outside,”  “Jes  Call  Me  Jim,”  “In  Old  Ken- 
tucky,” “Madam  X”  and  dozens  of  others  equally  as  good  that  could  be  named,  and 
then  compare  the  prices  charged  for  those  pictures  with  the  prices  charged  for  the 
mass  of  mediocre  pictures  (some  of  which  are  positively  nasty)  that  exhibitors  are 
compelled  to  accept  under  the  block  booking  system  and  it  will  be  astounding. 

Producers  claim  that  the  exhibitors  can  pass  this  increased  cost  on  to  the  public. 
This  is  not  true  for  every  time  an  exhibitor  advances  his  price  of  admission  there  is 
a correspondingly  decrease  in  attendance,  so  that  the  burden  of  this  increased  cost 
falls  on  the  shoulders  of  the  exhibitor,  and  the  Lord  knows  he  has  been  carrying  the 
load  long  enough. 

If  the  federal  trade  commission  and  the  courts  will  read  the  uniform  contract, 
then  inquire  into  the  operations  of  the  Film  Boards  of  Trade  and  the  block  booking 
system  it  will  not  be  hard  to  arrive  at  the  reason  for  the  adoption  of  these  various 
factors  in  the  distribution  of  film.  The  web  is  being  drawn  tighter  and  tighter  around 
the  exhibitors  and  the  spider  is  gorging  itself  on  its  victims.  I am  for  the  exhibitor, 
first,  last  and  forever,  and  I like  to  get  out  in  the  open  and  help  fight  his  battles,  and 
I am  willing  to  go  down  with  the  ship  if  need  be,  but  I want  the  colors  flying  at  the 
masthead,  and  no  quarters  asked.  The  time  has  come  for  exhibitors  to  wake  up,  and 
if  you  don’t  wake  up  pretty  soon  the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  you  will  have  a 
helluva  long  sleep. 

Well,  that’s  that,  and  now  for  something  else. 

^ * sN 

I wish  somebody  would  tell  me  who  I am  and  what  I look  like.  Some  exhibitors 
think  I am  fat  and  others  think  I am  lean  and  they  have  got  me  all  mixed  up.  Bert 
Silver  of  Silver’s  Family  theatre  at  Greenville,  Mich.,  said  he  always  supposed  I looked 
like  Bull  Montana.  Jim  Wallace  of  the  Lincoln  Square  of  Decatur,  111.,  said  after 
reading  my  column  and  then  seeing  me  he  was  convinced  I was  only  half  as  crazy  as 
he  figured  I was. 

Tom  Foster  of  the  Grand  at  Stanley,  Wis.,  slipped  me  the  information  on  the 
quiet  that  he  thought  I resembled  Fred  S.  Meyer  of  the  Alhambra  at  Milwaukee,  and 
at  this  I swelled  up  like  a kid  full  of  dried  apples  and  said,  “Thank  you,  Tom,  for 
the  compliment.” 

Crocket  Brown  of  Nashwauk,  Minn.,  looked  at  me  in  surprise  when  I called  and 
said,  “Wliy!  my  gosh,  you  don’t  look  anything  like  I supposed  you  did.  I had  you 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


Hill.  Folks,  here’s  a film  full  of  action,  action, 
action,  and  a vigorous  story  of  early  Alaskan 
days  when  men  fought  with  their  firsts  for  their 
diggings  in  the  gold  fields,  and  for  the  women 
they  loved.  If  you  are  strong  for  stories  of 
love  and  adventure  be  sure  to  get  this  one.  Not 
a special,  but  as  good  as  many  of  the  socalled 
specials  that  are  on  the  market  today.  Cued 
the  picture  with  our  $900  Electrola-Hyperian, 
which  is  as  good  as  a pipe  organ.  We  also  have 
a Seaburg  six-piece  orchestra,  but  consider  the 
Electrola-Hyperian  better.  These  machines  are 
for  sale  by  Anderson,  Waters  & Prett,  Inc., 
Statesboro.  Ga. — Perry  G.  Walker,  Amusu  thea- 
tre, Statesboro,  Ga. — General  patronage. 

LA  BOHEME:  Special  cast — 10%.  July  3. 
Well,  I am  glad  it’s  over.  I had  all  the  long 
Metro  specials  and  they  did  not  please  as  good  as 
some  of  the  program  pictures  that  cost  me  just 
half  as  much  money.  Well,  we  will  be  on  the 
lookout  in  the  future.  Not  a small  town  picture 
by  any  means,  and  too  long  and  draggy  to  enter- 
tain. Ten  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patrnoage. 

LA  BOHEME : Special  cast — May  22.  No  good 
for  small  towns.  I lose  money  on  all  of  these 
kind.  Ten  reels. — W.  H.  Glower,  Liberty  theatre, 
Wirt,  Okla. — General  patronage. 

HIS  SECRETARY : Norma  Shearer — 42%, 

June  26-27.  Just  as  good  as  adverti.sed.  Good 
clean,  laughable,  interesting  comedy  drama,  with 
fine  cast,  including  Norma  Shearer,  who  did  some 
real  acting.  Business  off.— Philip  Rand,  Rex  thea- 
tre, Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

A LITTLE  JOURNEY:  Special  cast — A fair 
type  of  entertainment.  Nothing  extra.  Six  reels. 
— E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham, 
Wash. — General  patronage. 

EXIT  SMILING:  Norma  Shearer — June  16. 
Pleased  every  one  and  had  a good  house.  All 
the  folks  like  Norma  Shearer.  Metro’s  pictures 
are  fine,  but  say.  boys,  don’t  buy  this  year’s  out- 
put. They  all  treat  you  fine  so  long  as  you  have 
a few  pictures  to  run.  But,  oh!  Seven  reels.— 
W.  H.  Glower,  Liberty  theatre,  Wirt,  Okla. — 
General  patronage. 

MARE  NOSTRUM:  Alice  Terry — June  23:  A 
Rex  Ingram  picture  that  lost  me  plenty.  Gave 
me  a return  on  it.  but  still  I lost  $23.50.  It’s 
a great  picture  for  the  upper  class,  but  no  good 

to  folks  that  don’t  read.  Ten  reels. W.  H. 

Glower,  Liberty  theatre,  Wirt,  Okla. — General 
patronage. 

THE  VALLEY  OF  HELL:  Special  cast — May 
29.  A very  good  Western.  Different  from  the 
average.  Six  reels. — W.  H.  Glower,  Liberty  thea- 
tre, Wirt,  Okla. — General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 
Coogan  July  4,  Children  all  like  this  picture. 
Well  worth  the  money  I paid.— Jay  W.  Gould, 
Alamo  theatre,  Plainfield,  III. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

Paramount 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith — 50%. 
Very  good.  The  different  weddings  were  pleas- 
ing to  the  women  folks  and  the  race  at  the  end 
provided  a good  thrill.  Six  reels. — A.  N.  Miles, 
Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Di.x— 60%.  ’This 
is  one  of  Dix’s  best  pictures.  Good  paper  to  get 
them  in  if  they  like  prize-fight  pictures.  This  one 
has  a good  story  behind  it.  Seven  reels. — J.  E. 
Gillenwaters,  Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn.— 
General  patronage. 

MANTRAP:  Clara  Bow — 40%.  This  is  a pic- 
ture of  the  Northwoods  with  Clara  doing  her  stuff. 

It  will  please  the  fans  who  like  Clara.  Seven 
reels. — J.  E.  Gillenwaters.  Rialto  theatre,  Knox- 
ville, Tenn. — General  patronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN:  Douglas  MacLean — 33%.  June 
20.  A dandy  comedy.  Pleased  all.  Some  said 
better  than  “We’re  In  the  Navy  Now.”  Seven 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

TIN  GODS:  Thomas  Meighan — 15%.  June 
27-28.  I have  never  had  as  many  adverse  com- 
ments on  any  picture  as  I had  on  this  one.  No 
one  liked  the  tragic  ending.  In  fact,  it  spoiled 


an  otherwise  good  picture.  As  it  was  everybody 
was  mad  they  came.  I’ll  never  attempt  another 
Meighan  picture.  No  wonder  this  star  says  he  is 
ready  to  retire  at  the  end  of  his  present  contract. 
— A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  GREAT  GATSBY:  Special  cast— 16%. 
Another  disgusting  lemon  from  Paramount.  I 
don’t  blame  Warner  Baxter  for  leaving  them  if 
they  made  him  play  this.  A bootlegger  for  a 
hero,  even  if  it  does  show  him  in  a bad  light, 
is  not  the  proper  kind  of  hero  to  show  to  children 
and  young  folks.  Where  was  Will  Hays  ? — A.  N. 
Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — General 
patronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper — 75%.  A 
very  good  Western  well  directed  by  John  Waters. 


El  Brendel  supplies  the  comedy  and  Flash,  the 
horse,  is  an  equal  of  Tony.  This  Western  is  well 
made  and  the  photography  is  fine.  Paper  is  also 
good.  Five  reels. — J.  E.  Gillenwaters,  Rialto 
theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn. — General  patronage. 

GOD  GAVE  ME  TWENTY  CENTS:  Special 
east — 32%.  June  29.  A little  heavy,  but  pleased 
generally  . Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— 80%. 
This  one  is  good  and  will  please  any  audience. 
Jack  is  as  good  as  usual  and  his  name  helps 
pull  them  in.  This  one  is  not  like  the  book, 
however.  Six  reels. — J.  E.  Gillenwaters,  Rialto 
theati-e,  Knoxville,  Tenn. — General  patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— 75%. 
July  4.  Forget  you  ever  read  this  story  and  it 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


(Continued  from  f receding  page) 

guessed  as  looking  like  Grasshopper  Sprague  of  Goodland,  Kan.”  and  it  wasn’t  over 
three  minutes  until  the  ambulance  was  there. 

A.  F.  Jenkins  of  the  Community  theatre  at  David  City,  Neb.,  denied  positively  any 
relationship  to  me.  Miss  Della  Gullick  of  the  Fad  at  Brookings,  S.  D.,  exclaimed, 
“Wliy,  Mr.  Jenkins!  I had  you  pictured  as  an  elderly  man  instead  of  a young  and 

handsome  gentleman.”  There.  Did  you  guys  get  that?  If  we  ever  have  another 

exhibitors  Beauty  Contest  I am  going  to  nominate  Miss  Gullick  as  my  candidate  and 
she  will  win  in  a walk. 

I have  been  in  hopes  that  some  exhibitor  would  have  me  pictured  as  looking  like 
ray  friend  “Fishy”  Phil  Rand,  but  so  far  none  seems  to  have  had  an  hallucination 

like  that.  As  yet  nobody  has  accused  me  of  looking  like  Bill.  Wlien  they  do  I am 

going  to  resign. 

At  a cafe  in  Fargo  recently  a tall,  blonde  biscuit  shooter  came  over  to  my  table  and 
laid  the  menu  card  down  in  front  of  me,  and,  after  shifting  her  gum  to  the  other  side 
of  her  mouth,  said,  “Well,  what’s  my  babe  going  to  have  today.”  I looked  up  at  her 
and  said,  “Madam,  are  you  a married  woman?”  And  she  replied,  “No,  sir,  I am 
not.”  Then  she  added,  “Not  now,”  and  I again  inquired,  “Did  you  ever  live  in 
Hollywood?”  and  she  replied,  “Yes,  I used  to  live  there,  there’s  where  the  trouble 
started,  why?”  “Oh,  nothing  in  particular,”  I answered,  “except  that  you  bear  a very 
striking  resemblance  to  a bull-grass  widow  I used  to  know  out  there  during  the  hard 
winter  of  1867,  when  it  froze  all  the  oranges  and  some  Canadian  tourists  and  I was 
wondering  if  you  were  the  same  party.”  This  seemed  to  make  her  kinda  huffy  and 
she  swallowed  her  gum  and  said,  “Oh,  you  shut  your  mouth  and  mind  your  own 
business.  Tea  or  coffee?”  “Milk,”  I replied. 

In  a cafe  in  Yankton,  S.  D.,  the  other  day  I waited  for  several  minutes  for  a 
waiter,  then  beckoned  to  the  head  waitress  and  she  called  one  of  the  girls  and  said, 
“Girtie,  go  over  there  and  see  what  old  Mathusleum  wants.” 

That’s  the  way  it  goes.  One  will  call  me  her  “babe”  and  another  will  refer  to  me 
as  “Old  Mathusleum.”  Eagle  Eye  Joe  says  I remind  him  of  what’s  left  after  one  of 
Uncle  Carl’s  banquets,  meaning  of  course,  nothing,  and  I don’t  know  who  I am  nor 
what  I look  like,  and  I’ve  a mind  to  write  Jay  to  run  my  picture  at  the  head  of  this 
column  as  he  does  George  E.  Marshall’s.  But  on  second  thought,  if  the  readers  will 
stand  for  George’s  picture  it  is  all  the  HERALD  could  reasonably  expect  of  ’em.  If 
this  thing  keeps  up  much  longer  and  I don’t  find  out  who  I am  and  what  I look  like 
I am  going  over  to  Benton  Harbor,  Mich.,  and  join  the  House  of  David.  There  they 
all  look  alike. 

When  one  hasn’t  anything  to  write  about  he  can’t  write  much.  Yon  no  doubt  have 
noticed  this,  but  I might  say  that  North  and  South  Dakota  and  Minnesota  never  had 
a finer  prospect  for  a bmnper  crop  than  they  have  at  this  very  minute.  The  Red 
River  Valley  of  North  Dakota  is  a veritable  sea  of  wheat,  oats,  flax,  alfalfa  and  sweet 
clover.  I have  traveled  the  Palouse  country  and  seen  the  wheat;  I have  looked  over 
Connor’s  Flats  in  Washington  and  seen  the  oats;  I have  traveled  Kansas,  Nebraska 
and  Oklahoma  but  never  saw  any  better  prospects  for  small  grain  than  there  is  in 
this  Northwest  territory.  Traveling  Western  Minnesota  one  would  think  the  country 
was  covered  with  small  lakes,  but  on  investigation  it  proves  to  be  fields  of  flax  cov- 
ered with  deep  blue  bloom  that  is  a delight  to  the  eye.  Who’d  want  to  live  in 
Chicago?  Not  me. 

Bill  says  he  lost  quite  a heavy  wager  on  Colleen  Moore  in  that  Beauty  Contest. 
Wliy,  William,  had  you  forgotten  what  I told  you? 

The  HERALD  announces  that  hereafter  Jay  M.  Shreck  will  edit  the  department 
formerly  edited  by  William  R.  Weaver,  and  Bill  writes  me  that  Jay  has  laid  in  a 
large  supply  of  blue  pencils,  which  means  that  hereafter  my  column  will  look  like 
the  ducks  had  walked  over  it. 

Uncle  ’Leazer  Biggs  says,  “If  them  fillum  gals  out  in  Hollywood  will  keep  on 
tryin’,  maybe  some  day,  with  the  help  of  the  divorce  courts,  they’ll  find  a husband 
that  wiU  suit  ’em.” 

Which  reminds  me  to  add  to  Uncle  ’Leazer’s  remarks  this  bit  of  information 
for  those  aspiring  ladies,  that — - 
THE  HERALD  FILLS  A WANT  NONE  OTHERS  DO. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  man. 


is  a good  picture.  Zane  Gray’s  name  still  has 
drawing  power.  And  Jack  Holt  can  draw  a gun 
that  will  thrill  even  the  hard-boiled  Western 
fans.  Six  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera 
House,  Salisbury.  Md. — General  patronage. 

BORN  TO  THE  WEST:  Jack  Holt— 49%.  June 
30- July  1.  A first-class  Western  from  Zane  Grey’s 
novel.  Westerns  don’t  take  here.  Broke  even 
on  this  picture  and  will  add  that  if  you  have  pa- 
trons that  like  Westerns,  get  this  one.  The  pic- 
ture is  old  but  the  print  is  good.  It  is  a story 
about  a school  boy’s  quarrel.  Five  reels. — Perry 
G.  Walker,  Amusu  theatre,  Statesboro.  Ga. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 


YOU  NEVER  KNOW  WOMEN:  Florence  Vidor 
— Our  patrons  were  well  pleased  with  Florence 
Vidor  in  this  picture.  Greatly  so  we  would  say. 
S'ix  reels. — Giacoma  Brothei-s,  Crystal  theatre. 
Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

PADLOCKED:  Special  cast — June  28-29. 
Taken  from  Rex  Beach’s  story  and  made  into  a 
good  picture.  However,  the  weather  was  the 
hottest  of  the  year,  and  couldn’t  coax  anyone 
in  to  see  it.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf, 
Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  cast— 80%. 
This  production  is  well  made,  having  been  directed 


by  Frank  Lloyd,  who  made  “The  Sea  Hawk.” 
The  photography  is  good  and  the  paper  is  fine. 
If  your  patrons  like  sea  pictures  buy  this  at  pro- 
gram price  and  play  it.  Eight  reels. — J.  E.  Gil- 
lenwaters,  Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville,  Tenn. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

Pathe 

THE  DEVIL  HORSE:  Rex— 80%.  June  26. 
A good  Western  type  of  picture.  Clean  and  with 
lots  of  action.  Even  the  ladies  enjoy  a good 
Western  once  in  a while  for  a change  of  diet, 
and  told  us  so.  Six  reels. — L.  L.  Netzer,  Amer- 
ican Legion  theatre,  Lena,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  DEVIL  HORSE:  R)ex— July  4-5.  An  ex- 
tra good  picture.  Story  good,  acting  of  all  the 
horses  wonderful,  scenery  fine  and  photography 
as  clear  as  crystal.  A man  must  have  the 
patience  of  Job  to  direct  a picture  like  this.  This 
had  more  entertainment  in  one  reel  than  ‘ The 
Scarlet  West”  had  in  nine.  Six  reels. — ^Wm.  E. 
’Tiagsdorf.  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

ALASKAN  ADVENTURES:  Special  cast— 
35%.  July  2.  A very  good  educational  subject, 
but  after  the  first  two  or  three  reels  many  got 
up  and  walked  out.  It  is  hard  to  hold  them  on 
an  educational  subject,  especially  where  it  is  as 
long  as  this  one  is.  I don’t  believe  there  is  any 
better  subject  of  this  kind,  but  I wouldn’t  buy 
it  if  I knew  that  it  wouldn’t  please  more  than 
it  did.  Not  one  comment  on  it.  Seven  reels.— 
H.  J.  Eagan,  American  theatre,  Wantoma,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

A BROADWAY  BOOB:  Glen  Hunter— 20%.  I 
would  consider  this  as  near  nothing  as  I have 
put  up  to  my  patrons  in  some  time,  and  a few  of 
them  told  me  about  it.  Six  reels. — W.  L.  Camp- 
bell, Alert  theatre,  Steuben.  Wis. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FRONTIER  TRAIL:  Harry  Carry— 20%. 
June  30.  Harry  was  once  a great  star  for  me, 
but  a few  pictures  like  this  and  his  stuff  will 
be  out.  Not  up  to  his  standard  in  this  one.  Six 
reels. — W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben, 
Wis. — General  patronage. 

Pro-Dis-Co 

RISKY  BUSINESS:  Vera  Reynolds— 75%. 

June  1-2.  Good  for  houses  used  to  running  this 
star’s  pictures.  Good  acting  by  star  and  lead- 
ing man,  Kenneth  Thomson.  Different  story  that 
gets  away  from  the  “you  know  what’s  coming 
next”  stuff.  Seven  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s 
Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

FIGHTING  LOVE:  Jetta  Goudal— 75%.  June 
21-22.  Jetta’s  best  since  “Three  Faces  East.” 
Splendid  for  her  fans.  After  Victor  Varconi’s 
work  in  “Volga  Boatman”  and  ‘‘King  of  Kings” 
they  have  at  last  learned  that  he  can  act.  He  is 
very  convincing  as  the  lover.  Don’t  try  any  kid 
matinees  on  this,  for  it  is  surely  not  for  children. 
Seven  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House, 
Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER:  Special  cast— 
60%.  July  2-3.  Quite  a wonderful  production. 
Battle  scenes  splendid  and  big  in  every  way. 
Good  plot.  Drags  a little  toward  end  but  last 
reel  very  impressive.  Tears,  laughter  and  a good 
ending.  Cast  good.  Will  stand  raised  prices 
and  a tieup  or  at  least  comps  to  war  vets.  Don’t 
be  afraid  of  it.  Twenty-four  sheets  excellent. 
PDC  has  now  some  very  fine  pictures. — Philip 
Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

WHITE  GOLD:  Jetta  Goudal— 25%.  July  1. 
This  picture  did  not  give  satisfaction. — Bert  Sil- 
ver, Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

CRUISE  OF  THE  JASPER  B:  Rod  LaRoeque 
— A terrible  mess  of  junk.  If  Rod  plays  in  about 
two  more  of  this  kind  he’s  through.  Six  reels. — 
Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

MAN  BAIT : Marie  Prevost — Excellent  comedy. 
Sure  got  the  audience  in  good  humor.  Six  reels. 


July  23,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


63 


i Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  “The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys”  (an  Irish  picture)  got  off  to  a good  start  last  week,  it  being  the 
\ attraction  at  the  Capitol,  New  York.  Sally  O’Neil  and  Lawrence  Gray  are  featured,  and  George  Hill  directed.  The  scenes 

\ above  show  (left)  Sally  O’Neil  and  Marie  Dressier;  (center)  a peaceful  family  row;  and  (right)  Sally  O’Neil  and  Law- 

rence Gray  in  (of  course)  a sentimental  moment. 


— Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  PRAIRIE  PIRATE:  Harry  Carey— July  2. 
A good  Carey  pitcure.  Probably  a little  better 
than  the  usual  run  of  Carey’s.  Six  reels. — Wm. 
E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre.  Neillsville,  Wis.— 
Small  town  patronage. 

Tiffany 

THE  FIRST  NIGHT:  Bert  Lytell— So  far  Tif- 
fany is  giving  me  box  office  attractions.  Have 
made  money  on  them  all.  Six  reels — -Jaek  Cairns, 
Brooklyn  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

REDHEADS  PREFERRED:  Special  cast — • 
Here’s  an  excellent  comedy.  Kept  the  audience 
in  a constant  roar. — Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn  thea- 
tre, Detroit,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

United  Artists 

THE  BAT:  Special  cast — 40%.  This  is  a fine 
little  mystery  picture  and  has  everything  to  get 
’em  in.  People  naturally  like  mystery  and  this 
should  please.  Photography  dark  of  course. 
Paper  good.  Eight  reels. — J.  E.  Gillenwaters, 
Rialto  theatre.  Knoxville,  Tenn. — General  patron- 
age. 

ROBIN  HOOD:  Douglas  Fairbanks — -80%.  June 
29-30.  Please  page  Geneve  Jenkins.  Geneve  is 
forinst  old  ones  but,  oh  boy,  this  brought  home 
the  bacon,  not  withstanding  its  moss  and  mildew. 
Tied  up  with  Episcopal  church.  Put  on  and 
directed  a one  act  farce  and  cleaned  up.  Every- 
one raved  over  the  picture,  but  it  was  unmerci- 
fully long.  Print  as  good  as  one.  Why  not 
Geneve  ? Why  not  ? — -Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre, 
Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

POLLYANNA:  Mary  Pickford— July  7 — A 

very  good  picture.  It  is  very  old,  but  it  will 
please.  Had  a fair  crowd,  considering  that  there 
was  a tent  show  going  on  next  to  me.  Seven 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
General  patronage. 

Universal 

DOWN  THE  STRETCH:  Marion  Nixon— 27%. 
June  1.  Good  racetrack  di'ama.  Pleased  patrons 
generally.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — -General  patronage. 

SET  FREE:  Art  Acord — 25%.  June  24.  Good 
little  program  Western  that  seemed  to  please 
those  who  came.  Five  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  TEXAS  STREAK:  Hoot  Gibson— 68%. 

July  1-2.  This  drew  better  than  his  two  previ- 


ous pictures,  but  “Arizona  Sweepstakes”  still  holds 
the  record  at  the  box  office  with  “Chip  of  the 
Flying  U”  second.  Somehow  Hoot  isn’t  getting 
quite  as  peppy  pictures  as  he  should.  Six  reels. 
— A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FOURTH  COMMANDMENT:  Belle  Ben- 
nett— 20%.  June  30.  Took  a big  fiop  on  this 
money.  A good  picture  of  its  kind.  One  of  the 
sob  pictures  that  only  a few  like.  Sold  as  a 
special,  but  it  should  be  bought  at  program  prices 
only.  Not  a small  town  show  by  any  means. 
Seven  reels. — ^H.  J.  Eagan.  American  theatre, 
Wantoma,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

MAN  OF  DARING:  Special  cast— 20%.  July  4. 
Good  epic  of  the  early  West.  Not  as  big  as  they 
make  you  believe,  but  it’s  interesting.  Good  for 
small  towns  in  the  sticks.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

HELD  BY  THE  LAW:  Special  cast— 70%. 
June  16.  'The  picture  was  handled  well  and  held 
interest,  but  we  did  not  like  the  “death  chair” 
scenes.  My  patrons  like  thrills,  but  not  that  kind. 
It  was  another  score  against  conviction  with 
circumstantial  evidence.  It  has  a fine  cast.  Seven 
reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Sal- 
isbury. Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  PRAIRIE  KING:  Hoot  Gibson— 10%. 
July  1-2.  Here  is  a good  one  from  Hoot  again, 
but  as  I have  reported  on  all  of  Hoot’s  pictures 
before,  my  folks  don't  come  to  see  him  so  no  use 
of  running  pictures  that  no  one  comes  to  see. 
Is  full  of  comedy  and  plenty  of  action  from  start 
to  finish.  Where  they  like  Hoot  this  will  prove 
a knockout.  Be  your  own  judge.  Six  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  PRAIRIE  KING:  Hoot  Gibson— June  28. 
A little  weaker  than  the  usual  Hoot  Gibson  pic- 
ture, but  it  drew  and  pleased,  so  it’s  all  right  at 


**Stadie  Section,*’ 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

GENTLEMEN : 

I should  like  to  receive  an  autographed 

for  placement  in  my  “Lobby  Album”  of 
stars  whose  pletoros  are  especially  popular 
with  my  patrons. 

(Exhibitor) 

(Theatre) 

(Gty)- 

(State) 


that.  Clean  for  Sunday.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard 
A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  BLUE  BLAZER;  Pete  Morrison — 27%. 
July  1.  Poor.  Plot  uo  good.  You  will  get  by 
only.  Scenery  only  interesting  thing  in  it. — 
Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — -Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS:  Jack  Daugherty 
— 75%.  July  8-9.  Usual  type  of  railroad  drama 
with  hero  stopping  train  on  edge  of  washed  out 
bridge.  Pleased  Saturday  night  crowd  and  drew 
well. — A.  N.  Miles.  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence, 
Ky. — General  patronage. 

THE  PHANTOM  OF  THE  OPERA:  Lon 
Chaney — 80%.  If  you  need  money  and  want  a 
:-eal  picture  play  this  even  if  it  is  third  run.  It 
has  the  thrills  that  the  public  wants.  Don’t  fail 
to  show  a midnight  matinee  on  this  one  and  turn 
out  the  lights  when  Chaney’s  mask  is  removed. 
Ten  reels.— J.  E.  Gillenwaters.  Rialto  theati’e, 
Knoxville,  Tenn. — General  patronage. 

MICHAEL  STROGOFF:  Special  cast— Played 
this  massive  production  fourth  run  in  my  zone 
and  made  money.  Sure  to  please.  Nine  reels.— 
Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich.— 
General  patronage. 

Warner  Bros. 

THE  BRUTE:  Monte  Blue— 50%.  July  2. 
A man’s  picture  more  than  a lady’s.  A Western 

action  story  of  the  bygone  West.  Seven  reels. 

Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre.  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BRUTE:  Monte  Blue — A good  Western. 
Our  people  always  enjoy  these  pictures.  Biggest 
Sunday  receipts  ever  taken  in  at  25  cent  policy. 
Six  reels. — E.  T.  Mathes,  Avalon  theatre.  Belling- 
ham, Wash. — General  patronage. 

TRACKED  BY  POLICE:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 80%. 
July  4-5.  Our  first  picture  in  four  or  five  years 
of  Rinty  (we  played  his  first  one)  and  everybody 
is  enthusiastic  in  their  praise  of  this  marvelous 
dog.  Our  box  office  picked  up  and  was  able  to 
take  nourishment  after  nearly  passing  out  the 
week  before.  Six  reels.— A.  N.  Miles.  Eminence 
theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHILE  LONDON  SLEEPS:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 
40%.  June  29-30.  A good  dog  picture,  but  not 
up  to  other  Rin  Tin  Tin  pictures  we  have  played. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

LADY  WINDERMERE’S  L’AN:  Irene  Rich— A 
suitable  picture  for  any  theatre.  Irene  is  always 
a hard  worker  and  has  a wonderful  personality. 
— Jack  Cairns,  Brooklyn  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — - 
General  patronage. 

THE  SEA  BEAST:  John  Barrymore — 83%. 
June  20-21-22.  A splendid  picture  and  one  of 
the  best  box  office  records  we  have  had  this  year. 
Most  of  the  women  thought  it  was  very  gruesome 
in  spots  but  no  one  could  help  giving  John  Barry- 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


Your  Cooperation  Is  Invited 

WHAT  THE  PICTURE  DID  FOR  ME  is  a department  created 
and  operated  for  the  benefit  of  exhibitors. 

The  HERALD,  in  this  department,  publishes  ONLY  reports  re- 
ceived DIRECT  from  EXHIBITOR  SUBSCRIBERS. 

Reports,  the  source  of  which  may  be  questioned,  are  ivithheld 
from  publication  for  investigation.  This  policy  is  one  of  protec- 
tion.  It  assures  the  exhibitor  of  reliable  box  office  information. 

SPEC  I A LBLANKS  on  which  reports  may  be  written  are  mailed 
regularly  to  EXHIBITOR  SUBSCRIBERS  ONLY. 


more  a word  of  praise  for  his  very  wonderful 
acting.  It  is  a pleasure  to  run  a picture  like  this. 

• — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BELOW  THE  LINE:  Si>ecial  cast— 100%.  July 
4.  Set  a new  record  at  30-15  cents.  Ran  Fourth 
of  July.  Rin  Tin  Tin  truly  wonderful.  Plot 
rather  brutal  and  rough,  but  fans  liked  it  and 
children  went  crazy. — Philip  Rand.  Rex  theatre, 
Salmon.  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

THE  AGE  OF  INNOCENCE:  Beverly  Bayne- 
Very  well  done,  Beverly.  Glad  to  see  you  back, 
for  we  have  not  had  you  on  our  screen  for  a long 
time.  Your  work  is  fine  in  this,  the  cast  is  ex- 
cellent, photography  good  and  film  in  good  shape. 
This  picture  will  please  your  "highbrow,  silk 
stocking"  patrons  if  you  can  get  them  in.  It 
held  our  crowd  nicely.  Both  "highbrows”  and 
middle  class  as  well  as  the  “undercrust,”  but  if 
it  was  condensed  to  six  reels  it  would  go  over 
much  better.  The  pai-t  played  by  Elliott  Dexter 
was  well  taken.  Out  here  most  every  man  in 
the  audience  wanted  to  kill  him.  not  personally, 
of  course,  but  the  men  who  are  men  hate  to  ad- 
mit that  real  life  has  so  many  characters  as  the 
one  Dexter  impersonates  in  this  “reel”  produc- 
tion. Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers.  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone.  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

State  Rights 

GOD'S  GREAT  WILDERNESS:  Special  cast— 
15%.  Lay  off  of  such  as  this.  The  direction  is 
poor  and  the  whole  production  is  cheap  and  rot- 
ten. The  flood  scenes  are  faked  to  perfection. — 
J,  E.  Gillenwaters,  Rialto  theatre,  Knoxville, 
Tenn. — General  patronage. 

Serials 

FIGHTING  WITH  BUFFALO  BILL:  (Univer- 
sal) If  you  like  Westerns,  thrills  and  plenty  of 
them,  buy  this.  Two  reels. — W.  H.  Glower,  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Wirt,  Okla. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  FIGHTERS:  (Universal)  Jack 
Daugherty — Seemed  like  a good  enough  serial, 
but  failed  to  draw.  Only  know  of  two  adults  and 
one  kid  that  followed  it  through,  so  it’s  time  to 
give  ’em  a rest.  Ten  episodes. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre,  Rainier.  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  HOUSE  WITHOUT  A KEY:  (Pathe) 
Special  cast — Opened  up  with  big  night  but  this 
serial  is  a complete  flop  for  me.  No  action. 
Nothing  to  bring  them  back,  and  if  not  seen 
first  night  it  is  impossible  to  follow. — W.  L. 
Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — General 
patronage. 

RADIO  DETECTIVE:  (Universal)  Special  cast 
— Fine  serial  that  lost  me  plenty.  Two  reels. — 
W.  H.  Glower,  Liberty  theatre,  Wirt,  Okla. — - 
General  patronage. 


THE  SILENT  FLYER:  (Universal)  Special 
cast — Have  just  finished  this  and  it  has  done  bet- 
ter than  any  serial  we  have  ever  played  from 
Universal.  Ten  episodes. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence 
theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — General  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

CIRCUS  CAPERS:  Poodles  Hannaford — A good 
circus  comedy  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  DRAW  BACK:  Johnnie  Arthur— A foot- 
ball comedy  that’s  good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Rich- 
ard A.  PreuBS,  Arvada  theatre.  Arvada.  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

FOOL’S  LUCK:  Lupino  Lane — Fair.  Not  as 
good  as  former  Lane  comedies.  Two  reels. — A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 

THE  IRON  MULE:  And  they  sold  this  to  us 
for  a comedy.  Our  patrons  failed  to  get  a single 
kick  out  of  this  mule.  Two  reels. — L.  L.  Netzer, 
American  Legion  theatre,  Lena,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

LISTEN  LEONA:  A1  St.  John— A very  funny 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre.  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

MERRY  GO  ’ROUND  OF  TRAVEL:  Novel 
scenic  reel.  Pleased. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  thea- 
tre. Rainier.  Ore. — General  patronage. 

MERRY  MAKERS:  Cliff  Bowes— A good  single 


A high-hattin’  Topsy  is  Rosetta  Duncan 
in  U.  A.’s  “Topsy  and  Eva,”  in  which 
Sister  Vivian  is  Eva.”  It  will  be  re- 
leased next  month. 


reeler. — Andrew  Rapp,  ’Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. 

— General  patronage. 

SLOW  DOWN:  Cliff  Bowes— Fair.  One  reel. 

— Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

SOLID  GOLD:  Lige  Conley — ^Good  action  com- 
edy. Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

WEDDING  YELLS:  Johnny  Arthur.  A good 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FBO 

ALICE’S  AUTO  RACE:  A cartoon  that’s  al- 
ways received  well.  One  reel. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town 
patronage. 

BO’S  GUEST : Wisecrackers — The  best  of  the 
series.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada.  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

CAMPUS  ROMEOS:  Three  Fat  Men — Always 
good  ones.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

A FRATERNITY  MIXUP:  This  is  a dandy 
comedy.  Kept  them  laughing  all  the  way  through. 
Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton, 
Pa. — General  patronage. 

SHOOSH : Charles  Bowers — ^Not  so  good. 

Charles  is  slipping  a little  and  soon  he  won’t 
please  the  public  at  all.  You  better  change  your 
stories  to  some  real  good  ones  or  business  will 
be  shot.  Two  reels. — -Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball.  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

WHAT  PRICE  DOUGH:  Three  Fat  Men— 
These  boys  sure  can  make  real  comedies.  This 
one  is  great.  Two  reels. — -Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WISECRACKERS:  Special  cast — Kit  Guard 

and  A1  Cooke  still  pulling  stuff  of  which  my  pa- 
trons have  never  tired.  The  girls  are  good,  but 
not  equal  to  Alberta  Vaughn  of  the  former  series. 
And  Danny  O’Shea  is  terrible  compared  to  George 
O’Hara,  Larry  Kent  and  Jack  Luden,  who  had 
the  male  leads  in  former  series.  H.  C.  Witwer’e 
stories  are  still  good.  Two  reels. — Helen  Ulman, 
Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General 
patronage. 

FOX 

THE  LYIN’  TAMER:  Animal  comedy — Just  a 
comedy.  Nothing  to  rave  about.  Two  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

PATHE 

AESOP’S  FABLES:  Very  good  filler.  Brings 
in  the  kids,  likewise  eome  of  the  older  ones. 
Three-fourths  reel. — W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  thea- 
tre, Steuben,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

AESOP  FABLE:  “Spanish  Love.”  Good,  funny 
and  interesting.  Book  it. — Philip  Rand,  Rex 
theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

HUBBY’S  QUIET  LITTLE  GAME:  Billy  Sevan 
— Not  so  extra.  Only  a few  laughs.  Two  reels. 

— L.  L.  Netzer,  American  Legion  theatre,  Lena, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

PATHE  COMEDIES:  Past  season  were  good. 
Our  Gang  topping  the  list,  with  Charlie  Chase 
next.  Mabel  Normands  were  good.  Eddie  Quillian 
is  a knockout  with  Madeline  Hurlock.  Ben  Tur- 
pin still  causes  ’em  to  chuckle,  too. — Helen  Ul- 
man, Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — 
General  patronage. 

PATHE  NEWS:  The  beet  on  the  market.  I ; 
have  been  running  some  of  them  all  for  the  past  ^ 
several  years,  but  this  has  more  interesting  sub-  ^ 
jects  and  more  detail  in  the  scenes  than  any  of  J 
the  others,  excepting,  of  course,  the  new  M-G-M  I 
news,  and  the  Paramount  News  now  in  the  mak-  I 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


65 


July  23,  1927 

ing.  I got  two-day  service  on  the  Lindbergh  re- 
ception in  Washington.  Had  it  on  my  screen 
Monday  after  the  reception  Saturday. — Helen 
Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House.  Salisbury,  Md.— 
General  patronage. 

PATHE  SERIALS:  I have  run  them  all,  and 
find  none  better.  Allene  Ray  and  Walter  Miller 
are  still  the  favorites.  “Melting  Millions”  starts 
this  week. — Helen  Ulman.  Ulman’s  Opera  House, 
Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

AND  GEORGE  DID:  “Let  George  Do  It” — Here 
is  a good  comedy  and  plenty  of  laughs.  Two 
reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre.  Kimball,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

ANDY  TAKES  A FLYER:  Played  this  as  our 
Fourth  of  July  comedy  and  it  seemed  to  please 
immensely.  I believe  it  is  a little  above  the  av- 
ei'age  in  this  series  of  comedies.  Two  reels. — 
A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BREAKING  RECORDS:  George  Lewis— Fair 
but  won’t  draw  for  me,  so  what’s  the  use.  Got 
one  more  and  I am  glad  the  fun  is  over.  Two 
reels. — R'udolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  DARK  MYSTERY:  Buster  Brown 
— Good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

BUSTER’S  HILL:  Just  a dandy.  'Two  reels. — 
W.  H.  Glower,  Liberty  theatre,  Wirt,  Okla. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  Extra  fine  two  reel  ac- 
tion entertainment  series  everybody  enjoys.  Be 
sure  and  run  them.  First  two  interesting  and 
clean. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. 
—General  patronage. 

DOCTORS  PREFER  BRUNETTES:  Neely  Ed- 
wards— Just  a fair  one  reeler  for  a filler.  One 
reel. — ^Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

DYNAMITED:  Andy  Gump  comedy.  Poor. — 
A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

HIGH  AND  MIGHTY:  Charles  Puffy— Good 
short  comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

HOP  ALONG:  Arthur  Lake — Fair  comedy. 
One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — ^General  patronage. 

JANE’S  HONEYMOON:  Wanda  Wiley— Fair 
comedy.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  thea- 
tre, Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

PARTY  MAN : Charley  Duffy — Just  a fair  com- 
edy. Charley  always  makes  them  laugh.  One 
reel. — Rudolf  Duba.  R'oyal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

PIPEROCK  GOES  WILD,  A MAN’S  SIZE  PET: 

I believe  these  comedy  Westerns  are  the  best 
short  reels  that  Universal  puts  out.  A number 
of  people  have  told  me  they  like  them  better 
than  any  series  we  have  ever  run.  Two  reels. — ■ 
A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — ■ 
Small  town  patronage. 

A RANGER’S  ROMANCE:  Fred  Gilman— Just 
another  Western.  Okay  for  filler.  Two  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  RELAY : George  Lewis — “The  Collegians.” 
These  two  reelers  are  all  good.  Two  reels. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — ■ 
Gneral  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS  FISHING:  This  one  was  far  bet- 
ter than  any  of  Snookums  before,  and  sure  had 
’em  laughing  when  Snookums  started  up  the 
motorboat.  It  was  a scream.  And  I say  it’s 
good.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 


SNOOKUMS  FISHING:  A good  kid  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS  TOOTH:  One  of  the  best  of  the 
Snookums  comedies  we  have  played.  Two  reels. 
— A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THANKS  FOR  THE  BOAT  RIDE:  Wanda 
Wiley — Seemed  to  have  more  than  usual  number 
of  laughs  in  it. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre. 
Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

THIS  MY  COUSIN:  A good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

WAIT  A BIT:  Edna  Marion — Above  average. 
Will  do  O.  K. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

WHAT’S  YOUR  HURRY?:  Fair  comedy.  Two 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre,  Rainer,  Ore. 
■ — General  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

CHAUFFERS:  Billy  West — Very  poor  comedy. 
Too  old.  I am  glad  I only  have  a few  more  of 
these  to  run.  Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Thea- 
torium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

MARINE  PARADE:  A very  interesting  and 
educational  reel  nicely  produced.  Well  worth 
running. — Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess  theatre. 
Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  RANCH  TOUGH  AND  ROOF  TOPS: 
Laugh  all  the  way  through.  Two  reels. — W.  H. 
Glower,  Liberty  theatre,  Wirt,  Okla. — General 
patronage. 

SCREEN  SNAPSHOTS:  No.  4.  The  first  one 
I have  used  of  this  series  and  it  pleased  excep- 
tionally well. — Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess  theatre, 
Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

End  Long  Trip  with 
Scenes  for  Guest  Poems 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  19. — Charles  L.  Glett, 
producer  of  the  Edgar  A.  Guest  Poetic 
Jewels,  distributed  by  ACA,  and  Walter 
K.  Scott,  chief  photographer,  returned  yes- 
terday from  an  11,000-mile  trip  through  the 
southern  and  western  states  and  Mexico 
where  they  found  scenes  to  illustrate  the 
Guest  screen  poems. 

The  Guest  poems  are  being  illustrated 
from  scenes  taken  on  this  trip  in  the  Caro- 
linas,  Alabama,  Louisiana,  Mississippi, 
Texas,  Mexico,  Arizona,  New  Mexico  and 
Colorado. 


From  “Painting  the  Town,"  featuring 
Patsy  Ruth  Miller  and  Glenn  Try  on. 
Universal  production  already  booked 
for  the  Roxy,  New  York,  this  month, 
and  to  be  released  in  August. 


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/ENTILATION 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  23,  1927 


I CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

' By  G.  S.  — 

Henri  ELLMAN  put  his  stellar  Columbia  attraction,  “The  Blood 
Ship,”  into  a Loop  house  last  week,  when  on  Saturday  he  con- 
ducted the  opening  of  the  production  at  Warner  Brothers’  Orpheum 
theatre.  He  was  assisted  by  Harry  Cohn,  vice  president  of  Columbia  in 
charge  of  production,  who  motored  here  from  the  West  Coast  for  the 
initial  showings. 


HIS  picture  may  be  said  to  be  auspi- 
ciously  launched  in  the  Chicago  terri- 
tory, its  opening  in  the  prominent  State 
Street  house  having  been  preceded  by  a 
successful  trade  show  and  luncheon  at  the 
Stevens  hotel  on  Wednesday.  About  170 
members  of  the  industry  in  Chicago  and 
Middle  West  attended  the  preview,  while 
approximately  100  remained  for  the 
luncheon. 

Cohn  remained  with  Ellman  until  Sun- 
day, when  he  continued  on  his  motor  trip 
East,  having  as  his  immediate  goal  New 
York  where  a Mr.  Dempsey  and  a Mr. 
Sharkey  are  to  attempt  a pugilistic  enter- 
tainment for  what  a Mr.  Rickard  hopes 
will  be  a huge  body  of  spectators. 

* ' « * 

Jack  Miller  left  Sunday  for  New  York 
to  attend  the  very  important  meeting  of 
the  administrative  board  of  the  M.  P.  T. 
O.  A.  Al  Steffes,  president  of  the  North- 
west owners’  association  joined  him  here 
for  the  trip.  Among  the  matters  of  great 
consequence  to  have  been  considered  is  the 
proposed  admission  of  chain  theatres  in 
the  national  association,  which  alone 
makes  the  gathering  an  event  to  go  down 
somewhere  in  film  history. 

We  have  with  us,  I think  to  the  end  of 


this  week.  Miss  Mary  Philbin,  who  has 
removed  herself  from  the  Universal  stu- 
dios for  a short  vacation  on  the  42nd  floor 
of  the  Morrison  hotel,  where,  through  her 
bungalow  windows,  the  cool  lake  breezes 
may  blow  if  they  want  to.  And,  accord- 
ing to  Miss  Philbin’s  own  testimony,  they 
want  to.  The  talented  young  screen  star 
came,  of  course,  at  a very  fortunate  time, 
for  she  was  present  when  Joe  Powers, 
champion  flag  pole  sitter  of  the  universe, 
descended  from  his  exalted  perch.  Verily, 
good  fortune  follows  the  lucky — and  the 
gifted. 

* * * 

Haverkanip  & Hill  (even  socially  the 
partnership  is  indivisible)  forsook  their 
Hollywood  theatre  for  a few  days  of  va- 
cationing at  Grand  Rapids,  Minn.  (Note 
to  printer  and  others : Minnesota  is  cor- 
rect.) 

:|c  * * 

Sol  Hess,  I learn,  has  affiliated  himself 
with  the  Marx  Brothers  chain  of  prosperous 
theatres. 

* * * 

Tom  North,  special  representative  for 
Pathe  of  Topics  of  the  Day,  Aesop’s  Fables 
and  the  Henry  and  Polly  comedies,  returned 
last  Saturday  from  a campaign  in  Nebraska, 
Iowa,  and  the  Dakotas. 


A Portrait 

MORT  GOLDBERG 

Mort  Goldberg  is  a veteran  in  film  sales 
and  theatre  management  who  was  recently 
asked  to  take  the  forbidding  job  of  making 
a new  theatre  in  a 
difficult  territory 
turn  in  profits. 

And  he  took  the 
job. 

Perhaps  he  does 
not  seem  as  he 
really  is.  The 
Admiral  is  a big 
house  among  sev- 
eral with  trades  of 
long  standing,  and 
in  a district  far 
out  on  Chicago’s 
Northwest  side 
not,  as  yet,  densely 
XKipulated.  And  the  proffer  of  its  manager- 
ship was  not  extended  to  Goldberg  by  the 
original  projectors,  but  by  the  Chicago  Title 
and  Trust  Company,  which  shows  that  the 
house  was  insolvent  before  it  started. 

But  perhaps  Mort’s  jovial  face  and  easy- 
going smile  fool  one.  It  seems  natural  to 
connect  him  with  those  jolly  good-fellows 
who  do  not  like  hard  jobs.  Yet  there  is 
no  gainsaying  the  fact  that  Mort  Goldberg 
is  the  manager  of  the  Admiral  theatre. 

Ten  years  ago  he  was  a salesman  with 
Selznick  and  Robertson-Cole,  and  subse- 
quently produced  acts  for  the  Orpheum  cir- 
cuit. Later  he  was  appointed,  in  turn,  the 
manager  of  the  Harper,  the  Beach,  and  the 
Bryn  Mawr. 

Now  at  the  Admiral,  Mort  has  a task 
worthy  of  his  experience — and  one  the 
better  performed,  perhaps,  because  of  that 
easy-going  Goldberg  smile. 


Among  those  present  at  Henri  Ellman’s 
preview  party  last  week  was  Steve  Bennis 
of  the  Lincoln  theatre,  Lincoln,  III,  who 
was  observable  hobnobbing  with  such  celeb- 
rities of  Film  Row  as  Dave  Dubin  of 
Educational. 

* * * 

Also  present  was  Lee  Goldberg,  secretary 
and  treasurer  of  the  Big  Feature  Rights 
Corporation,  Louisville.  He  announced  the 
opening  of  Columbia’s  new  office  at  Indian- 
apolis with  Abe’H.  Kaufman  as  manager. 
Kaufman  is  the  former  manager  of  Para- 
mount at  Louisville. 

* 5j; 

Others  present  at  the  Ellman  party  were 
/.  Friedman  of  the  Easterly  theatre,  Chi- 
cago ; E.  Friedman  of  the  (jarden,  Indiana 
Harbor;  A.  J.  Abreshk  of  the  Capitol, 
Whiting,  Ind. ; A.  J.  Dunlap  of  the  Parth- 
enon, Hammond,  Ind.;  and  A.  Barb  and 
M.  Kilstein  of  the  Linden,  Chicago. 

* * 

Work  was  begun  last  week  on  a new 
motion  picture  theatre  in  Lombard,  the 
seating  capacity  to  be  1,200  and  the  build- 
ing, including  six  stores  and  ten  apart- 
ments to  cost  about  $235,000.  The  theatre 
will  be  operated  by  the  Fischer  Para- 
mount theatre  chain,  which  has  leased  the 
house  from  the  Lombard  Realty  Company. 

* * * 

The  Theatrical  Mutual  Association,  in 
convention  last  week,  elected  Walter  Mc- 
Connahey  of  Philadelphia,  grand  presi- 
dent; and  A.  J.  Skarren  of  New  Orleans, 
first  grand  vice  president.  Memorial  serv- 
ices for  nine  deceased  members  were  held. 

* * 

Clyde  Aiken  of  Pathe  went  up  to  Mil- 
waukee last  week  for  a district  sales  meet- 
ing. 


Slaves 

^ SATAN! 


MRa  WALLACE  REIDS 

AMAZING  STORY  OF  OUR 
DISAPPEARING  GJRLS. 


Season  1927-28 

NOW 

in  its 

5th  WEEK 
Chicago 

LOOP 


For  Indiana 


For  IlUnois  MLM  _ 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS  

INDIANA. 


831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVENUE, 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


INDIANA. 

INDlAPtAPOUlS 


Get  the  Combination 


Productions  of  quality  usually 
reflect  the  use  of  Eastman 
Negative  Film. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman 
Positive  and  you  get  the 
combination  that  carries 
photographic  quality  through 
to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.Y. 


World  Premiere 

Roxy  Theatre,  New  York 


IT  is  with  a good  deal  of  gratification  that  we  note 
the  booking  of  a picture  from  one  of  the  newer  na- 
tional distributors  in  the  Roxy,  the  world’s  greatest 
showhouse.  This  is  “The  Blood  Ship,”  a Columbia 
picture. 

It  is  gratifying — it  must  be  to  everyone — because  it 
is  a further  striking  indication  of  the  fact  that  pro- 
duction is  still  a pretty  wide  open  affair  with  no  par- 
ticular honors  to  any  one  studio.  It  was  my  distinct  im- 
pression, while  in  Hollywood  this  spring,  that  most 
any  studio  might  exceed  any  other  studio  in  the  qual- 
ity of  its  program  offering — this  year,  and  next  and 
next  year.  And,  while  a broad  one,  that  is  a most  im- 
portant observation. 


Unbias 
Opinions 
the  Appro 
Showmen 
COLUMBI 
as  Being 
with  the 
Office 
Industry. 


NEWSPAPER 

oyFILMDOM 


ar 


the 


AHDWEEKLY 
FILM  DIGEST 


Sunday,  June  26,  1927 


Exhibitors  in  choosing  their  product  for  the  coming  year 
might  well  bear  in  mind  the  name,  Columbia  Pictures.  Thi 
efficient  organization,  without  blare  of  trumpets,  had  already 
stood  the  test  of  time  and  can  now  be  named  alongside  of  every 
important  producing  and  distributing  concern  in  the  country 
During  the  past  year  this  company  has  succeeded  in  establish 
ing  a closer  contact  with  exhibitors  than  ever  before.  Personally 
owned  exchanges  and  especially  selected  franchise  holders  dis 
tribute  a product  of  established  merit  which  warrants  nationa 
recognition.  The  announcement  of  Columbia’s  Perfect  Thirt) 
is  another  opportunity  for  the  exhibitor  who  thinks  before  he 
signs. 


e 


Motioin  Pictui 


omedy  Pictures  Lead  in  Summer  Bookings 


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THE  MOS 
IMPORTANT 
MAN  IN  TOWN! 

— he*s  the  M'Q'M  exhibitor! 


)) 


HE  WILL  SHOW  “Big  Parade”  and  “Ben-Hur. 
HE  WILL  HAVE  the  important  stars  of  today! 

(John  Gilbert,  Syd  Chaplin,  Ramon  Novarro,  Norma  Shearer,  Greta  Garbo,  Lon  Chaney, 
Lillian  Gish,  Marion  Davies,  William  Haines,  Tim  McCoy,  Dane- Arthur,  Jackie  Coogan, 
Cody-Pringle,  etc.,  etc.) 

HE  WILL  PLAY  the  big,  talked^about  Specials! 

(Garden  of  Allah — Ingram.  The  Crowd — Vidor.  The  Cossacks — Gilbert.  Rose-Marie. 
Napoleon.  Mile,  from  Armentieres.  Body  and  Soul.) 

HE  WILL  RUN  the  Cream  of  short  product! 

(Hal  Roach’s  “Our  Gang’’- — Charley  Chase — Max  Davidson — All-Star — M-G-M  News 
— M-G-M  Oddities — M-G-M  Great  Events  in  Technicolor.) 

HE  WILL  CLEAN  UP! 

Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


\N 


MM 


>>>> 


L,  No.  7 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  111,,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1879,  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


July  30,  1927 


New  York 

1560  Broadway  Chicago 
^ 624So.Michi4a3i 

Sdti  Francisco 
168  Golden.  Gate 


1914  So: 


•mont 


— \ la 


.aa>rtni>tniai 


■jltbe  y\/Q\iP 

SAENGER 

cA&)  Orleans 

Conceded  b\/  architectural  critics  to  be  one 
of  the  world’s  most  palatial  theatresdheTV&^z^ 
SAENGER  theatre  at  NeW  Orleans  is  an 
artistic  triumph. 

The  progress  of  the  ^reat  SAENGER  or^ 
^anization  has  been  nothing  less  thanmarvclous. 
Building  constructiVelvandpermanentlu  thev 
have  shared  in  the  general  prosperitv  of  the  iMus 
tr\|,  without  departing  from  the  highest  possible 
standard  of  buisness  ethics. 

Tl^  same  resourceful  showmanship  and  dis- 
cerning jud^i^nt  that  created  this  Wonderful 
organization,  is  responsible  for  the  choice  T the 
RoDcrt  Morton  Super-Unit  now  installed  in 
the  World’s  most  beautiful  theatre,  the-' 
GREATER  SAENGER  New  Orleans. 

Mat  Mn'toiOr^G^ 


iTrrr^ 


2 Great 
Road  Shows 

with  the  rich  cream  of 
their  profits  unskimmed 

now  released 
to  exhibitors 


36  weeks  in  New  York — 16  weeks  in 
Boston — 15  weeks  in  Philadelphia— 1 1 
9 weeks  in  Chicago — 10  weeks  in  Los 
Angeles,  and  other  long  runs.  Just 
enough  to  spread  the  fame  of  **Beau 
Geste’*  all  over  the  country  and  still 
leave  YOUR  Profit  in.  Mystery 
melodrama  of  the  French  Foreign 
Legion,  in  the  heart  of  the  hot  Sahara. 
The  reputation  of  the  picture,  the 
novel,  (a  best  seller  for  years),  and 
the  national  advertising  back  of  it, 
has  millions  all  over  the  country 
waiting  to  see  “Beau  Geste.” 


The  World^s  Greatest  Melodrama 

Herbert  Brenon  Production  with  RONALD 
COLMAN  ( by  arrangement  with  Samuel 
Goldwyn)  Noah  Beery,  Alice  Joyce,  Neil 
Hamilton,  Mary  Brian,  William  Powell, 
Norman  Trevor,  Ralph  Forbes,  Victor 
McLaglan*  From  the  novel  by  P*  C*  Wren* 


Jxtensive  road  show  engagements 
j ready  set  were  sacrificed  to  provide 
with  sure-fire  box  office  material 
low.  And  if  anything  was  ever 
•'ijure-fire’’  “The  Rough  Rider”  is  IT. 
'lender  romance,  rich  humor,  thrills, 
t:tion,  excitement  — “The  Rough 
liders”  has  EVERYTHING.  A uni- 
»srsal  appeal — it  will  bring  out  the 
Id  folks  and  the  children,  the  flap- 
iers  and  their  beaus,  husbands  and 
yives — EVERYBODY.  Like  “Beau 
;»este,”  the  rich  cream  of  its  profit  is 
till  unskimmed. 


Cyclonic  Epic  of  American  Courage 


Victor  Fleming  Production  with  this  great 
cast  of  stars — Noah  Beery,  George  Bancroft, 
Mary  Astor,  Charles  Farrell,  Charles  Em- 
mett Mack,  and  Frank  Hopper.  From  the 
story  by  Hermann  Hagedorn.  B.  P.  Schul- 
berg.  Associate  Producer. 


Included  with 


Star  Hits 


Specials 


4 CLARA  BOW 

4 RICHARD  DIX 

5 BEBE  DANIELS 

4 BEERY-HATTON 
2 FRED  THOMSON 

1 CONKLIN-BANCROFT 

5 ADOLPHE  MENJOU 
4 ZANE  GREY 

4 THOMAS  MEIGHAN 

4 POLA  NEGRI 

1 WALLACE  BEERY 

2 CONKLIN-FIELDS 

5 JACK  LUDEN 

5 ESTHER  RALSTON 
4 FLORENCE  VIDOR 
2 GEORGE  BANCROFT 
1 W.  C.  FIELDS 

Short  Features 

104  PARAMOUNT  NEWS 
36  CHRISTIE  COMEDIES 
6 HORTON  COMEDIES 
10  MINTZ  NOVELTIES 
26  KRAZY  KAT  CARTOONS 
26  INKWELL  IMPS  CARTOONS 


*HAROLD  LLOYD 

‘‘GENTLEMEN  PREFER 
BLONDES” 

“METROPOLIS” 

“BEAU  SABREUR” 

“UNDERWORLD” 

“GLORIFYING  THE 
AMERICAN  GIRL” 

“THE  WAY  OF  ALL 

FLESH”  (Emil  Jannings) 

“HITTING  FOR 
HEAVEN”  (Jannings) 

“CHANG” 

“JESSE  JAMES” 

(Fred  Thomson) 

“DAVY  CROCKETT” 

(Thomson) 

“TILLIE’S  PUNCTURED 
ROMANCE” 

“BARBED  WIRE” 

(Pola  Negri  all-star) 

ERNST  LUBITSCH 
PRODUCTION  and  more 


^Harold  Lloyd  productions  made 
by  Harold  Lloyd  Corporation 
and  released  by  Paramount. 


The  Whole  Show  World  Books 
Paramount  — The  Whole  Show! 


r 


'I 


WILLIAM  FOX 

PRESENTS 


This  is  the  tropical 
tale  of  Carmen  and 
her  tempestuous 
love  affairs;  and 
of  the  great  Tore' 
ador,  who  threw 
the  bull — and  how! 


CLOVES  OF  ^ 

A R M E N 


with 


DOLORES  DEL  RIO 
VICTOR  McLAGLEN 

Based  on  the  story  by 

PROSPER  MERIMEE 

Adapted  by 

GERTRUDE  ORR 


RAOUL  WALSH  PRODUCTION 

- --  - _ ^ ^ ^ -Ik  . . 0 nwp  n n.  . I,  ^1,  1 » ■ 


with 


DOLORES  DELRICU«(AaCTORM^LAGLEN 
RAOUL  WALSH 


N PLUS” — describes  this  elab- 
production — “Carmen  plus  the 
us  of  Del  Rio  and  McLaglen.” 
atic,  more  eye^filling  than  any 
at  Carmens  of  the  operatic  stage 
— this  picture  also  packs  more  punch  and 
more  joy  than  any  former  creation  of 
Merimee’s  world-renowned  story. 


More  dr 
of  the 


Again  they  command 
the  screen — this  mag' 
nificent  pair  from 
“What  Price  Glory” — 
McLaglen,  creator  of 
the  undying  Captain 
Flagg  and  Del  Rio, 
the  unforgettable 

Charmaine- 


Here  we  have  them  in  anothei  l 
triumphant  creation  of  a screei  3 
couple — McLaglen  as  the  masterfu  i 
Toreador,  and  Del  Rio  as  the  pas  , 
sionate,  all-conquering  Carmen - 
a pair  you  will  warm  and  thrill  to 


There  are  scenes  0 


primitive  passion 


in  this  "Carmen" 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


Retrenchment 

May  Be  Either 
Sensible  or 
— Senseless 


Any  move  in  the  name  of  economy 
which  robs  a program  of  sufficient 
trade  paper  advertising  to  make  its 
attraction  values  known  is — senseless. 

The  success  or  failure  of  every  motion 
picture  is  in  some  important  degree 
influenced  by  trade  paper  advertising 
— or  the  lack  of  it. 

There  is  no  economy  in  saving  dollars 
in  trade  paper  appropriations  and  los- 
ing thousands  in  contracts. 


Story  by 
Oliver  Drake 


Get  an 
in  his 
FB  O. . 


Directed  by 

Robert  North  Bradbury 


One  of  the 
filmed!  With 


JOSEPH?. 

KENNEDY 


oresmts 


Thomson! 

Tyler! 
and:  now 
Steele  and 
Barton..!  ‘ 


New  Faces!  New 
Ideas!  And  Every 
Dollar  Shows  on  the 
Screen! 


BSSBIi 


6 EXHIBITORSHERALD  July  30,  1927  | 


BxVICTOR  McLAOL»I -EDMUND LOWE- DOiORES  DEL  RIO 


• I 


L, 


RAOUL  WALSH  E>RODUCTION 


7 


PRQUUCTION 


DOLORES  DEL  RIO 


ICTQR 

J 


PRODUCTION 


PRODUCTION 


»nHOLIVE 

DORDEN 


ALLAN^PWAN  PRODUCTION 


RAOUL 


WITH 


WITH  GEORGE  O'BRIEN 


There 


IS  no  better  enter- 
tainment than  a college 
story  when  it  is  well  done, 

and  **rHI  POOR  NUT’* 

is  surely  that. 

—New  York  America 


**SNILE  BROTHER  5HILE”  a 

natural  screened  tonight  Westlake 
Theatre  tough  preview  audience 
picture  applauded  real  bellylaughs 
and  great  comments. 

— N.  H,  Brower 


Previewed  *^THE  STOLEN  BRIDE” 
featuring  BILLY  DOVE  stop  looks 
like  a million  dollar  production  one 
of  outstanding  productions  of  the 
season. 

— Jed  Buell,  West  Coast  Theatres 


Happy  we  chose  *^PDINCE  OF  HEAD- 
WAITERS”  with  LEWIS  STONE  for 

world’s  premier  showing  as  opening 
attraction  of  our  New  Indiana  Theatre. 
Everybody  heartily  acclaimed  it  as 
Stone’s  best  picture.  If  this  is  first  of 
New  Showman’s  Group  will  gladly  look 
for  following  productions.  Regards. 

— Robert  Lieber 


Rember  ^ Motion  Picture  Producers  «ut  Distributors  of  America  Inc,"- Will  H.Hays  J^ident 


flRST  lUTIONALS 
MOWNAN'S  GROUP 


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0 


GRETA  GARBO 

in  2 Wonder  Pictures 


RAMON 

NOVARRO 

in  his  Biggest 


LILLIAN 

GISH 

in  her  Qreatest 


WILLIAM 
HAINES 

in  4 Record  Breakers 


NORMA 

SHEARER 

in  3 Audience  Delights 


LON 

CHANEY 


in  3 Big  Hits 


The  DIOj 

of) 


JOHN 

GILBERT 

in  2 Sure-Fires! 


MARION 

DAVIES 

in  3 Joy  Pictures 


£w  CODY- 

iileen  PRINGLE 

ti  3 Smart  Comedies 


TIM 

MCCOY 

in  6 Thrilling  Successes 


JACKIE 

COOGAN 


SYD  CHAPLIN 

in  the  Season's  Surprise 


A star  for  every  week  of  the  year 


THE  BOX-OFFICE 
ANALYSIS 

of  the  Greatest  Product 
M-&-M  ever  released! 

(Look  up  your  hooks  — consult  other  exhibitors— and  see 
ivhat  M'Q'M  stars  have  been  doing  at  the  box-office- 
then  you*ll  know  exactly  what  you  can  expect  to  do 
each  week  with  M-Q-M  in  1927" 28) 


3 LON  CHANEYS 

You  know  that  Chaney  always  does  the 
business ! 

4 WILLIAM  HAINES 

This  boy  is  all  set  to  turn  in  record  receipts 
for  you. 

1 SYD  CHAPLIN 

Better  than  his  best. 

2 JOHN  GILBERTS 

We  don’t  have  to  tell  you.  You  know  what 
to  expect  when  handsome  John  Gilbert  is  on 
your  screen. 

2 GRETA  GARBOS 

The  name  that  has  a greater  natural  draw  in 
theatres  today  than  any  other  you  could 
mention. 

1 RAMON  NOVARRO 

His  popularity  is  the  kind  that  any  bank 
would  lend  money  on.  It’s  a gilt  - edged 
proposition! 


3  MARION  DAVIES 

Her  reputation  as  a comedienne  has  built  this 
star  into  a real  drawing  card.  And  what 
publicity ! 

2 JACKIE  COOGANS 

“johnny  Get  Your  Hair  Cut”  started  a new 
money-making  era  for  this  ever  more  popular 
young  star. 

6 TIM  McCOYS 

His  clean-cut  American  personality  has  made 
him  a national  favorite.  McCoy’s  future 
is  unlimited. 

5  COSMOPOLITANS 

This  name  means  a great  story,  big  produc- 
tion, all-star  casts,  plus  the  million  dollar 
Hearst  promotion. 

2 DOG  STAR 

Ever  since  “The  Silent  Accuser”  exhibitors 
have  demanded  other  Dog  Star  hits.  They’ll 
get  Two  great  ones  in  ’27-’28. 


3 NORMA  SHEARERS  3 CODY-PRINGLES 


Your  box-office  figures  tell  you  that  she  is  to 
be  depended  on  to  bring  in  real  money 
every  time! 


1 LILLIAN  GISH 


One  of  the  truly  greatest  of  the  screen. 
Audiences  love  and  admire  her.  And  pay 
heavy  to  do  it! 


Their  first  completed  picture  “Adam  and 
Evil”  confirms  M-G-M  in  its  belief  that  this 
comedy  pair  is  a clean-up. 

3 DANE-ARTHURS 

“Rookies”  started  these  boys  off  to  fame — 
and  your  fortune!  They’ve  got  equally  funny 
stories  for  ’27'’28’s  harvest. 


AND  THESE  BIG  SPECIALS 


iN  OLD  KENTUCKY— the  famous  hie. 
THE  CROWD— King  Vidor’s  New  One. 
THE  COSSACKS— John  Qilbert  Special. 
ROSE  - MARIE — the  celebrated  stage -play. 


GARDEN  OF  ALLAH — Rex  Ingram's  biggest. 
NAPOLEON — Europe's  sensation. 

BODY  AND  SOUL — from  the  great  novel. 
MADEMOISELLE  FROM  ARMENTIERES 
“Englarid's  Big  Parade.” 


JUNIOR 

FEATURES 

HAL 

ROACH 

Comedies 

OUR  GANG 

CHARLEY 

CHASE 

MAX 

DAVIDSON 

ALL-STAR 

M-G-M 

NEWS 

Ttuice  Weekly 

M-G-M 

GREAT 

EVENTS 

in  Techn  ICO  lor 

M-G-M 

ODDITIES 

Produced  hyUFA 


METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  1927-192ft 


in  5 zippy  melodramatic  comedy  hits 
r on  the  Pathe-DeMille  program  1927-28 


(S^nVlARIE  Prevost 


ttrk 


with 


HARRISON  FORD 
and  SEENA  OWEN 


an  E.  MASON  HOPPER 
PRODUCTION 


Adapted  by 


Zelda  Sears  from  “The  Azure  Shore"  • 
by  Frederick  and  Fanny  Hatton 


Marie  Prevost 
in  4 other  big 
ones  to  come 


Here  is  corking  entertainment — a 
film  based  on  the  adventures  of  a 
peppy  Jersey  commuter  who  set  sail  for 
foreign  lands  to  find  romantic  adventure. 
Things  start  to  happen  at  once,  and  with 
the  entrance  of  a couple  of  confidence 
workers  and  a demi-mondaine  into  the 
plot  thrills  multiply  too  rapidly  to  be 
counted.  A big  love  story,  too! 


Ty^eGIRL/n the  : 
PULLMAN  i 

A beautiful  girl— a sleeping  car  and  j 
9 mix'up — a fast-moving  hilarious  i 
farce.  By  Willson  Collison.  ! 

I 

ON  TO  I 
! RENO 

Husband  and  lover — two  toys  in  the 
daring  game  of  a designing  woman, 
by  Joe  Jackson. 

FREE  AND 
EASY 

An  actionful  comedy  drama  from 
the  story  “The  Shock  Absorber”  by 
’ Frederick  and  Fannie  Hatton. 

A BLONDE 
fora  NIGHT 

Hubby  had  a weakness  for  blondes, 
i I but  his  wife  found  the  cure.  By 
Willson  CoUison. 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 

PATH£  NEWS ' PATHECOMEDIES  > PATHESEIUALS  . PATUEPICIVRE^ 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Holljrwood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  25 

Presentation  Acts  27 

The  Theatre  39 

The  Film  Mart  37 

Classified  Advertising  42 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 49 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  43 

FEATURES 

Broadway  14 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 18 

Re-Takes  18 

New  York,  by  John  S.  Spargo....  22 

Pictorial  Section  19 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  36 

Letters  from  Readers 41 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 50 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


Leading  theatres  booking  comedy  films  in  summer;  Public  wants 
^ humorous  element  in  dramas  too;  Comedies  predominate  in  all 
territories,  “Herald”  survey  shows. 

Equity  drops  “dosed  shop”;  Adopts  cooperation  program; 

Producers  propose  plan  to  cut  cost  at  studios;  Hodkinson 
charges  “only  pressure  of  economic  and  legal  necessity”  will  alter 
executives’  policies. 

B&  K deal  on  to  take  over  control  of  L & T;  Report  plans  call 
for  closing  smaller  theatres;  Ascher  Brothers  drop  twelve  of 
eighteen  theatres  operated  year  ago;  Marks-Karzas  deal  reported. 

WAR  on  booking  combines  hits  at  B & K and  Saenger;  Circuits 
told  to  limit  buying  to  own  theatres;  Distributors  bar  sales  to 
chains  for  houses  in  which  they  have  no  financial  interest. 


<<CHARP  practices”  renewed,  T.  O.  C.  C. 

says  in  note  to  Hays;  Declares  M.  P. 
P.  D.  A.  has  failed  to  cooperate;  Confer- 
ence on  Standard  Contract  urged  in  let- 
ter to  Arbitration  Society. 

jp RESENT ATION,  local  factor  only  three 
years  ago,  now  spreading  over  Euro- 
pean countries — London,  Paris  and  Berlin 
booking  some  of  best  American  talent. 

IV/r  ILWAUKEE  district  attorney  attacks 
blue  laws  in  speech  before  Lutheran 
society — Ray  Blank,  son  of  A.  H.  Blank, 
has  narrow  escape  in  Vienna  riots. 


OODHULL,  addressing  M.  P.  T.  O. 
of  Maryland  at  annual  convention, 
pleads  cause  of  national  organization  and 
predicts  united  front  within  few  months. 

Jj'  INAL  elimination  of  admission  taxes 
certain  in  next  congress  says  Senator 
Reed  Smoot — James  Cruze  asks  charter 
for  new  $ I 00,000  producing  company. 


EMPSEY-Sharkey  films  show  haymak- 
er was  fair  blow,  yet  silly  law  bars 
interstate  shipment  of  fight  pictures — 
Clara  Bow  signs  new  long  term  contract 
with  Paramount. 


RAUIVIAN'S  Egyptian  theatre  gives 
first  show  as  second-run  house  under 
new  West  Coast  policy — Christies  dispose 
of  interest  in  Metropolitan  Pictures. 


’’p WO  theatres  are  victims  of  bandits  in 
Detroit;  Safe  removed  to  barn;  Robber 
holds  up  cashier — ^Two  fires  ruin  interior 
of  De  Mille  studio. 


“Better  Theatres”  will  appear  as 
Section  II  of  the  “Herald”  next  week 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 

HEKALB 

Qhe  independent  ^Im  Q^ade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  Editor 

Published  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office;  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald;  Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week.  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
■reek,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Inde~,  semi-annual. 


VoL.  XXX  July  30,  1927  No.  7 


Outside  Interference 

The  Federal  Trade  Commission  announces  that  it  has 
received  satisfactory  responses  from  the  principal 
companies  of  the  industry  to  its  invitation  to  attend  a 
“conference  on  block  hookinp;  and  other  trade  practices.” 
This  is  surprising  because  the  opinion  had  been  widely 
held  that  the  invitation  from  the  Conunission  would  be 
politely  rejected. 

We  cfuite  appreciate  that  there  may  he  reasons  not 
apparent  on  the  surface  why  the  industry’s  representa- 
tives should  at  this  time  go  into  a conference  with  the 
Commission  on  motion  picture  trade  practices,  but  from 
all  that  is  plainly  in  view  we  see  no  good  reason  for  the 
industry  to  welcome  any  interference  of  the  Commission 
in  the  affairs  of  the  business. 

The  Commission  is  distinctly  and  decidedly  a politieal 
body,  under  political  influence  and  with  certain  general, 
if  not  specific,  political  objectives.  A great  many  efforts 
have  been  made  to  exert  a political  grip  upon  the  indus- 
try and,  fortunately,  none  of  these  has  thus  far  material- 
ized. It  is  certainly  no  secret  that  politicians  great  and 
small  appreciate  the  effectiveness,  for  their  purposes,  of 
the  motion  picture  and  see  the  advantages  to  be  gained 
through  some  means  of  exerting  an  influence  upon  the 
business. 

We  do  not  claim  that  the  Conunission’s  present  interest 
in  the  motion  picture  industry  is  prompted  by  political 
motives  but  it  does  appear  to  us  that  the  proposed  con- 
ference is  likely  to  be  a step  in  the  direction  of  admitting 
into  the  industry  a political  power  which  may  eventually 
make  its  presence  felt. 

Outside  interference  with  the  orderly  operation  of  an 
industry  is  never  a healthy  influence.  If  illegal  practices 
and  abuses  exist,  then  the  proper  authorities  have  avenues 
of  action  open  to  them  without  depending  upon  the 
acceptances  of  “invitations.”  If  representatives  of  the 
industry  are  compelled  under  the  law  to  appear  before 
a court  or  investigating  body,  then  no  choice  is  open  to 
them.  And  this  is  something  quite  foreign  to  accepting 
an  invitation  and  thereby,  to  some  extent,  welcoming 
outside  interference. 

Considering  the  practical  possibilities  of  the  proposed 
conference  with  the  Federal  Trade  Commission,  there  is 
still  less  reason  for  going  into  it.  The  Commission  despite 
its  six  years’  investigation  proves  in  its  report  against 
Famous  Players  that  it  has  much  to  learn  about  the 


business  before  it  will  be  able  to  sit  down  and  intelligently 
discuss  the  business  with  the  representatives  of  the 
industry. 

The  Commission  to  he  consistent,  following  its  report 
against  Famous  Players,  must  insist  upon  the  abandon- 
ment of  the  practice  of  block  booking.  But  such  in- 
sistence cannot  and  will  not  be  agreed  to.  To  place  the 
industry  on  a picture  by  picture  selling  basis  would 
immediately  increase  greatly  the  rental  price  of  film,  thus 
affecting  adversely  the  exhibitor  and  to  an  extent  which 
would  cause  him  to  attempt  to  pass  some  of  the  new 
burden  on  to  the  public. 

It  might  be  worth  while  to  spend  some  time  on  the 
Commission  to  convince  it  of  the  error  of  its  ways  if 
such  a course  did  not  admit  of  the  possibility  of  any 
concessions  agreed  to  calling  for  the  price  of  disagreeable 
and  destructive  interference  with  the  affairs  of  the 
industry. 

^ ^ 

Equity  in  Hollywood 

The  Actors  Equity  Association  has  abandoned  Holly- 
wood and  the  film  actors  in  disgust.  The  work  of 
organization  of  the  actors’  union  in  the  film  colony  has 
been  halted.  Organization  leaders  express  themselves  as 
highly  disappointed  with  the  lack  of  enthusiasm  for  their 
efforts  encountered  in  the  film  capital. 

Officials  of  the  Actors  Equity  probably  feel  very  much 
like  the  Communists  of  Russia  feel  toward  the  American 
workman.  Bolshevik  and  communistic  propaganda 
leaves  the  American  workman  unperturbed  and  unex- 
cited in  the  faee  of  his  regular  income,  working  con- 
ditions and  the  standard  of  living  which  he  is  able  to 
enjoy. 

In  Hollywood  the  recent  energetic  campaign  for  the 
organization  of  actors  did  not  carry  far  or  successfully 
simply  because  the  actor  could  not  be  convinced  that  he 
has  been  a badly  downtrodden  and  oppressed  person. 
The  recent  discussion  of  conditions,  as  to  income  and 
other  related  matters,  has  not  only  disturbed  the  actor 
hut  has  impressed  him  with  the  fact  that  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  has  been  very  kind  to  the  acting  profession. 

We  do  not  mean  that  the  industry  has  deliberately  gone 
out  of  its  way  to  any  material  extent  to  shower  benefac- 
tions upon  the  actor,  but  the  nature  of  the  business  is 
such  that  the  actor  has  automatically  received  great  bene- 
fits in  the  eonditions  under  which  he  performs  and  in  the 
financial  compensation  he  receives. 

There  is  no  occasion  for  a militant  union  organization 
among  motion  picture  actors  at  this  time  and  no  need  for 
one.  This  is  the  reason  that  the  recent  efforts  in  Holly- 
wood did  not  carry  to  a successful  conclusion.  If  condi- 
tions should  change  and  a new  order  would  be  introduced 
under  which  the  actor  would  be  dealt  with  unfairly,  then 
the  unionizing  effort  would  again  be  introduced  and  in 
such  a situation  it  would  create  an  enthusiasm  for  which 
there  is  no  reason  at  this  time. 

* * 

Foreign  Danger 

The  foreign  market  for  American  producers  is  now 
the  subject  of  considerable  thought  and  study — and 
some  anxiety.  American  producers  have  gained  consid- 
erable valuable  experience  in  dealing  with  the  foreign 
markets  and  this  will  afford  a basis  which  in  most  cases 
will  lead  to  more  successful  operation  in  the  future. 

In  some  cases,  however,  what  is  probably  the  most 
valuable  lesson  to  be  learned  has  been  missed  entirely: 
We  refer  to  the  thoroughly  dangerous  project  of  the  con- 
struction and  operation  abroad  of  theatres  by  American 
producers.  This  can  do  more  to  intensify  the  dangers 
of  the  foreign  situation  than  anything  else  we  can  con- 
ceive of. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


July  30,  1927 


' Leading  Theatres  Booking 

Comedy  Films  in  Summer 


Two  Fires  Sweep 
' De  Mi  lie  Studi  os; 
$150, 000  Dam  age 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— Two  spectac- 
ular fires,  occurring  within  a few  hours 
! of  each  other,  swept  the  DeMille  Studios, 
Culver  City,  last  Monday  night,  causing 
loss  estimated  ibetween  $150,000  and  $200,- 
000.  The  first  fire,  which  broke  out  about 
9 o’clock,  consumed  a shipwreck  set  being 
used  for  scenes  of  “The  Wreck  of  the  Hes- 
perus.’’ The  estimated  loss  was  $20,000. 
About  11:30,  flames  broke  out  afresh  and 
extended  to  several  of  the  large  stages, 
wardrobe  rooms  and  sets.  In  addition,  a 
[ large  amount  of  stage  equipment  and  elec- 
trical supplies  were  consumed.  One  large 
stage,  which  was  not  being  used  at  this 
time,  was  destroyed  and  three  others  dam- 
aged. Firemen  from  Los  Angeles  assisted 
the  Culver  City  forces  to  keep  the  blaze 
away  from  an  arsenal  where  600  pounds  of 
explosives  were  stored. 

The  administration  building,  200  yards 
from  the  building  destroyed,  was  not  dam- 
aged. The  administration  building,  which 
is  old  Colonial  in  style,  was  erected  by  the 
late  Thomas  LI.  Ince,  and  is  a landmark 
in  the  motion-picture  world. 

The  work  of  rebuilding  the  sets,  stages 
and  buildings  destroyed  was  started  at 
once.  Sam  Goldwyn  lost  many  hundreds 
of  dollars’  worth  of  costumes  for  his  forth- 
coming Gilda  Gray  production,  and  the 
Goldwyn  offices  were  slightly  damaged. 
Production  will  not  be  delayed,  it  is  an- 
nounced, on  either  the  Goldwyn  picture  or 
any  DeMille  product. 


Son  of  Blank  Chain 
Head  Escapes  Vienna 
Riots  on  Last  Train 

Cable  Does  Not  Say  Whether 
Father  Was  Along 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DES  MOINES,  July  26. — Raymond 
Blank,  son  of  A.  H.  Blank,  head  of  the 
Blank  theatre  chain,  narrowly  escaped  the 
destructive  Socialistic  riots  in  Vienna  last 
week,  according  to  his  cable  to  the  Regis- 
ter. Although  he  is  touring  Europe  with 
his  father,  he  did  not  say  whether  the  lat- 
ter was  with  him  at  the  time. 

“I  caught  the  last  express  passenger  train 
leaving  Vienna,”  he  cabled,  “and  as  the 
Lirnited  gathered  speed  on  its  way  to 
Switzerland,  tracks  were  torn  up  and  de- 
stroyed behind  us.” 

Young  Blank  pictured  Vienna  during  the 
first  riot  as  “a  city  of  terrifying  night, 
with  the  thousands  of  electric  lights  dark- 
ened as  mobs  battle  recognized  authority 
for  control  of  the  famous  metropolis.” 


Connelly  of  Colonial 
Drowns  at  Bay  Beach 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

GREEN  BAY,  WIS.,  July  26.— Earl  E. 
Connelly,  manager  of  the  Colonial  theatre 
of  Green  Bay,  was  drowned  recently  at 
Bay  Beach. 


Public  Wants  Humorous 
Element  in  Dramas  Too 

Preponderance  of  Comedies  in  Programs  in  All 
Territories  Shown  by  ** Herald”  Survey 

By  ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD 

Comedy  rules  the  screen  this  summer.  That  is  the  nation-wide  ver- 
dict of  the  box  office  as  interpreted  by  the  bookings  into  theatres 
in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  and  Canada.  That  means  also  that 
the  comedy  has  the  upper  hand  in  the  preference  of  the  public  at 
present. 

Determined  to  show  all  branches  of  the  industry  what  the  picture-going 
public  desires  in  its  entertainment,  the  Herald  went  to  its  correspondents 
covering  every  section  of  the  continent  to  gather  data  on  bookings  into 
leading  theatres  for  the  current  six  weeks  period,  including  the  present 
week  and  others  immediately  preceding  and  succeeding  it. 

Correspondents  were  asked  to  list  the  long  features  of  the  period,  the 
kind  of  production,  the  producer-distributor  and  the  name  of  the  theatres. 

The  tabulation  speaks  for  itself.  That  comedies  are  decidedly  in  the 
ascendancy  is  evident  throughout,  with  far  more  comedies  shown  than 
drama,  Westerns  or  any  other  classification  of  subjects. 

Three  outstanding  revelations  from  the  survey  are  these ; 

Comedies  lead  all  other  types  of  productions  in  total  number  of 
bookings. 

The  majority  of  comedies  booked  is  not  affected  in  any  marked  degree 
by  the  territory. 

Comedy  stands  out  as  an  essential  of  most  productions  that  are  not 
‘"‘straight  comedies;”  in  other  words,  the  comedy  element  is  ivanted  even 
if  the  production  is  a dranm.  Western  or  of  any  other  classification. 

Illuminating  as  indicative  of  the  trend  of  the  public’s  wants,  and  of  the 
producers’  application  of  supply  to  demand,  is  the  comment  of  Alex  Sayles, 
manager  of  the  Leland  theatre  in  Albany,  N.  Y.  Sayles,  a former  city 
editor  of  an  Albany  newspaper,  who  from  his  newspaper  training  is  particu- 
larly fitted  to  sense  audience  likes  and  dislikes,  states  the  case  completely 
and  succinctly  with  these  words,  “The  audience  today  wants  comedies.” 

The  public  does  not  want  “the  heavy  stufif  of  the  past,”  Sayles  declares, 
adding;  “In  other  words  they  want  to  enjoy  a laugh.” 

Sayles  shows  that  he  has  solved  the  greatest  problem  of  the  exhibitor — 
learning  the  public  likings — by  the  following  observations : 

“My  audiences,  at  least,  do  not  desire  as  much  in  the  way  of  sex  pictures 
as  in  the  past.  These  seem  to  have  had  their  day. 

“We  get  our  biggest  crowds  from  a comedy-drama,  but  it  must  be  under- 
stood that  the  comedy  is  clean-cut  and  not  of  the  slapstick  ordinary  variety 
that  we  sometimes  encounter,  apparently  with  the  idea  of  making  a two- 
reel  picture  into  a six-rceler  and  by  so  doing  spoil  the  whole  business.” 

Dowling  for  Comedies 

Another  interesting  theory  is  presented  by  H.  Bluechel,  owner  and 
manager  of  the  Dundee  theatre,  suburban  Omaha  house,  which  caters  to 
high-class  neighborhood  trade,  to  the  business  men  and  their  families. 
Manager  Bluechel  suggests  that  demand  swings  on  a pendulum. 

“The  demand  for  pictures  seems  to  run  in  cycles,”  he  finds.  “Just  now 
it  is  comedy,  but  I believe  we  are  just  about  at  the  turning  point.  It  has 
been  comedy  for  some  time,  but  I am  signing  up  drama  for  this  fall.” 

Bluechel  declared  he  was  not  speaking  from  the  standpoint  of  his  own 
preferences  but  from  the  box  office  verdict,  and  he  has  no  stage  shows — 
only  an  organ  (a  good  one,  the  correspondent  adds) — so  that  his  pictures 
must  stand  or  fall  on  their  own  merits. 

Pat  Dowling,  sales  and  publicity  manager  of  the  Christie  Film  Company, 


12 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Winfield  R.  Sheehan  — 


WINFIELD  R.  Sheehan,  vice  president  and  general  manager 
Fox  Film  corporation  ...  an  executive  of  extraordinary 
judgment,  vision  and  resourcefulness  . . . for  years  an  outstanding 
figure  in  the  world  distribution  of  motion  pictures  and  now  a pro- 
ducer of  preeminent  achievement. 


told  the  Herald’s  correspondent  at  Port- 
land, Ore.,  that  comedies,  always  popular, 
have  a great  future. 

Dowling,  who  was  on  his  way  to  Van- 
couver, B.  C.,  to  a convention  of  Famous 
Players  Canadian  Corporation,  said : 

“Great  motion  picture  dramas  will 
continue  as  screen  classics,  but  the  com- 
edy, with  sufficient  theme  and  beautiful 
and  clever  actresses,  is  the  type  of  pic- 
ture which  has  a stronger  appeal  than 
any  other.” 

The  report  from  the  Des  Moines  corre- 
spondent, including  the  tri-cities  of  Daven- 
port, Rock  Island  and  Moline,  111.,  stated 
that  straight  comedies  did  not  predominate 
in  that  territory  hut  that  “there  are  so 
many  pictures  that  border  on  comedy  that 
it  is  hard  to  draw  the  line.”  All  of  which 
hears  out  the  fact  that  the  comedy  element 
is  adjudged  essential  even  in  dramas. 

The  tabulation,  by  cities  and  theatres  in 
those  cities,  follows : 

New  York  State 

LELAND  THEATRE  (Albany) 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Lady  in  Ermine,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Lost  at  the  Front,”  (F.  N".)  Comedy. 

“The  Show,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Blond  Saint,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“White  Pants  Willie,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

RITZ  (Albany) 

“Kiss  in  a Taxi,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Drums  of  the  Desert,”  (Par.)  Western. 
“Parisian  Love,”  (Schulberg)  Drama. 

“Ritzy,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Outlaws  of  Red  River,”  (Fox)  Western. 

"The  Brute,”  (W.  B.)  Western. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Too  Many  Crooks,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Black  Diamond  Express,”  (W.  B.)  Drama. 


MARK  STRAND  (Albany) 

“Naughty  But  Nice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 
“Whirlwind  of  Youth,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“World  at  Her  Feet,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 
“Poor  Nut,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Heart  of  Maryland,”  (W.  B.)  Drama. 

THE  TROY  (Troy) 

“Is  Zat  So?”  (Fox)  Comedy. 

“Naughty  B'ut  Nice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“The  Unknown,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Captain  Salvation,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

LINCOLN  (Troy) 

“Framed,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“White  Pants  Willie,”  (F.  N'.)  Comedy. 

Atlanta 

LOEW’S  GRAND 

“Frisco  Sally  Levy,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“Tillie  the  Toiler,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“Heaven  on  Earth,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“The  Unknown,”  (M-G-M)  Melodrama. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Captain  Salvation,”  (M-G-M)  Melodrama. 

HOWARD 

“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“The  Tender  Hour,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Cradle  Snatchers,”  (Fox)  Comedy. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Service  for  LatRes,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Firemen  Save  My  Child,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

EDITH’S  GEORGIA 
“Night  Bride,”  (P.  D.  C.)  Comedy. 

“World  at  Her  Feet,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Fighting  Love,”  (P.  D.  C. ) Melodrama 
“Is  Zat  So?”  (Fox)  Comedy. 

“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“Barbed  Wire,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

CAPITOL 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“Hills  of  Kentucky,”  (W.  B.)  Melodrama. 
“Fourth  Commandment,”  (U.)  Melodrama. 


“A  Million  Bid,”  (W.  B.)  Melodrama. 

“Painting  the  Town,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

RIALTO 

“No  Man’s  Law,”  (W.  B.)  Melodrama. 

“Time  to  Love,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Black  Diamond  Express,”  (W.  B.)  Melodrama 
“Michael  StrogofI,”  (U. ) Melodrama. 

“Mother,”  (F.  B.  O.)  Melodrama. 

“His  First  Flame,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

METROPOLITAN 
“Sunset  Derby,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Husband  Hunters,”  (Tiffany)  Melodrama. 

“Babe  Comes  Home,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Framed,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Notorious  Lady,”_  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Orchids  and  Ermine,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

Philadelphia 
STANLEY  THEATRE 
“Rough  House  Rosie,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 
“Resurrection,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Tillie  The  Toiler,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

STANTON  THEATRE 
“The  Better  ‘Ole,”  (W.  B.)  Comedy. 

“Convoy,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“The  Night  of  Love,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“The  Night  of  Ixive,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

KARLTON  THEATRE 

“The  World  at  Her  Feet,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Matinee  Ladies,”  (W.  B.)  Drama. 

“Ten  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“On  Ze  Boulevard,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

PALACE  THEATRE 
“Lovers,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Rough  House  Rosie,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“The  Tender  Hour,"  (F.  N.)  Romantic  Drama. 
"Special  Delivery,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

VICTORIA  THEATRE 
“See  You  in  Jail,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Getting  Gertie’s  Garter,”  (P.  D.  C.)  Comedy. 
“The  Last  Outlaw,”  (Par.)  Melodrama. 

“Frisco  Sally  Levy,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

FOX  THEATRE 

“The  Heart  of  Salome,”  (Fox)  Melodrama. 
“Slaves  of  B’eauty,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“The  Secret  Studio,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“Colleen,”  (Fox)  Comedy. 

CAPITOL  THEATRE 
“The  Sea  Tiger,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Easy  Pickings,”  (F.  N.)  Mystery. 

“White  Flannels,”  (W.  B.)  Comedy. 

“Venus  of  Venice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

GLOBE  THEATRE 
“Mr.  Wu,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Rookies,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“The  Circus  Ace,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“The  Sunset  Derby,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

FAY’S  THEATRE 

“The  Magic  Garden,”  (F.  B.  O.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Naughty  Nanette,”  (F.  B.  O.)  Comedy. 

“The  Heart  of  Salome,”  (Fox)  Melodrama. 
“Husband  Hunters,”  (Tiffany)  Melodrama. 

EARLE  THEATRE 
“The  Ice  Flood,”  (U.)  Drama. 

“Quarantined  Rivals,”  Comedy. 

“The  Whole  Town’s  Talking,”  (U.)  Comedy. 
“The  Wrong  Mr.  Wright,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

ARCADIA  THEATRE 
“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“The  Night  Bride,”  (P.  D.  C.)  Comedy. 

“Rubber  Heels,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Vanity,”  (P.  D.  C.)  Comedy-Drama. 

BROADWAY  THEATRE 
“The  General,”  (U.  A.)  Comedy. 

“The  Demi-B'ride,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“Altars  of  Desire,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“The  Show,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

GREAT  NORTHERN  THEATRE 
“McFaddeti’s  Flats,”  IF.  N.)  Comedy. 

“The  Taxi  Dancer,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“The  Notorious  Lady,”  (F.  N.)  Melodrama. 
“All  Aboard,”  (F.  N^.)  Comedy. 

ALLEGHENY  THEATRE 
“McFadden’s  Flats,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Heaven  on  Earth,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“The  Taxi  Dancer,”  (M-G-MS  Drama. 

“Moulders  of  Men,”  (F.  B.  (J.)  Comedy-Drama. 

LOGAN  THEATRE 
“McFadden’s  Flats,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Heaven  on  Earth,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“All  Aboard,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

COLONIAL  THEATRE 
“An  Affair  of  the  Follies,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 
“Tiptoes,”  (Para.)  Comedy. 

“Easy  Pickings,”  (F.  N. ) Mystery. 

“Rough  House  Rosie,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

COLONY  THEATRE 

“Tell  It  to  the  Marines,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Ritzy,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Fa.shions  for  Women,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Clhildrep  of  Divorce,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

BENN  THEATRE 

“Tell  It  to  the  Marines,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Mr.  Wu,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“The  Show,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy-Drama. 

AMBASSADOR  THEATRE 
“Tell  It  to  the  Marines,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“The  General,”  (U.  A.)  Comedy. 

“McFadden’s  Flats,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Heaven  on  Earth,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

(Continued  on  page  24) 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


July  30,  1927 


Equity  Drops  “Closed  Shop”; 
Adopts  Cooperation  Program 


Producers  to  Offer 
Economy  Plan  Thursday 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— The 
producers’  comprehensive  plan  to 
reduce  costs  of  production  will  be 
announced  at  a dinner  to  be  given 
by  the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture 
Arts  and  Sciences  Thursday  night. 
The  producers  are  now  busy  con- 
sidering the  suggestions  of  direc- 
tors, writers,  actors  and  techni- 
cians, made  at  five  meetings  the 
past  two  weeks.  Douglas  Fair- 
banks will  preside  at  the  dinner. 

Last  Monday  night  the  pro- 
ducers met  the  actors  at  the  Bilt- 
more  hotel.  The  greatest  need  is 
closer  cooperation  among  all  divi- 
sions, with  intelligent  system,  the 
actors  held.  Conrad  Nagel,  as 
chairman  of  the  actors  division  of 
the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture 
Arts  and  Sciences,  proposed  sev- 
eral innovations. 

He  urged  study,  of  the  story  be- 
fore shooting  begins,  that  rehears- 
als be  held,  at  least  once  in  costume 
with  the  entire  cast  assembled. 

Among  the  players  who  attended  the  ses* 
sion  were  Richard  Barthelmess,  Wallace 
Beery,  William  Boyd,  Lionel  Belmore,  Ron* 
aid  Colman,  Chester  Conklin,  Lew  Cody, 
Hallam  Cooley,  Louise  Dresser,  Robert  Ede* 
son,  Louize  Fazenda,  Douglas  Fairbanks, 
George  Fawcett,  Raymond  Hatton,  Edmund 
Lowe,  Leatrice  Joy,  Lois  Moran,  May 
McAvoy,  Mack  Swain,  Blanche  Sweet  and 
Lois  Wilson. 

Joseph  M.  Schenck  and  Samuel  Coldwyn 
were  chairmen.  Other  producers  present 
were  Cecil  B.  DeMille,  Sol  Wurtzel,  James 
R.  Grainger,  Wntteron  R.  Rothacker,  Edwin 
King,  Louis  B.  Mayer,  E.  B.  Allen,  Henry 
Henigson  and  Fred  W.  Beetson. 

The  producers’  committee  met 
the  technicians  on  Tuesday  night 
and  the  latter  advocated  abolition 
of  the  old  Kleig  lights  and  substi- 
tution of  incandescent  lighting, 
and  greater  use  of  supersensitized 
film. 

Wilfred  Buckland,  art  director 
of  the  DeMille  Studios,  read  a 
statement  on  cooperation. 


Hibernians  Object  to 
Picture  Against”  Irish 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

TROY,  July  26. — The  Ancient  Order  of 
Hibernians  in  Rensselaer  county,  N.  -Y., 
is  up  in  arms  over  the  showing  of  a cer- 
tain picture  in  Troy,  recently,  that  is  said 
to  l^ve  created  an  unfavorable  opinion 
relative  to  the  Irish  race.  A protest  was 
lodged  last  week  at  a county  meeting  of 
the  organization  and  later  it  was  decided 
to  present  the  protest  to  the  national  con- 
vention in  Buffalo. 

Roberts  Represents 

Pathe  in  Europe  Now 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26. — Charles  Roberts, 
who  has  been  in  charge  of  the  foreign 
publicity  for  Pathe  Exchange, Inc.,  for  sev- 
eral years,  has  been  appointed  Central  Eur- 
opean sales  representative  for  the  firm  and 
sailed  from  New  York  July  16. 

The  territory  to  be  covered  by  Roberts 
includes  Austria,  Hungary,  Czecho  Slo- 
vakia, Poland  and  Switzerland. 


Producers  Propose  Plan 
To  Cut  Cost  At  Studios 

Hodkinson  Charges  **Only  Pressure  of  Economic  and 
Legal  Necessity”  Will  Alter  Executives*  Policies 

Equity  has  decided  to  drop  the  “closed  shop”  plan  as  far  as  the  studios 
are  concerned.  This  decision  was  reached  at  a meeting  of  the  Equity 
Association  at  the  Writers’  Club  in  Hollywood  last  Tuesday  night,  with 
800  in  attendance,  including  actors,  actresses  and  others.  This  action  was 
one  of  the  three  importailt  developments  of  the  past  week  in  the  economy 
movement  in  the  industry,  with  which  the  Equity  decision  is  closely  linked. 
Other  developments  were : 

A comprehensive  plan  for  reduction  of  production  costs  is  being  worked 
out  by  the  producers  following  a series  of  meetings  and  will  be  announced 
Thursday. 

W.  W.  Hodkinson,  formerly  a power  in  the  industry  and  the  organizer 
of  Paramount,  declared  that  “only  the  pressure  of  economic  and  legal  ne- 
cessity” will  make  the  present  leaders  of  the  industry  “cooperate  toward 
any  useful  end.” 


Conrad  Nagel,  chairman,  issued  the 
the  Equity  session. 

Nagel  stated  the  producers  have  ex- 
tended the  hand  of  friendship  to  the 
actor  and  all  other  workers  and  are 
bending  every  effort  to  eliminate  differ- 
ences. 

The  proposed  cut  in  salaries  has  been 
revoked  for  the  present,  Nagel  pointed 
out,  thus  removing  the  incentive  for 
actors  and  actresses  to  join  the  Equity. 
He  added  that  the  executive  committee, 
composed  of  forty  actors  and  actresses, 
had  decided  against  radical  action.  Mil- 
ton  Sills,  also  a founder  of  the  Equity, 
was  another  speaker.  It  was  apparent 
from  the  opening  of  the  meeting  that 
sentiment  was  against  the  “closed  shop.” 

“We  are  faced  with  a definite  situa- 
tion,” said  Nagel.  “We  can  advance  to 
a crisis  which  would  probably  split  the 
industry  wide  open  and  boomerang 
against  us  as  much  as  the  producers,  or 
we  can  take  the  hand  of  friendship  in 
the  spirit  that  it  is  extended  and  seek 
to  iron  out  these  abuses  about  the  con- 
ference table.  In  case  we  advance  to 
this  crisis,  we  must  meet  opposition 
from  our  own  people  in  our  own  camp.” 


Hodkinson  Attacks 
Industry  Executives 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26.— ‘After 
twenty  years  of  experience  with 
the  type  of  men  who  sit  in  the  high 
places  in  the  industry  I am  con- 
vinced that  only  the  pressure  of 
economic  and  legal  necessity  will 
make  them  cooperate  toward  any 
useful  end,”  W.  W.  Hodkinson  de- 
clared in  a statement  here  last 
week. 

He  declared  the  industry  needs 
a “complete  new  business  struc- 
ture,” charging  that  "present  mass 
production  and  especially  distribu- 
tion are  obsolete.” 

“Bring  the  movie  admission 
prices  back  to  normalcy,  eliminate 
block  booking,  and  the  picture 
business  will  again  enjoy  pros- 
perity,” Hodkinson  predicted. 


warning  against  a closed  shop”  at 

Mr.  Sills  read  a resolution  providing 
that  the  “Equity  shop  policy”  be  held  in 
abeyance  and  its  adoption  by  acclama- 
tion was  almost  unanimous. 

Frank  Gilmore,  executive  secretary  of 
the  Actors  Equity,  urged  the  members 
to  follow  the  advice  of  the  executive 
committee.  He  asked  that  the  commit- 
tee demand  of  the  producers  a standard 
form  of  contract  and  said  that  such  a 
contract  should  be  framed  by  Actors 
Equity.  The  members  thereupon  voted 
to  demand  such  a contract  from  the  pro- 
ducers. The  details  of  the  contract 
were  not  discussed,  although  it  is  known 
that  such  a contract  will  provide  for  a 
maximum  number  of  hours  which  an 
actor  can  be  forced  to  work  and  also 
insure  him  proper  rest  periods. 

Eire  Ruins  Interior 

of  Apollo  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— Fire  early 
Monday  morning,  July  18,  destroyed  the 
interior  of  the  Apollo  theatre,  the  house 
owned  and  operated  by  Hollywood  The- 
atres, Inc.,  at  5546  Hollywood  Boulevard. 
Firemen  had  difficulty  in  keeping  the 
blaze  from  spreading  to  adjoining  build- 
ings. The  damage  was  estimated  at 
$10,000.  Origin  of  the  fire  is  unknown. 

0*Brienf  Kramer  Join 
Gotham  Publicity  Crew 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26.— Richard  B. 
O’Brien,  who  has  left  the  Paramount  pub- 
licity department,  has  joined  the  Gotham 
publicity  staff  under  the  direction  of  Lon 
Young.  Lou  Kramer  has  been  appointed 
to  handle  studio  publicity  on  the  West 
Coast. 


Maepherson  Recovers 

(Special  to  the*  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— Jeanie  Mae- 
pherson, scenarist  for  “The  King  of 
Kings,”  has  returned  to  the  Pathe-De  Mille 
studio  after  a nervous  breakdown. 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


1 

% 

July  30,  1927' 


]^rEW  YORK. — Harvey  Day,  leaving  the 
’ Stadium  after  the  big  fight,  expressed 
himself  as  greatly  pleased  that  Dempsey 
had  won  back  his  championship  by  defeat- 
ing Sharkey.  . . . Marty  Schzvartz  was 

so  sure  Sharkey  would  win  that  he  per- 
suaded a number  of  his  friends  not  to  bet 
on  Dempsey  and  now  he’s  hiding  out.  . . . 
Mart  Shazv  threatens  to  have  his  hair  cut 
some  time  this  fall.  . . . Pete  WoodhuU 
et  al.  have  invited  General  Hays  to  invite 
the  theatre  owner  members  of  his  organ- 
ization to  join  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  . 

John  Balahan  is  here  from  Chicago  pinch 
hitting  for  Sam  Katz  while  the  latter  is  in 

Europe Tacqnes  Kopf stein  hasn’t 

joined  the  Hatless  Club;  he  just  carries  his 
straw  skypiece  under  a newspaper  to  keep 
it  dry.  . . . Fred  Rath,  versatile  assist- 

ant to  Russell  Holman  at  Paramount,  has 
sold  his  play,  “Beautiful  But  Dumb,’’  to 

A.  H.  Woods tessc  Lasky  and 

Walter  W anger  are  here  from  the  Coast  to 
attend  the  premiere  of  “Wings,”  which 
event,  by  the  way,  has  been  postponed  to 
August  8.  . . . Paul  Bern,  of  M-G-M 

studio  forces,  is  due  here  next  week  en 
route  to  Europe  for  a two  months  vacation. 

. . . Lynde  Denig  is  handicapping  First 

National  by  taking  a two  weeks  vacation 
along  with  his  tennis  racket.  . . . E.  IF. 

Ham’mons  talked  over  the  radio  last  week 
and  don’t  bet  he  didn’t  talk  about  the  value 
of  short  features  on  a theatre  program,  for 
you’d  lose.  ...  A.  P.  IFa.rman,  adver- 
tising director  for  Warners,  is  taking  a 
much  needed  vacation.  . . Eugene 

Ztikor,  Harry  Goetz,  Mel  Sliauer  and  Dr. 
Manny  Stein  are  vacationing  up  the  Hud- 
son and  over  the  ship  canal  in  Gene’s 
yacht,  which  is  named  The  Spendthrift. 

. . . H.  M.  Richey  came  to  New  York 

via  boat,  motor  and  more  boat  to  attend 
the  big  fight  and  do  some  exhibitor  organ- 
ization business.  . . . fJal  Hozvc  sang 

his  swan  song  last  week  at  the  A.  iM.  P.  A. 
and  has  gone  to  the  Coast  to  live,  and 
we’ll  all  miss  his  cheerful  smile  and  good 
publicity  copy.  . . . Tom  Gercty,  one 

of  the  best  of  the  industry’s  advertising 
men,  has  been  secured  by  Metro  to  handle 
publicitv,  exploitation  and  advertising  for 
the  M-G-M  short  feature  department.  . . . 
Artie  Stehhins.  having  gotten  rid  of  a few 
tonsils,  hopes  to  be  a good  singer  when 
he  gets  his  voice  hack.  . . . Harry 

Reichenhach,  accompanied  by  his  hand- 
somer half,  sails  for  France  next  week  for 
a few  weeks  visit  to  Paris,  this  being  an 
annual  stunt  of  the  silver  topped  one.  . . . 
Dick  Rozvland  paid  his  semi-annual  visit 
to  the  Astor  Hunting  Room  last  week,  hav- 
ing as  his  luncheon  guests  John  McGuirk 
and  Ned  Depinet.  . . . Ike  Blumenthal, 

general  manager  for  Paramount  in  Ger- 
many, is  in  New  York  for  a conference 
with  E.  E.  Shauer.  . . . Richard  O’Brien, 
recently  handling  trade  paper  publicity  for 
Paramount,  has  joined  I^on  Young  at 
Lumas.  . . . Hope  Hampton  and  her 

husband,  Jules  Brulatour,  arrived  from 
Europe  in  time  to  attend  the  Dempsey- 
Sharkey  soiree.  . . . R.  C.  Wilson,  sales- 
manager  of  Educational,  returned  last  week 
from  a vacation  in  Canada.  . . . Harry 

Cohn,  production  head  of  Columbia  Pic- 
tures, came  to  New  York  to  attend  the 
opening  of  “The  Blood  Ship”  at  the  Roxy. 
. . . Dave  Chat  kin  figured  out  three  ways 
to  make  cinch  bets  of  the  big  fight  and 
then  forgot  to  hunt  up  someone  to  wager 
with  him.  ...  ...  SPARGO. 


Looking  at  1927-28  With  Paramount 


Hula! 

Clara  Bow,  noted  disciple  of  “It,” 
is  now  working  in  “Hula,”  with 
“Red  Heads”  to  follow. 


Ship,  Ahoy! 

Billy  Dooley,  Al  Christie’s  comical 
“gob,”  will  star  in  several  of  the 
new  Paramount  shorts. 


Three  new  Paramount  players — at  left.  Fay  Wray,  now  working  opposite 
Emil  Jannings,  after  a meteoric  rise  in  pictures;  center,  Emil  Jannings,  panto- 
mimist  superb,  who  is  making  his  second  Paramount,  “Hitting  for  Heaven;” 
and  Sally  Blane,  one  of  the  “junior  stars.’ 


On  a recent  Sunday  afternoon  at  the  home  of  Clive  Brook.  Left  to  right, 
Mrs.  Brook,  Philip  Strange,  Mrs.  Percy  Marmont,  Marmont,  Ronald  Colman, 
Margaret  Chute,  Brook,  «md  Mrs.  Marmont’s  sister.  In  the  current  Pola 
Negri  picture,  “Barbed  Wire,”  Brook  is  winning  enviable  praise  as  the  Ger- 
man prisoner,  opposite  Negri’s  French  girl. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


B & K Deal  On  To  Take  Over 
Control  of  L & T Theatres 


Report  Plan  Calls  For 
Closing  Smaller  Houses 

Ascher  Brothers  Dispose  of  Twelve  Out  of  Eighteen 
Theatres  Operated  Year  Ago 

Negotiations  between  Balaban  & Katz  and  Lubliner  & Trinz  whereby  B & K 
through  Publix  will  take  over  the  25  theatres  of  L & T in  Chicago  were  con- 
firmed Monday  by  executives  at  the  offices  of  both  circuits. 

Report  Plan  to  Close  Small  Houses 

Asked  about  reports  current  in  Chicago  film  circles  that  the  proposed  deal 
would  have  as  its  objectives  the  physical  amalgamation  of  the  L & T chain,  in 
which  B & K already  has  half  interest,  and  the  shutting  down  of  the  smaller 
theatres  of  the  former,  an  executive  of  B & K said  he  preferred  not  to  make 
any  statement. 


McAuley  Named  Head 
Of  Equipment  Order 

/.  E.  McAuley  was  elected  pres- 
ident of  the  Theatre  Equipment 
Association  at  the  annual  meeting 
of  the  organization  in  New  York 
City  July  18  and  19.  Complete  de- 
tails of  the  business  sessions  of 
the  conclave  will  appear  in  "Bet- 
ter Theatres"  next  week. 


Bandits  Make  2 
Theatres  Victims; 
Carry  Out  Safe 

( St'eciat  to  the  Herald) 

DETROIT,  July  26. — ^Two  motion  picture 
theatres  here  were  the  victims  of  thefts 
last  week,  a safe  containing  $330  being 
taken  from  one  of  them  and  removed  to 
a barn,  where  the  bandits  were  frightened 
away  after  vainly  trying  to  open  it.  In 
the  other  theft,  $200  in  receipts  was  pro- 
cured. 

The  safe  was  stolen  during  the  night 
from  the  Your  theatre  but  was  recovered, 
unopened,  when  neighbors,  aroused  by 
pounding  noises  in  the  barn,  called  the 
police. 

The  $200  was  obtained  from  the  La 
Salle  Garden  theatre,  when  one  bandit 
held  up  Julia  Siemer,  cashier,  with  a re- 
volver, then  jumped  into  a slowly  passing 
automobile  manned  by  his  accomplice. 
Gordon  Page,  doorman,  witnessed  the  rob- 
bery. 


**Peter  the  Hermit** 

Sues  Car  ewe  Group 
in  Contract  Dispute 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— “Peter  the 
Hermit,”  one  of  Hollywood’s  most  pic- 
turesque characters,  has  brought  suit 
against  Edwin  Carewe,  Harry  D.  Wil- 
son, and  Count  Ilya  Tolstoy  for  $130,000 
for  alleged  breach  of  contract.  He  states 
he  was  promised  the  leading  role  in 
■“Resurrection,”  but  the  part  was  assigned 
to  Rod  LaRoeque. 

The  “Hermit’s”  real  name  is  Peter 
Howard.  He  lives  in  the  hills  back  of 
Hollywood  subsisting  on  vegetables  and 
herbs.  He  appeared  in  “The  Four 
Horsemen  of  the  Apocalypse”  and  “Souls 
in  Bondage”  several  years  ago.  He  is 
a native  of  Ireland.  Carewe  Produc- 
tions will  file  answer  to  the  complaint 
this  week. 

United  Artists  Issues 
Expensive  Brochure  on 
New  Season* s Product 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26. — United  Artists 
has  issued  an  expensive  brochure  an- 
nouncing its  1927-28  program,  and  it  is  now 
being  mailed  to  the  press  and  exhibitors 
throughout  the  country. 


Theatre  men  throughout  the  country  see 
a possible  direct  effect  from  the  working 
out  of  the  Chicago  situation  upon  other 
cities  in  which  Publix  operates.  They  are 
half-expecting  similar  absorption  of  lesser 
circuits  with  a weeding  out  of  the  smaller 
theatres. 

The  B & K plan  in  the  L & T negotia- 
tions, according  to  the  reports,  is  to  shut 
down  a number  of  the  small  neighborhood 
houses  and  gradually  educate  the  neigh- 
borhood audiences  to  patronize  the  first- 
run  theatres  located  in  the  neighborhoods 
or  downtown.  Three  of  the  L & T houses 
are  first-runs. 

Aschers  Unloading  Theatres 

L & T theatres  reported  slated  to  be 
closed  after  proposed  transaction  are  the 
Michigan,  Oak  Park,  Paramount,  Persh- 
ing, Vitagraph,  West  End,  Wilson,  Madi- 
son Square,  Lakeside,  Knickerbocker, 
Covent,  Biograph  and  several  others. 

It  is  understood  that  in  cases  where  the 
theatres  would  be  dropped  the  property 
would  be  put  to  nontheatrical  use,  such  as 
alteration  into  stores  for  either  sale  or 
lease. 

Among  other  developments  of  impor- 
tance in  Chicago  theatre  circles  is  the 
gradual  unloading  of  Ascher  Brothers  the- 
atre holdings.  Twelve  of  the  eighteen 
houses  which  the  Aschers  operated  up  to 
a year  ago  have  been  disposed  of,  the 
most  recent  deals  having  been  the  sales  of 
the  Metropolitan,  Highland  and  Colony  to 


“Big  Parade”  Breaks 
Cleveland  House  Mark 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CLEVELAND,  July  26.—  "The 
Big  Parade”  is  creating  a sensa- 
tion in  Cleveland,  according  to  re- 
ports from  that  city.  At  the  Still- 
man theatre,  where  the  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  war  picture 
opened  Sunday,  July  17,  at  popular 
prices,  crowds  of  record  size  were 
lined  on  the  sidewalk  until  late  at 
night,  and  the  box  office  clicked 
the  highest  receipts  ever  recorded 
for  a picture  of  that  length. 

Popular  demand  for  the  picture, 
which  had  been  shown  in  Cleve- 
land twice  before,  increased  dur- 
ing the  week. 


the  National  Playhouses  (Cooney  Broth- 
ers). The  Metropolitan,  Frolic,  Lane 
Court  and  others  have  been  sold  to  indi- 
vidual owners.  Of  the  six  now  being  op- 
erated, reports  have  it  that  the  new  Sheri- 
dan has  been  sold  to  B & K,  though  con- 
tinuing under  Ascher  operation,  but  these 
reports  have  not  been  confirmed. 

Another  report  is  to  the  effect  that 
Marks  Brothers  has  entered  into  an  agree- 
ment to  operate  several  of  the  theatres 
originally  controlled  by  the  Andrew  Kar- 
zas  Enterprises,  one  of  them  the  Wood- 
lawn.  It  is  also  rumored  that  Marks 
Brothers  will  build  on  several  sites  owned 
by  Karzas,  with  the  latter  to  have  a finan- 
cial interest  in  the  holding  company. 

$2,500,000  Cooney  Bond  Issue 

The  Cooneys  have  obtained  an  issue  of 
$2,500,000  first  and  refunding  mortgage 
gold  bonds,  series  A,  to  yield  6^2  per  cent, 
and  to  be  floated  by  G.  E.  Barrett  & Co., 
New  York,  and  Frederick  Pierce  & Co., 
Philadelphia.  The  purpose  is  partly  to 
call  in  $410,000  of  outstanding  issues,  and 
partly  to  complete  the  Avalon,  now  being 
erected  on  the  South  Side.  Part  will  also 
go  for  other  corporate  uses. 

None  of  this  money  will  be  used  to  in- 
vade the  loop.  The  Cooneys  plan  to  come 
into  the  loop,  but  not  before  the  first  of 
the  year  at  the  earliest.  The  original  loop 
project,  calling  for  a lease  in  a skyscraper 
office-theatre  building  on  Monroe,  a short 
distance  from  State,  is  still  pending  but  is 
made  dubious  by  the  lack  of  room  for 
enough  seats,  as  5,000  capacity  is  desired. 
One  other  desirable  loop  site  is  now  being 
considered. 

With  completion  of  the  2,400  seat  Ava- 
lon, Cooneys  will  have  ten  South  Side 
houses,  with  a total  seating  capacity  ex- 
ceeding 20,600. 

Keith-Albee  Opening 
20  Theatres  in  Fall 

Ouststanding  among  theatre  develop- 
ments in  other  parts  of  the  country  are 
the  plans  of  Keath-Albee  and  affiliated  cir- 
cuits to  open  twenty  new  theatres  by  fall, 
the  first  being  the  B.  F.  Keith  Memorial 
theatre  in  Boston.  Twelve  will  be  in 
Greater  New  York.  All  will  be  combina- 
tion houses. 

Another  chain  is  in  prospect  in  New 
York  State  with  Len  Garvey  of  Clinton 
at  the  hand.  He  is  building  at  New  Hart- 
ford and  plans  to  have  seven  theatres  at 
the  outset. 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Koppin  Chain  Books  All  Columbias 


Columbia’s  entire  “Perfect  Thirty”  is  assured  of  showing  in  23  Michigan  theatres 
by  one  contract  just  signed  with  the  Koppin  Circuit.  The  transaction  is  partic- 
ularly notable,  as  it  comes  at  a time  when  there  is  a noticeable  delaying  of  the 
filling  of  play  dates. 

At  the  signing  of  the  contract  were  Walter  Schaeffer,  director  of  theatres; 
Henry  E.  Koppin,  general  manager;  Henry  S.  Koppin,  president;  and  A.  W. 
Bowman,  manager  of  Columbia’s  Detroit  exchange. 


Wings,  Paramount  Epic  of  Air, 
Opens  Aug.  8 at  Criterion 

Magnascope  Used  to  Intensify  Drama  of  World  War  Scenes — Time- 
liness Augmented  by  Recent  Flights 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  July  26. — “Wings,”  Paramount’s  picturization  of  the 
air  fighting  in  the  World  War,  will  have  its  premiere  Monday 
night,  August  8,  at  the  Criterion  theatre,  the  date  having  been 
changed  from  August  1. 


OF  particular  interest  will  be  the  use  of 
Magnascope,  process  for  triple  en- 
largement of  the  screen  in  order  to  inten- 
sify dramatic  action.  Lorenzo  del  Riccio, 
inventor  of  the  Magnascope,  first  used  in 
“Old  Ironsides”  and  “Chang,”  spent  six 
months  with  the  “Wings”  production 
unit  and  now  is  making  final  preparations 
at  the  Criterion. 

Timeliness  Is  Factor 
Timeliness — what  with  the  series  of 
transatlantic  and  U.  S. -Hawaii  flights 
just  closed  and  other  long  journeys  for 
conquest  of  the  air  in  prospect — is  a fac- 
tor in  the  presentation  of  “Wings.” 
Many  types  of  planes  used  by  the  oppos- 
ing armies  are  shown. 

John  Monk  Saunders,  an  instructor  of 
aeronautics  in  the  war,  wrote  the  story. 
William  Wellman,  a member  of  the  fa- 
mous Lafayette  Squadron,  directed. 
Richard  Arlen,  a World  War  flier,  plays 
one  of  the  leads.  Clara  Bow  heads  the 
cast,  Charles  Rogers  and  Arlen  play  the 
male  leads  and  other  featured  players  in- 
clude Jobyna  Ralston,  Gary  Cooper,  Ar- 
lette  Marchal,  H.  B.  Walthall,  Hedda 
Hopper,  Claire  McDowell,  Gunboat  Smith 
and  El  Brendel.  Lucien  Hubbard  super- 
vised production. 

Simple  Drama  Enacted 
Against  the  war  background  is  placed 
the  simple  drama  the  story  of  two  boys 


who  enter  the  service  together,  and  are 
swept  into  the  inferno  of  battle.  And 
then  there  is  the  girl,  beloved  of  both 
boys,  who  at  first  causes  dissension  be- 
tween the  buddies,  but  later  brings  them 
closer  together. 

Some  of  the  highlights  are  the  scenes 
in  the  training  school,  the  fist  fight  be- 
tween the  buddies,  their  arrival  in  France, 
their  first  air  battle,  12,000  feet  above  the 
ground,  with  planes,  diving,  zooming, 
tearing  through  space  some  afire,  drop- 
ping to  earth.  Rogers  deliberately 
wrecked  a plane  in  a nosedive  in  this 
sequence. 

Rogers  Provides  Comedy  Relief 

Then  the  scenes  in  Paris.  Nightlife 
in  the  “Folies  Bergere”  and  the  comedy 
relief  supplied  by  Rogers  are  followed  by 
the  return  to  the  front,  where  Rogers 
and  Arlen  receive  fighting  assignments 
and  bomb  a French  village.  Then  comes 
the  sequence  in  which  Rogers  shoots 
down  Arlen  and  kills  him. 

Production  details,  research  work, 
plans  for  the  battle  sequences  and  the 
care  and  feeding  of  the  thousands  used 
in  the  war  scenes,  were  started  months 
before  the  first  bit  of  action  was  shot. 

Several  innovations  tending  toward 
realism  in  motion  pictures  are  introduced 
in  “Wings.”  In  the  first  place,  none  of 
the  players  used  any  form  of  makeup. 


July  30,  1927 

Second,  panchromatic  film  was  used 
exclusively  in  photographing  exterior 
scenes,  thus  aflfording  more  accurate  re- 
production of  clouds  and  sky  in  the  air 
sequences.  But  most  important  is  the 
fact  that  not  one  bit  of  action  has  been 
faked.  There  are  no  trick  camera  shots. 

Military  Experts  Supervise 

There  are  no  inaccuracies  in  story  de- 
tail, reproductions  of  battle  grounds  or 
types  of  planes,  as  the  entire  picture  was 
supervised  by  military  experts.  In  order 
to  obtain  the  proper  background  for  the 
air  scenes  it  was  necessary  to  fly  over 
many  miles  to  find  the  ideal  spot;  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  was  chosen.  Then  arose 
the  problem  of  building  a camp  suffi- 
ciently large  to  accommodate  the  thou- 
sands of  soldiers  and  equipment  neces- 
sary for  a prolonged  stay.  The  air 
scenes  required  two  months  to  take;  120 
aircraft  were  put  into  service. 

Sunday  Shows  Voted 
for  July  and  August; 
May  Continue  All  Year 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

PLATTSBURG,  N.  Y.,  July  26.— Sun- 
day motion  picture  shows  last  week 
were  declared  permissible  during  July 
and  August,  by  the  common  council  fol- 
lowing a vote  on  the  issue.  The  vote 
was  three  to  two.  That  the  practice 
may  be  continued  throughout  the  year, 
is  now  the  belief  of  many  exhibitors 
here,  the  feeling  being  that  once  estab- 
lished, the  custom  will  be  demanded  by 
the  public. 

Sunday  Shows  Move 
Grows  Near  Hartford 

Managers  of  several  theatres  in  com- 
munities aroud  Hartford,  Conn.,  have 
filed  petitions  asking  the  selectmen  to 
permit  performances  Sunday  afternoons, 
the  privilege  recently  granted  by  the 
Hartford  common  council. 

Fires,  Explosion  in 
Kansas  City  Theatre 
Remain  Police  Puzzle 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  July  26.— A fire  and 
explosion  in  the  Strand  theatre,  suburban 
house  of  Kansas  City,  are  furnishing  a 
puzzling  case  for  police.  The  fire  and 
explosion  occurred  in  a store  next  door  to 
the  lobby  of  the  theatre,  but  later  a bank 
teller  reported  to  the  police  he  had  seen 
two  men  running  from  the  building 
shortly  after  the  fire. 

This  was  the  third  fire  in  the  building 
since  July  1.  No  labor  trouble  has  oc- 
curred at  the  theatre,  nor  has  there  been 
any  opposition  of  any  known  source,  ac- 
cording to  J.  C.  Rader,  manager. 

Viola  Newman  Is  Wed 
to  Pandro  Berman 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  25.— Viola  New- 
man, daughter  of  Frank  L.  Newman, 
director  of  Publix  Theatres,  Los  An- 
geles, was  married  Sunday  to  Pandro 
Berman  of  the  F B O studios,  at  San 
Francisco  by  Rabbi  Michael  Fried.  The 
newlyweds  will  honeymoon  in  the  East, 
visiting  summer  resorts,  after  a brief 
stay  at  El  Monte,  Cal. 


Mai  St,  Clair  Renews 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— Malcolm  _ St. 
Clair,  who  has  been  directing  for  United 
Artists,  has  signed  a new  contract  with 
Paramount.  He  will  next  direct  Qara 
Bow  in  “Red  Head.” 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


War  on  Booking 
Hits  at  B & K 


Combines 
and  Saenger 


Circuits  Told  to  Limit 
Buying  to  Own  Houses 

Distributors  Bar  Sales  to  Chains  for  Theatres  in 
Which  They  Have  No  Financial  Interest 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26.- — Distributor  members  of  the  Hays  organization 
have  declared  war  on  booking  combines.  As  the  result  of  several  meetings 
of  representatives  of  the  distributors  at  the  Hays  office,  the  latest  of  which 
was  held  yesterday,  it  was  decided  not  to  sell  film  to  combines  which  are  or- 
ganized only  for  the  purpose  of  booking. 

Legitimate  Chains  Not  Affected 

Legitimate  theatre  chains  are  not  affected  by  the  ruling,  the  action  being 
aimed  only  at  those  combinations  of  houses  which  are  banded  together  for 
the  purpose  of  buying  pictures  more  cheaply  through  employing  a commissioner 
or  agent  to  do  the  booking  for  the  entire  combination. 


Hays  OK  on  Booking 
Conference  Reported 

(Special  from  Department  of  Commerce) 

WASHINGTON.  July  26.— Al- 
though Will  Hays  and  Paramount 
are  understood  to  have  given  their 
approval  to  the  proposed  confer- 
ence of  the  Federal  Trade  Com- 
mission on  block  booking,  it  is  not 
believed  a sufficient  number  of  dis- 
tributors have  signified  their  in- 
terest for  the  commission  to  go 
ahead  with  the  plan. 

Proposals  that  representatives 
of  the  exhibitors  be  invited  to  at- 
tend are  now  receiving  full  con- 
sideration but  it  is  not  believed 
the  conference  will  be  opened  to 
that  extent. 

Department  of  Justice  officials 
yesterday  denied  new  stories  ap- 
pearing in  newspapers  that  a new 
inquiry  of  the  industry  had  been 
undertaken. 


Certain  to  Kill 
Ticket  Tax,  Says 
Senator  Smoot 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26. — Elimination  of 
all  admission  taxes  from  the  federal  levies 
is  certain  when  Congress  meets  in  Decem- 
ber, according  to  M.  J.  O’Toole,  business 
manager  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  who  said 
that  Senator  Reed  Smoot,  chairman  of  the 
Senate  finance  committee,  declared  last 
week  in  Washington  that  it  was  the  inten- 
tion of  that  body  to  repeal  all  such  levies 
in  the  next  tax  measure. 

“Apart  from  the  fact  that  there  is  a 
treasury  surplus,’’  O’Toole  stated,  “there 
are  special  reasons  why  official  Washing- 
ton stands  ready  to  set  aside  all  extra 
levies  on  theatres.  This  is  due  to  the 
fact  that  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  has  ‘sold’  the 
idea  that  the  screen  is  an  element  of  ex- 
pression, like  the  newspapers,  and  that  the- 
atres are  community  institutions.’’ 

O’Toole  declared  that  for  this  reason, 
there  never  will  be  another  admission  tax 
levy  by  Congress. 

Kansas-Missouri  Film 
Salesmen  Aid  Drive  for 
M,  P,  T.  O.  Members 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  July  26. — At  a meet- 
ing of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.,  Kansas-Missouri  this  week 
a plan  of  cooperating  with  exchange  rep- 
resentatives in  a membership  drive  by 
the  M.  P.  T.  O.  K.-M.  was  approved. 
The  move  marked  a great  contrast  in  the 
present  feeling  between  theatre  owners 
and  the  former  attitude  which  existed 
not  so  many  years  ago. 


Votion  Has  Operation 

(Special  to  the'  Herald) 

HOLLWOOD,  July  26.— Jack  W.  Vo- 
tion, casting  director  for  F.  B.  O.,  has 
gone  to  the  Hollywood  hospital  to  undergo 
an  operation  for  sinus  trouble.  His  return 
to  the  studio  is  expected  this  week. 


Among  the  larger  combinations  which 
it  is  said  will  engage  the  attention  of  the 
distributors  are  Balaban  & Katz  and  the 
Saenger  Amusement  Company.  Each  of 
these  has  many  houses  which  they  own 
outright  or  are  financially  interested  in, 
but  it  is  also  asserted  by  many  of  the 
salesmanagers  that  both  these  compa- 
nies have  taken  into  their  booking  a lot 
of  houses  in  which  they  have  no  finan- 
cial interest. 

No  Trouble  for  Own  Houses 

The  companies  will  have  no  trouble 
buying  for  their  own  houses,  but  if  the 
arguments  of  several  of  the  distributors 
prevail,  they  will  not  be  able  to  contract 
for  pictures  for  the  houses  with  which 
they  have  only  booking  arrangements. 

Two  other  concerns  which  are  in 
trouble  with  the  distributors  and  to 
whom  sales  will  be  denied  are  the  Affili- 
ated 'Theatrical  Utilities  Corporation  of 
New  York  state,  and  the  Associated 
Theatres  of  Ohio.  The  first  named  is  a 
combination  representing  close  to  150 
theatres  in  upper  New  York  state  and 
Western  Pennsylvania,  the  prime  mov- 
ers being  Fred  Zimmerman  amd  Nikitas 
Dipson.  Charles  Casanave  is  president 
of  the  Associated  Theatres  of  Ohio. 

The  distributing  companies  are  deter- 
mined to  put  a stop  to  the  growing  cus- 
tom of  theatres  banding  together  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  forcing  down  the 
price  of  film.  Said  one  prominent  offi- 
cial of  a distributing  company: 

“If  we  don’t  get  this  thing  stopped 
before  long  there  will  be  only  about  a 
half  a dozen  combines  to  sell  film  to,  and 
we  can  go  out  of  business  or  else  sell 
our  pictures  at  whatever  price  these 
combinations  see  fit  to  offer  us,  regard- 
less of  the  cost  of  the  production  or 
whether  we  are  allowed  to  make  enough 
money  to  continue  to  exist. 


Hold  Up  Play  Dates, 

Ohio  Exhibitors  Told 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CLEVELAND.  July  26.— Ohio 
exhibitors  are  urged  to  hold  their 
play  dates  in  letters  being  sent  out 
by  P.  J.  Wood,  business  manager 
of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  Pictures  can 
be  bought  "four  months  hence  at 
much  lower  prices,”  the  letters 
say. 


“It  has  reached  a critical  point  where 
we  must  take  some  action  or  we  will  be 
taken  in  a way  that  will  be  disastrous. 
We  must  start  somewhere  to  combat 
this  evil  and  there  are  a number  of  us 
who  believe  that  the  best  place  to  start 
is  with  some  of  the  big  companies,  even 
if  they  are  as  big  as  Balaban  & Katz  and 
the  Saenger  Amusement  Company.  Both 
of  these  own  a lot  of  houses,  but  they 
also  have  gathered  in  a lot  of  others 
which  they  are  not  interested  in  except 
to  do  the  booking  for  on  a commission 
or  flat  payment  basis. 

“This  booking  combination  thing  has 
reached  a point  where  some  wise  man 
goes  to  a group  of  theatre  owners  and 
offers  for  a stated  sum  or  a commission 
to  buy  the  theatre’s  pictures  at  several 
hundred  dollars  less  per  week  than  the 
theatre  owner  has  been  paying.’’ 

Eighteen  Pictures 

Are  in  Preparation 
at  De  Mille  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CULVER  CITY,  July  26.— There  is  in- 
tense activity  in  the  Pathe-De  Mille  studios 
these  days 

Four  pictures  are  in  production,  two 
more  will  launch  production  within  a week, 
four  are  in  the  process  of  editing  and  cut- 
ting, and  eight  are  in  the  hands  of  the  sce- 
nario department  preparatory  to  early  film- 
ing- 

Elmer  Clifton  is  far  at  sea  in  an  old  wind- 
jammer filming  “The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus.'’ 
Final  stages  of  editing  are  being  done  on  “The 
Country  Doctor,”  and  the  special,  “The  Fighting 
Eagle,”  in  which  Rod  LaRocque  and  Phyllis 
Haver  are  featured.  “Plarp  in  Hock,”  and  “Beau- 
tiful But  Dumb,”  Vera  Reynolds’  latest  picture, 
are  in  the  cutting  rooms.  “The  Wise  Wife,”  and 
“The  Angel  of  Broadway”  are  in  production. 
Donald  Crisp  is  busy  at  West  Point  filming  “The 
West  Pointer,”  which  is  William  Boyd’s  first  pic- 
ture as  a star.  William  K.  Howard  is  preparing 
“The  Main  Event,”  which  is  another  Vera  Rey- 
nolds picture.  “The  Forbidden  Woman,'’  and 
“The  Girl  in  the  Pullman”  will  go  into  produc- 
tion at  an  early  date. 

Strike  of  Musicians 

and  Operators  Ends 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ATLANTA,  July  26.— The  Metropol- 
itan theatre  management  here  has  ended 
the  strike  of  musicians  and  operators  in 
this  house  by  agreeing  to  continue  oper- 
ation of  the  full  force. 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Grauman’s  Egyptian  2nd"Run 
Under  New  West  Coast  Plan 

Christies  Dispose  of  Interests  in  Metropolitan  Pictures  to  Pathe- 
De  Mille — Neiv  Firm  Dedicates  Studio 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  July  26. — Grauman’s  Egyptian  theatre  opened  last 
Friday  night  under  its  new  West  Coast  policy  at  popular  prices. 
For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  house  it  became  a second- 
run  theatre.  “Man  Power,’’  the  Paramount  feature  starring  Richard  Dix, 
received  its  first  Hollywood  showing  after  the  downtown  run  at  the  Met. 


The  Fanchon  & Marco  presentation 
as  leader  of  the  orchestra. 

Many  motion  picture  celebrities  at- 
tended Friday  night’s  opening.  Ray- 
mond Hatton  acted  as  master  of  cere- 
monies. Three  de-luxe  performances 
will  be  given  at  the  Egyptian  with  no 
reserved  seats.  The  final  week  of  “Topsy 
and  Eva”  was  almost  a record  breaker 
for  this  house.  The  gross  receipts  were 
$28,000.  Bruce  Fowler  is  the  new  West 
Coast  manager  of  the  Egyptian. 

^ ^ ^ 

Christies  Leave  Metropolitan 

The  Christies,  A1  and  Charles,  have 
disposed  of  their  interests  in  Metropoli- 
tan Pictures  to  the  Pathe-De  ^lille-Keith- 
Albee  combination.  The  final  papers 
and  transfer  were  made  last  week.  Cn- 
der  the  terms  of  the  deal  Pathe-De  Mille 
organization  obtains  the  49  per  cent  inter- 
est formerly  held  by  the  Christies  in 
Metropolitan  Pictures.  Ihe  lease  of  the 
studios  in  effect  to  Metropolitan  Pic- 
tures still  remains,  and  it  is  understood 
that  the  studios  will  remain  the  operat- 
ing base  for  much  of  the  program  of 
Pathe-P.  D.  C 

* * 

Charles  Neumann,  pioneer  motion  pic- 
ture actor,  died  last  week  at  the  Glendale 
hospital,  following  a brief  illness.  Mr. 
Neumann,  who  was  44,  entered  picture 
work  about  20  years  ago  and  had  a col- 
lection of  more  than  5,000  photographs 
of  cinema  celebrities. 

if  if 

Harry  Langdon  has  chosen  as  the  title 
of  his  next  comedy  “Three  is  a Crowd.” 
Langdon  finished  work  on  the  film  and 
.shipped  it  to  New  York  last  week. 
Gladys  McConnell  had  the  feminine  lead 
opposite  the  comedian. 

'JgL  ^ 'Jf 

New  Studio  Dedicated 

The  Victor  Adamson  Productions  ded- 
icated its  new  studio  at  Monrovia, 
July  16.  A number  of  Hollywood 
cinema  stars  attended.  4 he  studio  is  an 
independent  organization  and  will  start 
production  by  August  1. 

^ ^ 

Alice  Day  has  been  released  from  her 
five-year  contract  by  Mack  Sennett  The 
agreement  to  cancel  the  contract  was 
reached  by  Mack  Sennett  and  John  Wal- 
dron, general  manager  of  the  studios, 
when  they  could  not  come  to  terms  with 
Miss  Day  over  the  billing  of  her  next 
picture.  Miss  Day  will  freelance  after  a 
vacation  at  Lake  Arrowhead. 

^ 

Mary  Pickford  will  entertain  thirteen 
of  the  “Best  Girls”  from  thirteen  cities 
when  they  arrive  here  on  a special  train 
today.  Miss  Pickford  will  present  them 
with  the  largest  nickel  and  dime  ever 
niinted,  the  nickel  being  nine  feet,  the 
dime  seven  feet  in  diameter.  They  will 
be  entertained  at  the  Hollywood  Studio 
Club. 

* * * 

Judgment  for  $2,062  and  interest  was 
entered  in  Judge  Stanley  Murray’s  court 
against  Francis  X.  Bushman,  screen  star. 


is  called  “Seasons’’  with  Lyon  Cowan 

as  a result  of  a motion  picture  deal  in 
1919.  The  judgment  was  in  the  nature 
of  a transfer  from  New  York  to  Cali- 
fornia and  was  in  connection  with  the 
“Comedie  Francaise”  or  State  theatre  in 
Paris.  The  plaintiff  alleged  she  sent 
Bushman  $3,120  in  1919  to  defray  his 
expenses  to  I’aris  for  the  purpose  of 
making  a film  there.  He  did  not  make 
the  trip  and  only  returned  $1,450,  accord- 
ing to  the  plaintiff,  who  is  suing  for  the 
balance.  Bushman  is  on  bis  way  to  the 
Orient. 

Alleging  an  infringement  on  patents, 
Paramount-Famous-Lasky  corporation 
has  filed  suit  for  injunction  and  account- 
ing against  Chester  Bennett  Film  Labo- 
ratories in  the  U.  S.  District  Court.  The 
petition  asserts  that  the  plaintiff  is  the 
owner  of  certain  patents  obtained  Feb- 
ruary 17,  1909,  by  Louis  Gaumont  upon 
processes  for  developing,  fixing  and  ton- 
ing motion  picture  film.  It  was  asserted 
the  infringements  have  extended  over  a 
period  of  six  years. 

* * * 

Duncan  Sisters  Sued 

Clifford  Reid  of  San  Francisco  has 
brought  suit  against  the  Duncan  Sisters 
for  $250,000,  charging  they  violated  the 
contract  drawn  with  him  which  gave 
him  10  per  cent  of  the  rights  to  all  of 
their  picture  productions.  It  is  sched- 
uled for  trial  August  4.  The  Duncan 
Sisters  are  fighting  the  suit  on  the 
grounds  that  Reid,  without  authority, 
sold  the  rights  to  “Topsy  and  Eva”  to 
First  National  Pictures  after  they  had 
sold  them  to  Joseph  M.  Schenck. 
Schenck  later  bought  full  rights  from 
First  National. 

* * 

Grainger  Busy  as  Usual 

James  R.  Grainger,  general  salesman- 
ager  of  William  Fox  Film  Corporation, 
has  been  one  busy  man  since  his  arrival 
on  the  coast  last  week.  He  is  not  only 
arranging  for  the  opening  of  the  new 
Fox  film,  “The  Loves  of  Carmen,”  at  the 
Carthay  Circle,  but  has  also  attended 

meetings  between  directors  and  actors 
as,  a representative  of  the  Fox  Studio. 

* * 

Women  Publicists  Entertain 

The  Women’s  Association  of  Screen 
Publicists  gave  a guest  dinner  at  the 

Writers’  Club,  July  13,  to  50  guests. 

Katherine  Albert  was  chairman  of  the 
evening,  introducing,  as  speakers,  Wil- 
liam De  Mille,  Tom  Mix,  Agnes  Christine 
Johnson,  Col.  Tim  McCoy,  Charles  De- 
laney, Pete  Smith,  past  president  of  the 
Wampas,  Ruth  Harriet  Louise  and  Frank 
Blazie.  ^ ^ ^ 

W'illiam  Beaudine  Signs 

Immediately  upon  completion  of  “The 
Life  of  Riley”  for  First  National,  Wil- 
liam Beaudine  was  signed  to  direct  “Give 
and  Take”  for  Universal.  George  Sid- 
ney, who  played  in  “The  Life  of  Riley,” 
has  one  of  the  featured  roles  in  the  Uni- 
versal opus. 


Re-Takes 


V^ELL,  the  producers  have  certainly  been 

» »'  burning  the  midnight  oil  the  past  two 
weeks,  holding  conferences,  meetings,  cau- 
cuses and  whatnot  every  evening.  They’ve 
received  so  many  suggestions  from  actors,  | 
writers,  directors  and  technicians  on  how  | 

to  cut  down  the  cost  of  productions  that  I 

it’ll  be  mere  child’s  play  to  make  a million  | 
dollar  picture  for  ten  thousand  dollars  when  | 
they  get  back  on  the  lot.  | 

The  actors  have  suggested  that  they  re-  * 
hearse  all  plays  before  shooting.  Then  ! 

shoot  the  director  and  the  author.  The  j 
directors  have  suggested  shooting  the  act- 
ors before  rehearsing  and  the  author  also  ; 

if  he  can  be  found.  .So  far  no  one  has  ‘ 

suggested  shooting  the  producer. 

>|c  sl«  ' 

It  has  been  a great  week  for  statements, 
too.  Everyone  connected  with  the  wage 
cut-economy  has  issued  a statement.  The 
writers  had  Rupert  Hughes  for  their 
spokesman,  and  he  gave  us  his  views  as  a 
writer  looking  in  but  who  was  once  on  the 
inside  looking  out.  Mr.  Hughes  said : “Too 
many  cooks  will  spoil  any  broth,  and  too 
many  supervisors  will  ruin  any  picture.”  Mr. 
Hughes  beat  all  the  others  in  the  length  of 
his  statement  and  in  interesting  informa- 
tion contained  therein. 

❖ * * 

The  actors’  statement  was  quite  brief  but 
Conrad  Nagel  augmented  this  statement 
with  a nice  talk  and  said  all  the  delays  to 
a picture  couldn’t  be  laid  at  the  door  of  the 
actor. 

* * * 

Been  Fishin’ 

Well,  we  succumbed  to  the  lure  of  the  ads 
and  went  trout  fishing  last  week.  Yep, 
away  up  in  the  mountains  where  they  raise 
’em.  And  it  was  lots  of  fun  until  your 
arm  got  tired  pulling  them  out.  Then  we 
adjourned  to  a cool  spot  and  indulged  in  a 
pitcher  of  ice  water  with  fellow  Guzintas. 

By  the  way,  our  Guzinta  Club  is  growing. 

It’ll  soon  be  as  big  as  the  Dem.  party. 
We’re  going  to  take  in  all  those  who  lost 
on  Jack  Sharkey. 

* * * 

The  big  news  of  the  week — Lewis  Stone 
has  shaved  off  his  famous  mustache.  Four 
friends  passed  him  up  the  first  day  he  got 
back  from  Catalina  Islands  minus  his  upper 
lip  adornment. 

* * * 

What’s  It  All  About? 

Somehow  or  other  I can’t  get  excited 
over  these  flagpole  sitters.  Apparently  they 
serve  no  good  purpose.  They  don’t  even 
advertise  a brand  of  soap,  a good  cigar 
or  popular  magazine.  It  looks  to  me  as 
though  they  were  just  sittin’  like  so  many  ' 
others,  not  even  thinking.  ■ 

Jjs 

Famous  Last  Words 

“I  knew  Jack  would  win.” 

* * * 

Meadows,  get  me  my  coon  skin  coat  and 
a couple  of  hot  water  bottles.  The  ther- 
mometer has  dropped  to  93.  R.  M. 

if  if  if 


Give  Barbecue  to 

Open  Film  Center 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— To  cele-  \ 
brate  the  opening  of  a new  film  center 
in  San  Fernando  valley,  a barbecue  will  '' 
be  given  Tuesday  night  in  the  Richard 
Talmadge  orchard.  Leading  motion  pic- 
ture  producers  and  screen  stars  will  be  ‘J 
guests.  I 


July  30,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  19 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  July  30 

by 

the  Camera 

Paul  Aust  has  joined  Columbia 
as  manager  of  the  Seattle  ex- 
change. His  recent  affiliations 
were  with  Realart  and  Select,  in 
the  same  territory. 


Add  J.  Glenn  Caldwell  to  the  list  of  “youngest 
exhibitors!”  At  19,  Caldwell  managed  a D.  E. 
Fitton  theatre  in  Aurora,  Mo.,  and  at  25,  directs 
Fitton’s  Princess.  And  like  the  HERALX),  Cald- 
well asks,  “Who’s  next?” 


Arthur  W.  Kelly,  foreigfn  distri- 
bution head  for  United  Artists, 
has  returned  from  a protracted 
survey  of  conditions  abroad  and 
now  is  in  Hollywood. 


Prof.  Walter  I.  Slichter  has  arrived  in  Hollywood  to  study 
production  for  Columbia  University,  which  is  co-operating 
with  the  Hays  organization  in  planning  motion  picture 
courses.  Left  to  right,  J.  Boyce  Smith,  vice  president  of 
Inspiration;  Slichter,  and  Edwin  Car  ewe.  Inspiration  producer. 


Jesse  E.  James,  lawyer  son  of  the  notorious  outlaw,  is  aiding 
Paramount  in  making  its  screen  picaresque,  “Jesse  James,” 
realistic  and  authentic.  Above,  the  Los  Angeles  attorney 
is  shown  with  Fred  Thomson  (right),  who  has  the  title  role, 
following  a recent  conference. 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Just  before  another  epochal  flight Lieut.  Albert  Hegen- 

berger  (left),  who  with  Lester  Maitland  was  the  first  to 
hop  o’er  the  Pacific,  pictured  with  Constance  Talmadge  and 
Mai  St.  Clair,  who  is  directing  Constance  in  First  National’s 
“Breakfast  Before  Sunrise.’’ 


This  dog  has  not  been  without  his  days,  apparently— and 
great  days,  too.  Here  are  some  of  the  cups  that  represent 
them,  and  the  Great  Dane’s  master,  Jack  Conway,  M-G-M 
director.  Conway  has  just  completed  filming  “12  Miles  Out,” 
starring  John  Gilbert. 


Fred  Bernhard,  London 
head  of  Tiffany,  has  re- 
turned after  consulting  offi- 
cials here  on  making  sev- 
eral Tiffanies  in  England. 


Esther  Benson,  the  heiress- 
extra  girl,  is  appearing  in 
First  National’s  “The  Prince 
of  Headwaiters,”  starring 
Lewis  Stone. 


One  of  America’s  handiest  retorts  is  screenward  bound,  in 
Paramount’s  “Tell  It  to  Sweeney,”  and  here  is  part  of  the 
company  off  for  sequences.  The  star,  George  Bancroft, 
neatly  knickered,  is  observing  Director  George  LaCava,  with 
overalls  and  megaphone. 


It’s  a far  cry  from  Chicago  to  Caspar — or  isn’t  it?  Anyway, 
Sue  Carol,  a former  Chicagoan,  is  a Casparian  (who  believes 
in  signs)  in  Douglas  MacLean’s  “Soft  Cushions.”  She  has 
the  feminine  lead  in  this  jolly  little  tragedy  recently  com- 
pleted for  Paramount. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Winner  of  the  Sid  Grauman  trophy Mary  Pickford’s  entry 

in  the  electrical  parade  at  the  recent  Shriners’  Atlantic  City 
convention.  And  presumably  the  heart  is  America’s.  Mary’s 
new  U-A  picture,  “My  Best  Girl,’’  will  soon  have  done  with 
the  cameras. 


Faint  hearts  ne’er  win  this 
lady,  the  fair  Gloria  Grey 
of  Universal  serials.  Her 
latest  is  “Blake  of  Scotland 
Yard.’’ 


A hard  name,  Steele,  but 
the  smile  is  Bob’s.  His  first 
F B O Western,  “The  Mo- 
jave Kid,’’  has  just  been 
completed. 


Irving  Rossheim,  treasurer  of  the  eminent  Stanley  Company 
of  America,  and  Mrs.  Rossheim,  with  the  disreputably  clad 
Harry  Langdon — who,  however,  was  at  work  when  these 
recent  guests  of  First  National  visited  the  “Three’s  a Crowd’’ 
set. 


Ralph  Ince,  F B O director-actor,  arrived  in  Chicago  last  week 
on  his  way  to  New  York  to  take  atmospheric  “shots’’  for 
“Coney  Island.’’  Left  to  right,  Richard  Currier,  Ince,  Mrs. 
Ince  and  her  sister,  Jola  Mendez,  and  (above)  Mrs.  Reed 
Howes.  (Herald  photo.) 


Creator  of  the  superb  sets  in  Douglas  Fairbanks  ^United 
Artists  productions,  Carl  Oscar  Borg  now  is  working  on 
“The  Gaucho,’’  story  of  the  Argentine  cowboy  which  the 
athletic  star  is  making.  Borg  also  paints  for  the  exhibits, 
and  with  notable  success. 


'i 


22  EXHIBITORSHERALD 

Dempsey-Sharkey  Films  Show 
Haymaker  Was  Fair  Blow 

Yet  Silly  Law  Bars  Interstate  Shipment  of  Fight  Pictures — Columbia 
Signs  Olga  Printzlau,  Writer 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  July  26. — Motion  pictures  of  the  Dempsey-Sharkey  fight 
solve  a controversy  which  has  been  raging  as  to  whether  Dempsey 
fouled  Sharkey  or  whether  he  did  not.  That  is,  they  solve  the  con- 
troversy for  any  unbiased  fight  fan,  but  they  don’t  for  a lot  of  experts  who 
picked  Sharkey  to  win,  or  else  had  a couple  of  dollars  bet  that  he  would. 


'^HE  fight  pictures  show  clearly  (to 

the  unbiased)  that  there  was  no  foul. 
The  sixth  and  that  little  of  the  seventh 
round  during  which  Sharkey  was  still 
on  his  pins,  are  shown  in  slow  motion. 
Every  blow  is  clear  and  distinct  and  at 
no  time  is  there  anything  seen  that  any 
fairminded  person  could  construe  as  a 
low  blow. 

Talk  of  Foul  is  Lot  of  Bunk 

In  spite  of  this  a lot  of  the  dyed-in- 
the-wool  Sharkey  fans  assert  after  see- 
ing the  pictures  that  they  do  not  settle 
the  matter.  They  point  out  that  the  cam- 
era was  not  set  at  an  angle  to  show  the 
front  portion  of  Sharkey’s  body  and 
therefore  the  impact  of  the  glove  against 
the  Boston  man’s  anatomy  is  not  seen. 
So  there  might  have  been  a low  blow. 

All  of  which  is  a lot  of  bunk.  While 
it  is  true  that  the  impact  of  glove  and 
body  is  not  seen  in  the  pictures,  in  every 
blow  the  angle  of  Dempsey’s  forearm  is 
clearly  shown,  and  in  order  to  hit  a low 
blow  with  the  angle  shown  it  would  be 
necessary  for  him  to  have  a couple  more 
joints  than  nature  gives  to  one  arm. 
And  an  examination  of  Dempsey’s  arm 
shows  that  he  has  no  more  than  the 
normal  number  of  hinges  in  the  wing. 

The  whole  controversy  is  due  to  “ex- 
porting”— something  the  New  York  sport 
writers  revel  in.  As  fistic  experts  most 
of  them  are  about  as  good  mentally  as 
a fish  who  has  spent  his  vacation  in  a 
hayfield.  Some  of  them  are  all  right  and 
know  their  business,  but  they  are  largely 
in  the  minority.  And  in  addition  to  that 
most  of  them  are  supposed  to  be  on  Tex 
Rickard’s  payroll,  and  that  is  what 
caused  the  most  of  the  trouble  over  the 
foul. 

Being  on  the  payroll  they  were  in  duty 
bound  to  build  up  the  gate  for  Rickard 
— and  they  sure  earned  their  money. 
When  Sharkey,  a third  rate  fighter, 
knocked  out  Maloney,  another  third 
rater,  the  “boys”  commenced  to  boost 
Sharkey  as  a world  beater.  He  never 
was  and  he  never  will  be. 

So  to  build  the  gate  the  Rickard  boys 
turned  to  exporting.  They  exported 
Sharkey  so  much  and  so  strongly  that 
they  commenced  to  believe  it  them- 
selves. Then  when  Dempsey — who  has 
gone  back  about  a hundred  miles  since 
he  was  a real  championship  fighter — - 
toppled  Sharkey,  he  also  toppled  the  ex- 
perts. In  order  to  save  their  reputations 
as  experts  they  had  to  have  an  alibi. 
And  the  alibi  was  the  foul. 

But  the  pictures  topple  the  experts 
again  by  showing  that  there  was  no  low 
blow  struck. 

Films  Barred  by  Silly  Law 

And  incidentally  the  showing  of  the 
fight  pictures,  which  are  about  the  best 
ever  taken  of  a fistic  encounter,  is  barred 
to  all  exhibitors  of  this  country  except 
in  New  York  state,  owing  to  the  exist- 
ence of  a silly  interstate  law  which 
should  have  been  thrown  in  the  discard 
years  ago. 

The  law  which  prevents  the  showing 
was  enacted  before  the  Jeffries-Johnson 


fight,  when  it  was  feared  that  the  exhibi- 
tion of  pictures  of  a championship  fight 
between  a Negro  and  a white  man  might 
be  the  cause  of  race  troubles. 

Maybe  they  might,  and  maybe  they 
mightn’t.  At  any  rate  the  cause  has  long 
since  passed  away,  and  it  is  more  than 
time  the  law  passed  out,  too. 

* Sjc  Jjs 

As  printed  in  the  Exhibitors  Herald 
in  its  issue  of  July  2,  the  New  York  daily 
film  papers  last  Friday,  and  the  other 
weekly  trade  papers  this  week,  Bruce 
Gallup  will  be  the  next  president  of  the 
A.  M.  P.  A.,  Lon  Young  vicepresident. 
Last  week  the  nominating  committee  of 
the  A.  M.  P.  A.  got  together  and  com- 
pleted the  ticket  which  follows; 

For  president Bruce  Gallup 

For  vicepresident Lon  Young 

For  secretary James  Zabin 

For  treasurer George  Harvey 

These  selections  of  the  nominating 
committee  were  announced  by  Lon 
Young,  the  permanent  chairman,  at  the 
A.  M.  P.  A.  luncheon  last  Thursday,  at 
the  Hofbrau  Haus.  The  other  members 
of  the  nominating  committee  are  J. 
Beatty,  Fred  Baer,  A1  Selig,  C.  W.  Bar- 
rell,  George  Harvey,  Victor  Shapiro  and 
Jacques  Kopstein. 

Other  nominations  announced  at  the 
luncheon  were  as  follows; 

Board  of  Directors — C.  W.  Barrell,  A1 
Selig,  Fred  Baer,  Walter  Eberhardt  and 
Tom  Wiley. 

Auditing  committee — H.  C.  Bate,  Vic- 
tor Shapiro  and  Oswald  Brooks. 

Nomination  for  one  trustee — Jerome 
Beatty. 

The  election  will  be  held  on  the  sec- 
ond Thursday  in  September. 

He  * 

William  B.  Brenner,  of  the  National 
Screen  Service,  returned  from  London 
last  week  on  the  Berengaria,  after  more 
than  a year  abroad.  Mr.  Brenner  spent 
most  of  the  time  in  London,  where  he 
established  offices  and  inaugurated  the 
National  Screen  Service  system  of  action 
scene  trailers  in  the  British  Isles. 

Mr.  Brenner  returns  to  an  executive 
position  with  his  company  in  the  New 
York  offices. 

Columbia  Signs  Olga  Printzlau 

Harry  Cohn,  vice-president  in  charge 
of  production  for  Columbia  Pictures,  and 
now  in  New  York,  announced  last  week 


Universal  Office  and 
Exchange  Hold  Outing 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26.  — The 
home  office  of  Universal  Picture 
Corporation  and  its  New  York  ex- 
change, several  hundred  strong, 
were  the  guests  of  Carl  Laemmle 
last  Wednesday  on  the  annual 
river  outing.  The  party  consisted 
of  an  all-day  boat  ride  up  the 
Hudson  with  a stop-over  at  Indian 
Point  for  games  and  contests. 


July  30,  1927 

that  he  -^ad  added  another  important 
name  to  i|;is  writing  staff  by  signing  Olga 
Printzlau' on  a contract  to  write  for  the 
company. 

Miss  Printzlau,  who  has  been  identified 
with  the  motion  picture  industry  since 
its  inception,  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
important  screen  writers  in  the  business. 
During  her  career  she  was  connected 
with  most  of  the  pioneer  companies,  such 
as  Edison,  Majestic,  American,  Blue 
Bird,  Ince  and  others. 

In  later  years  she  wrote  both  originals 
and  adaptations  for  such  companies  as 
Famous  Players,  Warner,  Universal  and 
First  National.  Miss  Printzlau  has  to 
her  credit  several  hundred  screen  stories, 
her  latest  being  her  adaptation  of  “Ca- 
mille.” 

^ ^ :jc 

A nationwide  exploitation  tieup  has 
been  formed  by  Warner  Brothers  on 
their  picture,  ‘"rhe  Black  Diamond  Ex- 
press,” starring  Monte  Blue. 

Through  an  arrangement  with  the  Le- 
high Valley  Railroad  Company,  which 
operates  the  Black  Diamond  Express  as 
one  of  their  crack  trains,  special  window 
cards  will  be  displayed  in  all  Lehigh 
Valley  R.  R.  stations.  These  window 
cards  have  space  at  the  bottom  for  tiie 
local  exhibitors  to  imprint  their  theatre 
name  and  play  date. 

This  advertising  costs  the  theatre  ovm- 
er  nothing  and  should  be  very  effective, 
as  all  railroad  passengers  are  of  the  class 
that  can  afford  to  be  steady  theatregoers. 

^ ^ ^ 

David  Selman,  who  directed  several 
Columbia  productions  last  year,  paid  a 
hurried  visit  to  the  East  last  week,  and 
conferred  with  Joe  Brandt,  president  of 
Columbia  Pictures,  for  several  days.  It 
is  believed  that  Harry  Cohn,  production 
chief  at  Columbia’s  West  Coast  Studios, 
will  assign  one  or  more  of  the  “Perfect 
Thirty”  to  Mr.  Selman  for  direction.  No 
definite  announcement  to  this  effect  has 
been  made,  however.  Mr.  Selman  left 
for  Hollywood  after  only  four  days  in 
New  York. 

Mr.  Selman  has  associated  with  Harry 
Millard  in  the  production  of  “Over  the 
Hill”  and  “If  Winter  Comes.”  Before 
entering  motion  pictures  he  was  identi- 
fied with  the  legitimate  theatre. 

* H=  * 

All  officers  of  the  Stanley  Company  of 
America  were  re-elected  at  a meeting  of 
directors  in  Philadelphia  today.  They 
are;  John  J.  McGuirk,  president;  Abe 
Sablosky,  and  A.  R.  Boyd,  vice-presi- 
dents; Irving  B.  Rossheim,  treasurer,  and 
Morris  Wolf,  secretary. 

Clara  Bow,  Star  for 
Paramount,  Signs  New 
Long-Term  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26. — Clara  Bow 
who  in  the  short  time  of  two  years  has 
become  one  of  Paramount’s  greatest 
stars,  last  week 
signed  a new 
1 o n g-term  con- 
tract with  Para- 
mount. 

Born  and  edu- 
cated in  Brooklyn, 

Miss  Bow  won  a 
magazine  beauty 
contest  while  in 
high  school,  which 
entitled  her  to  the 
opportunity  of  ap- 
pearing in  motion 
pictures.  She  was 
given  small  bits 
and,  later,  on  the  cUra  Bow 

strength  of  her  , 

work,  awarded  the  leading  role  in  “Gnt. 
She  is  now  making  “Hula.” 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


Columbia’s  Star  List  Grows  Fast 


Columbia  rapidly  is  acquiring  an  imposing  group  of  stars  for  its  product  for 
the  coming  season.  The  three  latest  to  be  signed  are  shown  above  and  include 
Ricardo  Cortez  (left),  Claire  Windsor  and  Conway  Tearle. 

Cortez  appeared  in  a number  of  Paramount  productions,  including  “Sorrows 
of  Satan.”  Miss  Windsor  formerly  was  on  an  extended  contract  with  Goldwyn 
and  M-G-M.  She  will  be  in  two  Columbia  productions.  Conway  Tearle  is  one 
of  the  highest  paid  free  lancers. 

These  three  now  join  a number  of  others  signed  by  Columbia,  including  Lois 
Wilson,  Hobart  Bosworth,  Jacqueline  Logan  and  Richard  Arlen. 

Exhibitors  of  Maryland  Hear 
Woodhull  Plead  Organization 

M.  P.  T.  0.  A.  President  Proposes  Managers  School  for  Every 
District — Predicts  Complete  Nationwide 
Body  Within  Few  Months 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HAVRE  DE  GRACE,  MD.,  July  26.— R.  F.  Woodhull,  president  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  carried  the  membership  campaign  of  the  National  Organi- 
zation into  Maryland  last  Thursday  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  of  Maryland. 

Aims  to  Organize  Every  State 

The  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  aims  to  organize  every  state  and  division  of  the 
country  and  have  a complete  nationwide  organization  within  a few  months, 
Mr.  Woodhull  told  the  Maryland  exhibitors. 


July  30,  1927 

Milwaukee  Man 
Condemns  Blue 
Laws  in  Speech 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  July  26. — Puritan  blue  laws 
and  attempts  further  to  curtail  personal 
liberty  were  condemned  by  Eugene  Wen- 
gert,  district  attorney  for  Milwaukee, 
speaking  before  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Lutheran  Walther  League  at  Washington 
University  at  St.  Louis  last  week. 

The  subject  of  Wengert’s  address  was 
“The  Church  and  Politics”  and  he  quoted 
the  Bible  as  supporting  his  views  for  the 
separation  of  all  churches  and  the  state. 
He  denounced  especially  those  denomina- 
tions which  are  seeking  to  force  on  the 
American  people  their  very  narrow  views 
concerning  blue  laws  and  Sunday  observ- 
ance. “Nowhere  in  the  Bible  has  St.  Paul 
said  that  the  church  as  an  organization 
should  enter  politics,”  Wengert  said. 

** Judgment  of  the  Hills” 
to  Be  F B O’s  Fifth  in 
Month  on  Broadway 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26— F B O’s  “The 
Judgment  of  the  Hills”  has  been  booked 
into  the  New  York  Hippodrome  for  next 
week,  making  the  fifth  F B O picture  on 
Broadway  in  four  weeks.  Except  for 
the  interval  of  one  week,  it  follows  at 
the  Hippodrome  the  same  producer’s 
“The  Great  Mail  Robbery,”  which  was 
enthusiastically  received  by  both  spec- 
tators and  press. 

“Judgment  of  the  Hills”  was  directed 
by  J.  Leo  Meehan,  and  stars  Virginia 
Valli  and  Frankie  Darro.  The  cast  also 
includes  Orville  Caldwell,  who  has  the 
male  lead  in  Meehan’s  “The  Harvester,” 
now  being  completed.  The  former  is 
an  adaptation  of  a magazine  story  by 
Larry  Evans. 

A.  H.  Woods  to  Stage 
New  Play  by  Fred  Rath 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26.— Fred  Rath,  of 
the  Paramount  advertising  staff,  has  ter- 
minated negotiations  for  the  sale  of  his 
play,  “Beautiful  But  Dumb,”  to  A.  H. 
Woods  and  it  is  slated  for  early  production, 
according  to  announcement  from  Woods’ 
office. 

This  is  Rath’s  first  play  for  the  “legit.” 
“Beautiful  But  Dumb”  is  an  American  com- 
edy prepared  in  collaboration  with  Joseph 
J.  Garren.  It  will  be  the  second  produc- 
tion of  the  current  season  from  motion  pic- 
ture advertising  men ; the  first  was  a mu- 
sical play,  “The  Merry-Go-Round,”  written 
by  Howard  Dietz  and  Morrie  Ryskind. 


James  Craze  Enters 
Independent  Ranks; 
Forms  Own  Company 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— James 
Cruze,  who  has  made  many  notable  pic- 
tures for  Paramount,  has  entered  the 
ranks  of  the  independent  motion  picture 
producers.  He  has  formed  a $100,000 
film  company  bearing  his  name,  accord- 
ing to  papers  filed  with  the  secretary 
of  state.  Cruze  is  working  on  his  last 
production  under  his  Paramount  con- 
tract. 


President  Herman  Blum  of  the  Mary- 
land exhibitors  presided  and  in  introduc- 
ing Mr.  Woodhull  said  he  brought  to 
them  a man  whose  knowledge  of  the 
motion  picture  business  equalled  that  of 
any  within  its  ranks  and  whose  loyalty 
and  aggressiveness  knew  no  question. 

In  discussing  the  matter  of  organiza- 
tion before  several  hundred  exhibitors, 
Mr.  Woodhull  praised  the  loyalty  of 
Maryland  to  the  National  Organization 
and  said  that  there  would  be  cooperat- 
ing bodies  in  all  states  and  that  these 
organization  processes  would  commence 
at  once. 

Another  matter  Mr.  Woodhull  advo- 
cated was  a managers  school  in  districts 
where  every  theatre  owner  and  manager 
could  meet  at  given  periods  and  hear 
the  technical  and  detailed  elements  of 
the  business  discussed  by  experts.  Wood- 
hull  contended  that  every  manager 
should  know  how  to  handle  all  phases 
of  theatre  operation,  so  that  in  any 
emergency  he  could  take  hold  of  any 
division  himself  and  successfully  carry 
on. 

He  discussed  the  extended  use  of 
presentations  and  light  vaudeville  in  mo- 
tion picture  theatres  and  said  he  be- 
lieved it  would  be  better  to  concentrate 
on  pictures,  properly  exploiting  and  ad- 
vertising them,  as  the  public  liked  a well 
presented  picture  better  than  side  issues. 


President  Woodhull  was  accompanied 
to  Havre  de  Grace  by  Chairman  A. 
Julian  Brylawski  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  and  President 
Charles  Picquet  of  the  North  Carolina 
M.  P.  T.  O.,  both  of  whom  made  brief 
addresses. 

The  officers  of  the  state  organization 
are : Herman  A.  Blum,  president ; Wm. 
M.  Whitehurst,  vice-president;  Frank  A. 
Hornig,  treasurer;  J.  Louise  Rome,  coun- 
sel; board  of  directors — Frank  H.  Dur- 
kee,  Walter  D.  Pacy,  Harry  Cluster, 

Dorothy  Devore  Sues 

Krellberg  for  Salary 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26.— Dorthy 
Devore,  playing  leads  with  Educational, 
has  brought  suit  against  S.  S.  Krellberg 
and  the  Krellberg  Pictures  Corp.  for 
$1750  salary.  The  film  actress  alleges 
she  was  refused  salary  by  Krellberg, 
after  signing  a contract  on  April  12, 
1927,  to  play  the  role  of  Kitty  in  “The 
Little  Girl  God  Forgot.”  The  firm 
never  started  the  picture,  Krellberg 
stating  the  delay  was  due  to  the  death 
of  the  scenario  writer. 

Samuel  Back,  Louise  Garman,  J.  W. 
Bauers,  Phillip  Miller.  The  business 
manager  is  Wm.  E.  Stumpf. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


“Sharp  Practices”  Renewed, 

T.  O.  C.  C.  Says  in  Hays  Note 

Declares  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  Has  Failed  to  Cooperate — Letter  to 
Arbitration  Society  Carries  Appeal  for  Conference 
on  Disputed  Clauses  of  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  July  26. — Closely  following  the  meeting  called  by  the 
Theatre  Owners  Chamber  of  Commerce,  at  which  war  was  declared  on  the 
hig'h  rental  prices  of  films,  the  system  of  protection  which  the  independent 
theatre  owners  assert  favors  the  chains  in  a manner  hurtful  to  the  inde- 
pendents, and  many  clauses  of  the  Standard  Exhibition  contract,  the  execu- 
tive committee  of  the  theatre  owners’  organization  has  started  things 
moving. 

Letters  Sent  Hays  and  Arbitration  Body 

Acting  under  instructions  of  the  executive  committee.  President  Sol 
Raives  drafted  and  sent  to  Will  H.  Hays  and  to  the  Arbitration  Society 


of  America  letters  reciting  the  wrong: 
conditions. 

After  reciting  the  resolutions  passed 
by  the  conference  of  100  exhibitors  called 
together  by  the  T.  O.  C.  C.,  the  letter  to 
Hays  continues  as  follows: 

“Upon  the  notable  occasion  of  your 
advent  into  our  industry  and  the  adop- 
tion of  your  marvelous  slogan,  ‘Confi- 
dence and  Cooperation,’  this  chamber  of 
commerce  honestly  and  sincerely  be- 
lieved that  you  had  reduced  to  these  two 
words  the  very  objects  for  which  it  was 
formed  and  to  which  it  had  always  ad- 
hered. Being  therefore  in  thorough 
sympathy  with  you  we  bent  every  effort 
towards  giving  you  this  confidence  and 
cooperation  to  the  end  that  the  sharp 
practices  of  the  industry  might  finally 
disappear. 

Says  “Sharp  Practices”  Renewed 

“We  believe  sincerely  that  this  was 
also  your  ultimate  object  but,  unfortu- 
nately, a recurrence  in  much  worse  form 
has  taken  place  of  these  sharp  practices 
in  certain  methods  employed  by  mem- 
bers of  your  association.  It  has  been 
our  endeavor  in  this  instance  as  in  the 
past  to  bring  about  an  amicable  adjust- 
ment of  these  differences  but,  unfortu- 
nately, we  have  not  received  the  coop- 
eration from  your  association  necessary 
to  do  so. 

“We  instance,  among  other  things,  a 
request  by  us  made  to  you  on  Decem- 
ber 28,  1926,  for  a conference  with  our 
committee  on  arbitration  to  discuss  the 
revision  of  the  rules  and  regulations  un- 
der which  the  boards  were  operating. 
This  request  was  held  up  with  your 
being  out  of  town  and,  upon  your  return, 
was  turned  over  to  your  Mr.  Hess,  to 
whom  full  particulars  of  our  request 
were  sent  on  April  22,  1927,  and  who 
politely  refused  this  conference  in  his 
letter  of  April  26,  suggesting  the  post- 
ponement until  the  fall  of  1927. 

“A  further  instance  is  that  of  a mem- 
ber of  your  association  refusing  to  deal 
with  this  chamber  of  commerce  as  a 
body  on  complaint  of  a number  of  its 
members,  and  insisting  that  only  con- 
tract holders  of  the  contract  in  question 
would  be  met  by  them. 

“Getting  Nowhere” 

“You  can  plainly  see  that  these  meth- 
ods were  getting  us  nowhere  in  the 
wrongs  that  we  believe  are  being  done 
to  the  independent  theatre  owner.  While 
we  regret  the  drastic  clauses  of  these 
rssolutions,  we  believe  that  they  are  ab- 
solutely necessary  for  us  to  obtain  im- 
mediate action  on  a situation  that  has 
become  intolerable  to  us.  . . . 

“We  will  be  glad  to  have  our  com- 
mittee meet  in  conference  with  you  and 


of  the  theatre  owners  under  present 

with  the  members  of  your  association  at 
any  time  or  place  that  may  be  con- 
venient to  you  if  you  so  desire,  and  we 
will  at  such  time  define  to  you  our  posi- 
tion in  the  matter.” 

The  letter  to  the  Arbitration  Society 
is  in  pursuance  of  the  resolution  calling 
for  a conference  of  representatives  of 
the  M.  P.  P.  D A.  and  the  T.  O.  C.  C. 
under  the  auspices  of  the  Arbitration  So- 
ciety for  the  purpose  of  arbitrating  some 
of  the  alleged  abuses  of  the  uniform  con- 
tract. The  letter  restates  the  resolu- 
tion denouncing  certain  clauses  of  the 
contract  as  inequitable  and  declaring  that 
all  arbitration  shall  cease  if  the  Hays 
organization  refuses  to  take  part  in  the 
conference  or  refuses  to  submit  the  dis- 
puted clauses  to  arbitration. 

Pioneer  in  Arbitration 

The  letter  goes  on: 

“In  presenting  to  you  this  resolution, 
we  believe  that  you  are  aware  of  the  fact 
that  this  chamber  of  commerce  has  al- 
ways been  a pioneer  and  a staunch  sup- 
porter of  arbitration. 

“As  we  look  upon  you  as  the  leading 
organization  in  this  field  and  as  we  be- 
lieve that  our  stand  is  one  that  strikes 
at  the  very  root  of  arbitration  proceed- 
ings, we  trust  that  we  are  not  imposing 
too  much  upon  you  in  asking  you  to 
carry  out  the  spirit  of  this  resolution. 

“We  will  be  glad  to  confer  with  you 
at  any  time  and  place  that  you  may  wish, 
should  you  desire  that  our  position  in 
the  matter  be  more  clearly  defined.” 

Margaret  Ettinger  in 
Own  Publicity  Office 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  July  26. — ^Margaret  Et- 
tinger has  opened  publicity  offices  in  the 
Taft  building,  and  intends  to  conduct  a 
general  publicity  business. 


Twelve  Saxe  Theatres 
Hold  Legion  Benefits 

(Special  to  the‘  Herald) 

MILWAUKEE,  July  26.  — A 
theatre  benefit  at  all  12  Saxe  thea- 
tres in  Milwaukee  has  been  held, 
July  19-24,  on  behalf  of  the  Amer- 
ican Legion  posts  of  Milwaukee. 
The  object  of  the  benefit  was  to 
raise  funds  to  send  the  Legion 
bands  to  the  state  convention  at 
Marinette,  Wis.,  and  to  bring  the 
next  state  convention  to  Milwau- 
kee. 


Comedies  Lead  Booking 
Over  U.S.,  Survey  Shows 

(Continued  from  page  12) 

LIBERTY  THEATRE 
“Jim  the  Conqueror,”  (P-D-C) 

“The  Telephone  Girl,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Michael  Strogoff,”  (U.)  Melodrama. 

“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

FAIRMOUNT  THEATRE 
“Fashions  for  Women,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“For  Alimony  Only,”  (P.  D.  C.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“The  Telephone  Girl,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

STRAND  THEATRE 
“Arizona  Bound,”  (Par.)  Western. 

“Easy  Pickings,”  (F.  N.)  Mystery. 

“Blind  Alleys,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

KEYSTONE  THEATRE 
“Held  by  the  Law,”  (U.) 

“Taxi  Dancer,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Tarzan  and  the  Golden  Lion,”  (F.  B.  O.)  Ad- 
venture. 

Des  Moines 

CAPITOL  THEATRE 
“Framed,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Twelve  Miles  (3uJ:,”  (M-G-M)  Melodrama. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Fireman  Save  My  Child,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

DES  MOINES  THEATRE 
“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (XJ.)  Comedy. 

“10  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“When  Man  Loves,”  (W.  B'.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Yankee  Clipper,”  (P.  D.  C.)  Drama. 

“Beau  Geste,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

STRAND  THEATRE 
“Captain  Salvation,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Time  to  Love,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“College  Days,”  (Tiffany)  Comedy-Drama. 
“World  at  Pier  Feet,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Alichael  Strogoff,”  (U.)  Drama. 

“Broadway  Nights,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Running  Wild,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Lonesome  Ladies,”  (F.  N.O  Comedy-Drama. 
“Stark  Love,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Understanding  Heart,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Lost  at  Front,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Dance  Alagic,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

Sioux  City 

PRINCESS  THEATRE 
“Venus  of  Venice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Drums  of  Desert,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Naughty  But  Nice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Evening  Clothes,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Winning  of  Barbara  Worth,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 
“Let  It  Rain,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  (iomedy-Drama. 

“10  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Loves  of  Sunya,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“New  York,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Fireman  Save  My  Child,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 
“Service  for  Ladies,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

Davenport  la. 

COLUMBIA  THEATRE 
“Naughty  But  Nice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“B'eloved  Rogue,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“Frame’d,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“The  Tender  Hour,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“10  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“The  Better  ’Ole,”  (W.  B.)  Comedy. 

“Twelve  Miles  Out,”  (M-G-M)  Melodrama. 
“Lonesome  Ladies,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Fireman  Save  My  Child,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 
“Prince  of  Fleadwaiters,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

GARDEN  THEATRE 
“Understanding  Heart,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 
“Wedding  Bills,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“World  at  Her  Feet,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Don  Juan”  (All  week)  (W.  B.)  Drama. 
“Convoy,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Arizona  Bound,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Man  Power,’’  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Naked  Truth,”  (Inde.)  Drama. 

Rock  Island,  111. 

FORT  ARMSTRONG  THEATRE 
“Naughty  But  Nice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Beloved  Rogue,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“Don  Juan,”  (W.  B.)  Drama. 

“10  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“The  B'etter  ’Ole,”  (W.  B.)  Comedy. 

“Twelve  Miles  Out,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

Moline,  111. 

LE  CLAIRE  THEIATRE 
“Rookies,”  (M-(j-M)  Comedy. 

“Rolled  Stocking.s,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“The  Unknown,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Slide  Kelly  Slide,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

(Continued  on  page  35) 


July  30,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  25 


Paramount  News  Makes  Bow 

With  Byrd  Reception  Films 

Paramount  News  made  its  official  bow  last  week  although  the  general 
releasing  does  not  begin  until  August.  The  occasion  for  the  advance  showing — 
one  of  the  first,  if  not  the  first,  public  screenings  of  Paramount’s  news  reel — 
was  the  appearance  of  Commander  Richard  E.  Byrd  and  his  American  crew, 
Bert  Chamberlin  and  Colonel  Charles  A.  Lindbergh,  all  trans-Atlantic  fliers, 
as  guests  at  “A  Night  in  Spain,”  Shubert  musical  comedy,  at  the  44th  Street 
theatre.  New  York.  Tire  welcome  home  reception  for  Commander  Byrd’s 
party  was  the  theme  of  the  pictures. 


Six  Cameramen 
Win  Awards  for 
Fox  News  Feats 

Truman  Talley,  direotor-in-chief  of  Fox 
News,  believes  the  cameraman  who  makes 
a special  achievement  of  photographing  the 
hero  or  heroine  of  the  hour  should  be  re- 
warded as  well  as  the  principal.  So  formal 
presentation  was  made  recently  of  annual 
awards  to  cameramen  who  had  done  out- 
standing work,  and  William  Fox  was  pres- 
ent at  the  ceremony. 

First  award  went  to  Webber  Hall,  New 
York  cameraman;  second,  Blaine  Walker, 
Los  Angeles;  third,  Russel  Muth,  New 
York;  fourth,  Erie  Maywell,  Seattle;  fifth. 
Jack  McFarland,  San  Antonia;  and  sixth, 
Alfred  E.  Gold,  New  York 

Webber  Hall  photographed  Gertrude 
Ederle’s  welcome  home,  the  Futurity  Race 
at  Belmont,  the  World’s  Series  of  1926, 
Queen  Marie’s  reception,  air  views  of  the 
Mississippi  floods,  the  Galveston  Beauty 
Pageant  and  Lindbergh’s  receptions. 

Walker  has  been  a member  of  the  Fox 
News  Staff  since  its  inauguration.  Muth 
made  a transcontinental  flight  with  the  U. 
S.  Air  Mail. 

The  annual  awards  are  based  on  a weekly 
point  system  covering  exclusive  pictures, 
unusual  angles,  photographic  artistry  and 
getjeral  ability. 

Welcome  Week 
For  M-G-M  News 
Opens  August  13 

A National  Welcome  Week  will  usher 
in  the  M-G-M  News,  which  starts  releas- 
ing twice  weekly  August  15.  Nationwide 
tieups  are  being  arranged  with  the  Hearst 
News  Service  as  a welcome  to  the  new- 
comer in  news  reel  ranks. 

Special  screenings  are  planned  for  na- 
tional and  state  government  executives  as 
well  as  newspaper  representatives.  For 
exhibitors  a campaign  book  has  been 
drafted. 

Kinograms  on  Maitland 

Wins  Space  in  Papers 

Kinograms’  pictures  showing  Lieutenants 
Maitland  and  Hegenberger  leaving  Oakland 
for  Hawaii  on  their  airplane  expedition 
across  the  Pacific  brought  a front  page 
box  in  two  daily  papers  of  Visalia,  Cal., 
when  the  news  reel  played  the  Visalia  the- 
atre. G.  C.  Blumenthal,  San  Francisco 
manager  of  Educational,  gave  Manager 
Fred  Miller  fast  service  on  the  film,  and 
the  Visalia  Times  and  the  Delta  gave  it 
special  space. 


The  reel,  made  by  the  Paramount  News 
staff  under  the  supeiwision  of  Emanuel 
Cohen,  director  of  Paramount  News  and 
the  Short  Feature  department,  included 
shots  of  the  takeoff  of  the  America  and  the 
Columbia,  Chamberlin’s  plane,  their  respec- 
tive landings  in  Europe  and  finally  the  pic- 
tures of  Byrd’s  arrival  in  New  York  on 
his  return  by  liner,  and  the  official  reception. 

The  picture  was  screened  during  an  inter- 


COOLIDGE  IN  CHAPS.  Here  is  the 
President  in  cowboy  garb  with  “Cal” 
and  everythin’  on  it,  presented  to  him 
at  the  Summer  White  House  in  the 
Black  Hills  of  South  Dakota.  On  the 
left  is  J.  C.  Brown,  International 
Newsreel  cameraman  in  Washington 
assigned  to  "cover”  Coolidge. 


mission  of  the  musical  comedy  and  Grover 
A.  Whalen  and  Mayor  James  J.  Walker’s 
reception  committee  of  New  York  were  in 
the  guest  party.  The  audience  gave  both 
picture  and  fliers  a round  of  applause. 

Here  is  how  twelve  veteran  photog- 
raphers were  assigned  to  cover  the  recep- 
tion, the  plans  also  including  the  use  of 
two  speedy  autos,  two  motorboats  and  an 
amphibian  plane. 

One  cameraman  was  stationed  on  the 
city  tug,  Macon,  which  carried  the  reception 
committee  down  the  bay  to  meet  the 
Leviathan  at  quarantine.  A second  camera- 
man, in  the  plane,  obtained  views  of  the 
watercraft  assembled  to  greet  the  airmen. 
A third  was  stationed  at  the  Battery.  A 
fourth  was  jtlaced  on  an  upper  story  ledge 
of  the  Whitehall  building.  The  others 
were  distributed  along  the  line  of  march  of 
the  parade. 

By  2 p.  m.  all  negatives  were  at  the 
Paramount  News  Laboratoiy  and  in  a few 
hours  the  developing,  printing  and  assem- 
bling had  been  completed  under  Emanuel 
Cohen’s  direction. 


‘‘Ostvald,’^  New  Cartoon 
Opens  on  Both  Coasts; 
Made  by  Winkler  for 

“Oswald,  the  Lucky  Rabbit,”  a new  car- 
toon creation  by  Winkler  Pictures  for  Uni- 
versal, has  started  auspiciously  by  being 
shown  last  week  in  the  Roxy  theatre  in 
New  York  and  the  Criterion  in  Los 
Angeles. 

“Oswald’s”  first  experiences  are  in  “Trol- 
ley Troubles,”  which  was  set  into  the  Roxy 
overnight.  It  is  a one-reel  cartoon  and 
there  are  to  be  26  of  them  the  coming 
season.  Ralph  Allan,  manager  of  the  Cri- 
terion, played  up  the  subject  in  his  marquee. 

This  is  the  first  cartoon  comic  of  Uni- 
versal’s distribution  in  several  years. 

Hope  for  Fliers  Gone, 

Says  Fox  News  Cameraman 

The  last  hope  that  the  French  fliers  Nun- 
gesser  and  Coli  are  alive  has  practically 
faded,  according  to  Carl  Larsen,  Fox  News 
cameraman,  back  in  New  York  from  Chi- 
coutimi, outpost  of  Quebec  province.  Lar- 
sen and  an  Indian  guide  penetrated  the 
wilderness  many  miles  when  another  Indian 
reported  having  seen  flares. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Major  W.  H.  Woerner  delivers  Educational’s  “Race  to  Paris"  in  Oakland,  Cal.,  for 
showing  in  the  eighteen  theatres  of  the  Golden  State  Circuit.  Kinograms  took 
shots  of  Major  Woerner’s  landing  and  they  were  added  to  the  Educational  spe- 
cial. 

Plane  Lands  in  Street  with 

EducationaVs  Flight  Special 

Landing  of  an  airplane  on  a downtown  street  of  Oakland,  Cal.,  with  prints 
of  Educational’s  “Race  to  Paris”  was  accomplished  through  arrangements 
made  with  Mark  G.  Keller,  East  Bay  division  manager  of  the  Golden  State 
Circuit,  to  exploit  the  Educational  special  for  its  showing  in  all  eighteen  Golden 
State  theatres  of  the  East  Bay  district. 


City  officials  of  Oakland  made  a special 
ruling  to  waive  the  ordinance  prohibiting 
a plane  from  flying  lower  than  1,500  feet 
over  the  city  and  special  precautions  were 
taken. 

Major  W.  H.  Woerner,  flying  a W-A-S-P 
plane,  and  an  escort  craft,  appeared  over 
the  business  section  at  11  a.  m.,  the  sched- 
uled hour.  Turning  the  nose  of  the  plane 
directly  toward  the  ground  Major  Woerner 
swooped  down  and  made  a perfect  land- 
ing while  the  police  force  held  the  crowd 
out  of  the  path  of  the  flier  and  the  other 
plane  circled  overhead. 

Mayor  John  L.  Davis  officially  received 
the  films  from  Major  Woerner  for  the  city 
aud  turned  them  over  to  Keller.  Mean- 
time a Kinograms  cameraman  was  taking 
pictures  of  the  landing  and  these  were 
incorporated  in  the  reel.  Finally  Major 
Woerner's  plane  was  mounted  upon  a truck 
and  escorted  through  the  streets  bj^  a police 
motorcycle  squad. 


NEWS  PICTURES 


KINOGRAMS  NO.  5309  Paris  greets  Byrd  and 
aidh*~~San  Francisco  celebrates  arrival  of  Mait- 
land  and  Hegenberger— Keating  wins  24  mile 
marathon  swim  at  Lake  George,  N.  Y.— Helen 
Wills  wins  world  tennis  championship  in  Wim« 
bledon  finals— George  Soudere,  hero  of  Indian* 
apolis  classic,  wins  75  mile  auto  race  in  Chicago 
though  steering  wheel  breaks  at  end  of  first  45 
miles*~John  F.  Malley  of  Springfield,  Mass., 
elected  new  head  of  Elks  at  Cincinnati  convention 
Girl  campers  at  Lake  Sebago,  Me.,  stage  ex- 
hibition with  drills  and  races  in  canoes. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5310 Now  York  gives  Byrd 

and  companions  reception  on  return  to  their 
starting  point— Smith  and  Bronte  take  oflf  from 
Oakland  for  Hawaii-~Hclen  Wills  returns  to 
New  York  after  winning  Wimbledon  tennis  cham* 
pionship— -Horse  races  at  Springfield,  Mass., 
open  Bay  State  circuits^— French  manikins  stage 
outdoor  style  exhibition  at  Deauvilje— Mile. 


Juneau,  Central  Park  elephant,  New  York,  gets 
extra  “kick’*  out  of  bath  while  mercury  soars— 
Daring  pair  of  canoists  nearly  lose  lives  when 
boat  is  crushed  on  rocks. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  82^— President  Coolidge  has  lawn 
party  on  birthday  and  receives  cake  from  neigh- 
bors—England  welcomes  Duke  and  Duchess  of 
York  on  return  from  Australia— New  Grey- 
hound racing  course  opened  at  Tiajuana,  Mexico 
—Pictures  of  wreck  of  Byrd's  airplane,  America, 
in  France  ' Army  aviators  reach  Hawaii  in  non 
stop  flight. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  83— Dempsey  shown  training  for 
fight  with  Sharkey-^Honolulu  receives  U.  S. 
Army  aviators  who  flew  across  Pacific— Henry 
Ford  retracts  attack  on  Jews^— Tilden  loses  in 
semi  finals  in  tennis  tournament  at  Wimbledon 
—Schooners  race  for  championship  at  Biloxi, 
Miss.— Gov.  A1  Smith  visits  boy  scout  outing 
at  Bear  Mountain,  N.  Y.— Boys  do  squads  right 
in  military  training  camp  at  St.  Louis'^— Tele- 
phone employes  at  Morristown,  N.  J.  receive 
medals  for  heroic  work  when  arsenal  exploded 
—Society  women  ride  favorite  horses  at  Tuxedo, 
N.  Y.,  show— Paris  greets  Byrd  and  his  crew. 
INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO,  58 — British 
polo  team  practices  for  match  with  Yankees  at 
Rye,  N.  Y.— Arabian  prince  honored  at  Rome 
by  Mussolini— --Girls  give  water  drills  in  canoe 
at  Lake  Sebago,  Me.^— Airplane  views  show  Jeru- 
salem before  earthquake  disaster— One  man  out 
of  70  finishes  24  mile  marathon  swim  at  Lake 
George,  N.  Y.— King  of  England  sees  daring 
air  circus. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  59 — Marinas 
rush  defense  work  to  guard  Americans  in 
Peking— Matilda  Houghton,  daughter  of  U.  S. 
envoy,  is  wed  in  London— Stands  on  head  for 
thrill  in  new  loop-the-loop  trick  in  Berlin^— Thea 
Rasche,  German  Aviatrix,  lands  in  New  York 
for  hop  across  Atlantic— Helen  Wills  returns 
home  from  great  English  victory^— Expert  at 
Long  Beach,  N.  Y.,  demonstrates  how  not  to 
dive— Byrd  given  ovation  and  reception  in  New 
York. 

Loew  Books  Lupino  Lane 

Comedy  to  Play  95  Days 

Lupino  Lane’s  “Monty  of  the  Mounted” 
has  been  booked  for  95  days  on  Loew’s 
New  York  City  Circuit  by  Educational, 
opening  July  25.  Charles  Lamont,  director 
of  “Big  Boy,”  did  the  directing  of  this 
burlesque  of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Police. 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  JULY  3 

“Her  Silent  Wow,”  Helen  and  Warren,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  3 Pathe.  two;  “The 
Big  Reward,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  **Don*t 
Tell  Everything,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two ; Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  27,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  27,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Buster's  In- 
itiation,” Stern,  Universal,  two;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A 
Poor  Excuse,”  Stern,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  10 

“Over  There,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two; 
“Cat's  Meow,”  Schott  and  Powder,  Cranfield  and 
Clark,  two ; ^‘Grabbing  Grabbers,”  Boy  Adven- 
ture, Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  *'Beauty  and  the 
Beach,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clark,  one; 
“Nothin’  Doin,'  '*  Bowers  Novelty,  F.  B.  O. 
two  ; “Alice's  Medicine  Show,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O., 
one;  “Snow  Rambles,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  “A 
Wolf  in  Cheap  Clothing,”  Animal,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  4,  Pathe,  two;  “Rid- 
ing High,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Eyes  and 
Spooks,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two ; Pathe  Review,  No. 
28,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  28; 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering  Smith 
Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A  Kick  in 
the  Dark,”  F.  B.  O.,  1,780;  “Best  Wishes,** 

Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  17 

“Nothing  to  Live  For,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and 
Clarke,  two;  “Sappy  Days,”  Scholl  and  Powder, 
Cranfield  and  Qarke,  two;  “Way  of  a Boy,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two ; “The 
Big  Show,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Wild  Rival,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one; 
“Suite  Homes,”  O.  Henry,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crim- 
son Flash,”  No.  5,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Love 
Nest,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Why  Girls 
Love  Sailors,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  29,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  29,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  24 

“Spooky  Money,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
two;  “Beachnuts,”  Shott  ai»d  Powder,  Cranfield 
and  Clarke,  two ; “What  Price  Swimming,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  “Leam 
by  Mail,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Campus  Romeos.”  Standard,  FBO,  two; 
“Alice  the  Whaler,”  Winkler,  FBO,  one;  “The 
Glory  That  Was  Greece,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Why  Blondes  Leave  Home,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  6,  Pathe.  two ; “Sub- 
way Sally,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Taking 
Punishment,”  Grantland,  Pathe,  one ; “With  Will 
Rogers  in  London,”  Clancy,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe 
Review  No.  30,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  30,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides.”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  31 

“Silk  Legs,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crimson 
Flash,”  No.  7,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Bully,”  Fables, 
Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Chicken  Feed,”  Roach, 
Pathe,  two ; “Skedaddle  Gold,”  Action,  Pathe, 
five;  Pathe  Review,  No.  31,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  31,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal, 
two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  7 

“Jack  From  All  Trades,”  Bijou,  Educational,  one; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  8,  Pathe,  two;  “Ant 
Life  As  It  Isn't,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “The 
College  Kiddo,”  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; 
‘^Scents  and  Dog  Sense,”  Grantland,  Pathe,  one; 
Pathe,  Review,  No.  32,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of 
the  Day,  No.  32,  Timely  Films,  one-third;  “Whis- 
pering Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 


FBO  Cartoon  Plays 

at  Paramount  Theatre 

F B O’s  “Alice  the  Whaler,”  one-reel  car- 
toon, played  the  Paramount  theatre  in  New 
York  last  week,  just  ahead  of  Gertrude 
Lawrence’s  “Bits  from  Chariot’s  Revue.” 


Fox  Uses  Technicolor 
In  Latest  News  Reel 

A news  reel  in  Technicolor.  T halls 
the  latest  achievement  of  Fox  News, 
following  application  of  the  Movie- 
tone synchronization  to  long  features. 

The  news  reel  in  Technicolor  is 
“Scouts  in  America,"  showing  the 
gathering  of  the  clans  at  Round  Hill, 
Conn.,  with  the  color  photography 
bringing  out  the  varihued  plaids  of 
the  Scotch  families.  Even  the  blush 
of  Agnes  VT allace  Ross  when  pro- 
claimed winner  of  the  bagpipe  con- 
test is  transferred  to  the  screen. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


PRESENMON  ACK 


Presentation  Taking  Hold  Abroad 


Sunday  Organ 
Concerts  Are 
Drawing  Card 

Murtagh  Recitals  at  Chicago  Are 
Builders  of  Prestige 
for  Theatre 

Theatre  managers  as  well  as  organists 
all  over  the  country  should  devote  more 
thought  and  consideration  toward  the  up- 
building of  Sunday  morning  attendance 
as  well  as  matinee  business.  Since  stage 
bandshows  have  become  the  rage  of  the 
country,  popular  band  leaders  have 
launched  “Cute  Clubs,”  “Lucky  Clubs”  and 
“Get  Together  Clubs”  for  the  purpose  of 
establishing  a better  and  more  friendly  re- 
lation with  the  public,  and,  incidentally, 
this  stunt  has  brought  many  an  admission 
to  the  box  office  in  the  “a.  m.’s”  that  it 
would  not  have  received  otherwise. 

Another  way  to  stimulate  business  at 
your  theatre  during  matinees  as  well  as 
Sunday  noons  is  to  install  something  of  a 
higher  quality  in  the  form  of  entertain- 
ment, something  that  will  attract  the  up- 
p"fer  tenth — in  other  words,  those  who  stay 
away  from  your  box  office  during  the  week 
days  or  at  the  time  when  your  program 
consists  of  only  jazz  stuff. 

A program,  worthy  of  mention  and  one 
that  has  proven  successful,  especially  from 
the  prestige  basis,  is  the  Sunday  noon  clas- 
sical concert  given  by  Henry  B.  Murtagh, 
solo  organist  of  the  Chicago  theatre,  Chi- 
cago. 

Murtagh  selects  both  operatic  and  popu- 
lar numbers  every  Sunday,  giving  a organ 
concert  which  lasts  one  hour  and  intermin- 
gles same  with  one  or  two  soloists. 

This  stunt,  which  is  usually  done  between 
the  hours  of  11:45  and  12:45,  brings  forth 
a class  of  people  who  enjoy  something  of 
dignified  nature  and  yet  not  too  heavily 
laden  with  classical  arrangements.  It  has 
also  been  noticed  that  from  the  attendance 
at  these  concerts  a great  portion  of  them 
remain  to  see  the  balance  of  the  program, 
which  consists  of  photoplays  and  stage 
presentations. 

If  you  have  a clever  organist  of  the  cal- 
ibre of  Murtagh,  we  sincerely  recommend 
Sunday  or  daily  concerts  of  this  nature  and 
we  are  very  sure  that  the  results  will  be 
surprising  both  to  you  and  the  box  office. 

The  stunt  is  not  very  expensive  to  put  on. 
In  fact,  there  is  very  little  expense  at- 
tached to  it,  and  the  trial  is  well  worth  the 
effort.  Unless  you  are  already  doing  some- 
thing along  the  lines  of  stimulating  busi- 
ness during  the  dull  moments  of  your 
house  you  should  look  into  this  proposition 
very  carefully  and  decide  to  give  your  audi- 
ence and  your  neighborhood  something  that 
they  will  always  talk  about. 


“Love  and  Kisses” 


AL  BEIUN  and  his  “joy,”  EVELYN  JOY 
BEILIN,  who  at  the  tender  age  of  one 
and  one-half  years  shows  great  signs  of 
becoming  as  popular  in  the  music  business 
as  her  successful  daddy.  A1  is  responsible 
for  such  song  hits  as  “Blue  Skies,”  “Rus- 
sian Lullaby,”  “Me  and  My  Shadow”  and 
many  others,  not  as  the  writer,  but  as 
Western  G.  M.  of  the  one  and  only 
IRVING  BERLIN,  his  BIG  BOSS  and  in- 
cidentally also  his  cousin.  Who  knows, 
maybe  little  EVELYN  is  Uncle  Irving's 
inspiration  ? At  any  rate  she  is  the  **LOVE 
AND  KISSES”  of  A1  and  Jean  Beilin,  and 
that's  some  joy. 


A Blue  Coat  That 
‘‘Beat’’  His  Way 
Into  Presentation 

Arthur  Nealy,  tenor  singer,  who  has 
been  headlined  at  the  Missouri  theatre,  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  by  Brooke  Johns  in  stagehand 
shows,  was  pounding  a beat  as  a member  of 
the  Metropolitan  Police  Department  of  St. 
Louis  back  in  1923.  He  had  been  on  that 
job  some  eleven  months  when  someone  told 
him  he  had  a fine  voice. 

Nealy  took  the  advice  seriously  and  later 
William  Goldman,  who  is  now  interested 
with  Skouras  Brothers  in  operating  the 
Grand  Central,  Lyric  Skydome,  West  End 
Lyric  and  King  theatres,  heard  Nealy  sing 
and  offered  a contract  for  a brief  run  at 
the  Missouri  theatre,  of  which  Goldman 
was  then  the  manager. 

He  did  splendidly  and  later  went  to  New 
York  to  have  his  voice  cultivated.  Since 
then  he  has  sung  over  the  Orpheum  C‘r- 
cuit  and  for  many  individual  theatres.  He 
returned  to  the  Missouri  theatre  four 
months  ago  and  has  been  a bigger  winner 
than  ever  with  Brooke  Johns  shows. 


Yearns  Tour 
Over  Europe 
Is  Possibility 

Morris  Agency  Preparing  Plans  to 
Route  Several  Acts  on 
the  Continent 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Presentation  is  no  longer  a local 
factor.  In  fact,  it  is  today  consid- 
ered one  of  the  greatest  forms  of 
amusement  in  the  deluxe  picture 
theatre  which  have  increased  their 
box  office  receipts  since  this  policy 
went  into  effect.  Following  the  re- 
cent visit  of  William  Morris,  Jr., 
with  his  Chicago  Associates,  this 
announcement  was  made  by  the 
William  Morris  office: 

“Due  to  the  tremendous  success  that  our 
acts  have  beeen  making  in  the  American 
theatres  presenting  stage  entertainment  in 
the  form  of  stage  bandshows  we  are  now 
preparing  plans  to  route  several  of  these 
acts  to  the  leading  theatrical  cities  of  Eu- 
rope. Arrangements  have  already  been 
made  from  our  New  York  office  to  book 
de  luxe  houses  throughout  Australia,  Lon- 
don, Paris  and  Berlin,  and  other  countries 
will  be  added  in  due  time.” 

Gives  Artists  Year  Abroad 

According  to  the  above  .statement  made 
by  the  officials  of  the  Morris  agency,  this 
international  tieup  should  be  looked  upon 
with  great  interest  by  the  leading  presen- 
tation artists  of  this  country.  For  instance, 
when  an  act  has  completed  a tour  of  Bala- 
ban  & Katz  and  Lubliner  & Trinz,  Chicago 
theatres  consisting  of  six  or  eight  weeks, 
they  immediately  are  placed  in  a Publix 
stagehand  unit  which  leaves  Chicago  for  a 
nine  weeks’  tour.  This,  in  addition  to  the 
thirty  weeks  now  offered  by  Publix  out  of 
New  York  through  the  recent  Marcus 
Loew  booking  merger  which  will  go  into 
effect  September  1,  will  enable  all  satisfac- 
tory presentation  acts  to  work  an  entire 
year  in  this  country  through  one  office  and 
one  circuit,  with  the  possibility  of  being 
sent  over  to  Europe  with  at  least  another 
year’s  bookings  added  to  their  tour. 

A point  of  interest  in  this  matter  is  that 
William  Morris,  at  one  time  the  head  of 
his  own  vaudeville  circuit  and  established 
as  an  artist  representative  since  1898,  is 
now  looked  upon  as  the  “czaP’  of  presen- 
tation booking,  a fact  made  known  through 
his  representation  of  over  3,000  first-class 
artists.  Such  stars  as  Sophie  Tucker,  Paul 
(^Continued  on  page  28) 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Bandshows  Abroad 


(Co.iitimied  from  page  27) 

Whiteman,  Ted  Lewis,  Vincent  Lopez,  Van 
and  Schenck,  and  the  cream  of  musical 
comedy,  operatic,  and  vaudeville  artists  are 
now  being  represented  by  Morris. 

Launches  International  Circuit 

The  artists  mentioned  above  have  already 
played  European  countries  in  presentation 
offerings  in  some  of  the  best  music  halls 
of  London,  Paris  and  Berlin  and  have  cre- 
ated such  a success  and  popularity  for  this 
form  of  entertainment  that  it  was  decided 
to  start  an  international  circuit  to  play  the 
number  of  featured  acts  now  being  booked 
by  the  Morris  agency. 

Booking  representatives  as  well  as  man- 
aging directors  of  several  of  the  leading 
theatres  of  Europe  are  now  making  a tour 
of  the  United  States  to  look  over  talent  in 
our  theatres  with  the  possible  view  of  se- 
lecting suitable  material  for  their  future  of- 
ferings in  Europe.  Representatives  of 
several  booking  enterprises  will  pay  a visit 
to  both  New  York  and  Chicago  offices  of 
the  William  Morris  agency  some  time  in 
August,  to  discuss  plans  and  possibilities 
for  a consecutive  booking  arrangement  for 
some  of  the  artists  represented  by  them. 

In  this  connection  this  department  of 
The  Herald  is  in  receipt  of  information 
from  London  that  the  diversified  entertain- 
ment now  offered  in  conjunction  with  the 
picture  at  the  Plaza  in  London,  a Publix 
house,  will  be  routed  to  the  La  Scala  in 
Dublin  and  the  Capitol  in  Cardiff.  This 
new  routing  of  Mangan  presentations  be- 
comes effective  August  1. 


Managers!  Attention, 
Please 

Mr.  E.  F.  Albee,  head  of  the  Keith-AIbee 
vaudeville  circuit,  has  set  himself  in  a de- 
termination to  curb  the  tendency  towards 
nakedness  in  the  theatre.  A special  clause 
is  being  incorporated  in  all  contracts  with 
dancing  acts  requiring  that  stockings  be 
worn  at  all  performances. 

President  Albee  has  also  sent  a letter  to 
all  managers  to  be  posted  backstage  in  his 
theatres  requesting  vaudeville  artists  to  re- 
frain from  using  “cheap  jokes”  not  only 
in  regard  to  street  car  companies,  but  to 
any  other  industry,  or  officials,  of  nation, 
state,  or  city. 

Not  a bad  idea  for  other  circuits,  includ- 
ing stagehand  shows  to  follow.  One  at 
least  that  will  build  up  public  confidence 
and  a steady  flow  at  your  box  office. 


Stage  Courtship  Becomes 
a Reality 

Two  of  the  most  popular  presentation  artists 
who  have  become  big  favorites  in  Chicago  since 
their  first  appearance  together  three  years  ago  at 
McVickers  theatre  under  Paul  Ash.  are  now 
united  in  marriage  bonds  after  a romantic  three 
years’  courtship.  The  couple  referred  to  are  no 
other  than  Milton  Watson,  the  romantic  tenor 
who  has  sung  more  popular  songs  in  front  of 
stagehands  than  any  other  singer  has  in  a life- 
time, and  cute  little  Peggy  Bernier,  the  girl  with 
the  baby  talk  voice.  In  true  artist  fashion 
Peggy  and  Milton  are  spending  their  honeymoon 
entertaining  the  public  at  Chicago  picture  houses. 
They  even  continued  their  work  while  they  were 
being  married,  which  happened  in  between  shows 
at  the  Oriental  theatre  last  week,  with  Paul  Ash 
acting  as  best  man. 


Nick  “Dempsey” 


LANG  and  VOELK 

“The  Two  Ambassadors  of  Songland” 

ANNOUNCEMENT  1 

We  >«ish  to  take  this  opportunity  to  announce  that  our 
next  “BOUT”  will  be  staged  in  CHICAGO  on  SEPTEMBER 
15th.  On  that  day  the  World  Famous  Boxer,  JACK 
(Nick  Lang)  DEMPSEY,  will  meet  GENE  TUNNEY  in  a 
15  Round  Match  to  decide  upon  which  head  shall  rest 
the  CROWN  of  the  World's  Champion  Heavyweight  Boxer. 

Although  a SITE  has  not  as  yet  been  decided  on.  it  is 
possible  that  the  ORIENTAL  THEATRE  may  be  selected 
for  the  fight. 

The  World's  Greatest  Promoter,  WILLIAM  MORRIS, 
will  stage  this  EVENT  under  the  personal  direction  of 
A.  J.  BALABAN. 

NOTE: 

All  who  wish  to  secure  RESERVED  SEATS  apply  to 
MAX  TURNER.  PHIL  TYRRELL  and  SAM  BRAMSON, 
they  will  treat  you  fine.  Signed 

LEO  (George  Voelk)  FLYNN, 


George  “Flynn” 


P.  S.— PAUL  ASH  has  been  appointed  referee  by  the  Chicago  Federation  of  Musicians. 


BUDDY  ^ Tremendous  Hit  at  All  Picture  Houses  JIMMY 

WILLIAMS  and  ROSS 

Funniest  Comedy  Dancing  Team  Playing  Presentations 

OTHERS  IMITATE— WE  ORIGINATE! 

Now  at  the  ORIENTAL,  Milwaukee 
Soon  to  Open  a Tour  of  PUBLIX  THEATRES 
NOTE:  Have  You  Seen— VALE  & STEWART? 


LOUISE  NELSON  MILDRED  LETT  ARMINE  LETT 

Piano  Accordion  Piano  Banjo 

THE  PREMIER  TRIO 

Harmony  Singers 
DeLuxe 

Many  Thanks  to  AS- 
CHER  BROS.,  PAUL 
ASH,  VERNE  BUCK 
and  SAM  KAUFMAN. 


After  Several  Successful  En- 
gagements in  Chicago  will 
leave  for  a short  vacation 
before  Resuming  Picture 
House  Bookings. 


Just  Finished  a Second  Re- 
turn Engagement  with  VERNE 
BUCK  at  the  SHERIDAN 
Theatre,  CHICAGO. 


NEW  SONGS 

Reviewed  by 

IRENE  JUNO 

(Instructor  Washington  College  of  Music) 


WHISPER  SONG— Friend.  (Jerome  Remick 
Co.)  A fox-trot  number  that  is  catchy  without 
being  tricky.  You  will  soon  hear  orchestras  and 
organists  playing  it  to  death. 

>i<  4 # 

DEW-DEW-DEWEY  DAY— (Irving  Berlin.)  Fox- 
trot, and  it  will  soon  be  popular.  Has  easy  swing 
with  words  that  repeat  themselves.  The  public 
will  like  it  because  it  does  not  tax  their  brain. 

* « >15 

RED  LIPS — (Henry  Waterson,  Inc.)  A good 
fox-trot.  Sounds  better  after  you  play  it  a few 
times.  Carries  a uke  arrangement. 

4 4 4 

DAWN  OF  TOMORROW  — Granville-Green 
(Henry  Waterson,  Inc.)  A waltz  tempo.  If 
played  for  theme  will  make  an  impression  be- 
cause of  easy  progress  of  harmony,  but  will  never 
be  a "street  song.” 

¥ 4 4 

PARADISE  ISLE— Goering  & Peters  (Harms). 
A very  tuneful  easy  waltz.  It  goes  just  the  way 
you  expect  it  to  and  will  be  a favorite  number 
with  organists  for  neutral  scenes. 

4 4 4 

SLOW  RIVER— Schwab.  (Edward  B.  Marks.) 
A slow  4-4.  Harmony  that  is  different.  A hazy 
memory  of  a lazy  negro  spiritual,  and  playing 
melody  on  lower  register  tibia  and  vox  makes  a 
number  that  is  most  appealing.  I have  had  a 
dozen  ask  at  one  performance  for  the  name  of  it. 

4*4 

ROSY  CHEEKS— (Irving  Berlin.)  It’s  a catchy 
fox-trot  and  is  having  a deserved  run  of  popu- 
larity. Don’t  forget  to  play  it. 

4 4 4 

POSITIVELY  - ABSOLUTELY  — (De  Sylva, 
Brown  & Henderson.)  The  public  will  stomp 
their  way  through  this  number  in  about  six  weeks, 
and  then  we  will  have  another  stomp  to  another 
tune.  No  better  and  no  worse. 

« « « 

MY  IDEA  OF  HEAVEN— Another  Berlin  pub- 
lished fox-trot  that  is  easy  and  has  an  interesting 
patter  based  on  an  old  negro  spiritual  to  bolster 
it  up. 

THE  WINDING  TRAIL — Hayden  & Howard. 
(Sherman  Clay  & Co.)  Fox- trot  adapted  from 
"The  Old  Refrain.”  It  has  to  be  good.  No  two 
ways  about  it.  Don’t  miss  it  if  you  are  a movie 
organist. 

4 4 4 

IS  IT  POSSIBLE — (Irving  Berlin.)  Yes,  it’s 
possible,  we  have  another  fox-trot  and  we  have 
a hundred  million  others  like  you.  But  play  it 
for  dance  orchestras  will  use  it. 

« 

I’M  IN  LOVE  AGAIN— (De  Sylva,  Brown  & 
Henderson.)  If  Cole  Porter  expected  the  parlor 
performer  to  be  frantic  about  this  number  he  is 
probably  wondering  what  is  wrong.  I didn’t 
know  one  popular  number  could  have  so  many 
changes  in  thirty-two  measures.  Meat  for  musi- 
cians. but  poison  for  amateurs. 

* « * 

IT’S  A MILLION  TO  ONE  YOU’RE  IN  LOVE 
— (Irving  Berlin.)  t’s  a good  fox-trot  but  if 
served  to  the  public  in  the  original  key  of  B flat 
will  die,  for  the  range  is  entirely  too  high  to  be 
popular.  The  average  player  who  buys  his  songs 
at  the  five  and  ten  can’t  transpose  and  will  pass 
it  up.  We  all  know  if  they  don’t  know  the 
number  we  play  we  may  as  well  not  play  it.  ^ 
put  it  in  key  of  G Mr.  Arranger,  and  they  will 
like  it. 

« * * 

I ALWAYS  KNEW  I’D  FIND  YOU.— Morse  & 
Waye  (Feist.)  One  of  those  easy  to  sing  melo- 
dies, and  some  different  harmonic  changes  in  the 
chorus  keep  it  from  being  just  a fox-trot  song. 

>i(  * 

SWEET  MARIE. — Rose  & Frankl  (Berlin.)  It's 
just  a number,  play  it  for  a French  March  if  you 
have  nothing  better.  Has  nothing  to  recommend 
it. 

4 4* 

WHERE  THE  WILD,  WILD  FLOWERS  GROW. 
— Woods  & Dixon  (Berlin.)  Has  a tune  your 
audience  will  like,  catchy  and  easy  to  remember. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


STAGE  SHOWS 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  24 

Paul  Ash  did  a “Jazz  Grab  Bag*'  this  week, 
with  Peggy  Bernier  returning  to  the  Oriental  after 
a swing  of  some  of  the  L.  & T.  houses,  where 
she  proved  as  popular  as  at  the  downtown  theatre. 

“The  Marriage  of  Milton  and  Peggy"  might 
easily  have  supplanted  “The  Jazz  Grab  Bag"  as 
the  title  of  this  week’s  ehow,  for  the  two  popular 
entertainers,  Watson  and  Miss  Bernier,  were  made 
man  and  wife  the  forepart  of  the  week,  and  con- 
siderable of  Ash’s  wisecracking  was  at  the  ex- 
l>ense  of  the  young  couple,  who  accepted  it  gra- 
ciously and  gave  the  audience  a lot  of  laughs. 

The  show  opened  with  Paul  Small,  who  has 
the  Oriental  audience  with  him  100  per  cent, 
singing  “Tap,  Tap,  Tap,"  with  the  Abbott  Danc- 
ers coming  in  for  some  peppy  clog  dancing. 
Small  has  a personality  that  has  put  him  in  solid 
with  the  downtown  audiences.  In  singing  snappy, 
smart  lyrics  he  is  supreme.  He  followed  his  “Tap" 
number  with  “Just  Once  Again." 

Watson  took  the  spot  next.  The  audience  got 
such  a kick  out  of  his  singing  and  out  of  Ash’s 
wisecracking  that  they  held  the  tenor  on  for 
five  selections,  “A  Lane  in  Spain,"  “Butterfly," 
“Under  the  Moon,"  “Russian  Lullaby"  and  “Bye- 
Bye,  Pretty  Baby." 

Ash’s  specialty  for  the  week  was  “Rose  of  the 
Volga,"  with  Watson,  Tony  Hillis  and  Mrs,  Filer 
doing  the  song,  Hillis  opened,  singing  from  the 
stage  level.  Then  the  curtain  lifted  behind  the 
orchestra,  revealing  a garret  scene,  with  Watson 
singing.  This  setting  was  raised  above  stage  level 
so  that  it  could  be  seen  over  the  heads  of  the 
orchestra.  With  the  last  strains  of  the  song  by 
Watson  the  lights  behind  a transparent  curtain 
disclosed  Mrs.  Filer,  who  sang  and  played  a fret 
instrument.  Hillis  seems  to  lack  the  stage  pres- 
ence, which  is  such  a big  factor  in  the  success  of 
both  Watson  and  Small.  In  a trio  or  quartette 
his  voice  blends  fine,  but  as  a single  he  needs 
considerable  more  training.  This  act  got  a good 
hand. 

Small  came  on  again  and  sang  “Just  the  Same’’ 
and  “Let’s  Kiss  and  Make  Up."  Both  are  good 
airs  and  were  well  received. 

Gordon  and  King,  clever  boys,  did  a twin  dance 
numbers  and  served  to  break  up  a program  of 
songs.  The  audience  was  appreciative  of  their 
efforts,  and  gave  them  a great  hand. 

Next  came  Peggy  Bernier  singing  “Dew,  Dewey 
Days"  and  “Morning  Glories"  and  other  selections. 
While  singing  “Dewey"  she  brought  the  bride- 
groom onto  the  stage  and  did  some  clever  antics 
which  delighted  everyone.  Peggy  would  go  over 
big  anywhere. 

“Ten  Modern  Commandments”  was  the  picture. 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  24 

Fred  Waring  and  His  Pennsylvanians  did  the 
honors  this  week  and  what  a reception  the  down- 
town audience  gave  this  clever  musical  outfit. 
Your  only  chance  to  gain  admittance  to  the  the- 
atre was  during  an  off  hour.  This  was  Waring’s 
third  week  in  town,  the  other  two  having  been 
spent  at  the  Uptown  and  the  Tivoli.  There  un- 
doubtedly were  many  repeats  in  the  audience. 

The  show  opened  with  the  stage  darkened  and 
the  ochestra  playing  “I  Wonder.”  A man  dressed 
in  a night  shirt  and  carrying  a candle  scuttled 
across  the  stage.  Then  ae  the  orchestra  members 
sang  they  flashed  electric  candles  on  and  off. 
With  the  final  strains  of  the  piece  the  stage  lights 
went  up.  It  was  an  effective  bit  of  staging  for 
an  introductory  number. 

The  trap  drummer  of  this  outfit  has  a tricky 
voice  that  brings  loud  guffaws  from  the  audience. 
He  is  a good  comedian  and  valuable  to  the  act. 

The  next  song  was  ‘‘Sing  Me  a Baby  Song,” 
with  the  pianist  singing,  followed  by  a marvelous 
t)erformance  by  the  brass  and  reed  sections  of  the 
band.  A tremendous  hand  was  given.  The  pian- 
ist has  a tenor  voice  that  is  very  pleasing. 

Waring  next  announced  that  the  orchestra  would 
play  a piece  brought  over  to  this  country  and  pop- 
ularized by  Paul  Whiteman — ‘‘who  also  has  a 
band.”  This  slipped  over  the  heads  of  the  audi- 
ence at  first,  then  the  chuckles  broke  forth.  The 
song  was  ‘‘When  Day  Is  Done,”  with  the  pianist 
again  carrying  the  vocal  end  of  the  selection, 

“Saluta”  was  handled  cleverly,  with  the  entire 
orchestra  singing.  Then  in  order  followed  ‘‘Way 
Back  When,”  “Hallelujah,”  “Under  the  Moon”  and 
“Ain’t  She  Sweet.” 


The  Waring  program,  is  a fine  illustration  of 
showmanship.  The  outfit  works  hard  and  fast  to 
entertain — and  they  do  just  that  and  a good  job  of 
it.  It  is  a talented  outfit,  with  every  individual 
gifted. 

‘The  overture  for  the  week  was  “Songs  of 
England,”  including  “Love's  Old  Sweet  Song,” 
“There’s  a Song  at  Twilight,”  “Alice  Where  Art 
Thou,”  and  others.  During  the  playing  of  these 
selections  a motion  picture  illustrative  of  the 
words  were  screened.  Spitalny  has  been  using 
motion  pictures  to  illustrate  his  overtures,  and  the 
effect  is  good.  It’s  a change  and  a meritorious 
way  of  handling  the  overture. 

“Lost  at  the  Front”  was  the  picture. 


Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  July  24 

The  Vitaphone  still  continues  to  entertain  at  this 
theatre,  in  addition  to  the  fine  stage  show  offer. 
This  week’s  presentation  featuring  Benny  Meroff 
and  his  band  was  called  “Fortune  Tellers.”  It 
ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  with  artistic  eye, 
two  huge  cards  representing  King  and  Queen. 
The  Granada  Girls  posing  leisurely  in  a lying  posi- 
tion on  the  floor  as  Elizabeth  O’Donnell  posed  up 
in  center  stage  sings  a catchy  gypsy  refrain  to 
the  band’s  tune  of  same.  After  this  number  the 
girls  rise  releasing  rolls  that  represent  different 
cards  in  the  deck.  At  this  moment  the  curtain 


rises  showing  orchestra  in  outdoor  setting  dec- 
orated with  different  cards  in  front  of  each  man 
as  Benny  makes  his  entrance  and  announces  a 
band  arrangement  of  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song.” 

Meroff  joins  in  on  the  second  chorus  with  an 
extremely  long  saxophone  which  he  is  compelled 
to  play  perched  up  on  a stool.  For  an  extra 
chorus  he  does  his  entertaining  steps  which  are 
always  a treat  at  this  house. 

Frank  Bernard  announced  as  a late  featured 
artist  of  A1  Jolson’s  “Bombo"  made  his  -appear- 
ance next  in  a very  clever  routine  of  high  kicking 
and  acrobatic  dancing  to  which  the  audience  re- 
sponded liberally. 

The  next  band  number  announced  was  the 
“Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody,"  and  as  has  been 
stated  before  in  these  columns,  for  a jazz  orches- 
tra, they  certainly  do  a fine  job  of  anything 
classical. 

After  a fine  reception  Madelyn  Killen  followed 
in  songs  using  “Wild  Flower"  and  “Russian 
Lullaby,’’  later  going  into  an  acrobatic  dance 
routine  to  a w'altz  arrangement  of  this  number 
which  was  well  received.  This  young  lady  was 
announced  as  one  of  the  late  features  of  “Yes, 
Yes,  Yvette”  and  is  one  of  the  few  musical  comedy 
stars  appearing  in  this  theatre  that  has  really 
made  good  on  her  own. 

She  has  a pleasing  personality  and  a very 
soothing  voice. 

Charles  De  Haven  and  Bob  Callahan  came  on 
next,  assisted  by  a young  lady  announced  as 
Miss  Fontaine,  who  helped  these  comedians  dis- 


WHISTLING  LOVE  BIRDS 


SOUTH  SEA  HAWAIIAN  DANCE 


NOVELLE  BROS. 

Pantomimist  Artists 

Now  Featured  in  “Nick  Nacks” 

A PUBLIX  STAGEBAND  UNIT 
Opening  at  DES  MOINES,  This 
Week  and  to  play  NINE  WEEKS  of 
PUBLIX  THEATRES. 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency. 

\oie:  It  will  take  “MURRAY  and  ALAN” 
.*5,000  years  to  catch  up  with  us. 


Joe  BROWN  and  BAILEY  Stan 

“Two  Boys  in  Blue” 

A Deluxe  Act  for  Deluxe  Houses 
This  Week  at  the  STATE  Theatre  Hammond 
GREAT  STATES  THEATRES 
to  Follow 

Direction — Arthur  Spizzi  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


WELLINGTON  SISTERS 

“The  Song  and  Dance  Debutantes” 

Just  Closed  a Successful  Tour 
of  PUBLIX  THEATRES 

Will  Soon  Repeat  Chicago  B & K and  L & T Houses 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


play  their  comic  traits.  The  boys  sang  over  a 
prop  microphone  bearing  the  title  GAR  station, 
•using  such  numbers  as  “Blue  Skies,”  and  a Ger- 
man comedy  number  that  nearly  created  a riot  of 
laughter.  De  Haven  also  injects  a hokum  souse 
dance  •which  failed  to  register  but  seemed  to  please 
some.  They  finished  with  the  balloon  dance,  a 
burlesque  ballet  routine  created  by  the  former 
De  Haven  and  Nice,  of  which  De  Haven  is  one 
of  the  original  partners. 

“Giddap,  Garbaldi”  was  next  played  as  a com- 
edy band  number  with  a clever  singing  arrange- 
ment featuring  Paul  Jacobs,  the  ban  joist  in  a 
vocal  selection  of  same.  The  aiu'angement  in- 
cluded selections  of  Italian  melodies  which  are 
cleverly  interpreted  by  these  boys.  As  usual  the 
band  received  it’s  due  amount  of  applause. 

The  Granada  Girls  came  out  again  with  one  of 
their  routines,  this  time  dressed  as  gypsy  girls 
surrounding  Elizabeth  O’Donnell  propped  up  on 
back  platform  over  camp  fire  who  sings  selection 
from  “The  Fortune  Teller.”  This  young  lady  pos- 
sesses a very  fine  voice  of  soprano  quality  em- 
bodying the  dramatic  side  as  well  as  the  volume. 

For  one  of  the  specialties  the  band’s  violinist 
plays  “Little  Gypsy  Sweetheart,”  one  of  Victor 
Herbert’s  gems  to  which  the  girls  do  a very  inter- 
esting dance. 

Finale;  Two  boys  enter  from  each  end  of  stage 
pulling  a ten-foot  tamborine  which,  when  placed  in 
center  stage  and  light  is  flashed  on  it,  displays  a 
beautiful  silhouette  effect  of  Violet  Anderson,  one 
of  the  ballet  girls,  who  later  jumps  through  the 


MARK  FISHER 


That  Golden  Voiced  Leader  of  the 
MERRY  MUSIC  MASTERS 

Alternating  Weekly  Between  SENATE  and 
HARDING  Theatres,  Chicago 
Featured  in  LUBLINER  and  TRINZ 
Stage  Presentations 


drum  and  goes  into  a routine  of  whirlwind 
dancing,  assisted  by  the  other  girls  and  the  en-tire 
cast  who  aesembled  on  the  stage. 

Observation:  “The  Night  of  Love^’  with  Col- 

man  and  Banky,  supplied  the  theme  for  this 
week’s  stage  presentation.  Not  a bad  stunt  for 
other  producers  to  follow.  Results  at  the  box 
office  were  pleasing. 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  July  24 

It  seems  that  the  producer  of  these  stage  shows 
utilizes  every  opportunity  to  build  around  his 
weekly  photoplay  with  an  exceptional  fine  presen- 
tation that  bears  some  resemblance  to  the  film 
theme.  This  week  Verne  Buck  and  his  orchestra 
are  featured  in  “Millionaire  Roamers,”  a comedy 
stage  sequel  to  “Dance  Magic,”  the  film  which  ap- 
peared on  the  same  bill.  The  stage  show  which 
featured  Julia  Garity  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  of  Woodland 

scene  with  orchestra  boys  dressed  as  hobos,  all 
lying  in  various  positions  as  Verne  Buck  enters  in 
a similar  hokum  costume  and  announced  a very 
catchy  tune  called  “Mine,”  which  these  boys 
played  as  a band  arrangement  and  the  manner 
these  boys  played  it  showed  that  they  meant  busi- 
ness from  then  on. 

Jack  Perry,  in  the  role  of  the  hobos’  captain, 
made  his  appearance  and  after  complimenting 
Verne  Buck  and  his  orchestra  went  into  a singing 


For  Sale 

As  a going  business 

De  Luxe  Motion  Picture 

and 

Presentation  Theatre 

Prominently  located  on  one  of  Chi- 
cago’s business  transfer  corners. 

In  operation  approximately  one  year, 
well  advertised  and  showing  the 
good-will  of  a rapidly  expanding 
apartment  district. 

Large  stage,  ventilating  cooling  system, 
and  organ  equipment,  with  attractive  fur- 
nishings. Address: 

Chester  R.  Davis 

WiA'f.  Trust  Uficer 

Chicago  Title  & Trust  Company 
69  W.  Washington  St.,  Chicago 


IRENE  TAYLOR 

(The  Southern  Darlin’) 

Now  Playing  the  New 
ORIENTAL  Theatre,  Milwaukee 
Will  Soon  Open  a Second  Tour 
of  PUBLIX  featured  in  a new 
STAGEBAND-UNIT-SHOW. 

Direction — Phil  Tyrrell 
c/o  William  Morris  Agency 


arrangement  of  “Me  and  My  Shadow,”  of  which 
he  offered  in  a typical  Perry  style. 

Two  boys,  announced  as  the  box  car  magnets, 
made  their  appearance  next  in  a hok^um  boob 
comedy  dance  that  almost  stopped  the  show.  These 
boys  are  evidently  new  around  here  and  should  do 
a great  deal  in  picture  houses  if  the  right  outfit 
gets  them. 

The  Premier  Trio  appeared  here  again  for  the 
second  time  in  the  last  month,  and  as  usual  offered 
a vei’y  entertaining  program  of  harmony  singing 
intermingled  with  accordion  music.  As  stated  be- 
fore, these  young  ladies  are  very  talen'ted  and 
one  cannot  help  but  admire  their  charming  per- 
sonality which  seems  to  dominate  the  stage  from 
the  time  of  their  appearance  until  their  last  encore. 

A clever  band  arrangement  of  “Magnolia”  was 
played  next,  with  several  comedy  bits  interpreted 
by  the  boys  giving  also  Verne  Buck  an  opportu- 
nity to  display  his  comedy  talents.  For  a second 
chorus,  Verne  offered  a solo  on  his  saxophone 
which  received  a fine  reception, 

William  Mitchell  followed  him  in  a selection  of 
classical  numbers,  which  despite  the  fact  that  his 
voice  and  appearance  was  strictly  concert,  it 
earned  him  several  bows.  This  artist  was  re- 
ported in  these  columns  before  at  another  Chi- 
cago house. 

The  band  came  in  again  for  one  of  the  weekly 
features,  this  time  playing  a very  hot  arrangement 
of  “St.  Louis  Blues”  with  specialties  intermingled, 
especially  a clarinet  solo  by  Hal  Hiatt,  the  boy 
that  plays  the  B flat  clarinet,  and  oh,  how  he 
plays  it.  The  number  stopped  the  show  and 
compelled  Hal  to  take  an  encore  which  they  seemed 
to  enjoy  very  much  out  front.  As  an  extra  encore 
the  band  was  requested  to  play  the  ‘Milenberg 
Joy,”  which  was  played  in  ragtime  with  Verne 
doing  a sax-solo  assisted  by  Hal  and  his  clarinet 
and  they  both  played  the  number  for  all  it  •was 
worth  and  received  almost  as  much  out  of  the 
audience  for  their  playing. 

It  seems  that  the  audience  here  never  gets 
enough  of  any  number  and,  despite  the  fact  that 
the  show  was  at  this  time  several  minutes  late, 
they  were  compelled  to  go  into  an  arrangement 
of  “Tiger  Rag”  before  the  rest  of  the  show  could 
proceed.  This  reporter  has  heard  many  bands 
play  “Tiger  Rag,”  but  never  in  the  style  that 
Verne  Buck  and  his  boys  do  it,  and  it  will  be 
worth  your  admission  price  to  hear  these  boys 
play.  (It  sure  will  do  your  heart  good  by  letting 
them  chase  your  blues  away.) 

Julia  Garity,  a cute  young  lady  who  has  been  ap- 
pearing in  local  cafes,  made  her  bow  to  picture 
house  audiences  in  a selection  of  popular  numbers 
such  as  “Wild  Flower”  and  “South  Wind.”  Miss 
Garity  is  a blue  singer  of  exceptional  voice  qual- 
ity with  a personality  that  beams  all  over  the 
stage.  For  an  encore  she  sang  a second  chorus 
of  “South  Wind,”  assisted  by  Cioyd  Griswold,  who 
interpolated  “Swanee  River.”  No  stage  show  here 
would  be  complete  without  Griswold  singing.  Be- 
fore Julia  could  sign  off,  she  was  compelled  to 
sing  “Russian  Lullaby”  and  “Sing  Me  a Baby 
Song,”  for  which  she  was  well  paid  for  in  the 
way  of  applause. 

She  was  followed  by  a clever  band  arrangement 
of  “A  Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling,”  assisted  by 
the  Premier  Trio  harmonizing  the  song  while 
they  were  stationed  on  the  prop  bridge. 

At  this  point  Verne  Buck  becomes  chummy  and 
steps  off  the  stage  into  the  audience  taking  sev- 
eral stage  liberties  which  this  number  allows,  and 
out  of  the  clear  sky,  this  reporter  and  your  trade 
paper  received  some  free  publicity  when  this 
popular  leader  saw  fit  to  take  the  seat  next  to 
“yours  truly.”  (Of  course,  it  is  taken  for  granted 
that  the  number  allowed  this  sort  of  clowning, 
however,  it  is  pleasing  to  know  that  a popular 
band  leader  like  Verne  Buck  sees  fit  to  publicly 
commit  himself  as  “champion-booster”  for  this 
trade  paper.  Not  many  would  do  it,  but  it  is 
this  sort  of  fiber  that  Verne  is  made  of  that 
has  made  him  so  popular.) 

Finale;  After  everybody  had  a free-for-all  fun 
and  a grand  and  glorious  feeling,  the  orchestra 
went  into  a band  arrangement  of  “Ain’t  She 
Sweet?”  as  the  final  curtain  lowered. 


Jimmie  WHITE  BROS. 

Double  Dancing  DeLuxe 
**We  Dance  as  One” 

Now  Playing  De  Ltixe 
Picture  Houses 
Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


Eddie 


DAVID  GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 
BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 


COSTUMES  FOR  HIRE 


PRODUCTIONS 

EXPLOITATIONS 

PRESENTATIONS 


■Q  O V C 1437  Broadway 

DIVV/V/IVO  Tel.  5580  Penn. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


July  30,  1927 


Chicago  Marbro 

Week  Ending  July  24 

The  Marbro  stage  presentation  was  the  same 
as  that  reported  last  week  for  the  Granada  with 
the  exception  that  McGrath  and  Travers  replaced 
Laura  Lee,  who  appeared  in  the  theatre  last  week. 
McGrath  and  Travers  do  a clever  comedy  song, 
dance  and  talking  number  called,  **Seventy  Years 
from  Now.”  The  audience  joyously  received  the 
piece.  The  pair  are  very  clever  performers. 


Chicago  Stratford 

Week  Ending  July  24. 

The  Stratford  patrons  enjoy  every  minute  of 
stage  presentation  featuring  Ted  Leary  as  master 
of  ceremonies  and  Maurie  Hillblom^s  orchestra  on 
a split  week  policy. 

The  show  opened  with  Hillblom  and  His  Or- 
chestra playing  “Sweet  Yvette”  in  a full  stage 
Spanish  patio  scene. 

Ted  Leary  enters  and  starts  wise-cracking 
patter  with  Hillblom,  and  announces  Jimmie 
Kearns,  who  puts  over  “High  Ways  Are  Happy 
Ways”  in  an  acceptable  manner. 

Hager  and  Milstead  follow  with  Hager  doing 
classical  numbers  on  the  violin,  going  into  a violin 
and  accordion  number,  and  as  encores  Hager  does 
an  imitation  of  Scotch  bagpipes  on  the  violin, 
which  went  over  fine. 

Leary  next  introduces  Maybelle  Oakley,  who 
comes  on  dressed  in  a snappy  young  man’s  attire 
singing  “Ain’t  She  Sweet.”  She  follows  with  an 
imitation  of  a very  drunk  young  man  singing 
“What’ll  We  Do  When  There  Ain’t  No  Women,” 
which  won  her  a big  hand.  Her  “drunk”  dance 
which  followed  won  her  an  encore.  She  next 
pulled  a few  jokes  with  Leary,  and  followed  with 
another  dance  specialty. 

The  band  followed  with  “After  I Call  You 
Sweetheart,”  with  the  cornet  doing  a bit  of  solo 
work. 

Leary  next  brings  in  the  Versatile  Trio,  a male 
trio,  who  sing  “Four  Leaf  Clover,”  to  a good 
round  of  applause.  The  trio  followed  with  a 
banjo,  flute,  and  jazz-horn  presentation  of 
“Sam,”  going  into  “Crazy  Words.”  As  an  encore 
the  trio  gave  “Hoosier  Your  Sweetheart,”  with 
whistling  by  one  of  the  trio.  The  number  went 
over  big  and  won  another  whistling  number. 

Ted  Leary  next  sings  “If  You  Can’t  Tell  the 
World  She’s  a Good  Little  Girl,  Then  Say  Nothing 
at  All,”  then  going  into  a monologue  accompanied 
by  the  band.  He  followed  with  “Just  What  the 
Doctor  Ordered.”  Leary  appears  to  be  quite  a 
favoritS  at  the  Startford,  his  patter  with  Hill- 
blom and  songs  get  plenty  of  laughs  from  his 
audience.  Hillblom  makes  a clever  foil  for  Ted 
and  his  band  is  appreciated  by  the  Stratford 
ticket  buyers. 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  July  24 

Mark  Fisher  is  on  his  vacation  but  his  Merry 
Music  Masters  still  bring  forth  their  catchy  melo- 
dies. This  week  the  presentation  is  called  “Harem 
Scarems,”  with  A1  Belasco  substituting  for  Mark 
Fisher.  This  chap,  a recruit  from  vaudeville,  filled 
the  role  very  nicely.  The  offering  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  oriental  setting  with 

Gould  Girls  in  a silhouette  pose  as  the  band 
plays  an  oriental  tune.  A prop  bridge  lowers 
over  band  as  girls  in  oriental  costumes  descend 
on  stage. 

After  a clever  snake  dance  specialty  rendered 
by  one  of  the  girls  the  band  went  into  a clever 
arrangement  of  “Katy-Did.” 

At  this  point  A1  Belasco  makes  his  entrance 
dressed  in  similar  outfit  worn  by  Benny  Meroff, 
another  local  band  leader,  and  after  a short  talk 
and  tribute  to  Mark  Fisher  announced  Luell  Sis- 
ters, who  dance  neat  musical  comedy  steps  to 
the  band’s  tune  of  “The  Doll  Dance.”  These 
young  ladies  are  cute  to  look  at  and  seemed  to 
win  the  approval  of  the  audience. 

They  were  followed  by  Mertz  Boyd,  a young 
lady  who  tries  to  sing  “Sweet  Someone”  but  fails 
to  register  as  a singer.  For  a second  number 
she  returns  in  an  abbreviated  costume  and  tries 
to  put  over  in  song  form  “He’s  the  Last  Word,” 
using  Belasco  as  a foil  and  later  going  into  a 
few  high  kicks.  The  young  lady  has  plenty  of 
pep  but  lacks  in  presentation  talent. 

“Under  the  Moon”  was  next  offered  as  a band 
arrangement  with  Buckley,  the  pianist,  singing 
in  his  pleasing  tenor-baritone  voice.  'The  popu- 
larity of  this  boy  was  evidenced  by  a huge  re- 
ception after  this  number  which  earned  him  an 
encore  of  same. 

The  Gould  Girls  came  on  next  in  a semi-Spanish 


outfit,  odd  in  a way  but  cute  from  the  standpoint 
of  costumes.  The  number  really  served  as  a 
filler  for  the  nature  of  the  show  had  no  tint  of 
Spanish  whatsoever,  never  the  less,  one  enjoys 
a clever  routine  staged  by  Dave  Gould. 

A1  Belasco  steps  forward  in  a comedy  arrange- 
ment singing  “Baby  of  Mine,”  later  going  into 
a routine  of  eccentric  dancing  intermingled  with 
comedy  steps.  This  chap  managed  to  stop  the 
show  by  his  clever  antics  and  comedy  pranks 
that  he  injected  throughout  his  routine.  Some- 
how he  reminds  you  of  Benny  Meroff  both  in  ap- 
pearance and  mannerisms,  for  a newcomer  he 
was  well  received. 

Jack  and  Kay  Spangler,  of  musical  comedy, 
were  next  and  as  it  has  been  stated  before  in 
these  columns,  they  again  warmed  them  with  their 
routine  of  song  and  dance.  Without  any  ex- 
aggeration Miss  Spangler  is  one  of  the  most 
graceful  high-kickers  that  this  reporter  has  ever 
seen  kick-off  in  presentation.  Of  course,  they 
stopped  the  show,  not  a surprising  thing  for 
them  to  do. 

Billy  Glason  followed,  and  from  then  on  you 
were  responsible  for  your  own  welfare.  Billy 
was  reported  before  in  these  columns  and  again 
did  here  what  he  did  in  other  places.  (If  this 
reporter  manages  to  catch  Billy  on  another  bill 
he  will  threaten  him  with  doctors’  bills  for 
laughing.) 

Finale:  Gould  Girls  costumed  as  the  maids  of 
the  Nile  appear  on  level  platform  as  the  band 
strikes  up  an  arrangement  of  “Moonlight  on  the 
Ganges”  as  Belasco  plays  the  tune  on  his  saxo- 
phone while  dancing  at  the  same  time. 


Observation:  This  is  purely  and  simply  a 

Mark  Fisher  audience  but  from  the  standpoint  of 
entertainment  they  enjoyed  the  offering  and  paid  a 
great  tribute  to  his  associates,  which  shows  what 
a clever  showman  like  Mark  can  do  by  building 
up  public  confidence  through  ability  and  clean 
entertainment. 

Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  July  24 

With  all  the  popular  band  leaders  going:  on 
their  vacations,  the  stage  motto  “On  With  the 
Show,”  still  goes  no.  Benny  Krueger,  who  is  now 
enjoying  cool  breezes  from  the  Atlantic  ocean, 
is  ably  replaced  by  Victor  Young,  his  first  violin- 
ist, who  puts  the  orchestra  through  a series  of 
arrangements.  This  week’s  stage  offering  is  called 
“Outside  Inn,”  and  features  George  Riley  in  the 
role  of  Master  of  Ceremonies  assisted  by  Lang 
and  Voelk.  The  entertainment  took  place  as 
follows : 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  representing 

summer  resort  in  the  Alps,  with  orchestra  boys 
dressed  in  red  bellhop  costumes.  George  Voelk  in 
the  role  of  the  inkeeper  served  the  guests  as 
George  Riley  enters,  announcing  the  various  celeb- 
rities for  the  evening. 

The  first  artist  on  the  bill  was  Bert  Darrell, 
who  did  a soft  shoe  tap  routine  while  the  band 
played  an  arrangement  of  “Poet  and  Peasant,” 
the  first  time  that  this  style  of  dancing  has  been 
stepped  to  an  operatic  tune.  The  perfect  rhythm 
that  this  boy  possesses  in  his  musical  feet  is  both 


AMERICA’S  PREMIER  DANSEUSES 

Kerenoff  IV/I 

AND  IVlaree 

“THE  ADAGIOS” 

Having  Created  a Sensation  in 
Presentations 

Will  Soon  Be  Featured  in 

A Broadway  Production 


AL  and  LOUISE  WALKER 

THE  TEAM  WITH  THE  EDUCATED  FEET 

FOR  DELUXE  PRESENTATION  THEATRES 
This  Week  at  the  WISCONSIN  Theatre,  Milwaukee 
Opening  August  6th  as  Featured  Act  in  a PUBLIX  STAGEHAND  UNIT 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


MURIEL  KAYE 

**The  Distinctive  Dancer” 

For  DeLuxe  Theatres 
No'w  Featured  in  Presentations 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  Through  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


PEGGY  ROSS 

CHAMBERLIN  and  HIMES 

(Positively  the  World* s Worst  Apache  Dancers) 

Just  Signed  with  Florenz  Ziegfeld 
for  his  new  “ZIEGFELD  FOLLIES  of  1927” 

Production  Representative — Leo  Fitzgerald 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


a treat  for  eyes  and  ears.  It  seems  that  this  is 
his  fiiT  appearance  in  picture  houses  in  this  terri- 
tory and  from  the  reception  accorded  him  it  should 
not  be  the  last,  for  the  boy  is  clever. 

Lang  and  Voelk,  those  two  ambassadors  of 
songlands,  who  for  the  last  six  months  have  been 
commuting  from  one  picture  house  to  another, 
made  their  appearance  for  the  sixth  time  at  this 
house.  Their  new  song  program  consisted  of  “Just 
Like  a Butterfly”  and  “Sundown,”  with  an  inter- 
polation of  “Poor  Butterfly”  and  “Just  a Song 
at  Twilight.”  The  Alp  climbing  was  postponed 
at  this  point  and  all  the  interest  was  centered 
on  these  boys,  whose  harmony  blends  beautifully 
and  w'ho  could  sing  on  indefinitely  as  far  as  the 
audience  is  concerned. 

After  a short  speech  and  several  bows  the  show 
continued  with  the  Collette  Sisters  following  in  a 
song  and  dance  routine.  The  girls  have  been  ai>- 
pearing  in  local  cafes  as  well  as  picture  houses 
and  although  they  are  charming  young  ladies, 
they’re  nothing  to  write  home  about. 

Victor  Young  next  led  the  orchestra  into  an 
arrangement  of  “Highways,”  interpreting  a med- 
ley of  “A  Long,  Long  Trail”  and  injected  a 
vocal  selection  by  Frankie  Masterman,  the  band’s 
banjo  player. 

At  this  point  Victor  also  played  a solo  on  the 
violin  in  such  an  appealing  style  that  he  was  com- 
pelled to  repeat  the  number  to  a fine  hand. 

Due  credit  must  go  to  Victor  for  the  splendid 
band  arrangement  of  this  number,  which  the 
boys  interpreted  in  fine  manner. 

Paul  Howard,  the  boy  who  has  been  tying  him- 
self up  in  knots  in  several  pictui’e  houses,  again 
i-olled  himself  off  on  this  stage  and  put  the  kibosh 
to  the  rest  of  the  show. 

After  bouncing  in  and  out  before  each  specialty 
George  Riley  prepared  himself  for  his  own  spe- 
cialty, which  consisted  of  “Red  Lips”  and  “Nes- 
tling Time.”  George  sang  the  number  in  typical 
musical  comedy  style,  intermingled  with  several 
smart  gags  which  he  offers  in  his  individual  style 
and  quaint  mannerisms.  It  is  needless  to  say  that 
George  kept  the  humor  throughout  the  show  and 
injected  the  necessary  comedy  element  that  kept 
the  show  intact. 

Finale:  “WTien  Rastus  Plays  His  Old  Gazook” 


was  played  as  a band  number,  with  the  boys  blow- 
ing through  semi-megaphone  gazooks  in  typical 
jazz  style  as  Sam  Baum,  the  drummer,  offered  a 
vocal  chorus  while  the  entire  cast  assembled  on 
stage. 


Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  July  23 

A1  Short’s  third  week  bandshow  here  was  termed 
“A1  Short’s  Yachting  Party”  and  it  introduced 
the  new  Howard  ballet,  a group  of  local  girls 
selected  by  Short.  It  also  gave  audiences  a sam- 
ple of  what  Short  can  really  do,  with  a little  time 
to  work  up  a show,  and  his  stuff  went  over  in 
great  fashion. 

The  orchestra  opened  with  “Sailing”  and  the 
curtain  disclosed  a stage  set  representing  the  deck 
of  a yacht,  the  “S.  S.  Howard.”  The  orchestra 
was  in  sailor  garb  and  Short  in  a commander’s 
uniform. 

Ost  and  Reeves,  two  dancers,  opened.  They 
were  dressed  like  the  band  boys.  The  ballet  fol- 
lowed. 

Short  and  His  Bandshow  then  played  “Halle- 
lujah” and  “Sometimes  I’m  Happy”  from  “Hit 
the  Deck,”  and  received  a great  hand. 

Wellington  Sisters,  singers,  dancers,  did  “Hoo- 
sier  SVeetheart”  and  “Not  Once.” 

Ost  and  Reeves  were  out  again. 

Short  then  played  the  “William  Tell  Overture” 
with  his  own  arrangement,  and  this  proved  the 
hit  of  the  entire  show.  The  ballet  followed  this. 

Robert  Earle,  song  plugger,  sang  “Yesterday” 
and  “I’m  Afraid  You  Sing  That  Song  to  Somebody 
Else.” 

Doris  Rue  sang  “The  Last  Word”  and  did  a 
black  bottom  tap. 

The  orchestra  closed  with  “Sailing”  with  all 
the  performers  out  for  the  finale.  Lights  were 
dimmed  down  and  outlines  of  ship  were  in  white 
and  red,  a radium  effect. 

Ringe  and  Wetzel  sang  the  prison  scene  from 
“II  Trovatore.”  This  lasted  only  three  minutes 
and  customers  liked  it  so  well  they  will  be  held 
over  another  week. 


Los  Angeles  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  21 

The  stage  show  is  called  “Gingham  Girls,”  in 
which  a large  dancing  chorus  and  Rube  Wolf  par- 
ticipate. Larry  Ceballos,  late  of  the  Hollywood 
Music  Box  Revue,  has  several  clever  numbers,  one 
called  “Slough  Foot”  being  particularly  fetching. 

Wolf  gives  a burlesque  and  his  gags  go  over 
big.  Rose  Valyda,  radio  artist,  sings  and  she 
and  Rube  do  a burlesque  on  a semi-acrobatic 
dance.  Oscar  Taylor  is  back  and  sings  the  clos- 
ing number,  written  by  Rube  Wolf.  Salvatore 
Santaella  at  the  piano  received  rounds  of  applause. 
A good  audience  teaser,  called  “Looking  for  Tal- 
ent,” had  the  audience  singing  lustily. 


Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  July  23. 

A stage  presentation  both  unusual  and  excep- 
tionally beautiful  is  offered.  It  is  “The  Maid  of 
the  Mist,”  a fantasy  based  on  the  old  Indian  leg- 
end and  was  devised  and  staged  by  Paul  Oscard. 
For  pure  beauty,  the  presentation  has  not  been 
equalled  since  the  opening  of  the  new  Indiana. 

It  opens  with  a brief  prologue  including  an 
Indian  love  song  sung  by  Lucille  Winston  and 
William  Tucker,  and  a dance  by  the  Misses  Laja, 
Madia,  Violetta  and  Portia.  Then  follows  the 
legend,  with  the  story  told  by  William  Tucker, 
the  young  Indian  warror  portrayed  by  Harry 
Losee,  the  maid  of  the  mist  by  Ann  Douglass  and 
the  spirits  of  the  water  by  Lottie  Mayer's  Diving 
Girls.  The  finale,  which  closes  with  a dive  from 
the  wings  by  Lottie  Mayer,  is  impressive. 


Indianapolis  Circle 

Week  Ending  July  23 

The  intricacies  of  the  piano  keyboard  are  oc- 
cupying the  attention  of  Zez  Confrey,  novelty 
pianist,  who  brought  his  orchestra  to  the  Circle 
this  week.  The  piano  becomes  a pliable  instru- 
ment in  Confrey’s  hands  and  the  dexterity  with 
which  he  manipulates  his  fingers  is  amazing.  He 
plays  unusual  interpretations,  not  only  of  his 
own  “Kitten  on  the  Keys,”  but  of  many  other 
popular  tunes.  In  his  program,  Confrey  is  as- 
sisted by  a full  jazz  orchestra,  supplemented  by  a 
clever  trio  and  a banjoist  with  a trick  voice. 


Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  July  22. 

“Rushia”  was  the  title  of  the  stage  attraction 
at  the  Newman  theatre  this  week,  in  which  Ralph 
Pollock  and  His  Newman  Merryittakers  were 
featured  as  a costumed  orchestra  on  the  stage  in 
accordance  with  the  new  Publix  policy. 

Markel  and  Faun,  the  Siberian  Sweethearts, 
Chief  Eagle  Feather,  Fulee  and  Sebastian  and 
Alice  Day  were  also  featured  on  the  program. 
Chief  Eagle  Feather,  doing  a tap  dance,  which 
followed  a few  spoken  lines  comparing  the  old- 
time  Indian  dances  with  those  of  today,  was  re- 
called for  an  encore  many  times  during  the  week. 

Julia  Dawn  at  the  organ  rendered  an  original 
selection  of  excerpts  from  songs,  illsutrated  by 
slides. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  July  22. 

Hooper  and  Gatehett  in  “The  Kookie”  headlined 
the  stage  program  at  the  Mainstreet  this  week. 
The  act  is  a comedy  skit. 

Mildred  Andree  and  Cktmpany  in  “A  Symphony 
of  Tune  and  Colors”  offer  a musical  act,  while 
Jack  Sidney  jests  a bit  and  sings  a bit. 

Jazz  Lips  Richardson  renders  a number  of 
Dixie  songs,  while  the  Howard  Twins  have  a 
dance  act. 

Walter  Davison  and  His  Louisville  Loons 
played  their  fourth  week  as  the  stage  orchestral 
attraction,  playing  popular  selections  as  an  over- 
ture. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  23 

Foot-stirring  music  and  a variety  of  excellent 
entertainment  characterized  the  presentation  of 
“The  Gypsy  Trail,”  featuring  Evelyn  Hoey, 
“blues”  songstress,  and  Charles  Olcott  as  master 
of  ceremonies.  Other  acts  offered  Bob  Nelson, 
singing  comedian  ; the  Ernie  Young  Dancers ; and 
Charley  Jolley,  the  Capitol  tenor,  in  recent  song 
hits.  Russ  Morgan  and  His  Band  also  made 
merry. 


Week  to  Week  Stunts — ATTENTION!  — Vocal  Variety 

ORGANISTS  ! 
offers  for  RENTAL 
SAVAGE  ORGAN  SOLOS 

The  Last  Word  in  Community  Singing 

S05  Woods  Theatre  Building,  Chicago,  III* 

Community  Comics  — Exclusive  Rights  — Original  Organloques 


RAY  TURNER 

Featured  Organist 
NORTH  CENTER  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Now  Under  LUBLINER  & TRINZ  Management 


Solo  Presentations — 

GRACE  R.  CLARKE 

Featured  Organist 

ASCHER  BROS.,  CROWN  THEATRE,  CHICAGO  ‘ 

COMMUNITY  SINGING 


Originator  of  the  New  Organ  SCRIMAPHONE  PRESENTATIONS 

Albert  F.  Brown 

FEATURE  ORGANIST 

Alternating  at  the  MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago 
All  Solos  Conceived  by  Albert  F.  Brown  and  Staged  by  RAYMOND  Q.  DALTON 
REPRESENTS  A NEW  ERA  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


July  30,  1927 


Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  July  23 

Freddie  Stritt  was  the  center  of  attention 
here,  overseeing  “That  Certain  Party,**  the  cur- 
rent stageehow.  Assisting  him  were:  Wellman 
and  Russel,  vocal  performers  in  an  enjoyable 
routine ; Feon  Van  Marr,  a dancer  who  knows 
her  steps  ; Nanette  Berr  and  the  Three  Bennetts, 
whose  comical  hoofing  drew  nice  applause. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  July  23. 

By  special  request  the  original  Tiller  Sunshine 
Girls  from  Marilyn  Miller’s  “Sunny”  were  held 
over  for  another  week  to  do  their  stuff.  They 
started  the  program  again  this  week  with  some 
pretty  dancing  and,  to  say  the  least,  they  are 
good.  The  eight  girls  work  beautifully  in  unison, 
and  they  appeared  three  times,  once  in  a very 
clever  dance  in  which  each  girl  had  a small  xylo- 
phone fastened  on  her  back  playing  a tune  while 
dancing. 

Maxwell  and  Lee,  two  young  men  all  dressed 
up  in  swallow  tail  coats  and  striped  gray 
trousers,  did  some  good  clog  dancing,  besides 
turning  a number  of  cartwheels  and  several 
other  strenuous  acrobatic  stunts. 

Maxine  Hamilton  won  the  applause  of  the  audi- 
ence with  a number  of  popular  songs,  which  she 
sang  with  her  own  interesting  interpretation.  Of 
course,  Dave  Schooler  and  His  Play  Boys,  who, 
despite  the  fact  that  they  have  only  been  here  a 
week,  have  made  a big  hit  with  the  Milwaukee 
theatre  fans,  were  on  the  stage  all  this  while  and 
Dave  managed  to  chime  in  with  something  funny. 

“Foolin’  Around”  is  the  title  of  the  presentation 
in  which  Schooler  and  His  Play  Boys  appear  this 
week.  Among  their  numbers  was  the  popular 
“Sundown”  and  “Hello  Cutie.”  Besides  these 
numbers,  Dave  put  on  a clever  skit  in  which  each 
member  of  the  orche.stra  had  the  chance  of  giving 
his  instrument  a sort  of  solo  practice  session. 
The  members  of  the  orchestra  were  dressed  in 
Russian  costumes  which  added  much  to  the  color 
of  the  scene. 

Joe,  the  Boy  Wonder  and  Baby  Jardine  cap- 
tured the  plaudits  and  hearts  of  the  audience 
with  their  singing  and  dancing.  The  fact  that 
they  are  so  young  and  still  so  good  seemed  rather 
to  surprise  the  people.  They  did  to  perfection  a 
bit  of  acrobatic  dancing  besides  singing  “Hello 
Cutie.” 

Oh,  yes,  we  forgot  to  mention  that  Billy  Meyers, 
the  good-looking  baritone,  is  also  a part  of 
‘Schooler’s  Play  Boys,  and  comes  on  to  the  stage 
to  sing  choruses  of  the  various  songs  played 
by  the  orchestra.  He  has  a very  fine  voice  and 
always  gets  a big  hand. 

The  grand  finale  found  Baby  Jardine  sitting 
atop  of  a large  swing  suspended  from  the  stage 
with  the  orchestra  and  the  rest  of  the  ensemble 
working  at  full  blast. 

Les  Hoadley  at  the  silver  organ  played  “If  You 
See  Sally,”  and  “Not  Much,”  The  words  were 
flashed  upon  the  screen  in  an  attempt  to  get  the 
audience  to  join  in  community  singing,  but  when 
this  did  not  succeed  very  well  the  operator 
flashed  upon  the  screen  a plate  that  was  divided 
into  large  squares  each  containing  one  of  the 
words  to  the  song.  In  the  case  where  pictures 
could  be  used  instead  of  the  word  itself,  pictures 
were  inserted.  For  example,  instead  of  the  word 
“be,”  the  picture  of  a bee  was  inserted.  This 
brought  a good  laugh  from  the  audience  and 
helped  to  loosen  up  their  vocal  cords. 

Brooklyn  Mark  Strand 

Week  Ending  July  22. 

The  overture  hy  the  famed  Mark  Strand  Oc- 
chestra  was  selections  from  the  Leoncavallo 
opera,  “Pagliacci,**  with  Willy  Stahl  conducting, 
and  served  as  the  opening  incident  of  a program 
which  contained  two  other  musical  incidents,  the 
feature  photoplay  and  the  Topical  Review. 

Fabiano,  the  mandolinist  of  the  orchestra, 
stepped  from  his  chair  to  the  apron  of  the  stage 
and  played  a medley  of  selections  including 
‘Czardas,**  “Honolulu  Moon**  and  “At  Sundown.** 

The  Mark  Strand  Topical  Review  was  then 
flashed  on  the  screen  and  gave  the  most  important 
news  events  of  the  week,  including  the  arrival 
of  Byrd  and  Chamberlin. 

Then  came  the  big  stage  number,  “U.S.S.  Jazz,*’ 
presenting  for  the  eighth  week  Art  Landry  and 
His  Victor  Recording  Orchestra.  The  set  repre- 
sented the  upper  deck  of  a man-of-war,  with  a 
blue  sky  eye.,  upon  which  were  silhouetted  three 
big  cannons  on  each  tuiTet  riser,  the  boys  being 
dressed  in  summer  navy  officers’  uniforms. 

The  first  number  was  the  “Horn  Pipe**  dance 
by  the  Mark  Strand  Ballet  Girls  dressed  as  gobs, 
after  which  Joe  Penner,  a comedian,  sang  “Three 
Trees.**  The  Patterson  Twins,  who  were  re- 
tained for  the  second  week,  then  did  a new  dance. 


Walter  Smith,  basso,  followed  with  “The  Bells 
of  the  Sea,"  and  in  turn  was  followed  by  three 
violinists  who  played  Drdla’s  ever-popular  “Sou- 
venir.** Joe  Penner  again  came  forward  for  his 
second  number,  “Stuttering.** 

The  band  closing  with“The  Storm,’*  a musical 
interpretation  of  life  at  sea.  And  an  encore 
“When  Day  Is  Done**  was  selected  and  played 
in  turn  by  the  band,  the  basso,  a xylophonist 
and  a violinist. 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  July  29 

“A  Study  in  Blue**  as  arranged  by  Lew  White, 
incorporating  “In  the  Land  of  the  Sky  Blue 
Water,**  “So  Blue**  and  “Rhapsody  in  Blue,**  was 
the  organ  program  that  delighted  the  customers 
this  week. 

“La  Petit  Concert,”  consisting  of  intei*mezzo 
from  “Cavalleria  Rusticana”  and  the  finale  from 
“Symphony  No.  4,”  by  the  Roxy  Symphony  Or- 
chestra, was  aptly  termed  by  the  gentleman  behind 
“A  Mountain  of  Music.’*  A 110  piece  symphony 
orchestra  being  raised  and  lowered  on  the  ele- 
vating pit  is  that. 

Roxy  has  the  players  photographed  in  the  pro- 
gram this  week,  also  the  musical  directors  and 
ballet  masters,  something  new,  and  to  be  recom- 
mended. 

Divertissements. 

A — Summer  Idyll — “Gamby**  and  the  Ballet 
Corps.  Though  the  scenic  elfect  made  up  of  bal- 
loons and  more  balloons  and  bubbles  is  novel,  the 
ever  changing  spotlights  play  up  the  high  spot 
of  this  piece.  They  use  about  10  of  them. 
“Gamby**  opens  blowing  bubbles,  and  the  ballet 
swing  in  to  toy  and  dance  with  them  also.  Novel 
and  good. 

B — “O  Lovely  Night*’ — Gladys  Rice  and  Doug- 
las Stanbury — light  little  piece  enthusiastically 
received. 

C — ^“Tho  Porcelain  Clock** — “Gamby**  and  the 
Ballet  Corps.  Clock  and  candle  sticks  in  relief, 
with  players  costumed  a la  “Little  Bo  Peep.** 
Two  minutes  of  dance  to  the  exaggerated  tick 
tocking  on  the  shelf — all  in  good  taste. 

D— “By  the  Sea** — The  Ballet  Corps — again 


using  the  sea  movies  as  a background,  the  ballet 
in  striking  bathing  suits  frolic  about,  using  pai'a- 
sols  and  nimble  feet  to  a great  advantage  from 
an  applause  standpoint. 

The  Roxy  Choral  Group. 

A — “Love  Is  Like  a Cigarette** — James  Melton 
and  Male  Voices — some  50  of  them  grouped  about 
in  Society  Brands,  echoing  his  opinion  and  song. 
From  this  they  swing  into  “Heidelberg,”  with 
Douglas  Stanbury  out  front  in  the  lead  on  this 
stein  song.  They  are  just  going  strong  when  a 
tapestry  in  the  background  lights  up,  disclosing 
some  40  girls  who,  too,  are  singers  of  first  note, 
working  with  a serenade,  to  a beautiful  finale. 

The  entire  ensemble,  singing  “Amoreuse”  won- 
derfully arranged,  as  to  shading  and  volume,  in- 
dicated they  were  anxious  to  earn  applause  and 
the  house  gave  it  freely.  A light  little  show  all 
around,  and  a good  one  for  these  hot  days.  Run- 
ning time  on  this  week’s  show  was  cut  about  20 
minutes. 

New  Y ork  Paramount 

Week  Ending  July  29 

“Mascagni  Melodies,**  played  by  the  Paramount 
orchestra,  with  Herman  Salesski,  solo  violinist. 
Half  way  through  the  piece  the  curtain  rises  on 
the  opera  set  and  Sonya  Rozann,  soprano,  and 
Pietro  Barchi,  tenor,  carry  on  in  their  foreign 
tongue.  Only  the  well  known  operatic  airs  bring 
down  a house,  and  unfortunately  “Mascagni**  is 
not  so  well  known  with  this  house.  Time:  14 
minutes. 

Winsor  McCay,  the  well  known  cartoonist,  with 
his  Cartoon  Circus  of  hand  drawn  cartoons,  doing 
an  animal  act  with  them,  that  for  something  dif- 
ferent filled  in  five  minutes. 

Sigmund  Krumloff  is  doing  his  stuff  in  Jesse 
Crawford’s  place  this  week,  Jesse  being  under  the 
doctor’s  care.  “When  Day  Is  Done,**  with  inter- 
pretations, was  the  outstanding  bit  of  Sigmund’s 
eight  minutes,  and  he  closed  out  by  playing  a short 
and  snappy  march. 

“Non  Stop  to  Mars,*’  devised  and  staged  by 
Frank  Cambria.  Opening  with  a little  trailer  on 
the  late  nonstop  flights^  the  piece  is  then  intro 
duced,  using  a balloon  idea  at  the  aviation  field, 
taking  on  passengers — in  this  case  the  players — 


HENRY  MURTAGH 

Chicago  Theatre 
CHICAGO 


CHARLES  IRWIN 

“Deluxe  Master  of  Ceremonies” 

For  Deluxe  Picture  Theatres 

Now  Enjoying  the  Fourth  Successful  Week 
at  the  CAPITOL  Theatre,  DETROIT, 

As  Featured  Attraction 


MIGUEL  GALVAN 

**The  Spanish  Banjo-Boy*^ 

This  Week  at  CIRCLE  Theatre,  Indianapolis 
Many  Thanks  to  ALLAN  GLENN 
August  First,  LOEW’S,  Harrisbuig,  Pa. 

Opening  in  London,  December  26th 
Direction  of  JOHN  H.  HENSCHEL — LONDON 


Walter  Flandorf 

SOLO  ORGANIST 

for  theatres 
and 

recitals 

CHICAGO 

34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


GALLO  SAYS: 


Milton  WATSON  is  being  co-starred  this 
week  with  Joe  Laurie,  Jr.,  in  the  Sixth 
Annual  P\ir  Show  now  going  forth  at  the  Chi- 
cago theatre,  Chicago.  . . . Another  point 

of  interest  is  that  Mr.  A.  J.  Balaban  selected 
Born  and  Lawrence,  who  also  appear  on  the  above 
bill,  from  a list  of  over  fifty  comedy  teams. 

George  Boyce,  the  nimble  footed  dancer, 
is  booked  to  appear  in  one  of  Verne  Buck’s  new 
stageshows  at  the  Sheridan  theatre,  Chicago.  . . . 
Preston  Sellers  is  a very  busy  man  these  days 
between  doing  organ  solos  at  the  Senate  theatre, 
Chicago,  and  another  "solo”  at  home  with  his 
first-born,  . . . Karyl  Norman,  the  creole 

fashion  plate,  is  back  into  vaudeville  after  a short 
tour  of  deluxe  picture  houses.  . . . Bert 

Tucker,  son  of  the  famous  Sophie,  is  featured  in 
this  week’s  Paul  Ash  stageshow  at  the  Oriental 
theatre,  Chicago,  , . , Chamberlin  and  Himes, 

the  comedy  apache  dancers,  just  signed  a contract 
with  Florenz  Ziegfeld,  to  be  featured  in  his  1927 
Follies.  . . . Chaz  Chase,  the  international 

comedian  who  just  completed  a tour  of  B.  & K. 
and  L.  & T.  houses,  will  soon  open  a tour  of 
Publix.  . . . Sid  Lorraine,  field  representative 

for  A.ger,  Yellen  & Bornstein  Music  Co.,  has  left 
for  an  extensive  tour  of  the  country  to  call  on  the 
music  trade,  and  while  away  he  will  also  take  a 
few  weeks  rest.  . . . Jimmy  Eggart,  Chicago 

professional  manager  for  the  firm,  will  look  after 
the  business  of  tbe  company  while  Sid  is  away. 
. . . Jazz- Lips  Richardson,  the  colored  eccen- 

tric dancer,  is  now  doing  a turn  in  vaudeville 
under  the  direction  of  Ez  Keough,  the  well  known 
Keith  and  Oi-pheum  agent.  . . , Hal  Sidare, 
the  clever  acrobatic  dancer,  just  finished  a few 
weeks  of  picture  house  bookings  in  the  East,  and 
will  rest  at  home  before  returning  to  new  book- 
ings. • • . Edward  F.  Gallagher,  Jr.,  son  of 

Mr.  Gallagher,  of  the  famous  team  of  Gallagher 
and  Shean,  has  joined  the  staff  of  Alf.  T.  Wilton, 
the  New  York  picture  house  agent  and  booker. 
. . . Fairchild  and  Rainger,  the  popular  pian- 

ists now  appeai’ing  in  Eastern  picture  houses, 
made  their  first  bow  to  presentation  audiences  last 
week  at  the  Capitol  theatre.  New  York.  . . 

Gene  Greene  is  the  star  attraction  this  week  at 
the  Sheridan  theatre,  Chicago,  where  Brooks  and 
Powers  are  also  featured.  . . . Irene  Juno, 

instructor  of  the  organ  at  the  Washington  College 
of  Music,  in  Washington.  D.  C.,  is  now  a scribe 
of  this  paper.  . . . Miss  Juno  reviews  all  the 

new  songs  of  the  day.  and  her  column  appears 
in  our  presentation  section  of  this  book.  . 
Charles  Kaley,  popular  band  leader  of  Chicago, 
now  conducting  at  Marks  Bros.’  theatres,  wrote  a 
•new  song  with  Sunny  Miller  and  Jules  Stein  called 
“Just  Love  Me,”  which  the  Irving  Berlin  Music 
Co.  will  publish  this  month.  . . . Kaley  has 

already  recorded  it  for  Columbia.  . . . Billy 

Randall,  formerly  with  Ziegfeld  and  Gus  Edwards, 
just  completed  his  third  tour  of  L.  & T.  houses 
and  will  soon  open  a new  tour  of  Publix.  . . . 

While  Mark  Fisher  is  vacationing,  A1  Belasco  is 
taking  care  of  his  Merry  Music  Masters  at  the 
Senate  and  Harding  theatres,  Chicago. 

Victor  Young  is  doing  the  same  for  Bennie 
Krueger  at  the  Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres,  Chi- 
cago. . . . Vale  and  Stew'art  just  closed  a long 

tour  of  Publix  and  are  back  in  Chicago  rehears- 
ing a new  routine  to  repeat  all  the  B.  & K.  and 
L.  & T.  houses.  . . . Sam  Kaufman,  one  of 

the  many  well  liked  jazz-band  leaders  in  Chicago, 
is  considered  to  be  also  one  of  the  best  golfers  in 
the  city.  . . . A1  Neiburg,  formerly  of  the 

Neiburg  Bros.  Music  Co.,  of  Boston,  is  now  East- 
ern sales  representative  for  the  Forster  Music  Co., 
•with  headquarters  in  Philadelphia.  . . . George 

Dewey  Washington,  the  colored  singer  with  the 
golden  voice,  is  now  playing  his  second  return 
engagement  over  L.  & T.  Chicago  theatres.  . . . 

Milton  Charles,  featured  organist  at  B.  & K. 
Uptown  and  Tivoli  of  Chicago,  just  completed  a 
textbook  called  “The  Organ  Interpretation  of  Pop- 
ular Songs,”  which  the  Robbins  Music  Co.,  of 
New  York,  will  publish  this  month  in  book  form 
for  student  organists.  . . . Paul  Zimm,  former 

ballroom  band  leader  and  lately  of  vaudeville,  is 
soon  to  celebrate  his  first  anniversary  at  the 
Alamo  theatre,  Chicago,  as  musical  director.  . . . 
At  last  the  ideal  couple  have  married. 

Who?  Why  Peggy  Bernier  and  Milton  Watson, 
of  course.  . . . Fenton  McEvoy,  staff  singer 

of  the  Shapiro-Bernstein  Music  Co.,  has  left  for 
his  annual  vacation,  which  he  expects  to  spend  in 
Tin  Pan  Alley.  . . . Albert  F.  Brown,  fea- 

tured organist  for  Marks  Bros.,  who  revived  the 
scrim  presentations,  is  also  the  inventor  of  the 
new  scrimaphone. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


and  hitting  out  for  Mars.  This  explains  the 
futuristic  like  type  of  set.  Otherwise  the  num- 
bers are  of  the  good  old  kind  we  know  and  like 
in  these  parts.  Ferral  and  Paul  Deewees  do  some 
hot  and  clever  stepping,  with  the  girl  taking 
most  of  the  honors  in  her  several  spirited  bits  of 
taps  and  black  bottom  throughout  the  piece. 
Norma  Senta,  Alfhild  Grims,  Elsie  Dalis  and  the 
Anido  Sisters  work  in  an  aerial  number  here, 
doing  several  stunts  and  poses  on  the  ropes.  Just 
a touch  of  circus  atmosphere. 

Arthur  Ball  is  in  and  out  of  the  piece  several 
times,  a master  of  ceremony  in  disguise ; though 
he  does  sing  “Annabelle  Lee”  with  a chorus  of 
steppers  as  background,  and  did  nicely  with  it. 

Senia  Gluck’s  ‘Tt  Could  Only  Happen  on  Mars” 
was  the  billing  given  those  six  clown  tramps  that 
have  been  traveling  the  circuits  all  these  days. 
They  awake  and  do  a burlesque  of  the  spring- 
time dances,  etc.,  using  tattered  and  torn  tramp 
clothing  all  in  white.  They  have  improved  and 
lengthened  their  routine  somewhat  and  still  bring 
down  loads  of  applause. 

Boyd  Senter,  with  Jack  Russell  at  the  piano, 
came  along  in  this  spot  without  much  ado,  and 
several  minutes  later  had  friends  in  every  seat  in 
the  house.  A born  syncopater,  dripping  with  it, 
and  in  the  shadow  of  Ted  Lewis’  mannerisms. 

Paul  Deewees  got  hot  feet  listening  to  Boyd 
and  unlimbered  himself  for  a moment  ere  that 
disease — the  finale — descended  upon  us.  All  in  all 
not  a bad  little  piece  this,  something  a little  dif- 
ferent, plenty  of  talent,  smacking  considerably 
of  a good  40-minute  presentation  bill. 


Washington  Rialto 

Week  Ending  July  24 

Offers  the  “Prince  of  Tempters”  as  the  feature 
film.  The  annual  bathing  beauty  contest  is  on. 
The  entrants  appear  in  their  bathing  suits,  and 
the  one  receiving  the  most  applause  is  chosen. 
Rivalry  is  keen  as  the  end  of  the  contest  draws 
near. 

Rox  Rommell,  director  of  the  house  orchestra, 
gave  a few  numbers  on  the  piano.  His  si>ecialties 
are  always  welcome. 

Orville  Rennie  offers  another  batch  of  popular 
tunes.  Gertrude  Kreiselman,  house  organist,  after 
two  weeks’  vacation  is  again  at  the  console  as 
peppy  as  ever. 

Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  July  22 

The  good  ship  “S.  S.  Syncopation”  sailed  out 
from  the  stage  of  the  Riviera  out  into  the  hearts 
of  theatregoers  this  week.  The  ship  started  its 
cruise  under  the  captaincy  of  Boyd  Senter  and 
came  to  port  under  full  sail  with  A1  Evans  at  the 
helm.  A1  just  came  from  Chicago,  where  he 
manipulated  instruments  and  batons  with  jazz  or- 
chestras. Boyd  Senter  went  to  New  York. 

Appearing  first  on  a screen,  then  in  stage  sef> 
ting,  the  “Syncopation”  was  made  realistic  by  the 
Senter-Evans  Orchestra  in  gob  attire.  Presto — • 
appear  four  more  sailors,  a chorus  of  four  girls 
in  pale  blue  sailor  garb,  and  the  show  is  on. 
“The  World  Is  Waiting  for  the  Sunrise”  was  the 
orchestra’s  opening  contribution.  Madge  Rush, 
dainty  dancer,  did  toe  steps,  dressed  in  orange. 
Then  “Forgive  Me”  by  the  orchestra. 

Murray  and  Alan  started  a series  of  funny 
numbers  which  they  had  to  keep  up  indefinitely 
while  the  audience  applauded  and  applauded. 
First  they  were  sober  as  deacons,  doing  a funny 
dance.  Then  they  turned  into  Egyptian  mummies, 
singing  “Three  Thousand  Years  Ago.”  They 
could  dance,  sing  and  amuse  in  general. 

Sophie  Kasmir,  prima  donna,  did  well  in  “Kiss 
Me  Again,”  “I’m  Falling  in  Love  with  Someone” 
and  other  songs.  Davy  Jones  most  appropriately 
was  a member  of  the  troupe.  A good  comic. 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed).. 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Albert  F.  Brown  (Chicago  Marbro)  presented 
this  week  a new  idea  in  organ  presentations  which 
he  calls  “Half  and  Half,”  the  combination  being 
half  community  singing  and  the  other  half  a 
“Scrimaphone”  presentation,  which  this  clever 
organist  has  developed  at  the  Marbro.  He  first 
offered  “Hoosier  Sweetheart,”  going  into  “Russian 
lullaby,”  and  then  “It  All  Dei>ends  on  You.” 
I.yrics  for  the  pieces  were  flashed  on  the  scrim 
curtain,  with  clever  slides,  also,  that  invited  the 
audience  to  sing.  For  the  Scrimaphone  presenta- 
tion, he  gave  “Just  Like  a Butterfly  Caught  in 
the  Rain”  as  an  accompaniment  to  a phonograph 
record  singing  the  lyric.  The  scrim  presentation 
appears,  which  is  a Chinese  pagoda  at  right  of 
stage  and  large  fan  in  center  before  which  a girl 
gives  a butterfly  dance,  with  an  effect  of  rain 
thrown  upon  the  scrim  curtain.  As  the  scrim 
presentation  fades  out.  Jack  Goodwin  sings  the 
song  from  the  left  box  with  Brown  accompanying 
upon  the  organ.  The  entire  presentation  was 
very  cleverly  arranged  and  wonderfully  received. 


Henri  Keates  (Chicago  Oriental)  called  his 
slide  presentation  during  the  week  ending  July 
24  “The  Haunted  House,  or  Ghosts  and  Goblins,” 
with  the  selection  of  “Hello  Cutie,”  “Butterfly,” 
“Whisper”  and  “Moonbeams”  for  community  sing- 
ing. He  had  the  audience  with  him  strong  the 
night  this  reporter  saw  the  show,  and  not  until 
the  organ  had  disappeared  in  the  pit  did  the 
applause  cease. 


Henry  Murtagh  (Chicago  Chicago)  chose  the 
happy  title,  ‘"The  Singing  Flagpole  Sitter,”  for 
his  solo  the  week  ending  July  24.  Among  the 
selections  were  “All  -Mone,”  “Moonbeam  Kiss 
Her  for  Me,”  “One  Summer  Night”  and  “Butter- 
fly.” Murtagh’s  parodies  were  very  clever.  Dur- 
ing his  solo  Murtagh  has  an  unseen  singer  sing 
perhaps  a verse  and  chorus  of  one  of  the  selec- 
tions. This  idea  has  met  with  the  approval  of  the 
audience. 


Edward  K.  House  (Chicago  Granada),  this  sing- 
ing organist  offered  a stunt  this  week  called 
“What  Will  It  Be,”  playing  “Sundo'wn”  as  the 
organ  rises  while  two  letters  are  flashed  on  the 
screen  supimsedly  from  the  fans.  The  popularity 
of  his  selections  is  decided  by  the  amount  of  ap- 
plause. “When  Day  Is  Done,”  “Just  Once  Again” 
and  “A  Lane  in  Spain.”  These  numbers  were 
syncopated  by  House,  which  were  in  turn  suhg  by 
the  audience  in  conjunction  with  himself.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  this  artist  has  created  con- 
siderable interest  through  his  voice  and  playing, 
which  is  evidenced  by  the  wholehearted  spirit  the 
audience  displays  in  his  community  selection. 


Edmund  C.  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan)  offered 
for  this  week’s  solo  a little  composition  skit  called 
“More  Ado  About  Jasamime  Wilde,  and  Harem 
Hatt.”  'This  is  used  in  the  foirni  of  two  characters 
who  appear  on  the  slides  and  in  this  manner 
they  announce  what  will  follow  by  the  organ. 
The  selection  included  “Just  Once  Again,”  a 
brand  new  number,  and  “Somebody  Said.”  Slides 
are  pulled  off  the  screen  and  then  F’itch  goes 
into  an  intricate  arrangement  of  “Ijebistvume,” 
a classical,  which  he  plays  as  well  as  his  jazz 
symphonic.  For  an  encore  he  plays  “Chick,  Chick, 
Chick”  in  real  jazz  style. 


Edward  Meikel  (Chicago  Harding)  pulled  a 
clever  stunt  this  week  using  slides  to  convey  the 
idea  that  only  the  force  of  voices  would  raise 
his  organ  from  the  pit.  Every  now  and  then 
whenever  the  audience  would  relax  in  community 
singing,  Meikel  would  descend  and  again  his 
slides  pleaded  for  assistance.  His  selection  in- 
cluded “Hoosier  Sweetheart,  “If  You  See  Sally” 
and  “Me  and  My  Shadow”  and  “Sundown.” 
Using  comedy  parodies  on  the  last  two,  as  an 
encore  Meikel  played  “Me  and  My  Shadow”  over 
again. 


Grace  R.  Clarke  (Chicago  Crown),  probably  the 
only  woman  organist  in  town  who  does  com- 
munity singing,  and  is  as  popular  as  her  men 
associates  are  in  this  field.  Photoplay  synchro- 
nizing is  one  of  the  things  this  young  lady 
specializes  in.  This  week’s  musical  theme  cen- 
tered on  the  film  "Simple  Sis.”  which  consisted 
of  many  fast  and  light  melodies. 


Basel  Cristol  (Chicago  Uptown)  offered  “Under 
the  Leaves,”  by  Thome,  and  “Drigo  Serenade”  for 
the  musical  theme  of  the  Castle  Scenic  called 
“Men  of  Yosemite.”  These  numbers  were  well 
fitted  for  the  artistic  backgrounds  and  the  plot 
of  the  film. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


July  30, 1927 


Comedies  Hold  Screen 
Favor,  Bookings  Show 

{Continued  fnoni  page  24) 

“Rough  House  Rosie,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Beloved  Rogue,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 
“Resurrection,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“Frisco  Sally  Levy,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Children  of  Divorce,”  (Par)  Drama. 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

Ottawa 


REGENT  THEATRE 
“Tillie  the  Toiler,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“The  Unknown,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“The  Flag  Lieutenant,”  (British)  Drama. 
“The  Missing  Link,”  (W.  B.)  Comedy. 
“Metropolis,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

B.  F.  KEITH’S 

“Special  Delivery,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“No  Control,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“The  Monkey  Talks,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“White  Gold,”  (P.  D.  Cj  Drama. 

“Ritzv,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“The'Yankee  Clipper,”  (P.  D.  C.)  Melodrama. 


IMPERIAL 
“Rookies,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“Love  Thrill,”  (U.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Ankles  Preferred,”  (Fox)  Comedy. 
“The  Heart  of  Salome,”  (Fox)  Drama. 
“Cradle  Snatchers,”  (Fox)  Comedy. 
“Love’s  Greatest  Mistake,”  (Par.) 
Drama. 


CENTRE 


Comedy- 


“Sea  Tiger,”  (F.  N.)  Melodrama. 

“Lost  at  the  Front,”  F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Broadway  Nights,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Notorious  Lady,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Tender  Hour,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Convoy,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Easy  Pickings,”  (F.  N.)  Melodrama. 
“Diplomacy,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“The  Wreck,”  (Col.)  Drama. 

“The  Sunset  Derby,’*  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“The  World  at  Her  Feet,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Man  of  the  Forest,”  (Par.)  Drama. 


Detroit 


MICHIGAN  THEATRE 
"Is  Zat  So?”  (Fox)  Comedy. 

“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Ten  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Stolen  B'ride,”  (F.  N'.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Lonesome  Ladies,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

STATE 

“Drums  of  the  Desert,”  (Par.)  Western. 

“The  Sunset  Derby,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Ritzy,”  (Par.)  Copiedy.  • 

“Dearie,”  (W.  B.)  Mother  Story. 

“Too  Many  Crooks,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 
“Quicksands,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

MADISON 

“The  Missing  Link,”  (W.  B.)  Comedy. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Twelve  Miles  Out,”  (M-G-M)  Melodrama. 
ADAMS 

“Chang,”  (Par.)  Jungle  Melodrama. 

“The  Covered  Wagon,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Moon  of  Israel,”  (F  B O)  Spectacle  Drama. 
“Metropolis,”  (Par.-Ufa.)  Futuristic  Drama. 
CAPITOL 

“The  Poor  Nut,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“The  Heart  of  Maryland,”  (W.  B.)  Melodrama. 
“Dance  Magig,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Barbed  Wire,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Old  San  Francisco,”  (W.  B.)  Melodrama. 

Portland,  Ore. 

BLUE  MOUSE  THEATRE 
“Million  Bid,”  (W.  B.)  Drama. 

“Simple  Sis,”  (W.  B.)  Comedy. 

“Dearie,”  (W.  B.)  Drama. 

Syd  Chaplin  comedy. 

RIVOLI 

“Drums  of  the  Desert,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Telephone  Girl,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Ten  Modem  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Convoy,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

BROADWAY 

“Naughty  But  Nice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Tender  Hour,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Barbed  Wire,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Lost  at  the  Front,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

COLUMBIA 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U.)  Comedy. 
“Resurrection,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“Painting  the  Town,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“Tillie  the  Toiler,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

Milwaukee 


WISCONSIN  THEATRE 
“Naughty  But  Nice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 
“Lovers,”  (M-G-M)  Romance. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Senorita,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“The  Unknown,”  (M-G-M)  Mystery. 
“Twelve  Miles  Out,”  (M-G-M)  Melodrama. 


STRAND  THEATRE 
“See  You  in  Jail,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“We’dding  Bills,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Drums  of  the  Desert,”  (Par.)  Western. 

“The  World  at  Her  Feet,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Is  Zat  So?”  (Fox)  Comedy. 

“Framed,”  (F.  N.)  Melodrama. 

MERRILL  THEATRE 
“Captain  Salvation,”  (M-G-M)  Melodrama. 

“The  Callahans  and  Murphys,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“The  Red  Mill,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“On  Ze  Boulevard,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Lonesome  Ladies,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Dance  Magic,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

ALHAMBRA  THEATRE 
“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“Venus  of  Venice,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“Lost  at  the  Front,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy. 

“The  Clew,”  (U.)  African  Jungle  Story. 

“The  Heart  of  Salome,”  (Fox)  Melodrama. 
“Painting  the  Town,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

GARDEN  THEATRE 
“Rich  Men’s  Sons,”  (Col.)  Melodrama. 
“Shadows,”  Character. 

“Devil’s  Island,”  Melodrama. 

“Rich  but  Honest,”  (Fox)  Comedy. 

“The  Secret  Studio,”  (Fox)  Melodrama. 
“Backstage,”  (Tiffany)  Melodrama. 


Omaha 

DUNDEE  THEATRE 
“Rookies,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“Afraid  to  Love,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Wedding  Bills,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“A  Night  of  Love,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“The  Loves  of  Sunya,”  (U.  A.)  Drama. 

“Mr.  Wu,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

RIVIERA 

“Whirlwind  of  Youth,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Barbed  Wire,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Service  for  Ladies,”  (Par.)"  Comedy. 

“Fireman  Save  My  Child,”  Comedy. 

“Beau  Geste,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

RIALTO 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U.)  Comedy. 

“Time  to  Love,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Convoy,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Dance  Magic,”  (F.  N.)  Drama. 

“Beware  of  Widows,”  (U.)  Comedy 
“Ten  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Running  Wild,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Quicksands,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Stark  Love,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Lonesome  Ladies,”  (F.  N.)  Comedy-Drama. 


Rembrandt 

This  celebrated  painter  per' 
fected  the  beauty  of  his 
portraits  by  his  marvellous 
skill. 

Similarly,  at  Consohdated 
skilled  craftsmen  gathered 
from  all  over  the  world 
perfect  the  beauty  of  your 
productions. 


New  York 


Los  Angeles 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


rmS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


SALEABLE  HOKUM 

T 

I HE  much  discussed  “Metropolis”  has 
arrived  in  Chicago  and  seems  to  be  doing 
very  good  business  at  the  Roosevelt.  It  is 
the  sort  of  picture  that  advertises  well,  and 
so  long  as  the  ad  copy  is  carefully  written 
the  picture  backs  it  up.  Aside  from  its 
sales  qualities,  however,  it  isn't  so  much. 
The  mechanics  of  the  thing  are  great,  but 
they  are  unimportantly  occupied,  like  a 
Lincoln  motor  in  a Ford  chassis. 

By  which  I mean  to  say  that  the  people 
who  made  “Metroijolis”  had  a lot  of  good 
ideas  concerning  sets  and  camera  effects. 
Had  someone  supplied  a story,  not  neces- 
sarily a great  story  but  at  least  an  un- 
usual one,  the  result  would  have  been  ex- 
cellent entertainment.  Without  the  story 
the  picture  becomes  no  more  nor  less  than 
a superb  demonstration  of  manufacturing 
facilities  and  devices. 

For  story  the  producers  dipped  reckless- 
ly into  the  trunk  and  brought  forth  many 
things.  There  is  the  Frankenstein  plot, 
seemingly  a favorite  among  continental  pro- 
ducers, and  there  is  the  Joan  of  Arc  idea, 
another.  Then  there  is  the  Capital-Labor 
buried,  brought  into  this  picture  with  all 
the  old  gag  lines  intact.  In  assembling 
these  three  ghosts  of  other  days  and  re- 
vamping each  as  a part  of  the  compilation 
that  is  “Metropolis”  a certain  degree  of 
cunning  was  employed.  The  three  remain, 
product  is,  as  stated,  a nice  display  of 
mechanical  ability. 

I mention  all  this  merely  so  that  exhibitors 
reading  of  the  picture’s  success  in  various 
centers  will  know  in  advance  that  adver- 
tising of  it  should  be  couched  in  terms  of 
magnitude,  splendor,  expense,  prodigious- 
ness. The  copy  should  not  promise  a re- 
markable story,  for  there  is  none.  Acting 
can  be  mentioned,  for  the  players  are  first 
rate.  If  copy  used  in  the  larger  cities  is 
adopted,  I suggest  that  the  line  referring 
to  the  picture  as  superior  to  “The  Lost 
World”  be  omitted,  for  the  pictures  are 
not  similar. 

ESTHER  RALSTON 

£vSTHER  RALSTON  is  better  in  “Ten 
Modern  Commandments”  than  in  that  last 
picture  of  hers  about  the  French  model  (the 
name  of  which  I do  not  recall  at  the  mo- 
ment) and  almost  as  good  as  she  was  in  the 
memorable  “American  Venus.”  I have 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

never  figured  out  a satisfactory  answer  to 
the  reason  why  this  older  picture  hit  so 
hard  as  it  did,  but  I should  like  to  see  the 
model  of  it  followed  a bit  more  closely. 
Surely  there  are  rows  of  yarns  that  could 
be  rebuilt  to  display  this  actress’  talents 
similarly. 

Miss  Ralston  is  excellent  in  “Ten  Mod- 
ern Commandments,”  which  is  a story  about 
a song  writer  and  his  girl  friend.  She  is 
rompish  when  need  be,  forthright  in  the 
sequences  demanding  action,  and  an  eyeful! 
throughout.  She  is,  I think,  the  one  actress 
who  can  get  down  to  lingerie  without  seem- 
ing to  shout  about  it.  Even  the  ladies  pres- 
ent praise  her  revelations  and  that,  as  you 
know,  is  a tribute.  However — 

There’s  lots  of  color  to  the  yarn,  lots  of 
comedy,  lots  of  action  and  not  a little  in- 
formation concerning  the  staging  of  musi- 
cal productions  and  the  selection  of  music 
for  the  same.  If  the  point  on  which  the 
whole  yarn  hinges  is  a bit  unstable,  perhaps 
a bit  incredible,  it  is  the  sort  of  thing 
Iteople  like  to  believe  might  happen  and  so 
it  suffices  nicely. 

The  picture  is,  if  I may  recall  to  you 
several  others  previously  mentioned,  one  of 
those  “good  little  pictures”  which  I believe 
mean  more  to  the  business  and  to  the  pub- 
lic than  all  the  gigantic  compendiums  of 
fact  and  fiction  ever  run  through  a clicking 
kodak. 

BAD  TASTE 

I DECLINE  to  look  up  references  which 
would  tell  me  the  naitie  of  the  person  re- 
sponsible for  the  dirt  in  “Lost  at  the  Front.” 
I do  not  trust  myself  with  possession  of 
that  readily  accessible  information,  for  I 
fear  that  I should  be  impelled  to  bring  ac- 
tion of  some  sort  against  the  individual  who 
would  be  thus  disclosed  as  responsible  for 
the  wrecking  of  that  perfectly  good  institu- 
tion, the  war  comedy.  It  is  possible  that  it 
may  not  be  permanently  wrecked,  but  I am 
sure  “Lost  at  the  Front”  will  have  substan- 
tial effect  in  that  direction. 

The  trouble  with  “Lost  at  the  Front”  is 
not.  as  I hope  to  have  made  clear  at  the 
beginning,  with  the  picture  itself.  The  fault 
lies  with  the  person  who  decided  it  was 
good  taste  to  inject  obscenity  into  the  comic 
sequences  which  would  have  been  so  much 
more  comic  if  entrusted  wholly  to  the  ad  lib 


resources  of  George  Sidney  and  Charles 
Murray.  These  two  redoubtable  fun  mak- 
ers could  not  have  conceived  the  question- 
able gags  that  they  are  forced  to  enact  in  the 
picture.  They  could  have  conceived  good 
comedy,  oceans  of  it,  if  merely  told  the 
Russian  slant  and  the  policeman  beer-mer- 
chant character  idea. 

The  comedy  as  it  stands  is  not  funny.  One 
or  two  of  the  captions,  probably  the  ones 
considered  least  useful  by  the  mind  that 
produced  the  dirty  episodes,  are  laughable. 
One  or  two  of  the  slapstick  incidents,  the 
clean  ones,  would  be  laughable  if  it  were 
not  for  their  relation  to  the  items  noted. 
All  are  sacrificed  in  the  dumb  effort  to  put 
over  gags  that  have  been  discarded  by  Mu- 
tual burlesquers  and  stag  entertainers  as 
merely  stupid.  It’s  just  too  bad. 

FOOTNOTE 

T 

XT  seems  to  me  it  has  been  several  weeks 
since  I have  discoursed  upon  the  funda- 
mental difference  between  the  so-called 
“box  office  review”  and  the  plainly  labeled 
“Service  Talk.”  For  the  benefit  of  new 
subscribers  I will,  therefore,  step  into  the 
matter  for  a paragraph  and  then  go  about 
my  business. 

The  Service  Talk  is  such  a thing  as  you 
have  been  reading.  It  will  be  noted  that  I 
write  quite  plainly  my  own  personal  opin- 
ion of  each  picture,  offering  it  merely  as 
such  and  as  no  more  nor  less  important  or 
infallible  than  your  opinion  or  that  of  any 
other  relatively  normal  individual.  Now — 
and  here’s  the  nub  of  the  topic — if  I were 
employed  by  a paper  publishing  “box  office 
reviews”  I should  have  to  add  to  each  of 
my  opinions  a guess  as  to  the  box  office  suc- 
cess of  each  attraction.  To  be  exact,  I 
should  have  to  say  that  “Metropolis”  will 
mop  up,  that  “Ten  Modern  Commandments” 
will  make  good  profits  and  that  “Lost  at 
the  Front”  will  drive  people  away.  Fortu- 
nately, for  no  doubt  I should  be  wrong  in 
at  least  two  of  these  guesses  which  I should 
have  to  express  as  expert  prophecies,  this 
publication  is  not  a “box  office  review”  sheet 
and  I do  not  have  to  make  such  an  ass  of 
myself. 

Now  if  that  is  all  clear  again  (and  if  it 
isn’t  I’ll  try  to  make  it  so  in  the  next  of 
my  periodical  paragraphs  on  the  matter) 
I’ll  go  out  and  look  at  some  motion  picture 
to  write  “Service  Talks”  about  in  the  next 
issue. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


With  Which  Is  Incorporated  “New  Pictures” 


Now  after  “Jack  the  Giant  Killer”  has  kayoed  Sharkey 
and  the  big  fight  has  slipped  into  the  past,  things  are 
humming  in  the  studios. 

Shooting  has  started  on  Lillain  Gish’s  new  starring  role, 
“The  Enemy,”  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios.  Fred 
Niblo  directs  the  picture.  It  was  a successful  stage  hit 
written  by  Pollock.  Marion  Davies  is  ready  to  start  work 
on  “The  Fair  Co-Ed,”  and  her  latest  picture,  “Tillie  the 
Toiler,”  has  been  awarded  the  blue  ribbon  by  the  Motion 
Picture  Owners  of  Texas. 

Camera  work  has  been  finished  on  Fox’s  “East  Side 
West  Side”  and  it  is  now  being  edited  and  titled  by  Hil- 
liker  and  Caldwell,  who  edited  “7th  Heaven.”  Erich 
Von  Stroheim  has  started  cutting  on  his  latest  picture, 
“The  Wedding  March,”  in  the  Paramount  studios. 

Ralph  Graves  will  start  direction  shortly  on  a Warner 
Brothers  de  luxe  production,  “Roulette.”  Graves  is  just 
about  the  “whole  show”  in  this  picture  as  he  takes  credit 
of  being  its  author  as  well. 

Comedy  teams  are  now  all  the  rage,  and  their  number 
increases  at  about  the  rate  of  guinea  pigs.  When  the 


Wallace  Berry-Raymond  Hatton  team  made  such  a hit  in 
“Behind  the  Front,”  there  was  general  stampede  for  com- 
edy teams.  Camera  work  will  begin  Avtgust  15  on  one 
of  the  latest  comedy  team  pictures,  “The  Side  Show,” 
featuring  W.  C.  Fields  and  Chester  Conklin,  and  “Two 
Arabian  Knights,”  with  Louis  Wolheim  and  William  Boyd 
teamed  together  will  be  ready  for  release  August  20. 
But  it  remained  for  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  to  pick  some- 
thing new  in  comedy  teams.  They  went  all  the  other 
companies  one  better  by  hooking  up  a female  comedy  com- 
bination with  Marie  Dressier  and  Polly  Moran.  “The 
Callahans  and  the  Murphys’”  starring  this  team  is  proving 
a great  box-office  attraction. 

F B O’s  picture,  “Moon  of  Israel,”  which  played  to 
capacity  during  its  run  at  the  Roxy  and  Cameo  theatres 
in  New  York,  has  been  booked  at  the  Metropolitan,  Bos- 
ton, and  the  Adams,  Detroit. 

Cecil  B.  De  Mille  has  re-signed  Gilbert  Adrian  on  a 
long  term  contract.  Adrian  designed  the  costumes  for 
“The  King  of  Kings,”  and  his  next  job  is  to  design  the 
costumes  for  “The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus.” 


Columbia  Adds  to  Cast 
for  ^‘Perfect  Thirty” 

Columbia  has  added  RicardO'  Cortez, 
Claire  Windsor,  and  Conway  Tearle  to  its 
list  of  players  to  appear  in  the  casts  of 
its  “Perfect  Thirty’’  series.  They  should 
prove  a valuable  asset  to  the  Columbia 
line  up. 

Shooting  started  last  week  on  the  prize- 
fighting sequence  vdiich  supplies  the  climax 
in  Columbia’s  final  production  of  the  sea- 
son, “The  Swell-Head.’’  Ralph  Graves  is 
both  director  and  leading  man  in  the  pic- 
ture. 


Paramount  Completes 
First  3 of  Comedies 

Paramount  has  completed  the  first  three 
of  its  comedies  with  which  to  take  its  in- 
itial bow  in  the  realm  of  short  fea- 
tures. They  are  Bobby  Vernon  in  “Short 
Socks Billy  Dooley  in  “Row  Sailor, 
Row and  Jimmie  Adams  in  “Doctor 
Quack.’’  We  are  interested  to  see  how 
Paramount’s  short  features  will  go  over. 

The  title  of  the  next  Florence  Vidor 
feature  has  been  changed  from  “A  Cele- 
brated Woman,’’  to  “One  Woman  to  An- 
other.” Frank  Tuttle  is  directing  the  piece, 
and  Theodore  Von  Eltz  is  playing  opposite 
the  star.  Hedda  Hopper  has  an  important 
supporting  role. 

For  Emil  Janning’s  second  Paramount 
picture  temporarily  titled  “Hitting  for 
Heaven”  a street  a block  long  copied  from 
a section  of  Soho,  slum  district  of  Lon- 
don, is  being  produced  in  minute  detail 
on  the  Paramount  lot  at  Hollywood.  This, 
for  once,  will  bring  New  York  and  London 
together,  for  Harold  Lloyd’s  next  picture 
calls  for  a large  street  scene  in  New  York 
and  work  will  start  on  it  soon. 

Camera  work  is  scheduled  to  be- 
gin August  15  on  “The  Side  Show.” 

In  this  picture  W.  C.  Fields  and 


Chester  Conklin,  Paramount’s  new- 
est comedy  team,  will  launch  their 
joint  career  in  a story  of  circus 
life,  which  was  written  by  Percy 
Heath  and  Donald  Davis,  son  of 
Owen  Davis,  the  playwright.  Young 
Davis  now  has  a fat  part  in  the 
stage  play,  “The  Barker.” 

This  picture  will  be  Eield’s  first  on  the 
West  Coast.  Conklin  is  now  completing 
his  co-starring  comedy  with  George  Ban- 
croft, “Tell  It  to  Sweeney.” 

M-G-M  Releases  Four 
Pictures  in  August 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  starts  off  the  new 
season  with  four  new  releases  for  August. 
In  this  group  is  Lon  Chaney’s  Russian  pic- 
ture, “Mockery.”  I don’t  know  the  nature 
of  Chaney’s  makeup  in  “Mockery,”  but  I 
don’t  see  how  it  can  be  better  than  that 
of  the  mandarin  makeup  in  “Mr.  Wu” — 
but  just  as  good  most  assuredly. 

Other  releases  are  Jackie  Coogan’s  “The 


Release  Dates 


WE,EK  OF  JULY  24 
“Quicksands'’— Paramount— 1593 
“Galloping  Thunder”— F B O— five 

WEEK  OF  JULY  31 

“Cradle  Snatchers” Fox— 6281 

“Lonesome  Ladies”— First  National— 57 18 
“The  Devil's  Saddle”— First  National^— 5430 
“The  Prince  of  Ileadwaiters”— First  National^— 
6400 

“White  Pants  Willie”— First  National  6350 
“On  Ze  Boulevard”— M-G-M— 5482 
“Twelve  Miles  Out”- M-G-M— 7899 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  7 
“7lh  Heaven”— Fox— 10758 
“Beau  Geste”— Paramount^— 10,000 
“Fireman,  Save  My  Child”— Paramount— 5399 


Bugle  Call,”  with  Claire  Windsor  in  the 
leading  feminine  role ; “After  Midnight,” 
starring  Norma  Shearer;  and  “Adam  and 
Evil,”  costarring  Aileen  Pringle  and  Lew 
Cody. 

Marceline  Day  is  fortunate  in  that  she 
has  just  been  chosen  for  the  feminine  lead- 
ing role  in  Lon  Chaney’s  coming  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  picture,  “The  Hypnotist.” 
She  plays  the  part  of  an  English  girl. 
Chaney  has  the  part  of  a Scotland  Yard 
detective  and  student  of  the  occult.  Mar- 
celine Day  is  now  completing  the  leading 
feminine  role  in  Ramon  Novarro’s  new 
film,  as  yet  untitled. 

King  Vidor  is  completing  the  12  reel 
special,  “The  Crowd,”  in  which  Eleanor 
Boardman  and  James  Murray  are  featured. 
Clarence  Brown  is  directing  another  spe- 
cial, “The  Trail  of  ’98,”  which  is  based  on 
Robert  W.  Service’s  story  of  the  Klondike 
gold  rush.  Victor  Seastrom  is  directing 
Lillian  Gish’s  “The  Wind,”  based  on  Doro- 
thy Scarborough’s  story  of  the  Texas 
Plains. 


Fox  Points  to  Advance 
in  Motion  Pictures 

In  1915  Fox  produced  “Carmen”  in  the 
record  time  of  18  days.  Now  it  has  just 
completed  “The  Loves  of  Carmen,”  after 
almost  a year  of  work.  Raoul  Walsh  di- 
rected both  pictures.  Such  is  the  advance 
that  motion  pictures  has  made  in  the  last 
12  years.  Victor  McLaglen  and  Dolores 
Del  Rio  take  the  leads  in  the  latter  “Car- 
men” version. 

A large  portion  of  Fox’s  coming 
pictures  are  either  taken  from  stage 
plays  or  the  stories  from  well 
known  writers.  May  Edginton,  au- 
thor of  the  ‘Joy  Girl,”  featuring 
Olive  Borden,  is  now  writing  an- 
other story  for  Olive,  “The  Girl 
Downstairs.”  Anita  Loos,  that  pop- 
ular young  defender  of  blondes,  has 
written  “Publicity  Madness,”  in 


- 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


which  Lois  Moran  and  Edmund 
Lowe  will  take  the  leads. 

Some  of  the  coming  Fox  pictures  that 
are  adaptations  from  plays  are : “The  Girl 
I Left  Behind  Me,’’  “Two  Girls  Wanted,” 
“The  Comedian,”  “None  But  the  Brave,” 
and  others. 

FBO  Sends  Ince  and 
Company  to  New  York 

Ralph  Ince  and  his  entire  company  ar- 
rived in  New  York  last  week  to  begin  work 
on  “Coney  Island.”  The  greater  part  of 
the  film  will  be  shot  in  and  around  Coney 
Island.  Ince’s  wife,  Lucille  Mendez,  will 
play  the  leading  feminine  role,  and  Ince 
takes  the  part  of  a barker. 

“The  Great  Mail  Robbery”  has 
been  dedicated  to  Colonel  Charles 
Lindbergh  because  it  is  the  first 
film  to  be  distributed  using  aviation 
as  its  theme  since  “Lindy”  made  his 
famous  hop.  The  film  is  now  cur- 
rent at  the  Hippodrome,  New  York. 
Another  erstwhile  stage  show,  “The 
Gingham  Girl,”  opened  at  the  Capitol,  New 
York,  last  week.  George  K.  Arthur  is  in 
this  FBO  picture  and  that  is  one  big  rea- 
son why  we  want  to  see  it.  Arthur  de- 
serves the  success  he  has  been  having  re- 
cently. 


First  National  Plans 
Ambitious  Schedule 

First  National  has  a rather  ambitious 
schedule  planned  for  summer  production. 
Nine  new  pictures  will  be  in  production 
by  the  middle  of  August.  Prominent  among 
them  are  “Helen  of  Troy,”  with  Maria 
Corda  acting  the  title  role;  ‘The  Gorilla,” 
from  the  successful  burlesque  mystery 
play,  featuring  Charlie  Murray;  Harold 
Bell  Wright’s  “The  Shepherd  of  the  Hills;” 
and  “A  Texas  Steer,”  starring  Will  Rogers. 
Billie  Dove  will  take  the  Lead  in  “Louis- 
iana,” a George  Fitzmaurice  production. 

Photography  has  just  been  com- 
pleted on  Billie  Dove’s  second  fea- 
ture, “American  Beauty,”  and 
“Rose  of  the  Golden  West,"  which 
carried  the  tentative  title,  “The 
Rose  of  Monterey.”  Harry  Lang- 
don’s  latest  comedy  to  be  released 
August  28  carries  the  title, 
“Three’s  a Crowd.” 

Production  on  Barthelmess,  “The  Noose” 
will  begin  early  in  August,  which  will  set 
back  “The  Little  Shepherd  of  Kingdon 
Come,”  which  was  to  have  followed  “The 
Drop  Kick.”  First  National  has  just  pur- 
chased the  rights  to  “The  Man  and  the 
Moment,”  another  of  Elinor  Glyn’s  roman- 
ces. 


Corinne  Griffith 
Gets  New  Director 

Corinne  Griffith  has  chosen  the  youthful 
Lewis  Milestone  to  direct  her  next  United 
Artists  picture,  “The  Garden  of  Eden,”  a 
stage  hit  of  former  years.  Milestone  was 
the  director  of  “Two  Arabian  Knights,” 
which  will  be  released  by  United  Artists 
August  20.  This  picture  brings  together 
Louis  Wolheim  and  Willaim  Boyd  who 
were  a tremendous  hit  in  the  stage  play, 
“WTiat  Price  Glory.”  Wolheim  has  re- 
cently signed  a long-term  contract  with 
Caddo  Productions. 

D.  W.  Griffith’s  first  picture  for 
United  Artists  will  be  “A  Romance 
of  Old  Spain,”  instead  of  “La 
Paiva,”  which  was  first  scheduled 
for  Griffiths  initial  for  United  Art- 
ists. “La  Paiva”  will  probably  be 
Griffith’s  second  picture.  Estelle 
Taylor,  who  was  to  have  had  a lead- 
ing roll  in  this  picture,  will  be 


given  a similar  cast  in  the  new  pic- 
ture. Work  will  be  started  as  soon 
as  casting  is  completed  and  three 
week’s  time  should  see  the  company 
shooting. 

Mary  Pickford’s  latest  addition  to  the 
cast  of  “My  Best  Girl”  is  Evelyn  Hall, 
English  dramatic  stage  star.  In  London 
she  played  Shaw,  Galsworthy,  Hauptman, 
and  other  modern  playwrights. 

IF ar tiers  to  Start  on 
New  Costello  Picture 

Dolores  Costello  will  start  work  early 
in  August  on  her  next  film,  “The  College 
Widow,”  the  famous  George  Ade  stage 
play  of  a good  many  years  ago.  Michael 
Curtis,  who  directed  Costello  in  “A  Million 
Bid”  and  “The  Third  Degree,”  will  direct 
this  forthcoming  film.  We  confess  we  are 
fond  of  Dolores.  We  have  been  ever  since 
her  splendid  work  in  “The  Sea  Beast.” 

Warners’  summer  production  is 
heavy  with  one  extended  run  pro- 
duction and  three  “Warner  Win- 
ners” completed  last  week.  “Ham 
and  Eggs”  is  the  extended  run  pic- 
ture and  is  now  in  the  cutting 
rooms.  Louise  Fazenda  and  others 
appear  in  blackface  in  this  one. 
Louise  can’t  seem  to  keep  the  com- 
edy makeup  off  long  at  a time. 
“Slightly  Used,”  starring  May  Mc- 
Avoy  and  Conrad  Nagel,  and  “Jaws 
of  Steel”  with  Rin-Tin-Tin,  have 
also  been  completed.  “The  Broad- 
way Kid,”  temporary  title  for 
George  Jessel’s  new  vehicle,  is  now 
in  its  second  week  of  camera  work. 
“The  Bush  Leaguer,”  starring  Monte 
Blue,  with  which  Warner  Brothers  will 
open  their  new  season’s  program  of  re- 
leases, was  given  a preview  last  week  at 
the  Westlake  theatre,  Los  Angeles.  Syd 
Chaplin’s  next  picture  will  be  released  un- 
der the  title  of  “The  Fortune  Hunter.” 
This  is  another  stage  success  adaptation. 
Charles  F.  Reisner,  director  of  “The  Better 
’Ole,”  and  “The  Missing  Link,”  will  direct 
the  new  picture,  which  will  be  one  of  the 
company’s  extended  run  pictures. 

Complete  Camera  Work 
on  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin” 

After  almost  two  years  of  work.  Univ- 
ersal announced  this  week  that  camera 
work  had  been  completed  on  the  screen 
adaption  of  Harriett  Beecher  Stowe’s 
classic,  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin.”  Ever  since 
I was  knee  high,  I have  annually  seen 
“Uncle  Toms”  and  “Little  Evas”  do  their 
heart-rending  stuff  under  canvas,  so  I 
anxiously  wait  to  see  the  pair  in  pictures. 

Universal  announces  that  due  to 
the  success  of  “Alias  the  Deacon” 
at  the  Roxy  theatre  recently,  the 
release  date  of  the  picture  has  been 
changed  from  July  22,  1928  to  Oc- 
tober 23,  of  this  year.  The  comedy 
stars  Jean  Hersholt.  Universal  an- 
nounces a new  schedule  for  its  re- 
leases on  “Jewels,”  as  follows: 
“Back  to  God’s  Country,”  starring 
Renee  Adoree  with  Robert  Frazer, 
September  4;  ‘The  Lone  Eagle,” 
September  18;  “Painted  Ponies,” 
September  25;  “Silk  Stockings,” 
with  Laura  LaPlante,  October  2; 
and  “Cheating  Cheaters,”  featuring 
Betty  Compson  and  Kenneth  Har- 
lan, October  9. 

With  Ralph  Lewis  getting  the  lead.  Uni- 
versal has  chosen  its  cast  for  its  drama 
of  the  police,  “The  Shield  of  Honor.” 
Burr  McIntosh  has  been  given  an  impor- 
tant role  in  hte  Universal-Jewel,  “The 
Fourflusher,”  an  adaptation  from  the  stage 
play,  and  a long  term  contract  with  Glenn 
Tryon,  who  did  good  work  in  “Painting  the 
Town,”  has  just  been  signed. 


De  Mille  Makes  Alan 
Hale  Actor  Again 

Pathe  announces  that  Alan  Hale  will 
give  up  the  megaphone  and  become  an 
actor  again.  When  Hale  made  such  a hit 
in  “Vanity”  Cecil  De  Mille  felt  he  should 
continue  in  featured  character  portrayals 
for  a time.  He  is  now  scheduled  for  a 
conspicuous  part  in  “The  Wreck  of  the 
Hesperus.” 

Herman  Raymaker  is  directing 
“An  Ace  in  the  Hole,”  Monty 
Banks’  second  feature  comedy  on 
the  Pathe  program  for  1927-28.  “A 
Perfect  Gentleman,”  the  first  of 
the  new  series,  was  recently  com- 
pleted. Raymaker  directed  Banks 
in  his  old  two  reel-comedies  four 
years  ago. 

Pathe  will  release  two  pictures  August  7, 
“White  Pebbles,”  a Western,  and  “Hidden 
Aces,”  with  Charles  Hutchison  and  Alice 
Calhoun  in  the  leading  roles. 

Another  screen  team  has  come  to  the 
fore.  This  time  it  is  a pair  of  juveniles, 
Frank  Marion  and  Virginia  Bradford. 
They  will  appear  in  “The  Wreck  of  the 
Hesperus.” 


Deaths 


Earl  E.  Connelly 

Earl  E.  Connelly,  well  known  manager 
of  the  Colonial  theatre.  Green  Bay,  Wis., 
was  drowned  while  vacationing. 

Royston  B.  Hall 

Royston  B.  Hall,  Baltimore,  Md.,  picture 
man  and  manager  of  the  Community  thea- 
tre, Hamilton,  died  from  stomach  trouble. 
He  was  38  years  old. 

Henry  B.  Durkee 

Henry  B.  Durkee,  67  years  old,  a Mary- 
land theatre  chain  owner,  died  in  Cantons- 
ville  of  a complication  of  diseases. 

Mrs.  Vivian  Preston 
Mrs.  Vivian  Preston,  wife  of  First 
National’s  booker  at  San  Francisco,  died 
following  a long  illness.  She  is  survived 
by  her  husband  and  a daughter,  Doreen. 

Charles  Neumann 

Charles  Neumann,  44,  a pioneer  screen 
actor,  died  in  Glendale,  Cal.,  hospital  after 
a brief  illness.  Neumann  had  been  in  pic- 
tures 20  years.  He  had  a collection  of 
5,000  photos  of  players. 


Nuptials 


Milton  Watson  and  Peggy  Bernier,  en- 
tertainers with  the  Paul  Ash  bandshow  at 
the  Oriental  in  Chicago,  were  married  last 
week. 

Announcement  is  made  of  the  marriage 
of  Pat  McGee,  manager  of  the  Criterion, 
Oklahoma  City,  and  Bertha  Menz  of  El 
Reno.  The  couple  honeymooned  in 
Chicago. 

Ed  Rather,  organ  man  of  Dallas  and 
connected  with  the  firm  of  Herber  Brothers 
& Wolf,  was  married  this  month  tO'  Cecile 
Dunavant,  concert  artist. 

Viola  Newman,  daughter  of  Frank  L. 
Newman,  director  of  Publix  theatres  in 
Los  Angeles,  and  Pandro  Berman  of  the 
FBO  studio,  were  married  Sunday  in  San 
Francisco. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


THE  THEATRE 

Q,ASDepartment  of  Practical  Showmanship 


Old  Sol  Takes  One  in  Solarplexus 


Lust’s  revival  of  previous 
successes  proves  inspiring 
and  brings  back  to  the  thea- 
tre the  occasional  patron,  as 
well  as  the  regulars. 

Summer  is  often  termed  the  “dog 
days”  of  motion  picture  exhibition. 

Perhaps  that  was  true  several 
seasons  ago  but  today  the  exhibitor 
is  finding  ways  and  means  of  mak- 
ing the  theatre  as  inviting  in  the 
summer  as  in  the  winter. 

Disregarding  the  progress  in 
equipment,  which  has  given  the 
motion  picture  theatre  a cooling  sys- 
tem that  is  magnetic  in  its  power 
to  draw  patrqns,  the  exhibitor, 
through  his  alertness  and  his  ad- 
vanced promotional  policies,  is  able 
to  sustain  an  interest  in  pictures, 
whether  in  the  summer  or  in  the 
winter. 

An  illustration  of  this  is  the  “re- 
vival” plan  of  Sidney  B.  Lust  of 
Washington,  D.  C.,  which  was  re- 
ported recently  in  this  department. 

The  soundness  of  this  plan  of  pro- 
motional activity  is  found  in  the 
support  which  has  been  accorded 
Mr.  Lust  by  the  local  dailies.  A 
clipping  from  one  of  the  papers  is 
published  in  another  column.  In 
submitting  this  Mr.  Lust  writes ; 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  South  Dearborn  Street, 

Chicago,  III. 

Dear  Sir: 

I noticed  the  splendid  writeup 
that  you  gave  me  in  a recent  issue 
of  your  publication  and  I certainly 
want  to  thank  you.  It  hits  the  nail 
on  the  head. 

The  local  papers  have  taken  this 
up  and  I am  enclosing  the  copies, 
including  the  writeup  that  ap- 
peared in  their  issue  of  Saturday, 
July  16.  The  other  local  papers 
are  going  to  write  this  up  and 
should  you  care  to  have  me  mail 
you  copies  I will  be  glad  to  do  so. 

Yours  very  truly, 

SIDNEY  B.  LUST, 
Hippodrome,  Grand,  Leader  and 

Elite  theatre. 

Mr.  Lust  had  printed  a ballot  on 
which  were  listed  favorite  pictures 


Lust  Revived  Old  ' 
' Picture  Favorites 

VTEIGHBORHOOD  film-goers  arc 
being  afforded  an  opportunity  to 
see  the  best  pictures  of  the  past  thru 
a new  policy  inaugurated  by  Sidney 
Lust,  manager  of  the  Hippodrome, 
I.,eader,  Elite  and  Grand  'jlieaterR. 

Not  only  is  Lust  delving  into  the! 
film  archives  himself  but  he  is  af- 
fo-rding  his  patrons  a similar  <oppor* 
tunity,  indirectly.  His  theaters  are 
distributing  a list  of  suggested  re- 
vivals with  a request  that  patrons 
vote  for  the  pictures  they  would  like 
to  see.  Space  is  also  allowed  for  the 
suggestion  of  movies  which  do  not 
appear  in  the  line-up. 

The  list  follows* 

“Tower  of  Lies” — Chaney. 

“Merry  Widow” — Mae  Murray 
. “Faust” — Emil  Jannings. 

“The  Four  Horsemen.” 

“The  Three  Bad  Men.” 

“Iron  Horse.” 

“Over  the  Hill.” 

“Connecticut  Yankee.” 

“The  Wanderer.” 

“On  With  the  Dance.” 

“The  Dark  Angel.” 

“Lost  World.” 

“Sea  Hawk.”. 

“Smiling  Thru.” 

“Quo  Vadis.” 

“Shore  Leave.” 

“The  Volga  Boatman.”  ^ 

.“Where  the  North  Begins.” 

“Orphans  of  the  Storm.” 

“LoveUght.’!.,^ 

“Tess  of  Storih-Ceuntry:?.: 

“Dorothy  Vernon.” 

“Man  Who  Played  God.” 

“Captain  Blood.” 

“Count  of  Monte  Cristo.” 

“Romola.” 

“Old  Clothes.” 

“Be>?erly  of  Graustark.” 

“Vanishing  American.” 

“Ten  Commandments.”; 

“Dr.  Jekyll  and  Mr.  Hyde  ’ 

“Miracle  Man.” 

“Annie  Rooney.” 

“Sally  of  the  Sawdust.” 

“Rosita.” 

“Cohens  and  Kellys.” 

“Don  Q.” 

“Mark  of  Zorro.” 


FOR  THE  LADIES^ 

Modern  housewives 


of  the  past.  Patrons  were  requested 
to  check  the  titles  of  the  pictures 
which  they  desired  to  have  revived. 

It  is  a foregone  conclusion  that  a 
revival  plan  such  as  this  would  be 
successful.  It  gives  the  public  an 
occasional  opportunity  to  select  the 
type  of  motion  picture  entertain- 
ment it  most  enjoys.  It  satisfies  an 
inherent  desire  to  have  a finger  in 
the  pie,  whether  in  the  selection  of 
motion  picture  entertainment  or  in 
the  purchase  of  clothes. 

This  writer  knows  a person  who 
will  not  buy  a suit  of  clothes  if  a 
salesman  seems  insistent.  If  he  does 
buy  such  a suit  he  is  never  satisfied. 
That  is  a human  idiosyncrasy,  per- 


Clark  Munson  in  West  Vir- 
ginia uses  summer  “cool”  ad 
to  increase  receipts — Sample 
of  ad  is  published  in  this 
issue  of  Herald. 

haps,  but  the  exhibitor  as  well  as 
the  suit  salesman  must  take  account 
of  it. 

The  Theatre  hopes  that  Mr.  Lust 
shortly  will  report  on  the  results  of 
his  revival.  In  this  report  there 
should  be  interesting  and  valuable 
information  for  other  exhibitors. 

If  there  are  other  theatre  owners 
who  have  conducted  a revival  cam- 
paign,  The  Theatre  would  appre- 
ciate a word  from  them. 

jN  ♦ 

Then,  there  is  the  summer  “cool” 
ad  which  has  not  found  general 
enough  application  in  the  motion 
picture  business. 

There  is  every  reason  to  believe 
that  an  advertisement  setting  forth 
the  pleasant  sensation  of  spending  a 
torrid  evening  in  a refreshingly  cool 
theatre  should  draw  new  patrons  to 
the  box  office. 

Every  theatre  has  its  potential 
patrons.  Many  have  never  seen  a 
motion  picture.  Others  have  not 
seen  pictures  since  the  early  days 
when  they  were  little  more  than  a 
crude  form  of  entertainment.  It 
takes  more,  oftentimes,  to  induce 
these  potential  patrons  to  pay  their 
cash  at  the  box  office  than  a picture. 

Give  a potential  patron  the  in- 
centive to  come  the  first  time  and 
out  of  this  potential  patron  you  will 
make  a regular.  That  is  what  the 
summer  “cool”  ad  can  do. 

Published  on  the  next  page  is  a 
summer  “cool”  ad  conceived  by 
Clark  Munson  of  the  Robey  the- 
atres, Spencer,  W.  Va.  The  space 
is  one  column  by  page  high.  You 
will  note,  also,  that  no  reference  is 
made  to  picture  or  presentation. 

The  summer  “cool”  ad  will  pay 
dividends.  Ask  Clark  Munson. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Copy 
for  Your 
House  Organ 

WANING  SUMMER 

Summer  is  leaving-  us  again.  To 
how  many  does  it  seem  that  it  just 
came  ? And  here  is  August,  coming 
as  an  advance-agent  for  September, 
the  month  that  strips  us  of  our  car- 
nival garb  and  sends  back  to 
sobriety ! 

Not  so  long  ago,  of  course,  the 
sober  seasons  were  very,  very  sober. 
They  were  stay-at-home  times,  noth- 
ing-to-do-or-see  times.  The  doors 
to  delightful  adventures  were  tem- 
porarily closed.  One  waited,  in 
those  days,  for  summer. 

And  now? 

Well,  this  theatre  knows  that  it 
has  a great  deal  of  summertime 
gaiety  stored  away.  Laughs  and 
adventures  galore  there  are,  all  se- 
curely preserved  ...  in  cans 
. . . waiting  for  August  to  bow 

to  September. 

^ 

THE  MOTION  PICTURE: 

A DEFINITION 

The  Motion  Picture  is  a Symbol 
of  Man’s  Progress  through  the  ages. 

It  is  Success  to  his  Struggle  to 
Enlarge  Himself. 

No  more  is  Man  the  Troglodyte 
- — the  Dweller  in  a Village — the  Vis- 
tim  of  Distance. 

The  New  Man  sees  beyond  him- 
self. 

Man’s  Enlargement — that  is  the 
Motion  Picture. 

This  theatre  is  proud  indeed  to 
assist  in  the  Miracle  of  its  Voice. 

^ ^ ^ 

NOISY  CHILDREN 

This  is  an  appeal  to  parents. 

It  concerns  children  who  are  noisy 
and  generally  disturbing  at  this  the- 
atre— and  at  any  theatre. 

All  patrons,  of  course,  have  no- 
ticed that  many  children,  when  unac- 
companied by  their  parents,  gather 
in  groups  in  the  forward  seats  and 
proceed  to  add  to  the  “regular”  show 
an  impromptu  performance  of  their 
own — with  Noise  invariably  in  the 
leading  role. 

The  management  of  this  theatre 
feels  that  this  extra-performance,  so 
obnoxious  to  others,  could  be  elimi- 
nated, if  parents  would  caution  their 
children  about  it. 

* =(:  * 

KEEP  THE  FAMILY 
INTACT 

It  is  with  great  displeasure  that 
the  management  of  this  theatre 
sometimes  observes  a family,  arriv- 


I  TELL  you 
THIS  HOT  weather 
USED  TO  make  me 
WISH  I was  a 
RICH  MAN  so  I 
COULD  PACK  my 
THINGS  AND  hie 
MYSELF  away  to 
SOME  COOL  spot 
ON  A breezy  lake 
BUT  I’VE  found  a 
PLACE  THAT  beats 
ANY  LAKE  breeze 
A DOZEN  different 
WAYS  AND  it  only 
COSTS  thirty-five 
CENTS  TO  get  there 
IT'S  AT  the  Robey 
THEATRE  right  on 
MAIN  STREET  in  the 
OLD  HOME  town  and 
FOLKS  THEY’VE  got 
A COOLING  system 
THAT  BLOWS  breezes 
IN  THAT  big 
AUDITORIUM  cooler 
THAN  a landlord’s 
HEART  the  minute 
YOU  STEP  UP  to  the 
BOX  OFFICE  to  buy 
YOUR  TICKET  you  get 
A NICE  smile  and 
A “THANK  YOU”  and 
THE  MAN  WHO  stands 
INSIDE  THE  door 
GIVES  YOU  a pleasant 
WELCOME  and  thanks 
YOU  AGAIN  FOR  the 
TICKET  it  makes  you 
GLAD  YOU  came 
AND  WHEN  you  sink 
DOWN  IN  one  of  the 
SOFT  CUSHIONED 
SEATS  THE  balmy 
BREEIZES  begin  to 
TICKLE  your  chin  and 
YOUR  wilted  collar 
BEGINS  to  come  to  life 
AND  RIGHT  then  and 
THERE  YOU  decide 
WHAT  A fool  you’ve 
BEEIN  FOR  sweltering 
IN  THE  heat  and 
BURNING  UP  gas  on 
HOT  pavements  when 
FOR  thirty-five  cents 
YOU  CAN  cool  off  in 
COMFORT  at  the 
ROBEY  AND  forget 
THAT  IT  is  summer. 

1 THANK  YOU 
(Apologies  to  K.  C.  B.) 


One  column,  page  high,  summer  "cool” 
ad  used  by  Clark  Munson  of  the  Ro- 
bey theatres,  Spencer,  W.  Va. 


ing  to  enjoy  a performance  together, 
become  separated  because  there  are 
not  enough  adjoining  seats  available. 
Perhaps  the  condition  is  not  ex- 
tremely disappointing  to  the  family, 
but  it  is  to  us. 

Our  programs  are  formed  for  the 
entire  family.  It  is  our  aim  to  pro- 
vide an  atmosphere  inviting  to  the 
entire  family.  And  to  our  mind  the 
sight  of  a father,  mother  and  chil- 
dren enjoying  themselves  together 
is  far  from  being  the  most  unpleas- 
ant in  the  world. 

Usually,  however,  there  is  a suf- 
ficient number  of  adjoining  seats  at 
the  beginning  of  each  show,  and  per- 
haps fathers  and  mothers  would  do 
well  to  remember  the  show  hours. 
They  are  2 o’clock,  4:15,  6:30  and 
8 :45.  And  if  forgotten,  a telephone 
call  to  the  box  office  will  bring  them. 
Come  at  approximately  these  hours 
and  we  believe  your  family  may  be 
kept  intact. 


Money-Makers 

The  Theatre  presents  herewith  sum- 
maries of  campaigns  conducted  by  ex- 
hibitors on  current  attractions.  These 
tips  may  mean  money  at  the  box  office. 

“LA  BOHEME” — One  thousand  pa- 
per napkins  were  distributed  by  ice  cream 
parlors  previous  and  during  the  presenta- 
tion of  this  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  pic- 
ture at  the  Capitol  theatre,  Brampton, 
Canada.  Manager  T.  Moorehead  used 
this  stunt  as  supplementary  to  his  news- 
paper and  herald  campaign. 

“MOTHER” — In  conjunction  with  a 
local  newspaper,  the  Hippodrome  at 
Oakland,  Cal.,  conducted  a “mother”  con- 
test, in  which  readers  of  the  newspaper 
were  requested  to  write  essays  of  200 
words.  Cash  and  ticket  prizes  were  given 
for  the  best  essays.  “Mother”  is  an 
FBO  picture. 

“ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE”— A cut- 
out of  the  star  and  a lobby  art  card,  both 
on  easels,  a 12-foot  double-illuminated 
banner  and  a six-sheet  lighted  billboard 
on  the  marquee  proved  effective  during 
the  run  of  this  First  National  picture  at 
the  Empress  theatre,  Owensboro,  Ky. 

“ROOKIES” — In  launching  this  pic- 
tuure  at  the  Palace  theatre,  Corscicana, 
Tex.,  Manager  Terry  gave  a special  mid- 
night performance  following  a newspaper 
campaign  of  four  days.  Four  thousand 
heralds  also  were  used  in  exploiting  this 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  comedy. 


Cooler  Weather  Boosts 
Business  in  N,  Y,  State 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  July  26. — Cooler  weather 
ushered  in  an  encouraging  wave  of  pros- 
perity for  Albany,  Troy  and  Schenectady 
theatres  last  week,  the  effects  being  felt 
the  very  first  day  of  lower  temperatures. 

Few  Complaints,  however,  have  been 
heard  in  these  cities  regarding  summer 
business.  None  of  the  houses  is  giving 
outstanding  entertainment,  preferring  to 
wait  for  fall,  yet  most  of  the  theatres 
are  well  filled  for  at  least  the  evening 
performances. 


f 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


A Million  and  One  Thanks 

BUENA  VISTA,  VA.— To  the  Editor: 
I want  to  thank  you  for  Exhiritoes  Her- 
ald. To  me  it’s 
the  leader  of  all 
motion  picture  pa- 
pers. And  I also 
want  to  thank  you 
for  the  prompt  at- 
tention you  have 
shown  me  in  the 
past.  I remain. — 
E.  E.  Bays,  Globe 
theatre,  Buena 
Vista,  Va. 

P.  S.  Enclosed 
find  picture  of  our 
advertising  man- 
ager. He  looks 
Guy  Bayer  like  a moving  pic- 

ture star  himself. 
His  name  is  Guy  Bayer. — E.  E.  B 

[EDITOR’S  NOTE:  Why  be  so  re- 
tiring, Mr.  Bays?  Why  not  send  along 
your  own  likeness?] 

A “Poor  Man’s’’  Amusement 

MACOMB,  ILL. — To  the  Editor:  It’s 
been  sometime  since  I'  broke  into  print. 

Everybody  seems  to  have  a different 
view  in  regard  to  producers  salary  cut  with 
stars.  In  the  first  place,  I want  to  tell  you 
that  I have  been  in  the  picture  business  22 
long  dreary  years.  The  picture  business 
started  out  for  a poor  man’s  amusement. 
Will  ask  you  or  the  producers  if  it  is  at 
25-35-50  cents?  They  have  got  the  thing 
where  it  cannot  stand  on  its  feet  and  the 
public  is  getting  wise. 

The  average  wages  in  towns  of  eight  to 
ten  thousand  are  $21  per  week.  If  a man 
has  to  pay  $25  per  month  rent  and  has 
three  or  four  in  a family,  I ask  you  how 
often  can  he  go  to  a show?  Will  also 
ask  you  how  many  picture  shows  are  there 
in  the  cities,  straight-  picture  shows,  I 
rnean?  Very  few.  Presentation — presenta- 
tion ! They  make  the  picture  the  secondary 
thing,  feature  their  vaudeville  and  pro- 
logues and  let  the  picture  go  to  the  devil. 
The  managers  say  to  the  operator,  “How 
fast  can  you  shoot  this  picture  through?’’ 
Now  who’s  to  blame? 

Years  ago  the  exchanges  furnished  or 
loaned  you  paper  and  paid  express  one 
way.  Now  they  will  hardly  let  you  have 
the  picture  to  run  after  you  pay  Er  it. 
The  producers  thought  three  or  four  years 

ago,  “to  h with  the  small  exhibitor, 

we  can  get  along  without  him.’’  But  can 
he?  It’s  all  right  for  the  producers  to 
sit  with  their  feet  upon  a swell  mahogany 
desk  and  figure  out  what  each  town  ought 
to  pay,  when  he  doesn’t  know  the  condi- 
tions of  that  town.  I will  admit  people 
are  all  alike  but  conditions  are  different, 
towns  are  different. 

To  make  a long  story  short,  the  produc- 
ers have  to  make  pictures  that  they  can 
sell  to  the  exhibitors  cheaper,  so  the  ex- 
hibitor can  make  a price  to  the  public  that 
the  whole  family  can  come  again. 

No  star,  director  or  any  other  one  per- 
son is  worth  eight  to  ten  thousand  per 
week  to  any  producer.  No  head  of  any 
film  corporation  is  worth  $50,000  per  year 
to  producers.  Who  pays  this  salary?  The 
dear  public.  If  the  poor  exhibitors  would 
stay  together  like  the  producers,  they  could 
soon  make  the  producers  make  pictures 


that  one  could  put  on  at  a price  to  make 
the  public  come  again.  The  trouble  with 
producers  is  they  do  not  think  that  the 
exhibitors  have  any  right  to  live.  While 
I will  admit  there  are  still  some  crooked 
exhibitors  in  the  game,  how  about  the  pro- 
ducers? Do  they  play  the  game  square? 
Will  also  ask  you  if  they  are  making  pic- 
tures any  better,  or  even  as  good,  as  they 
did  10  years  ago?  It’s  the  same  old  story 
hashed,  rehashed  over  and  over. 

Another  thing,  look  at  the  accessories. 
Is  there  any  occasion  for  photos  to  be  75 
cents  per  set,  and  one  sheets  at  15  cents? 
Will  also  ask  you  is  it  necessary  for  an 
exchange  to  pay  the  district  manager? 
What  good  is  he  or  the  country  sales- 
manager?  What  is  the  manager  of  an  ex- 
change for?  Is  it  necessary  for  an  ex- 
change to  pay  $60  or  $100  per  month  rent? 

Another  thing,  take  the  first  reel  of  any 
feature.  You  run  a half  reel  telling  the 
public  it  was  made  by  so  and  so,  direction 
by  so  and  so.  Why  in  the  devil  don’t  they 
put  the  office  boy,  janitor  and  the  whole 
bunch  on,  too.  Do  you  think  for  a min- 
ute that  the  public  is  interested  in  that? 
I’ll  say— NOT! 

I have  never  seen  a 10  reel  picture  in 
my  life  but  what  could  be  put  in  six  reels 
and  so  on  down.  People  don’t  want  foot- 
age, they  want  entertainment.  There  are  a 
thousand  ways  that  the  producer  can  cut 
down  expenses,  if  he  would  do  it.  Will 
admit  they  have  just  as  hard  a time  as 
the  exhibitors.  Both  parties  are  to  blame, 
exhibitors  and  producers,  and  also  ex- 
changes. After  all  the  picture  is  the  thing 
and  until  they  get  back  to  it,  cut  out  this 
presentation  and  chop  vaudeville.  If  the 
producers  wake  up  and  make  pictures  that 
the  whole  family  can  come  to,  things  will 
be  different. 

Radio  and  other  things  make  a lot  of 
opposition  for  pictures  and  people  are 
through  paying  high  prices  of  admission. 
It’s  not  the  people  that  are  worth  $100,000 
that  come  to  your  show.  It’s  the  poor  devil 
who  has  no  car,  and  carries  a dinner  bucket 
that  helps  the  producers  make  pictures. 

I say  the  producers  took  the  right  stand. 
Cut  salaries,  cut  overhead  of  all  their  high- 
priced  men,  cut  down  footage,  and  cut  rent. 
Then  let  the  exhibitor  cut  out  his  presenta- 
tion and  go  back  to  straight  pictures.  It 
will  take  awhile,  but  it  will  finally  come. 
It  will  have  to  before  things  right  them- 
selves. 

If  I have  tired  you  with  this  letter, 
throw  it  in  the  waste  basket.  This  is  sim- 
ply my  opinion.  It’s  very  easy  to  tell  the 
other  fellow  what  to  do. — ^H.  B.  Frank, 
Royal  theatre,  Macomb,  111. 

P.  S. — Look  at  the  new  Paramount  thea- 
tre in  New  York.  Are  they  running 
straight  pictures?  And  then  Paramount 
will  tell  you  that  they  will  build  up  your 
business.  Somebody  ought  to  kill  that  bull 
that  all  the  producers  use. 


An  Opinion  on  Star  Salaries 

DOTHAN,  ALA. — ^To  the  Editor  : 
Please  permit  me  to  say  a few  words  about 
stars’  salaries : I want  to  suggest  that  all 
exhibitors  who  take  your  magazine  get  to- 
gether and  stand  back  of  the  producers  in 
getting  the  stars’  salaries  cut.  I do  not 
believe  in  giving  anybody,  I don’t  care  who 
they  are,  $7,500  per  week.  I don’t  know 
what  some  of  the  stars  get,  but  I’ve  been 
told  that  some  of  them  draw  the  above 
mentioned  salary. 

This  is  entirely  too  much.  No  wonder 
we  small  exhibitors  just  merely  exist.  I 
have  been  running  the  above  theatre  for 
some  time,  and  it’s  very  seldom  I even 
break  even  on  a picture.  We  have  to  pay 
$40  to  $60  per  day  (or  we  can  use  them 
two  days)  for  just  ordinary  pictures.  One 
star  draws  about  as  well  as  another  in 
this  town.  Tom  Mix  is  our  best  bet  and 
that  isn’t  saying  much.  We  usually  get 
enough  to  pay  film  rental  and  overhead 
expenses  on  his  pictures. 

I couldn’t  name  another  star  that  is  in 


pictures  today  that  you  can  bet  on  making 
any  money.  Why  is  this?  Simply  because 
we  have  to  pay  such  high  film  rentals,  and 
so  much  for  advertising  we  can’t  hope  to 
do  anything  except  take  in  enough  to  pay 
film  rental  and  advertising. 

Down  South,  in  this  section,  people  are 
tired  of  pictures.  There  isn’t  anything  new 
and  each  star  does  about  the  same  thing 
in  a picture.  Also,  the  public  wants  youth 
and  beauty  as  well  as  acting.  Therefore, 
new  stars  wouldn’t  cost  as  much  money 
and  wouldn’t  expect  half  the  production 
cost  as  a salary.  I say,  let  all  exhibitors 
get  together  and  stand  back  of  the  pro- 
ducers in  the  production  cost  cut. 

If  it  weren’t  for  the  public,  there  would 
be  no  demand  for  pictures.  If  it  weren’t 
for  the  producers,  the  stars  wouldn’t  have 
a job.  If  it  weren’t  for  the  directors,  they 
couldn’t  make  a picture.  So,  after  all, 
who’s  responsible  for  these  stars  being 
where  they  are. 

I say  put  them  down  and  out  if  they 
don’t  want  to  help  carry  the  expenses  of 
the  industry.  Without  the  industry  they’ll 
have  hard  sailing.— Hattie  Mizelle,  Alca- 
zar theatre,  Dothan,  Ala. 

“Prestige” — What  Does  It  Mean? 

NAPOLEONVILLE,  la.— To  THE  Edi- 
tor : I read  a short  editorial  in  your  mag- 
azine some  few  weeks  ago  relative  to  this 
socalled  “prestige.”  I have  only  one  fault 
to  find  with  it.  Like  the  little  boy’s  piece 
of  pie,  “There  ain’t  enough  of  it.”  In  this 
section  where  disasters  in  every  conceivable 
form  have  visited  us,  the  recent  flood  being 
but  the  climax  of  a long  protracted  series 
of  disheartening  events,  such  as  adverse 
legislation,  protracted  drouths,  unfavorable 
markets  where  the  planter  who  once 
ground  cane  from  three  to  four  months, 
but  now  scarcely  grinds  one,  and  then 
grinds  his  teeth  for  the  balance  of  the 
year.  This  word  “prestige,”  as  applied  to 
the  exhibiting  end  of  the  picture  business, 
does  not  appeal  to  us  with  sledge  ham- 
mer force. 

After  all,  Webster  says:  “Prestige, 
weight  or  influence  coming  from  past  suc- 
cess.” On  that  basis.  I’m  not  opposed  to 
“prestige.” 

Then,  again,  why  should  “prestige”  and 
“profit”  not  be  on  speaking  terms?  Is  it 
necessary  to  lose  money  in  this  business  to 
acquire  “prestige?”  My  bank  balance  each 
month,  when  there  is  a balance,  does  not 
include  “prestige.”  If  that  balance  exists 
old  man  “profit”  is  the  hombre  to  whom 
I give  credit  or,  rather,  is  the  hombre  who 
creates  my  credit. 

I don’t  think  any  film  salesman  who 
knows  the  writer  at  all  would  have  the 
temerity  or  effrontery  to  suggest  that  he 
sign  a contract  for  any  picture  that  offers 
nothing  better  than  “prestige.” 

But,  when  he  can  show  me  that  the  pic- 
ture offers  P and  P,  i.  e.,  prestige  and 
profit — well,  anyhow.  I’ll  listen. 

In  other  words,  while  I am  a personal 
friend  of  our  sheriff,  I do  not  care  to 
strain  this  friendship  by  traveling  via  the 
“prestige”  route.  In  conclusion,  it’s  the 
bunk — Peter  Bylsma,  Victory  theatre, 
Napoleonville,  La. 

Jaysee,  Please  Answer 

WARSAW,  IND. — To  the  Editor:  I 
notice  your  J.  ('.  writes  almost  continu- 
ously about  Big  Fish  from  Nebraska,  Min- 
nesota, North  Dakota  and  South  Dakota. 

I am  not  a fisherman  but  a hunter.  Why 
don’t  you  have  him  look  up  a place  where 
an  exhibitor  from  Indiana  might  go  out 
in  season  and  kill  a few  prairie  chickens, 
ducks,  and  geese?  Perhaps  some  of  the 
exhibitors  in  the  far  off  West  could  help 
us  to  do  this  and  at  night  we  could  fan 
about  the  business.  Tell  him  to  look  up 
the  best  places  and  find  good  companions. 
See  what  he  can  do  along  these  lines.  I 
always  read  his  stuff.  Kind  regards. — 
L.  T.  Dunning,  Strand  theatre,  Warsaw, 
Ind! 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 

Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


The  Recognized  National  Classified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANISTS — Thoroughly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Buren  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 


SINGERS — Experienced  for  theatre  singing. 
Men  and  women.  Write  salary  and  other  data. 
Address  Chicago  Musical  College,  64  E.  Van 
Buren  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


PROJECTIONIST — Desires  position  anywhere. 
Can  operate  any  booth  equipment.  First  class 
references.  Wire  collect,  or  write  to  Albert 
Myers,  care  Vining  Theatre,  Ashland,  Oregon. 


OPERATOR  with  ten  years'  experience  in  large 
houses.  Married.  Wants  steady  job.  Address 
Gene  Ingalls,  New  Hampton,  la. 


LIVE,  HUSTLING  THEATRE  MANAGER  at 
liberty.  Producer  of  presentation  novelties,  pro- 
logues and  novelty  musical  programs.  Up  in 
special  weeks  and  events.  Recognized  press  and 
exploitation  expert.  Managed  combination  and 
two-a-day  vaudeville  theatres  also.  Highest  ref- 
erences. Address  Box  195,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


MUSICAL  DIRECTOR — Piano  or  baton.  De- 
sires change.  At  present  leader  Keith  Vaude. 
Experienced  all  lines  of  music.  Graduate  Euro- 
pean Conservatory.  Highly  educated.  Large 
library.  Pictures  cued  absolutely  correct.  Guar- 
antee to  make  orchestra  feature.  Produce  pro- 
logues and  presentations.  Union;  married;  refer- 
ences. Write  or  wire  M.  A.  Springer,  Smoot 
Theatre,  Parkersburg,  W.  Va. 


ORGANIST  WANTS  POSITION.  Ten  years 
experience  in  best  theatres.  Feature  all  music 
from  Jazz  to  Classic.  Cue  to  perfection.  Can 
make  organ  feature  attraction.  Address  “Musi- 
cian,” 612  North  Roosevelt,  Bloomington,  Illi- 
nois. 


. WANTED— POSITION  AS  MANAGER  or  as- 
sistant. Young  man  experienced  in  management, 
advertising  and  accounting.  Future  important. 
Write  Box  196,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South 
Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED:  To  buy  or  lease  theatre  in  town 
of  3,000  to  10,000  population.  Cash,  Give  full 
information.  Address  Box  193,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


THEATRE  WANTED — In  Michigan  town 
where  no  competition.  Address  Box  197,  Exhibitors 
Herald,  407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  111. 


WTLL  EXCHANGE  as  part  payment  modern 
residence  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.,  for  theatre  North- 
west town,  1,000  or  over.  Write  today.  Address 
Box  198,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  111. 


For  Sale 


FOR  SALE— “CUSTER’S  LAST  FIGHT.”  A 
S-reel  Thos.  H.  Ince  picture.  A ROAD  SHOW 
complete,  consistng  of  Chevrolet  truck  with  spe- 
cial body — Tangley  Caliaphone — wax  figures  of 
General  Custer  and  Sitting  Bull — bunch  of  old 
guns  and  two  prints  on  feature  with  two  good 
comedies.  This  show  has  always  made  $500  to 
$800  per  month,  net.  Everything  in  A-1  shape. 
Good  reason  for  selling.  Hot  price  for  quick  sale. 
Write  or  call  F.  L.  Smith,  Box  241,  Mounds, 
Oklahoma. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE;  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS;  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
3x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet,  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


WANTED:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

FOR  SALE:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos, 

Slides,  Banners,  and  other  kinds  of  Accessories 
on  any  subject,  new  or  old — regardless.  Save 
60%.  Write  for  order  blanks  and  price  list.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  ^mpany  & Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post- 
paid. Samples.  Address  Sollidays,  E.  H.,  124, 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HEADS, 8J^xll,  and  100  6)4  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS:  Fac- 
tory rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


Chedr  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H, 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing: population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  the- 
tres  @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE;  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  H()USE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mi^ 
cellaneous  articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


JUST  FORECLOSED  MORTGAGE  on  follow- 
ing equipment.  Will  sacrifice.  4 used  Motio- 
graph Machines,  complete,  with  motors,  $150 
each.  Two  used  Compensarcs,  $30  each.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs,  used  3 months,  $2  each,  cost 
$3.75  each.  All  now  in  a Theatre  in  Southeast 
Missouri.  Also  have  two  Powers  6B  with  mo- 
tors and  two  Simplexs  motor  driven,  perfect 
condition,  ^aranteed,  $375  each,  228  new  heavy 
Opera  Chairs,  17  inch,  $2.75  each,  never  used, 
regular  price  $4.20  each.  Some  Screens,  Genera- 
tors and  Arc  controls  at  bargain  prices.  Must 
turn  these  articles  into  cash  immediately.  Ad- 
dress S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Avenue,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


REBUILT  AND  NEW  power  Simplex,  Moti- 
ograph, Zenith  Projectors;  300  reel  films.  Theatre 
and  road  show  supplies  bought,  sold  and  ex- 
changed. Bargain  lists.  National  Equipment  Co., 
409  West  Michigan  Street,  Duluth,  Minn. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


43 


*‘What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

*‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me**  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  ‘‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,**  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Associated  Exhibitors 

TENTACLES  OF  THE  NORTH:  Special  cast 
— Another  Curwood  picture  that  pleased  the 
Curwood  fans.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers, 
Crystal  theatre,  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FBO 

TOM  AND  HIS  PALS:  Tom  Tyler— 60%.  June 
24.  Another  good  one  from  Tom  Tyler.  His 
Pals  are  also  there  strong.  These  Westerns  are 
above  the  average  by  several  points.  Five  reels. 
— E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small 
town  patronage. 

MOULDERS  OF  MEN:  Conway  Tearle— 70%. 
July  15.  Little  Frankie  Darro  is  the  real  star 
of  this  picture.  This  kid  sureljr  ie  a wonder. 
Talk  about  personality,  it  simply  drips  off  him. 
His  director  deserves  lots  of  credit  too.  This 
comedy  drama  makes  an  ideal  evening  of  enter- 
tainment. Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand 
theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

BORDER  WHIRLWIND:  Bob  Custer— 20%. 
Just  an  ordinary  Western  program  picture.  Five 
reels.  — Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre, 
Wyoming,  111.— General  patronage. 

PRINCE  OF  PEP:  Richard  Talmadge — 70%. 
July  9.  A good  program  picture.  Six  reels. — 
M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BREED  OP  THE  SEA:  Ralph  Ince— 65%. 
July  8.  A gripping  drama  of  the  tropics.  Ince 
and  Margaret  Livingston  both  do  good  work. 
Fine  subject  for  hot  weather.  Seven  reels. — 
E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind.— Small 
town  patronage. 

BREED  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  cast — 60%. 
July  14-15.  This  is  a wonderful  production,  with 
all  prinipals  doing  fine  work.  This  picture  should 
go  good  anywhere.  Many  good  comments.  Six 
reels. — E.  A.  Rhoades,  Grand  theatre.  Story  City, 
la. — Small  town  patronage. 

BREED  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  cast — A good 
melodrama  of  the  sea. — Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic 
theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

LADIES  BEWARE:  George  O’Hara— July  14. 
George,  beware  the  “Spotlight”  will  get  you  if 
you  don’t  watch  out.  'The  last  one,  thank  good- 
ness. Five  reels.— S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt. 
Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

LURE  OF  THE  NIGHT  CLUB:  Viola  Dana— 
Ran  this  on  our  “2  for  1”  night.  Fair  picture 
with  an  unusual  ending.  Film  new.  Six  reels. 
— Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

THE  FIGHTING  HOMBRE:  Bob  Custer— 
July  15.  FBO  know  how  to  make  Westerns. 
Five  reels.^ — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, Tex. — General  patronage. 

FLAMING  FURY : Ranger — A good  dog  pic- 
ture. Five  reels. — ^Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  thea- 
tre, Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

First  National 

DANCE  MAGIC:  Pauline  Stark — 70%.  June 
16-17.  Another  good  one  from  First  National. 
In  fact  I have  only  had  one  bad  one  this  year. 
This  picture  came  very  near  pleasing  every  one 
who  saw  it,  as  only  two  said  not  so  good.  When 
you  please  all  but  two  I am  satisfied.  Seven 
reels. — Frederic  O.  Gooch,  Lyric  theatre,  Loudon, 
Tenn. — General  patronage. 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


DANCE  MAGIC:  Pauline  Stark — A plenty  good 
program,  although  a few  patrons  objected  to  the 
long  embrace  in  the  dressing  room.  Film  new. 
Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre. 
Cresco,  la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW : Ken  Maynard — 
50%.  July  16.  Another  good  one  from  First 
National  with  Ken  Maynard  and  Tarzan,  the 
horse  with  a human  intelligence.  This  fellow 
is  equally  as  good  a rider  and  stunt  man  as  any 
Western  star  on  the  screen.  We  haven’t  used 
enough  of  his  pictures  for  him  to  be  popular 
here.  If  they  continue  to  be  as  good  in  quality 
no  doubt  attendance  will  improve.  Seven  reels. 
— Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyom- 
ing, 111. — General  patronage. 

SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL:  Special  cast — 50%. 
Couldn’t  say  much  for  this  one,  except  that  we 
had  more  walkouts  than  on  any  picture  that  we 
have  shown  for  some  time.  Just  a lot  of  hokum 
and  no  plot. — Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  thea- 
tre, Wyoming,  111. — General  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS : Charles  Murray — ^80%. 
July  10-11.  Paid  entirely  too  much  for  this  one, 
considering  the  amount  taken  in  at  the  box  office. 
Although  it  was  a real  good  comedy  it  is  not 
worth  the  extra  amount  of  film  rental  that  you 
have  to  pay  for  it.  This  one  should  please  100 
per  cent  if  you  can  get  them  inside.  Work  of 
Murray  and  Conklin  is  excellent.  Eight  reels. 
— Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyom- 
ing, 111. — General  patronage. 

THREE  HOURS:  Corinne  Griffith— 80%.  July 
3.  A very  fine  drama  which  pleased  most  every- 
body. Drew  nearly  average  Sunday  business. 


Seven  leels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chil- 
ton, Wis. — Small  town  patxonage. 

THREE  HOURS:  Corinne  Griffith— 65%.  June 
30.  Just  a fine  production.  Corinne  Griffith  is 
still  beautiful  and  an  accomplished  actress. 
Brought  tears  from  some  and  laughs  from  all. 
Seven  reels. — Frederic  O.  Gooch,  Lyric  theatre, 
Loudon,  Tenn. — General  patronage. 

SENOR  DAREDEVIL:  Ken  Maynard-^uly 
7-8.  The  first  of  Ken’s  which  I have  played.  It 
is  very  good  and  he  and  his  horse,  Tarzan,  do 
good  work.  I wish  they  would  keep  these  West- 
erns in  five  or  six  reels.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 
41%.  A good  show  with  too  much  wise  crack- 
ing. Fair  business. — Art  E.  'frotzig.  City  theatre. 
Vermillion,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  MASKED  WOMAN:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— 
60%.  June  28-29.  Not  as  good  as  expected,  but 
at  that  a fairly  good  picture.  Another  title  that 
does  not  fit.  Why  do  they  do  it,  but  for  me 
First  National  is  about  the  best  bet.  Seven 
reels. — Frederic  O.  Gooch,  Lyric  theatre,  Loudon, 
Tenn. — General  patronage. 

MEN  OF  STEEL:  Milton  Sills— July  10-11. 
This  is  a special  and  pleased  every  one.  'There 
is  nothing  that  gives  me  such  shooting  pains  as 
a picture  which  is  so  ungodly  long  that  they 
have  to  ship  it  in  two  cans.  Ten  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

LADIES  AT  PLAY:  Special  cast— 72%.  A real 
good  program  picture.  Pleased  100  per  cent. — 
Art  E.  Trotzig,  City  theatre,  Vermillion,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

LONG  PANTS:  Harry  Langdon — 24%.  One 
big  piece  of  cheese  that  patrons  walked  out  on. 
Will  be  glad  when  he  strikes. — Art  E.  Trotzig, 
City  theatre,  Vermillion,  S.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

LONG  PANTS:  Harry  Langdon — Fair  comedy 
drama  that  failed  to  do  much  business.  ’They 
don’t  seem  to  care  much  for  Langdon.  Six  reels. 
— Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

LONG  PANTS:  Harry  Langdon — This  star  puts 
crepe  on  the  box  office.  Might  just  as  well  hang 
a smallpox  sign  on  the  lobby.  He  just  won’t 
draw  the  crowds  and  will  not  please  what  few 
stragglers  that  do  venture  in.  ’This  is  just  about 
as  poor  an  attraction  as  you  can  get  outside  of 
“The  Strong  Man.”  Seven  reels. — Marion  F.  Bod- 
well, Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  111. — General 
patronage. 

SWEET  DADDIES:  Charles  Murray— 50%. 
July  12-13.  Well  liked  here  and  good  business 
for  hot  weather.  A pleasing  comedy. — E.  A. 
Rhoades,  Grand  theatre.  Story  City,  la. — Small 
town  patronage. 

VENUS  OF  VENICE:  Constance  Talmadge— 
This  star  used  to  be  a good  drawing  card  but  no 
more.  A poor  picture  that  failed  to  please.  No 
more  like  this  one.  please.  This  Oriental  stuff 
might  appeal  to  some  people,  but  not  around 
here. — Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre, 
Wyoming.  111.— General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— My 
first  one  and  judging  from  this  one  he  will  be 
at  the  top  soon  as  it  is  a very  good  Western. 
Seven  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre. 
Breese,  III. — General  patronage. 

SHORE  LEAVE:  Richard  Barthelmess — Not 
much  to  this  one.  Seven  reels. — Julius  W. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

Fox 

THE  CIRCUS  ACE:  Tom  Mix- 92%.  The  real 
Tom  Mix  in  a right  good  show.  Pleased  well  on 
a hot  night.  Five  reels. — Art  E.  Trotzig,  City 
theatre,  Vermillion,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— 80%.  July  4. 
One  of  the  best  Mix  pictures  yet,  but  also  the 
most  pure  hokum  I ever  saw  in  one  picture. 
It  went  over  great,  for  I packed  them  in  all 
day.  Mix  sure  has  come  back  strong  this  year. 
Wonder  how  much  we  will  have  to  pay  next  year. 
Six  reels.— Frederic  O.  Gooch,  Lyric  theatre,  Lou- 
don, Tenn. — General  patronage. 

FIG  LEAVES:  Special  cast — 50%.  Fairly  good 
picture  of  this  type.  Not  a good  Saturday  pic- 
ture. Had  quite  a few  of  the  old  duffers  out 
thinking  that  they  were  going  to  get  to  see 
something.  Colored  photography  Ls  beautiful  and 
the  fashion  show  was  well  done.  Seven  reels. — 
Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming, 
111. — General  patronage. 

TONY  RUNS  WILD:  Tom  Mix— 90%.  July 

11- 12.  One  of  the  best  Tom  Mix  ever  made  and 
that’s  saying  a mouthful.  Drew  big  business  with 
tentshow  as  opix>sition.  Boys,  a Western  will 
sure  stand  the  canvas  shows  on  their  heads.  Try 
it  some  time.  Six  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand 
theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

KENTUCKY  PRIDE:  Special  cast— 75%.  July 

12- 13.  Good  raee  horse  picture.  On  the  order 
of  Black  Beauty.  They  liked  it.  Seven  reels. — 
E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind.— Small 
town  aptronage. 

GOING  CROOKED:  Bessie  Love— 25%.  July  2. 
A good  crook  drama  but  failed  to  draw,  possibly 
due  to  approaching  holidays  and  heat.  Seven 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FIGHTING  BUCKAROO:  Buck  Jones— 
60%.  June  23-21.  Crackin’  good  Western  to 
satisfactory  business.  Five  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle, 
Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE:  Buck  Jones— 60%. 
July  4-5.  Drew  well  on  holiday  and  pleased 
every  one.  Five  reels.— E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  thea- 
tre, Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 


THE  IRON  HORSE:  Special  cast^70%.  July 
5-6.  One  of  the  best  made.  A real  pleasure  to 
exhibit  this  type  of  Western  super  special.  Eleven 
reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FLYING  HORSEMAN:  Buck  Jones— One 
more  Western  that  sent  the  youngsters  into  ec- 
stasies of  delight.  Five  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers, 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FAMILY  UPSTAIRS:  Special  cast— July 
9.  Better  than  average.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry, 
Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  LAST  TRAIL:  Tom  Mix — Very  good  out- 
door drariia. — Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre, 
Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LAST  TRAIL:  Tom  Mix — A very  good 
Zane  Grey  with  Tom  Mix.  This  is  the  type  that 
the  Western  fans  like  for  Mix.  Something  with 
lots  of  action,  and  this  one  has  it.  Six  reels. — 
Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyom- 
ing, 111. — General  patronage. 

THE  LILY : Belle  Bennett— July  13.  Just  fair. 
Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, Tex. — General  patronage. 

FLYING  CAVE  MAN:  Buck  Jones — A poor 
one  for  Buck.  Six  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt, 
Grand  theetre,  Breese,  III. — General  patronage. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  KISS:  Olive  Borden— I 

thought  this  was  a fair  little  comedy  drama.  It 
isn’t  big  stuff  and  think  the  name  Pigs  would 
have  been  a better  name,  but  had  no  complaint 
on  the  picture. — Cha.s.  Lee  Hyde,  Grand  theatre, 
Pierre,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  AUCTIONEER:  Special  cast— Very  good 
picture  for  the  whole  family.  Seems  to  please 
the  majority. — Erne.st  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre, 
Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

ONE  INCREASING  PURPOSE:  Edmund  Lowe 
— July  10-11.  A good  picture  and  drew  fine  busi- 
ness. Many  good  comments  from  patrons.  Seven 
reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

Gotham 

SIGN  OF  THE  CLAW:  Peter  the  Great— 
June  24-25.  Just  as  the  rest  have  said,  real  en- 
tertainment. A lot  of  big  company  producers 


ought  to  take  a look  at  this  picture.  The  very 
first  10  feet  of  film  is  exciting  and  holds  your 
interest,  there  being  a fight  atop  a skyscraper 
roof  the  first  thing  off  the  bat.  The  dog  plays 
the  part  of  a detective  and  was  excellent.  This 
drew  me  extra  business,  as  all  animal  pictures 
seem  to  please  more  than  any  other.  It  seemed 
to  please  100  per  cent  and  was  exciting  all  the 
way  through.  More  power  to  Gotham.  Six  reels, 
— H.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SILENT  POWER:  Ralph  Lewis — July  8-9. 
A most  excellent  picture  in  every  respect.  It  is 
an  electrical  picture  with  good  story,  thus  it 
deals  with  a most  timely  subject,  yet  not  an  over- 
done one,  as  is  the  case  with  many  pictures.  A 
good  moral  is  taught  yet  is  very  entertaining, 
and  before  it  ends  it  will  bring  the  people  out 
of  their  seats.  Six  reels, — H.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty 
theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  Special  cast — 85%. 
July  6-7.  This  is  a knockout.  Patrons  liked  it 
better  than  the  “Marines.”  Had  a good  crowd 
and  those  who  stayed  out  want  to  see  it,  now 
it  is  gone.  Haines  and  Junior  Coghlan  do  fine 
work.  Eight  reels. — E.  A.  Rhoades,  Grand  theatre. 
Story  City,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN:  Lon  Chaney — 70%.  Chaney 
is  clever  as  usual,  but  story  is  rather  too  grue- 
some for  entertainment.  Film  new.  Seven  reels. 
— Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Creeco,  la. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  cast — 90%. 
July  7-8.  The  greatest  picture  of  its  type  ever 
made.  The  colored  film  was  excellent.  Many 
outstanding  points.  May  McAvoy  was  more  than 
exquisite  in  her  love  scene  and  the  race  Pop  has 
with  the  motor  truck  a very  beautiful  and  touchy 
scene.  More  like  them,  Metro,  and  we  small  town 
hicks  will  pay  off.  Ten  reels. — Frederic  O.  Gooch, 
Lyric  theatre,  Loudon,  Tcnn. — General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
80%,  June  9-10,  As  usual  Chaney  produced  a 
picture  that  was  worth  seeing.  He  was  ugly  sure 
but  he  is  also  some  actor.  Boost  it,  play  it,  cash 
in.  it’s  good  for  any  house  or  any  audience.  Ten 
reels. — Frederic  O.  Gooch,  Lyric  theatre,  Loudon, 
Tenn. — General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
57%.  Chaney’s  best  picture  and  not  typical  of 
him  at  all. — Art  E.  Trotzig.  City  theatre,  Ver- 
million, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  Special  cast — ■ 
39%.  June  28.  'This  is  good  for  the  ones  that 
like  this  type  of  a picture,  but  we  didn’t  get  film 
rental  on  it.  Nine  reels. — Mi-s.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem  theatre,  Greenriver.  Utah. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies — Something 
wrong  with  this.  It  didn't  seem  to  please  as  a 
picture  should. — Art  E.  Trotzig,  City  theatre,  Ver- 
million, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 
Coogan — 87%,  July  5.  This  is  a good  one  for 
the  kids  and  adults,  too.  Everybody  pleased. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 
Coogan — It  did  not  look  good  to  me  and  patrons 
seemed  to  think  the  same  so  I call  it  fair.  Seven 
reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
III. — General  patronage. 

BARDELYS  THE  MAGNIFICENT:  John  Gil- 
bert— 86%,  A wonderful  production,  well  acted, 
well  directed,  well  set.  Pleased  exceptionally. — 
Art  E.  Trotzig,  City  theatre,  Vermillion,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

FAUST:  Emil  Jannings — 30%.  June  29-30.  I 
was  glad  when  this  one  was  over,  so  I could 
forget  it.  Eight  reels. — O.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy 
theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GAY  DECEIVER:  Lew  Cody— 10%.  July 
12.  Satisfied  about  50  per  cent. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville.  Mich. — General 
patronage. 


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NATIONAL  SCREEN  SERVICE! 

JDishibuled  ihrou^ouh  Ihe  Unihd  Siaies  from 

CHICAGO  NEW  YORK  LOS  ANGELES 

845  S.Wabash  Ave.  ^ 126-130  W.46**  St. ' 1922  S.Vermont  Ave. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


ELDORA,  lA.,  July  17,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

It  has  been  interesting  to  note  the  comment  by  exhibitors  on  the  proposed  reduc- 
tion in  production  cost.  The  consensus  of  opinion  is  that  it  is  another  ballyhoo 
stunt  used  as  a smoke  screen  for  the  advancement  of  film  rentals.  They  say  that, 
in  the  light  of  past  experience,  it  is  going  to  he  hard  to  make  them  believe  that  they 
have  any  serious  intentions  of  doing  anything  of  the  kind. 

I have  interviewed  thousands  of  exhibitors  in  the  10  states  I have  covered  and 
the  universal  opinion  is  that  they  are  the  goats  of  the  picture  industry.  The  powers 
that  be  are  going  to  have  to  holler  awfully  loud  and  long  to  make  them  believe  that 
any  star  on  the  screen  is  worth  half  what  they  are  getting.  They  won’t  concede  that 
the  head  of  any  producing  company  is  worth  more  to  the  public  in  dollars  and 
cents  than  the  combined  salaries  of  the  supreme  court  of  the  United  States.  In 
other  words,  they  prefer  to  measure  a man’s  worth  in  brains  rather  than  in  dollars. 
At  least  that’s  the  way  they  put  it  up  to  me. 

If  there  is  really  any  serious  intention  of  applying  the  pruning  knife  to  the  pro- 
duction end  of  the  business,  the  exhibitors  whom  I have  interviewed  would  like 
to  offer  some  suggestions.  First,  they  would  suggest,  as  a before-breakfast  job, 
that  they  apply  the  knife  to  the  salaries  of  the  producton  heads.  They  say  that 
that  would  prove  their  honest  intentions  and  would  be  setting  a good  example  for 
the  rest  of  them.  Next,  they  would  suggest  that  they  lop  off  a housand  or  so  of 
supernumeraries  who  have  attached  themselves  to  the  payrolls  as  assistants  to  this, 
that  and  the  other  thing,  but  who  haven’t  yet  found  out  just  what  particular  use 
they  are  to  the  industry. 

These  exhibitors  tell  me  that  they  are  unable  to  see  how  chartering  special  trains 
to  haul  officers  and  film  salesmen  across  the  continent  is  going  to  reduce  film 
rentals  or  add  any  particular  merit  to  their  productions.  They  insist  that  SIO  plates 
at  their  banquets  should  he  reduced  to  at  least  $9.98,  and  this  doesn’t  look  unrea- 
sonable to  me  either.  Of  course,  they  want  them  to  have  plenty  to  eat  and  they 
say  that,  judging  from  their  own  experience,  19.98  ought  to  provide  a fairly  good 
meal,  but  this,  of  course,  would  not  include  the  drinks. 

Again,  they  would  suggest  that  when  the  Primer  reached  the  star  salary  list  that 
he  shut  his  eyes  and  go  to  it,  that  he  can’t  go  amiss,  no  matter  who  he  hits.  But 
at  this  juncture,  according  to  the  reports,  the  Actors  Equity  would  throw  up  its 
hands  and  yell,  “Halt,  we  are  only  getting  from  $5,000  to  $16,000  a week  now  and 
how  do  you  expect  us  to  subsist  on  less.  It  can’t  be  done  and  we  won’t  stand  for 
it.”  And  it  is  also  reported  that  Jesse  L.  Lasky  took  to  the  brush,  and  the  exhibi- 
tors whom  I have  interviewed  are  inquiring,  “Well,  who  the  ’ell’s  running  this 
business  anyway?” 

It  is  reported  that  every  star  has  to  have  a manager.  Nobody  seems  to  know 
what  for,  but  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  it  isn’t  because  he  or  she  hasn’t  sense  enough 
to  interpret  a contract — that  there  is  some  other  good  reason.  And  this  manager 
has  to  be  paid.  Then  they  have  to  have  a secretary  and  a press  agent,  and  they 
also  have  to  be  paid.  Therefore,  Equity  is  within  its  rights  in  demanding  that 
the  pruner  go  hence  and  sin  no  more.  Everywhere  I go  exhibitors  are  asking, 
“Who  is  paying  for  all  this  needless  expense?”  and  I reply  by  saying,  “Well,  if  you 
don’t  know,  then  your  guard  is  out  of  whack.” 

Now,  I have  given  you  the  consensus  of  opinion  of  the  exhibitors  in  the  10 
states  I have  covered,  and  anyone  who  is  interested  in  the  matter  can  take  it  or 
leave  it  just  as  they  please  and  it  will  be  all  right  with  me,  and  now  I will  give 
you  my  individual  opinion  on  one  or  two  other  matters,  which  may,  or  may  not, 
be  of  interest  to  you. 

It  is  my  candid  opinion,  formed  from  a somewhat  limited  experience  in  the 
business  of  exhibiting  pictures  for  a period  of  17  years,  that  there  are  some  direc- 
tors of  motion  pictures  who  are  not  receiving  sufficient  compensation,  no  matter 
what  they  are  getting,  and  that  there  are  other  directors  who  are  receiving  entirely 
too  much,  no  matter  if  they  are  not  receiving  anything. 

Night  before  last  I sat  in  a theatre  and  viewed  what  was  supposed  to  be  a two 
reel  comedy.  There  were  five  or  six  half  clad  girls  paraded  around  before  the 
camera,  one  of  whom  had  nothing  to  cover  her  but  a sheet,  which  she  held  by  the 
folds  and  when  she  was  far  enough  away  from  the  camera,  so  the  director  thought 
it  wouldn’t  he  too  shocking,  he  had  her  drop  the  sheet  and  there  was  a flash  of  her 
absolutely  nude.  Good  Lord,  are  they  paying  directors  good  American  money  to 
drive  decent  minded  people  away  from  the  theatres  If  the  time  has  come  when 
respectable  people  must  accept  this  kind  of  indecency  as  entertainment  then  the 
managers  can  turn  a hurd  of  mice  and  a bunch  of  rattlesnakes  loose  in  their  theatres 
and  expect  the  audience  to  sit  through  the  performance  and  enjoy  it. 

That  flash  of  that  nude  girl  was  no  doubt  what  the  directors  would  call  a “thrill” 
or  “spice”  or  “pep”  in  the  picture,  but  it  is  such  morbid  minded  directors  as  this 
one  that  are  driving  decent  people  away  from  the  theatres,  and  yet  they  continue 
to  do  it  in  spite  of  the  protest  from  exhibitors  wherever  I go  who  are  crying  out 
against  this  indecency  in  their  entertainment.  Is  there  need  for  censorship?  NO, 
but  there  IS  need  for  some  business  sense  at  the  production  head. 

In  the  last  issue  of  the  HERALD  we  note  the  order  of  the  Federal  Trade  Com- 
mission declaring  the  block  booking  system  of  Paramount  to  be  illegal  and  in 
restraint  of  trade  and  ordering  the  company  to  discontinue  this  system. 

Right  beside  the  notice  of  this  order,  and  enclosed  in  a box  position,  is  the  state- 
(Continued  on  next  page) 


July  30,  1927 

THE  MAGICIAN:  Alice  Terry— 20%.  June 
29-30.  A good  picture  for  its  kind  but  entirely 
too  gruesome  for  women  and  children.  Too  hot 
to  pull  them  in.  Seven  reels. — ^R.  Pfeiffer,  Prin- 
cess theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

CAPTAIN  SALVATION:  Special  cast— This  is 
very  good  of  its  type.  Plenty  rough.  Seven  reels. 
. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— Beet 
we  have  seen  from  this  star.  Comments  mostly 
good.  Business  above  average.  Marion  displayed 
a bit  of  “It”  as  Tillie.  Seven  reels. — Ivy  D. 
Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — ^General  pat- 
ronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast — ^It’s  good  but  no 
special.  Did  not  pull  for  me.  Seven  reels. — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. 

. — General  patronage. 

A LITTLE  JOURNEY:  Special  cast— July  4, 
This  will  get  them  all  right.  Will  please  most  of 
regular  patrons.  Seven  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace 
theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

A LITTLE  JOURNEY:  Claire  Windsor— Noth- 
ing to  rave  about.  Too  slow  and  draggy.  Could 
be  put  in  two  reels.  Some  walked  out  and  so 
did  I,  and  went  home.  Seven  reels. — E.  Wagner, 
Royal  theatre.  Ft.  Recovery,  O. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  Special 
cast — July  10.  Good  historical  picture.  Majority 
liked  it.  Will  go  good  with  school.  Seven  reels. 
— E.  Wagner,  Royal  theatre.  Ft.  Recovery,  O. — 
General  patronage. 

MIKE:  Special  cast — This  is  good.  Seven 

reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
111. — General  patronage. 

HIS  SECRETARY:  Norma  Shearer— Boys,  this 
beats  the  “Waning  Sex.”  You  don’t  get  them  any 
more  entertaining.  Pleased  old  and  young. — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. 
— General  patronage. 

BATTLING  BUTLER:  Buster  Keaton  — I 
thought  it  good  and  sure  seemed  to  please  the 
few  patrons  I am  showing  to.  Seven  ^reels» — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

Paramount 

MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix— 60%.  We  were 
surprised  with  this  one  after  reading  a few 
reports  not  favorable.  Our  patrons  liked  it. 
Film  new.  Seven  reels. — ^Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco 
theatre,  Cresco,  la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Clara  Bow— Ran  this 
10  days  behind  "It”  and  did  better  than  average 
business.  Clara  was  good  as  usual  but  story  not 
comparable  to  “It.”  Film  new.  Six  reels. — Ivy 
D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General 
patronage. 

BLOND  OR  BRUNETTE:  Adolphe  Menjou— 
70%.  June  22-23.  Drew  nice  business  for  hot 
weather,  but  it’s  not  good  small  town  entertain- 
ment. Too  many  intimate  bedroom  scenes. 
Menjou  the  great  artist  always,  and  Greta 
Nissen  a captivating  blond  beauty.  Seven  reels. 
— E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small 
town  patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Wallace  Beery— 84%. 
July  7-8.  This  is  good  but  can’t  compare  to 
"We’re  in  the  Navy  Now.”  First  night  good  but 
poor  second  night.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Wallace  Beery— 65%. 
July  1-2.  Sure,  this  one  was  good,  so  was  the 
price,  but  I raised  the  price  and  had  a house  above 
the  average.  Six  reels. — O.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy 
theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small  town  patronage. 

IT:  Clara  Bow — 97%.  She  sure  can  pack  the 
house  in  this  kind  of  a picture. — Art  E.  Trotzig, 
City  theatre,  Vermillion,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

IT:  Special  cast — 75%.  June  30.  Clara  Bow 
is  sure  good  in  this.  Run  it  if  you  haven’t. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

IT:  Clara  Bow — 50%.  July  10-11.  This  is  a 
very  fine  picture.  ’The  star  and  oast  great.  Satis- 
fied all  that  came  to  see  it. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

IT:  Clara  Bow — Despite  our  doubts  this  picture 
went  over  big  for  us.  Second  night  was  very 
good,  despite  all  the  July  4 competition  of  vari- 
ous kinds.  A very  good  show.  Film  good.  Seven 
reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. 
— Neighborhood  patronage. 

KID  BOOTS:  Eddie  Cantor — 85%.  June  25. 
Oh ! man,  what  a riot.  The  greatest  thrill  picture 
of  the  ages.  Makes  Lloyd  in  “Safety  First”  look 
like  a piker.  Clara  Bow  and  Eddie  make  a 


wonderful  combination.  Eight  reels.  — E.  M. 
Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — ^Small  town 
patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— 80%. 
July  1-2.  A dandy  good  Zane  Grey  Western. 
Drew  well.  Holt  the  ideal  he-man  hero.  Tent- 
show  for  opposition  but  they  came  anyway.  Seven 


reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— 15%. 
July  13-14.  Just  a fair  Western  picture.  Sold 
as  a special  and  only  a program  picture.  Star 
good.  Story  weak. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


J.  C.  Jenkins— His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

ment  of  Adolph  Zukor,  president  of  the  corporation,  declaring  that  Famous  would 
continue  the  block  booking  system  as  heretofore,  saying:  “No  change  in  our  exist- 
ing sales  policies  is  contemplated  at  the  present.”  Ho,  ho!  Now  Mr.  United  States 
Court,  I guess  you’ll  be  good.  When  the  writer  was  a kid  if  he  defied  an  order 
from  the  head  of  the  house  he  got  a darned  good  trimming  out  in  the  woodshed, 
and  I came  to  recognize  that  an  authority  higher  up  had  spoken,  and  since  then 
I have  wondered  if  that  authority  wasn’t  even  a little  too  tolerant.  I might  have 
had  some  sense  if  it  had  been  hammered  into  me  when  I was  a kid,  but  it’s  too 
durned  late  now.  Maybe  for  Paramount  there  isn’t  any  higher  authority. 

* « * 

My  daughter,  Mrs.  Marjorie  Bradley,  who  had  her  jaw  broken  and  her  teeth 
knocked  out  and  sustained  other  serious  injuries  in  a recent  auto  accident,  has 
written  her  views  of  the  matter  while  still  in  bed  in  the  following  verses  which  she 
says  you  may  try  on  your  piano  and  sing  to  the  tune  of  “The  Old  Oaken  Bucket”: 

How  well  I remember  away  back  in  my  childhood 
My  nice  ivory  teeth  that  are  now  past  and  gone. 

I washed  ’em  and  scrubbed  ’em  each  day  of  my  girlhood. 

And  now  just  to  think  they  were  pulled  one  by  one. 

CHORUS 

My  toofies,  my  toofies,  my  white  polished  toofies. 

My  nice  home-grown  toofies,  that  I loved  so  well. 

The  dentist  and  doctor  they  did  it  together. 

Such  a dastardly  pair  it  is  too  sad  to  tell. 

But  the  reason  they  did  it  is  not  such  a wonder 

For  the  car  had  them  busted  and  hanging  as  well. 

But  now  they  are  gone  and  I’ll  get  me  some  others. 

What  kind  they  will  be  will  be  up  to  the  Doc. 

But  should  I look  like  a lot  of  hard  looking  others 
I surely  will  put  up  one  helluva  squawk. 

I want  to  chew  beefsteak,  1 want  to  gnaw  sweet  corn, 

I want  to  do  as  I did  in  the  days  gone  by. 

But  now  my  nice  toofies,  my  white  ivory  toofies. 

Have  been  placed  in  the  dump  with  a heart-rending  cry. 

* * * 

It  was  my  pleasure  to  have  a delightful  visit  with  our  old  friend  Fred  Hinds  of 
the  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la.  We  did  a lot  of  talking  about  the  past,  present  and 
future,  and  both  agreed  to  the  proposition  of  a reduction  in  film  production  ex- 
pense. The  Cresco  has  been  sold  to  a party  at  Osage,  Ta.,  and  Fred  will  have  to 
look  for  another  theatre  as  soon  as  his  lease  expires.  He  is  undecided  at  this  time 
whether  he  will  continue  in  the  exhibition  business  or  go  back  into  newspaper 
work,  in  which  case  the  HERALD  wishes  him  success,  for  he  deserves  it.  We  also 
enjoyed  a delightful  visit  with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  A.  Dutton  of  the  Plaza  at  Man- 
chester. They  are  royal  entertainers  and  W.  A.  knows  H.  B.  from  Pluto. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  V.  Hunerberg  of  the  Princess  at  Parkersburg  seemed  delighted 
I called,  but  they  were  not  half  as  pleased  as  I was  myself.  They  are  delightful 
folks  to  meet  and  both  swear  by  the  HERALD. 

I would  have  missed  a whole  lot  had  I failed  to  call  on  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  J. 
Steggall  of  the  Cozy  at  Fayette.  Mrs.  Steggall  is  the  first  lady  exhibitor  to  have  the 
honor  of  riding  in  Clara.  She  rode  from  her  husband’s  filling  station  diagonally 
across  the  street  to  the  Cozy,  where  Mr.  Steggall  was  making  arrangements  for  the 
installation  of  a pipe  organ.  They  are  delightful  folks  and  I hated  to  leave.  That’s 
the  way  it  goes  in  this  business.  You  meet  some  delightful  friends  and  then  have 
to  rush  away. 

I met  a scad  of  regular  fellows,  of  whom  I would  like  to  make  mention,  but  have 
consumed  so  much  space  giving  exhibitors  views  on  various  questions  that  Jay  will 
hunt  up  his  blue  pencil  should  I occupy  any  more.  May  meet  you  again  some  day, 
boys.  Till  then  good  luck  and  best  wishes 

Hey,  there,  you  Fourth  Run  picture  exhibitor  at  Nashawauk,  Minn. — -What’s  this 
you  are  telling  about  my  Clara  and  my  “holler  legs”?  Better  treat  me  kinda  nice, 
boy,  or  I’ll  come  back  there  and  kick  the  stuffin’  outen  that  mongrel  bullfoundland 
pup  o’  youm. 

I note  that  Guy  S.  Abbott  of  the  Hamlin  theatre  at  Estelline,  S.  D.,  gives  me 
credit  for  bringing  rain.  Thanks,  boy,  that’s  the  first  time  I ever  got  credit  for 
anything,  except  stealing  buttermilk  from  Spoons  Butler  at  Arlington,  and  I didn’t 
do  it.  He  didn’t  have  any  when  I went  to  get  it. 

P.  G.  Estee  of  Parker,  S.  D.,  wants  the  clan  to  gather  at  some  nearby  point.  All 
right,  P.  G.,  I’m  ready  to  gather  any  time,  but  name  a place  near  enough  to  Parker 
so  that  your  “Hoot”  can  wheeze  over  there  before  the  convention  is  over,  and  be- 
sides that,  stay  at  home  occasionally  when  a fellow  calls  on  you. 

Uncle  ’Leazer  Biggs  says,  “WTxen  you  see  some  of  the  pictures  they’re  makin’ 
nowdays  you  wonder  how  Eve  ever  stood  it  to  wear  all  of  her  wardrobe.” 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  man. 

P.  S.—THE  HERALD  FILLS  A WANT  NONE  OTHERS  DO. 


CHILDREN  OF  DIVORCE:  Special  cast— 38%. 
June  10.  Not  a good  picture  to  advertise  as  a 
special.  Will  please  some. — Art  E.  Trotzig,  City 
theatre,  Vermillion.  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW:  Special  east— 
100%.  June  23.  This  is  sure  a dandy  comedy. 


We  broke  our  Thursday  night  record  with  this 
picture  and  everybody  pleased.  Six  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. 
— General  patronage. 

NELL  GWYN:  Dorothy  Gish— 20%.  July  7. 
A complete  flop  here.  A British  made  costume 


drama.  They  simply  will  not  fall  for  this  class 
of  picture  here.  Eight  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand 
theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

A SON  OF  HIS  FATHER:  Special  casb- 
75%.  June  26.  Very  good  picture  of  the  Western 
type.  Nine  reels. — -M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  thea- 
tre. Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

A REGULAR  FELLOW : Raymond  Griffith — 
50%.  Silly  rather  than  funny.  Six  reels. — M. 
Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

FINE  MANNERS:  Gloria  Swanson  — 44%. 
July  16.  Though  the  parrot  uses  language  that 
we  teach  our  Sunday  school  pupils  to  avoid  and 
Gloria  herself  uses  some  mild  profanity  in  her 
role  and  stages  an  exhibition  of  lingerie,  it  is  a 
pretty  good  picture  and  seemed  to  please  our 
folks  very  much.  Nothing  is  drawing  at  all  well 
for  us  this  summer,  so  the  low  percentage  is  not 
to  be  counted  against  the  picture.  Seven  reels. — 
Clarence  E.  Hopkins,  Hopkins  theatre.  Cotter, 
Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

VARIETY : Emil  Jannings  — 50%.  July  9. 

This  is  a fair  picture  but  didn’t  go  over.  These 
foreign  pictures  don’t  seem  to  go  very  good  in 
the  small  towns.  Six  reels. — Bruno  Hollenbeck, 
Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

AFRAID  TO  LOVE:  Florence  Vidor— This  is 
good  entertainment.  Not  a big  picture  but  rather 
a pleasing  one  with  an  attractive  cast  and  a 
pleasant  story. — Chas.  Lee  Hyde.  Grand  theatre. 
Pierre,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

ROLLED  STOCKINGS:  Special  cast^TTiis  is 
very  pleasing  and  good  for  any  night. — Chas. 
Lee  Hyde,  Grand  theatre,  Pierre,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith — This  is 
a fair  picture.  This  star  is  a total  loss  and  my 
box  office  is  assisted  by  emphasizing  the  two  reel 
comedy  when  I am  showing  one  of  his  pictures. 
— Chas.  Lee  Hyde,  Grand  theatre.  Pierre,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

RUBBER  HEELS : Ed  Wynn  — Our  patrons 
did  not  care  for  this  one  and  more  or  less  politely 
told  us  so.  Not  much  to  it  and  we  have  bought 
real  specials  for  less  than  this  cost  us.  Film 
new.  Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  thea^ 
tre,  Cresco,  la. — Neighborhood  patronage. 

RUBBER  HEELS:  Ed  Wynn — I didn’t  think 
so  much  of  this  one  and  it  did  the  poorest  second 
night’s  business  I have  done  for  several  months 
so  guess  my  crowd  didn’t  like  it  either.  It  was 
called  "The  Perfect  Fool,”  and  one  of  my  regu- 
lars said  as  he  came  out,  “Paramount  aren’t  mak- 
ing as  good  pictures  as  they  used  to,  are  they?” 
But  the  King  could  do  not  wrong  so  we  mustn’t 
admit  it  so  I told  the  said  regular  customer  that 
this  was  just  the  kind  of  picture  they  liked  back 
in  New  York  City.  And  it  must  be  or  they 
wouldn’t  have  nerve  enough  to  class  it  as  a 
special.  It  makes  it  hard  to  run  a theatre  though 
when  we  have  to  buy  pictures  because  they  suit 
a crowd  several  thousands  miles  from  our  thea- 
tre.— Chas.  Lee  Hyde,  Grand  theatre,  Pierre,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— A high 
priced  program  picture.  ’Two  things  were  special 
about  this,  the  price  and  the  first  half  of  the 
title.  Business  below  the  average  and  comments 
indifferent.  Film  good.  Six  reels.  • — ■ Ivy  D. 
Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

CABARET:  Gilda  Gray — Patrons  compared  this 
with  “Aloma  of  the  South  Seas”  and  liked  the 
latter  the  best.  Film  excellent.  Seven  reels. — • 
Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — 
Neighborhood  patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— This  is 
good  entertainment.  Prize  fight  stuff  is  well  done 
and  Mary  Brian  is  the  weak  dog  in  the  show. 
It  seemed  that  she  was  badly  miscast  in  the  part. 
Will  bet  that  Louise  Brooks  would  have  handled 
the  part  much  better.  'The  show  is  a good  shew 
and  will  please  90  per  cent  of  your  fans. — Chas. 
Lee  Hyde,  Grand  theatre,  Pierre,  S.  D.- — General 
patronage. 

HOTEL  IMPERIAL:  Pola  Negri — ’The  best  pic- 
ture we  have  run  with  this  star.  Patrons  liked 
it  and  told  us  so.  A few  objected  to  the  foreign 
atmosphere.  Film  excellent.  Eight  reels. — Ivy  D. 
Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — Neighborhood 
patronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper — ^This  is  the 
usual  Western  and  worth  what  you  are  paying 
for  Art  Acord  or  Buck  Jones. — Chas.  Lee  Hyde, 
Grand  theatre,  Pierre,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  CAMPUS  FURT:  Bebe  Daniels  — Bebe 
has  many  admirers  here  and  in  this  picture  she 
surely  came  up  to  their  expectations.  Lots  of 
good  clean  comedy,  good  photography,  reels  in 
good  shape.  No  kick  by  anyone.  Seven  reels. — 
Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — General  patronage. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— July  7- 
8-9.  I believe  that  this  offering  was  better  than 
his  preceding  one  but  still  not  in  the  class  the 
film  rental  would  have  you  believe.  We  played 
to  three  fair  crowds  and  as  a result  the  money 
all  went  for  rental.  The  picture  carries  lots  of 
laughs  and  some  mighty  clever  work  on  the  part 
of  Lloyd.  I think  that  our  patrons  as  a whole 
liked  it  very  well.  Eight  reels. — ^Paul  B.  Hoffman, 
Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  CANADIAN:  Thomas  Meighan — June  25. 
One  of  the  best  Meighans  that  we  have  had  for  a 
long  time.  It  pleased  a good  house  and  will  make 
a good  program  picture  in  most  any  house. 
Rental  on  it  was  a little  too  high. — Paul  B. 
Hoffman,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan.— Small 
town  i>atronage. 

Pathe 

AVENGING  FANGS:  Sandow— July  6.  A fair 
dog  picture.  Better  than  his  two  previous  starts. 
Five  reels.  — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

Pro-Dis-Co 

THE  YANKEE  CLIPPER:  William  Boyd— 
90%.  July  9-10.  A good  picture.  One  of  the 
best  sea  pictures  we  have  had.  We  bought  the 
books  and  they  sure  brought  in  the  kids.  Nine 
reels. — ^Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas, 
Wash. — Small  town  i>atronage. 

HER  MAN  O’  WAR:  Jetta  Goudal— 50%.  July 
4.  A picture  that  is  different  from  the  regular 
run.  It’s  a war  picture  but  has  no  fighting  or 
bloodshed.  It’s  more  about  the  secret  service 
division.  Very  interesting.  Seven  reels.  — K. 
Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis.  — Small 
town  patronage. 

HER  MAN  O’  WAR:  Jetta  Goudal — July  6. 
Only  fair.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  Fry,  Palace  theatre, 
Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

HER  MAN  O’  WAR:  Jetta  Goudal — ^No  excite- 
ment created  by  this  picture.  Six  reels. — Giacoma 
Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

JIM  THE  CONQUEROR:  William  Boyd— 75%. 
July  6.  A good  picture.  Pleased  all  around. 
Seven  reels. — Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre, 
Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

JIM  THE  CONQ,UEROR:  Special  cas1^50%. 
July  8-9.  Pretty  good  Western  that  was  different. 
Six  reels. — O.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne, 
Utah. — Small  town  patronage. 

MAN  BAIT:  Marie  Prevost— 25%.  July  6-7. 
A fairly  amusing  comedy  drama  with  a plot  that 
has  been  done  many  times. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

MAN  BAIT:  Marie  Prevost — July  16.  Clever 
star  in  good  picture.  Six  reels.  - — S.  G.  Pry, 
Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PALS  IN  PARADISE:  Joseph  Schildkraut— 
75%.  July  13.  This  one  sure  hit  the  spot.  Don’t 
be  afraid  to  step  on  this  picture.  Seven  reels. — 
Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

PALS  IN  PARADISE:  Margaret  De  la  Motte 
— 15%.  June  28.  A very  good  Peter  B.  Kyne 
story  with  plenty  of  action  and  comedy.  Due 
to  hot  weather  we  did  very  i)oor  business,  so 
expect  to  bring  it  back.  Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer, 
Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

ALMOST  A LADY:  Marie  Prevost — 40%.  July 
13.  Just  a fair  program  picture.  Nothing  to 
rave  over.  No  comments  either  way.  Seven  reels. 
— ^Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyo- 
ming, 111. — ^General  patronage. 

JEWELS  OP  DESIRE:  Priscilla  Dean— 10%. 
July  8.  This  is  just  another  movie. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

GETTING  GERTIE’S  GARTER:  Special  cast— 
July  14-15-16.  Good  picture.  Not  quite  as  good 
as  we  expected,  but  the  customers  laughed  a lot 
and  went  out  smiling.  Proof  enough.  Charles 
Ray  also  ran,  but  was  distanced.  Seven  reels. — 
Clark  & Edwards,  Palace  theatre,  Ashland,  O. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  MAN  FROM  RED  GULCH:  Harry  Carey 
— Just  a fair  program  picture.  No  comments 
— ^Marion  P.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wy- 
oming, 111. — General  patronage. 

Tiffany 

RED  HEADS  PREFERRED : Special  cas^- 
July  11-12-13.  Have  run  six  or  seven  Tiffany 
pictures  and  this  is  the  best  so  far.  It’s  a pleas- 


From  Chadwick’s  “The  Return  of  Bos- 
ton Blackie”  starring  Raymond  Glenn 
and  Corliss  Palmer,  with  the  dog 
Strongheart  featured.  It  is  a First 
Division  Distributors  release. 

ing  picture.  Six  reels. — Clark  & Edwards,  Palace 
theatre,  Ashland,  O, — General  patronage. 

United  Artists 

PARTNERS  AGAIN:  Special  cast— 10%.  July 
4.  Small  crowd,  mere  handful,  no  celebration 
and  everyone  away,  also  bad  night.  Lost  money 
but  buy  it,  it  is  a knockout.  Good  clean  fun  all 
the  way  through  it.  Six  reels. — M.  Schnoor, 
Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage. 


GARRISON’S  FINISH:  Jack  Pickford  — 42%. 
June  26.  Good,  but  too  long.  Eight  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH: 
Special  cast — Some  exhibitors  have  hollered  about 
this  picture  being  dark  and  poor  photography. 
I did  not  find  it  that  way.  This  picture  is  another 
one  of  those  good  clean  Westerns  that  made  me 
feel  that  I gave  the  public  a good  clean  enter- 
tainment and  no  one’s  feelings  were  hurt  by 
seeing  some  foul  thought  injected  into  possible 
100  feet  of  film  by  some  director  that  cares  not 
for  the  fine  tastes  of  the  moviegoers  of  today. 
Nine  reels. — A.  J.  Steggall,  Cozy  theatre,  Fayette, 
la. — General  patronage. 

Universal 

THE  BRONCHO  BUSTER:  Fred  Humes— 50%. 
July  9.  A good  Western.  Entertaining  picture. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

HELD  BY  THE  LAW:  Special  cast  — 70%. 
July  6.  Just  a doggone  good  little  story.  Far 
better  than  the  title  implies.  Not  a draggy  scene 
and  a lot  of  good  ones.  Seven  reels. — Frederic 
O.  Gooch,  Lyric  theatre,  Loudon,  Tenn. — General 
patronage. 

THE  PRAIRIE  KING:  Hoot  Gibson— 75%.  July 
7.  I think  this  one  the  best  since  “Chip  of  the 
Flying  U”  but  I don’t  see  where  the  title  comes 
in.  Anyway  Hoot  makes  me  money.  Six  reels. 
— Frederic  O.  Gooch,  Lyric  theatre,  Loudon,  Tenn. 
—General  patronage. 

WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  JONES:  Reginald 
Denny — 30%.  July  11-12.  Denny’s  pictures  are 
good,  and  this  is  no  exception.  Clean  comedy  all 
through,  but  they  do  not  draw  as  they  should 
here.  Seven  reels. — E.  A.  Rhoades,  Grand  thea- 
tre, Story  City,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  JONES:  Reginald 
Denny — A good  picture  but  he  don’t  mean  any- 
thing in  my  town.  Seven  reels.  — Julius  W. 
Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

WHERE  WAS  I?:  Reginald  Denny— 100%.  July 
4.  Ran  this  on  the  4th  to  a near  record  house. 
This  was  our  second  of  Denny  and  liked  it  a lot 
better  than  “Rolling  Home.’’  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. 
— General  patronage. 


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48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


THE  LOVE  THRILL:  Laura  La  Plante— 25%. 
July  7.  A good  pleasing  entertainment. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  SILENT  RIDER:  Hoot  Gibson  — They 
seem  to  like  this  one.  Six  reels. — Ernest  Vetter, 
Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  ICE  FLOOD:  Special  cast — This  is  a 
dandy  summer  picture.  The  flood  scene  is  well 
done  and  it  is  a good  outdoor  picture. — Chas.  Lee 
Hyde,  Grand  theatre,  Pierre,  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

TAXI  TAXI:  Edward  Everett  Horton— A good 
clean  comedy.  Not  a big  picture,  but  just  an 
ordinary  progi’am  picture.  Seven  reels. — A.  J. 
Steggall,  Cozy  theati’e,  Fayette,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  STILL  ALARM:  Special  cast — July  2. 
Didn’t  think  much  of  this  one.  It  failed  to  draw 
for  us.  I believe  that  it  pleased  only  50  per 
cent  of  those  who  did  see  it.  Had  the  smallest 
Saturday  crowd  that  we  have  had  in  months. — 
Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BORDER  SHERIFF:  Jack  Hoxie— Good 
Saturday  picture.  Better  than  the  average  Uni- 
versal Western.  Five  reels. — E.  Wagner,  Royal 
theatre.  Ft.  Recovery,  O. — Small  town  patronage. 

HER  BIG  NIGHT:  Laura  LaPlante — This  is  a 
very  nice  picture  and  registers  a bigger  box  office 
pull  than  “Casey  at  the  Bat”  which  played  under 
similar  conditions  and  on  the  same  nights  of  the 
week,  much  to  my  surprise. — Chas.  Lee  Hyde, 
Grand  theatre,  Pierre,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SENSATION  SEEKERS:  Billie  Dove— Another 
good  clean  program  picture  with  an  excellent 
ship  wreck  for  an  ending.  Seven  reels. — A.  J. 
Steggall,  Cozy  theatre,  Fayette,  la. — Genei-al  pat- 
ronage. 

CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U:  Hoot  Gibson— 
About  as  good  as  Hoot  ever  made.  Seven  reels. — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theati’e,  Breese,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  BEAUTIFUL  CHEAT:  Laura  LaPlante 
— You  can  call  this  good. — Julius  W.  Schmidt, 
Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

HEY!  HEY!  COWBOY:  Hoot  Gibson— A good 
average  Western.  Lots  of  comedy. — Ernest  Vetter, 
Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

LOOKING  FOR  TROUBLE:  Jack  Hoxie— July 
9.  A pleasing  Hoxie  picture.  Five  reels. — Win.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  MAN  IN  THE  SADDLE:  Hoot  Gibson— 
July  10.  Good  Weetern  picture,  better  than  Uni- 
versal’s usual  run  of  Westerns  which  are  all 
alike.  Good  Saturday  picture.  Six  reels. — E. 
Wagner,  Royal  theatre.  Ft.  Recovery,  O. — -General 
patronage. 

Warner  Bros. 

A MILLION  BID:  Dolores  Costello-^6%. 

July  2.  This  is  a good  one  and  entertaining. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

HERO  OF  THE  BIG  SNOWS:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 
88%.  July  9.  This  is  a good  one  and  Rin  Tin 
Tin  fills  the  house  for  us.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda 
J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

FINGER  PRINTS:  Louise  Fazenda — 60%.  June 
26-27.  Most  of  the  people  will  like  this  one.  At 
least  it  went  over  good  here.  Seven  reels. — O.  A. 
Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FINGER  PRINTS:  Louise  Fazenda—  July  9. 
A good  comedy — crook  play,  but  failed  to  hold 
up  Saturday  business.  Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer, 
Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wb5. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

HILLS  OF  KENTUCKY:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 70%. 
July  17.  Very  good  Sunday  program  with  Rin 
Tin  Tin.  As  good  as  the  average  dog  picture  and 
seemed  to  please  majority.  Much  better  story 
than  “While  London  Sleeps.’’  Good  picture  for 
hot  weather.  Seven  reels. — Marion  F.  Bodwell, 
Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  III. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  PASSIONATE  QUEST:  May  McAvoy— 
47%.  June  25.  Terrible.  It  is  supposed  to  be 
a comedy  drama  and  isn’t.  Willard  Louis  and 
Louise  Fazenda  tried  to  be  funny,  but  they  could 
not  with  the  roles  they  had.  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greeimver,  Utah. — 
General  patronage. 

OTHER  WOMEN’S  HUSBANDS:  Special  cast 
— 15%.  July  6.  A good  program  picture. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theati’e,  Greenville,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

BELOW  THE  LINE;  Rin  Tin  Tin— A very 


poor  dog  picture. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  the- 
atre, Breese,  111. — General  patronage. 

State  Rights 

BLACKGUARD:  Jane  Novak — 10%.  July  5. 
A fair  m’Ogram  picture. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Pi-incess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOD’S  GREAT  WILDERNESS:  Special  east— 
25%.  July  6-7.  A very  good  picture  with  a 
good  cast,  beautiful  scenery  and  excellent  photog- 
raphy. Will  please  the  masses.  Six  reels. — R. 
Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis, — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  MAN  WITHOUT  A COUNTRY:  Arnold 
Daly — July  12.  They  say  this  one  was  made  10 
or  12  years  ago.  Even  so  it  is  still  a good  pic- 
ture. Ran  this  one  for  the  American  Legion 
but  hot  weather  hurt  the  crowd.  This  will  go 
over  good  with  proper  exploitation.  Eight  reels. 
— Marion  F.  Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyom- 
ing, 111. — General  patronage. 

RACING  FOR  LIFE:  William  Fairbanks— 
July  1-2.  A very  good  auto  racing  picture,  excit- 
ing and  holds  the  interest  well.  Five  reels. — H. 
C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleaeanton,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

SPIRIT  LAKE  MASSACRE:  Special  cast— 
July  8.  A very  good  historical  action  Western 
which  pleased  a good  Friday  crowd.  Six  reels. — 
R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — STnall 
town  patronage. 

TUNNEY-DEMPSEY  FIGHT:  Special  cast— 
This  is  good  for  its  kind  but  its  kind  doesn’t 
have  any  draw  here.  If  your  crowd  is  educated 
to  prize  fighting  it  may  pay  you  to  run  this 
but  it  doesn’t  look  like  a box  office  to  me. — 
Chas.  Lee  Hyde,  Grand  theatre,  Pierre,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

WARNING  SIGNAL:  Special  cast— 20%. 
July  1.  A good  interesting  story  of  railroading. 
Five  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

WHISPERING  CANYON:  Jane  Novak— June 
17-18.  A very  good  Western  lumber  picture  with 
nice  scenery.  Robert  Ellis  as  the  hero  does  very 
good  work  and  the  blowing  up  of  the  dam  was 
very  realistic.  The  picture  also  tells  an  interest- 
ing story  with  good  direction  and  photography. 
Six  reels. — H.  C.  Mauler.  I.iberty  theatre,  Pleasan- 
ton, Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

Serials 

THE  SILENT  FLYER:  (Universal) — Special 
cast — This  is  a god  serial.  Holds  interest  and 
brings  the  kids  back.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

THE  SILENT  FLYER:  (Universal)  Special 
cast — This  is  a fine  outdoor  picture  that  more 
than  held  up.  My  patronage  increased  with  each 
chapter.  If  you  can  get  them  in  the  first  night 
they  will  stay  with  you  to  the  end.  Ten  reels. — • 
O.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

CAREFUL  PLEASE:  Just  fair.  Two  reels. — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

DYNAMITE  DOGGIE:  A1  St.  John— It’s  good. 
Two  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre. 
Breese,  III. — General  patronage. 

FAIR  WARNING:  It’s  good.  Two  reels.- — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Bresse,  III. — 
General  patronage. 

FELIX  DOUBLES  FOR  DARWIN:  Felix  the 
Cat — This  is  the  best  Felix  I have  showm.  I have 
played  a lot  of  ’em. — H.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  thea- 
tre, Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

FIGHTING  DUDE:  It’s  good.  Two  reels.— 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

FOR  SADIE’S  SAKE : Fair.  Two  reels. — Julius 
W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — General 
patronage. 

GOOSE  FLESH  : Lloyd  Hamilton — No  laughing 
matter.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

GRANDPA’S  BOY : Big  Boy — The  kid  was 
good.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  the- 
atre. Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

JELLY  FISH : Just  a fair  comedy.— Ernest 
Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich.  — Small 
town  patronage. 

A MISFIT  SAILOR:  Not  much  to  this  one. 
Two  reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre, 
Breese,  III. — General  patronage. 


July  30,  1927 

THE  MOVIES:  Lloyd  Hamilton — It’s  good. — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

MY  STARS:  Just  fair.  Two  reels. — Julius  W. 
Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese.  111. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PLEASURE  BOUND:  It’s  good.  'Two  reels. — 
Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

RAISIN’  CAIN : Only  fair.  Two  reels. — R. 
Pfeiffei’,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

WATCH  OUT:  Bobby  Vernon — Just  fair.  Two 
reels. — Julius  W.  Schmidt,  Grand  theatre,  Breese, 
111. — General  patronage. 

FBO 

HOLD  TIGHT:  A good  two  reeler. — Ernest 
Vettre,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small 
town  patronage. 

LAST  OF  HIS  FACE:  A comedy.  Two  reels. 
— ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

PACEMAKER  COMEDIES:  George  O’Hara— 
They’re  ail  good.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green.  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

THE  VULGAR  YACHTSMAN:  'Three  Fat  Boys 
• — Good  comedy  from  the  fat  boys  who  got  the 
laughs. — Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

FOX 

A DOG’S  PAL:  Jerry  the  Giant — ^A  very  good 
comedy.  Two  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  thea- 
tre, Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

KING  OF  THE  KITCHEN:  Pretty  good  com- 
edy.— Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

PATIIE 

HAYFOOT  STRAW  FOOT:  Mack  Sennett— A 
good  one.  Two  i-eels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patron- 
age. 

HER  ACTOR  FRIEND:  Alice  Day— Only  fair. 
Two  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MERRY  WIDOWER:  Ethel  Clayton— 
This  is  a Hal  Roach  comedy  with  an  old  favor- 
ite, Ethel  Clayton.  It’s  good.  Two  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. 
— Geenral  patronage. 

MIGHTY  LIKE  A MOOSE:  Charley  Chase- 
Good  slapstick.  Two  reels. — Bruno  Hollenbeck, 
Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

MIGHTY  LIKE  A MOOSE:  Charley  Chas(— 
This  is  a good  one.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Gi'eenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

SHOULD  HUSBANDS  PAY:  Good.  Two  reels. 
— R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

SMITHS’  LANDLORD:  Good.  'Two  reels. — R'. 
Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

SMITHS’  LANDLORD:  A good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river, Utah. — General  patronage. 

A SWEET  PICKLE : Alice  Day — Good.  ’Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river, Utah. — General  patronage. 

TAKE  YOUR  TIME:  Ralph  Graves— Good. 
Two  leels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

WANDERING  PAPAS:  Clyde  Cook— A good 
comedy,  but  print  in  terrible  shape  out  Seattle. 
Two  reels. — Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre, 
Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

WAR  FEATHERS:  Special  cast — Very  good. 
Two  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  CJiilton, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ANDY’S  LION  TALE:  This  sure  is  a good 
comedy.  Kept  them  in  an  uproar  all  the  time. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  George  Lewis— We  have 
just  finished  the  10  “Collegianse”  and  heartily 
recommend  to  fellow  exhibitors.  Two  reels. — 
S.  G.  Pry,  Palace  theatre,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

PLYING  WHEELS:  Wanda  Wiley— Good.  Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river, Utah. — General  patronage. 

NEWLYWEDS  SHOPPING:  Snookums— A good 
kid  comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Fam- 
ily theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

WHY  GEORGE : This  has  got  plenty  of  laughs. 
— ^Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. 
— Small  town  patronage. 


July  30,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


“ - 

iiliS 

III 

iiyiBi 

BOX  OFFICE  hckerI 

1 ^^l[he  HERA.LD  System  for  determining 

j the  definite  attraction  values 

' of  Motion  pictures 

L'  - ..  ydm 

Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me’’  supply  a percentage 
rating  obtained  by  dividing  average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction 
into  average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  10  of  these 
percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average  of  these  10 
percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.’’  Each  additional  percentage- 
rating report  received  on  pictures  entered  is  combined  with  those  previously 
received  and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


1.  TEIX  IT  TO  THE  MARINES  (M-G-M) 16 

2.  NO  MAN’S  GOLD  (Fox) 11 

3.  IT  (Para)  15 

4.  THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  (U) 25 

5.  KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES  (FBO) 13 

6.  ARIZONA  SWEEPSTAKES  (H) 11 

7.  IRENE  (F.  N.) 11 

8.  THE  MAGIC  GARDEN  (FBO) 10 

9.  LADDIE  (FBO)  28 

10.  JOHNNY  GET  YOCR  HAIR  CUT  (M-G-M) 24 

11.  CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U (U) 15 

12.  THE  VANISHING  AMERICAN  (Para) 22 

13.  THE  GREAT  K.  AND  A.  TRAIN  ROBBERY  (Fox)..ll 

14.  THE  TOUGH  GUY  (FBO) 15 

15.  VOLGA  BOATMAN  (P.  D.  C.) 19 

16.  THE  OVERLAND  STAGE  (F.  N.) 19 

17.  THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER  (F.  N.) 25 

18.  SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE  (M-G-M) 16 

19.  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL  (M-G-M) ,,-16 

20.  LET’S  GET  MARRIED  (Para) 13 

21.  THE  BAT  (U.  A.) 19 

22.  THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE  (U).. 11 

23.  ELLA  CINDERS  (F.  N.) 25 

24.  THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK  (U.  A.) 21 

25.  TIN  HATS  (M-G-M) 22 

26.  THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH(U.  A.).... 20 

27.  THE  QUARTERBACK  (Para) 32 

28.  THE  SCARLET  WEST  (F.  N.) 10 

29.  THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT  (Para) 30 

30.  THE  LAST  FRONTIER  (P.  D.  C.) 14 

31.  SEA  HORSES  (Para) 10 

32.  THREE  BAD  MEN  (Fox) 18 

33.  THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN  (M-G-M) 13 

.34.  THE  BLACK  PIRATE  (U.  A.) 19 

35.  SENOR  DAREDEVIL  (F.  N.) 21 

36.  WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW  (Para) 37 

37.  THE  KID  BROTHER  (Para) 26 

38.  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST  (Para) 19 

39.  THE  DEVIL  HORSE  (P) 13 

40.  HIS  SECRETARY  (M-G-M) 10 

41.  A REGULAR  SCOUT  (FBO) 14 

42.  UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM  (P.  D.  C.) 18 

43.  THE  NIGHT  CRY  (W.  B.) 21 

44.  CORPORAL  KATE  (P.  D.  C.) 10 

45.  THE  PHANTOM  BULLET  (U) 11 

46.  HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER  (FBO) 12 

47.  ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC  (W.  B.) 13 

48.  FOR  HEAVEN’S  SAKE  (Para) 11 

49.  SKINNER’S  DRESS  SUIT  (U) 13 

50.  LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY  (U.  A.) 12 

51.  THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART  (M-G-M) 11 

52.  TWINKLETOES  (F.  N.) 16 

53.  THAT’S  MY  BABY  (Para) 12 

.54.  WAR  PAINT  (M-G-M) 26 

55.  BROWN  OF  HARVARD  (M-G-M) 26 

56.  LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS  (FBO) 20 

57.  THE  MAN  IN  THE  SADDLE  (U) 19 

58.  THE  TEXAS  STREAK  (U) 11 

59.  TRAMP,  TRAMP,  TRAMP  (F.  N.) 13 

60.  THE  BUCKAROO  KID  (U) 17 

61.  BEHIND  THE  FRONT  (Para) 17 

62.  UNDER  WESTERN  SKIES  (U) 11 

63.  TONY  RUNS  WILD  (Fox) 14 

64.  THE  TEASER  (U) 10 

65.  MANTRAP  (Para)  17 

66.  SWEET  DADDIES  (F.  N.) 16 

67.  THE  WANING  SEX  (M-G-M) 27 

68.  WILD  TO  GO  (FBO)-— 11 

69.  THE  SILENT  RIDER  (U) 13 

70.  THE  TEMPTRESS  (M-G-M) 14 

71.  THE  RAIN  MAKER  (Para) 10 

72.  HIS  PEOPLE  (U) 13 

73.  WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS  (M-G-M) 12 

74.  THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  (Para) 11 

75.  THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  (FBO) 29 

76.  THE  FLAMING  FOREST  (M-G-M) 29 

77.  SALLY,  IRENE  AND  MARY  (M-G-M) 11 

78.  CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  (W.  B.) 12 

79.  THE  RED  MILL  (M-G-M) 14 

80.  IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.  N.) 27 

81.  CANYON  OF  LIGHT  (Fox) 12 

82.  PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY  (W.  B.) 14 

83.  THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER  (U) 21 

84.  OLD  CLOTHES  (M-G-M)— 13 

85.  FOREVER  AFTER  (F.  N.) 15 

86.  ROLLING  HOME  (U) 17 

87.  UPSTAGE  (M-G-M)  23 

88.  MIKE  (M-G-M)  11 


reports 81 .93% 

79.72% 

78.73% 

78.00% 

76.69% 

76.18% 

74.72% 

74.30% 

74.25% 

73.95% 

72.80% 

72.72% 

72.63% 

72.46% 

72.00% 

70.84% 

70.60% 

70.43% 

69.62% 

69.38% 

69.36% 

68.81% 

68.80% 

68.38% 

68.36% 

68.15% 

67.96% 

67.40% 

67.10% 

66.78% 

66.40% 

66.38% 

66.30% 

65.94% 

65.85% 

65.45% 

64.92% 

— 61.89% 

64.69% 

64.50% 

64.50% 

64.44% 

64.33% 

64.20% 

64.18% 

64.16% 

64.07% 

63.45% 

62.84% 

62.83% 

62.72% 

62.62% 

62.42% 

62.30% 

61.96% 

61.85% 

61.68% 

61.09% 

61.00% 

60.94% 

60.47% 

60.09% 

59.78% 

59.50% 

59.35% 

.59.31% 

59.11% 

59.09% 

59.00% 

58.92% 

58.80% 

58.61% 

58.33% 

58.27% 

58.13% 

58.10% 

58.09% 

57.75% 

57.42% 

57.07% 

57.00% 

57.00% 

56.85% 

56.69% 

56.66% 

56.58% 

56.47% 

56.45% 


89. 

90. 

91. 

92. 

93. 

94. 

95. 

96. 

97. 

98. 

99. 
100. 
101. 
102. 

103. 

104. 

105. 

106. 

107. 

108. 

109. 

110. 
111. 
112. 

113. 

114. 

115. 

116. 

117. 

118. 

119. 

120. 
121. 
122. 

123. 

124. 

125. 

126. 

127. 

128. 

129. 

130. 

131. 

132. 

133. 
1.34. 

135. 

136. 

137. 

138. 

139. 

140. 

141. 

142. 

143. 

144. 

145. 

146. 

147. 

148. 

149. 

150. 

151. 

152. 

153. 

154. 

155. 

156. 

157. 

158. 

159. 

160. 
161 . 
162. 

163. 

164. 

165. 

166. 

167. 

168. 

169. 

170. 

171. 

172. 

173. 

174. 

175. 

176. 

177. 

178. 

179. 

180. 
181. 
182. 

183. 

184. 

185. 


THE  DARK  ANGEL 


KID  BOOTS  (Pa 
SUBWAY  SADIE 


HER  BIG  NIGHT  (U) 

STRANDED  IN  PARIS  (Para). 


THE  JOHNSTOWN  FLOOD 


THE  GREATER  GLORY  ( F.  N.). 
HERO  OF  THE  BIG  SNOWS  (W. 


KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY  ( 
SWEET  ROSIE  O’GRADY  ( 

THE  BARRIER  (M-G-M) 

THE  MIDNIGHT  SUN  (U). 


IE). 


POKER  FACES  (U). 
PARADISE  (F.  N.)... 
ARIZONA  STREAK  ( 
TIN  GODS  (Para) 


STEPPING  ALONG  (F.  N.). 
THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS 


(U) 


ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY  (F 

THE  WANDERER  (Para) 

BATTLING  BUTLER  (M-G-Y 
HOGAN’S  ALLEY  (W.  It.)  — 
MARE  NOSTROM  (M-G-M). 
SPARROWS  (U.  A.) 


THE  SHOW  OFF  (Para) 

BRED  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY  (FBO). 


PADLOCKED  (P.ara 
LADIES  AT  PLAY 


DESERT’S  TOLL  ( 
HER  HONOR  THE 
THERE  YOU  ARE 


THE  WALTZ  DREAM  (M-G-M). 

SPANGLES  (U)  

THE  STILL  ALARM  (U) 


WET  PAINT  (Para) 

LOVE  ’EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EI> 
MIDNIGHT  LOVERS  (E.  N. 
FINE  MANNERS  (Para) 


THE  BORDER  SHERIFF  (U) 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO  (Para) 

A LITTLE  JOURNEY  (M-G-M) 

THE  OLD  SOAK  (U) 


PARTNERS  AGAIN 
BIGGER  THAN  BAF 
BLARNEY  (M-G-M) 


HOLD  THAT 
LA  BOHEME 


THE  CANADIAN  (Para).— 
THE  WISE  GUY  (F.  N.) 


THE  MAGICIAN  (M-G-M). 


PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL  (U) 

YOU’D  BE  SURPRISED  (Para). 


‘l2  “ 

. . ..  56141% 

i2 

24  “ 

12 

20  “ 

56.3.3% 

56.16% 

56.16% 

55.95% 

.19  “ 

. . 55.89% 

15  “ 

...  . 15  “ 

55.86% 

55.80% 

15  “ 

55.33% 

10  “ 

55.20% 

12  “ 

55.08% 

11  “ 

55.00% 

la 

2a  “ 

15  “ 

54.94% 

54.92% 

54.86% 

19 

54.68% 

10  “ 

54.00% 

11  “ 

53.90% 

21  “ 

5.3.90% 

16 

53.62% 

17  “ 

53.17% 

11  “ 

52.72% 

16  “ 

52.68% 

19  “ 

52.68% 

12  “ 

52.58% 

11 

52.54% 

20  “ 

52.50% 

17 

52.35% 

17 

52.35% 

15 

52.2.5% 

11  “ 

52.00% 

20  “ 

51.85% 

10 

51.60% 

11  “ 

51.27% 

17  “ 

50.82% 

17 

50.47% 

25  “ 

50.44% 

11 

50.36% 

21  “ 

50.28% 

12  “ 

.50.25% 

27  “ 

50.22% 

la  “ 

50.11% 

.)— .17 

49.82% 

15 

49.7.3% 

10  “ 

49.50% 

17  “ 

49.47% 

10  “ 

49.40% 

10  “ 

49.40% 

15  “ 

49.00% 

10 

48.80% 

10 

48.60% 

15  “ 

48.26% 

16 

48.18% 

21  “ 

48.14% 

1 O “ 

48.08% 

10  “ 

47.90% 

12  “ 

47.75% 

10 

47.60% 

10  “ 

47.50% 

14  “ 

47.50% 

1 o “ 

47.00% 

11 

46.81% 

11  “ 

46.72% 

12  “ 

46.50% 

11 

46.36% 

15 

45.53% 

17  “ 

45.41% 

10  “ 

45.00% 

■j  <>  n 

44.91% 

12  “ 

44.75% 

12 

44.58% 

15  “ 

44.3,3% 

15  “ 

44.26% 

11  “ 

43.27% 

17 

43.23% 

15  “ 

42.73% 

11  “ 

42.45% 

14 

42.28% 

..  . 20  “ 

41.95% 

14 

41.92% 

11  “ 

41.90% 

10  “ 

41.30% 

13  “ 

41.2,3% 

10  “ 

40.90% 

18  “ 

40.16% 

12  “ 

39.83% 

14  “ 

39.71% 

11  “ 

39.09% 

11 

37.54% 

11  “ 

36.90% 

20  “ 

35.65% 

10 

34.70% 

11  “ 

34.00% 

11  “ 

33.27% 

14  “ 

31.92% 

10  “ 

30.80% 

11 

30.27% 

50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


July  30,  1927 


Harry  Cohn,  vice  president  of  Columbia  was  present  for  the  opening  of  his  com- 
pany’s big  sea  picture,  "The  Blood  Ship,’’  at  the  Orpheum,  and  was  the  guest  of 
Henri  Ellman,  Columbia  manager  in  Chicago.  From  left  to  right,  Ellman,  “The 
Blood  Ship,’’  and  Cohn. 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  G.  S.  ■ - • — y 

Mary  PICKFORD,  through  her  representative,  Arthur  Zellner, 
was  host  in  Chicago  last  Saturday  to  eight  of  the  14  girls  selected 
in  newspaper  contests  in  as  many  cities,  as  the  guests  of  the 
United  Artists  star  for  a week  or  two  in  Hollywood. 

'^HE  eight  girls  arrived  from  their  the  party  along  the  route  or  go  directly 
home  cities  to  begin  the  trip  from  here,  to  Los  Angeles, 
while  the  remaining  six  were  to  have  joined  Mildred  Lindquist  is  the  Chicago  girl  in 


Season  1927-28 


CHADWICK.  PICTURES  C0RJ>.  presents 


For  Illinois  For  Indiana 


GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS  MIDWEST  FILM  CO. 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVENUE,  of  Indiana 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  218  Wimmer  Bldg.,  Indianapolis 


Mary  Philbin,  Universal  star,  and  Leroy 
Alexander,  “snapped’’  last  week  at  the 
Universal  exchange.  Miss  Philbin 
has  been  vacationing  in  Chicago. 

the  party,  which  expects  to  be  gone  aJbout 
three  weeks.  Entertainment  Saturday  in- 
cluded a luncheon  and  dinner  in  the  Hotel 
Sherman  bungalow,  the  group  entraining 
for  the  Coast  Saturday  night.  Mrs.  Zellner 
acted  as  chaperon. 

* * * 

EMIL  STERN  is  spending  a short  vaca- 
tion at  Elkhart  Lake,  Wis.,  where  he  went 
last  week  after  returning  from  New  York, 
where  he  had  been  in  conversation  over  the 
impending  absorption  of  all  or  a number 
of  Lubliner  & Trinz  houses  by  Publix. 

* * * 

JACK  HESS  has  made  several  appoint- 
ments since  joining  the  Mark  Brothers  or- 
ganization, in  charge  of  publicity.  DAVID 
GREEN  has  been  named  “black  and  white” 
artist,  and  HUGO  VON  BERGEN  and 
MORRIS  LICHENSTEIN,  poster  artists, 
while  HORACE  WADE,  locally  celebrated 
a few  years  ago  as  a “boy  reporter,”  has 
been  appointed  Jack’s  assistant. 

* * * 

ABE  and  PHIL  TAGUE  of  the  Milford 
theatre,  MIKE  SIEGEL  and  H.  STITZ- 
BERG  of  the  Monarch  Theatre  Supply 
Company,  motored  to  New  York  for  the 
Big  Fight,  in  the  latter’s  machine.  Upon 
their  return  the  exact  status  of  that  knock- 
out wallop,  whether  fair  or  foul,  will  be 
presented  in  these  pages  (maybe). 

* * 4: 

GEORGE  WEST,  representing  MOR- 
RIS SCHLANK,  president  of  die  Cres- 
cent Pictures  Corporation,  was  in  town 
last  week,  in  the  interests  of  that  com- 
pany’s 12  melodramas  and  16  Westerns. 
We  met  him,  by  the  way,  when  we  dropped 
in  on  HENRI  ELLMAN  for  a chat. 

* * !): 

JERRY  ABRAMS  took  advantage  of 

the  somewhat  cooler  weather  last  week  and 
placed  “The  Satin  Woman,”  the  big  Mrs. 
Wallace  Reid-Gotham  Special,  into  two  of 
the  Marks  Brothers’  de  luxe  houses.  The 
picture  is  playing  the  Granada,  Sheridan 
Road  house,  this  week,  and  will  go  into  the 
Marbro,  giant  West  Side  theatre,  next 

week.  It  will  also  play  in  the  Loop  next 
week,  at  the  Castle.  Although  many  of 
the  bookings  in  key  cities  will  call  for  Mrs. 
Reid’s  personal  appearance,  she  will  not 
appear  at  the  Marks  theatres. 

^ ^ 

FRANK  WOOLEN  has  joined  the  pub- 
licity staff  of  Lubliner  & Trinz,  and  is  in 
charge  of  the  Harding  and  Senate  theatre 
exploitation.  W.  H.  Adler,  for  some  time 
Jack  Hess’  assistant,  is  handling  the  pub- 
licity for  the  other  L & T houses.  Hess 
is  now  with  Marks  Brothers. 


Get  the  Combination 


Productions  of  quality  usually 
reflect  the  use  of  Eastman 
Negative  Film. 

Specify  prints  on  Eastman 
Positive  and  you  get  the 
combination  that  carries 
photographic  quality  through 
to  the  screen. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.Y. 


Leo  Maloney 


Buffalo  Bill,  Jr. 


Jack  Padjan 

f: 


Don  Coleman 


T^or  years  Pathe  has  lead  the  field  in  delivering 
smashing,  up-to-the-minute,  sure-fire  Western 
action  dramas — not  just  once-in-a-while,  not  a 
flash  in  the  pan,  but  consistently  week  in  and 
week  out.  Millions  of  fans  look  for  Pathe’s  great 
out-door  specials  as  the  best  in  this  type  of  en- 
tertainment. Thousands  of  exhibitors  KNOW 
that  they  build  patronage  and  bring  in  the  cash. 
And  this  year  they’re  better  than  ever  — all 
the  established  favorites  and  several  new  ones 
in  bang-up  stories  and  ideas  by  the  best  writers 
of  Western  fiction.  The  great  round-up  includes 
Leo  Maloney,  Don  Coleman,  Wally  Wales, 
Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.,  Buddy  Roosevelt  and  two  big 
new,  up-standing,  hard-hitting,  attractive  per- 
sonalities, Jack  Padjan  and  Jack  Donovan. 

Leo  Maloney  will  star  in  4,  with  his  marvelous 
horse,  “Monte  Cristo’’  and  his  trained  dog 
“Bullet.”  He  will  produce  and  direct  8 others 
starring  Don  Coleman.  Lester  F.  Scott,  Jr.  of 
Action  Pictures,  will  produce  8 pictures  starring 
Wally  Wales;  8 with  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.;  and  2 with 
Buddy  Roosevelt.  Jack  Padjan  will  star  in  8,  and 
Jack  Donovan  in  8.  Also  a new  Dog  Star  in  a 
series  of  6. 


Here  they  are 


4 LEO  MALONEY 
8 DON  COLEMAN 
8 WALLY  WALES 
8 BUFFALO  BILL,  JR. 

2 BUDDY  ROOSEVELT 
8 JACK  PADJAN 
8 JACK  DONOVAN 
6 NEW  DOG  SPECIALS 


Wally  Wales 


PATHE  EXCHANGE,  INC 

DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES  - PATHE  NEWS  • PATHE  WESTERNS  - PATHESERIALS  • PATHECOMEDIES 

Member  of  Motion  Picmre  Producers  and  Distributors  of  Ameria,  Inc. 

Will  H.  Hays,  President 


TWO  SECTIONS 


SECTION  I 


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WHO  IS 
THE  MOST 
IMPORTANT 
EXHIBITOR 
IN  YOUR 
TOWN? 


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— tke  "Ipublic  knows  it’s  the  man  who 
gets  ‘The  Big  Parade”  and  “Ben-Hur” 
for  his  patrons. 


'>  = 


METRO  - GOLDWYN  - MAYER  - the  live 


wires  i 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


|L.  XXX,  No.  8 



Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1879.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


August  6,  1927 


$319,970.66 

SAVED 


THEATRE  OWNERS  IN  8 MONTHS 


I 


The  Result  of 

CENTRALIZED  MANAGEMENT 
CENTRALIZED  OPERATION 

of 

National  Theatre  Supply  Company 

Stores 

In  plain  English:  During  the  first  eight  months’  period  of 
its  operations,  National  Theatre  Supply  Company  has  saved 
to  exhibitors  a total  of  $319,970.66;  based  on  prices  for- 
merly paid  by  them  for  the  same  merchandise  and  service. 


We  are  proud  of  this  record! 


^J^tional  Qtheatre  Supply  ISompanf 


Offices  in  all 
Principal  Cities 


:e  y e s 

of  a 


^This  new,  fast  moving  world  of  ours  craves  better  mediums 
through  which  to  chronicle  its  happenings.  More  speed,  more 
efficiency.  So  air  mail  supplants  rail  mail.  Telephones  cross 
oceans.  Photographs  rush  over  wires  from  city  to  city.  Radio 


brings  to  100,000,000  ears  the  words  of  kings  and  presidents 
instantaneously  as  spoken.  Television  is  coming.  Everywhere 


wo 

I new.  ^ The  demand  extends  to  motion  pictures,  to  the  news  reel.| 

I And  so,  in  answer  to  this  demand,  comes  Paramount  News.  Eyes  of  a new  world.  ^ First  issue 
sOut  July  31st.  With  the  best,  most  experienced  brain  at  its  head.  Emanuel  Cohen,  13  years 
' editor  of  Pathe  News.  Now,  with  Paramount  News,  realizing  his  dream  and  vision  of  years.  Not 


rid 


old  methods  of  news -gathering  and  news -spreading  give  way  to 


jan  experiment,  but  for  months  past  a wonderful  reality.  For  months  the  staff, 
largest  in  the  universe,  have  been  at  work  throughout  the  world.  Already  over 


i 

i 


I 650  stories  have  been  covered.  Lindbergh,  Byrd,  Chamberlin,  Maitland,  every- 

i ■ 

thing.  Tried  and  true  veterans  these  Paramount  News  cameramen,  but  now  fired 
I with  new  enthusiasm.  Perfect  organization.  ^ Paramount  News.  The  only  news 
i reel  in  existence  with  an  exclusive  home  of  its  own.  Visit  the  magnificently 
j equipped  special  building  a stone’s  throw  from  the  crossroads  of  the  world. 
Times  Square,  New  York.  Meaning  greater  speed,  better  service.  Heart  of  the 

j 

chain  of  150  headquarters  covering  the  globe.  ^ Exhibitors  knew  these  chang- 


4 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


ing  times  demanded  a new  and 
contracts  on  Paramount  News 
small  circuits,  small  towns.  From 
the  most  widely  circulated  news 
about  that!  ^ Just  as  Paramount 
of  All  Flesh”  herald  the  new  day  in  features,  so  Paramount  News  meets  the  demand  for  a new 
and  greater  news  reel.  ^ Paramount  News.  Eyes  of  a new  world.  2 issues  weekly.  Starting  July  31st. 
^ Keystone  of  Paramount’s  Short  Features  line-up.  36  Paramount-Christie  Comedies.  With  these 
sure-fire  laugh  producers  — Bobby  Vernon,  Jimmie  Adams,  Billy  Dooley,  Jack  Duflfy,  Neal  Burns, 
Anne  Cornwall  and  more.  6 comedies  starring  Edward  Everett  Horton,  master  of  light  comedy. 
10  Paramount  Novelties.  The  first  already  hailed  by  Variety  as  heralding  “a  new  era  in  short 
features.”  26  Krazy  Kat  Cartoons.  26  Inkwell  Imps  Cartoons.  Keyed  to  these  changing  times.  As 
live  and  up-to-the-minute  as  Paramount  feature  pictures.  Variety,  quality,  service.  You  get  them 
all  in  Paramount  News  and  Paramount  Short  Features.  The  Whole  Show  in  the  modem  manner! 


eves  of 


better  news  reel.  No  wonder  the 
have  flooded  in.  Big  circuits, 


a new  everywhere.  By  the  end  of  1927 

reel  in  existence.  No  question 
Pictures  like  “Chang”  and  “Way 


world 


M'W  "W  "W  'Vf  'W 

cep  cep  GCp  etp  cA  cCp  cCp  cCp  dCp  cep  dp  cep 

y'v  y’v  y'x  T’k  x'x  y's.  yv  yv  yv  y’v  y'v  yx 


paramount  news 

i 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


^^Scrimaphone 
mean  anything 


to  you? 


IT  will  when  you  read  the  complete  details  of  this  new 
and  novel  musical  presentation  in  “Better  Theatres” 
Section  II  of  this  issue,  told  by  two  men  who  have  devel- 
oped this  idea  to  a high  point  of  entertainment  at  one  of 
Chicago’s  DeLuxe  picture  houses,  the  Marbro — Raymond 
Q.  Dalton,  director  of  production,  and  Albert  F.  Brown, 
organist. 

While  conceived  in  a deluxe  house  it  is  adaptable  to  the 
smaller  houses  because  of  its  simplicity — but  read  all 
about  it  in  “Better  Theatres”  Section  II  of  this  issue. 


— and  among  other  features: 


HIGHER  COURT  DECISIONS  IN 
THEATRE  LITIGATION— by  At- 
torney Leo  T.  Parker.  Reviewing 
court  decisions  on  Sunday  Closing; 
Name  Infringement,  Vaudeville  Li- 
cense and  other  legal  problems  that 
have  confronted  theatre  owners. 

STEPS  IN  THE  DEVELOPMENT 
OF  THE  ORGAN  SOLO  FOR  THE 
AVERAGE  THEATRE— by  Walter 
Hirsch.  In  which  the  important  steps 
in  this  feature  of  entertainment  are 
outlined.  The  first  of  a series. 


PUBLIC  RELATIONS  IN  THE 
MOTION  PICTURE  THEATRE— 
by  Mrs.  John  Vruwink.  The  writer 
is  a member  of  the  National  Review- 
ing Committee  and  of  the  General 
Federation  of  Women’s  Clubs  and 
deals  with  this  subject  from  the  pa- 
trons point  of  view. 

And  a complete  report  of  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Theatre  Equipment 
Association  held  in  the  Pennsylvania 
Hotel,  July  18  and  19,  by  the  editor  of 
“Better  Theatres.” 


,,, -.'I.-- ■>!!;,  v:^B 
'C  '■  - ■ v ■ ■■ ' ■ ' 


'■-^KT  S'-'"  ■■  ■ ■ 

'■•  ■■^  AtJt  ^ ^ 

-i.!  1.  i-'v-;' :'-■•■■■, 


enough  t 
a «>ade 


Ripping  Away  All  Barriers  Of  Bu] 
BullPf?! . Blasting  Asunder  The  Sham 
Extravagance  Which  Threaten  The  Bi 
With  ^isaster  /. . . Pete  Harrison  Hurl! 
Boml^^^^l  Of  Truth  Into  The  S^i^hi] 
Ranks  Of  The  Industry  Il- 


ia his  epoch-making  add 
re  Owners  Chamb 
the'Hptel  Astor,  New 
stunned  die  entire  wor 
r^Mr*  Harrison  stated 

.was  the  only  Qf^niza||p 
making  pieties  today 
which  deserved  m increase 
rentals  oveiMast  yea 


befoie  the 
merce  at 
jeech  thi?^ 
ion  pictur^ 


nks  Pete  Harrison 
iEte  and  to  its  stf idsltti 


iUTS 

call 


>padej 


Mr.  Harrison  said 
Concerning  F B O : 

Before  the  1926-27  season,  F B O made 
a poor  quality  of  program  pictures. 
During  1926-27  they  surprised  the  ex- 
hibitors hy  delivering  a very  good  line 
of  goods.  And  the  exhibitors  paid  for 
them  the  small  prices  they  paid  for  the 
other  years.  This  year  the  line-up  looks 
good.  I have  seen  two  or  three  of  their 
pictures  so  far  and  they  are  very  good. 
I have  an  idea  that  they  are  going  to 
maintain  the  same  quality  through  the 
1927-28  season.  For  this  reason  it 
should  be  fair  for  exhibitors,  except 
those  in  small  towns,  to  offer  a slight 
increase  for  this  company’s  product. 
They  are  the  only  national  distributor 
that  do  not  own  theatres,  and  deserve 
the  support  of  the  independent  ex- 
hibitor. 


■ 

■ • 


.■iA'.l 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


W H AT 
! A 

PRODUCT 


Only  FQ 


a box-oflc< 


\ 


VIRGINIA  VALLI 


JANET  CAYNOR 


BLANCHE  SWEET 


"The  opening  shot 

GEORGE  O'BRIEN 

ani(  VIRGINIA  VALLI  in 

PAID  TO  LOVE 

HOWARD  production 

r/er  first  for  the  n.ew  season 

JAN  ET  CAYNOR 

Starred  in 

2 GIRLS  WANTED 

ALFRED  E.CREENp^ort/rf/o/, 

A sure  fire  star 

BLANCHE  SWEET 

starred  in 

SIN  CED 

J*G.WRAY  production 

% 


Her  first  for  the  new  season 

OLIVE  BORDEN 

k-MNEIL  HAMILTON  in 

2/ieJOYCIRL 

ALLAN  DWAN  production  j 


O LIVE  BORDEN 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


:oid€l.  tcIL'ASC  slicIi 

)last  In 


wo 

De luxe 


Specials  - 

^ DOLORES  DEL  RIO 

VICTOR  McLACLEN 


/A^ 


LOVES  OF  1^  I 

CarmeN 

RAO  y L WALSH  production 


% 

The  second 

GEORGE  O'BRIEN 

ondVIRCINIA VALLl  in 

EAST  SIDE,WEST  SIDE 

ALLAN  0WAN/?/T?cif£/c//on 

4/7C/  ^ 

Also 

The  World’s  Greatest  Motion  Picture 

WHAT  PRICE 
GLORY 

w/t/,VICTOR  McLACLEN  EDMUND  LOWE 
DOLORES  DEL  RIO 

BASED  ON  THE  STAGE  TRIUMPH  hy  LAURENCE  STALLINGS  anc/ 

MAXV^LI^  anper,son 

RAO  U L \^ALS  H production 


EDMUND 

LOWE 


Me  LAGLEN 


DEL  RIO 


If  you  are  at  all  curious 
about  what  is  going  on 
in  Hollywood  . . . who 
is  making  the  pictures 
you  are  going  to  run 
this  fall  and  how  they 
are  coming  along  . . . 
you’re  going  to  read 
Section  II  next  week . . . 

“The  Studio” 


The  Studio  is  printed 
every  fourth  week 
as  Section  II  of  the 
Herald, 


M-G-M  HAS 
COMPETITION! 

Examine  all  products — 
then  look  at  M-Q-M^s 
line-up  and  youll  agree 
there^s  no  comparison! 


MORE  exhibitors  than  ever 
WILL  play  M-G-M  in  1927-28. 

OUR  contracted  business 
RIGHT  now  is  far  ahead  of 
ANY  M'G'M  year — and  growing! 

WHY?  Because- 

M-G-M  HAS  W COMPETITION! 

YOU  know  it’s  true — 

THERE  is  no  competitor, 

(continued) 


(continued) 


WHO  can  even  touch  M-G-M ! 

THIS  is  our  product  for  ’27-’28 

3 CHANEYS  — 3 SHEARERS  — 2 GILBERTS  — 2 GARBOS 
1 GISH—  3 DAVIES—  1 SYD  CHAPLIN  — 1 NOVARRO 

4 HAINES—  3 DANE-ARTHURS—  3 CODY-PRINGLES 
6|VIcCOYS—  2C00GANS—  5C0SM0P0LITANS—  2D0G  STAR 

And  Great  Specials  Including 

GARDEN  OF  ALLAH  (/ngram)— THE  CROWD  (Vidor)— THE  COSSACKS  (Gilbert) 
ROSE  - MARIE  — MADEMOISELLE  FROM  ARMENTIERES  — NAPOLEON  — 

BODY  AND  SOUL 

And  the  Big  Parade  of  Shorts 

HAL  ROACH  COMEDIES — Our  Gang — Max  Davidson — Charley  Chase — All  Star — 

M-G-M  NEWS  (Twice  Weekly)— M-G-M  ODDITIES— M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS 

TRY  and  find  (it  can’t  he  done!) 

A group  of  Star  Names 
TO  compete  with  M-G-M^s 
BIG  Parade  of  Stars! 

THOUSANDS  of  exhibitors 

ARE  convinced  that 

M-G-M  HAS  ^ COMPETITION! 

AND  judging  by  current  hits— 

(“Rookies" — “Slide,  Kelly,  Slide" — “Lovers" — “Mr.  Wu" — “Flesh  and  the  Devil" — “Tell  It  to  the  Marines" 
“After  Midnight"  — “Flaming  Forest"  — “Tillie  the  Toiler"  — “Twelve  Miles  Out"  — etc.,  etc.,  etc.) 

ONE  after  another — and  now  topped  off  by  “The 
CALLAHANS  and  the  Murphys” 

WE’RE  convincing 
EVEN  our  competitors  that 


M-G-M  HAS  m 
COMPETITION! 


1927-28  is  the  Year  of  ^^The  Big  Parade’^  and  ^^Ben-HuP^ 


4 LEATKICE  JOY 


FOUR  BIG  HITS  FOR  A BIG  STAR 

Leatrice  Joy  is  destined  to  make  new  records  at  your 
box-office  in  these  four  pictures  of  distinctive  merit 
PATHE-DEMILLE  PROGRAM,  1927^1928 


LEATRICE  JOY 

itl 

LEATRICE  JOY 

Itl 

III 

THE  BLUE 

III 

THE  ANGEL  OF 

DANUBE 

BROADWAY 

ivith  VICTOR  VARCONI 

A Fascinating  Romance  in  an  Old 
World  Setting.  A Real  Special 

The  thrilling  story  of  a Broadway 
night  club  entertainer  who  assumes 
the  role  of  a Salvation  Army  lass. 

By  JOHN  FARROW 

By  LENORE  J.  COFFEE 

LEATRICE  JOY 

Itl 

LEATRICE  JOY 

Itl 

III 

SELF 

III 

WHAT  HOLDS 

DEFENSE 

MEN 

A Breath-taking  Drama  from 

Wallace  Irwin’s  Sensational  Story 
“All  Front  and  No  Back” 

An  absorbing  drama  of  love  played 
out  against  a luxurious  background 
of  society 

By  MARGARETTA  TUTTLE 

DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES 

PATHE  NEWS  - PATHECOMEDIES  - PATHESERIALS  - PATHEPICTURES 


PATHE  EXCHANGE,  Inc, 

Distributors 


'S^mhrandtj 

This  celebrated  painter  perfected  the  beauty 
of  his  portraits  by  his  marvellous  skill. 

Similarly,  at  Consolidated  skilled  craftsmen 
gathered  from  all  over  the  world  perfect  the 
beauty  of  your  productions. 


NEW  YORK 


LOS  ANGELES 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


I 


‘Xl- 


■M^ 


JIj^' 


- JP^ 

I 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


-m(^ 


DOLORES  COSTELLO 


Si( 


A 


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ti 


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CfM.^ 


H*' 


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AL.. 

u 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


f' 


URIOI 


Joy” 


leanest 


comedies  of  sumfner  season* 

Interesting-exciting-delight' 
ful-hilariQ^sly  amusing  all 

the  way*^lJ^^u 
legitimate  laughsi^drop  in  on 
the  Parahiount 


‘N.  Y*  Evening  Post 


There  v/as  l^ltihc^  in  the  Para- 
mount.  Combination  or  a racing 
car  and  DeiilM^y^esistible.” 


— N.  Y.  Times 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


Spec 


New  York  Herald'Tribune 


N.  YMierald'Tribune 


Denily  at|^s  b 

‘‘Fast 
ment.” 

“Anothet 

“Bright  coineiy? 


“Good  hearty  laug^s.’J 


^ Y.  Morning  Telegraph 


good  entertain- 

— N,  Y.  American 


“Mile  a minute  love. 


1^,  Y.  Daily  News 


N>Y.  Evening  Journal 


— N.Y.  Evening  Sun 


— N.  Y.  Evening  Qraphic 


CARL  LAEMMLE  PRESENTS 

REGINALD  DENNY 


FAST  and  FURIOUS 

A UNIVERSAL  SUPER  COMEDY 
A MELVILLE  BROWN  PRODUCTION 
From  Story  by  Reginald  Denny 


Carl  Laemmle  presents 


An  Irvin  Willat  Production 

with 

Walter  Long  Robert  Frazer 
Mitchell  Lewis  Adolph  Milar 


.,[  THE  V 

^ / SMALL 

j ^BACHELOB 


y THE ' y y ■ y .y  > 

/Chinese]  > we  I y i, 

< ______  \ (AMEKICANSi  JSURKENDEie 

PAHR^  j - ; 


»!  m 


Qreatest  Storp// 


Jinuavebm  snow-amt^ jat^re-is  ffte 
WmiRekase  on  Oo  BIG  COOT  CStPitPf 


turn 

X3tt$ 

4m0R 


/ 13  ^ 

WASHJNC 

SQVARE 


f THE 
FOUR- 
FEHSHER 


THE 

SHIEEO 

OF 

nONOR 


> THE  ) 
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{ SHOW  ) 


( CHEAtms’ 


immGHTj 
ROSE  ^ 


EONM^ 

EAOtE 


Carl  Laemmle  knocked  ’em  all  over  with  the  industry’s  greatest  line-up  in  the  Big 
Gun  Group.  NOW— he  hits  ’em  with  SHOWMANSHIP!  Ready  for  August  and 
September -WHEN  YOU  NEED  IT  TO  START  YOUR  OWN  HOUSE  OFF 
WITH  A BANG— Universal  starts  with  a bang!  And  others  just  as  big  to  follow! 
Universal  has  the  pictures!  UNIVERSAL  IS  SITTING  ON  TOP  OF  THE  WORLD! 


THANKS  ' 
j FOR  THE  V 
' BVCCY  J 


■ 


^nt^vony  about 
the  oi)posiBon>BE 
Ine  oppositions^ 

^stNational’s 

Sbowmatii 
.Group  i 

58Set]^tares  I 

45  weeKly  hits . . . J 


■ 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address; 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

S6S  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Elditor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House.  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  — 39 

Presentation  Acts  41 

The  Theatre  SI 

The  FUm  Mart  54 

Classified  Advertising  58 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 57 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me’’  59 

FEATURES 

Broadway  26 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray. 30 

Re-Takes  27 

New  York,  by  John  S.  Spargo  ....36 

Pictorial  Section  31 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  S3 

Letters  from  Readers 56 

Chicago,  by  G.  S. 66 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulatioiis  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


This  Issue — 


PAY  cut  definitely  dropped;  All  branches  vote  harmony;  Com- 
plete plan  evolved  for  economy  at  studio;  Producers  working 
on  uniform  contract,  says  Fairbanks;  Central  Research  Bureau  out- 
lined. 

PODUCERS  try  to  establish  15  cent  admission  minimum;  At- 
tempt to  limit  bookings  into  dime  theatres  to  product  at  least 
six  months  old,  survey  of  Chicago  exchanges  shows. 

VCXDAFILM  flops  at  premiere;  Show  closes  after  one  night;  Eln- 
tire  performance,  including  Babe  Ruth’s  picture,  closes  up  shop 
at  Longacre  theatre — Paramount  hsis  record  profit. 

JUNE  MATHIS’  death  mourned  by  host  of  Hollywood  friends; 

Sudden  death  while  attending  theatre  in  New  York  is  profound 
shock;  Will  be  buried  near  Valentino,  whom  she  discovered. 


'^WENTY  producers  pledge  Hays  to  take 
objectionable  features  from  films;  Will 
omit  profanity,  ridicule  of  clergy,  salaci- 
ous billboard  advertising  and  jokes  ou 
prohibition  and  administration  at  Wash- 
ington. 


^^RAINGEiR  signs  Pantages  to  $1,000,- 
000  booking  deal — Le  Baron  returns 
to  Coast  from  conference  with  Kennedy — 
Glendon  Allvine  quits  Goldwyn  publicity 
post — Property  man  killed. 


OMMISSION  denies  inviting  producers 
to  booking  parley;  claims  most  pic- 
ture makers  and  distributors  willing  to 
participate — M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Connecticut 
adopts  policy  of  "watchful  waiting." 


k..  OKOMO  owners  fear  sabotage,  guard 
theatres — Montreal  Catholics  start 
fight  against  pictures  on  Sunday — Lord’s 
Day  Alliance  doubles  budget,  foes  of  blue 
laws  are  warned. 


l^UTTE  strike  deadlock  keeps  four  first- 
runs  closed;  operators,  stagehands  and 
musicians  called  out — Row  looms  over 
added  protection  to  K.  C.  First-Run  Thea- 
tres. 


CTOLL  firm’s  report  in  England  bares 
board  dispute — British  producers  see 
loophole  for  foreign  companies  in  clause 
of  Quota  Bill — West  Coast  Theatres  offi- 
cials prepare  for  Greater  Movie  Season. 


DIRECTOR-STAR  independence  saved 
pay  cut,  says  Dwan;  Tells  A.  M.  P.  A. 
producers  realized  bankers  had  shown 
willingness  to  finance  units — Supreme 
Court  rules  Columbia  owns  title. 


Chicago  censor  board  bars  Para- 
mount’s “Underworld"  in  entirety — 
Comedy  maintains  lead  in  first-run  sum- 
mer bookings,  reports  from  additional 
territories  in  "Herald"  survey  show. 


“Better  Theatres”  Is  Published  As 
Section  Two  of  This  Week’s  Herald 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


EXHIBITORS 


^Hjfie  independent  ^Im  'Srade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  6nj>  Editor 


PubUshed  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Comp'any 

Publicafion  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald:  Better  Theatres,  eTery  fourth  week.  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi-annual. 


V^OL.  XXX  August  6,  1927  No.  8 


The  Buying  Season 

Distributors  decided  to  postpone  the  commence- 
ment of  the  1927  selling  season.  With  the  objective 
of  carrying  into  effect  various  economies  the  exchanges 
held  off  from  launching  sales  campaigns  during  the  early 
months  of  this  year  and  they  all  started  simultaneously 
on  or  about  May  first.  But,  it  now  appears,  the  effort 
of  the  distributors  to  postpone  the  selling  season  has 
been  decidedly  more  effective  than  was  contemplated. 
It  seems  that  the  exhibitors,  too,  have  had  some  plans 
about  postponing  the  selling — and  buying — season  that 
even  carried  beyond  May  first. 

The  situation  thus  created  is  without  parallel  in  the 
history  of  the  business.  In  every  previous  year  theatre 
owners  have  before  this  season  indicated  some  appre- 
hensiveness about  obtaining  volume  and  quality  of 
product  for  their  houses.  This  year,  however,  many 
exhibitors  who  are  in  difficult  booking  situations  are  still 
refusing  to  talk  contracts. 

The  soundness  of  the  whole  plan  of  the  distributors 
this  year,  from  the  standpoint  of  their  own  interests  and 
the  interests  of  the  trade  at  large,  may  properly  be  ques- 
tioned. But,  still,  the  present  attitude  of  exhibitors  is 
quite  mystifying. 

Every  reason  that  exhibitors  ever  had  previously  for 
being  apprehensive  about  an  adequate  supply  of  product 
of  suitable  quality  not  only  exists  this  season  but  in  many 
cases  the  reasons  are  particularly  emphasized.  Agree- 
ments among  producers  have  materially  lessened  the 
chances  of  anything  bordering  on  over-production.  There 
are  no  new  sources  of  product  and  there  is  not  likely 
to  be  any,  at  least  not  this  season.  Therefore  it  is  very 
difficult  to  see  just  how  theatre  owners  figure  they  can 
profit  by  the  present  hold-out  policy. 

Disturbing  Signs 

IT  is  very  plain  to  see  that  the  present  year  is  going 
to  be  a particularly  interesting  one  in  the  history  of 
the  picture  business.  Just  about  the  time  that  it 
appeared  that  many  of  the  major  problems  of  the  busi- 
ness were  either  solved  or  on  the  verge  of  a solution, 
along  comes  the  present  set  of  circumstances  which  are 
effecting  many  a sleepless  pillow  throughout  the  industry. 

Two  very  menacing  expressions  are  coming  from  the 
general  public.  One  is  an  indication  of  a general  lack 
of  interest  in  pictures  and  picture  theatres  and  the  other 


August  6,  1927 

is  the  opinion  that  the  quality  of  motion  pictures  has 
seriously  retrograded. 

Various  prominent  theatre  organizations  have,  we  be- 
lieve, played  no  small  part  in  bringing  about  this  lack 
of  interest  on  the  part  of  the  public  in  motion  pictures. 
The  industry  has  relied  upon  these  organizations  for 
leadership  and  guidance,  for  help  in  the  advancement 
of  the  business.  Instead  of  receiving  this,  however,  it 
seems  to  have  received  a set-back  that  it  may  require 
years  to  recover  from. 

Times  without  number  warnings  have  been  sounded 
on  the  danger  of  exploiting  ephemeral  variety  acts  over 
motion  pictures.  These  warnings  were,  of  course, 
ignored.  The  firms  concerned  were  making  money,  were 
hailed  as  successes  in  the  business  and  anyone  who  raised 
his  voice  against  their  policies  was  promptly  adjudged 
an  ignoramus.  Yet  anyone  with  the  slightest  knowledge 
of  the  effect  of  advertising  and  publicity  could  not  help 
but  know  that  to  present  continually  the  motion  picture 
section  of  a theatre’s  program  as  a subordinate  item  was, 
sooner  or  later,  to  cause  the  public  to  feel  that  the  motion 
picture  is,  indeed,  of  subordinate  importance.  And  this 
is  just  what  has  been  brought  about  through  the  policies 
referred  to. 

The  public’s  opinion  about  the  lessening  quality  of 
motion  pictures  is  as  easy  to  explain  but  the  remedy  is 
decidedly  more  difficult. 

In  the  first  place,  producers  have  hit  a mighty  fast 
pace  in  affording  the  grounds  for  the  public’s  taste  to 
become  more  critical.  The  public  has  constantly  grown 
more  exacting  and  while  pictures  have  improved  they 
have  not  improved  sufficiently  to  keep  pace  with  the 
increasing  critical  viewpoint  of  the  public. 

Hollywood’s  problem  is  not  only  one  of  economic  re- 
adjustment hut  it  is  also  one  of  making  pictures  of  more 
general  popular  appeal. 

Generally  speaking  the  pictures  now  being  made  are 
organization  pictures.  Independent  effort  in  production 
has  practically  been  eliminated.  It  may  be  found  that 
the  industry  has  become  so  well  “organized”  that  there 
is  no  longer  room  for  that  kind  of  individual  creative 
effort  which  in  the  past  made  most  of  the  good  pictures 
and  practically  all  of  the  great  ones. 

« « « 

Federal  Inquiry 

ON  top  of  its  other  problems  the  industry  now  seems 
to  face  what  looks  like  a long  period  of  Federal 
inquiry  and  investigation.  It  is  tremendously  unfor- 
tunate— but  probably  not  surprising  in  view  of  some  of 
the  industry’s  practices — -that  the  business  is  to  face  this 
sort  of  outside  interference  and  harassment. 

The  Department  of  Justice  is  taking  careful  note  of 
what  has  been  going  on  and  what  is  now  going  on  in 
the  picture  business.  And  inquiries  conducted  by  the 
Department  of  Justice  are  not  to  be  laughed  off. 

The  motion  picture  business  has  been  peculiarly 
plagued  with  the  ambition  to  dominate  and  dictate. 
The  characteristic  live  and  let  live  policy  of  the  United 
States  has  never  found  fruitful  ground  in  the  motion 
picture  industry.  Generally  speaking,  as  soon  as  indi- 
viduals and  companies  in  the  picture  business  are  able 
to  exist  themselves  they  commence  looking  about  for 
victims  to  crush.  It  is  a dangerous  course  of  events  and 
one  that  must  be  stopped  if  anything  like  real  stability 
is  to  be  introduced  and  maintained  in  the  business. 

The  booking  combine,  which  has  recently  been  hit  by 
an  agreement  among  producers,  is  an  expression  of  this 
idea  of  dominating  and  dictating.  The  exhibitors  con- 
cerned are  severely  criticized  but  the  record  shows  that 
the  principle  of  their  combines  is  taken  from  the  policies 
of  varions  of  the  groups  which  now  oppose  them. 


23 


August  6,  1927  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

Pay  Cut  Definitely  Dropped; 
All  Branches  Vote  Harmony 


Complete  Plan  Evolved 
For  Economy  at  Studio 

Producers  Working  on  Uniform  Contract,  Says  Fair- 
banks— Central  Research  Bureau  Outlined 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — The  recently  proposed  film  wage  cut 
did  a fadeout  last  Thursday  night  at  the  Conference  dinner  given 
by  the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences,  at  the  Bilt- 
more  hotel. 

The  crisis,  which  the  industry  has  faced  for  the  past  two  months,  van- 
ished in  thin  air  while  250  actors,  writers,  directors,  technicians  and  pro- 
ducers pledged  themselves  to  work  together  earnestly  and  sincerely  to 
reduce  production  costs. 

Comprehensive  Plan  Evolved 

A most  comprehensive  plan  evolved  from  suggestions  submitted  by  all 
workers  in  the  motion  picture  field  was  read  and  adopted  at  the  meeting. 
The  ten  per  cent  slash  in  wages  of  all  workers  was  definitely  abandoned 
as  the  result  of  the  series  of  conferences  which  have  covered  a period  of 
three  weeks  and  resulted  in  the  actors  and  directors  throwing  out  the 
Equity  plan  for  a “closed  shop.” 


PLEDGES  MADE 
BY  ALL  GROUPS 
TO  AID  ECONOMY 


Members  of  various  branches  of 
production  at  Hollywood  have  made 
the  following  pledges  in  the  interests 
of  economy: 

TECHNICIANS 

1.  To  bend  every  effort  to  create  the 
finest  possible  production  commensurate 
with  the  predetermined  cost. 

2.  To  cooperate  to  the  fullest  with 
other  branches  of  the  industry  to  effect 
a maximum  of  production  economy  with- 
out endangering  the  entertainment  value 
of  the  product. 

3.  To  build,  devise  or  create  nothing 
that  does  not  have  direct  production 
value. 

4.  That  we  will  in  every  measure  do 
all  within  our  power  to  foster  and  ad- 
vance the  institute  of  research  and  do 
all  in  our  power  to  unify  production. 

WRITERS 

1.  To  complete  treatments  and  scripts 
within  a reasonable  length  of  time  and 
with  due  regard  to  schedules. 

2.  To  develop  treatments  and  write 
scripts  within  the  limits  of  length  de- 
termined by  the  requirements  of  the 
producers. 

ACTORS 

1.  To  refrain  from  any  display  of  that 
unreasonable  or  unnecessary  type  of 
temperament  that  makes  only  for  delay, 
expense  and  discomfort  of  all  concerned. 

2.  To  cooperate  with  producers  and 
directors  at  all  times  by  prompt  and  will- 
ing response  to  all  calls. 

3.  To  realize  to  the  fullest  extent  the 
responsibility  of  their  position,  both  in 
the  industry  and  before  the  public. 

DIRECTORS 

1.  To  cooperate  to  the  fullest  extent 
with  producers  and  writers  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  stories  scheduled  for  pro- 
duction and  to  refrain  from  taking  an 
arbitrary  stand  on  matters  pertaining  to 
stories. 

2.  To  cooperate  to  the  fullest  possible 
extent  with  producers,  writers  and  tech- 
nicians on  the  careful  planning  of  each 
production  to  the  end  that  the  highest 
possible  type  of  entertainment  may  be 
provided  at  a cost  commensurate  with 
box  office  returns. 

3.  To  refrain  to  as  great  an  extent 
as  is  consistent  with  the  best  quality 
from  photographing  scenes  for  which 
there  can  be  no  practical  use  or  need. 

4.  To  refrain  from  photographing  the 
same  scene  an  unnecessary  number  of 
times — and  from  an  unnecessary  number 
of  angles  and  distances. 

5.  That  the  directors  recognize  the 
producers’  problem  as  his  own  problem, 
and  approach  that  problem  in  a sympa- 
thetic manner. 

PRODUCERS 

1.  To  promote  and  support  an  insti- 
tute of  research  for  the  following  ex- 
pressed purposes: 

a.  To  experiment  with  and  perfect 
every  conceivable  appliance,  device  or 
{Continued  on  Page  50) 


Douglas  Fairbanks  presided  at  the  ban- 
quet and,  as  president  of  the  Academy, 
announced  that  the  producers  were  now 
working  on  a uniform  contract  for  inde- 
pendent actors,  writers  and  directors. 
The  Associated  Producers  will  meet  Au- 
gust 10  to  consider  the  demands  of  the 
Actors’  Equity  Association. 

Research  Bureau  Proposed 

One  of  the  outstanding  features  of 
the  dinner  was  the  proposed  Central  Re- 
search Bureau,  where  synopses  of  all 
stories,  novels,  plays  and  other  works  of 
the  members  of  the  Academy  will  be  on 
file.  This  Research  Bureau  will  be  at  the 
disposal  of  all  producers  and  workers 
and  all  devices  designed  to  improve  pic- 
ture making  will  be  thoroughly  investi- 
gated and  reported  upon. 

James  Mitchell  Leison,  representing 
the  technical  departments,  asked  for 
greater  cooperation,  to  let  this  branch 
work  with  all  other  branches.  He  was 
followed  by  Waldemar  Young  who, 
representing  the  writers,  said  they  had 
pledged  among  other  things  to  deliver 
shorter  scripts,  in  less  time  than  hereto- 
fore. 

Fred  Niblo,  speaking  for  the  directors, 
said  he  had  learned  more  about  the  prob- 
lems of  the  producers  in  the  past  three 
weeks  than  he  ever  knew  and  that  the 
result  could  have  been  accomplished  only 
in  one  way,  through  the  Academy  of 


Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences.  He 
stated  for  the  first  time  in  his  life  he  had 
seen  a budget  and  that  he  was  now  work- 
ing on  a budget  and  sticking  to  it.  He 
asked  his  fellow  directors  to  keep  within 
schedules  and  to  cooperate  in  every  way 
with  the  producers.  Niblo  then  called 
upon  the  35  directors  present  to  arise  and 
further  pledge  themselves  to  further  the 
best  interests  of  the  industry. 

Nagel  Asks  Cooperation 

Conrad  Nagel,  who  represented  the 
actors,  recalled  the  banquet  of  May  11  at 
which  the  Academy  was  formed  and  said 
it  had  guided  this  great  industry  through 
a very  critical  period  in  its  history.  He 
expressed  the  hope  that  all  grievances 
will  be  eliminated  and  peace  and  har- 
mony will  result. 

Cecil  B.  De  Mille,  spokesman  for  the 
producers,  pointed  out  that  a month  ago 
the  companies  were  facing  a crisis  and 
had  resolved  to  resort  to  a general  cut  in 
salaries  to  meet  it.  They  are  still  facing 
the  problem,  he  said,  but  in  a different 
frame  of  mind.  The  Academy  had  inter- 
vened, he  said,  and  the  producers  had 
come  to  realize  that  tremendous  econo- 
mies could  be  effected  without  the  salary 
reductions. 

“You  have  made  pledges  to  help  us,’’ 
said  De  Mille.  “These  pledges  are  your 
promissory  notes.  We  are  convinced 
{Continued  on  Page  50) 


20  Producers  Pledge  Hays  to  Take 

Objectionable  Features  From  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — Twenty  leading  producers  have  pledged  them- 
selves to  omit  profanity,  ridicule  of  the  clergy,  salacious  billboard  advertising, 
jokes  on  prohibition  and  the  Washington  administration,  following  a campaign 
started  by  Rev.  Dr.  C.  T.  MacLean,  father  of  Douglas  MacLean,  actor. 

Those  who  signed  the  pledge,  which  was  forwarded  to  Will  Hays,  are: 

DeMille  Corporation,  F B O,  First  National,  Fox,  Goldwyn,  Harold  Lloyd 
Corporation,  Metropolitan  Pictures,  Paramount,  Hal  Roach,  Mack  Sen- 
nett,  United  Artists,  Universal,  Warner  Brothers,  Jack  White  Comedies,  Kane 
Productions,  Mary  Pickford,  Sam  Rork,  Asher,  Small  & Rogers. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


J.  J.  Murdock  — 


Jj.  MURDOCK  . . . active  head  of  the  P.  D.  C.-Pathe  amalga- 
• mation  . . . the  famous  “J.  J.”  of  the  vaudeville  world  . . . 
an  amusement  executive  of  sound  accomplishment  ...  a decidedly 
valuable  acquisition  of  the  motion  picture  industry. 

Butte  Strike  Deadlock  Keeps 
Four  First-Runs  Closed 

Rialto  Alone  Reaches  Agreement  ivith  Operators  and  Stagehands — 
Musicians  Forced  Out  by  International  Union 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Butte,  Aug.  2. — a deadlock  has  been  reached  between  Butte  the- 
atre Managers  and  the  operators  and  stagehands,  in  the  strike 
which  has  closed  all  first-run  theatres,  except  the  Rialto,  since  the 
first  of  June,  when  the  musicians  entered  the  fight,  in  sympathy,  by  order 
of  the  International  Union.  The  Rialto,  one  of  the  five  that  were  forced 
to  shut  down,  is  now  open  through  an  agreement  reached  by  C.  P.  Scates, 
manager,  with  the  i;nion  on  terms  that  were  not  made  public. 


lY/TANAGERS  of  the  houses  affected  by 
the  walkout  remain  adamant,  declar- 
ing their  theatres  will  open  only  Avhen  em- 
ployes return  to  the  wage  scale  effective 
prior  to  Tune  1. 

Stormy  Meetings  Held 

Special  meetings  are  on  tap  most  of  the 
time  and  behind  closed  doors,  and  it  is 
generally  conceded  the  sessions  are  more 
or  less  stormy  and  so  far  not  effective. 

The  union  presented  a new  wage  scale 
early  in  May.  The  present  wage  scale  for 
operators  at  motion  picture  houses  is  $52 
a week,  each  operator  working  six  hours  a 
day  each  day  in  the  week.  The  new  con- 
tracts demand  $54  for  a six  day  week  and 
for  five  hours  a day  instead  of  six.  In 
houses  operating  five  or  fewer  days  a week. 


the  new  scale  asks  for  $50. 

The  stage  employes  affiliated  with  the 
operators  at  present  receive  $37.50  a week 
for  three  days  work.  The  new  scale  de- 
mands $45  a week  or  at  the  rate  of  $15  a 
day.  The  operators  and  stage  employes 
combined  number  about  30  members. 

Musicians  Called  Out 
Several  months  ago  the  musicians  and 
theatre  managers  signed  a new  contract  that 
seems  to  be  satisfactory  to  both  sides,  but 
the  International  Union  has  ordered  the 
musicians  out  on  a sympathy  strike. 

The  new  contract  also  demands  that  pre- 
views are  to  be  paid  for  at  the  rate  of  $2 
an  hour  and  no  preview  to  be  less  than 
two  hours.  Two  vaudeville  houses,  Pan- 
tages  and  Associated,  are  affected  by  the 
strike. 


Row  Looms  Over 
Added  Protection 
To  K.  C.  First-Runs 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  2.— A row  is 
looming  in  the  Kansas  City  territory  over 
an  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  larger  first- 
run  houses  of  Kansas  City  to  obtain  new 
protection  rights  on  first-run  pictures.  The 
larger  houses,  which  now  have  60-day  pro- 
tection against  the  suburban  theatres  of 
Kansas  City,  are  seeking  a 30-day  protec- 
tion against  all  theatres  within  a radius  of 
sixty  miles  of  Kansas  City.  That  would 
include  Kansas  City,  Kan.,  a city  of  135,000 
population. 

“Complaints  by  the  score  have  been  com- 
ing into  M.  P.  T.  O.  Kansas-Missouri 
headquarters  regarding  such  a move,”  R.  R. 
Biechele,  president  of  the  exhibitors’  organ- 
ization, said.  “The  larger  theatres  of  Kan- 
sas City,  Kan.,  also  are  objecting  to  such 
a move.  The  contention  of  the  small-town 
theatre  owners  is  that  it  has  been  their 
money  which  has  built  concrete  highways 
to  Kansas  City  and  made  it  possible  for 
thousands  of  out-of-town  patrons  to  attend 
theatres  in  Kansas  City  at  least  part  of  the 
time. 

“To  be  cut  entirely  off  from  the  current 
first  runs  which  receive  big  advertising 
campaigns  in  Kansas  City  would  kill  the 
business  of  the  little  fellows,  they  say. 

“As  to  Kansas  City,  Kan.,  theatres,  that 
city  is  in  another  state  and  exhibitors  of 
that  city,  which  is  separated  from  Kansas 
City,  Mo.,  by  the  Kaw  River  only,  contend 
protection  rights  should  not  extend  into 
another  state.  I don’t  know  how  such  a 
question  is  going  to  be  settled,  but  I do 
know  that  if  the  exchanges  grant  such  a 
protection  clause  it  will  mean  a fight  which 
will  be  beneficial  to  no  one.” 

Frank  Badgley  Gets 

New  Canadian  Post 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  ONT.,  Aug.  2.  — Frank 
Badgley,  assistant  director  of  the  Canadian 
Government  Motion  Picture  Studio,  Ot- 
tawa, has  been  appointed  director  of  the 
branch,  in  succession  to  Raymond  S.  Peck, 
who  died  early  in  June.  The  new  director, 
who  holds  the  rank  of  captain  in  the  Can- 
adian artillery,  served  with  distinction  in 
the  great  war,  winning  the  military  cross 
at  the  battle  of  the  Somme  in  1916.  Later 
Capt.  Badgley  was  a member  of  the  Brit- 
ish war  mission  which  was  sent  to  the 
United  States. 

After  the  armistice,  Capt.  Badgley  be- 
came identified  with  Metro  in  New  York 
and  later  spent  about  one  year  with  the  D. 
W.  Griffith  organization.  For  some  time 
he  also  appeared  in  varied  roles  in  pic- 
tures, returning  to  Ottawa  in  1921  when 
he  became  assistant  director  and  film  editor 
of  the  government  studio,  a position  which 
he  occupied  until  his  present  appointment. 

Columbia  Completes 

Its  1926-27  Program 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— Columbia  Pic- 
tures has  completed  the  last  picture  of  its 
1926-27  program  with  the  finishing  of  “The 
Swell  Head,”  which  is  now  ready  for  re- 
lease. This  marks  the  end  of  a season 
which  has  been,  in  every  respect,  the  most 
successful  since  the  inception  of  the  com- 
pany, announces  Joe  Brandt,  president  of 
the  company. 

During  this  season  the  company  in- 
creased its  output  from  18  to  24  pictures. 
One  of  the  most  successful  of  these  pic- 
tures was  “The  Lone  Wolf  Returns,”  with 
“Sweet  Rosie  O’Grady”  next  in  line. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


Kokomo  Owners 
Fear  Sabotage; 
Guard  Theatres 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  2. — Fearful  that 
further  attempts  may  be  made  to  destroy 
machinery  and  place  stink  bombs  in  theatres 
at  Kokomo,  Ind.,  the  theatre  owners  there 
who  are  employing  non-union  operators 
since  the  union  operators  went  on  a strike 
more  than  three  months  ago,  are  having 
their  theatres  guarded  during  the  night. 

Damage  done  by  a stink  bomb  hurled 
recently  through  a heavy  glass  window  into 
the  home  of  F.  H.  Sumner,  theatre  man- 
ager, will  reach  nearly  $500,  according  to 
Mrs.  Sumner.  The  vile  odor  left  by  the 
bomb  in  the  home  was  evident  three  days 
following. 

“None  of  our  men  did  such  a thing,” 
declared  Fred  Blacker,  leader  of  the  strik- 
ing motion  picture  operators.  He  believes 
someone  bearing  a personal  grudge  against 
Sumner  threw  the  bomb.  Police  in  their 
investigation  of  the  affair  were  unable  to 
find  a clue  that  might  lead  to  an  arrest. 

Montreal  Catholics 
Start  Fight  Against 
Pictures  on  Sunday 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

QUEBEC,  Aug.  2. — A campaign  for  the 
closing  of  motion  picture  theatres  in  the 
Province  of  Quebec  on  Sunday  has  been 
started  among  the  Roman  Catholics  of 
Montreal. 

Petitions  to  the  Premier  of  Quebec,  Hon. 
L.  A.  Taschereau,  asking  that  the  theatres 
be  closed  on  Sunday  are  being  circulated 
in  all  of  the  Roman  Catholic  parishes. 


Censorship  Inquiry  in 

Ontario  Is  Promised 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  Aug.  2. — An  inquiry  into  the 
censorship  of  moving  pictures  in  the  Pro\  - 
ince  of  Ontario  has  been  promised  by 
Dr.  J.  D.  Monteith,  provincial  treasurer, 
following  receipt  of  complaints  regarding 
certain  recent  releases,  as  passed  by  the 
Ontario  Board  of  Moving  Picture  Censors. 


Fred  Schader  Leaves 

West  Coast  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — ^Fred  Schader, 
in  charge  of  advertising  and  publicity  of 
West  Coast  Theatres,  has  resigned. 


Kennedy  Busy,  But — 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

HYANNIS,  MASS.,  Aug.  2. — Joseph  P. 
Kennedy,  president  of  F B O,  plans  to  spend 
a few  days  as  often  as  possible  at  his 
summer  home  here. 


Gruen  and  Van  Marry 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — Beatrice  Van 
and  James  Gruen,  scenarists  with  Llni- 
versal,  were  wed  at  noon,  Saturdav,  at 
Beverly  Hill. 


Jack  Hawk  Resigns 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — Jack  Hawks, 
head  of  story  department  of  F.  B.  O.,  re- 
signed last  week.  It  is  said  he  will  join 
Universal. 


Producers  Try  to  Establish 
15  Cent  Admission  Minimum 

Attempt  to  Limit  Bookings  Into  Dime  Theatres  to  Product 
at  Least  Six  Months  Old,  Survey  of 
Chicago  Exchanges  Shows 
By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

Producers  are  attempting  to  discourage  ten-cent  admissions  by  prohibit- 
ing booking  to  dime  theatres  of  any  product  within  six  months  of  release 
date.  That  they  are  trying  to  establish  15  cents  as  a minimum  price  is 
indicated. 

Several  Insist  on  Year  Limit 

Several  producers  are  insisting  that  product  be  a year  old  before  it  goes 
into  the  theatres  charging  only  ten  cents,  provided  the  houses  can  be  re- 
fused newer  productions,  a survey  of  policies  of  exchanges  in  Chicago 
shows. 


Ten-cent  shows  in  the  Loop  are  the  only 
ones  enjoying  the  booking  of  pictures  less 
than  half  a year  old.  For  example,  the 
Adams,  Astor  and  LaSalle  probably  can 
buy  productions  outside  the  six-months 
limitation  from  most  of  the  companies. 
These  theatres,  however,  are  not  competing 
with  the  50  to  75-cent  houses. 

Neighborhood  Houses  Hit 
Theatres  hit  by  the  ten-cent  limitation 
are  those  lying  near  houses  charging  the 
customary  price  for  first  and  second  runs 
in  the  neighborhoods  and  without  deluxe 
shows.  The  Vic  theatre  at  Belmont  and 
Sheffield,  for  example,  cannot  book  pic- 
tures less  than  half  a year  in  distribution. 

The  exchanges  hold  that  the  ten-cent  ad- 
mission price  results  in  small  profits,  un- 
successful theatres  and  low  film  rentals, 
and  that  it  is  injurious  to  the  industry  to 
sell  new  pictures  to  a theatre  charging  only 
a dime  and  located  where  it  competes  with 
20  and  30-cent  houses. 

Little  Agreement  in  Practice 
There  is  little  agreement  among  the  com- 
panies in  actual  practice,  however.  At 
First  National’s  exchange  it  was  stated 
that  either  Loop  or  neighborhood  houses 
charging  only  a dime  should  be  limited  to 
product  a year  old.  Rathe  exchange  men 
placed  the  limitation  at  one  year  for  the 
neighborhood  houses  and  six  months  in  the 
Loop.  At  Warner  Brothers  it  was  declared 
that  the  exchange  would  sell  to  a dime 
theatre  any  production  fairly  newly  re- 
leased. 

Closely  linked  with  the  booking  into  the 
ten-cent  theatre  is  the  problem  of  selling 


Public  Misses  Shows 
As  Flood  Closes  Them 

A tribute  to  the  value  of  motion 
pictures,  and  the  service  of  Saen- 
ger  Theatres,  Inc.,  is  given  in  two 
editorials  in  the  Greenville 
(Miss.)  Daily  Democrat-Times, 
reprinted  in  part  in  the  New  Or- 
leams  Item,  under  the  heading, 
“The  Movies  Helped.” 

Says  the  New  Orleans  Item  of 
one  editorial  article: 

"The  editorial  told  of  how  mov- 
ing pictures,  taken  as  a matter  of 
course  for  years,  were  missed  so 
much  during  the  long  wait  (dur- 
ing the  Hood),  when  they  were  un- 
obtainable, of  how  the  people 
didn't  miss  the  pictures  so  much 
during  the  Hrst  days  of  Hood  ex- 
citement but  how  they  wanted  and 
needed  the  entertainment  pictures 
provided  during  the  days  of  wait- 
ing.” 


pictures  to  booking  combines.  Despite 
announcement  last  week  in  New  York  that 
the  members  of  the  Hays  organization  had 
determined  to  limit  combine-booking  to 
those  theatres  in  which  the  combine  has  a 
financial  interest,  inquiry  at  the  Chicago 
exchanges  indicates  that  all  companies,  both 
old-line  and  independent,  are  booking  or 
arc  willing  to  book  through  the  local  com- 
bines. Apparently  whatever  action  was 
taken  by  the  Hays  group  has  not  affected 
Chicago,  at  least  as  yet. 

Coston  Booking  Unchanged 

Jimmy  Coston,  whose  booking  circuit  in- 
cludes far  more  theatres  than  the  number 
in  which  the  circuit  has  actual  equity,  said 
he  is  booking  as  usual. 

Companies  actually  interviewed  in  Chi- 
cago included  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 
FBO,  Warner  Brothers,  L^niversal,  First 
National,  Columbia,  and  Tiffany.  Execu- 
tives of  these  stated  that  the  other  com- 
panies, whose  representatives  could  not  be 
reached,  were  all  seeking  to  book  through 
the  B.  & K.  and  Coston  circuits. 

Columbia  Opens  New 
Milwaukee  Exchange 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MILWAUKEE,  Aug.  2. — A second  new 
exchange  to  start  in  Milwaukee  is  Colum- 
bia Picture  Corporation  of  Wisconsin, 
which  was  incorporated  recently  for  $25,- 
000  to  act  as  the  exclusive  distributor  of 
Columbia  Pictures.  This  exchange  is  lo- 
cated at  719  Wells  street,  and  the  incorpo- 
rators are  Max  Wiesner,  Harry  Levitas, 
and  A.  F.  Murphy. 

Officers  of  the  company  besides  Wiesner 
are  Michael  Goldman  and  E.  L.  Wiesner. 
The  other  exchange  is  Tiffany’s  at  195 
Seventh  Street. 

$3,000  Loss  in  Fire 

Through  No  Insurance 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  2. — Convention  Hall  at 
Alexandria  Bay,  Thousand  Islands,  in 
w'hich  summer  tourists  are  entertained  with 
motion  pictures,  was  badly  damaged  by  fire 
last  week  and  Claude  Ellis,  who  operated 
the  theatre,  not  only  lost  a considerable 
number  of  films,  but  other  property 
amounting  to  over  $3,000,  on  which  he  car- 
ried absolutely  no  insurance. 


Buster  **Busts*^  Nose 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — Buster  Kea- 
ton suffered  a broken  nose  in  a baseball 
game  at  Sacramento,  Saturday.  The  in- 
jury will  hold  up  production  of  “Steam- 
boat Bill”  for  a few  days. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


New  YORK. — 'Ben  Abrams,  who  has 
been  absent  for  several  months,  has 
returned  to  New'  York  for  the  heated  term 
and  reopened  his  office  in  the  lobby  of  the 
Astor.  . . . Lou  Jacobson  says  he  learned 
from  the  public  prints  that  Jimmy  Grainger 
had  caused  Pantages  to  go  Democratic. 

Howard  Diels  says  the  Deiupsey- 
Sharkey  fight  left  his  bank  roll  as  flat  as  a 
sheet  of  tinfoil  that  had  been  smoothed  out 
by  an  elephant’s  foot.  . . . S.  Z.  Poll 

is  thinking  of  having  a “there’s  nothing  to 
it”  sign  made  for  denials  of  sale  of  the  Poll 
Circuit.  . . . Vivian  Moses,  w'ho  has 

been  ill,  is  better  and  back  at  his  office  this 
week.  . . . Courfland  Smith,  after  at- 

tending the  premiere  of  Vocafilm,  didn’t 
look  as  if  Movietone  w'ould  go  out  of  busi- 
ness. . . . Sam  Zierler,  head  of  Com- 

monwealth Films,  returned  last  week  from 
a vacation  trip  abroad.  . . . Victor  Sha- 
piro says  he  doesn’t  aspire  to  be  a rival 
of  Bobby  Jones,  but  he’s  going  to  keep 
after  that  darned  golf  until  he  can  break  a 
hundred  on  nine  holes.  . . . Ernst 

Lnbitsch,  cigar  and  everything,  has  returned 
from  Germany,  where  he  directed  scenes 
in  “Old  Heidelberg”  for  Metro. 

\V.  W.  Hodkinson  emerges  from  retirement 
long  enough  to  issue  a long  statement  tell- 
ing what  is  w'rong  with  the  industry  and 
w'hat  w'ill  right  the  w'rong.  . . . Bill 

Mack  had  his  picture  taken  with  a beautiful 
motion  picture  star,  and  he  looks  like  one 
himself,  only  not  so  beautiful.  . . . Ar- 

thur Sawyer  has  built  a bungalow  on  an 
island  off  the  Maine  coast  and  is  summering 
there,  and  isn’t  it  fine  to  be  rich  and 
happy.  . . . Al  Feinman  is  vacationing 

at  Delaw'are  Water  Gap  and  wearing  his 
plus  fours  every  day  as  a treat  for  the 

ladies Tack  McKeon,  Stanley  New 

York  representative,  who  has  been  in 
Europe  since  May,  returns  to  New  York 
next  month.  . . . Joe  Schnitzer  took  a 

few  days  off  last  week  and  went  to  Cin- 
cinnati on  a visit.  . . . Lee  Marcus  says 
it  is  pretty  tough  to  have  five  F.  B.  O.  pic- 
tures playing  Broadway  houses  within  a 
month,  but  he  can  stand  a lot  of  tough 
breaks  like  this.  . . . Ned  Depinet, 

urbane  First  National  salesmanager,  left 
last  week  on  a trip  to  his  exchanges  which 
will  take  him  to  the  Coast.  . . . Alfred 
Grasso  is  here  from  the  west  to  place  a 
picture  the  cast  of  w’hich  is  made  up  entirely 
of  American  Indians.  . . . Arthur  Kelly 

of  United  Artists  left  last  week  for  the 
Coast  to  confer  with  Joe  Schenck  on  for- 
eign matters.  . . . Richard  Barthehness 

is  coming  on  from  the  Coast  for  the  pre- 
miere of  “The  Patent  Leather  Kid”  at  the 
Globe  theatre  on  August  15.  . . . Henry 
Ginsberg  looks  just  about  the  same  married 
as  he  did  single  except  that  the  smile  is 
broader.  . . . Abe  Stern  and  his  sales- 

manager, Herman  Stern,  have  returned 
from  a trip  abroad.  . . . Joe  Brandt 

says  Columbia  Pictures  are  going  so  big 
all  over  the  country  that  he  just  can’t  help 
wearing  that  happy  look.  . . . Al  Licht- 

man  returned  last  Saturday  and  it’s  more 
than  an  even  money  bet  that  something 
W'ill  be  doing  soon  w'ith  that  Motion  Pic- 
ture Club,  w'hich  is  Al’s  own  infant.  . . . 

Dr.  Hugo  Riesenfeld  has  returned  from  a 
sojourn  abroad  and  is  getting  his  staff  to- 
gether for  the  handling  of  the  Colony  the- 
atre for  Universal.  . . . Harry  Reichen- 
bach,  accompanied  by  his  handsomer  half, 
sailed  last  Sunday  for  a six  weeks  trip  to 
Paris. 

. . . SPARGO. 

Goodby  for  a two  weeks  vacation. 


Warners  Preparing  Strong  Program 


Alan  Crosland  is  directing  the 
first  Vitaphone-dramatic  produc- 
tion, “The  Jazz  Singer,”  in  which 
Al  Jolson,  as  the  star,  will  both 
act  and  sing. 


Director  of  “The  Heart  of  Mary- 
land” — Lloyd  Bacon,  who  re- 
cently completed  this  Warner 
Brothers  Special  in  which  Dolores 
Costello  is  starred. 


Two  old  - fashioned 
girls  waiting  — for 
old-fashioned  lovers? 
They  are  Dolores  and 
Helene  Costello, 
shown  in  a scene 
from  “The  Heart  of 
Maryland,”  in  which 
Dolores  (left)  is 
starred,  and  Helene 
featured.  Never  be- 
fore have  they  been 
cast  together. 


Warner  Brothers  benefit  from  an- 
other woman  of  great  charm  and 
talent — Irene  Rich.  Her  latest  star- 
ring vehicle,  just  completed,  is  “The 
Desired  Woman,”  described  as  a 
romance  of  the  desert.  Michael 
Curtiz  directed  the  production, 
which  is  scheduled  for  early  release. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


Re-Takes 


Vocafilm  Flops  at  Premiere; 
Show  Closes  After  One  Night 

Entire  Performance,  Including  Babe  Ruth’s  Picture,  Closes 
Up  Shop  at  Longacre  Theatre  When  It  Fails 
to  Get  Even  to  First  Base 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — The  Vocafilm,  which  has  for  the  past  several 
months  been  the  subject  of  much  word  of  mouth  loud  touting,  was  shown 
to  the  public  last  week  as  an  accompaniment  to  Babe  Ruth’s  picture, 
“Babe  Comes  Home.”  The  idea  was  that,  hooked  up  with  the  Ruth  pic- 
ture, Vocafilm  would  make  a home  run.  It  didn’t  get  to  first  base. 

Invited  Audience  Half  Fills  Theatre 
The  showing  was  at  the  Longacre  Theatre  and  the  audience,  which 
about  half  filled  the  house,  was  an  invited  one.  Probably  the  only  person 
among  the  guests  who  didn’t  kick  himself  (or  herself,  if  the  gentler  sex 
ever  does  that),  was  Courtland  Smith,  the  head  of  Fox  Movietone.  Mr. 
Smith  is  familiar  with  the  results  of  Vitaphone,  Phonofilm,  as  well  as  his 
own  Movietone,  and  naturally  wanted  to  see  and  hear  the  new  one.  After 
suffering  torture  for  more  than  an  hour,  Mr.  Smith  departed  with  bowed 
head,  refusing  to  comment  on  the  evening’s  entertainment  (?). 


WELL,  “Old  Ten  Percent  Cut”  took  a 
K.  O.  at  the  Academy  Dinner  the 
other  night,  but  he  passed  out  on  a full 
stomach.  The  good  news  wasn’t  handed 
out  until  everyone  had  eaten  plenty  of 
soup,  crab’s  legs  and  stuffed  squabs.  The 
dinner  wound  up  with  a chorus  of  spoons 
making  a terrible  din  on  the  Biltmore  china, 
caused  by  the  little  blocks  of  cement  served 
as  ice  cream.  You  just  can’t  cut  cement 
with  a silver  spoon  and  be  polite.  It  will 
slip  off. 

* * 

Everyone  pledged  something  at  the  din- 
ner. An  outsider  might  have  thought  it 
was  a pawnbrokers  convention.  The  act- 
ors pledged  they  will  refrain  from  outbursts 
of  “temperament” ; the  writers  are  going  to 
write  snappier  scripts ; the  directors  are 
going  to  stick  to  budgets,  and  the  techni- 
cians, if  the  directors  and  producers  will 
tell  them  what  the  story’s  about,  will  coop- 
erate with  all  hands. 

* H! 

The  only  ones  who  didn’t  pledge  any- 
thing were  the  press  agents.  Probably 
everything  they’ve  got  is  pledged  already. 
They  might  have  volunteered  tO'  save  our 
forests  by  using  less  white  paper. 

^ ^ * 

Nothing  But  the  Truth 
And  the  Fox  Studios  have  a Garden  of 
Truth.  It’s  Winnie  Sheehan’s  idea.  It’s 
a secluded  spot  with  a statue  of  St.  Paul 
or  somebody  at  one  end,  representing  the 
saint  of  Truth.  Here  one  may  interview 
his  favorite  star,  find  out  her  or  his  pet 
hobby,  what  kind  of  mayonnaise  dressing 
he  or  she  prefers  or  any  other  important 
item,  and  get  the  truth  of  the  matter.  One 
table  in  the  garden  will  be  reserved  for 
rumors. 

* * 

Contest  Winners  Eat 
Mary  Pickford  had  us  meet  her  13  “Best 
Girls”  last  week  and  somebody  thought  of 
taking  a snapshot  of  them,  so  they  all  posed 
for  a camera  picture.  Mary  isn’t  afraid 
of  “unlucky”  numbers,  for  she  had  to  enter- 
tain the  13  for  13  days.  Only  hope  some- 
body thought  of  the  castor  oil  after  all  of 
those  luncheons  and  dinners. 

* * * 

June  Mathis 

Death  always  chooses  shining  marks.  All 
filmdom  this  week  is  mourning  the  pass- 
ing of  June  Alathis,  one  of  the  best  known 
and  highest  paid  scenarists  in  the  country. 
Her  place  as  a writer  may  be  filled  but 
her  place  in  the  hearts  of  her  friends, 
which  are  legion,  will  leave  a void  forever. 
It  was  the  privilege  of  the  writer  to  know 
Miss  Mathis  for  a number  of  years  and 
her  patience,  radiant  kindness  and  gener- 
osity will  always  live  in  memory.  She  was 
never  too  busy  to  help  anyone  and  she 
imbued  those  who  sought  her  aid  with  a 
spirit  of  enthusiasm  that  was  worth  more 
than  money.  Sincere  mourning  marked  the 
passing  of  this  gracious  lady  and  the  sym- 
pathy of  the  entire  industry  goes  out  to 
her  family  and  loving  husband. 

jfj  * 

Strange 

There  isn’t  so  much  Sharkey  money 
around  this  week. 

* ^ ^ 

Famous  Last  Words 
“.  . . Seven,  eight,  nine,  ten.” 

* * 

These  are  the  days.  Meadows,  when  one 
would  like  to  be  out  in  the  middle  of  a 
nice  cool  desert  to  get  away  from  the  heat 
of  the  city.  R.  M. 


Many  others  of  the  invited  guests  left 
early  and  it  is  said  one  or  two  went  to 
the  ticket  office  and  purchased  tickets 
so  they  could  express  themselves. 

Closes  After  First  Night 

So  great  was  the  success  of  the  pre- 
miere that  the  whole  show.  Babe  Ruth 
picture  ’neverything,  shut  down  shop 
after  the  first  night’s  strikeout.  Many 
of  those  who  attended  were  under  the 
impression  that  the  Vocafilm  people  had 
resurrected  some  of  the  old  Edison 
talkie-movies  of  20  or  25  years  ago.  The 
thing  that  kept  this  impression  from  pre- 
vailing to  a greater  extent  was  that  the 
Edison  stuff  was  much  superior. 

It  would  appear  that  the  people  be- 
hind Vocafilm  had  so  sold  themselves 
on  their  device  that  they  believed  it  un- 
necessary to  have  a rehearsal  in  the 
theatre.  This  isn’t  known  for  sure. 
However,  if  a rehearsal  was  held  and 
then  the  show  put  on,  a lot  of  people 
who  suffered  at  the  premiere  are  ready 
to  vote  that  someone  be  dumped  into  a 
dungeon  cell  and  the  key  thrown  away, 
with  Vocafilm  selections  played  at  fre- 
quent intervals  for  the  prisoner’s  benefit. 

As  shown  the  other  night  there  is  no 
excuse  for  the  Vocafilm.  It  was  so  bad 
that  it’s  all  wrong  to  waste  this  much 
space  on  it. 

Paramount  Has 
Record  Profit  in 
Second  Quarter 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — Paramount  Fa- 
mous Lasky  Corporation  estimates  its 
profit  for  the  second  quarter  of  1927,  after 
all  charges  and  taxes,  to  be  the  sum  of 
$1,420,000,  which,  after  providing  for  pre- 
ferred stock  dividends,  amounts  to  $2.19 
per  share  on  577,798  shares  of  common 
stock  outstanding,  making  a total  profit 
per  share  for  the  first  six  months  of  1927 
equal  to  $5.52  per  share. 

A comparison  with  the  same  quarters  of 
1925  and  1926  follows : 


Second 

Quarter 

1927 

1926 

1925 

Net  profit $1,420,000 

$937,819 

$693,085 

Shares  outstanding 
Profit  per  share 

577,798 

375,647 

243,431 

after  providing 
for  preferred  div- 

idends  

$2.19 

$2.07 

$2.17 

The  net  profit 

available  for 

common 

stock  for  the  second  quarter  of  1927  is 


62^  per  cent  greater  than  for  the  second 
quarter  of  1926  with  an  increase  of  stock 
outstanding  of  55  per  cent  over  1926. 

The  company  commences  the  1927-28  the- 
atrical season  further  ahead  in  its  produc- 
tion schedule  than  at  any  time  in  its  his- 
tory, and  at  the  present  time  it  has  com- 
pleted all  of  its  pictures  for  the  remainder 
of  the  year  1927.  Among  these  pictures  are 
“Wings,”  “Beau  Geste,”  “Old  Ironsides,” 
“The  Rough  Riders,”  “Chang,”  and  “The 
Way  of  All  Flesh.” 

**Painting  the  Town*' 

Wins  Award  in  Texas 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

DALLAS,  Aug.  2. — “Painting  the  Town,” 
a Universal  picture,  has  been  selected  by 
the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Texas  as  the  outstand- 
ing picture  of  July,  possessing  the  “strong- 
est audience  entertainment  value”  of  the 
mid-summer  releases. 

This  selection  is  known  as  the  Blue  Rib- 
bon award  of  the  Texas  exhibitor  body 
and  is  official.  It  is  said  to  be  one  of  the 
strongest  trade  endorsements  in  the  indus- 
try. So  far  every  picture  which  has  won 
this  rating  has  proved  to  be  an  excellent 
box  office  attraction. 

Mochrie  and  Humphries, 
P-D-C  Exchange  Heads 
Govern  Pat  he  Districts 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— Robert  Mochrie, 
who  has  been  branch  manager  of  the  Pitts- 
burgh Pro-Dis-Co  exchange,  has  been  ap- 
pointed manager  for  Pathe  in  the  district 
comprising  Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  and 
Indianapolis. 

William  G.  Humphries  has  been  pro- 
moted from  P-D-C  manager  in  Philadel- 
phia to  manager  of  the  territory  embrac- 
ing that  City,  Washington  and  Charlotte. 

Million  Dollar  Company 
One  of  2 After  Charter 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  2. — One  million  dollar 
company  made  up  for  the  shortage  in  mo- 
tion picture  incorporations  in  New  York 
State  last  week,  only  two  firms  seeking 
charters.  The  company  with  a million 
dollar  capitalization  is  the  Joelson-Suchman 
Enterprises  of  New  York  City.  The  other 
concern  is  Field  and  Andrews,  Inc. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Leo  A.  Pollock  is  busy  at  his  work  as  editor  of  International  Newsreel,  the  appointment  just  having  been  made  by  Edgar  B. 
Hatrick,  head  of  all  the  film  interests  of  William  Randolph  Hearst.  The  new  officers  of  International  are  (left  to  right) 
Pollock,  G.  E.  Elliott,  associated  editor;  Samuel  T.  Moore,  news  editor;  Walter  Bredin,  associate  news  editor,  and  Joseph 
H.  Rinehart,  film  editor.  Universal  distributes  International. 


Elaborate  Shows  Gain  Overseas, 
Major  Bowes,  Home,  Says 

.Approaching  High  Standards  of  American  Motion  Picture  Theatres, 
Director-General  of  Capitol  Finds 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  Aug.  2. — European  theatres  are  adopting  the  American 
method  of  elaborate  presentation  of  motion  picture  entertainment, 
Major  Edward  Bowes,  managing  director  of  the  Capitol  theatre, 
declared  on  his  return  from  Paris  last  week.  The  development  is  sure 
though  naturally  not  as  rapid  as  in  this  country,  said  the  producer,  exhibi- 
tor and  radio  impresario. 


‘"^HERE  seems  to  be  apparent  a 
general  trend  to  follow  our  own 
elaborate  entertainments,”  Major  Bowes 
said,  ‘‘and  in  spe- 
cific instances  one 
can  trace  the  pres- 
ence of  the  basic 
principles  which 
are  the  foundation 
of  our  programs. 

In  the  Metro- 
Goldwyn  theatres 
in  Paris,  the  Gau- 
mont  Palace,  and 
the  Madeleine,  one 
finds  two  temples 
devoted  to  the  art 
of  the  cinema 
which  approach  in 

ideal  and  sub-  Major  Edward  Bowes 

Stance  the  high 

standards  of  our  native  motion  picture  en- 
tertainment. 

‘‘Here  dignified  recognition  is  given  to 
the  elements  of  music,  color,  lights  which 
have  come  to  be  the  natural  complement 
to  the  motion  picture.  Beauty  of  archi- 
tecture, a large  and  excellent  orchestra,  a 
ballet,  soloists,  lighting  effects,  and  a 


stage  of  adequate  proportion  for  the 
presentation  of  important  offerings  provide 
a background  for  the  screen.  And  the 
large  seating  capacities  of  the  theatres  are 
testimonials  to  the  fact  that  the  public  is 
receiving  this  new  development  with 
enthusiasm  and  interest. 

Film  Popularity  Increasing 

‘‘Motion  pictures  themselves  have  not 
yet  become  the  entertainment  of  the  people 
as  they  are  in  this  country.  This  is  due  to 
several  reasons.  The  more  leisurely  pace 
of  the  continental  civilization  is  partly  re- 
sponsible. The  greater  amount  of  time 
given  to  dining  and  to  the  ordinary  routine 
of  the  day  leaves  the  average  citizen  less 
time  to  devote  to  this  type  of  relaxation. 
Then  again,  the  widespread  participation  in 
outdoor  activities,  week-end  excursions  and 
similar  recreation  does  not  tend  to  sw'ell 
the  number  of  the  theatregoers. 

‘‘However,  there  is  a noticeable  tendency 
for  increasing  popularity  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture and  surroundings  of  beauty  and  cul- 
ture such  as  I have  mentioned  above  will 
in  time  prove  important  and  effective  fac- 
tors in  augmenting  the  European  motion 
picture  public.” 


Equity  Service  Is 

Vital  to  Industry 
Says  Ralph  Poacher 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — Equity  service 
is  one  of  the  most  vital  phases  in  the  in- 
dustry of  film  printing,  says  Ralph  I. 
Poucber,  vice  president  and  sales  manager 
of  Consolidated  Film  Industries,  Inc. 

“Never  before  in  the  annals  of  industry 
have  honorable  dealings,  great  frankness 
in  the  mutual  revelation  and  discussion  of 
problems  been  so  conspicuously  practiced 
as  in  the  business  negotiations  of  today, 
a day  of  ‘let’s  have  the  truth  and  get  to  the 
point.’  Everyone  must  subscribe  to  this 
manner  of  conducting  the  affairs  of  com- 
mercialism and  supplement  it  with  equity 
service  in  order  to  develop  mutual  trust,” 
he  declares. 

“Our  interests  are  akin.  All  the  invest- 
ment you  make  in  time,  energy  and  money 
is  expended  with  the  hope  that  the  public 
will  acclaim  your  efforts  ‘a  thing  well 
worth  doing — doing  well.’  ” 

Seattle  House  Books 

Entire  Tiffany  Line 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — The  entire  prod- 
uct of  Tiffany  “Gems”  for  1927-28  have  been 
booked  by  the  Washington  Theatre  Enter- 
prises of  Seattle  for  a first  run  showing 
in  their  new^  million  dollar  Mayflower  the- 
atre in  Seattle,  which  has  a seating  cap- 
acity of  3,000. 

Ed.  J.  Smith,  general  sales  manager  for 
Tiffany  Productions  Inc.,  has  announced 
the  following  additions  to  the  Tiffany  Pro- 
ductions organization.  H.  C.  Borger  has 
been  appointed  district  supervisor  of  the 
Western  division  embracing  the  Coast  and 
Mountain  states.  F.  M.  DeLorenzo  has 
been  made  manager  of  the  Tiffany  Mil- 
waukee exchange,  and  Jack  Withers  suc- 
ceeds Bob  Cole  as  manager  of  the  Pitts- 
burgh exchange.  Paul  Bush  succeeds  John 
Mednikow'  as  manager  of  the  Tiffany  Chi- 
cago branch.  Harry  Brown  is  now  special 
representative  for  Tiffany  in  the  Philadel- 
phia territory  under  exchange  manager, 
A1  Blofson. 


Canadian  Paramount 
Annual  Convention  Is 
Given  at  Vancouver 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

VANCOUVER,  Aug.  2.— Officials,  thea- 
tre managers  and  other  representatives  of 
Famous  Players  Canadian  Corporation 
Ltd.,  Toronto,  from  Toronto  to  Victoria, 
B.  C,  attended  the  annual  convention  of 
the  Western  division  of  the  company  in 
Hotel  Vancouver  at  Vancouver,  the  session 
being  a three-day  affair. 


Chicago's  Censors  Bar  **Underworld**; 

Paramount  Ready  to  Go  to  Courts 

Chicago’s  censorship  board  brought  its  medieval  and  autocratic  methods 
into  use  last  week  when  it  decided  to  bar  Paramount’s  drama,  “Underworld,” 
from  the  city’s  screens.  The  -production  was  barred  in  its  entirety,  presum- 
ably because  the  board  objected  to  the  realism  of  the  picture  in  reproducing 
the  life  of  Chicago’s  demimonde. 

Paramount  is  ready  to  carry  the  case  to  the  courts  if  necessary,  Neil  F. 
Agnew,  exchange  manager,  declared,  should  the  board  insist  upon  changes 
that  would  impair  the  unusual  dramatic  appeal  of  the  production.  No  recom- 
mendations for  changes  have  been  made  by  the  board  as  yet. 

The  picture  stars  George  Bancroft  in  an  underworld  role.  Incidents  of  the 
action  refer  to  such  notorious  characters  as  the  late  Dion  O’Bannion.  No 
situations  appear,  however,  in  which  public  officials  are  suborned. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  29 

June  Mathis’  Death  Mourned 
By  Host  of  Hollywood  Friends 

Sudden  Demise  Attending  Theatre  in  New  York  Is  Profound 
Shock  to  Film  Colony — Will  Be  Buried  Near 
Valentino,  Whom  She  Discovered 

Picture  in  Pictorial  Section 
(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — The  sudden  and  dramatic  death  of  June 
Mathis,  well  known  scenarist,  in  New  York  City  last  Tuesday  night,  caused 
sincere  mourning  in  Hollywood.  Miss  Mathis  was  beloved  by  all  in  the 
film  colony  from  the  big  executive  down  to  the  lowliest  extra  whom  she 
had  aided.  Her  demise  is  a distinct  loss  to  the  industry. 

Stricken  While  Attending  Theatre 

Miss  Mathis  was  stricken  with  a heart  attack  while  attending  a per- 
formance of  “The  Squall,”  stage  play,  at  the  Forty-eight  Street  theatre. 
She  was  carried  into  the  lobby,  but  was  dead  before  physicians  in  the  audi- 
ence could  reach  her  side. 


Saenger  at  Greenville 
Reopened  by  Richards; 
Swells  Relief  Funds 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

GREENVILLE,  Miss.,  Aug.  2. — -Saenger 
Theatres,  Inc.,  of  which  E.  V.  Richards,  an 
outstanding  personality  in  the  exhibition 
field,  is  vice-presi- 
dent and  general 
manager,  has  re- 
opened its  Saen- 
ger theatre  here 
with  a gesture 
typical  of  the 
leadership  of 
Richards.  Entire 
receipts  of  the 
first  four  nights 
at  the  Saenger 
and  one  night  at 
the  Grand  theatre 
were  given  to  flood 
relief  and  other 
E.V.  Richard*  Community  proj- 

ects. 

Secretary  Eugene  M.  Clarke  and  C.  W. 
Greenblatt,  special  representative,  attended 
the  reopening  of  the  Saenger  theatre  and 
announced  the  plan  for  the  benefits.  Pro- 
ceeds of  the  two  first  nights  went  to  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  (auxiliary  to 
the  Red  Cross),  the  third  night  to  the 
American  Legion  convention  fund  (in  ad- 
dition to  an  outright  donation  of  $50)  and 
the  fourth  to  the  King’s  Daughters  Hos- 
pital. The  proceeds  from  the  Grand  were 
given  to  the  colored  people  for  their  relief 
fund. 

Dan  Burgum  is  local  manager  of  the  cir- 
cuit. 

Texas  Corporation  Is 
Formed  for  Theatre 
Building,  Expansion 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OKLAHOMA  CITY,  Aug.  2.— Organi- 
zation of  a $25,000  theatre  corporation  to 
be  known  as  the  Victor  Theatre,  Inc.,  for 
operation  in  West  and  Central  Texas  has 
been  announced.  The  concern  will  absorb 
the  Texas  Theatre  Company,  which  owns 
seven  theatres  in  West  Texas.  The  offi- 
cers of  the  new  organization  are,  John 
Victor,  president ; C.  J.  Bain,  director ; and 
Oscar  Flato,  secretary-treasurer.  The  com- 
pany expects  to  build  10  theatres  in  San 
Antonio,  Texas,  in  the  near  future.  Other 
theatre  developments  are : 

The  Trinity  theatre  at  Dallas,  Texas,  recently 
closed,  has  been  reopened.  . . . F.  W.  Put- 

man is  the  new  manager  for  the  Liberty  theatre 
at  Beaumont,  Texas.  . . . W.  D.  Neville  has 

closed  his  Washington  theatre  at  Dallas,  and  the 
building  will  be  torn  down  to  be  replaced  by  a 
modern  business  structure.  . . . The  R and 

R Theatres,  Inc.,  have  taken  over  the  Gintz  and 
Rockett  theatres  at  Waxahachie,  Texas. 

W.  A.  McCormick  has  purchased  a half  interest 
in  the  Crystal  theatre.  Sterling,  Texas. 

The  Mission  theatre  at  Colorado,  Texas,  was 
closed  and  replaced  with  the  Ritz.  . . . Ho- 

mer LeTemp  is  the  new  manager  for  the  Queen 
theatre,  Austin,  Texas,  succeeding  L.  R.  Guyer, 
who  resigned.  . . . Earl  and  George  Houseley 

are  building  a new  4,000-seat  theatre  at  Hot 
Springs,  Ark.,  to  be  completed  and  ready  for 
opening  the  first  of  the  year.  . . . Frank  Mil- 

ler will  open  his  new  theatre  at  Marlow,  Okla.,  in 
the  near  future.  . . Foster  McSwain  will 

open  a new  theatre  at  Ada,  Okla.,  soon. 

The  following  theatres  in  Oklahoma  have  been 
closed:  Fair,  Phillips  Camp;  Art,  Tulsa;  Ruby, 
Nash;  Victory,  Elmore  City;  Victory,  Purcell; 
Limerick,  Hunter.  . . . R.  W.  Simpson  has 

purchased  the  Royal  theatre,  Floydada,  Texas. 

. . . The  Liberty  theatre  at  Lone  Wolf,  Okla., 

has  been  reopened. 

Uncle  Willie  Spearman,  secretary  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Oklahoma,  is  again  a grand- 
father, his  daughter,  Mrs.  T.  A.  England, 
having  presented  him  with  a second  grand- 
child. 


Miss  Mathis  entered  motion  picture 
work  ten  years  ago  after  starting  her 
stage  career  16  years  ago  as  a chorus 
girl  with  a Broadway  stock  company. 
She  played  parts  in  “Brewster’s  Millions’" 
and  “The  Fascinating  Widow.’’ 

Discovered  Rudolph  Valentino 

Her  best  known  pictures  were  “The 
Four  Horsemen  of  the  Apocalypse,” 
“Blood  and  Sand,”  “The  Rajah,”  “Turn 
to  the  Right,”  “Camille”  and  “Ben  Hur.” 
“The  Four  Horsemen”  elevated  her  to 
a place  of  prominence  among  the  best 
known  scenarists  in  the  world.  She  is 
also  responsible  for  the  discovery  of 
Rudolph  Valentino,  then  but  an  extra 
on  the  lot,  and  his  role  in  “The  Four 
Horsemen”  made  him  almost  overnight 
one  of  the  most  popular  actors  of  the 
day. 

Miss  Mathis  continued  to  write 
scenarios  for  Valentino  after  his  first 
success,  and  when  he  started  making  his 
own  pictures  she  was  engaged  as  his 
scenario  adviser. 

June  Mathis  was  the  only  woman  who 
ever  occupied  a place  as  a production 
executive.  She  was  head  of  the  Goldwyn 
Studios  for  many  months  and  it  was 
while  in  this  position  she  advocated  the 
filming  of  “Ben  Hur.”  Abraham  Er- 
langer,  after  years  of  hesitation,  con- 
sented to  part  with  the  film  rights  to 
“Ben  Hur”  on  the  sole  condition  that 
Miss  Mathis  write  the  script  and  super- 
vise the  production. 

She  spent  six  months  in  Italy  where 
Goldwyn  Studios  attempted  to  make  the 
picture  and  it  was  while  in  Rome  she 
met  Sylvano  Balboni,  then  a cameraman, 
the  romance  culminating  in  their  mar- 
riage in  1925.  Miss  Mathis  saw  in  Bal- 
boni a future  director,  and  when  she  re- 
turned to  the  United  States  and  became 
the  head  of  a producing  unit,  she  gave 
him  his  opportunity.  “The  Masked 
Woman”  was  directed  by  Balboni. 

Miss  Mathis,  through  her  sweet  dis- 


Pictures to  Be  Shown 
On  Tourist  Trains 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON , Aug.  2. — Raymond  & 
Whitcomb,  which  operates  trans- 
continental tours,  will  present  mo- 
tion pictures  on  its  trains  begin- 
ning this  month.  Contracts  have 
been  signed  with  Pathe,  through 
Gerald  Swaebe,  calling  for  short 
subjects  to  be  shown  on  the  trains 
leaving  Boston  for  the  Pacific 
Coast  and  the  Northwest. 


position,  and  her  always  gracious  man- 
ner, won  and  held  friends  throughout 
Hollywood.  Not  since  the  death  of 
Valentino  eleven  months  ago  has  the 
film  colony  been  so  profoundly  shocked. 
Not  only  does  her  death  represent  the 
passing  of  one  of  filmdom’s  most  cele- 
brated women,  but  also  the  most  beloved. 

Mr.  Balboni  left  for  New  York 
Wednesday  to  bring  the  body  back  to 
Hollywood  where  it  will  rest  in  Holly- 
wood Mausoleum  next  to  that  of  Valen- 
tino. Miss  Mathis  is  survived  by  her 
grandmother.  Airs.  Emily  Hawkes,  of 
New  York,  a half  sister,  Laura,  and  her 
husband. 

Newton  Sells  Princess 
Out  at  Stanberry,  Mo,; 
Visits  at  * Herald*  Office 

Ad  Newton,  whose  given  name  carries 
greater  significance  than  you  might  im- 
agine if  you  did  not  know  the  man,  has 
sold  his  Princess  theatre,  Stanberry,  Mo., 
to  Meyer  & Morris. 

“Ad,”  we  will  call  him  because  of  the 
relationship  between  that  name  and  his  the- 
atre activities,  took  the  Princess  and 
through  judicious  promotion  made  it  an  in- 
stitution in  Stanberry. 

During  the  past  week  Mr.  Newton  was 
a visitor  at  the  Herald  office.  With  his  fam- 
ily he  is  motoring  to  various  sections  of 
the  country  with  the  possibility  that  he 
may  find  another  theatre  which  strikes 
his  fancy. 

Columbia  Exchanges 

Hold  Sales  Meetings 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — Columbia’s  West 
Coast  exchanges  were  officially  opened  last 
week  when  the  company  held  its  first  Pa- 
cific Coast  sales  meeting  at  Columbia’s  stu- 
dios in  Hollywood. 

John  C.  Ragland,  who  is  in  charge  of  the 
five  exchanges  at  Seattle,  Portland,  San 
Francisco,  Los  Angeles  and  Butte,  presided 
at  the  meeting,  which  was  also  attended  by 
a group  of  exhibitors. 

Clair  Windsor  Is 

Signed  by  Gotham 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— Clair  Windsor 
has  been  signed  by  Gotham  Productions, 
it  has  been  announced  by  Sam  Sax,  pres- 
ident. 

It  is  thought  the  star  will  be  assigned 
to  star  in  “Blondes  by  Choice.” 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Grainger  Signs  Pantages  To 
$1,000,000  Booking  Deal 

LeBaron  Returns  to  Coast  from  Conference  tvith  Kennedy — Glendon 
Allvine  Quits  Goldivyn  Publicity  Post 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  Aug.  2. — After  dosing  a deal  for  more  than  $1,000,- 
000  worth  of  Fox  productions  with  Alexander  Pantages,  James  R. 
Grainger,  Fox  Films’  general  salesmanager,  left  for  the  East  last 
Thursday.  It  is  undoubtedly  one  of  the  largest  deals  ever  consummated 
in  the  history  of  pictures  and  under  the  terms  of  the  agreement  Pantages 
will  show  in  all  of  his  houses  such  productions  as  “7th  Heaven,”  “What 
Price  Glory,”  “The  Joy  Girl,”  “East  Side,  West  Side,”  “Afraid  to  Love,” 
and  many  others. 


These  pictures  win  play  in  the  newly 
acquired  Forum  theatre  as  well  as  the 
large  Pantages  house  downtown,  in  San 

Francisco,  Salt  Lake,  San  Diego,  Minne- 

apolis, Vancouver,  Memphis,  Portland, 
Tacoma,  Seattle  and  Kansas  City.  The 

agreement  covers  the  entire  output  of  the 
Fox  studios  for  the  season  1927-28. 

jjc  * * 

Fox  Publicity  Staff  Entertains 
A unique  little  party  was  given  by  the 
publicity  department  of  Fox  studios  last 
Wednesday  afternoon,  when  the  trade  and 
fan  press  representatives  were  invited  to 
attend  the  dedication  of  “The  Garden  of 
Truth,”  a little  green  plot  near  the  pub- 
licity offices  where  stars  and  directors  may 
be  interviewed  in  peace  and  quiet.  A 
shrine,  with  a figure  representing  the 
Saint  of  Truth  in  a niche,  is  at  one  end  and 
a fountain  playing  in  a pool  of  goldfish. 
Janet  Gaynor  unveiled  the  statue  and  Mal- 
colm Stuart  Boylan  welcomed  the  press 
representatives  to  use  the  Garden  when- 
ever they  wished  a quiet  retreat. 

* * 

Mary  Pickford  is  busy  these  days  enter- 
taining thirteen  “Best  Girls”  from  thirteen 
cities,  winners  of  contests,  who  arrived  here 
last  week  for  a thirteen  days  vacation  in 
the  film  capital.  They  met  the  local  press 
representatives  at  a tea  given  by  Miss  Pick- 
ford  at  the  Studio  Club,  last  Tuesday,  and 
theatre  parties,  visits  to  studios,  Catalina 
Islands,  Mt.  Lowe,  Chamber  of  Commerce 
luncheon  and  sightseeing  trips  will  occupy 
their  time  until  the  day  of  departure. 
Those  who  are  here  are : 

Billie  Mills,  Atlanta;  Margaret  Burke,  Boston; 
Mildred  Lindquist,  Chicago;  Amy  Porter,  Cin- 
cinnati; Matilde  Fancher,  Cleveland;  Mickie 
Paulk,  Dallas;  Bernice  Schlag,  Denver;  Florence 
Donahue,  Minneapolis;  Marguerite  Hager,  St. 
Paul;  Maureen  Walsh,  New  York;  Elsie  Perry, 
Philadelphia;  Helen  Buck,  Pittsburgh;  Margaret 
Ward,  Seattle,  and  Gabrielle  Du  Chesne,  San 
Francisco. 

* ❖ * 

Charlie  Farrell,  Fox  star,  who  made  an 
instant  hit  in  “7th  Heaven,”  will  leave  next 
week  for  a vacation  to  his  home  town. 
Cape  Cod,  Mass.,  where  his  dad,  David  H. 
Farrell,  owns  a motion  picture  theatre. 
Charlie  has  just  finished  a dramatic  role 
in  “Bride  of  the  Night”  opposite  Greta 
Nissen,  for  Fox,  directed  by  Howard 
Hawks. 

* * ^ 

Anita  Loos  Reaching  Coast 

The  question  as  to  who  will  play  the  role 
of  Lorelei  in  “Gentlemen  Prefer  Blondes” 
for  Paramount  will  soon  be  settled.  Anita 
Loos  is  expected  to  arrive  in  Hollywood 
this  week  to  confer  with  Famous-Lasky 
officials.  Every  blonde  in  town  has  been 
suggested  for  the  role. 

^ 

William  LeBaron,  vice-president  of  F B O 
studios,  returned  from  a business  trip  to 
New  York  City  last  Friday,  where  he  dis- 
cussed the  1927-28  production  schedule  with 
Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  president  of  the  com- 
pany. 


Glendon  Allvine,  who  recently  came  to 
the  Coast  to  take  charge  of  the  Samuel 
Goldwyn,  Inc.,  publicity  department,  has 
resigned  and  will  return  to  New  York. 
James  Keefe  has  succeeded  Allvine.  An- 
other change  in  publicity  men  is  reported 
from  Mack  Sennett  studios.  George  Reddy 
has  resigned,  and  has  been  succeeded  by 
Gavin  C.  Hahn,  former  publicity  director 
for  Feature  Productions,  Inc.,  and  more 
recently  of  United  Artists,  New  York  City. 
* * 

Frank  P.  West,  age  24,  property  man 
at  Paramount-Famous-Lasky  studios  was 
killed  last  Monday  night  while  returning 
from  location  at  Big  Pine,  Calif.  He 
and  three  others  in  an  automobile  struck 
a horse  and  wagon  which  had  been  left 
standing  in  the  road  and  the  men  were 
thrown  out  by  the  impact.  West  was 
injured  internally. 

Hs  * * 

John  Miljan,  film  actor,  will  marry 
Victorie  L.  Hale,  former  wife  of  Creigh- 
ton Hale,  early  this  month.  The  mar- 
riage license  was  issued  Tuesday. 

* * * 

Letv  Cody  to  Free-Lance 

Lew  Cody,  upon  completion  of  his  role 
in  “Tea  for  Three,”  which  Robert  Leon- 
ard is  directing  for  M-G-M,  will  leave 
that  firm  and  become  a free-lance  player. 
His  contract  has  just  expired. 

* * * 

Henry  King,  who  has  been  under  con- 
tract to  Samuel  Goldv/yn  for  some  time, 
has  asked  to  be  released  from  his  agree- 
ment, it  is  said,  and  the  contract  will  be 
dissolved  by  mutual  agreement.  Mr. 
King  has  to  his  credit  many  of  the 
screen’s  greatest  successes,  viz.:  “Stella 
Dallas,”  “Winning  of  Barbara  Worth” 
(Goldwyn  Productions),  “Tol’able  Da- 
vid,” “The  White  Sister”  and  “23)4 
Hours  Leave.” 

^ ^ 

William  Beaudine  has  returned  from 
a vacation  in  San  Francisco  and  is  pre- 


Owner of  ‘‘Passion” 

To  Revive  3 Others 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.-^Louis 
T.  Rogers  expects  to  bring  out 
three  more  revivals  as  a result  of 
the  popularity  of  “Passion,”  Pola 
Negri’s  Brst  success  on  American 
screens,  which  is  now  having  a 
run  at  the  Cameo  here.  Rogers 
own  this  UFA  production,  which 
also  introduced  to  America  Emil 
Jannings  and  the  director,  Ernst 
Lubitsch,  while  Tiffany  is  han~ 
dling  the  bookings.  The  new  pic- 
tures slated  for  similar  revivals 
will  be  announced  by  Rogers  as 
soon  as  releasing  arrangements 
have  been  completed,  he  says. 


paring  to  film  “Give  and  Take”  at  Uni- 
versal. This  is  an  adaptation  of  Aaron 
Hoffman’s  stage  success,  in  which  Jean 
Hersholt  and  George  Sidney  will  play 
the  leads. 

* * * 

MacArthur  Loses  Suit 

Arthur  MacArthur,  former  general 
manager  of  the  Monty  Banks  Enter- 
prises, lost  his  suit  for  an  injunction  to 
restrain  the  comedian  from  producing 
pictures  until  such  time  as  he  was  re- 
instated in  his  former  position. 

* * * 

Eugene  O’Brien,  popular  leading  man, 
who  was  forced  to  forego  a vaudeville 
tour  when  he  broke  his  left  knee  cap 
recently,  is  on  the  road  to  recovery  and 
expects  to  be  up  and  about  in  a few 
days. 

* 

James  Ryan,  casting  director  of  Fox 
Studios,  has  signed  Jack  Clark,  one- 
time popular  leading  man  with  Kalem, 
Universal,  Morosco,  Lasky  and  other  pic- 
ture concerns  in  the  East,  to  a long  term 
contract  to  appear  in  Fox  pictures. 


Fox  Investment 
In  Theatres  Now 
Hits  115  Millions 

Fox  Film  Corporation  has  $1 15,(XX),(XX) 
invested  in  theatres,  is  interested  in  150 
houses,  including  the  Roxy,  is  building  six 
more  and  is  about  to  erect  23  additional, 
according  to  Winfield  R.  Sheehan,  vice- 
president  and  general  manager. 

“To  protect  that  investment,  isn’t  it  natu- 
ral that  we  have  got  to  give  the  public 
screen  entertainment  that  will  attract  them 
all  the  time?”  Mr.  Sheehan  asked  in  ex- 
plaining why  Fox  is  “so  anxious  to  make 
only  the  best  pictures.” 

At  the  same  time  it  was  reported  from 
St.  Louis  that  Fox  has  abandoned  its  plans 
for  a 17-story  office  building  in  connection 
with  the  5, 000-seat  theatre  under  construc- 
tion there.  The  work  on  the  theatre  will 
be  pushed. 

In  Nebraska  an  important  circuit  is  being 
developed,  with  a nucleus  in  the  Gilbert, 
Rialto  and  Rivoli  theatres  at  Beatrice,  the 
Strand,  Kerr,  Palm  and  Rivoli  at  Hastings, 
the  Beacon,  Hamilton  and  Military  at 
Omaha,  the  Rivoli  at  Falls  City,  and  the 
Iowa  at  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa.  The  com- 
pany, now  operating  as  several  individual 
corporations,  plans  a $14,000,000  building 
program  next  February  with  24  units. 

The  Appell  Amusement  Company  has 
purchased  a site  in  Hanover,  Pa.,  for  a 
1,500-seat  theatre.  Liquidation  of  the  es- 
tate of  George  Bennethum,  one  of  the 
largest  independent  exhibitors  in  Eastern 
Pennsylvania,  is  under  way. 

**Don  Juan**  Will  Have 
Run  at  Roxy  Theatre 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — “Don  Juan,” 
Warner  Bros.’  extended  run  picture,  fea- 
turing John  Barrymore,  will  open  at  the 
Roxy  theatre  on  August  6.  This  is  the 
first  time  the  picture  has  been  shown  on 
Broadway  since  its  36  weeks’  run  at  the 
Warner  theatre  at  two  dollars  admission. 

Leishman  of  **U**  Made 
Exchange  Supervisor 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— E.  D.  Leishman, 
for  the  past  year  auditor  of  exchanges  for 
Universal,  has  been  promoted  to  a newly 
created  post,  that  of  supervisor  of  ex- 
changes. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  August  6 

by 

the  Camera 

Conrad  Nagel  led  the 
activities  of  Equity  in  the 
salary-reduction  move- 
ment in  Hollywood 
which  resulted  in  a de- 
cision not  to  enforce  a 
“closed  shop”  at  this 
time. 


Death  dramatically  robbed  the  motion  picture  world  of  one  its 
greatest  dramatists  and  most  prominent  women  last  week,  when 
June  Mathis  succumbed  to  heart  failure  in  a New  York  legiti- 
mate theatre.  Among  the  many  stories  which  she  prepared 
for  the  screen  is  “The  Four  Horsemen  of  the  Apocalypse,”  and 
she  had  adapted  another  major  screen  play,  “The  Enemy,”  for 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  just  prior  to  her  death. 


William  Beaudine  was 
signed  by  Universal  to 
direct  “Give  and  Take” 
immediately  upon  his 
completion  of  First 
National’s  “The  Life  of 
Riley,”  Sidney  - Murray 
comedy. 


Nellie  Revell,  eminent  publicist  and  screen  story  writer, 
being  presented  with  a wrist  watch  and  a life  pass  to 
Grauman’s  Chinese  theatre,  by  Sid  Grauman,  well-known 
Los  Angeles  exhibitor  (left).  Shown  with  them  (lending 
hy  his  presence  his  approval)  is  Harold  Franklin,  president 
of  the  big  exhibiting  circuit.  West  Coast  Theatres. 


Hollywood  next  stop ! Eight  of  Mary  Pickford’s  “My  Best 
Girls’”  about  to  take  leave  of  Chicago.  From  left  to  right, 
EJsie  Perry,  Philadelphia;  Helen  Buck,  Pittsburgh;  Margaret 
Burke,  Boston;  Matilde  Fancher,  Cleveland;  Mildred  Lind- 
quist, Chicago;  Mrs.  Arthur  Zellner,  chaperon;  Billie  Mills, 
Atlanta;  Maureen  Walsh,  N.  Y.;  Amy  Porter,  Cincinnati. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


The  Dempsey-Sharkey  controversy  has  penetrated  to  Holly- 
wood, and  the  HERALD  presents  the  version  of  Charlie 
Murray  and  George  Sidney,  co-stars  of  First  National’s  “The 
Life  of  Riley.”  Director  William  Beaudine  (right)  and 
“Mushy”  Callahan,  pugilist,  insisted  on  assisting. 


Monkeyshines  to  relieve  the  serious  business  of  making  Edu- 
cational comedies.  Dorothy  Devore,  star  of  the  shorts  bear- 
ing her  name,  “impersonates”  Duko  the  Monk,  while  her 
director,  Norman  Taurog  (is  it  necessary  to  point  him  out?) 
imitates  Duko’s  master. 


Aristocracy  trembles — Dolores 
Costello,  the  star,  and  Joseph 
Swickhart  in  Warner  Brothers’ 
“Old  San  Francisco,”  now  at 
Warners’,  New  York. 


Bravo,  Ederle! — Beg  pardon,  it  is  Bebe  Daniels  who 
has  just  swum  this  channel.  However,  Trudie  helped 
Paramount  make  the  picture,  which  is  an  adaptation 
of  her  triumph  of  last  summer  and  entitled  “Swim, 
Girl,  Swim.” 


Edward  Small,  producer  of 
“McFadden’s  Flats,”  is  to  make 
“The  Gorilla”  for  First  National. 
Charlie  Murray  is  the  only  one 
yet  cast. 


Alice  White  has  introduced  this  attractive  type  of  beach 
outfit  to  the  sands  of  the  Pacific.  (They  say  it  is  imported!) 
Though  practically  a newcomer  to  screenlamd.  Miss  White’s 
dark  beauty  and  dramatic  talent  have  made  her  a First 
National  featured  player. 


An  indoor  baseball  has  no  business  between  jaws  of  steel, 
though  of  course  Leila  Hyams  and  Rin-Tin-Tin  are  only 

frolicking  beside  the  Pacific.  Beautiful aren’t  they?  “Jaws 

Steel,”  by  the  way,  is  the  title  of  Rinty’s  most  recently  com- 
pleted picture  for  Warner  Brothers. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


[ 


Noticed  how  many  visitors  First  National  has  had  recently? 
Here’s  another,  James  I.  Miller  (right),  who  directs  United 
Press  affairs  in  South  America.  He  was  snapped  on  the 
“American  Beauty’’  set,  with  the  star,  Billie  Dove,  and  the 
director,  Richard  Wallace. 


A prominent  New  England  exhibitor  and  his  family  were 
guests  of  Richard  Dix  recently,  when  they  motored  to  Sacra- 
mento, where  the  Paramount  star  was  working  in  “Shanghai 
Bound.’’  Left  to  right,  Mrs.  L.  S.  Rothenberg,  Rothenberg, 
Miss  Frances,  Dix,  and  Master  Stanley. 


With  a primitive  shield  and 
javelin,  a 19.27  screen  actress 
may  catch  the  right  pose  for  a 
summer  picture,  may  she  not? 
This  one  is  of  Barbara  Kent, 
Universal  featured  player  whose 
latest  role  is  opposite  Regfinald 
Denny  in  “Now  I’ll  Tell  One,” 
an  adaptation  of  an  original  by 
Denny  which  Director  William 
Seiter  recently  completed  for  an 
early  release. 


Laura  LaPlante’s  solution  of  the  what-to-do-when- 
it’s-hot  problem  is  a sea-going  davenport  in  her  own 
swimming  pool.  The  Universal  star  has  been  in 
Hawaii  with  her  husband,  William  Seiter,  while  her 
next  picture,  “Finders  Keepers,”  was  being  prepared. 


Walter  Camp,  president  of  Inspiration,  fishing  in 
Catalina  waters,  where  he  and  J.  Boyce  Smith,  vice 
president  of  Inspiration,  caught  nearly  a ton  of  fish 
during  a month’s  angling.  Camp  landed  a black 
sea  bass  weighing  239  pounds. 


Summer  1927,  is  being  cele- 
brated by  Louise  Brooks  in  a 
suit  of  jade  green  jersey  silk, 
surmounted  by  a heavy  ratine 
beach  robe  with  a bright  orange 
fringe.  Miss  Brooks  is  one  of 
the  Paramount  “junior”  stars, 
appearing  in  the  “youth”  pro- 
ductions, in  which  Paramount 
hopes  to  immortalize  the  strenu- 
ous ways  of  our  boy  and  girl 
of  1927. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


The  majesty  of  the  mountain,  mantled  in  scintillant  snow — grandeur  like  this  will  augment  the  story  of  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer’s  “The  Trail  of  ’98.”  The  picture  has  been  the  production  for  several  months  in  Alaska,  and  above  is  pictured  the 
company  about  to  embark  on  Lake  Bennett,  to  shoot  sequences  at  the  gold  fields  which  figure  so  prominently  in  the  epic 
of  the  Yukon. 


Estelle  Taylor  is  to  star  for  United 
Artists  under  D.  W.  Griffith.  Her 
debut  was  to  be  in  “La  Paiva,” 
which,  however,  has  been  post- 
poned. 


Hollywood  likes  puzzles even  the  players  go 

in  for  them.  Observe  May  McAvoy  “doing” 
the  latest  one,  between  scenes  of  her  new 
starring  vehicle  for  Warner  Brothers,  “Slightly 
Used.” 


Dorothy  Dwan  again  was  chosen 
by  Tom  Mix  as  his  leading  lady 
in  his  next  Fox  Western,  follow- 
ing completion  of  “Tumbling 
River.” 


Declared  sales  champion  of  F B O,  Charles  B.  Ellis  (right), 
manager  of  the  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  exchange,  is  shown  being 
presented  the  president’s  cup  by  Joseph  P.  Kennedy,  head 
of  F B O.  If  Ellis  wins  the  big  bowl  next  year,  he  can  keep 
it  for  his  own. 


Lupino  Lane  has  his  serious  moments,  most  of  them,  per- 
haps, concerning  his  son  Lauri,  who  is  pictured  above  being 
instructed  in  the  art  of  self-defense.  Once  an  English 
music  hall  farceur.  Lane  now  stars  on  the  screen  for 
Educational. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


Every  little  miss  will  envy  Virginia 
Gray  when  they  see  her  as  Little 
Eva  in  Universal’s  production  of 
“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,’’  just  com- 
pleted. Mary  Astor  is  her  mother 
in  the  epic. 


The  youngsters  are  working  these  days — but 
what  kid  wouldn’t  like  to  work  in  the  “movies?” 
Above,  at  left,  is  Frankie  Darro  in  a scene  from 
F B O’s  “Judgment  of  the  Hills,”  while  above, 
at  right,  Jackie  Coogan  gets  a long  distance  call 
from  George  Hill,  who  is  directing  him  in 
M-G-M’s  “Buttons.” 


Freddie  Fredericks  has  the  robust  job 
of  playing  the  juvenile  lead  in  M-G-M’s 
“The  Trail  of  ’98.” 


Tough  luck.  Big  Boy!  But  the  thou- 
sands of  kids  and  grown-ups,  too, 
who  see  you  in  this  Educational 
comedy  (“Kid  Tricks”)  will  like 
you  all  the  more  for  being  s^h  a 
good  sport! 


Junior  Coghlan  is  a featured  player  in  Pathe-DeMilles’  “The 
Country  Doctor,”  in  which  Rudolph  Schildkraut  is  starred. 
In  the  scene  above  he  seems  to  have  caught  Virginia  Brad- 
ford and  Frank  Marion  spooning. 


Billy  Butts  puts  a lot  of  punch  into  his  thespian  activities, 
as  witness  above,  in  a scene  from  “Three  Miles  Up,”  one 
of  the  spectacular  air  thrillers  which  Universal  is  pro- 
ducing. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


Director-Star  Independence 
Saved  Pay  Cut,  Says  Dwan 

Tells  A.  M.  P.  A.  Producers  Realized  Bankers  Had  Shown  Willingness 
to  Finance  Units — -Al  Lichtman  Returns 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  Aug.  2. — Allan  Dwan  told  the  A.  M.  P.  A.  the  other 
day  that  one  reason  the  threatened  cut  in  film  salaries  failed  to 
reach  anyone  but  the  stenographers  and  smaller  fry  was  because 
bankers  had  shown  a willingness  to  finance  independent  units  made  up 
of  directors  and  stars.  The  occasion  for  the  talk  was  a luncheon  given  by 
the  A.  M.  P.  A.  in  honor  of  Dwan,  George  O’Brien  and  Felix  Riesenberg, 
respectively  the  director,  star  and  author  of  “East  Side,  West  Side,” 
which  Fox  Films  has  been  producing  at  the  New  York  studios. 


WHEN  the  big  producers  saw  how  in- 
dependent the  important  directors  and 
stars  have  become,  they  decided  not  to  put 
the  cut  into  effect,  Dwan  said.  The  direc- 
tor expressed  his  regret  at  the  ending  of 
production  on  the  Atlantic  Coast,  but  he 
predicted  that  there  would  be  a return  to 
New  York  studios  after  a year  or  so. 
George  O'Brien  Speaks 
After  Madeline  Hurlock,  a Sennett  star, 
had  been  presented  the  meeting  was  turned 
over  to  the  barker  for  the  day,  Vivian  M. 
Moses  of  Fox  Films,  who  introduced 
George  O’Brien  as  the  most  modest  of 
stars.  George  proved  it  by  his  speech  and 
bearing.  He  recalled  the  “good  old  days’’ 
four  years  ago,  when  he  was  working  in 
bits  and  piling  lumber  as  a sideline ; “but 
I hope  those  ‘good  old  days’  don’t  return,” 
he  said. 

* 

Al  Lichtman,  United  Artists’  vice-presi- 
dent and  general  manager  of  distribution 
for  the  United  States  and  Canada,  arrived 
in  New  York  last  Saturday  and  now  we’ll 
get  some  action  on  that  Motion  Picture 
Club. 

Mr.  Lichtman  has  spent  the  past  month 
in  conferences  with  Joseph  M.  Schenck, 
president  of  United  Artists,  and  production 
heads  of  independent  units  contributing  to 
the  seventeen  picture  schedule  which 
United  Artists  has  announced.  The  sales 
executive  stopped  over  in  Chicago  one  day 
en  route  to  New  York. 

* * * 

Constance  Talmadge  Sails 

Constance  Talmadge  and  her  mother, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Talmadge,  sailed  yesterday 
for  Paris  on  the  Olympic.  They  arrived 
Thursday  from  Hollywood. 

Miss  Talmadge  has  just  finished  her  lat- 
est picture,  “Breakfast  at  Sunrise,”  and  left 
for  France  to  join  her  sister,  Norma  Tal- 
madge, there.  They  expect  to  return  to 
the  United  States  in  October. 

While  in  Paris,  Constance  Talmadge  will 
buy  clothes  for  her  next  picture,  “The 
Last  of  Mrs.  Cheyney,”  in  which  she  plays 
a role  that  demands  the  smartest  and  most 
exquisite  clothes  that  France  can  design. 

* * * 

The  Capitol  theatre  will  shortly  find  it- 
self an  additional  source  of  public  service 
and  convenience.  On  the  site  directly  in 
back  of  the  building  is  being  erected  a bus 
terminal  which  will  prove  of  inestimable 
convenience  to  its  out-of-town  patrons  as 
well  as  New  Yorkers  traveling  to  suburban 
points.  It  ‘will  be  New  York’s  largest  ter- 
minal for  buses  leaving  for  all  out-of-town 
points,  and  the  station  will  be  equipped 
with  comfortable  waiting  rooms  and  other 
conveniences.  Messmore  Kendall,  owner 
of  the  Capitol  Theatre  Bus  Terminal,  an- 
ticipates that  the  terminal  will  be  in  opera- 
tion early  in  August  and  announcement 
then  will  be  made  of  the  specific  bus  lines 
departing  therefrom. 

Roxy  Observes  Bastille  Day 
In  honor  of  Bastille  Day,  July  14,  S.  L. 


(Roxy)  Rothafel  has  prepared  a special 
French  ballet.  It  is  called  “Ballet  Impe- 
rial.” The  setting  is  of  the  period  of 
Napoleon.  Florence  Rogge  and  Ivan  Tam- 
aroff  are  the  principals  and  the  whole  bal- 
let corps  is  utilized  in  this  Parisian  num- 
ber. 

* * * 

Henry  Burr,  whose  melodious  tenor 
voice  is  known  to  millions  but  whose  face 
never  has  been  seen  on  Broadway,  is  ap- 
pearing this  week  at  the  Paramount  thea- 
tre. He  has  made  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  phonograph  records  for  all  com- 
panies and  there  is  scarcely  a family  in  the 
United  States  that  has  not  heard  his  voice 
on  records  or  radio.  With  Mr.  Burr,  at 
the  Paramount,  are  the  Eight  Popular  Vic- 
tor Artists.  All  members  of  this  group 
have  made  many  records. 

With  Mr.  Burr,  the  eight  include  Billy 
Murray,  tenor  comedian ; Monroe  Silver, 
monologist;  Frank  Banta,  pianist;  James 
Stanley,  baritone ; Carl  Mathieu,  tenor ; 
Stanley  Baughman,  bass,  and  Sam  Her- 
man, xylophone.  Patrons  of  this  or  the 
last  generation  will  appreciate  Burr’s  “I’ll 
take  you  home  again,  Kathleen,”  and  “If 
you  see  Sally,”  Murray’s  “When  the  pussy- 
willow whispers  to  the  catnip,”  and  James 
Stanley’s  “The  Blind  Ploughman.” 

sK  * 

Roxy  Signs  Music  Arranger 

S.  L.  Rothafel  has  engaged  Mayer 
“Mike”  Lake  as  chief  arranger  of  music 
for  the  Roy  theatre.  Mr.  Lake  is  the  com- 
poser of  “The  Evolution  of  Dixie,”  the 
popular  arrangement  for  bands  and  orches- 
tras. Lake  was  associated  with  Roy  at 
the  Strand  theatre  years  ago  and  was  one 
of  the  first  musicians  to  synchronize  music 
with  celluloid. 

* * * 

The  Capitol  Music  Library,  the  most  ex- 
tensive collection  of  musical  literature  in 
any  theatre  in  the  world,  has  just  been  aug- 
mented by  several  hundred  additional  or- 
chestral scores.  The  music  was  obtained 


High  Strung  Alley 
Cats  Stop  the  Show 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PROVIDENCE,  Aug.  2.— Two 
alley  cats  of  very  high-strung  na- 
tures began  to  quarrel  one  evening 
last  week  beneath  a seat  in  a 
downtown  motion  picture  theatre, 
and  when  they  had  been  Bnally 
ejected,  dozens  of  silken  stockings 
and  a score  of  hands  attested  to  the 
battle  that  a few  feline  sniffs, 
sniffed  in  haste,  had  started.  The 
feature  picture  was  being  shown 
but  the  battle  soon  drew  all  the 
attention  of  the  patrons,  and 
though  the  organist  stuck  to  his 
post  through  it  all,  all  interest  was 
in  driving  the  miscreants  out. 


August  6,  1927 

by  Major  Edward  Bowes  during  his  recent 
vacation  abroad  and  by  Eugene  Ormandy, 
associate  conductor  of  the  Capitol  Grand 
Orchestra,  who  spent  several  weeks  at- 
tending the  important  music  festivals  in 
Europe  and  visiting  the  outstanding  conti- 
nental music  centers  in  search  of  novel 
and  interesting  musical  material. 

The  scores  include  classic  and  modern 
music  and  cover  every  known  form  of  mu- 
sical literature.  The  Capitol  librarians  and 
copyists  are  at  work  classifying  and  cata- 
loging the  manuscripts  and  music  lovers 
may  expect  to  find  novel  musical  features 
incorporated  in  the  Capitol  programs  for 
the  forthcoming  season. 

* * * 

Arthur  W.  Kelly,  United  Artists’  vice- 
president  and  general  manager  of  foreign 
distribution,  left  New  York  last  Thursday 
for  Los  Angeles.  Mr.  Kelly,  who  has  just 
returned  to  New  York  after  a three 
months’  tour  of  twenty  foreign  countries, 
will  take  with  him  to  Hollywood  his  re- 
cently compiled  official  report  of  his  for- 
eign tour,  for  discussion  with  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  president  of  United  Artists. 


Ince  Begins  Shooting 
for  **Coney  Island*^  at 
the  New  York  Resort 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— Ralph  Ince,  who 
is  the  director  and  star  of  F B O’s  “Coney 
Island,”  began  shooting  scenes  for  the  pic- 
ture at  the  celebrated  resort  last  week,  after 
perfecting  the  script  in  consultation  with 
home  office  executives.  With  him  from  the 
Hollywood  studios  are  Lucila  Mendez 
(Mrs.  Ince),  Tommy  Atkins,  assistant 
director,  and  two  cameramen. 

Lucila  Mendez,  formerly  a musical 
comedy  actress,  will  have  her  first  im- 
portant screen  role  in  “Coney  Island.” 

Tie-ups  have  been  arranged  with  bath- 
ing suit  companies  and  knitting  mills  for 
advance  exploitation  of  the  picture,  while 
one  of  the  New  York  dailies  is  now  running 
a contest  seeking  ten  most  beautiful  girls 
representative  of  the  resort,  for  acting  in 
several  sequences. 


Supreme  Court  Says 

Columbia  Owns  Title 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— The  Supreme 
Court  rendered  the  decision  last  week  that 
Columbia  owns  the  title,  “Birds  of  Prey,” 
one  of  the  productions  by  the  company  the 
last  year. 

Arguments  were  heard  by  Judge  Crain 
on  a motion  to  enjoin  Columbia  Pictures 
Corporation  from  advertising  or  offering 
for  sale  the  film  which  was  produced  with 
Priscilla  Dean  and  Hugh  Allen  in  the  fea- 
tured roles  and  released  as  one  of  Colum- 
bia’s scheduled  productions  during  the  past 
season. 


Kaufman  Will  Manage 
Columbia  Franchise 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— Abe  Kaufman 
will  manage  the  Indianapolis  branch  of  Big 
Feature  Rights  Corporation,  Columbia’s 
franchise  holder  in  the  Indiana  and  Ken- 
tucky territory,  it  has  been  announced  by 
Joe  Brandt,  president  of  Columbia  Pic- 
tures. 


Ho,  Hum!  Named  Again 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  2.— Harry  M.  Brooks 
and  Al  LeMay,  president  and  financial 
secretary,  respectively,  of  the  operators’ 
union  in  Troy  for  the  last  16  years,  were 
nominated  again  last  week  for  the  election 
August  21. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


Commission  Denies  Inviting 
Producers  to  Booking  Parley 

Claims  Most  Picture  Makers  and  Distributors  Willing  to  Par- 
ticipate— M.  P.  T.  0.  of  Connecticut  Adopts 
Policy  of  ‘‘Watchful  Waiting” 

(Washington  Bureau  of  The  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  2. — A flat  denial  that  invitations  have  been  sent 
out  to  producers  or  distributors  to  attend  a trade  practice  conference  was 
issued  by  the  Federal  Trade  Commission  Saturday.  On  the  contrary,  it 
is  explained,  the  commission  is  endeavoring  to  prepare  a list  of  those  whom 
it  would  desire  at  such  a conference. 

Commission  Sees  Conference  Soon 

“Indications  that  a trade  practice  conference  will  be  held  in  the  near 
future  in  an  effort  to  iron  out  difflculties  surrounding  ‘block-booking’  and 
other  alleged  unfair  practices  of  the  motion  picture  industry  were  given 
today  by  officials  of  the  Federal  Trade  Commission,”  it  is  stated  in  an 
announcement  from  the  commission. 


NEWSPICTURES 


INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  60  — Daring 
riders  at  Sidney,  N.  Y.,  give  daring  display  of- 
horsemanship^— King  Ferdinand  of  Koumania  dies 
at  Bucharest^— Animal  acrobats  at  Los  Angeles 
give  novel  circus  stunts— Flood  refugees  at  La- 
fayette, La.,  quit  camp  and  return  to  ruined 
homes— Jack  Dempsey  and  Sharkey  climb  into 
ring  at  Yankee  stadium.  New  York,  and  beaten 
Sharkey  crawls  to  his  comer. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  61 — Thea 
Rasche,  German  aviatrix,  at  Curtiss  Field,  Long 
Island,  N.  Y.,  does  breath-taking  dives  and  glides 
—Hawaiian  volcano  at  Hilo  awakes,  spouting 
lava  and  flames— Throngs  at  Dublin,  Ireland, 
mourn  at  funeral  of  Kevin  O'Higgins,  Irish  vice- 
president— President  and  Mrs.  Coolidge  at  Black 
Hills,  S.  D.,  call  on  former  Governor  Samuel 
McKelvie  in  his  mountain  home— Flood  victims 
at  Melville,  La.,  return  to  devastated  homes— 
Unarmed  toreadors  at  Coney  Island  get  hard 
bumping  from  enraged  bull. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  85 Ernest  Smith  and  Emory 

Bronte  start  on  2,400  mile  nonstop  trip  to 
Hawaii^— Miss  Matilda  Houghton,  daughter  of 
Ambassador  from  U.  S.,  is  married  at  London 
amid  St.  James’  court  pomp^— The  President  and 
Mrs.  Coolidge  attend  Ardmore,  S.  D.,  picnic  of 
5,000  farmers^— Heat  waves  do  not  enter  this 
Alp  cave  in  the  Austrian  Tyrol  where  it  is  cooler 
than  ice  box  all  year  round— Motorcyclists  at 
Santa  Ana.,  Cal.,  provide  new  thrills  with  a daring 
exhibition  of  balancing  in  broad-jumping  con- 
test^—Prince  of  Wales  visits  Paris  to  lay  first 
stone  of  a dormitory  for  British  students— Giant 
raft,  composed  of  five  million  feet  of  logs, 
arrives  at  San  Diego,  Cal.,  after  ocean  journey 
of  1,800  miles— French  general  reviews  101th 
U.  S.  infantry  with  Gov.  Alvin  Fuller  at  Ayer, 
Mass.,  and  bestows  Croix  de  Guerre  on  flag— 
Dixie  youngsters  put  in  summer  getting  hard  and 
brown  in  vacation  camp  at  Wiley,  Ga.^— Opening 
of  season  at  Deauville,  France,  reveals  latest  In 
bathing  suits— Byrd  and  his  associates  and 
Chamberlin  receive  New  York’s  acclaim  in  rain. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5311  — King  Ferdinand  in 
Bucharest  loses  long  fight  for  life— “Historic  little 
islet  town  of  Mont  St.  Michel,  France,  a mile 
from  shore,  is  scene  of  special  service  to  Saint 
Michael— Thea  Rasche,  noted  woman  flyer  from 
Germany,  arrives  in  New  York^— Million  dollar 
fur  show  in  Chicago  brings  out  striking  models 
for  the  coming  season^— Smallest  railway  in- 
America  equipped  with  gasoline  locomotives 
opens  for  summer  at  Fishkill,  N.  Y.— Complete 
marriage  ceremony  is  held  in  air  at  Berlin  with 
bride,  bridegroom,  minister  and  guests— “Dempsey 
knocks  out  Sharkey  in  seventh  round  before  rec- 
ord crowd  in  New  York  Yankee  stadium. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5312— Biggest  demonstration  in 
Boston’s  history  is  given  Lindbergh,  Byrd,  Acosta, 
Noville,  Balchen,  Chamberlin,  Maitland  and 
Hegenbergcr— Thea  Rasche,  German  aviatrix, 
thrills  crowds  at  Roosevelt  Field,  N.  Y.,  with 
daring  stunts  in  air— Hindenburg  and  former 
Crown  Prince  at  Potsdam,  Germany,  at  royal 
funeral  of  Prince  Sigismund,  nephew  of  former 
Kaiser— Speed  boats  at  Jamaica  Bay,  N.  Y., 
start  racing  season  with  exciting  contests  in 
rough  water  — President  Doumerge  of  France 
leads  nation’s  observance  of  Bastille  Day  at 
Paris— Steers  get  even  with  cowboys  at  Salinas, 
Cal.,  as  lively  animals  hurl  riders  into  dust  at 
rodeo. 

West  Coast  Men  Plan 
Greater  Movie  Season 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  2.  — Local 
executives  of  the  West  Coast  Theatres, 
Inc.,  gathered  here  last  week  to  work  out 
the  details  of  the  Greater  Movie  Season, 
which  will  be  inaugurated  August  19. 
Among  those  who  will  take  an  active  part 
are  J.  J.  Parker  of  the  Rivoli  and  Peoples 
theatres;  Floyd  Maxwell,  manager  of  the 
Broadway;  George  Christoffers,  Holly- 
wood; M.  B.  Johnson,  manager  of  the 
State.  The  conference  was  called  by  J.  J. 
Franklin,  division  manager  of  the  West 
Coast  Theatres  circuit. 

Saginaw,  Michigan 

Gets  New  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SAGINAW,  Aug.  2.— Butterfield  Thea- 
tres, Inc.,  opened  the  new  Temple  theatre 
at  Saginaw,  Mich.,  last  week.  This  is  the 
latest  theatre  to  be  opened  by  the  Butter- 
field organization,  whose  headquarters  are 
at  Detroit. 


“It  was  suggested  that  at  least  80  per 
cent  of  the  producers  and  60  per  cent  of 
the  distributors  have  shown  a willingness 
to  participate  in  such  a conference.  It 
was  explained,  however,  that  the  commis- 
sion learned  of  this  sentiment  on  the  part 
of  producers  and  distributors  through  cor- 
respondence with  key  representatives  and 
not  through  actual  acceptance  of  invita- 
tions sent  out  by  the  commission. 

“The  facts  are  the  commission  has  not 
sent  out  a single  invitation  to  a producer 
or  distributor  to  attend  a trade  practice 
conference  but  rather  is  preparing  a list 
with  a view  to  obtaining  complete  repre- 
sentation at  the  conference.  It  will  not 
be  practicable  for  20,000  persons  interested 
to  attend  a trade  practice  conference,  but 
the  commission  believes  it  will  be  possible 
to  invite  representatives  of  every  branch 
of  the  industry  in  every  section  of  the 
country.” 

Connecticut  Exhibitors 
Vote  “Watchful  Waiting” 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  HAVEN,  August  2. — Block  book- 
ing was  under  consideration  by  the  Mo- 
tion Picture  Theatre  Owners’  Association 
of  Connecticut  in  session  at  the  Hotel  Taft 
here. 

Edward  G.  Levy,  secretary  of  the  asso- 
ciation, spoke  of  the  federal  government’s 
activities  in  relation  to  some  practices  by 
the  producers  and  mentioned  the  ban 
placed  on  forced  block  booking. 

Prof.  Wesley  A.  Sturges  of  Yale  Uni- 
versity, who  is  making  an  analysis  of  the 


First  Studio  in 
Holland  Is  Opened 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  2.— Hol- 
land’s first  motion  picture  studio 
is  now  in  operation,  the  HoIIando- 
Belgico  Film  Company  of  Rotter- 
dam having  announced  the  opening 
of  its  new  plant  at  Schiedam.  The 
establishment  is  called  “Studio 
Eureka.’’  The  announcement  is 
contained  in  the  report  of  George 
R.  Canty,  American  trade  com- 
missioner in  Paris.  The  studio  is 
SO  by  12  meters  in  size,  with  a 
power  plant  of  1,200  amperes  and 
continuous  current  of  110  volts, 
and  is  equipped  with  German  pro- 
jectors and  lamps.  A complete 
laboratory  in  the  plant  is  capable 
of  printing  10,000  meters  of  film 
each  day. 


negotiable  relations  between  distributors 
and  exhibitors,  spoke  on  some  of  the  things 
thus  far  accomplished,  termed  the  present 
arbitration  system  onesided  and  unfair  to 
the  exhibitor  and  also  spoke  on  the  present 
standard  form  of  contract. 

No  definite  action  was  taken  but  an  at- 
titude of  “watchful  waiting”  will  be  ob- 
served by  the  exhibitors. 

Stoll  Firm*s  Report 
Bares  Board  Dispute; 
Row  Over  Quota  Clause 

British  Producers  See  Loophole 
for  Foreign  Companies — 
Arbuckle  Ban  Stays 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON,  Aug.  2. — Differences  among 
the  directorial  personnel  of  Stoll  Picture 
Production,  Ltd.,  were  brought  to  light 
when  publication  of  the  company’s  annual 
report  and  balance  sheet,  to  December  31 
last,  showed  a loss  on  the  year  amounting 
to  £7,942,  to  which  is  added  a profit  and 
loss  balance  of  £104,  285  brought  forward. 

In  the  report  the  directors  state  the  pros- 
pects of  the  company  have  been  improved 
by  the  agreement  recently  concluded  with 
New  Era  Films,  Ltd.,  under  which,  on  fa- 
vorable terms,  Stoll  pictures  are  rented  and 
distributed.  T.  C.  Elder  (joint  managing 
director)  and  Emile  Garcke,  Iwth  directors 
from  the  company’s  inception,  do  not  con- 
cur in  this  report  and  circularized  creditors 
to  the  effect  that  at  the  annual  meeting 
they  would  move?  that  the  report  be  not 
adopted  and  that  a committee  of  six  share- 
holders be  invited  to  confer  with  the  board 
with  a view  to  reorganization. 

Trouble  Over  Quota  Bill 

A good  deal  of  discussion  has  been  pro- 
voked this  week,  as  a result  of  the  defeat 
by  his  own  side  of  a motion  moved  in 
Films  Bill  Committee  by  Sir  Philip  Cun- 
liffe  Lister,  the  president  of  the  Board  of 
Trade.  He  proposed  that  the  proviso  re- 
quiring that  only  British  directors  shall  be 
allowed  to  produce  films  for  inclusion  in 
the  quota  should  be  suspended  for  three  or 
five  years,  as  there  are,  in  his  opinion,  too 
few  trained  directors  of  British  nationality. 
* * * 

The  Cinematograph  Exhibitors’  Associa- 
tion General  Council  has  approved  the 
action  of  President  E.  Hewitson,  who  in 
reply  to  a request  from  Carlos  Productions, 
Inc.,  has  cabled  saying  the  ban  on  Fatty 
Arbuckle  pictures  still  holds  good  and  was 
not  likely  to  be  lifted. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Comedy  Maintains  Lead  in 
First-Run  Summer  Bookings 

Reports  from  Additional  Territories  Confirm  to  Results  of 
“Herald”  Survey,  with  Preference  for  Humorous 
Element  Continuing  in  Ascendancy 

Preponderance  of  comedy  in  the  summer  bookings  of  leading  theatres 
throughout  the  countr}",  borne  out  by  results  of  a HERALD  survey  pub- 
lished in  last  week’s  issue,  is  confirmed  in  the  listings  of  six  weeks’  book- 
ings from  several  additional  cities  both  in  the  East  and  the  Middlewest. 

Strike  Limits  Montana  Bookings 

Reports  from  Montana  are  limited  to  outside  of  Butte  by  the  fact  that 
a strike  of  operators,  stagehands  and  musicians  forced  the  closing  of  five 


first-run  theatres  in  Butte,  one,  the 
whereby  it  again  has  opened. 

The  new  list  of  bookings  follows: 

Kansas  City 

MAINSTREET 

“The  Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 
“Framed,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“The  Tender  Hour,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“Naughty  but  Nice,”  (F.N'.)  Comedy. 

“Fast  and  Furious,”  (U)  Comedy. 

“Lost  at  the  Front,”  (F.N.)  Comedy. 

NEWMAN 

“Twelve  Miles  Out,”  (M-G-M)  Drama, 

“The  Whirlwind  of  Youth,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Tillie  the  Toiler,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys,”  (M-G-M) 
Comedy. 

“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

ROYAL 

“Metropolis,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Ritzy,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Rough  House  Rosie,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Drums  of  the  Desert,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

PANTAGES 

“The  Broken  Gate,”  (Tiffany)  Drama. 

“Outlaws  of  Red  River,”  (Fox)  Western  Drama. 
“Moulders  of  Men,”  (FRO)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Rich  Men’s  Sons,”  (Columbia)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“Husband  Hunters,”  (Tiffany)  Comedy-Melo- 
drama. 

LIBERTY 

“The  Red  Kimono,”  (Midwest)  Drama. 
“Backstage,”  (Tiffany)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Fashions  for  Women,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“The  Other  Woman’s  Storv,”  (Ind)  Drama. 
GLOBE 

“The  Better  ’Ole,”  (W.B.)  Comedy. 

“Don  Juan,”  (W.B.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Old  San  Francisco,”  (W.B.)  Drama. 

Montana 

ROSE  (GLENDIVE) 

“When  the  Wife’s  Away,”  (Columbia)  Comedy. 
“Better  Way,”  (Columbia)  Drama. 

“Remember,”  (Columbia)  Drama. 

“The  Wreck,”  (Columbia)  Drama. 

LIBERTY  (WOLF  POINT) 

“Obe>’  the  Law,”  (Columbia)  Melodrama. 
“Remember,”  (Columbia)  Drama. 

“Wlien  the  Wife’s  Away,”  (Columbia)  Comedy. 
“B'irds  of  Prev,”  (Columbia)  Drama. 

JUDITH  (LEWISTOWN) 

“Obey  the  Law,”  (Columbia)  Melodrama. 

“The  Wreck,”  (Columbia)  Drama. 

ELLEN  (BOZEMAN) 

“Truthful  Sex,”  (Columbia)  Comedy-Drama. 

REGENT  (BILLINGS) 

“Paying  the  Price,”  (Columbia)  Drama, 
“Pleasure  Before  Business,”  (Columbia)  Comedy. 
LYRIC  (HAVRE) 

“Paying  the  Price,”  (Columbia)  Drama. 
“Pleasure  Before  Business,”  (Columbia)  Comedy. 

LIBERTY  (MILES  CITY) 

“Rich  Men’s  Sons,”  (Columbia)  Comedy-Drama. 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

ST.  LOUIS  THEATRE 
“Slaves  of  Beauty,”  (Fox)  Comedy-Drama. 

“The  Heart  Thief,”  (P.D.(i.)  Drama. 

“The  Secret  Studio,”  (Fox)  Comedy-Drama. 

"The  Rejuvenation  of  Aunt  Mary,”  (P.D.C.) 
Comedy-Drama. 

“Colleen,”  (Fox)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Down  with  Women,”  Comedy-Drama. 

“Is  Zat  So,”  (Fox)  Comedy-Drama. 

“His  Dog,”  (P.D.C.)  Drama. 

MISSOURI  THEATRE 
“The  Telephone  Girl,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Framed,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“The  Magic  Garden,”  (FBO)  Romantic-Drama. 
“Rolled  Stockings,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Running  Wild,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“The  Yankee  Clipper,”  (P.D.C.)  Melodrama. 
“The  World  at  Her  Feet,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Ten  Modern  Commandmoyts  ” fPar.)  Comeds’. 

GRAND  CENTRAL 

“Broadway  After  Dark,”  Drama. 

“Bitter  Apples,”  (W.B.)  Melodrama. 

“Matinee  Ladies,”  (W.B'.)  Comedy. 

“Michael  Strogoff,”  (U)  Drama. 

“Dearie,”  (W.B.)  Drama. 

“Simple  Sis,”  (W.B.)  Melodrama. 


Rialto,  having  reached  an  agreement 


LOEWS 

“Tillie  the  Toiler,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 
“Resurrection,”  (U.A.)  Drama. 

“Frisco  Sallie  Levy,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy-Drama. 
“The  Unknown,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“Altars  of  De’sire,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Captain  Salvation,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy-Drama. 
“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys,”  (M-G-M) 
Comedy. 

“Women  Love  Diamonds,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

AMBASSADOR 

“Rough  House  Rosie,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Naughty  but  Nice,”  (F.N.)  Comedy. 

“Lost  at  the  Front,”  (F.N.)  Comedy. 

“Dance  Magic,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“Man  Power,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“The  Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 
“The  Poor  Nut,”  (F.N.)  Comedy. 

“Service  for  Ladies,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

LYRIC  SKYDOME 
"Che'aters,”  (Tiffany)  Melodrama. 

Boston,  Mass 

METROPOLITAN 

“Rolled  Stockings,"  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“Man  Power,"  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Ten  Modem  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Metropolis,"  (Par.)  Drama. 

“The  Covered  Wagon,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Time  to  Love,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

“Moon  of  Israel,”  (FBO)  Biblical. 

“Service  for  Ladies,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

Manchester,  N.  H. 

STAR 

“An  Affair  of  the  Follies,”  (F.N.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Ladies  at  Play,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“Valencia,”  (M-G-M)  Drama. 

“The  Overland  Stage,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“Fools  for  Fashion,”  (Tiffany)  Drama. 

“Long  Pants,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“Frisco  Sally  Levy,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy-Drama. 

Holyoke,  Mass. 

BIJOU 

“Special  Delivery,”  (Par.)  Comedy. 

"Sparrows,”  (U.A.)  Comedy-Drama. 

“The  General,”  (U.A.)  Comedy. 

“Sorrows  of  Satan,”  (Par.)  Drama. 

“Battling  B'utler,”  (M-G-M)  Comedy. 

“The  Beloved  Rogue,”  (U.A.)  Comedy-Drama. 

Fall  River,  Mass. 

BIJOU 

“Rolled  Stockins,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Dance  Magic,”  (F.N.)  Drama. 

“Dearie,”  (W.B.)  Drama. 

“Ten  Modern  Commandments,”  (Par.)  Comedy- 
Drama. 

“Heart  of  Maryland,”  (W.B.)  Comedy-Drama. 
“Monte  Cristo,”  (Fox)  Drama. 

“Service  for  Ladies,”  (Par.)  Comedy-Drama. 

Indianapolis  Burglar 

Steals  $300  of  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  2.— A thief  en- 
tered the  Gaj’ety  theatre  here  and  stole 
motion  picture  films  valued  at  more  than 
$300,  according  to  L.  E.  Garrison,  manager 
of  the  theatre.  No  trace  of  the  burglar 
has  been  found. 


Build  New  Exchange 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

VANCOUVER,  Aug.  2. — A new  ex- 
change building  is  being  erected  at  Van- 
couver, B.  C.,  to  provide  additional  accom- 
modations for  the  increasing  number  of 
distributing  branches.  The  building  is  a 
one-story  structure  of  reinforced  concrete 
with  stucco  interior. 


Business  Bureau 
Hits  Fake  Schools 
in  Cleveland  Ads 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CLEVELAND,  Aug.  2. — A series  of  ad- 
vertisements in  twelve  Cleveland  news- 
papers and  magazines  warning  the  public 
against  fake  scenario  and  acting  schools 
has  been  launched  by  the  Better  Business 
Bureau  as  a result  of  cooperation  with  the 
M.  P.  P.  D.  A. 

One  advertisement  three  columns  wide 
and  nine  inches  deep,  in  the  Cleveland 
Press,  reads : 

“The  public  should  know  that  nearly  all 
scenarios  are  taken  from  published  books 
or  produced  plays  and  that  it  generally 
takes  years  and  years  to  make  movie  stars. 
The  path  is  hard. 

“Of  course,  there  are  legitimate  schools 
and  photoplay  courses  which  stand  up  well 
under  investigation,  but  there  are  some 
which  do  not. 

“Will  Hays,  the  head  of  the  movie  in- 
dustry, says:  ‘We  are  passing  on  to  the 
Better  Business  Bureaus  those  complaints 
which  come  to  us,  for  such  action  as  they 
deem  advisable  to  protect  the  public  from 
the  inconsiderable  minority  which  always 
attach  themselves,  like  leeches,  to  every 
legitimate  enterprise.” 

Lord* s Day  Alliance 
Doubles  Budget,  Foes 
of  Blue  Laws  Are  Told 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  2.— The  Lord’s 
Day  Alliance,  sponsoring  the  movement  to 
prohibit  Sunday  shows  in  the  District  of 
Columbia,  has  doubled  its  budget  for  the 
last  six  months  of  this  year,  Dr.  Joseph  A. 
Themper,  president  of  the  Association  Op- 
posed to  Blue  Laws,  declared  last  week 
in  warning  Washington  people  to  be  pre- 
pared to  fight  the  bill. 


Cochrane  of  Goes 
to  Canadian  Rockies 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2.— P.  D.  (Ytchrane, 
secretary  of  Universal  and  supervisor  of 
Universal’s  advertising,  publicity  and  ex- 
ploitation activities,  has  left  New  York  on 
his  first  extended  vacation  in  several  years. 
He  is  enroute  with  Mrs.  Cochrane  and 
their  son,  Philip,  Jr.,  for  a four  weeks’ 
stay  in  the  Canadian  Rockies. 

R.  H.  Cochrane,  vicepresident  of  Univer- 
sal, now  is  in  Europe  with  his  family. 
This  is  the  first  time  on  record  that  both 
brothers  have  been  absent  from  the  Uni- 
versal home  office  at  the  same  time. 


250  Join  the  Fun  at 

First  National  Picnic 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug  2. — First  National 
home  office  and  exchange  personnel,  250 
strong,  had  a highly  successful  picnic  at 
Indian  Point  up  the  Hudson  despite  a hea'vy 
rain  in  the  forenoon.  Dancing  and  card 
games  were  the  chief  amusements  aboard 
the  steamer  on  the  way,  while  a host  of 
games  were  played  at  Indian  Point. 


Fox  Staff  All  Set  for 
Coast  Picnic  August  14 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PJOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  2. — Final  plans 
now  are  being  completed  for  the  second  an- 
nual picnic  of  the  Fox  studios’  family 
August  14  at  Fox  Hills. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


SHORT  FEATURES  ESSENTIAL, 
B.  O.  PROVES  TO  EXHIBITORS 

Did  you  know  that  a certain  proportion  of  the  theatregoing  public  attends 
shows  to  see  only  the  Short  Feature?  That  is  the  revelation  from  the 
exhibitors’  responses  to  a questionnaire  being  distributed  by  J.  C.  Jen- 
kins, the  “Herald  man,”  on  his  visits  to  theatremen  in  the  field,  and  it  carries  a 
lesson  from  experience  to  such  as  might  not  be  playing  up  the  short  product  on 
their  programs,  or,  worse  yet,  not  attaching  sufficient  importance  to  booking  the 
Short  Features. 


Here  are  a few  excerpts  from  the  comments  of  the 
exhibitors,  who  are  being  asked  what  percentage  of  their 
newspaper  advertising  they  believe  should  be  given  to 
Short  Features, 

Pace,  Bouma  & Cohen  of  the  Princess  theatre  at  West 
Union,  Iowa,  declares:  “I  believe  a good  short  subject  at 
times  means  more  than  the  feature  program.” 

Wilcox  & Miller,  operating  the  Lake  View  at  Lake 
View,  Iowa,  has  found  that  “the  patronage  is  beginning 
to  appreciate  the  short  subject  more  than  they  formerly 
did.” 

Liketvise,  J.  C.  Kennedy  of  the  Empress  at  Akron, 
Iowa,  emphasizes  that  “this  part  of  the  program  has  more 
appeal  to  the  patrons  than  given  credit.” 

W.  C.  Whiting  of  the  Opera  House  at  Whiting,  Iowa, 
places  40  per  cent  of  his  advertising  on  the  Short  Feature 
because  “it  will  draw  that  per  cent  extra.” 

Other  comment  follows: 

“A  good  comedy  often  saves  a weak  feature.” — F.  L. 
Young,  Grand,  Independence,  Iowa. 

“Short  features  are  essential  on  each  and  every  pro- 
gram to  add  variety  to  the  program.  Patrons  expect  them 
on  their  programs  today.” — J.  Zimmerman,  Rex,  Aurora, 
Minn. 

“I  believe  short  features  should  be  given  25  per  cent 
of  the  gross  advertising  of  my  programs  for  the  same 
reason  a meal  is  not  complete  without  dessert.” — R.  M. 
Bernau,  King,  Ida  Grove,  Iowa. 

“We  have  many  regular  patrons  who  attend  our  show 
only  to  see  the  comedies  and  news.” — Frandson  & Weeks, 
Opera  House,  Onawa,  Iowa. 

“They  are  an  attraction  that  should  he  boosted.” — F.  C. 
Burgess,  Rex,  Tower,  Minn. 

“From  conversations  with  patrons  we  find  a percentage 
of  every  audience  are  more  interested  in  short  features 
than  in  the  main  feature.” — Blank  & Deeble,  Liberty, 
Webster,  S.  D. 

Anton  (Dad)  Gilles  of  the  Gilles  at  Wahpeton,  N.  D., 
the  pioneer  showman  of  that  state  gives  half  of  his  total 
advertising  to  the  Short  Features,  though  he  says,  “Am 
not  advertising  short  subjects  only  on  weekly  program.” 
W.  F.  Wolcott  of  the  Grand  at  Eldora,  Iowa,  declares  that 
“the  short  feature  occupies  about  10  per  cent  of  impor- 
tance on  my  program  as  a drawing  card.” 


Following  is  the  latest  list  of  exhibitors  reporting  to 
“Jaysee”  Jenkins  on  their  Short  Feature  advertising,  fig- 
ure in  parentheses  giving  the  number  reporting  under 
the  particular  classification: 

10  PER  CENT  (18) 

IOWA 

H.  P.  Knuth,  Scenic,  Holstein,  Iowa. 

F.  E.  Robertson,  Gem,  Lohrville,  Iowa. 

A.  B.  Bird,  Opera  House,  Arlington,  Iowa. 

E.  G.  Slater,  Empress,  Grundy  Center,  Iowa. 

F.  L.  Young,  Grand,  Independence,  Iowa. 

W.  F.  Wolcott,  Grand,  Eldora,  Iowa, 

Fred  B.  Witt,  Orpheum,  Shell  Rock,  Iowa. 

MINNESOTA 

E.  C.  Breilein,  Faust,  New  Richland,  Minn. 

Mrs.  Esle  Larson,  Cecile,  Cokato,  Mimi. 

O.  L.  Viste,  Murray,  Slayton,  Minn, 

T.  Nelson,  Amuzu,  Grand  Meadow,  Minn. 

NEBRASKA 

Carrie  Mayberry,  Gold-Light,  Decatur,  Neb. 

J.  W,  Anderson,  Lyric,  Tekamah,  Neb. 

SOUTH  DAKOTA 

B.  A.  Butler,  Elete,  Arlington,  S.  D. 

Samuel  P,  Cornish,  Princess,  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D. 

A.  J.  Roggenbuck,  Orpheum,  W^ubay,  S.  D. 

NORTH  DAKOTA 

Boom  & DuRand,  Lyric,  Ellendale,  N.  D. 

W,  T,  McCarthy,  Circuit,  Fargo,  N.  D. 

15  PER  CENT  (11) 

IOWA 

C.  V.  Hunerherg,  Princess,  Parkersburg,  Iowa. 

W.  A.  Dutton,  Plaza,  Manchester,  Iowa, 

J.  C.  Kennedy,  Empress,  Akron,  Iowa. 

E.  E.  Thompson,  Grand,  Decorah,  Iowa, 

Fred  Hinds,  Cresco,  Iowa. 

O.  S.  Iverson,  Oi>era  House,  Radcliffe,  Iowa. 

William  McGraw,  Star,  Lake  City,  Iowa. 

MINNESOTA 

H.  A.  Nelson,  Princess,  St.  James,  Minn. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Schroeder  & Martens.  State,  Moun- 
tain Lake,  Minn. 

Frederick  & Schreiber.  Grand,  Breck- 
enridge,  Minn. 

NORTH  DAKOTA 

W.  C.  Taylor,  Verona,  N.  D. 

20  PER  CENT  (7) 

IOWA 

Pace,  Bouina  & Cohen,  Princess,  West 
Union,  Iowa. 

Wilcox  & Miller,  Lake  View,  Lake 
View,  Iowa. 

W.  R.  Rock,  Opera  House,  Oto,  Iowa. 

MINNESOTA 

A1  Lloyd,  Broadway,  Canby,  Minn. 
J.  Zimmerman,  Rex,  Anrora,  Minn. 
George  Benson,  Community,  Minne- 
ota,  Minn. 

SOUTH  DAKOTA 

E.  W.  McFarlane,  Cozy,  Groton,  S.  D. 

25  PER  CENT  (9) 

IOWA 

R.  M.  Bernau,  King,  Ida  Grove,  Iowa. 
Frandson  & Weeks,  Opera  House, 
Onawa,  Iowa. 

MINNESOTA 

John  H.  Themer,  Cozy,  Truman, 
Minn. 

F.  C.  Burgess,  Rex,  Tower,  Minn. 

L.  G.  Ballard,  Gem,  Waterville,  Minn. 

SOUTH  DAKOTA 
O.  C.  Vik,  City  Hall,  Lake  Norden, 
S.  D. 

J.  W.  Woodman,  Gem,  Frederick, 

S.  D. 

Blank  & Deeble,  Liberty,  Wabster, 

S.  D. 

John  E.  Donis,  Orpheum,  Castle- 
wood,  S.  D. 

35  PER  CENT  (1) 
NORTH  DAKOTA 
R.  A.  Mergens,  Hub,  Fairmount, 

N.  D. 

40  PER  CENT  (2) 

IOWA 

W.  C.  Whiting,  Opera  House,  Whit- 
ing, Iowa. 

MINNESOTA 

M.  P.  DeFea,  Grand,  Wheaton,  Minn. 

50  PER  CENT  (1) 
NORTH  DAKOTA 
Anton  Gilles,  GiUes,  Wahpeton,  N.  D. 

A recapitulation  of  all  exhibitors 
to  date  who  have  expressed  their 
opinion  in  the  matter  to  “Daddy” 
Jenkins  shows  that  of  the  total  num- 
ber of  117  there  are  45  believing  10 
per  cent  is  the  proper  proportion- 
ment;  15  per  cent,  twenty-three;  15 
to  20  per  cent,  one;  20  per  cent,  four- 
teen; 25  per  cent,  eighteen;  30  per 
cent,  three;  33  1/3  per  cent,  two. 

Two  exhibitors  suggested  5 per 
cent,  and  one  stated  only  that  the 
proportion  should  not  be  as  much  as 
33  1/3  per  cent. 


Fox  News  Gets  Shots 

of  Rumania  s Boy  King 
With  Queen  Muriels  Aid 

Pictures  of  Michael,  child  king  of  Ru- 
mania, are  being  shown  by  Fox  News  as  a 
result  of  a special  arrangement  made  with 
Queen  Marie. 

Anticipating  the  news,  Hans  Pebal,  Vien- 
na staff  cameraman,  was  assigned  to  inter- 
view Queen  Marie  and  obtained  permission 
to  shoot  intimate  scenes  of  the  royal  lad. 

The  scenes  show  Michael  alone  in  the 
palace  gardens,  then  with  his  playmate. 
Princess  Alexandra,  and  finally  Queen 
Marie  in  her  private  garden  and  Princess 
Helene  of  Greece,  mother  of  Michael. 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  JULY  10 

“Over  There,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two; 
**Cat'9  Meow,'*  Schott  and  Powder,  Cranfield  and 
Clark,  two ; “Grabbing  Crabbers,”  Boy  Adven- 
ture, Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  “Beauty  and  the 
Beach,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clark,  one; 
“Nothin’  Doin,*  ” Bowers  Novelty,  F.  B.  O. 
two;  “Alice’s  Medicine  Show,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O., 
one;  '*Snow  Rambles,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  *'A 
Wolf  in  Cheap  Clothing,”  Animal,  Fox,  two; 
‘TTie  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  4,  Pathe,  two;  “Rid- 
ing High,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Eyes  and 
Spooks,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review,  No. 
28,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day,  No.  28; 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering  Smith 
Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “A  Kick  in 
the  Dark,”  F.  B.  O.,  1,780;  “Best  Wishes,” 
Winkler,  F,  B.  O.,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  17 

“Nothing  to  Live  For,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and 
Clarke,  two;  “Sappy  Days,”  Schott  and  Powder, 
Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two;  “Way  of  a Boy,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  two ; “The 
Big  Show,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Wild  Rival,”  Winkler,  F.  B.  O.,  one; 
“Suite  Homes,”  O,  Henry,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crim- 
son Flash,”  No,  5,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Love 
Nest,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Why  Girls 
Love  Sailors,”  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Re- 
view, No.  29,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  29,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “Dead 
Easy,”  Bobby  Vernon,  Educational,  two;  “Brave 
Cowards,”  Cameo,  Educational,  one;  “Capers  Of 
a Camera,”  Lyman  H.  Howe,  Educational,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  24 

“Spooky  Money,”  A1  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Qarke, 
two;  “Beachnuts,”  Shott  and  Powder,  Cranfifdd 
and  Clarke,  two;  “What  Price  Swimming,”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  “Learn 
by  Mail,”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Campus  Romeos,”  Standard,  FBO,  two; 
“Alice  the  Whaler,”  Winkler,  FBO,  one;  “The 
Glory  That  Was  Greece,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Why  Blondes  Leave  Home,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two; 
*TTie  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  6,  Pathe,  two;  “Sub- 
way Sally,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  **Taking 
Punishment,”  Grantland,  Pathe,  one;  **With  Will 
Rogers  in  London,”  Clancy,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe 
Review  No.  30,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  30,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “Mon- 
ty Of  the  Mounted,”  Lupino  Lane,  Educational, 
two;  “Felix  the  Cat  In  the  Travel-Hog,”  Bijou, 
Educational,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  31 

“Silk  Legs,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crimson 
Flash,”  No.  7,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Bully,”  Fables, 
Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Chicken  Feed,”  Roach, 
Pathe,  two ; “Skedaddle  Gold,”  Action,  Pathe, 
five;  Pathe  Review,  No.  31,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  31,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal, 
two;  “His  Better  Half,”  Hamilton,  Educational, 
two ; “Traveling  At  Home,”  Curiosities,  Educa- 
tional, one;  “Hold  Fast,”  Cameo,  Eucational, 
one;  **High  Spots,”  Mermaid,  Educational,  two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  7 

“Jack  From  All  Trades,”  Bijou,  Educational,  one; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  8,  Pathe,  two;  “Ant 
Life  As  It  Isn’t,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “The 
College  Kiddo,”  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two; 
“Scents  and  Dog  Sense,”  Grantland,  Pathe,  one; 
Pathe,  Review,  No.  32,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of 
the  Day,  No.  32,  Timely  Films,  one-third;  “Whis- 
pering Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 

'^Bubbles  of  Geography,”  Lyman  H.  Howe’s,  Edu- 
cational, one;  “The  Crimson  Flash,”  Pathe,  two; 
“Red  Hot  Sands,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“What  Women  Did  For  Me,”  Hal  Roach,  Pathe, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  33,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  33,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal, 
two;  “Bee  Cause,”  Winkler,  FBO,  one. 


Accessories  for 
M-G-M  Subjects 
Ready  for  Season 


An  extensive  outlay  of  accessories  is 
promised  exhibitors  for  the  M-G-M  short 
features,  for  each  release. 


For  the  forty 
short  features 
from  Hal  Roach 
the  following  ac- 
cessories will  be 
supplied:  stock 

one-sheet,  subject 
one-sheet;  sub- 
ject three-sheet, 
eight  11x14  lobby 
cards,  subject 
slide,  ten  black 
and  white  stills 
and  a cue  sheet. 

In  addition  there 
will  be  a press 
sheet  on  each, 
with  a wealth  of 
advertising  and  publicity  mats  and  other 
material. 

For  M-G-M  News  there  will  be  a stock 
one-sheet,  illustrated  subject  one-sheet 
and  a detailed  synopsis  folder  with  com- 
plete contents  of  each  of  the  twice 
weekly  releases. 

A stock  one-sheet  and  complete  press 
sheet  will  accompany  the  series  of  25 
one-reel  “Oddities.”  For  the  six  two-reel 
“Great  Events”  accessories  will  include 
one  and  three-sheets,  lobby  cards  and 
press  sheets. 


Hal  Roach 


Paramount  News 
Dedicated;  First 
Issue  Is  Released 

A short  message  by  Editor  Emanuel 
Cohen  dedicating  the  Paramount  News 
to  the  public  prefaces  the  first  issue  of 
the  news  reel, 
which  appears  for 
the  first  time  on 
the  screens  of 
theatres  this 
week  with  the 
initial  releases  of 
Paramount’s 
short  feature 
comedies.  An- 
other highlight  of 
the  news  reel  is 
the  showing  of 
an  aviator  escap- 
ing by  parachute 
from  a blazing 

plane.  Emanuel  Cohen 

Emanuel 

Cohen’s  first  news  reel  creation,  Pathe 
News,  was  the  outcome  of  a long  fight 
to  obtain  sufficient  financial  backing  to 
build  up  a screen  newspaper  more  than 
fifteen  years  ago.  That  same  persistence 
in  carrying  out  an  ideal  is  reflected  in 
the  Paramount  News. 

Cohen  went  into  action  early  in  April 
at  the  head  of  the  new  short  features 
department  of  Paramount  and  a staff  of 
cameramen  soon  was  at  work  all  over 
the  world,  with  150  offices  established, 
and  now  a four-story  laboratory  has 
been  erected  in  New  York. 

The  negative  is  received  on  the  first 
floor  of  the  laboratory,  passed  to  the 
second  by  dumbwaiter  and  there  devel- 
oped and  dried.  On  the  third  are  the 
assembling,  editorial  and  projection 
rooms.  The  production  department  is 
on  the  fourth. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


PRESENMON  ACB 


Bandshows  Get  Grip  on  Theatres 


Stunts  Spell 
Box  Office  at 
Small  Houses 

Presentation  Department  of 
Herald  to  Serve  Theatres 
In  Arranging  Shows 

Has  Presentation  hurt  business  in  the 
small  theatres? 

This  is  the  constant  question  asked  by 
many  people  in  the  show  business,  espe- 
cially the  small  theatre  manager  who  has 
one  or  two  houses  in  the  neighborhood  of 
a residential  district  or  a small  town. 

Our  answer  is  that  presentation  has  not 
hurt  small  picture  houses  and  will  not  hurt 
them  as  long  as  these  small  theatres  will 
try  to  give  their  audience  some  touch  of 
this  form  of  amusement. 

Of  course,  it  is  understood  that  many 
theatres  now  running  pictures  were  origi- 
nally constructed  exclusively  for  pictures 
and  have  neither  the  equipment  nor  the 
capacity  that  will  enable  them  to  change 
to  an  expensive  policy. 

Other  Stunts  Available 

However;  since  the  stage  bandshow  policy 
has  gone  into  effect  in  a number  of  the 
largest  picture  theatres  all  over  the  coun- 
try, a great  many  of  the  smaller  houses 
have  followed  suit  on  a smaller  scale.  Now 
if  you  are  not  able  to  do  this  with  your 
theatre  for  lack  of  stage  space  or  financial 
reasons,  there  are  several  ways  of  still 
keeping  your  audience  in  your  neighbor- 
hood at  least  a few  nights  a week. 

Some  of  the  stunts  that  have  been  done 
and  are  still  going  on  are  as  follows,  “Dis- 
covery Nights,”  “Charleston  and  Black  Bot- 
tom Dance  Revues,”  “Grocery  Store,”  and 
“Dance  Frolics  Evening,”  together  with 
several  amateur  stunts  with  local  talent 
which  always  bring  in  the  neighbors  to  see 
the  neighbors. 

Some  of  these  policies  now  running  each 
week  and  proving  a huge  success  are  as 
follows : 

Ted  Leary’s  Fun  Frolic  every 
Tuesday  night  at  the  Stratford 
theatre,  Chicago,  with  Dance  Re- 
vues every  Friday  evening  in  six 
others  theatres  belonging  to  Coony 
Brothers  of  Chicago.  Another 
showman  who  has  made  consider- 
able stride  in  this  held  is  Sam 
Herman  who  puts  on  "Discovery 
Nights"  in  many  independent  and 
outlying  houses.  A number  of 
Ascher  Brothers  smaller  theatres 
are  running  these  stunts  on  off- 
nights  and  box  office  results  are 
remarkable. 

Just  Call  on  “Herald” 

Therefore,  if  you  are  a live  showman  get 
{Continued  on  next  page) 


Smilin’  Thru! 


Oh,  I say,  old  chappie ! we’re  ’aving  a de- 
lightful time  over  ’ere.  That’s  the  way 
STANLEY  and  BIRNES  used  to  talk  when 
they  played  London  with  the  Edith  Kelly 
Gould  musical  show.  By  jove  1 we  almost 
forgot  to  tell  you  that  Charlie  Manning, 
the  fellow  with  the  (Victor  MacLagen) 
grin,  is  the  main  support  for  the  boys — 
that  is  literally  speaking ; he  was  behind 
them  when  this  snapshot  was  taken  near 
the  stage  door  of  London’s  oldest  music 
hall,  called  the  Vaudeville  theatre,  with  a 
seating  capacity  of  only  400,  which  caters 
to  the  blue  bloods  of  England. 

Routed  for  Publix 

New  acts  routed  for  the  new  Publix  tour  out 
of  Chicago,  and  to  be  featured  in  a stagehand 
unit  show,  are  as  follows : Billy  Stanfield,  open- 
ing week  of  August  6 ; Born  and  Lawrence,  week 
of  August  13 : Helen  McFarland,  week  of  August 
20,  and  Billy  Randall,  Tim  Marks,  and  Ann  and 
Jean,  week  of  August  27.  Together  with  many 
others  which  are  to  be  contracted  for  in  the 
next  week  or  so. 

'The  above  acts  open  at  the  Capitol  theatre  in 
Pes  Moines,  and  tour  for  nine  weeks,  after  which 
they  shall  return  to  Chicago  and  after  disbanding 
will  perhaps  repeat  the  time. 

Bookings  for  these  acts  have  been  arranged 
through  the  western  office  of  the  William  Morris 
Agency,  of  , which  Max  Turner  is  the  resident 
manager  and  Phil  Tyrrell  and  Sam  Bramson  are 
associate  bookers. 


Feature  Acts 
Also  in  Favor, 
Say  Directors 

Considerable  Thought  and 
Treatment  Must  Be  Given 
Shows,  Says  Cambria 
By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Stage  bandshows  are  the  last 
word  in  presentation  at  this  mo- 
ment. And  probably  for  some  time 
to  come. 

That  is  the  import  of  the  authen- 
tic information  reaching  the  editor 
of  this  department  of  the  HERALD. 

Further,  according  to  this  infor- 
mation, this  form  of  presentation 
will  augur  well  for  outstanding  spe- 
cialty acts,  for  the  bandshows  con- 
sist not  only  of  the  stage  jazz  band, 
but  also  of  several  acts  which  in 
many  cases  will  travel  intact  from 
city  to  city. 

Take  the  policy  to  be  adopted  shortly  by 
the  Publix  and  Loew  de  luxe  houses  as  an 
example. 

Spreading  Through  Europe 

The  stage  bandshow  policy  is  spreading 
all  over  the  United  States,  as  well  as 
throughout  Europe,  as  was  stated  in  this 
department  last  week. 

A production  manager  in  Amsterdam 
told  a representative  of  this  department 
that  he  is  doing  a presentation  stunt  there 
each  week  on  a smaller  basis  with  the  in- 
tention of  augmenting  the  policy  as  it  takes 
hold  of  the  public  there.  Other  reports 
from  other  parts  of  Europe  comment  upon 
the  success  of  this  policy,  which  pleases  us 
inasmuch  as  we  have  more  or  less  predicted 
presentation  form  of  entertainment  in  pic- 
ture houses. 

This  new  branch  of  amusement,  which 
is  still  in  its  infancy,  has  been  nourished 
along  with  food  coming  from  some  of  the 
best  brains  in  the  show  business,  utilizing 
every  branch  and  form  of  entertainment 
that  has  heretofore  proven  a success  in  its 
individual  line. 

Demand  Considerable  Thought 

Frank  Cambria,  director  of  production 
for  Publix,  stated  to  this  department  that 
the  new  Paramount  theatre  in  New  York 
will  present  the  first  of  the  stage  band- 
shows  next  week  which  will  rotate  around 
the  circuit.  In  making  this  statement,  Mr. 
Cambria  expressed  the  point  that  if  band 
policies  are  to  live  indefinitely,  that  they 
are  to  be  given  a great  deal  of  thought 
(Continued  on  next  page) 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Best  Talent  Needed 


{Continued  from  page  41) 
and  treatment  and  must  be  made  very  im- 
portant productions. 

This  is  an  important  factor  in  offering 
future  stage  bandshows  or  the  presentation 
form  of  amusement  in  your  theatre.  The- 
atre managers  as  well  as  production  man- 
agers should  pay  a great  deal  of  Attention 
to  the  creation  of  the  new  shows  in  their 
theatres  each  week.  This  type  of  enter- 
tainment like  any  other  must  become  stand- 
ard to  receive  public  approval.  Anything 
that  becomes  standard  must  go  through 
a series  of  careful  planning,  not  too  con- 
servative, and  yet  not  too  extreme. 

The  stage  bandshow,  as  has  been  stated 
before,  is  here  to  stay,  and  in  order  for  it 
to  become  a standard  policy  the  entire 
production  must  be  staged,  cast  and  cos- 
tumed with  the  same  thoroughness  as  mus- 
ical productions  are  now  put  in  force. 

For  instance,  the  first  important  move 
that  a theatre  manager  should  make,  if 
contemplating  a presentation  policy  in  his 
house,  is  to  secure  a reliable  stage  pro- 
ducer whose  past  performances  and  crea- 
tive ability  have  proven  successful  else- 
where. With  such  a man  on  your  staff 
your  next  move  is  the  hiring  of  a person- 
ality leader  with  sufficient  showmanship 
and  talent  which,  coupled  with  his  band, 
will  in  itself  become  a feature  of  your 
theatre,  with  these  two  important  links 
your  next  move  is  to  make  an  arrange- 
ment with  some  reliable  booking  agent  or 
agency  who  are  capable  as  well  as  able  to 
furnish  you  with  suitable  talent  and  spe- 
cialties for  your  presentations. 

Best  Talent  Needed 

Now  that  these  three  important  steps 
have  been  taken,  do  not  overlook  the  fact 
that  costuming  and  scenic  effect  in  addi- 
tion to  proper  stage  lighting  are  also  im- 
portant elements  that  are  a part  of  a suc- 
cessful series  of  entertainments.  It  is 
known,  and  it  has  been  proven  before,  that 
one  weak  link  in  the  chain  will  prove  a dis- 
aster to  your  box  office,  and  by  that  we 
mean  that  you  cannot  employ  a great  stage 


band  with  a box  office  name  and  surround 
same  with  mediocre  talent  and  cheap  set- 
tings and  costumes. 

Then,  on  the  other  hand,  if  you  should 
have  talent  of  every  description  with  each 
and  everyone  an  artist  and  they  are  not 
properly  constructed  or  routined  in  your 
production  so  that  each  individual  number 
and  specialty  will  receive  the  proper  value 
when  rendered,  that  leaves  the  chain  still 
weak.  When  all  these  seven  or  eight  items 
are  attended  to  and  you  feel  confident  that 
everyone  dovetails  with  the  other,  and  you 
feel  sure  that  your  theatre  is  in  a neigh- 
borhood that  the  type  of  entertainment 
pleases  your  audience,  then  go  right  ahead 
with  the  policy,  for  you  cannot  go  wrong 
but,  whatever  you  do,  do  not  make  the  sad 
mistake  that  many  men  in  the  show  busi- 
ness make  every  day  and  that  is  to  be 
“penny  wise  and  pound  foolish.”  You  can 
only  remain  in  business  and  become  a suc- 
cess just  as  long  as  you  are  pleasing  your 
audience  and  giving  them  their  money’s 
worth. 

Therefore,  when  you  spend  money  for 
the  above  items,  you  are  securing  the  best 
that  money  can  buy  and  in  the  long  run 
you  are  establishing  yourself  on  a founda- 
tion as  sound  as  the  Rock  of  Gibraltar. 


Local  Stunts 


{Continued  from  page  41) 
yourself  a small  orchestra  with  a peppy 
band  leader  who  can  also  act  as  master  of 
ceremonies  and  if  you  are  not  able  to  hire 
professional  talent  for  lack  of  operating 
expenses,  have  some  agency  arrange  these 
local  amateur  stunts  for  you  which  will 
keep  you  still  on  good  terms  with  your 
audience  and  your  future  business  plans 
will  look  encouraging. 

This  department  has  at  its  command  a 
number  of  reliable  men  and  agencies  who 
make  a specialty  of  this  business  and  in 
case  you  desire  any  help  or  suggestions  to- 
wards launching  such  a policy  in  your 
theatre,  do  not  hesitate  to  write  us,  for  we 
are  always  ready  to  serve  you  towards 
your  better  interests. 


ILOMAY  BAILEY 

‘‘The  Golden  Voice  Prima  Donna” 

Just  Finished  Six  Weeks 
for  L & T and  Eight 
V/eeks  at  the  Oriental 
Chicago 

Now  Back  at  the 
Oriental  Theatre, 
Chicago,  for  a Run 

Direction — PAUL  ASH 

All  B & K Theatres  to 
Follow.  Many  Thanks 
to  Paul  Ash,  Louis 
McDermott  and  Morris 
Silver 

FRANK  HAMILTON 


Just  Completed  THREE 

PLAYING 

Opening  A Tour  of 

weeks  al  The  PALACE, 

DELUXE  PICTURE 

PUBLIX  on  SEPT.  3rd 

PEORIA,  as  Master  of 

HOUSES 

in  A STAGEBAND— 

Ceremonies, 

Direction — ■ 

William  Morris  Agency 

UNIT-SHOW. 

RUTH  LUELLA 

STANLEY  and  LEE 

DANCERS  PERSONIFIED 

Just  Closed  a Tour  of  GREAT  STATES  THEATRES 

NOW  FEATURED  IN  A PUBLIX  STAGEHAND  UNIT-SHOW 

Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


NEW  SONGS 

Reviewed  by 

IRENE  JUNO 

(Instructor  Washington  College  of  Music) 


Two  brand  new  foxtrots  that  are  up  to  date 
with  good  comedy  words  for  slides  are  put  out  by 
Villa  Moret,  GO  WASH  THE  ELEPHANT  and 
SHE’S  JUST  WHAT  THE  DOCTOR  ORDERED. 
They  will  both  be  hits  as  soon  as  the  public 
gets  a whiff  of  them. 

* * » 

A LITTLE  SMILE,  A LITTLE  KISS  (Harms) 
— A waltz  number  in  dance  arrangement  that 
is  very  melodious.  The  thirds  and  sixths  in  right 
hand  are  put  to  good  use  and  it’s  a number  worth 
having  in  your  library. 

❖ * * 

HELLO  CUTIE  (Jerome  H.  Remick) — A foxtrot 
that  will  have  a short  season  of  popularity  be- 
cause of  its  catchy  words.  Easy  to  call  “Hello 
Cutie’’  on  the  dance  floor  and  they  will  like  to 
hear  it  in  the  theatre  because  they  know  it. 

« 

JUST  ANOTHER  DAY  WASTED  AWAY  (Sha- 
piro, Bernstein  Co.) — It’s  a knockout,  and  organ- 
ists and  orchestras  are  playing  it  at  every  op- 
portunity. Worth  all  the  attention  you  can  give 
it. 

* « * 

SHANGHAI  DREAM  MAN  (Harms) — A very 
fine  dance  arrangement  of  foxtrot.  It’s  Chinese 
enough  for  “atmosphere”  if  necessary,  but  not 
too  much  for  a straight  number  if  Chinese  are 
not  pictured. 

❖ « « 

JUST  LIKE  A BUTTERFLY  (Jerome  H.  Rem- 
ick)— It’s  a peach  of  a number,  written  as  a fox- 
trot and  most  delightful  as  a ballad  for  pictures. 
It  is  a sympathetic  and  elastic  in  its  musical 
treatment. 

* * * 

SIDE  BY  SIDE  (Shapiro,  Bernstein  & Co.) — 
A good  foxtrot.  As  a dance  number  or  for  an 
organist  or  any  place  a popular  number  should 
be  used.  Worth  looking  into. 

* « * 

OH  MISS  HANNAH  (Harms) — A foxtrot,  good 
dance  arrangement  with  some  blue  chords  and  a 
clever  interpolation  of  Listen  to  The  Mocking 
Bird.  If  used  for  pictures  better  omit  the  Mock- 
ing Bird.  Audience  might  wonder  where  the 
bird  was. 

slJ  :5«  S^e 

OH  WHAT  A PAL  WAS  “WHOOSIS”— Kahn 
& Burke  (Feist.)  A "nut”  number  of  2/4  rhythm. 
Good  comedy  song.  Should  be  a good  slide  solo  as 
words  are  more  than  the  music. 

* * » 

AT  SUNDOWN. — Donaldson.  Another  Feist  hit 
that  is  sweeping  the  country.  A 4/4  swing  with 
harmony  that  is  unusual. 

« » • 

THE  DESERT  SONG  and  MY  MARYLAND— 
Two  very  good  musical  comedy  selections  recently 
put  out  by  Harms,  Inc.  Musical  comedy  numbers 
are  so  much  better  to  buy  in  "bulk.”  That  Is, 
as  a selection,  and  in  these  two  every  number  is 
good,  so  the  selection  buyer  is  way  ahead  of  the 
single  song  buyer.  The  outstanding  hits  are  THE 
DESERT  SONG  WALTZ,  THE  RIFF  SONG,  RO- 
MANCE from  The  Desert  Song  Selection,  while 
SILVER  MOON  WALTZ,  WON’T  YOU  MARRY 
ME  and  MOTHER  are  the  best  bets  in  My  Mary- 
land. THE  COUNTRY  DANCE  will  be  useful  to 
picture  players,  while  THE  BOY  IN  GRAY  can 
be  used  where  a march  is  needed. 

* * * 

PAL  OF  MY  LONESOME  HOURS.— Hirsh  & 
Lyman  (Feist.)  A fox  trot  that  sounds  better  as 
a ballad.  Good  theme  for  picture. 

# # * 

IF  YOU  SEE  SALLY.— Kahn-Egan  & Donald- 
son (Feist.)  A ballad  that  bids  fair  to  become 
very  popular,  and  a good  theme  number. 


PUBLISHERS  NOTE 
If  you  wish  to  have  your  new  song  re- 
lease reviewed  in  this  column  by  Irene 
Juno,  kindly  place  her  name  on  your  mail- 
ing list  to  receive  professional  copies  of 
your  numbers  regularly,  and  address  same 
in  care  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  atten- 
tion of  Presention  Editor,  407  South  Dear- 
born Street,  Chicago,  III. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


STAGE  SHOWS 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  29 

Young  ladies  gathered  from  near  and  far  for 
an  Opportunity  Contest  provide  an  unusual  array 
of  talent  for  the  stage  number,  the  variety  of 
stunts  being  widespread.  Even  the  uninitiated  can 
readily  pick  those  girls  who  arc  destined  for  ad- 
vancement from  the  group  of  a score  of  girls  and 
while  they  are  not  heralded  by  name,  they  are 
easily  on  the  right  road  to  success. 

Gene  Rodemich  acts  an  announcer  for  the  vari- 
ous stunts  while  His  Jazz  Orchestra,  in  Oriental 
costume,  provide  the  background  as  well  as  the 
music,  aided  by  the  Grand  Orchestra.  As  an  an- 
nouncer, Rodemich  makes  as  great  a success  as 
he  does  as  an  orchestra  leader.  The  whole  pro- 
gram is  carried  out  with  such  an  air  of  infor- 
mality that  the  audience  really  becomes  part  of 
the  show  and  while  not  asked  to  do  so,  take  the 
part  of  judges. 

If  Rodemich  and  His  Orchestra  have  plenty  of 
pep,  they  have  met  their  match  in  one  dark  haired 
girl  with  boyish  bob,  who  plays  the  harmonica  as 
an  introductory  stunt  and  who  then  provides  the 
comedy  for  the  rest  of  the  show,  her  spontaneous 
stunts  keeping  the  audience  in  an  uproar.  As  a 
dancer  she  is  as  clever  as  an  instrumentalist. 

With  the  aid  of  the  colored  electric  lights,  the 
costuming  effect  is  equal  to  any  seen  in  months. 
The  girls  are  attired  in  costumes  fitting  the  vari- 
ous parts  to  which  they  are  assigned.  The  dancers 
have  plenty  of  opportunity  to  do  their  steps  and 
they  are  done  exceedingly  well.  The  song  birds, 
a little  more  quietly  gowned,  are  nevertheless 
fully  as  attractive  and  the  whole  reaches  a climax 
in  the  finale,  where  all  take  part.  In  the  finale,  a 
monster  color  wheel  supplies  the  backgi-ound. 

Victoria  Herbert  is  the  featured  personality  of 
the  act  and  her  graceful  dances  win  well  merited 
applause.  “Young  America”  is  the  title  under 
which  her  act  is  staged. 

The  stage  number  is  a beautifully  backgrounded 
number  from  “Martha,”  in  which  only  the  pro- 
logue is  given.  Camille  Tentera  is  the  soloist, 
assisted  by  the  Metropolitan  Brass  Ensemble. 

“The  Covered  Wagon”  is  the  film. 

Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  30 

“Southland  Fancies”  with  Roy  Sedley  and  the 
rhythmic  stage  band  under  Russ  Morgan’s  leader- 
ship, was  the  routine  show  this  W'eek. 

Opening:  Three  members  of  the  Ernie  Young 
ensemble  supplying  a song  and  dance,  “Under- 
neath the  Southern  Moon.” 

Sedley  out  now  to  make  announcements  and 
wisecrack  besides  exercising  his  voice  on  “Heaven 
Help  a Sailor.”  For  a time,  he  was  a very  busy 
lad  but  managed  to  get  through  it  all  very  nicely 
with  a dance  encore  that  pleased  immensely. 

The  next  act,  presenting  George  Lyons,  a nimble 
fingered  harpist,  stopped  the  performance  and 
still  the  crowd  clamored  for  more.  His  beat 
numbers  included  “Spain”  and  “If  You  See  Sally.” 

The  entire  Young  Group  Gharlestoning  to  the 
tune  “Clap  Yo’  Hands”  followed.  When  this  was 
accomplished,  Russ  Morgan  took  his  place  at  the 


LEE 

BARTON 

EVANS 

The  “DENNIS  KING” 
of  PRESENTATIONS 

Acclaimed  the  Best  American 
Dramatic  Tenor  in 
Deluxe  Picture  Houses 
Direction— HARRY  A.  GOURFAIN 


piano  to  accompany  Charley  Jolley  in  rather  heavy 
song  selections.  They  scored  fairly  well.  Next 
was  Gloria  Merhoff,  songstress,  in  popular  melo- 
dies. The  closing  number,  “Sundown,”  offered 
the  Young  Girls,  Orchestra  and  Organist  effectively 
combined. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  July  30 

“Jazz-Bound,”  Dave  Schooler  and  His  Play 
Boys’  best  to  date,  opened  with  a scrim  showing 
scenes  of  the  United  States  navy  in  action  behind 
which  the  orchestra  played  a martial  air.  When 
the  curtain  was  drawn  aside  it  disclosed  the  deck 
of  a battleship  with  all  of  Dave’s  boys  dressed  in 
natty  white  sailor  uniforms.  A bit  of  classical 
music  with  Schooler  himself  doing  a solo  at  the 
piano  was  the  opening  number. 

The  Six  Markert  Dancers,  all  dres.sed  in  uni- 
forms, then  pranced  down  from  the  upper  deck 
of  the  ship  and  did  some  clever  dance  steps  to 
the  tune  of  “Breezin’  Along”  by  the  orchestra. 
They  then  dropped  into  the  background  while 
Margaret  Ball,  in  a white  satin  gob  suit,  danced 
some  snappy  steps  and  also  sang  “Little  Bombom 
Bay.” 

A1  and  Louis  Walker,  a pair  of  goofy  gobs, 
dressed  in  white  uniforms  and  wearing  heavy  horn 
rimmed  glasses,  did  a number  of  funny  soft  shoe 
dancing  steps  to  the  tune  of  “Sleepy  Time  Gal” 
by  the  orchestra.  The  audience  got  a big  kick 
out  of  their  antics  and  they  were  called  back  for 
several  encores. 

Billy  Adams,  another  long,  lanky  clown  with 
short  sailor  trousers  and  red  socks,  made  his 
initial  appearance,  and  continued  to  horn  in 
throughout  the  presentation  with  wise  cracks 
which  tickled  the  audience.  Besides  his  funny 
bone  ticklers  he  sang  a little  ditty  entitled  “I’m 
Scared  to  Hold  My  Breath  Under  Water.” 

A real  bit  of  salt  water  atmosphere  was  instilled 
when  Willard  Andclin  sang  in  a deep  bass  voice 
from  the  “poop  deck,”  “Over  the  Billowy  Ocean.” 

Beth  Calvert  in  a green  flimsy  dress  did  a fine 


exhibition  of  some  strenuous  acrobatic  dancing  to 
the  tune  of  “Ain’t  She  Sweet.”  She  had  plenty  of 
pep  and  got  a fairly  big  hand  from  the  audience. 

Glen  Wclty’s  musical  arrangement  of  “South- 
wind”  was  then  played  by  Dave  Schooler  and 
His  Boys,  with  Billy  Meyers  singing  the  chorus. 
Dave  himself  played  the  piano  accompaniment 
during  part  of  the  number.  The  selection  was 
well  received  and  seems  to  be  as  popular  as 
“Sundown.” 

The  Six  Markert  Dancers  again  made  their 
appearance  to  the  tune  of  “It  All  Depends  on 
You.”  They  completed  a mimber  of  snappy  steps 
which  met  with  the  audience’s  approval. 

The  Three  Gibson  Girls,  attired  in  white  skirts 
and  blue  jackets,  next  appeared  singing  “Rosy 
Cheeks”  and  “Why  Should  I Woriw  About  What 
Others  Say.”  Their  voices  harmonized  nicely  and 
they  got  a big  hand  from  the  audience. 

Charles  Guglieri  also  in  sailor  uniform  did  his 
stuff  on  the  old  hand  saw  to  the  tune  of  “Rus- 
sian Lullaby.”  This  was  followed  by  “Always.” 
played  by  letting  the  air  out  of  a blown  up  rubber 
glove.  Next  Dave  manipulated  a bicycle  pump 
for  him  while  he  played  “Yankee  Doodle.”  and 
then  Billy  Adams  furnished  the  power  at  an  auto 
pump  while  “Gugy”  played  “Stare  and  Stripes 
Forever”  on  an  inner  tube.  Of  course  the  orches- 
tra accomimnied  through  all  these  “windy”  selec- 
tions, but  Charley  managed  to  carry  the  various 
tunes  to  perfection  and  he  went  over  big  with 
the  audience. 

Margaret  Ball,  the  pretty  blonde  dancer,  did  a 
number  of  strenuous  steps,  among  them  being  a 
one  hand  cartwheel  and  a back  crawl  on  hands 
and  feet,  for  which  she  drew  plenty  of  applause. 

The  grand  finale  consisted  of  the  Six  Markert 
Dancers  out  on  the  stage  with  the  mouths  of  the  two 
large  guns  lighted  up  and  moving  back  and  forth 
across  the  audience.  A flag  consisting  of  lighted 
bulbs  in  red,  white  and  blue,  was  then  let  down 
while  the  orchestra  played  “Stars  and  Stripes 
Forever.”  This  grand  finale  brought  a big  round 
of  applause,  as  is  usually  t’ne  case  when  the  audi- 
ence’s patriotic  chord  is  touched. 


“THE  ARISTOCRATIC  STEPPERS” 

VALE  and 


STEWART 


opening  ot  the  WiSCONSiN 

Now  Playing  GREAT  STATES 

A Presentation  Act  With 

Theatre^  Milwaukee^  week  of 

THEATRES.  B.  & K.  and  L. 

Class  and  Speed,  Dircelioft— 

August  13th, 

& T.  Houses  soon  to  follow. 

Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell. 

NOTE:  Have  you  seen  WILLIAMS  & ROSS? 


TED  LEARY 

*^The  Versatile  Master  of  Ceremonies** 

Now  Playing  His  2500th  Performance 
at  the 

STRATFORD  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

(A  COONEY  BROS.  HOUSE) 


BILLY  MEYER 

(The  Golden  Tone  Baritone) 

Featured  with  DAVE  SCHOOLER  at  the  WISCONSIN  Theatre 

Milwaukee 

Now  Playing  Fourth  Week’s  Engagement.  Booked  Here  Indehintely 


JAZZ-LIPS”  RICHARDSON 

The  Most  Talked  of  Eccentric  Dancer  in  Chicago 

Just  Completed  a Tour  of  GREAT  STATES  THEATRES 

Now  Playing  Third  Return  Engagement  at  ASCHEK  BROS.  SHERIDAN 

Theatre,  CHICAGO 

Stopping  All  Shows  At  All  Picture  Houses 

Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


44 


EXl-IIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  July  31 

Paul  Ash  calls  his  presentation  this  week  “The 
Spice  Box  Revue,”  and  he  was  successful  in  pick- 
ing a group  of  performers  each  of  whom  delivered 
high  calibre  entertainment  to  the  very  evident 
enjoyment  of  the  audiences. 

Paul  Small  and  the  orchestra  open  the  show  with 
Small  presenting  an  introduction  to  the  show  in 
song.  The  six  Abbott  Dancers  enter,  each  carrying 
a box  of  spices,  and  go  into  a tap  dance  routine. 

Paul  Ash  enters  and  directs  his  orchestra 
through  the  stirring,  jazzy  strains  of  “Hallelujah,” 
the  song  hit  of  the  New  York  musical  comedy. 
“Hit  the  Deck.”  This  is  presented  under  dimmed 
lights  with  all  stage  lights  on  for  the  finish.  The 
number  went  over  strong. 

Hellen  McFarlane,  next  introduced,  cleverly 
wields  four  hammers  on  the  xylophone : the  writer 
was  sorry  she  did  not  give  another  number  on  the 
xylophone,  but  for  the  fine  encore,  she  did  a tap 
dance  that  was  just  as  clever  as  her  music.  Her 
offerings  went  over  with  a bang. 

Paul  Ash  next  introduces  Bert  Tucker,  son  of 
the  famous  Sophie  Tucker.  Bert  sings  a song 
about  his  mother  and  himself,  which  receives  just 
a fair  hand.  He  next  introduces  a song  and 
dance  number  which  he  calls  the  “Sugar  Foot 
Strut,”  and  the  boy  demonstrated  that  he  possesses 
everything  as  a dancer  that  he  lacks  as  a singer. 
As  encore  he  gives  a tap  Charleston  which  he 
introduced  at  the  Oriental  some  six  months  ago. 
Yes,  aa  a dancer,  the  boy  is  clever. 

For  the  next  number,  the  entu’e  orchestra  slides 
to  the  front  of  the  stage  and  gives  that  hot  blues, 
“Magnolia.”  The  two  trombone  players  and  “Al” 
Kvale,  the  comical  clarinet  player  and  Paul’s  as- 
sistant. get  the  spot  in  this  number.  Paul  Small 
enters  to  sing  several  rounds  of  tbe  chorus.  Paul’s 
smile,  personality  and  voice  can  put  over  any 


song,  and  he  gets  plenty  of  opportunities.  He 
just  about  holds  the  Oriental  patrons  in  the  palm 
of  his  hand. 

The  Abbott  Dancers  next  do  a dance  routine  on 
the  raised  portion  of  the  stage  to  the  tunes  of 
"The  Doll’s  Dance.”  “Hank,”  the  pianist,  accom- 
panied by  the  orchestra,  is  featured  in  this  num- 
ber. It  is  without  doubt  a very  beautiful  number. 

As  the  curtain  goes  down  on  the  dancers,  the 
orchestra  crashes  into  “Vo  Do  Do,”  and  Paul 
Small  i-ushes  on  to  sing  “Vo  Do  Do  Blues.”  Paul 
gets  his  usual  big  hand. 

Dick  and  Edith  Barstow  next  offer  a very 
smart  dance  number,  “’The  Jazz  Wedding.”  These 
two  kids,  brother  and  sister,  are  unusually  clever. 
Dick  does  a toe  dance  for  an  encore,  and  he’s 
about  the  best  male  toe  artist  seen  in  this  neck 
of  the  woods  in  a long  time. 

And  then  comes  Peggy  Bernier — charming  and 
delightful  as  ever.  She  puts  over  songs  as  no  one 
else  does,  and  lots  of  them.  She  offers  “A  Million 
to  One  You’re  in  Love.”  “Absolutely,  Positively,” 
“Dew,  Dewey  Day,”  “Vo  Do  Do,”  and  several 
others. 

Maxwell  and  Lee  do  one  of  those  rough-house 
comedy  dances  which  might  be  called  a cross  be- 
tween a Bowery  and  Apache  dance.  They  take 
a number  of  bows  and  quit  with  the  cash  custom- 
ers asking  for  more. 

For  the  finale,  the  orchestra  opens  with  “Just 
like  a Butterfly” ; Paul  Small  and  a young  woman 
appear  on  the  rising  stage  with  Paul  singing  the 
song.  The  Abbott  Dancers  appear  in  butterfly  cos- 
tumes to  do  a butterfly  dance  routine.  A huge 
rose  back  stage  opens  its  petals  to  disclose  Peggy 
Bernier  and  Tony  Hillis,  who  take  up  the  song 
from  Small.  Behind  them  a tinsel  drop  produces 
a beautiful  rain  effect.  Behind  this  drop  appears  a 
rising  curtain  with  illuminated  butterflies  and 
flowers.  All  lights  go  out  and  the  costumes  and 
curtains  appear  in  luminous  colors.  The  effect  is 


beautiful.  It  is  one  of  the  best  finales  Paul  Ash 
has  presented  lately. 

Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  July  30 

Childhood  memories  are  pleasantly  recalled  in 
“Kid  Days,”  Paul  Oscard’s  Publix  revue.  Skip- 
ping  ropes  and  bouncinar  around  in  a delightful 
fashion  Jack  Eddy  and  Dolores  Eline  present  the 
chief  dance  fare.  The  DeCrescent  brothers  also 
occupy  a prominent  spot  with  their  musical  num- 
bers, all  being:  skilled  on  various  instruments. 

Overture:  “William  Tell,”  with  the  Michigan 
Symphony  and  a ^est  conductor. 

Selections  from  Russian  melodies,  including 
“The  Volga  Boat  Song,”  “March  of  the  Manni- 
kins” and  “Russian  Lullaby,”  played  by  Arthur 
Gutow  at  the  Wurlitzer,  completed  the  bill. 

Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  July  30 

New  hats  and  costumes  were  hauled  from  the 
Kunsky  property  department  for  Fred  Stritt,  who 
continued  a second  week  as  the  jesting  nu  c.  of 
“Castilian  Nights.”  Others  called  forth  to  dis- 
play their  talents  were  Jack  Riano,  singer  of 
comic  ballads ; Osman  and  Schepps,  banjoists 
whose  style  and  agility  make  a strong  hit;  and 
the  Eight  Rosebuds*  appropriate  unit  dances. 

Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  July  29 

Wright,  Douglas  and  Kelsey  in  a skit  titled 
“The  Handicap,”  were  first  on  the  stage  program 
at  the  Mainstreet  this  week.  The  Torrano  Sis- 
ters had  a musical  act,  billed  as  “Musical  Mo- 
ments,” while  Joe  Jenny  and  His  Famous  Comedy 
Four  had  a comedy  number. 

Jean  Starr,  billed  as  the  Personality  Girl,  had 
a monologue  number.  Bernice  and  Emily  ren- 
dered an  acrobatic  dance  number. 

Walter  Davison  and  His  Louisville  Loons  played 
their  fifth  week  as  the  stage  orchestral  attraction, 
being  blended  in  with  the  entire  program,  playing 
popular  selections  as  an  overture. 

Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  July  30 

Al  Short’s  bandshow  here  this  week  was  termed 
“In  Sunny  Spain,”  and  it  contained  the  most  elab- 
orate scenery  offered  since  the  stage  band  came. 
Short  is  a wiz,  no  fooling,  but  audiences  in  this 
coldest  of  all  cold  towns  failed  to  show  proper 
appreciation  of  this  week’s  show,  although  he 
received  a nice  hand.  Set  was  of  Spanish  cafe 
with  Spanish  costumes  on  all  performers. 

The  Howard  Ballet  dashed  out  on  the  opening 
and  gave  a few  steps,  followed  by 

Joseph  Wetzel  and  Marguerite  Ringo,  who  sang 
“In  a Little  Spanish  Town.” 

Short  and  The  Band  played  a medley  of  Spanish 
airs. 

Ringo  sang  a selection  from  “Carmen”  and  the 
Ballet  came  on  at  the  close  of  this  number. 

Short  then  introduced  a hot  number,  "1159,” 
which  was  a bit  too  new  to  go  over  properly. 

Amelda  Victoria  sang  “At  Sundown”  and  “Sam 
the  Old  Accordion  Man.” 


SYMPHONIC 

HAWLEY 

FEATURE 

ORGANIST 

BROADWAY 

THEATRE 

PORTLAND,  OREGON 


VERNE  BUCK 

*‘The  Prince  O*  Pep’’ 

Featured  at  ASCHER  BROS. 
SHERIDAN  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Direction — MARGARET  FELCH 


CHASE 

“The  Unique  International  Comic” 

Just  Finished  a Tour  of  B & K and  L & T Houses 
Also  GREAT  STATES  'TIIEATKES 
Now  Playing  KEITH  and  I.OEW  VAFDEVILLE 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency — Thanks  to 
Al  Melnick 


LUCILLE  MIDDLETON 

IN 

‘‘The  Fzin  Dance” 

Now  Playing  LOEW’S  DeLuxe  Theatres 

Soon  to  Open  in  a PRODUCTION 


JELLY  BEAN  JOHNSON 

(The  Lightning  Streak  of  Darkness) 

Now  PIa3fing  DeLuxe  Picture  Houses  Throughout  the  West  Coast. 

Featured  in  FANCHON  and  MARCO  Presentations 
Booked  Solid  until  November  First 


COSTUMES  FOR  HIRE 


PRODUCTIONS 

EXPLOITATIONS 

PRESENTATTONS 


1437  Broadway 
Divvy  WJVO  Tel.  5580  Penn. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


August  6,  1927 

A1  Short,  and  the  band,  as  on  previous  weeks, 
proved  the  hit  of  the  show  with  classics  which 
a:  are  arranged  for  jazz  band  by  Al.  This  week  it 
r was  “Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody,”  and  it  re- 
ceived the  biggest  hand  of  the  show. 

Frank  Siefert,  “human  top,”  out  next  in  eccen- 
tric dance  followed  by  the  Ballet,  and  then  other 
performei-s  out  to  close  to  “Yesterday.” 

Joseph  Wetzel  and  Marguerite  Ringo,  held  over 
from  last  week  after  their  remarkable  success  in 
“Miserei'e”  from  “H  Trovatore,”  presented  the 
Romanza  from  “Cavalleria  Rustioana,”  but  it 
failed  to  click. 


I Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  July  29 

‘‘The  best  stageshow  yet/*  was  the  comment 
of  a theatregoer  after  seeing  the  Publix  entertain- 
ment at  the  Riviera.  Asked  why,  the  patron  said 
that  Al  Evans  is  a pleasing,  versatile,  but  not 
too  bold,  master  of  ceremonies ; the  dancers  were 
exceptionally  good  and  the  costumes  and  settings 
were  attractive. 

“Gems  of  Jazz’*  was  the  title  of  the  stageshow 
and  the  jewelry  idea  was  carried  out  in  huge 
sparklers  from  which  emerged  equally  sparkling 
girls.  The  show  ran  55  minutes  and  into  them 
were  crowded  a continuous  succession  of  acts. 
Edith  Griffith  not  only  lives  up  to  her  name  of 
“Personality  Girl”  but  can  sing  as  well,  featuring 
“A  Bunch  of  Sweet  Melodies.” 

Kendall  Capps  entertained  with  foolery  and 
dances:  Stanley  and  Lee,  “California  Sunkist 
Sweeties,”  and  Ross  and  Gilbert,  comedy  team, 
were  well  received.  Davy  Jones  stuttered  in  his 
song  to  good  effect,  but  never  faltered  in  his  steps. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  July  30 

There  wasn’t  a dull  moment  on  the  program 
at  the  Fox  this  week  and  redheads  seemed  to  be 
the  keynote  of  the  entertainment.  From  the  mo- 
ment that  the  well  known  team.  Jay  Brennan 
and  Stanley  Rogers,  creators  of  “Margie,”  started 
their  reminiscences  until  Rogers’  flaming  red  hair 
disappeared  behind  the  curtains,  gales  of  laughter 
swept  the  audience  until  finally  one  woman  had 
hysterics. 

Rogers  appeared  in  a stunning  gray  gown  elab- 
orately trimmed  with  blue  ostrich  feathers  and 
rhinestones.  The  dialogue  was  snappy,  some- 
times to  the  point  of  spiciness,  and  kept  the 
audience  convulsed  by  its  originality  and  clever- 
ness. Seldom  has  an  act  appeared  in  which  the 
humor  was  so  spontaneous  and  original. 

The  Thirteen  Parisienne  Redheads,  a feminine 
orchestra  featuring  Bobby  Grice,  played  a num- 
ber of  old  time  favorites  including  “Mandalay” 
“Hail,  Hail  the  Gang’s  All  Here”  and  “Mattea- 
wan.”  There  was  an  excellent  harp  selection, 
“Song  of  Love,”  and  a comedy  version  of  “She 
Was  Just  a Sailor’s  Sweetheart,”  in  which  there 
was  a clever  eccentric  dance,  added  novelty  to 
the  program.  Bobby  Grice,  the  boyishly  clad 
leader,  kept  things  moving  at  a lively  rate  and 
showed  her  skill  as  a dancer,  although  there  was 
nothing  particularly  original  in  her  steps.  The 
act  was  well  staged,  a large  fan  forming  the 
background,  and  the  members  are  well  trained 
and  versatile. 

The  Fox  Theatre  Orchestra,  with  Adolphe 
Kornspan  conducting,  played  a group  of  Mosz- 
kowski  compositions  as  an  overture. 


EDDIE 

HILL 

In 

“Just  Songs 
and 

Smart  Sa}fings” 


That  Created  a New  Sensation 
in  Deluxe  Picture  Houses 


Special  Material  by  BENOLD  ROSS 
Direction — ^William  Morris  Agency 


St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  July  29 

Max  Fisher  and  His  Cocoanut  Grove  Orchestra 
presented  “Max  Fisher’s  School  Boys  and  Girls.” 

Don  Albert,  back  from  his  vacation,  directed  the 
overture  in  accompaniment  of  the  technicolor 
film,  “Fishermen’s  Luck.” 

Glen  Dale  on  the  stage  sang  while  Robert  Far- 
icy  played  the  piano. 

Boston  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  July  30 

Phil  Spitalny  is  playing  his  final  week.  Next 
week  he  moves  for  one  week  to  Loew’s  Orpheum 
and  then  he  leaves  Boston  for  Baltimore.  He  has 
been  at  Loew’s  State  for  eight  weeks,  during 
which  time  the  theatre  has  witnessed  constantly 
increasing  audiences. 

Bob  Nelson,  singing  and  talking  production 
comedian,  appears  with  a line  which  soon  hafi  the 
audience  in  an  uproar.  “Stubby”  Gordon,  first 
saxophone  with  Spitalny,  provides  a solo  number, 
followed  by  Steve  Weniger,  a pi’otege  of  Spitalny’s 
and  a boy  tenor  of  merit. 

“Your  Flag  and  My  Flag”  is  the  climax.  The 
drapes  open  revealing  a monster  Amei’ican  flag 
in  light  and  the  music  is  of  a patriotic  nature, 
featuring  “My  Maryland.”  Every  boy  in  the 
orchestra  provides  a solo  number  as  a closing 
part  of  the  feature,  followed  at  the  conclusion  by 
Spitalny  himself.  With  the  aid  of  slides  he  thanks 
Boston  for  its  hospitality  and  friendship  during  his 
stay  and  concludes  with  the  rendition  by  the  com- 
pany of  “Should  Old  Acquaintance  Be  Forgot.” 

“Twelve  Miles  Out”  is  the  film. 

New  York  Mark  Strand 

Week  Ending  August  5 

Overture — Marche  Slav  by  Tchaikowsky  played 
by  the  Mark  Strand  Symphony  Orchestra.  “The 
Swan”  is  a ballet  with  the  dancers  clothed  in 
light  wavy  costume  and  executing  a dance  that  is 
tasteful  and  satisfying.  Mile.  Klemova  does  a 


solo  dance  on  her  toes  that  is  a good  piece  of 
work.  The  spotlights  are  played  on  her  from 
the  wings  and  the  effect  is  both  unusual  and  strik- 
ing. Throughout  this  number  considerable  use 
is  made  of  novel  lighting  which  contributes  no 
inconsiderable  amount  to  its  success. 

Margaret  Schilling  sings,  “In  a Country  Lane,” 
leaning  against  a stone  wall  and  sitting  beneath 
the  proverbial  old  apple  tree.  A clever  set. 

Cy  Landry  is  “A  Country  Boy”  who  does  a 
loose-limbed  dance  using  the  same  set.  This  fel- 
low is  good  and  has  a disjointed  style  all  his  own. 

The  Pirates — ^This  scene  takes  us  to  the  South 
Seas  with  a beach  and  ocean  in  the  background 
on  the  drop.  Percy  Hemus,  in  Captain  Kidd  at- 
tire, sings  a rollicking  song  called  “Hurrah  for 
the  Rolling  Sea.”  On  the  second  chorus  the  Na- 
tional Male  tfuartet  joins  him.  You  almost  feel 
like  going  to  sea  yourself.  Then  these  five  cor- 
sairs opened  their  treasure  chest  and  took  out  of 
it  the  whoe  Ballet  Corps,  the  girls  coming  up 
through  a trapdoor  in  the  stage  which  the  chest 
conceals  from  the  audience.  They  do  a dance 
whirling  and  twirling  and  frequently  crossing  the 
daggers  which  they  carry.  They  too  are  dressed 
in  pirate  costume  and  the  whole  scene  is  very 
colorful  and  effective. 

“Eight  Bells”  is  an  amusing  song  done  in 
amusing  fashion  by  Percy  Hemus  and  the  Male 
Quartet. 

Charles  Bennington,  “The  Peg  Leg  Dancer,”  is 
a hot  footer  despite  the  handicap  of  having  a 
wooden  leg.  Both  this  fellow  and  Landry  have 
something  different  to  offer  and  the  crowd.  By 
the  way  they  applauded,  appreciated  it. 

The  finale  brings  in  everyone  with  the  Ballet 
Girls  finally  opening  out  into  half  moon  forma- 
tion and  Charles  Bennington  doing  his  stuff  in  the 
center  of  the  stage. 


Washington  Rialto 

Week  Ending  July  30 

The  Rialto  chose  Miss  Washington  last  week  and 
Gladys  Cookman  will  represent  us  at  Atlantic  City 
this  year.  The  Bathing  Beauty  Contest  is  an  an- 
nual feature  of  the  Rialto. 


JOE  FRED 

McKenzie  and  BISHOP 

(Formerly  with  Babe  Ruth) 

Now  Playing 
Deluxe  Picture  Houses 
Throughout  the  West 

Under  Direction  of  MORT  INFIELD 


Picked  by  BABE  BtTTH 
as  the  best  singing 
team  in  Presentations. 


Discovered  by  JIMMY 
KEEFE,  publicity  director  of 
the  First  National  Plc^ree 
West  Coast  Studios. 


SAM  KAUFMAN 

**The  Personality  Leader* 

(A  Performing-Pianist-Conductor) 

Now  Directing  Stage  Band  Shows  at  the 
PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


DARLING  TWINS 

(The  Pocket  Edition) 

Just  Finished  a Long  and  Successful  Tour  of 
Publix  and  Orpheiun  Circuits 

Now  enjoying  a rest  before  going  into  rehearsal  for 
a Broadway  Show — Direction,  Max  Turner, 
William  Morris  Agency. 


JIMMIE  FERGUSON 

Late  Co-Starring  Comic  of 
SISSLE  & BLAKE'S  “CHOCOLATE  DADDIES” 

Also  Producer  of  the  Revues  for  CAFE  De  PARIS 

Now  Playing  the  Belter  Class  Presentation  Houses 

Personal  Direction — LEO  SALKINS 

Standard  Oil  Bldg.,  910  So.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Rox  Rommell  did  as  an  overture  “Dreams  of 
the  Orient”  a group  of  numbers  suggestive  of 
India,  and  had  very  intriguing  little  trick  lights 
placed  around  the  orchestra  pit.  As  one  of  the 
group,  Rommell,  directed  house  organist  Gertrude 
Kriesleman  and  a solo  cornetist  in  the  Kashermi 
Son. 

Florence  Tennyson  and  Philip  Fein  were  the 
stage  attraction  in  pleasing  songs,  both  popular 
and  classic. 

“Painting  the  Town”  as  the  feature  picture  is 
drawing  well. 

For  musical  support  Rommell  prepared  a most 
appropriate  score. 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  July  31 

“Dearie,”  the  new  photoplay  featuring  Irene 
Rich  and  Verne  Buck  with  his  hoys  in  the  “White 
and  Blue  Revue,”  was  this  week’s  attraction  here. 
The  stage  presentation  ran  as  follows : 

Opening:  Full  stage  set  with  fence  all  around 
orchestra,  pickets  painted  blue  and  white  with 
white  stairs  running  down  center.  As  the  cur- 
tain is  rising  Verne  Buck  descends  in  light  blue 
coat  and  white  trousers.  His  boys  are  dressed  in 
dark  blue  coats  and  white  trousers. 

The  inti-oductory  band  number  was  a very  fine 
arrangement  of  “Hallelujah”  from  the  New  York 
musical  success,  “Hit  the  Deck,”  This  number 
was  played  in  typical  Waring  Pensylvanian  style, 
but  interpreted  in  this  band’s  own  mannerisms. 

After  a very  nice  reception  this  number  was 
followed  by  the  Shore  Sisters  in  a routine  of 
clever  acrobatic  steps  which  they  rendered  to  very 
fast  music.  The  offering  was  well  done,  but 
failed  to  receive  the  proper  recognition. 

Cloyde  Griswold  came  in  for  some  pleasing 
melodies,  this  time  using  a new  number  called 
"Broken  Hearted,”  which  he  renders  with  a reci- 
tation in  dim  lighted  stage.  As  an  encore  he  was 
requested  to  sing  “Baby  Feet,”  a number  which 
he  established  sky  high  at  this  house  two  weeks 
ago.  (Is  this  boy  popular?  Absolutely.  Is  he 
clever?  Positively.) 

Brooks  and  Powers,  those  two  colored  enter- 
tainers, who  have  been  reported  in  these  columns 
many  times  before,  took  center  stage  next  for  some 
fifteen  odd  minutes  they  continued  with  their 
clever  material  . 

Another  band  number  followed,  this  time  being 
“So  Blue,”  with  a vocal  chorus  sung  by  Frank 
Wilson.  Again  Frank  stopped  the  show  with  his 
marvelous  voice.  As  we  said  before,  he’s  the 
last  word. 

Bobby  Tremaine  followed  next  in  her  clever  rou- 
tine, which  has  been  reported  numerous  times 
before  in  these  columns. 

After  Bobby,  Gene  Greene  pranced  on  and  got 


busy  with  his  comedy  jazz  singing.  This  artist 
is  exceptionally  well  known  in  town  and  registers 
very  well  in  any  house.  He  tied  the  show  up  in  a 
knot  here  and  could  have  kept  on  indefinitely  if 
it  were  not  for  the  late  hour. 

Finale:  Orchestra  playing  a hot  arrangement  of 
“Positively,  Absolutely,”  intermingled  with  spe- 
cialties and  many  novelties  by  the  boys  as  Verne 
Buck  sings  the  song.  The  entire  company  assem- 
bles on  stage  for  the  curtain. 

Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  July  30 

An  exceptionally  fine  program  of  stage  and 
musical  attractions  is  being  shown  this  week  in 
conjunction  with  “Dance  Magic.”  In  addition  to 
the  Publix  presentation,  the  Indiana  is  introduc- 
ing Restiva,  an  accordion  player,  who  by  his 
attractive  personality  as  well  as  his  excellent 
playing,  is  winning  a hearty  response. 

Moreover,  the  orchestra  under  the  direction  of 
Mikail  Stolarcvsky,  whose  work  has  been  showing 
a marked  increase  in  power  and  brilliance,  is 
playing  another  fine  overture. 

New  York  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  5 

Overture,  “Mignon,”  by  the  Capitol  Grand  Or- 
chestra. The  hearty  applause  testified  to  the 
popularity  of  this  selection  which  was  excellently 
rendered. 

2 —  One  of  those  ever  popular  Spanish  numbers. 
Carlo  Ferreti  sings  the  “Waltz”  from  “La  Gran 
Via”  in  convincing  fashion  while  the  ensemble 
renders  him  able.  The  Capitol  Ballet  Corps  fol- 
lows this  with  a “Spanish  Dance,” — castenets, 
■stamping  feet,  swirling  skirts.  The  back  drop  for 
this  scene  consisting  of  a huge  shawl  effect  and 
the  costumes  of  contrasting  black  and  gold  are 
very  striking. 

3 —  The  next  was  a singularly  impressive  dance 
number  in  three  parts  with  the  performers  clad 
in  seventeenth  century  French  court  costumes 
and  doing  their  songs  and  dances  against  a gar- 
den scene  background.  Miss  Coles  does  an  inter- 
pretive dance  called  “Wine”  in  the  execution  of 
svhich  she  weaves  in  and  out  among  the  lightly 
swaying  ballet  corps  inviting  them  to  partake  of 
the  flowing  bowl.  Miss  Coles  and  John  Triesault 
with  the  entire  ballet  coitps  close  the  act  with  a 
wild  and  spirited  bacchanal  dance  which  brought 
down  the  curtain  and  the  house. 

Dr.  Maouro  Cottone  continues  to  perform  at 
the  Capitol  grand  organ  with  a daily  concert  last- 
ing from  noon  until  12:30  which  never  fails  to 
draw  a large  crowd  and  the  abundant  applause, 
it  merits. 


Washington  Loew*s 
Palace 

Week  Ending  July  30 

This  theatre  continues  to  be  the  coolest  spot 
in  town  and  the  rendevouz  of  the  theatregoing 
public.  An  extraordinary  show  this  week.  Al- 
though big  draw  may  be  credited  to  Lon  Chaney 
in  “The  Unknown,”  the  rest  of  the  bill  is  above 
par. 

Opening  presentation  is  “Music  Master  Class- 
ics” and  presents  famous  Charles  Gounod  Series. 
Introducing  “Soldiers’  Chorus.”  by  Tom  Gannon’s 
House  Orchestra,  a picture  of  Gounod  and  a few 
lines  about  his  life  history  is  shown.  With  the 
playing  of  the  “Flower  Song,”  scenes  from  the 
opera  are  shown  and  continue  through  the  “Jewel 
Song,”  and  into  the  prison  scene  with  curtains 
parting  and  a trio  of  fine  voices  sing  and  enact 
the  prison  scene.  The  finale  is  Marguarite  as- 
cending to  Heaven  behind  a scrim,  and  probably 
it  is  one  of  Colby’s  trick  stages  that  is  taking 
her  there.  Colby  Harriman  is  a wizard  with 
lighting  effects  and  much  of  the  presentation 
success  is  due  to  his  effort. 

Braile  and  Pallo,  with  the  Yugo  Slav  Royal 
Orchestra,  gave  some  limber  and  worthwhile 
dances.  The  orchestra  is  a sextette  five  strings 
and  piano  and  their  music  was  so  different  that 
it  stood  out  prominently  on  the  bill. 

Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  30 

“Campus  Capers”  was  the  stage  show  put  on 
for  the  week.  The  orchestra  and  the  organ 
played  “March  Militaire”  as  a curtain  raiser. 
Jimmy  Ellard  and  His  Jazz  Jesters  put  over  some 
classy  music  and  Jimmie  sang,  “On  the  Road  to 
Mandalay.” 

Herbert  Lee  Kooch  played,  “Me  and  My 
Shadow”  and  “Only  One”  on  the  organ. 

“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys”  was  the 
feature. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  July  30 

The  Stanley  Symphony  Orchestra,  which  pre- 
sented the  overture,  “Tannhauser,”  was  conducted 
by  David  Pesetzki,  guest  conductor.  Mr.  Pesetzki 
proved  himself  an  able  pianist  as  well  as  conduc- 
tor. He  played  “Rhapsody  in  Blue”  with  orches- 
tra accompaniment. 

The  “Fiesta  Espagnola”  presented  by  Agnes 
Boone  and  her  company  was  a colorful  feature  of 
the  surrounding  bill,  depending  for  its  success  on 
the  costumes  and  accessories.  A large  Spanish 
shawl  formed  the  background.  Richard  Stuart 
and  the  other  members  of  the  company  staged  a 
mock  bull  fight  which  was  quite  unique.  With 
the  removal  of  the  bull  five  toreadors  began  a 
series  of  steps  accompanied  by  the  swirling  of 
the  beautiful  capes  of  their  costumes,  one  side 
of  the  cape  being  blue  and  the  other  scarlet. 
Two  clowns  dressed  just  alike  did  some  hand 
turns  and  cartwheels. 

Then  Agnes  Boone,  with  a vermilion  shawl 
draped  about  her  and  a red  rose  in  her  hair  did 
a Spanish  dance.  Following  this,  two  dancers 
came  upon  the  stage  with  two  huge  white  fans. 
They  were  joined  by  two  others  carrying  fans  and 
dressed  in  voluminous  skirts.  The  underskirts 
were  numerous  and  varied  in  color,  forming  ever 
changing  color  combinations  with  the  movements 
of  the  dancers,  as  they  danced  to  the  accompani- 
ment of  castanets.  The  “Fiesta  Espagnola”  was 
beautiful  and  original  and  merited  the  remark 
overheard  in  the  audience:  “Let’s  stay  and  see 
the  dancing  again.” 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  August  5 

The  Roxy  Symphony  Orchestra  opens  this  week’s 
bill  with  Liszt’s  Hung:arian  Rhapsody,  a piece 
whose  wild  and  eerie  melodies  are  very  effective 
in  the  vast  theatre. 

Divertissements. 

(a)  Chanticleer — The  Ballet  Corps  dressed  as 
chicks  and  chanticleers  performing  against  a 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 

LEONARD  M.  SALVO 

Featured  Nightly 
at  the 

COLONY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Retained  as  SOLO  ORGANIST  by  COONEY  BROS.,  after  being  associated 
in  the  same  capacity  with  ASCHER  BROS.,  for  the  last  SIX  YEARS 


LEW  KEENE 

(Tap  and  Acrobatic  Dancer) 

A Feature  On  Any  Bill 

Always  a Huge  Success  in  VAUDEVILLE  and  PRODUCTIONS 
Now  Playing  Deluxe  Picture  Houses 


ADELAIDE  HALL 

(The  Versatile  Artist) 


Ju9t  Completed  Second  Re- 

Ihis  Week 

Now  Featured  in  MARKS 

turn  Engagement  at  the 

Marbro  Fheatre 

BROS.  PreHentations  Touring 

GRANADA  Theatre,  Chicago. 

Chicago 

Their  Theatres. 

Direction — Murray  Bloom  and  Charles  Hogan 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


backdrop  that  represents  a farm  yard.  A novel 
and  effective  number. 

(b)  La  Bascule — The  Ballet  executing  a swift 
moving  dance  in  silhouette  against  a pale  orange 
curtain.  Clever  work  with  the  lighting  contributes 
greatly  to  the  success  of  this  one. 

(c)  The  Skaters — The  Ballet  Corps  dressed  in 
.skating  costume,  cuts  graceful  figures  of  eight  on 
an  imaginary  rink,  while  the  chorus  urges  them 
on.  All  this  takes  place  in  front  of  a backdrop 
which  represents  an  Alpine  scene. 

In  the  broadcasting  studio  with  Roxy’s  Gang. 

(a)  On  a stage  that  is  dressed  to  resemble  a 
broadcasting  studio,  with  an  actual  microphone 
before  them.  Phil  Ohman  and  Victor  Arden  do 
some  mighty  clever  work  at  the  pianos. 

(b)  Gladys  Rice  sings  “Giannina  Mia”  in  a 
very  pleasing  manner. 

(c)  Douglas  Stanbury  gives  his  version  of  the 
ever  popular  "On  the  Road  to  Mandalay.”  with 
the  Russian  cathedral  choir  coming  in  on  the 
second  chorus.  Stanbury,  as  usual,  got  a royal 
reception. 

(d)  The  Cavaliers,  Roxy’s  quartette,  do  some 
clever  harmony  work  with  "Sam  the  Old  Accor- 
dion Man”  and  the  “Whisper  Song.” 

(ebAdelaide  de  Loca  sings  “When  You’re 
Awaj^  as  only  she  can.  Very  well  received. 

(f)  The  Russian  Cathedral  Choir  of  15  voices 
does  a number  with  a distinctly  Russian  and 
humorous  flavor.  Something  both  different  and 
excellent. 

(g)  Harold  Van  Deuse  does  Herbert’s  “I’m  Fall- 
ing in  Love  with  Someone”  in  a way  that  makes 
you  wish  you  were,  too. 

(h)  Rudolph  Hoyas  in  “Ay!  Ay!  Ay!”  a 
Creole  song  in  which  the  singer  is  assisted  by  the 
Roxy  Troubadours  and  their  stringed  instruments 
in  putting  over  a very  appealing  number. 

(i)  Jimmy  Melton  with  his  beautiful  voice  sings 
“More  and  More  and  Day  by  Day,”  with  Phil 
Ohman  and  Victor  Arden  chiming  in  on  the 
pianos. 

(j)  Finale — ’The  whole  Gang  joins  in  giving  a 
very  amusing  travesty  of  “Yes,  We  have  No 
Bananas,”  sung  a la  grand  opera.  A clever  final 
act  that  sends  them  away  laughing. 

Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  July  31 

“Lost  At  the  Front”  was  the  pitiful  comedy 
here  this  week  in  film  form,  but  Ted  Lewis  and 
his  band  relieved  the  situation  with  his  musical 
offering  and  the  bathing  beauties  took  your  mind 
off  the  comedy  entirely. 

The  overture  which  was  arranged  and  staged 
by  Marcelli  was  called  “The  Garden  Scene  from 
Faust,”  adapted  to  the  color  film  called  the 
“Flower  Song,”  which  depicted  the  story  of  “Mar- 
guerite and  Faust”  and  their  romance  in  the  gar- 
den. The  offering  was  run  in  the  manner  of  a 
scrim  presentation,  with  arias  played  from  the 
opera  as  the  film  flashed  on  the  screen  with  a 
fade-out  effect  into  the  balcony  scene  of  Mar- 
guerite singing. 

Beatrice  Belkin,  a coloratura-soprano,  portrayed 
Marguerite,  the  overture  was  supervised  at  this 
performance  under  the  direction  of  Louis  Adrian. 

Marcelli,  who  is  the  musical  director  at  this 
theatre  and  the  Tivoli,  is  responsible  for  these 
musical  moments  and  has  created  considerable  in- 
terest through  his  historic  interpretations  in 
music. 

The  film  was  a little  too  long  and  seemed  to 
tire  in  some  spots,  but  it  was  nevertheless  a 
very  clever  arrangement  and  if  trimmed  down  to 
not  more  than  a few  minutes,  the  idea  should 
prove  successful  in  other  theatres. 

Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  July  29 

“S.  S.  Syncopation”  was  the  title  of  the  New- 
man stage  presentation,  furnished  by  Ralph  Pol- 
lock and  His  Merry  Makers  this  week.  Stage 
settings  were  arranged  to  depict  the  deck  of  a 
battleship. 

Murray  and  Allen  had  two  turns  on  the  stage 
in  comedy  roles,  while  Davie  White  had  a danc- 
ing act.  ’The  Six  Sailorettes  served  in  chorus 
numbers.  Madge  Rush  also  had  a dancing  act, 
while  Sophie  Kasmir  rendered  several  song  se- 
lections. 

Pollock  and  His  Orchestra,  as  was  the  case  last 
week,  confined  a large  part  of  their  orchestral 
selections  to  numbers  named  by  members  of  the 
audiences. 

Julia  Dawn  at  the  organ  had  the  audiences 
joining  in  songs,  illustrated  by  slides,  arranged 
by  her. 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  5 

This  week’s  stage  show  at  the  Paramount  opens 
with  a musical  duel  between  Jesse  Crawford, 
organist,  and  Irving  Talbot  and  his  symphony 
orchestra.  Mrs.  Crawford  finally  comes  to  her 
husband’s  aid  with  another  organ  while  a soloist 
rallies  to  the  Talbot  colors.  Honors  were  about 
even,  judging  from  the  applause,  which  was  tre- 
mendous. 

The  rest  of  the  time  was  filled  by  the  Eight 
Victor  Artists  and  these  boys  are  splendid.  They 
open  with  a chorus  introducing  themselves,  fol- 
lowed by  a piano  solo  by  Frank  Banta,  who  is 
later  joined  by  Sam  Herman  and  Stanley  Baugh- 
man at  two  other  pianos,  and  the  three  of  them 
surely  make  the  keys  hum. 

3 —  ^James  Stanley  follows  this  with  a baritone 
solo,  “'The  Blind  Plowman,”  which  got  a great 
hand. 

4 —  Munroc  Silver,  who  made  “Cohen  on  the 
Telephone”  famous,  got  everybody  laughing  with 
his  monologue,  “Cohen’s  Troubles.” 

.5 — Henry  Burr  then  sings  “If  You  See  Sally.” 
A beautiful  voice  which  drew  the  applause  it 
deserved. 

6 —  Sam  Herman  trotted  out  his  xylophone  next 
and  soon  had  everyone  swaying  in  their  seats 
and  tapping  their  toes  as  he  made  his  instrument 
sing  to  them. 

7 —  ’The  Peerless  Quartette  followed  this  with 
“Jerusalem  Morn,”  a negro  spiritual  that  was 
fine.  You  don’t  know  what  harmony  is  till 
you’ve  heard  these  boys. 

8 —  Billy  Murray,  who  was  master  of  ceremonies, 
sings  the  “Whisper  Song,”  a humorous  tune  with 
a trick  chorus  which  drew  a big  laugh. 

9 —  The  act  ended  with  a closing  choi-us  in 
which  all  eight  artists  joined  to  say  they  hoped 
they  would  see  us  all  soon  again  and  if  these 
skits  are  a sample  of  their  work,  we  hope  so,  too. 

Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  July  31 

Mrs.  Wallace  Reid  in  the  “Satin  Woman”  was 
the  week’s  photoplay  and  “The  Flower  of  Vir- 
ginia,” featuring  Charles  Kaley  and  his  band, 
was  the  stage  presentation.  The  offering  which 
featured  the  Mound  City  Blue  Blowers  and 
Adelaide  Hall  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  to  convey  the 
idea  of  a beautiful  lawn  near  an  old  colonial 
mansion  with  orchestra  playing  “Virginia  Days” 
as  the  Granada  Girls  in  southern  costumes  assem- 
bled around  Walter  Richardson,  a colored  man 
mth  an  exceptionally  fine  tenor  voice,  singing  the 
song  with  girls  later  going  into  neat  routine  of 
dancing  to  the  orchestra’s  tune  of  “Dixie.” 

Charles  Kaley,  in  polo  outfit,  makes  his  entrance 
after  this  scene  to  a good  reception  and  leads 


his  band  into  an  arrangement  of  “No  Wonder 
I’m  Happy,”  to  which  the  boys  also  sing.  As  a 
medley  each  boys  sings  a “happy”  number,  such 
as  “I  Want  to  Be  Happy,”  etc. 

This  is  followed  by  a soft-shoe  dance  routine 
offered  by  the  drummer  and  violinist  which  was 
very  well  done  and  was  equally  well  received. 

Offstage  the  pleasing  tenor  voice  is  heard  sing- 
ing “South  Wind,”  and  as  the  owner  makes  his 
entrance  it  happens  to  be  Walter  Richardson,  the 
colored  singer.  He  was  very  well  paid  for  hie 
efforts  in  the  way  of  applause. 

Claire  and  Sands  follow,  man  and  young  woman 
who  go  into  a comedy  routine  of  dancing  in  col- 
legiate style  which  is  interspersed  with  comedy 
college  songs.  The  couple  dress  in  typical  col- 
legiate fashion  and  for  a closing  number  they 
offer  a slow  motion  routine  which  is  made  pro- 
nounced by  a flickering  spot. 

The  band  followed  this  with  a very  fine  arrange- 
ment of  “Coming  Back  to  Old  Virginia,”  to  which 
they  also  sing.  Charles  Kaley  picks  up  the  tune 
in  the  second  chorus  and  sings  same  in  his  indi- 
vidual manner  to  the  delight  of  the  outfronters. 
This  number  received  quite  a hand  and  was  sung 
over  again  with  a scrim  presentation  effect  with 
a girl  representing  Virginia- 

Mable  Blondell,  a cute  little  miss,  comes  on 
next  and  announces  herself  into  a series  of  char- 
acter songs,  starting  off  with  “Winegar  Works,” 
which  she  does  exceedingly  well.  She  imitates 
Frisco  in  a later  number,  scoring  big  with  this 
crowd. 

The  Mound  City  Blue  Blowers  follow  her  with 
a selection  of  popular  tunes  which  they  play  and 
blow  on  their  instruments,  which  consisted  of  the 
following:  Guitar,  Banjo,  Comb  and  Gazook.  Joe 
Humby,  the  guitar  player,  strums  and  sings  “I 
Can’t  Believe  You  Love  Me,”  also  giving  an- 
other chorus  while  dancing  at  the  same  time.  ’Two 
of  the  other  boys.  Dick  Shevin  and  William  Mc- 
Kenzie, sing  and  play  ‘"There  An’t  No  More.” 
This  earned  the  quai’tette  quite  a reception. 

Adelaide  Hall,  the  little  ebony  girl  with  the 
million-dollar  personaity,  starts  off  her  program 
with  “It  All  Depends  On  You,”  assisted  by  the 
Blue  Blowers,  who  accompany  her.  As  a second 
chorus  in  this  song.  Miss  Hall  offers  her  own 
original  style  of  singing  called  “Squagel,”  a 
slow  tempo  blues  rendition  which  gets  hotter  and 
hotter.  For  an  encore  she  sang  in  her  pleasing 
voice,  “Under  the  Moon,”  accompanying  herself 
on  the  guitar,  later  doing  a soft-.shoe  tap  and 
finishing  with  “Song  of  the  Wanderer.”  Not 
until  she  squageled  this  number,  would  the 
audience  let  her  sign  off. 

The  orchestra  then  went  into  an  arrangement  of 
“Hallelujah,”  sung  and  played  in  tempting  style. 

Stein  and  Allen,  the  two  pianists,  offered  a solo, 
later  joined  in  the  vocal  chorus  by  the  rest  of  the 
lx)ys.  During  this  number  all  stage  lights  go 
out.  and  while  the  boys  repeat  the  chorus,  mo- 
tioning their  hands  up  and  down,  a radium  effect 


Week  to  Week  Stunts — ATTENTION!  — Vocal  Variety 

ORGANISTS  ! 

“JIMMY  offers  for  RENTAL 

savage  ’ ORGAN  SOLOS 

The  Last  Word  in  Community  Singing 

805  Woods  Theatre  Building^  Chicago^  III. 

Comimunity  Comics  — Exclusive  Rights  — Original  Organlogues 


J.  VIRGIL  HUFFMAN 

FEATURED  ORGANIST 

IRVE4G  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

(Open  for  Engagement^  Season  of  1927  and  1928) 


JOSEPH  ALEXANDER 

The  Youngest  Solo  Organist  in  Chicago 
Now  Featured  at  the 

PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 
Doing  Solos  and  Scrim  Presentations 
Specializing  in  Photoplay  Accompaniment 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


is  displayed  on  bodies  and  hands,  making  this  a 
novelty  scene  from  the  front. 

Finale:  Adelaide  Hall,  in  southern  costume, 
trimmed  with  cotton  balls,  enters  singing 
“Flower  of  Virginia, “ a special  song,  as  the 
Granada  Girls,  in  overalls,  decorate  bridge  against 
background  of  cotton  fields  as  the  entire  com- 
pany assembles  on  stage. 


Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  July  31 

“Rookies,”  the  latest  war  comedy  photoplay, 
took  place  here  this  week  with  Lou  Kosloff  and 
his  novelty  syncopators  in  “Midsummer  Fashions.” 
The  stage  attraction  featured  George  Dewey  Wash- 
ington and  Ilomay  Bailey  and  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  as  band  plays  a 
catchy  tune  while  Marie  Peterson  and  Katherine 
White,  two  of  the  Gould  Girls,  do  a toe  specialty 
while  Ilomay  Bailey  eings  the  chorus. 

Lou  Kosloff  next  announces  a band  arrangement 
of  “Sing  That  Song,”  a great  tune  played  in 
great  style,  with  Lou  Kosloff  later  doing  a short 
solo  on  his  violin. 

This  was  followed  by  Johnny  Dove,  announced 
as  one  of  the  feature  artists  of  the  “Vanities.” 
Dove  made  his  entrance  on  roller  skates  and  of- 
fered a very  clever  routine  of  acrobatic  dancing 
on  them  to  the  tune  of  “Barcelona.”  For  the 
finishing  number  he  did  some  clever  splits  and 
sommersaults  and  Russian  knee  drops  to  the 
band’s  accompaniment  of  “I  Miss  My  Swiss.”  A 
clever  chap  who  should  find  favor  in  this  type  of 
entertainment. 

Ilomay  Bailey,  the  young  lady  with  the  golden 
voice,  made  her  appearance  next  singing  “Sun- 
down,” a number  that  seems  to  be  written  for 
her  quality  of  voice.  For  a follow-up  she  was 
induced  to  sing  “Just  Once  Again”  and  the  way 
this  girl  held  her  high  notes  was  soothing  both  to 
the  musical  and  critical  ear.  This  young  lady  has 
been  showing  her  talents  in  picture  houses  for 
several  weeks  and  her  popularity  is  always  evi- 
denced by  the  wonderful  reception  accorded  her 
after  each  number. 

Lon  Kosloff  next  directs  his  boys  into  a band 
arrangement  of  "I’m  Not  That  Kind  of  a Baby,’’ 
intermingled  with  several  specialties  on  the  brass 
and  string  side.  The  amount  of  pep  that  Kosloff 
displays  throughout  this  number  has  convinced 
those  that  have  not  already  been  convinced  that 
this  boy  has  the  class,  the  personality  and  the 
showmanship  which  is  making  him  one  of  the 
most  well  liked  and  most  talked  of  band  leaders 
in  the  city. 

Although  the  band  consists  of  practically  the 
same  boys  that  played  for  Art  Kahn,  the  former 
leader,  here,  it  seems  that  Kosloff  has  a knack 


of  abstracting  every  ounce  of  musical  ability  from 
them,  which  places  this  band  in  the  front  ranks. 

Next  the  Gould  Girls  followed  in  a novelty  sen- 
sation, costumed  in  red  with  cone  hats  and  a 
triple  parasol-like  wand.  The  steps  in  this  rou- 
tine were  simple  but  interesting  and  the  costum- 
ing was  very  picturesque. 

The  Novelty  Syncopators  next  went  into  an  ar- 
rangement of  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song,”  a brand 
new  number,  with  novelty  specialties  injected 
throughout  by  the  boys. 

At  this  point  Ilomay  Bailey  sings  the  number 
through  a circle  cut-out  of  scrim  drop  from  level 
platform  above  band,  with  the  back  drop  in  fan 
shape. 

Lou  Kosloff  picks  up  his  violin  at  this  point 
and  gives  us  another  one  of  his  well  given  solos, 
scoring  as  usual  the  encore  which  he  is  com- 
pelled to  always  take  whenever  he  plays  his  violin. 

The  song  itself  fails  to  register,  but  the  ren- 
dition was  well  given  and  admirably  received. 

Gordon  and  King,  two  young  men  dressed  neat 
step  on  next,  costumed  in  dark  coats  and  light 
trousers  and  go  into  a series  of  eccentric  steps, 
later  doing  some  fine  team  work  to  the  band’s 
accompaniment  of  “That’s  Why  I Love  You”  and 
“Thinking  of  You,”  closing  with  a shuffle  routine, 
which  goes  over  big.  These  boys  display  class 
and  good  talent  that  should  fit  any  stage  show. 

George  Dewey  Washington,  the  admiral-presi- 
dent, made  his  appearance  at  this  house  again 
to  a wonderful  reception,  opening  with  “I  Love 
You”  and  closing  with  “Me  And  My  Shadow,” 
which  stopped  the  show.  The  audience  would  not 
let  him  go  until  he  sang  “South  Wind,”  and  you 
have  never  heard  “South  Wind”  sung  properly 
until  you  hear  G.  D.  sing  it.  Even  this  was  not 
sufficient  and  he  was  compelled  to  sing  “Smile  At 
Troubles,”  the  number  that  he  has  popularized 
and  incidently  identifies  himself  with  as  his  trade 
mark. 

Finale:  The  Gould  Girls  in  snow-white  ballet 
outfits  with  jingle  bells  and  everything  finish 
with  an  ice  skating  routine  with  lights  dimmed 
at  the  finish,  giving  novel  radium  effect. 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  July  29 

“In  Hollywood”  was  the  title  of  Herbert  Raw- 
linson’s  stageshow  of  the  week.  It  included  stories 
of  film  folks  by  Rawlinson,  some  dancing  by  the 
Ambassador  Rockets  and  music  by  Rawlinson’s 
orchestra. 

Dave  Silverman’s  overture  was  “Familiar  Airs 
from  Favorite  Operas.”  Some  of  the  airs  from 
“The  Red  Mill”  were  enacted  on  the  stage. 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  played  several  lullaby 
numbers,  styling  his  turn,  “Mothers  of  the 
World.” 


Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  July  31 

A film  Trailer  announced  on  this  screen  a new 
policy  of  feature  film  and  stage  show  with  change 
of  bill  Sundays  and  Wednesdays.  Sam  Kaufman 
and  his  band  still  continue  the  presentation,  al- 
though it  is  not  known  how  long  they  remain  here, 
as  considerable  changes  are  being  made  through- 
out the  organization.  This  last  half  offering  ran 
as  follows: 

Opening,  with  Sam  Kaufman’s  boys  playing  an 
arrangement  of  “Bye  Bye,  Pretty  Baby,”  a pretty 
little  tune  that  is  slowly  coming  to  the  front  as 
a haunting  melody. 

At  the  finish  of  this  number  Sam  Kaufman 
made  his  entrance  and  announced  Cappello  and 
De  Negri,  an  Adagio  team,  who  do  a fair  inter- 
pretation of  the  dance. 

They  are  followed  by  another  band  arrange- 
ment, that  of  “Sleepy  Time  Gal,”  played  in  fu- 
turistic style  with  intermingled  novelties  from 
the  strings  and  reeds  with  full  force  on  the 
brass  towards  the  finish. 

This  number  which  we  presume  A1  Stucco,  the 
pianist,  arranged  should  be  complimented  for  his 
fine  piece  of  work.  The  number  as  a whole 
received  a very  fine  hand. 

Cappello  came  out  again,  this  time  alone,  doing 
a Russian  routine  which  received  a fine  reception. 
It  seems  that  he  specializes  in  this  number  and 
is  better  fitted  for  whirlwind  and  eccentric  more 
so  than  his  Adagio  work. 

Elder  and  Griggins,  two  girls,  one  sitting  at  the 
piano  knocking  out  a tune  while  her  partner 
harmonized  “Hang  Out  the  Moon.”  The  young 
ladies  are  not  bad  to  look  at  but  lack  in  voice 
ability.  They  also  try  to  sing  “Positively  Abso- 
lutely,” and  almost  murdered  the  song  called 
“Sing  That  Song”  by  doing  it  in  fast  syncopa- 
tion time. 

The  little  reception  that  they  did  receive  must 
be  credited  to  the  orchestra  for  assisting  them  in 
their  turn.  They  are  typical  small-time  artists 
and  probably  would  do  better  by  working  cafes. 

Bamboon  and  Pendle,  two  colored  chaps,  hold 
the  next  to  closing  spot  and  do  everything  in  the 
line  of  steps,  such  as  soft  shoe  taps,  eccentric 
and  clog  dancing.  The  best  part  of  their  routine 
is  the  tap  dancing  and  the  Charleston,  which  one 
of  the  partners  does  on  roller  skates.  They  were 
well  liked  here  because  they  helped  keep  the  party 
alive,  but  do  not  possess  enough  class  for  the 
bigger  houses. 

Finale:  “Hallelujah”  in  as  good  an  arrange- 
ment as  13  pieces  can  play  a tune  with  the  or- 
ganist joining  in  the  last  few  bars. 

St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  July  29 

“Brooke  Johns  in  London  with  the  Prince”  was 
the  stage  show  of  the  week.  Headlined  were 
Margie  Whitney,  buck  dancer,  and  the  Lime  Trio, 
pantomimic  acrobats,  Arthur  Nealy,  tenor,  had 
his  usual  top  place. 

Leonid  Lconardi  selected  “Romberg  Melodies” 
for  his  overture.  The  music  was  enhanced  by 
the  singing  of  a soloist  and  the  musicians  them- 
selves. 

Arthur  L.  Utt,  formerly  of  the  Grand  Central, 
was  at  the  organ,  playing  “Hello  Everybody.” 
Milton  Slosser,  regular  organist,  is  on  his  vacation. 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  July  31 

This  was  the  week  of  the  Balaban  & Katz 
annual  six  million  dollar  fur  show.  If  audience 
response,  both  in  applause  and  in  parting  with 
the  coin  of  the  realm  at  the  box  office  means  any- 
thing the  show  this  year  did  not  click  as  in 
years  past.  It  could  not  match  the  drawing 
power  of  the  attractions,  of  the  previous  two 
weeks — Ted  Lewis  and  Fred  Waring  and  their 
bands. 

Fortunately  the  specialties  on  the  bill  were 
strong",  and  for  these  acts  the  audience  showed  ite 
real  appreciation,  Joe  Laurie,  Jr-,  the  diminutive 
stage  star,  was  billed  as  master  of  ceremonies. 
This  is  the  first  time  that  he  has  appeared  in  a 
Chicago  film  house,  and  the  audience  indicated 
that  it  would  like  to  see  more  of  him.  He  was 
only  in  front  of  the  curtain  twice  during  the 
rather  long  show,  but  he  made  minutes  count. 
His  wisecracking  was  refreshing. 

Born  and  Lawrence,  with  their  nondescript 
dress  suits,  were  a show  in  themselves,  their 
clever  dance  capers  accounting  for  one  of  the 
big  hands  of  the  evening.  This  couple  works 
very  smoothly,  and  this  reporter  for  one  would 
liked  to  have  seen  a few  encores. 

Milton  Watson  shifted  from  the  Oriental  to  lend 
his  tenor  voice  to  the  show.  His  songs  were  the 

{Continued  on  page.  49,  column  2) 


Jesse  Crawford  Concerts 

With  Mrs.  Crawford  at  Stage  Console 

Paramount  Theatre 
New  York 

At  the  Cross  Roads  of  the  World 


MAXINE  HAMILTON 

IN  A CLASS  BY  HERSELF 

THE  LITTLE  BLUES  SYNCOPATRESS  WHO 
ALSO  DANCES  HER  WAY  INTO  YOUR  HEARTS 

Just  Finished  a Tour  of  PUBLIX 
Will  open  at  tlie  ORIENTAL,  Chicago,  Week  of  .August  22n<l. 

Otlier  li.  & K.  Features  to  Follow. 

Direction — Phil  Tyrrell  and  Max  Turner 


DAVEY  WHITE 

(The  Young  Old  Soak  Dancer) 

IN  HIS  ORIGINAL  ECCENTRIC  TWISTS 

Featured  in  “RUSH-IA,”  a PUBLIX  STAGEBAND  UNIT 

Now  Recovering  from  Stage  Injuries 
Will  soon  Re-open  Balance  of  PUBLIX  Tour 
Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


GALLO  SAYS: 


Frank  Cambria  tells  us  that  “Orange  Blossoms,” 
a new  Publix  bandshow  unit,  is  the  last  produc- 
tion be  will  supervise  before  leaving  for  an  ex- 
tended tour  of  Europe — the  unit  which  opens  at 
New  York  Paramount  this  week  is  the  first  of  a 
series  to  start  around  the  circuit.  . . . 

Egon  A.  C.  Kaposi,  presentation  director  of  the 
Cinema  Royal  of  Amsterdam,  writes  us  that  he  is 
interested  in  the  Roxy  Radio  programs  and  will 
always  welcome  bandshow  ideas.  . . . While  we 
are  still  on  the  subject  of  bandsbows,  let  us  also 
announce  that  Paul  Ash,  the  inventor  of  this  form 
of  entertainment,  is  reported  to  leave  the  Orien- 
tal, Chicago,  to  open  at  the  Paramount  in  New 
York  sometime  ne.xt  September.  . . . A1  Kvale,  his 
able  assistant,  will  become  a band  leader  in  his 
own  name  on  September  21,  when  he  installs  a 
bandshow  in  the  Norshore,  Chicago,  which  house 
goes  into  presentation  policy  at  that  date.  . . . 
Mark  Fisher  is  back  this  week  and  is  featuring 
Lang  & Voelk  in  his  new  “Jazz-in-Blues”  stage 
show  at  the  Harding,  Chicago,  this  week.  Buck 
& Bobbles  are  playing  picture  houses  again  this 
week.  They  are  featured  with  Del  Delbridge’s 
“Carnival  Week”  bandshow  at  the  Capitol,  Chi- 
cago. Preston  Sellers,  featured  organist  of  the 
Senate,  Chicago,  is  taking  Henry  B.  Murtagh’s 
place  at  the  Chicago,  Chicago,  until  the  latter 
has  recovered  fully  from  his  recent  injury.  . . . 
Edward  Hansen,  of  the  Congress,  Chicago,  will 
solo  for  Sellers  at  the  Senate  until  he  gets  back, 
and  Earl  Abel,  formerly  of  the  Belmont,  also  of 
Chicago,  is  handling  the  organ  for  Hansen  at  the 
Congress.  . . . The  Belmont  was  recently  taken 
over  by  the  Orpheum  Circuit  as  their  North  Side 
try-out  house.  . . . It  is  also  understood  that 

Hansen  will  alternate  with  Milton  Charles  at  the 
Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres,  Chicago,  starting 
next  month.  . . . While  on  the  subject  of  organ- 
ists, let  us  say  that  Ken  Widenor,  formerly  fea- 
tured at  Newman’s  Kansas  City,  is  now  guest  organ- 
ist at  McVicker’s,  Chicago.  . . . After  the  Premier 
Trio  play  the  State,  Detroit,  this  week  they  will 
play  some  dates  for  the  Harry  Danforth  Agency 
of  Chicago,  whose  bookings  have  been  arranged 
through  Phil  Gordon  of  that  office.  . . . Wade 
Booth,  formerly  of  Keith-Albee  vaudeville,  is  now 
doing  a turn  in  presentation  and  is  being  featured 
this  week  by  Paul  Ash  with  Ilomay  Bailey  in  his 
new  “Splashes”  production.  . . . Kerenoff  & 

Maree  are  filling  in  a few  weeks  at  the  Castle 
Farms  in  Cincinnati  before  going  into  rehearsal 
for  a new  show.  . . . Abe  Olman,  professional 
manager  of  the  Forster  Music  Co.,  now  in  Detroit 
on  business,  announces  a brand  new  program  of 
songs  for  early  fall  release.  . . . Jesse  Craw- 
ford was  ill  last  week  and  Sigmund  Krumlo'ff  took 
his  place  at  the  Paramount.  . . . Walter  Dona- 
van,  Chicago  professional  manager  of  Irving  Ber- 
lin Music  Co.,  is  the  writer  of  “Then  You’ll  Come 
Back  to  Me,”  a new  song  being  published  by 
Milton  Weil.  . . . George  Riley  of  Heller  and 

Riley  left  for  a month’s  vacation  this  week.  . . . 
Billy  Randall  is  soon  to  become  a daddy.  . . . 
Will  Higgle  and  his  girls,  now  playing  at  the 
Avalon  Cafe,  Chicago,  will  play  a short  engage- 
ment of  picture  houses  this  fall.  . . . Bennie 

Krueger  is  back  from  his  vacation  and  features  a 
fine  cast  of  players  in  his  new  stagehand  show 
opening  at  the  Uptown,  Chicago,  this  week.  On 
the  same  program  appears  also  Harry  Rappi, 
formerly  of  vaudeville.  . . . The  North  Center 
theatre  of  Chicago  which  was  recently  taken  over 
by  Lublincr  and  Trinz,  now  offers  a fine  policy 
of  pictures  and  vaudeville.  . . . Bill  Best,  the 
kind  gentleman  who  greets  you  at  the  stage  door 
of  the  Harding  theatre,  Chicago,  just  returned 
from  a week’s  vacation  he  spent  in  the  country. 
. . . Irma  Glenn,  featured  organist  at  Ascher 
Bros.’  Portage  Park  theatre,  Chicago,  gives  organ 
recitals  each  night  over  the  radio  from  WBCN, 
the  Edison  station.  . . . Miguel  Galvan,  the 

Spanish  banjo  boy,  sails  for  London  on  December 
26th  to  play  the  English  music  halls. 

John  Murray  Anderson,  the  producer,  and  J.  R. 
Cowan  of  the  Publix  N.  Y.  production  department 
were  Chicago  visitors  last  week.  . . . Jazzlips 
Richardson  is  now  playing  his  third  return  en- 
gagement at  the  Sheridan,  Ascher’s  new  Chicago 
picture  house.  ...  On  or  about  August  29th  the  new 
Avalon  theatre  opens  on  Chicago’s  far  south 
side.  . . . The  new  house  will  house  a policy 
of  feature  pictures  and  a stagehand  show  type  of 
presentation  with  Sam  Kaufman  as  the  possible 
band  leader.  . . . Jean  Anthony  and  Leonard 

Smith  are  reported  as  first  and  second  organists. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


A Presentation 
Service 

Any  exhibitor  who  is  contemplating  a 
policy  of  presentation  of  stagehand  shows, 
either  on  a large  or  small  scale,  and  de- 
sires to  secure  information  regarding  the 
booking  of  specialty  acts  or  anything  per- 
taining to  the  proper  launching  of  stage 
entertainment  is  welcomed  to  make  use  of 
this  publication  by  writing  in  at  any  time 
for  any  suggestions  about  the  above  policy. 

The  Presentation  Department  of  ’The 
Herald  has  made  arrangements  with  some 
of  the  best  informed  people  in  these  lines 
and  has  at  its  command  all  the  data  and 
information  that  will  enable  you  to  install 
this  or  any  form  of  stage  entertainment 
in  your  theatre,  either  as  a permanent 
policy  or  for  extra  added  attractions  on 
certain  nights  and  occasions  such  as  na- 
tional holidays,  etc. 

We  will  be  only  too  glad  to  assist  you 
in  securing  the  best  material  and  talent 
that  your  appropriation  can  buy.  and  we 
sincerely  recommend  the  best  of  results  if 
the  advice  of  our  experts  is  followed. 


{Continued  from  page  48) 
connecting  links  between  the  different  sections 
of  the  entertainment.  He  had  a difficult  spot, 
but  came  through  in  fine  fashion.  His  opening 
was  “Beautiful  Lady,”  sung  in  front  of  an 
animated  24  sheet.  For  this  feature  he  was 
dressed  in  a bill  poster’s  suit  of  silver  cloth.  A 
good  effect.  Another  of  his  renditions  during  the 
evening  was  “If  I Could  Look  Into  Your  Eyes 
Again.” 

One  of  the  big  receptions  of  the  evening  was 
given  to  the  Tiller  Sunshine  Girls,  late  of 
“Sunny.”  It  is  the  opinion  of  this  reporter  that 
the  Tiller  Girls,  whether  this  group  or  another, 
stand  in  a class  by  themselves.  We  have  yet  to 
see  a group  of  these  girls  that  couldn’t  bring 
down  the  house.  In  this  instance,  their  rope 
jumping  dance  in  particular  carried  the  audience 
off  its  feet. 

The  show  this  week  was  plentifully  supplied 
with  dancers,  and  it  seems  that  that  is  what 
the  patrons  want.  Layman  and  King,  society 
dancers,  came  in  for  a round  of  applause.  ’They 
were  deserving  of  it. 

A neat  stunt  was  H.  Leopold  Spitalny’s  accom- 
paniment to  the  show,  especially  the  latter  part. 
Seated  on  a balcony  on  the  stage  were  several 
members  from  the  pit  orchestra.  They  would 
carry  a tune  up  to  a certain  point,  then  the 
players  in  the  pit  would  take  up  the  melody  and 
continue.  This  interchange  continued  for  some 
minutes,  and  was  inviting.  The  two  bands  worked 
in  perfect  accord,  and  showed  the  expert 
direction  of  Spitalny. 


Providence  Fays 

Week  Ending  July  23 

Dailey  Paskman’s  Radio  Minstrels,  a troupe  of 
20  artists  filled  with  music  and  rhythm  to  their 
finger  tips  and  known  to  every  radio  fan,  is 
the  featured  stage  number  this  week.  Old  time 
minstrels  brought  up  to  date  may  best  describe 
the  offering,  which  pleased  both  old  and  young. 
McCoy  and  Walton,  a comedy  song  and  dance 
team ; Foster  and  Peggy,  a fox  terrier ; and  the 
Three  Valierres,  acrobats,  rounded  out  the  bill. 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed)... 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Edward  Meikel  (Chicago  Harding)  presented  a 
Jimmy  Savage  organ  solo  this  week  in  the  fomi 
of  a radio  broadcast  over  station  WBBM.  The 
stunt  consisted  of  the  following  songs,  “Honolulu 
Moon,”  “He’s  the  Last  Word,”  “You  Don’t  Like 
It,”  “Just  One  Again,”  “Positively,  Absolutely” 
intermingled  with  several  medlies  for  comedy  sit- 
uations. The  slides  which  were  made  by  Rans- 
ley  were  very  clever  this  week.  Being  a combina- 
tion of  cartoon  with  photographic  heads  on  the 
bodies  representing  several  popular  ai’tiste  who 
have  appeared  in  this  theatre’s  stage  presenta- 
tion. They  were  as  follows:  Peggy  Bernier,  Mil- 
ton  Watson,  Johnny  Perkins,  Ruth  Etting,  and 
Heller  & Riley,  who  had  the  feature  spots.  These 
characters  carried  on  a general  conversation  in 
the  slides  in  the  form  of  giving  a perfonnance 
and  Meikel  presented  them  in  the  above  songs. 
For  an  encore  this  week  he  played  “Red  Lips.” 


Chauncey  Haines  (Chicago  Norshore)  is  back 
after  a serious  illness  and  this  week  selected  a 
stunt  which  featured  pianistic  type  of  organ  play- 
ing, using  such  songs  as  “The  Doll  Dance,” 
“Flapperette”  and  “Dizzy  Fingers.”  Haines  was 
always  popular  at  this  house  and  his  return  will 
make  him  moi’e  so. 


Henri  Keates  (Chicago  Oriental)  presented  for 
the  vocal  gymnastics  of  his  audience  this  week, 
“Waiiting  for  the  Rain,”  “After  I've  Called  You 
Sweetheart,”  “High  Ways  Are  Happy  Ways,” 
“That’s  What  I Think  of  You,”  and  “When  I 
First  Met  Mai*y.”  As  a final  encore  he  played 
“Sundown.”  Does  Keates  go  over  at  the  Oriental? 
And  how ! 


Preston  Seller  (Chicago  Senate)  called  his  com- 
munity sing  presentation  this  week  “The  Voice 
of  the  People  on  the  Topics  of  the  Day.”  All 
songs  were  presented  as  a part  of  the  news  of 
the  day.  The  idea  was  clever.  His  first  piece 
was  a travesty  on  “Sundown,”  called  “Sunburn.” 
The  other  songs  were:  “Just  Like  a Butterfly 
Caught  in  the  Rain,”  “Baby  Feet”  and  “Love  and 
Kisses.” 


Alice  Richmond  (Liberty,  Beaumont,  Texas)  re- 
ports that  for  the  week  of  July  23rd  she  presented 
a novel  organ  stunt  for  her  solo  called  “I’m 
Learning  Now,”  with  popular  songs  for  the  com- 
munity to  sing. 


Arlo  Halts  (Grand,  Moberly,  Mo.)  reports  that 
he  used  for  his  organ  solo  for  week  ending 
July  27th.  “It  All  Depends  On  You,”  which  scored 
a bigger  hit  than  any  other  number  he  has  ever 
used  in  this  theatre. 


Harriet  Thoma  (Chicago  Pershing)  played  a 
selection  of  popular  numbers  this  week  as  the 
musical  theme  for  Clai’a  Bow’s  feature  Rough 
House  Rosie.” 


Hugo  Brunlik  (Chicago  Rivoli)  played  a med- 
ley of  classic  and  popular  tunes  this  week  to  fit 
the  theme  of  “The  Lost  World”  and  “Simple  Sis 
films. 


Don  Isham  (Chicago  Embassy)  has  discarded 
his  slides  temporarily  and  is  conducting  i>ersonal 
chats  with  his  audience  during  his  organ  solos 
which  seems  to  induce  them  into  (Mjmmunity  sing- 
ing. This  seems  like  it's  the  first  time  that  an 
organist  is  having  personal  contact  with  his  audi- 
ence and  due  to  Isham’s  personality  the  stunt 
.should  prove  very  successful. 


L.  Carlos  Meiers  (Chicago  Terminal)  selected 
for  this  week's  organ  solo  a classic  by  Drdlla 
called  “Souvenir,”  a very  pretty  piece  well  known 
and  well  liked  by  all.  Meiers  is  best  fitted  for 
this  type  of  interpretation. 


Arsene  Segel  (Chicago  Uptown)  replaced  Henry 
B.  Murtagh,  who  in  turn  replaced  Milton  Charles 
while  on  his  vacation,  played  gems  from  “The 
Vagabond  King,”  featuring  “Only  a Rose.” 
Segel  is  the  organist  here  alternating  with 
Charles. 


.Toseph  Alexander  (Chicago  Picadilly)  offered 
for  this  week’s  solo  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song,”  as 
a scrim  presentation,  using  Sam  Kaufman  play- 
ing the  piano  and  a violinst  in  a medley  of  baby 
numbers,  such  as  an  interprolation  of  “Rock-abye 
Baby,”  “Sweet  and  Low,”  “Just  a Song  at 
Twilight,”  using  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song”  as  the 
theme.  Alexander  played  the  organ  inanoissimo. 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in 
presentation  may  discuss  important 
matters  bearing  upon  this  phase  of  thea- 
tre entertainment.  Only  signed  letters 
will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  EDITOR, 

Exhibitors  Herald. 

407  South  Dearborn, 

Chica.sfo,  III. 

Dear  Sir: 

In  your  July  16  issue,  under  PRESENTATION 
ACTS,  there  appeared  an  article  giving  the 
account  of  the  new  “Scrimaphone”  invented  by 
Albert  Brown,  in  collaboration  with  the  Victor 
Talking  Machine  Company,  and  stating  that  this 
instrument  could  be  procured  from  the  Victor 
Talking  Machine  Company,  by  special  arrange- 
ment. 

I am  using  in  my  theatre  a Victrola  equipped 
with  Bristophone  Arm,  and  RCA  104  loud  speaker, 
and  use  the  new  Orthophonic  records. 

Being  at  all  times  on  the  alert  for  something 
new  in  the  line  of  music,  I immediately  wrote  to 
the  Victor  Company,  asking  them  to  send  me 
details  of  this  new  instrument.  I received  a 
reply  from  them  yesterday,  stating  they  do  not 
know  anything  about  this  “Scrimaphone”  what- 
ever. and  asking  me  to  please  send  them  clipping 
of  the  article  my  letter  referred  to.  This  I did, 
and  I hope  that  I did  not  get  you  “in  bad”  by 
doing  so,  as  they  could  have  gotten  the  said 
clipping  from  other  sources  anyway. 

I do  not  want  you  to  think  that  I am  instigating 
any  trouble.  I think  too  much  of  your  valued 
Herald,  I was  only  looking  for  something  new. 

George  H.  Koch. 

Gem  theatre, 
Lyndon,  Kan. 

[Editor’s  Note:  In  the  “Better  Theatres”  Sec- 
tion you  will  find  a more  detailed  account  of  the 
“Scrhnaphone."] 

PRESENTATION  EDITOR. 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  South  Dearborn, 

Ghicago,  III. 

Dear  Sir: 


For  the  information  of  other  organists,  I wish 
to  announce  that  Miss  Alice  Richmond,  feature 
organist  of  this  theatre,  used  for  the  week  ending 
July  23,  a Jenkins  hit,  “I’m  Learning  Now,”  with 
comic  slides  inviting  the  audience  to  sing.  This 
number  went  over  so  good  with  the  patrons  that 
I intend  to  have  it  used  again.  She  also  played 
a beautiful  score  to  “Frisco  Sally  Levy.” 

Miss  Richmond  is  getting  to  be  a real  favorite 
with  our  patrons  here. 

Will  send  you  numbers  used  by  Miss  Richmond 
each  week  and  how  they  go  over  with  our  patrons 
for  information  of  other  organists. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you  from  time  to  time,  I 
remain,  F.  W.  Putnam, 

Liberty  theatre, 
Beaumont,  Tex. 

PRESENTATION  EDITOR, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  South  Dearborn, 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

I ran  slides  to  “It  All  Depends  On  You”  with 
a whistling  chorus  and  the  song  went  ovei 
far  bigger  than  anything  since  the  house  opened 
last  October.  I had  real  singing  and  it  compared 
favorably  with  singing  in  Missouri  and  Ambas- 
sador theatres  in  St.  Louis.  Would  appreciate  anj 
mention  made  of  this  in  the  Herald. 

Arlo  Hults, 

Feature  organist. 

Grand  theatre, 
Moherly,  Mo. 


“Metropolis”  Breaks 
Record  at  Roosevelt 


( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  YORK. — Metropolis'*  a Para- 
mount picture,  has  smashed  the  box  of- 


£ce  record  at  the  Roosevelt  theatre, 
Chicago,  according  to  a wire  sent  to 
Paramount  by  Max  Balaban,  executive 
of  the  circuit  which  controls  the  Roose- 
velt. 

His  wire  read:  “Without  special  advertising 
campaign  because  picture  was  placed  in  Roose- 
velt on  four  days’  notice,  ‘Metropolis’  is  doing 
sensational  business.  First  Week’s  receipts  $22,- 
200,  second  Sunday  opening  at  $4,100  as  against 
$3,800  on  opening  Sunday,  which  indicates  larger 
receipts  for  second  week.  This  is  the  first  time 
in  history  of  the  Roosevelt  that  second  week’s 
receipts  were  larger  than  first.  Had  only  intend- 
ed using  picture  two  weeks  but  have  extended 
run  for  four  weeks  with  possibility  of  running 
it  longer.” 


“Guilty,  Your  Honor” 

By  HENRY  B.  MURTAGH 

Solo  Organist 

B & K Chicago  Theatre,  Chicago 

What  is  this  mighty  thunder 
Re-echoing  from  all  sides? 

The  Movie  Intellectuals 

Are  panning  Organ  slides!  ! ! 

With  bitter  scorn  they  roast  *em — 

Or  in  despair  they  weep. 

They  say  that  Slides  are  taivdry. 

Inartistic,  hopeless,  cheap. 

“Atii  organist  is  -vulgar 

Who  flashes  words  on  screen. 

He  has  no  sense  of  Beauty — 

He  wears  an  empty  bean. 

His  solos  cast  a stigma 
On  Cinemas  **De  Luxe?* 

Why  does  he  snub  immortal  Bach 
And  other  Classic  ducks?** 

**The  gink  who  **sells  his  stuff**  -with  slides 
At  sunrise  shoidd  be  shot!  ! ! 

Three  loud  **hoorays**  for  he  who  plays 
His  solo  in  a **spot.** 

Such  Wisdom  leaves  me  speechless 
In  vain  I grope  for  words 
To  meet  the  Accusations 
Of  these  Superior  Birds. 

For  Vm  a ** son g^ slide**  sinner — 

1 bcnv  my  head  in  shame. 

And  future  generations 

Will  shrudder  at  my  Tiame. 

For  so  much  filthy  lucre 
I irmtate  the  snobs — 

While  my  Artistic  Brothers 
Stay  Clean — and  hunt  for  jobs. 

But  are  the  Slides  so  putrid?  ? ? 

At  times  Vm  prone  to  think 
A blithesome  Fug-ue  by  Bach  would  drive 
My  Audience  to  drink. 

They  Pay  for  Entertainment — 

1 give  them  what  they  seek— 

They  seem  to  tolerate  me — 

And  come  back  every  week. 

They  do  not  shoiver  tomatoes 
Upon  my  vulgar  head. 

My  efforts  call  for  ancient  eggs — 

And  bring  applause  instead. 

For  years  and  years  Vve  gone  estray 
With  these  degraded  slides — 

Yet  o*er  the  waves  that  fuss  and  fume 
My  little  raft  stUl  glides. 

My  manager  is  friendly — 

He  shoivs  no  sign  of  grief. 

I get  my  Check  on  pay-day — 

And  no  one  calls  me,  **Thief** 

So  let  the  Critics  shoot  at  me 
As  long  as  Vm  in  range: 

Perhaps  they  have  the  right  idea — 

But  Vm  too  old  to  change. 


KENNETH  ANDERSON 

Featured  Organist 

METROPOLITAN  > CHICAGO 

(Photoplay  Syncronizing  a Specialty) 


All  Production  Groups 
Join  in  Making  Pledges 
To  Foster  Cooperation 

(Continued  from  page  23) 

method  tending  toward  artistic  or  scien- 
tific improvement  in  the  production  and 
manufacture  of  motion  pictures. 

b.  To  maintain  a large  research  library 
for  the  benefit  of  all  members  of  the 
Academy,  thereby  facilitating  artistic  and 
scientific  inquiry  of  every  sort  and 
thereby  permitting  the  elimination  of 
costly  individual  research  libraries  for- 
merly maintained  by  the  various  studios. 

c.  In  every  other  way  possible  to  have 
available  at  all  times  scientific  and 
technical  information  for  members  of  the 
academy  which  will  permit  them  to 
operate  with  utmost  efficiency  and 
economy. 

2.  To  promote  and  support  a central 
clearing  house  for  the  following  ex- 
pressed purposes: 

(a) .  To  receive  and  file  for  the  use  of 
any  member  of  the  Academy  the 
synopses  of  all  stories,  novels,  plays  and 
other  works  read  by  various  members; 
thereby  eliminating  the  present  costly 
practice  of  reading  virtually  every  pub- 
lished work  independently  in  each  studio. 
Members  of  the  Academy  pledge  them- 
selves to  file  a copy  of  the  synopsis  of 
each  literary  work  read  by  them  with 
the  central  clearing  house. 

(b) .  To  maintain  and  have  available 
at  all  times  an  up  to  date  list  of  all  the 
stories  owned  by  producer  members  of 
the  Academy  or  which  they  are  willing 
to  resell,  with  a view  to  lessening  the 
excessive  amount  of  capital  presently 
tied  up  in  literary  material. 

(c) .  To  obtain  and  maintain  a list  of 
sets,  mechanical  devices  and  other  facili- 
ties in  general  use  by  all  studios  with  a 
view  to  reducing  the  cost  of  such  items. 

And  to  further  study  the  transcript  of 
the  conferences  between  representatives 
of  the  producers  and  other  branches  of 
the  Academy  and  hold  future  conferences 
in  order  to  continually  obtain  those  most 
constructive  suggestions  which  promise 
to  lower  production  cost  without  lower- 
ing production  quality  and  have  de- 
veloped an  awakening  of  conscience,  a 
unity  and  an  esprit  de  corps  that  should 
prove  priceless  to  the  industry. 


Salary  Cut  Dropped; 
Branches  Vote  Harmony 

(Continued  from  page  23) 

your  credit  is  good.  But  credit  alone 
will  not  reduce  the  cost  of  production. 
Only  the  fulfillment  of  these  pledges  will 
reduce  costs.  A short  time  ago  we 
faced  a crisis.  We  stood  in  two  ranks, 
the  producers  one  one  side,  the  actors, 
directors,  writers  and  technicans  on  the 
other.  We  were  ready  to  fight. 

“But  the  Academy  came  to  help  us  and 
out  of  th^se  meetings  has  grown  a spirit 
of  sympathy,  understanding  and  coopera- 
tion which  places  the  industry  in  an  en- 
viable light.  If  we  all  work  shoulder  to 
shoulder  there  can  be  no  question  of  the 
outcome.  However,  you  must  spread 
your  good  intentions  and  ideas  through- 
out the  industry  and  it  must  be  realized 
that  your  problems  are  our  problems  and 
what  affects  us  affects  you." 

De  Mille  read  the  pledges  of  the  vari- 
ous branches  enrolled  in  the  Academy. 

By  a unanimous  vote  the  Academy 
adopted  the  pledges  and  the  program 
outlined  by  the  producers  and  the  pro- 
posed salary  cut  went  into  the  discard. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


f THE  THEATRE! 

Q^Aj)epartment  of  Practical  Showmanship  J 


Franklyn  Urges  Half -Sheet  Paper 


Lobby  Display  Pulls  Record  Business 

The  lobby  of  the  theatre  is  the  exhibitor’s  show  window,  and  who  ever 
heard  of  a progressive  merchant  that  never  changed  his  show  windows.  The 
showman  has  exactly  the  same  selling  problem  that  any  merchant  has.  A 
merchant  sells  shirts  or  fresh  vegetables.  The  exhibitor  sells  seats.  One 
exhibitor  says  he  looks  upon  his  seats  as  perishable  goods.  If  he  doesn’t 
sell  them  for  every  performance,  they  spoil  on  him  and  he  takes  a loss. 

C.  E.  Cooper,  Oakford  theatre,  Richmond,  W.  Va.,  uses  his  show  window, 
the  lobby  of  his  theatre,  to  sell  his  perishable  goods.  He  makes  his  own 
lobby  displays.  Just  read  his  le1:ter  to  THE  THEATRE  and  see  what  great 
success  his  displays  bring  him. 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  5*  Dearborn  Street, 

Chicago,  III. 

Gentlemen : 

Please  find  inclosed  two  pictures  on  lobby  display  on  the  F B O pic- 
ture, **Tarzan  and  the  Golden  Lion,**  This  lobby  display  I built  myself. 

The  time  spent  on  same  teas  about  one  day. 

To  induce  the  children  at  the  matinee  / gave  to  all  children  a bow 
and  arrow.  I SHOWED  TO  A BIGGER  BV  SIN  ESS  ON  THE  ABOVE 
PICTURE  THAN  ANY  PICTURE  I HAVE  SHOWN  IN  A LONG  TIME. 

If  you  care  to  use  same  in  the  Herald,  it  is  all  right  as  it  might  help 
some  other  exhibitors  to  do  a big  business  on  the  same  picture. 

Yours  truly, 

C.  E.  COOPER. 

Mr.  Cooper  certainly  demonstrates  to  the  small  exhibitor  that  lobby  dis- 
plays pay  in  big  profits.  Too  often  when  the  small  town  exhibitor  goes  to  a 
nearby  city  and  sees  a beautiful  lobby  display  he  says  to  himself,  '‘Gosh,  I 
wish  I could  have  a display  like  that,  but  I couldn’t  do  it  at  my  theatre,  it 
costs  too  much.”  Mr.  Cooper  offers  proof  that  it  can  be  done,  and  that  it 
pays — and  at  a nominal  cost.  Let  us  hear  about  your  next  lobby  display, 
Mr.  Cooper,  and  the  other  brother  exhibitors. 


B.  S.  Moss  representative  says  new 
style  of  accessory  would  prove  valuable 
to  exhibitors  in  small  towns  and  in  neigh- 
borhoods — Could  be  used  on  telephone 
poles  and  fences. 

Recently  Universal  brought  out  an  innovation  in  posters.  It 
was  a horizontal  three  sheet.  The  poster  was  developed  from  an 
idea  published  in  this  department  and  sent  in  by  brother  exhibitors. 

Now  here  is  a suggestion  for  a half  sheet  for  trade  purposes 
on  telegraph  poles  and  fences.  It  comes  from  I.  R.  Franklyn  of 
B.  S.  Moss’  Regent  theatre,  New  York.  His  letter,  incorporating 
his  suggestion,  reads: 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  S.  Dearborn  Street, 

Chicago,  III. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  past  several  months  I have  been  an  interested 
observer  of  your  THEATRE  department,  appreciating 
the  constructive  helpfulness  derived  from  the  sugges- 
tions offered  by  brother  exhibitors. 

This  is  the  first  time  that  I have  ventured  to  give  a 
suggestion  of  my  own. 

During  the  18  years  that  I have  been  engaged  in  ad- 
vertising and  exploiting  motion  pictures,  I have  never 
been  able  to  find  adequate  means  of  putting  telegraph 
poles  and  picketed  fences  to  the  proper  use  with  my 
advertising  accessories. 

I have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  if  some  wide- 
awake company  would  add  as  a permanent  part  of  their 
regular  run  of  accessories  lithographed  half  sheets  they 
would  be  doing  a tremendous  service  for  exhibitors, 
especially  in  small  towns  and  neighborhood  cities. 

I noticed  that  Mr.  Dave  Bader  of  the  Universal  home 
office  accessory  department  has  again  proven  his  ability 
by  exploiting  a recent  suggestion  featured  in  the  HER- 
ALD regarding  horizontal  three  sheets  on  serials,  which 
are  now  known  as  Universal  Junior  24  sheets. 

If  Mr.  Bader  would  consider  this  suggestion  of  litho- 
graphed half  sheets,  I am  sure  that  once  again  exhibitors 
throughout  the  country  would  bless  Universal  for  its 
thoughtfulness. 

I am  not  dwelling  upon  the  basis  of  inducing  Uni- 
versal to  accept  this  suggestion.  In  fact,  it  would  be  a 
blessing  if  every  company  decided  to  make  lithographed 
half  sheets. 

Thanking  you  for  your  consideration  and  your  many 
helpful  suggestions  in  the  past,  I am. 

Sincerely, 

I.  R.  FRANKLYN. 

We’ll  bet  anybody  that  Franklyn  finds  “some  adequate  means 
of  putting  telegraph  poles  and  picketed  fences  to  the  proper  use” 
before  long ; and  when  he  does,  we  hope  that  he  will  send  the 
information  to  us  so  that  we  can  pass  it  along  to  other  exhibitors. 

Many  exhibitors  have  thought  that  they  could  not  afford  to  bill 
their  towns  for  pictures.  Yet,  many  of  them  who  have  tried  it 
have  found  that  the  cost  of  billing  was  small  compared  to  the 
additional  profits  that  the  billing  brought.  This  is  especially  true 
where  feature  pictures  were  billed. 

It  is  not  necessary  for  the  exhibitor  to  have  his  own  boards,  or 
to  pay  high  rentals  for  billing  space  in  many  instances.  Any  live 
wire  exhibitor  can  find  plenty  of  spots  to  put  up  his  posters  free 
of  charge,  or  for  complimentary  tickets. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Weekly  Newspaper  Pays  Dividend 


LET’S  GO! 

SATURDAY, 

JULY  16  ANOTHER  BIG  DAY  AT  THE  NEW  f HEATReI 

MATINEE  3 p.  m.  i 

Prices  lOc  and  25c  ' 

L GENE  STRATTON  PORTER’S  4 

r “LADDIE”  1 

l Night  Prices  10  and  25c  1 

MATINEE  3 p.  m.  1 

Prices  10c  and  25c  | 

Romance  and  Adventure-love  and  vengeance 
in  a story  of  thrills  and  high  suspense. 


Display  Ads  Pay 
Big  Dividend  for 
Small  Exhibitor 

Can  the  small  town  exhibitor  go  in  for 
regular  newspaper  display  advertising? 
Some  exhibitors  say  that  the  cost  is  far 
too  high.  Others  say  that  they  use  it  con- 
sistently with  fine  results  in  added  cash 
receipts. 

The  exhibitor  in  the  small  town  often 
has  from  three  to  six  changes  a week,  yet 
he  has  nothing  but  the  weekly  paper  in 
which  to  advertise  his  pictures.  _ There’s 
where  the  rub  comes  in.  His  job  is  to 
make  his  advertising  attractive  enough  to 
establish  in  the  minds  of  the  readers  his 
entire  list  of  pictures  for  the  following 
week.  Some  exhibitors  might  say  it  can’t 
be  done. 

But  along  comes  a letter  to  The  Thea- 
tre from  S.  A.  Arnold,  Bathe  Exchange 
salesman  of  Memphis,  Tenn.,  that  contains 
real  “proof  of  the  pudding.’’  Here’s  the 
letter: 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald^ 

407  S.  Dearborn  Street, 

Chicago,  III, 

Dear  Sir: 

On  a recent  trip  to  DeWitt,  Arkansas, 
exhibitor  R.  4.  Wilson  of  the  New  and 
Gem  theatres  gave  me  this  copy  of  the 
weekly  newspaper  showing  he  advertises  in 
the  weekly  paper. 

This  is  not  a spasmodic  nor  occasional 
ad  but  is  a part  of  his  regular  weekly  ads. 

He  informs  me  that  such  ads  pay  him 
handsome  divdends  in  weekly  profits. 

You  will  notice  he  carries  two  separate 
ads  on  page  1,  and  then  in  c^ddition  to  this 
he  frequently  sends  out  from  1,500  to 
2,000  postal  cards  to  a select  mailing  list. 
This  paper  he  says  has  a circulation  of 
1,400.  I think  this  is  darn  clever  work 
for  a town  of  1,500  population  and  is 
deserving  of  mention. 

Yours  truly, 

S.  A,  ARNOLD, 

Pathe  Salesman,  Memphis,  Tenn, 

We  agree  with  Mr.  Arnold  that  this  is 
“darn  clever  work.” 

Anything  that  pays  in  “handsome  profits” 
is  clever.  Evidently  this  exhibitor  depends 
upon  the  country  people  for  a good  share 
of  his  business,  and  he  is  right  in  sending 
out  the  postal  cards,  especially  to  country 
folks.  Direct  mail  advertising  never  fails 
to  produce  business,  and  it  is  especially 
efficient  when  sent  to  farmers.  Letters  and 
cards  mean  more  to  the  farmer  than  any- 
one else. 

We  want  to  thank  Mr.  Arnold  for  send- 
ing this  letter  to  The  Theatre.  If  you 
run  across  any  other  exhibitors  who  are 
doing  things  that  tell  at  the  box  office, 
Arnold,  be  sure  to  let  us  hear  about  it. 
The  Theatre  would  be  glad  to  hear  from 
Mr.  Wilson,  also. 


Smith  Tours  Midwest  for  U.  A. 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — Cresson  E.  Smith,  gen- 
eral salesmanager  for  the  Midwestern  division  of 
United  Artists  Corporation,  has  left  New  York  on 
a business  trip  through  the  Middlewest  in  the  in- 
terest of  the  sales  of  the  seventeen  United  Artists 
pictures  recently  announced  by  Joseph  M.  Schenck. 


The  two  ads  on  this  page  are  reproductions 
of  ads  that  appeared  in  the  same  issue  of 
the  weekly  newspaper  in  Dewitt,  Ark.  The 
paper  has  a circulation  of  1,400  copies,  and 
Dewitt  has  a population  of  1,500.  Such 
ads,  regularly  run  each  week,  *^Pay  hand- 
some dividends  in  weekly  profits,’*  says  R.  A. 
Wilson,  manager  of  the  theatre.  This  should 
prove  that  advertising  in  weekly  papers  pays, 
if  properly  carried  out. 


New  Theatre  I 


DEWITT.  ARKANSAS 


Presents  a bigger  week  of  Better 
Entertainment. 

Friday,  July  15— Norma  Shearer 

IN 

“THE  WANING  SEX” 

Gives  you  the  low-down  on  tove,  marriage,  a career,  how  to  win 
a man,  how  to  hold  him  after  he's  won!  Fascinating  Norma  Shearer, 
will  delight  you  in  this  true  story  of  a modem  giri  and  a career! 
Also  Contedy— “WILD  RpMOBlf-.—  - 

Saturday,  luly-.Matinee  3 p.  m. 

Gene  Stratton  Porters 

“LADDIE” 

/ital  human  drama,  warm  with  the  sympathy  that  only  Gene 
StrattOQ-Porter  could  achieve— two  idyllic  love  stories,  sweeping  in 
their  intensity  and  emotion--^  faithful,  superb  picture  of  Life  amid 
the  color  of  the  great  Middle  West!  Attend  the  matinee  at  8 
Also  Comedy-^'WHENfA.  MA,N’S  A FAN"  Another  Bill  Grimm 
MATINEB  ZS.  NIGHT  PEICBB  10  and  25 


Monday,  18  -“Blanche  Sweet 

IN 

“The  Far  Cry” 


Can’t  yoQ  he^  The  Far  Cry  calling  yon?  It’s 


night  of  wonderful  enteriainmeDt. 


ALSO  PATHE  NEWS 


I 

^ Uis,':  m :vi 


Saturday.  Tuly  1^— -GEM 

Buck  Jones 

IN 

^‘Whispering  Sage'’ 

A fast  and  furious  western  with  the  old  reliable  Buck  doing  hls  stuEF 
AUo  Comedy— '<Y0UR  HUSBAJ^D’S^PAST’" 


Tuesday,  July  19--Johnny  Hines 

IN 

“Stepping  Along” 

It's  fast  and  furmis!  a not  of  laughs — to  see  it  is  to  laugh! 
Also  Grantland  Pice  SportHght — “ROLLING  ALONG” 

Wednesday,  20— Julian  Eltinge 
and  Ann  Pennington 

IN 

“Madam  Behave” 

She's  a "He” — bat  what  a ha!  hal  you'll  have- when  you  see 
<‘Her” — a delightful  farce  packed  with  aproaroup  langhs — She’s  a 
cousin  to  “Charley’s  Aimt.”  Also  KRAZY  KAT 

Thursday,  July  20— Tim  McCoy 

in  another  big  .historical  western — 

“The  Frontiersman” 

A vivid  romance  of  General  Jackson  and.  the  Indian  Wars!  Supreme 
thrills  in  a film  of  a thousand  exciting  moments,  a real  western. 
Also  Our  Gang  Comedy— “BEiTTER  MOVIES” 

COMING  Friday,  July  22,— PAULINE  FREDERICK,  in 
"HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR”— another  big  one. 


5.  B.  Lust  Doubles 
Average  Receipts 
on  ^Revival  Plan*^ 

THE  THEATRE  last  week  carried  a 
story  about  the  “revival  plan”  of  exhib- 
itor Sidney  B.  Lust  of  Washington,  D.  C. 
This  plan  which  runs  revivals  at  the  sug- 
gestion and  vote  of  his  patrons,  has  been 
gaining  Mr.  Lust  a great  deal  of  favor- 
able publicity  in  the  Washington  papers. 
“In  some  instances,  it  doubled  my 
average  business  and  this  speaks  for  it- 
self,” says  Mr.  Lust  in  this  letter  to  THE 
THEATRE. 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE. 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  S,  Dearborn  Street, 

Chicago,  III. 

Dear  Sir: 

I am  in  receipt  of  yours  of  July  23,  in 
reference  to  the  revival  of  favorites  of  the 
past, 

I am  inclosing  a copy  of  the  Washington 
Times,  Star  and  the  Washington  Daily  News, 
to  show  you  just  what  the  local  papers 
think  of  this  stunt. 

The  results  obtained  so  far  were  very 
gratifying  and  way  beyond  our  expectations. 

In  some  instances,  it  doubled  my  average 
business  and  this  speaks  for  itself. 

Thanking  you,  I am. 

Very  truly  yours, 

SIDNEY  B.  LUST. 

The  Washington  Times,  July  20,  had 
this  to  say  about  Mr.  Lust’s  “revival 
plan.” 

Sidney  Lust,  who  is  the  leading  chain-house 
owner  in  the  minor  league,  is  the  first  man  of 
our  acquaintance  to  capitalize  that  nebulous  thing 
known  as  “public  taste.” 

Heretofore  that  taste  has  been  the  most  baffling 
of  vagrants.  You  never  could  put  your  hand  on  it 
and  find  out  exactly  what  it  was.  Every  time 
a theatre  owner  went  out  with  a net  and  swiped 
swaths  in  the  atmosphere,  he  found  his  catch  was 
of  a different  breed;  known  as  Indifference. 

Well,  Uncle  Sidney  hit  on  the  idea  of  asking 
people  what  they  wanted.  He  got  out  bulletins 
listing  the  outstanding  films  of  the  last  decade, 
accompanied  by  a request  for  patrons  to  mark 
their  choices.  They  responded  with  a gusto  that 
amazed,  even,  the  optimistic  Sidney,  and  today 
it  gives  The  Gate-Post  great  pleasure  to  say  that 
Mr.  Sidney  Lust,  owner  of  the  Leader,  Olympic 
and  several  other  theatres,  is  having  himself 
tailored  for  a Hispano  and  is  wearing  a cane  on 
cloudy  nights. 

It  is  well  to  amplify  that  Mr.  Lust’s  proposition 
is  not  one  of  those  “arty”  moves  which  thrive 
on  revivals  imposed  on  the  public.  The  idea  is 
the  same,  except  that  one  gets  honest  entertain- 
ment at  honest  prices  through  the  Lust  policy 
and  not  shoddy  revivals  when  the  rental  for 
these  revivals  is  so  low  as  to  make  it  a shame  to 
take  the  money. 

The  imprudence  of  these  “art”  theatres  is  ap- 
palling and  on  the  first  cool  day  more  will  be 
said  of  them. 

Such  praise  as  this  from  the  press  cer- 
tainly builds  good  will  for  the  exhibitor. 
Mr.  Lust  deserves  both  the  praise  and 
the  good  will. 

Sits  on  Theatre  Flag 

Pole  Seventeen  Days 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  BEDSFORD,  Aug.  2.— After  sit- 
ting  on  the  flag  pole  of  the  Olympia  the- 
atre for  17  days  and  two  hours,  Victor 
Crouch,  otherwise  known  as  “Spider” 
Crouch,  came  down  to  earth.  More  than 
5,000  gathered  to  see  him  descend. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


HONEST  EFFORT 

I HAVE  great  sympathy  for  the  product  of 
honest  effort  and  it  is  with  considerable  re- 
gret that  I chronicle  my  reactions  to  “Barbed 
Wire,”  obviously  a result  of  much  deep 
thought  and  sincere  intention  on  the  part  of 
its  sponsors.  Therefore  I will  write  the  bet- 
ter news  first. 

The  best  news  about  the  picture  concerns 
its  origin.  I felt  that  I could  sense  a coun- 
cil table  about  which  were  grouped  execu- 
tives in  charge  of  casting  the  valuable  Pola 
Negri  in  such  manner  as  to  satisfy  the  de- 
mands of  both  her  markets.  Having  sat  into 
a few  conferences  of  the  general  sort,  none 
of  them  having  to  do  with  an  actress  at  once 
BO  potent  and  so  difficult,  I could  almost 
hear  the  suggestions  falling  like  autumn 
leaves  into  the  wastebasket  until  finally,  in 
a shoot-it-all-on-something-different  mood, 
the  body  came  to  agreement  upon  the  story 
that  is  “Barbed  Wire.”  Perhaps  nothing 
at  aU  like  this  occurred,  but  the  result  is 
what  the  result  of  such  circumstances  would 
have  been. 

“Barbed  Wire”  is  a story  about  the  bitter- 
ness remaining  in  the  hearts  of  French  and 
German  people  after  the  armistice.  In  view 
of  the  excellent  auspices  under  which  the 
yarn  was  developed,  I am  sure  that  such  a 
bitterness  did  exist,  a bitterness  accurately 
described  by  the  pictured  events,  and  of 
course  it  is  an  office  of  the  screen  to  repro- 
duce these  things  for  us.  Such  a bitterness 
is  of  importance,  socially,  educationally, 
even  internationally.  It  has  a bearing  upon 
war  in  general  and  war  in  general  is  a sub- 
stantial subject.  I am  only  sorry — and  not 
at  all  disappointed,  for  I think  no  picture 
could  accomplish  it — that  the  reproduction 
left  me  uninterested.  I was  not  uncon- 
vinced, not  doubtful,  not  annoyed,  but  mere- 
ly and  a little  happily  uninterested  in  the 
fact  that  the  people  pictured  were  as  pic- 
tured at  the  time  represented. 

This  brings  my  estimate  of  the  picture 
down  to  the  somewhat  narrow  assertion  that 
the  story  is  untimely.  I feel  pretty  certain 
that  it  would  have  interested  me  greatly  in 
1920,  and  that  it  will  interest  me  greatly 
in  1940,  as  stories  of  the  Franco-German  fuss 
of  1870  interest  me  at  this  time.  Just  now  it 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

strikes  me  as  pointless,  like  yesterday’s 
newspaper. 

I must  declare,  however,  that  Miss  Negri 
is  more  to  my  liking  in  this  than  in  any- 
thing since  “Passion.”  Perhaps  she  is  bene- 
ficiary of  the  role,  for  she  acts  much  as 
always,  but  I am  again  hopeful  of  her 
American  popularity.  For  several  years  I 
have  felt  that  there  was  no  hope  in  this  con- 
nection, but  a good  actress  in  the  right  pic- 
tures can  reverse  tradition  in  these  states 
with  startling  dispatch,  and  Miss  Negri  is  a 
good  actress. 

MADE  TO  ORDER 

OMETIMES  the  made-to-order  clothes 
fit  less  well  than  the  hand-me-downs.  There 
is  a keen  disappointment  in  discovery  of 
this  fact  by  the  individual  who  has  gone 
through  the  operation  of  being  tailored,  but 
the  fact  cannot  be  discovered  otherwise.  For 
these  reasons,  and  possibly  they  do  not  ap- 
ply at  all,  I imagine  Lewis  Stone  was  not 
boisterously  happy  after  he  had  seen  the 
completed  print  of  “The  Prince  of  Head- 
waiters.”  And  perhaps  I owe  Mr.  Stone  an 
apology  for  seeming  intimate,  as  I do  not 
mean  to  do,  that  he  is  ideally  constituted  for 
the  headwaiter  job.  What  I do  mean  is  that 
a perfect  headwaiter  (i.  e.  a “prince”  of 
headwaiters)  would  be  something  like  Mr. 
Stone  in  appearance  and  carriage.  But  Pm 
getting  all  mixed  up. 

What  I started  out  to  remark  is  that  Lewis 
Stone  in  a picture  called  “The  Prince  of 
Headwaiters”  looked  like  a made-to-order 
subject,  that  I anticipated  its  arrival  with 
consequent  hopefulness  and  that  I probably 
expected  too  much.  I think,  however,  that 
I expected  probably  less  than  the  picture’s 
producers.  My  opening  simile  (if  it  isn’t  a 
metaphor)  indicates  my  final  impression  of 
the  picture — that  it’s  a made-to-order  role  for 
Stone  that  doesn’t  fit  as  well  as  almost  any 
of  the  hand-me-downs  he’s  had  in  the  past. 

Not  that  it  isn’t  a very  good  little  picture. 
It  is.  But  it  isn’t  the  novel  thing  it  might 
have  been  and  it  isn’t  the  personal  knock- 
out for  Stone  that  I expected  and  fervently 
hoped  it  would  be. 


I think  this  actor  is  due  for  a big  picture. 
He  has  had  plenty  of  good  ones,  perhaps 
more  than  ordinarily  fall  to  the  lot  of  one 
man,  but  he  has  not  had  one  of  those  re- 
sounding smashes  that  echo  down  the  years 
and  become  a part  of  a star.  If  somebody 
doesn’t  write  one  of  these  for  Mr.  Stone  in 
the  near  future  I shall  be  tempted  to  do  so 
myself,  whereupon  no  doubt  our  mutually 
greying  heads  shall  be  bowed  or  raised  in 
(Smith)  brotherly  dignity  for  posterity. 

I think  the  fault  with  “The  Prince  of 
Headwaiters”  is  identical  with  the  fault  I 
find  with  most  of  the  pictures  shot  out  dur- 
ing the  supposedly  deceased  Summer  slump. 
They  lack  ideas.  As  the  hack  writer,  told  to 
write  a page  of  copy  for  a magazine  going 
to  press,  grinds  out  formula  stuff  with  one 
eye  on  the  clock — -so  do  pictures  of  the 
moment  seem  ground  out  of  the  camera.  It 
is  alleged  that  the  occasional  ideas  which 
crop  out  are  set  aside  for  future  use,  but  I 
doubt  this.  In  fact  I am  beginning  to  doubt 
that  there  are  any  considerable  number  of 
ideas  in  Hollywood.  “The  Prince  of  Head- 
waiters,”  like  most  of  the  pictures  on  the 
screens  at  this  time,  is  just  another  of  those 
oft-told  tales  that  are  always  worth  telling 
again  but  never  accomplish  anything.  This 
one  is  quite  well  told  in  this  telling. 

HERE’S  HOPING 

NEWSPAPER  ad  announces  in  loud 
tones  that  the  Randolph  theatre,  Chicago, 
has  been  taken  over  by  new  management 
and  will  offer  entertainment  for  the  whole 
family.  This  is  an  unnecessarily  polite  way 
of  stating  that  no  more  clinical  exhortations 
will  be  exhibited  to  “men  only”  and  “women 
only”  audiences.  The  announcement  had 
better  have  been  less  polite,  for  the  new 
management  has  something  like  one  chance 
in  as  many  thousands  as  there  were  people 
to  see  “The  Naked  Truth”  of  putting  the 
house  back  on  the  list  of  tenable  entertain- 
ments. It  is  not  necessary  to  go  again  into 
the  box  office  disaster  that  customarily  fol- 
lows such  exhibitions,  nor  to  dump  before 
you  again  the  adjectives  commonly  applied 
to  people  who  conduct  them.  Enough  to 
wish  the  new  management  best  o’  luck  and 
add  here’s  hoping. 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


THE  RLM  MART 


i\s  a resvih  of  the  speeding  of  production  at  Paramount 
studios  by  Lasky’s  “emergency  cabinet,”  Paramount  is  now 
in  the  midst  of  heavy  production.  This  week  there  are 
seven  feature  productions  being  filmed,  six  are  being  edited 
for  immediate  release,  and  four  are  in  preparation  for  the 
cameras. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  will  put  out  for  general  release 
its  two  big  roadshows,  “The  Big  Parade”  and  “Ben  Hur,” 
on  September  10  and  October  8 respectively. 

Emil  Jannings  latest  picture,  “The  Way  of  All  Flesh,” 
is  winning  a good  reception  by  New  Yorkers.  The  pic- 
ture is  running  ahead  of  all  attendance  records  at  the 
Rialto,  except  the  one  established  by  Gilda  Gray  in  a per- 
sonal appearance  with  “Aloma  of  the  South  Seas.”  The 
attendance  two  weeks  ago  exceeded  any  midsummer  week 
in  the  Rialto’s  history. 

“The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  First  National’s  epic  of  the 
tank  corps  starring  Richard  Barthelmess,  will  open  at  the 
Globe,  New  York,  August  15,  at  $2  prices.  Molly  O’Day 
plays  opposite  Barthelmess,  whose  next  picture  for  First 
National,  “The  Drop  Kick,”  a story  of  college  life,  is  in 
production. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  an  ambitious  schedule  ahead. 
The  tentati^'e  I'elease  dates  for  the  coming  season  list  31 


productions  for  distribution  up  to  February  4.  This  is  the 
largest  production  schedule  M-G-M  has  ever  attempted 
in  a similar  length  of  time. 

John  Gilbert’s  latest  picture,  “Twelve  Miles  Out,”  has 
been  held  over  for  another  week  at  the  Capitol,  New  York. 
The  New  Yorkers  seem  to  like  it. 

With  the  signing  of  Carmelita  Geraghty  and  Sunshine 
Hart  for  important  roles,  the  cast  of  Mary  Bickford’s  new 
United  Artists  picture,  “My  Best  Girl,”  is  complete.  Sam 
Taylor,  formerly  Harold  Lloyd’s  director,  will  direct  the 
picture. 

“Tillie  the  Toiler,”  Marion  Davies  starring  picture,  has 
broken  all  former  records  held  for  pictures  at  Loew’s 
Palace,  Washington,  D.  C. 

“ ‘The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys’  is  one  of  the  great- 
est hits  of  all  times,”  says  an  exhibitor  from  Idaho.  Ex- 
hibitors from  all  parts  of  the  country  are  praising  the 
picture  for  its  summer  drawing  power. 

Arthur  Guy  Empey,  who  was  one  of  the  first  writers  of 
the  world  war  to  write  of  the  grim  realities  of  the  war  in 
his  “Over  the  Top,”  has  just  completed  another  novel 
called,  “A  Helluva  War,”  which  will  shortly  be  produced 
for  the  screen. 


“The  Bush  Leaguer’ 

Has  Vitaphone  Score 

“The  Bush  Leaguer”  will  he  released  on 
August  20,  as  the  first  of  Warner’s  new 
schedule  of  “Warner  Winners.”  The  pic- 
ture is  being  scored  for  Vitaphone  accom- 
paniment, inaugurating  Warner’s  new  pol- 
icy of  giving  their  entire  schedule  of  “Win- 
ners” the  benefit  of  a Vitaphone  orchestra- 
tion such  as  was  only  made  in  the  past  for 
extended  run  productions.  Monte  Blue 
plays  the  leading  role  in  the  picture. 

Vitaphone  has  lately  been  in- 
stalled in  the  fourth  house  of  the 
Harris  circuit  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  also  in  the  following  theatres: 
the  Stacy,  Trenton,  N.  Capitol, 
Richmond,  Va.;  Majestic,  Jersey 
City;  State,  Schenectady,  N.  Y.; 
and  the  Palm,  Pueblo,  Col. 

It  looks  as  though  Irene  Rich 
has  forsaken  the  mistreated  wife 
roles  that  she  has  had  for  so  long. 
She  managed  to  escape  this  kind 
of  role  in  “Dearie,”  “The  Climb- 
ers” and  “The  Outpost.”  Her 
next  vehicle,  “The  Silver  Slave,” 
it  is  said,  will  give  her  further 
chance  to  display  histrionic  pyro- 
technics. John  G.  Adolfi  will  di- 
rect the  picture. 

James  J.  Jeffries,  erstwhile  “champeen” 
prize  fighter,  will  appear  as  Monte  Blue’s 
father  in  Monte’s  next  picture,  “One 
Round  Hogan.” 

Archie  Mayo  will  direct  Dolores  Cos- 
tello in  her  next  Warner  picture,  “The 
College  Widow.”  Michael  Curtiz  had 
previously  been  slated  to  direct  this  picture. 

Warners  will  soon  start  preparation  on 
“Business  Is  Best,”  a story  by  Arthur 
Roche.  “Horses,  Horses,  Horses,”  is  an- 


other picture  slated  for  Warner  produc- 
tion. Clyde  Cook  plays  an  important  role 
in  the  picture. 

F B 0 Starts  Work  on 
“Jake  the  Plumber” 

Production  has  already  started  on  “Jake 
the  Plumber”  for  F B O.  This  is  the  first 
picture  featuring  the  company’s  funny  man, 
Jesse  De  Vorska,  who  appeared  in  the  “Big 
Parade,”  and  the  “Unknown  Soldier.”  The 
picture  is  from  an  original  story  by  Ed- 
ward I.  Luddy,  who  is  also  directing  it. 

William  Le  Baron,  vicepresident 
of  F B O Pictures  Corporation  in 
charge  of  production,  has  returned 
to  Hollywood  after  a 10  day  con- 
ference with  Joseph  P.  Kennedy, 
president  of  F B O,  regarding  the 
1927-28  production  program. 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  JULY  31 
“Cradle  Snatchers”— Fox- — 6281 
‘^Lonesome  Ladies”— First  National— 5718 
“The  Devil’s  Saddle”— First  National— 5430 
“The  Prince  of  Headwailers”— First  National— 
6400 

“While  Pants  Willie” — First  National— 6350 
“On  Ze  Boulevard”— M-G-M— ”5482 
“Twelve  Miles  Out”— M-G-M— 7899 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  7 
“7th  Heaven”— Fox— 10758 
**Beau  Geste”— Paramount— 10,000 
“Fireman,  Save  My  Child”— Paramount^— 5399 
“The  Covered  Wagon”— Paramount— 7447 
“Service  For  Ladies”— Paramount— 6170 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 
“The  Phantom  Buster”— Action— Pathe— five 
“The  Great  Mail  Robbery”— F B O '■  6307 
“Paid  to  Love”— Fox""'  6888 
“Metropolis”— Paramount— 10400 


Fatty  Alexander,  Fat  Karr,  and 
Kewpie  Ross,  who  have  appeared 
before  the  camera  with  nearly 
every  small  animal  in  the  zoo,  will 
cut  capers  next  with  a collection 
of  trained  seals  in  the  third  pic- 
ture of  F B O’s  fat  man  series,  to 
be  titled,  “Tanks  of  the  Wabash.” 
The  picture  will  be  directed  by 
Larry  Daramour  and  will  go  into 
production  soon. 

Shooting  has  been  finished  on  “In  a 
Moment  of  Temptation,”  the  Laura  Jean 
Libbey  story  adaptation.  Charlotte  Stevens 
takes  the  leading  role. 

After  being  confined  to  his  bed  for  the 
past  three  weeks  from  an  injury  received 
while  making  “The  Mojave  Kid,”  Bob 
Steele  will  start  soon  on  his  second  picture, 
“The  Bandit’s  Son.” 


Newspapers  Serialize 
F N’s  “Helen  of  Troy” 

First  National  is  to  get  a tremendous 
bit  of  advertising  for  its  film  version  of 
“The  Private  Life  of  Helen  of  Troy,”  John 
Erskine’s  best-selling  novel.  The  story  is 
to  be  serialized  by  newspapers  that  have 
a combined  circulation  of  two  and  a half 
million  copies  daily.  Maria  Corda  has  been 
cast  as  Helen  and  Lewis  Stone  will  play 
the  part  of  Menelaus.  By  the  way,  Lewis 
Stone  recently  shaved  his  mustache.  I won- 
der how  Stone  will  look  without  that  fa- 
mous decoration. 

Alec  B.  Francis  has  been  chosen  to  play 
the  title  role  in  First  National’s  screen 
adaptation  of  “The  Shepherd  of  the  Hills,” 
Harold  Bell  Wright’s  novel.  We  have  been 
an  admirer  of  Francis  for  lo  these  many 
years. 

Dorothy  Mackaill  and  Jack  Mulhall  are 
at  work  on  “The  Crystal  Cup,”  with  John 
Frances  Dillon  directing.  Production  will 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


August  6,  1927 

start  in  a few  weeks  on  “The  Gorilla,” 
taken  from  the  stage  play  which  was  a 
great  hit  several  years  ago.  Charles  Mur- 
ray will  do  the  gags  in  the  part  of  Milligan. 

Louise  Fazenda  has  been  picked 
for  the  leading  feminine  role  in 
Will  Roger’s  coming  picture,  “The 
Texas  Steer.”  That  sounds  like  an 
ideal  comedy  team  to  me.  Rich- 
ard Wallace  will  direct  the  pic- 
ture. Arrangements  have  been 
made  for  a special  press  car  to 
make  a coast-to-coast  drive  in  the 
interest  of  the  picture. 

Babe  Ruth  is  now  appearing  on  Broad- 
way in  his  First  National  picture,  “When 
Babe  Comes  Home,”  The  picture  started 
its  extended  run  at  the  Longacre  theatre. 
New  York,  July  25. 

Paramount  Prepares 
Five  Films  for  Release 

Five  feature  pictures  are  being  edited  at 
the  Paramount  studios  for  immediate  re- 
lease, and  all  are  being  handled  under  the 
personal  supervision  of  Jesse  L.  Lasky  and 
his  “emergency  cabinet,”  which  is  composed 
of  representatives  of  all  branches  of  the 
Paramount  production  organizations. 

These  are,  “The  City  Gone 
Wild,”  Thomas  Meighan’s  new 
picture,  directed  by  James  Cruze; 
the  Bebe  Daniels  comedy,  “Swim, 
Girl,  Swim,”  with  Gertrude  Ed- 
erle  in  the  cast;  “Hula,”  Clara 
Bow’s  picture  directed  by  Victor 
Fleming;  “Tell  It  to  Sweeney,” 
starring  the  comedy  team  of 
Chester  Conklin  and  George  Ban- 
croft; and  “One  Woman  to  An- 
other,” which  Florence  Vidor  has 
just  completed. 

Paramount  has  four  other  pic- 
tures in  preparation,  one  of  which 
will  be  George  Bancroft’s  first 
starring  picture.  No  title  has 
been  announced  yet.  The  others 
are,  “Open  Range,”  a Western 
starring  Lane  Chandler,  a new 
comer;  “Now  We’re  in  the  Air,” 
another  of  those  Berry-Hatton 
comedies;  and  Clara  Bow’s  “Red 
Hair.” 

Paramount  will  release  on  August  27, 
Douglas  AfacLean’s  latest  picture,  “Soft 
Cushions,”  a comedy  of  the  Orient.  The 
story  was  written  by  George  Randolph 
Chester  and  is  reported  to  be  a new  type 
of  comedy  for  MacLean. 


Fox  Has  Six  Films 
Under  Production 

Fox  is  in  the  midst  of  production  on  six 
pictures.  Olive  Borden  is  working  under 
the  direction  of  J.  G.  Blystone  on  “Pa- 
jamas.” Lawrence  Gray  takes  the  role  op- 
posite Borden.  Sally  Phipps  is  finishing 
the  leading  feminine  role  in  “Mum’s  the 
Word,”  directed  by  Eugene  Forde.  Pro- 
duction has  started  on  “Grandma  Bernle 
Learns  Her  Letters,”  from  the  Saturday 
Evening  Post  story  by  1.  A.  R.  Wylie. 
Frank  Reicher  will  play  an  important  role, 
and  John  Ford,  director  of  the  “Iron 
Horse,”  and  “Three  Bad  Men,”  will  direct 
this  picture. 

Interior  scenes  are  being  shot 
on  “Bride  of  the  Night,”  in  which 
Charles  Farrell  and  Greta  Nissen 
have  the  leading  roles.  Lois 
Moran’s  first  starring  picture 
under  her  new  Fox  contract, 
“Publicity  Madness,”  has  gone  in 
production  with  Edmund  Lowe 
cast  as  a wise-cracking  soap  sales- 
man opposite  her.  Work  has 
started  on  “Two  Girls  Wanted,” 


in  which  Janet  Gaynor  and  Glenn 
Tryon  appear. 

Buck  Jones,  having  finished  “Chain 
Lightning,”  for  Fox,  is  preparing  for  his 
next  picture.  Diane  Ellis  is  seen  opposite 
Jones  in  “Chain  Lightning,”  directed  by 
Lambert  Hillyer.  Tom  Mix,  with  Dorothy 
Dwan  as  his  leading  lady,  has  completed 
“Tumbling  River.” 

Pathe  Casts  Haver 
for  ‘‘The  Wise  Wife’^ 

Phyllis  Haver  has  been  cast  in  “The 
Wise  Wife”  for  her  first  starring  picture 
under  Pathe.  This  picture  will  be  the 
screen  version  of  Arthur  Somers  Roche’s 
Cosmopolitan  magazine  story  of  the  same 
name.  Phyllis  Haver  is  another  of  the 
stars  that  has  risen  from  the  ranks  of 
Mack  Sennett’s  bathing  beauties.  She  was 
recently  cast  in  “The  Fighting  Eagle,”  in 
which  Rod  LaRocque  stars,  and  Emil  Jan- 
nings,  “The  Way  of  All  Flesh.” 

The  adaptation  has  been  com- 
pleted for  the  screen  on  the  suc- 
cessful stage  play,  “Chicago.”  It 
has  been  announced  by  Cecil  De 
Mille  that  he  will  produce  the  pic- 
ture on  a lavish  scale. 

Camera  work  will  begin  in 
August  on  “The  Blue  Danube.” 
Paul  Sloane  has  been  selected  for 
direction,  and  Cecil  De  Mille  will 
have  the  picture  under  his  per- 
sonal supervision. 

John  Krafft  will  write  the  titles  for 
Pathe’s  coming  picture,  “Beautiful  but 
Dumb,”  which  contains  parallel  action  of 
human  and  canine  actors,  with  an  infant 
actor  thrown  in  for  good  measure.  Krafft’s 
job  will  be  to  create  spoken  titles  between 
the  dogs  that  will  convey  the  human  quality 
of  their  thoughts  and  philosophies.  Vera 
Reynolds  and  Kenneth  Thomson  will  carry 
the  leading  roles. 


Universal  Releases 
12  Films  for  Summer 

Universal  is  releasing  12  productions  for 
summer  showing.  This  lineup  of  releases 
was  hand-picked  so  as  to  provide  a better 
box  office  drawing  power  for  the  hot 
weather,  it  is  announced.  This  schedule 
calls  for  one  “Production  Special,”  six 
“Universal  Jewels,”  and  five  Westerns. 

“Men  of  Daring,”  headed  by 
Jack  Hoxie,  is  the  “Production 
Special.”  This  picture  was  photo- 
graphed in  the  Black  Hills,  the 
exact  locale  of  the  story.  Leading 
the  list  of  “Jewels”  is  “Painting 
the  Town,”  to  be  shown  at  the 
Roxy  theatre.  Laemmle  consid- 
ered Glenn  Tyron  so  good  in  this 
picture,  he  immediately  started 
plans  for  more  pictures  to  star 
Tyron.  “Fast  and  Furious,”  an- 
other of  the  “Jewels,”  recently 
played  in  the  Paramount.  Other 
“Jewels”  now  reaching  the  screen 
are,  “Down  the  Stretch,”  “The 
Claw,”  “Beware  of  Widows,”  “A 
Hero  on  Horse  Back.”  The  £ve 
Westerns  being  released  are:  two 
with  Fred  Humes;  two  with  Art 
Acord ; and  one  with  Jack  Hoxie. 


Scenes  for  “A  Man’s  Past,”  are  being 
shot  at  Oxnard,  Cal.  The  picture  is  from 
the  Hungarian  stage  play,  “Diploma,”  and 
is  being  directed  by  George  Melford.  Con- 
rad Veidt  heads  the  cast  that  includes 
among  others,  Barbara  Bedford,  George 
Siegmann,  Ian  Keith,  and  Arthur  Edmund 
Carew. 

William  Beaudine  has  again  been  signed 
by  Universal.  He  recently  completed  “The 
Irresistible  Lover,”  starring  Norman  Kerry 
and  Lois  Moran.  He  will  begin  work  soon 
on  “Give  and  Take”  for  Universal.  Neil 
Hamilton  has  been  added  to  the  cast  of 
“Arm  of  the  Law.”  He  recently  finished 
“Grip  of  the  Yukon.” 

M-G-M  Picks  Strong 
Cast  for  “The  Enemy’ 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  picked  an  ex- 
ceptionally strong  cast  for  the  film  version 
of  “The  Enemy,”  Channing  Pollock’s  stage 
play.  Lillian  Gish  is  starred  and  Ralph 
Forbes  takes  the  leading  male  role,  with 
Ralph  Emerson,  another  stage  actor,  cast 
in  the  next  important  male  role.  George 
Fawcett,  that  superb  old  character  actor, 
takes  the  part  of  an  Austrian  baron,  and 
Karl  Dane  will  enact  the  part  of  an  Aus- 
trian soldier,  a part  said  to  be  much  like 
his  Slim  in  the  “Big  Parade.”  Fred  Cur- 
rier, another  veteran  screen  actor,  has  been 
cast  in  the  picture.  With  such  a cast, 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  something  to 
talk  about. 

Arthur  Wing  Pinero’s  famous  stage  play, 
“Trelawney  of  the  Wells,”  has  been  bought 
as  a starring  vehicle  for  Norma  Shearer. 
Sydney  Franklin,  who  recently  directed 
Marion  Davies  in  “Quality  Street,’  will 
direct  the  picture.  It  was  in  this  play  that 
John  Drew  was  playing  when  he  was 
stricken  with  the  illness  that  caused  his 
death. 

The  tentative  release  schedule 
for  M-G-M  from  August  1 to  Feb- 
ruary 4,  1928,  lists  31  productions, 
and  of  these,  22  are  starring  ve- 
hicles. Three  pictures  starring 
John  Gilbert  are  down  for  release; 
three  with  Ramon  Novarro;  two 
Marion  Davies  pictures;  two  with 
William  Haines;  two  Jackie  Coo- 
gans;  two  starring  Norma  Shearer; 
a Lillian  Gish  and  a Greta  Garbo 
picture  each;  the  initial  costarring 
vehicle  of  Lew  Cody  and  Aileen 
Pringle;  and  three  Tim  McCoy 
Westerns.  This  is  the  most  ambi- 
tious production  and  release 
schedule  in  M-G-M  history  over  a 
similar  period  of  time. 

August  releases  on  the  M-G-M  schedule 
includes  Lon  Chaney’s  picture,  “Mockery,” 
“The  Bugle  Call,”  Jackie  Coogan’s  picture; 
Norma  Shearer’s  “After  Midnight;”  and 
“Adam  and  Evil,”  costarring  Cody  and 
Pringle.  In  September,  “Annie  Laurie,” 
“A  Certain  Young  Man,”  and  “Foreign 
Devils”  will  be  released.  For  October,  the 
following  are  scheduled  for  release ; “The 
Fair  Co-Ed,”  “Spring  Eever,”  “In  Old 
Kentucky,”  and  “Body  and  Soul.” 

Oliver  W.  Marsh,  the  brother  of  Mae 
Marsh,  will  handle  the  cameras  in  the  film- 
ing of  “The  Enemy.”  Marsh  is  a well 
known  cameraman,  having  photographed 
many  of  Mae  Murray’s  pictures  and  others. 


CASH  FOR  CHAIN  THEATRE  OPERATION 

^tttuate^amwbw 

COI\,I»OI^A.nON  qjT  AlVlErVICA 

162  North  State  Street  CHICAGO 


56 


E 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


From  The  Grasshopper  Country 

GOODLAND,  KAN. — To  the  Editor  ; 
For  several  weeks  I have  been  busier  than 
a one  armed  paperhanger  with  the  hives, 
and  did  not  read  the  Herald  until  the  other 
night  when  I took  the  latest  copy  to  bed 
with  me  to  cure  my  insomnia  by  reading 
some  fulsome  vaporings  about  a little  pim- 
ple on  the  map  called  Neligh,  Neb. 

Among  other  things  of  more  or  less  im- 
portance I read  an  effervesence  by  a ram- 
bling old  rascal  who  is  listed  in  every  police 
station  in  the  Middle  West  under  the  alias 
of  J.  C.  Jenkins.  You  will  have  to  give 
the  old  boy  credit.  Like  rare  wine,  he 
irnproves  with  age,  and  when  I mention 
wine  and  Jenkins  in  the  same  “breath”  I 
speak  advisedly. 

One  day  last  fall  I was  out  on  the  links 
trying  to  improve  what  I wittily  call  my 
golf  game,  when  I was  advised  that  a 
gentlemen  of  some  importance  was  await- 
ing^  me  at  the  hotel  in  town.  When  I 
arrived  I found  J.  C.  Jenkins  making  a 
personal  appearance  in  Goodland  for  a 
oi^fi^^night  stand.”  Thus  the  first  meeting 
and  “reunion”  of  two  of  the  original  “Four 
Horseman  of  the  Applesauce,” 

I had  learned  that  J.  C.  and  Viola  Dana 
had  tore  the  sheet,”  or  in  other  words, 
J.  C.  had  asked  for  a legal  separation  from 
this  little  cutie  alleging  non-support,  be- 
cause Viola  had  failed  to  support  him  in 
some  phony  beauty  contest  he  w-as  pulling 
off.  I said,  “Well,  J.  C,  are  you  driving 
Viola  or  Clara?”  “Clara,”  shouted  Jenkins, 
but  he  wouldn’t  let  me  see  the  beauty  until 
the  next  day. 

Now,  folks,  let  me  tip  you  off  to  some- 
thing. After  I saw  that  step-sister  to  a tin 
can  which  Jenkins  laughingly  calls  an  auto- 
mobile, I decided  that  Clara  Bow  can  col- 
lect damages  for  defamation  of  character. 
They  tell  me  General  Motors  buys  up 
Henry  Ford’s  tin  scraps  and  build  some- 
thing they  call  “chevee,”  but  if  that’s  w'hat 
this  was,  it  was  suffering  from  a severe 
attack  of  fallen  arches,  housemaid’s  knee, 
and  the  differential  had  a floating  kidney. 

Jenkins  told  me  he  had  driven  104  miles 
the  day  before  on  three  gallons  of  gas. 
I started  to  say  something,  but  checked 
myself,  remembering  that  I must  be  cour- 
teous to  a visitor  at  all  costs,  but  when  he 
filled  her  up  again  at  a filling  station  after 
a 90  mile  drive  “Clara”  lapped  up  all  the 
gas  they  had  and  they  had  to  pump  15 
gallons  more  from  the  tank  truck.  When 
“Grandpa”  got  in  and  stepped  on  the  starter 
“Clara”  bucked,  snorted,  sunfished,  and 
ended  by  kicking  at  me  viciously.  I said, 
“J.  C.,  if  I had  a car  as  temperamental  as 
that,  I would  name  it  ]\Iae  Murray  or  Pola 
Negri.” 

But,  in  a way,  Jenkins  is  just  like  the 
Russians.  When  the  Bolsheviks  are  angry 
at  something  or  sc)mebody  they  change 
the  name  of  St.  Petersburg.  W’hen  J.  C. 
gets_  peeved  at  some  of  his  lady  friends 
out  in  Holl>u\mod  he  changes  the  name  of 
his  car. 

I feel  it  my  duty  at  this  time  to  give 
you  the  low  down  on  some  dark  secrets  in 
J.  C’s  past.  S-h-h-h — Jenkins  is  a reformed 
real  estate  man.  Every  so  often  the  old 
booster  spirit  asserts  itself  and  he  uses 


XHIBITORS  HERALD  August  6,  1927 


valuable  space  in  the  Herald  telling  you 
about  the  garden  spot  of  the  universe, 
which  is  none  other  than  Neligh,  Neb., 
U.  S.  A.  Beware,  exhibitors,  or  he  will  be 
trying  to  peddle  some  of  that  sandhill  acre- 
age to  you  instead  of  getting  you  to  renew 
your  subscription.  Did  you  notice  how  he 
took  a dirty  crack  at  Western  Kansas? 

I wish  I could  have  held  him  out  in  the 
rain  that  just  fell  while  I write  this  letter. 

I wish  he  could  see  our  golf  course  with 
its  fairways  of  velvety  green,  but  from 
what  I hear  of  Jenkin’s  golf  game  he 
doesn’t  use  the  fairways  at  all.  but  plays 
the  entire  course  in  the  rough. 

Folks,  have  you  noticed  how  this  rare  old 
bird  insists  on  traveling  in  the  Northern 
states?  There  is  something  magnetic  in  the 
attraction  of  the  Canadian  border  for  J.  C., 
but  I can  tell  you  the  reason.  He  is  get- 
ting ready  to  change  the  name  of  his  car 
again,  and  he  wants  to  carry  out  the  christ- 
ening ceremonies  properly.  When  he  selects 
the  new  movie  queen  of  the  moment.  Jenk- 
ins will  slip  across  into  Canada,  buy  a 
quart  of  Johnny  Walker,  drink  the  liquor, 
and  break  the  empty  bottle  over  the  prow 
of  his  Leaping  Lena.  Yes,  the  Scotch  in- 
vented Thrift  Week. 

Trusting  “Bill’  Weaver  will  let  you  call 
on  the  Canadian  exhibitors  soon,  I am, — 
E.  E.  Sprague,  Sherman  theatre,  Goodland, 
Kan. 

p.  S.— Adeline  Further  seems  to  know 
me  intimately,  even  to  _my  capacity.  Now, 
Adeline,  dear,  zvhere  did  I meet  you?  One 
cawn’t  remember  everyone  can  one? — 

E.  E,  S. 

Things  for  Jaysee  to  Explain 

SALMON,  IDAHO.— To  the  Editor: 
Hey,  Jaysee,  I read  your  “Colyum”  of  July 
2,  wherein  you  claim  the  cross  country  run 
by  default.  Say,  you  old  siwash,  how  do 
you  get  that  way,  anyhow?  If  you  would 
stay  at  home  two  days  in  the  year  so  a 
feller  could  ever  find  you,  I would  be  at 
Neligh  with  Colleen  all  primed  to  go;  but 
with  you  renorted  first  in  Texas  and  next 
in  North  Dakota,  the  Lord  only  _ knows 
where  to  find  you  and  he  hasn’t  divulged 
it  to  any  of  us  out  here  up-to-date. 

Why  Mrs.  Jenkins  doesn’t  sue  for 
divorce  on  grounds  of  desertion  is_  beyond 
me.  Never  known  to  be  in  Neligh  and 
then  pull  that  stuff  about  _ decorating  the 
Jenkins’  wigwam  and  having  13  huckle- 
berry pies  on  top.  Gosh,  your  painting  up 
the  town  was  true,  but  it  was  done  in 
Kansas  City,  I’ll  bet  a hat,  and  as  for  13 
pies — say  you  know  darned  well  if  there 
were  13  huckleberry  pies  any  one  morning 
in  Neligh  there  wouldn’t  be  one  left  by 
noon  if  you  were  at  home  and  I can  prove 
it  by  Geneve.  So,  how  would  we  fellers 
have  gotten  our  faces  smeared  up  if  we 
had  arrived. 

You  just  name  a date  30  days  in  advance 
and  we’ll  be  there,  but  make  that  order  for 


Films  Draw  Better 
Than  Bull  Fights 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  2.— The 
motion  picture  is  proving  a better 
drawing  card  in  Mexico  City  than 
the  ancient  Spanish  sport  of  bull 
fighting.  This  was  disclosed  by 
the  commerce  department. 

During  1926,  the  department 
said,  the  population  of  the  city 
spent  more  than  4,800,000  pesos 
on  motion  pictures  and  only 
978,000  pesos  on  bull  fights.  In 
1925  bull  fight  receipts  in  the  city 
were  1,052,000  pesos. 


pies  113,  will  yuh?  And  do  you  furnish 
the  tooth  brushes? 

Anderson’s  still  blew  up  on  the  Fourth 
and  the  poor  fellow  is  in  the  hospital  and 
when  he  gets  out  the  sheriff  has  invited 
him  to  stay  at  his  bastile.  So,  he’s  out  of 
the  race  but  the  rest  of  us  are  aching  to 
go,  so  tell  Mrs.  Jenkins  to  kill  off  all  her 
spring  chickens,  but  for  Pete’s  sake  muzzle 
the  mayor.  We  don’t  want  speeches ; we 
crave  food,  drink  and  action.  You  and 
Bill  Weaver  may  beat  us  on  the  food  prop- 
osition and  Tragsdorf,  Meyer  and  Sprague 
on  pulling  corks,  but  when  it  comes  to 
action — watch  Colleen’s  step ! 

Yours  for  a fair  start — Philip  Rand, 
Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. 

P.  S.  Mrs.  Rand  wants  me  to  add  that 
if  you  will  come  to  Salmon,  she  will  serve 
up  real  huckleberry  pies,  none  of  that 
canned  stuff  either.  There’s  real  huckle- 
berries out  here,  big  as  hen’s  eggs  and 
not  those  dzvarf  blue  berries  of  the  Middle- 
zvest.  Jaysee,  you  ain’t  seen  a real  huckle- 
berry yet! 


We’ll  Look  Into  It 

SHELL  ROCK,  lA. — To  the  Editor  : 
This  morning  I was  startled  by  a series  of 
coughs  and  snorts,  accompanied  by  screech- 
ing of  brakes,  and  looking  out  of  my  office 
window  I discovered  that  Clara  had  ar- 
rived and  I was  about  to  be  favored  by  a 
call  from  the  well-known  J.  C.  Jenkins. 
I had  a very  pleasant  hour’s  visit  with 
him  and  I’ll  tell  the  world  that  he  is  a 
pretty  good  old  scout. 

He  left  here  going  in  the  opposite  direc- 
tion from  that  in  which  I had  directed 
him,  but  I trust  he  soon  discovered  his 
error  and  got  on  the  right  track.  He  was 
headed  for  Eldora,  and  acted  like  he  had 
a hot  party  framed  for  this  evening.  As 
Eldora  is  the  home  of  the  boys’  reforma- 
tory and  not  the  girls’  institution,  I fear  he 
is  due  for  a blue  Sunday. 

Anyway  I enjoyed  his  visit,  and  hope 
he  will  come  this  way  again. — Fred  B. 
Witt,  Orpheum  theatre.  Shell  Rock,  la. 


You  Boys  Fight  It  Out 

NEW  HAMPTON,  lA.— To  the  Editor: 
L'pon  returning  from  a nice  vacation,  and 
after  reading  the  Heralds  which  had  ac- 
cumulated during  our  absence,  I discovered 
that  when  the  smoke  had  rolled  away  from 
this  exhibitors’  Beauty  Contest,  that 
“Clara”  and  “Norma”  were  declared  a tie. 
Now  in  the  case  of  a tie  vote  there  cannot 
be  a decision  for  the  contestants  who  tie, 
therefore,  our  friend  “Billie”  is  really  en- 
titled to  first  place. 

Well,  anyway,  it  required  the  combined 
efforts  of  two  stars  and  one  press  agent 
to  beat  Billie,  who  went  on  her  own  mer- 
its and  came  through  with  flying  colors 
without  the  aid  of  any  weekly  campaign 
letters.  Just  think,  that  old  rascal,  J.  C., 
in  “His  Colyum”  for  June  11,  had  the 
nerve  to  question  “T.  O.”  on  his  right  to 
boost  for  Billie  and  that  made  me  mad, 
because  this  is  a free  country  and  if  you 
don’t  believe  that  just  go  and  ask  Jake 
Volstead. 

Itstewbad,  J.  C.,  that  Clara  has  not  seen 
fit  to  express  her  gratitude  to  you  for  your 
efforts  in  her  behalf  in  the  contest.  But, 
’ll,  hain’t  that  jes’  like  them  ’ere  flappers? 
Really,  J.  C.,  you  know  that  flappers  are 
just  like  near-beer — always  disappointing. 

V/hen  J.  C.  crawls  back  this  way  with 
that  caterpillar,  if  it  holds  together  that 
long,  I would  like  to  have  him  stop  in  so 
that  I could  show  him  some  real  apprecia- 
tion from  the  most  beautiful  girl  on  the 
screen  today.  Believe  it  or  not,  J.  C.,  it’s 
the  truth.  I wouldn’t  misrepresent  any- 
thing, not  even  a photograph  of  a fish  that 
someone  else  caught  on  their  line. — Earle 
C.  Potter,  Firemen’s  theatre.  New  Hamp- 
ton, la. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


BOX  0FFIC3E  TICKER 

%e  HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 


THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS  (U). 


ARIZONA  SWEEPSTAKES 
IRENE  (F.N.) 


(L) 


THE  VOLGA  BOATMAN  (P.D.C.) 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN  (F  B O) 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE  (F.N.) 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE  (M-G-M) 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER  (F.N.) 


THE  BAT 


THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK  (U.A.). 


THE  SCARLET  WEST 


THE  LAST  FRONTIER  (P.D.C.) 


THE  BLACK  PIRATE  (U.A.) 


Exhibitors  reporting  **What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me”  supply  a percentage 
rating  obtained  by  dividing  average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction 
into  average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  10  of  these 
percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average  of  these  10 
percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.”  Each  additional  percentage- 
rating  report  received  on  pictures  entered  is  combined  with  those  previously 
received  and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 

1. 

2. 

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HIS  SECRETARY  (M-G-M) 

A REGULAR  SCOUT  (F  B O) 

UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM  (P.D.C.), 

THE  NIGHT  CRY  (W.B.) 

CORPORAL  KATE  (P.D.C.) 

THE  PHANTOM  BULLET  (U) 


ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC  (W.B.). 
FOR  HEAVEN’S  SAKE  (Par)... 


LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY  (U.A.). 
THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART  ( 


BROWN  OF  HARVARD 


THE  MAN  IN  THE  SADDLE  (U), 
TRAMP.  TRAMP,  TRAMP  (F.N.). 
THE  RUCKAROO  KID  (U) 


BEHIND 


TONY  RUNS  WILD 
THE  TEASER  (U)... 


THE  WANING  SEX 
WILD  TO  GO  (FB 
THE  SIT.ENT  RIDER 


(U). 


THE  RED  MILL 


CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  (W.B.), 

IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.N.) 

CANYON  OF  LIGHT  (Fox) 


FOREVER  AFTER 


81.93% 

12 

“ 

81.41% 

17 

“ 

78.23y„ 

25 

“ 

78.00% 

13 

“ 

76.69% 

11 

76.18yo 

11 

74.72% 

28 

..  . 74.25% 

24 

73.95% 

15 

“ 

72.80% 

22 

“ 

72.72% 

1 .11 

“ 

72.63y„ 

15 

72.46% 

19 

»* 

72.00% 

12 

71.91% 

19 

70.84yo 

20 

70.60yo 

25 

70.60% 

16 

“ 

69.62% 

13 

it 

69.38% 

19 

“ 

69  36% 

11 

68.81% 

68.80yo 

21 

44 

. . 68.38% 

22 

44 

68.36% 

)....20 

44 

68.15y„ 

....  32 

44 

....67  96"/, 

10 

44 

67.40% 

30 

67.’0yo 

14 

44 

66.78% 

10 

66.40% 

13 

**  

66.30% 

19 

“ 

66.05"/o 

19 

65.94% 

21 

- 

65.85% 

37 

. 65.45% 

26 

64.92% 

20 

“ 

64.90% 

13 

6i.60% 

10 

64.50% 

14 

“ 

64.50% 

18 

..  64.44% 

21 

44 

64.33% 

10 

44 

64.20% 

11 

44 

64.18% 

9 

44 

...  64.16% 

13 

44 

64.07% 

11 

» 

63  45% 

13 

62.84% 

12 

62.83% 

11 

62.72% 

“ 

62.62% 

12 

“ ...  . 

62.4.2% 

26 

62.30% 

26 

61.96% 

20 

61  85% 

19 

«•  

61.68% 

13 

61.00% 

17 

60.94% 

12 

44 

60.50% 

17 

44 

60.47% 

1 1 

60.09% 

. . 14 

59.78% 

.10 

44 

59.50% 

16 

59.31% 

27 

44 

59.1 1% 

11 

44 

59.00% 

13 

44 

59.000/0 

14 

44 

58.920/o 

30 

58.830/0 

10 

*4 

58.80"/o 

13 

58.61% 

15 

“ 

58.6OO/0 

30 

11 

58.270/0 

11 

“ 

58.O90/0 

12 

44 

57.750/0 

27 

44 

57.07% 

12 

57.OOO/0 

14 

57.OOO/0 

13 

“ 

56.920/0 

21 

56.850/0 

13 

“ 

56  69"/o 

15 

44 

56.66% 

17 

44 

56.580/o 

23 

44 

56.470/0 

11 

44 

56.450/0 

12 

56.4lo/o 

89. 

90. 

91. 

92. 

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1.50. 

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1.59. 
160. 
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182.. 

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184. 


THE  WILDERNESS  WOMAN  (F.N.) 


THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER  (P.D.C.) 

BORN  TO  THE  WEST  (Par) 

THE  GREATER  GLORY  (F.N.) 


PARADISE 


STEPPING  ALONG  (F.N.).., 


HOGAN’S  ALLEY  (W.B.) 


THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT  (F.N.) 
WHISPERING  SMITH  (P.D.C.) 


TUMBLEWEEDS 


LOVE  'EM  AND  LEAVE  ’EM 
MIDNIGHT  LOVERS  (F.N.)-- 


THE  BROWN  DERBY  (F.N.) 
THE  BORDER  SHERIFF  (U1 


PARTNERS  AGAIN  (U.A.) .... 
BIGGER  THAN  BARNUM’S 


FIG  LEAVES 


INTO  HER  KINGDOM  (F.N.)... 
STEEL  PREFERRED  (P.D.C.)... 


18 

56.38"/o 

12 

56.33% 

10 

56.20% 

24 

56.I6O/0 

12 

56.16% 

20 

55.95% 

19  “ 

55.89% 

15 

55.860/0 

55.8OO/0 

15 

55.330/0 

10  “ 

55.20% 

12 

55.08% 

11 

55.00"/o 

18  “ 

- . 54.94% 

28 

54.920/0 

15 

54.06% 

19  “ 

54.68% 

. ...10  “ 

54.OO0/0 

...  11  “ 

53.9OO/0 

21 

53.90% 

16 

53.62% 

10 

53.30% 

17 

53.170/0 

11 

52  72"/o 

16 

52.68% 

19 

52.68% 

12 

52.50% 

. 20  “ 

52.50% 

17 

52.350/0 

17 

52.350/0 

15 

52.250/0 

11 

52.00% 

20 

51.85"/o 

10 

5I.6OO/0 

11  “ 

51.270/0 

11  “ 

50 .900/0 

18  “ 

50  88O/0 

17 

50.82% 

17 

50.47% 

25  “ 

50  440/0 

11 

50.36"/o 

12  “ 

5O.250/0 

27 

5O.220/0 

18  “ 

50.1  lo/o 

17 

49.820/0 

15  “ 

49.730/0 

10 

49.4O0/„ 

10 

49.4OO/0 

15  “ 

49.OOO/0 

22 

48.900/„ 

10  •* 

48.800/o 

11 

4R.720/o 

12 

48.660/o 

10  “ 

40.60% 

15  “ 

48.260/o 

16 

48.I8O/0 

21  “ 

48.140/0 

12  ** 

40.00% 

10  ** 

47.9OO/0 

12 

.47.75% 

10 

47 .500/0 

14 

47..500/„ 

12 

47.00% 

11  ♦* 

46.8lo/o 

11 

46.720/o 

10  44 

46.500/o 

11 

46  360/o 

15 

45  530/0 

17 

45  41% 

10 

45.OOO/0 

12  “ 

44  91 0/0 

12  “ 

44.750/0 

15  “ 

44.330/0 

15  “ 

44.26% 

11 

43  270/0 

17  “ 

43.2.30/0 

13  “ 

43.O70/0 

15 

42.7.30/0 

11  “ 

42.4.50/0 

14 

42.20% 

11 

42.40% 

20  “ 

41 .950/0 

14 

41.92O/0 

11 

41.9OO/0 

13  “ 

4 ’.2,30/0 

10 

40.00% 

18  “ 

4O.I6O/0 

12  “ 

30.03% 

14  “ 

39.710/0 

11  “ 

11  “ 

37.540/0 

11  “ 

36.900/n 

..10  “ 

34.7OO/0 

21  “ 

34.42% 

11 

34.OOO/0 

11  “ 

33.270/0 

58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 
Advertising 

Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 

$1.00,  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

The  Recognized  National  Classiiied  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANISTS — Thoroughly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Buren  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 


EXPERIENCED  ^ DRUMMER— Union,  desires 
theatre  position.  Complete  outfit.  Drums,  tym- 
panii  and  xylophone.  Xylophone  solos  if  required. 
Address  Ulmer  V'.  Roffe,  38  Main  St.,  Gowanda, 
N.  Y. 


PROJECTIONIST — Desires  position  anywhere. 
Can  operate  any  booth  equipment.  First  class 
references.  Wire  collect,  or  write  to  Albert 
Myers,  care  Vining  Theatre,  Ashland,  Oregon. 


OPERATOR  with  ten  years’  experience  in  large 
houses.  Martied.  Wants  steady  job.  Address 
Gene  Ingalls,  New  Hampton,  la. 


LIVE,  HUSTLING  THEATRE  MANAGER  at 
liberty.  Producer  of  presentation  novelties,  pro- 
logues and  novelty  musical  programs.  Up  in 
special  vyeeks  and  events.  Recognized  press  and 
exploitation  expert.  Managed  combination  and 
two-a-day  vaudeville  theatres  also.  Highest  ref- 
erences. Address  Box  195,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


MUSICAL  DIRECTOR— Piano  or  baton.  De- 
sires change.  At  present  leader  Keith  Vaude. 
Experienced  all  lines  of  music.  Graduate  Euro- 
pean Conservatory.  Highly  educated.  Large 
library.  Pictures  cued  absolutely  correct.  Guar- 
antee to  make  orchestra  feature.  Produce  pro- 
logues and  presentations.  Union;  married;  refer- 
ences. Write  or  wire  M.  A.  Springer,  Smoot 
Theatre,  Parkersburg,  W.  Va. 


ORGANIST  WANTS  POSITION.  Ten  years 
experience  in  best  theatres.  Feature  all  music 
from  Jazz  to  Classic.  Cue  to  perfection.  Can 
rnake^  organ  feature  attraction.  Address  “Musi- 
cian,” 612  North  Roosevelt,  Bloomington,  Illi- 
nois. 


, WANTED— POSITION  AS  MANAGER  or  as- 
sistant. Young  man  experienced  in  management, 
advertising  and  accounting.  Future  important 
Write  Box  196,  E.xhibitors  Herald,  407  South 
Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Wanted 


WANTED:  To  buy  or  lease  theatre  in  town 
of  3,000  to  10,000  population.  Cash.  Give  full 
information.  Address  Box  193,  Exhibitors  Her- 
ald, 407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


THEATRE  WANTED— In  Michigan  town 
where  no  competition.  Address  Box  197,  Exhibitors 
Herald,  407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  111. 


WANTED;  To  buy  or  lease  picture  theatre, 
must  be  in  good  field.  Stand  strict  investigation. 
Middle-West  preferred.  All  details  first  letter. 
Take  charge  within  sixty  days.  Address  Box  56, 
Darrouzett,  Texas. 


For  Sale 


FOR  SALE— “CUSTER’S  LAST  FIGHT.”  A 
5-reel  Thos.  H.  Ince  picture.  A ROAD  SHOW 
complete,  consistng  of  Chevrolet  truck  with  spe- 
cial body — Tangley  Caliaphone — wax  figures  of 
General  Custer  and  Sitting  Bull — bunch  of  old 
guns  and  two  prints  on  feature  with  two  good 
comedies.  This  show  has  always  made  $500  to 
$800  per  month,  net.  Everything  in  A-1  shape. 
Good  reason  for  selling.  Hot  price  for  quick  sale. 
Write  or  call  F.  L.  Smith,  Box  241,  Mounds, 
Oklahoma. 


Equipment  W anted 


VVE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS;  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
5x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet,  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


WANTED:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


FOR  SALE:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos, 

Slides,  Banners,  and  other  kinds  of  Accessories 
on  any  subject,  new  or  old — regardless.  Save 
60%.  Write  for  order  blanks  and  price  list.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  & Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Printing 


"NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post- 
paid. Samples.  Address  SolHdays,  E.  H.,  124, 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HE.\DS,  Skz-xll,  and  100  6)4  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS:  Fac- 
tory  rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
hurg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  the- 
tres  @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HCJUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  ^1 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mi^ 
cellaneous  articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


JUST  FORECLOSED  MORTGAGE  on  follow- 
ing equipment.  Will  sacrifice.  4 used  Motion 
graph  Machines,  complete,  with  motors,  $150 
each.  Two  used  Compensarcs,  $30  each.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs,  used  3 months,  $2  each,  cost 
$3.75  each.  All  now  in  a Theatre  in  Southeast 
Missouri.  Also  have  two  Powers  6B  with  mo- 
tors and  two  Simplexs  motor  driven,  perfect 
condition,  guaranteed,  $375  each,  228  new  heavy 
Opera  Chairs,  17  inch,  $2.75  each,  never  used, 
regular  price  $4.20  each.  Some  Screens,  Genera- 
tors and  Arc  controls  at  bargain  prices.  Must 
turn  these  articles  into  cash  immediately.  Ad- 
dress S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Avenue,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


REBUILT  AND  NEW  power  Simplex,  Moti- 
ograph, Zenith  Projectors;  300  reel  films.  'Theatre 
and  road  show  supplies  bought,  sold  and  ex- 
changed. Bargain  lists.  National  Equipment  Co., 
409  West  Michigan  Street,  Duluth,  Minn. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


59 


‘What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,*’ EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


FBO 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 100%. 
June  20-21.  Very  good. — Mrs.  G.  H.  Dennis, 
Liberty  theatre,  Weeping  Water,  Neb. — General 
patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 20%. 
July  15.  Wonderful  picture.  Did  not  draw  on 
account  of  the  weather,  exceptionally  hot.  I'll 
advke  exhibitors  to  play  this  one  if  you  haven’t. 
Seven  reels.— J.  R.  Radin,  Maplewood  theatre, 
Maplewood,  Mass. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SONORA  KID:  Tom  Tyler— 50%.  July 
16.  Played  this  with  “Monkey  Talks.”  This  one 
not  as  good  as  the  other  Tyler’s.  Tom  much 
better  with  Frankie  Darro.  Five  reels. — J.  R. 
Radin,  Maplewood  theatre,  Maplewood,  Mass. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

TOM  AND  HIS  PALS:  Tom  Tyler— 75%. 
July  11-12.  Here  is  a tip-top  Western  that  offers 
enough  variety  to  please  any  audience.  To  date 
I have  never  run  a better  picture  of  Tom  Tyler. 
You  will  get  plenty  good  comments  I think,  on 
this.  I did.  They  came  out  talking  and  that 
does  not  always  happen  you  know.  Play  up  this, 
it’s  a good  one.  Six  reels. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex 
theatre.  Madisonville,  Tex. — ^General  patronage. 

A BROADWAY  GALLANT:  Richard  Tal- 
madge — 10%.  July  15.  Good  action  program 
picture. — Bert  Silver.  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

CALIFORNIA  OR  BUST:  George  O’Hara— 
64%.  July  16.  This  star  popular  here  because 
of  having  played  in  the  “Telephone  Girl”  comedy 
series,  so  drew  quite  well.  Picture  is  a fair  copy 
of,  but  not  up  to  the  standard  of,  the  Wally 
Reid  type  of  auto  racing  dramas.  Six  reels. — 
D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  COUNTRY  BEYOND:  Ralph  Graves— 
10%.  July  19.  Well,  Mr.  Fox  gave  us  a good 
show  in  this  one  and  it  drew  well  on  middle 
week.  Curwood  always  puts  in  the  right  kind  of 
a flavor  and  scenery  into  his  pictures.  Good,  we 
say.  Play  it  and  gain  by  it.  Seven  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre.  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

FLAMING  FURY:  Ranger — 25%.  July  24-25. 
Not  so  bad.  The  dog  is  good  enough,  but  Oh ! 
the  cast,  unknowns  all  of  them.  Must  have  been 
their  first  effort  before  the  camera.  Five  reels. — 
J.  C.  Kennedy.  Empress  theatre,  Akron,  la. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

SPLITTING  THE  BREEZE:  Tom  Tyler— 75%. 
July  9.  Tyler  is  fairly  good  in  this  one.  Looks 
like  he  might  be  a coming  Western  star.  Plenty 
of  room  for  improvement,  however.  Five  reels,- — 
J.  C.  Kennedy.  Empress  theatre,  Akron,  la. — 
General  patronage. 

MOTHER:  Belle  Bennett — 50%.  June  6-7. 
Just  a fair  picture. — Mrs.  G.  H.  Dennis,  Liberty 
theatre.  Weeping  Water,  Neb. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

MOTHER:  Special  cast — ^30%.  July  11.  Good. 
This  picture  will  draw  the  older  folks  in.  Seven 
reels. — J.  R.  Radin,  Maplewood  theatre,  Maple- 
wood, Mass. — Smill  town  patronage. 

THE  TWO  GUN  MAN:  Fred  Thomson — 65%. 
July  15.  Excellent  picture.  Pleased  75  per  cent 
of  my  Friday  patrons.  Fred  and  Silver  King  are 
my  best  bets.  They  always  please  ’em.  Print 
bad.  This  was  an  error  in  shipping  department. 
Paper  good.  Six  reels.— A1  Stoddard,  Rex  thea- 
tre, Madisonville,  Tex, — General  patronage. 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


KING  OF  THE  TURF:  Kenneth  Harlan — 
20%.  July  15-16.  This  picture  is  good  Gold 
Bond  and  will  stand  a little  raise  in  admission 
because  it  is  better  than  average  pictures  run. 
A real  good  cross  country  horse  race  and  a won- 
derful finish.  They  will  remember  it  for  some 
time.  It’s  good.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba. 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

BRED  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY:  Viola  Dana— 
65%.  A pretty  good  horse  race  picture  of  the 
familiar  type,  but  is  none  the  less  pleasing  on 
that  account.  Miss  Dana  is  as  pleasing  as  al- 
ways in  this. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre, 
Bellaire,  O. — General  patronage. 

DON  MIKE : Fred  Thomson — 80%.  When 
Fred  and  Silver  come  to  our  theatre  we  know 
we’ll  have  good  business.  And  what’s  more, 
FBO  doesn’t  ask  for  your  theatre  and  piano 
player  for  them.  Six  reels. — Elva  Miller,  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Tremonton,  Utah. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

OUTLAW  DOG:  Ranger — 50%.  July  7-8.  All 
the  youngsters  seemed  pleased  with  this  picture, 
but  a few  of  the  hard  boiled  critics  found  fault. 
Rex  Lease,  leading  man,  and  he’s  all  right.  Five 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

ISLE  OF  RETRIBUTION:  Robert  Fraser— 
15%.  July  10.  Good  picture  of  the  Alaskan 
snow  country.  Should  please  the  most  critical 
moviegoer  and  it  also  leaves  something  to  re- 
member the  story  for  some  time  after.  Good  all 
through.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba.  Royal  thea- 
tre, Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 


A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— Very 
good  semi-Western  mixed  up  with  Boy  Scouts  and 
will  pull  well.  Pleased  all. — 3,  F.  Jefferies,  Com- 
munity theatre,  Northboro,  la. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BANDIT’S  BABY:  Fred  Thomson— As 
good  as  any  Fred  Thomson.  They  are  all  good. 
No  Western  star  equals  Fred  with  Silver  King 
at  my  box  office.  I’ll  say  get  the  whole  works 
from  F.  B.  O.  If  you  operate  in  a small  town, 
you  will  never  regret  it.  Six  reels. — A1  Stoddard, 
Rex  theatre.  Madisonville,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

First  National 

BABE  COMES  HOME:  Babe  Ruth— 75%.  We 
played  the  world’s  premier  on  this  picture.  If 
you  have  baseball  fans  don’t  pass  this  up.  A 
good  comedy.  Babe  is  the  king  of  home  runs. 
But  look  out  for  Gehrig.  Six  reels. — Elva  Miller, 
Liberty  theatre,  Tremonton.  Utah. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BLONDE  SAINT:  Special  cast— 30%. 
July  13.  Foreign  setting.  Well  staged  produc- 
tion. Pleased  those  who  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  BLONDE  SAINT:  Lewis  Stone— July  24. 
One  out  of  Stone’s  ordinary.  A very  good  en- 
tertainer for  a Sunday  use.  Many  favorable  com- 
ments. Seven  reels. — M.  J.  Babin.  Fairyland 
theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — General  patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 
85%.  June  29-30.  Played  to  a small  house  but 
not  the  fault  of  the  picture. — Mrs.  G.  H.  Dennis. 
Liberty  theatre.  Weeping  Water,  Neb. — General 
patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 

72%.  July  4.  Very  well  pleased.  Colleen’s  pic- 
tures are  always  good.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Wit- 
wer, Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore- 

Extra  good.  You  can  depend  on  every  other  one 

from  Miss  Moore  being  extra  good.  This  one 
did  please  my  patrons. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  thea- 
tre, Russellville,  Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— 

June  26-27.  What  a star,  what  a picture,  what 
a box  office.  Don’t  think  she  ever  made  a better 
one  than  this.  Mulhall,  Hardy  and  Gwen  Lee 
right  in  there,  too.  Everybody  enjoyed  every 
minute  of  it  and  how  they  did  turn  out.  Hope 
Miss  Moore  gets  her  production  difficulties 
straightened  out.  She’s  too  young  to  go  United 
Artists  yet.  Eight  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission 
theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

EASY  PICKINGS:  Special  cast— 60%.  June  29. 
Good  mystery  picture.  Satisfied  90  per  cent.  Six 
reels. — J.  R.  Radin,  Maplewood  theatre,  Maple- 
wood. Mass. — Small  town  patronage. 

LONG  PANTS:  Harry  Langdon— 25%.  If 
Harry  makes  another  one  like  this  we  won’t  wish 
him  any  bad  luck,  but  hope  he  breaks  a leg  in 
the  first  reel.  No  sense,  no  story,  no  nothing. 
Seven  reels. — Elva  Miller,  Liberty  theatre,  Tre- 
monton, Utah.— General  patronage. 

LONG  PANTS:  Harry  Langdon — Not  a laugh 
in  it.  Absolutely  rotten.  Langdon  is  a failure 
with  me  in  his  long  comedies.  Used  to  be  fair 
in  two  reelers. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Rus- 
sellville, Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PRINCE  OF  HEADWAITERS:  Lewis 
Stone — It  has  been  a long  wait  but  finally  a 


60 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


good  picture  has  been  made,  but  since  we  have 
cried  the  wolf  so  often  to  get  ’em  in,  what  hap- 
pened when  the  wolf  arrived  7 You  exhibitors 
know  well  enough  what  happened.  We  simply 
are  starved  to  death,  and  nothing  will  put  pic- 
tures back  on  the  map  as  quickly  as  a good 

picture  like  ‘‘The  Prince  of  Headwaiters”  and 
with  good  pictures  to  offer  then  our  box  office 
and  rentals  will  come  in.  Seven  reels. — W.  H. 
Brenner,  Cozy  theatre,  Winchester,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

LOST  AT  THE  FRONT:  Special  east— July 
18-19.  A riot  of  laughs.  I highly  approve  of 
this  practice  of  First  National  in  confining  their 
pictures  to  six  reel  lengths.  This  didn’t  have  any 
waste  footage  and  piled  up  an  unusually  high 

total  of  laughs.  Some  mighty  fly  action  and 

titles  in  spots,  but  just  when  you  think  some- 

thing really  is  coming  off  they  duck  it  safely. 
Not  a Sunday  picture  if  you  are  troubled  with 
a very  strict  bunch,  but  it’s  there  as  a laugh 
getter  and  how  1 Six  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mis- 
sion theare,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL:  Jack  Mulhall— July  6-7. 
Pleasing  little  program  comedy  drama.  A bit 
different  from  the  usual  run.  Jack  Mulhall  is 
certainly  going  somewhere  and  is  well  on  his 
way.  Alice  Day  a nice  opposite  for  him.  Six 
reels. — Henei-y  Reeve.  Mission  theatre,  Menard, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Charley  Murray — July 
12-13.  Don’t  pass  this  one.  It’s  very  good  and 
should  please  anywhere. — P.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty 
theatre.  Chapman.  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Special  cast — June  15. 
Corking  good  comedy  that  we  used  to  open  new 
theatre.  Picked  it  because  I thought  it  would 
please  all  types  of  picture  lovers  regardless  of 
what  their  pet  kind  of  film  might  be.  It  did  not 
cause  a riot  but  did  do  what  I hoped  it  would. 
To  be  honest  about  it,  can’t  see  where  it  is  worth 
special  price  in  this  part  of  the  world.  Eight 
reels. — Henery  Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Menard, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

PRINCE  OF  TEMPTERS:  Lois  Moran— June 
14-15.  Good. — F.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty  theatre. 
Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

AN  AFFAIR  OF  THE  FOLLIES:  Billie  Dove 
— May  2-3.  A splendid  picture. — F.  W.  Carroll. 


Liberty  theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. — Smalt  town 
patronage. 

TWINKLETOES:  Colleen  Moore— May  17-1«. 

A very  good  picture.  Did  not  draw  as  some  of 
Miss  Moore’s  other  pictures  here. — P.  W.  Carroll, 
Liberty  theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town 
patronage. 

TWINKLETOES:  Colleen  Moore — 11113  picture 
is  nothing  extra  as  First  National  says  it  to  be  a 
great  one.  Just  an  ordinary  program  picture  that 
will  generally  please  but  not  worth  the  price 
paid.  Nine  reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre. 
Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

PARADISE : Milton  Sills. — Good.  'Two  hot 

spots  that  can  be  cut. — J.  F.  Jefferies,  Community 
theatre,  Northboro,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

SWEET  DADDIES:  Special  cast — Good  comedy 
drama.  Seven  reels. — J.  F.  Jefferies,  Community 
theatre,  Northboro,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
June  18.  They  don’t  make  any  better  Westerns 
than  this  one.  Just  about  as  good  ae  anyone 
could  ask  for.  Maynard  has  no  peers  in  his 
field.  Seven  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission  thea- 
tre, Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
This  picture  reveals  the  North  of  36  and  you 
can’t  go  wrong  on  it.  Book  and  advertise  as 
such  and  the  crowd  will  not  be  disappointed. 
Mr.  Maynard  is  O.  K.  here. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace 
theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard — Western. 
Good.  All  the  good  parts  of  Gibson,  'Thomson 
and  Mix  combined  in  one  man — Ken. — J.  F.  Jef- 
feries, Community  theatre,  Northboro,  la. — Small 
town  patronage. 

MISMATES:  Doris  Kenyon — June  20-21.  Just 
a dandy  picture.  Would  like  to  have  the  pleasure 
of  showing  pictures  of  the  same  merit  at  the 
same  price  more  frequently. — F.  W.  Carroll.  Lib- 
erty theatre.  Chapman.  Kan. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— ^July  16.  Just  another  one  of  the  best  Western 
pictures  on  the  market  with  the  best  of  all  the 
Western  stars  to  our  notion.  They  must  get  tired 
reading  nothing  but  good  reports  on  Maynard 
pictures,  but  what  can  we  do  about  it  ? If  they 
keep  up  the  stiff  pace  set  this  year,  it  will  be 


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a hard  job.  Seven  reels. — Heniy  Reeve,  Mission 
theatre.  Menard.  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

JUST  ANOTHER  BLONDE:  Dorothy  Mackaill 
June  16-17.  Good  little  picture.  No  great  draw- 
ing power.  Excellent  cast,  somewhat  wasted  on 
mediocre  story.  Six  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission 
theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

FRAMED:  Milton  Sills — July  22-23.  Sills  was 
the  capable  actor  as  usual.  Not  the  story  for 
flappers  and  sheiks.  Too  heavy  for  them.  Com- 
ment divided.  Film  good.  Six  reels. — Ivy  D. 
Arnold.  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  NEW  COMMANDMENT:  Special  casV- 
A very  fine  picture  that  went  over  very  well 
considering  the  hot  weather.  Seven  reels. — 
Smithey  & Shults,  Rialto  theatre,  Hammon,  Okla. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PERFECT  SAP:  Ben  Lyons- July  23. 
A good  crook  mystery  picture.  One  that  will 
please  any  class.  Used  this  on  a Saturday  and 
it  suited  that  crowd.  Seven  reels. — M.  J.  Babin. 
Fairyland  theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — General 
patronage. 

THE  BROWN  DERBY:  Johnny  Hines— Good. 
Comedy  drama.  Seven  reels. — J.  F.  Jefferies, 
Community  theatre,  Northboro,  la. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  BROWN  DERBY:  Johnny  Hines— April 
18-19.  A good  comedy. — F.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty 
theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WHITE  BLACK  SHEEP:  Richard  Bar- 
thelmess — June  23-24.  Drew  good  first  night 
business  but  did  not  go  over  here.  Rather  un- 
favorable comments.  Barthelmess  the  only  thing 
in  the  picture.  Seven  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mis- 
sion theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

GRAUSTARK:  Norma  Talmadge — Good  picture 
and  a good  story.  We  didn’t  make  any  money 
on  this  picture  but  no  fault  with  the  picture. 
Hot  weather  and  only  a mile  to  the  Washita 
river.  They  took  a swim.  Seven  reels. — Smithey 
& Shults,  Rialto  theatre,  Hammon,  Okla. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  LADY : Norma  Talmadge — June  6-7.  It 
would  be  hard  to  find  a better  picture  than  this 
one.  The  acting  is  fine  and  the  story  is  also  very 
good. — F.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty  theatre.  Chapman, 
Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

Fox 

NO  MAN^S  GOLD:  Tom  Mix— 100%.  June 
3-4.  Very  good.  People  went  wild  over  it. — Mrs. 
G.  H.  Dennifi,  Liberty  theatre.  Weeping  Water, 
Neb. — General  patronage. 

KENTUCKY  PRIDE:  Special  cast— July  12-13- 
A fair  race  track  picture.  Not  as  good  as  “The 
Dixie  Merchant”  (Fox)  or  “The  Kentucky  Derby” 
(FBO).  The  story  is  rather  childish.  Seven 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

WAR  HORSE:  Buck  Jones— 50%.  July  16. 
An  extra  good  action  picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

WAR  HORSE:  Buck  Jones — 50%.  July  6. 
Did  not  draw  so  good,  but  the  weather  was  so 
hot.  This  is  not  a straight  Western,  but  yet  it’s 
got  the  Western  tang  to  it.  It’s  good.  P^ve  reels. 
— Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Ar- 
vada, Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MONKEY  TALKS:  Special  cast— 50%. 
July  16.  Good  picture.  Business  poor,  not  fault 
of  picture.  Good  for  Sunday.  Six  reels. — J.  R. 
Radin,  Maplewood  theatre,  Maplewood,  Mass. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MONKEY  TALKS:  Special  cast-^ust  an 
ordinary  progi’am  picture  that  was  liked  about 
half  and  half.  I wish  that  the  producers  would 
base  all  these  pictures  in  the  old  U.  S.  and  cut 
out  all  these  foreign  ones.  This  one  is  based  in 
France.  Six  reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre, 
Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


61 


DEAR  HERALD: 


NELIGH,  NEB.,  July  24,  1927. 


Back  again  to  the  old  home  town 
W ith  my  face  all  blistered 
And  my  hands  all  brown. 

With  my  wad  all  shot  on  Sharky  to  win 

But  I’m  a darn  good  feller  for  the  shape  I’m  in. 

— The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

C.  J.  Latta  of  Perry,  la.,  formerly  of  Shenandoah,  and  who  is  known  throughout 
the  entire  world — and  Salmon,  Idaho — as  “The  Honest  Exhibitor,”  has  been  sojourn- 
ing for  a season  in  Hollywood,  and  to  evidence  this  fact,  sends  to  the  HERALD  a 
couple  of  pictures  taken  while  there  so  the  boys  can  form  a correct  understanding  as 
to  where  he  spent  his  spare  time. 

He  no  doubt  thought  he  was  pulling  a fast  one  when  he  had  his  picture  taken 
holding  Viola  in  his  arms — less  than  that  has  started  many  a divorce  case — but  then, 
gee  whiz,  that’s  nothing,  just  see  what  “Fishy”  Phil  did  when  he  was  out  there.  If 
Viola  will  let  such  guys  as  those  hold  her  in  their  arms  I’m  mighty  glad  I changed 
the  name  of  my  car.  You  birds  just  try  that  on  Clara  once  and  see  how  you  come  out. 

“Old  Honesty”  certainly  exercised  excellent  judgment  when  he  returned  and 
located  in  Iowa,  “Where  the  Tall  Corn  Grows,”  and  we  are  all  rejoiced  to  know  this. 
California  is  a fine  place  to  spend  a few  weeks  and  a lot  of  good  old  Iowa  and 
Nebraska  money.  This  helps  to  keep  California  out  of  the  red,  but  I notice  that 
when  a “Hawkeye”  or  a “Bugeater”  wants  to  settle  down  for  business  he  generally 
returns  to  the  place  where  Nature  smiles  the  year  round  and  where  tourists  are  wel- 
comed for  other  reasons  than  their  money.  How’s  that,  C.  J.,  am  I correct? 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

I had  a delightful  visit  in  Onawa,  la.,  recently.  It  was  my  pleasure  to  meet  for  the 
first  time  an  old  time  antagonist  of  mine  in  the  person  of  Fred  Wonder.  Fred  and 
I used  to  sass  one  another  through  the  columns  of  the  Opera  House  Reporter,  but 
Fred  generally  got  the  best  of  the  argument.  Fred  has  quit  the  show  business  and  is 
editing  the  Oruiwa  Denuicrat.  The  only  objection  I could  find  with  the  paper  is  its 
name,  and  I told  Fred  I couldn’t  understand  why  he  would  publish  a democratic 
paper  in  a republican  community,  and  he  replied  by  saying,  “Truth  had  to  have  an 
advocate  in  every  community.”  That  boy  always  did  squelch  me. 

W.  A.  Bowker,  who  owned  and  operated  the  Opera  House  at  Onawa  has  sold  the 

theatre  and  is  now  spending  a vacation  on  the  Wisconsin  river  at  Kilbourn,  where 

everybody  else  ought  to  be.  The  theatre  was  purchased  by  a couple  of  Nebraska 
ladies  and  just  why  they  should  leave  Nebraska  for  Iowa  is  too  deep  for  me,  but 
they  did.  Seems  like  about  everybody  wants  to  go  to  Iowa  nowadays. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do  — 

The  ivorld  will  have  to  take  its  hat  off  to  that  great  agricultural  region  west 
of  the  Mississippi  river.  Iowa,  Missouri,  Kansas,  Nebraska.  Colorado,  North 
and  South  Dakota,  Minnesota  and  Wisconsin  have  blossomed  like  the  rose  this 
season  and  an  abundant  harvest  is  in  store  for  this  entire  district  which  will 
he  able  to  fill  the  granaries  of  the  whole  universe.  Business  is  headed  this  way 
with  both  feet  on  the  gas,  and  during  the  next  fetv  dull  weeks  would  be  a good 
time  to  get  at  it  and  doll  up  that  theatre  front  and  get  ready  to  welcome  hack 
Madame  Prosperity  who  left  us  so  unceremoniously  a few  years  ago  without 
leaving  her  address. 

As  has  been  said  before  in  this  column,  a little  paint  out  front  and  a few  more 
lights  will  work  tvonders  at  the  box  office.  Make  your  theatre  the  most  attractive 
looking  place  in  town.  Your  theatre  front  should  be  a show  window  for  the  goods 
you  have  to  sell.  Don’t  be  content  to  put  a one  sheet  and  think  you  have  billed  the 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


August  6,  1927 

THREE  BAD  MEN:  George  O’Brien— 60%. 
May  12-13.  This  is  a good  show  and  you  will 
do  well  to  book  it.  Every  one  was  well  pleased 
with  it  and  it  went  over  better  than  I thought 
that  it  would.  Almost  as  good  ae  "The  Covered 
Wagon.”  Nine  reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre, 
Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

BLUE  EAGLE:  George  O’Brien — 6%.  July 
12.  Good  show  but  you  know  that  it’s  better  for 
men  than  women.  But  action  and  plenty  of  good 
fighting  should  satisfy  most  anybody.  Seven  reels. 
— Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S,  D. — 
General  patronage, 

THE  CITY:  Belle  Bennett— 25%.  July  20. 
This  is  a very  fine  picture.  Cast  fine,  story 
good.  Not  a special  but  an  extra  good  program 
picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

MORE  PAY  LESS  WORK:  Special  cast— 15%. 
July  19.  A good  entertainment  of  program  kind. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— June  25. 
We  can  talk  all  we  want  about  Western  stars, 
but  Mix  draws  as  well  as  ever.  This  is  better 
than  last  year’s  Mix  pictures,  but  the  absolutely 
wild  crazy  stuff  he  puts  in  them  works  against 
the  reason  of  any  intelligent  person.  ’This  was 
a pretty  good  Western  till  he  cleaned  up  the 
cardboard  town  and  some  dozen  men  all  by  his 
ownsome.  Too  much  for  even  our  Saturday 
bunch.  Six  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre, 
Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

TONY  RUNS  WILD:  Tom  Mix— July  14-15. 
Another  good  Mix  Western.  Electric  storms  kept 
’em  away.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

HILLS  OF  PERIL:  Buck  Jones — This  picture 
fails  to  live  up  to  the  title  but  the  action  is  very 
good  and  with  a Saturday  night  crowd  the  pic- 
ture was  liked  very  well  as  I heard  no  unfavor- 
able comment. — F.  R.  Odle.  Palace  theatre,  Meri- 
dan, Tex. — General  patronage. 

BERTHA,  THE  SEWING  MACHINE  GIRL: 
Madge  Bellamy — July  13-14.  Here  is  a wild  hokum 
melodramatic  bit  of  a picture  from  Fox  that  went 
over  in  great  shape  in  this  town.  Pretty  girls, 
plenty  of  comedy,  lots  of  action.  Seemed  to  hit 
strong.  Bellamy  is  gaining  ae  a draw  here.  Not 
anything  great,  but  it  should  hit  well  in  com- 
munities like  this.  Six  reels. — Henry  Reeve, 
Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BRONCHO  TWISTER:  Tom  Mix— Ordi- 
nary Western  picture  with  the  usual  roping  and 
tricks  that  are  in  all  the  Mix  pictures.  Very 
well  liked  by  the  Saturday  night  crowd.  Six 
reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  AUCTIONEER:  George  Sidney — This 

picture  is  a medium  program  picture  and  is  very 
well  liked.  Six  reels. — F.  R.  Odle.  Palace  theatre. 
Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

UPSTREAM:  Special  cast — 'This  picture  didn’t 
have  any  exceptional  drawing  power  although  it 
was  an  ordinary  program  picture. — F.  R.  Odle, 
Palace  theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  Special  cai^t — 100%. 
This  picture  made  a hit  with  the  audience,  but 
should  have  brought  us  more  money. — M.  W,  A. 
Movies,  Opera  House,  Brocket,  N.  D. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines — 

90%.  One  of  the  best  pictures  we  have  played  in 

months.  Bill  Haines  is  there  and  over,  boys. 
Don’t  pass  this  up  or  you  will  miss  a good  bit. 
Seven  reels. — Elva  Miller,  Liberty  theatre,  Tre- 
monton,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines — 

65%.  July  1-2.  A knockout  production  from 
every  angle.  Far  superior  to  "Casey  at  the  Bat.” 
Eight  reels. — J.  C.  Kennedy,  Empress  theatre, 
Akron,  la. — General  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines — 

30%.  July  13.  Great  picture,  but  did  not  draw 
here.  It  will  stand  all  you  can  say  for  it. 
Should  go  over  big  wherever  there  is  a baseball 
following. — J.  R.  Radin,  Maplewood  theatre, 
Maplewood,  Mass. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  cast — 70%. 
July  14-15.  The  above  percentage  is  an  injustice 
to  a really  great  picture.  It  has  such  homely 
comedy,  and  thrills  that  can’t  be  beat,  and  to 
see  the  workings  of  a big  fire  company  is  a 
treat  in  itself  to  the  small  towners.  Charles 
Ray  excellent  and  May  McAvoy  a very  lovely 
heroine.  Good,  play  it.  Ten  reels. — American 


Legion  theatre,  Lena.  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  east — June  29- 
30.  Here  is  a really  great  small  town  picture. 
It  may  not  ring  the  bell  at  $2  prices  in  the 
cities,  but  it’s  great  in  the  sticks.  Ray  never 
put  over  a better  piece  of  work.  Worked  it  with 
the  local  fire  department  to  very  poor  business, 
yet  everyone  who  saw  it  acclaimed  it  as  one  of 
the  best  in  many  a long  day.  Whether  or  not 
Charles  Ray  is  a success  on  the  screen,  he  did 
unbeatable  work  here.  Give  him  the  right  chance 
and  he  can  do  it  again.  Go  after  this  one.  Ten 
reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Menard. 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  Tim 
McCoy — 40%.  July  8-9.  A very  fine  picture  of 
its  kind,  but  do  wish  that  Metro  would  keep 
McCoy  strictly  in  Western  pictures.  Joan  Craw- 
ford’s photo  would  be  appreciated.  Eight  reels. 
— J.  C.  Kennedy,  Empress  theatre,  Akron,  la. — 
General  patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  'lim 
McCoy — July  15.  Here  is  one  dandy  piece  of 
work.  See  many  kicks  on  its  not  being  a Satur- 
day picture  in  small  towns,  and  I agree  with 
that ; but  why  should  anybody  try  and  run  it  as 
a Western  ? We  know  what  it  is.  so  play  it 
where  you  want  to,  but  it’s  good  all  the  way. 
Fine  drawing  card  here  for  one  day  on  Friday. 
Will  stand  up  for  two  days,  I should  think.  Joan 
Crawford  very  good  to  look  at.  Not  many  low 


priced  films  made  with  a cast  like  this  one. 
Seven  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Me- 
nard, Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies— 75%. 

Another  dandy  Metro  picture. — M.  W.  A.  Movies, 
Opera  House,  Brocket,  N.  D. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

WOMEN  LOVE  DIAMONDS:  Special  cast— 
39%.  July  10.  A very  poor  offering.  Pleased 
less  than  10  per  cent.  Seven  I'eels. — A.  G.  Wit- 
wer.  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  SCARLET  LETTER:  Lillian  Gish— 50%. 
July  18.  Good  picture  for  city.  Nine  reels. — 
J.  R.  Radin,  Maplewood  theatre,  Maplewood, 
Mass. — Small  town  patronage. 

MR.  WU:  Lon  Chaney— 80%.  July  20.  Lon 
Chaney  well  liked  here.  Picture  fair.  Eight 
reels. — J.  R.  Radin,  Maplewood  theatre.  Maple- 
wood, Mass. — Small  town  patronage. 

LOVERS:  Special  cast— 40%.  July  8.  Did  not 
draw,  and  was  not  well  taken  by  our  patrons.— 
M.  W.  A.  Movies.  Opera  House,  Brocket,  N.  D. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  VALLEY  OF  HELL:  Francis  McDonald 
— 51%.  July  17.  Good  Western.  Seemed  to 
please  generally.  Five  short  reels. — A.  G.  Wit- 
wer.  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  pat> 
ronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Special  cast>-80%. 
June  24-25.  I lost  money  on  this,  but  the  few 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

show.  I have  found  this  to  he  the  case  in  too  many  places.  Go  after  the  business 
as  merchants  do  in  all  other  lines  of  merchandizing.  Set  aside  an  appropriation  for 
advertising  that  ivill  be  sufficient  to  fully  aprize  the  community  of  what  is  in  store 
for  them  at  your  theatre.  Put  a little  more  stress  on  your  short  subjects.  Many  times 
a newsreel  and  a comedy  saves  a weak  feature,  hut  even  those  couldn’t  save  “Loves 
Greatest  Mistake”  and  “The  Midnight  Kiss,”  and  when  you  play  “Madame  Wants  No 
Children”  run  two  news  reels  and  two  comedies,  you’ve  got  to  protect  yourselves 
some  way. 

Too  many  theatremen  think  money  put  in  advertising  is  wasted.  It  is  unless 
judiciously  expended,  and  one  of  the  judicious  ways  is  to  fill  your  theatre  with  photo- 
graphs and  other  kinds  of  billing  that  will  attract  the  man  on  the  street.  Make  a 
“flash,”  something  that  w'ill  smash  ’em  in  the  face  and  then  they  will  know  there  is 
going  to  be  a show  and  what  that  show  is. 

In  the  hundreds  of  questionnaires  I have  taken  from  theatremen  the  majority  have 
reported  only  10  per  cent  of  their  billing  cost  devoted  to  their  short  subjects.  Don’t 
you  think  this  ought  to  be  increased?  Don’t  you  think  you  are  not  attaching  enough 
importance  to  this  part  of  your  entertainment?  Think  this  over,  and  if  your  receipts 
have  not  been  satisfactory  try  exploiting  your  short  subjects  a little  more  and  then 
note  results.  It  looks  like  good  logic  to  me.  Maybe  I am  wrong.  I have  been  that 
way  a lot  of  times. 

There  is  one  thing  about  this  advice  that  ought  to  commend  itself  to  you,  and  that 
is  that  it  is  free.  It  doesn’t  cost  you  a cent.  Whether  it  is  worth  anything  or  not  is 
up  to  you  to  prove  if  you  care  to  do  so. 

Then  there  is  another  thing  I would  like  to  suggest  to  you.  Read  the  exhibitors’ 
reports  in  “What  The  Picture  Did  For  Me”  department  in  the  HERALD.  You  can 
bank  on  what  these  boys  say.  All  reports  do  not  agree,  that  is  true,  but  stars  do  not 
look  the  same  to  everybody.  That’s  why  there  were  so  many  candidates  in  that 
“Beauty  Contest,”  but  they  were  all  good  looking  just  the  same.  Some,  of  course, 
were  more  handsome  than  others.  Now.  there  was  Clara  forinstance — but  then  there 
is  another  suggestion  I would  like  to  make.  In  reporting  on  pictures  don’t  you  think 
it  would  he  a good  idea  to  report  the  population  of  your  town?  This  would  give 
other  exhibitors  a correct  idea  as  to  the  size  of  the  community  and  would  be  a basis 
for  comparison  in  their  own  case.  Don’t  be  afraid  to  do  this,  no  matter  if  you  are 
a small  town.  Remember,  that  the  small  towns  are  the  backbone  of  the  industry, 
and  without  them  there  would  be  a reduction  in  production  cost  over  night  that 
would  be  a reduction,  and  without  half  the  talk  about  it. 

After  you  have  read  the  report  department  turn  to  “Service  Talks”  and  read  what 
Thomas  O.  has  to  say.  You  will  never  find  Thomas  O.  going  very  far  astray  from  the 
truth.  Of  course,  he  and  I don’t  always  quite  agree  on  some  points  but  that  is  further 
proof  that  I am  oftentimes  off  my  base  and  slightly  addled  in  my  gourd.  It  always 
works  out  that  “Service  Talks”  is  right  and  you  will  find  it  so. 

In  closing  let  me  again  impress  on  you  the  importance  of  giving  your  theatre  added 
attention.  Get  it  into  your  mind  that  you  are  operating  one  of  the  business  places  of 
the  community  and  then  you  will  imbue  the  public  with  this  same  idea,  and  that  will 
work  to  your  advantage,  for  the  theatre  IS  a business  place  and  should  be  treated  as 
such,  and  if  you  don’t  so  treat  it  you  can’t  expect  the  public  to. 

The  writer  wants  every  theatreman  to  succeed,  and  to  do  so  he  must  apply  business 
methods,  and  when  this  is  done  there  is  no  reason  why  the  theatres  of  the  country 
should  not  enjoy  a goodly  measure  of  that  prosperity  that  is  sure  to  come  with  the 
harvesting  of  this  abundant  crop. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  man. 


who  came  liked  it. — Mre.  G.  H.  Dennis,  Liberty 
theatre,  Weeping  Water,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

BATTLING  BUTLER:  Buster  Keaton— 20%. 
May  27-28.  Not  so  good  for  me.  My  patrons 
like  Buster  better  with  his  pancake  hat  and  big 
collar.  In  his  dress  clothes  he  was  received  much 
the  same  as  Harold  Lloyd  would  be  without  his 
glasses.  Didn’t  get  a laugh  out  of  this  except 
on  the  last  reel  and  I believe  that  was  forced. 
Ten  reels  of  nothing. — Mrs.  G.  H.  Dennis,  Lib- 
erty theatre.  Weeping  Water,  Neb. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  MAGICIAN : Alice  Terry — 10%.  June 
10-11.  This  is  terrible,  nothing  to  it. — Mrs.  G.  H. 
Dennis,  Liberty  theatre.  Weeping  Water,  Neb. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  GAY  DECEIVER.  Lew  Cody— 10%.  July 
13.  Just  fair  program  and  we  think  picture  like 
this  must  be  better  for  bigger  towns  but  not  so 
good  for  small  towns.  Nothing  on  photos  that  will 
draw  them  in.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  THE  MURPHYS: 
Special  cast — July  20-21.  An  excellent  Irish 
comedy.  Two  subtitles  on  creed  or  religion  that 
should  be  removed  in  some  communities.  En- 
closed report  gave  us  a fake  impression.  In  our 
print  the  baby’s  parents  were  properly  married 
as  the  last  reel  disclosed.  Many  favorable  com- 
ments. A good  show  anywhere  to  an  open 
minded  audience.  Film  new.  Seven  reels. — Ivy 
D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General 
patronage. 


TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies — 50%. 
July  17-18.  This  is  a very  entertaining  picture. 
Good  comedy,  the  star  fine,  cast  good.  100  per 
cent  satisfaction. — Bert  Silver.  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— An 
excellent  comedy  taken  from  the  well  known 
comic  strip.  Not  Marion  Davies’  best  but  a splen- 
did program  offering.  Seven  reels. — W.  W.  Peine, 
.\merican  theatre,  Minier,  111. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O’Neil— A de- 
lightful Jewish  comedy  that  received  only  favor- 
able comments.  About  1,000  feet  of  technicolor 
adds  tone  to  this  production.  Eight  reels. — W. 
W.  Peine,  American  theatre,  Minier.  111. — Small 
town  patronage. 

MONEY  TALKS:  Owen  Moore— If  Metro  had 
left  out  about  three  reels  of  the  BVD  parade 
that  is  pulled,  it  would  be  a very  good  picture 
but  the  drunkenness  of  the  fat  man  ruined  the 
picture.  These  are  the  kind  that  run  the  show- 
man wild  and  make  threats  at  the  producers. 
Six  reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre,  Meridan, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast — A snappy  comedy  that 
should  please  any  audience.  One  of  the  best 
comedies  of  the  type  we  have  ever  exhibited. 
Pleased  much  more  than  “Tin  Hats.”  Seven 
reels. — W.  W.  Peine,  American  theater.  Minier, 
111. — Small  town  patronage. 

JOHHNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 
Coogan — This  one  pleased  them. — A.  Mitchell, 


Dixie  theater,  Russellville,  Ky. — Small  town 

patronage. 

THE  WANING  SEX:  Norma  Shearer— July  11- 
12.  Splendid  picture.  Just  one  of  those  films 
that  pleases  everybody.  Seven  reels. — Henry 
Reeve,  Mission  theater,  Menard,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

Paramount 

MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix — 70%.  July  14-15. 
Can’t  say  this  is  Mr.  Dix’s  best  but  it  was 
a nice  picture  for  the  average  patron  and  a 
good  summer  attraction.  A small  town  story 
of  a tractor  factory.  Mai-y  Brian  very  good 
as  the  girl  and  of  course  to  my  notion  Dix 
can’t  be  beat.  Six  reels.- — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preass,  Arvada  theater,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town 
patronage. 

RITZY:  Betty  Bronson — 50%.  July  7-8.  A nice 
cast  with  Miss  Bronson  in  a pleasing  picture 
(nothing  big)  but  the  majority  liked  it.  A 
program  picture  with  good  comedy  supplied 
by  William  Austin.  James  Hall  has  not  much  to 
do,  but  he’s  fine  as  the  man.  Good  photography. 
Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith — 25%. 
Another  picture  of  the  silly  type.  Griffith  has 
done  some  clever  work  in  his  day,  but  it  looks 
like  his  pictures  of  late  have  turned  from  clever 
to  silly  and  this  is  one  of  the  worst  ’There  is 
just  absolutely  nothing  to  it. — Ben  L.  Morris, 
Temple  theater,  Bellaire,  O. — General  patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— 15%.  July 
17-18.  Sorry  to  say  I failed  to  gross  film  rental 
on  this  picture.  Picture  fairly  good  but  did  not 
have  the  draw  Dix  has  no  value  in  my  town. 
Seven  reels. — J.  C.  Kennedy,  Empress  theatre, 
Akron,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt— 60%. 
June  24-25.  Very  fine  Western  production.  Sorry 
to  see  that  Holt  has  left  Paramount.  Consider 
him  much  better  than  anyone  they  have  or  are 
getting  to  take  his  place.  Seven  reels. — J.  C. 
Kennedy,  Empress  theatre,  Akron,  la. — General 
patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt— 52%. 
July  11.  Zane  Grey  story,  seemed  to  please  ma- 
jority but  fell  flat  second  day.  Six  reels. — A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— 20%. 
'This  is  about  as  silly  a picture  as  has  been 
sprung.  The  press  reviewers  out  of  respect  for 
Cantor’s  stage  ability  gave  it  a break  but  the 
audiences  in  the  movie  theatres  pan  it  unmerci- 
fully. A weak  slapstick  with  not  as  many  laughs 
as  an  ordinary  two-reel  comedy  which  is  about 
the  class  it  is  in.  Cantor  means  nothing  at  box 
office  or  on  the  screen.  Jobyna  Ralston  is  nice 
to  look  at  but  has  nothing  to  do.  Worst  big 
star  flivver  we  have  seen. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple 
theatre,  Bellaire,  O. — General  patronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— 15%. 
July  10-11.  Failed  to  gross  film  rental  on  this 
one.  A dismal  flop  at  the  box  office.  Fairly 
amusing.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  Kennedy,  Empress 
theatre,  Akron,  la. — General  patronage. 

IT:  Clara  Bow — 100%.  June  17-18.  Opened 
our  theatre  in  new  location  with  this  picture, 
and  received  nice  wire  from  Clara,  which  made 
good  advertising.  A picture  that  will  please 
both  old  and  young. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre. 
Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

IT:  Clara  Bow — 49%.  July  6.  Great  entertain- 
ment. Pleased  all.  Seven  reels.  A.  G.  Witwer. 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

MANTRAP:  Special  cast — 6%.  July  20.  Very 
good  show,  holds  interest  from  start  to  finish. 
Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  TELEPHONE  GIRL:  Special  cast— 47%. 
July  6.  A real  picture.  From  the  title  my  folks 
expected  a comedy,  but  instead  got  a thrilling 
drama  with  a splendid  story. — D.  F.  Davis, 
Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  TELEPHONE  GIRL:  Special  cast— 30%. 
July  5-6.  A fairly  good  picture  to  no  business. 
Pleased  few  it  drew.  Seven  reels. — J.  C.  Ken- 
nedy, Empress  theatre,  Akron,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  TELEPHONE  GIRL:  Special  cast— With- 
out a question  a 100%  high-class  entertainer. 
Nothing  but  favorable  comments  made  as  they 
passed  out  on  this  one. — M.  J.  Babin.  Fairyland 
theatre.  White  Castle,  La. — General  patronage. 

EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA:  Ricardo  Cortez — 75%. 
June  20-21.  This  is  a good  picture  and  will  go 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


63 


The  Spotlight 


Peter  Bylsma,  Victory  theatre,  Napol- 
eonville,  La.,  has  applied  for  member- 
ship in  the  HERALD  Poetry  club.  You 
will  see  his  application  given  below: 
DEAD-EYE-KAT’D 
to  **Sivect  Adeline** 

I know  now  why  the  above  song  was 
written, 

This  lyric,  at  one  time,  all  the  rage. 

The  author  no  doubt  was  sorely  smitten 
With  some  Adeline  of  that  day  and  age. 

But  great  Scott!  Bobby  Burns  and  Noly 
Murther, 

And  shades  of  greats  now  passed  away. 
Sweet  Adeline  has  been  revived,  and 
what’s  Further, 

She  is  her  own  inspiration  today. 

Now  Adeline,  sweet  guide  of  the  “Spot- 
light,” 

We’ll  admit  you  can  tvrite  to  beat  the 
band. 

But  after  all,  young  lady,  it  is  not  right 
To  pick  on  poor  Philip  Rand. 

DEAR  EDITOR : 

My  only  excuse  for  writing  the  above 
lines  is,  I want  to  prove  that  I can  write 
more  atrocious  poetry  (?)  than  either 
Adeline  or  Phil.  If  the  above  sample 
is  not  convincing  proof  I can  do  worse. 
No  one  has  ever  told  me  how  I get 
away  with  it.  On  the  contrary,  editors 
have  told  me  to  “get  to  hell  outa  here,” 
and  that’s  that ! 

Peter  Bylsma, 

Victory  Theatre, 
Napoleonville,  La. 

^ 'i'  ^ 

Peter,  you  never  would  have  had  the 
nerve  to  say  such  cruel  things  about 
Prof.  Rand’s  and  my  poetry  if  you  didn’t 
hail  from  a town  with  a name  like 
Napoleonville.  But  just  you  remember, 
my  boy,  that  every  Napoleon  has  his 
Waterloo.  Your  sarcastic  remark  about 
our  poetry  being  atrocious  nearly  moves 
me  to  tears  and  I know  Phil  will  be  in- 
dignant if  not  hurt.  While  you  aren’t  yet 
in  our  class  when  it  comes  to  writing 
rhymes  still  if  you  keep  at  it  you  may 
improve  your  style.  But,  for  goodness 
sake,  don’t  pattern  your  stuff  by  that 
Smokehouse  variety  of  Jingles  that  J.  C. 
Jenkins  forces  on  us  at  intervals. 


So,  you  think  I am  picking  on  “poor 
Phil  Rand?”  I wonder  if  he  thinks  so 
too.  You  see,  Pete,  it’s  like  this,  he  al- 


ways has  been  more  or  less  a favorite 
with  the  ladies  but  since  the  competition 
has  become  so  great  for  his  favor,  / have 
been  sorta  looking  around.  I don’t  want 
Thelma  and  Geneve  to  suspect  it  but  I 
feel  as  if  I had  horned  in  on  them  some- 
what. Since  I received  your  poem  and 
seen  that  disgraceful  picture  of  Mr.  Latta 
doing  a “Babe  in  Arms”  with  Viola  Dana 
I feel  I should  divide  my  attentions  a 
little.  So  you  better  watch  your  step — 
that’s  all! 

* sii  ^ 

If  there  is  one  man  exhibitor  among 
those  present  who  should  feel  poetic  it 
is  that  Latta  fellow.  The  mingling  with 
celebrities,  the  beautiful  scenery  of  Cali- 
fornia, to  say  nothing  of  the  wonderful 
climate,  should  make  a Robert  Louis 
Stevenson  of  anyone.  Come  on,  Mr. 
Latta,  grind  us  out  something — you’re 
among  friends  and  we  will  treat  it  kindly. 


That  reminds  me,  speaking  of  poetry, 
Shakespeare  is  again  popular.  All  the 
studios  in  Hollywood  have  been  rehears- 
ing that  famous  one  of  his  called  “Much 
Ado  About  Nothing”  with  an  all  star 
cast. 

« * 9i: 

Uncle  ’Leaser  Biggs  said  that  if  I 
would  turn  the  SPOTLIGHT  on  HoUy- 
wood  there  would  be  a scampering  to 
pull  down  the  blinds.  I’m  surprised  Uncle 
’Leaser  hadn’t  heard  that  Hollywood 
houses  are  not  equipped  with  blinds. 
Why  privacy  has  become  an  obsolete 
word  to  them.  Anyone  in  the  movie 
profession  residing  in  Hollywood  will 
tell  you  that  it  is  a difficult  thing  to  even 
change  your  soxs  without  the  whole 
world  knowing  all  about  it. 

^ ^ 

Now,  if  there  are  any  more  of  you 
exhibitors  that  feel  poetic  just  scratch  off 
lyric,  ballad  or  what  have  you  and  the 
SPOTLIGHT  will  be  glad  to  welcome 
you  with  open  arms  to  our  POETRY 
CLUB.  The  only  requirement  for  en- 
trance is  that  you  can  make  the  thing 
rhyme.  I’ll  bet  Eagle  Eye  Joe  will  soon 
be  a member. 

♦ * s|: 

BUT  LISTEN! 

Poets  may  come  and  poets  may  go. 

But  exhibitors  must  stand  pat  together 
For  rentals  low  demand  a good  show — 
And  .swear  by  the  HERALD  forever! 

ADELINE  FURTHER. 


over  good  with  any  audience.  Also  there  is 
actual  history  linked  with  it  and  makes  the  pic- 
ture very  interesting.  You  may  back  this  one 
and  advertise  and  reap  the  profits  that  are  due 
you.  Miss  Vidor  does  very  good  as  the  leading 
lady.  Eight  reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre, 
Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— 65%.  May 
9-10.  This  picture  is  O.K.,  but  would  not  go 
over  at  all  if  the  book  of  Zane  Grey’s  wasn’t 
so  well  read.  This  is  the  reason  that  the  picture 
brought  them  out.  Very  good  picture  and  all 
liked  it,  but  the  lion  was  a little  tame  for  the 
part  that  he  had  to  play.  Six  reels. — F.  E.  Odle, 
Palace  theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

SENORITA:  Beb©  Daniels — 95%.  May  30-31. 
I filled  my  house  two  nights  with  this  and  that 
ie  saying  a lot  for  Bebe.  There  is  plenty  of 
action  and  just  enough  love  to  balance  properly 
where  Bebe  captures  and  ties  a whole  flock  of 
men  single-handed,  but  it’s  good  entertainment. — 
Mrs.  G.  H.  Dennis,  Libei-ty  theatre.  Weeping 
Water,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

SENORITA:  Bebe  Daniels — July  24-25.  Here 
is  another  good  one  from  Bebe.  She  does  quite 
a bit  of  Fairbanks  stuff  and  does  it  well.  Action 
well  sustained  and  not  a draggy  moment  in  the 
show.  Bebe  very  popular  here.  Comments  very 
good.  Film  excellent.  Seven  reels. — Ivy  D. 
Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

EVERYBODY’S  ACTING:  Betty  Bronson — 51%. 
July  2.  A mighty  pleasing  little  picture  that  will 
satisfy  any  type  of  audience. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crys- 
tal theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper — 35%.  July 
22-23.  A fairly  good  Western.  Cooper  unknown 
to  my  patrons.  He  seems  too  slow  and  dead 
on  his  feet  to  be  a good  Western  star.  Must  be 
a Southerner  from  his  actions.  Five  reels. — J.  C. 
Kennedy,  Empress  theatre,  Akron,  la. — General 
patronage. 

LONDON:  Dorothy  Gish — 40%.  July  13.  A 
Limehouse  story  that  pleased  more  than  we 
thought  it  would.  Not  a box  office  title.  Good 
print.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN : Special  cast — 60%.  Pretty  goo<l 
comedy-drama  with  lots  of  clever  things  and  as 
entertaining  a picture  as  you  would  want.  Shir- 
ley Mason  is  wonderful  in  this  and  helped  the 
picture.  So  is  the  sailor  chap.  Good  for  any 
house  most  any  time. — ^Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple 
theatre,  Bellaire,  O. — General  patronage. 

SAY  IT  AGAIN:  Richard  Dix — 10%.  July  8-9. 
Good  picture  and  Dix  sure  knows  how  to  put  it 
over  good  for  any  theatre,  small  or  big.  if  Dix 
is  well  liked.  Seven  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

TEN  MODERN  COMMANDMENTS:  Esther 
Ralston — July  19.  A very  good  picture  with  a 
title  that  had  no  drawing  power  for  me.  Six 
reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. 
— ^General  patronage. 

TIME  TO  LOVE:  Raymond  Griffith — July  15. 
Another  good  one  from  Raymond  Griffith.  Drew 
good  and  was  well  liked  by  patrons.  Good  clean 
comedy.  Griffith  always  gets  the  laughs.  Six 
reels. — F.  J.  Krampitz,  Novelty  theatre,  Sealy, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN:.  W.  C.  Fields— A 
splendid  comedy  and  while  a little  slow  in  parts 
received  many  favorable  comments.  Seven  reels. 
— W.  W.  Peine,  American  theatre,  Minier,  HI. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

RUBBER  HEELS:  Ed  Wynn — Cannot  eay  any- 
thing for  this  picture.  Absolutely  rotten.  Had 
people  walk  out  on  this  one.  Six  reels. — ^F.  J. 
Kramitz,  Novelty  theatre,  Sealy,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

THE  POTTERS : W,  C.  Fields — Nothing  extra. 
Just  a program  picture.  Fields  is  a good  com- 
edian. Put  him  in  two-reel  comedies.  Seven 
reels. — P.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  LAST  OUTLAW:  Gary  Cooper — July  16. 
'This  is  a dandy  Western  picture.  Gary  Cooper 
is  a coming  Western  star.  Cooper  well  lifced 
here  and  draws  a good  crowd.  Give  us  more 
like  it,  Gary,  Six  reels. — F,  J.  Krampitz,  Nov- 
elty theatre,  Sealy,  Tex.— Small  town  patronage. 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE  s Clara  Bow— June  30. 
Here  is  a little  star  that  is  getting  more  pop- 
ular with  our  patrons  every  time  we  play  her. 
Drew  well  and  everybody  liked  this  one.  If  you 
have  this  booked  get  out  and  boost  it,  as  it  will 
s^nd  it.  Good  picture.  Six  reels. — F.  J.  Kram- 
pitz. Novelty  theatre,  Sealy,  Tex. — Genera!  pat- 
ronage. 


Pathe 

ALASKAN  ADVENTURES:  Special  cast— 40%. 
July  17.  This  picture  is  a masterpiece  of  photog- 
raphy. Interesting  throughout  and  gives  one  a 
glimpse  of  a little  known  part  of  our  country. 
Has  scenes,  beauty,  and  even  some  comedy 
touches.  Had  no  drawing  powm-  here.  Pleased 
only  a small  percentage.  Six  reels. — American 
Legion  theatre.  Lena.  Wis. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  SEVENTH  BANDIT:  Harry  Carey— 59%. 
July  18-19.  Only  a Western,  weak  and  draggy. 
No  action  till  last  reel.  Seemed  to  please  a few 
of  my  patrons  but  not  up  to  standard  for  Carey. 
Don’t  promise  much  in  this  one.  Print  good, 
paper  good.  Six  reels. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre, 
Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

CODE  OF  THE  COW  COUNTRY:  Buddy 
Roosevelt — July  16.  Not  very  good.  Too  rough 
even  for  Saturday  night.  Same  old  story.  No 
scenery  and  not  much  comedy.  Five  reels. — Wm. 
E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsvilie,  Wie. — • 
Small  town  patronage. 


Pro-Dis-Co 

GETTING  GERTIE’S  GARTER:  Marie  Prevost 
— 70%.  July  4-5.  Good  box  office  title  that  even 
the  farmer  gets  interested  in.  Very  good  busi- 
ness on  the  4th,  but  fell  down  the  5th.  Charles 
Ray  (leading  man)  right  type.  Seven  reels. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHITE  GOLD:  Jetta  Goudal — 60%.  July  15-16. 
Here  is  as  good  a picture  as  I have  shown  for 
some  time,  but  it  sure  did  end  wrong.  If  the 
old  man  had  been  knocked  in  the  head,  and  the 
young  couple  left  to  themselves,  it  would  have 
been  tip-top.  Seven  reels. — O.  A.  Halstead.  Cozy 
theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small  town  patronage. 

ALMOST  A LADY:  Marie  Prevost — 65%.  July 
20-21.  Oh  boy,  you’ll  fool  ’em  on  this.  Not 
much  to  the  paper,  but  the  picture  is  a dandy. 
Sure  will  please  ’em.  Paper  so  weak  I had 
to  use  extra  advertising  but  it  paid  me,  not  in 
dollars  for  I made  no  money  on  it,  but  it  helped 
the  house  to  please  them  once.  Six  reels. — A1 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


Stoddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

MADAM  BEHAVE:  Julian  Eltinge — Comedy. 
Very  good.  Six  reels. — J.  F.  Jefferies,  Community 
theatre,  Northboro,  la. — Small  town  patronage. 

PALS  IN  PARADISE : Special  cast — Semi- 
Western.  Mining.  Pleased  all.  Seven  reels. — 
J.  F.  Jefferies,  Community  theatre,  Northboro,  la. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

CRUISE  OF  THE  JASPER  B:  Rod  La  Rocque 
— One  of  the  vulgarist  comedies  we  have  ever 
seen.  This  sure  brought  censorship  on  our  heads 
from  our  patrons.  Don’t  book  it.  Shelve  it  or 
trade  it  in  if  you  have  it  bought. — Boom  & Du 
Rand,  Lyric  theatre,  Ellendale,  N.  D. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  NIGHT  BRIDE:  Marie  Prevost — A dandy. 
Pleased  them  all.  All  Producers  product  has 
been  real  good. — A.  Mitchell,  Dixie  theatre,  Rus- 
sellville, Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

Rayart 

SCOTTY  OF  THE  SCOUTS:  Ben  Alexander— 
Never  have  seen  a report  on  this  serial.  Pretty 
gosh  awful  stuff.  They  have  the  kid  doing  every- 
thing under  the  sun.  Draws  the  kids.  Only 
reason  we  ran  it  was  to  help  the  Scouts  get  some 
money.  The  bunk  I Two  reels. — Henry  Reeve. 
Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

United  Artists 

WHEN  CLOUDS  ROLL  BY:  Douglas  Fair- 
banks— 60%.  July  24.  We  played  this  old-timer 
as  a substitution.  This  is  the  last  picture  on  our 
contract  with  United  Artists  and  we’re  not  sorry. 
They  charged  us  plenty  for  this  old-timer,  enough 
to  buy  a brand-new  one  from  another  company, 
and  as  we  can’t  kid  our  patrons  with  this  old 
stuff,  goodbye  U.  A.  Six  reels. — American  Legion 
theatre.  Lena,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH:  Sp<v 
cial  caet — July  4-5.  Excellent  picture,  beautifully 
played  and  photographed.  Ran  to  fine  business. 
As  most  reports  have  stated,  it  is  not  a picture 
to  boost  your  price  to  top  notch  on,  but  it  will 
please  almost  anywhere.  Ten  reels. — Henry 
Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH:  Spe- 
cial cast. — July  17-18.  Due  to  the  great  number 
of  readers  of  the  book  your  audience  is  practically 
guaranteed  before  you  show  it.  However,  for  a 
special  it  has  the  poorest  photography  I ever  saw. 
Most  of  it  is  black  as  ink.  The  hokum  flood 
scene  was  so  dark  as  to  be  almost  a total  loss. 
If  they  had  taken  a look  at  Fox’s  “Johnstown 
Flood”  before  they  shot  this  they  would  have 
had  some  idea  of  what  really  could  be  done  with 
a flood  scene  in  bright  daylight.  Nine  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY:  Mary  Pickford— 
April  20-21.  One  of  the  best  pictures  we  have 
played.  Drew  good  crowds. — F.  W.  Carroll,  Lib- 
erty theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK:  Rudolph  Valen- 
tino— May  10-11.  Had  the  best  crowd  for  this 
picture  that  we  have  had  so  far  this  year. — F.  W. 
Carroll,  Liberty  theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. — Small 
town  patronage. 

STELLA  DALLAS:  Belle  Bennett— May  4-5. 
One  of  the  finest  pictures  we  have  played.  Did 
not  draw  as  it  should  have  but  pleased  everyone 
who  saw  it. — F.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty  theatre, 
Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON  Q:  Douglas  Fairbanks — May  25-26.  This 
one  pleased. — F.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty  theatre. 
Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

Universal 

TEXAS  STREAK:  Hoot  Gibson— 54%.  July  9. 
A good  average  Western  that  seemed  to  please. 
Has  enough  comedy  to  please  the  folks  that  don’t 
like  Westerns  any  too  well. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal 
theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  TEXAS  STREAK:  Hoot  Gibson— All  Hoot 
Gibson’s  go  over  good  on  Saturday  night  here. 
He  has  the  best  drawing  power  of  all  the  Western 
stars.  'Thanks  to  Mr.  Gibson  for  tiding  me  over 
the  slack  season. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre, 
Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 


Competition  for  Clara 


The  Filler  sisters,  usheretts  at  the 
New  Filler  theatre.  Valley  City,  N.  D. 
Left  to  right:  Hattie,  Ramah,  Frances 
and  Esther. 

Fick  one  out,  boys,  you  can’t  go  wrong 
on  any  of  them.  But,  do  all  your  court- 
ing by  correspondence  for  those  Valley 
City  boys  won’t  stand  for  any  outside 
interference.  Bet  if  you  was  in  Valley 
City  you’d  go  to  the  show  every  night. — 
/.  C.  J. 

THE  PRAIRIE  KING:  Hoot  Gibson— 70%.  July 

16.  Another  dandy  from  Hoot.  Pleased  and  did 
a nice  business.  Six  reels. — J.  C.  Kennedy,  Em- 
press theatre,  Akron,  la. — General  patronage. 

TAXI!  TAXI!:  Special  cast— 24%.  July  20.  A 
pleasing  farce.  Much  better  than  the  box  office 
percentage  would  indicate  because  of  counter  at- 
tractions and  hot  weather.  A little  too  silly 
at  times. — D.  F.  Davis.  Crystal  theatre.  Silver 
Creek.  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

FIGHTING  THREE:  Jack  Hoxie— 70%.  A real 
good  action  Western  drama  for  a house  where  they 
like  the  shoot-’em-ups.  Hoxie  is  good  in  this, 
better  than  usual,  in  fact,  as  he  has  a better 
type  of  story. — Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre, 
Bellaire,  O. — General  patronage. 

THE  WHOLE  TOWN’S  TALKING:  Special 
cast — 40%.  But  not  about  the  picture.  Just  a 
so-so  comedy-drama  with  the  required  number 
of  laughs  that  does  not  excite  any  comment. — 
Ben  L.  Morris,  Temple  theatre,  Bellaire,  O. — • 
General  patronage. 

THE  DENVER  DUDE:  Hoot  Gibson^8%. 
July  15.  One  of  Hoot’s  best.  Pleased  all  of  the 
fans.  Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

RAMBLING  RANGERS:  Jack  Hoxi^38%. 
July  8.  Pretty  good  Western  story.  Seemed  to 
please  majority.  Five  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

SPANGLES:  Marion  Nixon — 60%.  July  13-14. 
A circus  picture  of  the  melodrama  type  that  was 
a very  satisfactory  offering. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal 
theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

HELD  BY  THE  LAW:  Special  cast— 50%.  July 
9.  A good  murder  mystery  picture  that  pleased 
but  did  not  draw  well.  Seven  reels.— Mrs.  Rich- 
ard A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — • 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  OLD  SOAK:  Jean  Hershholt— 25%.  July 

17.  Here  is  one  of  the  best  Jewels  we  have  run 
for  some  time,  and  it  should  be  booked  for  Sun- 
day every  time.  If  all  pictures  were  made  more 
or  less  on  some  moral  viewpoints  like  this  one 
there  would  be  a pleasure  to  be  in  business  as 
a movie  manager.  Jean  Hershholt  sure  made 
a hit  as  dad  and  head  of  the  family.  It  sure 
went  down  their  throats  and  felt  like  something 
was  going  to  choke  them,  but  a good  end  gave 


a relief.  Eight  reels. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  OLD  SOAK:  Jean  Hershholt — ^April  15-16. 
A very  fine  picture. — F.  W.  Carroll.  Liberty 
theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

OH  BABY : Special  cast — This  is  a great  pic- 
ture and  will  go  over  great  with  the  ordinary 
audiences.  There  is  the  witty  comedy  that  is 
light  and  has  no  immorality  in  it.  This  picture 
is  better  than  “’The  Cohens  and  Kellys.”  Also 
the  price  is  right.  Book  this  one  and  advertise. 
Nine  reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre,  Meridan, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  BRONCHO  BUSTER:  Fred  Hume— July 
22.  A very  good  Western.  Hume  is  becoming 
to  be  a fan  among  my  Western  fans.  Five 
reels. — M.  J.  Babin,  Fairyland  theatre.  White 
Castle,  La. — General  patronage. 

THE  LOVE  THRILL:  Laura  LaPlante— June 
20-21.  Not  a bad  picture  but  nothing  at  all  to 
it  for  us.  Drawing  power  nil.  If  Roxy  played 
this  one  a week  he  must  have  been  awfully  hard 
up  or  else  they  gave  it  to  him  for  publicity  pur- 
poses. Don’t  mistake  me,  nothing  wrong  with  it. 
just  a weak  program  picture  that  was  not  worth 
what  we  paid  for  it  or  the  two  days  we  gave 
to  it.  One  day  at  a cheap  price  it  would  be 
okay.  Eight  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre, 
Menard,  Tex. — Small  towrf  patronage. 

THE  SILENT  RIDER:  Hoot  Gibson— All  Hoot’s 
pictures  go  over  good  here.  Nuff  sed.  Book 
Hoot  and  stop  this  drag  in  the  box  office.  Five 
reels. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  RUNAWAY  EXPRESS:  Special  casU- 
This  is  the  best  thrilling  train  picture  that  I 
have  ever  run.  There  isn’t  a place  where  the 
action  lags  and  the  audience  is  always  on  its 
feet  during  the  entire  performance.  Although 
there  was  some  unreality  in  it  the  picture  is 
good.  Book  and  advertise. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace 
theatre.  Meridan,  Tex. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS:  Special  cast— 
Comedy-drama.  Jew-Irish.  Very  good. — J.  F. 
Jefferies.  Community  theatre,  Northboro,  la. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  COHENS  AND  KELLYS:  Special  cast— 
This  picture  was  not  what  the  picture  was 
cracked  up  to  be.  'The  picture  was  not  as  it 
was  expected  and  the  sameness  of  the  family 
trouble  makes  the  show  tiresome.  If  the  picture 
was  six  reels  in  length  it  would  he  better  liked. 
Just  a program  picture.  Nine  reels. — F.  R.  Odle. 
Palace  theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FOURTH  COMMANDMENT:  Belle  Ben- 
nett— June  17-18.  A mighty  fine  picture  with 
a good  lesson. — F.  W.  Carroll.  Liberty  theatre. 
Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BUCKAROO  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— May  13- 
14.  One  of  Hoot’s  best. — F.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty 
theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

HER  BIG  NIGHT:  Laura  LaPlante— June  3-4, 
Here  is  a comedy  that  is  hard  to  beat. — F.  W. 
Carroll,  Liberty  theatre.  Chapman.  Kan. — Small 
town  patronage. 

TAKE  IT  FROM  ME : Reginald  Denny — May 
20-21.  An  entertaining  comedy,  but  not  a special. 
— F.  W.  Carroll,  Liberty  theatre.  Chapman,  Kan. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

Warner  Bros. 

BLACK  DIAMOND  EXPRESS:  Monte  Blue— 
55%.  July  11-12.  A high-class  railroad  picture 
with  Monte  Blue  and  Edna  Murphy  excellent. 
Hot  weather  hurt  business.  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GAY  OLD  BIRD:  Louise  Fazenda— 35%. 
July  3.  One  day  to  a small  crowd.  Light  com- 
edy-drama with  funny  Fazenda  homelier  than 
ever.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

WHITE  FLANNELS:  Special  cast— 40%.  July 
10.  Flopped.  A story  of  a coal  miner’s  wife 
that  wanted  her  son  to  be  a white  flanneled  col- 
lege boy.  Good  acting.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Rich- 
ard A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — ■ 
Small  town  patronage. 

PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY:  George  Jessel— Not 
a bad  picture  but  did  not  draw,  and  far  below 
the  special  price  they  ask.  A good  program. 
— ^Boom  and  DuRand,  Lyric  theatre,  Ellendale, 
N.  D. — Small  town  patronage. 

State  Rights 

FLESH  AND  BLOOD:  Lon  Chaney — This  pic- 
ture may  make  you  money,  but  will  do  your 
house  no  good  to  run  it.  Chaney  was  weak  in 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


65 


the  days  this  was  made.  Does  not  compare  with 
his  present  pictures.  Six  reels. — A1  Stoddard, 
Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

BIRD  OF  FLIGHT:  Hodge  Podge— Nice  for  a 
Sunday  filler.  Always  good.  One  reel. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BREEZING  ALONG:  Lloyd  Hamilton— This 
fellow  makes  them  laugh,  but  this  one  was  rather 
weak.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

CIRCUS  CAPERS:  Poodles  Hannaford — Good 
circus  comedy.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town 
patronage. 

DRAMA  DE  LUXE:  Lupino  Lane — This  chap 
makes  the  best  comedies  put  out  by  Educational 
or  most  anybody  else  to  our  notion.  Slapstick, 
yes,  but  with  a different  touch  that  makes  them 
distinctive.  They  like  him  here.  Two  reels. — 
Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

GOING  CRAZY : Lige  Conley — Fair  comedy. 
No  comments.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

HIS  PRIVATE  LIFE:  Lupino  Lane — Lane  has 
made  much  better  comedies  than  this.  Two  reels. 
— A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

KID  TRICKS:  Big  Boy — -These  are  consistently 
good.  Notice  in  this  particular  one,  however, 
that  the  youngster  seems  to  be  getting  a bit  too 
much  “mugging”  into  his  work.  Has  lost  a bit 
of  his  unconsciousness  of  direction.  Which  is 
only  natural  at  that.  Two  reels. — Henry  Reeve, 
Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

NEWSREEL:  This  newsreel  was  interesting  to 
our  i)eople  as  it  showed  Lindbergh’s  ocean  flight. 
One  reel. — Smithey  & Shults,  Rialto  theatre. 
Hammon,  Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 

SCENIC  TREASURE  CHEST:  Hodge  Podge— A 
good  sununer  reel  and  pretty,  too.  One  reel. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHO’S  AFRAID:  Lupino  Lane — A good  funny 
comedy.  'Two  reels. — ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

YES,  YES,  BOBBETTE:  Bobby  Vernon— As 
usual  with  Vernon,  this  was  a very  good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver 
Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

F B O 

HEAVY  FULLBACKS:  A big  bunch  of  fun 
from  the  ton  of  laugh  boys.  Window  cards  on 
this  comedy  are  first-class,  especially  in  football 
season.  Two  reels. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre. 
Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

LITTLE  MISS  BLUFF  IT:  This  was  a pep  up, 
good  one,  plenty  of  laughs  and  all  ended  well. 
Two  reels. — Rddolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 


Australian  Builders 
Study  Publix  Houses 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK.  Aug.  2.— Two 
Australian  architects,  Leonard  F.  ' 
Herbert,  member  of  the  Institute 
of  Architects,  Sydney,  Australia, 
and  E.  D.  Wilson,  are  touring  the 
United  States  for  the  study  of 
American  theatre  construction, 
particularly  motion  picture  houses. 

While  on  the  coast,  they  are  in- 
specting the  Million  Dollar  and 
Metropolitan  theatres  in  down- 
town Los  Angeles,  and  the  two 
Grauman  houses  in  Hollywood,  the 
new  Chinese  and  the  Egyptian. 
They  leave  shortly  for  Australia 
where  they  hope  to  use  many  of 
the  ideas  obtained  in  this  country 
and  England. 


We  Showmen 

W^e  showmen  are  a lucky  lot, 

A class  all  by  itself; 

We’re  doing  good  to  big  and  tot, 
W^hile  earning  our  pelf. 

For  don’t  we  try  each,  every  day 
Keep  fit  ’n  trim  and  peppy! 

And  by  the  way  to  make  it  pay. 
The  making  others  happy. 

N.  J.  LEVIN, 
Seattle,  Wash. 

NOTE  TO  MISS  FURTHER:  Is  Mr. 
Levin  not  eligible  for  memberehip  in  the 
Poetry  Club? 


NOTHING  DOING:  Charley  Bowers — “Nothing 
doing”  is  right  for  this  one.  I have  always  re- 
ported good  on  Charley,  but  can’t  do  it  this  time. 
Two  reels.— Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre.  Kimball, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

NOTHING  DOING:  Charley  Bowers — Terrible. 
Wasted  film.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

FOX 

DIZZIE  DANCERS:  Imperial — Good  comedy 
and  Earle  Fox  sure  gets  the  laugh.  Two  reels. — 
Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

KING  BOZO:  Earl  Fox — A dandy  comedy.  Just 
right  with  the  show.  Two  reels. — Rudolf  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

MIDSUMMER  NIGHT  STROKE:  Good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre. 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  OLD  FLAME:  Helen  & Warren — This  is 
a real  comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PATHE 

A DOG’S  LIFE:  Charles  Chaplin — “Charlie 
made  a great  picture,”  was  the  comment  years 
ago  when  this  came  out.  It  made  ’em  roar  then  ; 
now  it  does  not  produce  a grin.  A cheap  comedy 
will  please  your  patrons  as  well.  Though  this 
will  draw  them.  I want  pictures  to  please  them. 
Three  reels. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madison- 
ville, Tex. — General  patronage. 

PATHE  NEWS:  Back  with  this  best  of  all 
newsreels  again  for  the  opening  of  our  new 
theatre.  The  newcomers  can  rave  all  they  want 
to,  but  unless  Pathe  weakens  very  noticeably  they 
can  hardly  claim  any  news  is  better  than  this 
standby. — Henry  Reeve.  Mission  theatre,  Menard, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ALI  GOZAM:  Neely  Edwards — Not  much  to 
this  comedy.  Poor.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

BUSTER  DON’T  FORGET:  Arthur  Trimble^A 
good  Buster  Brown.  Two  reels — Bert  Silver.  Sil- 
ver Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

BUSTER’S  NARROW  ESCAPE:  Special  cast— 
About  as  poor  a story  as  we  have  had  for  some 
time,  but  clever  work  of  dog  makes  this  a pretty 
fair  short  subject.  We  can  hardly  say  comedy. 
Two  reels. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver 
Creek,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

CINDER  PATH:  “Collegians” — ^Another  fine 
two-reel  subject.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  George  Lewis — Splendid 
series.  Well  liked  by  everybody.  Every  one  of 
them  is  good.  Two  reels. — Henry  Reeve.  Star 
theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

GEORGE’S  MANY  LOVES:  Pretty  good.  Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss.  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

IN  AGAIN  OUT  AGAIN : Arthur  Lake — Dandy 
comedy  about  convicts,  and  good  time  they  have 
in  a penitentiary.  One  reel. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

LOOKOUT  BUSTER:  Arthur  Trimble— Very 
good  comedy.  We  have  found  Buster  Brown  com- 
edies consistently  good.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Wit- 
wer. Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  pat- 
ronage. 


NEWLYWEDS  BUILD:  Very  good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

ONE-MAN  SHOW:  Neely  Edwards— Too  much 
like  nothing,  so  we  are  glad  it’s  over.  It’s  all 
bunk.  One  reel. — Rudolf  Duba.  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  PARTY  MAN:  Charles  Puffy— Fair  com- 
edy. One  reel.— A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  PEACE  DEPUTY:  Fred  Gilman— Fair 
Western.  Featurette.  Okay  for  filler.  Two  reels. 
— A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — • 
General  patronage. 

RED  SUSPENDERS:  Slim  Summerville  and 
the  mule  are  a good  team.  Good.  One  reel. 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SILENT  PARTNER:  Ed  Cobb— Fairly 
good  short  Western.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS’  OUTING:  A good  hot  weather 
comedy.  About  the  best  we  have  had  of  this 
group,  with  a lot  of  laughs.  Universal  com- 
edies are  running  better  this  year  than  last.  'Two 
reels. — D.  F.  Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

STOP  SNOOKUMS:  Good  and  Saylor  helps 
Snookums  make  this  a good  one.  Two  reels. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss.  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada. 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THANKS  FOR  THE  BOAT  RIDE:  Wanda 
Wiley — Just  about  the  average.  Two  reels. — D.  F. 
Davis,  Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

WESTWARD  WHOA:  Charles  Duffy — Fine  one- 
reeler,  makes  a good  filler.  One  reel. — Rudolf 
Duba.  Royal  theatre,  Kimball.  S.  D. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

WHY  MULES  LEAVE  HOME:  Say,  Slim,  you 
know  your  stuff,  and  they  did  laugh  over  Fanny. 
It’s  good.  One  reel. — Rudolf  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D.^ — General  patronage. 

YOUTH  AND  BEAUTY:  Special  cast — Quite  a 
clever  Andy  Gump  comedy,  with  more  than  the 
usual  number  of  laughs.  'Two  reels. — D.  F.  Davis, 
Crystal  theatre.  Silver  Creek,  Neb.— Small  town 
patronage. 

YOUTH  AND  BEAUTY:  This  was  a good  one. 
Min  was  as  good  as  Andy.  Two  reels.- — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. 
— Small  town  patronage. 


Public  Tires  of  Lavish 
Films,  Says  Newspaper 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug,  2.— "The 
public  has  shown  signs  of  satiation 
as  to  mere  lavishness  of  scene  and 
comprehensiveness  of  action,”  says 
an  editorial  in  the  Kansas  City 
Star,  commenting  on  the  lowering 
of  picture  production  costs.  It 
continues : "It  should  be  remem- 
bered that  the  cost  of  the  motion 
picture  has  a very  different  invest- 
ment meaning  from  that  of  the 
spoken  drama.  The  dramatic  pro- 
duction must  be  used  or  duplicated 
for  each  performance,  while  the 
motion  picture  production,  once 
made,  serves  without  additional 
cost  through  all  picture  theatres, 
if  it  can  carry  that  far. 

"Let  us  hope  the  public  is  gain- 
ing in  discrimination,  is  getting  a 
little  more  exacting  in  its  demands, 
caring  less  for  mere  display  and 
more  for  intelligence  and  consis- 
tency. Film  production  has  been 
of  such  rapid  development,  much 
of  it  has  been  in  such  haste,  that 
definite  standards  have  been  diffi- 
cult to  attain.  Perhaps  we  now 
are  in  the  settling  process.  If 
so,  perhaps,  the  standards  may 
emerge.” 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  6,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  G.  S.  -- 

Negotiations  for  the  addition  of  two  more  theatres  were 
expected  to  be  successfully  completed  by  the  James  Coston  cir- 
cuit this  week,  giving  this  chain  almost  50  motion  picture  houses 
in  Chicago.  The  theatres  to  have  been  purchased  either  wholly  or  par- 
tially, are  the  Jackson  Park  and  South  Shore,  owned  by  Edward  Bloom. 


'^HE  South  Shore,  now  under  construc- 
-*■  tion  at  75th  Street  and  Essex,  is  to  be 
ready  for  opening  the  latter  part  of  No- 
vember. It  will  seat  1,500. 

* * * 

Earle  Johnson  has  left  the  James  Coston 
organization,  which  he  joined  a number  of 
weeks  ago,  when  his  own  booking  agency 
was  discontinued.  Of  the  Johnson  theatres 
that  Coston  took  over  for  booking  at  that 
time,  Johnson  is  withdrawing  only  two,  the 
Auditorium  in  Berwyn,  and  the  Strand  in 
Brookfield,  which  he  will  now  book  in- 
dependently. 

* * * 

Arnold  Schaak  of  the  Keystone  and  Pan- 
orama theatres,  is  in  Michigan  for  a vaca- 
tion, the  greater  part  of  which  he  is  spend- 
ing with  his  old  friends.  Rod  and  Reel. 

* * * 

Another  beautiful  theatre  will  be  Chi- 
cago’s August  14,  when  Cooney  Brothers 
will  open  their  new  Avalon.  That  date, 
after  many  attempts  to  set  one,  has  been 
definitely  decided  on. 

^ ^ ^ 

Clayt  Bond  is  confined  to  his  home  again 
by  illness,  after  only  a brief  return  to  his 
office  following  several  weeks’  absence  due 
to  the  same  cause. 

John  Hammill,  who  looks  after  Para- 


mount’s business  in  the  Middle  West,  ar- 
rived in  Chicago  last  week  for  a stay  of 
about  a month. 

4*  ^ 

Len  Ullrich’s  film  golf  tournament  com- 
mitte  has  not  done  much  deciding  lately 
but  what  it  has  done  puts  two  contests 
out  of  consideration  for  this  year.  The 
single  competition  will  be  held  this  month, 
perhaps  around  the  26th,  at  Olympia  Fields. 
The  committee  is  to  meet  soon  and  draw 
up  complete  details. 

Bill  Sweeney  has  been  more  absent  than 
present  at  the  Exhibitors’  Association  of- 
fices the  past  week  and  that  means,  of 
course,  that  he  is  not  at  all  well.  Poor 
health  has  been  Mr.  Sweeney’s  lot  this 
spring  and  summer.  Here  is  hoping  that 
these  columns  can  carry  something  very 
cheery  about  him  soon. 

* * * 

Alex  MacLaughlin,  district  manager  for 
Tiffany,  went  to  New  York  the  first  of  the 
week,  for  a general  sales  conference.  Mac 
is  getting  in  a lot  of  touring  these  days, 
his  territory  stretching  way  down  to  Texas. 
As  a result,  all  of  his  friends  are  learning 
that  the  best  way  to  get  to  see  him  is  to 
consult  a time-table. 

* * * 

Paul  Bush  became  manager  of  Tiffany’s 


Chicago’s  “My  Best  Girl’’ — and  Phila- 
delphia’s— just  before  doffing  their 
overalls  and  riding  in  a Pullman  to 
Hollywood.  Mildred  Lindquist  (left) 
won  the  Mary  Pickfgrd  newspaper 
contest  in  Chicago  and  now  is  repre- 
senting Father  Dearborn  and  Edge- 
water  in  the  group  of  14  girls  being 
entertained  by  the  United  Artists  star. 
Philadelphia  similarly  chose  Elsie 
Perry. 

Chicago  office  last  week,  coming  from 
Pathe  where  he  had  been  in  charge  of  fea- 
tures for  the  past  two  years.  He  has 
added  four  salesmen  to  his  staff,  Clarence 
Phillips,  who  has  been  with  Pro-Dis-Co  for 
the  past  six  years ; Eddie  Cassanave,  for 
five  years  a Pathe  salesman ; Dan  Martin, 
at  one  time  manager  in  Chicago  for  Asso- 
ciated Exhibitors;  and  Hal  Hum,  formerly 
district  manager  for  Hodkinson  Produc- 
tions. Phillips  will  handle  the  North  Side, 
Hum  the  South  Side,  and  Cassanave  and 
Martin  will  travel. 

^ ^ 

C.  L.  Dickerson  arrived  last  week  to 
take  charge  of  the  office  management  at 
F B O,  coming  from  Philadelphia,  where 
he  held  the  same  position  with  F B O. 

* * * 

Anna  R.  Gumbiner,  mother  of  the  Gum- 
biner  brothers,  who  are  among  the  city’s- 
prominent  exhibitors,  died  last  week.  The 
funeral  was  on  Thursday,  with  burial  at 
Oakwoods.  Besides  Louis,  Isadore,  Abe, 
Robert,  Max  and  Nathan,  she  is  survived 
by  four  daughters.  She  was  72  years  old. 
* * * 

Robert  Julian,  who  has  been  manager  of 
the  Chateau  theatre,  is  now  managing 
L & T’s  Covent  Garden.  Joe  Glicknuin  is 
now  directing  the  affairs  of  the  Chateau. 

* * * 

George  Miller,  manager  of  the  Lido, 
Ma3rwood,  and  Mrs.  Miller  started  on  a 
motor  trip  last  week,  and  asked  “where 
to?’’  the  reply  was,  “Don’t  know.”  How- 
ever, they  headed  toward  Wisconsin,  and 
any  place  up  there  is  a good  place  in  the 
summer  time. 

* * * 

Joe  Stern  has  added  to  his  Highway, 
Marquette  and  Del  Lago  theatres,  the  1,000 
seat  house  to  be  erected  at  79th  Street  and 
Exchange  Avenue,  the  latter,  however, 
being  acquired  in  association  with  Sam 
Meyers. 

^ ^ 

Charlotte  Stevens,  a Chicago  high  school 
girl  who  won  a beauty  contest  four  years 
ago,  has  just  completed  playing  the  leading 
role  in  the  Libbey  story,  “In  a Moment  of 
Temptation,”  recently  completed  at  the 
F B O studios. 


Season  1927-28 


STERLING 


Johnny  Harron  ^ 
Jane  Novak, 

Life  as 
it  is! — 


Pbil  Rosen 


Hard  sometimes  — cruel,  unsparing  — then  soft  and  wise  and  kindly  . 
“Closed  Gates”  is  as  remarkable  a human  record  as  has  been  screened 


For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVE., 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


For  Indiana 

MIDWEST  FILM  CO. 

OF  INDIANA 

218  Wimmer  Bldg.,  Indianapolis 


Give  ihem  the  Best 

Theatre  patrons  are  entitled  to 
the  best  screen  quality— which 
means  Eastman  quality. 

Give  them  the  best.  Most 
productions  are  made  on  Eastman 
Negative.  Specify  prints  on  East- 
man Positive  and  you  get  the  film 
combination  that  first  made 
movies  practicable— that  has 
maintained  its  superiority  from 
the  beginning  of  the  industry. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


DOES 
IT  END ! 


THAT’S  what  millions  of  fan 
want  to  know,  and  that’s  wh 
they  come  back  week  after  weel 

Thrills,  mystery,  action,  romanc 
in  overflowing  measure— and  th 
BIG  SUSPENSE  KICK  at  the  fade-oi 
of  each  Chapter  to  bring  them  bac 
the  following  week  and  9 weel 
thereafter,  to  see  how  it  ends.  Seria 


Pathe  announces  5 great  Serials  for 
I927-2<8.  10  weeks  of  Big  Business 

on  each  subject. 

‘THE  HAWK  OF  THE  HILLS” 
Allene  Ray,  Walter  Miller,  and  Frank 
I Lackteen  in  a smashing,  crashing,  ro- 
mantic story  of  the  frontier  West,  by 
George  Arthur  Gray.  Directed  by 
Spencer  Bennet. 

‘‘THE  MASKED  MENACE” 
Larry  Kent  and  Jean  Arthur  from  the 
Saturday  Evening  Post  story  “Still 
Face,”  by  Clarence  Budington  Kelland. 

1 A breath-taking  mystery  drama,  with 
an  amazing  characterization.  Directed 
by  Arch  Heath. 

THE  MAN  WITHOUT  A FACE” 
Allene  Ray  and  Walter  Miller  in  a sen- 
! sational  story  by  C.  N.  and  A.  M.  Wil- 
liamson. Directed  by  Spencer  Bennet. 

I “MARK  OF  THE  FROG” 

A mystery  drama  of  a secret  society, 
from  the  story  “The  Fellowship  of 
the  Frog”  by  the  celebrated  novelist 
Edgar  Wallace,  author  of  “The  Green 
Archer.”  Title  subject  to  change. 


are  sure-fire  business  builders - 
PATHESERIALS  are  the  acknov 
ledged  leaders.  Ever  since  the  in 
mortal  ‘‘Perils  of  Pauline”  was  firi 
released  by  Pathe— Patheserials  ha\ 
been  acclaimed  by  exhibitors  an 
public  as  the  standard  for  this  tyj 
of  glorious,  satisfying  entertain 
ment. 

Underwrite  your 
business  an  entire 
year  by  booking 
them  all  solid. 


PATHE  EXCHANGE,  INC 

DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES  . PATHE  NEWS  - PATHE  WESTfi]? 
PATHESERIALS  - PATHECOMEDIES 


“THE  TERRIBLE  PEOPLE” 
Mystery  melodrama.  Powerful,  grip- 
ping. From  the  book  by  Edgar  Wallace. 
Title  subject  to  change. 


Member  erf  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America, 
Will  H.  Hays,  President 


TWO  SECTIONS 


SECTION  II 


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August  6,  1927 


\_\/  _ ‘ S.J  ) 


V/urlITzer 

O R GAN  S 

The  Wurlitzer  represents 
supreme  value  as  a box  office 
attraction  because  of  the 
public’s  preference  for 
Wurlitzer  music.  Vital  fac- 
tors in  its  superiority  are 
quick  response  to  the  touch 
and  special  voicing  for  theatre 
work.  It  possesses  in  the 
highest  degree  that  fire  and 
feeling  so  necessary  to  inspire 
the  favorable  reacftion  of  the 
audience. 

Write  for  catolog — today 


m 


Chicago 
Pittsburgh 
Buffalo 
San  Francisco 


Cincinnati 
Detroit 
Kansas  City 
Los  Angeles 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


Exceptional  Work  from  a Hollywood 
Scenic  Studio done  with  the  Cutawl 

The  background  requirements  of  tlie  feature  film  producing  studios  are  exacting.  It  costs 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  to  put  out  most  of  the  big  productions  . . . and  no  small 
part  of  this  cost  is  represented  by  the  scenic  effects,  and  so-called  “props”  which  a great  army 
of  specialists  in  construction  departments  labors  day  and  night  to  create. 


Mr.  P.  T.  Blackburn,  1543  Rosalia  Road,  Holl5rwood, 
California,  recently  sent  us  a number  of  very  Interesting 
photographs,  examples  of  Period  sets.  Hardware, 
“Wrought-iron”  effects  made  of  Wall-board,  which  he 
cvit  out  with  the  Cutawl.  In  describing  these  exhibits, 
Mr.  Blackburn  wrote  as  follows; 

“Your  letter  and  folder  received  . . . and  1 hasten 
to  thank  you  for  your  interest  in  me  since  1 pur- 
chased the  CUTAWL.  I have  had  a wonderful 
success  with  this  machine.  For  about  ten  months 
I maintained  a separate  department  in  Hollywood 
at  the  Fox  Studios.  During  this  time  I made  any 
number  of  special  scene  settings,  quaint  wrought- 
iron  hardware  and  Period  sets  with  the  aid  of  your 
machine,  a few  specimen  photographs  of  which  I 
enclose.” 


Reproduction  of  background  design,  designed  by 
Mr.  P.  T.  Blackburn,  of  Hollywood,  California 
. . . made  of  wall-board,  all  cut-out  work  done 
with  the  Cutawl. 


THE  INTERNATIONAL 

cut/\wl: 

To  the  commercial  artist,  theatrical  and  advertising 
sign  and  poster  specialist  . . . the  Cutawl  comes  as  a 
time  and  labor-saver  of  prime  importance. 

It  does  cut-out  work  of  every  imaginable  description 
in  less  time  with  less  effort  eind  at  amazing  savings  in 
materisd  costs. 

No  single  unit  of  equipment  you  can  buy  for  your  shop  or 
studio  is  so  certain  to  pay  back  its  COST  so  quickly  as  will  the 
Cutawl.  Whether  you  use  card-board,  WcJl-board,  felt,  canvas, 
leather  or  tissue  in  making  your  designs  . . . the  Cutawl  will 
do  the  necessary  cutting  out  for  you  with  speed  and  accuracy 
heretofore  undreamed  of. 

AMAZING  RESULTS! 
“Wonderful  Success” 

— says  Mr.  P.  T.  Blackburn. 

Simply  attach  your  Cutawl  to  an  ordinary  electric  light  socket 
and  begin.  The  tiny  chisel  of  this  machine  will  trail  any  design 
with  delightful  ease  and  simplicity.  A boy  or  girl,  with  a few 
hours’  practice,  can  do  this  work.  No  more  tedious  sawing 
or  cutting  by  hand  is  necessary.  Once  you  install  a Cutawl 
you  can  devote  your  time  and  effort  to  DEISIGNING  . . . 

and  let  your  helper  with  the  Cutawl  do  all  the  heavy  work 
for  you. 


Theatrical  Scenic  Studios  and  Poster  Artists  are 
invited  to  Try  the  Cutawl  on  their  Own  Work 

Progressive  workers  in  this  highly  specialized  field  are  urged  to  investigate  the  money-making  advantages  of 
the  Cutawl  NOW,  at  our  risk.  Put  it  to  work  in  your  own  shop  or  studio.  Try  it  on  some  of  your  OWN  work. 
You’ll  be  surprised  and  pleased  with  the  results.  Write  today  for  the  booklet  “Cutawl  Displays”  and  details  of  our 
special  FREE  TRIAL  offer.  Address: 

THE  INTERNATIONAL  REGISTER  CO. 

21  South  Throop  Street,  Chicago 


August  6,  1927 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


“Oh,  loo\!’’  sdys  Grace,  as  her  eyes 
perceive  your  colorful  electric, 
announcing  the  latest  super-thrill 
attraction. 


“Yes,”  responds  Helen,  “I  want 
to  see  that  picture,  too!” 


Miatmees  that  pack  the  house 


1URED  by  the  spell  of  a 
glamorous  name,  people 
will  pack  your  matinees  . . . 
if  your  feature  announcements 
be  as  clearly  readable  day  as 
night! 

The  Flexlume  Interchange- 
able  Glass  Letter  Display  has 
daylight  attention  value  not 
possessed  by  ordinary  electric 
signs.  Its  snow-white  molded 
glass  letters  can  be  seen  and 
read  for  blocks.  By  night  they 
glow  with  electric  light. 


In  your  locality  there  is  a 
Flexlume  expert  in  electric  ad- 
vertising. Let  us  send  him  to 
talk  over  all  your  electric  dis- 
play needs  — and  to  submit 
color  sketches,  without  charge. 
Address  Flexlume  Corpora- 
tion, 1523  Military  Road, 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 


Beautiful  FI  exray  Interior 
Electric  Signs  — ''Exit", 
"Ladies’  Room”,  etc.  — clear 


silvertone  letters  etched  on  plate  glass,  bronze 
framed.  Prices  on  request. 


FLEXLUME  ELECTRIC  DISPLAYS 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


DONT  GAMBLE  WITH  THE  # 
LIVES  OF  YOUR  PATRONS  » 

FOR  A FEW  CENTS  A DAY  YOU  CAN  ELIMINATE 
THE  DREAD  MENACE  OF  THE  FILM  FIRE  WITH 
ITS  ATTENDANT  PANIC  AND  POSSIBLE  LOSS  OF 
LIFE.  A FEW  CENTS  A DAY  IS  THE  ENTIRE  COST 
OF  INSTALLING  AND  ENJOYING  THE  COMPLETE 
SECURITY  OF 


THE  AMAZINGLY  EFFICIENT 

SENTRY 

SAFETY  CONTROL 


“THE  POSITIVE  FIRE  PREVENTER” 

CAN  BE  PLACED  ON  ANY  PROJECTION  MACHINE 

NOW  BEING  INSTALLED  AS  RAPIDLY  AS  FACTORY 
OUTPUT  WILL  PERMIT  IN  HUNDREDS  OF  LEADING 
THEATRES  AND  A SCORE  OF  CIRCUITS  INCLUDING 
THE  STANLEY  AND  ITS  AFFILIATED  COMPANIES, 
WILMER  & VINCENT,  EAST  COAST  THEATRES, 
INDORSED  BY  THE  M.  P.  T.  O.  OF  EASTERN  PA., 
SOUTHERN  N.  J.  AND  DELAWARE. 


DONT  DELAY ~ TOMORROW  MAY  BE  TOO  LATE! 


Sentry  Safeh  Control  Corp. 


Sales  and  Demonstration 
1229  Vine  Street 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Main  Office 
Lincoln  Building 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 


S^lles  and  Demonstration 
1560  Broadway 
New  York  City 


Baltimore,  Maryland  113  West  Conway  St. 
Boston  45,  Massachusetts  Winter  Hill 

Display  Floor,  174  Portland  St. 

Buffalo,  New  York  Wells  and  Carroll  Sts. 
Chicago,  Illinois  2653  Arthington  St. 

Display  Floor,  439  Railway  Exchange  Bldg. 
Kansas  City,  Missouri  1310  West  8th  St. 


Los  Angeles,  California  801  East  7th  St. 
New  York,  New  York  516  West  34th  St. 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania  244  South  5th  St. 
Portland,  Oregon  148  North  10th  St. 

San  Francisco,  California  737  Howard  St. 
St.  Louis,  Missouri  6th  and  O’Fallon  Sts. 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  August  6,  1927 


lOl  V-E>AI«.S  OF 
MAJ«JEA.CTURING 
FXJPFRmNCE- 


jviuwauKee,  Wisconsin. 
Dick  and  Bauer,  Architects. 


A GOOD  PAYING  SEAT  FOR 
THE  SAXE  ORIENTAL! 


'"PHE  Saxe  Amusement  Enterprises  sought  a comfortable  seat  for  their  new 
Oriental  Theatre  in  Milwaukee.  They  wanted  a chair  that  would  provide 
the  kind  of  comfort  that  would  build  steady,  profitable  patronage.  They  found 
it  in  OC431,  the  beautiful  Heywood'Wakefield  chair  shown  above.  This 
practically  designed  seat  is  paying  good  box  office  dividends  at  the  new,  mag- 
nificent Oriental  Theatre,  one  of  the  finest  in  the  entire  Saxe  chain. 

We  will  be  glad  to  tell  you  more  about  this  and  other  Hey 
wood-Wakefield  chairs  which  have  been  installed  in  Saxe, 

Publix,  Orpheum  and  other  circuit  houses  all  over  the  country. 

Send  for  your  copy  of  our  new  booklet  “Heywood'Wakefield 
Seats  the  Roxy.”  This  interesting  pamphlet  illustrates  and 
describes  in  detail  the  Heywood'Wakefield  seating  in  the 
Roxy  Theatre,  New  York  City. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


7 


A monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  published  for  the  information  and 
guidance  of  theatre  owners  in  matters  of  theatre  construction,  operation  and 
equipment  and  to  promote  the  ideal  of  greater  and  finer  theatres. 

Editor,  Harry  E.  Holquist  Eastern  Representative  Advertising  Manager,  Charles  B.  O’Neill 

Albert  W.  Randle 

Published  by  the  Exhibitors  Herald  Co.,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.;  Martin  J.  Quigley,  Editor  and  Publisher;  Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary; 

George  Clifford,  Assistant  Treasurer.  Eastern  Office:  565  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York  City. 


Equipment  Association  Names 
J.  E.  McAuley  President 

Possibility  of  Some  Form  of  Affiliation  With  Hays 
Organization  Looms  as  Result  of  New  York  Conclave 


OSSIBILITIES  of  the  Theatre 
Equipment  Association,  an  or- 
ganization of  manufacturers 
and  distributors  of  theatre  equip- 
ment and  accessories,  becoming  in 
some  way  affiliated  with  the  Hays 
organization  looms  as  an  aftermath 
of  the  annual  convention  of  the  asso- 
ciation held  at  the  Pennsylvania 
Hotel,  New  York  City,  July  18  and 
19.  Following  a talk  by  C.  C.  Petti- 
john  of  the  Motion  Picture  Produc- 
ers and  Distributors  of  America  it 
was  revealed  that  means  of  coopera- 
tion between  the  two  organizations 
was  a matter  which  might  be  taken 
under  consideration.  Mr.  Pettijohn 
pointed  out  the  need  for  a strong  or- 
ganization among  the  equipment 
manufacturers.  He  declared  that  the 
advancement  and  progress  made  in 
the  physical  elements  of  the  theatre 
was  an  outstanding  factor  in  the 
success  of  the  modern  theatre  today. 
* * * 

He  urged  that  the  manufacturers  organ- 
ize themselves  in  such  a way  as  to  become 
a really  representative  branch  of  the  in- 
dustry and  in  this  connection  declared  that 
the  cooperation  of  the  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers and  Distributors  of  America  was 
open  to  the  equipment  men.  While  speak- 
ing unofficially  Mr.  Pettijohn  conveyed  the 
thought  that  there  might  be  ways  and 
means  for  the  Theatre  Equipment  Associa- 
tion working  or  functioning  under  some 
sort  of  arrangement  with  his  organization. 
Just  how  this  could  be  accomplished  he  was 
not  prepared  to  say,  declaring  that  he  was 
expressing  solely  his  persona!  viewpoint  and 
that  his  remarks  must  be  considered  as 
strictly  personal  opinions. 

Mr.  Pettijohn’s  talk  was  one  of  the  fea- 
tures of  the  two-day  sessions  and  it  is 
known  that  his  suggestions  for  some  type 
of  affiliation  with  the  Hays  organization  is 
being  given  consideration. 

J.  E.  McAuley,  head  of  the  J.  E.  McAuley 
Manufacturing  Company,  Chicago,  was 


By  Harry  E.  Holquist 

elected  president  of  the  Theatre  Equipment 
Association  at  the  end  of  the  two  days 
conclave.  Mr.  McAuley  has  been  actively 
interested  in  the  affairs  of  the  organization 
for  a number  of  years  and  has  I>een  one 
of  the  leaders  in  its  work  to  serve  better 
the  industry  and  its  members.  As  the  new 
president  Mr.  A'IcAuley  was  inaugurated 
into  office  amidst  enthusiastic  applause. 

Other  officers  elected  are  John  H.  Hert- 
ner,  vice-president  and  S.  S.  Behrend, 
treasurer. 

* * * 

The  new  directors  of  the  association  are 
as  follows : Dealers : S.  S.  Behrend, 
Movie  Supply  Co.,  Chicago ; S.  A.  Louis, 
Rialto  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Minneapolis ; 
Walter  Green,  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company,  New  York;  Walter  Preddy,  San 
Francisco. 

Manufacturers:  John  H.  Hertner,  Hert- 
ner  Electric  Companv  Cleveland ; Irving 
Samuels,  Automatic  Devices  Company, 
Allentown,  Pa.;  I.  L.  Nixon,  Bausch  & 
Lomb,  Rochester,  N.  Y. ; J.  E.  McAuley, 
J.  E.  McAuley  Manufacturing  Company, 
Chicago,  and  J.  C.  Kroesen,  Edison  Lamp 
Works,  Harrison,  N.  J. 

No  action  was  taken  at  the  convention 
to  change  the  character  of  the  organization. 
Predictions  had  been  numerous  to  the  effect 
that  following  the  New  York  meeting  the 
association  would  henceforth  be  composed 
strictly  of  manufacturers  with  the  dealers 
entirely  eliminated.  The  question  was 
brought  before  the  attention  of  the  body 
on  the  afternoon  of  the  opening  day  by 
Irving  Samuels  of  Allentown,  Pa.,  who 
pointed  out  that  the  interests  of  the  dealers 
and  manufacturers  have  been  rapidly  wid- 
ening and  that  it  now  appeared  that  the 
organization  should  be  one.  of  manufac- 
turers only.  J.  E.  McAuley,  the  only  other 
member  to  voice  an  opinion  on  the  subject 
declared  the  manufacturers  might  see  no 
particular  advantage  in  changing  the  nature 
of  the  association  and  the  body  was  ap- 
parently content  to  let  the  prevailing 
scheme  continue. 

5k  * 

The  future  course  of  the  association  with 
reference  to  advertising  and  publicity  plans 


was  the  subject  of  considerable  discussion 
throughout  the  meeting.  Talks  having  a 
bearing  on  the  matter  were  made  by  Fred 
Beecroft  of  Motion  Picture  News,  E.  T. 
Keyser,  Motion  Pictures  Today  and  Albert 
W.  Randle  of  Exhibitors  Herald. 

The  matter  was  placed  in  the  hands  of 
a committee  consisting  of  H.  E.  Holquist, 
J.  C.  Kroesen  and  Wm.  Kunzmann  which 
was  empowered  to  carry  out  the  work. 

Other  speakers  at  the  convention  were 
F.  S.  Richardson  of  Moving  Picture  World, 
FI.  G.  Yerg  of  Yerg,  Inc.,  who  spoke  on 
direct  mail  advertising  and  Lester  B. 
Isaacs  of  Loew,  Inc.,  whose  subject  was 
“Dealer  and  Manufacturer  in  the  Industry.’’ 

Keen  interest  was  shown  in  a talk  by 
Nathan  D.  Golden  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Section  of  the  Department  of  Commerce. 
Mr.  Golden  outlined  briefly  some  of  the 
work  being  done  by  the  motion  picture  sec- 
tion of  the  Department  of  Commerce.  The 
department,  he  declared,  receives  an  aver- 
age of  one  hundred  inquiries  a week  re- 
garding the  motion  picture  industry.  It 
has  recently  been  expanded  to  cover  the 
activities  of  the  equipment  end  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  business  and  a special  service 
for  the  handling  of  equipment  inquiries  has 
been  inaugurated. 

* 5i«  * 

Sam  Kaplan,  in  a characteristic  talk  told 
the  manufacturers  present  to  “get  off  the 
fence”  and  declare  themselves  as  to 
whether  or  not  they  intended  to  sell  to 
all  dealers.  Mr.  Kaplan  declared  that  he 
knew  of  between  fifty  and  sixty  supply 
dealers  who  were  ready  to  handle  meri- 
torious products. 

President  Hertner,  in  his  opening  address 
to  the  convention  said : 

“This  meeting  marks  the  close  of  another 
year  of  the  association’s  existence  and  the 
end  of  its  first  period  under  its  revised 
constitution.  The  actual  time  since  our  last 
convention  has  been  about  nine  months 
and  your  directors  and  officers  have  tried  to 
start  its  activities  into  lines  better  adapted 
to  its  present  scope  and  purpose. 

“We  have  had  three  quarterly  meetings, 
the  first  immediately  following  the  annual 
convention  last  October,  the  second  in 
January  and  the  last  in  April.  It  was  de- 
cided to  inaugurate  a campaign  on  pub- 
{Continued  on  page  24) 


8 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


CONTENTS 


J.  E.  McAuley  Is  Named  Presi- 
dent of  Theatre  Equipment 
Association  at  Annual  Con- 
vention in  New  York 7 

Albert  F.  Brown  Tells  Readers 
How  to  Use  “Scrimaphone”— 
a New  Type  of  Presentation 9 

L.  M.  Fulton,  in  Suit  Filed, 
Seeks  to  Stop  Expansion 
Plans  of  E.  E.  Fulton  Com- 
pany   - 10 

C.  W.  Nessell  Joins  Automatic 
Electric  Company  as  Sales  En- 
gineer   10 

Cutler-Hammer  Announces 
New  Across-the-Line  Starter...  10 


Leo.  T.  Parker  Reviews  Higher 
Court  Decisions  in  Cases  of 
Litigation  Involving  Theatre 


Owners  11 

Views  of  the  New  Oriental  The- 
atre, Milwaukee,  Wis.,  Re- 
cently Opened  by  Saxe  Enter- 
prises   12 

Making  the  Theatre  Organ  a 
Real  Box  Office  Asset 15 

Steps  in  Preparing  the  Organ 
Solo  for  the  Average  Sized 
Theatre  18 

National  Handling  New  Type  of 
Electric  Sign  for  Theatres 21 

Save  Month’s  Time  by  Roofing 
Method  on  Portland  House 21 

Improved  Features  Contained  in 
New  Ashcraft  High  Intensity 
Lamp  25 

Montreal  Building  Commission 
Closes  Nine  Theatres 30 


P.  A.  McGuire  Is  Made  Honor- 
ary Member  of  American  Pro- 
jection Society 25 

Public  Relations  and  the  Motion 
Picture  Theatre 31 

Houck  Will  Manage  New  Uni- 
versal Theatre  in  Kenosha, 
Wis 34 

T.  J.  Major  Joins  National  Thea- 
tre Supply  Company  as  Head 
of  One-Contract  Division 35 

Will  Erect  3,000  Seat  Theatre  in 
Spokane,  Wash 36 

New  Theatres — A Partial  List  of 
New  Playhouses  Announced 
for  Construction  Within  the 
Past  Few  Weeks 37 

Work  Begun  on  New  Theatre  in 
Philadelphia  for  Oxford  Thea- 
tre Co 44 

The  Exhibitors  Information  and 
Catalogue  Bureau 48 

Index  to  Advertisers 50 


Better  Theatres 
Advisory  Staff 

In  order  to  render  its  readers 
assistance  on  various  problems 
of  equipment  and  construction 
that  arise  from  time  to  time, 
Better  Theatres  has  obtained 
the  co-operation  of  the  individ- 
uals and  associations  listed  fol- 
lowing in  this  work. 

Through  the  co-operation  of 
this  advisory  staff  this  depart- 
ment feels  that  it  has  allied  itself 
with  sources  of  expert  knowl- 
edge on  virtually  every  phase  of 
theatre  building  and  furnishing 
and  is  able  to  offer  theatre  own- 
ers a valuable  service  in  provid- 
ing information  and  answers  on 
a wide  range  of  subjects  of  a 
general  nature. 

ELMER  F.  BEHRNS,  Theatre 
Architect. 

ROBERT  O.  ROLLER,  Boiler 
Brothers,  Architects. 

A.  B.  COPPOCK,  Presentation 
Producer. 

E.  B.  CRESAP,  Secretary,  Na- 
tional Association  of  Fan  Manu- 
facturers. 

N.  E.  DURAND,  Frederick  C. 
Foltz  & Co. 

JOHN  EBERSON,  Architect. 

G.  E.  EICHENLAUB,  Architect. 
W.  S.  HAYS,  Secretary,  National 
Slate  Association  and  The  Na- 
tional Federation,  Construction 
Industries. 

F.  K.  HILL,  Seating  Engineer. 

F.  J.  HUSE,  Chief  Engineer,  Hol- 
low Building  Tile  Association. 

CLELL  JAY,  Projectionist,  New 
Theatre,  Little  Rock,  Ark. 

SAMUEL  R.  LEWIS,  Member, 
American  Society  of  Heating 
and  Ventilating  Engineers. 

A.  C.  LISKA,  Remodeling. 

E.  M.  LURIE,  Assistant  to  Com- 
missioner, Associated  Metal  Lath 
Manufacturers. 

HENRY  L.  NEWHOUSE,  Archi- 
tect. 

J.  F.  O’MALLEY,  Architect. 
GEORGE  L.  RAPP,  Architect. 

GEORGE  W.  REPP,  Service  Divi- 
sion, American  Face  Brick  Asso- 
ciation. 

HENRY  J.  SCHWEIM,  Chief 
Engineer  of  The  Gypsum  Indus- 
tries. 

R.  L.  SIMMONS,  Architect. 

HORACE  L.  SMITH,  JR.,  Thea- 
tre Engineer. 

NORMAN  M.  STINEMAN,  As- 
soc. Mem.  American  Society  of 
Civil  Engineers,  Portland  Ce- 
ment Association. 

MAX  Y.  SEATON,  Technical 
Director,  National  Kellastone 
Company. 

J.  L.  STAIR,  Chief  Engineer, 
Curtis  Lighting,  Inc. 


EDITORIAL 


“To  see  ourselves  as  others  see 
us”  is  a quotation  that  seems  admi- 
rably to  apply  to  many  theatres 
when  the  subject  of  the  picture  on 
the  screen  comes  up  for  discussion. 
We  believe  the  great  majority  of 
exhibitors  fail  to  see  their  screen 
results  as  others  see  them.  Perhaps 
if  they  would  drop  in  on  their  com- 
petitors occasionally  their  eyes 
would  be  opened  to  the  amazing 
difference  that  actually  exists. 

In  a conversation  between  an  ex- 
hibitor and  a supply  dealer  the 
other  day  the  exhibitor  made  the 
boast  that  he  was  using  the  same 
old  equipment  that  had  done  service 
for  years  and  if  he  did  say  so  him- 
self he  was  getting  a darn  good  pic- 
ture. It  was  as  good  as  it  had  al- 
ways been  and  business  still  kept 
coming  his  way. 

As  a matter  of  fact  the  picture 
this  theatre  was  throwing  on  the 
screen  was  in  no  way  to  be  com- 
pared with  the  results  his  competi- 
tors were  getting.  And  the  pecu- 
liar part  of  it  all  was  that  his  in- 
inferior picture  was  costing  him 
more  money.  After  the  exhibitor 
had  left  our  supply  dealer  re- 
marked : 

“The  trouble  with  a lot  of  thea- 
tres today  is  that  they  can’t  see 
through  their  own  eyes  just  how 
poor  their  screen  results  are.  If 
they  would  get  around  and  take  a 
look  at  some  really  up-to-date  re- 
sults on  screens  in  other  houses 
they  would  unquestionably  see  that 
difference.  The  only  way  to  tell 
whether  you’re  getting  the  best  pic- 
ture on  the  screen  that  it  is  possible 
to  obtain  is  by  comparison  with 
others.  The  old  picture  will  always 
look  pretty  good  until  you  see  a 
much  better  one.  And  if  Mr.  Ex- 
hibitor doesn’t  discover  this  differ- 
ence for  himself  you  may  be  sure 
that  his  patrons  will.” 

* * * 

“Better  Theatres”  in  this  issue 
prints  an  unusually  interesting  ar- 
ticle by  Clark  Fiers  titled  “Making 
the  Organ  a Real  Box  OfficeAsset.” 
His  subject  is  one  that  should  in- 
terest every  theatre  owner.  Good 
organs  and  good  organists  cost  real 
money  and  represent  an  important 
investment  in  theatres.  The  musi- 
cal feature  in  the  theatre  today  is 
no  longer  an  adjunct  to  the  film 
program.  It  is  an  attraction  in  it- 
self and  theatres  which  view  it  in 
this  light  and  treat  it  as  such  are 
making  it  pay  big  dividends.  Clark 
Fiers  in  his  article  gives  some  ad- 
mirable suggestions  for  making  the 
organ  a bigger  and  better  box  office 
attraction.  Ill 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


Brown  Tells  “Herald”  Readers 
How  to  Use  Scrimaphone 


fTT Marbro  organist  and  Raymond  Dalton,  director 
^ of  production,  originate  new  and  effective  type 
of  presentation,  which  combines  scrim,  organ,  slides 
and  Victrola — Through  use  of  Scrimaphone  theatres 
can  present  phonograph  artists  in  song  and  music. 


Raymond  Q.  Dalton 

Anew  word  has  been  introduced  into 
theatre  parlance.  The  word  is  “Scrim- 
aphone,” and  was  coined  by  Albert  F. 
Brown,  feature  organist  at  Marks  Brothers’ 
Marbro  theatre,  Chicago,  to  name  an_  in- 
novation in  organ  solo  scrim  presentations 
developed  by  him  and  Raymond  Q.  Dalton, 
production  director  at  the  Marbro. 

The  Scrimaphone  has  been  creating  a 
great  deal  of  enthusiasm  and  attracting  a 
large  share  of  attention  from  theatre 
patrons  in  Chicago,  and  from  other  thea:tre 
exhibitors,  yet  it  has  ben  presented  only  a 
few  weeks  at  the  Marbro. 

The  Scrimaphone  is  an  organ  presen- 
tation which  combines  and  presents 
simultaneously  organ  solos,  scrim  pres- 
entations, the  words  of  the  song  played 
by  the  organist  Hashed  on 
the  scrim  curtain,  and 
phonographic  music  or 
human  voices. 

Heretofore,  when  organ 
scrim  presentations  have 
been  presented,  the  lyrics 
have  not  been  projected 
upon  the  scrim  curtain  at 
the  same  time  that  the  pres- 
enta;tion  behind  the  curtain 
was  being  given.  The 
Scrimaphone  now  makes 
this  possible.  While  the 
lyric  is  being  flashed  upon 
the  curtain  with  the  organ- 
ist playing  the  music  for 
the  lyric,  the  scrim  presen- 
tation fades  into  view  of 
the  audience.  Thus  the 
audience  sees  both  the  lyric 
projected  on  the  scrim  cur- 
tain, and  the  presentation 
enacted  behind  the  scrim 
at  the  same  time. 

And  as  a further  devel- 
opment, phonographic 
music  issuing  from  a point 
near  the  presentation,  and 
accompanied  by  the  organ, 
is  heard  by  the  audience. 

Many  beautiful  effects  of 
this  nature  have  been 
worked  out  and  presented 
by  Brown  and  Dalton  at 
the  Marbro.  When  the 
phonograph  music,  per- 
fectly accompanied  by 
Brown  on  the  organ,  was 
first  used,  it  created  a great 
deal  of  curiosity.  The 
music  could  be  heard  com- 
ing from  the  stage,  but  its 
source  remained  a mystery. 

A description  of  an  actual 
Scrimaphone  presentation 
given  at  the  Marbro  will 
afford  a better  idea  of  its 
exact  nature.  The  presenta- 


By JVill  Whitmore 


tion  as  given  by  Brown  two  weeks  ago 
opened  with  him  playing  “Just  Like  a But- 
terfly Caught  in  the  Rain,”  with  the  words 
of  the  song  played  by  Brown  projected 
upon  the  scrim  curtain.  Then  a setting 
showing  a Chinese  pagoda  slowly  fades 
into  view  behind  the  scrim  curtain,  with 
the  lyric  still  being  flashed  upon  the  scrim 
curtain.  Then  slowly  a huge  fan  fades 
into  view  at  the  left  of  the  pagoda.  In 
front  of  the  fan  stands  a girl  representing 
a butterfly.  As  the  girl  begins  a “butterfly” 
dance,  a voice  from  a phonograph  sings 
“Just  Like  a Butterfly  Caught  in  the  Rain,” 
with  Brown  accompanying  the  record  upon 
the  organ.  At  the  same  time  an  effect  of 
rain  is  projected  upon  the  scrim  curtain 
together  with  the  words  of  the  song  above 


A schematic  drawing  of  a Scrimaphone  stage  setting.  The  Electrola  is 
shown  in  dotted  lines  behind  the  stage  setting,  and  the  loud  speaker 
connected  to  the  Electrola  behind  the  scrim  curtain.  The  stage  pre- 
sentation is  shown  in  view  of  the  audience,  and  simultaneously,  the 
lyric  is  being  projected  upon  the  scrim  curtain. 


Albert  F.  Brown 

that  is  being  sung  on  the  phonograph. 

As  the  music  ends,  the  butterfly  girl  ends 
her  dance,  and  the  entire  scrim  presentation 
slowly  fades  from  view.  The  combined 
use  at  the  same  time  of  the  organ,  lyric 
flashed  upon  the  screen,  the  presentation 
behind  the  screen,  and  the  phonographic 
music  accompanied  by  the  organ  produces 
an  effect  thoroughly  enchanting. 

The  theme  or  idea  of  the  presentation  is 
intensified  by  having  the  words  of  the  song 
projected  upon  the  scrim  curtain  at  the 
same  time  that  the  presentation  is  being 
enacted.  Heretofore  the  lyric  was  pro- 
jected upon  the  screen  and  then  followed 
by  the  presentation,  thus  lessening  the 
effect. 

Much  more  elaborate  presentations  than 
the  above  have  been  given 
at  the  Marbro.  One  week 
eight  people  were  used  in 
the  presentation  with 
human  and  phonographic 
voices  alternating  during 
the  presentation.  Even  en- 
tire playlets  have  been 
given. 

The  means  for  project- 
ing the  lyrics  upon  the 
scrim  curtain  simultane- 
ously with  the  presenta- 
tion behind  the  curtain  is 
achieved  with  a special 
slide  or  film  carrying  the 
lyric.  The  words  or  il- 
lustrations on  the  slide  or 
Him  are  transparent  and 
the  rest  of  the  slide  or 
Him  background  is 
blacked  out.  Colored  let- 
ters can  be  projected  up- 
on the  curtain  if  they  are 
sufficiently  translucent  to 
project  enough  light  to 
show  plainly  upon  the 
The  phonograph  used  at 
the  Marbro  is  a Victor 
Electrola,  loaned  to  the 
theatre  by  the  Victor  or- 
ganization. Any  type  of 
electrically  run  phonograph 
can  be  used.  However  the 
type  utilizing  an  electric,  or 
radio  amplifier  is  preferable 
because  an  ordinary  radio 
loud  speaker  can  be  used 
with  it,  which  allows  the 
loud  speaker  to  be  placed 
at  any  desired  position 
upon  the  stage  with  the 
phonograph  placed  in  any 
available  space  back  ^tage. 
A small  wire  of  any  length 
can  be  used  to  connect  the 
speaker  to  the  phonograph. 
The  Marbro  uses  a separate 

(Continued  on  page  16) 


10 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


Suit  Seeks  to  Stop  Fulton 

Company's  Expansion  Plans 


Leroy  M.  Fulton,  brother  of  Carl  H.  Ful- 
ton, head  of  the  E.  E.  Fulton  Company, 
1018  S.  Wabash  avenue,  Chicago,  in  a suit 
filed  in  the  superior  court  last  week  seeks 
to  halt  the  recently  announced  plan  of  the 
E.  E.  Fulton  Co.  for  the  establishment  of 
a nationwide  chain  of  motion  picture  equip- 
ment supply  houses.  In  addition  to  Carl 
H.  Fulton  and  the  E.  E.  Fulton  Company 
the  suit  names  as  defendants  Albert  G. 
Jarmin,  father-in-law  of  Carl  Fulton;  Fa- 
mous Players-Lasky  Corporation ; Univer- 
sal Pictures  Corporation ; Loew’s,  Incor- 
porated ; Publix  Theatres,  Inc. ; The  Stan- 
ley Company  of  America;  B.  F.  Keith’s, 
Inc.;  Saenger  Amusement  Company;  West 
Coast  Theatres  Corp. ; Orpheum  Circuit ; 
Kunsky  Enterprises ; Universal  Film  Ex- 
change, Inc. ; Marcus  Loew’s  Western 
Booking  Agency;  Balaban  & Katz;  George 

a W,  Nessell  With 
Automatic  Electric 
as  Sales  Engineer 

Automatic  Electric,  Inc.,  of  Chicago, 
manufacturers  of  the  automatic  telephone 
system  announce  that  C.  W.  Nessell,  for- 
merly of  the  Hub  Electric  Company  of 
Chicago  has  become  associated  with  them 
as  sales  engineer  in  the  Commercial  de- 
partment. Mr.  Nessell  will  devote  his  en- 
tire time  and  energy  to  developing  and 


C.  W.  NESSELL 


adapting  the  automatic  telephone  for  use  in 
the  modern  theatre,  and  to  the  develop- 
ment of  new  equipment  that  may  be  neces- 
sary to  meet  all  the  requirements  of  thea- 
tre inter-communication  in  the  widest 
sense. 

Mr.  Nessell  has  a rich  and  varied  back- 
ground of  theatre  experience  and  has  been 
associated  with  the  electrical  development 
of  some  of  the  largest  theatre  projects  in 
the  country.  This,  coupled  with  an  inti- 
mate knowledge  of  telephone  and  signal 
equipment,  will  no  doubt  result  in  consid- 
erable advancement  in  the  industry  and 
make  the  telephone  equipment  even  better 
adapted  to  the  peculiar  requirements  of 
theatre  work. 


Spidell,  purchasing  agent  for  Famous  Play- 
ers Lasky;  Mr.  Moscovitz,  general  mana- 
ger of  Loew’s,  Inc.,  and  Major  Thompson, 
general  manager  of  B.  F.  Keith’s,  Inc. 

The  suit,  filed  by  the  law  firm  of  Jacob- 
son, Merrick  & Latter,  charges  Carl  H. 
Fulton  and  Albert  G.  Jarmin  with  trying 
to  “freeze”  L.  M.  Fulton  out  of  the  com- 
pany and  acquiring  the  stock  of  the  com- 
pany without  proper  authority  of  the  com- 
plainant and  other  stockholders.  The  suit 
further  seeks  to  restrain  the  E.  E.  Fulton 
Company,  Carl  H.  Fulton,  Albert  G.  Jar- 
min and  the  other  defendants  from  “doing 
anything  to  carry  out,  complete  or  consum- 
mate or  further  increase  the  capital  stock 
of  the  E.  E.  Fulton  Company  or  transfer 
any  of  the  shares  to  any  of  the  defendants 
named.” 

The  suit  further  alleges  a conspiracy  by 
Carl  H.  Fulton,  Albert  G.  Jarmin  and  the 
other  defendants  to  “control  the  manufac- 
ture, production,  distribution,  sale  and  use 
of  all  equipment,  machinery  and  supplies 
used  by  theatres,  and  not  to  furnish  such 
machinery,  equipment  and  supplies  to  any 
theatres  unless  such  theatre  would  pur- 
chase all  of  its  machinery,  equipment  and 
supplies  from  the  E.  E.  Fulton  Company.” 

The  suit  further  asks  that  Carl  H.  Ful- 
ton and  Albert  G.  Jarmin  submit  to  an  ac- 
counting and  be  ordered  to  pay  any  mon- 
eys, stocks  or  certificates  shown  to  be  due 
the  plaintiff. 

Marr  & Colton  to 
Install  Organ  in 
Randolph,  Chicago 

The  Randolph  Movie  Co.  of  Chicago,  111., 
has  recently  purchased  a Marr  & Colton 
organ  for  their  new  Randolph  theatre  in 
the  loop  district  of  Chicago — at  corner  of 
Randolph  and  State  Sts.  The  organ  is 
under  construction  at  the  present  time  and 
will  be  installed  some  time  the  early  part 
of  August.  The  name  of  the  organist  who 
will  be  the  featured  player  has  not  as  yet 
been  disclosed. 

The  Randolph  theatre  is  being  extensively 
remodeled,  new  equipment  including  pro- 
jection lamps  and  a Da-Lite  screen. 

Joseph  Walsh  has  recently  purchased  a 
Marr  & Colton  Organ  for  his  Liberty  the- 
atre at  Exeter,  Pa.  G.  G.  Fleichman  of 
the  Atlas  theatre  Co.  has  awarded  the  con- 
tract for  a large  organ  to  the  Marr  & Col- 
ton Co.  of  Warsaw,  N.  Y.  This  organ 
will  b-“  installed  in  the  new  State  theatre 
now  under  construction  in  Toledo,  O.  It 
will  be  erected  on  an  elevator  platform  and 
the  console  will  be  raised  and  lowered  by 
push  button  control,  operated  by  organist. 

Paramount  Seattle  House 
Will  Open  in  N ovember 

Rapid  progress  on  construction  of  the 
new  $1,500,000  theatre  of  the  Paramount 
Building  Corporation  has  been  made.  At 
the  present  rate  of  progress  it  is  expected 
the  combined  theatre  and  apartment  house 
will  be  ready  for  occupancy  late  in  Nov- 
ember. In  addition  to  the  cost  of  the 
structure  proper  the  furnishings  will  bring 
the  total  cost  well  over  $2,000,000,  making 
it  one  of  the  most  costly  theatres  on  the 
Pacific  Coast.  The  capacity  upwards  of 
3,500  seats  also'  will  give  it  rank  among  the 
largest  in  the  west.  This  newest  Seattle 
house  will  be  a replica  of  the  luxurious 
Paramount  theatre  in  New  York. 


Cutler-Hammer  Co, 
Announces  Small 
Across-Line  Starter 

(iXTO  larger  than  a telephone  box”  is  the 
’ way  the  new  C-H  9586  “AAA”’ 
Starter  is  described. 

This  new  Cutler-Hammer  product  han- 
dles motors  of  5 H.  P.  and  under,  gives 
push-button  control  of  starting  and  stop- 
ping, provides  Thermal  Overload  Protec- 
tion and  No-Voltage  Protection. 

The  starter  is  provided  with  push-buttons 


View  of  new  across-tlie-line  starter  developed 
by  the  Cutler-Hammer  Manufacturing  Co. 


in  the  front  cover  of  the  case.  The  small 
size  in  most  cases  permits  mounting  of  the 
starter  where  the  control  station  would 
ordinarily  be  placed  and  the  extra  wiring 
and  cost  of  a push-button  station  is  thus 
saved.  However,  one  or  more  push-button 
stations  may  be  used  if  desired. 

A novel  feature  is  the  type  of  contactor 
developed  for  use  in  this  starter.  A roller 
is  forced  between  two  fingers  to  complete 
the  circuit.  Thus  a double  break,  and  a 
wiping  contact  are  secured.  This  arrange- 
ment reduces  arcing  to  a negligible  mini- 
mum. 

To  adapt  the  starter  for  any  horsepower 
within  rating  it  is  only  necessary  to  insert 
the  proper  size  heater  coils  in  the  Thermal 
Overload  Relay. 

Cutler-Hammer  also  announce  that  the 
starter  will  be  furnished  to  machinery 
builders  without  the  case  for  incorporation 
in  machinery  design  as  standard  equipment. 

Descriptive  literature  may  be  secured  by 
addressing  The  Cutler-Hammer  Mfg.  Co., 
1237  St.  Paul  Avenue,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 


Silk  Pillow  Gift 
Nights  Popular 

A number  of  branch  stores  of  the 
National  Theatre  Supply  Company  are  do- 
ing a “rushing”  business  on  silk  pillows 
for  gift  nights  during  the  summer  months, 
when  a little  coaxing  is  found  necessary  to 
enliven  activity  at  the  box  office.  Those 
who  have  tried  “Silk  Pillow  Nites”  report 
very  satisfactory  results,  and  the  putting  on 
of  the  prize  nights  does  not  incur  a large 
expense. 


Au^st  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


11 


Higher  Court  Decisions  in 
Theatre  Litigation 

Attorney  Parker  Reviews  Cases  Involving  Injury— Sunday 

Closing— Name  Infringements—  Vaudeville  License^  etc. 


'C'  ROM  time  to  time  there  has  been  con- 

siderable  discussion  relative  to  the  liabil- 
ity of  theatre  proprietors  for  damages  as 
a result  of  injuries  to  patrons  caused  by 
persons  who  have  concessions  to  sell  candy, 
ice  cream,  soft  drinks,  booklets,  and  the 
like  in  theatres. 

Generally  speaking,  a theatre  owner  is 
liable  for  an  injury  caused  by  means  within 
his  control.  And,  furthermore,  although 
the  cause  of  the  injury  is  not  within  his 
exclusive  control,  he  is  liable  if  he  know- 
ingly permits  instrumentalities  to  exist 
which,  by  the  exercise  of  ordinary  care, 
he  should  have  known  would  result  in  the 
injury. 

However,  it  is  important  to  know  that 
in  the  case  of  Block  V Opera  Holding  Co., 
154  N.  E.  761,  decided  within  the  past  few 
weeks,  a theatre  proprietor  was  held  not 
liable  for  the  injuries  sustained  by  a patron 
upon  whom  lemonade  was  spilled  by  the 
employee  of  a person  who  had  a concession 
to  sell  such  products  in  the  theatre. 

The  facts  of  the  case  are  that  a woman 
patron  sued  the  theatre  proprietor  for  dam- 
ages to  recover  for  injury  to  her  person 
and  damage  to  her  clothing,  caused  by  the 
spilling  of  lemonade  upon  her  while  oc- 
cupying a seat  in  a theatre  during  a public 
performance.  The  woman  was  seated  at 
the  lower  end  of  an  aisle  in  the  balcony. 
At  the  upper  end  of  this  aisle  was  a large 
container  of  lemonade  which  was  sold  to 
persons  in  the  audience. 

The  employee  who  spilled  the  lemonade 
testified  that  for  four  years  he  had  been 
the  manager  of  a “concession”  to  sell 
lemonade  in  the  theatre,  and  that  he  was 
not  paid  by  the  theatre  owner  but  by  an- 
other person  who  had  the  concession  from 
the  theatre  owner  to  maintain  a stand  at 
the  head  of  the  aisle.  None  of  the  lemon- 
ade was  sold  to  persons  in  the  audience 
while  in  their  seats. 

* * * 

It  appears  from  the  testimony  that  while 
the  patron  was  in  her  seat  watching  the 
performance,  and  while  the  theatre  was 
■ dark,  the  vat  of  lemonade  was  overturned 
and  a large  quantity  of  it  was  spilled  upon 
her,  as  a result  of  which  she  became  ill 
by  the  shock  and,  also,  her  clothing  was 
damaged.  The  patron  sued  the  theatre 
proprietor  for  damages  contending  that  he 
had  negligently  permitted  the  injury  in- 
flicting vat  of  lemonade  to  remain  in  the 
theatre. 

The  litigation  was  carried  into  the  higher 
Court  which  held  sthe  theatre  proprietor 
not  liable,  and  said : 

“The  defendant  (theatre  owner)  leased 
the  privilege  of  selling  lemonade  at  the 
stand  at  the  end  of  the  passageway  to  the 
employer  of  Heller,  and  Heller  was  the 
manager  of  that  business,  yet  there  was 
no  evidence  to  show  he  was  in  the  employ 
of  the  defendant  (theatre  owner),  nor  that 
the  defendant  had  anything  to  do  with 
the  sale  of  lemonade  in  the  theatre.  . . . 
While  the  mere  occurrence  of  an  injury 
sometimes  raises  a presumption  of  liability 
on  the  part  of  a defendant  (theatre  owner) 


By  Leo  T.  Parker,  Attorney 

yet  in  such  cases  it  must  appear  that  the 
instrumentality  causing  the  injury  was  in 
his  control.  . . . All  that  appears  in  the 
present  case  is  that  the  lemonade  was 
spilled  on  the  patron.  The  evidence  does 
not  show  that  it  was  the  property  of  the 
defendant  (theatre  owner)  or  within  its 
control.” 

Therefore,  the  law  is  well  established 
that  where  a theatre  proprietor  leases  or 
rents  a portion  of  the  theatre  to  another 
person  to  transact  a legitimate  business, 
the  nature  of  which  is  not  dangerous,  the 
theatre  owner  is  not  liable  for  injuries 
caused  by  the  lessee,  or  owner  of  the  con- 
cession. 

Constitutionality  of 
Sunday  Closing  Law 

For  the  reason  that  theatre  owners  in 
different  localities  are  ever  involved  in 
litigations  contesting  the  validity  of  Sunday 
closing  laws,  the  recently  decided  leading 
case  of  Gillogly  V Vaugin,  110  So.  653, 
imparts  very  valuable  information. 

Generally  speaking,  a law  which  favors 
one  class  of  business  and  restricts  other 
classes  is  not  valid.  However,  in  this 
case  the  Court  thoroughly  considered  this 
phase  of  the  law,  and  in  effect  held  that  a 
law  which  permits  the  publication  and  sale 
of  newspapers  on  Sundays  and  restricts  the 
operation  of  theatres  is  valid. 

Since  litigations  of  this  nature  required 
a large  expenditure,  on  the  part  of  the 
theatre  owner,  it  is  well  to  realize  that 
only  in  exceptional  instances  have  laws 
of  this  character  been  invalid.  In  this 
litigation  the  validity  of  a State  statute, 
and  also  a City  ordinance  were  involved. 

The  State  statute  provided : 

“Whoever  follows  any  pursuit,  business 
or  trade  on  Sunday,  either  by  manual  labor 
or  with  animal  or  mechanical  power,  except 
the  same  be  work  of  necessity,  shall  be 
punished  by  a fine  not  exceeding  fifty  dol- 
lars ; provided,  however,  that  nothing  shall 
be  so  construed  as  to  prohibit  the  prep- 
aration or  printing  between  the  hours  of 
midnight  Saturday  and  6 in  the  morning, 
Sunday,  of  any  newspaper  intended  to  be 
circulated  and  sold  on  Sunday,  or  to  pro- 
hibit the  circulation  and  sale  on  Sunday  of 
same,  or  to  prohibit  the  circulation  and 
sale  on  Sunday  of  any  newspaper  thereto- 
fore printed.” 

^ 

The  city  ordinance  defined  Sunday  to 
mean  “from  12  o’clock  midnight  at  the 
end  of  every  Saturday  and  extending 
through  the  24-hour  Sunday  and  ending 
at  12  o’clock  midnight  of  the  calender  day 
Sunday,”  and  forbade  any  person,  firm,  or 
corporation,  owner,  lessee,  manager,  em- 
ployee, or  volunteer  worker  to  carry  on  or 
participate  in  the  business  or  occupation  of 
a moving  picture  show,  moving  picture  the- 
atre, cinema  film  display,  theatre,  cabaret, 
or  oublic  dance  on  Sunday. 

The  owner  of  a motion  picture  show  filed 
a bill  in  the  Court  to  restrain  the  Chief  of 
Police  from  enforcing  the  ordinance  on  the 
grounds  that  the  law  was  a deprivation  of 


liberty  and  of  property  without  due  process 
of  law,  and  takes  his  private  property  with- 
out compensation. 

And,  further,  that  the  ordinance  was  ar- 
bitary  discrimination  between  the  inhabi- 
tants of  the  city,  in  that  it  sought  to  pro- 
hibit moving  picture  theatres,  cinema  film 
display,  theatres,  cabarets,  or  public  dances 
on  Sunday,  when  other  businesses  or  pro- 
fessions, as  newspaper  publications,  were 
not  affected. 

^ -1= 

The  majority  of  the  judges  rendered  a 
very  lengthy  opinion  holding  the  law  valid 
and,  in  part,  said : 

“The  contention  that  the  ordinance  is 
invalid  because  it  is  arbitrary  and  a discrim- 
ination between  the  inhabitants  of  the  city 
is  not  well  taken.  The  ordinance  does  not 
discriminate  against  any  person  belonging 
to  any  of  the  classes  of  occupations  or  con- 
ducting any  of  the  businesses,  the  conduct 
of  which  is  prohibited  on  Sunday,  but  puts 
them  all  on  equal  footing  and  is  general 
and  of  uniform  operation  as  to  those 
classes.  All  persons  engaged  in  the  busi- 
nesses named  by  the  operation  of  the  or- 
dinance. The  fact  that  the  ordinance  in- 
cludes certain  occupations  or  the  conduct 
of  certain  businesses,  and  does  not  include 
others,  does  not  make  it  obnoxious  on  the 
ground  of  discrimination.  . . . The  conten- 
tion ...  is  that  the  ordinance  has 
erroneously  and  without  authority  desig- 
nated Sunday  to  be  that  period  of  time 
existing  betw'een  12  o’clock  midnight  at 
the  end  of  the  day  Saturday  and  12  o’clock 
midnight  at  the  beginning  of  the  day  Mon- 
day. . . . And  we  find  that,  in  applying 
these  statutes,  the  great  weight  of  authority 
in  this  cotintry  is,  and  we  think  logically 
and  rightly  is,  that  the  period  covered  by 
the  designation  ‘Sunday’  is  the  natural  day 
existing  between  12  o’clock  midnight  at  the 
end  of  Saturday  and  12  o’clock  midnight 
at  the  beginning  of  Monday.  Our  week  is 
divided  into  seven  days  of  equal  length ; 
each  day  of  the  week  embracing  24  hours. 
That  part  of  time  occurring  immediately 
after  midnight  at  the  end  of  Saturday  is 
no  longer  a part  of  Saturday,  but  there 
begins  the  new  day  and  the  name  of  that 
day  is  ‘Sunday’.  ...  It  appears  to  be  well 
settled  that,  in  the  absence  of  a statute 
providing  otherwise,  Sunday  is  the  natural 
day  of  24  hours  as  hereinbefore  stated. 
...  It  is  also  well  settled  that  the  fact  that 
it  is  convenient  and  profitable  to  perform 
certain  labor  or  transact  certain  business 
on  Sunday  does  not  render  it  a necessitv 
nor  exclusive  from  the  operation  of  law.” 
:!=  * * 

Two  of  the  judges  in  this  Court  gave 
their  reasons  for  the  validity  of  Sunday 
closing  laws  as  being  based  upon  the  Sab- 
bath being  a day  of  rest  set  apart  for 
worship. 

However,  two  other  judges,  although 
rendering  opinions  that  the  Sunday  clos- 
ing laws  are  valid,  did  not  agree  that  the 
^•alidity  of  the  law'-  depended  upon  the  fact 
that  Sunday  is  a day  of  worship,  but  that 


12 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


Saxe's  Oriental 
a Song  of  India 

Views  that  suggest  the  impres- 
sive beauty  and  efficiency  of 
Milwaukee’s  newest  screen 
palace,  Saxe’s  Oriental.  Dick 
and  Bauer  designed  this 
$1,500,000  house,  selecting 
for  their  motif,  the  art  of  Elast 
India.  In  the  auditorium, 
Buddhist  idols,  dragons,  ele- 
phants and  colored  lights  all 
blend  into  a mystic  symphony 
of  the  Orient.  On  this  page 
are  shown  (at  top)  the  audi- 
torium facing  the  stage;  (at 
left)  murals  above  the  audi_ 
torium  doors;  (at  right)  one 
of  the  Buddhas  in  a wall  niche; 
and  (below)  the  auditorium 
facing  the  balcony.  The  mag- 
nificent foyer  of  this  Dick  and 
Bauer  theatre  is  pictured  on 
the  following  page. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


Oriental  Triumph 
of  Dick  & Bauer 

Color  and  luxury  are  every- 
where as  the  theme  of  Dick 
and  Bauer’s  latest  achieve- 
ment. The  Oriental’s  organ 
loft,  for  example,  is  decorated 
with  red  plush  draperies,  on 
which  two  haughty  peacocks 
spread  their  bejeweled  fans. 
In  the  lighting  fixtures.  East 
Indian  idols  are  used  prodi- 
giously. At  the  top  of  this 
page  is  pictured  the  splendor 
of  the  foyer,  photog^raphed 
facing  the  grand  staircase.  At 
left  is  shown  an  elephant  dec- 
oration; at  right,  a door  to  the 
auditorium;  and  below,  the 
rich  foyer  photogrraphed  fac- 
ing the  lobby.  The  Oriental 
seats  2,500. 


14 


BETTER  4'  H E A T R E S SECTION  O E 


August  6,  1927 


■-.•A  ; fV*: 


STRAND  TrtEAt 


Theatres  throughout  the  country  have  in- 
stalled Page  Unit  Orchestral  Organs,  because 
of  marvelous  tonal  quality,  instantaneous  re- 
sponse and  dependable  performance.  Page 
Organ  Players,  built  with  the  same  fine  mate- 
rials, are  also  acclaimed  as  masterpieces  of 
excellence.  They  solve  the  problem  of  the 
best  music  at  low  cost,  giving  all  the  superb 
effects  of  a full  two-manual  orchestral  pipe 
organ  from  ordinary  88-note  piano  rolls  that 
you  can  purchase  anywhere.  The  Page  name- 
plate on  an  organ  or  player  is  insurance  of 
quality  craftsmanship.  Write  for  details 
without  obligation. 


UBBRTY  TH^ 

GRAND  RAPIDS  J 

lYRlC  THEATRE 

LIMA,  OHIO. 


GRAND 


THE  PAGE  ORGAN  CO 

523  N.  Jackson  St.  Lima, 


C«iO. 


THEATRE 

ISIS  THEAmE  ‘ uBsmr 

KOHOMO.  mo,  SPElf^ 

ROYAL  GRAND  *mEATRB 

MARrONANO. 

OHIO  THEATRE  pasADENA' 

DOVER,  OHIO. 


PARK  THEATRE 
B-^bERTON.  OHIC. 


SfeiTEE  THEAXEE 

’'■E'VY'RX 

RARAiTduKIT  mEAmE 

I^OKYMO.  ind. 

^heahie  theatre 

OHIO 

RITTTHEAraE  . T ' 

v:UU':*eOS,OHlO.  ■:  ; - 

•STATE  THBAim 

xiMA.OHto. 

i-P4NEE5-rrHE^RB 

PA. 


Page  Model  M-X-40 
is  a Unit  Orchestral 
Organ  and  Player 
combined.  With  two 
rolls  and  two  inanu- 
al.s.  it  can  be  played 
by  hand  or  by  roll. 
The  last  word  in  the- 
atre organs. 


FAIRMr.'tT  ' 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


Making  the  Theatre  Organ  a 
Real  Box  Office  Asset 

By  Clark  Fiers 

Organist,  Comerfords  IFest  Side  Theatre,  Scranton,  Pa. 


IT  is  undeniable  that  the  organ  and  organ 
music  is  a vital  part  of  the  present 
day  motion  picture  theatre;  that  it  has 
become  a definitely  established  attraction 
and  that  it  possesses  genuine  entertainment 
value.  A recent  news  item  tells  us  that 
the  Pu'blix  Theatres  plan  to  institute  an 
organ  training  school  in  New  York,  un- 
der the  direction  of  Jesse  Crawford  to 
train  organists  for  positions  in  Publix  The- 
atres, after  Mr.  Crawford’s  particular 
style  of  playing.  It  further  states  that 
Sam  Katz,  the  president  is  entirely  sold 
on  the  organ  as  being  a box  office  attrac- 
tion and  carries  that  idea  out  by  putting 
Crawford’s  name  on  the  huge  marquee 
as  well  as  giving  him  generous  billing 
in  the  ads,  etc.  So,  that  matter  is  settled. 
The  organ  IS  important.  And  now,  let 
us  consider  how  we  may  capitalize  on  it, 
and  how,  by  careful  thinking,  we  may  make 
it  a real  drawing  card. 

iC  * * 

The  organ  is  primarily  in  a theatre  for 
one  purpose,  to  accompany  the  picture  on 
the  screen.  Organ  solos  are  now  widely 
known  and  this  is  another  effective  medium 
for  bringing  the  organ  into  prominence. 
The  organ,  that  is,  the  unit  or  orchestral 
organ  is  so  constructed  as  to  imitate  a 
small  symphony  orchestra.  We  find  strings, 
reeds  and  percussions  as  one  finds  these 
instruments  in  a symphony.  The  average 
theatre  uses  a two  manual  organ  of  about 
6 sets  of  pipes.  Three  and  four  manual 
organs  are  found  in  the  larger  houses  and 
there  are  three  existing  five  manual  organs : 
The  Roxy  organ,  the  Wurlitzer  in  the 
Michigan  theatre,  Detroit,  and  the  new 
Marbro  theatre  in  Chicago. 

The  size  of  the  organ,  the  number  of 
pipes  included  in  the  specification  naturally 
means  a lot  in  making  a feature  attrac- 
tion of  it.  The  more  stops  on  an  organ, 
the  more  brilliant  effects  to  he  obtained. 
Contrasts  in  setting  up  of  combinations 
constitutes  the  variety  in  organ  music,  for 
few  contrasts  make  it  an  absolute  bore  and 
misery.  Every  organist  should  be  faith- 
ful, however,  to  play  his  best  at  all  times, 
to  try  and  create  new  and  different  effects 
and  to  make  his  particular  instrument 
something  that  the  theatre  patrons  will 
comment  upon,  sing  and  whistle  with  and 
enjoy  generally. 

sfi  * * 

If  the  theatre  has  a house  orchestra, 
then  the  organ  will  sound  all  the  better 
and  monotony  will  be  avoided  more  readily. 
With  an  orchestra,  the  organ  as  a solo  in- 
strument seems  far  more  effective  but  a 
clever  organist  who  does  not  work  with  an 
orchestra  can  attain  the  same  thing  by  the 
cautious  selection  of  stops  used  in  the  solo, 
being  sure  not  to  repeat  these  particular 
combinations  in  his  film  playing  work. 

Another  way  to  make  your  organ  some- 
thing aside  from  just  a fixture  in  your  the- 
atre is  to  give  it  proper  billing  and  space 
in  your  advertising.  Most  organs  are  in- 
stalled at  a great  expense  and  the  upkeep 


is  quite  as  big.  What  puzzles  me  is  the 
fact  that  a great  fuss  will  be  made  over 
an  organ  the  opening  week,  after  which 
it  becomes  about  as  important  as  the 
janitor’s  dust  cloth.  To  my  mind,  if  an 
article  is  not  advertised,  it  seems  as  if 
that  article  must  not  be  worth  the  adver- 
tising and  hence,  I regard  it  very  little. 
The  same  rule  applies  to  billing  the  organ, 
although  it  is  good  to  see  that  many  of  the 
theatres  in  the  country  are  giving  their 
organs  and  organists  what  they  really  de- 
serve in  their  ad  copy. 

Of  course,  the  featured  player  must  live 
up  to  his  press  notices,  and  the  manager 
must  have  that  much  faith  in  his  employee. 
If  the  musician  is  a dud,  then  such  billing 
would  be  more  or  less  of  a detriment, 
but  the  chances  are  that  the  happy  organist 
would  strive  all  the  more  to  improve  to 
such  an  extent  that  he  would  soon  be  just 
what  he  was  “cocked  up  to  be.” 

Since  the  organ  in  the  theatre  has  actu- 
ally “come  into  its  own,”  it  is  interesting 
to  note  the  various  strides  in  improve- 
ments made  in  the  organs  by  the  builders 
and  architects.  They  are  all  striving  to 
outdo  the  other  and  are  continually  striv- 
ing for  the  novel  and  unique.  Let’s  discuss 
the  visible  sections  first,  the  consoles.  From 
the  plain  mahogany  or  whatever  the  finish 
of  the  console  might  be,  we  perceive  the 
white  enameled  console.  This  particular 
color  has  been  very  popular.  It  has  been 
found  to  take  the  colors  of  the  spots  much 
more  beautifully  than  the  plain  wood  finish 
and  also  stands  out  in  prominence  from 
the  rest  of  the  theatre’s  interior  decora- 
tions. 

Then  we  see  the  elaborately  carved  con- 
soles in  period  styles,  Spanish,  French  Re- 


naissance, Oriental,  and  so  on.  Some  are 
gilded,  some  silver,  and  for  instance,  the 
console  in  the  Oriental  theatre,  Chicago, 
has  many  bright  Chinese  red  tones  in  its 
decorating. 

Then,  the  organ  lift  has  made  the  con- 
sole all  the  more  impressive,  for  it  is  al- 
ways a sight  that  thrills  to  see  the  huge 
keyboard  rise  from  the  pit  in  a dignified, 
majestic  manner.  The  placing  of  twin  con- 
soles on  either  side  of  the  pit  was  also  very 
customary  in  larger  houses,  and  now,  in 
the  Paramount  theatre,  an  extra  console 
is  placed  on  the  stage  which  adds  another 
novel  touch.  Organ  grilles  have  been  made 
very  decorative  and  attractive,  by  lighting 
effects,  special  ornamental  grille  work,  dra- 
peries and  so  on.  The  Piccadilly  in  Chi- 
cago has  on  either  side  a grand  piano  and 
a harp  that  are  operated  by  the  organist 
from  the  console.  These  are  given  as 
example  merely  to  hear  out  the  statement 
that  the  organ  builders  and  theatre  man- 
agements are  vieing  to  see  who  can  pro- 
duce the  most  startling  results. 

The  specifications  of  the  older  church 
organs  contained  mostly  diapasons,  which 
were  found  to  produce  a dignified,  religious 
tone  to  the  music.  With  the  advent  of 
the  organ  in  the  theatre,  different  classes 
of  pipes  that  had  been  used  but  very  little 
and  that  were  more  or  less  obscure  have 
come  into  importance ; for  example : the 
tibia  clausa  and  the  vox  humana.  The 
combination  of  these  two  pipes  is  the  uni- 
versal favorite  among  theatre  organists,  and 
Jesse  Crawford  made  it  more  popular  by 
using  it  with  his  inimitable  “rolling”  style 
of  playing.  Then  there  is  the  kinura,  pure 
and  simply  a theatre  organ  stop.  It  is  an 
oriental  reed  and  its  uses  are  many.  It 
is  invaluable  for  imitations  and  effects. 
Then  there  are  the  xylophones,  harp  stop, 
orchestra  bells,  marimbas,  drums,  wood- 
blocks, cymbals,  horses-hoofs,  sirens  and 
so  on,  in  grand  array.  So  we  can  readily 
see  where  the  ideas  concerning  organ  speci- 
fications have  made  vast  changes. 

« * 

Styles  of  playing  have  changed  along 
with  the  rest  and  the  styles  of  playing 
will  probably  keep  changing.  All  of  these 
things  are  contributory  to  the  making  an 
organ  a hox  office  attraction.  The  public 
will  probably  always  wonder  just  what 
makes  the  organist  do  this  or  do  that  to 
produce  some  effect,  they  will  always  see 
something  mystifying  about  the  various  col- 
ored stop  tablets  and  so  on.  The  organ- 
ists of  today  have  practically  no  time 
worn  traditions  to  follow  as  have  the  church 
and  concert  musicians.  They  must  make 
their  paths.  It  will  be  interesting  to  watch 
just  what  strides  will  be  taken  in  the  the- 
atre organ  of  the  future,  and  just  how^ 
much  of  a box  office  drawing  card  it  will 
prove  itself.  My  bet  is  that  theatre  organ 
will  be  one  of  the  most  popular  mediums 
to  educate  the  masses  for  the  love  of  music 
and  it  has  already  accomplished  much  along 
this  line. 


CLARK  FIERS 


16 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


I 


\AW 


If  you  are  contemplating 
the  erection  of  a neu’ 
theatre  or  the  remodeling 
of  an  old  one,  it  will  be 
well  worth  your  while  to 
write  for  details  of  the 
new  Wurdack  Remote- 
Control  Switchboard. 


brilliant  the  ornate  decorations, 
grace  and  beauty  of  your  theatre, 
adding  its  rich  splendor  to  the 
scene  . . . Fading  like  a dream,  or 
climbing  the  scale  of  colors,  it  may 
so  enhance  the  charm  of  your 
stage-picture  as  fairly  to  entrance 
your  patrons  . . . and  bring  them 
back  . . . and  back  again.  For,  so 
can  you  play  upon  the  marvelous 
Wurdack  Theatre  Switchboard 
, . as  an  artist  on  his  harp. 


Brown  Gives  Data 
for  Scrimaphone 

{Continued  from  page  9) 

amplifying  unit  besides  the  one  in  the 
Electrola  as  an  emergency  unit  to  be  used 
in  case  one  in  the  Electrola  should  fail  to 
operate.  A switch  is  provided  so  that 
either  unit  can  be  thrown  into  use  imme- 
diately. 

The  portion  of  the  phonograph  record 
to  be  used  is  marked  with  small  paper 
stickers  on  the  record.  Synchronization 
between  the  organist  and  the  phono- 
graph operator  is  obtained  with  a buzzer. 
When  the  organist  is  ready  for  the 
phonograph  to  begin  he  signals  the 
phonograph  operator  who  starts  the 
record  at  the  desired  point  and  the 
organist  accompanies  the  phonograph  on 
the  organ.  Then  when  the  desired  por- 
tion of  the  record  has  been  played,  the 
organist  signals  again  and  the  operator 
stops  the  phonograph. 

It  is  necessary  to  keep  the  phonograph 
and  organ  in  the  same  key  at  all  times. 
This  is  done  by  regulating  the  speed  at 
which  the  phonograph  is  run.  The  faster 
it  runs  the  higher  the  pitch. 

“The  first  time  we  used  the  phonograph 
as  a part  of  the  Scrimaphone  presenta- 
tion,” declared  Brown,  “we  carefully  tuned 
the  phonograph  to  the  same  key  of  the 
organ  several  hours  before  the  start  of 
the  presentation.  In  the  mean  time,  how- 
ever, the  cooling  plant  was  turned  on, -and 
the  theatre  became  several  degrees  cooler. 
This  threw  the  organ  and  phonograph  far 
out  of  key.  The  effect  was  terrible. 

“However,  this  was  remedied  by  placing 
a rheostat  in  the  electric  circuit  of  the 
motor  driving  the  phonograph.  The  rheo- 
stat was  placed  at  the  console  of  my  organ. 
Now  all  that  I have  to  do  to  tune  the 
organ  and  phonograph  to  the  same  key  is 
to  adjust  the  rheostat  on  the  console  and 
the  pitch  of  the  phonograph  rises  or  lowers 
instantaneously  to  that  of  the  organ.” 

It  will  probably  be  thought  that  the  ordi- 
nary phonograph  will  not  give  enough  vol- 
ume to  fill  a large  theatre,  but  such  is  not 
the  case.  It  is  rarely  necessary  to  operate 
the  phonograph  at  full  volume;  the  volume 
can  be  regulated  to  any  degree. 

“The  phonograph  gives  so  much  volume 
in  the  theatre,  that  I am  able  to  accom- 
pany it  on  the  organ  louder  than  I am 
when  accompanying  the  human  voice  on 
the  stage,”  declared  Brown. 

The  Marbro  seats  over  5,000  people,  so 
it  can  be  seen  that  the  phonograph  can  be 
used  in  any  theatre. 

With  the  use  of  the  phonograph,  the 
theatre  can  offer  the  best  in  music  to  its 
patrons  for  the  mere  cost  of  the  record. 
Thus  the  Scrimaphone  becomes  the  ideal 
feature  for  the  small  theatre  that  cannot 
afford  a large  orchestra  or  other  musical 
pieces.  All  that  is  necessary  is  the  usual 
stage  equipment  for  the  presentations  and 
an  organ  and  phonograph.  The  wiring  at- 
taching the  loud  speaker  to  the  phonograph 
can  be  done  by  anyone  in  a few  minutes. 


WMWUBDACK 

T T<^T  1 ELECTRIC  MFC.  CO. 

13-21  S.  ELEVENTH  ST.  ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 

Chicago  Kansas  City  Omaha  Minneapolis  Dallas  New  Orleans  Louisville 


Begin  New  Theatre 

Excavation  has  been  started  for  a new 
theatre  building  at  Anderson,  Ind.,  to  be 
erected  at  2303-2307  Columbus  avenue. 
Large  store  rooms  will  be  constructed  on 
either  side  of  the  auditorium.  The  build- 
ing will  be  of  brick  and  fireproof  construc- 
tion and  will  be  modernly  equipped.  Ed 
Ridley,  Dr.  Weir  Miley  and  Dr.  Isaih  Mi- 
ley  form  the  company  interested  in  the 
project. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


17 


'^he 

Qreat  Lakes 
cArea 

turns  to 

“American  ’ 

Qhairs 

New  Family,  Adrian,  Michigan 
Majestic,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan 
Gardner,  Battle  Cree\,  Michigan 
Bonstelle  Playhouse,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Ferry  Field,  Detroit,  Michigan 
Franklin,  Detroit,  Michigan 
Myrtle,  Detroit,  Michigan 
Grande,  Detroit,  Michigan 
State,  Flint,  Michigan 
Braumart,  Iron  Mountain,  Michigan 
Lan  Will,  River  Rouge,  Michigan 
Colonial,  River  Rouge,  Michigan 
Majestic,  Kalamazoo,  Michigan 
Strand,  Port  Huron,  Michigan 
M.  P.,  Redford,  Michigan 
Strand,  Sturgis,  Michigan 
KeitH'Albee,  Detroit,  Michigan 
State,  Kalamazoo,  Michigan 
State,  Pontiac,  Michigan 
Owosso,  Owosso,  Michigan 
Cass,  Detroit,  Michigan 
Riviera  Annex,  Detroit,  Michigan 
StaiR'Shubert,  Detroit,  Michigan 
Dixie,  Monroe,  Michigan 
Ejay,  Crystal  Falls,  Michigan 
Kimmel  Bros.,  Detroit,  Michigan 
Stocker  Amusement  Company, 

Detroit,  Michigan 


JAcLtionally  Organized 
for  Sales  and  S^i'i’ice 


Lafayette,  Bay  City,  Michigan 
W EST  End,  Detroit,  Michigan 
Buffalo,  Buffalo,  T. 

Rochester,  Rochester,  R[.  T. 
Cardina,  Buffalo,  7^.  T. 

New  Fry  Street,  Buffalo,  Y. 
Roosevelt,  Buffalo,  Jff.  T. 

Riviera,  Rochester,  F(.  T. 

Eastern  Theatre  Company, 

Columbus,  Ohio 
Clinton,  Columbus,  Ohio 
Capitol,  Bellaire,  Ohio 
Ambassador,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Detroit,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
The  Hough'79TH  St.  Theatre 

Company,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Ivanhoe  Square,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Ritz,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Tivoli,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
West  Park,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Plaza,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Columbia,  Dayton,  Ohio 
Dayton  Federation,  Dayton,  Ohio 
Lincoln,  Lakewood,  Ohio 
Butler,  Hyles,  Ohio 
Toledo  Museum  of  Art, 

Toledo,  Ohio 

Huss,  Cincinnati,  Ohio 
Keith,  Columbus,  Ohio 
Stambaugh  Memorial  Auditorium, 
Youngstoum,  Ohio 
Loew's,  Canton,  Ohio 
Broadview,  Cleveland,  Ohio 
Pal  ACE  T heatre  Company, 

Canton,  Ohio 
Leroy  Theatre  Company, 

Portsmouth,  Ohio 


I AMERICAN  SEATING  COMPANY  . 12  E.  JACKSON  BLVD.,  CHICAGO 

I 6S  D CANAL  STREET,  BOSTON,  121  W.  40TH  STREET,  NEW  YORK  CITY  llll-H  CHESTNUT  STREET,  PHILADELPHIA 


I 


August  6,  1927 


18  BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 

Steps  in  Preparing  the  Organ 
Solo  for  the  Average  House 

By  Walter  Hirsch 


The  organ  solo  has  grown  in  popularity 
among  motion  picture  audiences  to  such 
an  extent  the  past  few  years  that  today, 
in  the  larger  theatres  at  least,  it  is  expected 
as  much  as  a feature  picture.  In  the  big 
cities,  the  organists  of  the  deluxe  houses, 
of  course,  are  assisted  in  the  preparation 
of  their  solos  by  experienced  production 
staffs,  and  as  a result  the  relationship  of 
the  console  to  the  box  office  has  become 
very  close  indeed.  Scrim  presentation  is 
now  as  important  a part  of  many  programs 
as  the  stage  offering  and  feature  picture, 
while  in  a large 
number  of  thea- 
tres, community 
singing  conducted 
by  the  organist  is 
directly  account- 
able for  much  of 
the  profits. 

It  is  my  wish  to 
present  the  tech- 
nique of  the  scrim 
type  of  organ  solo, 
it  being  the  usual 
and  perhaps  more 
generally  popular 
kind.  And  since 
the  organist  for- 
tunate enough  to 
he  working  in  a house  where  production 
facilities  are  great,  is  not  in  need  of  in- 
struction by  me,  I shall  address  myself  in 
this  series  of  articles  to  the  console  artist 


Walter  Hirsch,  Western  General 
Manager  for  the  Larry  Connelly  Music 
Company,  is  a song  writer  of  note, 
being  the  author  of  such  popular  hits 
as  “Carolina  Sunshine,”  “Baby  Blue 
Eyes,”  “Miami  Shore,”  “ ’Deed  I Do,” 
“Pal  of  My  Lonesome  Hours,”  “To- 
morrow.” Mr.  Hirsch  has  been  con- 
nected in  the  music  business  for 
over  seventeen  years  in  every  capacity 
and  is  specially  well  known  through- 
out the  country  as  a writer  of  organ 
solos.  Mr.  Hirsch  who  is  an  authority 
on  this  subject  will  write  a series  of 
articles  for  this  publication  that  will 
enable  organists  from  out  of  town  to 
conceive  their  own  solos. 


who  has  to  depend  upon  his  own  ingenuity 
in  preparing  his  organ  solo. 

* * * 

That  the  information  which  this  series  is 
intended  to  impart,  is  greatly  needed  by  a 
large  number  of  organists  is  only  too 
obvious  when  one  visits  the  average  small 
city  or  neighborhood  house.  One  may 
find  the  musician  entirely  competent  on 
his  instrument,  hut  the  presentation  never- 
theless lacks  impressiveness.  Unquestion- 
ably that  is  due  to  the  fact  that  the  presen- 
tation lacks  form.  It  is  not  built  up  with 
the  skill  of  a showman  who  understands 


the  psycholog}-  of  his  audience.  It  is,  i 
only  too  often,  a mere  routine  accompani- 
ment to  a series  of  slides. 

In  the  hope  of  bettering  these  hit-or-miss 
scrim  presentations,  this  series  of  articles 
is  offered. 

Every  organ  solo,  properly  constructed, 
consists  of  four  parts — the  title,  the  intro- 
duction, the  body,  and  the  close.  In  the 
rendered  solo,  of  course,  only  the  unified 
whole  is  noticeable  to  the  audience.  The 
four  parts  are  welded  together  by  the 
organist  into  one  presentation,  according  to 
a single  theme.  From  the  announced  title 
to  the  grand  close,  all  is  unity.  One  idea 
dominates. 

^ ^ 

The  title  is  the  first  consideration  in  the 
preparation  of  the  presentation — and  it  is 
a very  important  one.  It  may  take  the 
form  of  the  popular  song  which  is  to  con- 
tain the  theme  of  the  offering,  or  it  may 
describe  a theme  which  a number  of  pieces 
of  rnusic  are  going  to  develop.  An  at- 
tractive, impressive  title  of  an  organ-scrim 
presentation  is  imperative,  since  much  of 
the  receptiveness  of  audiences  depends 
upon  it. 

The  second  step  in  preparing  the  presen- 
tation is  to  evolve  an  appropriate  approach 
to  the  music  selected — the  introduction. 
This  should  endeavor  to  translate  into 
music,  sometimes  with  the  accompaniment 
of  words  on  the  screen,  the  theme  of  the 
{Continued  on  page  20) 


j 

ZX , 

i / 

Walter  Hirsch 


Revised  Plan  Calls 
for  3,000  Seats  in 
New  Seattle  House 

A ’"'TER  a delay  occasioned  by  the  desire 
■ of  the  officials  of  the  company  to  have 
a larger  theatre,  necessitating  the  actiuiring 
of  additional  ground  space,  the  new  7th 
& Olive  first-run  Seattle  house  is  going 
forward  toward  completion  with  men  work- 
ing on  the  foundation  and  additional  work- 


men to  be  put  on  to  rush  the  completion 
of  the  job  so  the  house  may  be  opened  on 
December  5th. 

Plans  for  the  million  dollar  theatre,  which 
are  by  Sherwood  D.  Ford,  architect,  have 
been  changed  so  the  house  will  seat  three 
thousand  and  the  contract  for  the  construc- 
tion was  let  early  last  week  to  Hans  Peder- 
son, contractor.  The  Real  Estate  Improve- 
ment Company  is  constructing  the  building 
and  w’ill  turn  the  property  over  to  the 
Washington  Theatre  Enter])rises,  the  oper- 
ating concern,  upon  completion. 

The  Washington  Theatre  Enterprises  of- 


R-V  ' ■ “ 

f ^ 

k ^ * 

kf 

' wA  I 

' ^ 

Pl  P 1 

View  of  the  larger  theatre  to  be  erected  in  Seattle  by  the  Washington  Theatre  Enterprises 
which  will  have  a seating  capacity  of  3.000.  Sherwood  D.  Eord  is  the  architect.  Outstanding 
Tiffany  productions  will  be  on  the  program  of  the  new  house  when  it  opens. 


ficials  include  Ivan  L.  Hyland,  prominent 
Seattle  attorney,  president,  and  Casper  D. 
Fischer,  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager. 

* * 

The  concern  has  closed  contracts  for 
the  first-run  showing  of  the  entire  Tiffany 
product,  including  the  Tiffany  “Gems”  and 
the  Tiffany  Color  Classics  and  Third  Di- 
mension pictures.  The  deal  w'as  closed  by 
Mr.  Fischer  and  Dalton  C.  Millward,  Tif- 
fany’s Northwest  representative. 

Of  the  equipment,  the  contracts  are  pend- 
ing now  covering  the  interior  decorating, 
{Coitinucd  on  page  22) 


D.  C.  Millward,  branch  manager  of  the 
Tiffany  exchange,  and  Casper  D.  Fischer, 
vice-president  and  general  manager  of  the 
Washington  Theatre  Enterprises.  Mr.  Fischer 
has  obtained  first  run  for  the  Tiffany  prod- 
uct in  Seattle. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


The 

ADMIRAL  THEATRE 
Chicago,  111. 

Features  the 

ijKsirr  Qlton 

AcIVl  ET^IC  A’S  KINESTT  OR_GAkN 

The  owners,  like  other  prominent  exhibitors 
throughout  the  country,  choose  the  Marr  ^ 
Colton  organ  for  its  artistic  beauty,  tonal 
quality  and  great  box  office  value. 

fV rite  for  Catalog  and 
Get  Estimate 

The  MARR  8C  COLTON  CO. 

Factories — Warsaw,  N.  Y. 


Eastern  Sales  Office 

Paramount  Bldg.,  Broadway  and  43rd  St., 
New  York  City 


W^estern  Sales  Office 
708  Congress  Bldg.,  506  S. 
Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 


Tltese  Other  F]xhil)itors  Also  Fea- 
ture Marr  & Colton  Oritans 

Wiliiier  & Vincent New  York  City 

Finkelstein  & Reuben 

Minneapolis,  Minn. 

Da  ve  Harrison Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Warner  Bros New  York  City 

S.  Chapman Fullerton,  Calif. 

Geo.  Rosing Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

■A.  A.  Fenyvessy Rochester,  N.  Y. 

Lee  Win  Development  Co.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Chas.  Olson Indianapolis,  Ind. 

A.  C.  Zaring Indianapolis,  Ind. 

A.  C.  Hayman Niagara  Falls,  N.  Y. 

N.  Dipson Batavia,  N.  Y. 


20 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  01! 


August  6,  1927 


omoE 


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lomoE 


[OBOE 


[OBO 


*^6 

SUPREME 

TEMPERAfOR 

Manufactures  ideal  theatre  weather 
conditions  the  year  around. 
Cools  / / / Heats  / / / Ventilates. 


ELSE  LIKE  IT 

Priced  within  the  reach  of  every  exhibitor  ^<0- 

''ey 


If  you  are  planning  a new  theatre 
or  wish  to  bring  your  present 
building  up  to  date,  get  the  details 
on  the  Supreme  Temperator.^'^  . 

Fill  in  the  coupon, 


OBOl 


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✓ 

aocaoi 


0^-^  9-^'- 

B^OBOI 


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The  “Warner”  Variable  Speed  Projector  Motor 


Speed 

Control 

Handle 


110  Tolts,  25  to  60  cycles 


Speeds 

150  R.  P.  M.  to  4000  R.  P.  M. 


Speed  control  entirely  self  con- 
tained within  motor. 

No  external  control  necessary. 
Speed  variations  accomplished  by 
simply  moving  the  handle  as 
shown  in  cut. 

Hundreds  of  theatre  owners  have 
replaced  constant  speed  motors 
with  "Warner"  variable  motors. 
Write  for  bulletin 

The  Wigginton  Company 

434  North  Church  Street 
KALAMAZOO,  MICHIGAN 

Also  V entilating  Fans  and  Blowers. 


Steps  in  Preparing 
the  Organ  Solo  for 
the  Average  Theatre 

{Continued  from  page  18) 

entire  presentation.  Then  follows  the 
music  to  be  presented — the  body  of  the 
organ  solo. 

No  organist  who  is  a showman  will 
underestimate  the  value  of  an  impressive 
finish.  Many  a mediocre  organ  presenta- 
tion has  been  saved  by  an  unusually  effec- 
tive close.  At  this  point  the  organist  will 
most  often  find  the  opportunity  for  exer- 
cising his  highest  talents  for  originality — 
and  the  applause  resulting  will  reward  him 
for  his  time  and  labor. 

* * 

In  the  event  that  a number  of  songs  are 
used,  scrims  known  as  “gag  slides”  are 
useful  in  gaining  unity.  This  situation  sug- 
gests to  me  an  important  warning  to  the 
average  organist : Do  not  attempt  to  write 
such  “gag  slides”  unless  you  have  a natural 
aptitude. 

And  another  “don’t”  is  suggested  by  the 
popularity  in  many  theatres  of  community 
singing.  One  of  the  first  considerations  is 
whether  the  organist  intends  to  make  his 
presentation  a straight  set  or  a community 
set.  Never  combine  these  two  kinds  of  sets 
unless  you  are  i>ositive  that  you  can  control 
your  audience ! 

In  working  out  a fine  presentation,  the 
average  organist  would  do  well  to  enlist 
the  willing  and  capable  services  of  the  pub- 
lisher of  the  songs  to  be  offered.  Every 
publisher  of  any  consequence  employs 
writers  who  specialize  in  scrim  presenta- 
tions and  a letter  will  bring  suggestions 
according  to  the  organist’s  needs. 

=!==(:* 

I hope,  however,  to  eliminate  the  need 
of  continual  appeal  to  the  publishers  by 
showing  how  a presentation  continuity 
should  be  prepared.  Not  only  will  my  in- 
struction, if  it  is  successful,  save  hours 
of  time  for  the  average  organist,  but  will 
permit  him  to  plan  his  presentations 
weeks  in  advance. 

Later  on  in  the  series  I shall  also  take 
up  the  adaptation  of  the  regular  publishers’ 
solo  to  seasonal  programs,  such  as  those 
at  Christmas,  New  Years,  Fourth  of  July, 
and  so  on. 

In  the  meantime,  let  the  force  of  this 
first  article  bear  upon  the  need  of  organiz- 
ing the  presentation,  according  to  a single 
theme,  from  title  to  close,  with  the  thought 
ever  in  mind  that  form  is  absolutely  neces- 
sary to  impressiveness.  And  impressive- 
ness, of  course,  is  w'hat  brings  patrons  back 
for  more. 

Shoppers  Will  Use 
Lobby  as  Rest  Room 

The  Indiana  theatre  in  Terre  Haute, 
Ind.,  will  open  the  new  fall  season  on  Aug. 
28.  A large  crew  of  men  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Harry  Baker  is  putting  the  house 
in  shape  for  the  opening.  A new  check 
room  has  been  built  in  what  formerly  was 
the  theater  office  and  a free  wrap  check- 
ing service  will  be  given  to  patrons.  The 
ushers  are  to  be  fitted  out  in  snappy  new 
uniforms. 

The  management  has  planned  to  throw 
the  lobby  of  the  theatre  open  to  the  public 
daily,  beginning  at  10  o’clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  it  is  expected  a large  number  of 
women  and  men  will  make  use  of  it  as  a 
rest  room  during  shopping  hours  of  the 
morning  and  early  afternoon. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


New  “talking  sign”  for  theatres  manufactured  by  the  Longsign  Corporation  of  Dayton,  O., 
and  distributed  by  the  National  Theatre  Supply  Company. 


National  Handling  New  Type 
Electric  Sign  for  Theatres 


Anew  departure  in  theatre  sign  lighting 
is  claimed  for  the  Longsign — a sign 
that  apparently  does  everything  but  utter 
words  and  syllables. 

The  Ixjngsign,  it  is  claimed,  increases  the 
value  of  theatre  advertising  many  times 
over,  as  with  it,  the  announcement  of  the 
entire  program  for  a week,  or  any  period 
desired,  can  be  made.  No  limit  is  placed 
on  the  message  to  be  displayed. 

The  operating  principle  of  the  sign  is 
this:  A narrow  tape  on  which  the  word- 
ing is  stencilled  travels  through  the  mechan- 
ism of  the  sign  and  the  perforations  in  the 
type  form  electrical  contacts  which  trans- 
mit to  a bank  of  electric  lights  any  mes- 
sage desired,  and  which  moves  at  right 
angles. 

The  Lonsign  is  the  invention  of  John  E. 
Long,  of  Multnomah,  Ore.,  and  is  now 
being  manufactured  in  3 sizes  (4  and  6 
foot  lengths  for  interior  display,  and  10 
foot  length  for  use  on  theatre  marquees) 
by  the  Longsign  Corporation  of  Dayton, 
Ohio. 

The  National  Theatre  Supply  Company 
has  assumed  territorial  distribution  of 
Longsigns  and  the  information  is  given 
out  by  National  officials  that  the  price  will 
be  within  reach  of  all  exhibitors  for  all 
classes  of  houses. 

The  Longsign  will  be  on  demonstration 
shortly  in  all  of  the  31  National  branch 
stores. 

Save  Month's  Time 
by  Roofing  Method 
on  Portland  House 

Novel  construction  methods,  at  least  for 
the  Pacific  Northwest,  will  be  followed  in 
the  placing  of  the  roof  of  the  Portland 
Publix  Theatre,  now  under  construction. 

By  means  of  pre-cast  roofing  slab,  which 
can  be  placed  as  the  steel  supports  are 
laid,  at  least  a month  of  work  can  be  saved 
according  to  J.  W.  DeYoung  of  De  Young 
& Roald,  architects.  The  roof  plates  are 
now  being  made  and  will  shortly  be  placed. 
The  slabs  are  cast  hollow  and  in  such  form 
that  they  can  be  laid  in  place,  eliminating 
the  necessity  of  pouring  concrete  after  the 
other  work  has  been  done. 

The  steel  work  is  now  50  per  cent  com- 
plete. The  building  will  be  ten  stories 
high,  of  concrete  construction  and  brick 
facing.  Ornamentation  of  the  exterior  will 
be  in  cast  stone  and  wrought  iron  grille 
work.  A part  of  the  second  floor  will  be 
used  for  a broadcasting  station  by  KOIN. 
The  theatre  section  of  the  project  will  be 
completed  shortly  after  the  first  of  the 
year. 


Labor  day  has  been  set  as  the  date  for 
the  formal  opening  of  the  $200,000  Liberty 
theatre  now  under  construction  at  10th  and 
Broadway,  Vancouver,  Wash.,  for  J.  P. 
Kiggins,  mayor  of  that  city. 

The  building  is  two-story  and  was  de- 
signed by  A.  E.  Davis  of  the  Davis  Build- 
ing Company  and  makes  use  of  Spanish  ar- 
chitectural precepts  for  the  exterior.  One 
of  the  features  will  be  the  interior  decora- 
tions which  are  being  done  by  Charles  Am- 
man of  Portland  and  will  feature  orna- 
mental plaster  work,  finished  in  oil  paints. 
A three-color  lighting  system  is  being  in- 
stalled in  the  building  by  the  National 
Electric  Company.  The  seating  capacity  of 
the  theatre  will  be  1,500.  This  will  make 
the  New  Liberty  one  of  the  largest  thea- 
tres in  Western  Washington  outside  of  Se- 
attle. 

Skouras  and  Koplar 
Ready  to  Begin  Work 
on  St.  Louis  House 

Construction  on  the  new  $1,000,000  the- 
atre, store  and  apartment  building  for  the 
St.  Louis  Amusement  Company  at  Hamil- 
ton and  Easton  avenues,  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
will  get  underway  within  the  next  few 
weeks  according  to  the  present  plans  of 
Skouras  Brothers  and  Harry  Koplar  who 
control  the  St.  Louis  Amusement  Company. 

The  new  theatre  will  seat  2000  persons 
and  will  be  the  finest  outlying  theatre  in 
the  Central  West.  The  house  was  designed 
by  Rapp  & Rapp,  the  world  famous  the- 
atre designers.  The  general  contract  for 
the  building  was  awarded  to  the  Boaz- 
Kiel  Construction  Company.  This  same 
firm  of  contractors  built  the  Ambassador 
theatre  and  office  building  for  Skouras 
Brothers  and  delivered  the  big  down-town 
house  to  the  owners  three  months  before 
they  planned  to  move  in.  That  was  a 
very  welcome  surprise  to  Skouras  Brothers, 
needless  to  say,  which  accounts  for  the 
general  contract  on  the  big  West  End 
house  going  to  Boaz-Kiel. 

* * 

Plans  for  the  remodeling  of  the  Mar- 
quette Theatre  at  1806  Franklin  avenue,  St. 
l.ouis.  Mo.,  has  been  prepared  by  H.  W. 
Guth,  architect,  813A  Chestnut  street.  The 
improvements  will  cost  about  $30,000. 


Heads  Ashcraft  Sales 

H.  A.  Starke  has  been  appointed  sales 
manager  and  factory  representative  for  the 
Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Co.  in  the  Los 
Angeles  territory.  Mr.  Starke  is  well 
known  on  the  West  coast  having  been 
affiliated  with  National  Theatre  Supply  Co. 
for  several  years. 


In  the  Light  Of 
a Thousand  Moons 

Tlie  new  Paramount  building  at 
Times  Square,  New  York  City,  is 
floodlighted  by  473  lights  installed  by 
Geenral  Electric  engineers.  It  is 
lighted  as  brightly  as  if  a thousand 
full  moons  were  shining  overhead, 
and  it  ranks  as  an  outstanding  exam- 
ple of  floodlighting.  The  473  lights 
cast  more  than  35,000,000  candle 
power  on  the  four  sides  of  the  tower, 
or  that  part  of  the  building  from  the 
13th  to  the  35th  stories. 

The  electricitj^  used  would  light 
60,000  household  incandescent  lamps 
of  25  watts  each.  The  floodlight  pro- 
jectors are  of  the  same  type  as  used 
by  the  General  Electric  Company  in 
lighting  the  Statue  of  Liberty  several 
years  ago. 


$30,000  to  Remodel 

The  Colonial  theare,  Seattle,  Wash.,  will 
shortly  be  annexed  to  the  Class  A houses 
here.  Manager  H.  L.  Adkins  has  an- 
announced  that  the  house  will  be  com- 
pletely remodeled  at  a cost  of  $30,000. 


22 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE 


Aug'ust  6,  1927 


Thousands 

AND 


Thousands  ! 


**The  Super  ReRector  Arc  Lamp’* 


Plans  Revised  for 
New  Seattle  House 

(Continued  from  page  18) 
carpets,  drapes,  seating  and  projection  and 
stage  equipment  and  lighting. 

The  largest  Robert  Morton  organ  made 
has  been  bought  from  E.  L.  Vaughn,  Mor- 
ton’s representative  in  Washington  and 
Oregon,  and  this  four-manual  instrument 
will  be  installed  with  the  console  on  hydrau- 
lic elevator. 

The  theatre  building  will  have  a frontage 
of  120  feet  on  Olive  Way  and  208  feet  on 
Seventh  Avenue.  It  will  be  just  a short 
distance  away  from  the  new  Orpheum  the- 
atre on  Times  Square,  which  opens  this 
Fall ; and  also  a short  distance  from  the 
new  Seattle  theatre,  being  erected  by  Pub- 
lix  for  West  Coast  management. 

* * ❖ 


IN  the  projection  rooms  of  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  America’s  foremost  theatres  will  be 
found  Peerless  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  . . . The  total 
number  of  Peerless  Lamps  in  daily  operation  rep- 
resents a plurality  of  TWO  TO  ONE  over  the 
combined  total  of  all  other  makes  put  together. 

This  vast  plurality  is  not  a coincident,  but  be- 
speaks a superiority  so  great  that  it  can  only  be 
understood  through  direct  comparison  and  their 
ability  to  perfectly  perform  after  years  of  constant 
service.  Time  leaves  no  mark  upon  Peerless  Per- 
formance. 

To  have  all  of  the  advantages  that  reflector  arc 
lamps  afford,  Peerless  must  be  your  choice.  “Play 
safe”  and  decide  on  Peerless. 

WHY  HA  VE  LESS  ? 

ASK  ANY  NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  CO.’S  OFFICE 
OR  SEND  DIRECT  TO  US  FOR  A CIRCULAR 
DESCRIBING  OUR 

DISSOLVING  STEREOPTICON  ATTACHMENT 


MF’D  BY 

The  J.  E.  McAuley  Mfg.  Co. 

552-554  W.  Adams  Street 
Chicago,  Hi. 


MAIL  YOUR  TRIAL  ORDER  TODAY 


Rainproof 

P^nSdoaHeavy  Poster  Paper-Size  32  or36'xl0ft.ifi  5 contrasting  colors  and 
beautifully  Air-Brushed  - Expert  workmanships  service  guarante'’'^ 

^VWEEKLY  PROGRAM  SIGNS5  CARDS  for  tjourURl 


Displai  Boards  Size  2'x5'-6’-3'x5'up  ♦P-?ea--  or  write  for  det^is 
«=~:  OTHER  F^ICES 
PAPER  BANNERS 3Z«-36’/^:^  mSl3H(aor»)per^ot  25 

ILLUSTRATED  MUSLIN  BANNERS  veryfladt^perruiuuxjfoo^^^^ 

PRICES  DO  NOT  INCLUDE  POSTAGE. 


The  house  has  been  given  the  tentative 
name  of  “A'layfiower,”  but  it  is  believed 
that  a more  representative  cognomen  will 
he  gi\  en  the  theatre  prior  to  the  opening. 

A forty-foot  stage  with  a forty-five-foot 
proscenium  arch  with  the  latest  in  modern 
equipment  and  lighting  will  be  installed. 

The  W'ashington  Theatre  Enterprises, 
composed  of  local  men  affiliated,  it  is  un- 
derstood, with  California  interests,  have 
already  taken  over  the  Astoria,  Oregon, 
house  projected  by  the  Sax  people.  This 
theatre  will  seat  1,500  and  will  be  ready 
for  opening  around  October  1st.  It  is  to 
be  along  the  same  modern  lines  as  the 
new  Seattle  house,  with  the  latest  in  mod- 
ern equipment  and  appointments.  It  is 
also  understood  this  company  will  invade 
other  Northwest  cities  anrl  towns. 

The  Tiffany  product  secured  by  the  new 
Seattle  theatre  will  include  “Bachelor’s 
Apartments,’’  “Clothes  Make  the  Woman,” 
“Ladies  of  the  Night  Club,”  “Domestic  Re- 
lations,” “Grain  of  Dust,”  “Grass  Widows,” 
“Night  Life,”  “The  Albany  Night  Boat,” 
"Lingerie,”  “W'oman’s  Wares,”  Woman 
of  the  W'orld,”  “Scarlet  Do\'e,”  “Once  and 
Fore^■cr,”  “The  Girl  from  Gay  Paree,”  “The 
Tragedy  of  Youth,”  “The  House  of  Scan- 
dal,” “Tia  Juana  Rose,”  “Beautiful  But 
Dumb,”  “Their  House”  and  “Streets  of 
.Shanghai.” 

* * * 

Among  the  prominent  screen  players  to 
be  featured  in  the  new  theatre  are  Pauline 
Frederick,  Conway  Tearle,  Edmund  Lowe, 
Claire  Y'indsor,  Lowell  Sherman,  Agnes 
Ayres,  Y'illiam  Collier,  Jr.,  Jacqueline 
Logan,  Alarcclline  Day,  Helen  Ferguson, 
Jack  Mulhall,  Eugene  O'Brien,  Anita  Stew- 
art, .Alberta  \’anghn,  Robert  Agnew,  Hunt- 
ley  Gordon,  Dorothy  I’hillips,  Doris  Hill, 
Edmund  Burns,  W^ard  Crane,  Jane  Novak, 
Bert  Lytell,  Shirlex-  Mason,  Mae  Busch 
Raymond  Hitchcock.  Henrv  B.  Walthall, 
Barbara  Bedford,  Betty  Blythe,  Rod  La 
Roeque,  Elliott  Dexter,  Jocelyn  Lee, 
Dorothy  Devore,  George  Fawcett,  Walter 
Hiers,  Eileen  Percy,  Lillian  Rich,  Pat 
O’Mallex-,  Natalie  Kingston,  Johnnie 
Walker,  Hedda  Hopper,  Robert  Frazer  and 
Blanche  Mehaffex’. 

Screen  21 ' by  27^ 
Shipped  to  Mexico 

A screen  measuring  2Tx27'  has  just  been 
shipped  for  installation  in  Mexico  City. 
This  screen,  xvhich  is  a Minusa  DeLuxe 
Special,  is  one  of  the  world’s  largest  and 
is  the  second  largest  ever  produced  in  the 
Minusa  factory.  CThe  largest  screen  was 
installed  in  the  Old  Mill  theatre  at  Dallas, 
Texas.)  According  to  W.  L.  Schoening, 
president  of  the  Minusa  Cine  Screen  Com- 
pany, the  world’s  largest  seamless  screen 
is  also  a Minusa  DeLuxe  Special,  which  is 
installed  in  the  M.  & S.  Douglas  theatre 
of  Nexv  York  City. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


£. 


Perry’s  Egyptian  Theater, 
Ogden,  Utah — seating  ca- 
pacity 1280  — is  equipped 
with  C-H  Simplicity 
Dimmers 


It  takes  more  than  a projector  to 
^^show^^  a picture  right 

No  trouble  to  get  good  films — for  you  or  your  competi- 
tors. But  there  is  one  thing  producers  can’t  do  for  you 
— skilled  as  they  are  in  creating  popular  entertainment.  They 
can’t  present  films  for  you — and  your  method  of  presentation 
largely  determines  the  pulling  power,  the  financial  success 
of  your  house. 

By  creating  the  atmosphere  which  harmonizes  with  the  spirit 
of  the  picture,  C-H  Dimmers  make  good  films  better;  give  your 
patrons  what  they  want,  day-dream-inspiring  entertainment. 

Theexclusive  design  ofC-H  Simplicity  Dimmers  givesperfect 
lighting  control — dimming  as  flickerless  as  nightfall  from  full 
brilliancy  to  black  out — even  though  part  of  the  light  bulbs  are 
out  of  service.  With  bases  of  solid  soapstone;  contacts  of 
Cophite,  which  is  not  affected  by  heat  and  is  self-lubricating, 

C-H  Dimmers  will  not  burn  out.  Installations  are  still  operat- 
ing after  20  years  of  continuous  and  expenselessservice. 

Regardless  of  age,  seating  capacity  or  scheme  of  decoration, 
your  theater  can  be  equipped  with  C-H  Dimmers — be  made  to 
pull  a bigger  share  of  the  theater  going  crowds. 

Ask  your  electrical  contractor  or  architect  how  easily  they  are 
installed  and  in  the  meantime  write  for  a copy  of  the 
booklet  ” Illumination  Control  for  the  Modern  Theater.” 

The  CUTLER-HAMMER  Mfg.  Co. 

Pioneer  Manufacturers  of  Electric  Control  Apparatus 
1237  St.  Paul  Avenue  - MILWAUKEE,  WISCONSIN 

CUTLER^HAMMER 

I Vei^ect  Illurrivnatiori  ConirolJoT  the  'Modern  ^Theater 


24 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


A 25%  Saving  For  You 

The  Liberty  Syncrovertor 
represents  a revolutionary  step 
in  current  conversion  methods 
for  motion  picture  projection. 

This  highly  efficient  device 
consists  of  a transformer,  a 
motor,  a commutator  and 
switchboard  control  panel,  all 
assembled  in  one  unit  or  a booth 
control  panel.  The  actual  recti- 
fication is  done  at  the.  commutator — not  within 
the  motor. 

The  transformer  of  the  Syncrovertor  is  the 
machine’s  own  emergency  unit.  This  not  only 
eliminates  the  cost  of  installing  emergency  equip- 
ment, but  also  eliminates  the  expense  which  one 
dark  house  would  incur. 


Write  to  us  and  let  us  tell  you  how  you  can 
save  25%)  in  the  cost  of  your  projection. 


The  Liberty 


A Better  Method  of  Rectification 

LIBERTY  ELECTRIC  CORP. 

Stamford,  Conn. 


THEATRE  ORGANISTS 


Furnished  on  Short  Notice 

Managers,  let  us  solve  your  musical  problems.  We  have  expert 
organists  thoroughly  trained  in  showmanship  available  at  all  times. 
No  service  charge. 

Two-  and  three-manual  Kimball  theatre  unit  organs  for  lessons  and 
practice.  Advanced  pupils  have  the  advantage  of  lessons  before  the 
screen  imder  the  same  conditions  as  prevail  in  any  large  theatre. 

Our  pupils  succeed  where  other  organists  fail. 

Write  for  Catalogue  H. 

VERMOND  KNAUSS  SCHOOL  OF 
THEATRE  ORGAN  PLAYING 
210  North  7th  St.  Allentown,  Pa. 


McAuley  Is  Named 
New  President  of 
Equipment  Society 

{Continued  from  page  T) 

licity  by  the  use  of  journal  advertising 
and  through  procuring  such  reading  articles 
as  we  could  secure.  The  trade  journals 
have  been  giving  us  cordial  support  and 
we  realize  that  our  weakness  lies  in  the 
lack  of  writers  to  supply  the  copy. 

“Your  president  has  found  it  extremely 
difficult  to  devote  to  the  association  a small 
part  of  the  time  and  effort  that  he  feels 
is  its  due  and  as  a weak  apology  can  only 
say  that  illness  and  the  necessity  of  being  ^ 
away  from  the  city  for  a large  part  of  the  { 
time  prevented  his  giving  the  work  the  | 
attention  that  he  had  hoped  to  bestow  ’ 
upon  it.  J 

^ 


“It  has  been  a period  of  transition:  per- 
haps this  time  of  comparative  quiet  has 
been  incidental  to  the  change.  _ Last 
Octf'ber  some  of  us  doubted  the  wisdom 
or  need  of  the  association’s  existence,  some 


thought  its  usefulness  at  an  end.  others 
strongly  favored  its  continuation.  We 
should  now  know  better  as  to  how  it  is 
to  be  conducted.  The  road  to  its  future 
should  be  smoother  now  than  it  was  nine 
months  ago.  At  the  present  convention  a 
program  should  be  lined  out  for  the  guid- 
ance of  your  future  directors,  whether  in 
the  form  of  explicit  directions  or  of  gen- 
eral advice.  Your  outgoing  directors  Imow 
how  such  guidance  is  appreciated. 

“Another  thing  for  which  your  officers 
and  directors  would  be  thankful  would  be 
an  occasional  letter  in  the  course  of  the 
year  with  such  criticisms  as  you  choose 
to  offer.  If  they  have  done  well,  it  does 
no  harm  to  tell  them  so.  If  they  have  acted 
foolishly  or  have  been  inactive,  a great 
harm  will  be  done  if  you  remain  silent. 

“Our  association  is  not  large  in  members. 
We  need  not  stand  on  ceremony.  No 
necessity  exists  for  formality.  If  any  mem- 
ber has  a thought  touching  the  association’s 
actual  or  possible  activities,  it  is  a mistake 
not  to  send  it  to  headquarters.  The  sug- 
gestion may  not  be  used  directly  but  it  may 
become  the  starting  point  of  something  of 
the  highest  importance. 

“We  found  the  treasury  in  splendid 
shape  when  we  undertook  the  guidance  of 
the  association  last  October.  Today  our 
funds  have  shrunken  as  the  result  of  your 
directors’  decision  to  set  up  the  publicity 
campaign  already  mentioned.  Our  desire 
was  to  spend  what  money  we  could  without 
endangering  the  soundness  of  our  finances. 
Today  our  bank  balance  is  much  decreased 
but  we  believe  that  the  association  is  a 
little  better  known  and  somewhat  more 
favorably  regarded  than  had  we  not  put 
its  name  before  the  public. 

* * * 

“The  picture  business  is  still  young. 
With  the  producer,  the  manufacturer,  the 
dealer  and  exhibitor,  changes  are  still 
coming  rapidly.  Methods  of  producing, 
selling  and  exhibiting  pictures  are  not 
standardized  and  the  manufacture  and  sale 
of  the  necessary  machinery  is  still  subject 
to  change. 

“There  is  great  need  of  an  association  of 
this  kind.  Its  purpose  should  be  to  main- 
tain a contact  between  dealers  and  manu- 
facturers. This  contact  should  be  both 
social  and  educational.  We  will  all  _ be 
benefited  far  beyond  the  money  and  time 
expended. 

“Some  of  us  are  dealers,  others  are 
manufacturers  of  equipment,  to  some 
extent  our  interests  are  alike,  to  a large 
{Continued  on  page  30) 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


Improved  Features  Contained 
in  New  Ashcraft  H.  I.  Lamp 


As  the  result  of  over  two  years  experi- 
menting, C.  S.  Ashcraft,  head  of  the 
Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Co.  of  Los  An- 
geles, has  developed  and  perfected  a high 
intensity  reflector  arc  which,  it  is  claimed, 
increases  the  efficiency  of  theatre  projection 
100  per  cent.  The  new  lamp,  which  is 
called  the  Ashcraft  Intensiflector,  decreases 
the  current  consumption  for  the  ordinary 
house  from  125  amperes  to  55  amperes,  ac- 
cording to  Mr.  Ashcraft. 

The  new  lamp,  which  is  a high  intensity 
reflector  arc,  was  recently  demonstrated  in 
Chicago,  and  practical  tests  were  declared 
a complete  success  with  this  type  of  light 
source. 

* * * 

To  the  layman  it  would  appear  that  re- 
sults could  be  obtained  by  the  simple  sub- 
stitution of  high  intensity  carbons  in  the 
ordinary  reflector  arc.  But  in  fact,  says 
Mr.  Ashcraft,  and  to  produce  a practical 
lamp,  several  difficulties  were  necessary  to 
overcome,  among  which  were:  Proper 
feeding  and  controlling  devices  for  main- 
taining a uniform  length  of  arc;  provision 
for  regular  burning  of  the  crater;  arc  sta- 
bilizing devices;  aperture  cooling  and  de- 
vices for  protecting  the  glass  reflector. 

In  order  to  protect  the  large  concave 
reflector,  which  condenses  95  per  cent  of 
light  emitted  by  the  carbon  crater,  a novel 
device  is  used,  called  by  the  manufacturer 
the  Isolator.  The  name  well  describes  the 
device,  as  it  sets  the  reflector  entirely  apart 
from  the  rest  of  the  lamp.  It  consists  of 
an  aluminum  housing  or  holder  for  the 
reflector  covered  in  the  front  by  a large 
disc  of  heat  resisting  glass.  A strong  blast 
of  air  is  forced  into  the  Isolator  by  suit- 
able means  consisting  of  a blower.  This 
system  holds  down  the  temperature  of  the 
reflector,  keeping  it  cool  enough  to  handle 
after  a long  burning. 

Without  the  use  of  the  Ashcraft  Isolator 
it  is  estimated  that  the  reflectors  would 
have  to  be  replaced  at  the  rate  of  two  or 
three  each  week.  The  matter  of  reflector 
breakage  has  been  successfully  solved  in 
the  Ashcraft  lamp.  This  feature,  together 
with  all  other  novel  features  of  the  Inten- 
siflector, are  covered  completely  by  letters 
patent  owned  by  the  Ashcraft  Automatic 
Arc  Company. 

♦ ♦ * 

What  may  seem  to  be  a far  fetched  state- 
ment is  the  claim  of  the  manufacturer  that 
the  Intensiflector  operating  at  sixty-two 
amperes  produces  no  more  heat  at  the  aper- 
ture than  the  ordinary  reflector  arc  at 
twenty-five  amperes.  This  statement  is  ex- 
plained by  the  engineers  of  the  Ashcraft 
company  by  the  difference  in  the  color  of 
the  light  projected.  It  is  a well  known 
fact  that  the  ordinary  glow  heater  designed 
for  the  heating  of  rooms  projects  a red  or 
copper  colored  ray  which  radiates  more 
heat  than  if  the  ray  projected  were  more 
of  a white  nature.  In  comparison  with  the 
light  ray  projected  by  the  Intensiflector  the 
light  produced  by  the  ordinary  low  inten- 
sity reflector  lamp  is  very  yellow,  almost 
copper  color.  White  light  is  not  absorbed 
by  the  film  as  much  as  yellow,  therefore 
the  difference  in  amperage  with  no  differ- 
ence in  film  heating. 

. In  cases  where  it  is  desired  by  the  theatre 


owner  to  keep  the  film  very  cool  a small 
motor  operated  blower  can  be  furnished 
supplying  a strong  blast  of  air  directed  on 
the  film  at  the  aperature  which  almost  en- 
tirely eliminates  film  heating. 

Larger  houses  are  being  built  continually 
which  call  for  greater  area  of  screen  sur- 
face and  increased  projection  distances.  In- 
stead of  increasing  the  current  for  such 
needs,  the  Ashcraft  Company  attacked  the 
problem  from  a different  angle — that  of 
increasing  the  efficiency  and  decreasing  the 
current  of  the  high  intensity  lamp.  The 
Intensiflector  is  the  result,  and  where  ordi- 
narily a current  of  one  hundred  twenty-five 
amperes  was  used  between  fifty-five  and 
sixty  amperes  will  produce,  it  is  claimed, 
the  same  brilliancy,  at  the  same  time  giving 
a greatly  increased  flatness  of  field  and 
increased  definition  to  the  picture. 


P.  A.  McGuire  Made 
Honorary  Member  of 

Projection  Society 

P A.  McGuire,  advertising  manager  of 
• the  International  Projector  Corpora- 
tion, was  waited  upon  by  a committee  from 
the  American  Projection  Society  at  the 
company’s  office  and  presented  with  a cer- 
tificate showing  that  he  had  been  made 
honorary  members  of  the  organization.  The 
other  honorary  members  of  the  society  are 
Wm.  D.  Burroughs,  Thos.  A.  Edison,  J.  H. 
Hallberg,  Major  Roger  M.  Hill,  C.  Francis 
Jenkins,  Edwin  S.  Porter,  Frank  H.  Rich- 
ardson and  Samuel  L.  Rothapfel. 

Otto  Kafka,  president  of  the  American 
Projection  society,  in  presenting  the  certifi- 
cate, stated  that  honorary  membership  in 
the  society  could  only  be  passed  by  the 
unanimous  consent  of  the  entire  society 
and  said  that  it  was  a recognition  of  the 
work  Mr.  McGuire  had  done  to  improve 
projection  conditions  in  this  country. 

Among  others  present  were:  Jesse  Hop- 


kins, past  president;  Jack  Buckhardt,  treas- 
urer; Richard  Keuster,  Dick  Glauber, 
Lawrence  Jones,  editor  of  the  American 
Projectionist;  M.  D.  O’Brien,  assistant 
supervisor  of  projection  of  Loews,  Inc.,  a 
member  of  the  A.  P.  S.,  who  presented 
Mr.  McGuire  with  an  honorary  membership 
in  Local  640,  1.  A.  T.  S.  E.  of  Nassau 
and  Suffolk  Counties,  New  York;  J.  Clay- 
ton, Lester  W.  Bowen,  W.  C.  Michel  and 
Samuel  R.  Burns,  vice-presidents  of  Inter- 
national Projector  Corporation. 

Mr.  McGuire  in  accepting  the  honorary 
membership  conferred  upon  him  by  the 
society  said: 

am  deeply  gratified  by  the  recognition  yon 
have  given  to  my  efforts  to  improve  projection 
conditions,  and  a failure  to  take  proper  pride 
in  the  honor  you  have  conferred  upon  me  would 
be  to  belittle  the  American  Projection  Society 
and  its  accomplishments.  You  are  all  loyal  and 
active  members  of  the  I.  A.  T.  S.  E.  M.  P.  M.  O. 
and  you  have  done  much  to  beneht  that  great 
organization  and  the  motion  picture  industry,  of 
which  we  are  all  a part.  This  is  the  theatrical 
business  and  it  is,  therefore,  an  unfortunate  fact 
that  projection,  being  a technical  matter,  its  im« 
portance  is  not  always  properly  understood.  How- 
ever, many  of  the  greatest  exhibitors  are  beginning 
to  see  that  projection  is  too  Important  a matter 
to  be  overlooked.  The  American  Cinematographer, 
published  by  fellow  craftsmen,  contained  an  article 
by  Richard  Barthelmess,  the  actor,  in  which  he 
said  that  ‘*The  projectionist  with  his  projection 
equipment  is  largely  the  master  of  our  photographic 
destinies.**  All  such  recognition  of  projection  is 
certainly  significant.  However,  there  is  still  too 
much  of  a tendency  to  economize  in  the  projection 
department  and  the  rule  all  too  often  seems  to  be 
to  purchase  everything  as  cheaply  as  possible  re- 
gardless of  quality. 

I would  like  to  take  this  opportunity  to  express 
my  appreciation  of  the  work  of  others  who  have 
helped  in  this  campaign  for  better  projection,  but 
perhaps  it  would  be  wiser  to  do  this  on  other  occa- 
sions. However,  I think  it  proper  to  state  that  if 
1 have  done  anything  that  meets  with  your  approval 
it  has  been  with  the  support  of  the  officers  of  the 
company  that  employs  me.  Without  such  snpport 
it  would  not  have  been  possible  for  me  to  devote 
the  time  the  work  requires.  1 would  also  like  to 
say  that  no  real  progress  will  ever  be  made  in  this 
field  until  the  motion  picture  industry  is  more 
willing  to  reward  technical  leadership.** 


Cohen  in  Chicago 

1.  M.  Cohen  of  the  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn.,  was  a 
visitor  in  Chicago  last  week,  renewing 
acquaintances  among  supply  dealers  and 
manufacturers. 


New  theatre  and  store  building  to  be  erected  in  Lombard,  111.,  as  designed  by  Elmer  F. 
Behms. 


26 


B E T T E R 1'  H E A T R E S SECTION  O F 


For  Qr eater  Profits- 


The  Stevens  Fire  Proof  Chair  base 

Theatre  Owners  and  Architects 
send  for  our  booklet  ‘‘Silence  is 
Golden"  No  obligation. 


YOU  can  now  make  a Recreation  Center 
of  your  theatre.  You  can  derive  the  ad- 
ditional revenues  from  bowling  alleys, 
dance  hall,  billiard  parlor,  etc.,  because  Stev- 
ens System  of  Sound-Proofing  makes  possible 
the  complete  isolation  of  these  activities.  No 
sound  reaches  your  theatre  auditorium. 

The  Stevens  System  also  rids  your  theatre 
of  annoying  noises  from  fans,  motors,  pumps, 
etc. 

STEVENS  SOUND-PROOFING 
COMPANY 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Representatives  in  all  large  cities 


Be  ready  tor  Fall  Crowds 
try  ontWx^  Brandt  NOW 


Fall  brings  crowds  to  your  box 
office — but  whether  they  will 
keep  coming  or  not  depends  upon 
the  service  you  offer.  The 
Brandt  will  put  your  box  office 
service  on  a par  with  the  best. 
And  the  time  to  try  it  out  is  now. 
See  for  yourself  how  easily  and 
quickly  it  serves  your  patrons — 
eliminating  all  delays  at  the  box 
office.  The  machine  itself  auto- 
matically makes  the  cor- 
rect change  — instantly  — 
and  delivers  it  direct  to  the 
patron.  There’s  only-one- 
key-to-press  — correspond- 
ing to  the  price  of  the 
ticket.  All  mental  calcula- 
tions are  entirely  elim- 
inated. Mistakes  are  im- 
possible. Brandt  will  help  you 
to  build  steady  patronage — just 
as  it  already  has  for  nearly 
40,000  users. 


CTt\e  tNeu» 


THEATRE  MODEL 


^ CP  Wilh  the  Subtracting  Keyboard 


August  6,  1927  I 

Parker  Gives  Facts 
in  Court  Decisions 
Involving  Theatres  \ 

{Conti’Hucd  from  (aye  11) 

Sunday  closing  laws  are  beneficial  and 
merciful  laws  to  poor  people. 

Still  another  judge  of  this  Court  dis- 
agreed with  the  reasons  given  by  the  other 
four  judges  and  plainly  indicated  his  views 
regarding  the  logic  of  the  law,  and  said : 

“1  do  not  seek  to  justify  such  ordinances 
upon  any  argument  that  rests  upon  re- 
ligious considerations,  because  I conceive 
such  arguments  to  be  unsound,  in  view  of 
the  provisions  of  our  Constitutions  and  the 
very  elements  of  .\merican  institutions.  Nor 
do  I seek  tt)  justify  such  legislation  upon 
the  argument  that  such  occupations  carried 
on  upon  the  “Sabbath”  of  the  Decalogue 
exert  a corrupting  influence  upon  morals 
any  more  certainly  than  if  they  are  carried 
on  upon  the  Sunday  or  Alonday  of  the 
Christian  calendar.  Neither  do  I assent  to 
the  argument  that  the  practice  of  a legiti- 
mate occupation  a part  of  every  day  in  the 
week  is  harmful  to  individual  or  public 
health,  peace,  morals,  to  preserve  w^hich 
from  evil  influences  the  prohibition  of  such 
occupation  during  all  the  hours  of  one  day 
in  the  w’eek  is  essential.  If  that  argument 
is  sound,  then  the  prohibition  of  such  oc- 
cupations during  all  the  hours  of  any  one 
day  of  the  loeek  would  anszver  the  logical 
requirements. 

* * ik 

“1  do  not  perceive  the  force  which  any 
argument,  offered  in  support  of  the  reason 
for  such  laws,  gains  by  combining  re- 
ligious views  concerning  the  admonition  to 
observe  the  ‘.Sabbath  to  keep  it  holy,’  with 
the  utilitarian  view  of  preserving  health 
to  the  individual  by  limiting  his  activities 
in  his  legitimate  occupation  to  the  hours 
contained  in  six  days  of  the  week.  . . . The 
“Salihath”  day  of  the  Decalogue  is  not  the 
“Sunday”  of  the  Christian  calendar,  so  it 
is  now'  pretty  generally  admitted.  The 
Decalogue  is  Heltrew  law,  and  Hebrew^ 
government  w'as  religious  government : so 
to  make  an  analogy  between  the  Sabbath  of 
the  Decalogue  and  Sunday  of  the  Christian 
calendar  is  to  introduce  the  element  of 
religious  consideration  w'hich  under  our 
sv'stem  of  government  may  not  he  the  rea- 
son for  the  law.  To  agree  that  one  day’s 
rest  in  each  week  from  one’s  vocation  is 
essential  to  the  preservation  of  the  peace, 
health,  and  morals  of  the  community,  aside 
from  being  subject  to  many  exceptions  and 
even  contradictions,  is  amenable  to  the  ob- 
jection, first,  that  not  all  the  hours  of 
every  dav'  are  devoted  to  one’s  business,  j 

there  are  hours  each  day  for  rest  and  ] 

recreation  ; second,  that  prohibiting  the  ac- 
tivities on  any  dav  in  the  w'eek  other  than 
Sundav  and  permitting  it  in  that  day  would 
answer  the  requirements  of  that  logic.” 

j}c  5k 

Therefore,  it  is  important  to  know'  that  j 
the  Courts  generally  uphold  the  validity  of  * 
laws  which  compel  proprietors  to  close 
theatres  on  Sunday,  although  various  judges  j 
of  the  Courts  express  themselves  differ- 
ently regarding  the  reasons  for  the  validity 
of  such  laws. 

The  decisions  rendered  by  the  higher  - . 
Courts  in  other  leading  cases  involving'  | j 
this  subject,  generally,  uphold  the  validity  j| 
of  Sunday  closing  laws.  m 

For  example,  in  the  case  of  Salter  et  al.  B 
V Smith,  '55  Ga.  224,  the  Court  said : H 

“Independently  of  the  moral  obligation® 
resting  upon  all  men  to  obey  the  law  ofSL 
the  Lord,  and  to  observe,  by  abstaining®! 
Rom  all  secular  business,  the  day  set  apart®| 
for  His  w'orship  throughout  Christendom,®  , 
the  rest  of  one  day  in  seven  from  all® 
(Continued  on  page  27) 


Our  Creed: 

*‘To  exemplify  in  our  daily  contacts  with 
those  whom  we  are  privileged  to  serve,  that 
age'old  business  doctrine:  ‘He  profits  Most 
Who  Serves  Best/** 

JK/  ATIONAL  Theatre  Supply  Company  is  organized, 
equipped  and  peculiarly  fitted  by  personnel  to 
serve  those  in  the  theatre  industry  who  likewise  practice 
the  doctrine  of  better  service  in  the  conduct  of  their  busi- 
nesses and  profit  thereby. 

We  serve  in  every  capacity  wherein  the  furnishing  and 
maintenance  of  theatre  equipment  is  concerned — in  every 
emergency  affecting  the  service  of  our  patron’s  interests. 

Working  conscientiously,  day  and  night,  from  31  vantage 
points  throughout  th.e  United  States  and  with  full  regard 
for  responsibility  which  we  assume  in 

Serving  and  Servicing  the  American  Theatre  Industry 




^JSiational  Qtheatre  Supply  ISomp any 


Only  products  of  recognized  merit 
are  distributed  through  National 
Service. 


Offices  in  all 
Principal  Cities 


Read  the  announcements  of  firms 
we  represent  in  this  insert.  Watch 
for  others. 


G.  S.  V, 
Corporation 


REX 

THEATRE 


LYRIC 

THEATRE 


FORTWAY 

AMUSEMENT 

COMPANY 


HARBOR  SPR’GS 
MICH.  ^ 


NEW  YORK 
CITY 


Al  BION 
NEBR. 


BROOKLYN 
N.  Y. 


PARTHENON 
AMUSEMENT 
COMPANY 
■•<>1 .1^.. 

BROOKLYN 
N.  Y. 


PANTAGES 

THEATRE 


..€>1  !<>.. 


BIRMINGHAM 
ALA. 


You  Will  find  experienced  Kilgen 
Wonder  Organ  architects  located  at 
each  of  the  branch  offices  of  the 
National  Theatre  Supply  Company. 


MORE 

MILLIONS 

NOW  WILL  ENJOY 

*The  Voice  of  the  Silent  Drama' 

East. ..West, ..North. ..South. ..The  amazing  popularity 
o(“TheVoicc  of  the  Silent  .Drama”  knows  no  bound- 
ary,..Every  production  record  of  an  organization  that 
has  been  building  the  world’s  finest  pipe  organs  for  al- 
most three  centuries  has  been  smashed  by  the  sweeping 
demand  for  Kilgen  Wonder  Organs. ..Kilgen  craftsmen 
are  working  overtime ...  Kilgen  facilities  have  been 
increased. , .All  because,  successful  exhibitors  in  every 
section  have  learned  the  value  of  fine  photo-plays, 
accompanied  by  "The  Voice  of  the  Silent  Drama." 
Presented  here  are  the  names  of  a few  of  the  theatres  for 
which  Kilgens  are  now  being  built.  You,  too,  can  have 
one.  built  to  fit  your  “house”  and  pocket  book...  Geo. 
Kilgen  6 Son,  Inc,,  40'40  N,.  Union  Blvd.,  St,  Louis. 


POPLAR 


STREET 


THEATRE 


MEMPHIS 


HOPE 

THEATRE 


PROVIDENCE 
R.  I. 


RITZ 

THEATRE 


ARDMORE 

OKLA. 


MONTGOMERY 

AMUSEMENT 

COMPANY 

CINCINNATI 


LAKONA 

THEATRE 


Let  us  send  you  a copy  of  the  most 
complete  theatre  organ  treatise  ever 
published.  We  will  gladly  send  it 
with  our  compliments  upon  request. 


J^OWER’S  TR  OJE  C TOR  S 

Installed 

Where  Projection  is  the  First  Consideration 


CARLTON  THEATRE,  HAYMARKET,  LONDON,  S.W. 

Equipped  with 


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90  GOLD  STREET  NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. 


The  Fall  Buying  Season  is  on — 

Are  You  Qoing  to  get  your  share? 

“■DETTER  THEATRES”  for  September  will 
inaugurate  the  Fall  Season  for  the  motion 
picture  industry  on  a new  and  greater  scale. 

Issues  of  vital  importance  will  carry  your  mes- 
sage to  buyers,  executives  and  managers  of  the 
country’s  motion  picture  theatres  during  this 
period  of  activity. 

“Better  Theatres”  published  every  four  weeks 
supplies  a periodical  service  which  accurately 
fits  the  requirements  of  the  field. 

It  is  a virile  and  vibrant  force  which  keeps 
abreast  of  developments  enabling  the  theatre 
owner  to  be  currently  informed  about  equip- 
ment progress. 

As  such — from  every  viewpoint  it  is  the  preemi- 
nent medium  of  service  and  results  for  the  manu- 
facturer and  distributor  of  products  in  the 
equipment  field. 

Start  your  Campaign 
In  these  Issues 


(Forms  Close)  OUR  Advertising  in  “Better 

September  3 August  24  Theatres”  Reaches  the  “yes  or 

Fall  Special September  21  no”  Man.  Your  Sales  Message  Goes 

October  29 October  19  Straight  Through  the  Door  Marked 

November  26 November  16  “Private”  to  the  Executive  Who 

December  24 December  14  Makes  Decisions. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


August  6,  1927 


(Continued  from  page  26) 
ph3sical  and  mental  labor,  is  a great  con- 
servative, refreshing,  invigorating  means 
designed  by  Almighty  wisdom  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  health  and  the  recreation  of 
our  mental  and  bodily  faculties.  But  neither 
the  law  of  God  nor  the  law  of  men  forbids 
us  to  do  good  on  the  Sabbath  day.  The 
Saviour  rebuked  the  Pharisees  who  ques- 
tioned His  divinity,  because  He  healed  the 
important  man  on  the  Sabbath,  and  bade 
him  take  up  his  bed  and  walk;  and  he 
who  spake  as  never  man  spake  said  that 
the  Sabbath  was  made  for  man,  not  man 
for  the  Sabbath,  and  that  it  was  lawful  to 
do  good  on  the  Sabliath  da.\’ ; and  His  own 
pure  and  perfect  life  illustrated  His  teach- 
ing by  deed  of  constant  kindness  and 
beneficence  on  the  Sabbath  day.” 

How'ever,  the  Supreme  Court  of  the 
Imited  States  in  the  case  of  Soon  King  V 
Crowley,  113  U^.  S.  703,  said: 

* * * 

‘‘Laws  setting  aside  Sunday  as  a day  of 
rest  are  upheld,  not  from  any  right  of  the 
government  to  legislate  for  the  promotion 
of  religious  observances,  but  from  its  right 
to  protect  all  persons  from  the  physical 
and  moral  debasement  which  comes  from 
uninterrupted  lalx)r.  Such  laws  have  al- 
ways been  deemed  beneficent  and  merciful 
laws,  especially  to  the  poor  and  dependent, 
to  the  laborers  in  our  factories  and  w’ork- 
shops  and  in  the  heated  rooms  of  our  cities  ; 
and  their  validity  has  been  sustained  by  the 
higher  Courts  of  the  States.” 

.And  in  the  case  of  Petit  V Minnesota, 
177  U.  S.  164,  20  S.  Ct.  666,  44  L.  Ed.  716, 

the  following  paragraph  appears : 

‘‘We  have  uniformly  recognized  state 
laws  relating  to  the  observance  of  Sunday 
as  enacted  by  the  legitimate  exercise  of 
the  police  power  of  the  State.  . . . One 
day  in  seven  is  the  rule,  founded  in  ex- 
perience, and  sustained  by  science.  . . . 
The  prohibition  of  peculiar  business  on 
Sunday  is  advocated  on  the  ground  that 
by  it  the  general  welfare  is  advanced,  labor 
protected,  and  the  moral  and  physical  well- 
being of  society  promoted.  Well-nigh 
innumerable  decisions  of  the  State  Courts 
have  sustained  the  validity  of  such  laws.” 

Infringement  of 
Theatre  Names 

For  the  reason  that  in  numerous  in- 
stances the  names  of  theaters  in  the  same 
city  are  similar  in  appearance  and  articu- 
lation, the  outcome  of  the  case  of  Cleve- 
land Opera  Co.  V Cleveland  Civic  Opera 
Ass’n,  154  N.  E.  352,  decided  within  the 
past  few  weeks,  imparts  valuable  infor- 
mation on  this  subject. 

* * * 

The  facts  of  the  case  are  in  1920  the 
Cleveland  Opera  Company  was  organized. 
In  1924  a different  company,  at  a different 
location,  w'as  organized  under  the  name  of 
the  Cleveland  Civic  Opera  Association. 
The  former  company  filed  suit  to  prevent 
the  latter  from  using  the  selected  name. 

Generally  speaking,  names  used  to  indi- 
cate businesses,  as  theatres,  are  legally 
known  as  ‘‘tradenames”  and  are  quite  dif- 
ferent from  “trade-marks.”  The  latter 
relate  specifically  to  the  names  of  salable 
merchandise  and  may  be  registered  in  the 
United  States  Patent  Office.  Aloreover, 
tradenames,  as  applied  to  businesses,  are 
not  registerable.  However,  the  owner  of 
an  infringed  tradename  may  sue  the  in- 
fringer on  the  grounds  of  unfair  competi- 
tion. 

It  has  been  held  in  numerous  instances 
that  unfair  competition  is  not  confined  to 
the  imitation  of  a trade-mark,  but  takes 
as  many  forms  as  the  ingenuity  of  man 
can  devise.  It  may  consist  of  the  imita- 
tion of  a sign,  a tradename,  a label,  a 
wrapper,  a package,  or  almost  any  other 
imitation  by  a business  rival  of  some  dis- 
tinguishing earmark  of  an  established  busi 
ness,  which  the  Court  can  see  is  calculated 


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BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


The  Entire  Publix  Theatre 
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TO  BE  PETER  CLARK  EQUIPPED  means 
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and  who  have  to  their  credit  the  installation  of 
stage  equipment  of  practically  every  leading  the- 
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PETER  CLARK  SERVICE  IS 
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to  mislead  the  public  and  lead  patrons  into 
the  belief  that  they  are  patronizing  the 
first  proprietor. 

Therefore,  in  determining  whether  or 
not  one  theater  name  infringes  another, 
the  important  consideration  for  the  Court 
is  whether  or  not  the  general  public  may 
be  confused  or  deceived  by  the  similarity 
of  the  last  adopted  name  as  used  on  the 
theater  or  in  the  advertisements. 

* * * 

The  first  question  is  whether  there  is  an 
imitation  and  this  must  be  determined  by 
inspection  of  the  rival  symbols  or  names. 
It  is  not  to  be  expected,  of  course,  that 
there  will  ever  be  an  exact  copy.  The 
imitator  will  always  seek  to  introduce 
enough  differences  to  justify  a claim  that 
there  has  been  no  imitation. 

A recent  Court  said: 

“Unfair  competition  is  distinguishable 
from  the  infringement  of  a trade-mark,  in 
that  it  does  not  necessarily  involve  the 
question  of  the  exclusive  right  of  another 
to  the  use  of  the  name,  symbols,  or  device 
copied  or  imitated.  A word  may  be  purely 
generic  or  descriptive,  and  so  not  capable 
of  becoming  an  arbitrary  trade-mark,  and 
yet  there  may  be  an  unfair  use  of  it  which 
will  constitute  unfair  competition.” 

In  the  case  presently  being  discussed  the 
counsel  for  the  Cleveland  Civic  Opera  As- 
sociation contended  that  its  name  was  not 
so  similar  to  the  name  Cleveland  Opera 
Company  to  deceive  the  public. 

However,  it  is  interesting  to  note  that 
the  higher  Court,  in  granting  an  injunction 
preventing  the  use  of  the  Cleveland  Civic 
Opera  Association  name,  said : 

Jjj  * * 

“The  great  weight  of  authority  is  that 
there  can  be  no  monopoly  in  words  of  this 
character.  . . . Now  is  there  a substantial 
similarity  in  the  names?  . . . We  must 
keep  in  mind,  however,  that  while  there 
is  no  monopoly  in  the  use  of  the  geograph- 
ical and  descriptive  words,  such  as  the 
word  “Qeveland”  and  the  word  “Opera,” 
yet  these  words  are  banned  under  the  au- 
thorities, if  when  used  in  connection  with 
the  other  words  constituting  the  name  they 
result  in  apparent  or  obvious  confusion,  or 
by  inference  tend  in  that  direction  to  such 
extent  that  there  is  a probability  that  by 
reason  of  confusion  unfair  competition 
may  be  the  result — in  other  words,  unfair 
competition  arises  as  the  child  of  confu- 
sion. . . . The  use  of  the  word  “Associa- 
tion” is  indistinctive,  and  does  not  differ 
from  the  meaning  and  character  of  the 
word  “Company,”  . . . because  an  "associa- 
tion” is  essentially  a “company,”  and  thus 
there  is  nothing  in  its  appearance  or  char- 
acter that  would  fix  it  in  a differentiating 
manner  in  the  mind  of  one  reading  it.  . . . 
A comparison  of  the  two  names  indicates 
such  a great  similarity  that  the  only  prob- 
able result  would  be  confusion,  and,  if 
confusion,  then,  naturally  and  probably, 
unfair  competition.” 

It  is  important  to  observe  that  the  Cleve- 
land Civic  Opera  Association  was  pre- 
vented from  adopting  the  name  before  it 
had  actually  begun  the  conduction  of  its 
business. 

Regarding  the  adoption  of  firm  names, 
this  Court  quoted : 

* * St 

“Where  the  name  assumed  is  not  identi- 
cal, but  similar,  equitable  relief  is  granted 
on  a sufficient  showing  that  injury  would 
follow;  and  to  justify  relief  in  this  class 
of  cases  it  has  been  held  that  the  injury 
must  appear  to  be  of  a substantial  charac- 
ter and  not  merely  fanciful  or  conjec- 
tural. ...  In  case  of  mere  similarity  of 
name,  on  the  other  hand,  the  proof  must 
show  the  probability  of  substantial  dam- 
age. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


August  6,  1927 

Film,  Vaudeville 
Licenses 

In  the  case  of  Crute  vs.  State,  109  So. 
617,  the  Court  construed  a license  which 
related  to: 

“Each  person  engaged  in  conducting  a 
moving  picture  show,  or  show  of  like  char- 
acter, to  which  admission  is  charged.” 

It  was  disclosed  that  the  holder  of  this 
license  conducted  a moving  picture  show 
and  that  the  main  feature  of  his  business 
was  the  exhibition  of  moving  pictures.  He 
had  also  advertised  and  staged  and  charged 
admission  for  vaudeville  shows.  He  had 
obtained  a license  to  operate  a moving  pic- 
ture show,  but  had  failed  or  refused  to 
take  out  a license  to  run  a vaudeville  show. 

The  Court  held  that  the  theater  proprie- 
tor must  also  obtain  a license  to  operate 
a vaudeville  show,  and  said : 

“Appellant  (theater  owner)  insists  that 
the  phrase,  ‘or  show  of  like  character,’  con- 
tained in  his  license,  precluded  the  neces- 
sity of  securing  a specific  license  for  his 
vaudeville  show,  thus  contending  that  a 
vaudeville  show  is  a show  of  like  charac- 
ter to  a moving  picture  show,  in  contem- 
plation of  law.  We  do  not  so  conclude. 
We  are  of  the  opinion,  as  a matter  of  com- 
mon knowledge,  that  there  is  a marked 
distinction  between  a moving  picture  show 
and  a vaudeville  show;  and  it  is  evident 
that  the  intent  of  the  Legislature  was  to 
this  effect,  as  specific  licenses  are  required 
under  the  schedules,  supra,  for  a moving 
picture  show  and  also  for  a vaudeville 
show.” 

Negligence  Must 
Be  Proved 

The  outcome  of  a vei'y  recent  higher 
Court  case,  although  not  directly  involv- 
ing a theater  owner,  is  very  important  for 
the  reason  that  the  same  points  of  the  law 
have  been  involved  in  numerous  past  liti- 
gations where  patrons  have  sued  theater 
proprietors  for  damages  as  a result  of  in- 
juries sustained  when  being  guided  to  seats 
by  ushers. 

In  the  litigation  of  Micoletti  vs.  Park 
Circuit  & Realty  Co.,  287  S.  W.  661,  the 
proprietor  of  an  amusement  park  was  held 
not  liable  for  damages  as  a result  of  in- 
juries sustained  by  a patron.  A review 
of  this  litigation  imparts  interesting  facts 
of  the  attitude  of  the  Court  in  cases  where 
a patron  claims  damages  as  a result  of 
carelessness  of  a theater  or  amusement 
park  employee. 

The  facts  of  the  case  are  a proprietor 
operated  and  maintained  in  a pleasure  re- 
sort and  park  a building  in  which  he  con- 
ducted various  forms  of  amusement,  which 
the  general  public  were  invited  and  per- 
mitted to  visit,  use,  and  enjoy,  upon  the 
payment  of  an  entrance  fee.  Among  the 
amusements  was  a slide  or  incline  upon 
which  patrons  were  permitted  to  slide  from 
a raised  elevation  in  the  building  to  a floor 
at  a lower  elevation  while  seated  upon  a 
small  carpet  or  pad  furnished  by  pro- 
prietor. 

After  paying  the  regular  entrance  fee 
the  two  girls  seated  themselves  upon  the 
pad  at  the  top  of  the  incline  and  the  at- 
tendant in  charge  started  them  down  the 
incline  by  pushing  them  in  a usual  manner. 
The  girls  fell  off  the  pad  and  were  severely 
injured  in  making  the  descent  in  topsy- 
turvy manner. 

They  sued  the  proprietor,  alleging  that 
the  attendant  at  the  moment  they  were 
about  to  commence  their  descent  down  said 
slide  or  incline,  carelessly  and  negligently, 
and  with  great  force  and  violence,  suddenly 
and  without  warning  pushed  or  shoved 
them  down  the  slide  or  incline,  causing 
them  to  descend  with  great  rapidity  and 
speed,  and  causing  them  to  lose  their 
balance  and  fall  backward  upon  the  slide 
or  incline. 

However,  the  Court  held  the  proprietor 
not  liable  for  the  reason  that  the  evidence 
did  not  clearly  disclose  that  the  attendant 


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August  6,  1927 

V I 
>•  ► 

Montreal  Building 
Commission  Closes 
Nine  City  Theatres 

The  Ci\  ic  Buildings  Commission  of  Mont- 
real, Quebec,  held  an  important  meeting 
in  the  City  Hall  on  July  22  when  an- 
nouncement was  made  that  nine  of  the 
local  picture  theatres  had  been  forced  to 
close  their  doors  permanently  because  of 
failure  to  conform  to  building  by-law  re- 
quirements. 

* * 

The  final  report  of  J.  E.  Carmel,  chief 
city  building  inspector,  showed  that  43  out 
of  the  59  local  theatres  had  been  officially 
passed  and  of  the  remainder,  seven  have 
yet  to  make  alterations  to  premises  to  bring 
them  in  line  with  the  civic  regulations.  The 
other  nine  had  been  closed  altogether,  these 
being  the  Arace,  Alhambra,  Boule\ard- 
oscope.  Casino,  Globe,  Ideal,  King  Edward, 
Ouimetoscope  and  Canadien-Francais. 

Those  which  still  have  to  make  extensive 
alterations  before  they  can  receive  their 
civic  licenses  include:  Capitol,  Loew’s, 
Palace,  Rialto,  Monument  National,  St. 
Denis  and  National  Francais.  Some  of 
these  are  the  largest  theatres  in  Alontreal. 

Pending  the  investigation,  the  granting 
of  civic  license  renewals  for  the  fiscal  year 
of  1927-28  had  been  held  up  but  it  was 
pointed  out  that  nine  local  managers  had 
already  taken  out  licenses,  which  were  re- 
newable last  April  30.  The  Commission 
adopted  a resolution  that  all  theatre  pro- 
prietors must  immediately  obtain  their  li- 
censes, with  the  exception  of  those  for  the- 
atres ordered  closed  and  those  where  alter- 
ations are  still  necessary.  A uniformed 
guard  will  be  required  in  theatres  during 
all  performances  in  future. 

* * « 

The  Commission  had  also  examined 
^Montreal  school  buildings  and,  of  80  such 
structures,  it  was  found  that  32  were  un- 
safe, 23  partly  so  and  25  had  minor  de- 
fects. Orders  have  been  issued  for  struc- 
tural changes  here  also. 


Equipment  Body 
Elects  McAuley 

(Continued  from  page  24) 

extent  they  difl’er  and  sometimes  they  are 
opposed.  At  this  convention  let  us  iron 
out  what  differences,  if  any,  that  exist  but 
let  us  put  our  main  efforts  on  the  things 
we  have  in  common.  Let  us  find  how  the 
industry  can  best  be  served  by  our  work- 
ing in  harmony  in  the  making  and  mar- 
keting of  the  apparatus  best  adapted  to 
the  needs  of  the  trade.  This  is  the  place, 
the  opportunity,  and  the  time  to  be  on  a 
common  footing  to  discuss  matters  which 
will  be  productive  of  the  common  good. 

“I  wish  herewith  to  express  my  sincerest 
thanks  to  the  officers  and  directors  who 
served  with  me  and  who  were  at  all  times 
ready  to  lay  aside  their  own  personal  affairs 
whenever  there  was  association  work  to  be 
done.” 

Vitaphone  Issues 

First  Press  Sheet 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  2. — Vitaphone  has 
just  issued  its  first  press  sheet.  Jack  R. 
Keegan,  head  of  the  publicity  and  adver- 
tising department  for  Vitaphone,  compiled 
the  sheet.  The  purpose  of  the  sheet  is  to 
sell  the  name  Vitaphone,  and  to  emphasize 
its  drawing  power. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


The 


Motion  Picture  Theatre 
and  Public  Relations 


Member,  National  Reviewing  Commttee  of  the  Motion 
I^icture  Dhision,  General  Federation  of  Women’s  Clubs 

By  Mrs.  John  Vruwink 


SERVICE  departments  have  grown 
up  in  many  great  business  organ- 
izations, for  the  public  is  now  recog- 
nized more  and  more  as  a cooperating 
factor  necessary  for  good  will  and 
.success.  And  in  no  business  is  such  a 
department  more  worth  while  and  pro- 
ductive of  hannony  and  success  than 
in  the  exhibiting  of  motion  petures. 
During  the  past  three  years  the  De- 


partment of  Public  Relations  of  the 
West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  initiated 
by  Miss  Regge  Duran  and  carried  on 
so  efficiently  by  Miss  Ryllis  Heming- 
ton,  has  built  up  a great  public  back- 
ing, an  understanding  sympathy,  and 
a feeling  of  confidence  among  women 
of  Southern  California  which  I think 
it  would  be  difiicult  to  over-estimate. 
Its  accomplishments  are  very  great 


Mr,  Exhibitor 


Do  you  c(jiPsi<lcr  that  quantify  of  illiiiiiin- 
ation  is  llic  most  imiiortant  factor  in  good 
projection? 

If  you  do  your  audience  will  soon  disagree 
. 1 . • - ^ 1 1 . 

B&L  Cinephors  are  well  balanced  lenses; 

I)  s |».>'-sihle  light  iransniission  com- 
men.surate  with  good  definition,  flatness  of 
Heiil  and  contrast  between  black  and  white. 

Write  for  folder 


and  the  future  holds  an  increasing  op- 
portunity for  successful  endeavor. 

^ ^ ^ 

Mutual  understanding  and  sym- 
pathy are  necessary  in  any  situation 
and  at  all  times.  It  is  the  hope  be- 
tween nations  for  world  peace.  It 
applies  equally  to  local  situations  and 
it  seems  to  me  that  in  no  business  is 
it  more  necessary  to  overcome  igno- 
rance, indifference,  and  intolerance 
than  in  the  motion  picture  industry. 
The  industrv  has  now  become  essen- 
tial to  modern  life.  If  pictures  never 
had  an  educational  quality  they  would 
still  be  vital  and  necessary  because 
of  the  need  they  fill  for  relaxation 


Get  jMolion  by 


Adding  “MOTION”  an<l 
“C<)L<9R”  to  your  elec- 
tric sign  increases  atten- 
tion value  many  fold, 
using. 

Motor-Driven  Flashers 

Low  installation  and  ujikecp  cost  and  ab- 
solutely reliable  service.  'I'lie  saving  in 
electric  current  pays  for  the  Hashing. 
Color  your  sign  with  RECO  Color  Hootls. 
ll'ritc  for  full  information 

W.  Chnigress  St,,  t'liieago 

also  of  Motors.  Fla.shers,  Tiiillic  Con- 
trols. S i i!  n- 



■mmmmmmirm 


board  Tleflec- 
tors.  F o o (1 
Mixer.s,  Vege- 
ta hi  li  I’tM-llTS. 


The  INTENSIFLECTOR 

(High  Intensity  Reflector  Arc) 

The  Modem  Means  of  DeLuxe  Picture  Projection — High  Intensity  Light 

— Reflector  Arc  Economy. 

There  is  no  Theatre  too  large  or  too  small  for  the  Intensiflector. 

Developed  and  Manufactured  by 

THE  ASHCRAFT  AUTOMATIC  ARC  COMPANY 

4214-16-18  Santa  Monica  Blvd.  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 


32 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


LOEW’S,  INC. 

CENTURY  & VALENCIA 
THEATRES 

(IN  SAME  BUILDING— ONE  ABOVE  THE  OTHER) 

BALTIMORE,  MD. 

JOHN  EBERSON,  ARCHT. 

■pi7  1717 

AIR-CONDITIONING 

PREVAILS  IN  THESE  THEATRES  AT  ALL  TIMES 

REFRIGERATION — VENTILATION — HEATING 
ENGINEERING  AND  INSTALLATION 
BY 

AIR-CONDITIONING  SPECIALISTS 

B F REYNOLDS  &CO 

1 18  W.  OHIO  ST.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

EST.  1880 


oes< 

Stage  Lighting  ' 


I 

Os*. 


Anything'  required,  from  a color  cap  to  a dimmer  bank. 


FOOTLIGHTS 

BORDERLIGHTS 

SPOTLIGHTS 

FLOODLIGHTS 


SCENIC  EFFECTS 
SCIOPTICONS 
COLOR  WHEELS 
COLOR  MEDIUMS 

Write  joT  descriptive  literature 


CONNECTORS 
STAGE  CABLE 
RESISTANCES 
MUSIC  STANDS 


Universal  Electric  Stage  Lighting  Co.,in& 


32f  West  SOtW  Street 


NEW  YORK.N.\i 


_r530 


and  entertainment — but  as  in  every 
business  standards  may  be  lowered 
and  defiled  by  individuals,  and  as  in 
SO  vast  an  organization  criticisms  can 
be  justly  made,  there  is  opportunity 
for  the  expression  of  prejudice  and 
intolerance  and  a ciiance  for  active 
antagonism  which  is  harmful  for  both 
exhibitor  and  the  public.  It  is  true 
that  every  community  has  reformers 
who  sometimes  defeat  the  very  pur- 
pose for  which  they  are  working,  for 
an  intelligent  survey  of  a proposition 
without  understanding  of  the  facts  in- 
volved, impedes  any  course  and  hin- 
ders progress.  I 

The  Director  of  Pubic  Relations  ; 
can  bring  about  the  sympathetic  and 
intelligent  understanding  necessary 
between  the  theatre  and  the  public.  I 
believe  that  the  choice  of  a woman 
for  such  a position  is  absolutely  right  ' 
because  public  opinion  is  moulded  by 
women,  and  women  express  them- 
selves more  freely  and  frankly  to  each 
other  and  are  best  understood  by  their 
own  sex.  If  the  woman  in  charge 
can  have  had  the  experience  in  the- 
atre management,  as  Miss  Hemington 
has  had,  it  is  of  course  of  immeasur- 
able help,  because  practical  experience 
— not  unproven  theory — gives  greater 
confidence  to  those  with  whom  it  is 
necessary  to  work.  Questions  of 
practical  application  come  up  con- 
stantly, and  if  they  can  be  answered 
from  a business  standpoint,  the  satis- 
faction to  all  concerned  is  very  great. 
Women  in  Southern  California  have 
found  that  there  is  a considerate,  tact- 
ful, just  and  sympathetic  woman  to 
turn  to  in  the  West  Coast  offices, 
someone  sincerely  willing  to  help  if 
possible,  or  to  explain  the  situation 
and  satisfy  all  doubts.  As  a result 
of  the  confidence  created  by  Miss 
Hemington,  women,  generally,  are 
rallying  to  the  exhibitor  and  are  will- 
ing to  openly  take  sides  in  questions 
where  the  theatres  are  locally  in 
danger  of  autocratic  inhibitions.  This 
was  recently  proven  in  Pasadena  and 
in  Long  Beach  where  the  different 
women’s  organizations  gave  every  as- 
sistance to  defeat  censorship  because 
they  feel  that  theatre  managements 
are  sincerely  attempting  a wiser  solu- 
tion of  the  problem. 

^ ^ 

The  jimior  matinee  or  the  weekend 
booking  of  family  pictures  in  neigh- 
borhood houses  has  been  enthusias- 
tically received  in  Southern  California 
as  the  solution  for  children’s  attend- 
ance at  motion  pictures,  and  as  an  an- 
swer to  censorship.  The  movement 
meets  with  approval  from  the  public 
generally  and  the  plan  has  been 
carried  thruout  the  state.  If  it  is  more 
successful  in  Southern  California  it  is 
entirely  due  to  the  capable  leadership 
of  Miss  Hemington  who  is  constantly 
in  touch  with  the  women’s  organiza- 
tions sponsoring  the  movement — and 
with  the  bookers — ^who  understand 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


f, 


August  6,  1927 


the  aims  of  the  women  and  who  try 
to  adapt  to  each  neighborhood  its  own 
particular  requirement. 

As  Director  of  Public  Relations  she 
is  in  a position  to  know  different  com- 
munities, to  learn  of  the  activities  of 
the  leaders  in  various  welfare  or 
“reform”  movements,  to  distinguish 
the  constructive  element  and  separate 
it  from  that  which  would  defeat 
progress. 

There  are  many  demands  made 
constantly  upon  theatre  owners  and 
managers.  Some  of  these  calls  are 
legitimate  in  service  to  the  community. 
Many  are  frankly  impertinent.  Some 
come  from  women’s  groups  who  take 
advantage  of  their  sex  or  organization 
name  to  make  requests  from  the  the- 
atre manager  which  are  difficult  to 
refuse.  But  many  such  requests  are 
made  in  ignorance  and  the  Director  of 
Public  Relations  is  in  a position  to 
educate  the  public.  There  has  already 
been  a general  movement  on  the  part 
of  federated  club  women  to  stop  the 
abuse  of  such  requested  courtesies. 
She  is  the  intermediary  who  carries 
to  the  theatre  men  the  viewpoint  of 
the  public,  and  to  the  public  an  under- 
standing of  the  problems  of  the 
business  and  the  necessity  of  construc- 
tive criticism  and  cooperation. 

* * * 

Educating  the  public  on  the  tech- 
nical side  of  exhibiting  pictures  has 
also  been  an  interesting  phase  of  Miss 
Hemington’s  work  and  it  has  aroused 
a greater  interest  in  theatres  all  of 
which  aids  in  greater  discrimination 
and  greater  appreciation  of  the  enter- 
tainment given  and  the  finer  pictures 
shown.  She  is  bringing  to  the  children 
at  junior  matinees,  through  coopera- 
tion with  the  Boy  Scouts,  Camp  Fire 
Girls,  Playground  Associations,  Music 
Settlement,  Police  and  Fire  Depart- 
ments, and  other  such  groups,  new 
interest  and  increased  civic  under- 
standing. There  are  infinite  possibil- 
ities for  future  development  along 
these  lines  which  would  be  distinctly 
constructive  in  effect  for  the  exhibit- 
ors and  for  the  public. 

There  are  innumerable  ways  in 
which  a great  exhibiting  group  may 
be  of  benefit  to  the  public,  but  cer- 
tainly the  greatest  welfare  work  it 
could  do  would  be  through  real  in- 
terest in  children.  The  motion  picture 
plays  so  great  a part  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  modern  child  that  no  one 
can  overlook  this  responsibility.  By 
sharing  the  responsibility  with  parents 
the  motion  picture  exhibitor  can  give 
invaluable  help  to  this  phase  of  child 
welfare  work.  The  woman  director 
of  public  relations  is  the  logical  head 
for  such  creative  help  and  it  is  im- 
possible to  foresee  the  opportunties 
and  possibilities  for  increasing  good 
will  and  understanding,  which  such 
cooperation  can  mean  to  West  Coast 
Theatres  and  to  the  public. 


Full,  steady  light  under 

all  projection  conditions 


Find  out  about  the  Roth  Emergency  Lighting  Sys' 
tern,  “The  Light  That  T^ever  Fails.’*  Every  thea* 
tre  needs  this  protection. 


The  Roth  ACTO^ 
DECTOR  is  com-' 
pact,  economical  and 
operates  smoothly  and 
silently  under  all  condi- 
tions. Its  steady,  uni- 
form regulation  means 
more  light  on  the  screen 
and  better  projection 
with  less  attention  from 
the  projectionist.  Send 
for  the  ACTODEC- 
TOR  bulletins  and  get 
complete  information  on 
this  efficient  power  sup- 
ply unit. 

Roth  Brothers  8C  Co. 

1409  W.  Adams  St. 
Chicago,  HI. 


The  ACTODECTOR  is  built  in  a full 
range  of  sizes,  providing  capacity  for  any 
theatre,  large  or  small. 


Representatives  in  Principal  Cities 

Branch  Offices 

52  Vesey  Street,  437  Real  Estate  Trust  Bldg.  211  Ideal  Bldg.  409  Bessemer  Bldg., 

New  York  City  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania  Denver,  Colorado  Pittsburgh,  Penna. 

5' 127  General  Motors  Bldg., 

Detroit,  Michigan 


EH8'6'Gray 


The  choice  of  a 

MASTER  SHOWMAN 


ROXY 

uses  the 


Picture  Quality  Prompted  the  Choice 

Raven  Screen  Corporation  New  York,  N.  Y. 


SUPERIOR  CARBONS  MEAN 
PERFECT  PROJECTION 


CARBONS 


Ensure  Best  Screen  Resalts  for  All  Types  of  Projection 

HUGO  REISINGER 


11  Broadway 


New  York 


34 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


Perfection  Rheostats 

Are  a Quarantee  of 
Continuous  and  Efficient  Service 

Installed  as  standard  equipment  by 

Roxy  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Paramount  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Rialto  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Rivoli  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Loew’s  State  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Astor  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Proctors  86th  St. 

— New  York  City 
Cohan  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Publix  Theatre 

—Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Keith’s  Circuit  M.  & S.  Circuit  Loew’s  Circuit 

What  Price  Glory — Road  Shows 

Big  Parade — Road  Shows  Beau  Geste — Road  Shows 

Simplex  Division,  International  Projector  Corp.  Vitaphone  Companies 
Eastman  Kodak  Company  U.  S.  Navy,  and  others 

HOFFMANN  & SOONS 

522  First  Avenue  New  York  City 

Contracting  Electrical  Engineers — Moving  Picture  Theatre  Electrical  Specialists 


EDWARDS  SHEET  METAL 
MARQUEES  or  CANOPIES 

For  use  over  entrances  to  theatres,  hotels,  cafes,  store  buildings,  etc.  A work  of  art 
and  they  have  the  massive  and  ornamental  appearance  of  cast  iron,  at  but  a fraction  of 
the  cost.  Furnished  complete,  easy  to  erect — Made  of  galvanized  iron  or  copper  in  any 
style  or  size  desired.  Shipped  in  largest  convenient  sections,  with  glass  packed  sep- 
arately. Our  large  catalog  showing  complete  line  Marquises  or  Canopies,  Balconies, 
Cornices,  Theatre  Fronts,  Signs,  Skylights,  Metal  Roofing,  Metal  Ceilings  and  Walls, 
etc.,  sent  free  on  request. 

The  Edwards  Manufacturing  Co. 

409-459  East  Fifth  St.  Cincinnati,  Ohio 

The  World’s  Largest  Manufacturers  of  Metal  Roofing,  Metal  Shingles, 

Metal  Spanish  Tile,  Metal  Ceilings,  Metal  Garages,  Portable 
Buildings,  Rolling  Steel  Doors,  Partitions,  etc. 


Houck  to  Manage 
New  ''V  Theatre 

J.  William  Houck,  present  manager  of 
Universal’s  State  theatre  at  Racine,  Wis., 
has  been  named  as  manager  of  Universal’s 
new  house  at  Kenosha.  The  theatre  is  be- 
ing erected  by  the  Kenosha  Theatre  Com- 
pany, a subsidiary  of  the  Milwaukee  The- 
atre Circuit,  which  in  turn  is  a subsidiary 
of  Universal,  and  will  be  ready  to  open 
September  1. 

The  theatre,  which  will  be  known  as  the 
Kenosha,  together  with  the  apartments 
which  are  included  in  the  building,  is  to 
cost  in  the  neighborhood  of  $1,125,000  when 
completed  and  furnished.  It  will  have  a 
seating  capacity  of  more  than  2,200  and 
will  provide  a stage  ample  for  the  presen- 
tation of  any  form  of  dramatic  art,  even 
extending  to  the  presentation  of  grand 
opera. 

Mr.  Houck  took  over  his  new  position 
on  August  1.  He  formerly  managed  a 
large  theatre  on  the  Pacific  coast,  and  be- 
fore coming  to  the  State  theatre  at  Racine 
he  managed  the  State  theatre  in  Minneapo- 
lis. 

Theatres  Install  System 
for  Emergency  Lighting 

Marks  Brothers’  new  5200  seat  “Marbro” 
theatre  in  Chicago,  one  of  the  largest  the- 
atres in  the  country  and  which  has  one  of 
the  Wurlitzer  5 manual  organs,  of  which 
there  are  only  three  in  the  world,  contains 
among  other  interesting  items  of  equipment 
a model  No.  7287  500  watt  Roth  Emergency 
Light  Plant.  It  was  installed  to  insure  exit 
and  hazard  lights  in  the  event  of  power 
iailure.  Exide  KXF-9  batteries  were  used 
which  will  carry  the  load  for  three  hours. 
-\n  Acme  LLher  Signal  System  which  uses 
.special  24  volt  Roth  generators  as  stand- 
ard equipment  facilitates  the  seating  of  the 
crowd. 

* * * 

The  Cambria  Theatre  of  Johnstown,  Pa., 
has  also  gi\en  full  protection  to  its  light- 
ing system  recently  by  installing  a Roth 
2000  watt  Emergency  Light  Plant  complete 
with  Exide  haueries,  automatic  control 
panel,  signal  stations,  etc. 

* * * 

Publix  has  ordered  trvo  85  volt,  250 
ampere,  Roth  .Lctodectors  for  the  new 
Denver  'I'heatrc,  Den\cr  Colo.  Mr.  Gold- 
berg, Projection  Expert  for  Balaban  & 
Katz-l’ublix,  passed  on  the  Roth  Actodec- 
lors  only  aLer  long,  severe  tests,  so  that 
they  are  now  assured  of  generator  satis- 
faction in  their  projection. 


INCREASE  Your  revenue 


with  a 

STAR 

Pop  Com 
Machine 

\\  c can  fill  your 
requirements  per- 
fectly at  the  right 
price  ! 

Write  for  free 
catalogs 

STAR  MFG.  CO. 

Inc. 

1236  N.  Clark  St. 
Chicasro.  HL 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


T,  J,  Major  Joins 
National  as  Head  of 
Contract  Division 

TJ.  MAJOR,  until  recently  purchasing 
• agent  for  Balahan  & Katz,  has  been 
retained  by  National  Theatre  Supply  Com- 
pany and  placed  in  charge  of  the  One-Con- 
tract Plan  Division  of  the  company,  which 


T.  J.  MAJOR 

includes  the  engineering  division  under  the 
direction  of  Alvin  Seiler,  the  National  the- 
atre equipment  engineer. 

Mr.  Major  is  one  of  the  leading  theatre 
equipment  specialists  of  the  country,  hav- 
ing had  supervision  of  equipment  selection 
over  a majority  of  the  finest  B.  & K. 
houses,  including  the  famous  Uptown,  Tiv- 
oli, Rialto  Square  and  many  other  play- 
houses of  like  calibre.  His  combined  ex- 
perience in  the  equipment  industry  and  in 
the  operation  and  maintenance  of  theatres, 
ideally  fits  him  for  the  position  he  has  as- 
sumed with  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company. 

In  addition  to  assuming  sales  supervision 
of  the  various  unit  departments  compris- 
ing the  one-contract  division,  including  the 
engineering,  scenic,  seating,  decorating  and 
pipe  organ  departments,  he  will  train  Na- 
tional territorial  representatives  and  sales- 
men in  the  modus  operandi  of  National 
Service,  instructing  them  in  both  merchan- 
dising and  the  better  service  policies  in- 
culcated by  National. 


Replace  your  old  screen 
. as  conscientiously  as  you 
do  your  other  equipment- — 
and  you’ll  be  astonished  at  the 
results  your  box-office  receipts 
show!  ^ Which  is  another  way 
of  saying:  Install  a Minusa  De 
Luxe  Special.  It  will  pay  you! 


Minusa  Cine  Screen  Company 

Bomont  at  Morgan  Saint  Louis 


THE  BEST 

SINCE  1914 

De  Luxe  Special 

Programs 

prepared  by  us 
get  the  public 
interested  in 
your  shows. 

Let  us  send  you 
some  samples. 

THE  NATIONAL 

PROGRAM  & PRINTING  CO. 

729  So.  Wabash  Ave.  - Chicago 

* * * 

The  National  one-contract  division  has 
inaugurated  a system  of  equipment  re- 
search, and  data  will  be  supplied  to  archi- 
tects covering  every  department  of  theatre 
construction  and  outfitting  in  which  they 
may  be  interested. 

The  National  Engineering  division  serv- 
ices and  the  One-Contract  Plan  will  func- 
tion through  commissioned  architects.  No 
attempt  has  been  or  will  be  made  to  serve 
in  an  architectural  capacity  and  all  decora- 
tive schemes,  plans  and  suggestions  for 
either  effect  or  efficiency  will  be  submitted 
to  the  architect  in  charge  of  each  project 
prior  to  final  submission  to  the  buyer. 

Mr.  Major’s  department  has  devised  a 
“job  progress  department”  for  work  in 
process.  A systematic  routing  of  work 
through  each  department  which  insures 
close  co-ordination  and  the  maintenance  of 
harmony  in  both  effect  and  efficiency. 

The  importance  of  proper  selection  of 


Wherever 
Better  Projection 

Exists 

Throughout  the  United  States 
and  Europe 

you  will  find 

"HC”  High  Intensity 
Lamps 

The  High  Intensity  Lamp 

will  improve  YOUR  projection 

Send  for  Booklet 

HALL  & CONNOLLY,  Inc. 

129  Grand  Street,  New  York  City 


Are  “Custom  Built”  and 
for  the  smaller  theatre, 
meet  every  requirement  of 
QUALITY  and  PER- 
FORMANCE. 

Write  for  Details 

Schaefer  Organ  Co. 

Slinger  Wisconsin 

Organ  Builders  Since  1875 


36 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


Don*t  Say — 

‘‘Reflector  Arc” 

or  “Low  Intensity  Lamps” 

SAY  STRONG  LAMPS! 

Automatically 

Delivering 

Continuous 

Satisfaction 

STRONG  LAMPS 

STRONG  RECTIFIERS 

In  Over  500  Theatres 

STRONG  RHEOSTATS 

SINGLE  STEREOS 

DOUBLE  DISSOLVING 
STEREOS 

The  Strong  Electric  Co., 

3248  Monroe  St.  Toledo,  O. 

“The  Sun  Never  Sets  on  Strong  Lamps” 

EQUIPPED  THEATRES? 

That  is  not  a hard  question  to  answer.  It  is  obvious.  Ask  your 
Architect,  Electrical  Contractor,  Stage  Electrician  or  the  Suc- 
cessful Chain  Operator. 

They  will  tell  you  how  the  @ Major  System  will  enhance  your  thea- 
tre with  its  greatness  in  lighting  effects.  Its  safety  and  simplicity  of 
control  are  features.  It  is  pre-set  and  pre-selective  as  well.  It  reduces 
operating  expenses.  That  is  enough  to  show  you  why  hundreds  of  the 
country’s  greatest  theatres  choose  the  greatest  lighting  control  system. 

There  is  an  illustrated  book  awaiting  your  call  that  shows  the  @ 
Major  System  and  explains  its  merits.  May  we  send  it?  Write  us. 
We  furnish  estimates  without  obligation. 


Sfank  M.dam 

ELECTRIC  COMPANY 

ST.  LOUIS 

DISTRICT  OFFICES 


Atlanta,  Ga. 
Baltimore,  Md. 
Boston,  Mass. 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Charlotte,  N.  C. 
Chicago,  III. 
Cincinnati,  O. 
Dallas,  Tex. 
Denver,  Colo. 

V 


Detroit,  Mich. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Los  Angeles,  Calif. 


Memphis,  Tenn. 
Miami,  Fla. 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 


New  Orleans,  La. 
Omaha,  Neb. 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

San  Francisco,  Calif. 
Seattle,  Wash. 
Vancouver,  B.  C. 
Walkerville,  Ont. 
Winnipeg,  Man. 

7138 


furniture  and  furnishings  adapted  to  thea- 
tre usage  is  recognized,  and  this  factor  has 
been  given  much  consideration  in  the  One- 
Contract  department  to  the  end  that  color 
harmony,  beauty,  comfort  and  durability 
may  be  assured  in  the  final  completion  of 
the  National  equipped  theatre. 

Stage  lighting,  effect  production,  house 
lighting,  flood  lighting,  projection — all  the 
factors  of  modern  theatre  operation,  in- 
cluding the  new  National  Seiler  switch- 
boards and  other  scientifically  correct  ap- 
paratus have  been  placed  under  Mr.  Ma- 
jor’s supervision,  and  the  result  is  a close 
co-ordination  and  a consultation  process 
that  binds  together  the  several  departments 
constituting  the  basis  of  the  National  One- 
Contract  Plan. 

Contrary  to  any  assumption  that  might 
possibly  be  made  in  considering  the  Na- 
tional One-Contract  job,  it  is  pointed  out 
that  the  plan  tends  to  reduce  rather  than 
increase  the  gross  expenditure  of  the  thea- 
tre owner.  This  for  the  reason  that  in 
consultation  and  cooperation  with  the  One- 
Contract  Plan  specialists,  the  buyer  is 
saved  the  waste  of  unwise  selection — he  is 
assured  of  the  installation  of  the  equipment 
best  suited  to  his  individual  needs,  and 
quite  frequently  it  happens  that  what  is  ac- 
tually needed  is  less  expensive  than  snap 
judgment  indicates.  The  huge  cost  of  over- 
sights discovered  too  late  for  rectification 
is  evidence  of  this. 

A new  system  of  financing  is  being  de- 
vised to  function  in  conjunction  with  the 
National  One-Contract  Plan  and  which 
will,  when  finally  announced,  represent  an- 
other salient  feature  of  the  group  method 
of  equipping  the  theatre. 


Will  Erect  Theatre 
of  3,000  Seats  in 
Spokane,  Washington 

L.  N.  Rosenbaum,  a financier  of  New 
York  and  Spokane,  Washington  has  pur- 
chased the  block  on  the  southwest  corner 
of  Sprague  avenue  and  Monroe  street, 
Spokane,  and  has  contracted  with  the  West 
Coast  Theatres,  Incorporated,  to  erect 
thereon  a modern  theatre  building  to  seat 
3,000  people.  This  building  is  also  to  con- 
tain a large  commercial  section. 

John  Bberson  of  New  York  and  Chicago 
has  been  selected  as  the  architect  and  the 
work  is  to  start  some  time  in  September. 

Mr.  Rosenbaum  is  playing  an  important 
part  in  the  real  estate  and  building  develop- 
ment of  Spokane,  Seattle,  and  other  North- 
west towns,  aside  from  having  large  real 
estate  and  building  holdings  in  the  City  of 
New  York. 

Negotiations  for  this  theatre  lease  were 
carried  on  by  Mr.  Rosenbaum  and  Harold 
B.  Franklin,  president  of  West  Coast  The- 
atres. 

Nationals  Emergency 
Equipment  Service  Is 
Popular,  Officials  Say 

A brisk  increase  in  the  number  of  in- 
stances where  emergency  and  relief  ser- 
vice has  been  taken  advantage  of  is  re- 
ported by  the  headquarters  office  of  the 
National  Theatre  Company. 

Since  the  company  announced  a 24-hour 
seiwice  policy  in  all  of  its  branches  and 
furnished  theatre  owners  in  the  various 
localities  with  night  or  emergency  tele- 
phone numbers  sometime  ago,  there  have 
been  scores  of  reports  of  prevention  of 
shut-downs  by  quick  action  in  furnishing 
relief  equipment  and  service. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


New  Theatres 

A Partial  List  of  New  Theatres  in  Various 
Parts  of  the  Country  as  Announced  in  the 

Past  Few  Weeks 


^ ALABAMA 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALA.  — Theatre  anc 
stores.  0\vner : Care  of  architect,  C.  H 
Bldg.,  Birmingham 
BIRMINGHAM,  ALA.  — Theatre  anc 
commercual  Owner:  Care  of  architects 
Graven  & Maygar,  307  N.  Michigan  Ave 
Chicago.  ' 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALA. — Theatre.  Own- 
er:  David  Roberts,  Jr.,  American  Trusi 
Bldg  Architect:  D.  O.  Whilden,  517  N. 
-list  bt. 

BIRMINGHAM,  ALA.  — Theatre  anc 
withheld.  Architect: 
C.  H.  McCauley,  709  Jackson  Bldg.  Loca- 
tion: Avenue  G at  29th  St. 

_ BIRMINGHAM,  ALA.— Theatre  Loca- 
Fourth  Ave.  Owner  DaHc 
BIRMINGHAM,  ALA.  - Theatre  anc 
commercial  building.  Owner:  Care  of  ar- 
AT  1 .^’■‘^Bitect : Graven  & Maygar  18C 
^Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago.  Cost:  $1,000,- 

er^^nf  ABA.-Theatre.  Own- 

er.  David  Roberts,  Jr.,  American  Trust 
Bldg  Architect:  D.  O.  Whillden,  517  N 

SS  N.  FomK*’”'"’’ 

tion^-^!7??  ALA.-Theatre.  Loca- 

tion.  1723  Fourth  Ave.  Owner:  Davie 
Roberts,  Jr.,  American  Trust  Bldg  Bir- 
mingham  Architect:  D.  O.  Whillden,  517 
Birmingham. 

HEFFI^ELD,  ala. — Theatre.  Owner- 
Muscle  Shoals  Theatres,  care  of  Louis 
Rosenbaum  Architect : Marr  & Holman 

$lTOo'oO^  “Benn.  Cost: 

ARIZONA 

LouL^M^/^A  — Theatre.  Owner: 

J-^uis  M.  t.ohen,  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  care 
ofoWest  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.  Cost:  $500,- 

ARKANSAS 

Cooper  & Marthalb'  Vktory  "theatrS'^  Ar- 

and^Walnut  Sts  Second 

stor?Y-,J-^^^^A  ark. -Theatre  and 
store_  fomlding.  Owner:  G.  D.  Hughes 

^ Nelson,  Merchants 

$20mo"’T®""p  Smith.  Cost; 

Location:  Heavener,  Okla 

HOT  SPRINGS.  ARK.-^Theat’re  (re- 
model)  Owner:  Earl  Housley,  314  Oua- 
cj,..jAve.  Archive:  J.  G. 

PUEBLO,  COLO.— Theatre  ( remodel) . 
ArrFt’ Majestic  theatre. 

Cost'llUi  “• 

CC^O. — Rialto  theatre  (re- 
^9wner:  C.  E.  Miller,  Rialto  thea- 
tre.  Architect : E.  Floyd  Redding,  505  Ta- 
bor Bldg.,  Denver. 

WASHINGTON 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C. — Theatre  and 
hotel.  Owner:  Tillion  & Tillion,  415  Lex- 
mgton  Ave.,  New  York  City.  Architect: 
Poggi  & Winters,  Equitable  Bldg.,  Broad 
and  Locust  Sts.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Cost: 
$5,000,000. 


WASHINGTON,  D.  C. — Theatre  and 
office  building.  Owner : Earle  Theatre  and 
Office  Bldg.  Co.;  Julian  A.  Brylawski,  on 
premises.  Architect:  John  J.  Zink,  126 
Oreland  Ave.,  Baltimore,  Md.  Cost:  $50,- 
000. 

FLORIDA 

OCALA,  FLA.  — Theatre.  Walter  R. 
Pedrick,  owner.  Architect : Fred  T.  Uez- 
zell,  Ocala.  1,000  seats. 

WEST  PALM  BEACH,  FLA.— Theatre. 
Owner : E.  J.  Sparks  Enterprises.  Archi- 
tect: Roy  A.  Benjamin,  Bisbee  Bldg.,  Jack- 
sonville, Fla.  1,000  seats.  Cost : $125,000. 

CHIPLEY,  FLA.  ■ — Theatre.  Owner: 
J.  C.  Blackburn.  Architect : Warren, 
Knight  & Davis,  1603  Empire  Bldg.,  Bir- 
mingham, Ala. 

WINTER  HAVEN,  FLA. — Theatre. 
Owner:  R.  A.  Henry  and  W.  A.  Mann, 
Haven  Villa  Corp.  Architect : B.  C.  Bon- 
foev,  Stovall  Professional  Bldg.,  Tampa. 
$100,000. 

GEORGIA 

MACON,  GA. — Theatre  and  stores  (re- 
model). Owner:  Union  Dry  Goods  Co., 
415  Cherry  St.  Architect:  A.  F.  Everett, 
Candler  Annex,  Atlanta.  Asst,  architect : 
Dunwody  & Oliphant,  460  Broadway,  Ma- 
con. Cost : $50,000. 

HOMERVILLE,  GA. — Theatre.  Owner : 
Douglas,  Dickerson,  Musgrove  & Smith. 
Architect : Greer  & Biggers,  108  Patterson 
St.,  Jacksonville,  Fla.  Cost:  $20,000. 

ILLINOIS 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  — Theatre.  Owner: 
Peerless  Theatre  Co.,  J.  Pierce,  manager, 
109  N.  Chestnut  St.,  Kewanee,  111.  Archi- 
tect: Hewitt  & Emerson,  Peoria  Life  Bldg., 
Peoria,  111.  Cost : $25,000. 

SPRINGEIELD,  ILL.— Theatre.  Own- 
er: Reisch  Investment  Co.,  G.  Reisch,  pres., 
Reisch  Bldg.,  Springfield,  111.  Architect : 
C.  Meyer  Bldg.,  Springfield,  111.  Cost: 
$20,000. 

CHICAGO,  ILL.- — -Theatre  and  stores. 
Owner:  Carmelo  Scribano,  1223  W.  Taylor 
St.,  Chicago.  Architect:  L.  G.  Hallberg, 
116  S.  Michigan  Ave. 

MELROSE  PARK,  ILL.— Theatre.  Own- 
er: Care  of.  architect,  John  A.  Chiaro,  9 
Broadway,  Melrose  Park.  Cost : $200,000. 

EAST  ST.  LOUIS,  ILL.— Theatre.  Own- 
er: Harry  Redmond.  Architect:  Boiler 
Brothers,  114  W.  10th  St.,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. 

AURORA,  ILL. — Theatre  on  West  Main 
St.  Owner:  Syndicate,  care  of  A.  M. 
Hirsh,  13  Broadway.  Architect : Graven  & 
Maygar,  307  N.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago. 
Cost,  including  stores,  apartment:  $1,200,- 
000. 

LAKE  FOREST,  ILL. — Theatre,  stores, 
office  on  Wisconsin  and  Bank  Lane.  Own- 
er : Vincent  Quarta,  Westminster  Ave.  Ar- 
chitect : Elmer  F.  Behrns,  605  N.  Michigan 
Ave.,  Chicago.  Cost:  $1(X),000. 

RfTCKFORD,  ILL.— Theatre,  stores,  of- 
fice and  apartment  building.  Owner:  Clapi- 
tol  Theatre  Corp.,  1222  S.  Church  St.  Ar- 
chitect: W.  J.  Van  Der  Merr,  Mead  Bldg. 
Cost:  $150,000.  Location:  1100  S.  Main  St. 


PARK  RIDGE,  ILL. — -Theatre,  store  and 
offices.  Owner : W.  H.  Malone,  201  Grand 
Bldg.,  Park  Ridge.  Architect : Zook  Mc- 
Caughey,  222  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  111. 
Cost : $500,000. 

EFFINGHAM,  ILL. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Washington  Theatre  Corp.,  care  of  H.  B. 
Kneeder,  Mattoon,  111.  Architect:  S.  A. 
Clausen,  Milliken  Bank  Bldg.,  Decatur,  111. 
Cost : $60,000. 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  — - Theatre,  store  and 
apartment  building.  Owner : Balaban  & 
Katz,  175  N.  State  St.,  and  Lubliner  and 
Trinz,  307  N.  Michigan  Ave.  Architect: 
C.  W.  and  George  L.  Rapp,  190  N.  State 
St.  Cost : $2,000,000.  Location : Northeast 
corner  of  Lawrence  and  Lipps  Ave. 

EFFINGHAM,  ILL.— Theatre.  Owner: 
Washington  Theatre  Corp.,  Mattoon,  111. 
Architect : S.  A.  Clausen,  Millikin  Bank 
Bldg.,  Decatur,  111. 

EAST  ST.  LOUIS,  ILL.— Theatre.  Own- 
er : Harry  Redmond.  Architect : Boiler 
Brothers,  114  W.  Tenth  St.,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. 

CHICAGO,  ILL. — Theatre,  stores  and 
offices.  Owner  : Marks  Bros.  Theatres,  Inc., 
6427  Sheridan  Road.  Architect : Alexander 
L.  Levy  & W.  J.  Klein,  228  S.  LaSalle  St. 
Cost : $4,000,000. 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  — Theatre.  Owner : 
Florenz  Ziegfeld,  care  of  The  New  Am- 
sterdam theatre.  New  York  City.  Archi- 
tect' Benjamin  H.  Marshall,  612  Sheridan 
Road,  Wilmette,  111. 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  — Theatre  and  store 
building.  Owner : Care  of  architect.  Ar- 
chitect: L.  C.  Hallberg,  116  S.  Michigan 
Ave.  Cost : $60,000. 

.CHICAGO,  ILL.— Theatre,  stores  and 
office.  Owner:  Name  withheld.  Architect; 
Betts  & Holcomb,  32  W.  Randolph  St. 
Cost : $1,000,000.  Location:  Northwest  cor- 
ner Cicero  and  Superior  Sts. 

DANVILLE,  ILL.  — Theatre  and  office 
building.  Owner:  Nasib  Behout,  care  of 
general  contractor.  Architect : W.  Scott 
Armstrong  & Co.,  200  E.  Erie  St.,  Chicago, 
111.  Cost:  Not  stated. 

CHICAGO,  ILL. — Theatre  and  stores. 
Owner : Withheld.  Architect : L.  G.  Hall- 
berg, 116  S.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 
Cost:  $75,000. 

DANVILLE,  ILL.— Theatre  and  office 
building.  Owner : Danville  Building,  care 
of  general  contractor.  General  contractor: 
James  J.  Redding  Co.,  10  N.  Clark  St.,  Chi- 
cago. Seating  capacity : 2,500. 

EFFINGHAM,  ILL.— Theatre  and  store 
building.  Owner:  Robert  Clark.  Archi- 
tect: H.  B.  Dox,  402  Lehman  Bldg.,  Pe- 
oria, 111.  Cost : $30,000. 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  — Theatre  and  store 
building.  Owner : Carmelo  Scribano,  1223 
W.  Taylor  St.  Architect:  I.  G.  Hallberg, 
116  S.  Michigan  Ave.  ocation : 1200  block, 
W.  Taylor  St.  Cost;  $75,000. 

CHICAGO,  ILL.— Theatre  addn.  Own- 
er : Tiffen  Theatre  Building  Corp.,  care  of 
V.  P.  Lynch,  pres.,  4045  W.  North  Ave., 
Chicago,  111.  Architect : Elmer  F.  Behrens, 
605  N.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  111.  Cost: 
$100,000. 


38 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OJ^' 


August  6,  1927 


VILLA  PARK,  ILL. — Theatre.  Owner: 
James  G.  McMillan,  Villard  Building  Corp. 
Architect : Betts  & Holcomb,  32  W.  Ran- 
dolph St.,  Chicago,  111.  Seating  capacity: 
1,000. 

ROCKFORD,  ILL. — Theatre,  store  and 
apartment  building.  Owner:  Anthony  Do- 
mino and  Theodore  Ingrassia,  1222  S. 
Church  St.  Architect:  W.  J.  Van  der 
iMeer,  Mead  Bldg.  Cost:  $150,000.  Seat- 
ing capacity:  1,000. 

SPRINGFIELD,  ILL. — Empress  theatre 
addition.  Owner : G.  Reisch,  Reisch  In- 
vestment Co.,  Reisch  Bldg.  Architect:  C. 
Meyer,  Meyers  Bldg. 

SAVANNA,  ILL.- — Theatre.  Owner: 
Ambassador  Theatre  Co.,  care  of  G.  Drall- 
meier,  and  W.  P.  McCarthy.  Cost : $150,- 
000. 

KANKAKEE,  ILL. — Theatre,  store  and 
apartment  building.  Owner : Kankakee 
Building  Corp.,  care  of  general  contractor. 
General  contractor:  James  J.  Redding  Co., 
10  N.  Clark  St.,  Chicago.  Architect:  Hoop- 
er & Janisch,  Inc.,  879  N.  State  St,  Chicago. 

CHICAGO,  ILL. — Theatre  and  stores 
and  apartment  building.  Owner:  J.  O. 
Maskolinnas,  care  of  architect.  Architect : 
R.  C.  Harris,  Inc.,  190  N.  State  St.,  Chi- 
cago, 111.  Cost : $25,000. 

GOLCONDA,  ILL. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Dr.  L.  S.  Barger. 

CHICAGO,  ILL. — Theatre,  hotel  and  of- 
fice building.  Owner:  B.  F.  Lindheimer,  77 
W.  Washington  St.,  Chicago,  111.  Archi- 
tect: A.  S.  Alschuler,  28  E.  Jackson  Blvd., 
Chicago,  111.  Cost:  Not  stated. 

CHICAGO,  ILL. — Theatre,  stores,  bank 
and  apartments.  Owner : Syndicate,  care 
of  architect.  Architect:  F.  B.  Abbott,  6035 
W.  North  Ave.,  Chicago,  111.  Cost : $600,- 
000. 

EAST  ST.  LOUIS,  ILL.— Theatre  and 
store  building.  Owner : H.  G.  Redmond, 
care  of  Redmonds  Majestic  theatre,  St. 
Louis,  Mo.  Architect : Boiler  Bros.,  Plunt- 
zinger  Bldg.,  Kansas  City,  Mo.  Cost : $350,- 
000. 

LAKE  FOREST,  ILL. — Theatre,  stores 
and  offices.  Owner : Estate  of  J.  Anderson. 
Architect : Anderson  & Ticknor,  care  of 
J.  A.  Anderson  & Co.,  Deerpath,  111.  Cost: 
$255,000. 

INDIANA 

INDIANAPOLIS,  IND. — Theatre,  stores 
and  offices.  Owner:  Peerless  Realty  Co., 
I.  F.  Nier,  secretary,  152  N.  Delaware  St. 
Architect : Assoc.  Archt.  & Engr.,  Frank  B. 
Hunter,  912  State  Life  Bldg.,  Bennett  Kay, 
738  Lemcke  Bldg.,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Cost; 
$450,000. 

ANDERSON,  IND. — Theatre  on  Colum- 
bus Ave.  Company  forming.  Architect : 
H.  G.  Atherton,  935  Arrow  Ave. 

M U N C I E,  IND. — Theatre.  Owner: 
George  Challis,  Wysor  Bldg.  Architect : 
George  & Zimmerman,  Meyer  Kiser,  Bank 
Bldg.,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Cost ; $650,000. 

IOWA 

CARROLL,  lA. — Theatre.  Owner;  P.  C. 
Neu,  Carroll,  Iowa.  Architect:  J.  Latenser 
& Son,  Peters  Trust  Bldg.,  Omaha,  Neb. 
Cost:  $25,000. 

UPPER  DARBY,  PA.— Theatre  and 
stores.  Owner:  William  Freihofer,  20th 
and  Indiana  Ave.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Archi- 
tect : H.  C.  Hodgens  & A.  D.  Hill,  130  S. 
15th  St.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Cost:  ^50,000. 

DUBUQUE,  lA. — Theatre,  store,  hotel. 
Owner:  Rosenthal  Theatre  Corp.,  care  of 
architect,  W.  P.  Whitney,  6951  Green  St., 
Chicago.  Cost : $750,000. 

CEDAR  RAPIDS,  lA.— Theatre,  store 
and  office  building.  Owner : Orpheum 
Building  Corp.,  care  of  architect.  Archi- 
tect: W.  P.  Whitney,  6951  Green  St.,  Chi- 
cago, 111.  Cost : $1,000,000. 

MENDOTA,  ILL.— Theatre.  Owner: 
W.  P.  McCarthy,  Ambassador  Theatre  Co., 
5823  W.  Division  St.,  Chicago.  Cost : $160,- 
000. 

COUNCIL  BLUFFS,  I A.— Theatre  (re- 
model). Owner:  Morris  Cohen,  Strar>^ 


theatre,  Broadway  and  Sixth  St.  Architect' 
Henry  J.  Schneider,  66  Baldwin  Block, 
Omaha,  Neb.  Cost:  $60,000. 

COUNCIL  BLUFFS,  lA.— Theatre  re- 
modeling. Strand  theatre.  Owner : Mor- 
ris Cohen,  manager.  Architect : H.  J. 
Schneider,  66  Baldwin  Block. 

CARROLL,  lA. — Theatre.  Architect: 
John  Latenser  & Sons,  732  Peters  Trust 
Bldg.,  Omaha,  Neb. 

SHENANDOAH,  lA.— Theatre  and  ra- 
dio studio.  Owner ; William  C.  Raapke, 
LI.  S.  Scenic  Studios,  Inc.,  Film  Exchange 
Bldg.,  Omaha,  Neb.  Architect:  George  L. 
Fisher,  1437  City  National  Bank  Bldg., 
Omaha.  Cost : $75,000. 

SANBORN,  lA.— Theatre.  Owner  : 
Kehrberg  Bros.  Cost : $8,000. 

AMES,  lA. — Theatre  remodeling.  Own- 
er: Capitol  theatre. 

CARROLL,  lA.^ — Theatre.  Owner:  J.  C. 
Stack.  Architect:  Not  selected.  Seating 
capacity;  1,000.  Cost:  $75,000. 

CEDAR  RAPIDS,  lA. — Theatre.  Own- 
er: Calvan  Bard,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  Ar- 
chitect: George  L.  Fisher,  1437  City  Na- 
tional Bank  Bldg.,  Omaha,  Neb.  Cost: 
$800,000. 

CEDAR  RAPIDS.  lA.— Theatre  and  of- 
fice building.  Owner:  W.  F.  Naibert 
Realty  Co.,  220  Granby  Bldg.  Architect : 
Peacock  & Frank,  445  Mihvaukee  St.,  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.  Cost : $550,000. 

CEDAR  RAPIDS,  lA.— Theatre,  stores 
and  offices.  Owner : Orpheum  Theatre 
Corp.,  Alexander  Frank,  pres.,  in  charge, 
422  W.  4th  St.,  Waterloo,  la.  Architect : 
W.  P.  Whitney,  6951  S.  Green  St.,  Chicago, 
111.  Supt.  building:  R.  Levine  & Co.,  822 
W^Oth  St.,  Chicago,  111.  Cost:  $1,000,000. 

LOUISIANA 

SHREVEPORT,  LA.— Theatre.  Own- 
er : A.  L.  and  J.  E.  Walker.  Architect : 
Jones,  Roessle,  Olschner  & Weiner,  Ardis 
Bldg.  Cost : $25,000. 

NEW  ORLEANS,  LA.— Theatre.  Own- 
er : George  Zibilich,  2737  Paris  Ave.  Seat- 
ing capacity:  2,000.  Cost:  $75,000. 

MARYLAND 

BALTIMORE,  AID. — Theatre  and  stores 
and  bowling  alleys.  Owner:  National  En- 
graving Corp.,  W.  G.  Finch,  512  Citizens 
National  Bank  Bldg.  Architect:  Not 
stated.  Cost : $80,000. 

BALTIAIORE,  MD.— Theatre.  Owner: 
Edmondson  Amusement  Co.,  L.  J.  Schlich- 
ter,  manager,  2108  Edmondson  Ave.  Ar- 
chitect: J.  J.  Zink,  2726  Overland  Ave. 
Cost : $250,000. 

BALTIAIORE,  AID.— Theatre.  Owner  : 
James  L.  Kernan  Co.,  Frederick  C.  Schan- 
berger,  pres.,  care  of  Kernans  hotel,  Frank- 
lin St.  near  Howard  St.  Architect : Thomas 
W.  Lamb,  644  8th  Ave.,  New  York  City. 
Cost:  $2,000,000.  Seating  capacity:  3,200. 

BALTIMORE,  AID. — Theatre  and  stores 
and  apartment  building.  Owner : Lakes 
Tuxedo  Theatre  Co.,  care  of  Philip  J. 
Scheck,  1 N.  Holliday  St.  Architect: 
Stanislaus  Russell,  11  E.  Lexington  St., 
Baltimore,  Md.  Cost:  Not  stated. 

AHCHIGAN 

DETROIT,  AHCH.— Theatre.  Owner: 
George  Flucksa,  13559  Riopelle  St.  Archi- 
tect : Alorton  H.  Ingall,  1420  Dime  Bank 
Bldg.,  Detroit,  Mich.  Cost:  $150,000. 

DETROIT,  AIICH. — Theatre,  stores  and 
offices.  Owner : Withheld.  Architect ; J. 
G.  Kastler,  524  Detroit  Savings  Bank  Bldg., 
Detroit,  Alich.  Cost;  Not  stated. 

DETROIT,  MICH.— Theatre,  stores  and 
offices.  Owmer : Withheld.  Architect : Koh- 
ner  & Payne,  404  Kresge  Bldg.,  Detroit, 
Mich.  Cost:  $300,000. 

ANN  ARBOR,  AIICH. — Theatre  and  of- 
fice building.  Owner : Angelo  Paulos,  343 
Alain  St.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.  Architect: 
M.  H.  Finkel,  1333  Book  Bldg.,  Detroit, 
Alich.  Cost : $75,000. 

PONTIAC,  MICH.— Theatre,  hotel, 
store.  Owner:  Pontiac  Hotel  Corp.,  Bruce 


Grannis,  secretary,  540  Free  Press  Bldg., 
Detroit.  Architect:  H.  C.  Stevens,  1346 
Broadway,  Detroit.  Cost : $1,500,000. 

ROYAL  OAK,  MICH.— Theatre,  store, 
office  building.  Owner:  Washington  Square 
Improvement  Co.,  care  of  S.  F.  Baker,  606 
Woodward  Ave.,  Detroit.  Architect;  Rapp 
& Rapp,  190  N.  State  St.,  Chicago. 

ANN  ARBOR,  AIICH. — Theatre,  stores, 
offices.  Owner;  Angelo  Paulos,  343  Main 
St.  Architect : M.  H.  Finkel,  1333  Book 
Bldg.,  Detroit. 

DETROIT,  AIICH.— Theatre.  Owner: 
Name  withheld.  Architect : C.  S.  Klein, 
1016  Detroit  Savings  Bank  Bldg. 

I RON  WOOD,  MICH.— Theatre  and 
store  building.  Owner;  Ironwood  Amuse- 
ment Corp.  Architect : N.  A.  Nelson.  Cost ; 
$100,000.  Seating  capacity:  1,200. 

ROYAL  OAK,  AIICH. — Theatre,  store 
and  office  building.  Owner ; Washington 
Square  Improvement  Co.,  606  Woodward 
Ave.,  Detroit.  Architect : C.  W.  and  Geo. 
L.  Rapp,  190  N.  State  St.,  Chicago.  Cost : 
$1,500,000. 

DETROIT,  AIICH.— Theatre,  stores  and 
offices.  Owner:  Name  withheld.  Archi- 
tect; John  Kasurin,  502  Empire  Bldg. 

DETROIT,  MICH.— Theatre,  store  and 
office  building.  Owner : Olympia  Amuse- 
ment Co.,  care  of  architect.  Architect : 
John  Kasurin,  502  Empire  Bldg.,  Detroit, 
Mich.  Cost;  Not  stated. 

ALBION,  MICH. — Theatre,  store  and 
office  building.  Owner : W.  S.  Butterfield, 
Lansing,  Alich.  Architect : Not  selected. 
Cost;  Not  stated.  Seating  capacity : 1,200. 

GRAND  RAPIDS,  M I C H.  — Theatre. 
Owner : Claude  Tow,  Home  Acres  Sub- 
division. Architect ; Pierre  Lindhout,  725 
Alichigan  Trust  Bldg.,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

AHNNESOTA 

MINNEAPOLIS,  AIINN.  — Th  e a t r e, 
store,  office  building.  Owner : Care  of  ar- 
chitects, Graven  & Maygar,  307  N.  Michi- 
gan Ave.,  Chicago. 

MINNEAPOLIS,  AIINN.  — Theatre, 
store  and  office  building.  Owner;  Name 
withheld.  Architect:  Graven  & Mayger, 
180  N.  Alichigan  Ave.,  Chicago. 

ALBERT  LEA,  MINN.— Theatre.  Ovyn- 
er : Albert  Lea  Amusement  Corp.,  Film 
Exchange,  Minn.  Architect : J.  E.  Nason, 
622  Corn  Exchange  Bldg.,  Minneapolis, 
Alinn.  Cost : $50,000. 

AIISSOURI 

OVERLAND,  MO. — Theatre  and  store 
building.  Owner:  John  O’Connell,  2549 
Woodson  Road.  Architect : Stevens  & 
Aloellenhoff,  5423  S.  Grand.  Seating  ca- 
pacity ; 850. 

ST.  LOUIS,  AIO. — -Theatre  alterations. 
Owner;  L.  AI.  Crawford,  California.  Ar- 
chitect : J.  H.  Brown  Co.,  4143  Delmar. 
Cost ; $5,000. 

FARMINGTON,  AIO.— Theatre.  Own- 
er: Farmington  Entertainment  Co.,  care  of 
Dr.  C.  A.  Tetley,  owner.  Architect:  J.  Hall 
Lynch  & Son,  412  Dolph  Bldg.,  723  Locust 
St.,  St.  Louis,  AIo. 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO. — Theatre  (alterations). 
Owner:  F.  Spross,  813  Chestnut  St.  Cost: 
$5,000. 

.ST.  LOUIS,  AIO.— Theatre  ahd  store 
building.  Owner:  Name  withheld.  Archi- 
tect : C.  E.  Stevens,  5423  S.  Grand  Blvd. 
Cost;  $75,000. 

OVERLAND,  MO.— Theatre.  Owner: 
Dr.  John  O’Connell,  Lackland  Road,  St. 
Louis,  Mo.  Architect ; C.  E.  Stevens,  5423 
S.  Grand  Ave.,  St.  Louis,  Mo.  Cost : $40.- 
000. 

ST.  LOUIS,  AIO.— Theatre,  apartments 
and  store  building.  Owner : St.  Louis 
Amusement  Co.,  7th  floor  Ambassador 
Bldg.  Architect:  Rapp  & Rapp,  190  N. 
State  St.,  Chicago.  Cost:  $500,000.  Loca- 
tion : 5900  Easton  Ave. 

FARMINGTON,  MO. — Theatre.  Own- 
er: Farmington  Entertainment  Co.,  care  of 
Dr.  C.  A.  Tetley.  Architect ; J.  Hal  Lynch 
& Son,  413  Dolph  Bldg.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Cost:  $20,000. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


August  6,  1927 

COLUMBIA,  MO. — Theatre  and  office 
building.  Owner : Dozier  Stone  Stock  Co. 
Architect;  Boiler  Bros.,  114  W.  Tenth  St., 
Kansas  City,  Mo.  Cost : $250,000. 

ST.  LOUIS,  MO. — ^Theatre.  Owner: 
Name  withheld.  Architect;  H.  W.  Guth, 
813  Chestnut  St.  Cost : $30,000. 

ST.  LOUTS,  MO. — Theatre  and  store 
building.  Owner:  Name  withheld.  Archi- 
tect: C.  E.  Stevens,  5423  S.  Grand  Blvd. 
Cost : $75,000. 

NEBRASKA 

SCOTT  S BLUFF,  NEB.— Theatre. 
Owner:  W.  H.  Ostenberg,  Jr.,  Midwest 
Realty  & Amusement  Co.  Architect:  R.  W. 
Grant,  109  N.  Fifth,  Beatrice,  Neb.  Seat- 
ing capacity:  1,100.  Cost:  $100,000. 

KANSAS  CITY,  MO.— Theatre.  Own- 
er: Universal  Film  Corp.,  1710  Wyandotte. 
Architect:  John  Eberson,  200  W.  57th  St., 
New  York  City. 

BRIDGEPORT,  NEB.— Theatre.  Own- 
er : Sallows  & Hughes,  Alliance.  Archi- 
tect: Fred  C.  Fiske  and  Wilbur  Griffin,  533 
Bankers  Life  Bldg.,  Lincoln,  Neb.  Cost: 
$35,000.  Seating  capacity:  600. 

NEW  JERSEY 

GLASSBORO,  N.  J.— Theatre,  stores 
and  apartment  building  and  offices.  Own- 
er; Penn  Jersey  Amusement  Co.,  care  of 
Chas.  R.  Schisler,  Broadway  and  Snyder 
Ave.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Architect:  Wil- 
liam H.  Lee,  1505  Race  St.,  Philadelphia, 
Pa.  Seating  capacity:  1,000.  Cost;  Not 
stcitcd. 

MT.  EMPHRAIM,  N.  J.  — Theatre, 
stores  and  apartment  building.  Owner ; 
Care  of  architect.  Architect:  A.  B.  Gill, 
328  Market  St.,  Camden,  N.  J.  Cost:  $50,- 
000.  , , ^ 

TRENTON,  N.  J.— Theatre  and  club 
house.  Owner;  Savoy  Lodge,  No.  385, 
losol,  care  of  Savoy  Hall  Assoc.,  Inc.,  41 
Bayard  Lane. 

WEST  ORANGE,  N.  J.— Theatre,  stores 
and  offices.  Owner;  S.  and  B.  Co.,  Inc., 
I.  Seidler,  545  Broadway,  Bayonne,  N.  J. 
Architect ; Charles  F.  and'  E.  V.  Warren, 
31  Clinton  St.,  Newark,  N.  J.  Cost:  $200,- 
000. 

CAMDEN,  N.  J. — Theatre.  Owner : 
Care  of  S.  Levick  & Co.,  Bankers  Trust 
Bldg.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Architect : F.  Her- 
bert Radey,  723  Haddon  Ave.,  Colliiigs- 
wood,  N.  J.  Cost ; $75,000. 

NEW  YORK 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y.  — Theatre,  stores 
and  apartment  liiiilding.  Owner : Service 
Bond  & Mortgage  Corp.,  191  Joralemon 
St.  Architect;  Not  selected.  Cost:  Not 
stated. 

SYRACUSE,  N.  Y. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Harry  Gilbert,  301  Scottholm  Bldg.  Archi- 
tect: Not  selected.  Cost:  Not  stated. 

SYRACUSE,  N.  Y.— Theatre  and  stores. 
Owner : Phillip  Smith,  care  of  Salt  City 
Finance  Corp.,  Dennison  Bldg.  Architect ; 
Withheld.  Cost:  Not  stated. 

DOBBS  FERRY,  N.  Y.— Theatre  and 
offices.  Owmer : Withheld.  Architect : 
Meisner  & Uffner,  4197  Park  Ave.,  New 
York  City.  Cost:  $150,000. 

CORNING,  N.  Y. — Theatre.  Owner; 
C.  H.  Tobins.  Architect;  Private  plans. 
Cost:  Not  stated. 

RICHMOND  HILL,  N.  Y.— Theatre. 
Owner:  Yram  Holding  Corp.,  Morris 
Tucker,  pres.,  100  Magnolia  Ave.,  Floral 
Park,  N.  Y.  Architect : Eugene  DeRosa, 
15  W.  44th  St.,  New  York  Cit}'.  Cost: 
$300,000. 

FLUSHING,  N.  Y.— Church.  Owner; 
St.  Ann’s  R.  C.  church.  Rev.  Thomas  Casey, 
care  of  St.  Michael’s  R.  C.  church,  Flush- 
ing, N.  Y.  Architect : McGill  & Hamlin, 
4ll5  Lexington  Ave.,  New  York  City. 
Cost:  Not  stated. 

MT.  KISCO,  N.  Y. — Theatre  and  stores. 
Owner ; Seibert  Realty  Co.,  J.  A.  Seibert, 
pres.,  4 S.  4th  Ave:,  Mt.  Vernon,  N.  Y. 
Architect : J.  W.  Clyde  and  F.  C.  Pinto, 
Proctor  Bldg.,  Mt.  Vernon,  N.  Y.  Cost: 
$100,000. 


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August  6,  1927 


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UTICA,  N.  Y. — Theatre.  Owner:  Stanley 
Mark  Strand  Corp.,  Moe  Mark,  v.  pres, 
and  gen.  man.,  1579  Broadway,  New  York 
City.  Architect : Thos.  W.  Lamb,  644  8th 
St.,  New  York.  Cost:  $1,500,000. 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y.— Keith- Albee  thea- 
tre and  commercial.  Location  : Clinton  and 
Mortimer  Sts.  Architect : Graven  & May- 
ger,  307  N.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. — Theatre  and  hotel 
at  75th  and  Broadway.  Owner:  Channin 
Construction  Co.,  285  Madison  Ave.,  New 
York  City.  Architect:  Walter  W.  Ahl- 
schlager,  Chicago.  Cost:  $5,000,000. 

JAMAICA,  N.  Y. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Maurice  Tucker,  Magnolia  St.,  Floral  Park, 
N.  Y.  Architect : Eugene  DeRosa,  15  W. 
44th  St.,  New  York  City.  Cost:  $400,000. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Florenz  Ziegfeld,  Jr.,  Ziegfeld  theatre,  54th 
St.  and  6th  Ave.  Architect : Joseph  Urban, 
5 E.  57th  St. 

SYRACUSE,  N.  Y. — Theatre,  stores  and 
offices.  Owner:  Philip  Smith,  Salt  City 
Finance  Corp.,  Deninson  Bldg.  Architect : 
Howard  T.  Yates,  612  Dillaye  Bldg. 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. — Theatre,  stores  and 
offices.  Owner:  F.  Mancaruso,  care  of  ar- 
chitect. Architect : Salvati  & LeQuornick, 
371  Fulton  St.  Cost : $275,000. 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y.— Theatre,  store  and 
loft.  Owner:  Anna  Zanvill,  203  N.  Hart 
St.  Architect : M.  Del  Gaudio,  160  W.  45th 
St,  New  York  City.  Cost:  $150,000. 

GOSHEN,  N.  Y. — Theatre,  stores  and 
office  building.  Owner:  Fred  C Curtiss, 
Inc.,  care  of  L.  B.  Gill,  507  Fifth  Ave., 
New  York  City.  Architect:  Paul  B.  La- 
Velle,  505  Fifth  Ave.,  New  York  City. 
Cost : $250,000. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y.— Theatre,  stores 
and  apartment  building.  Owner:  Charles 
Goldschlag,  181  Forsythe  St.  Architect; 
Julius  Echman  and  associate  architect,  A.  F. 
Weber,  156  E.  42nd  St. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. — Theatre  and  office 
building.  Owner : The  Hewitt  Place  Realty 
Corp.,  391  E.  149th  St.  Architect:  John 
Bberson,  200  W.  57th  St.  Cost:  $1,800,000. 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. — Theatre,  stores  and 
offices.  Owner:  Felice  Mancaruso,  care  of 
architect.  Architect:  Salvati  & LeQuor- 
nick, 371  Fulton  St.  Cost:  $275,000. 

ALBANY,  N.  Y. — Theatre  and  store. 
Owner:  Harry  Heilman,  care  of  Royal 
theatre,  S.  Pearl  St.  Architect:  L.  IL 
Nichols,  125  Broadway,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 
Cost:  $100,000. 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y. — Theatre  and  stores. 
Owner:  The  St.  George  Holding  Corp., 
care  of  architect.  Architect:  Schlanger  & 
Ehrenrich,  45  W.  34th  St.,  New  York  City. 
Cost:  $200,000. 

NYACK,  N.  Y. — Theatre,  offices  and 
stores.  Owner:  S.  Bratter  and  S.  Polladc, 
972  Broad  St.  Architect;  W.  E.  Oehman, 
972  Broad  St.,  Newark,  N.  J.  Cost:  $350,- 
000. 

RONDOUT,  N.  Y. — Theatre.  Owner : 
Orpheum  Theatre  Co.  Architect:  Gerard 
Betz,  28  Wall  St.,  Kingston,  N.  Y.  Cost : 
$60,000. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. — Theatre  (altera- 
tion and  remodel).  Owner:  Mt.  Noboh 
temple,  care  of  architect.  Architect:  Ber- 
linger  & Kaufman,  66  Fifth  Ave.  Cost: 
$35,000. 

BROOKLYN,  N.  Y.— Theatre,  loft  and 
stores.  Owner:  18th  Ave.  and  64th  St. 
Holding  Corp.,  1123  Broadway,  New  York 
City.  Architect : Charles  A.  Sandblom,  145 
W.  45th  St.,  New  York  City.  Cost:  $350,- 
000. 

ELMHURST,  N.  Y.— Theatre,  store  and 
office.  Owner:  George  Hamid,  Wirth  & 
Hamid  Realty  Co^.,  1560  Broadway,  New 
York  City.  Architect:  McManus  & Grif- 
fiths, 11  E.  42nd  St.,  New  York  City.  Cost: 
$350,000. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y. — Office  building  and 
theatres.  Owner:  Greater  New  York  Thea- 
tres, Inc.,  B.  S.  Moss,  pres.,  1560  Broadway, 
New  York  City.  Architect:  Eugene  De- 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


Rosa,  15  W.  44th  St.,  New  York  City. 
Cost:  $4,000,000. 

NEW  YORK,  N.  Y.— Theatre.  Owner : 
L.  & W.  Operating  Co.,  Philip  Watcbberg, 
pres.,  341  E.  149th  St.,  New  York  City. 
Architect : William  Shary,  22  E.  17th  St, 
New  York  City.  Cost:  Not  stated. 

OHIO 

SANDUSKY,  O. — Theatre  and  office 
building.  Owner:  Seitz  Theatre  Co.,  W.  F. 
Seitz,  824  Columbus  St  Architect:  W.  P. 
Whitney,  6951  Green  St.,  Chicago. 

CLEVELAND,  O.  — Theatre,  stores, 
apartments  at  Lorraine  Ave.  and  W.  118th 
St.  Owner:  Midwest  Properties,  care  of 
A.  Greenwald  and  S.  H.  Stecker,  307  Union 
Bldg.  Architect : N.  Petti,  Williamson 
Bldg.  Cost : $350,000. 

CLEVELAND,  O.  — Theatres,  stores, 
apartment  at  E.  84th  and  Hough  Ave. 
Owner:  Morris  & Weinberg,  3608  Euclid 
Ave.  Architects.  Owner:  M.  B.  Horwitz, 
care  of  architect.  Cost,  $250,000. 

DOVER,  O. — Theatre,  store  and  office 
building.  Owner:  James  R.  Beck,  Ulrichs- 
ville,  O.  Architect:  J.  Kerr  Giffen,  1st  Na- 
tional Bank  Bldg.,  Canton,  O.  Cost, 
$100,000. 

MANSFIELD,  O. — Theatre,  lodge  room, 
stores  and  office  building.  Owner:  Knights 
of  Pythias,  Monroe  Lodge  No.  26,  10  Daw- 
son Ave.,  Mansfield,  O.  Architect:  Frank 
W.  Bail,  1152  Hanna  Bldg.,  Cleveland.  Su- 
pervising architect : Harru  G.  Brumen- 
schenkel.  Mechanics’  Loan  Bldg.,  Mans- 
field. Cost,  $280,000. 

YOUNGSTOWN,  O. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Emil  A.  Renner,  Mahoning  Bank  Bldg. 
Architect:  W.  H.  Cook  & Chas.  W.  Bates, 
City  Bank  Bldg.  Cost,  $50,000. 

GREENVILLE,  O. — Theatre.  Owner : 
Judge  Martin  B.  Trainor.  Seating  capacity, 
638, 

LORAIN,  O. — ’Theatre,  store  and  apart- 
ment building.  Owner:  Central  Theatres, 
Inc.,  care  Joseph  H.  Soloman,  Temple  The- 
atre Bldg.  Architect:  A.  F.  Janowitz, 
Standard  Theatre  Bldg.,  Cleveland. 

PLAIN  CITY,  O. — Theatre,  stores.  Own- 
er: W.  F.  Justice,  Cephas  Atkinson,  Plain 
City  Theatre  Co.  Architect:  Carmichael  & 
Millspaugh,  7 W.  Long  St.,  Columbus,  O. 
Cost,  $30,000. 

MANSFIELD,  O.- — Theatre,  store  and 
office  building.  Owner:  M.  S.  Fine,  Mid- 
west Properties  Co.,  306  Union  Bldg., 
Cleveland.  Architect : Nicola  Petti,  306 
Williamson  Bldg.,  Cleveland.  Cost,  $400,000. 

SANDUSKY,  O. — Theatre,  office  and 
store  building.  Owner:  Seitz  Theatre  Co., 
care  W.  F.  Seitz,  824  Columbus  Ave.,  San- 
dusky, O.  Architect : W.  P.  Whitney,  6951 
S.  Green  St.,  Chicago,  111.  Cost,  $750,000. 

MANSFIELD,  O. — Theatre  and  opera 
house.  Owner  Harry  Brown,  Jr.,  mana- 
ger. Cost,  $300,000. 

EAST  CLEVELAND,  O.— Theatre  and 
stores  and  apartment  building.  Owner : 
Midwestern  Properties  Co.,  M.  S.  Fine  vice- 
president,  Union  Bldg.,  Cleveland,  O. 
Architect,  N.  Petti,  306  Williamson  Bldg., 
Cleveland,  O.  Cost,  $100,000. 

MANSFIELD,  O. — Theatre  and  stores. 
Owner:  Midwestern  Properties  Co.,  M.  S. 
Fine,  vice-president,  306  Union  Bldg., 
Cleveland,  O.  Architect:  Not  selected. 
Cost,  $400,000. 

OKLAHOMA 

ADA,  OKLA. — Theatre.  Owner : Foster 
McSwain,  McSwain  Theatre.  Cost,  $25,000. 

PENNSYLVANIA 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.— Theatre  and 
office  building.  Owner:  Care  Fox  Film 
Corp.,  Wm.  Fox,  850  10th  Ave.,  New  York 


Pay  For  Every 
Vacant  Seat! 

Whether  you  have  a large  or  small  theatre 

It  is  the  same  as  if  you  purchased  the 
ticket  and  held  it.  It  is  to  your  advantage 
to  fill  vacant  seats  as  soon  as  they  are  va- 
cated. Keep  the  crowds  moving.  Get 
them  out  of  the  lobby  and  give  the  pro- 
spective ticket  buyer  a chamce.  The  Acme 
Usher  Signal  System  will  do  it  in  the  most 
efficient  manner.  It  will  save  the  loss  on 
vacant  seats  and  result  in  selling  more. 
That  is  why  so  many  leading  theatres  are 
Acme  equipped. 

Let  us  tell  you  more  and  furnish 
estimates  without  obligations. 

Write! 


Acme  Electric  Construction  Co. 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago 


V®  USHER  SIGNAL 
^ SYS  T E My 


With  a combined  volume  and  tone  equal  in  entertainment  value  to  many  higher 
priced  instruments,  the  Nelson-Wiggen  Selector  Duplex  Organ  instantly  solves 
the  music  problem  of  many  theatre  owners.  And  it’s  moderately  priced ! 

The  Twin  Tracker  Roll 

(2  RoUa  in  1) 

Equipped  with  the  Twin  Tracker  Roll  (2  rolls  in  1),  an  exclusive  Nelson- 
Wiggen  feature,  your  pictures  are  cued  perfectly.  The  roll  has  no  rewind — 
plays  indefinitely.  Popular  on  one  side — Classic  on  the  other. 

Fill  out  the  coupon  and  let  us  give  you  j-----—  — — - — — 
full  details.  No  obligation  on  your  part. 

NELSON-WIGGEN  PIANO 
COMPANY 

1731  Belmont  Ave. 

Chicago,  U.  S.  A. 


NELSON-WIGGEN  CO. 

1731  Belmont  Ave.,  Chicago,  U.  S.  A. 

Name 

Theatre 

City 

State — — 


Perfectly 
Cued 
Pictures 
Mechanically ! 

The 

Selector 

Duplex 

Organ 


42 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


WE  CAN  SAVE  YOU  MONEY  ON  ALL 
YOUR  EQUIPMENT 


We  Are 

Independent  Co. 

of  the  largest  as  well  as  one  of  the 
oldest  established  supply  houses  in 
the  country.  It’s  strongest  friends 
and  biggest  boosters  are  the  thou- 
sands of  small  town  theatre  owners 
which  believe  in  independence  and  a 
policy  of  “Live  and  let  live.” 


Why  Not  Give 

I le  a Trial  Because  we  are 

vJS  a 1 lai  confident  we  can 

give  you  more  for  your  money bet- 

ter service,  and  satisfy  you  in  every 
respect,  we  urge  you  to  get  acquaint- 
ed. If  it’s  only  a $1  item,  send  the 
order  to  us.  Learn  for  yourself  why 
we  have  so  many  satisfied  customers 
and  boosters. 


THESE  Tell  Only  a Part  of  the  Story  of  the 
PRICES  Savings  We  Offer  You 


Our  Own  Make  parts  for  SIMPLEX 


Intermittent  Sprockets  - $3.50 

Feed  and  Take-Up $2.03 

FOR  POWERS 

Intermittent  Sprockets  $3.50 

Feed  and  Take-Up  $2.00 

6-94  Tension  Shoes $0.80 

687  Aperture  Plates $1.00 

FOR  MOTIOGRAPH 

lA,  1002D  and  Early  De  Luxe 

Intermittent  Sprockets  $3.50 

D-9  Star  and  Shaft $10.00 


D-6  Cam  Shaft  and  Pin $11.50 

Feed  and  Take-Up  Sprockets $2.50 

No.  162  Aperture  Plates $1.75 

96R  Tension  Shoes $1.00 

Radio  Mat  Slides  (Box  of  50) $1.25 

Stock  Tickets,  2,000  on  roll,  numbered....$0.35 

Imported  French  Condensers , $0.75 

Zefir  Perfume  Crystals  (per  can) $1.15 

Thumb  "Tacks  (solid  head,  10  boxes) $1.35 

Silver  Screen  Coating  (quart) $2.50 

Condenser  for  Peerless  Reflecting  Arc 

Lamp  $6.00 

1 Piece  Flat  Belts  for  Simplex  Machine....$0.75 


Rebuilt  and  Guaranteed  Projectors 

MONARCH  THEATRE  SUPPLY  CO. 

1223  South  Wabash  Ave.  Chicago,  111. 

We  Have  No  Branch  Office 


^^Kaus-a-Lite”  Seats  Patrons  Quietly! 

The  well  lighted  theatre  aisle  is  essential  to  the 
safety  of  patrons.  “Kaus-a-Lite”  seats  patrons 
quietly — efficiently — without  annoyance  to 
those  already  seated.  Write  today  for  particu- 
lars. 

KAUSALITE  MANUFACTURING  CO. 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.  Chicago 


Adaptahls  any  kind  of  thoaire 
Moot,  Fit»  directly  under  arm  of 
aiile  chair. 


Kaus-a-Lite 

Light  Without  a Glare! 


CIRCUS  H(RDL05 

PROORmS 

ORTfSPOSTfRS 


I 


EXHIBITORS 

Printing  Service 

711  South  Dearborn  Street 

CHICAGO,  ILL. 


SPECIAL 

New 

**Belson 


Pin  Spot 


250  or  400  Watt 
G.  Lamp 


List  Price  $12.50 

BELSON  MFG.  CO. 

804  Sibley  St.,  Chicago 

Representatives  in  all  principal  cities 


City.  Architect : C.  Howard  Crane,  542 
Griswold  St.,  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  345  Mad- 
ison Ave.,  New  York  City.  Associate 
architect : Poggi  & Winters,  Equitable 
Bldg.,  N.  W.  corner  Broad  and  Spruce 
Sts.,  Philadelphia,  Pa.  Cost,  $12,000,000. 
Seating  capacity,  5,000. 

PITTSBURGH,  PA.— Stores  and  theatre 
building.  Owner:  Cameraphone  Theatre, 
Richard  E.  Brown,  Mgr.,  6202  Penn  Ave. 
Architect : R.  Carey  Dickson,  6200  Penn 
Ave.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa.  Cost,  $25,000. 

BRISTOL,  PA. — Theatre  and  stores. 
Owner : Hamilton  Amusement  Co.  of 
America,  L.  O.  Thayer  in  charge,  care 
Francis  C.  Branagan,  National  Bank  Bldg., 
of  North  Philadelphia,  Broad  and  Erie  Sts., 
Philadelphia,  Pa.  Architect : and  engineer, 
T.  F.  Bennett,  P.  O.  Box  121,  Southamp- 
ton, Pa.  Cost,  $275,000. 

NEW  CASTLE,  PA. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Name  withheld.  Architect:  Westover  & 
Westover,  102  S.  22nd  St.,  Philadelphia. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.— Theatre.  Own- 
er: Harry  Weiss  and  Albert  Weiss,  1748 
George  Lane.  Seating  capacity,  2,500.  Cost, 
$200,000.  Location,  Elmwood  Ave.,  between 
70th  and  71st  Sts. 

DARBY,  PA. — Theatre,  stores  and  of- 
fices. Owner:  Green,  Altman,  Willig  & 
Loeschutz,  Hymann  Bldg.,  215  S.  Broad  St., 
Philadelphia.  Architect:  William  H.  Lee, 
1505  Race  St.,  Philadelphia.  Seating  capac- 
ity, 2,500.  Cost,  $500,000. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.— Theatre.  Own- 
er : Lee  & .1.  J.  Shubert  Theatrical  Enter- 
prises, 244  W.  44th  St.,  New  York  City. 
Architect:  H.  J.  Krapp,  1 W.  47th  St., 
New  York  City.  Cost,  $400,000. 

YORK,  PA. — Theatre  and  office  building. 
Owner:  Nathan  Appell,  Nathan  Appell  En- 
terprises, George  and  Philadelphia  Sts., 
York,  Pa.  Architect:  C.  E.  Horn  Sons, 
1476  Broadway,  New  York  City. 

BELLEFONTE,  PA.— Theatre.  Owuer: 
C.  H.  Richelein,  Blairsville.  Architect : 
Hodgens  & Hill,  130  S.  15th  St.,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.— Theatre.  Own- 
er, Green,  Altman,  Willig  & Lipschutz, 
Heyman  Bldg.,  215  S.  Broad  St.  Architect: 
William  H.  Lee,  1505  Race  St.  Cost,  $197,- 
000.  Seating  capacity,  2,500. 

ALLENTOWN,  PA.— Theatre.  Owner; 
Henry  B.  Friedman,  523  Hamilton  St. 
.A^rchitect : David  Levy,  25  N.  6th  St.  Cost, 
$50,000.  Seating  capacity,  750. 

OIL  CITY,  PA.  — Theatre.  Owner: 
George  J.  Veach,  John  B.  Veach  and  M. 
Marks,  Oil  City.  Architect:  C.  W.  Rapp  & 
Geo.  L.  Rapp,  190  N.  State  St.,  Chicago, 
111.  Cost,  $800,000. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.— Theatre,  stores 
and  garage.  Owner : Rexy  Amusement 
Corp.,  care  architect.  Architect : Hodgens 
& Hill,  130  S.  I5th  St.  Seating  capacity, 
2,300. 

PHILADELPHIA,  PA.  — Theatre  and 
stores.  Owner : William  Freihofer,  20th  and 
Indiana  Ave.  Architect : Hodgens  & Hill, 
130  S.  15th  St. 

WILKES-BARRE,  PA. — Theatre,  stores 
and  apartment  building.  Owner,  Comerford 
Amusement  Co.,  State  Theatre,  Scranton, 
Pa.  Architect ; Leon  Lampert,  1058  Mer- 
cantile Bldg.,  Rochester,  N.  Y.  Cost,  $700,- 
000. 

TENNESSEE 

MEMPHIS,  TENN. — Theatre.  Owner: 
Ballace  Amusement  Co.,  31  S.  Cooper  St. 
Architect;  Joe  T.  Wallace,  1516  Bank  of 
Commerce  Bldg.  Cost,  $40,000. 

KNOXATLLE,  TENN.  — Theatre  and 
commercial  building.  Owner : Puhlix  The- 
atre Corp.,  175  N.  State  St.,  Chicago,  111. 
Architect:  Graven  & Maygar,  180  N.  Mich- 
igan Ave.,  Chicago.  Theatre  seating  capac- 
ity, 2,000. 

TEXAS 

AMARILLO,  TEXAS.— Theatre.  0‘^- 
er : E.  S.  Maggs.  Private  Plans.  Location, 
903  W.  5th  St. 

DALLAS,  TEXAS. — ^Theatre.  Owner: 
Dent  Theatres,  Inc.,  2009  Jackson  St. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


Architect : W.  Scott  Dunne,  Melba  Theatre 
Bldg.  Cost,  $105,000. 

DALLAS,  TEXAS. — Theatre.  Owner,  J. 
W.  Murphy,  1509  Commerce,  Chm.  Bldg. 
Comm.  Architect : Henry  Coke  Knight  and 
Arthur  E.  Thomas,  330  Wilson  Blvd.  Cost, 
$40,000. 

HARLINGEN,  TEXAS.— Theatre.  Own- 
er : Louis  L.  Dent  and  Associates,  2009^2 
Jackson  St.,  Dallas.  Architect.  Not  selected. 
Cost,  $100,000. 

ALBANY,  TEXAS.  — Owner;  Frank 
Whitney.  Cost,  $30,000. 

EDINBURG,  TEXAS. — Owner:  Max 
Tvass.  Architect : Not  selected.  Cost,  $40,- 
000. 

WISCONSIN 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS.  — Theatre  and 
stores.  Owner;  Withheld.  Architect:  Her- 
bert •W.  Grugel,  818  W.  Harrison  St.,  Oak 
Park,  111.  Cost,  $500,000. 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS.  — Theatre  and 
stores.  Owner:  A.  J.  Strauss  Co.,  230  W. 
Wisconsin.  Architect : Peacock  & Frank, 
445  Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis.  Cost, 
not  stated. 

MILWAUKEE,  Wis. — Theatre  at  21st 
and  National.  Owner:  National-Layton 
Improvement  Co.,  care  of  George  Fischer, 
manager  of  Alilwaukee  Theatre,  1080  Teu- 
tonia Ave.  Architect : Dick  & Bauer,  303 
3rd  St.,  Milwaukee. 

BURLINGTON,  WIS.— Theatre.  Own- 
er: Orpheum  Theatre  Corp.  Architect:  Au- 
gust G.  Wolff,  230  Wisconsin  Ave.,  Alil- 
waukee,  Wis.  Cost,  $40,000. 

BURLINGTON,  WIS. — Theatre.  Own- 
er: F.  L.  Oiberg  & Olaf  Hoganson.  Archi- 
tect: J.  Mandor  Matson,  536  Baker  Block, 
Racine,  Wis.  Cost,  $50,000. 

RACINE,  WIS. — Theatre,  store  and 
office  building.  Owner  : Ernest  Klinkert,  829 
Washington  Ave.  Architect : W.  B.  Den- 
ham, 1518  Washington  Ave.  Cost,  $200,000. 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS.  — Theatre,  store 
and  office  building.  Owner:  Orpheum  Cir- 
cuit, 190  N.  State  St.,  Chicago.  Architect : 
Kirchoff  & Rose,  210  W.  Madison  St.,  Chi- 
cago. Location,  Wisconsin  and  W.  Water 
St. 

ELKHORN,  WIS.  — Theatre.  Owner: 
Dan  Kelliher,  Elkhorn.  Architect:  Dick  & 
Bauer.  208  Third  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis.  Cost, 
$50,000. 

LAKE  GENEVA,  Wis. — Theatre.  Own- 
er: Name  withheld.  Architect:  Peacock  & 
Frank,  445  Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Cost,  $125,000. 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS.  — Theatre  and 
stores.  Owner:  Name  withheld.  Architect: 
H.  W.  Grugel,  818  Harrison  St.,  Oak  Park, 
111.  Cost,  $500,000. 

MILWAPIKEE,  WIS. — Theatre  and  of- 
fice building.  Owner : Orpheum  Circuit,  190 
N,  State  St.,  Chicago,  111.  Architect: 
Kirchoff  & Rose,  210  N.  Michigan  Ave., 
Chicago,  111. 

Sheboygan,  Wis. — Theatre.  Owner  ; Jlni- 
versal  Chain  Theatrical  Enterprises,  Inc., 
care  architect.  Architect : United  Studios, 
Inc.,  28  W.  Lake  St.,  Chicago,  111.  Cost, 
$300  000 

MARSHFIELD,  WIS.  — Theatre  re- 
model. Owner:  Phillip  Adler  Corp.  Archi- 
tect: J.  E.  Nason,  Corn  Exchange,  Minne- 
apolis, Minn.  Cost,  $60,000. 

THORPE,  WIS.  — Theatre.  Owner; 
Leonard  E.  Bogumill.  Cost,  $15,000. 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS.  • — Theatre,  store 
and  apartment  building.  Owner : I.  V.  Bros- 
sell.  The  Bropress  Realty  Co.,  123  W.  Wis- 
consin Ave. 

APPLETON,  WIS.— Theatre.  Owner  : 
John  E.  Saxe,  Saxe  Amusement  Enter- 
prises, 530  Grand  Ave.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 
Architect : Dick  & Bauer,  208  Third  St., 
Milwaukee,  Wiss.  Cost,  $400,000. 

RACINE,  WIS. — Theatre,  store  and  of- 
fice building.  Owner:  Name  withheld. 
Architect : J.  Mandor  Matson,  536  Baker 
Block.  Cost,  $70,000.  Location,  corner 
Charles  and  Gould. 

BURLINGTON,  WIS.— Theatre.  Own- 


YOUR  LIGHTING  PROBLEM 
CAN  BE  SOLVED  WITH  OUR 

NEW  CATALOG 

Light  for  Every  Purpose’* 


it 


I c4 
CATALOGUE 
/'y.THEATRICAL 
LIGHTING 
EQUIPMENT 
s-'IEFFECTS 


DISPLAY  STAGE  UCHUNC  Cojnc 

334 WEST  44TH  ST,  NEW  YOKK  CITY 


FULLY  ILLUSTRATED  WITH 
DESCRIPTIONS  AND  PRICES 

SEND  FOR  ONE 

Dept.  C 


BUILT  BY 


HERTNER 


As  universal  as  the  taste  for  pictures  is  the 
demand  by  theatres  in  turn,  for  the 

TRANSVERTER 

From  the  largest  theatre  to  the  smallest,  good  projec- 
tion is  still  essential — most  easily  maintained  by  the 
Transverter. 

If  you  are  technically  trained  you  will  appreciate  its 
long  service  rendering  features. 

If  “seat  sales”  reflect  your  view  point  then  the  Trans- 
verter is  indeed  your  best  friend. 

Consult  with  us.  Learn  like  thousands  of  others  have 
done,  why  the  Transverter  is  used  to  advantage  wher- 
ever pictures  are  shown. 

“A  size  and  type  tor  every  need” 


HERTNER 


Distributed  in 
U.  S.  A.  by  The 
National  Theatre 
Supply  Company 


j 1900  W.  114th  St. 

ELECTRIC  COMPANY 

CLEVELAND, OHIO  U.SA| 

44 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


FOOTLIGHTS  or  SPOTLIGHTS 


or  any  other  lighting  equipment 
made  by  us  will  give  all  users  the 
utmost  in  service  and  efficiency  and 
every  satisfaction  anticipated. 

LIGHT  YOUR  THEATRE  WITH  MADELITE  and  realize 


Est.  1901 


the  wonderful  quality  in  lighting  equipment  that  is  in  use  most 
satisfactorily  in  De  Luxe  houses  all  over  the  country.  We  have 
made  stage  equipment  for  eight  years  and  know  the  needs  of  your 
theatre  to  give  you  the  right  equipment  at  a 
reasonable  figure  and  guarantee  abso- 
lute satisfaction.  We  can  serve 
you  well  if  you  will  let  us. 


Send  for 
our  new 
illustrated  catalogue 


We  are 
represented  In 
New  York,  St. 
Louis,  Minneapolis, 
Omaha,  New  Orleans, 
Seattle,  Los  Angeles,  San 
Francisco 


BELSON  MANUFACTURING  CO. 

804  S.  Sibley  St.  Est.  1901 

CHICAGO,  ILL. 


No  Lamp 
Is  Worth 
More  Than 
$195 


As  long  as  THIS  ONE  is  available. 


Simplicity,  economy  and  performance  deserve  your  consideration. 

Increased  volume  has  made  possible  a new  policy : 

WE  WILL  NOW  SELL  PERFECTION  LAMPS  TO  RESPONSIBLE 
EXHIBITORS  ON  ANY  REASONABLE  PROPOSITION. 


Southern  Exhibitors:  Write  C.  K.  Goss,  Box  200,  Atlanta,  Ga. 
for  a wonderful  offer 


PERFECTION  ARC  COMPANY 

Incorporated 

736-742  37th  St.  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Reference:  Liberty  State  Bank  of  Milwaukee 


er : F.  L.  Oberg  and  Olag  Hoganson.  Archi- 
tect; J.  Mandor  Matson,  536  Broadway 
Block,  Racine.  Cost,  $50,000. 

EAGLE  RIVER,  WIS.— Theatre.  Own- 
er : Merrill  Amusement  Co.,  care  A.  L. 
Robarge,  Merrill,  Wis.  Cost,  $35,000. 

WAUSAU,  WIS. — Theatre  and  store 
building.  Owner:  Frank  T.  Welter,  Wau- 
sau Theatre  Co.  Architect : Oppenhamer 
and  O'bel,  Beilin  Bldg.,  Green  Bay,  Wis. 
Cost,  $150,000.  Location,  405  Fourth  Ave. 

DELAVAN,  WIS.  — Theatre.  Owner: 
FischePs  Paramount  Theatres,  Inc.,  36  S. 
State  St.,  Chicago.  Cost,  $100,000. 

MILWAUKEE,  WIS.— Theatre,  stores 
and  apartment  building.  Owner:  Corpora- 
tion forming,  care  1.  V.  Brossell,  Bropress 
Realty  Co.,  123  W.  Wisconsin  Ave.,  Mil- 
waukee, Wis.  Architect : Withheld. 

SHEBOYGAN,  WIS.— Universal  Chain 
Theatrical  Enterprise.  Owner ; Care  archi- 
tect. Architect : United  Studios,  Inc.,  28  W. 
Lake  St.,  Chicago,  111.  Cost,  $300,000. 

PLATTEVILLE,  WIS.— Theatre,  store 
and  office  building.  Owner : Platteville  The- 
atre Corp.  Architect : R.  L.  Simmons, 
Beardsley  Block,  Elkhart,  Ind.  Cost,  $100,- 
000. 

NEW  HOLSTEIN,  WIS.  — Theatre. 
Owner:  Name  withheld.  Architect:  W.  F. 
Neuman,  114  W.  Wisconsin  Ave.,  Milwau- 

PARK  FALLS,  WIS.— Theatre.  Owner: 
John  Esteri  and  G.  E.  Miner,  Rice  Lake. 
Architect:  J.  E.  Nason,  Corn  Exchange, 
Minneapolis,  Minn.  Cost,  $70,000. 

Work  Begun  on  New 
Philadelphia  House 
for  Oxford  Company 

ORK  has  been  started  on  the  new  Ox- 
* * ford  theatre  on  Rising  Sun  and  Oxford 
avenues,  Burholme,  Philadelphia,  for  Ox- 
ford Theatre  Company,  Inc.,  in  accordance 
with  drawings  and  specifications  prepared 
by  The  Ballinger  Company,  Philadelphia 
and  New  York,  and  W.  Ellis  Groben,  asso- 
ciate architects.  This  theatre  is  ideally  lo- 
cated in  the  central  business  section,  in  a : 
community  where  there  is  now  under  way  J 
very  extensive  activity  in  new  develop- 
ment. i 

The  theatre  is  designed  to  be  operated 
on  the  so-called  combination  policy,  con- 
sisting of  high  grade  feature  pictures  in 
conjunction  with  headline  vaudeville  acts, 
similar  to  those  in  the  “down-town”  thea-  ‘ ' 
tres. 

* * * 

In  order  to  accommodate  those  who  ' 
come  by  automobile  and  auto-bus,  a large 
plot  has  been  reserved  for  parking  pur- 
poses adjoining  the  theatre  on  the  side  and 
entered  from  Oxford  Pike.  The  theatre,  ^ f 
seating  2,050  persons,  is  of  fire-proof  con-  , i 
struction,  modern  in  every  respect  and  in- 
cludes all  conveniences,  such  as  mechanical 
heating  and  ventilation  in  winter  and  arti- 
ficial cooling  in  summer,  for  the  comfort 
of  its  patrons. 

The  building  has  a frontage  of  180  feet 
on  Rising  Sun  avenue  and  extends  through 
to  Oxford  Pike.  In  addition  to  the  en- 
trance to  the  theatre,  there  are,  on  Rising  ; 
Sun  avenue,  seven  modern  stores,  approxi- 
mately 20  feet  wide  by  45  feet  deep,  over 
each  of  which,  on  the  second  floor,  is  an 
apartment  consisting  of  four  rooms  and 
a bath. 

* If:  * 

With  its  ornamental  marquee,  the  main  : 
entrance  gives  access  to  a spacious  two- 
story  vestibule  on  Rising  Sun  avenue,  hav-  1 
ing  plaster  decorations  and  stenciled  beam  x 
ceilings,  all  in  color  and  typically  Spanish  * 
in  character,  which  is  the  theme  used 
throughout  the  interior  generally.  From  J' 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


CHICAGO  INDORSES 

the 


Whca  the  Buckingham  Theatre,  installed  its  new 
Silversheet,  it  printed  this  on  the  front 
page  of  its  programi 


“In  keepingwith  its  desire  to  give  its 
patrons  the  best  possible  entertain- 
ment, the  management  has  had  a new 
“Silversheet”  projection  screen  in- 
stalled in  the  Buckingham  Theatre. 
The  new  screen  is  the  finest  projec- 
tion screen  that  money  can  buy.  ” 

‘ ‘The  surface  is  scientifically  designed 
to  reproduce  all  details  the  camera  has 
caught  in  the  picture.  The  perfection 
jOf  this  screen  can  best  be  appreciated 
*by  watching  such  small  objects  as 
eyes,  eyelashes  and  leaves  on  trees.lt 
shows  the  picture  uniformly  bright 
to  all  sections  of  the  house,  making 
ail  seats  equally  desirable.  We  invite 
you  to  make  such  comparison  and 
observe  the  remarkable  brilliancy  of 
‘Buckingham’  pictures.” 

OTHER  CHICAGO  INSTALLATIONS 

ASTOR  THEATRE 
GEM  THEATRE 
GRAND  THEATRE 
ILLINGTON  THEATRE 
KOZY  THEATRE 
MARSHALL  SQUARE 
PATIO  THEATRE 
STAR  THEATRE 


There  is  a genuine  Knobel-Built, 
Specification-finished  “Silversheet'  ’ 
for  every  purpose: 

FEATHER-WEIGHT  SILVERSHEET 
TEAR  PROOF  SILVERSHEET 
SEAMLESS  SILVERSHEET 

Evety  one  guaranteed  to  give 
absolute  satisfaction 

AMERICAN  SILVERSHEET  CO. 

Saint  Louis 

Write  direct,  or  to  the  nearest  “National” 
branch  for  details  and  prices. 


A FORD  IN  PRICE 
A PACKARD  IN  RESULTS 

That’s  the 


^Besteropticon^ 

Price  $26.00 
BEIST  DEVICES  CO. 

Film  Bldg.  Cleveland,  O. 


this  vestibule  a wide  lobby  or  promenade 
leads  to  the  foyer  of  the  theatre  proper. 

From  the  main  floor  of  the  theatre  two 
spacious  marble  stairways  lead  to  the  com- 
pletely appointed  mezzanine  above,  having 
a lounge  retiring  rooms  and  toilets  for  the 
women  and,  in  addition,  a smoking  room 
for  men,  all  in  the  same  style  of  decora- 
tion. On  this  floor  is  located  also  the  ad- 
ministration offlees,  etc. 

The  stage,  with  a 50  foot  wide  proscen- 
ium opening,  is  fully  equipped  in  every 
respect  to  accommodate  both  the  best  type 
of  vaudeville  acts  and  special  attractions. 
The  decorative  effects  of  the  interior  are 
worthy  of  special  attention  because  of  the 
pleasing  Spanish  impression  they  create,  en- 
riched by  the  introduction  of  rich  color 
notes,  all  upon  a tinted,  surfaced  plaster 
background.  These  wall  surfaces,  other- 
wise plain  in  treatment,  depend  entirely 
upon  their  color  and  surface  treatment  for 
effectiveness.  Spanish  drinking  fountains 
in  polychrome  terra  cotta  and  faience  tile 
and  the  balcony  effects  with  wrought  iron 
grills  are  features  of  unsually  attractive- 
ness. 

* * * 

Special  electrical  equipment  for  lighting 
effects  will  be  installed,  also  apparatus  for 
cooling  and  ventilating  the  air.  Seating, 
carpets,  draperies,  finishings  and  organ  of 
special  construction  will  be  provided. 

Contract  for  the  building  has  been 
awarded  to  Theodore  Kirmse,  general  con- 
tractor. 

Music  Library  of 
Capitol  Increased 

The  Capitol  music  library,  one  of  the 
most  extensive  collections  of  musical  litera- 
ture in  any  theatre  in  the  world,  has  been 
augmented  by  several  hundred  additional 
orchestral  scores.  The  music  was  secured 
by  Major  Edward  Bowes  during  his  recent 
vacation  abroad  and  by  Eugene  Ormandy, 
associate  conductor  o,f'vthe  Capitol  Grand 
Orchestra,  who  spent  Several  Vveeks  attend- 
ing the  important  music  festivals  in  Europe 
and  visiting  the  outstanding  continental 
music  centres  in  search  of  novel  and  inter- 
esting musical  material. 

The  scores  include  classic  and  modern 
music  and  cover  every  known  form  of 
musical  literature.  The  Capitol  librarians 
and  copyists  are  at  work  classifying  and 
cataloging  the  manuscripts  and  music  lovers 
may  expect  soon  novel  musical  features. 


Begin  New  Theatre 

Washington  Theatre  Enterprises,  Inc. 
have  let  the  contract  for  construction  of 
a $200,000  theatre  here  at  Commercial  and 
11th  Streets,  Astoria,  Ore.  The  seating 
capacity  will  be  1200. 


EVERYTHING  FOR 
THE  STAGE 


rcenicStudios 

TIFFIN.OHIO 


ESTABLISHED  1903 

Send  for  Catalogue 


BLIZZARD  NEWS 

While  all  the  large  pro- 
ducing companies  are 
loudly  clamoring  over 
their  respective  news — 
permit  us  to  quietly  and 
modestly  slip  you,  Mr. 
Exhibitor,  a bit  of  news 
about  the 

BLIZZARD 

COOLING  AND 
VENTILATING 
SYSTEM 

The  Blizzard  is  a guaran- 
teed {an — no  need  {or  worry, 
it’s  guaranteed  inde{initely. 

The  Blizzard  is  absolutely 
noiseless  — the  heavy  struc- 
tural steel  U shaped  arch 
makes  it  so. 

The  Blizzard  is  reliable — hl- 
teen  years  o{  successlul  ven- 
tilation prove  it. 

The  Blizzard  is  moderate  in 
price — it  gives  more  air  per 
dollar  than  any  other  {an  on 
the  market  today. 


The  New  Blizzard 


See  Your  Nearest  National  Theatre 
Supply  Co.  office  or  tear  out  and  mail. 


BLIZZARD  SALES  CO. 
OMAHA,  NEBR. 

Gentlemen: 

Send  me  more  details  relative  to 
your  guaranteed  Blizzard  Fan. 

Theatre 

City.. State 


46 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


New  Oxford  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  work  on  which  has  heen  started  for  Oxford  Theatre  Co.  The  Ballinger  Company,  Philadelphia, 
are  the  architects  with  W.  Ellis  (rcoben,  associate. 


Artificial  Flowers  & Plants 

that  look  natural 

G.  REISING  & CO. 

227  W.  Austin  Ave.,  Corner  Franklin  St.  Chicago,  111. 

Write  for  Catalogue 


Maintain  the  Correct 
Temperature  in  Your  Or- 
gan Chamber.  Keep  the  Air 
around  those  Delicate  Organ 
Mechanisms  Warm  and  Dry. 

USE 

EVENHEETERS 

The  correct  method  o£ 
organ  chamber  heating. 
Write  for  Details 

Cramblet  Engineering 
Corporation 

286  Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee 


Specializing  in 

VELOUR 

DRAPERIES 


CYCLORAMIC 

STAGE 

SETTINGS 


WINDOWCRAFT  DRAPERY  CO. 

328  Superior  Ave.,  N.  W. 
CLEVELAND,  OHIO 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


A.  D.  C.  AUTOMATIC 
CURTAIN  CONTROL 
AND  ROLL  E-Z  TRACKS 

Rubber  curtain 
ROLLERS 
AND— 

BALL  BEARING  STEEL 
WHEELS 
ASSURE — 
EFFICIENCY, 
RELIABILITY  AND 
SILENCE 


aTABILARC 

MOTOR  GENERATOR 

A DVANCED  DESIGN 
^ AND 

QUALITY  MATERIALS 
GUARANTEE 
UNIFORM  VOLTAGE 
WITH 

QUIET  OPERATION 


AUTOMATIC  DEVICES  CO. 


737  HAMILTON  ST. 


ALLENTOWN,  PA. 


“FOR  PERFECT 
CURTAIN  MOVEMENTS” 


“FOR  BEST 
SCREEN  RESULTS” 


dothwwant 


A PROGRAM  of  good  pic- 
tures, of  course. 


The  “Movie  Standards”  of 
the  American  Family — clear, 
unflickering  reproduction, 
eliminating  all  eye  strain — are 
readily  attained  with  good  pro- 
jectors and  a 


Screen 


DA-LITE  SCREEN  & SCENIC  CO. 

922-24  W.  Monroe  St. 
CHICAGO 


Write  for  Catalogue 


Canadian  Managers 
Discuss  Measures 
for  Public  Safety 

Education  of  the  public  in  proper  con- 
duct in  the  event  of  fire  in  a theatre  was 
one  of  the  subjects  discussed  by  delegates 
to  the  theatre  managers  convention  at 
Vancouver,  B.  C.,  last  month. 

It  was  pointed  out  that  modern  theatres 
are  constructed  of  fireproof  material  but 
danger  of  panics  in  the  event  of  fire  should 
be  guarded  against.  Installation  of  first-aid 
kits  and  first-aid  instruction  for  all  em- 
ployees was  recommended. 

In  the  evening  the  delegates  were  guests 
at  dinner  at  Grouse  Mountain  Chalet,  later 
returning  to  attend  the  Capitol  Theatre 
performance. 

6 Texas  Theatres  Open; 
State  Sues  1 for  Taxes 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

DALLAS,  Aug.  2. — Six  theatres  in 
Texas  are  ready  to  open  in  the  near 
future.  The  Rialto  theatre  at  Laredo  is 
being  remodelled,  painted,  and  new  equip- 
ment added  and  the  house  made  prac- 
tically new,  and  the  Arcadia  theatre  at 
Dallas  will  be  ready  for  opening  soon. 
G.  G.  Wright  will  open  his  Circle  theatre 
shortly.  The  house  has  operated  under 
lease  of  E.  H.  Hulsey  for  some  time  past. 
A new  theatre  is  being  erected  by  E.  S. 
Maggs  at  Amarillo,  and  another  at  Valley 
View  by  Ed  F.  Knight.  The  Texas  The- 
atre Company  erecting  a new  theatre  at 
Albany,  Texas.  Oklahoma  is  getting  a new 
theatre  at  Blackwell,  and  the  new  Meteor 
theatre  at  Bentonville,  Arksansas,  will  soon 
be  ready  for  opening. 

A suit  for  $571.90  has  been  filed  at  Austin, 
Texas,  against  the  Poplar  Amusement  Com- 
pany at  Dallas  for  alleged  delinquent  taxes. 


Put  Tickets  on  Sale 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  2. — Tickets  for  the 
third  annual  outing  of  the  Albany  Film 
Board  of  Trade,  which  takes  place  on 
August  8,  at  Saratoga  Lake,  have  been 
placed  on  sale  at  all  exchanges  in  Al- 
bany. There  is  indication  now  that  there 
will  be  a crowd  of  about  200  present  at 
the  affair.  Jack  Krause  is  arranging  the 
program  of  entertainment.  All  exchanges 
will  be  closed  for  half  a day  on  the  day 
of  the  outing. 


THEATKI^U 


Send  for 


QWestPriC^^ 

Catalogue 


J.I^LANCY,ih(^  Syracuse  N.Y 


48 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


August  6,  1927 


Better  Theatres  Information 
and  Catalog  Bureau 

Many  of  the  products  listed  beloiv  are  advertised  by  reliable  companies  in  this  issue  of  “Better  Theatres’ 


Free  Service  to  Readers 
of  “Better  Theatres” 

“Better  Theatres”  offers  on  these  pages  an  indi- 
vidual service  to  its  readers  through  this  Exhibitors 
Information  and  Catalog  Bureau.  Detailed  informa- 
tion and  catalogs  concerning  any  product  listed  on 
these  pages  will  be  sent  to  any  theatre  owner,  man- 
ager, architect  or  projectionist. 

^Fill  in  the  coupon  on  the  next  page  and  mail  it  to 
^ the  “Better  Theatres”  division,  Elxhibitors  Herald, 
407  S.  Dearborn  street,  Chicago. 

^Many  of  the  products  listed  by  this  Bureau  are 
^ advertised  in  this  issue  of  “Better  Theatres.”  See 
Advertisers  Index. 

^We  are  glad  to  serve  you.  Do  not  hesitate  to  ask 
^ us  for  any  information  on  equipment  or  problems 
pertaining  to  the  efficient  operation  of  your  theatre. 


A 

1 Accounting  systems. 

2 Accoustical  installations. 

3 Adapters,  carbon. 

4 Adding,  calculating  ma- 

chines. 

5 Admission  signs. 

6 Addressing  machines. 

7 Advertising  novelties, 

materials. 

8 Advertising  projectors. 

9 Air  conditioning  equip- 

ment. 

10  Air  dome  tents. 

11  Aisle  lights. 

12  Aisle  rope. 

13  Alarm  signals. 

14  Arc  lamps,  reflecting. 

15  Architectural  service. 

16  Arc  regulators. 

17  Artificial  plants,  flowers. 

18  Art  titles. 

19  Automatic  curtain  con- 

trol. 

20  Automatic  projection 

cutouts. 

21  Automatic  sprinklers. 

B 

22  Balloons,  advertising. 

23  Banners. 

24  Baskets,  decorative. 

25  Bell-buzzer  signal  sys- 
tems. 

26  Blocks,  pulleys,  stage- 

rigging. 

27  Blowers,  hand. 

28  Booking  agencies  for  mu- 

sicians. 

29  Booking  agencies  (state 

kind) . 

30  Boilers. 

31  Bolts,  panic. 

32  Booths,  projection. 

33  Booths,  ticket. 

34  Box,  loge  chairs. 

35  Brass  grills. 

36  Brass  rails. 

37  Brokers-Theatre  promo- 

tion. 

38  Bulletin  boards,  change- 

able. 

c 

39  Cable. 

40  Cabinets. 

41  Calcium  lights. 

42  Cameras. 

43  Canopies  for  fronts. 

44  Carbons. 

45  Carbon  sharpeners. 

46  Carbon  wrenches. 

47  Carpets. 

48  Carpet  cushion. 


49  Carpet  cleaning  com- 

pound. 

50  Carpet  covering. 

51  Cases,  film  shipping. 

52  Cement,  film. 

53  Chair  covers. 

54  Chairs,  wicker. 

55  Chairs,  theatre. 

56  Change  makers. 

57  Changer  overs. 

58  Color  hoods. 

59  Color  wheels. 

60  Condensers. 

D 

61  Date  strips. 

62  Decorations  (state  kind). 

63  Decorators,  theatre. 

64  Dimmers. 

65  Disinfectants — perfumed. 

66  Doors,  fireproof. 

67  Draperies. 

68  Drinking  fountains. 

69  Duplicating  machines. 

E 

70  Electric  circuit  testing 

instruments. 

71  Electric  fans. 

72  Electrical  flowers. 

73  Electric  power  generat- 

ing plants. 

74  Electric  signs. 

75  Electric  signal  and  con- 

trol systems. 

76  Emergency  lighting 

plants. 

77  Exit  light  signs. 

F 

78  Film  cleaners. 

79  Film  splicing  machine. 

80  Film  tools  (state  kind). 

81  Film  waxing  machine. 


82  Fire  alarms. 

83  Fire  escapes. 

84  Fire  extinguishers. 

85  Fire  hose. 

86  Fire  hose  reels,  carts. 

87  Fire  proof  curtains. 

88  Fire  proof  doors. 

89  Fire  proofing  materials. 

90  Fixtures,  lighting. 

91  Flashlights. 

92  Flashers,  Electric  sign. 

93  Flood  lighting. 

94  Floorlights. 

95  Floor  covering. 

96  Floor  runners. 

97  Flowers,  artificial. 

98  Footlights. 

99  Fountains,  decorative. 

100  Fountains,  drinking. 

101  Frames-poster,  lobby  dis- 

play. 

102  Fronts,  metal  theatre. 

103  Furnaces,  coal  burning. 

104  Furnaces,  oil  burning. 

105  Furniture,  theatre. 

106  Fuses. 

G 

107  Generators. 

108  Grilles,  brass. 

109  Gummed  labels. 

110  Gypsum  products. 

H 

111  Hardware,  stage. 

112  Heating  system,  coal. 

113  Heating  system,  oil. 

I 

114  Ink,  pencils  for  slides. 

115  Insurance,  Fire. 

116  Insurance,  Rain. 

117  Interior  decorating  serv- 

ice. 

118  Interior  illuminated 

signs. 


J 

119  Janitors’  supplies. 

L 

120  Labels,  film  caution. 

121  Lamps,  decorative. 

122  Lamp  dip  coloring. 

123  Lamps,  general  lighting. 

124  Lamps,  incandescent  pro- 

jection. 

125  Lamps,  reflecting  arc. 

126  Lamp  shades. 

127  Lavatory  equipment,  fur- 

nishings. 

128  Lavatory  fixtures. 

129  Ledgers,  theatre. 

130  Lenses. 

131  Lights,  exit. 

132  Lights,  spot. 

133  Lighting  fixtures. 

134  Lighting  installations. 

135  Lighting  systems,  com- 

plete. 

136  Linoleum. 

137  Liquid  soap. 

138  Liquid  soap  containers. 

139  Lithographers. 

140  Lobby  display  frames. 

141  Lobby  gazing  balls. 

142  Lobby  furniture. 

143  Lobby  decorations. 

144  Lubricants  (state  kind). 

145  Luminous  numbers. 

146  Luminous  signs,  interior, 

exterior. 

M 

147  Machines,  ticket. 

148  Machines,  pop  corn. 

149  Machines,  sanitary  vend- 

ing. 

150  Make  up,  boxes,  theatri- 

cal. 

151  Marble. 

152  Marquise. 

153  Mats,  leather. 

154  Mats  and  runners. 

155  Mazda  projection  adapt- 

ers. 

156  Metal  lath. 

157  Metal  polish. 

158  Mirror,  shades. 

159  Motor  generators. 

160  Motion  picture  cable. 

161  Musical  instruments 

(state  kind). 

162  Music  publishers. 

163  Music  rolls. 

164  Music  stands. 

N 

165  Napkins. 

166  Novelties,  advertising. 

167  Nursery  furnishings  and 

equipment. 


August  6,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


Exhibitors  Information  and  Catalog  Bureau 


o 

168  Oil  burners. 

169  Orchestral  pieces. 

170  Orchestra  pit  fittings, 

furnishings. 

171  Organs. 

172  Organ  novelty  slides. 

173  Organ  lifts. 

174  Organ  chamber  heaters. 

175  Ornamental  fountains. 

176  Ornamental  metal  work. 

177  Ornamental  metal  thea- 

tre fronts. 

P 

178  Paint,  screen. 

179  Paper  drinking  cups. 

180  Paper  towels. 

181  Perfumers. 

182  Photo  frames. 

183  Pianos. 

184  Picture  sets. 

185  Player  pianos. 

186  Plastic  fixtures  and  dec- 

orations. 

187  Plumbing  fixtures. 

188  Positive  film. 

189  Posters. 

,190  Poster  frames. 

191  Poster  lights. 

192  Poster  paste. 

193  Portable  projectors. 

194  Pottery,  decorative. 

195  Power  generating  plants. 

196  Printing,  theatre. 

197  Programs. 

198  Program  covers. 

199  Program  signs,  illumi- 

nated. 

200  Projection  lamps. 


201  Projection  machines. 

202  Projection  machine 

parts. 

203  Projection  room  equip- 

ment. 

R 

204  Radiators. 

205  Radiator  covers. 

206  Rails,  brass. 

207  Rails,  rope. 

208  Rain  insurance. 

209  Rectifiers. 

210  Reconstruction  service. 

211  Redecorating  service. 

212  Reflectors  (state  kind). 

213  Refurnishing  service. 

214  Regulators,  Mazda. 

215  Reels. 

216  Reel  end  signals. 

217  Reel  packing,  carrying 

cases. 

218  Resonant  orchestra  plat- 

form. 

219  Reseating  service. 

220  Rewinding  film. 

221  Rheostats. 

222  Rigging,  stage. 

223  Roofing  materials. 

s 

224  Safes,  film. 

225  Scenery,  stage. 

226  Scenic  artists’  service, 

227  Screens. 

228  Screen  paint. 

229  Seat  covers. 

230  Seat  indicators,  vacant. 

231  Seats,  theatres. 

232  Signs  (state  kind). 


233  Signs,  parking. 

234  Signals,  reel  end. 

235  Sign  flashers. 

236  Sign-cloth. 

237  Sign  lettering  service. 

238  Sidewalk  machines,  corn 

poppers. 

239  Slides. 

240  Slide  ink,  pencils. 

241  Slide  lanterns. 

242  Slide  making  outfits. 

243  Slide  mats. 

244  Shutters,  metal  fire. 

245  Soap  containers,  liquid. 

246  Speed  indicators. 

247  Spotlights. 

248  Stage  doors-valances,  etc. 

249  Stage  lighting  equipment. 

250  Stage  lighting  systems. 

251  Stage  rigging-blocks, 

pulleys. 

252  Stage  scenery. 

253  Stair  treads. 

254  Statuary. 

255  Steel  lockers. 

256  Stereopticons. 

257  Sweeping  compounds. 

258  Switchboards, 

259  Switches,  automatic. 

T 

260  Talley  counters. 

261  Tapestries. 

262  Tax  free  music. 

263  Telephones,  inter-com- 

municating. 

264  Temperature  regulation 

system. 

265  Terra  Cotta. 

266  Terminals. 

267  Theatre  accounting  sys- 

tems. 

268  Theatre  dimmers. 


269  Theatre  seats. 

270  Tickets. 

271  Ticket  booths. 

272  Ticket  choppers. 

273  Ticket  holders. 

274  Ticket  racks. 

275  Ticket  selling  machines. 

276  Tile. 

277  Tile  stands. 

278  Tool  cases,  operator’s. 

279  Towels,  paper. 

280  Towels,  cloth. 

281  Trailers. 

282  Transformers. 

283  Tripods. 

284  Turnstiles,  registering. 

285  Typewriters. 

u j 

286  Uniforms. 

V 

287  Valances,  for  boxes. 

288  Vases,  stone. 

289  Vacuum  cleaners. 

290  Ventilating  fans. 

291  Ventilating,  cooling  sys- 

tem. 

292  Ventilating  systems, 

complete. 

293  Vending  machines,  soap, 

towels,  napkins,  etc. 

294  Vitrolite. 

w 

295  Wall  burlap. 

296  Wall  leather. 

297  Watchman’s  clocks. 

298  Water  coolers. 

299  Wheels,  color. 


USF  THIS  COUPON 

‘‘BETTER  THEATRES’^  DIVISION 

Exhibitors  Herald 

407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago. 

Gentlemen:  I should  like  to  receive  reliable  information  on  the  items  listed  following: 

(Refer  to  Items  by  Number) 


Remarks  : 


Name Theatre City. 

State Seating  Capacity 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  August  6,  1927 


Advertised  in  This 

BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION 

( If  you  desire  something  not  listed  here,  Exhibitors  Information  and  Catalog 
Bureau  on  preceding  pages  will  get  it  for  you.) 


AISLE  LIGHTS 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Kausalite  Mfg.  Co 


Page 


42 


ANCHOR  EXPANSION  BOLTS 

The  Paine  Co 28 

2951  Carroll  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 


AUTOMATIC  CURTAIN 
CONTROL 

Automatic  Devices  Co 47 

17  N.  7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

E.  J.  Vallen  Elec.  Co 30 

Akron,  Ohio. 


BANNERS,  HAND  PAINTED 

H.  Dryfhout  22 

7J6  S.  IVabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 


CARBONS 

Hugo  Reisinger  33 

11  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 

CHANGE  MAKERS 

Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  Co 26 

W atertown,  IVis. 


DIMMERS 

Cutler-Hammer  Mfg.  Co 23 

12th  & St.  Paul  Ave.,  alilwaukec , Ids. 


DISPLAY  CUTOUT  MACHINES 


International  Register  Co 3 

15  Throop  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

DRAPERIES 

Windowcraft  Drapery  Co 46 


32S  Superior  Ave.,  N.  IV.,  Cleveland. 

ELECTRIC  FLASHERS,  COLOR 
HOODS 

Reynolds  Electric  Co 31 

2651  W.  Congress  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

EQUIPMENT  SUPPLIES 

Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co 42 

1223  S.  IVabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

National  Theatre  Supply  Co Insert 

624  S.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chiacgo,  III. 

FLOWERS,  PLANTS — ARTIFICIAL 

G.  Reising  & Co 46 

227  W.  Austin  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

HEATING  & VENTILATING 

B.  F.  Reynolds  & Co 32 

IISW.  Ohio,  Chicago,  III. 

LENSES 

Bausch  & Lomb 31 

Rochester,  N.  Y. 

MARQUISE,  CANOPIES 

Architectural  Metal  Prod.,  Inc 40 

79  W.  Sth  St.,  Covington,  Ky. 

Edwards  Mfg.  Co 34 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

MOTION  PICTURE  CABLE 

Rockbestos  Products  Corp 

blew  Haven,  Conn.  3rd  Cover 

MOTOR  GENERATORS 

Automatic  Devices  Co 47 

Allentown,  Pa. 

MOTORS  FOR  PROJECTORS 

The  Wigginton  Co 20 

434  N.  Church.  St.,  Kalamazoo,  Mich. 

MOVIE  SCRAP  BOOKS 

Bishop  Publishing  Co 39 

822  Dobson  St.,  Evanston,  III. 


Page 

MUSIC  STANDS 

Gallagher  Orchestra  Equip.  Co....  39 

616  Ih . Elm  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

ORGANS 

George  Kilgen  & Son,  Inc Insert 

4016  N.  Union  Blvd.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Marr-Colton  Organ  Co. 19 

IVarsaw,  N.  Y. 

Nelson-Wiggen  Piano  Co 41 

1731  Belmont  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Operators  Piano  Co 27 

775  N.  Kedeie  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Page  Organ  Company 14 

519  N.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio. 

Schaefer  Organ  Co 35 

S linger,  Wis. 

Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Co .2nd  Cover 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ORGAN  HEATERS 

Cramblet  Eng.  Corp 46 

286  Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

POP  CORN  MACHINES 

C.  Cretors  & Co 27 

612  W.  22nd  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Star  Mfg.  Company 34 

ilOO  Military  Rd.,  Buffalo,  N.  i’. 

PROJECTORS 

Enterprise  Optical  Co 4th  Cover 

564  W.  Randolph  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Holmes  Projector  Corp 30 

1632  N.  Halsted  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

International  Proj.  Corp.,  Pow- 
er’s Division Insert 

90  Gold  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

International  Proj.  Corp.,  Sim- 
plex Division Insert 

90  Gold  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

REFLECTING  ARC  LAMPS 

Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Co 31 

4214  Santa  Monica  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles, 

Cal. 

Hall  & Connolly,  Inc 35 

129  Grand  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

McAuley  Mfg.  Company 22 

554  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Perfection  Arc  Co.,  Inc 44 

736  37th  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Strong  Electric  Co 36 

2501  Lagrange  St.,  Toledo,  Ohio. 

RHEOSTATS 

Hoffman  & Soons 34 

522  First  Ave.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

SAFETY  APPARATUS 

Sentry  Safety  Control  Corp ■ 5 

Lincoln  Bldg.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

SCHOOLS  FOR  ORGANISTS 

Vermond  Knauss  School  of  The- 


atre Organ  Playing 24 

210  N.  7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

SCREENS 

American  Silversheet  Co 45 

915  Wash  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Da-Lite  Screen  Co 47 

922  W.  Monroe  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Minusa  Cine  Screen  Co 35 

Morgan  at  Bomont,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Raven  Screen  Corp 33 

1476  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 


Page 

SEATS 

American  Seating  Co 17 

14  E.  Jackson  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Heywood-Wakefield  Co 6 

209  Washington  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 

SIGNS— ELECTRIC 

Milne  Elec.  Co 40 

189  Fifth  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

SLIDES 

Flexlume  Corporation  4 

1236  N.  Clark  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

J.  F.  Ransley 29 

54  W.  Randolph  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

SOUND  PROOFING  SYSTEMS 

Stevens  Soundproofing  Co 26 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

STAGE  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Frank  Adam  EJec.  Co 36 

3650  Windsor  Ave.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Belson  Mfg.  Company 42-44 

800  Sibley  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Brenkert  Light  Proj.  Co 47 

1348  St.  Aubin  Ave.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Display  Stage  Lighting  Co 43 

334  W.  44th  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

Kliegel  Brothers  32 

321  W.  50th  St.  N.  Y.  C. 

Major  Equipment  Co Front  Cover 

4603  Fullerton  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Wm.  Wurdack  Elec.  Mfg.  Co 16 

21  S.  Hill  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

STAGE  RIGGING  HARDWARE 

J.  H.  Channon  Corp 29 

223  W.  Erie  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

J.  R.  Clancy 47 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Peter  Clark,  Inc 28 

534  W.  30th  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

STAGE  SCENERY 

Tiffin  Scenic  Studios 45 

Tiffin,  Ohio. 

STEREOPTICONS 

Best  Devices  Co 45 

Film  Bldg.,  Cleveland,  O. 

THEATRE  PRINTING,  PROGRAMS 

Exhibitors  Printing  Service 42 

711  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

The  National  Program  & Print- 
ing Co 35 

729  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

TRANSFORMERS 

Hertner  Electric  Co..... 43 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Liberty  Elec.  Corp 24 

Stamford,  Conn. 

Roth  Brothers  & Co 33 

1400  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

USHERS’  SIGNAL  SYSTEMS 

Acme  Elec.  Construction  Co 41 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

VENTILATING  EQUIPMENT 

Blizzard  Fan  Sales  Co 45 

1514  Davenport  St.,  Omaha,  Neb. 

Supreme  Heat.  & Vent.  Co 20 

1915  Pine  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Typhoon  Fan  Co 45 

345  W.  39th  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 


Now  standard  on  all 
Powers  Projectors 

Rockbestos  Motion  Picture  Cable 
has  established  itself  so  firmly  as  a 
feature  of  motion  picture  pro^ 
jectors,  that  it  is  now  being  used 
exclusively  on  all  Powers  projectors. 

The  very  high  quality  of  Rockbes- 
tos cable  is  so  well  recognized  that 
all  kinds  of  well  known  theatre 
lighting  equipment,  such  as  pro- 
jectors, arc  and  spot  lights,  and 
lighting  fixtures,  use  Rockbestos 
— the  asbestos  covered  wire. 


Powers  Projectors  in  the 
Capitol  Theatre  Projection  Room 
at  Detroit,  Mich. 


The  leading  theatres  of  the  country  use  Rock- 
bestos on  their  projectors  because  they  find 
that  replacements  are  few  and  this  helps  to 
cut  expenses.  It  is  therefore  the  most  econom- 
ical cable  to  buy,  and  incidentally,  its  service 
cannot  be  surpassed. 

Theatre  owners  and  projectionists 
are  asked  to  write  for  samples  and 
complete  information  about 
Rockbestos — the  life  line  of  the 
projector. 

BETTER  PROJECTION  PAYS 


ROCKBESTOS  PRODUCTS 

CORPORAT  I ON 


High  Intensity  Powers 
Projector  equipped 
with  Rockbestos  cable. 


ROCKBESTOS 

—the  asbestos  covered  wire 


5942  Grand  Central  Term.  Bldg.,  New  York 


NEW  HAVEN,  CONN. 


224  Madison  Term.  Bldg.,  Chicago 


IN  EVERY  MOTIOGRAPH  DELUXE  PROJECTOR 

Distributed  by  the 

NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY 


EVERY  “NATIONAL”  SALESMAN  HAS  SOMETHING 
SPECIAL  TO  OFFER  YOU  REGARDING  THE 


MOTIOGRAPH 
DE  LUXE 
PROJECTOR 


$99000 


STEREOPTICON  ATTACHMENT  $10.00 

ASK  HIM! 


THE  ENTERPRISE  OPTICAL  MFC.  CO. 

564  W.  RANDOLPH  ST.. 


Chicago,  III. 


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FROM  SOUP  TO 
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what  a feast! 


M-G-M  News  is  here 
AUGUST  15th  first  issue 
YOUNG  Blood 
NOW  gives  you  an 
ENTIRE  program  of 
M-G-IVI  quality. 

The  Top  of  the  Industry! 

Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors 


3 CHANEYS  2 COOGANS 

4 HAINES  2 GILBERTS 
3 DAVIES  3 SHEARERS 

1 NOVARRO  1 SYD  CHAPLIN 
1 GISH  2 GARBOS 

6 McCOYS  2 DOG  STAR 
3 COOY-PRINGLES 
3 DANE-ARTHURS 
5 COSMOPOLITANS 

And  Important  Specials 

GARDEN  OF  ALLAH  (Rex  fn^ram) 
THE  CROWD  (Kin«  Vidor) 

THE  COSSACKS  (John  Gilbert) 
ROSE.MARIE— NAPOLEON 
MLLE.  FROM  ARMENTIERES 
IN  OLD  KENTUCKY 
BODY  AND  SOUL 

And  Great  Junior  Features 

HAL  ROACH  COMEDIES 

OUR  GANG— MAX  DAVIDSON 
CHARLEY  CHASE  — ALL  STAR 

M-G-M  NEWS 

Tu'icc  — Starts  August  ijtfj 

M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS 

Entirely  in  Technicolor 

M-G-M  ODDITIES 

ProJuced  dll  over  the  world  by  LIFA 


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METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 

America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


> > 


/\V 


m 


..  XXX,  No.  9 


Entertd  at  second-clast  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1879,  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  83.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


August  13,  1927 


whd  others  say  about 

^Jiellen? 

Pit  PIPE  organ: 


I can  say  your  instru- 
ment playing  to  continuous 
jammed  housed 

Region  theatre 
^(arshalltown,  Bowa 


'' Congratulations  on  won- 
derful instrument/^ 

Glermont  theatre 
Chicago 

'‘increased  our  business  more 
than  enough  to  warrant  the 
investment 

‘tuxedo  theatre 
CNew  ^ork  City 


"^Mn  itself  a distinct  musical 
attraction/^ 

Srand  theatre 
Hidmter  Bia^en,  'Florida 


'^The  organ  is  a positive 
sensation/'' 

Q)elano  theatre 
Qtelano,  Calif. 


ROBEKT  U^onXON  ORGAN  ( 

Send 


" 1 ne  success  or  this  organ 
prompted  us  to  order 
another. " 

Qongress-Qrove  theatres 
BVewark,  fN.  ff. 

wonderful  addition  td' 
our  presentations.''^ 

Strand-Gmpire  “theatre 
Chdlicotbe,  cMo. 


me  without  obUgation  full 
details  of  your  New  SeUin^  Plan 


Name • 

Theatre.^......... 

Seating  Capacity, 
City 


Permanent 
cMisic  Feature  For 
theMcrage  Exhibited 

-highest  type  performance 
at  Minimum  Cost. 


omtime  deagan  PEmeusstONS  used 


They  made  history  in  ’98/ 


They’ll  make  history 
again  in  ’27,  ’28 


at  every  box  office 
in  the  land! 


THE 


ROUGH  RIDIRS 


A Victor  Fleming  Production 
from  the  story  by  Hermann 
Hagedorn.  B.  P.  Schulberg, 
Associate  Producer. 


With  Noah  Beery,  George 
Bancroft,  Mary  Astor,  Charles 
Farrell,  Charles  Emmett  Mack, 
and  Frank  Hopper. 


We  sacrificed  rich  national  road  show  book- 
ings already  set.  We  wanted  you  to  have 
this  gold  mine  NOW  virtually  untapped. 
‘‘The  Rough  Riders” — standard-bearer  with 
“Beau  Geste”  of  the  greatest  program  in 
Paramount  history — 


A beautiful  girl,  two 
young  men  facing  bul- 
lets and  fever  for  her, 
against  the  colorful 
backgroundof  Colonel 
Roosevelt’s  rollicking, 
fighting  regiment. 

' : n/  V 


What  a picture ! Spontaneous, 
humorous,  human ! Cowboys 
and  college  men!  Hoboes  and 
millionaires!  East  Side,  West 
Side,  Sunny  South,  Bustling 
North!  They  took  San  Juan  Hill 
by  storm!  They  captured  a thou- 
sand feminine  hearts!  Book  now! 


RA  M o 


; 4% 


M:-  - 


Paramount  ^r  icture^ 


NALD 


^ director 
(^Box-office 
hits  — 

Pathe  ^ 
I DeNfille 

I Program 

^ 1927-28 


His  First  Knockout 
Season  1927 ^'28 

Another  Big  One  in 
Production 

ROD 

LA  ROCQUE 

in 

The  FIGHTING 
EAGLE 

DIRECTED  BY  DONALD  CRISP 

with 

PHYLLIS  HAVER 

H 

WILLIAM 

BOYD 

in 

THE  WEST 
POINTER 

DIRECTED  BY  DONALD  CRISP 

with 

BESSIE  LOVE 

Adaptation  and  Continuity  by  Douglas 

Z.  Doty  from  “The  Adventures  of  Ger- 
ard” hy  A.  Conan  Doyle.  Supervised 
by  C.  Gardner  Sullivan. 

Adapted  by  Douglas  Z.  Doty  from  a 
story  by  Major  Robert  Glassburn  and 
Major  Alexander  Chilton.  Supervised 
by  C.  Gardner  Sullivan.  | 

Powerful  Units 


in  tile  Fatiie  complete^ 
perfect  pro^am 


^V^btde^eaiure 

RATHE 

REVIEW 

The  Magazine  of  the 
Screen 

Here  is  the  most  satisfying 
Big  Little  Feature  you  can 
add  to  your  program.  Enter- 
taining trips  into  far  corners  of 
the  world  — strange  people — ■ 
strange  animals — intimate  side- 
lights on  famous  personalities 
— wonders  of  science,  and  a 
great  variety  of  other  fascinat- 
ing subjects  are  embodied  in 
this  distinctive  one  reel  feature. 


MAKE  IT  A PERMANENT 
PART  OF  YOUR  SHOW 


From  the  time,  sixteen  years  ago,  when  Charles 
Pathe  first  gave  Pathe  News  to  the  screen,  it  has 
steadily  grown  in  public  favor,  until  today  it  stands 
not  only  as  the  leading  newsreel  of  the  world,  but 
a veritable  national  institution*  Many  thrilling  and 
momentous  events  are  encompassed  in  the  sixteen 
years  of  its  history,  and  Pathe  News  cameramen 
have  been  first  on  the  scene  recording  every  im- 
portant happening  in  every  part  of  the  world. 
Today,  with  the  cumulative  experience  and  knowl- 
edge of  16  years  of  endeavor,  Pathe  News  stands 
pre-eminent.  Millions  of  motion  picture  fans 
who  expect  the  best  demand  PATHE  NEWS. 


MACK 

SENNETT 

Comedies 


Dorothy  Knapp,  Famous  Beauty 


Sea  Elephant 


Arctic  Archie 


Royal  Body  Guard  in  Ethiopia 


52  Issues 


1 Reel  Each 


MACK  SENNETT- 
that  is  synonymous 
best  in  comedy — a 
is  magic  at  the 
producer  of  short 
so  entrenched  himself 
public  as  a creator  of 
comedy  hits. 


MACK  SENNETT  S NAME 
YOUR  MARQUEE  IS  A 
TEE  TO  YOUR  PATRONS 
PERFECT  COMEDY 

jd  Hits,  2 Reels  Each 
igzj-igzS 

Pafh6comedy 


Ex-Prime  Minister  of  Ethiopia 

PATHE  EXCHANGE  INC. 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES  • PATHE  NEWS  - PATHE  WESTERNS  • PATHESERIALS  - PATHECOMEDIES 

Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. 

Will  H.  Hays,  President 


August  13,  1927  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  3 


Never  in  screen  history  has  a two-reel  series  received  the  unanimously 
enthusiastic  praise  of  exhibitors  in  trade  paper  box-office  reports  that 
has  been  accorded  *^^THE  COLLEGIANS,”  Universal’s  Junior  Jewel  Series. 
'^***That’s  FACT,  bluntly  stated.* ***Never  in  screen  history  have  exhibi- 
tors discovered  such  terrific,  pull-’em-back  drawing  power  as  they  have  found 
in  "THE  COLLEGIANS,”  Carl  Laemmle  Jr.^s  great  two-reel  series.**** 
That’s  FACT,  plainly  stated.**** AND  HERE’S  THE  BIG  FACT:  THE 
EXHIBITOR  WHOSE  AUDIENCES  HAVE  NOT  YET  SEEN  THE 
FIRST  SERIES  OF  TEN  "COLLEGIANS”  IS  DEFINITELY  AND 
ABSOLUTELY  THROWING  AWAY  COLD,  HARD  CASH!  ****  It’s 
i waiting  there — ten  weeks  of  certain  money-making,  and  ten  more  weeks  of 
greater  profit  when  he  books  the  second  series  of  "Collegians,”  AS  EVERY 
EXHIBITOR  INEVITABLY  WILL  WHO  HAS  PLAYED  THE  FIRST! 
****  FACTS,  man,  business  facts,  pocket-book  facts,  bank-balance  facts, 
box-office  facts!  ****  GRAB  THOSE  "COLLEGIANS"  NOW  AND 
SET  YOURSELF  FOR  A CLEAN-UP!  ****  FACE  THESE  FACTS! 

\ First  Collegians”  starring  ^‘Second  Collegians”  ^ 

I 10 — 2 reels  each  George  Lewis  Dorothy  Gulliver  10—2  reels  each  I 

y Directed  by  Wesley  Rugglea  ■with  Eddie  Phillips,  Churchill  Ross,  etc.  Directed  by  Nat  Ross  n. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


^ 

(DxlAjM<iZUyruik 


MAKE  A NON-STOP  FLIC 


TN  these  jazz-mad  days  of  speed, 

speed,  and  more  speed,  people 
want  laughter  and  amusement  as 
never  before.  And  they  want  it 
quick  and  snappy,  and  in  endless 
variety.  That’s  one  reason  for  the 
great  growth  in  popularity  of  Educa- 
tional Pictures. 

In  its  eighth  year  of  specialization  in  “The 
Spice  of  the  Program,”  Educational  offers 
you  for  1927-1928  a program  of  Short 
Features  that,  through  sheer  merit,  is  estab- 
lishing even  more  firmly  its  position  as  the 
leader  in  its  held. 

And  they’re  backed  up  with  a campaign 
of  magazine  advertising  that’s  bigger  and 
more  helpful  than  any  you’ve  ever  seen 
before! 


12 

— 

_ MSiTw-fllSSSir 


ME 


1SS 


JACK  WHITE  PROPVCTIONS 


Spice  d 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


^ONG  THESE  STARS 


OTART  this  week!  And  don’t  stop!  Keep  fea- 
^ turing  Educational  Pictures  week  after  week 
and  watch  your  business  grow. 

When  you  harness  these  stars  to  your  box- 
office  it’s  like  adding  another  pair  of  motors  to 
your  airplane.  They  give  added  power;  and  a 
big  added  factor  of  safety.  One  motor  may  get  you 
there.  But  add  these  extra  motors;  give  them  the 
fuel  of  local  advertising,  and  you’re  safe — every 
week! 


oyxDeogr 

BY  ROBERT  C.BRVCE 


-duV^nile 

•COMEDIES- 


KJNQj 


PRODyCED 
WALTER  FUmR 


'^medics 

WITH  JOHNNY  ARTHUR 


he  Program 


Member,  Motion  Picture 
Producers  and  Distribu- 
tors of  America,  Inc. 

Will  H.  Hays,  President. 


6 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Your  season,  for  assured  and  sustained  profits  through  playing  — 
Fox  Profit  Pictures. 

There’s  been  a lot  of  hullabaloo;  you’ve  heard  from  the  Big  Noise 
and  the  Big  Cheese  and  the  Big  Bluff  (and  the  So  On).  Now  at- 
tend on  the  one  sweet  strain  that  really  counts  — Big  Profits, 
profits  made  possible  by  thorough,  business-like  preparation!  You  can 
discount  the  rest  — what  you  seek  is  profits ! 

Are  you  set? 

Opening  date  August  14th  — for  sustained  schedule  of  money-making 
attractions  that  constitute  the  Fox  Profit  Pictures  for  1927-1928. 

It  is  no  gamble, 

A little  clear  vision  will  show  you  why  there  are  assured  profits  ahead. 
Take  the  three  FOX  has  named  for  August  — one  is  an  outstand- 
ing achievement  in  picture  production  proclaimed  by  leading  critics 
“the  world’s  greatest  motion  picture”;  another  brings  George  O’Brien 
and  Virginia  Yalli  to  the  screen  in  a pvdsating  red-blooded  romance; 
the  third  is  a cracking,  well-acted  melodrama,  starring  Blanche  Sweet, 
a strong  favorite  with  the  public. 

All  have  been  proven  in  pre-releases. 

You  have  only  to  play  them  — and  profit! 


ii 


FOX 


PROFIT 


PICTURES 


August  13,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  7 


‘‘PAID  TO  LOVE” 

With  GEORGE  O’BRIEN  and  VIRGINIA  VALLI 

Says  the  New  York  American^  reviewing  this  Howard  Hawks  Production 
at  its  pre-release  at  the  Roxy  Theatre:  “Paid  to  Love  is  full  of  the  stuff 
wotnen  love  to  see  on  the  screen  and,  therefore,  will  undoubtedly  hit  the 

bull’s-eye  at  the  box-office.” 

BLANCHE  SWEET  in  “SINGED” 

Every  New  York  newspaper  commented  on  the  popularity  and  strength 
of  this  star,  in  reviewing  the  pre-release  at  the  Roxy  of  this  J.  G.  Wray 
Production.  “Miss  Sweet  holds  on”  concludes  the  Times. 

“WHAT  PRICE  GLORY” 

With  VICTOR  McLAGLEN,  EDMUND  LOWE,  DOLORES  DEL  RIO 

There  is  no  need  to  quote  anyone  on  this  Raoul  Walsh  masterpiece. 

If  you  are  a showman  you  know  all  about  it.  If  you  are  not  a showman 
you  are  not  playing  it  I Just — by  common  consent  of  critics  on  both 
sides  of  the  Atlantic — “the  world’s  greatest  motion  picture!”  That’s  all. 

speaking  of  profits — your  season  opens  in  two  weeks! 


FOR 


MONTH 


O F 


AUGUST 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


The  Buyer^s  Audit — 

During  the  first  seven  months  of  1927,  Ex- 
hibitors Herald  carried  more  advertising 
than  any  other  motion  picture  trade  paper. 

The  HERALD’S  premier  position  is  so  widely 
recognized  that  the  above  statement  is  hardly  news. 

To  really  appreciate  the  HERALD’S  lead  over  all 
of  its  competitors,  it  is  necessary  to  analyze  the  ad- 
vertising carried. 

The  presentation  artist,  for  instance,  is  an  individ- 
ual— not  a corporation.  His  budget  is  necessarily 
limited  and  he  contracts  for  advertising  only  after  a 
thorough  investigation  of  the  available  media.  The 
HERALD  carries  more  presentation  advertising 
than  all  of  the  other  motion  picture  trade  papers 
combined. 

The  equipment  manufacturer  and  dealer  is  an  im- 
portant factor  in  advertising,  and  he  brings  into  the 
motion  picture  field  the  same  business  judgment  and 
careful  selection  he  uses  in  other  trade  fields.  The 
HERALD  carries  advertising  from  more  equipment 
manufacturers  and  dealers  than  all  of  the  other  mo- 
tion picture  trade  papers  combined. 

The  user  of  want  ads,  who  can  check  directly  the 
response  to  his  advertisement,  is  probably  even  more 
exacting  than  any  other  group  of  advertisers.  And 
here  again,  the  HERALD  carries  more  want  ads 
than  all  of  the  other  motion  picture  trade  papers 
combined.  ; 


4 

The  herald  has  under  con- 
tract for  thirteen  or  more  inser- 
tions double  the  number  of  advertis- 
ers under  similar  contract  to  any 
other  motion  picture  trade  paper, 
and  more  than  all  of  the  other  mo- 
tion picture  trade  papers  combined. 

-0- 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


A Thrilling  Story  of  the  Northlands -of  a pal  wlio  laid 
doTAuiliis  life  for  his  master.  Only  a capable  crafts- 
man cotildhave  written  this  story  of  comage  s?  devotion! 


a 

RMmRT 

. PICTURES  . 

'^UonsJ  Tc.'rrt/iol^Bwte^ 


jr<*mcn 


it  u’a* 

worth  watting 
ing  th*  finish  line 


ol  MavS 


'9P«ua\uvHt. 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

S65  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 

DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  29 

Presentation  Acts  31 

The  Theatre  42 

The  Film  Mart  45 

Classified  Advertising  50 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 49 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  51 

FEATURES 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 20 

Re-Takes  24 

Pictorial  Section  21 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  44 

Letters  from  Readers 48 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 58 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  carde  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


Additional  protection  sought  by  big  exhibiting  Interests;  Ob- 
. jection  Is  registered  In  some  sections  by  smaller  theatre  owners 
and  exchanges — Circuit  theatres  now  booking  new  season’s  product; 
Many  taking  100  per  cent  service. 

Buyers  strike”  is  diminishing,  according  to  reports  reaching 
Exhibitors  Herald;  Executives  of  First  National  and  Univer- 
sal scout  Idea  that  theatre  men  are  “holding  out” — Topical  pictures 
prove  big  drawing  cards  In  Canada. 

WILL  H.  HAYS  protests  foreign  barriers  against  American 
pictures  In  address  at  luncheon  tendered  Ludwig  Klltzsch, 
president  of  the  Association  of  the  German  Film  Industry;  Declares 
only  true  competition  Is  between  good  pictures  and  better  pictures. 

Thousands  visit  June  Mathis’  bier  to  pay  last  tribute  to  noted 
scenarist;  Body  Is  laid  to  rest  beside  that  of  Rudolph  Valentino, 
whom  she  discovered — Alberta  theatre  men  elect  Entwlsle  president 
for  1927-28;  Successful  year  just  concluded. 


TDLAGIARISM  in  presentation  will  hurt 
business;  Theatre  managers  should 

caution  acts  against  practice California 

governor  urges  people  to  support  Greater 

Movie  Season  Theatre  expansions  in 

New  York  slump. 

O IX  new  theatres  are  planned  for  Win- 

nipeg Fight  films  on  Detroit  screens 

bring  arrests  and  suit  to  stop  shows — 
Economy  wave  hits  Canadian  theatres  op- 
erated by  Famous — Bandit  robs  Chicago 
theatre. 

DLUE  ribbon  awards  help  Texas  exhib- 
itors  at  the  box  office;  M.  P.  T.  O.  and 
newspaper  committee  selects  best  enter- 
tainment picture  of  month  and  supplies 
campaign  material  — C.  T.  Lynch  heads 
St.  Louis  film  board. 


Exhibitors  in  Chicago  territory  give 

$29,700  to  flood  relief ^Tent  shows 

prohibited  by  council  in  Fort  Stockton, 
Tex. Merchants  nights  swell  purse  of  ex- 

hibitor in  town  of  4,000;  Stunt  builds  busi- 
ness. 

IT  XPORTS  of  negatives  for  May  increase 
over  April — Universal  will  produce  a 
picture  of  American  newspaper  life;  Hays 
and  press  associations  to  cooperate — First 
Paramount  News  is  acclaimed  for  thrilling 
episodes. 

TUT  OSTILITY  to  double  feature  practice 
in  Chicago  brings  little  action — Pub- 
lix  opens  new  de  luxe  theatre  in  Texas 
this  week;  House  will  play  only  special  at- 
tractions for  extended  runs;  "Beau  Geste” 
opens  house. 


“The  Studio”  Is  Section  Two 
of  This  Week’s  Issue  of  Herald 


12 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


EXHIBITORS 

hemal: 

independent  ^Im  Srade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  C^igley,  Publisher  Editor 


|] 


Published  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 
Publication  Office;  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 


Martik  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwih  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan,  class  journal;  and  the  following 
motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors 
Herald;  Better  Theatres,  erery  fourth  week.  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi-annual. 


VoL.  XXX  August  13,  1927  No.  9 


The  De  Luxe  House  Evil 

A FEW  years  ago  distribution  was  blamed  for  the  ma- 
jority of  the  ills  of  the  business.  The  cry  of  “waste 
in  distribution”  was  heard  on  every  side.  But  the  dis- 
tribution end  of  the  business,  in  this  critical  day,  comes 
through  with  colors  flying.  It  is  now  commonly  agreed 
and  accepted  that  distribution  is  being  carried  on  in  a 
sound  and  economic  manner.  It  is  probably  true  that 
distribution  methods  have  improved  and  that  a higher 
degree  of  efficiency  has  been  introduced.  But  it  is  also 
probably  true  that  distribution  never  was  entitled  to  re- 
ceive the  degree  of  blame  which  was  accorded  to  it. 

It  is  now  recognized  that  the  two  elements  of  the  busi- 
ness which  are  causing  complications — and  which  must 
submit  to  severe  attentions  from  the  pruning  knife — are 
the  studio  and  the  socalled  de  luxe  theatre. 

And  it  appears  that  however  difficult  the  production 
situation  may  be,  it  still  offers  better  hope  of  early 
adjustment  than  do  the  de  luxe  theatres. 

The  motion  picture  theatre  fi.eld  in  the  United  States 
is  now  split  up  into  a number  of  distinct  classifications. 
There  is  nothing  much  wrong  with  that  large  classifica- 
tion of  houses  outside  of  the  de  luxe  group.  But  in  the 
de  luxe  group  there  is  a great  deal  wrong  and  the  evil 
is  now  so  thoroughly  entrenched  that  a correction  of  the 
difficulties  will  take  some  time  and,  meanwhile,  cause 
much  trouble. 

Theatre  owners  and  operators,  identified  with  de  luxe 
houses,  who  have  been  loud  in  their  criticism  of  what 
has  been  going  on  in  production  have  not  been  standing 
on  very  firm  ground.  The  reason  for  this  is  that  in  their 
activities  they  have  been  paralleling  very  closely  what 
has  been  going  on  in  the  studios.  They  have  been  in- 
ordinately ambitious.  They  have  encouraged  an  ex- 
tremely extravagant  policy  of  operation.  They  have 
gone  along  carelessly  on  the  theory  that  there  are  “mil- 
lions in  the  picture  business”  and  somehow,  regardless 
of  the  figure  to  which  their  expenses  were  mounting,  that 
the  income  would  be  ample  to  cover  these  expenses  and 
leave  a handsome  profit. 

One  of  the  worst  features  of  the  de  luxe  theatre  situa- 
tion is  that  these  houses  have  been  getting  away  from 
“the  picture  business.”  The  policy  of  these  houses  is  dis- 
tinctly foreign  to  the  basic  policy  upon  which  the  success 
of  the  motion  picture  business  has  been  built.  They  have 
gone  to  radical  limits  in  the  type  of  building  and  in  its 
furnishings.  They  have  complicated  their  programs  with 
items  that  are  essentially  foreign  to  motion  picture  en- 


August  13,  1927 

tertainment  and  they  have  paid  proportionately  a higher 
price  for  the  items  than  they  were  willing  to  pay  for 
film.  And  they  have  been  compelled,  through  the  policy 
they  have  adopted,  to  charge  an  admission  price  that  has 
been  rapidly  taking  the  motion  picture  out  of  the  class 
of  entertainment  for  the  masses. 

The  extravagances  of  these  de  luxe  houses  match  up 
very  closely  with  the  extravagances  of  production.  The 
recklessness  toward  costs  that  have  crept  into  production 
have  also  crept  into  the  building,  operation  and  appoint- 
ments of  these  theatres.  To  make  the  theatre  situation 
worse,  however,  many  of  its  excesses  are  solidified  in  con- 
crete investments  and  they  are  not  susceptible  to  the  kind 
of  immediate  correction  that  can  be  and  is  being  imposed 
upon  production.  If  a town  or  neighborhood  has  been 
over-built,  or  if  a too-expensive  scheme  of  operation  has 
been  in  vogue,  then  someone  must  suffer  and  suffer  severe- 
ly because  the  situation  cannot  be  changed  over  night. 

The  core  of  the  industry  is  healthy  and  sound  but  many 
of  its  extraneous  off-shoots  require  the  attention  of  the 
surgeon’s  knife. 

There  are  many  de  luxe  houses  which  can  now  only 
exist  by  virtue  of  being  able  to  buy  film  at  a price  they 
are  not  entitled  to.  In  other  words,  as  presently  con- 
stituted these  houses  expect  to  be  kept  alive  by  what 
amounts  to  endowments  from  the  producer  in  the  form  of 
cheap  film. 

The  production  situation  has  been  bad  enough  and  it 
has  already  received  its  full  share  of  the  blame.  Certain 
phases  of  the  exhibition  situation,  which  are  equally 
blameworthy,  have  escaped  due  criticism.  But  in  the  gen- 
eral audit  that  the  business  is  now  receiving  we  believe 
that  the  evil  of  the  de  luxe  theatre  situation  will  soon 
come  in  for  its  full  share  of  attention. 

« « 

Expert  Guidance 

The  high  order  of  the  services  being  rendered  to  the 
motion  picture  industry  in  the  United  States  by  Mr. 
Will  H.  Hays  was  again  demonstrated  last  week  in  New 
York  at  a luncheon  tendered  to  Ludwig  Klitzsch,  presi- 
dent of  the  Association  of  the  German  Film  Industry. 

Mr.  Hays  after  pronouncing  an  official  and  personal 
welcome  to  Mr.  Klitzsch  entered  into  an  exposition  of  the 
position  of  the  film  industry  in  the  United  States  on  the 
matter  of  trade  barriers  abroad  and  foreign  competition 
here.  His  statement  of  the  case  was  both  informative  and 
convincing.  Because  of  its  soundness  it  is  bound  to  have 
no  little  effect  abroad. 

And — it  should  be  carefully  noted — the  foreign  film 
situation  is  not  a matter  of  remote  and  distant  concern 
to  any  person  identified  with  the  motion  picture  business 
in  the  United  States.  The  prosperity  of  the  film  busi- 
ness in  the  United  States  depends  to  a very  great  degree 
upon  the  maintenance  of  a right  balance  and  adjustment 
in  the  foreign  film  situation. 

* * * 

A New  Season 

The  motion  picture  business  has  lost  much  of  the 
seasonal  aspect  of  the  old  theatrical  business,  yet  the 
approach  of  autumn  may  very  profitably  be  seized  upon 
by  theatres  for  the  launching  of  campaigns  aimed  to  re- 
awaken the  public’s  interest  in  motion  picture  theatre  en- 
tertainment. 

At  this  season  of  the  year  there  is  available  for  an- 
nouncement information  concerning  product  upon  which 
producers  have  been  laboring  for  months  and  even  years. 
Regardless  of  how  fastidious  may  now  be  the  taste  of  the 
public  there  is  sufficient  good  news  to  be  made  known  as 
to  rouse  a great  deal  of  interest  and  enthusiasm. 

Every  theatre  should  now  be  at  work  on  plans  aimed 
to  usher  in  the  new  theatre  season  auspiciously. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


More  Protection  Demanded 
by  Big  Exhibiting  Interests 


Longer  Clearance  Sought 
in  Chicago,  Los  Angeles 

Balaban  and  Katz  Moves  to  Install  Four-Week 
Period  Following  Downtown  First-Runs 

By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

Efforts  to  obtain  added  protection  for  first-run  and  other  pre-release 
pictures  are  being  made  in  a number  of  important  cities  and  their  terri- 
tories, and  though  reports  from  these  centers  the  past  week  disclose  no 
final  adoption  of  new  protection  policies,  agreements  or  decisions  to  begin 
now  the  curbing  of  protection,  are  expected  daily  from  the  exhibitors  and 
exchanges  involved. 

Opposition  Is  Developing  in  Cities 

Opposition  to  the  growing  demand  for  protection  has  taken  shape  in  all  the 
cities  involved  and  in  Los  Angeles  has  resulted  in  an  agreement  among  a num- 
ber of  important  exhibitors  not  to  buy  from  any  producer  who  accepts  the 
protection  proposals  until  they  have  been  modified  according  to  their  demands. 

A committee  representing  these  exhibitors  last  week  visited  Harold  B.  Frank- 
lin, head  of  West  Coast  Theatres,  and  demanded  changes.  Franklin  refused 
to  say  what  his  company  would  do,  but  later  issued  a statement  insisting  upon 
the  fairness  of  “proper  clearance.” 


First  Paramount  News 
Has  Thrilling  Scenes 

The  First  Paramount  News 
made  its  bow  in  Chicago  last  week 
at  the  Oriental  theatre.  It  was 
an  auspicious  premiere.  The  way 
in  which  it  went  over  with  the 
audience  proved  its  merits  better 
than  any  written  praise  can  do. 

It  offered  hard  riding  cowboys, 
Mussolini  reviewing  his  country’s 
battle  ffeet,  the  marriage  of  “Bud” 
Stillman  and  other  news  items, 
each  of  which  were  both  timely 
and  absorbingly  interesting. 

And  for  a breath  taking  climax 
one  of  the  most  spectacular  air- 
plane features  ever  Blmed  was  of- 
fered. This  feature  had  been 
planned  in  advance,  but  it  turned 
out  to  be  the  real  thing.  It  showed 
Gladys  Inge  making  an  airplane 
transfer.  After  the  transfer  had 
been  completed,  the  airplane  from 
which  she  transfered  caught  ffre. 
When  the  pilot  attempted  to  jump, 
his  parachute  caught  on  the  plane 
and  left  him  dangling  in  mid  air. 
In  the  nick  of  time  it  tore  loose 
and  the  pilot  floated  safely  to 
earth.  An  automatic  camera  on 
the  plane  kept  grinding  all  the 
time  photograph^  every  detail  of 
the  thrilling  spectacle.  Luckily  the 
61ms  were  not  destroyed  when  the 
plane  crashed. 

The  second  Paramount  News 
had  the  same  6ne  appeal  as  the 
Erst.  It  also  contained  a feature 
for  the  end.  This  one  was  of 
aquaplaning.  It  scored  many 
laughs  from  the  audience.  Judging 
from  these  Erst  two  Elms,  the 
Paramount  News  is  headed  for 
success. 


Stanley  Co,  Re-elects 
J,  J,  McGuirk  President 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  9.— The  Stan- 
ley Company  of  America  has  re-elected  all 
of  its  officers,  who  are  as  follows : 

John  J.  McGuirk, 
president  ; Abe 
Sablosky  and  A.  R. 
Boyd,  vicepresi- 
dents ; Irving  D. 
Rossheim,  treas- 
urer;  Morris 
Wolf,  secretary. 

For  John  J.  Mc- 
Guirk, who  is  also 
president  of  First 
National,  the  local 
exchange  of  that 
company  will  in- 
augurate a “John 
J . McGuirk 
John  J.  McGuirk  Month”  beginning 

August  28,  and 
although  the  drive  has  not  yet  started, 
bookings  are  already  coming  from  ex- 
hibitors who  express  the  desire  that  the 
bookings  should  be  credited  to  the  drive. 
A committee  consisting  of  four  district 
managers  are  in  charge  of  plans  for  the 
contest,  which  is  expected  to  promote  sales 
of  the  new  product  considerably  and  thus 
recommend  itself  as  an  annual  sales  feature. 


In  Chicago  a new  protection  proposal 
has  been  placed  by  Balaban  & Katz  be- 
fore a committee  representing  that  cir- 
cuit, the  James  Coston  theatre  interests, 
and  the  exchanges.  The  new  policy 
would  affect  not  only  present  pre-release 
protection  in  Chicago,  but  also  key-city 
protection  in  the  entire  Chicago  terri- 
tory. 

Consideration  of  the  several 
points  in  the  proposed  Chicago 
policy  shows  little  change  from 
the  one  that  has  been  in  operation 
the  past  year.  Pre-release  show- 
ings have  been  given  clearance  of 
eights  weeks  before  the  general 
release  date,  but  without  the  Erst- 
run  theatres  being  given  any  deE- 
nite  clearance  over  the  A-run  and 
B-run  showings.  The  new  plan 
would  give  a Erst-run  four  weeks 
clearance,  and  an  A-run  and  B-run 
a clearance  of  one  week  each. 

Call  Policy  Desirable 
Considerable  opinion  has  been  ex- 
pressed among  the  Chicago  exchanges 
that  this  change  is  desirable  on  the 
ground  that  it  would  give  each  class  of 
pre-release  theatres  a definite  clearance 
period.  Of  the  first-run  houses  that 
would  thus  be  protected  for  four  weeks, 
three  are  owned  by  Balaban  & Katz,  one 


by  the  Orpheum  circuit,  one  by  Warner 
Brothers,  and  one  by  Jones,  Linick  & 
Schaefer.  The  A-run  and  B-run  houses 
involved  are  in  neighborhood  business 
sections,  with  two  of  the  most  important 
ones  being  owned  by  Balaban  & Katz 
and  another  by  Cooney  Brothers. 

The  only  change  in  the  key-city  policy 
in  the  Chicago  territory  would  stipulate 
a definite  clearance  period  of  eight  weeks. 
At  present  this  period  may  vary  from  a 
few  weeks  to  many  months,  depending 
upon  whatever  arrangement  is  made  at 
the  time  of  booking. 

Agreement  Is  Expected 

Both  classes  of  proposals  are  now 
being  threshed  out  and  what  their  final 
form  is  likely  to  be  would  not  be  pre- 
dicted by  any  of  the  interests  concerned. 

In  Albany,  where  a 30-day  protection 
policy  has  been  in  force  for  some  time, 
exchange  managers,  upon  being  informed 
of  the  movement  elsewhere,  declared 
emphatically  that  they  would  not  agree 
to  any  extension  of  that  period. 

Some  agreement  is  expected  within  a 
few  days  in  Kansas  City,  where  major 
downtown  theatres  have  been  battling 
the  other  houses  in  an  effort  to  erect  a 
30-day  protection  in  a territory  with  a 
radius  of  60  miles.  At  present  these  the- 

(Continued  on  page  41) 


Hostility  to  Double -Features  in 

Chicago  Gets  No  Effective  Action 

Exhibitors  wishing  to  book  pictures  for  double-feature  programs  will  be 
able  to  do  so  from  the  majority  of  the  Chicago  exchanges,  a survey  of  the 
sales  offices  indicates.  Sentiment,  ostensibly  coming  from  exhibitors  sources, 
has  risen  againsti  the  practice,  but  no  concerted  action  has  been  taken  by 
the  distributors. 

First  National  and  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  have  joined  Paramount  in  for- 
bidding on  each  contract  the  use  of  their  pictures  on  double- feature  programs, 
but  while  the  restriction  is  new  to  the  former,  the  latter  has  insisted  on  a 
restrictive  contract  for  some  time  in  the  case  of  any  theatre  making  a 
practice  of  the  bargain  bills. 

Among  the  other  exchanges,  both  old-line  and  independent,  the  survey 
shows  that  the  double-feature  is  regarded  as  tending  to  reduce  rentals 
but  not  to  be  abolished  unless  every  distributor  in  Chicago  takes  an  active 
stand  against  it. 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


About  Film  Row 

By  J.  B. 

Greetings  and  salutations! 

It’s  a long  time  since  I had  the 
pleasure  of  visiting  around  with  the  boys 
of  the  trade  and  a still  longer  time  since 
the  above  caption  appeared  in  the 
“World's  leading  Trade  Paper.” 

Well,  I am  glad  to  get  back  to  the  old 
work  bench  and  greet  the  boys  on  the 
telephone.  Am  not  visiting  around  and 
don't  expect  to  for  the  next  few  weeks 
as  I am  still  wearing  side  arms  and  am 
not  an  expert  in  their  use  to  date,  so  my 
visits  will  have  to  be  in  the  form  of  long 

distance  vocal  calls. 

* * 

During  the  past  week  several  people 
reported  that  they  saw  me  on  Broadway 
but  they  were  mistaken.  The  fellow  they 
saw  was  the  “twelve-foot  stilt  walker 
who  daily  stalks  along  Main  street.  I 
haven't  anybody  doubling  for  me,  except 
Fred,  and  I can’t  help  that  because  he’s 
a twin,  although  a little  older.  _ 

I look  forward  with  pleasant  anticipa- 
tion to  a visit  to  the  new  Paramount 
office  which  I have  not  seen,  and  a chat 
with  Russell  Holman,  Fred  Rath,  and 
the  other  high  pressure  executives  of 
the  institution.  While  in  the  building  I 
must  also  drop  in  on  Gordon  White,  and 
hear  the  last  word  on  “The  Spice  of  the 
Program.”  And  get  Harvey  Day  to  tell 
that  one  about  “How  to  see  the  world 
without  joining  the  navy,”  but  since 
Metro  has  launched  a news  weekly, 
Howard  Dietz  and  Si  Seadler  may  have 
a new  one  to  slip  over  which  is  just  as 
good. 

^ ^ 

Was  glad  to  hear  that  Tom  Gerety 
joined  Metro.  He’s  in  fast  company,  but 
he  was  always  a pacemaker  and  able  to 
hold  it,  and  as  they  say  on  the  track, 
“He’ll  win,  going  away.” 

Had  a delightful  conversation  yester- 
day with  the  trade’s  greatest  piscatorial 
artist,  P.  A.  Parsons,  and  I certainly  was 
glad  to  hear  his  voice.  P.  A.  always  did 
have  a way  of  making  you  feel  at  ease, 
and  although  you  didn’t  always  sell  him 
the  space  you  had  “picked”  for  him,  you 
left  with  the  feeling  that  you  had  profited 
bv  the  visit. 

" i|j  >j<  sK 

Everyone  likes  the  sunshine,  and  a bit 
of  it  floated  into  the  office  Friday  in  the 
person  of  Virginia  Morris,  of  Warner 
Brothers.  Virginia  is  in  the  press  de- 
partment, but  we  think  she  should  be 
with  the  Vitaphone,  for  she  surely  fur- 
nishes a feast  for  both  the  eye  and  the 
ear. 

Bruce  Gallup,  Victor  Shapiro,  et  al,  of 
United  Artists  called  me  up  on  the  phone 
and  offered  me  the  “key  to  the  city.”  I 
declined  it  but  told  Bruce  I would  take 
a “jimmey,”  but  he  put  the  k.o.  on  that 
because  they  are  against  the  law.  I 
imagine  that  a “jimmey”  is  like  an  ad- 
vertising appropriation.  It’s  a concealed 
weapon. 

C.  F.  Chandler  asked  when  I was  going 
to  take  a kick  at  him  for  the  ad  he  ran 
in  Variety  on  “Babe”  Ruth.  That’s  one 
of  the  things  I can’t  do  “Chan,”  but  since 
you  asked  me  that,  I have  read  the 
World’s  article  and  I believe  the  kick 
was  administred  gently  but  firmly — 
eleven  dollars’  worth,  anyhow. 

Hope  to  see  Lon  Young  very  soon,  also 
Vivian  Moses,  Al  Selig,  Ed  Grainger  and 
a host  of  other  friends  who  I was  un- 
able to  reach  this  week. 

I want  all  the  boys  to  realize  that  their 
credit  is  still  good  with  me  and,  like  an 
athlete,  the  more  they  exercise  it  the 
better  she  be — up  to  a certain  point.  The 
line  forms  on  the  right,  but  don’t  crowd, 
I will  have  plenty  of  space  for  all. 


Fox  Releasing  War  Special  Sept,  28 


‘‘What  Price  Glory!” 

The  appeal,  unanswerable,  cries  out  in  the  dug-out,  where  strong  men  are 
dying  gladly.  The  three  scenes  shown  characterize  Fox’s  stirring  produc- 
tion, “What  Price  Glory,’’  which  has  already  enjoyed  great  success  as  a 
road  show  and  which  is  to  be  generally  released  September  28.  In  the  top 
picture  below,  are  the  featured  players,  Eldmund  Lowe,  Dolores  del  Rio, 
and  Victor  MacLaglen.  Raould  Walsh  directed. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


“Buyers  Strike”  Diminishing, 
State  “Herald”  Informants 

Albany  Situation  Said  to  Be  Clearing  — First  National 
Announces  New  Record  of  Sales — Universal 
Scouts  Idea  of  “Slow  Season” 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  9. — The  lethargy  that  prevailed  along  Albany’s  Film 
Row  for  several  weeks  past,  due  to  exhibitors  showing  little  or  no  inclination 
to  book  the  new  product,  disappeared  to  some  extent  during  the  past  week  with 
the  result  that  three  or  four  of  the  exchanges  reported  that  they  were  set  with 
several  of  the  chains  in  key  cities  for  the  new  fall  product. 

Circuits  Said  to  Be  Buying  Fall  Product 

It  is  said  that  the  Schine  brothers  of  Gloversville,  owning  and  controlling 
over  130  theatres,  were  buying  the  fall  product  and  that  the  same  is  true  with 
William  Benton  of  Saratoga  .Springs ; William  Smalley  of  Cooperstown,  and 
others  who  have  chains  of  from  12  to  20  theatres. 


Boston  Jury  Awards 
$15,318  to  Woman  in 
Old  Paramount  Suit 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON,  Aug.  9. — In  the  test  case 
brought  in  the  courts  here  to  place  re- 
sponsibility for  the  explosion  of  film  in 
a Boston  transit  coach  in  the  Park  street 
subway  Jan.  3,  1925,  in  which  some  40 
persons  were  injured,  Judge  Williams 
and  a jury  have  awarded  Madeline 
Giiinan  a verdict  of  $15,328  against  Fa- 
mous Players-Lasky  Corporation,  now 
Paramount  Famous-Lasky  Corporation. 
Similar  actions  against  the  Elevated  and 
John  F.  Bowditch  were  disallowed,  the 
jury  finding  in  favor  of  the  defendants, 
thus  placing  the  entire  liability  on  Fa- 
mous Players-Lasky. 

The  Guinan  suit  was  selected  from  40 
suits  by  counsel  as  a typical  case  and 
the  trial  lasted  39  court  days,  with  emi- 
nent>  counsel  for  both  sides.  Total  dam- 
ages claimed  in  the  suit  amount  to  ap- 
proximately $1,000,000.  With  the  plac- 
ing of  responsibility  by  the  courts,  it  is 
doubtful  if  the  other  suits  will  be  brought 
to  trial.  According  to  counsel,  it  is 
probable  that  settlement  of  the  suits  will 
be  made  outside  court. 

All  of  the  actions  resulted  from  the 
explosion  and  fire  of  some  film  which 
was  being  transported  on  a transit  car. 
A panic  followed  the  explosion  and  many 
were  injured  while  considerable  damage 
was  done. 

Orpheum  at  St.  Louis 
Opens  at  75  cent  Top 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  9. — St.  Louis  picture 
fans  are  anticipating  lower  prices  the 
coming  season,  for  it  is  being  rumored 
that  when  the  Orpheum  theatre  at  Ninth 
and  St.  Charles  streets  opens  this  month, 
it  will  put  into  effect  a new  price  sched- 
ule v^ith  a 75-cent  top  and  IS-cent  bot- 
tom. 

Last  season  the  Orpheum  slashed  its 
price  from  a $1.50  too  to  99  cents,  in- 
cluding the  9-cent  war  tax,  and  enjoyed 
a big  year  at  the  box  office. 

Sunday  Shows  Receive 
Tryout  in  Higginsville 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

HIGGINSVILLE,  MO.,  Aug.  9.— The 
city  council  of  Higginsville,  Mo.,  has  re- 
pealed an  ordinance  prohibiting  Sunday 
motion  picture  shows.  month’s  trial 
of  Sunday  shows  will  be  given.  The  pic- 
ture houses  will  be  permitted  to  hold  a 
matinee  and  also  a show  after  church  in 
the  evening. 


Curwood  Seriously  III 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

OWOSSO,  MICH.,  Aug.  9.  — James 
Oliver  Curwood,  whose  stories  of  the 
Northlands  have  proved  popular  as  screen 
vehicles,  is  seriously  ill  here.  According 
to  the  attending  physicians,  the  author’s 
chances  for  recovery  are  improving,  al- 
though his  condition  remains  critical. 


Flader  Goes  to  Europe 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.— F.  A.  Flader, 
who  for  the  past  year  or  two  has  managed 
the  Randolph  theatre,  Chicago,  for  Lffiiver- 
sal,  has  sailed  for  Germany.  He  was 
accompanied  by  his  wife.  Flader  will  head 
Universal’s  theatre  organization  on  the 
continent. 


It  was  noticeable  last  week  that  more 
theatre  owmers  -were  along  Albany’s  Film 
Row  than  during  several  weeks  past  and 
that  there  was  greater  activity  in  many  of 
the  exchanges. 

First  National  and 
Universal  Optimistic 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — Executives  of 
two  large  distributing  companies,  Eirst 
National  and  Lffiiversal,  took  occasion  this 
week  to  throw  cold  water  on  the  reports 
of  a “buyers  strike.” 

Ned  Depinet,  general  sales  manager  of 
First  National,  stated  that  on  August  1,  his 
company  had  come  “closer  to  blanketing 
the  country  with  its  product  than  in  any 
previous  season.” 

Depinet  Explains  Policy 

“We  have  placed  all  our  cards  on  the 
table,”  said  Depinet,  “showing  exhibitors 
exactly  what  they  may  expect  from  First 
National  during  the  coming  season  in  the 
w'ay  of  stars,  stories  and  box  office  values. 
No  information  that  could  be  enlightening 
to  an  exhibitor  in  laying  his  plans  for  the 
new'  year  has  been  withheld. 

“At  our  spring  convention,  w'e  stressed 
the  importance  of  every  salesman  realizing 
that  first  of  all  he  must  give  real  service  to 
exhibitors  through  providing  them  with 
full  and  helpful  information  about  the 
pictures  being  marketed.  In  carrying  out 
this  policy,  backed  by  the  strongest  line-up 
of  pictures  ever  offered  by  this  company 
and  full  trade  paper  announcements,  results 
have  far  exceeded  our  most  optimistic 
estimates.  We  are  entering  August  with 
every  section  of  the  country  well  covered 
and.  more  big  deals  on  the  verge  of 
closing.” 

Not  “Holding  Out,”  Says  Metzger 

According  to  Lou  B.  Metzger,  general 
sales  manager  of  Universal,  the  exhibitors 
are  not  “holding  out”  on  his  company. 

“In  fact,”  said  Metzger,  “every  mail 
brings  in  additional  news  of  important 
situations  closed.  We  already  are  set  in 
scores  of  key  towns  from  Coast  to  Coast. 
This  includes  many  of  the  outstanding  cir- 
cuits. Other  big  circuits  are  practically 
set,  with  only  an  allocation  of  product  to 
be  arrived  at  before  w'e  are  ready  to  an- 
nounce these  deals  in  full. 

“When  I tell  you  that  we  are  all  set 
w'ith  such  outstanding  theatres  and  theatre 
circuits  as  the  Whitehurst  theatres  in  Balti- 
more, the  Eastman,  Regent,  Piccadilly  and 
Keith  theatres  in  Rochester,  Stinnett  and 
Charninsky  in  Dallas,  the  Commerce  Realty 
and  the  Alamo  Amusement  Company  in 
San  Antonio ; the  Shanberg  Circuit  of 
Kansas  City ; the  big  Great  Lakes  Theatre 


in  Buffalo ; the  Orpheum  in  Akron ; the 
Auditorium  in  Quebec,  Doc  Miller’s  Cir- 
cuit, Wichita:  the  Lincoln  in  Parkersburg, 
W.  Va. ; the  Koppin  Woodward  Circuit  in 
Detroit  and  other  Michigan  cities,  just  to 
mention  a few  of  the  recent  deals  consum- 
mated, the  extent  to  which  Universal  pic- 
tures are  bein^  set  in  is  readily  apparent.” 

Large  Circuits  Booking 

Among  the  large  circuits  and  outstanding 
theatres  closed  for  the  Eirst  National 
“Showman  Group”  are  the  following; 

Stanley  Circuit,  Philadelphia;  Stanley  Mark 
Strand,  New  York;  Stanley  Strand,  Brooklyn; 
U.  B.  O.  Circuit,  New  York;  Loew  Circuit,  New 
York,  Coston  Circuit,  Chicago;  Temple  Theatre, 
Rochester;  Lafayette  Theatre,  Buffalo;  Troy  and 
Lincoln  Theatre,  Troy;  Strand  and  State  Theatres, 
Schenectady;  Benton  Theatres,  Saratoga  and 
Plaltsburg;  Stanley-Fabian  Circuit,  New  Jersey; 
Stanley-Crandall  Circuit.  Washington  and  Balti- 
more; Rivoli  Theatre,  Baltimore;  Wilmer  and 
Vincent,  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia;  Rowland  and 
Clark,  Pennsylvania. 

Goldstein  Circuit,  Massachusetts;  Fay  Theatres, 

Speed  and  Quality 
Necessary  to  Work, 
Says  Joseph  Alter 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — “In  the  industry 
of  film  developing  and  printing,  utmost 
speed  without  the  least  sacrifice  of  quality 
is  absolutely  vital 
to  everyone  con- 
c e r n e d says 
Joseph  Aller,  pro- 
duction manager 
of  the  West  Coast 
plant  of  Consoli- 
dated Film  Indus- 
tries, luc. 

“Due  to  the  im- 
mense hourly  or 
daily  cost  of  scen- 
ery, stars,  extras, 
and  other  ele- 
ments, the  need  of 
speed  is  obvious 
and  speed  must 
be  accomplished 
without  any  sacrifice  of  quality.  Quality, 
on  the  other  hand,  is  difficult  to  achieve 
because  of  the  necessarily  varying  condi- 
tions under  which  the  pictures  are  being 
made. 

“We  strive  to  meet  every  need  no  matter 
how  extraordinary  for  speed  and  quality 
by  maintaining  a 24-hour  a day  service 
with  skilled  workers  in  every  department 
to  superv’ise  and  report  and  the  latest  auto- 
matic machinery  to  accelerate  every  me- 
chanical process  and  produce  the  highest 
quality  standardized  results  at  low  costs.” 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Hays  Protests  Foreign  Barriers 
Against  American  Pictures 

Declares  Only  True  Competition  Is  Between  Good  Pictures  and  Better 
Pictures — German  Film  Leader  Feted 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  Aug.  9. — Protests  against  trade  barriers  raised  by  for- 
eign countries  against  American  motion  pictures  were  delivered  by 
Will  H.  Hays  last  week  at  a luncheon  he  gave  to  Ludwig  Klitzsch, 
president  of  the  Association  of  the  German  Film  Industry  and  president 
and  general  manager  of  the  August  Scherl  Publishing  Company  of  Berlin, 
publishing  German  newspapers. 


This  is  called  the  first  time  the  Amer- 
ican industry  publicly  has  voiced  its 
objection  to  obstacles  to  American  pro- 
ductions set  up 
in  other  coun- 
tries and  comes 
while  the  discus- 
sion in  England 
of  the  Quota  Bill 
is  at  fever  pitch 
despite  the  ad- 
j o u r n m e n t of 
Parliament 
which  defers  ac- 
tion  on  the 
measure  until 
fall. 

“The  competi- 
tion that  exists 
in  motion  pic- 
tures is  not  be- 
tween Germany  and  America,  not  between 
England  and  America,  but  between  good 
pictures  and  better  pictures,”  Hays  de- 
clared. “This  is  the  only  basis  of  com- 
petition that  should  and  can  logically  be 
allowed  to  operate.” 

Hays  cited  the  fact  that  the  World 
Economic  Conference  of  four  months 
ago  condemned  the  system  of  import 
and  export  prohibitions,  and  yet  that  is 
being  attempted  or  practiced  against  the 
American  motion  picture  industry. 
Klitzsch  Defends  Kontingent 
Mr.  Klitzsch  defended  the  Kontingent 
system  in  Germany,  explaining  that  the 
industry  there  is  in  a state  of  transition. 

“We  do  not  have  as  complete  an  or- 
ganization for  the  distribution  of  Ger- 
man film  in  the  world  market  as  you 
have  in  America,”  the  luncheon  guest 
explained.  “Therefore  we  believe  that 
for  the  time  being  we  cannot  forego  a 
certain  protection  of  our  industry.” 

The  German  Government  was  repre- 
sented at  the  luncheon  by  Dr.  Carl  von 
Levinski,  consul-general;  Dr.  H.  Heuser, 
consul,  and  Dr.  Eugen  Klee,  consul. 
James  J.  Davis,  U.  S.  secretary  of  labor, 
also  attended. 

Among  motion  picture  executives  at- 


Economy Wave  Hits 
Canadian  Theatres 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TORONTO,  CAN,,  Aug.  9.— 
The  economy  wave  of  the  moving 
picture  industry  in  California  has 
struck  the  moving  picture  theatre 
business  in  the  Dominion  of 
Canada.  A period  of  four  mid- 
summer weeks  was  set  aside  by 
the  Famous  Players  Canadian 
Corp.,  Toronto,  as  “Economy 
Month"  for  its  theatres  from 
Montreal  to  Victoria  when  man- 
agers were  requested  to  curtail 
certain  operating  expenses  as 
much  as  possible.  The  plan  was 
only  temporary. 


tending  were  J.  R.  Bray,  Bray  Produc- 
tions; Eugene  Chrystal,  Eastman  Kodak 
Company;  Joseph  P.  Kennedy  and  Col- 
vin Brown,  F B O;  Earle  W.  Hammons 
and  L.  J.  Wooldridge,  Educational; 
James  J.  McGuirk,  Richard  A.  Rowland 
and  H.  A.  Bandy  of  First  National;  Wil- 
liam Fox,  Courtland  Smith  and  I.  A. 
Maas,  Fox  Films;  Walter  Camp,  Jr.,  In- 
spiration; G.  McL.  Baynes,  Kinograms; 
Marcus  Loew,  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; 
Adolph  Zukor  and  Emil  E.  Shauer, 
Paramount;  J.  J.  Murdock,  John  C. 
Flinn  and  William  Vogel,  Pathe;  Fred- 
erick C.  Munroe,  Pro-Dis-Co;  N.  L. 
Manheim  of  Universal;  H.  D.  Buckley 
and  T.  Mulrooney  of  United  Artists; 
Albert  Warner,  Harry  M.  Warner  and 
Herman  Starr  of  Warner  Brothers. 

Fight  Films  on  Detroit 
Screens  Bring  Arrests 
and  Suit  to  Stop  Shows 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DETROIT,  Aug.  9. — Showing  of  pic- 
tures of  the  Dempsey-Sharkey  fight  at 
two  theatres  here  has  resulted  in  the  ar- 
rest of  two  men  and  an  injunction 
against  the  theatres  being  sought  by  the 
owners  of  the  originals  from  which  the 
prints  shown  were  made. 

Charles  Ball,  40,  and  Gerald  Franklin, 
25,  are  the  men  arrested.  They  have 
pleaded  guilty  in  Federal  court  to  having 
newsreels  of  the  fight  in  their  possession. 
They  were  released  on  $1,000  bonds  to 
await  trial. 

The  pictures  presented  here  are  said 
by  Goodart  Pictures,  Inc.,  to  be  prints  of 
originals  owned  by  that  firm,  the  prints 
having  been  made  for  showing  at  a the- 
atre in  Windsor,  Can.  The  concern  seeks 
to  enjoin  the  Madison  and  Shubert-De- 
troit  theatres  from  further  screening 
them.  Authorities  have  not  sought  to 
stop  the  showings  because  the  prints 
were  made  in  this  state.  The  pictures 
have  attracted  thousands. 


Duncan  Sisters  Appear 
in  Person  With  **Topsy*^ 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — Rosetta  and 
Vivian  Duncan,  that  is,  the  Duncan  Sis- 
ters, arrived  here  last  week  to  dance  in 
conjunction  with  the  showing  of  their 
United  Artists  picture,  “Topsy  and  Eva,” 
at  the  Rivoli  theatre.  The  engagement 
opened  last  Saturday. 

First  Division  Moves 
to  Larger  Home  Office 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — -First  Division 
Distributors,  Inc.,  has  just  moved  from  the 
twelfth  floor  at  729  Seventh  avenue  into 
larger  quarters  at  suite  705  of  the  same 
building. 


Exhibitor-Exchange  Deal 
Brings  Harmony  at  K.  C. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY.  Aug.  9.— Har- 
mony, such  as  never  before  has 
been  experienced  in  Kansas-Mis- 
souri  theatre  circles,  is  resulting 
from  the  recent  agreement  of  the 
Kansas  City  exchanges  and  exhibi- 
tors, whereby  Blm  salesmen  aid 
the  M.P.T.O.  Kansas-Missouri  by 
soliciting  new  members. 

“It  is  not  a case  of  the  exhibi- 
tors ‘coming  over*  to  the  produc- 
ers,” said  R.  R.  Biechele,  presi- 
dent of  the  M.P.T.O. K.-M.,  “but 
a case  of  the  producers  displaying 
their  goodwill  towards  the  theatre 
owners  and  their  desire  to  co-op- 
erate to  the  fullest  extent  to 
strengthen  the  ranks  of  the  organ- 
ized force  of  the  industry  to  com- 
bat unfair  opposition  from  outside 
sources." 


Six  New  Theatres 
Are  Planned  For 
Winnipeg,  Canada 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

WINNIPEG,  CAN.,  Aug.  9.— This  city 
is  in  for  an  immediate  theatre  building 
boom.  According  to  local  announcement, 
a large  moving  picture  organization  of 
the  United  States,  owning  hundreds  of 
theatres  in  the  States,  has  decided  upon 
the  erection  of  no  less  than  four  houses. 
A large  new  independent  theatre  is  already 
well  under  way  in  Winnipeg,  also,  while 
the  Orpheum  Circuit  has  decided  to  erect 
a large  house  to  replace  the  Orpheum  The- 
atre which  was  built  in  the  Manitoba  Cap- 
ital in  1910. 

Famous  Players  is  well  established  in 
Winnipeg  with  two  large  theatres,  the  Cap- 
itol and  Metropolitan,  while  Universal  has 
three  theatres  there,  the  Lyceum,  Starland 
and  College.  The  third  film  company, 
whose  indentity  has  not  been  publicly  dis- 
closed, has  arranged  for  the  erection  of  a 
house  in  the  downtown  section  of  Winni- 
peg to  seat  more  than  2,000  persons,  while 
the  three  others  will  accommodate  1,200 
each.  One  will  be  located  in  the  North  end 
of  the  city;  another  at  the  West  end  of 
Portage  Avenue,  and  the  third  in  Fort 
Rouge,  a residential  suburb. 

Raymond  Kershaw  and  associates  are 
building  a new  theatre  on  Maryland 
avenue,  the  builders  being  Fraser  & Mac- 
Donald. It  is  planned  to  open  this  theatre 
October  15. 

The  Orpheum  interests  are  negotiating 
for  the  sale  of  the  present  Orpheum  in 
Winnipeg  and  are  planning  on  the  erec- 
tion of  a big  house,  similar  to  the  one  now 
being  completed  in  V ancouver,  B.  C.,  which 
is  costing  in  the  neighborhood  of  $1,000,000. 


Herman  Wobher  Heads 
Paramount  Exchange 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — Herman  Wob- 
ber  has  taken  over  the  district  manage- 
ment of  the  Salt  Lake  City  and  Denver 
Paramount  exchanges  in  addition  to  his 
present  four  West  Coast  exchanges. 

He  will  replace  Louis  Marcus,  former 
manager  of  the  Salt  Lake  City  and  Den- 
ver offices,  who  has  resigned  to  take  care 
of  his  theatre  holdings. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


Circuit  Houses  Now  Booking; 
Taking  100  Per  Cent  Service 

Columbia  Special  to  Play  U B 0 Theatres  in  Greater  New 
York — First  National  Closes  with  Loew,  Fox  and  U B O 
— Koppin  Circuit  Buys  Universal  Program 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.— Advices  to  the  HERALD  indicate  that  the 
circuits  and  the  larger  individual  theatres  are  setting  in  their  new  prod- 
uct for  the  season  of  1927-28. 

In  the  face  of  the  reported  “buyers’  strike”  these  liouses  in  many  cases  are 
contracting  for  100  per  cent  service  from  the  various  companies. 

Three  Companies  Report  Circuit  Bookings 
The  independents,  as  well  as  the  national  distributors,  are  benefiting  through 
deals  just  closed  in  many  sections  of  the  country.  This  week  First  National, 
Columbia  and  Universal  report  sales  to  chain  operating  companies  in  the  East, 
South  and  Middlewest. 


August  13,  1927 

Export  of  Negatives 
for  Month  of  May  is 
Higher  than  for  April 

(Washington  Bureau  of  The  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C,  Aug.  9 — 
Lower  exports  of  positives,  but  an  in- 
crease in  shipments  of  negatives  in  May, 
as  compared  with  April,  is  shown  by  fig- 
ures just  compiled  by  the  Bureau  of  For- 
eign and  Domestic  Commerce,  which 
show  our  total  foreign  trade  in  films  for 
May  as  21,307,726  feet,  valued  at  $782,- 
671,  against  27,240,114  feet,  valued  at 
$804,778,  in  the  preceding  month. 

Exports  of  positives  for  the  month 
were  16,701,364  feet,  valued  at  $433,242, 
against  20,599,245  feet,  valued  at  $782,671, 
in  April.  Shipments  of  negatives  totaled 
828,765  feet,  valued  at  $229,200,  against 
663,844  feet,  valued  at  $122,606.  Ship- 
ments of  raw  stock  declined  in  quantity 
from  3,847,147  feet  in  April  to  2,916,540 
feet  in  May,  but  the  value  increased  from 
$93,235  to  $100,244.  Film  shipments  to 
non-contiguous  territories  totaled  861,- 
057  feet,  valued  at  $19,985,  against  2,129,- 
878  feet,  valued  at  $29,508. 

British  Imports  of 

Films  Show  Increase 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C,  Aug.  9.— Brit- 
ish imports  of  motion  picture  films  show 
considerable  growth  during  the  first  six 
months  of  1927,  as  compared  with  the 
same  period  of  1926,  but  the  aggregate 
footage  was  still  approximately  only  one- 
third  that  of  1925,  according  to  advices 
to  the  Department  of  Commerce  from 
the  American  consulate-general,  London, 
England. 

The  increase  over  1926  amounted  to 

30.000. 000  linear  feet,  and  of  this  quantity 
nearly  27,000,000  linear  feet  related  to 
blank  film,  positives  showing  a rise  of 

2.000. 000  linear  feet,  and  negatives  the 
balance.  Positive  films  comprised  rather 
less  than  10,000,000  feet,  or  about  one- 
sixth  of  the  total  aggregate,  while  nega- 
tives formed  about  one-twelfth. 

Plans  Picture  of 
U,  S,  Newspaper  Life 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — -Arrangements 
have  Just  been  completed  by  Universal  for 
the  production  of  a co-operative  picture  to 
be  called  “The  Muzzle,”  which  will  por- 
tray newspaper  life  in  this  country.  It  is 
said  that  Will  Hays,  the  Associated  Press 
and  the  United  Press  will  co-operate  with 
Universal  in  the  production  of  the  picture. 

The  story  is  written  by  Peter  B.  Kyne 
and  is  based  on  situations  of  present  day 
affairs,  and  is  said  to  be  a tribute  to  news- 
paper editors  throughout  the  country. 

Navarre  Sent  to  Head 
U-A  in  Minneapolis 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MINNEAPOLIS,  Aug.  9. — Guy  Na- 
varre, formerly  of  the  United  Artists  ex- 
change in  Kansas  City,  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  that  producer’s  exchange  here, 
succeeding  Walter  Seymour,  acting  man- 
ager, who  has  resigned.  Leo  J.  Doty, 
who  was  assistant  to  Navarre,  has  been 
promoted  to  succeed  him  at  the  Kansas 
City  branch. 


Installs  $10,000  Organ 
PORTLAND,  ORE. — A $10,060  pipe  organ 
has  been  installed  at  the  New  -Antler  theatre 
at  Roseburg,  Ore.  G.  A.  Morrison,  manager 
of  the  _Wood  Pipe  Organ  Company,  reports  26 
organs  installed  since  the  plant  opened  two  years 


Information  on  what  the  circuits  will 
play  during  the  present  season,  which  is 
just  under  way,  may  be  gleaned  from  the 
following  tabulation: 

FOX  CIRCUIT 

A deal  has  just  been  closed 
whereby  the  Fox  circuit  in  Greater 
New  York  will  play  the  product  of 
First  National.  Jules  Levy,  man- 
ager of  First  National’s  New  York 
exchange,  handled  the  deal  for  his 
company. 

U B O CIRCUIT 

Twenty-five  theatres  of  the 
U B O circuit  in  Greater  New 
York  and  New  Jersey  have  con- 
tracted for  the  Columbia  special, 
“The  Blood  Ship.”  Houses  which 
will  play  the  picture  include:  Jef- 
ferson, 81st  street,  58th  street.  Re- 
gent, 86th  street,  125th  street, 
Hamilton,  Fordham,  Franklin, 
Coliseum,  Prospect,  Orpheum, 
Bushwick,  Tilyou,  Yonkers,  Mt. 
Vernon,  5th  avenue.  Royal,  Green- 
point,  New  Rochelle,  White  Plains, 
Broadway,  Capitol  State,  Union 
City,  and  Keith,  Jersey  City. 

This  circuit  also  has  closed  for 
product  of  First  National. 

PUBLIX 

“Camille,”  the  First  National 
special  starring  Norma  Talmadge, 
has  been  booked  over  the  entire 
Publix  circuit. 

GRIFFITH  BROTHERS 

A deal  has  just  been  closed 
whereby  the  Griffith  circuit  in 
Oklahoma  will  play  in  its  theatres 
in  23  cities  of  the  state  all  of  the 
First  National’s  “Showman’s 


Newman  Swimming  Race 
Attracts  Thousands 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  9— 
Highways  leading  to  Winnwood 
Lake,  a resort  near  Kansas  City, 
were  blocked  Sunday  by  thousands 
of  persons  seeking  to  witness  the 
annual  Newman  theatre  swimming 
race.  The  event,  which  has  been 
staged  by  the  Newman  since  the 
opening  of  the  theatre,  received 
liberal  publicity  in  the  daily  news- 
papers. Motion  pictures  of  the 
race  were  shown  at  the  Newman. 
Herschel  Martin  of  Kansas  City 
is  three-time  winner  of  the  event. 


Group”  of  45  pictures  and  the  com- 
pany’s 13  specials. 

KOPPIN-WOODWARD 

CIRCUIT 

The  entire  new  season’s  product 
of  Universal  has  been  booked  by 
the  Koppin-Woodward  Circuit, 
which  operates  25  theatres  in  De- 
troit, and  others  in  Flint,  Dearborn 
and  Wayne,  Mich. 

RIVOLI  THEATRE 

The  Rivoli  theatre,  Baltimore,  a 
first  run  theatre,  has  booked  Co- 
lumbia’s “Through  Darkest  Africa,” 
and  will  play  the  picture  starting 
Aug.  15. 

LOEW  THEATRES 

The  Loew  theatres  in  Greater 
New  York  has  booked  the  new 
season’s  product  of  First  National. 

Unusual  in  the  foregoing,  according  to 
available  information,  is  the  fact  that  the 
three  Greater  New  York  circuits — Loew, 
U B O and  Fox — have  booked  the  prod- 
uct of  one  company. 

Covered  Wagon**  Has 
Good  Run  in  Toronto 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TORONTO,  CAN.,  Aug.  9. — Five 
years  after  it  had  been  the  attraction  at 
the  Tivoli  theatre,  a downtown  house  of 
Toronto,  Ontario,  “The  Covered  Wagon” 
was  again  presented  at  the  theatre,  this 
being  during  the  week  of  August  1.  It 
was  shown  five  times  daily  for  the  week 
and  excellent  patronage  responded. 

Announcement  has  been  made  that 
“The  Covered  Wagon”  will  be  revived 
throughout  Canada  in  the  more  than  100 
theatres  of  Famous-Players  Canadian 
Corporation. 


Fort  Wayne  Firm  Files 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  9. — -Articles  of 
incorporation  have  been  filed  with  the 
secretary  of  state  in  Indianapolis  by  the 
Rialto  Theatre,  Inc.,  of  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 
The  corporation  has  an  initial  capital  stock 
of  300  shares  of  no  par  value  and  is 
formed  to  operate  and  own  a theatre.  The 
incorporators  are  James  Heliotes,  Charles 
Lambrakis  and  George  Heliotes. 


**Roxy**  on  Vacation 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.^S.  L.  “Roxy” 
Rothafel  is  at  Camden,  Me.,  for  a short 
vacation.  In  his  absence  Douglas  Murray, 
his  assistant,  is  at  the  microphone. 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Topical  Films  Boost  Attendance, 
Theatre  Records  Show 

Increased  Patronage  of  Ottawa  Houses  Shoivs  Value  of  Timely  Subject 
to  Box  Office  W hen  Quickly  Presented  and  Properly  Exploited 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  ONT.,  Aug.  9. — It  has  been  definitely  shown  at  Ottawa 
theatres  that  topical  films  have  more  than  ordinary  box-office  value 
when  quickly  presented  and  properly  exploited.  On  many  occa- 
sions during  the  present  summer,  patronage  has  been  pulled  right  up  to 
large  proportions  through  topical  pictures. 


ONE  of  the  news  film  feats  of  the  sea- 
son was  the  showing  of  pictures  of 
Canada’s  Diamond  Jubilee  of  Confedera- 
tion, including  numerous  Ottawa  features 
of  the  celebration,  by  Manager  Ray  Tub- 
man  at  the  Regent  theatre.  This  re- 
sulted in  the  third  largest  week  on  rec- 
ord at  the  theatre.  A re-issued  feature 
was  on  the  same  bill,  so  the  difference 
was  undoubtedly  due  to  the  pictures  of 
the  Jubilee. 

Government  Film  Draws 

Later  the  Canadian  government's  own 
film  record,  running  to  2,500  feet,  was 
the  big  attraction  at  the  Centre  theatre, 
and  patronage  again  was  pronounced, 
despite  the  heat. 

The  Dempsey-Sharkey  fight  picture  at 
B.  F.  Keith’s  theatre  during  the  week  of 
August  1,  brought  the  patrons  out  in 
droves  and  Manager  J.  M.  Franklin 
counted  one  of  his  best  weeks. 

An  appropriate  reel  during  the  visit  to 
Ottawa  of  the  Prince  of  Wales,  Prince 
George,  and  Rt.  Hon.  Stanley  Baldwin, 
Prime  Minister  of  Britain,  was  the  Brit- 
ish special,  “The  Making  of  a King,” 
showing  the  heir  to  the  British  throne. 
This  was  presented  for  the  second  time 
in  Ottawa  at  the  Centre  theatre,  and 
again  the  crowds  were  noticeable. 

News  Specials  Bring  Cash 
Following  the  visit  of  the  royal  broth- 
ers in  Ottawa,  two  Ottawa  theatres 
cashed  in  heavily  on  special  news  re- 
leases which  gave  the  film  record  of  all 
ceremonies  and  functions  in  which  the 
princes  took  part.  These  were  shown  as 
features  at  the  Regent  and  Centre  thea- 
tres. 

The  pictures  of  the  news  literally  have 
brought  thousands  to  Ottawa  theatres 
for  well  over  a month. 

Comedy-Dramas  Still 
Lead  in  Jenkin’s  Survey 
By  J.  C.  JENKINS 

Comedy-dramas  continue  to  lead  all 
other  types  of  screen  plays  in  popular- 
ity among  the  exhibitors  of  the  Middle 
West  and  Northwest,  according  to  the 
survey  I have  been  making  in  this  region. 
Westerns,  of  course,  get  a big  vote,  for 
the  towns  in  this  territory  are  generally 
small — though  Westerns  doubtless  go 
well  most  everywhere. 

Such  is  the  gist  of  my  most  recent  ef- 
forts to  get  the  “low-down”  on  pictures 
among  exhibitors.  But  since  there’s 
nothing  like  direct  facts,  I offer  below 
the  preferences  of  each  exhibitor  inter- 
viewed, in  the  order  of  their  importance 
to  him. 

E.  W.  McFARLANE,  Cosy,  Groton,  S.  D.— 
Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  comedies,  dramas, 
Westerns,  historical,  war  and  costume  plays. 

JOHN  E.  DAVIS,  Orpheum,  Castlewood,  S.  D. 
. — Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  comedies,  action 
plays,  war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

GUY  S.  ABBOTT,  Hamline,  Estelline,  S.  D. 
-^Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  come- 
dies, war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

BLANK  & DEEBLE,  Liberty.  Webster,  S.  D. 
— Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  Westerns,  come- 
dies, dramas,  war,  costume  plays  and  historical. 

MRS.  ESLE  LARSON,  Cecile,  Cokato,  Minn. 
- — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  come- 


dies, war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

J.  ZIMMERMAN,  Rex,  Aurora,  Minn. — Com- 
edy dramas.  Westerns,  dramas,  comedies,  action 
plays  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

F.  C.  BURGESS,  Rex,  Tower,  Minn. — Comedy 
dramas,  comedies,  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays, 
war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

J.  C.  KENNEDY.  Empress,  Akron,  la.— West- 
erns, action  plays,  comedies,  comedy  dramas,  his- 
torical, dramas,  war  and  costume  plays. 

J.  W.  WOODMAN,  Gem,  Frederick,  S.  D.— 
Comedy  dramas,  dramas,  costume  plays.  Westerns, 
comedies,  war,  action  plays  and  historical. 

B.  A.  BUTLER,  Elite,  Arlington.  S.  D.— West- 
erns, comedies,  comedy  dramas,  dramas,  action 
plays,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

SAMUEL  P.  CORNISH,  Princess,  Sioux  Falls, 
S.  D. — Action  plays,  comedies,  comedy  dramas. 
Westerns,  dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume 
plays. 

O.  C.  VIK,  City  Hall,  Lake  Norden,  S.  D.— 
Action  plays,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  histori- 
cal, war,  comedies,  dramas  and  costume  plays. 

W.  J.  ROGGENBUCK,  Orpheum,  Waubay,  S. 

D. — Comedies,  Westerns,  war,  action  plays,  com- 
edy dramas,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

BOOM  & DU  RAND,  Lyric,  Ellendale,  N.  D. 
— Comedies,  Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy 
dramas,  dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume  plays. 

P.  S.  NIELSEN,  Rex,  La  Moure,  N.  D.— Com- 
edy dramas,  comedies,  action  plays,  historical, 
dramas.  Westerns,  war  and  costume  plays. 

W.  C.  TAYLOR,  Verona,  Verona,  N.  D. — Com- 
edies, action  plays.  Westerns,  war,  comedy  dramas, 
dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

O.  L.  VISTE,  Murray,  Slayton,  Minn.— Com- 
edy dramas,  Westerns,  action  plays,  dramas,  com- 
edies, war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

GEORGE  BENSON,  Community,  Minneota, 
Minn. — Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays, 
comedies,  dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume 
plays. 

JOHN  H.  THEMER,  Cozy,  Truman,  Minn. — 
Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  comedies.  Westerns, 
dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume  plays. 

T.  NELSON,  Amuzu,  Grand  Meadow,  Minn. — 
Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas, 
comedies,  historical,  war  and  costume  plays. 

E.  G.  Slater,  Empress,  Grundy  Center,  la. — 
Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas, 
comedies,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

W.  A.  DUTTON,  Plaza,  Manchester,  la. — Com- 
edy  dramas.  Westerns,  comedies,  action  plays, 
war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

PACE  BOUMA  & COHEN,  Princess,  West 
Union,  la. — Dramas,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns, 
action  plays,  comedies,  war,  historical  and  cos- 
tume plays. 

F.  P.  HAGEMAN,  Palace,  Waverly,  la.— Com- 
edy dramas,  comedies.  Westerns,  action  plays, 
dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

F.  L.  YOUNG,  Grand,  Independence,  la. — 
Comedy  dramas,  comedies,  action  plays.  West- 
erns, historical,  costume  plays,  dramas  and  war. 

W.  F.  WOLCOTHE.  Grand,  Eldora,  la.— Com- 
edy dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays,  comedies, 
war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays, 

FRED  B.  WITT,  Orpheum,  Shell  Rock,  la.— 
Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  comedies,  dramas, 
Westerns,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

GEORGE  WAMSLEY,  Auditorium,  Clarksville, 
la. — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedies,  comedy 
dramas,  dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume 
plays. 

C.  V.  HUNERBERG,  Princess,  Parkersburg, 
la. — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas, 
comedies,  historical,  dramas,  war  and  costume 
plays. 

H.  A.  NELSON.  Princess,  St.  James,  Minn.— 
Dramas,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  comedies, 
war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

SCHROEDER  & MARTENS,  State,  Mountain 
Lake,  Minn. — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy 
dramas,  comedies,  hictorical,  dramas,  costume 
plays  and  war. 

FREDERICK  & SCHREIBER,  Grand.  Breck- 
enridge,  Minn. — Comedy  dramas,  comedies,  ac- 
tion plays.  Westerns,  dramas,  war,  historical  and 
costume  plays. 

R.  A.  MERGENS,  Hub,  Fairmount.  N.  D.— 
Comedies,  Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas, 
dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

ANTON  TILLER,  Gilles,  Wahpeton,  N.  D.— 
Comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  dramas.  Westerns, 
comedies,  historical,  war,  and  costume  plays. 

W.  T.  McCarthy,  Circuit,  Fargo,  N.  D.— 
Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  war, 
{Continued  on  page  26) 


Got  Any  Spare  Titles? 
Harold  Lloyd  Wants  One 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.— Have 
you  a little  motion  picture  title 
in  your  home?  Better  look 
around,  and  if  you  And  it  tangled 
up  with  a family  skeleton  or  two, 
untangle  it  and  send  it  to  Harold 
Lloyd,  for  the  bespectacled  Para- 
mount comedian  is  looking  for  a 
name  for  his  next  picture.  The 
production  will  be  made  in  New 
York  and  have  a lot  to  do  with  the 
Yankee  stadium.  Coney  Island  and 
such  places.  The  announcement 
issued  by  Lloyd  also  says  that  the 
personal  type  of  title  is  preferred 
— for  example,  "The  Freshman,” 
"A  Sailor  Made  Man,”  and  so  on. 
The  story  concerns  a young  man 
of  breezy  temperament  who  is  al- 
ways getting  himself  into  and  out 
of  a job,  it  is  said. 


Here’s  Candidate  for 
Youngest  Exhibitor’s 
Title;  Started  at  17 

George  Oshrin  of  Loew’s  Sheri- 
dan, New  York,  Became 
Manager  at  20 

(Picture  in  Pictorial  Section) 

A candidate  for  honors  as  the  youngest 
exhibitor  in  the  country  is  George  Oshrin, 
manager  of  the  Sheridan  theatre  in  Green- 
wich Village,  New  York  City.  Not  that 
Oshrin  now  is  the  youngest  (he  now  is  24) 
but  he  has  been  connected  with  the  indus- 
try since  the  age  of  17  and  with  Loew’s, 
Inc.,  since  he  was  19,  with  his  duties  in  the 
executive  office. 

Oshrin  was  20  years  old  when  he  was 
made  manager,  and  he  served  also  as  relief 
manager  for  all  the  Loew’s  theatres  in  the 
East.  He  recently  was  made  manager  of 
the  Sheridan  in  New  York,  the  theatre 
having  become  a part  of  the  Loew’s  circuit 
last  Christmastime. 

The  Sheridan  has  been  redecorated  and 
equipped  with  new  projectors.  Its  policy 
calls  for  de  luxe  shows  with  an  enlarged 
orchestra,  with  program  changed  three 
times  a week  and  continuous  from  1 to  11. 
Da\  id  J.  Walsh,  former  newspaperman  and 
dramatic  critic,  is  assisting  Oshrin. 


Ushers  Prevent  Panic 
When  Fire  Threatens 
Indianapolis  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  9.— Prompt  and 
efficient  action  on  the  part  of  ushers  and 
the  management  prevented  what  might 
have  been  a panic  recently  at  the  Colonial 
theatre  here.  A fire  starting  in  a paint 
manufacturing  plant  early  in  the  evening 
caused  the  theatre  to  fill  with  smoke.  The 
audience  became  uneasy  when  the  theatre 
was  surrounded  by  fire  apparatus,  but  re- 
assurances as  to  the  cause  of  the  commo- 
tion quieted  the  patrons. 

Another  Indiana  theatre  was  recently 
threatened  by  fire.  The  Mars  theatre  at 
Lafayette  escaped  a serious  fire  by  the 
narrowest  of  margins,  aided  by  fire  proof 
construction.  A painter  employed  in  the 
redecoration  of  the  theatre  auditorium 
dropped  a match  on  the  floor  of  a store- 
room where  a few  drops  of  benzol  had 
been  spilled.  As  flames  shot  up,  he  over- 
turned a pan  of  benzol  and  flames  swept 
over  him,  burning  him  severely.  The 
theatre  was  little  damaged. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


How  Texas  Exhibitors 
Use  Blue  Ribbon  Tieup 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

On  this  page  is  a digest  of 
the  campaign  on  Blue  Ribbon 
pictures  in  Texas,  the  mate- 
rial being  supplied  by  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  Headquarters. 

Advertising  of  the  Blue  Ribbon 
Seal  starts  two  weeks  in  advance 
of  the  opening  date  with  (1)  use 
of  newspaper  ads,  (2)  one-sheet 
frame  in  lobby  of  large  size 
“THANK  YOU"  seal  poster  as 
teaser,  with  red  strip  “COMING” 
at  top,  (3)  newspaper  publicity  on 
meaning  of  seal,  (4)  distribution 
of  heralds  with  theatre  imprint 
displaying  small  cut  of  seal,  and 
(5)  posting  of  seal  teasers  in  ho- 
tels and  windows. 

Advertising  of  the  picture  be- 
gins a week  before  opening  date 
and  includes  (1)  using  slide  trailer 
of  “THANK  YOU”  seal,  (2)  re- 
moving seal  teaser  frame  and  dis- 
playing 3-sheets  or  1 -sheets  of  at- 
traction sniped  with  seals,  (3) 
sniping  of  billboard  material  with 
seals,  and  (4)  adapting  seal  ad 
copy  to  newspaper  publicity  and 
advertising. 


Bandit  With  Toy 
Gun  Holds  Up  5 
in  Chicago  House 

A robber  armed  with  a toy  pistol  en- 
tered the  manager’s  office  of  the  Marbro 
theatre  in  Chicago  Sunday  night,  lined  up 
a policeman,  a watchman  and  three  em- 
ployes, seized  a box  containing  $500  and 
fled. 

He  was  seen  by  S.  M.  Marks,  one  of  the 
owners  of  the  theatre,  and  an  usher.  They 
pursued  him  as  he  fled  down  an  alley. 
He  escaped  by  leaping  over  a fence,  but 
dropped  the  worthless  pistol  and  the  box 
containing  the  money. 

Burglars  Get  $600 
Remove  Fingerprints 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SOMERVILLE,  MASS.,  Aug.  9.— Cash 
to  the  amount  of  $600  was  stolen  from  the 
Capitol  theatre  here  over  Sunday  when 
burglars  forced  the  office  safe.  The  theatre 
is  operated  by  Universal.  A towel  was 
used  by  the  burglars  to  remove  all  traces 
of  finger  prints. 

Thief  Steals  $128; 

Is  Caught  3 Hours  Later 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PHILADELPHIA,  Aug.  9.  — Three 
hours  after  Meyer  Kravitz,  cashier  of  the 
Ideal  theatre,  Philadelphia,  was  held  up  and 
roibbed  of  the  day’s  receipts  amounting  to 
$128,  the  money  was  recovered  and  the 
thief  arrested  in  a stolen  car. 

Richard  Weil  Leaves 
Ray  art  to  Title  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — Richard  Weil, 
for  the  past  two  years  director  of  pub- 
licity for  Rayart,  has  resigned.  He  will 
go  to  Hollywood  with  the  intention  of  be- 
coming a title  writer. 


Blue  Ribbon  Award  Helps 
Texas  Exhibitors  at  B.  O. 

M.  P.  T.  0.  and  Newspaper  Committee  Select  Best  Enter- 
tainment Picture  of  Month  and  Supply  Campaign 
Material — Seal  Affixed  to  Posters 

Texas  theatre  owners  and  executives  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  the  state  are 
elated  over  the  results  of  their  new  project  of  this  summer  of  selecting  what 
a committee  of  exhibitors  and  newspapermen  adjudge  the  best  entertain- 
ment picture  of  the  month  and  labeling  it  with  the  Blue  Ribbon  Award. 

Special  Trailers  and  Cuts  Made 

Special  trailers  and  cuts  are  made  for  exhibitors  on  the  selected  picture 
of  the  month  and  special  suggestions  sent  out  from  M.  P.  T.  O.  head- 
quarters for  a two-weeks  campaign  on  the  production.  Advance  adver- 
tising copy  is  provided  also. 


“Reports  from  exhibitors  who  have 
been  using  this  show  a decided  increase 
in  the  box  office — much  more  than  they 
expected,”  W.  S.  Waid,  manager  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.,  says  in  a letter  to  the 
Herald.  “Some  of  them  even  got  results 
right  from  the  start — others  had  to  use 
two  or  three  pictures  before  the  people 
realized  just  what  it  meant.  We  are 
more  than  surprised  at  the  responses  we 
are  getting  from  the  theatre  owners  of 
Texas.” 

In  advance  publicity  explaining  what 
the  Award  means,  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  Com- 
mittee says:  “Inasmuch  as  the  public 
hears  all  about  the  Iiig  ‘star  specials’ 
long  in  advance  of  their  release,  and  can 
form  its  own  judgments,  the  Commit- 
tee’s special  search  is  for  those  occa- 
sional gems  of  human  interest,  perfectly 
produced  and  acted,  which  heretofore 
have  come  and  gone  before  you  could 
learn  of  their  excellence.  Once  a month 
the  best  entertainment  of  this  class, 
suited  to  the  tastes  of  the  whole  family, 
old  and  young,  is  selected  for  the  Com- 
mittee’s Blue  Ribbon  Award.” 

A brilliantly  colored  Blue  Ribbon  seal, 
affixed  to  the  exhibitor’s  posters,  informs 
the  public  that  this  picture  has  won  the 
Award  of  the  committee.  The  seal  is 
protected  by  copyright.  The  Screen 
Committee  previews  the  films  as  soon  as 
received  at  Dallas  and  each  month  a 
winner  is  chosen,  the  seal  carrying  the 
words,  “You’ll  want  to  say,  ‘THANK 
YOU.’” 

The  Award  first  was  made  April  24 
at  Loew’s  Melba  theatre,  Dallas,  the  ini- 


tial picture  to  win  the  verdict  being 
Douglas  MacLean’s  “Let  It  Rain.”  Since 
then  the  order  of  award,  month  by 
month,  has  been  to  -Metro-Goldwyn 
Mayer’s  “Rookies”  (May),  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer’s  “Tillie  the  Toiler,”  with 
Marion  Davies  (June),  Universal’s 
“Painting  the  Town”  with  Reginald 
Denny  (July),  and  the  award  for  August 
goes  to  First  National’s  “Smile,  Brother, 
Smile,”  featuring  Jack  Mulhall  and  Doro- 
thy Mackaill. 

The  Screen  Committee  consists  of 
H.  A.  Cole,  president  of  the  M.  P.  T. 
O.;  W.  S.  Waid,  manager  of  the  exhibi- 
tors’ organization;  L.  L.  Itent,  of  Dent 
Theatres,  Inc.;  H.  B.  Robb  of  the  Robb 
& Rowley  Circuit,  and  John  Rosenfield, 
amusement  editor  of  the  Dallas  News. 


R & R Enterprises  to 
Roadshow  **The  Clown** 
in  50  Texas  Theatres 

t special  to  the  Herald) 

DALLAS,  Aug.  9. — Columbia’s  picture, 
“The  Clown,”  will  be  exploited  as  a road- 
show by  R & R Enterprises,  which  operates 
over  50  theatres  in  Texas,  it  has  been  an- 
nounced by  H.  T.  Peebles,  manager  of 
Columbia’s  franchise  in  Texas. 

R & R Enterprises  selects  one  picture 
every  two  months  from  the  productions  it 
has  under  contract  and  builds  a special 
truck  ballyhoo  which  it  road-shows 
through  the  different  towns  where  its  thea- 
tres are  located.  It  owns  a one  ton  truck 
on  which  is  erected  a special  body  for 
each  selected  picture. 

To  exploit  “The  Clowm”  the  truck  is 
being  prepared  as  a calliope  and  a lobby 
display  is  being  built  to  represent  the  main 
entrance  of  a circus,  with  a special  high 
deck  ticket  booth  and  the  rest  of  the  para- 
phernalia of  the  big  tops. 

Woman  Runs  Theatre 
on  Thousand  Island 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  9.— Mrs.  Sue  M.  Weller, 
of  Alexandria  Bay,  N.  Y.,  is  the  owner 
of  a new  theatre  that  was  opened  at  the 
famous  Thousand  Island  resort  last  week. 
The  house  will  be  conducted  by  Mrs. 
Weller  in  person  and  she  will  do  all  of 
the  booking.  The  theatre  has  a seating 
capacity  of  600  people.  It  had  been  partly 
constructed  by  Air.  Weller  at  the  time  of 
his  death  last  April. 


Shellman  Leases  House 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PROVIDENCE,  Aug.  9.— Myron  C. 
Shellman,  prominent  publicity  man,  has 
taken  a long  lease  on  the  Columbus  thea- 
tre and  will  make  it  a second  run  picture 
theatre. 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Thousands  Visit  June  Mathis’ 
Bier  to  Pay  Last  Tribute 

Body  of  Noted  Scenarist  Taken  to  Hollywood  and  Laid  to  Rest  Beside 
Valentino — Sterling  Productions  Plans  Studio  at  Burbank 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  Aug.  9. — Funeral  services  for  the  late  June  Mathis, 
one  of  the  screen’s  best  known  writers,  were  conducted  Friday  af- 
ternoon at  the  Hollywood  cemetery.  The  body  laid  in  state  from 
11  a.  m.  to  1 p.  m.,  at  the  funeral  parlors  of  W.  M.  Strother,  where  thousands 
of  friends  paid  their  last  tribute  to  the  noted  scenarist.  Accompanied  by 
Sylvano  Balboni,  her  husband,  and  her  grandmother,  Mrs.  Hawkes,  the  re- 
mains arrived  from  New  York  Friday  morning  on  the  Santa  Fe. 


'T'  HE  Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts 
and  Sciences,  of  which  Miss  Mathis 
was  one  of  the  founder  members,  passed 
a resolution  of  tribute  to  her  memory  and 
to  her  achievements  by  which  she  con- 
tributed marked  distinction  to  the  screen. 
The  funeral  arrangements  were  made  by 
George  Ullmaru  Her  body  rests  beside 
that  of  Rudolph  Valentino,  whom  she  dis- 
covered and  brought  to  the  front. 

* * 

Burbank  is  to  have  another  studio  if 
present  plans  of  Sterling  Productions,  Inc., 
are  carried  out.  The  film  concern  recently 
purchased  20  acres  within  a block  of  First 
National  studios,  and  according  to  Joe 
Rock,  producer  for  Sterling,  and  Irving  L. 
Walenstcin,  home  office  representative,  the 
company  anticipates  erecting  studios  and 
centering  all  of  their  activities  in  Cali- 
fornia this  year. 

* * 

Two  Universal  directors,  Edward 
iMemmle  and  Ernst  Laemmle,  are  recover- 
ing from  illness  which  has  confined  them 
to  their  homes  under  the  care  of  physicians 
for  the  past  ten  days.  Edward  Laemmle 
was  confined  to  his  rooms  in  the  Holly- 
wood Plaza  Hotel,  with  a touch  of  pneu- 
monia, and  Ernst  suffered  a severe  throat 
infection.  Both  had  just  completed  pic- 
tures at  Universal  City. 

* 4:  * 

Marshall  Neilan  and  Paul  Bern,  two 
popular  Hollywoodites,  are  sailing  this 
week  to  film  “Hell’s  Angeles”  in  Germany, 
England  and  France.  Mr.  Neilan  is  being 
backed  in  his  enterprise  by  Howard  Hughes, 
and  the  picture  will  be  released  by  United 
Artists.  * * * 

Wedding  bells  will  soon  ring  out  for 
Miss  Helen  Lynch,  Wampas  baby  star  of 
1922,  and  Carroll  Nye,  popular  leading 
man.  A marriage  license  was  issued  last 
week  at  Riverside,  but  under  a new  Cali- 
fornia law  they  must  wait  at  least  three 
days  before  the  ceremony  can  be  per- 
formed. Nye  is  working  at  F.  B.  O. 

* * * 

Ned  Depinet,  general  sales  manager  for 
First  National,  arrived  here  last  week  from 
New  York.  He  was  accompanied  by 
Stanley  W.  Hatch,  western  sales  manager, 
and  L.  0.  Lukan,  western  division  manager. 
Depinet  will  confer  with  Watterson  R. 
Rothacker,  managing  director  of  the 
studios,  regarding  forthcoming  production 
and  discuss  bookings  with  H.  B.  Eranklin, 
president  of  West  Coast  Theatres. 

* * * 

Patent  suits  of  Pierre  Artigue  against  14 
leading  motion  picture  producers,  over 
alleged  violation  of  his  patents  upon  the 
“glass  shot”  system,  brought  attorneys 
representing  Douglas  Fairbanks,  Mary 
Pickford,  Famous  Players,  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer,  First  National,  Fox,  Universal, 
Warner  Brothers  Oscar  Hammeras,  and 
others  into  court  last  Tuesday.  Artigue  is 
seeking  an  injunction  and  accounting  for 
use  of  “glass  shots”  by  means  of  which 
the  cost  of  picture  making  has  been 
greatly  reduced.  Millions  of  dollars  in 


profits  from  the  use  of  the  “glass  shots” 
are  alleged  to  be  involved.  The  case  was 
heard  before  Judge  Paul  McCormick,  in 
U.  S.  court.  * * =|5 

Estelle  Taylor,  who  has  been  seriously 
ill  for  the  past  ten  days,  is  on  the  road 
to  recovery.  Worry  over  the  critical  ill- 
ness of  her  grandfather,  controversies  with 
her  film  employers  and  concern  over  the 
coming  championship  fight  between  her 
husband  and  Gene  Tunney,  are  said  to  have 
been  contributing  factors  to  her  illness. 

* * * 

“Peter  the  Hermit”  did  not  get  the  role 
assigned  to  Rod  LaRocque  in  “Resurrec- 
tion” because  he  is  88  years  old  and  has 
a 62-year  old  beard,  according  to  answer 
filed  by  Inspiration  Pictures,  Edwin 
Carewe,  Count  Ilya  Tolstoy,  Harry  D. 
Wilson  and  others,  to  Peter  Howard’s  suit 
for  $130,000  damages.  The  case  will  be 
tried  at  some  future  date. 

* * * 

Local  papers  have  been  busy  all  week 
printing  Rumor  No.  12,632  concerning  the 
sale  of  Universal  Pictures  Corporation  to 
Wall  Street  bankers,  George  J.  Whelan, 
tobacco  king,  and  William  R.  Durant, 
automobile  manufacturer.  It  is  reported 
$20,000,000  has  been  offered  and  Carl 
iMemmle,  president  of  the  concern,  will 
remain  as  chairman  of  the  board  of 
directors  of  the  new  organization. 

* ^ * 

The  engagement  of  Norma  Shearer, 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  star,  and  Irving 
Thalberg,  production  manager,  will  likely 
be  announced  soon.  Both  of  them  admit 
as  much. 

While  making  a scene  for  “Forgotten 
Women,”  a Columbia  production,  at  Cata- 
lina Islands,  Conway  Tearle,  Dorothy 
Sebastian,  Gibson  Gowland,  and  others  nar- 
rowly escaped  death  when  a wooden  dock 
on  which  they  were  working  collapsed  and 
threw  them  into  the  water.  George  Seitz 


Stars  Get  $70  Elach 
Work  Day  in  Austria 

(Special  from  Department  of  Commerce) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  9.— 
Stars  of  the  first  magnitude  are 
paid  $70  to  $85  a working  day  in 
Austria.  Wellknown  players  re- 
ceive $28  to  $43,  and  ordinary 
members  of  the  cast  are  remuner- 
ated to  the  extent  of  $15  a day. 
Extras  lucky  enough  to  possess  a 
dress  suit  earn  $3.50. 

The  four  studios  in  Austria  are 
all  in  Vienna.  Italy  has  three  pro- 
ducing companies  which  made  ten 
pictures  last  year  and  expect  to 
make  half  that  number  this  season. 
Spain  has  six  studios  and  £ve  pro- 
ducers but  pictures  are  made  only 
spasmodically. 


June  Mathis  Names 
Grandmother  As  Heir 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD , Aug,  P.— “/une 
Mathis,  noted  scenarist,  who  died 
suddenly  in  New  York,  recently, 
left  her  entire  estate,  consisting  of 
$6,000  in  cash  and  property  worth 
$22,000  to  her  grandmother,  Mrs. 
Emily  Hawkes,  during  her  life- 
time. Upon  her  death,  the  estate 
reverts  back  to  S.  Balboni,  June 
Mathis’  husband. 


was  directing.  The  total  loss  consisted  of 
two  cameras  and  a number  of  lights. 

* * jSs 

Irving  Bacon  has  renewed  his  contract 
with  Mack  Sennett  and  is  working  in  a new 
picture  with  Johnny  Burke,  under  Harry 
Edwards’  direction. 

* * * 

Scott  R.  Dunlap,  former  Fox  director, 
will  not  return  to  the  United  States  this 
fall  as  planned,  but  will  remain  in  Austra- 
lia to  direct  six  more  pictures  for  Phillips 
Film  Company,  Ltd.  ' 

* * * 

Charles  Lamont  is  in  San  Francisco  this 
week  shooting  scenes  for  his  fifth  two- 
reeler  this  season. 

* * * 

Hollywood  celebrated  its  fortieth  birth- 
day last  Saturday  with  a parade,  ’nevery- 
thing.  Al  Christie  had  a float  with  a bunch 
of  bathing  beauties  clad  in  1911  beach  cos- 
tumes. Hollywood  was  in  existence  24 
years  before  David  and  William  Horsley 
opened  the  first  studio  in  October,  1911. 
Other  producers  quickly  followed. 

* * * 

Garrett  Fort  has  signed  with  Paramount 
and  will  write  ’’The  Glory  Girl,”  an  evan- 
gelistic story,  as  a starring  vehicle  for 
Esther  Ralston.  Fort  has  to  his  credit 
such  screen  stories  as  “White  Gold,”  “The 
Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  “Gigolo,”  “The 
Yankee  Clipper”  and  “Sailor  Izzy  Murphy.” 
Fort  also  wrote  “The  West  Pointer,”  which 
is  in  production  now  at  the  DeMille  studios, 
“The  Coming  of  Amos,”  “Red  Dice”  and 
“Bachelor  Brides.”  He  has  also  written 

many  short  stories  for  Liberty  and  other 

magazines.  * * ^ 

Frank  Capra,  who  directed  “For  the 
Love  of  Mike,”  a Robert  Kane  production 
for  First  National,  has  returned  from  New 
York.  * * * 

Jeanne  Eagles,  stage  star,  will  play  the 
feminine  lead  in  John  Gilbert’s  new  pic- 
ture. She  left  Friday  for  Washington, 
D.  C.,  with  the  company,  to  make  the 
initial  scenes. 


Sidney  Goes  to  Cast 

of  ^‘Kellys  in  Paris” 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.--George  Sid- 
ney has  been  switched  from  “Give  and 
Take”  to  “The  Cohens  and  Kelly’s  in 
Paris”  at  Universal.  Studio  officials  de- 
cided this  week  to  make  the  latter  pic- 
ture first  to  meet  demands  of  exhibitors 
throughout  the  country.  He  is  to  do 
“Give  and  Take”  immediately  after. 

Seiler  Has  Gone  North 
to  Direct  Canine  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Lou  Seiler 
will  next  direct  “Wolf  Fangs”  for  Fox. 
It  is  a dog  picture,  featuring  “Thunder,” 
Frank  Davis’  clever  canine.  Most  of  the 
picture  will  be  made  in  Washington.  The 
company  leaves  this  week  for  location. 


August  13,  1927  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  21 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  August  13 

by 

the  Camera 

Bride  and  Groom 


LEFT  — Renee  Adoree 
in  the  real-life  role  of 
Mrs.  William  Gill,  wife 
of  a Los  Angeles  busi- 
ness man  to  whom  she 
recently  was  married — 
quite  as  a surprise  to 
her  friends.  However, 
bride,  though  she  be, 
Mrs.  Gill  is  working  in 
the  title  part  of  Metro- 
Goldwyn  - Mayer’s 
“Rose-Marie.” 


RIGHT  — Another 
youth  joins  the  HER- 
ALD’S “youngest  ex- 
hibitor” group  in 
George  Oshrin,  who  at 
24,  manages  the  Loew 
chain’s  Sheridan  in  New 
York  City.  Oshrin  has 
been  in  the  industry 
since  he  was  17,  joining 
Marcus  Loew  when  he 
was  19.  A year  later 
he  was  manager.  Who 
can  beat  this  record? 


Loew  Manager  at  24 


Soaring  steel — the  modem  symbol  of  Progress testifies  to  the  growing  needs  of  Warner  Brothers’  production  activities.  The 

photograph  above  shows  the  stage  of  construction  of  this  producer’s  large  plant  in  the  heart  of  Hollywood,  from  which  War- 
ner dramatic  and  Vitaphone  product  will  issue  when  the  establishment  is  finally  completed.  Construction  begun  a number 
of  months  ago  is  now  progressing  rapidly. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Th  ese  feminine  Robin  Hoods  are  sel- 
dom so  serious,  for  they  are  Doris 
Dawson  (left)  and  Gail  Lloyd  of  Chris- 
tie-Paramount comedies. 


Gladys  McConnell,  a high  school 

girl,  has  beauty  on  her  side so 

when  Harry  Langdon  saw  her  in 
a Western  he  chose  her  for  his 
leading  woman  in  “Three’s  a 
Crowd,”  his  latest  First  National 
comedy  just  completed. 


It  won’t  be  long  now!  Woman’s  place 
will  be  on  flag  poles  too,  as  Vera 
Steadman,  Christie-Paramount  comedi- 
enne, prophesies  above. 


In  the  grand  dining  room  of  a Hungarian  countess,"  while 
brilliant  blades  of  the  army  gather,  intrigue  arrives  as  an 
honored  guest.  The  scene  is  from  Billie  Dove’s  current  First 
National  picture,  featuring  Lloyd  Hughes  and  directed  by 
Alexander  Korda. 


Another  festive  occasion  with  uniforms- — -this  scene  being 
from  Fox’s  “Paid  to  Love,”  a Howard  Hawks’  production 
starring  George  O’Brien  and  featuring  Virginia  Valli,  Wal- 
lace MacDonald  and  William  Powell,  who  is  shown  above 
with  glass  aloft,  in  a toast,  of  course,  to  some  new  villiany. 


August  13,  1927 


23 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


A man  and  a maid  of  the  Ar- 
gentine pampas  — Charlie 
Stevens  and  (below)  Lupe 
Velez,  who  have  important 
roles  in  support  of  Douglas 
Fairbanks  in  “The  Gaucho,” 
which  United  Artists  is  to  re- 
lease in  January.  Stevens  is 
shown  holding  that  curious 
lasso,  the  bolas. 


Getting  an  unusual  shot  of  the  unique  Lon  Chaney 
for  “Mockery,”  story  of  the  Red  revolt.  Tod 
Browning  is  directing  this  Chaney  vehicle  for 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  while  Barbara  Bedford  and 
Ricardo  Cortez  are  featured. 


Two  Paramount  women  of  importance  who  have 
new  pictures  impending.  Pola  Negri  (left)  has 
just  completed  “Sun  Kissed,”  while  Thelma  Todd 
has  the  feminine  lead  in  Gary  Cooper’s  “Nevada,” 
which  will  be  released  next  month. 


The  leading  lights  of  “Sunrise,”  which  William 
Fox  has  decided  to  place  in  some  New  York  legiti- 
mate theatre  next  month.  Above,  from  left  to 
right,  are  shown  Margaret  Livingston,  George 
O’Brien,  Director  F.  W.  Mumau,  and  Janet  Gay- 
nor. 


“Bat-trees  for  toda-ay!” 

Well,  above  is  Monte  Blue 
resembling  a pitcher,  while 
below  Clyde  Cook  has  on  the 
worried  look  and  baggage  of 
a catcher.  In  “The  Bush 
Leagurer,”  just  completed, 
Warner  Brothers  has  adapted 
the  national  pastime  as 
Monte’s  debut  in  comedy. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Ready  to  make  an  interior  shot  of  a stage  coach  for  First  National’s  “The  Rose  of 
the  Golden  West,’’  formerly  called  “The  Rose  of  Monterey.’’  The  photograph  shows 
Mary  Astor,  who  has  the  feminine  lead,  and  Montagu  Love  (at  the  window)  receiv- 
ing instructions  for  the  ensuing  action  from  Director  George  Fitzmaurice.  He  in 
panama  is  Lee  Garmes,  cameraman. 


To  sing  in  sequences  of  “The 
Jazz  Singer,’’  Vitaphone  drama, 
which  will  star  Al  Jolson,  War- 
ner Brothers  has  engaged  the 
noted  cantor,  Joseph  Rosenblatt. 


High  above  Manhattan  three  F B O princes  discuss  the  script  of  “Coney  Island,’’  com- 
ing comedy-drama  of  New  York’s  famous  ocean  resort.  From  left  to  right  are  shown 
William  LeBaron,  West  Coast  production  head  who  has  been  in  the  East  for  confer- 
ences; Director  Ralph  Ince,  who  is  at  the  locale  taking  atmospheric  shots;  and  Joseph 
P.  Kennedy,  president  of  F B O. 


Jesse  James  when  30.  This  pic- 
ture was  loaned  to  Fred  Thomson, 
star  of  Paramount’s  ‘‘Jesse 
James,’’  now  in  work,  by  Jesse  E. 
James,  the  bandit’s  son. 


“Inside,  folks,  the  biggest  show  on  earth!  Only  a dime, 

ten  cents,  folks,  a big  thrill  for  a dime!’’  Ballyhoo the 

life  of  the  show  business,  the  role  of  Ronald  Colman  in 
United  Artists’  “The  Magic  Flame,’’  in  which  Colman  and 
Vilma  Banky  will  co-star. 


After  the  quarrel  that  makes  love  so  wonderful — Madge 
Bellamy  and  Charles  Morton  (whom  Fox  officials  call  a 
“find’’)  in  a scene  from  Fox’s  “Colleen,’’  which  now  is 
being  shown  in  the  pre-release  theatres.  Frank  O’Connor 
directed  the  production.  --  • 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


A featured  role  is  Jacqueline 
Gadson’s  in  Metro-Goldwyn 
Mayer’s  “The  Thirteenth  Hour.” 
The  cast  includes  Lionel  Barry- 
more, while  Chester  Franklin  is 
directing. 


At  the  “five  and  ten !”  Aisles  of  heaping  counters,  gorgeous  with  things  one  dare 
wish  for — jostling,  eager  shoppers  enlivened  by  the  thought  that  here  to  desire  is  to 
have!  A “five  and  ten,”  that  carnival  of  buying,  uniquely  American,  is  the  setting 
Mary  Pickford  has  chosen  for  her  next  United  Artists  production,  “My  Best  Girl,”  a 
scene  from  which  is  pictured  above. 


What  a smile  the  screen  has 
missed!  For  it  belongs  to  F. 
Richard  Jones,  the  director.  Jones 
is  now  making  Douglas  Fair- 
banks’ next  U-A  release,  “The 
Gaucho.” 


Nine  plug  hats — but  only  one  Harry  Long,  who  stands  (at  left)  with  distinguishing 
modesty  in  this  group  of  high-hatting  comedy  makers.  Long  is  the  masculine  star 
of  the  “Keeping  Up  With  the  Joneses”  series,  which  Stem  Brothers  is  producing 
for  Universal  from  adaptations  of  the  similarly  entitled  comic  strip.  Gus  Meins 
(fittingly  enthroned)  is  the  director. 


Creed  A.  Neeper  head  of  Harold  Lloyd’s  New  York  offices, 
has  been  in  Hollywood  concerning  the  two-reel  comedies 
being  made  by  Edward  Everett  Horton  for  Paramount. 
He  is  shown  shaking  hands  with  Horton  (right),  with  the 
latter’s  staff  attending. 


Evidently  Gwen  Lee  thinks  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  a model 
employer,  for  here  is  the  familiar  trade  mark  being  rendered 
in  clay  by  that  M-G-M  star’s  own  hands.  Miss  Lee’s  most 
recent  role  is  in  Norma  Shearer’s  “After  Midnight,”  just 
completed  by  Monta  Bell. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Big  Attractions  to  Play  New 
Publix  House  in  Texas 

“Beau  Geste”  Is  Opening  Picture,  ivith  Such  Specials  as  “Big  Parade,” 
“Rough  Riders”  and  “Camille”  to  Folloiv 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Houston,  TEX.,  Aug.  9. — Publix  Theatres  Corporation  completes 
its  holdings  in  Houston  for  some  time  with  the  opening  of  the 
new  Kirby  Theatre  on  Friday  night,  August  12.  The  Kirby  is  a 
de  luxe  picture  house,  with  popular  prices,  playing  such  pictures  as 
“Beau  Geste,”  the  opening  presentation;  “Big  Parade,”  “Ben  Hur,”  “Old 
Ironsides,”  “The  Rough  Riders,”  and  “Camille.”  As  fast  as  the  big 
pictures  are  released,  they  will  be  booked  in  New  York  for  the  Kirby. 


Alfred  C.  Finn  is  the  contracting 
architect.  The  motif  of  the  beautiful 
Adams  type  of  construction  in  the  early 
Colonial  period  is  carried  out  through  the 
lobby,  foyer,  mezzannine  promenade,  and 
auditorium.  White,  pale  amber,  Pompeian 
red,  and  sky  blue  are  the  colors  pre- 
dominating in  the  Kirby. 

Conduct  Nine  Day  Campaign 
An  air  of  reserve  and  refinement  has 
been  conveyed  in  the  Kirby,  which  in  this 
day  of  gaudy  and  elaborate  decorative 
schemes,  is  somewhat  unusual.  All  ad- 
vance ads,  which  started  nine  days  before 
opening,  carry  the  message  that  the  Kirby 
will  be  the  home  of  the  choice  of  the 
world’s  best  motion  pictures,  “perfectly 
presented.” 

Huge  interest  is  being  displayed  in 
Houston  on  the  Kirby’s  opening.  At  pres- 
ent, there  is  one  presentation  house,  the 
Metropolitan ; one  vaudeville.  Interstate’s 
“Majestic”;  one  stock,  in  season,  the 
Palace;  and  only  one  picture  house  of  any 
standing,  the  Queen,  one  of  the  Publix 
theatres.  The  interest  manifested  by  the 
new  theatre’s  opening  is  natural — an  amuse- 
ment loving  public  is  awaiting  the  result 
to  give  them  the  best  pictures,  together 
with  refined  musical  entertainment,  in  a 
type  of  house  that  has  heretofore  been 
lacking  in  Houston. 

Will  Seat  2,000  Persons 
The  Kirby  will  seat  2,000  people,  and  the 
seats  are  so  distributed  that  none  are  more 
than  100  feet  from  the  screen.  An  orches- 
tra, called  the  Kirby  Concert  Orchestra, 
of  11  pieces,  under  the  direction  of  Maurice 
Lawrence,  will  furnish  the  musical  enter- 
tainment. Miss  Julia  Dawns,  one  of  the 
few  featured  woman  organists  in  the 
United  States,  will  be  first  organist. 

“Beau  Geste”  opens  at  the  Kirby  Friday, 
August  12,  for  a two  weeks  run.  Extended 
runs  will  be  the  policy  where  the  drawing 
power  of  the  attraction  warrants  it. 

Jenkins  Survey  Shows 
Comedy  Drama  in  Lead 

(Continued  from  page  18) 

comedies,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

M.  P.  DEFEA,  Grand,  Wheaton,  Minn. — Com- 
edy dramas.  Westerns,  comedies,  action  plays, 
dramas,  historical,  costume  plays  and  war. 

AL  LLOYD,  Broadway,  Canby,  Minn. — Com- 
edy dramas,  action  plays.  Westerns,  comedies, 
dramas,  costume  plays,  war  and  historical. 

R.  A.  PALMER,  Princess,  Sleepy  Eye,  Minn. — 
Action  plays,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  comedies, 
war,  dramas,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

J.  W.  ANDERSEN,  Lyric,  Tekamah,  Neb.-— 
Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays,  drams, 
comedies,  war,  costume  plays  and  historical. 

W.  C.  WHITING,  Opera  House,  Whiting,  la. 
— Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays,  com- 
edies, historical,  war  and  costume  plays. 

CARRIE  MAYBERRY,  Gold-Light,  Decatur, 
Neb. — War,  Westerns,  action  plays,  dramas,  com- 
edies, war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

FRANDSON  & WEEKS,  Opera  House,  Onawa, 
la. — Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays, 
dramas,  war,  comedies,  costume  plays  and  his- 
toricaL 

R.  M.  BERNAN,  King,  Ida  Grove,  la.— 
Dramas,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays, 
comedies,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 


H.  P.  KNUTH,  Scenic,  Holstein,  la. — Com- 
edy dramas,  Westerns,  action  plays,  dramas,  his- 
torical, comedies,  costume  plays  and  war. 

F.  E.  ROBERTSON,  Gem,  Lohrville,  la.— 
Comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  action  plays,  comedies, 
dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

W.  R.  ROCK,  Opera  House,  Oto,  la. — Com- 
edy dramas.  Westerns,  dramas,  action  plays,  com- 
edies, historical,  war  and  costume  plays. 

WILCOX  & MILLER,  Lake  View,  Lake  View, 
la. — Comedy  dramas,  dramas,  comedies.  West- 
erns, action  plays,  war,  historical  ■ and  costume 
plays. 

WILLIAM  McCRAN,  Star,  Lake  City,  la.— 
Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  comedies, 
dramas,  war,  costume  plays  and  historical. 

O.  S.  IVERSON,  Opera  House,  Radcliffe,  la. — 
Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy  dramas,  comedies, 
dramas,  historical,  war  and  costume  plays. 

F.  R.  MEIERBACHTOL,  Elysian,  Elysian, 
Minn. — Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays, 
comedies,  historical,  war,  dramas  and  costume 
plays. 

L.  G.  BALLARD,  Gem,  Waterville,  Minn. — 
Historical,  Westerns,  action  plays,  comedies, 
dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

N.  NESTER,  Lyric,  Le  Sueur  Center,  Minn. — 
Action  plays,  comedy  dramas.  Westerns,  com- 
edies, dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

E.  C.  BREILEIN,  Faust,  New  Richland,  Minn. 
— Comedy  dramas,  Westerns,  action  plays,  com- 
edies, dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

CORA  W.  THOMPSON,  Opera  House,  Kas- 
son,  Minn. — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy 
dramas,  war,  dramas,  historical,  costume  plays 
and  comedies. 

FRED  HINDS,  Cresco,  Cresco,  la. — Comedies, 
comedy  dramas,  action  plays.  Westerns,  dramas, 
war,  historical  and  costume  plays. 

CORA  W.  THOMPSON,  Opera  House,  Dodge 
Center,  Minn. — Westerns,  action  plays,  comedy 
dramas,  dramas,  war,  historical  and  costume 
plays. 

A.  B.  BIRD,  Opera  House,  Arlington,  la. — 
Westerns,  comedy  dramas,  action  plays,  comedies, 
historical,  war,  dramas  and  costume  plays. 

MR.  A.  J.  STEGGALL,  Cozy,  Fayette,  la.— 
Action  plays,  dramas.  Westerns,  comedy  dramas, 
comedies,  costume  plays,  historical  and  war. 

E.  E.  THOMPSON,  Grand,  Decorah,  la.— 
Comedy  dramas,  dramas,  Westerns,  action  plays, 
comedies,  costume  plays,  historical  and  war. 


Stanley  Offers  Seven 
Million  to  Poli  Chain 
Says  Current  Rumor 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  HAVEN,  Aug.  9.— Reports  are 
current  here  that  Stanley  interests  are 
negotiating  for  the  purchase  of  the  Poli 
circuit  in  New  England  and  Pennsyl- 
vania and  name  $7,000,000  as  the  figure. 
It  is  said  that  Keith-Albee  interests  are 
active  in  the  deal  and  will  supply  vaude- 
ville to  the  theatres  playing  acts. 

Similar  rumors  have  been  prevalent 
from  time  to  time  for  many  months  and 
have  been  repeatedly  denied,  it  being  un- 
derstood that  a much  larger  sum  was 
asked  than  is  mentioned  in  present  re- 
ports. 


White  Joins  S hour  as 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  9.— J.  W.  White, 
cashier  of  the  Federal  Reserve  Bank  of 
St.  Louis  for  eight  years,  has  resigned, 
and  on  Sept.  1 will  assume  the  position 
of  treasurer  and  director  of  Skouras 
Brothers  Enterprises,  operators  of  the 
Missouri,  Ambassador  and  Grand  Cen- 
tral first  run  theatres. 


Re-Takes 


Well,  Hollywood  celebrated  its  fortieth 
anniversay  last  week.  There  was  a big 
parade  on  Saturday  and  a reunion  of  old 
settlers — Baby  Peggy,  Jackie  Coogan 
and  others. 

^ ^ ^ 

The  parade  lasted  four  hours.  The 
biggest  division  was  the  scenariasts-be- 
tween-pictures  section.  There  were  8,000 
on  it.  Those  who  played  in  “King  of 
Kings”  also  occupied  four  city  blocks  and 
their  beards  if  placed  end  to  end  would 
reach  to  Kansas  City. 

^ ^ 

Being  a “saloonless  town”  the  natives 
celebrated  with  Coco-Cola  and  the  pop- 
ping of  corks  was  terrific. 

* * * 

There  were  so  many  streets  torn  up 
the  parade  had  to  be  held  up  back  al- 
leys, making  the  going  somewhat  diffi- 
cult for  the  1902  Ford  and  the  1905 
Cadillac.  One  float  was  a dray  of  lernons. 
This  was  not  in  the  picture  division. 
Four  high  school  boys  fainted  when  they 
gazed  on  the  1911  bathing  suits  worn  by 
the  Christie  girls. 

* * 

Smile  Till  It  Hurts 

This  week  is  Smile  Week  on  the  Coast. 
The  mayor  of  Los  Angeles  says  so.  By 
a rare  coincidence  First  National’s  pic- 
ture, “Smile,  Brother,  Smith”  is  at  Loew’s 
State  theatre. 

* * 

Unruly  Actor 

Right  in  the  face  of  the  actors’  resolu- 
tion that  all  temperament  would  be  abol- 
ished at  the  studios  comes  the  story  that 
John  Brown  slapped  his  director  and  bit 
his  hand  while  making  a Fox  comedy. 
Brown  is  a big  black  bear  and  apparently 
hadn’t  attended  the  meeting  of  the 
Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts  and 
Sciences  at  which  the  actors  made  their 
pledge. 

^ 

Today’s  Fable:  Once  there  was  a jazz 
drummer  who  sat  very  quietly  while  he 
accompanied  the  other  musicians. 

* * * 

’Gene’s  Feeling  Better 

Eugene  O’Brien  rises  to  remark  that 
many  a domestic  explosion  has  been 
started  by  stray  powder  on  a married 
man’s  sleeve. 

Coupon  Day 

If  Universal  sells  out  to  the  United 
Cigar  Stands  will  we  get  four  coupons 
with  every  purchase  of  a ticket  to  a 
Jewel-super-special? 

* * 

Famous  Last  Words 

“Throw  this  $200,00  production  in  the 
sink  and  we’ll  start  all  over  again.” 

^ ^ 

Crank  up,  the  airplane.  Meadows,  and 
we’ll  go  to  Berlin  this  afternoon  to  study 
the  situation  in  a weinstube.— R.  M. 

New  Academy  of  Art 
Praised  by  Lichtman 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — Praise  for  the 
Motion  Picture  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences  for  its  cooperation  in  helping 
solve  the  economy  problem  in  production 
on  the  West  Coast  was  voiced  by  A1 
Lichtman,  vice-president  and  general  man- 
ager of  United  Artists,  on  his  return  from 
a five  weeks  trip  to  Hollywood. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


Alberta’s  Theatre  Men  Elect 
Entwisle  As  ’27-28  President 

Edmonton  Theatre  Owner  Succeeds  C.  S.  Bailey  as  Leader 
— Review  of  Achievements  Reflects  Most  Successful 
Year  of  Independent  Organization 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

EDMONTON,  ALBERTxA,  Aug.  9. — A.  Entwisle  of  Edmonton,  will 
guide  the  destinies  of  the  Independent  Theatre  Owners  Association  of 
Alberta  for  the  coming  year.  Entwisle  was  chosen  president  at  the  annual 
session  of  the  association,  conducted  at  the  Macdonald  hotel  in  Edmonton. 

Close  Most  Successful  Year 

A review  of  the  achievements  of  the  Theatre  Owners  Association  in  the 
past  year  brought  enthusiastic  applause  from  the  attending  exhibitors, 
who  came  from  all  parts  of  the  province  to  participate  in  the  decisions  of 
the  organization  from  the  convention  floor. 


Sourbier  Buying  Lyric 
in  Two  Million  Realty 
Deal  in  Indianapolis 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  9. — Details  of 
one  of  the  largest  real  estate  transactions 
in  Indianapolis  in  recent  years  are  being 
completed  whereby  Ed  G.  Sourbier  of  this 
city  will  purchase  the  Central  Amusement 
Company,  which  owns  the  Lyric  theatre 
and  a leasehold  of  45  feet  on  the  site  for- 
merly occupied  by  the  Alhambra  theatre. 

Coincident  with  the  deal  involving  ap- 
proximately $2,000,000  worth  of  down- 
town business  property,  the  Washington 
and  Illinois  Realty  Company  is  to  be 
formed  by  Mr.  Sourbier,  which  will  have 
as  its  holdings  the  property  of  the  Central 
Amusement  Company,  and  in  addition  the 
Wimmer  building,  housing  many  film  ex- 
change offices,  and  two  other  business  prop- 
erties. A local  bond  company  has  pur- 
chased an  issue  of  $875,000  of  6 per  cent 
preferred  stock  in  the  newly  formed  realty 
company.  Sourbier  will  acquire  54  per 
cent  of  the  stock  in  the  Central  Amuse- 
ment company  now  owned  by  Charles 
Olson,  president ; 1 per  cent  of  the  stock 
owned  by  Mrs.  Jessie  Barton,  secretary; 
5 per  cent  owned  by  Gene  Marks,  treasurer, 
and  15  per  cent  owned  by  a local  attorney. 

Police  Charge  Four 
**Film  Men^*  With  Fraud 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

PORTLAND,  ME.,  Aug.  9. — -Four  men 
claiming  to  be  associated  with  the  Fine 
Arts  Motion  Picture  Productions  and 
giving  Hollywood  as  their  home  address, 
were  arrested  here  on  charges  of  fraud. 
Police  charge  they  secured  money  on  the 
promise  to  make  motion  picture  stars  out 
of  their  victims,  also  that  they  failed  to 
pay  a hotel  bill  of  $55  at  the  Falmouth 
hotel.  They  gave  the  names  of  R.  H. 
Gardner,  Cecil  W.  Stokes,  Philip  F.  Evans 
and  Frank  H.  Reitz. 

A humorous  sidelight  on  their  activities 
is  that  they  caused  many  of  the  members 
of  the  police  department  to  pose  before  the 
camera  for  scenes  to  be  incorporated  in 
“Crushed  Roses,”  some  days  prior  to  their 
arrest. 


Boys  Want  Own  Show; 
Steal  $200  of  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  9. — Irrepressible 
love  for  motion  picture  shows  led  two  boys 
here  to  steal  motion  picture  reels  and 
equipment  valued  at  about  $200  so  they 
could  have  a show  of  their  own.  That  is 
how  they  explained  their  theft  to  arresting 
officers.  The  boys  entered  the  side  door 
of  the  Gayety  theatre  here  one  afternoon 
taking  film  for  a two-reel  comedy,  a num- 
ber of  tickets,  a box  of  slides  and  a num- 
ber of  colored  advertising  lithographs. 

The  boys  thought  they  did  not  have 
enough  film,  so  a few  days  later  they  re- 
turned for  more,  and  then  it  was  too  bad, 
for  they  were  caught.  Both  were  released 
in  custody  of  their  parents  pending  further 
investigation  by  detectives. 

Business  Drops  When 
Legion  Meets  at  Troy 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  9. — Business  at  the  mo- 
tion picture  theatres  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  was 
peppered  last  week  as  though  by  a machine 
gun  during  the  three-day  convention  of  the 
American  Legion.  There  were  plenty  of 
visitors  in  the  city,  in  fact  10,000  of  them, 
but  there  were  so  many  parades  and  band 
concerts,  that  the  theatres  were  forgotten 
not  only  by  the  visitors  but  also  by  the 
residents  of  the  city. 


President-Elect  Entwisle  was  formerly 
vice-president  of  the  association  and  his 
activities  in  that  position  made  selection 
of  him  for  the  highest  post  for  the  com- 
ing year  an  easy  matter,  with  the  retire- 
ment of  C.  S.  Bailey  of  Camrose,  former 
president,  to  the  executive  committee, 
where  he  can  continue  to  further  the 
interests  of  the  exhibitors  in  a prac- 
ticable way  as  he  did  before  as  president. 

R.  J.  Grant  of  W'etaskitvin  was  se- 
lected for  the  position  of  vice-presi- 
dent, and  IF.  J.  Long  of  Edmonton, 
again  becomes  the  secretary  and  treas- 
urer. Grant  formerly  teas  on  the  ex- 
ecutive board. 

The  executive  committee  for  the  fol- 
lowing year  consists  of  the  following 
theatre  owners: 

W . C.  Pilkie.  Vermilion.  Alta. 

C.  S.  Bailey,  Camrose. 

G.  A.  Shirtcliffe,  Ednionloti. 

L.  A.  Gooderidge,  Edmonton. 

R.  N.  Beatty,  Red-Deer. 

The  convention,  which  according  to 
the  consensus  of  the  attending  theatre 
owners  was  the  most  successful  in  the 
annals  of  the  organization,  came  to  a 
close  with  a dinner  in  the  main  dining- 
room of  the  Macdonald  hotel. 

Officers  of  the  association  the  past 
twelve  months  have  been  C.  S.  Bailey, 
president;  A.  Entwisle,  vice-president; 


Theatre  Expainsions 
In  New  York  Slump 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  9.  — Are  the 
Gnancial  interests  of  New  York 
state  looking  rather  askance  these 
days  at  the  Gnancing  of  new  mo- 
tion picture  producing  companies 
in  that  state?  The  fact  remains 
that  during  the  past  three  or  four 
weeks  there  have  been  fewer  such 
companies  incorporated  in  New 
York  state  than  in  the  past. 

This  let-down  may  have  been 
due  to  the  usual  midsummer  slump 
in  business  or  to  the  fact  that  in- 
dividuals or  companies  intending 
to  construct  theatres  are  viewing 
with  alarm  the  constant  expansion 
of  chains  in  New  York  state  and 
the  possibility  of  smothering  the 
smaller  or  residential  houses.  Dur- 
ing the  past  week  there  were  but 
seven  motion  picture  companies 
incorporated  in  New  York  state 
and  the  majority  of  these  were  for 
comparatively  small  capitaliza- 
tion. 


W.  J.  Long,  secretary-treasurer.  The 
executive  committee  has  consisted  of 
VV.  C.  Pilkie,  D.  Free  of  Stettler,  R.  J. 
Grant,  L.  A.  Gooderidge  and  G.  A.  Shirt- 
cliffe. 

With  leaders  whose  experience  in  af- 
fairs of  exhibitor  organization  has  been 
proved  by  their  activities  in  the  past 
year,  members  of  the  Alberta  associa- 
tion are  looking  forward  to  a year  of 
prosperity  and  accomplishment. 

Governor  Young 
Appeals  to  People 
to  Support  Films 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.  — Governor 
Young  sent  out  an  appeal  Monday  to  all 
residents  of  the  Pacific  Coast  states  to 
support  Greater  Movie  Season.  His  state- 
ment in  part  follows : 

“The  more  support  given  to  better  mo- 
tion pictures,  the  more  picture  productions 
of  higher  type,  we  will  have.  The  motion 
picture  has  become  such  an  important 
factor  in  the  social  life  that  every  thinking 
citizen  should  give  the  right  type  of  screen 
entertainment  earnest  support.” 

To  discuss  plans  for  the  celebration  of 
Greater  Movie  Season  on  the  West  Coast 
Joseph  Schenck,  Mrs.  Young,  Mary  Pick- 
ford,  Douglas  Fairbanks  and  Keith  Carlin 
attended  a luncheon  given  in  Hollywood, 
Saturday. 

Hollywood  Exhibitors* 
Contracts  with  Unions 
to  Expire  September  1 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9. — The  present 
contract  between  the  LTnion  musicians, 
stagehands  and  projectionists  and  local 
theatre  owners  will  expire  September  1 
and  the  exhibitors  are  anticipating  the 
usual  demand  for  an  Increase  in  wages.  A 
meeting  to  discuss  these  demands  was  held 
at  the  Athletic  Club  a week  ago. 

Marr  & Colton  Move 
to  Paramount  Building 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.— Marr  & Col- 
ton, builders  of  pipe  organs  for  churches 
and  theatres,  are  now  located  in  the  Para- 
mount building.  Times  Square,  suite  2013, 
New  York.  The  move  was  made  August 
1.  The  New  York  office  is  in  charge  of 
Lee  Heerwagen. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


^^Wings**  Opens  Friday 
at  Criterion;  New  Sound 
Effect  with  Magnascope 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — Friday,  August 
12,  finally  has  been  decided  upon  as  the 
opening  date  of  Paramount’s  “Wings”  at 
the  Criterion.  The  original  date  of  August 
1 was  changed  to  the  8th  and  then  to  the 
16th,  but  the  12th  is  final.  The  changes 
in  plans  were  due  to  preparations  for  the 
presentation  effects,  which  include  new 
sound  effects  for  the  use  of  the  Magna- 
scope. 

Lucien  Hubbard,  who  spent  two  years 
supervising  the  film  spectacle  of  the 
American  aces  of  the  air  in  the  World 
War,  is  cooperating  with  A.  Griffith  Grey, 
head  of  the  Paramount  roadshow  depart- 
ment; Lorenzo  del  Riccio,  Magnascope 
expert ; Roy  Pomeroy,  inventor  of  the  new 
sound  effects,  and  J.  S.  Zamecnik,  com- 
poser of  the  score. 

New  Orpheum  Opens 
at  Seattle;  Luxury 
and  Comfort  Abound 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

SEATTLE,  Aug.  9. — The  New  Orpheum 
Theatre  on  Times  Square  opens  its  doors 
the  latter  part  of  this  month. 

Luxurious  adornment  of  foyer  and  audi- 
torium is  what  attracts  the  eye  on  enter- 
ing this  combination  show  palace  which  is 
furnished  on  a lavish  scale.  The  comfort 
of  the  actor,  the  stage-hand,  the  musician, 
in  short  every  member  of  the  theatre  staff 
has  been  looked  after  by  the  inclusion  of 
a hundred  and  one  improvements. 

In  an  outer  foyer  of  marble,  and  dec- 
orated tile  are  three  large  ticket  windows. 
Inside  one  steps  into  another  foyer,  also 
decorated  in  marble  and  heavily  carpeted. 
Its  walls  rise  to  a vaulted  dome  from 
which  will  be  suspended  a huge  chandelier. 

**Medical”  Film  Barred; 
Hays  Denies  Indorsing  It 

The  distributor  of  a picture  titled  “Is 
Your  Daughter  Safe?,”  one  of  those  things 
classed  as  a “medical”  picture,  has  promised 
to  eliminate  from  advertisements  the  state- 
ment that  “Hays  approves”  the  film,  says 
the  National  Better  Business  Bureau  of 
New  York  following  disclosure  that 
neither  Hays  nor  any  member  of  the 
M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  has  endorsed  the  picture. 

The  censorship  board  at  Houston,  Texas, 
has  barred  the  picture  and  business  men 
refused  to  sign  a petition  to  force  the 
showing  of  the  reels  at  the  Crown  theatre 
there.  Manager  Abe  Silverberg  having 
started  the  petition. 


Fort  Stockton  Council 
Prohibits  Tent  Shows 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

FORT  STOCKTON,  TEXAS,  Aug.  9. 
— The  city  council  has  passed  an  ordinance 
barring  tent  shows  of  all  kinds,  in  a move- 
ment for  “preservation  of  the  health, 
morals  and  safety,  and  to  reduce  the  fire 
hazards  to  the  citizens  and  their  property.” 
William  Hoefs  of  the  Queen  theatre  led 
the  fight  against  the  carnivals.  The  penalty 
for  violations  of  the  ordinance  is  set  at 
$25  to  $100  each  day. 


Ed  Lindeman  Resigns 
Warner  Brothers  Post 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.— Ed  Lindeman 
has  resigned  as  assistant  salesmanager  of 
the  extended  run  department  of  Warner 
Brothers. 


Oldest  Exhibitor  Sells 
Oldest  Theatre  in  County 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DOVER.  OHIO.  Aug.  9.— Ed- 
win F.  Allman,  pioneer  exhibitor, 
has  sold  the  Pike  theatre,  oldest  in 
the  county,  to  Roscoe  Spidell,  one 
of  the  owners  of  the  Strasburg 
Record,  and  Chester  Huprich.  also 
of  Strasburg.  the  consideration  be- 
ing $10,000. 

Oldest  theatre  owner  in  the 
county  in  point  of  service,  Allman 
has  been  in  exhibition  for  21  years. 
He  and  his  brother,  the  late  Jesse 
Allman,  introduced  the  £rst  vaude- 
ville in  Dover.  He  was  also  the 
hr  St  to  run  pictures  for  a solid 
week.  He  did  this  Grst  with  “The 
Covered  Wagon,’’  which  grossed 
$1,600  and  netted  $1,000  the  Grst 
week  in  Dover,  a record  in  itself 
for  Dover. 


$29,700  Given  Flood 
Victims  by  Exhibitors 
in  Chicago  T erritory 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Over  $29,700  was  turned  over  to  the 
Red  Cross  flood  relief  fund  by  motion 
picture  exhibitors  in  the  territory  of  the 
Chicago  Board  of  Trade,  according  to 
the  final  report  of  flood  relief  issued  by 
J.  D.  Abrahamson,  secretary  of  the 
board.  More  than  100  performances 
were  given  by  about  60  theatres  the  re- 
port says,  with  the  exchanges  in  Chi- 
cago donating  pictures  of  the  total  value 
of  about  $4,000,  and  advertising  matter 
valued  at  about  $200. 

Exhibitors  who  gave  the  performances, 
all,  not  otherwise  indicated,  in  Illinois, 
are  as  follows: 

Barney  Ernot,  Granville;  Joe  Brandt,  Morton 
Grove;  George  Burton,  Jr.,  Colfax;  J.  F.  Schu- 
macher, Cabery;  J.  Greene,  Genesco;  R.  G.  Mc- 
Gregor, Park  Ridge;  A.  N.  Gonsior,  Champaign, 
McCullom  and  Orr,  Hoopston;  Walter  Kilmer, 
Verona;  Bemis  and  Heath,  Elburn;  G.  A.  Pom- 
renke,  Hopedale;  Dr.  A.  G King,  El  Paso;  Wal- 
ter Gerrib,  Westville;  W.  C.  Geer,  Vermont;  J. 
M.  Woytinek,  North  Judson,  Ind.;  A.  W.  Trevor, 
Galva;  H.  Lawson,  Mansfield;  C.  E.  McAlgen, 
Oquawka;  E.  S.  Rees,  Plymouth,  Ind.;  A.  Zeimis, 
Rockdale;  C.  R.  Burkhardt,  Homer;  H.  A.  Giles, 
Garrett,  Ind. 

W.  C.  Mills,  Seneca;  George  Guthman,  Genoa; 
Charles  E.  Ward,  Odell;  F.  J.  Sailor,  Freemont, 
Ind.;  Neil  Wilson,  Marengo;  E.  Hendricks, 
Savannah;  W.  L.  Howard,  Sheffield;  P.  Duncan, 
Belleflower;  Ed  Seda,  Fulton;  Peter  Craig,  Lacon; 
F.  M.  Edgett,  Earlville;  Frank  Kressler,  Kent- 
land,  Ind.;  Dale  A.  Leifheit,  DeKalb;  Powell  and 
Gittings,  La  Harpe;  B.  Berve,  Rochelle;  N. 
Thompson,  Argos;  I.  Levin,  LaPorte,  Ind.;  Fred 
Cleveland,  Chicago;  W.  L.  Pracht,  St.  Charles; 
M.  L.  Weiser,  Warsaw;  F.  D.  Hogben,  Chenoa; 
A.  Berta,  South  Wilmington;  V.  U.  Young,  Gary, 
Ind.;  E.  Saunders,  Harvard. 

Besides  these,  13  of  Balaban  & Katz 
Midwest  theatres  held  benefit  perform- 
ances in  the  Board  of  Trade  relief  drive. 


Mabel  Normand  Is  III 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

SANTA  MONICA,  Aug.  9.— Mabel 
Normand  has  been  confined  in  a hospital 
for  the  last  few  days  from  an  illness  re- 
sulting from  a severe  cold.  Physicians 
state  that  her  condition  is  not  serious  and* 
that  she  will  soon  be  out. 


Signs  Newmeyer 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Fred  New- 
meyer has  been  signed  by  Universal,  as  a 
result  of  his  success  in  producing  “Now 
I’ll  Tell  One,”  starring  Reginald  Denny. 


August  13,  1927 

C.  T.  Lynch  Is  Elected 
President,  St,  Louis 
Film  Board  of  Trade 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  9.— C.  T.  Lynch, 
manager  in  St.  Louis  for  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer,  has  ben  elected  president  of 
the  St.  Louis  Film  Board  of  Trade  to 
succeed  Harry  Weiss,  manager  of  First 
National,  whose  term  had  expired. 

Other  officers  elected  by  the  Film 
Board  are:  Many  Gotlieb,  manager  for 
Universal,  vicepresident;  Claude  W.  Mc- 
Kean, manager  for  Fox,  secretary  and 
treasurer.  Members  of  the  board  of  di- 
rectors are  Lynch,  ex-officio  chairman, 
Gotlieb,  O’Toole,  Hankin,  Levy  and 
Steinberg. 

A testimonial  dinner  was  held  last 
week  in  honor  of  the  retiring  officers, 
each  of  whom  was  presented  with  a 
hand-made  portfolio. 


Tiffany  Signs  Four 
Jack  London  Stories; 
Closes  Booking  Deals 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9. — -Tiffany  Produc- 
tions has  acquired  four  Jack  London 
stories  which  soon  will  be  placed  in  pro- 
duction. They  are  to  be  released  in  addi- 
tion to  the  twenty  pictures  now  being  made 
for  the  coming  season. 

Most  of  the  specials  of  Tiffany  for 
1927-28  are  expected  to  be  made  with  the 
Third  Dimension  process  of  which  the 
company  is  the  sole  owner. 

Two  important  bookings  recently  con- 
cluded include  the  signing  of  Publix  for 
the  entire  Twenty  Gems  for  all  the  circuit’s 
houses  in  Florida.  The  Tiffany  product 
also  has  been  booked  into  Atlanta,  and 
into  the  Miles  circuit’s  new  Oriental  theatre 
in  Detroit. 


Three  Exchanges  in 

Boston  Move  Offices 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON,  Aug.  9. — Three  of  the  Bos- 
ton exchanges  will  move  into  new  quar- 
ters during  the  current  month.  Supreme 
Films  will  move  from  19  Piedmont  street 
to  44  Church  street,  formerly  occupied 
by  Red  Seal,  which  moved  into  larger 
adjoining  quarters  weeks  ago.  Golden 
Distributing  Corporation  will  move  from 
57  Church  street  to  the  quarters  vacated 
by  Supreme  Film  Corporation.  F B O 
will  move  from  46  Piedmont  street  to  the 
present  quarters  of  the  Golden  Film  Cor- 
poration, 57  Church  street.  F B O gains 
much  needed  additional  quarters  and  will 
increase  its  vault  space. 

Goldburg  Goes  to  London 
to  Film  War  Production 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.— Jesse  J.  Gold- 
burg, president  of  First  Division  Dis- 
tributors, has  gone  to  London  to  supervise 
a war  picture  entitled  “Comrades,”  to  be 
screened  showing  the  British  military  in 
action. 

Three  chains  booked  First  Division’s 
“Ragtime,”  Ormont  production,  at  a Lon- 
don preview  and  Goldburg  will  also 
arrange  for  long  term  foreign  distribution 
of  this  production  and  others. 


Moran  Finishes  Fox  Role 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Lois  Moran  is 
completing  her  first  role  under  her  Fox 
contract,  in  “Publicity  Madness.” 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


BADER  REPLIES  TO  GOULD  ON 
SHORT  FEATURE  ACCESSORIES 

The  challenge  of  Jay  E.  Gould,  exhibitor  at  Montevideo,  Minn.,  has  been  answered.  In  the 
‘‘Herald”  survey  to  determine  what  theatre  owners  consider  the  proper  proportion  of  their  adver- 
tising to  devote  to  Short  Features,  Gould  declared  producers  and  distributors  are  paying  too  little 
attention  to  short  product  in  prepsuration  of  accessories  (See  July  9 issue.) 

Dave  Bader,  accessory  salesmanager  of  Universal,  answers  Gould  in  a letter  to  this  department  of  the 
“Herald,”  and  points  out  the  many  types  of  accessories  issued  by  Universal.  How  about  it,  exhibi- 
tors, do  you  think  all  the  companies  are  giving  you  sufficient  accessories  of  the  best  type  for  your  Short 
Features?  But  before  you  write  in  to  this  department,  read  what  Bader  has  to  say. 


IN  reading  a recent  issue  of  your  fine  periodical,  I 
noticed  you  ran  a story  headed  “News  Reels  and 
Accessories  Emphasized  in  Survey  Replies.”  Under 
this  interesting  heading  one  of  your  correspondents, 
Jay  E.  Gould  of  the  Eagle  theatre,  Montevideo,  Minn., 
wrote  “If  we  were  able  to  get  accessories  we  could  in- 
crease our  box  office  receipts.  Too  little  attention  is 
paid  to  short  subjects.” 

/ am  a little  afraid  Mr.  Gould  has  never  taken  the 
trouble  to  get  together  tvith  the  manager  of  the  Universal 
exchange  that  serves  him.  If  he  did,  he  would  learn  that 
Universal  has  always  paid  a terrific  amount  of  attention 
to  accessories  on  short  features. 

As  an  example,  Mr.  Gould,  as  well  as  many  other 
exhibitors  who  may  agree  with  what  he  said,  surely 
knows  that  on  the  “Collegians,”  which  are  short  fea- 
tures, Universal  has  gone  to  the  great  expense  of  pre- 
paring sets  of  llxH’s  on  every  chapter;  22x28  lobby 
photos  which  can  be  used  in  conjunction  with  other 
advertising  on  every  chapter,  etc.  We  prepared  ad- 
vance one-sheets  and  three-sheets ; we  issued  pennants 
and  banners.  Universal  went  to  the  trouble  and  ex- 
pense of  preparing  twenty-four  sheets  for  these  par- 
ticular short  features,  “The  Collegians,”  which  were 
given  gratis  to  all  exhibitors  who  would  post  them  or 
use  them  on  their  marquees. 

Junior  24-Sheets  on  Serials 

On  other  short  features,  such  as  the  Stern  Brothers 
Comedies,  the  Gumps  and  serials,  we  have  stocked  but- 
tons, heralds,  all  kinds  of  lobby  photos  and  posters,  as 
well  as  an  intensive  array  of  novelties. 

Furthermore,  Mr.  Gould  will  have  the  extreme  pleasure 
of  being  able  to  purchase  junior  twenty-four  sheets  on  all 
future  Universal  serials,  starting  with  “Blake  of  Scotland 
Yard.”  This  means  that  we  will  use  the  identical  sketch 
from  which  we  used  to  make  the  twenty-four  sheets,  but 
which  now  will  be  used  to  print  these  horizontal  three- 
sheets,  or  junior  24-sheets.  This  new  accessory,  as  you 
know,  had  its  inception  through  the  splendid  cooperation 
and  suggestions  of  “Exhibitors  Herald”  readers. 


Universal  has  never  spared  energy  nor  expense  in  all 
the  years  that  it  has  released  short  subjects,  in  an  en- 
deavor to  cooperate  with  exhibitors  in  getting  the  most 
from  its  short  product.  We  were  quite  surprised  to 
learn  that  Mr.  Gould  thought  that  there  is  too  little 
attention  paid  to  short  features,  as  far  as  Universal  is 
concerned. 

Urges  Exhibitors  Use  Material 

Why  only  recently,  to  assist  exhibitors  who  ran 
International  Newsreels  in  which  Lindbergh  material 
appeared  for  a good  many  weeks,  we  had  two  styles  of 
one-sheets,  a three-sheet  and  a slide  issued  as  advertis- 
ing aids.  Wonderful  comments  and  compliments  fol- 
lowed this  foresight  on  our  part  in  helping  advertise 
important  issues  of  the  International  Newsreel. 

Steadily  our  advertising  experts,  under  the  leader- 
ship of  Mr.  P.  D.  Cochrane,  are  devising  ways  and 
means  to  help  every  Universal  exhibitor  get  behind 
their  short  subjects- — -just  as  strongly  as  they  do  on 
their  features.  We  are  hoping  that  the  time  will  come 
when  exhibitors  will  make  use  of  a good  portion  of  the 
material  we  are  preparing,  especially  for  their  use. 

Although  Universal  has  taken  losses  in  the  past  on  a 
lot  of  short  features  material,  because  we  wanted  it  ready 
in  case  exhibitors  would  use  it,  we  have  never  deviated 
from  our  policy  of  issuing  a “knockout”  line  of  accessories 
on  all  our  products,  irregardless  of  the  length. 

I sincerely  hope  that  Mr.  Gould  and  other  exhibitors 
who  are  showmen  enough  to  want  to  get  behind  their 
short  features  with  plenty  of  advertising,  will  become 
better  acquainted  with  Universal  branch  managers  and 
accessory  managers.  There  is  really  only  one  thought 
I do  want  to  leave  behind  me  here — and  that  is  this : Uni- 
versal is  always  ready  to  cooperate  with  its  exhibitors  on 
any  product,  whether  it  be  a short  feature  or  a super-pro- 
duction. This  has  been  Mr.  Laemmle’s  wish  throughout 
the  years  since  he  first  organized  Universal. 

With  best  wishes  to  you  and  your  many  readers,  I am 
Yours  very  truly, 

DAVE  BADER, 
Accessory  Salesmanager, 
Universal  Film  Exchanges,  Inc. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Here  are  highlights  for  the  first  two  Edward  Everett  Horton  comedies  being  released  by  Paramount.  The  comedies  are  made 
by  Hollywood  Productions,  of  which  William  Frazer  is  president.  The  scene  on  the  left  is  from  “No  Publicity,”  released 
August  1.  The  supporting  cast  includes  Ruth  Dwyer,  Josephine  Crowell,  C.  A.  Bachman,  Aileen  Manning  and  Jack  Under- 
hill, The  middle  and  right  scenes  are  from  “Dad’s  Choice,”  with  Sharon  Lynn,  Otis  Harlan,  James  Gordon  and  Miss  Crow- 
ell. J.  A.  Howe  directed. 


NEWS  PICTURES 


INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  63 — Coldstream 
guards  at  Shanghai,  China,  give  inspiring  exhi* 
bition  of  one  of  the  most  brilliant  ceremonies  in 
the  British  manual— “Bud”  Stillman  takes  Lena 
W^ilson  as  bride  at  Grande  Anse,  Quebec,— 
Vienna  revolt  quelled  by  speedy  army  action,  and 
order  is  restore<l  after  rioters  burn  courts— 
Game  little  mare  in  pacing  derby  at  Kalamazoo, 
M.ich.,  forges  to  victory^Mussolini  at  Ostia. 
Italy,  inspects  his  country’s  sea  power—- Motor- 
cycles fling  riders  in  wild  dash  up  hill  at  Des 
Moines,  la. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  63 — Canadians 
at  Quebec.  Canada,  joyously  welcome  Prince  of 
^’ales^— Daredevil  acrobats  at  Austin,  Tex.,  give 
new  kick  to  diving— Old  Glory  plane  is  chistened 
at  Curtis  Field.  L.  I.,  N.  Y.,  for  flight  to  Rome 
and  back— Motorist  at  Maubeuge,  France,  jumps 
car  over  obstacles— Chamberlin  makes  thrilling 
hopofl*  from  deck  of  Leviathan  at  sea.  off  Fire 
Island.  L.  I.,  N.  Y. 

^^^'I^CRAMS  NO.  5313— Biggest  army  blimp. 
RS-1,  reaches  Langley  Field.  Va..  and  Washing- 
ton. on  first  leg  of  long  overland  flight— King 
and  Queen  of  Belgium  at  Laeken.  Belgrium.  join 
Premier  Poincare  in  tribute  to  French  Unknown 
Soldier— Crack  Canadian  teams  beat  Yankees  at 
Buffalo.  N.  Y..  in  bowling-on-the-green-touma- 
ment— Novel  method  of  placing  crippled  limbs 
under  water  to  cure  children’s  muscular  defects 
is  inaugurated  at  orthopaedic  hospital.  Los  An- 
geles, Cal.— Hundred  American  boys  sail  from 
New  A ork  for  Denmark  to  be  guests  of  that 
nation  for  two  weeks— Preacher  at  Gananoque. 
Canada,  sets  up  pulpit  on  edge  of  bay  and  holds 
Sunday  services  for  canoists— “Miss  Golden 
West”  is  chosen  at  Denver  from  a rare  selection 
of  bathing  beauties— Prize  trotters  at  Kalamazoo, 
Mich.,  race  before  record  crowds  in  “American 
Derby.” 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5314— Prince  of  Wales.  Prince 
George  and  Premier  Baldwin  arrive  at  Quebec, 
Canada,  for  tour  of  Canada^— Capt.  Frank  Court- 
ney gives  his  giant  airplane.  l^Tiale.  tryout  at 
Southampton.  England,  before  hopoff  for  Amer- 
*<^3^“01d-time  Curtiss  biplane.  22  years  old,  at 
Clover  Field,  Cal.,  is  given  birthday  flight  with 
great  success— Jack  Dempsey  returns  home  to 
Los  Angeles  and  is  given  tremendous  reception 
by  friends— Johnny  Weismuller  at  Chicago  sets 
record  in  three-mile  swimming  contest  in  Chi- 
cago river— Helen  W’ills,  at  Manchester,  Mass., 
defeats  Helen  Jacobs.  18-year-old  wizard  from 
Helen's  home  town^— Lizzie,  big  elephant  at 
Philadelphia  zoo.  is  given  birthday  party  on  her 
thirtieth  anniversary— Clarence  Chamberlin  suc- 
cessfully hops  off  from  deck  of  Leviathan  at 
sea  off  Fire  Island.  N.  Y, 

PARAMOLINT  NEWS  NO.  l-^— Hard  riding  cowboys 
at  Cheyenne,  ^ yo.,  thrill  spectators  by  riding 
bucking  bronchos— Mussolini  goes  to  sea  at 
Ostia-  Italy,  to  inspect  Italian  navy— “Bud” 
Stillman  and  Lena  \^’ilson  at  Grande  Anse.  Que- 
bec. Canada,  are  married^— Ronald  Amundsen,  at 
A’^okohama,  visits  Japan^— King  Albert  of  Belgium 
welcomes  Premier  Poincaire  at  Brussels,  Bel- 
gium, in  dedication  of  memorial  to  French  un- 
known dead— State  governors  gather  at  Mack- 
inac, Mich.,  for  annual  summer  meeting— A1 
Johnson  and  Gladys  Ingle  perform  daring  stunts 
in  airplanes  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  62 — President  Coolidge  goes 
fishing  and  is  visited  by  Herbert  Hoover  Italian 
midshipmen  at  Leghorn,  Italy,  learn  all  about 
keeping  a ship  in  trim— Historic  Kilauea  vol- 
cano at  Hilo,  Hawaii,  suddenly  awakes  after 
years  of  slumbering  and  pours  river  of  lava 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  JULY  24 

'^Spooky  Money,”  Al  Joy,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
two ; “Beachnuts,”  Shott  and  Powder,  Cranfield 
and  Clarke,  two ; “What  Price  Swimming,**  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  **Learn 
by  Mail,**  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  **Campus  Romeos.**  Standard,  FBO,  two; 
**Alice  the  Whaler,**  Winkler,  FBO,  one;  “The 
Glory  That  Was  Greece,*’  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
**Why  Blondes  Leave  Home,**  Imperial,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,**  No.  6,  Pathe,  two;  “Sub- 
way Sally,**  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  ‘taking 
Punishment,**  Grantland,  Pathe,  one;  *‘With  Will 
Rogers  in  London,**  Clancy,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe 
Review  No.  30,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  ef  the  D.ay 
No.  30,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides,**  Adventure,  Universal,  two ; “Mon- 
ty Of  the  Mounted,”  Lupino  Lane,  Educational, 
two ; “Felix  the  Cal  In  the  Travel-Hog,”  Bijou, 
Educational,  one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  31 

“Silk  Legs,**  Imperial,  Fox,  two;  “The  Crimson 
Flash,**  No.  7,  Pathe,  two;  “The  Bully,”  Fables, 
Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Chicken  Feed,”  Roach, 
Pathe,  two ; “Skedaddle  Gold,”  Action,  Pathe, 
five;  Pathe  Review,  No.  31,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  31,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,**  Adventure,  Universal, 
two;  “His  Better  Half,*’  Hamilton,  Educational, 
two ; “Traveling  At  Home,”  Curiosities,  Educa- 
tional. one;  “Hold  Fast.”  Cameo,  Educational, 
one;  “High  Spots,”  Mermaid,  Educational,  two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  7 

“Jack  From  All  Trades,”  Bijou,  Educational,  one; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  8,  Pathe,  two;  “Ant 
Life  As  It  Isn’t,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “The 
College  Kiddo,”  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; 
“Scents  and  Dog  Sense,”  Grantland,  Pathe,  one; 
Pathe,  Review,  No,  32,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of 
the  Day,  No.  32,  Timely  Films,  one-third;  “Whis- 
pering Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 

“Bubbles  of  Geography,”  Lyman  H.  Howe’s,  Edu- 
cational, one;  “The  Crimson  Flash,**  Pathe,  two; 
“^Red  Hot  Sands,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“What  Women  Did  For  Me,”  Hal  Roach,  Pathe, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  33,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  33,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,**  Adventure,  Universal, 
two  ; “Bee  Cause,”  Winkler,  FBO,  one. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  21 

“Poor  Fish,”  The  Ebbing  Tide,  Outdoor,  Educa- 
tional. two  ; “The  Non-Stop  Fright,”  Bijou,  Edu- 
cational. one;  “Plumb  Dumb,”  Mermaid,  Edu- 
cational. two;  “The  Crimson  Flash,”  Pathe,  two; 
“A  Hole  In  One,”  Fables,  Pathe,  Two-thirds ; “On 
llie  Hook,”  Grantland.  Pathe;  “Smith’s  Candy 
Shop.”  Sennett,  Pathe,  two;  “Roaming  The 
Emerald  Isle  With  Will  Rogers,”  Clancy,  Pathe, 
one;  Pathe  Review,  No.  ST,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  34,  Timely  Films,  one-third; 
“Alice  In  the  Big  League,”  Winkler,  FBO.,  one; 
“Last  Nose  Of  Summers.”  F B 0^—1872. 


Emanuel  Cohen  Honored  . 

A vocal  artist  of  \\  DAF,  Kansas  City, 
sang  “My  Hero”  the  other  night  in  honor 
of  the  first  release  of  Paramount  News 
and  in  tribute  to  Emanuel  Cohen,  its  editor. 


down  mountain  side  Frontier  days  are  revived 
at  Salina,  Cal.,  as  cowboys  ride  bucking  bron- 
chos—Plane  of  Ernest  Smith  and  Emory  Bronte 
is  wrecked  at  Molokai,  Hawaii,  after  it  is  flown 
2,300  miles  from  San  Francisco— Boston  honors 
Lindbergh,  Byrd  and  associates,  Chamberlin, 
Maitland  and  Hegenberger  Art  Goebel  does 
stunt  driving. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  86— Jack  Dempsey  shows  his  old 
form  at  Yankee  Stadium  as  he  knocks  out 
Sharkey— Bobby  Jones,  at  St.  Anrews,  Scotland, 

wins  British  open  golf  championship Nellie 

Signal,  at  Toledo,  O.,  wins  Grand  Cir- 
cuit race  event— The  13th  U.  S.  cavalry  arrives 
at  Fort  Riley,  Kan.,  from  Wyoming,  ending 
record  march  of  700  miles’— Girls  of  Jamestown, 
N.  Y.,  compare  charms  to  see  who  will  represent 

city Baseball  fans  at  New  A'ork  pack  Polo 

Grounds  to  honor  John  McGraw. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  88— “Bud”  Stillman  and  his 
backwoods  girl  marry  at  millionaire  parents' 
camp  in  Quebec*— Governors  of  24  states  hold  a 
conference  at  Mackinac,  Mich.,  for  the  consider- 
ation of  international  problems  of  government— 
Belgium's  alliance  with  France  is  cemented  by 
erection  at  Brussels  of  a shaft  to  the  French 
Unknown  Soldier  Uncle  Sam  battles  bootleggers 
from  th«l  air  Mussolini  at  Ostia,  Italy,  reviews 
the  Italian  battle  fleet Champion  women  swim- 

mers of  America  meet  at  Baltimore  Shores,  L. 
I.,  N.  Y.,  for  titular  honors  at  senior  aquatic 
events. 

Tomes  Admits  As 
Golfer  He ’s  Good 
Baseball  Audience 


17  A.  TOMES,  manager  of  Educational’s 
• Dallas  branch,  has  been  in  the  motion 
picture  business  since  1913,  when  he  be- 
came a salesman 
for  B 1 i n k h o r n 
Photoplays.  He 
went  to  Fox  in 
1914  as  booker 
and  then  opened 
the  Houston, 

Texas,  office  for 
Mutual  Film  Cor- 
poration in  1915. 

He  remained  there 
until  1917  when  he 
started  an  extend- 
ed tour  for  Ihrcle 
Sam  which  took 
him  overseas. 

Returning  to 
Dallas  in  1919, 

Mr.  Tomes  went  with  Exhibitors  IMutual 
and  then  helped  to  open  a branch  for 
United  Artists  as  office  manager.  Mr. 
Tomes  joined  Educational’s  forces  in  1922. 

i\Ir.  Tomes  enjoys  a good  baseball  game 
as  much  as  anybody.  He  plays  golf  but 
frankly  admits  that  his  game  on  the  links 
is  bad. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


fPRESENMONACISl 


Plagiarism  Will  Hurt  Business 


Be  Yourself, 

Is  Advice  to 
Stage  People 


Trying  to  Imitate  Will  Not  Win 
Performers  Acclaim  of  the 
Payees  at  Box  Office 

Be  Yourself ! 

That  is  the  constant  remark  made  by 
audiences  all  over  the  country  today 
in  picture  houses.  Since  presentation 
and  stage  bandshows  have  become  the 
topic  of  the  day  as  a new  amusement 
dish,  the  band  leader  has  been  the 
most  criticized  person  in  the  public 
eye. 

The  reason  for  these  criticisms  is 
plainly  due  to  the  numerous  imitations 
of  certain  famous  band  leaders.  Three 
years  ago  when  Paul  Ash  brought  his 
idea  to  Chicago  in  the  form  of  a stage- 
band  presentation,  his  opening  at  Mc- 
Vickers  theatre  caused  many  comments, 
some  in  his  favor,  while  others  were  to 
the  contrary.  However,  since  then  a 
great  number  of  band  leaders  have  tried 
to  do  a similar  stunt,  some  more  or  less 
imitating  Paul  Ash,  while  others  remain 
themselves. 

Don’t  Try  to  Imitate 

This  article  is  directed  to  all  the  band 
leaders  in  the  country  now  using  this 
form  of  entertainment  and  our  advice 
is  that  there  is  only  one  Paul  Ash,  one 
Mark  Fisher,  one  Bennie  Krueger  and 
so  forth  down  the  line.  Therefore,  in- 
stead of  trying  to  imitate  those  who  have 
become  a success  overnight,  probably 
due  to  the  fact  that  they  were  pioneers 
in  the  field,  just  show  your  talent  in  your 
natural  way  and  if  you  are  a violinist, 
plav  your  violin  but  do  not  try  to  sing 
unless  you  are  a singer,  and  if  you  are 
a pianist,  show  your  wares  on  the  piano 
without  resorting  to  some  other  form  of 
acting  that  does  not  become  your  per- 
sonality, for  after  all  this  form  of  amuse- 
ment is  not  merely  based  on  policy  but 
also  on  personality. 

There  are  a great  number  of  person- 
ality band  leaders  who  make  a wonder- 
ful appearance  on  the  stage  and  possess 
an  abundance  of  pep  in  their  offering  but 
fail  on  some  points  which  if  given  more 
care  and  thought  could  be  remedied 
without  much  trouble  and  expense.  For 
instance,  let’s  give  you  an  example  be- 
tween one  man  who  is  an  original  artist 
in  his  line  and  another  who  is  known 
just  as  an  imitator.  In  order  to  make 
this  example  clear,  we  are  compelled  to 
bring  Paul  Ash  into  the  question  again. 

{Continued  on  page  32) 


A Musical  Comedy  Find 


A handsome  chap,  isn’t  he?  Who?  Why 
HAL  SIDARE,  the  young*  man  who  has 
created  a great  deal  of  excitement  in  pic- 
ture houses  by  his  clever  acrobatic  twists 
and  turns.  Hal  came  out  of  vaudeville  to 
try  his  hand  in  Presentation  and  has  been 
so  successful  that  a big  New  York  producer 
has  just  signed  him  for  a new  Broadway 
musical  comedy.  As  one  would  say,  **it’s 
our  loss  and  Broadway’s  gain,”  but  nay ! 

Hal  promises  to  be  back  in  stagehand 
shows  before  long. 

Bryan  Foy  Made  Stage 
Director  for  Vitaphone 

When  Vitaphone  started  to  produce  numbers 
on  the  West  Coast,  officials  looked  around  for  a 
suitable  director.  They  found  one  in  the  person 
of  Bryan  E.  Foy.  “Brynie,”  as  he  is  called  by 
his  friends,  is  the  son  of  Eddie  Foy,  the  peerless 
vaudevillian.  Bryan  has  been  in  the  movies  for 
some  time,  working  in  the  capacity  of  assistant 
director  on  the  Warner  Bros,  lot  in  Hollywood. 
With  the  experience  he  has  gained  in  the  vaude- 
ville field  and  aided  by  his  knowledge  of  movies, 
Mr.  Foy  is  an  ideal  man  for  the  job  of  directing 
the  activities  of  Vitaphone. 

Mr.  S.  L.  Warner,  who  is  now  on  the  Coast, 
has  been  supervising  the  work  in  the  new  studio. 
The  result  has  been  that  some  excellent  numbers 
have  been  turned  out  and  under  the  guidance  of 
Messrs.  Warner  and  Foy,  the  standard  of  produc- 
tion will  be  maintained. 


Practice  Will 
Turn  Patrons 
Against  Acts 

Theatremen  Should  Caution  Per- 
formers Against  Using  Stuff 
Originated  by  Others 
By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

A great  problem  faces  de-luxe 
picture  houses  today.  One  that  has 
always  faced  the  vaudeville  thea- 
tres since  the  beginning  of  spe- 
cialty acts  in  their  houses.  That 
problem  is  plagiarising,  a method 
practiced  by  many  and  profited  by 
none.  In  amusement,  as  well  as  any 
other  form  of  business,  this  un- 
ethical procedure  of  securing  ma- 
terial should  be  eliminated,  and  the 
only  way  that  managers  can  pre- 
vent the  repetition  of  the  same  rou- 
tine and  the  same  gags  is  by  curb- 
ing the  robbers. 

You,  as  a theatre  manager  should  be 
very  much  interested  in  the  welfare  of 
your  business  by  paying  particular  at- 
tention to  the  type  of  entertainment  and 
material  used  in  your  theatre. 

Now  that  presentation  and  stage  band- 
shows  are  taking  strong  hold  in  picture 
houses  throughout  the  country,  artists 
using  talking  routines  are  used  to  a 
greater  extent  than  in  the  beginning  of 
this  policy.  Today  a theatre  employs 
four  or  five  acts  of  specialty  and  among 
them,  probably  a comedy  talking  act 
which  uses  smart  chatter  and  gags.  This 
act  probably  owns  an  original  line  of 
material  and  is  not  aware  that  someone 
else  in  some  other  part  of  the  country 
is  using  the  same  routine.  This  when 
practiced  in  more  than  one  house  by 
more  than  one  act  becomes  serious  and 
is  cause  for  alarm  to  the  theatre  man- 
ager inasmuch  that  it  may  eventually 
hurt  the  box  office. 

Performers  Must  Be  Careful 

Masters  of  ceremonies  who  are  em- 
ployed in  one  house  from  two  to  six 
weeks  at  a stretch  should  be  very  care- 
ful in  selecting  talking  routines,  espe- 
cially one  that  might  have  appeared  in 
some  publication  or  probably  used  in  a 
musical  show.  It  may  be  a great  thing 
for  the  individual  user  to  be  the  first  one 
offering  the  material  and  in  all  probabil- 
ity may  become  a great  success  with  his 
audience  but  the  one  following  him  will 
find  the  audience  not  so  receptive  to  his 
talents  and  his  wares  due  to  the  fact 
(Continued  on  page  32) 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Plagiarism  Hurts 


(Continued  from  page  31) 

that  someone  else  who  has  played  that 
house  before  him  used  practically  the 
same  routine  and  in  some  cases  identi- 
cally the  same  gags. 

You,  as  a theatre  manager,  should  keep 
close  watch  on  the  material  used  by  the 
artists  you  employ.  By  making  notes  of 
the  gags,  or  better  still,  by  securing  a 
typewritten  copy  of  all  talking  routines 
used  by  any  act  playing  your  house,  for 
the  purpose  of  filing,  will  enable  you  to 
have  a record  of  the  time  and  date  it 
was  used.  If  at  any  time  you  find  that 
some  other  artist  has  the  identical  rou- 
tine or  in  any  way  infringes  on  the  one 
before,  you  can  make  it  your  business 
to  find  out  whether  or  not  this  artist  is 
the  true  owner  of  the  material  or 
whether  he  is  just  trying  to  rob  some 
other  artist  of  his  individuality  and  trade 
mark  that  takes  time  and  money  to 
build. 

Managers  Must  Be  Careful 

You  may  not  feel  that  this  is  such  an 
important  move  right  now,  but  unless 
you  are  very  careful  in  checking  up  on 
these  things,  you  will  find  that  your 
theatre  will  fall  into  the  same  rut  that 
vaudeville  has  for  the  past  several  years, 
and  your  audiences  will  comment  as  they 
leave  your  theatre,  “Why,  I heard  that 
joke  before,”  or  “I’ve  seen  another  act 
do  the  very  same  thing  in  this  house  not 
so  long  ago.”  You  cannot  afford  to  have 
your  audience  talk  this  way,  for  it  is  the 
word  of  mouth  advertising  that  either 
makes  your  house  a success  or  a failure 
at  the  box  office. 

It  is  taken  for  granted  that  a number 
of  artists  playing  any  type  of  theatre, 
make  a practice  of  stealing  other  artist’s 
material,  such  as  pantomime,  and  indi- 
vidual tricks,  but  it  is  also  a known  fact 
that  a greater  portion  of  the  artists  try 
to  be  original  and  are  always  on  the 
lookout  for  better  and  more  uptodate 
material.  Our  advise  to  artists  who  have 
no  sense  of  honor  when  they  lift  bodily 
another  brother  artist’s  routine  which  is 
the  bread  and  butter  and  the  working 


tools  of  an  actor,  is  that  that  certain  artist 
should  be  taught  a lesson,  and  if  one  or 
two  little  incidents  will  not  curb  him  of 
his  bad  habits,  then  managers  should 
complain  to  the  booking  offices  and  have 
same  cancel  the  balance  of  that  act’s 
route  for  the  protection  of  the  other  art- 
ists and  for  the  protection  of  your  audi- 
ence in  receiving  their  money’s  worth. 


Be  Yourself 


(Continued  from  page  31) 

The  reason  why  Paul  Ash  has  become 
so  popular  is  not  for  the  fact  that  he  is 
a clever  musician,  but  for  reasons  that 
he  is  a clever  showman,  and  to  be  a 
clever  showman  also  means  that  you 
must  be  gifted  along  certain  lines,  to  do 
certain  things  at  certain  times.  To  know 
your  audience,  what  they  like,  when  you 
can  clown  and  when  you  should  be  seri- 
ous, and  last  but  not  least  to  make  your- 
self the  leading  light  without  giving  the 
impression  to  the  audience  that  you  are 
important.  This  by  clever  manipulation 
of  showmanship  tricks  you  can  cultivate 
the  likes  and  dislikes  of  your  audiences 
just  by  being  a regular  fellow. 

Must  Select  Proper  Songs 

If  you  are  a singer,  make  sure  that  you 
select  the  proper  songs  to  do  your  voice 
justice,  and  if  you  have  an  exceptional 
good  speaking  voice  that  may  become 
you  as  a master  of  ceremonies;  don’t 
make  the  sad  mistake  of  just  speaking 
words  that  have  no  meaning  or  carry 
no  sense  of  humor  along  with  them.  If 
you  are  not  able  to  construct  a routine 
that  is  clever  and  one  that  can  make  a 
favorite  of  you  to  your  audience,  then 
select  someone  who  makes  it  their  busi- 
ness to  write  such  material,  and  in  that 
respect  you  will  not  only  better  your- 
self but  you  will  be  classed  as  one  of 
those  who  is  different  and  natural  and 
the  manager  will  wear  a happier  smile 
when  he  notices  the  long  lines  waiting 
at  the  box  office  to  see  your  new  offer- 
ing from  week  to  week. 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in 
presentation  may  discuss  important 
matters  bearing  upon  this  phase  of  thea- 
tre entertainment.  Only  signed  letters 
will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Dur- 
ing the  last  week  I used  two  solos,  the  first  of 
which  was,  “The  One-Man  Orchestra,”  which  the 
big  Chicago  houses  all  used.  It  seemed  to  please 
the  patrons  of  this  2,000  seat  house  very  well. 
Thirty-seven  or  so  slides,  with  audience  singing. 
“When  I Think  of  You.”  They  love  singing  out 
here  I 

The  second  half  I used  a novelty  of  my  own, 
playing  my  own  transcription  of  “Caprice  Ven- 
nois”  (Kreisler),  and  “Hungarian  Dance  No.  5” 
by  Brahms. 

These  I announced  myself  from  the  bench  by 
saying,  “This  evening  (afternoon)  I am  offering 
a ‘Concert  in  Miniature’  consisting  of  two  num- 
bers,” then  giving  the  names. 

They  were  played  with  pin-spot  on  my  head 
and  surrounding  this  a special  mottled,  change- 
able spot  which  was  mysterious  and  interest- 
compelling  in  itself. 

I was  fortunate  enough  to  be  required  to  take 
bows  after  each  number.  (Presented  eight 
times.) 

Will  continue  this  series  at  intervals.  Of 
course,  to  put  this  stunt  over  the  number  should 
be  worked  down  to  a nice  finish  (the  audience 
can,  in  some  way.  tell  the  difference)  and  one 
must  act  sort  of  “masterly”  or  they  will  not  go 
over. 

Above  all,  remember  the  music  is  the  thing  and 
people  understand,  somehow,  when  a number  is 
done  well.  I mean  when  it  is  done  well  it  is 
discernible  to  the  average  theatregoer.  They  may 
not  know  just  why  they  enjoy  it  better  but  they 
do  enjoy  the  pieces  better  for  the  care  and  worE 
which  have  been  put  into  them.  (Hope  this  will 
be  clear  to  you ; I am  not  so  good  on  sentence 
construction.) 

Would  like  to  see  the  suggestion  for  my  last 
solo  get  to  other  organists  because  I believe  it  is 
a little  departure  and  also  a means  of  making 
them  like  it. — F.  LE  ROY  NELSON,  Organist, 
Rivoli  theatre,  Muncie,  Ind. 

• * • 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I am 
pleased  to  see  the  new  music  department  opened 
by  the  HERALD  and  think  it  is  a great  idea  and 
a big  help  to  exhibitors. 

As  I have  an  orchestra  in  my  theatre  here  I 
wish  you  would  kindly  get  in  touch  with  the 
various  music  publishers  and  ask  them  to  send 
orchestrations  and  organ  novelties,  as  we  feature 
these  in  our  ads.  Or  else,  send  me  addresses  and 
I will  get  in  touch  with  them. 

My  leader  here  only  has  a small  library  and  I 
am  trying  to  get  the  latest  orchestrations  to  keep 
our  music  from  repeating,  as  this  orchestra  is  a 
big  drawing  card  here. 

I also  use  comic  slide  novelties  here,  too. 
Would  appreciate  any  help  in  getting  new  novel- 
ties of  this  type. 

Hoping  to  hear  from  you  at  any  time  and  also 
appreciating  any  help  you  may  give. — F.  W. 
PUTNAM,  Manager,  Liberty  theatre,  Beaumont, 
Tex. 

* * * 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  As 
assistant  manager  and  in  charge  of  presenta- 
tations  and  radio  distribution  of  the  Cinema  Royal, 
I am  particularly  interested  in  the  Roxy  presenta- 
tions and  his  radio  program. 

I.  therefore,  should  be  obliged  if  you  would 
give  me  fullhand  information  of  his  radio  dis- 
tribution. Does  he  send  out  his  whole  show  or 
only  certain  parts  of  it?  How  does  he  introduce 
same? 

As  to  his  stage  presentations  I would  also  be 
thankful  for  detailed  information.  Is  the  show 
a prologue  to  the  feature  picture  or  is  it  a 
revue  not  linked  to  the  rest  of  the  program?  Of 
course,  if  we  are  doing  something  like  a stage 
presentation  over  here  we  have  to  do  it  in  a 
smaller  way,  but  anyhow  information  as  to  the 
particulars  of  a Roxy  or  Publix  presentation 
will  always  be  very  welcome. 

Thanking  you  in  advance. 

Very  truly  yours, 

EGON  A.  C.  KAPOSI. 

Cinema  Royal, 
Amsterdam,  Holland. 


GEORGE  DEWEY  WASHINGTON 
“Just  Songs” 

Just  Finished  a Second  Tour  of 

Lubliner  & Trinz  and  Balaban  & Katz 


WHAT  PRESS  AND 
PUBLIC  THINK  OF 
THE  “ADMIRAL- 
PRESIDENT”— 
“ACE”,  Dramatic  Critic 
of  the  “Kansas  City 
Post”,  says:  — “When 
George  Dewey  Washing- 
ton sings  a song,  you 
have  heard  it  sung”. 


This  week  at  the  WISCONSIN  Theatre 
Milwaukee 

Next  Week  at  the  ORIENTAL  Theatre, 
CHICAGO,  for  the  Fourth  Time 

Many  Thanks  to  PAUL  ASH 


Jimmie 


WHITE  BROS.  Ed<fie 


Double  Dancing  DeLuxe 
**We  Dance  as  One” 

Now  Playing  De  Ltixe 
Picture  Houses 
Direction— EZ  KEOUGH 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


NEW  SONGS 


Reviewed  by 


IRENE  JUNO 


(Instrnctor  Washington  College  of  Music) 


ODUE-DE-Q— from  '‘The  Madcap"  (Harms). 
Another  Walter  Paul,  easy  to  play,  fox  trot  dance 
arrangements  tuneful  to  hear  all  the  way  through. 
(Jet  it  if  you  like  numbers  that  sound  well  and 
don't  require  a lot  of  preparation. 

« « 4 

Irving  Berlin  has  put  out  the  irret  of  hia  new 
cinema  music  series.  They  are  all  good.  I give 
below  four  of  them.  Each  individual  in  its  style. 
It  would  not  do  for  picture  muspicians  to  miss  this 
new  music  of  Berlin’s. 

... 

EVIL  INTENTIONS — by  Leo  Kempinski,  a 4/4 
medium.  Very  good  dramatic.  Written  in  good 
style.  Chords  predominating. 

... 

LE  CHEVALIER  PRINTEMPS— by  Maurice 
Jaquet.  2/4,  easy.  A light,  pretty  number.  Sec- 
ond movement  harmonic  dischorde.  Third  move- 
ment distinctly  melodious. 

... 

VALSE  FASCINANTE— by  Leo  Kempinski. 
Easy  waltz  of  beautiful  harmony.  Minor  pre- 
dominates, useful  for  plaintive  scenes.  Must  be 
played  a few  times  to  be  appreciated. 

... 

WHERE  ROSES  BLOOM— by  Leo  Edwards. 
Easy  4/4.  A number  that  starts  out  to  be  a verse 
and  chorus  and  then  develops  a thoroughly  cinema 
atmosphere.  Well  worth  buying. 

... 

A TWILIGHT  TALE— (Harms).  An  andante 
4/4  easy  to  play.  Suitable  for  neutral  scenes. 
Has  a second  movement  of  minor  treatment.  Not 
directly  atmospheric,  therefore  very  useful  to  a 
theatre  musician. 

... 

LOVE’S  MELODY— (Jenkins  Sons).  A fox  trot 
arrangement,  also  published  as  a waltz.  An  or- 
ganist who  knows  his  stops  can  make  much  of 
this  number  by  color  treatment.  In  the  hands  of 
an  inexperienced  player  it  would  fail.  Not  heavy 
enough  to  carry  as  a straight  number. 


PUBLISHERS  NOTE 
If  yon  wish  to  have  your  new  song  re- 
leases reviewed  in  this  column  by  Irene 
Juno,  kindly  place  her  name  on  your  mail- 
ing list  to  receive  professional  copies  of 
your  numbers  regularly,  and  address  same 
in  care  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  atten- 
tion of  Presention  Editor,  407  South  Dear- 
born Street,  Chicago,  111. 


Screen  Star  Takes  Place 
of  Band  Leader 

St.  Louis  is  watching  with  interest  Skouras 
Brothers’  experiment  in  bringing  Herbert  R'aw- 
linson  to  the  Ambassador  to  give  a matinee  idol 
touch  to  the  stage  shows  of  the  big  downtown 
picture  palace.  The  success  of  Brooke  Johns  in 
a similar  role  at  the  Missouri  theatre  was  so 
pronounced  Skouras  Brothers  have  been  angling 
about  for  some  time  to  land  a similar  star  for 
the  Ambassador.  They  believe  that  Rawlinson  is 
the  man  for  the  job.  In  the  meantime  Johns 
plans  to  take  a month’s  vacation,  and  if  the  large 
following  he  has  built  up  for  the  Missouri  flocks 
to  the  Ambassador  it  may  be  some  indication  of 
the  future  of  deluxe  theatres. 


Paul  Whiteman* s 
Music  Calms 
A Storm 

ALBANY,  Aug.  8. — When  the  city 
of  Rochester,  N.  Y.  was  plunged  into 
total  darkness  one  night  last  week, 
following  one  of  the  most  severe 
electric  storms  of  the  year,  Paul 
Whiteman,  the  well  known  con- 
ductor, quieted  3,000  persons  at  the 
Eastman  theatre  with  his  forty-piece 
orchestra.  When  the  house  was 
plunged  into  darkness,  nearly  two- 
score  frightened  men  and  women  be- 
gan a rush  for  the  doors.  Whiteman 
sensed  the  situation  and  took  instant 
command,  seizing  two  flashlights  used 
in  a feature  number  and  flashing 
them  upon  his  face. 

“I’m  still  here,”  he  shouted  to  the 
audience. 

Mr.  Whiteman  quickly  passed  from 
one  side  of  the  stage  to  the  other 
flashing  the  lights  on  the  faces  of  the 
players. 

“We’re  all  here,”  he  called,  “We’ll 
stick  if  you  will.” 

The  frightened  patrons  sat  down 
and  for  more  than  an  hour  Mr. 
Whiteman  and  his  orchestra  played  in 
the  darkness.  When  it  became  ap- 
parent that  the  lights  were  to  remain 
out,  ushers  passed  up  and  down  the 
aisles  with  flashlights,  leading  the 
audience  to  the  lobby.  The  lobby 
itself  was  filled  with  smoke  when 
five  manholes  nearby  blew  up,  spin- 
ning into  the  air  and  with  flames 
shooting  skyward  for  25  feet  or  more. 
Officials  of  the  company  were  unable 
to  explain  the  cause  of  the  exploding 
manholes. 


STAGE  SHOWS 


New  York  Paramout 

Week  Ending  August  5 

The  stage  show  this  week  is  called  “Orange 
Blossoms’-  in  honor  of  Ben  Black  and  his  band 


who  hail  from  the  state  that  made  the  orange 
blossom  famous — California. 

The  first  scene  is  “In  a Garden’’  with  Eugene 
Cibelli  and  Dorothy  Neville  singing  a “Serenade” 
in  front  of  a curtain  depicting  a luxurious  flower 
garden,  while  from  behind  the  curtain  Ben 
Black  and  his  crowd  play  a soft  accompaniment. 

This  curtain  then  rises  and  we  see  Mr.  Black 
and  his  orchestra  which  is  a good  big  one.  The 
Paramount  ballet  girls  come  forward  and  give 
us  their  interpretation  of  a Venetian  Carnival. 
No  need  to  go  to  Venice  after  this  one.  A dancer 
known  simply  as  “Toots”  follows  them  with  an 
acrobatic  tumbling  dance  that  is  a wonder. 

The  Paramount  Stage  Orchestra  was  next  with 
an  unusual  rendition  of  the  “Song  of  the  Wan- 
derer.” which  was  featured  by  a tuba  solo. 
Dorothy  Neville  in  Italian  peasant  dress,  with  the 
Paramount  girls  similarly  clad,  clustered  about 
her,  sang  “Santa  Lucia.”  Her  vocal  gymnastics 
at  the  end  of  the  song  met  with  such  approval 
that  they  made  her  come  back  and  do  it  again. 

’The  new  orchestra  comes  to  the  front  again 
with  a brand  new  jazz  number  called  “Cheerie- 
Beerie-Be”  with  three  of  the  boys  rising  to  give 
a vocal  rendition  in  close  harmony. 

This  trio  makes  a splendid  novelty  team  and 
their  singing  is  of  a first  grade  order. 

Earl  and  Bell  stepped  into  the  spotlight  next 
with  their  Hawaiian  guitars  and  dressed  in 
Spanish  costume.  They  sang  humorous  songs  of 
the  “Where  Do  You  Worka  John”  variety  and 
did  it  more  than  well. 

An  operatic  singer  introduced  as  Dezso  Retter 
turned  out  to  be  a dance  comedian  with  an  un- 
limited capacity  for  throwing  himself  around  the 
stage  and  appearing  to  like  it.  As  an  encore  he 
staged  an  imaginary  wrestling  match,  with  him- 
self as  both  contestants,  that  was  one  of  the 
best  things  of  its  kind  that  we  have  ever  seen. 

The  Finale  was  a tremendous  scene  called  “A 
Florentine  Wedding.”  Everyone  of  the  per- 
formers were  in  it  standing  on  a set  built  up  by 
tiers  and  clad  in  carnival  costume.  The  total 
effect  took  your  breath  away  and  made  a fitting 
close  to  a knockout  stage  show. 

Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  August  6 

The  Publix  Unit,  designed  and  staged  by  Paul 
Oscard,  is  a colorful  affair,  with  Gypsy  Byrne,  the 
De  Crescents,  Eddy  and  Dolores,  and  Dewey  and 
Gold  as  the  individual  stars.  Miss  Byrne  has  a 
pleasing  and  novel  manner  of  putting  across  her 
popular  song  numbers  and  the  De  Crescents  are  a 
trio  of  instrumentalists  who  have  been  heard  fa- 
vorably here  before.  Eddy  and  Dolores  are  a 
dancing  team  whose  forte  is  a bowery  dance  and 
Dewey  and  Gold  have  a singing  and  dancing  offer- 
ing that  was  very  well  received. 


AMERICA’S  PREMIER  DANSEUSES 


K 


ferenoff 


AND 


M 


aree 


n 


THE  ADAGIOS’’ 

Now  Featured  at 

CASTLE  FARMS 


CINCINNATI,  OHIO 
For  Limited  Engagement  Only 

Having  Created  a Sensation  in  Presentations 
Will  Soon  Be  Featured  in 
A Broadway  Production 


Eddie  Filling  House 

This  is  all  about  Eddie  Peabody  and  the  excel- 
lent manner  in  which  he  has  been  filling  the 
house  at  every  performance  at  the  5th  Avenue, 
Seattle.  He  was  the  one  and  only  principal  at 
this  popular  house  last  week  and  a number  of 
the  critics  got  a real  “kick”  in  watching  Eddie 
iron  out  his  own  kinks,  and  his  apt  showmanship 
made  a finished  product  at  all  times.  Eddie  says 
he  is  but  24  years  old.  He  is  48  in  experience  in 
direction,  in  effects  and  high  native  ability  be- 
sides being  a recognized  musician. 


CHARLES  KALEY 

“The  Singing  Band  Leader” 
An  Exclusive  COLUMBIA  Artist 
Now  conducting  MARKS  BROS.  Presen- 
tations, alternating  at  MARBRO  and 
GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  August  5 

“Au  Re  voir.  But  Not  Good-Bye”  was  the  title 
Brooke  Johns  picked  for  his  last  show  prior  to 
departing  to  spend  an  eight  weeks’  vacation  on 
his  farm  near  Rockville,  Maryland. 

In  many  respects  it  was  his  best  show.  First, 
he  wished  to  show  his  appreciation  for  the  kind- 
nesses of  the  St.  lA>uis  audiences  and,  secondly, 
he  desired  to  make  it  desirable  for  him  to  be  wel- 
comed back  upon  his  return  to  the  house  in  the 
fall. 

In  the  production  Johns  increased  his  dancing 
chorus  from  fourteen  to  twenty,  and  also  offered 
Arthur  Nealy,  tenor,  and  Charles  Huey,  boy 
whistler,  as  special  attractions. 

Several  outside  acts  were  also  brought  on  for 
this  special  occasion,  including  Anna  and  Jean, 
acrobatic  dancing  team  ; Pauline  Gaskin,  a “blues” 
singer ; Bert  and  Jean  Hubert,  comedians,  and 
Johnny  Walker,  eccentric  dancer.  Johns  person- 
ally offered  a special  banjo  and  vocal  number. 

For  his  overture  Leonid  Leonard!  selected 
"Viennese  Fantasy.”  The  number  was  trimmed 
with  a stage  offering  of  dancing  girls. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  August  5 

Chorus  singing  features  the  presentation, 
“Mural  Paintings,”  on  the  stage  this  week.  The 
production,  devised  by  Frank  Cambria,  is  con- 
structed around  two  tableaux,  one  depicting  pagan 
and  the  other  religious  life.  Twenty-four  per- 
formers, all  having  excellent  voices,  compose  the 
cast. 

Overture:  Eldrico  Marcelli’s  orchestral  produc- 
tion, “The  Conquest  of  the  West,”  with  the  Mich- 
igan symphony. 

Lockett  and  Page,  songs  and  dances,  were 
billed  in  an  extra  feature. 

Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  August  6 

The  stage  attraction  at  the  Mainstreet  this 
week  again  hinged  around  Walter  Davison  and 
his  Louisville  Loons  Orchestra. 

George  Motron  had  a comedy  number,  titled 
“The  Black  Dot.”  while  the  Four  Clovelly  Girls 
had  a singing  and  dancing  act  which  was  billed 
as  “Queens  of  Clube.” 

Marjorie  Whitney  rendered  several  vocal  and 
dance  numbers.  Wilson  and  Godfrey  were  seen  in 
some  comic  capers,  while  Livemash  had  an  act 
at  the  Kimball  console.  The  Lime  Trio  renders  a 
sketch  titled  “The  Gollywog.” 

The  Louisville  Loons  rendered  popular  selec- 
tions as  the  overture. 


Boston  Lowers  State 

Week  Ending  August  6 

Sissle  and  Blake,  stars  of  the  “Shuffle  Along” 
company,  are  heard  in  a series  of  Negro  melodies 
in  the  featured  stage  attraction  which  succeeds 
Phil  Spitalny  and  his  boys  after  their  six  weeks’ 
successful  stay  in  Boston.  Spitalny  played  dur- 
ing the  week  at  Loew’s  Orpheum  and  next  week 
starts  his  engagement  at  Baltimore. 

Sissle  and  Blake  have  lost  none  of  their  charm 
and  won  instant  approval.  They  have  just  re- 
turned  from  a European  tour  and  gave  many 
new  numbers. 

A dancing  spectacle,  “The  Whirl  of  Splendor,” 
provides  the  dance  soloists  and  ensemble  with 
many  instrumentalists  assisting.  Helen  Durkin, 
Constantinova  and  Baikoff  are  featured  in  this 
act.  in  which  a company  of  fifteen  participate. 

“Painting  the  Town”  is  the  film. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  August  6 

Presentation  features  were  somewhat  below  par 
this  week  at  the  Stanley,  the  management  evi- 
dently depending^  on  Adolphe  Menjou  in  “Service 
for  Ladies”  as  a drawing  card.  That  the  popu- 
larity of  this  star  was  not  overrated  was  evi- 
denced by  the  long  queue  of  patrons  that  formed 
outside  of  the  box  ofi&cc  each  evening. 

Use  Marvenga,  soprano,  the  original  Kathie  of 
the  “Student  Prince,”  accompanied  at  the  piano 
by  William  Ortman,  composer,  sang  “Deep  in  My 
Heart,”  “Viennese  Waltz,”  and  “You  Be  Venus 
and  I’ll  Be  Mare.”  In  the  first  of  these  songs 
there  is  a decided  suggestion  of  the  warmth  and 
color  that  characterized  her  in  her  stellar  role, 
but  in  the  other  two  selections  her  voice  seemed 
to  lack  spontaneity.  In  the  “Viennese  Waltz” 
Miss  Marvenga  danced  with  grace  and  lightness. 

The  Sixteen  Tiller  Girls  presented  synchronized 
dancing  in  alternate  groups  of  eight  and  then 
en  masse.  The  girls  whisked  about  the  stage 
with  precision  and  pep  and  there  was  a fine 
exhibition  of  tap  dancing.  In  the  last  number 
the  sixteen  girls  in  white,  against  a cool  green 
backgi’ound,  displayed  their  remarkable  training 
and  while  there  was  nothing  new  or  startling  in 
the  act,  the  girls  were  given  a hearty  reception. 

There  was  an  interesting  short  film  depicting 
the  burning  and  fall  of  an  airplane,  the  picture 
being  taken  by  a camera  strapped  to  the  plane 
for  the  purpose  of  recording  a stunt  picture. 

The  Stanley  Orchestra  played  Suppe’s  Light 
Cavalry”  Overture. 

The  week  of  August  8th  Paul  Whiteman  (him- 
self) and  his  orchestra  of  32  will  be  heard  at  the 
Stanley. 


August  13,  1927 

Metropolitan  Houston 

Week  Ending  July  30 

Work  curtain  opens  with  Eddie  Perry  and  his 
Merry-Mad”  gang  in  the  Bowery  scene  carried 
by  Borrah  Minevitch.  formerly  of  Chicago.  Fan 
flare  of  brass  opens  act. 

Perry  announces  that  he  is  going  to  play  a 
piece  that  is  well-known  to  all  Houstonians,  “The 
Prairie  Blues,”  by  Segar  Ellis*  a Houston  boy. 
Ellis  was  present  the  first  show  Saturday,  and 
received  a good  hand. 

Patricia  Ann  Manners,  star  of  one  of  the  Chi- 
cago “Student  Prince”  companies,  came  next,  with 
“Gianina  Mia,”  which  was  liked  much  more  by 
the  theatre-goers  in  Houston  than  the  usual  semi- 
classical  selection. 

The  Clark  Sisters,  California  broadcasting 
artists,  follow  Miss  Manners,  singing  a medley 
of  witty  hokum  numbers,  accompanied  on  the 
uke.  They  are  succeeded  by  the  Dixie  Banjo  Boys, 
strummers  de  luxe,  who  go  over  big  with  their 
“I’m  On  My  Way  to  My  Old  Kentucky  Home.” 

Following  the  three  top  acts,  Perry  and  his 
gang  break  into  “Rags,”  with  Art  Kluth,  of  the 
Minevitch  Harmonica  Band,  singing  in  his  clear 
tenor  voice.  Art  went  over  great^ — Houston  seems 
more  than  glad  to  give  a hand  to  the  little  fel- 
lows, He  exits,  and  “Hail,  Hail,  the  Gang’s  AU 
Here,”  is  struck  up,  with  Minevitch  and  his  boys 
rushing  onto  the  stage  and  going  right  into  their 
act,  while  Perry  and  the  band  exit  with  dis- 
gusted looks  on  their  faces. 

This  idea  in  working  the  Publix  show  and  the 
Metropolitan  band  act  together  was  new,  and 
got  a good  laugh — Minevitch  providing  that.  TTie 
combination  of  the  two  shows  went  over  better 
than  any  yet  put  on  at  the  Met,  which  prophesies 
success  for  the  new  bandshow,  beginning  with 
“In  Jazzland”  next  week.  “The  Way  of  All  Flesh” 
was  the  picture. 

Observation:  The  crowd  here  seems  to  like 

Perry  and  what  he  puts  on  for  them  and  they 
should. 


Washington  Palace 

Week  Ending  August  6 

The  Palace  is  again  offering  the  coolest  house 
and  the  best  show  bet  of  the  city  for  the  week. 

Tom  Gannon’s  house  orchestra  opened  with  the 
Torch  Light  Dance  and  a scrim  was  used  to  show 
eilhouette  dancing  in  the  woods,  thrown  from  the 
booth. 

The  Garden  Festival  opened  full  etage,  large 
framed  picture  occupied  entire  back  across  stage. 
Done  with  scrim.  The  lights  finally  revealed  the 
living  figures  behind  the  picture  and  solos  were 
done  by  a flute  player,  songs  by  a tenor  and 
soprano,  and  a finale,  “Schubert’s  Serenade,”  by 
entire  ensemble.  The  entire  presentation  was 
staged  and  lighted  by  Colby  Harriman  and  was 
the  most  exquisite  offering  ever  shown  in  this  city. 
It  received  prolonged  applause. 

Two  unprogrammed  dancers  in  costume  opened 
and  closed  the  presentation. 

Sam  Robbins  and  His  Baltimorans  were  the 
band  attraction  and  a trick  opening  of  failing  to 
find  Sam  and  finally  discovering  him  (via  motion 
pictures)  at  home  in  bed,  started  them  right.  A 
telephone  connection  with  Sam  on  screen  and 
stage  manager  at  the  theatre,  brought  Sam  run- 
ning clad  in  pajamas,  top  hat,  cane  and  slippers. 
The  reel  took  him  through  heavy  traffic  and  hair- 
breadth escapes  and  when  he  reached  there,  an 
entrance  down  aisle  of  Palace  and  on  stage 
brought  a big  hand. 

“Hello  Cutie”  was  used  to  introduce  a good 
looking  female,  and  a fight  by  Sam  and  two  of 
hie  boys  done  in  slow  motion  was  good. 

“Russian  Lullaby”  was  used  for  individual  solos 
and  a bass  singer,  while  Sam,  listening  at  the 
little  radio  and  the  band  giving  imitations  of  a 
night  on  the  air,  was  a scream. 

Their  frequent  static  imitation  was  always  good 
for  a laugh  and  they  finished  all  too  soon  for  the 
Palace  audience. 

John  Gilbert  in  “Twelve  Miles  Out”  feature. 
House  packed  as  pei-  usual. 


OFFICIAL  FILM! 

DEMPSEY-  SHARKEY 

FIGHT  PICTURES 

7 ROUNDS  of  ACTION 
LAST  ROUND  FAST  AND  SLOW  MOTION 

WAS  IT  FAIR  or  FOUL  BLOW? 

Now  Ready  for  Booking  for  STATE  of  ILLINOIS 
WRITE — WIRE  OR  PHONE 


Important 

HARRY  McKAY 

Important 

JLegal  Kights 

509  So.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago 

Passed  by  Chicago 

Fully  Protected 

Tel.  Harrison  4233 — 3rd  Floor 

Board  of  Censors 

MURRAY  and  ALAN 

“Jesters  of  3,000  Years  Ago” 

Featured  in  "STEAMBOAT  SYNCOPATION.”  a PUBLIX 
STAGEBAND-UNIT-SHOW 

P.  S.  NOVELLE  BROS.,  Have  to  STAND  on  their  heads  to  get  laughs,  we  just  DRESS 

funny  to  get  laughs. 

iDirection  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 


COSTUMES  FOR  HIRE  BROOKS 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  August  5 

“Knick-Knacks”  may  be  broken  bits  of  castoffs, 
or  they  may  be  exquisite  bits  of  art  and  beauty; 
it  is  into  the  latter  class  that  “Knick-Knacks”  at 
the  Riviera  fell  during  the  week.  With  one  good 
act  after  another  under  the  stage  directorship  of 
A1  Evans,  with  attractive  scenery  and  the  strong 
picture  “Beau  Geste,”  the  entertainment  at  the 
Riviera,  stage  and  film,  possibly  was  the  best  of 
the  summer. 

Evans  had  his  orchestra  in  artist  smocks  when 
the  curtain  arose.  The  chorus  of  six  entered  in  a 
black  and  white  dance,  their  costumes  being  en- 
tirely black  on  the  front  side  and  white  on  the 
other.  Walter  Vernon,  comedian,  with  his  cos- 
tume, talk  and  dancing,  grew  in  favor  as  his  act 
progressed,  and  if  he  found  the  audience  inclined 
to  be  cold,  he  threatened  to  put  on  his  overcoat,' 
which  never  failed  to  have  the  desired  effect. 

The  solo  singers.  Woods  Miller  and  Lorraine 
Tombler,  were  all  that  could  be  wanted,  with  good 
voices  and  pleasing  poise.  One  of  Miss  Tombler’s 
most  effective  songs  was  “Butterfly  in  the  Kain,” 
while  a dancer  in  butterfly  costume  danced  on  a 
high  platform  back  of  a silver  rain. 

Flo  Lewis  and  Adele  Kellogg  were  a good 
dancing  team,  first  as  collegiate  athletes,  then  as 
a span  of  sorrel  horses  and  later  in  other  cos- 
tumes, Alice  Loguova  wae  another  effective 
dancer. 

The  Novell©  Brothers,  in  circus  spangles,  never 
let  go  the  grip  of  attention  they  held  from  the 
moment  they  both  tangled  up  with  the  curtain 
when  they  entered  to  the  last.  Their  love  making 
in  bird  language  was  particularly  popular. 


Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  August  6 

From  organ  solo  to  finale,  this  week’s  attrac- 
tioiiy  **AJ\  Ja,zz  Revue,**  contained  enoug'h  enter- 
tainment for  two  stages.  Although  the  crowds 
were  somewhat  phased  at  the  high  notes  of  “I*d 
Walk  a Million  Miles,*'  featuring  F,  Donald  Miller 
on  the  console,  he  received  a big  hand. 

Opening:  ‘‘Magnolia,**  songster  leading  play- 

boy band — Walter  Bastian  peps  'em  up  with  his 
conducting.  The  eight  Fmie  Young  dancing  girls 
step  out  a unit  dance  when  the  tune  changes. 

“Rosy  Cheeks,**  the  third  snappy  bit,  was  pre- 
sented by  Freddie  Stritt  whose  local  following 
keeps  the  cashiers  busy  matinees  and  evenings. 
Hand  noise  and  laughter  once  mode  attest  to  his 
immense  popularity  in  this  house.  He  hops  off 
stage  to  take  a seat  while  Lyle  and  Virginia 
make  their  entrance.  But  they  are  interrupted 
by  gags  which  Freddie  punctuates  pleasingly  as 
he  roves  up  and  down  the  aisle. 

After  this  mirth,  Lyle  and  Virginia  proceeded 
with  “Crazy  Words,  Crazy  Tunes,"  nicely  done. 
Their  encoire  finished,  Walter  Bastian*s  arrange- 
ment of  “Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody*'  was 
played  by  the  band  under  his  direction.  The 
next  offering,  “Sundown,”  sung  by  Billie  Gerber 
went  over  heavy  and  she  was  forced  to  do  more. 
Her  dancing  scored  100  per  cent.  For  a double 
encore,  Forsythe  and  Kelly  show^  excellent  vocal 
and  comedy  form  on  “Bye,  Bye,  Blackbird"  and 
“Russian  Lullaby." 

“Vo  Do  Do  Blues’*  and  the  closing  “Bye,  Bye” 
featured  Stritt.  The  latter  number  also  called 
for  service  on  the  part  of  the  organist  and 
Young's  dancing  ensemble. 

St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  August  5 

Don  Albert  synchronwed  his  orchestra  for  his 
overture  in  conjunction  with  the  showing  on  the 
screen  of  “On  the  Trail  of  a Ranger.”  Elmer  Mc- 
Donald sang. 

On  the  stage  was  “Maid  of  the  Mist”  with  a 
pretty  woodland  setting  to  unfoid  an  Indian 
legend.  The  story  was  told  by  an  Indian  squaw, 
a chief  and  a brave,  and  was  enacted  by  a num- 
ber of  bathing  girls  who  did  high  diving  from 
springboards  into  a large  tank  of  water  that  was 
camouflaged  by  stage  rocks,  trees,  vines  and  shrub- 
bery. It  was  a pretty  novelty.  Lottie  Mayer’s 
Diving  Girls  were  featured  in  this  offering. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  August  6 

The  Fox  Theatre  Orchestra  with  Adolphe  Korns- 
pan  conducting  gave  a very  effective  interpreta- 
tion of  Liszt’s  “Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody.” 
Ferri  Sarkoze  made  the  overture  doubly  interest- 
ing with  his  zymbalo  solo. 

Caites  Brothers,  late  of  “Artiste  and  Models,” 
did  some  very  clever  tap  dancing.  Their  dancing 
progressed  through  various  stages  of  speed  from 
low  to  high  but  the  rhythm  was  always  perfect 
and  the  ceasing  of  the  tape  was  the  signal  for  a 
burst  of  applause. 

Muriel  La  France,  protege  of  Madame  Galli 
Curci,  appeared  in  a rose  colored  gown  which 
was  contrasted  with  a blue  background  with  rose 
colored  lights  at  the  sides  of  the  stage.  Her 
voice,  which  is  coloratura  soprano,  has  clarity  and 
purity  of  tone  to  a degree  seldom  heard.  She 
sang  “Indian  Love  Song”  and  a song  without 
words  that  showed  the  wonderful  range  of  her 
voice. 

The  Thirteen  Parisienne  Redheads  are  the 
feminine  counterpart  of  Waring’s  Pennsylvanians. 
Their  white  sport  costumes,  sweaters  and  tarns 
seemed  well  suited  to  the  type  of  music  produced. 
The  boyish  looking  leader  takes  the  opportunity 
to  do  her  daily  dozen  and  conducts  the  orchestra 
with  lots  of  pep  and  gymnastics.  The  stage 
setting  represented  a yacht.  “Russian  Lullaby,” 
“Bell  Hop  Blues,”  a vocal  solo  and  plenty  of  jazz 
were  offered  and  ail  were  heartily  applauded. 

The  week  beginning  August  8th  will  be  “Roxy” 
Week  at  the  Fox  and  Philadelphians  will  be 
given  an  opportunity  to  see  and  hear  the  mem- 
bers of  Roxy’s  famous  “Gang.” 

Mr.  Rothafel  will  offer  a program  of  presenta- 
tion acts  which  have  been  produced  at  the  Roxy 
Theatre  in  New  York.  Among  those  who  will 
appear  will  be  Maria  Gambarelli,  Doug  Stan- 
bury,  Gladys  Rice  and  the  Roxy  Chorus  of  fifty 
voices  as  well  as  the  Roxy  Male  Chorus. 


New  York  Roxy 

Week  Ending  August  5 

The  Roxy  performance  this  week  has  a distinctly 
Russian  flavor  to  it,  which  begins  with  the  open- 
ing number  “March  of  the  Sardar,”  played  by  the 
Roxy  Symphony  orchestra. 

The  chorus  follows  this  with  a "Dancing  Song,” 
a wild  and  spirited  number,  with  the  singers  in 
Russian  costume. 

“Breezes”  is  a dance  by  Anna  Savina,  with  the 
chorus  singing  an  accompaniment  and  a balalaika 
orchestra  playing  one.  The  balalaika  is  a Russian 
mandolin  and  the  strains  of  these  instruments  and 
the  costumes  make  the  Red  Square  of  Moscow 
seem  almost  as  close  as  Times  Square. 

In  the  “Dance  of  the  Kerchief”  M.  Vodnoy  and 
the  ballet  corps  build  their  dance,  which  is  of 
the  whirling,  swirling  variety,  around  the  brilliant 


scarfs  which  they  carry.  An  unusual  and  effective 
number. 

“Two  Guitars”  is  played  by  the  balalaika  or- 
chestra and  gives  them  ample  opportunity  to 
demonstrate  the  peculiar  and  indefinable  appeal 
of  these  strange  instruments. 

In  the  “Dance  Grotesque”  Stella  Stepanoff  and 
M.  Vodnoy  do  a fast  stepping  Russian  dance, 
bringing  to  their  number  something  of  that  utter 
abandon  which  characterizes'  the  Russian  at  play. 
Theodore  Stepanoff  does  the  “Dance  Russe”  alone, 
and  this  agile  and  gi-aceful  performance  di-ew  him 
a great  round  of  applause. 

The  finale  brings  them  all  in  and  in  their  Rus- 
sian costumes  it  looks  as  if  the  Soviet  congress 
had  moved  to  New  York  for  the  week-end.  The 
ballet  corps  does  another  Russian  dance  and  then 
does  another  Russian  song  to  conclude  the  act. 
Against  a set  which  represents  a Chinese  shrine 
and  from  the  center  of  which  she  rises  Amelia 
Allen  does  a writhing,  twisting  snake  dance  with 
the  ballet  corps  accompanying  her.  As  she  re- 
turns to  her  position  on  the  altar,  at  the  end  of 
this  piece,  vari-colored  lights  are  played  on  a 
huge  revolving  disc  just  behind  her.  The  effect 
is  at  once  startling  and  impressive. 

“The  Music  Box”  is  a dance  done  by  Florence 
Rogge,  Vivian  LaTongue  and  Leon  Leonidoff.  It 
is  of  the  wooden  soldier  type,  but  the  skill  with 
which  it  is  presented  and  the  uniqueness  of  the 
set,  which  represents  one  of  the  old  fashioned 
music  boxes,  assure  its  success. 

The  finale  number  is  a rendition  of  Liszt’s 
“Love’s  Dream.”  On  a raised  stage  and  sil- 
houetted before  a full  moon  two  lovers  are  seen. 
In  front  of  this  raised  stage,  but  behind  a light 
transparent  curtain,  the  ensemble  sings  of  “Love’s 
Dream.”  Some  fine  singing  here  and  the  set  is  a 
very  pleasing  one. 

St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  August  5 

Herbert  Rawlinson  dedicated  his  third  show  to 
telling:  St.  Louisians  of  the  spots  where  he  has 
had  the  best  tim,es  in  St.  Louis,  during:  the  per- 
formance paying  respects  to  familiar  places  in  the 
downtown.  West  End,  North  and  South  sides.  He 
styled  the  show  “Around  the  Town.” 

He  also  introduced  his  Ambassador  Rockets  and 
syncopating  orchestra  in  new  routines.  In  addi- 
tion there  were  some  new  acts,  including  Mildred 
La  Salle,  a “blues”  singer ; the  Deen  Brothers, 
steppers,  and  Eddie  Lambert,  comedian.  Ginger 
Rogers,  who  sang  and  Charlestoned  also  went  over 
very  big. 

Dave  Silverman  and  his  orchestra  played  for 
their  overture  “Dreamy  Hawaii,"  and  as  an  ac- 
companiment to  the  musicians  the  Three  Aces 
sang  and  played  ukuleles,  while  the  Ambasador 
Rockets  quivered  around  the  stage  in  “graes" 
skirts  made  of  silk  fringe. 


SUNSHINE  SAMMY 

Star  of  ‘‘OUR  GANG”  Comedies 
in  SONG  and  DANCE 

Like  “OUR  GANG”  comedy  films  brought  them  into  your 
theatre  SUNSHINE  SAMMY  will  bring  the  DOLLARS  rolling 
into  your  box-office. 


One  of  the  BIGGEIST  “Little  Star”  attractions  ever  offered 

COMBINATION  THEATRES. 


He  has  broken  Box-Office  Records  all  over  the  ORPHEUM 
CIRCUIT  and  will  do  the  same  for  YOU. 


BOOKINGS  under  direction  of  EZ  KEOUGH,  Woods  Theatre 
Bldg.,  CHICAGO. 


JACK  born  and  LAWRENCE 

“KOMEDY  KAPERS” 

Now  featured  in  the  SIXTH  B.  & K.  ANNUAL  FUR  FASHION  SHOW 
with  JOE  LAURIE,  Jr.,  and  MILTON  WATSON.  Just  finished  at  the 
CHICAGO  and  TIVOLI  Theatres. 

This  Week  at  the  Uptown— Next  Week  at  the  SENATE,  CHICAGO. 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


DAVID  GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 
BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept, 
Chicago 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  5 

“Non-Stop  to  Mars/*  a fantastical  revue  by 
Frank  Cambria,  with  the  usual  lavish  Publix  en- 
tertainers, is  the  stage  feature,  with  Gene  Rode- 
mich  and  his  company  of  jazz  masters  furnishing 
the  musical  numbers. 

Cambria*s  number  is  one  of  rare  beauty  and 
calls  for  the  full  exercise  of  the  lighting  effects 
to  produce  the  many  illusions.  Tableaux,  action 
and  music  are  all  blended,  if  such  a thing  is 
IXKsible,  in  the  number. 

Gene  Rodemich  presents  “In  the  Orient,**  a 
featxire  of  which  is  the  singing  of  Alice  St.  John. 
Assisting  is  Boyd  Senter,  familiar  figure  to  those 
who  enjoy  presentation,  who  is  announced  as 
the  “king  of  syncopators.**  His  work  with  his 
saxophone  and  the  jazz  clarinet  bring  forth  much 
applause  from  his  audiences. 

‘‘Traumerei**  by  the  Grand  Orchestra  under  the 
direction  of  Joseph  Klein  is  the  central  number 
about  which  the  rest  of  the  orchestra’s  program 
revolves.  It  is  one  in  the  “Music  Master  Series” 
which  Klein  is  presenting.  Scenes  from  the  lives 
of  Robert  and  Clara  Schumann  accompany  the 
numbers. 

Arthur  Martel  presides  at  the  organ. 

“Time  to  Love’*  is  the  film. 

Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  August  7 

Benny  Meroff  in  “Montmarte’s  Sweetheart’*  was 
this  week’s  stage  attraction.  “Is  Zat  So?**  a first- 
run  feature  and  Vitaphone,  is  the  other  part  of 
the  program.  The  stage  presentation  took  off  as 
follows : 

Opening:  With  curtain  rising  slowly  about  two 
feet  off  the  floor,  exposing  eight  pair  of  limbs 
doing  a dance  routine  and  gradually  kicking  the 
curtain  up. 

The  next  scene,  in  full  stage  setting,  displays 
orchestra  led  by  the  pianist,  Morrie  Blumenthal, 
as  Madelyn  Killen  sings  “Montmarte.”  The 
Granada  girls  come  in  for  a neat  routine  here 
and  at  this  point  Benny  also  makes  his  appear- 
ance and  leads  the  orchestra  into  a very  pretty 
arrangement  of  “Just  Like  a Butterfly.**  The 
boys  play  this  tune  very  nicely,  interpolating 
“Poor  Little  Butterfly,”  intermingled  with  sev- 
eral instrumental  variations.  Meroff  picks  up  an 
odd  instrument  at  this  point,  undoubtedly  made 
from  a cello,  having  the  same  body  formation 
but  with  horn  on  either  side  instead  of  strings. 
Benny  gave  a nice  solo  of  this  number  on  this 
instrument,  abstracting  some  nice  harmony  from 
the  thing. 

Ben  Metz,  the  drummer,  picks  up  a chorus  of 
same  song  and  sings  it,  to  very  good  hand.  Meroff 
then  goes  into  his  regular  routine  of  dancing  as 
the  orchestra  goes  at  the  number  for  all  it’s 


worth.  This  number  sure  got  a great  plug  and 
it  is  about  the  fifth  time  that  it  has  been  \ised  in 
this  house,  but  it  always  seems  to  please. 

Tommy  Thompson,  a young  tenor  with  a sort 
of  a pleasing  harmony  voice,  sings  “Elegie**  in 
French.  This  young  man  has  appeared  in  musical 
shows  and  local  night  clubs  and  seems  to  please 
this  class  of  audience  with  his  type  of  offering. 

Bruno  Brothers,  three  athletic  men,  who  a short 
time  ago  appeared  in  other  local  picture  houses 
under  the  name  of  the  Weiss  Trio.  They  have 
been  reported  in  these  columns  before  and  they 
again  repeated  their  tremendo\is  success  in  this 
house,  again  proving  that  acrobatic  acts  can  now 
look  to  the  picture  field  for  recognition. 

Madelyn  Killen  came  back  again  after  this 
number  and  sang  “Who,”  using  Meroff  as  a foil, 
later  going  into  a second  chorus  as  a high  kicking 
routine  that  won  her  a good  hand. 

Sylvan  Lee  and  Jane  Moore,  two  musical  com- 
edy artists,  appeared  next  in  a dance  routine  to 
the  tune  of  the  “Doll  Dance,”  scoring  a big  hit, 
which  compelled  them  to  encore  to  a clever,  fast 
acrobatic  novelty  step. 

Benny  Meroff  next  sings  “Me  and  My  Shadow,” 
and  although  Benny  doesn’t  claim  to  be  a singer, 
his  delivery  was  very  well  received.  He  followed 
this  up  with  one  of  his  Russian  dance  steps  per- 
formed on  a flight  of  steps.  It  is  needless  to  say 
that  the  audience  here  go  big  for  Benny’s  dancing ; 
in  fact,  he  has  worked  himself  into  the  hearts  and 
good  graces  of  this  audience  through  his  sincere 
hard  work  as  a versatile  performer. 

The  Granada  Girls  make  their  appearance  again, 
half  dressed  as  men  and  half  as  girls,  and  go  into 
a routine  of  the  Apache  as  Tommy  Thompson 
sings  “Montmarte  Rose.”  Madelyn  Killen  also 
comes  in  for  a bit  in  this  scene  portraying  the 
Paris  Cafe  girl,  later  going  into  a song  offering 
of  “My  Man”  as  she  starts  to  ascend  the  stair- 
case while  the  entire  cast  assembles  on  the  stage 
for  the  finale. 

Observation : Newspaper  advertising  and  other 
forms  of  theatre  exploitation  announce  that 
George  Givot,  the  Chicago  favorite,  and  Buck  and 
Bubbles  will  appear  at  this  house  next  week.  Here 
is  a treat  in  store  for  everyone. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  6 

Syncopatingr  redskin  tunes,  Russ  Morgan  and 
his  rhythmic  musicians  wore  gay  plumage  for  their 
share  of  “Indian  Moonshine,”  which  headlined 
Boyle  and  Kramer,  musical  comedy  stars. 

Inaugural  feature:  “By  the  Waters  of  the 
Minnetonka,”  introduced  the  orchestra  boys  fit- 
tingly. This  colorful  event  and  several  other 
bright  episodes  took  place  before  a mountainous 
drop.  At  one  side  of  the  stage  a wigwam  added 
to  its  picturesqueness.  Without  a break,  Ernie 
Young’s  Rosebud  Trio  stretch  their  shapely  limbs 
vigorously  to  a different  melody. 


Sedley,  the  master  of  ceremonies,  now  enters 
doing  "It’s  Better  to  Have  Loved,”  and  spices  it 
for  the  already  highly  pleased  customers.  He  is 
followed  by  Palmere  and  Doree’s  classical  “Indian 
love  call”  interpretation,  well  danced.  When  this 
pair  made  their  exit,  Moran  and  White  tossed 
numerous  hats  around  for  a time.  Their  invita- 
tions to  competitors  in  the  audience  and  kidding 
remarks  pleased  everyone. 

“Indan  Love  Call,”  included  along  with  the 
medley  supplied  by  Russ  Morgan  at  the  piano,  was 
next,  Sedley  is  back  again  to  perform  smart  gag 
work  as  the  bell  rings  for  Jolley,  the  Capitol 
tenor,  who  offers  "From  the  Land  of  the  Sky 
Blue  Water.”  All  registered  nicely  and  Sedley’s 
last  rendition,  “Two-Ton  Tessie,”  puts  a finishing 
touch  on  this  portion. 

White  and  blackface  comedy,  consisting  of 
songs  and  words  from  Kramer  and  Boyle,  drew 
down  the  entire  house.  ’Their  word  distorting 
battle  was  one  laugh  afer  another.  “Me  and  My 
Shadow,”  Boyle’s  vocal  effort,  also  pleased  tre- 
mendously. 

Finale:  Rosebuds  and  orchestra  working  to- 

gether. 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  August  7 

The  stage  presentation  offered  two  stage  shows, 
each  of  which  was  extremely  beautiful  and  clev- 
erly presented.  The  first  was  called  “Impromptu 
Fantasie  and  was  opened  by  a long  orchestra 
selection.  As  this  ends  the  stage  reveals  a huge 
set  depicting  the  balcony  of  a Russian  castle.  A 
woman  dressed  in  Russian  costume  croons  “Rus- 
sian Lullaby”  to  a baby  in  a cradle,  with  stage 
lights  dark,  but  under  amber  spot- 

As  woman  ends  song,  a group  of  unseen  voices 
behind  center  scrim  sing  "The  Volga  Boatman.” 
As  these  voices  fade,  the  woman  sings  the  lul- 
laby again  and  scrim  cut-out  on  left  discloses  a 
young  Russian  couple  being  married  by  priest.  As 
this  fades  out,  another  scrim  cut-out  on  right 
shows  another  mother  singing  her  baby  to  sleep. 
Then  the  large  center  scrim  fades  into  view  and 
shows  the  10  singers  in  Russian  costume.  ’The 
woman  at  the  cradle  and  the  chorus  sing  “A  Rus- 
sian Lullaby”  together.  The  presentation  received 
a fine  applause,  which  it  certainly  deserved. 

George  Lyons  was  ne.xt  featured  in  the  orchestra 
pit.  He  played  on  the  harp  and  sang  “If  You  See 
Sally,”  and  was  accompanied  by  the  orchestra.  He 
received  splendid  applause. 

A news  reel  and  organ  solo  were  next  offered, 
followed  by  the  second  presentation,  "Winter 
Nights.”  The  stage  setting  for  this  presentation 
was  a snow  scene  done  in  modernistic  manner. 
Four  men,  dressed  in  white  Russian  costumes, 
enter  from  behind  scrim  curtain  and  sing  Russian 
song.  They  are  followed  by  six  girls  in  white 
costumes  trimmed  with  white  fur  who  do  a dance 
routine. 

This  is  followed  by  the  Amaut  Brothers,  who 
offer  a clown  number,  playing  “Tea  for  Two”  on 
banjo  and  mandolin.  The  number  was  clever  and 
funny  and  received  good  applause. 

The  center  scrim  lifts  to  disclose  back  stage  a 
woman  dressed  in  a beautiful  white  costume  sit- 
ting on  huge  throne  of  ice.  'This  throne  is  carried 
out  in  same  modernistic  manner,  and  as  the  throne 
glides  toward  front  of  stage,  the  woman  sings 
selections  from  grand  oi)era.  The  throne  then 
slides  to  backstage  again  and  scrim  is  lowered. 
The  entire  house  applauded. 

This  was  followed  by  a girl  who  did  a very 
clever  burlesque  toe  dance.  The  girl  won  many 
laughs  and  a good  round  of  applause. 

The  Arnaut  Brothers  again  appear,  this  time 
dressed  in  clown  make-up  representing  a male  and 
female  bird.  They  give  a bird  dialogue  that  is 
clever,  and  of  the  same  type  as  Novello  Bros. 
Their  imitation  of  the  singing  of  birds  is  great. 
The  number  received  the  best  applause  of  the 
show.  The  scrim  lifts  for  the  finale  and  all  per- 
formers are  presented. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August  6 

Yes  sii“,  this  is  the  week  of  the  Million  Dollar 
Fur  Show  at  the  Wisconsin  theatre,  with  twenty 
models  who  know  their  furs,  doing  their  stuff. 
Dave  Schooler  opened  the  show  appearing  in  front 
of  the  silk  curtain  all  togged  up  in  a silk  hat, 
raccoon  coat  and  cane,  singing  “There’s  a Trick 
in  Picking  a Chicken  Today,” 

And  then  the  curtain  was  parted  showing  Dave’s 
orchestra  all  dressed  in  red  cloaks  with  white  fur 
trimmings  sitting  before  a drop  representing 
Arctic  seas.  A number  of  the  models  then  paraded 
back  and  forth  with  Dave  Schooler’s  orchestra 
furnishing  the  music,  and  Dave  himself  interspers- 
ing “wise  cracks”  now  and  then. 

Peggy  Hart,  the  next  number  on  the  presenta- 
tion, did  a bit  of  clever  dancing  in  an  abbreviated 


CORNELIUS  MAFFIE 

(The  Admiral  of  Organists) 

Featured  at  the 

ADMIRAL  THEATRE 

CHICAGO 

(Also  Broadcasting  from  Station  WBBM) 


Solos  Community  Singing 

HAROLD  J.  LYON 

Premier  Organist 
CAPITOL  THEATRE,  OTTUMWA,  lA. 

The  Youngest  and  Most  Popular  Organist  in  IOWA 

“The  Best  for  the  Best” 


HARRY  ZIMMERMAN 

FEATURED  ORGANIST 

BELMONT  (Formerly  L&T)  CHICAGO 

Now  Under  ORPHEUM  CIRCUIT  Management 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


fur  costume  to  the  tune  of  "I  Want  to  Be  Happy” 
by  the  orchestra. 

Following  this  number,  the  drop  directly  behind 
the  orchestra  was  raised  showing  a scene  repre- 
senting a northern  woods  with  the  fir  trees  laden 
with  snow.  Directly  behind  the  orchestra  a small 
moving  platform  was  arranged  which  brought  up 
each  model  besides  the  two  which  appeared  from 
the  wings.  “Under  the  Moon"  with  the  musical 
arrangement  by  Glen  Welty  was  then  played  by 
the  orchestra,  with  Billy  Meyer  singing  the 
chorus.  The  selection  went  over  big. 

Wally  Jackson  was  next,  and  received  the  big- 
gest hand  ever  given  anybody  to  date.  He  was 
dressed  in  suit  and  coat  that  was  several  times  too 
large  for  him,  and  had  in  his  buttonhole  a mas- 
sive sunflower.  He  did  a number  of  clever  comic 
dance  steps  which  set  the  audience  to  howling  and 
he  was  called  back  for  about  four  encores.  It  is 
hard  to  say  whether  it  was  just  Jackson’s  dancing 
alone  which  attracted  the  audience  or  whether  his 
winning  personality  was  responsible  for  the  ap- 
plause. 

Billy  Adams,  the  long  funny  man,  was  held 
over  from  last  week,  and  besides  singing  a funny 
little  skit,  helped  Dave  Schooler  make  “wise 
cracks”  while  the  models  were  on  the  stage.  The 
models  at  this  time  made  their  second  appearance 
to  the  tune  of  “If  You  See  Sally”  by  the  orchestra. 

Gus  Mulcay,  the  harmonica  artist,  received  a 
good  share  of  applause  for  his  “Farewell  Blues” 
and  “St.  Louis  Blues”  on  the  little  mouthpiece. 
He  instilled  plenty  of  “heat”  into  these  numbers 
besides  doing  several  good  dance  steps  which  did 
not  in  any  way  help  to  cool  ofT  the  act. 

“Just  Like  a Butterfly”  with  the  musical  ar- 
rangement by  Glen  Welty  was  the  next  number 
by  the  orchestra,  which  in  turn  received  consid- 
erable applause. 

Bailey  and  Barnum,  two  would-be  colored  bell 
hops  from  the  “Greenwich  Village  Follies”  and 
“Lady  Be  Good”  entertained  with  “Pretty  Little 
Bombom  Bay”  and  “I’m  Looking  Over  a Four 
Leaf  Clover,”  with  one  of  them  singing  the  num- 
bers and  the  other  strumming  the  tune  on  the 
banjo.  This  one  member  sure  can  strum  that 
banjo,  for  he  proved  it  to  the  audience  when  he 
played  “June  Night”  and  got  a big  hand,  and 
the  other  puts  lot  of  pep  into  his  songs,  which 
met  with  the  approval  of  the  audience. 

Following  another  display  of  fur  fashions  by  the 
models,  Wallace  and  Cappo,  two  gentlemen  soft 
shoe  dancers,  exercised  their  dogs  to  the  tune  of 
“Sam,  the  Old  Accordion  Man,”  for  which  the 
audience  applauded  their  approval. 

The  grand  finale  consisted  of  the  twenty  models, 
ten  on  either  side,  arrayed  on  the  stairway  leading 
to  the  second  stage  platform,  and  the  rest  of  the 
entertainers  on  the  stage  with  the  orchestra  doing 
their  stuff.  Circular  balls  of  light  were  dropped 
down  from  above  which  gave  the  effect  of  failing 
snow  flakes,  and  with  the  applause  of  the  audience 
filling  the  house,  the  curtain  dropped  on  the  scene. 

Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  August  7 

“The  Poor  Nut,”  one  of  the  recent  adaptations 
to  the  screen  was  the  feature  photoplay,  and  Ben- 
nie Kreuger  in  “Look  Who’s  Here”  was  the  stage 
attraction.  The  offering  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  With  orchestra  playing  “Hello, 

Cutie”  while  the  Marker!  Girls  posed  on  runway, 
sing  special  lyric  to  the  tune  like  “Hello,  Bennie’ 
as  Kreuger,  dressed  in  farmer’s  duster  and  straw 
hat,  parades  down  the  aisle  with  basket  under  his 
arm. 

When  Bennie  steps  on  stage  he  distributes  a few 
presents  around  and  then  leads  his  orchestra  into 
an  arrangement  of  “You  Don’t  Like  It,”  as  the 
girls  dance  a neat  routine  to  the  same  tune. 

’The  next  band  number  was  “Sometimes  I’m 
Happy”  from  the  show,  “Hit  the  Deck,”  with  a 
vocal  chorus  by  Frankie  Masterman,  the  banjo 
player,  and  a saxophone  solo  by  Bennie. 

This  was  followed  by  Jack  and  Kay  Spangler 
in  a similar  routine  that  has  been  reported  in 
these  columns  before  in  other  local  houses.  As 
usual  the  team  went  over  very  big.  It  is  also  re- 
I)orted  that  these  people  will  return  to  musical 
comedy  next  week. 

Salt  and  Pepper  followed  with  their  jazz  type 
of  harmony  songs  sung  in  peppy  style  in  sort  of 
a crooning  manner.  These  boys  were  seen  at 
other  houses  before  and  present  practically  the 
same  program  of  songs,  opening  with  “Side  by 
Side,”  which,  although  being  a very  pretty  num- 
ber, is  rather  old.  As  an  encore  they  sang  “How 
Can  We  Stop  Petting  Parties,”  a comedy  song 
with  a few  off-color  lines  that  didn’t  seem  to  go 
over  as  well  as  they  expected.  “I’ve  Never  Seen 
a Straight  Banana”  sung  as  a follow-up  song, 
sort  of  saved  this  situation.  These  boys  are  clever 
in  their  style  of  entertainment  and  would  be  a 
riot  on  any  bill  if  the  proper  type  of  songs  were 
offered  by  them. 


Another  band  arrangement  followed  this  time. 
“One  Summer  Night,”  a clever  arrangement  made 
by  Victor  Young,  with  a saxophone  solo  offered  by 
Bennie  Kreuger.  This  number  was  offered  as  a 
scrim  presentation  with  novel  setting  above  band 
on  level  platform,  with  a blinking  owl  on  each 
side  as  the  Marker!  Girls,  dressed  in  flimsy  cos- 
tumes. offered  one  of  their  dance  routines  as 
Frankie  Masterman  sang  the  number. 

Peggy  Bernier  came  on  next  with  a series  of 
brand-new  songs  such  as  “Nothing,”  “You’re  in 
Love,”  “Little  Bom-Bombay,”  which  stopped  the 
show.  We  could  go  on  indefinitely  talking  about 
Peggy,  but  the  young  lady  has  been  reported 
many  times  before  and  a glance  through  back 
numbers  will  give  you  more  dope. 

She  wan  followed  by  the  Markert  Girls  again, 
who  danced  a pretty  routine  to  the  band’s  ar- 
rangement of  “Moonbeams  Kiss  Her  For  Me.” 

Harry  Rappi,  the  singing  violinist  entertainer 
who  has  been  a standard  attraction  in  vaudeville 
for  several  years,  made  his  appearance  next  for 
the  first  time  in  a picture  house.  Harry  played 
the  “Hungarian  Rhapsody”  on  his  violin,  inter- 
mingled with  a medley  of  songs  and  smart  chat- 
ter. He  held  the  center  stage  for  several  minutes 
with  his  wise-cracking,  which  appeared  to  be 
original  in  this  house,  and  stopped  the  show  cold 
with  his  comedy  Spanish  song. 

This  fellow  is  a good  bet  for  picture  houses 
and  some  live  organization  should  grab  him  off 
as  a personality  leader  for  stagehand  shows. 

“Bye-Bye,  Pretty  Baby”  was  next  played  as  a 
band  arrangement  with  a vocal  chorus  sung  by 
Frankie  Masterman  as  the  Markert  Girls,  clad  in 
orange  and  black  costumes  and  harnessed  bells, 
paraded  on  the  runway.  During  this  number  the 
girls  all  lined  up  on  their  backs  and  played  the 
tune  on  the  harnessed  belle.  (This  routine,  a 
novel  one,  has  been  used  for  several  seasons  by 
Will  Higgle  and  Girls,  and  although  we  are  not 
sure  who  is  the  rightful  owner  of  it,  it  seems 
like  somebody  is  infringing.) 

Finale:  'The  girls  back  on  the  stage  again  as 
the  band  strikes  up  a faster  arrangement  of  the 
number  with  the  entire  cast  assembled  on  the 
stage,  while  a huge  rhinestone  ball  reflector  de- 
scends from  the  fly  gallery  trimmed  with  artificial 
flower  ribbons  supposedly  from  a May  pole. 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  August  7 

“Is  Zat  So?”  the  famous  stage  comedy  made 
into  a film  was  the  week’s  photoplay  while  Verne 
Buck  and  his  boys  presented  “Clownland,”  the 
new  stage  presentation  which  featured  Julia 
Gerity  and  Jazz  Lips  Richardson.  The  offering 
ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  sotting  with  the  entire 
cast  dressed  as  clowns  and  led  by  Verne  Buck  as 
he  makes  his  entrance  from  the  rear  of  the  thea- 
tre parading  down  the  aisle  on  to  the  stage. 
When  the  entire  company  is  assembled  on  the 


stage.  Hal  Gillis  and  his  uke  with  Verne  Buck  and 
his  big  bass  dnim  play  and  sing  some  comedy 
songs  in  front  of  a street  drop  as  the  curtain 
rises  to  full  stage  setting  displaying  four  gro- 
tesque clowns  in  the  background  against  the 
black  curtain  trimmed  with  gold  moon  and  stars. 

After  this  novel  opening  and  introductory  the 
orchestra  goes  into  an  arrangement  of  “Whose 
That  Pretty  Baby”  with  Buck  clowning  through- 
out the  number  as  Cloyde  Griswold  offers  a vooal 
solo. 

Lester,  Bell  and  Griffin,  three  clever  acrobats, 
tumble  on  after  this  number  with  a series  of 
pantomime  comedy  and  acrobatic  antics. 

Hal  Gillis  again  makes  his  entrance  dressed 
and  made  up  as  a clown  in  huge  collegian 
trousers  and  offers  a comedy  song  to  his  tap 
dancing  routine.  For  an  encore  he  sings  and 
dances  to  the  tune  of  “She  Don’t  Wanna,”  which 
was  also  well  received. 

He  was  followed  by  Russell  and  Mack,  two 
musical  comedy  people  who  offered  their  impres- 
sion of  collegian  dancing  done  in  an  original  style 
of  buck  and  wing  which  was  very  well  received. 
This  was  followed  by  another  band  arrangement 
of  “One  Summer  Night”  with  the  Verne  Buck 
Trio,  consisting  of  Wilson,  Griswold  and  Buck, 
who  harmonize  this  number  and  incidently 
stopped  the  show,  as  per  usual,  they  were  com- 
pelled to  take  an  encore. 

Jazz  Lips  Richardson,  who  has  played  in  this 
house  several  times,  appeared  again  and  proved 
that  he  is  still  the  big  favorite  that  he  always 
was.  Richardson  had  some  new  songs  and  steps 
which  he  put  over  in  great  style,  stopping  the 
show  and  signing  off  after  three  encores. 

Clem  Daccy,  another  local  favorite,  who  has 
sung  more  songs  and  played  more  roles  in  band- 
shows  in  this  territory  than  a cat  has  kittens 
came  on  this  time  as  a clown  singing  “No  Wonder 
I’m  Happy”  and  “Just  Like  a Butterfly.”  doing 
both  nicely  and  pleasing  the  customers. 

Cloyde  Griswold  next  announced  the  Saxophone 
Se.xtet  which  consisted  of  Verne  Buck,  Hal  Hiatt. 
Frank  Wilson,  Charles  Burns,  Vic  Rohver  and 
A1  Moulding,  all  playing  different  sized  saxo- 
phones ala  Six  Brown  Boys.  Many  popular  tunes 
were  played,  making  this  number  one  of  the  out- 
standing features  of  the  show.  ’This  is  a brand 
new  idea  and  will  most  likely  be  continued  in 
future  presentations  here.  It  is  very  seldom  that 
six  clever  players  of  brass  instruments  can  har- 
monize together  to  the  extent  that  they  become 
the  talk  of  the  show.  They  put  the  kibosh  to 
the  rest  of  solos  taking  three  encores  and  prob- 
ably that  many  more  if  the  time  had  allowed  it. 

It  is  evident  that  no  other  artist  could  have 
followed  such  a tremendous  hit  but  in  as  much 
as  Julia  Gerity  has  set  herself  in  solid  in  this 
house  in  her  previous  engagement,  she  followed 
this  sitecialty  with  “Whatever  You  Do”  and  “Sun- 
down.” As  far  as  the  audience  was  concerned 
Julia  could  have  sang  on  forever.  In  order  to 
please  them,  she  encored  with  “Kiss  and  Make 


FRANK  A.  TILLMAN 

Featured  Organist 

LOEW’S  COLUMBIA  THEATRE 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 


EDWARD  K,  HOUSE 

**The  Singing  Organist'* 

MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Ghicaga 


Community  Songs — 

JOHNNIE  DEVINE 

Featured  Organist 
PATIO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Where  they  sing  “DEVINELY” 

— Solo  Presentations 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


I 


Up”  and  “Some  of  These  Days,”  sung  by  re- 
quest. It  wafi  several  minutes  before  the  audience 
would  let  the  show  continue  and  not  until  she 
sang  a second  chorus  of  this  song,  did  they  let 
her  sign  off. 

This  young  lady  has  been  repoiffed  in  these 
columns  before  at  this  same  house  and  again  we 
wish  to  commit  ourselves  in  writing  that  she  is 
just  the  thing  for  stagehand  shows,  and  if  the 
management  has  not  already  considered  on  hold- 
ing her  over  for  several  weeks,  it  would  be  a 
wise  move  both  from  the  standpoint  of  the  box 
office  as  well  as  showmanship. 

Finale:  A band  arrangement  of  “Just  the 

Same”  played  in  real  hot  style  with  Buck  doing 
one  of  his  violin  solos  assisted  by  the  clarinet, 
fife  and  cornet  for  a second  run  as  the  curtain 
prepares  to  lower. 


Brooklyn  Strand 

Week  Ending  August  6 

This  marks  the  tenth  week  of  Art  Landry  and 
his  Victor  Recording  Orchestra.  The  change  in 
assisting  artists  is  composed  of  Joe  Termini,  a 
“somnolent  melodist,”  who  plays,  violin,  guitar 
and  banjo  at  impossible  angles;  Snow’s  Harmonica 
Band,  and  artists  who  remain  are  Walter  Smith, 
basso,  Sascha  Kindler,  violinist,  and  the  Mark 
Strand  Ballet  Girls. 

The  number  this  week  is  called  “Do%vn  on  the 
Farm,”  with  the  Ensemble  costumed  in  rustic 
style.  The  set  represented  an  interior  of  a huge 
barn,  with  hay  stacks,  straw  lofts,  tools  and  other 
implements  usually  found  down  on  the  farm. 

“The  Second  Hungarian  Rhapsody”  by  Liszt  was 
the  overture  played  by  the  Famed  Mark  Strand 
Orchestra.  Willy  Stahl  conducted  and  served  as 
the  opening  incident  of  the  program. 

Massenet’s  “Meditation”  from  “Thais”  was 
played  as  a violin  solo  by  the  concert  master  on 
the  apron  of  the  orchestra  stage,  while  on  the 
production  stage  the  Mark  Strand  Ballet  Corps,  in 
operatic  costume,  danced  to  its  strains. 

Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  August  7 

Paul  Ash  this  week  gave  ’em  a program  that 
topped  all  of  his  efforts  of  recent  date.  Nor  do 
you  have  to  take  the  word  of  this  reporter  alone. 
A Paul  Ash  fan,  a man  who  invariably  delays  his 
out^)f-town  trips  until  after  he  has  seen  the  new 
show  on  Monday,  concurs  in  our  judgment. 

“Splashes,”  as  the  show  was  titled,  was  engag- 
ing for  its  song,  dance  and  orchestral  melodies. 
One  might  add  that  the  scenics  were  colorful  and 
easy  on  the  optics. 

The  show  opened  with  the  orchestra  playing  be- 
hind the  curtain.  As  the  curtain  went  up  it  dis- 
closed Al  Kvale,  Paul’s  assistant,  handling  the 
baton.  Paul  Small,  who  is  gaining  in  popularity. 


A Presentation 
Service 

Any  exhibitor  who  is  contemplating  a 
policy  of  presentation  of  stagehand  shows, 
either  on  a large  or  small  scale,  and  de- 
sires to  secure  information  regarding  the 
booking  of  specialty  acts  or  anything  per- 
taining to  the  proper  launching  of  stage 
entertainment  is  welcomed  to  make  use  of 
this  publication  by  writing  in  at  any  time 
for  any  suggestions  about  the  above  policy. 

The  Presentation  Department  of  The 
Herald  has  made  arrangements  with  some 
of  the  best  informed  people  in  these  lines 
and  has  at  its  command  all  the  data  and 
information  that  will  enable  you  to  install 
this  or  any  form  of  stage  entertainment 
in  your  theatre,  either  as  a permanent 
policy  or  for  extra  added  attractions  on 
certain  nights  and  occasions  such  as  na- 
tional holidays,  etc. 

We  will  be  only  too  glad  to  assist  you 
in  securing  the  best  material  and  talent 
that  your  appropriation  can  buy,  and  we 
sincerely  recommend  the  best  of  results  if 
the  advice  of  our  experts  is  followed. 


if  that  is  possible,  came  forward  from  the  rear 
and  warbled  as  the  main  attraction  of  a bathing 
girl  number  in  which  the  Abbott  Dancers,  dressed 
in  nobby  white  and  red  bathing  suits,  did  some 
lively  steps.  These  girls,  considering  their  weekly 
change  of  dance  routine,  are  a clever  lot. 

Ash  entered  after  this  number,  coming  down  a 
flight  of  stairs  in  a spot.  He  announced  as  his 
first  number  “So  Blue,”  with  interpolations  of 
“Rhapsody  in  Blue.”  The  selection  was  well  done 
and  brought  a big  hand.  Even  during  the  playing 
the  audience  displayed  its  approval  with  spas- 
modic applause.  The  strings  were  especially  prom- 
inent during  this  selection. 

Paul  announced  as  his  next  an  Oriental  splash, 
Bebc  Moffic.  This  girl  is  a decidedly  clever  con- 
tortion dancer,  and  was  one  more  link  in  a good 
program.  She,  too,  got  a real  hand,  and  de- 
served it. 

“Dew,  Dewey  Day”  was  the  next  splash,  and  it 
was  a good  piece  of  orchestral  work  with  the  brass 
and  reed  instruments  coming  in  for  the  honors. 
Al  Kvale,  who  does  well  by  Mr.  Sax,  did  his  stuff 
to  the  delight  of  the  crowd. 

lllomay  Bailey,  blue  singer  and  dancer,  did  a 
splash  with  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song.”  lllomay  is 
refreshing  and  draws  a good  hand  from  the 
payees.  And  you  can’t  blame  them  for  smarting 
their  hands  for  an  encore. 

The  next  splash  was  a special  attraction — the 
presentation  of  the  bathing  girls  from  ten  Illinois 


cities  who  are  competing  for  the  title  Miss  Illinois. 
Paul  Small  opened  this  act  with  the  lively  tune. 
“There’s  a Trick  in  Pick,  Pick,  Picking  a Chick.” 
To  the  amusement  of  all  and  sundry  he  joined  the 
Abbotts  in  some  lively  steps,  then  continued  sing- 
ing as  the  ten  bathing  beauties  paraded  on  the 
runway  for  individual  applause. 

Clifford  and  Elmore,  a couple  of  lively  steppers, 
next  took  the  spot  and  contested  with  each  other 
for  audience  acclaim.  Both  were  fine  and  the 
audience  gave  each  and  both  the  proper  amount  of 
incentive. 

Outstanding  on  the  bill  was  Wade  Booth,  a bari- 
tone not  heard  heretofore  in  these  parts.  At  least 
this  reporter  has  not  had  the  pleasure,  and  pleas- 
ure it  was. 

Booth  is  an  unusual  performer  for  a bill  of  this 
type,  and  we  must  compliment  Ash  for  adding 
him  to  his  routine  of  songsters.  Booth  is  a singer 
generally  heard  on  the  concert  stage  or  lyceum 
platform,  and  it  is  this  reporter’s  opinion  that 
presentation  would  benefit  by  the  addition  of  a 
few  more  Booths.  From  the  acclaim  accorded  him 
we  would  say  that  he  got  under  the  skin  both  of 
confirmed  jazzites  and  those  who  tolerate  jazz 
but  prefer  music  bordering  on  the  classic.  He 
has  a load  of  personality  which  he  uses  to  ad- 
vantage in  dramatizing  his  songs. 

His  first  was  a musical  dramatic  interpolation 
of  Kipling  s Boots,”  This  was  a wonderful  piece 
of  work.  Next  came  an  Irish  song,  and  follow- 
ing this  the  popular  number  .“Just  Like  a Butter- 
fly Caught  in  the  Rain.”  Ash’s  good  word  was 
that  Booth  will  be  at  the  Oriental  for  some  weeks 
to  come. 

The  finale  brought  Personality  Paul  Small  out 
again  singing  “Bye-Bye,  Pretty  Baby.”  with  the 
Abbotts  doing  their  steps.  There  was  some  clever 
lighting  in  this  act.  'The  stage  was  darkened  and 
the  spots  were  thrown  on  the  legs  of  the  dancing 
^rls.  One  can  imagine  the  effect  of  seeing  just 
legs,  severed  from  bodies,  dancing  about  the  stage. 
A clever  bit  of  lighting,  and  illustrative  of  the 
value  of  lighting  in  presentation. 

All  in  all  it  was  a most  entertaining  show.  Our 
compliments  to  all  the  cast. 


Washington  Rialto 

Week  Ending  August  6 

Rox  Rommcll  played  a cycle  of  Summer  Songs 
opening  with  “Good  Old  Summer  Time”  and  then 
into  “One  Summer  Night.”  The  curtains  on  stage 
parted  and  “Miss  Washington”  was  introduced  to 
the  audience.  She  is  a darling  little  brunette  with 
long  curls  and  an  attractive  figure  in  bathing  suit. 

The  last  number  of  the  overture  was  given  over 
to  Baby  Thompson,  a wee  little  miss  of  eight  years 
who  did  some  attractive  dances  with  the  abandon 
and  grace  of  a veteran.  The  little  dance  in  period 
coetume  to  the  musical  accompaniment  of  “Glow 
Worm”  was  the  best  of  all. 

Milla  Dominguez  sang  two  numbers  in  Italian, 
accompanying  herself  on  the  piano  for  one,  and 
for  a third  she  offered  an  American  song  done 
with  a charming  accent.  Although  of  pleasing 
appearance  and  possessing  a cultured  soprano  voice 
she  was  only  mildly  received.  Conway  Tearle  in 
“Moulders  of  Men”  was  the  feature. 


Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  August  7 

The  first  half  of  this  week’s  stage  show  fea- 
tured Sam  Kaufman  and  his  orchestra  with  Al 
and  Louise  Walker,  and  several  other  artists. 
The  feature  picture  was  “Ten  Modem  Command- 
ments.” The  stage  show  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  F\ill  stage  setting  as  orchestra 

played  an  arrangement  of  “Me  and  My  Shadow” 
with  a vocal  selection  by  one  of  the  boys.  This 
number,  due  to  its  popularity  and  clever  rendi- 
tion, received  a fine  reception. 

Sam  Kaufman  next  announced  Martha  Martel, 
the  young  lady  who  sang  and  danced  her  way  into 
the  approval  of  her  audience  using  “Dew-Dew- 
Dewey  Days”  and  “Who.”  The  last  number  im- 
pressed them  so  much  through  her  clever  in- 
terpretation that  she  was  compelled  to  repeat 
another  chorus. 

She  was  followed  by  Al  and  Louise  Walker,  a 
well-known  team  of  dancers  whose  offering  has 
been  reported  in  many  other  houses  before.  They 
offered  the  modern  style  of  Frisco  dance  to  the 
band’s  tune  of  the  “Strutter’s  Ball,”  which  scored 
one  of  the  hits  of  the  evening,  in  fact,  they  were 
unable  to  exit  until  Kaufman  announced  they 
would  return  later  after  a change  of  costume. 

The  Junior  Quartette,  comixised  of  four  young- 
sters ranging  of  the  age  of  4%  to  9 years  old 
was  next  introduced  by  Kaufman  as  his  proteges. 
One  of  the  youngsters,  a little  girl  about  8,  of- 
fered a very  clever  routine  of  Russian  steps 
while  another  of  about  5 sang  “Sunday.”  as  the 
other  two  in  Hawaiian  attire  did  a novel  black- 


RAY  TURNER 

Featured  Organist 
NORTH  CENTER  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Now  Under  LUB LINER  & TRINZ  Management 


L.  CARLOS  MEIER 

Featured  Organist 
Ascher’s  TERMINAL  Theatre 
CHICAGO 


MURIEL  KAYE 

**The  Distinctive  Dancer** 

For  DeLuxe  Theatres 

Now  Featured  in  Presentations 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  Through  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


bottom  dance.  The  audience  was  very  liberal  with 
its  appreciation  of  this  number. 

Flavio  Plasience,  a Mexican  tenor  of  radio  fame, 
sang  a native  song  called  “Hasta  Manyana.*' 
using  “All  for  You”  and  “In  a Little  Spanish 
Town”  for  his  encores.  This  fellow  was  reported 
befoi’e  in  these  columns. 

Al  and  Louise  Walker  returned  again,  this 
time  costumed  as  coilegiates,  and  offered  a goofy 
eccentric  comedy  dance  which  was  as  equally 
liked  as  their  first  offering. 

They  were  followed  by  Bamboo  and  Pendel, 
who  were  held  over  from  last  week.  These  boys 
practically  repeated  the  same  routine  they  offered 
the  last  half  of  last  week  and  again  proved  the 
favorites. 

The  closing  number  was  Sam  Kaufman’s  own 
version  of  “Rhapsody  in  Blue,”  which  he  in- 
terpreted on  the  piano  in  great  style. 

In  the  last  eight  or  ten  weeks  that  this  leader 
has  conducted  presentation  for  this  house,  he  has 
created  considerable  following  and  intei*ei?t 
through  his  clever  piano  arrangements  which 
from  the  standpoint  of  transposition  are  worthy 
of  mention  and  although  Sam  is  not  a thorough 
musician  he  seems  to  possess  the  knack  and 
ability  of  injecting  comedy  and  medleys  at  the 
right  time,  an  asset  very  few  trained  musicians 
can  boast  of. 

Finale : The  band  picking  up  the  last  strains 
of  this  number  while  the  entire  cast  assembles 
on  the  stage  as  Joe  Alexander,  the  organist,  comes 
in  with  his  Kilgen. 

Observation : Lobby  display  advertising  an- 

nounced Gene  Greene,  Brooks  and  Powers  and 
sevei'al  others  for  the  coming  attraction.  Since 
Roy  Mack  has  been  producing  shows  at  this 
theatre  they  have  been  able  to  secure  better  talent. 
Sam  Kaufman,  who  is  now  in  his  twelfth  week, 
is  reported  to  leave  this  house  next  week  for 
reasons  as  of  other  leaders  had  for  leaving  this 
theatre.  To  date  no  one  has  been  decided  to 
replace  him,  but  it  is  evident  that  the  stagehand 
show  policy  will  continue. 


Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  August  6 

“Gems  of  Joy”  was  the  title  of  the  stage  attrac- 
tion of  Ralph  Pollock  and  his  Newman  Merry 
Makers  at  the  Newman  theatre  this  week. 

Edith  Griffith.  Kansas  City  actress,  did  vocal 
and  dance  numbers.  Kendall  Capps  also  had  a 
novelty  dance  act,  while  Ross  and  Gilbert  had  a 
comic  song  number. 

Stanley  and  Lee  had  a singing  and  dancing  act 
that  proved  a decided  hit,  while  Davy  Jones  had 
a novelty  dancing  act.  The  program  was  built 
around  the  Newman  orchestra  on  the  stage,  as 
usual,  and  the  Six  Scintillating  Steppers  were  fre- 
quent in  their  appearances. 

The  overture  consisted  of  popular  selections. 
The  audiences  also  were  permitted  to  name  selec- 
tions. 

Julia  Dawn,  at  the  organ,  rendered  a novelty 
number  illustrated  by  slides. 

Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  July  22 

Novelties  seem  to  bubble  out  of  the  brain  of 
Gene  Rodemich  anti  this  week’s  musical  presenta- 
tion is  so  well  woven  in  with  the  general  pro- 
gram that  there  appears  not  to  be  a break  be- 
tween the  opening  and  closing  numbers  of  the 
entire  bill. 

Rodemich  leads  a jazz  orchestra  which  gives 
many  of  the  newest  and  most  popular  numbers. 
As  the  orchestra  plays,  the  back  curtain  slowly 
rises  upon  a tableau  of  the  Tyrol,  with  pictur- 
esquely garbed  natives  who,  one  by  one,  enter 
into  the  spirit  of  the  music  either  by  difficult 
dances  or  the  typical  songs  of  that  region  with 
the  novelty  of  jazz  accompaniment. 

Rodemich’s  Band,  however,  tires  of  their  part 
and  as  the  back  again  drops,  shutting  out  the 
mountainous  scene,  they  decide  to  quit.  Rode- 
mich is  left  alone  on  the  stage  and  accepts  tho 
offer  of  Director  Klein  to  lead  the  grand  orchestra 
and  the  strains  of  music  soon  turn  to  jazz,  the 
curtain  again  rises  and  there  is  Rodemich’s  Or- 
chestra, again  playing  full  blast. 

The  spotlight  shifts,  the  jazz  dies  out  and 
the  spot  finds  Arthur  Martell  at  the  console,  play- 
ing the  “Lost  Chord,”  which  gradually  shifts 
into  the  favorite  strains  of  melodies  of  stage  and 
screen  celebrities  and  others  in  the  public  eye. 

As  the  final  strains  die  out,  the  curtain  rises 
upon  another  Cambria  Production,  “Mural  Paint- 
ing.” Following  suitable  introductory  musical 
numbers,  the  figures  in  the  painting  become  alive 
and  take  part  in  the  program,  alternating  with 
beautiful  tableaux.  As  is  usual  in  these  Publix 
presentations,  all  of  the  electrician’s  aii:  is  used 
to  advantage  in  remarkable  lighting  and  color 
effects. 


Boston  State 

Week  Ending  July  23 

Phil  Spitalny  and  His  Boys  continue  as  the 
presentation  number,  with  Llora  Hoffman,  so- 
prano, assisting  this  week.  Little  in  the  line  of 
jazz  and  classical  has  escaped  their  attention  dur- 
ing their  long  stay  at  the  State  and  their  pro- 
grams are  apparently  increasing  each  week  in 
popularity. 

“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys”  is  the  film. 

Worcester  Palace 

Week  Ending  July  23 

Vaudeville  as  seen  from  the  opposite  side  of 
the  stage  and  from  the  wings,  is  presented  the 
audience  as  the  feature  number  this  week,  those 
taking  part,  with  McLaughlin  and  Evans  as  the 
stars,  supposedly  playing  to  an  audience  “out 
front”  of  the  stage  rear.  The  skit  is  so  well 
enacted  as  to  be  a real  headliner.  “The  Polite 
Favorites”  is  the  title.  The  work  of  the  “stage 
hands”  is  exceptionally  good.  Small  and  May, 
two  black  boys,  in  harmony;  the  Woodland 
Revue,  the  Delvey  Sisters  and  Lio  Hoy  Chang 
in  juggling  and  acrobatics  round  out  the  bill. 

“Drums  of  the  Desert”  is  the  feature  film. 


Washington  Palace 

Week  Ending  July  24 

The  Palace  is  still  the  coolest  spot  in  town. 
Feature  picture,  “Callahans  and  the  Murphys.” 

The  stage  bill  opens  with  a Colby  Harriman 
presentation  with  Tom  Gannon’s  orchestra  entitled 
“Roses  and  Jewels.”  Tom  leads  his  band  in 
famous  Rose  songs.  MacDowell’s  “Wild  Rose,’* 
“Roses  of  Picardy,”  “For  You  a Rose”  and  “Wild 
Irish  Rose”  and  “The  Last  Rose  of  Summer” 
was  used  for  a finale  with  Dick  Leibert  at  the 
grand  organ. 

Colby  used  a magnificent  jeweled  curtain  in 
one  and  numerous  spots  brought  into  play  some 
exquisite  color  effects.  From  the  booth  shadow 
roses  were  thrown  on  the  curtain.  Different 
groups  being  used  for  each  number.  Harriman 
presentations  are  the  talk  of  the  Capitol  City. 
The  stage  was  dressed  with  a large  vase  on  each 
side,  huge  bouquets  of  American  beauty  roses  and 
colored  spots. 

Gannon’s  orchestra  featured  “When  the  Day 
Is  Done,”  with  the  Topics  of  the  Day. 

The  major  stage  attraction  was  Isham  Jones 
and  his  Brunswick  Recording  Orchestra,  and  their 
offering  was  entirely  too  short  to  suit  the  en- 
thusiastic audience  although  they  responded  to 
several  encores.  “Sundown,”  with  a special  brass 
section  arrangement,  was  a masterpiece,  and  when 


Jones  played  some  of  his  song  hits  the  audience 
hummed  along  with  him.  The  latest  novelty 
entitled  “The  Cat,”  brought  down  the  house 
when  two  of  the  boys  did  a cat  duet.  A tenor 
stepped  out  of  the  brass  section  for  the  number 
“Just  Like  a Butterfly”  and  was  forced  to  respond 
with  a yodel  encore.  Individualisms  gave  each 
one  of  these  talented  boys  an  opportunity  to  strut 
their  stuff.  Needless  to  say  they  were  a cleanup. 
Jones  did  an  artistic  bit  of  piano  playing  during 
his  song  hits  and  the  rest  of  the  time  directed 
in  a quiet  and  soothing  manner. 

Pantages  Will  Run 

Vaudeville  in  Forum 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9. — The  Forum 
theatre,  long  a motion  picture  house,  has 
passed  into  the  hands  of  Alexander  Pan- 
tages, under  a short  term  lease.  Pantages 
plans  to  expend  $100,000  in  alterations  and 
improvements  to  equip  the  house  for 
vaudeville.  The  operating  policy  has  not 
been  announced. 

The  Forum  was  completed  in  May,  1922, 
at  a cost  of  $1,226,000,  and  is  located  at 
4050  West  Pico  boulevard. 


Three  Theatres  Open 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON,  Aug.  9. — Three  new  thea- 
tres are  to  open  soon  in  Massachusetts. 
The  Capitol  at  Revere  with  a seating 
capacity  of  1,500  will  open  Aug.  29  un- 
der Universal  management.  The  Nor- 
wood at  Norwood  will  open  Sept.  1 with 
a seating  capacity  of  1,000  under  man- 
agement of  Hayden  and  Breen,  and  the 
Dedham  Community  theatre  at  Dedham 
will  open  Sept.  15  to  be  operated  by 
Community  Theatres. 


Twin  Sisters  in  Lead 

Twin  sisters  split  the  leading  feminine 
role  opposite  Lupino  Lane  in  the  new  com- 
edy he  is  making  for  Educational.  They 
are  Charlene  and  Minnielia  Aber,  both  of 
whom  have  appeared  in  child  roles,  and  on 
the  Orpheum  Circuit. 


Week  to  Week  Stunts — ATTENTION!  — Vocal  Variety 

ORGANISTS  ! 

“JIMMY  offers  for  RENTAL 

SAVAGE”  ORGAN  SOLOS 

The  Last  Word  in  Community  Singing 

itOS  W'oods  Theatre  Buildings  Chicago^  III. 

Community  Comics  — Exclusive  Rights  — Original  Organlogues 


Originator  of  the  New  Organ  SCRIMAPHONE  PRESENTATIONS 

Albert  F.  Brown 

FEATURE  ORGANIST 

Alternating  at  the  MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Chieago 
All  Solos  Conceived  by  Albert  F.  Brown  and  Staged  by  RAYMOND  Q.  DALTON 

KBPKE.SENTS  A NEW  EKA  OF  DE  LLrXE  THEATKE  ENTEKTAINMENT 


BUDDY  Tremendous  Hit  at  All  Picture  Houses  JIMMY 

WILLIAMS  and  ROSS 

Funniest  Comedy  Dancing  Team  Playing  Presentations 

OTHERS  IMITATE— WE  ORIGINATE! 

This  Week  at  ST.  PAUL — Next  Week  at  MINNEAPOLIS  for  FINKLESTEIN 
and  RUBEN.  PUBLIX  Route  to  Follow 
NOTE:  Have  Yon  Seen — VALE  & STEWART? 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


CHICAGO  NOW 


rvEMPSEY-SHARKEY  official  fight  film,  pro- 
^ duced  by  Tex  Rickard,  is  now  being  released 
to  exhibitors  in  Illinois  by  Harry  McKay  of 
Ascher  Bros.  . . . George  Voelk  of  Lang  & 
Voelk  acted  as  master  of  ceremonies  last  week 
for  the  new  Mark  Fisher  stagehand  show,  due  to 
a severe  cold  held  by  Fisher  ...  It  is  reported 
that  Lou  Kosloff,  stagehand  leader  of  the  presen- 
tation shows,  rotating  with  Mark  Fisher  at  L.  & T. 
Harding  and  Senate  theatres,  Chicago,  has  re- 
signed and  that  A1  Belasco,  who  took  Fisher’s 
place  while  he  was  on  his  vacation,  is  now  in  his 
place.  . . . Speaking  of  leaders,  it  is  with  great 
pleasure  to  state  that  A1  Kvale  will  open  the 
new  presentation  policy  at  the  Norshore  the- 
atre. Chicago,  on  August  28  with  a split-week 
policy  of  stagehand  shows.  . . . Eddie  Hill,  who 
just  returned  from  a four  weeks’  vacation  is  one 
of  the  featured  acts  on  the  opening  program. 

. . . the  Chicago  N.  V.  A.  Club  is  now  holding  a 
billiard  tournament  with  over  15  prizes  to  the 
best  players  . . . The  last  game  will  be  played 
on  August  23.  . . . Billy  Randall,  formerly  of 
Alex  Gerber’s  “Town  Topics,”  a vaudeville  flash 
act  that  toured  the  Orpheum  Circuit  two  years 
ago,  plans  a tour  of  Publix  on  August  27.  . . . 
Milton  Charles,  featured  organist  for  B.  & K.,  is 
now  on  his  vacation  and  upon  his  return  will 
have  some  new  and  novel  stunts  for  future  organ 
solos.  Ben  Simon  is  the  orchestra  leader  con- 
ducting at  the  Roosevelt  theatre,  Chicago.  . . . 

Henry  B Murtagh,  featured  organist  of  the  B.  & 
K.  Chicago  theatre,  Chicago,  returns  to  his  con- 
sole next  week  after  sustaining  a fractured  left 
shoulder  and  scalp  bruise  in  a mishap  at  the 
Uptown  theatre  two  weeks  ago.  . . . Kendall 

Capps,  of  the  famous  Capps  Family,  is  now  doing 
a single  in  a Publix  Unit.  . . . The  Miss  Chi- 
cago Atlantic  City  Bathing  Beauty  Contest  will 
be  held  at  the  B.  & K.  Chicago  theatre.  Chicago, 
next  week.  . . . The  girl  selected  from  the  finals 
will  represent  the  city  in  the  Miss  America  Con- 
test. . . . Gus  Mulcahy  is  back  into  presentation 
after  several  weeks  of  European  bookings.  . . . 
He  is  featured  in  the  new  stageshow  at  the  Hard- 
ing, Chicago,  this  week.  . . . Del  Delbridge  is 

reported  as  the  band  leader  for  the  new  Avalon, 
which  is  supposed  to  open  on  August  29  as  a 
presentation  house.  . . . Leonard  M.  Salvo, 

featured  organist  of  the  Colony  theatre,  Chicago, 
has  replaced  Ruth  Farley  at  the  Capitol  theatre, 
also  of  Chicago.  . . . Salvo  has  been  a noted 
organist  for  many  years.  . . . Lester  Stepner, 

formerly  associated  with  Sam  Bramson,  who  is 
now  with  the  Chicago  William  Morris  office,  is 
associated  with  Ez  Keough,  well  known  Keith 
and  Orpheum  agent.  . . . Ralph  Gallo,  well 

known  in  Chicago  as  a dancer  and  for  the  last 
two  years  a devotee  of  the  Hollywood  studios,  is 
slowly  working  his  way  up  as  a screen  actor. 

. . . Ralph  has  appeared  in  “Ben  Hur,”  “The 

Black  Pirate”  and  many  other  notable  films. 

. . . Harry  Zimmerman,  formerly  assistant  or- 

ganist at  the  Piccadilly,  Chicago,  is  now  featured 
organist  at  the  Belmont  theatre,  also  of  Chicago, 
which  was  recently  taken  over  by  the  Orpheum 
Circuit.  . . . George  Givot,  the  Chicago  favorite, 
is  back  in  town  after  several  months  of  West 
Coast  bookings  with  Fanchon  and  Marco.  . . . 
Givot  is  featured  this  week  with  Buck  and  Bub- 
bles in  Charles  Kaley’s  new  presentation  at  the 
Granada  theatre,  Chicago.  . . . Cornelius  Maffie, 
solo  organist  at  the  Admiral  theatre,  Chicago, 
can  be  heard  every  evening  on  the  radio  from 
station  WENR,  the  Edison  Studio  in  the  Straus 
Tower.  . . . The  studio  has  the  largest  organ  in 
the  country  for  broadcasting  purposes.  . . . Phil 
Tyrrell,  associate  booker  of  the  William  Morris 
Chicago  office  has  booked  the  Six  Tivoli  Girls  at 
the  Wisconsin  theatre,  Milwaukee,  for  a six  weeks’ 
run.  ...  It  is  also  reported  that  since  the 
bandshow  policy  went  into  effect  at  this  theatre 
the  box  office  receipts  have  increased  over  25%, 
all  due  to  booker  Phil  Tyrrell.  . . . Buddy 

Fisher  may  replace  Sam  Kaufman  as  stagehand 
leader  at  the  Piccadilly  theatre,  Chicago,  when 
the  latter  resigns  this  week.  . . . Carme  Romano, 
formerly  a singer  in  vaudeville,  is  now  in  the 
real  estate  business  with  offices  in  Chicago,  and 
specializes  in  building  lots  for  the  theatrical  pro- 
fession. . . . Frankie  Masterman,  banjo  player 
of  Bennie  Kreuger’s  band,  will  have  his  own 
band  in  two  weeks  to  rotate  with  Kreuger  between 
the  Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres,  Chicago  on  Au- 
gust 28,  when  further  Publix  class  units  will  be 
cut  out  of  these  houses  entirely.  . . . The  man- 
ager of  A!  Ringling’s  theatre  in  Baraboo,  Wis., 
reports  that  he  has  just  started  a stagehand  policy 
with  presentation  acts  used  three  days  per  week 
and  that  it’s  clicking  fine. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


Rhode  Island  Makes 
New  Theatre  Rulings 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

PROVIDENCE,  R.  L,  Aug.  9.— New 
rules  governing  erection  and  operation 
of  motion  picture  theatres  in  the  towns 
of  the  state,  adopted  by  the  Assembly, 
have  been  approved  by  Governor  Pothier 
and  copies  of  the  new  rules  are  being 
sent  to  all  town  clerks  and  theatre  man- 
agers. The  rules  do  not  apply  to  cities 
where  local  building  and  fire  prevention 
codes  have  been  adopted. 

In  general  the  rules  contain  the  same 
provisions  which  are  already  in  force  in 
the  cities.  One  of  the  most  important 
rulings  is  that  no  pictures  may  be  ex- 
hibited in  any  building  above  the  second 
story.  Provision  is  made  for  fireproof- 
ing walls  and  stairways  and  protecting 
booths.  Rules  govern  width  of  aisles, 
exits  and  seating  arrangement.  Any 
person  except  owner,  manager  or  oper- 
ator is  prohibited  from  entering  the 
booth  during  a performance. 


Worcester  Capitol 

Week  Ending  July  23 

As  a climax  for  the  presentation,  a swift  mov- 
ing Apache  dance  of  original  twist  by  Mile.  Andree 
and  Jean  Del  Val,  to  music  provided  by  a Pari- 
sienne  orchestra,  is  given.  The  presentation  is 
complete  with  dance  numbers  from  soft  shoe  to 
aesthetic  and  vocal  and  instrumental  selections. 

“Dance  Magic”  is  the  film. 


Hartford  Allyn 

Week  Ending  July  23 

Senorita  Luana  and  her  company  of  nine  men 
provides  an  enjoyable  midsummer  program  stage 
number.  Accompanying  the  Spanish  dancer  is  a 
marimba  band  which  divides  encores  with  the 
senorita.  Albert  Gallo  and  Eimus  Holt  assist  the 
dancer.  Will  Morris  and  Company  in  various 
dances,  and  Herbert  Clifton,  female  impersonator, 
and  his  company  are  other  features. 

“Wandering  Girls”  is  the  film. 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed)... 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


EDMUND  C.  FITCH 


FEATURE  ORGANIST 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Jesse  Crawford’s  (New  York  Paramount)  organ 
recital  was  composed  entirely  of  popular  numbers 
this  week.  "Baby  Feet”  got  the  most  attention 
from  his  audience,  as  an  unknown  soloist  sang  it 
from  the  wings,  adding  to  its  success. 


Harold  J.  Lyon  (Capitol,  Ottumwa,  Iowa),  ueed 
a “Drill  on  Expression”  with  comedy  slides  show- 
ing that  everybody  was  pleased  with  the  com- 
munity singing  idea  and  that  the  manager’s 
complaints  about  same  were  out  of  place  as  the 
public  was  satisfied.  The  program  consisted  of 
“Sundown,”  “Me  and  My  Shadow”  and  “It  Ail 
Depends  On  You,”  opening  with  “Hail,  Hail,  the 
Gang’s  All  Here”  and  encoring  to  “Red  Lips.” 
Lyon  is  very  popular  here  with  his  crowd. 


W.  Remington  Welch  (Chicago  Tiffin)  offered 
as  his  week’s  solo  Will  Rossiter’s  new  song  “Way 
Back  When,”  with  illustrated  slides  for  the  com^ 
munity  to  sing.  This  stunt  received  an  unusual 
hand  due  to  the  fact  that  Welch,  a clean  cut 
organist,  is  very  popular  with  his  audience. 


Earl  Able  (Cffiieago  Congress),  used  for  his 
first  organ  solo  in  this  house  a novel  way  of 
introducing  himself  to  the  audience.  First  was 
a classic  “Prelude  from  Rachmaninoff.”  later  go- 
ing into  “Who,”  using  the  phrase  “Who  Is  Your 
Organist?”  and  injecting  “Always”  to  the  lines 
“Will  Always  Try  to  Please  You.”  His  program 
also  consisted  of  a ten-in-one  number  of  popular 
melodies  with  the  “Russian  Lullaby”  and  “It 
All  Depends  On  You,”  using  the  phrase  that  his 
popularity  depends  on  the  audience.  The  encore 
number  was  “Four  Leaf  Clover.”  Able  formerly 
played  at  the  Belmont  and  is  noted  for  the 
community  stunt,  his  nickname  is  “Smiling  Earl 
Able”  due  to  his  smiling  disposition. 


Bob  West  (Metropolitan,  Houston,  Texas),  “the 
Personality  Organist,”  uses  “A  Letter  From  a 
Fan”  this  week,  with  an  opening  trailer  which 
reads  to  the  effect  that  from  the  many  fan  letters 
that  he  has  received  he  has  selected  one  and  made 
a slide  stunt  centering  around  it.  The  slide  tells 
of  the  troubles  of  a young  girl  who  has  had  a 
falling  out  with  her  fellow.  She  writes  West  to 
play  something  sad  when  he  is  in  the  theatre,  so 
that  he  will  feel  sorry  for  her.  "Forgive  Me”  is 
incorporated  in  the  number,  and  West  gets  the 
audience  to  sing  as  they  have  never  sung  before. 
Bob  is  a popular  unit  at  the  Metropolitan,  taking 
encores  on  the  de  luxe  shows. 


Henri  Keates  (Chicago  Oriental)  amused  the 
week  ending  August  7 with  “A  Local  Perform- 
ance” based  on  a supposed  visit  to  his  home  town 
and  the  subsequent  home  talent  show  which  he 
staged.  It  caught  the  fancy  of  everyone — and 
there  probably  were  few  in  the  audience  who 
hadn’t  laughed  themselves  sick  over  the  sincere 
efforts  of  some  future  (according  to  the  home 
folks)  Paul  Ash,  John  McCormack,  Mary  Garden, 
etc.  Keates  played  various  popular  airs  as  they 
might  sound  if  sung  and  played  by  the  little  boy 
with  adenoids,  the  firemen’s  band,  etc.  Among 
the  selections  which  he  played  were  “Just  Once 
Again,”  “At  Sundown,”  “Honolulu  Moon,”  “You 
Don’t  Like  It,  Not  Much,”  finishing  with  “At 
Sundown.”  A stunt  which  brought  response  was 
lis  arrangement  of  “You  Dont  Like  It.  Not 
Vluch.”  He  had  the  words  so  arranged  that  the 
vomen  would  sing  one  set  of  words,  with  a reply 
for  the  men  to  sing.  It  created  a lot  of  fun. 


Preston  Sellers  (Chicago  Chicago)  was  brought 
from  the  Senate  theatre  this  w'eek  to  occupy 
Henry  Murtagh’s  console.  Murtagh  will  be  away 
from  the  Chicago  for  a few  weeks  due  to  an  acci- 
dent he  received  at  the  Uptown  theatre  last  week. 

Sellers  called  his  slide  and  community  sing  pres- 
entation “The  Trouble  Maker,”  and  the  Chicago 
audience  sang  exceedingly  well  for  him.  His  first 
two  offerings  were  "Sam”  and  “Let  Me  Call  You 
Sweetheart,”  followed  by  a very  novel  stunt.  Men 
were  asked  to  sing  the  words  shown  in  white  on 
the  slide  and  the  women  to  sing  the  words  in  red. 
The  effect  was  quite  hilarious.  He  followed  this 
with  “Me  and  My  Shadow,”  “It  All  Depends  on 
You”  and  “Sundown.”  It  is  no  easy  job  for  any 
organist  to  fill  the  place  of  Murtagh  at  the  Chi- 
cago, but  Sellers  succeeded  quite  nicely. 


Jules  Lurey  (Chicago  Knickerbocker)  has  an 
organ  club  to  which  he  offers  a series  of  popular 
songs  for  his  community  to  sing.  Lurey  is  ve^ 
popular  at  this  house  and  has  no  difficulty  in 
inducing  its  members  to  sing  his  selections. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


Further  Protection  Hits  Snag 


{Continued  from  page  13) 


atres  are  protected  for  60  days  against 
the  outlying  houses. 

Reports  from  Omaha,  where  Publix  is 
the  only  interest  handling  protection, 
disclose  no  change  as  yet  in  the  3-week 
arrangement.  In  Atlanta  and  Denver  no 
attempts  have  been  thus  far  made  to  ex- 
tend the  prevailing  period. 

Exhibitors  Oppose 
West  Coast  Proposal 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Local  thea- 
tre owners  have  gone  on  record  as  op- 
posed to  the  recently  proposed  new 
clearance  zoning  for  theatres.  Several 
meetings  have  been  held  and  a commit- 
tee consisting  of  Messrs.  Harper,  Yost, 
Seiler,  Lazarus,  Whitson,  Michaelstetter 
and  Manney  called  upon  West  Coast 
Theatres  officials  and  asked  for  a modi- 
fication of  the  clearance  measure. 

Harold  B.  Franklin,  president  of  the 
theatre  chain,  listened  to  the  committee 
but  would  make  no  statement  as  to  what 
his  company  would  do  about  it  at  the 
time.  He  has  now  issued  the  following 
statement  concerning  the  proper  amount 
of  protection  to  be  given  theatres  charg- 
ing the  higher  admission  prices: 

“Proper  clearance  for  each  grade  of 
motion  picture  theatre  is  essential  if  suc- 
cessful exhibition  is  to  be  maintained. 
Every  exhibitor  who  is  fair  must  in  the 
final  analysis  approve  of  the  idea  that  the 
theatres  that  charge  high  prices  of  ad- 
mission are  entitled  to  proper  clearance 
over  those  theatres  that  charge  less. 
Anyone  who  thinks  otherwise  is  looking 
for  a personal  advantage  at  the  expense 
of  his  fellow-exhibitor,  v/ho  bears  the 
burden  of  higher  film  rentals.  Is  it  fair 
to  expect  a IS-cent  house  to  run  pictures 
at  the  same  time  or  close  on  the  heels 
oi  the  house  that  has  a 2S-cent  admis- 
sion? And  this  applies  all  along  up  the 
line.  The  fellow  who  is  looking  for  a 
free  ride  is  never  the  one  who  contrib- 
utes anything  that  is  constructive. 

“Film  rental  is  determined  by  gross 
business,  and  gross  business  Ss  deter- 
mined by  the  admission  charged,  and  the 
exhibitor  who  pays  the  higher  film  rental 
is  entitled  to  protection.  If  he  doesn’t 
get  it,  eventually  he  cannot  continue  to 
pay  big_  film  rentals  because  his  admis- 
sion prices  cannot  continue  in  the  face 
of  unfair  competition.  And  when  exhibi- 
tors cannot  continue  to  pay  big  film  ren- 
tals, producers  cannot  spend  the  money 
to  make  big  pictures,  and  when  that  time 
comes  the  public  will  begin  to  lose  in- 
terest in  motion  pictures  and  all  will  suf- 
fer. 

“There  can  be  no  question  that  it  is 
unfair  to  support  the  IS-cent  and  2S-cent 
store  show  at  the  expense  of  the  exhibi- 
tor  who  is  trying  to  build  a constructive 
business  by  showing  pictures  in  an  ele- 
gant environment  and  making  possible  a 
higher  admission  scale.  The  progress  in 
the  exhibition  end  of  the  industry  was 
made  by  those  who  built  better  theatres 
and  not  by  pulling  the  level  of  the  busi- 
ness down  to  the  store  show.  The  big- 
gest motion  picture  patronage  was  built 
through  fine,  big  theatres,  service,  qual- 
ity and  admission  prices. 

“During  the  past  year  more  IS-cent 
houses  have  crept  up  in  _ Los  Angeles 
County,  than  at  any  previous  time.  Is 
that  fair  or  constructive?  The  reason  for 
this  is  because  theatres  charging  ad- 
vanced prices  received  no,  or  insufficient 


clearance,  and  this  resulted  in  bringing 
many  theatres  down  to  15-cent  admis- 
sions so  as  to  meet  the  unfair  competi- 
tion. This  results  in  poor  grosses  for 
exhibitors  and  eventually  low  rentals  for 
distributors.  Is  that  going  to  lead  the 
business  anywhere?  Those  who  have 
studied  the  situation  know  that  the  clear- 
ance plan  now  proposed  is  the  most  con- 
structive move  made  in  the  city,  and 
which  will  benefit  every  progressive  ex- 
hibitor. West  Coast  Theatres  are  not 
asking  for  any  special  consideration. 
Every  West  Coast  theatre  will  be  classi- 
fied on  clearance  according  to  admission 
price,  on  the  same  footing  and  basis  of 
every  other  exhibitor.  We  have  never 
asked,  nor  would  we  expect  any  special 
privileges,  but  we  do  want  to  help  to 
build  a business  that  all  in  the  industry 
may  be  proud  of,  and  which  will  reflect 
progress  and  success  for  every  right- 
minded  exhibitor. 

“I  understand  that  some  of  the  exhibi- 
tors are  opposed  to  change  in  the  pres- 
ent plan,  excepting  as  it  effects  theatres 
charging  20  cents  or  less.  If  it’s  right 
for  2S-cent  theatres  to  get  clearance,  why 
isn’t  it  right  for  50-cent,  40-cent,  35-cent 
and  30-cent  theatres  to  receive  proper 
protection?  Why  discriminate? 

“At  a recent  meeting  the  writer  had 
with  a committee  from  the  M.  P.  T.  O. 
of  America,  not  one  argument  was  raised 
against  the  clearance  plan,  excepting  by 
a 15-cent  exhibitor,  who  bad  an  axe  to 
grind,  and  by  another  exhibitor  who,  al- 
though located  in  Los  Angeles  proper, 
was  subject  to  no  clearance  because  his 
theatre  was  classified  as  being  out  of  the 
city,  and  this  clearance  plan  would  put 
him  where  he  properly  belonged.  Let 
us  build  and  not  tear  down!  And  we 
cannot  build  if  we  do  not  protect,  by 
proper  clearance,  those  theatres  that  are 
paying  over  75  per  cent  of  the  film  bill — ■ 
and  they  can  continue  to  pay  such  prices 
only  by  maintaining  fair  admission 
prices !’’ 

In  the  meantime  the  independent  thea- 
tre owners  have  agreed  among  them- 
selves that  they  will  not  do  any  buying 
from  any  organization  who  submits  to 
the  proposed  measure  until  it  has  been 
modified  to  terms  which  they  deem  fair 
and^  equitable. 

Plan  in  Disfavor 
in  Albany  District 

ALBANY,.  Aug.  9. — The  dozen  or 
more  film  exchanges  in  Albany,  N.  Y., 
serving  something  over  450  motion  pic- 
ture theatres,  will  oppose  any  movement 
on  the  part  of  the  theatre  chains  in  the 
territory  served  for  longer  than  a thirty- 
day  protection.  This  statement  was 
rnade  on  Albany’s  Film  Row  by  prac- 
tically every  exchange  manager.  This 
thirty-day  protection  has  been  the  rule 
in  this  part  of  New  York  state  for  some 
time  past.  Heads  of  large  chains,  such 
as  the  Schine  circuit  of  over  130  theatres, 
demanding  longer  protection,  will  find 
themselves  curtailed  in  their  efforts. 

The  movement,  which  is  now  on  along 
the  West  Coast,  and  which,  according 
to  word  that  has  reached  Albany,  has 
entered  Chicago,  was.  branded  this  week 
by_  Albany’s  film  exchange  managers  as 
being  little  short  of  ridiculous  and  de- 
cidedly unreasonable. 

“We  are  not  going  over  the  30-day 
protection,”  said  one  prominent  film  ex- 
change manager  in  Albany.  “We  are 


holding  to  the  30-day  protection  for  first- 
runs  over  subsequent-runs  and  a seven- 
day  protection  on  subsequent-runs  over 
immediate  opposition.  There  will  be  no 
deviation  from  this,  although  I am  frank 
in  saying  that  the  protection  demanded 
by  the  Schine  interests  in  many  places 
will  be  cut  in  half.” 

A demand  for  longer  protection  was 
brought  up  last  week  by  Guy  Graves, 
one  of  the  managing  directors  of  the 
Farash  chain  in  Schenectady,  and  a ve- 
teran in  the  business.  The  proposition 
was  advanced  by  Mr.  Graves,  but  was 
immediately  sat  upon  by  the  Albany  ex- 
change to  which  the  proposition  was 
made. 

Some  of  Albany’s  film  exchange  man- 
agers declared  this  week  that  the  Schine 
circuit  would  protect  its  houses  through 
the  entire  Mohawk  valley  over  an  un- 
reasonable period,  if  the  heads  of  the 
circuit  had  their  own  way.  For  instance, 
there  is  a 30-day  protection  for  Oneonta 
over  Cooperstown,  two  places  but  a 
short  distance  away,  and  a protection 
which  some  of  the  exchange  managers 
declare  is  entirely  without  rhyme  or  rea- 
son. On  the  other  hand,  protection  is 
demanded  in  Ogdensburg  over  Chateau- 
gay,  so  far  distant  from  each  other  that 
there  is  not  the  slightest  chance  of  one 
house  drawing  patronage  from  the  other 
because  of  an  earlier  playing  date. 

Proposes  Rider  in  Contract 

“We  will  put  a rider  in  the  clause  in 
the  contract  governing  playing  dates,” 
said  one  exchange  manager,  “to  the  ef- 
fect that  if  a picture  protected  is  not 
played  within  a reasonable  time,  all  pro- 
tection will  be  off.  The  heads  of  the  big 
chains  in  New  York  state  are  not 
going  to  run  our  exchanges.  We  have 
still  something  to  say  about  the  pic- 
tures to  be  played.  The  whole  proposi- 
tion sums  itself  up  by  having  the  bigger 
houses  squeeze  out  the  little  ones  and 
we  believe  that  the  little  fellow  is  en- 
titled to  protection  and  assistance. 

“The  big  chains,  by  the  recent  booking 
arrangements,  through  acquiring  an  in- 
terest, either  financial  or  imaginary,  in 
other  houses,  are  attempting  to  dictate 
not  only  prices  to  be  paid  for  film,  but 
also  as  to  protection.  The  film  ex- 
changes of  Albany  will  make  a fight  to 
the  finish  against  any  attempt  to  extend 
the  30-day  protection  and  we  are  united 
in  the  matter.” 

A year  or  so  ago,  an  effort  was  made 
in  this  section,  or  perhaps  it  should  be 
said  in  cities  south  of  here,  to  secure 
a 60-day  protection,  but  the  movement 
fell  flat. 

Film  exchanges  in  Albany  are  con- 
fronted with  a serious  situation.  Up  un- 
til a week  or  two  ago,  very  few  pictures 
were  being  booked  of  new  product  by 
exhibitors.  The  break  came  about  two 
weeks  ago  and  several  of  the  exchanges 
announced  during  the  past  week  that 
they  were  set  in  the  key  cities  of  the 
state  for  the  new  product.  Along  with 
this  has  come  the  movement  on  the  part 
of  chains  to  acquire  some  interest  in 
other  houses  toward  a booking  arrange- 
ment that  will  enable  these  chains  to  se- 
cure their  pictures  at  lower  prices.  Now 
comes  the  demand  on  the  part  of  the 
chains  for  a longer  protection.  Albany 
exchanges  declared  today  that  it  was  a 
fight  to  a finish  and  that  the  New  York 
city  offices  would  back  them  to  the  limit 
against  any  concession  for  a longer  pro- 
tection than  the  one  now  being  given. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


f THE  THEATRE] 

^Q.AJJ)epartment  of  Practical  Showmanship  J 


Merchants’  Nights  Swell  Purse 
of  Theatreman  in  Town  of  4000 


ONCE  a showman,  always  a showman.  The  ex- 
pression describes  exhibitor  A.  D.  Baker,  director 
of  the  Baker  theatre,  Lockhart,  Tex.,  to  a “tee.” 
He  first  saw  the  little  Texas  town  years  ago  when  he 
brought  the  first  automobile  the  town  had  ever  seen. 
Baker  charged  the  inhabitants  25 
cents  for  a mile  ride  in  his  gasoline 
buggy  and  cleaned  up.  But  Baker 
liked  the  town  so  well  and  the  peo- 
ple enjoyed  his  car  so  much,  he 
decided  Lockhart  would  be  a good 
place  in  which  to  live. 

With  the  capital  he  had  amassed 
from  his  historic  automobile,  he 
erected  the  town’s  first  motion  pic- 
ture theatre,  and  he  and  the  thea- 
tre (although  he  has  built  three 
new  ones  since)  have  been  doing 
business  in  Lockhart  ever  since. 

He  has  continued  to  use  his  showmanship  with  increas- 
ing skill  and  intelligence  ever  since  it  showed  him  the 
possibilities  in  a “first  automobile.” 

Baker’s  last  bit  of  showmanship,  a campaign  recently 
executed  was  probably  one  of  the  most  successful  he 
has  ever  staged,  and  it  can  be  as  successfully  worked 
by  any  exhibitor  in  a relatively  small  town. 

* * * 

In  the  six  weeks’  campaign  Baker  made  a net  profit 
of  over  $1,000.  Briefly,  the  campaign  was  a merchant’s 
tie  up.  A merchant’s  night  was  held  every  Tuesday 
night  for  six  consecutive  weeks.  Each  merchant  paid 
$5  a week  or  $30  for  the  campaign,  which  made  the 
total  receipts  for  the  six  weeks  $1,740.  For  this  $5  each 
merchant  was  given  500  admission  tickets,  which  he  in 


i 


People  came  from  “the  forks  of  the  creek”  on  the  night  of 
the  Wedding.  This  photograph  was  made  at  5:30  in  the  after- 
noon and  the  doors  did  not  open  until  7:30.  Notice  the 
“limousine”  reserved  for  the  hridal  party. 


turn  gave  to  his  customers  with  every  25  cent  purchase, 
up  to  a $5  purchase.  Above  a $5  purchase,  the  cus- 
tomer received  one  ticket  for  each  additional  dollar 
purchase.  Thus  a customer  received  20  tickets  on  a $5 
purchase  and  21  tickets  on  a $6  purchase. 

New  tickets  were  printed  each  week,  so  that  the 
ticket  was  good  for  but  one  night.  Five  hundred  tickets 
were  enough  for  most  of  the  merchants,  but  several  of 
the  largest  stores  were  allowed  several  hundred  addi- 
tional tickets,  the  merchants  paying  for  the  printing  of 
the  additional  ones.  The  box  office  was  closed  every 
Merchant’s  Night,  and  only  a ticket  issued  by  a merch- 
ant was  good  for  admission. 

“The  Merchant  Night  exploitation  was  a success  ex- 
ceeding all  my  expectations,”  declared  Baker.  “I  issued 
185,000  tickets  to  the  58  merchants  during  the  six  weeks 
that  the  campaign  lasted.  Four  shows,  two  in  the  after- 
noon and  two  at  night,  were  held  each  Tuesday.  The 
seating  capacity  of  the  theatre  is  800  seats,  but  by  pack- 
ing the  theatre  to  the  utmost,  more  than  1,000  people 
saw  each  performance.  The  closest  possible  estimate 
shows  that  more  than  25,000  people  attended  the  per- 
formances. 

“People  came  who  were  not  regular  picture  fans — 
people  who  seldom  if  ever  attended.  I can  name  eight 
grown  people  who  came  to  the  shows  who  had  never 
seen  a motion  picture  before  in  their  lives.  We  picked 
our  pictures  accordingly,  trying  to  win  over  these  ir- 
regular attendants  and  get  them  into  the  picture  habit. 
We  opened  the  series  with,  ‘The  Lost  World.’” 

* * 

“The  stunt  was  successful  from  every  angle.  A ma- 
jority of  the  merchants  were  highly  pleased  and  grati- 
fied over  the  results.  Country  people  came  pouring 
into  towm  every  Tuesday  early  in  the  day  from  miles 
around.  Mr.  Colley,  manager  of  the  Lockhart  Produce 
Company,  says  that  he  bought  more  turkeys,  chickens. 


Just  before  the  bridal  party  left  the  theatre.  Over  2,000  peo- 
ple, who  could  not  get  in,  waited  on  the  outside  to  greet  the 
bride  and  groom  with  rice  and  old  shoes.  More  than  1,000 
others  packed  the  theatre  to  see  the  wedding. 


A.  D.  Baker 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


August  13,  1927 

eggs  and  other  country  produce  on  the  six  Tuesdays 
than  at  any  other  time  that  he  has  been  in  business. 
Other  merchants  reported  similar  cases.” 

The  huge  success  of  the  campaign  was  partly  due  to 
the  great  amount  of  promotion  work  and  advertising 
done  to  put  it  over.  Many  exhibitors  who  have  tried 
such  campaigns  have  met  dismal  failure,  and  in  nine 
times  out  of  ten,  the  reason  is  that  not  enough  promo- 
tion work  was  done.  But  Baker  did  not  allow  the 
campaign  to  drag  for  a minute.  He  kept  it  the  talk  of 
the  town  for  the  entire  six  weeks. 

“Billings  and  advertising  started  two  weeks  prior  to 
the  first  show,"  relates  Baker.  “I  billed  it  like  a circus, 
using  about  six  times  our  regular  lithograph  advertising 
on  the  opening  picture.  Full  page  newspaper  advertis- 
ing was  carried  before  the  opening.  Circus  style  hand- 
bills, reproduced  from  the  newspaper  and  full  size,  were 
distributed  over  the  entire  county,  and  in  every  small 
town  nearby.  Special  window  cards  and  snipers  were 
employed.  I made  announcements  in  the  theatre  at 
every  performance.” 

^ ^ ^ 

To  stimulate  interest  further  each  week,  some  sort  of 
stunt  was  planned  for  each  Tuesday.  The  most  suc- 
cessful, an  event  that  will  be  town  conversation  for 
years,  was  a wedding  on  the  stage  held  at  the  first  night 
performance  the  second  Tuesday.  Prior  to  the  opening 
of  the  campaign,  an  offer  of  $100  was  made  to  any 
couple  that  would  marry  on  the  stage  during  a Merch- 
ant Night  performance.  Just  two  hours  before  the 
theatre  was  opened  the  first  night,  a couple  presented 
themselves  ready  to  accept  the  offer. 

“But  over  2,000  people  were  already  on  the  outside 
waiting  to  get  in,”  declared  Baker,  “and  I did  not  want 
to  hold  the  wedding  when  I already  had  such  a wonder- 
ful house  for  the  opening  night,  so  I stalled  them  oft' 
for  another  week. 

“To  make  sure  that  the  couple  would  not  fail  me,  I 
succeeded  in  getting  hold  of  the  license  and  keeping  it. 
The  next  week  I advertised  the  marriage  extensively, 
and  by  withholding  the  names  of  the  couple,  I suc- 
ceeded in  arousing  the  curiosity  of  the  entire  county. 
Everyone  was  speculating  as  to  whom  the  couple  could 
be. 

“The  next  Tuesday  night,  the  night  of  the  wedding, 
crowds  began  to  gather  four  hours  before  the  night  per- 
formance. I had  the  block  in  which  the  theatre  is 
located  roped  off  from  automobiles.  In  front  of  the 
theatre,  a disreputable  old  car,  of  the  college  variety 
with  signs  and  tin  cans  hanging  from  it,  was  placed 
for  the  use  of  the  bridal  party.  The  couple  was  married 
by  the  county  judge,  and  then  passed  down  the  isle  to 
the  outside  where  over  2,000  people  greeted  them  with 
rice  and  old  shoes.  This  crowd  did  not  include  the 
thousand  or  more  in  the  theatre.  I believe  this  is  a 
rather  successful  event  to  be  staged  in  a town  of  4,000.” 

Every  exploitation  scheme  that  Baker  has  ever 
staged  in  the  years  that  he  has  been  in  Lockhart  has 
possessed  the  one  real  secret  of  success  in  all  exploita- 
tion— community  welfare.  Baker  never  stages  an  ex- 
ploitation that  will  benefit  him  alone.  Of  course,  each 
one  is  designed  to  build  his  own  business,  but  each  ex- 
ploitation possesses  some  phase  that  is  beneficial  to  the 
community  or  some  organization.  The  above  exploita- 
tation  brought  more  people  to  Lockhart  than  any  one 
other  thing  has  ever  done.  It  stimulated  merchants’ 
business,  and  it  made  friends  for  the  town  as  a whole 
among  hundreds  of  country  people.  Twenty-five  thou- 
sand people  saw  the  show,  thousands  more  came  and 
were  turned  away.  The  people  of  Lockhart  call  Baker 
“Colonel,”  and  in  the  South  that  name  is  given  to  town 
characters  whom  every  one  loves  and  admires.  Colonel 
Baker  deserves  it.  It  fits  him  like  the  smile  he  always 
carries. 


PHONE  105 


PROGRAM  FOR  JULY.  1927  S 

I O 


5 SUN 

^ 

^ 31 


Program  Calendars 
Keep  Patrons  Posted 

How  often  have  you  exhibitors  had  a patron  say  to 
you?  “I  surely  did  intend  to  see  that  picture  you  had 
last  night,  but  I forgot  all  about  it.” 

Many,  many  times  we  know.  And  when  one  person 
says  that,  it  means  that  many  others  had  the  same 
experience.  And  more  important,  it  means  that  the  exhi- 
bitor is  not  using  enough  exploitation  for  his  pictures. 

To  keep  his  patrons  from  forgetting  his  picture  pro- 
gram, Barney  Gurnette,  manager  of  the  Lodi  theatre, 
Lodi,  Cal.,  uses  a monthly  calendar  upon  which  is 
printed  his  entire  program  for  the  month.  The  calen- 
dar is  suitable  for  hanging  up  in  the  home.  It  is  nine 
and  one-half  by  11  inches,  and  contains  as  many  as  nine 
small  zinc  etchings  of  stars  in  the  date  squares.  These 
calendars  and  small  pocket  isze  ones  are  mailed  to  his 
patrons  each  month.  Here  is  Mr.  Gurnette’s  letter. 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

I have  been  a reader  of  the  Exhibitors  Herald  for  the 
past  11  years  and  I have  received  a great  deal  of  help 
from  its  pages.  Your  house  organ  exchange  idea  fills  a 
long  felt  want  and  I shall  be  pleased  to  exchange  pro- 
grams with  other  members  of  the  exchange.  Will  you 
kindly  send  me  the  details? 

Enclosed  herewith  you  will  find  a copy  of  our  current 
calendar  together  with  our  programette.  A copy  of 
each  goes  to  our  mailing  list,  balance  to  house  distri- 
bution. 

Wishing  you  every  success,  I am 
Very  truly  yours, 

BARNEY GURNETTE, 
MANAGER,  LODI  THEATRE. 

A new  list  for  the  house  organ  exchange,  Mr.  Gur- 
nette, is  being  prepared  and  will  be  published  in  a 
forthcoming  edition  of  the  HERALD.  This  list  will 
contain  all  names  that  have  been  run  in  the  past  and 
the  additions.  It  is  published  about  every  fourth  issue 
of  the  HERALD.  Thanks  for  the  letter  and  calendar, 
Mr.  Gurnette.  We  will  be  glad  to  see  others  that  you 
prepare  in  the  future. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  o&ce.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


A SANE  COMEDY 

T 

I HE  tendency  toward  exaggeration  in 
comedy,  more  often  a handicap  than  other- 
wise, is  happily  indiscernible  in  “The  Poor 
Nut.”  The  picture  is  a wholly  sane  comedy 
and  an  extremely  funny  one.  It  contains  an 
idea  and  the  idea  is  plausibly  worked  out  in 
terms  of  action.  That  is  and  always  has  been 
the  way  to  make  a good  comedy. 

Jack  Mulhall  is  the  actor  who  imperson- 
ates the  character  named  by  the  title  and 
this  is  a straight  acting  assignment  for  him, 
not  one  of  those  things  in  which  he  has 
merely  to  look  good  and  wear  a straw  hat 
becomingly.  I am  glad  to  see  him  in  a role 
of  this  kind  and  to  learn  that  he  can  act  as 
well  as  he  can  look,  which  several  friends  of 
the  opposite  sex  declare  is  pretty  good. 

“The  Poor  Nut”  is  another  of  those  col- 
lege pictures,  track  being  the  field  of  honor 
in  this  instance.  I am  strong  for  these  col- 
lege things,  as  I believe  almost  everyone 
else  is  also,  and  I am  pleased  to  note  that 
Hollywood  is  becoming  very  adept  in  pic- 
torial reproduction  of  college  atmosphere. 
I dare  say — if  I may  step  away  from  the 
trade  side  of  the  matter  for  a moment — that 
enrollments  at  our  institutions  of  higher 
learning  are  not  a little  stimulated  by  these 
pictures  and  that  the  ultimate  effect  of  this 
will  be  one  satisfactory  to  those  of  us  who 
believe  in  education.  Which,  of  course,  is 
neither  here  nor  there. 

If  Hollywood  cares  at  all  for  the  interest 
of  persons  like  me,  people  who  hold  high 
hopes  for  pictures  on  all  points,  production 
of  comedies  in  the  same  manner  of  this  one 
will  go  forward  apace  and  indefinitely. 

LISTEN,  LON 

I ADDRESS  the  following  to  Mr.  Lon 
Chaney  and  I do  not  mean  his  publicity 
man,  his  employer,  nor  even  his  most  highly 
regarded  advisor.  I mean  Lon  Chaney,  actor 
and  individual,  star  of  “Tell  It  to  the 
Marines”  and  “The  Unknown.” 

DEAR  MR.  CHANEY; 

I have  been  watching  your  pictures  for 
more  years  than  either  of  us  are  happy  to 
count.  I have  had  a warm  admiration  for 
your  devotion  to  your  calling  and  for  your 
box  office  results,  the  which  I feel  sure  not 
even  the  trade  justly  estimates  at  even  this 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

late  date.  I can  think,  offhand,  of  no  pic- 
ture of  yours  which  I have  disliked.  I wish 
to  urge  you,  however,  to  put  away  the  trick 
makeup,  the  consummately  colorful  and  con- 
vincing deformities  and  come  out  now  as 
your  own  eminently  vigorous  and  com- 
petent self.  I ask  you  to  make  no  more 
“Phantoms,”  no  more  “Unknowns”  and  no 
more  “Hunchbacks,”  good  as  is  each  of 
these,  and  to  insist  upon  things  like  “Tell 
It  to  the  Marines.” 

I realize  that  you  enjoy  a happy  isolation 
in  the  field  of  your  apparent  choice,  that 
you  are  so  far  ahead  of  the  next  worker  in 
that  field  (if  there  is  another)  as  to  be 
wholly  independent  of  such  insistences  as 
the  present  appeal.  I know  that  the  step 
into  straight  characterizations  is  a step  into 
direct  and  formidable  competition.  Yet  I 
urge  you  to  take  that  step.  I cannot  con- 
ceive of  your  doubting  your  ability  to  com- 
pete with  those  who  do  this  sort  of  work, 
but  in  the  event  that  you  do  feel  such  doubt 
I assure  you  in  shrill  and  perduring  tones 
that  it  is  groundless. 

I saw  your  “Unknown”  last  week  at  the 
Chicago  theatre  and  it  is,  of  course,  a very 
substantial  production.  It  compares  readily 
with  nothing  save  your  own  previous  com- 
positions, and  of  course  that  is  another 
sound  enough  reason  for  you  to  continue  in 
the  ghastly  field  you  have  chosen.  It  is 
colorful,  convincing  to  a degree,  only  a little 
illogical  and  not  at  all  unsuccessful  as  con- 
cerns its  hold  upon  the  attention  of  those 
present.  But  it  is — and  I hope  you’ll  inter- 
pret this  properly — a very  terrible  thing  to 
look  at.  I use  “terrible”  in  its  book  signifi- 
cance. 

Should  you  die  one  of  these  days,  as  I 
hope  you  will  not  for  a good  many  of  them, 
I should  remember  you  as  the  hardboiled 
top  kicker  in  “Tell  It  to  the  Marines.”  I 
know  that  the  newspapers  would  be  less 
kind;  they  would  run  layouts  of  the  hunch- 
back, the  phantom,  perhaps  even  that  “Man- 
dalay” thing  which  (I  confess)  I dreaded 
enough  to  avoid  despite  your  presence  in  it 
and  my  avowed  intention  of  viewing  and 
commenting  upon  all  the  important  pictures. 


Newspapers  are  that  way— and  I doubt  that 
you  care  to  he  remembered  in  that  fashion. 

But  why — no  doubt  you  are  asking — 
should  I devote  all  this  space  (in  a trade 
journal  that  favors  production  of  box  office 
successes)  to  a plea  of  this  kind,  heeding  of 
which  would  take  from  the  marker  one  of 
its  already  too  few  distinctive  products.  I 
do  so  for  the  plain  reason  that  I believe  you 
will  be  more  successful  in  the  straight  stuff 
than  in  even  the  deformities.  The  other 
dozen  reasons — including  my  personal  pref- 
erence for  whole  actors — are  less  important. 

PARAMOUNT  NEW'S 

J DO  not  know  how  much  of  the  initial 
Paramount  News  was  cut  by  the  Oriental 
theatre  staff  but  I know  that  the  parts  pro- 
jected were  first  rate  stuff  and  went  over 
like  a hand  grenade.  Mighty  glad  to  note 
this,  for  I am  strongly  in  favor  of  more  and 
more  newsreels.  They  are  the  best  pictures 
being  shown  and  have  been  for  a long  time. 

The  plane  stuff  in  the  initial  Paramount 
News  is  something  to  drop  a postcard  home 
about.  The  captions  detailing  the  incident 
may  or  may  not  exaggerate,  it  doesn’t  mat- 
ter, but  the  scenes  are  extremely  interesting 
and  the  wallop  is  a gem  for  its  particularly 
timely  purpose. 

I am,  as  I say,  in  favor  of  more  newsreels. 
Which  means,  incidentally,  that  I am 
strongly  against  the  present  policy  of 
shortening  them  for  the  big  houses.  There 
is  nothing  on  the  program  of  the  biggest 
and  best  theatre  in  the  country  worthy  of 
more  running  minutes  than  the  newsreels 
available. 

TO  MR.  E.  W.  HAMMONS; 

V 

X OU  will  confer  a great  personal  favor 
upon  this  mere  picturegoer  by  hastening  the 
day  when  short  features  may  be  seen  exclu- 
sively in  a Chicago  theatre.  Such  is  the 
current  vogue  of  jazz  bands,  Vitaphone  and 
community  singing  that  I have  seen  none 
save  the  so-called  cartoon  type  of  comedies 
in  such  a stretch  of  sittings  that  I barely 
remember  the  names  of  the  comedians.  If 
there  was  ever  a propitious  moment  for  the 
opening  of  such  a theatre,  I should  say  it 
is  now. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


THE  FILM  MART 


Eight  companies  are  now  in  production  at  Fox  Films 
West  Coast  studios  and  a number  of  others  are  scheduled 
to  start  in  the  near  future,  according  to  Sol  Wurtzel,  gen- 
eral superintendent. 

George  Marshall,  supervisor  of  Fox  comedies,  has 
started  production  on  the  1927-28  comedy  schedule  and 
has  mapped  out  one  of  the  biggest  years  for  his  unit 
in  Fox  history. 

The  lay-out  calls  for  26  pictures,  including  10  “Im- 
perial” comdies,  eight  animal  comedies  and  eight  of  the 
Van  Bibber  series. 

“Beau  Geste,”  a Paramount  picture,  has  established 
new  house  records  for  box  office  receipts  in  a number  of 
theatres  throughout  the  country.  Among  the  theatres 
reporting  new  records  during  the  showing  of  the  picture 
are  the  Riviera,  Omaha ; Des  Moines  theatre,  Des  Moines ; 
Palace,  Dallas ; Howard,  Atlanta ; Strand,  Birmingham, 

Paramount  Will  Put 
Wings’^  in  Four  Cities 

Paramount  has  announced  that  “Wings,” 
which  is  to  open  at  the  Criterion  theatre, 

New  York,  on  Aug.  12,  will  be  exhibited  in 
the  Tremont  theatre,  Boston,  on  Nov.  14; 
the  Aldine  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Oct.  1 ; 
and  at  an  unannounced  theatre  in  Chicago 
about  Nov.  1.  “Old  Ironsides,”  James 
Cruze’s  historic  epic,  will  soon  begin  in- 
definite engagements  in  seven  cities. 

Mary  Brian  is  to  play  the  ingenue  lead 
in  the  first  Paramount  picture  co-starring 
Chester  Conklin  and  W.  C Fields,  “The 
Side  Show,”  and  Richard  Arlen  will  play 
the  juvenile  male  lead.  Arlen  is  one  of 
the  busiest  young  actors  in  Hollywood  these 
days.  He  is  to  appear  with  Bebe  Daniels 
in  her  next  picture,  “She’s  a Sheik.” 

The  title  of  the  Paramount  picture  star- 
ring Esther  Ralston  has  been  changed  ten- 
tatively to  “After  Working  Hours” ; it  was 
previously  known  as  “Heaven  Help  the 
Working  Girl.”  Another  picture  is  being 
planned  for  this  young  star  and  is  now 
being  written  under  the  title,  “The  Glory 
Girl.” 

Florence  Vidor  will  next  make  “Honey- 
moon Hate,”  an  adaptation  of  the  Saturday 
Evening  Post  story  by  A.  M.  Williamson. 

Louise  Brooks  has  started  work 
as  leading  woman  in  the  new  Beery- 
Hatton  comedy,  “Now  We're  in  the 
Air,”  which  is  being  directed  by 
Frank  Strayer.  The  company  is  now 
on  location  at  the  Venice  Amuse- 
ment Pier,  where  a Gying  circus  ex- 
hibition has  been  pressed  into  serv- 
ice. And  word  comes  from  Anita 
Loos  that  it  is  quite  certain  that 
Louise  Brooks  will  play  the  part 
of  Dorothy  in  “Gentlemen  Prefer 
Blondes.”  Scores  of  actresses  are 
striving  to  win  the  part  of  Lorelei, 
but  as  yet  no  one  has  been  cast  for 
the  part. 

Hundreds  of  girls  go  out  to  Hollywood 
with  the  ambition  to  become  stars,  and 
wind  up  by  becoming  perfectly  good  little 
stenographers,  or  perhaps  even  waitresses. 

But  here  is  a case  where  the  usual  pro- 
cedure is  reversed.  Shirley  Dorman,  who 
went  to  Hollywood  just  a year  ago  "with 


and  the  Victory,  Denver. 

“Romona,”  Helen  Hunt  Jackson’s  story  of  California, 
which  Inspiration  Pictures  and  Edwin  Carewe  will  pro- 
duce for  United  Artists  will  be  released  Jan.  14,  1928. 
Dolores  Del  Rio  will  star  in  the  picture,  and  the  only 
other  players  thus  far  cast  are  Don  Alvarado  and  Vera 
Lewis. 

Johnny  Mack  Brown  has  been  cast  to  play  opposite 
Marion  Davies  in  “The  Fair  Co-ed.”  Two  years  ago 
Brown  was  the  star  football  player  on  the  Alabama  State 
team. 

Warner  Bros.’  picture  starring  Irene  Rich,  “The  Desire 
Woman,”  will  be  released  Aug.  27.  This  picture  which  is 
Irene  Rich’s  first  picture  on  Warner’s  new  schedule,  was 
produced  under  the  title,  “The  Outpost.” 

“Camille,”  starring  Norma  Talmadge,  will  be  released 
Sept.  4 by  First  National. 


the  intention  of  becoming  a secretary  but 
became  a player  through  an  introduction 
to  Lois  Weber,  this  week  signed  a long 
term  contract  with  Paramount. 

The  new  contract  was  awarded  her  be- 
cause of  her  showing  in  “One  Woman  to 
Another,”  “A  Gentleman  of  Paris,”  and 
“The  City  Gone  Wild.”  It  would  probably 
pay  a few  other  girls  to  try  this  procedure. 

Paramount  announces  that  Adolphe  Men- 
jou  will  be  the  first  actor  to  profit  by  the 
recommendations  of  the  Academy  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Arts  and  Sciences,  which  de- 
cried the  practice  of  starting  to  shoot  mo- 
tion pictures  without  an  absolutely  com- 
pleted story.  Menjou  will  go  with  his  di- 
rector and  scenarist  to  Catalina  Island  and 
stay  in  seclusion  there  until  the  continuity 
of  his  next  picture,  tentatively  titled,  “The 
Musician,”  has  been  completed. 


First  National  Buys 
'‘W alley  of  the  Giants’’ 

First  National  has  just  announced  it  has 
purchased  the  famous  Peter  B.  Kyne  novel, 
“The  Valley  of  the  Giants,”  as  a starring 
role  for  Milton  Sills.  Wid  Gunning,  who 
has  just  completed  “Hard-Boiled  Haggerty” 
with  Sills,  has  been  assigned  the  produc- 
tion of  this  story.  It  is  a story  of  the  Big 
Tree  district  of  California. 

Billie  Dove’s  first  stellar  picture,  “The 


Katterjohn  Runs  New 
Writing  Depmrtment 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— 
Monte  Katterjohn  has  been  placed 
in  charge  of  developing  original 
stories  for  the  screen  for  Para- 
mount players  and  bringing  out 
latent  writing  talent  in  Holly- 
wood. The  purpose  is  to  prepare 
stories  far  in  advance  of  produc- 
tion and  work  out  new  material 
not  to  be  produced  until  after  the 
current  program,  which  still  has 
months  to  run. 


Stolen  Bride,”  will  be  released  this  month. 
This  is  the  first  picture  directed  by  Alex- 
ander Korda  under  his  First  National  con- 
tract. Korda  is  another  of  those  Eu- 
ropean directors,  all  of  whom  seem  to  find 
their  way  to  Hollywood  sooner  or  later. 
He  is  to  direct  “Helen  of  Troy,”  and  his 
wife,  Maria  Corda,  will  have  the  part  of 
Helen. 

Photography  on  Dick  Barthel- 
mess’  latest  picture,  “The  Drop 
Kick,”  has  been  completed,  and 
will  be  released  in  time  to  cash  in 
on  the  football  season  interest. 
Harry  Langdon’s  latest  comedy, 
“Three’s  a Crowd,”  is  to  be  shown 
in  some  of  the  larger  theatres  of 
the  country  in  September.  It  is 
said  to  have  some  very  realistic 
snow  scenes  in  it,  and  they  were 
taken  during  all  the  hot  weather 
Hollywood  has  been  sweltering 
under  lately.  I like  the  sad  eyed 
Langdon.  He  has  given  us  some 
good  chuckles  in  the  past. 

Jack  Mulhall,  whose  best  drawing  power 
is  a winning  smile,  will  be  seen  in  two 
pictures  shortly.  “The  Poor  Nut,”  featur- 
ing Jack  and  Charlie  Murray,  is  now  hav- 
ing a number  of  pre-release  showings,  and 
his  next  picture  will  be  “Smile,  Brother, 
Smile,”  in  which  Tack  capitalizes  his  smile 
as  a salesman.  Dorothy  Mackaill  is  the 
young  lady  in  the  story,  and  Roy  T. 
Barnes,  Philo  McCullough  and  others  have 
supporting  casts. 

Included  in  the  first  series  of  First  Na- 
tional’s “Showman  Group,”  is  the  new  Con- 
stance Talmadge  picture,  “Breakfast  at 
Sunrise.”  Don  Alvarado  is  the  leading- 
man,  with  Marie  Dressier,  Bryant  Wash- 
burn, Burr  McIntosh,  Paulette  Duval  and 
others  in  the  cast.  The  picture  is  based  on 
a successful  French  farce. 

“The  Life  of  Riley,”  starring  Charlie 
Murray  and  George  Sidney,  is  completed. 
A large  carnival  was  used  in  the  filming 
of  this  picture,  and  the  popping  of  thou- 
sands of  fire  crackers  kept  everybody  on 
the  lot  jumping  for  weeks  while  the  pic- 
ture was  being  filmed. 

Production  on  “The  Gorilla”  started  last 
week  in  First  National  studios.  The  pic- 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


ture  is  to  be  a First  National  special  for 
fall  release.  Charlie  Alurray  plays  the  part 
of  iMulligan,  and  Fred  Kelsey  has  been 
picked  to  play  Garrity,  the  pal  of  Mulligan. 

Ken  iMaynard  is  scheduled  to  start  work 
on  his  next  picture,  “Gun  Gospel,”  this 
week,  in  which  he  has  the  role  of  a <wo- 
fisted,  two-gun  minister.  He  has  just  fin- 
ished “The  Red  Raiders,”  in  which  he  is 
pictured  as  a cavalry  officer. 

Universal  Begins 
on  ‘^The  Flying  Nut” 

Cameras  have  started  grinding  on  the 
Universal  farce  comedy,  “The  Flying  Nut,” 
a screen  ^■ersion  of  Harry  O.  Hoyt’s  story 
of  a mail-order  aviator.  Glenn  Tryon 
has  the  starring  role  and  Patsy  Ruth  Miller 
is  cast  as  the  feminine  lead.  \Villiam  James 
Craft,  who  directed  the  same  pair  in 
“Painting  the  Town,”  will  again  handle  the 
megaphone  while  the  supporting  cast  in- 
cludes Lloyd  Whitlock,  Burr  McIntosh  and 
Joe  Girard, 

With  the  signing  of  Thelma  Todd  for  a 
featured  role,  the  cast  for  the  “Universal- 
Jewel”  production,  “Arm  of  the  Law,’’ 
which  is  being  filmed  under  the  direction 
of  Emorj’  Johnson,  has  been  completed. 

Mel  Brown,  who  recently  com- 
pleted “Buck  Privates,”  starring 
Lya  Di  Putti,  will  direct  “13 
Washington  Square,”  with  an  all- 
star  cast  as  his  next  assignment 
for  Universal.  It  is  an  adaptation 
of  the  novel  of  the  same  name  by 
Leroy  Scott  and  was  produced  as 
a stage  play  several  years  ago. 

Conrad  Veidt’s  first  American 
made  starring  picture,  “A  Man’s 
Past,”  was  completed  last  week 
and  is  now  in  the  cutting  rooms. 
George  Mel  ford  “directed  the  pic- 
ture. The  story  deals  with  the  at- 
tempts of  an  escaped  convict  to 
rehabilitate  himself. 

As  a result  of  his  work  in  producing 
“Now  I’ll  Tell  One,”  for  Universal,  Fred 
Newmeyer  has  been  signed  to  another  Uni- 
versal contract.  .As  his  next  picture  he  will 
either  direct  Reginald  Denny  in  a prize 
fight  picture,  or  one  dealing  with  college 
life.  If  the  decision  was  left  to  us,  we 
would  take  the  Denny  picture.  After  see- 
ing him  in  “F'ast  and  Furious,”  we  are 
ready  to  see  another  Denny  picture  any- 
time. They  are  clean,  fun  provoking  and 
usually  have  us  sitting  on  the  edge  of  our 
seat  before  the  end. 

Miller  of  Pathe 
Abandons  Kliegs 

Arthur  Miller,  chief  cameraman  for 
Pathe’s  “Angel  of  Broadway,”  starring 
Beatrice  Joy,  declares  that  the  day  of 
“Klieg  eyes”  is  past.  He  is  using  100  watt 
bulbs  instead  of  arc  for  close-ups.  Miller 
photographed  the  famous  Pathe  serial,  “The 
Perils  of  Pauline.” 

Actual  filming  has  ceased  on  Vera  Rey- 
nold’s latest  stellar  feature,  “Beautiful  But 
Dumb,”  and  the  picture  is  now  in  the  cut- 
ting rooms, 

Jacqueline  Logan  has  been  added 
to  the  cast  of  “The  Wise  Wife,” 
the  Pathe  picture  in  which  Phyllis 
Haver  and  Tom  Moore  are  fea- 
tured under  the  direction  of  E. 
Mason  Hopper.  Tom  is  renewing 
old  acquaintances  at  the  DeMille 
studios  after  having  been  free 
lancing  for  the  last  year.  His  last 
picture  for  DeMille  was  with  Lea- 
trice  Joy  in  “The  Clinging  Vine.” 

An  original  story  by  Margaretta  Tuttle, 
entitled  “What  Holds  Men?”  has  been  pur- 
chased by  the  De  Mille  studio  and  will  go 
into  production  this  summer,  Mrs,  Tuttle, 
who  writes  fiction  and  articles  for  The 
■Saturday  Evening  Post,  was  the  author  of 


“Feet  of  Clay,”  which  De  Mille  producC'.l 
three  years  ago. 

For  the  fifth  time  Harrison  Ford  will  be 
Alarie  Prevost’s  leading  man.  This  time  he 
will  play  opposite  that  \ivacious  young  lady- 
in  “The  Girl  in  the  Pullman.”  I have  al- 
ways liked  each  of  these  players  individu- 
ally, and  I like  them  all  the  more  when 
they  are  cast  together.  Erie  C.  Kenton 
will  handle  the  megaphone,  and  F.  McGrew 
Willis,  who  will  supervise  production,  is 
also  credited  with  the  screen  version. 

Buddy  Roosevelt  makes  his  latest  Pathe 
M'estern  starring  appearance  when  “The 
Phantom  Buster”  will  be  released  on  Aug. 
14.  The  picture  is  a tale  of  mistaken  iden- 
tity presented  by  Lester  F.  Scott,  Jr.  It 
was  first  published  under  the  title  of  “The 
Man  on  the  Dun,”  in  Western  Stories  mag- 
azine. Alma  Rayford  is  Buddy’s  leading 
lady  in  the  picture. 

Joseph  Schildkraut,  who  has  the  part  of 
Judas  Iscariot  in  “The  King  of  Kings,” 
has  been  assigned  to  an  important  part  in 
“The  Forbidden  Woman,”  Jetta  Goudal’s 
next  starring  picture  for  Cecil  De  Mille, 

F B O’s  “Moon  of  Israel” 

Will  Open  Texas  House 

“The  Moon  of  Israel,”  F B O’s  special, 
based  on  the  famous  novel  by  Sir  Rider 
Haggard  and  directed  by  Michael  Curtiz, 
has  been  booked  by  the  Palace  theatre, 
Gainsville,  Tex.,  for  the  opening  of  the 
house,  the  largest  in  the  city. 

Now  and  then  an  old  timer 
comes  back  to  the  studios  after  a 
long  absence.  One  of  the  latest  to 
come  back  to  the  old  love  is  Carol 
Holloway,  after  an  absence  of  six 
years.  She  has  joined  the  cast  of 
“Jake  the  Plumber,”  for  F B O. 
During  the  heyday  of  Inceville 
and  the  old  Vitagraph  company, 
she  was  one  of  the  most  popular 
ingenues,  playing  leading  roles  in 
serials  with  Antonio  Moreno  and 
William  Duncan.  “Big  Ben”  Wise, 
350-pound  comedian,  is  also  cast 
for  the  picture. 

Bob  Steele’s  injuries,  received 
while  making  “The  Mojave  Kid,” 
have  healed  and  he  is  now  in  the 
midst  of  production  on  “The  Ban- 
dit’s Son,”  with  19-year-old  Ann 
Sheridan  playing  opposite  him. 
Wallace  Fox  is  handling  the  mega- 
phone. 

Now  that  “The  Boy  Rider”  is  completed, 
the  cast  for  y-oung  Buzz  Barton’s  next  pic- 
ture, “The  Slingshot  Kid,”  has  been  chosen 
and  work  will  start  soon.  Jeanne  Morgan, 
Arnold  Gray  and  Jay  Morley-  were  picked 
to  play  the  feminine,  male,  and  heavy-  leads, 
respectively.  Louis  King  will  direct.  The 
story  was  written  directly  for  the  screen 
play  by  John  Twist  and  Jean  Dupont,  and 
Oliver  Drake  prepared  the  continuity.  Buzz 
Barton  will  make  a series  of  seven  pictures. 

Mickey  (himself)  McGuire  and  his  gang 
have  just  added  another  chapter  to  foot- 
ball history  in  completing  the  third  of  the 
F B O juvenile  comedies  based  on  the 
Fontaine  Fox  newspaper  cartoons.  The 
title  for  this  picture  is  “Mickey’s  Eleven.” 
Larry-  Darmour  is  producing  this  series. 

M-G-M  Films  Picture 
in  Washington,  D.  C. 

For  the  purpose  of  using  the  nation’s 
Capitol  in  the  background,  John  Gilbert, 
Director  Monta  Bell  and  the  unit  star- 
ring Gilbert  in  “Fires  of  Youth”  have 
left  for  Washington,  D.  C.,  where  work 
on  the  picture  will  immediately  begin. 
Gilbert  is  to  play  in  this  picture  the  part 
of  a cub  reporter  at  Washington.  The 
story  was  written  by  Bell.  It  is  planned 
to  get  a number  of  important  Washing- 
ton officials  in  the  picture. 


Harry  Beaumont  is  to  direct  a 
coming  M-G-M  picture,  “Olga 
from  the  Volga.”  The  new  pic- 
ture will  be  a starring  vehicle  for 
George  K.  Arthur  and  Karl  Dane. 
The  diminutive  Arthur  and  the 
gangling  Karl  Dane  make  a de- 
lightful comedy  team.  Beaumont 
has  to  his  credit  “Beau  Brummel,” 
and  other  successful  films. 

With  “Tea  for  Three”  com- 
pleted, the  team  of  Lew  Cody  and 
Aileen  Pringle  have  already  begun 
work  on  their  next  picture, 
“Mixed  Marriages.”  The  story 
deals  with  the  efforts  of  a married 
man  to  prove  that  he  is  a caveman 
over  women.  Hobart  Henley  will 
handle  the  megaphone. 

Work  is  to  start  at  once  on  “In  Old 
Kentucky,”  the  M-G-M  racing  drama, 
directed  by  John  M.  Stahl.  Edward 
Martindel  has  been  cast  to  play  the 
part  of  Colonel  Brierly. 

“Yankee  Pluck”  has  been  decided  upon 
as  the  title  of  Tim  McCoy’s  latest 
M-G-M  vehicle,  recently  directed  by 
Tourjansky  under  the  working  title  of 
“The  Gallant  Gringo.” 

Lon  Chaney  is  now  ready  to  start 
work  on  the  “Hy-pnotist.”  Marceline 
Day  will  play  the  heroine  and  Conrad 
Nagel  and  Henry  B.  Walthall  are  also 
cast  in  the  picture.  I never  miss  an  op- 
portunity to  see  Walthall.  Even  though 
he  doesn’t  appear  often,  I have  liked 
him  ever  since  his  superb  part  in  “The 
Birth  of  a Nation.”  Tod  Browning  will 
direct  “The  Hypnotist.” 

Ralph  Forbes  is  to  play  opposite  Renee 
Adoree  in  “Rose  Marie,”  and  Lloyd 
Hamilton  and  Harry  Carey  have  also 
been  signed  for  the  picture.  Roy  D’Arcy, 
that  suave  actor,  whose  villians  are  al- 
ways gentlemanly,  is  to  have  a leading 
part  also. 

Fox  Will  Start 
on  Nine  Pictures 

Fox  forces  have  started  on  a produc- 
tion drive  that  will  see  at  least  nine 
companies  at  work  within  the  next  two 
weeks. 

Directors  now  shooting  in  Fox  studios 
include  John  Ford,  Howard  Hawks,  Al- 
bert Ray,  John  G.  Blystone,  David  But- 
ler, Ray  Flynn,  Zion  Myers,  Robert  Ray, 
Alfred  E.  Green  and  others. 

Stars  and  featured  players  now 
in  production  under  the  Fox  ban- 
ner include  Earle  Foxe,  James 
Hall,  Margaret  Mann,  Francis  X. 
Bushman,  Jr.,  Albert  Gran,  Arch- 
duke Leopold  of  Austria,  Richard 
Walling,  Charles  Farrell,  Greta 
Nissen,  George  O’Brien,  Virginia 
Vain,  Holmes  Herbert,  Janet 
Gaynor,  Glenn  Tryon,  Ben  Bard, 
Doris  Lloyd,  Olive  Borden,  Law- 
rence Gray,  Lois  Moran,  Edmund 
Lowe,  Arthur  Housman,  Nick  Stu- 
art, Sally  Phipps,  Gene  Cameron, 
Madge  Bellamy,  Clifford  Holland, 
Mary  Duncan  and  others. 

Tyler  Brooke  has  signed  a long  term 
contract  with  Fox  to  play  in  the  Van 
Bidder  comedies  under  supervision  of 
George  E.  Marshall.  Mary  Duncan  who 
was  given  a contract  with  Fox  after  her 
appearance  in  the  stage  play,  “Shanghai 
Gesture,”  has  arrived  in  Hollywood  to 
start  production  under  Fox. 

“Two  Girls  Wanted,”  starring  Janet 
Gaynor,  is  now  completed  and  is  in  the 
cutting  rooms.  This  picture  was  formerly 
a John  Golden  stage  play. 

Those  who  saw  the  two  comedians, 
Ted  McNamara  and  Sammy  Gohen,  in 
“What  Price  Glory,”  will  soon  be  able 
to  see  them  together  again.  “The  Gay 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


Retreat”  is  the  title  finally  decided  upon 
for  the  picture  in  which  they  will  ap- 
oear.  It  was  produced  under  the  title 
“A.  W.  O.  L.” 

The  last  scenes  for  “East  Side  West 
Side”  were  enacted  one  night  last  week 
in  the  shadow  of  Brooklyn  bridge.  Felix 
Bodenheim,  author  of  the  story,  was 
present  to  see  the  children  of  his  brain 
come  to  life.  Youths  who  actually  live 
in  the  East  Side  were  used  as  extras. 
George  O’Brien  takes  the  leading  role. 

U.  A.  Starts  Griffith 
Picture  August  15 

Joseph  M.  Schenck  has  denied  that 
there  is  any  difficulties  existing  between 
Corinne  Griffith  and  United  Artists  and 
has  announced  that  production  on  her 
first  picture  for  the  organization  will 
start  Aug.  15.  The  picture  is  from  a 
current  German  stage  play,  and  Avery 
Hopwood  has  written  an  American  stage 
version.  Hans  Kraly  is  the  author  of 
the  screen  version. 

Buster  Keaton’s  set  at  Sacra- 
mento for  the  Aiming  of  "Steam- 
boat Bill”  is  being  besieged  by 
visitors  from  all  over  California. 

A small  town  has  been  built  for 
the  Aiming  and  a number  of  river 
boats  are  being  used. 

As  soon  as  Constance  Talmadge 
returns  from  a trip  to  Europe,  she 
will  begin  work  on  her  Arst  pic- 
ture for  United  Artists,  "The  Last 
of  Mrs.  Cheney.”  Her  last  pic- 
ture just  completed  is  "Breakfast 
at  Sunrise,”  and  will  be  released 
by  First  National. 

It  has  been  figured  by  some  statistics 
hound  for  Mary  Pickford  that  the  13 
“Best  Girls”  that  Pickford  is  now  en- 
tertaining in  Hollywood  have  traveled  a 
total  distance  of  60,000  miles  to  visit 
Mary. 

Warner  Is  Busy  on 
Four  Productions 

Four  units  in  the  Warner  studios  are 
in  production,  and  four  others  are  sched- 
uled to  begin  at  an  early  date.  The  most 
important  work  at  the  studio  at  present  is 
“The  Jazz  Singer,”  starring' A1  Jolson  with 
May  McAvoy,  Ernest  Belcher  and  a large 
chorus  troupe. 

Monte  Blue  with  a company  un- 
der the  direction  of  Howard 
Bretherton  is  utilizing  the  Amer- 
ican Legion  Aght  stadium  in  Los 
Angeles  for  location  scenes  in 
"One  Round  Hogan.”  Jim  Jef- 
fries appears  in  this  action. 

Production  is  being  brought  to 
a close  on  the  Arst  George  Jessel 
picture  temporarily  titled  "The 
Broadway  Kid.”  Byron  Haskin  is 
directing  and  Audrey  Ferris  plays 
the  feminine  lead. 

New  gags  are  being  developed 
by  Lloyd  Bacon  in  the  third  week 
of  production  on  "A  Sailor’s 
Sweetheart,”  which  stars  Louise 
Fazenda  and  Clyde  Cook. 

The  pictures  that  are  soon  to  go  into 
production  are  “Roulette,”  the  temporary 
title  for  May  McAvoy’s  next  picture ; “The 
College  Widow,”  in  which  Archie  Mayo 
will  direct  Dolores  Costello ; “The  Silver 
Slave,”  temporary  title  for  Irene  Rich’s 
next  vehicle  and  “A  Dog  of  the  Regiment,” 
starring  Rin-Tin-Tin. 

Michael  Curtiz  has  been  assigned  to 
direct  “Good  Time  Charley”  for  Warner 
Bros.  The  melodrama  will  soon  go  into 
production  with  Warner  Gland  appearing 
in  the  title  role.  The  story  is  an  adaptation 
of  ‘“The  Rainbow  Chasers”  by  Darryl 
Francis  Zanuck. 


Oriental  Masters 


The  skill  of  the.  individual  worker  made 
the  fame  of  oriental  art. 

In  the  Consolidated  laboratories,  skilled 
craftsmen  gathered  from  all  over  the 
world  develop  the  art  of  your  produc- 
tions with  the  most  amazing  beauty. 


NEW  YORK  LOS  ANGELES 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  August  13,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


Campaigning  Against  Tentshows 

EAGLE  LAKE,  TEXAS.— To  the  Ei>- 
itor:  My  first  letter  and  my  first  reports 
on  pictures. 

However,  I have  been  a Herald  reader 
for  several  years. 

Mr.  Branch  from  Hastings,  Mich.,  seems 
to  have  had  the  same  trouble  with  a tent- 
show  that  I had,  about  the  same  time,  only 
our  fight  seems  to  have  gone  further. 

Being  tired  of  tentshows  and  their  poli- 
cies,, I cut  my  admission  to  10  cents  with 
all  kids  free.  Took  my  camera  and  photog- 
rapher on  the  streets  on  preceding  Satur- 
day and  made  a newsreel  of  the  country 
folks  in  town,  incorporating  it  in  a regular 
weekly  local  reel  I run.  Gave  a benefit 
show  for  band  boys,  and  they  came  down 
in  front  of  show  in  street  and  turned  their 
4.5  piece  band  loose  for  45  minutes  before 
show.  Gave  the  fire  boys  a little  money  and 
they  turned  on  their  sirens  right  in  town  just 
as  the  tent-show  band  started  playing  on  the 
street.  Showed  the  “Tender  Hour”  for  10 
cents  and  actually  made  money,  despite 
a high  rental  on  it.  Had  better  than  4,000 
paid  admissions  during  week,  besides  kids, 
and  the  tent-show  spokesman  told  the  crowd 
he  lost  more  money  here  than  any  week 
in  15  years. 

The  real  trouble  started  when  the  tent- 
show  announced  each  night  from  his  stage 
that  the  people  here  could  force  me  to  show 
for  10  cents,  that  if  I could  show  for  that 
price  with  opposition  that  I was  holding 
them  up  when  he  was  not  here.  This  has 
hurt  me,  I think,  since  he  has  gone.  He 
put  out  circulars  at  his  first  nights  showing, 
a copy  of  which  I am  enclosing. 

Several  of  the  surrounding  towns  fought 
him  the  same  way.  Consequently,  guess 
he  will  not  come  this  way  again.  To 
fight  them  in  the  right  way  will  stir  up 
such  comment  to  increase  business,  stimu- 
lates interest,  and  we  boys  that  have  no 
opposition  need  just  such  a stimulus  to 
make  us  get  out  and  work.  My  town  has 
about  3,000  inhabitants. 

I have  been  a consistent  buyer  of  the 
Billboard,  but  after  their  recent  articles 
about  small  towns  fighting  for  their  rights, 
I’m  convinced  I have  no  reason  for  reading 
the  Billboard  other  than  to  find  out  what 
the  tentshow  will  do  next. 

Thanking  you  for  your  attention,  I am, 
— C.  S.  McLellan,  Rex  theatre.  Eagle 
Lake,  Tex. 


An  Invitation  to  All 

ALEXANDRIA,  MINN.—  To  the  Ed- 
itor; It  seems  the  old  guy  with  the  lantern 
that  was  always  looking  for  a truthful  guy 
missed  J.  C.,  and  now  I am  up  against  it, 
as  J.  C.  says  I caught  the  big  northern  pike, 
when  I thought  it  was  him,  but  the  brand 
of  lemonade  we  had  in  the  boat  might 
have  had  something  to  do  with  it. 

At  any  rate,  J.  C.  will  have  to  come  up 
here  and  catch  another  big  fish  so  that  he 
can  be  photographed  with  the  fish,  and 
an  affidavit  made  before  a notary  that  he 
did  catch  the  fish,  which  will  prove  he  is 
capable,  and  that  the  fish  are  here  to  be 
caught. 

I thought  long  and  serious  over  this 
denial  of  J.  C.’s  and  have  come  to  the  con- 
clusion that  he  was  afraid  of  Phil  of  the 


fishy  fame,  and  decided  he  would  not  claim 
to  be  champion  angler  as  long  as  Phil  cared 
for  the  title. 

Well,  folks,  J.  C.  and  his  folks,  or  any  of 
the  rest  of  you,  are  sure  welcome  to  come 
in  here  to  try  your  luck,  and  we  will  try 
to  prove  that  Alexandria  is  what  it  claims 
to  be,  the  best  place  in  the  U.  S.  A.,  to 
summer,  fish,  and  enjoy  golf,  motoring, 
and  at  the  same  time  keep  comfortably 
cool  while  at  it. 

J.  C.  and  I thought  this  would  be  an  ideal 
place  to  pull  a big  golf  tournament  of 
exhibitors,  and  of  course  we  included  the 
Herald  and  other  motion  picture  periodical 
workers  who  would  care  to  get  in,  and  let 
it  be  known,  there  are  many  big  golf 
tournaments  held  here,  while  visitors  are 
in  convention  and  vacationing,  all  of  them 
coming  back  after  the  first  visit,  if  it  is 
at  all  possible. 

Well,  at  any  rate,  when  J.  C.  heads 
Clara  this  way,  we  aim  to  make  him  enjoy 
his  visit,  as  he  seems  like  a lifelong  friend, 
having  heard  of  him,  about  him,  against 
and  for  him,  until  his  good  old  soul  was 
an  open  book  when  we  met. 

Back  in  the  days  when  there  were  no 
pictures,  at  least  excepting  in  the  largest 
cities,  we  both  contributed  to  the  Opera 
House  Reporter,  telling  how  good  or  how 
rotten  some  of  the  stock  companies  were, 
and  it  was  good  to  go  over  the  old  days. 

I can’t  see  how  the  editor  of  The  Spot- 
light can  be  so  ungrateful  as  to  doubt 
the  statement  that  J.  C.  (or  we)  caught 
the  fish  pictured  in  the  Herald  and  here  I 
have  (been  thinking  all  the  nice  things  about 
her  possible. 

She  must  be  like  my  wife.  When  I 
come  in  off  the  lake  and  mention  that  the 
biggest  bass,  maybe  of  six  or  seven  pounds, 
had  thrown  the  hook  and  made  a clean  get- 
away, she  hardly  ever  believes  those  state- 
ments and  asks  if  I had  any  witnesses. 

Well,  how  many  of  you  exhibitors,  ex- 
changemen,  editors,  writers,  producers, 
stars,  salesman  and  etc.,  wish  to  enter  the 
big  golf  tournament,  which  we  want  to  try 
to  organize  for  the  latter  part  of  August? 

There  will  be  no  lines  drawn,  everybody 
can  enter,  and  we’ll  see  who  is  the  cham- 
pion of  the  U.  S.  A.,  and  I’ll  ask  Eagle 
Eye  Joe  to  compile  the  list,  publish  it 
when  arranged,  while  we  in  this  section 
take  care  of  local  end  of  the  tournament. 

Alexandria  boasts  eight  big  summer 
hotels,  outside  of  uptodate  city  hotels,  all 
of  them  being  located  on  one  of  the  200 
lakes  in  this  county. — H.  J.  Longaker, 
Alexandria,  Minn. 


Stettmund  Declares  Himself 

CHANDLER,  OKLA. — To  the  Editor: 
Well,  boys,  the  Beauty  Contest  is  over  now 
and  I want  to  tell  you  what  a relief  it  is 
to  a lot  of  them  that  I was  not  in  it. 

I guess  what  one  of  the  girls  wrote  me 
tells  the  story  in  a few  words.  She  said 
“Us  girls  in  the  race  are  sure  glad  you 
did  not  take  a movie  contract,  because  if 
you  was  a actor  someone  would  nominate 
you  and  we  girls  wouldn’t  have  a chance !” 

When  I think  about  getting  into  the 
movies  I am  glad  I didn’t,  because  I 
would  have  won  the  Beauty  Contest  and 
all  the  girls  would  be  disappointed  and  I’m 
not  a fellow  who  likes  to  disappoint  the 
girls. 

When  I think  of  Beauty  Contests  I think 
of  the  Herald  and  when  I think  of  the 
Herald  I think  of  J.  C.  Jenkins  and  when 
I think  of  Jaysee  I think  of  him  in  Chand- 
ler hunting  for  me  and  some  maidens  tell- 
ing him  that  when  he  sees  the  most  hand- 
some man  he  ever  saw,  why  that’s  him. 
(Meaning  me).  Then  when  he  saw  me 
he  said,  “I  was  expecting  to  see  something, 
but  by-dam,  nothing  like  this !” 

See,  my  looks  just  knocked  his  ears  down. 
I’ll  bet  if  he  saw  some  of  the  movie  boys 
he  would  not  make  a remark  like  that  be- 


cause nothing  will  ever  surprise  Jaysee  any- 
more. 

I was  thinking  of  spending  my  vacation 
in  Hollywood  and  then  I got  to  thinking 
of  the  trouble  the  producers  are  in  now 
and  the  rotten  pictures  they  are  making. 
If  I went  out  there  the  pictures  would  be 
worse  than  they  are  now  because  all  the 
girls  would  be  wild  about  me  and  while 
they  was  making  pictures  they  would  be 
wishing  it  was  quitting  time  so  they  could 
be  with  me.  I would  be  such  a riot  they 
couldn’t  work  good  for  me  being  on  their 
brains.  The  boys  in  the  cast  would  be  so 
jealous  they  wouldn’t  work  good  and  the 
result,  poor  pictures  instead  of  the  knock- 
outs the  salesman  sold  you  at  advanced 
prices. 

I’ll  tell  you,  being  the  most  handsome 
man  in  world  has  some  drawbacks.  Here 
I am  having  to  stay  away  from  Hollywood 
where  most  everybody  else  would  give  their 
right  arm  to  be. 

I wish  I could  trade  looks  with  Jaysee 
or  any  one  else  as  hard  looking  as  him, 
because  beauty  is  just  hard  luck. — H.  G. 
Stettlund,  H.  & S.  theatre.  Chandler, 
Okla. 


A Bouquet  for  “Rough  Riders” 

MENARD,  TEX.— To  the  Editor:  I 
enclose  some  reports  of  recent  pictures 
played,  but  cannot  refrain  from  making 
special  and  a bit  more  lengthy  comment  on 
Paramount’s  “Rough  Riders,”  which  we 
played  July  27  and  28  as  a state  preview 
for  Texas. 

Here  is  a real  box  office  attraction.  I 
notice  that  Pete  Harrison  says  that_  it  is 
not  a “special.”  It  may  not  be  a riot  at 
$2,  but  to  my  mind  that  is  not  the  measur- 
ing stick  for  a really  good  big  picture. 
That  stuff  has  been  overworked  and  we 
know  it.  I can  only  express  pity  for  New 
Yorkers  both  for  what  they  have  to  see 
and  what  they  have  to  pay  to  see  it.  I 
used  to  live  there  and  can  appreciate  the 
situation. 

While  it  is  not  my  business  to  advertise 
any  one  company’s  output  particularly  (and, 
incidentally.  Paramount  and  I have  had  our 
differences  in  the  past,  this  being  the  first 
picture  of  theirs  we’ve  run  for  some  time), 
I can’t  help  giving  my  reaction,  both  per- 
sonal and  box  office,  on  this  one.  It  is 
big;  it  is  good;  it  is  unusual  in  theme, 
very  splendidly  handled  by  Director  Victor 
Fleming ; marvelously  well  acted  by  all  con- 
cerned. The  work  of  Charles  Parrel  stands 
out,  closely  followed  by  Charles  Emmett 
Mack.  Not  a weak  spot  in  the  cast — Beery 
and  Bancroft  keep  it  from  dragging.  Miss 
Astor  is  lovely  as  the  girl.  Frank  Hopper’s 
handling  of  T.  R.  is  very  good  indeed. 

But,  the  direction  makes  or  breaks  a 
picture,  and  Fleming  did  a mighty  fine  job 
here.  Personally,  the  big  kick  in  the  pic- 
ture is  the  scene  where  Farrell  carries 
Mack,  who  is  dying,  to  the  hospital  tent. 
Going  back  over  all  the  big  films  it  has 
been  my  pleasure  to  see  I can’t  recall  a 
single  scene  that  surpasses  this  bit  of  foot- 
age for  power.  Without  any  elaborate 
backgrounds  or  display  of  money  outlay, 
for  pure  excellence  of  acting  and  direction, 
it  is  perfect.  We  ran  it  two  days  and  two 
nights  here,  and  the  last  night  found  me 
with  a catch  in  the  throat  at  that  piece  of 
work,  which  is  something  that  doesn’t  often 
happen  to  one  in  the  business. 

Yes,  I’m  enthusiastic  about  “The  Rough 
Riders,”  and  so  was  my  box  office.  Music 
is  a tremendous  part  of  it  and  I’m  mighty 
sorry  for  the  boys  who  have  to  play  with 
it  with  a mechanical  instrument  of  any 
kind.  It’s  a picture  that  has  to  be  well 
cued. 

Excuse  the  undue  amount  of  space  de- 
voted to  this  epistle,  but  I want  to  let 
those  who  run  it  soon  know  that,  in  my 
humble  opinion,  they  can  go  after  it  strong 
and  not  be  afraid. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission 
theatre,  Menard,  Tex. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 


HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me”  supply  a percentage 
rating  obtained  by  dividing  average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction 
into  average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on.  When  10  of  these 
percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average  of  these  10 
percentage  ratings  is  entered  in  "The  Ticker."  Each  additional  percentage- 
rating report  received  on  pictures  entered  is  combined  with  those  previoxtsly 
received  and  the  new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


ARIZONA  SWEEPSTAKES 
IRENE  (F.  N.) 


1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

7. 

8. 

9.  JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR 

10.  CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U ^ 

11.  THE  VANISHING  AMERICA 

12.  THE  GREAT  K.  AND  A.  TRA 

13.  THE  TOUGH  GUY  (F  B O) 

14.  THE  VOLGA  BOATMAN  (P 

15.  THE  MAGIC  GARDEN  (F  B 

16.  THE  OVERLAND  STAGE  (F 

17.  SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE  (M-( 

18.  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL  (1 

19.  THE  WINNING  OF  BARBAI 

20.  LET’S  GET  MARRIED  (Par 

21.  THE  BAT  (U.  A.) 

22.  THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER 

23.  THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE  (U 

24.  ELLA  CINDERS  (F.  N.) 

25.  THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK  ( 

26.  TIN  HATS  (M-G-M) 

27.  THE  QUARTERBACK  (Par) 

28.  THE  SCARLET  LETTER  (M 

29.  THE  SCARLET  WEST  (F.  P 

30.  THE  CAMPUS  FLIRT  (Par) 

31.  THE  LAST  FRONTIER  (P.  ! 

32.  SEA  HORSES  (Par) 

33.  THE  FOUR  HORSEMEN  (M 

34.  THREE  BAD  MEN  (Fox).... 

35.  THE  BLACK  PIRATE  (U.  A 

36.  SENOR  DAREDEVIL  (F.  N. 

37.  WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW 

38.  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST  (Pa 

39.  THE  KID  BROTHER  (Par) 

40.  THE  DEVIL  HORSE  (P).... 

41.  HIS  SECRETARY  (M-G-M).. 

42.  A REGULAR  SCOUT  (FBI 

43.  UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM  (P. 

44.  THE  NIGHT  CRY  (W.  B.).. 

45.  CORPORAL  KATE  (P.  D.  C 

46.  THE  PHANTOM  BULLET  (1 

47.  HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORI 

48.  ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC  (W 

49.  FOR  HEVEN’S  SAKE  (Par) 

50.  SKINNER’S  DRESS  SUIT  (U 

51.  LITTLE  ANNIE  ROONEY  (1 

52.  TWINKLETOES  (F.  N.) 

53.  THAT’S  MY  BABY  (Par).... 

54.  THE  UNDERSTANDING  HE^ 

55.  WAR  PAINT  (M-G-M) 

56.  BROWN  OF  HARVARD  (M-i 

57.  LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS  (F 

58.  THE  MAN  IN  THE  SADDLI 

59.  TRAMP,  TRAMP,  TRAMP  (I 

60.  THE  BUCKAROO  KID  (U) 

61.  THE  TEXAS  STREAK  (U).. 

62.  UNDER  WESTERN  SKIES  (1 

63.  BEHIND  THE  FRONT  (Par 

64.  TONY  RUNS  WILD  (Fox).. 

65.  THE  TEASER  (U) 

66.  SWEET  DADDIES  (F.  N.).. 

67.  THE  TWO  GUN  MAN  (F  B 

68.  THE  WANING  SEX  (M-G-M 

69.  WILD  TO  GO  (F  B O) 

70.  THE  SILENT  RIDER  (U).... 

71.  THE  TEMPTRESS  (M-G-M) 

72.  THE  FLAMING  FOREST  (W 

73.  THE  RED  MILL  (M-G-M).. 

74.  THE  RAIN  MAKER  (Par).. 

75.  HIS  PEOPLE  (U) 

76.  THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL  ( 

77.  SALLY,  IRENE  AND  MARY 

78.  CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES  ( 

79.  IT  MUST  BE  LOVE  (F.  N. 

80.  PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY  ( 

81.  WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDEl 

82.  THE  FLAMING  FRONTIER 

83.  OLD  CLOTHES  (M-G-M)  ... 

84.  FOREVER  AFTER  (F.  N.).. 

85.  ROLLING  HOME  (U) 

86.  CANYON  OF  LIGHT  (Fox) 

87.  UPSTAGE  (M-G-M)  

88.  MIKE  (M-G-M)  


(U). 


...12 

reports 

81.41% 

...17 

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80.82% 

78.23“/o 

...25 

78.00% 

...13 

76.69% 

...11 

“ 

76.18% 

...11 

“ 

74.72% 

...28 

** 

74.25% 

...24 

73.95% 

...15 

72.80% 

...22 

“ 

72.72% 

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72.63% 

...15 

72.46% 

...19 

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72.00% 

...12 

**  

71.91% 

...20 

71.55% 

...22 

44 

70.41% 

...16 

44 

69.62% 

I..21 

69.43% 

13 

69.38% 

...19 

69.36% 

26 

69.27% 

...11 

68.81% 

...25 

68.80% 

...21 

“ 

68.38% 

...22 

“ 

68.36% 

...32 

“ 

67.96% 

...10 

44 

67.50% 

...10 

44 

67.40% 

...30 

44 

67.10% 

...14 

66.78% 

...10 

“ 

66.40% 

...13 

“ 

66.30% 

...19 

66.05% 

...19 

65.94% 

...21 

44 

65  85% 

...37 

65.45% 

...21 

44 

65.10% 

...26 

44 

64.92% 

...13 

44 

64.69% 

...10 

44 

64.50% 

...14 

“ 

64.50% 

...18 

64.44% 

...21 

44 

64  33% 

...10 

44 

64.20% 

...11 

64.18% 

...12 

“ 

64.16% 

...13 

“ 

64.07% 

...11 

44 

63.45% 

...13 

44 

62.84% 

12 

44 

62.84% 

...16 

62.62% 

...12 

62.42% 

...14 

44 

62.36% 

...26 

44 

62.30% 

...26 

44 

61.96% 

...20 

61.85% 

...19 

44 

61 68% 

...13 

“ 

61.00% 

...17 

“ 

60.94% 

...12 

44 

60.50% 

...11 

44 

60.09% 

...18 

44 

59.94% 

...14 

44 

59.78% 

....10 

44 

59.50% 

....16 

59.31% 

....31 

44 

59.23% 

...27 

44 

59.1 1% 

....11 

59.09% 

....13 

“ . .. 

59.00% 

....14 

“ 

58.92% 

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58.83% 

....16 

44 

58.81% 

....10 

58.80% 

....13 

44 

58.61% 

1 1 

44 

58.27% 

...11 

44 

58  09% 

12 

44 

57.75% 

...27 

44 

57.07% 

...14 

57.00% 

...13 

44 

56.92% 

....21 

56  85% 

....13 

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56.69% 

....15 

44 

56.66% 

....17 

44 

56.58% 

13 

44 

56.54% 

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44 

.56.47% 

....11 

56.45% 

89.  THE  DARK  A 

90.  MANTRAP  (P 

91.  THE  FLYING 

92.  FORLORN  RI 

93.  THE  WILDER 

94.  KID  BOOTS 

95.  WILD  JUSTIC 

96.  STRANDED  IP 

97.  SUBWAY  SAD 

98.  THE  RETURN 

99.  THE  JOHNSTI 

100.  THE  UNKNO\ 

101.  PRISONERS  < 

102.  MEN  OF  STEI 

103.  BORN  TO  TH 

104.  HER  BIG  NIG 

105.  THE  GREATE 

106.  THE  COUNTR 

107.  HERO  OF  TH 

108.  THE  ROAD  T 

109.  VARIETY  (P: 

110.  WHAT  HAPPl 

111.  SAY  IT  AGAIl 

112.  BREED  OF  TI 

113.  KOSHER  KIT 

114.  SWEET  ROSH 

115.  TIN  GODS  (1 

116.  THE  BARRIE 

117.  THE  MIDNIGI 

118.  THE  ICE  FLO 

119.  ALOMA  OF  1 

120.  POKER  FACE 

121.  PARADISE  (I 

122.  THE  ARIZON 

123.  LET  IT  RAIN 

124.  EAGLE  OF  Tl 

125.  THE  PRINCE 

126.  STEPPING  AI 

127.  BRED  IN  OU 

128.  THE  RUNAWj 

129.  MISS  NOBOD 

130.  ONE  MINUTE 

131.  THE  WANDEI 

132.  HOGAN’S  ALl 

133.  MARE  NOSTF 

134.  SPARROWS  ( 

135.  PADLOCKED 

136.  THE  MILLIOP 

137.  THE  SHOW  ( 

138.  THE  ANCIEN1 

139.  HAIR  TRIGGl 

140.  BATTLING  Bl 

141.  LADIES  AT  P 

142.  SPANGLES  (I 

143.  THE  BLUE  Ei! 

144.  FAUST  (M-G- 

145.  WHISPERING 

146.  DESERT’S  TO 

147.  HER  HONOR 

148.  THERE  YOU 

149.  THE  NEW  CO 

150.  THE  WALTZ 

151.  THE  STILL  / 

152.  TAKE  IT  FR( 

153.  TUMBLEWEEl 

154.  WET  PAINT 

155.  LOVE  ’EM  AI 

156.  MIDNIGHT  L 

157.  FINE  MANNEl 

158.  PARADISE  F( 

159.  THE  NEW  K1 

160.  THE  BROWN 

161.  SO’S  YOUR  O 

162.  THE  MARRI-^ 

163.  THE  BORDEE 

164.  PARTNERS  A 

165.  THE  BLIND 

166.  A LITTLE  J( 

167.  BIGGER  THA 

168.  BLARNEY  (IV 

169.  THE  OLD  SO 

170.  BARDELYS  T 

171.  THE  DUCHES 

172.  HOLD  THAT 

173.  EVERYBODY’ 

174.  LA  BOHEME 

175.  FIG  LEAVES 
177.  FASCINATlNt 

177.  THE  LOVE  T 

178.  THE  CANADl 

179.  MISS  BREWS' 

180.  THE  WISE  G 

181.  THE  CAT’S  P 

182.  NELL  GWYN 

183.  INTO  HER  K1 

184.  STEEL  PREFl 


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56.16% 

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56.16% 

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55.95»/o 

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55.86% 

....15  “ 

55.33% 

55.25% 

10  “ 

55.20% 

....12  “ 

55.08% 

16 

55.00% 

....18  “ 

54.94% 

....28  “ 

54.92% 

....19 

54.68% 

....17  “ 

54.24% 

....10  “ 

54.00% 

....11  “ 

53.91% 

....11 

53.90% 

....21  *• 

53.90% 

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53.81% 

....16 

53.62% 

....11  “ 

53.36% 

12 

53.17% 

....17  “ 

53.17% 

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52.72% 

91  “ 

52.71% 

....16 

52.68% 

....19 

52.68% 

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52.54% 

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52.35% 

17  “ 

52.35% 

15  “ 

52.25% 

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52.00% 

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51.70% 

....19  “ 

51.63% 

....10  “ 

51.60% 

....11  “ 

51.27% 

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50.90% 

....17  “ 

50.82% 

50.47% 

....25  “ 

50.44% 

11  “ 

50.36% 

50.25% 

27  “ 

50.22% 

50.11% 

16  “ 

49.88% 

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49.82% 

49.73% 

....10 

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49.40% 

....22  “ 

48.90% 

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48.80% 

11  “ 

48.72% 

....12  “ 

48.66% 

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48.60% 

....11  “ 

48.45% 

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48.26% 

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48.18% 

....21  “ 

48.14% 

12  “ 

48.08% 

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47.75% 

....10  “ 

47.50% 

....14  “ 

47.50% 

12  “ 

47  00% 

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46.72% 

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46.50% 

11  “ 

46.36% 

12  “ 

45.77% 

45.41% 

45.25% 

...15  “ 

45.13% 

45.00% 

....15  “ 

44.25% 

....16  “ 

44.13% 

..13  “ 

43.46% 

11  “ 

43.27% 

....17 

43.23% 

1.3  “ 

43.07% 

...15  “ 

42.73% 

11  “ 

42.45% 

14  “ 

42.28% 

11  “ 

42.18% 

20  “ 

41.95% 

11  “ 

41.90% 

-..-15  “ 

41.80% 

in  “ 

40.90% 

lO  “ 

40.79% 

-.14  “ 

40.79% 

19  “ 

39.83% 

...11  “ 

39.09% 

....11  “ 

37.54% 

....11 

36.90% 

...10  “ 

34.70% 

50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 


Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


1 


The  Recognized  National 


Classified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANISTS — Thoroughly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Buren  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 


ORGANIST  WANTS  LOCATION:  Ten  years 
experience  in  best  theatres.  Cue  to  perfection. 
Feature  song  novelities  and  specialties.  Satis- 
faction guaranteed.  Address  Musician,  612  North 
Roosevelt,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 


OPERATOR  AND  ELECTRICIAN  with  ten 
years  experience.  ilarried.  Wants  steady  job. 
Address  Operator,  920  W.  1st  Street,  Cedar  Falls, 
la. 


WANTED— POSITION  AS  MANAGER  or  as- 
sistant. Young  man  experienced  in  management, 
advertising  and  accounting.  Future  important. 
Write  Box  196,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South 
Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Wanted 


AJI  LOOKING  FOR  A THEATRE  in  town  any 
size  up  to  20,000,  that  has  been  built  against  op- 
position, and  now  finds  itself  on  the  wrong  side 
of  the  ledger.  I am  strictly  a small  town  man 
and  can  make  your  place  pay.  I am  big  enough 
to  invest  some  money  if  desired.  Write  me 
fully  what  you  are  up  against.  Will  lease  or 
come  on  .salary.  Address  W.  H.  Brenner,  Win- 
chester, Indiana. 


THEATRE  WANTED  in  good  town  of  300  or 
over.  State  proposition  in  first  letter.  We  have 
cash.  Am  ready  to  talk  business.  Address  W. 
A.  Clark,  Jr.  Havana,  Illinois. 


WANTED:  To  buy  or  lease  picture  theatre, 
must  be  in  good  field.  Stand  strict  investigation. 
Rliddle-West  preferred.  All  details  first  letter. 
Take  charge  within  sixty  days.  Address  Box  56, 
Darrouzett,  Texas. 


Theatre  For  Sale 


THEATRE  FOR  SALE  in  Dayton,  Ohio.  250 
seats.  Building  rents  for  $50.00  per  month.  Good 
location  and  complete  equipment.  Price  very  rea- 
sonable. Address  John  C.  Stout,  College  Corner, 
Ohio. 


FOR  SALE  OR  RENT  theatre  playing  pictures 
and  road  show  attractions.  Seats  750.  Fully 
equipped.  Address  Matthew  Reinhardt,  Lincoln, 
Illinois. 


For  Sale 


FOR  SALE— “CUSTER’S  LAST  FIGHT.”  A 
5-reel  Thos.  H.  Ince  picture.  A ROAD  SHOW 
complete,  consistng  of  Chevrolet  truck  with  spe- 
cial body — Tangley  Caliaphone — wax  figures  of 
General  Custer  and  Sitting  Bull— bunch  of  old 
guns  and  two  prints  on  feature  with  two  good 
comedies.  This  show  has  always  made  $500  to 
$800  per  month,  net.  Everything  in  A-1  shape. 
Good  reason  for  selling.  Hot  price  for  quick  sale. 
Write  or  call  F.  L.  Smith,  Box  241,  Mounds, 
Oklahoma. 


Equipment  Wanted 


\y5E  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS:  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Barg^ain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
3x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet,  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


WANTED;  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


FOR  SALE;  USED  POSTERS,  Photos, 
Slides,  Banners,  and  other  kinds  of  Accessories 
on  any  subject,  new  or  old — regardless.  Save 
60%.  Write  for  order  blanks  and  price  list.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  & Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post- 
paid.  Samples.  Address  Sollidays,  E.  H.,  124, 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
PlEADS,  8^x11,  and  100  6^  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS;  Fac- 
tory  rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE;  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


ONE  REPRODUCO  PIPE  ORGAN  FOR 
SALE.  Used  two  months.  Like  new,  with  20 
rolls  of  music.  Can  be  played  by  hand  or 
automatic.  Reason  for  selling  just  installed  a 
large  organ.  Terms  third  down,  balance  in  one 
year.  Will  be  glad  to  show  this  organ  to  you. 
M'rite  Garber  & Bennett,  Rialto  Theatre,  Pekin, 
Illinois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built 
for  a purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best 
of  resuts  and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph 
Spratler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  meehanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  the- 
tres  @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago.  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  Theatre  Chairs  of  all  de- 
scriptions, immediate  shipments.  Largest  stock  of 
chairs  in  the  West.  Address  The  Theatre  Seating 
Company,  845  South  State  Street,  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


WANTED  TO  BUY  350  upholstered  chairs,  20 
inch.  Must  be  first  class  seats.  Address  Strand 
Theatre.  921  IMain  Street,  Grinnell,  la. 

WE  ARE  IN  THE  JIARKET  for  100  used  pro- 
jectors, any  make,  for  which  we  will  pay  highest 
cash  prices.  Address  Box  199,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street.  Chicago,  Illinois. 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — -Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


JUST  FORECLOSED  MORTGAGE  on  follow- 
ing equipment.  Will  sacrifice.  4 used  Motio- 
graph Machines,  complete,  with  motors,  $150 
each.  Two  used  Compensarcs,  $30  each.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs,  used  3 months,  $2  each,  cost 
$3.75  each.  All  now  in  a Theatre  in  Southeast 
Missouri.  Also  have  two  Powers  6B  with  mo- 
tors and  two  Simplexs  motor  driven,  perfect 
condition,  ^aranteed,  $375  each,  228  new  heavy 
Opera  Chairs,  17  inch,  $2.75  each,  never  used, 
regular  price  $4.20  each.  Some  Screens,  Genera- 
tors and  Arc  controls  at  bargain  prices.  Must 
turn  these  articles  into  cash  immediately.  Ad- 
dress S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Avenue,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


REBUILT  AND  NEW  power  Simplex,  Moti- 
ograph, Zenith  Projectors;  300  reel  films.  Theatre 
and  road  show  supplies  bought,  sold  and  ex- 
changed. Bargain  lists.  National  Equipment  Co., 
409  West  Michigan  Street,  Duluth,  Minn. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


*‘What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

*‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  *What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Columbia 

RICH  MEN’S  SONS:  Special  cast— 50%. 

July  22.  A splendid  entertaining  program  pic- 
ture. Better  than  the  average. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THE  WRECK:  Shirley  Mason — Here  is  one  of 
the  best  pictures  we  have  had  this  summer. 
Pleased  almost  100  per  cent,  both  men  and 
women.  Shirley  Mason  is  splendid  and  the 
story  is  good.  Better  than  a lot  of  the  socalled 
specials. — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark, 
Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

FBO 

TWO  GUN  MAN:  Fred  Thomson — 85%. 
June  3-4.  Ran  this  against  a tentshow,  the 
strongest  opposition  offered  against  a small  town 
movie,  and  did  very  well.  No  question  but  what 
Silver  King  is  the  big  draw.  Story  ? No.  Act- 
ing? No.  Box  office — Oh,  boy!  and  that’s  what 
counts.  Six  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  thea- 
tre, Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

OUT  OP  THE  WEST:  Tom  Tyler— 70%. 

July  22.  Another  good  one  from  Tyler.  While  a 
Western  it  is  really  a baseball  story.  Away  above 
the  average  Western.  Five  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle, 
Strand  theatre.  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

HER  FATHER  SAID  NO:  Special  cast— 46%. 
July  19.  Although  the  story  was  rather  weak, 
yet  a splendid  cast  makes  it  entertaining.  Some 
good  laughs  in  this,  Cooke  and  Guard  being  a 
fine  comedy  team,  and  the  boy,  Frankie  Darro, 
makes  a real  hit.  Seven  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny, 
Community  House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

LURE  OF  THE  NIGHT  CLUB:  Viola  Dana— 
40%.  July  20.  Not  as  good  as  her  first  re- 
leasee. Weak  and  very  little  comedy  in  it.  Five 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

OUT  OF  THE  WEST:  Special  cast— 40%. 
July  5.  This  was  a Western  and  baseball  story 
combined.  Tyler  good,  and  the  youngster,  Frankie 
Darro,  Beans,  the  dog,  and  the  horse  are  there 
with  action  and  laughs.  Five  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny, 
Community  House,  Greenwod,  Ind. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

MOULDERS  OF  MEN : Conway  Tearle — 38%. 
July  26.  This  picture  deserves  a better  percentage 
than  shown.  No  fault  of  the  stoi’y  or  cast. 
Little  Frankie  Darro  does  some  big  league  work 
in  this.  Well  presented,  well  acted,  well — what 
more  can  we  ask?  Seven  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny, 
Community  House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

BREED  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  east — 33%. 
July  12.  Ince  plays  the  part  of  two  brothers. 
Not  a big  picture.  South  Sea  setting.  Seven 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House,  Green- 
wood, Ind. — General  patronage. 

GALLOPING  THUNDER;  Bob  Custer— July 
26.  Too  much  hokum.  This  class  of  Western 
photodrama  is  not  getting  over  in  this  town. 
The  people  want  action  and  lots  of  it.  but  they 
also  want  a partly  plausible  story.  Print  brand 
new.  Five  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre, 
Cresoo,  la. — Genera!  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  casl^July 
19-20,  Another  Gene  Stratton  Porter  that  drew 
good  and  pleased.  Certainly  a wonderful  pic- 
ture. Seven  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 


theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

LADDIE:  John  Bowers — .luly  18.  There’s 

something  different  about  FBO  pictures,  the  shots, 
the  stars,  the  stories  and  everything,  and  my 
patrons  enjoyed  this  one  as  much  or  more  than 
“Keeper  of  the  Bees.”  Made  some  money  on 
this  one  and  every  other  small  town  should  for  its 
hound  to  please. — H.  E.  Lane,  Amuzu  theatre.  Gate 
City,  Va. — General  patronage. 

BIGGER  THAN  BARNUMS:  Special  cast— 
July  4,  Played  one  night  to  fair  crowd.  Not  so 
good  as  Universal’s  “Spangles.”  Pleased  about 
50  per  cent.  Six  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling 
theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — ’Small  town  patronage. 

HER  FATHER  SAID  NO:  Special  cast — July 
2.  Did  not  draw  usual  Saturday  crowd,  but 
pleased  those  who  came.  Seven  reels. — Dewey 
L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FLAMING  FURY : Ranger — Dog  and  story 
very  good,  but  that  is  all  than  can  be  said  as 
the  cast  does  not  amount  to  much.  Five  reels. — 
R.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre,  Sanborn,  Minn. 
— General  patronage. 

SONORA  KID:  Tom  Tyler — Five  reels  of  noth- 
ing. They  advertise  Tom  and  His  Pals  which 
must  be  the  horse  and  dog,  but  they  are  just  in 
the  show,  as  they  don’t  do  anything  special. 
Five  reels. — E.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre, 
Sanborn,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

SPLITTING  THE  BREEZE:  Tom  Tyler— Fac- 
tory made.  You  can  get  this  kind  of  stuff  from 
any  mail  order  house.  First  one  I got  without 


Frankie  Darro  and  must  say  Tom  is  not  much 
without  the  kid  unless  he  gets  better  stories. 
Five  reels. — R.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre, 
Sanborn,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

CACTUS  TRAILS:  Bob  Custer— Good  Western 
with  plenty  of  action  and  just  enough  comedy  to 
make  a good  show.  Five  reels. — R.  F.  Hageman, 
Pleasure  theatre,  Sanborn,  Minn. — General  patron- 
age. 

BULL  DOG  PLUCK:  Bob  Custer— Double  fea- 
tured this  and  glad  we  did,  as  it’s  not  much. 
Custer  has  made  much  better  ones.  Five  reels. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

First  National 

THE  LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  May- 
nard— 95%,  July  2,  This  boy  never  let’s  up. 
Still  going  like  a house  afire,  and  gaining  friends 
with  every  picture.  Never  played  a better  series 
of  pictures  since  I have  been  in  the  business,  and 
that’s  saying  something.  Keep  up  the  good  work, 
Ken,  we’re  for  you,  and  we  don’t  mean  maybe. 
Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre, 
Ashland,  Ala. — S'mall  town  patronage. 

OVERLAND  STAGE : Ken  Maynard— 85%. 
June  16-17.  Every  time  Ken  Maynard  comes  to 
town  I prepare  for  S.R.O.  on  Saturday  nights. 
He  sure  does  his  stuff  and  his  producers  know 
their  stuff.  He  is  the  best  B.O.  bet  I have  and 
that  does  not  except  Mr.  Hold-EM-Up  Harold 
Lloyd,  either.  Six  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Post- 
ville theatre,  Postville,  la. — Genera!  patronage. 

DEVIL’S  SADDLE:  Ken  Maynard-— 80%.  July 
16.  Not  as  good  as  previous  Maynard  pictures. 
However,  Maynard’s  ability  to  ride  coupled  with 
proper  stories  will  carry  him  above  any  Western 
star  on  market.  My  people  like  him  much  bet- 
ter than  Tom  Mix,  saying  that  Mix  pulls  too 
many  impossible  iron  man  stunts. — C.  S.  McLel- 
lan,  Rex  theatre,  Eagle  Lake,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  LOST  WORLD:  Special  cast— 7.5%.  June 
27-2-8.  Played  this  too  late  to  draw  a big  crowd, 
but  at  that  I made  a little  money  on  it.  It’s  a 
wonderful  picture,  but  I don’t  believe  “Lost 
Worlds,”  “Covered  Wagons,”  Arctic-Nu  Airs,  etc., 
will  get  ’em  in  this  summer.  It’s  the  poorest 
summer  I have  ever  seen.  Ten  reels. — L.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General 
patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE:  Colleen  Moore— 60%. 
July  17-18.  Good.  Type  of  picture  that  seems  to 
please  the  greatest  percentage  of  patrons.  Colleen, 
of  course,  has  the  following  that  seem  to  like 
her  in  most  anything,  but  she  had  better  hold 
her  stride,  or  she’ll  lose  them  just  as  fast. — 
C.  S.  McLellan,  Rex  theatre.  Eagle  Lake.  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

AFFAIRS  OF  THE  FOLLIES:  Special  cast— 
60%.  June  14-15.  Very  good  attraction  that 
drew  well  in  the  fall  of  bad  weather.  Well  staged 
and  made.  Not  a box  office  k.o.  in  small  towns, 
however.  Seven  reels. — L E Palmer.  Postville 
theatre.  Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

SUBWAY  SADIE:  Special  cast— 43%.  July 
19.  I didn’t  see  this  but  they  said  it  was  good. 
— Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre,  Mason,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  TENDER  HOUR:  Special  cast— 40%. 
July  15-16.  Real  high  class  picture  that  will 
please  the  most  exacting.  Had  a carnival  for 
opposition.  The  percentage  should  have  been 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


better. — Coffee  & Ellis,  American  theatre.  Perry- 
ton,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOVTN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
36%.  July  5.  Good  Western.  This  guy  is  a 
wonderful  rider. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

JUST  ANOTHER  BLONDE:  Special  cast— 
30%.  June  22-23.  Just  another  picture.  Blah! 
However,  I've  seen  many  a Paramount  that  was 
worse.  Seven  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville 
theatre,  Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

ALL  ABOARD:  Johnny  Hines — July  25-26.  I 
call  this  Hines’  best  comedy  with  First  National 
or  anyone  else.  Drew  exceptional  business.  Out- 
drew  "Lost  at  the  Front,”  which  cost  twice  as 
much.  Only  another  case  to  prove  what  saps  we 
are  sometimes.  Seven  reels. — Henry  Reeves,  Mis- 
sion theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MAKING  OF  O’MALLEY:  Milton  Sills— 
July  16.  Best  Sills  we  have  played  to  date. 
Fair  crowd  considering  the  hot  weather,  and  it 
pleased.  Seven  reels. — Dewey  L.  Kisor,  Sterling 
theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  IN  SONORA:  Ken  Maynard— 
Another  humdinger  from  Ken  Maynard.  Run  a 
Maynard  and  you  can’t  go  wrong.  Six  reels. — 
Liberty  theatre,  Lynden,  Wash. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  SILENT  LOVER:  Milton  Sills— A good 
program  picture.  Pleased  all.  Seven  reels. — 
Liberty  theatre,  Lynden,  Wash. — General  patron- 
age. 

HANSON’S  FOLLY : Richard  Barthelmess — 
Just  a good  ordinary  program  picture  with  a 
few  thrills  for  the  Western  fans. — H.  E.  Lane. 
Amuzu  theatre.  Gate  City,  Va. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  UNGUARDED  HOUR:  Milton  Sills— 
This  one  pleased  the  ladies,  as  Milton  Sills  gener- 
ally does.  The  picture  is  good,  and  although  I 
managed  to  break  even  on  it  the  picture  should 
please  for  it’s  good.  Some  nice  scenery  and  a 
nice  story.  Seven  reels. — H.  E.  Lane.  Amuzu  thea- 
tre, Gate  City.  Va. — General  patronage. 

Fox 

HARD  BOILED:  Tom  Mix— 75%.  July  25-26. 
Again  Mix  rings  the  bell.  Good,  fast  Western 
and  plenty  of  story  to  good  business.  Six  reels. 


— E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — 
.Small  town  patronage. 

OUTLAWS  OF  RED  RIVER:  Tom  Mix— 70%. 
July  19.  Good  Western.  Lots  of  action,  and  Tom 
on  the  go  all  the  time.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard 
A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  GOLDEN  STRAIN:  Special  cast— 60%. 
July  19-20.  A Peter  B.  Kyne  story  made  into  a 
good  picture.  A Western  story  of  an  Apache 
uprising  shortly  after  the  civil  war.  Averages  up 
nicely.  Seven  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre, 
Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  COUNTRY  BEYOND:  Olive  Borden— 
60%.  July  27-28.  A good  James  Oliver  Curwood 
story  of  the  Northwest.  Many  beautiful  outdoor 
shots.  Olive  Borden  very  charming.  Received 
many  favorable  comments.  Seven  reels. — E.  M. 
Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  UGHT:  Tom  Mix— 51%. 
July  1-2.  A fair  Mix  Western. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

THIRTY  BELOW  ZERO:  Buck  Jones— 50%. 
July  18.  Excellent  hot  weather  picture.  Plenty 
of  snow  all  the  way  through,  and  a good  rodeo 
at  the  start.  Five  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand 
theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

WINGS  OF  THE  STORM:  Thunder— 50%. 
July  8-9.  A good  dog  picture. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  MUSIC  MASTER:  Lois  Moran— 25%. 
July  18-19.  This  picture  in  my  estimation  is 
very  good.  It  is  a type  that  the  old  folks  will 
appreciate.  The  action  of  the  old  man  is  good 
and  the  humor  that  is  woven  into  the  picture 
makes  it  an  enjoyable  one.  Although  I didn’t 
make  much  on  this  one  it  is  no  fault  of  the 
picture. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FAMILY  UPSTAIRS:  Special  cast— 25%. 
July  21.  A very  satisfactory  program  picture. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  MONKEY  TALKS:  Olive  Borden— July 
29.  Different  from  the  usual  run.  Well  played 
foreign  type  of  story  that  did  not  please  all  here, 
but  did  play  to  biggest  Friday  night  business 
since  we  opened  the  house.  Should  be  backed  up 


with  strong  comedy  or  act,  but  will  please  the 
better  type  patron.  Play  up  Lerener  as  the 
monkey  on  hie  stage  record  in  the  part  for  novelty. 

Six  reels. — Henry  Reeves,  Mission  theatre,  Men- 
ard, Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

BRONCHO  TWISTER:  Tom  Mix— July  25-26. 

This  picture  is  a typical  Mix  picture  but  didn’t 
please  or  draw  as  good  as  “Outlaws  of  Red  River.” 

Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  thea- 
tre, Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  UGHT:  Tom  Mix— July  21. 

Tom  Mix  should  bring  them  in  but  he  eure  pulls 
some  boners  when  he  continues  this  bunk  of 
handling  from  six  to  10  men  and  trying  to  get 
away  with  it.  Seven  reels. — A.  C.  Wellardsen, 
Victory  theatre,  Salina,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  KISS:  Janet  Gaynor— Was 
a little  afraid  of  this  after  reading  the  wallop 
that  Grandpa  Jenkins  gave  it,  but  we  found  it 
pleased  our  crowd  pretty  well  and  caused  no 
adverse  comments.  Average  program  picture, 
contains  quite  a bit  of  comedy  and  pleased  a 
lot  better  than  some  pictures  we  have  paid  more 
money  for. — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark, 

Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

CRADLE  SNATCHERS:  Special  cast — One  of 
the  funniest  pictures  we  ever  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing.  You  won’t  make  any  mistake  in  boosting 
this  picture  to  the  sky.  I wouldn’t  advance  the 
admission. — H.  C.  Calvin,  Alcazar  theatre,  Dothan, 

Ala. — General  patronage. 

THE  GREAT  K AND  A TRAIN  ROBBERY: 

Tom  Mix — Good  until  the  last  reel  where  as  usual 
Tom  cleans  up  on  a big  gang  and  makes  you  wish 
you  were  some  where  else  when  they  start  to  go 
out  and  ask  you  how  he  does  it.  Five  reels. — 

R.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre,  Sanborn,  Minn. 

— ^General  patronage. 

THE  COUNTRY  BEYOND:  Special  casl^Here 
is  the  best  Curwood  picture  we  have  thrown  on 
our  silver  sheet  for  some  time.  The  photography 
is  good,  film  in  good  shape,  story  logical  and 
probable,  cast  adequate,  and  the  scenery  especially 
attractive.  Fellow  janitors,  here  is  a picture  that 
of  its  kind  you  may  play  it  up  100  per  cent  and 
you  will  make  good  with  your  patrons.  Six  reels. 

— Giacoma  Brothers.  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone. 

Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  CIRCUS  ACE:  Tom  Mix— Tom  has  made 
better  pictures  than  this,  but  it  drew  a good  crowd 
and  pleased.  That’s  enough — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal 
theatre.  Newark,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

Metro-GoMwyn-Mayer 

SCARLET  LETTER:  Lillian  Gish— 100%. 

July  22-23.  A wonderful  production.  One  of 
those  productions  one  is  proud  to  have  played. 

This  drew  well  for  us.  Nine  reels. — ^J.  A. 
Vengesather,  M.W.A.  Movies,  Brocket,  N.  D. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special 
cast — 75%.  May  23-24.  I see  where  the  Photo- 
play magazine  and  Motion  Picture  magazine  pan 
this.  They  sure  miss  box  office  values.  This  is 
the  kind  of  entertainment  the  public  wants.  It 
drew  and  pleased  well.  Seven  reels. — L.  E. 
Palmer.  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la.— General 
patronage. 

SLIDE  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines— 71%. 

July  20-21.  One  sweet  picture,  but  it  failed  to 
do  the  business  we  expected.  However,  took  Pete 
Harrison’s  tip  on  this,  and  was  not  surprised 
at  the  business.  As  he  said,  it  is  very  hard  to 
get  a big  crowd  in  small  towns  with  “ball” 
pictures.  The  picture  itself  is  very  fine  indeed, 
and  will  please  everyone  who  likes  a good  picture. 
Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre. 
Ashland.  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special  « 
cast — 70%.  June  22.  Well,  they  bit  pretty  well  1 
on  another  Metro,  and  were  surprised  as  this  was  m 
a good  outdoor  picture.  This  type  of  picture  al-  * | 
ways  goes  over  good  here,  and  many  remarked  * 
that  it  was  good  even  if  it  was  a Metro.  Seven  X 
reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland, 

Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

SLIDE  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines — 

66%.  July  22-23.  The  best  audience  picture  I’ve 


Taa  AVKWM.  CTV 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


VALENTINE,  NEB.,  July  31,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

It’s  a grand  and  glorious  feeling  to  get  back  in  a country  where  everybody  you 
meet  on  the  streets  or  highways  hollers,  “Hello,  Colonel,  where  the  dickens  have  you 
been  for  the  last  few  months?” 

Getting  back  to  this  range  country  among  the  sandhills  and  lakes,  where  every 
man  is  just  as  good  as  any  other  man,  where  ducks  squawk  at  night  and  coyotes  chase 
the  jackrabbits  over  the  ridges  and  where  the  girls  straddle  their  cow  ponies  to  ride  25 
miles  to  a dance,  and  where  a man  is  welcome  regardless  of  how  he  is  dressed  so 
long  as  he  behaves  himself  as  he  should,  gives  one  that  same  contented,  happy  feel- 
ing that  it  does  Crocket  Brown’s  Bullfoundland  pup  when  you  give  him  a bone. 
Out  here  I know  everybody.  Back  there  one  has  to  be  introduced.  Out  here  they 
will  take  pains  to  direct  you  on  the  right  road.  Back  there  you  can  find  it  yourself, 
if  you  can.  Out  here  is  “Where  the  West  Begins,”  and  out  here  is  where  I love 
to  live.  Give  me  the  “Out  Here”  and  you  can  have  the  “Back  There.” 

Out  here  is  where  Cal  has  established  his  summer  White  House,  and  it  is  the 
folks  out  here  who  will  appreciate  his  visit  for  other  reasons  than  commercialism. 
Out  here  the  folks  will  do  all  in  their  power  to  show  him  their  appreciation  for 
the  honor  he  has  paid  them  and  he  will  go  back  to  Washington  carrying  pleasant 
memories  of  the  hospitality  shown  him  by  the  folks  out  here.  Out  here  we  refer 
to  him  as  “Cal”  with  that  same  reverence  and  respect  one  would  when  addressing 
him  as  “Mr.  President”  because  he  is  one  of  us.  We  look  upon  him  as  not  only  our 
“Cal”  but  our  pal  as  well  and  there  is  nothing  too  good  for  him  while  he  is  our 
guest  out  here. 

— —The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do— 

L.  J.  Dunning  of  the  Strand  theatre  at  Warsaw,  Ind.,  says  he  is  no  fisherman  but 
is  a hunter  and  wants  me  to  advise  him  where  he  can  find  good  hunting  in  Nebraska. 
Well,  since  I was  a former  Hoosier  myself  I’ll  do  it,  for  we  Hoosiers  have  got  to 
hang  together,  or  (as  someone  once  said)  “we  may  hang  separately.” 

The  proper  place  to  hunt  ducks  and  chickens  is  in  the  lake  and  sandhill  country 
in  Western  Nebraska.  Hundreds  of  lakes  and  marshes  scattered  among  the  sand- 
hills furnish  ideal  feeding  grounds  for  ducks  and  other  water  fowl  and  the  sand- 
hills surrounding  them  splendid  hatching  ground  for  chickens  and  grouse. 

In  coming  here  from  the  East  one  would  naturally  come  through  Omaha,  either 
by  auto  or  train.  If  by  train  take  Northwestern  from  Chicago  direct  to  Wood  Lake, 
Neb.,  with  one  change  at  Omaha.  If  by  auto  take  No.  8 out  to  Omaha  to  O’Neill, 
Neb.,  then  No.  20  to  Ainsworth,  Neb.,  then  No.  7 to  Wood  Lake.  From  Johnstown 
to  Wood  Lake  you  will  wonder  where  you  are  or  if  you  are  ever  going  to  get  there 
or  get  back,  but  keep  your  foot  on  the  gas  and  stay  in  the  road  and  try  and  look 
pleasant. 

When  you  get  to  Wood  Lake  look  up  a couple  of  friends  of  mine,  Nick  Uck  and 
Neil  Prevost.  Nick  is  a banker  and  operates  Wood  Lake’s  movie  emporium.  Neil 
is  a “gentleman  of  leisure”  and  both  swing  a wicked  shotgun  and  casting  rod  and 
both  are  fine  sportsmen  and  will  give  you  some  valuable  information.  You  can 
depend  on  them.  Just  tell  them  I directed  you  to  call  on  them  and  that  will  be 
all  that  is  necessary. 

Since  you  are  a brother  Hoosier  and  I don’t  want  to  see  you  get  in  bad  out  here 
I will  give  you  a few  “Don’ts”  for  you  to  keep  in  mind. 

Don’t  attempt  to  hunt  or  fish  without  the  proper  license.  Nonresident  license  to 
fish  12.  Nonresident  license  to  hunt  and  fish  |25.  This  I think  a little  strong  but 
the  legislature  didn’t  consult  me  on  this  subject. 

Don’t  go  on  posted  land  without  permission.  You  can  usually  get  permission  by 
showing  the  owner  that  you  are  right  and  will  respect  his  rights. 

Don’t  drive  through  a ranch  gate  and  leave  it  open  and  don’t  cut  any  fences. 
To  do  this  will  get  you  in  bad. 

Don’t  leave  a camp  fire  until  it  is  extinguished.  To  set  fires  and  leave  gates  open 
or  cut  wire  fences  is  considered  sufficient  cause  out  here  to  start  something  rough, 
and  these  boys  can  start  it. 

Don’t  wear  your  silk  hats.  Leave  them  at  home  or  they  are  liable  to  look  like 
a sieve  by  the  time  you  get  back  for  they  make  fine  targets  for  a 44. 

Don’t  tell  ’em  you  are  a Tom  Mix  or  a Buck  Jones  or  they  will  try  to  ring  in 
an  “Outlaw”  on  you  and  you  will  furnish  a lot  of  fun  for  the  boys.  Just  say  you 
never  saw  a cayuse  before  in  your  life. 

Lookout  for  the  Indians,  especially  if  you  are  fat.  They  are  very  partial  to  fat 

people.  They  say  the  soup  is  richer  and  has  a better  flavor.  When  they  see  a tall, 

skinny  guy  they  are  apt  to  say,  “Humph,  heap  soup  bone,  me  no  likem,  me  likem 
fat  people  heap  good.” 

Should  you  meet  Chief  Long  Dog,  which  you  are  apt  to  do,  go  up  and  shake 

hands  with  him  and  say,  “How,  Cola”  (which  means,  “How  do  you  do,  friend”),  and 

{Continued  on  next  Page) 


had  this  summer.  Haines  scores  again  as  the 
wise-cracking  smarty  who  has  to  have  the  non- 
sense bumped  out  of  him. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pas- 
time theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney— 
63%.  July  15-16.  A mighty  good  picture  without 
any  hokum,  or  offensive  rough  stuff,  and  with 
Chaney  in  the  most  pleasing  role  he  has  ever  had. 
— Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies— 62%.  July 
7.  R)otten.  Nothing  but  a bunch  of  wise-crack- 
ing subtitles  which  were  for  the  most  part  dis- 
gusting. However,  can’t  expect  any  good  ones 
from  Metro,  so  we  were  not  disappointed.  Will 
be  glad  when  this  contract  is  finished. — E.  F. 
Ingram.  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  THE  MURPHYS: 
Special  cast — 50%.  A good  comedy  spoiled  by 
being  vulgar  in  spots  to  which  many  patrons 
objected.  Had  more  adverse  criticism  on  this 
than  any  picture  I have  shown  for  years.  Six 
reels. — ^Jos.  H.  Jackson,  Uno  theatre,  Mancos, 
Col. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special 
cast — 38%.  ’This  picture  is  good  and  will  stand 
up.  Don’t  be  afraid  to  boost  it.  We  wish  to 
say  here  that  M-G-M  is  putting  out  pictures  for 
fair  prices  that  ring  the  bell.  Why  some  knock 
them  is  more  than  we  understand. — Coffee  & 
Ellis.  American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

THE  LITTLE  JOURNEY:  Special  cast— 28%. 
An  average  program  picture.— Coffee  & Ellis, 
American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast — July  31- Aug.  1. 
'This  picture  as  good  as  reported.  Tell  your 
audience  you  have  a real  one  coming.  You  will 
not  have  to  hide  from  them  when  they  come  out. 
Print  fair.  Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco 
theatre.  Cresco,  la. — General  patronage. 

BATTLING  BUTLER:  Buster  Keaton— July 
28.  A good  comedy,  well  received.  Keaton  not 
such  a strong  bet  with  us,  but  this  was  liked. — 
Boom  & DuRand,  Lyric  theatre,  Ellendale,  N.  D. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

ON  ZE  BOULEVARD:  Special  cas^-JuIy 
27-28.  Rlather  slow  and  draggy  for  hot  weather. 
One  of  those  French  atmosphere  things  that  fail 
to  draw.  Work  of  the  cast  O.K.  Print  good. 
Six  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Chesco  theatre,  Cresco. 
la. — General  patronage. 

VALLEY  OP  HELL:  Francis  McDonald — July 
23.  Just  another  ordinary  Western.  Fair  crowd 
on  Saturday,  no  comments.  Five  reels. — Dewey 
L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  SHOW : John  Gilbert — ^July  16.  Very 
poor,  nothing  to  it.  Didn’t  have  much  of  a 
crowd.  Seven  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

THE  TAXI  DANCER:  Joan  Crawford— July 
12-13.  Just  an  ordinary  program  picture.  Joan 
Crawford  is  good  but  do  not  think  she  should  play 
such  parts.  Played  two  nights  to  the  poorest 
crowds  for  a long  time.  Seven  reels. — Dewey  L. 
Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  THE  MURPHYS: 
Special  cast — Established  a new  record  for  Mon- 
day on  this  picture,  and  it  deserved  a crowd,  too, 
for  it  was  a great  comedy.  Just  the  thing  for  a 
small  town.  Metro  is  giving  us  some  nice  ones 
after  those  terrible  lemons,  “La  Boheme,’’  “Mare 
Nostrum”  and  others.  Seven  reels.— H.  E.  Lane, 
Amuzu  theatre.  Gate  City,  Va. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  UNKNOWN:  Lon  Chaney— Truly  a won- 
derful picture.  Wish  that  I could  have  shown  it 
for  a week,  but  as  it  was  only  one  engagement. 
The  picture  went  over  great  guns,  and  I myself 
never  sensed  the  greatness  of  the  thing  until  the 
house  reeling  with  thrills  and  excitement.  With 
proper  advertising  could  have  mopped  up,  for  they 
like  Chaney  here.  Seven  reels. — ^H.  B.  Lane, 
Amuzu  theatre.  Gate  City,  Va. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  FRONTIERSMAN:  Tim  McCoy— A big 
historical  Western.  As  usual  Tim  McCoy  and 
entire  cast  do  fine  work  which  makes  it  a pleasure 
to  run  these  kind  of  Westerns.  Seven  reels. — 
R.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre,  Sanborn,  Minn. 
— General  patronage. 

SALLY.  IRENE  AND  MARY:  Sally  O’Neil— 
Here  is  another  picture  that  our  patrons  thor- 
oughly enjoyed.  When  your  audience  goes  out 
with  that  satisfied  look,  ’tis  then  to  himself  the 
manager  says,  “This  is  the  life.”  How  different 
such  a picture  as  this.  You  know  most  of  the 
time  in  this  picture  game  the  audience  goes  out 


with  a look  on  its  face  that  plainly  says,  “You 
robber.”  Six  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O’Neil— I’ll 
have  to  hand  it  to  Miss  O’Neil.  ’This  is  as  good 
as  her  picture,  “Mike.”  Although  the  title  is 
not  good  the  picture  is  a very  good  comedy.  ’The 
action  of  the  three  children  is  great.  Eight  reels. 
— F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O’Neil— After 
you  run  a show  like  this  you  can  go  downtown 
the  next  morning  and  look  every  one  in  the  eye 
and  they  will  stop  and  tell  you  what  a good 
show  you  had  last  night.  Sally  O’Neil  and  the 
whole  cast  as  good  as  they  can  be.  Seven  reels. — 


R.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre,  Sanborn,  Minn. 
— General  patronage. 

Paramount 

HOTEL  IMPERIAL:  Pola  Negri— 84%.  July 
11.  A very  fine  picture  which  did  not  please  our 
patrons.  They  do  not  want  this  kind  of  stuff,  and 
I can’t  understand  why  the  producers  keep  mak- 
ing it.  Give  tis  American  stories,  and  cut  out 
the  foreign  baloney.  Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram, 
Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— 80%. 

June  12-13.  Very  good  attraction  to  very  good 
business.  Action,  comedy,  pathos  and  withal  a 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


J.  C.  Jenkins— //is  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

if  he  says,  “Coco  Cola  Waslita,”  just  take  him  over  to  the  nearest  fountain  and  buy 
him  a drink  and  tell  him  you  are  a friend  of  mine  and  you  will  be  sitting  jake  with 
the  whole  tribe. 

Should  you  drive  No.  8 out  of  Omaha  it  will  take  you  through  my  home  town  of 
Neligh,  which,  by  the  way,  is  the  best  town  for  it’s  size  on  the  map,  but  hasn’t 
much  size,  and  should  you  want  to  stop  over  night  there  go  to  the  Nehoco  hotel. 
It’s  a pippin.  After  supper,  (we  have  suppers  out  here  at  6 and  “dinners”  at  noon) 
go  around  to  the  Moon  theatre  and  tell  Walt  Bradley  you  belong  to  the  HERALD 
family  and  if  he  doesn’t  treat  you  right  get  in  communication  with  me  at  once. 
That  guy  married  my  oldest  daughter  and  he  is  a little  gun-shy  of  me. 

Read  up  on  our  game  laws.  Don’t  violate  them.  Keep  within  the  law  and  you 
will  be  welcome  to  come  and  will  meet  a class  of  people  you  never  met  before. 
Most  hunters  make  the  mistake  of  coming  too  early  in  the  fall.  The  first  two  weeks 
in  November  is  usually  the  best  time  for  ducks,  depending  on  weather  conditions. 
It  takes  a cold  snap  to  bring  them  down  from  the  North,  then  the  lakes  are  covered 
with  them.  The  open  season  on  chickens  and  groues  is  during  October.  Before 
and  after  that  better  lay  off,  it  would  be  dangerous  to  even  take  a kodak  shot  at 
them.  You  can  buy  your  license  at  any  county  seat  in  the  state  and  at  most  any 
hardware  store  or  sporting  goods  house. 

You  will  find  chickens  and  grouse  mighty  scarce,  they  are  about  extinct,  but  should 
you  strike  weather  conditions  right  you  will  have  the  best  duck  shooting  you  have 
had  in  many  a day  and  the  bag  limit  will  be  50  in  possession,  but  don’t  try  to  take 
51.  These  you  are  allowed  to  take  out  of  the  state  if  you  have  them  properly 
tagged  with  name,  address  and  number  of  license. 

Now,  I have  given  you  the  lowdown  on  our  hunting,  it’s  up  to  you.  If  you  want 
to  come  you  will  be  welcome,  but  as  I said  before,  LOOKOUT  FOR  THE  INDIANS. 
Should  you  want  any  information  on  Indian  Squaw  etiquette  (you  might  want  to 
attend  a pow-wow)  write  Adeline  Further  of  the  “Spotlight,”  care  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD,  and  she  will  no  doubt  be  glad  to  inform  you,  as  she  was  raised  with  the 
Indians  from  a papoose  and  is  familiar  with  all  their  conventionalities. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

It  is  quite  likely  that  about  the  time  that  Warsaw  boy  is  oiling  up  his  gun  and 

getting  ready  to  come  out  here  I will  be  circulating  around  Indiana,  and  if  those 

Hoosiers  are  still  able  to  read  as  they  used  to,  I will  be  trying  to  convince  them 
that  the  HERALD  “Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do.”  Here’s  hoping  I get  to  Warsaw. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Last  week  I had  a delightful  visit  with  W.  C.  Whiting  who  operates  the  Whiting 
theatre  at  Whiting,  la.  Mr.  Whiting  is  a large  land  owner  as  well  as  owner  of  a 
number  of  city  properties  and  he  is  a most  delightful  gentleman  to  meet.  He  oper- 
• ates  the  Whiting  theatre  more  to  give  his  town  folks  entertainment  than  for  profit. 
Whiting  is  located  in  the  Missouri  valley  and  is  surrounded  by  corn  as  large  as 
they  grow  down  on  the  Wabash.  It  looks  like  a cane  swamp  in  every  direction  and 

I’ll  bet  they  will  have  to  use  a derrick  to  get  some  of  those  ears  in  the  wagon. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

I visited  my  friend  Micky  Larson  at  Oakland,  Neb.  Micky  was  playing  “The 
Magic  Garden”  and  from  the  itleased  expression  on  the  faces  of  his  customers  when 
they  went  out  it  is  safe  to  say  that  he  turned  ’em  away  the  next  night.  “The  Magic 
Garden”  is  a business  builder  for  any  theatre.  Why  don’t  they  make  more  of  ’em? 

After  the  show  Micky’s  friend,  Nels  Benson,  asked  Micky  and  I to  go  up  to  his 
apartments  over  the  theatre  and  help  him  move  a cook  stove.  When  I was  there 
last  year  he  got  us  to  help  him  move  a piano.  Suppose  next  time  it  will  he  the 
refrigerator.  Anyhow,  Nels  is  a regular  fellow  and  Micky  and  I like  to  assist  him 
whenever  we  can,  especially  when  his  furniture  has  a handle  on  it. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Clara  and  I are  headed  for  Cal’s  camp,  but  I want  it  kept  mum,  for  I don’t  want 

’em  to  stage  any  demonstration.  I know  a lot  of  good  trout  holes  near  Cal’s  cabin 

and  if  he  and  the  Mrs.  don’t  have  trout  to  eat  after  I get  there  it  will  be  because 

Cal  don’t  know  where  to  dig  any  worms,  and  I am  going  to  tell  him,  confidentially, 
that  the  HERALD  is  just  what  he  needs  in  his  business. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Walt  Bradley  has  redeemed  himself  somewhat  in  my  estimation.  Last  week  he 
played  “The  Winning  of  Barbara  Worth,”  “The  Magic  Garden”  and  “The  Callahans 
and  Murphys”  and  all  three  of  them  pleased  jammed  houses  as  much  as  “Love’s 
Greatest  Mistake”  and  “The  Midnight  Kiss”  disgusted  them.  Guess  that  boy  is 
coming  back  to  normal  and  now  if  he  don’t  play  “Madam  Wants  No  Children”  and 
“Her  Unborn  Child”  I will  begin  to  think  there  is  hopes  for  him. 

That’s  all  for  now.  The  next  letter  will  probably  be  from  some  place  in  Colorado. 
Comeon,  Jay,  let’s  go  and  get  a sandwich. 

J.C.  JENKINS. 

The  HERALD  Man. 


good  program  but  not  a special  attraction.  Dix 
is  always  good  but  he  needs  better  material. 
Eight  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre, 
Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Special  cast— 80%. 
June  10-11.  Business  not  very  good.  Picture 
very  ordinary  and  more  disgusting  beer  guzzling 
and  filth  than  I have  seen  in  a long  time.  Was 
glad  that  more  people  did  not  see  it.  Give  us 
clean  pictures.  Six  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Post- 
ville theatre,  Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

VARIETY:  Emil  Tannings— 80%.  July  29-30. 
Here  is  a big  one.  While  German  made  it  will 
give  you  no  cause  for  complaint.  About  three 
scenes  rather  raw  for  the  small  town.  Acting 


of  Tannings  and  Lya  de  Putti  is  immense.  A 
powerful  story  of  love  and  vengeance,  with  a 
tragic  ending.  One  reel  is  devoted  to  a wonder- 
ful vaudeville  show  at  the  Winter  Garden  in 
Berlin.  Six  reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre, 
Paoli,  Ind. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt— 80%. 
May  20-21.  After  all  when  it  comes  to  making 
good  Western  pictures  you’ve  got  to  hand  it  to 
Paramount.  Well  made,  well  directed  and  a 
good  pull  at  the  box  office.  Six  reels. — L.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General 
patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— 76%. 

July  4.  One  of  Richard  Dix’s  best  pictures  this 


year.  An  ideal  picture  for  small  towns,  and 
should  go  over  big.  Well  liked  here,  and  they’re 
certainly  hard  to  please.  Seven  reels. — E.  F. 
Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small 
town  patronage. 

TOO  MANY  CROOKS:  Mildred  Davis— 75%. 
July  23.  Drew  good,  but  it  didn’t  please  all. 

A comedy  crook  picture  enacted  by  a good  cast. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN:  Douglas  MacLean— 72%.  May 
27-28.  Just  a good  little  picture  with  nothing  to 
lift  it  out  of  the  ordinary.  That  is  the  trouble 
with  Paramount’s  current  program.  The  comedies 
are  entirely  too  light.  I’ve  seen  worse  and  I’ve 
seen  better.  Douglas  has  a very  nice  personality 
and  that  is  a big  help  to  him  in  putting  “Let 
It  Rain”  over. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre, 
Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

FASCINATING  YOUTH:  Special  cast^7I%. 
July  23.  An  average  program  picture  that  drew 
a nice  house  for  us.  Has  a lot  of  snow  and  ice 
scenes  that  help  a lot.  It  will  please  the  majority 
of  those  who  see  it.  Seven  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoff- 
man, Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town 
patronage. 

TEN  MODERN  COMMANDMENTS:  Esther 
Ralston — 70%.  A hot  one  of  the  “Get  Your  Man 
type.”  It  pleases  and  drew  here  O.  K.  Seven 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

TIN  GODS:  ’Thomas  Meighan— 70%.  July  23. 
'Very  good  story  utterly  ruined  by  an  illogical 
ending.  Drew  fair  Saturday  business.  Nine 
reels. — E.  M.  Biddle,  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — • 
Small  town  patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt— 69%. 
June  21.  A Zane  Grey  story  which  was  well 
presented  and  drew  well  on  an  off  night.  The 
Grey  stories  draw  well.  Has  a trained  lion  in 
this  which  made  it  a little  different  from  the 
usual.  Six  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community 
House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  TELEPHONE  GIRL:  Special  cast — 65%. 
July  18.  One  of  the  best  pictures  we  have  played 
this  year.  Our  patrons  didn’t  fail  to  tell  us  how 
much  they  liked  this  one  which  was  very  gratify- 
ing. A wonderful  cast  in  a good  story,  with  one 
of  the  best  directors  in  the  business,  Herbert 
Brenon.  Mr.  Brenon’s  name  is  getting  to  be  an 
indicator  of  good  pictures.  Good  luck  to  you, 
Mr.  Brenon,  and  keep  giving  us  real  productions. 
Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre, 
Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

EAGLE  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  cast— 65%. 
July  30.  Folks  here  liked  this  well  well.  Cortez 
and  Miss  Vidor  did  splendid  work  and  balance  of 
cast  mighty  good.  Good  entertainment.  Seven 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House,  Green- 
wood, Ind. — General  patronage. 

WEDDING  BELLS:  Raymond  Griffith— 64%. 
July  15.  Much  to  our  surprise  this  was  a fair 
comedy  if  Raymond  Griffith  was  the  star.  Didn’t 
expect'  much  after  the  last  two  or  three,  but 
was  agreeably  surprised.  Some  clever  stuff  in 
this  one  which  should  go  over  good.  Six  reels. — 
E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

PADLOCKED:  Noah  Berry— 63%.  July  SO. 

I was  interrupted  too  much  to  be  able  to  make 
intelligent  comment  on  this  picture,  but  I have 
the  impression  that  it  would  not  receive  my 
unqualified  approval.  However,  its  drawing  power 
is  attested  by  the  fact  that  we  had  the  largest 
audience  pulled  out  by  an  unaided  picture  in  three 
months.  Seven  reels. — C.  E.  Hopkins,  Hopkins 
theatre.  Cotter,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

A KISS  IN  THE  TAXI:  Bebe  Daniels — 60%. 
May  25-26.  This  and  “Miss  Brewster’s  Millions” 
were  not  so  good  but  if  evei-y  star  did  as  well 
as  Bebe  does  this  would  be  a pleasant  business, 
indeed.  You  can’t  make  them  all  good,  Bebe,  but 
believe  me  you  “hit  the  ball’  as  hard,  if  not 
harder,  than  any  other  star.  Seven  reels. — L.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General 
patronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN:  Douglas  MacLean- 59%.  July 
9.  This  is  a dandy  comedy  drama.  Packs  lots 
of  laughs.  The  best  MacLean  shown  for  a long 
time.  The  kind  you  like  to  show.  Fun,  but  clean 
fun.  Six  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House, 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN:  W.  C.  FieH=— 59%. 
June  25.  This  comedy  was  well  liked.  Fields  is 
good  and  some  of  the  scenes  brought  hearty 
laughter.  Six  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community 
House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

ROLLED  STOCKINGS:  Special  cast— 58%. 

July  22.  Should  have  been  titled  “Rolled  Trous- 
ers” instead  of  “Rolled  Stockings,”  as  nothing 
else  in  the  picture  was  rolled.  A good  picture, 
however,  with  James  Hall  and  Richard  Arlen 
turning  in  fine  performances.  Louise  Brooks  as 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


August  13,  1927 


lovely  as  ever,  but  with  very  little  to  do.  Should 
please.  Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s 
theatre,  Ashland,  Ala.— Small  town  patronage. 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO:  Richard  Dix— 56%. 
July  16.  A clever  litle  play,  well  acted.  Some 
good  comedy  scenes  and  a story  presented  in  a 
manner  that  is  pleasing.  Dix  always  liked.  Six 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House,  Green- 
wood, Ind. — General  patronage. 

A KISS  IN  A TAXI:  Bebe  Daniels— 55%. 
July  20-21.  A French  farce.  Rather  peppy  for 
my  patrons.  It’s  good,  however.  Seven  reels. — 
E.  M.  Biddle.  Strand  theatre,  Paoli,  Ind. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  CANADIAN:  TTiomas  Meighan— 52% 

June  28.  Meighan  is  well  liked,  but  in  “The 
Canadian’’  he  did  not  have  much  to  work  with. 
Some  comedy,  but  the  story  too  draggy.  Six 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House,  Green- 
wood, Ind. — General  patronage. 

BEHIND  THE  FRONT:  Special  east— 51%. 
Fair  comedy.  Pleased  the  majority,  but  not  a 
special. — Coffee  & Elli-s,  American  theatre.  Perry- 
ton,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FASHIONS  FOR  WOMEN:  Esther  Ralston— 
50%.  July  25.  A fair  picture  with  a beautiful 
star.  A rather  weak  story,  but  the  fashion  show 
is  good  and  will  appeal  to  the  ladies.  Mailed 
the  special  rotogravure  herald  to  all  the  ladies, 
and  they  certainly  came  out  and  were  pleased. 
Seven  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre, 
Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

SENORITA:  Bebe  Daniels— 50%.  June  29-30. 
Bebe,  this  is  positively  a riot.  Just  as  good  as 
“The  Campus  Flirt’  ’and  do  you  know  it  makes 
me  sick  to  think  that  I gi'ossed  but  $21.90  in  two 
nights.  Can  you  beat  that?  Neither  can  I.  But 
it  sure  makes  me  sore.  I don’t  mind  flopping 
on  a poor  picture  but  on  a good  one  like  this,  it 
burns  me  up.  Seven  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Post- 
ville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

LOVE’S  GREATEST  MISTAKE:  Evelyn  Brent 
— 45%.  July  20-21.  A great  deal  better  picture 
than  one  would  think  with  that  title.  Six  I'eels. 
— 0.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy  theatre.  Duchesne,  Utah. 
— General  patronage. 

AFRAID  TO  LOVE:  Florence  Vidor— 35%. 
July  18.  With  Clive  Brook.  They  liked  this  one 
here,  and  I don’t  blame  them.  Put  up  in  good 
style  and  a good  cast,  but  it  failed  to  get  the 
regulars  in.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town 
patronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper— 35%.  July 
24-25.  Very,  very  ordinary.  Better  take  lessons 
from  Albert  Rogell  if  you  want  to  turn  out  real 
Westerns.  Patrons  panned  it  quite  severely. 
Six  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Post- 
ville, la. — General  patronage. 

MISS  BREWSTER’S  MILLIONS:  Bebe  Daniels 
— 35%.  June  12.  Pretty  light  story  ; fair  enter- 
tainment.— Roy  W.  Adams.  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— 30%. 
June  8-9.  Ouch ! What  a flop  I took.  But  I 
expected  it  after  playing  “Barbara  Worth.’’  How- 
ever, it  is  a dandy  picture  for  Sunday  showing. 
Would  say  that  it  is  not  quite  so  good  as  “Kid 
Boots.”  Six  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville  thea- 
tre, Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  NEW  KLONDIKE:  Thomas  Meighan— 
28%.  July  3-4.  Good  picture.  Nothing  big.- — ■ 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

SAY  IT  AGAIN:  Richard  Dix— 25%.  July 
17-18.  Good  light  comedy. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pas- 
time theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  BLIND  GODDESS:  Jack  Holt— 23%. 
July  24-25.  Rather  heavy  drama  and  very  good. 
The  name  and  the  paper  don’t  mean  much  to 
the  public. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

A SOCIAL  CELEBRITY:  Adolphe  Menjou— 
22%.  June  6-27.  Just  fair.  Menjou  is  much 
more  convincing  as  the  titled  foreigner  than  in 
the  role  of  the  hick  barber. — Roy  W.  Adams, 
Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  RUNAWAY:  Clara  Bow— 22%.  July 
10  11.  Fair  entertainment.  Clara  Bow  is  really 
sweet  when  they  take  her  out  of  those  hard- 
boiled  flapper  parts. — ^Roy  W.  Adams  Pastime 
theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  ROUGH  RIDERS:  Special  cast— July 
27-28.  Splendid.  Played  first  run  for  the  state, 
and  it  went  over  with  everybody  to  very  good 
business.  I wish  there  were  some  way  I could 
tell  you  how  good  this  is,  as  entertainment  and 
as  historical  value  as  well.  Charles  Farrell  is 
the  shining  light,  and  what  a piece  of  work  that 
boy  turns  in.  Get  after  this  one,  it’s  your  own 


All  hut  the  Boss 

and  He’s  Bashful 


Strand  theatre  at  Austin,  Minn. 
The  gentleman  on  the  left  pro- 
jects the  picture  and  the  one  on 
the  right  makes  the  flash  and  pulls 
other  publicity  stunts.  The  man- 
ager said  he  didn’t  care  for  any 
personal  publicity,  hence  his  ab- 
sence. The  purp  in  the  middle 
isn’t  Crocket  Brown’s  Bullfound- 
land  but  he  is  just  as  hard  on  the 
tiousers. — J.  C.  J. 


fault  if  you  flop  it.  Don’t  let  ’em  think  it’s 
just  another  big  We.stern.  Pay  attention  to  your 
music  on  it.  Ten  reels. — Henry  Reeves,  Mission 
theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

[EDITOR'S  NOTE:  Mr.  Reeves’  amplified  re- 
port on  this  picture  loill  be  published  in  a forth- 
coming issue  in  “Letter  from  Readers’’] 

ROLLED  STOCKINGS:  Special  cast— July 

29-30.  Rolled?  Were  they?  We  suppose  they 
were,  but  the  picture  fails  to  prove  it.  “Service 
Talks,”  in  the  HERALD,  issue  of  July  9,  is  a 
better  report  than  we  can  write.  Our  crowd 
liked  it.  Business,  average.  Film  excellent. 
Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre. 
Cresco,  la. — ^General  patronage. 

TIN  GODS:  Thomas  Meighan — July  22-23. 
Why  do  exhibitors  pan  Meighan  ? ’This  is  a fine 
offering,  well  received.  Had  many  telling  us 
how  much  they  liked  it  and  it’s  a week  after 
the  showing. — Boom  & DuR'and,  Lyric  theatre. 
Ellendale,  N.  D. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt— If 
all  Paramount  pictures  were  as  good  as  their 
Westerns,  everybody  would  be  sitting  Jake. 
Dandy  good  picture  and  Jack  Holt  is  splendid. 
We  hate  to  see  him  quit  Paramount.  He  gets 
us  more  money  than  any  male  star  in  Paramount 
pictures.  He  has  Harold  Lloyd  skinned  a city 
block  when  it  comes  to  making  good  small  town 
pictures — pictures  that  get  the  money. — O.  F. 
Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark.  Ark. — Small  town 
patronage. 

CHILDREN  OF  DIVORCE:  Special  cast— A 
wonderful  picture.  '\yill  please  everyone.  Goes 
straight  to  the  heart.  Everyone  should  see  it. 
Will  stand  advance  in  admission.  Boost  as  big  as 
you  like,  it  will  stand  it. — H.  C.  Calvin,  Alcazar 
theatre,  Dothan.  Ala. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  .Tack  Holt- 
Only  lacked  a few  nickels  of  establishing  a new 
house  record  on  this  one.  Just  why  I can’t 
explain,  but  I guess  it  might  have  been  Zane 
Grey,  Jack  Holt  and  Saturday.  Anyway,  they 
came  and  the  picture  was  good.  Seven  reels. — 
H.  E.  Lane,  Amuzu  theatre.  Gate  City,  Va. — 
General  patronage. 

KID  BOOTS:  Eddie  Cantor— Of  all  the  socalled 
“specials”  this  one  sure  wins  the  gold  plated 
screen.  Just  a poor  to  fair  program  picture  that 
might  get  by  on  an  off  night.  Boy,  I woke  up 
with  a headache  the  morning  after.  Playing 
pictures  like  this  in  our  town  is  an  easy  way 
to  lose  money.  Six  reels. — Liberty  theatre.  Lyn- 
den.  Wash. — General  patronage. 


MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix — A good  picture 
every  one  will  enjoy.  Won’t  stand  advance  in 
admission. — H.  C.  Calvin.  Alcazar  theatre,  Dothan, 
Ala. 

RUBBER  HEELS:  Special  cast — Who  ever 
told  Ed  Wynn  he  could  act  must  have  been  dream- 
ing. If  you  haven’t  bought  it,  leave  it  off.  If 
you  have  bought  it,  pay  for  it  and  play  two 
comedies  if  you  can’t  get  anything  else.  About 
one  of  the  sorriest  pictures  Paramount  ever 
produced.  Don’t  know  which  is  the  worst  Ed 
Wynn  or  W.  C.  Fields.  Can’t  understand  how 
such  as  these  two  can  get  in  the  movies. — H.  C. 
Calvin,  Alcazar  theatre,  Dothan,  Ala. — General 
patronage. 

Pathe 

MAN  FROM  HARDPAN : Leo  Maloney — 98%. 
July  16.  Like  all  the  other  Maloneys  this  was 
a good  Western  subject.  This  series  is  just  as 
ffood  as  any  of  the  Western  pictures  on  the 
market  today,  and  a whole  lot  better  than  most 
of  them.  Can  be  bought  rig’ht  and  they  will 
make  you  some  money.  Don’t  be  afraid  of  this 
one.  Six  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre, 
Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

Preferred 

PLASTIC  AGE:  Clara  Bow — 84%.  June  20. 
Backed  up  for  this  one  after  playing  “It,”  and  the 
half  we  got  was  good.  The  poorest  print  we  have 
received  in  two  years,  which  made  the  show 
disgusting  to  our  patrons.  Will  never  bite  like 
this  again  without  a screening  before  buying. 
A good  picture  and  would  advise  you  to  play  it 
if  you  can  get  a good  print.  Seven  reels. — - 
E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

Pro-Dis-Co 

JIM  THE  CONQUEROR:  William  Boyd— 58%. 
July  21-22.  Big  rain  storm  on  July  21,  but  at 
that  it  got  people  out.  William  Boyd  excellent. 
Everybody  commented  on  this  as  very  good. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuse,  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  SOLDIER:  Special  cast— 
57%.  July  2.  A fine  war  picture,  well  presented, 
well  acted,  by  a competent  cast.  Excellent  war 
scenes  and  a story  of  heart  interest.  Seven  reels. 
— G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House.  Greenwood. 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

WHISPERING  SMITH:  Henry  B.  Walthall— 
54%.  July  23.  A well  played  Western  railroad 
story.  Action,  comedy  and  good  photography. 
Seven  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House, 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

THE  YANKEE  CLIPPER:  Special  cast— 50%. 
July  24-25.  One  of  the  most  entertaining  pic- 
tures we  ever  played.  100  per  cent  satisfaction. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville. 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  NIGHT  BRIDE:  Special  cast— 48%.  July 
22-23.  Very  good,  and  can  recommend  this  one 
for  any  house.  Six  reels. — O.  A.  Halstead.  Cozy 
theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  SPEEDING  VENUS  Priscilla  Dean— 20%. 
July  22.  Ran  this  for  20  cent  admission,  and 
was  glad.  Have  not  made  a dollar  on  Producers 
this  year.  'This  one  would  have  been  good  had 
the  same  action  ran  through  the  picture  that 
prevailed  in  one  reel  of  racing. — C.  S.  McLellan, 
Rex  theatre.  Eagle  Lake,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

LIGHTNING  RIDER:  Harry  Carey— 15%. 

Carey  seems  to  have  lost  all  the  following  he  ever 
had  here,  and  pictures  such  as  this  may  be  the 
cause.  It’s  poor,  and  the  patrons  did  not  hesi- 
tate to  say  so. — C.  S.  McLellan,  Rex  theatre. 
Eagle  Lake,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  NIGHT  BRIDE:  Marie  Prevost— July 
29-30.  Very,  very  good.  They  all  do  good  work, 
especially  the  butler.  He  does  some  fine  butling 
and  almost  stops  the  show.  It’s  good  comedy 
for  any  night  or  day  of  the  week.  Six  reels. — 
Clark  & Edwards.  Palace  theatre,  Ashland.  O. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  NIGHT  BRIDE:  Marie  Prevost^July  23. 
This  is  a first  class  program  picture.  Pleased 
100  per  cent.  Six  reels. — A.  C.  Wellardsen.  Vic- 
tory theatre,  Salina,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

SEA  WOLF:  Ralph  Ince — A very  good  pic- 
ture. Beats  a lot  of  these  socalled  specials. 
Seven  reels. — Liberty  theatre,  Lynden,  Wash. — 
General  patronage. 

UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM:  Marie  Prevost— 'This 
went  over  very  good.  Smooth  sailing  was  guaran- 
teed the  picture  after  the  second  act.  The  cast 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


from  top  to  bottom  was  there.  Not  a weak  spot, 
but  we  believe  that  it  would  be  a much  better 
picture  if  done  in  five  reels  or  six  at  the  most. 
Marie  Prevost  and  her  support  were  there  every 
inch  of  the  celluloid  and  we  again  felt  satis- 
fied that  we  are  still  able  to  face  our  patrons 
without  being  shot.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Broth- 
ers, Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz.— General 
patronage. 

Rayart 

CODE  OF  THE  RANGE:  Jack  Perrin— Good 
small  town  picture  for  Saturday.  Plenty  of  ac- 
tion and  comedy  and  pleases  the  Western  fans. — 

0.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small 
town  patronage. 

United  Artists 

THE  WINNING  OF  BARBARA  WORTH: 
Special  cast — 95%.  June  5-6.  Great  at  the  box 
office,  and  why  not.  It's  a great  picture,  great 
actors  and  actresses  and  the  most  popular  of  all 
the  Wright  stories.  Box  office  attraction  if  there 
ever  was  one.  I think  that  this  picture  is  ae 
big  as  “The  Covered  Wagon.”  Ten  reels. — L.  E. 
Palmer,  Postville  theatre,  Postville,  la. — General 
patronage. 

THE  GENERAL:  Buster  Keaton— 28%.  July 

1.  Without  any  exception  the  worst  picture  we 
have  played  this  year.  As  a comedy  this  is  a 
tragedy.  Buster  Keaton  wins  the  “nickel  plated 
union  suit”  for  the  prize  baloney  of  the  season. 
We  were  lucky  that  only  a few  came  to  see  it. 
Lay  off  this  one.  Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram, 
Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

SUNYA:  Gloria  Swanson — July  21.  Very  good 
picture.  Miss  Swanson  does  some  very  good  act- 
ing in  this  one.  Had  a good  crowd.  Seven  reels. 
— Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton.  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

Universal 

RED  HOT  LEATHER:  Jack  Hoxie— 92%. 
July  23.  The  best  Jack  Hoxie  we  have  played  this 
year.  Nothing  big,  but  a good  Western.  The 
rodeo  stuff  is  fine,  and  Jack's  race  to  the  rodeo 
is  thrilling.  Five  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's 
theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MARRIAGE  CLAUSE : Special  cast— 90%. 
June  2.  One  of  the  best  pictures  we  have  ever 
played.  They  talked  about  this  one  for  weeks, 
and  they  will  never  forget  it.  Some  of  the  best 
acting  in  this  picture  I have  ever  seen,  and  very 
few  pictures  this  day  are  as  good  as  this  one. 
Eight  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre, 
Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

HER  BIG  NIGHT:  Laura  La  Plante— 75%. 
June  28.  A good  comedy  with  Laura  La  Plante 
doing  her  stuff  as  no  one  else  can.  Drew  a 
number  of  favorable  comments  from  our  patrons, 
and.  Oh,  Boy  I they  sound  good  these  days.  An 
ideal  hot  weather  picture.  Eight  reels. — E.  F. 
Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  WHITE  OUTLAW:  Jack  Hoxie — 63%. 
July  16.  Just  an  ordinary  picture.  Nothing  to 
go  wild  over  although  they  won't  be  apt  to  walk 
out  on  it.  Five  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion 
theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  ICE  FLOOD:  Special  cas^-52%.  July 
13-14.  A good  picture.  Many  favorable  com- 
ments from  our  patrons.  Ice  flood  scenes  well 
done,  which  brought  a thrilling  finish.  Six  reels. 
— E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram's  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

HEY  HEY  COWBOY:  Hoot  Gibson— 50%. 
July  23.  A good  Western  action  picture. — -Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

ROUGH  AND  READY:  Jack  Hoxie— 40%. 

July  26.  A fair  Western.  Has  quite  a little 

comedy  to  take  their  minds  off  those  familiar 
ranch  scenes. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  STOLEN  RANCH:  Fred  Humes— 35%. 

July  12.  A fair  barnyard  Western.  The  only 
trouble  with  these  Blue  Streaks  is  that  there  are 
too  many  of  them  and  they  are  too  much  alike. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERY  CLUB:  Special  cast— 25%. 

A fair  picture. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

HER  BIG  NIGHT:  Laura  LaPlante— 10%. 
July  27.  I had  read  so  many  bad  criticisms  of 
this  picture  I was  dreading  it,  but  to  my  great 
surprise  it  was  a wonderful  farce  comedy.  Just 


Just  Filler? 

The  conductor  of  this  department, 
in  reading  the  reports  published  this 
week,  notices  what  might  prove  a 
regrettable  situation  in  relation  to 
Short  Features. 

It  appears  as  though  many  of  the 
exhibitors  are  back-sliding. 

They  are  resorting  again  to  the  very 
undescriptive,  and  not  too  flattering, 
term  “filler”  in  reporting  on  the  Short 
Features. 

The  sage  of  Neligh,  J.  C.  Jen- 
kins, wrote  in  his  “Colyum” 
last  week:  “Put  a little  more 
stress  on  your  Short  Subjects. 
Many  times  a newsreel  and  a 
comedy  saves  a weak  feature. 

. . . If  your  receipts  have 
not  , been  satisfactory  try  ex- 
poking  your  short  subjects  a 
little  more  and  then  note  re- 
sults.” 

Jaysee  offers  sound  logic.  The 
Short  Feature,  however,  will  not  reap 
the  returns  that  it  should  until  ex- 
hibitors themselves  have  faith  in  it 
and  lift  it  out  of  the  classification  of 
“just  a filler.” 


the  kind  of  picture  a small  town  needs  to  combat 
hot  weather.  Kept  the  house  in  an  uproar  from 
the  start.  Business  was  rotten  but  can't  blame  the 
picture.  Don't  be  afraid  to  run  it  if  you  are  in 
the  small  town.  Eight  reels. — W.  L.  Brown, 
Rialto  theatre.  Lecompte,  La. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BUCKAROO  KID:  Hoot  Gibson— July  24. 
Hoot  Gibson  always  brings  them  in  here.  This 
is  exceptionally  good.  Pleased  everybody.  Six 
reels. — A.  C.  Wellardsen,  Victory  theatre,  Salina, 
Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  TEASER:  Laura  LaPlante — July  23. 
Here  is  a good  comedy  drama.  Pleased  most 
everyone.  Laura  is  certainly  cute.  Seven  reels. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  SENSATION  SEEKERS:  Billie  Dove— 
July  13.  Played  with  Red  Apple  Club  Radio  en- 
tertainers, and  can't  give  it  a percentage  rating. 
It's  good  enough,  just  about  what  you  would  ex- 
pect from  the  name. — Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime 
theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  FIGHTERS:  Jack  Daughtery— 
Just  so  so.  Isn't  breaking  any  records. — Roy  W. 
Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THE  SILENT  FLYER:  Silver  Streak— This 
held  up  quite  well.  Has  new  scenic  locations 
and  the  dog  and  the  rest  of  the  cast  are  good. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. 
- — General  patronage. 

STRINGS  OF  STEEL:  Special  cast— Of  edu- 
cational value,  but  failed  to  click  even  after  ex- 
ploiting with  local  telephone  company's  aid. 
Neverthless,  the  material  is  good  had  it  been  bet- 
ter utilized. — C.  S.  McLellan,  Rex  theatre.  Eagle 
Lake,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SILENT  RIDERS:  Hoot  Gibson— Hoot 
gives  us  a good  show  in  this,  with  lots  of  good 
clean  comedy  and  plenty  of  action. — O.  F.  Craig, 
Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

HERO  ON  HORSEBACK:  Hoot  Gibson— The 
usual  Gibson  that  will  get  the  Saturday  night 
crowd.  Hoot  sure  goes  over  on  Saturday  night. 
Hoot  has  the  comedy  where  it  is  needed.  Thanks 
to  Mr.  Gibson  for  tiding  me  over  the  slack  sea- 
son.— F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

OUTSIDE  THE  LAW:  Priscilla  Dean— This 
is  the  best  action  picture  that  I have  run  in 
several  months.  The  picture  is  of  the  underworld 
type  but  without  the  usual  thin  plot.  The  action 
is  good  and  the  print  was  in  good  shape.  Miss 
Dean  is  supported  by  Lon  Chaney. — F.  R.  Odle, 
Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

PAINTING  OF  THE  TOWN:  Patsy  Ruth 
Miller — This  is  M.P.T.O.  Blue  Ribbon  special  and 
you  can't  go  wrong  on  this  one.  This  is  a 
riot  throughout.  Advertise  as  a hilarious  comedy 
and  reap  the  reward  of  a good  box  office  report. — 


F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

SKINNER’S  DRESS  SUIT:  Reginald  Denny— 
Here  is  a nice  clean  farce  comedy  that  starts  in 
easy  and  about  the  third  reel  gets  underway  and 
keeps  your  audience  convulsed  with  laughter.  In 
fact,  the  most  dignified  of  our  patrons  broke  their 
dignity  and  laughed  until  they  held  their  sides. 
A good  one  of  its  kind  and  a good  kind  for  the 
tired  mother  or  business  man.  Reginald  Denny 
perfectly  at  home  in  this  picture.  Seven  reels. — 
Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — General  patronage. 

Warner  Bros. 

THE  CUMBERS:  Irene  Rich— 70%.  July  16. 
One  day  to  good  business.  Irene  Rich  does  some 
wonderful  acting.  Forrest  Stanley  very  good.  A 
Spanish  picture  of  love  and  hate.  Seven  reels. — 
Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada, 
Col. — Small  tovra  patronage. 

TRACKED  BY  THE  POLICE:  Rin  Tin  'Hn- 
68%.  July  24.  The  dog  always  brings  in  the 
coin,  and  the  patrons  seems  always  to  be  pleased. 
Six  reels. — O.  A.  Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne, 
Utah. — General  patronage. 

SEA  BEAST:  John  Barrymore — 65%.  July 
19-20.  Very,  very  good.  But  I’ve  bought  my 
last  sea  picture.  My  public  will  not  go  to  see 
them  no  matter  how  good  they  are.  Perhaps 
playing  so  old  made  the  picture  flop.  However, 
it’s  a great  picture  and  it  should  make  any  exhib- 
itor money.  Ten  reels. — L.  E.  Palmer,  Postville 
theatre,  Postville,  la. — General  patronage. 

WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  FATHER:  Warner 
Oland— 60%.  July  17.  A good  farce  comedy 
with  Mr.  Oland  great.  Good  title,  drew  and 
pleased  them.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  MAN  ON  THE  BOX;  Syd  Chaplin— 54%. 
June  24-25.  A darned  good  farce  comedy  that 
made  them  laugh  till  their  sides  were  sore. — 
Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre,  Mason,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

WHAT  EVERY  GIRL  SHOULD  KNOW:  Patsy 
Ruth  Miller — 46%.  July  17.  Patsy  takes  her 
part  very  well  and  so  does  all  the  rest.  Very 
entertaining  little  picture.  Seven  reels. — O.  A. 
Halstead,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

BITTER  APPLES:  Special  cast— July  26.  Just 
a program  picture  with  no  drawing  power.  It 
pleased  about  50  per  cent.  Six  reels.- — Dewey  L. 
Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

HILLS  OF  KENTUCKY:  Rin  Tin  Tin- July 
19-20.  Here  is  a dandy  picture  for  the  whole 
family.  Drew  extra  good  and  when  they  came 
out  they  stopped  to  tell  me  what  a wonderful 
smart  dog  Rin  Tin  Tin  was.  It  sure  pleased 
and  held  up  second  night.  Seven  reels. — Dewey 
L.  Kisor,  Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small 
town  patronage. 

State  Rights 

THE  SADDLE  CYCLONE:  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.— 
July  19.  Fair  Western.  Didn’t  have  much  of 
a crowd.  Five  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

TEX:  Ruth  Mix — We  tried  this  on  the  repu- 
tation of  the  family  name,  and  it  drew  well  and 
pleased. — O.  F.  Craig.  Royal  theatre,  Newark, 
Ark — Small  town  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

COLUMBIA 

HAM  AND  EGGS:  Fair.  Two  reels. — Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton.  Pa. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

EDUCATIONAL 

BABY,  BE  GOOD:  Big  Boy — ^These  Juvenile 
comedies  are  well  liked  and  entertaining.  Two 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House,  Green- 
wood, Ind. — ^General  patronage. 

BACHELOR  BABIES:  Big  Boy— Good.  Much 
better  than  “Our  Gang.”  These  juvenile  get 
twice  as  many  kids  for  us  as  the  Gangs.  Two 
reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland, 
Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

CURIOSITIES:  Entertaining.  People  enjoy 

them.  One  reel. — G.  S.  Kenny.  Community  House, 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

DYNAMITE  DOGGIE:  Very  good.  Different. 
The  dog  in  this  one  is  very  clever.  Two  reels. — 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


"Should  a Mason  Tell?”  is  the  title  of  this  Pathe  feature  comedy  starring  Taylor  Holmes  and  Leah  Baird.  At  left. 
Holmes  in  quest  of  the  secret  signs  and  symbols;  right,  Holmes  tenders  a husbandly  explanation  to  the  sympathetic  Miss 
Baird. 


Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emienton,  Pa. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

EASY  PICKIN’S:  Neal  Burns — This  one  kept 
them  laughing  all  the  way  through.  Two  reels. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emienton,  Pa. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL  COMEDIES:  We  find  these 
comedies  the  cleanest  ever  shown  here  and  our 
patrons  all  enjoy  them.  Two  reels. — Paulson  & 
Risberg,  Trio  theatre,  Whitehall,  Wis. — General 
patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL  COMEDIES:  We  are  using 
Educational  comedies,  both  single  and  two-reelers, 
and  must  say  we  are  well  satisfied  with  product 
and  fair  treatment  received. — ^Dewey  L.  Kisor, 
Sterling  theatre,  Fairmont,  Neb. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

FAIR  WARNING:  Al.  St.  John— Another  good 
comedy,  with  one  of  the  best  comedians  on  the 
screen.  These  Mermaids  certainly  click.  Two 
reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland, 
Ala. — Small  town  ijatronage. 

GOING  CRAZY : Lige  Conley — ^Dandy  comedy. 
Action  and  fun.  Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Com- 
munity House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patron- 
age. 

GOOFY  GOB:  Bill  Dooley — ^Dooley  tries  hard 
in  this,  but  not  very  much  for  real  laughs.  Two 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House,  Green- 
wood. Ind. — General  patronage. 

HER  BOY  FRIEND:  Larry  Semon — A good 
comedy.  These  Educationals  are  the  best  come- 
dies on  the  market.  Two  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram. 
Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  pa1> 
ronag. 

HERE  COMES  CHARLIE:  Lloyd  Hamilton- 
Very  good.  Hamilton  usually  entertains.  Two 
reels. — G.  S.  Kenny  Community  House,  Green- 
wood, Ind. — General  patronage. 

HODGE  PODGE : Always  interesting  and  helps 
any  program.  One  reel. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Commu- 
nity House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

HOLD  S’TILL:  Ann  Cornwall — A comedy  that 
went  over  very  well.  Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny, 
Community  House,  Greenwood.  Ind. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

HOT  LIGHTNING:  A funny  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

JOLLY  TARS:  Lloyd  Hamilton — Would  call 
this  just  fair.  Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Commu- 
nity House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

KINOGRAMS:  A splendid  newsreel.  One  reel. 
— G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House,  Greenwood, 
Ind. — General  patronage. 

KISS  PAPA:  Lige  Conley — A very  good  com- 
edy. Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community  House, 
Greenwood,  Ind. — General  i>atronage. 

LIVE  COWARDS:  Al  St.  John — Although  not 
as  funny  as  some  of  Al’s,  this  was  entertaining, 
and  the  animals  and  colored  man  kept  things 
moving.  ’Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny,  Community 
House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

MOTOR  MAD : Lige  Conley — Without  any  ex- 
ception the  best  slapstick  comedy  we  have  played 
this  year.  Old,  but  it  certainly  got  the  laughs. 
Two  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ash- 
land, Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

MY  KID : Big  Boy — Our  people  enjoy  the 
Juveniles,  and  this  was  good.  Two  reels. — G.  S. 
Kenny,  Community  House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 


Dardine  Is  Dean 
Of  Charlotte’s 
Film  Managers 


EF.  dardine,  manager  of  the  Char- 
• lotte  Universal  exchange,  is  the  dean 
of  exchange  managers  in  that  city.  He 
opened  the  first 
exchange  there — 
the  Universal — and 
for  a long  time 
Universal  was  the 
only  film  distribut- 
ing company  so 
represented.  Now 
there  are  sixteen 
exchanges,  and 
Charlotte  is  the 
distributing  center 
for  the  Carolinas, 
serving  more  than 
300  theatres. 

Dardine’s  first 
film  experience  e.  f.  Dardine 

was  with  Harry 

Davis  of  Pittsburgh  and  he  has  served 
successively  as  theatre  operator,  booker,  film 
salesman  and  now  manager  for  Univer- 
sal, the  position  he  now  holds  and  has  held 
for  fourteen  years.  Since  organization  of 
the  Charlotte  Film  Board  of  Trade  he 
has  served  in  several  official  capacities  and 
now  is  chairman  of  the  executive  commit- 
tee. 

The  short  product  business  in  the  Char- 
lotte office  of  Universal  figures  about  40 
per  cent  of  the  gross  of  the  branch. 

Dardine  is  active  in  the  civic  life  of 
Charlotte. 


ON  EDGE:  Lige  Conley — I’m  tired  reporting 
on  the  Mermaids.  They’re  all  good,  and  this  one 
was  better.  Our  patrons  say,  "It  isn’t  a comedy 
if  it  isn’t  an  Educational,”  so  there  you  are.  ’Two 
reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland, 
Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

ROCK  BO’TTOM:  Fair.  One  reel. — ^ Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emienton,  Pa. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

SKYROCKET:  Nothing  much  to  it.  One  reel. 
— ^Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emienton,  Pa. — 
General  patronage. 

SLIPPERY  FEET:  Bobby  Vernon — Good  com- 
edy. Plenty  of  laughs.  Two  reels. — G.  S.  Kenny, 
Community  House,  Greenwood,  Ind. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  TOURIST:  Johnny  Arthur — A good  com- 
edy with  some  real  funny  situations  Two  reels. — 
G.  S.  Kenny.  Community  House,  Greenwood,  Ind. 
— General  patronage. 

WHAT’S  UP:  Good.  One  reel. — ^Andrew  Rapp, 
’Theatorium,  Emienton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

WHOA,  EMMA:  Jimmie  Adams — More  of  a 


short  Western  than  a comedy.  Two  reels. — G.  S. 
Kenny,  Community  House.  Greenwood.  Ind. — -Gen- 
eral patronage. 

F B O 

ARTISTS  BRAWL:  Good  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre.  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

PATHE 

BE’TTER  MOVIES:  These  gangs  are  no  good 
for  us  any  more.  The  kids  won’t  even  come  to 
see  them.  Got  90  cents  from  kids  on  this  one. 
Two  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram.  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ash- 
land. Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

FLAMING  FLAPPERS:  Glenn  ’Tryon- A rot- 
ten comedy.  Nothing  to  it,  and  didn’t  get  a 
laugh.  After  playing  Educational  comedies  it  is 
foolish  to  play  anything  else.  Your  patrons  will 
laugh  at  you  and  not  the  comedy.  ’Two  reels.— 
E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

HESITATING  HORSES:  A good  comedy.  Two 
reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

SCARED  STIFF:  Clyde  Cook — A lousy  com- 
edy. Not  a laugh  in  two  reels.  Two  reels. — - 
E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre.  Ashland,  Ala. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

STARVATION  BLUES:  Clyde  Cook— Another 
lousy  comedy.  Rotten.  Two  reels. — E.  F.  Ingram, 
Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

BUSTTIR’S  INVITATION:  Arthur  Trimble— A 
school  day  comedy  that  the  kiddies  will  howl 
over.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Colo. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

BUSTER’S  PICNIC:  Buster  Brown — ^No  good 
for  us.  They  don’t  like  Buster  here,  and  they 
tell  us  so.  Two  reels.— E.  F.  Ingram.  Ingram’s 
theatre.  Ashland,  Ala. — Small  town  patronagre. 

BY  GEORGE:  These  Universal  comedies  are 
pitiful.  That’s  putting  it  mildly.  'Two  reels.— 
E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

I’M  THE  SHERIFF:  Special  cast — ^The  three 
Gumpe  all  doing  their  share.  Lots  of  laughs. 
Two  reels. — ^Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  the- 
atre, Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

JANE’S  PREDICAMENT;  Why  any  company 
would  ask  money  for  this  kind  of  junk  is  more 
than  I can  understand.  Absolutely  rotten.  Two 
reels. — E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland, 
Ala. — Small  town  patronage. 

OI  WHAT  A KICK:  Slim  Summerville— Good 
travesty  on  the  war  pictures.  One  reel. — Roy  W. 
Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THANKS  FOR  THE  BOAT  RIDE:  TTie  more 
we  get,  the  worse  they  are.  Two  thousand  feet 
of  film  wasted  on  this  one.  Two  reels. — E.  F. 
Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — Small 
town  patronage. 

UP  AGAINST  IT:  Special  cast — A funny 
Gump  comedy.  Two  reels.— Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

WHAT’S  YOUR  HURRY:  Not  to  be  laughed 
at.  Like  all  Universal  comedies,  just  plain  junk. 
No  excuse  for  this  kind  of  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
E.  F.  Ingram,  Ingram’s  theatre,  Ashland,  Ala. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  13,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

- ■-  By  G.  S. 

JACK  SAMPSON  of  FBO,  was  elected  president  of  the  Chicago  Film 
Board  of  Trade  for  the  third  time,  at  the  annual  meeting  last  week, 
while  Harry  Lorch  of  Pathe  was  chosen  for  his  second  term  as  vice 
president. 


C.  WALLACE  of  United  Artists 
' — is  the  only  new  officer,  he  having 
been  elected  treasurer.  Irving  Mandel 
of  Security  Pic- 
t u r e s was  re- 
elected secretary, 
and  Joe  Abram- 
son executive  sec- 
retary, the  latter 
for  the  sixth  time. 

New  members 
of  the  board  of 
directors  are 
Wallace,  Neal 
Agnew  of  Paro- 
mount,  and  Felix 
Mendelssohn  of 
Metro  - Goldwyn- 
Mayer.  The  board 
members  re- 
elected are  Samp- 
son, Lorch,  Mandel,  and  Clyde  W.  Eck- 
hardt  of  Fox. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  new  board 
was  scheduled  for  this  week. 

* * 

Joe  Abrcnii son’s  report  to  the  Hays  or- 
ganization on  flood  relief  shows  in  the 
Chicago  Film  Board  territory,  has  been 
acknowledged  by  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  in 
terms  of  the  highest  praise.  Having 
seen  the  report,  we  know  that  it  pos- 


sesses in  its  field  the  qualities  of  a work 
of  art,  so  there  wasn’t  any  applesauce 
(as  they  say)  in  the  Hays  compliments. 
Joe  got  back  from  his  vacation  in  Indi- 
ana last  week,  in  time,  as  it  were,  to  be 
reappointed  executive  secretary  of  the 
Film  Board  for  the  sixth  time. 

* * * 

The  film  golf  tournament  committee 
which  was  surely  to  have  met  last  week 
Tuesday,  was  also  surely  to  have  met 
last  Tuesday.  Chairman  Len  Ullrich 
was  most  emphatic  when  asked  about  it, 
so  perhaps  some  information,  as  to  the 
time  and  place  of  this  year’s  single  com- 
petition will  be  forthcoming  for  the  next 
edition  of  this  department. 

* * * 

Clayt  Band  is  back  at  his  desk  at  Warner 
Brothers,  for  the  second  time  recently 
following  confinement  at  home  because 
of  illness.  He  thinks  he  is  well  enough 
now  to  remain  at  his  post  and  on  the 
road  to  complete  recovery. 

* * * 

First  National’s  entire  1927-28  Showman 
Group  and  the  new  Specials  have  been 
booked  for  about  65  theatres  in  the 
James  Coston  booking  circuit,  according 
to  R.  C.  Seery,  manager  of  the  Chicago 
exchange.  The  deal  was  approved  by  Ned 


Season  1927-28 
GEORGE  H.  DAVIS  Presents 


THE  HOUR  OF 
RECKONING 


with  HERBERT  RAWUNSON 
■ GRACE  DARMOND 

For  Illinois  For  Indiana 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS  MIDWEST  FILM  CO. 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVE.,  OF  INDIANA 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  218  Wimmer  Bldg.,  Indianapolis 


Proof!  Mrs.  Joe  Lyon,  former  South 
Side  exhibitor  and  now  interested  in 
the  film  world  chiefiy  because  Joe 
Lyon  of  F B O is  her  husband,  re- 
cently caught  the  beautiful  mess  of 
wall  eyed  pike  with  which  she  is  pic- 
tured above.  These  lake  monsters 
weighed  around  nine  pounds— it  is  al- 
leged. 

E.  Depinet,  First  National  general  sales 
manager,  upon  his  arrival  in  Chicago  en 
route  to  the  West  Coast.  Seery  and  his 
assistant,  Caril  Lesserman,  effected  the  im- 
portant contract.  Among  the  houses  which 
will  show  the  First  National  program  as  a 
result  of  the  deal  are  Cooney  Brothers’ 
Capitol  and  their  new  Avalon,  which  is  to 
open  this  month. 

* H:  * 

Paul  Polka,  Geneva  exhibitor,  was  along 
film  row  last  week  looking  for  good  pic- 
tures. We  happened  to  run  across  him 
at  FBO’s,  so  it  occurred  to  us  to  sug- 
gest that  he  book  “Not  for  Publication.’’ 
And  we  thought  of  some  more  titles 
from  other  products.  But  what  atten- 
tion would  a keen  showman  like  Polka 
pay  to  us?  So  we  just  let  him  hunt 
up  his  own  good  pictures. 

* * 

less  Heraty  spent  last  week  vacationing 
at  Wawasse  Lake,  Ind.,  and  what  with 
Bill  Sweeney  out  most  of  the  time  (his 
illness  persisting),  the  Exhibitors  Asso- 
ciation headquarters  were  painfully  sub- 
dued. 

^ JjC 

Elisabeth  Wetter,  secretary  to  Leroy 
Alexander,  last  week  completed  20  years  of 
employment  at  the  Chicago  Universal 
exchange.  We  adopt  Jack  Baker’s  com- 
ment: “20  years  is  a long,  long  time!” 
A record  to  be  proud  of,  to  be  sure. 

* 

Nat  Wayne  has  been  appointed  manager 
of  the  Capitol  theatre  in  Whiting,  Ind., 
and  will  assume  his  new  duties  in  a week 
or  two.  Wayne  recently  resigned  from 
the  managership  of  the  Jackson  Park. 

* * * 

Harry  McKay,,  of  Ascher  Brothers  has 
acquired  the  state’s  rights  in  Illinois  for 
the  official  Dempsey-Sharkey  fight  pictures 
and  says  that  they  are  now  ready  for  book- 
ing. The  pictures  show  the  entire  seven 
rounds,  with  the  knockout  round  in  both 
regular  and  slow  motion. 

* 

Paul  Sanders  and  Ralph  Hopkins  have 
opened  the  firm  of  National  Publicity 
Service  and  are  holding  forth  in  the  Tower 
building,  the  avowed  enemies  of  obscurity. 


Give  T'hem  the  Best 

Theatre  patrons  are  entitled  to 
the  best  screen  quality— which 
means  Eastman  quality. 

Give  them  the  best.  Most 
productions  are  made  on  Eastman 
Negative.  Specify  prints  on  East- 
man Positive  and  you  get  the  film 
combination  that  first  made 
movies  practicable— that  has 
maintained  its  superiority  from 
the  beginning  of  the  industry. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


V^ORIDS  Mosr  F4A/0,, 

SERIAL  STARS  " 


WALTER  MILLER 


Pafh^serial 

— — 


RATHE  EXCHANGE  INC 


Scene  from 

HAWK  of  the  HILLS 


DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES  - PATHE  NEWS  . PATHE  WESTERNS  . PATHESERIALS  ■ PATHECOMEDIES 


Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America.  Inc. 
Will  H.  Hays,  Pmidmt 


with  Allene  Ray,  Walter  Miller  and  Frank 
Lackteen.  From  the  story  by  George  Arthur 
Gray.  Directed  by  Spencer  Bennet.  A smash- 
ing, breath-taking  drama  of  Frontier  Perils. 


The  favorites  of  millions^ 

Young  and  old  look  for- 
ward to  seeing  these  two 
magnetic  stars  each  week 
in  Patheserials* 

Their  popularity  is  increas- 
ing by  leaps  and  bounds* 

A sure>*fire  box-office 
dratv  in  any  theatre^ 
anytvhere. 


ALLENE  RAV 


fo't’  release  soon 

Hawk  OF  THE  Hills 


SECTION  II 


V TWO  SECTIONS 


||)llllllllllllHllllltllUI|llllllllllllllllllllHjj 


T^RANKLIN  PANGBORN’S 
■T  smile  appears  in  DeMille’s  com- 
edy drama,  “The  Girl  in  the  Pull- 
man.” So  luill  his  antics.  He  appears 
regularly  in  Pathe-P.D.C.  films. 


A L ROGELL  completes 
Gospel,”  (nothing  B 
ZL’hicli  stars  Ken  Maynard, 
next  First  National  film  i 
“Shepherd  of  the  Hills.” 


August  13,  1927 


s 

""  1 

1 

J 

What  is  the  New  Theatrical 
Season  to  Mean  to  You? 


Fall  is  just  a few  short  weeks  away.  In  the  mo- 
tion picture  business,  as  in  all  other  lines  of  the- 
atrical entertainment,  it  means  the  beginning  of  a 
NEW  YEAR. 

What  is  it  going  to  mean  to  you? 

Are  you  satisfied  where  you  are  at  the  present  time? 
Do  you  feel  that  you  made  the  progress  during  the  past 
twelve  months  that  you  should  have?  Has  the  industry 
rewarded  you  for  your  ability? 

If  you  are  not  satisfied  with  your  place  but  you  are 
confident  you  have  the  ability  and  the  talent  to  go  on- 
ward and  upward,  there  is  only  one  thing  to  blame — 
your  publicity  and  advertising  effort. 

Hiding  your  light  under  a bushel  basket  may  be 
becoming  modesty,  but  is  poor  business — mighty  poor 
show  business. 

The  Studio  brings  you  regularly  before  the  entire 
industry.  It  gives  you  the  opportunity  to  call  attention 
to  your  successes  and  your  progress — not  in  small  type 
but  in  a constructive  and  interest  compelling  way.  Start 
the  NEW  YEAR  with  new  determination. 


Start  your  Campaign 
In  these  Issues 

( Forms  Close  I 

September  10  August  31 

October  8 September  28 

November  5.. October  26 

December  3 November  23 


Four  Advertising  in  “The 
Studio”  Reaches  the  ^‘yes  or  no” 
Man.  Your  Sales  Message  Goes 
Straight  Through  the  Door  Marked 
“Private”  to  the  Executive  Who 
Makes  Decisions. 


Los  Angeles  Office: 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd. 
Tel:  Gladstone  3754 


Ray  Murray 
Douglas  Hodges 


New  York  Office: 

565  Fifth  Ave. 

Tel.  Vanderbilt  3612 


John  S.  Spargo 
James  Beecroft 


A monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald  devoted  to  production. 

Published  by  the  Exhibitors  Herald  Co.,  407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111.,  Martin  J.  Quigley,  Editor  and  Publisher;  Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary; 

George  Clifford,  Assistant  Treasurer 


The  Hollywood  Pledge 


The  actor  is  in  the  limelight,  not  only  upon  the  screen, 
but  also  in  the  councils  of  the  industry.  This  comes 
about  by  virtue  of  the  actors  taking  the  economy  problem 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  producers  and  agreeing  to  provide 
a solution. 

This  recent  development  in  Hollywood  has  many  sensa- 
tional aspects.  The  eventual  outcome  of  it  will  either 
place  the  actor  on  a distinctly  new  and  more  important 
basis  or  else,  failing  in  his  great  opportunity,  he  will  be 
relegated  to  a position  in  which  he  will  not  even  enjoy 
the  privileges  and  prerogatives  of  the  old  order. 

The  new  order  under  which  the  actor  is  supposed  to 
realize  and  act  upon  his  vital  responsibility  and  influence 
in  production  costs  is  a splendid  solution  of  the  problem 
of  studio  costs — if  it  works.  But  time  only  will  tell 
whether  production  people,  outside  of  the  executive 
group,  merely  took  adavantage  of  an  opportunity  to  de- 
feat the  producers’  plan  of  salary  limitation  or  whether 
they  are  seriously  intending  to  do  their  great  bit  toward 
keeping  tbe  costs  of  making  pictures  witbin  reasonable 
limits. 

It  must  now  be  recognized,  however,  that  the  profes- 
sional people  of  the  business  stand  in  a decidedly  critical 
and  significant  position.  They  are  now  facing  a great  test. 
If  they  make  good  in  what  they  have  agreed  to  do,  then 
the  situation  will  be  a highly  favorable  one  for  all  con- 
cerned. If  they  fail,  the  producers  must  again  seek  a 
remedy  and  it  could  hardly  be  expected  in  such  a case 
that  the  word  and  counsel  of  the  actors  will  carry  much 

weight  in  the  formulation  of  policies  to  be  followed. 

* * * 

The  professional  people  in  taking  the  work  of  formu- 
lating a plan  of  more  economical  operation  out  of  the 
hands  of  producers  were  highly  favored  by  circumstances. 
In  the  first  place,  the  original  plan  of  the  producers  was 
a hasty  and  ill-advised  one.  Even  had  it  been  put  into 
effect  it  would  have  accomplished  but  little  good  and 
meanwhile  it  would  have  brought  about  a disastrous  low- 
ering of  morale  in  the  studios. 

Fortunately  the  plan  was  abandoned  and  in  its  place 
there  has  been  substituted  the  pledge  of  actors  and  others 
to  so  devote  themselves  to  their  work  as  to  curtail  pro- 
duction costs. 

The  document  which  gives  voice  to  this  plan  is  an  in- 
teresting one.  It  is  probably  without  parallel  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  theatre.  It  is  a document  of  a nature  that 
would  probably  be  a distinct  shock  to  theatrical  man- 
agers of  past  generations.  However,  conformance  with 
this  pledge  is  just  what  the  production  end  of  the  business 
needs.  Nothing  that  is  impossible — or  even  very  difficult 
— is  promised,  yet  if  the  pledge  is  made  good  progress 
will  have  been  made  toward  a sound  and  permanent  solu- 
tion of  the  studio  problem. 

One  important  thing  already  has  been  accomplished: 
Studio  people  have  been  convinced  by  the  events  of  recent 
weeks  that  they  are  really  a part  of  the  commercial  fabric 
of  the  motion  picture  industry  and  that  the  commercial 
fortunes  of  the  business  are  bound  directly  and  immedi- 
ately to  effect  their  personal  fortunes.  With  this  realiza- 


tion in  mind — and  we  hope  it  is  not  just  a momentary 
realization — the  attitude  of  the  director,  the  actor,  the 
writer  and  others  in  studio  work  must  be  very  different 
tban  that  which  one  has  been  accustomed  to  find. 

The  acting  profession  of  the  motion  picture  business  as 
a whole  should  greatly  welcome  the  new  order  of  affairs. 
If  it  is  carried  along  successfully  it  will  do  much  to  iron 
out  the  inequalities  of  position  and  compensation  which 
have  been  so  glaring  in  production.  Of  course,  there  is 
no  need  of  notice  now  that  with  the  expiration  of  pres- 
ent contracts  new  arrangements  will  be  negotiated  on  a 
decidedly  more  business-like  basis  than  has  existed  in  the 
past.  In  the  case  of  stars  there  is  going  to  be  a much 
closer  relationship  between  compensation  and  drawing 
power  at  the  box  office  than  has  existed  in  the  past. 

We  have  nowhere  encountered  any  disposition  on  the 
part  of  producers  not  to  pay  or  continue  to  pay  what  a 
star  is  entitled  to  draw  because  of  box  office  value.  This 
must  always  be  the  case  because  it  is  based  on  sound 
economic  law.  But  individual  contracts  are  going  to  be 
so  carefully  scrutinized  that  there  will  be  far  less  chance 
of  the  inequalities  continuing  that  have  existed  in  the 
past.  This  is  of  real  interest  to  obscure  players  as  well  as 
the  more  prominent  ones  because  a right  adjustment  at 
the  top  affords  a precedent  for  right  adjustment  all  along 
the  line.  A player  regardless  of  his  prominence  or  his 
obscurity  should  receive  a compensation  which  is  accu- 
rately geared  to  his  value  to  production. 

% * * 

IN  the  new  order  that  is  being  ushered  into  production 
in  IIolljTvood  the  writer  receives  another  boost  into 
further  prominence  and  importance.  Among  the  several 
essential  factors  who  are  able  to  exert  tremendous  influ- 
ence upon  effecting  a right  adjustment  of  production 
costs,  no  element  is  more  powerful  than  the  writer — not 
even  excepting  the  director. 

If  the  writer  fails  in  his  effort — and  responsibility — of 
providing  material  that  can  be  made  into  suitable  enter- 
tainment at  a proper  cost,  then  no  subsequent  effort, 
however  heroic,  can  save  the  day. 

The  writer  has  been  gradually  beating  forward  from  a 
position  that  was  commonly  held  to  be  relatively  unim- 
portant until  now  those  who  are  accurately  attuned  to 
production  conditions  know  that  every  forward  move- 
ment in  production,  whether  it  be  on  the  point  of  enter- 
tainment advance  or  economic  adjustment,  depends 
greatly  upon  the  writer  of  screen  material. 

The  writer  in  the  recent  events  of  Hollywood  has  given 
clear  evidence  of  his  understanding  of  the  situation  and 
his  willingness  to  cooperate.  And  it  is  from  this  source 
that  we  expect  great  help  in  the  revolt  against  the  old 

order  and  the  introduction  of  the  new. 

* * * 

The  industry  now  has  the  pledge  of  Hollywood.  Also 
the  industry  knows  that  the  fulfillment  of  this  pledge 
will  mean  a long  stride  toward  the  correction  of  the  evils 
of  production. 

It  now  remains  to  he  seen  whether  the  actors  are  going 
to  play  their  part — off  the  screen  as  well  as  on. 


niARENCE  BROWN’S  two  units 
(his  "foreign  legions")  return 
from  location  trips  into  the  Yukon 
and  are  finishing  the  "Trail  of  ’g8” 
at  the  M-G-M  lot. 


J OVISE  FAZENDA  and  Clyde 
^ Cook  are  those  referred  to  in  the 
title  of  “Only  a Sailor’s  Sweetheart," 
which  they  have  completed  for  War- 
ner Brothers. 


y^ILLlAM  KOENIG  receives  a 
''  new  two-year  contract  from 
Warner  Brothers  as  studio  manager. 
“Herald"  made  photo  at  time  Koenig 
made  Ross  Lederman  director. 


ii'K'FIE  GORILLA"  will  come  to 
-I  the  screen  soon  as  an  adapta- 
tion by  Al  Cohn  (above)  from  the 
mystery  play  formerly  on  the  stage, 
First  National  ivill  make  it. 


JANET  GAY  NOR  is  hostess  to  sons 
^ of  Ananias  in  the  “Garden  of  Truth" 
at  Eo.v  Films  studio.  The  newspaper 
boys  enjoyed  it  despite  their  awe. 


STUDIO  SECTION 

Current  Events 
in  Holtywood 


O F August  13,  1927 


T^ILLIAM  DEMAREST,  War- 
' ' ner  player,  declares  he  will  out- 
measure,  if  not  outpitch,  any  exhibi- 
tor or  newspaperman  whether  in 
I lollvwood,  Timbuctu  or  Oak  Park. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


9 1 Films  in  Production;  F.  N. 
Leads  with  1 8;  Actors  Calmed 


Cohn  Completes  “Gorilla,” 
“Cohens  & Kellys”  Sequel 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.~~Um~ 
versal’s  announcement  last  week 
that  it  will  begin  “The  Cohens  and 
Kellys  in  Paris”  at  once  and  Ed- 
ward Small’s  announcement  of 
hastened  commencement  of  “The 
Gorilla”  combined  last  week  to 
imprison  A1  Cohn  in  his  offices  for 
six  days. 

Cohn  supervised  the  writing  of 
“The  Gorilla,”  turning  out  the 
screen  script  in  less  than  a week. 
He  simultaneously  began  the  writ- 
ing of  the  story  of  “Cohens  and 
Kellys  in  Paris,”  which  must  go 
into  the  hands  of  William  Beau- 
dine  this  week  to  sequel  “Cohens 
and  Kellys,”  which  Cohn  wrote 
some  time  ago  and  which  still 
rates  fourth  in  the  HERALD’S 
Box  Office  Ticker. 

To  add  to  his  rush  of  work  he 
is  doing  the  finishing  touches  of 
“We  Americans”  and  preparing  to 
title  “The  Jazz  Singer”  for  Warner 
Brothers. 


Sterling  Productions 
Plan  Burbank  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug,  9. — Burbank  may 
soon  have  another  motion  picture  studio 
plant  if  present  plans  of  Sterling  Picture 
Productions,  Inc.,  are  carried  out.  The 
film  concern  recently  purchased  20  acres 
of  ground  fronting  on  Riverside  Drive  and 
within  a block  of  First  National  studios  at 
Burbank. 

According  to  Joe  Rock,  producer  for  the 
company,  and  Irving  L.  Walenstein,  home 
office  representative  stationed  here,  the 
company  anticipates  establishing  all  of  its 
production  units  on  the  ground  purchased 
in  Burbank. 

Girl  Kills  Montague 

Then  Shoots  Herself 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  _ 9.— Betty  Mon- 
tague, photographer’s  assistant  and  extra 
girl,  shot  and  killed  Hamilton  W.  Mannon, 
vicepresident.  Tec  Art  Studios,  and  then 
fatally  shot  herself  in  an  automobile  parked 
on  Croft  avenue,  last  Thursday. 

Mannon  died  on  the  way  to  the  hospital. 
The  girl,  said  to  be  a sister-in-law  of  a 
high  official  of  Mexico  City,  died  in  a re- 
ceiving hospital  a few  hours  later.  Man- 
non was  well  known  in  film  circles.  He 
was  32  and  had  been  in  Hollywood  three 
years. 


Start  Negro  School 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  9. — The  Erosian 
club  of  Los  Angeles  filed  papers  of  in- 
corporation, Saturday,  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a school  for  training  negro  actors 
here.  The  officers  are  Zack  Williams,  Rex 
Ingram,  Spencer  Williams,  Henry  Smith, 
Lloyd  Shackleford,  William  Kyle  and 
Goodwin  Van  Bunt. 


Schedules  are  tightened.  Economy,  of 
course,  is  the  word.  Directors  are  being 
conferenced  gently  but  firmly  to  “get  that 
picture  done  on  time.” 

Visitors  on  the  sets  receive  cooler  recep- 
tions than  ever.  Newspapermen  are  the 
only  laymen  who  receive  a welcome. 

18  Under  Way  at  First  National 

Seven  pictures  are  being  handled  in  the 
cutting  rooms  at  First  National.  They  are: 
“Rose  of  the  Golden  West,”  in  which  Mary 
Astor  and  Gilbert  Roland  appear  as  the 
lovers  in  a story  of  old  California;  “Hard 
Boiled  Haggerty,”  in  which  Milton  Sills 
will  be  starred.  “The  Red  Raiders,” 
Charles  R.  Rogers  production  with  Ken 
Maynard  in  the  stellar  role ; “The  Crystal 
Cup,”  produced  by  Henry  Hobart  with 
Dorothy  Mackaill  and  Jack  Mulhall ; “The 
Life  of  Riley,”  produced  by  E.  M.  Asher 
with  George  Sidney  and  Charlie  Murray 
co-featured.  All  of  these  are  nearing  com- 
pletion after  intensive  editorial  labors. 

Richard  Barthelmess’  new  starring  pic- 
ture, “The  Drop  Kick,”  produced  by  Ray 
Rockett,  is  in  the  “re-take”  stage  and 
should  be  completed  this  month. 

C.  C.  Burr  has  begun  production  on 
“Home  Made”  with  Johnny  Hines  starred, 
and  Ken  Maynard  is  again  at  work  under 
the  direction  of  A1  Rogell.  Ken  is  making 
“Gun  Gospel,”  a Charles  R.  Rogers  pro- 
duction. 

Korda  Directing  “Helen  of  Troy” 

Alexander  Korda  will  direct  “The  Pri- 
vate Life  of  Helen  of  Troy”  this  month. 
Korda  feels  it  is  his  biggest  opportunity 
since  coming  to  America.  Carey  Wilson 
will  produce  it.  In  the  cast  are : Maria 
Corda,  Lewis  Stone,  Virgina  Lee  Corbin, 
Alice  White  and  Lucien  Prival. 

Mervyn  LeRoy  has  gotten  started  with 
his  first  directorial  piece.  It  is  “No  Place 
to  Go.”  LeRoy  officially  took  the  mega- 
phone last  week  after  having  spent  a week 
rehearsing  a dozen  Negros  in  a cabaret 
scene  which  opens  the  picture.  The  Ne- 
gros do  a dancing  number  that,  from  my 
observation,  will  be  highlight.  Henry  Ho- 
bart will  produce  the  picture  with  Mary 
Astor  and  Lloyd  Hughes  featured.  George 
Folsey  is  on  the  cameras. 

Entirely  new  treatment  will  be  given  the 
next  Edward  Small  production,  “The 


Gorilla.”  Charlie  Murray  and  Edward 
Kelsey  are  in  the  cast.  The  player  of  the 
ape  is  not  chosen  to  date. 

A1  Rogell  will  also  start  work  on  “The 
Shepherd  of  the  Hills,”  which  Charles  R. 
Rogers  is  to  produce,  within  a few  days. 
Alec  B.  Frances  is  so  far  the  only  actor 
chosen  in  the  cast. 

Cast  Going  to  Washington 

Will  Rogers,  Louise  Fazenda  and  Rich- 
ard Wallace  are  making  last  minute  prepa- 
rations to  go  to  Washington,  D.  C.,  as  the 
starting  place  for  the  production  of  “The 
Texas  Steer,”  the  big  Sam  Rork  produc- 
tion which  is  quite  a topic  of  Hollywood 
conversation.  From  Washington  the  direc- 
tor, cameramen  and  players  will  return  to 
Salt  Lake  City,  Denver,  and  several  Texan 
towns  to  make  location  shots.  They  plan 
to  work  on  Hollywood  interiors  in  Sep- 
tember. 

When  John  Francis  Dillon  completes 
work  on  “The  Drop  Kick”  he  is  scheduled 
to  make  the  first  scenes  for  “Lady  Be 
Good,”  which  Charles  R.  Rogers  will  pro- 
duce. 

Wid  Gunning  will  produce  “The  Valley 
of  the  Giants,”  the  Peter  B.  Kyne  story 
starring  Milton  Sills.  Charles  R.  Brabin 
will  direct. 

Harry  Langdon  will  get  underway  with 
his  next  comedy  this  month.  His  “Three’s 
a Crowd”  received  its  previews  a few  days 
ago  and  the  first  print  is  in  New  York. 

George  Fitzmaurice  will  begin  another 
film  toward  the  last  of  August,  “Louisi- 
ana.” It  will  star  Billie  Dove. 

Colleen  Moore  is  expected  back  in  Holly- 
wood next  week  with  John  McCormick 
when  they  will  begin  on  her  next  picture. 
Further  announcement  of  plans  for  the 
production  will  be  made  upon  their  arrival. 

M-G-M  Is  Making  10 

Ten  productions  are  in  various  stages  of 
work  at  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  lot. 
Fred  Niblo  brought  “The  Enemy”  to  a 
completion  yesterday,  keeping  ahead  of  his 
30  day  shooting  schedule  from  the  begin- 
ning. It  is  Channing  Pollock’s  story  of  the 
warring  countries.  No  battle  scenes  are 
enacted.  Niblo’s  characteristic  conscienti- 
ousness has  been  given  added  fuel  due  to 
the  theme  of  the  story  and  its  plea  for 
peace. 

Lillian  Gish,  Ralph  Forbes  and  Karl 
(Continued  on  page  20) 


Get  Pictures  Finished, 

Is  Order  to  Directors 

Visitors  Receive  Cool  Reception  on  Lots;  Players 
Forgetful  of  Recent  Dilemma 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLI_.YWOOD,  Aug-.  9. — What  was  termed  last  month  as  a “mild 
boom”  in  the  production  field  has  crystallized  into  a dynamic  rush  of 
schedules.  At  least  ninety-one  productions  are  now  under  way. 

1.  First  National  leads  the  activity  with  18  productions. 

2.  Universal  is  a close  second  with  17. 

3.  M-G-M  follows  with  10  in  production. 

4.  The  De  Mille  lot  and  F B O each  has  nine. 

5.  Fox  is  working  on  eight. 

6.  Of  the  remainder  Paramount  has  five,  Warner  Brothers  has  five. 
United  Artists,  five,  and  independent  studios  have  five. 

The  panicky  actors  who  were  affected  by  the  slump  at  the  time  of  the 
wage  cut  announcement  are  calmly  plodding  through  their  roles,  almost 
entirely  forgetful  of  their  recent  dilemna. 


6 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


IN  CONFERENCE 

* *■  ■■  — " By  Bob  Early  ■ ^ * - ' ■—  ■■■■* » 


“T 


HE  directors  promised  to  help  the  producers;  the  writers  promised 
to  help  the  producers;  the  actors  promised  to  help  the  producers;  the 
technicians  promised  to  help  the  producers ; and  then  the  producers  prom- 
ised to  help  themselves.” 

That’s  the  way  a well  known  writer  who  was  present  described  the 
recent  “Conference  Dinner”  at  the  Biltmore  hotel,  during  which  the  pro- 
ducers officially  called  off  the  proposed  10  per  cent  cut  in  salaries. 

Because  of  the  peculiar  attitude  of  the  producer  members  of  the  Academy  of 
Motion  Picture  Arts  and  Sciences  which  sponsored  the  dinner,  the  net  effect  of  the 
affair  has  been  rather  doubtful.  There  is  no  doubt,  however,  as  to  one  phase  of  it; 
that  the  producer  hurt  his  cause  more  than  helped  it  by  entirely  ignoring  in  the 
official  report  what  the  producers  admitted  openly  in  the  separate  conferences — 
that  the  conditions  which  brought  about  the  panicky  move  for  economy  was  almost 
entirely  of  their  own  making. 

The  reports  were  carefully  programmed  and  apparently  censored  because  not  a 
word  of  criticism  for  the  producer  was  uttered  by  the  spokesmen  for  the  various 
branches  of  the  industry.  Yet  the  burden  of  culpability  for  the  extravagance  in 
picture  making  was  placed  by  each  branch  in  the  preceding  conferences  on  the 
vagaries  of  the  various  executives  and  supervisors  in  direct  charge  of  production 
in  the  studios. 

Why  Dinner  Was  Late 


I T is  understood  that  Cecil  B.  De  Mille,  who  spoke  in  behalf  of  the  producers  and 
submitted  their  “findings”  as  a result  of  the  conference,  had  prepared  several  para- 
graphs in  his  report  bearing  on  the  little  matter  of  executive  mismanagement,  but 
just  prior  to  the  dinner,  Messrs,  Lasky,  Goldwyn,  Mayer  and  other  producers  cor- 
ralled “C.  B.’  and  induced  him  to  elude  the  incriminating  paragraphs.  Joseph 
Schenck,  who  acted  as  chairman  of  the  producers’  branch  of  the  Academy  during 
the  investigation,  was  said  to  favor  the  De  Mille  report  in  full,  but  both  of  them 
were  overruled.  Douglas  Fairbanks,  president  of  the  Academy,  who  presided  at 
the  dinner,  is  also  said  to  have  voiced  his  disapproval  of  the  procedure  decided 
upon  by  the  majority  producers. 

The  outcome,  as  a result,  was  that  all  of  the  branches  pledged  their  members  to 
help  bring  about  a more  economic  manner  of  making  pictures  and  the  producers — 
well,  they  promised  to  help  themselves.  The  only  concession  to  the  workers  was 
contained  in  Douglas  Fairbanks’  oral  statement  that  the  producers  would  agree  to 
a uniform  contract  for  free  lance  artists,  directors  and  writers. 


WRITERS  MAKE  BEST  SHOWING 

The  writers  alone  seem  to  have  emerged  from  the  Academy  conferences  stronger 
than  they  entered.  They  did  not  hisitate  at  the  first  conference  to  state  openly 
where  the  chief  trouble  was  and  because  of  their  strong  showing,  the  second  con- 
ference at  which  the  producers  were  to  question  the  writers,  was  called  off.  The 
producers  declared  that  they  had  no  criticism  whatever  to  make  of  the  writers. 

The  producers  did  however  take  a fall  out  of  the  directors  and  the  director- 
producer  conference  was  enlivened  by  a verbal  clash  between  Joe  Schenck  and 
Fred  Niblo  during  which  they  exchanged  recriminations  bearing  on  the  production 
of  “Camille,”  which  Niblo  directed  for  Schenck.  There  was  also  a flurry  when  Sol 
Wurtzel,  manager  of  the  Fox  studio,  made  pointed  reference  to  directors  who  got 
drunk  and  neglected  their  work. 


Beautiful  But  Dumb 

That  is  the  title  finally  decided  upon  for  the  De  Mille  version  for  the  screen  of 
Richard  Harding  Davis’  great  dog  story,  “The  Bar  Sinister.”  And  the  new  title 
has  reference  to  the  girl  in  the  picture. 

WAY  DOWN  IN  RE-TAKE  VALLEY— 


ON  A LOT 
OF  THE  LOTS 


"LJOLLYWOOD. — ^Benny  Schulberg  has 
returned  from  a relaxation  trip  to 
Japan  and  shocks  a sophisticated  Los 
Angeles  press  with  a statement  about  film 
business  in  the  Orient.  And  who  cares? 
....  Sam  Warner's  decision  to  remain 
in  Hollywood  with  Vitaphone  permanently 
came  last  week;  Mrs.  Warner  is  playing  a 
role  in  a Universal  picture.  . . . Lillian  Gish 
says  she  is  reading  a series  of  articles  in  Lib- 
erty by  Sidney  Sutherland  and  believes  Suth- 
erland is  a good  writer.  . . . Louella  Par- 
sons printed  a story  last  week  calling  a 
good  joke  Lois  Wilson’s  signing  up  to 
play  a series  of  Western  roles  for  F B O, 
and  “Pinkie”  Wingart  explained  patiently 
to  Louella  that  the  joke  must  be  on  her, 
because  Lois  will  not  play  any  Western 
roles.  . . . Bill  Beery,  brother  of  Wally, 
has  come  to  town  to  play  in  pictures,  and 
Wally  says  Bill  doesn’t  want  to  and  won’t 
play  in  pictures.  . . . A lot  of  press 
agents  are  still  wondering  why  they  weren’t 
invited  to  the  Garden  of  Truth  party  at  the 
box  lot.  . . . H.  L.  Mencken’s  visit  here 
was  just  becoming  history  when  the  report 
began  to  spread  that  he  has  grown  serious 
in  his  ardor  for  the  young  M-G-M  actress 
he  has  been  calling  the  companion  of  the 
litterati.  . . . Arch  Reeve  is  convalescing 
after  three  weeks  of  illness  at  his  home. 

. . . Bess  Meredyth  is  front  and  center 
these  days  with  her  pockets  filled  with  in- 
structions for  new  continuities  and  she  and 
Bartholomae  are  acting  as  Ray  Rockett’s 
right  and  left  guard  in  the  last  quarter  of 
“The  Drop  Kick”.  ...  I don’t  know  much 
about  making  pictures  but  Lasky  spent 
^,000  a day  for  three  weeks  on  “Beau 
Sabreur”  and  most  of  the  days  were  spent 
waiting  for  the  sun  to  shine.  . . . There 
is  real  drama  in  Poverty  Row  pictures. 
Pauline  Garon  appeared  in  court  last  week 
to  explain  why  she  had  dealt  a Dempsey- 
Sharkey  to  Gertrude  Short  between  scenes 
of  a “quicky.”  . . . Jack  Warner  has 

ordered  gatemen  to  keep  out  men  who  sell 
advertising  matter  and  Tom  Waller  doesn’t 
believe  that  should  affect  him.  . . . Anita 
Loos  and  John  Emerson  arrived  at  the 
Lasky  lot  last  week  to  eliminate  9,999  of 
the  10,000  girls  who  want  the  role  of 
“Lorelei” — and  why  not  eliminate  the  other 
one?  Al  Cohn  suggests  that  they  give  the 
part  to  Syd  Chaplin.  I know  nothing 
about  pictures  but  I’ve  read  the  book  and 
seen  the  play  and  believe  the  best  one  for 
the  part  is  Rin-Tin-Tin. 

—HODGES. 

Wyman  Resigns  Casting 
Post,  Original  Member 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.  — Recent 
changes  in  the  Central  Casting  Bureau  in- 
clude Col.  O.  C.  Wyman’s  resignation. 
Wyman  was  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  bureau.  He  was  formerly  on  the 
Los  Angeles  traffic  commission  and  was 
appointed  to  handle  the  personal  relations 
for  the  bureau.  Many  of  the  studio  cast- 
ing departments  are  calling  their  own 
talent  or  naming  those  whom  they  want 
through  the  casting  bureau. 


I T is  a source  of  considerable  amazement  in  Hollywood  that  weeks  should  be  spent 
in  making  re-takes  of  a Lubitsch  production.  More  than  a million  dollars  was  spent 
on  “Old  Heidelberg”  which  is  to  make  its  bow  to  the  world  as  “The  Student  Prince” 
and  when  it  was  all  assembled  and  inspected  by  the  powers  that  be  at  Metro- 
Goldwy-n-Mayer,  it  was  decided  to  retake  practically  all  of  the  scenes  in  which 
Norma  Shearer  appeared.  Meanwhile,  Lubitsch  had  gone  to  Germany  and  Director 

(Continued  on  page  24) 


Blystone  and  Borden 
Return  from  Location 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Jack  Blystone 
and  his  “Pajamas”  company,  headed  by 
Olive  Borden,  have  returned  from  location 
to  the  Fox  studios.  The  interiors  will  be 
made  here. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


7 


Big  Studios  Note  Methods  of 
“Quickies”  in  Study  of  Thrift 


Lillian  Gish  to  Rejoin 
Griffith,  Hollywood  Hears 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD.  Aug.  9.— Lil- 
lian Gish,  who  became  famous  as 
a screen  actress  under  the  direc- 
tion of  D.  W.  Griffith,  has  re- 
turned to  his  personal  direction, 
according  to  reports  current  in 
Hollywood.  Neither  one  of  the 
two  would  confirm  nor  refute  the 
statement  that  a new  contract  had 
been  signed,  but  Griffith’s  business 
agent  said  a confirmation  would  be 
forthcoming  shortly. 


Ryan^s  Work  for  Pathe 
Will  Include  Over  500 
Reels  of  Productions 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Phil  L. 
Ryan’s  responsibilities  have  increased 
with  the  development  of  the  merger  of 
Pathe  and  P D C.  Ryan  reached  here 
in  February  to  assume  a temporary  posi- 
tion of  Pathe  executive  of  the  Pacific 
Coast  with  plans  to  spend  his  mornings 
on  a golf  course  and  his  week  ends  on 
a yacht.  The  merger  has  changed  his 
plans. 

Ryan  is  looking  forward  to  intensified 
effort  as  captain  of  the  crew  of  produc- 
ers, directors,  players,  technicians,  audi- 
tors, etc.,  who  will  deliver  three  Pathe- 
serials  each  of  20  reels  in  length,  40  fea- 
ture length  Western  melodramas,  eight 
features  with  a dog  as  the  star,  six  out- 
door specials,  four  specials  with  Leo 
Maloney  as  star,  fifteen  Roach  comedies 
for  Pathe  release,  three  Monty  Banks 
comedies  of  seven  reels  each  and  other 
productions.  In  all,  Ryan  will  be  con- 
nected with  the  production  of  more  than 
500  reels  of  pictures,  or  more  than  ten 
reels  weekly  average — and  that  is  a tre- 
mendous amount  of  responsibility  for 
any  one  man. 

With  all  his  work,  Ryan  has  not  lost 
his  sense  of  humor. 


Hollywood  Police  Book 
Two  Alleged  Impostors 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9. — Two  alleged 
film  impostors  were  arrested  Saturday  by 
Hollywood  police,  for  alleged  forgery 
activities.  One,  William  Beery,  former 
Montana  cowboy,  who  posed  as  a brother 
of  the  Beery  boys,  was  sentenced  to  30 
days  in  jail  for  passing  a worthless  check 
for  $35. 

Grady  Terry,  26  years  old,  of  Dallas, 
Texas,  was  charged  with  obtaining  money 
under  false  pretense,  and  posing  as  Charles 
Ray’s  brother  under  the  name  of  Albert 
Ray.  Charles  Ray  has  no  brother. 


Gillam  Doing  Scripts 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9. — Don  Gillam, 
former  publicist,  is  now  doing  the  continui- 
ties for  William  Counselman  and  Frank 
O’Connor,  at  Fox  studios. 


Seek  Causes  for  Delays 
in  Production  Schedules 

Nihlo  Proves  Fallacy  in  von  Stroheim  Vogue  of 
Shooting;  Rigid  Ban  on  Studio  Visitors; 

Gilbert  May  Produce 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9. — A close  survey  of  the  11  largest  studios  here 
indicates  that  they  have  turned  an  eye  to  Poverty  Row  and  have  decided 
to  follow  an  example  or  two  that  have  been  set  by  the  producers  of  the 
“quickies.” 

Admire  “Quickies”  Despite  Faults 

From  Louis  B.  Mayer  on  to  Jesse  E.  Lasky  and  on  to  Watterson  Roth— 
acker  you  find  producers  and  associate  producers  in  all  studios  affirming 
the  general  suggestion  that  “a  lot  of  these  cjuickies  have  some  good  box 
office  values  in  them,”  despite  that  they  also  have  critical  characteristics. 


Such  men  as  Mayer,  Rothacker,  Le 
Baron,  Wurtzel  and  others  are  sincere 
in  their  determination  to  institute  faster 
methods  for  shooting  pictures,  thereby 
saving  negative  costs.  Methods  for 
speeding  up  production  are  under  con- 
sideration. 

Big  Producers  Puzzled 

They  are  anxious  to  adopt  the  system 
used  by  independent  producers  but  they 
hold  to  the  belief  that  their  own  pictures 
are  better  than  Poverty  Row’s.  But  it 
hasn’t  yet  been  stated  in  what  manner 
they  are  better. 

Fred  Niblo  completed  a picture  yes- 
terday, Aug.  8,  from  the  Channing  Pol- 
lock’s story,  “The  Enemy.”  Lillian  Gish 
stars.  There  are  a good  story,  a strong 
star  and  an  intelligent  director.  The 
sets  are  far  above  the  average;  the  light- 
ing and  photography  are  worthy  of  note; 
the  theme  has  been  forcefully  worked 
about  a strong  idea  with  the  result  that 
Niblo  has  produced  another  e-xcellent 
M-G-M  picture,  it  is  believed. 

And  he  produced  it  with  a minimum 
of  shooting  days  and  therefore  with  a 
minimum  of  inefficiency.  He  thus  proves 
a fallacy  in  the  Erich  von  Stroheim 
theory.  Niblo  uses  a chart  from  the 
beginning  of  his  work  and  he  worked 
from  a continuity  that  had  been  pre- 
pared by  a skilled  workman,  not  a fast 
talking  scenario  writer  whose  experi- 
ence had  been  confined  to  selling  wom- 
en’s underwear. 

Twenty  Gatemen  Discharged 

But  there  are  other  attempts  at  thrift. 
Twenty  gatemen  have  been  discharged 


Japanese  Develop 
Critical  Audience 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TOKIO,  Aug.  9. — The  Japanese 
rapidly  are  developing  a keen  and 
discriminating  eye  for  good  mo- 
tion pictures  and  can’t  be  tricked 
into  considering  a production 
good  just  because  the  exploitation 
says  so,  according  to  the  Fudocho 
publication. 

End  of  the  moratorium  has  not 
bettered  materially  the  business 
status,  says  the  paper. 


at  various  lots.  Orders  have  gone  out 
that  a gateman  who  permits  a visitor 
on  the  lot  without  a pass  will  be  dis- 
missed immediately. 

Newspapermen  have  been  denied  the 
courtesy  of  entering  one  studio  and,  in- 
cidentally, are  preparing  to  make  use  of 
the  prerogative  of  their  pen. 

Although  most  of  the  actors  are 
“calmed”  a few  well  paid  stars  still  hold 
resentment  for  the  injury  done  their 
pride  recently  by  the  “wage  cut.”  John 
Gilbert  states  that  he  is  planning  to 
produce  his  own  pictures.  Noah  Beery 
will  leave  Paramount  within  a few  days. 
Others  are  expected  to  jump  at  the  end 
of  their  contracts. 

It  is  a serious  question  among  pro- 
ducers whether  to  continue  to  the  ex- 
pensive course  of  putting  “new  faces” 
into  pictures  and  thereby  slowing  up  the 
work  and  cutting  the  box  office  value 
or  to  hold  the  “old  timers”  who  know 
what  to  do  without  holding  up  produc- 
tion for  20  rehearsals  for  a scene. 

Curtiz,  Dynamic  Worker, 
Gets  Zanuck  Story  for 
Next  Warner  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Michael  Cur- 
tiz celebrated  a double  event  last  week, 
when  he  began  working  on  “Good  Time 
Charlie.”  Aside  from  the  fact  that  it  is 
one  of  the  best  scripts  on  this  year’s 
Warner  schedule,  it  marks  his  fourth  pic- 
ture for  that  company  in  the  year  that  he 
has  been  in  this  country.  The  j'ear  ended 
last  week. 

Curtiz  has  won  an  enviable  reputation 
since  he  has  been  here  as  the  most  dynamic 
worker  in  the  directorial  field. 

Darryl  Francis  Zanuck  wrote  the  story 
from  which  his  next  picture  will  be  made. 


Pembrooke  Completes 
** Ragtime**  for  1st  Div. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Percy  Pem- 
brooke has  just  finished  “Ragtime”  for 
First  Division  Pictures  at  the  Chadwick 
studios,  with  an  all-star  cast,  including 
John  Bowers  and  Marguerite  de  la 
Motte. 


8 


STUDIO  SECTION 


August  13,  1927 


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“Chart  Your  Picture  and  You’ll 
Cut  Negative  Costs’’ 

System  Once  Thought  Ridiculous  to  Be  Installed  as  Assured  Economy 
Plan  for  Production;  the  Ini  possible  Accomplished 
By  HORACE  MILLER  NEW 

IT  would  appear  at  the  present  writing  that  a few  passing  days  will 
bring  into  effect  the  necessary  adjustments  of  organization,  the  weed- 
ing out  of  incompetent  encumbents  with  executive  authority  and  then 
the  rapid  strides  into  the  place  in  commerce  which  should  be  held  by 
Motion  Picture  Production.  Just  a few  weeks  and  men  who  know  how 
business  must  be  operated  will  not  laugh  at  our  Frankenstein  of  extrava- 
gant waste  or  the  ridiculous  attempts  of  our  incompetents  at  explaining 
how  different  and  uncontrollable  are  the  art  and  temperament  of  our 
business. 


WE  will  see  motion  pictures  made  en- 
tirely for  the  entertainment  of  John 
Dowe  and  his  family  by  people  who  can 
tell  stories  with  sunlight  and  celluloid. 
-\nd  who  cares  what  becomes  of  those 
who  have  been  making  them  because  it’s 
a darn  good  graft  and  no  questions 
asked. 

^Meanwhile,  there  are  a few  who  have 
found  a little  fun  in  conditions  as  they 
exist.  Now  and  then  methods  have  been 
discovered  to  get  them  to  do  things  pre- 
viously branded  impossible,  generally  by 
administration  of  small  doses  of  psy- 
chological stimulant  disguised  as  a brain- 
storm from  a critic  who  admittedly 
knows  more  about  business  than  be  does 
about  camera  angles. 

The  chart  reproduced  here  was  orig- 
inally designed  to  alarm  those  who 
couldn’t  be  relied  upon  when  they  pre- 
pared their  schedules.  One  in  question 
swore,  ably  backed  by  his  staff,  that  he 
would  shoot  his  current  picture  in  twen- 
ty-eight shooting  days  so  as  to  release 
IMona  Belle  in  time  for  her  contract  to 
star  in  “Merry  Mack,  the  Cracker 
Packer,’’  a super-special  for  the  Mythical 
Film  Corporation’s  forthcoming  season 
of  Pennant  Productions. 

It  happens  an  “efficiency  crank’’  on  the 
lot  figured  that  twenty-eight  shooting 


days  on  a script  or  story  with  500  scenes 
meant  that  about  18  scenes  must  be  done 
every  day.  That  is  not  difficult. 

Look  over  the  records  of  pictures 
made  by  this  particular  staff  and  find 
how  very  rarely  do  they  finish  even 
fifteen  scenes  in  a day. 

When  the  twinkling  starlette,  Mona 
Belle,  reported  for  work  on  the  special 
she  was  12  days  late.  The  waiting  di- 
rector was  sure  the  fault  could  have  no 
place  in  his  Artistic  Creative  faculty. 

“Anyone  should  know,”  said  he,  “that 
you  can’t  apply  schedules  and  all  that 
sort  of  rot  to  a business  that  depends  so 
much  upon  a man’s  soul  and  finesse,  and 
that  sort  of  thing  you  know,  and,  for  in- 
stance, how  can  you  put  a stop  watch  on 
a man  like  Lou  Beach,  who  handles  the 
most  delicate  things  with  a certain  and 
definite  subtlety?” 

Right  there  we  will  leave  this  fellow 
talking. 

Picture  Had  450  Scenes 

When  the  next  story  was  assigned  to 
this  company,  our  friend,  the  business 
man,  quite  commonly  called  the  effi- 
ciency nut,  or  “overhead,”  learned  that 
the  script  or  working  continuity  for  the 
picture  had  450  indicated  scenes;  that 
the  company  claimed  they  would  be  fin- 
ished in  thirty  working  days.  Recogniz- 


ing this  as  an  opportunity  to  help  visual- 
ize, in  graphic  form,  just  exactly  what 
this  would  mean  as  related  to  the  day’s 
work,  our  friend  drew  the  accompanying 
chart. 

It  might  be  well  here  for  you  to  under- 
stand just  what  it  is  intended  to  graph 
or  visualize  by  this  means  . . . the  ver- 
tical columns  each  represent  a day  of 
work  in  the  making  of  this  production 
. . . the  troupe  has  advised  us  that  they 
will  be  through  in  30  days  . . . we, 
therefore,  provide  spaces  for  recording 
the  actual  work  done  each  day  for  30 
days.  . . . Horizontal  divisions  represent 
scenes.  The  script  we  are  to  do  is  com- 
plete in  450  scenes  ...  it  takes  no  spe- 
cial knowledge  of  camera  angles  or  the 
damnableness  of  panchromatic  stock  to 
know  that  30  days  of  15  scenes  each  will 
do  the  trick  as  the  doctor  ordered  . . . 
fine,  let’s  show  that  then,  so  we  draw  a 
line  across  the  chart  horizontally  at  a 
point  which  will  indicate  15  scenes  in 
each  column  . . . this  line  now  repre- 
sents the  amount  of  work  the  troupe  has 
set  for  itself  each  day  of  the  following 
thirty.  Make  a note  of  that,  15  scenes  is 
not  a figure  set  for  them  by  a half-witted 
business  manager  who  thinks  he  can  save 
a few  of  the  boss’s  dollars,  but  is  actually 
the  estimate  of  work  set  by  the  men  who 
will  do  it. 

The  worst  of  the  first  day  is  reported 
as  8 scenes — sometimes  it  takes  a day  to 
get  started.  The  second  day  shows  a lit- 
tle better,  there  are  11  scenes  reported. 
But  11  and  8 won’t  make  30.  He  puts 
the  chart  on  the  wall,  hoping  someone 
will  ask  what  it  is  for  . . . after  he 

records  the  third  day’s  work— -6  scenes — ■ 
adds  that  to  the  19  already  recorded,  he 
muses  to  himself  that  they  are  already  a 
day  behind  and  are  only  three  days  out. 

That  evening  the  production  manager 
expresses  his  curiosity  as  to  the  purpose 
of  the  funny  lines  and  marks  on  the  wall 
...  it  takes  him  until  the  end  of  the 
fifth  day  to  realize  that  the  company  has 
apparently  lost  two  days  out  of  their 
schedule  without  half  trying. 

38  Scenes  Behind 

Refer  to  the  chart  and  see  how  at  the 
end  of  the  seventh  working  day  the  com- 
pany shows  total  of  67  scenes  in  the  box, 
whereas  they  should  have  105  if  they 
meant  what  they  said  at  the  start  ...  a 
hurried  conference  between  the  produc- 
tion manager,  the  director  and  some 
more  of  the  staff,  a few  whispers  about 
being  shown  up  and  some  other  com- 
ments about  showing  how  easy  it  is  to 
catch  up  a few  lost  scenes  from  your 
schedule  and  the  company  steps  into 
“Their  stride.” 

From  here  on  the  record  shows  a 
steady  grind,  for  twenty  days — nearly 
three  weeks — there  could  be  no  sign  of  a 
letup;  see  the  record  of  the  chart,  there 
w_ere  days  when  it  was  necessary  to  do 
35  per  cent  more  than  the  general  aver- 
age in  order  to  catch  up  the  loss  due  to 
indifference  in  the  first  week.  On  the 
twenty-fifth  day  the  production  manager 
does  a little  quick  computing  on  his  own 
hook  and  learns  that  he  can  now  let 
down  and  finish  ahead  of  schedule.  He 
does,  and  records  a completed  script  of 
450  scenes  in  one  day  less  than  planned. 

High  Hat  the  “Overhead” 

It  would  be  useless  to  describe  the 
superior  attitude  each  member  of  that 
troupe  held  toward  “overhead.”  Several 
were  rewarded,  with  pleasant  little  in- 
creases in  salary  for  beating  the  sched- 
nle.  The  business  man  was  requested  to 
discontinue  his  silly  custom  of  plastering 
the  walls  with  trick  charts  and  other  mis- 
leading and  not-understandable  sched- 
ules. Somehow  or  other  it  does  seem  to 
me  that  there  was  a little  bit  of  content- 
ment in  the  smile  that  passed  over  his 
{Continued  on  page  12) 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


Smiling  Through  ” 

Rufus  McCosh 


ONE  evening  about  6 o’clock  I’m  sittin’ 
in  my  office  in  the  Plummer  building 
on  Hollywood  boulevard,  waitin’  for  a 
party  who  said  they  would  be  in  to  see  me 
at  5 o’clock  sharp,  when  the  phone  rings. 

“Hello,”  I says.  “Benjamin  Price  Pub- 
licity and  Exploitation?”  asks  a female 
lady’s  voice.  “You  guessed  it,  sweetheart — 
that’s  us,”  I says.  “Put  Mr.  Price  on  the 
phone,  boy,”  she  says,  “Mr.  Cullen  of 
Chamber  of  Commerce  wishes  to  speak  to 
him.” 

“Mr.  Price  speakin’,”  I says. 

“Oh  excuse  me,  Mr.  Price,”  she  says, 
“you  talks  so  much  younger  than  you 
looks.” 

“So’s  your  old  grandchildren,”  I says. 
She  ain’t  kiddin’  me  none. 

“Hello,  Benny,”  says  Jim  Cullen,  “Have 
you  still  got  Gloria  Grayson  on  your  list?” 
“Sure,”  I says. 

“What’s  chances  of  havin’  her  meet  the 
vice-president  of  Portuka,  South  America, 
at  the  Santa  Fe  depot  at  9 o’clock  to- 
morrow morning?  We  just  got  a wire 
about  it,  and  the  secretary’s  out’a  town, 
so  I’m  fixin’  a reception.  You  know,  ‘Big 
South  American  official  welcomed  to  Cali- 
fornia by  South  American  beauty,  now 
movie  queen  of  Hollywood’ — pictures  and 
the  et  cetera.  Gloria’s  from  South  Amer- 
ica, ain’t  she?” 

“Sure,”  I says,  “Mobile,  Ala.  You  ain’t 
give  me  much  notice  but  I’ll  see  what  I 
can  do.  She  may  be  at  home  now.  I’ll 
call  you  right  back.” 

I got  Gloria  Grayson  on  my  list  all 
right.  Met  her  at  a party  one  night  about 
two  months  ago  and  she  agreed  to  let  me 
be  her  personal  press  agent.  She  ain’t 
never  paid  me  yet  but  it  don’t  hurt  me  none 
to  have  it  known  that  I’m  Gloria  Grayson’s 
press  agent,  so  I don’t  push  her  for  money. 
A thousand  bucks  a week  that  girl  gets 
but  she’s  always  broke.  No  foolin’ — she 
must  use  money  for  kindling. 

I calls  up  and  she’d  just  come  in. 

“Nine  o’clock?”  she  says,  after  I’d  told 
her.  “Well,  I can  make  it  if  you  can, 
Benny.  Be  here  at  8 and  I’ll  drive  you 
down.” 

“O.  K.,”  I says  and  phones  Jim  Cullen 
we’ll  be  there. 

We  gets  there  in  time  next  mornin’  and 
the  sun  is  shinin’  and  as  usual  there  is  a 
lot  of  people  to  meet  the  train,  which 
makes  a great  hit  with  the  vice-president 
who  thinks  they’re  there  to  meet  him.  And 
when  Gloria  gets  excited  at  seein’  some- 
one from  dear  old  Portuka  and  kisses  him 
right  on  his  whiskers  and  the  crowd 
cheers,  he  sure  takes  it  big,  and  don’t 
object  none  when  the  cameramen  calls  for 
an  encore.  The  fact  that  Gloria  don’t 
speak!  his  language  don’t  worry  him  any 
more’n  it  does  the  rest  of  us.  He  must’a 
grew  about  two  inches,  makin’  5 feet  3 in 
all,  and  I bet  he  goes  home  and,  chases 
the  president  right  out’a  the  country. 

As  we’re  drivin’  back  to  Hollywood  from 
L.  A.,  I decides  it’s  a good  time  to  strike 
Gloria  for  a check. 

“Great  stuff,  honey,”  I says.  “Them 
pictures  will  show  up  fine.  And  wait  till 
you  see  the  writeups  you’ll  get.  I worked 
hard  to  get  that  publicity  for  you,”  I says. 
“Several  others  was  crazy  to  do  it.” 

“Yeh?”  she  says.  ‘Tl'l  bet  Mary  Pick- 
ford  and  Norma  Talmadge  was  on  their 
knees  to  you.” 

“No  foolin’,”  I says,  “this’ll  do  you  a 
lotta  good.  Lissen,  darling,  could  you  let 
me  have  a check  for  the  $200  you  owes 
me.  I gotta  pay  a lot  of  bills  this  week.” 
(Continued  on  page  12) 


Slow  Return  on  Investment 
Ends  Era  of  Super  Pictures 

Universal  May  Wait  Several  Years  for  Profit  from  “Uncle 
Tom”;  “Patent  Leather  Kid”  Is  Only  Million  Dollar 
Film  on  Schedule  of  First  National 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  August  9. — ^Wall  Street,  which  was  heralded  as  a 
dominant  figure  in  the  recent  wage  scare,  will  play  a prominent  role  in 
future  picture  making,  according  to  the  inside  talk  which  one  hears  around 
the  studios. 

Financial  Interests  Now  Bearing  Down,  It  Is  Said 

The  hand  of  the  financial  interests  is  already  in  evidence  in  the  studios, 
say  those  in  the  know.  It  is  gripping  the  money  bags  from  which  come 
appropriations  and  this,  according  to  the  Herald’s  informants,  is  spelling 
the  doom  of  the  million  dollar  attraction. 

It  is  believed  that  the  producer  who  has  an  epic  up  his  sleeve  will  have 
to  talk  long  and  fast  to  get  the  wherewithal  to  make  his  super  special  in  the 
future  unless  he  can  convince  these  interests  of  ample  returns  on  the 


investment. 

Paramount  was  the  first  to  put  the 
ban  on  big  features.  It  is  said  that  too 
much  was  expended  on  “Wings,”  “The 
Wedding  March,”  “The  Rough  Riders” 
and  “Old  Ironsides”  to  warrant  going  in 
for  more  of  like  nature.  Many  millions 
of  dollars  went  into  these  and  several 
other  pictures.  “Wings”  has  not  been 
released,  and  through  an  agreement  with 
another  company  it  is  said  that  still 
another  aviation  picture  is  being  held 
up.^ 

P'irst  National  has  but  one  million  dol- 
lar picture  on  its  1927-28  season's  list, 
“The  Patent  Leather  Kid.” 

Fox  Has  Two  High  Ones 

Two  of  Fox’s  big  specials,  “What 
Price  Glory”  and  “7th  Heaven,”  un- 
doubtedly will  net  that  company  a nice 
profit.  The  F.  W.  Murnau  picture, 
“Sunrise,”  has  not  as  yet  been  released. 
While  “7th  Heaven”  did  not  cost  a mil- 
lion, by  reason  of  the  simplicity  of  the 
story  and  not  having  expensive  stars  in 
the  leading  roles,  the  other  two  are 
expensive  pictures. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  but  one 
picture  in  production  at  present — “The 
Trail  of  ’98” — that  runs  into  big  figures. 
This  is  an  epic  of  the  gold  rush  of  1898 
and  besides  employing  about  40  princi- 
pals required  locations  in  Alaska  and 
other  points  far  distant  from  the  studios 
at  Culver  City. 

Universal  Deep  in  “Cabin” 

“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin,”  Universal’s  pic- 
turization  of  Harriet  Beecher  Stowe’s 
novel,  has  cost  a million  or  more  and 
has  taken  about  two  years  to  produce. 
Accidents,  sickness,  poor  weather  and 
other  circumstances  held  up  production 


U to  Repeat  Title 
And  Cast  at  Finish 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  9.— Uni- 
versal will  begin  this  fall  to  add  a 
trailer  to  each  picture  repeating 
the  title  and  the  cast  of  characters, 
according  to  an  announcement 
here.  By  the  innovation  it  is 
hoped  to  refresh  the  memories  of 
patrons  who  at  the  finish  of 
the  picture  have  forgotten  these 
points.  In  the  meantime  stickers 
will  be  pasted  on  all  cans  asking 
projectionists  not  to  stop  running 
the  film  until  the  trailer  has  been 
shown. 


and  the  costs  mounted  daily  wherever 
the  troupe  went.  When  the  company 
returned  to  the  studio  greater  progress 
was  made  and  the  final  scenes  have  just 
been  shot.  It  is  doubtful  if  Universal 
will  get  back  the  expenditure  before  sev- 
eral years. 

Many  thousands  of  dollars  were  spent 
on  “The  King  of  Kings”  by  De  Mille, 
and  while  it  is  too  early  to  predict  its 
ultimate  grossage  it  will  take  many  thea- 
tre bookings  to  get  back  the  original 
cost.  No  super  productions  are  on  this 
season’s  schedule  of  De  Mille-Pathe. 

Wall  street  has  figured  that  on  a pic- 
ture costing  a million,  the  stars  and  di- 
rectors get  $250,000.  The  movement  to 
develop  new  talent  (at  smaller  salaries) 
is  therefore  going  forward  to  meet  the 
wishes  of  New  York  bankers. — R.  M. 

Lent  Visits  Canada  to 
Abide  by  U,S.  Quota  Law 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Paul  Leni,  one 
of  Universal’s  foreign  directors,  who  is 
here  on  a visitor’s  quota  permit  from  Ger- 
many, had  to  re-enter  the  country  from 
V ancouver,  Canada.  He  is  scheduled  to 
direct  “The  Man  Who  Laughs,”  starting 
August  15. 

Rush  Construction  of 
U~A*s  Property  House 

(Special  to  the  H era-id) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Construc- 
tion of  a new  property  and  storage  build- 
ing at  the  United  Artists  studios  on 
Santa  Monica  boulevard  is  being  rushed. 
The  structure  will  be  two  stories  high, 
and  will  house  the  office  of  Sam  Hill, 
superintendent  of  studios. 


Kelsey,  Vet,  to  Play  in 
Role  in  **The  Gorilla^* 

(Special  io  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Fred  Kelsey, 
veteran  motion  picture  actor  and  director, 
has  been  assigned  the  role  of  Mulligan  in 
“The  Gorilla,”  which  A1  Cohn  adapted  to 
the  screen  for  Edward  Small. 


Brent  Returns  Home 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Evelyn  Brent 
returned  from  a location  trip  to  the  desert 
last  week.  She  is  featured  in  “Beau 
Sabreur,”  Paramount  film. 


10 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


GreatestThinkers  Among  Small 
Town  Patrons,  Says  Meehan 

‘%iterati  of  Algonquin  Club  Are  Parrots  of  Trite  Ideas;”  Three 
Meehan  Films  Rank  in  Highest  10  at  B.  O. 

By  DOUGLAS  HODGES 

ONE  day  last  week  I asked  Leo  Meehan  if  there  is  a definite  rule  that 
will  guide  a director  so  that  his  picture  will  be  certain  of  a strong 
box  office. 

When  he  finished  answering  it  was  late  and  his  boat  was  due  to  steam 
out  of  the  harbor  for  Catalina  and  he  was  planning  to  complete  the  last 
half  of  a week’s  vacation. 


A ND  when  he  finished  answering  me  I 
asked  that  he  write  these  para- 
graphs. He  should  have  written  them. 
He  is  a man  whose  early  earnings 
were  by  the  pen  and  he  understands 
motion  pictures;  whereas  I know  nothing 
about  pictures.  But  he  had  no  desire 
that  his  answer  be  printed  and  it  fell  my 
lot  to  give  you  his  answer  second 
handedly. 

Formulae  Are  Beliefs 

“I  have  several  formulae,”  he  said, 
“that  I try  to  build  my  pictures  on.  But 
they  are  beliefs  rather  than  rules.” 

He  told  me  that  they  were  probably 
unimportant  because  they  have  so  far 
never  been  the  foundation  for  a “Big 
Parade”  or  “A  Birth  of  a Nation.” 

I accused  him  of  hedging.  I reminded 
him  that  he  directed  “The  Keeper  of  the 
Bees,”  which  was  the  strongest  box  of- 
fice film  of  the  year,  by  exhibitor  vote. 

He  said  that  was  just  a happenso. 

Three  Among  Highest  in  Ticker 

I opened  a copy  of  the  Herald  to  the 
Box  Office  Ticker.  “You’ve  made  a 
‘Laddie’  and  a ‘Magic  Garden.’  The 
three  I’ve  named  are  among  the  highest 
10  box  office  pictures  now  on  the  mar- 
ket.” 

“No  company  has  more  successes 
among  the  first  10  releases  than  F B O,” 
I said,  “and  no  director  has  more.  What 
can  directors  do  that  will  assure  them  of 
equal  box  office  standing?” 

But  Mr.  Meehan  would  not  set  him- 
self up  in  an  advisory  position.  He 
chose  to  tell  me  a few  incidents  of  his 
life  and  of  his  philosophy. 

Before  he  directed  a picture  he  went 
from  cub  to  editor  of  a modern  news- 
paper. He  later  became  the  owner  and 
publisher  of  a daily.  Today,  aside  from 
other  responsibilities,  he  publishes  and 
edits  the  Pasadena  Sun. 

Ran  Down  Murder  Stories 

That  was  the  experience  that  proved 
his  entree  as  a motion  picture  director. 
He  harvested  from  his  nights  on  murder 


stories  and  burglar  chasing  a well  bal- 
anced conception  of  drama. 

He  learned  as  an  editor  the  likes  and 
dislikes  of  people.  He  learned  as  a city 
editor  to  guide  the  men  on  his  staff.  An 
understanding  of  their  human  weak- 
nesses and  idiosyncrasies  composed  his 
manual  that  has  served  him  ever  since. 

As  the  son-in-law  of  Gene  Stratton- 
Porter  he  has,  I am  sure,  been  associ- 
ated with  contemporary  writers  whose 
ideas  have  further  strengthened  his  un- 
derstanding of  the  public. 

He  told  me  that  many  directors  mis- 
understand that  public.  A New  York 
writer  recently  boasted  to  Meehan  that 
the  Algonquin  club  finds  most  motion 
pictures  boresome.  The  insinuation  was 
that  films  are  not  made  for  the  “upper 
class”  of  New  York  and  Los  Angeles. 
It  was  an  insinuation  that  people  in 
those  cities  are  of  a superior  mental 
stratum. 

Meehan’s  reply  to  him  summarizes  the 
reason  his  pictures  find  their  tremendous 
appeal. 

“The  Algonquin  club  does  not  house 
the  wisdom  that  people  possess  who  in- 
habit the  towns  between  New  York  and 
Los  Angeles. 

“If  I must  choose  between  making 
pictures  for  those  cities  and  making  pic- 
tures for  the  other  folks  I prefer  to 
make  them  for  the  hundred  million 
throughout  the  country  because  they  are 
serious  minded  and  in  their  books  or  in 
their  pictures  they  demand  food  for 
thought.” 

Only  One  Idea  Can  Be  Consumed 

“One  thought,  one  simple  idea  is  as 
much  as  anyone  can  assimilate  in  an 
hour  and  a half.  No  one  can  tell  a 
story  with  more  than  one  thought  in 
that  much  time. 

“Directors  are  unable  to  know  when 
they  start  a picture  what  are  its  capaci- 
ties. 

“The  ‘litterati’  of  the  Algonquin  club 
are  parrots  of  a trite  philosophy  whereas 
the  people  west  of  New  York  are  the 
greatest  thinkers  in  America.” 


shown  the  photography  was  not  so 
good.  After  a conference  it  was  decided 
that  the  work  would  have  to  be  done 
over  again,  this  time  on  a stream  near 
Universal  City.  Torrents  of  water  were 
pumped  into  the  creek,  which  swelled 
until  it  resembled  a river. 

Then  cakes  of  artificial  ice  were 
dumped  in,  and  the  scene  became  one  of 
desolation.  Next  Eliza  jumped  out  on 
the  ice  but  the  bloodhounds  wouldn’t 
follow.  It  didn’t  seem  so  real  to  them, 
until  an  assistant  director  waded  out  and 
rubbed  chunks  of  meat  on  the  ice,  giv- 
ing it  a packing  house  aroma.  There- 
upon the  bloodhounds  did  their  stuff. 
When  the  film  was  shown  it  was  full  of 
thrills. 

* * !)! 

The  “How”  of  Economy 
Talking  about  reducing  the  overhead 
— some  of  the  independent  companies 
here  have  a system  all  their  own.  A 
story  is  selected  for  a picture.  Then 
studio  executives  and  director  get  to- 
gether and  draw  up  a chart  which  shows 
just  how  much  footage  will  be  required 
for  each  scene.  This  having  been  done, 
stars  are  “borrowed,”  if  possible  from 
the  big  studios,  or  independent  stars  are 
signed  up.  Before  such  stars  are  ob- 
tained the  director  knows  just  how  long 
they  will  work.  It  may  be  two  days  or 
it  may  be  a week,  but  he  knows.  Re- 
cently the  camera  work  on  one  inde- 
pendent picture,  with  two  big  stars  in 
it,  was  completed  in  eight  days.  The 
stars  worked  two  days. 

* * * 

Fallen  Archdukes 
With  Archduke  Leopold  of  Austria,  in 
the  movies  and  other  members  of 
royalty  and  the  nobility  serving,  under 
assumed  names,  as  ordinary  actors,  cer- 
tain circles  in  Hollywood  are  taking  on 
an  atmosphere  of  pomp.  Countrymen 
of  the  archduke  still  look  up  to  him 
will  all  the  homage  and  respect  they 
bore  when  he  wore  the  purple.  For  in- 
stance, at  the  Fox  studios,  where  Leo- 
pold bows  before  the  camera,  there  are 
about  20  former  members  of  the  Aus- 
trian nobility  and  military  forces.  All  of 
them  wear  monocles,  to  say  nothing  of 
gold  braid,  red  coats  and  boots  and 
spurs.  When  the  archduke  comes  along 
they  invariably  snap  their  heels  to- 
gether and  salute.  They  remain  in  that 
position  until  he  returns  their  respectful 
greeting,  and  then  they  go  on  about 
their  business.  Recently  one  hussar 
saluted,  but  the  archduke  did  not  see 
him.  The  hussar,  monocle,  uniform  and 
all,  remained  at  the  salute  for  10  min- 
utes. He  wouldn’t  get  out  of  it  until 
someone  notified  Leopold,  who  hurried 
over  and  saluted,  after  which  the  hussar 
was  able  to  resume  his  work.  Leopold 
tries  to  impress  it  upon  his  countrymen 
that  he’s  plain  Mr.  Man,  but  they  insist 
on  treating  him  “royally.”  Apropos  of 
Leopold,  a “gag  man”  remarked  that 
“Hollywood  is  becoming  the  home  of 
Fallen  Archdukes.” 

* * * 

Or  Maybe  He  Couldn’t 
A former  woman  vaudeville  star, 
whose  specialty  was  dancing,  is  intro- 
ducing a new  makeup  which  she  predicts 
will  take  the  place  of  grease  paint.  The 
preparation  may  be  applied  like  cold 
cream,  talcum  powder  (or  what  have 
you?)  and  is  said  to  remain  for  two 
minutes  or  two  days  without  losing  its 
power  before  the  camera.  Lew  Cody 
tackled  it  and  said  he  didn’t  have  to 
take  it  off  for  a week. 

* * * 

Our  Little  Scotch  Joke 
Those  in  the  know  are  laughing  over 
the  recent  experience  of  a prominent 
{Continued  on  page  27) 


WHAT’S  the  use  of  realism  in  motion  pictures  when  something  else 
makes  a better  job?  For  instance,  the  film  version  of  “Uncle  Tom’s 
Cabin.’’  Universal  began  shooting  on  it  and  after  a while  all  hands 
said  it  was  a wonderful  start.  Here  was  going  to  be  the  epic  of  the  age. 
Such  being  the  case,  realism  should  predominate.  Therefore,  it  was  de- 
cided to  shoot  the  supreme,  de  luxe,  magnificent,  overpowering  dramatic 
scene — Eliza  crossing  the  ice — on  the  Mississippi  River. 

QO  the  Eliza  part  of  the  company,  in-  chunks  of  ice  floated  down  the  river. 

eluding  bloodhounds,  was  sent  to  Here  was  realism  rampant.  The  scenes 
Tennessee.  Near  Memphis,  on  the  were  made.  Everybody  was  happy, 
banks  of  the  father  of  waters,  the  com-  Back  to  Hollywood  they  came.  But 
pany  gathered.  It  was  cold.  Huge  when  the  great  bloodhound  scene  was 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


An  Industry  Depends  on  Anderson 


He  Is  a Dietitian  Who  Has 
Learned  to  Feed  Lum- 
berjacks and  Swan- 
sons Scientifically 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Bebe 
Daniels  and  Clarence  Badger  are  at 
Gaudalupe,  Cal.,  location,  making 
“The  Sheikess”  for  Paramount.  Gau- 
dalupe is  a little  old-fashioned  town 
halfway  between  San  Francisco  and 
Los  Angeles,  and  200  miles  from 
either,  where  most  of  the  natives 
claim  to  be  100  per  cent  Americans 
because  their  antecedents  have  lived 
in  California  since  1735. 

Few  knew  of  the  town  until  a 
Hollywood  director  found  it  one  day 
and  brought  his  company  there  to 
make  a picture  because  of  scenery 
existing  nowhere  else  in  the  West. 

Milton  E.  Hoffman,  supervisor,  and 
John  Waters,  director,  took  a com- 
pany there  last  month  to  make  “Beau 
Sabreur,”  a story  sequelling  “Beau 
Geste,”  and  a story  of  the  French 
Foreign  Legion.  First  National 
filmed  “Men  of  Purpose”  there. 
Many  companies  have  found  use  for 
the  location. 

* * * 

But  taking  a company  so  far  from 
home  five  years  ago  meant  feeding 
an  “army”  several  days  on  canned 
corn  and  hard  tack.  The  third  day 
out  corn  lost  its  appeal  and  hard  tack 
got  harder.  The  camp’s  manager 
often  tried  to  solace  the  stars  with 
conversation  and  that  didn’t  digest. 
The  manager  usually  resigned  and 
the  company  came  home  and  finished 
the  picture  by  rewriting  the  story  so 
that  they  needed  no  desert  scenes. 

Then  a film  company  went  in 
search  of  a man  who  knew  how  to 
feed  small  armies  more  satisfactorily. 
It  sent  a man  who  went  into  the 
Western  construction  camps  to  learn 
about  their  food.  He  found  one 
whose  food  was  better  than  Los  An- 
geles restaurants,  inquired  the  name 
of  the  chef  and  his  connections. 

That  is  when  the  motion  picture 
industry  “discovered”  a boy  from  In- 
diana, William  S.  Anderson,  who  had 
been  keeping  peace  among  leather- 
necked labor  gangs  by  way  of  their 
stomachs.  He  owned  a string  of 
boarding  companies  that  were  oper- 
ating throughout  Southern  Cali- 
fornia, Nevada,  Arizona,  New 
Mexico  and  Utah. 

He  told  the  Hollywood  man  that 
he  couldn’t  “go  into  the  motion  pic- 
ture racket  because  they  wouldn’t  like 
the  food.”  He  insisted  that  he 


He  Safeguards  Lives  of  Stars 
and  Staff  on  Location  Trips 


At  a table  d’hote  dinner.  The  Paramount  staff  of 
“Beau  Sabreur’’  are  Roscoe  Karns,  Mitchell  Lewis, 
Noah  Beery,  Joan  Standing,  Evelyn  Brent,  Gary 
Cooper,  Bill  Powell  and  M.  E.  Hoffman,  producer. 


Billy  Anderson  gets  a hair  cut.  Left  is  Sam  Durnham, 
Paramount  auditor  whose  malnutrition  has  found 
a remedy.  Koch,  his  assistant  is  at  right. 


“Billy”  Anderson,  left,  and  Commissary  Commission! 
Roscoe  Karns,  a sheik  Center  is  the  chef  of 
in  a Fedora.  delectables. 


If  your  Patrons  Don’t  Know 
How  Stars  Are  Cared  for 
Use  This  in  Your 
House  Organ 

charged  more  than  companies  would 
pay.  He  said  no  one  could  please  a 
tempestuous  star.  He  swore  a little 

he  didn  t want  to  sign  a contract. 

But  today  when  a film  company 
goes  on  location  ’Billy”  Anderson  is 
called  in,  estimates  the  job  and  signs 
the  contract.  He’s  in  the  “racket”— 
and  likes  it. 

* * 

First  of  all  he  is  a dietitian.  He 
feeds  lumberjacks  and  Swansons  sci- 
entifically. The  only  objection  to 
“Billy’s”  food  is  from  the  dieting 
stars  who  find  his  calories  fattening. 

The  Herald  is  no  housekeepers’ 
manual  and  therefore  I’ll  not  deal 
with  the  daily  menu,  but  the  day  I 
dropped  in  at  the  camp  for  lunch 
I had  roast  pork,  boiled  potatoes, 
brown  gravy,  lettuce  with  thousand 
island  dressing,  rolls  and  white  bread, 
pickled  beets,  applesauce,  iced  tea, 
cherry  pie  and  ice  cream. 

No  meal  is  duplicated.  Food  is  so 
varied  that  campers  do  not  tire  of 
the  fare  as  they  do  of  restaurants 
at  home. 

Billy  can  tell  you  the  first  needs  of 
a good  camp  quickly,  and  they  be- 
gin with  cleanliness.  Anything  per- 
ishable must  be  covered.  Waiters 
and  cooks  must  be  clean.  Flies  are 
not  permitted  to  enter  the  premises. 
Corrals  for  horses  are  built  at  least 
200  yards  distant. 

At  the  Gaudalupe  camp  there  are 
250  actors  and  staff  members  living 
in  54  of  Billy’s  tents.  They  have 
shower  baths  in  their  quarters,  heat- 
ing stoves,  hot  and  cold  running 
water  and  the  other  conveniences  that 
make  camp  life  bearable. 

* * 

Anderson’s  chemist  and  medical  at- 
tendant reached  the  camp  ahead  of 
the  others  and  tested  the  well  which 
provides  drinking  water,  thoroughly 
inspected  the  physical  surroundings 
of  the  camp  for  healthfulness  and 
instructed  engineers  to  install  the 
pipeline  system.  The  crew  con- 
structed a power  plant  which  in- 
cluded three  large  boilers. 

Then  electricians  installed  the  light- 
ing system.  That  power  came  from 
Gaudalupe. 

A Paramount  picture  is  shown  each 
evening  in  one  of  the  tents!  Tent 
shows?  Yes!  And  no  admission 
charge ! — Douglas  Hodges. 


12 


STUDIO  SECTION  O T 


August  13,  1927 


Smiling  Through  j 

Rufus  McCosh  " '■  ■■ 

(Continued  from  page  9) 

“So  have  1,  Benny,”  she  says,  "this  week 
and  next  week  and  some  more  weeks  after 
that,  the  judge  said.  I don’t  hardly  get 
enough  outa  my  salary  for  gasoline.  These 
damn  stores  lets  you  buy  and  buy  and  then 
attaches  your  salary  if  you  don’t  pay — 
Sorry,  Benny,  but  I can’t  help  you  a bit.” 

“Well,  you  can’t  blame  me  for  tryin’,”  I 
says,  “I  could’a  used  it.” 

“I’ll  bet  you  could,  Benny,”  she  says. 
“Say — I got  a few  lots,  out  in  the  Valley.” 

“Help!”  I yells.  “Who  ain’t?  Mine’s 
for  sale,  too.  All  y^ou  gotta  do  is  pay  three 
years  back  taxes  on  ’em.” 

“But  I just  won  these  at  a raffle  yester- 
day,” she  says,  “and  the  taxes  is  paid  up 
to  date.  I ain’t  got  no  time  to  fool  with 
’em  but  if  you’ll  sell  ’em  and  give  me  $750 
you  can  keep  the  difference,”  she  says. 
“They  ought  to  be  worth  $1500.” 

“Yell?”  I says,  “they  all  are!  Try  and 
get  it!  Where  are  they?” 

“San  Fernando  Valley  on  the  other  side 
of  Dark  Canyon  road,  this  sida  Burbank,” 
she  says. 

“I’ll  take  it,”  I says.  “Sign  ’em  over  to 
me.  Maybe  I can  find  a sucker.  There’s 
plenty  around.” 

I gets  a feller  I know  to  look  the  lots  up 
for  me.  He  don’t  offer  me  no  encourage- 
ment. 

“Things  is  very  rock  bottom  right  now,” 
he  says.  “How  much  you  want  to  get  off 
them?” 

“Two  thousand,”  I says. 

“Ha,  ha,”  he  laughs,  “now  I’ll  tell  one.” 

“Well,  one  thousand  is  the  lowest,”  I 
says.  “That’ll  just  let  me  out  after  you  get 
yours.” 

“I’ll  see  what  can  be  done,”  he  says,  and 
that’s  the  last  I heard  about  it  for  two 
weeks. 

Then  one  day  this  here  “realator”  calls 
me  up.  “I  just  heard  that  they’re  gonna 
pave  a road  near  your  lots  out  in  the 
Valley,”  he  says,  “and  you  will  be  assessed 
about  a hundred  dollars  apiece.” 

“Why  tell  me,”  I says,  “ain’t  you  got  a 
buyer  yet?  That  oughta  increase  the  value 
of  them  lots.” 

“Sure,”  he  says,  “after  you  pay  the 
assessments.  However,  I ain’t  been  able  to 
get  nobody  to  pay  your  price  right  now. 
Maybe  in  a year  or  so,  but  for  a quick 
sale  do  you  want  to  come  down  any  be- 
fore the  news  comes  out?” 

“I  can’t,”  I says,  “and  get  what’s  cornin’ 
to  me  out’a  it.  What’s  this  I hear  about 
First  National  movin’  their  studio  out  in 
the  Valley?  Ain’t  there  a chance  of  that?” 

“That’s  out — they  ain’t  goin’  there,”  he 
says,  “they’re  goin’  to  Culver  City — I got  it 
direct,”  he  says,  “from  a feller  on  the 
inside.” 

“There  is  all  sorts  of  rumors,”  I says. 

“I’m  givin’  you  the  low  down  on  it,”  he 
says.  “Let  me  know  if  you  wanta  reduce 
your  price.” 

The  lots  don’t  seem  to  be  no  good  to  me, 
but  if  I sell  ’em  at  less  than  a thousand 
and  pay  Gloria  $750,  I don’t  get  my  $200, 
and  if  I hold  to  it  the  assessment  will  have 
to  be  paid  some  day,  and  nobody  won’t  buy 
it  after  they  hear  about  the  assessment.  So 
after  thinkin’  it  over  I fixes  up  a plan  to 
get  my  money. 

First  I gets  the  feller  in  the  office  next 
to  me  to  call  Gloria  on  the  phone  that 
evening  and  ask  her  if  she  has  any  prop- 
erty in  the  east  end  of  the  San  Fernando 
Valley  she  wants  to  sell.  He  tells  her  he 
heard  she  had  some  property  out  there. 
She  says  she  had,  but  it’s  gone.  Then  he 
says  he’s  sorry  as  confidentially  he  has  just 
heard  on  reliable  authority  that  First  Na- 


tional Studios  is  to  build  their  new  plant 
out  there  and  he  could  have  sold  her  lots 
at  a good  price  when  the  news  broke. 
Then  he  hangs  up  before  she  can  ask 
who  he  is. 

Next  day  I goes  down  to  the  Lasky  lot 
where  Gloria  is  workin’  and  loafs  around 
on  her  set  till  she  gets  through  cryin’  a 
close  up.  She  comes  over  to  me. 

“Benny,”  she  says,  “did  you  sell  those 
lots  of  mine?” 

“Not  yet,”  I says.  “No  hurry — maybe 
First  National  will  move  out  that  way.” 

“Not  a chance,”  she  says  right  quick.  “I 
hear  the3’re  goin’  to  stay  where  they  are. 
This  movin’  is  just  rumors,”  she  says. 

“Oh  well,  somethin’  else  may  turn  up. 
They  max'  strike  oil,”  I says.  “Was  you 
to  the  opening  of  ‘Land’s  Sakes’  at  Grau- 
man’s  last  night?” 

“Lissen,  grouch,”  she  says,  “I  might  help 
you  out  if  you’re  broke.  Gimme  back  that 
paper  I give  you  on  my  lots  and  I’ll  try  to 
rake  up  the  $200  I owe  you.  “I’m  thinkin’ 
of  startin’  a chicken  ranch  out  there.” 

“I  can’t  sell  that  story  to  the  news- 
papers,” I says.  “They  know  you  too  well. 
Anyhow,  chicken  ranches  is  passe.  Call  it 
a lion  farm  or  stimpin.” 

“Do  you  -want  the  two  hundred?”  she 
says. 

“iMake  it  three,”  I says.  I see  I’ve  got 
her  hooked. 

“Benn}-,  if  they  ever  puts  ‘The  Merchant 
of  Venice’  on  the  screen.  I’ll  use  my  in- 
fluences to  get  you  the  part  of  ‘Shylock’,” 
she  sa\'s.  “You’re  just  the  type.” 

“Them  birds  at  the  beach  ain’t  mer- 
chants,” I says,  “they’re  robbers.  I’m  only 
askin’  for  w'hat’s  due  me.” 

“I  don’t  mean  Venice,  Cal.,”  she  says,  “I 
mean  Venice,  Italy.” 

“Why  didn’t  you  say  so?”  I says.  “I 
ain’t  no  Italian.  Is  tlie  three  hundred  a 
go?” 

“All  right,  you  blood  sucker,”  she  says, 
“hand  over  the  paper.” 

I gets  her  check  and  goes  back  to  my 
office. 

The  phone  rings,  and  it’s  my  real  estate 
friend. 

“Congratulations,”  he  says. 

“What  for?”  I asks. 

“Ain’t  you  seen  the  afternoon  papers?” 
he  says.  “First  National  is  movin’  out  to 
Burbank  just  a few  blocks  from  your  lots. 
They  ought  to  he  w'orth  three,  four  times 
what  3’ou  was  holdin’  ’em  at  now.” 

** Chart  Your  Films  to 
Cut  Negative  Costs’* 

{Continued  from  page  8) 

face  as  he  removed  the  offensive  records, 
and  I am  not  at  all  sure  that  the  chap 
who  was  the  director  in  the  case  did  not 
come  to  him  in  a more  or  less  confiden- 
tial manner.  Maybe  he  admitted  that 
there  might  be  some  basis  of  understand- 
ing which  would  lessen  or  remove  the 
gap  which  until  now  had  stood  between 
the  overhead  and  the  undertaker  sides  of 
this  business. 

Now  we  are  face  to  face  with  a solu- 
tion and  end  to  all  this  lack  of  under- 
standing. Our  industry  is  now  on  the 
waj^  toward  readjustment.  We  will  very 
soon  have  sifted  the  chaff  and  grits  from 
the  grain — the  difficult  work  is  done — 
making  those  know  who  should  know, 
that  there  was  a little  pebble  now  and 
then  that  looked  very  much  like  grain 
until  vmu  tried  to  use  it  for  grain,  and  a 
whole  lot  of  chaff  that  didn’t  even  look 
like  grain. 

It  does  seem  that  the  impossible  has 
been  done  again,  after  v'ears  of  every- 
thing else  it  appears  that  we  have  found 
an  actual  executive  or  two  who  knows 
enough  about  business  to  understand 
that  money  has  a standard  value  and  will 
purchase  brain  power  as  well  as  tin  roofs 
and  with  equal  dependability. 


Faith  Is  Greatest 
Theme  for  Screen 
Says  Garrett  Fort 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Faith,  accord- 
ing to  Garrett  Fort,  fiction  and  screen 
author,  is  the  greatest  of  picture  themes. 

The  moving  force  of  Joan  of  Arc  is  the 
inspiring  note  of  faith  that  causes  the 
greatest  and  most  universal  reaction,  cine- 
matically  speaking,  says  Fort. 

“The  supreme  urge  in  the  human  is 
hope,”  declares  the  writer.  “This  is  the 
basis  of  aspiration,  ambition,  betterment  of 
the  race,  "rhe  Cinderella  theme  is  a popu- 
lar one  in  the  movies,  on  the  stage,  in 
books  because  it  is  the  quintessence  of  the 
faith  motif.” 

The  foregoing  is  the  foundation  of 
Garrett  Fort’s  story  of  ‘“The  Glory  Girl” 
which  he  is  writing  for  Paramount.  Fort 
has  just  signed  with  Paramount  after  two 
years  of  successes  on  the  Cecil  B.  DeMille 
program,  his  outstanding  works  for  which 
having  been  “White  Gold,”  “Gigolo,”  “The 
Yankee  Clipper”  and  “Her  Man-o-War.” 
“The  Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  Lewis 
Stone’s  recent  First  National  vehicle  was  a 
Fort  original. 


Four  Previews  Staged 
in  One  Week  by 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9. — Four  previews 
in  one  week  is  the  record  for  Universal 
last  week  according  to  Charles  S.  Logue, 
who  ought  to  know,  for  as  production 
supervisor  out  that  way  he  has  to  attend 
them.  The  pictures  completed  and  shown 
in  neighborhood  houses  were  “The  13th 
Juror”  directed  by  Ed  Laemmle ; “The 
Yukon  Trail”  by  Ernest  Laemmle;  “The 
Lone  Eagle,”  and  “A  Man’s  Past”  starring 
Conrad  Veidt. 

DeLacy  Assigned  to 
Special  F B O Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.  — Robert 
DeLacy,  who  is  now  directing  Tom  Tyler 
in  another  Western,  has  been  assigned  by 
F B O officials  to  direct  a special  produc- 
tion following  the  Tyler  picture.  DeLacy 
will  have  an  all-star  cast.  “Red  Riders  of 
Canada”  is  the  title  of  the  story,  which  is 
taken  from  Munsey’s  Magazine  and  as  its 
title  implies,  is  a storv"  of  the  Northwest 
mounted  police. 


Logue  Will  Supervise 

**Phyllis  of  Follies” 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Universal  has 
purchased  “Phyllis  of  the  Follies.”  It  will 
go  into  production  soon  under  the  super- 
vision of  Charles  S.  Logue.  Ernest 
Laemmle  has  been  chosen  as  the  director. 
John  B.  Clymer  assisted  b\-  Clarence 
Marks,  gag  man,  is  busy  on  the  continuity 
and  adaptation.  The  story  is  original  by 
Arthur  Gregor. 


Rosa  Rudami  Returns 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.— Rosa  Rudami, 
known  to  fans  as  “the  black  orchid  of  the 
screen,”  returned  last  week  from  a tour  of 
the  Eastern  stage  in  Italian  speaking  roles. 
She  is  back  in  the  film  city  to  stay,  and 
will  divide  her  time  equally  between  the 
, stage  and  screen. 


Sears  Covers  Paris  Convention 

BOSTON. — Richard  Sears,  head  cameraman  in 
New  England  for  Pathe  will  cover  the  American 
Legion  Convention  in  Paris  for  Pathe  News. 
Sears  served  in  Europe  throughout  the  world  war 
for  International. 


August  13,  1927 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

13 

Latest 

Direct 

Production 

THE  HEUAUyS^/ 

to 

News 

Exhibitors 

<^AM  WOOD’S  latest  vehicle  . . . 
O is  "The  Fair  Coed.”  It’s  a lo 
cylinder  pippin’  that  will  shozv  Marion 
Davies  in  the  star  role.  M-G-M 
bought  it  from  George  Ade. 


rHE  story  of  Hollyzvood’s  prepara- 
tion for  the  arrival  of  “Jaysee” 
Jenkins  in  Clara  Bow’s  pantomime. 
Take  it  for  granted  that  the  letter 
(bottom)  is  being  penned  to  him  by 
the  Paramount  star. 


rOEJEWELED  Jetta  is  the  fiery 
player  in  the  title  role  of  "The 
Forbidden  Woman”  which  Paul  Stein 
is  directing  for  Pathe-PDC.  It  is 
Stein’s  first  zvork  ziith  Goudal. 


CHARLES  LAMONT  sent  us  this  to  show  "an  economical 
way  to  spend  an  afternoon  in  Hollyzvood.”  He  and  his 
wife,  Estelle  Bradley,  right,  have  recently  returned  from  a 
vacation  and  he  is  resuming  his  zvork  at  the  studio  of  Educa- 
tional Films. 


RUCE  PRESTON,  left,  Alberta  Vaughn,  right,  and 
Adamae  Vaughn.  Bruce’s  two  daughters  were  photo- 
graphed discussing  the  outcome  of  the  Dempsey  fight.  (Bruce 
bet  on  Jack.)  Alberta  has  just  completed  one  of  the  big  roles 
in  First  National’s  "Drop  Kick.” 


14 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


HREE  IVolverines!  Arthur  Stone, 
vaude  artist,  headliner,  showman  and 
motion  picture  comedian,  lends  support 
to  Hoo  Michigan  collegiates,  Leland  Wil- 
cox, left,  Thomas  Denton,  center,  at 
First  National. 


George  marshall  bor- 
rows Ray  Murray’s  Studio 
section  to  read  Bob  Early’s 
monthly  column.  George  is  super- 
visor of  short  features  at  Fox 
Films. 

All  photos  by  Herald  Staff  Camera 


aJ^ATTY”  ROTH  ACKER’S  first 
''  month  as  production  manager  of 
First  National  ends  and  Ned  Martin, 
right,  prepares  to  return  to  New  York. 
Another  month  and  '“Watty”  will  prob- 
ably have  joined  the  ‘‘Hatless  Club.” 


JULES  WHITE  (between 
the  girl  and  the  dog)  is 
head  over  heels  under  way 
with  a series  of  comedies  on 
the  Educational  lot. 


... 

PRLE  KENTON,  director  of 
‘‘The  Girl  in  the  Pullman” 
for  DeMille,  and  his  produc- 
tion supervisor.  Kenton  is  han- 
dling many  B 0.  productions. 


JDESS  FLOWERS  returns  to 
■O  films  after  a long  illness. 
She  has  been  cast  in  a number 
of  comedy  pictures  by  the  Fox 
Film  Corporation. 


CAOME  stars  are  fond  of  lions,  tigers,  snakes  and 
whatnot.  Bobby  Vernon  says  turtles  are  sajer. 
The  young  lady  on  his  right  is  Myrtle  whom  we 
found  in  the  Christie  garden.  She’ll  probably  soon 
be  christened  Miss  Paramount. 


i\/rARIE  P REVO  STS  hap- 
IVL  piness  follows  news  that 
Dempsey  won.  It  meant  con- 
siderable to  Marie,  financially, 
.“^he  is  a DeMille  star. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


A L BOASBERG  made  a lovely  an- 
nouncement,  confidentially,  last  week 
when  he  told  of  his  approaching  marriage 
to  a young  college  graduate — which  has 
nothing  to  do  with  the  fact  that  he  is  gag 
man  for  M-G-M’s  “Fair  Coed.” 


Greta  NISSEN  is  a very  young  woman  on  the  Fox  lot  who  has  played 
many  vamp  roles  and  prays  to  be  a heroine.  In  the  first  place  she’s  too 
young  to  be  a vampire  and  in  the  second  she  has  zuaited  long  enough  for  a 
big  role.  In  the  above  still  from  “Bride  of  the  Night”  with  her  is  Charles 
Farrell  who  came  into  fame  with  his  role  in  “Seventh  Heaven,”  zvhich  is 
having  a long  run  at  the  Carthay  Circle. 


All  photos  by  Herald  Staff  Camera 


ID  GUNNING  began  work  on 
a new  picture  this  week.  The 
photo  was  taken  a few  days  ago 
when  he.  spent  an  hour  visiting  Mrs. 
Jack  London  on  the  First  National 
lot. 


George  Sidney. _ poses  for  an 

action  shot  and  tried  to  smile  but 
the  camera  didn’t  zrnit.  What  a life? 
Ifs  "The  Life  of  Riley”  set  on  the 
First  National  lot.  (The  fact  is  we 
tried  to  photograph  him  sneezing.) 


ARGARET  LIVINGSTON 
completed  an  important  role  in 
“The  American  Beauty”  a few  days 
ago  at  the  First  National  lot.  It’s 
one  of  her  few  appearances  with  a 
blonde  wig. 


16 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


rO  make  this  brew  for  Fred  Thomson  requires  lemon. 

sugar,  water  and  ice — lots  of  ice  on  dayis  like  he  spent 
shooting  early  scenes  for  “Jesse  James,”  Paramount  picture. 
Al  IVerker,  production  manager,  right,  is  a rigorous 
dietitian. 


Girls  and  boys  from  the  North,  East  and  South  have 
recently  been  welcomed  to  Hollywood.  The  latest  immi- 
gration was  Mary  Pickford’s  13  girls,  shoimi  above  at  a tea 
at  the  Studio,  Club.  The  United  Artists  star  is  at  the  center 
of  the  group. 


A LBERTA  VAUGHN  comes  to  the  front  as  a featured 
Al  player  in  feature  length  pictures  zoith  her  work  in  “The, 
Drdp  Kick,”  First  National  film  zvhich  will  soon  be  com- 
pleted. Miss  Vaughn  built  up  a great  following  in  two  reel 
comedy  dramas. 


TDESS  MEREDYTH  has  distinguished  herself  extra- 
LJ  ordinarily  in  the  few  months  that  she  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  First  National  as  a scenarist.  She  began  her 
contract  in  the  spring  zvith  the  script  for  “Rose  of  Mon- 
terey” and  at  present  is  zvorking  on  two  new  stories. 


ii^ILDERT,  Garbo  and 
^ Colliding,  and  the  greatest 
of  these  is — “Love”  is  the 
title  of  the  film  Edmund  Gould- 
ing,  above,  has  just  completed 
for  M-G-M  zoith  Garbo-Gilbert. 


rAILORED  to  travel  and  a team  that  is  “travel- 
ing.” Marie  Prevost  and  Harrison  Eord  can 
be  expected  to  pull  in  the  Pullman  story,  “The 
Girl  in  the  Pullman,”  which  Kenton  directed  for 
DeMille-Pathe.  It’s  Marie’s  first  film  since  her 
return  from  the  East. 


fl^ttnAliL  L UKl  /Z  says  the 
IVL  reason  “The  Outpost”  is 
good  is  at  his  left  and  Irene 
Rich  says  the  reason  is  at  her 
right.  In  one  zvay  each  is 
“right.”  It’s  a ll'arner  film. 


All  Photos  by 
Herald  Staff 
Camera 


ILL  NIGH  and  Harry  Carey,  who  have  been  working 
on  the  screen  version  of  “Rose  Marie”  for  M-G-M. 
The  Hollywood  press  and  other  critics  are  expecting  it  to  be 
Will  Nigh’s  “Big  Parade,”  after  having  watched  him  work 
on  the  sets.  Renee  Adoree  is  in  the  title  role. 


George  hill,  director  of  the  Coogan  film,  “Buttons,” 
for  M-G-M,  has  completed  the  film  considerably  under 
schedule  {three  weeks).  But  it’s  becoming  a habit  for  George. 
He  did  “Callahans  and  Murphys”  under  schedule  and,  it’s 
cleaning  up.  Right  is  Clarence  Locan,  Hill’s  business  chief. 


18 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


ACQUELINE  LOGAN’S  next  role  will  be  a designing 
charmer  in  “The  Wise  Wife”  which  is  early  on  the 
De  Mille-Pathe  schedule.  With  her  in  the  above  photo  is 
Ralph  J.  Gillespie,  whom  she  married  a year  ago.  Miss 
Logan  is  receiving  thousands  of  fan  letters  commenting  on 
her  work  in  “King  of  Kings.” 


ILLY  BUTTS’  most  recent  feature  work  on  release  is  in 
“Women  Love  Diamonds,”  (being  one  of  the  jewels) 
distributed  by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  He  is  the  busiest 
child  in  Hollywood,  the  highest  paid  for  his  age,  and  the 
most  popular  with  motion  picture  theatre  patrons  according  to 
exhibitor  vote  in  Exhibitors  Herald. 


a few  days.  She  is  making  pictures  of 
scenery  and  historic  locations  for  Fox 
Varieties. 


Edward  small  has  a lot  of  sur- 
prises in  his  mind  that  will  soon  be 
in  “The  Gorilla.”  Only  one  actor  will 
know  the  ending  of  the  F.  N.  mystery 
film  he  is  producing. 


jjtRED  KELSEY  has  been  engaged 
Jg  to  do  the  role  of  Detective  Mulligan 
in  “The  Gorilla.”  Shooting  will  begin 
next  week  at  First  National  by  Edward 
Small. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


POJVDER  puffs  for  piigilists!  Leila  Hyams  applies  it, 
Monte  Blue  supervises.  Old  Jim  Jeffries,  ex-heavyweight 
champion  of  the  zvorld,  likes  it  like  a cat  likes  a bath.  But 
he’s  playing  in  a Warner  picture  ("One  Round  JJogan”) 
and  it’s  part  of  the  fob. 


Many  H.ollyzvood  people  are  kept  out  of  fail  by  Bill 
Ellenbeck,  they  say.  Bill’s  Raybestos  brakes  break 
their  speed  and  prevent  their  breaking  traffic  rules.  Above 
is  the  fob  done  for  William  Collier,  Jr.,  who  is  working  in 
“Out post IVarner  Brothers’  film. 


A PRODUCTION  editor  should  have 
cultured  taste,  therefore  cultural  lit- 
erature. Malcolm  Stuart  Boylan,  of 
Fox  Films,  selects  the  Geographic  for 
his  “off-trade”  reading. 


ryUCK  JONES  and  Dione  Ellis  in  the 
sagebrush  costume  of  “Chain  Light- 
ning.” Buck’s  ivork  in  it  is  thoroughly 
Western  (no  white  gloves).  It’s  a Fox 
film. 


TDOBERT  DE  LACY,  left,  director  of 
J-  i “The  Gambler’s  Game,”  and  Tom 
Tyler,  star  of  the  F B O film.  They 
have  recently  completed  “The  Flying  U 
Ranch.” 


Gertrude  short  is  “on  her 
toes”  these  days,  what  with 
two  roles  at  one  time.  She  is 
veorking  on  the  M-G-M  lot.  Her 
latest  release  is  “Tillie  the  Toiler.” 


ERVYN  LE  ROY  has  trouble 
vjhen  he  enters  the  First 
National  gate  to  begin  his  first 
directorial  fob,  “No  Place  to  Go.” 
James  F.  O’Brien,  gateman,  right. 


20 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


“The 

Rejuvenation 

of 

Aunt  Mary” 


“The 

Rush  Hour” 


“The  Girl 
in  the 
Pullman” 


HARRISON 

FORD 

IN 

DeMILLE 

PICTURES 


SCOTT  R.  DUNLAP 

Now  Directing 
a Series  of 
Features 
for 

Phillips  Company,  Ltd. 
Australia 


BILLY  BUTTS 

Played  Juvenile  Roles  in 

“The  Last  Outlaw” 

Paramount 

“The  Country  Beyond  Law” 

First  National 
Phone  GR  6675 


91  Films  in  Production; 
F.  N,  in  Lead  With  18 

{Continued  from  page  5) 

Dane  are  in  the  leading  roles.  Ollie  T. 
Marsh  headed  the  camera  staff. 

Will  Nigh  has  nearly  brought  shooting 
to  a close  on  “Rose  Marie,”  which  features 
Harry  Carey,  Renee  Adoree  and  Lloyd 
Hamilton.  John  Arnold  is  the  cameraman. 

Monta  Bell  is  engaged  in  directing 
“Fires  of  Youth,”  with  John  Gilbert.  Tim 
McCoy  is  in  Montana  on  location  where  he 
is  making  scenes  under  Director  Van 
Dyke’s  direction  for  “Wyoming.”  William 
Haines  is  among  those  on  location,  and 
will  be  at  West  Point  several  days  with 
Director  Edward  Sedgwick  preparing  for 
his  next  film  which  as  yet  is  untitled. 

Wood  Directing  George  Ade  Story 

Director  Sam  Wood  is  well  under  way 
with  “The  Gay  Co-ed,”  starring  Marion 
Davies.  It  is  an  adaptation  from  George 
Ade’s  well  known  story.  Johnny  Mack 
Brown,  Alabama  football  star,  and  all- 
American  player,  is  a football  hero  in  the 
picture.  John  Seitz  is  handling  the 
cameras. 

Edmund  Goulding  is  engaged  in  cutting 
“Love,”  the  film  made  from  “Anna  Kare- 
nina,” to  star  Greta  Garbo  and  John  Gil- 
bert. 

John  S.  McCarthy  is  putting  the  finish- 
ing touches  on  “The  Lovelorn,”  in  which 
Sally  O’Neill  and  Molly  O’Day,  sisters,  are 
appearing  as  such  on  the  screen.  Henry 
Sharp  is  engaged  at  the  cameras.  It  is  a 
story  of  metropolitan  life  based  on  the 
works  of  Beatrice  Fairfax. 

It  will  be  but  a short  time  before  Greta 
Garbo  will  begin  in  a new  starring  vehicle, 
“The  Divine  Woman,”  based  on  Gladys 
Unger’s  famous  play,  “Starlight,”  which 
Victor  Seastrom  will  direct. 

Many  of  the  M-G-M  units  have  gone  on 
location.  Marion  Davies  and  her  technical 
staff  are  in  Pomona  to  get  college  scenes 
for  “The  Fair  Co-ed.”  John  Gilbert  is  in 
the  East  with  Monta  Bell  where  they  are 
getting  Washington,  D.  C.,  shots.  Lew 
Cody  and  Aileen  Pringle  have  recently  re- 
turned from  Catalina  Island  where  they 
made  scenes  for  “Mixed  Marriages.”  Bert 
Roach  and  Mary  McAllister  accompanied 
the  cast. 

Director  John  M.  Stahl  is  planning  to 
take  the  racing  sequences  of  “In  Old  Ken- 
tucky” at  the  Latonia  track  where  many 
famous  racing  stables  will  appear  in  the 
production. 

Filming  of  “White  Shadows”  will  neces- 
sitate the  trip  to  the  South  Seas.  Robert 
Flaherty  will  direct  the  picture. 

17  Under  Way  at  Universal 

Seventeen  subjects  are  in  the  course  of 
manufacture  at  Universal  City.  “The  Fly- 
ing Nut,”  a Jewel  production  starring 
{Continued  on  page  25) 


ROSS  FISHER,  a.s.g. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 

“Two  Gun  Man” — Fred  Thomson 
“Don  Mike”  — Fred  Thomson 

Current  Release 

“The  Sunset  Derby” 

— First  National 

“The  Devil’s  Saddle” 

— Ken  Maynard 


August  13,  1927 


21 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


‘7rs 


‘Seventh  Heaven  ” 


“IT’S 

‘Battle  of  the  Sexes’  ” 


“IT’S 

‘HE,  Who  Gets  Slapped’  ” 


FRANK  LLOYD,  who  is  directing 
for  United  Artists. 


WILLIAM  SEITER,  UNIVER- 
SAL DIRECTOR,  SAYS: 

SEVENTH  HEAVEN”  is  one  of 
the  finest  motion  pictures  ever 

made. 

In  my  opinion,  it  comes  very  near 
to  being  the  ideal  picture.  Of  all  the 
pictures  I have  seen  in  the  many  years 
I have  been  directing,  “Seventh  Heav- 
en” is  the  one  I wmuld  like  most  to 
have  directed.  That  is,  I would  be  the 
proudest  man  in  the  world  to  be  able 
to  say  that  I directed  it,  providing  I 
had  turned  out  as  marvelous  a picture 
as  did  Erank  Borzage.  To  this  bril- 
liant artist,  who  first  revealed  his  abil- 


ity when  he  directed  “Humoresque” 
several  years  ago,  goes  the  major  por- 
tion of  the  laurels  for  “Seventh 
Heaven.” 

I would  like  to  have  directed  this 
story  also  because  it  brought  out  two 
new  such  vivid  screen  personalities  as 
Janet  Gaynor  and  Charles  Farrell. 
These  two  youngsters  gave  perform- 
ances that  equal  any  ever  contributed 
to  the  screen.  Miss  Gaynor’s  por- 
trayal of  the  role  of  Diane  revealed 
deep  dramatic  power,  withal  its  sim- 
plicity. Likewise,  young  Farrell  gave 
an  inspired  performance  of  that  “re- 
markable fellow”  Chico.  All  in  all, 
the  secret  of  the  greatness  of  “Seventh 

Heaven”  may  be  found  in 
its  very  simplicity  and 
humanness.  Despite  the 
Parisian  atmosphere  of  the 
story,  Borzage  succeeded  in 
telling  a story  on  the  screen 
so  simply,  yet  so  power- 
fully, that  it  possesses  uni- 
versal appeal. 

If  I had  directed  such  a 
picture  as  “Seventh  Heav- 
en,” I would  honestly  feel 
that  I was  a “remarkable 
fellow.” 


He  was  a marvelous,  tragic  figure 
commanding  your  admiration,  atten- 
tion, thought  and  awe.  From  the  time 
of  his  appearance  in  his  clown’s  re- 
galia the  man  played  the  role  to 
intrigue  you  and  inspire  you. 

But,  mind  you,  I say  I would  pre- 
fer to  have  directed,  not  acted  it.  The 
direction  of  a picture  naturally  ap- 
peals to  me  and  therefore  I place  it 
in  an  important  spot  with  regard  to 
responsibilities  that  lead  to  a film’s 
success. 

And,  you  know,  I can’t  answer  that 
second  question  although  I hope  to 
some  day.  “No  Place  to  Go,”  which 

(Continued  on  page  23) 


MERVYN  LE  ROY, 

F.  N.  DIRECTOR, 
SAYS: 

The  picture  that  I’d 
prefer  to  have  directed 
is  one  that  Victor  Seastrom 
made  for  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer,  “HE  Who  Gets 
Slapped.” 

There’s  no  question  as  to 
its  greatness  in  story,  com- 

WILLIAM  A.  SEITER,  director  of  edy  and  theme. 

Universal  productions.  Chaney  in  the  role  of 


MERVYN  LE  ROY,  riewly  assigned 
First  National  director. 


22  STUDIOSECTION.OF  August  13,  1927 


Below  is  i 

h€ 

? copy  exhibitors  are 

P 

lacing  in 

home  town  papers 

^ Special  Assignments  Will 
Be  Covered  for  Exhibitors 
Upon  Request  to  Editor 
“The  Studio,”  Exhibitors 
Herald,  Chicago,  111. 

Publication  Rights  Granted  Exhibitors 

^ A Double  News  Service  In- 
forming the  Showman  Upon 
Studio  Events  and  Enabling 
Him  to  Inform  His  Reader 
Patrons  in  Turn. 

Hollywood,  Aug.  9. — Colleen  Aloore 
will  start  on  her  next  starring  vehicle 
for  First  National  the  latter  part  of  this 
month.  It  will  be  called,  “I’ll  Tell  the 
World,”  and  is  a tale  of  an  inexperienced 
country  girl  who  inherits  a fortune  and 
makes  a grand  splurge  to  become  famous. 
John  McCormick  will  produce  the  picture. 

:}c  i}J 

“Grandmother  Bernle  Learns  Her  Let- 
ters,” John  Ford’s  big  Fox  production,  is 
rapidly  nearing  completion.  Ford  made  a 
trip  to  Europe  to 
study  the  original 
locations  of  the 
story.  The  cast 
includes  Earle 
F o X e , Margaret 
Mann,  Albert 
Gran,  James  Hall 
and  others.  Arch- 
duke Leopold  of 
Austria  is  also  in 
the  cast. 

Incidentally,  Fox 
studios  has  a new 
comedy  director — 

Robert  Ray — who 
has  just  completed 
his  initial  produc- 
tion under  the  supervision  of  George  E. 
Marshall.  Marshall  has  also  added  Nat 
Goldstone  to  his  list  of  gag  men. 

^ ^ ^ 

Meehan  Starts  New  Film 

Leo  Meehan  is  one  of  the  busiest  direc- 
tors in  Hollywood  at  present.  During  the 
cutting  of  “The  Harvester,”  made  from 
Gene  Stratton-Porter’s  famous  novel,  he  is 
filming  the  early  scenes  of  “Little  Mickey 
Grogan,”  starring  Frankie  Darro. 

>!<  * 

Jack  Mulhall,  featured  lead  in  “The 
Crystal  Cup,”  First  National  production, 
managed  to  sneak  in  a few  days  vacation 
while  the  com- 
pany was  filming 
scenes  at  Monte- 
cito.  Cal.,  exclu- 
sive residential 
district  of  Santa 
Barbara.  Mulhall 
spent  two  days 
swimming  and 
playing  tennis, 
while  his  fellow 
thespians  were 
working  on  scenes 
in  which  he  was 
not  required. 

^ 4:  Jack  Mulhall 

Lloyd  Hamilton,  Educational  comedian, 
has  the  role  of  “Ethelbert,”  the  funny 
valet,  in  “Rose  Marie,”  which  William 
Nigh  is  directing  for  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer.  This  is  the  first  time  Hamilton 
has  played  a character  comedy  role  in 
years. 


Lloyd  Owns  Railroad 

Harold  Lloyd  is  the  proprietor  of  the 
only  privately  owned  regulation-guaged 
street  railway  in  the  United  States.  He 
built  a horse  car  line  for  a New  York 
street  scene,  with  the  cooperation  of  the 
Los  Angeles  Railway  Company,  on  his  set 
at  Westwood  Hills  and  it  has  been  in  daily 
use  for  several  weeks.  Ted  Wilde  is  di- 
recting the  Paramount  production. 

* * * 

The  title  of  the  Warner  Brothers  pro- 
duction, “The  Outpost,”  directed  by 
Michael  Curtiz,  has  been  changed  to  “The 
Desired  Woman.” 

=1:  * * 

And  speaking  of  title  change.  First  Na- 
tional has  decided  to  call  “The  Rose  of 
Monterey,”  “The  Rose  of  the  Golden 
West,”  on  the  theory  probably  that  none 
knows  where  Monterey  is. 

Hs  =1=  * 

Stone  Completes  War  Role 

Having  completed  his  role  in  “Hard- 
Boiled  Haggerty”  opposite  Milton  Sills, 
Arthur  Stone  is  enjoying  a few  days’  re- 
spite from  the  First  National  studios. 
Stone  wore  the  same  uniform — an  A.  E.  F. 
soldier  outfit — in  two  pictures,  “The  Patent 
Leather  Kid”  and  “Hard-Boiled  Haggerty.” 

4^ 

Charlie  Lament,  Educational  director, 
has  been  cruising  up  and  down  the  Pacific 
Coast  with  a company  of  25  players  headed 
by  Clem  Beaucamp  and  Estelle  Bradley. 
The  company  worked  on  the  Emma  Alex- 
ander at  San  Diego  and  thence  at  San 
Francisco.  Jack  White  supervised  the  pro- 
duction. 

4:  4:  4; 

Paul  L.  Stein  is  directing  Jetta  Goudal  in 
an  all-European  cast  in  “The  Forbidden 
Woman”  at  the  De  Mille  studios. 

* 4i  * 

Beaudine  Hustles 

William  Beaudine  is  one  of  the  busiest 
free-lance  directors  in  Hollywood.  After 
finishing  “The  Life  of  Riley,”  featuring 
George  Sidney  and  Charlie  Murray,  at 
First  National  studios,  he  returned  to  Uni- 
versal to  direct  the  stage  play,  “Give  and 
Take,”  featuring  Jean  Hersholt  and  George 
Sidney.  He  recently  made  “The  Irresisti- 
ble Lover”  for  Universal. 

* ^ * 

Marie  Prevost,  former  Sennett  bathing 
beauty,  had  to  don  her  bathing  suit  again 
for  a picture  at  the  Ambassador  hotel 
swimming  pool  last  week.  A sequence  in 
“The  Girl  in  the  Pullman”  called  for 
swimming  scenes  and  Marie  used  the  pool 
in  her  “own  back  yard,”  as  she  is  living 
at  the  Ambassador. 

4:  4:  4: 

Boylan  Dedicates 

Little  Janet  Gaynor,  Fox’s  popular  star, 
was  hostess  to  a group  of  newspaper  folk 


at  ceremonies  which  marked  the  dedica- 
tion of  an  “interview  Garden”  at  Fox; 
studios.  Winfield  R.  Sheehan,  vicepresi- 
dent and  general  manager  of  Fox  Films,, 
calls  the  spot  “The  Garden  of  Truth.” 
Mike  Boylan  acted  as  master  of  cere- 
monies. 

4?  4s  4< 

Cameras  started  grinding  last  week  on 
“The  Flying  Nut”  in  which  Glenn  Tryoni 
and  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  are  featured.  Wil- 
liam James  Craft  is  directing  the  Universal 
opus. 

4:  4c  4f 

Ralph  Ince,  F B O director,  took  his 
company  to  Coney  Island  recently  to  get 
authentic  scenes  for  his  next  picture, 
“Coney  Island.”  Joseph  Jefferson  O’Neill 
wrote  the  story. 

* * * 

Fred  Thomson  has  an  expert  on  civil 
war  haircuts  working  for  him  while  mak- 
ing “Jesse  James,”  his  Paramount  special. 

Thomson  has  a 
complete  disguise 
in  one  scene 
where  he  appears 
as  an  aged  musi- 
cian, the  beard 
and  hair  being 
made  of  combed 
sheep’s  wool.  Fred 
T.  Walker  is  the 
whisker  expert. 

* * 

Mervyn  LeRoy, 
First  National’s 
youngest  and  new- 
est director,  picked 
14  black  bottom 
dancers,  out  of 
about  200  negroes  the  other  day  at  the 
studio.  LeRoy,  who  is  some  hoofer  him- 
self, judged  the  contest  and  will  use  the 
strutters  in  a scene  for  “No  Place  to  Go,” 
which  he  is  now  directing. 

=!-■  * N: 

Bums  Returns 

Edmund  Burns,  who  has  been  featured 
in  a series  of  pictures  made  in  Australia 
and  the  Fiji  Islands,  by  Australasian  Film 
Company,  Ltd.,  will  leave  Sidney  this  week 
to  return  to  the  United  States.  He  will 
visit  Japan  and  the  Hawaiian  Islands  en 
route. 

* * * 

Ernest  Palmer,  who  acted  as  Frank  Bor- 
zage’s  cameraman  on  “7th  Heaven,”  is 
chief  cameraman  for  David  Butler,  direct- 
ing a high  school  story  at  the  Fox  studios. 
Park  Frame  is  assistant  director. 

* :):  * 

Jacqueline  Logan  is  in  the  midst  of  her 
studios.  Phyllis  Haver  is  playing  the 
“wife.” 

* * !): 

Frederica  Sagor  has  just  completed  “Red 
Hair,”  a Clara  Bow  vehicle  for  PFL. 
role  in  “The  Wise  Wife”  at  the  De  Mille 


John  Ford 


August  1‘3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


a. 


l 


i 


it'  i 


Confessions 

{Continued  from  page  21) 

T started  last  week  is  the  first  one 
I’ve  ever  directed. 

PRANK  LLOYD,  U.  A. 
DIRECTOR,  SAYS: 

SAYING  just  what  one  picture  I 
have  liked  the  best  is  not  an  easy 
matter.  However,  I have  always 
ibeen  a great  admirer  of  D.  W.  Grif- 
fith’s work.  I think  that  “Battle  of 
the  Sexes’’  which  he  made  at  least 
ten  years  ago  is  one  of  the  finest  pic- 
tures I have  ever  seen. 

The  elements  of  good  entertain- 
ment, good  drama  and  a fine  sense  of 
continuity  were  all  in  the  picture. 
Most  people  have  forgotten  it  entirely. 
And  even  I could  not  tell  you  the  story 
of  the  picture  but  there  are  many 
scenes  from  it  which  have  left 
an  indelible  impression  on  my 
mind.  I feel  certain  that  if  this  pic- 
ture were  brought  out  of  the  vault 
and  run  opposite  some  up-to-the-min- 
nte  picture  the  comparison  would  be 
astounding. 

I enjoyed  Mr.  Griffith’s  “Intoler- 
ance” tremendously  and  think  that  it 
was  at  least  ten  years  ahead  of  its 
time.  It  revealed  four  distinct  stories 
at  one  time  with  perfect  continuity, 
supenb  artistry  and  rare  photographic 
quality. 

The  man  who  makes  a truly  differ- 
ent photoplay  today  has  a big  job  on 
his  hands  and  whether  it  is  admitted 
or  not  many  of  the  supposed  “new” 
tricks  in  production  were  introduced 
years  ago,  but  unappreciated  then, 
because  people  looked  upon  pictures 
more  as  a novelty  than  an  art  and 
didn’t  grasp  the  real  thought  and  real 
artistic  and  scientific  values  put  into 
films. 

I base  my  opinion  regarding  the 
best  pictures  on  those  which  have  been 
simplest  in  theme.  One  story  pro- 
vides spectacle  and  another  heart  in- 
terest. To  me  a picture  that  has  feel- 
ing and  tender  romance  is  greatest  and 
its  length  means  nothing.  Some  day 
the  public  may  judge  pictures  by  their 
sincerity  rather  than  by  the  dollars 
spent  in  making  them. 


(1^  Day  and  Night 

HE  5606 

T ALPHA 
/-4iiiip  FLORAL 
SHOP 

“The  Garden  of  Eden” 
Corinne  Griffith 

United  Artists 
5566  Hollywood  Blvd. 

Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


now  directing 

NO  PLACE  TO  GO” 


with  Mary  Astor  and  Lloyd  Hughes 
for  First  National 


A1  Boasberg 

Now  with  Sam  Wood,  on  the  Cosmopolitan-Metro-Gold wyn- 
Mayer  Production  “THE  FAIR  CO-ED”  starring  Marion  Davies 

Comedy  construction  by  AI  Boasberg. 

Available  Sept*  10 

UNDER  EXCLUSIVE  MANAGEMENT  OF  EDWARD  SMALL  CO. 


MERVYN  LEROY 


n 


24 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


Victor 

Schertzinger 


Director 


“The  Secret  Studio” 


with  Olive  Borden 


Fox  Release 


GEORGE 

MELFORD 

DIRECTOR 

Just  Finished 

‘‘A  MAN’S  PAST” 

Universal  Production 
Starring  CONRAD  VEIDT 


“ARCHIE” 

is  on  the 
way 

FRANKLIN  PANGBORN 

in 

DeMille  Pictures 


In  Conference 

(Continued  from  page  6) 

John  Stahl  was  put  on  the  retake  job.  Stahl 
finally  tired  of  it,  or  had  to  go  on  some- 
thing else,  and  Paul  Bern,  in  charge  of 
writers  at  M-G-M,  succeeded  him.  Bern, 
in  turn,  gave  way  to  Fred  Nible,  who  tried 
his  hand  at  making  a peasant  girl  of  Norma. 
The  reason  for  the  retakes  was  that  Miss 
Shearer,  who  plays  the  lead  opposite  Ramon 
Navarro,  “looked  very  badly  in  all  her 
closeups.”  Apparently,  however,  the  sup- 
posedly bad  photography  escaped  notice 
until  after  the  entire  picture  had  been  shot. 
Or  perhaps  the  executives  had  been  looking 
at  it  so  much  they  got  tired  of  it. 

P.  S. — Director  Liibitsch  has  returned 
from  Germany  and  unll  take  charge  of  the 
retakes  at  once. 


When  Re-Takes  Failed 

Something  over  a year  ago  Metro- 
Goldywn-Mayer  made  a picture  of  the 
novel,  “Bellamy  the  Magnificent,”  starring 
Mr.  Navarro.  Hobart  Henley  directed  it 
and  when  completed  it  was  titled  “A  Cer- 
tain Young  Man.”  Somehow  or  other  it 
missed  fire  and  months  were  spent  in  try- 
ing to  salvage  it,  with  retakes  and  rewrit- 
ten sequences.  But  it  seemed  that  young 
Mr.  Navarro  just  wouldn’t  fit  into  an 
Adolphe  Menjou  role.  So  after  spending 
close  to  $200,000  on  the  picture,  it  was  de- 
cided to  scrap  it  and  sell  the  story  to 
Famous  Players  for  10  per  cent  of  the  cost 
— or  $20,000.  Heigh  lo  ; lackaday! 


EFICIENCY  NOTE 

One  of  the  most  important  producers  in 
Hollywood  enjoys  a reputation  for  never 
launching  a production  without  taking 
every  precaution  to  insure  expeditious  com- 
pletion. It  is  said  that  he  does  not  make 
a move,  either  in  his  film  or  personal  busi- 
ness, without  first  consulting  a clairvoyant, 
whose  advice  he  takes  on  everything. 


“The  Drop  Kick”  Is  Blocked 

T HE  current  Barthelmess  production 
at  First  National  is,  as  the  golfers  say, 
“in  trouble.”  Originally,  a very  enter- 
taining novel  serially  published  in  College 
Humor  as  “Glitter,”  by  Katharine  Brush, 
the  story  has  undergone  various  changes 
of  nomenclature,  as  Ivan  Abramson 
would  say.  The  most  recent  titled  is 
“The  Drop  Kick,”  and  after  about  three 
weeks’  work,  it  has  been  dropped,  direc- 
tors switched  and  an  effort  made  to  re- 
vamp the  story.  The  screen  version  of 
“Glitter”  was  done  by  Adela  Rogers  St. 
Johns,  a well  known  fiction  writer,  and 
Millard  Webb  was  the  director  selected. 
Now,  it  is  understood,  John  Francis  Dil- 
lon is  wielding  the  megaphone.  Just 
what  was  discovered  in  the  projection 
room  remains  a mystery. 


BILL  KNOWS  HIS  RUSHES 

W HEN  he  came  out  to  join  the  Lasky 
writing  staff  Wilson  Mizner,  Broadway- 
ite,  bon  vivant,  man-about-town  and  wit 
whose  wisecracks  date  back  to  the  Klon- 
dike rush,  was  asked  if  he  knew  any- 
thing at  all  about  pictures.  Bill  assured 
the  interlocutor  that  he  did  most  cer- 
tainly. He  was  asked  if  he  knew  what 
“rushes”  were  and  Bill  came  back  imme- 
diately: “Sure  I do — what  they  found 
Moses  in.”  So  Bill  was  given  a regular 
job  and  lived  happily  ever  after — for  two 
weeks. 

(Continued  on  pagre  26) 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


91  Films  in  Production; 
F.N.  in  Lead  with  18 

{Continued  from  page  20) 

Glenn  Tryon  under  the  direction  of  Wil- 
liam James  Craft,  started  during  the  week 
as  did  “Back  to  Nature,”  “A  Run  for  His 
Money”  and  “Payroll  Roundup.” 

Three  Jewels,  all  scheduled  for  fall  re- 
lease, are  nearing  completion.  They  are 
“Arm  of  the  Law,”  an  Emory  Johnson 
production  featuring  Neil  Hamilton  and 
Ralph  Lewis ; “The  Fourflusher,”  featur- 
ing George  Lewis,  Marian  Nixon,  and 
Eddie  Phillips  under  the  direction  of  Wes- 
ley Ruggles  and  a Hoot  Gibson  vehicle, 
“Galloping  Fury,”  which  Reaves  Eason  is 
directing. 

“A  Man’s  Past,”  Conrad  Veidt’s  first 
American  made  starring  picture,  was  com- 
pleted last  week  under  the  direction  of 
George  Melford  and  cameras  also  ceased 
grinding  on  two  short  features,  “The  Red 
Death”  and  “Dangerous  Trail.” 

Production  plans  are  rapidly  nearing 
completion  on  Victor  Hugo’s  “The  Man 
W’ho  Laughs,”  to  be  a super  production 
starring  Veidt  and  Mary  Philbin.  It  will 
be  handled  by  Paul  Leni  under  the  super- 
vision of  Dr.  Bela  Sekely. 

“l^ncle  Tom’s  Cabin,”  is  in  the  cutting 
room. 

In  the  course  of  shooting  are:  “The  Lion 
and  the  Lamb,”  “Racing  Wizard,”  “Hot 
Stuff,”  “The  Death  Card,”  “Haunted  Is- 
land,” “Pins  and  Needles,”  “The  Iron 
Code,”  and  “Convict  Stripes.” 

William  Seiter  is  preparing  to  shoot 
“Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,”  which  will 
star  his  wife,  Laura  La  Plante. 

Five  in  Work  at  Warners’ 

Warner  Brothers  have  five  productions 
in  work  and  several  are  approaching  the 
camera  stage. 

“The  Jazz  Singer”  and  “Ham  and  Eggs 
at  the  Front”  are  the  two  extended  run 
attractions  almost  completed.  A1  Jolson 
has  the  title  role  in  the  former  and  May 
McAvoy  has  the  important  leading  role 
under  Alan  Crosland’s  direction.  In  the 
“Ham  and  Eggs”  film  Louise  Fazenda, 
Myrna  Loy,  Tom  Wilson  and  Heinie 
Conklin  appear  under  Roy  Del  Ruth’s  di- 
rection. It  is  an  all-blackface  comedy. 

George  Jessel’s  starring  vehicle,  “Gins- 
berg the  Great,”  will  be  completed  this 
W’eek.  Audrey  Ferris  and  Gertrude  Astor 
have  the  feminine  leads.  Byron  Haskins 
is  directing.  The  cameraman  is  Conrad 
Wells. 

An  exploitation  possibility  in  “One 
Round  Hogan”  is  the  fact  that  Jim  Jeffries 
has  an  important  role  with  Monte  Blue. 
It  is  in  the  final  stages.  Leila  Hyams  is 
the  feminine  lead.  Howard  Bretherton  is 
handling  the  megaphone.  Norbert  Brodin 
is  the  cameraman. 

Louise  Fazenda  and  Clyde  Cook  are 
in  the  leading  roles  of  “A  Sailor’s  Sweet- 


HOTEL 
ROOSEVELT 

Jones  at  Eddy 

San  Francisco’s 
New  Half  Million 
Dollar  Hotel 

Headquarters  for 
Exhibitors  and 
Exchange  Mon 

One  Block  from  Film  Row 
Bhrety  Room  with  Bath  or  Shower 

Rates  from  $2.00  to  $3.50 
Manacement  of 

RENE  A.  VAYSSIE 

"Special  Rates  to  Location  Managers" 


heart,”  which  Lloyd  Bacon  is  directing.  It 
is  said  to  be  their  best  story  to  date  and 
from  the  observer’s  standpoint  it  is  filled 
with  good  gags  and  humor. 

Michael  Curtiz’  “The  Outpost”  has  been 
previewed  and  has  proved  a highly  dra- 
matic piece  of  work.  That  is  the  tempo- 
rary title.  It  stars  Irene  Rich  and  William 
Collier,  Jr. 

In  the  next  few  days  “The  College 
Widow,”  starring  Dolores  Costello  under 
Archie  Mayo’s  direction,  “Sailor  Izzy 
Murphy,”  starring  George  Jessel  under 
Henry  Lehrman’s  direction,  “The  Silver 
“Slave”  (the  temporary  title)  starring  Irene 
Rich  under  John  G.  Adolphi’s  direction, 
and  “Good  Time  Charley,”  featuring  War- 
ner Oland  under  Michael  Curtiz’  direction 
will  be  started. 

Semon  Making  Educational  Series 

Larry  Semon  is  directing  himself  in 
“The  Stunt  Man,”  the  second  of  the  eight 
two-reel  comedies  starring  him  at  the 
Chadwick  studios.  They  will  be  released 
by  Educational.  Hans  Koenecomp  is  the 
cameraman. 

Five  companies  are  shooting  at  the 
linited  Artists  lot  and  two  others  will  be 
shooting  within  the  week.  Two  units  are 
on  location. 

Mary  Pickford  is  well  under  way  with 
“My  Best  Girl,”  which  she  has  been  mak- 
ing for  the  past  month. 

Douglas  Fairbanks  is  working  on  “The 
Gaucho” ; Corinne  Griffith  is  taking  the 
opening  scenes  of  “The  Garden  of  Eden” 
with  Lewis  Milestone  directing. 

Frank  Lloyd  has  completed  the  prelimi- 
nary work  on  John  Barrymore’s  next  star- 
ring picture,  “Tempest,”  while  D.  W.  Grif- 
fith’s forthcoming  production,  “A  Romance 
of  Old  Spain,”  is  being  put  into  the  final 
continuity  form  by  Jack  Lloyd. 

The  two  units  on  location  are  “Sorrel  & 
Son”  and  Charles  Francis  Reisncr’s  com- 


pany, which  is  making  “Steamboat  Bill,” 
starring  Buster  Keaton. 

9 Units  Working  at  De  Mille 

Nine  companies  are  shooting  under  the 
De  Mille-Metropolitan  banner.  They  are 
alternating  work  on  the  two  lots. 

Donald  Crisp,  directing  “The  West 
Pointer,”  reached  West  Point  a few  days 
ago  with  William  Boyd  as  the  star  to  make 
numerous  exteriors  and  interiors.  Bessie 
Love  is  cast  opposite  Boyd. 

Phyllis  Haver  is  making  her  initial  star- 
ring vehicle,  “The  Wise  Wife,”  under  the 
direction  of  E.  Mason  Hopper.  In  the 
cast  Jacqueline  Logan  has  one  of  the  most 
important  roles.  Others  are  Tom  Moore 
and  Joseph  Striker. 

Lois  Weber  is  at  work  on  “The  Angel  of 
Broadway.”  It  is  the  first  De  Mille  film 
she  has  undertaken.  Beatrice  Joy  and 
Victor  Varconi  are  leads. 

Paul  Stein,  former  Ufa  director,  is  di- 
recting Jetta  Goudal  in  “The  Forbidden 
Woman.”  David  Able  is  at  the  camera. 

Marie  Prevost  is  busy  on  her  latest  star- 
ring film,  “The  Girl  in  the  Pullman.”  Har- 
rison Ford  is  in  the  opposite  role  while 
Erie  C.  Kenton  is  directing. 

Elmer  Clifton,  who  directed  “Down  to 
the  Sea  in  Ships,”  is  nearing  completion  of 
“The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus.”  It  is  based 
on  the  Longfellow  poem.  Alan  Hale  is 
one  of  the  big  names  in  the  cast. 

In  the  cutting  room  Supervisor  Betram 
Millhauser  and  Director  Rupert  Julian  are 
putting  the  finishing  touches  on  “The 
Country  Doctor,”  an  epic  of  New  England. 
“The  Fighting  Eagle”  is  in  the  editing 
rooms. 

“Beautiful  but  Dumb”  is  the  name  that 
will  accompany  the  screen  version  of  “The 
Bar  Sinister,”  which  will  be  directed  by 
Frank  Urson. 

The  next  screen  subject  to  be  handled  by 
William  K.  Howard  will  be  “The  Main 
Event,”  which  will  star  Vera  Reynolds. 


ARTHUR  STONE 

FIRST  NATIONAL  STUDIOS 

“HARD-BOILED 

HAGGERTY” 


Dorothy  Yost 

F.  B.  O. 

Now  adapting 

Gene  Stratton  Porter’s 

“FRECKLES” 


26 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


JOHN 

FORD 


Directing 

“GRANDMA 

BERNLE 

LEARNS 

HER 

LETTERS” 


Fox  Release 


/^TITLES 

“SMILE,  BROTHER,  SMILE” 

Jack  Mulhall ' First  National 


“THE  STOLEN  BRIDE”  ' Billie  Dove  ' First  National 
“NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE”  ' Colleen  Moore  ^ First  National 
“LONESOME  LADIES”  ' Anna  Q.  Nilsson  ' First  National 
“FRAMED”  ' Milton  Sills  ' First  National 

6372  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 

Phone  Gladstone  4809 


In  Conference 

{Continued  from  page  24) 

Pore  L’il  Feller! 

-N^OT  so  many  years  ago,  but  a long 
time  back  in  film  history,  a rather  portly 
gentleman  stood  in  the  lobby  of  the 
Alexandria  hotel,  Los  Angeles — remem- 
bered for  its  million  dollar  rug — and 
talked  to  newspapermen.  He  radiated 
optimism  and  power  as  he  puffed  on  his 
big  black  cigar.  “We  got  Zukor  just 
where  we  want  him,”  said  the  portly 
gentleman,  hereinafter  referred  to  as 
“J.  D.”,  because  it  isn’t  nice  to  be  anony- 
mous. “And  we  are  going  to  have  the 
little  fellow  upstairs  today  eating  out  of 
our  hand,”  he  continued.  “We  are  going 
to  have  this  picture  business  sewed  up 
because  we  got  the  theatres.”  And  just 
the  other  day  Zukor  was  convicted  of 
being  a trust  by  the  Federal  Trade  Com- 
mission, while  “J.  D.” — well,  darned  if  I 
know  what’s  become  of  him. 


A FAIRLY  RESPECTABLE  GROSS 
t) 

-*-^Y  the  time  this  is  in  print,  the  Chap- 
lin family  wrinkle  should  be  ironed  out. 
An  agreement  was  reached  some  weeks 
ago  whereby  Charlie  was  to  settle  the 
sum  of  $825,000  on  Lita.  The  deal  was 
practically  closed  when  one  of  Charlie’s 
attorneys  insisted  that  Lita  withdraw 
certain  allegations  made  in  her  com- 
plaint before  she  got  the  money.  Lita’s 
attorneys  refused,  so  a fresh  start  had 
to  be  made  with  prospects  fairly  good 
for  an  early  settlement. 


Super  at  Quickie  Price 

n'Y' 

HE  Blood  Ship,”  a Columbia  pro- 
duction made  just  around  the  corner 
from  Poverty  Row  and  exhibited  at 
Roxy’s  last  month,  was  completed  at  a 
total  cost  of  $53,000.  I am  told  that 
Hary  Cohn,  the  producer,  was  offered 
$250,000  for  the  negative.  It  would  have 
cost  the  latter  sum  if  made  at  nearly 
anyone  of  the  more  important  studios. 
Something  to  think  about  for  the  pro- 
ducer who  wants  help  in  cutting  down 
picture  costs. 


ON  THE  OTHER  HAND: 

After  completing  “The  Way  of  All 
Flesh,”  the  initial  American  Jannings 
vehicle.  Paramount’s  production  chiefs 
decided  to  shoot  a happy  ending  for  it. 
The  new  finish  cost  more  than  the  entire 
“Bloodship”  production  and  was  prompt- 
ly thrown  away. 


The  SCREEN’S 
SAFETY  CORNER 

WHERE  ALL  THE  FILM 
FOLK  GET  THEIR  BRAKES  FIXED 


Raybestos 

Brake 

Lining 

Lock- Heed 
Brake 
Service 


Ask  Buster  Collier  About  Us 

Raybestos  “Bill”  Ellenbeck 

Selma  and  Wilcox  Avenue 
HOLLYWOOD,  CAL. 

Gladstone  8270 


Latest 

Drum 

Truelng 

Machines 


VACATION  TIME 


Now  is  the  time 
to  equip  your 
car  with  new 

tires get  ready 

for  that  summer 
trip. 

Prices  lowest 

quality  best ! 

RAY  SCOVEL’S 
TIRE  and  SERVICE 
STATION 

5775  Hollywood 
Blvd. 

HOLLYWOOD, 

CAL. 


DANIEL  B. 
CLARK 
A.  s.  c 

QnematOBraph.r 

Tom  Mix 
Productions 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


Rambling  * Round  in 
Hollywood 

{Continued  from  page  10) 

Star  whose  reputation  was  made  over- 
night with  two  pictures.  This  gentle- 
man is  Scotch  and  it  goes  without  say- 
ing that  he  knows  the  value  of  money  as 
well  as  histrionic  ability.  For  his  first 
two  pictures  he  got  $150  a week.  Then 
the  company  decided  to  get  him  on  a 
contract.  A shrewd  bargainer  ap- 
proached him  and  made  an  offer  of  $600 
a week.  The  star  was  stunned.  Never 
had  he  dreamed  of  getting  such  money. 
But  inasmuch  as  the  Scotch  have  a way 
of  expressing  themselves  which  is  any- 
thing but  voluble,  he  merely  looked  at 
the  man  who  made  the  offer  and  re- 
peated slowly,  with  equal  emphasis  on 
each  word:  “Six  hundred  dollars  a 
week.  You  offer  me  Six  Hundred  dol- 
lars a w'eek!  Six  hundred  dollars! 
Great  heavens!”  The  bargainer  grew 
frightened.  He  thought  the  offer  would 
be  turned  down.  So,  excusing  himself, 
he  went  back  to  head  of  the  organiza- 
tion and  reported  that  $600  was  not 
enough.  “He’s  worth  twelve  hundred  to 
us,”  said  the  producer.  “Offer  him  that.” 
Which  was  done.  And  the  star  signed 
on  the  dotted  line.  He  now  has  a con- 
tract for  $3,000  per  week. 

* * * 

Shaking  in  the  Knees 

Florence  Lawrence,  drama  editor  of 
The  Examiner,  writes  like  Ouida — which 
means  that  she  says  what  she  thinks — 
and  doesn’t  hesitate  to  talk  as  she 
writes.  Last  year  she  invited  the  Hi- 
Hatters,  the  theatrical  press  agents  of 
Los  Angeles,  out  to  her  summer  home 
at  Laguna  Beach  and  told  them  where 
they  “got  off.”  The  joke  was  that  the 
P.  A.’s  thought  they  were  going  out  for 
a nice,  sociable  time.  In  the  presence 
of  Rod  LaRoeque,  who  was  a guest, 
Florence  gave  the  boys  a curtain  lec- 
ture that  was  a short  subiect  classic. 
This  year  she  has  thrown  a panic  into 
theatrical  ranks  by  inviting  the  Hi-Hat- 
ters  and  the  managers  to  her  town 
house. 

“I  am  going  to  tell  you  people  just 
what  I think  of  your  shows  and  your 
pictures,”  she  says  in  her  invitation.  “I 
don’t  want  any  of  you  to  try  to  fool  me. 
I am  your  friend  and  am  going  to  tell 
you  why.  Friendship  isn’t  saying  ‘Yes.’ 
It’s  saying  ‘No’  and  telling  why.” 

As  a matter  of  fact,  every  theatrical 
man  in  Los  Angeles  has  a warm  spot  in 
his  heart  for  Florence.  While  she  has 
made  many  caustic  comments  about 
shows  she  didn’t  like,  she  has  been  lav- 
ish in  praising  those  productions  which 
struck  her  fancy.  And  if  wrong  she  made 
amends. — J.  M.  Loughborough, 


AL  HALL 

CHIEF  FILM  EDITOR 
FIRST  NATIONAL  PICTURES 
WEST  COAST  STUDIOS 


ROY  WILLIAM  NEILL 

Author-Director 

Now  writing  four  originals  for  production  and  release 
during  1927-28 


GEORGE  SIDNEY 

Just  finished  one  with 
Charlie  Murray 


Directed  by  “Bill”  Beaudine. 
Getting  ready  for  two  more. 


LOU  SEILER 

Director  of 

TOM  MIX 

in 

“Outlaws  of  Red  River” 
“Great  K&A  Train  Robbery” 
“No  Man’s  Gold” 

“Tumbling  River” 

Fox  Release 


28 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


CHARLES 

LAMONT 

Director 
of  the 
Following 
Educational 
Comedies 

“The  Half  Pint  Hero” 

— Lupino  Lane 

“Monty  of  the  Mounted” 

— Lupino  Lane 

“Live  News” 

• — Johnny  Arthur 

“Chills  and  Fever” 

• — Johnny  Arthur 


t 


ALAN  HALE 

“Watch  this  new  comedy 
comet !” 

— Exhibitors  Herald. 

Arab  Jack  in  “The  Wreck  of 
the  Hesperus.” 

The  Big  Laugh  in  “Vanity.” 


LOBBY  PHOTO  ALBUM 


Herewith  are  yiamcs  of  players  together  with 
exhibitors  requesting  their  autographed  photos. 

ROBERT  AGNEW— J.  F.  Mock, 
Newark  Amusement  theatre,  Newark, 
S.  Dak. 

VILMA  BANKY—  F.  W.  Putman, 
Liberty  theatre,  Beaumont,  Texas. 

ELEANOR  BOARDMAN  — L.  M. 
Townsend,  New  Piedmont  theatre,  Oak- 
land, Cal. 

OLIVE  BORDEN — Apollo  theatre, 
lO.SO  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

CLARA  BOW — M.  W.  Larmour,  Na- 
tional theatre,  Graham,  Texas. 

CLARA  BOW— I rwin  W.  Spreckels, 
Cozy  theatre.  Box  178,  Schulenburg, 
Tex. 

CLARA  BOW — Iz  Wiernick,  Strand 
theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

CLARA  BOW— S.  A.  Shia,  Old  Trail 
theatre,  St.  Clairsville,  Ohio. 

CLARA  BOW — Dale  Willson,  Palace 
theatre,  Tecumseh,  Okla. 

CLARA  BOW — Apollo  theatre,  1050 
Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

CLARA  BOW— F.  W.  Putman,  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Beaumont,  Tex. 

LOUISE  BROOKS — Apollo  theatre, 
1050  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

MARY  CARR — J.  F.  Mock,  Newark 
Amusement  theatre,  Newark,  S.  Dak. 

LON  CHANEY — R.  M.  Junkin,  Cozy 
Corner  theatre,  Vail,  Iowa. 

LON  CHANEY — K W.  Putman,  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Beaumont,  Tex. 

LON  CHANEY — A.  Louis  Ginsberg, 
Grand  theatre,  Paterson,  N.  J. 

RONALD  COLMAN — Apollo  theatre, 
1050  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

RONALD  COLMAN— Alburn  D race, 
Keytesville,  Mo. 

JACKIE  COOGAN— Marion  F.  Bod- 
well,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  111. 

DOLORES  COSTELLO— Apollo 

theatre,  1050  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

JOAN  CRAWFORD— C arson  T. 
Metcalf,  Opera  House,  Greenfield,  111. 

JOAN  CRAWFORD  — Dale  Willson, 
Palace  theatre,  Tecumseh,  Okla. 

JOAN  CRAWFORD— Apollo  thea- 
tre, 1050  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

JOAN  CRAWFORD— E.  W.  McFar- 
land, Cozy  theatre,  Groton,  S.  Dak. 

VIOLA  DANA— J.  F.  Mock,  Newark 
.■\musement  theatre,  Newark,  S.  Dak. 

BEBE  DANIELS— C.  H.  Albrecht, 
Y.  M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Whitmire,  S.  C. 

REGINALD  DENNY— R.  J.  Speck, 
Kenwood  theatre,  1225  E.  47th  St.,  Chi- 
cago. 

BILLIE  DOVE— C.  R.  Wiggins,  Y. 
M.  C.  A.  theatre,  Manchester,  Ga. 

BILLIE  DOVE— G.  Otto  Hartsoe,  N. 
Newton  theatre,  Newton,  S.  C. 


Mark 

Sandrich 


Now 

Directing 


LUPINO 

LANE 


for 

Educational 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


August  13,  1927 

BILLIE  DOVE— Chas.  H.  Ryan, 
Buckingham  theatre,  3319  No.  Clark, 
Chicago. 

BILLIE  DOVE— Apollo  theatre,  1050 
Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

BILLIE  DOVE — Marion  F.  Bodwell, 
Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  111. 

BILLIE  DOVE— C.  D.  Hughes,  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Heavener,  Okla. 

BILLIE  DOVE— F.  W.  Putman,  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Beaumont,  Tex. 

GRETA  GARBO— Eldrid  B.  Fisher, 
Kentucky  theatre,  Lexington,  Ky. 

GRETA  GARBO— Apollo  theatre, 
1050  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

GRETA  GARBO — John  Orange,  Swan 
theatre,  Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. 

PAULINE  GARON— J.  F.  Mock, 
Newark  Amusement  theatre,  Newark. 
S.  D. 

PAULINE  GARON— Rupert,  Awoki, 
Ririe  theatre,  Ririe,  Idaho. 

JOHN  GILBERT— F.  W.  Putman, 
Liberty  theatre,  Beaumont,  Texas. 

JOHN  GILBERT— Irwin  W.  Speck- 
els,  Cozy  theatre.  Box  178,  Schulenburg, 
T GX 

JOHN  GILBERT  — Herbert  Rusalem, 
Manor  theatre,  Hoboken,  N.  J. 

JOHN  GILBERT— Apollo  theatre, 
1050  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

LAURENCE  GRAY — Ulman’s  Opera 
House,  Salisbury,  Mo. 

CORINNE  GRIFFITH— I.  Wiernick, 
Strand  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

CORINNE  GRIFFITH— Marion  F. 
Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming, 
111. 

CORINNE  GRIFFITH  — John 
Orange,  Swan  theatre.  Walnut  Ridge, 
Ark. 

WILLIAM  HAINES— M a r i o n F. 
Bodwell,  Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming, 

III. 

WILLIAM  HAINES— F.  W.  Putman, 
Liberty  theatre,  Beaumont,  Tex. 

KENNETH  HARLAN— J.  F.  Mock, 
Newark  Amusement  theatre,  Newark, 

S.  D. 

MARY  ANN  JACKSON— Apollo 
theatre.  1050  Washington,  Boston,  Mass. 

BUCK  JONES  — Marion  F.  Bodwell. 
Paramount  theatre,  Wyoming,  111. 

BEATRICE  JOY— A1  Stoddard,  Rex 
theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. 

LARRY  KENT— J.  F.  Mock,  Newark 
Amusement  theatre,  Newark,  S.  D. 

ROD  LaROC9UE— H.  J.  Douglas, 
Rialto  theatre,  Dickenson,  N.  D. 

KEN  MAYNARD— Garnet  Sheets, 
Star  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. 

KEN  MAYNARD— D.  W.  Hay,  Pier- 
pont  theatre,  Pierpont,  S.  D. 

KEN  MAYNARD— Irwin  W.  Speck- 
els,  Box  178,  Cozy  theatre,  Schulenburg, 
Tex. 

EDNA  MARION— M.  B.  Quire,  Star 
theatre,  Kanawah,  Iowa. 


CHAS.  G.  CLARKE— A.  S.  C. 

PHOTOGRAPHEH 

“RED”  GRANGE’S  “ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY" 
and  Latest  “THE  MOTOR  MANIAC” 
“GOING  CROOKED” — FOX — “UPSTREAM” 
Now  with  Warner  Bros. 


BUCK 

JONES 


Now  Making 


“BLOOD  WILL 
TELL” 

His  Next 
Starring  Drama 
For  Fox 

Ray  Flynn  is 
Directing 


JULES 

WHITE 

Director 

EDUCATIONAL 

PICTURES 


WILLIAM 

NIGH 

DIRECTOR 

“THE  FIRE 
BRIGADE” 

“MR.  WU” 

“ROSE 
MARIE” 
is  next 

M.  G.  M. 


DIRECTED  BY 

LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  Maynard— 
July  16.  Another  good  one  from  First 
National  with  Ken  Maynard  and  Tarzan,  the 
horse  with  a human  intelligence.  This  fellow 
is  equally  as  good  a rider  and  stunt  man  as  any 
Western  star  on  the  screen.  We  haven’t  used 
enough  of  his  pictures  for  hV^ri  to  ^ popular 
here.  If  they  continue  to  be  ts  quality 

no  doubt  attendance  will  ^ven  reels. 

— Marion  F.  Bodwe*L  Paraih^ntj 
ing,  111. — General  patronage. 


THE  OVERLAND 

75%.  March  8.  V 
utes  of  vaudeville, 
drew  big  percentage 
too,  and  hereaft^  if 
gage  lifter  for  np  I 
— 'L.  F.  Heitzig,  (si 
General  patronagi 


Maynard — 
Pl/yed  thirty  mln- 
cal^aughns,”  which 
d, /and  pleased  em. 
lard  isn’t  a mort- 
ess.  Seven  reels, 
adelion,  Minn. — 


tre,  Wyom- 


THE  UNKNO 
—70%.  May  27-#8. 
the  horse  Tarzan  i^ 
He  shows  up,  Kell 
good  stu 
will  be  |:la* 
reels. — J* 

— Small 


Ken  Maynard 
is/is  a real  Western  and 
as  any  on  the  screien. 
'thjfe  picture  and  pulls  some 
me  good  riding  and  I 
'ext  one  arrives.  Six 
heatre,  Sargent,  Nebr- 

'tronafee. 


THE  OVERK^^D  ^TAGE : Ken  Maynard— My 
first  one  Vndfjud^ng  from  this  one  he  will  be 
at  the  topNaten  as  it  is  a very  good  Western. 
Seven  reek.-Julius  W.  Schmidt.  Grand  theatre. 


THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— This  star  has  proven  very  consistent  in  his 
productions.  All  have  been  good.  Western  fans 
cry  for  more. — C.  M.  Vail,  Blende  theatre,  Ben- 
ton, Wis. — General  patronage. 


30 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


i 

^ Camera! 

1 

1 J A Department  Devoted  to  News  and  Affairs  of  I 

Ir  the  American  Society  of  Cinematographers  and  Its  1 

^ Members,  Published  as  a “Studio  Section”  Feature.  ' 

r 

Include  Cameramen  in  Story 
Conferences,  Says  Dan  Clark 


By  FOSTER  GOSS 

That  the  policy  of  the  more  important  motion  picture  units  in 
including  the  cinematographer  in  all  story  conferences  is  conducive 
to  increased  efficiency  and  economy  in  film  production  is  the 
opinion  of  Daniel  B.  Clark,  president  of  the  American  Society  of 
Cinematographers. 


R.  J. 

BERGQUIST 

Cinematographer 

“SANDY” 

“WOMAN 

POWER” 

“ONE 

INCREASING 

PURPOSE” 

Fox  Release 

George  Folsey 

Cinematographer 

“LADIES  AT  PLAY” 

“ORCHIDS  AND 
ERMINE” 

“SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL” 
“NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE” 
“AMERICAN  BEAUTY” 


PHOTOGRAPHY 

BY 

KARL  STRUSS 

**BEN-HUR*^ 
*TOREVER  AFTER^^ 
“SUNl^E’ 

F.  W.  MURNAU’S  FIRST 
AMERICAN  PRODUCTION 
WITH  CHARLES  ROSHER 


BARNEY 

McGILL 

Cinematographer 

“WHAT 

PRICE 

GLORY?” 

FOX 


“Casey  at  the 
Bat” 

PARAMOUNT 

“Two  Arabi- 
an Knights” 

UNITED  ARTISTS 


ttlDESIDES  the  star,”  the  A.  S.  C. 

^ president  states,  “story  conferences 
should  revolve  about  a triumvirate  com- 
posed of  the  director,  scenarist  and  the 
cinematographer.  In  the  more  successful 
of  motion  picture  units,  the  latter  has  been 
numbered  in  all  such  discussions  for  some 
time  past.  The  results  thus  attained  speak 
for  themselves. 

“Motion  pictures  are  expressed,  it  is  only 
elementary  to  state,  through  the  medium 
of  pictures,  and  it  is  the  cinematographer, 
we  may  repeat  again,  who  is  the  means  of 
putting  the  pictures  on  the  screen.  He 
must  express,  pictorially,  what  is  in  the 
minds  of  the  director  and  the  scenarist,  and 
that  which  the  actors  endeavor  to  portray. 
If  he  does  not  know  what  is  in  the  minds 
of  the  director  and  the  scenario  writer, 
how  can  he  express  it?  And  how  can  he 
know  all  of  this  if  he  does  not  talk  to 
them  about  it.  A conference  with  a 
director  alone  is  rather  incomplete;  like- 
wise. with  the  scenarist. 

“As  a matter  of  fact,”  Clark  continued, 
“many  of  the  largei  production  organiza- 
tions, which  are  operating  on  a high  pres- 
sure schedule,  afford  little  opportunity  for 
the  cinematographer  to  study  even  the 
script  in  advance  of  the  time  when  he 
actually  begins  work  on  a picture.  In  such 
cases  where  the  cinematographer  finishes 
a feature  at  midnight  and  is  called  on  to 
start  another  the  next  morning,  he  gets  his 
first  acquaintance  with  the  new  script  when 
he  appears  at  the  studio  the  next  day. 
Certainly,  this  does  not  point  in  the  direc- 
tion of  efficiency  for  every  one  concerned, 
nor  does  it  permit  of  the  putting  forth 
of  the  best  efforts  of  the  cinematographer. 
In  such  instances  as  these  also,  the  cine- 
matographer has  not  had  the  advantage 
of  advance  discussions  or  conferences  with 


Charles  Van  Enger 

A.  S.  C. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 


“SEA  TIGER” 

Milton  Sills 

“THE  SILENT  LOVER” 
“EASY  PICKINGS” 
“FRAMED” 

“SMILE,  BROTHER  SMILE” 
“LIFE  OF  RILEY” 

FIRST  NATIONAL 


director,  scenarist  or  star  on  the  story; 
therefore,  it  is  nothing  short  of  a miracle 
if  he  is  able  to  divine  what  may  be  their 
exacting  requirements. 

“Include  the  cinematographer  on  all 
story  conferences !” 

Margaret  Morris  Will 
Star  in  Pathe  Serial 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  9.  — Margaret 
Morris,  a Wampas  baby  star,  who  has 
played  in  several  Paramount  and  F B O 
productions,  has  left  Hollywood  for  New 
York  where  she  will  head  the  cast  of  the 
Pathe  serial  tentatively  titled  “The  Fellow- 
ship of  the  Frog,”  written  by  Edgar 
Wallace. 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Exhibitors  Herald  Production 

Directory 

Chicago  Office:  407  So,  Dearborn  St. 


A Monthly  Service  Devoted 
to  Stars,  Directors,  Scenar- 
ists and  Cameramen  at 
Work  Upon  Pictures  in 
Current  Production. 


Hollywood  Representatives: 
Ray  Murray,  H.  E.  Nichols. 

^ New  York  Representative: 
John  Spargo. 


Director 

Star  Scenarist  Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

ASSOCIATED  STUDIOS. 

3800  Mission  Road.  Ca.  2120. 

No  Production  This  Month. 

CALIFORNIA  STUDIOS.  1420  Beachwood  Drive.  He. 

2111. 

Leo  Maloney 

Chas.  Hunt 

Noel  Smith 

Victor  Potel 

Leo  Maloney  Ford  I.  Beebe 

Kermit  Maynard  Arthur  Hoerl 

Johnny  Walker-Silverstreak  Ben  Cohn 

Victor  Potel  Victor  Potel 

Ed.  C.  Kull 

Hap  De  Pew 

Ray  June 

George  Cooker 

Untitled 

Untitled 

“The  Cross  Breed'* 

Sunkist  Comedy 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

CHADWICK  STUDIO. 

1440  Gower  St, 

He.  4111. 

Larry  Semon 

Larry  Semon 

Hans  Koenecomp 

“The  Stunt  Man" 

Shooting 

CHRISTIE  STUDIO. 

6101  Sunset  Blvd. 

He.  3111. 

Bill  Watson 

Arvid  Gillstrom 

Bob  Kerr 

Billy  Dooley 

Jack  Duffy 

Jimmie  Adams 

Hal  K.  Wells 

Hal  Conklin 

Sig  Herzig 

Eddie  Lyons-Sid  Walsh 
Alex  Phillips- 

Monte  Steadman 
Alfred  Jacquemin- 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Preparing 

Frank  Sullivan 


COLUMBIA  PICTURES  CORP.  1438  Gower  St.  Ho.  7940. 


Geo.  Seitz 

Conway  Tearle- 

Dorothy  Sebastian 

Norman  Springer 

“Forgotten  Women” 

Shooting 

DE  MILLE  STUDIO. 

Culver  City,  Calif. 

Empire  9141. 

E.  Mason  Hopper 

Phyllis  Haver 

Sears  & Garnet 

Frank  Good 

“The  Wise  Wife'* 

Shooting 

Lois  Weber 

Leatrice  Joy 

Lenore  Coffee 

Frank  Miller 

“The  Angel  of  Broadway** 

Shooting 

Paul  Stein 

Jetta  Goudal 

Clara  Beranger 

David  Able 

“The  Forbidden  Woman” 

Shooting 

Erie  Kenton 

Marie  Prevost 

McGrew  Willis- 

Dewey  Wrigley 

“The  Girl  in  the  Pullman” 

Shooting 

Fred  Stanley 

Donald  Crisp 

William  Boyd 

Douglas  Doty 

Pev  Marley 

“The  West  Pointer’* 

Shooting 

Elmer  Clifton 

All  Star 

Carr-Farrow 

John  Mescall 

“The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus'* 

Shooting 

EDUCATIONAL  STUDIO.  7250  Santa  Monica  Blvd.  Ho. 

2806. 

Norman  Taurog 

Dorothy  Devore 

Staff 

Len  Smith 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Charles  Lamont 

Clem  Beauchamp 

Staff 

William  Hyer 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Stephen  Roberts 

George  Davis 

Staff 

Dwight  Warren 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Mark  Sandrich 

Lupino  Lane 

Staff 

Jay  Turner 

Untitled 

Shooting 

UNITED  STUDIOS, 

M.  C.  Levee,  President 

Inc. 

100,000  square  feet  of  props,  garnered  Let  us  supply  the  props  for 
from  the  four  corners  of  the  globe.  your  next  production. 

W UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

5341  Melrose  Ave.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 

32 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

F.  B.  0.  STUDIOS. 

780  Gower  St. 

Holly 

wood  7780. 

Wallace  Fox 

Ed.  Luddy 

Louis  King 

Ralph  Ince 

Leo  Meehan 

Robt.  Delacey 

Jerome  Storm 

Bob  Steele 

Jess  Devorska- 
Sharon  Lynn 
Buzz  Barton 

Frankie  Darro 

Tom  Tyler 

Ranger,  the  Dog, 
Lina  Baequette 
Hugh  Trevor 

Frank  H.  Clark 

Jas.  Tynan 

Oliver  Drake 

Peter  Milne 

Dorothy  Yost 

Oliver  Drake 

Leon  D'Usseau 

Nick  Musuraca 

Phil.  Tamura 

W'^m.  Nobles 

Al.  Seigler 

N.  Musuraca 

“The  Bandit's  Son" 

“Jake,  the  Plumber" 

“The  Slingshot  Kid" 

“Coney  Island" 

“Little  Mickey  Grogan" 

“The  Gambler’s  Game" 

“Ranger  of  the  North" 

“Dead  Man’s  Curve" 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Preparing 

FINE  ARTS  STUDIO 

. 4500  Sunset  Blvd. 

01.  2131. 

Duke  Worne 

Tom  Buckingham 

Al  Rogell 

Windemere 

All  Star 

Jack  Padjan 

Ken  Maynard 
Matthew  Betts- 
Priscilla  Bonner 

Paul  Sejos 

Marion  Jackson 

Leo  Shamroy 

Sol  Polito 

Fred  W'indemero 

“Square  Shootin’  " 

“Gun  Gospel" 

“Broadway  After  Midnight" 

Preparing 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

FIRST  NATIONAL. 

Burbank.  Gl.  4111. 

G.  Fitzmaurice 

Mary  Astor-  Gilbert  Roland  Bess  Meredvth 

Lee  Garms 

“Rose  of  the  Golden  W'est" 

Cutting 

Millard  Webb 

Rich  Barthelmess 

Winifred  Dunn 

Edeson 

“The  Drop  Kick" 

Cutting 

Chas.  Brabin 

Milton  Sills 

L.  G.  Rigby 

“The  ‘Valley  of  the  Giants" 

Shooting 

R.  Wallace 

Billie  Dove 

Carey  Wilson 

Folsey 

“American  Beauty" 

Cutting 

Fitzmaurice 

Billie  Dove 

Barney  Glazer 

Garmes 

“Louisiana" 

Shooting 

Al  Rogell 

Ken  Mavnard 

Marion  Jackson 

Polito 

“Gun  Gospel” 

Shooting 

A.  Korda 

M.  Corda-L.  Stone 

Carey  Wilson 

“Private  Life  of  Helen  of  Troy" 

Shooting 

M.  LeRoy 

.\stor-Hughes 

Adelaide  Heilbron 

Folsey 

“No  Place  To  Go" 

Shooting 

A.  Santell 

Jas,  T.  O'Donohue 

“The  Gorilla” 

Shooting 

A.  Rogell 

“The  Shepherd  of  the  Hills" 

Shooting 

R.  Wallace 

^S’ilI  Rogers 

Paul  Scoheld 

“The  Texas  Steer" 

Preparing 

J.  F.  Dillon 

“Lady,  Be  Good" 

Shooting 

FOX  STUDIO.  Western  at  Sunset.  Ho.  3000. 


John  Ford 

Margaret  Mann- 
Earle  Foxe 

Phillip  Klein 

Geo.  Schneidermann 

**Grandma  Bernle  Learns  Her 
Letters" 

Shooting 

Robert  Ray 

Dick  Walling 

Greenslaw  & Gold 

Ben  Kline 

“I’wenty  Legs  Under  the  Sea" 

Shooting 

J.  G.  Blystone 

Olive  Borden 

W^m.  Counselman 

Glen  MacWilliams 

“Pajamas" 

Shooting 

Howard  Hawks 

Charles  Farrell 

Greta  Nissen 

Phillip  Klein- 

Seton  I.  Miller 

L.  W.  O’Connell 

“Bride  of  the  Night” 

Shooting 

Zion  Myers 

Gene  Cameron- 
Flora  Bramley 

Max  Gold 

George  Meehan 

**Kangaroo's  Kimona” 

Shooting 

Albert  Ray 

Lois  Moran-Edmund  Lowe 

Andrew  Bennison 

Sidney  Wagner 

“Publicity  Madness” 

Shooting 

Alfred  Green 

Janet  Gaynor 

Seton  1.  Miller 

Geo.  Schneidermann 

“2  Girls  Wanted" 

Cutting 

Allan  Dwan 

George  O'Brien 

Felix  Reisenberg 

George  Webber 

“East  Side-West  Side” 

Shooting 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  STUDIOS. 

Cxilver  City,  Calif.  Em.  9111. 

Goulding 

Gilbert  & Garbo 

Frances  Marion 

Gerstad 

“Love" 

Cutting 

Stahl 

A.  P.  Younger 

Ma^  Fabian 

“In  Old  Kentucky” 

Shooting 

Nigh 

Adoree,  Forbes.  Lloyd 

Adapted  by 

John  Arnold 

“Rose  Marie” 

Shooting 

Hamilton  & H.  Carey 

Jack  Cunningham 
Continuity  by  Daniel 

Kaplan  & Duke  Dale 

Geo.  Hill 

Jackie  Coogan 

Marion  C.  Biackton 

Morgan 

“Buttons” 

Shooting 

Niblo 

Gish-Forbes,  etc. 

Willis  Goldbeck 

Ollie  T.  Marsh 

•*'l'he  Enemy” 

Shooting 

Browning 

Lon  Chaney 

Waldemar  Young 

Gerstad 

“The  Hypnotist” 

Shooting 

Wood 

Marion  Davies 

Byron  Morgan  and 

John  Seita 

“The  Fair  Co-ed” 

Shooting 

Sam  Wood 

McCarthy 

O'Neil-O'Day,  etc. 

Bradley  King 

Henry  Sharp 

“The  Lovelorn” 

Shooting 

Seastrom 

Garbo 

Dorothy  Famum 

“Ihe  Divine  Woman" 

Preparing 

Bell 

Gilbert 

Alice  D.  G.  Miller 

Percy  Hilburn 

“bires  of  Youth” 

Preparing 

Van  Dyke 

McCoy 

Ross  Wills  and 

Clyde  De  Vinna 

‘‘Wyoming" 

Preparing 

Madeleine  Ruthven 

Leonard 

Cody-Pringle 

F.  Hugh  Herbert 

Barlatier 

“lea  for  Three” 

Cutting 

Henley 

Cody-Pringle 

Florence  Ryerson  and 

Barlatier 

“Mixed  Marriage” 

Shooting 

Colin  Clements 


THE  Story  Record  of  the  Screen  for  1927  Is  the  Record  of 

GARRETT  FORT 

SIGNED  BY  PARAMOUNT 
Writing  “The  Glory  Girl”  for  Esther  Ralston 


August  13,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

METROPOLITAN  STUDIO.  1040  Las  Palmas.  Gr.  3111. 

Herman  Haymaker 
Stuart  Peyton 

Spencer  G.  Bennett 

Monty  Banks 

Jack  Donovan 

Walter  Miller- 
Allene  Ray 

Chas.  Horan 

Jos.  Roach 

Jos.  Roach 

Jimmy  Diamond 

Alan  Davy 

Edw.  Snyder 

“Ace  in  the  Hole” 

Untitled 

“Man  Without  a Face” 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

PARAMOUNT.  5451  Marathon  St.  Hollywood  2400. 

Rowland  V.  Lee 

Mauritz  Stiller 

Richard  Rosson 

Edward  Sutherland 

John  Waters 

Pola  Negri 

Emil  Jannings 

Jack  Luden 

Esther  Ralston 

Gary  Cooper-Noah  Beery- 
William  Powell 

Rowland  V.  Lee  Harry  Fischbeck 

Josef  Von  Sternberg  Victor  Milner 

and  Benjamin  Glazer 

J.  Walter  Ruben  Henry  Gerrard 

and  Sara  Mintz 

Louise  Long  and  A1  Gilks 

Ethel  Doherty 

Tom  J.  Geraghty  C.  Edgar  Sehoenhaum 

“Sun  Kissed” 

“Hitting  for  Heaven" 

“Shoo tin’  Irons” 

“Heaven  Help  the  Working  Girl” 

“Beati  Sabreur” 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

Shooting 

HAL  ROACH  STUDIO.  Culver  City,  Calif 

. Em.  1151. 

Robt.  McGowan 

Our  Gang 

Bob  McGowan 

Art  Lloyd 

Untitled 

Shooting 

James  Parrott 

Charley  Chase 

Clyde  Bruckman 

Len  Power 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Leo  McCary 

Mas  Davidson 

Frank  Butler 

Floyd  Jackman 

Untitled 

Shooting 

Fred  Guiol 

All  Star 

Hal  Roach 

George  Stevens 

Untitled 

Shooting 

MACK  SENNETT  STUDIO.  1712  Glendale  Blvd.  01. 

2181. 

Alf  Goulding 

Johnny  Burke-Matty  Kent- 

Staff 

John  E.  Boyle-Lee  Davis 

“Romance  of  a Bathing  Girl” 

Shooting 

Sallie  Ellers 

Eddie  Cline 

Lige  Conley- 

Staff 

Boyce  & Jennings 

“Sennett  Girl  Story” 

Shooting 

Daphne  Pollard 

Phi!  Whitman 

Mary  Ann  Jackson- 

Staff 

Billy  Williams- 

“Jimmie  Smith  Series” 

Preparing 

Ruth-Hiatt- 
Raymond  McKee 

Hal  Stafford 

Harry  Edwards 

Billy  Bevan- 

Staff 

Billy  Williams- 

“Domestic  Comedy” 

Shooting 

Vernon  Dent-Dot  Farley 

George  Unholtz 

TEC-ART  STUDIO. 

5360  Melrose  Ave.  Gr.  4141. 

Edwin  Carewe 

Dolores  Del  Rio 

“Ramona” 

Preparing 

Johnny  Hines 

Preparing 

RICHARD  THOMAS  STUDIO.  5821  Santa  Monica  Blvd.  Gl.  1101. 


No  Production  This  Month. 


GEORGE  ARCHAINBAUD 

DIRECTOR 


Recent  Box  Ofifice 
Successes 


“THE  SILENT  LOVER’’ 
“MEN  OF  STEEL” 
“PUPPETS” 


FIRST  NATIONAL  PICTURES 


34 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


August  13,  1927 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Remarks 

UNITED  ARTISTS. 

1011  Formosa. 

Gr.  5111. 

Sam  Taylor 

Mary  Pickford 

Hope  Loring 

Charles  Rosher 

“My  Best  Girl” 

Shooting 

F.  Richard  Jones 

Douglas  Fairbanks 

Lotta  Woods 

Tony  Gaudio 

“The  Gaucho” 

Shooting 

Chas.  Reisner 

Buster  Keaton 

Carl  Harbaugh 

Dev  Jennings  & 

Bert  Haines 

**Steamboat  Bill** 

Shooting 

Herbert  Brenon 

H.  B.  Warner 

Herbert  Brenon  and 
Warwick  Deeping 

James  Howe 

“Sorrell  & Son** 

Shooting 

Lewis  Milestone 

Cortnne  Griffith 

Hans  Kraly 

Harry  Jackson 

“The  Garden  of  Eden’’ 

Shooting 

Frank  Lloyd 

John  Barrymore 

Fred  de  Gressac 

Undecided 

“Tempest** 

Preparing 

D.  W.  Griffith 

Estelle  Taylor 

Jack  Lloyd 

Undecided 

“A  Romance  of  Old  Spain’* 

Preparing 

UNIVERSAL. 

Universal  City,  Cal. 

He.  3131. 

Pollard 

411  Star 

John  Stumar 

“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin*’ 

Cutting 

Andrews 

Hoot  Gibson 

Statter 

“Lion  and  the  Lamb** 

Shooting 

Craft 

Palsy  Ruth  Miller- 

Hoyt 

Robinson  & Smith 

“The  Flying  Nut** 

Shooting 

Glen  Tryon 

Johnson 

Neil  Hamilton- 

Johnson 

Fischer  & Wetzel 

“Arm  of  the  Law*’ 

Shooting 

Ruggles 

Ralph  Lewis 
Nixon-Geo.  Lewis- 

Snell 

Reynolds  & Oswald 

“The  Fourflusher’* 

Shooting 

Eddie  Phillips 

Seiler 

La  Plante 

B.  Van 

“Thanks  for  Buggy  Ride*’ 

Preparing 

Sloman 

All  Star 

Alfred  A.  Cohn 

“We  Americans*’ 

Preparing 

Brown 

Hoyt 

“13  Washington  Square” 

Preparing 

Willat 

Montagne 

“The  Big  Gun” 

Preparing 

Collins 

Newton  House 

Jefferson 

Flldridge 

’^Racing  Wizard” 

Shooting 

Cox 

Ben  Hall 

Geo.  H.  Plympton 

Ash 

“Hot  Stuff” 

Shooting 

Fabian 

Fred  Gilman 

Dickey 

Bridenbecker 

“ITio  Death  Card” 

Shooting 

Hill 

Jack  Daugherty 

Krusada-Morgan 

Brotherton-Kornman- 

“Haunted  Island” 

Shooting 

Ramsey 

Kimmich 

Arthur  Lake 

Geo.  H.  Plympton 

Cline 

“Pina  and  Needles” 

Shooting 

Levigard 

Jack  Perrin 

Gooden 

C.  Stumar-Galezio 

“The  Iron  Code” 

Shooting 

Mitchell 

Bob  Curwood 

Morgan 

Adams-Novak 

“Convict  Stripes” 

Shooting 

Taylor 

Desmond 

Krusada-Morgan 

“Vanishing  Rider” 

Preparing 

WARNER  BROTHERS  STUDIO.  Sunset  at  Bronson.  Ho.  4181. 

Howard  Bretherton 

Monte  Blue 

Chas.  Condon 

Norbert  Brodin 

“One  Round  Hogan” 

Shooting 

Byron  Haskin 

George  Jessel 

Anthony  Coldewey 

Conrad  Wells 

“The  Broadway  Kid” 

Editing 

Lloyd  Bacon 

Louise  Fazenda- 

Harvey  Cates 

Frank  Kesson 

“A  Sailor’s  Sweetheart” 

Cutting 

Clyde  Cook 

Alan  Crosland 

AJ  Jolson-  May  McAvoy 

Alfred  A.  Cohn 

Hal  Mohr 

“The  Jazz  Singer” 

Shooting 

Michael  Curtiz 

Warner  Oland-AII  Star 

Owen  Francis 

“Good  Time  Charley” 

Preparing 

Ross  Lederman 

Rin-Tin-Tin 

Chas.  Condon 

“Dog  of  the  Regiment” 

Preparing 

Archie  L.  Mayo 

Dolores  Costello 

Paul  SchuHeld 

“The  College  Widow” 

Preparing 

LOCATION  CAMPS 
DE  LUXE 

Every  Convenience  of  a Modem  Apartment 


Electric  Lights 

Individual  Hot  and  Cold  Showers 
Individual  Inside  Lavatories 
Dressing  Room — Bedroom — Bath 

W.  L.  ANDERSON 

ANDERSON  BOARDING  & SUPPLY  C0. 
1316  Washington  Bldg. 

LOS  ANGELES,  CAL. 


Excellent 

Cuisine 


Ask  Executives  in  charge  of: — “The  Win- 
ning of  Barbara  Worth,”  “The  Silent 
Lover”  (Milton  Sills) 


MUTUAL 
NEW  ^ 

PHONE  g426 

Operators  of  Industrial  Mess-balls  and  Commissaries 


Gertrude  Short 

Now  Free  Lancing 

“TILLIE  THE  TOILER” 
“ADAM  AND  EVIL” 

M-G-M 

“LADIES  AT  EASE” 

Chadwick  Prod. 

Phone:  Gi&dftona  1^13 


ALBERTA  VAUGHN 


JiLst  Finished 

“THE  DROP-KICK” 

with  RICHARD  BARTHELMESS 

FIRST  NATIONAL 


CHARLES  (Chuck)  RIESNER 

Director 

“BETTER  ’OLE” 

“THE  MISSING  LINK” 

“WHAT  EVERY  GIRL  SHOULD 
KNOW” 

Warner  Brothers  Releases 
Now  Directing  Buster  Keaton  in 

“STEAMBOAT  BILL” 


Jack 

Mulhall 

Now  Playing  the 
Male  Lead  in 

“The  Crystal 
Cup” 

FIRST  NATIONAL 
PRODUCTION 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


THREE  IN  THE  FIRST  TEN! 

In  the  Herald’s  “Box  Office  Ticker” 


refuting  "IVliat  the  Picture  Dim  For  Me”  supp^_ 

^^■blaincd  ^ dividitjg  average  daily  (^ss  of  house  record 
faverage  dnily*yross  vf  picture  being  rcpoitcd  on.  IVhen  l6 
ireentage  ratings  on  a picture  have  been  received,  the  average  of  th\ 
9rccntagc  ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.”  Each  additional  perceAtaj^ 
rating  tcpoit  received  on  pictures  entered  is  combined  with  those  previb'u^ 
■</  and  the  new  az’crage  thus  created  is  cnfeied. 


].  TLLL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES  (M-G-M) 15  reports 

2.  IT  IPara)  13 

3.  NO  MAN’S  GOLD  (Fox) U 

#1.  THF  COHEJNS  AND  KELLYS  (t) 23 

3.  KEEPER  OF  THE  BEES  ( FBO  ) 13 

6.  ARIZONA  SWEEPSTAKES  (t) 11 

7.  IRENE  (F.  N.) II 

hi.  THE  MAGIC  GARDEN  (FBO) 10 

ro.  LADDIE  (FBO)  - 28 

10.  JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT  (M-G-M) 23 

11.  CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U (U) 15 

2.  THE  VANISHING  AMERICAN  (Para) 22 

3.  THE  GREAT  K.  AND  A.  TRAIN  ROBBERY  (Fox)..l  1 

1.  THE  TOUGH  GUY  (FBO) 13 

15.  IHE  AOLGA  BOATMAN  (P  D.  C. ) 19 

6.  FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL  (M-G-M) 13 

7.  THE  OVERLAND  STAGE  (F.  N.) 19 

8.  THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER  (F.  N.) 25 

9.  THE  GENTLE  CYCLONE  (U) 10 

:0.  SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE  (M-G-M) 15 

11.  LET’S  GET  MARRIED  (Para) 13 

12.  THE  BAT  (U.  A.) 19 

ELLA  CINDERS  ( F.  N.) 25 

THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK  (U.  A.) 21 

TIN  HATS  (M-G-M) 22 

THE JBJ^.N1NG  OF  BARBARA  WORTH  (U.A.) 
TIIMOUARTERBACK  (Para)  

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5.69% 

5.187o 

1.72% 

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1.257o 

1.39% 

2.80% 

2.72% 

2.63% 

2.46% 

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103.  B®I 
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116. 

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Breaking  all  records,  one  Director  has  three 
pictures  in  the  first  ten.  The  Director  is 

LEO  MEEHAN 

P.  S.:  F.  B.  O.  is  releasing  LEO  MEEHAN  PRODUCTIONS 


, wimT 

Sveruarwj^M 


'Wherever 
you  go— 

P Plaza  Hotels 
are  famous. 

IV  — In  Boston 
■ ' — in  New  York 
— in  London 
Also  in 
Hollywood 
it’s  the 

fHonywoc 

PIAIA! 

Hollywood,  CnUfomHi 


ALFRED  A.  COHN 

FREE-LANCE  WRITER 
“The  Jazz  Singer” 

The  great  .il  Jolson  Vitaphone  Special 

“The  Cat  and  the  Canary” 

Vniver sal's  super-mystery  picture 

“We  Americans” 

.4  great  characterization  production 


“The  Last  Warning” 

The  thrilling  theatre  mystery 
(both  for  Universal) 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Hollywood 


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J^X»  No.  10 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  111.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
1879.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


August  20,  1927 


V/URy^ZER 

ORGAN 

The  desire  of  the  public 
for  Wurlitzer  music  is 
growing  steadily  and  has 
reached  the  point  where 
the  drawing  power  of 
the  Wurlitzer  Organ  is 
so  great  that  it  has  the 
ability  to  pay  for  itselh 

WuRUlZER 

^ BCG  U S PttT  Off 

Factories,  N.  Tonawanda,  N.  Y. 

New  York  Cincinnati  Chicago  Cleveland 

Pittsburgh  Detroit  Philadelphia  Buffalo 

San  Francisco  Los  Angeles  St.  Louis  Kansas  City 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


red  letter 


in 


film  history 


August  1, 1927. 


elease  of  Paramount’s 


Program.  Start  of  the  greatest  of  Greater 


Movie  Seasons  for  Para^iiiWit  exhibitors.  Debut  of  the  modern  super-type  of  feature  picture 


and  short  feature.  Ever 


the  public  is  celebrating,  with  box  office  dollars.  From  every- 


•y\^e^ 

\ ^ 

where  pour  in  congratulations  exhibitors  and  others  hailing  the  new  day.  ^ From  Chicago: 


^Metropolis’  capacity  busings  fii«t  week.  For  first  time  in  history  of  Roosevelt  Theatre, 


second  week  bigger  than  first.  Had  intended  playing  the  picture  two  weeks.  Have  extended  run 
four  weeks,  with  possibility  of  more.  Max  Balabau.”  ^ From  Los  Angeles:  ""^Way  of  All 

Flesh’  triumphant  run  at  Criterion  Theatre.  Akdiences  thunder  approval.  Congratulations  to 
Paramount.  Harold  Franklin,  President  West  Coast  Theatres.”  And  at  the  Rialto,  New  York, 
”Way  of  All  Flesh”,  now  in  its  6th  week,  will  run  hj^oild  Labor  Day!  ^ Also  from  Los  Angeles: 

"'Chang’  and  'Barbed  Wire’,  playing  witki(^k  few  blocks  of  each  other,  the  talk  of 

the  town.  Arch  Reeve.”  From  Duluth:  "'Chang’  getting  wou^rful  business  and  comment.  Duluth 
Herald  devotes  editorial  to  picture,  saying  'it  is  more  thrilling  tll^  a dozen  westerns,  more  absorb- 
ing than  a thousand  sex  dramas,  funnier  than  a hundred  comedi^and  one  of  the  few  pictures 
it  is  possible  to  commend  utterly  without  reservation.’  Clinton 
Meyers  Co.”  And  at  the  Rivoli,  N.  Y.,  "Chang”  ran  9 weeks  to 
301,000  people!  ^ From  Glenwood,  Minn.:  "'Beau  Geste’ 

played  to  best  business  in  our  entire  history.  Picture  very  satisfac- 


4 


a red 
letter 
in 

film 

history 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  August  20,  1927 

tory  in  every  respect.  A.  E.  McCauley,  Opera  House.”  New  York,  Chicago, 


Los  Angeles,  Glenwood — ”Beau  Geste”  takes  them  all!  ^ From  Omaha: 
"'^Firemen,  Save  My  Child’  opened  big  at  Riviera  Theatre  against 
day  m strongest  possible  opposition.  Audiences  in  continuous  roars  of  laughter. 

A.  Mendenhall.”  ||  Just  a few  random  samples  of  wires  received.  Flashes 
from  a nation  responding  because  their  chief  source  of  entertainment  has 
taken  a giant  leap  forward  in  quality.  And  the  beauty  of  it  is  that  this  is 
only  the  start!  Coming  from  Paramount  are  such  jewels  as  Harold  Lloyd’s  big  new  comedy, 

Shanghai  Bound”, 


Clara  Bow  in  ”Hula”,  ^1jJ|  ^Underworld”,  Richard  Dix  in 


"^Gentlemen  Prefer  Blondes”,  Adolphe  Menjou  in  ''^Service  for  Ladies”,  ”The  Rough 


< 


I” 


Riders”,  Bebe  Daniels  in  ”Swim,  Girl,  Swim”,  ”Beau  Sabreur”,  Fred  Thomson’s 

■fM  specials,  ”Jesse  James”  and  ”Davy  Crockett”,  and  more,  more,  more!  80  of  them  in  all! 


birth  of  the  modern  short  feature 


! 


^August  1,  1927.  First  release  of  Paramount  short  features.  Sparkling  gems  of  entertainment 
supplanting  the  old  fashioned  filler  type  of  shorts.  The  modern  Paramount  spirit  in  shorts  as 
well  as  longs.  That  was  our  aim  when  we  planned  the  Paramount  ” whole  show”  policy.  We’ve 
won — 100%!  Paramount  News,  just  out,  under  the  editorship  of  Emanuel  Cohen  (13  years  head 
of  Pathe  News),  shows  what  heights  a news  reel  can  reach  when  experience  unites  with  unbounded 
resources  and  organization!  More  speed,  more  coverage,  better  service.  That’s  what  our  mighty  ^ 
army  of  Paramount  News  accounts  are  getting.  ^A  new  spirit  in  Paramount  comedies  too! 
We  knew  that  in  Christie  Comedies  we  had  the  best.  Exhibitors  told  us  so.  Box  ojffice  figures  | 
proved  it.  Our  own  eyes  confirmed  it.  The  Christie  brothers— A1  and  Charles  — first  to  build  a 
studio  in  Hollywood.  First  to  advertise  short  comedies  nationally  and  establish  their  brand 
iiame  nation-wide.  Famous  as  star  pickers.  Wide  awake,  progressive  showmen.  Producers  of 
the  kind  of  clean,  swift,  smart  comedy  that  audiences  of  today  demand.  ^Clock  the  roars  at 


V. 


August  20,  1927  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  5 

Bobby  Vernon  in  ” Short  Socks”,  Jimmie  Adams  in  ”Dr.  Quack”,  Billy  Dooley  in  ”Row,  Sailor, 

Row.”  Treat  your  eyes  to  the  luscious  Christie  girls.  Watch  the  36  de  luxe  Christie  Comedies 

for  1927“B  as  they  trip  merrily  forth  from  the  finest  comedy  studio  in  the  world.  Paramount- 

Christie  Comedies.  Laugh  leaders.  ^ And  Paramount-Edward  Everett  Horton  Comedies  too. 

6 of  them  on  the  industry’s  only  new-era  short  features  program.  A brand  new  style  of  comedy. 

2-reelers  made  with  the  care  and  class  of  features.  Horton,  of  ^'Eoker  Faces”  and  ”Taxi!  Taxi!” 

I, 

feme.  Well  known  star  and  very  droll.  Popular  names  in  the  casts  of  these  Hortons  too.  A quality 
product  in  every  way.  First  release  August  1,  called  '^No  Publicity.”  5 more  coming.  ^ Then,  to 
lend  even  more  spice,  Paramount  Novelties.  Already  the  Paramount  Theatre,  New  York,  has  shown 
one—”The  Elegy.”  Which  hard-boiled  Variety  says  ”marks  a new  era  in  short  features.”  More 
Paramount  Novelties  on  the  way.  Together  with  26  Krazy  Kat  and  26  Inkwell  Imps  Cartoons. 
Cream  of  the  pen  and  ink  comedy  product.  X X X M X X X 

dawned  for  you? 


has  the  new  day 


^ August  1,  1927.  A new  era  in  feature  pictures.  In  short  features.  In  the  whole  show.  All 
because  Paramount  heeded  the  demand  of  this  changing,  modern  world  for  a higher  type  of 
screen  entertainment.  Because  Paramount  geared  up  its  production  to  the  spirit  of  the  times. 
Producing  daring,  ^different”  pictures— the  only  kind  that  will  roll  up  big  grosses  and  get  back 
liberal  returns  on  theatre  investments  today.  Reports  from  the  field  prove  it.  You’ve  read  them. 
Has  the  new  day  dawned  for  you?  Are  you  set  for  a year  of  unprecedented  grosses  with 
Paramount’s  100%  Program?  Or  are  you  trying  to  buck  the  tide  of  public  demand  by  sticking 

!to  old-fashioned  movies?  XXXXXXXXXX 


for  showmen  of  today 


hey  already 
knowICc^^'" 
h KEATON^ 

greatest 
DctLore! 


In 

SAN  FRANCESCO 

it  plaued 
ro  bigbuiine^s 
daily  at  Ibe 

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From  %tarF 
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0.05  AmgieOe^  tvenSing)  WleiraiDcl] 


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riotously 
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C/anPtanJ 

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picture  or 
continuous 

LAUGHS  « 

mms4/ 


Los  Angeles 
\Lltmfrdfec// 
\ Nem^  / 


PULL  OP 

PI4.N' 


Metropoll 


UNITED 

APiTISTS 

picture 


Sa/7  Fean 
\ News, 


BESTo.  KEATOW 
\MANTI1AUI&»/ 


um 


a univer/e 
of  iaughf " 

KjarTfeenJ 

\ CqU  and  / 

\ Post.  / 


Bulletin 


BEST  OP  ALL 
\ D<EATON, 
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LAUGMONG 

the  funny 
picture, f,/ 


TWElRItS  BOX  OEEDCE  PIROOiF-  JUM  Jm% 
OS  A WOW!!  OIP  ^OLO  WANT  MOIR-E-" 
LOOD<  AT  DT  WUIRSELP  AT  WUIR  lOCAL 
PPE-VOE-W^  StE  A UNOTTE-D  AIRTOSTS 
SALESMAN  AT  ONCE-^TODA«=lP-^  NOW! 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


ChM^ 


lortheloi 


Carl  Laemmle  presents 


cA 

PAULim 

Production 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


iivKinmyi 

^RunMadisoaOetrott/ 


UNIVERSAL’S 

Long  Run  Special 

wliick  tke  critics  proclaimed  tke  greatest  tkriller  ever  seen — 
starts  its  triumphant  career! 


with  LAURA  LA  PLANTE 

heading  the  perfect  cast,  including  Arthur  Edmund  Carew, 
Creighton  Hale,  Forrest  Stanley,  Tully  Marshall,  Gertrude 
Astor,  Martha  Mattox,  Flora  Finch — based  on  John  Willard's 
stage  play  which  startled  the  world! 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


'hen  They  re  Sore! 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


^este 


Dolores 

Costello 

“Ihe  Belle  of 
the  Box  Office 


48  in,  SAS3A3  CITY  MO  3 
DOLORES  C08TET  t r>  tm 

— " “r^rr  ». 

^0  BIO  BC3IM.SS  xs  8TIU  K..2a7  '' 

two  IK  theIh  Piuiat  OF  this  »0Bn  ^ IIIflOH,  aho  phess 

BROTHERS  


PRODUCTION 

Member  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


12 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


\ 


£h\ 


/ 


y 


A 


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August  20,  1927 


J 


/ 


A dramatic  melody  with 
a great  cast 


Marguerite  de  la  Motte 
John  Bowers 
Robert  Ellis 
Rose  Dione 
Bernard  Siegal 


An  outstanding  epic  of  the  jazz  2ige  — New 
YorWs  hectic  night  club  life — *Tin  Pan 
Alley’s’  laughter  and  heart  breaks — 

In  tense  dramatic  sequences  to  the  parlors 
of  Fifth  Avenue  with  its  elite  drawing  rooms. 

The  first  time:  a great  drama  with  a strictly 
musical  theme  of  BROADWAY,  written 
around  its  glare  ond  glamor.... 

And  the  rendezvous  of  silk  hats  and  shimmer- 
ing gowned  beauties. 

Produced  by  James  Omiont  productions,  under 
F.  Scott  Pembroke’s  direction. 


ri 

)E  r, 


t J 


Distributed  by 


FIRST  DIVia 


729  7th  Aveni 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


from  the  celebrated  Cosmopolitan  Magazine  story  by 
Jack  Boyle,  featuring  Corliss  Palmer,  Raymond 
Glenn,  and  Strongheart — directed  by  Harry  Hoyt. 


‘The  RETURN  of  BOSTON 
BLACKIE” 

The  best  theatres 
Are  booking  this 
Crook  Melodrama 
Because 
Jack  Boyle’s 
stories  and 
Chadwick 
productions — 

Released  by 

FIRST  DIVISION 
DISTRIBUTORS, 

I 

line. 

Are  Money-makers 
Patron  Pullers 
Fan  Favorites 
Cash  Collectors 
That  Shrewd 
Showmen 
Need  to  fill 
Their  Seats 
But  Why  Say 
More  to  Real 
Wise  Exhibitors! 

JN  DISTRIBUTORS,  INC. 

lew  York  City  ^ 


1 


“Wherever  you  travel  today 
you^l  find  former  leaders 
replaced  by 


FROM  THE  REPORT  OF 
AN  OHIO  EXHIBITOR. 


THE 


SYMBOL 


OF 


SUCCESS! 


— today  the  M-Q-M 
name  has  taken  first 


place  everywhere* 


A 


N EXHIBITOR  OF  OHIO 

has  just  returned  from  an 


auto  trip  that  took  him  into  five 
states.  He  makes  an  observation: 


« 


M' 


During  my  trip  I could  not  help 
but  notice  that  M-Q-M  pictures 
are  more  widely  shown  than  any 
others.  It  was  a source  of  constant 
amazement  to  me  to  find  how 
thoroughly  the  picture  map  of 
America  has  changed.  Wherever 


LEADERSHIP  CAN  ONLY  BE 
MAINTAINED  BY  STRONG 
PICTURES  EVERY  WEEK- 


here  they  are  I 


3 CHANEYS  1 GISH  3 SHEARERS 

4 HAINES  2 GILBERTS  1 SYD  CHAPLIN 

3 DAVIES  2 CGOGANS  2 GARBOS 

1 NOVARRO  6 McCOYS  2 DOG  STAR 

3 CODY-PRINGLES"  3 DANE-ARTHURS 
5 COSMOPOLITANS 


poweRfKtl  specials 


GARDEN  OF  ALLAH  (Rex  Insram)  THE  CROWD  (King  Viaor) 

THE  COSSACKS  (John  Gilbert)  ROSE-MARIE  — NAPOLEON 

MLLE.  FROM  ARMENTIERES  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY 

BODY  AND  SOUL 


HAL  ROACH  COMEDIES 

OUR  GANG— MAX  DAVIDSON 
CHARLEY  CHASE— ALL  STAR 

M-G-M  NEWS 

Twice  Weekly — The  New  Newsreel 


QUALITY  SHORTS 

M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS 

Hntireb  m Technicolor 

M-G-M  ODDITIES 

Produced  all  over  the  world  by  UFA 


you  travel  today  you^ll  find  that 
former  leaders  have  been  replaced 
by 


The  wide  distribution 

( 


of  M-G'M  has  been  won  by  good 
product.  In  the  coming  year  M-G-M 
will  give  you  the  greatest  product  it 
has  ever  delivered. 


METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER 


ersonamy 

i IwrizoTL 


r A/ V ^oo/?  fo 


Featured  in  Chicago/*  “The 
Wise  Wife/’  “He’s  My  Man’’ 
and  “The  Fighting  Eagle’’ 
starring  Rod  La  Rocque 


P ATH  1- DEM  ILL! 
PROGRAM,  1927-1928 


5,0  - 

aOWMANSH 

« ”“S  Pr„g«m 

ot  super  (jestiued 

f»' ' ens.«on  of 

to  be  Jig  in  0^1^^ 

^nMEY-maketjot*y 

PIG  MONEY  /,  I 

reser-vi^^^ons  . • • • 


fxcha.'S,®!"- 

V AT  tt of  A.OO-  '“■ 


11^  c ♦ 

pm:uecomed^«s 


Member 


o 


WHAT  DO  YOU  WANT? 


i 

I 


i 


Do  I mean  .... 

BULL? 

You*re  sure  I mean  . . . . 


BOASTS? 

. . ? Ask  me  another 


! Why? 


•'1 

1 


PROMISES? 

Now  you  know  I mean  . 


perhaps  . . . ; Or  yet  again 


/ Or,  "l 

in,  . ./  Sure!  \ 


or  IS  It 


I 


PICTURES! 

Right  — on  your  first  guess  f 

Now  I mean  FOX  / 


1 


If  It  really  is  Pidures  you  want — not  Boasts  or  Bull 
or  Promises  — consult  tke  otker  ^ide  of  tki.  .keet. 


In  August,  FOX  -will  release  Hawks’  “PAID  TO  Love”  witk  George  O’Brien  and  Virginia  Valli; 
J.  G.  Wray’s  “SiNGED,”  starring  Blanche  Sweet;  and  Raoul  Walsh’s  “WHAT  PRICE  GLORY,” 
“tke  world’s  greatest  motion  picture,”  witk  IVlcLaglen^  Lowe  and  Del  Rio. 


FOX  SEPTEMBER  RELEASES 


ALFRED  E.  GREEN  Production 


Janet  Gay  nor,  whose  superb  acting  in  “7  th  Heaven”  has  won  the  praise  of 
public  and  critics,  is  seen  as  a star  for  the  first  time  in  this  screen  comedy 
made  from  Gladys  Unger’s  laugh  hit,  John  Golden’s  big  stage  success. 


“THE  JOY  GIRL”  with  ouvE  borden 


ALLAN  DWAN  Production 

One  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  brilliant  group  of  young  screen  players 
is  here  seen  in  May  Edginton’s  story  of  the  luxury-loving  girl  of  today 
with  Neil  Hamilton  and  Marie  Dressier  in  a great  supporting  cast. 


deluxe 


66- 


loves  OF  CARMEN” 

with  DOLORES  DEL  RIO  and  VICTOR  McLAGLEN 

that  inimitable  pair  of  screen  lovers  from  “What  Price  Glory” 

RAOUL  WALSH  Production 


“EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE” 

with  GEORGE  O’BRIEN 

as  the  hero  in  this  screen  version  of  Felix  Riesenberg’s  very  popular  novel. 
As  in  “Paid  to  Love,”  it  is  VIRGINIA  VALLI  who  plays  opposite  him. 

ALLAN  DWAN  Production 


They  are  four  of  the  S3  Dramatic  ProJudions  oru  the  Fox  Profits  ScheduleJ>  for^  1927 "28 

AND  DON’T  FORGET  FOX  SHORTS: 

104  FOX  NEWS  26  FOX  COMEDIES  26  FOX  VARIETIES 


• • 


" .cu«  • *v»£Si**,t**s; 


k4l€  BIGGEIT 


iiaifliTi 


STiie’'  •J'lV*. 

v.« 


£wctt»*2S?5»^’‘?cSVt 


^ » "!?Y*tnle%rlses-H^SVAUS 

StaJSfer  f fEvsWKi 
»?  JEJii' V.«%  fS^^S* 


COLlEEN  NOORE 


" is  SET  for  the  greatest  year  in  her  record-breaking  history 
with  “LILAC  TIME/’^  a special— -from  the  famous  stage 
play  by  Jane  Cowl  and  Jane  Murfin — and  “BABY  FACE,’’ 
with  an  entirely  new  twist  for  a Colleen  Moore  story— “THE 
HEAD  of  the  HOUSE  of  COOMBE/’  from  the  great  best- 
: selling  novel  by  Frances  Hodgson  Burnett  which  set  pub* 
dishing  records — ^and  1 Other  to  be  announced,. 


Untflio*  CifCRit, 

West  C®a**JSl«eO  • I-®* 

wmo! 

{mm  cmrbe  wronq  wm) 


in  ^^Camilie'' 

9 WEEKS’  road-show  sensation  at  N.Y.  Globe  at  $2.00  top  ! 
Now  playing  extended  runs  at  advanced  prices  in  key  cities ! 
The  greatest  love  classic  of  the  century  . . . Months  to  make 
it  . . . The  role  of  years  for  NORMA  TALMADGE.  By  any 
standard,  artistic  or  financial,  “Camille’’  is  SET  as  the  fore- 
most romance  special  of  1927-’28! 


CONSTANCE 

TALN AOGE 


BILLIE  DOVE 

New  profits  for  every  the- 
atre with  First  National’s 
new  star,  lending  her 
Superb  Beauty  to  4 Great 
Romances ! 


in  “The  Patent  Leather  Kid” 
— the  big  mop-up  of  all  war 
dramas!  How  that  story  hits 
and  slashes  at  every  known 
emotion ! . . . And  4 others  of 
supter-calibre. 


will  have  the  mightiest  -profit- 
makers  of  his  career  in  “Burn- 
ing Daylight,”  “Just  a Sucker,” 
“Man  Power”  and  a special 
announcement  of  tremendous 
importance — to  be  made  later. 


You  know  Constance  . . . Anc 

Constance  knows  her  Box-Office! 

Remember  “Venus  of  Venice,’ 
“Duchess  of  Buffalo,”  “Her  Sistei 
from  Paris.”  And  now  comes  just  tht 
right  Constance  Talmadite  story 


fIRST 


H A n n y 
1 a M 6 D O N 

He*i  MADE  now ! , . , “Long  Panttp" 
“Strong  Man**  and  **Trampp  Tramp* 
Tramp'*  diif  it  I 1927-28  U the  time 
to  CASH  IN  on  the  sensational  repu- 
tation he  built  last  year. 


f.N.  LCADSmBOXOmCE 


iOHNNT  HINES 

By  every  exhibitor  report,  the 
greatest  for-all-the-family  Co- 
median in  the  business...  And 
he’ll  have  3 speed-record  ve- 
hicles that  will  make  his  name 
a Synonym  for  Success! 


KEN  NayNARD  Wiki  R06ERS 


Outstanding  sensation  of  all 
Western  stars!  He’s  past  the 
test  stage  now  . . . With  first- 
run  reputation  made — his  big 
clean-up  is  bound  to  come 
this  year! 


goes  to  Congress  in  “A  Texas 
Steer.”  Just  this  role  is  all 
Rogers  needed  to  make  him 
an  ace  attraction  for  the 
nation’s  exhibitors! 


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EXHIBITORS 


HERAL 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollsrwood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-16  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Featm-es 31 

Presentation  Acts 33 

The  Theatre 46 

The  Film  Mart 44 

Classified  Advertising 5o 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 49 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  51 

FEATURES 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray 24 

Re-Takes  22 

Pictorial  Section 25 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  43 

Letters  from  Readers 48 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 58 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  I 


ssue — 


TTERALD’s  Production  Directory  introduced  as  weekly  feature; 

Budget  figures  to  be  included  in  review  of  studios  activities — 
Costly  presentation  and  cheap  pictures  wrong,  says  James  R.  Grain- 
ger in  praising  editorial  by  Martin  J.  Quigley. 

New  season’s  bookings  to  cost  West  Cocist  Theatres  $5,000,000, 
according  to  Harold  B.  Franklin,  president;  To  play  product 
of  eight  companies — New  York  ownership  of  theatres  is  vital  prob- 
lem confronting  industry,  declares  observer. 

The  motion  picture  market  for  first  three  months  of  new  season; 

Herald  presents  complete  tabulation  of  attractions  now  being 
offered  exhibitors — ^Negotiations  for  transfer  of  L.  & T.  to  B.  & K. 
to  be  concluded  this  week. 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  cuts  “Callahans”  to  comply 
with  demands  of  Irish;  Picture  receives  approval  of  dhurch 
dignitaries — Albany  exhibitors  say  question  of  low  admissions  is  no 
business  of  exchanges;  Companies  differ,  however. 


Two  of  season  s roadshows,  “Wings" 
and  "The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  open 

on  Broadway Injunction  gives  sedate 

Roosevelt  exclusive  showing  of  fight  pic- 
tures   Move  for  further  protection 

blocked. 

C ALE  of  stock  in  fake  film  firms  is  to  be 
probed  by  government — First  issue  of 
M-G-M  News  is  released  with  showings  in 
Chicago  — Jannings  renews  Paramount 
contract. 

Minnesota  fire  law  hits  at  itinerant 
shows — West  Coast  president  sees 
better  pictures  as  certainty  for  new  sea- 
son  Oklahoma  theatre  costing  quarter  of 

a million  opens  in  September. 


|_)  AUL  ASH  bandshow  policy  is  spread- 
ing  throughout  country;  More  than 
200  theatres  have  adopted  it — Do  you 
have  trouble  in  raising  admission  prices? 
Exhibitors  tell  how  to  Scotch  complaints. 

j ''  ESTIMONY  in  West  Coast  case  to  be 
J-  concluded  on  August  23 Screen  the- 

atre is  school  of  tolerance,  says  Milliken 
of  Hays  office — Rayart  completes  six  on 
new  schedule. 

T EP F LAZARUS  joins  West  Coast  suc- 
J ceeding  Freddie  Schader,  resigned — 
Frank  Healey,  Massachusetts  exhibitor, 
dies — Trade  in  key  cities  to  preview 
United  Artists’  new  product Estelle  Tay- 

lor leaves  U.  A. 


Next  Week:  Presentation 
in  the  Smaller  Towns 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 

H E RAEB 

Qjke  independent  ^Im  ^ade  ^aper 
Martin  J,  Quigley,  Publisher  ^>0  Editor 

Publrehed  Eyery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 
Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the 
following  motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to 
Exhibitors  Herald:  Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week.  The  Studio, 
every  fourth  week,  and  The  Bo.x  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi- 
annual. 


VoL.  XXX  August  20,  1927  N^o.  10 


Picking  on  Production 

The  popular  thing  to  do  now  in  the  picture  business 
is  to  pick  on  production.  It  is  plainly  a case  of 
everybody’s  doing  it.  Throughout  the  length  and 
lireadth  of  the  business  the  production  end  of  the  indus- 
try is  being  criticized  and  castigated,  assailed  and  as- 
saulted. If  the  reform  to  he  accomplished  equals  the 
degree  of  vehemence  of  the  critics,  then  an  ideal  day 
Avill  soon  come  in  the  studios. 

But,  it  strikes  us,  the  greater  part  of  the  criticism  now 
lieing  launched  against  production  is  simply  a case  of 
fanning  the  air.  The  critics  tell  us  that  the  studio  and 
studio  operation  is  all  wrong — and  they  stop  there.  It 
is  an  accurate  case  of  destructive  criticism.  Destructive 
criticism  serves  its  purpose  in  making  known  the  exist- 
ence of  an  evil  hut  it  falls  far  short  of  any  possible  cor- 
rection of  any  evil  that  may  exist. 

Certainly  no  person  who  is  alive  to  conditions  in  the 
picture  business  has  been  unaware  of  the  need  of  re- 
form in  production.  Production  itself  has  admitted  to 
the  world  the  existence  of  difficulties.  The  one  thing 
now  needed  is  the  development  of  ways  and  means  of 
correcting  the  evils  that  are  known — and  admitted — to 
exist. 

L'VST  week  Mr.  Frank  R.  Wilson  joined  the  forces  that 
J are  assailing  production.  But  Mr.  Wilson  did  not 
make  the  usual  stop  at  the  point  where  production  is 
described  as  being  all  wrong.  He  proceeded  further  and 
in  a very  interesting  interview  published  in  The  Film 
Daily  not  only  struck  at  various  evils  that  exist  hut  also 
pointed  the  way  to  be  traveled  if  certain  of  these  evils 
are  to  be  corrected. 

Mr.  Wilson  asserts — and  we  believe  correctly — that  pro- 
ducers have  built  up  a wall  about  production  which  is 
resulting  in  the  shutting  out  of  new  ideas  and  new  talent, 
causing  a continued  drain  on  the  already  impoverished 
store  of  ideas  and  talent  within. 

This  brings  up  the  point  which  we  have  heard  fre- 
quently urged  of  late:  That  no  little  part  of  the  present 
difficult  production  situation  may  he  due  to  the  virtual 
elimination  of  the  independent  producers. 

Of  course,  the  difficulties  of  the  independent  produc- 
tion situation  are  troublesome  ones.  At  one  time  the 
system  of  independent  production  practically  ruled  in  the 


industry.  Most  of  the  large  distributing  companies  ob- 
tained their  product  from  a number  of  sources  which 
operated  independently  of  each  other.  In  the  develop- 
ment of  the  industry  this  system  was  almost  totally  sup- 
planted by  an  arrangement  under  which  the  product  was 
made  by  a single  organization,  usually  in  a single  studio. 
This  latter  arrangement  permitted  supervision,  consulta- 
tion and  responsible  executive  direction  and  it  was 
thought  that  only  by  means  of  these  aids  could  progress 
in  production  be  maintained. 

But  it  may  he  that  this  idea  was  wrong;  that  central- 
ized production  activities  do  not  lead  to  the  best  results. 
If  this  be  true  then  a sweeping  reformation  in  production 
must  take  place. 

Mr.  Wilson  asserts  that,  “mediocrity  in  pictures  is  driv- 
ing people  away  from  the  box  office.”  This  is  an  asser- 
tion which  we  do  not  believe  can  be  supported.  The 
standard  of  production  has  not  fallen.  It  may  be  that 
the  degree  of  progress  of  a few  years  ago  has  not  been 
maintained,  but  to  maintain  such  progress  year  by  year 
without  a let-up  would  be  the  accomplishment  of  a 
miracle.  Certainly  this  business  would  rest  on  a mighty 
weak  foundation  if  its  success  could  only  be  assured  by 
the  working  of  miracles  in  the  studios. 

No,  the  production  standard  has  not  fallen  down.  It 
may  not  have  been  raised  in  the  past  12  months  but  it 
has  not  sunk. 

On  the  production  end  the  trouble  lies  not  in  the  qual- 
ity of  the  product,  but  rather  in  the  cost  of  the  product. 

Mr.  WILSON  further  says : “The  tremendous  amount 
of  money  invested  in  theatres  must  be  protected 
by  quality  entertainment,  which  is  not  being  provided.” 

At  this  point  Mr.  Wilson  really  diverts  attention  from 
the  production  problem  and  centers  it  upon  another 
problem  of  the  industry,  which  is  entitled  to  at  least  a 
fair  share  of  the  blame  for  the  adverse  conditions  which 
now  exist.  The  other  problem  has  to  do  with  the  over- 
building and  frenzied  development  that  has  taken  place 
in  certain  quarters  of  the  exhibition  field.  And  in  this 
latter  connection  it  may  be  that  Mr.  Wilson  might  prop- 
erly drop  the  role  of  deliverer  of  criticism  and  adopt  that 
of  receiver  of  criticism. 

If  in  certain  localities  unsound  exhibition  conditions 
have  come  about  as  the  result  of  over-building  and 
frenzied  development,  as  was  the  case  in  various  West 
Coast  Theatres  Corporation  interests,  then  it  is  quite  un- 
reasonalile  to  demand  that  production  performs  the 
necessary  wonders  immediately  to  render  sound  and 
profitable  these  interests.  If  a theatre  is  wrong  then 
production  should  not  be  expected  to  make  it  right  by 
the  shipment  every  week  of  a “Big  Parade,”  a “Covered 
Wagon,”  and  a “What  Price  Gidfy.” 

Mr.  Wilson  adds  his  voice  to  the  chorus  which  has 
lately  been  denouncing  “the  elaborate  auxiliaries  with 
which  pictures  are  now  being  surrounded.”  While  it 
may  not  be  noted  that  practically  all  of  the  criticism  on 
this  point  has  been  issuing  from  persons  other  than  those 
who  have  reputations  as  successful  theatre  operators,  still 
with  all  this  smoke  there  must  be  at  least  a little  fire. 

It  is  interesting  to  recollect  that  these  “elaborate  auxil- 
iaries” were  not  primarily  invented  and  introduced  be- 
cause of  their  entertainment  values  or  because  of  any 
popular  demand.  The  basic  reason  prompting  their  in- 
troduction was  for  the  theatre  owner  to  seek  to  escape 
total  dependence  upon  the  film  companies  for  his  enter- 
tainment. Thus  the  jJractices  were  evolved  not  for  what 
they  promised  to  afford  in  entertainment  solely,  but  also 
— and  more  particularly — for  strategic  purposes.  A 
rather  dubious  genesis  for  a type  of  entertainment. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


Declares  New  Y ork  Ownership 
of  Theatres  Is  Vital  Problem 


Writer  Says  Initiative 
in  Managers  Is  Killed 

Contends  Business  Is  Not  So  Bad,  But  Home  Office 
Executives  Continue  to  ^^HowV* 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ATLANTA,  GA.,  Aug.  16. — Alien,  or  centralized,  ownership  of 
theatres  always  has  been,  and  perhaps  always  will  be,  a subject  for 
diversified  opinion. 

Many  contend  that  it  is  impracticable,  while  just  as  many  contend  that  it  is 
the  most  logical  and  economical  system.  Who’s  right  and  who’s  wrong  has 
never  yet  been  decided. 

Takes  Pessimistic  Viewpoint  of  Situation 

In  a discussion  of  the  subject  a writer  on  motion  pictures  in  the  Atlanta 
Georgian  takes  a rather  pessimistic  viewpoint  of  the  situation,  inferring  that 
executives  in  New  York  cannot,  or  do  not,  properly  judge  the  motion  picture 
entertainment  requirements  of  a locality.  Entertainment  not  desired  by  certain 
localities  are  foisted  upon  the  patrons,  irrespective  of  their  demands,  he  indi- 
cates. 


Next  Week 

THE  SMALL  TOWN 
AND 

PRESENTATION 


Paramount,  Ufa  and 
M-G-M  End  Parley  to 
Join  in  Productions 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — Negotiations 
between  representatives  of  Paramount 
Famous  Lasky  Corporation  and  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  on  the  one  hand  and 
Ufa  of  Berlin  on  the  other,  which  have 
been  going  on  for  several  weeks,  have 
been  concluded  by  a new  agreement 
whereby  the  three  companies  will  co- 
operate in  film  operations  in  Germany. 
Final  formalities  regarding  special  agree- 
ments will  be  attended  to  upon  the  re- 
turn of  the  Ufa  representatives  to  Berlin. 

Exhibitor  Is  Arrested 

on  Charge  of  Fraud 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  16. — James  B. 
Nicholas,  manager  of  the  Bonaventure 
theatre,  suburban  house  of  Kansas  City, 
was^  arrested  this  week  on  a charge  of  ob- 
taining money  under  false  pretense.  The 
charge  was  preferred  by  the  American 
State  Bank  at  Atchison,  Kas.,  where  Nicho- 
las is  accused  of  obtaining  a loan  of  $10,000 
from  the  bank  as  a result  of  making  a false 
statement  concerning  the  financial  condition 
of  a candy  manufacturing  business  with 
which  he  was  connected.  Nicholas  con- 
tends the  statement  to  the  bank  was  made 
by  the  company’s  board  of  directors. 

Patterson  Is  Named 
Film  Correction  Head 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16.  — Mayor 
Walker  has  appointed  Richard  C.  Pat- 
terson, Jr.,  as  Commissioner  of  Correc- 
tions to  succeed  Frederick  Wallis,  who 
resigned.  Patterson  is  president  of  the 
Peacock^  Motion  Picture  Company  of 
Shanghai,  which  distributes  First  Na- 
tional pictures  in  China. 


Publix  Class  “B”  House 
Closes  as  an  “A”  Opens 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOUSTON,  TEX.,  Aug.  16.— With  the 
opening  of  the  Kirby  theatre,  a Publix 
class  “a”  theatre  in  Houston,  the  Capitol 
theatre,  a class  “b”  house  was  closed  by 
Publix. 


Charles  Brown  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

VINCENNES,  IND.,  Aug.  16. — Charles 
D.  Brown,  36  years  old,  of  the  Pantheon 
theatre  at  Vincennes,  Ind.,  died  recently  in 
a hospital  there  following  an  operation  for 
ulcer  of  the  stomach.  He  was  ill  only  a 
few  days. 


In  this  article,  published  under  the  title, 
“Alien  Ownership  Is  Biggest  Problem  of 
Theatres,”  Fuzzy  Woodruff  writes: 

“I  have  never  encountered  a satisfied 
theatrical  manager.  They  are,  by  nature, 
bears  on  the  market.  They  acquire  a pes- 
simism that  is  as  lasting  as  the  greenery 
of  the  pine  tree.  It  stays  with  them  until 
death. 

“If  showers  fall,  so  do  their  counte- 
nances. If  the  weather  is  dry,  they  see 
blasted  crops  and  blasted  hopes.  If  it  is 
cold,  they  say  that  all  the  folks  will  be 
hugging  the  fires.  If  it  is  hot,  they  main- 
tain stoutly  that  it’s  too  warm  for  anybody 
possibly  to  seek  amusement.  If  it’s  fine, 
they  curse  the  golf  courses  and  baseball 
fields. 

Finds  Seats  Filled 

“I  made  the  rounds  of  every  theatre  in 
Atlanta  last  week.  In  every  single  theatre, 
I found  the  seats  comfortably  filled,  and 
in  two  or  three  cases  I discovered  a sell- 
out business.  In  not  one  single  house  was 
there  a business  being  done  that  wouldn’t 
return  dividends. 

“And,  in  every  case,  I found  the  man- 
ager of  the  theatre  ready  to  give  up  the 
ghost,  ready  to  summon  the  undertaker, 
ready  to  order  the  crepe,  and  ready  to 
bellow  his  tale  of  woe  on  my  receptive 
shoulder. 

“In  every  case,  I endeavored  to  cheer 
up  the  manager  by  pointing  out  to  him 
his  large  and  enthusiastic  patronage. 

Where  the  “Rub”  Enters 

“In  every  case,  they  told  me  the  same 
sad  story.  The  patronage  looked  all 
right ; as  a matter  of  fact,  the  patronage 
was  all  right.  It  was  about  all  the  man- 
ager could  expect  during  this  season  of 
the  year. 

“But — 

“New  York  was  howling — 

“New  York  was  sending  a daily  letter 
that  the  business  should  gross  about  twice 
what  was  being  reported. 

“And.  unless  New  York  is  satisfied, 
there’s  hell  to  go  to  the  captain  with. 

“It’s  the  same  old  story  that  Ireland 
suffered  under  for  so  long.  It’s  the  prob- 
lem of  an  alien  proprietorship  of  property. 

“Practically  every  theatre  in  Atlanta  is 
owned  and  operated,  not  only  by  New 
York  capital,  but  under  direct  orders  from 
New  York. 


“Goodness  knows  the  theatre  manager’s 
duties  are  heavy  enough,  for  he  has  to 
make  out  more  reports  per  day  than  a 
company  clerk  in  the  army,  who  is  the 
most  uselessly  overworked  creature  in  the 
world.  There  are  battalions  and  regiments 
of  efficiency  experts,  drawing  big  money 
in  New  York,  who  do  nothing  on  the  face 
of  the  good  green  earth  except  to  sit  down 
and  think  up  different  ways  and  means 
that  the  poor  local  manager  may  be  deviled 
and  badgered.  I don’t  blame  them.  They 
have  to  do  something  for  their  money. 

“The  local  manager  has  to  send  in  these 
reports  faithfully  two  or  three  times  a day 
and  they  are  filed  by  some  seventh  as- 
sistant office  boy  and  replies  written  that 
the  business  doesn’t  gross  enough. 

Manager  Is  “Rubber  Stamp” 

"IrT  the  meantime,  the  local  manager  is 
used  as  a rubber  stamp.  He  has  to  play 
the  pictures  that  are  sent  him.  He  has  to 
play  the  stage  attractions  that  are  sent  him. 
Even  his  musical  policy  is  dictated  from 
New  York.  Even  the  boy  of  the  usher  is 
regulated  by  some  master  of  elegance  in 
the  far  east. 

“The  manager  may  be  a man  of  infinite 
ideas  and  infinite  energy.  He  can’t  employ 
either  in  motion  picture  exhibition  today. 
All  that’s  supplied  for  him  along  with 
form  No.  14,  Series  X. 

“That’s  the  manager’s  real  woe.  If  New 
York  sends  him  cinema  or  stage  attrac- 
tion entirely  out  of  keeping  with  the  spirit 
of  his  locality  he  simply  has  to  grin  and 
bear  it. 

“If  he  should  raise  protest,  New  York 
would  simply  answer  that  the  locality 
didn’t  know  what  it  was  talking  about  and 
was  ignorant  and  ought  to  be  educated, 
for  to  New  York  there  is  but  one  view- 
point, and  that’s  the  viewpoint  of  New 
York. 

“The  best  example  that  I have  in  mind 
was  the  plight  of  an  Atlanta  theatre  that 
had  to  play  about  40  successive  weeks  of 
adagio  dancers  and  was  as  helpless  as  a 
baby,  despite  the  fact  that  the  management 
knew  that  the  people  had  been  stirred  to 
a point  of  desperation  whereby  they  had 
become  dangerous. 

Gives  His  “Real  Answer” 

“The  real  answer  to  New  York’s  con- 
stantly writing  down  that  the  business 
isn’t  grossing  enough  is  simply  this — New 
{Continued  on  page  21) 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Once  Over  With 

By  J.  B. 

Howard  C.  brown,  general  man- 
ager of  the  Colorart  Pictures,  Inc.,  of 
Boston,  called  at  the  office  and  reported 
that  all  of  his  troupe  had  returned  from 
Europe.  The  Colorart  has  just  finished  a 
two  reel  production  in  which  Hope  Hamp- 
ton is  the  star  while  Leomce  Perrett  looked 
after  the  direction.  Hope  Hampton’s  mag- 
netism, together  with  her  beauty  of  com- 
plexion, eyes,  and  hair  lend  themselves  so 
well  to  the  colorart  that  she  is  not  only  a 
star,  but  queen  of  the  rainbow  division  as 
well. 

^ 

Earl  Hall  Payne  of  the  Kentucky  Thea- 
tre, Lexington,  Ky.,  has  been  in  town  for 
the  past  week  on  a 50-50  pleasure  and 
business  trip.  Despite  the  fact  that  the 
musicians  union  handed  Mr.  Payne  an  ulti- 
matum just  before  he  left  the  South,  he 
was  optimistic  and  all  smiles,  and  maybe 
there’s  a reason  as  he  may  secure  the  serv- 
ices of  Herman  F.  Siewert,  one  of  the  best 
organists  in  town.  Lexington  will  have 
mellow  melody  again  if  Siewert  goes  south. 
* * * 

Walter  Eberhardi  has  picked  out  Round 
Island,  one  of  the  Thousand  Islands,  for 
his  vacation  spot.  Walter  leaves  Tuesday. 
Too  many  jokes  have  been  put  over  on  the 
well  known  islands  for  me  to  try  any  wise 
cracks. 

* * * 

Si  Seadler  is  in  the  village  again.  Had  a 
whale  of  a time  in  the  mountains  and  is 
all  browned  up  after  the  vacation. 

* !(!  * 

Mart  Shaw  “walked  right  in  and  turned 
around  and  walked  right  out  again.”  Mr. 
Shaw  is  again  with  First  Division  Pictures. 
❖ 

Emmett  Keegan  sailed  Saturday  for 
West  Point  to  spend  his  vacation  and 
“wad”  on  board  his  canoe,  “The  Betty.” 
Emmett  took  two  cans  of  beans  along  and 
a package  of  “lux”  to  keep  the  bacon  from 
shrinking. 

* * * 

E.  J.  B.,  of  the  w.  k.  News,  left  for  vaca- 
tion Monday  for  parts  unknown,  via  auto- 
mobile. 

^ ^ 

Manfred  Lee  of  Sterling  Pictures,  has 
returned  from  his  honeymoon  and  is  hack 
at  his  desk.  Alanfreed  was  married  on  Fri- 
day the  5th.  He  has  our  best  wishes. 

Ray  Johnston  of  Rayart  Pictures,  who 
usually  spends  a few  days  in  the  open  each 
summer,  is  still  at  his  desk  and  is  looking 
well  despite  the  heat  and  monoxide. 

^ ^ 

Edmund  Grainger  of  Fox,  sometimes  re- 
ferred to  as  the  Mayor  of  Columhus,  Mt. 
Vernon,  has  developed  into  one  of  the  most 
expert  automobile  drivers  in  that  section 
of  the  country.  Ed  only  had  to  have  the 
back  of  the  garage  reinforced  once. 

^ 

Harry  Osborne,  Hy  Daab,  and  the  other 
members  of  the  publicity  staff  at  F B O, 
are  champing  at  the  bit  and  rarin’  to  go 
but  the  vacation  schedule  has  not  been 
handed  down. 

^ ^ 

The  Herald’s  tipster  makes  the  follow- 
ing suggestions  to  all  vacationists  : During 
the  very  hot  weather,  avoid  eating  too  much 
raw  meat,  ride  in  patrol  wagons  as  much  as 
possible  and  avoid  the  hot  pavement,  smoke 
the  mentholated  “Spud”  and  keep  the  blood 
pressure  down.  If  you  do  this  there  won’t 
be  a cough  in  a thousand. 

* * 

Alex  Moss  of  Columbia  Pictures,  is  to  be 
congratulated  on  the  class  of  copy  he  has 
been  furnishing  for  “The  Blood  Ship.” 


Sad-Eyed  Langdon  Makes  a New  One 


Life’s  no  joke that’s  why  people  like  to  laugh  at  it.  Hence 

Harry  Langdon,  whose  actions  are  as  funny  as  last  year’s  dis- 
appointment and  his  eyes  as  sad  as  today’s.  Harry’s  latest 
First  National  life-kidder  is  “Three’s  a Crowd,”  from  which 
these  scenes  are  taken,  and  shown  with  him  below  (at  right) 
is  Gladys  McConnell,  his  new  leading  woman. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


I 

Two  Men  With  But  a Single  Thought 


By  FRANK  R.  WILSON 

{Reprinted  through  courtesy  of  Film  Daily) 

(Mr.  Wilson  is  a produoiion  financier  and  a director  of  West  Coast 
Theatres.) 

Mediocrity  in  pictures  is  driving  people  away  from  the 
box  office  and  the  sooner  producers  realize  the  fact  the 
better  it  will  be  for  all  concerned.  The  tremendous  amount 
of  money  invested  in  theatres  must  be  protected  by  quality 
entertainment  which  is  not  being  provided. 


By  CHARLES  HOLTZ 

iFrinecsss  theatre,  Danforth,  Me.) 

It  looks  to  me  as  though  the  producers  were  making  such 
a rotten  bunch  of  pictures  nowadays  that  they  could  not 
run  them  in  their  own  theatres,  and  had  to  rely  wholly 
upon  presentation.  Give  us  good  clean  decent  wholesome 
pictures  with  good  stories,  good  posters,  good  actors  and 
we  small  town  exhibitors  won’t  need  presentation  acts. 


Costly  Stageshows  and  Cheap 
Films  Wrong,  States  Grainger 


Distributors  Chumps  to 
Permit  It,  He  Contends 

Fox  Sales  Manager  Declares  Quigley  Editorial  Is 
Most  Intelligent  He  Has  Read  in  Many  Moons 

Contending  that  the  distributor  who  sells  his  product  at  a cheap  rental 
so  that  the  de  luxe  theatres  may  show  costly  presentation  are  chumps, 
James  R.  Grainger,  sales  manager  of  Fox,  takes  occasion  to  acclaim 
Martin  J.  Quigley’s  editorial,  “The  De  Luxe  House  Evil,’’  published  in 
the  August  13  issue  of  the  Flerald,  as  “the  most  intelligent  editorial  I 
have  read  in  many  moons.” 

Declares  Exhibitors  Are  Not  “Holding  Out” 

Mr.  Grainger  also  takes  occasion  to  refute  reports  that  exlhbitors  are 
“holding  out”  on  the  new  season’s  product.  “Never,”  he  says,  “have  1 found 
it  easier  to  sell  product  to  exhibitors  than  I have  this  present  year.  I find 
exhibitors  in  a very  open  frame  of  mind  and  it  is  simply  a c|uestion  of  good 
product,  and  never  before  have  better  pictures  been  offered. 


Wesco  President 
Sees  Finer  Films 
For  New  Season 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  16. — They  may 
not  be  bigger  movies  during  the  coming 
season,  but  they  are  going  to  be  better. 

That  was  the  assurance  voiced  by  Har- 
old B.  Franklin,  president  of  the  West 
Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  in  announcing  the 
advent  of  the  West  Coast  Greater  Movie 
Season  with  capital  letters  on  August  18, 
19,  20.  At  that  time  every  one  of  the 
West  Coast  chain  extending  from  San 
Diego  to  Vancouver  will  usher  in  perhaps 
the  most  ambitious  program  thus  far  con- 
ceived by  the  group. 

Nor  will  it  all  be  for  entertainment 
purposes  alone,  Franklin  declared.  During 
the  coming  season  entertainment  is  to  be 
adroitly  blended  with  uplift  and  education, 
all  combining  to  offer  the  people  of  the 
west  a proper  diet  of  cinema  recreation, 
it  is  expected. 

Six  Companies  Form  in 
N . Y,  State  for  Showing 
Pictures  Exclusively 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  16. — Companies  in- 
corporating in  the  motion  picture  busi- 
ness or  theatres  that  will  be  devoted  en- 
tirely to  the  showing  of  pictures  were 
formed  in  New  York  state  during  the 
past  week  at  the  rate  of  one  a day,  which 
is  somewhat  above  the  average.  Records 
of  the  secretary  of  state  show  six  such 
concerns  last  week,  with  all  but  one 
located  in  New  York  City.  The  com- 
panies were  Tippecanoe  Theatre  Cor- 
poration of  Gloversville,  and  Eveready 
Movies,  Inc.,  Quality  Distributing  Cor- 
poration, Alhambra  Theatre  Corpora- 
tion (capitalized  at  $5,000),  Art  Dra- 
matic, Inc.  ($50,0(X)),  and  Humanitarian 
Pictures,  Inc.  ($40,000). 


Silver  King  Trainer  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  16. — Michael  R. 
Brahn,  48,  trainer  of  Silver  King,  Fred 
Thomson’s  white  horse,  died  at  the 
Hollywood  hospital  Thursday  afternoon 
after  suffering  since  Aug.  1 of  a mys- 
terious case  of  poisoning. 

Sasseen,  of  Publix,  Goes  Home 

OKLAHOMA  CITY. — Charles  E.  Sasseen,  dis- 
trict manager  for  Publix,  has  returned  to  Okla- 
honia  City  after  attendinjf  Publix  conventions  at 
New  York  and  Atlanta,  Ga. 


In  acclaiming  Mr.  Quigley’s  editorial, 
Mr.  Grainger  said : 

“Your  editorial  in  the  issue  of  August 
13  headed  ‘The  Deluxe  House  Evil,’  is  the 
most  intelligent  editorial  I have  read  in 
many  moons.  You  have  got  right  to  the 
point  of  matters  when  you  mention  the 
fact  that  houses  playing  big  tiresome  pre- 
sentations must  depend  on  being  able  to 
keep  up  this  evil  by  buying  film  at  a cheap 
price. 

“Public  Fed  Up,”  He  Says 

“If  the  motion  picture  producers  are 
chumps  enough  to  furnish  their  product 
cheap  to  enable  certain  managers  and 
organizations  to  keep  up  their  egotism, 
they  can  be  considered  very  poor  business- 
men and  I assure  you  the  Fox  organiza- 
tion is  not  in  this  class. 

“For  the  past  seven  weeks  I have  been 
traveling  over  the  entire  country  and 
nights  I have  been  watching  business  in 
large  treatres  in  key  cities.  From  my  oli- 


Zukor,  Loew  Go  to 
Races  via  Motor  Boat 

ALBANY,  Aug.  16.— Adolph  Zu- 
kor  and  Marcus  Loew  were  among 
the  producers  present  the  past 
week  at  the  Saratoga  race  track. 
Zukor  with  a party  of  friends 
came  from  New  York  to  Albany, 
a distance  of  150  miles,  in  his  new 
speed  boat,  covering  the  distance 
in  a trifle  over  three  hours.  Loew 
and  his  party  also  made  the  trip 
by  boat.  According  to  friends,  the 
two  producers  have  not  been  very 
successful  in  picking  the  winners 
at  the  track. 


servation,  the  public  is  getting  well  fed  up 
on  socalled  presentations  which  are  noth- 
ing but  \'audeville  acts  magnified  and 
dressed  up  a trifle  better. 

Some  of  the  presentations  I have  seen 
in  the  deluxe  houses  were  not  suited  to 
play  in  vaudeville  houses  charging  10  and 
20  cents.  If  more  time  was  expended  liy 
organizations  and  their  management  in 
properly  exploiting  their  pictures  their 
receipts  would  greatly  increase  at  the  box 
office.  Of  course  there  may  be  three  or 
four  houses  in  the  entire  United  States 
where  presentation  is  of  importance  to 
balance  up  their  program. 

I am  wondering  what  kind  of  presenta- 
tions the  deluxe  houses  will  have  to  put 
on  with  ‘What  Price  Glory,’  ‘Big  Parade,’ 
‘Ben  Hur,’  ‘.Seventh  Heaven’  and  other 
outstanding  pictures  that  have  already 
proven  merit  at  the  box  office? 

Calls  Propaganda  Laughable 

“The  propaganda  recently  carried  on  in 
many  trade  papers  about  exhibitors  not 
buying  is  laughable  to  not  onl\'  big  ex- 
hibitors, bttt  also  the  producing  companies, 
who  are  on  their  toes.  I can  assure  yoti 
I have  never  found  it  easier  to  sell  prod- 
uct to  exhibitors  than  I have  this  present 
3'’car.  I find  exhibitors  in  very  open  frame 
of  mind  and  it  is  simply  a cpiestion  of 
good  product  and  never  before  have  bet- 
ter i)ictures  lieen  offered  as  a whole  by 
the  entire  producing  industry.  Naturally, 
no  producing  company  is  going  to  expose 
their  confidential  records  advising  the 
progress  they  are  making  in  their  sales, 
but  it  is  about  time  people  who  are  spread- 
ing propaganda  of  this  kind  wake  up  and 
devote  their  talents,  if  they  have  any,  - to 
something  that  will  be  more  readable  to 
their  patrons.” 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Exhibitors  Herald  Production 


^ This  Production  Directory 
will  be  published  weekly  in 
the  Herald,  with  an  ampli- 
fied form  appearing  monthly 

Directory 

^ Through  Herald’s  Produc- 
tion Directory  entire  motion 
picture  industry  may  keep 
in  constant  touch  with  vital 

in  The  Studio. 

A Valuable  Resume  of  Production  Activities 

subject  of  production. 

California  Studios 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


CHIEF 

PICTURE  DIRECTOR  PLAYERS  BUDGET  STARTED 


CHIEF 

PICTURE  DIRECTOR  PLAYERS  BUDGET  STARTED 


“The  Apache  Raider”Leo  Maloney  Leo  Maloney  $ 12,000  Aug.  5 
“Wild  Born”  Chas.  Hunt  Kermit  Maynard  15,000  Aug,  5 


Chadwick  Studio 

“Temptations  of  a Tom  Terriss  Betty  Compson  $ 30,000  Aug.  9 
Shopgirr*  Pauline  Garon 


Columbia 


“Forgotten 

Women” 

Geo.  B.  Seitz 

Conway  Tearle 
Dorothy  Sebastian 
Gibson  Gowland 
William  Welsh 

$ 40,000 

July 

28 

De  Mille  Studio 

“The  Main 

Event” 

Wm.  K.  Howard 

Vera  Reynolds 
Julia  Faye 

Bob  Armstrong 
Ernie  Adams 

$115,000 

Aug. 

9 

“The  Wise 

Wife” 

E.  Mason  Hopper  Phyllis  Haver 

100,000 

July 

7 

Jacqueline  Logan 
Tom  Moore 

“Forbidden 

Woman” 

Paul  Stein 

Jetta  Goudal 
Victor  Varconi 
Jos.  Schildkraut 

125,000 

July 

21 

“Girl  in  the  Pullman”Erle  Kenton 

Marie  Prevost 

125,000 

July 

13 

Harrison  Ford 
Ethel  Wales 
Franklin  Pang- 

born 

FB  0 

Studios 

“In  Old  Kentucky” 

John  Stahl 

James  Murray 
Helen  Costello 

$175,000 

July 

28 

“Rose  Marie” 

Wm.  Nigh 

Renee  Adoree 
Ralph  Forbes 

250,000 

July 

28 

“The  Fair  Co-Ed” 

Sam  Wood 

Marion  Davies 

300,000 

July 

25 

John  Mack  Brown 

“The  Enemy” 

Fred  Niblo 

Lillian  Gish 

Ralph  Forbes 

225,000 

July 

8 

“The  Hypnotist” 

Tod  Browning 

Lon  Chaney 
Marceline  Day 
Conrad  Nagel 

200,000 

July 

23 

“The  Lovelorn” 

John  McCarthy 

Sally  O’Neill 
Molly  O’Day 
Larry  Kent 

175,000 

July 

19 

“Mixed  Marriage” 

Hobart  Henley 

Lew  Cody 

Aileen  Pringle 

185.000 

. July 

28 

“Bringing  Up 

Jack  Conway 

Polly  Moran 

150,000 

Aug. 

8 

Father” 

Marie  Dressier 
Jules  Cowles 

J.  Farrell  Mac- 

Donald 

“Fires  of  Youth” 

Monta  Bell 

John  Gilbert 
Jeanne  Eagels 

250,000 

Aug. 

2 

Metropolit 

an  Studios 

“The  Man  Without  a 

Spencer  Bennett 

Allene  Ray 

$ 50,000 

June 

24 

Face” 

Walter  Miller 

So  Jin 

E.  J.  Calvert 
Gladden  James 

“An  Ace  in  the  Hole' 

” Herman  Ray- 

Monty  Banks 

90,000 

July 

5 

maker 

Jean  Arthur 

Kewpie  Morgan 
Jack  Johnson 

“Untitled”* 

Ted  Wilde 

Harold  Lloyd 

500,000 

July 

10 

Ann  Christy 


^Paramount  production. 


“The  Gambler’s 

Robt.  De  Lacy 

Tom  Tyler 

$ 45,000 

Aug. 

6 

Game” 

Sharon  Lynn 

“Dead  Man’s  Curve” 

Richard  Rosson 

Doug  Fairbanks, 
Jr. 

Sally  Blaine 

60,000 

Aug. 

8 

“Coney  Island” 

Ralph  Ince 

Ralph  Ince 

Lucille  Mendez 

75,000 

July 

15 

“Wizard  of  the  Sad-Frank  H.  Clark 

Buzz  Barton 

40,000 

Aug. 

11 

die” 

“Little*  Mickey 

Lreo  Meehan 

Frankie  Darrow 

80,000 

July 

29 

Grogan” 

Jobyna  Ralston 

Aug. 

“Jesse  James”* 

Lloyd  Ingraham 

Fred  Thomson 

250,000 

1 

♦This  is  a Paramount  production. 

First  National 

“The  Drop  Kick” 

J.  F.  Dillon 

R.  Barthelmess 

$825,000 

July 

1 

“Rose  of  Golden 

Fitzmaurice 

Astor 

350,000 

July 

1 

West” 

“Helen  of  Troy” 

Korda 

Corda-Stone 

250,000 

Aug. 

5 

“The  Red  Raiders” 

Rogell 

Ken  Maynard 

170,000 

July 

15 

“No  Place  to  Go” 

Mer\'yn  Le  Roy 

Hughes-Astor 

160,000 

Aug. 

1 

“The  Gorilla” 

Murray 

285,000 

Aug. 

8 

Paramount-F  amous-Lasky 


“Beau  Sabreur”  John  Waters 

“Now  We’re  in  the  Frank  Strayer 
Air” 

Tec  Art 

“Million  Dollar  Sap”Jack  Irwin 

“Broadway  Madness”  Burton  King 
“Homemade”  Chas,  Hines 


Gary  Cooper  $200,000  June  30 

Noah  Beery 

Evelyn  Brent 

Joan  Standing 

Roscoe  Karns 

Wallace  Beery  200,000  Aug,  1 

Raymond  Hatton 
Louise  Brooks 


Studios 

Buster  Collier  $ 18,000  Aug.  3 

Alberta  Vaughn 
F.  Schuman-Heink 
N.  Carter 
Yvonne  Howell 

Marguerite  de  la  20,000  Aug.  1 

Motte  90,000  July  26 

Johnny  Hines 


Fox  Studios 


“Blood  Will  Tell”  Ray  Flynn 

Buck  Jones 

$ 90,000 

July 

25 

“Publicity  Madness”  Albert  Ray 

Lola  Moran 

125,000 

July 

9 

Edmund  Lowe 

“Very  Confidential”  James  ’Tinling 

Madge  Bellamy 

60.000 

Aug. 

2 

“Silver  Valley”  Ben  Stoloff 

Tom  Mix 

150,000 

July 

28 

“High  School  Hero”  David  Butler 

Nick  Stuart 

65,000 

July 

22 

Sally  Phipps 

“Grandmother  LcarnsJack  Ford 

Margaret  Mann 

185,000 

July 

20 

Her  Letters” 

James  Hall 

J.  G.  Blystone 

Earle  Foxe 

175,000 

July 

2 

“Pajamas” 

Olive  Borden 

Buster  Keaton  Studio 

“Steamboat  Bill  Jr.”Chas.  Reisner 

Buster  Keaton 

$300,000 

July 

15 

Warner  Brothers 

“A  Sailor’s  Sweet-  Lloyd  Bacon 

Louise  Fazenda 

$ 70,000 

July 

18 

heart” 

Clyde  Cook 

“Sailor  Izzy  Murphy”Henry  Lehrmann George  Jessel 

55,000 

Aug. 

8 

Audrey  Ferris 

“The  Jazz  Singer”  Alan  Crosland 

A1  Jolson 

300,000 

May 

23 

May  McAvoy 

United  Artists  Studio 

“My  Best  Girl”  Sam  Taylor  Mary  Pickford  $500,000  May  20 

“The  Gaucho”  F.  Richard  JoneeDoug  Fairbanks  700.000  June  1 

“Sorrell  & Son”  Herbert  Brenon  H.  B.  Warner  600,000  July  20 

Alice  Joyce 
Carmel  Myers 
Nils  Astor 
Anna  Q.  Nilsson 
Norman  Trevor 


Universal 


“The  Flying  Nut” 

Wm.  Craft 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller!  50,000 

Aug. 

1 

“The  Arm  of  the 

Johnson 

Glenn  Tryon 

All  Star 

50,000 

Aug. 

5 

Law”  _ _ 

“Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin’ 

’Harry  Pollard 

Marguerita 

1,200,000 

May.  1926 

“The  Fourflushcr” 

Wesley  Ruggles 

Fischer 

60,000 

July 

15 

“Wolves  of  the 

Fabian 

Nixon-Lewis 

50.000 

Aug. 

1 

Ranges” 

“Haunted  Island” 

I?obt.  Hill 

Jack  Daugherty 

50.000 

Aug. 

“The  Man  Who 

Paul  Leni 

Veidt-Philbin 

150,000 

Aug. 

15 

i^iaugns 

“Lion  and  the  Lamb”Del  Andrews 

Hoot  Gibson 

75.000 

Aug. 

10 

“Hot  Stuff” 

Dorian  Cox 

Benny  Hall 

50,000 

Aug. 

1 

“Pins  & Needles” 

Kinnick 

Arthur  Lake 

60,000 

Aug. 

9 

August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Transfer  of  L ^ T to  B ^ K 
Will  Be  Concluded  This  W eek 

Return  of  Barney  Balaban  from  New  York  Is  Expeeted  to  See 
Conclusion  of  Negotiations — ^Lubliner  & Trinz  to 
Continue  as  Separate  Corporation 

Completion  of  the  deal  giving  Balaban  & Katz  ownership  of  the  entire 
Lubliner  & Trinz  theatrical  circuit  and  thus  control  of  the  latter’s  42  houses 
in  Chicago  was  expected  by  B & K officials  to  be  effected  this  week,  possibly 
by  Wednesday. 

Barney  Balaban,  who  represents  the  B & K stockholders  in  the  purchase, 
returned  from  New  York  Monday  to  conclude  the  transfer,  which  has  been 
in  preparation  for  a number  of  weeks. 

Remaining  Stock  to  Be  Bought  by  B & K 

Balaban  & Katz  purchased  50  per  cent  of  the  L & T stock  three  years  ago 
and  since  then  has  participated  in  the  direction  of  the  latter  circuit,  both  as 
to  policy  and  the  booking  of  pictures  and  presentation  acts.  In  the  present 
deal  the  remaining  stock  is  to  be  bought  by  B & K. 


Universal  Opens  6 
New  Class  A Houses 
in  Period  of  6 Weeks 

Total  Cost  of  Huge  Theatre 
Building  Program  Is 

$3,950,000 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — Universal 
plans  to  open  six  new  class  A theatres 
within  a six  weeks’  period  starting  Aug. 
25,  according  to  announcements  from  Dan 
Michalove,  general  manager  of  the  Uni- 
versal chain  Theatrical  Enterprises,  Inc. 

The  following  theatres  will  be  opened : 
The  Revere  theatre.  Revere,  Mass.,  last 
week  in  August,  cost  $350,000 ; the 
Kenosha  theatre,  Kenosha,  Wis.,  Sept.  1, 
approximate  cost,  $550,000;  Rivoli  theatre, 
Indianapolis,  Sept.  7,  cost  approximately 
$300,000;  Park  Plaza  theatre,  New  York 
City,  cost  $1,000,000;  the  Universal  theatre, 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  25,  cost  $1,500,000 
and  the  Moreland  theatre,  Cleveland,  Oct. 
1,  cost  $250,000. 

The  one-a-week  opening  program  is 
claimed  to  set  a new  record  in  chain 
theatre  operations  and  brings  to  a head 
the  great  extension  plans  of  the  Universal 
chain  outlined  hy  Michalove  early  last 
spring.  The  total  cost  of  the  six  theatres 
approximates  $3,950,000. 

Minneapolis  Moves  to 
Place  Heavy  Personal 
Property  Tax  on  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MINNEAPOLIS,  Aug.  16.— The  Min- 
neapolis city  council  tax  committee 
would  increase  the  personal  property  tax 
on  films  in  vaults  to  a point  ten  times 
the  present  valuation  basis.  A commit- 
tee composed  of  Theodore  L.  Hays, 
T.  A.  Burke  and  Eddie  Lipson  repre- 
sented the  film  companies  and  filed  a 
protest  against  the  proposed  plan  to  in- 
crease the  taxes. 

The  tax  committee  has  taken  the  pro- 
test under  advisement,  and  it  is  under- 
stood that  should  the  proposed  taxation 
go  through  the  taxes  will  be  paid  under 
protest  and  the  case  taken  into  the 
courts  to  arrive  at  some  definite  and 
equitable  basis  of  valuation  and  taxation. 

Infection  Kills  Man, 

Wife  Sues  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TERRE  HAUTE,  IND.,  Aug.  16.— 
Andrew  Samuels  died  recently  from  an  in- 
fection on  his  hand.  Now  his  wife  has 
filed  suit  against  the  Fourth  Avenue 
Amusement  Company  of  Terre  Haute, 
operating  the  Grand  Opera  House,  alleging 
Samuels  developed  the  infection  from  a 
wound  inflicted  by  a bolt  protruding  from 
one  of  the  seats  in  the  theatre. 

James  Oliver  Curwood 
Is  Buried  at  Owosso 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OWOSSO,  MICH.,  Aug.  16.— The 
body  of  James  Oliver  Curwood,  whose 
stories  proved  so  popular  when  trans- 
ferred onto  the  screen,  was  buried  today 
here  beside  the  graves  of  his  mother 
and  father.  Funeral  services  were  held 
at  the  First  Congregational  church. 


Lyric  Realty  Co.  Dissolves 
INDIANAPOLIS. — Articles  of  final  dissolu- 
tion have  been  filed  with  the  secretary  of  state 
by  the  Lyric  Realty  Company  of  Indianapol's. 
The  company  is  the  holding  company  for  the 
property  on  which  the  Lyric  theatre  stands.  The 
property  recently  was  purchased  from  the  former 
owners  by  Ed  Sourbier  of  Indianapolis, 


Lubliner  & Trinz  thus  becomes  a sub- 
sidiary of  Publix,  the  Paramount  chain  of 
theatres,  already  almost  nation-wide,  being 
owners  of  60  per  cent  or  controlling  block 
of  B & K stock. 

Lubliner  & Trinz,  however,  is  to  con- 
tinue as  a separate  corporation,  according 
to  B & K officials.  No  change  in  the 


Vocafilm  Gets  Another 
Premier  in  New  York 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16.— After 
the  disastrous  world  premier  of 
Vocafilm  held  recently  at  the 
Longacre  theatre.  New  York, 
David  R.  Hochreich,  president  of 
the  company,  has  announced  that 
Vocafilm  will  be  given  another 
trial  at  the  same  theatre.  It  is  to 
be  held  Aug.  14. 

According  to  Hochreich,  some- 
thing occurred  to  the  Vocafilm  be- 
tween the  time  of  the  rehearsal 
and  the  performance  that  was  re- 
sponsible for  the  poor  perform- 
ance. He  states  that  this  has  been 
rectified,  and  that  the  new  opening 
will  prove  to  the  world  that  Voca- 
film is  everything  that  it  has  been 
represented  to  be. 


policy  of  the  former’s  theatres  are  con- 
templated at  this  time.  L & T is  to  keep 
its  own  offices  and  its  present  executives 
are  to  participate  in  the  direction  of  its 
theatres,  it  is  said. 

Of  the  42  L & T theatres,  two  are  reg- 
ularly deluxe  houses,  presenting  stage- 


shows.  One  other  has  a mixed  policy, 
while  the  rest  present  only  pictures. 

It  was  expected  that  A.  L.  Mayer,  super- 
visor of  L & T theatres,  would  represent 
his  firm  in  the  transfer.  Emil  Stern,  vice- 
president  of  L & T,  who  has  been  repre- 
senting that  circuit,  was  taken  seriously 
ill  last  week  and  removed  to  a hospital. 
Alayer  returned  from  his  vacation  Monday. 

Calls  N.  Y.  Ownership 
of  Houses  Big  Problem 

(Continued  from  page  17) 

York  has  a rubber  stamp  that  says  that 
business  isn’t  grossing  enough.  That’s  all 
there  is  to  it. 

“Let’s  see  what  the  real  situation  is. 
Last  year,  for  instance.  Universal  acquired 
theatres  all  over  the  country.  Some  of 
the  theatres  were  acquired  in  the  south. 

“The  southern  theatres  did  so  much 
more  business  than  the  theatres  in  the 
other  sections  that  Carl  Laemmle  paid 
Dan  Michalove  $100,000  a year  to  take 
charge  of  his  whole  exhibition  policy. 

“That’s  about  the  best  criterion  on  what 
the  southern  theatrical  and  financial  situa- 
tion is. 

“It  speaks  in  thunderous  tones  and  gives 
the  lie  direct  to  New  York’s  pitiful,  nag- 
ging complaint,  ‘Your  business  isn’t  gross- 
ing enough.’  ’’ 


Theatre  Finds  Gold 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OROVILLE,  CAL.,  Aug.  16.— Gold  was 
found  in  a pan  of  dirt  washed  today  at  the 
site  of  the  new  T & D and  West  Coast 
theatre  here.  The  property  is  on  the  site 
of  an  old  channel  of  Feather  river. 


Expect  New  Protection  Policy  Proposal 
to  Be  Blocked  by  Exhibitors  in  Chicago 

Changing  the  protection  policy  prevailing  in  Chicago  and  surrounding 
territory,  as  proposed  by  Balaban  & Katz  two  weeks  ago,  is  not  likely  to 
take  place  this  year,  according  to  developments  the  past  week.  The  new  plan 
is  still  before  the  committee  representing  the  exchanges  and  the  James 
Coston  circuit,  but  opposition  by  Coston  and  other  exhibitor  interests,  as 
represented  by  Jack  Miller,  head  of  the  Illinois  Exhibitors’  Association,  is 
expected  to  block  the  B.  & K.  proposals. 

The  eight  weeks  clearance  period  in  Chicago  is  therefore  likely  to  con- 
tinue without  specification  of  protection  of  four  weeks  for  first  runs,  and  of 
one  week  each  of  A-runs  and  B-runs,  as  proposed.  The  eight  weeks  period, 
which  has  obtained  the  past  year,  was  agreed  upon  after  B.  & K.’s  original 
proposal  of  an  extension  to  12  weeks  met  with  opposition  from  the  other 
exhibitor  interests. 

Similarly,  the  present  policy  in  the  country  of  arranging  the  clearance 
period  at  time  of  booking,  would  be  continued  if  the  new  plan,  as  seems 
likely,  falls  through. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


First  Two  ’27-28  Roadshows 
Given  Broadway  Premieres 

“JTings”  Opens  at  Criterion  and  “The  Patent  Leather  Kid'’  at  the 

Globe  Theatre 


The  new  motion  picture  season  may  be  said  now  to  be  fully  under 
way.  Broadway  has  seen  the  first  two  of  the  roadshows  scheduled 
for  the  current  season.  One,  a Paramount  opus,  and  the  other  a 
First  National  attraction,  are  now  vying  for  long  run  honors.  Following 
are  reports  on  the  openings  of  these  pictures: 


“Wings” 


“Patent  Leather  Kid” 


NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16.— “Richard  A. 
Rowland  Presents”  is  the  screen  introduc- 
tion of  one  of  the  most  entertaining  pic- 
tures presented  to  a Broadway  audience  in 
a long  time.  The  picture  is  “The  Patent 
Leather  Kid,”  Dick  Barthelmess’  latest, 
which  was  given  its  premiere  last  night  at 
the  Globe  theatre.  If  Richard  A.  Row- 
land, or  First  National,  continues  to 
“present”  pictures  of  anywhere  near  the 
entertainment  value  of  this,  the  first  of 
that  company’s  fall  product,  it  is  a safe 
prediction  that  First  National  product  will 
be  in  great  demand  by  the  exhibitors  of 
the  country. 

Last  night  was  the  world  premiere  of 
“The  Patent  Leather  Kid”  and  the  picture, 
so  capably  directed  by  A1  Santell,  more 
than  lived  up  to  the  advance  billing. 

^ ^ ^ 

“The  Patent  Leather  Kid”  is  based  on 
Rupert  Hughes’  story  of  the  same  title 
and  it  provides  Barthelmess  an  opportunity 
for  the  best  acting  of  his  career.  Of  this 
he  takes  full  advantage  and  gives  a flawless 
portrayal  of  a young  prize  fighter.  Al- 
most invincible  in  the  ring  but  cowardly 
amid  the  scenes  of  carnage  of  the  great 
war,  who  overcomes  this  cowardice  and 
toward  the  end  of  the  picture  wins  honors 
and  the  girl  with  whom  he  is  in  love.  The 
girl,  played  by  Mollie  O’Day,  a newcomer 
in  feature  films  after  a short  career  in 
shorter  pictures,  is  an  intensely  human 
and  charming  young  person. 

The  picture  is  in  two  parts — the  first 
being  given  over  almost  entirely  to  thrill- 
ing ring  battles  which  are  staged  in  an 
unusually  interesting  and  truthful  manner. 
“The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  who  gets  his 
sobriquet  from  the  smoothness  of  his 
shiny  black  hair,  is  a product  of  “Hell’s 
Kitchen.” 

Along  comes  the  Great  War.  This 
makes  no  appeal  to  the  kid.  He  sneers  at 
the  importunities  of  the  girl  to  enlist  and 
at  the  flag  as  it  is  carried  by  at  the  head 
of  a detachment  of  recruits.  Later  he  is 
caught  in  the  draft  as  is  also  Puffy,  his 
trainer. 

Jjt  ^ 

Finally,  the  death  of  Puffy,  which  spurs 
the  kid  on  to  fight — not  so  much  for  his 
country  as  to  avenge  the  killing  of  Puffy. 
The  kid,  single-handed  creeps  and  climbs 
up  to  the  nest  of  machine  gunners  and 
destroys  it  with  hand  grenades,  being 
caught  and  badly  injured  in  the  debris  of 
the  falling  building.  Later  he  finds  him- 
self in  a hospital  with  a girl  as  his  nurse, 
and  after  a rather  gruesome  scene  of  a 
surgical  operation,  he  is  cared  for  by  the 
girl  and  finally  recovers  the  use  of  his 
paralyzed  arms  and  legs,  and  everything 
ends  happily  for  both. 

The  story  is  not  particularly  heavy,  but 
sufficiently  holding  to  make  it  at  all  times 
interesting.  While  the  war  scenes  are  of 
necessity  strongly  reminiscent  of  the  many 
other  war  pictures  which  have  been  given 
us  during  the  past  couple  of  years,  they 
are  full  of  thrills  and  remarkable  settings. 

-J.  S.  S. 


NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16.— “Wings,”  the 
aviation  subject  which  has  long  been  in  the 
process  of  construction  by  Paramount,  was 
given  an  inaugural  presentation  at  the 
Criterion  theatre,  New  York,  last  Friday 
evening.  The  picture  has  been  awaited 
with  keenest  interest  because  it  is  the  first 
of  the  season’s  specials  from  Paramount 
and  because  of  the  great  popular  possibili- 
ties suggested  by  the  subject  of  aviation. 
It  is  a splendidly  spectacular  picture  and  it 
is  an  eloquent  testimonial  to  the  courage 
and  accomplishments  of  the  wings  of  the 
various  armies  during  the  Great  War. 

^ 

“Wings”  is  another  war  picture  which 
is  rather  greater  in  spectacular  moments 
and  rather  less  in  drama  and  appeal  than 
several  of  its  predecessors.  The  aviation 
scenes  in  general — the  battling  in  the 
clouds,  the  reckless  daring  of  the  war 
birds  and  their  great  service  to  the  cause 
of  victory  are  marvellously  depicted.  With 
wide-angle  lenses  tremendous  sweeps  of 
aerial  action  are  recorded  and  these  are 
graphically  presented  with  the  aid  of  the 
Magnascope.  Vividness  and  reality  are 
further  achieved  by  sound  accompaniments 
which  faithfully  portray  the  drone  of  the 
airplane  motor  and  the  firing  of  the  air- 
craft guns. 

The  picture  had  the  advantage  of  deal- 
ing with  a subject  which  is  of  tremend- 
ous popular  interest  at  this  time.  Con- 
sidered as  a theatre  attraction  for  the 
coming  season  this  point  is  of  no  little 
consequence. 

• « • 

“Wings”  evidences  a vast  effort  to  wrest 
theatrical  material  out  of  the  difficult  sub- 
ject, picture-wise,  of  aviation.  This  part 
of  the  picture  represents  a genuine  accom- 
plishment. The  drama  and  appeal  of  it, 
however,  fall  somewhat  short.  The  story 
hardly  justifies  the  tremendous  setting  in 
which  it  has  been  placed.  There  are  in- 
dications of  a vast  footage  of  film  pro- 
duced, resulting  in  great  difficulties  in  edit- 
ing. The  picture  is  logically  over  a reel 
before  it  is  finally  concluded  and  its  sev- 
eral final  incidents  fail  to  maintain  sus- 
pense or  dramatic  sweep.  One  incident 
concerned  with  an  escapade  of  the  young 
American  aviation  lieutenant  on  leave  in 
Paris  is  decidedly  in  bad  taste  and  a later 
reference  to  it  is  either  flat  or  inappro- 
priate— or  both.  Certain  incidents  of  the 
slaughter  of  war  are  surprisingly  empha- 
sized— so  much  so  that  women  were  seen 
shutting  their  eyes  and  turning  aw'ay  from 
the  screen. 

The  dynamic  vivaciousness  of  Clara  Bow 
is  effectively  registered.  Very  able  sup- 
port is  accorded  her  by  Charles  Rogers  and 
Richard  Arlen. 

The  subject  was  directed  by  William 
Wellman.  The  spectacular  portions  of  it 
are  a real  accomplishment.  The  story, 
which  hardly  measures  up  to  the  setting, 
is  credited  to  John  Monk  Saunders.  The 
adaptation  is  by  Hope  Loring  and  Louis 
D.  Lighton. 

“Wings”  is  a big  picture,  no  doubt. 


Re-Takes 


WELL,  folks,  I don’t  choose  to  write 
a col.  in  August  but  this  space  has 
got  to  be  filled,  so  here  goes. 

^ ^ 

President  Coolidge  doesn’t  want  to  set 
a bad  example  for  his  son  or  other  Amer- 
ican boys  by  taking  a second  helping  of 
the  job  in  Washington.  Anyway,  the 
plumbing  is  awful  in  the  White  House. 

^ ^ ^ 

I see  Henry  Ford  took  his  first  ride  in 
an  airplane  with  Lindy  the  other  day  and 
when  he  came  down  said : “It’s  great, 
there’s  nothing  to  it.”  But  he  let  Lindy 
find  the  parking  place. 

^ ^ ^ 

Motoring  used  to  be  great,  that  was  be- 
fore there  were  eight  of  those  darn  things 
rattling  along  ahead  of  you  and  sixteen 
behind  you. 

sjs  ^ * 

No  Bargain 

L’^ncle  Carl  won’t  take  20,000,000  cigar 
coupons  for  his  film  company  even  though 
they  offer  him  a chairmanship  with  a nice 
easy  chair.  When  Laemmle  sells  out  he’s 
going  into  the  chicken  business,  not  the 
tobacco  biz. 

4c  ^ i!« 

New  Faces  in  Theatres 
Winnie  Sheehan,  in  London,  says  “The 
motion  picture  business  has  got  to  get 
fresh  patrons.”  Some  of  the  Hollywood 
patrons  are  pretty  fresh  as  it  is. 

* * * 

It’s  All  Off 

Lita  Gray  Chaplin  denies  she’s  going  to 
write  a book  on  “Lawyers  I Have  Fired.” 

4c  4c  4c 

Easy 

Don  Eddy,  Harry  Langdon’s  press  rep- 
resentative, says  he’s  discovered  how  to 
hold  a job.  Let  the  boss  beat  you  at  play- 
ing golf. 

* * * 

But  speaking  of  Don,  who  used  to  write 
do-dads  for  a newspaper,  his  favorite  story 
this  week  is  this  one:  A guy  took  a girl 
out  for  a buggy  ride.  He  stopped  on  a 
lonely  road  and  asked  for  a kiss.  “What 
for?”  she  asked.  “It  will  put  new  life 
into  you,”  he  said.  She  shrugged.  “If 
that’s  w'hat  your  kisses  do,”  she  said,  “get 
out  and  kiss  the  horse  and  let’s  go  home.” 

* 4«  * 

Famous  Last  Words 
“Mr.  Producer,  I’m  going  to  throw  this 
$150,000  production  in  the  sink  and  make 
it  over  again.” 

^ ^ 

“Polish  up  my  putter,  Meadows,  I’m  to 
play  in  the  second  annual  golf  tournament 
of  the  Guzinta  Club,  come  Saturday  after- 
noon, and  I want  to  wun  that  Marie  Pre- 
vost  cup.” — R.  M. 


Thinks  Theft  Inside  Job 

Conrad  Blanchard,  manager  of  the  Persh- 
ing theatre,  Chicago,  which  w'as  robbed 
of  $616  this  w'eek,  expressed  the  belief  that 
it  W'as  an  “inside  job,”  done  by  some  one 
who  knew’  the  safe  combination. 


Audience  re-actions  to  its  early  exhibitions 
doubtlessly  will  prompt  further  editing 
which  cannot  affect  its  bigness  but  which, 
very  likely,  will  prune  away  some  of  the 
footage  which  is  now  a burden  to  the  es- 
sential bigness  of  the  picture  and  the  ex- 
eellencv  of  its  spectacular  execution. — 
M.  J.  Q. 


I 


August  20,  1927 


E X H I B O R S HERALD 


23 


What  the  Film  Market  Offers 


in  First  Quarter  of  New  Year 


New  Season ’s 
Bookings 


MAYFLOWER  (Seattle,  Wash.):  Books 
entire  product  of  Tiffany  Gems,  and 
also  the  24  Tiffany  color  classics. 
COLUMBIA  (Seattle,  Wash.):  “Beau 
Geste,”  “Les  Miserables,”  “The  Way 
of  All  Flesh,”  “Show  Boat,”  “Metropo- 
lis,” “Stark  Love”  and  “The  Satin 
W Oman.” 

LOEW  CIRCUIT  (New  York):  Books 
practically  all  of  the  Stern  Brothers 
comedies  which  Universal  is  releasing. 
Loew  will  have  a choice  of  two  out 
of  every  three  comedies,  including 
“The  Newlyweds,”  “Keeping  Up  with 
the  Joneses,”  “Mike  and  Ike,”  “Let 
George  Do  It”  and  “Buster  Brown.” 
ORIENTAL  (Detroit):  Books  entire 
Columbia  Thirty,  with  “The  Blood 
Ship”  to  open  the  house. 

KEITH  UPTOWN  (Detroit):  Books 
Columbia’s  Perfect  Thirty  for  second 
run. 

POLI’S  PLACE  (Bridgeport):  Colum- 
bia’s “The  Blood  Ship.” 

STRAND  (New  Orleans):  Columbia’s 
“The  Blood  Ship.” 

RIALTO  (Tulsa):  Columbia’s  “The 
Blood  Ship.” 

LIBERTY  (Oklahoma  City):  Colum- 
bia’s “The  Blood  Ship.” 

PALACE  (Wichita):  Columbia’s  “The 
Blood  Ship.” 

WILMAR  & VINCENT  (Eastern  and 
Southern  Circuit):  Books  45  of  First 
National’s  Showman’s  Group. 
WOODWARD  CIRCUIT  (Michigan): 
The  23  houses  of  this  chain  book  the 
entire  program  of  Tiffany  Gems. 

Sale  of  Stock  in 
Fake  Film  Firms 
Will  Be  Probed 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  16.— The  sale  of 
stock  in  fake  film  companies  is  to  be 
probed  by  the  Federal  Trade  Commission 
as  part  of  an  exhaustive  investigation  of 
the  Blue  Sky  securities  situation  ordered 
on  the  motion  of  Commissioner  Abram  F. 
Myers. 

The  commission  has  just  issued  orders 
against  eight  Texas  oil  schemes.  The 
commission  inquiry  will  be  directed  to  the 
compilation  of  arguments  showing  the 
necessity  for  state  or  federal  legislation 
placing  corporations  under  governmental 
scrutiny.  Commissioner  Myers  being  in 
favor  of  the  so-called  Riple}-  plan  ad- 
vocating government  control. 

West  Coast  Theatres 
Case  Ends  Testimony 

(Washington  Btireau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  16. — The  taking 
of  testimony  in  the  West  Coast  Theatres 
case  win  be  concluded  in  New  York  Aug- 
ust 23,  it  has  been  announced  by  the  Fed- 
eral Trade  Commission. 


Releases  for  Forepart 
of  ’27  Look  Promising 

Producers  and  Distributors  Schedule  Several  of 
Their  Big  Attractions  for  Early  Showing 

Subjoined  the  Herald  presents  a compilation  of  attractions  which  produc- 
ers and  distributors  are  offering  exhibitors  during  the  first  three  months  of  the 
new  season. 

A perusal  of  these  brief  sketches  of  forthcoming  pictures  will  reveal  that 
the  producers  and  distributors  are  putting  their  best  foot  forward  at  the  out- 
set. 

Long  Run  Attractions  Are  Scheduled 

Scheduled  for  early  release  by  the  companies  are  a number  of  outstanding 


attractions — pictures  which  have  been 
have  been  acclaimed  by  the  public. 

Following  is  the  compilation  of  produc- 
tions, assembled  to  assist  exhibitors  in  their 
selections  for  their  fall  and  winter  pro- 
grams : 

FBO 

AUGUST  7 

“BREED  OF  COURAGE,’’  starring  Ranger, 
the  dog,  supported  by  Jeanne  Morgan  and  Sam 
Nelson.  Director,  Howard  Mitchell.  4,910  feet. 
Dog  picture. 

AUGUST  15 

“THE  GREAT  MAIL  ROBBERY,’’  starring 
Theodore  Von  Eltz,  supported  by  Frank  Nelson, 
Jeanne  Morgan  and  Lee  Shumway.  Director, 
George  B.  Seitz.  6,507  feet.  Melodrama. 

AUGUST  21 

“THE  COWARD,”  starring  Warner  Baxter, 
supported  by  Sharon  Lynn,  Freeman  Wood  and 
Raoul  Paoli.  ]9irector,  Alfred  Raboch.  5,093 
feet.  Drama. 

AUGUST  31 

“NOT  FOR  PUBLICATION,”  starring  Ralph 
luce,  supported  by  Rex  Lease,  Jola  Mendez  and 
Eugene  Strong.  Director,  Ralph  luce.  6,140  feet. 
Melodrama. 

SEPTEMBER  4 

“THE  FLYING  U RANCH,”  starring  Tom 
Tyler,  supported  by  Nora  Lane,  Bert  Hadley  and 
Grace  Wood.  Director,  Robert  De  Lacy.  Western. 

SEPTEMBER  17 

“CLANCY’S  KOSHER  WEDDING,”  starring 
George  Sidney,  supported  by  Will  Armstrong, 
Ann  Brody  and  Mary  Gordon.  Director,  A.  E. 
Gilstrom.  5,701  feet.  Comedy  drama. 

SEPTEMBER  18 

“IN  A MOMENT  OF  TEMPTATION,”  featur- 
ing Kit  Guard,  Grant  Withers  and  Charlotte 
Stevens.  Director,  Phil  Carle.  Meldorama. 

SEPTEMBER  25 

“THE  MOJAVE  KID,”  starring  Bob  Steele, 
supported  by  Lillian  Gilmore,  Buck  Connors  and 
Bob  Fleming.  Director,  Robert  North  Bradbury. 
4,924  feet.  Western. 

OCTOBER  2 

“THE  GINGHAM  GIRL,”  starring  Lois  Wil- 
son, supported  by  George  K.  Arthur  and  Charles 
B.  Crockett.  Director,  David  Kirkland.  6,301 
feet.  Comedy. 

OCTOBER  9 

“RANGER  OF  THE  NORTH,”  starring 
Ranger,  the  dog.  Dog  picture. 

OCTOBER  19 

“SHANGHAIED,”  starring  Ralph  Ince,  sup- 
ported by  Patsy  Ruth  Miller,  Alan  Brooks  and 
Gertrude  Astor.  Director,  Ralph  Ince.  5,999 
feet.  Melodrama. 

OCTOBER  16 

“JAKE  THE  PLUMBER,”  fealuring  Jc.sse  De 
Vorska,  Sharon  Lynn.  Director,  Edward  J. 
Luddy.  Comeily  drama. 

OCTOBER  23 

“THE  BOY  RIDER,”  featuring  Buzz  Barton. 
Director,  Louis  King.  Western. 

OCTOBER  30 

“THE  GAMBLER’S  GAME,”  starring  Tom 
Tyler.  Director,  Robert  De  Lacy.  Western. 

First  Division 
AUGUST  1 

“RETURN  OF  BOSTON  BLACKIE,”  featur- 
ing Raymond  Glenn  with  Corliss  Palmer  and 
Strongheart.  Harry  Hoyt  directed.  Jack  Boyle’s 


given  extended  Broadway  runs,  and 


Cosmopolitan  Magazine  story.  Length,  5,700 
feet.  Reformed  crook  aids  girl  who  proves  to 
be  clever  maiden  attempting  to  outwit  night  club 
gold  digger  playing  her  father. 

AUGUST  15 

“SAY  IT  WITH  DIAMONDS,”  starring 
Betty  Compson  with  Earl  Williams,  Armand 
Kaliz,  Jocelyn  Lee  and  Betty  Baker.  Jack  Nel- 
son directed.  Length,  5,900  feet.  Wife’s  sus- 
picions of  husband  prove  false  when  she  learns 
that  husband  sold  diamond  tiara — and  did  not 
give  it  to  another  woman. 

SEPTEMBER  1 

“RAGTIME.”  featuring  Marguerite  de  la 
Motte,  John  Bowers,  Robert  Ellis,  Rose  Dione, 
William  Strauss  and  Bernard  Siegel.  Scolt  Pem- 
broke directed.  Joseph  Mitchell,  author. _ Length, 
6,700  feet.  Society  girl,  night  club  gigolo  and 
ragtime  writing  piano  player  in  triangle.  Gigolo 
publishes  ragtime  writer’s  song  as  his  own,  but 
loses  out  in  the  end. 

SEPTEMBER  15 

“FINNEGAN’S  B.\LL,”  featuring  Mack  Swain, 
Blanche  Mehaffey,  Cullen  Landis,  Aggie  Herring, 
Charley  McHugh  and  Kewpie  Morgan.  James  P. 
Hogan  directed.  From  long-running  stage  hit  by 
— and  formerly  played  in  by — Murray  and  Mack. 
Length,  6,750  feet.  Irish  comedy  of  errors  lead- 
ing from  Ireland  to  America. 

OCTOBER  1 

“DE.VI'H  VALLEY,”  featuring  Carroll  Nyc, 
Rada  Rae,  Raymond  Wells,  Sam  Allen,  (jrace 
Lord  and  Rex  the  dog.  Paul  Powell  directed. 
Raymond  Wells,  author.  Struggle  for  gold  be- 
tween young  and  old  prospectors.^  all  nearly 
driven  mad  by  heat  . . . battling  with  relentless 
elements.  Length,  5,900  feet. 

First  National 
SEPTEMBER  4 

“CAMILLE,”  starring  Norma  Talmadge,  sup- 
ported by  Gilbert  Roland,  Lilyan  Tashman,  Rose 
Dione,  Alec  B.  Francis,  Helen  Jerome^  Eddy  and 
Maurice  Costello.  Directed  by  Fred  Niblo.  9,692 
feet.  Drama. 

“THE  RED  R.VIDERS,”  starring  Ken  Maynard, 
supported  by  Ann  Drew,  Paul  Hurst,  J.  P.  Mc- 
Gowan, Chief  Yowlache,  Harry  Shntan,  Tom  Day. 
Directed  by  Albert  Rogell.  Western. 

SEPTEMBER  11 

“THE  DROP  KICK,”  starring  Richard  Bartbel- 
mess,  supported  by  Barbara  Kent,  Alberta  Vaughn, 
Dorothy  Revier,  James  Bradbury,  Jr,,  Eugene 
Strong  and  Hedda  Hopper.  Director,  Millard 
Webb.  Drama. 

SEPTEMBER  18 

“SMILE,  BROTHER,  SMILE,”  featuring  Jack 
IMulhall,  Dorothy  Mackaill,  T.  Roy  Barnes.  Philo 
McCollough,  E.  J.  Ratcliffe  and  Yola  D'Arvil. 
Directed  by  John  Francis  Dillon.  6,669  feet. 
Comedy  drama. 

SEPTEMBER  25 

“ROSE  OF  THE  GOLDEN  WEST,”  featuring 
Mary  Astor,  Gilbert  Roland,  Montagu  Love.  Gus- 
tav von  Seyffertitz,  Flora  Finch  and  Harvey 
Clark.  Directed  by  George  Fitzmaurice.  Drama. 

OCTOBER  2 

“LIFE  OF  RILEY,”  featuring  Charlie  Murray, 
George  Sidney,  Stephen  Carr,  June  Marlow, 
Myrtle  Stedman,  Sam  Hardy  and  Edwards 
Davis.  Directed  by  William  Beaudine.  Comedy. 

OCTOBER  9 

“BREAKFAST  AT  SUNRISE,”  starring  Con- 
stance Talmadge,  supported  by  Don  Alvarado, 
lilarie  Dressier,  Bryant  Washburn,  Alice  White, 
(Contimted  on  page  42) 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


New  Season  Bookings  to  Cost 
Circuit  Five  Million 

Franklin  Contracts  for  Product  of  Eight  Distributors — Bachmann 
Joins  Paramount  as  Supervisor — Lipton  Now  Director 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  Aug.  16. — West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  will  have  the 
pick  of  the  pictures  from  the  season’s  output  of  the  foremost  pro- 
ducers. Negotiations  have  been  completed  between  the  chain  and 
eight  major  film  companies  involving  apptoximately  $5,000,000,  according 
to  announcement  by  Harold  B.  Franklin,  president  of  Wesco. 


SEPARATE  contracts  have  been  made 
with  each  company  for  the  entire 
product  of  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  Para- 
mount, First  National,  Fox,  Universal, 
Producers  Distributing  Corporation, 
United  Artists,  and  Warner  Brothers. 
These  pictures  will  be  presented  in  over 
300  theatres  of  the  West  Coast  chain, 
from  Mexico  to  Canada. 

The  principal  downtown  theatres 
which  will  benefit  by  the  new  contracts 
are  the  Metropolitan,  Million  Dollar, 
Loew’s  State  and  the  Criterion. 

Vv'est  Coast  Theatres  Greater  Movie 
Season,  which  opens  August  18,  marks 
the  launching  of  the  mammoth  exhibi- 
tion program. 

^ ^ 

J.  G.  Bachmann  has  deserted  the  ranks 
of  independents  and  joined  Paramount  as 
supervisor.  He  will  have  charge  of  the 
Emil  Tannings  unit. 

* * * 

Harold  Lloyd  Goes  East 
Harold  Lloyd  and  35  members  of  his 
company  left  here  yesterday  for  New  York 
wherei  the  Paramount  comedian  will  make 
scenes  for  his  latest  opus.  They  expect  to 
be  engaged  in  and  around  New  York  for 
the  next  two  months.  Mrs.  Lloyd  and 
Baby  Gloria  accompanied. 

* 

Estelle  Taylor  and  husband,  Jack  Demp- 
sey, left  Sunday  for  Chicago.  Mrs. 
Detapsey  was  accompanied  by  a nurse  and 
she  will  take  up  her  home  in  Chicago  while 
Tack  is  training  for  his  forthcoming  fight. 
^ ^ 

Lezv  Lipton,  former  gag  man  for  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer,  has  been  promoted  to 
director.  He  will  handle  the  megaphone 
on  “Baby  Mine.’’  Lipton  has  been  gag 
man  for  three  years. 

* * * 

Introduces  M-G-M  Celebrities 
Joe  Sherman  acted  as  chairman  of  the 
last  Wampas  meeting  and  had  the  boys 
meet  several  M-G-M  celebrities,  including 
“Flash,”  a trained  dog  belonging  to 
IVilliam  G.  Steivart  of  Chicago.  Alercedes, 
an  act  from  the  Orpheum  circuit,  also 
mystified  the  boys  with  a mind  reading  act. 
Harry  Arthur,  of  West  Coast  Theatres, 
put  in  a boost  for  Greater  Movie  Season 
and  Louise  Dressier  recounted  the  old 
days  when  she  made  “Tillie’s  Punctured 
Romance”  eleven  years  ago. 

Buck  Jones  and  his  troupe  have  returned 
from  Sonora  where  exteriors  for  “Blood 
Will  Tell”  were  shot.  The  picture  is  being 
finished  at  Fox  hills  under  the  direction 
of  Ray  Flynn. 

* * * 

Plans  for  Reginald  Denny’s  next  Uni- 
\ ersal  picture  have  been  changed  while  he 
is  sojourning  in  Europe.  Instead  of  mak- 
ing “Good  Morning  Judge,”  Joseph  Frank 
Poland,  chief  executive  of  feature  come- 
dies, announces  a new  copy  based  on  the 
old  short  reels,  “The  Leather  Pusher,”  will 
be  made  next  with  Fred  Newmeyer 
directing. 

* * H= 

Lupe  Valez,  young  Mexican  actress, 
who  was  loaned  to  Douglas  Fairbanks  by 


Hal  Roach,  has  been  confined  to  her  bed 
for  the  past  week  suffering  from  a fall  and 
nervous  shock  while  making  a scene  for 
“The  Gaucho,”  on  the  United  Artists  lot. 
* * ♦ 

Hector  Ttirnbull  has  returned  from 
Europe.  During  his  trip  abroad  the 
Famous-Players  unit  producer  made  a 
survey  of  motion  picture  conditions  and 
states  American  pictures  are  having  a 
great  influence  in  foreign  countries.  The 
influx  of  American  films  has  been  re- 
sponsible for  the  building  of  many  big 
European  theatres,  according  to  Turnbull. 
* * * 

CarmeVs  Mother  Dies 

Mrs.  Isador  Myers,  60,  mother  of 
Carmel  Myers,  died  suddenly  at  Ocean 
Park,  last  Tuesday'.  Funeral  services  were 
held  Friday. 

* * 

Oscar  Price,  according  to  Boulevard  ru- 
mors, has  organized  a new  film  company' 
and  is  to  produce  at  San  Mateo  studios. 
No  announcement  as  to  releasing  arrange- 
ments has  been  made. 

* * * 

John  Robertson  is  leaving  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer upon  completion  of  “Romance,” 
the  picture  he  is  now  directing. 

* * * 

Eldor  Honn,  aged  37,  a motion  picture 
stunt  man,  was  killed  Wednesday  when  his 
parachute  failed  to  open  after  he  had 
driven  a motorcycle  over  a 300  foot  cliff 
near  La  Jolla.  Honn  was  performing  for 
a newsreel. 

* * * 

Mabel  Norman,  who  has  been  ill  for  the 
last  three  weeks  at  Santa  Monica  hospital, 
was  able  to  leave  that  institution  Thursday 
and  return  to  her  home  in  Beverly  Hills. 

* * * 

Joyzelle  Joiner,  pretty  20  year  old  dancer 
and  screen  actress,  was  shot,  according  to 
police,  by  her  husband,  D.  V.  Brand,  dur- 


National Reviewers 
Commend  “Underworld” 

High  praise  is  given  by  the  Na- 
tional Board  of  Review  magazine 
to  “Underworld,”  Paramount’s 
story  of  Chicago’s  demi-monde, 
recently  completed.  The  review- 
ing committee  declared  that  it 
considered  the  production  excep- 
tional. The  story  was  written  by 
Ben  Hecht,  for  years  a prominent 
reporter  in  Chicago  and  now  a 
novelist.  This  is  the  picture 
barred  in  its  entirety  by  the  cen- 
sorship board  of  Chicago.  Other 
new  Paramount  productions  to  re- 
ceive commendation  are:  “The 
Woman  on  Trial,”  “Aero  Nuts,” 
and  the  three  editions  of  Para- 
mount News.  These  latter  pic- 
tures were  selected  for  the  Photo- 
play Magazine  Guide  to  be  listed 
in  the  September  issue. 


ing  a quarrel.  After  the  shooting  the  hus- 
band fled  and  is  being  sought  by  the  police. 

* * * 

Patsy  Ruth  Injured 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller,  while  making  a scene 
for  “The  Flying  Nut,”  a Universal  produc- 
tion at  Catalina,  narrowly  escaped  drowning 
when  an  acquaplane  on  which  she  was  riT 
ing  swerved  and  threw  her  into  the  water. 

* * * 

Sam  Wood,  directing  “The  Fair  Co-ed,” 
w'ill  spend  the  next  two  weeks  at  Pomona, 
■where  exteriors  will  be  made. 

=1:  * 

Franklin  Pangborn,  DeMille  star,  has 
been  switched  from  “In  Bad  with  Sinbad” 
to  the  old  stage  farce,  “My  Friend  from 
India.”  Shooting  will  commence  on  the  pic- 
ture this  week.  Pangborn  will  next  do  a 
screen  version  of  the  P.  G.  Wodehouse 
story,  “Indiscretions  of  Archie,”  named  for 
screen  purposes  “In  Bad  with  Sinbad.” 

^ sK  ^ 

Natalie  Kingston  has  just  finished  her 
first  free-lance  role  in  “Heaven  Help  the 
Working  Girl”  at  Paramount  studios.  She 
recently  played  the  lead  in  Leo  Meehan’s 
production  “The  Harvester”  for  F B O. 

* * * 

Ray  Coffin,  for  the  last  year  and  half 
JLal  Roach’s  personal  representative,  has  as- 
sumed the  direction  of  publicity  for  the 
Roach  Studios. 

* * * 

The  public,  which  was  heretofore  not 
allowed  to  eat  in  Hal  Roach  studios  res- 
taurant, may  now  enjoy  that  privilege.  The 
cafe  has  been  moved  from  the  lot  proper 
to  Washington  boulevard.,  thus  giving  the 
general  public  an  opportunity  of  eating  with 
“Our  Gang,”  Charley  Chase  and  other 
Roach  stars. 

^ 

Brown  on  New  Contract 

Harry  J.  Broivn,  supervisor  of  the  Ken 
Maynard  productions  for  First  National, 
has  signed  a new  five  year  contract  with 
Charles  R.  Rogers,  producer. 

* ♦ * 

George  E.  Marshall  has  added  Wallace 
MacDonald  to  his  list  of  comedy  directors 
at  Fox  studios.  “The  Silly  Sailor”  will  be 
his  first  production. 

* * * 

Alfred  E.  Green,  Fox  director,  is  work- 
ing on  the  script  of  “Come  to  My  House,” 
a story  by  Arthur  Somers  Roche,  which 
will  be  Olive  Borden’s  next  starring  ve- 
hicle. 

^ ^ ^ 

Malcolm  Stuart  Boylan  has  just  titled 
and  endited  his  39th  film  for  Fox.  It  is 
“Bride  of  the  Night”  featuring  Charles 

Farrell  and  Greta  Nissen. 

* * ;K 

Imperial  Pictures  Company  has  just  fin- 
ished “The  Million  Dollar  Sap”  at  Tec-Art 
studios.  Jack  Irwin  directed.  Alberta 

Vaughn  and  Buster  Collier  have  the  leads. 

* * sjs 

Accompanied  by  his  staff  and  30  players 
Fred  Thomson  has  left  for  Bridgeport,  Cal., 
where  exteriors  will  be  made  for  “Jesse 
James.”  A.  L.  Werker  is  supervising  the 
production  and  Lloyd  Ingraham  is  direct- 
ing. 

^ ^ ^ 

Sol  Wurtzel,  general  superintendent  Fox 
Studios,  has  elvated  William  Counselman  to 
the  position  of  production  supervisor. 
Counselman  has  been  a screen  writer,  be- 
ing the  only  American  writer  to  work  with 
F.  W.  Murnau  on  “Sunrise.” 


Christie  Is  in  East 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16.  — Charles 
Christie,  business  manager  of  the  Chris- 
tie company,  has  arrived  in  New  York 
from  Los  Angeles.  He  is  here  to  confer 
with  Paramount  executives  on  Christie 
comedy  releases. 


August  20,  1927  EXHIBIT  ORSHERALD  25 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  August  21) 

by 

the  Camera 

In  Current 
Events 


Proud  huskies  and  their  trophies,  which  they  won  at  the 
Los  Angeles  dog  show.  Showing  them  off  are  Clarence 
Brown,  the  director,  and  Dolores  del  Rio,  the  feminine 
lead  of  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  “The  Trail  of  ’98,”  epic 
of  the  Alaskan  gold  rush  in  which  the  dogs  were  used. 
The  picture  now  is  being  completed  in  Hollywood. 


The  Greater  Movie  Season  on  the  West  Coast  was  opened 
by  Mayor  George  E.  Cryer  of  Los  Angeles,  who  issued  the 
official  proclamation  at  ceremonies  attended  by  West  Coast 
Theatres  officials.  Above  are  (left  to  right)  A.  L.  Gore 
and  President  H.  B.  Franklin  of  the  theatre  chain;  Mayor 
Cryer,  and  M.  Gore  of  the  circuit. 


The  first  prize  cup  in  the  special  F B O Canadian  business 
drive  in  the  Dominion,  was  won  by  the  St.  Johns  branch, 
and  those  responsible  are  shown  above.  From  left  to  right 
(standing)  A.  L.  Goudet,  manager;  R.  A.  Christie,  booker; 
(seated)  Miss  Evelyn  Crowley,  cashier;  and  Miss  Frances 
Gillis,  clerk. 


Enroute  to  Washington,  Will  Rogers’  press  car  hauled  up 
at  Salt  Lake  City.  The  car  is  exploiting  First  National’s 
coming  Rogers  picture,  “A  Texas  Steer.”  Above  are 
shown  (right)  Fred  E.  Hamlin,  F-N  publicist  conducting 
the  tour;  W.  F.  Gordon,  Salt  Lake  City  exchange  mana- 
ger; and  (left)  two  of  Gordon’s  aids. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Where  John  Gilbert  goes  when  the  day  is  done his  home, 

a Spanish  hacienda  which  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  star 
has  built  in  the  foothills  of  Hollywood.  Not  large 
but  enchanting.  The  finishing  touches  are  now 
being  put  on  Gilbert’s  next  picture,  “Love,”  in 
which  he  will  co-star  with  Greta  Garb"  Tl-" 
itory  is  Tolstoy’s  “Anna  Karenina.” 


Quaint,  rustic,  inviting  is  Sally  O’Neil’s  hearthplace  in 
Hollywood.  A nature  lover  is  this  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
star — though  of  course  she  likes  her  nature  pruned 
and  well-sprinkled.  Pre-release  theatres  are  now 
showing  Sally’s  “Becky,”  but  she’ll  soon  have 
other  one,  “The  Lovelorn,”  which  John 
P.  McCarthy  is  making. 


As  an  archer  Ethlyne  Clair  may  be 
said  to  have  achieved  perfect  form. 
Beneath  the  well-poised  Universal 
player  the  vast  Pacific  rolls — and  do 
you  care? 


Lena  Basquette,  who  in  private  life 
is  Mrs.  Sam  Warner,  has  the  femi- 
nine lead  in  F B O’s  “Ranger  of  the 
North,”  which  will  star  the  canine 
celebrity  Ranger. 


A lovely  refutation  of  the  Blondes 
Preferred  theory  (for  observe  the 
blade  intended  for  covetous  gentle- 
men) is  Fay  Webb,  who  recently 
join^  M-G-M’s  stock  company. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


Sweethearts.  The  pair  of  lovers  pictured  at  left,  are  Rex  and  his  best  girl,  both  of  whom  will  appear  in  the  equestrian  drama 
“Wild  Beauty.”  Rex,  the  big  black  fellow,  is  the  star  of  this  Universal-Jewel  production,  playing  the  part  of  Wild  Beauty  him- 
self. The  sweethearts  shown  at  right,  are  Hugh  Allen  and  June  Marlowe,  who  have  the  masculine  and  feminine  leads,  re- 
spectively, in  this  picture,  which  is  to  have  an  early  release. 


Frankie  Darro’s  pony  Dixie  recently 
presented  the  star  of  F B O’s  “Judg- 
ment of  the  Hills”  with  an  equestrian 
mite  still  smaller  than  herself.  Frzmkie 
wanted  a “boy” — and  got  it. 


The  prize  entry  in  this  week’s  pet 
exhibit.  Know  what  it  is?  Br-r-r-r! 
George  Cooper  found  it  on  location 
in  Alaska  for  M-G-M’s  “The  Trail  of 
’98.” 


Page  Tex  Rickard!  Despite  his  pecu- 
liar build,  this  pugilist  packs  a mean 
wallop,  says  Harry  Abdy.  Kid  Kang’s 
last  bout  is  the  Christie-Paramount 
comedy  “Hot  Papa.” 


“Hard-Boiled”  Haggerty  recently  entertained  Miss  France  at  the  First  National  studio,  and  the  picture  on  the  left  shows 
(left  to  right)  Ben  J.  Summerhays,  New  York  tax  expert;  Miss  France,  so  styled  in  a beauty  contest  “over  there;”  Haggerty 
himself;  and  Mme.  Roberta  Coty,  Miss  France’s  companion.  Of  course  you  have  noticed  the  resemblance  between  Haggerty 
and  Milton  Sills.  Fact  is.  Sills  is  Haggerty  in  his  newest  First  National  picture,  “Hard-Boiled  Haggerty,”  a scene  from 
which  (at  right)  shows  him  butting  in  on  Arthur  Stone  and  Yola  d’Avril. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


M-G-M  Cuts  “Callahans”  to 
Comply  with  Irish  Demands 

Catholic  Clergymen  Place  Approval  on  Comedy  After  Elimi- 
nations Are  Made — Goldberg  of  First  Division  Says 
“Finnegan’s  Ball”  Will  Be  Shown  “As  Is” 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — Religious  and  social  opposition  to  some  of  the 
scenes  in  the  M-G-M  comedy,  “The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys,”  has  been 
banished  by  the  elimination  of  those  parts  considered  objectionable,  according 
to  a statement  by  Felix  F.  Feist. 

In  a communication  to  his  district  and  resident  managers  the  Metro  execu- 
tive stated  that  following  a demand  that  a play  date  on  the  picture  be  cancelled, 
dignitaries  of  the  Catholic  church  and  prominent  members  of  the  K.  of  C.  and 
other  Irish  societies  viewed  the  picture  with  eliminations  made  and  pro- 
nounced it  unobjectionable. 

Will  Advise  Parishioners  to  See  Film 

Mr.  Feist  said  that  after  viewing  the  attraction  Father  Rudin  of  Bound- 
brook  said  that  he  would  advise  all  his  parishioners  to  see  the  picture,  that  he 
considered  it  a good  evening’s  entertainment.  A committee  of  12,  repre- 
senting the  church  and  Irish  societies,  voted  unanimously  in  favor  of  the 
picture  when  shown  with  eliminations. 


In  his  letter  to  exchanges  Mr.  Feist 
said: 

”It  will  interest  you  to  know  that  on  Monday 
of  this  week  the  exhibitor  operating  the  Palace 
theatre,  Boundbrook,  in  company  with  a repre- 
sentative of  the  K.  of  C.  organization  of  this 
town,  called  demanding  that  we  cancel  our  en- 
gagement of  ‘The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys,’ 
in  accordance  with  the  wishes  of  the  Catholic 
church,  K.  of  C.  and  other  Irish  societies  of 
Boundbrook,  claiming  that  the  picture  was  en- 
tirely objectionable  and  offensive  to  the  members 
of  the  organizations  mentioned  above. 

“In  turn,  I advised  both  these  gentlemen  of 
the  eliminations  made  in  this  picture,  and  also 
told  them  that  there  was  nothing  objectionable 
in  the  picture  as  it  now  stands,  in  view  of  the 
eliminations;  and  suggested  that  we  be  given  the 
opportunity  to  screen  a print  of  ‘The  Callahans 
and  the  Murphys’  for  them  before  they  passed 
final  judgment  on  same.  I therefore  sent  a print 
to  Boundbrook  for  screening,  and  am  pleased  to 
say  that  this  was  done  in  the  presence  of  Father 
Rudin  and  Father  Fay,  both  of  whom  are  at  the 
head  of  the  Catholic  church  in  this  town,  as  well 
as  a committee  of  ten  members  representing  the 
K.  of  C..  who  thoroughly  enjoyed  the  picture 
and  passed  same  unanimously  and  withdrew  all 
objections.” 

To  Be  Shown  “As  Is” 

In  connection  with  the  opposition  to 
Irish  pictures  which  has  been  voiced, 
Jesse  J.  Goldburg,  president  and  general 
manager  of  First  Division,  announces 
that  “despite  the  forced  eliminations 
from  Irish  pictures  of  scenes  considered 
injurious  to  the  good  name  of  the  Irish, 
‘Finnegan’s  - Ball’  will  be  exhibited 
throughout  the  United  States  in  Septem- 
ber ‘as  is’.” 

“Although  we  are  willing  to  submit  to 
whatever  cuts  the  National  Board  of 
Review  is  willing  to  make,  we  do  not 
intend  to  abbreviate  any  of  the  comedy, 
and  this  statement  is  made  regardless 
of  the  challenge  of  certain  societies,”  he 
said. 

“We  do  not  want  to  offend  the  Irish 
or  any  other  race,  and  we  feel  that  ‘Fin- 
negan’s Bair  respects  the  differences  that 
characterize  the  Irish  people  from  a cari- 
caturist’s point  of  view.  We  are  not  op- 


Film Plays  5 Boston 
Houses  Simultaneously 

BOSTON,  Aug.  16. — The  Para- 
mount comedy,  "Fireman,  Save 
My  Child,”  is  this  week  playing 
simultaneously  at  hve  Boston 
theatres:  the  Washington  Street 
Olympia,  Scollay  Square  Olym- 
pia, Fenway,  Capitol  and  Central 
Square  theatres. 


posed  to  caricature,  nor  are  we  opposed 
to  movie  fun.  Hence  we  see  no  reason 
why  we  should  recognize  the  threats  of 
Irish  individuals  to  rotten-egg  the  pic- 
ture when  it  appears.” 

Publix  Will  Not  Hold 
Its  T raining  School 
for  Managers  in  Fall 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16.— Publix  will 
not  hold  its  fall  session  of  the  Publix 
theatre  managers’  training  school,  which 
was  originally  intended  to  be  held  this 
September.  The  need  of  man  power  for 
Publix  theatres  can  be  met  with  the 
graduates  of  the  last  three  sessions. 

The  school  will  be  closed  until  the 
need  for  it  again  arises.  According  to 
officials,  the  school  proved  a great  suc- 
cess, having  been  in  session  for  two 
years.  The  past  three  schools  have  grad- 
uated over  75  men  and  all  but  three  of 
these  are  now  engaged  in  theatre  opera- 
tion. 

K.  C.  Exhibitors  Protest 
Against  Building  Code 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  16. — A petition, 
being  circulated  by  Kansas  City  exhibitors 
in  protest  of  several  clauses  in  a recent 
building  code  ordinance,  probably  will  be 
presented  to  City  Manager  McElroy  in  a 
few  days. 

The  new  code  would  restrain  many 
inivileges  of  exhibitors  in  regard  to 
the  operation  of  booths  and  the  employing 
of  operators.  The  ordinance  also  would 
mean  the  employing  of  two  operators  in- 
stead of  one  in  the  smaller  theatres,  it  is 
believed,  due  to  restrictions  placed  upon 
the  activities  of  the  operator. 

Manfred  Lee  and 

Betty  Miller  Marry 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — Announce- 
ments have  been  made  of  the  marriage 
of  Manfred  B.  Lee  and  Betty  Miller,  of 
Philadelphia,  and  the  couple  are  spend- 
ing their  honeymoon  in  New  York. 

Lee  is  publicity  and  advertising  di- 
rector for  Henry  Ginsberg,  president  of 
Sterling  Pictures  Distribution  Corpora- 
tion. 


British  Empire  Films 
Sets  Out  to  Produce 
Pictures  in  Canada 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

BELLEVILLE,  ONT.,  Aug.  16.— A 
notable  film  event  in  Canada  was  the 
presence  of  Capt.  Bruce  Bairnsfather, 
creator  of  “The  Better  ’Ole,”  and  an- 


“Hope of  British  Films” 

Under  the  heading  of  “The  Hope 
of  British  Films,”  the  Winnipeg 
Tribune  declared  in  an  editorial: 

“//  British  films  are  to  have  world  cur- 
renry,  they  must  not  be  based  wholly  on 
patriotism , If  they  are  to  do  Britain  more 
^ood  than  harm  in  the  long  run,  they  must 
not  stress  the  sordid  life  of  Limehouse,  but 
the  hopes  and  dreams  of  the  hedge-rowed 
garden  which  is  England.** 


other  film  trade  figures  at  the  luncheon 
of  the  Rotary  Club  at  Belleville,  Ontario, 
recently,  when  Bairnsfather  was  the 
guest  of  honor  and  speaker. 

Captain  Bairnsfather  is  connected  with 
the  British  Empire  Films  Corporation, 
which  has  set  out  to  produce  feature 
films  in  the  Dominion  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Col.  Clarke  of  London,  England, 
managing  director  of  the  company. 
Other  guests  present  included  W.  Broth- 
erhood, a director  of  the  British  Empire 
Films  Corporation,  and  G.  E.  Patton, 
director  of  the  Ontario  Government  Mo- 
tion Picture  Studio,  at  Trenton,  Ontario. 

The  Ontario  Government  studio  at 
Trenton  is  to  be  the  nucleus  for  the 
company’s  activities  in  Canada  and  a 
story  by  Captain  Bairnsfather  is  to  be 
the  first  feature  produced,  it  is  stated. 


U.  A.  Will  Show  New 
Films  in  Theatres  in 
Key  Cities  to  Trade 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — A1  Lichtman, 
United  Artists’  general  manager  of  dis- 
tribution for  the  LTnited  States  and  Can- 
ada, has  announced  that  his  organiza- 
tion will  hold  special  advance  trade 
showings  of  Buster  Keaton’s  “College,” 
“Two  Arabian  Knights,”  and  other  new 
films.  The  showings  will  be  given  in 
theatres  in  key  cities  and  with  music. 
Some  of  these  showings  will  be  regular 
engagements  where  pictures  can  be 
“caught”  by  exhibitors  through  invita- 
tions from  United  Artists’  exchange 
managers. 


Seek  Rejection  of  Law 
Favoring  Sunday  Shows 

ALBANY,  Aug.  16. — The  village  of 
Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.,  located  in  the 
Adirondacks,  is  involved  in  a wrangle 
over  Sunday  movies  that  has  set  the 
whole  village  agog.  Opponents  to  Sun- 
day shows  are  working  to  prevent  the 
confirmation  of  action  taken  last  week 
by  the  village  board  in  the  adoption  of 
an  ordinance  permitting  Sunday  shows. 
On  the  question  of  Sunday  movies,  two 
trustees  are  in  favor  and  one  against  the 
proposition. 

Estelle  Taylor  and 

United  Artists  Part 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  16.— Estelle  Tay- 
lor and  United  Artists  have  parted  com- 
pany. She  refused  to  renew  her  contract; 
when  it  expired  this  month. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Theatres  Say  Low  Admission 
Is  No  Business  of  Exchanges 

Distributing  Branches,  However,  Are  Inserting  Clauses  in 
Contracts  Specifying  That  No  Pictures  Are  to  Be  : 

Played  at  5 Cents  a Ticket  ( 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  16. — While  there  is  absolutely  no  friction  between 
the  dozen  or  more  exchanges  in  Albany,  and  the  theatres  of  Albany,  Troy  and 
Schenectady  over  the  use  of  double  features,  as  is  the  case  in  some  sections 
of  the  country,  when  it  comes  to  exhibitors  charging  a 5-cent  admission, 
that  is  an  entirely  different  story. 

On  the  attitude  of  double  features,  the  exchange  managers  have  never 
taken  aii}^  definite  stand  in  Albany,  declaring  that  the  more  pictures  a theatre 
uses  the  more  they  will  need  and  the  more  they  will  be  called  upon  to  pay 
for  and  business  will  just  naturally  be  stimulated  along  Film  Row. 

Many  Use  Double  Feature  During  Summer 

There  are  a large  number  of  theatres  in  this  part  of  the  country  using  double 
features  this  summer  as  a means  of  bracing  up  business.  Some  of  these 
houses  will  probably  drop  back  to  the  single  feature  during  the  coming  fall 
and  winter,  while  others  will  confine  their  double  feature  program  to  two 
or  three  nights  a week. 


MrG-M  News  Opens  in 
Chicago  on  Aug.  18 

The  £rst  showing  of  the  new 
Metro  - Goldwyn  - Mayer  newsreel 
will  be  shown  in  Chicago  theatres 
on  Aug.  IB,  it  is  believed  by  Chi- 
cago o&cials  of  the  company. 

The  newsreels  have  been  booked 
by  Balaban  and  Katz  and  will  be 
shown  in  their  downtown  and 
neighborhood  theatres,  as  well  as 
other  B & K theatres  throughout 
Chicago.  Showing  in  other  Loop 
theatres  will  not  be  held  until 
after  the  newsreels  have  been 
shown  in  the  Balaban  and  Katz 
theatres  in  the  Hoop. 

No  statement  would  be  made  by 
M-G-M  officials  as  to  whether  or 
not  Paramount  and  M-G-M  news- 
reels would  be  run  in  the  same 
Balaban  and  Katz  theatres. 


Oklahoma  Theatre 
Costing  $250,000 
Opens  September  15 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

PONCA  CITY,  OKLA.,  Aug.  16.— The 
new  Ponca  theatre  at  Ponca  City,  costing 
$250,000,  will  be  opened  by  Fred  Pickrel  on 
September  IS.  Other  theatre  developments 
in  Oklahoma  are : 

The  Ardmore  Amusement  Company  at  Ard- 
more, Okla.,  has  been  incorporated  by  E.  Barnes, 
Young  and  Jess  Bridges.  . . . The  Art  theatre  at 
Gotebo  has  closed  until  Sept.  15  . . . Jack  Jones 
ihas  opened  his  new  theatre  at  Shawnee  with  “Ca- 
mille.” . . . The  Lyric  theatre  at  Tulsa  has  been 
reopened  after  remodeling.  . . . The  Dome  thea- 
tre at  Lawton,  is  undergoing  complete  remodel- 
ing. . . . C.  A.  Hopson  has  purchased  the  Pal- 
ace theatre  at  Fort  Towson.  . . . II.  R.  Bisby 
has  leased  the  Royal  and  Rialto  theatres  at  Clin- 
ton. . . . The  Quannah  theatre  at  Comanche,  re- 
cently destroyed  by  fire,  is  being  rebuilt.  . . . 
Mrs.  J.  G.  Patrick  is  erecting  a new  1100  seat 
theater  at  Crescent. 

Jannings  Is  To  Make 

Four  Films  Y early 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — Emil  Jan- 
nings has  been  signed  to  a new  long- 
term contract  by  Paramount,  according 
to  B.  P.  Schulberg,  associate  producer 
in  Hollywood,  who  wired  Jesse  L. 
Lasky,  vice-president,  that  the  one-year 
optional  agreement  had  been  taken  up 
and  a new  contract  signed  calling  for 
Jannings  to  make  four  Paramount  pic- 
tures a year. 

Jannings’  firs.t  American  picture,  “The 
Way  of  All  Flesh,”  is  having  its  first 
showings,  and  the  German  star  is  now 
working  in  “Hitting  for  Heaven.” 

Minnesota  Fire  Rules 
Stop  Itinerant  Shows 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MINNEAPOLIS,  Aug.  16. — The  oper- 
ations of  itinerant  shows  through  the 
state  of  Minnesota  have  been  practically 
eliminated  by  the  new  fire  regulations 
issued  by  George  W.  Wells,  state  fire 
marshal. 

The  ruling  calls  for  a $5  fee  to  be  paid 
for  each  performance,  and  the  showman 
must  be  bonded  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
Slate  fire  marshal. 

West  Coast  Theatres 

Gets  Jeff  Lazarus 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  16. — Jeff  Lazarus 
has  been  appointed  director  of  publicity 
and  advertising  for  West  Coast  Theatres. 
He  succeeds  Freddie  Schader. 


Some  of  the  exhil)itors,  however,  have 
lieen  charging  a 5 cent  admission  on  cer- 
tain afternoons  for  socalled  children’s 
matinees.  This  is  a little  more  than  the 
film  exchanges  can  stand.  The  exhibitors 
pay  the  price  demanded  for  the  pictures 
and  declare  that  they  have  a perfect  right 
to  charge  whatever  admission  they  wish, 
and  that,  in  short,  it  is  none  of  the  ex- 
change manager’s  business  what  they  do 
in  their  own  houses. 

Clause  to  Prohibit  It 

The  matter  has  been  brought  to  the  at- 
tention of  the  Alliany  Film  Board  of 
Trade,  and,  as  a result,  some  of  the  ex- 
changes have  inserted  a clause  in  their 
contracts  that  pictures  are  not  to  be  played 
at  a 5 cent  admission  price.  An  admission 
of  10  cents  is  bad  enough,  but  it  is  per- 
missible in  this  territory. 

As  a result  of  the  agitation,  certain  of 
the  exchanges  in  Albany  are  not  wasting 
any  time  these  days  with  exhibitors  who 
charge  a 5 cent  admission  on  one  or  two 
afternoons  a week.  The  exchange  man- 
agers declare  that  such  a price  makes  a 
picture  absolutely  ridiculous ; furthermore, 
that  it  destroys  its  prestige  in  the  way  of 
entertainment,  and  that  other  exhibitors 
are  inclined  to  shy  off  from  booking  the 
picture. 

Exhibitors  have  been  warned  that  they 


must  not  play  pictures  at  a 5 cent  admis- 
sion, but  it  is  declared  by  exchange  man- 
agers that  certain  of  the  exhibitors  are 
doing  it  on  the  sly,  permitting  children  to 
enter,  although  they  have  taken  the  pre- 
caution not  to  display  any  signs  advertising 
a 5 cent  admission. 

Exhibitor  Claims  Right 

This  sums  up  the  situation  from  the 
angle  of  the  exchange  managers.  But  the 
exhibitor  has  his  say,  too,  declaring  that 
he  has  a perfect  right  to  book  any  picture 
without  stipulation  on  the  part  of  the 
manager  of  an  exchange  as  to  admission 
prices  that  are  to  prevail  at  the  theatre 
in  question.  The  exhibitor  takes  the  stand 
in  Albany,  Troy  and  Schenectady,  that  his 
money  is  invested  in  the  theatre  and  that 
he  has  a perfect  right  to  show  a picture 
in  any  wajq  shape  or  manner  he  wishes, 
just  as  a merchant  has  a right  to  display 
goods  upon  his  counter. 

Many  of  the  exhibitors  say  that  by 
charging  a 5 cent  admission  price  a few 
afternoons,  during  the  month,  they  are 
able,  during  the  summer  season,  to  show 
a slight  profit  in  place  of  what  would 
otherwise  be  a loss.  Exhibitors  say  that 
the  exchange  managers  are  going  a bit 
too  far  in  this,  overstepping  their  grounds 
in  attempting  to  run  the  theatre,  as  well 
as  the  exchange. 


Injunction  Gives  Sedate  Roosevelt 

Official  Fight  Pictures  Exclusively 

Exclusive  showings  in  Chicago  of  the  official  and  authentic  Dempsey-Shar- 
key  fight  pictures  at  B.  & K.’s  sedate  Roosevelt,  were  interrupted  in  their  ex- 
clusiveness last  week  by  the  presentation  of  other  reels  of  the  bout  at  the 
somewhat  less  sedate  Pastime.  However,  an  injunction  soon  restored  ex- 
clusiveness to  the  sedate  Roosevelt — an  injunction  that  might  have  come 
from  a zealous  federal  agent,  but  which  came  instead  from  the  owners  of  the 
official  and  authentic  pictures. 

The  ofBcial  and  authentic  films  are  being  distributed  in  Illinois  by  Harry 
McKay,  who,  in  the  capacity  of  official  and  authentic  distributor  of  the  reels, 
contracted  with  Balaban  & Katz  for  the  exclusive  presentation  of  the  offi- 
cial and  authentic  production  at  the  aforesaid  sedate  Roosevelt.  And  then, 
lo,  and  behold!  the  Pastime,  which  is  not  at  all  sedate  (though  in  the  Loop), 
began  to  screen  its  own  official  and  authentic  pictures  of  the  fght.  The  Pas- 
time presented  them  about  a week,  but  last  Monday  an  injunction  was  ob- 
tained by  the  owners  of  the  Roosevelt  films  and  according  to  due  process  of 
law,  served  upon  the  not  very  sedate  Pastime. 

Does  someone  ask,  “Where  did  the  Pastime’s  official  and  authentic  fight 
pictures  come  from?’’ 

Well,  they  are  what  the  owners  of  the  really  official  and  authentic  films  call 
“bootleg  pictures.’’  In  fact,  they  are  not  any  more  ofBcial  and  authentic  than 
“bootleg  Haig  and  Haig’’  is  Haig  and  Haig. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Screen  Theatre  Is  School  of 
Tolerance,  Says  Milliken 

Secretary  of  M.  P.  P.  D.  A.  Tells  Toronto  Educational  Convention 
that  Motion  Pictures  Promote  International  Understanding 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Toronto,  Aug.  16. — Motion  picture  theatres  were  called  schools 
of  tolerance  and  of  understanding  between  different  peoples,  in 
a speech  by  Carl  E.  Milliken,  secretary  of  the  M.  P.  P.  D.  A., 
before  the  World  Federation  of  Education  Associations,  during  its  con- 
vention here  last  week.  His  subject  was  the  probable  development  of 
the  motion  picture  in  educational  work. 


WHILE  in  Toronto  he  was  the  guest 
of  Col.  John  A.  Cooper,  president  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Distributors  and 
Exhibitors  of  Canada,  which  is  afSliated 
with  the  Hays  organization. 

In  his  speech,  Milliken  emphasized  the 
importance  of  the  screen  as  a promoter  of 
world  peace. 

* ❖ 

“iMotion  picture  lenses  today  are 
focussed  on  every  important  happening  in 
every  land,”  he  declared.  “They  witness 
the  pageantries  and  tragedies  of  nations. 
They  hold  up  a mirror,  as  it  were,  to  every 
phase  of  human  activity  with  accuracy  and 
\ivid  realism,  and  they  help  us  form 
clearer  judgments  of  the  ceaseless  work 
of  nations.  No  longer  is  it  true  that  half 
of  the  world  ignores  what  the  other  half 
is  doing.” 

Milliken,  a former  governor  of  the  state 
of  Maine,  voiced  the  hope  that  the  World 
Federation  of  Education  Associations 
would  some  day  sponsor  the  production 
of  a series  of  pictures  revealing  the  sig- 
nificant characteristics  of  all  nations.  Such 
pictures,  interchanged  between  the  na- 
tions, would  do  much,  he  declared,  to  re- 
move the  intolerance  that  ignorance  of 
each  other’s  aims  and  purposes  engenders. 

“With  such  pictures  telling  the  history, 
revealing  the  backgrounds,  ideas,  ideals, 
customs,  and  hopes  of  a race  of  people,” 
he  said,  “it  is  not  unreasonable  to  think 
that  understanding  will  be  promoted.  And 
understanding  is  the  basis  for  world  peace.” 
* * * 

Recognition  of  the  motion  picture  as 
the  common  means  of  communication  be- 
tween nations  is  becoming  more  evident 
each  day,  Mr.  Milliken  continued.  Only 
a few  weeks  ago,  he  pointed  out,  the 
World  Economic  Conference  called  by  the 
League  of  Nations  at  Geneva  urged  a 
freer  passage  of  frontiers  by  newsreel 
cameramen,  establishment  of  an  interna- 
tional emblem  which  would  identify  them, 
and  the  revision  of  postal  laws  to  speed 
up  transmission  of  pictures,  all  because,  as 
the  conference  pointed  out,  there  is  a 
“universal  need  for  facilitating  not  only 
exchanges  of  goods,  but  exchanges  of 
ideas.” 

Mr.  Milliken,  in  stating  that  there  are 
now  .M,056  motion  picture  theatres 
listed  in  the  world,  said  they  were  divided 


Picture  Gets  Odds  of 
6-1  Over  Vaudeville 

ALBANY,  Aug.  16.— The  im- 
portant part  played  by  the  feature 
him  each  week  at  Proctor’s  Grand 
theatre  in  Albany,  which  is  gen- 
erally classihed  as  a vaudeville 
house,  is  well  shown  these  days, 
when  hve-sixths  of  the  newspaper 
space  each  night  is  given  over  to 
advertising  the  picture  and  the  re- 
maining one-sixth  to  setting  forth 
the  vaudeville  program. 


as  follows ; 20,500  in  the  United  States ; 
19,773  in  Europe;  2,000  in  Canada;  3,692 
in  the  Far  East;  1,932  in  Latin  America; 
490  in  Africa;  and  69  in  the  Near  East. 

Willis  Kent  Books  Tour 
of  Mrs,  Wallace  Reid 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  16. — The  Gotham 
West  Coast  Studios  have  announced  that 
Willis  Kent  will  handle  the  special  combi- 
nation bookings  comprising  the  personal 
appearance  of  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid  and  her 
company  of  players  in  the  dramatic  sketch 
“Evidence”  and  the  screen  appearance  of 
Mrs.  Reid  in  “The  Satin  Woman.” 

After  preliminary  arrangements  for  the 
opening  of  Mrs.  Reid’s  tour  in  Seattle, 
Portland  and  Spokane,  Kent  has  gone  East 
to  book  the  combination  in  the  principal 
cities. 

Kinograms  Man  Saves 
Girl  From  Drowning 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — The  staff  of 
Kinograms,  Educational’s  newsreel,  gave 
Frank  Dalrymple,  cameraman,  a hearty 
welcome  when  he  returned  from  his  va- 
cation for  having  saved  the  life  of  his 
fiancee,  Madeline  Reilly,  at  Highlands, 
N.  J.  When  the  girl  was  washed  far 
out  from  shore  by  an  undertow,  Dal- 
rymple plunged  into  the  surf  and  rescued 
her. 

Inspiration  Widens 

Production  Activities 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  16.— A deal  has 
just  been  consumated  whereby  Inspira- 
tion Pictures,  Inc.,  and  Victor  and  Ed- 
ward Halperin  have  joined  hands  and 
will  produce  a series  of  pictures  at  In- 
spiration’s Hollywood  plant. 

It  is  announced  that  the  productions 
will  be  on  a large  scale  and  that  many 
new  film  personalities  will  be  placed 
under  contract. 

^*Chang**  Producers  Go 
to  Shoot  Another  One 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16.— With  their 
destination  a secret  even  to  many  execu- 
tives of  Paramount,  the  firm  which  is 
financing  and  distributing  their  produc- 
tions, Merian  C.  Cooper  and  Ernest  B. 
Schoedsack,  producers  of  “Chang”  and 
“Grass,”  have  again  dropped  out  of  civ- 
ilization to  film  another  picture  of  some 
region  little  known  to  civilization. 


Currey  Manages  Theatre 
INDIANAPOLIS.— B.  T.  Currey  of  Hender- 
son, Ky.,  who  last  week  purchased  the  one-half 
interest  of  V.  F.  Grubb  in  the  Princess  theatre 
at  Mt.  Vernon,  Ind.,  has  assumed  the  manage- 
ment. Louis  Hays,  Henderson,  retained  the  other 
half  interest.  Mr.  Grubb  has  been  manager  of 
the  theatre  for  the  past  three  ye^rs. 


B & K Screens  M-G-M 
Special  on  Magnascope 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  “The 
Big  Parade,’’  now  enjoying  a pros- 
perous popular-priced  run  at  B & 
K’s  McVickers  theatre,  Chicago, 
is  being  projected  on  the  Magna- 
scope, super-screen  introduced  by 
Paramount  in  presenting  “Old 
Ironsides’’  and  “The  Rough  Rid- 
ers.’’ The  screen  was  installed  in 
McVickers  for  the  popular-priced 
run  there  of  Paramount’s  “Beau 
Geste.’’  This  is  believed  the  first 
time  that  the  Magnascope,  which 
was  developed  under  the  auspices 
of  Paramount,  has  been  used  in 
the  presentation  of  another  pro- 
ducer’s picture.  It  is  admirably 
adapted  to  the  many  spectacular 
scenes  in  “The  Big  Parade.’’ 


Rayart  Completes  6 
Pictures  as  First  on 
Season  of  1927-28 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  16. — W.  Ray  Johns- 
ton, executive  head  of  Rayart  Pictures 
Corporation,  has  announced  the  completion 
of  the  first  six  of 
the  1927-8  pictures. 

These  are  “The 
Silent  Hero,”  a 
Duke  Worne  Pro- 
duction, from  a 
story  by  H.  H.  Van 
Loan,  starring  Rob- 
ert Frazer,  Edna 
Murphy,  Ernest 
Hilliard  and  Na- 
poleon Bonaparte ; 

“The  Million  Dol- 
lar Mystery,”  a 
Trem  Carr  Pro- 
duction, directed 
by  Charles  J.  Hunt  W.  Ray  Johnston 

and  starring  James 

Kirkwood  and  Lila  Lee;  “The  Cruise  of  the 
Hellion,”  a Duke  Worne  Production  of 
George  Pyper’s  novel,  starring  Donald 
Keith,  Tom  Santschi,  Sheldon  Lewis  and 
Edna  Murphy,  and  “A  Boy  of  the  Streets,” 
an  adaptation  by  Arthur  Hoerl  of  the  stage 
play  of  that  name  and  starring  Mickey 
Bennett,  Johnnie  Walker  and  Betty  Fran- 
cisco. 

The  other  two  pictures  are  Westerns, 
“The  Drifting  Kid”  and  “A  Wanderer  of 
the  West,”  starring  Tex  Maynard.  The 
next  release  to  go  into  production  will  be 
“The  Law  and  the  Man,”  starring  Dorothy 
Phillips. 


Robbers  Loot  Theatre 
in  Oklahoma  for  $3000 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OKLAHOMA  CITY,  Aug.  16.— A safe, 
considered  to  be  burglar  proof,  in  the  Lib- 
erty theatre,  was  opened  by  burglars  and 
looted  of  valuables  amounting  to  $3,000. 
No  clues  were  left  by  the  thieves. 

The  robbery  occurred  during  the  showing 
of  “The  Great  Mail  Robbery.” 


Frank  Healey  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

FITCHBURG,  MASS.,  Aug.  16.— Frank 
Healey,  one  of  the  most  popular  exhibitors 
in  the  state,  died  after  several  weeks’  ill- 
ness at  the  hospital  here,  surviving  his  wife 
and  baby  by  only  a few  months.  He  was 
proprietor  of  Shay’s  theatre  for  many 
years. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


M-G-M  HOLDS  PRESS  SHOW; 
P-F-L  SCHEDULES  RELEASES 


Metro  Shorts  Are 
Shown  at  Embassy; 
26  from  Paramount 


Educational  Gets  Playing  Time 
Of  530  Days  Over  Loetv  Chain 

Educational  is  under  full  swing  in  the  new  season,  with  early  releases  ready  for 
showings  on  nearly  all  of  its  13  series  of  short  features,  and  with  an  auspicious  array 
of  heavy  hookings  reported,  including  August  bookings  from  Loew’s  New  York  circuit 
that  are  said  to  establish  a new  record  for  short  subjects  on  this  big  representative 
circuit. 

The  Loew  bookings  show  530  days  of  solid  playing  time  between  Aug.  11  to  Sept. 

11,  on  the  Greater  New  York  City  circuit,  for  Educational  subjects.  This  is  declared 
to  be  a record. 

“At  Ease,”  a Hamilton  comedy  for  September,  is  booked  to  play  153  days.  Hamil- 
ton is  cast  as  a rookie  army  recruit. 

“Up  In  Arms,”  the  first  Dorothy  Devore  comedy  on  the  new  program,  has  been 
booked  to  play  100  days  on  Loew’s  Greater  New  York  circuit. 

“High  Spots,”  the  Mermaid  comedy,  featuring  A1  St.  John,  is  playing  147  days  on 
the  same  circuit. 

“Live  News,”  the  first  Tuxedo  comedy  on  the  new  program,  is  booked  for  40  days 
on  the  Loew  time.  Johnny  Arthur  plays  the  featured  role. 

Other  Educational  Pictures  booked  on  the  Loew  circuit  are  “Jack  from  All  Trades,” 
a Felix  the  Cat  animated  cartoon,  for  40  days,  and  “Bubbles  of  Geography,”  a Lyman 
H.  Howe  Hodge-Podge,  for  60  days. 

Among  the  Educationals  seheduled  for  early  release  are: 

Lupino  Lane  in  “A  Half-Pint  Hero,”  in  September.  This  picture  also  has  been 
booked  over  the  Loew  eircuit  for  153  days. 

The  first  Mermaid  comedy  in  September,  “Batter  Up,”  will  see  George  Davis  as 
a baseball  player. 

The  second  Mermaid  slated  for  September  is  “Fox  Tales.”  It  shows  Clem 
Beauchamp  and  Phil  Dunham  in  the  roles  of  amateur  fox  hunters. 

The  first  of  the  Cameo  comedies,  “Fully  Equipped,”  witnesses  a new  comedy  team, 

(Continued  on  page  32) 

Ten  Million  Feet  of  Negative 
Shot  Annually  by  News  Reels 

There  are  now  six  news  reels  supplying  current  events  to  the  country’s 
theatres.  The  half  a dozen  companies  producing  these  reels  will  shoot  dur- 
ing the  next  12  months  an  estimated  total  of  more  than  10,000,000  feet  of 
negative.  Of  this  grand  total  only  slightly  more  than  a half  a million  feet 
will  be  shown  in  the  theatres. 


These  figures  are  based  on  a report  by 
Truman  H.  Tally,  director  in  chief  of  Fox 
News,  who  has  just  completed  an  inventory 
of  the  20,000,000  feet  of  news  film  stored 
in  the  vaults  of  his  company. 

To  produce  two  reels  every  week  of  900 
feet  each  requires  the  shooting  of  between 
25,000  and  40,000  feet  of  negative,  accord- 
ing to  Tally.  Selected  scenes  are  included 
in  the  semi-weekly  reels,  other  negative  is 
returned  to  correspondents  while  the  re- 
mainder of  the  total  footage  is  filed  in 
vaults  for  future  use. 

These  amazing  figures  give  some  concep- 
tion of  the  enormous  task  which  confronts 
the  news  reel  companies,  and  of  the  great 
cost  of  supplying  the  theatres  with  timely 
topics. 


The  Fox  vaults  are  a complete  record  of 
history  for  the  last  two  decades.  One  of 
the  oldest  films  shows  Bismarck,  the  Iron 
Chancellor  of  Germany,  who  made  the 
might  of  the  pre-war  fatherland  possible. 
Another  presents  the  funeral  of  President 
McKinley,  while  a third  introduces  the  late 
Czar  Nicholas,  of  Russia,  with  his  family, 
in  the  royal  palace  at  St.  Petersberg  before 
the  revolution. 

The  inaugurations  of  presidents,  the  his- 
tory of  aviation  beginning  with  the  box- 
like planes  of  the  Wright  brothers,  and 
war  pictures  shot  at  the  front,  are  part  of 
the  enormous  treasure  in  film  which  is 
stored  in  fireproof  vaults  under  time  locks 
at  the  Fox  studios  in  New  York. 


The  two  newest  entrants  in  the 
short  feature  field  have  launched 
the  new  season  in  earnest. 

Metro,  with  the  first  of  its  junior 
features  to  be  released  on  August  27,  has 
just  held  a press  showing  at  the  Embassy 
theatre  in  New  York,  and  from  those  who 
attended  come  words  of  praise  for  the 
standard  of  product  comprising  the  short 
program. 

Paramount,  with  its  first  shorts  already 
playing,  has  announced,  through  Emanuel 
Cohen,  director  of  the  short  feature  depart- 
ment, the  release  schedule  for  the  first 
three  months.  This  program  will  include, 
in  addition  to  the  News,  26  short  features 
— 13  two  reelers  and  13  one  reelers. 

Following  are  the  pictures  shown  at  the 
Metro  preview ; 

HAL  ROACH  ALL  STAR  SERIES— “Sugar 
Daddies,”  with  Stan  Laurel,  Oliver  Hardy,  Edna 
Marian  and  Jimmy  Finlayson.  Described  as  a 
comedy  of  exceptional  merit. 

ODDITIES — “An  African  Adventure,”  first  of 
the  Ufa  shorts  produced  for  Metro.  Portrays  the 
adventures  of  an  exploration  party  in  darkest 
Africa. 

HAL  ROACH  COMEDY— “The  Sting  of 
Stings,”  starring  Charlie  Chase,  with  Edna 
Marian  in  support.  Charlie  is  the  unfortunate 
victim  of  uproarious  situations. 

ODDITIES — “Soaring  Wings,”  another  Ufa 
short.  This  is  a novel  camera  study  of  unusual 
birds  in  flight.  Acclaimed  for  cleve'r  treatment 
of  subject. 

TECHNICOLOR— “The  Flag,”  portraying  the 
tradition  of  Betsy  Ross  and  the  birth  of  the 
Stars  and  Stripes.  Francis  X.  Bushman,  Enid 
Bennet,  Johnnie  Walker  and  Alice  Calhoun  are 
in  the  cast. 

OUR  GANG — “Yale  vs.  Harvard,”  a riotous 
football  comedy,  with  the  youngsters  in  top  form 
for  the  new  season. 

M-G-M  has  another  series  of  Roach 
comedies,  starring  Max  Davidson,  but  the 
print  had  not  yet  been  received  from  the 
Coast  in  time  for  the  preview. 

There  will  be  10  releases  in  each  of  the 
four  Roach  series ; 25  Oddities,  and  six  in 
the  Great  Event  series,  of  which  “The 
Flag”  is  the  first. 

Paramount’s  schedule  of  short  feature 
releases  for  August,  September  and 
October  follows: 

AUGUST  1— “No  Publicity,”  first  of  the  Ed- 
ward Everett  Horton  series  ot  six,  and  “Sealing 
Whacks,”  a Krazy  Kat  cartoon.  Supporting  Hor- 
ton in  his  comedy  are  Ruth  Dwyer,  Josephine 
Crowell,  C.  A.  Bachman,  Aileen  Manning  and 
Jack  Underhill.  T.  J.  Crizer  and  James  Davis  di- 
rected. 

AUGUST  6 — “The  Elegy,”  first  of  five  dra- 
matic novelties  produced  by  Charles  B.  Mintz. 
In  the  cast  are  Phillippe  De  Lacy,  Tyrone  Power, 
Gladys  Brockwell,  Ethel  Wales,  Tom  Ricketts  and 
{Continued  on  page  32) 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Scenes  from  two  of  the  first  Hal  Roach  comedies  for  Metro-Go'dwyn-Mayer.  (Left)  Charlie  Chase  in  “The  Sting  of  Stings."' 
(Right)  “Our  Gang”  in  “Yale  vs.  Harvard.”  These  two  short  features  have  been  previewed  in  New  York. 


NEWSPICTURES 


KINOGRAMS  NO.  531<j Prince  of  Wales  at  To- 

ronto.  Can.,  cheers  war  heroes  in  hospital— 
Huge  railway  gun  at  Ft.  McArthur.  Cal.,  hurls 
huge  projectile  12  miles  on  trial  firing— Sioux 
Indians  at  Deadwood,  S.  D.,  make  Coolidge  their 
chief— Friends  of  lion  at  Los  Angeles  help  him 
celebrate  his  fifteenth  birthday  anniversary— 
Accidents  mar  contest  in  boat  regatta  at  Green* 
wich.  Conn. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWREEL  NO.  64 — Venice, 
Italy,  in  gala  attire,  receives  Pope’s  gondola— 
Coolidge  announces  at  Rapid  City,  S.  D..  that 
he  will  not  run  again — Caribou,  at  White  Pass, 
Yukon.  Can.,  cross  river  in  search  of  new  graz* 
ing  grounds. 

KINOGRAMS  NO,  5315— Society  at  Spa,  Saratoga 
Springs.  N.  \ sees  Man  O’War's  son  win  in 
race— Body  of  King  Ferdinand  of  Roumanij  is 
carried  from  mountain  palace  at  Sinaia  near 
Bucharest— Great  crowds  at  Ottawa,  Can.,  see 
Prince  of  Wales  unveil  statue— Joe  Novak,  golf 
expert,  at  Chicago,  performs  golf  tricks^Edith 
Flack  Ackley  at  South  Casco,  Me.,  gives  an  ex- 
hibition of  marionettes. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  91— President  Coolidge  receives 
ovation  day  after  he  declines  to  run  again— 
Open  air  pageant  at  St.  Louis  displays  latest 

in  women's  wear New  York  Slate's  sons  parade 

at  Troy.  N.  V.,  at  meeting  of  American  Legion 
— Fred  A.  Sterling,  first  U.  S.  envoy  to  Ireland, 
is  received  at  Dublin,  Ire.,  with  high  honors— 
Sons  of  Keystone  State  at  American  Legion  con- 
vention at  \ ork.  Pa.,  mass  flags  in  demonstration 
—The  giant  Farman  plane.  Blue  Bird,  prepares 
at  Paris,  France,  for  Atlantic  hop^Vice-presi- 
dent  Dawes  greets  Prince  of  Wales  at  Buffalo, 
N.  \ when  Peace  Bridge  Is  opened  between  U. 
S.  and  Canada— Entire  army  post  at  Fort  Bliss 
turns  out  to  bid  farewell  to  Col.  Tommy  Tom- 
kins, ending  42  years  of  service—  Crowd  of 
50,000  at  Rome,  N.  Y.,  see  important  events 
of  War  of  Revolution  re-enacted  on  historic 
battle-ground— California  girls  at  Los  Angeles 
compare  vertebral  charms  in  contest  to  decide 
who  owns  most  perfect  back— Speediest  craft 
in  nation  cut  water  of  Long  Island  Sound  on 
90  mile  course. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  65— Indians  at 
Deadwood.  S.  D.,  decorate  President  Coolidge 
Firegirls  at  Silver  Springs.  Md.,  in  brave  battle 
save  burning  automobile— Bombs  thrown  in  New 
York  City  shatter  two  subway  stations,  and  work- 
men remove  debris— One  hundred  thousand  peo- 
ple applaud  Prince  of  Wales  at  Buffalo.  N.  Y., 
when  Peace  Bridge  is  opened— Gen.  Leonard 
W^ood  dies  at  Boston^— Intimate  glimpses  of 
noted  hero^— Gorilla  in  Phila<Ielphia  zoo  finds 
mate  in  little  chimpanzee— Motor  boats  at 
Greenwich.  Conn.,  set  terrific  pace  in  regatta. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  64^— Quebec.  Can.,  welcomes 
Prince  of  Wales  and  party — Thousands  of  sheep 
set  out  from  Absaroka  park  in  Montana  on 
long  trek  across  snow  fields — Chinese  war  lords 
build  new  army  and  rally  thousands  for  Peking 
offensive— Crack  cavalry  squadrons  mimic  war 
formations  at  Ft.  Riley,  Kan.,  and  at  Monterey, 
Cal.,  they  train  on  treacherous  slopes. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  89— Racing  season  opens  at  Sara- 
toga, N.  ^ .,  with  brilliant  society  gathering  — 
King  George  and  Queen  Mary  at  Liverpool  offi- 
ciate at  opening  of  largest  docks  in  the  world  — 
Girls  arrive  in  Chicago  to  compete  in  Illinois 
beauty  contest-^— Tunny  fishing  in  Mediterranean 
waters  brings  record  haul^— Flappers  in  New 
York  paint  legs  and  discard  hose  in  hot  weather 


—Prince  of  Wales  and  party  arrive  at  Quebec, 
Can.^— Chamberlin  makes  hop  off  deck  of  Levia- 
than-Bloodless cow  fights  at  Landes,  France, 
call  for  skill. 

FOX  NEWS  NO.  90— Coolidge  startles  nation  with 
decision  not  to  run— British  dedicate  Menin  Gate 
at  Ypres,  Belgium,  to  58,000  soldiers  who  fell 
in  battle  around  the  city^— Thousands  cheer 
Lindbergh  in  Pittsburgh— Prince  of  Wales  at- 
tends garden  party  in  Montreal  at  home  of  Sena- 
tor McDougald— New  Y'orkers  jam  shore  resorts 
—Giant  14  inch  railway  rifle,  at  Los  Angel3S, 
hurls  ton  projectile  25  miles  in  first  trial. 
PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  3 — Giant  blimp,  RS-1, 
soars  away  on  homeward  cruise  from 

Lakehurst,  N.  J.,  to  Scott  Field,  III  — ^Man 
gathers  eggs  in  bird  rookery  on  side  of  cliff 
at  Bempton,  Eng.^^England  dedicates  Menin 
Memorial  to  56,000  heroes  at  Ypres,  Belgium. 
King  Albert  is  present— President  Coolidge  and 
Mrs.  Coolidge  show  animal  pets  at  Black  Hills, 
S.  D.— Hugh  S.  Gibson,  chief  spokesman  for 
U.  S.  declares  naval  parley  at  Geneva,  Swilz., 
off — Huge  herd  of  caribou  at  Selwyn.  B.  C., 

swim  Yukon  river  on  migration Canadians  at 

Ottawa,  Can.,  welcome  Prince  of  Wales. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  4 Racing  craft  at 

Greenwich,  Conn.,  skim  waves  in  thrilling  Gold 
Cup  regatta— Inventor  at  Rome,  Italy,  gives 
anchored  balloon  wings— President  Coolidge  at 
Deadwood.  S.  D.,  is  crowned  high  chief  of  Sioux 
Indians— Last  pictures  of  Gen.  Leonard  W'oods 
while  visiting  Coolidge— Baby  Boston  bull  at 
Atlanta.  Ga.,  follows  master— Chiropractors  at 
Los  Angeles  judge  beauty  contest— Holy  Land, 
Jerusalem,  recovers  from  earth  shock— Girl  at 
Davis  Island.  Fla.,  does  stunts  on  motorcycle. 


M-G-M  Holds  Press  Showing; 
P-F-L  Schedules  Its  Releases 

(Continued  from  page  31) 

Dan  Mason.  “Koko  Plays  Pool/’  first  of  the 
Inkwell  Imps  is  also  listed. 

AUGUST  13 — “Short  Socks/’  first  of  eight 
Christies  starring  Bobby  Vernon,  and  “Tired 
\yheels/’  a Krazy  Kat  comedy.  Harold  Beau- 
dine  directed  Vernon,  and  in  the  supporting  cast 
are  Frances  Lee*,  Bill  Blaisdell  and  Eddie  Baker. 

AUGUST  20 — “Row,  Sailor,  Row,”  first  of 
eight  Christies  starring  Billy  Dooley,  and  “Koko’s 
Kane,”  an  Inkwell  Imp.  Vera  Steadman,  Bill 
Blaisdell,  Eddie  Baker  and  Buddy,  a dog,  sup- 
port Dooley.  William  Watson  directed. 

AUGUST  27 — “Dr.  Quack,”  a Christie  comedy 
starring  Jimmy  Adams,  and  “Web  Feet,”  a Krazy 
Kat.  Ethel  Shannon,  Billy  Engle  and  Cliff  Lan- 
caster support  Adams  in  the  first  of  his  eight 
comedies.  Robert  Ke^r  directed. 

SEPTEMBER  3 — “French  Fried,”  a Christ’e 
comedy,  and  “Koko,  the  Knight,”  an  Inkwell 
Imp. 

SEPTEMBER  10 — “A  Short  Tail,”  another  of 
the  Paramount  dramatic  novelties,  and  “School 
Daze,”  a Krazy  Kat. 

SEPTEMBER  17 — “Crazy  to  Fly,”  a new 
Bobby  Vernon  comedy,  and  “Koko  Hops  Off,” 
an  Inkwell  Imp. 

SEPTEMBER  2^1 — “A  Moony  Mariner,”  Billy 
Dooley’s  second,  and  “Rail  Rodes,”  a Krazy  Kat. 

OCTOBER  1 — An  untitled  Christie  comedy, 
and  “Koko.  the  Kop,”  an  Inkwell  Imp. 

OCTOBER  8 — A Jimmy  Adams  comedy  as  yet 
untitled,  and  a Krazy  Kat  cartoon. 

OCTOBER  15 — The  Paramount  dramatic  nov- 
elty, “Fantasy,”  and  “Koko  Explore’s,”  an  Ink- 
well Imp. 

OCTOBER  22 — An  untitled  Bobby  Vernon 
comedy,  and  “Topsy  Turvey,”  a Krazy  Kat. 

On  its  short  features  of  two  reels  in 


length  Paramount  will  have  the  following 
ad  sales  available : one  sheet,  set  of  eight 
11  by  14  colored  lobby  cards,  set  of  10  8 by 
10  publicity  stills,  stock  slide,  mat  con- 
taining four  stock  slugs,  two  column  sup- 
plementary ad,  a midget  and  corner  block 
illustration,  a press  sheet  and  a thematic 
cue  sheet. 


Educational  Gets  530  Days 
Playing  Time  Over  Loew  Chain 

{Continued  from  page  31) 

Jack  Lloyd  and  Henry  Murdock.  It  's  to 
be  released  on  August  28.  The  first  Cameo 
released  for  September  is  “Lucky  Dog,” 
and  has  Phil  Dunham  and  Louise  Billetts 
in  the  leading  roles.  Jack  Lloyd  and  Betty 
Boyd  are  featured  in  “Off  Again,”  the  other 
Cameo  for  the  month. 

The  new  Felix  the  Cat  animated  cartoon 
comedies,  created  by  Pat  Sullivan,  include 
“Wise  Guise”  and  “Flim  Flam  Films,”  both 
scheduled  for  September. 

The  first  Lyman  H.  Howe  Hodge-Podge 
on  the  new  program  is  “Delving  into  the 
Dictionary.”  This  picture  easily  maintains 
the  high  quality  of  this  series. 

“The  Cry  of  Winter” — “The  Hot  Place” 
is  the  new  Robert  C.  Bruce  Outdoor  Sketcii 
to  be  released  in  September.  The  splendor 
of  wild  outdoor  life  in  the  winter  time  is 
combined  with  remarkable  photography  of 
geysers  in  Yellowstone  National  park. 

Putter’s  Curiosities  offers  “Follies  of 
Fashion”  for  September’s  program.  Con- 
trasts of  the  various  styles  of  the  human 
race  form  the  basis  for  this  subject.  “Hol- 
ly-Nuts,” the  first  Curiosities,  an  August 
release,  shows  the  various  strange  folks  tc 
be  found  in  and  about  Hollywood. 

Kinograms,  the  news  reel  built  like  a 
newspaper,  will  be  released  twice  each 
week. 

Added  Studio  Facilities 

to  Increase  Production 

Increased  facilities  are  announced  at  the 
Christie  studio  to  handle  the  large  produc- 
tion schedule  of  Paramount-Christie  two 
reel  comedies.  The  technical  personnel 
also  has  been  added  to. 


Loew  Builds  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PROVIDENCE,  R.  L,  Aug.  16.— Vast 
changes  are  being  made  on  the  site  of  the 
old  Gaiety  Theatre,  which  with  adjoining 
property  was  recently  bought  by  Marcus 
Loew  interests.  Construction  of  the  new 
$1,200,000  theatre  will  start  as  soon  as  the 
site  is  cleared. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Has  Hold  on  Theatres 


Ash  Policy 

Sunday  Club 
Proves  Draw 
at  Oriental 

New  Talent  Is  Presented  to 
Crowds  Who  Assemble  at 
Chicago  House 

Novelty  is  the  spice  of  entertainment, 
so  the  wise  showmen  say.  Since  presenta- 
tion has  taken  hold  in  picture  houses, 
theatre  managers  have  been  confronted 
with  the  problem  of  bad  Sunday  morning 
business  and  not  until  a plan  was  de- 
veloped did  this  situation  better  itself. 

One  of  the  original  stunts  which  has 
proved  a successful  one  financially  is  the 
“Paul  Ash  Sunday  Morning  Club,”  now 
holding  forth  at  the  Oriental  theatre,  Chi- 
cago. This  idea  was  originated  by  Janice 
Livingston,  private  secretary  to  Ash,  who 
conceived  the  plan  three  years  ago  at  the 
McVickers  theatre. 

When  the  club  was  first  organized.  Miss 
Livingston  became  president  of  the  club,  a 
position  she  still  holds  and  for  several 
weeks’  performances  were  played  to  an 
audience  of  less  than  200  people  on  Sun- 
day morning.  Since  then,  the  membership 
has  grown  to  over  2,500,  who  appear  every 
Sunday  at  the  Oriental. 

Officers  Selected  from  Crowd 

Officers  have  been  selected  from  the 
crowd  and,  in  addition  to  receiving  an 
extra  added  stage  attraction,  the  purpose 
of  the  club  is  solely  a social  one,  with 
meetings  held  outside  of  the  theatre,  some- 
times after  the  theatre  in  the  rehearsal 
halls,  or  at  the  homes  of  some  of  the 
members,  who  arrange  get-together  parties 
and  little  social  affairs  for  dances  and  so 
forth. 

One  of  the  main  reasons  for  this  club 
idea  is  the  selection  of  new  talent  from 
its  members  who  appear  on  the  stage  at 
the  Oriental  each  Sunday  in  their  indi- 
vidual offering. 

Sam  Herman,  well  known  for  his  many 
original  novelty  stunts,  is  personally  in 
charge  of  the  selection  of  this  talent  and 
arranges  a program  of  10  or  15  individual 
acts  each  Sunday  morning,  who  can  either 
sing,  dance,  play  an  instrument  or  tell  a 
story. 

Last  Sunday,  this  reporter  dropped  in  to 
see  one  of  the  shows  and  was  rather  sur- 
prised to  notice  the  packed  house  at  that 
hour  in  the  day  and  was  more  surprised 
to  see,  in  addition  to  the  regular  stage 
performance,  a rather  clever  bunch  of 
youngsters,  as  well  as  grown-ups,  display 
their  wares  to  the  much  satisfied  audience. 

One  of  the  important  things  of  the  club 
is  the  complete  secrecy  of  the  talent  to 
(Continued  on  page  34) 


SOME  SPEED 


Have  you  ever  heard  JOSEPH  ALEX- 
ANDER play  an  organ  solo?  No?  well! 
you*ve  missed  something — Joe  is  the  per- 
fect imitator  of  Milton  Charles  who  also 
happens  to  be  his  pupil  — Joe  showed 
his  talents  around  Chicago  with  Marks 
Bros. ; and  recently  at  the  Piccadilly  thea- 
tre— Now  he  is  featured  at  the  new  Indiana 
theatre  in  Indianapolis*  a Publix  house — 
Some  progress  isn't  it?  Just  watch  his 
speed. 


More  Important 
Information  for 
Exhibitors 

Starting  next  week  “Exhibitors  Herald” 
will  carry  a series  of  articles  based  on  a 
general  survey  made  by  this  department 
throughout  the  country  regarding  the  small 
Exhibitor  and  the  form  of  entertainment 
that  he  is  now  presenting  in  his  theatre. 
These  stories  will  be  based  on  actual  in- 
formation and  data  furnished  us  by  the 
theatre  manager  himself*  and  will  tell  in 
detail  how  the  present  form  of  amusement, 
whether  vaudeville*  stagehand  shows  or 
specialty  acts  with  pictures*  and  the  re- 
sults obtained  at  the  Box  Office  when  these 
added  attractions  are  advertised  in  advance. 
If  you  are  one  of  the  Exhibitors  now  run- 
ning any  sort  of  extra  stage  features 
in  your  theatre*  and  you  have  not  sent  in 
your  view  of  same  we  will  appreciate 
your  doing  so  at  once. 


55  Weeks  Now 
Offered  This 
Type  of  Show 

Band  Presentation  Holds  Forth  in 
200  Houses — Chicago 
Has  Eleven 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 

Chicago  goes  100  per  cent  for 
stage  bandshows.  This  form  of  en- 
tertainment which  was  brought  to 
Chicago  by  Paul  Ash  about  three 
years  ago  at  McVickers  theatre,  is 
now  into  effect  in  11  of  the  Chicago 
deluxe  picture  houses. 

A new  house  with  this  type  of 
policy  opens  next  week  with  two 
more  now  running  feature  pictures 
and  vaudeville  to  change  the  policy 
to  presentation  starting  next  week. 

Later  in  the  season  another  deluxe 
house  now  in  construction  will  also  open 
with  this  policy.  All  those  interested  in 
this  new  form  of  entertainment  will  be 
glad  to  know  that  Chicago,  the  town 
which  instigated  this  policy,  now  has 
this  policy  operating  in  every  deluxe 
picture  house.  For  the  benefit  of  those 
who  have  been  looking  to  this  publica- 
tion for  information  toward  this  line  we 
wish  to  state  that  presentation  in  the 
form  of  stage  bandshows,  or  better 
known  as  the"“Paul  .A.sh  policy,”_  is  now 
taking  hold  all  over  the  country  in  some 
of  the  best  built  picture  houses  and  prov- 
ing a huge  success. 

11  Now  in  Chicago 

In  Chicago  alone  there  are  now  11 
deluxe  theatres  operating  this  policy. 
Balaban  & Katz  operates  four  of  them, 
namely,  the  Chicago,  Oriental,  Uptown 
and  Tivoli  with  two  more  inaugrating 
the  policy  next  week.  Lubliner  & Trinz 
is  operating  the  Senate  and  Harding  the- 
atres, with  the  possibility  of  two  more  of 
its  present  houses  going  into  the  Paul 
Ash  policy. 

There  are  six  other  deluxe  houses  run 
by  independents  such  as  Marks  Brothers, 
Ascher  Brothers,  Cooney  Brothers  and 
the  Schoenstadts. 

This,  counting  the  houses  now  chang- 
ing policy  with  the  new  ones  to  open 
soon  will  bring  the  total  up  to  16  deluxe 
Chicago  theatres  running  stage  band- 
shows  throughout  the  week. 

Kvale  Going  to  Norshore 

A1  Kvale,  assistant  to  Paul  Ash  since 
this  policy  was  started  here,  will  have 
his  own  band  next  week  which  opens  at 
(Contimied  on  page  34) 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Paul  Ash  Policy  Spreading 

(Continued  from  page  33) 


the  Norshore  theatre,  Chicago,  on  Au- 
gust 28,  as  a presentation  house.  Al, 
who  has  made  himself  very  popular  in 
town,  is  a clever  young  man  possessing 
unlimited  ability  as  a pantomimic  come- 
dian as  well  as  a capable  musician.  It 
is  also  reported  that  Chauncey  Haines 
will  return  at  this  house  as  featured  or- 
ganist. 

Another  Paul  Ash  boy  to  have  gone  on 
his  own  and  who  has  been  successful 
from  the  start  is  Lou  Kosloff,  a very 
talented  violinist  of  neat  personality,  who 
does  a perfect  Paul  Ash  imitation.  Kos- 
loff was  leading  a bandshow  at  the  Sen- 
ate and  Harding  theatres,  Chicago,  for 
several  weeks  and  now  is  filling  the  same 
capacity  at  the  Michigan  theatre,  Detroit, 
a Publix  house. 

Frankie  Masterman,  the  singing  banjo 
player  of  Bennie  Krueger’s  Orchestra 
who  is  now  known  as  Frank  Masters, 
will  also  lead  his  own  band  next  week 
that  will  alternate  with  Bennie  Krueger 
at  the  Uptown  and  Tivoli  theatres,  Chi- 
cago. This  young  man  is  a protege  of 
Krueger  and  is  a personality  singer  of 
exceptional  ability.  Eddie  Hanson  is  the 
featured  organist  who  will  alternate  with 
Milton  Charles  at  the  Uptown  and  Tivoli 
theatres. 

Fisher  is  Assigned 

Buddy  Fisher,  a young  vaudeville  artist 
for  many  years  an  entertainer  in  vaude- 
ville and  cafes  with  his  own  band,  has 
been  selected  as  the  personality  band 
leader  for  the  new  Avalon  theatre  open- 
ing on  August  28  at  79th  and  Stony 
Island  avenue,  Chicago.  The  organist 
has  not  been  definitely  decided  upon  for 
this  house  as  yet.  The  new  theatre, 
which  is  of  Persian  construction,  will 
seat  3000  people  and  house  a policy  of 
feature  pictures  and  bandshows.  The 
house  is  operated  by  Cooney  Brothers, 
and  Clyde  Hood  with  Charles  Hogan  will 
continue  to  book  and  produce  the  stage 
shows  for  them. 

In  addition  to  the  above  openings  and 
policy  changes  it  is  also  reported  to  this 
department  that  the  Central  Park  thea- 
tre, another  Balaban  & Katz  Chicago 
house  wall  soon  revive  the  stage  band- 


show  policy  wdiich  Harry  Gourfain  in- 
augurated in  this  house  two  years  ago. 
Gourfain  is  now  production  manager  for 
the  Al  Kvale  shows  at  the  Norshore  thea- 
tre, Chicago. 

Jules  Alberti,  popular  band  leader  of 
vaudeville  and  hotels,  has  replaced  Sam 
Kaufman  at  the  Piccadilly  theatre,  as 
stage  band  leader.  Reta  Norpell  is  the 
organist  who  has  temporarily  replaced 
Joseph  Alexander  at  this  house.  Alex- 
ander is  reported  to  have  accepted  a po- 
sition as  featured  organist  at  the  new 
Indiana  theatre,  Indianapolis,  a Publix 
presentation  house.  This  makes  the  sec- 
ond band  leader  to  have  resigned  at  the 
Piccadilly  and  the  third  featured  organist 
who  also  saw  fit  to  leave. 

Belasco  at  Harding 

Al  Belasco,  a young  vaudeville  enter- 
tainer and  a musician  who  a few  weeks 
ago  took  Mark  Fisher’s  place  at  the 
Senate  and  Harding  theatre,  Chicago, 
while  the  latter  was  on  his  vacation,  is 
now  the  alternating  hand  leader  at  these 
houses  in  place  of  Lou  Kosloff  who  has 
been  transferred  to  Detroit.  Belasco  al- 
ternates at  the  two  movies  with  Fisher. 

The  new  Paramount  theatre,  in  New 
York,  is  now  also  doing  a Paul  Ash 
Policy  which  was  inaugurated  by  Paul 
Whiteman  several  weeks  ago  and  last 
week  the  first  stage  bandshow  began  to 
rotate  from  that  house  to  the_  other  Pub- 
lix theatres.  This,  in  addition  to  four 
other  theatres  in  New  York  now  present- 
ing this  form  of  entertainment,  makes  a 
total  of  55  weeks  of  picture  house  book- 
ings throughout  the  United  States. 
Thirty  of  them  are  booked  out  of  New 
York  into  the  deluxe  Publix  and  Loew 
theatres  through  the  new  booking  ar- 
rangement which  goes  into  effect  Sep- 
tember 1.  Fifteen  weeks  more  are 
booked  in  Chicago  while  the  other  10 
are  throughout  the  Middle  West  and 
Southern  territory.  This  does  not  in- 
clude the  smaller  theatres  all  over  the 
country  who  are  also  using  this  form 
of  entertainment  in  some  manner  on  a 
smaller  scale. 

This  department,  as  well  as  many  lead- 
ing showmen,  predicts  that  stage  band- 


shows  will  be  the  coming  form  of  pres- 
entation in  every  first  class  picture  theatre 
in  the  country  before  another  year  is  over. 

In  a statement  made  by  Paul  Ash  to 
the  editor  of  this  department^  the  follow- 
ing information  was  secured:  That  al- 
though the  stage  bandshow  was  new  in 
Chicago,  he  originally  started  the  policy 
in  San  Francisco  nearly  10  years  ago, 
but  it  took  several  years  before  the 
policy  really  became  a success  and  not 
until  it  was  presented  to  Chicago  did  the 
public  as  well  as  the  theatre  enterprises 
realize  what  a valuable  drawing  card  it 
would  some  day  be  for  the  neighborhood 
houses. 

This  has  been  proven  by  the  fact  that 
since  McVickers  theatre  offered  stage 
bandshows  originated  by  Paul  Ash,  there 
are  now  over  200  theatres  in  the  entire 
country  which  are  doing  a Paul  Ash 
policy. 

And  the  best  part  of  it  all  is  that  all 
of  these  theatres  are  doing  capacity  busi- 
ness where  heretofore  they  were  con- 
fronted with  the  problem  of  keeping 
their  patrons  satisfied  each  week  with 
something  new'  in  order  to  keep  them 
coming  regularly.  Now  the  public  look 
forward  to  the  new  presentation  bills  each 
week  in  neighborhood  houses. 


Sunday  Clubs 

(^Continued  from  page  33) 
appear  on  the  bill  from  week  to  week  and 
all  attendants  of  the  theatre,  as  well  as 
club  members,  are  given  a surprise  when 
their  friends  and  brother  and  sister  mem- 
bers appear  on  the  stage  to  entertain  them. 

Club  Idea  Spreads 

Since  this  idea  originated  a little  over 
two  years  ago,  there  have  been  a number 
of  other  club  stunts  popping  up  at  other 
theatres,  such  as  “Cute  Clubs,’’  “Lucky 
Clubs,’’  and  many  other  ways  and  means 
of  building  up  Sunday  morning  business. 

You,  as  one  of  the  progressive  theatre 
managers,  should  look  into  this  matter  and 
if  you  are  not  already  running  this  sort  of 
entertainment  in  your  theatre,  it  would  pay 
you  to  visit  the  Oriental  some  Sunday 
morning  to  learn  from  personal  observa- 
tion how  successful  these  ideas  work,  from 
the  standpoint  of  box  office  results. 

The  stunt  probably  will  prove  more  suc- 
cessful financially  in  the  deluxe  theatre 
located  in  the  center  of  a business  district. 
However,  it  also  has  been  proven  that  it 
is  a good  idea  to  stimulate  local  business 
in  the  neighborhood  houses  after  church 
hours. 

Big  Time  Stageshows  for 
Oklahoma  City 

Oklahoma  City,  Okla.,  now  boasts  having  a big 
time  vaudeville  theatre  when  the  Orpheum  house 
there  opens  on  September  3rd  with  policy  of  fea- 
ture films  and  headline  acts.  The  house  is  now 
being  remodeled  to  this  new  policy. 


Page  Gus  Edwards 
Please! 

Billy  Randall,  a young  presentation 
artist  for  many  years  featured  in  the  Gus 
Edwards  Revues  and  several  musical  com- 
edies, made  a personal  visit  to  the  office 
of  this  publication  to  tell  the  Editor  of 
this  department  that  he  is  now  a ‘*Daddy.** 
According  to  Mr,  Randall,  he  and  his  wife 
drove  in  from  Rockford,  111.,  on  August  12, 
where  he  was  playing  an  engagement  at 
the  Palm  theatre.  They  arrived  in  Chi- 
cago at  the  Grant  Hospital  at  4:40  a.  m. 
that  morning,  when  his  wife  became  the 
mother  of  a baby  boy  weighing  6^4  pounds. 
This  publication,  as  well  as  Billy’s  friends, 
wish  the  couple  lots  of  success  and  happi- 
ness and  hope  that  Junior  will  follow  in 
his  daddy’s  footsteps. 


THE  PROGRESSIVE  ORGANIST 

Will  Be  Interested  in  Learning  That  at  Last  He  Can  Get  Original 
Show  Stopping  Organ  Novelties 
We  Have  a Very  Interesting  Plan  to  Submit 
WRITE  VS  AT  ONCE! 

PARAMOUNT  SLIDE  RENTAL  SERVICE 
WOODS  BLDG  — CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Jesse  Crawford  Concerts 
With  Mrs.  Crawford  at  Stage  Console 

Paramount  Theatre 

^ New  York 

At  the  Cross  Roads  of  the  World 


Now  Serving  a Life  Sentence  with  Balaban  & Katz 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


NEW  SONGS 

Reviewed  by 

IRENE  JUNO 

(Instructor  Washington  College  of  Music) 


De  Syiva,  Brown  & Henderson  sent  in  four  good 
4/4  numbers. 

BABY  FEET  GO  PITTER-PATTER.  Easy  to 
to  play  and  a swinging  melody  easy  to  remember. 

BROKEN  HEARTED.  Not  a crying  song  but 
a snappy  blue  fox  trot  and  you  will  hear  more 
about  it. 

ONE  LITTLE  GIRL  WHO  LOVES  ME.  An 
easy  fox  trot.  Nothing  startling  but  tuneful  to 
fill  in  the  vacant  comedy  spots. 

MEET  ME  IN  THE  MOONUGHT.  Can  also 
be  played  as  a ballad  and  a good  theme  for  an 
organist  who  likes  slow  counter  melody. 

« « « 

SING  ME  A BABY  SONGb- (Feist)— It’s  going 
to  be  a wow,  so  get  in  on  this  one  early  and 
don’t  play  it  as  a race  number. 

« # « 

CHEERIE-BEERIE-BE— (Feist)— A waltz  that 
will  enjoy  popularity  if  properly  introduced  to  the 
public.  It  also  follows  along  the  Berlin  style. 

# # # 

WY-LETS — (Skidmore  Music  Co.) — It’s  a nut 
song  of  no  special  interest.  Both  tune  and  words 
go  just  the  way  you  expect  them  to  and  for  that 
reason  have  no  particular  appeal. 

<•  * * 

BYE-BYE  PRE'TTY  BABY  — (Shapiro-Bern- 
stein) — A good  fox  trot  with  unexi>ected  modula- 
tions. Will  probably  enjoy  a run  of  popularity. 
* # * 

LET’S  SUPPOSE — (Harms).  A fox  trot,  very 
easy  to  play  and  tuneful.  Nothing  unusual,  but 
when  60  many  fox  trots  are  in  demand  it  fills  the 
vacancy  nicely. 

# « * 

SAME  OLD  MOON — from  musical  show 
“Lucky”  (Harms).  Not  hard  to  play.  A melo- 
dious fox  trot.  Has  some  good  harmonic  modula- 
tions through  entire  number. 

« # # 

OH-YA-YA — (Empire  Music  Co.) — Here  is  a nut 
song  by  a new  firm.  It  may  get  over  if  developed 
by  a good  band  or  organist.  A sort  of  an  “Elsie 
Schultzenheim”  double. 

« « « 

I AIN’T  THAT  KIND  OF  A BABY— (Waterson, 
Berlin,  Snyder) — A fox  trot  that  has  all  the  re- 
quirements for  a hit.  Easy  melody  and  words  that 
will  get  over. 

« # * 

UNDER  THE  MOON  — (Waterson,  Berlin, 
Snyder) — A song  that  has  already  acquired  quite 
a popularity  as  a fox  trot.  Flexible  and  good  for 
a ballad  theme. 

* * # 

SHE’S  GOT  IT — (Feist) — It  suggests  Clara  Bow 
and  that  means  pep.  Plenty  of  pep  in  this  num- 
ber and  enough  harmony  to  make  it  interesting. 

* ♦ # 

YOU  DON’T  LIKE  IT~NOT  MUCH— (Feist)— 
A fox  trot  of  good  dance  rhythm.  You  will  hear 
it  played  by  every  dance  orchestra. 

# * * 

JUST  ACROSS  THE  RIVER  FROM  QUEENS 
— from  "Bye-Bye-Bonnie”  (Harms).  A fox  trot. 
Unusually  simple  in  arrangement,  and  unusually 
tuneful.  A melody  that  will  stick  with  you.  A 
very  refined  fox  trot. 


PUBLISHERS  NOTE 
If  you  wish  to  have  your  new  song  re- 
leases reviewed  in  this  column  by  Irene 
Juno,  kindly  place  her  name  on.  your  mail- 
ing list  to  receive  professional  copies  of 
your  numbers  regularly,  and  address  same 
in  care  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  atten- 
tion of  Presention  Editor,  407  South  Dear- 
born Street,  Chicago,  111. 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 

STAGE  SHOWS 


Publix  Opens  New 
Theatre 

The  Kirby  theatre,  Publix’  newest  deluxe  thea- 
tre in  Houston,  Texas,  opened  its  doors  to  the 
public  Friday  night,  August  12,  for  one  perform- 
ance of  “Beau  Geste,”  showing  in  Houston  for 
the  first  time  at  popular  prices. 

Culminative  of  an  extemsive  advertising  cam- 
paign along  subdued  lines,  the  Kirby  opened  to  a 
full  house,  turning  away  hundreds  who  could 
not  be  seated.  The  premiere  performance  ran  off 
without  a hitch,  due  to  the  fact  that  a complete 
rehearsal  of  the  entire  show  was  held  twenty- 
four  hours  before  the  opening.  This  feat  sets  a 
record  in  theatre  annals  in  Houston,  openings 
usually  being  last  minute  fatigue  affairs,  with  a 
bustle  that  causes  consternation  in  box  office  re- 
sults. Smoothness  and  perfection  of  presenta- 
tion marked  the  formal  opening. 

The  show  started  at  8:15  promptly.  Guests  of 
honor  included  the  Mayor  of  Houston,  Senator 
Strickland,  Publix  attorney  for  Texas ; all  im- 
portant city  officials ; L.  E.  Schnieder,  supervisor 
of  Publix  deluxe  picture  houses  ; Milton  Feld,  pro- 
duction department ; John  J.  Friedl,  district  man- 
ager of  Publix ; and  numerous  other  officials. 

“Star  Spangled  Banner”  was  the  opening  selec- 
tion by  the  Kirby  Concert  Orchestra,  conducted 
by  Maurice  Lawrence.  Then  followed,  with  lights 
full  up,  the  overture,  “Southern  Rhapsody,”  by 
Hosmer,  consisting  of  a medley  of  popular  South- 
ern selections.  Got  the  audience  in  just  the  right 
mood.  Kirby  Theatre  News,  Kinograms  for  the 
most  part,  followed.  M-G-M  News  will  be  used  as 
soon  as  it  is  issued. 

After  the  News,  close  in  of  curtains,  with  lights 
fading  in  and  then  out,  back  to  screen,  with 
announcement  of  Miss  Julia  Dawn,  singing  organ- 
ist. Close  in,  dim  lights,  with  pale  amber  spot  on 
Miss  Dawn,  who  sang  and  played  “Hello  Every- 
body,” with  slides.  The  innovation  of  singing 
with  an  organ  solo  went  over  big,  and  Miss  Dawn 
had  to  take  several  bows,  an  encore  being  for- 
bidden. 

“Beau  Geste”  followed,  with  the  premiere  pres- 
entation in  Houston  at  popular  prices.  This  pic- 
ture will  have  a run  of  two  weeks,  being  followed 
respectively  by  “Chang”  and  “Rough  Riders,” 
with  runs  as  lengthy  as  are  warranted.  The  crowd 
at  the  formal  performance  enjoyed  “Beau  Geste” 
greatly,  some  of  them  stating  that  they  had  seen 
it  before  and  were  going  to  see  it  again. 

“Aero-Nuts,”  a Paramount  cartoon,  came  next. 
At  the  close  of  the  cartoon,  curtains  closed  in, 
with  the  Concert  Orchestra  playing  “Halleujah,” 
song  hit  from  “Hit  the  Deck,”  as  the  recessional. 

The  Kirby  will  play  only  the  best  motion  pic- 


tures produced,  with  extended  runs  where  neces- 
sary, and  maintain  a standard  popular  price.  It 
is  a beautifully  designed  theatre,  its  lines  of 
simplicity  making  it  stand  out  over  all  other 
Houston  theatres.  _ Popular  opinion  has  it  that 
the  Kirby  will  be  one  of  the  most  popular  thea- 
tres in  the  city  ; it  is  the  only  one  in  the  state  of 
Texas  that  has  an  extended  run  policy. 


Portland,  Ore.  Columbia 

Week  Ending  August  5 

As  an  appropriate  musical  setting  for  the  film 
“Back  to  God’s  Country,”  Harry  Linden  and  his 
Columbia  All-Artist  Orchestra  gave  the  follow- 
ing musical  selection: 

“I’ll  Always  Remember  You,”  “The  More  We 
Are  Together.”  “What  Price  Glory,”  “Char- 
maine,”  “The  Love  Song,”  “Havanna,”  “Dawn 
of  Tomorrow,”  “The  Doll  Dance,”  “Nola,” 
“Polly,”  and  “Red  Lips.”  One  can  always  ex- 
pect an  entertaining  orchestral  presentation  at 
this  house  under  Mr.  Linden’s  direction,  and  his 
popularity  here  is  evident  by  the  great  reception 
that  is  always  accorded  his  offering. 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  12 

Eight  Popular  Victor  Record  Artists,  with  Gene 
Roderaich  and  his  Met  Merry  Makers  and  a double 
quartet  of  clever  girl  dancers  supply  the  presenta- 
tion this  week. 

Incidentally  the  Victor  Record  Artists  were 
forced  to  give  encores  which  is  unusual  with 
the  Metropolitan  progi-am,  timed  to  a nicety  and 
seldom  permitting  encores  on  this  account.  Jim 
Stanley’s  baritone  solo  and  Sam  Hermann’s  xylo- 
phone solo,  however,  were  of  such  character  that 
the  audience  demanded  encores,  even  at  the  sac- 
rifice of  something  somewhere  else  on  the  pro- 
gi'am. 

Joseph  Klein  and  his  grand  orchestra  start  the 
program  with  “Just  a Little  Love,  a Little  Kiss” 
with  variations,  and  the  stage  in  complete  dark- 
ness. As  the  music  progresses,  a few  stars  shine 
out  in  the  darkness  and  a soft  dawn  effect  is 
given.  The  stars  prove  to  be  the  reflections  from 
brass  instruments  of  Gene  Rodemich’s  Merry  Mak- 
ers. When  full  light  is  reached,  the  Merry  Mak- 
ers start  their  program  under  Rodemich’s  direc- 
tion. 

The  Eight  Victor  Artists,  with  one  of  their  own 
number  acting  as  master  of  ceremonies,  open  their 
program  with  a piano  solo  followed  by  a piano 
trio  with  three  grand  pianos  on  the  stage.  Duets, 
trios  and  quartet  vocal  numbers  are  followed  by 
a little  comedy,  baritone  and  tenor  solos  and  a 
xylophone  number  and  a final  ensemble  with 
double  quartet,  two  of  whose  members  also  play 
the  accompaniments  at  the  same  time. 

“Moon  of  Israel”  is  the  film. 


JOSEPH  ALEXANDER 

One  of  the  Leading  Young  Organists 
Formerly  with  Marks  Bros.,  and  Schoenstad’s  & Sons  of 
Chicago.  Now  Featured  at  the  New 
INDIANA  THEATRE,  INDIANAPOLIS  . 
Specializing  in  Photoplay  Accompaniment 


RAMON  BERRY 

Featured  Organist 
ALAMO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Now  Featuring  a Special  Anniversary  Solo  Program  This  Week  Only 


THE  INIMITABLE- 


DON  ISHAM 

“KNOWS  HIS  PIPES” 

PERFECT  PICTURE  SYNCHRONIZING 

Featured  Osganist  with  the  MARKS  BROS.  CIRCUIT.  Formerly  with  JENS^  and  VON  HERBERG, 
JOHN  HAMRICH  ORGANIZATION  and  other  WEST  COAST  CIRCUITS. 

SOLO  PRESENTATION 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Washington  Palace 

Week  Ending  August  13 

The  Palace  is  still  gathering  in  the  big  business 
of  the  city  at  the  coolest  spot  in  town.  Colby 
Harriman  had  Moon  Magic  as  a Scrim  color  pres- 
entation this  week. 

Opening  shows  clouds  on  scrim,  fading  to  hills 
and  beautiful  waterfall  (a  la  lights).  Indian 
maid  standing  on  distant  rock.  Dorothy  Wilson 
Halback  as  the  maid,  sang  “Rising  Sun  and  “At 
Dawn”  while  lights  gave  beautiful  dark  to  dawn 
to  sunrise  effect. 

Jan  Garbers  Band  is  with  us  again.  A red  hot 
band,  every  number  a specialty.  Opening  with 
“Sundown”  into  “Red  Lips”  and  followed  by 
“Heaven  Help  a Sailor  on  a Night  Like  This.” 
Comedy  singing  duet  and  horn  pipe  dance.  A 
red  headed  banjo  player  stepped  forth  with  “Just 
Like  a Butterfly  That’s  Caught  in  the  Rain,”  and 
tore  up  the  house.  He  has  a beautiful  voice. 
“What  Do  I Care  What  Somebody  Said”  was  a 
comedy  number  with  dance  by  the  solo  cornetist 
and  as  an  encore  he  directed  the  boys  in  a 
German  Band  number.  “Tiger  Rag”  introduced 
their  seventeen  year  old  drummer,  and  “Bye-Bye 
Pretty  Baby”  closed  the  act  with  three  boys  sing- 
ing. No  encores  but  the  audience  wanted  them. 

Adolphe  Menjou  in  “Service  for  Ladies”  was 
the  feature.  News  Reel  and  a comedy  “Red  Hot 
Sands.” 


Logansport  Colonial 

Week  Ending  August  13 

Two  favorites  of  Logansport  people,  Ann  Neil- 
son  and  Howard  Stillman,  are  back  at  the  Colonial 
for  another  engagement  and  are  delighting  audi- 
ences with  songs  and  impersonations.  Both  were 
members  of  the  Gifford  Jones  company,  which 
filled  a fourteen  weeks’  engagement  several  months 
ago  at  the  Colonial.  Miss  Neilson  sings  a number 
of  popular  songs  and  accompanies  herself  on  the 
ukulele.  Mr.  Stillman  sings  in  his  imitations  of 
Raymond  Hitchcock,  Nora  Bayes  and  a number 
of  others. 


Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  6 

“Patches”  was  the  Publix  show  with  Jimmy 
Ellards  offering  to  sing  any  song  the  audience 
requested.  Herbert  Kock  played  a nov'elty  num- 
ber with  the  audience  joining  in  singing  the  older 
songs  included  in  the  modern  medley.  There  was 
a new  Paramount  news  reel  showing  a remark- 
able picture  of  a plane  catching  fire  in  mid-air. 
There  was  a Hodge  Podge  reel  also.  The  feature 
picture,  “Fireman  Save  My  Child,”  went  over  big. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  August  12 

Walter  Davison  and  His  Louisville  Loons  played 
their  seventh  week  as  the  orchestral  attraction  of 
the  Mainstreet  stage  program  this  week. 

Bobby  Joyce,  styled  as  the  dancing  demon,  had 
a novelty  dancing  act. 

Zelay’s  act  consisted  of  vocal  numbers,  jokes 
and  a bit  of  philosophy. 

The  Hilo  Five  rendered  vocal  selections,  while 
Marjorie  Burton,  billed  as  the  grand  opera  girl 
of  vaudeville,  had  a wide  selection  of  vocal  num- 
bers. 

Guglieri  had  a musical  and  comedy  act,  styled 
as  “Hardware  Harmony.” 

Davison  and  his  orchestra  rendered  popular  se- 
lections as  an  overture. 

Will  Livemash  played  several  solos  on  the 
organ. 


Los  Angeles  Met 

Week  Ending  August  11 

Fanchon  and  Marco  have  an  unusually  elaborate 
presentation  act  for  “Metropolis”  this  week  at  the 
Metropolitan  theatre.  It  is  called  “Sea  Nymphs” 
and  is  quite  the  most  beautiful  F.  & M.  have 
staged  thus  far. 

The  costumes,  especially  in  the  opening  num- 
ber, are  exceedingly  attractive  and  varied  and  are 
greeted  at  every  show  with  rounds  of  applause. 
Various  sea  denizens  such  as  lobsters,  star  fish, 
sea  shells  and  alligators  are  part  of  the  ensemble. 
An  aerial  mermaid  acrobatic  act  held  the  audi- 
ences’ attention  and  the  finale  showing  20  girls 
posed  on  lines  let  down  from  above  drew  a good 
hand. 

Rose  Valyda,  a radio  singer,  made  a distinct 
hit  with  her  several  numbers. 

The  cheapness  of  the  splashy  gold  signs  and 
“art”  work  in  the  lobby  of  the  Metropolitan  does 
not  fit  the  beautiful  interior  of  this  house. 

Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  August  13 

Shuffling  across  the  platform  in  baggy  trousers, 
Fred  Stritt  continues  to  preside  over  ceremonies 
in  this  house.  The  attraction  in  which  he  head- 
lined was  called  “Collegiates.” 

The  organ  prelude  chosen  by  Don  Miller,  “The 
Trouble  Maker,”  was  a nice  scheme  for  plugging 
in  “Me  and  My  Shadow”  and  “Wildflower.”  He 
persuaded  customers  to  enter  singing  duels  and 
the  response  was  very  decided. 

Other  numbers  included  Badger  and  Muesler  in 
a classical  dance  take-off;  Ernie  Young’s  dancers; 
McGee  and  Maloney,  piano  and  vocal  ; and  Kam- 
beroff,  the  tumbling  accordeonist. 


Houston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  13 

The  Metropolitan  inaug-urates  the  Pablix  hand- 
show  this  week,  with  the  introduction  of  Paul 
Spor  (Sporleder)  directing  the  Merry  Mad  Mus- 
ical Gang,  replacing  Eddie  Perry. 

Spor  is  an  instantaneous  success,  and  his  per- 
sonality and  artistry  is  making  him  the  talk  of 
Houston.  With  opening  trailer  announcing  band- 
ehow  act,  house  breaks  in  applause  at  almost 
every  show.  First  number  of  the  “In  Jaazland” 
unit  show  is  “Sam”  by  the  band.  Then  “It  All 
Depends  on  You,”  with  Spor  singing.  Has  good 
tenor  voice,  and  goes  well.  Regular  routine  of  act 
is  followed  with  A1  Reynolds,  Bebe  Sherman, 
Healy  and  Clifford,  Jerrie,  Delano  Dell,  and  the 
Six  Gould  Dancers. 

Jerrie,  the  accordion  player,  gets  good  hand, 
and  many  encores.  Third  band  number  is  “Over- 
ture  to  William  Tell,”  with  lighting  effects  for 
the  storm  that  are  marvelously  worked  out  by 
Spor. 

Finale  is  “Sam,  the  Old  Accordion  Man,”  which 
is  one  of  the  popular  hits  of  the  south.  The 
picture  is  “Fireman,  Save  My  Child,”  with  Beery 
and  Hatton. 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  August  12 

“An  Indian  Romance,”  devised  and  staged  by 
Leonid  Leonard!  and  Robert  Alton,  took  the  place 
of  the  overture  during  the  week.  It  was  novel, 
pretty  and  entertaining. 

Ted  Lewis,  high  hatted  tragedian  of  song,  and 
his  new  revue  had  the  stage  honors  of  the  week. 
His  entertainers  included  Eddie  Chester,  Eleanor 
Brooks  and  Marilyn  Duncan. 


Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  August  13 

“The  Triumph  of  Good  Over  Evil”  is  a beauti- 
fully staged  piece  with  a moral,  the  work  of 
Frank  Cambria,  with  musical  direction  by  Na- 
thaniel Finston.  The  characters  are  Hebraic,  sing- 
ing their  parts  with  appropriate  dignity  and  rich- 
ness of  tone.  The  story  they  tell  is  briefly  retold 
by  their  title. 

An  added  stage  divertissement  “Russia”  is  an 
all  too  short  singing  and  dancing  act  with  a 
number  of  girls  who  are  adepts  at  the  native  steps. 
A quintette  of  male  singers  also  adds  its  bit  to 
the  entertainment  as  a part  of  this  attracion. 
Mikhail  Stolarvesky  directs  the  Indiana  symphonic 
orchestra  in  a rendering  of  “Marita,”  by  Wallace, 
as  an  overture.  Harold  Ramsay  plays  a novelty 
“What  Shall  I Play,”  at  the  grand  Barton  organ. 


Brooklyn  Strand 

Week  Ending  August  12 

A favorite  overture,  Liszt’s  “Les  Preludes,” 
played  by  the  Famed  Mark  Strand  Orchestra, 
Willy  Stahl  and  Emil  Baum  conducting,  came 
first  on  the  Edward  L.  Hyman  program  which 
had  in  addition,  two  other  musical  incidents,  the 
Topical  Review  and  “The  Poor  Nut”  as  the  fea- 
ture. 

“A  Rose  for  Every  Heart,”  a composition  by 
Cadman,  was  sung  as  a bass  solo  by  Walter  Smith 
“in  one,”  backed  up  by  a plush  curtain,  while 
members  of  the  ballet  corps  attired  as  roses  of 
different  colors  served  as  a floral  background. 

Preceding  the  feature  came  the  big  stage  num- 
ber, “In  Tulip  Time,”  Edward  L,  Hyman’s  newest 
revue.  The  set  was  in  full  stage  and  representated 
a tulip  garden.  A tile  transparent  drop  and  a 
propelling  wind  mill  served  as  a background. 

Art  Landry  and  his  Orchestra  were  dressed  in 
Dutch  fashion  and  were  seated  on  an  18  inch  plat- 
form in  front  of  three  rows  of  tulips.  The  band 
opened  the  incident  with  “In  Tulip  Time,”  with  a 
vocal  chorus  by  a basso.  Jack  Riano,  a contor- 
tionistic  dancer,  did  some  impossible  steps  to  the 
tune  of  “Crazy  Words.” 

“Me  and  My  Shadow,”  a number  in  which  were 
featured  a cornet,  a guitar,  a baritone  and  four 
violins.  A violin  solo  by  Sascha  Kindler,  “Play, 
Gypsies  Play”  from  the  operetta,  “The  Countess 
Maritza,”  came  next.  The  ballet  corps,  costumed 
as  Dutch  boys  and  girls,  then  followed  with  a 
wooden  shoe  dance  while  the  band  assisted  by 
playing  “Dutch  Kiddies.”  Two  girl  pianists  were 
then  spotted  and  played  several  selecions,  and  to 
close  the  incident  Gershey  and  Hulley,  two  Alpine 
mountaineers,  did  quite  a unique  dance.  As  an 
encore  the  Ensemble  repeated  “In  Tulip  Time.” 


Newest  Band  Leader  Sensation 

LOU  KOSLOFF 

“SULTAN  OF  SYNCOPATION” 

Formerly  With  Liibliner  & Trinz.  Now  Directing  Presentations  at  the 
MICHIGAN  THEATRE.  DETROIT. 


**One  of  Chicago’s  Foremost  Manipulators  of 

the  Organ” 

Featured  in  ONE  Theatre  in  CHICAGO  for  the 
last  SIX  YEARS— WHO?  - - - 

RAMON  RICHELIEU-MORSE 


M AURO  - COTTONE  - mus  doc 

Lately  Appointed  by  King  Victor  Emmanuel  Chevalier  of  the  Crown  of  Italy 

Six  Years  of  Continuous  Unparalleled  Success  as 
Chief  Organ  Solobt, 

Capitol  Theatre,  New  York 


COSTUMES  FOR  HIRE 


PRODUCTIONS 

EXPLOITATIONS 

PRESENTATIONS 


1437  Broadway 
OIVV/WIVO  Tel.  5580  Penn. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  August  14 

This  being  the  week  for  the  selection  of  ^*Miss 
Chicago”  to  represent  the  Windy  City  at  the 
Atlantic  City  Bathing  Beauty  Contest,  it  was  no 
more  than  fitting  that  the  show  should  be  called 
^*Maid  of  the  Mist.”  And  as  added  comment  we 
will  say  that  it  lived  up  to  its  name. 

The  feature  of  the  act  was  Lottie  Mayer’s 
Diving  Girls,  who  entertained  with  fancy  diving 
into  a tank,  raised  above  the  stage,  and  built  into 
a rustic  setting.  A mirror  in  the  rear  reflected 
the  water  and  the  girls  as  they  dove  beneath  the 
foam. 

The  act  opened  with  an  Indian  maid  singing 
(and  we  regret  that  we  do  not  know  the  song). 
This  was  the  cue  for  the  entry  from  the  hill 
and  foliage  at  the  rear  of  the  stage  of  the  Chief, 
who  also  sang,  the  two  then  joining  in  a ba£s 
and  soprano  duet  which  was  delightful. 

Four  girls,  dressed  in  Indian  costume,  then  gave 
their  version  of  an  Indian  dance.  This  fit  well 
into  the  general  scheme  of  things. 

At  this  juncture  the  Diving  Girls  rose  from 
the  water  for  their  few  moments  of  entertainment. 

Brought  into  the  act  as  musical  accompaniment 
were  ‘‘The  Land  of  the  Sky  Blue  Water”  and 
‘‘The  Waters  of  the  Minnetonka,”  two  selections 
that  are  always  welcomed  by  most  any  audience. 

The  bathing  girls  competing  for  “Miss  Chicago” 
paraded  for  the  benefit  of  the  audience,  and 
brought  rounds  of  applause  from  friends  in  the 
house. 

The  finale  was  colorful,  with  serpentine  dancers 
performing  on  the  hill  in  the  rear  of  the  stage. 

“Maid  of  the  Mist”  was  decidedly  entertaining. 

Spitalny  selected  “Neopolitana”  for  his  over- 
ture. Each  week  this  conductor  features  some 
member  of  his  orchestra,  and  the  happy  selection 
this  week  was  the  harpist,  who  played  and  sang. 
His  rendition  of  “Oh  Marie”  brought  down  the 
house,  and  as  an  encore  he  played  and  sang 
“Sunny  Spain.” 

Johnstown  State 

Week  Ending  August  13 

With  Kinograms  and  comedy  “Jane's  Honey- 
moon” followed  the  Organ  Solo  by  Mack  Edwards, 
entitled  “Me  and  My  Shadow,”  “So  Blue”  and 
“Halleujah”  grouped  into  a medley,  which  was 
very  well  received.  Then  the  stage  presentation 
of  “Musical  Bits,”  in  special  setting,  with  Jack 
Head,  pianist,  Betty  Lombard,  violinist,  and  Idan 
Naftzger,  cellist,  playing  “The  Song  of  the  Wan- 
derer,” followed  by  Ester  Ober  and  Arthur  Du- 
mont in  a Tango,  then  a musical  medley  by  the 
trio  which  was  followed  with  a comic  Dutch  dance 
by  the  dancer,  and  was  well  applauded.  Then  fol- 
lowed Mary  Shea  and  Co.,  also  in  a special  setting, 
with  a Spanish  and  Oriental  dance  number,  inter- 
woven by  Ellsworth  Bergholz,  pianist  and  Frank 
Heinrich  in  a violin  and  piano  duet.  The  feature 
for  the  first  half  of  the  week  was  “Time  to  Love'* 
and  for  the  second  half  “On  Ze  Boulevard.” 


banjo  and  comet  soloist,  and  Johnny  Morris,  sing- 
ing drummer,  are  the  featured  members  of  the 
band  and  both  are  good  entertainers. 

Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  August  12 

A huge  drop  done  in  patch  quilt  patterns  forci- 
bly reminded  Riviera  theatregoers  this  week  that 
the  Publix  stageshow  was  “Patches  of  Joy.” 

A1  Evans  had  hie  orchestra  in  patched  coats  of 
all  the  hues  of  Joseph’s  coat.  Around  the  orches- 
tra were  marble  stairs  which  led  to  a raised  stage 
surmounted  by  a huge  bouquet,  partly  big  flowers 
and  partly  dancing  girls.  Back  of  this  the  patch 
work  background  opened  and  let  out  members  of 
the  troupe  of  entertainers. 

As  the  name  implied,  the  entertainment  was 
varied  in  character,  more  so  than  most  of  the 
stageshows  of  the  last  few  weeks.  Even  versatile 
A1  Evans  chipped  in  with  a solo  and  also  by 
pounding  a grand  piano. 

On  the  list  of  entertainers  were  Sam  Gould  and 
Sid  Hawkins,  Jeanne  Geddes,  Ethel  and  Hesslyn 
Day,  Johnny  Mills  and  Tim  Shea,  A1  and  Louise 
Walker  and  the  Russell  Marker!  Dancers, 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  August  13 

Sixteen  winners  of  the  Opportunity  Contests 
arrived  here  to  demonstrate  their  skill  at  tap 
dances,  violin  solos  and  other  specialties.  Their 
attractiveness  and  versatility  was  enhanced  con- 
siderably by  a gorgeous  Publix  stage  setting. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  August  13 

It  was  “Roxy  Week”  at  the  Fox  this  week  and 
nearly  every  phase  of  presentation  was  repre- 
sented in  the  delightful  entertainment  brought  by 
America’s  greatest  showman  direct  from  the  Roxy 
Theatre  in  New  York.  The  famous  band  of  artists 
received  a rousing  welcome  on  their  first  appear- 
ance before  a Philadelphia  audience. 

The  program  opened  with  Douglas  Stanbury  and 
the  Roxy  Male  Chorus  singing  Kipling’s  “Barrack 
Room  Ballads.”  The  beautiful  blending  of  eight- 
een male  voices,  the  scarlet  of  British  uniforms 
beneath  the  British  flag  and  the  stirring  music 
gave  Kipling’s  “Mandalay”  and  “Fuzzy  Wuzzy” 
an  unusual  appeal. 

The  stage  settings  so  necessary  to  the  success 
of  a presentation  act  were  artistic  creations  by 
Clark  Robinson,  scenic  artist  of  the  Roxy  Theatre. 
In  “Wedgewood,”  an  attractive  dance  presented 
by  the  Roxy  Ballet,  the  background  was  a huge 
blue  platter  with  two  urns.  The  white  drai>ed  fig- 
ures typical  of  Wedgewood  ware  were  arranged  in 
graceful  groups  on  the  stage,  with  the  dainty 
misses  in  classic  Green  costumes  gliding  from  one 
delightful  pose  to  another. 

The  Jewish  chant  “Eli,  Eli,”  with  Gladys  Rice 
and  the  Roxy  Male  Chorus  brought  thunderous  ap- 


plause. The  kneeling  figures  with  upraised  arms 
silhouetted  against  a dim  background  while  the 
great  volume  of  voices  shook  the  house  formed 
an  impressive  and  inspiring  sight. 

Twelve  members  of  the  Roxy  Ballet  in  black  and 
silver  against  a black  and  silver  background  did 
some  excellent  team  work.  They  are  a feast  of 
beauty. 

Doris  Niles  in  a red  Spanish  costume  with  a 
red  poppy  in  her  hair,  danced  a brilliant  Spanish 
dance  against  a velvety  background  to  the  ac- 
companiment of  castanets.  In  her  billowy  skirts 
she  resembled  a great  oriental  poppy  blown  hither 
and  thither  by  the  wind.  The  applause  rocked 
the  house. 

The  loveliest  dance  of  all  was  “Glow  Worm,” 
with  a setting  suggestive  of  a garden  and  with 
blue  and  green  lighting  effects.  Twinkling  lights 
represented  fireflies  in  the  trees. 

Maria  Gambarelli,  prima  ballerina,  in  white 
tulle,  led  the  ballet  corps  in  a delightful  dance 
about  the  garden  in  pursuit  of  the  elusive  fire- 
flies to  the  accompaniment  of  Lincke’s  “Glow 
Worm”  sung  by  the  Roxy  Chorus.  The  whole 
dance  was  beautifully  imaginative  and  artistic 
and  was  followed  by  rounds  of  applause. 

The  overture  “William  Tell,”  by  Rossini,  was 
beautifuly  rendered  by  the  Fox  Orchestra. 

Atlanta  Howard 

Week  Ending  August  6 

A1  Short  jarred  the  more  or  less  handcuffed 
local  populace  out  of  their  seats  with  his  show 
here  this  week,  which  was  termed  “Hotsy  Totsy.” 
This  Short  boy  has  the  “bigger  and  better”  idea 
every  week  and  this  week’s  sihow  was  by  far  the 
best  thing  he  has  done  here,  and  that  was  with- 
out any  too  much  help  from  the  circuit  perform- 
ers. 

The  ballet  opened  to  “Red  Lips.” 

The  band  then  played  three  of  Al’s  composi- 
tions, “Mobile  Blues,”  “Beside  a Garden  Wall” 
and  “In  Bluebird  Land”  and  these  numbers  caused 
the  folks  to  sit  up  and  take  notice. 

Miss  Dallas  (Lettis  Mae  Etier)  was  out  next 
and  she  sang  “Because  I Love  You”  and  “Evqry- 
thing’s  Nice  About  You”  to  a fair  hand. 

A1  Short  and  Perry  Bremer  then  played  “Short 
and  Sweet,”  a trumpet  duet  composed  by  Al’s 
father  and  this  was  the  musical  hit  of  the  show. 

Al  then  announced  that  the  band  would  play 
“April  Showers,”  a requested  number  and  the  bal- 
let came  out  on  this  with  silvered  parasols.  Col- 
ored lights  were  dimmed  down  on  this  and  it 
made  a nice  hit  with  the  audience. 

The  band  then  went  into  “Sunshine,”  which 
was  sung  by  Bob  Earle,  song  plugger.  In  the  mid- 
dle of  the  number  curtain  wa^^  lifted  on  the 
raised  platform  on  the  stage  disclosing  one  of 
the  ballet  sitting.  Shortly  after  back  drop  was 
raised  to  expose  a prop  “sunshine”  effect  which 
was  impressive. 

Al  then  announced  he  had  made  a great  dis- 
covery and  led  out  Morris  Wager,  nine  years  old. 


Indianapolis  Circle 

Week  Ending  August  13 

Paul  Specht,  with  his  orchestra  is  at  the  thea- 
tre this  week.  The  orchestra  offering  is  pleas- 
ing. Mr.  Specht  introduces  the  numbers  in  a 
musical  invention  of  his  own,  which  he  calls 
rhythmic  symphonic  syncopation,  an  innovation  in 
music  which  might  be  compared  to  the  futuristic 
in  art.  But  it  is  a colorful  and  harmonious 
arrangement  that  is  none  the  less  enjoyable  be- 
cause it  is  not  easily  understood.  Lou  Calabrese, 


Bennie  Krueger 

Feature  Attraction 
— at  — 

Balaban 
and  Katz 

UPTOWN 

and 

TIVOLI 
Theatres, 
Chicago 


Week  to  Week  Stunts — ATTENTION!  — Vocal  Variety 


ORGANISTS  ! 
“JIMMY  offers  for  RENTAL 

SAVAGE’  ORGAN  SOLOS 

The  Last  Word  in  Community  Singing 

/{OS  Woods  Theatre  Building^  Chicago^  III. 

Community  Comics  — Exclusive  Rights  — Original 


Organlogues 


FRANK  HAMILTON 


PLAYING 

DELUXE  PICTURE 
HOUSES 
Direction — 

William  Morris  Agency 


Opening  A 

Tour  of 

PUBLIX  on 

SEPT.  3rd 

in  A STAGEHAND— 

UNIT-SHOW. 

Just  Completed  THREE 
weeks  at  The  PALACE, 
PEORIA,  as  Master  of 
Ceremonies. 


ADELAIDE  HALL 

(The  Versatile  Artist) 

Just  Completed  a Tour  of  Marks  Bros.  Theatres 
Now  Playing  Deluxe  Picture  Houses 

Direction — Murray  Bloom  and  Charles  Hogan 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


a local  kid  who  sang  “Always.”  A atill  smaller 
chap  announced  as  Morris’  brother,  age  six  years, 
then  came  out  and  the  two  sang  “Crazy  Words, 
Crazy  Tunes”  with  Morris  plunking  a banjo 
smartly.  This  fairly  lifted  the  roof  and  they  were 
forced  to  sing  “Little  Red  Schoolhouse.”  After 
the  audience  refused  to  quiet  down  Morris  did  a 
rather  neat  little  dance  while  his  brother  “di- 
rected” the  band.  Morris  was  then  proffered  the 
baton  and  the  kid  brother  took  the  stage  with  a 
little  jig  which  included  a perfect  imitation  of  one 
of  Cy  Landry’s  steps.  The  biggest  hand  ever  heard 
in  this  house  rewarded  their  act  at  every  per- 
formance. 

The  band  then  played  gems  from  “The  Fortune 
Teller”  and  this  number  was  a bit  bejow  the 
standard  of  previous  classic  offerings  of  Short- 

Moss  and  Manning,  eccentric  dancers  out  to  fair 
hand. 

The  band  then  dashed  into  hot  jazz  number  and 
a curtain  on  the  raised  stage  was  again  drawn 
disclosing  a large  thermometer  and  as  the  music 
tempo  increased  the  red  mounted  to  the  top  of  the 
thermometer  and  with  a bang  the  thermometer 
split  showing  one  of  the  ballet  girls  doing  jazz 
steps  and  she  was  later  joined  by  remaining  mem- 
bers and  other  performers  out  to  close. 

St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  August  12 

Don  Albert  and  his  orchestra  offered  appropriate 
Erno  Rappee  music  for  the  proper  presentation  of 
the  feature  picture  of  the  week,  “What  Price 
Glory  V* 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  August  14 

This  week’s  stage  show  featuring  Verne  Buck 
and  his  orchestra  was  called  “Top  of  the  World,” 
and  included  Julia  Gerity.  The  presentation  ran 
as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  representing 
Roof  Garden  with  orchestra  stationed  under  large 
canopy  surrounded  by  tables  on  either  side. 

Frank  Bernard,  popular  musical  comedy  and 
cafe  entertainer,  opened  the  proceedings  with  his 
well  known  di-unk  dance  offered  with  many  in- 
tricate acrobatic  steps. 

He  was  followed  by  Ned  Miller,  song  writer, 
singing  “Sometime”  and  “You  Don’t  Like  It.” 
The  next  one  on  the  program  was  Marian  Kane, 
the  cute  little  Blues  singer,  whose  “Let’s  Kiss 
and  Make  Up”  and  “Positively,  Absolutely”  was 
the  talk  of  the  show. 

A clever  band  arrangement  followed  next  of 
“Pd  Walk  a Million  Miles,”  which  was  specially 
arranged  by  Verne  Buck  and  the  Hiatt  Boys. 
(These  chaps  deserve  much  credit  for  the  many 
novel  and  clever  arrangements  presented  by  the 
band  in  this  house.) 

The  Verne  Buck  Trio  enter  in  at  this  time  and 
offer  a harmony  vocal  specialty  of  the  number. 

The  Cadets  were  introduced  next,  just  two 
young  boys  who  sing  “Wild  Flowers,”  “Anna- 


belle  Lee”  and  “Side  by  Side.”  The  boys  scored 
so  well  that  they  were  compelled  to  encore  to  the 
tune  of  “Bye,  Bye,  Pretty  Baby.” 

Frank  Bernard  came  on  again,  this  time  with 
a new  dance  called  the  Cane  Step,  in  which  he 
does  some  very  difficult  acrobatic  and  high  kicks. 

Verne  Buck  next  announced  a novel  band  spe- 
cialty in  the  way  of  a classical  arrangement  called 
the  “Four  Indian  Lave  Lyrics”  which,  as  usual, 
was  perfectly  interpreted  by  these  boys.  The  num- 
ber featured  Frank  Wilson,  a permanent  fixture 
of  this  band,  who  sang  the  Kashmiri  song,  which 
is  better  knows  as  “Pale  Hands.”  As  usual  Frank 
stopped  the  show,  something  he  never  fails  to  do 
with  any  songs  he  presents. 

Margaret  Diller  followed  this  with  a character 
interpretation  of  “Down  by  the  Winegar  Works.” 
She  also  does  a second  chorus  of  a clever  bowery 
dance  to  the  same  tune,  and  is  compelled  to  en- 
core, using  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song”  on  her  saxo- 
phone, which  also  sets  her  in  solid  with  the  audi- 
ence. 

“The  Sheridan  Sweetheart”  was  announced  next, 
and  to  those  that  have  seen  her  work,  truly  admire 
her  as  a sweetheart.  The  young  lady  is  none 
other  than  Julia  Gerity,  whose  singing  in  the  last 
few  weeks  at  this  house  has  put  everybody  in  a 
happy  mood.  This  week’s  program  consisted  of 
“Dixie.”  “Nobody  to  Love  Me,”  “Mother  O’  Mine,” 
and  “No  Wonder  I’m  Happy,”  and  many  other 
choruses  which  she  sang  on  through  the  Finale 
before  the  audience  would  let  her  sign  off  for  the 
evening. 


New  York  Roxy*s 

Week  Ending  August  13 

The  Roxy  performance  opens  this  week  with  an 
organ  recital  with  the  three  Roxy  grand  organs 
playing  in  unison.  The  organists,  headed  by  Lew 
White,  play  a group  of  “Southern  Melodies,”  fea- 
turing the  piece  called  “Muddy  Waters”  and  in- 
cluding most  of  the  old  favorites  in  their  pro- 
gram. 

The  Roxy  Symphony  Orchestra  is  next  and  they 
play  “American  Fantasy”  and  “Military  Tactics” 
under  the  able  direction  of  Erno  Rapee. 

The  stage  show  this  week  serves  as  a prologue 
to  the  picture,  “What  Price  Glory,”  and  for  this 
reason  has  a distinctly  military  flavor  about  it. 

The  first  number  is  the  hymn  of  the  United 
States  Marine,  sung  in  the  swashbuckling  man- 
ner that  makes  it  most  effective  by  Daddy  Jim 
Combs,  with  the  whole  crowd  coming  to  join  him 
on  the  second  chorus. 

Andrew  and  Jennie  Lang  then  sing  “Babes  In 
the  Wood”  and  follow  it  up  with  a nimble  clog 
dance. 

The  Roxy  Male  Quartette  is  next  and  they  come 
forward  to  deplore  the  loss  of  “Hinky  Dinky  Par- 
ley Voo,”  the  doughboys  favorite  song.  They  sing 
some  amusing  songs  of  the  “Hinky  Dinky”  type 
and  were  accorded  the  tremendous  applause  which 
they  invariably  draw. 


SAM  KAUFMAN 

**The  Personality  Leader* 

(A  Performing-Pianist-Conductor) 

Just  Closed  a Successful  Three  Months  Engagement 
at  the 

PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


“THE  ARISTOCRATIC  STEPPERS” 

VALE  and  STEWART 

O „ . ......  Now  at  ‘*>0  WISCONSIN  . Presentation  Act  With 


Soon  to  Repeat  All  Chicago 

B.  & K.  an  L.  & T.  Theatres, 

Now  at  the  WISCONSIN 
Theatre,  Milwaukee,  featured 
with  DAVE  SCHOOLER. 

A Presentation  Act  With 
Class  and  Speed.  Direction^^ 
Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell. 

NOTE:  Have  you  seen  WILLIAMS  & ROSS? 

“JAZZ-LIPS”  RICHARDSON 

The  Most  Talked  of  Eccentric  Dancer  in  Chicago 

Stopping  All  Shows  At  All  Picture  Houses 

Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


August  20,  1927 


Gsehrey  and  Hully  are  two  lads  in  sailor  cos- 
tume who  do  a rough  and  tumble  comic  dance 
which  has  some  new  and  ingenious  steps  in  it. 
They  drew  a great  round  of  applause. 

Harold  Van  Duzec  follows  them  with  the  song 
“Roses  of  Picardy,”  a beautiful  piece  beautifully 
sung. 

Danny  Lipton  is  a soft  shoe  dancer  who  re- 
produces the  beats  of  the  bugle  calls  with  his 
feet.  A clever  stunt  and  it  went  over  big. 

The  Russian  Cathedral  Choir  was  next,  singing 
“W©  Soldiers  of  Massachusetts,”  a song  which 
consists  entirely  of  vocal  variations  of  the  word 
Massachusetts.  Needless  to  say  this  is  a very 
amusing  number  which  soon  had  everyone  laugh- 
ing and  shouting  for  more. 

DeLima  and  Marita  then  did  one  of  those  popu- 
lar Apache  dances,  and  did  it  very  well. 

Marion  Keeler  and  James  Melton  followed  them 
with  “Charmaine,”  a song  dedicated  to  Char- 
maine,  the  heroine  of  “What  Price  Glory.”  'Their 
beautiful  voices  throw  the  haunting  strains  of  the 
song  into  every  corner  of  the  theatre,  and  at  the 
conclusion  from  every  corner  came  the  fully  mer- 
ited applause. 

In  the  Finale  the  whole  company  joined  to  sing 
“Madelon”  and  to  close  the  show  by  repeating 
that  stirring  Marine  hymn,  “Semper  Fidelis.” 

Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  August  13 

New  talent,  combined  with  some  of  the  popular 
stars  of  former  weeks,  is  making  Paul  Ash’s  pres- 
entation at  the  Oriental  another  tremendous  hit. 
No  less  than  three  of  his  acts  stopped  the  show 
dead  at  the  first  showing  on  Monday,  and  the 
picture  came  on  nearly  seven  minutes  late  be- 
cause of  the  long  and  vigorous  applause  from  a 
full  house. 

Wade  Booth  repeated  his  fine  work  of  last  week 
and  sang  the  “Russian  Lullaby”  with  compelling 
effect,  giving  as  an  encore  the  Vagabond’s  song 
from  the  “Vagabond  King.” 

llomay  Bailey,  soprano,  stopped  the  show  dead 
and  had  to  respond  to  not  less  than  five  recalls, 
her  most  popular  song  being  “Sing  Me  a Baby 
Song,”  in  which  Al  Kvale,  the  clarinet  player, 
joined  her. 

Clyde  Cottam,  the  winsome  little  comic  ballet 
dancer,  announced  by  Ash  as  “imported  directly 
from  the  Imperial  Russian  Ballet,”  remained  on 
the  stage  only  three  minutes,  but  the  audience 
was  in  convulsions  by  that  time,  and  it  was  as 
well  that  Paul  Ash  hurried  the  act  to  give  the 
people  a chance  to  get  over  their  hysterics. 

The  Amaut  Brothers,  eccentric  clowns,  pre- 
sented a novelty  in  the  form  of  a “Love  Bird” 
duet  of  clever  whistling,  and  again  the  show  was 
stopped  dead  for  a couple  of  minutes.  It  is  one 
of  the  most  hilarious  acts  seen  for  some  time  on 
the  Oriental  stage. 

Johnny  Dove,  late  of  the  Vanities  of  Earl  Car- 
rol, showed  a few  things  on  roller  skates  that 
left  the  audience  wondering  how  in  the  name  of 
all  that’s  holy  he  could  remain  on  his  feet — or 
return  to  them  after  turning  somersaults  in  the 
air — besides  showing  some  queer  tricks  on  the 
skates. 

The  picture  was  “Soft  Cushions”  with  Douglas 
MacLean,  proved  a knockout.  Ludicrous  and  im- 
probable, its  gags  covering  Arabian  Nights  situ- 
ations in  modern  slang  had  the  audience  giggling 
half  the  time,  while  the  rest  of  the  time  Douglas 
MacLean  proved  that  he  can  be  just  as  good  as 
his  Fairbanks  namesake  in  the  role  of  a thief  of 
— not  Bagdad,  but  Constantinople. 


The  Original 
Novelty 
Contest  Man 
For  Balaban  & Katz 
Lubliner  & Trinz 
Ascher  Bros.,  etc. 

1001  Woods  Theatre 
Bldg.,  54  W.  Ran- 
dolph St.,  Chicago 
Tel.  State  2147-2148 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  13 

Jesse  Crawford  opens  the  show  at  the  Para- 
mount this  week  with  an  organ  concert  of  jazz 
songs  in  which  he  is  assisted  by  an  unseen  soloist. 

The  stage  show  is  called  “Banjomania”  and 
when  the  curtain  rises  we  see  Ben  Black  and  the 
Paramount  Stage  Orchestra  seated  before  a back 
drop  on  which  are  painted  seven  great  banjoes. 
Black  has  apparently  found  his  way  into  the 
hearts  of  the  Broadway  picture  fans  for  his  ap- 
pearance this  week  was  the  signal  for  a hearty 
round  of  applause. 

The  opening  number  was  “How  Do  You  Do 
Folks,”  a paraphrase  of  the  song  “I  Want  to  Be 
Happy,”  in  which  the  genial  Black  and  his  band 
made  merry  and  soon  had  the  audience  laughing 
with  them. 

At  the  end  of  this  piece  two  girls,  who  turned 
out  to  be  the  Thompson  Sisters,  came  sliding  down 
the  stems  of  two  of  the  banjoes.  These  girls  are 
banjoists  themselves  and  they  played  “You  Don’t 
Like  It.  Not  Much”  in  a fashion  that  soon  had 
the  crowd  tapping  their  toes  in  accompaniment. 

Morgan  and  Stone  were  another  banjo  team  and 
they  looked  like  the  proverbial  “long  and  short” 
of  the  Paramount  company.  These  two  close  their 
act  by  drawing  their  chairs  up  close  to  one  an- 
other while  each  of  them  plays  his  own  instru- 
ment with  one  hand  and  his  partners  with  the 
other ; a clever  stunt  and  it  got  a lot  of  applause. 

Kay  Norman  sings  “That  Pretty  Little  Thing” 
in  a manner  that  reminds  one  of  Frances  Williams. 
She  also  does  a couple  of  dances  of  the  black  bot- 
tom variety  with  Ben  Black  and  his  bunch  urging 
her  on. 

Virginia  Johnson  commands  our  attention  next 
as  she  sings  of  “Moonlight  and  Roses”  from  a 
raised  stage  behind  the  orchestra  and  against  a 
back  drop  which  represents  a garden  full  of  apple 
blossoms  with  low  rolling  hills  in  the  distance. 

White  and  Manning,  “Spain’s  latest  gift  to 
Broadway,”  are  a pair  of  comedy  dancers  of  the 
rough  and  tumble  type  who  mix  some  really  ex- 
cellent stuff  with  their  clowning.  They  were  very 
well  received  by  the  audience  and  deserved  the 
big  hand  they  got. 

“The  More  We  Are  Together”  was  played  by  the 
orchestra.  'This  is  another  comedy  number  which 
includes  the  recitation  of  most  of  the  best  known 
nursery  rhymes  by  various  members  of  the  band. 

For  the  Finale  the  curtain  with  the  banjoes 
painted  upon  it  is  let  down  again  but  this  time 
we  see  five  banjoists  sitting  in  the  drum-heads  of 
the  banjoes  while  behind  them  in  two  tiers  the 
Paramount  Girls  stand  in  scanty  garb  with  mag- 
nificent headdresses  and  waving  illuminated  ban- 
joes as  the  lights  go  out. 


Chicago  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  7 

“Rookies”  was  this  week’s  film  with  Vitaphone, 
and  “Carnival  Week”  was  Del’s  stageshow  which 
featured  Buck  and  Bubbles  and  many  others. 
Andy  Rizzo,  accordian  player  of  Del’s  Merry  Mak- 
ers, took  Del’s  place  while  he  was  on  his  vaca- 
tion. 

Opening  in  full  stage  setting  with  back  drop 
to  represent  a carnival  scene  on  a side  street  as 
band  waited  for  Rizzo  to  appear. 

Rizzo  made  his  appearance  from  the  rear  of 
theatre,  coming  down  center  isle  and  talking  in 
his  funny  wop  dialect.  After  some  few  smart 
gags  he  led  the  band  into  an  arrangement  of 
“High  Ways,”  giving  each  musician  a chance  to 
do  a nice  solo  stunt  and  ending  with  a symphonic 
arrangement  of  same. 


Billy 

Randall 


the 

“Singing-Dancing 
Violinist” 

Just  Finished 
Second  Tour  for 
B & IC  and 
Chicago  Theatres 
a Tour  of  PUBLIX 
Stagehand  Unit  Show  August  27 

Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


Cecilia  Blair  followed  this  with  a novel  doll 
dance  routine  which  pleased  and  secured  a worthy 
reception. 

The  Toby  Wells’  Trio  were  next  in  a comedy 
acrobatic  turn  that  moved  along  in  fast  and  furi- 
ous style.  A clever  act  with  clever  people. 

Bill  Pruitt,  the  singing  cowboy,  was  the  next 
one  up  and  offered  “Just  Like  a Butterfly”  and 
“When  Irish  Eyes  Are  Smiling.”  This  chap  has  a 
neat  manner  of  singing  and  put  it  over  in  great 
style. 

DcHaven  and  Callahan,  reported  in  these  col- 
umns before,  were  next  and  gave  their  comedy 
routine  that  again  caused  a riot  of  fun  and 
laughter.  They  were  followed  by  Cecilia  Blair 
again,  who  this  time  danced  a nice  eccentric  and 
acrobatic  novelty  that  pleased  them  all.  A cute 
little  artist  is  this  Cecilia  girl. 

Buck  and  Bubbles,  favorites  of  many  presenta- 
tion shows  and  for  many  weeks  the  talk  of  the 
town,  appeared  again  for  the  first  time  in  this 
theatre  and  proved  a bigger  success  than  ever 
with  their  comedy  singing,  talking  and  dancing 
routine.  They  were  comepelled  to  close  the  show 
due  to  the  fact  that  earlier  on  the  program  would 
have  tied  up  the  .show  with  the  many  encores 
that  they  usually  teke. 


Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  August  14 

AI  Belasco,  the  unique  singing  and  dancing 
band  leader  who  substituted  for  Mark  Fisher  dur- 
ing his  vacation,  is  back  at  this  house  and  will 
hereafter  alternate  with  Mark  Fisher  in  place  of 
Lou  Kosloff,  who  has  been  transferred  to  Detroit. 
This  week’s  stageshow  featured  ‘‘The  Gould  Girls” 
in  several  specialties  called  “Hitting  the  High 
Spots”  with  Billy  Adams  and  a cast  of  other 
players.  The  show  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  to  represent  roof 
garden  with  tables  on  platform  above  band  and 
a staircase  running  on  both  sides  of  stage.  The 
band  plays  “Deep  Henderson”  as  the  curtain  rises 
while  the  Gould  Girls  on  platform  do  a dance 
routine. 

Al  Belasco  after  his  opening  talk  announced 
Georgia  Hall  as  the  first  entertainer  on  the  pro- 
gram. Miss  Hall  offered  Blues  in  her  own  style. 
Before  entering  presentation  this  young  lady  was 
quite  popular  in  local  cafes. 

Al  Belasco  next  announced  that  the  band  would 
play  “Katydid,”  to  which  he  sang  a chorus.  This 
chap  has  a clever  way  of  putting  over  his  com- 
edy songs,  depending  mostly  on  his  ability  as  an 
entertainer  and  a showman  more  than  his  voice. 

Billy  Adams,  a tall,  slim  fellow,  made  his  ap- 
pearance and  after  many  smart  sayings  went 
into  a comedy  song,  “Under  the  Water.”  His 
natural  ability  as  a comic  and  his  flow  of  clever 
gags  kept  this  audience  in  a continuous  joyful 
mood.  In  order  to  keep  things  running  smoothly, 
Adams  was  brought  out  before  each  specialty  in 
which  he  would  wise-crack  with  Belasco  wear- 
ing a different  hat  each  time.  This  young  man. 
a recruit  from  musical  shows  and  cafe  work,  is 
just  the  sort  of  entertainment  that  clicks  in  pic- 
ture houses  and  we  expect  him  to  be  held  over 
here  as  well  as  any  other  house. 

A band  arrangement  of  “Dew-Dew-‘Dewey  Days” 
was  next  played  and  sung  by  the  boys  injected 
with  many  comedy  situations  which  were  sup- 
plied by  Belasco  and  Adams,  who  kept  running 
through  the  set  at  each  interval. 

Gus  Mulchay,  the  wizard  of  the  harmonica  who 
just  returned  from  a long  tour  of  Europe,  made 
his  appearance  here  again  with  his  “St  Louis 
Blues”  interpretation,  and  as  usual  knocked  them 
cool. 


A band  arrangement  of  a show  number  was 
played  next,  assisted  by  the  Gould  Girls  in  a 
dance  and  song  routine  assembled  on  platform. 
The  first  specialty  was  a young  lady  called  Bee 
Worth,  who  offered  a series  of  high  kicks,  she 
was  followed  by  the  Luell  Sisters,  who  danced  a 
farmerette  routine  to  the  strain  of  “Turkey  in 
the  Straw,”  aided  by  a violin  selection  and  some 
eccentric  toe  dancing.  The  Hawley  Girls,  two 
cute  little  blondes  were  next,  who  sang  “Who” 
in  Blues  style,  later  doing  a chorus  in  taps.  Marie 
Peterson  and  Katherine  White  next  did  the  Black 
Bottom  on  their  toes  in  pretty  white  outfits.  A 
young  lady,  whose  name  we  failed  to  get  did  an 
eccentric  boob  dance  dressed  in  extremely  large 
male  attire  to  represent  a cafe  waiter.  She  was 
one  of  the  laugh  hits  of  the  bill.  All  these  girls 
are  permanent  Dave  Gould  ballet  girls  who  are 
gradually  coming  to  the  front  as  specialists  and 
every  one  who  has  appeared  here  lately  is  cap- 
able of  going  on  its  own. 

Al  Belasco  next  gave  a comedy  recitation  of 
“Dan  McGrew,”  assisted  by  the  orchestra  in  a 
medley  of  songs  as  a sort  of  musical  conversa- 
tion, which  brought  forth  many  laughs. 

The  three  Dunn  Brothers  followed  in  a harmony 
singing  routine  in  Southern  style,  offering  “I’m 
Happy”  and  “No  Fooling,”  later  offering  a very 
fast  musical  and  jazz  strut  finish  which  seemed 
to  go  big  in  this  house. 

The  Gould  Girls  in  novel  costumes  with  frills 
and  cone  hats  stepped  their  last  routine  to  a band 
arrangement  of  “Tiger  Rag”  as  the  band  boys 
dressed  in  white  hats  gave  a radium  effect  for 
the  Finale  as  the  lights  were  dimmed. 

Observation:  The  management  have  a find  in 
Al  Belansco  and  with  the  proper  cooperation 
should  develop  him  into  a popular  drawing  card. 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August  13 

“Rags,”  and  plenty  of  them,  was  the  title  of 
the  presentation  at  Saxe’s  Wisconsin  theatre  this 
week,  featuring  Dave  Schooler  and  His  Play  Boys, 
who,  by  the  way,  are  starting  their  fifth  week  in 
Milwaukee,  and  are  going  like  a house  afire  with 
the  theatre  audiences.  The  presentation  started 
with  a short  motion  picture  showing  Dave 
Schooler  and  E.  J.  Weisfeldt,  stage  production 
manager,  purchasing  the  bale  of  rags  for  the 
presentation. 

The  curtain  paiTed  with  the  orchestra  in  a col- 
orful setting  consisting  of  rags  of  every  hue  hung 
from  every  possible  place  atop  the  stage.  The 
orchestra  platform  was  kaleidoscopic  in  its  bril- 
liant coloring,  and  Billy  Meyer,  dressed  in  a 
varied  colored  clown  suit  was  .ringing  the  words 
to  a little  dity  which  sounded  like  “Rags.” 

The  Six  English  Tivoli  Girls,  also  in  brilliant 
costumes,  made  their  initial  appearance  with  a 
snappy  step  as  Dave  Schooler  was  let  down  in  the 
center  of  them  from  the  top  of  the  stage  in  a 
swing  and  joined  the  sextet  in  the  dance  step. 

This  opening  went  over  big  and  showed  the 
audience  that  Dave  can  dance  almost  as  well  as 
he  plays  the  piano.  Dave  then  led  his  Play  Boys 
into  Glen  Welty’s  arrangement  of  “Just  Once 
Again,”  written  by  Paul  Ash,  with  Billy  Meyer 
singing  the  chorus,  in  his  usual  effective  way  and 
getting  a big  hand  for  it. 

Next  we  have  Pauline  Gaskins  singing  with  lots 
of  expression,  “Dew,  Dewey  Day,”  and  following 
this  up  with  some  really  good  dancing,  some  of 
the  steps  which  were  plenty  strenuous  to  say  the 
least.  She  pulled  down  plenty  of  applause  for 
her  trouble  and  was  forced  to  come  back  several 
times  to  bow  to  the  audience. 

“A  Rapsody  in  Blue”  was  the  next  hit  by  the 


JIMMIE  FERGUSON 

Late  Co-Starring  Comic  of 

SISSLE  & BLAKE’S  “CHOCOLATE  DADDIES” 

Also  Producer  of  the  Revues  for  CAFE  De  PARIS 

Now  Plajdng  the  Better  Class  Presentation  Houses 

Personal  Direction — LEO  SALKINS 

Stemdard  Oil  Bldg.,  910  So.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago 


JELLY  BEAN  JOHNSON 

(The  Lightning  Streak  of  Darkness) 

Now  Playing  DeLuxe  Picture  Houses  Throughout  the  West  Coast. 
Featured  in  FANCHON  and  MARCO  Presentations 
Booked  Solid  until  November  First 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


orchestra  with  Glen  Welty  leading  and  Dave 
Schooler  picking  his  way  on  the  keys,  and  that 
boy  sure  can.  pick  some.  There  was  plenty  of 
piano  playing  by  Dave  with  the  orchestra  filling 
in  at  just  the  right  time,  and  the  entire  presen- 
tation went  over  big  with  Glen  being  called  back 
several  times  to  make  his  bow. 

“A  Lane  in  Spain,’’  the  next  selection  by  the 
orchestra,  was  very  prettily  done.  After  they 
had  played  the  song  through  once,  the  raggy  drop 
behind  the  orchestra  platform  was  raised  show- 
ing a picturesque  Spanish  scene  on  the  raised 
stage  with  Billy  Meyer  in  full  Spanish  costume 
with  a fair  senorita  who  sang  “Marcheta”  and 
then  they  both  joined  in  the  chorus  of  the  origi- 
nal song. 

Bernice  and  Emily  were  next  with  some  acro- 
batic steps,  including  dancing  on  hands,  back 
somersaults  and  several  others  all  of  which  were 
performed  in  i>erfect  unison,  to  the  tune  of  “Sun- 
down” by  the  orchestra.  Their  costumes  were 
extremely  gaudy,  and  they  were  exceptionally 
good  and  got  a big  hand. 

And  then  came  the  troupe  which  captured  the 
bill,  namely  the  Adler,  Weil  and  Herman  trio  also 
known  as  the  California  Humming  Birds.  They 
sang  and  sang  and  sang  some  more  befoi*e  the 
audience  would  let  them  go.  Included  among 
their  numbers  were  “Mama  Wants  to  Go  Buy 
Buy,”  “Ain’t  That  a Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling,” 
“Jane  Get  Out  of  That  Airplane,”  and  “Because 
It’s  Nesting  Time.”  They  were  good  and  the 
audience  appreciated  the  fact,  and  they  were 
called  back  to  sing,  “When  the  Pussy  Willows 
Whisper  to  the  Cat-Nip,”  and  something  which 
sounded  vei*y  much  like  “Parslavozoola.” 

From  the  applause  the  audience  would  have  kept 
the  trio  going  all  night,  so  Dave,  with  his  scin- 
tilating  personality,  quieted  the  audience  suffi- 
ciently to  listen  to  “Bye,  Bye,  Pretty  Baby,”  with 
the  chorus  by  Billy  Meyer. 

The  grand  Finale  brought  the  Six  English 
Tivoli  Girls  to  the  raised  platform  on  swings  let 
down  from  the  top  of  the  stage  while  rags  of 
every  color  fell  down  on  top  of  them,  and  the 
orchestra  played  away  for  fair.  The  entire  pres- 
entation was  well  done  and  reecived  much  ap- 
plause, and  should  continue  to  draw  record  crowds 
all  during  the  week  because  of  the  100,000  dele- 
gates who  are  attending  the  National  Eagle’s 
convention. 


Chicago  Senate 

Week  Ending  August  14 

Mark  Fisher,  the  pride  of  this  house,  returned 
last  week  from  his  vacation  with  a lot  of  brand 
new  ideas  and  one  of  them  was  “Jazz-in-Blues.” 
The  offering  which  opened  at  the  Harding  fea- 
tured Lang  and  Voelk.  The  show  ran  as  fol- 
lows : 

Opening:  In  front  of  street  drop  representing 
the  Gay  White  Way  in  New  York  with  Fisher 
doing  the  introductory  number  which  later  led 
into  a band  number.  The  Gould  Girls  dressed 
as  boys  delivered  a very  clever  tap  dance  to  the 
band’s  tune  of  “Who.”  At  this  point  the  curtain 
rises  to  full  stage  setting  and  the  girls  continue 
their  dance  in  stoivtime  fashion. 

This  was  followed  by  a clever  band  arrange- 
ment of  “Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling,”  one  of 
the  many  fine  works  of  Billy  Mills,  the  pianist, 
of  this  band,  who  is  responsible  for  all  the  good 
arrangements. 

Paul  Howard,  that  clever  acrobatic  contortion- 
ist, again  showed  his  wares  to  a good  reception. 
He  was  followed  by  Lang  and  Voelk,  who  this 
time  worked  in  neat  outfits  singing  “Just  Like  a 
Butterfly,”  “Sundown”  and  “After  I Called  You 
Sweetheart.”  The  boys  were  as  popular  here  this 
week  as  on  their  previous  visits  and  had  to  sing 
an  extra  chorus  of  the  last  number  before  the 


EDDIE 


HILL 


Hello  Folks! 
Just  Back  After 
A Long  Rest 

Now  Playing  St.  Paul 
and  Minneapolis 
On  Opening  Program 
of  the  New  Stagehand 
Show  Policy  at  Norshore  Theatre,  Chicago, 
Starting  August  28  with  My  Pal 
AL  KVALE 

Direction  -William  Morris  Agency 


audience  was  satisfied  that  they  had  done  their 
share. 

The  Gould  Girls  appeared  nexlj  in  a novelty 
dancing  turn  in  Tiller  style,  all  to  the  time  of 
operatic  music  arranged  in  jazz-symphonic  time. 
This  was  a novel  routine  and  scored  quite  a hand. 

Mark  Fisher  next  .sang  “Broken  Hearted,”  aided 
by  Silhouette  scene  in  the  background  of  a boy 
and  girl  protraying  the  characters  of  the  song. 
Fisher’s  dramatic  singing  and  exceptional  voice 
volume  tore  the  house  down  with  applause  on  this 
number.  The  scrim  scene  effect,  although  effec- 
tive. was  poorly  lighted  and  displayed  a very 
cheap  white  drop,  which  was  rather  noticeable. 
Fisher  never  depends  on  any  particular  stage 
setting  to  put  over  his  songs,  but  the  house 
would  make  a better  impression  if  they  were  a 
little  more  liberal  with  their  appropriations  for 
the.se  items. 

Dick  and  Edith  Barstow,  a brother  and  sister 
act,  one  that  has  been  recruited  from  big  time 
vaudeville,  followed  next  in  a series  of  eccentric 
toe  dancing,  depicting  the  bride  and  groom  stoi'y 
all  on  the  toes.  The  couple  are  very  clever  dan- 
cers, x>osse.ssing  perfect  rhythm  and  gracefulness 
in  their  interpretations.  They  are  just  the  type 
of  an  act  for  a classy  unit  of  interpretive  dancing. 

The  next  treat  on  the  bill  was  a young  Chine.se 
girl  called  Anne  Chang,  who  came  out  in  typical 
native  costume  and  sang  “Worrying,”  and  “Bye, 
Bye,  Pretty  Baby.”  This  young  lady  possesses  a 
world  of  personality — and  was  one  of  the  big  hits 
of  the  bill.  She  is  a find  for  presentation  and 
should  do  much  in  it. 

Something  new  in  the  way  of  band  arrange- 
ments was  offered  next,  called  the  “Evolution  of 
the  Blues,”  arranged  by  Billy  Mills  with  Mark 
Fishen  doing  all  the  introductions  on  it.  The 
medley  consisted  of  “Blue  Danube  Waltz,”  with 
two  young  ladies  on  level  platform  in  light  blue 
outfits  doing  a dance  routine  to  the  tune,  later 
“Blue  Skies,”  “Alice  Blue  Gown,”  to  which  the 
Gould  Girls  dressed  in  pretty  blue  gowns  offer  a 
neat  waltz  routine. 

Mark  Fisher  then  comes  in  singing  “Birth  of 
the  Blues”  as  back  curtain  slides  up  displaying 
pyramid  style  of  stei>s  of  light  blue  background 
as  all  the  girls  are  artistically  stationed  ax’ound 
for  the  Finale. 


Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  August  14 

Charles  Kaley  called  his  presentation  this  week, 
“A  Trip  on  the  Comet,”  and  without  doubt  it  was 
an  enjoyable  trip.  As  the  curtain  parts  a scrim 
curtain  discloses  the  orchestra  mounted  on  raised 
platform,  and  as  orchestra  begins  a selection, 
seven  girls,  each  with  a tinsel  rope  suspended  from 
above  stage,  pull  on  these  ropes  and  down  comes 
Irene  George  sitting  in  the  center  of  a huge  star 
cut-out.  Kaley  enters  and  orchestra  goes  into 
“One  Summer  Night.” 

Irene  George  then  sings  “Only  a Rose.”  The 
applause  is  rather  slow  for  this  number.  The 
orchestra  next  plays  “Under  the  Moon,”  with 
Kaley  singing  the  lyric  to  good  applause. 

This  is  followed  by  Buck  and  Bubbles,  two 
young  colored  boys  who  deliver  the  goods.  They 
sing,  play  the  piano,  dance,  and  cut  caiiers  in 
general,  and  every  bit  of  their  stuff  is  good.  The 
boys  have  a natural  stage  presence  that  goes 
over  great.  The  house  brought  them  back  three 
times,  and  they  grew  funnier  each  time.  The  two 
boys  received  the  best  applause  of  the  show.  A 
few  of  their  songs  were  “Sunday,”  “Ain’t  She 
Sweet,”  and  “Lucky  Day.” 

The  band  next  plays  “So  Blue,”  with  inter- 
polations of  “Rhapsody  in  Blue.”  During  this 
number  the  seven  girls  do  a dance  routine,  and 
{Continued  on  page  41) 


I 1717 

BARTON 

EVANS 

The  “DENNIS  KING” 
of  PRESENTATIONS 

Acclaimed  the  Best  American 
Dramatic  Tenor  in 
Deluxe  Picture  Houses 
Direction— HARRY  A.  GOURFAIN 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in 
presentation  may  discuss  important 
matters  bearing  upon  this  phase  of  thea- 
tre entertainment.  Only  signed  letters 
will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Will 
you  please  give  me  names  of  “Bookers  of  Vaude- 
ville” (your  City)  who  book  in  teams  and  triplets 
in  small  country  towns.  I do  not  find  any  adver- 
tising in  the  HERALD.  Thank  you. — C.  HALES, 
Lyric  theatre,  Madrid,  Iowa. 

* * * 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Dear 
Sir:  Just  looking  over  the  HERALD  and  saw 
the  write  up  you  had  about  stunts.  And  you  in- 
vited us  to  write  to  you  for  information  regarding 
them.  I am  looking  for  new  stunts  or  old  stunts 
to  build  business.  Let  me  know  how  you  handle 
this,  and  what  you’ve  got.  Yours  truly. — R.  W. 
SMALL,  Markle  Amusement  Co.,  Wymore,  Neb. 

if.  if  if 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Will 
you  kindly  advise  where  I can  reach  “Monk” 

Watson  and  “The  Keystone  Serenaders.” 

The  last  place  I heard  they  were  appearing  was 
in  Detroit,  Mich.  I am  desirous  of  communi- 

cating wdth  them  direct  in  reference  to  a future 
booking. 

Thanking  you  for  the  above  information,  I am. 
— ROBERT  SLOTE,  Srand  theatre,  Cumberland, 
Md. 

# * # 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Just 
a line  to  tell  you  I am  making  my  first  appear- 
ance on  Broadway  and  boy  I was  frightened  to 
death,  but  I went  over  great  and  I may  stay 
here  a while.  I am  playing  Strand.  I have  been 
in  New  York  a week  seeing  shows  and  now  I 
am  working  again. 

Gosh  I feel  great  about  my  first  appearance. 
Cy  Landry  is  here  again  this  week,  he  is  going 
over  great. 

I am  to  see  a big  man  tomorrow  about  a show 
to  follow  this  run. 

Hope  this  finds  you  in  best  of  health.  I filled 
four  weeks  in  Washington,  D.  C.  Your  Friend. — 
ORVILLE  RENNIE,  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 

# 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  For 
information  of  other  organists,  I wish  to  report 
that  Miss  Alice  Richmond  feature  organist  of 
The  Liberty  theatre,  used  “The  Whisper  Song” 
a Remick  hit  for  the  week  of  Aug.  1st. 

This  number  went  over  big  with  our  audiences 
here,  evei-yone  joining  in  the  singing  and  Pst, 
Pst,  Miss  Richmond  sure  is  becoming  mighty 
popular  here  with  our  patrons,  getting  much 
applause  on  every  novelty  she  puts  over. 

Am  enclosing  a new  stunt  of  mine  used  here 
this  week  to  make  our  organist  and  organ  stand 
out,  I intend  to  use  organ  setting  each  week,  the 
one  used  on  the  “Whisper  Song”  is,  organ  covered 
with  Beaver  Board,  then  painted  and  gold  and 
silver  flitter  used  all  over,  on  top  is  shadow  box 
with  Miss  Alice  Richmond  playing — with  two  25 
watt  lamps  inside,  then  on  top  of  this  a black  cat, 
with  two  question  marks  on  each  side  flashing  on 
and  off,  with  the  word  Pst,  on  each  one. 

Hoping  you  can  use  this  picture  to  give  other 
Exhibitors  an  idea  how  to  put  over  their  organ 
novelties  and  hoping  to  send  you  more  novelties 
for  better  theatres,  and  thanking  you  for  your 
past  favors  and  service.  I remain,  F.  W. 
PUTNAM,  Liberty  theatre,  Beaumont,  Texas. 

P.S. — Just  to  thank  you  for  Miss  Juno  columns 
and  for  the  prompt  answer  I received  from  her, 
you  sure  give  Exhibitors  great  service,  and  I 
sure  look  forward  for  my  copy  of  “THE  EXHIB- 
ITORS HERALD”  each  week.— F.  W.  P. 


A Word  From  Chile 

Among:  the  many  interesting:  letters  and 
reports  received  by  the  Editor  of  this  de- 
partment each  week  we  find  an  interesting 
postal  card  from  Jorg:e  Javalquinto,  premi- 
ere organist  at  the  Javal  theatre*  in  San- 
tiago* Chile.  The  card  simply  informs  us 
that  Signor  Javalquinto  is  a reader  of  our 
publication  and  wishes  to  inform  his 
brother  organists  in  this  country  that  there 
are  lovers  of  music  in  his  country  also. 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


GALLO  SAYS: 


I^EORGE  GIVOT  just  completed  a Vitaphone 
arrangement  which  will  be  released  next 
month  , it  is  also  rumored  that  he  is  soon 

to  be  starred  in  a series  of  two  reel  comedies. 

, . . Jules  Alberti,  formerly  of  vaudeville  has 
replaced  Sam  Kaufman  at  the  Piccadilly,  Chicago. 

. . . Rita  Norpell  is  now  organist  at  this  house 
due  to  the  resignation  of  Joseph  Alexander, 
who  is  now  featured  organist  at  the  Indiana 
theatre,  Indianapolis.  . . . Edmund  C.  Fitch, 

featured  organist  of  Ascher^s  Sheridan  the- 
atre, Chicago,  is  on  his  vacation  and  Nellie 
Williams  is  taking  care  of  his  organ  for  two 
weeks  ....  she  also  broadcasts  over  WIBO. 

. , . Grace  Aldrich  of  vaudeville  is  now  break- 
ing in  a new  “single”  for  the  Jr.  Orpheum  under 
the  direction  of  Phil  Gordon  of  the  Harry  Dan- 
forth  Agency.  . . . A1  Belasco  has  replaced  Lou 
Kosloff  at  the  Senate  and  Harding,  Chicago,  two 
of  L.  T.  houses.  . . . Kosloff  has  been  trans- 
fered  to  the  Michigan  in  Detroit.  . . . Charles 
Hogan,  booking  manager  for  Cooney  Bros.,  moves 
his  oifices  from  the  Billy  Diamond  headquarters 
to  the  Johnny  Jones  offices  in  the  same  building. 

. . . Jones  represents  the  Marcus  Loew  Circuit 
in  Chicago.  . . . Don  Santo  and  Exie  Butler  of 
vaudeville  are  breaking  in  a new  band  act  for 
picture  houses  and  will  soon  open  it  in  Chicago. 

. . . Jennie  Cohn  is  the  featured  organist  at 
the  Metro  theatre,  Chicago.  . . . Teddy  Duerr, 
a new  New  York  presentation  producer  is  now 
spending  a month's  vacation  with  Gus  Mulachy 
his  friend  now  touring  L.  & T.  houses.  . . . 
Harry  Gourfain,  formerly  bandshow  producer  for 
B.  & K.  at  their  Central  Park  theatre,  Chicago, 
is  now  producing  the  presentation  shows  at  the 
Norshore  also  a Chicago  house.  . . . A1  Kvale 
starts  his  first  show  there  next  week  with  a 
huge  cast.  . . . Atlas  Greenfield,  brother-in- 
law  of  Nick  Lang  of  “Lang  & Voelk,”  and  his 
family  were  Chicago  visitors  last  week.  , . . 
Mr.  Greenfield  is  a theatrical  transfer  man  in 
Evansville,  Indiana.  . . . Anthony  Amedio  for- 
merly of  vaudeville  and  now  directing  a band 
at  the  “Four  Seasons  Cafe,”  Chicago,  has  been 
signed  as  stagehand  leader  of  the  Indiana  theatre, 
Indianaix>lis.  Amedio  starts  his  new  job  on  Sept. 
15.  . . . Mike  Durso,  trombone  player  of  Paul 
Ash's  band  replaces  A1  Kvale  as  first  assistant  to 
the  famous  jazz  leader.  . . . Otto  Frankfurt,  vice- 
president  of  the  Mohawk  Radio  Corp.,  of  Chicago, 
will  give  one  of  the  best  model  set  free  to 
the  winner  of  the  Dempsey-Tunney  fight.  . . . 
Sam  Herman,  the  novelty  contest  man  now  super- 
vising the  20  barrels  of  fun  at  the  North  Center 
theatre,  Chicago,  is  representing  Helen  Pepper, 
sister  of  “Pepper”  of  “Salt  and  Pepper,”  and 
Benny  Spector,  known  as  Ted  Lewis,  Jr,  . . . 
both  of  these  people  were  discovered  by  Sam 
Herman,  . . . Buddy  Fisher  opens  the  new 
Avalon  theatre,  Chicago,  a Cooney  Bros,  house, 
as  stagehand  leader.  . . . Fisher  formerly 

toured  vaudeville  with  his  own  band.  . . . Ben 
Bernie  and  his  Broadway  orchestra  are  featured 
at  B & K Chicago  theatre,  Chicago,  this  week, 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 

Lewis  Leaving  for 
London 

Ted  Lewis,  “The  High-Hatted  Tragedian  of 
Song,”  and  his  band  of  musical  clowns  who  head- 
lined at  the  Missouri  theatre,  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
last  week  while  Brooke  Jones  was  on  his  vacation, 
sails  for  England,  where  he  will  tour  London 
music  hails  for  eight  weeks  in  what  is  considered 
to  be  the  first  intact  stagehand  show  ever  to  cross 
the  big  waters. 


Loew  Bandshows  Now  in 
Effect 

The  new  booking  arrangement  recently  gone 
into  by  Publix  and  Loew  Circuit  will  take  effect 
next  week  at  the  Century  Theatre,  Baltimore,  with 
Phil  Spitalney  and  his  band,  who  formerly  held 
presentation  shows  at  the  Loew's  State,  Boston, 
for  the  last  two  months.  Commencing  with  this 
show,  the  band  will  travel  intact  with  a stage- 
show  making  a tour  of  all  the  Loew’s  de  luxe 
theatres,  returning  to  Boston  again  at  the  end  of 
his  tour. 


Stageshows 

{Continued  from  page  40) 
another  girl  dressed  in  a gown  of  blue  plumes 
does  a waltz  specialty.  Kaley  assists  in  this  waltz 
— another  demonstration  of  his  versatility.  This 
was  a very  beautiful  number,  the  rendition  of 
the  two  numbers  by  the  orchestra  being  especially 
good. 

And  then  comes  that  popular  young  fellow  with 
the  wild  gestures,  George  Givot,  Givot  made  the 
house  beg  for  more,  and  it  got  it.  He  does  almost 
everything  and  all  to  the  huge  enjoyment  of  the 
audience.  He  has  a good  line  of  patter  and  while 
he  is  delivering  it,  he  is  never  still  for  a minute, 
dashing  from  one  wing  to  another  and  from  the 
footlights  to  the  back  drop.  Givot  keeps  the 
house  in  a constant  chuckle.  Kaley  was  forced 
to  stop  the  show  for  Givot  to  satisfy  the  audi- 
ence. 

The  Finale  was  the  hit  of  the  presentation. 
As  scrim  curtain  parts,  an  arc  of  lights  repre- 
senting stars  descend  from  above  and  reaches 
across  the  stage,  at  either  side  of  which  are 
three  girls  posed  on  a revolving  pedestal.  At 
back  center  a girl  dressed  in  white  ascends, 
through  cloud  and  star  effect,  out  of  view.  The 
scene  was  extremely  beautiful  and  won  a big 
hand. 

Observation:  The  entire  presentation  was 

snappy,  well  put  together  and  beautifully  staged. 


Engine  Trouble  Com- 
pels Givot  to  Take 
Parachute  Jump 

George  Givot  the  wild  eyed  and  wide 
panted  stage  comedian  of  many  presenta- 
tion shows  pulled  a good  one  last  week. 
It  happened  on  his  way  to  Chicago  where 
he  was  bound  to  fill  an  engagement  at 
the  Granada  theatre.  Here's  the  way  we 
get  the  story  from  the  boy  himself : “’When 
I finished  my  tour  for  Fanchon  and  Marco 
on  the  West  Coast,  I secured  passage  on 
a private  airplane  from  California  to  Chi- 
cago and  on  my  way  near  Green  River, 
Wyo.,  we  had  engine  trouble,  well  the 
pilot  became  alarmed  and  instructed  me 
to  jump.  I certainly  was  glad  I already 
had  my  parachute  on  for  it  was  some  at- 
tempt. When  I landed  I was  told  by  the 
pilot  later  who  also  came  down  safely  that 
we  came  down  from  a height  of  8,000  feet. 
That  was  some  thrill  and  something  I 
never  expected  to  do  in  my  life,”  concluded 
Givot. 


Uptown,  Chicago,  Ob- 
serves Second  Birthday 

The  Uptown  theatre,  Chicago,  a Balaban  and 
Katz  theatre,  will  observe  a .second  anniversary 
next  week  with  a huge  stage  attraction  headed 
by  Bennie  Kreuger  and  his  band.  This  house  is 
located  in  the  midst  of  Chicago’s  Uptown  district 
and  is  the  house  that  features  the  policy  of 
stangeband  shows  and  feature  films  since  the 
Riviera,  formerly  a Balaban  and  Katz  hou.se,  was 
taken  over  under  the  Oi-pheum  Circuit  manage- 
ment. 


IN  CHICAGO  IT’S 

ED.  MEIKEL’S 

ORGAN  SOLO 
CLUB 

of  Community  Singing 
With  Weekly  Meetings 


Conducted  at  the 
HARDING  THEATRE 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Eddie  Hanson  (Chicago  Senate)  presented  for 
his  second  week's  organ  solo  a clever  idea  called 
“The  Haunted  House,”  wound  around  the  weird 
experiences  of  ghosts  and  goblins.  This  was  illus- 
trated by  clever  comedy  slides  conveying  the  idea 
in  the  form  of  a dream  and  requesting  the  assist- 
ance of  the  audience  to  assist  the  good  Fairy  in 
demolishing  the  ghosts  if  the  audience  would  sing 
her  favorite  .songs.  “Hello  Gutie,”  “Just  Like  a 
Butterfly,”  “The  Whisper  Song,”  “Moonbeam,” 
and  “Sundown”  as  an  encore,  were  the  numbers 
selected.  The  idea  was  very  clever  and  admirably 
presented  by  Hanson  with  his  clever  organ  manip- 
ulations during  several  medleys. 


Albert  F.  Brown  (Chicago  Granada)  presented 
for  his  organ  number  this  week  what  he  called 
“The  Marriage  Riddle,”  presented  with  slides. 
Brown  writes  his  own  slides  and  they  are  clever. 
His  song  numbers  for  community  singing  are 
“Sundown,”  “Always,”  “Me  and  My  Shadow,” 
“Russian  Lullaby”  and  “When  Baby  Feet  Go 
Fitter  Patter.”  The  last  song  is  also  used  in 
connection  with  the  scrimaphone  presentation 
which  is  thoroughly  charming.  The  scrimaphone 
presentations,  originated  by  Brown,  are  proving 
very  popular. 


Mary  L.  Davis  (Houston  Isis)  inaugurated  into 
Houston  the  unusual  vocal-instrument  feature,  us- 
ing the  slide  number,  “Side  by  Side.”  Her  voice  is 
a clear  lyric  soprano,  and  the  unique  effect  of  the 
organ  and  voice  was  appreciated  by  Isis  audiences, 
attested  by  the  applause.  Organ  solos  are  one  of 
the  most  entertaining  parts  of  the  program  in 
Houston  theatres. 


Grace  H.  Clarke  (Chicago  Crown)  presented  for 
her  organ  solo  as  a musical  theme  to  the  photo- 
play, Captain  Salvation,”  the  classics,  “Nearer 
My  God  to  Thee”  and  “Rock  of  Ages.”  It  is  very 
seldom  that  these  type  of  songs  are  selected  for 
theatre  music,  but  it  was  nevertheless  appropriate 
for  the  picture  and  despite  the  fact  that  there 
were  tears  streaming  down  the  cheeks  of  many 
and  lumps  in  the  throats  of  several,  the  silence 
was  broken  in  the  end  by  a hearty  applause  for 
clever  interpreting  of  these  numbers. 

Johnny  Devine  (Chicago  Patio)  is  the  main 
musical  attraction  at  this  theatre,  who  has  be- 
come quite  popular  with  his  weekly  organ  selec- 
tions. This  week  he  offered  “Bye,  Bye,  Pretty 
Baby,”  “You  Don’t  Dike  It,”  “Evei'ything  Made 
for  Love”  and  “Hoosier  Sweetheart”  as  his  com- 
munity singing  program. 

J.  Virgil  Huffman  (Chicago  Irving)  has  a novel 
stunt  that  he  puts  on  every  Saturday  afternoon 
called  the  “Kids  Club.”  The  offering  is  an  ag-. 
gregation  of  children’s  voices  who  follow  Huff- 
man’s directions  and  accompaniments  to  popular 
.songs.  His  program  this  week  was  “Sundown,” 
“Nesting  Time,”  “Fifty  Million  Frenchmen.”  “Red 
Lips”  and  “Crazy  Words.”  The  idea  of  this  stunt 
is  that  only  children  come  in  Saturday  matinees 
to  sing  after  the  film.  A clever  idea  for  some- 
body else  to  follow. 


L,  Carlos  Meier  (Chicago  Terminal)  offered  a 
straight  classical  solo  called  “El  Captain”  by 
Sousa.  Tlie  number  enables  Meier  to  exercise  all 
his  musical  ability  on  the  Wurlitzer. 

Ray  Turner  (Chicago  North  Center)  had  a solo 
called  “Modern  Heroes”  for  his  community  stunt. 
It  opened  with  comedy  slides  on  “Gertrude 
Ederle,”  kidding  her  along  on  her  English  Chan- 
nel swim,  using  the  phrase  that  it  takes  more 
nerve  for  the  audience  to  sing,  using  the  same 
layout  for  “Joe  Powers,”  and  “Lindy.”  “Your 
Don’t  Like  It.”  “Just  the  Same,”  “Highways  are 
Happy  Ways,”  “That’s  What  I Think  of  You” 
were  the  numbers  used  for  the  weekly  exercises 
with  Turner  encoring  as  usual.  Turner  is  very 
popular  at  this  house  and  his  organ  solos  are 
as  important  features  as  the  rest  of  the  progi*’am. 

Preston  Sellers  (Chicago  Chicago)  gave  a “Song 
Style  Show”  the  week  ending  August  14,  and  his 
program  was  comprised  of  “songs  we  all  know.” 
First  came  “Ain’t  She  Sweet,”  with  the  com- 
munity singers  lisping  the  chorus.  “In  the  Shade 
of  the  Old  Apple  Tree”  followed,  with  the  old 
type  of  slides  being  shown.  One  interesting  stunt 
was  the  use  of  10  titles  of  songs  in  a parody  on 
“That’s  Why  I Love  You.”  Try  this. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


Picture  Market  for  First  Quarter 


(Continued  from  Page  23) 

Burr  McIntosh  and  Paulette  Duval.  Directed 
hy  Mai  St.  Clair.  Comedy. 

OCTOBER  16 

“FRENCH  DRESSING,”  to  be  a Kane  picture. 
Not  yet  started  on  production. 

OCTOBER  23 

“AMERICAN  BEAUTY,”  starring  Billie  Dove, 
supported  by  Lloyd  Hughes,  Alice  White,  Lucien 
Prival,  Edythe  Chapman,  Walter  McGraill,  Mar- 
garet Livingstone,  A1  St.  John  and  Freeman 
Wood.  Directed  by  Richard  Wallace.  Drama. 

OCTOBER  30 

“HELEN  OF  TROY,”  featuring  Maria  Corda, 
Lewis  Stone,  Ricardo  Cortez,  Virginia  Lee  Corbin, 
Lucien  Prival,  George  Fawcett  and  Alice  White. 
Director,  Alexander  Korda.  Comedy  drama. 

NOVEMBER  6 

“THE  CRYSTAL  CUP.”  featuring  Dorothy 
Mackaill,  Jack  Mulhall,  Rockcliffe  Fellowes,  Jane 
Winton,  Edythe  Chapman  and  Clarissa  Selwynne. 
Directed  by  John  Francis  Dillon.  Drama. 

“GUN  GOSPEL,”  starring  Ken  Maynard,  sup- 
ported by  Noah  Young,  Romaine  Fielding,  Vir- 
ginia Brown  Faire,  Bob  Fleming,  J.  P.  McGowan 
and  Jerry  Madden.  Western. 

NOVEMBER  13 

“NO  PLACE  TO  GO,”  featuring  Lloyd  Hughes, 
Mary  Astor,  Hallam  Cooley,  Myrtle  Stedman, 
Virginia  Lee  Corbin,  Jed  Prouty.  Directed  by 
Mervyn  LeRoy.  Comedy  drama. 

NOVEMBER  20 

“THE  GORILLA,”  featuring  Charlie  Murray, 
Fred  A.  Kelsey,  Raymond  Turner  (to  be  further 
cast).  Directed  by  Alfred  Santell.  Mystery. 

NOVEMBER  27 

“A  TEXAS  STEER,”  starring  Will  Rogers, 
supported  by  Louise  Fazenda,  Mack  Swain,  Ann 
Rork,  Lucien  Littlefield,  Cornelius  Keefe,  Sam 
Hardy,  Hedda  Hopper,  Arthur  Hoyt  and  William 
Orlamond.  Directed  by  Richard  Wallace.  Comedy 
■drama. 

Fox 

AUGUST  14 

“PAID  TO  LOVE”:  George  O’Brien  and  Vir- 
ginia Valli.  Drama. 

“CHAIN  LIGHTNING”:  Buck  Jones,  Western. 

AUGUST  21 

“SINGED”:  Blanche  Sweet,  Warner  Baxter. 

Drama.  5,892  feet. 

“TUMBLING  RIVER”:  Tom  Mix,  Dorothy 
Dwan.  Western.  4,675  feet. 

AUGUST  28 

“VHIAT  PRICE  GLORY”:  Victor  McLaglen, 
Dolores  Del  Rio,  Edmund  Lowe.  War  comedy 
drama. 

"CAMEO  KIRBY”:  John  Gilbert.  Re-issue. 
Drama. 

SEPTEMBER  4 

“LOVES  OF  CARMEN”:  Dolores  Del  Rio, 
Victor  McLaglen.  Drama. 

SEPTEMBER  11 

“TWO  GIRLS  WANTED”:  Janet  Gaynor. 
Comedy  drama. 

SEPTEMBER  18 

“EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE”:  George  O'Brien 
and  Virginia  Valli.  Drama. 

“HONOR  FIRST”:  John  Gilbert. 

SEPTEMBER  25 

“THE  JOY  GIRL”:  Olive  Borden.  Comedy 
drama. 

“BLACKJACK”:  Buck  Jones.  Western. 

OCTOBER  2 

“THE  ARIZONA  WILDCAT”:  Tom  Mix. 
Western. 

OCTOBER  9 

“ST.  ELMO”;  John  Gilbert.  Melodrama. 

Lumas 

AUGUST  1 

“THE  SATIN  WOMAN,”  starring  Mrs.  Wal- 
lace Reid  with  John  Miljan,  Rockliffe  Fellowes, 
Alice  White,  Gladys  Brockwell,  Ruth  Stonehouse 
and  Ethel  Wales.  Director,  Walter  Lang.  6,750 
feet  Smart  society  drama  based  on  a woman’s 
passion  for  clothes. 

AUGUST  15 

“THE  ROSE  OF  KILDARE,”  by  Gerald  Beau- 
mont, featuring  Helene  Chadwick,  Henry  B.  Wal- 
thall and  Pat  O’Malley,  Lee  Moran  and  Ed  Brady. 
Director.  Dallas  Fitzgerald.  6,000  feet.  Romantic 
drama,  locale  laid  in  Ireland,  Africa  and  the 
United  States.  Modern  story. 

SEPTEMBER  1 

“THE  GIRL  FROM  RIO,”  with  Carmel  Myers 
supported  by  Walter  Pidgeon,  Richard  Tucker  and 
Mildred  Harris.  Director,  Tom  Ferris.  5,950 
feet.  Adventure,  romance,  with  scenes  laid  in 
Brazil.  Elaborate  spectacular  production.  Partly 
done  in  technicolor. 

OCTOBER  1 

“BLONDES  BY  CHOICE,”  cast  and  director 
not  yet  definitely  set,  but  probably  starring  Claire 
Windsor.  Modern  farce  comedy  based  on  girls’ 
efforts  to  put  over  a beauty  shop. 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

AUGUST  6 

“THE  BUGLE  CALL,”  with  Jackie  Coogan, 
Windsor.  Director,  Ed  Sedgwick. 

AUGUST  13 

“TERROR,”  with  Lon  Chaney,  Ricardo  Cortez, 
Barbara  Bedford.  Director,  B'.  Christensen. 

AUGUST  20 

“AFTER  MIDNIGHT,”  with  Shearer,  Law- 
rence Gray.  Director,  Monta  Bell. 

AUGUST  27 

“ADAM  AND  EVIL,”  with  Lew  Cody,  Aileen 
Pringle. 

SEPTEMBER  3 

“FOREIGN  DEVILS,”  with  Tim  McCoy. 

SEPTEMBER  10 

“THE  BIG  PARADE,”  with  Gilbert,  Adoree, 
Dane.  Director,  King  Vidor. 

SEPTEMBER  17 

“ANNIE  LAURIE,”  with  Lillian  Gish,  Norman 
Kerry,  Creighton  Hale,  Bosworth.  Director,  John 
Robertson. 

SEPTEMBER  24 

“A  CERTAIN  YOUNG  MAN,”  with  Ramon 
Novarro,  Renee  Adoree,  Carmel  Myers,  Sally 
O’Neil.  Director,  Hobart  Henley. 

OCTOBER  1 

“MARY  OF  VASSAR,”  with  Marion  Davies. 

OCTOBER  8 

“BEN  HUR,”  with  Ramon  Novarro.  Director, 
Fred  Niblo. 

OCTOBER  15 

“BODY  AND  SOUL,”  with  Norman  Kerry,  L. 
Barrymore,  Aileen  Pringle.  Director,  Fred  Niblo. 

OCTOBER  22 

“SPRING  FEVER,”  with  William  Haines.  Di- 
rector, Edward  Sedgwick. 

OCTOBER  29 

“In  Old  Kentucky.” 

Paramount 

AUGUST  1 

“BEALl  GESTE,”  with  Ronald  Colman,  Alice 
Joyce,  Neil  Hamilton,  Noah  Beery,  Mary  Brian, 
William  Powell,  Norman  Trevor,  Ralph  Forbes, 
V.  McLaglan.  Director,  Brenon.  9,879  feet. 
Drama. 

“FIREMEN,  SAVE  MY  CHILD,”  with  Wallace 
Beery,  Raymond  Hatton,  Josephine  Dunn,  Tom 
Kennedy.  Director,  Sutherland.  5,399  feet. 
Comedy. 

AUGUST  6 

“THE  COVERED  WAGON.”  director,  Cruze 
(re-issue).  7,447  feet.  Historical. 

“SERVICE  FOR  LADIES,”  with  Adolphe 
Menjou,  Katherine  Carver.  Director,  D’Arrast. 
6,170  feet.  Comedy. 

AUGUST  13 

“METROPOLIS,”  with  special  cast.  Director, 
Lang.  8,039  feet.  Drama. 

“MME.  POMPADOUR,”  with  Dorothy  Gish, 
Antonio  Moreno.  Director  Wilcox.  7,180  feet. 
Drama. 

AUGUST  20 

“RUNNING  WILD,”  with  W.  C.  Fields,  Mary 
Brian.  Director,  LaCava.  6,368  feet.  Comedy. 

AUGUST  27 

“HULA,”  with  Clara  Bow,  Clive  Brook,  Arlette 
Marchal,  Arnold  Kent.  Director,  Fleming.  Com- 
edy melodrama. 

“SOFT  CUSHIONS,”  with  Douglas  MacLean, 
Sue  Carol.  Director,  Ed  Cline.  6,838  feet. 
Comedy. 

SEPTEMBER  3 

“CHAN’G,”  directors.  Cooper  and  Schoedsack. 
6,536  feet.  Adventure. 

“WE’RE  ALL  GAMBLERS,”  with  Thomas 
Meighan,  Marietta  Millner.  Director,  James 
Cruze.  5,935  feet.  Drama. 

SEPTEMBER  10 

“BARBED  WIRE,”  with  Pola  Negri,  Clive 
Brook  and  Einar  Hanson.  Director,  R.  V.  Lee. 
6,951  feet.  Drama. 

“NEVADA,”  with  Gary  Cooper,  Thelma  Todd, 
Phillip  Strange,  William  Powell.  Director.  Waters. 
6,258  feet.  Western. 

SEPTEMBER  17 

“SVWM,  GIRL,  SWIM,”  with  Bebe  Daniels, 
James  Hall,  Gertrude  Ederle,  Josephine  Dunn, 
William  Austin.  Director,  B’adger.  Comedy  melo- 
drama. 

“STARK  LOVE,”  with  special  cast.  Director, 
Karl  Brown.  6,203  feet.  Drama. 

SEPTEMBER  24 

“ONE  WOMAN  TO  ANOTHER,”  with  Flor- 
ence Vidor,  Marie  Shotwell,  Roy  Stewart,  Ted 
Von  Eltz.  Director,  Tuttle.  Drama. 

“TELL  IT  TO  SWEENEY,”  with  Chester 
Conklin,  George  Bancroft,  Doris  Hill,  Jack  Luden. 
Director,  La  Cava.  Comedy. 

OCTOBER  1 

“THE  ROUGH  RIDERS,”  with  Noah  Beery, 
Mary  Astor,  Charles  Farrell.  George  Bancroft, 
Charles  Emmett  Mack,  Frank  Hooper.  Director, 
Fleming.  8,443  feet.  Historical. 


“THE  WAY  OF  ALL  FLESH,”  with  Emil 
Jannings,  Belle  Bennett,  Phyllis  Haver,  Donald 
Keith.  Director,  Fleming.  8,486  feet.  Drama. 

OCTOBER  8 

“THE  GLORY  GIRL,”  with  Esther  Ralston, 
Richard  Arlen,  Ford  Sterling.  Director,  Suther- 
land. Comedy  drama. 

“THE  BIG  SNEEZE,”  with  Wallace  Beery, 
Fred  Sterling,  Zasu  Pitts.  Director,  Cruze. 
Comedy. 

_ “SHOOTIN’  IRONS,”  with  Jack  Luden,  Fred 
Kohler,  Betty  Bronson.  Director,  R.  Rosson. 
Western. 

OCTOBER  15 

“SHANGHAI  BOUND,”  with  Richard  Dix, 
Mary  Brian,  Joselyn  Lee,  George  Irving.  Di- 
rector, Reed.  Drama. 

“A  GENTLEMAN  OF  PARIS,”  with  Adolphe 
Menjou,  Shirley  O’Hara,  Arlette  Marchal.  Di- 
rector, D’Arrast.  Comedy  drama. 

OCTOBER  22 

“JESSE  JAMES,”  with  Fred  Thomson.  Di- 
rector, Ingraham.  Historical  drama. 

Pathe-De  Mille 

AUGUST  22 

“THE  COUNTRY  DOCTOR”:  Drama.  Di- 
rector, Rupert  Julian.  Rudolph  Schildkraut,  Jun- 
ior Coghlan,  Virginia  Bradford.  7,400  feet. 

AUGUST  29 

“THE  FIGHTING  EAGLE”:  Romantic  melo- 
drama. Director,  Donald  Crisp.  Rod  LaRocque, 
Phyllis  Haver.  7,972  feet. 

SEPTEMBER  5 

“THE  RUSH  HOUR”:  Comedy.  Director, 
E.  Mason  Hopper.  Marie  Prevost,  Harrison 
Ford. 

SEPTEMBER  12 

“ALMOST  HUMAN”:  Comedy-drama.  Vera 
Reynolds,  Kenneth  Thomson.  Director,  Frank 
Urson. 

SEPTEMBER  19 

“TURKISH  DELIGHT”:  Comedy-drama.  Di- 
rector, Paul  Sloane.  Rudolph  Schildkraut,  Julia 
Faye. 

SEPTEMBER  26 

“THE  ANGEL  OF  BROADWAY”:  Drama. 
Director,  Lois  Weber.  Leatrice  Joy,  Victor  Var- 
coni.  May  Robson. 

OCTOBER  3 

“THE  WEST  POINTER”:  Comedy-drama. 
Director,  Donald  Crisp.  William  Boyd,  Bessie 
Love. 

OCTOBER  10 

“THE  WRECK  OF  THE  HESPERUS”:  Melo- 
drama. Director,  Elmer  Clifton.  Alan  Hale, 
Sam  de  Grasse,  Virginia  Bradford,  Frank  Marion. 

OCTOBER  17 

“THE  FORBIDDEN  WOMAN”:  Melodrama. 
Paul  Stein.  Jetta  Dougal,  Victor  Varconi. 

Pathe  Releases 

AUGUST  7 

“WHITE  PEBBLES”:  Western  drama.  Rich- 
ard Thorpe,  director.  Wally  Wales,  Olive  Has- 
brouck  and  Harry  Todd.  4,485  feet. 

“HIDDEN  ACES”:  Crook  melodrama.  How- 
ard Mitchel,  director.  Charles  Hutchison,  with 
Alice  Calhoun.  4,620  feet. 

“PIECES  OF  CHINA”:  Travel  film  of  (Hiina. 
Isaac  Upham,  director.  Six  reels. 

AUGUST  14 

“THE  PHANTOM  BUSTER”:  Western  drama. 
William  Bertram,  director.  Buddy  Roosevelt, 
with  Alma  Rayford.  Five  reels. 

AUGUST  21 

“THE  INTERFERIN’  GENT”:  Western  drama. 
Richard  Thorpe,  director.  Buffalo  Bill,  Jr.,  with 
Olive  Hasbrouck.  Five  reels. 

AUGUST  28 

“BORDER  BLACKBIRDS”:  Royal  Canadian 
Mounted  Police  drama.  Leo  D.  Maloney,  direc- 
tor. Leo  Maloney,  star,  with  Eugenia  Gilbert, 
Nelson  McDowell  and  Don  Coleman.  5,326  feet. 

United  Artists 

OCTOBER  8 

“MY  BEST  GIRL,”  starring  Mary  Pickford 
with  Charles  “Buddy”  Rogers,  Hobart  Bosworth 
and  Isabelle  Sheridan.  Director,  Sam  Taylor.  A 
comedy  of  a five-and-ten-cent-store  girl. 

OCTOBER  22 

“THE  GARDEN  OF  EDEN,”  starring  Corinne 
Griffith.  Director,  Lewis  Milestone.  High  comedy. 

SEPTEMBER  10 

“COLLEGE,”  starring  Buster  Keaton  with  Ann 
Cornwall,  Snitz  Edwards  and  Florence  Turner, 
Director,  James  W.  Home,  Jr.  5,900  feet.  Com- 
edy of  college  athletics. 

SEPTEMBER  24 

“THE  MAGIC  FLAME,”  starring  Ronald  Col- 
man and  Vilma  Banky  with  Constance  Howard, 
Shirley  Palmer,  Gustav  Von  Seyffertitz  and  Wil- 
liam Bakewell.  Director,  Henry  King.  8,550 
feet.  Romance. 


WILLIAM  FOX 
PRESENTS 


2 


JANET  GAYNORii. 

GIRLS  WANTED 


W„ 


from  the  play  by  Gladys  Unger 


'ITH  the  first  projection  of  this  picture  in  the  first  the- 
atre to  play  it — a new  star  will  have  come  to  the  screen. 
Janet  Gaynor  has  been  made  a star,  not  as  a commercial  ex- 
pedient—  a name  on  which  to  hang  an  exploitation  campaign 
— but  because  the  superb  quality  of  her  acting  so  dominates 
any  picture  in  which  she  appears  that  she  becomes  the  stellar 
attraction-— all  else  is  subordinate.  ”7th  Heaven”  has  estab- 
lished this  conclusively.  Janet  Gaynor  as  Diane — what  a 
paeon  of  praise  has  rung  through  the  columns  of  the  press, 
has  sounded  from  the  lips  of  her  audiences!  And  now  we 
have  Janet  Gaynor  as  a star — presented  first  in  the  screen 
version  of  this  spirited  comedy-drama  which  has  so  proven 
itself  in  a year  of  solid  success  in  New  York. 


A 


A John  Golden  stage  hit 
ALFRED  E.  GREEN  Production 


In  the  Septemoer  List  oj  Fox  Profit  Pictures 

JANET  GAYNOR  in  ”2  GIRLS  WANTED” 


A YOUNG  GIRL — fighting  under  great  handi* 
cap  for  the  man  she  loves  — gives  battle  to  a 
domineering  giant  of  finance  in  this  picture  made 
from  an  outstanding  comedy  hit  of  the  New  York 
stage.  Drama  stalks  through  the  laugh-laden 
scenes.  It  is  an  "audience  picture”  — an  ideal 
attraction  for  theatres  of  the  best  class — 
such  as  the  "Roxy”,  where  it  will 
show  first-run  in  New  York. 


Janet  Gaynor’s  true  genius  is 
again  strikingly  displayed  in  an 
emotional  gamut  that  plumbs  the 
depths  of  poignant  drama  and  light- 
ly strikes  its  merriest  notes.  Behind 
her.  Director  Alfred  Green  has 
gathered  a cast  of  excellence— Glenn 
Tryon,  Alyce  Mills,  Ben  Bard, 
Joseph  Cawthorne,  Doris  Lloyd, 
Marie  Mosquini,WilliamTooker. 
Gladys  Unger  wrote  the  play 
and  Seton  I.  Miller  adapt- 
ed it  for  the  screen. 


A SMALL  MATTER  OF 
GREAT  IMPORTANCE 

Referring  of  course  to  any  one  of 
the  Fox  Shorts — whether  it  be 
one  of  the  104  issues  of  F ox  News; 
one  of  the  10  Imperial  Comedies, 
an  Animal  Comedy  or  a Van 
Bibber  Comedy — of  which  there 
are  8 each;  or  one  of  those  little 
bits  of  screen  witchery.  Fox  Va- 
rieties (you  get  26  of  these) — if 
it  is  a Fox  Short  it  is  important 
to  you  and  to  your  audience,  and 
it  is  class  clear  through ! 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


THAT  BIG  SCREEN 

X_J" NFAMILIAR  as  I am  with  patents  and 
such  matters,  and  loth  as  I am  to  inquire 
deeply  into  matters  of  the  sort  when  such 
inquiry  may  result  in  dulling  the  edge  of  a 
paragraph,  I simply  report  on  this  sunny 
morning  that  the  management  of  McVickers 
theatre,  Chicago,  said  management  being 
Balaban  & Katz  and  Balaban  & Katz  being 
more  or  less  Publix,  employed  the  screen 
enlargement  trick  in  exhibition  of  “The  Big 
Parade”  on  the  evening  of  August  12.  Thus 
endeth  that  story  and  now  I will  tell  another. 

On  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Douglas  Fairbanks’ 
initial  unveilment  of  “Robin  Hood,”  a cere- 
mony conducted  in  Chicago  some  several 
years  back,  a number  of  us  who  had  been 
seated  well  back  in  the  auditorium  by  the 
gentleman  in  charge  of  placements  (none 
other  than  Mr.  Peter  Gridley  Smith)  experi- 
enced difficulty  in  identifying  the  tiny  figures 
racing  about  the  screen  in  the  expansive 
exteriors  of  the  picture  I shall  always  con- 
sider Mr.  Fairbanks’  greatest  unless  he  makes 
a greater  one.  Out  of  this  difficulty  your 
orator,  a fellow  who  cranked  an  Edison  in 
the  days  when  it  took  a big  picture  to  fill  a 
reel  and  who  experimented  with  this  and 
that  mechanical  contrivance  for  the  good  of 
the  then  pretty  bad  cause,  built  up  the  excel- 
lent suggestion  that  Mr.  Fairbanks  discard 
the  puny  lenses  with  which  his  projectors 
were  equipped  and  shoot  the  dimensions  of 
his  picture  up  to  something  approximating 
a scale  adequate  to  the  reproduction  of  his 
photoplay.  This  suggestion  was  laid  before 
Mr.  Fairbanks  in  due  course  but  the  above- 
all  artistic  Mr.  Fairbanks  would  have  none 
of  it.  It  was  alleged,  and  doubted,  that  a 
test  was  made  of  the  thing  and  that  the 
idea  had  flopped.  Your  unabashed  reporter, 
having  stretched  a point  of  ethics  for  no 
reason  more  substantial  than  a bounding 
admiration  of  “Robin  Hood,”  scribbled  a 
few  words  about  the  matter  in  these  pages 
and  let  the  cinema  go  its  weary  and  often 
deadly  dreary  way. 

Came  a day,  as  some  of  the  titles  have  it 
at  even  this  late  date,  when  the  big  screen 
idea  blossomed  forth  in  the  mighty  Para- 
mount theatre  with  a name  and  everything. 
The  name  was  Magnascope,  which  sounds 
reasonable  enough,  and  the  picture,  if  I 
mistake  not,  was  “Old  Ironsides.”  And,  of 
this  I am  quite  sure,  the  idea  was  a success 
and  why  not?  Nor  did  I hear  of  patents, 
although  I did  not  listen  closely,  feeling 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

sure  that  the  Patent  Office  had  no  power 
to  limit  a theatre  in  deciding  the  size  of  his 
projected  picture  nor  in  specifying  the  in- 
tervals at  which  he  might  alter  that  size  to 
suit  himself.  Certainly  it  would  be  difficult 
for  a patent  to  change  the  ancient  right  of 
the  lens  manufacturers  to  produce  lenses 
capable  of  producing  various  sizes  of  pic- 
tures and  gelling  to  any  and  all  comers  as 
many  different  ones  as  might  be  desired. 

With  all  this  information  in  the  basket, 
then,  we  still  have  with  us  the  fact  that  not 
even  the  present  employers  of  the  big  screen 
idea,  whether  it  be  called  Magnascope  or 
any  other  name,  employ  it  properly.  It  is 
used  correctly  in  most  instances  as  concerns 
the  juncture  of  its  introduction.  But  there 
is  no  increase  in  the  supply  of  light  supplied 
to  the  expanded  projection  and  so  there  is, 
as  any  Union  or  non-Union  operator  could 
tell  you  would  be  the  case,  a distinctly  per- 
ceptible diminution  of  brilliancy  in  the  en- 
larged image.  Now  if  this  oversight  is 
corrected,  if  amperage  or  voltage  (or  what- 
ever it  is)  is  shot  up  to  compensate  for  the 
loss  of  brilliancy  caused  by  increasing  the 
screen  surface,  the  excellent  suggestion  I 
made  to  Mr.  Fairbanks  will  have  carried 
through  into  application  for  the  benefit  of 
pictures  and  picturegoers  without  the  slight- 
est effort  on  the  part  of  myself  or  Mr. 
Fairbanks.  Surely  that  ought  to  be  satis- 
factory to  everyone. 

VIVE  MENJOU 

J KNOW  not  how  ill  comes  that  Mr. 
Adolphe  Menjou’s  headwaiter  (in  “Service 
for  Ladies”)  arrives  immediately  upon  the 
heels  of  Mr.  Lewis  Stone’s  headwaiter  (in 
“The  Prince  of  Headwaiters”)  but  it  is 
welcome.  Unlike  the  Stone  vehicle,  Mr. 
Menjou’s  picture  is  excellent  for  causes  other 
than  the  casting.  I think,  if  I may  be  per- 
mitted to  think  in  terms  of  comparison,  that 
Mr.  Menjou’s  picture  is  much  superior  to 
Mr.  Stone’s.  I must  add,  however,  that  the 
fault  is  of  the  pictures  rather  than  the  stars, 
for  each  of  the  actors  does  his  headwaiter 
with  the  excellence  characterizing  each  and 
every  work  of  each  of  the  actors.  I further 
add  that  if  I were  either  of  the  gentlemen  I 
should  resent  the  casting.  If  headwaiters 
insist  upon  behaving  like  the  Messrs. 
Menjou  and  Stone  that  is  bad  enough.  To 


ask  the  Messrs.  Menjou  and  Stone  to  act  like 
headwaiters  is  to  ask  much  too  much. 

But  this  “Service  for  Ladies”  is  a splendid 
little  picture.  I doubt  if  there  is  any  sub- 
stantial number  of  pictures  in  all  history 
so  thoroughly  enjoyable  as  those  recently 
emanating  from  the  Adolphe  Menjou  and 
Florence  Vidor  sectors  of  the  Paramount 
front.  If  I were  investing  my  next  million 
in  motion  pictures  of  current  manufacture 
and  felt  that  the  world  is  ready  for  good  pic- 
tures I should  invest  every  penny  of  it  in 
the  works  of  these  two  players.  I should 
rather  see  either  of  them  in  anything  either 
has  made  than  anybody  else  in  all  the  pic- 
tures they  have  produced.  Incidentally,  I 
think  the  public  is  getting  more  like  me 
every  day — a perhaps  inverse  way  of  saying 
something  I wouldn’t  quite  admit  if  I be- 
lieved it. 

I do  not  know  that  you  will  like  “Service 
for  Ladies,”  but  if  you  have  been  in  tbe 
business  for  any  considerable  length  of  time 
I think  you  wiU,  which  doesn’t  amount  to 
the  same  thing  as  saying  that  I think  your 
public  will  like  it,  a statement  I should  not 
make  in  any  case.  It  is  my  belief  that  the 
picture  people  themselves,  actor,  exhibitor, 
property  man,  are  the  best  of  picture  fans 
and  that  they  like  pictures  like  this  one.  I 
expect  this  circumstance,  one  which  has  cost 
plenty  of  money  on  plenty  of  occasions,  to 
bring  the  world  into  alignment  in  due  or 
protractedly  overdue  time  and  then  all  will 
be  well  with  the  cinema. 

Mr.  Menjou,  by  the  way,  is  better  in  this 
than  in  anything  that  has  preceded  it  and 
he  has  been  practically  perfect  for  a good 
long  time  now.  Let  us  hope  that  his  years 
of  service  (this  is  not  a play  upon  the  title 
of  the  present  picture)  are  many  and  the 
fruits  of  his  endeavors  adequate. 

AND,  OH  YES— 

A 

XJLS  we  coast  to  the  end  of  the  page  it 
occurs  to  me  that  I did  not  mention  having 
seen  “The  Big  Parade,”  perhaps  as  the  last 
white  citizen  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  to 
do  so,  on  the  occasion  stated  in  the  opening 
paragraph  of  this  week’s  message.  I did 
see  it,  however,  and  I did  like  it — not  as 
well  as  I had  expected  to  like  it,  but  sev- 
eral times  that  well.  Now,  if  the  second 
run  houses  will  just  set  in  “What  Price 
Gloiry”  I may  be  able  to  catch  up  with  the 
rest  of  the  civilized  world  on  the  seeing 
of  pictures. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


THE  FILM  MART 


“Mile  a Minute  Love”  has  been  selected  for  the  title 
of  the  new  Reginald  Denny  production  for  Universal.  It 
will  be  released  Nov.  20.  The  picture  was  known  by 
two  other  titles,  “Now  I’ll  Tell  One,”  and  “Ask  Me  An- 
other,” before  the  final  title  was  chosen. 

“Hard  Boiled  Haggerty,”  starring  Milton  Sills,  will  be 
released  generally  on  Aug.  21  by  First  National.  George 
Fawcett  and  Mitchell  Lewis  have  important  parts  in  the 
picture. 

And  First  National’s  picture,  “The  Poor  Nut,”  opened 
to  the  biggest  Sunday  matinee  in  two  years  at  the  Main- 
street  theatre,  Kansas  City,  “Camille,”  another  First  Na- 


tional picture,  has  been  held  over  at  the  Astec  theatre, 
San  Antonio,  Tex.,  for  another  week,  and  is  playing  to 
capacity  houses. 

The  F B O 1927-28  product  has  been  sold  to  the  Lib- 
erty and  Folly  theatres,  Oklahoma  City,  both  first  run 
houses,  by  Sam  Benjamin,  manager  of  F B O’s  exchange 
in  that  city. 

Poli  Negri  has  completed  her  last  scenes  for  Paramount 
in  her  picture,  “Sun  Kissed,”  and  Clara  Bow  has  com- 
pleted “Hula,”  and  will  soon  start  on  “Red  Hair,”  another 
Elinor  Glyn  story.  Bebe  Daniels  has  completed,  “Swim, 
Girl,  Swim,”  and  will  begin  work  immediately  on  “She’s 
a Sheik.” 


Pathe  Re-releases 
^‘Grandma  s Boy’^ 

“Grandma’s  Boy,”  Harold  Lloyd’s  first 
full  feature-length  comedy,  will  be  brought 
3ack  to  the  screen  by  Pathe  on  Sept.  4.  It 
was  this  comedy  that  really  established 
Lloyd  as  a big  money  star  at  the  box  of- 
fice. 

Pathe  will  release  on  Aug.  21 
its  Pathe  Western,  “The  Inter- 
ferin’ Gent,”  starring  Buffalo  Bill, 

Jr.  It  is  a Lester  F.  Scott  pro- 
duction. Olive  Hasbrouck  plays 
the  part  of  the  heroine  in  the  pic- 
ture. 

Director  Howard  of  the  DeMille 
studios  is  looking  for  a young  man 
who  can  appear  to  romantic  ad- 
vantage in  heart  throbbing  love 
scenes  and  also  hold  his  own  in 
the  prize  ring.  Howard  is  cast- 
ing for  his  next,  “The  Main 
Event,”  and  that  is  the  kind  of 
man  he  needs  for  the  picture. 
Vera  Reynolds  has  been  cast  for 
the  stellar  role. 

Donald  Crisp  has  announced  that  he  will 
shoot  a real  West  Point  dance,  or  hop  as  it 
is  called  there,  during  the  filming  of  “The 
West  Pointer.”  William  Boyd  is  the  star 
in  this  picture  and  Bessie  Love  plays  op- 
posite him.  With  so  many  actors  in  uni- 
form at  West  Point,  many  confusions  are 
happening  on  the  campus.  The  West  Point- 
ers cannot  tell  the  actors  from  each  other. 


Warners  will  release  four  pic- 
tures this  month.  One  has  already 
been  released  which  was,  “The 
Missing  Link,”  released  Aug.  7. 

On  Aug.  20,  “The  Bush  Leaguer” 
is  released.  “When  a man  Loves,” 
with  John  Barrymore  and  Dolores 
Costello,  will  be  released  Aug.  21, 
and  “The  Desired  Woman,”  star- 
ring Irene  Rich,  on  Aug.  27. 

Production  is  about  to  begin  on  George 
Jessel’s  next  starring  picture  for  Warner 
Brothers.  It  is  called  “Sailor  Izzy  Mur- 
phy,” and  will  be  a companion  to  Jessel’s 
former  picture,  “Private  Izzy  Murphy.” 
Audrey  Ferris  is  to  play  the  heorine,  and 
Warner  Oland,  Myrna  Loy,  John  Miljan, 
Otto  Lederer  and  Theodore  Lorch  are 
others  in  the  picture. 


Columbia  Signs 
Louis  Gasnier 

Columbia  has  recently  signed  Louis 
Gasnier  to  direct  several  of  the  com- 
pany’s list  of  “Perfect  Thirty’s.”  Gasnier 
is  the  fourth  director  to  be  signed  for 
this  list  of  pictures  to  be  produced  by 
Columbia.  Gasnier’s  first  assignment 
will  be  to  handle  the  megaphone  on 
“Say  It  with  Sables,”  starring  Claire 
Windsor.  Gasnier  is  an  old  hand  in 
the  picture  business,  having  started  when 
it  was  still  in  its  experimental  stage. 

Columbia  has  also  resigned  George  B. 
Seitz  to  direct  another  picture.  This 
assignment  came  as  a direct  result  of 


Warner  Has  Nine 
Films  for  September 

Warner  Brothers  has  announced  that  the 
total  number  of  “Extended  Run”  produc- 
tions to  be  produced  by  them  for  the 
1927-28  season  will  be  13.  Of  these  nine 
will  be  completed  and  ready  for  screening 
for  exhibitors  by  Sept.  15. 

These  nine  are:  “The  Jazz 
Singer,”  “Ham  and  Eggs,”  “The 
Fortune  Hunters,”  “The  First 
Auto,”  “Old  San  Francisco,” 
“When  a Man  Loves,”  “The  Miss- 
ing Link,”  “The  Better  ’Ole,”  and 
“Don  Juan.” 

The  remaining  four  will  be, 
“Black  Ivory,”  a story  of  old 
Louisiana  with  Monte  Blue;  a 
modernized  drama  of  “Noah’s 
Ark;”  and  two  Dolores  Costello 
starring  pictures. 


WEEK  OF  AUGUST  7 
“7lh  Heaven”— Fox-=107S8 
“Beau  Geste”— Paramount— 10000 
“Fireman,  Save  My  Ghild**«>’Paramount— »5399 
“The  Covered  Wagon”— 'Paramount— 7447 
‘Service  For  Ladie8”'^“Paramount“— 6170 
“For  The  Love  Of  Mike”— First  National-=“6588 
“The  Poor  Nut” — First  National—6897. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 
“The  Phantom  Buster”™— Action— Pathe— five 
“The  Great  Mall  Robbery”“*F  B 0—6307 
“Paid  to  Love”— Fox— 6888 
“Metro  poli9”-=Paramounl— 10400 
“The  Stolen,  Bride”— First  Nalional”™7 179. 
“Mme.  Pompadour”— Paramouni'™“7180. 
“Running  Wild”— ™-Par  amount— 6368, 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  28 
“Not  For  Publication”— F B 0—6140. 

“Border  Blackbirds”— Maloney— Pathe— six. 
“Hard-Boiled  Haggerty”— First  National’““7443. 
“Soft  Cushions— Paramount— 6838. 


his  work  in  directing  “The  Blood  Ship.” 

Dorothy  Sebastian  has  been  added  to 
the  list  of  actors  and  actresses  who  are 
to  appear  in  the  “Perfect  Thirty”  series 
of  Columbia  pictures.  She  was  secured 
thiough  arrangements  with  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer.  This  young  actress  started 
her  career  with  George  White’s  “Scan- 
dals.” During  her  two  years  in  screen 
work  she  has  appeared  in  pictures  of 
several  of  the  leading  producers. 


M-G-M  Has  5 Units 
Off  on  Location 

The  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios 
must  be  rather  deserted  t’nese  days  for 
five  units  are  away  on  location  work 
and  three  others  are  preparing  to  get 
away  to  an  early  start. 

Marion  Davies  and  her  unit  are  at 
Pomona  at  work  on  “The  Fair  Co-Ed.” 
John  Gilbert,  Monta  Bell  and  unit  are  at 
Washington,  D.  C.  at  work  on  “Fires 
of  Youth.”  And  it  is  important  to  add 
that  Jeanne  Eagles  is  to  take  the  femi- 
nine lead  in  this  picture  of  newspaper 
life  in  the  Capitol.  The  motion  pic- 
ture industry,  it  seems,  has  a charm 
for  stage  people  that  cannot  be  denied. 

And  to  get  back  to  the  pictures  on 
location,  William  Haines,  Joan  Craw- 
ford and  Director  Edward  Sedgwick 
with  a group  of  supporting  players  have 
gone  East  to  start  work  on  “West  Point.” 
Most  of  the  filming  of  this  picture  will 
be  taken  at  the  Military  Academy.  Lew 
Cody  and  Aileen  Pringle,  co-stars  of 
“Mixed  Marriages,”  are  cn  location  at 
La  Jolla,  Cal.  George  K.  Arthur,  Bert 
Roach  and  Mary  McAllister  have  been 
cast  for  the  picture.  Tim  McCoy  has 
left  for  Wyoming  where  his  next  pic- 
ture will  be  filmed  and  named  in  honor 
of  his  native  state,  “Wyoming.” 

The  three  productions  soon  to 
go  on  location  are  “White  Shad- 
ows of  the  South  Sea,”  which  calls 
for  a trip  to  the  South  Sea;  “In 
Old  Kentucky,”  which  will  have 
the  racing  sequences  taken  at  La- 
tonia  track  and  “Rose  Marie,”  in 
which  it  is  probable  that  some  of 
the  sequences  will  be  shot  in  the 
North  woods. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has 
turned  to  the  comic  strips  again 
for  picture  material.  This  time  it 
is  Jiggs,  and  the  picture  will  be 
called  “Bringing  Up  Father.”  Polly 


Release  Dates 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


August  20,  1927 


Moran;  is  cast  as  Maggie;  Marie 
Dressier  as  Mrs.  Dinty  Moore;  J. 
Farrel  McDonald  will  disport  him- 
self as  Jiggs,  and  Jules  Cowles 
will  be  the  humorous  Dinty  Moore, 
with  Gertrude  Olmstead  cast  as 
his  daughter. 

For  the  second  co-starring  vehicle  for 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  George  K.  Ar- 
thur and  Karl  Dane  will  appear  in  the 
picture  called  “Baby  Mine,”  which  some 
years  ago  was  a famous  stage  farce. 
This  picture  will  be  followed  by  “Olga 
from  the  Volga,”  already  announced  for 
the  comedy  team. 

United  Artists  Works 
on  Ten  Pictures 

With  five  pictures  already  in  produc- 
tion, and  five  more  to  start  this  month, 
there  will  soon  be  10  productions  under- 
way for  United  Artists. 

The  five  that  are  to  start  production 
this  month  are,  “The  Garden  of  Eden,” 
starring  Corine  Griffith;  John  Barry- 
more’s “Tempest;”  “The  Devil  Dancer,” 
starring  Gilda  Gray;  D.  W.  Griffith’s  “A 
Romance  of  Old  Spain”  and  the  Inspira- 
tion-Carewe  picture,  “Ramona,”  starring 
Dolores  Del  Rio. 

The  five  pictures  already  in  produc- 
tion are,  “My  Best  Girl;”  Gloria  Swan- 
son’s “Saddie  Thompson;”  Douglas 
Fairbank’s  “The  Gaucho;”  Herbert  Bre- 
non’s  “Sorrell  and  Son”  and  Buster  Kea- 
ton’s “Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.” 

Charlie  Chaplins  picture.  "The 
Circus,”  is  two-thirds  completed. 
Morris  Gest’s  “The  Darling  of  the 
Gods”  will  go  into  production  in 
the  late  summer  in  California,  and 
“Laugh,  Clown”  should  also  go 
into  production  this  year. 

All  of  this  activity  gives  United 
Artists  a rather  ambitious  sched- 
ule for  the  coming  season. 

Anna  May  Wong  has  been  en- 
gaged by  Samuel  Goldyn  for  Gilda 
Gray’s  first  United  Artist  picture, 
“The  Devil  Dancer.”  Anna  May 
may  not  be  seen  in  the  films  after 
this  picture  for  some  time,  for  she 
is  scheduled  to  assume  a leading 
part  in  a Broadway  legitimate  pro- 
duction in  October. 

Herbart  Bosworth  has  been  cast  by 
Mary  Pickford  to  play  the  part  of  the 
Millionaire  five-and-ten-cent  store  owner, 
and  we  concur  with  Mary  in  her  choice, 
for  she  can  rely  on  Bosworth  to  do  more 
than  his  part. 


U Buys  20  Stories 
for  1928-29  Season 

Universal  now  has  twenty  stories 
bought  for  “Universal  Jewel”  produc- 
tions for  the  1928-29  season.  The  last 
three  of  these  were  recently  bought  and 
are,  “The  Worm  Turns,”  “Stop  That 
Man”  and  “Phyllis  of  the  Follies.” 

Work  has  started  on  Charles  Ray’s 
next  picture  for  Universal.  It  is  from 
Gerald  Beamont’s  story,  “Betty’s  a 
Lady,”  but  the  screen  version  will  be 
known  as  “Kid  Gloves.”  It  will  be  a 
prize  fight  picture.  James  Gleason,  co- 
author of  the  famous  stage  play.  “Is 
Zat  So,”  has  the  role  of  the  fight  man- 
ager, and  others  in  the  role  are,  Jobyna 
Ralston,  Arthur  Lake  and  Edythe  Chap- 
man. The  picture  is  set  for  release  in 
1928. 

Fred  Newmeyer  has  recently  been 
signed  to  direct  another  Reginald  Denny 
picture.  It  is  said  that  the  new  one  will 
be  a change  from  farce  roles  and  that 
Denny  will  play  a “he-man”  role. 

The  £rst  Ted  Wells  Western 
thriller  called  “Straight  Shooting,” 
will  be  released  on  Oct.  16,  instead 
of  next  February  as  planned,  or- 


iginally. Lillian  Gilmore  is  the 
heroine  in  the  picture. 

The  world  premier  of  Univer- 
sal’s war  comedy,  “Buck  Privates,” 
was  held  recently  at  the  Granada 
theatre,  Santa  Barbara,  Cal.  It  was 
directed  by  Melville  Brown  from 
a story  by  Stuart  Lake,  and  Lya 
de  Putti,  Malcolm  McGregor  and 
Zasu  Pitts  have  the  leading  roles. 
Release  for  the  picture  is  set  for 
next  April. 

William  A.  Seiter,  who  has  directed 
many  of  Reginald  Denny’s  picture  is 
slated  to  direct  Laura  La  Plante’s  next 
picture,  “Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,” 
from  a story  by  Byron  Morgan.  Seiter 
and  La  Plante  recently  returned  from 
their  honeymoon  trip  to  Hawaii. 


F.  N.  Plans  Next 
Colleen  Moore  Film 

As  soon  as  Colleen  Moore  returns 
from  her  vacation,  which  will  be  some- 
time late  in  August,  she  will  start  on  her 
next  picture  for  First  National.  It  is 
one  of  those  pictures  wherein  a young 
country  lass  inherits  a small  fortune  and 
spends  it  in  one  big  splash  to  make  her- 
self famous.  It  is  called  “Now  I’ll  Tell 
One,”  and  is  from  a stage  play  by  How- 
ard Irving  Young.  Colleen’s  succeeding 
picture  will  probably  be  the  George 
Fitzmaurice  special,  “Lilac  Time.” 

“Rose  of  the  Golden  West,”  fea- 
turing Mary  Astor  and  Gilbert 
Roland,  is  completed  and  is  sched- 
uled for  fall  release.  Flora  Finch, 
who  can  be  counted  upon  to  add 
the  opposite  of  feminine  pulchri- 
tude to  any  picture,  has  a part  in 
this  one. 

Billie  Dove  is  to  have  the  stel- 
lar role  in  “Louisiana,”  which  will 
go  into  production  soon  under  the 
direction  of  George  Fitzmaurice. 
Mary  Astor  has  a featured  part  in 
the  picture.  In  the  past,  we  have 
enjoyed  most  any  picture  with 
Billie  Dove.  Just  seeing  her  in  a 
picture,  is  enough  to  make  the  pic- 
ture enjoyable. 

The  cast  for  “No  Place  to  Go,”  in 
which  Mary  Astor  and  Lloyd  Hughes 
are  the  featured  players,  now  includes 
Virginia  Lee  Corbin,  Hallam  Cooley, 
Myrtle  Stedman  and  Jed  Prouty.  The 
picture  is  to  be  a film  version  of  Rich- 
ard Connel’s  story,  “Isle  of  Romance.” 
Mervyn  LeRoy  is  directing. 

Paramount  Stars  to 
Make  Christi  Comedy 

Paramount  has  made  arrangements  to 
loan  W.  C.  Fields  to  A1  Christi  for  one 
of  the  featured  roles  in  “Tillie’s  Punc- 
tured Romance,”  which  reports  say  is 
taking  on  the  aspect  of  a big  time  fea- 
ture. Chester  Conklin  has  already  been 
announced  for  a big  part  in  the  picture. 
For  the  feminine  flavor  of  the  comedy, 
Louise  Brooks  and  Louise  Fazenda  have 
already  been  cast.  Eddie  Sutherland, 
director  of  “Behind  the  Front,”  and 
“We’re  in  the  Navy,”  will  do  the  direct- 
ing when  production  starts  about  Sept. 
20  at  the  Christi  studios. 


Our  memory  may  be  playing  a dirty 
trick  on  us,  but  it  seems  to  us  that 
Charlie  Chaplin  produced  a picture  by 
this  same  name  in  the  dim  and  far  away 
past  when  pie-throwing  was  in  its  hey- 
day. 

Richard  Dix  has  gone  fishing, 
not  that  this  is  of  any  importance, 
but  it  is  important  that  he  has 
finished  “Shanghai  Bound,”  and 
will  start  “The  Gay  Defenders” 
soon. 

Frank  Tuttle,  who  directed 
Thomas  Meighan  in  “Blind  Al- 
leys,” is  to  wield  the  megaphone 
on  Ester  Ralston’s  next  picture, 
“The  Glory  Girl,”  which  goes  into 
production  just  as  soon  as  that 
young  lady  finishes  “After  Office 
Hours.”  Luther  Reed  has  been 
chosen  to  direct  Florence  Vidor 
in  her  next  picture  “Honeymoon 
Hate.” 

The  tent  town  of  “Sabreur,”  built  near 
Guadalupe,  Cal.,  as  living  quarters  for 
the  company  making  “Beau  Sabreur,” 
will  soon  be  taken  over  by  Bebe  Daniels 
when  she  starts  work  on  “She’s  a Sheik.” 
Richard  Arlen  has  been  chosen  to  play 
opposite  Bebe  in  this  desert  comedy.  It 
was  written  by  John  McDermott  and 
Lloyd  Corrigan. 


hSwiiffniSi 

I HENNEGAN  I 

PROGRAM 


COVERS 


TAe  HENNEGAN  Co. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio 


Capital  Financing  for  Chain  Theatre  Expansion 

^i^rttie^btancing 

COIVI’OI^A.’nON  A2VIEIVICA 

162  North  State  Street  CHICAGO 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927. 


THE  THEATRE 

O^ASDcpartmeht  of  Practical  Showmanship 


UP  GO  ADMISSIONS,  SO  DO  KICKS! 
2 SHOWMEN  SCOTCH  COMPLAINTS 


Every  motion  picture  exhibitor  is  faced  with  the 
problem  of  giving  his  patrons  the  best  in  pictures, 
and  of  charging  a high  enough  admission  to  make 
the  pictures  pay.  This  is  especially  true  of  the  small 
town  theatreman.  It  is  a double-edged  problem,  and 

keeps  the  exhibi- 
tors in  an  eternal 
dilemma. 

If  the  exhibitor 
runs  the  average 
class  of  pictures, 
he  constantly 
hears  his  patrons 
complain  that 
they  are  never 
given  the  big,  feature  pictures,  His  patrons  resent  the 
fact  that  they  cannot  see  the  same  pictures,  and  at  the 
same  time,  that  are  being  run  in  the  largest  cities.  On 
the  other  hand,  if  the  theatreman  books  feature  pictures, 
he  has  to  get  more  money  for  them,  so  he  boosts  his 
admission  price.  He  has  to  in  order  to  make  a cent.  But 
what  is  the  result? 

The  same  people  who  kicked  because  of  poor  pictures,  howl 
all  the  more  when  the  exhibitor  raises  his  admission  on  a 
big  picture.  They  not  only  kick,  but  refuse  to  attend.  Thus 
the  exhibitor  gets  the  blame  either  way. 

Many  exhibitors  run  a special  picture  every  now  and  then, 
and  take  a loss  on  it,  just  to  satisfy  their  patrons’  demands. 
But  losses  do  not  pay  the  rent,  and  red  ink  looks  bad  on 
the  books. 

In  an  effort  to  solve  this  problem,  and  give  his  patrons  the 
best  in  theatre  entertainment,  exhibitor  C.  S.  McLellan  of 
the  Rex  theatre.  Eagle  Lake,  Tex.,  has  hit  upon  an  unusual 
method  of  exploiting  feature  attractions.  McLellan  booked 
“The  Big  Parade’’  and  “Ben  Hur”  and  then  employed  several 
young  ladies  to  canvass  the  entire  town,  and  sell  the  pictures 
to  every  resident  in  a personal  interview.  Their  job  was  to 
sell  them  well  enough  that  they  would  pay  $1  to  see  the  pic- 
tures, and  that’s  no  easy  job  in  a town  of  less  than  3,000  where 
$1  is  considered  a high  top.  The  girls  also  collected  important 
data  concerning  patrons  on  printed  questionnaires.  In  the  fol- 
lowing letter,  McLellan  outlines  the  exploitation  in  full. 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  III. 

Dear  Sir: 

I am  inclosing  a questionnaire  which  I had  circulated 
by  young  ladies  who  I hired  to  go  to  every  home  in  this 
city,  and  they  are  now  working  on  it. 

My  idea  was  not  only  to  ascertain  the  number  of  peo- 
ple in  my  town,  those  of  certain  ages,  their  tastes  in  en- 
tertainment, etc.,  but  to  give  me  a personal  campaign 
on  “The  Big  Parade"  and  “Ben  Hur,"  as  each  repre- 
sentative has  a sales  argument  on  the  pictures  which 
she  will  endeavor  to  put  over  before  leaving  the  home. 

I already  have  the  pictures  bought,  and  as  they  are  slow 
is  releasing  the  pictures  generally  here  in  Texas,  I will 
be  among  the  £rst  small  cities  to  show  them.  It  being 
a hard  matter  to  sell  country  people  on  the  increased 
admission,  the  lady  canvasser  also  will  try  to  sell  them 
to  the  extent  that  there  will  be  no  kick  when  the  pic- 
tures are  shown  at  the  admission  of  $1. 


I have  worked  many  canvasses,  but  have  never  gone 
so  extensively  as  to  work  up  interest  on  any  individual 
picture. 

I would  like  to  have  any  other  exhibitor’s  ideas  as  to 
the  practical  working  plans  of  a house-to-house  canvass. 

Very  truly  yours, 

C.  S.  McLELLAN, 

REX  THEATRE. 

We  believe  Mr.  McLellan  has  a splendid  plan  here.  The 
fact  that  he  is  sending  personal  representatives  to  his  patrons 
in  their  homes  to  tell  them  about  the  two  pictures,  should 
certainly  get  over  to  them  the  value  of  the  picture.  This  ad- 
vance personal  exploitation  on  pictures  will  create  a vast 
amount  of  curiosity  and  desire  to  see  the  picture,  and  should 
eliminate  the  increased  admission  factor. 

Henry  Reeve,  director  of  the  Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex., 
f Continued  on  ne.vt  page) 


NAME 

ADDRESS ^ 

Number  in  Family,  all  residents  of 

Adults  Children  

I Prefer  Vaudeville Pictures 

1 Prefer  in  Motion  Pictures: 

Westerns  Deep  Dramas  Comedies 

Feature  Comedies Costume 

News .Variety  reels Serials 

Prefer  to  go  to  show  on night. 

Am Opposed  to  Sunday  shows. 

I attend  them. 

I Do take  advantage  of  BARGAIN 

WEEKS  at  10-20C. 

I have heard  of  the  picture  BIG  PA- 

RADE. 

I have .....iieard  of  BEN  HUR. 

1 would! like  to  see  both  these  pictures  in 

Eagle  Lake  if  they  are  shown  before  any 
other  city  in  South  Texas,  not  including 
Houston,  and  would  pay  50c  and  $1.10  to 
see  same. 

1 make  the  following  suggestions  as  to  why 
I do  not  attend  the  picture  show  more  reg- 
ularly: 


The  questionnaire  that  was  given  to  the  citizens  of 
Eagle  Lake  by  special  young  lady  representatives  of  the 
Rex  theatre.  Eagle  Lake,  Tex.  was  designed  specially 
to  eliminate  kicks  and  produce  business  for  “The  Big 
Parade"  at  a $1  top.  It  also  gives  valuable  information 
to  the  theatre.  . . . , 


The  Admission  Scale  For  This 
Picture  is  Set  by  Contract  By 
The  Paramount  Company 

MATINEE  & NIGHT 


Adults  50c 

Children  25c 


August  20,  1927 

Is  This  the 
Champ  Cutout 
of  the  World? 

This  photograph  was  sent  to  the 
THEATRE  by  James  Leland  of  the  Vic- 
toria Picture  House,  Nottingham,  Eng- 
land. “I  want  to  challenge  the  world 
that  this  is  the  biggest  cut  out  figure  in 
the  world,”  says  Mr.  Leland. 

The  cutout  stands  40  feet  high 
and  occupies  a space  of  57,000 
square  inches.  Who  said  the  Eng- 
lish do  not  know  how  to  adver- 
tise? 

We  wonder  if  American  exhibitors  are 
going  to  let  this  challenge  stand.  If  you 
have  a cutout  to  compare  with  this  one 
send  it  to  THEATRE.  We  would  like 
to  see  someone  accept  the  challenge. 


Raising  Admissions 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

met  the  increased-admission-on-feature 
problem  in  another  way  when  he  ran  “The 
Rough  Riders”  recently.  In  all  of  his 
newspaper  advertising  he  carried  a box 
which  read,  “The  admission  scale  for  this 
picture  is  set  by  contract  by  the  Paramount 
company.”  Thus  all  resentment  against  an 
increased  admission  is  scotched  for  the  ex- 
hibitor, and  the  reason  for  the  increase  is 
laid  at  the  door  of  another.  All  former 
Texas  Rangers  were  made  guests  for  the 
opening  matinee,  also.  This  was  a clever 
stunt,  for  we  happen  to  know  how  much 
interest  Texas  Rangers  create. 


XHIBITORS  HERALD 


Have  You  Joined  the 
House  Organ  Exchange? 


Bair,  E.  E.,  Falls  theatre,  Cuyahoga  Falls,  O. 

Barr,  Maurice  F.,  Saenger’s  New  Orleans  Theatres, 
1401  Tulane  Ave. 

Blair,  M.  J.,  St.  Francis  theatre,  San  Francisco. 
Cal. 

Bender,  A.  R.,  Olympia,  Cleveland,  Okla. 

Bentley,  Floyd  E.,  Kelso  Amusement  Co.,  Kelso, 
Wash. 

Bronwnell,  Ossie,  Carthage  theatres,  Cloversville, 
N.  Y. 

Browning.  Harry,  Olympia,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
Hubert,  E.  H.,  Metropolitan,  Morgantown,  W.  Va. 
Bums,  Frank  H.,  Orlando  Enterprises,  Orlando,  Fla. 
Christensen,  C.  R.,  Twin  City,  Chehalis,  Wash. 

Cox,  Ed.  F.,  Princess,  Bristol,  Colo. 

Daley,  Thomas  S.,  Schine  Amusement  Co.,  Clovers- 
villc,  N.  Y. 

Dureau,  G.  J.,  Saenger  Theatres,  1401  Tulane  Ave., 
New  Orleans,  La. 

Eaton,  Jack,  The  Legion  theatre,  Alamosa,  Colo. 
Eveland,  Earle,  Twin  City  Opera  House,  McCon- 
nelsville,  O. 

Fawks,  E.  L.,  Photo  Phone,  Graford,  Tex. 

Fisher,  Eldrid,  Gem  theatre,  Pineville,  Ky. 

Gardner,  Hugh  T.,  Orpheum,  Neosho,  Mo. 

Gaston,  Dick,  Strand  and  Orpheum,  Madison,  la. 
Gault,  J.  C.,  American,  Oakland,  Cal. 

Gill,  R.  A.,  Stand,  Honey  Grove,  Tex. 

Glaser,  Will  J.,  Grand,  Faribault,  Minn. 

Gurnette,  Barney,  Lodi  theatre,  Lodi,  Cal. 
Hamburger,  F.  M.,  Circle,  Portland,  Ore. 

Harley,  Alonza,  Valentine,  Defiance,  Ohio. 

Hedges,  Harry  H.,  Rugby,  820  Utica  Ave.,  Brooklyn. 
Judd,  Forrest  E.,  Prospect,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Koblen,  M.,  Scout,  Oakdale,  La. 

Kramer,  Louis  P.,  Lublier  & Trinz  Theatres,  Inc., 
307  North  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Little,  T.  L.,  Majestic,  Camden,  S.  C. 

Lukachie,  A,  J.,  Hauber,  Camden,  Ark. 

Lutz,  Louis,  Fisher's  Fond  du  Lac,  Fond  du  Lac, 
Wis. 

MacLeod,  M.,  Wolverine,  Saginaw,  Mich. 

Massey,  Earl  D.,  Texas,  Killeen,  Tex. 

Meredith,  G.  J.,  Saenger  Theatres,  1401  Tulane 
Ave.,  New  Orleans,  La. 

Miller,  Carl  F.,  Miller  theatre,  Fremont,  Ohio. 
Mock,  Carl  F.,  56th  Street,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Moss,  Edgar  A.,  Marion  Theatre  News,  Glass  Block, 
Marion,  Ind. 

Muller,  Benjamin,  California  theatre,  Santa  Rosa. 
Cal. 

Murphy,  Harold  S.,  Woodlawn,  Chicago. 

Nichols,  Don,  Durham  Amusement  Company,  Dur> 
hum,  N.  C. 

O'Rourke,  Jack,  Laurel,  Laurel  Springs,  N.  J,. 
Olson,  H.  G.,  Majestic  theatre,  Reedsburg,  Wis. 
Ostenberg,  J.  H.,  Orpheum,  ScottsblufF,  Neb. 
Payne,  Earl  Hall,  Kentucky,  Lexington,  Ky. 

Pearl,  H.,  Biograph,  London,  S.  W.  Englantl 
Pesky,  Edward  J.,  Sun  Amusement  Co.,  St  Joseph. 
Mo. 

Pierce,  Howard  O.,  Kunsky  Theatrical  Ent.,  Detroit. 
Mich. 

Pope,  Clem,  T.  Hi  D.,  Oakland,  Cal. 

Randall,  E.  H.,  Liberty,  Conden,  Ore. 

Rivers,  Edwin  B.,  1718  South  Main  Street,  Royal 
theatres,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

Ross,  C.  A.,  Bijou  theatre.  Fall  River,  Mass. 

Sachs,  S.  M.,  Masonic,  Clifton  Forge,  Va. 

Schwie,  F.  F.,  Duluth,  Duluth,  Minn. 

Sharpe,  Philip  B.,  Strand  Theatre  Publishing  Co.. 
Portland,  Me. 

Shimon,  Louis,  Uptown  theatre,  Sheboygan,  Wis. 
Snyder,  E.  A.,  Rialto«Virginia,  Champaign,  111. 
Solomon,  H.,  Strand,  McComb,  Miss. 

Sorg,  J.  H.,  Jefferson,  Fort  Wayne,  Ind. 

Stiefel,  S.,  Roxboro,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Stiles,  J.  H.,  The  Dalles  Amusement  Co.,  The  Dalles. 
Ore. 

Thompson,  N.  T.,  Crystal  theatre,  Fort  Atkinson, 
Wis. 

Wallace,  H.  Jim,  Lincoln  Square,  Decatur,  III. 
Wheeler,  Ed  A.,  Cleveland,  O. 

Weinberg,  D.  H.,  New  and  Strand,  Stanton,  Va. 
Weinberg,  I.,  New  und  Yric,  Lexington,  Va. 
Whitback,  Frank,  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  134 
Leavenworth  St.,  San  Francisco,  Cal. 

Wiggins,  Clarence,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Manchester,  Ga. 
Wilson,  T.  S.,  Seeley,  Abilene,  Kan. 

Woodward,  Kenneth  V.,  Penn-State  Amusement  Co., 
Uniontown,  Pa. 

Ziprik,  G.,  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  Westbourne,  Tex. 


Editor  THE  HERAALD, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD 
407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  Illinois. 

Sir: 

I shall  be  pleased  to  exchange 
house  organs  with  fellow  exhibitors- 
publishers  and  you  may  enter  my 
name  in  your  House  Organ  Exchange. 

(Signed 

(Theatre) 

(City) (State) 


47 

Theatre  Insures 
Patrons  Against 
Deaths  by  Laughs 

r An  insurance  policy  against  death  by 
laughter — that’s  what  the  Saenger  thea- 
tre, New  Orleans,  gave  every  patron 
when  it  showed  “The  Callahans  and  the 
Murphys,”  recently. 

Here  is  the  letter  from  the  theatre, 
explaining  the  exploitation. 

EDITOR,  THE  THEATRE, 
Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  So.  Dearborn  Street, 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

We  are  sending  you  herewith  a 
sample  of  novelty  exploitation 
stunt  which  was  put  over  on  “The 
Callahans  and  the  Murphys’’  dur- 


ing its  engagement  at  the  Saenger 
theatre.  New  Orleans. 

This  was  also  tied  in  with  a 
trailer  which  announced,  “In  order 
that  laughter  may  be  unrestrained, 
patrons  could  give  vent  to  their 
mirth  since  a policy  for  $5,000  had 
been  taken  out  by  the  Saenger 
theatre  with  the  Lob  Insurance 
Agency  to  insure  any  fatality 
while  in  the  theatre  due  to  laugh- 
ing at  “The  Callahans  and  the 
Murphys.’’ 

Very  truly  yours, 
SAENGER  THEATRES,  INC. 

G.  J.  MEREDITH, 

DIR.  OF  PUBLICITY  AND 
ADV. 

We  are  always  interested  in  any  good 
exploitation,  like  this  one,  Mr.  Meredith^ 
and  we  call  this  one  more  than  good. 


Baliii  (Silt  iciigp  5^nliry 

874422 

CASH  CAPITAL  S 2 .500.000.00 

Uniott  XnDemniTy* 
Company 


OF  NEW  ORLEANS.  LA 


TO 


ANY  SAENGER  THEATRF.  PATRON 

$5000. 


This  Policy  provides  indemnity  for  loss 

OF  LIFE  BY  LAUGHTER  WHILE  IN  THE  New 

Saenger  Theatre,  during  the  showing 

OF  THE  MOST  LAUGHABLE  COMEDY  EVER 

MADE, 

"THE  CALLAHANS  AND  THE  MURPHYS'" 
Opening  Saturday  August  13th  1927 

I 

ISSUED  THROUGH 

LOB  INSURANCE  AGENCY 

704  HIBERNIA  BUILDING 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


Let’s  Be  Optimistic 

BANGOR,  MICH. — To  the  Eiutoks  (In 
reply  to  Mr.  H.  B.  Frank,  Royal  Theatre, 
Macomb,  111.)  Sorry  to  hear  you  have  been 
in  the  picture  busi- 
ness  20  long, 
dreary  years.  If  I 
had  even  one 
dreary  year  I 
would  seek  some 
other  line,  so 
I want  to  compli- 
ment you  on  your 
stick  - to  - iveness, 
because,  brother, 
your  in  the  coming 
top  industry. 

To  start  the  ball 
rolling,  you  men- 
tion poor  man’s 
amusement  as  the 
starting  point  of 
motion  pictures  pointing  out  that  the  aver- 
age salary  in  the  small  town  is  $21  per 
week.  If  my  geography  is  correct,  when 
motion  pictures  first  started  the  salary  aver- 
age in  the  towns  the  size  you  speak  of  was 
less  than  $8  |>er  week.  You  mention  25-35-50 
cent  admission  prices.  Did  you,  20  years 
ago,  show  from  8 to  12  reels  of  the  type  of 
pictures  producers  are  making  today?  You 
played  from  1 to  3 and  got  5-10  cent  admis- 
sion, true.  Your  patrons  averaged  an  $8.00 
per  week  salary,  and  you  changed  your  pro- 
gram once  or  twice  per  week.  Today  the 
exhibitor  in  the  10,000  town  is  playing  to 
a class  that  receive  $21  per  week,  on  the 
average.  He  is  giving  his  patrons  the  very 
best  for  the  admission  prices,  which  you 
say  are  too  high.  And  I for  one  would 
not  want  my  salary  reduced  to  $8  or  my 
pictures  cut  to  3 reels. 

As  to  straight  picture  shows  in  our  cities, 
I cite  Chicago  as  very  specific  example.  A 
survey  shows  that  of  the  number  of  thea- 
tres playing  straight  pictures,  we  have  ap- 
proximately 70  per  cent.  It  is  true  that 
the  other  30  per  cent  use  presentations  and 
vaudeville,  but  of  this  30  per  cent,  we  find 
that  20  per  cent  are  featuring  the  picture 
and  use  the  presentation  to  keep  those  5,000 
or  more  expensive  seats  filled.  By  expens-- 
i\'e  I mean  the  overhead  and  the  luxury  in- 
volved. If  they  did  not  use  these  stage 
shows,  the  patron  would  seek  his  amuse- 
ment in  the  lesser  theatres  that  charge  less 
admission,  have  less  overhead  and  far  less 
service  and  luxury. 

The  picture  is  predominant,  and  the  poor 
man  is  seeking  the  photoplay  amusement. 
In  the  last  six  months,  three  formerly 
legitimate  theatres  in  Chicago  have  changed 
over  to  a straight  picture  policy.  They 
are  the  La  Salle,  Playhouse  and  the  Apollo, 
now  being  rebuilt.  In  Florida  last  winter 
I noted  the  following:  Jacksonville,  Tampa 
and  Miami  each  have  about  the  same'  num- 
ber of  theatres.  In  these  theatres  where 
stage  shows  are  played,  the  advertising  pro- 
portion is  four  to  one,  favor  of  the  motion 
picture.  And  only  the  few  larger  theatres 
add  stage  shows,  the  rest  being  straight  pic- 
ture. \\Tiat  would  be  the  use  of  the  large 
deluxe  house,  the  one  that  is  making  mo- 
tion picture  history,  if  they  did  not  use 
picture  house  presentation?  The  vaudeville 
and  picture  combination  houses  are  getting 
fewer  every  season.  The  stage  presenta- 
tion paves  the  way  for  the  deluxe  motion 


picture  presentation.  Further,  Detroit’s 
three  ace  houses,  the  Michigan,  Capitol  and 
State,  are  featuring  the  picture  in  all  ex- 
ploitation and  give  the  stage  about  one- 
third. 

As  to  paper  problems.  Here  in  Michi- 
gan we  use  the  exchange  methods,  and 
when  the  exhibitor  buys  from  the  local 
branch  he  pays  the  price.  I would  not  at- 
tempt to  argue  on  this  subject  with  brother 
Frank,  but  do  agree  that  the  producer  is 
soaking,  and  soaking  bad.  The  reason — ■ 
he  pays  big  money  for  poster  work,  and  be- 
lieve me,  it  is  worth  money  to  get  good 
posters.  Some  of  them  are  N.G. 

But  we  are  living  in  a scientific  age. 
Pictures  like  “Chang”  and  “Metropolis,” 
and  others,  show  this.  Thomas  A.  Edison 
is  known  the  world  over  for  his  inventions. 
Those  persons  making  pictures  like  the 
above  deserve  the  credit  and  the  screen  is 
the  place  to  make  it  known.  Furthermore, 
I have  never  seen  but  very  few  pictures  in 
recent  months  that  was  o\'^rburdened  with 
this. 

You  are  radical  in  making  statements 
that  presentations  and  vaudeville  (where 
in  the  devil  did  you  get  the  word  “chop” — 
tell  it  to  B.  F.  Keith!)  should  be  cut  for 
straight  pictures.  These  two  items  will  take 
care  of  themselves,  and  if  you  are  a 
straight  picture  booster.  I’m  with  you.  Let’s 
boost  the  picture  as  that  is  what  producers 
are  making,  and  producers  own  theatres, 
too.  But  let  the  stage  show  remain  in 
those  theatres  where  stage  shows  are  essen- 
tial. 

Another  exhibitor  writes  to  the  Herald 
and  says  “Tom  Mix  is  our  best  bet  and 
that  isn’t  saying  much.”  Another  man,  who 
I extend  my  sincere  sympathy  for  being  in 
the  flood  district,  writes  rather  hard  on 
the  word  “prestige.”  Both  of  these  letters 
appear  in  the  same  issue  as  that  of  Mr. 
Frank’s. 

What  we  need  in  this  industry  is  more 
optimism,  and  less  harping  on  matters  that 
are  regional  and  tend  to  cause  mistrusting 
everywhere. 

Stories  of  retrenchment  are  in  the  air, 
and  when  executives  wake  up  to  the  fact 
that  publicity  of  various  sources  are  giving 
them  the  razz,  and  that  the  motion  picture 
is  a serious  affair  that  commands  the'  at- 
tention of  more  than  just  a certain  few 
corporation  heads,  then  and  then  only,  will 
every  branch  of  the  business  be  sitting  on 
top  of  the  world. 

It  is  very  true  that  the  “bull”  out  in 
Hollywood  is  hurting  every  branch  of  this 
business.  The  fourth  largest  industry  can- 
not afford  rude  publicity  from  the  press  of 
the  country,  and  it  certainly  has  had  more 
than  it’s  share  in  the  last  few  weeks.  It 
must  and  will  be  stopped. 

And  the  answer  to  that  last  line  is  AC- 
TION, not  drastic  or  brass  band  action,  but 
reasoning  with  action  that  will  place  the 
motion  picture  industry  on  a solid  basis 
with  those  other  great  industries  of  the 
world. — ^Howard  C.  Monroe,  Regent  thea- 
tre, Bangor,  Mich. 


Some  Pertinent  Remarks 

MENARD,  TEX. — To  the  Editor: 
This  seems  to  be  the  open  season  for  all 
exhibitors  to  tell  their  reactions  to  the  re- 
cent economic  wave  in  Hollywood,  their 
opinions  of  the  industry  in  general  and 
their  diagnosis  as  to  what  is  really  wrong 
with  the  movies. 

I haven’t  seen  Texas  represented  yet  in 
your  columns  so  here  we  come,  incidently 
with  the  hope  that  what  poor  thoughts 
that  are  ours  may  have  the  privilege  of 
coming  under  the  eye  of  our  favorite 
writer  on  things  pertaining  to  the  screen, 
namely  one  T.  O.  Service,  who  to  our 
humble  notion,  has  his  business  down  to  a 
point  that  leaves  him  the  best  judge  of  films 
and  their  value  that  we  know  of. 

J.  C.  Jenkins  and  his  “Clara”  state  that 
the  general  opinion  of  exhibitors  is  that  no 
picture  star  is  worth  the  alleged  thousands 


that  they  are  supposed  to  get.  That  is  to 
me  an  unimportant  matter.  Any  public 
performer  is  worth  all  they  prove  they 
can  get  at  the  box  office.  Some  people 
may  say  that  one  Jack  Dempsey  is  not 
worth  $300,000  for  a half  hour’s  work. 
Our  economic  angles  may  be  all  wrong, 
but  I don’t  begrudge  him  what  he  gets 
if  enough  people  are  suckers  to  the  extent 
of  paying  a million  every  time  he  is  put 
on  view.  It’s  not  the  salaries  of  stars  that 
has  thrown  the  sand  in  the  Hollywood 
machinery.  Without  rehashing  what  we 
already  know,  its  the  executive  end,  the 
ridiculous  production  costs  that  are  wrong. 
In  a recent  issue  of  Variety,  Tom  Mix 
gives  a real  low  down  on  what  is  the 
matter.  It’s  worth  any  showman’s  time  to 
read  it. 

Now  here  comes  a purely  personal  idea 
of  what  is  the  trouble  with  pictures  them- 
selves. I wonder  how  many  of  us  looked 
over  the  various  announcements  of  new 
products  and  saw  this  situation,  practically 
the  same  thing  happening  in  all  companies. 
Paramount  has  Wallace  Berry,  Raymond 
Hatton,  George  Bancroft  and  Chester 
Conklin  all  announced  as  stars  or  star 
teams  this  year.  First  National  has  Char- 
lie Murray,  Metro  has  Dane  and  Arthur 
treated  similarly.  Then  go  back  over  your 
memory  of  films  and  think  just  how  many 
pictures  have  been  made  entertaining  by 
these  same  men.  Pictures  featuring  and 
starring  other  well  known  players,  but 
saved  for  us  and  the  public  by  these  ster; 
ling  performers.  Perhaps  you  get  my 
thought  now.  Why  this  mad  rush  to 
make  comedy  teams  and  stars  of  players 
who  have  saved  picture  after  picture  by 
their  own  individual  work.  'They  have 
overdone  this  type  of  film  badly  and  have 
reached  a point  in  them  where  they  seerrj 
to  feel  that  dirt  stuff  is  funny  and  whaj: 
it  takes  to  put  it  over.  They  seem  to  feel 
they  can  pull  this  off  color  material  with-j’ 
out  restraint,  particularly  when  two  merj 
are  used  in  the  film  and  the  woman  angle 
more  or  less  in  the  background. 

Personally,  I’d  rather  have  Charlie  Mur- 
ray in  a half  a dozen  pictures  a year  as  a 
support  star,  stealing  his  picture,  than  in 
four  or  five  so  called  Murray  starring  films. 
George  Arthur  ditto,  not  to  mention  the 
Paramount  quartet. 

To  name  two  recent  films,  “Rookies”  and 
“Lost  at  the  Front.”  The  former  is  re- 
ceiving unanimous  praise  in  the  Herald.  I 
must  be  the  exception  that  proves  the  rule. 
I thought  it  mighty  poor  stuff.  And  stilj 
think  so.  I’ve  got  a town  that  is  far  frorq 
bluenose,  but  I can’t  say  that  “Rookies,” 
with  its  “sun  on  the  beaches”  and  the  al- 
leged riot  ending  that  causes  so  much  com- 
ment are  what  I or  my  lady  patrons  care 
to  see  in  pictures.  And,  by  George,  they 
don’t  need  those  things.  The  picture  was 
no  better  with  them  in  or  worse  with  thern 
out.  i 

The  lines  are  apparently  broadening^ 
The  films  are  running  to  entendre  (double 
meaning)  very  strongly.  When  its  well 
done  and  clever  there  is  excuse  for  it, 
but  when  they  grab  a handful  of  mud  it 
lands  too  thick. 

Before  the  waste  basket  grabs  this  epistle 
I want  to  tell  Service  again  how  much  his 
page  is  appreciated  by  at  least  one  regular 
reader.  Some  of  his  recent  criticisms  have 
hit  the  nail  squarely  on  the  head.  This 
work  should  receive  Hollywood  attention 
if  they  are  not  too  blind  to  what  is  actu- 
ally wanted  by  the  fellows  who  have  the 
most  to  do  with  the  industry  and  who  are 
considered  the  least  part  of  it — the  exhibi- 
tors. Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Men- 
ard, Tex. 

P.  S.  Just  so  you  won’t  think  I was 
old  as  J.  C.  you  can  check  your  photo 
gallery  and  see  just  how  young  and  in- 
nocent we  are — ^all  of  32  to  be  exact.  By 
the  way,  is  Jenkins  afraid  to  come  to 
Texas? 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


BOX  OFnCE  TICKER 


HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  For 
Me”  supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing 
average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on. 
When  10  of  these  percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have 


been  received,  the  average  of  these  10  percentage 
ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.”  Each  additional 
percentage-rating  report  received  on  pictures  entered 
is  combined  with  those  previously  received  and  the 
new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


No  Man's  Gold  (Fox) 81.41% 

Tell  ll  To  The  MaHnes  (M-G-M) 80.82% 

It  (Par) 78.23% 

The  Cohens  And  Kelleys  (U) 78.00% 

Keeper  Of  The  Bees  (F  B O) 76.69% 

Laddie  (F  B O) 74.79% 

Irene  (F.  N.) 74.72% 

Johnny  Get  Your  Hair  Cut  (M-G-M) 73.95% 

The  Vanishing  American  (Par) 72.72% 

The  Great  K.  And  A.  Train  Robbery  (Fox)..72.63% 

The  Tough  Guy  (FBO) 72.46% 

Arizona  Sweepstakes  (U) 72.42% 

Chip  Of  The  Flying  U (U) 72.00% 

The  Volga  Boatman  (P.  D.  C.) 72.00% 

The  Magic  Garden  (FBO) 71.91% 

Slide,  Kelly,  Slide  (M-G-M) 70.41% 

Flesh  And  The  Devil  (M-G-M) 69.62% 

The  Winning  Of  Barbara  Worth  (U.  A.)  ....69.43% 

Let's  Get  Married  (Par) 69.38% 

The  Bat  (U.  A.) 69.36% 

The  Sea  Beast  (WB) 69.30% 

The  Overland  Stage  (F.  N.) 68.86% 

The  Gentle  Cyclone  (U) 68.81% 

Ella  Cinders  (F.  N.) 68.8070 

The  Son  Of  The  Shiek  (U.  A.) 68.387o 

Tin  Hats  (M-G-M) 68.367o 

The  Quarterback  (Par) 67.967o 

The  Unknown  Cavalier  (F.  N.) 67.8l7o 

A Regular  Scout  (FBO) 67.56% 

The  Scarlet  Letter  (M-G-M) 67.507o 

The  Scarlet  West  (F.  N.) 67.4070 

The  Campus  Flirt  (Par) 67.l07o 

The  Last  Frontier  (P.  D.  .C.) 66.787o 

Sea  Horses  (Par) 66.407o 

The  Four  Horsemen  (M-G-M) 66.307o 

Three  Bad  Men  (Fox) 66.05% 

The  Black  Pirate  (U.  A.) 65,947o 

Man  Of  The  Forrest  (Par) 65.097o 

Senor  Daredevil  (F.  N.) 63.097o 

The  Devil  Horse  (P) 64.69% 

We're  In  The  Navy  Now  (Par) 64.537o 

His  Secretary  (M-G-M) 64.507o 

Up  In  Mabel's  Room  (P.  D.  C.) 64.447o 

The  Kid  Brother  (Par) 64.377o 

The  Night  Cry  <W.  B.) 64.337o 

Corporal  Kate  (P.  D.  C.) 64.207o 

The  Phantom  Bullet  (U) 64.187o 

Hands  Across  The  Border  (FBO) 64.167o 

Across  the  Pacific  (W.  B.) 64.07% 

For  Heaven's  Sake  (Par) 63.457o 

Skinner's  Dress  Suit  (U) 62.847o 

Little  Annie  Rooney  (U.  A.) 62.837o 

Twinkletoes  (F.  N.) 62.627o 

That's  My  Baby  (Par) 62  427o 

The  Understanding  Heart  (M-G-M) 62.367o 

War  Paint  (M-G-M) 62.307o 

Brown  Of  Harvard  (M-G-M) 61.967o 

Lone  Hand  Saunders  (FBO) 61.857o 

The  Man  In  The  Saddle  (U) 61.687o 

Tramp,  Tramp,  Tramp  (F.  N.) 61.007o 

The  Buckaroo  Kid  (U) 60.947o 

The  Texas  Streak  (U) 60  507o 

Under  Western  Skies  (LI) 60.097o 

Behind  The  Front  (Par) 59.947o 

Tony  Runs  Wild  (Fox) 59.787o 

The  Teasel  (U) S9.507o 

Sweet  Daddies  (F.  N.) 59.3l7o 

The  Two  Gun  Man  (FBO) 39.237o 

The  Waning  Sex  (M-G-M) 59.1l7o 

Wild  To  Go  (FBO) 59.09% 

The  Silent  Rider  (U) 59.007o 

The  Temptress  (M-G-M) 58  927o 

The  Flaming  Forest  (M-G-M) 58.837o 

The  Red  Mill  (M-G-M) 58.81% 

The  Rainmaker  (Par) 58.807o 

His  People  (U) 58.6l7o 

The  Palm  Beach  Girl  (Par) 58.27% 

The  Dark  Angel  (F.  N.) 58  237o 

Sally,  Irene  And  Mary  (M-G-M) 58.097o 

Clash  Of  The  Wolves  (W.  B.) 57.75% 

Private  Izzy  Murphy  (W.  B.) 57.007o 

Winners  Of  The  Wilderness  (M-G-M) 56.927o 

The  Flaming  Frontier  (U) 56.857o 

Old  Clothes  (M-G-M) 56.69% 

Forever  After  (F.  N.) 56.66% 

Rolling  Home  (U) 56.58% 

Canyon  Of  Light  (Fox) 56.547o 


Upstage  ( M-G-M  ) 56.477o 

Mike  (M-G-M) 56.457o 

Mantrap  (Par) 56.387o 

The  Flying  Horseman  (Fox)  56.337o 

Forlorn  River  (Par) 56.167o 

The  Wilderness  Woman  (F.  N.) 56.167o 

It  Must  Be  Love  (F.  N.) 56.1l7o 

Kid  Boots  (Par) 55.957o 

Wild  Justice  (U.  A.) 55.867o 

Born  To  The  West  (Par) 55.457o 

Stranded  In  Paris  (Par) 55.337o 

Subway  Sadie  (F.  N.) 55.257o 

The  Return  Of  Peter  Grimm  (Fox) 55.207o 

The  Johnstown  Flood  (Fox) 55.087o 

The  Unknown  Soldier  (P.  D.  C.) 55.007o 

Prisoners  Of  The  Storm  (U) 54.947o 

Men  Of  Steel  (F.  N.) 54.927o 


How  It  Works 

Suppose  your  average  daily  gross  on  your 
record  attraction  was  $50.  That  would  he 

100  per  cent,  or  the  basis  on  which  to  fig- 
ure your  percentages  for  THE  BOX  OF- 
FICE TICKER.  The  following  is  illustrative 
of  this  system .' 

$50.00 

49.50 

i007o 

49.00 

Q8o'/° 

48.50 

97% 

48.00 

96% 

47.50 

95% 

47.00 

46.50 

Q lo/j 

46.00 

92% 

45.50 

45.00 

on% 

44.50 

soo/g 

44.00 

88% 

43.50 

87% 

43.00 

42.50 

85% 

42.00 

41.50 

R ^% 

41.00 

82% 

40.50 

81% 

40.00 

80% 

39.50 

79% 

39.00 

38.50 

77% 

38.00 

37.50 

75% 

37.00 

36.50 

73% 

36.00 

72% 

35.50 

71% 

35.00 

34.50 

34.00 

68% 

33.50 

67% 

33.00 

32.50 

32.00 

0/^ 

31.50 

63% 

31.00 

30.50 

30.00 

29.50 

59% 

29.00 

58®/o 

28.50 

28.00 

56% 

27.50 

5 5% 

27.00 

26.50 

26.00 

25.50 

1 0° 

25.00 

Kf\o/ 

24.50 

2lO0/° 

24.00 

2lH% 

23.50 

47% 

23.00 

Her  Big  Night  (U) 54.247o 

The  Greater  Glory  (F.  N.) 54.007o 

The  Country  Beyond  (Fox) 53.9l7o 

Hero  Of  The  Big  Snows  (W.  B.) 53.907o 

The  Road  To  Mandalay  (M-G-M) 53.90yo 

Variety  (Par)  53.817o 

What  Happened  To  Jones  (LI) 53.627o 

Breed  Of  The  Sea  (FBO) 53.177o 

Kosher  Kitty  Kelly  (FBO) 53.177o 

Aloma  Of  The  South  Seas  (Par) 52.787o 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (Col) 52.727o 

Tin  Gods  (Par) 52.7l7o 

The  Barrier  (M-G-M) 52.687o 

The  Midnight  Sun  (U) 52.687o 

Poker  F'aces  (U) 52.357o 

Paradise  (F.  N.) 52.257o 

The  Arizona  Streak  (FBO) 52.007o 

Let  It  Rain  (Par) 51.707o 

Eagle  Of  The  Sea  (Par) 51.637o 

The  Prince  Of  Pilsen  (P.  D.  C.) 51.607o 

Say  It  Again  (Par) 51.25% 

The  Ice  Flood  (U) 50.937o 

Bred  In  Old  Kentucky  (FBO) 50.907o 

The  Runaway  Express  (U) 50.827o 

Miss  Nobody  (F.  N.) 50.477o 

One  Minute  To  Play  (FBO) 50.447o 

The  Wanderer  (Par) 50.367o 

Hogan's  Alley  (W.  B.) 50.257o 

Mare  Nostrom  (M-G-M) 50.227o 

Sparrows  (U.  A.) 50.117o 

Padlocked  ( Par  ) 49.087o 

The  Million  Dollar  Handicap  (P.  D.  C.) 49.827o 

Her  Honor  The  Governor  (FBO) 49.767o 

The  Show  Off  (Par) 49.737o 

Stepping  Along  (F.  N.) 49,50% 

The  Ancient  Highway  (Par) 4,9,40% 

Hair  Trigger  Baxter  (FBO) 49,40% 

Battling  Butler  (M-G-M) 40.90'% 

Spangles  (U) 48.727o 

The  Blue  Eagle  (Fox) 48.667o 

Faust  (M-G-M) 48.607o 

Whispering  Smith  (P.  D.  C.) 48-457o 

Desert's  Toll  (M-G-M) 48.267o 

There  You  Are  (M-G-M) 48.147o 

The  New  Commandment  (F.  N.) 48.087o 

The  Waltz  Dream  (M-G-M) 47.757o 

The  Still  Alarm  (U) 47.507o 

Take  It  From  Me  (U) 41.50% 

Tumbleweeds  (U.  A.) 41.00% 

Wet  Paint  (Par) 46.8l7o 

Love  'Em  And  Leave  'Em  (Par) 46.727o 

Midnight  Lovers  ( F.  N.) 46.50% 

Paradise  For  Two  (Par) 45.777o 

The  New  Klondike  (Par) 45.607o 

The  Brown  Derby  (F.  N.) 45.4l7o 

So’s  Your  Old  Man  (Par) 45.257o 

The  Marriage  Clause  (U) 45.137o 

The  Border  Sheriff  (U) 45.00% 

Ladies  At  Play  (F.  N.) 44  82% 

Partners  Again  (U.  A.) 44.257o 

The  Blind  Goddess  (Par) 43.887o 

A Little  Journey  (M-G-M) 43.467o 

Bigger  Than  Barnums  (FBO) 43.277o 

Blarney  (M-G-M) 43.237o 

The  Old  Soak  (U) 45.01% 

Bardclys  The  Magnificent  (M-G-M) 42.737o 

Fine  Manners  (Par) 42.697o 

The  Duchess  Of  Buffalo  (F.  N.) 42.457o 

Hold  That  Lion  (Par) 42.287o 

Everybody’s  Acting  (Par) 42.187o 

La  Boheme  (M-G-M) 41.957o 

Fig  Leaves  (Fox) 4\.90% 

Fascinating  Youth  (Par) 41.807o 

The  Love  Thief  (U) 40.90% 

The  Canadian  (Par) 40.19% 

Miss  Brewster’s  Millions  (Par) 40.19% 

The  Wise  Guy  (F.  N.) 39.837o 

The  Cat's  Pajamas  (Par) 59.09% 

Nell  Gwyn  (Par) 37.5l7o 

Into  Her  Kingdom  (F.  N.) 56.90% 

Steel  Preferred  (P.  D.  C.) 34.707o 

The  Magician  (M-G-M) 54  42% 

The  Great  Gatsby  (Par) 54.00% 

Perch  Of  The  Devil  (U) 33.277o 

You'd  Be  Surprised  (Par) 31.927o 

Don  Juan's  Three  Nights  (F.  N.) 30.80% 

The  Amateur  Gentleman  (F.  N.) 50,21% 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 


Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


The  Recognized  N ational  Classified  Advertising  Medium 


I 

I 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANISTS — Thoroughly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Buren  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 


ORGANIST  WANTS  LOCATION;  Ten  years 
experience  in  best  theatres.  Cue  to  perfection. 
Feature  song  novelities  and  specialties.  Satis- 
faction guaranteed.  Address  Musician,  612  North 
Roosevelt,  Bloomington,  Illinois. 


OPERATOR  AND  ELECTRICIAN  with  ten 
years  experience.  Married.  Wants  steady  job. 
Address  Operator,  920  W.  1st  Street,  Cedar  Falls, 
la. 


EXPERIENCED  PROJECTIONIST  and  repair 
man  desires  connection  with  theaVe  or  supply 
house  where  good  work  is  appreciated.  Refer- 
ences on  request.  Address  V.  J.  Groetzinger,  779 
Looney  Avenue,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


VIOLINIST:  Brilliant  tone.  Wife  pianist. 

Pictures  tunefully  cued  with  orchestra  or  as 
team.  Large  Library.  State  salary.  Address 
Violinist,  1435  Clybourn  Avenue,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Wanted 


AM  LOOKING  FOR  A THEATRE  in  town  any 
size  up  to  20,000,  that  has  been  built  against  op- 
position, and  now  finds  itself  on  the  wrong  side 
of  the  ledger.  I am  strictly  a small  town  man 
and  can  make  your  place  pay.  I am  big  enough 
to  invest  some  money  if  desired.  Write  me 
fully  what  you  are  up  against.  Will  lease  or 
come  on  salary.  Address  W.  H.  Brenner,  Win- 
chester, Indiana. 


THEATRE  WANTED  in  good  town  of  3,000  or 
over.  State  proposition  in  first  letter.  We  have 
cash.  Am  ready  to  talk  business.  Address  W- 
A.  Clark,  Jr.  Havana,  Illinois. 


Theatre  For  Sale 


THEATRE  FOR  SALE  in  Dayton,  Ohio.  250 
seats.  Building  rents  for  $50.00  per  month.  Good 
location  and  complete  equipment.  Price  very  rea- 
sonable. Address  John  C.  Stout,  College  Corner, 
Ohio. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS:  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
3x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet,  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


WANTED:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


FOR  SALE:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos, 
Slides,  Banners,  and  other  kinds  of  Accessories 
on  any  subject,  new  or  old — regardless.  Save 
60%.  Write  for  order  blanks  and  price  list.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  & Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post- 
paid. Samples.  Address  Sollidays,  E.  H.,  124, 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HEADS, 8}4xll,  and  100  6)4  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS;  Fac- 
tory rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


ONE  REPRODUCO  PIPE  ORGAN  _ FOR 
SALE.  Used  two  months.  Like  new,  with  20 
rolls  of  music.  Can  be  played  by  hand  or 
automatic.  Reason  for  selling  just  installed  a 
large  organ.  Terms  third  down,  balance  in  one 
year.  Will  be  glad  to  show  this  organ  to  you. 
Write  Garber  & Bennett,  Rialto  Theatre,  Pekin, 
Illinois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built 
for  a purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best 
of  resuts  and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph 
Spratler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICrrURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  thea- 
tres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 

■>  I’  . 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtmn 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


WANTED  TO  BUY  350  upholstered  chairs,  20 
inch.  Must  be  first  class  seats.  Address  Strand 
Theatre,  921  Main  Street,  Grinnell,  la. 


WE  ARE  IN  THE  MARKET  for  100  used  pro- 
jectors, any  make,  for  which  we  will  pay  highest 
cash  prices.  Address  Box  199,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


FOR  SALE:  Seeburg  Electric  piano.  Out 
about  a year.  In  dandy  shape.  Must  sell  to 
make  room  for  Organ.  Address  Wm.  S.  Whit- 
field, Crystal  Theatre,  Pern  Nebraska. 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES."  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing  500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


JUST  FORECLOSED  MORTGAGE  on  follow- 
ing equipment.  Will  sacrifice.  4 used  Motio- 
graph Machines,  complete,  with  motors,  $150 
each.  Two  used  Compensarcs,  $30  each.  432 
new  Opera  Chairs,  used  3 months,  $2  each,  cost 
$3.75  each.  All  now  in  a Theatre  in  Southeast 
Missouri.  Also  have  two  Powers  6B  with  mo- 
tors and  two  Simplexs  motor  driven,  perfect 
condition,  piaranteed,  $375  each,  228  new  he'a;^ 
Opera  Chairs,  17  inch,  $2.75  each,  never'  tiseo, 
regular  price  $4.20  each.  Some  Screens,  Geiillta- 
tors  and  Arc  controls  at  bargain  pricesi  'Must 
turn  these  articles  into  cash  immediately.  ’ Ad- 
dress S.  Lears,  3759  Pine  Grove  Avenue,  Chica'go, 
Illinois.  . i . . 


August  20,  1927 


51 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

*‘What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

*‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information.  ® 

Address:  What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Columbia 

THE  TRUTHFUL  SEX:  Special  cast— 23%. 
Augr.  1.  Just  an  average  program  picture.  No 
kicks.  Six  reels. — D.  A.  Kooker,  Happy  Hour 
theatre,  Ewen,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

FBO 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— 98%. 
July  23.  The  Thomson  pictures  were  slipping  with 
me  when  along  comes  “A  Regular  Scout”  which 
nearly  meets  the  largest  house  record  in  years 
held  by  Hoot  Gibson.  This  picture  pleased.  A 
great  picture  for  Boy  Scouts.  Seven  reels. — 
W.  L.  Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis, — 
Small  town  patronage. 

LADDIE:  Special  cast — 90%.  July  19.  This  is 
a fine  family  story.  A story  every  one  in  the 
family  will  enjoy,  but  sad  in  places.  Good 
enough  for  any  house.  Don’t  be  afraid  to  step 
on  it,  it  will  please.  Nine  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen, 
Scenic  theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

RED  HOT  HOOFS:  Tom  Tyler— 80%.  June  22. 
A very  good  Western  with  lots  of  action  and 
Tom  and  his  pals  are  well  liked  here.  Five  reels. 
. — B.  B.  Nielsen.  Scenic  theatre,  Tyler,  Minn.— 
General  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— 80%. 
June  25.  Pretty  good  picture,  but  not  what  I 
expected.  Not  so  good  as  some  of  his  pictures, 
but  good  for  Boy  Scouts.  Seven  reels. — B.  B. 
Nielsen,  Scenic  theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — General 
patronage. 

THE  GORILLA  HUNT:  Ben  Burbridge— 75%. 
June  11-12.  Eduactional.  Good  enough  for  spe- 
cial for  school  children.  I got  it  too  late  for  our 
school.  Five  reels. — V.  E.  Chamberlin,  Cham- 
berlin theatre,  Elkhorn,  Neb. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

HER  HONOR  THE  GOVERNOR:  Pauline 
Frederick — 75%.  July  10.  Very  good  family  stoiT- 
It  is  a story  that  will  appeal  to  eveiT  moviegoer. 
Good  acting.  Good  for  Sunday.  Film  in  good 
condition.  Seven  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen,  Scenic 
theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

TERROR  OP  BAR  X:  Bob  Custer— 50%.  July 
23.  Good  Western  and  did  average  business  for 
Saturday.  Custer  is  good  drawing  star  for  me. 
Five  reels. — B.  D.  Luna,  Cozy  theatre.  Wagoner, 
Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 

SILVER  KING  COMES  HERE:  Fred  Thomson 
. — 32%.  July  9.  This  star  and  horse  draw  the 
children  and  many  adults,  too.  It  is  above  the 
average  Western  picture.  Six  reels. — D.  A. 
Kooker,  Happy  Hour  theatre,  Ewen,  Mich. — Small 
town  patronage. 

HER  FATHER  SAID  NO:  Special  oast— 27%. 
Aug.  3.  An  amusing  comedy-drama  which  pleased 
immensely.  Seven  reels. — D.  A.  Kooker,  Happy 
Hour  theatre,  Ewen,  Mich. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  OUTLAW  DOG:  Ranger— 20%.  July  9. 
For  a dog  picture  this  is  a dandy,  and  if  your 
patrons  like  this  kind  of  picture  boost  this  one. 
Good  story  and  plenty  of  action.  Five  reels. — 
E.  D.  Luna,  Cozy  theatre.  Wagoner,  Okla. — -Small 
town  patronage. 

MAN  RUSTLING:  Bob  Custer— 10%.  Aug.  3. 
Not  as  good  as  some  of  his  previous  pictures  I 
played,  but  fair  for  small  town.  Five  reels. — 
R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
ia  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  49. 




HAIR  TRIGGER  BAXTER:  Bob  Custer— Aug, 
6.  A good  CuBter  picture  which  pleased  his  fans. 
Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre* 
Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOING  THE  LIMIT:  George  O’Hara — Aug.  2. 
Ran  this  on  our  “Two  for  One”  night.  Patrons 
difisatisfied.  Film  fair.  Five  reels. — Ivy  D.  Ar- 
nold, Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  GREAT  MAIL  ROBBERY;  Special  cast— 
July  31-Aug,  1.  The  first  of  the  new  FBO,  and 
if  the  rest  of  them  are  half  as  good  we’ll  be  sat- 
isfied. This  has  everything,  mystery,  love,  action 
and  thrills  galore.  The  picture  has  been  dedi- 
cated to  Colonel  Lindbergh,  which  helps  the  B.  O. 
Playerl  it  against  the  strongest  competition,  a 
tentfihow,  and  almost  broke  house  record. — J.  J. 
Hoffman,  Plainview  theatre,  Plainview,  Neb. — 
General  patronage. 

CALIFORNIA  OR  BUST:  George  O’Hara— 
July  23.  This  is  George’s  best  picture  and  pleased 
all  who  saw  the  picture.  Unable  to  get  adver- 
tising to  put  out.  Five  reels. — Robert  W.  Hines, 
Hines  theatre,  Loyalton,  S.  D. — General  patron- 
age. 

A REGULAR  SOOUT : Fred  Thomson — June 
16,  A very  good  picture.  Real  entertainment  for 
every  one.  Six  reels. — A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  the- 
atre, Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — Small  town  patronage. 

LIGHTNING  LARIATS:  Tom  Tyler — A good 
Western.  Tom  and  his  pals  are  always  a good 
drawing  card  here,  especially  for  children,  but 
■yvorth  what  you  pay  for  it.  Five  reels. — B,  B. 


Nielsen,  Scenic  theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — General 
patronage. 

PRINCE  OF  PEP:  Richard  Talmadge— Very 
good.  Sure  pleased  the  youngsters.  Five  reels, 
— E.  A.  Emmert,  Emmert  theatre,  Alcester,  S.  D, 
— General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— July 
24-25.  Beautifully  done.  Its  drawing  power  will 
sui’prise  you.  Even  against  a dizzy  roadshow  I 
packed  ’em  in.  Get  it  and  advertise  Gene  Strat- 
ton Porter’s  name  like  a circus.  Seven  reels. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theati’e,  Neillsville^ 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON  MIKE:  Fred  Thomson — The  adults  like 
this  and  the  kids  cheered  it.  Good  business. — 
Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THAT  DEVIL  QUEMADO:  Fred  Thomson— 
Thomson  always  goes  good  here.  Five  reels. — 
E.  A.  Emmert,  Emmert  theatre,  Alcester,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

First  National 

NOTORIOUS  LADY:  Lewis  Stone— 90%.  Auff. 
28.  This  is  a picture  they  all  seem  to  enjoy.  It 
is  the  adventure  kind  that  everybody  seems  to 
like.  Give  us  more  like  this,  Lewis,  Eh  ? Eight 
reels. — C.  R.  Shuttlewor.th,  Princess  theatre, 
Waynesboro,  Miss, — General  patronage. 

THE  DARK  ANGEL:  Special  cast— 80%.  July 
16.  A wonderful  picture  which  did  good  busi- 
ness and  had  many  good  comments.  First  Na- 
tional have  some  good  pictures  and  .sure  are  rea- 
sonable with  the  small  town  exhibitor. — W.  L. 
Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — Smalt 
town  patronage. 

WINDS  OF  CHANCE:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— 65%. 
July  30.  Personally  I think  picture  great  and  had 
a divided  opinion  among  patrons  on  this  picture, 
but  I think  length  was  against  it  for  a hot  sum- 
mer night,  being  a little  draggy  in  places.— W.  L. 
Campbell,  Alert  theatre,  Steuben,  Wis. — Smalt 
town  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 60%. 
Aug.  4.  Boy.  it’s  just  as  good  ae  they  make  ’em. 
Believe  me,  that  is  a horseback  riding  thing.  Go 
after  this  one.  Seven  reels. — C.  R.  Shuttle- 
worth,  Princess  theatre,  Waynesboro,  Miss. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

CONVOY:  Special  cast— 50%.  July  31-Aug.  1. 
A good  picture  for  entertainment,  but  if  it  had 
not  been  for  Old  News  Reels,  it  would  hardly 
have  been  a special. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
Theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  SEA  TIGER:  Milton  Sills— 50%.  June  IS. 
Good  picture.  One  of  Sills’  best.  Picture  pleased 
100  per  cent.  Has  a fight  that  will  stand  ’em  up. 
Seven  reels. — E.  D.  Luna,  Cozy  theatre.  Wagoner, 
Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 

SENOR  DAREDEVIL:  Ken  Maynard— 19%. 
Aug.  2.  This  boy  is  good,  and  if  they  keep  him 
in  good  stories  he’ll  be  a good  Western  bet.  This 
one  is  O.  K. — ^Roy  W.  Adams,  Pastime  theatre. 
Mason.  Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

IT  MUST  BE  LOVE:  Colleen  Moorc^30%. 
July  31.  Just  fair  program  picture.  Not  as  good 
as  ‘‘Ella  Cinders.”  Will  do  good  where  they  like 
Colleen  but  not  for  me.  She  just  won’t  register 
no  matter  what  she  plays.  Bight  reels. — R.  Duba, 
Royal  theatre.  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Johnny  Hines— 30%.  July 
27.  Very  good  comedy.  Our  patrons  all  seemed 
to  enjoy  it.  Eight  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


SAMUEL  ^ERLER 

■p  presents^ 

NYOIIR 

WIFE 


'•‘anelj 


❖ 


MINE 


Delightful  farce  - comedy 
of  married  life,  grandly 
played  by 

Phyllis  Haver 


1 

9 

2 


Stuart  Holmes 
Wallace  MacDonald 
Barbara  Tennant 
Katherine  Lewis 

Directed  by 

Frank  O’Connor 


7 

2 

8 


PICTURES 
COI^POR^TION 


SAMUEL  l\m.^VK^fnsichI 

U t • Y O K- 


THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— 30%,  July  22,  This  seeme  to  be  the  day  for 
Westerns,  and  while  Maynard  is  new  to  my  pa- 
trons, he  pulls  good  under  the  circumstance. 
Picture  was  very  good.  Six  reels. — D.  A.  Kooker, 
Happy  Hour  theatre,  Ewen.  Mich. — ^Small  town 
patronage. 

WE  MODERNS:  Colleen  Moore— 25%.  July 
22-23.  We  thought  this  a good  show,  but  our 
Saturday  crowd  likes  a Western  in  preference  to 
any  other,  so  the  receipts  were  little  below  aver- 
age. Seven  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kim- 
ball, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
24%.  July  18.  Very  good  Western  done  in  a big 
way.  This  boy  is  sure  to  make  the  rest  of  the 
Western  stars  step.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THREE  HOURS:  Corinne  Griffith— 20%.  A 
good  star  in  a vei*y  poor  story.  This  picture 
failed  to  draw  and  did  not  please  those  that 
came.  Seven  reels. — E.  D.  Luna,  Cozy  theatre. 
Wagoner,  Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 

MIDNIGHT  LOVERS:  Special  cast— 15%.  Aug. 
2.  Just  a program  picture.  Satisfied  50-50. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

LADIES  AT  PLAY:  Dons  Kenyon— 5%.  July 
27.  It  was  all  play  and  I myself  thought  it  good. 
Plenty  of  comedy  and  the  ladies  sure  had  the 
men  going.  Doris  always  good,  but  she  is  bet- 
ter in  heavy  parts  than  she  played  in  this  one. 
Seven  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

WHITE  PANTS  WILLIE:  Johnny  Hines— 
Aug.  5-6.  Plenty  of  laughs  in  this  and  the  crowd 
liked  it.  Last  reel  in  technicolor  and  very  well 
done.  Film  new.  Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold, 
Cresco,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  SUNSET  DERBY:  Special  cast— Aug.  5-6. 
Very  pleasing  little  picture.  Five  reels. — H.  E. 
Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— Aug.  4-5.  Boys,  this  bird  is  the  ridin’  fool  and 
if  he  doesn’t  break  his  neck  in  the  near  future 
he  will  be  a good  bet  for  all  of  us.  He  rides 
’em  high,  wide  and  handsome  and  also  upside 
down.  Whoopseel  All  the  paper  on  these  May- 
nard’s is  of  the  very  best  draw-em-in  kind.  Seven 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neiils- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

JUST  ANOTHER  BLONDE:  Dorothy  Mackail 
— July  31-Aug.  1.  Clever  little  program  picture. 
Airplane  wreck  in  it  is  very  good  and  helps  put 
the  picture  over.  Also  some  good  shots  of  Luna 
Park  (or  rather  a studio  setup  of  it).  Pleased. 
Seven  reels.— Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  NOTORIOUS  LADY:  Lewis  Stone— July 
31,  Good  picture  and  seemed  to  draw  fairly  well. 
Six  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

ALL  ABOARD:  Johnny  Hines— July  29-30. 
Pretty  good,  but  not  as  good  as  former  Hines 
picture.  Six  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre, 
Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

EASY  PICKINGS:  Anna  Q.  Nilsson— July 
26-27.  A clever  little  crook-mystery  picture. 
Pleased.  Six  reels.- — ^Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

ALL  ABOARD:  Johnny  Hines — July  23.  An 
average  Hines  comedy.  Probably  not  as  good  as 
many  of  his  former  ones.  It  got  several  laughs 
and  for  those  that  like  comedy  it  will  go  over 
fairly  well.  Seven  reels. — H.  J.  Eagan,  American 
theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  Maynard— 
July  22-23.  Good  Western,  as  are  all  Maynard’s. 
Six  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  IN  SONORA:  Ken  Maynard— 
July  21-22.  Boys,  if  any  of  you  have  been  hesi- 
tating about  this  fellow  don’t  wait  any  longer  but 
step  right  out  and  grab  him  at  the  earliest  op- 
portunity. He’s  a ridin’  fool  with  a dandy  per- 
sonality. His  horse,  Tarzan,  while  probably  not 


August  20,  1927 

as  good  as  Silver  King,  is  good.  A very  good  pic- 
ture filled  with  action  and  beautiful  scenery.  Out 
of  11  billion  Westerns  I have  run  this  is  the 
first  one  I recall  that  did  not  depict  the  Mexicans 
in  the  picture  as  a lot  of  dirty,  back-stabbing 
greasers.  It  is  quite  a relief.  In  fact,  in  my 
giddy  travels  pretty  much  around  this  mundane 
sphere  I have  found  that  there  are  decent  people 
regardless  of  the  country  in  which  you  happen 
to  be.  I have  had  Jamaican  negroes  working  for 
me  whose  hearts  were  bigger  and  whiter  than  a 
lot  of  Caucasian  reprobates  I might  mention  and 
whose  only  claim  to  being  human  was  the  fact 
that  the  good  Lord  put  a white  skin  on  ’em,  al- 
though he  left  their  hearts  hard  and  black. — 
Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsrille, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Special  cast^When 
these  two  babies  get  together  there  is  always 
something  doing,  both  at  the  box  office  and  on 
the  screen.  A knockout  that  pleased  everybody. 
Good  business.  Eight  reels. — Hollis  M.  Chase, 
Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa.  Mich. — Genera 
patronage. 

PRINCE  OF  HEAD  WAITERS:  Special  cast— 
Friend  Lewis  finally  has  been  furnished  a good 
story  and  part.  I have  shown  his  pictures  for 
about  eight  years  and  when  he  was  in  N.  W.  M. 
police  parts  went  over  fine,  but  the  frothy  jazz 
stories  sicken  patrons  and  it  has  been  this  star’s 
fate  to  be  kept  in  that  type  of  story  for  many 
moons.  I would  like  to  see  Lewis  in  a i>art 
such  as  Monte  Blue  had  in  "Hands  Across  the 
Pacific”  and  he  knows  the  customs  of  that  coun- 
try well. — Seven  reels. — ^H.  J.  Longaker,  State 
theatre.  Alexandria.  Minn. — General  patronage. 

FOR  THE  LOVE  OF  MIKE:  Special  cast— A 
dandy  show.  One  you  should  give  extended  run 
as  it  will  satisfy  more  patrons  than  all  the  spec- 
tacular so-called  specials.  Go  after  this  one  and 
hear  the  patrons  praise  it.  Seven  reels. — 'H.  J. 
Longaker,  State  theatre.  Alexandria,  Minn. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

MIDNIGHT  LOVERS:  Special  oast— A very  de- 
lightful and  entertaining  comedy.  Lots  of  pep, 
and  titles  rather  risque,  but  my  audience  liked 
it  immensely.  ’These  two  stars  make  a great  hit 
together.  Eight  reels. — ^A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  thea- 
tre. Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — ^General  patronage. 

SECRETS:  Norma  Talmadge — ’They  seem  to 
like  this  one  very  well. — Ernest  Vetter.  Majes- 
tic theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

WINDS  OF  CHANCE:  Special  cast— A good 
Northern  picture  that  seemed  to  please  the  ma- 
jority.— Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

Fox 

THE  LAST  TRAIL:  Tom  Mix— 82%.  Aug.  5-6. 
My  highest  percentage  for  the  season,  thanks  to 
Tom  Mix  and  Zane  Grey,  the  winning  combina- 
tion. Plenty  of  action  here,  the  kind  of  story 
the  Mix  fans  like. — Roy  W.  Adams.  Pastime  thea- 
tre. Mason,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

LOVE  MAKES  ’EM  WILD:  Special  cast— 72%. 
July  15-16.  Clever  comedy  drama  from  Post 
story,  “Willie  the  Worm.’’  Six  reels. — P.  G. 
Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WOMANPOWER:  Special  cast-^0%.  July  29. 
A good  program  picture.  Good  satisfaction. — ■ 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

WINGS  OF  THE  STORM:  Reed  Howes— 10%. 
Aug.  5-6.  Well,  boys,  here  is  a good  picture  of 
its  kind,  but  did  not  register  for  me,  so  write 
your  own  ticket.  Dog  pictures  always  please  and 
this  is  a good  one.  Entertainment  better  than 
average  and  plenty  of  action  and  thrills. — R. 
Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — ^General  pat- 
ronage. 

WAR  HORSE:  Buck  Jones— «%.  July  26. 
Good  worth-while  and  entertaining  picture,  but 
we  should  have  real  Westerns  and  that’s  all  the 
people  expect  when  they  go  to  see  Buck  Jones. 
Five  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball. 
S.  D. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  TIMBER  WOLF:  Buck  Jones— July  23. 
A good  Buck  picture.  As  it  was  a big  timber 
picture  it  would  have  been  improved  considerably 
if  it  had  shown  more  scenes  of  big  timber.  Six 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf.  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THREE  BAD  MEN : Special  cast — July  5-6. 
Played  this  two  days  to  good  business,  and  al- 
though it  is  not  as  big  as  ‘"rhe  Covered  Wagon,’’ 
it  is  a mighty  interesting  production.  We  did 
not  raise  admission'  on  it  and  am  glad  of  it. 
Nine  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre, 
Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MUSIC  MASTER:  Alec  B.  Francis — Eight 
reels  of  slow  motion  that  didn’t  mean  a thing  at 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


LINCOLN,  NEB.,  AUGUST  7,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

Two  events  of  national  importance  have  transpired  within  the  week  that  will 
go  down  in  history  as  the  outstanding  events  of  1927.  Cal  has  declined  to  run 
for  president  in  1928  and  Grasshopper  Sprague  of  Goodland,  Kan.,  has  awakened 
from  his  Rip  Van  Winkle  slumber,  and  now  there  will  he  “Hell  on  the  Wahash” 
from  now  on. 

I knew  all  along  that  after  Cal  had  got  to  catching  those  trout  in  the  Black  Hills 
no  persuasion  on  earth  would  induce  him  to  take  that  president’s  joh  for  another 
term.  The  hest  way  in  the  world  to  cure  a man  from  wanting  to  he  president  is 
to  locate  him  on  a trout  stream  up  there  with  a can  of  worms  and  a bucket  of  ice 
water.  I can’t  see  what  a man  wants  with  that  president  job  anyway.  He  has  to 
wear  a stiff  collar  and  a silk  hat  and  has  to  entertain  the  Mrs.  De  Puysters  and 
shake  hands  with  a lot  of  Counts,  Dukes  and  Senator  Pollywoog  and  his  wife  and 
do  a lot  of  other  folderroll  stuff,  which  is  all  tommyrot,  when  he  might  be  enjoy- 
ing life  by  one  of  the  trout  holes  in  the  Black  Hills.  Bet  Cal  will  spend  every 
remaining  summer  up  there  with  a fish  pole  and  a soft  shirt  and  forget  that  he  ever 
signed  an  international  treaty  or  commissioned  Bill  Jones  as  minister  to  Joplin. 
My  hat  is  off  to  Cal.  He’s  got  better  judgment  than  I thought  he  had,  and  now  if 
they  will  send  A1  Smith  out  there  with  a fish  pole  and  a can  of  worms  and  keep 
Herb  Hoover  back  in  Washington  the  country  will  be  safe  anyhow. 

Clara  and  I started  for  the  Hills  to  visit  Cal  but  got  only  as  far  as  Hay  Springs, 
Neb.,  where  we  ran  into  the  mud.  I was  driving  along,  minding  my  own  busi- 
ness, when  all  at  once  Clara  wheeled  at  left  angles  across  the  grade  and  ran  head 
first  down  into  the  ditch  before  I could  head  her  off.  She  had  been  acting  omary 
ever  since  we  started  for  Cal’s  wigwam,  and  I’m  betting  she  is  a democrat  and  that’s 
why  she  didn’t  want  to  go.  Anyhow,  we  had  75  miles  to  travel  over  those  soft 
soap  hills  and  deep  canyons  so  I humored  Clara  and  turned  around  and  headed  for 
Missouri  and  landed  here  in  Lincoln  for  Sunday.  Cal  will  be  disappointed,  I know, 
but  what  is  a fellow  to  do  when  he  is  driving  a prejudiced,  temperamental  car  like 
that?  I am  sorry,  for  I wanted  to  initiated  Cal  into  the  HERALD  family  as  well 
as  show  him  some  good  trout  holes. 

The  Herald  Fills  a/  Want  None  Others  Do 

It  seems  that  Grasshopper  Sprague’s  20-year  nap  didn’t  improve  his  disposition  a 
particle.  He  tore  loose  with  a tirade  about  Clara’s  disposition  in  a slanderous  man- 
ner that  calls  for  a public  apology. 

He  says  I had  to  put  15  gallons  of  gas  in  her  tank,  which  was  true,  but  he  failed 
to  state  that  of  the  thousands  of  miles  we  have  traveled,  his  town  was  the  first 
place  where  the  gas  had  been  siphoned  out  of  the  tank  while  standing  in  front  of 
the  hotel.  You  have  got  to  watch  those  Kansas  people,  I found  that  out  to  my 
sorrow.  For  instance,  there  is  C.  A.  Spanhour  and  Sherm  Ihde,  but  then,  I haven’t 
any  positive  proof  against  them.  Only  my  suspicions. 

He  spoke  of  their  golf  course  as  having  “velvety  fairways.’’  Yes,  I played  that 
course  and  found  that  it  has  something  else.  It  has  rattlesnakes  in  such  abundance 
that  when  a Sunflower  Jake  drives  a ball  out  in  the  rough  he  leaves  it  there  until 
winter.  That’s  why  they  keep  so  much  rattlesnake  antedote  on  hand  all  the  while. 
You  can  tell  a Goodland  golfer  by  the  way  his  hip  pocket  bulges  out. 

Well,  he  has  come  to  life  and  the  whole  fraternity  will  welcome  him  back  to  the 
fold  with  open  arms,  provided  he  brings  his  own  corkscrew,  which  he  no  doubt  will, 
but  he  has  got  to  apologize  to  Clara. 

— The  Herald  Fills  a,  Want  None  Others  Do 

Hey,  there,  you  New  Hampton,  la.,  guy  who  runs  the  Firemen’s  theatre,  what 
do  you  mean  that  Billie  won  that  “Beauty  Contest?”  Don’t  you  know  you  can’t 
go  behind  the  returns?  Bill  counted  those  votes,  and  Bill  isn’t  eross-eyed.  How  do 
you  figure  that  a minority  candidate  is  entitled  to  first  honors?  Don’t  you  know 
that  Bill  declared  that  Clara  and  Norma  tied?  Billie  should  have  had  a campaign 
manager. 

The  Horald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

It  looks  like  that  animated  correspondence  between  Thelma  and  “Fishy”  Phil 
had  come  to  a sudden  demise.  Sorry  about  this,  for  it  promised  something  inter- 
esting. Wonder  if  Mrs.  Rand  got  hep? 

Phil  charges  me  with  claiming  the  championship  in  the  HERALD’S  cross-country 
classic  by  default.  Of  course  I did.  I had  a right  to.  Clara  and  I were  the  only 
entries  here  ready  to  start.  Why  shouldn’t  we  claim  it?  Besides  that  all  those 
huckelberry  pies  and  fried  chicken  went  to  waste.  Yes  sir,  there  is  a blue  ribbon 
tied  to  Clara’s  bowsprit  and  a certified  award  by  the  judges  pasted  on  her  mezza- 
nine deck.  She’s  the  winner  of  that  famous  classic  and  there  is  no  getting  away 
from  that  now.  Besides  that  we  want  to  thank  Mrs.  Rand  for  her  kind  invitation 
to  come  out  there  and  eat  a dozen  or  so  of  her  huckelberry  pies.  We  will  do  that  I 

(Continued  on  next  page)  j 


August  20,  1927 

the  box  office.  Moving  pictures  really  ought  to 
move. — Roy  W.  Adame,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  BRONCHO  TWISTER:  Tom  Mix— All  the 
above  were  good  Mix  type  features.  We  are  not 
getting  the  attendance  on  Mix  that  some  of  the 
Western  stars  get. — D.  J.  Kulaszewicz,  Rex  thea- 
tre. Bessemer,  Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

MARRIED  ALIVE:  Special  cast — People 
walked  out  on  this  picture.  Much  complaint  on 
the  pictures  of  this  company. — D.  J.  Kulaszewicz, 
Rex  theatre,  Bessemer,  Mich. — 'General  patron- 
age. 

THE  CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— Good. 

■ — D.  J.  Kulaszewicz,  Rex  theatre,  Bessemer, 
Mich. — General  pa(tronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— This 
one  wasn’t  up  to  the  Mix  standarde,  but  will  do 
for  the  Saturday  night  crowd.  Mix  does  some 
unreal  stuff,  and  if  he  keeps  this  up  he  will  be 
unpopular  in  a short  time.  Come  out  of  it,  Tom, 
and  give  us  some  real  stuff. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace 
theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— Good 
picture,  but  no  drawing  card  for  us. — A.  C.  Betts. 
Powers  theatre.  Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FAMILY  UPSTAIRS:  Special  cast— Very 
good  comedy  drama.  Fair  business. — Ernest  Vet- 
ter, Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small  town 
patronage. 

DESERT  VALLEY : Buck  Jones — The  best  pic- 
ture in  a long  while. — F.  G.  Roberts,  American 
theatre,  Ada,  Okla. — General  patronage. 

THE  LAST  TRAIL:  Tom  Mix— Good.— D.  J. 
Kulaszewicz,  Rex  theatre,  Bessemer,  Mich. — ^Gen- 
eral patronage. 

SUMMER  BACHELORS:  Madge  Bellamy— 
Can’t  see  where  they  get  that  special  stuff.  I 
ran  hundreds  of  program  pictures  that  are  as 
good  as  this.  The  picture  should  stand  some 
censoring,  too.  Will  expect  the  Fox  salesman 
to  apologize  next  time  he  calls.  Eight  reels. — ■ 
Hollis  M.  Chase,  Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa, 
Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

HEAVEN  ON  EARTH : Special  cast — 30%, 
July  24.  'This  is  a nice  little  story  and  pleased 
generally,  but  failed  to  attract  usual  business. 
Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rai- 
nier. Ore. — General  patronage. 

TWELVE  MILES  OUT:  John  Gilbert— Aug. 
7-8.  Gilbert  has  had  so  many  flops  here  that  this 
was  a pleasant  surprise.  Was  very  well  liked 
here.  A lot  of  action  and  some  comedy.  Ernest 
Torrence  and  Joan  Crawford  very  good.  Eight 
reels. — J.  J.  Hoffman,  Plainview  theatre.  Plain- 
view.  Neb. — ^General  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— A 
very  good  picture.  Marion  Davies  always  draws 
good  here.  Not  much  action  to  them,  but  it’s 
good  clean  stuff.  Seven  reels. — ^Hollis  M.  Chase, 
Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies — ^One 
of  these  smart  working  girl — poor  man — rich  man 
comedies.  Nothing  to  write  home  about,  but  will 
please.  For  an  unknown,  the  man  who  played 
Penny  Fish  was  particularly  good.  All  of  the 
oast  does  good  work.  George  Fawcett  is  well 
oast  as  Simpkins,  and  George  K.  Arthur  as 
Whipple  was  good.  Matt  Moore  would  do  well 
to  leave  the  mustache  off  pennanently. — ^M.  B. 
Russell,  Community  House,  Benton  City,  Mo. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  MURPHYS:  Special 
Cast — A most  decidedly  rough-neck  comedy. 
'The  Irish  love  and  fight  and  get  drunk  and  make 
up.  If  your  patrons  like  this  kind,  all  right. 
Mine  don’t.  They  laughed,  then  roasted  me  after 
the  show.  There  are  one  or  two  decidedly  off- 
color gags  in  this  that  might  have  been  elimi- 
nated. Why  can’t  Metro  make  their  comedies 
clean? — M.  B.  Russell,  Community  House,  Ben- 
ton City,  Mo. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  MURPHYS:  Special 
cast — A knock  down,  drag  ’em  out  comedy  that 
pleased  ail  who  are  not  too  churchified.  The 
beer  drinking  contest  was  surely  funny,  but  not 
too  good  for  children  to  see.  Seven  reels. — Hollis 
M.  Chase,  Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

FLAMING  FOREST:  Antonio  Moreno — ^This  is 
a very  good  Western  picture  with  a real  Indian 
fight  that  keeps  the  audience  on  its  toes  during 
the  whole  show.  The  technicolor  is  good.  Picture 
portrays  the  hardships  that  our  forefathers  en- 
countered.— F.  A.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridan, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

HIS  SECRETARY : Norma  Shearer — Now,  fel- 


low exhibitors,  here  is  what  we  call  a real  pic- 
ture with  a superb  cast  and  pretty  Norma  Shearer 
goes  over  in  this  100  per  cent.  It  is  a true  to 
life  picture  from  beginning  to  end.  To  see  a 
beautiful  woman  like  Norma  take  a part  like 
she  does  in  this  just  before  she  goes  to  the  beauty 
shop  is  refreshing  because  most  artists  who  are 
good  looking  do  not  care  to  assume  the  comely 
role,  but  Norma  emerges  from  this  disguise  in 
wonderful  Shape.  If  Aimee  with  her  goggles 
could  do  a part  like  this  she  might  have  gotten 
away  with  that  hokum  kidnapping  story.  Brother 
exhibitors  here  is  one  picture  in  a thousand  and 
you  can  step  on  this  to  the  limit  and  if  the  people 


go  in  it’s  a cinch  that  you  can  expand  around 
the  chest  line  as  the  people  go  out.  'They  will 
leave  with  a satisfied  feeling  that  is  evident  from 
the  smiles  on  their  faces.  Story  consistent,  film 
in  fine  shape,  good  cast,  fine  photography  and 
what  more  can  we  poor  janitors  ask.  Seven  reels. 
— ^Glacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — General  patronage. 

UPSTAGE : Norma  Shearer — ^A  most  enjoy- 

able little  picture,  even  though  Norma  is  not 
present  in  an  admirable  light.  Oscar  Shaw  is 
good.  Why  can’t  we  have  more  of  him  ? — M.  B. 
Russell,  Community  House,  Benton  City,  Mo. — 
Small  town  patronage. 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


J,  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Contimied  from  preceding  page) 

if  we  can  get  there  without  going  through  Goodland,  Kan.,  for  we  are  going  to  shy 
that  burg  from  this  on. 

The  Herald  Fills  a/  Want  None  Others  Do 

That  boy,  Fred  B.  Witt  of  the  Orpheum  at  Shell  Rock,  la.,  says  that  when  I left 
there  I took  the  wrong  road.  Of  course  I did,  he  told  me  to  “follow  the  main  high- 
way” and  I did,  hut  “the  main  highway”  took  me  west  when  I should  have  gone 
north.  He  was  anxious  to  get  me  out  of  town,  that’s  what  was  the  matter  with  him, 
hut  I may  go  back  some  day  and  then  we  will  settle  the  matter.  Until  then  I am 
going  to  say  that  he  is  like  all  the  other  Iowa  boys,  a 100  per  cent  plus. 

The  Herald  Fills  a-  Want  None  Others  Do 

In  the  August  6 number  of  the  HERALD  we  read  this  headline: 

20  PRODUCERS  PLEDGE  HAYS  TO  TAKE  OBJECTIONABLE  FEATURES 

FROM  FILMS 

Hollywood,  Aug.  2. — Twenty  leading  producers  have  pledged  themselves  to 
omit  profanity,  ridicule  of  the  clergy,  salacious  billboard  advertising,  jokes 
on  prohibition  and  the  Washington  administration,  following  a campaign 
started  by  Rev.  Dr.  C.  T.  MacLean,  father  of  Douglas  MacLean,  actor. 

GOOD.  Thank  the  Lord  and  Rev.  MacLean  for  that,  but  why  do  they  pledge 
Hays?  Why  not  pledge  the  exhibitors  and  the  public;  they  have  been  yelling  for 
that  for  years.  The  exhibitors  will  be  glad  to  know  that  they  have  pledged  some- 
body something,  and  here’s  hoping  Dr.  MacLean  will  hold  ’em  to  it,  but  the  exhibi- 
tors are  from  Missouri  and  I will  be  there  this  week  myself. 

The  Herald  Fills  a/  Want  None  Others  Do 

In  the  same  issue  of  the  HERALD  Ray  Murray  advises  the  readers  that  all 
branches  of  the  industry — excepting  the  exhibitors — have  kissed  and  made  up  and 
that  the  lambs  and  lions  are  now  contentedly  grazing  in  the  same  pasture  with  not 
a cloud  in  sight.  That  the  question  of  curtailment  in  production  cost  had  been 
settled.  Fine  business!  HURRAH!  But  since  product  is  higher  this  year  than  it 
was  last,  and  since  it  was  higher  last  year  than  it  was  the  year  before  the  exhibitors 
are  going  to  inquire  where  they  will  expect  to  herd  the  goats. 

The  Herald  Fills  a,  Want  None  Others  Do 

I presume  I have  been  asked  no  less  than  a thousand  times  by  that  many  exhibi- 
tors  if,  in  my  opinion,  the  public’s  interest  in  pictures  is  waning,  and  to  answer 
this  question  as  I have  seen  it,  would  be  somewhat  discouraging,  for  it  is  evident 
that  there  is  a general  apathetic  tendency  toward  picture  entertainment  wherever  I 
go.  There  are  reasons  for  this — as  there  are  for  all  things — and  to  give  my  opinion 
of  the  reasons  would  no  doubt  subject  me  to  adverse  criticism,  and  I would  prob- 
ably be  branded  as  an  ignoramus. 

The  major  reason  for  the  growing  indifference  of  the  public  toward  picture  enter- 
tainment lies  in  the  quality  of  the  present-day  product. 

Today  the  public  is  fed  up  on  “organization”  pictures,  and  if  you  want  to  know 
what  I mean  by  “organization”  pictures,  turn  to  Mr.  Quigley’s  editorial  in  the 
August  6 issue  of  the  HERALD  under  the  caption,  “Disturbing  Signs,”  and  mark 
the  closing  paragraph,  which  reads: 

“Generally  speaking,  the  pictures  now  being  made  are  organization  pictures.  In- 
dependent effort  in  production  has  practically  been  eliminated.  It  may  be  found 
that  the  industry  has  become  so  well  ‘organized’  that  there  is  no  longer  room  for 
that  kind  of  individual  creative  effort  which  in  the  past  tnade  most  of  the  good  pic- 
tures and  practically  all  of  the  great  ones.” 

Better  read  that  paragraph  again.  It  is  well  worth  committing  to  memory,  for 
Mr.  Quigley  could  not  have  stated  a truth  more  clearly  had  he  written  volumes  on 
the  subject. 

“Qrganization”  is  what  the  large  producing  concerns  had  in  mind  when  they 
formulated  the  Uniform  Contract,  the  Film  Boards  of  Trade,  and  the  Block  Booking 
system,  each  dove-tailed  together  complete  the  “organization”  and  thereby  “inde- 
pendent effort  in  production”  has  been  forced  out  of  the  production  field  by  the 
tying  up  of  the  screens  of  the  country  under  the  block  booking  system.  It  was  a 
long-headed  move  and  it  is  working  perfectly,  and  when  “organization”  controls  the 
product,  quality  suffers  and  prices  advance,  always. 

There  are  other  reasons  for  the  growing  indifference  of  the  public  toward  pic- 
tures, but  space  will  not  permit  reciting  them  here,  but  I might  add  that  one  of 
the  reasons  is  the  attempt  of  the  producers  to  control  the  exhibition  end  of  the 
business.  The  public  is  wise  to  this,  don’t  think  it  isn’t,  and  it  is  adverse  to  being 
exploited. 

Some  years  ago  the  writer  attended  the  Cleveland  convention  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A. 
and  you  delegates  who  were  in  attendance  will  remember  that  Marcus  Loew,  from 
the  rostrum  of  the  convention  hall,  pledged  the  convention  that  Metro  would  not 
only  cease  acquiring  theatres  but  would  dispose  of  what  it  already  owned.  Has  this 
pledge  been  kept?  Ask  Marcus,  he  knows.  Warnings  have  been  sounded  time  and 
time  again  by  the  HERALD,  but  they  have  evidently  fallen  on  deaf  ears.  There  will 
be  a shake-up  some  day  and  the  public  will  be  at  the  shaking. 

J.  C.  JENKINS. 

The  HERALD  Man. 


THE  UNKNOWN : Lon  Chaney — They  won’t 
walk  out  on  thi.s,  but  they  probably  won’t  like 
it.  Personally,  I enjoyed  it,  but  patrons  said  it 
was  too  gruesome.  Tod  Browning  can  always  be 
depended  upon  to  give  you  an  unusual  story. 
Excellent  work  by  the  cast.  Joan  Crawford  is 


striking. — M.  B.  Russell,  Community  House,  Ben- 
ton City,  Mo. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Joan  Craw- 
ford— For  me  the  book  lost  most  of  its  charm 
in  the  screen  translation,  but  one  who  hasn’t 
read  the  book  is  almost  sure  to  enjoy  it.  ’That 


likeable  actor,  Rockcliffe  Fellowes,  did  good  work, 
as  did  Joan  Crawford.  What  happened  to  Will 
Hays  edict  regarding  the  treatment  of  prohibi- 
tion. Metro  certainly  forgot  it  in  this. — M.  B. 
Russell,  Community  House,  Benton  City,  Mo. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  DEMI-BRIDE ; Norma  Shearer  — Not 
nearly  so  smart  and  funny  as  “Miss  Bluebeard,’’ 
Bebe  Daniels’  somewhat  similar  picture  of  about 
two  years  ago.  Nevertheless,  a good  picture. 
Cody  does  good  work,  but  I think  that  some  of 
my  patrons  would  have  preferred  that  they  hadn’t 
made  Norma  quite  so  silly  in  the  beginning  of 
the  picture. — ^M.  B.  Russell,  Community  House, 
Benton  City,  Mo. — -Small  town  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SLIDE : William  Haines — July 
24-26.  Very  good,  but  did  not  do  so  well  at  the 
box  office.  Public  do  not  seem  to  care  for  base- 
ball pictures  here.  Eight  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield, 
Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  WANING  SEX:  Special  cast — ’This  pic- 
ture will  furnish  your  patrons  with  some  good 
wholesome  entertainment.  The  attempts  of  the 
husband  to  get  ahead  of  the  wife  and  the  ou1> 
comes  of  these  show  definitely  who  is  the  wan- 
ing sex.  It  has  nothing  of  what  the  title  sug- 
gests. Thanks  to  Metro  for  this  one. — F.  R. 
Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — 'General 
patronage. 

JOHNNY  GET  YOUR  HAIR  CUT:  Jackie 
Coogan — This  one  will  go  over  big  with  kids  as 
well  as  the  grown  folks.  The  kid  looks  like  a 
real  kid  now  with  his  hair  cut.  The  story  is 
based  on  the  race  track  and  the  hard  times  that 
the  little  fellow  has  and  the  clever  way  he  comes 
out  of  it  wins  the  heart  of  all  that  saw  it. — 
F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  WANING  SEX:  Special  oast — ’This  is  a 
clever  and  clean  comedy.  Pleased  my  audience. — - 
A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  theatre.  Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — 
General  patronage. 

Paramount 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Qara  Bow— 98%. 
July  18.  Considered  this  nearly  as  good  as  “It.” 
Drew  well  on  a hot  night.  Six  reels. — ^P.  G. 
Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix — 84%.  July  31. 
Our  patrons  thought  this  was  good.  A typical 
Dix.  patterned  somewhat  on  the  old  Wallace  Reid 
style.  Six  reels. — P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre, 
Parker,  S.  D. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOD  GAVE  ME  TWENTY  CENTS:  Special 
cast — 75%.  June  26.  Fairly  good,  but  not  a spe- 
cial, as  it  was  supposed  to  be,  but  I think  worth 
the  price.  Eight  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen,  Scenic 
theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — ^General  patronage. 

TIME  TO  LOVE:  Raymond  Griffith — 71%.  July 
29-30.  Expected  something  fairly  good  as  “Wed- 
ding Bills.”  Had  nothing  except  pointless  non- 
sense. 'Those  who  like  Griffith  satisfied,  but  Para- 
mount seem  determined  to  kill  this  star.  Five 
reels. — P.  G.  Estee.  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix— 70%.  July  23. 
A fine  program  picture.  Did  fine  business  on 
this.  Fine  and  clear  photography.  Good  for  any 
night.  Five  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen,  Scenic  thea- 
tre, Tyler,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

BORN  TO  THE  WEST:  Jack  Holt— 70%.  Best 
business  on  this  picture.  Pleased  very  well.  Some 
said  it  was  Jack’s  best.  Seven  reels. — Robert  W. 
Hines,  Hines  theatre,  Loyalton,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jock  Holt— 65%.  A 
typical  Zane  Grey  story  well  acted  and  produced. 
Story  old  but  very  satisfactory  program  offering. 
Six  reels. — W.  W.  Peine,  American  theatre, 
Minier,  111. — General  patronage. 

ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS:  Gilda  Gray 
— 60%.  July  2-3.  ’This  is  a good  program  picture. 
Nothing  extra.  Just  classed  as  a common  every- 
day ran.  May  please  my  house  and  make  a com- 
plete flop  in  yours.  Nine  reels. — C.  R.  Shuttle- 
worth.  Princess  theatre,  Waynesboro,  Miss. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— 50%. 
This  picture  was  not  up  to  the  standard  of  the 
Lloyd  pictures,  although  it  furnished  some  good 
entertainment.  'The  comedy  situations  are  very 
good.  The  monkey  is  real  good  and  will  get  a 
laugh. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  BLIND  GODDESS:  Special  cast— 40%. 
Aug.  3-4.  One  of  the  most  entertaining  pictures 
we  ever  played.  We  played  too  old  to  get  ex- 
penses out  of  it,  but  satisfied  100  per  cent. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


Ugh!  Wamp! 


They  look  like  brother  and  sister,  but  they  are  not.  This  is  the  HERALD  man  and 
Princess  Tora.  Her  tribal  title  is  “Princess  Tor-a-Hole-in-Her-Sock,”  but  we  called 
her  Tora  for  short.  The  HERALD  man  had  to  pay  her  15  cents  to  pose  for  this 
picture,  but  it  was  worth  it. — J.  C.  J. 


August  20,  1927 

A KISS  IN  A TAXI:  Bebe  Daniels— 31%.  July 
25.  Dandy  good  comedy  that  pleased  generally. 
Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre,  Rain- 
ier. Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  ENCHANTED  HILL:  Jack  Holt— 30%. 
July  12.  Good  Western  that  pleased.  Six  reels. 
— D.  A.  Kooker,  Happy  Hour  theatre,  Ewen, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW:  Special  cast— 
30%.  Aug.  6.  Judging  from  the  laughter  I should 
say  this  pleased  half  the  audience.  Had  few  com- 
ments and  did  not  see  enough  of  it  myself  to 
form  an  opinion.  Some  thought  it  too  silly  to 
be  funny.  Percentage  does  not  count  for  much 
because  there  was  a picnic  at  the  county  seat. 
12  miles  away,  and  a railway  excursion  out  of 
town  that  took  a lot  of  our  folks.  Six  reels. — 
Clarence  E.  Hopkins,  Hopkins  theatre.  Cotter, 
Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

SAY  IT  AGAIN:  Richard  Dix— 28%.  July  17. 
Can’t  recommend  this  very  highly.  Dix  has  made 
many  better  pictures. — ^D.  A.  Kooker,  Happy 
Hour  theatre,  Ewen,  Mich. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

MANNEQUIN:  Special  cast— 25%.  July  27-28. 
A very  fine  picture.  Playing  it  old  not  many 
saw  it,  but  satisfied  those  that  did. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — ^General 
patronage. 

FINE  MANNERS:  Gloria  Swanson — 25%.  July 
31.  Very  fair  picture,  but  did  not  draw.  Six 
reels. — 'D.  A.  Kooker,  Happy  Hour  theatre,  Ewen, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith— 21%. 
July  20.  This  ie  good  comedy  but  didn’t  pull 
average  business.  Our  people  don’t  eeem  to  take 
to  this  class  of  entertainment.  Six  reels. — 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

FINE  MANNERS:  Gloria  Swanson— 20%.  July 
24.  Good  show,  and  to  my  estimation  the  title 
was  followed  well,  but  Oh!  how  i>oor  a title  to 
draw  any  business.  Worst  business  for  last  12 
months  on  Sunday,  and  Gloria  at  that,  so  good- 
by  Gloria,  this  is  the  last  one  I have  and  I am 
glad.  too.  Seven  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kimball,  S.  D. — ^General  patronage. 

CHILDREN  OF  DIVORCE:  Special  cast— Aug. 
7-8.  The  general  comment  was,  “A  good  enough 
picture,  but  I didn’t  like  it.”  ’They  do  not  want 
Clara  in  death  scenes.  Film  excellent.  Seven 
reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. 
— General  patronage. 

BEAU  GESTE:  Special  cast — Aug.  5-6.  In  a 
class  with  the  biggest  specials  of  the  last  few 
years.  Intensely  interesting,  thrilling,  exciting. 
Gets  your  interest  at  the  outset  and  holds  it  to 
the  last  fade-out.  Better  than  I expected  it 
would  be.  Many  favorable  comments.  Had  lots 
of  opposition  and  still  got  by.  Ten  reels. — -H.  J. 
Eagan,  American  theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

NEW  YORK:  Rioardo  Cortez — ^Aug.  3-4.  This 
failed  to  get  over  with  our  crowd.  Business 
flopped  hard  on  second  night.  Film  fair.  Seven 
reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold.  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. 
— General  patronage. 

ROLLED  STOCKINGS:  Special  cast- Aug.  1-2. 
Excellent  satisfaction  to  very  fair  business  for 
summer  time. — 'Fred  E.  Johnson,  Colonial  theatre, 
Cambridge,  O. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  SHOW  OFF:  Special  oast — July  30.  This 
pleased  most  everyone.  Refined  people  thought  it 
silly.  Personally  think  it  good  enough  for  small 
town.  Good  business.  Seven  reels. — Robert  W. 
Hines,  Hines  theatre,  Loyalton,  S.  D. — ^General 
patronage. 

TIME  TO  LOVE:  Raymond  Griffith — .Tuly  27-28. 
Fair  satisfaction,  but  Griffith  does  not  mean  any- 
thing here.  He  has  so  many  poor  pictures  that 
our  people  won’t  buy  him  anj'  more. — Fred  E. 
Johnson,  Strand  theatre,  Cambridge,  O. — General 
patronage. 

ROLLED  STOCKINGS:  Special  cast — ^July  24. 
A good  peppy  college  comedy  drama  that  pleased 
the  young  folks  immensely.  Seven  reels. — H.  J. 
Eagan,  American  theatre,  Wautoma,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

TIN  GODS:  ’Thomas  Meighan — July  19-20.  A 
very  good  picture  ruined  with  a terrible  and  dis- 
appointing end.  I believe  every  one  in  the  audi- 
ence wanted  it  to  end  other  than  it  did.  Nine 
reels. — ^Wm.  E.  ’Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

STARK  LOVE : Special  cast — A dandy  picture 
and  we  can  use  more  like  it.  It  is  A-1  for  satis- 
fying patrons.  One  wonders  why  more  people 
from  backwoods  district  are  not  used.  They  do 
their  stuff. — H.  J.  Longaker,  State  theatre,  Alex- 
andria, Minn. — General  patronage. 


FIREMAN,  SAVE  MY  CHILD:  Special  cast— It 
seemed  to  get  the  laughs  and  as  usual  this  team 
satisfied  all  who  were  in  to  see  it.  Some  of  the 
episodes  were  of  very  slap  stick  type. — H.  J. 
Longaker,  State  theatre,  Alexandria,  Minn. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  WHIRLWIND  OF  YOUTH:  Lois  Moran 
— Good  comedy.  Young  people  like  it  fine.  Good 
for  any  night.  Six  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen,  Scenic 
theatre,  ’Tyler,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

THE  ACE  OF  CADS:  Adolphe  Menjou — This 
picture  was  rightly  named,  for  the  picture  is  a 
cad  as  far  as  being  a good  picture.  It  is  silly 
in  places  and  in  the  other  places  it  is  worse. 
Mr.  Menjou  hasn’t  made  a good  picture  that  has 
been  really  enjoyed. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre. 
Meridian,  Tex. — Geneml  patronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN : Douglas  MacLean — This  is  one 
that  you  can’t  go  wrong  on.  It  was  picked  as 
the  Blue  Ribbon  special  for  a month  in  Texas  for 
the  best  entertainment  for  the  month.  Mr.  MacLean 
sure  does  his  stuff  on  this  one.  It  is  a good  com- 
edy that  pleases  all. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre. 
Meridian,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt — This  is  a very 
good  show  and  will  please  100  per  cent.  Good 
action  picture  and  with  true  Western  style  that 
makes  Mr.  Holt  the  best  Western  star  that  Para- 
mount has.  Has  some  very  good  comedy  that 
will  be  enjoyed  greatly.  This  is  the  same  stuff 
as  “The  Covered  Wagon.” — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace 
theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  PONY  EXPRESS:  Special  cast— One  of 
the  best  pictures  we  ever  ran.  Ten  reels. — H.  T. 
Nokes,  Elite  theatre,  Nixa,  Mo. — General  patron- 
age. 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN:  W.  C.  Field— Cut  this 
to  five  reels  and  you  would  have  five  reels  of 
snappy,  good,  clean  comedy  that  would  go  over 
with  a whoop,  but  it  drags  in  spots  now,  espe- 
cially the  golf  scene.  ’The  director  fell  down  in 
making  a snappy  good  comedy,  irksome  at  times, 
when  he  could  have  landed  with  this  vehicle  all 
same  Lidy.  Six  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  KID  BROTHER:  Harold  Lloyd— Gave  bet- 
ter satisfaction  than  any  of  his  former  pictures 
here.  Good  story  with  it.  Eight  reels. — H.  T. 
Nokes,  Elite  theatre,  Nixa,  Mo. — ^Generai  patron- 
age. 

THAT’S  MY  BABY : Douglas  MacLean — Good 
comedy.  Seven  reels. — H.  T.  Nokes,  Elite  theatre, 
Nixa,  Mo. — General  patronage. 

RITZY : Betty  Bronson — Very  good  comedy. 
Betty  is  a good  little  star.  Fine  comments  on  it. 
Five  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen,  Scenic  theatre,  Tyler, 
Minn. — General  patronage. 


Pathe 

ATTA  BOY : Monty  Banks — 50%.  Can’t  say 
much  for  this  initial  feature  length  comedy. 
Comments  unfavoi’able.  Six  reels. — W.  W.  Peine, 
American  theatre,  Minier,  111. — General  patronage. 

BUND  MAN’S  BLUFF:  Buffalo  Bill.  Jr.— 20%. 
July  13.  Very  good  little  picture  that  pleased 
my  Western  fans.  Six  reels. — W.  L.  Campbell, 
Alert  theatre.  Steuben,  Wis. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

ALASKAN  ADVENTURES:  Special  cast— As 
a money  getter,  this  is  complete  failure.  At- 
tempted to  boost  its  drawing  power  with  expensive 
short  feature,  but  failed.  Six  reels. — F.  G.  Rob- 
erts, American  theatre,  Ada,  Okla. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FLAMES:  Virginia  Valli — ^Everything  that 

could  be  desired  in  entertainment.  Very  fine  act- 
ing, direction  and  many  beautiful  scenic  shots  of 
Oregon,  where  it  was  taken.  The  story  was  also 
excellent,  as  was  also  the  wonderful  character 
work  by  Jean  Hersholt.  He  sure  brought  the 
laughs  and  was  half  the  show.  You  can’t  go 
wrong,  Mr.  Exhibitor.  Six  reels. — -H.  C.  Mauler, 
Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  MAN  FROM  RED  GULCH:  Harry  Carey 
— July  30.  Drew  a full  house  and  pleased.  Harry 
always  draws  good  for  me  and  when  he  stays  in 
straight  Westerns  he  will  most  always  please  his 
fans.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  thea- 
tre, Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

CALL  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  Sandow  the 
Dog — A good  picture  with  lots  of  action  that 
pleased  the  Saturday  night  fans.  Bought  at  a 
reasonable  price,  too.  Can’t  see  but  what  this 
dog  is  as  good  as  Rinty.  Five  reels. — Hollis  M. 
Chase,  Diamond  theatre.  Lake  Odessa,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  LONG  LOOP  OF  THE  PECOS : Leo  Malony 
— ^Good  Western,  good  for  week  days:  not  so  good 
for  Sunday.  Five  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen.  Scenic 
theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  SKY  RAIDER:  Captain  Nungesser — Now 
that  Nungesser’s  name  is  again  before  the  pub- 
lic you  should  be  able  to  make  a little  money 
on  this,  but  as  I show  mostly  to  rural  people 
that  doesn’t  interest  them  much,  so  made  no 
money.  It  pleased  the  few  that  saw  it  100  per 
cent  though.  I believe  as  many  told  me  how 
good  it  was.  It  is  very  entertaining.  Seven  reels. 
— H.  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MAN  FROM  HARDPAN:  Leo  Maloney- 
Very  good  Western,  with  lots  of  action  and  thrills. 
Good  for  family  nights.  Five  reels. — ^B.  B.  Niel- 
sen, Scenic  theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — General  patron- 
age. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


56 


Preferred 

CAPITAL  PUNISHMENT:  Special  cast— 50%. 
July  29-30.  Just  about  what  you  would  expect 
from  the  title.  Works  up  to  an  impressive  cli- 
max, and  has  some  good  work  in  it,  especially 
by  Clara  Bow  and  George  Hackathorne. — Roy  W. 
Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

Pro-Dis-Co 

FOR  WIVES  ONLY:  Marie  Prevost— 70%. 
July  6.  Very  good  program  picture.  Marie  Pre- 
vost does  good  work.  Film  in  fine  shape.  Six 
reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen.  Scenic  theatre.  Tyler.  Minn. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  YANKEE  CLIPPER:  William  Boyd— 
40%.  July  4-5.  Good  picture  of  the  kind  not 
many  of  my  patrons  care  for.  The  old  historical 
pictures  failed  to  get  much  business.  Paid  too 
much  for  it.  Nine  reels. — E.  D.  Luna.  Cozy  thea- 
tre.  Wagoner.  Okla. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

RUBBER  TIRES:  Special  cast — Aug,  1-2.  Just 
a picture.  Business  bad. — Fred  B.  Johnson, 
Strand  theatre,  Cambridge,  O. — General  i>atron- 
age. 

JEWELS  OF  DESIRE:  Priscilla  Dean — July 
27-28.  Very  ordinary  entertainment,  as  are  most 
of  P D C pictures.  Six  reels, — H.  E.  Rehfield, 
Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

CRUISE  OF  THE  JASPER  B:  Rod  La  Rocque 
— July  20-21,  Poor.  Not  fit  to  be  shown.  A 
shame  to  spend  so  much  money  on  such  a silly 
story.  Six  reels, — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre, 
Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

GETTING  GERTIE*S  GARTER:  Marie  Prevost 
— A very  good  comedy,  but  not  worth  the  price 
we  paid  for  it.  Seven  reels. — B.  B.  Nielsen, 
Scenic  theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

JEWELS  OF  DESIRE:  Priscilla  Dean — Not 
very  good.  Six  reels. — 'B,  B.  Nielsen,  Scenic  thea- 
tre, Tyler,  Minn. — General  patronage. 

Rayart 

LOST  LIMITED:  Reed  Howes — 20%.  Aug.  1-2. 
Very,  very  good  railroad  picture.  It’s  full  of 
action  and  a very  good  train  race  and  a real  wreck 
of  one  of  the  racing  engines  and  the  passenger 
coming  together  head  on.  It’s  good.  I thank 
you,  Reed.  Five  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre, 
Kunball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  WOLF  HUNTERS:  Robert  McKim— One 
more  picture  added  to  total.  Six  reels. — Giacoma 
Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

Tiffany 

COLLEGE  DAYS:  Marceline  Day — 26%,  Aug. 
5.  One  of  the  best  of  the  college  type  of  pic- 
tures. Interesting  all  the  way  through.  Eight 
reels. — D.  A.  Kooker,  Happy  Hour  theatre,  Ewen, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BAREFOOT  BOY  AND  TRAIL  OF  A 
RANGER : Two  single-reel  technicolor  classics 
which  are  a credit  to  any  house.  A dramatic 
stock  player  in  an  opposition  house  made  favor- 
able public  comment  on  “The  Barefoot  Boy”  in 
the  house  organ.  These  color  classics  satisfy  the 
demand  for  something  that  is  different. — Dwight 
Hill,  Superba  theatre,  San  Diego,  Cal.— General 
patronage. 

HUSBAND  HUNTERS:  Special  cast — Good 
business  on  first  run  showing  for  four  days. 
Picture  very  well  liked  by  patrons. — ^Dwight  Hill, 
Superba  theatre,  San  Diego,  Cal. — ’General  patron- 
age. 

JOSSELYN*S  WIFE:  Special  cast — Played 
three  days  first  run  to  better  than  average  busi- 
ness. Star  and  author  responsible  for  the  draw- 
ing power.  Well  produced,  but  patrons*  opinions 
varied — some  favorable,  some  unfavorable.  Should 
prove  a good  bet  in  high  class  neighborhood. — 
Dwight  Hill,  Superba  theatre,  San  Diego,  Cal.— 
General  patronage. 

THE  FIRST  NIGHT:  Special  cast — A fine  pic- 
ture. Nothing  risque.  Good  drawing  title.  Seven 
reels. — A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  theatre.  Red  Creek, 
N.  Y. — General  patronage. 

United  Artists 

THE  BAT:  Special  cast — ^Aug.  2-3.  This  is  a 
mystery-thriller  all  right  and  no  one  can  guess 
who  “The  Bat”  is  until  the  last  few  feet.  Drew 
very  good.  Lots  of  ’em  read  the  book  and  wanted 
to  see  what  it  looked  like  on  the  screen.  Eleven 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 


From  “The  Prince  of  Headwaiters,’" 
First  National  production  starring 
Lewis  Stone  and  directed  by  John 
Francis  Dillon. 

STELLA  DALLAS:  Special  east— July  28-29. 
This  drew  and  pleas^  better  than  I thought  it 
would.  Drew  in  a lot  of  ’em  that  I hadn’t  seen 
for  so  long  that  I thought  they  had  left  town. 
Drew  better  the  second  night  than  “The  Winning 
of  Barbara  Worth.”  Can  you  beat  it?  Nine 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BAT:  Special  cast — ^A  very  good  picture. 
Hard  to  understand,  though.  Too  much  film 
rental.  Played  to  small  crowd.  Bight  reels. — 
A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  theatre,  Red  Creek,  N.  Y. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

Universal 

GRINNING  GUNS:  Jack  Hoxi^80%,  Aug,  5, 
This  Western  seemed  to  get  away  from  the  rest 
just  a little.  It  seems  to  have  the  pep  and 
action  that  the  patrons  like.  Five  reels. — C.  R. 
Shuttleworth,  Princess  theatre,  Waynesboro,  Miss. 
— General  patronage. 

PAINTING  THE  TOWN:  Glenn  Tryon— 66%, 
July  27-28.  Business  light  due  to  aftermath  of 
tentshow.  Picture  was  one  of  the  best  comedy 
dramas  of  the  past  year.  No  exceptions.  Six 
reels. — P.  G.  Estee,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

CHIP  OF  THE  FLYING  U:  Hoot  Gibson— 
60%.  July  23-24,  Good  picture.  Seven  reels. 
— V.  E.  Chamberlin,  Chamberlin  theatre,  Elkhorn, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

GRINNING  GUNS:  Jack  Hoxie— 50%.  July 
30.  A good  action  picture. — Bert  Silver,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

BUTTERFLIES  IN  THE  RAIN:  Special  cast— 
37%.  July  29.  Good  story  and  production  pleased 
generally.  Eight  reels, — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre,  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

ARIZONA  SWEEPSTAKES:  Hoot  Gibson— 
31%.  July  30,  Had  a tentshow  for  competition 
and  they  got  the  crowd.  However,  it  is  just  a 
program  picture  and  nothing  to  go  wild  over. — 
Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  ICE  FLOOD:  Special  cast— 30%,  July 
31-Aug.  1.  They  made  this  several  years  ago 
with  Frank  Mayo.  Made  a good  picture  then, 
and  have  done  better  this  time.  It’s  a good 
action  picture  that  moves  along  briskly. — Roy  W. 
Adams,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

MICHAEL  STROGOFF:  Special  cast— 20%.  A 
big  spectacular  picture  but  did  no  business.  It 
is  a good  production  and  should  go  over  big 
most  places.  Ten  reels. — B.  D.  Luna,  Cozy 
theatre,  Wagoner,  Okla. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

HELD  BY  THE  LAW:  Special  cast — 20%. 
July  29.  Not  much  of  a drawing  card.  Very 
good  picture.  Pleased  about  50  per  cent.  Seven 
reels. — E.  D.  Luna,  Cozy  theatre,  Wagoner,  Okla. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

BLAZING  DAY:  Fred  Humes— 16%.  July  23- 
Fairly  good  Western  program  offering.  Warm 
weather  cut  attendance.  Five  reels. — A.  G.  Wit- 
wer, Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — ^General  pat- 
ronage. 

BUTTERFLIES  IN  THE  RAIN:  Laura  La 
Plante — The  weakest  one  of  this  star’s  I have 


run.  Did  good  business  on  account  of  a vaude- 
ville act,  but  can’t  give  Laura  much  credit. 
Seven  reels, — Hollis  M.  Chase,  Diamond  theatre. 
Lake  Odessa,  Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  FOURTH  COMMANDMENT:  Special 
cast — Very  fine  picture  that  flopped  badly  at  box 
office. — F.  G.  Roberts,  American  theatre,  Ada, 
Okla. — ^General  patronage. 

TAKE  IT  FROM  ME:  Reginald  Denny — ’This 
one  took  my  house  expense  as  well  as  exploitation 
money.  Always  lose  on  Denny,  always. — F,  G. 
Roberts,  American  theatre,  Ada,  Okla. — General 
patronage. 

RANGE  COURAGE:  Fred  Humes — Average 
always  drops  off  about  25  per  cent  when  I play 
this  bird.  Ho,  hum,  he’ll  scK)n  be  off  my  books. 
— F.  G,  Roberts,  American  theatre,  Ada,  Okla. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  RAMBLING  RANGER:  Jack  Hoxie— 
Hoxies  have  been  so  poor  this  year  that  I have 
been  paying  for  them  and  substituting  other  pic- 
tures, but  I was  told  that  this  one  was  good 
so  I played  it,  and  was  not  disappointed.  Neither 
were  the  patrons.  Five  reels. — Hollis  M.  Chase, 
Diamond  theatre,  Lake  Odessa,  Mich. — General 
patronage, 

Warner  Bros. 

THE  SEA  BEAST ; John  Barrymore — 85%. 
July  3-4.  Very  good  sea  picture,  but  a little 
gruesome  in  a few  places  but  fine  acting.  Film 
condition  good.  Good  for  any  night  of  the  week. 
Ten  reels. — 'B.  B.  Nielsen,  Scenic  theatre,  Tyler, 
Minn. — General  patronage. 

WOLF’S  CLOTHING:  Monte  Blue— 25%.  Way 
below  the  star’s  average.  Could  have  been  made 
a wonderful  picture  if  Monte  had  not  got  hit  by 
the  car.  This  mined  the  plot.  Seven  reels. — ■ 
E.  D.  Luna.  Cozy  theatre.  Wagoner.  Okla. — Small 
town  patronage. 

BELOW  ’raE  LINE:  Rin  "Kn  Tin— March  28. 
A mighty  fine  picture.  Business  not  up  to  stand- 
ard. Seven  reels. — ^A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  theatre. 
Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — Small  town  patronage. 

PRIVATE  IZZY  MURPHY:  George  Jessel— A 
clever  war  comedy.  Ran  this  in  my  other  house. 
Seven  reels. — A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  theatre.  Red 
Creek,  N.  Y. — General  patronage. 

CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES:  Rin  Tin  Tin- 
Good.  Rin  Tin  Tin  goes  over  good  here,  and 
this  gave  real  entertainment.  Seven  reels. — H.  T. 
Nokes,  Elite  t’neatre,  Nixa,  Mo. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

CLASH  OF  THE  WOLVES:  Special  cast— A 
very  good  picture.  Good,  clean,  entertaining  and 
clever.  Seven  reels. — A.  C.  Bette,  Powers  theatre. 
Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — General  patronage. 

HOGAN’S  ALLEY:  Monte  Blu^Old  but  good. 
Lots  of  action,  comedy,  etc.  Six  reels. — A.  C. 
Betts,  Powers  theatre,  Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — ^General 
patronage. 

State  Rights 

GOD’S  GREAT  WILDERNESS:  Special  cast— 
Aug,  5-6.  Fair  business, — ’Fred  E.  Johnson, 
Colonial  theatre,  Cambridge,  O. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

TARZAN  AND  THE  GOLDEN  LION:  Special 
east — Good  picture,  but  the  first  Tarzan  picture 
which  failed  to  draw. — A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  thea- 
tre, Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — General  patronage. 

Short  Subjects 

EDUCATIONAL 

RACE  TO  PARIS:  Colonel  Lindbergh— 39%. 
July  22.  Very  well  gotten  up  reel.  Pleased  those 
who  came.  Hot  spell  hurt  attendance.  Two  short 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre,  Rainier,  Ore. 
— General  patronage. 

AUNTIE’S  AUNT:  A good  single  reel. — Ernest 
Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FB  O 

GOING  AGAIN:  Charles  Bowers — Good  com- 
edy but  like  the  first  he  made.  Two  reels. — B.  B. 
Nielsen,  Scenic  theatre,  Tyler,  Minn. — General 
patronage. 

GOING  AGAIN:  Charles  Bowers — Just  fair 
comedy  and  Charley  is  not  going  over  any  more. 
Can’t  satisfy  them  the  right  way.  Two  reels. — 
R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — -General 
patronage. 

LADIES  PREFER  BRUNETTES;  Bill  Grimes 
— This  is  a funny  comedy.  Two  reels. — ^Bert  Sil- 
ver, Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich.- — 
General  patronage. 

LADIES  PREFER  BRUNETTES:  Good  two 
reeler  and  the  boys  are  always  in  trouble  and 


August  20,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


The  Spotlight 


The  Herald  Poetry  Club  is  growing  by 
leaps  and  bounds.  Mr.  N.  J.  Levin  of 
Seattle,  Wash.,  who  wrote  “We  Show- 
men,” published  in  the  last  issue  of  the 
HERALD,  has  proven  to  me  that  as  a 
poet  he  is  a good  exhibitor  and  so  we 
hereby  chalk  up  another  worthy  mem- 
ber to  our  club.  WRITE  US  SOME 
MORE,  MR.  LEVIN. 

^ ^ 

Well,  look  who  we  have  here.  The 
old  Grasshopper  himself  from  Kansas. 
Say,  Mr.  Sprague,  I’m  glad  you  have 
emerged  from  your  cocoon.  I think  you 
have  the  low-down  on  J.  C.  Jenkins  and 
I am  pleased  that  you  enlightened  your 
brother  exhibitors  about  him.  Now 
about  where  you  met  me.  Well,  it  wasn’t 
on  Pike’s  Peak  or  the  Canary  Islands. 
But  if  I remember  rightly  you  were 
sober.  Now  if  you  can  just  recall  that 
peculiar  instance  then  you  have  it.  (Say, 
“Hop,”  old  boy,  who  was  it  started  this 
stain  on  your  manly  character  of  your 
efficiency  with  the  cork  screw  and  the 
habit  of  inebriation?)  I’d  not  stand  for 
it! 

* * * 

There  isn’t  much  to  inspire  one  to 
poetry  in  Kansas,  but  if  Mr.  Sprague  will 
write  us  a piece  of  poetry  we  will  take 
that  fact  into  consideration  and  we  are 
sure  he  will  be  allowed  membership  in 
our  club.  C’mon,  “Hop,”  we  dare  you 
to  pour  forth  some  jingles. 

* * * 

I heard  a rumor  the  other  day,  that  J.  C. 
is  going  to  remodel  Clara.  On  account 
of  his  becoming  so  portly  he  is  going  to 


have  to  move  the  driver’s  seat  back  far- 
ther in  order  that  there  will  be  room 
enough  for  comfort.  As  it  is  he  Ims  to 
hold  his  breath  in  order  to  fit  in  the  seat 
any  more,  and  when  one  holds  one’s 
breath  for  50  miles  one  is  apt  to  burst. 
But  then  J.  C.  is  a pretty  good  guy  for 
the  shape  he  is  in.  (SOME  SHAPE,  if 
you  ask  me.)  If  you  want  to  see  a like- 
ness of  him  look  in  your  picture  book 
and  find  a frog. 

^ ^ 

Oh,  yes,  speaking  of  poetry  reminds 
me.  Here  are  a few  verses  that  came  to 
me  while  I was  giving  our  pet  poodle  his 
bath.  Aren’t  they  lovely? 

/ went  to  a movie  the  other  night. 

I’ll  be  blamed  there  wasn’t  a single  fight. 
There  were  clinches,  strangle  holds — such 
thrilling  scenes 

And  half-dressed  women  in  crepe  de 
chines. 

No  hair-raising  fistfights  or  gory  struggles. 
But  that  film  was  full  of  close-ups  of 
snuggles. 

This  sickening  stuff  may  get  by  okay. 
But  I think  it’s  punk — what’s  that  you 
say? 

That  I’m  too  old  to  appreciate  such? 
That  may  be,  but  I’ll  tell  you  this  much — 
If  such  trash  gave  me  one  single  thrill, 
I’d  know  what  I needed  was  a camel  pill. 
Ain’t  it  the  truth.  Jay! 

ADELINE  FURTHER. 

W ATCH  THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
TO  MAKE  YOUR  BANK  ROLL 
THICKER!!! 


seem  to  come  out  all  right.  Two  reels. — R.  Duba, 
Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

TON  OF  FUN : This  comedy  got  the  laughs, — 
Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

GALLOPING  GHOSTS : Special  casl^  Won- 
derful ! Children  went  wild  with  this.  Two 
reels. — E.  A.  Emmert,  Emmert  theatre,  Alcester, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

EGGED  ON : Special  cast — Sure  gets  the 

youngsters.  Also,  everyone  felt  good  after  seeing 
this  one.  None  better.  Two  reels. — E.  A.  Em- 
mert, Emmert  theatre,  Alcester,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

WISE  CRACKERS:  These  comedies  are  about 
the  poorest  of  all  the  F B Q series.  Two  reels. 
— B.  D.  Luna,  Cozy  theatre,  Wagoner,  Okla. — 
Small  town  patronage, 

FOX 

BIG  BUSINESS:  Very  good  comedy  in  this 
one  and  it  sure  made  good  filler.  Two  reels. — 

R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball.  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

MARY  MONTH  OF  MAY:  Plenty  of  excite- 
ment and  fun.  Two  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

FOX  NEWS:  No.  68.  Contains  the  Lindbergh 
hopoff.  Very  interesting.  One  reel. — A.  C.  Betts, 
Powers  theatre,  Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  LYING  TAMER:  A fine  comedy.  Clever 
trained  lion,  real  comedy.  Two  reels. — A.  C. 
Betts,  Powers  theatre.  Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — General 
patronage. 

COMPLETE  LIFE;  I find  this  comedy  very 
clever.  Our  first  of  these  series.  Two  reels. — 
A.  C.  Betts,  Powers  theatre.  Red  Creek,  N.  Y. — 
General  patronage. 

MADAM  DYNAJHITE:  A good  two  reel  comedy. 
— Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. 
— ^Small  town  patronage. 

BATTLING  KANGAROO:  Aug.  3,  This  is 
an  extra  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

PATHE 

IT*S  A GIFT:  Snub  Pollard — Very,  very  good 
reissue  comedy  of  a few  years  ago.  Brought 
more  laughs  than  a dozen  two  reel  comedies 
made  today  all  in  one  reel.  One  reel. — H.  C. 
Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — ^Small 
town  patronage. 

HARVEST  HANDS:  Paul  Parrot — Funny 

beyond  words.  Lots  of  funny  gags.  These  re- 
issues are  not  so  old  but  what  they  can  be 
played  to  a good  advantage.  Try  'em.  One 
reel. — H,  C.  Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton, 
Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

TAKE  THE  AIR:  Paul  Parrot — ^Mark  up  an- 
other good  laugh  producer  from  Pathe.  Two 
reels  of  fun  in  one.  One  reel. — C.  Mauler, 
Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  BIG  IDEA;  Snub  Pollard — Another  very 
good  reissue  from  Snub.  One  reel. — H.  C. 
Mauler,  Liberty  theatre,  Pleasanton,  Neb. — -Small 
town  patronage. 

LONG  LIVE  THE  KING:  Charles  Chaso-Good 
entertainment  helped  along  considerably  by  Max 
Davidson  but  title  about  two  feet.  Two  reels. 
— H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron.  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

ICE  COLD  COCOA:  Billy  Bevan — Good,  al- 
though getting  tired  of  Bevan.  Two  reels. — H.  E. 
Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. — ^General 
patronage. 

PASS  THE  DUMPLINGS:  Alice  Day^ust 
fair.  Two  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre. 
Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

PLAIN  CLOTHES:  Harry  Langdon — Just  fair. 
Not  as  good  as  usual.  Two  reels. — H.  E.  Reh- 
field. Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D.— General  pat- 
ronage. 

GHOST  OF  FOLLY  i Alice  Day — ^Better  than 
the  average  Day,  which  are  usually  too  far 
fetched.  Two  reels. — H.  B.  Rehfield,  Bijou  thea- 
tre, Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

LOVE  SUNDAY : Alice  Day — Good.  Two  reels, 
— H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. — • 
General  patronage. 

UNEASY  THREE:  Charles  Chase — ^Fairly  good. 
Two  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron, 

S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SEA  DOG*S  TALE:  Billy  Bevan — Good.  Two 
reels. — ^H,  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

HIS  MARRIAGE  VOW:  Harry  Langdon — Fair 


only.  Two  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre, 
Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THERE  HE  GOES:  Harry  Langdon— If  you 
buy  comedies  for  laughs,  this  one  is  not  worth 
carrier  charges.  Disappointing.  Three  reels. — 
F.  G.  Roberts,  American  theatre,  Ada,  Okla. — 
General  patronage. 

SMITH’S  VACATION:  Aug.  2.  Fair  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

MUSCLE  BOUND  MUSIC:  Billy  Bevan— Good. 
Two  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron, 
S.  D. — General  pati’onage. 

MUSCLE  BOUND  MUSIC:  Just  an  average 
comedy  with  a few  laughs  in  it.  Two  reels. — 
E.  D.  Luna,  Cozy  theatre.  Wagoner,  Okla. — Small 
town  patronage. 

SHOULD  HUSBANDS  MARRY:  Alice  Day- 
Just  a comedy.  Two  reels. — H.  B.  Rehfield,  Bijou 
theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SHOULD  MEN  WALK  HOME:  Mabel  Nor- 
mand — Good,  as  are  most  of  Mabel  Normand’s. 
Two  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SHOULD  SLEEP  WALKERS  MARRY:  Just 
a comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

BABY  CLOTHES:  Our  Gang-^ust  fair.  Gang 
seems  to  be  slipping.  Two  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield, 
Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D.— General  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

FLASHING  OARS:  George  Lewis — Good  boat 
race  and  I am  glad  it’s  all  over.  This  is  my 
last  one  of  the  Collegians  and  I am  sure  glad. 
For  the  extra  price  we  had  to  pay  for  this  our 
loss  was  just  double.  First  high  rental,  second 
too  many  walkouts  on  all  of  them.  Two  reels. — 
R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General 
patronage. 

SHE’S  MY  COUSIN:  Si>ecial  cast — ^Fair  com- 
edy. Two  reels — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore.— General  patronage. 

WHEN  OSCAR  GOES  WILD:  Pee  Wee  Holmes 
— Good  comedy  Western.  Patrons  seemed  to  en- 
joy it.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

JAILHOUSE  BLUES:  Arthur  Lake  — No 


laughs  in  this  one.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

JANE’S  HUBBY:  Special  cast — Fair  comedy. 
Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

WESTWARD  WHOA:  Bert  Roach— Fair  short 
comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

GALLOPING  JUSTICE:  Eddie  Cobb— Fair 
Western  featurette.  Okay  for  filler.  Two  reels. 
— A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

GEORGE  LEAVES  HOME:  Special  cast— Fair 
comedy.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  thea- 
tre, Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

The  COLLEGIANS:  Dorothy  Gulliver — Always 
good  but  get  a little  tiresome  towards  the  end. 
Two  reels. — H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron, 
S.  D. — General  patronage. 

SNOOKUMS  DISAPPEARS:  Snookums^Pretty 
good.  Snookums  is  all  right  if  you  don’t  play 
him  too  close  behind  each  other.  All  fair  about 
once  a month.  Two  reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

GEORGE  RUNS  WILD:  Real  funny.  Plenty 
of  action  to  start  anyone  laughing,  so  these 
“Let  George  Do  It’’  comedies  are  little  different 
from  others  and  we  think  they  may  be  good.  Two 
reels. — R.  Duba,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  CHAMP:  Very  nice  fighting  comedy. 
Pleased  the  men.  One  reel. — ^R.  Duba,  Royal 
theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

FLASHING  OARS:  Collegians — July  31.  The 
weakest  Collegian  we  ever  played.  But  they  are 
all  good  two  reelers.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — ^General 
patronage, 

MISCELLANEOUS 

DEMPSEY-TUNNEY  FIGHT : Good  clean 

photography  and  good  box  office  pull.  Four  reels. 
— H.  E.  Rehfield,  Bijou  theatre,  Huron,  S.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

BRAIN  STORM:  Fair  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 


5.8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  20,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

' By  G.  S.  '' 

The  single  1927  film  golf  tournament  will  be  held  September  16  at 
Olympia  Fields,  it  was  decided  last  week  by  the  tourney  com- 
mittee, which  is  headed  by  Len  Ullrich  of  F B O.  The  books 
are  now  open  for  entries,  which  are  expected  to  total  more  than  a 
hundred. 


The  committee  is  now  arranging  for 
prizes  to  be  posted  for  a variety  of 
scores,  including  the  lowest.  Inasmuch  as 
there  will  be  one  contest  this  year,  in- 
stead of  two  as  in  years  previous,  a 
record  entry  is  expected.  And  since  the 
single  competition  will  come  at  the  clos- 
ing preiod  of  the  season,  when  the  linksmen 
of  Chicago’s  motion  picture  world  will  have 
had  several  months  of  practice,  record- 
breaking  scores  are  also  expected. 

All  play  will  be  in  foursomes,  according 
to  the  custom  of  other  years,  most  of  the 
entries  forming  their  own  groups.  Those 
who  do  not  form  their  own  foursomes,  will 
be  associated  for  play  by  the  committee,  it 
is  announced. 

Following  the  day  on  the  links,  a dinner 
will  be  served  for  all  the  entries,  their 
families  and  guests,  in  the  clubhouse. 

All  entries  for  the  tournament  are  to 
be  mailed  or  telephoned  to  Len  Ull- 
rich, in  care  of  Film  Booking  Offices, 
Chicago. 

* * 

H.  S.  Knisho,  home  office  representative 
of  Pathe,  arrived  in  the  city  last  week  for 
a short  stay  in  the  interests  of  the  big  new 
company  with  the  fine  old  name. 

* * 

Pathe,  by  the  way,  is  getting  some  splen- 
did exploitation  these  days  for  its  news 


reel,  the  latest  edition  of  which  is  being 
used  at  each  performance  of  “The  Spider,” 
which  opened  at  the  Olympic  Sunday  night. 
The  reel  is  a part  of  the  play  and  is 
thrown  on  the  screen  as  a sort  of  pro- 
logue, if  that  term  may  be  used  in  this 
unusual  connection.  Obviously,  in  that 
considerable  section  of  the  United  States 
of  which  Chicago  is  the  capital,  Pathe  News 
is  in  for  a lot  of  impressive  publicity,  which 
has  already  been  achieved  in  the  East,  the 
play  having  had  a successful  run  in  New 
York  last  winter.  The  melodrama,  “Chi- 
cago,” a New  York  success  and  slated  to 
have  a place  in  this  city’s  new  season,  also 
uses  Pathe  News  in  connection  with  the 
regular  traffics  of  the  stage. 

sk  * 

And  Ashton  Stevens,  dean  of  Chicago’s 
dramatic  critics,  asks,  “Why  not  use  a news 
reel  to  entertain  the  audience  between  the 
acts  of  all  legitimate  shows?”  And  if  I 
may  be  allowed  to  mingle  my  obscure  voice 
with  that  of  a dean  of  dramatic  critics,  I 
presume  to  put  the  similar  question,  “Why 
not?” 

* * 

A curious  though  of  course  unsurprising 
condition  grows  out  of  the  use  of  the  news 
reel  in  “The  Spider.”  The  few  feet  of 
film,  run  but  once  at  each  of  the  nine  per- 
formances a week,  requires  the  genius  and 


Season  1927-28 


The 

awELnanH 


For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVE., 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


For  Indiana 

MIDWEST  FILM  CO. 

OF  INDIANA 

218  Wimmer  Bldg.,  Indianapolis 


Vote  to  Refuse  Higher 
Pay  to  Stage  Hands 

Decision  to  reject  the  demand 
of  the  stage-hands  in  motion  pic- 
ture theatres  for  a 25  per  cent 
raise,  was  voted  last  Friday  at  a 
meeting  of  the  executive  commit- 
tee of  the  Chicago  Exhibitors  As- 
'sociation.  Representatives  of  the 
union  were  to  be  told  of  the  deci- 
sion at  a meeting  with  the  exhibi- 
tors’ committee  the  latter  part  of 
this  week.  Present  business  con- 
ditions among  independent  exhibi- 
tors would  not  support  a raise  of 
any  amount  in  the  opinion  of  the 
committee,  the  consensus  being 
that  any  increase  would  mean  the 
eventual  elimination  of  stage 
shows  from  most  of  the  independ- 
ent theatres. 


energy  of  three  projectionists,  the  seating 
capacity  of  the  Olympic  falling  into  the 
class  for  which  the  union  prescribes  that 
number  of  operators. 

5k  * * 

John  Kolitis,  who  runs  the  Rialto  at 
Monmouth  and  who  does  not  breathe  the 
substantial  air  of  this  metropolis  very 

often,  was  ostensibly  doing  that  v&ry  thing 
last  week,  turning  up  on  Film  Row  in  what 
may  have  been  a picture-buying  spree — and 
then  again,  may  not  have  been. 

5k  5k  * 

Another  exhibitor  of  only  occasional 

visits  to  Chicago  who  was  along  the  row 
last  week  is  Ed  Scheibel  of  Streator.  But 
it  so  happens  that  Scheibel  is  no  longer  an 
exhibitor,  he  having  sold  his  theatre  to 
B & K Midwest  some  time  ago.  How- 
ever, once  an  exhibitor,  always  an  ex- 
hibitor, so  far  as  this  department  is  con- 
cerned— and  Scheibel  does  have  a connec- 
tion with  the  industry  through  his  bill  post- 
ing enterprise  in  Streator.  That  puts  him 
in  the  exploitation  department,  doesn’t  it? 

5k  5k  5k 

T.  J.  Major,  who  has  been  purchasing 
agent  for  Balaban  & Katz,  has  returned  to 
the  service  of  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company,  with  which  firm  he  is  in  charge 
of  sales  in  a number  of  departments. 

* 5k  4= 

Greiver  Productions,  better  known  to 
the  Middle  West  as  Cy  Greiver  of  831 
South  Wabash,  has  secured  the  Illinois  dis- 
tribution rights  to  the  official  pictures  of 
the  big  Philadelphia  fight  of  last  summer 
in  which  Gene  Tunney  copped  the  cham- 
pionship from  Jack  Dempsey.  Inasmuch 
as  these)  two  young  men  are  to  resume  hos- 
tilities at  Soldier  Field  here  next  month, 
Cy’  acquisition  is  an  admirable  business 
stroke,  and  one  that  will  react  to  the  benefit 
of  Illinois  exhibitors  who  see  a chance  to 
cash  in  on  the  free  publicity  all  the  news- 
papers are  now  giving  the  two  gladiators. 
The  pictures  are  in  four  reels. 

5k  5k  5k 

John  Balaban  left  Thursday  night  for 
New  York  for  a short  stay.  And  Barney 
Balaban  was  expected  to  return  from  there 
the  beginning  of  this  week. 

5k  5k  * 

H.  El.  Burns,  manager  of  Simansky  & 
Miller’s  Savoy  theatre,  and  wife  and 
daughter,  are  on  a vacation  trip,  motoring 
through  the  fishing  regions  of  Wisconsin. 

5k  5k  * 

J.  R.  McPherson,  assistant  manager  of 
the  Chicago  office  of  National  Screen 
Service,  is  vacationing  in  Denver,  where 
he  motored  with  friends. 

5k  5k  5k 

Death  has  taken  I.  Siskin,  proprietor  of 
the  Orchard,  Janet  and  Ideal  theatres,  who 
succumbed  to  internal  hemorrhages  after 
two  years  of  ill  health. 


Give  Them  the  Best 

Theatre  patrons  are  entitled  to 
the  best  screen  quality— which 
means  Eastman  quality. 

Give  them  the  best.  Most 
productions  are  made  on  Eastman 
Negative.  Specify  prints  on  East- 
man Positive  and  you  get  the  film 
combination  that  first  made 
movies  practicable— that  has 
maintained  its  superiority  from 
the  beginning  of  the  industry. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


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Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 
ISPl.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


August  27,  1927 


ROBERT  U^ORTOti  CRCARf  CO 

Send  me  without  obligation  tuft 
details  of  tf our  New  Selling  Plait 

Name 

Theatre.. 

Seating  Capacity.... 

City State* 


GENUtHE  DEAGMN  PERCUSSIONS  USED 


whal  others  say  about 

^hcllevi> 

PIT  PIPE  organ: 

^'All  I can  say  your  instru- 
ment playing  to  continuous 
jammed  house.'*' 

Region  theatre 

^(arshalltown,  £fowa 

'^Congratulations  on  won- 
derful instrument . '' 

Clermont  theatre 
Chicago 

"Increased  our  business  more 
than  enough  to  warrant  the 
investment 

tuxedo  theatre 
D^ew  ^ork  City 

"In  itself  a distinct  musical 
attraction. 

Qrand  theatre 

Winter  ‘Hianjcn,  Florida 

"The  organ  is  a positive 
sensation.^'' 


^ Permanent 
jVlusic  Feature  dor 
ffte  Avarage  Exhibitor 

-highest  type  performance 
at  Minimum  Cost. 

Does  not  require 
liigh-priced  organist. 

Played  manually, or  yrithi 
ordinary  88  note  music  rolls. 

THE  ROBERT  MORTON 
ORGAN  CO. 

<Jiew^rkj'^  ISboBroadwy 
V Chicago -624SoJ^chigan  / 

San3ranchco 


m * * 


16&  GoIdvtGait 

jCos  i^ngeles 

1SI4  So.VemoTvb 


"A  wonderful  addition  to 
our  presentations.'''' 

Strand-Empire  ‘theatre 
Chillicothe,  ^Mo. 


Q)elano  theatre 
Cbelano,  Calif. 


"The  success  of  this  organ 
prompted  us  to  order 
another. 


Gongress-Qrore  theatres 
Newark,  fN. 


\\ 


The  Outstanding 

Road  Show 

HIT 

of  1926  - 27! 


/ 


/ 


BEAUGESTE 


36  weeks  in  New  York  — 16 
weeks  in  Boston  — 15  weeks  in 
Philadelphia — 20  weeks  in  Syd- 
ney— 10  weeks  in  Los  Angeles 
— 9 weeks  in  Chicago  — and 
other  long  runs  too  numerous 
to  mention. 


Herbert  Brenon  Production  from 
famous  novel  by  P.  C.  Wren.  With 
RONALD  COLMAN  (by  arrange~ 
merit  with  Samuel  Goldwyn)  Noah 
Beery,  Alice  Joyce,  Neil  Hamilton, 
Mary  Brian,  William  Powell,  Nor- 
man Trevor,  Ralph  Forbes,  Victor 
McLaglan. 


The  Outstanding 

Jo  . 

Picture  House 


/ 

/ ,vy| 


^ '4?^ 


HIT 

of  1927-28! 


■HI. 


Y/ 


Standard-bearer,  with  “The  Rough  Riders,”  of  the 
greatest  line-up  of  product  ever  offered  to  exhibitors 


The  World’s 
Gr^test 
Melodrama ! 

Hard  lives,  quick  deaths,  un- 
dying  devotion  in  the  heart  of 
the  hot  Sahara,  with  the  colorful 
French  Foreign  Legion  as  the  ro- 
mantic  background* 


p 

W' 


'K 


' ■ ’A,',-;*' 


-pA 


' ‘ • 1^' 


Just  enough  big  successful  road  show  engagements 
to  spread  the  fame  of  “Beau  Geste”  all  over  the 
country,  with  the  rich  cream  of  profits  waiting  for 
you.  The  cast,  headed  by  Ronald  Colman,  is  packed 
with  stars.  The  novel  is  still  a best  seller,  sales 
running  into  the  hundred  thousands.  “Beau  Geste” 
has  been  advertised  in  Paramount  national  adver- 
tising reaching  16,000,000  people  weekly  for  al- 
most a year.  Everything  is  set  and  ready  for  the 
hox-office  clean-up  of  the  year/  Book  It  now! 


#!? 

w:'  t 


•m; 


MmP. 


lin 


?'  'i'-YT: 


Paramount  Pictures 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


^olid 

^eek 

t)f 

new  era 
pictures 


Now  comes  the  big  week  of 
the  year  for  movie  fans— 
10th  Annual  Paramount 
Week  when  the  best  thea- 
tres everywhere  show  one 
solid  week  of  Paramount 
Pictures  only.  Greatest 
Paramount  Week  of  all— 
because  Paramount  Pic- 
tures were  never  better. 
Come — see  all  the  new  ones, 
catch  up  on  the  good  ones 


YOUR  TOWN  joins  in  the  Paramount  Week  Celebration! 


FIRST  RUN  THEATRE 


Sept,  i,  S,  6,  7 

CLARA  BOW  in  “HULA” 


Sept,  a,  9, 10 

ADOLPHE  MENJOU  in 
“SERVICE  FOR  LADIES’* 


PLAZA— 85  E,  BROADWAY 

Sept.  4-S — Clara  Bow  8s  Esther  Ralston  in  "Children  of 
Divorce.’* 

Sept.  6-7 — Eddie  Cantor  in  “Special  Delivery.” 

Sept.  8-9 — Raymond  Griffith  in  “Time  to  Love.” 

Sept.  10 — Zane  Grey’s  "The  Mysterious  Rider”  with  Jack 
Holt. 


NORTHVILLE— CAPITOL 

Sept.  A — Bebe  Daniels  in  “Senorita.” 

Sept.  5 — Florence  Vidor  in  “The  World  at  Her  Feet.” 
Sept.  6— Ed  Wynn  in  "Rubber  Heels." 

Sept.  7 — Richard  Dix  in  “Knockout  Reilly.” 

Sept.  8 — Zane  Grey’s  "Drums  of  the  Desert”  with  Warner 
Baxter. 

Sept.  9 — Lois  Moran  in  "The  Whirlwind  of  Youth.” 

Sept.  10 — Gilda  Gray  in  "Cabaret.” 


“If  it’s  a Paramount  Picture,  it’s  the  Best  Show  in  Town” 


^ this  ad  free  in  your  local  or  key  city  newspaper  if  you  book 
Paramount  Week  solid.  Already  set  for  2000  newspapers 
reaching  a combined  circulation  of  over  Fifteen  Million! 


I Tie  up  your  theatre  to  the  nation-wide  celebration  of  the  New  Era  in  Motion  Pictures  during 
Paramount  Week,  September  4th  to  10th.  The  only  special  '^Veek”  in  the  business  that  means 
nything  to  exhibitors.  Because  it’s  the  only  ''week”  that  means  anything  to  the  public  the  exhibi- 
ar  serves.  ^ You  get  free  newspaper  advertising,  free  ad  sales  items,  mats,  one-sheets,  etc.  You  get 
Le  accumulated  prestige  of  ten  years’  national  advertising  of  Paramount  Week.  And  you  get 
|hose  great  100%  Paramount  Pictures  in  the  modern  manner,  the  talk  of  a nation.  ^ See 
^he  Paramount  salesman  today  and  celebrate  with  a solid  week  of  "new  era”  pictures. 

lOth  annual 
paramount  w 

September  4th  to 


e e k 

10th 


4 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


TELLING  ITTO  MILUONS  OF  FANS 


LUPINO 

LANE 


As  the  result  of  Great  Short  Features,  backed  by  Great 
National  Advertising,  the  theatres  show- 
ing Educational  Pictures  and  the  crowds 
enjoying  them  have  been  steadily  f 

1 increasing  for  more  than  seven  years.  L 


BIG 

BOY 


JOHNNY 

ARTHUn 


LARRY SEMON 


THE  SPICE  OFTHE  PROGRAM 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


LLOYD 


HAMILTON 


Year  after  year  Educational  carries  on 
an  impressive  national  advertising  cam- 
paign. . . . 

Whetting  the  appetites  of  millions  of 
steady  picture  goers  for  the  irresistible 
fun  and  merriment,  the  speed,  pep, 
punch,  novelty  and  charm  of  Educational 
Short  Features.  . . . 

Driving  them  into  the  theatres  where 
EducationaVs  uniquely  different  come- 
dies, novelties  and  news  reels  are  shown. 

Inducing  them  to  go  again  and  again 


Entertainment 
That  Never  Lets  Down 

Advertising  That  Never  Lets  Up! 


to  see  the  new  Educational  releases  — 
to  become  your  regular  patrons,  if  you 
feature  them  and  because  you  feature 
them. 

During  1927,  34  full  pages  are  being 
employed  in  the  six  leading  fan  publica- 
tions to  teach  fans  to  prefer  Educational 
Pictures. 

Show  Educational  Pictures  on  every 
program  — exploit  them  — then  all  this 
advertising  will  work  directly  to  increase 
your  patronage  and  profit. 


^ipiitor^nei^ineclte9 

Up/i/iy  Smwn  Gomedks 

Tuxedo  Comedies 

With  Johnny  Arthur 

OUTDOOR  SKETCHES 

By  Robert  C.  Bruce 


BIG  BOY 

Juvenile 

-COMEDIES- 
helix  the 

CARTOONS  by  Pat  Sullivan 

Cuiio5itieS 

Produced  by  WALTER  PUTTER 


HAMIltom 

I * COMEDIES  ^ 


OROTHY 


COMEDIES 


KINOGRAMS 

The  News  Reel  Built  Like  a 
Newspaper.  Twice-a-Week 


'COMEDIES 


LYMAN  H-HOWE5 
HODGE-PODGE 


MERMAID  COMEDIES 

Jack  White  Productions 


Member 

Motion  Picture  Producers  and 
Distributors  of  America,  Inc. 
Will  H.  Hays,  President 


DOHOTHy 

DEVO/IE 


\ Hke  Combination  of 

H SAMUEL  GOLDWYN  Presentati 

H Ronald 

I Lolman 

m — Vilma 

I Banhy 

I HENRY  KING 

prociuciion. 


A novel,  surprising 
gorgeously  mounted 
story  of  a circus 
clown  who  became 
a king  ■ - ■ and  his 
sweetheart,  a beau- 
tiful trapeze  artist, 
who  ruled  him. 


it  Is  bein 


IS  oeing 
Leased  T\ 


Member  Motion  Picture  Producers 


and  Distrib^  ’f* 


has  aliucLys  g’iven 
VOU  money  making 
pictures  < — 
latest  — and  by  far 
their  Greatest^ 


'MAGIC. 
FLAME 

from  the  pl^  Kiig  Harlequin  ^ Rudolf  Lothar 

is in  the  words  or  the 


NEW  YORK  WORLD 

e loveliest  &y  most  brilliant 
piece  of  dramatizing  to  leave 
Hollywood  in  a year/ 

you'll  say  I Its  one  of  the  Best 
to  leave  the  studios  in  many, 
many  years  " 


UNITED  ARTISTS  CORPORATION 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


IT’S  sensational!  It’s  phenomenal!  It’s  record-breaking!  THII 
GONE  WILD  OVER  UNIVERSAL!  East,  West,  North 
-THE  BIG  GUN  EXHIBITORS  GRABBING  THOSE  BI( 
and  Mortar  Pictures!  GREAT  GUNS!  BIG  GUNS!  Today  it) 
record-breaking  Universal  deal!— The  next  day  it’s  the  Stanle 
U.  B.  O.  And  the  Orpheum  Circuit!  Record-breaking  deals’ 
biggest  of  houses!  WOW!  GREAT  GUNS!  The  Long  Rui' 
the  Universal  Super-Shorts  - THEY’VE  GONE  WILD  OVEI 
MORTAR  PICTURES!  Loew  jumps  his  booking  of  Universal 
figures!  Kunsky  sets  “The  Cat  and  the  Canary”  for  the  pre 
Harry  Crandall  breaks  all  precedent  grabbing  the  first  run  serial' 
Skouras  Brothers  are  in  line!  And  Nathanson,  of  Canada 
WHAT  A UNIVERSAL  YEAR!  We  hear  it!  You  hear  it!  It’i 

It’s  Everywheret  The  Country 
Over  Universal!  Universal  Has 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


AY  THE  COUNTRY  HAS 

>uth— here,  there,  everywhere 
UN  PICTURES  !-The  Brick 
^est  Coast  Theatres  settling  a 
ompany ! The  other  day  it  was 
nusual  representation!  The 
)ecials,  the  Big  Gun  Jewels, 
LL  THOSE  BRICK  AND 
iper-Comedies  to  new  record 
lease  at  the  long-run  Madison. 
Blake  of  Scotland  Yard.” 
REAT  GUNS!  What  a year! 
the  air!  It’s  here!  It’s  there! 

|Ias  Gone  Wild 
ihe  Pictures! 


WOW!  V 

Can’t  mention  them  all— haven’t  got 
the  space— hut  look  at  the  high  spots! 


WEST  COAST  THEATERS 
STANLEY  COMPANY -Philadelphia 
COSTON  BOOKING  CIRCUIT— Chicago 
GRIFFITH  BROS.  — Okiahoma 
HOSTETTLER  CIRCIJIT-Omaha 
CAPITAL  SEERS  ENTERPRISES - 
Kansas  City 

AZTEC  THEATER— San  Antonio 
LIBERTY-Oklahoma  City 
BLUMFIELD  CIRCUIT— San  Francisco 
LAKE  AMUSEMENT  CO.—Minncapolis 
RODEN  CIRCUIT- Kansas  City 
MASON  CIRCUIT-  Kansas  City 
BRUIN  CIRCUIT- Seattle 
MILWAUKEE  THEATER  CIRCUIT - 
Milwankee 

AMERICAN  THEATER-Salt  Lake 
RIALTO  THEATER -Botte 
GREAT  FALLS  AMUSEMENT  CO.- 
Great  Falls 

SCHOENSTADT  CIRCUIT- Chicago 
ORPHEUM  THEATER  ORCUIT 
CARSTEN  DAHNKEN-Salt  Lake 
B.  & K.  MIDWEST  (BURFORD-L.  AT.) 
COONEY  BROS.- Chicago 
EASTMAN  THEATER -Rochester 
KARZAS- Chicago 
IKE  GLYNN-New  York 


SKOURAS  BROS. -St.  Louis 
SHINE  CIRCUIT- New  York  Stale 
ALEXANDER  FRANK  AMUSEMENT  CO. 
Iowa 

WHITEHURST  CIRCUIT- Baltimore 
K.  & C.  OPERATING  CO.-  Binghamton 
BRODY  CIRCUIT-Cleveland 
KEITH’S  THEATER— Rochester 
AMERICAN  THEATER-Salt  Lake  City 
COMMERCE  REALTY  CO.  & ALAMO 
AMUSEMENT  CO.— San  Antonio 
PLAYHOUSE  AND  RIALTO  THEATERS 
Hudson 

GREAT  LAKES  THEATER -Buffalo 
ROGERS  SHERMAN  THEATER - 
New  Haven 

ODEON,  STRAND  AND  MOZART 
THEATERS— Canton 
WOODWARD  THEATER  CO.-Delroit 
AUDITORIUM  THEATER- Quebec 
LYCEUM  & COLLEGE  THEATER  S- 
Winnipeg 

U.  B.  O.  CIRCUIT— New  York 
KEITH’S  CIRCUIT -New  York  and  Ohio 
WILMER  & VINCENT  CIRCUIT 
Pennsylvania 
HARRY  BRANDT  CIRCUIT  - New  York 
SPRINGER  ClRCUIT-NewYork 
—and  More— And  Merc->And  More 


rk 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


andnow 


HOXy 

•Afeiy.  Y 


an^ 

■’'aubV^®"^  * /c 


e,>  ®a/al-  ■' 


Winkler  Productions 
created  by  Walt  Disney 
26  of  them — One  reel  each 


t/iV/Vj 


fif  A 


«lc 


•SC/p^^ 


^ancf/  fiuesf 


ThehtckpRahhit^ 
C^YtOOn  Sensation 


Roach 

OUR 

gang 

COMEDIES 


BOX-OFFICE 

ANALYSIS 


HAL  ROACH  COMEDIES 


(Look  up  your  books  and  check  over  business  done  while 
a Hal  Roach  Comedy  was  on  your  bill — ask  other  exhihP 
tors  to  verify  your  experience — then  you  can  judge  whether 
you  can  do  without  these  money-makers!) 


10  “OUR  GANG 


The  Greatest  Short  Subjects  in  the  entire  world — bar  none  ! 


10  CHARLEY  CHASE 


Next  to  “Our  Gang,”  exhibitors  tell  us  that  Charley  Chase 
is  the  biggest  known  draw  in  the  short-subject  field. 


10  MAX  DAVIDSON 


We  have  seen  his  first  character  comedy  for  ’27-’28  anc 
predict  he  will  be  one  of  your  strongest  shorts  next  season 


10  ALL-STAR 


These  Hal  Roach  gems  challenge  many  a feature  in  class. 
They’re  proven  money-makers. 

M-G-M  NEWS 

104  ISSUES — Twice  Weekly 

No  program  can  afford  to  be  without  the  newest  and  great- 
est of  all  Newsreels,  produced  by  Hearst,  plus  M-G-M’s 
aggressive  ideas. 


M-G-M  ODDITIES 


26  SUBJECTS — Every  Other  Week 

Produced  by  UFA  all  over  the  world,  they  now  play  at  the 
5,400-seat  Capitol,  N.  Y.,  and  are  singled  out  by  the  critics 
as  high-spots  on  the  great  Capitol  program. 


(IN  TECHNICOLOR) 

6 SUBJECTS — Every  Two  Months 

A brand  new  idea  in  Shorts.  Wonderful  little  dramas 
produced  entirely  in  Technicolor.  We  have  seen  the  first, 
“The  Flag,”  and  it  is  a wonder! 


/ « 

¥ 

•If 

r 

(r-  9!  ii 

READ  THE  CRITICAL 
ESTIMATES  OF  THE 
TRADE  PRESS! 

—they  agree  that  in  Shorts  too,  M-Q'M  is  the  Top  of  the  Industry 


AT  A PREVIEW  IN  THE  EMBASSY  THEATRE,  N.  Y.,  THE  INDUSTRY’S 
LEADING  WRITERS  ACCLAIMED  M-G-M  JUNIOR  FEATURES 


KANN  in  Film  Daily: 

“M'G'M  has  no  worry  in 
short  subjects.  The  com- 
pany need  not  take  a back 
seat  for  any  competitors. 
Taken  by  and  large,  the 
special  program  of  short 
subjects  flashed  on  the 
Embassy  screen  yesterday 
demonstrated  that. 

“The  trade  well  knows  the 
abilities  of  Hal  Roach  in  the 
comedy  field.  And  so  when 
you  learn  that  Our  Gang 
appears  in  the  M-G-M  line- 
up there  isn’t  very  much 
more  to  be  said.  The  first  is 
‘Yale  vs.  Harvard’  and  it 
is  there.  The  well-deserved 
popularity  of  this  series  is 
again  demonstrated  by  this 
subject.” 

SEWELL  in  M.P.World: 

“The  showing  suggests  that 
M-G-M  is  in  line  for  the 
short  subjects  war  and  right 
in  the  front  line.  The  vari- 
ous items  will  be  more  defi- 
nitely treated  in  a later  issue.” 


JOHNSTON 

in  M.  P.  News: 

“Altogether,  fine  dramatic 
short  subjects.” 

CRUIKSHANK 

in  Telegraph: 

The  preview  of  the  first 
short  subjects  to  be  released 
by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
indicates  thatthe  short  prod- 
uct emanating  from  the 
Lion’s  lair  may  be  expected 
to  maintain  a high  standard 
of  excellence. 

“AN  AFRICAN  ADVEN- 
TURE”— Here  is  a gem. 

“THE  STING  OF 
STINGS” — One  of  the  best 
of  the  Hal  Roach  produced 
Charley  Chase  comedies, 
two  reels  in  length  and  bor- 
dering on  an  “Our  Gang” 
in  merit. 

“SOARING  WINGS”— 
Another  UFA  one-reeler 
which  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful  and  fascinating 
pictures  ever  created. 


“THE  FLAG”- — -It  is  a thor- 
oughly high  class  produc- 
tion, a “prestige  picture,” 
with  plenty  of  real  acting. 
This  is  another  one  to  bill 
equally  with  your  feature, 
or  an  ideal  feature  itself  on 
an  all-shorts  bill. 

“YALE  VS.  HARVARD” 
— One  of  the  good  old  ‘ ‘Our 
G a n g”  CO  m edi  es  with 
Farina,  Fatty  and  others  of 
the  “old-timers”  is  aug- 
mented by  a lot  of  new  kids, 
two  of  whom  are  especially 
good.  It  is  a high  class  short, 
as  are  all  of  these  series.  It 
is  more  lavishly  produced 
than  the  majority  of  its  fore- 
runners and  ranks  as  a wow. 

HANK  LINET  In 

Exhibitors  Daily: 
“The  showing  demonstrat- 
ed very  clearly  that  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  mean  to 
handle  their  shorts  with  the 
same  attention  to  detail  of 
production  which  has  al- 
ways been  evident  in  their 
feature  length  product.” 


THE  BIG  PARADE  OF  BIG  PARADES 


THE  SPECIALS 

GARDEN  OF  ALLAH  (Rex  Ingram)  THE  COSSAOICS  (John  Gilbert)  THE  CROWD  (King  Vidor) 

ROSE-MARIE— NAPOLEON  MLLE.  FROM  ARMENTIERES  IN  OLD  KENTUCKY  BODY  AND  SOUL 

STAR  HITS 

3 CHANEYS  4 HAINES  3 DAVIES  1 NOVARRO  1 GISH  2 GILBERTS 
3 SHEARERS  1 SYD  CHAPLIN  2 GARBOS  2 COOGANS  S McCOYS 
2 DOG  STAR  3 CODY-PRINGLES  3 DANE-ARTHURS  5 COSMOPOLITANS 

JUNIOR  FEATURES 

HAL  ROACH  COMEDIES  — our  gang— max  davidson— Charley  chase— all  star 

M-G-M  NEWS  M-G-M  GREAT  EVENTS  M-G-M  ODDITIES 

Ttvice  Weekly — The  Netv  Newsreel  Entirely  in  Technicolor  Produced  all  over  the  %vorld  by  UFA 


METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  IN  ’27-’28 


Tw  man 
who  has  made 
short  comedies 
as  important 
as  the  biggest 
feature 

will  contribute 
40  comedy  hits 
on  the  PATHE 
PROGRAM 
1927-28 


The  ’Most  Famous  Screen 
Family  in  the  World 


Never 

Before  Released 


MACK  SENNETT 

f)resents 

Harry  Langdon 


in  two  knockouts 

“FIDDLESTICKS 

(2  reels) 

“SOLDIER  MAN 

(3  reels) 


BETTER 
THAN 
EVER 


llMACK 

SENNETT 

Comedies 

with 

BILLY  BEVAN,  ALMA 
BENNETT,  VERNON 
DENT,  MADELINE 
HURLOCK  and  a host 
of  others. 


MACK 

SENNETT 


M f:>resenis 

% Smiths 

in  a series  of  12 

featuring 

MARY  ANN  JACKSON, 
RUTH  HIATT  and 
RAYMOND  McKEE. 


12  MACK 
SENNETT 

0irl  Comedies 

with 

MACK  SWAIN,  DAPHNE 
POLLARD,  STERLING 
HOLLOWAY,  DOT 
FARLEY  and  the  famous 
Sennett  Bathing  Beauties. 
Many  sequences  produced  in 
Technicolor. 


MACK 

SENNETT 

g^“"^rpin 

in  2 Short 
Comedy  Specials 


PATHE  EXCHANGE.  IN( 

DEMILLE  STUDIO  PICTURES  • PATHE  NEWS  - PATHE  WESTERNS  - PATHESERIALS  - PATHECOMEDIES 


Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. 
Will  H.  Hays,  President 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


The  Taj  Mahal 

A Tribute  of  Enduring  Beauty 
To  a Beautiful  Woman 

The  artistry  of  your  produaions  is  developed 
to  the  most  amazing  extent  by  Consolidated’s 
scientific  methods  and  their  lasting  beauty  is 
assured  by  our  high  quality  of  printing  and 
the  expert  personal  supervision  given  to  each 
individual  scene.  Demand  certified  prints. 


Los  Angeles 


New  York 


Here  are  Leaders — all  buyers 


What  has  induced  these  Exhibitors  — 
every  one  nationally  or  territorially  dom- 
inant— to  buy  Fox  Pictures?  You  know, 
the  quality  of  the  product  alone! 

ALEXANDER  PANTAGES  CIRCUIT 

Kansas  City  ^ Los  Angeles  ^ San  Diego  San  Francisco  ^ Memphis  ^ Minneapolis 
Portland  ^ Seattle  ^ Tacoma  ^ Spokane  ^ Vancouver 

PUBLIX  THEATRES  CORPORATION 

Thirty-three  Cities 

WEST  COAST  THEATRES  CIRCUIT 

California  ^ Washington  and  Oregon 

STANLEY  CIRCUIT 

Pennsylvania  ^ Delaware  and  Northern  New  Jersey 

STANLEY-  DAVIS  - CLARK 

Pittsburgh  and  Suburbs 

WM.  P.  GRAY  CIRCUIT 

Boston  and  New  England 

KARL  HOBLITZELLE  CIRCUIT 

Dallas  ^ Ft.  Worth  ^ San  Antonio  ^ Houston  ^ Birmingham,  Ala.  ^ Little  Rock,  Ark. 

FRED  DOLLE 

Louisville,  Ky.  Terre  Haute,  Ind. 

I.  LIBSON 

Cincinnati  ^ Dayton  ^ Indianapolis 

ROBERT  LIEBER 

Indianapolis 

COSTEN  CIRCUIT  COONEY  BROS.  CIRCUIT 

Chicago  Chicago 

ANDREW  KARZAS  THEATRES 

Chicago 

MARK  STRAND  CIRCUIT  KEITH-ALBEE  CIRCUIT 

New  England  Boston  ^ Cleveland  '-v,  Akron 


P R 


A SldYv  Sales  Year? 

NOT  FOR  FOX 

Thousands  of  other  Exhibitors 
have  signed  where  these  leaders 
have  signed — the  dotted,  line  on 
the  Fox  Profit  Contract.  Shrewd 
showmen  book  for  profits. 


O F I T 


FOX 


PICTURES 


of  1927-28  FOX  PRODUCT 


The  strength  of  Fox  pictures  this  season 
is  no  accident.  These  pictures  are  the 
result  of  long,  carefully-planned, 
business-like  preparations : — 


24  OF  THE  38  NEW  FOX  SPECIALS 


Loves  of  CARMEN 
Dolores  Del  Rio 
Victor  McLaglen 

2 GIRLS  WANTED 

Janet  Gaynor 

SINGED 

Blanche  Sweet 

PAJAMAS 

Olive  Borden 

SILK  HATS 

Madge  Bellamy 
Victor  McLaglen 
Edmund  Lowe 

THE  JOY  GIRL 

Olive  Borden 
Neil  Hamilton 

PAID  TO  LOVE 

George  O’Brien 
Virginia  Valli 

THE  COMEDIAN 

Greta  Nissen 


HANGMAN’S 

HOUSE 

Charles  Farrell 
Virginia  Valli 
Victor  McLaglen 

COME 

TO  MY  HOUSE 

Olive  Borden 

EAST  SIDE 
WEST  SIDE 

George  O’Brien 
Virginia  Valli 

NONE 

BUT  THE  BRAVE 

Madge  Bellamy 
Edmund  Lowe 

SILK  LEGS 

Madge  Bellamy 

LUNA  PARK 

Victor  McLaglen 
Greta  Nissen 
Charles  Farrell 


THE  ESCAPE 


Janet  Gaynor 
Charles  Farrell 


FRENCH  ANKLES 

Madge  Bellamy 
and  in  addition 

WHAT  PRICE  GLORY 

Victor  McLaglen,  Edmund  Lowe,  Dolores  Del  Rio 


WIDOW-IN-LAW 

Sally  Phipps 

HOLIDAY  LANE 

Earle  Foxe 


SUGAR  DADDIES 

Mary  Duncan 

THE  GAY  RETREAT 

Sammy  Cohen 
Ted  McNamara 

THE  UNKNOWN 
BEAUTY 

Olive  Borden 

PUBLICITY 

MADNESS 

Lois  Moran 
Edmund  Lowe 

THE  HIGH  SCHOOL 
HERO 

Sally  Phipps 

VERY 

CONFIDENTIAL 


Madge  Bellamy 
Mary  Duncan 


also 

14  WESTERNS, 

with 

TOM  MIX  and  BUCK  JONES 


FOX  SHORT  SUBJECTS 


104  ISSUES  OF  FOX  NEWS 


26  COMEDIES 


26  VARIETIES 


FOX 


PROFIT 


PICTURES 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


What  is  T.  O.  Service? 


Three  years  ago,  EXHIBITORS 
HERALD  announced  that  it  would  dis- 
continue the  reviewing  of  motion  pic- 
ture, and,  innocently  enough,  it  thereby 
put  over  the  greatest  publicity  stunt  in 
the  history  of  motion  picture  trade 
papers. 

For  six  weeks,  the  trade  squabbled 
over  the  announcement.  Almost  without 
exception,  the  leading  theatre  owners 
and  the  leading  producers  and  distribu- 
tors endorsed  the  idea  and  praised  the 
HERALD  for  its  decision.  The  skeptics 
predicted  that  the  HERALD  would  be 
out  of  business  in  fifteen  months.  Edi- 
tors of  other  papers  boomed  away,  some 
in  deathly  seriousness  defending  the 
time  honored  custom  of  reviewing  and 
others  in  a lighter  vein  kidding  the  de- 
parture. One  editor  publicly  lamented 
that  he  could  cut  his  overhead  $40,000 
per  year  if  he  had  the  nerve  to  throw  out 
reviews. 

In  revamping  its  editorial  lineup  to  fit 
the  new  policy,  the  HERALD  gave  one 
T.  O.  Service  a department  and  told  him 
to  tell  the  trade  what  he'  thought  about 
current  pictures  and  kindred  subjects. 
Service  has  done  an  excellent  job  of  it, 
and  probably  has  more  readers  today 
than  all  of  the  socalled  reviews  com- 
bined. 

Then  the  argument  started  all  over 
again — at  the  lunch  table  at  the  Astor, 
and  out  at  the  crossroads.  Some  insist 
that  Service  is  just  another  reviewer — a 


little  smarter,  a little  more  interesting,  a 
little  bolder  than  the  rest,  but  a reviewer. 
Then  the  question  came  up : What  is  a 
review?  Well,  what  is  the  difference  be- 
tween presentation  and  vaudeville?  How 
old  is  Ann? 

All  kidding  aside,  get  this  straight: 
T.  O.  Service  is  not  a reviewer  and  he 
doesn’t  write  reviews.  He  never  predicts 
that  a picture  will  be  a mopup  or  a flop. 
He  likes  pictures;  he  knows  pictures;  he 
sees  pictures,  and  he  writes  what  he 
thinks  about  them.  It’s  entertaining,  and 
thousands  of  exhibitors  think  his  stuff  is 
more  than  interesting — that  it  is  valu- 
able. 

For  instance,  Henry  Reeve,  Mission 
theatre,  Menard,  Tex.,  writes:  “T.  O. 
Service  in  our  humble  opinion  has  his 
business  down  to  a point  that  leaves  him 
the  best  judge  of  films  and  their  value 
that  we  know  of.” 

Let’s  make  it  plainer.  The  reviewer  is 
the  judge  and  the  jury.  T.  O.  Service  is 
the  star  witness,  and  he  leaves  it  to  the 
reader  to  act  as  judge  and  jury.  That’s 
clear,  isn’t  it? 

If  you  don’t  think  it’s  clear,  let  the 
argument  go  merrily  on.  No  one  in  the 
motion  picture  business  dislikes  being 
talked  about,  argued  over,  or  given  much 
and  continuous  publicity — certainly  not 
a trade  paper.  And  the  Letter  from 
Readers  column  is  open  to  you  for  the 
asking. 


NATIQMALV 
/HOWMAN/  GROUP 


Member  ge  Motion  Rcture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America  Inc.~WH5  Hays  fittUtrU 


Sold  Out  2nd  dm^  hoik  shows-  1 

(dUmq  rim  encjcujemmt—lP  top 

and  now  you  tOiOW 

theT^^rld  is  Ifours  witii 


By  Rupert  Hulihes 
An  Alfred  Santell  Production 


Directed  by  Alfred  Santell 


Member  f Motion  Pitture  Producers  uni  Distributors  of  America  Inc.~Wlll  H.Hays  Jhtsidmi 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Eovelstad,  News  Elditor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

Janies  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-18  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 

DEPARTMENTS 


Short  Features 37 

Presentation  Acts 39 

The  Theatre 53 

The  Film  Mart 51 

Classified  Advertising 58 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 65 


“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  59 
FEATURES 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray.—  28 


Re-Takes  28 

Pictorial  Section 29 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  49 

Letters  from  Readers 56 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 66 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


Chicago  film  sales  emerging  from  slump;  Exhibitors  wait; 

Manager  of  one  oldline  company  calls  year  worst  in  his  expe- 
rience; Dog  races  hurt  patronage. 

Vaudeville  as  a name  is  passing;  Orpheum  may  adopt  band- 
show  policy  in  all  but  premier  theatres — “Trashy”  acts  have 
detrimental  effect  on  stageshows  in  small  towns;  Routing  facilities 
also  inadequate. 

Martin  j.  quigley  says  industry  should  retrace  steps;  Finds 
system  of  supervision  has  retarded  development  of  directors 
and  writers ; Points  out  that  three  of  industry’s  greatest  pictures  were 
made  under  system  of  independent  unit  production. 

Ten  Houston  theatres  adopt  open  shop  in  clash  with  operators, 
then  chain  owner  reaches  agreement  with  union  and  drops 
school  for  nonunion  projectionists — Schines  close  one  theatre  in 
labor  dispute. 


MP.  T.  O.  of  Eastern  Missouri  and 
• Southern  Illinois  take  stand  against 
unfair  protection  of  first-runs  on  pictures; 
Attack  Copyright  Bureau’s  practices. 

OECOND  compilation  of  releases  shows 
wide  variety  of  subject  matter  avail- 
able to  exhibitors  in  first  quarter  of  new 

season Paramount’s  “Wings”  smashes 

records. 

PATHE  in  top  row  in  manpower,  com- 
-*■  plete  list  of  personnel  under  amalga- 
mation shows;  Some  of  foremost  leaders 
in  industry  numbered  in  new  board  of  di- 
rectors. 

“Y\/HAT  price  GLORY”  fills  Roxy 

**  theatre  with  deluxe  shows  daily 
and  still  patrons  cannot  be  accommodated 
Robbers  crack  safe  near  St.  Louis. 


Exhibitor  alone  should  set  minimum 
admission  price,  Houston  theatre 
owners  agree;  call  15  cent  low  a matter 
of  controversy  only  for  first-run  houses. 

SOLTTHERN  exhibitors  oppose  double 

feature  bills Radio  broadcasts  of 

stage  shows  successful,  declare  “Roxy” 
Rothafel  and  Major  Edward  Bowes  of  Cap- 
itol. 

Catholics  remove  all  opposition  to 

“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys” 

Trouble  with  story  stops  all  work  on 

“Rose  Marie”  film Freak  shot  may  nip 

actor’s  career. 

TWO  bandits  kidnap  theatre  manager 

and  rob  safe  of  $5,500  ELxhibitors 

urge  bargain  rates  for  pictures  during 
summer’s  dog  days. 


“Better  Theatres”  will  be  published  as 
Section  Two  of  the  Herald  next  week 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

Qhe  independent  ^Im  ^ade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  ^Editor 

Published  Erery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 
Publication  OfEce:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the 
following  motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to 
Exhibitors  Herald:  Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week.  The  Studio, 
every  fourth  week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi- 
annual. 


VoL.  XXX  August  27,  1927  No.  11 


What  Price  Supervision  ? 

The  sharp  scrutiny  to  which  the  production  branch 
of  the  motion  picture  industry  has  recently  heen 
subjected  is  commencing  to  reveal  some  interesting  and 
surprising  facts.  Indications  are  now  commencing  to 
come  to  the  surface  that  the  failure  of  individuals  to  con- 
form wdth  sound  business  practice  is  not  the  only  thing 
wrong  with  production.  The  whole  present  basis  of 
studio  procedure  is  being  called  into  question.  It  is 
commencing  to  look  as  if  the  system  itself  has  gone 
wrong. 

As  is  commonly  known,  the  present  system  of  pioduc- 
tion,  which  is  almost  generally  applied  in  the  industry, 
has  its  basis  in  the  idea  of  supervision.  Studio  execu- 
tives who  either  cannot  or  do  not  write  or  direct  sit  in 
final  judgment  on  all  matters  pertaining  to  production 
procedure.  The  writer  must  conform  with  the  wishes  of 
the  executive  or  he  does  not  get  the  assignment  to  pre- 
pare the  continuity;  the  director  must  convince  the  ex- 
ecutive that  he  will  follow  orders  explicitly  or  the  mega- 
phone is  not  tendered  to  him.  The  same  general  prac- 
tice applies  on  the  other  vital  phases  of  production. 

This  system  was  born  out  of  what  seemed  to  be  un- 
happy  experiences  under  the  independent  unit  system 
of  production.  It  has  served  to  block  the  expected  de- 
velopment of  screen  writers  and  the  record  shows  that 
it  has  been  a retarding  influence  on  the  development 
of  directors.  The  system  had  the  usual  dual  objective: 
It  sought  to  control  costs  and  at  the  same  time  to  im- 
prove production.  It  must  be  admitted  that  it  has  not 
successfully  controlled  costs  and  its  efforts  on  bettering 
production  have  been  equally  futile. 

* * * 

The  best  minds  of  the  industry  at  one  time  agreed 
that  “supervised”  production  was  the  salvation  of 
the  industry.  They  arrived  at  this  conclusion  on  the 
basis  of  the  best  knowledge  and  experience  of  the  day. 
At  the  time  of  its  introduction  the  system  did,  indeed, 
appear  to  be  the  wisest  course  for  the  industry  to  take. 
But  things  “do  not  stay  put”  in  the  amusement  business 
and  what  seemed  the  wisest  course  a few  years  ago  now 
seems  to  be  one  that  is  intensifying  the  ills  of  the 
business. 

There  is  no  quesion  that  operations  which  involve 
the  huge  financial  expenditures  of  present  production 
must  be  subjected  to  rigid  executive  supervision.  But 
this  supervision  should  be  business  management  and  its 


authority  should  stop  short  of  interference  with  the 
creative  and  artistic  features  of  production  so  long  as 
these  are  kept  within  sound  economic  limits.  There  is 
a great  lure  to  motion  picture  production  and  many  good 
business  managers  have  been  spoilt  by  the  ambition  and 
the  opportunity  to  take  a hand  in  making  pictures. 

“Supervision”  has  not  saved  money  in  production  and 
it  certainly  has  not  improved  the  quality  of  the  product. 
There  is  out  at  this  time  an  impressive  example  of  the 
“supervised”  production.  With  a great  theme  and  a 
huge  budget  a big  special  production  was  undertaken. 
The  resultant  picture  is  entitled  to  be  ranked  as  an  out- 
standing failure,  not  that  it  is  entirely  without  merit 
but  because  it  is  without  anything  like  the  merit  that 
should  have  been  attained  because  of  the  opportunity. 
The  trouble  with  the  picture  seems  to  be  a case  of  too 
many  cooks  spoiling  the  broth.  It  attains  great  mo- 
ments but  it  also  falls  into  lamentable  shortcomings.  We 
cannot  conceive  of  anyone  capable  of  doing  the  big  mo- 
ments who  could  have  failed  to  improve  the  weaknesses 
if  he  were  not  subjected  to  interference. 

Last  year  Hollywood  laughed  heartily  over  a wit’s  com- 
ment that  a supervisor  is  a man  who  knows  what  he 
wants  but  can’t  spell  it.  But  this  bit  of  levity  had  a 
considerable  touch  of  wisdom  in  it.  It  is  very  conceiv- 
able that  a person  who  cannot  either  write  or  direct 
would  still  have  opinions  of  great  value  on  production 
but  it  is  a clumsy  arrangement  indeed  to  leave  such  a 
person  in  the  position  of  final  authority  on  how  a pic- 
ture should  be  written  and  how  it  should  be  directed. 

We  do  not  say  that  the  present  system  of  production  is 
all  wrong  and  that  it  should  forthwith  be  thrown  over- 
board. But  we  do  insist  that  there  are  enough  evidences 
at  hand  of  flaws  in  the  system  to  cause  producers  to  do 
some  hard  thinking. 

■*  * 

The  great  days  of  progress  of  the  motion  picture  were 
under  the  system  of  independent  unit  production. 
As  far  as  the  resultant  motion  pictures  are  concerned  it 
is  a matter  of  no  importance  whether  independent  units 
are  individually  financed  or  whether  group  finances  are 
supplied  to  several  units  by  an  owning  corporation.  But 
it  does  seem  of  vast  importance  that  the  units,  as  far 
as  the  work  of  turning  out  screen  entertainment  is  con- 
cerned, be  left  alone. 

We  claim  that  the  making  of  motion  pictures  amounts 
to  an  artistic  endeavor  yet  we  have  been  compressing 
the  strictly  artistic  features  of  motion  picture  produc- 
tion into  moulds  and  systems  which  Mr.  Henry  Ford 
would  highly  approve  of.  And,  further  than  this,  we 
have  been  delegating  final  authority  in  the  studios  on 
artistic  matters  to  persons  whose  chief  recommenda- 
tion for  the  positions  have  been  their  own  declarations 
that  they  know  more  than  anyone  else  how  pictures 
should  be  made.  And  these  persons,  let  it  be  noted, 
are  ex-businessmen,  ex-press  agents  and  ex-salesmen  who 
have  never  written  or  directed  a successful  picture. 

Consider  as  an  example  the  sources  of  three  of  the 
greatest  pictures  which  have  been  made:  “The  Birth 
of  a Nation”  was  made  by  Mr.  D.  W.  Grifiith.  “The 
Miracle  Man”  was  made  by  Mr.  George  Loane  Tucker 
and  “The  Four  Horsemen”  was  made  by  Miss  June 
Mathis.  In  each  of  these  cases  there  was  no  supervision, 
no  divided  authority  and  no  divided  responsibility.  The 
cases  of  the  first  two  pictures  mentioned  are  quite  clear; 
the  directors  who  made  them  worked  absolutely  inde- 
pendently and  answered  to  no  one.  In  the  case  of  “The 
Four  Horsemen”  Mr.  Richard  A.  Rowland,  head  of  the 
company  which  produced  it,  has  stated  that  the  entire 
job  of  making  the  production  was  turned  over  to  the 
late  Miss  Mathis  and  she  was  given  carte  blanche  on 
every  detail  of  its  making. 

Perhaps  this  industry  a few  years  ago  did  not  know 
when  it  was  well-off  and  that  now  a cautious  re  tracing 
of  its  steps  is  in  order. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


Chicago  Film  Sales  Emerging 
From  Slump;  Exhibitors  Wait 

Manager  of  One  Oldline  Company  Calls  Year  Worst  in  His 
Experience — Increased  Prices  Blamed— Inde- 
pendents in  Same  Boat 
By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

Film  business  in  the  Chicago  territory  is  picking  up.  But  for  most  of 
the  companies  it  is  still  considerably  short  of  that  for  other  years,  with  one 
district  manager  of  an  old  line  company  declaring  this  is  the  worst  year  in  his 
entire  experience.  This  situation  is  of  pai'ticular  importance  because  Chicago 
and  environs  are  rated  as  8 per  cent  by  the  distributors. 

Exhibitors  “Watchfully  Waiting” 

Exhibitors  are  taking  their  own  good  time  in  buying  product,  and  there  is 
evidence  they  believe  a policy  of  “watchful  waiting”  will  bring  them  lower 
prices.  Although  the  theory  is  also  advanced  that  the  exhibitors  have  been  in- 
timidated by  the  paucity  of  patrons  the  past  six  months,  this  explanation  is  op- 
posed by  the  fact  that  new  theatres  are  going  up  rather  constantly. 


So  We  Hear 


The  story  comes  to  us,  and  from  most 
authentic  sources,  that  a prominent  thea- 
tre circuit  in  the  Middle  West,  is  de- 
cidedly in  the  “red”  these  weeks.  So 
the  story  goes,  this  circuit  during  two 
weeks  recently  chalked  up  losses  of 
more  than  $15,000  each  week,  and  that 
since  that  disastrous  period  the  weekly 
loss  has  exceeded  $5,000. 

The  report  persists  that  a certain  as- 
sociate producer  who  has  had  consider- 
able to  say  in  the  conferences  of  the 
company  with  which  he  is  connected  is 
to  terminate  his  contract,  and  for  doing 
so  is  to  receive  several  “grand."  In  fact, 
many  “grand.”  It  is  said  that  the  com- 
pany tried  to  terminate  the  contract  pre- 
viously, but  the  associate  producer  could 
not  see  it  that  way. 

Paramount s **Wings^^ 
Smashes  All  Records; 
$8,600  Advance  Sale 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

XEW'  YORK,  Aug-  23. — When  the 
Paramount  picture,  “W'ings,”  opened  at  the 
Criterion  theatre.  New  York,  its  advance 
sale  of  tickets,  amounting  to  $8,600,  broke 
all  box  office  records  for  any  special  pic- 
ture ever  shown  on  Broadway,  states  A. 
Griffith  Grey,  head  of  the  Paramount  road- 
show department. 

The  house  was  sold  out  before  the  doors 
were  opened  for  the  first  performance,  and 
reser\ations  the  morning  after  could  he 
hooked  only  eight  weeks  in  advance.  The 
house  is  sold  out  for  two  weeks. 

Three  Robbers  Crack 
Safe  and  Escape  With 
$1,000  Near  St.  Louis 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  23. — Three  armed  men 
entered  the  office  of  the  \\Tst  Lake  Park 
Amustment  Company,  St.  Charles  and 
Natural  Bridge  roads  in  St.  Louis  County, 
Mo.,  at  3 a.  ra.  recently,  tied  up  the  night 
watchman  and  blew  the  office  safe,  escaping 
with  about  $1,000. 

C.  G.  Goodnight  Dies; 
Was  Veteran  Exhibitor 

Charles  G,  Goodnight  who  has  been  as- 
sociated w’ith  J.  C.  Caldwell  in  the  opera- 
tion of  the  Star  theatre  at  Sweet  Springs, 
Missouri,  died  suddenly  Sunday  evening, 
August  14,  from  heart  attack. 

j\lr.  Goodnight  for  several  years  W'as  the 
owner  and  operator  of  the  Jefferson  the- 
atre at  De  Soto  and  was  prominently  iden- 
tified with  many  of  the  public  activities  of 
that  town.  For  four  years  he  was  county 
recorder  for  Jefferson  county  and  he  leaves 
a host  of  friends  wdio  will  mourn  his 
passing. 

Sacco’s  Sympathizers 
Attack  M.  P.  Theatre 

A Chicago  Tribune  dispatch  from 
Geneva,  Switzerland,  states  that  a mob 
of  Sacco-Vanzetti  sympathizers  attacked 
the  leading  motion  picture  theatre  there, 
showing  an  American  film,  on  the  night 
of  the  execution  of  the  twm  men  in  Mas- 
sachusetts. 


Navy  Shooting  Rainier  Park 
RAINIER  NATIONAL  PARK.— Motion  pic- 
tures of  the  park  are  being  taken  for  the  U.  S. 
Navy  by  Edward  J.  O’Brien,  chief  cinematog- 
rapher, and  three  assistants.  Through  the  pic- 
ture will  run  a slight  narrative,  depicting  the 
experience's  of  a couple  of  sailors. 


The  “watchful  waiting”  policy  seems 
the  most  likely  reason  for  the  slump.  It 
is  known,  of  course,  that  a number  of 
M.  P.  T.  O.’s  have  recommended  it  to 
their  members.  While  the  e.xhibitors  have 
been  so  advised  in  other  years,  never  be- 
fore have  they  taken  the  advice  so  seri- 
ously. And  that,  of  course,  is  probably 
due  to  the  increase  in  film  prices. 

The  increase  is  from  20  to  40  per  cent 
— at  least,  in  theory.  But  along  the  Row 
any  mention  of  the  increase  brings  a 
smile,  with  an  expression  of  doubt  that 
any  company  is  getting  much  more  for 
its  product  than  last  year. 

The  old  line  companies  may  be  said 
to  have  experienced  their  greatest  set- 
back for  some  time,  with  one  of  the  Big 
Four  actually  suffering  in  the  Chicago 
territory.  Paramount’s  vast  theatre  in- 
terests through  B.  & K.  in  the  Middle 
West  assure  it  plenty  of  outlet,  of  course, 
but  contracts  are  yet  below  expectations, 
both  in  number  and  in  money  represent- 
ed. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  is  enjoying 
encouraging  sales,  yet  a half-dozen  large 
circuits  which  in  other  years  have  been 
ready  buyers  have  failed  to  close  as  yet 
with  M-G-M. 

Buying  Specials  Nevertheless 

The  attitude  of  exhibitors  toward 
M-G-M’s  specials,  “The  Big  Parade,”  and 
“Ben  Hur,”  offers  interesting  comment, 
These  are  going  to  have  a big  year 
among  theatres  of  practically  all  classes. 


and  as  the  price  runs  into  the  many  hun- 
dreds a week  for  even  comparatively 
small  houses,  it  would  seem  that  exhibi- 
tors are  not  worried  so  much  about 
prices  as  they  are  about  the  drawing- 
power  of  the  product. 

F B O is  selling  rather  well  in  spots. 
In  Chicago,  the  Coston  circuit,  operating 
chiefly  on  the  South  Side,  has  bought  the 
entire  F B O program.  Much  the  same 
condition  holds  with  Fox,  Warner  Broth- 
ers and  LTniversal,  at  all  of  which  the 
word  is  the  same — “slow.” 

Pathe,  entering  its  career  as  another 
super-company,  like  the  rest  is  behind  on 
total  orders,  yet  is  having  a brisk  sale  of 
short  features  and  considerable  encour- 
agement for  the  future  of  the  long  fea- 
tures. Throughout  Chicago,  Wisconsin 
and  the  Northwest,  a large  percentage 
of  the  last  year’s  contracts  are  being  re- 
newed. The  circuits,  however,  are  hold- 
ing off,  not  a single  chain  of  prominence 
in  this  region  having  as  yet  closed  with 
Pathe. 

The  independents  also  are  hit  by  the 
feeble  conditions  in  the  trade  in  Chicago, 
but  have  found  some  occasion  to  profit 
by  the  decision  of  the  old  line  companies 
to  defer  release  dates  until  business  im- 
proves. Gotham,  for  example,  advanced 
the  date  of  “The  Woman’s  Law”  and 
immediately  did  a good  business  with  it, 
sold  it  to  several  Orpheum  theatres,  and 
(Continued  0)i  page  24) 


Fleet  Canines  Run  Down  Mystery 

of  Missing  Summer  Cinema  Patron 

Speculation  among  the  citizens  of  Chicago’s  him  world  as  to  where  the 
erstwhile  patron  of  the  city's  motion  picture  theatres  has  hidden  himself  this 
summer,  has  produced  a conclusion.  Not  directly,  of  course.  That  would  be 
asking  too  much  of  speculation,  a process  notoriously  haphazard  and  of  little 
consequence  in  the  hnal  compilation  of  cosmic  statistics.  The  conclusion, 
such  as  it  may  be,  is  rather  the  result  of  a light,  even  feathery  remark 
dropped  innocently  upon  the  winds  of  the  Windy  City  and  thus  blown  inno- 
cently through  the  open  shutters  of  the  HERALD. 

A certain  well-known  Chicago  exhibitor  was  exceedingly  nonplussed  over 
the  peculiar  conduct  of  the  season’s  photoplay  patron.  For  example,  a picture 
that  he  had  booked  as  a wow  and  exploited  as  a knockout,  unspun  itself  to 
conspicuously  vacant  seats.  Bewilderment  inoculated  our  experienced  ex- 
hibitor. Ultimately  it  drove  him  to  a dog  track. 

“And  there,’’  he  declared,  in  offering  the  aforesaid  feathery  remark,  “I  saw 
all  my  patrons!’’ 

Doubtless  in  the  dog  track  current  speculation  has  found  its  conclusion. 

Why  not?  There  are  five  sizeable  emporiums  of  the  greyhound  sport  (if 
you  don’t  care  what  you  call  a sport).  On  ordinary  nights  each  one  boasts  of 
a crowd  of  from  three  to  five  thousand,  with  as  many  as  ten  or  twelve  thou- 
sand spectators  on  week-end  and  special  nights.  Injunctions  may  come,  of 
course,  but  injunctions  also  go,  while  the  allegedly  Beet  canines  chase  the 
rabbit  forever. 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


New  YORK.— Timmy  Grainger  says 
overdressed  presentations  flop  and 
we’ve  known  of  a few  imderdressed  ones 
that  didn’t  get  over  very  hig.  . . . Al  Gray 
is  wearing  an  expansive  smile  every  time 
he  thinks  of  the  sellout  and  hig  advance 
sale  for  “Wings”.  . . . Roxy  Rothafel  is 
receiving  many  congratulations  on  the  won- 
derful jirologuc  he  put  on  with  “What 
Price  Glorv”.  . • • Artie  Hrilaiit  is  back  in 
the  film  business  and  will  do  exploitation 
for  Universal’s  new  Brooklyn  house.  . . . 
Dick  Barthclmcss,  regular  guy  on  or  off, 
was  the  honor  guest  at  last  week  s session 
of  the  A.  M.  P.  A.  . . . Nat  Rothstciu  is 
taking  golf  lessons  from  his  wife  prepara- 
tory to  going  after  the  hig  prizes  at  the 
September  Film  Golf  Tourney.  . . . Jerry 
Beatty  is  hack  from  a vacation  dtinng 
which  he  managed  to  squeeze  m a little 
golf  and  a peep  at  the  premiere  of  ihe 
Patent  Leather  Kid”.  . . . Ju-ltaii  Solontuii 
has  resigned  as  press  representative  ot 
Vocafilmi  which  is  trying  to  come  to  hte 
again  at  the  Longacre  theatre.  . • 
Rou'land  has  gone  to  the  Coast  with  his 
mind  made  up  that  “The  Patent  Leather 
Kid”  is  a dern  good  picture  and  none  who 
has  seen  it  wull  take  issue  with  him.  . . . 
Sam  Katz  and  Boh  Kane  returned  from 
Europe  last  week  so  everything  will  be  all 
right  in  the  film  business  now.  . . . Moe 
Finklestein  and  Robert  Lieher  arrived  in 
New  York  in  time  for  the  premiere  of  First 
National’s  big  picture.  . . . Reginald  Denny 
returned  last  Friday  from  a vacation  in 
England  and  startled  Paul  GuHck  with  a 
request  that  no  publicity  he  given  his  home 
coming.  . . . Sam  KI orris , of  W arner  Broth- 
ers, made  a quick  stepping  trip  to  Chicago 
last  week  and  did  a lot  of  business.  . . . 
IP.  R.  Sheehan  will  return  from  Europe 
early  next  month  all  hopped  up  with  new 
ideas.  . . . Claud  Saunders  has  been  ap- 
pointed managing  director  of  Universal’s 
new  Park  Plaza  theatre  in  the  Bronx,  which 
will  open  about  Labor  Day.  . . . Ned  Dep- 
inet  has  named  October  as  McGttirk  month. 

. . . Sammy  Sax,  head  of  Lumas  and 
Gotham,  is  hack  in  New  York  after  a long 
stay  on  the  Coast  looking  after  production. 
. . . Al  Christie  and  Eddie  Sutherland 
sailed  last  Saturday  for  a tw'o  months  stay 
in  Europe.  . . . Ben  Grimm  says  it  is  re- 
markable how  Universal’s  sales  have  picked 
up  since  Mr.  Ben  Grimm  joined  the  sales 
department.  . . . Freddy  Schadcr,  w-ho  w'as 
expected  to  return  to  New  York  after  re- 
signing from  W’est  Coast  theatres,  will  stay 
on  the  Coast  as  W’estern  representative  of 
Photoplay  Alagazine.  . . . Arthur  Kelly, 
vice-president  of  United  Artists,  has  re- 
turned from  a visit  to  the  Coast 4.  S. 

Kirkpatrick,  of  Educational,  sailed  last 
week  for  a month’s  stay  in  London  and 
Paris.  . . . Lou  Metzger,  sales  manager  of 
Universal,  left  last  week  for  a sales  trip 
over  the  WTstern  territory.  . . . Bernie 
Fineman  is  vacationing  in  Europe  after 
signing  up  another  contract  as  assistant  to 
Benny  Schulberg.  . . . Victor  Shapiro  is 
planning  on  taking  golf  lessons  in  an  effort 
to  break  150  at  the  next  film  tournament 
and  has  hopes.  . . . l^aula  Gould  is  taking 
a two  w'eeks  vacation  and  wall  spend  the 
time  helping  Larry  Moen  direct  pictures  at 
Cosmopolitan  studio.  . . . Major  Bozves 
plans  to  enlarge  the  stage  and  make  a num- 
ber of  other  changes  in  the  Capitol  soon. 

— SPARGO. 


Noted  Stars  in  Columbia  Product 


In  Columbia’s  product 
for  the  coming  season 
there  appear  some  of  the 
most  widely  known  play- 
ers in  hlmdom.  In  the 
three  productions  repre- 
sented here,  such  noted 
artists  as  Hobart  Bos- 
worth,  Shirley  Mason, 
and  Bert  Lytell  are 
starred.  At  right  is  pre- 
sented a scene  from 
“Sally  in  Our  Alley,’’ 
showing  the  star,  Shir- 
ley Mason.  Richard 
Arlen  is  featured  in  this 
picture,  as  well  as  in 
“The  Blood  Ship.’’ 


AT  LEFT — A “happy- 
ever-after’’  scene  from 
“Alias  the  Lone  Wolf,’’ 
sequel  to  the  other  Lone 
Wolf  crook  stories  by 
Louis  Joseph  Vance. 
Bert  Lytell  and  Lois 
Wilson  are  co-starred. 


BELOW  — Characteris- 
tic episode  in  the  out- 
standing sea  drama, 
“The  Blood  Ship,’’ 
which  stars  Hobart  Bos- 
woith  and  features  Jac- 
queline Logan  and 
Richard  Arlen.  This  pic- 
ture already  has  been 
booked  over  several  of 
the  nation’s  greatest  cir- 
cuits. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Supervision’^  in  Pictures 
Has  Retarded  Progress 

Has  the  present  system  of  production  gone  wrong? 

Will  the  motion  picture  industry  find  it  necessary  to  retrace  its  steps 
of  the  last  few  years? 

MARTIN  J.  QUIGLEY  contends  that  the  present  system  of  produc- 
tion, which  is  based  on  the  idea  of  supervision,  has  blocked  the  develop- 
ment of  screen  writers  and  directors. 

“Tlie  great  days  of  progress,”  he  says,  "‘were  under  the  system  of  inde- 
pendent unit  production.” 

His  analysis  of  the  present  situation  is  published  on  page  18. 

Ten  Houston  Theatres  Adopt 
Open  Shop  in  Operator  Clash 

Horwitz  Closes  One  of  Four  Houses — Schines  Shut  Down  Avon 
in  Protest  on  Wage  Demands — Musicless  Shows 
in  35  St.  Louis  Playhouses  Averted 

BULLETIN 

HOUSTON,  Aug.  23. — Wil  Horwitz  came  to  an  agreement  with 
the  operators  last  night  and  disbanded  his  open  shop  school  for 
projectionists. 

Labor  difficulties  in  three  sections  of  the  country  have  brought  acute 
situations  this  week  at  Houston,  Texas,  and  in  New  York  state,  while  at 
St.  Louis  an  agreement  has  been  reached  with  the  musicians  which  averts 
musicless  shows  in  35  neighborhood  theatres. 


August  27,  1927 

2 Bandits  Force 
Manager  to  Open 
Safe;  Get  $5,500 

Two  bandits  kidnapped  Roy  Hogan,  man- 
ager of  the  Great  States  Rialto  in  Joliet, 
Chicago  suburb,  last  Sunday,  and  returning 
with  him  later,  forced  him,  at  the  point  of 
revolvers,  to  open  the  theatre  safe,  from 
which  they  took  $5,500  and  escaped. 

Hogan  was  leaving  the  theatre  after  the 
final  performance  Sunday  night  when  two 
men  sprang  upon  the  running  board  of  his 
machine  and  brandishing  guns,  ordered  him 
to  drive  into  the  country.  Several  hours 
later  they  forced  him  to  return  to  the  the- 
atre, where  a third  man  was  waiting.  With 
revolvers  pressed  against  him,  Hogan 
worked  the  combination  of  the  safe.  When 
the  bandits  quit  the  theatre  they  took 
Hogan  along  in  the  machine,  but  kicked 
him  out  at  the  city  limits. 

The  loot  represented  the  receipts  of  the 
Saturday  and  Sunday  performances. 

Trash  in  Pictures  Is 
Hurting  Small  Town 
House,  Says  McClure 

What’s  the  matter  with  Hollywood? 

The  principal  thing,  in  the  opinion  of 
Max  L.  McClure  of  Littlefield,  Tex.,  is  the 
blindness  of  producers  to  the  demands  of 
the  small  town  patrons. 

The  “trash”  put  in  pictures  today,  he  says, 
is  making  the  motion  picture  business  slip 
in  the  smaller  communities.  Mr.  McClure’s 
review  of  the  situation,  as  well  as  some 
comments  anent  Will  H.  Hays,  is  published 
on  page  56. 

Exhibitors  Raise  Fund 
for  Protest  Against 
Theatre  Zone  System 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23. — Local  exhib- 
itors recently  raised  $1,000  and  sent  Benj. 
Bernstein  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  So.  Cal. 
to  New  York  to  place  before  the  producers 
and  Will  Hays  organization  a protest 
against  drastic  changes  in  the  present  the- 
atre zoning  system.  Mr.  Bernstein  is  now 
in  New  York.  A decision  in  the  matter 
is  anxiously  awaited  by  the  independent 
exhibitors. 

This  Picture  Leads 

Gay  Life  with  Censors 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SEATTLE,  Aug.  23. — The  motion  pic- 
ture, “Is  Your  Daughter  Safe,”  seems  to 
be  having  a varied  life  with  the  censors.  It 
failed  to  get  by  the  censor  board  on  the 
first  trial  at  any  of  the  houses  in  Portland 
or  Oregon,  but  it  had  better  luck  here  and 
has  been  extended  for  a second  week  at 
the  Strand  to  good  business,  this  week  be- 
ing about  equally  divided  for  attendance 
by  men  for  three  days  and  women  for  a 
like  number. 

The  censors  at  Houston,  Texas,  after 
seeing  it  at  a special  showing,  refused  it 
to  be  shown. 


Taylor  Gets  Office 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

KANSAS  CITY,  Aug.  23.— At  the 
regular  weekly  meeting  of  the  Kansas  City 
Film  Board  of  Trade,  Harry  Taylor  was 
elected  president,  succeeding  Guy  Navarre, 
former  United  Artists  branch  manager  who 
was  transferred  to  Minneapolis.  Eph 
Rosen,  Tiffany  branch  manager,  was  elected 
vicepresident,  the  office  formerly  held  by 
Taylor. 


Owner  Runs  Slides ; 

Operators  Walk  Out 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOUSTON,  Aug.  22. — Ten  independent 
theatres  in  Houston  are  about  to  go  open 
shop  as  far  as  ojierators  are  concerned, 
twelve  operators  are  on  the  way  here  and 
a school  for  open  shop  operators  is  lieing 
started  by  Will  Horwitz  following  de- 
mands of  the  Houston  Operators’  L^nion 
for  a six-day  week,  with  six  and  one-half 
hours  a day,  and  a $2.50  weekly  pay  in- 
crease. These  are  the  latest  developments 
in  a situation  which  threatened  to  close 
ten  theatres  in  Houston. 

The  Iris  is  closed,  union  operators 
walking  out  when  Horwitz,  who  owns 
this  as  well  as  the  Texan,  Ritz  and  Isis, 
required  them  to  run  slides  attacking 
the  operators’  demands.  The  slides 
were  prohibited  by  the  Houston  Opera- 
tors’ Union  business  manager,  and  when 
Horwitz  went  to  the  projection  booth 
himself  and  put  them  on  the  operators 
walked  out.  Friday  Horwitz  ran  ads  in 
all  papers  asking  for  nonunion  opera- 
tors, and  then  started  a school  for 
operators. 

Besides  the  four  Horwitz  theatres,  six 
independent  houses  are  planning  on 
using  the  open  house  policy. 

Horwitz  clashed  with  the  union  by  run- 
ning slides  in  his  theatres,  stating  the  de- 
mands made  by  the  union,  and  comparing 
the  hours  of  the  operators  with  bankers, 
merchants  and  lawyers  hours.  His  slides 
asked  patrons  to  vote  on  the  question  at  his 
box  offices  when  they  left  the,  theatre. 

With  the  walk-out  of  the  Iris  operators, 
developments  toward  a strike  at  all  of  the 
independent  picture  houses  in  Houston 
were  indicated,  among  them  being  the 
Crown,  Folly,  Best,  Olympia  and  Rialto.  , 


Music  Strike  Averted  in 
St.  Louis  Neighborhoods 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  23. — Threatened  si- 
lence in  the  35  neighborhood  theatres  con- 
trolled by  members  of  the  St.  Louis  Mo- 
tion Picture  Exhibitors’  League  has  been 
averted  through  an  agreement  reached  with 
officials  of  the  Musicians’  Union  for  a 
reduction  in  the  orchestra  personnel. 

The  arrangement  is  a compromise  of  the 
original  demand  of  the  theatre  owners,  who 
asked  for  lower  wages,  a reduction  in 
orchestras  and  an  extension  of  the  sum- 
mer season  for  two  weeks,  or  until  Sep- 
tember 1. 

Under  the  new  plan  the  orchestras  of 
all  theatres  having  850  seats  or  less  will 
be  reduced  one  man  each. 

Theatres  in  the  850-seat  class  will 
have  orchestras  of  three  pieces  instead 
of  four,  and  those  with  500  seats  or  less 
can  be  operated  with  a pianist  instead 
of  two  musicians. 

In  the  summer  theatre  owners  are  per- 
mitted to  regulate  the  size  of  their  or- 
chestras. I’nder  the  new  plan  June,  July 
and  August  will  constitute  the  summer 
season. 

Schines  Shut  Theatre 
As  Defi  to  Unions 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  23. — Uibor  troubles 
loom  in  New  York  state.  In  Watertown, 
where  the  Schine  brothers  own  three  the- 
atres, the  situation  became  so  acute  last 
week  as  to  result  in  the  Avon  closing  Fri- 
day for  an  indefinite  jieriod,  the  Schines 
announcing  at  the  time  that  rather  than  sub- 
mit to  the  demand  for  more  wages  made 
by  the  musicians,  stagehands  and  operators 
that  they  would  close  the  house.  On  Sat- 
urday a sign  was  posted  announcing  the 
theatre  had  been  closed. 


99 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Exhibitors  Herald  Production 


f]I  This  Production  Directory 
will  be  published  weekly  in 
the  Herald,  with  an  ampli- 
fied form  appearing  monthly 
in  The  Studio. 


Directory 

A J'aliiable  Resume  of  Production  Activities 


^ Through  Herald’s  Produc- 
tion Directory  entire  motion 
picture  industry  may  keep 
in  constant  touch  with  vital 
subject  of  production. 


Chadwick  Studio 


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 


CHIEF 

CHIEF 

PICTURE 

DIRECTOR 

PLAYERS 

BUDGET  STARTED 

PICTURE 

DIRECTOR 

PLAYERS 

BUDGET  STARTED 

“Temptations  of  a Tom  Terriss  Betty  Compson  $ 30,000  Aug.  9 
Shopgirl”  Pauline  Gaion 


De  Mille  Studio 


“The  Main  Event” 

Wm.  K.  Howard 

Vera  Reynolds 
Julia  Faye 

Bob  Armstrong 
Ernie  Adams 

$115,000 

Aug. 

9 

“The  Wise  Wife” 

E.  Mason  HopperTom  Moore 

Jacqueline  Logan 
Phyllifi  Haver 

100,000 

July 

7 

“Forbidden  Woman” 

Paul  Stein 

Jetta  Goudal 
Victor  Varconi 
Jos.  Schildkraut 

125,000 

July 

21 

“Girl  in  the  Pullman" 

’ Erie  Kenton 

Marie  Prevost 

125,000 

July 

13 

Harrison  Ford 
Ethel  Wales 
Franklin  Pang- 


born 


‘Rose  Marie” 

Wm,  Nigh 

‘The  Fair  Co-Ed” 

Sam  Wood 

‘The  Enemy” 

Fred  Niblo 

‘The  Hypnotist” 

Tod  Browning 

‘Fires  of  Youth” 

Monta  Bell 

‘Mixed  Marriages” 

Hobart  Henley 

‘Bringing  Up 

Jack  Conway 

Father” 


“Baby  Mine”  Lew  Lipton 


Renee  Adoree 
Ralph  Forbes 
Harry  Carey 

$250,000 

July 

28 

Marion  Davies 
John  Mack  Brown 

300,000 

July 

25 

Lillian  Gish 

Ralph  Forbes 

225,000 

Aug. 

8 

Lon  Chaney 
Marceline  Day 
Conrad  Nagel 

200,000 

July 

23 

John  Gilbert 
Jeanne  Eagels 

250,000 

Aug 

5 

Lew  Cody 

Aileen  Pringle 
Bert  Roach 

185,000 

July 

28 

Mary  McAllister 

J.  Farrell  Mc- 
Donald 

Marie  Dressier 
Polly  Moran 

Jules  Cowles 

150,000 

Aug. 

8 

Karl  Dane 

100,000 

Aug. 

12 

George  K.  Arthur 


Metropolitan  Studios 


F B 0 Studios 


“The  Gambler’s 

Robt.  De  Lacy 

Tom  Tyler 

$ 60,000 

Aug. 

6 

Game” 

“Dead  Man’s  Curve” 

Richard  Rosson 

Sharon  Lynn 
Sally  Blaine 

40,000 

Aug. 

8 

“Coney  Island” 

Ralph  Ince 

Doug  Fairbanks, 
Jr. 

Ralph  Ince 

75,000 

July 

15 

“Wizard  of  the  Sad- 

Frank H.  Clark 

Lucille  Mendez 
Buzz  Barton 

40,000 

Aug. 

11 

dle” 

“Little  Mickey 

Leo  Meehan 

Frankie  Darro 

50,000 

July 

29 

Grogan” 

*“.Iesse  James” 

Lloyd  Ingraham 

Jobyna  Ralston 
Fred  Thomson 

250,000 

Aug. 

1 

“Shifting  Sands” 

Wally  Fox 

Bob  Steele 

40,000 

Aug. 

19 

*A  Paramount  picture. 

“On  to  Reno'^  James  Cruze 

Untitled  Ted  Wilde 

“The  West  Pointer”  Donald  Crisp 


Marie  Prevost  $150,000 

Harold  Lloyd  500,000 

Ann  Christy 

Wm.  Boyd  150,000 


Aug.  15 
July  10 

July  11 


Paramount  Famous 


Lasky  Corporation 


“Now  We’re  in  the  Frank  Strayer 
Air” 

“Open  Range”  Arthur  Rosson 


Wallace  Beery  $200,000 

Raymond  Hatton 

Louise  Brooks 

Lane  Chandler  200,000 

Betty  Bronson 

Fred  Kohler 

Guy  Oliver 


Aug.  13 
Aug.  1 


First  National  Studio 

‘The  Drop  Kick” 

J.  F.  Dillon 

R.  Barthelmess 

$825,000 

July 

1 

‘Rose  of  Golden 

Fitzmaurice 

Astor 

350,000 

July 

1 

West” 

“Helen  of  Troy” 

Korda 

Corda-Stone 

250,000 

Aug. 

5 

“The  Red  Raiders” 

Rogell 

Ken  Maynard 

170,000 

July 

15 

“No  Place  to  Go” 

Merv^yn  Le  Roy 

Hughes-Astor 

160,000 

Aug. 

1 

“The  Gorilla” 

.41  Santell 

Murray 

285,000 

Aug. 

8 

United  Artists  Studio 


“My  Best  Girl”  Sam  Taylor  Mary  Pickford  $500,000  May  20 

“The  Gaucho”  F.  Richard  JoneeDoug  Fairbanks  700,000  June  1 

“Sorrell  & Son”  Herbert  Brenon  H.  B.  Warner  600,000  July  20 

Alice  Joyce 
Carmel  Myers 
Nils  Astor 
Anna  Q.  Nilsson 
Norman  Trevor 


Fox  Studios 


“Blood  Will  Tell”  Ray  Flynn 
“Publicity  Madness”  Albert  Ray 

“Very  Confidential”  James  Tinling 
“Sifyer  Valley”  Ben  Stoloff 

“High  School  Hero”  David  Butler 

“Grandmother  Bernle  Jchri  Ford 
Learns  Her  Letters” 

“Pajamas”  J.  G.  Blystone 

Untitled  Frank  O'Connor 

“Wolf  Fangs”  Lew  Seiler 


Buck  Jones 

$ 90,000 

July 

25 

Lois  Moran 
Edmund  Lowe 

125,000 

July 

9 

Madge  Bellamy 

60,000 

Aug. 

2 

Tom  Mix 

150,000 

July 

28 

Sally  Phipps 
Nick  Stuart 

65,000 

July 

20 

Margaret  Mann 
James  Hall 

185,000 

July 

20 

Olive  Borden 
Earle  Foxe 

175,000 

July 

2 

Sammy  Cohen 
Ted  McNamara 

75,000 

Aug. 

15 

Thunder 

100,000 

Aug. 

15 

Universal 


“Thanks  for  the  Wm.  Seiter 

Buggy  Ride” 

“Symphony”  F.  Harmon 

Weight 

“Rawhide  Kid”  Del  Andrews 

“Her  Haunted  Heri-  Dorian  Cox 
tage” 

“The  Man  Who 
Laughs” 


Pictures  Corp. 

Aug.  22 

Aug.  22 

Aug.  10 
Aug.  10 

Aug.  15 


Laura  LaPlante  $ 75,000 


Jean  Hersholt  85,000 

Hoot  Gibson  75,000 

Benny  Hall  50,000 

Paul  Leni  Veidt-Philbin  150,000 


Warner  Brothers  Studio 


Buster  Keaton  Studio 


“Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.”  Chas.  Reisner  Buster  Keaton  $300,000  July  15 


“Roulette” 


“Sailor  Izzy  Mur- 
phy” 

“The  College  Widow” 


Ralph  Graves 
Henry  Lehrman 
Archie  L.  Mayo 


May  McAvoy 
Ralph  Graves 
George  Jessel 
Audrey  Ferris 
Delores  Costello 


75,000  Aug.  15 

75.000  Aug.  8 

80.000  Aug.  15 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


August  27,  1927 


Has  Saturation  Point 
in  Theatres  Been  Reached? 

Is  your  town  or  city  over-seated? 

In  the  cities  especially  theatre  huilding;  ])rograins  have  continued 
without  ahatenient.  These  theatres  must  make  money.  The  theatres 
already  in  existence  must  make  money.  Will  they? 

Beginning  next  week  the  HERALD  will  puhlish  the  theatre  situatioti 
in  the  key  cities.  These  analyses  and  accompanying  charts  will  supfdy 
valuable  information  on  the  seating  situation. 

Missouri -Illinois  Exhibitors 
Ask  Fair  Protection  on  Film 

M.  P.  T.  0.  Takes  Stand  Against  Forced  Block  Booking,  Goes 
on  Record  Against  Nudity  in  Pictures  and  Attacks 
Copyright  Protection  Bureau 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOLH  S,  Aug.  23. — The  M.  P.  T.  ( ).  of  Ifastern  Missouri  and  .South- 
ern Illinois  stands  on  record  as  unanimously  o])posed  to  unreasonable  pro- 
tection for  any  theatre — first  or  second  run  or  neighborhood — and  aPo  has 
taken  a definite  action  against  forced  block  booking. 

Attacks  Copyright  Bureau 

The  iM.  P.  T.  O.  at  its  meeting  at  the  hdks  club  last  Tuesday  also 
adopted  a resolution  condemning  the  present  methods  of  the  Cojjyright 
Protection  Bureau.  It  wuis  agreed  that  conducted  along  proper  lines  this 
bureau  would  be  ])roductive  of  some  good  in  the  industry,  through  the 
elimination  of  bicycling  and  other  evil  practices. 


Catholics  Remove 
All  Opposition  to 
*^Callahan  Picture 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  BRITAN,  CONN.,  Aug.  23.— Op- 
position  hy  Catholic  clergymen  and  fraternal 
orders  against  the  showing  of  “The  Calla- 
hans and  the  Murphys”  has  been  with- 
drawn, following  a private  showing  of  the 
film.  Bookings  of  the  film  will  he  carried 
out.  Protests  were  made  in  this  city,  Hart- 
ford and  several  other  Connecticut  com- 
munities. Private  showings  in  all  these 
communities  have  resulted  in  the  with- 
drawal of  the  protests.  No  disorders  have 
accompanied  showing  of  the  film  anywhere 
in  the  state. 

Trouble  With  Story 
Stops  All  Work  on 
**Rose  Marie**  Film 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— All  work  has 
ceased  on  the  production  of  “Rose  Marie,” 
at  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  studios. 
Trouble  with  the  story  is  given  as  the 
reason.  It  was  also  found  that  several  of 
the  actors  were  not  suited  to  their  roles 
in  the  picture,  it  is  said. 

William  Nigh  was  assigned  to  direct  the 
picture,  and  Renee  Adoree  was  cast  in  the 
feminine  role. 

Robertson  Terminates 
Contract  with  M-G-M 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— John  S. 
Robertson,  for  the  past  year  and  a half, 
a member  of  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
directorial  staff,  will  terminate  his  contract 
with  that  concern  this  week. 

Although  he  has  not  announced  his  plans, 
it  is  generally  known  that  he  has  been  ne- 
gotiating with  a British  producing  concern, 
and  that  he  is  seriously  considering  making 
his  own  productions  alu'oad. 

Freak  Shot  May  Nip 

Career  of  Actor 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— Captain 
Carey  Harrison,  who  only  a few  days  ago 
cpiit  the  life  of  a soldier  of  fortune,  to 
make  a try  at  acting  in  pictures,  may  never 
ha\'e  another  chance  before  the  camera. 

Last  w^eek  Harrison  was  struck  in  the 
eye  by  a charge  from  a cartridge  bang  on 
the  pavement  and  exploded  Ity  the  wheels 
of  a truck,  Pln^sicians  said  he  would  lose 
his  eye. 


A Retraction 

(Front  Harrison's  Reports,  August  20  Issitc) 

“Last  week  this  paper  under  the  caption  ‘Mis- 
representation of  What?’  stated  among  other  things 
that  Paramount  did  not  inteiiil  to  roadshow  ‘The 
Rough  Riders’  and  that  an  advertisement  in  the 
‘Exhibitors’  Herald’  to  that  effect  was  an  apparent 
press-agent  exaggeration. 

“Since  printing  that  article  I have  come  upon 
information  proving  to  my  satisfaction  that  the 
Paramount  executives  did  intend  to  roadshow  that 
picture,  having  already  laid  out  plans  for  the 
formation  of  seven  roadshow  companies.  The 
picture  was  booked  in  the  following  cities:  Boston, 
August  1,  for  6 weeks;  Buffalo,  .August  14,  two 
weeks;  Milwaukee,  September  14,  two  weeks; 
Cleveland,  .“August  14,  two  weeks;  Rochester, 
August  22,  two  weeks;  San  Francisco,  July  17, 
four  weeks;  Oakland,  August  14,  two  weeks. 

“Harrison’s  Reports  is  making  this  correction 
because  its  aim  is  to  print  nothing  but  accurate 
information. 

“The  picture  is  an  excellent  entertainment,  and, 
shown  at  regular  admission  prices,  should  draw 
big  crowds.” 


Another  resolution  adopted  placed  the 
organization  on  record  as  absolutely  op- 
posed to  any  nudity  or  other  immoral 
scenes  in  pictures  or  other  shows  and 
it  was  decided  to  send  an  official  letter 
to  Miss  Corinne  Griffith  congratulating 
her  for  refusing  to  appear  in  the  nude 
in  a recent  picture. 

Members  Grow  from  60  to  200 

The  meeting,  which  was  the  first  held 
by  the  theatre  owners  since  their  annual 
convention  on  May  24,  was  attended  by 
representatives  of  almost  200  independ- 
ent theatres  and  revealed  that  since  May 
the  fneinbership  of  the  body  had  in- 
creased from  about  60  to  more  than  200. 

The  question  of  protection  was  the  big 
problem  before  the  gathering.  The  M. 
P.  T.  O.  some  time  ago,  in  cooperation 
with  a special  committee  of  the  St.  Louis 
Film  Board  of  Trade,  worked  out  what 
was  believed  to  be  an  equitable  zoning 
plan  which  was  submitted  to  a commit- 
tee of  the  producers  and  distributors  at 
New  York,  but  to  date  this  plan,  origi- 
nally calling  for  14  days’  protection  to 
first  runs  and  seven  days  on  all  subse- 
quent runs,  has  not  been  put  into  effect. 
As  a result  the  independently  operated 
theatres  are  refusing  to  sign  contracts 
for  pictures.  It  was  revealed  that  some 
of  the  film  companies  have  not  placed  a 
contract  for  the  new  season  in  St.  Louis. 

Skouras  Asks  28  Days 

Speakers  brought  out  the  fact  that 
Skouras  Brothers  Enterprises,  whicli 
controls  three  of  the  city’s  first  run 
houses,  and  also  the  St.  Louis  Amuse- 
ment Company,  with  some  thirty  neigh- 
borhood houses,  are  seeking  28  days’ 
protection  for  first  runs,  14  days’  protec- 
tion for  all  subsequent  runs  and  at  least 
four  months’  protection  against  houses 
charging  5 and  10  cents  admission. 

However,  the  discussion  also  brought 
to  light  the  fact  that  Skouras  Brothers 
were  not  alone  in  demanding  long  term 
protection.  Film  exchange  managers 


and  exhibitors  revealed  that  in  some  in- 
stances exhibitors  in  towns  adjacent  to 
St.  Louis  who  have  objected  very  strenu- 
ously to  the  granting  of  28  days’  protec- 
tion to  the  Skouras  houses  on  first  run 
showing  have  in  turn  demanded  as  high 
as  45  to  90  days’  protection  over  houses 
in  not  only  their  own  towns,  but  in  some 
instances  over  socalled  rival  houses  15 
and  20  miles  distant. 

Fred  VVehrenberg,  president  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.,  who  presided  at  both  the 
dinner  and  the  executive  session,  stated 
he  felt  28  days’  protection  for  first  run 
houses  was  equitable,  that  14  days  was 
fair  protection  for  the  second  runs  and 
that  7 days  should  be  ample  leeway  on 
all  subsequent  runs. 

When  the  14  and  7-day  plan  reached 
New  York,  it  was  revealed,  the  plan  was 
amended  to  provide  that  first  runs 
should  be  given  28  days’  protection,  and 
later  the  exhibitors  also  agreed  that  see-' 
ond  runs  should  have  the  14  days’  pro- 
tection. However,  no'  action  has  been 
taken  toward  carrying  out  this  plan.  At 
the  executive  session  it  was  agreed  that 
the  fight  for  an  equitable  zone  plan 
should  be  continued. 

Urged  Not  to  Sign  Now 

Members  of  the  organization  have 
been  advised  not  to  sign  any  contracts 
for  new  film  until  October,  unless  it  is 
absolutely  necessary  to  do  so,  and,  if 
they  do  find  new’  film  is  needed,  they 
should  sign  up  with  independent  ex- 
changes that  will  grant  equitable  pr(’>- 
tection. 

At  the  dinner  representatives  of  e.x- 
changes  were  called  upon.  Those  who 
expressed  positive  views  said  in  their 
o])inion  a zoning  plan  is  necessary  for 
proper  protection  of  all  e.xhibitors.  ' One 
or  two  of  the  exchange  men  said  their 
organizations  were  not  in  favor  of  four 
months’  protection  against  lO-cent  thea- 
tres, but  they  were  not  in  a positirm  to 
say  whether  a 14-day  limit  would  ac- 
corded on  subsequent  runs. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Radio  Broadcasts 
of  Stage  Shows 
Prove  Successful 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23.— The  broad- 
casting  of  the  stage  presentations  by  the- 
atres is  proving  successful  iu  many  of 
the  large  theatres.  S.  L.  Rothafel, 
“Roxy,”  is  quoted  in  the  New  York 
Times  as  saying,  “Broadcasting  promotes 
good  will.  It  is  a service,  and  we  find 
that  we  get  the  best  results  through  ap- 
proaching it  from  a non-commercial 
basis.  . . . My  opinion  is  that  it  does  add 
to  the  receipts.”  Rothafel  broadcasts 
from  the  Ro.xy  theatre.  New  York. 

In  Chicago,  the  Chicago  theatre  broad- 
casts from  two  different  stations  every 
day.  The  Ilalaban  and  Katz  chain  in 
Chicago  has  broadcast  through  as  many 
as  four  radio  stations  in  the  same  week. 

Edward  Bowes  of  the  Capitol  theatre 
in  New  York  says,  “I  personally  think 
the  reaction  to  an  air  program  is  the  de- 
sire on  the  part  of  the  hearers  to  see  the 
sliow.” 

Film  Sales  in  Chicago 
Emerging  from  Slump 

{Contimicd  fron  page  19) 
the  Lubliner  & Trinz  and  Coston  cir- 
cuits. Columbia  has  had  little  trouble  in 
disposing  of  “The  Blood  Ship,”  which 
was  well  received  everywhere  at  the  first- 
runs.  But  the  independents  naturally  are 
tossing  about  in  the  same  sluggish  sea 
with  the  old  line  companies  so  far  as  the 
general  product  is  concerned. 

The  past  couple  of  weeks,  however, 
have  produced  a slight  upturning  of  the 
lips  along  Film  Row.  “Better  days 
ahead!”  seems  to  be  the  spirit  of  the  ex- 
changes. A number  of  district  managers, 
returning  from  trips,  while  complaining 
of  the  fewness  of  actual  black-and-white 
contracts,  report  an  increased  interest  on 
the  part  of  exhibitors. 

Prominent  Women 

Indorse  Sex  Picture 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  23.  — Begin- 
ning  Aug.  7 “The  Naked  Truth,”,  at  the 
Colonial  theatre  in  Indianapolis,  w'as 
shown  to  men  only  for  a week.  The  two 
weeks  prior  the  film  had  been  shown  ex- 
clusively to  women  and  the  theatre  was 
crowded  most  of  the  time.  Hundreds  of 
favorable  indorsements  from  prominent 
Indianapolis  women  have  been  received 
at  the  theatre. 

Miss  Wilson  Will  Wed 
Richard  Barthelmess 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

JACKSONVILLE,  FLA.,  Aug.  23.— 
Announcement  has  just  been  made  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  lame<;  Y.  Wilson  of  the 
engagement  of  their  daughter,  Katherine, 
New'  York  actress,  to  Richard  Barthel- 
mess. Miss  Wilson  played  wdth  the 
screen  star  in  “New'  Toys.” 


Chaplins  Are  Divorced 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Aug.  23. — Lita  Grey 
Chaplin  has  been  granted  an  interlocu- 
tory decree  of  divorce  from  Charlie 
Chaplin  and  custody  of  the  two  Chaplin 
children.  In  the  financial  settlement 
Mrs.  Chaplin  receives  $625,000,  and  the 
children  $200,000. 


Battiston  Seeks  Title  of 
“Youngest  Exhibitor;” 
Managed  at  16 


.Andy  F.  Battiston  of  Yukon,  Pa.,  is  in 
the  “youngest  exhibitor”  race.  He  came 
in  last  week,  presenting  as  his  claim  to 
the  title  the  fact  that  he  became  manager 
of  a motion  picture  theatre  at  the  early 
(if  not  tender)  age  of  16. 

Battiston  is  the  fourth  youthful  exhibi- 
tor in  the  Herald  contest — ^which,  of 
course,  is  not  so  much  a contest  as  an  ef- 
fort to  recognize  the  interesting  achieve- 
ment of  youth  in  doing  what  is  ordinarily 
the  work  of  much  older  peojile. 

All  readers  of  the  Herald  will  of  course 
recall  the  accounts  of  Mildred  Russell,  I. 
Glenn  Caldw'ell  and  George  Oshrin. 

As  to  the  fourth  member  of  the  grow- 
ing group — well,  let  Battiston  speak  for 
himself  in  the  letter  he  wrote  the  Herald 
Dear  Sir; 

A few  weeks  ago  I noticed  pub- 
lished in  the  EXHIBITORS  HER- 
ALD an  article  about  the  youngest 
theatre  manager.  I am  writing  as 
I think  I may  have  a chance  for 
the  title. 

I am  now  31  years  old  and  I 
signed  my  first  contract  with  the 
Calcium  Light  Feature  Film  Com- 
pany of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  in  the  fall 
of  1913.  That  made  me,  when  16 
years  old,  the  manager  of  the  Lyric 
theatre  at  Yukon,  Pa. 

Enclosed  you  will  find  a photo 
which  was  taken  recently  in  Cali- 
fornia. 

Yours  truly, 

ANDY  F.  BATTISTON. 

There  you  are.  Quite  an  enviable  rec- 
ord, eh?  And  Battiston’s  letter  came  on  a 
letterhead  w'hich  names  him  manager  of  the 
Ritz  as  w'ell  as  the  Lyric  in  Yukon. 

Who’s  next? 


M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Ohio 
Seek  New  Members 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

COLUMBUS,  OHIO,  Aug.  23.— 
The  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Ohio  has  re- 
cently published  a pamphlet  en- 
titled, “Are  You  for  or  Against 
Us,”  in  which  is  outlined  the  many 
reasons  for  being  a member  of  the 
organization.  Twelve  reasons  are 
listed  in  the  pamphlet.  The  pam- 
phlet comes  from  the  office  of  P.  J. 
Wood,  business  manager,  39  West 
Broad  St.,  Columbus,  Ohio. 


National  M.  P,  T,  O. 
Will  Aid  Exhibitor 
In  Film  Exploiting 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug,  16. — ^Theatre  men 
who  are  members  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  are  soon  to 
have  the  assistance  of  the  national  body 
in  the  exploitation  of  their  motion  pic- 
tures, according  to  an  announcement  just 
issued  by  the  New  York  headquarters. 

The  announcement  makes  it  clear  that 
the  national  body  will  devote  its  efforts 
entirely  to  the  picture  phase  of  the  pro- 
gram, avoiding,  if  possible,  any  relation 
with  presentation. 

Following  is  the  announcement  in  part: 

“The  primary  purpose  of  this  exploita- 
tion division  is  to  make  the  ‘Picture  the 
Thing’  in  motion  picture  theatres ; giving 
it  first  place  ^nd  if  possible  avoid  all  arti- 
ficial stimulants  like  presentations,  special 
concert  or  musical  acts.  This  is  not  due 
to  any  aversion  to  these  side  entertain- 
ment elements.  Rut  the  danger  of  relegat- 
ing the  motion  picture  to  a secondary 
position  in  many  motion  picture  houses  is 
so  obvious  that  it  may  upset  production 
calculations  entirely  and  add  to  business 
uncertainties  now'  entirely  too  prevalent  in 
the  industry. 

Fire  Damages  State 
Theatre,  Sacramento; 
Set  Loss  at  $250,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SACRxAAIENTO,  Aug.  23. — A fire  which 
was  believed  to  have  been  started  by  a 
cigarette  recently  damaged  the  State  the- 
atre, Sacramento,  Cal  The  loss  was  esti- 
mated at  $250,000. 

The  fire  w’as  discovered  when  part  of  the 
roof  was  blow'n  off.  Firemen  said  chemical 
gas,  generated  in  the  tightly  closed  struc- 
ture, caused  the  blast. 

Aaron  Singer  Exploits 
First  Division  Pictures 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW’  YORK,  Aug.  23. — Aaron  Singer, 
long  a newspaperman  w'ith  dailies  in  Chi- 
cago, Cleveland  and  New  York,  has  under- 
taken to  boost  First  Division  Pictures  for 
Jesse  J.  Goldburg  and  announces  that  he 
intends  to  have  a soft  job  of  it.  “Pictures 
like  ‘Death  Valley’  or  ‘Finnegan’s  Ball,’” 
he  said,  “create  their  own  exploitation.” 

Repeal  of  Admission 

Tax  Seems  Unlikely 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  Aug.  23. — Possibilities 
of  the  failure  of  the  move  to  repeal  the 
admission  tax  are  seen  as  a result  of  the 
increase  in  next  year’s  budget  caused  by 
the  failure  of  the  Geneva  Naval  Confer- 
ence and  the  consequent  increase  in  the 
appropriation  for  national  defense. 

John  B.  Nash,  Long 

an  Exhibitor,  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PROVIDENCE,  R.  L,  Aug.  23.— John 
B.  Nash,  for  35  years  manager  and  own- 
er of  legitimate  and  motion  picture  the- 
atres in  Rhode  Island,  died  at  his  home 
here  in  his  59th  year.  He  leaves  a widow, 
two  sons  and  a daughter. 

Takessley  Has  Operation 

FRANKFORT,  IND.— Ted  Take-rsley,  treas- 
urer of  the  Conley  Theatre  of  Frankfort,  Ind., 
recently  submitted  to  an  operation.  He  is  on  the 
road  to  recovery. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


New  Season’s 
Bookings 


MOSQUE  (Newark):  F-N’s  “The 
Stolen  Bride.” 

BRANTFORD  (Newark):  F-N’s  “Hard- 
Boiled  Haggerty.” 

WEST  COAST  T.  & D.  (Oakland,  Cal.) : 

M-G-M’s  “After  Midnight.” 
HIPPODROME  (New  Y®rk  City): 

F B O’s  “Shanghaied.” 

STANLEY  - CRANDALL  CIRCUIT 

(Washington):  Universal’s  serial, 

“Blake  of  Scotland  Yard.” 

WEST  COAST  CIRCUIT  (Pacific 
Coast):  Certain  amount  of  Universal 
product  in  every  one  of  the  250  houses. 
ORPHEUM  (Lansing,  Mich.):  Colum- 
bia’s “The  Blood  Ship.” 

STANLEY  CIRCUIT  (Northeast 
Coast):  Entire  Gotham  line-up  for 

theatres  in  Philadelphia  territory. 

$400,  000  Raised 
for  Flood  Relief 
By  Film  Theatres 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23.— More  _ than 
^00,000  was  raised  through  motion  picture 
benefit  performances  for  the  Red  Cross 
flood  relief  fund,  according  to  the  compiled 
reports  of  30  Film  Boards  of  Trade.  The 
report  shows  that  the  total  value  of  the 
film  donated  by  the  exchanges  amounted 
to  more  than  $45,000. 


Film  Industry  in 
Japan  Is  in  Acute 
Stage  of  Adjustment 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23. — The  motion  pic- 
ture industry  in  Japan  is  at  present  in  the 
throes  of  an  adjustment  that  had  to  come 
about  before  any  forward  steps  could  be 
taken.  This  is  a statement  made  by  Wil- 
liam Scott,  far  eastern  representative  of 
F B O on  conditions  in  that  country,  and 
sent  to  Colvin  Brown,  vice  president  of 
FBO. 

According  to  Scott,  motion  picture  the- 
atres in  Japan  are  invariably  nothing  more 
than  glorified  match  boxes.  Few  of  them 
have  adequate  seating  capacity.  A theatre 
that  caters  to  700  patrons  usually  can  seat 
no  more  than  about  200.  The  rest  squat 
on  the  floor. 

Due  to  the  fact  that  the  people  of  the 
interior  seldom  see  foreigners,  they  have 
little  interest  in  European  or  American 
films. 

Five  Theatres  Open 

With  New  Vitaphones 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23. — The  Vitaphone 
Corporation  announces  that  five  theatres 
are  opening  with  Vitaphone  installations. 
These  theatres  are  Plaza  theatre  at  San 
Diego,  Cal.,  and  the  Plaza  at  Long  Beach, 
both  of  National  Theatres  chain;  the  Capi- 
tol theatre  at  Richmond,  Va.,  the  Van 
Curler  at  Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  and  the 
Majestic  at  Jersey  City. 


Fairbanks  Finishes  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23. — Douglas  Fair- 
banks will  complete  shooting  “The  Gaucho” 
August  27  after  having  spent  90  days  on  it. 
He  will  begin  at  once  on  his  next. 


Second  List  of  Releases  in 
New  Year  Shows  Big  Variety 

Columbia  Announces  First  Three — Two  Extended  Runs  on 
Warner  Brothers’  September  Schedule — Universal 
Releasing  Two  Specials  Early 

The  first  three  of  the  Perfect  Thirty  to  be  released  by  Columbia  in  the 
new  season  are  “The  Blood  Ship,”  “Alias  the  Lone  Wolf”  and  “Sally  in 
Our  Alley.”  This  is  one  of  the  highlights  of  the  second  Herald  compilation 
of  productions  to  be  offered  exhibitors  for  the  coming  year.  “The  Blood 
Ship”  went  to  exhibitors  August  10. 

Two  Extended  Run  Productions  are  on  Warner  Brothers’  releases  for 
September.  These  are  “Old  San  Francisco”  and  “The  First  Auto.” 

LTniversal  presents  a wide  variety  of  subject  matter  in  its.  offerings  for 
September,  October  and  November.  Two  specials  will  be  “The  Cat  and 
the  Canary”  and  “Les  Miserables.” 


Tiffany  will  release  20  Gems,  24  Color 
Classics,  four  Jack  London  Sea  Stories 
and  several  special  productions  for  ex- 
tended runs,  such  as  the  Third  Dimen- 
sion Pictures.  Tiffany  will  have  com- 
pleted its  1926-27  schedule  with  “Wild 
Geese,”  now  being  cast.  Zaire  Grey's 
“Lightning”  has  just  been  finished. 

Following  is  the  second  list  of  pro- 
ductions for  exhibitors’  use  in  making  up 
their  programs: 

Universal 

SEPTEMBER  4 

“BACK  TO  GOD’S  COLINTRY,”  starring 
Renee  Adoree,  supporte’d  by  Robert  Frazier, 
Walter  Long  and  Mitchell  Lewis.  Director, 
Irwin  Willat.  Jewel  production. 

SEPTEMBER  4 

“OUT  ALL  NIGHT,”  starring  Reginald 
Denny,  supported  by  Marion  Nixon,  Ben  Hen- 
dricks, Jr.,  Dorothy  Earle  and  Wheeler  Oakman. 
Director,  W.  A.  Seiter.  Comedy. 

SEPTEMBER  4 

“THREE  MILES  UP,”  starring  A1  Wilson, 
supported  by  Ethlyn  Claire  and  Frank  Rice. 
Director,  Bruce  Mitchell.  Thrill  Series  produc- 
tion. 

SEPTEMBER  11 

“THE  CAT  AND  THE  CANARY,”  starring 
Laura  LaPlante,  supported  by  Creighton  Hale, 
Forrest  Stanley,  Tully  Marshall,  Gertrude  Astor 
and  Lucien  Littlefield.  Director,  Leni.  Special. 

SEPTEMBER  18 

“THE  LONT  EAGLE,”  starring  Kent  and 
Keane,  supported  by  Nige’l  Barrie,  Marsella  Daly 
and  Donald  Stuart.  Director,  Johnson.  Jewel 
production. 

SEPTEMBER  18 

“THE  BORDER  CAVALIER,”  starring  Fred 
Humes,  supported  by  Evelyn  Pierce,  Joyce  Comp- 
ton, Pee'  Wee  Holmes,  and  Bennie  Corbett.  Di- 
rector, William  Wyler.  Thrill  production. 

SEPTEMBER  25 

“PAINTED  PONIES,”  starring  Hoot  Gibson, 
supported  by  Ethlyn  Claire,  Slim  Summerville, 
Otto  Hoffman  and  Chas.  Sellon.  Director,  Reeves 
Eason.  Jewel  production. 

OCTOBER  2 

“SILK  STOCKINGS,”  starring  Laura  La- 
Plante', supported  bv  John  Harron,  William  Aus- 
tin and  Otis  Harlan.  Director,  Wesley  Ruggles. 
Jewel. 

OCTOBER  2 

“WOLF’S  TRAIL,”  starring  Dynamite,  the 
Wonder  Dog,  supported  by  Edmund  Cobb  and 
Dixie  Lamont.  Director,  Francis  Ford.  Thrill 
Series  production. 

OCTOBER  9 

“CHEATING  CHEATERS,”  starring  Betty 
Compson  and  Kenneth  Harland,  supported  by 
Sylvia  Ashton,  Lucien  Littlefield,  Eddie  Gribbon 
and  Cesare  Gravina.  Jewel. 

OCTOBER  16 

“STRAIGHT  SHOOTIN*,”  starring  Wells, 
supported  by  Lillian  Gilmore  and  Garry  O'Dell. 
Director,  Wm.  Wyler.  Thrill  Series  produc- 
tion. 

OCTOBER  23 

“ALIAS  THE  DEACON,”  starring  Hersholt, 
Marlowe  and  Graves,  supported  by  Myrtle  Sted- 
man,  Tom  Kennedy  and  J.  W.  Girard.  Director, 
Ed  Sloman.  Jewel. 

OCTOBER  23 

“LES  MISERABLES,”  all-star,  with  Gabriel 
Gabrio,  Jean  Toulont,  Sandra  Milownaoff  and 
An.dree  Rolane.  Director,  Henry  Fescourt.  Spe- 
cial. 

NOVEMBER  6 

“BUCK  PRIVATES,”  starring  Lya  DePutti, 


siijiijorted  by  Malcolm  MacGregor,  ZaSu  J^itts 
and  Eddie  Gribbon.  Director,  Mel  Brown.  Jewel. 

NOVEMBER  6 

“SKY  HIGH  SAUNDERS,”  starring  Ai  Wil- 
son, supported  by  Elsie  Tarron,  F^rank  Rice  and 
Bud  Osborne.  Director,  B'ruce  Mitchell.  Thrill 
production. 

NOVEMBER  13 

“THE  THIRTEENTH  JUROR,”  starring 
Bushman  and  Nilsson,  supported  by  Walter  Pid- 
geon,  Ge'orge  Siegmann,  Lloyd  Whitlock  and 
Martha  Mattox.  Director,  Ed.  Laemmle.  Jewel. 

NOVEMBER  20 

“GALLOPING  FLTRY,”  starring  Hoot  Gib- 
son, supported  by  Sally  Rand,  Otis  Harlan,  Max 
Asche'r  and  Pee  Wee  Holmes.  Director,  Reeves 
Eason.  Jewel. 

NOVEMBER  20 

"ONE  GLORIOUS  SCRAP,”  starring  Fred 
Humes,  supported  by  Pee  Wee  Holmes,  Benny 
Corbett  and  Dorothy  Gulliver.  Director,  Edgar 
Lewis.  Thrill  production. 

NOVEMBER  20 

“MILE-A-MINUTE-LOVE,”  starring  Reginald 
Denny,  supported  by  Barbara  Kent,  Lillian  Rich, 
Wilson  Benge  and  Geo.  Siegmann.  Director, 
Newmeyer.  Comedy. 

NOVEMBER  27 

“WII.D  BEALTTY,”  starring  Rex,  the  King  of 
Wild  Horses,  supported  by  June  Marlowe,  Ilugh 
Allen,  Scott  Seatch  and  Hayes  Robinson.  Direc- 
tor, Henry  MacRae. 

Columbia 

“THE  BLOOD  SHIP,”  starring  Hobart  Bos- 
worth,  supported  by  Jacqueline  Logan  and  R ch- 
ard  Arlen.  Director,  George  D.  Seitz.  Re- 
leased August  10  and  to  be  followed  successively 
by  : 

“ALIAS  THE  LONE  WOLF,”  starring  Bert 
Lytell,  supported  by  Lois  Wilson,  William  V. 
Mong,  James  Mason,  Ned  Sparks  and  Paulette 
Duval.  Director,  Edward  H.  Griffith. 

“SALLY  IN  OUR  ALLEY,”  starring  Shirley 
Mason,  supported  by  Richard  Allen,  Alec  Fran- 
cis, Paul  Panzer,  William  H.  Strauss,  Florence 
Turner,  Kathlyn  Williams  and  Harry  Crocker. 
Director,  Walter  Lang. 

Warner  Brothers 

SEPTEMBER  3 

“SLIGHTI.Y  LISED,”  starring  May  McAvoy 
with  Conrad  Nagel,  supported  by  B’obby  Agnew, 
Audrey  Ferris,  Anders  Randolf  and  Eugenie  Bes- 
serer.  Director,  Archie  Mayo. 

SEPTEMBER  4 

“OLD  SAN  FRANCISCO,”  starring  Dolores 
Costello,  supported  by  Warner  Oland,  Josepf 
Swickard,  Anders  Randolf,  Tom  Santschi,  and 
Anna  Mav  Wong.  Director,  Alan  Crosland. 

SEPTEMBER  10 

“THE  BROADWAY  KID,”  starring  George 
Jesse'l,  supported  by  Andrew  Ferris,  Gertrude  As- 
tor, Jack  Santoros,  Douglas  Gerrard  and  Theo- 
dore Lorch.  Director,  Byron  Haskins. 

SEPTEMBER  17 

“JAWS  OF  STEEL,”  starring  Rin-Tin-Tin, 
dog  picture.  Supported  by  Helen  Ferguson, 
Jason  Robards,  Bob  Perry  and  Baby  Mary  Louis 
Miller.  Director,  Ray  Enright. 

SEPTEMBER  18 

“THE  FIRST  AUTO,”  starring  Barney  Old- 
field, others  featuring  being  Patsy  Ruth  Miller, 
Russell  Simpson,  Frank  Campeau,  Douglas  Ger- 
rard and  William  Demarest.  Director,  Roy  Del 
Ruth. 

SEPTEMBER  24 

“A  SAILOR’S  SWEETHEART,”  costarring 
Louise  Fazenda  and  Clyde  Cook,  supported  by 
Myrna  Loy,  William  Demarest,  John  Miljan  and 
Tom  Ricketts.  Director,  Lloyd  B’acon.  Comedy. 


August  27,  1927 


26  EXHIBITORSHERALD 

Rathe  in  Top  Row  in  Manpower, 
Complete  Personnel  Shows 

Some  of  Foremost  Leaders  in  Industry  Listed  in  Board  of  Directors 
Following  Merger — Branch  Officers  Are  Named 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  Aug.  23. — Pathe  stands  today  as  one  of  the  strongest 
companies  in  the  business  in  point  of  manpower,  as  revealed  by  the 
first  complete  list  of  executives  following  the  amalgamation  with 
Cecil  B.  De  Mille  and  Keith-Albee-Orpheum. 


The  strength  of  personnel  is  manifest 
starting  with  the  general  officers.  There 
are  J.  J.  Murdock,  president  of  Pathe  and 
general  manager  of  Kcith-Albee ; Cecil  B. 
De  Mille,  in  charge  of  all  production;  Elmer 
Pearson,  first  vice-president  in  charge  of 
oi)erations;  John  C.  Flinn,  vice-president; 
Phil  Reisman,  feature  salesmanager ; J.  E. 
Storey,  in  charge  of  short  feature  produc- 
tion, assisted  by  E.  Oswald  Brooks,  in 
charge  of  the  Pathe  Eastern  serial  unit,  and 
Phil  Ryan,  located  at  the  Pathe  studio  on 
the  West  Coast;  Harry  Scott,  short  subject 
salesmanager;  Lewis  Innerarity,  secretary 
of  the  corporation,  and  John  Hiimm, 
treasurer. 

Merger  Brings  New  Personnel 

The  recent  merger  with  the  Keith-Albee- 
Orpheum  Circuit  and  affiliated  interests  has 
lirought  to  the  executive  personnel  such 
men  as  E.  F.  Albee,  president  of  Keith- 
Albee ; iMarcus  Heiman,  president  of  the 
Orpheum  Circuit;  Edwin  G,  Lauder,  vice- 
])resident  of  Keith-.Mbee ; B.  S.  Moss, 
president  of  the  Greater  New  York  Theatre 
Corporation;  F.  F.  Proctor,  of  the  Proctor 
I'heatres,  and  S.  Z.  Poli,  of  the  Poli  Cir- 
cuit. 

The  Pathe  lioard  of  directors,  which  has 
fifteen  members,  includes,  in  addition  to 
Messrs.  Murdock,  Albee,  Pearson,  Heiman, 
I-.auder  De  Mille  and  AIoss  such  men  as 
George  Armshy  and  Elisha  M'alker,  of 
Blair  & Co.,  bankers;  Edmund  C.  Lynch, 
of  Merrill,  Lynch  & Co.,  1)ankers ; Paul 
Fuller,  Jr.,  of  Coudert  Brothers  counsel  for 
the  corporation;  Frank  Callahan  attorney; 
Jeremiah  jMilbank,  capitalist,  and  Charles 
Pathe. 

L.’nder  W.  J.  Morgan,  Eastern  di\ision 
manager,  are  three  district  managers  : 

Iv.  J.  Hacking  has  the  branches  at  Albany, 
Toston  and  New  Elaven  in  charge,  respectively, 
of  Feature  Branch  !\Ianagers  A.  J.  Herman.  R.  C. 
Cropper  and  H.  Kirchgessner;  G.  M.  Dillon  is 
chief  of  the  Brooklyn,  New  Jersey  and  New 
York  branches.  R.  S.  Wolff  is  feature  branch 
manager  of  New  Jersey,  and  W.  C.  Herrmann  is 
feature  branch  manager,  New  York.  As  yet  no 
feature  branch  manager  has  been  named  for  the 
Brooklyn  post.  W.  G.  Humphries’  district  cov- 
ers Philadelphia,  with  Clarence  Eiseman  in  charge ; 
Washington,  headed  by  G.  F.  Lenehan,  and 
Charlotte,  with  Feature  Branch  Manager  W.  F. 
Lenehan. 

Ed  Eschmann’s  iX.lidwest  di\ision  covers 
nine  Ijranches  : 

Robert  Cotton  is  district  manager  over  Buffalo, 
Cleveland  and  Detroit,  with  G.  W.  Ferguson, 
J.  E.  Beck  and  Henry  Zapp  as  feature  branch 
managers,  respectively.  Robert  Mochrie’s  district 
is  Pittsburgh,  Cincinnati  and  Indianapolis,  headed, 
respectively,  by  A.  Goldsmith,  C.  J.  Loewe  and 
Frank  Stuart.  C.  E.  Alaberry  has  the  Chicago, 


Milwaukee  and  Minneapolis  branches,  headed  by 
H.  S.  Lorch,  S.  G.  Honeck  and  E.  J.  Lipson, 
respectively.  R.  A.  Morrow’s  district  includes 
New  Orleans,  Atlanta  and  Jacksonville.  G.  C. 
Brown  is  the  feature  branch  manager  at  New 
Orleans,  Frank  Howard  at  Atlanta.  No  manager 
has  been  named  for  Jacksonville. 

L.  W.  Weir’s  Western  division  includes 
14  branches : 

C.  D.  Hill  i.s  the  only  district  manager  yet 
named.  Mr.  Hill's  territory  includes  Kansas 
City,  St.  Louis,  Omaha  and  Des  Moines,  headed 
by  Ed  Peskay,  Jack  O’Toole,  Albert  Danke  and 
L.  L.  Phillips.  The  trio  of  Dallas,  Oklahoma 
City  and  Memphis  make  up  another  district,  with 
E.  C.  Leeves,  E.  S.  Olsmith  and  Dan  Meyers  the 
branch  heads.  Butte,  Denver  and  Salt  Lake  are 
headed  by  David  McElhinney,  A.  G.  Edwards  and 
Allen  O’Keefe.  The  feature  branch  managers  in 
charge  of  the  Coast  points,  Seattle,  Portland,  San 
Francisco  and  Los  Angeles,  are  Dave  Frazer, 
Harry  Percy,  M.  E.  Cory  and  J.  S.  Stout. 

T.  W.  Brady  is  general  Canadian  repre- 
sentative, with  branches  at  St.  John,  Mon- 
treal, Toronto,  Winnipeg,  Calgary  and  Van- 
couver. 

Charles  Henschel,  Eastern  short  subject  division 
manager,  has  six  branches  in  his  territory.  The 
following  are  the  branch  and  the  short  subject 
managers:  New  York,  W.  E.  Raynor;  Boston, 

R.  C.  Cropper;  Albany,  Edward  J.  Hayes;  Phila- 
deljihia,  H.  \V.  Lewis;  Washington,  R.  C.  Robin; 
New  Haven,  George  Ames. 

In  the  central  division,  under  Stanley  Jacques, 
are  St.  Louis,  where  P.  Schmuck  is  short 

subject  manager;  Pittsburgh,  B.  M.  Moran;  Cin- 
cinnati, no  branch  manager  yet  named;  Cleve- 
land, O.  J.  Ruby;  Indianapolis,  R.  S.  Shrader; 
Buffalo,  Basil  Brady. 

Fred  Aiken’s  territory  includes  Chicago  (J.  S. 
Gillickl,  Minneaiiolis  (Walter  Liehmann),  Omaha 
(W.  E.  Branson),  Detroit  (Oscar  Hanson),  Des 
Moines  (H.  A.  Kaufman),  Milwaukee  (W.  A. 
Aschmann,  Double  I (Harry  Graham). 

Ballantyne  Has  Coast  Division 

R.  S.  Ballantyne’s  division  consists  of  Los  An- 
geles (W.  S.  Wessling),  San  Francisco  (W.  G. 
Seil)),  Denver  (S.  B.  Rahn),  Seattle  (L.  A.  Sam- 
uelson),  Salt  Lake  City  (J.  A.  Epperson),  Butte 
(W’illiam  M.  Hughart),  Portland  (L.  M.  Cobbs). 

1'he  sliort  subject  sales  manager  for  the  South- 
ern division,  C.  Mb  Stombaugh,  has  the  branches 
of  Atlanta  (W.  \\^  Anderson),  Dallas  (J.  L.  Mc- 
Kinney), Oklahoma  City  (A.  A.  Renfro),  New 
Orleans  (J.  O.  Rohde),  Kansas  City  (Roy  Pear- 
son), Charlotte  (E.  L.  MeShane),  ]\Iemphis 
(Charles  F.  Boyd). 

The  office  managers  follows:  Albany,  J.  Mar- 
chetti;  Atlanta,  W',  J.  Collins;  Boston,  F.  J.  Wolf; 
Buffalo,  L.  S.  Schindler;  Butte,  C.  Hall;  Char- 
lotte, C.  Beilan;  Chicago,  C.  E.  Marshall;  Cin- 
cinnati, W’.  Marshall;  Cleveland,  D.  B.  Cowhig; 
Dallas,  Harry  Sachs;  Denver.  C.  O’Connell;  Des 
Moines,  Reuben  W’agle;  Detroit,  E.  D.  Loye; 
Indianapolis,  J.  Ricketts;  Kansas  City,  C.  M. 
Parkhurst;  Los  Angeles,  Milton  Hossfeld;  IVIem- 
phis,  H.  A.  Chrisman;  Milwaukee,  R.  S.  Baldwin; 
Minneapolis,  W.  C.  Winters;  New  Haven,  Z.  C. 
r)euse;  New  Orleans,  Max  Fleine;  New  Jersey, 
none  appointed;  New  York,  Mhlliam  Marsh;  Okla- 
homa (Tity,  W.  R.  I’ittinger;  Omaha,  L.  D.  Chap- 
man; Philadelphia,  W.  J.  Quinlavin;  Pittsburgh, 
E.  R.  Hurteau;  Portland,  James  Merian;  Salt 
Lake  City,  E.  H.  Smyth;  San  Francisco,  H.  M. 
Hollandsworth ; Seattle,  A,  Grantz;  St.  Louis, 
L.  A.  LaPlante;  W'ashington,  L.  M.  Innerarity. 


FBO^s  Relation 
With  Ideal  Films 
Aided  by  Merger 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23.— F B O’s  alli- 
ance with  Ideal  Films,  Ltd.,  of  Great 
Britain,  has  been  further  strengthened  by 
the  recent  liuge 
merger  of  British 
distributing  a n d 
exhibiting  c o m- 
panies  in  which 
Ideal  Films,  Ltd., 
participated,  a c- 
cording  t o Jo- 
seph P.  Kennedy, 
president  of 
F B O Pictures 
Corporation. 

The  alliance 
between  F B O 
and  Ideal  was 
made  last  year 
whereby  all  pro- 
ductions made  by 
F B O would  be  distributed  throughout 
the  United  Kingdom  by  Ideal.  The 
new  British  merger  places  Ideal,  Gau- 
mont,  and  W.  F.  Company  all  under  the 
same  ownership  and  acquires  the  Davis 
circuit  of  theatres,  the  largest  circuit  of 
motion  picture  theatres  in  the  United 
Kingdom.  Thus  the  F B O product  will 
be  e.xploited  through  this  important 
British  circuit. 

Production  Starts  on 
Rainbow  Pictures  at 
Cosmopolitan  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23, — Production 
began  yesterday  at  the  Cosmopolitan 
studio  in  New  York  on  the  first  picture 
of  the  series  of  Rainbow  productions  to 
be  produced  under  the  auspices  of  the 
North  American  Society  of  Arts,  Inc., 
composed  of  a group  of  color  special- 
ists, headed  by  Raymond  Hood,  the  ar- 
chitect responsible  for  the  .A-inerican  Ra- 
diator Building  in  New  York  and  the 
Tribune  Tower  in  Chicago,  and  other 
well  known  specialists. 

I-ars  Moen  will  direct  the  pictures,  all 
of  which  are  to  be  two-reel,  light  com- 
edy dramas,  made  entirely  in  technicolor, 

Edna  Murphy  is  being  starred  in  the 
productions,  and  Walter  Tennyson  will 
play  opposite  her.  Others  in  the  cast 
are  Mabel  Swor,  Louis  Dayton,  Herbert 
Fortier,  Louise  Peters  and  Myra  Brooks. 
Donald  Weston  Bartlett,  who  is  respon- 
sible for  the  stories  and  continuities,  is 
acting  as  production  manager,  and  Bert 
Tuey  is  assistant  to  Moen. 


Moran  Joins  Paramount 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— Edward 
Moran,  well  known  screen  writer,  has 
joined  the  Paramount-Famous-Lasky 
forces.  “Tell  It  to  Sween_\”  is  engaging 
his  time  at  present. 


Crawford  Quits  M-G-M 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

BOSTON,  Aug.  23. — Carl  Crawford  has 
resigned  from  M-G-AI  to  become  New 
England  manager  for  Red  Seal  Films  with 
offices  at  46  Church  street. 


Hines  Injures  Nose 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— Johnny  Hines, 
who  was  injured  in  an  auto  accident  last 
week,  is  out  again  with  a bandaged  nose. 


Orpheum  Slashes  Prices  at  St,  Louis 

To  Try  to  Meet  Picture  Competition 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  23. — The  war  is  on  in  St.  Louis.  The  opening  gun  has 
been  bred  by  the  Orpheum  Circuit  in  a drive  to  win  back  the  patrons  won 
away  by  the  hrst  run  picture  palaces  of  the  city  the  past  four  years. 

When  the  Orpheum  theatre  re-opens  its  doors  Aug.  28  the  top  price  will 
be  75  cents,  against  the  old  high  mark  of  99  cents  the  latter  part  of  last  sea- 
son. The  opening  rate  schedule  for  1926-27  had  a $1.50  top. 

The  Orpheum  will  have  afternoon  and  evening  performances  Monday  to 
Saturday,  inclusive,  and  continuous  on  Sundays  and  holidays.  There  will  be 
reserved  seats  on  week  days,  but  not  on  Sundays  and  holidays.  Sunday  and 
holiday  prices,  50  cents  matinee,  75  cents  night.  Gallery,  25  cents. 


Joseph  P.  Kennedy 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


August  27,  1927 

F.  H.  Schader  Made 
Western  Editor  for 
Photoplay  Magazine 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23. — James  R. 
Quirk,  editor  and  publisher  of  Photoplay 
Magazine,  the  motion  picture  fan  publica- 
tion, announced  yesterday  that  he  had  ap- 
pointed Frederic  H.  Schader  Western  ed- 
itor of  the  publication,  with  headquarters 
in  Hollywood.  Mr.  Schader  will  replace 
Ivan  St.  Johns,  who  has  resigned  to  take 
up  the  writing  of  originals  and  fiction 
work. 

Mr.  St.  Johns  was  with  Photoplay  for 
four  years,  and  is  joining  the  Photoplay 
alumni,  which  comprises  such  motion  pic- 
ture industry  notables  as  Julian  Johnson, 
Editor-in-chief  of  Paramount  productions ; 
Randolph  Bartlett,  who  is  also  associated 
with  the  Paramount  editorial  department ; 
A!  Cohn,  who  has  achieved  distinction  as 
the  author  of  original  stories  for  the 
screen ; and  Adela  Rogers  St.  Johns,  who 
has  become  a famous  novelist. 

Wurtzel  May  Not  Care 
to  Be  King-Maker  But 
as  to  Directors — Wow! 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— The  day  of 
“king-makers”  may  be  gone  forever,  but 
if  it  isn’t,  Sol  M.  Wurtzel  is  probably  not 
interested  anywajc  Sol  makes  directors, 
taking  advantage  of  his  position  as  general 
superintendent  of  the  Fox  studios  here  to 
recognize  the  talent  he  finds  among  the  as- 
sistants, actors,  and  others. 

Wurtzel  went  into  the  ranks  to  get  David 
Butler,  whom  he  assigned  to  direct  “The 
High  School  Hero,”  while  he  promoted 
James  Tinling  from  assistant  director  and 
assigned  him  to  Aladge  Bellamy’s  “Very 
Confidential.” 

Wurtzel  has  also  l)rought  out  Ray  Flynn, 
brother  of  Emmett,  and  recently  handed 
the  megaphone  to  Wallace  MacDonald.  Last 
season  he  gave  Howard  Hawks  his  chance, 
and  Hawks  made  “Fig  Leaves”  and  more 
recently  “Cradle  Snatchers”  and  “Paid  to 
Love.”  Albert  Ray,  J.  G.  Blystone  and 
Ben  Stoloff  also  owe  their  advanceriient  to 
Wurtzel’s  zest  for  director-making. 


Ben  Lyon^s  Vacation  a 
Flop;  Strolls  Into  Job 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

BERLIN,  Aug.  23. — Ben  Lyon’s  vacation 
in  Europe  has  had  a set-back  since  the 
First  National  star  arrived  here.  Visiting 
the  studios  of  Defina,  F-N  producing  or- 
ganization in  Germany,  he  w'as  just  the 
type  Director  Friederich  Zelnik  needed  for 
the  role  of  a young  lover  in  “Dancing 
Vienna,”  initial  production.  The  famous 
Continental  actress,  Lya  Mara,  is  opposite 
Lyon. 


Walenstein  Sits  in  for 

Ginsberg  at  Sterling 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23.— Irving  L.  Wal- 
enstein, home  office  representative  in  Holly- 
wood of  Sterling  Productions,  has  arrived 
here  to  take  charge  of  headquarters  during 
the  absence  of  President  Henry  Ginsberg, 
who  is  on  his  honeymoon.  In  Hollywood, 
Walenstein  is  associated  with  Joe  Rock, 
Sterling  producer,  having  his  office  at  the 
Universal  studios. 


Gavin  Hahn  Resigns 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23. — Gavin  Hahn 
has  resigned  from  Mack  Sennett  studios’ 
publicity  -department. 


“What  Price  Glory  Fills  Roxy 
5 Times  Daily  for  New  Record 

Extra  De  Luxe  Show  Fails  to  Accommodate  Crowds — Weekday 
Figures  Smashed  with  $18,459  Monday— 
Seven-day  Total  Also  Eclipsed 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23 — The  theatre  business  is  a business.  If  there  is 
any  doubt  about  this  just  ask  Roxy  Rothafel,  or  take  a peep  at  the  mone}' 
figures  of  the  Roxy  theatre,  which  just  now  is  playing  a second  week  of 
“What  Price  Glory”  and  turning-  them  away. 

Five  De  Luxe  Shows  Daily 

So  great  has  been  the  clamor  to  see  the  big  William  Fox  special  at  pop- 
ular prices  that  Roxy  found  his  four  regular  de  luxe  shows  a day  unable  to 
care  for  the  crowds.  So  for  the  second  week  of  the  “What  Price  Glory” 
engagement  Roxy  is  giving  five  of  these  de  luxe  things  per  day,  and  still  all 


the  people  are  unable  to  get  into  the 

All  records  have  been  broken  in  the  mat- 
ter of  attendance  and  consequently  box 
office  gatherings,  and  it  is  likely  that  Roxy 
will  decide  to  break  still  another  record  by 
keeping  the  big  war  picture  on  for  a third 
week.  This  will  not  lie  decided  until  later 
in  the  week. 

Weekday  Figures  Smashed 
The  record  breaking  started  off  last  Mon- 
day when  the  house’s  weekday  figures  were 
smashed  with  a total  of  $18,459.  “What 
Price  Glory”  opened  on  Saturday  and  the 
figures  for  the  first  week  are  : 


Day.  Attendance.  Receipts. 

Saturday  23,221  $23,904.7.5 

Sunday  25,036  26,255.25 

Monday  25,205  18,459.00 

Tuesday  25.234  18,478.45 

Wednesday  26,119  19,308.65 

Thursday  25,837  19,029.40 

Friday  2,5,574  18,831.80 


Total 176,226  $144,267.30 


This  establishes,  of  course,  a new  week’s 
record  for  the  Ro.xy,  and  that  carries  with 
it  the  record  for  New  York  or  any  other 
city.  The  pre\ious  record  was  held  by 
“..Ankles  Preferred,”  which  played  a week 
at  the  Roxy  to  158,580  patrons,  the  box 
office  yield  for  the  week  being  $129,524.55. 

Box  office  figures,  printed  by  the  Wall 


Blank  of  Des  Moines 
Refuses  to  See  King 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

DES  MOINES,  Aug.  23.— It 
didn’t  take  A.  H.  Blank,  motion 
picture  magnate  of  this  city,  long 
to  bring  his  democratic  ideals  to 
the  top  when  he  had  to  make  a 
quick  decision  on  whether  or  not 
to  take  advantage  of  a chance  of 
being  presented  at  the  English 
court.  Mr.  Blank  is  touring  Eu- 
rope with  his  family  and  was  in 
London  when  the  weighty  decision 
was  made. 

It  was  merely  a problem  of 
dress.  When  he  found  that  velvet 
trousers  of  the  short  variety,  pat- 
ent leathers  with  silver  buckles. 
Huffy  lace  shirt  and  a sword  were 
required,  his  Americanism  re- 
belled. 

“I  wouldn’t  dress  like  that  to 
meet  all  the  kings  in  Europe.  I 
might  be  persuaded  to  appear  at  a 
masquerade  ball  in  an  out£t  like 
that,  but  not  for  the  sake  of  meet- 
ing royalty,”  he  is  reported  as  an- 
nouncing to  those  whom  it  might 
concern. 


big  6,000-seat  theatre. 

Sired  Journal  for  the  first  21  weeks  of  the 
Roxy’s  existence  show  a total  gross  of 
$2,216,858.39.  The  financial  Iiaper  estimates 
the  weekly  overhead  at  from  $50,000  to 
$70,000  and  net  earnings  for  the  period 
above  $1,000,000. 


Following  are  the  figures  for  the  21 
weeks  as  printed  by  the  financial  paper: 


Week. 

Gross. 

Alarch  12  

...  $125,917.40 

Alarch  19  

...  116,661.06 

Afarch  26  

...  129,061.63 

April 

,? 

...  107,835.75 

April 

-9  

...  110,929.85 

.April 

16  

...  129,524.35 

April 

23  

...  102,880.80 

.April 

30  

...  106,409.70 

Mav 

7 

96,740.30 

A1 

14  

...  101,316.75 

A lay 

21  

94,298.45 

Alav 

28  

116,160.40 

June 

4 

88,055,70 

June 

11  

...  10,8,218.85 

June 

18  

...  103,522.6,^ 

Tune 

25  

09,214.10 

[nlv 

') 

103  522  6.5 

July 

9 

88, ’68. 15 

July 

16  

97,320.20 

Inly 

23  

89,991.65 

July 

30  

101,000.00 

Total,  21  weeks - 

-..$2, ’16,858.39 

First  National  Gets 
Ready  for  Big  Sales 
During  McGuirk  Month 

(Special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug'.  23. — Sales  plans 
are  being  laid  by  First  National  for  the 
special  John  McGuirk  month,  which  in 
actual  selling  time  will  consist  of  nine 
weeks  starting  Aug.  29  and  ending  Oct. 
28.  ■ ■ 

This  period  has  been  specially  desig- 
nated by  Ned  E.  Depinet,  general  sales 
manager  of  the  company,  for  a sales 
drive  on  First  National’s  new  season's 
product. 

Film  Academy  Issues 
Record  of  Wage  Parley 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— All  members 
of  the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture  .Arts 
and  Sciences  ha\e  been  mailed  a luilletin 
covering  the  society’s  activities  in  the  re- 
cent wage-cut  controvers}',  in  which  taking 
a prominent  part  in  the  negotiations,  the 
organization  was  partly  responsible  for  the 
producers’  decision  to  inaugurate  no  cuts 
at  this  time. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Re-Takes 


DeLuxe  “Labor  Gang”  Unloads 
Sennett  Studio  Material 

Beetson  Heads  Delegation  Shouldering  First  Lumber — Cruze  Fetes 
Press — Fairbanks  Gives  Rodeo 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  Aug.  23. — The  first  load  of  material  for  the  $800,000 
Mack  Sennett  studio  at  Studio  City,  just  north  of  Hollywood,  was 
delivered  on  the  ground  and  unloaded  by  the  highest  priced  labor 
gang  that  ever  shifted  a truck  of  lumber.  Fred  Beetson,  secretary  of  the 
Motion  Picture  Producers  Association,  headed  the  delegation  that  assisted 
in  unloading  the  first  wagonful. 


Henry  ]\IcR.-\E,  director  general  of 
L'liiversal ; Milton  E.  Hoffman,  B.  P. 
•Schulberg,  and  Fred  Harris  of  Paramount 
studios ; W'illiam  .y.  Holman  and  F.  C.  Por- 
ter of  Christie  studios ; VV.  A.  Waldron 
and  Paul  Guerin  of  Sennett  studios ; Lee 
Strobm,  of  iMetro-Goldwyn-Maj'er ; Wat- 
terson  R.  Rothacker  of  First  National;  IM. 
F,  Palmer  and  Harry  Parratt  of  Hollywood 
Chamber  of  Commerce  and  others  assisted 
with  the  unloading.  The  first  motion  pic- 
ture scene  enacted  at  the  new  location  was 
participated  in  by  Billy  Be\  an,  Vernon  Dent 
and  Carmelita  Geraghty,  with  W'.  A.  Wal- 
dron, general  manager  of  the  Sennett  stu- 
dios, and  Henry  McRae  acting  as  extras. 

Cruze  Eutertaim  Press 

Janies  Cruze,  who  recently  joined  the  De- 
Mille  forces,  staged  a delightful  noonday 
luncheon  for  the  boys  and  girls  of  the 
press  at  Metropolitan  Studios  last  Alonday, 
to  dedicate  the  intial  scene  of  “On  to 
Reno,"  his  first  P.  D.  C.-Pathe  production. 
* 

Douglas  Fairbanks,  as  a parting  farewell 
to  his  immense  stock  company  working  in 
“The  Gaucho,”  held  a rodeo  and  liarbecuc 
last  Sunday  at  the  United  Studios.  Among 
the  principal  performers  were  a dozen 
gatichos  from  the  Argentine  who  competed 
with  Russian  Cossacks  from  John  Barry- 
more’s company  in  feats  of  horsemanship 
and  rough-riding. 

^ sjc  jj: 

Helen  Lee  Y'orthington,  who  has  ap- 
peared in  several  pictures  recently,  filed  a 
voluntary  petition  in  bankruptcy  last  we^k, 
listing  her  liabilities  as  $1986  and  her  assets 
$680,  of  which  she  claimed  exemption  on 

George  Bancroft,  one  of  Paramount’s 
most  popular  male  stars,  has  just  signed  a 
new  long  term  contract  with  that  organiza- 
tion. He  will  next  be  starred  in  an  un- 
derworld story,  as  yet  untitled. 

* * * 

Gilmore 

Barney  Gilmore,  playwright  and  actor, 
has  filed  suit  against  Warner  Brothers, 
contending  he  holds  the  exclusive  rights  to 
the  play,  “Hogan’s  -‘\lley,’’  first  produced 
30  years  ago.  He  is  seeking  $200,000  dam- 
ages, because  W'arner  Brothers  released  a 
film  under  that  name,  starring  Monte  Blue. 
Gilmore  is  asking  for  an  injunction  to  re- 
strain Warner  Brothers  from  showing  the 
film.  The  picture  was  made  about  a year 
ago  on  the  old  Vitagraph  lot. 

* * 

Colleen  Moore  and  her  husband,  John 
McCormick,  returned  to  Hollywood  Thurs- 
day after  several  months  absence  in  New 
York.  Work  will  start  soon  on  her  next 
First  National  vehicle,  “Fll  Tell  the  World,” 
at  Metropolitan  Studios.  Eddie  Cline  will 
direct. 

^ * 

Memorial  for  Valentino 

Memorial  services  were  held  today 
(Tuesday)  for  the  late  Rudolph  Valentino. 
The  public  was  invited  to  the  services  at 
the  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd,  Beverly 


Hills,  where  Father  Mullins  officiated  at 
11:30  a.  m.  At  the  same  time  high  mass 
was  said  at  the  Church  of  the  Blessed 
Sacrament,  Holhwood,  for  the  actor’s 
friends  and  relati\'es. 

^ 

Lillian  Gish  lost  her  first  legal  tilt  with 
Charles  H.  Duell,  president  of  Inspiration 
Pictures,  in  the  suit  for  $.\000,000  damages 
when  Judge  Gans  overruled  a remurrer  to 
the  suit.  It  will  now  be  necessary  for  Miss 
Gish  and  the  other  defendants  to  file  an 
answer  to  the  action,  in  which  Duell  ac- 
cused the  star  of  breach  of  contract.  Duell 
declared  iMiss  Gish  “walked  out  on  him” 
after  he  had  starred  her  in  “The  White 
Sister”  and  he  had  spent  $75,000  in  the 
preparation  of  another  picture. 

Charles  Puffy,  film  comedian,  was  found 
not  guilty  of  cruelty  to  a dog  owned  by 
J.  Frank  Alacdonald,  Fox  film  player,  in 
court  last  week.  Macdonald  claimed  his 
dog  died  after  being  struck  by  Puffy,  but 
Puffy’s  attorney  showed  that  iMacdonald’s 
dog  had  attacked  canine  pets  belonging  to 
the  defendant. 

* ^ 

Rowland  on  W est  Coast 

Richard  A.  Rowland,  vice  president  and 
general  manager  of  First  National,  arrived 
here  Friday  morning  on  his  semi  annual 
tour  of  inspection. 

^ ^ ^ 

Edw.  Rowland,  managing  director  of 
Hollywood  Playhouse,  having  recently 
joined  the  Old  Troupers  League,  staged  a 
Troupers  Night  at  last  Monday  night’s 
performance  of  “If  I Was  Rich.”  Theo- 
dore Roberts  acted  as  host.  Among  those 
who  attended  were  Claude  Gillingwater, 
George  Fawcett,  W’illiam  H.  Crane,  Fred- 
erick Warde,  Lionel  Belmore,  Alec  B. 
Francis,  Maurice  Costello,  Spottiswoode 
Aitken,  DeWitte  Jennings  and  Banks  Win- 
ters. 

^ ^ 

Arthur  Stone,  First  National  comedian, 
has  just  finished  a one  reel  subject  for 
Screen  Snapshots,  showing  the  transforma- 
tion that  can  be  accomplished  with  the  aid 
of  screen  make  up.  Stone’s  familiarity 
with  the  make  up  box  led  to  his  selection 
for  this  demonstration. 

* * * 

M G-M  Signs  Helene  Costello 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  secured  the 
services  of  Helene  Costello  to  play  the  fea- 
tured feminine  lead  in  “In  Old  Kentucky.” 
James  Alurray,  who  made  such  a distinct  hit 
in  “The  Crowd,”  appears  opposite  Miss 
Costello. 

^ ^ ^ 

Hal  Roach  has  added  the  name  of  Eugene 
De  Rue  to  his  list  of  directors  making 
comedies  for  M-G-M. 

^ ^ ^ 

“Our  Gang”  acted  as  hosts  to  several 
celebrities  last  week.  Among  the  visitors 
to  the  Hal  Roach  lot  were  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
C.  T.  Miller,  daughter  of  Washington  S. 
Tyler,  steel  manufacturer;  Prince  Swan 
Singh,  of  the  principality  of  Kashmir,  and 
Judge  Ben  Lindsey,  world  famous  jurist 


WELL,  the  Greater  Movie  Season  is  be- 
ing celebrated  hereabouts.  And  with 
proper  eclat.  (There’s  a good  word. 
Picked  it  up  in  one  of  these  funny  little 
Hollywood  papers.)  The  West  Coast 
Theatres  are  promoting  the  G.  M.  S.  this 
year  without  outside  assistance.  It  isn’t 
a national  affair.  But  wdth  200  theatres 
all  plugging  at  once,  it  is  some  Season. 

* * * 

Now'  if  the  studios  w'ould  only  get  busy 
and  promote  a Back-to-Work  Season, 
everything  would  be  ros}'.  W'hoever  put 
on  the  brakes  early  last  summer  must 
have  locked  ’em,  or  forgot  to  take  his 
foot  off. 

^ ^ ^ 

There  are  scarcely  enough  stars  on  the 
lots  to. shake  hands  wdth  the  visiting  for- 
eign diplomats.  The  dips,  outnumber  the 
stars  two  to  one. 

■ ^ 

I see  Carl  Laemmle  is  going  to  make  a 
picture  abroad  with  an  all-Royal  cast. 
Look  out  for  another  war  if  some  Duke 
gets  more  close-ups  than  a Marquis. 

Wasted  Information 
It’s,  very  odd  that  the  big  film  companies 
are  not  w'orking  on  a most  economical 
basis — with  all  the  free  advice  printed  in 
the  Hollywood  magazines  on  how  to  make 
pictures,  punctuate  titles  and  shoot  love 
scenes. 

sij  ^ ^ 

Why  Not? 

By  the  way,  if  these  editors  are  so  wise, 
why  are  they  not  holding  down  big  execu- 
tive positions? 

^ ^ ^ 

Will  Rogers  Leaves 
We  had  to  dash  dowm  to  the  depot  Sat- 
urday to  say  goodby  to  Wdll  Rogers  and 
his  “Texas  Steer”  company.  Sam  Rork 
could  have  built  a White  House  and  a 
Capitol  on  the  First  National  lot  but  he 
preferred  having  the  ex-Mayor  of  Beverly 
Hills  perform  amid  natural  surroundings. 
Hence  the  trip  to  Washington,  D.  C. 

^ ^ 

All  Wet 

This  ocean  hopping  only  seems  to  have 
one  drawd)ack.  There  are  not  enough 
service  stations  en  route. 

j{c 

Hardy  Cusses 

Lightning  struck  a Kansas  farmer  the 
other  day  while  he  was  taking  a nip  of 
moonshine  and  when  he  came  to  he  or- 
dered two  more  bottles. 

^ ^ ^ 

Famous  Last  Words 

“I  like  your  work  hut  you’re  not  the 
type.” 

^ 5^ 

Sid  Claims  Everything 

Sid  Grauman  has  employed  a boy  won- 
der violinist  who,  according  to  the  Holly- 
wood impresario,  is  the  “coming  Kreisler, 
Kubelik,  Elman  and  Heintz,  in  one  per- 
sonality.” 

^ ^ 

Hunt  up  my  fishing  tackle,  Meadows, 
and  we’ll  catch  a few  of  those  big  ones 
next  week  at  Lake  Arrowhead.  — R.  M. 


Straus  Lauds  Industry 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23. — After  an  in- 
spection of  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
studios  recently,  Nathan  Straus,  nephew 
of  the  famous  financier  declared  that  “the 
picture  industry,  second  point  of  size,  is 
rapidly  becoming  second  also  in  system.” 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


29 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

Issue  of  August  27 

by 

the  Camera 

Billie  Dove,  First  National  star,  has  been  vacationing  along 
the  Atlantic  Seaboard,  with  her  husband.  Director  Irvin 
Willat,  for  company.  The  picture  shows  them  about  to 
lake  off  from  Los  Angeles,  with  Rube  Wolf  (left),  orchestra 
leader,  making  it  a threesome. 


Among  recent  visitors  to  the  Beverly  Hills  estate  of  Carl 
Laemmle,  head  of  Universal,  were  (from  left  to  right) 
Emory  Johnson,  eminent  Universal  director;  Barbara  Kent, 
featured  player  with  obvious  designs  on  stardom;  Mrs. 
Johnson  and  the  two  Johnson  children. 


Mary  Pickford  is  having  a busy  time  these  days,  what  with  doing  a new  picture  and  also  acting  as  host  to  13  “My  Best  Girls.” 
The  girls  are  being  royally  entertained.  Above  is  shown  Janet  Gaynor  meeting  them  at  the  Carthay  Circle  theatre  in  Los 
Angeles,  where  “7th  Heaven”  is  playing.  From  left  to  right,  Margaret  Ward,  Seattle;  Miss  Gaynor;  Mickie  Paulk,  Dallas; 
Margaret  Burke,  Boston;  Gabrielle  du  Chesne,  San  Francisco;  Marguerite  Hager,  St.  Paul;  Mildred  Lindquist,  Chicago;  Helen 
Buck,  Pittsburgh;  Matilde  Fancher,  Cleveland;  Elsie  Perry,  Philadelphia;  Billie  Mills,  Atlanta;  Amy  Porter,  Cincinnati,  and 
Maureen  Walsh,  New  York. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Hollywood  isn’t  so  big  but  what  you  can  run  plumb  into 
folks,  and  thus  did  Antonio  Moreno  chance  to  come  along 
as  a Herald  representative  was  chatting  with  John  S.  Rob- 
ertson at  M-G-M,  where  Robertson  was  directing  scenes 
for  “Romance.” 


Just  before  the  long  trek  last  week  of  the  “Jesse  James” 
company  on  location.  Fred  Thomson  (left)  and  A1  Werka, 
Paramount  production  executive,  a»e  making  Paramount’s 
screen  biography  of  the  notorious  outlaw,  in  which  Thom- 
son has  the  starring  role. 


Greta  Garbo,  the  Swedish  ac- 
tress, as  she  appears  opposite 
John  Gilbert  in  the  Russian 
tale  “Love,”  which  M-G-M  is 
now  completing. 


Father  and  son.  Arthur  Stone,  First  National  fea- 
tured player,  and  Master  Jack,  who  is  going  to  be 
daddy’s  double  some  day,  it  would  seem.  Stone’s 
most  recent  picture  is  “Hard-Boiled  Haggerty,” 
starring  Milton  Sills. 


Vladislav  Tourjansky,  Russian 
director,  rehearsing  Dorothy 
Sebastian  in  a scene  for  “The 
Adventurer,”  M-G-M  produc- 
tion starring  Tim  McCoy. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


“How’dye  like  a little  Scotch?”  asked  Dorothy  Devore  when  the  Herald  men 
recently  called  on  the  Educational  comedienne  and  her  director,  Norman  Taurog. 

And  the  H.  M.  replied well,  what  they  got  was  something  to  blow  about,  as  the 

photo  avers.  And  now  for  the  left  to  rights:  Douglas  Hodges  and  Ray  Murray, 
representatives  of  Quigley  Publications  in  Los  Angeles;  Miss  Devore  and  Director 
Taurog. 


From  Bebe  Daniels’  old-home-town 
came  Harry  Cooper  of  Dallas  to 
visit  the  Paramount  star  at  the 
Lasky  studios.  A links  star.  Cooper 
went  to  Los  Angeles  also  for  a 
tournament. 


In  this  day  of  acting  teams,  Rufus 
McCosh  and  Dwinelle  Benthall  form 
a scenario-writing  team  of  equal 
significance.  They  recently  signed 
with  First  National. 


Richard  Barthelmess  recently  was  host  on  “The  Drop  Kick”  set  at  the  First  National 
studios  to  several  prominent  theatre  men  from  Seattle,  who  were  visiting  Hollywood 
to  see  at  first  hand  “how  it’s  done.”  From  left  to  right  are  shown  John  Hamrick, 
exhibitor;  L.  O.  Luken,  Western  division  manager  for  F.N.;  William  Shearer, 
theatre  equipment  man;  and  Vic  Gauntlet,  publicity  director  for  Hamrick. 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Shade  of  Deadwood  Dick,  look  what’s  happened  to  the  wild 
and  woolly  West!  Has  Tom  Mix  (shown  tete  a tete  with 
Beauty)  turned  it  into  a night  club?  The  scene  is  from  his 
latest  two-gun  Fox  comedy,  “Tumbling  River,’’  in  which 
Dorothy  Dwan  is  featured. 


Puzzle:  Find  the  biggest  kid  in  the  picture.  The  smallest 
one,  of  course,  is  Buzz  Barton  (right).  The  “cooning” 
party  occurred  while  F B O was  filming  “The  Boy  Rider,” 
which  stars  Buzz.  His  mates  are  George  Rice  (left)  and 
Director  Louis  King. 


The  soul  of  comedy?  A 
mood,  at  least,  revealed  by 
Estelle  Bradley,  featured 
Educational  comedienne 
with  Hamilton  and  Lane. 


After  midnight,  while  the  revellers  yet  revel,  the  poor 
little  cigarette  girl  falls  asleep  to  dream  of  brighter  and 
better  tips.  Norma  Shearer  decorates  the  night  club  in 
question,  as  the  star  of  “After  Midnight,”  which  Monta 
Bell  recently  finished. 


Paramount  News  has  ar- 
rived and  proved  a great 
tribute  to  Emanuel  Cohen, 
director  of  the  new  chroni- 
cle, and  his  cameramen. 


A little  sc  hottische  between  shots  on  the  set  for  “The  Crys- 
tal Cup,”  First  National’s  latest  starring  vehicle  for  Jack 
Mulhall  and  Dorothy  Mackaill,  observable  above  with  Di- 
rector John  Francis  Dillon  (clad  a la  fox  trot). 


Scenarists  turned  actors  in  James  Ormont’s  “Ragtime  ’ for 
First  Division  Distributors.  The  photo  shows  Jean  Plan- 
nette  holding  the  N-G  sign  over  George  Drumgold,  her 
collaborator.  In  the  director’s  chair  is  P.  Scott  Pembroke. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


A dashing  young  mili- 
itary  man  with  a taste 
for  romantic  adventure, 
is  the  starring  role  of 
George  O’Brien  in  “Paid 
to  Love,”  which  is  to 
head  Fox’s  line-up  for 
1927-28.  The  four  pic- 
tures presented  show 
typical  scenes  from  the 
production,  in  which 
Virginia  Valli,  J.  Far- 
rell MacDonald,  and 
William  Powell  are  fea- 
tured. 


Two  new  comediennes  are  Charlene 
and  Minniella  Aber,  twins,  who  have 
forsaken  vaudeville  to  appear  for  Edu- 
cational opposite  Lupino  Lane.  Which 
do  you  suppose  is  Minniella? 


How  to  keep  from  growing  old, 
as  illustrated  by  Joan  Crawford 
(vertical)  and  Dorothy  Sebastian, 
two  gifted  players  being  featured 
by  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 


Like  daughter,  like  mother.  When  Shir- 
ley O’Hara  was  cast  opposite  Adolphe 
Menjou  in  Paramount’s  “A  Gentleman 
of  Paris,”  her  mother  also  was  given,  a 
part — her  very  first  one. 


34 


E X H I IMT  O R S HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


A.  M.  P.  A.  Lauds  Barthelmess 
For  New  Screen  Triumph 

Star  of  ‘^Patent  Leather  Kid”  Praises  First  National  for  Cooperation — 
Motion  Picture  Club  Ready  to  Function 


By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  Aug.  23. — Richard  Barthelmess  was  the  guest  of  honor 
at  Thurday’s  luncheon  of  the  Associated  Motion  Picture  Adver- 
tisers at  the  Cafe  Boulevard,  where  he  received  the  hearty  con- 
gratulations of  the  assembled  publicity  men  for  his  outstanding  triumph 
in  “The  Patent  Leather  Kid,”  Broadway’s  latest  cinematic  sensation. 


Dick  ga\e  a very  modest  little  talk  in 
which  he  expressed  his  earnest  ap- 
preciation at  the  enthusiastic  reception 

which  both  press 
and  public  are  ac- 
cording his  opus 
of  the  prize  ring 
and  the  war,  now 
in  for  a long  run 

at  the  Globe.  He 

declared  that  First 
Xational  is  giving 
him  all  the  coop- 
eration he  needs 
and  that  he  is  very 
happy  in  his  asso- 
ciation with  the 
company. 

“T  he  future 
looks  pretty  bright 
to  me  right  now,” 
he  said,  ‘‘and  I’m  not  going  to^lay  down 
after  ‘The  Patent  Leather  Kid.’  ” 

He  declared  that  with  the  excellence  of 
story  material,  directors  and  supporting 
players  being  made  available  to  him,  he 
was  greatly  encouraged  in  his  work. 

A screen  version  of  the  stage  play.  The 
Noose,”  will  be  Barthelmess’  next  starring 
vehicle.  After  that  he  is  to  make  “The 
Little  Shepherd  of  Kingdom  Come.” 

S.  Charles  Einfeld,  vice  president  of  the 
.\.  M.  P.  A.  presided  over  the  luncheon. 
Barthelmess  was  introduced  by  his  personal 
representati\e,  Joseph  Steele. 

One  on  Someone 

A little  story  told  by  Joe  Steele,  intro- 
ducing Dick  Barthelmess  at  the  A.  M.  P.  A. 
luncheon,  drew  a good  laugh.  It  dealt  with 
an  incident  which  took  place  when  Dick 
was  traveling  wuth  John  Gilbert.  In  Al- 
herquerque,  N.  AI.,  a young  urchin  selling- 
newspapers  spotted  Barthelmess  right  away, 
but  failed  to  recognize  Gilbert.  The  urchin 
said,  “I  liked  you  pretty  good  in  ‘The  Ama- 
teur Gentleman'  but  gee,  Dick  you  were 
swell  in  ‘The  Sea  Beast !’  ” 

5^  ^ jK 

Exhibitors  will  read  with  interest  else- 
where in  this  issue  of  the  Roxy  theatre 
plaving  last  week  to  176,226  people  wdth  a 
box  office  take  of  .$1-14,267.30,  and  wonder 
how  it  is  done. 

That’s  easy.  All  you-  have  to  do  is  be 
the  best  showunan  in  the  world,  have  the 
largest  and  finest  theatre  in  the  world,  in 
the  largest  city  in  the  world,  put  on  the 
finest  prologue  ever  presented  with  one  of 
the  best  pictures  in  the  world,  and  there 
you  are. 

And  in  view'  of  the  fact  that  while  the 
Roxy  was  playing  to  176,226  people,  every 
theatre  along  Broadway  showing  pictures 
was  taxed  to  capacity,  who  was  it  that  was 
worried  about  the  big  street  being  over- 
seated and  that  the  picture  business  w'as 
going  to  the  infernal  bow’wows? 

Chib  Ready  to  Function 

Within  the  next  couple  of  weeks  activ- 
ity in  the  formation  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Club  will  begin  and  those  who  are  foster- 
ing the  movement  are  hopeful  of  completing 
organization  at  an  early  date. 


The  delay  has  been  caused  by  two  things : 
Al.  Lichtman,  to  whom  credit  must  go 
for  the  real  hard  w'ork,  has  been  absent 
on  the  Coast ; and  the  issuance  of  the 
charter  has  been  delayed  over  clearing  the 
way  to  using  the  desired  name. 

The  Alotion  Picture  Club  w'as  selected 
as  the  name  and  the  charter  applied  for 
by  Nathan  Burkan.  It  w’as  then  discovered 
that  the  name  had  already  been  registered 
and  could  not  be  used  until  a clearance 
was  brought  about.  In  speaking  of  the 
delay  last  w'eek  Mr.  Lichtman  said  : 

“As  soon  as  the  charter  has  been  issued 
things  will  move  swiftly.  There  is  no 
trouble  about  being  able  to  use  the  name, 
but  it  has  been  necessary  to  get  a number 
of  signatures  of  those  interested  in  the 
charter  issued  to  the  name  Alotion  Picture 
Club.  This  club  is  not  functioning  and  never 
has,  but  these  signatures  are  necessary  to 
clear  the  name  for  our  use.  All  of  these 
have  been  secured  but  one  and  that  will 
be  cared  for  soon  and  then  the  charter 
will  be  issued  and  we  will  go  ahead 
rapidly.” 

jK  ^ 

Arthur  Kelly  Back  East 

Arthur  W.  Kelly,  L'nited  Artists’  vice 
president  and  general  manager  of  foreign 
distribution,  has  returned  to  New'  York 
City  from  a fortnight  spent  in  Los  Angeles 
in  consultation  w'ith  Joseph  AL  Schenck  of 
United  Artists.  Air.  Kelly  made  several 
important  announcements  on  his  return  : 

1 CHARLES  CHAPLIN  (whose  per- 
I • sonal  representati\e  Air.  Kelly  has 
been  for  some  years)  will  resume  produc- 
tion on  “The  Circus”  in  September,  all  ar- 
rangements having  been  made  at  the  studio 
in  JJollywood,  which  is  again  the  scene  of 
activity.  Air.  Kelly  said  Air.  Chaplin  has 
only  “odds  and  ends”  of  the  film  to  finish, 
the  bulk  of  the  shooting  ha\  ing  been  done. 


O AIARY  PICKFORD  was  so  gratified 
. with  the  success  of  the  Thirteen 
“Aly  Best  Girl”  exploitation  stunt  as 
worked  in  as  many  papers  in  thirteen 
American  cities  that  she  told  Mr.  Kelly  it 
is  her  intention  to  sponser  an  International 
“Aly  Best  Girl”  Vacation,  one  girl  from 
each  of  fifteen  foreign  countries  coming 
to  Hollywood. 


Clothing  Scarce;  Yokels 
Barred  from  F.N.  Set 

( Stccial  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— It  is 
impossible  lor  anyone  to  enter  the 
sets  where  Alexander  Korda  is 
making  “The  Private  Life  of  Helen 
of  Troy”  without  a special  “Troy” 
pass.  W atterson  Rothacker  has 
issued  that  instruction  because  of 
unusual  characteristics  of  the  pro- 
duction. The  period  clothing  is 
scant  in  many  of  the  scenes;  Marie 
Corda,  star,  is  given  to  tempera- 
ment; and  the  picture  is  a difficult 
assignment.  It  would  be  foolish  to 
say  that  the  order  has  reduced  the 
number  of  curiosity  seekers. 


2 JOSEPH  M.  SCHENCK,  president 
D , and  chairman  of  the  board  of  direct- 
ors of  United  Artists,  told  Mr.  Kelly  that 
he  would  arrive  in  New  York  late  in  Sept- 
ember, following  the  heavyweight  cham- 
pionship fight  in  Chicago,  which  Mr. 
Schenck  w'ill  attend. 

* =K  * 

Pick  Film  for  New  Theatre 

Although  the  date  has  not  definitely  been 
set  for  the  opening  of  the  diminutive  Alay- 
fair  Theatre  located  at  156  West  Fort}-- 
fourth  Street,  just  East  of  Broadway,  the 
picture  which  will  inaugurate  the  foreign 
pictures  policy  of  this  house  has  been 
selected. 

“The  Little  Corporal”  is  its  title  and 
deals  with  an  important  episode  in  the 
life  of  Napoleon  Bonaparte.  This  is  the 
American  premiere  for  this  Italian  picture 
made  in  France  by  the  L'nione  Cinemato- 
grafica  Italiana. 

^ jSc  Jit 

Fairbanks  Names  Trowbridge 

Announcement  was  made  last  week  by 
A'ictor  Shapiro  that  Douglas  Fairbanks 
has  appointed  Carrol  S.  Trow'bridge,  his 
boyhood  friend  from  Denver,  as  his  East- 
ern representative.  The  pair  reached  an 
agreement  during  Air.  Trowbridge’s  recent 
visit  to  Hollyw'ood,  under  the  terms  of 
W’hich  Air.  Trowbridge  will  exercise  super- 
vision over  all  Douglas  Fairbanks  activities 
as  the}'  relate  to  his  interests  in  United 
Artists  Corporation,  both  in  the  United 
States  ar\d  foreign  countries. 

Mr.  Trowbridge  will  make  his  head- 
quarters at  United  Artists’  home  office  at 
729  Seventh  Avenue,  New  York  City. 

For  the  past  three  years.  Air.  Trowbridge 
has  been  general  representative  for  Al  and 
Charles  Christies. 

His  appointment  by  Douglas  Fairbanks 
makes  Air.  Trowbridge  successor  to  Harry 
D.  Buckley,  now  active  vice  president  of 
United  Artists  Corporation  and  personal 
representative  of  Joseph  M.  Schenck. 

* * * 

Dan  Alichalove,  general  manager  of 
Lh-ii\ersal  Chain  Theatrical  Enterprises, 
Inc.,  spent  last  week  in  Atlanta,  for  a con- 
ference -W'ith  his  Southern  district  manager, 
W’illard  C.  Patterson.  Alichalove  returned 
to  New  York  yesterday. 

‘Te//  ^Em  With  Trailer^ 
Joins  the  Slogan  Family 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23. — “Tell  Them 
With  Trailers”  seems  to  be  the  slogan  by 
which  exhibitors  are  operating  their  the- 
atres, according  to  the  business  reports  of 
National  Screen  Service.  This  firm  is  en- 
joying a large  increase  in  business  as  a 
result,  and  has  enlarged  several  of  its  de- 
partments, with  increased  personnel  in  both 
editorial  and  technical  branches. 

Control  of  Pictures 

Is  Campaign  Platform 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEWARK,  N.  J.,  Aug.  23. — Undismayed 
by  the  failure  of  a bill  to  close  objection- 
able motion  picture  shows  by  law,  Florence 
L.  Haines,  legislator  in  the  New  Jersey 
state  assembly,  has  made  control  of  mo- 
tion pictures  by  law  her  platform  for  re- 
election  on  the  Republican  ticket. 

Estelle  Taylor  Sues 
U.  A,  for  Her  Freedom 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— Estelle  Tay- 
lor will  not  appear  under  the  United  Artists 
banner.  She  has  waited  six  months  for 
them  to  cast  her  and  because  of  their 
failure  to  do  so  she  has  filed  suit  against 
them  for  nonperformance  of  her  contract. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


Exhibitor  Should  Set  Price 
of  Admission,  Says  Houston 

Believes  Exchanges  Should  Accept  Lower  Charge  on  Second 
and  Third  Runs — South  Opposes  Double 
Feature  Bills,  Survey  Shows 

The  exhibitor  himself  is  the  one  person  who  should  determine  what  the 
minimum  admission  charge  in  his  theatre  should  be  and  the  setting  of  a 
15-cent  minimum  should  be  a matter  of  controversy  only  as  far  as  de  luxe 
and  first-run  theatres  are  concerned.  That  is  the  consensus  of  exhibitors 
at  Houston,  Texas,  the  HERALD  correspondent  there  finds. 

South  Opposes  Double  Features 

Continuing  the  survey  into  the  question  of  double  feature  bills,  a closely 
allied  subject  of  discussion  at  present  in  exhibitor  circles,  the  correspondent 
learned  that  the  theatre  owners  of  the  South  are  opposed  to  showing  two 
long  features  on  the  same  bill. 


Mutual  Service  and 
Trust  are  Industry's 
Needs  Says  Poacher 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23. — “The  interest 
of  every  industry  connected  with  film  pro- 
duction are  akin,”  says  Ralph  I.  Poucher, 
vice  president  and 
salesmanager  of 
Consolidated 
Film  Industries, 

Inc.  “All  the  in- 
vestment you  make 
in  time,  energy 
and  money  is  ex- 
pended with  the 
hope  that  the  pub- 
lic will  acclaim 
your  effort  ‘a 
thing  well  worth 
doing-doing  well.’ 

“As  we  go  along 
together  may  we 
expect  a mutual  Ralph  I.  Poucher 

understanding  of 

our  purposes,  and  we  will  constantly  have 
in  mind  that  you  are  the  final  judge,  recog- 
nizing that  anything  we  may  say  of  our- 
selves is  regarded  as  a claim.  Your  ap- 
praisal of  our  performance  is  the  practical 
fact.  We  are  willing  to  be  measured  by 
the  facts.” 

Vitaphone  Has 
150  Installations 
End  of  First  Year 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23. — ^Vitaphone  has 
had  its  first  birthday.  On  August  S,  1926, 
Will  Hays  uttered  the  first  sounds  ever 
emitted  in  public  on  the  Vitaphone  at  the 
Warner  Theatre,  in  New  York. 

Much  has  happened  to  Vitaphone  since 
that  first  night.  From  one  Vitaphone  in- 
stallation, the  number  has  increased  to  al- 
most 150,  so  that  most  every  large  town 
in  the  country  and  many  smaller  ones  are 
equipped  with  Vitaphone  installations. 
From  one  small  sudio  making  Vitaphone 
numbers,  space  has  been  increased  at  the 
Manhattan  Opera  House  in  New  York, 
and  a new  large  studio  with  four  complete 
stages  has  been  built  in  Hollywood. 

Exhibitors  Respond  to 
Advent  of  Device  to 
Prevent  Booth  Fires 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW'  YORK,  Aug.  23. — Launching  of 
the  new  projection  room  fire-prevention 
device  by  the  Sentry  Safety  Control  Cor- 
poration has  brought  immediate  exhibitor 
response,  according  to  Joseph  E.  Cohen, 
chairman  of  the  board. 

“W'e  have  two  factories  in  operation 
now,”  Mr.  Cohen  said,  “and  are,  of  course, 
enlarging  our  production  facilities  consid- 
erably, because  we  have  no  intention  of  per- 
mitting the  demand  to  run  beyond  the 
possibility  of  supply.  The  problem  of 
supplying  demand  in  foreign  countries  will 
doubtless  be  met  by  erecting  factories  in 
Canada,  Europe  and  the  Americas  south  of 
us.  Our  own  factories  will  concentrate  on 
the  domestic  demand. 


Georgia  Theatre  Opens 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

V ALDOSTA,  GA.,  Aug.  23. — The  new 
Ritz  theatre  at  Valdosta,  Ga.,  will  be 
opened  by  Arthur  Lucas  and  William  K. 
Jenkins  on  Aug.  27,  with  the  “Big  Parade.” 
The  theatre  seats  1200,  is  of  Spanish  archi- 
tecture, possesses  all  modern  equipment,  and 
was  built  at  a cost  of  $250,000 


Exhibitors  Should  Set 
Minimum,  Says  Houston 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLISTON,  Aug.  23. — The  exhibitor — 
not  the  distributor — is  the  man  to  set  his 
admission  price,  exhibitors  of  Houston  be- 
lieve, and  the  controversy  over  the  15-cent 
minimum  admission  should  affect  only  the 
de  luxe  and  first-run  houses.  Of  such, 
there  are  nine  in  Houston,  and  none  of 
them  has  an  adult  charge  of  less  than  15 
cents.  In  two  of  the  first-run  houses  a 
10-cent  charge  is  made  for  children. 

The  general  assumption  is  that  the  ex- 
changes should  realize  sufficient  from  first 
runs,  with  a minimum  of  15  cents,  to  per- 
mit them  to  charge  less  on  second  and 
third  runs.  There  is  a class  of  people 
in  every  city  that  waits  until  a picture 
has  come  back  for  additional  runs, 
and  these  are  the  people  who  either  have 
not,  or  will  not,  pay  a fair  admission  price. 
The  exhibitor  in  second-run  houses  must 
either  show  good  pictures  for  a small 
charge  or  suffer  a slump  of  business  caused 
by  the  showing  of  pictures  with  no  drawing 
power. 

Harry  Van  DeMark,  former  city  man- 
ager of  Publix  theatres  in  Houston, 
states  that  if  he  were  now  an  exhibitor 
he  would  fight  the  15-cent  minimum 
charge  for  the  principle  of  the  thing, 
not  believing  that  film  corporations 
should  display  such  paternalism  toward 
the  exhibitor. 

Curtis  Dunham,  formerly  of  the  Chicago 
Tribune  and  one-time  Paramount  exploiter, 
and  now  publicizing  for  Publix  in  Houston, 
thinks  the  exhibitor  should  be  the  judge  of 
his  best  bet  in  admission  prices,  and  use 
his  own  initiative  in  setting  the  price. 

The  general  assumption  in  Houston 
seems  to  be  that  the  exhibitor  will  not  kick 
himself  by  charging  a minimum  price  that 
would  make  him  and  the  exchange  lose 
money. 


Southern  Exhibitors 
Oppose  Double  Bills 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOUSTON,  Aug.  23. — Theatre  owners 
and  operators  in  the  South  seem  to  lie 
against  the  showing  of  a double  feature,  if 
the  indication  of  Houston  managers  may 
be  taken  for  a barometer. 

There  seems  to  be  psychological  rea- 
son for  apparent  disregard  of  the  good 
points  in  double  features.  Houston 
managers  take  into  consideration  the 
natural  restlessness  of  the  people  of  the 
South,  together  with  their  appreciation 
of  a light,  snappy  entertainment  pro- 
gram, and  do  not  book  two  pictures  for 
showing  on  the  same  bill. 

Besides  the  angle  of  two  features  becom- 
ing boresome,  the  situation  in  the  South  is 
such  that  money  would  be  lost,  probably, 
by  playing  two  good  pictures  at  the  same 
time,  exhibitors  say.  There  is  in  this  part 
of  the  country  a more  marked  air  of  indif- 
ference as  to  type  of  entertainment,  so  long 
as  it  passes  as  such,  than  in  any  other  sec- 
tion. A patron  goes  into  a show  with  the 
idea  of  seeing  something  that  he  has  read 
about,  or  heard  about,  and  if  this  attraction 
is  augmented  by  a long  string  of  additional 
features,  he  more  than  likely  will  walk  out. 

Enthusiasm  is  hard  to  stir  in  the  South, 
they  say,  and  the  exhibitor  would  not  find 
that  his  weekly  box  office  receipts  would  be 
great  enough  to  pay  him  for  the  trouble  of 
double  booking,  whereas, 

Eddie  Breamer,  manager  of  the  Majestic, 
an  Interstate  house  in  Houston,  says  people 
in  this  part  of  the  country  do  not  care  to 
enter  a show  with  the  prospects  of  sitting 
through  two  pictures ; they  may  want  to 
see  one  of  them,  but  will  pass  it  up  be- 
cause of  the  possibility  of  having  to  see 
another.  Such  also  is  the  opinion  of  J.  O. 
Cherry,  manager  of  the  Metropolitan,  Pub- 
lix de  luxe  house. 


Exhibitors  Urge  Bargain  Rates  for 

Pictures  Daring  Summers  Dog  Days 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST,  LOUIS,  Aug.  23. — Why  shouldn’t  motion  pictures  be  sold  to  exhibi- 
tors at  bar  gin  rates  during  dog  days  of  summer?  That  question  was  heard 
on  the  Boor  of  the  recent  semiannual  convention  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  East- 
ern Missouri  and  Southern  Illinois,  held  at  the  Elks’  Club. 

The  answer  then  was  that  the  block  booking  or  “sight-unseen”  policy  of 
selling  pictures  made  it  impossible  to  have  a winter  and  summer  price  sched- 
ule for  the  same  pictures. 

But  some  exhibitors  insist  that  it  would  be  a good  thing  for  the  industry, 
pointing  out  that  the  musicians  and  others  recognize  the  justice  of  helping 
exhibitors  over  the  season  of  poor  business.  However,  others  point  out  that 
while  the  industry  collected  $500,000  for  Hood  sufferers  from  their  patrons. 
Hood  suHering  exhibitors  received  littel  real  reel  relief  from  the  average  dis- 
tributor of  Hlms. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Two  of  the  short  features  presented  at  a special  showing  of  Educational  produc- 
tions last  Friday  at  Wurlitzer  Hall  in  New  York  were  Lupino  Lane’s  “A  Half. 
Pint  Hero”  (Lane  is  the  middle  figure  of  the  scene  on  the  left)  and  Dorothy 
Devore’s  “Up  in  Arms.”  Both  are  comedies. 

Monte  Blue  Heads  233  Club  of 
Hollywood,  Succeeds  Davis 

Masonic  Body  Enters  Fourth  Year  with  2,013  Members — Vice-Presi- 
dents Include  Careive,  Goodcell,  Lollier  and  Mix 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Hollywood,  Aug.  23. — Monte  Blue,  screen  star,  is  the  new  presi- 
dent of  the  Two  Thirty  Three  Club  of  Hollywood.  The  election 
last  Wednesday  night  registered  the  largest  vote  in  the  history  of 
the  organization  and  gave  the  progressive  Masonic  body,  with  one  excep- 
tion, an  entirely  new  governing  staff.  Blue  was  the  unanimous  choice  of 
both  the  retiring  president’s  nominating  committee  and  the  committee  of  23 
named  by  the  assembly  to  select  a rival  ticket. 


The  new  officers,  all  of  them  listed  on 
the  Blue  Ticket,  follow:  Vice-presi- 
dents, Edwin  Carewe,  Rex  B.  Goodcell, 
W.  H.  Lollier  and  Tom  klix;  correspond- 
ing secretary,  Fred  Douglas ; recording  sec- 
retary, A.  J.  Brentinger ; treasurer,  Dana 
Bennett;  publicity  director;  Adam  Hull 
Shirk.  The  board  of  directors  will  include, 
in  addition  to  the  officers,  Louis  Chaudet 
(two  years),  Claude  Constable  (one  year), 
Charles  Crockett  (one  year),  William 
Fleckenstein  (one  year).  Hoot  Gibson  (two 
years),  Charles  Hazlehurst  (one  year), 
John  LeRoy  Johnston  (three  years),  Otto 
K.  Olesen  (two  years),  Joe  Rock  (three 
years),  C.  E.  Toberman  (three  years), 
Daryl  Zanuck  (two  years)  and  Harry 
Zehner  (three  years). 

Johnston  Serves  Fourth  Year 

Johnston,  the  only  former  officer  held 
over  for  the  new  administration,  is  serving 
his  fourth  year  on  the  board.  The  race  for 
vice-president  was  close,  Wilfred  North 
and  Orville  O.  Dull  being  defeated  by  a 
narrow  margin. 

The  election  marked  the  start  of  Two 
Thirty  Three’s  fourth  year,  and  in  recount- 
ing the  achievements  of  the  club  and  re- 
porting on  the  status  of  the  organization  at 
time  of  his  retirement.  President  Edwards 
Davis  stated  the  present  membership  was 
2,013,  of  whom  138  were  life  members  and 
43  honorary  members.  .Sixteen  deaths  and 
34  resignations  have  been  recorded  in  three 
years.  F'inancially  Two  Thirty  Three  is  in 
sound  condition,  wdth  a surplus  of  nearly 
$60,000  in  Hollywood  banks  and  invest- 
ments. 

Following  the  reading  of  his  report  Davis 
was  given  a signal  honor  when  William 
Humphries  read  a resolution,  unanimously 
adopted,  requesting  that  the  constitution 
and  by-laws  be  changed  to  permit  Mr. 
Davis  to  be  named  president  emeritus  of 
Two  Thirty  Three  for  life. 

Tribute  Paid  Julius  Paeske 
The  club  stood,  with  bowed  heads,  in 
silence  for  a moment  as  a tribute  to  the 


memory  of  Julius  Paeske,  who  died  two 
weeks  ago. 

Because  of  the  election,  initiation  was 
given  to  but  a small  class,  James  Young, 
Warren  Rodgers,  William  Humphries,  Wil- 
fred North  and  Fred  Douglas  assisting 
Da\is  in  the  exemplification  of  the  ritual. 

A big  hilarity  night  is  planned  for  the 
first  assembly  in  September  when  A1  Jol- 
son,  Mervyn  LeRoy,  Richard  Dix  and 
Reginald  Denny  are  to  be  brought  into  the 
club. 

Members  of  the  building  site  committee 
reported  progress  and  stated  that  at  the 
first  meeting  under  the  new  administration 
a complete  report  of  investigated  sites 
would  be  made  and  immediate  action  on  the 
purchase  of  property  would  be  asked  of  the 
board  of  directors. 

Newly  elected  officers  will  be  inaugurated 
at  the  assembly  of  September  8. 


Olson  Sells  Theatre 
Interest  for  $970,000 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Aug.  23. — St.  Louis 
friends  of  Charley  Olson,  part 
owner  of  the  Central  Amusement 
Company  of  Indianapolis,  Ind., 
have  learned  that  he  was  paid 
$970,000  for  his  54  per  cent  inter- 
est in  the  amusement  company  by 
the  John  R.  Thompson  Restaurant 
Company. 

The  entire  transaction  repre- 
sented $1,800,000  and  included  the 
Lyric  and  Alhambra  theatres  and 
a 99-year  lease  on  45  feet  of 
ground  at  42  West  Washington 
street,  Indianapolis.  Details  of 
the  sale  were  revealed  by  Frank 
Quinn,  a St.  Louis  attorney  who 
has  been  a life-long  friend  and 
business  associate  of  Olson. 


Educational  Presents 
Short  Feature  Show 
for  New  York  Trade 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  23. — Education  Pic- 
tures presented  last  week  one  of  the  most 
interesting  miscellaneous  short  feature  pro- 
grams ever  held  in  New  York.  The  spe- 
cial showing  was  given  at  Wurlitzer  hall 
when  Earle  W.  Hammons  gave  the  trade 
and  daily  papers  a look  at  the  first  of  the 
new  season’s  product  of  Educational  pic- 
tures. Following  is  the  program ; 

Felix  The  Cat,  in  “The  Non-Stop  Fright;”  Out- 
door Sketches  by  Robert  C.  Bruce,  “The  Cry  of 
Winter,”  “The  Hot  Place ;”  Lloyd  Hamilton  in 
“At  Ease,”  directed  by  Norman  Taurog;  Kino- 
grams,  the  news  reel  built  like  a newspaper ; 
Lupino  Lane  in  “A  Half-Pint  Hero,”  directed  by 
Charles  Lament;  “Holly-Nuts”  Curiosities — ^The 
Movie  Side  Show,  produced  by  Walter  Futter; 
Dorothy  Devore  in  “Up  in  Arms,”  directed  by 
Norman  Taurog. 

Young  Fairbanks  Goes 
East  for  Rogers  Film 

Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  arrived  in  Chi- 
cago last  week  enroute  to  Washington,  by 
way  of  New  York,  for  sequences  of  “A 
Texas  Steer,”  First  National  production  to 
star  Will  Rogers.  He  was  accompanied  by 
his  Mother  Mrs.  Beth  Sully  Fairbanks. 

Rogers  has  received  permission  to  use 
the  White  House  for  certain  scenes  in  his 
first  feature  picture,  and  he  intends  to  do 
so,  he  says,  in  spite  of  his  statement  that 
“a  much  better  White  House  could  be  pro- 
cured. That  place  leaks  when  it  rains,” 
he  added  drolly. 

F,  N,  Director  Hunts 

Location  in  Airplane 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CEDAR  CITY,  Utah,  Aug.  23. — Albert 
Rogell,  director  for  First  National  Pictures, 
arrived  here  in  a Wright  plane,  piloted  by 
Gene  DeMarr,  in  the  first  location-hunt- 
ing by-airship-jaunt  in  the  history  of  the 
movies. 

At  the  same  time  his  unit  production 
aide,  Val  Paul,  is  enroute  to  the  Ozarks 
on  a similar  mission.  Both  director  and 
assistant  will  return  to  Burbank  with  pic- 
torial material  from  which  it  will  be  de- 
termined where  “The  Sheperd  of  the  Hills,” 
the  Harold  Bell  Wright  story,  will  be 
filmed. 

Art  Goebel  Is  Friend 
of  Hollywood  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— Art  Goebel, 
pilot  of  the  Woolaroc,  the  plane  that  won 
the  Oakland-to-HonoluIu  race  last  Wednp- 
day,  is  a great  favorite  around  the  Studios 
here.  He  has  been  consulted  on  almost 
every  flying  picture  and  frequently  helps 
out  where  comedy  companies  are  filming 
airplane  pictures.  He  recently  assisted 
Educational  Studios  with  a stunt  picture. 

Elizabeth  Pickett  Is 

Called  to  Chicago 

Elizabeth  Pickett,  creator  of  “Varieties,” 
the  Fox  novelty  reel,  was  called  to  Chicago 
last  week  by  the  serious  illness  of  her 
mother. 

F.N,  Adds  Bartholomae 
to  Staff  of  Scenarists 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  23.— Philip  Bar- 
tholomae last  week  received  a two  year 
contract  with  First  National.  He  arrived 
in  the  West  only  three  months  ago  follow- 
ing a career  as  a Broadway  playwright. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


MACK  OF  PATHE  ADDS  HIS  BIT 
TO  SHORTFEATURE  ARGUMENT 

ONE  never  knows  how  far  a little  thing  will  go.  The  other  day  a man  lit  a harmless  little  match  to  light  his 
cigarette,  hnt  before  his  cigarette  was  lit,  his  straw  hat  was  in  ashes.  When  Jay  E.  Gould,  exhibitor  at  Mon- 
tevideo, Minn.,  made  the  charge  in  a recent  issue  of  the  HERALD  that  producers  did  not  furnish  enough  ac- 
cessories for  Short  Features,  he  kindled  a little  fire  that  has  grown  into  a bonfire.  First  Dave  Bader  of  LTniversal 
made  a reply  to  Gould.  Now  W.  A.  V.  Mack,  publicity  and  advertising  department,  Pathe  Exchange,  Inc.,  comes 
along  with  another  reply  to  add  to  the  discussion.  Here  is  what  Mack  has  to  say  regarding  Pathe's  accessories: 


have  been  reading  with  much  interest  the  discussions  which 
* * have  been  appearing  in  your  magazine  with  reference  to 
accessories  on  short  subjects.  Apparently  the  matter  has  settled 
down  to  a question  of  just  what  accessories  are  available  on 
shorts  rather  than  an  exposition  of  facts  as  to  what  the  exhibitor 
wants  and  is  not  getting. 

Accessories  on  all  motion  picture  product  are  prepared  with  but 
one  thought  in  mind — “To  assist  the  exhiliitor  in  making  the  great- 
est possible  profit.”  If  the  quantity  or  quality  of  such  material  is 
inadequate,  every  short  subject  distributor  in  the  business  would 
be  glad  to  know  about  it.  But  certainly  this  detail  of  service  can- 
not be  improved  or  modified  unless  the  exhibitors  get  down  to 
concrete  cases. 

For  nearly  a quarter  of  a century  Pathe  has  been  supplying 
exhibitors  with  press  material,  and  accessories  of  such  a high 
standard  that  the  quality  of  the  service  has  gained  for  the  com- 
pany an  enviable  reputation. 

On  the  single  reel  Will  Rogers  pictures  “Our  Unofficial  Am- 
bassador Abroad,”  we  bave  provided  advertising  material  of  feature 
calibre.  Wbat  exhibitor  could  ask  for  more  tban  a twenty-four 
sheet,  two  styles  of  ones  and  threes,  11x14  photos,  black  and 
whites,  slides,  window  cards,  heralds,  trailers,  special  stickers, 
scene  and  advertising  cuts,  personally  signed  wire  from  Rogers 
and  a press  sheet? 

With  the  Pathe  News  we  now  issue  in  addition  to  a slide  and 
one  sheet,  a beautiful  22x28  photo  gelatine  for  the  lobby  and  a 
printed  contents  sheet  which  is  mailed  direct  from  New  York  to 
all  accounts  that  request  the  service. 

Color  Changing  Posters 

A one  sheet  and  stock  slide  is  available,  on  the  Grantland  Rice 
Sportlights  and  Pathe  Review.  Contents  sheets  are  printed  on 
these  subjects  also  and  are  mailed  to  theatres  in  advance  of 
release  so  that  they  may  be  able  to  take  complete  advantage  in 
their  advertising  of  any  particular  subjects  that  may  have  a special 
appeal  locally. 

On  the  forthcoming  Pathe  serial  “Hawk  of  the  Hills,”  we  have 
provided  accessories  and  exploitation  material  that  cannot  fail  to 
please  the  most  discriminating  exhibitor.  The  six  sheets  have 
been  designed  in  such  a manner  that  by  the  alternate  use  of  green 
and  red  spotlights  the  poster  illustration  fades  from  one  picture 
to  another. 

A tremendous  merchandising  tieup  has  been  effected  whereby 
the  exhibitor  will  receive  absolutely  free  of  charge  a large  quantity 
of  the  latest  brain  teasers,  Movie-Land  puzzles,  with  which  to  put 
over  a spectacular  contest. 

Free  ad  matrices,  lobby,  black  and  white  stills,  slides,  trailer,  one 
and  three  sheets  are  available  on  all  of  the  Pathe  two  reel  comedy 
releases. 

It  would  not  appear  then  that  the  short  subject  is  being  neglected 
insofar  as  Pathe  is  concerned.  We  do  however  welcome  any  con- 
structive criticism  because  it  is  our  desire  to  give  exhibitors  what 
they  want  rather  than  lohat  we  think  they  zvant. 


Paramount  Junior  Press  Sheet 


Pills,  Poivders,  Piilcliritii  de  and  Fast  Action 


Adams’  First  Comedy,  "Doctor  Quack" 
Has  Ethel  Shannon  for  Leading  Lady 


Tilian  Haired  ConiediennC| 
Meets  Cliristie  at  Luncli : 
Garners  New  Job 


IlM-MIE  Adams’  first  Christie  coin-j 
edy  for  ParainouDt,  '’Doctor 
yuack  ",  hns’Ethel  Shannon,  auburn  | 
haired  leading  lady  from  the  realm; 
of  fealure  leuglh  pictures,  playing 
o|>posite  the  star.  Miss  Shaniioii’.s 
contract  for  this  comedy  Is  the  for- 
tunate result  of  a jest,  as  seems  (it 
nnd  proiier  in  the  taiighins-filni  busi- 
ness. While  working  In  a fealure 
picture  Miss  Shannon  met  Al  Chris- 
tie at  luncheon  and  asked  him  when 
she  went  to  work  for  hlar  again,  and 
he  replied  that  the  following  week 
would  be  a good  time. 

After  the  Christie  wahdrobe  de- 
partment called,  making  appoint- 
ments for  fittings  and  the  casting 


thai 


all 


She 


ported  for  work  bright  and  early 
on  the  first  day  of  production  on  the 
new  llmmio  Adams  comedy.  .Miss 
Shannon  had  previously  been  in  the 
Ciirisiie  production  of  “Charley's 
Aunt"  and  has  been  a featured  play- 
er In  pictures  of  many  of  the  lead- 
ing con. panics.  While  not  appear- 
ing in  pictures  she  writes  magazine 
stories  and  ba.s  even  been  observed 
jotting  down  Ideas  between  scenes 
while  on  the  set. 

In  addition  to  Miss  Sh.innon  the 
c.ast  of  Jimmie's  new  picture  will  in- 
cUitle  Billy  Engle,  newly  signed  by 
Al  Christie  on  a long  term  contract 
after  having  appeared  with  great 
success  in  a great  many  "Christie 
Comedies,  during  the  past  two  sea- 
sons. "Doctor  Qi  ack"  is  an  original 
by  Hul  Conklin  and  was  directed  by 
Robert  Kerr. 


Jieniiiic  .A<1 
Carklo 


ms  Dratys  Maii> 
ill  ' DovUn-  Oiiat  k'^ 


in 


yvUh 


"Doctor  Quack"  Is  said  to 
the  funnier  side  of  a physician's  life 
and  has  Jimmie  in  the  role  of  a 
young  doctor  who  holds  free  cljnlcs 
in  the  slums  while  trying  to  Impress 
bis  sweelhearl’s  papa  with  his  rich 
practise.  When  he  con.splres  with 
the  girl,  played  by  Ethel  Shannon,  to 
cure  papa’s  hpadache,  the  fun  be- 
come.s  fast  and  furious  afler  the 
powders  become  mived  and  pai>:i 
gets  a hold  of  some  deadly  poison. 

Billy  Engle,  newly  signed  on  a 
long  term  contract  with  the  Chris- 
tie-s'.  plays  the  father,  and  CUff  Lan- 
caster is  (he  butler  who  has  much 
to  do  whh  the  success  and  failure  of 
Jimmie'S  various  affairs,  both  love 
and  professional. 


Paramount  is  issuing  a Junior  Press  Sheet,  a page  from  one 
of  which  is  reproduced  above,  on  its  short  features.  These 
tabloids  are  produced  along  the  same  general  lines  as  the 
company's  regular  feature  press  sheets  and  should  afford 
beneficial  material  for  exhibitors  playing  this  short  feature 
product.  The  above  is  an  inside  page  from  the  Junior  Sheet 
on  the  Paramount-Christie  comedy,  “Doctor  Quack.” 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


M-G-M  IS^Pivs.  the  iteiv  Metro-Goldunu-Muyer  neivsreel.  teas  shoun  to  the  public  for  the  first  time  hist  W ednesday  at  the  Gapitol  theatre. 

Major  hdiiurd  Bowes  in  welcoming  M-G-M  Netvs  to  a regular  place  on  the  Gapitol  program,  is  showing  the  newsreel  in  its  entirety. 
President  Coolidge  (shoicn  above)  greets  this  new  screen  feature  by  appearing  in  the  opening  scenes  and  operating  a camera  himself. 

Governor  Smith  is  also  shown  welcoming  the  newsreel. 

A special  feature  of  this  first  issue  of  the  M-G-M  Neivs  is  a sequence  of  scenes  depicting  the  filming  of  the  treacherous  rapids  of  the 
Grand  Gaiiyon  by  the  Clyde  Eddy  e.xpedition.  This  expedition  is  the  first  to  make  a complete  record  on  celluloid  of  this  daring  trip, 
the  pictures  being  made  especially  for  the  M-G-M  Netvs. 


F B O Announces  Release 

Dates  on  Two  Reel  Comedies 


In  tht*  F B O releases  of  two  reel  comedies  for  the  months  of  August,  September  and 
October  are  12  of  the  ‘’^Beauty  ParloF'  series,  two  in  the  ‘'’Mickey  McGuire"’  series  and 
tw^o  standard  come<lies.  They  are  listed  below  in  the  order  of  their  release  dates. 


Production:  The  Beauty  Parlor  No.  1,  “The 

Beauty  J’arlor"  series:  Supporting  Players;  A1 
Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma  Hill 
and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  IMorris;  Re- 
lease Dale:  Aug.  3. 

Production:  The  Permanent  Rave  No.  2,  “The 
Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Players:  A1 
Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma  Hill 
and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Morris; 
Release  Dale:  Aug.  10. 

Production:  Last  Nose  of  Summers  No.  3, 

“The  Beauty  Parlor’’  series;  Supporting  Players: 
A1  Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma 

Hill  and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Mor- 
ris; Release  Date:  Aug.  17. 

Production:  Boys  Will  Be  Girls  No.  4,  “The 
Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Players:  A1 
Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma  Hill 
and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Morris; 
Release  Date;  Aug.  24. 

Production:  Helene  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  No.  5, 

“The  Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Players: 
A1  Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma 

Hill  and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Mor- 
ris; Release  Date:  Aug.  31. 

Production:  Toupay  Or  Not  to  Pay  No.  6, 

“The  Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Play- 
ers: A1  Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason, 

Thelma  Hill  and  Danny  O’Shea:  Director:  Reg- 
gie IMorris;  Release  Date:  Sept.  7. 

Production:  Chin  He  Loved  to  Lift  No.  7. 

“The  Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Players: 
A1  Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma 

Hill  and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Mor- 
ris: Release  Date:  Sept.  14. 

Production.  Fresh  Hair  Fiends  No.  8,  “The 
Beauty  Parlor’’  series;  Supporting  Players:  A1 
Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma  Hill 
and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Morris; 
Release  Date:  Sept.  21. 

Production:  Peter’s  Pan  No.  9,  “The  Beauty 
Parlor”  series:  Supporting  Players:  A1  Cooke, 
Kit  Guard.  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma  Hill  and 
Danny  ()’Shea:  Director:  Reggie  Morris;  Release 
Date:  Sept.  28. 

Production:  The  Beloved  Rogue  No.  10,  “The 
Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Players:  A1 
Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma  Hill 
and  Danny  O’Shea:  Director:  Reggie  IMorris; 
Release  Date:  Oct.  5. 

Production:  New  Faces  for  Old  No.  11,  “The 

Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Players:  A1 
Cooke.  Kit  Guard.  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma  Hill 
and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Morris: 
Release  Date:  Oct.  12. 

Production:  She  Troupes  to  Conquer  No.  12, 
“The  Beauty  Parlor”  series;  Supporting  Players: 
A1  Cooke,  Kit  Guard,  Lorraine  Eason,  Thelma 
Hill  and  Danny  O’Shea;  Director:  Reggie  Mor- 
ris: Release  Date:  Oct.  19. 

Production:  Mickey's  Circus  No.  1,  “Mickey 
McGuire”  series;  Supporting  Players:  Tomboy 
Taylor,  Stinky  Davis;  Release  Date:  Sept.  4; 
Director:  A1  Herman. 

Production:  Mickey's  Pals  No.  2,  “Mickey 

hJcGuire”  series;  Supporting  Players;  Tomboy 


Taylor.  Stinky  Davis;  Release  Date:  Oct.  3; 
Director:  A1  Herman. 

Production:  Wanderers  of  the  Waistline  No. 

1,  Standard  Comedies:  Supporting  Players:  E'at 
Karr,  Kewpie  Ross  and  Tiny  Alexander;  Release 
Date:  Sept.  11;  Director:  A1  Herman. 

Production:  Tanks  of  the  Wabash  No.  2, 

Standard  Comedies;  Supporting  Players:  Fat 

Karr,  Kewjjie  Ross  and  Tiny  Alexander;  Release 
Date:  Oct.  fO;  Director:  A1  Herman. 


NEWSPICTURES 


KIN’OGR.^MS  NO.  5318^—1’.  S.  keeps  Wightman 
tennis  cup  when  American  women  tennis  6tar.s 
at  Forrest  Hills,  N.  Y.,  defeat  English  rivals— 
Last  photographs  of  Judge  Gary  wlio  suddenly 
dies  at  New  York— Thomas  Edison  at  Llewellyn 
Park.  N.  J..  celebrates  fiftieth  anniversary  of 

phonograph President  Cooli<lge  at  Rushmore 

mountain,  S.  D..  rides  horse  to  memorial  dedica- 
tion—Fire  chiefs  at  Portlan<l,  Ore.,  hold  conven- 
tion and  have  exciting  hose  fights — ^Beautiful 
spectacle  is  presented  at  Marblehead.  Mass., 
when  yacht  fleet  sails — Tunney  at  Spectacular. 
N.  trains  for  coming  bout— Motorcycle 

riders  at  Springfiehl.  Mass.,  crash  at  75  miles  an 
hour  in  races. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  67 Ten  thou- 

sand Turners  at  Darmstatlt.  Germany,  g'.ve  ath- 
letic drills — Ju<lge  (iary  clies  at  New  York— 
Thomas  Fhlison  at  West  Orange.  N.  J.,  celebrates 

fiftieth  anniversary  of  phonograph President 

Coolidge  at  Rushmore  Mountain.  S.  D..  rides 
horse  to  memorial— Yankee  girls  at  Forrest 
Hills.  N.  ^ con«iuer  British  women  tennis 

stars  for  X^'ightnian  trophy Cadets  at  Saumur. 

France,  give  displav  <»f  trick  riding. 

PVRAMOl'NT  NEWS  NO.  6 Helen  Wills  defeats 

Joan  Fry,  English  tennis  star,  at  Forrest  Hills. 
N*.  \ ..  in  \^'ightman  trophy  tennis  contest— 

President  Coolidge  at  Black  Hills.  S.  D..  meels 
Borgliim.  the  sculptor,  who  starts  work  on  huge 
mountain  memorial  carvings— World’s  largest 
searchlight  at  Charlottesville,  ^'a..  is  turne<l  on  — 
(German  plane  at  Dessau.  Ger..  sets  world  en- 
durance flight  record'^— Mount  Vesuvius  near 
Naples,  Italy,  erupts  and  threatens  village— 
Edison  at  West  Orange.  N.  J.  speaks  over  radio 
in  celebration  of  fiftieth  anniversary  of  phono- 
graph 

FOX  NE^-^S  NO.  9.'5— President  Coolidge  climbs 

Rushmore  mountain  on  horse American  speed 

boat.  S[>itfire.  owned  by  Mrs.  Ranfl.  wins  Duke 

of  York’s  trophy  in  regatta  at  Cowes.  Eng. 

Friederich  Loose,  pilot  of  German  plane,  turns 
back  in  fog  from  Atlantic  flight — Thomas  Edison 
celebrates  fiftieth  anniversary  of  phonograph— 
Tourists  at  Vevey,  Switz..  see  revival  of  old 

fete  of  the  winegrowers Surf  boat  riding  is 

taken  up  in  New  Jersey  beach  resorts— Broadway 
chorus  girls  fiance  on  top  of  skyscraper. 


RELEASES 


\^EEK  OF  Jl'LY  24 

“Spooky  Money,”  A1  Joy,  Cransfield  and  Clarke, 
two ; “Beachnuls,”  Shott  and  Power,  Cranfield 
and  Clarke,  two;  “What  Price  Swimming.”  Boy 
Adventure,  Cranfield  and  Clarke,  one;  “Learn 
by  Mail.”  Sketchografs,  Cranfield  and  Clarke, 
one;  “Campus  Romeos,”  Standard.  F B O,  two; 
“Alice  the  Whaler.”  Winkler,  F B O,  one;  ‘ The 
Glory  That  Was  Greece,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“Why  Blondes  Leave  Home,”  Imperial,  Fox,  two; 
“The  Crimson  Flash.”  No.  6,  Pathe,  two:  “Sub- 
way Sally,”  Fables.  Pathe.  two-thirds;  ‘Taking 
Punishment.”  Grantland.  Pathe.  one;  “With  W’ill 
Rogers  in  London,”  Clancy,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe 
Review  No.  30.  Pathe.  one;  Topics  of  the  Day 
No.  30,  Timely,  Pathe.  one-third;  “Whispering 
Smith  Rides.”  Adventure,  Universal,  two;  “Monty 
of  the  Mounted.”  Lupino  Lane.  Educational,  two  ; 
“Felix  the  Cat  in  the  Travel-Hog.”  Bijou,  Educa- 
tional, one. 

WEEK  OF  JULY  31 

“Silk  Legs.”  Imperial,  Fox,  two  ; “The  Crimson 
Flash.”  No.  7.  Pathe,  two;  “The  Bully,”  Fables, 
Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Chicken  Feed.”  Roach, 
Pathe.  two;  “Skedaddle  Gold.”  Action.  Pathe, 
five;  Pathe  Review,  No,  31.  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  31,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal, 
two;  “His  Better  Half,”  Hamilton,  Educational, 
two ; “Traveling  At  Home,”  Curiosities,  Educa- 
tional, one;  “Hold  Fast,”  Cameo,  Educational, 
one;  “High  Spots.”  Mermaid,  Educational,  two. 
W EEK  OF  AUGUST  7 

“Jack  From  All  Trades,”  Bijou,  Educational,  one; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  8,  Pathe.  two;  “Ant 
Life  As  It  Isn’t,’’  Fables,  Pathe.  two-thirds;  “The 
College  Kiddo.”  Mack  Sennetl.  Pathe,  two; 
“Scents  and  Dog  Sense,”  Grantland,  Pathe,  one; 
Pathe,  Review.  No.  32,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of 
the  Day,  No.  32,  Timely  Films,  one-third;  “Whis- 
pering Smith  Rides,”  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 

‘^Bubbles  of  Geography.”  Lyman  H.  Howe's,  Edu- 
cational. one;  “The  Crimson  Flash.”  Pathe,  two; 
“Red  Hot  Sands,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“What  Women  Did  For  Me,”  Hal  Roach.  Pathe, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  33,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  33,  Timely.  Pathe.  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  Adventure.  Universal, 
two  ; “Bee  Cause,”  Winkler,  F B O,  one. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  21 

“Poor  Fish.”  The  Ebbing  Tide,  Outdoor.  Educa- 
tional. two;  “The  Non-Stop  Fright,”  Bijou,  Edu- 
cational, one;  “Plumb  Dumb.”  Mermaid,  Educa- 
tional, two ; “The  Crimson  Flash,”  Pathe,  two ; 
“A  Hole  in  One.”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “On 
the  Hook.”  Grantland,  Pathe;  “Smith's  Candy 
Shop.”  Sennett.  Pathe,  two;  “Roaming  ths 
Emerald  Isle  With  Will  Rogers,”  Clancy.  Pathe. 
one;  Pathe  Review.  No.  34.  Pathe.  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  34,  Timely  Films,  one-third; 
“Alice  in  the  Big  League.”  Winkler.  F B O,  one; 
“Last  Nose  of  Summers,”  F B O—— 1872. 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  4 

“Hawk  of  the  Hills,”  No.  2,  Pathe,  two;  “The 
Small  Town  Sheriff,”  Fables.  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“The  Golf  Nut,”  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; 
“Grandma’s  Boy,”  Hal  Roach,  Pathe,  five;  Pathe 
Review’,  No.  36,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  36,  Timely,  Pathe,  one. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


PRESENMON  ACK 


Vaudeville  as  a Name  Is  Passing 

Trashy  Acts  Ruin  Stageshow  in  Small  Towns 


Routing  Not 
Adequate  in 
Small  Towns 

Exhibitors  Say  Supplementary 
Program  Does  Win  New 
Theatre  Patrons 
By  JAY  M.  SHRECK 

The  success  of  presentation  and 
stage  acts  in  the  de  luxe  theatres  in 
the  cities  has  not  found  a counter- 
part in  the  situation  found  in  the 
smaller  towns. 

In  a survey  and  analysis  of  con- 
ditions which  the  Herald  has  just 
concluded  these  facts  stand  out 
glaringly : 

The  small  town  exhibitor  can- 
not afford  expensive  acts  and  as  a 
result  those  he  does  get  are 
“trashy.” 

“Trashy”  acts  result  in  dimin- 
ishing attendance. 

Routing  facilities  to  the  small 
towns  are  inadequate. 

Presentation  and  acts  on  pro- 
gram create  demand  for  higher  ad- 
missions, which  are  not  approved 
in  the  small  towns. 

The  smaller  exhibitors  can  play 
stage  acts  only  one  night  a week 
at  the  best,  and  generally  not  more 
than  one  night  every  two  or  three 
weeks. 

It  is  a fair  estimate  to  say  that  prob- 
ably 50  per  cent  of  the  theatres  in  the 
smaller  towns  present  stageshows  in  con- 
junction with  pictures  occasionally.  The 
other  50  per  cent  adhere  strictly  to  a 
“pictures  only”  policy. 

The  Herald  survey  has  revealed  that 
many  exhibitors  would  like  an  occa- 
sional act  if  routing  facilities  could  be 
improved  so  that  they  might  be  assured 
of  acts  which  would  not  alienate  their 
patrons.  These  exhibitors  contend  that 
a frequent  stageshow  brings  neVf-  pa- 
trons into  the  theatre,  and  that  it  is  not 
unusual  to  see  these  patrons  return 
weekly  to  see  only  the  picture. 

The  first  of  the  discussions  hy  ex- 
hibitors of  this  important  subject  are 
subjoined. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  An- 
swering  your  inquiry  about  using  vaudeville,  will 
say  that  it  ifi  a losing  proposition  in  my  town 
of  1,800  population.  Paying  the  straight  salary 
that  a good  act  asks  is  out  of  the  question.  On 
{Contimied  on  page  40) 


Mr.  and  Mrs. 


MR.  AND  MRS.  JESSE  CRAWFORD, 
who  operate  the  consoles  in  the  new  Para- 
mount theatre.  New  York,  at  the  cross- 
roads of  the  world — The  Crawfords  were 
natives  of  Chi  not  so  long  ago,  when  they 
were  the  “big  noise“  at  the  “twin  organ” 
in  B & K's  Chicago  theatre,  the  wonder 
house  of  the  Loop — since  then  they  have 
become  New  Yorkers,  my  yes,  but  oh;  they 
still  love  our  HP  old  burg  and  once  in 
awhile  they  both  take  separate  overnight 
trips  here  just  to  tell  us  that  they  haven’t 
forgotten  their  many  good  friends. 


Good  ’Ole  Bill 

Bill  Riddle,  the  kind  old  gentleman  at 
the  stage  door  of  the  Riviera  Theatre. 
Chicago,  is  one  of  the  most  well  liked  men 
in  the  profession  today.  Bill  has  been 
with  the  Orpheum  Circuit  over  two  years 
and  was  formerly  a “slang”  writer  for 
the  “Chicago  American”  nearly  twenty 
years  ago.  Some  of  the  things  that  he 
wrote  appeared  under  the  heading  of  “Signs 
of  the  Time.”  He  also  orginated  the  term 
“23,”  which  in  those  days  was  considered 
a lemon  for  race  horses.  Bill  also  was  a 
popular  comedian  forty  years  ago  appear- 
ing with  the  late  Edgewood  Volks,  making 
his  debut  on  the  stage  the  first  night  that 
the  arc-lights  were  used  in  Chicago.  He 
is  quite  a character  around  the  theatre 
with  the  performers  and  greets  everyone 
with  a smile,  a trait  that  he  still  possesses 
from  his  acting  days. 


Bandshow  to 
Have  Tryout 
at  Diversey 

Orpheum  May  Install  Policy  if 
Experiment  in  Chicago 
Is  Snccessfnl 

By  A RAYMOND  GALLO 

Word  reaches  the  editor  of  this 
department  that  the  Gaumont  Pal- 
ace in  Paris,  the  larest  motion  pic- 
ture theatre  in  France,  is  now  offer- 
ing the  stagehand  show  form  of 
presentation.  Enoch  Light  is  the 
band  leader  appearing  with  his  jazz 
orchestra  in  an  unusual  stage  pres- 
entation that  has  created  an  unpre- 
cedented welcome  in  Paris.  Mr. 
Light  is  probably  the  first  man  in 
Paris  to  put  over  jazz  presentation 
successfully  to  the  audience  in  that 
country,  and,  as  usual,  a pioneer  in 
any  line  merits  the  success  that  he 
has  created. 

Among  the  many  interesting  things  that 
have  happened  this  last  week  in  presenta- 
tion is  word  that  the  Diversey  theatre, 
Chicago,  an  Orpheum  Circuit  house,  lo- 
cated on  the  North  Side,  will  change  its 
jiresent  policy  of  pictures  and  vaudeville  to 
pictures  and  presentation,  effective  Septem- 
ber 1. 

No  Leader  Selected 

The  new  policy  will  be  oi)erated  like  the 
many  other  de  luxe  houses  in  Chicago  with 
stage  bandshows  which  will  consist  of  the 
regular  vaudeville  acts  appearing  on  the 
Orpheum  Circuit,  who  will  work  in  front 
of  a name  band.  For  the  present  no  per- 
manent band  or  band  leader  has  been  se- 
lected, but  it  is  learned  that  the  policy  will 
offer  a new  band  every  fourth  week  until 
a permanent  hand  and  local  personality 
leader  will  be  installed  in  this  house  as  the 
feature  attraction. 

A note  of  great  importance  and 
of  much  interest  to  other  theatre 
managers  is  the  fact  that  if  this 
new  policy  proves  a success  in  the 
Diversey  theatre,  the  Orpheum 
Circuit  will  inaugurate  a stage 
bandshow  policy  in  all  its  de  luxe 
houses  all  over  the  country,  which 
amount  to  approximately  30  weeks. 

If  this  goes  through,  which  un- 
doubtedly it  will,  it  means  that 
(Continued  on  page  40) 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Vaudeville  as  Name  Is  Passing 

{Continued  from  page  39) 


there  will  be  no  longer  any  form 
of  entertainment  called  vaudeville 
(exclusive  of  the  circuit’s  premier 
houses),  as  hereafter  it  will  be 
termed  as  presentations  in  stage- 
band  form. 

Another  house  working  this  policy  to  the 
same  advantage  is  the  Earl  theatre,  in 
Washington,  D.  C.,  operated  by  the  Stanley- 
Crandall  Circuit.  This  theatre  carried  a 
policy  of  feature  film  and  vaudeville  acts 
and  now  presents  its  entertainment  in  the 
same  form  the  Diversey  will  inaugurate  on 
September  1. 

Policy  Is  Successful 

Word  has  been  received  that  this  policy 
which  has  been  in  effect  at  the  Earl  for 
several  weeks  is  proving  very  successful 
from  the  box  office  standpoint  as  well  as 
the  entertainment  angle. 

The  Chicago  theatre,  Chicago,  Balaban  & 
Katz  wonder  theatre,  and  the  only  loop 
house  which  up  to  this  date  has  been  im- 
mune from  a permanent  stage  bandshow, 
has  also  been  reported  to  go  for  it  very 
shortly.  In  fact,  for  the  last  two  months 
the  management  has  been  experimenting 
with  several  bands,  such  as  Paul  White- 
man,  Ted  Lewis,  Warings  Pennsylvanians 
and  Ben  Bernie,  who  appeared  in  this  house 
last  week.  These  hands  will  be  brought 
back  again  at  a future  date  and  those  prov- 
ing more  popular  with  the  public  will  in  all 
probability  remain  stationed  in  this  house 
for  a period  of  four  to  six  weeks  at  a 
stretch,  alternating  with  other  name  bands. 

Frankie  Masters,  one  of  Bennie  Krueger’s 
proteges,  opens  at  the  Uptown  theatre,  Chi- 
cago, this  week  wdth  his  own  band,  making 
his  debut  as  a stage  liand  leader.  On 
August  28  A1  Kvale,  assistant  to  Paul  Ash, 
the  creator  of  this  policy  w’hich  is  better 


know'n  as  the  “Paul  .\sh  policy,”  makes  his 
debut  as  a stage  band  leader  at  the  Nor- 
shore  theatre,  Chicago.  Buddy  Fisher  also 
has  his  premier  opening  as  band  leader  for 
the  new  Avalon  on  August  29. 

Incidently,  Norman  Stepp,  popular  boy 
around  town  and  at  one  time  band  leader 
for  a neighborhood  house,  will  also  make 
his  debut  as  de  luxe  band  leader  at  the 
Piccadilly,  Chicago,  this  week. 

This  is  in  addition  to  the  Paradise,  a new 
de  luxe  picture  house  now  in  construction, 
wdiich  will  open  the  early  part  of  1928,  will 
bring  the  total  of  Chicago  de  luxe  picture 
houses  to  15  using  presentation  in  stage- 
band  form.  It  is  also  reported  that  the 
Terminal,  the  Admiral  and  several  other 
neighborhood  picture  houses  will  install  a 
bandshow  this  wdnter  that  may  instigate 
many  others  to  follow  suit. 


Small  Town  Acts 

{Continued  from  page  39) 

a percentage  engagement  I spend  more  than  usual 
for  advertising,  and  after  paying  oft  the  act  have 
considerably  less  left  for  the  theatre’s  share  than 
a straight  picture  program  would  have  grossed. 
In  addition  I have  to  advance  the  price,  which 
creates  dissatisfaction. 

A number  of  expensive  experiments  of  this  na- 
ture during  the  last  few  years  have  convinced  me 
that  the  relatively  few  vaudville  fans  in  my  lit- 
tle town  prefer  to  seek  this  kind  of  entertain- 
ment in  the  big  towns  nearby,  and  it  is  money  in 
my  pocket  to  let  them  go.  I always  play  a pic- 
ture with  an  act,  and  it  has  happened  more  than 
once  that  a vaudeville  and  picture  combination, 
specially  advertised,  has  grossed  less  money  than 
a straight  picture  program  on  the  same  night  of 
the  following  week,  under  the  same  conditions  of 
weather,  etc. 

When  a high  pressure  advance  agent  tries  to 
sell  me  an  act  guaranteed  to  pack  the  house. 


knock  ’em  dead,  and  all  the  rest  of  the  usual 
line,  I make  him  a counter  proposition  of  straight 
rental  for  the  house  and  a picture  furnished  at 
cost : tell  him  I can’t  put  vaudeville  over  here, 
but  if  he  wants  to  guarantee  my  expenses  and 
take  a flyer  and  chance  a flop,  why  go  to  it. 
The  old-timers  usually  grin  and  drive  on. 

An  important  exception  to  the  above  is  dra- 
matic stock.  ’Three  or  four  times  a year  I can 
play  a rep  show  for  a three  or  six  night  stand 
to  good  business.  They  draw  a lot  of  people 
who  are  not  regular  picture  fans,  and  occasionally 
these  people  keep  coming  after  they  have  learned 
the  road  to  the  theatre. 

However  I can’t  follow  a stage  play  with  its 
screen  adaptation.  Pictures  of  “The  Old  Soak” 
and  “Up  in  Mabel’s  Room”  took  a terrible  flop 
last  season  after  playing  the  stage  dramas  here. — 
ROY  W.  ADAMS,  Pastime  theatre.  Mason,  Mich. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  In 
answer  to  the  within  letter  want  to  say  “yes,”  a 
vaudeville  does  get  patrons  that  do  not  attend 
the  pictures.  There  is  with  me  one  drawback. 
Am  in  small  town  and  a traveling  show  troup 
is  compelled  to  demand  advance  admission.  So 
with  present  conditions,  after  light  crops,  and  our 
recent  bank  failures  must  wait  for  the  present 
crop  to  move  before  anything  can  be  put  on  at 
profitable  returns.  We  have  best  of  prospects 
here  at  this  writing  so  feel  like  some  pay  in  near 
future  is  in  sight. — E.  A.  EMMERT,  Emmert  thea- 
tre, Alcester,  N.  D. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  To 
answer  your  letter  of  late  will  say  as  follows: 
I have  tried  few  and  it  doesn’t  pay.  Played  them 
on  midweek  nights.  Played  one  act  in  connection 
with  movies  everytime,  and  people  did  not  care 
to  pay  10  cents  extra  to  the  vaudeville  and 
stayed  away.  Therefore  I think  it  is  not  to  any 
advantage  of  small  theatres  to  play  nothing  but 
movies,  or  if  the  stage  is  big  enough  play  just 
straight  stage  play  all  by  itself  without  movies. — 
RUDOLF  DUBA,  Royal  theatre,  Kimball,  S.  D. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Please 
find  the  following  answers  to  your  letter  of  in- 
quiry : 

Do  you  play  vaudeville  acts?  We  do  when  we 
can  play  them  at  the  right  price  and  are  sure, 
or  think  we  are  sure,  that  they  have  a fair  act. 

If  so.  how  often?  We  generally  play  about 
half  of  the  acts  that  come  along. 

How  many  acts  do  you  play  in  an  evening  ? 
One. 

Do  you  play  them  in  conjunction  with  the 
picture?  Yes. 

In  your  advertising  do  you  play  the  vaudeville 
acts  over  the  picture  ? No,  because  we  have  to 
depend  on  the  pictures. 

Do  you  find  that  facilities  for  routing  acts  to 
the  smaller  towns  inadequate?  Yes.  No  train 
connections  with  the  main  lines,  necessitating  too 
long  waits. 

Do  you  have  an  organ  in  your  theatre?  Yes, 
a Reproduce  organ.  We  have  some  one  play  it 
manually  every  once  in  a while  and  it  goes  over 
very  nicely. 

If  it  were  po.ssible  for  a small  movie  theatre 
to  run  a good  vaudeville  act  about  every  one  or 
two  weeks,  the  same  day  every  time,  it  wouldn’t 
take  long  to  build  up  a nice  vaudeville  business. — 
WILCOX  & MILLER,  Lake  View  theatre.  Lake 
View,  la. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Thanks 
for  the  inquiry.  Town’s  too  small  to  put  across 
any  elaborate  vaudeville.  Trashy  stuff  no  aid.— 
O.  A.  FOSSE,  Community  theatre,  Ridgeway,  la. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  In 
answer  to  your  inquiry  about  playing  vaudeville 
acts  we  wish  to  state  that  we  do  not  play  vaude- 
ville acts  as  we  have  no  stage.  We  do  not  have 
an  organ. — HULDA  J,  GREEN,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS — To  the  Editor:  In 
answer  to  your  letter  of  recent  date  wish  to  say 
that  I do  not  play  vaudeville  very  often,  for  the 
reason  that  it  is  too  expensive  and  one  soon  edu- 
cates the  public  to  expect  more  show  for  the 
price  than  one  can  give  and  make  consistent 
money.  However,  we  do  book  a few  musical 
numbers  from  the  independent  teams. 

We  never  play  more  than  one  number  and  al- 
ways feature  the  picture  over  the  act,  as  pictures 
are  what  we  are  selling  and  want  to  continue  to 
sell.  We  ai'e  close  to  three  large  towns  playing 
vaudeville  regular  in  the  finest  theatres  so  we  feel 
that  the  junk  we  could  offer  would  keep  people 
away,  as  we  very  seldom  get  good  stuff.  IF 
THEY  ARE  GOOD  THEY  HAVE  A JOB.  We 
have  a little  Reproduce  in  our  house. — EDWIN  E. 
GAILEY,  Crystal  theatre,  Wayne,  Neb. 


J.  VIRGIL  HUFFMAN 

Featured  Organist 

IRVING  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

HENRY  B.  MURTAGH,  solo  organist  at  the  CHICAGO  Theatre,  says:  “1  con- 
sider Mr.  Huffman  one  of  the  most  promising  young  organists  in  the  city.  1 can 
heartily  recommend  him.” 

OPEN  FOR  ENGAGEMENT,  SEASON  1927-1928 


Solo  Presentations — 

JACK  MARTIN 

Featured  Organist 

TOWER  THEATRE,  MILWAUKEE 

— Photoplay  Sjmehronizing 


RAY  TURNER 

Featured  Organist 
NORTH  CENTER  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Now  Under  LUBLINER  & TRINZ  Management 


1 

GRACE  R.  CLARK 

Featured  Organist 

ASCHER  BROS.  CROWN  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Solos  and  Community  Singing 

August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


NEW  SONGS 


Reviewed  by 


IRENE  JUNO 


(Instructor  Washington  College  o£  Music) 


GONNA  GET  A GIRL— (Villa  Moret)— another 
good  fox  trot  that  was  played  around  here  re- 
cently. It  ought  to  be  included  in  your  poptilar 
llbraiT.  The  harmony  is  up  to  date. 

* # 


CUDDLE  CLOSER  and  PROUD— (Villa  Moret) 
— Two  more  fox  trots  that  should  be  getting  some 
attention.  Not  so  different  but  still  they  are 
good, 

* « # 


FOLLOWING  YOU  AROUND~{Mille.  Inc).— 
Fox  trot  song  of  good  harmony  and  dance  rhythm. 
It  should  enjoy  popularity  when  it  is  known. 

« # « 

DOWN  THE  X^NE— (Robbins)— A waltz  that 
is  easy.  The  sort  of  a number  you  like  for  a 
theme.  Does  not  tax  your  memory. 

« # # 

ROAM  ON,  MY  LITTLE  GYPSY  SWEET- 
HEART— (Waterson,  Berlin  and  Snyder) — A fox 
trot  with  a decidedly  different  verse  of  minor  pro- 
gression, and  a chorus  that  can  be  used  as  a bal- 
lad or  a fox  trot. 

* « >;< 

GIDY-AP-GARIBALDI — (Shapiro,  Bernstein) — - 
A rollicking  6/8  with  a patter  of  La  La  La’s 
and  Ha  Ha  Ha’s.  A Tony  and  the  horse  song. 
Music  better  than  the  words. 

# 

THERE'S  A TRICK  IN  PICiaN'  A CHICK- 
CHICK-CHI'CKEN — (Feist) — It’s  a tricky  little  fox 
trot  and  as  intrigueing  as  the  name  implies.  One 
of  the  coming  hits  of  the  season  if  handled  well. 

« * « 

CLEMENTINE — '(Shapiro-Bernstein) — -Some  one 
got  to  writing  blue  fox  trots  for  this  company 
and  can’t  stop.  Clementine  won’t  be  a knockout 
but  its  different  than  the  rest. 

* * 

WEAR  YOUR  SUNDAY  SMILE— from  ‘‘Judy” 
(Harms).  Another  tuneful  fox  trot  with  simple 
orchestra  treatment.  Just  enough  for  the  new 
harmonic  dischords  to  make  it  up  to  date.  Not 
enough  to  be  complicated.  Well  worth  buying. 

« « Ik 

SA-LU-TA — (Feist) — It’s  a 6/8  Italian  number 
with  all  the  ear  marks  that  characterized  “Va- 
lencia” and  “Barcelona.”  It  is  more  complicated 
than  either  of  these,  but  don’t  neglect  it.  It  will 
be  atmosphere  after  its  popularity  is  over. 

• * « 

ONE  SWEET  LETTER  FROM  YOU— (Shapiro- 
Bernstein) — A blue  fox  trot  that  demands  slow 
treatment  of  rhythm.  With  a good  patter  follow- 
ing. Worth  looking  into. 

« « ♦ 

HALLELUJAH — from  “Hit  the  Deck”  (Harms). 
Is  it  necessary  to  speak  about  this  ? I suppose 
every  musician  in  the  business  is  playing  it,  for 
it  is  one  of  the  “wows”  of  the  season. 

« « *K 

WORRYIN' — (Shapiro-Bernstein) — A waltz  that 
will  gain  as  much  favor  with  the  public  as  any 
waltz  ever  written.  It  smacks  of  the  Berlin  type 
of  music  and  the  more  you  play  it  the  better  you 
like  it. 

« ❖ »;< 

SAILIN’  ON— (Villa  Moret)— It  is  slow  4/4  and 
the  entire  chorus  is  from  the  first  movement  of 
Largo,  New  World  Symphony.  That  means  the 
number  is  one  of  the  best. 

« « ^ 

THAT  HAUNTING  WALTZ— (Villa  Moret)— A 
pretty  waltz  but  not  different  enough  to  be  very 
popular  with  the  public. 

* « # 

DON’T!  SING  ALOHA— (Villa  Moret)— Don’t 
miss  this  number  with  just  enough  Hawiian  at- 
mosphere to  make  it  appealing.  It  should  be  a 
season’s  hit. 


STAGE  SHOWS 


Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  August  21 

Paul  Ash  served  an  enticing  menue  of  jazz, 
dancing,  singing  and  several  exceptionally  good 
orchestra  numbers  this  week  in  his  “College  Jazz” 
presentation.  The  three-level  stage  setting  used 
this  week  effectively  aided  by  the  presentation. 

Paul  Small  and  the  eight  Oriental  girls  dressed 
in  red  caps  and  gowns  of  the  college  variety  enter 
with  the  orchestra  playing  “Collegiate.”  Paul 
sings  the  song  while  the  girls  go  through  a dance 
routine  on  the  second  level  of  the  stage. 

As  the  girls  exit  Paul  Ash  enters  and  leads  his 
orchestra  through  a very  snappy  arrangement  of 
“What  Do  I Do  on  a Dew  Dew  Dewey  Day.” 
The  number  won  a splendid  hand. 

And  then  Ilamay  Bailey  is  brought  on,  and  she 
proceeds  thoroughly  to  captivate  the  audience  with 
such  songs  as  “Let’s  Kiss  and  Make  Up,”  “Love 
and  Kisses,”  “O  So  Blue,”  and  “Cherrie  Berrie 
Bee.”  As  far  as  this  rei)orter  was  concerned  she 
could  have  kept  right  on  singing  and  the  audi- 
ence seemed  to  have  the  same  feeling. 

But  the  show  had  to  go  on  so  out  came  Gus 
Mulcahy  with  his  mouth  organ  with  which  he 
dispensed  some  very  hot  blues.  When  he  played 
“St.  Louis  Blues,”  the  asbestos  curtain  began  to 
smoke.  As  an  encore  he  did  some  clever  tap 
dancing  that  clicked  as  well  as  the  harmonica. 

When  Mulcahy  succeeded  in  satisfying  the  audi- 
ence, the  curtain  rises  to  reveal  Wade  Booth 
dressed  as  a British  Colonial  soldier  sitting  at 
a table  in  a cafe.  This  is  on  the  second  stage 
level.  Booth  sings  a special  arrangement  of  “On 
the  Road  to  Mandalay.”  A scrim  curtain  forming 
a wall  of  the  cafe  setting  discloses  a desert  scene 
with  women  in  native  costume  appear  in  sil- 
houette. Both  the  song  and  setting  were  effective. 

Clifton  and  Brent  next  offer  their  variety  of 
tricks  of  dancing,  singing,  acrobatics  and  what 
not.  The  boys  are  clever  and  were  awarded  for 
it  with  good  applause  and  several  encores. 

And  then  came  the  incomparable  Peggy  Bernier 
with  her  own  interpretations  of  “Gorgeous,” 
“Magnolia,”  and  several  other  songs. 

Finale:  Paul  Ash  offers  a clever  orchestration 

of  “Limehouse  Blues,”  with  girls  dancing. 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  Aug.  21 

Verne  Buck  called  his  presentation  this  wedc 
“A  Day  at  the  Club,”  and  before  the  affair  was 
over  this  reporter  felt  that  it  had  lasted  at  least 
that  long.  It  was  far  below  Sheridan  par.  Buck 
did  his  part,  and  it  was  not  his  fault  that  the 
acts  were  second  rate,  that  several  of  them  had 
no  place  in  motion  picture  theatre  presentation, 
and  that  the  whole  was  poorly  staged. 

The  stage  setting  represented  a corner  of  a 
golf  course.  Buck  enters  dressed  in  golf  attire 
to  lead  his  orchestra  through  “You  Don’t  Like  It, 
Not  Much,”  The  number  received  a good  hand. 

Two  young  boys  appear  next  who  called  them- 
selves the  Cadets.  They  sang  “Me  and  My 
Shadow,”  “What  Do  We  Do  on  a Dew  Dew  Dewey 
Day”  and  “Pretty  Little  Baby.”  The  two  young 
fellows  get  a good  hand,  and  took  two  encores. 

This  act  was  followed  by  another  singing  num- 
ber, this  time  a blues  singer  by  the  name  of 
Emma  O’NeiL  Although  Miss  O’Neil  has  no  ex- 
ceptional voice,  she  does  manage  to  put  over  her 
songs  in  a clever  way.  She  sang  a blues  called, 
“I  Do  What  I Want  to,”  a comic  Irish  song, 
and  as  encore,  “Real  Estate  Papa.”  She  received 
a very  good  hand. 

The  orchestra  next  offers  “Just  Another  Day 
Wasted  Away,”  with  the  flute  player  singing  the 
chorus.  The  audience  seemed  to  like  his  singing 
and  stopped  the  show  for  him  to  sing  it  over 
again.  Although  the  song  is  no  wow,  it  went 
over  great  with  the  audience  due  mostly  to  the 
singing  of  the  flute  player. 

The  Three  Gibson  Girls  follow  with  more  songs, 
singing  “Rosy  Cheeks”  and  “What  Do  I Care.” 
This  number  failed  to  click  very  well  with  the 
audience.  It  might  have  been  that  the  audience’s 
appetitie  was  surfeited  with  song  numbers,  for 
there  were  three  in  a row.  It  seemed  to  this 
reporter  that  what  was  needed  in  this  spot  was 
a snappy  dance  number. 

There  next  followed  a male  individual  who  had 
all  the  style  of  a burlesque  house.  I didn’t  have 
enough  interest  to  get  his  name.  He  imitates 
a train  announcer,  sings  “Hello  Swanee,  Hello,” 
and  does  a lot  of  other  foolish  things.  About 
half  the  house  laughed  and  the  other  half  jeered. 

Rector  and  Cooper,  the  two  colored  tap  dancers 
followed,  and  as  everyone  knows  these  boys  can 
dance.  They  displayed  the  best  talent  of  the  presen- 
tation. Band  closes  with  “Spring  le  Here.” 


HENRY  MURTAGH 

Chicago  Theatre 
CHICAGO 


JOSEPH  ALEXANDER 


One  of  the  Leading  Young  Organists 

Formerly  with  Marks  Bros.,  and  Schoenstads’  & Sons  of 
Chicago 

SOON  TO  ANNOUNCE  NEW  CONNECTION 
Specializing  in  Photoplay  Accompaniment 


Originator  of  the  New  Organ  SCRIMAPHONE  PRESENTATIONS 

Albert  F.  Brown 

FEATURE  ORGANIST 

Alternating  at  the  MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago 
All  Solos  Conceived  by  Albert  F.  Brown  and  Staged  by  RAYMOND  Q.  DALTON 
REPRESENTS  A NEW  EKA  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT 


PUBLISHERS  NOTE 
If  you  wish  to  have  your  new  song  re- 
leases reviewed  in  this  column  by  Irene 
Juno,  kindly  place  her  name  on  your  mail- 
ing list  to  receive  professional  copies  of 
your  numbers  regularly,  and  address  same 
in  care  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  atten- 
tion of  Presention  Editor,  407  South  Dear- 
born Street,  Chicago,  111. 


SOLO  ORGANIST 

for  theatres 
and 
recitals 


CHICAGO 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


George 

EXHIBITORS! 

YOUR  ONLY  CHANCE 

BOOK 
HIM 

DIRECT  has  IT 


The  Sensation 
of 

Presentation 


Before  Going 
Into  Pictures 
Book  Him 


G i VO  t 


HAVE  MUSICIANS  CARD  TO 
DIRECT  BANDSHOW  AS 
STAGE  BANDS  SHOULD  BE 
DIRECTED 

EASTERN  BOOKINGS 
INVITED 

Will  Consider  NEW  YORK 
De  Luxe  Picture  Theatres 


Last  Stage 
Appearance 
This  Season 


‘‘The  Collegiate  Speed  Flash” 

A Proven  Box-Office  Attraction  for  Three  Solid  Years. 

The  Biggest  ‘‘SINGLE”  draw  that  ever  played  BALABAN  & KATZ 
and  LUBLINER  & TRINZ  Theatres. 

The  only  artist  to  have  played  75  Solid  Weeks  in  CHICAGO,  50 
Weeks  in  the  LOOP  at  ONE  THEATRE. 

Late  Comedian  of  “ZIEGFELD  FOLLIES”  of  1 926. 

Just  made  a VITAPHONE  arrangement,  watch  for  the 
release  out  NEXT  MONTH. 

Just  completed  a 20  WEEKS  tour  for  FANCHON  & MARCO. 


Ask  any  of  the  managers  of  the  following  circuits  for  Box 

Office  Reports  during  GEORGE  GIVOT’S  engagements. 
Now  playing  Return  Engagement  for  MARKS  BROS,  and 
COONEY  BROS.,  CHICAGO. 

BOOKED  SOLID  UNTIL  OCTOBER  16th,  1927. 


Publix 

Balaban  & Katz 
Lubliner  & Trinz 
Marks  Bros. 

Cooney  Bros. 
Fanchon  & Marco 
West  Coast  Theatres 


LIMITED  ENGAGEMENTS 
ONLY  ACCEPTED  UNTIL 
JAN.  1st 

Going  to  be  Starred  in  a series  of 

TWO  REEL  COMEDIES.  WATCH 
FOR  THE  DATE  OF  PRODUC- 
TION. 

ADDRESS  all  mail  care  EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  111.  WIRE 
¥ ^ ^ WRITE  or  PHONE  Harrison  9248. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in 
presentation  may  discuss  important 
matters  bearing  upon  this  phase  of  thea- 
tre entertainment.  Only  signed  letters 
will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  For 
the  information  of  other  organists,  I wish 
to  report  that  I used  as  my  solo  for  the  week 
ending  July  23  an  original  stunt  (Community 
Sing)  entitled,  "Follow  the  Leader.”  Parts  of 
10  different  popular  songs  were  used,  each  part 
being  on  a different  slide,  arranged  so  that  a 
little  love  stoi’y  was  told  and  all  harmonized  in 
the  same  key  into  a medley.  Then  the  same 
idea  was  followed  without  slides  in  getting  the 
audience  to  whistle  another  medley  of  songs.  Very 
effective,  good  response,  usual  encore. 

For  the  week  ending  July  30,  the  solo  is  a 
spotlight  number  entitled,  "Excerpts  from  popular 
and  classic  airs  including  ‘Just  Like  a Butterfly,’ 
‘To  a Wild  Rose,’  ‘Guilmant’s  Sonata  No.  V.’ 
‘Blue  Skies,’  and  the  ‘Finale  to  William  Tell’.” 
No  slides,  "Whisper  Song"  used  as  encore. — 
HAROLD  .1.  LYON,  Premier  organist,  Capitol 
theatre,  Ottumwa,  la. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I 
used  with  the  feature  production,  “Cabaret,”  the 
organ  slides,  “The  Whisper  Song,”  the  entire 
week  of  August  1. 

This  number  went  over  very  big,  demanding  an 
encore  at  each  evening  performance. — LEONARD 
W.  MacCLAIN,  Chief  Organist,  Strand  theatre, 
Philadelphia,  Pa, 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  My 
solo  today  is  entitled,  "If  You  See  Sally,”  a two 
act  play.  Scrimaphone  presentation.  Going  over 
marvelous.  This  is  for  your  Organ  Solo  column. 
By  the  way,  my  last  Sunday’s  solo  was  not  re- 
viewed although  I sent  it  in  plenty  of  time. — 
HAROLD  J.  LYON,  Capitol  and  Strand  theatres, 
Ottumwa,  la. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I take 
great  pleasure  in  sending  this  announcement  which 
may  be  of  interest  to  your  readers. 

The  Gaumont  Palace  is  the  largest  M.  P. 
Theatre  in  Europe,  and  having  been  suitably 
altered  lends  itself  to  all  sorts  of  stage  presen- 
tations and  displays.  It  leads  all  picture  houses 
on  this  .side  of  the  water  in  this  respect  and  the 
management  are  always  keen  to  seize  any  opjoor- 
tunity  to  offer  their  audiences  anything  new. 

This  is  why  they  booked  here  the  Enoch  Light 
Jazz  Orchestra  whose  week's  appearance  here  in 
a fine  stage  presentation  met  with  an  unpre- 
cedented welcome.  The  audience  went  wild  over 
it  and  asked  repeatedly  for  many  encores. 

This  is  all  the  more  remarkable  since  Mr. 
Enoch  Light  is  the  first  man  who  suceeded  in 
putting  over  a jazz  presentation  before  a Parisian 
audience,  and  with  such  success  that  he  can  be 
considei’ed  as  a pioneer  in  the  style. 

Of  com'se  the  scale  on  which  things  are  done 
at  the  Gaumont  Palace  helped  tremendously,  but 
there  is  no  doubt  that  Enoch  Light  has  paved 
the  way  and  broken  ground  for  this  kind  of  en- 
tertainment in  the  future  in  Paris.  Believe  me 
dear  sir.  Very  truly  yours,  LUCIEN  DOUBLON, 
Gaumont  Loew  Metro  Circuit,  Paris. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  In 
reply  to  your  letter  relative  to  vaudeville  acts 
will  say  that  we  play  vaudeville  once  a week. 
We  use  all  the  way  from  one  to  three  acts  but 
it  is  never  less  than  35  minutes  in  length  re- 
gardless of  the  number  of  acts  and  never  over 
an  hour  long.  We  play  them  in  conjunction  with 
the  picture.  We  have  no  trouble  in  getting  acts ; 
in  fact,  we  only  use  about  one-half  the  acts 
that  we  could  get  if  we  wanted  them.  We  are 
positive  that  it  makes  our  business  better  as  it 
draws  in  many  people  who  ordinarily  do  not 
come  and  we  notice  that  some  of  these  become 
fans. — W.  L.  CROUSE,  Ideal  theatre.  Bloomer, 
Wis. 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 

Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  August  20 

The  second  *‘Roxy  Week**  at  the  Fox  with  an 
entirely  new  program,  has  made  this  the  most 
talkcd-of  theatre  in  Philadelphia.  Perfection  in 
presentation  seemed  to  have  been  reached  in  last 
week’s  program  but  it  must  be  conceded  that  this 
week’s  bill  surpassed  it.  There  are  seven  num- 
bers in  the  program,  each  one  a novel  and  artistic 
creation,  perfectly  staged  and  a triumph  of  show- 
manship. 

The  opening  number,  Rubinstein’s  “Kamennoi 
Ostrow,”  by  Dorothea  Edwards  and  the  combined 
Roxy  Chorus  was  a classic  of  choral  singing. 
Picturesquely  grouped  on  the  darkened  stage,  the 
background  a shimmering  light  blue,  the  chorus 
sang  this  masterpiece  with  such  clarity  and  finish 
that  one  could  sense  a feeling  of  reverence  sweep 
the  audience.  The  voices  are  marvellously  well 
blended  and  the  modulation  exceptionally  fine. 

In  the  “Dance  of  the  Dolls,”  the  ballet  corps 
dressed  as  dolls  were  disclosed  reclining  on  three 
divans  with  a brilliant  flame  colored  curtain  in 
the  backgi’ound.  After  being  placed  on  their 
feet  by  an  attendant,  the  doffs  with  stiff,  arti- 
ficial movements,  that  were  nevertheless  graceful, 
danced  a charming  dance  to  the  accompaniment 
of  a solo  by  Beatrice  Belkin,  also  dressed  as  an 
animated  doll,  who  required  frequent  winding  up 
by  the  attendant.  At  the  close  of  the  dance  all 
of  the  dolls  fell  stiffly  back  on  the  divans. 

In  the  “Lamp  Shade”  sihouette,  perhaps  the 
most  artistic  of  the  numbers,  a gigantic  parch- 
ment shaded  lamp  with  clear  green  basei  occupied 
the  stage  as  the  three  Graham  Dancers  in  classic 
Greek  drai'>€ries  circled  gracefully  around  the 
shade  in  a beautiful  interpretive  dance.  These 
dancers  are  grace  personified  and  the  act  drew  a 
great  round  of  applause. 

Douglas  Stanbury  then  sang  Kipling’s  “Road  to 
Mandalay”  and  “Sylvia”  in  his  own  inimitable 
manner. 

The  subtle  humor  of  the  “Music  Box”  capti- 
vated every  one.  The  stage  setting  was  a huge 
music  box  wdth  its  roller,  tinkling  out  a tune. 


which  was  in  reality  played  by  the  orchestra. 
A mild  flirtation  takes  place  between  the  girl, 
Florence  Rogge,  and  a youth,  Nicholas  Zvereff, 
who  is  holding  a skein  of  yarn  for  the  chaperone, 
an  old  lady.  The  girl  and  the  youth  dance  and 
finally  the  chaperone  dances  an  old  fashioned 
dance,  after  which  she  sinks  back  exhausted  in 
her  chair  and  falls  asleep.  The  girl  and  the 
youth  dance  and  as  he  is  about  to  kiss  her  the 
old  lady  wakes  up  and  hits  him  smartly  on  the 
cheek.  She  again  hands  him  the  skein  of  yarn 
and  all  sit  back  placidly  in  the  same  positions 
as  in  the  opening  scene. 

In  “Flapperettes”  the  ballet  in  white  dresses 
edged  with  crimson,  like  animated  Shirley  iwppies, 
danced  charmingly  against  a crimson  back  drop. 

In  the  “Clock”  a large  Dresden  clock  occupied 
the  center  of  the  stage  with  double  Dresden  candle- 
sticks at  each  side.  Florence  Rogge  and  the 
ballet  as  shepherdesses  with  beribboned  crooks, 
carrying  out  the  Dresden  motif,  tripped  in  front 
of  the  clock  with  grace  and  daintiness. 

“Eili,  Eili,”  sung  by  Gladys  Rico  and  the 
combined  Roxy  Chorus  was  repeated  this  week 
and  fully  merited  the  tremendous  applause  which 
followed. 

During  the  showing  of  a scenic  film  “Exploring 
Norway,”  the  Fox  orchestra  played  “L’Arles- 
sienne  Suite.” 


Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  Aug.  13 

“The  Sports  Revue”  was  the  entertainment  pre- 
sented by  Jimmy  Ellard  and  his  company.  The 
orchestra  members  were  dressed  in  sports  clothes 
and  the  numbers  were  practically  all  along  the 
line  of  sports.  The  orchestra  opened  with  “Gonna 
Get  a Girl”  and  Jimmy  Ellard  sang  the  old  song, 
“Gee  I Wish  I Had  a Girl.” 

Mr.  Ellard  sang  a group  of  request  numbers 
almost  wearing,  “Me  and  My  Shadows”  into  shreds. 

Herbert  Koch  played  an  organ  novelty.  “When 
Twilight  Comes.” 

“Service  for  Ladies”  was  the  feature.  There 
w’as  the  usual  news  reel. 


THE  PROGRESSIVE  ORGANIST 

Will  Be  Interested  in  Learning  That  at  Last  He  Can  Get  Original 
Show  Stopping  Organ  Novelties 
We  Have  a Very  Interesting  Plan  to  Submit 
WRITE  US  4T  ONCE! 

PARAMOUNT  SLIDE  RENTAL  SERVICE 
WOODS  BLDG  — CHICAGO,  ILL. 


MAXINE  HAMILTON 

THE  LITTLE  BLUES  SYNCOPATRESS  WHO 
ALSO  DANCES  HER  WAY  INTO  YOUR  HEARTS 

Now  playing  Return  Engagement  with 
PAUL  ASH  at  the  ORIENTAL,  CHICAGO 
Direction — Phil  Tyrrell  and  Max  Turner 


BUDDY  ^ Tremendous  Hit  at  All  Picture  Houses  JIMMY 

WILLIAMS  and  ROSS 

Funniest  Comedy  Dancing  Team  Playing  Presentations 

OTHERS  IMITATE— WE  ORIGINATE! 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency 
NOTE:  Have  You  Seen— VALE  & STEWART? 


STANLEY  and  BIRNES 


COSTUMES  FOR  HIRE  SSi  BROOKS 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  August  21 

This  is  the  second  anniversary  of  Balaban  and 
Katz  North  Side  house.  The  birthday  show  fea- 
tured Bennie  Krueger  and  his  orchestra  together 
with  Miss  Chicago,  winner  of  the  B.  & K. -Herald 
Examiner  contest.  Although  the  cast  consisted 
of  some  very  clever  players  the  production  as 
a whole  was  not  anything  overwhelming  for  an 
occasion  of  this  sort.  The  offering  ran  as  fol- 
lows : 

Opening:  In  front  of  drop  in  one  with  huge 
birthday  cake  painted  on  it  as  the  ten  Markert 
Girls  in  novel  costumes  parade  on  runway  singing 
special  introductory  song. 

Here  the  curtain  rises  exposing  full  stage  setting 
with  band  boys  dressed  as  cooks  as  they  play  an 
arrangement  of  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song.”  Frankie 
Masters,  the  banjo  player  sings  a chorus  of  this 
number,  later  assisted  by  the  boys  who  offer  a 
second  chorus  each  rocking  a little  doll  towards 
the  finish. 

Bennie  Krueger  makes  his  entrance  during  this 
number  dressed  up  as  the  chef  and  after  his  usual 
birthday  speech  announces  the  Arnaut  Brothers, 
who  offered  the  same  routine  that  has  been  re- 
ported in  these  columns  before.  They  repeated 
again  their  former  success,  and  were  followed 
by  the  Markert  Girls  in  a novel  dance  routine 
called  “The  Lobster  Crawl.”  Opening  on  level 
platform  in  scrim  presentation  effect  with  the 
girls  in  a tank-like  cage  gradually  crawling  out 
with  their  claws  and  carrying  on  their  routine  in 
front  of  band. 

They  were  followed  by  Gordon  and  King,  two 
young  men  who  do  some  very  clever  tap  dancing. 
These  boys  have  been  reported  before  in  these 
columns  and  again  proved  themselves  artists. 
They  appeared  in  place  of  Johnny  Dove,  who  was 
scheduled  to  appear  here  but  for  some  unknown 
reason,  did  not. 

The  next  band  arrangement  was  a very  clever 
one  of  “Hallejuha,”  with  a piano  solo  done  by 
Rudy  Wagner  intermingled  with  some  saxophone 
music  by  Bennie  Krueger.  This  is  another  one 
of  Victor  Young's  arrangements,  one  of  the  many 
that  this  young  man  is  responsible  for. 

The  next  artist  on  the  bill  was  Anne  Chang, 
the  little  Chinese  girl,  who  sang  “Shanhai  Dream 
Man,”  assisted  by  the  Markert  Girls  in  a scrim 


presentation  representing  Oriental  windows  with 
the  girls  dressed  as  Chinese  maidens  who  later 
come  out  of  their  perch  with  each  carrying  a 
small  table-like  settee  which  are  placed  in  rotation 
as  each  girls  sits  on  them,  going  into  a very 
novel  and  clever  routine  of  hand  pantomine  in 
typical  oriental  style,  each  working  in  perfect 
rhythm,  done  in  stop-time  motion.  These  girls 
have  become  very  popular  here  in  the  last  few 
weeks  and  almost  walked  away  with  the  honors 
of  this  show  due  to  the  clever  intei'pretation  and 
well  trained  routine. 

During  this  number,  "Shanghai  Dream  Man” 
was  being  played  as  a band  arrangement,  finishing 
with  another  vocal  chorus  by  Miss  Chang,  who 
later  went  into  her  specialty  of  “Bye  Bye  Pretty 
Baby”  and  her  black  bottom  dance  which  was 
reported  before  in  these  columns.  Her  cute  per- 
sonality and  her  mannerisms  just  steals  its  way 
into  your  heart. 

The  next  ones  to  follow  were  Adler,  Weil  and 
Herman,  three  men  with  a comedy,  singing,  talk- 
ing routine  and  one  of  the  boys  playing  the 
piano  accompaniment.  All  the  songs  were  sung 
in  harmony  style  as  typical  vaudevillians  do. 
They  consisted  of  “Mama  Wants  to  Go  Bye-Bye,” 
“Under  the  Moon,”  “Jane  Come  Out  of  the  Aero- 
plan”  and  “Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling.”  These 
boys  are  clever  in  their  line  and  although  they 
have  played  some  of  the  best  houses  in  vaude- 
ville they  somewhat  can’t  shake  that  vaudeville 
atmosphere  which  does  not  seem  to  click  smoothly 
in  picture  houses.  They  did  considerably  well 
considering  the  type  of  routine  and  the  time  they 
took  to  deliver  it. 

The  Arnaut  Brothers  appeared  again  with  their 
“Love  Birds  routine”  which  of  course  again 
stopped  the  show.  In  fact,  these  boys  and  the 
Markert  Girls  were  the  features  of  the  show  and 
saved  the  many  weak  spots. 

Miss  Chicago  of  1927,  winner  of  the  Balaban 
and  Katz  and  Herald  and  Examiner  Bathing 
Beauty  Contest  was  introduced  next  by  Bennie 
Krueger  to  a huge  reception.  The  young  lady 
was  Myrtle  Christine  Volsted,  a very  charming 
young  brunette,  who  was  announced  as  the  At- 
lantic City  contender  for  the  Miss  America  title. 

The  Finale  of  this  show  was  one  of  the  weak- 
est finales  ever  staged  at  this  house,  in  fact, 
many  people  expressed  their  disappointments  as 
they  left  the  theatre,  commenting  that  the  show 
in  general  was  not  as  they  had  exi>€cted  for  the 
occasion. 


Observation : Frankie  Masters  will  appear  here 
next  week  at  the  head  of  his  own  band.  Now 
it  will  be  possible  for  lovers  of  the  stage  band 
shows  to  become  regular  weekly  patrons  of  this 
house,  as  Masters  and  Krueger  will  alternate  at 
this  theatre  every  other  week. 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  August  21 

This  week  Charles  Niggemcyer,  the  stage  pro- 
ducer here,  offered  a race  track  stage  show  fea- 
turing Mark  Fisher  and  his  Merry  Music  Masters 
with  a cast  headed  by  Salt  and  Pepper,  and  Billy 
Adams.  The  name  of  this  week’s  stage  show  is 
“They’re  Oft.”  It  went  oft  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  street  scene  in  front  of  drop 

representing  judge’s  stand  at  race  track  with 
the  Gould  Girls  dressed  in  summer  clothee  waiting 
for  the  entrees  as  Billy  Adams,  the  tall,  lean 
comedian  in  extreme  comedy  clothes,  chattered  in 
a comedy  vein. 

After  a few  minutes  of  smart  chatter  and  cross 
fire  talk  between  the  girls  and  Adams,  Mark 
Fisher  made  his  entrance  and  continued  the  wise- 
cracking with  him.  The  next  scene  was  the  cus- 
tomary weighing  of  jockeys  with  the  Gould  Girls 
now  dressed  as  jockeys  going  into  a clever  dance 
routine  ending  up  with  each  one  weighing  them- 
selves on  a scale  operated  by  Mark  Fisher,  who  in 
turn  wise-cracked  with  the  girls. 

After  this  Mark  introduced  the  band  boys  as 
the  bookies  and  at  this  point  the  curtain  rose 
to  full  stage  setting  of  grand  stand  appearance 
displaying  the  boys  all  dressed  as  race  track  touts 
with  brown  derbies  and  checkered  suits.  The 
first  band  arrangement  was  “Bye  Bye  Pretty 
Baby,”  with  a vocal  chorus  sung  by  Buckley,  the 
piano  player. 

The  first  artist  on  the  bill  to  start  the  proceed- 
ing was  Bert  Darrell,  the  clever  tap  dancer  who 
again  tapped  his  way  to  the  “Poet  and  Peasant” 
tune.  This  boy  was  reported  in  these  columns 
before  and  was  a huge  success  in  this  house. 

Billy  Adams,  who  was  held  over  from  last 
week,  made  his  appearance  again,  looking  fun- 
nier than  ever,  this  time  singing  the  comedy 
song  about  the  trombone,  using  effects  from  the 
trombone  player  during  this  number,  which  helped 
inject  the  many  comedy  situations.  Of  course 
the  audience  knew  that  Adams  would  be  out  again 
so  they  let  him  off  easy  this  time.  The  next  band 
number  was  “Just  the  Same,”  sung  by  the  boys 
through  small  megaphones,  with  Mark  Fisher 
leading  a second  chorus  with  special  lyrics  writ- 
ten purposely  for  the  band  which  was  well  re- 
ceived. 

Billy  Adams  came  out  again  this  time  dragging 
on  a comedy  horse  which  he  calls  “Sloan's  Lini- 
ment” protrayed  by  two  Gould  girls,  Ruth 
Broughton  and  Dorothy  Manning,  who  went 
through  a series  of  comedy  pantomine  and  later 
danced  to  the  tune  of  “Barney  Google,”  this 
avoked  many  hearty  laughs  from  the  audience, 
and  put  them  in  good  humor  for  the  rest  of  the 
bill. 

Salt  and  Pepper  appeared  next  doing  the  same 
routine  of  popular  harmony  songs  that  they  have 
been  identified  with  at  other  picture  houses  be- 
fore. These  boys  have  been  reported  before  in 
several  issues  and  again  caused  the  show  to  be 
stopped.  After  two  encores  they  were  followed 
by  the  Gould  Girls  in  a brand  new  dance  routine 
created  by  Dave  Gould  called  “The  Sugar  Foot 
Stump.”  The  girls  were  costumed  with  red  hats 
and  red  coats  with  white  skirts.  The  routine  has 
many  novel  breaks  and  eccentric  steps  yet  plain 
enough  and  easy  enough  to  learn  as  a ballroom 
dance. 

Mark  Fisher  next  sang  a brand  new  number, 
a ballad  of  unusual  lyric  and  melody  merit,  called 
“Baby  Your  Mother  Like  She  Babied  You.”  He 
sang  a verse  and  two  choruses  in  addition  to  a 
very  clever  recitation  which  in  addition  to  its 
universal  appeal  has  an  unusual  dramatic  punch 
in  it’s  story.  This  number  completly  stopped  the 
show  and  although  Billy  Adams  came  on  with 
some  more  wise-cracking  the  entertainment  had 
to  cease  until  Mark  Fisher  sang  another  chorus  of 
the  song. 

He  was  followed  by  Adams  who  this  time  was 
dressed  as  a woman  in  burlesque  costume  and  who 
gave  a comedy  recitation  of  a “kiss.”  He  was 
followed  by  Maxwell  and  Lee,  man  and  woman 
team  doing  a comedy  bowery  dance  and  eccentric 
steps.  This  turn  was  reported  once  before  and 
did  fairly  well  at  this  house  considering  the  spot 
and  the  other  acts  that  they  had  to  follow. 

Mark  Fisher  came  on  again  singing  a special 
song  called  “They’re  Off”  written  for  this  show 
and  as  he  went  into  the  chorus  the  Gould  Girls 
dressed  as  jockeys  came  galloping  through  the 
background  on  comedy  horses  in  which  was  also 
“Sloan’s  Liniment,”  who  for  the  punch  line  was 
brought  in  as  the  winner. 

Finale:  Shows  Mark  Fisher  putting  the  wreath 


ILOMAY  BAILEY 

“The  Golden  Voiced  Prima  Donna” 

On  OPENING  PROGRAM  of  NEW  STAGEBAND  SHOW  POLICY 
at  the  NORSHORE,  Chicago,  with  AL  KVALE 
Starting  August  28 


CHARLES  IRWIN 

"Deluxe  Master  of  Ceremonies” 

For  Deluxe  Picture  TTieatres 
Now  Touring  PUBLIX  THEATRES 

As  Featured  Entertainer 


WELLINGTON  SISTERS 

"The  Song  and  Dance  Debutantes” 

Just  Closed  a Successful  Tour 
of  PUBLIX  THEATRES 

Will  Soon  Repeat  Chicago  B & K and  L & T Houses 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


PEGGY  ROSS 

CHAMBERLIN  and  HIMES 

(Positively  the  World’s  Worst  Apache  Dancers) 

Just  Signed  with  Florenz  Ziegfeld 
for  his  new  “ZIEGFELD  FOLLIES  of  1927” 
Production  Representative — Leo  Fitzgerald 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


August  27,  1927 


of  flowers  around  the  winner’s  neck  as  everybody 
in  the  band  cheered. 

Observation:  All  in  all  not  a bad  show  con- 
sidering one  that  carried  a plot,  however,  the  clos- 
ing was  very  weak  and  did  not  impress  you  as 
much  as  the  opening.  Good  closing  numbers  are 
very  hard  things  to  conceive  all  the  time,  but 
it  seems  that  the  public  demands  them  under  any 
condition. 


Chicago  Stratford 

Week  Ending  August  14 

Ted  Leary,  the  entertaining  Ceremonial  Master, 
is  away  on  his  vacation  but  the  stageshow  goes 
on  with  Maurie  Hillblom,  leading  the  Stratfoird 
Syncopators.  The  stage  show  for  the  last  half 
ran  as  follows : 

Opening:  With  the  Stratford  Snycopators  play- 
ing “Bye,  Bye  Pretty  Baby”  and  for  the  closing 
of  this  number,  Hillblom  vras  wheeled  on  to  the 
stage  in  a little  wagon.  After  announcing  Leary’s 
vacation  trip  Hillblom  went  into  his  specialty  an- 
nouncement introducing  Ray  Dean  as  the  first 
artist  on  the  program. 

Dean  sang  two  numbers  in  an  exceedingly  fine 
manner  which  won  him  an  encore.  Walter  Gil- 
bert was  next  on  the  program  with  a series  of 
contortionistic  stunts  intermingled  with  a little 
wise  cracking  here  and  there.  The  next  specialty 
announced  by  Hillblom  was  a trio,  consisting  of 
one  man  and  two  girls  who  offer  a novelty  song 
and  dance  routine,  each  doing  their  own  spe- 
cialties in  their  individual  styles  to  a fine  hand. 

Jack  Heller,  known  as  the  five  foot  of  harmony, 
makes  his  appearance  next  with  a ukele,  singing 
and  strumming  his  catchy  songs.  This  boy  is  well 
liked  and  was  compelled  to  take  an  encore.  Right 
after  this,  the  hand  went  into  an  arrangement 
of  a pretty  tune  which  received  it’s  usual  (amount 
of  applause. 

Currier  and  Williams  follow  with  a routine 
of  songs  and  wise-cracking  carried  on  with  a girl 
planted  in  the  audience.  The  routine  consists  of 
many  funny  lines  which  goes  over  very  big. 

The  Stratford  Syncopators  go  into  another  hot 
band  ari-angement  closing  the  program  with  lively 
music. 

Observation:  It  is  now  nearly  two  years  since 
this  band  has  been  featured  in  this  house  and 
although  Maurie  Hillblom  is  the  capable  leader, 
he  is  never  the  less  the  only  band  leader  in  town 
that  is  not  given  credit  in  newspaper  advertising. 
We  feel  that  Hillblom’s  popularity  deserves  this 
courtesy. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  20 

Russ  Morgan’s  baton  became  a sceptre  when  he 
ruled  the  stageshow,  “Melody  Court,”  as  king  of 
melody  with  comedy  song  and  dance  for  his 
subject. 

Forsythe  and  Kelly,  held  over  by  request,  regis- 
tered well  with  their  comic  singing  and  talking. 
Pauline  Alpert,  jazz  pianist,  furnished  a pleasing 
motif  of  melody  while  the  Lassiter  Brothers 
executed  some  new  dance  steps,  scoring  highly. 
The  Capitol  tenor,  Charley  Jolley,  was  billed  in 
song  hits  and  a troupe  of  dancing  girls  doing 
rhythmic  steps  round  out  the  program. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August  20 

This  week  we  are  traveling  South  with  Dave 
Schooler  and  His  Playboys  in  his  presentation, 
“Shufflin’  South,”  The  presentation  opens  with 
the  orchestra  playing  “Way  Down  Upon  the 
Swanee  River”  behind  the  curtain,  followed  by 
the  sound  of  a train  leaving  the  station  and  Billy 
Meyer  makes  his  appearance  in  stripped  overalls 
aisd  straw  hat  to  sing  “I’m  Coming  Virginia,” 

The  curtain  is  parted  disclosing  an  appro- 
priate setting  of  sunflowers  with  an  old  cabin 
and  full  moon  as  the  background.  The  orchestra 
is  attired  in  blue  satin  overalls,  red  bandanas, 
and  straw  hats,  while  the  Six  English  Tivoli  Girls, 
held  over  from  last  week,  make  their  appearance 
in  tan  overalls  and  straw  hate  to  the  tune  of 
“Way  Down  Upon  the  Swanee  River.”  They  do 
a bit  of  clever  dancing  and  then  give  way  to 
Vale  and  Stewart,  in  striped  gi’een  overalls,  who 
do  several  clever  steps. 

Dave  Schooler  then  makes  his  appearance, 
being  wheeled  out  in  a trunk  which  is  open  on 
the  side  toward  the  audience.  He  is  dressed  in 
blue  satin  overalls  and  gets  a big  hand— he  sure 
is  going  over  100  per  cent  in  Milwaukee.  He 
then  leads  his  orchestra  through  Glen  Welty’s 
arrangement  of  “Nestin’  Time”  with  Billy  Meyer 
singing  the  chorus,  and  Marie  Herron  appearing 
on  the  upper  stage  also  joining  in  the  choinis. 


The  selection  was  very  well  done  and  received 
much  applause. 

Ginger  Rogers  is  next,  and  the  expression  she 
puts  into  the  songs  she  sings  gets  a big  hand 
from  the  audience.  “It’s  a Million  to  One  You’re 
in  Love,”  is  number  one,  followed  by  “So  Will  I,” 
with  Dave  helping  out.  Miss  Rogers  has  a stage 
personality  which  just  wants  to  make  people 
applaud  her  it  seems. 

Next  is  Bert  Tucker,  son  of  Sophie  Tucker, 
who  warbles  through  a little  song  of  introduction, 
the  words  to  which  please  the  audience  mightily. 
And  then  he  dances  and  the  audience  is  tickled 
pink.  He  follows  this  with  the  “Sugar  Foot 
Strut”  and  with  his  hot  feet  warms  the  boards 
and  draws  the  applause — big  applause. 

In  order  to  pacify  the  audience  Bert  asks  Dave 
to  do  something,  and  he  in  turn  obliges  with  a 
piano  solo,  “The  Doll  Dance,”  which  pleases  and 
pacifies. 

And  then  we  have  the  Six  Tivoli  Girls  dressed 
in  black  dance  costumes  with  white  maid  caps 
doing  their  stuff,  and  they  sure  are  good.  All 
their  steps  are  in  perfect  unison,  and  they  are 
easy  to  look  at.  They  received  a big  hand,  and 
although  they  had  to  come  back  for  several 
bows,  they  refused  to  dance  again. 

Billy  Glason,  late  star  of  “Gay  Paree,”  was 
next  and  put  the  spice  into  the  program.  His 
first  selection  was  “If  You  Can’t  Land  Her  on 
the  Old  Veranda,”  which  he  followed  with  plenty 
of  jokes  and  funny  antics.  He  had  the  audience 
howling  and  kept  them  so  all  the  while  he  sang 
“When  the  Pussy  Willow  Whi.spers  to  the  Cat- 
nip.” The  audience  was  long  and  appreciative  in 
their  applause  and  he  was  forced  to  answer  to 
several  encores. 

“Halleujiah”  was  the  next  selection  by  the 
orchestra  with  Billy  Meyer  singing  the  chorus  and 
Dave  Schooler  playing  a chorus  on  the  piano. 

Billy  Glason  made  his  appearance  again  in  the 
role  of  coachman  with  Vale  and  Stewart  in  horse 
disguise.  The  entire  skit  was  extremely  funny 
with  wise  cracks  by  Dave  and  Billy  and  the 
“horse”  going  through  funny  antics. 

And  then  came  George  Dewey  Washington, 
whose  mellow  voice  took  the  audience  by  storm 
and  held  them.  He  sang,  with  much  expre^^ion, 
“Me  and  My  Shadow,”  followed  by  “Southwind.” 
He  got  a big  hand  for  both  and  answered  an 
encore  with  “Southland.” 

The  grand  finale  consisted  of  “Way  Down  Upon 
the  Swanee  River,”  by  the  orchestra  with  the 


audience  joining  in  the  singing,  while  the  half 
of  a huge  watermelon  made  up  the  rear  drop 
before  which  the  Tivoli  girls  danced  while  the 
rest  of  the  people  in  the  presentation  joined  in 
the  song.  The  entire  thing  went  over  big,  and 
Dave  was  forced  to  answer  to  several  curtain 
calls  before  the  audience  would  stop  applauding. 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  27 

Jesse  Crawford,  as  usual,  heads  the  program  at 
the  Paramount.  This  week  he  plays  three  se- 
lections from  light  opera,  all  of  them  light  and 
airy  and  of  very  definite  appeal. 

The  stageshow  this  week  is  called  “Tokio  Blues” 
and  has  a pronounced  Japanese  motif.  The  Three 
New  Yorkers  are  the  first  performers  and  they 
sing  “Tokio  Blues”  in  front  of  the  curtain,  from 
behind  which  come  the  muffled  strains  of  their 
song  played  by  the  Paramount  Stage  Orchestra. 
The  singers  are  clad  in  gorgeous  Japanese  cos- 
tumes of  red  and  blue  for  this  number.  Then 
the  curtain  goes  up  and  we  .see  Ben  Black  and 
The  Paramount  Stage  Orchestra  seated  in  fi’ont 
of  a back  drop  which  represents  a red  lacquer 
pavilion.  Steps  lead  down  from  this  pavilion, 
which  is  raised  about  six  feet  above  the  stage 
level,  to  the  main  stage  in  front  of  the  Para- 
mount orchestra,  and  it  is  down  these  steps  that 
six  Japanese  girls  come  wearing  kimonas  and 
carrying  parasols.  They  do  a dance  and  they 
are  soon  joined  by  Aida  Kawakami,  a toe  dancer 
from  the  land  of  Nippon  and  a mighty  good  one 
too. 

The  Paramount  orche.stra  now  takes  the  center 
of  the  stage  to  play  “Dancing  Tambourine.” 
These  fellows  seem  to  be  getting  better  eveiT 
week. 

Hatsu  Kuma  is  next  with  a song  called  “Lul- 
laby,” which  he  handles  capably,  and  which  was 
well  received. 

The  following  number  introduces  to  us  the 
Three  Meyakos,  a versatile  trio  of  two  sisters  and 
brother.  The  girls  sing  while  their  brother  plays 
the  violin.  Then  the  girls  come  to  the  fore  with 
an  acrobatic  dance  that  is  splendid. 

“Good-Bye  Tokio”  was  sung  by  the  Three  New 
Yorkers.  These  boys  are  a red  hot  melody  trio 
and  their  work  is  of  a high  grade. 

The  Paramount  orchestra  commanded  our  at- 


w„k  w..k  SAVAGE  ” — Vocal  Variety 

EXCLUSIVE  OFFERS  WIRE  FOR 

RIGHTS  ORGAN  SOLOS  FOR  RENTAL  RESERVATION 

The  Last  JVord  in  Community  Singing 

Community  Comics Woods  Theatre  Building,  Chicago,  III Original  Organlogues 


Joe  BROWN  and  BAILEY  Stan 

“Two  Boys  in  Blue” 

A Deluxe  Act  for  Deluxe  Houses 

Now  Featured  in  a PUBLIX  STAGEHAND 
UNIT-SHOW 

Direction — Arthur  Spizzi  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


IRENE  TAYLOR 

(The  Southern  Darlin* ) 

Opening  a Tour  of  PUBLIX  August  27th 
in  STAGEBAND  SHOW-UNIT 

Direction — Phil  Tyrrell,  c/o  William  Morris  Agency 


Jimmie  WHITE  BROS.  Eddie 

Double  Dancing  DeLuxe 
“We  Dance  as  One** 

Now  Playing  De  Luxe  Picture  Houses 
Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


tention  again  with  -a  rendition  of  the  song 
“Yankee  Rose.”  They  played  this  as  they  imag- 
ined one  might  hear  it  in  Germany,  Japan,  Spain, 
Scotland  and  Amei’ica.  A clever  idea  and  one 
that  drew  a lot  of  laughs.  The  Three  Meyakoes 
came  back  again  with  another  dance  and  song 
with  brother  hitting  it  up  on  the  ukelele.  The 
audience  considered  them  as  old  friends  by  this 
time  and  applauded  them  loudly. 

The  comedian,  Willie  Solar,  was  next  in  a se- 
lection from  his  repertoire.  He  is  a fun-maker 
of  the  clown  type  and  a mighty  clever  one.  He 
got  a great  reception  and  they  hated  to  let  him 
go.  Hatsu  Kuma  and  George  Hirose  sang  “Lan- 
tern of  Love”  in  most  compelling  fashion.  Then 
Ben  Black  and  the  orchestra  took  it  up  with  the 
dancing  girls  and  between  them  they  jazzed  it 
all  over  the  place  so  that  everyone  was  satisfied. 

The  finale  showed  two  Japanese  lovers  sil- 
houetted in  a cut-out  on  the  back-drop  with  the 
rest  of  the  company  singing  “Lantern  of  Love.” 
Probably  the  most  effective  part  of  the  show. 


Washington  Palace 

Week  Ending  August  20 

Tom  Gannon,  house  orchestra,  had  overture  of 
syncopated  classics.  “Spanish  Shawl”  opened,  go- 
ing to  “Rustle  of  Spring,”  then  to  “Blue  Danube,” 
all  in  fox  trot  arrangement.  Well  received. 

“Voice  of  the  Nightingale,”  the  film  that  re- 
ceived the  Gold  Medal,  was  Ui^ed  for  the  Colby 
H arriman  presentation,  and  two  huge  gilt  cages 
were  built  on  each  side  of  the  stage  in  one. 
Film  was  started  and  spot  in  right  cage  showed 
man  playing  flute  solo.  As  story  progressed  on 
screen  Sybil  Sanderson  Fagen  was  shown  in  left 
cage  and  a whistling  solo  was  introduced.  Miss 
Fagen  is  a whistler  of  gifted  ability  land  her 
nightingale  specialty  won  much  applause.  The 
nightingale  offering  was  exquisitely  staged  and 
lighted. 

Phil  Spitalny  and  His  Victor  Melody  Makers 
were  the  band  attraction.  They  were  the  neatest 
and  shiniest  band  seen  in  a long  time.  As  im- 
maculate Bs  the  United  States  Marines,  and  a 
greater  compliment  than  that  cannot  be  given. 
Hard  workers  who  take  themselves  seriously. 
Much  can  be  said  for  Spitalny’s  arrangement  of 
numbers,  with  the  cornets  and  trombone  doing 


most  of  the  work.  Solo  cornet  on  left  end  de- 
serves special  mention.  He  is  great. 

Overture  1812,  special  snow  scene,  supposedly 
Russian  atmsophere  on  back  drop  opened,  and 
overture  closed  with  fire  scene  as  back  drop  came 
together.  The  house  string'  orchestra  assisted  and 
the  organ  also  came  in  for  the  finale.  “I  Love 
No  One  but  You,”  one  of  Spitalny’s  new  numbers, 
was  next,  and  although  the  melody  is  not  so 
good,  Phil  dressed  it  up  with  individual  solos 
and  made  quite  a number  of  it.  “Hallelujah” 
was  not  startling  and  “Your  Land  and  My  Land” 
closed  the  offering.  Spitalny’s  Band  is  too  good 
to  resort  to  the  old  flag  waving  for  a finish, 
nevertheless  he  shows  an  American  flag  sporting 
colored  lights  on  the  back  drop  and  for  good 
measure  he  brings  in  four  measures  of  “God 
Save  the  King.”  Only  mildly  received  in  spite 
of  his  patriotic  effort.  Micky,  the  dancing  cornet- 
ist,  danced  an  encore  and  got  more  than  all  the 
band  numbers  in  a bunch.  But  the  band  is  good 
and  different  than  the  usual  offering,  as  I have 
said.  Poll  Negri  in  “Barbed  Wire”  was  the 
feature  and  the  Palace  continues  to  be  the  big 
draw. 

Chicago  Picadilly 

Week  Ending  August  20 

This  marks  the  first  and  last  appearance  of 
Jules  Alberti  as  the  band  show  leader  at  this 
house.  Alberti  replaced  Sam  Kaufman  who  re- 
signed last  week  but  it  is  also  reported  that  an- 
other band  leader  will  replace  this  one  next  week. 
The  stage  show  for  the  last  half  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  as  the  band 

played  an  arrangement  of  “Song  of  India”  with 
Jules  Alberti  directing. 

The  new  leader  next  announced  Josephine  Davis, 
a cute  commedienne,  singing  “You  Tell  Her  I Stut- 
ter Too  Much,”  and  “Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling” 
to  which  she  also  danced  a few  steps.  This  was 
followed  by  another  band  arrangement  “I’m  Back 
in  Love  Again,”  with  a vocal  chorus  sung  by 
Higgens,  the  banjo  player. 

The  Ohman  Duo  followed  next  singing  “Side 
by  Side,”  later  going  into  a dance  routine  finish- 
ing with  individual  specialties  of  song  and  dance. 
The  couple  were  about  10  years  old  and  received 
a wonderful  reception  for  their  bowery  routine 
to  the  tune  of  “Wineger  Works.” 

Alberti  next  announced  Shynmanoff  in  a piano 


solo  of  the  “Prison  Scene  from  T1  Trovatore.” 
This  fellow'  can  certainly  play  the  piano  and  was 
well  liked  for  it.  He  is  also  credited  for  the 
clever  band  arrangements. 

The  next  one  to  follow  was  Jules  Alberti  him- 
self singing  “Who”  and  the  way  this  boy  sang 
the  number  won  him  the  admiration  of  the  entire 
audience.  One  good  thing  in  his  favor  is  that 
he  is  very  much  at  ease  with  his  singing  and 
does  not  assume  any  mannerisms  of  importance. 

Eddie  Cox,  well  known  in  vaudeville,  was  the 
next  chap  cn  the  program  who  sang  and  danced 
in  typical  Frisco  style  to  the  delight  of  this  audi- 
ence. The  closing  band  number  was  a medley 
arrangement  of  “The  Vagabond  King”  arranged 
by  A.  L.  Shynmanoff. 

Observation:  It  is  announced  that  Norman 

Stepp  will  be  the  next  band  leader.  Who’s  Next? 


St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  August  19 

“Follies  of  Youth”  was  the  stage  revue  ar- 
ranged by  Herbert  Rawlinson  for  the  week.  It 
included  16  ballet  girls,  syncopating  muscicians 
and  a bevy  of  topline  New  York  entertaining 
gentlemen  and  ladies,  including  Dewey  and  Gold, 
who  took  Eva  Puck’s  and  Sammy  White’s  places 
in  “The  Girl  Friend”;  Jack  Eddy  and  Dolores 
Eline,  Ethel  Anderson  and  the  Three  De  Crescents. 

Dave  Silverman  and  His  Grand  Concert  Orches- 
tra selected  their  overture  from  “Glow  Worm,”  a 
bright  offering. 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  also  played  selec- 
tions from  “Glow  Worm.” 

The  peppy  Missouri  Ensemble  was  brought  down 
from  Grand  boulevard  especially  for  “Follies  of 
Youth,”  replacing  the  Ambassador  Rockets. 

Ethel  Alston  had  a split  that  was  different, 
while  Caffrey  and  Miller  proved  very  funny  acro- 
bats. 

Frances  Dewey  and  A1  Gold  offered  a novel 
dance  act. 

During  Lewis  Williamson’s  song,  “Tell  Her  in 
the  Springtime,”  six  members  of  the  Missouri 
Ensemble  did  a very  pretty  toe  dance. 

The  De  Crescent  Brothers,  w’^hom  Rawlinson 
termed  “three  little  wops  from  Broadway”  made 
music  with  a variety  of  instruments.  Eddie  and 
Eline  were  very  good  dancers. 

But  Gypsy  Burns,  known  as  “the  cutest  boy 
in  town,”  was  the  big  hit  of  the  bill,  judging 
from  the  applause  she  received.  She  had  “it,” 
she  had  personality,  she  had  a real  voice,  looks 
and  a couple  of  legs  that  did  some  of  the  neatest 
dancing  seen  at  the  Ambassador  since  its  grand 
opening  a year  ago. 

Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  August  20 

Fred  Stritt  continued  as  m.  c.,  toplining  the 
stage  attraction,  “In  a Persian  Garden.”  As  a 
result,  some  gay  comedy  was  presented  along 
with  Oriental  music,  dancing  and  a series  of 
smart  variety  routines. 

This  week,  Stritt,  whose  funny  ways  have  made 
him  a popular  favorite  here,  called  forth  Frankie 
James,  singing  comedienne;  the  eight  Diamond 
Dancers;  Hutchines  and  Halloway,  two  young 
men  who  coax  more  tunes  from  their  har- 
monicas than  Hohner  ever  dreamed  of ; and 
Pauline  Gaskins,  an  excellent  dancer  and  “blues” 
performer. 

Houston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  19 

Paul  Spor  and  His  Merry  Mad  Musical  Gang 
are  making  a great  hit  at  the  Metropolitan  in 
the  third  of  the  Publix  bandshows,  “Rushia.” 
The  talent  in  the  show  is  mediocre,  but  the  band 
numbers  go  over  great.  Chief  Eaglefeather  is  the 
hit  of  the  show,  with  his  toe  tap  dance.  . 

Curtains  opens,  with  Spor  and  the  Gang  in 
Russian  setting,  playing  “March  Slave.”  It  is  a 
beautifully  arranged  number,  with  all  the  men 
in  the  band  singing  the  chorus  in  the  wierd,  lilting 
tones  that  mark  the  Russian  type  of  song. 
Besrukoff,  Russian  instrumentalist,  comes  on  with 
Four  Siberian  Sweethearts,  ballet,  and  does  num- 
ber with  the  balalakai,  or  Russian  ukulele.  This 
number  is  followed  by  Jack  Bain,  tenor,  singing 
“Muddy  Waters,”  a big  success  in  this  part  of 
the  country,  and  “Moonbeam,  Kiss  Her  For  Me.” 
Has  a good  crooning  voice,  and  goes  over  with 
good  hand.  Chief  Eaglefeather  comes  on  with 
his  talking  introduction,  “The  Evolution  of  the 
Dance,”  and  then  goes  into  his  tap  dance,  bring- 
ing down  the  house.  Comes  back  for  three  and 
four  encores  every  show.  Fulco  and  Sebastian 


HARM  AND  NEE 

1 % 

**  Those  Two  Cadets** 

Held  over  at  ASCHER’S  SHERIDAN  Last  Week 

i. 

Next  Week  at  the  CAPITOL,  Chicago. 

TED  LEARY 

*‘The  Versatile  Master  of  Ceremonies** 

Now  Playinor  His  2500th  Performance  at  the 

STRATFORD  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

(A  COONEY  BROS.  HOUSE) 


AL  and  LOUISE  WALKER 

THE  TEAM  WITH  THE  EDUCATED  FEET 

FOR  DELUXE  PRESENTATION  THEATRES 

Now  Featured  in  a 

PUBLIX  STAGEBAND  UNIT-SHOW 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


MURIEL  KAYE 

**The  Distinctive  Dancer** 

For  DeLuxe  Theatres 
Now  Featured  in  Presentations 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  Through  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


register  with  “I’m  Looking  Over  a Four  Leaf 
Clover.”  Spor  and  the  band  then  go  into  “Russian 
Lullaby,”  with  Spor  singing  chorus  through 
metallic  megaphone.  Lillian  Barnes,  blues 
singer,  comes  on  after  band  number  with  a blues 
medley.  Markel  and  Faun,  announced  as  kid  cut- 
ups, get  big  hand  with  a comedy  dance  number 
that  is  a wow.  For  finale,  band  plays  “Petrouski” 
with  entire  company  on  stage. 

Spor,  in  his  second  week  in  Houston,  is  be- 
coming one  of  the  leading  figures  in  Houston 
musical  circles.  He  is  well  liked,  and  his 
admirable  stage  personality  puts  him  over  great 
during  the  acts.  He  knows  how  to  play  up  to 
an  act,  and  is  simetimes  the  medium  through 
which  it  is  put  over. 

Bob  West.  “The  Whisper  Song”  was  the 
organ  slide  solo  offered  by  West  for  the  week 
ending  August  19.  It  carried  a great  punch, 
and  went  fine  because  of  the  unique  method  of 
response  from  the  audience.  Instead  of  asking 
the  audience  to  sing,  they  were  required  to  “hiss” 
a choi’us.  Competition  was  created  between  the 
men  and  women  in  the  audience  by  a contest 
to  see  who  could  whisper  the  loudest.  After  play- 
ing over  the  chorus  twice,  the  entire  house  was 
enthusiastically  engaged  in  hissing  for  all  they 
were  worth.  And  Bob  received  a great  hand. 

Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  August  19 

“Patches”  was  the  title  of  the  Newman  stage 
production  this  week,  rendered  by  Jules  Buffano 
and  His  Newman  Merrymakers,  composed  of 
Publix  road  performers,  in  addition  to  the  regu- 
lar Newman  orchestra. 

Sid  Hawkins  and  Sam  Gould  were  prominent 
on  the  program,  which  was  a merging  of  acts  at 
various  stages  of  the  program,  as  were  the 
Market  Dancers  and  Ethel  Day. 

Hesslyn  Day,  Jean  Geddes,  Johnny  Mills  and 
Tim  Shea  also  rendered  vocal  and  dance  numbers. 

The  Newman  Orchestra,  under  Julius  Leib, 
played  a number  of  current  selections  as  a 
musical  progimm  during  the  showing  of  the 
feature  picture. 

H.  Bruce  played  a number  of  organ  solos. 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  August  21 

Ben  Bernie  and  His  Roosevelt  Orchestra  was 
the  feature  at  the  Chicago,  and  the  outfit  is  a 
mighty  peppy  one  with  its  own  clever  arrange- 
ments of  the  popular  airs.  One  does  not  have 
to  do  a lot  of  investigating  to  learn  the  effect 
of  these  bandshow  programs  upon  the  Chicago 
attendance. 

Each  week  that  one  of  these  attractions  is 
hille<l  this  house  can  count  on  a stand  out  crowd. 
Wai'ing’s  Pennsylvanians,  Ted  Lewis  and  others 


have  done  it.  Ben  Bernie  also  had  them  in  a 
waiting  line. 

Bernie  had  a novel  introductory  arrangement, 
with  the  program  opening  with  the  orchestra 
behind  a scrim  representing  that  section  of  New 
York  which  the  gang  originates — the  Roosevelt 
hotel. 

As  the  scrim  disappeared  the  orchestra  wa« 
brought  into  view  playing  “Sunny  Night  in 
Spain.”  This  was  followed  by  “Butterfly,”  “Para- 
dise Isle,”  “Lucky  Day”  and  other  popular  pieces. 

Bernie  has  a versatile  outfit — a good  dancer,  a 
clever  cornetist,  etc.  Bernie  himself  has  per- 
sonality that  gets  across  the  footlights  in  fine 
shape.  His  comic  violin  was  a gem,  although 
we  would  like  to  have  heard  him  really  play. 

As  an  overture  the  pit  orchestra  played  selec- 
tions of  Robert  Schumann  during  the  unreeling 
of  a James  Fitzpatrick  novelty.  This  was  not  as 
appealing  as  H.  Leopold  Spitalny’s  usual  over- 
tures. 


Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  19 

Occasionally  one  witnesses  some  scene  or  act 
which  remains  a bright  spot  in  memory  for  a 
long,  long  time.  Forgotten  may  be  the  title  or 
even  the  occasion  but  the  scene  remains.  Such 
a scene  is  the  tableaux  which  serves  as  the  finale 
of  this  week’s  presentation,  the  grouping,  the 
costuming,  the  atmosphere  of  the  whole  thing 
being  of  rare  beauty  and  enjoyment. 

“Orange  Blossoms”  is  the  title  of  the  presenta- 
tion but  the  locale  may  be  most  anywhere.  It  is 
introduced  by  Dorothy  Neville,  leading  soloist,  in 
Italian  costume  and  singing  Italian  numbers.  For 
a background  is  a huge  group  of  orange  blossom.^ 
cleverly  arranged  before  a drop.  In  her  second 
number  the  orange  blossoms  gradually  swing  to 
the  rhythm  of  the  melody  and  as  it  concludes, 
there  is  revealed  a chorus  of  brides,  each  carrying 
a huge  shower  bouquet  of  the  flowers. 

Lights  are  dimmed  and  there  appears  behind 
the  curtain,  Rodemich  and  His  Band  of  Merry- 
makers. To  modern  jazz  one  beholds  the  masters 
and  maids  of  colonial  days,  the  former  in  tight 
knee  breeches,  the  latter  in  the  great  hoop  skirts, 
going  through  their  steps  for  a quadrille.  Out 
steps  other  girls  and  .soon  one  is  in  the  throes 
of  a Spanish  dance.  Before  this  is  complete 
there  rolls  onto  the  stage  one  in  serijentine  co.s- 
tume  who  performs  remarkable  acrobatic  dances. 

Rodemich  is  a picturesque  orchestra  leader, 
in  his  shirt  of  heavy  gold-colored  satin  tied  at 
the  waist  with  a golden  cord  and  tassels  and 
black  trousers.  He  introduces  each  of  the  en- 
tertainers and  also  serves  as  sort  of  cheer  leader 
in  the  applause.  When  audiences  become  too  in- 
sistent, as  is  getting  to  be  more  and  more  the 
case  at  the  Metropolitan.  Rodemich  issues  the 
command  for  an  encore  or,  if  the  applause  doe« 
not  warrant,  hustles  the  program  along  to  keep 
it  within  the  require<l  limits. 


“Song  of  the  Wanderer”  is  a beautiful  section 
of  the  week’s  offering,  closing  with  an  ensemble 
in  which  the  25  members  of  the  jazz  orchestra 
supply  vocal  instead  of  instrumental  music.  An- 
other effective  number  is  the  rendering  of  San 
Lucia  by  Miss  Neville  with  xylophone  accom- 
paniment while  a softly  strummed  guitar  in  a 
background  of  girls  bearing  Japanese  lanterns 
and  a stage  setting  showing  hundreds  of  Japane.se 
lanterns  strung  through  the  foliage. 

Earl  and  Bell,  Spanish  bandoliers,  with  Spanish 
and  modern  American  songs  and  a few  .stories, 
supply  an  element  of  comedy,  heightened  by  the 
appeamnee  of  Sig.  Desic  Rizzi,  who  turns  out  to 
be  an  accomplished  clown  with  several  original 
stunts  including  an  original  one-man  wrestling 
bout  which  goes  over  big. 

Organ,  grand  orchestra  and  Rodemich’s  Merry- 
makers unite  for  the  final  tableaux. 

“The  Way  of  All  Flesh”  is  the  film. 

Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  August  20 

On  the  stage  this  week  is  a youthful  and 
sprightly  revue  made  up  of  a cast  of  16  girls 
recruited  from  the  ranks  of  the  amateurs  in  16 
of  the  principal  cities  of  the  country.  Its  chief 
charm  is  its  exuberance  and  its  spontaneity, 
though  the  talents  of  the  young  entertainers  are 
not  to  be  overlooked. 

There  are  several  good  .song  numbers,  a 
novelty  or  two  and  some  diverting  dance  special- 
ties. Marcey  Dirnberger,  an  Indianapolis  girl, 
was  featured.  Her  individual  offering  is  a well 
sung  popular  number.  Mikhail  Stolarevsky, 
mu.sical  director,  has  chosen  a medley  of  old  time 
song  favorites  as  the  overture  of  the  week.  It  is 
played  by  the  symphonic  orchestra  under  his 
direction. 

Indianapolis  Circle 

Week  Ending  August  20 

A1  Lentz  has  a band  that  measures  well  up  to 
the  .standard  of  the  Circle’s  fourth  syncopation 
season.  His  musicians  are  capable  entertainers 
and  are  not  limited  to  their  instruments.  They 
sing  some  amusing  lines  and  there  is  a clever 
drummer  who  makes  a speech.  The  company 
also  includes  a dancing  girl  for  the  final  number. 


MARK  FISHER 


That  Golden  Voiced  Leader  of  the 
MERRY  MUSIC  MASTERS 

Alternating  Weekly  Between  SENATE  and 
HARDING  Theatres,  Chicago 
Featured  in  LUBLINER  and  TRINZ 
Stage  Presentations 


WHISTLING  LOVE  BIRD-S 


50UTH5EA  HAWAIIAN  DANCE 


NOVELLE  BROS. 

Pantomimist  Artists 

Now  Featured  in  “Kniek-Knaeks'’ 

A PUBLIX  STAGEHAND  UNIT 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency. 

P.  S.— “MURRAY  and  ALAN”  are  just  t«o 
good  boys  “trying”  to  get  along. 


GEORGE  BOYCE 

“Nimble-Limbs” 

Now  Featured  with  “MONK”  WATSON,  and  his  Keystone  Serenaders, 

at  the 

GRAND  RIVIERA,  DETROIT 

Direction — Max  Turner,  of  the  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY. 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


GALLO  SAYS: 


Frankie  Masters  makes  his  debut  this  week  at 
the  Uptown  theatre.  Chicagro,  as  a stagehand 
leader  . . . speaking  of  leaders  AI  Kvalc  makes 
his  bow  on  August  28  as  band  leader  at  the 
Norshore  theatre,  Chicago  ...  on  the  opening 
program  of  the  new  policy  there  will  al.sO'  appear 
Lester  Allen,  Ilomay  Bailey,  Eddie  Hill  and  other 
presentation  stars.  . . . On  the  opening  pro- 
gram of  the  new  Avalon  theatre,  Chicago,  will 
appear  such  stars  as  Buck  and  Bubbles,  McGrath 
and  Travers  and  many  others.  . . . Harry 
Tyrrell,  formerly  manager  of  the  Stratford  thea- 
tre, Chicago,  also  a Cooney  Bros,  house,  will 
manage  the  new  theatre.  . . . Word  is  received 
from  Joseph  Alexander  that  he  is  not  going  to 
the  Indiana  theatre,  Indianapolis.  ...  A deal 
is  on  with  some  deluxe  theatre  out  of  town  to 
feature  Joe  as  solo  organi.st.  . . . George  Givot 
just  completed  a 20  weeks’  tour  for  Fanchon  and 
Marco,  and  is  now  featured  with  Charles  Kaly  at 
the  Granada  theatre,  Chicago.  . . . Ted  Leary 
is  back  from  his  vacation  and  has  returned  to 
his  wise  cracking  job  at  the  Stratford  theatre, 
Chicago.  . . . Charles  Daniels,  president  of 
Villa  Moret,  Inc.,  music  publishers  of  the  We.st 
Coast  sends  us  word  that  he  will  be  a visitor  of 
Chicago  next  month.  . . . While  we  are  on  the 
subject  of  music  publishers  let  us  also  say  that 
Milton  Ager  is  in  town  and  that  George 
Pianatodosi,  general  manager  of  Shapiro-Bernstein, 
just  left  town  after  a short  vi.sit.  . . . Paul 
Savoy,  at  one  time  a vaudeville  actor,  is  now  a 
busy  agent  in  Detroit  where  he  conducts  a book- 
ing agency  of  his  own  for  Exhibitors.  . . . Tom 
Terry,  featured  organist  of  Loew's  State  theatre, 
in  St.  Louis,  reports  that  he  ju.st  returned  from 
his  vacation  and  is  busy  again  preparing  new 
solos,  . . . Billy  Stevens,  formerly  of  Irving 
Berlin’s  Chicago  office  is  now  Chica.go  manager 
for  the  Robbins  Music  Co.,  with  offices  in  the 
Capitol  Building.  . . . Sam  Kaufman  the  band 
leader  who  recently  resigned  from  the  Piccadilly 
theatre,  Chicago,  i.s  breaking  in  a new  “single”  act 
that  he  will  soon  do  in  Deluxe  picture  hou.ses.  . . . 
Bemis  and  Brown  are  playing  a return  engage- 
ment at  the  Oriental  theatre,  Chicago,  this  week. 

. . . They  are  featured  with  Maxine  Hamilton 
and  Joe  Rose  in  the  new  Paul  Ash  show.  . . . 
AI  Belasco,  the  new  band  leader  for  Lubliner  and 
Trinz,  just  returned  from  a week’s  vacation  and 
is  presenting  a huge  stageshow  at  the  Harding 
theatre,  Chicago,  this  week.  . . . The  featured 
artists  are  Wade  Booth,  Harry  Rappi  and  others. 

. . . Arthur  Nealy  featured  singer  of  Brooke 
John  s stage  .shows  at  the  Missouri  theatre  in 
St.  Louis,  was  a Chicago  vi.sitor  last  week,  visiting 
music  publishers  for  new  songs.  . . . Norman 
Steppe,  former  band  leader  of  the  Embassy  theatre, 
Chicago,  a Marks  Bros,  house,  is  now  the  new 
stagehand  leader  at  the  Piccadilly,  Chicago.  . . . 
Don  Cordon  will  rotate  with  Rita  Norpell  as 
featured  organists  of  the  Piccadilly  and  Atlantic 
theatres,  Chicago,  both  Schoenstadts  houses.  . . . 
Now  that  the  Diversey  theatre,  Chicago,  is  going 
into  a stagehand  show  policy  starting  Sept.  1st, 
the  entire  Orpheum  Circuit  may  follow  suit.  . . . 
It  has  also  been  reported  that  the  Norshore,  Hard- 
ing and  Senate  theatres,  Chicago,  will  rotate  their 
bandshows.  . . . Jack  Martin  is  the  featured 
organist  at  the  Tower  theatre,  Milwaukee. 

. . . Ramon  Berry,  featured  organist  of  the 
Alamo  theatre,  Chicago,  is  presenting  a huge 
birthday  solo  this  week  due  to  the  first  anniversary 
of  the  theatre.  . . . “Monk”  Watson  and  his 
Keystone  Serenaders  are  the  featured  stage  attrac- 
tion at  the  Grand  Riviera,  Detroit.  . . . The 
Palm  theatre  in  Rockford,  111.,  has  reopened  with 
stagehand  .shows,  featuring  Joe  Copeland  as  leader. 

. . . O.  N.  Gonsion,  managing  director  of  the 
Virginia  theatre  of  Champaign.  III.,  reports  that 
the  theatre  has  been  remodeled  and  will  open  on 
SepL  1st  with^  stagehand  shows  as  its  new  policy. 
Nate  Ascher,  of  Ascher  Bros.,  was  given  a special 
party  the  other  night  at  his  Country  Club  where 
the  following  stage  stars  donated  their  services: 
Joe  Laurie,  Jr.,  Lester  Allen,  Harry  Richman, 
Harm  and  Nee,  the  Gibson  Girls,  Emma  O’Neil, 
Red  Carter  and  the  Abbott  Dancers.  . . . Verne 
Buck  and  his  boys  furnished  the  music  and  Roy 
McMullen  staged  the  show. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 


WILLIAM  E.  REEVES  (left),  manager 
of  the  Strand  theatre,  Portland,  Me.,  tells 
his  well  known  orchestra  leader,  ARTHUR 
F.  KENDALL,  “three  more  payments  and 
she’s  mine.’’ 


Now,  ril  Tell  One! 

‘‘Here’s  a laugh,”  said  Dick  Emig,  man- 
ager of  the  Windsor  Theatre,  Chicago,  a 
Lubliner  and  Trinz  house.  “The  other  day 
while  walking  downtown  towards  film  row 
I ran  into  an  independent  booker  whose 
chief  occupation  is  community  stunts  for 
neighborhood  picture  theatres.  As  I was 
walking  into  a film  exchange  this  man 
said,  ‘Say,  Mr.  Emig,  I have  a brand  new 
idea  for  your  theatre’  What  is  it?  I asked. 
‘Why  it’s  20  barrels  of  fun,’  he  replied, 
‘and  it  ought  to  be  a knockout  in  your 
house.’  I certainly  got  a kick  out  of  this 
for  I remember  when  20  barrels  of  fun  was 
first  started  by  Sam  Herman,  the  novelty 
contest  man,  and  Mr.  Gallagher,  manager 
of  the  Central  Park  Theatre,  Chicago.  The 
stunt  was  originated  by  both  last  February 
and  it  still  runs  successfully  at  that  house. 
What  struck  me  more  funny  was  the  sin- 
cerity this  fellow  expressed  in  his  story  and 
if  1 hadn’t  known  Sam  Herman  personally. 
I probably  might  have  believed  him  as  the 
originator.  Well,  it’s  just  another  one 
of  those  things  that  happens  every  day  in 
show'  business.” 


New  York  Mark  Strand 

l^eeA:  Ending  August  21 

This  week  finds  the  Mark  Strand  Ballet  Corps 
clad  in  white  and  with  white  wigs  on  their  heads 
performing  in  a setting  that  represents  an  eight- 
eenth century  garden.  Mille.  Klemova  and  George 
Kiddon  form  the  center  of  the  group  and  the 
ballet  corps  whirls  and  w'heels  about  them,  the 
whole  effect  being  unusually  satisfying. 

The  stageshow  at  the  Strand  is  called  “The 
Parisian  Frolic.”  The  setting  represents  the  in- 
terior of  a cafe  in  the  Latin  Quarter  of  Paris 
and  as  the  curtain  goes  up  we  see  the  Male 
Ensemble  dressed  as  American  doughboys  and 
making  merry  with  the  ballet  corps,  who  are 
attired  as  cocottes. 

The  first  number  is  called  “Sorella”  in  which 
the  boys  sing  a lively  song  and  the  girls  of  the 
ballet  corps  dance.  John  Tiller’s  Sixteen  Famous 
Sunshine  Girls  are  next.  They  are  dancers  and 
they  execute  the  steps  of  their  numbers  with  a 
precision  that  should  make  West  Pointers  jealoiis. 
They  are  wearing  short  red  dresses  and  red  caps 
and  to  the  back  of  each  is  attached  a small 
xylophone  w'hich  the  girls  behind  her  plays  during 
the  course  of  the  dance. 

“Just  a Memory”  is  a song  which  M.  Manoff 
singe  in  his  clear  baritone.  He  sings  it  through 
once  and  then  Virginia  Johnson  appears,  stand- 
ing in  a cut-out  on  the  wall  of  the  cafe,  and 
she  joins  him  in  putting  over  a highly  effective 
piece. 

The  Caites  Brothers  are  clog  dancers  and  from 
the  way  in  which  the  audience  received  them 
they  should  go  far. 

The  Sixteen  Famous  Sunshine  Girls  come  back 
again,  this  time  clad  in  brief  and  fluffy  blue  dresses 
and  wearing  white  ribbons  in  their  hair.  It  is 
a treat  to  watch  these  girls.  Their  work  is  about 
as  close  to  perfection  as  it  could  be. 

For  the  closing  number  Edward  Albano  sings 
“Homeland”  with  the  Male  Ensemble  joining  him 
to  conclude  a well  directed  and  capably  executed 
stageshow. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Edw’ard  Meikel  (Chicago  Harding)  used  for  hie 
organ  solo  this  week  the  “Correspondence  School” 
idea  of  song  writing  and  opened  with  “Hoosier 
Sweetheart”  and  followed  with  “Evei*ything’s 
Rosey  Now,”  and  auctioned  off  songs  to  the  loud- 
est singers  using  “Why  Should  I Say  I’m  SoiTy,” 
“Let’s  Make  Believe”  and  “Me  and  My  Shadow.” 
A novel  feature  was  the  two  ushers  that  ap- 
peai-ed  near  the  organ  in  the  spotlight  with 
Meikel  who  passed  out  sheet  music  to  a few  in 
the  audience.  Meikel  also  stepped  on  stage  to 
throw  rolled  music  in  the  balcony,  a rather  novel 
idea  that  caused  considerable  merriment.  “Dew- 
Dew-Dewey  Days”  was  the  outstanding  hit  of  the 
solo  which  the  club  members  sang  to  their  heart’s 
content ; the  encore  was  “Just  Once  Again.” 


Harry  J.  Lyon  (Capitol,  Ottumwa,  Iowa)  offered 
for  his  community  singing  sunt,  week  of  August 
14th,  old  time  ballads,  introducing  a brand  new 
number  called  “Way  Back  When.”  All  the  gag 
lines  were  payed  to  the  tune  of  “Yankee  Doodle.” 
The  program  opened  with  “Pd  Love  to  Live  in 
Love  Land,”  which  the  audience  whistled  and 
then  as  a reward  for  their  good  whistling  he 
played  “Down  by  the  Old  Mill  Stream,”  which 
they  sang,  leading  into  “Way  Back  When”  and 
“Meet  Me  Tonight  in  Dreamland,”  using  “Way 
Back  When  as  an  encore.  This  was  a straight 
Will  Rossiter  program  and  seemed  to  please  the 
audience  very  much,  especially  the  way  Lyons 
interpreted  the  so-ng. 


Edmund  C.  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan)  just  re- 
turned from  his  vacation  and  offered  a singing 
frolic,  using  the  following  popular  songs:  “Sun- 
down,” “Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling,”  “Russian 
Lullaby,”  “Just  the  Same,”  and  “Positively,  Ab- 
solutely.” Some  of  the  numbers  were  fairly  well 
sung  by  the  audience  but  it  seems  that  this  house 
does  not  care  much  for  community  singing.  Fitch, 
who  is  capable  of  doing  better  things  on  the 
organ,  gives  them  a variety  now  and  then. 


Bernhard  Cowham  (Milwaukee  Oriental)  at  the 
Barton  console  used  for  his  solo,  “Me  and  My 
Shadow”  with  a version  in  comedy  style  for  his 
own  clowning.  One  of  the  novel  stunts  was  his 
dog  who  came  on  the  stage  and  stayed  close  to 
his  organ  while  he  played  the  number.  The  idea 
went  over  very  well  here,  considering  that  Ck>w- 
ham  is  the  leading  entertainer  in  this  house. 


Rube  Scholz  (Milwaukee  Modjeska),  as  feature 
organist,  offered  for  his  solo  “At  Sundown,” 
“That's  What  I Think  of  You”  and  “Aint  She 
Sweet,”  repeating  a chorus  of  the  last  number 
which  semed  to  go  over  very  big  here.  The  audi- 
ence can  always  expect  an  entei-taining  program 
of  popular  songs  from  Scholz  each  week,  and  for 
that  reason  he  has  made  himself  well  liked. 


Henri  Keates  (Chicago  Oriental)  presented  a 
long  slide  story  this  week  called  “A  Bad  Night,” 
interspercing  it  with  songs  for  the  audience  to 
warble,  beginning  with  “Highways  Are  Happy 
Ways,”  and  including,  “You  Don’t  Like  It,”  “Sing 
Me  a Baby  Song,”  “Honolulu  Moon”  and  “Just 
Like  a Butterfly  Caught  in  the  Rain.” 


Reta  Norpell  (Chicago  Piccadilly)  is  the  sing- 
ing organist  who  replaced  Joseph  Alexander  at 
this  house.  Her  first  week’s  program  consisted 
of  “Just  Like  a Butterfly,”  which  she  played  and 
sung  to  a good  reception,  using  a special  “Lind- 
berg”  version  to  the  same  tune.  It  has  been  re- 
ported that  Don  Cordon  and  Reta  Norpell  will 
alternate  between  the  Piccadilly  and  Atlantic 
Theatres,  both  Schoenstadt’s  houses. 


Henry  B.  Murtagh  (Chicago  Chicago)  dis- 
played his  versatility  this  last  week  when  he 
returned  to  the  console  with  his  arm  still  in  a 
plaster  cast.  Murtagh  had  a small  console  built 
to  rest  on  his  chest,  and  this  gave  him  an  oppor- 
tunity to  do  a little  fingering  with  his  left  hand. 
It  is  our  impression,  however,  that  the  greater 
part  of  his  solo  was  played  with  his  right  hand 
and  on  the  peddles.  He  did  an  excellent  job  of 
it,  and  received  the  appreciation  that  is  always 
accorded  his  work.  He  titled  his  solo,  “Here  I 
Am  Back  Again.”  One  selection  which  he  and 
evei’y  other  organist  and  every  orchestra  can 
play  without  making  this  reporter  mad  was  “At 
Sundown.” 


Tom  Terry  (Loew’s  State,  St.  Lous,  Mo.)  offered 
as  an  organ  stunt  “Songs  of  Yesterday  and  To- 
day,” featuring  “Can’t  You  Hear  Me  Say  I Love 
You”  and  other  songs  that  we  all  know. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE, 


WELCOME  M-G-M  NEWS 

N behalf  of  trade  and  public,  with  sanc- 
tion if  not  consent,  I herewith  officially 
welcome  the  M-G-M  News  to  the  select 
circle  of  worthwhile  pictures.  I should 
rather  see  one  good  newsreel  than  ten  good 
dramatic  productions,  or  any  number  of 
polite  comedies,  and  the  M-G-M  News  is  a 
good  newsreel.  Again,  welcome. 

I believe  1927  will  stand  out  among  the 
years  as  that  one  in  which  the  newspicture 
came  into  its  own.  I am  optimistic  enough 
to  think  that  in  this  twelvemonth  exhibitors 
will  awake  to  the  realization  which  plainly 
has  come  at  last  to  producers,  that  they  will 
accord  the  newsreel  a proper  place  in  their 
booking  considerations,  in  their  running 
time  and  finally — although  this  declaration 
is  made  with  my  fingers  crossed — in  their 
billing! 

If  all  this  comes  to  pass — if  the  enriched 
supply  of  good  pictures  exerts  what  would 
seem  to  be  a wholly  natural  influence — the 
picture  theatre  will  have  been  made  a more 
tenable  entertainment  place  for  the  pro- 
letariat and  will  thrive  accordingly. 

MISPLACED  PICTURES 

T 

J.  T is  more  than  reasonably  certain  that 
Balaban  & Katz  have  a definite  and  proper 
reason  for  placing  pictures  like  “Madame 
Pompadour”  in  the  Oriental  theatre,  but  it 
stops  me.  The  audience  is  overwhelmingly 
juvenile  and  I doubt  that  one  in  ten  of  those 
present  know  or  care  a hang  who  the  lady 
was,  when  or  why.  Further,  the  preponder- 
ance of  more  or  less  flaming  youth  among 
those  present  is  a well  known  deterrent  to 
adults  for  whom  such  works  may  be  pre- 
sumed to  hold  an  attraction.  However,  that 
is  the  business  of  Balaban  & Katz  and  it  is 
my  business  but  to  trace  these  more  intri- 
guing pictures  to  their  lairs  and  accord  to 
each  a look. 

Having  looked  upon  “Madame  Pompa- 
dour” under  these  circumstances,  which  1 
shall  strive  mightily  to  forget,  I feel  quali- 
fied to  say  that  it  is  a very  sincere  effort  to 
reproduce  a period  which  always  has  inter- 
ested me  keenly  and  to  re-create  certain 
outstanding  characters  of  that  period  with- 
out exaggeration.  I can  add  that,  so  far  as 
I am  concerned,  the  effort  is  quite  success- 
ful. While  I would  have  had  a little  more 
colorful  detail  in  the  picture,  a little  more 
variety  in  tempo  and  perhaps  a little 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

more  death,  I was  able  to  consider  well 
spent  the  evening  upon  which  I saw  it. 

Miss  Gish,  as  you  know,  is  particularly 
adroit  in  this  type  of  characterization.  I 
believe,  incidentally,  that  the  foregoing  is 
a less  correct  statement  than  the  following: 
That  Miss  Gish  is  by  natural  appearance  and 
behavior  so  unlike  contemporaries  of  her 
sex  as  to  render  impersonation  of  roman- 
tically storied  beauties  of  other  centuries  a 
practically  automatic  matter.  Maybe  that’s 
a little  vague,  but  I'm  sure  you  know  what 
I mean.  At  any  rate,  she  satisfies  my  mental 
picture  of  Madame  Pompadour  and  that’s 
not  very  important  either. 

I regret  that  Antonio  Moreno  got  no  more 
footage  than  he  did,  nor  more  breaks  in 
the  plot.  I have  a belatedly  increasing  ad- 
miration for  this  actor  and  I hope  to  see 
him  doing  one  of  those  picturesquely  active 
Spanish  heroes  in  a big  picture  with  back- 
ground before  Fairbanks  exhausts  the  supply 
of  them.  Production  can  be  launched  at 
any  time  now  with  my  consent. 

Also  concerning  “Madame  Pompadour,”  I 
seem  to  have  heard  someone  remark  that 
some  of  the  settings  in  it  are  authentic. 
They  must  be,  for  they  are  not  as  good  as 
the  usual  Hollywood  brand. 

ALAS,  POOR  BECKY 

f AM  anxiously  awaiting  advices  from 
Messrs.  Murray  and  Hodges,  guardians  of 
this  paper’s  interests  on  the  film  frontier,  as 
to  the  reason  or  lack  of  reason  for  the  trash 
we’ve  been  getting  from  that  source  during 
the  summer.  I am  assuming,  of  course,  that 
“Becky”  was  made  on  the  coast,  “Becky” 
being  the  most  recent  affront  to  audiences 
encountered  by  your  reporter. 

It  is  seldom  that  I feel  disposed  to  request 
return  of  my  admission  money,  a disposition 
I understand  to  he  quite  general  among  the 
plain  picturegoers,  but  I did  feel  that  way 
after  seeing  “Becky.”  Indeed,  I felt  like 
bringing  suit  against  the  theatre  for  adver- 
tising the  thing  as  a picture.  Other  feelings 
were  in  kind.  For  “Becky”  is  not  a picture 
at  all,  but  a revue  of  all  the  backstage  pic- 
tures of  the  closing  decade  and  not  a very 
good  revue.  I shall  explain: 

The  Becky  of  the  picture  is  a shopgirl 
who  gets  fired  in  the  first  reel,  after  spotting 


the  wealthy  man-ahout-town  and  etc.,  as  in 
how  many  other  pictures.  The  hero — played 
by  that  favorite  vietim  of  the  miscasting 
directors,  Owen  Moore — is  an  honest  young 
crook  working  the  night  clubs.  Love,  of 
eourse,  is  spontaneous,  all  wool  and  several 
reels  long  if  not  a yard  wide.  Given  these 
excellent  ingredients  for  burlesque,  even 
farce,  the  director — or  whoever  may  be  held 
responsible — proceeded  to  make  a wholly 
serious  and  utterly  blah  dranuner  out  of 
them.  The  thing  smoulders  along,  re-doing 
the  pseudo-hero’s  indignities  to  the  heroine, 
the  latter’s  debacle  when  introduced  into  a 
rarified  social  sphere,  the  musical  comedy 
l)remiere  at  which  the  novice  steals  the 
show,  and  finally  the  reformation  of  the 
crook  and  disillusionment  of  his  feminine 
prey  ujjon  arrival  of  big  brother,  the  clinch 
and  everything.  If  the  players  had  broken 
into  laughter  in  the  last  scene,  or  gone  sud- 
denly to  dancing  the  Black  Bottom,  it  all 
would  have  been  good  fun  at  the  expense  of 
pictures  past  and  gone.  But  they  don’t. 
They  are  serious  to  the  last  inch  and  it’s  all 
very  terrible. 

I am  awaiting  advices,  as  I say,  which  may 
or  may  not  explain  the  manufacture  of  pic- 
tures like  this.  I doubt  that  such  advices 
will  be  forthcoming,  for  I do  not  believe 
inquiry  at  the  studios  can  be  expected  to 
elicit  such  admissions  as  are  made  quite 
plainly  by  the  pictures  themselves.  My 
hunch  is  that  the  factories  are  greatly  in 
need  of  that  product  which  cannot  be  com- 
mandeered nor  built-in  to  stay,  l u • i i 
ideas.  My  mystification  arises  not  from  this 
condition,  but  rather  from  the  fact  that  raw 
stock  is  destroyed  in  the  manner  indicated 
when  the  circumstance  is  as  it  is. 

And  perhaps  I should  add  that  there  is 
nothing  offensively  or  positively  wrong  with 
“Becky,”  any  more  than  with  the  dozen  of 
these  things,  from  the  same  and  other 
sources,  viewed  since  June.  The  trouble  is 
that  the  thing  is  simply  not  a picture  at  all 
and  the  time  invested  in  looking  at  it  is 
dead  loss.  In  my  case,  it  were  better  if  the 
flop  had  barbs  on  it. 

AMERICANISM 

J^lLTHOUGH  the  connection  with  the 
page  is  a bit  indefinite,  I cannot  suppress 
mention  of  the  extreme  Americanism  mark- 
ing as  something  of  an  epoch  the  period 
terminating  with  opening  of  the  Avalon  the- 
atre in  Chicago  on  August  29.  The  theatre. 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


atmospherically  done  inside,  has  the  most 
hecoining  exterior  I have  beheld  in  these 
innumerable  years.  It  is  a Persian  temple 
with  everything  but  the  bells  and  even  those 
may  be  in  place  for  all  I know.  The  Amer- 
ican note  becomes  audible  when  you  are 
told  that  this  Persian  temple  (of  the  cinema, 
of  course)  has  been  erected  by  a Swedish 
architect  (John  Eberson)  for  an  Irish  organ- 
ization (Cooney  Brothers)  who  have 
financed  it  by  selling  stock  to  Poles,  Finns, 
Germans,  Scots,  Greeks,  Italians  and  the 
whole  range  of  kindred  and  near  kindred 
peoples  who  dwell  within  selling  radius  of 
the  excellent  site  selected,  a site  where  three 
main  lines  of  surface  car  service  converge 
to  the  dismay  of  pedestrian  and  motorist 
before  going  their  several  ways.  Buddy 
Fisher  is  to  be  featured  bandsman  and  the 
customers  will  be  drawn  from  the  plain 
American  citizenry. 

YOU  REMEMBER  MR.  WEAVER 

I AM  gratified  to  announce  that  long- 
winded  negotiations  brought  to  successful 
close  on  Saturday  last  have  made  it  possible 
for  me  to  quote  to  you  at  this  time  the 
rather  pointed  remarks  which  Mr.  William 
R.  Weaver  (whom  you'll  remember  as  Asso- 
ciate Editor  of  this  magazine  over  a period 
of  several  years)  will  utter  in  the  August  27 
issue  of  The  Chicagoan,  another  Quigley 
Publication  concerning  which  relatively 
little  has  been  printed  in  these  pages.  Mr. 
Weaver  discusses  a type  of  venture  which 
may  or  may  not  come  to  bud  in  the  coun- 
try’s several  cities.  His  views  of  the  matter, 
which  would  coincide  exactly  with  my  own 
if  multiplied  by  ten,  follow: 

“I  should  like  to  send  up  rockets  in  be- 
half of  the  effort  at  the  Playhouse,  where 
Fred  Mindlin  and  his  associates  are  to  en- 
shrine the  motion  picture  with  proper 
absence  of  ceremony  on  September  2.  In 
fact  I do  send  up  rockets — !!! — and  I shall 
do  everything  reasonably  expectable  of  an 
honest  and  upright  respecter  of  the  cinema 
to  bring  into  support  of  the  project  that 
recondite  few  whose  interest  in  the  ‘better 
pictures’  is  essential  to  success  of  the  pro- 
ject. I begin  herewith,  by  stating  the 
proposition  in  some  detail. 

“It  is  convenient  but  not  completely 
accurate  to  describe  the  Mindlin  effort  as  a 
‘little  cinema’  movement.  The  theory  ad- 
vanced makes  use  of  the  premises  that  (1) 
intelligent  people  admire  the  motion  pic- 
ture as  an  art  form,  (2)  gaudy  decoration, 
elaborate  orchestration,  military  service  and 
glorified  vaudeville  furnished  by  the  finan- 
cially successful  exhibitors  of  motion  pic- 
tures constitute  extraneous  and  annoying 
distractions,  and  (3)  artistically  meritorious 
photoplays  unattractive  to  the  bourgeoisie 
can  be  shown  to  a tutored  few  in  a small 
theatre  with  generally  satisfactory  results. 
In  support  of  this  theory  the  Mindlins  plan 
non-militaristic  usher  servive,  chamber 
music  accompaniment  and  tea,  coffee  and 
cigarettes  (gratis  in  the  lobby.  The  pro- 
spectus is  attractive  and  I should  like  to  see 
the  effort  succeed  (more  rockets — !!!)  but 
I cannot  suppress  the  facts.  They  are: 

“1.  That  intelligent  people  admire  the 


motion  picture  as  an  art  form,  as  a pastime, 
as  entertainment,  as  whatever  the  motion 
picture  may  be  most  conveniently  admired 
as  at  a (and  any)  given  moment. 

“2.  That  gaudy  decoration,  elaborate 
orchestration,  military  service  and  glorified 
vaudeville  have  come  to  be  part  and  parcel 
of  the  motion  picture  and  objections  voiced 
against  this  phenomenon — while  quite  effec- 
tively indicative  of  smartness — are  wholly, 
whether  or  not  consciously,  insincere. 

“3.  That  artistically  meritorious  photo- 
plays are  not  unattractive  to  the  bourgeoisie 
but,  on  the  contrary,  do  very  well  in  the 
Roosevelt  or  McVickers  on  the  rare 
occasions  when  Balaban  and  Katz — who 
have  first  call  for  Chicago  on  all  motion 
pictures  produced — can  find  any  of  the 
damn  things. 

“Other  and  more  definite  reasons  for  a 
pessimistic  view  of  the  Playhouse  proceed- 
ings are:  The  utter  non-existence  of  pro- 
ducers willing  to  donate  the  cost  price  of 
artistic  pictures  lacking  popular  appeal.  The 
we-can-go-any-time  attitude  toward  the 
motion  picture  theatre,  deadly  in  box  office 
effect  upon  a small  theatre.  The  disincli- 
nation of  Chicago  censors  to  permit  exhi- 
bition of  any  picture  they  do  not  understand, 
which  in  itself  practically  decimates  the 
supply  of  playhouse  entertainment. 

“But  there  is  yet  one  ray  of  hope.  (More 
rockets — !!!)  It  emulates  from  an  obscure 
line  in  the  excellently  devised  announce- 
ment of  the  project  which  ends,  after  nam- 
ing several  pictures  to  be  shown,  ‘and  a 
lot  of  American  films  that  you  never  knew 
were  good  because  you  never  had  a chance 
to  see  them  properly  presented’.  What  is 
meant,  no  doubt,  is  that  good  pictures  missed 
in  their  initial  exhibitions  because  shown 
in  overcrowded  or  otherwise  untenable  thea- 
tres will  be  reexhibited  at  the  Playhouse. 
If  this  line  of  endeavor  is  followed,  if  pic- 
tures like  John  Barrymore’s  ‘’Beau  Brum- 
mel’  Ernst  Lubitsch’s  ‘The  Marriage 
Circle,’  Charles  Spencer  Chaplin’s  ‘A 
W^onuin  of  Paris’  and  the  collected  works 
of  Adolphe  Menjou  and  Florence  Vidor  are 


Children  Give  Pet 
Dog  Viking  Funeral 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

COUNCIL  BLUFFS,  Aug,  23. ~ 
Impressed  with  the  Viking  funeral 
scene  in  “Beau  Geste,”  two  Coun- 
cil Bluffs  children,  Fred  and 
Catherine  Glassburner,  10  and  12 
years  of  age,  decided  to  duplicate 
the  warrior’s  romantic  service 
when  their  pet  dog  died. 

They  called  together  their  play- 
mates and  made  known  their  plan 
to  give  the  ceremonial  to  a gallant 
and  true  ffghter.  They  prepared  a 
funeral  pyre  under  a bridge  over 
a creek  near  their  home,  wrapped 
the  body  of  the  dog  in  paper  and 
set  fire  to  the  pyre. 

When  police  arrived,  called  by 
frantic  neighbors  who  feared  the 
bridge  might  burn,  they  found  the 
youngsters  standing  solemnly  at 
salute  while  Fames  devoured  the 
body  of  their  famous  warrior  hero. 


brought  into  visibility  under  proper  auspices 
and  the  fact  is  made  duly  known  to  the  in- 
telligent, I should  not  be  surprised  to  see 
the  Playhouse  well  filled  throughout  the 
winter.  It  would  be  a rather  nice  thing  for 
the  town.” 

NOT  REVIEWS 

T 

I HIS  being  the  week  for  my  monthly 
explanation  (for  the  information  of  new 
subscribers)  of  the  difference  between  a 
Service  Talk  and  a Box  Office  Review,  I 
shall  make  that  matter  plain  at  once.  It’s 
like  this: 

A Service  Talk  is  an  opinion.  A Box 
Office  Review  is  a guess.  Reducing  the 
matter  to  simpler  terms: 

I hand  you  a cigar  and  say,  “This  is  a 
good  cigar.”  No  offense  in  that,  surely. 
But  the  Box  Office  Reviewer  hands  you  a 
cigar  and  says,  “You  are  going  to  like  this 
cigar,  your  customers  are  going  to  like  this 
cigar,  and  you  will  be  better  off  for  having 
smoked  this  cigar.”  Rewrite  the  foregoing 
inserting  negatives,  for  cases  wherei  the 
cigar  is  not  considered  good,  and  you  have 
a quite  accurate  if  smelly  explanation  of 
the  whole  matter. 

ATTABOY,  DOUG 

J SEND  up  a cheer  for  Douglas  MacLean, 
Perhaps  the  first  since  his  “Hottentot.”  In 
“Soft  Cushions”  he  gets  miles  and  miles 
away  from  the  formula  he’s  used,  since  that 
classic  produced  by  the  ill  fated  Thomas 
H.  Ince  and  sets  a new  pace.  I believe  he 
has  a field  to  himself  in  this  new  venture 
and  I hope  to  see  him  capitalize  upon  his 
isolation  by  continuing  swiftly  with  further 
productions  in  kind. 

In  “Soft  Cushions”  you  have  the  “Thief 
of  Bagdad”  period  and  the  thief  as  well, 
three  of  them  in  fact,  but  it’s  all  in  fun. 
The  burlesque!  starts  when  the  picture 
opens  and  continues  merrily  until  the 
finish.  There  is,  if  you  care  to  read  it 
into  the  picture,  a full  chested  kidding  of 
the  courts  (past  and  present)  and  the  justice 
myth  in  general.  The  hero  is  a thief,  to 
mention  only  one  of  his  callings,  and  the 
honesty-best-policy  idea  is  kicked  about  the 
place  to  everybody’s  complete  satisfaction. 

This  idea — of  digging  into  the  musty  past 
for  a setting,  some  characters,  a plot,  and 
then  kidding  them  to  death — admits  of 
countless  variations.  I recommend  Mr. 
MacLean  for  the  job  of  doing  this  sort  of 
thing  for  at  least  as  many  times  as  he  did 
the  “Hottentot”  plot.  It  can  be  more  ef- 
fectually camouflaged  and  ill  is,  at  least 
to  me,  funnier.  Less  clever,  perhaps,  and 
less  personal,  but  funnier. 

Nor  can  a discussion  of  the  picture  be 
closed  without  mention  of  one  Sue  Carol 
(if  I read  the  billing  aright)  who  provides 
the  thieves,  judges  and  other  brigands  in 
“Soft  Cushions”  with  a purpose.  The  girl 
is  a vision,  a work  of  art,  a — ^but  if  you’ve 
seen  her  you  know  and  if  not  you  don’t 
care.  And  perhaps  she  can  act.  I didn’t 
notice.  She  looks  to  me  like  the  Louise 
Brooks  for  this  year. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


THE  FILM  MART 


Two  of  Universal’s  feature  pictures  have  been  completed 
and  shipped  to  New  York.  They  are  “The  Chinese  Parrot,” 
which  will  be  released  Sept.  4,  and  Reginald  Denny’s  pic- 
ture, “Out  All  Night.”  This  picture  will  be  followed  by 
another  Denny  picture,  “Mile  a Minute  Love.” 

Fox  is  ready  for  the  new  season’s  releases  with  six  pic- 
tures to  be  released  in  September. 

First  Division  Distributors  will  soon  release  its  picture, 
“Ragtime,”  being  a story  of  New  York’s  Tin  Pan  Alley, 
with  the  theme  built  around  the  two  songs,  “Thinking,” 
and  “O  What  a Mama  You’d  Make.”  First  Division  has 
changed  the  title  of  one  of  its  pictures  to  be  released  in  the 
early  fall  from  “The  Bad  Little  Good  Girl”  to  “Naughty.” 

F B O now  has  eight  companies  hard  at  work,  and 


already  has  more  than  half  of  its  1927-28  production 
schedule  completed.  “The  Moon  of  Israel,”  released  by 
F B O,  opened  at  the  Castle  theatre,  Chicago,  last  week 
for  an  extended  run. 

It  is  so  hot  on  the  location  where  Paramount  is  filming 
final  exterior  scenes  on  “Beau  Saibreur”  it  is  necessary  to 
keep  ice  packs  on  the  films  to  keep  them  from  melting.  I 
am  not  told  what  the  actors  are  doing  to  keep  from  melt- 
ing ! 

During  the  filming  of  “Steamboat  Bill,  Jr.,”  two  boats 
used  in  the  picture  collided  and  Buster  Keaton’s  nose 
collided  with  something  else,  so  now  Buster  has  a broken 
nose.  No  close-ups  could  be  made  of  his  face  for  several 
days. 


U Buys  '^'^Fallen  Angels” 

For  Early  Production 

The  Arthur  Somers  Roche  story,  “Fallen 
Angels,”  which  is  now  running  serially  in 
the  Red  Book,  has  been  purchased  by 
Universal  for  immediate  production.  Ed- 
ward Laemmle  has  been  assigned  to  direct 
this  story  of  the  underworld.  Adaptation 
is  now  being  prepared,  and  the  cast 
chosen. 

“The  Cohens  and  Kellys  in 
Paris,”  the  sequel  to  “The  Cohens 
and  Kellys,”  will  be  put  into  im- 
mediate production.  It  had  been 
planned  to  make  this  picture  late 
in  the  fall  for  late  spring  release, 
but  according  to  Universal,  exhib- 
itor demands  for  the  picture 
brought  about  the  change  in  pro- 
duction time  which  will  now 
permit  the  picture  to  be  released 
early  in  January.  William  Beau- 
dine  will  direct  and  the  cast  will 
be  headed  by  George  Sidney.  This 
change  of  plans  will  hold  up  the 
filming  of  “Give  and  Take,”  in 
which  George  Sidney  and  Jean 
Hersholt  are  to  be  featured,  until 
the  other  picture  is  completed. 

A special  story  entitled  “Has  Anybody 
Here  Seen  Kelly?”  is  being  written  for 
Laura  LaPlante  to  be  filmed  after  her 
“Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,”  which  starts 
production  immediately.  The  new  story 
being  written  for  LaPlante  is  based  upon 
the  once  famous  song  of  that  name.  No 
director  has  been  chosen,  although  it  is 
likely  that  the  star’s  husband,  William  A. 
Seiter  will  handle  the  megaphone. 

Peggy  Montegomery  has  been  chosen  to 
play  the  feminine  lead  in  Universal’s 
Western,  “The  Brand  of  Courage,”  star- 
ring Bob  Curwood,  and  Georgia  Hale  has 
been  cast  for  a similar  role  in  the  Hoot 
Gibson  picture,  “The  Rawhide  Kid.” 

U.  A.  Signs  Contract 
With  Henry  King 

Henry  King,  director  of  such  pictures 
as  “Stella  Dallas,”  “Romola”  and  “'Tol’able 
David,”  and  the  recent  picture,  “The 
Magic  Flame,”  has  just  signed  a contract 
to  make  one  Henry  King  production  for 
release  by  United  Artists  in  1928.  The 
picture  will  probably  be  based  on  an  or- 


iginal story  written  by  King.  With  the 
addition  of  King,  United  Artists  now  of- 
fers independent  productions  by  the  fol- 
lowing directors  in  its  forthcoming  pro- 
gram ; Charles  Chaplin,  D.  W.  Griffith, 
Herbert  Brenon,  Fred  Niblo  and  Edwin 
Carewe. 

Corinne  Griffith  has  just  signed 
Louise  Dresser  for  the  role  of 
Rosa  de  Garcer  in  “The  Garden  of 
Eden,”  which  went  into  produc- 
tion last  week  as  the  first  picture 
for  United  Artists  by  Corinne 
Griffith.  Lowell  Sherman  will  have 
an  important  role  in  the  cast  which 
includes  Hank  Mann  and  Maude 
George.  Lewis  Milestone  is  di- 
recting the  picture. 

Don  Alvarado  who  was  signed 
by  Inspiration  for  the  leading  role 
in  “Ramona”  has  been  withdrawn 
from  the  cast  due  to  delay  in 
starting  production,  and  the  fact 
that  D.  W.  Griffith  wanted  him 
for  a role  in  a picture  he  is  to 
produce.  Edwin  Carewe  is  now 
looking  for  another  man  to  take 
the  part  he  had  chosen  for  Al- 
vardo. 

Herbert  Brenon  and  his  unit  that  have 
been  filming  scenes  for  “Sorrel  and  Son” 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 
“The  Phantom  Buster”— Action— Pathe^— five 
“The  Great  Mail  Robbery”^— F B 0—6307 
“Paid  to  Love”— Fox— 6808 
“Metropolis”— Paramount— 10400 
“The  Stolen  Bride” — First  National — 7179. 
“Mme.  Pompadour”— Paramount— 7 180. 
**Running  Wild”— Paramount— 6368. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  21 
“The  Bush  Leaguer”— Warner— 6269 
WEEK  OF  AUGUST  28 
“Not  For  Publication”— F B 0^—6140. 

“Border  Blackbirds”^— Maloney— Pathe— six. 
“Hard-Boiled  Haggerty”— First  National— 7443. 
“Soft  Cushions” — Paramount^— 6838. 

“The  Desired  Woman”— Warner— 6408 
“The  Fighting  Eagle”^— Palhe^— P.  D.  C.— 8000 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  4 
“Camille”— First  National— 8730 
“Chang”^— Paramount— 6533 
“W'e're  All  Gamblers”^— Paramount^— 5935 


in  England  have  returned  and  will  complete 
the  picture  in  Hollywood. 

Paramount  Changes 
Titles  of  Two  Films 

Paramount  has  just  announced  definite 
titles  for  two  pictures  which  are  now  be- 
ing made.  Adolphe  Menjou’s  picture 
which  had  the  temporary  title,  “The  Mus- 
ician,” will  be  released  under  the  title, 
“Serenade.”  Menjou  plays  the  part  of  a 
poor  musician  in  the  picture  which  was 
written  by  Ernest  Vajda  and  will  be  di- 
rected by  H.  D’Abbadie  D’Arrast.  If  we 
were  asked  to  choose  the  leading  male  star 
in  pictures  today,  and  of  course  we  aren’t, 
we  would  give  Menjou  very  careful  con- 
sideration. 

The  other  picture  to  get  a new  name 
was  first  known  as  “Sun  Kissed,”  in 
which  Poli  Negri  stars.  The  new  name 
chosen  for  it  is  “Beggars  of  Love.”  The 
picture  is  now  in  the  cutting  rooms. 

The  National  Board  of  Review 
has  picked  seven  Paramount  pic- 
tures for  its  photoplay  guide,  and 
here’s  the  list:  “We’re  All  Gamb- 
lers,” Thomas  Meighan’s  newest 
production ; “French  Fried,”  a two- 
reel  comedy;  Douglas  MacLean’s 
“Soft  Cushions “Nevada,”  star- 
ring Gary  Copper ; “Topsy  Turvy,” 
a Krazy  Kat  cartoon:  “A  Short 
Tail,”  two-reel  comedy  and  the 
war  epic,  “Wings.” 

“Tell  It  to  Sweeney,”  the  railroad  com- 
edy featuring  George  Bancroft  and  Chester 
Conklin,  has  gone  into  the  cutting  rooms 
and  will  soon  be  ready  for  release. 

Ralph  Cedar  has  been  assigned  by  Para- 
mount to  direct  “Side  Show”  which  will 
introduce  W.  C.  Eields  and  Chester  Conk- 
lin as  a comedy  team.  In  the  picture. 
Fields  is  the  owner  of  a small  carnival 
outfit  and  Conklin  is  a small  town  sheriff. 

F.  N.  Casts  Doris  Kenyon 
for  “Valley  of  Giants” 

After  an  absense  of  over  a year,  Doris 
Kenyon  will  return  to  First  National 
studios  to  play  the  feminine  lead  opposite 
her  husband,  Milton  Sills,  in  “The  Valley 
of  the  Giants,”  from  the  story  by  Peter  B. 
Kyne.  The  picture  goes  into  production 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


immediately  under  the  direction  of  Charles 
Brabin. 

Dorothy  Mackaill  and  Jack  Mul- 
hall  are  to  co-star  in  a picture 
called  “Man  Crazy,”  and  on  its 
completion  will  jump  right  into 
work  on  “The  Butter  and  Egg 
Man,”  from  the  successful  stage 
play  of  last  year  by  George  Kauf- 
man. I am  glad  to  hear  this  an- 
nouncement for  these  two  stars 
make  a delightful  pair. 

Johnny  Hines  is  making  use  of 
three  studios  at  the  same  time  in 
producing  “Home  Made.”  Margery 
Daw  plays  opposite  Johnny  and 
Edmund  Breese,  DeWitt  Jennings, 
Margaret  Seddon  and  Maud 
Turner  Gordon  support  the  two. 

The  New  Orleans  exchange  of 
First  National  is  leading  in  the 
tenth  week  of  the  company’s  sum- 
mer billing  drive.  The  standing 
of  the  four  territories  are  ranked 
in  this  order.  Eastern,  Southern, 
Western,  Canadian. 

A new  comedy  team  has  been  brought 
into  existence  with  Charley  Murray  and 
Fred  Kelsey  as  the  two  funny  bone  tick- 
lers in  “The  Gorilla.”  Alurray  and  Kelsey 
play  the  parts  of  two  dumb  detectives. 

“Rose  of  the  Golden  West”  has  been 
completed  in  the  First  National  studios. 
Some  of  the  most  effective  scenes,  how- 
ever, were  shot  at  Catalina  Island. 

Fox  Releases  Six 
Films  in  September 

During  the  month  of  September  Fox  will 
release  six  feature  length  pictures.  They 
include  “Loves  of  Carmen,”  starring  Do- 
lores Del  Rio,  Sept.  4;  “2  Girls  Wanted,” 
first  starring  vehicle  for  Janet  Gaynor, 
Sept.  11;  “East  Side  West  Side,”  with 
George  O’Brien  and  Virginia  Valli,  and 
“Honor  First,”  a John  Gilbert  reissue, 
both  on  Sept.  18;  and  “Blackjack,”  a Buck 
Jones  Western,  on  Sept.  25.  On  Aug.  14 
Fox  released  “Paid  to  Love,”  with  George 
O’Brien  and  Virginia  Valli,  and  “Tumbling 
River”  was  released  on  Aug.  21. 

Work  has  started  on“Very  Con- 
fidential,” a screen  story  written 
by  James  K.  McGuinnes,  in  which 
Madge  Bellamy  stars  and  Marjorie 
Beebe  and  Mary  Duncan  have  im- 
portant parts.  Patrick  Micheal 
Cunning  has  the  male  lead.  Philip 
Klein  is  supervising  production  on 
this  film  and  will  soon  start  on 
work  on  four  others. 

These  four  are  “Come  to  My 
House,”  in  which  Olive  Borden 
will  star;  “Womanwise “The 
Girl  from  Havana,”  being  written 
by  James  McGuinnes ; and  a story 
to  be  directed  by  Frank  Borzage 
with  Janet  Gaynor  and  Charles 
Barrel  featured. 

Dog  pictures  are  becoming  more  and 
more  popular,  it  seems.  A man  with  a 
smart  dog,  these  days,  must  be  awfully 
tempted  to  throw  up  his  job  and  take  a 
train  to  Hollywood.  Fox  is  one  of  the 
latest  to  sign  up  a dog,  and  Thunder  is 
the  name  of  the  lucky  dog.  He  will  be 
seen  in  a picture  called  “Wolf  Fangs,”  to 
be  made  by  Fox.  Charles  Morton,  James 
Gordon  and  Frank  Rice  are  some  of  the 
human  actors  cast  for  the  picture. 

M-G-M’s  ^‘Big  Parade’’ 

Breaks  Hou.se  Record 

“The  Big  Parade,”  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer’s  war  production,  has  broken  all 
opening  week  records  at  McVicker’s  the- 
atre, Chicago,  and  is  lining  the  customers 
on  the  sidewalk  every  night  during  its 
run  in  the  theatre  at  popular  prices.  And 


you  probably  know  that  this  picture  has 
been  running  at  the  Astor  theatre.  New 
York,  since  November,  1925. 

And  to  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
should  probably  go  the  honors  for 
breaking  another  record;  for  prob- 
ably never  before  have  so  many 
members  of  one  family  acted  in  a 
picture  as  is  happening  in  “Love- 
lorn.” There  are  six  members  of 
the  Noonan  family  working  in  the 
picture.  Sallie  O’Neil  and  Mol  lie 
O’Day,  the  two  best  known  mem- 
bers of  the  Noonan  family,  take 
the  leading  feminine  roles  in  the 
picture,  and  are  sisters  in  the  play 
as  well  as  in  life.  The  cast  in- 
cludes Allan  Forrest,  George 
Cooper,  Larry  Kent,  Kate  Price 
and  Mathilde  Comont,  and  John 
P.  McCarthy  is  directing. 

Renee  Adoree,  Ralph  Forbes 
and  the  unit  making  “Rose  Marie” 
are  on  location  in  the  Sierras 
making  the  outdoor  scenes  for  the 
picture.  Princess  Neola,  who  has 
depicted  many  Indian  parts  on  the 
screen,  has  been  added  to  the  cast. 
Rights  to  the  music  from  the  play 
have  been  purchased  and  will  be 
interpolated  into  a special  musical 
score  for  the  picture. 

Louise  Lorraine  has  been  added  to  the 
cast  of  “Baby  Mine,”  and  will  play  the 
part  of  Helen.  This  will  be  the  second 
co-starring  picture  of  George  K.  Arthur 
and  Karl  Dane,  the  first  being  “Rookies.” 
Their  third  picture  will  be  “Olga  From 
the  Volga.” 

Tim  McCoy’s  latest  picture,  first  titled 
“Yankee  Pluck,”  has  been  changed  to  “The 
Adventurer. 

Columbia  Stars 
Ricardo  Cortez 

Columbia  has  just  announced  that  a 
mystery  story  has  been  chosen  as  the  star- 
ring vehicle  for  Ricardo  Cortez.  It  will 
be  called  “By  Whose  Hand?”  and  goes 
into  production  this  week.  Cortez  will 
play  the  part  of  a society  detective,  and 
the  story  is  said  to  contain  a great  deal 
of  suspense  with  every  character  in  the 
story  falling  under  the  shadow  of  suspicion 
before  the  guilty  person  is  discovered. 

Columbia  has  already  completed 
its  first  three  pictures  on  its 
schedule  of  “Perfect  Thirties.”' 
“The  Blood  Ship,”  which  was  the 
first  was  released  generally  on 
Aug.  10  after  a successful  pre-re- 
lease showing  at  the  Roxy  theatre. 
The  other  two  already  completed 
are  “Sally  in  Our  Alley,”  starring 
Shirley  Mason,  and  “Alais  the 
Lone  Wolf,”  starring  Bert  Lytell. 
They  will  be  released  soon. 

Columbia  has  added  Harold  Schumate 
to  its  scenario  department,  being  the  third 
writer  added  to  Columbia’s  staff  of  writers 
recently.  Schumate  has  been  connected 
with  the  industry  for  a number  of  years 
and  has  produced  stories  for  many  of  the 
leading  producers. 

Warners’  Has  Five 
Companies  at  Work 

With  five  companies  at  work,  Warner 
Brothers’  studios  are  humming  with  activ- 
it}''.  The  pictures  in  production  are,  “Sailor 
Izzy  Murphy,”  “A  Dog  of  the  Regiments,” 
“The  College  Widow,”  “Roulette”  and  “The 
Jazz  Singer.” 

The  entire  production  staff  stopped 
work  one  day  last  week  to  hear  A1  Jolson 
sing  for  the  sequences  in  “The  Jazz 
Singer,”  which  is  to  bring  the  Vitaphone 


into  the  dramatic  action  of  a feature  for 
the  first  time. 

Dolores  Costello  has  William 
Collier,  Jr.,  as  her  leading  man  in 
“The  College  Widow,”  her  first 
light  comedy  picture  for  Warners. 

It  is  the  picturization  of  George 
Ade’s  famous  stage  play.  Archie 
Mayo  is  directing  the  picture,  and 
Paul  Schofield  and  Peter  Milne 
did  the  work  on  the  scenario. 

Howard  Bretherton  has  been 
chosen  by  Warners  to  direct  Irene 
Rich  in  her  next  picture,  tenta- 
tively titled  “The  Silver  Slave.” 
John  Adolfi  had  previously  been 
announced  as  the  director.  Audrey 
Ferris  will  have  an  important 
part  in  the  picture. 

This  young  lady  is  being  kept  pretty 
busy  by  Warners.  She  is  also  cast  in 
“Sailor  Izzy  Murphy”  with  George  Jessel. 
Other  actors  in  this  picture  are  Clara 
Horton,  John  Miljan  and  Theodore  Lorch. 
Henry  Lehrman  is  directing. 

It  is  too  bad  that  Ralph  Graves  is  not 
a female  impersonator,  for  then  he  could 
be  just  about  the  whole  show  in  “Roulette.” 
Graves’  contribution  to  the  picture  is 
author,  director,  and  male  lead.  Since  he 
can’t  do  impersonations.  May  McAvoy  will 
play  opposite  him. 

Gotham  Picture  Plays 
at  N.  Y.  Hippodrome 

The  New  York  premiere  of  “The  Satin 
Woman,”  a Gotham  picture  starring  Mrs. 
Wallace  Reid,  was  given  the  Hippodrome 
commencing  August  8.  The  picture  has 
opened  at  the  Granada  theatre  in  Chicago 
and  will  then  play  the  other  Marks  Broth- 
ers’ theatre,  the  Marbro. 

This  is  the  first  of  two  pictures 
that  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid  is  making 
for  Gotham.  The  second  is  called 
“Hell  Ship  Bronson.”  The  first 
picture  was  written  by  Walter  Lang 
who  wrote  “The  Earth  Woman” 
and  “The  Red  Kimono,”  two  pre- 
vious pictures  produced  by  Mrs. 
Reid. 

Vincent  Padula  has  been  appointed  tech- 
nical director  for  “The  Girl  from  Rio,” 
which  is  now  in  production  under  the  di- 
rection of  Tom  Terriss  with  Carmel  Myers 
in  the  title  role. 

Tiffany  Completes 
Seven  Color  Films 

Tiffany  Productions  announces  that 
seven  of  its  scheduled  24  “Color  Classics,” 
photographed  in  natural  colors  for  release 
during  the  coming  year,  are  now  completed. 
They  are,  “King  of  Sports,”  “Memories,” 
“Love  in  the  Jungle,”  “Scar  Face,”  “The 
Man  Who  Married  the  Moon,”  “Me  and 
My  Pal”  and  “Footing  the  Bill.”  They  are 
all  now  in  the  course  of  editing  and  titling. 

M.  H.  Hoffman,  vicepresident  and 
general  manager  of  Tiffany  produc- 
tions, has  arrived  in  Hollywood 
where  preparations  are  under  way 
for  the  filming  of  the  first  produc- 
tion to  be  photographed  with  the 
third  dimension  camera,  the  inven- 
tion of  Emil  and  Jacques  Burkhardt 
of  Switzerland.  The  titles  of  the 
pictures  will  be  announced  later. 

The  cast  for  Tiffany’s  picturization  of 
Zane  Grey’s  story,  “Lightning,”  includes 
Jobyna  Ralston,  Margaret  Livingston,  Rob- 
ert Frazer,  Pat  Harmon,  “Bull”  Montana 
and  others.  Many  scenes  of  this  picture 
have  already  been  shot  in  the  Mojave  des- 
ert. The  picture  is  expected  to  be  re- 
leased early  in  August. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


fTHE  THEATRE! 

Q.^JJ)epartment  of  Practical  Showmanship  ^ 


IF  YOU  WERE  A PATRON,  WOULD  YOU 
READ  YOUR  OWN  HOUSE  ORGAN? 


Put  These  in  Your 
House  Organ 


Our  Ushers  Enjoy 
Rendering  Service 

Did  you  ever  lose  an  article  in  a theatre 
and  fail  to  recover  it?  It  is  annoying  to 
lose  something  even  if  it  has  little  value. 
If  you  lose  anything  in  this  theatre,  just 
call  an  usher  and  he  will  find  it  for  you 
in  a moment.  We  wish  our  patrons  to 
remember  that  our  ushers  are  ready  to 
serve  you  in  every  possible  way.  They  have 
been  trained  to  meet  every  emergency,  and 
their  service  to  you  does  not  end  when 
they  show  you  to  a seat.  That  is  just 
the  beginning  of  their  service.  At  times 
you  may  wish  to  learn  the  name  of  a song 
you  hear  in  this  theatre,  or  perhaps,  the 
names  of  actors  in  pictures  when  you  fail 
to  catch  their  names  in  the  casts.  Just  ask 
the  head  usher,  and  you  will  receive  the 
information  at  once. 

Our  ushers  are  glad  to  render  any  serv- 
ice you  may  wish.  You  can  rely  upon 
them  at  any  time. 

* * * 

Our  Matinees  Make 
Shopping  a Pleasure 

Do  you  come  home  in  the  evening  after 
a shopping  tour  all  worn  out  and  in  a bad 
humor?  If  you  do,  you’ll  find  that  our 
matinees  are  the  best  prescriptions  for  this 
that  you  can  find.  Hundreds  of  women 
make  their  shopping  a pleasure  by  inter- 
spering  it  with  a visit  to  our  matinees. 

Arrange  your  time  so  that  you  can  in- 
clude our  matinee  in  your  shopping  ex- 
pedition. You  have  no  idea  how  pleasant 
it  will  make  your  day.  It  will  rest  you 
and  prove  wonderful  enjoyment,  and  when 
you  get  home  at  night,  you’ll  be  able  to 
greet  your  husband  with  a smile. 

We  want  you  to  make  our  theatre  your 
headquarters  when  you  are  shopping.  When 
you  plan  to  meet  friends  downtown,  just 
tell  them  to  “meet  you  at  the  theatre.” 


Money  Making  Ideas 

In  the  face  of  the  strongest  competition 
the  Grand  theatre,  Atlanta,  Ga.,  had  ever 
had,  the  theatre  put  over  “Tillie  the  Toiler,” 
the  M-G-M  picture,  with  record  business. 
A “breakfast  matinee”  was  given  to  500 
stenographers  at  six  thirty  in  the  morning, 
and  then  the  girls  were  treated  to  a break- 
fast at  the  Ansley  Hotel,  and  a bus  ride 
to  their  offices.  The  stunt  won  a great  deal 
of  newspaper  publicity  and  put  over  the 
picture. 


Stooffaplj  »«W8  ilctos 


q WHAT  SCREEN  FAME  MEANS 


/yfrHEWSPAPU 

oj<*FILMPOM 


fttginald  Dcuoy  in  “Tilt  ClecHnl  Frewf” 
Ettb«r  RaliloQ  is  “Fubiooi  i«  Wobcs'’ 
And  Othn  Big  Fntare*  on  SUtad'*  liii 


“EfeniBg  Clotltf*,”  “Marriage  ClanM” 
and  “Bliod  AlEeyt,’*  AD  New  Pletoreh 
Are  On  Tie  New  Tbeatre’i  Progra 


THE  GREAT  GATSBY 


The  UnknowD  Soldier 


theamerican  boot 

SHOE  REPAIRING  Co. 


Here  are  two  good  examples  of  house  organs.  The  one  on  the  left  comes 
from  England,  published  by  the  Biograph  theatre,  Victoria.  The  other,  which 
resembles  the  make-up  of  the  Film  Daily,  comes  from  the  New  and  Strand 
theatres,  Staunton,  Va. 


Recently  an  exhibitor  told  US 
that  he  had  discontinued  his  house 
organ.  “It  was  just  a waste  of 
money”  he  told  us.  “My  patrons  threw 
them  away  before  they  got  out  of  the 
theatre,  and  our  janitor  was  overworked 
sweeping  them  up.” 

When  we  took  a look  at  the  house  organs 
that  he  had  been  using,  we  readily  under- 
stood why  his  patrons  threw  them  away 
unread.  There  was  nothing  in  them  worth 
reading. 

The  two  house  organs  reproduced  on 
this  page  show  how  interesting  house 
organs  can  be  made.  The  one  on  the  right 
is  published  by  the  New  and  Strand  the- 
atres of  Staunton,  W.  Va.,  and  the  other 
liy  the  Biograph  theatre,  Victoria,  Eng- 
land. 

The  first.  The  Theatre  Weekly,  is  of 
special  interest  because  its  first  page  is 
modeled  on  the  make-up  of  the  Film 
Daily.  No  patron  will  throw  either  of  these 
papers  down  without  reading  them.  They 
are  newsy,  attractive  and  contain  good 
editorial  matter  that  makes  interesting 
reading. 

The  Theatre  Weekly  is  made  doubly  at- 
tractive by  using  a number  of  good  pic- 


tures. Pictures  are  one  of  the  best  means 
of  attracting  attention,  and  enticing  patrons 
to  read  the  organ.  Everyone  likes  to  look 
at  pictures. 

The  Biograph  Weekly  News  makes  it 
appeal  to  patrons  with  fresh,  pithy  editori- 
als. A department  in  it  called  “Answers 
to  Correspondents”  is  especially  good.  In 
it  you  will  find  such  as  this : “Sorry  we 
can’t  put  on  a film  study  of  centipedes. 
It  would  mean  far  too  many  feet  for  our 
program;”  “You  say  you  often  pass  our 
theatre.  Why?”;  “One  advantage  of 
modern  girls’  frocks  is  that  no  moth  can 
possibly  hide  in  them.”  The  organ  con- 
tains news  about  actors,  stories  about  the 
films  that  are  to  be  shown  by  the  theatre 
and  other  interesing  editorials. 

If  your  patrons  do  not  read  your  house 
organs,  there  is  something  wrong  with  the 
house  organ,  not  with  the  patrons.  Look 
over  your  old  copies  and  see  if  you  would 
be  interested  in  them.  Ask  yourself  these 
questions:  Would  I read  them  if  I were  a 
patron?  Are  they  unusual  and  attractive? 
Am  I using  enough  pictures  to  attract  the 
eye?  Are  my  headlines  snappy  and  attrac- 
tive? Is  there  any  local  news  of  interest 
in  them? 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


THESE  LOBBY  DISPLAYS  FILL  SEATS 


Lobby  for  "Yankee  Clipper,”  a P D C Feature 


If  a lobby  display  like  the  one  above  would  not  make  patrons 
want  to  see  “Yankee  Clippers,”  wbat  would?'  We  call  this  a 
wonderful  lobby  display  and  a perfect  tie-up.  It  was  prepared 
by  Ralph  Wood,  lobby  exploiter  for  the  Circle  theatre,  Port- 
land, Ore.  Here  is  the  letter  from  iUr.  Hamburger  of  the 
Circle,  telling  all  about  the  display. 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

We  are  sending  you  under  separate  cover  a lobby  dis- 
play photo  on  the  "Yankee  Clipper.” 

In  connection  with  this  display  we  held  a boat  build- 
ing contest  for  boys  up  to  16  years,  offering  $50  in 
prizes.  The  stunt  went  over  big,  there  being  nearly  one 
hundred  boats  entered.  The  most  attractive  were  used 
in  the  lobby  for  display.  The  idea  was  carried  out  by 
Ralph  Wood,  lobby  exploiter  of  the  Circle  theatre. 

Yours  truly, 

THE  CIRCLE  THEATRE  CO. 

F.  M.  HAMBURGER, 


Lobby  for  "Magic  Garden,”  F B O Feature 


Here  is  another  lobby  display  that  harmonizes  with  the 
picture  splendidly.  It  was  designed  and  built  by  E.  B.  Cum- 
mings of  the  Grand  theatre.  Mineral  Wells,  Tex.  Mr.  Cummings’ 
letter  follows: 

Editor.  THE  THEATRE, 

Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

I am  sending  under  separate  cover  a photograph  of  a 
lobby  display  I built  myself  for  the  Grand  theatre.  Min- 
eral Wells,  Tex.,  which  if  you  will,  would  be  glad  to 
have  reproduced  in  your  Exhibitors  Herald.  The  in- 
side of  the  lobby  was  decorated  in  keeping  with  the  pic- 
ture the  theatre  was  presenting.  Gene  Stratton  Porter’s 
"Magic  Garden,”  but  we  were  unable  to  get  the  outside 
of  lobby  display  and  the  inside  at  the  same  time. 

Yours  very  truly, 

E.  B.  CUMMINGS, 
GRAND  THEATRE. 


People  crowded  the  lobby  of  the  Capitol  theatre, 
Houston,  Tex.,  just  to  look  at  this  pair  of  trousers.  But 
then  they  were  not  just  ordinary  pants,  but  were  the 
"White  pants  worn  by  Johnny  Hines  while  filming 
‘White  Pants  Willie’  for  the  Capitol  theatre,  July 
23-30,”  the  card  at  the  bottom  of  the  frame  says. 

This  is  indeed  a simple  lobby  display,  yet  it  attracted  the 
people  of  Houston.  There  never  was  a picture  produced  that 
did  not  have  some  exploitation  angle  to  it.  A little  thinking 
on  the  exhibitor’s  part,  and  a little  work  will  produce  a lobby 
display  which  will  draw  people  right  into  the  theatre. 

It  is  not  always  the  elaborate  displays  that  have  the  most 
appeal.  Very  often  a simple  display  that  required  practically 
no  work  will  produce  wonderful  results  at  the  box  office.  This 
does  not  mean,  however,  that  elaborate  displays  do  not  pay. 
As  a general  rule,  the  more  time  and  effort  spent  on  a display, 
the  greater  the  results. 


It  took  several  days  to  make  this  lobby  display  but 
the  results  were  worth  the  effort  when  the  Strand  thea- 
tre, Nashville,  Tenn.,  ran  First  National’s  picture, 
"Somewhere  in  Sonora,”  featuring  Ken  Maynard. 

Every  lobby  display  pictured  on  this  page  pulled  the  business 
for  the  theatre.  Each  took  a little  brain  work  and  elbow  grease, 
yes,  but  results  are  what  count!  If  people  have  been  passing  your 
theatre  by,  get  out  your  paint  brush  and  hammer. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


NEWSPAPER  AID  PUTS  OVER  SERIAL 


When  Local  Daily  Makes  Children 
Guests  at  First  Chapter  of 
Serial,  800  Attend 

WHEN  Sol  Samuels,  manager  of  the  Rialto  theatre, 
Orlando,  Fla.,  recently  started  the  Universal 
serial,  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  he  employed 
a newspaper  tieup  which  opened  the  serial  with  a bang. 
Eight  hundred  children  saw  the  first  performance. 

The  tie-up  was  made  with  the  Evening  Reporter-Star. 
The  newspaper  advertised  that  every  boy  and  girl  under 
the  age  of  15  would  be  the  guests  of  the  paper  at  the 
matinee  showing  of  the  first  chapter  of  the  serial.  A 
coupon  run  in  newspaper  ads  admitted  the  children  to 
the  theatre. 

First  page  stories  were  run  in  the  paper  for  several 
days  prior  to  the  opening,  together  with  four-column  ads 
announcing  the  free  matinee.  In  these  stories  excellent 
publicity  was  given  the  serial. 

The  ads  instructed  the  children  to  meet  at  the  Reporter-Star 
building  at  10:15  on  the  morning  of  the  matinee,  and  to  march  in 
a body  to  the  theatre. 

Long  before  nine  o’clock  the  youngsters  began  to  arrive,  each 
clutching  a coupon  cut  out  of  the  paper.  Just  when  the  street 
was  crowded  to  the  curbs,  despite  a scourching  sun,  a truck  ar- 
rived from  the  theatre  bringing  banners  for  the  children  to  carry 
in  the  parade.  The  truck  also  bore  two  mounted  6-sheets  and 
preceded  the  procession  down  the  street  to  the  theatre.  The  pro- 
cession of  children  was  headed  by  the  newsboy  band,  which 
played  in  front  of  the  Reporter-Star  building  and  the  theatre, 
also. 

“This  exploitation  gave  the  serial  a big  send-off,”  declared 
Samuels.  “It  kept  the  serial  before  the  public  for  almost  a week, 
and  the  parade  from  the  newspaper  building  to  the  theatre  at- 
tracted an  enormous  amount  of  attention.” 

Such  exploitation  is  good  from  many  angles,  and  it  is  especially 
good  for  serials.  The  important  factor  in  running  serials,  of 
course,  is  to  get  as  many  people  as  possible  to  see  the  first 
chapter,  and  it  appealed  to  the  very  class  that  enjoys  serials 
most  which  is  children.  * 

And  any  exploitation  such  as  this  creates  good  will,  and  the 
good  will  of  children  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  things  a the- 
atre can  have.  If  children  like  your  theatre,  it  usually  holds 
true  that  their  parents  do  also. 

In  this  exploitation  stunt,  the  newspaper  derived  as  much 
benefit  as  did  the  theatre,  which  of  course  made  the  exploitation 
all  the  more  successful.  The  next  time  Samuels  plans  a news- 
paper tie-up,  he  will  probably  have  little  trouble  in  getting  the 
newspaper’s  co-operation. 

It  is  usually  true  that  the  more  people  an  exploitation  benefits, 
the  more  successful  it  will  prove  to  the  theatre.  Everyone  is 
constantly  hearing  some  exploitation  man  say  that  he  can’t  get 
the  co-operation  of  the  newspapers  in  his  town,  that  the  papers 
will  never  give  him  a break.  When  you  hear  that,  you  can  usually 
be  safe  in  saying  that  the  man  is  a poor  publicity  man.  He  is 


I FREE! 

I Moving’^  Plettire  Show 


For  All  Children 

Under  IS  Years  (>f  Age 


VI ROUGH  the  co-operation  of  Manager 
Snniuels  of  the  Kiallo  theater,  the  Re- 
porter-Star will  next  Tuesday  give  a free 
matinee  of  the  great  serial  picture 
“Whis-pering  Smith  Rides,”  one  of  the 
most  thrilling  pictures  ever  seen  on  tlie  local  screen. 


Clip  the  coupon  Ijclow,  come  to  the  Reporter-Star 
next  Tuesday  inorninv;  hotween  ten  and  ten-fifteen 
o’clock.  Keep  vour  cou|)o-i  and  •.-■Iuav  it  at  the  door  of 
the  theater.  The  crowd  will  march  to  the  theater  in 
a body.  All  those  who  c innoL  be  adiiiillcd  (the 
theater  holds  850)  for  the  fii  -.X  show  will  he  admitted 
to  the  second. 

Every  boy  and  girl  in  or  near  Orlando  i.s  invited  to  bo 
the  Report  .’V-Star’s  guest  for  this  groat  and  thrilling 
picture. 


EH. 


COUPON 

'I  his  rnlUlfa  tliff  liolilcr  (n  adniissimi 
Tiipsday  morning,  July  l'.)lh.  lo  Hjv.- 
thniling  moving  picture  ''VVlii.spcriivg 
llrpith  Rides.”  ’ 

lie  at  Reporter-Star  office' not  later 
timn  1(1:15  Tuesday  nioniiiif. 


Several  ads  similar  to  this  were  used  to  announce  the 
free  showing  of  the  serial,  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,” 
by  the  Reporter-Star.  The  coupon  admitted  the  chil- 
dren to  the  matinee. 


looking  for  a break,  rather  than  offering  the  newspaper  some 
means  of  helping  itself  as  well  as  the  theatre. 

One  of  the  best  ways  to  get  newspaper  co-operation  is  to  plan 
exploitations  that  will  increase  the  paper’s  circulation  at  the  same 
time  that  it  helps  the  theatre.  The  exploitation  above  is  a good 
example  of  this.  No  one  was  admitted  unless  he  had  a clipping 
out  of  the  newspaper.  That  meant  that  at  least  800  children 
bought  newspapers. 

Nor  will  any  paper  turn  a deaf  ear  to  your  exploitation  if  it 
contains  an  element  of  real  news.  If  you  have  real  news  to  offer 
them,  they’ll  grab  at  it. 

So  it  is  a good  idea  when  you  are  planning  a newspaper  tie-up 
to  keep  this  in  mind  always,  and  ask  this  question  of  yourself : 
“Will  this  stunt  help  the  newspapers  as  much  as  it  will  my  the- 
atre?” If  it  doesn’t  then  plan  it  so  it  will,  and  you  will  get  the 
co-operation  you  want  from  the  newspapers. 


When  the  Evening  Reporter-Star  of  Orlando,  Fla.,  made  the  children  of  the  city  guests  at  the  showing  of  the  first  chapter  of 
Universal’s  serial,  “Whispering  Smith  Rides,”  being  shown  at  the  Rialto  theatre,  more  than  800  children  attended.  The 
photos  show  the  children  who  paraded  from  the  newspaper  building  to  the  theatre. 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


He  Agrees  With  Mr.  Hearst 

NOTTINGHAM,  ENG.— To  the  Editor  ; 
I noticed  in  your  issue  dated  July  23  that 
Mr.  Hearst  considers  that  “Producers’ 
troubles  are  due  in  great  measure  to  start- 
ing with  a poor  story  

Mr.  Hearst  certainly  touches  the  sore 
spot  not  only  of  the  producers,  but  of  all 
who  have  to  view  the  futile  piffle  that  well 
known  cinema  stars  have  to  try  and  make 
into  entertainment. 

Cannot  the  blame  for  so  many  idiotic 
stories  being  filmed  be  traced  to  its  source? 

I suppose  the  big  producing  firms  employ 
a “Reader?”  If  this  is  so,  it  stands  to  com- 
mon sense  that  this  “Reader”  must,  in  the 
first  place,  be  a showman  or  woman,  other- 
wise he  or  she  cannot  have  any  conception 
as  to  what  story  will,  when  filmed,  make  a 
box  office  attraction,  and  entertainment  is, 
after  all,  what  everyone  in  this  business 
should  be  trying  to  deliver. 

Nothing  good  can  be  made  with  poor 
material.  This  is  common  knowledge  in 
all  businesses,  except,  seemingly,  film  pro- 
ducing. 

With  so  many  tiptop  stories  available,  it 
should  not  be  a difficult  matter  for  “Mr. 
Reader”  (if  he  is  a showman)  to  say  to 
himself,  after  he  has  read  a story,  “Now 
that  will  make  a fine  film.  There’s  plenty 
of  action,  the  settings  and  costumes  will 
not  be  too  costly;  there’s  a nice  love  inter- 
est and  a fine  climax.  Yes,  I’ll  recommend 
this  to  the  boss.”  This  is  pure  supposition, 
as  we  exhibitors  well  know,  for  in  the  ma- 
jority of  cases  the  office  boy  must  have 
stuck  a pin  in  a free  library  catalogue,  and 
the  result  is  “another  movie.” 

The  casting  director  must,  and  obviously 
does  know  when  he’s  got  a lemon  to  cast 
for,  because  he  picks  his  best  men  and 
women  in  the  hopes  that  their  excellent 
acting  will  “get  it  over.” 

Poor  actors  and  actresses,  they  have  to 
“walk  through”  a story  devoid  of  any  plot 
and  wait  for  the  producer  to  say,  “It  is 
finished,”  but  unfortunately,  it  is  not  fin- 
ished. It  will  be  sold  to  many  inoffensive 
and  unsuspecting  exhibitors  as  one  of  the 
wonderful  600  (Group  60,  or  Hill  60)  or 
whatever  high-sounding  name  the  company 
may  wish  to  call  that  particular  year’s 
product,  and  everyone  directly  concerned 
with  this  clock-stopping  picture  suffers  to 
some  extent. 

Why  do  they  keep  on  making  them?  If 
they  persist  in  making  these  terrible  efforts, 
then  the  boss  of  the  concern  should  fire 
everyone  who  has  had  anything  to  do  with 
the  choosing  of  the  story. 

I’m  a big  reader  myself,  and  I think  that 
after  15  successful  years  as  an  exhibitor,  I 
may  be  allowed  to  call  myself  a showman. 
Be  that  as  it  may,  I am  quite  assured  that 
I could  make  a better  job  of  choosing 
screenable  stories  than  some  of  those  who 
are  being  paid  (or  perhaps  they  are  not 
paid?)  for  this  vital  service. 

I cannot  imagine  it  possible  for  a director 
of  repute  to  spoil  a good,  filmable  story. 
No  director  on  this  earth  or  anywhere  else 
can  film  dialogue.  Clever  sayings  and  smart 
reparatee  will  not  film.  There  MUST  be 
action  of  some  kind  to  please  the  audiences 
of  today.  That’s  the  secret  of  the  success 
of  the  Western. 

Let  some  producing  firm’s  “Reader”  read 


a book  entitled  “The  Enchanted  Canyon” 
(no,  it  is  not  a Western),  by  Honore  Will- 
sie,  and  he’ll  find  that  he  has  read  an  ex- 
cellent story,  one  that  will  undoubtedly 
make  a fine  picture,  and  if  he  (the  Reader) 
lives  in  the  U.  S.  A.  he  will  be  able  to  find 
ready  made  settings  for  most  of  this  beauti- 
ful story.  The  above  named  story  is  only 
one  of  hundreds,  and  I have  not  seen  it 
listed  in  any  of  the  new  product  to  come. 

I sincerely  hope  that  at  least  one  pro- 
ducer will  heed  what  I have  written,  for 
here  in  England  we  are  suffering  from  a 
dearth  of  good  pictures,  pictures  that  carry 
a heart  punch,  either  literal  or  by  means 
of  story  strength.  We  are  all  tired  to  death 
of  the  eternal  cabaret  jazz  rubbish  dragged 
into  most  stories  to  give  an  impression  of 
lavishness  to  the  finished  picture,  when 
these  scenes,  actually,  only  lengthen  the 
film  and  make  it  more  costly. 

Trusting  I have  not  bored  you  with  this 
wordy  epistle,  I remain. — J.  L.  Harriman, 
New  Empress  Cinema  Theatre  Company, 
Ltd.,  Nottingham,  England. 


Read  This,  Mr.  Hays 

LITTLEFIELD,  TEX. — To  the  Editor: 
I do  not  report  on  pictures  as  a general 
thing,  but  I do  think  that  this  department 
is  a great  benefit  to  exhibitors  generally. 
But  sometimes  I think  that  instead  of  this 
department  being  headed  “What  the  Pic- 
ture Did  for  Me”  it  should  be  headed 
“What  the  Picture  Did  to  Me.” 

You  can  say  what  you  please,  the  picture 
business  is  slipping  in  the  small  town  where 
it  should  be  gaining,  and  for  just  one  rea- 
son : The  rottenness  of  the  present-day 
pictures. 

What  in  hell  is  the  matter  with  Holly- 
wood? Are  the  producers  blind  that  they 
can  see  no  farther  than  city  limits  of  one 
town.  You  can’t  run  a picture  any  more 
without  somewhere  in  it  there  is  some  vul- 
garity showing  up. 

I will  modify  that  statement  a little,  how- 
ever. Once  in  a while  you  can  go  into  the 
lobby  and  shake  your  neighbor’s  hand  and 
not  be  ashamed.  For  instance : Did  you 
ever  see  any  vulgar  spot  in  Mary  Pick- 
ford’s  pictures,  or  Doug’s?  And  it  is  only 
fair  to  say  that  there  are  some  others.  I 
don’t  blame  the  actors.  They  have  to  do 
it  to  earn  their  ten  thousand  a week,  but 
what  are  the  directors  and  heads  think- 
ing of? 

I was  in  New  York  City  when  the  Sa- 
lome dance  first  hit  Broadway  and  it 
looked  as  though  the  producers  tried  to  see 
how  near  they  could  come  to  putting  a 
naked  woman  on  the  stage.  And  they  did 
not  miss  it  far,  but,  even  New  York,  the 
city  without  morals,  had  to  stop  it,  and  now 
it  looks  as  though  the  producers  were  try- 
ing to  see  how  much  vulgarity  they  can 
put  into  pictures  before  the  whole  damn 
thing  blows  up. 

I am  not  going  to  name  any  pictures.  I 
don’t  have  to.  There  are  plenty  of  them. 
But  I ran  a picture  the  other  day  that  was 
clean  and  with  a good  lesson,  but  for  one 
thing.  A little  boy  wanted  a piece  of  paper 
to  use  on  a comb  and  the  director  had  to 
have  him  pick  up  a roll  of  toilet  paper  to 
get  it.  Nothing  else  would  do.  What  for? 
Why  spoil  a clean  picture  with  10  yards  of 
filthy  film? 

Mr.  Hays,  I don’t  know  if  you  ever  read 
this  column  or  not,  but  if  you  do,  you  will 
remember  when  you  took  your  present  job 
the  newspapers  shouted  to  the  world  that 
you  were  going  to  clean  up  the  rottenness 
in  pictures  and  save  the  industry.  And  I 
will  say  that  you  did  do  wonders,  but,  you 
know,  every  man  is  working  to  one  end, 
and  that  is  to  get  things  so  fixed  that  he 
can  go  fishing ; and  I am  beginning  to  think 
that  you  have  gone  fishing  while  we  little 
fellows  in  the  sticks  are  getting  ready  to 
hunt  for  a job  to  make  a living. 

I have  had  to  buck  one  church  meeting 


after  another  for  two  months  and  my  busi- 
ness has  been  cut  in  half.  I have  had  min- 
isters call  on  me  to  see  if  there  was  any 
way  for  me  to  get  cleaner  pictures,  and  I 
showed  them  how  we  were  forced  to  buy 
our  pictures  in  blocks — we  had  no  choice 
in  the  matter.  And  what  small  town  ex- 
hibitor can  afford  to  pay  for  pictures  and 
not  use  them,  and  how  many  know  what 
is  going  to  appear  in  a picture  before  it  is 
on  the  screen  for  the  public  to  see. 

Personally,  I don’t  mind  seeing  pretty 
ladies  in  bed  or  in  the  bathtubs  or  in  night- 
gowns, but  how  am  I going  to  put  it  down 
the  throats  of  God-fearing  people  that  go 
to  make  up  the  population  of  a small  town 
such  as  this  and  thousands  of  others  that 
go^  to  make  up  this  wonderful  country  we 
enjoy  so  much? — Max  L.  McClure,  Little- 
field, Tex. 


A Word  on  Film  Boards 

MACOMB,  ILL. — To  the  Editor:  In  an 
article  I wrote,  published  in  the  July  30 
issue,  I asked  why  exchanges  had  to  pay 
six  or  eight  hundred  dollars  per  month 
rent.  You  printed  it  sixty  or  eighty  dollars 
per  month.  I still  want  to  know  why  it  is 
necessary  for  an  exchange  to  pay  six  or 
eight  hundred  dollars  per  month  rent. 

Just  one  more  thing,  then  I am  going  to 
quit : Would  like  to  have  somebody  ex- 
plain to  me  if  they  have  ever  known  an 
exhibitor  who  got  a fair  decision  from  the 
Film  Board,  Chicago  board,  I mean? 

Even  the  exhibitors  who  sit  on  that 
board  are  afraid  to  give  another  exhibitor 
a square  deal,  because  they  are  afraid  they 
will  have  a case  on  the  Film  Board  some- 
time. (Then  they  shoot  men  like  Lincoln.) 

The  exhibitor  will  have  this  same  trouble 
as  long  as  he  books  pictures  in  blocks. 
When  an  exhibitor  buys  shoes,  he  doesn’t 
buy  the  whole  shoe  store ; when  he  buys 
groceries  he  doesn’t  buy  the  whole  store — 
why  should  he  buy  all  any  producer  makes 
in  order  to  get  three  or  four  pictures  that 
he  thinks  will  make  him  money?  He  books 
three  or  four  different  producers’  product 
and  gets  overloaded.  Up  before  the  Film 
Board  you  go.  Then  they  laugh,  and  say, 
“Well,  you  had  no  business  buying  our 
pictures  if  you  could  not  play  them.” 

I will  give  any  exhibitor  five  hundred 
dollars  that  will  book  a block  of  pictures  in 
any  town  of  from  six  to  eight  thousand 
where  he  has  opyposition,  set  the  dates  on 
that  block,  and  leave  the  dates  set  as  he 
set  them  at  first  and  not  change  them.  It 
can’t  be  done  and  that’s  where  you  get  in 
bad.  Remember  the  Film  Board  has  no 
mercy,  they  are  part  of  the  Hon.  Will 
Hays’  organization,  and  believe  me  he  has 
some  standing  at  Washington.  If  you  don’t 
believe  it,  get  in  bad  with  Film  Board  some- 
time. Write  Mr.  Hays  or  any  of  the 
federal  people  and  see  how  far  you  get. 
They  simply  laugh  at  you. 

Until  the  exhibitor  wakes  up  and  stops 
his  block  booking,  stops  paying  high 
prices  for  film  rental ; and  producers  stop 
paying  high  salaries  to  stars  and  a lot  of 
relations  and  guys  who  do  not  know  a 
picture  from  a hand  organ,  and  creating 

jobs  that  don’t  amount  to  a tinker’s  d 

as  far  as  helping  anybody  is  concerned, 
things  will  be  the  same. 

I want  to  ask  one  more  question,  then 
I am  through.  If  the  Flm  Board  of  Trade 
is  not  a trust,  then  what  is  it?  Some- 
body answer  me — for  producers  I mean. 
And  what  does  the  federal  law  of  United 
States  say  in  regard  to  a trust?  But  does 
the  fool  exhibitor  try  to  get  that  law  en- 
forced? And  he  never  will  as  long  as  Will 
Hays  is  at  the  head  of  producers.  Now 
somebody  answer  this  question  for  me.  I 
really  want  to  know. 

That’s  all ! — H.  B.  Frank,  Macomb,  111. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


On  Tour  With  H.  E.  N.  in  Maine 


This  is  the  exhibitor 
that  made  Peaks 
Island  famous.  Meet 
Leo  F.  O’Brien, 
owner  of  the  Gem 
theatre  there  and  an 
old-timer  in  Maine 
exhibiting  circles. 
When  in  Maine  just 
ask  for  O’Brien  — 
ask  anyone. 


Here’s  a hustler, 
G.  I.  McIntosh, 
who  manages  the 
Bijou  and  Cen- 
tral Hall  theatres 
at  Lisbon  Falls, 
and  does  it  for 
big-hearted  Joe 
Goodwin,  with 
headquarters  at 
Brunswick. 


H.  O.  Hussey  is 
the  de  b o n a i r e 
gentleman  who 
operates  the  Col- 
onial at  Belfast 
for  Bill  Gray.  A 
good  showman  is 
H.  O. — and  the 
same  kind  of  a 
fellow.  You’ll 
agree  we’re  sure. 


Newell  Ware, 
manager  of  the 
Comique  theatre, 
a Graphic  circuit 
house  at  Camden, 
is  making  the 
heart  of  Sam 
K u r s o n glad 
these  days  with 
cheerful  bank 
statements. 


An  old-timer  from 
Searsport — Capt.  C. 
E.  Greene,  who  runs 
the  Union  Hall  thea- 
tre at  that  place  and 
( just  to  keep  from 
getting  rusty)  dis- 
tributes the  Pontiac 
Six  in  the  Belfast 
territory.  A busy 
man,  eh? 


No,  this  is  not  A1  Boas- 
berg  and  Ben  Turpin, 
but  genial  Harry  L. 
Bossa,  owner  of  the 
Friendship  Playhouse  at 
Friendship,  and  one  of 
his  young  patrons,  who 
bears  a marked  resem- 
blance to  the  Mack  Sen- 
nett  comedian. 


Saul  S.  Hayes  and  his 
son  Alfred,  whom  he  is 
teaching  to  become  a 
big  theatrical  man  like 
himself.  Saul  is  busy 
these  days  superintend- 
ing the  construction  of 
his  beautiful  new  Strand 
theatre  at  Boothbay 
Harbor. 


Two  industrious  young 
boys  with  but  a single 
thought — to  get  more 
money  for  A.  Goodside. 
William  Gallagher 
(left),  manager  of  Good- 
side’s  Colonial  theatre  in 
Portland,  and  Harlan  J. 
Boucher,  manager  of  the 
Empire  in  Portland. 


Big  Bill  O’Brien,  well- 
known  purveyor  of 
Pathe  films  in  Maine, 
shows  Lester  M.  Brag- 
don,  manager  of  the 
Maine  theatre  in  Port- 
land, the  big  line  of 
money-getting  features 
he  has  in  this  year’s 
product. 


All  Photographs  on  This  Page  by  H.  E.  N. 


If  in  Winterport  go 
to  see  W.  G.  Crock- 
ett and  he’ll  present 
ideas  on  portable 
projection  that  sur- 
prised us  and  we’ve 
travelled  some.  W. 
G.  operates  Stock- 
ton  Springs,  Orland 
and  Winterport. 


Lee  E.  Gorman 
who  has  seven 
theatres,  is  build- 
ing a big  house 
in  Portland,  owns 
the  Maine  thea- 
tre Supply  Com- 
pany and  sells 
Ajax  tires!  And 
what  have  you? 


Otis  S.  Page, 
who  you  might 
say  reaches  the 
very  “soles”  of 
the  patrons  of  his 
Lincoln  theatre 
at  Damariscotta, 
for  he  also  runs 
the  leading  shoe 
store  there. 


Russell  L.  Brack- 
ett, owner  of  the 
Surf  Casino  at 
New  Harbor, 
where  fishing  is 
more  a trade  than 
a sport.  But  as  a 
fisherman,  Rus- 
sell is  a good  ex- 
hibitor. 


Yes,  here  is  an  ex- 
hibitor who  has  re- 
ceived the  price 
asked  for  “The  Big 
Parade.”  We  left 
before  E.  N.  Pres- 
cott, owner  of  the 
Prescott  theatre 
circuit,  recovered 
consciousness. 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 


Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


The  Recognized  National  Classified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANISTS — Thoroug-hly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Buren  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 


EXPERIENCED  UNION  PROJECTIONIST 
— Handle  any  equipment.  Experienced  in  repairing 
and  electrical  work.  Can  go  anywhere.  Address 
Luverne  Kelly,  Mitchell,  South  Dakota. 


THEATRE  MANAGER  wants  connection  with 
future.  Experienced  in  all  lines,  straight  pic- 
tures, combination  and  legitimate.  Publicity  ex- 
pert. Good  references  furnished.  Address  Box 
207,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


OPERATOR  AND  ELECTRICIAN  with  ten 
years  experience.  Married.  Wants  steady  job. 
Address  Operator,  920  W.  1st  Street,  Cedar  Falls, 
la. 


EXPERIENCED  PROJECTIONIST  and  repair 
man  desires  connection  with  theatre  or  supply 
house  where  good  work  is  appreciated.  Refer- 
ences on  request.  Address  V.  J.  Groetzinger,  779 
Looney  Avenue,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


VIOLINIST:  Brilliant  tone.  Wife  pianist. 

Pictures  tunefully  cued  with  orchestra  or  as 
team.  Large  Library.  State  salary.  Address 
Violinist,  1435  Clybourn  Avenue,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


House  Manager  Wanted 


HOUSE  MANAGER — Experienced,  under  35; 
circuit  experience  preferred.  For  theatre  of  less 
than  1,500  seats.  To  supervise  personnel,  service, 
cleaning,  mechanical  operation  and  neighborhood 
publicity.  (Booking  and  city  advertising  taken 
care  of.)  Address  “L’’  Theatres,  2621  Vine 
Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Wanted 


AM  LOOKING  FOR  A THEATRE  in  town  any 
size  up  to  20,000,  that  has  been  built  against  op- 
position, and  now  finds  it.self  on  the  wrong  side 
of  the  ledger.  I am  strictly  a small  town  man 
and  can  make  your  place  pay.  I am  big  enough 
to  invest  some  money  if  desired.  Write  me 
fully  what  you  are  up  against.  Will  lease  or 
come  on  .salary.  Address  W.  H.  Brenner,  Win- 
chester, Indiana. 


THEATRE  WANTED  in  good  town  of  3,000  or 
over.  State  proposition  in  first  letter.  We  have 
cash.  Am  ready  to  talk  business.  Address  W. 
A.  Clark,  Jr.  Havana,  Illinois. 


Theatre  For  Sale 


THEATRE  FOR  SALE  in  Dayton,  Ohio.  250 
seats.  Building  rents  for  $50.00  per  month.  Good 
location  and  complete  equipment.  Price  very  rea- 
sonable. Address  John  C.  Stout,  College  Corner, 
Ohio. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS;  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


BANNERS — Hand  Lettered  and  Painted.  Cloth. 
3x10  feet  @ $1.35.  Paper,  3x10,  @ 50c.  Other 
sizes  in  proportion.  Address  L.  R.  Goodwin,  Gen- 
eral Delivery,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


BANNERS  BRING  BIG  BUSINESS— Bargain 
Paper  Banners.  One  day  service,  sent  anywhere. 
Also  Cloth  Banners  3x10  feet,  3 colors,  any  copy 
up  to  15  words,  only  $1.40.  Address  Omaha 
Poster  Exchange,  1206  Farnam  Street,  Omaha, 
Nebr. 


WANTED:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


FOR  SALE:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos, 

Slides,  Banners,  and  other  kinds  of  Accessories 
on  any  subject,  new  or  old — regardless.  Save 
60%.  Write  for  order  blanks  and  price  list.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  & Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post- 
paid. Samples.  Address  Sollidays,  E.  H.,  124, 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HEADS, 8J2XII,  and  100  6)4  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS:  Fac- 
tory rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


ONE  REPRODUCO  PIPE  ORGAN  FOR 
SALE.  Used  two  months.  Like  new,  with  20 
rolls  of  music.  Can  be  played  by  hand  or 
automatic.  Reason  for  selling  just  installed  a 
large  organ.  Terms  third  down,  balance  in  one 
year.  Will  be  glad  to  show  this  organ  to  you. 
Write  Garber  & Bennett,  Rialto  Theatre,  Pekin, 
Illinois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built 
for  a purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best 
of  resuts  and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph 
Spratler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  thea- 
tres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtmn 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
S and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company» 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


WE  ARE  IN  THE  MARKET  for  100  used  pro- 
jectors, any  make,  for  which  we  will  pay  highest 
cash  prices.  Address  Box  199,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis,. 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc.. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


59 


‘What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

*‘What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me**  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me*’  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


FBO 

ARIZONA  STREAK:  Tom  Mix— 25%.  July  30. 
Very  good  little  Western.  I believe  Tom  and  his 
pals  will  make  a hit  here.  Tom  is  liked  already, 
more  than  Thomson.  Five  reels. — Aubrey  Swear- 
ingen, Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  GORILLA  HUNT:  Special  cas1^70%. 
Good  night  nurse ! Here  we  see  our  ancestors  at 
the  old  homestead.  Lucky  thing  we  sprang  off 
that  family  tree  when  we  did  or  we  would  be 
sleeping  with  one  eye  open  and  both  ears  ex- 
tended for  fear  of  lions,  pythons  and  sech — and 
my  ears  stretch  out  far  enough  now,  thank  you. 
Here  is  some  picture.  No  written  book  can  tell 
the  story  of  the  jungle  as  this  film  does.  Mighty 
interesting  in  fact  fascinating.  Best  educational 
— Geographic  to  date.  Book  and  boost.  Five 
reels. — Phillip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. 
— General  patronage. 

A COWBOY  COP:  Tom  Tyler— 75%  August  6. 
Take  no  issue  in  any  talk  that  this  is  not  a 
real  picture.  You  can  spell  Tom’s  Pals  with 
capital  letters  in  this  one.  Frankie  Darro  and 
Beans  are  strong  in  this  one.  It  is  above  some 
of  what  they  have  produced  heretofore.  Five 
reels. — ^Al  Stoddard.  Rex  theatre,  Madisonville, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

MAN  RUSTUNG:  Bob  Custer— 30%  July  22-23. 
Just  a fair  Custer.  A change  from  a real  West- 
ern. Did  not  fit  our  country  patrons  who  want 
reai  fast  action  Westerns.  Would  be  better  as 
a middle-of-the-week  picture  than  on  Saturday. 
Five  reels. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madison- 
ville, Tex. — General  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— 75%. 
August  5.  Not  one  little  thing  wrong  with  this 
picture.  Pleased  all.  Any  exhibitor  who  has  a 
Boy  Scout  troui)e  to  work  on  can  put  it  over  with 
a bang.  The  Scouts  will  eat  it  up.  Six  reels. — 
A1  Stoddard.  Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— 65%. 
Extra  good  program  Western.  The  Boy  Sooute 
cleaning  up  the  villians  brought  down  the  house. 
Kids  cheered  the  roof  off.  Silver  King  as  beauti- 
ful as  ever.  People  come  just  to  see  this  horse. 
Will  go  on  any  day.  Book  it. — Philip  Rand. 
Kex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

A REGULAR  SCOUT:  Fred  Thomson— Very 
good  as  all  Thomsons  are.  My  patrons  all  liked 
this,  especially  the  kids.  Print  good.  Six  reels. 
— P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold.  la. — 
General  patronage. 

KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY:  Viola  Dana— 25%. 
July  18-19.  Everything  that  a picture  of  its  kind 
could  be.  The  human  side  of  a Jewish  and 
Irish  mixup.  Our  patrons  enjoyed  this  fine,  but 
rainy  weather  did  not  make  rental.  FBO  pic-^ 
tures  are  our  safest  bet  as  a general  rule.  Seven 
reels. — A1  Stoddard.  Rex  theatre.  Madisonville, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

DRUSCILLA  WITH  A MILUON:  Mary  Carr 
57%.  July  11-12.  A plot  that  will  please  most 
any  audience  through  it’s  heart  appeal.  Old  but 
one  that  should  play  every  small  town.  You  owe 
it  to  your  patrons.  Eight  reels. — Aubrey  Swear- 
ingen, Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex, — Small 
town  patronage. 

DON  MIKE:  Fred  Thomson — 85%.  April  9. 
Good,  as  all  Thomsons  are.  He  is  one  of  my  best 
drawing  cards.  This  one  somewhat  different 
from  the  usual  Thomson,  but  full  of  action  and 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage, 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  65. 


will  please.  Five  reels. — Guy  B.  Amis,  Princess 
theatre,  Lexington,  Tenn. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WILD  BULL'S  LAIR:  Fred  Thomson — 
20%.  August  10.  I don’t  blame  Fred  Thomson  for 
quitting  FBO  if  they  put  him  in  this  kind  of 
picture.  He  had  a perfect  right  (forget  the 
money  consideration.)  I have  run  lots  of  West- 
erns but  of  all  the  fairy  tales  this  takes  the  cake. 
If  FBO  had  called  this  “All  Bull”  the  name 
would  have  suited  the  picture  fine.  This  is  about 
the  slowest,  draggiest  Western  I have  ever  seen. 
If  you  have  it  booked,  send  them  your  little  check 
and  tell  them  that  you  are  reading  your  patrons 
“Jack  and  the  Bean  Stalk”  in  it's  place.  Fred, 
you  are  a good  Western  star  so  please  have  this 
picture  screened  and  I am  sure  you  will  buy  it 
and  send  the  prints  to  the  crema.tory.  Six  reels. — 
W.  L.  Brown,  Rialto  theatre,  Lecompte,  La. — 
General  patix>nage. 

THE  NON  STOP  FLIGHT:  Special  cast— 43%. 
August  1-2.  An  adventure  picture  that  pleased 
all.  Aviation  should  go  well  everywhere  now. 
If  so  this  picture  will  go  well  for  you.  Yes, 
it  has  some  comedy  that  is  good,  to.  Not  a big 
picture,  but  one  that  will  please  throughly. 
Seven  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  the- 
atre, Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BANDIT'S  BABY:  Fred  Thomson— July 
23.  My  first  Thomson  and  didn't  see  anything 
to  him.  Average  star  with  a million  dollar  horse. 
The  horse  is  better  than  he  is.  Six  reels. — Aubrey 
Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THAT  DEVIL  QUEMADO:  Fred  Thomson— 
90%.  August  5.  Fred  is  well  liked  here.  Pleased 


them  all.  Five  reels. — G.  S Young,  Petrolia  the- 
atre, Petrolia,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

ROSE  OF  THE  TENEMENTS:  Shirley  Mason 
— Good  picture,  but  did  not  draw  for  me.  Print 
good. — Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Stand  theatre, 
Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast — A beau- 
tiful picture  liked  by  all.  Will  make  new  friends 
and  draw  new  people.’ — Boom  & DuKand,  Lyric 
theatre,  Ellendale,  N.  D.^ — -General  patronage. 

ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY:  Red  Grange— Best 
Football  picture  that  we  have  ever  run.  Went 
over  big.  You  can’t  go  w'rong  on  this  one  if 
you  like  football.  Eight  reels. — J.  R.  Kersey. 
Ozona  theati'e,  Ozona,  Tex. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

TARZAN  AND  THE  GOLDEN  LION:  No  sUrs 
— ^Entertaining  Tarzan  picture.  Six  reels. — Stan- 
ley L.  Hull,  Happy  Hour  theatre,  Jasper,  Minn. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

MOTHER:  Belle  Bennett — A very  fine  little  pic- 
ture. More  of  this  class  would  raise  the  reputa- 
tion of  the  movies.  Seven  reels. — J.  R.  Kersey, 
Ozona  theatre,  Ozona,  Tex. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

First  National 

THE  LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  Mayn- 
ard— 75%.  August  6.  A good  Western.  Every- 
body satisfied  including  the  box  office.  Seven 
reels. — Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas, 
Wash. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LAND  BEYOND  THE  LAW:  Ken  Mayn- 
ard— July  28-29.  As  usual,  good.  I consider 
Maynard  one  of  my  best  Western  stare,  if  First 
National  gives  him  good  stories  and  will  keep- 
the  hokum  out  of  them.  Seven  reels. — E.  H. 
Randall,  Liberty  theatre,  Condon,  Ore. — Small 
town  patronage. 

PALS  FIRST:  Special  cast — 55%.  An  audience 
picture.  One  that  everybody  likes.  We  played 
this  against  strong  opposition  and  had  satis- 
factory business.  Three  days.  Good  story,  well! 
done  and  sustains  interest  all  the  way  through. 
Seven  reels. — W.  H.  Brenner,  Cozy  theatre. 
Winchester,  Ind. — ^General  patronage. 

PARADISE:  Milton  Sills— 81%.  July  21-22. 
Here  is  another  Sills  that  is  good.  A picture 
full  of  stars,  and  believe  Charlie  Murray  is  a 
knockout.  'The  best  feature  comedian  on  the 
screen.  Eight  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Cres- 
cent theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  SAVAGE:  Special  cast— 96%.  July  4-5. 
I wish  I had  a picture  like  this  to  show  every 
night.  Seven  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent 
theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SAVAGE  Special  cast— 89%.  August  5-6. 
The  picture  is  not  big  in  any  way  but  the  title 
and  paper  will  draw  them  in  and  it  will  not 
prove  a disapiwintment. — Coffee  & Ellis.  Ameri- 
can theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  SAVAGE:  Special  cast — Very  good  pro- 
gram picture.  More  jungle  scenes  would  have 
added  100  per  cent  to  the  picture.  Eight  reels. — 
J.  R.  Kersey,  Ozona  theatre,  Ozona,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

MEN  OF  STEEL:  Milton  Sills— 90%.  August 
12-13.  It  has  been  a long  time  since  I sent 
in  a report  as  I have  had  just  average  pictures 
but  can’t  resist  commenting  on  this  picture. 
This  is  all  they  claim  for  it  and  then  some.  It 
is  really  the  first  special  that  I have  ever  shown 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


that  really  was  a special.  This  picture  has  every- 
thing. If  you  want  to  give  your  patrons  a treat 
book  this  picture  and  step  on  it.  We  would 
like  to  have  a photo  of  Milton  and  Doris  but 
we  would  die  before  we  would  ask  for  it.  Ten 
reels. — R.  H.  Ries,  Calhan  theatre,  Calhan,  Col. 
— General  patronage. 

WE  MODERNS:  Colleen  Moore — 21%.  Jane  15- 
Second  time  I had  shown  this  picture  and  every 
one  was  pleased.  I noticed  you  are  in  trouble, 
Colleen.  Well,  stick  to  it,  Colleen,  and  make  them 
give  you  more  like  this  “Irene’"  and  “Ella  Cin- 
ders.” Seven  reels, — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent 
theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SPORTING  LOVER:  Special  cast— 15%. 
June  6-7.  I hate  to  turn  in  the  percentage  on 
pictui'es  like  this  when  I have  opposition  for 
some  exhibitors  look  at  nothing  but  that.  One 
of  the  best  horse  race  stories.  First  National, 
you  had  better  sign  Barbara  Bedford  and  Ward 
Crane  on  a good  contract.  Of  course,  Tearle 
is  well  liked  but  I am  thinking  of  new  players. 
Seven  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  the- 
atre, Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PERFECT  SAP:  Ben  Lyon— 50%.  July  31, 
After  seeing  this  one  and  listening  to  the  com- 
ments of  our  patrons,  I have  decided  that  I was 
a “perfect  sap”  for  running  it.  Just  plain  rot- 
ten. Seven  reels. — Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  the- 
atre, Sumas,  AVash. — Small  town  patronage. 

OLD  LOVES  AND  NEW:  Special  cast— 16%. 
June  9-10.  Good  picture  against  revival  meet- 
ing in  small  town.  Southern  exhibitors  know 
what  that  is.  Picture  pleased  all  who  saw  it. 
Stone  good  as  ever  or  better  and  Barliara  Bedford 
— every  one  carried  away  with  her.  Eight  reels. — 
Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHY  WOMEN  LOVE:  Special  cast — 25%.  June 
30-July  1,  Good  acting,  but  good  for  one  day  only 
as  it  is  a weak  sister.  Seven  reels. — ^Aubrey 
Sweai’ingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — 
town  patronage. 

CLOTHES  MAKE  THE  PIRATE:  Special  cast 
— 19%.  June  16-17.  I have  been  having  strong 
competition  (church)  but  all  who  saw  this  one 
liked  it  fine.  I have  heard  a lot  of  talk  about 
this  one,  but  it  couldn’t  be  taken  for  anything 
but  a comedy  and  my  patrons  took  it  that  way 
and  really  enjoyed  it.  Nine  reels. — Aubrey 


Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BROWN  DERBY;  Johnny  Hines— 76%. 
August  4-5.  Good  comedy  drama  that  pleased 
all.  Eight  reels.  Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent 
theatre,  Woodville,  Tex, — Small  town  patronage. 

HER  SISTER  FROM  PARIS:  Constance  Tal- 
madge — 59%,  June  23-24.  Didn’t  think  so  much 
of  it  myself,  but  my  patrons  all  enjoyed  it  and 
told  me  so.  I will  say  it  is  the  best  double 
character  picture  I ever  saw.  Seven  reels. — 
Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  WILDERNESS  WOMAN:  Chester  Conklin 
— 41%,  July  28-29,  A pretty  good  comedy. 
Patrons  had  many  hearty  laughs.  Eight  reels. 
— Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Wood- 
ville, Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

BLUEBEARD’S  SEVEN  WIVES:  Lois  Wilson 
— 55%,  July  20.  Good  little  picture  of  movies. 
Very  comical  and  pleased  well.  Eight  reels. — 
Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

IRENE:  Colleen  Moore — 99%,  July  14-15. 
Charlie  Murray  and  Kate  Price  make  up  the 
highest  cla&s  of  comedy  of  an  Irish  family.  Be 
Gob!  we  know  our  stuff  Colleen.  Good  picture  if  it 
is  an  old  one.  Nine  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen, 
Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

FRAMED : Milton  Sills — If  this  is  a sample  of 
First  National’s  six  reel  pictures  for  1928,  God 
help  those  that  have  signed  on  the  dotted  line. 
Nothing  in  it  but  misery  and  filth.  Poorest  Sills 
yet.  Six  reels. — ’ E.  H.  Randall,  Liberty  theatre, 
Condon,  Ore. — Small  town  patronage. 

CONVOY:  Special  cast — ^August  5-6.  This  is 
a big  picture  played  in  a big  way.  It  pleased 
most  eveiTbody. — E.  W.  Swarthout,  Palace  the- 
atre, Aurora,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

BROADWAY  NIGHTS:  Special  cast— It  is  r^ 
markable  the  stride  First  National  pictures  ai*e 
making  nowadays  and  this  is  one  of  their 
strides.  It  is  a i-ight  good  picture  with  a right 
good  story  and  will  give  better  than  average 
entertainment  in  a right  good  theatre.  Book  it 
and  you  won’t  be  sorry.  Seven  reels. — W.  H. 
Brenner,  Cozy  theatre,  Winchester,  Ind. — General 
patronage. 

AN  AFFAIR  OF  THE  FOLLIES:  Special  cast 


— 'This  picture  may  be  all  right  for  the  city  but  no 
good  for  small  towns.  Too  many  kissing  scenes 
too  long  drawn  out.  Business  poor.  Print  in 
No.  1 condition.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held, 
Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 

MIDNIGHT  LOVERS : Special  cast — Not  much 
of  a picture.  Too  mushy,  too  many  drunk  scenes. 
A number  of  my  patrons  walked  out  on  this 
one.  If  you  play  this  picture  do  not  make  the 
mistake  and  play  it  on  Sunday  like  I did.  Print 
good. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. 
— General  patronage. 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Johnny  Hines — A dandy 
comedy  drama  full  of  laughs.  Book  it  if  your 
patrons  like  comedy.  Seven  reels, — P.  G.  Held, 
Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General  patronage, 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Johnny  Hines — ^August  6. 
A good  comedy  play  but  no  business  getter. 
Did  only  half  as  much  as  Jones  or  Mix  will  do. 
First  National  pictures  are  very  poor  drawing 
cards  for  average  small  towns.  Seven  reels. — 
R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

MISMATES:  Special  cast — August  13-14.  A pic- 
ture that  was  sold  to  me  at  program  prices  and 
pleased  nearly  all.  Doris  Kenyon  in  her  role 
does  some  very  fine  work.  Eight  reels. — C.  E. 
Holt,  Legion  theatre,  Elmwood,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

ORCHIDS  AND  ERMINE:  Colleen  Moore— A 
very  good  picture  full  of  fun  and  entertainment. 
Colleen  Moore  is  there  with  the  goods  when  it 
comes  to  good  clean  entertainment.  Eight  reels. 
— P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Griswold,  la. — 
General  patronage. 

TRAMP,  TRAMP,  TRAMP:  Harry  Langdon— 
Here  is  a flop  for  the  grownups.  Rather  tame 
and  wishy-washy,  silly  story  in  parts.  But  for 
the  children  it  went  over  great.  They  laughed 
and  screamed,  Harry  Langdon  is  fine  but  he 
should  have  something  better  than  this  silly  and 
impossible  vehicle.  He  deserves  better  unless 
someone  is  trying  to  run  him  in  a blind  siding. 
The  boy  has  talent  and  deserves  better  treatment. 
Six  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre, 
Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

Fox 

HEART  OF  SALOME:  Alma  Rubens— 15%. 
August  5.  A good  program  picture. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

WHISPERING  WIRES:  Special  caBf^25%. 
July  20.  Not  much  to  it.  Some  comedy  stunts 
that  helped  to  get  it  by.  Seven  reels. — A.  J. 
Smith.  Texan  theatre.  Roaring  Springs.  Texas.— 
General  patronage. 

WHISPERING  WIRES:  Special  cast— 15% 
August  5-6.  Drew  a nice  crowd,  and  good 
satisfaction.  Not  a record  breaker  but  good 
program  picture.  Six  reels. — J.  A.  Vengesather, 
M.  W.  A.  Movies,  Brocket,  N.  D. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WHISPERING  WIRES:  This  is  a good  picture 
of  the  detective  type.  Very  clever  how  the 
tricks  are  turned  on  the  villian.  The  audience 
seemed  to  like  it  O.  K.,  for  there  were  several 
that  said  that  it  was  an  exceptionally  good  show. 
Very  exciting  in  places  and  the  action  gtx)d. — • 
F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — - 
General  patronage. 

WHISPERING  WIRES : Anita  Stewart— July  3#. 
Just  another  picture  from  Fox  with  little  box 
office  value  or  entertainment. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Prin- 
cess theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — -Sraall  town  patronage. 

BERTHA  THE  SEWING  MACHINE  GIRL: 
Madge  Bellamy — 40%.  August  10.  Good  picture. 
Madge  does  not  mean  much  to  us.  As  to  show 
fast  reel,  pepi)ed  up  some.  Six  reels. — A.  J. 
Smith,  Texan  theatre.  Roaring  Springs,  Tex. — ’ 
General  patronage. 

BERTHA  THE  SEWING  MACHINE  GIRL: 
Madge  Bellamy — Here  is  the  old  time  thriller, 
jazzed  up  a bit  for  the  movies.  Good  entertain- 
ment and  Madge  Bellamy  is  there  like  a duck. 
It  is  good  to  see  these  old  time  reminders  of  the 
days  when  A1  H.  Woods  filled  the  stage  with 


^AUTOMATIC  TICKET  REGISTER  CORE 

723  SEVEM-TM  AveNUK.  Wew 


NATIONAL  SCREEN  SERVICEl 

Dishibuied  ihroii^ouh  Ike  Unihd  Slales  from 

CHICAGO  NEW  YORK  LOS  ANGELES 

845  S.Wabash  Ave. » 126-130  W.46- St.  ’ 1922  S.Vermbnl  Ave, 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


61 


DEAR  HERALD; 


KIRKSVILLE,  MO.,  August  14,  1927. 


There’s  a little  brunette  in  Chicago 
W'ho  had  her  hair  bobbed  out  in  Fargo, 

But  she’s  entirely  too  slow 

For  Eagle  Eye  Joe 

So  now  she  is  letting  her  hair  grow. 

I hereby  make  application  for  membership  in  Adeline  Further’s  Poetry  Club  and 
submit  the  above  as  a sample  of  my  poetic  genius. 

There  may  be  worse,  but  if  so,  it  has  never  been  printed.  If  eligible,  please  send 
certificate  of  membership  by  special  delivery. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Du 

In  many  respects,  Missouri  resembles  some  other  state.  Just  what  state  I don’t 
know,  so  I am  going  to  say  Vermont,  for  I never  saw  Vermont  and  never  expect  to, 
unless  they  move  Vermont  out  West  of  the  Mississippi,  for  the  further  East  I go  the 
more  I want  to  go  West,  but  this  isn’t  saying  that  Missouri  isn’t  a great  state,  for 
she  is.  One  thing  that  helps  Missouri  a lot  is  that  she  corners  on  Nebraska.  That 
same  thing  is  what  holds  Kansas  up,  but  I presume  that  Grasshopper  Sprague  of 
Goodland  and  Sam  Blair  of  Belleville  will  take  exceptions  to  this  statement.  I am 
not  in  the  real  estate  business,  therefore  my  word  ought  to  be  good  (but  question- 
able). 

This  is  indeed  the  “show  me”  state,  and  about  four  exhibitors  out  of  five  have 
been  shown,  and  should  you  say  that  the  HERALD  isn’t  the  best  publication  in  the 
field  you  will  have  to  show  ’em.  I tried  all  week  to  show  the  fifth  one  and  couldn’t 
do  it — he  was  born  here. 

When  one  not  acquainted  with  the  state  thinks  of  Missouri  he  naturally  thinks 
of  mules  and  razor-back  hogs  as  being  their  chief  industry,  but  that’s  a mistake. 
Their  mules  are  just  lovely  animals,  that’s  true,  and  yesterday  Clara  came  near 
running  over  as  promising  a bunch  of  shoats  as  I ever  laid  my  eyes  on,  but  Mis- 
souri has  other  things.  Her  corn  is  so  tall  that  the  squirrels  wear  their  toe-nails  off 
trying  to  climb  to  the  top  of  the  stalks,  and  you  will  agree  that  that’s  pretty  tall 
corn. 

Besides  that  Missouri  has  Jim  Reed,  and  that’s  something  any  state  could  be  proud 
of.  Jim  may  run  for  president  in  1928,  and  if  he  does,  and  is  elected.  I’ll  he  for 
him  stronger  than  a Missouri  skunk,  but  I couldn’t  be  before  without  changing  my 
politics,  which  I might  do,  and  I am  giving  it  out  cold  turkey  that  it  is  my  judg- 
ment that  Jim  would  make  a mighty  good  president. 

If  you  want  to  make  a Missourian  prick  up  his  ears  you  want  to  talk  about  fox 
hunting.  There  is  no  music  in  the  world  so  sweet  to  an  old  fox  hunter’s  ears  as  the 
baying  of  a pack  of  fox  hounds  on  a fo.x  trail.  At  Kingston  I learned  of  an  asso- 
ciation known  as  “The  Fox  Hunters’  Association,”  and  it  is  incorporated  for  the 
sum  of  $2,000.  They  hold  annual  fox  hunting  events  and  old  fox  hunters  from  all 
over  the  country  come  there  and  bring  their  hounds  and  enter  them  in  these  events. 
One  man  came  there  from  California  and  brought  a whole  pack  of  hounds  with 
him. 

They  don’t  care  about  catching  the  foxes.  All  they  seem  to  care  about  is  to  hear 
the  dogs  heller  on  the  trails. 

The  exhibitor  at  Kingston  told  me  a good  story  in  this  connection.  He  said  an 
old  hunter  persuaded  a preacher  to  go  out  fox  hunting  with  him  one  night.  It  was 
a cold,  raw  night  and  they  built  a log  fire  in  the  woods  and  sat  down  to  wait  for  the 
hounds  to  pick  up  a trail.  They  waited  until  after  midnight  and  the  preacher  was 
getting  somewhat  disgusted,  as  well  as  chilly,  when  one  of  the  hounds  struck  a trail 
and  let  out  a yell  that  brought  the  whole  pack  into  action  with  all  the  lung  power 
they  had  and  they  simply  made  Rome  howl,  and  the  old  hunter  jumped  up  and 
clapped  his  hands  with  delight  and  shouted  to  the  preacher,  “Parson,  just  listen  to 
that  heavenly  music,”  and  the  parson  listened  a while  and  then  said,  “Why,  I can’t 
hear  anything  for  them  damned  hounds.”  If  hunting  foxes  is  as  much  fun  as  hunt- 
ing coon  back  on  the  Kankakee  river  in  Indiana  used  to  be  I’d  like  to  join  that 
Fox  Hunting  Association  myself.  This  would  be  an  awfully  good  country  for 
Crocket  Brown’s  Bullfoundland  pup. 

Missouri  has  started  on  an  extensive  road  program,  and  if  she  holds  true  to  form 
— which  she  no  doubt  will — it  won’t  be  long  until  other  states  will  have  to  take  off 
their  hats  to  Missouri.  I like  Missouri  and  I like  Missouri  folks.  I like  their  tea 
biscuits  and  cornbread  and  their  watermelons,  but  they  don’t  have  any  huckelberry 
pies. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  Non©  Others  Do 

Every  little  while  I run  onto  a film  salesman,  and  when  I do,  I find  a friend,  no 
matter  whether  I ever  saw  him  before  or  not.  I never  found  one  yet  that  wasn’t 
a good  fellow  and  a good  friend,  and  I have  my  first  one  to  meet  that  isn’t  100  per 
cent  for  the  HERALD,  and  that  makes  them  doubly  strong  with  me.  Last  Tuesday 
I met  Irv  Melcher.  The  first  time  I met  Irv  since  he  used  to  sell  me  film  years 
ago  was  over  in  Iowa  last  February.  The  next  time  I met  him  was  at  Fox  Lake, 
Wis.,  in  May  and  now  he  is  in  Missouri.  Irv  is  still  talking  Fox  service  as  loud 
and  long  as  ever,  and  if  there  is  a man  who  can  put  Fox  service  in  more  theatres  than 
Irv  can  I want  his  photograph.  Irv  told  me  if  I didn’t  say  something  nice  about  him 

{Continued  on  next  page) 


August  27,  1927 

this  type  of  stage  plays  now  done  into  pictures. 
Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre. 
Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

BERTHA  THE  SEWING  MACHINE  GIRL: 
Madge  Bellamy — A good  legshow  that  will  please 
the  toughs.  Miss  Bellamy  sure  has  what  it  takes 
to  make  a good  show.  Just  the  kind  for  the 
churchgoers.  Try  it  and  see. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace 
theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

WHISPERING  SAGE:  Buck  Jones— 50%. 

August  6.  A good  Western  picture. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

THE  CIRCUS  ACE:  Tom  Mix — A welcome 
change  from  his  other  pictures,  but  not  as  thrill- 
ing as  some  of  his  others.  Seven  reels. — E.  T. 
Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash. — ^Gen- 
eral patronage. 

IS  ZAT  SO?  George  O’Brien— August  1.  This 
seemed  to  hit  the  popular  fancy  of  the  folks 
here.  It  was  well  liked  and  proved  a very 
fair  drawing  card.  Here  is  a picture  that’s  easy 
to  put  over  with  little  novel  advertising,  and 
the  title  lends  itself  nicely  for  it.  Plenty  of 
laughs,  some  romance  and  two  pretty  fair  prize 
fights.  Seven  reels. — P.  E.  Morris,  Regent  theatre, 
Indianola,  Miss. — Small  town  patronage. 

WAR  HORSES:  Buck  Jones— This  is  a good 
picture  that  will  please  the  Saturday  night  crowd. 
A cowboy  goes  to  France  and  has  a very  ex- 
citing time  with  the  horse  that  he  rode  while 
he  was  in  America.  Buck  does  some  very  unreal 
stuff  but  wasn’t  noticed  by  the  crowd. — F.  R.  Odle, 
Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

UPSTREAM:  Special  cast — August  5.  Only  an 
ordinary  picture,  with  no  box  office  value.  Seven 
reels, — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast— 50%.  August  lO-II. 
This  is  a very  funny  comedy  picture.  If  you 
want  comedy,  buy  it. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 
theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SLIDE  KELLY  SLIDE  William  Haines— 89%. 
July  29-30.  This  picture  has  the  drawing  power, 
and  will  please.  Comments  favorable. — Coffee 
and  Ellis  American  theatre,  Perryton,  Texas. — 
General  patronage. 

SLIDE  KELLY  SLIDE:  William  Haines- 
August  7-8.  A real  honest  to  goodness  show 
that  people  are  still  talking  about.  Big  business 
for  Sunday  and  Monday.  A pleasure  to  show 
such  a picture. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre, 
Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TAXI  DANCER:  Joan  Crawford— 30%. 
July  26.  This  is  a good  picture.  Seven  reels. — 
Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver, 
Utah. — General  patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS;  Tim 
McCoy — 62%.  July  30.  Poor  title  and  paper  but 
a dandy  picture.  The  last  reel  in  technicolor. 
Tie  up  with  your  local  school  for  it  is  a picture 
of  historical  value  and  will  please.  Guy  B. 
Amis,  Princess  theatre,  Lexington,  Tenn. — Small 
town  patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  THE  WILDERNESS:  Tim 
McCoy — 60%.  July  12.  ’This  is  a very  good 
Western  of  the  historical  type.  Has  more  action 
than  some  of  the  other  Western  stars  and  pic- 
tures. Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

WINNERS  OF  ’THE  WILDERNESS;  Special 
cast — A very  good  action  picture.  Educational — 
some  but  not  enough  to  hurt  this  picture.  Metro 
pictures  are  making  a little  money  for  me. 
Print  good.  Seven  reels.— P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies — 54%.  July  19. 
This  is  a good  comedy.  Pleased  everyone  that 
came.  Seven  reels. — ^Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green.  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  RED  MILL:  Marion  Davies — 20%.  August 
8.  Just  the  kind  of  picture  for  bad  weather. 
Plenty  of  hokum  that  almost  any  average  audience 
will  like.  Picture  didn’t  draw  for  me  but  not 
its  fault.  The  support  that  Marion  Davies  has 
in  this  picture  is  wonderful,  which  really  offsets 
the  points  where  she  overdoes  the  comedy  stuff. 
Seven  reels. — W.  L.  Brown,  Rialto  theatre, 
Leeompte,  La. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TEMPTRESS:  Special  cast — 26%.  August 
1-2.  This  is  a good  picture  played  against  heavy 
rains.  Don’t  be  afraid  to  book  as  it  will  please. — 
Coffee  & Ellis,  American  theatre,  Perryton,  Tex. 
— General  patronage. 

EXIT  SMILING:  Jack  Pickford— 36%.  July  9. 
It  fooled  me  for  my  patrons  enjoyed  it.  Seven 


reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre, 

Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

EXIT  SMILING:  Jack  Pickford— August  9. 
Poorest  picture  on  M-G-M  list.  Terrible.  Several 


walkouts.  Surprised  everybody  didn’t  walk  out. 
Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chil- 
ton, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

EXIT  SMILING:  Beatrice  Lillie — An  ordinary 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


J.  C.  Jenkins— /Tis  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

in  the  HERALD  he  would  puncture  Clara’s  gas  tank  the  first  time  we  met.  I’ve 
said  it,  Irv,  I’ve  said  it,  now  be  good. 

Wednesday  I met  Rube  Melcher.  Rube  is  selling  Warner  Brothers  product  out 
of  K.  C.  (That  Melcher  family  is  a big  film  family.  Harry  is  branch  manager  at 
Omaha  and  they  are  all  nice  chaps.) 

I hardly  recognized  Rube  at  first  glance.  He  had  shaved  his  whiskers  off  since  I 
last  saw  him,  but  he  said  he  would  know  me  any  place  by  my  red  hair  and  freckled 
face. 

The  same  day  I met  Joe  Rosenberg,  who  travels  out  of  K.  C.  for  Universal.  Joe 
and  I never  met  before,  but  that  didn’t  make  any  difference  to  us.  Joe  said  his 
Irish  parents  came  from  Sweden  when  he  was  a baby  and  ever  since  then  he  has 
been  strong  for  Kansas  City.  He  told  me  if  I would  come  over  to  K.  C.  he’d  intro- 
duce me  around  among  the  boys  and  would  show  me  where  there  is  a brass  railing. 
Joe  is  a naughty  boy,  that’s  what  Joe  is. 

The  Herald  Fills  a “Want  None  Others  Do 

I think  I found  a relative  of  Bert  Silver’s  of  Greenville,  Mich.  W.  H.  Silver, 
who  operates  the  theatre  at  Princeton,  Mo.,  says  his  ancestors  came  from  Michigan 
and  he  wanted  to  know  of  me  what  kind  of  a chap  Bert  is  and  I told  him  he  needn’t 
be  ashamed  of  it  if  Bert  isn’t,  so  I guess  he  will  write  him. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

About  the  softest  job  I can  imagine  is  being  the  HERALD  photographer  in  Holly- 
wood. He  catches  ’em  when  they  are  and  when  they  are  not.  In  the  current  issue 
of  The  Studio  section  I note  a picture  of  Clara  Bow  in  an  “I  take  my  pen  in  hand” 
attitude  and  the  footnote  says  she  is  penning  a letter  to  me.  OH  BOY!  If  she’d 
even  write  me  a postal  card  I'd  wheel  Clara  right  around  and  start  for  Hollywood  just 
as  soon  as  I could  fill  her  tank  with  gas  (I’m  speaking  of  my  car),  and  if  that 
photographer  doesn’t  stop  shocking  me  that  way  Jay  will  have  to  get  somebody  else 
to  fill  this  column,  for  my  weak,  emaciated  constitution  can’t  stand  the  shock. 
All  right,  Clara,  old  dear,  come  on  with  that  letter. 

— --  -The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Can’t  see  where  that  boy  Hodges  gets  all  the  dope  he  sends  in  to  the  HERALD. 
Must  be  some  system  of  news  gathering  that  I haven’t  gotten  onto  yet.  Nobody 
tells  me  anything  and  I have  to  draw  on  my  gourd  for  about  everytliing  I write, 
and  that  isn’t  much.  We  are  both  agreed  on  that  point,  aren't  we? 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Haven’t  had  a letter  from  Bill  since  Heck’s  pups  began  growling  over  a bone. 
Must  be  that  Patricia  Ann  has  grabbed  up  the  reins  of  government  and  is  telling 
William  where  and  how  he  is  to  spend  his  spare  moments.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
she  doesn’t  try  to  boss  Thomas  0.  Service  around,  for  “SERVICE  TALKS”  is  too 
short  as  it  is,  and  it  seems  to  be  getting  shorter  and  shorter  all  the  while. 

-The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

A letter  from  Geneve  advises  me  that  Walt  Bradley  had  no  more  than  recovered 
from  his  auto  smashup  when  he  went  up  in  an  aeroplane.  The  going  up  was  all 
right,  but  the  coming  down  was  different.  The  plane  fell  when  within  about  200 
feet  from  the  ground  and  the  Doc  took  several  stitches  in  Walt’s  lip  and  otherwise 
sewed  him  together.  Expect  the  next  thing  I hear  he  will  have  tried  to  butt  a freight 
engine  off  the  track. 

I struck  Missouri  at  Rockport,  and  the  hills  from  there  to  Princeton  would  make 
the  Rocky  mountains  look  like  a skating  rink.  It  is  150  miles  up  and  that  many 
down.  Before  you  get  to  the  bottom  of  one  hill  you  have  to  start  up  the  next  one 
or  you  won’t  make  it.  Clara  got  so  she  wouldn’t  wait  till  she  got  to  the  bottom, 
but  jumped  across. 

Rockport  is  right  up  on  its  toes  all  the  while.  That’s  because  J.  C.  Staple,  who 
operates  the  Victor  theatre,  lives  there.  No  town  can  go  to  sleep  when  J.  C.  is 
around.  Rockport  has  more  miles  of  pavement  than  any  town  in  Missouri  twice 
its  size,  and  that’s  because  J.  C,  was  on  the  town  council  with  a prod  pole.  If  you 
ever  come  to  Missouri  be  sure  to  visit  Rockport,  but  go  there  by  aeroplane. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

H.  J.  Longaker  of  Alexandria,  Minn.,  struck  a vibrant  chord  and  rang  the  door- 
bell in  the  innermost  recesses  of  my  anatomy  when  he  proposed  an  exhibitor  golf 
tournament  to  be  staged  at  Alexandria  in  connection  with  a couple  of  weeks’  bass 
fishing.  That’s  the  most  sensible  preposition  H.  J.  ever  made  since  he  proposed 
to  the  Mrs.  that  they  work  in  double  harness  for  better  or  worse  some  years  back. 
The  only  objection  I sec  to  his  proposition  is  that  he  wants  to  stage  it  in  this  month, 
and  I can’t  get  out  of  Missouri  before  September.  Why  not  plan  for  it  next  sea- 
son? “Fishy”  Phil  would  come,  so  would  Grasshopper  Sprague,  Estee,  Tragsdorf, 
Tom  Foster,  R.  L.  Anderson,  and  dozens  of  others.  Elmer  Gailey  would  come  if 
you  have  any  bullheads,  and  Bill  would  drive  out  in  his  “Owen  Moore”  and  bring 
Eagle  Eye  Joe  and  Crocket  Brown  would  bring  his  Bullfoundland  and,  all  in  all,  w(^ 
could  just  have  a heck  of  a time.  All  in  favor  of  the  motion  stand  up.  It’s  unani- 
mous. We’ll  be  there.  If  there  are  any  remarks  pro  or  con,  for  or  against,  state 
them  in  the  HERALD. 

Get  the  hook.  Jay,  and  see  if  you  can  head  me  off. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  Man. 


picture,  but  Beatrice  Lillie  did  good  work.  We 
would  like  to  see  more  of  her.  Six  reels. — E.  T. 
Mathes,  Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham.  Wash. — ■ 
General  patronage. 

THE  PENALTY : Lon  Chaney — 54%.  August 
2.  This  is  a reissue  of  the  picture  made  several 


years  ago  but  is  one  of  the  beet  Lon  Chaney 
made.  Claire  Adams  and  Kenneth  Harlan  are 
in  the  cast  but  does  not  advertise  the  fact. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  WALTZ  DREAM:  Special  easL-40%.  June 


August  27,  1927 

1.  Failed  for  me.  Not  the  kind  of  picture  for 
the  small  town  theatre.  Continuity  bad.  Had 
more  walkouts  on  this  than  any  picture  used  this 
year. — Guy  B.  Amis,  Princess  theatre,  Lexington,. 
Tenn. — Small  town  patronage, 

BATTLING  BUTLER:  Buster  Keaton — 40%* 
This  is  about  the  worst  picture  that  Metro  has 
ever  put  out  as  a special.  Ten  reels  of  nothing- 
and  the  audience  got  a laugh  when  the  show  was 
over  and  the  laugh  was  on  me  for  there  wasn’t 
any  favorable  comment.  This  one  wouldn’t  go 
over  as  a two  reel  comedy.  Don’t  book  this  one 
if  you  don’t  want  to  get  stuck.  Buster  sure  did 
fall  flat  on  this  one.  Ten  reeds. — F.  R.  Odle, 
Palace  theatre,  Meridian,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FRONTIERSMAN:  Tim  McCoy — August 
4-5.  Good  picture.  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  have 
the  right  idea  in  making  some  of  our  good  red 
blooded  American  stories  into  a picture.  Only 
the  subjects  have  a little  too  much  hokum  to  them 
at  times.  Stay  to  reality  and  they  will  be  okay. 
Six  reels. — E.  H.  Randall,  Liberty  theatre,  Condon, 
Ore. — Small  town  patronage. 

TWELVE  MILES  OUT:  John  Gilbert — July 
28-29.  Personally  consider  this  one  of  the  best 
pictures  Gilbert  has  made.  He  had  the  support  of 
Ernest  Torrence  and  Joan  Crawford,  which  was 
plenty  of  insurance  for  him.  This  is  stark  high- 
powered  melodrama,  with  a tragic,  yet  only  logical, 
ending.  Gilbert  and  Torrence  are  rivals  in  the 
bootleg  game  and  the  final  scenes  show  them  fight- 
ing it  out,  finally  to  shoot  it  out  with  the  result 
that  both  die  at  the  close  of  the  picture.  Don’t 
get  the  impression  that  it’s  not  enteidainment, 
because  it  is,  and  if  they  will  accept  the  sad  end- 
ing, it  will  click.  My  folks  didn’t  make  com- 
plaints about  the  close,  except  some  ladies  said 
it  was  pretty  grim.  Eight  reels  long. — ^P.  E. 
Morris,  Regent  theatre,  Indianola,  Miss. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  cast — Bought 
as  a special  but  it’s  not  there.  Just  an  ordinary 
program  picture  and  should  be  bought  that  way. 
Eight  reels. — J.  R.  Kersey,  Ozona  theatre,  Ozona, 
Tex. — Stnall  town  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN:  Lon  Chaney— Chaney’s, 
acting  wonderful,  but  picture  can  hardly  be 
classed  as  entertainment.  Six  reels. — Stanley  L. 
Hull,  Happy  Hour  theatre,  Jasper,  Minn. — Small, 
town  patronage. 

MR  WU:  Lon  Chaney — August  10.  This  pro- 
duction liked  by  some.  Had  some  walkouts.  Noth- 
ing wrong  with  picture  except  too  heavy  for- 
average  audience. — E.  H.  Randall,  Liberty  thea- 
tre, Condon,  Ore. — Small  town  patronage. 

BREED  OF  THE  SEA:  Ralph  Ince — A very 
good  sea  picture  with  action  and  comedy  galore. 
A little  rough  in  spots  but  not  enough  to  hurt. 
Print  good. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Gris- 
wold, la. — General  patronage. 

LOVERS:  Ramon  Novarro — 'This  pleased  most, 
of  the  fan  crowd,  with  beautiful  Alice  Terry 
playing  with  Ramon.  Gossip  is  the  basis  of  the 
story,  with  most  of  the  action  taking  place  in  a 
home  in  France,  modern  settings.  I’d  say  play 
it  to  those  who  like  romance  sugar  coated.  Seven 
reels. — P.  E.  Morris,  Regent  theatre,  Indianola,. 
Miss, — Small  town  patronage, 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Special  cast— 
August  2-3-4.  A very  good  picture,  but  not  worth, 
the  price  I paid.  Only  small  profit  left.  Wonder- 
ful acting.  Eleven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

FLESH  AND  THE  DEVIL:  Special  ca£t^  Can’t, 
say  much  for  this  one.  Did  not  go  over  in  our 
town.  Seven  reels. — J.  R.  Kersey,  Ozona  theatre, 
Ozona,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Conrad  Nagel — One  of  the  best, 
comedy  dramas  I have  played  for  a long  time. 
If  you  have  not  played  it  do  so.  It  will  make 
you  a little  money  and  please  your  patrons. 
Print  No.  1.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  the- 
atre, Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  FLAMING  FOREST:  Special  cast — A very 
good  Curwood.  Well  received  by  our  Friday  and. 
Saturday  audiences. — Boom  & DuRand,  Lyric  the- 
atre, Ellendale,  N.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  SHOW:  John  Gilbert — July  31-August  1. 
The  wrong  type  of  picture  for  Gilbert.  Did 
good  business  but  did  not  satisfy  all. — R.  Pfeiffer, 
Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

Paramount 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— 75%.. 
Aujriist  7-8.  This  is  a good  picture  of  the  type. 
Satisfied  about  50  per  ceut.  Star  and  cast  fair. 
— Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— 60%.  July 
21.  This  is  sure  good.  The  Fight  scenes  are- 
good  and  real  with  the  kids  yelling  for  Dix.. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


63 


What  the  Box  Office  Says: 

“THE  MAGIC  GARDEN”  continues  as  a money  maker  and,  what  is  still  more  in- 
portant,  a maker  of  new  friends  for  the  theatre. 

TIMELY  in  this  issue  are  reports  on  two  of  Paramount’s  short  features.  These 
are  the  first  reports  on  this  newborn  product. 

KEN  MAYNARD  continues  as  a popular  W'cstern  .star. 

ESTHER  RALSTON  is  becoming  a big  bet,  with  her  “Ten  Modern  Command- 
ments,” declared  by  some  exhibitors  to  be  her  best. 

“DIRT”  has  been  creeping  into  pictures  lately,  say  exhibitors,  who  contend  that 
this  is  working  adversely  at  the  box  office. 

The  foregoing,  and  many  other  vital  and  interesting  topics  are  discussed  weekly 
in  this  valuable  department.  This  week,  for  instance,  you  will  find  reports  bearing 
upon  such  important  subjects  as — 

Speed  of  reels. 

Logical  day  on  which  to  play  certain  types  of  pictures. 

Condition  of  paper. 

Condition  of  prints. 

Number  of  days  which  may  be  given  the  individual  pictures. 

And  that  is  only  scratching  the  surface.  To  reap  the  full  benefits  from  this  de- 
partment you  should  read  every  report  in  every  issue,  and  if  you  are  an  exhibitor 
you  should  report  on  every  picture  you  play. 


Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  ACE  OF  CADS:  Adolphe  Menjon— 29%. 
July  14.  This  is  good  but  a very  small  crowd 
attended  it.  Eight  reels. — ^Mre.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt--80%. 
August  4.  A good  Western  and  went  over  good. 
The  customers  all  thought  they  got  their  money’s 
worth.  Seven  reele. — Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose 
theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CANADIAN : 'Thomas  Meighan — 77%. 
July  30.  This  is  a very  good  picture.  One  of 
Tom’s  best  in  our  opinion.  Eight  reele. — 'Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green.  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  CANADIAN : Thomas  Meighan — A very 
good  outdoor  picture.  The  nice  part  about  Meig- 
han pictures  they  are  always  clean  entertainment. 
Print  poor. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand  theatre,  Grie- 
wold,  la. — General  patronage. 

EVERYBODY’S  ACTING:  Special  cast— 25%. 
August  9.  A fair  entertainment. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 'General 
patronage. 

THE  POPULAR  SIN:  Florence  Vidor— 52%. 
August  4.  A good  comedy.  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — 
General  patronage. 

IT : Clara  Bow — 25%.  August  10.  The  title 
.sure  is  worked  to  death.  At  least  a dozen  "Its" 
in  every  reel.  They  even  name  the  ship  after 
“It.”  Otherwise  a dandy  picture.  Don’t  be  afraid 
to  step  on  “It.”  (There’s  “It”  again  I)  Seven 
reele. — Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas, 
Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

LOVERS  IN  QUARANTINE:  Bebe  Daniels— 
20%.  Old,  but  very  good.  Lost  money.  No  more 
Paramounte  for  me.  Seven  reels. — ^A.  J.  Smith. 
Texan  theatre.  Roaring  Springs,  Texas. — General 
patronage. 

KID  BOOTS:  Special  cast — 36%.  July  28.  This 
is  sure  a dandy  comedy  ; full  of  laughs  and  thrills 
in  the  last  reel  it’s  great.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda 
J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — ^Gen- 
eral patronage. 

KID  BOOTS:  Special  cast — August  10-11.  Only 
fair.  Not  much  to  it.  Eight  reels. — ^R.  Pfeiffer, 
Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

MANTRAP:  Clara  Bow — 54%.  August  13. 
Our  first  picture  with  Clara  Bow  starring  and  I’ll 
say  she  would  fascinate  a petrified  man.  No 
wonder  J.  C.  went  groggy  over  her.  ’The  next 
time  she  appears  we  will  expect  a good  crowd, 
for  the  comments  were,  “She  is  the  cutest  thing 
on  the  screen.”  As  for  the  moral  quality  of  the 
picture,  it  seemed  rather  naughty  to  me,  for  as  a 
flapper  Clara  gets  away  with  anything,  but  for 
entertainment  it  is  there  with  bells  on.  Seven 
reels. — Clarence  E.  Hopkins,  Hopkins  theatre. 
Cotter,  Ark. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— 75%.  Zane 
Grey  Western.  Mighty  good  high  class  We.stern 
with  beautiful  scenery.  All  seemed  to  enjoy  it. 
Patronage  good  for  this  time  of  year.  No  im- 
possible stunts,  no  crazy  claptrap.  Good  story. 
Book  it.  Six  reels. — ^Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre, 
Salmon,  Idaho. — General  patronage. 

QUICKSANDS:  Richard  Dix — Very  good  Sat- 
urday picture.  Nothing  about  it  to  lift  it  out  of 
the  regular  run  . of  Westerns.  Five  reels. — O.  F. 
Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small  town 
patronage. 

TEN  MODERN  COMMANDMENTS:  Esther 
Ralston — July  5.  This  is  beyond  question  one  of 
the  best  entertainments  Esther  Ralston  has  ever 
made.  She  has  the  courage  to  look  and  act  her 
parts,  even  though  it  requires  her  to  dress  in 
shabby,  slavey  clothes.  This  is  the  story  of  a 
struggling  song  writer  (Neil  Hamilton)  trying  to 
get  his  6ongs  accepted  by  a theatrical  producer. 
Esther  helps  him  out — and  howl  Plenty  of  back 
etage  scenes.  Just  what  the  crowd  wants  these 
hot  days.  ’Thifi  is  good.  Seven  reels. — P.  E.  Mor- 
ris, Regent  theatre,  Indianola,  Miss. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  WHIRLWIND  OF  YOUTH:  Lois  Moran 
— Good  picture  of  the  youthful  jazz  type,  which 
gets  more  serious  an  the  story  progresses.  Love 
scenes  rather  strong.  Six  reels. — ^O.  F.  Craig, 
Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

TIME  TO  LOVE:  Raymond  Griffith — July  27. 
’This  pleased  about  as  well  ae  'any  Paramount-- 
Griffith  pictures,  which  is  not  boosting  it  very 
highly.  It  got  by  very  well  on  my  low  price 
night.  It  is  clever,  silly  sometimes,  yet  withal  a 
very  good  entertainment.  Six  reels. — ^P.  E.  Mor- 


ris, Regent  theatre,  Indianola,  Mies. — Small  town 
patronage. 

NO  PUBLICITY:  Edward  Horton— This  is  a 
dud.  Not  a real  laugh  in  it.  Two  reels. — ^O.  F. 
Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix — 'This  is  built  on 
the  order  of  the  picture  Wallace  Reid  made  sev- 
eral years  ago  in  which  he  saves  the  dam  by  \ieing 
a Mack  truck,  except  Richard  uses  a big  cater- 
pillar tractor.  There  is  a good  deal  of  comedy, 
lots  of  delightful  romantic  scenes  and  two  reels 
of  Richard  driving  the  tractor  through  mud,  mire, 
over  trees  and  hills  to  reach  the  dam  in  time  to 
save  the  people  in  the  valley.  It’s  entertainment, 
and  that’s  what  they  want.  They  liked  it  here. 
Mary  Brian  has  her  best  part  in  this.  Six  reels. 
— P.  E.  Morris,  Regent  theatre,  Indianola,  Miss. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

DIPLOMACY : Special  cast — Medium  program 

picture  that  will  not  draw,  but  isn’t  any  fault 
with  the  picture.  The  title  isn’t  good  for  the  pic- 
ture and  will  not  draw. — F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  thea- 
tre, Meridian,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

SO’S  YOUR  OLD  MAN:  W.  C.  Fields— Noth- 
ing extra.  Has  the  usual  silly  comedy  that  is 
in  all  of  Fields  pictures.  Mr.  Fields  would  be 
all  right  in  two  reel  comedies  with  the  stuff  that 
he  pulls  but  it  will  not  go  over  as  a feature. 
— F.  R.  Odle,  Palace  theatre.  Meridian,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

HOLD  THAT  LION:  Douglas  MacLean— Plenty 
of  action  and  comedy  in  this  one.  Should  go  over 
in  any  town.  Six  reels. — J.  R.  Kersey,  Ozona 
theatre,  Ozona,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOOD  AND  NAUGHTY:  Pola  Negri — Medium 
comedy.  Hasn’t  what  the  title  suggests  to  the 
average  per.son. — F.  R.  Odle.  Palace  theatre. 
Meridian,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

WE’RE  IN  THE  NAVY  NOW:  Wallace  Beery 
— July  28-29.  A very  prood  comedy  play,  but  did 
not  draw. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

A KISS  IN  A TAXI:  Bebe  Daniels— Splendid. 
If  Bebe  keeps  up  the  pace  she  has  set  in  “A  Kiss 
In  A Taxi"  and  "Stranded  In  Paris"  she  will 
soon  lead  the  field. — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre, 
Newark,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper— August  13, 
This  youngster  has  certainly  made  a good  start 
and  if  he  keeps  it  up  he  will  be  a dandy.  This 
is  full  of  action  and  comedy,  and  pleased  our 
Saturday  crowd  almost  100  per  cent.  Five  reels. 
— O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FASCINATING  YOUTH:  Paramounts  Juniors. 
— A good  picture  for  young  folks.  Beautiful  snow 
scenes.  Eight  reels. — J.  R.  Kersey,  07X)na  theatre, 
Ozona,  Tex. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Wallace  Beery— Good 
picture  for  any  town.  Better  than  average  Sun- 
day-Monday  business.  Beery  is  a winner  for  me. 
Seven  reels. — E.  H.  Randall,  Liberty  theatre,  Con- 
don, Ore. — Small  town  patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Wallace  Beery— Good 
picture  but  nothing  to  compare  with  "Behind  the 
Front"  or  "We’re  In  The  Navy  Now."  The  ab- 
sence of  Raymond  Hatton  is  a seriou-s  disappoint- 
ment and  the  stoi'y  is  rather  weak.  Six  reels. — 
O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small 
town  patronage. 


Pathe-PDC 

FOR  ALIMONY  ONLY:  Beatrice  Joy— 30%. 
July  6-7.  This  was  a very  good  picture  but  did 
not  do  any  business.  No  fault  of  the  picture.  I 
blame  it  on  the  paper.  I know  nothing  else  as 
all  Producers  pictures  flop  alike  at  our  box  office. 
Seven  reels. — A1  Stoddard.  Rex  theatre,  Madison- 
ville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

PALS  IN  PARADISE:  Marguerite  de  la  Motte 
— 25%.  August  2-3.  A very  good  picture  but  a 
flop  at  the  box  office.  Nothing  wrong  except  the 
paper.  Would  please  most  any  patron  who  saw 
it,  for  it’s  a mile  better  than  the  paper  indicated 
it  to  be.  We  did  not  make  film  rental  on  it. 
Seven  reels. — A1  Steddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madison- 
ville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

UP  IN  MABEL’S  ROOM:  Marie  Prevost— 
79%.  May  20.  One  of  the  best  farce  comedies  we 
ever  played.  Book  it  and  get  behind  it  big. 
It  is  full  of  laughs  from  beginning  to  end.  Only 
booked  it  one  day,  but  would  have  gone  over 
good  for  another. — Guy  B.  Amis,  Princess  thea- 
tre, Lexington,  Tenn. — Small  town  patronage. 

KEEP  SMILING:  Monty  Banks* — 50%.  August 
8-9.  Here  is  a dandy  little  picture.  Plenty  of 
comedy  and  a real  motor  boat  race  in  the  East. 
Two  reels  very  good  as  a stmight  comedy  feature. 
We  featured  as  comedy  circles  with  extras  and 
was  favorably  delivered.  Six  reels. — A1  Stoddard, 
Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  OUTLAW  EXPRESS:  Leo  Maloney— 37%. 
June  25.  Not  as  good  as  "High  Hand"  but  it  is 
a pretty  good  Western  at  that.  Six  reels. — 
Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SKY  RAIDER:  Special  cast— 19%.  July 
2.  Good  picture  but  had  strong  competition.  Good 
small  town  picture  for  Saturday  night.  Six  reels. 
— Aubrey  Swearingen,  Ci’escent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SEVENTH  BANDIT:  Harry  Carey— 
25%.  June  11.  Pretty  good  Western.  Harry’s 
Westerns  are  better  than  they  used  to  be.  Six 
reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre, 
Woodville,  Tex. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

MANHATTAN  MADNESS : Jack  Dempsey— 
37%.  June  27-28,  Good  for  a raw  recruit  like 
Jack  but  not  as  good  as  the  one  Douglas  Fair- 
banks made  years  ago.  Six  reels. — Aubrey 
Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  REJUVENATION  OF  AUNT  MARY: 
Special  cast.  Poor.  Nothing  to  it.  Ran  to  less 
than  average  Saturday  night  business.  Seven 
reels. — E.  H.  Randall,  Liberty  theatre,  Condon, 
Ore. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  REJUVENATION  OF  AUNT  MARY: 
Special  cast — August  12-13.  Near  great!  Our 
audience  received  this  picture  with  cheer  after 
cheer,  and  bench  after  bench.  We  cheered  at 
the  box  office.  Six  reels. — Clark  & Edwards,  Pal- 
ace theatre,  Ashland,  Ohio. — General  patronage. 

ADVENTURES  IN  ALASKA:  August  6-7. 
This  one  is  different  from  the  ordinary  pictures. 
Has  wonderful  scenery  but  has  rather  poor  box 
office  power.  Six  reels. — ^C.  E.  Holt,  Legion 
theatre,  Elmwood,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  SEA  WOLF:  Ralph  Ince — Here  is  a 
London  thriller.  Good  cast,  good  photography,  but 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


at  that  we  had  a few  walkouts  on  the  picture.  It 
did  not  draw  for  some  reason  either,  although 
as  a rule  all  of  Jack  London’s  stuff  goes  over 
here  from  fairly  well  to  good.  Seven  reels. — 
Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone, 
Ariz. — General  patronage. 

FIGHTING  LOVE:  Special  cast — A well  acted 
picture  but  contains  four  very  suggestive  scenes. 
Better  off  without  such  for  entertainment. — Boom 
& DuRand,  Lyric  theatre,  Ellendale,  N.  D. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

RUBBER  TIRES:  Special  cast — A very  mediocre 
picture.  Paid  three  times  too  much  for  it.  Just 
a so-so  nothing  to  it. — Boom  & DuRand,  Lyric 
theatre,  Ellendale,  N.  D. — General  patronage. 

FOR  WIVES  ONLY:  Marie  Prevost — July  27. 
Only  fair  program  picture. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess 
theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

United  Artists 

A NIGHT  OF  LOVE:  Ronald  Colman— A mag- 
nificent  production — one  that  anyone  would  be 
proud  of  and  should  please  any  class  of  patrons. 
However,  does  it?  Ronald  Colman  does  excellent 
acting  and  Vilma  Banky  has  improved  a lot  in 
past  years.  Ten  reels. — W.  H.  Brenner,  Cozy 
theatre,  Winchester,  Ind. — General  patronage. 

STELLA  DALLAS:  Special  cast — Good  picture 
but  no  drawing  card.  Pleased  those  that  came. 
Print  good.  Eleven  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,  Gri.swold,  la. — ^General  patronage. 

Universal 

OH  BABY:  Madge  Kennedy — 43%.  July  25-26. 
A good  little  farce  comedy  that  was  ruined  by 
poor  acting  or  poor  directing  and  I can’t  tell 
which.  I notice  that  some  of  the  largest  com- 
panies say  they  can  make  stars  of  practically  any- 
one, but  I say  give  us  stars  that  already  know 
their  stuff.  Seven  I’eels. — Aubrey  Swearingen, 
Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SPANGLES:  Pat  O’Malley— 67%.  July  16. 
Another  one  that  fooled  me.  Played  to  Saturday 
night  crowd  that  enjoyed  it.  I wouldn’t  play  it 
but  one  day  anyway.  Six  reels. — Aubrey  Swear- 
ingen, Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

POKER  FACES:  Laura  La  Plante — 91%.  June 
20-21.  Much  talk  about  this  one  still.  Give  us 
more  like  this.  Uncle  Carl.  They  don’t  cost  so 
much  and  Oh ! how  the  people  enjoy  them. 
Thanks!  Thanks  to  Laura  and  Horton  every  one 
loves  you.  I think  Seiter  is  a lucky  devil.  Suc- 
cess to  both  Laura.  Eight  reels. — Aubrey  Swear- 
ingen, Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small 
town  patronage. 

POKER  FACES:  Laura  LaPlante — Good  pic- 
ture, but  a poor  drawing  card.  Fell  flat  here. 
Print  good.  Eight  reels. — P.  G.  Held,  Strand 
theatre,  Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL:  Special  cast— 
44%.  August  3-4.  Fair  program  picture.  Con- 
sider it  on  an  average  with  general  run  of  en- 
tertainment.— Coffee  & Ellis,  American  theatre, 
Perryton,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

HIS  PEOPLE:  Special  cast — 60%.  Story  of 
Jewish  family  life  intensely  interesting.  Well 
produced.  Action,  pathos  and  a little  comedy. 
People  enjoyed  it.  Speed  ’er  up,  she’s  too  long. 
Nine  reels. — Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon, 
Idaho. — General  patronage. 

PRISONERS  OF  THE  STORM:  House  Peters 
— 20%.  August  6.  Did  not  see  this  one  and  I 
have  heard  nothing  of  it  so  I guess  it  is  the  usual 
House  Peters  story.  Sorry  as  they  make  ’em.  It 
at  least  had  no  drawing  power.  Six  reels. — 
Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre,  Woodville, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TEXAS  STREAK:  Hoot  Gibson— 26%. 
June  18.  Strong  competition  but  the  Hoot  fans 
turned  out  and  thanks  to  Hoot!  Good.  Seven 
reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre, 
Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CALGARY  STAMPEDE:  Hoot  Gibson— 
100%,  July  24.  Ran  this  on  Pioneer  Day  to  a 
packed  house  and  everybody  liked  it.  Ran  Our 
Gang  in  “The  Fourth  Alarm’’  with  this  and  was 
good  too.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

DOWN  THE  STRETCH:  Special  cast— Good 
race  track  story.  Well  directed.  Seven  reels. — 
Stanley  L.  Hull,  Happy  Hour  theatre,  Jasper, 
Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

PAINTING  THE  TOWN:  Special  cast— A com- 
edy knockout.  Good  for  any  house  anytime.  Six 
reels. — Stanley  L.  Hull,  Happy  Hour  theatre, 
Jaeper,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  OLD  SOAK:  Jean  Hersholt — Very  good 
picture.  Interesting  from  start  to  finish.  Print 
good.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Held.  Strand  theatre, 
Griswold,  la. — General  patronage. 


Lamp  this  rainbow  trout  which  was 
caught  in  the  Quillayute  river  below 
Forks^  W'ash.,  in  the  Olympic  moun- 
tains. Never  mind  the  fit  of  Colonel 
Jenkins*  pants.  R.  L.  Anderson  will 
probably  call  this  a blue  back  sal- 
mon. Do  you  think  you  could  navi- 
gate the  rapids  in  a **dugout**  and 
land  a baby  like  this  one?—^J.  C.  J. 


LADIES  AT  PLAY:  Special  cast — July  7-8.  A 
nice  little  comedy  drama  with  a punk  conclusion. 
Seven  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen,  Crescent  theatre, 
Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

Warner  Bros. 

WHAT  EVERY  GIRL  SHOULD  KNOW:  Patey 
Ruth  Miller — 75%.  August  10-11,  This  play 
proved  quite  satisfactory.  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  was 
at  her  best.  In  playing  tennis  on  the  screen 
Mile.  Lenglen  has  nothing  on  her.  The  title  of 
this  play  somewhat  suggestive  of  sex,  while  it 
may  have  contributed  to  the  box  office,  proved  a 
disappointment  to  those  who  expected  to  see  a 
play  of  that  kind.  But  the  play  more  than 
made  up  for  the  disapi>ointment  by  the  moral  at 
the  finish  which  summed  up  what  every  normal 
girl  should  know. — A.  J.  Gibbons,  Illinois  theatre, 
Metropolis,  HI. — General  patronage. 

BITTER  APPLES:  Monte  Blu^30%.  July  16. 
This  is  fair.  Directing  is  poor  in  spots.  Six 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gera  theatre.  Green- 
river,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

MILLIONAIRES:  George  Sidney — 65%,  August 
6.  Very  goofy  show,  but  pleased  those  who 
saw  it.  George  does  better  in  comedy  roles.  Eight 
reels. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  GILDED  HIGHWAY:  John  Harron— 36%. 
July  23.  A story  of  sudden  wealth  that  was  fair. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  GAY  OLD  BIRD:  Loui.se  Fazenda— Just 
good  average  comedy.  Louise  Fazenda  does  her 
best  work  as  a waitress  or  house  maid  and  she 
does  it  well  here.  Seven  reels. — E.  T.  Mathes, 
Avalon  theatre,  Bellingham,  Wash. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

State  Rights 

MILE  A MINUTE  MAN : Special  cast — 65%. 
August  12.  Pretty  good  show.  Pleased  very  good. 
— Five  reels. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Pe- 
trolia, Tex. — General  patronage. 

Short  Features 

EDUCATIONAL 

BREEZING  ALONG:  Lloyd  Hamilton — A good 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family 


theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

WHO’S  AFRAID:  Lupino  Lane — A very  good 
comedy  as  nearly  all  Educationals  are.  Plenty  of 
action  in  thifi  one.  Two  reels. — C.  E.  Holt,  Le- 
gion theatre.  Elmwood,  Wis. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

WILD  AND  WOOZY:  An  extra  good  comedy. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

FOX 

SOCIETY  ARCHITECT:  Van  Bibber— August 
5-6.  Took  well  with  the  kids,  and  gave  the  adults 
many  laughs.  Two  reels. — J.  A.  Vengesather, 
M.  W.  A.  Movies,  Brocket,  N.  D. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SWIMMING  INSTRUCTOR:  Earle  Foxe— Very 
funny  comedy.  Fox  has  the  comedies.  Two  reels. 
— G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

SHORT  SOCKS:  Bobby  Vernon — Fairly  good. 
Nothing  extra.  Two  reels. — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal 
theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

A SHORT  TAIL:  Novelty  reel — Here’s  a real 
novelty.  Story  of  two  dogs,  one  belonging  to  a 
ragged  urchin  and  the  other  to  a swell  society 
dame.  They  get  lost,  meet  up  accidentally  and 
lap  up  some  hooch  when  a drunken  man  drops 
his  bottle  on  the  sidewalk.  Only  the  feet  of  the 
human  players  are  shown  except  once  or  twice 
when  it  becomes  necessary  to  show  their  hands. 
No  human  face  is  shown  in  the  entire  picture. 
It’s  good.  'Two  reels. — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  thea- 
tre, Newark,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

PATHE 

ALONG  CAME  AUNTIE:  Good.  Two  reels.— 
Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  NOSE  DiyE:  Buster  Brown— Our 
first  of  Buster  Browns  and  was  very  good.  'Two 
reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Green- 
river, Utah. — General  patronage. 

A DOG’S  LIFE:  Charlie  Chaplin — 21%.  June 
13-14.  Well  liked  here,  even  though  they  had  seen 
it  years  ago.  Three  reels. — Aubrey  Swearingen, 
Crescent  theatre,  Woodville,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

FIGHT  NIGHT:  Billy  Bevan— Good.  A story 
of  happy  ( ?)  married  life.  Two  reels. — Bruno 
Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FOURTH  ALARM:  Our  Gang — ’This  was  a 
very  good  comedy.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

HIS  WOODEN  WEDDING:  Charley  Chase— 
This  was  a dandy  one.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda 
J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

HOTSY  TOTSY : Alice  Day — ’This  is  a very 
good  comedy.  'Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green, 
Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patron- 
age. 

ISN’T  LIFE  TERRIBLE?:  Charley  Chase— A 
fair  comedy.  The  comedies  from  this  star  are 
nearly  all  the  same.  Two  reels. — C.  E.  Holt, 
Legion  theatre,  Elmwood,  Wis. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

LONG  PANTS:  Glen  Tryon — This  was  good. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

PATHE  NEWS:  August  9.  Pathe  News  is 
great.  Town  of  1,000.  10  and  25  cents  admission. 

One  reel. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

SCARED  STIFF:  Print  in  poor  shape  out  of 
Seattle.  Fair  comedy.  A little  too  dark  and 
gruesome.  Two  reels. — Bruno  Hollenbeck,  Rose 
theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

SHIVERING  SPOOKS:  Our  Gang— Another 
good  one  from  the  kids.  Two  reels! — Mrs.  Hulda 
J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

ACCIDENTS  CAN  HAPPEN:  AI  Alt— Slapstick 
which  was  fair.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

ANDY  TAKES  A FLYER:  Special  cast— Good 
Gump  comedy.  Universal  is  making  them  better 
and  better  and  cleaner,  too.  Had  to  cancel  Pathe 
comedies  as  they  were  too  tough. . Universal’s 
Pee  W'ee  Holmes  Western  comedies,  the  Gumps, 
Edna  Marion  and  most  of  Stern  Brothers  are 
good.  Also  Buster  Browns.  Try  a few  and  see. 
— Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

CHESTER’S  DONKEY  PARTY:  Gumps— Good 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gera 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

YEARNING  FOR  LOVE:  Wanda  Wiley— Fair. 
Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 


August  27,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


65 


ppiic  OFFICE  iCKERl 

I HERALD  System  for  determining 

the  definite  attraction  values 
of  ^Motion  pictures 

yi'i 

L.  . , 

Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  For 
Me”  supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing 
average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on. 
When  10  of  these  percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have 


been  received,  the  average  of  these  10  percentage 
ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.”  Each  additional 
percentage-rating  report  received  on  pictures  entered 
is  combined  with  those  previously  received  and  the 
new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


No  Man’s  Gold  (Fox). 81.41% 

TeU  It  To  The  Marines  (M-G-M) 80.82% 

The  Cohens  And  Kellys  (U) 78.00% 

Irene  (F.  N.) 76.75% 

Keeper  Of  The  Bees  (F  B O) 76.69% 

The  Calgary  Stampede  (U) 75.80% 

Don  Mike  (F  B O) 75.50% 

It  (Par) 75.27% 

Laddie  (F  B O) 74.79% 

Johnny  Get  Your  Hair  Cut  (M-G-M) 73.95% 

The  Vanishing  American  (Par) 72.72% 

The  Great  K.  And  A.  Train  Robbery  (Fox).. 72. 63% 

The  Tough  Guy  (FBO) 72.46% 

Arizona  Sweepstakes  (U) 72.42% 

Chip  Of  The  Flying  U (U) 72.00% 

Th«  Volga  Boatman  (P.  D.  C.) 72.00% 

The  Magic  Garden  (F  B O) 71.91% 

SUde,  Kelly,  Slide  (M-G-M) 71.21% 

Flesh  And  Tito  Devil  (M-G-M) 69.62% 

Tlie  Winning  Of  Barbara  Worth  (U.  A.)....69.43% 

Let’s  Get  Married  (Par) 69.38% 

The  Bat  (U.  A.) 69.36% 

The  Sea  Beast  (W.  B.) 69.30% 

The  Overland  Stage  (F.  N.) 68.86% 

The  Gentle  Cyclone  (U) 68.81% 

Ella  Gnders  (F.  N.) 68.80% 

The  Son  Of  The  Sheik  (U.  A.) 68.38% 

Tin  Hats  (M-G-M) 68.36% 

The  Quarterback  (Par) 67 .96% 

A Regular  Scout  (FBO) 67.83% 

The  Unknown  Cavalier  (F.  N.) 67.81% 

The  Scarlet  Letter  (M-G-M) 67.50% 

TTie  Scarlet  West  (F.  N.) 67.40% 

The  Campus  Flirt  (Par) 67.10% 

The  Last  Frontier  (P.  D.  C.) 66.78% 

Sea  Horses  (Par) 66.40% 

The  Four  Horsemen  (M-G-M) 66.30% 

Three  Bad  Men  (Fox) 66.05% 

The  Black  Pirate  (U.  A.) 65.94% 

Up  In  Mabel’s  Room  (P.  D.  C.) 65.21% 

Man  Of  The  Forest  (Par) 65.09% 

Senor  Daredevil  (F.  N.) 65.09% 

The  Devil  Horse  (P) 64.69% 

We’re  In  The  Navy  Now  (Par) 64.53% 

His  Secretary  (M-G-M) 64.50% 

The  Kid  Brother  (Par) 64.37% 

The  Night  Cry  (W.  B.) 64.33% 

Corporal  Kate  (P.  D.  C.) 64.20% 

The  Phantom  Bullet  (U) 64.18% 

Hands  Across  The  Border  (F  B O) 64.16% 

Across  The  Pacific  (W.  B.) 64.07% 

For  Heaven’s  Sake  (Par) 63.45% 

Skinner’s  Dress  Suit  (U) 62.84% 

Little  Annie  Rooney  (U.  A.) 62.83% 

Twinkletoes  (F.  N.) — . — 62.62% 

That’s  My  Baby  (Par) 62.42% 

The  Understanding  Heart  (M-G-M) 62.36% 

War  Paint  (M-G-M) 62.30% 

Brown  Of  Harvard  (M-G-M) 61.96% 

Lone  Hand  Saunders  (FBO) 61.85% 

The  Man  In  The  Saddle  (U) 61.68% 

Tramp,  Tramp,  Tramp  (F.  N.) — - 61.00% 

The  Buckaroo  Kid  (U) 60.94% 

The  Texas  Streak  (U) 60.50% 

Under  Western  Skies  (U) 60.09% 

Behind  The  Front  (Par) 59.94% 

Tony  Runs  Wild  (Fox) 59.78% 

The  Teaser  (U) - 59.50% 

Sweet  Daddies  (F.  N.) 59.31% 

The  Two  Gun  Man  (FBO) 59.23% 

The  Waning  Sex  (M-G-M) .59.11% 

Wild  To  Go  (FBO) 59.09% 

The  Silent  Rider  (U) 59.00% 

The  Flaming  Forest  (M-G-M) 58.83% 

The  Rainmaker  (Par) 58.80% 

His  People  (U) 58.71% 

The  Palm  Beach  Girl  (Par) 58.27% 

The  Dark  Angel  (F.  N.) 58.23% 

Sally,  Irene  And  Mary  (M-G-M) 58.09% 

Clash  Of  The  Wolves  (W.  B.) .57.75% 

Winners  Of  The  Wilderness  (M-G-M) 57.46% 

The  Cowboy  Cop  (FBO) 57.00% 

Private  Izzy  Murphy  (W.  B.) 57.00% 

Forlorn  River  (Par) 56.92% 

The  Flaming  Frontier  (U) 56.85% 

The  Wilderness  Woman  (F.  N.) 56.84% 

The  Temptress  (M-G-M) 56.73% 


Old  Clothes  (M-G-M) 56.69% 

Forever  After  (F.  N.) 56.66% 

Rolling  Home  (U) - —56.58% 

Canyon  Of  Light  (Fox) 56.54% 

Upstage  (M-G-M) 56.47% 

Mike  (M-G-M) 56.45% 

The  Red  Mill  (M-G-M) 56.38% 

The  Flying  Horseman  (Fox) 56.33% 

Mantrap  (Par) 56.26% 

Men  Of  Steel  (F.  N.) - 56.13% 

It  Must  Be  Love  (F.  N.) 56.11% 

Wild  Justice  (U.  A.) -...S5.867o 

Born  To  The  West  (Par) 55.45% 

Stranded  In  Paris  (Par) - 55.33% 

Subway  Sadie  (F.  N.) 55.25% 

The  Return  Of  Peter  Grimm  (Fox) 55.20% 

The  Johnstown  Flood  (Fox) 55.08% 

Kid  Boots  (Par) 55.00% 

The  Unknown  Soldier  (P.  D.  C.) 55.00% 

Knockout  Riley  (Par) 54.63% 

Her  Big  Night  (U) 54.24% 

Paradise  (F.  N.) - 54.06% 

The  Greater  Glory  (F.  N.) 54.00% 

The  Country  Beyond  (Fox) 53.91% 

Hero  Of  The  Big  Snow  (W.  B.) 53.90% 


How  It  Works 

Supose  your  average  daily  gross  on  your 
record  attraction  was  $55,  That  would  he 
100  per  cent,  or  the  basis  on  which  to  fig- 
ure your  percentages  for  THE  BOX  OF- 
FICE TICKER.  The  following  is  illustrative 
of  this  system: 


$.';5.oo  100% 

54.50  99% 

54.00  98% 

53.50  97% 

53.00  - — - 96% 

52.50  - 95% 

52.00  - — - 94% 

51.50  - 93% 

51.00  - 92% 

50.50  91% 

50.00  - 90% 

49.50  - - 89% 

49.00  - 88% 

48.50  - 87% 

48.00  - 86% 

47.50  85% 

47.00  - — 84% 

46.50  - — 83% 

46.00  - - — 82% 

45.50  81% 

45.00  80% 

44.50  79% 

44.00  - 78% 

43.50  - 77% 

43.00  - 76% 

42.50  75% 

42.00  - 74% 

41.50  73% 

41.00  - - - - 72% 

40.50  71% 

40.00  — 70% 

39.50  69% 

39.00  - 68% 

38.50  - 67% 

38.00  66% 

37.50  - 65% 

37.00  - 64% 

36.50  63% 

36.00  62% 

35.50  - 61% 

35.00  60% 

34.50  59% 

34.00  - 58% 

33.50  57% 

33.00  56% 

32.50  55% 

32.00  - 54% 


The  Road  To  Mandalay  (M-G-M) 53.90% 

Variety  (Par) 53.81% 

What  Happened  To  Jones  (U) 53.62% 

Breed  Of  The  Sea  (FBO) 53.17% 

Prisoners  Of  The  Storm  (U) 53.10% 

Aloma  Of  The  South  Seas  (Par) 52.78% 

Sweet  Rosie  O’Grady  (Col) 52.72% 

Tin  Gods  (Par) 52.71% 

The  Barrier  (M-G-M) 52.68% 

The  Midnight  Sun  (U) 52.68% 

Poker  Faces  (U) 52.35% 

Let  It  Rain  (Par) — 51.70% 

Eagle  Of  The  Sea  (Par) 51.63% 

Kosher  Kitty  Kelly  (FBO) 51.61% 

The  Prince  Of  Pilsen  (P.  D.  C.) 51.60% 

Say  It  Again  (Par) 51.25% 

The  Ico  Flood  (U) 50.93% 

Bred  In  Old  Kentucky  (FBO) 50.90% 

Whispering  Wires  (Fox) 50.90% 

The  Runaway  Express  (U) 50.82% 

Miss  Nobody  (F.  N.) 50.47% 

One  Minute  To  Play  (F  B O) - 50.44% 

The  Wanderer  (Par) 50.36% 

Hogan’s)  Alley  (W.  B.) 50.25% 

Spangles  (U) - 50.25% 

Mare  Nostrom  (M-G-M) 50.22% 

Sparrows  (U.  A.) 50.11% 

Padlocked  (Par) 49.88% 

The  Million  Dollar  Handicap  (P.  D.  C.) — 49.82% 

Her  Honor  The  Governor  (F  B O) 49.76% 

The  Arizona  Streak  (F  B O) 49.75% 

The  Show  Off  (Par) 49.73% 

Stepping  Along  (F.  N.) 49.50% 

The  Ancient  Highway  (Par) 49.40% 

Hair  Trigger  Baxter  (F  B O) 49.40% 

The  Blue  Eagle  (Fox) 48.66% 

Faust  (M-G-M) 48.60% 

Battling  Butler  (M-G-M) 48.52% 

Whispering  Smith  (P.  D.  C.) 48.45% 

Desert’s  ToU  (M-G-M) 48.26% 

There  You  Are  (M-G-M) 48.14% 

The  New  Commandment  (F.  N.) 48.08% 

The  Still  Alarm  (U) 47.50% 

Take  It  From  Me  (U) 47.5O/0 

The  Waltz  Dream  (M-G-M) 47.15/0 

The  Brown  Derby  (F.  N.) 

Tumbleweeds  (U.  A.) 47.00/o 

Wet  Paint  (Par) 46.81 /o 

Love  ’Em  And  Leave  ’Em  (Par) - 46.72 /o 

Midnight  Lovers  (F.  N.) 46.50 /o 

Paradise  For  Two  (Par) 

The  New  Klondike  (Par) 45.60 /o 

So’s  Your  Old  Man  (Par) 45.25 /o 

The  Marriage  Clause  (U) 45.13/o 

The  Border  Sheriff  (U) 45.00 /o 

Ladies  At  Play  (F.  N.) 44.82% 

Partners  Again  (U.  A.) 44.25/o 

The  Blind  Goddess  (Par) 43.88/o 

A Little  Journey  (M-G-M) 43.46 /o 

Bigger  Than  Barnunis  (FBO) 43.27 /o 

Blarney  (M-G-M) 43.23% 

The  Old  Soak  (U) 43.07% 

Bardelys  The  Magnificent  (M-G-M) 42.73 /o 

Fine  Manners  (Par) 42.69 /o 

The  Canadian  (Par) 42.60% 

The  Duchess  Of  Buffalo  (F.  N.) 42.45 /J) 

Hold  Tltat  Lion  (Par) 42.28% 

La  Boheme  (M-G-M) 

Fig  Leaves  (Fox) 41.90/o 

Fascinating  Youth  (Par) 41.80% 

Ace  Of  Cads  (Par) 41.40% 

The  Love  Tliief  (U) 40.90% 

Miss  Brewster's  Millions  (Par) 40.79/o 

Everybody’s  Acting  (Par) 40.75 /o 

The  Wise  Guy  (F.  N.) 

The  Cat’s  Pajamas  (Par) 39.09 /o 

Nell  Cwyn  (Par) 

Into  Her  Kingdom  (F,  N.) 36.90 /o 

Steel  Preferred  (P.  D.  C.) 34.70/o 

The  Magician  (M-G-M) 34.42% 

Perch  Of  The  Devil  (U) 34.16% 

The  Great  Gatsby  (Par) 34.00% 

Exit  Smiling  (M-G-M) 33.50% 

You’d  Be  Surprised  (Par) 31.92% 

Don  Juan’s  Three  Nights  (F.  N.) 30.80% 

The  Amateur  Gentleman  (F.  N.) 30.27% 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


August  27,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  G.  S. 

NO  agreement  was  reached  last  week  Friday  by  representatives  of 
Chicago  exhibitors  and  the  stage-hands’  union,  who  met  to  discuss 
the  demand  of  the  union  for  a 25  per  cent  increase  in  wages. 


The  week  before,  the  exhibitors  through 
the  executive  board  of  their  association, 
decided  to  reject  the  demand  of  the  stage- 
hands, on  the  grounds  that  present  busi- 
ness conditions  would  not  support  any  in- 
crease whatever.  This  rejection  was  met 
firmly  by  the  union  at  Friday’s  meeting, 
the  demand  for  a full  25  per  cent  raise  be- 
ing insisted  upon. 

As  a result,  telegrams  w'ere  sent  by  the 
Chicago  Exhibitors  Association  to  all  mem- 
bers, asking  those  interested  in  the  con- 
troversy to  attend  another  meeting  this 
week. 

The  demand  of  the  union  includes  all 
types  of  theatres  and  every  department  of 
stage  service.  It  affects,  of  course,  few 
motion  picture  theatres,  since  most  of  them 
do  not  present  stage  shows.  However,  the 
screen  theatres  giving  Saturday  and  Sun- 
day vaudeville  are  affected  by  the  demand 
for  a 25  per  cent  increase  in  the  wage  for 
each  performance. 

Certain  other  proposals,  of  less  impor- 
tance, are  being  made  in  regard  to  working 
conditions. 

In  the  motion  picture  theatres  present- 
ing stage  shows  daily,  the  union  is  de- 
manding that  stage  executives,  such  as 
carpenters  and  electricians,  be  paid  $105  in 
the  deluxe  houses  and  $85  in  the  others. 
Stage  executives  would  receive  $7.50  a per- 
formance for  not  less  than  nine  perform- 
ances, in  the  theatres  giving  only  occa- 
sional stage  shows.  In  the  other  branches 
of  stage  service  the  wages  are  less. 


The  present  contract  between  the  union 
and  exhibitors  expires  September  1.  An- 
other demand  for  an  increase  in  wages  is 
expected  soon  after  that  date  from  the 
musicians. 

In  the  controversy  with  the  stage-hands, 
the  exhibitors  are  being  represented  by 
Jack  Miller  and  Leo  Spitz,  while  George 
Brown  is  speaking  for  the  union. 

* * * 

Entry  blanks  for  the  film  golf  tourna- 
ment to  be  held  September  16  at  Olympia 
Fields,  were  to  be  mailed  out  this  week, 
according  to  Len  Ullrich,  chairman  of  the 
committee.  There  are  200  of  the  blanks 
and  it  is  expected  that  considerably  over 
half  of  them  will  be  returned  to  the  com- 
mittee, duly  filled  out,  making  this  year’s 
competition  none  the  less  memorable  be- 
cause it  is  the  only  one. 

With  contracts  beginning  to  stampede 
the  exchanges  and  with  exhibitors  beaming 
at  the  prospect  of  showing  more  wonder- 
ful product  than  ever  before  (yes,  yes,  I 
know,  but  this  is  no  time  to  bring  up 
those  matters),  it  is  assured  that  all  the 
sunshine  bathing  Olympia  Fields  on  the 
great  day  wdll  not  come  from  the  sky.  As 
for  the  solar  variety  of  brightness,  the 
committee  examined  a number  of  almanacs 
before  setting  the  date,  and  September  16 
was  chosen,  it  is  said,  because  it  has  not 
rained  on  that  date  at  Olympia  Fields 
since  it  was  built  (adv.). 

Len  Ldlrich  says  that  he  would  like  to 
receive  the  entries  as  quickly  as  possible. 


Season  1927-28 


-EDMUND  DUQNS 
OLIVE  UAS&fJOUCK 
MAURICE  COSTELLO 
DOT  EARLEY 
MACK  5 WAIN 

For  Illin  ois 


For  Indiana 


GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS  MIDWEST  FILM  CO. 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVE.,  of  Indiana 

CHICAGO,  ILL.  218  Mimmer  Hld^..  Indianapolis 


since  preparations  have  been  late  in  getting 
started  anyway.  In  the  meantime  he  is 
out  hunting  up  a truckful  of  cups,  clubs, 
and  other  things  for  the  competitors  to 
shoot  for — and  at. 

* * 

Jimmie  Coston  has  been  considerably 
absent  from  his  office  the  past  week,  be- 
cause of  illness. 

* * % 

Sam  Myers  of  the  Del  Lago,  Marquette 
and  Highway  theatres,  and  his  family  are 
in  the  East  for  a vacation  trip. 

'k 

H.  C.  Voting,  manager  of  the  Chicago 
office  of  National  Screen  Service  left  last 
week  for  Paw  Paw  Lake,  Mich.,  for  a 
\acation.  H.  C.  McPherson,  his  assistant, 
who  has  been  vacationing  in  Denver,  re- 
turned to  his  desk  last  week. 

^ ^ ^ 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Sweeney  spent 
the  weekend  as  guests  of  Jack  Miller  at  his 
Lake  Geneva,  Wis.,  summer  home. 

* * * 

I am  reliably  informed  by  most  every- 
body  that  Cooney’s  Avalon  theatre  is  to 
open  next  Monday  night,  absolutely,  which 
means  that  if  that  day  arrives  before  the 
opening  date  is  changed,  the  big  new  house 
will  be  in  operation  from  then  on.  It  is  to 
be  a class  A pre-release  house. 

* * 

Dan  Roche,  publicist  and  man  about 
town  for  Pathe  (pretty  near  said  P-D-C), 
got  in  a few  vacation  days  in  Michigan 
over  the  weekend. 

^ ^ ^ 

Mrs.  C.  A.  Rice,  proprietor  of  the  Ham- 
lin and  Seeley  theatres,  is  vacationing  at 
Northbrook,  the  guest  of  her  brother, 
E.  P.  Grohe  of  the  Fox  exchange,  who 
has  a summer  home  there. 

^ 5^ 

Emil  Stern,  who  was  suddenly  taken  ill 
about  a week  ago  and  removed  to  a hos- 
pital, is  now  recuperating  at  his  home.  It 
is  expected,  however,  that  he  will  not  re- 
turn to  his  office  for  at  least  another  week. 
^ ^ ^ 

Floyd  Brockell  has  taken  over  E.  H. 
Eidhorn’s  Dicke  theatre  at  Downers  Grove. 
This  leaves  Eulhorn  with  only  the  Curtiss 
in  that  suburb. 

>sj  ^ 

Clayt  Bond  left  last  Friday  night  for 
iMinneapolis  on  business  for  Warner  Broth- 
ers in  the  Northvvest. 

.S'.  A.  Shirley,  district  manager  for 
M-G-M,  returned  from  New  York  last 
Saturday. 

* H!  * 


Three  First  National  personages  crossed 
routes  here  last  week,  Ned  Depinet,  sales 
manager,  arriving  from  the  West  Coast 
on  his  way  to  St.  Louis  and  ultimately 
New  York,  and  Billie  Dove,  accompanied 
by  Mr.  and  Airs.  Al  Rockett,  going  to 
Hollywood. 

5!< 

Jack  Sampson  took  a little  trip  last  week 
downstate,  in  the  interest  of  the  Gold 
Bonds. 

* * * 

William  Heaseman,  operator  of  the  Co- 
lonial theatre  in  Danville,  was  along  the 
Row  last  week. 

* Hi 

F B O has  added  Charles  Poivell,  form- 
erly of  M-G-M  and  Fox,  to  its  staff  of 
salesmen.  Powell  is  covering  Northern 
Illinois. 

* * * 

Announcement  has  been  made  that  North 
■Shore  Development  company,  headed  by 
Joseph  L.  Gerlach,  has  purchased  land  at 
the  northwest  corner  of  Sixty-third  street 
and  Twenty-third  a\enue,  Kenosha,  for  the 
erection  of  a $400,000  theatre  and  hotel 
building.  The  company  paid  $46,000  for 
this  land.  Actual  construction  will  begin 
immediately  upon  vacation  of  the  premises 
by  their  present  tenants. 


Give  T'hem  the  Best 

Theatre  patrons  are  entitled  to 
the  best  screen  quality— which 
means  Eastman  quality. 

Give  them  the  best.  Most 
productions  are  made  on  Eastman 
Negative.  Specify  prints  on  East- 
man Positive  and  you  get  the  film 
combination  that  first  made 
movies  practicable— that  has 
maintained  its  superiority  from 
the  beginning  of  the  industry. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


EXHIBITORS  i :RALD 


Heart  Appeal! 


iJ 

PRODUCT 


Character! 


Romance  ! 


HENRY  B. 
WALTHALL 


HELENE  CHADWICK 


IRELAND,  AFRICA  AND  AMERICA 

combine  to  furnish  the  most  unusual  at- 
mosphere of  this  dramatic  story  of  the 
woman  who  remembered  and  the  man 
who  forgot. 

From  the  Story  by 

GERALD  BEAUMONT 


Superb  Supporting  Cast 
includes 

Lee  Moran,  Ed  Brady,  Ena  Gregory 
and  Carroll  Nye 

Directed  by 

DALLAS  FITZGERALD 


PAT 

O’MALLEY 


BUILT  FOR  THE  BOX  OFFICE! 


Released  Regionally  by 


READY  NOW— RIGHT  NOW! 


LUMAS  FILM  CORPORATION 


1650  Broadway  Sa^  Sax,  Pres.  Budd  Rogers,  Vica-Pres.  New  York  City 

Foreign  Rights  Controlled  by 

British  and  Continental  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  1540  Broadway,  New  York  City 


VVV  12  Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3, 

* • iS79.  Publisl^  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents. 


September  3,  1927 


PS'l.s*  TfS  ■<1^®  e-'^v.^. 


^i/faruj  Qyior-  Glassies 
arid  dasstof  any  prog^^ 


NATIONAL  MOTION  PICTURE  LCACUl 

"MEMORlE9“  A TIPPANY  PRODUCTION 
IS  A BEAUTIFUL  FILM. 

VhefoWyujing,  ^fony  Golor'CLassce 
SdJt^ects  are  read^ jfoi^ booking.-- 

"TME  BAREFOOT  BOY"  "KING  OF  SPORTS" 

"ISLE  OF  JUNE"  - "GREENWICH  VILLAGE  ROMANCE* 
"THE  TRAILOF  A RANGER"  MEMORIES" 

"FISHERMAN"S  LUCK"  "COMRADES" 

"CLOTH ES  MAKE  THE  WOMAN"  "SCAR  FACE" 


THIRD  DIMENSION  PICTURES  ARE  ON  THEIR  WAY 
TIFFANY  CONTROLS  THEM 


TIFFANY  P RO  D UCTIONS.INC. 

^^.H.HOPFMAN,  VICE. PRES. 

1540  BROADWAY  r>  l c ± NEW  YOaK  CITY 

cxchanjoies  overuumere 


September  3,  1927  EXHIBITOR  SHERALD  3 


welcome  to  new  york ! 


^ Dear  Harold:  We’re  tickled  to  death  you’ve  come  here  to  use  the  Big  Town  as  the  setting  for 
the  gay  new  comedy  you’re  working  on  so  hard.  Coney  Island,  the  hall  parks,  the  East  Side,  colorful 
Broadway,  swell  Riverside  Drive,  are  all  set  for  your  camera  capers.  Even  to  the  ancient  horse 
car  you’re  going  to  cavort  around  with.  ^Welcome,  Harold,  king  of 
comedy,  and  the  entire  staff  of  the  Harold  Lloyd  Corporation.  Paramount 
and  your  great  army  of  exhibitor  friends  and  admirers  eagerly  await 
your  new  Big  Ace  coming  in  the  New  Era  in  Motion  Pictures  — 


4 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


oh 

say  did 
you  see! 

(joyous  tempo,  with  biu-st  of  trumpets)  | 

^Have  you  got  Douglas  MacLean  in  ''Soft 
Cushions”  booked?  Have  you  seen  the  pieture?  If 
you  haven’t,  do  us  a favor,  please.  Do  yourself 
and  your  bank  account  a favor.  Screen  it.  Have  your  Paramount  exchange  screen  it!  It’s  that  ' 
ne  plus  ultra  (Harvard  for  "greatest”)  of  rarities,  men  — a natural  knock-em-dead  comedy 
gem!  A "Behind  the  Front”.  ^ Smart,  sophisticated,  youthfully  breezy.  And  awfully,  awfully 
funny.  Utterly  different,  daring  too.  Right  in  tune  with  the  times.  Doug’s  great.  Sue  Carol,  the 
girl,  is  a gorgeous  newcomer  with  "it”  PLUS.  ^ Every  Hollywood-New  York  wayfarer  brought 
word  "Soft  Cushions”  was  a pip.  But  we  wouldn’t  advertise  it  till  we’d 


seen  for  ourself.  We  saw,  men!  And  how  and  what  we  saw!  ^Hats 
off  to  Doug  and  the  Douglas  MacLean  Corporation.  A bow  for  the  wise 
boy  who  put  Doug  wise  to  this  rollicking  yarn  by  the  late  George  Randolph 
Chester.  The  croix  de  box  office  (with  a million  palms  — all  applauding) 
to  Eddie  Cline,  director.  And  congratulations  to  you  lucky  exhibs  who 


have  "Soft  Cushions”  on  tap.  Allah  is  sure  good  to  Paramount  showmen! 


this  is  Sue 


1 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


September  3,  1927 

Golden  Dynamite! 

Guaranteed  to  Raise  the  Roof! 


STRANDED 

By  ANITA  LOOS 
wi'dT 

SHIRLEY  MASON 
WILLIAM  COLLIER  JR. 

SUPPORTEiJ  BY  A BRtLLlANT  CASl 


PRETTY 

CLOTHES 

By  PEGGY  GADDIS 


OUTCAST 

SOULS 

By  JOHN  PETER  TOOHEY 


BURNING  UP 
BROADWAY 

By  WALLACE  IRVING 

MARRY  THE 
GIRL! 

By  NORMAN  HOUSTON 

UNDRESSED 

By  John  LEEDS 

ITMIQHT  HAPPEN 
TO  ANY  GIRL 

By  COSMO  HAMILTON 

A million 
iFOR  LOVE 

■ By  PEGGY  GADDIS' 


JOHN  MILJAN  ° 
GALE  HENRY 
SHANNON  DAY 
FLORENCE  TURNER 
LUCY  BEAUMONT 
ROSA  GORE 


MOTION  PICTURES  TODAY  says:  “An  en- 
tertaining  picture  of  picture  people ! Well  directed 
and  smartly  photographed!  Shirley  Mason,  of 
proved  worth  as  a screen  player,  acts  her  part 
extremely  well  and  is  charming  and  pretty.  We 
liked  this  picture  and  recommend  it!” 

That’s  what  they’re  all  doing!  Dip  into  the 
Sterling  power-plant  and  pick  yourself  some 
golden  dynamite! 


Exhibitors  DAILY  REVIEW  says: 
“A  nifty!  Builds  suspense  in  its  por- 
trayal of  Hollywood  as  it  is ! Shirley 
Mason  sincere  and  convincing.  . . . 
Collier  thoroughly  satisfactory  . . . 
should  be  relished  by  mothers  all 
over  the  country!” 


STERLINGS 

FIRST  CRACK  OUT 
OF  THE  BOX 


Distributed  Throughout  the  World  by 


Directed  by 

PHIL  ROSEN 

From  the  Story  by 

ANITA  LOOS 

Produced  Under  Supervision  of 

JOE  ROCK 


STERLING  PICTURES  DISTRIBUTING  CORPORATION 

1650  Broadway  — New  York  City  — Henry  Ginsberg,  Pres. 


Watch  for  sensa- 
tional exploitation 
developments  on 
“Stranded” ! A de- 
bunked picture  of  the 
real  Hollywood  com- 
bined with  blasting 
drama  — they’ll  go 
wild  about  it! 


box-office  buy 
on  the  market! 


6 EXHIBITORSHERALD  September  3,  1927 

There  are  Exhibitors  in 
this  broad  hind  of  ours — 

sound,  solid  men,  prosperous,  progressive- — whose 
entire  prosperity- has  arisen  through  showing 

■ - 

' ‘ ' 

F O X PICTURES 


as  the  backbone  of  entertainment  at  their  theatres 
for  years  and  years.  These  men  know  the  true 

meaning  of  the  phrase 


PROFIT  WITH  FOX 


I' 


This  season  they  wiU  play  ”WHAT  PRICE 
GLORY”  and  ”7th  HEAVEN”  — they  wiU 
get  McLAGLEN  and  DEL  RIO  in  "^Loves 
of  CARMEN”,  JANET  GAYNOR  in  ”2 
GIRLS  WANTED”,  O’BRIEN  and  VALLI 
in  ”EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE”  and  ”PAID 
TO  LOVE”,  OLIVE  BORDEN  in  ”THE 
JOY  GIRL”  and  all  the  rest  of  the  38 
speeial  pictures  and  14  Westerns. 


And  these  steady  showmen  round  out  their 
programs  with  FOX  NEWS,  aU  the  FOX 
COMEDIES  and  many  FOX  VARIETIES. 


They  are  the  mainstay  of  the  industry — these  year-in  year-out  exhibitors* 
Such  are  the  men  who^  years  ago  nailed  the  FOX  banner  to  their 
flagmasts  and  took  Prosperity  for  their  steady  bed-fellow,  Yes,  Sir! 


September  3,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  7 

$ GLORY!  # 

(There’s  plenty  of  it  to  go  around) 

"THE  WORLD’S 
GREATEST  MOTION  PICTURE” 

held  over  for 

3”*  WEEK 

at  the 

World^s  Greatest  Theatre 

ROXY 

NEW  YORK 

also 

NOW  BREAKING  ALL  RECORDS  EVERYWHERE  INCLUDING 


WHAT 


KEITH’S  THEATRE 
Portland,  Me. 

COLUMBIA  THEATRE 
Far  Rockaway,  L.  I. 

STRAND  THEATRE 
Easton,  Pa. 

COLONIAL  THEATRE 
Harrisburg,  Pa. 

PALACE  THEATRE 
Manchester,  N.  H. 


PARK  THEATRE 
Nashua,  N.  H. 

DIXIE  THEATRE 

Galveston,  Texas. 
ORPHEUM  THEATRE 
Tulsa,  Okla. 
PANTAGES  THEATRE 
Minneapolis,  Alinn. 

SAN  MATEO  THEATRE 
San  Mateo,  Calif. 


Here  it  is^  Gentlemen  . . The  picture  that’s 
responsihle  for  all  the  hig  money! 


WILLIAM  FOX  presents 

PRICE  GLORY 


with 


VICTOR  McLAGLEN  EDMUND  LOWE 

DOLORES  DEL  RIO 


Based  on  the  Stage  Triumph  by  Laurenee  Stallings  and  MaxweR  Anderson 


RAOUL  WALSH  Production 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


The  Biggest  of 
them  all  is  on  the  way! 

The  big,  all-star  comedy  drama  that  tops  them  all!  A 
Special  in  any  company — and  it’s  only  one  of  the  many 
Specials  Universal  gives  you  this  year  on  the  Big  Gun 
Group! — No  wonder  all  the  Big  Boys  are  setting  record- 
breaking  deals  for  Universal  This  year! 

A MELVILLE  BROWN  PRODUCTION 
starring  LYA  De  PUTTl  and  MALCOLM 
MacGREGOR  with  ZaZu  Pitts 

from  thp  story  by  Stuart  Lake 


10 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


THt  BEST  THE  SCREEN  CAN  OFFER 


n 


J 1 


MCTtJUK 

'WRAYJOMNSTON 

Presents 

AJremCan  Production 


^^ATremCarr  Production 

WoftheSlim 

§ Qtj  CHAS  T \/INCENT 

JOHNNY  WALKER-MICKEY  BENNETT 
HENRY  SEDLEY^"’ BETTY  FRANCISCO 

A FA  MOUS  A UT»0P5  'Pictu/-e 
Dirf>etect  6<,  CP  AS-  J-  PONT 


B:i 


irrn]i 


I 


»\k 


Two  Wild  Days  and  Nights  on  the 
Roaring  Road  to  Romance 

ERE’S  the  swiftest-moving,  serial  you  ever  read. 
It  plunges  at  breakneck  speed  into  a fascinating 
series  of  tensely  dramatic  adventures.  It’s  all 
over  in  forty-eight  hours,  and  it  leaves  you  breathless.. 
Young  love,  gang  feuds,  and  the  mysterious  underworld  of 
a great  city. 

Watch  next  week  for 


A Ride  in  the  Country 

George  Kibbe  Turner 


The  3 other  Hits  are-^ 


It  in  Next  Week’s  LIBER7T 


“The  Heart  of  Katie  O’Doone’* 

from  the  story  by  Leroy  Scott 

Pafhe  Exchange.  Inc. 


Dc  MiLLc  Studio  pictures  - Pathe  news 


Patme^  westerns  -.pJvthescrials  - Pathc'comedies 


Reirroduction  of  Announcement  which 
appeared  in  July  30th  issue  of  Liberty) 


Screen  play  by  Clara  Beranger 
Suggested  by  ^‘The  Bar  Sinister^*  by  Richard  Harding  Davis 

Directed  by  Frank  Urson 
Presented  by  William  C.  deMille 


“THE  MAIN  EVENT” 

Adapted  by  Rochus  GUese 

from  the  story  “That  Makes  Us  Even”  by  Paul  Allison 
Directed  by  William  K.  Howard 


Foreign  Dietrlbutors  Producers  International  Corporation.  130  West  46th  Street.  N.  Y-. 
William  M.  Vogel.  General  Manager 


This  great  serial  is  typical  of  the 
series  of  four  rapid-fire  up-to-the- 
minute  stories  of  modern  youth 
selected  for  Vera  Reynolds  on  the 
Pathe-De  Mille  Program  1927-28. 


"ALMOST  HUMAN” 

with  Kenneth  Thomson 


III 


Timely  Films,  Inc.  presents 

■sOoFlC’.j 

DAY 


Handball 


Trap  Shooting 


Yachting 


Bicycle  Racing 


Archery 


Lacrosse 


Fishing 


Rowing 


Fables  Pictures,  Inc. 


presents 


AtyOPT 


Vi\m  fabltt 


Cartoonist  Paul  Terry 


The  Most  Famous  Cartoon 

Feature  on  the  Screen 


Here’s  another  Pathc  insti> 
tution — a Big  little  feature 
that  never  misses.  Thou- 
sands of  exhibitors  depend 
on  it  to  round  out  the  per- 
fect program.  A knockout 
series  of  52  for  1927-28. 


GRANTLAND 
RICE 


Produced  by 


John  L.  Hawkinson 


Ggif 


Swimming 


Football 


A weekly  digest  of  the  world’s  best  wit 
and  humor  — a sure  - fire  bet  on  any 
program. 


Hockey 


Pool  and  Billiards 


Motor  Racing 


The  Sporting  Page  of  the  Screen 

A thrilling  up-to-the-minute  one  reel  feature 
of  universal  appeal,  edited  by  the  world’s  greatest 
sporting  writer. 


PaHie  Exchange.  Inc. 


Oe  MiLL£  STuoiQ  Pictures  - Paths  news 


Pathe'  Westerns  - patheserials  - Pathe'comeoics 


"pHE  T ritiites  and  iSaliites  of  tke  entire 
wor  Id.  Alay  yours  ke  tke  tkeatre  to 
ecko  witk  stirring  applause.  Al.ay  yours 
Lonor  to  create  tke  presentation  for 


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a true  masterpiece. 


jM^etro  - Go /Jay  71-^  jM^ayer 


letter  d ays  in  tke  liistory  of  motion 
pictures.  It  IS  witli  justifiakle  pride  tliat 
A^etro  - Go 71 -- Aiayer  presents  to  yon 
so  tliat  yon  in  turn  may  present  to  yonr 
expectant  patrons  tins  greatest  of  all  plioto- 


play  trinmplis 


li 


THE 

BIG 

PARADE 


proud  of 


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Septemter  10,  1927 

Popular  Price  Premiere 

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about 


FIRST  nation 

>1927-’28 

Member  <f  Motion  Picture  IWuceie  mU  DUtributort  of  America  lnc.—VUl  H Hays 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  31 

Presentation  Acts 33 

The  Theatre- 47 

The  Film  Mart 45 

Classified  Advertising SO 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 57 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  51 

FEATURES 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray  ...  24 

Re-Takes  24 

Pictorial  Section 25 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  44 

Letters  from  Readers 49 

Chicago,  by  G.  S 58 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


Nationwide  strike  threatens  when  walkout  of  operators  em- 
ployed by  Orpheum  Circuit  theatres  in  Chicago  forces  motion 
picture  houses  to  close  doors — Cooneys’  Avalon  opens  despite 
strike. 

OVERSEATING  doses  several  outlying  Milwaukee  houses; 

Northwest  side  hsurdest  hit;  Saxe  and  “U”  competing;  Down- 
town section  does  not  appear  overbuilt. 

PROTESTS  on  ^‘Calleihans  and  Murphys”  picture  prompt  M-G-M 
note  to  Hays;  Says  “Executives  are  to  be  congratulated  on  will- 
ingness to  eliminate  objectionable  features.” 

Four  states’  exhibitors  unite  in  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  New  England; 

Massachusetts,  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont  in  new 
organization  projected  at  Woodhull  conference. 


SPOTTY  sales  keep  exchange  heads  of 
New  York  State  guessing;  Some  admit 
having  failed  to  sign  with  any  large  cir- 
cuits to  date;  Others  declare  new  product 
booked  7 5 per  cent. 

Film  corporations  will  expend  25  per 
cent  more  this  year,  Lasky  says  at 
Greater  Movie  Season  luncheon  of  West 
Coast  Theatres;  Two  hundred  houses  par- 
ticipate in  company’s  campaign. 

COAST  officials  and  stars  participate  in 
tribute  to  Valentino  on  first  anniver- 
sary of  death A1  Wilson  narrowly  escapes 

death  in  blazing  plane First  National 

quizzes  studio  employes  on  relationships. 

Longer  protection  on  films  attacked  at 
' Western  Pennsylvania-West  Virginia 

M.  P.  T.  O.  meeting “What  Price  Glory,” 

held  over  third  week  at  Roxy,  sets  new 
records. 


/^HlCAGO’s  Norshore,  for  three  years  a 
^ combination  house,  turns  to  stage 
bandshow  policy  with  A1  Kvale  as  its 

leader Uptown  and  Tivoli  become 

straight  bandshow  theatres. 

Tiffany  names  seven  first  films  to  be 
released Mr.  Mindlin  opens  new  tem- 

ple of  cinematographic  art  in  Chicago 
and  even  the  dainty  cakes  have  been  pur- 
chased for  the  opening. 

Birdie  day  at  Bonnie  Brier  Club  is  set 
for  September  1 3th,  but  it’s  not  a 
Friday Jessie  von  K1  ein  succeeds  Rich- 
ard Weil  as  Rayart  publicity  head 

"Mockery”  held  over  at  Capitol. 

FOX  shows  large  increase  in  foreign 

sales First  National  expands  small 

town  trade  40  per  cent Riesenfeld  opens 

Colony  September  7 and  will  concentrate 
on  pictures. 


“Better  Theatres”  Appears 
as  Section  II  of  This  Issue 


14 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

Qhe  independent  ^Im  ^ade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  Editor 

Published  Eyery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 

Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Martih  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwik  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the 
following  motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to 
Exhibitors  Herald:  Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week,  The  Studio, 
every  fourth  week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi- 
annual. 


VoL.  XXX  September  3,  1927  No.  12 


^‘Alien  Ownership^’ 

The  question  of  “alien  ownership”  of  motion  picture 
theatres  is  gradually  forcing  itself  into  the  public 
eye.  This  is  not  an  altogether  surprising  development 
beeause  in  the  smaller  towns  the  motion  picture  theatre 
is  a distinctly  intimate  and  immediate  institution.  Also 
the  question  of  personality  is  everywhere  in  the  amuse- 
ment business  an  important  factor,  even  as  far  as  the 
great  metropolitan  theatres  are  concerned. 

The  question  of  ownership  of  such  a theatre  as  The 
Roxy  in  New  York  City  is  unimportant,  but  the  sensa- 
tional success  of  the  theatre  unquestionably  may  be 
attributed  in  an  important  measure  to  the  personality 
of  Mr.  S.  L.  Rothafel.  In  smaller  houses  in  the  neigh- 
borhoods and  in  the  smaller  towns  the  ownership  ques- 
tion and  the  personality  question  become  somewhat 
merged.  A well-known  and  well-liked  local  person  may 
give  the  house  the  desired  influence  of  personality;  if  the 
house  is  remotely  owned  and  remotely  controlled  then 
the  desirable  and  necessary  influence  of  personality 
usually  is  lacking. 

The  alien  ownership  question  appears  in  two  distinctly 
interesting  aspects:  There  is  the  natural  and  deep-rooted 
human  disposition  of  hostility  toward  outside  owner- 
ship and  control  of  local  institutions  and  there  is  also 
the  matter  of  the  influence  for  success  or  failure  of  this 
type  of  ownership  upon  a theatre.  In  certain  localities 
alien  ownership  of  theatres  already  has  aroused  commu- 
nities to  pitches  of  excitement  and  protest;  in  other 
places  the  public  has  remained  disinterested  as  to  who 
or  what  owns  the  theatre,  but  this  disinterested  spirit  has 
had  its  effect  in  the  fact  that  it  has  minimized  attendance. 

It  is  daily  becoming  more  apparent  that  the  chain  store 
idea  applied  to  motion  picture  theatres  presents  a volume 
and  variety  of  difficulties  undreamed  of  by  the  operators 
of  grocery  stores  and  cigar  stores.  There  are  no  grounds 
for  predicting  that  chain  operation  of  motion  picture 
theatres  cannot  and  will  not  he  successful,  but  there  is 
plenty  of  evidence  upon  which  to  declare  that  it  is  ex- 
tremely unlikely  to  attain  the  scope  predicted  for  it  a 
year  ago. 

There  now  appears  to  be  a great  difference  and  dis- 
tinction between  territorial  operation  of  a chain  of  thea- 
tres and  the  operation  of  a chain  of  theatres  that 
branches  out  into  many  territories.  The  possibilities  of 
the  former  are  demonstrated  facts  while  the  eventualities 
of  the  latter  remain  in  no  little  doubt. 


The  cry  of  “alien  ownership”  probably  would  mean 
very  little  with  respect  to  the  progress  and  development 
of  the  industry  as  a whole  excepting  only  as  it  might 
eventually  result  in  added  local  interest  and  attendance. 
But  its  effect  would  be  severe  upon  the  efforts  being 
made  to  establish  and  maintain  national  and  near- 
national chains  of  theatres.  These  operations  are  suffi- 
ciently difficult  in  themselves  and  were  they  further  to 
be  visited  with  local  hostilities  at  their  various  points  of 
operation  the  future  would  be  difficult  indeed. 

Fortunately  the  success,  prosperity  and  continued  de- 
velopment of  the  motion  picture  industry  is  not  tied  up 
with  or  dependent  upon  any  particular  scheme  of  thea- 
tre operation  and  control.  A satisfied  public  is  the  one 
thing  that  the  industry  generally  must  contend  for.  This 
means  a continued  interest  and  a heightening  interest  in 
theatres  and  pictures  and  it  is  this  end  and  not  the 
means  through  which  it  is  brought  about  that  is  lastingly 
important. 

^ ^ 

Short  Feature  Show 

Recently  we  viewed  a program  of  short  subjects 
which  afforded  a complete  show  in  itself.  The  pro- 
gram consisted  of  a group  of  Educational  Pictures  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  E.  W.  Hammons  at  a private  exhibition  in 
Wurlitzer  Auditorium,  New  York  City.  This  exhibition 
came  to  us  as  renewed  evidence  of  the  splendid  type  of 
entertainment  which  short  subjects,  of  good  quality  and 
proper  selection,  afford.  This  program  as  presented  by 
Mr.  Hammons  was  a thoroughly  good  show — so  good  that 
we  believe  it  would  be  able  to  contend  successfully 
against  the  usual  type  of  program  offered  by  leading  pic- 
ture theatres. 

This  program  had  in  a full  measure  the  extremely 
valuable  element  of  variety.  From  the  opening  cartoon 
novelty  to  the  closing  two-reel  comedy  the  program 
moved  swiftly,  without  limp  or  pause.  It  contained  a lot 
of  unfailing  comedy,  together  with  considerable  material 
of  general  interest.  It  would  have  offered  stiff  competi- 
tion to  any  average  program  of  the  usual  kind  and  we 
have  seen  many  programs  built  around  even  so-called 
specials  which  afforded  considerably  less  real  entertain- 
ment. 

This  exhibition  also  impressed  us  with  the  very  fine 
progress  that  is  being  made  in  the  betterment  of  short 
subject  quality.  The  pictures  individually  and  col- 
lectively reflect  much  credit  upon  the  producers  and 
upon  the  distributor. 

•3t  4{-  * 

Newsreel  Appeal 

Mr.  ASHTON  STEVENS,  able  dramatic  critic  of  The 
Chicago  Herald-Examiner,  offers  the  suggestion  and 
recommendation  that  newsreels  be  shown  in  the  dramatic 
theatres  between  acts  of  the  plays.  This  looks  to  us  like 
a decidedly  good  idea ; one  of  interest  to  the  industry  and 
likewise  something  that  the  pubHc  certainly  would  wel- 
come. 

Mr.  Stevens  is  by  no  means  a motion  picture  fanatic 
and  his  suggestion  may  only  be  interpreted  as  one  con- 
ceived primarily  for  the  pubUc’s  benefit  without  any 
particular  thought  to  the  industry’s  interest.  Now  that 
the  idea  has  been  auspiciously — and  expertly — proposed 
the  industry  should  follow  it  up  and  seek  to  contrive  its 
execution. 

The  newsreel  is  a subject  of  unquestionable  interest  to 
the  type  of  persons  who  patronize  the  stage  theatres. 
Thousands  of  these  hold  it  to  be  their  favorite  motion 
picture  subject.  Exhibiting  the  newsreel  between  acts 
of  the  plays  would  carry  patrons  swiftly  through  the 
present  boredom  of  intermissions;  and  in  many  cases 
would  serve  to  convince  audiences  that  they  have  not 
altogether  spent  the  evening  in  vain. 

Mr.  Stevens’  suggestion  doubtlessly  was  made  in  simple 
good  faith,  but  it  is  likely  that  there  is  also  a bit  of  ap- 
peal for  self-protection  in  it. 


Sq)tember  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


370  Chicago  Theatres  Close 
As  Operators  Force  Strike 


Exhibitors  Stand  Pat; 
National  Walkout  Seen 

Union  Calls  Out  Projectionists  in  Orpheum  Houses, 
Then  Theatre  Men  Stop  Shows 
By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

About  370  Chicago  theatres,  350  of  them  motion  picture  houses, 
shut  their  doors  at  6 o’clock  Monday  evening,  as  a result  of  an  op- 
erators’ strike  begun  that  afternoon  against  the  Orpheum  circuit  in 
that  city.  Pending  the  outcome  of  expected  conferences  between 
the  theatre  men  and  operators,  the  theatres  were  to  remain  closed 
in  retaliation  for  what  their  representatives  called  the  unfair  and 
arbitrary  demands  of  the  union. 

The  strike  itself — which  may  become  national — grew  out  of  the  removal 
of  two  of  the  four  projectionists  from  the  Orpheum’s  Belmont  last  week. 
Upon  the  refusal  of  the  Chicago  local  to  submit  its  case  to  arbitration  be- 
tween the  national  organization  and  the  vaudeville  circuit,  representatives 
of  practically  every  house  in  the  city  showing  films  voted  at  a general  meet- 
ing Friday  night  to  close  their  houses  if  the  union  started  to  pull  operators 
out  of  the  Orpheum  theatres. 

Both  Sides  Stand  Pat 

That  Chicago  would  go  practically  showless  (except  for  “legit”  per- 
formances) for  some  time  was  almost  assured  by  the  conditions  prevalent 
late  Tuesday,  when  the  union  was  still  insisting  that  it  would  insist  upon 
four  operators  in  the  Belmont  and  the  theatre  men,  through  the  executive 
committee  of  the  Chicago  Exhibitors  Association,  headed  by  Jack  Miller, 
declared  they  would  fight  the  operators  to  the  finish. 


Butterheld-F  & M Deal 
Reported  Near  Closing 

Completion  ot  a deal  for  the 
purchase  of  the  Michigan  holdings 
of  Fitzpatrick  & McElroy,  operat- 
ing a chain  of  theatres  in  the  Mid- 
dlewest,  by  the  Butterfield  circuit 
is  expected  to  be  announced  within 
a few  days. 

Executives  of  Fitzpatrick  <&  Mc- 
Elroy have  returned  to  Chicago 
after  conferences  with  Butterheld 
officials  in  New  York. 

First  news  of  the  proposed  deal 
was  printed  in  the  "Herald”  early 
this  summer. 


Swan  Singh  May  Have 
Millions,  But  Police 
Arrest  Him  for  Bills 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— Swan  Singh, 
said  to  be  the  son  of  the  commissioner  of 
police,  Kashmir,  India,  reported  to  have 
$5,000,000  to  invest  in  picture  making  equip- 
ment, and  the  brother  of  five  others  with 
like  sums  to  invest  to  establish  studios  in 
India  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  police  last 
Tuesday  when  he  failed  to  pay  his  hotel 
bills  at  the  Ambassador  and  Biltmore.  He 
was  a guest  of  the  Wampas,  where  he  ex- 
plained his  mission  and  introduced  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  C.  T.  Miller  of  Cleveland,  Ohio, 
wealthy  expounder  of  new  thought  doc- 
trines, as  his  sponsor.  Swan  later  brought 
suit  against  Mrs.  Miller  for  $10,000  back 
pay  and  a gold  cloth  cloak,  he  having  acted 
as  her  publicity  representative.  He  also 
asked  Gretta  Nissen,  actress,  to  return  sev- 
eral pieces  of  jewelry  he  had  given  her, 
after  promising  her  the  lead  in  his  pictures. 
Swan  was  helped  out  financially  by  friends 
and  advised  to  return  to  India. 

DeMille  Moves  Studio 
and  Cuts  Number  of 
Official  Positions 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30. — Many  changes 
are  contemplated  on  the  DeMille  lot.  With 
the  centering  of  all  activities  at  Culver  City 
and  the  moving  of  executives  and  com- 
panies from  the  Metropolitan  studios, 
many  official  positions  have  been  doubled 
up  and  it  has  been  found  there  are  inade- 
quate office  facilities.  Several  heads  of  de- 
partments will  be  dropped,  it  is  said,  and 
the  weeding  out  process  is  already  in  ef- 
fect. 

Independent  Theatres 
Decline  in  South;  New 
Houses  Under  Circuits 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOUSTON,  Aug.  30. — Independent 
theatres  in  the  South,  although  now 
more  numerous  than  alien  operated 
houses,  are  on  the  decline,  and  practically 
all  the  new  theatres  going  up  are  under 
operation  of  chains. 

A survey  of  Texas  would  show  there 
is  a rapid  decline  of  independents,  and 
an  unusual  growth  of  chain  theatres. 
The  public  seems  pleased  with  the  re- 
sult. 


The  statement  followed  a general 
meeting  at  which  the  exhibitors  voted 
unanimously  to  abide  by  the  actions  and 
final  decision  of  the  executive  board. 

“The  exhibitors  are  getting  tired  of 
being  dictated  to  by  certain  unions  and 
their  officials,”  Miller  said.  “If  the  asso- 
ciation expects  to  hold  its  self-respect  its 
members  cannot  give  up  any  more  of 
their  rights  as  owners.” 

The  fight,  the  union  insisted,  was  not 
against  the  exhibitors  in  general  but 
against  the  Orpheum  circuit  only. 

Declares  Fight  With  Oipheum 
“We  did  not  bring  this  condition  about,” 
insisted  Thomas  E.  Maloy,  business  man- 
ager. “It’s  a lockout,  that’s  all.  Our 
fight  is  with  Orpheum  and  we  are  going 
to  put  those  other  two  operators  in  the 
Belmont,  you  can  count  on  that.” 

Speaking  for  Orpheum,  Benjamin  B. 
Cahane,  secretary  and  treasurer,  who 
conducted  the  original  negotiations  with 


the  union,  declared,  “It  goes  without 
saying  that  we  will  not  put  four  opera- 
tors in  the  Belmont.  Things  look  bad, 
all  right,  but  particularly  bad  for  the 
operators.” 

Meanwhile  the  thatres  stood  to  lose 
more  than  $200,000  a day,  the  eight  big 
houses  of  Balaban  & Katz  taking  a loss 
of  more  than  a quarter  of  that  sum.  For 
the  string  of  46  Coston  theatres  and 
those  of  other  large  chains,  the  losses 
may  be  judged  by  those  figures. 

That  the  Chicago  fight  will  be  carried 
by  the  union  to  other  cities  in  which  Or- 
pheum operates  was  confidently  prophe- 
sied at  the  local  headquarters.  In  a wire 
from  New  York,  however,  William  Cana- 
van,  national  president,  declared  he 
would  not  enter  into  the  Chicago  con- 
troversy unless  later  developments  made 
it  necessary.  Canavan  returned  to  New 
York  the  latter  part  of  last  week,  fol- 
{Continued  on  next  page) 


Randolph,  Lone  Loop  Home  Open,  Sets 
Records;  Avalon  Throngs  Wait  Hours 

How  Chicago  likes  its  motion  pictures! 

The  Randolph,  the  only  loop  theatre  open  Monday  night  following  the 
operators’  strike,  played  to  tremendous  business,  while  thousands  of  other 
patrons  who  had  planned  an  evening’s  entertainment  at  the  Chicago,  Oriental 
and  other  downtown  theatres,  wandered  about  aimlessly  or  went  home. 

National  Playhouses’  theatres  remained  open  through  a special  arrangement 
because  of  the  premiere  of  the  new  Avalon  theatre,  for  which  thousands  of 
invitations  had  been  issued.  Throngs  outside  the  Avalon  were  told  they 
would  have  to  wait  two  hours,  and  most  did.  The  Schoenstadt  houses  also 
remained  open,  the  executives  being  reported  out  of  the  city.  It  was  ex- 
pected that  all  these  theatres,  including  the  Randolph,  would  join  later  in 
closing  with  other  members  of  the  Exhibitors  Association  of  Chicago. 

The  strike  brought  recordbreaking  business  to  such  small  neighborhood 
houses  as  are  not  affiliated  with  the  Exhibitors  Association. 


16 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Chicago  Strike  May  Hit  Other  Cities 


Chicago  Musicizins, 
Stagehands  Ask  Raise 

In  Chicago  the  musicians  last 
week  made  the  second  demand  lor 
a wage  increase  received  by  exhib- 
itors within  a month.  The  latter 
had  previously  rejected  the  pro- 
posal for  an  increase  of  from  15  to 
25  per  cent  from  the  stage  hands, 
and  last  week  the  musicians’  union 
asked  for  seven  days’  pay  for  six 
days’  work,  with  a hundred  per 
cent  increase  in  the  rehearsal 
scale.  They  also  demanded  that  at 
least  four  musicians,  excluding  or- 
ganists, be  employed  in  each  of  the 
50  “class  six”  theatres  involved. 

The  demand  was  made  to  the 
Chicago  Exhibitors  Association, 
where  it  was  expected  that  the 
proposal  would  be  rejected.  A 
meeting  of  representatives  of  the 
association  and  the  union  was 
called  for  Tuesday.  In  the  event 
of  a strike,  both  pit  and  stage  mu- 
sicians in  Chicago  would  be  called 
out.  Contracts  with  both  the  mu- 
sicians and  stage  hands  expire 
September  1,  and  strikes  of  both 
branches  are  not  unexpected. 


Cleveland  Exhibitors 
Ask  for  Limitations 
On  Long  Protection 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

CLEVELAND,  Aug.  30. — A body  of 
Cleveland  motion  picture  exhibitors  has 
sent  a letter  to  every  exchange  in  the  city 
asking  for  the  exchanges  to  make  definite 
statements  as  to  their  first  run  protection 
policy  for  the  coming  season. 

The  exhibitors  asked  for  a statement  to 
the  effect  that  pictures  having  seven  days’ 
consecutive  run  shall  be  offered  to  mem- 
bers of  the  association  on  the  43rd  day 
following  the  run,  and  that  pictures  having 
a 14  or  more  days’  consecutive  run  shall 
be  released  on  the  S7th  day  following  the 
run. 

The  letter  asked  that  this  agreement  be 
inserted  in  contracts  now  written,  and  that 
it  shall  become  a part  of  all  contracts. 

U,  S.  Makes  Lindeman 
Sales  Representative 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30. — A1  Lichtman, 
United  Artists’  vice  president  and  general 
manager  of  distribution  for  the  United 
States  and  Canada,  has  appointed  Ed- 
w'ard  Lindeman  as  special  sales  represent- 
ative from  the  home  office. 

Lindeman's  first  assignment  will  be  su- 
pervision of  the  Philadelphia  exchange 
during  the  illness  of  Jack  von  Tilzer. 

La  Rocque  and  Banky 
End  Honeymoon  Trip 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— Rod  La 
Rocque  and  his  bride,  Vilma  Banky,  ar- 
rived home  from  their  honeymoon  trip  to 
Lake  Louise  last  week.  Friends  gave  them 
a surprise  welcome  at  their  home  in  Glen- 
dale, when  they  tried  to  avoid  them. 


370  Chicago  Theatres 
Closed;  Operators  on 
Orpheum  Circuit  Strike 

{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

lowing  the  refusal  of  the  local  to  let  him 
pass  upon  its  demands  of  Orpheum. 

In  the  event  of  a national  strike,  the 
entire  policy  of  Orpheum  in  regard  to 
projectionists  is  likely  to  be  involved. 
The  circuit,  in  taking  over  former  pic- 
ture-presentation houses  and  changing 
them  into  picture-vaudeville  theatres,  has 
indicated  a policy  of  reducing  the  num- 
ber of  operators,  holding  that  vaudeville 
theatres  are  entitled  to  fewer  projection- 
ists than  regular  picture  houses. 

The  union,  in  denying  the  right  in  re- 
gard to  the  Belmont,  holds,  according  to 
Maloy,  that  there  is  more  work  at  the 
Belmont  than  when,  up  to  early  summer, 
the  theatre  was  a picture  house  operated 
by  Lubliner  & Trinz.  And,  he  says,  the 
number  of  operators  employed  must  be 
based  on  the  amount  of  labor  involved. 

Other  Unions  Raise  Demands 

The  situation  is  greatly  aggravated  by 
the  current  demands  of  both  the  stage- 
hands and  musicians  for  wage-increases. 
The  exhibitors  alrady  have  turned  down 
the  request  of  the  former  while  similar 
action  was  expected  to  be  taken  early 
this  week  on  the  demand  of  the  latter. 
The  existing  contracts  with  the  two 
unions  expire  Sept.  1 when  with  the  op- 
erators being  opposed  by  the  theatre 
men,  strikes  of  these  employes  are  more 
than  possible. 

No  similar  condition  has  ever  been  ex- 
perienced in  Chicago.  With  about  200 
smaller  theatres  and  more  than  40  large 
de  luxe  houses  closed,  hundreds  of  thou- 
sands of  people  were  deprived  of  their 
usual  entertainment.  In  the  Loop,  B.  & 
K.’s  great  Chicago  theatre  was  dark  for 
the  first  time  but  once  since  its  open- 
ing, bearing  in  front  a sign  that  read 
“This  theatre  has  been  forced  to  close 
by  the  arbitrary  demands  of  the  Moving 
Picture  Operators  union.”  One  Loop 
house,  the  15-cent  Randolph,  remained 
open  and  had  the  novel  experience  of 
turning  thousands  away.  Another  house, 
the  Avalon  on.  the  South  Side,  was  per- 
mitted under  its  arrangement  with  the 
Exhibitors  Association,  to  stage  its  pre- 
miere Monday  night,  to  close,  however, 
on  Tuesday. 


Apollo  Won’t  Compete 
With  B.  & K.  Oriental 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Since  A.  H.  Woods,  the  stage 
producer,  has  sold  his  interests  in 
the  Apollo  theatre  of  Chicago,  a 
Loop  playhouse,  for  years  home  of 
A1  Jolson  and  other  famous  stage 
stars,  it  is  further  reported  that  its 
new  owners.  United  Artists  Corp., 
will  run  the  new  policy  in  coop- 
eration with  Balaban  & Katz. 

Although  to  date  no  definite  plan 
or  policy  has  been  set  by  either 
enterprises,  it  is  understood  that 
the  Apollo  will  not  run  any  form 
of  stage  entertainment  to  confuse 
or  compete  with  the  Balaban  & 
Katz  Oriental  theatre,  located  on 
Randolph  and  Dearborn  streets, 
Chicago,  right  opposite  the  Apollo. 


Expiring  Contracts 
Bring  New  Demands 

Serious  labor  troubles  involving 
musicians,  stagehands  and  opera- 
tors are  augmenting  the  usual 
worries  of  exhibitors  in  a number 
of  cities,  according  to  reports  last 
week.  In  Minneapolis  the  opera- 
tors are  demanding  a wage  in- 
crease, while  the  owners  are  as 
firm  in  their  refusal.  The  musi- 
cians in  New  York  City  have  de- 
manded a $7  increase  and  confer- 
ences are  now  being  held  to  form 
a contract  to  replace  that  expiring 
September  5. 

Toronto  musicians  also  have 
asked  for  an  increase,  which  the 
exhibitors  have  turned  down,  and 
in  expectancy  of  a general  strike 
of  all  organized  theatre  workers, 
the  exhibitors  have  begun  adver- 
tising for  non-organized  labor, 
saying  that  former  soldiers  will  be 
given  the  preference.  In  Minne- 
apolis an  agreement  has  been 
reached  between  the  owners  and 
musicians. 


Paramount  Theatre 
Managers  of  Canada 
Convene  at  Toronto 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TORONTO,  CAN.,  Aug.  30. — Managers 
of  the  many  theatres  in  eastern  Canada  of 
Famous  Players  Canadian  Corp.,  Ltd., 
gathered  at  Toronto  for  the  annual  con- 
vention of  the  eastern  managers  on  Aug. 
22,  23  and  24,  when  many  matters  of  prime 
importance  were  discussed  relative  to 
plans  for  the  coming  year. 

Atlanta  Leads  Sales 

Contest  of  Tiffany 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30. — At  the  end  of 
the  fifth  week  of  the  sales  contest  being 
run  by  Tiffany  Productions,  the  Atlanta 
exchange  stands  first  with  Detroit  and 
Denver  close  behind. 

William  G.  Minder,  head  of  the  At- 
lanta office,  has  kept  his  exchange  in  the 
lead  by  signing  many  big  contracts  with 
some  of  the  large  circuits  in  the  South, 
according  to  the  company. 

Smiths  Give  Party 

to  Newspaper  People 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— J.  Boyce 
Smith  and  Mrs.  Smith  entertained  several 
newspaper  men  and  women  at  an  informal 
party  last  Thursday  evening  in  honor  of 
Mrs.  Lucy  Livingstone  and  her  two  daugh- 
ters, Beulah  and  Mabel.  Mabel  Livingstone 
is  director  of  publicity  for  Inspiration  Pic- 
tures, Inc.,  in  New  York  City. 

Pauline  Starke  and 

Jack  White  Will  Wed 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— Word  of  en- 
gagement  of  Pauline  Starke  and  Jack 
White,  producer  of  Educational  produc- 
tions, comes  from  San  Francisco,  where 
they  have  filed  notice  of  intention  to  marry. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


17 


Overseating  Closes  Several 
Outlying  Milwaukee  Houses 


Foreign  Business 
of  Fox  Films  Has 
Large  Increase 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30. — Despite  the 
agitation  abroad  against  American-made 
films,  the  foreign  business  of  the  Fox 
Film  Corp.  is  now  running  substantially 
ahead  of  the  same  period  in  1926.  Re- 
ports from  officials  of  the  company  who 
are  now  in  Europe  are  to  the  effect  that 
the  foreign  business  for  the  1927-1928  sea- 
son will  greatly  exceed  that  of  any  former 
period. 

“What  Price  Glory,”  after  a long 
Broadway  run,  has  set  a new  world’s 
record  at  the  Roxy  Theatre.  This  pic- 
ture went  into  general  release  Sunday. 
“Seventh  Heaven”  has  been  showing  on 
Broadway  for  several  months. 

The  Fox  Film  Corp.  has  leased  the 
Times  Square  theatre,  where  it  will  pre- 
sent “Sunrise”  about  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember, together  with  Movietone— the 
talking  motion  picture — production  upon 
which  a subsidiary  of  the  Fox  Film  Corp. 
has  been  working  for  several  months. 

Stroheim  and  Backer 
of  edding  March** 
Sever  Connections 

{Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— Eric  von 
Stroheim  will  not  cut  and  edit  his  latest 
picture,  “The  Wedding  March.”  The  work 
has  been  turned  over  to  Josef  von  Stern- 
berg, another  Paramount  director,  who  is 
now  busily  engaged  in  reducing  the  50  odd 
reels  to  feature  length.  Von  Stroheim  spent 
in  the  neighborhood  of  $2,000,000  and  more 
than  IS  months  in  making  the  picture.  He 
was  backed  by  P.  A.  Powers.  Powers,  it 
is  said,  has  severed  connections  with  von 
Stroheim  and  will  not  finance  any  more  of 
his  pictures. 

At  Paramount  studios  it  is  said  the  cut- 
ting of  the  picture  will  likely  be  completed 
this  week,  when  it  will  be  titled  and  pre- 
viewed. It  will  probably  be  released  within 
the  next  three  months,  as  a super  produc- 
tion in  about  12  reels. 

Kane  Moves  Eastern 
First  National  Plant 
to  Burbank  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— Robert  Kane, 
who  has  been  producing  pictures  for  First 
National  in  New  York  City,  will  move  his 
entire  unit  to  the  new  Burbank  studios  of 
First  National  next  month.  Kane  was  the 
last  producer  for  the  organization  to  con- 
tinue in  the  East  and  this  gives  First  Na- 
tional 100  per  cent  production  on  the  West 
Coast. 


Rogell  Signs  Contract 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— A1  Rogell, 
director  of  Ken  Maynard’s  Western  fea- 
tures for  First  National,  has  just  signed 
a new  long  term  contract  with  Charles  R. 
Rogers,  the  producer. 


N.  W.  Side  Hardest  Hit; 
Saxe  and  “U”  Competing 

Downtown  Section  Does  Not  Appear  Overbuilt, 
Survey  Reveals — Southside  Heavily  Seated 

F allowing  is  the  first  of  a series  of  articles  in  the  Herald  on  the  over- 
seating situation  in  the  hey  cities.  The  first  city  treated  is  Milivaukee. 
Maps  appear  on  the  next  page. 

MILWAUKEE,  Aug.  30. — Overseating  in  Milwaukee  motion  picture  the- 
atres has  forced  several  neighborhood  houses  to  close  their  doors  during  the 
summer  because  of  lack  of  business.  Saxe  has  twelve  theatres  in  the  city  and 
Universal  eleven. 

These  shutdowns  occurred  in  the  Northwest  side  of  the  city,  which  seems 
to  be  the  most  heavily  overseated  section.  Neighborhood  theatres  such  as  the 
Radio  and  the  Lorraine  in  the  Fond  du  Lac  avenue  district  were  the  ones 
forced  into  darkness  by  the  overbuilding.  The  downtown  district  does  not 


appear  overseated,  however. 

The  most  heavily  seated  section  next 
to  Northwest  Milwaukee  is  the  South- 
side,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mitchell  and 
Lincoln  avenues,  where  both  Saxe  and 
Universal  have  three  theatres  within  a 
radius  of  a mile  or  so.  (See  map  on 
next  page.)  In  addition,  Universal  has 
another  house,  the  Lake,  a halfmile  from 
Saxe’s  Mirth  theatre,  which  does  not  ap- 
pear on  the  map. 

Each  Has  Five  on  Northside 

Saxe  and  Universal  each  have  five 
houses  on  the  Northside.  Two  of  the 
Saxe  theatres,  the  Garfield  and  the  Up- 
town, are  not  yet  completed  but  will  be 
early  in  September.  Center  and  Third 
streets  about  a block  from  Universal’s 
Fern  theatre  will  be  the  location  of  a 
theatre  to  be  erected  by  a realty  company 
and  upon  which  Universal  has  taken  a 
lease.  This  theatre  should  be  ready  for 
occupancy  sometime  in  the  early  part  of 
1928. 

On  the  upper  Eastside,  Saxe  has  the 
newly  erected  Oriental,  while  Universal 
has  the  Downer  and  Murray.  The  arrow 
on  the  upper  half  of  the  map  points  to 
the  new  Shorewood  treatre  which  only 
recently  opened. 

The  theatres  on  the  Northside,  out- 
side of  those  operated  by  Saxe  and  Uni- 
versal, are  held  by  different  individuals, 
whereas  those  on  the  Southside  have  sev- 
eral held  by  one  man.  For  instance, 
Charles  Washicheck  operates  four  thea- 
tres on  the  Southside,  and  Max  Krofta 
also  operates  several.  Besides  the  69  or 
more  theatres  mentioned  in  this  survey 
there  are  also  three  theatres  in  ’West 
Allis,  one  in  Cudahy  and  one  in  North 
Milwaukee,  which  are  outside  of  the  city 
limits. 


Fairbanks  Buys  600 
Head  of  Cattle  for  Film 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— 
Douglas  Fairbanks  had  600  head  of 
cattle  shipped  from  the  Mexican 
border  to  his  studio  last  Friday, 
to  be  used  in  a scene  for  “The 
Gaucho.”  Capt.  Kenneth  Dix  pur- 
chased them  and  shipped  them  in 
25  cars  direct  to  the  studio.  Fair- 
banks will  later  move  them  to  his 
ranch. 


Downtown  only  the  Wisconsin,  Strand, 
Merrill,  Alhambra  and  Garden  theatres 
show  first  class  feature  motion  pictures. 
With  the  new  stage  policy  of  Dave 
Schooler  and  his  orchestra,  the  Wiscon- 
sin theatre  is  drawing  the  big  gate  for 
that  circuit  downtown  and  even  giving 
the  Alhambra  theatre  a very  good  run. 
Now  that  the  Garden  theatre  has  been 
taken  over  by  Mr.  Brin  and  he  expects 
to  install  the  Vitaphone,  this  may  have 
something  to  do  with  shifting  the  busi- 
ness, since  this  will  be  the  first  Vita- 
phone  installation  in  the  city. 

Wisconsin  Draws  Most 

However,  with  their  fine  stage  presen- 
tations and  cool  theatre,  the  Wisconsin 
has  been  drawing  the  largest  percentage 
of  the  business,  and  the  change  in  Gar- 
den policy  will  perhaps  not  affect  the 
Wisconsin  much.  The  fact  that  the 
Wisconsin  is  charging  60  cents  admis- 
sion Saturday  nights  and  Sundays 
whereas  other  downtown  theatres  are 
charging  only  SO  cents,  and  continues  to 
draw  big  crowds,  testifies  to  the  worth 
of  its  shows. 

Those  theatres  after  which  there  are 
no  notations  on  the  mans  change  their 
bills  at  least  four  times  a week,  some 
every  night.  Their  programs  consist  of 
Westerns,  downtown  features,  comedies, 
and  special  nights  of  vaudeville,  country 
store  and  the  like,  with  admission  prices 
from  10  to  25  cents.  By  downtown  fea- 
tures at  the  neighborhood  houses  are 
meant  pictures  that  have  been  shown 
downtown  at  50  cents  at  the  Merrill, 
Strand,  Alhambra  and  Garden  theatres, 
but  are  several  weeks  old. 

Most  of  the  Saxe  neighborhood  thea- 
tres show  within  several  weeks  the  pic- 
tures which  were  at  the  circuit’s  down- 
town houses,  and  Universal  does  the 
same.  Prices  at  most  of  the  Saxe  neigh- 
borhood houses  are  35  cents  in  the  eve- 
ning for  adults  and  10  or  15  cents  for 
children.  The  admission  at  the  Oriental 
is  perhaps  the  highest  of  any  neighbor- 
hood theatre,  with  40  cents  in  the  eve- 
ning. The  Wisconsin  theatre  charges 
60  cents  Saturday  evening  and  Sunday. 

OWNERS  OF  THEATRES 
ON  MAP  NO.  1 
HollyAvood — Sam  Pylot. 

Venus — Steve  Bauer — Changes  pictures 

three  times  a week — Westerns  and  fea- 
(Continued  on  next  page) 


18 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


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SHOWING  POSITION 

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Milwaukee  Theatre 
Situation 

See  box  on  this  ‘^age 
for  descnfition  of 
gru'^hs 

NO.  1 

Northwest  Side 

NO.  2 

Upp  er  East  Side 
NO.  3 

Downtown 

NO.  4 

South  Side 


Key  to  Charts 
NORTHWEST  SIDE 

This  section  borders  on  overseating.  The 
.layout  of  the  theatres  follows:  Venetian 
is  10  blocks  from  the  Savoy,  which  is 
two  blocks  from  the  Radio.  The  latter  is 
six  blocks  from  the  Climax  and  Lorraine. 
The  Paris  is  four  blocks  from  the  Lex- 
ington, which  is  four  blocks  from  the 
Milwaukee.  The  new  Uptown  is  nine 
blocks  from  the  Regent,  which  is  seven 
blocks  from  the  Comet  and  Tivoli,  which 
in  turn  are  seven  blocks  from  the  Pas- 
time, which  is  twelve  blocks  from  the 
Iris.  The  Parkway  is  seven  blocks  from 
the  Rainbow.  The  Lyric  is  12  blocks 
from  the  Liberty  and  14  blocks  from  the 
Violet,  which  is  nine  blocks  from  the 
Colonial.  On  Third  street  and  Green 
Bay  avenue  the  theatres  are  all  within 
one,  two  and  three  blocks  of  each  other. 

UPPER  EAST  SIDE 

This  side  is  not  considered  overseated.  The 
Miramar  is  21  blocks  from  the  new 
Shorewood,  and  nine  blocks  from  the 
Murray,  which  is  one-half  block  from 
the  Oriental.  From  the  Oriental  to  the 
Downer  is  eight  blocks. 

DOWNTOWN 

This  section  of  town  is  not  considered  over- 
seated. This  section  of  town  is  confined 
within  five  blocks,  with  the  theatres  lo- 
cated on  Wisconsin  avenue  and  on  the 
side  streets. 

SOUTH  SIDE 

The  South  Side  is  considered  next  to  the 
Northwest  Side  in  overseating.  The 
Rivoli  and  Grace  are  two  blocks  apart; 
the  Greenfield  and  Mozart  are  four,  etc. 


Overseating  Forces 

Closing  of  Theatres 

{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

tures  that  have  played  at  downtown 
theatre. 

Elite— Steve  Bauer. 

Comfort — George  Beyer. 

Burleigh— George  Langheinrich  — 
Changes  about  four  times  a week— 
Features  that  have  played  at  down- 
town theatres. 

Venetian — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit 
(Universal) — Changes  three  times  a 
week — Downtown  features,  no  West- 
erns. 

Savoy — Saxe  Amusement  Enterprises — 
Three  times  a week — Downtown  fea- 
tures and  no  Westerns— News  reel  and 
comedy. 

Paris— Leo  Behring. 

Lexington — William  Jacobs — Four  times 
a week — Downtown  features  and  west- 
erns several  times  a week — Comedy 
and  comic  cartoon. 

Milwaukee  — George  Fischer — Three 
times  a week — -Downtown  features  and 
no  westerns — News  reel  and  comedy. 

Garfield — Saxe — Under  construction. 

Grand — A.  C.  Gutenberg — Four  times  a 
week — Downtown  features- — Comedy, 
news. 

Peerless — E.  Olsen — Four  times  a week 
— Downtown  features  — Comedy  — 
Western  serials. 

Radio — I.  Dexter — Closed  for  the  sum- 
mer. 

Uptown — Saxe — Under  construction. 

Regent — Goetz  Brothers — Three  times  a 
week — Downtown  features — Comedy — 
Vaudeville — Westerns  on  Saturday. 

Comet — George  Beyer — Daily— Westerns 
— 10  cents  admission. 

Tivoli  — Saxe  — Three  times  a week  — 
Downtown  features — News  reel — Com- 
edy. 

Pastime — Leo  Behring — Westerns — Seri- 
als— A few  downtown  features — Silk 
pillow  and  lamp  nights — Vaudeville. 

Iris- H.  E.  Welch. 

Fern — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit  (Uni- 
versal)— Three  times  a week — Down- 
town features — Comedy,  serials. 

Atlas  — Otto  Anders  — Downtown  fea- 

{Continued  on  page  29) 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


Vitaphone  Trademark 
To  Appear  On  All  Ads; 
Keegan  to  Milwaukee 


( special  to  the  Herald ) 


Protests  on  “Callahans”  Film 
Prompt  M-G-M  Note  to  Hays 

Says  “Executives  Are  to  Be  Congratulated  on  Their  Willing- 
ness to  Eliminate  All  Objectionable  Features” — Western 
Pennsylvania  Exhibitors  Demand  Withdrawal 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30. — Whether  it  is  desirable  or  not,  “The  Callahans 
and  the  Murphys,”  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s  big  picture  built  on  foibles, 
virtues  and  fancies  of  the  Irish,  has  been  getting  a lot  of  unexpected  pub- 
licity. In  various  places  throughout  the  country  where  the  picture  has 
been  shown,  beginning  at  Washington,  protests  have  been  made  by  Celtic 
societies,  and  in  several  spots  incipient  riots  have  been  staged  by  those 
who  believed  the  honor  of  their  race  was  being  impugned,  or  those  who 
sought  to  make  trouble  for  other  reasons. 


NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30. — Introducing 
the  Vitaphone  trademark. 

The  insignia,  shown  above,  was  sug- 
gested and  perfected  by  Jack  R.  Keegan, 
head  of  the  publicity  and  advertising  de- 
partment of  Vitaphone,  and  accepted  by 
President  Harry  M.  Warner.  The  trade- 
mark, while  used  occasionally  the  past 
summer,  will  now  appear  on  all  adver- 
tising. 

Keegan  has  gone  to  Milwaukee  to  as- 
sist the  rnanagernent  of  the  Garden  the- 
atre in  giving  Vitaphone  a sendoff  there 
September  2.  Following  this  he  will  go 
to  Richmond,  Va.,  to  assist  Sam  Bend- 
heim  of  the  Capitol  theatre  in  the  Vita- 
phone opening  September  12. 


Ralph  A.  Kohn  Is 
Made  Treasurer 

Of  Paramount 


(Special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30.— Ralph  A.  Kol 
has  been  made  treasurer  of  Paramoui 
Famous  Lasky  Corporation.  The  appoin 
ment  was  made  at 
the  request  of 
Elek  John  Lud- 
vigh,  who  has  held 
the  three  positions 
of  treasurer,  sec- 
retary and  general 
counsel  of  the 
company  for  a 
number  of  years. 

Kohn,  who  has 
been  assistant  sec- 
retary - t r easurer 
and  L u d V i g h ’ s 
chief  assistant 
since  the  com- 
p a n y ’ s organiza-  d ■ u a i.-  a. 

, Ralph  A.  Kohn 

tion,  wasalso 

made  a member  of  the  executive  c 
mittee. 


**Columbia  Chats**  Is 
Latest  House  Organ; 
Alex  Moss  Is  Editor 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30. — Columbia  has 
recently  inaugurated  a new  house  organ 
called  “Columbia  Chats.”  It  is  being 
edited  by  Alex  Moss,  director  of  pub- 
licity and  advertising. 

“Columbia  Chats”  is  a neat  looking 
four-page  sheet  printed  on  white  coated 
paper,  and  illustrated  with  stills  from 
the  production,  as  well  as  cartoons  that 
give  point  to  the  editorials.  It  is  of  con- 
venient size  so  that  it  can  be  easily  car- 
ried in  one’s  pocket. 

The  paper  should  prove  of  interest  and 
help  to  all  Columbia  organization  men. 


Troublous  Scene  at  Loew’s  American 

One  of  those  troublesome  scenes  arose  at  Loew’s  American  theatre 
where  the  picture  was  shown  last  week.  The  New  York  papers  billed  it  as  a 
near  riot  even  though  it  was  considerable  distance  from  being  that.  Also 
some  of  the  papers  suggested  that  the  interruption  had  been  staged  for 
publicity  purposes,  a deduction  which  is  quite  absurd. 


Several  protests  against  the  showing  of 
the  picture  have  been  made  to  the  Hays 
office,  and  in  answer  to  these  a letter 
was  sent  to  Mr.  Hays  by  William  A.  Orr, 
acting  for  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Pic- 
tures. The  letter  in  part  follows: 

Following  our  recent  conference  and  several  re- 
ports to  you  of  changes  made  in  the  picture,  **The 
CaliaJians  and  the  Murphys,**  I am  writing  you 
now  to  summarize  the  steps  we  have  taken  to  meet 
the  criticisms  which  came  to  you  and  to  us  from 
various  Irish*American  sources* 

Naturally,  we  regret  that  the  picture  in  question 
aroused  unfavorable  criticism.  I hope  that  you 
will  see  fit  to  tell  those  who  registered  complaints 
with  you,  that  not  only  was  there  no  offense  in- 
tended, but  that  in  the  important  position  of  su- 
pervisor on  this  picture,  our  studio  executives  took 
particular  pains  to  put  one  of  the  Irish-Ameriran 
members  of  our  studio  organization.  In  two  of 
the  leading  roles  of  the  picture,  we  had  Miss  Mo- 
ran, an  actress  of  Irish  descent,  and  Miss  Dressier, 
who  has  been  active  for  years  and  has  given  con- 
siderable service  to  philanthropies  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Catholic  Church,  and  to  Irish  causes 
in  America.  Miss  Sally  0*Neil,  who  had  the  lead- 
ing dramatic  role  in  the  picture,  is  also  an  Irish 
girl. 

In  addition  to  putting  the  main  creative  posi- 
tions of  the  picture  into  the  hands  of  these  peo- 
ple whose  inherent  sympathies  were  all  in  favor 
of  the  Irish  race,  we  called  in,  at  various  times 
during  the  making  of  the  picture,  representatives 
of  several  of  the  Irish  Societies  in  Los  Angeles. 

There  has  been  so  much  said  by  the  critics  of 
this  picture  on  one  side  of  the  case,  that  its 
unquestioned  good  points  appear  to  have  been  en- 
tirely lost  sight  of.  May  1 ask  you,  in  whatever 
statements  you  may  make  to  these  critics,  to  con- 
sider that  the  film  portrayal  of  Miss  O'Neil  as  a 
sweet  wholesome  Irish  girl  in  clean  romance  with 
an  Irish  boy;  a portrayal  of  two  women,  either  of 
whom,  though  they  quarrel  frequently,  will  turn 
around  the  next  minute  and  give  her  last  cent  to 
the  other;  clean  comedy  of  childish  pranks  by  the 
youngsters  in  the  picture,  of  which  no  one  of  any 
race  need  be  ashamed;  and  finally,  a portrayal  of 
the  admirable  characteristic  of  the  Irish  to  fight 
at  the  drop  of  the  hat  in  any  just  cause. 

Please  consider  also  in  this  summary,  that  after 
our  several  conferences,  we  immediately  eliminated 
all  of  a few  minor  shots  in  which  one  of  the 
characters  used  a symbol  of  worship. 

The  claims  I have  made  for  the  picture  in  the 
above  brief  summary  are  taken  from  statements 
made  to  us  by  representatives  of  various  Irish 
societies.  Some  of  them  have  also  pointed  out 


that  this  is  now  a clean  picture,  showing  the 
mother-love  and  love  of  family  which  character!,  e 
the  Irish  race,  and  that  in  its  present  form  it 
could  not  fairly  be  objected  to  by  any  one  as  in 
any  degree  an  offensive  caricature. 

May  I call  your  attention  to  *^The  Catholic 
Register**  of  Kansas  City,  under  date  of  Thurs- 
day, August  18,  1927,  on  page  8 of  which  is 
published  a letter  written  by  Mr.  D.  J.  Dunn,  Cor- 
responding Secretary,  Ancient  Order  of  Hibernians, 
in  which  Mr.  Dunn  says: 

“The  revised  version  of  *1716  Callahans 
and  the  Murphys*  was  reviewed  the  past 
week  by  Secretary  Dunn  and  the  commit- 
tee representing  the  Ancient  Order  of  Hi- 
bernians, and  two  additional  eliminations 
were  requested  by  this  committee  which 
Mr.  Gregory,  local  manager  of  the  Melro- 
Coldwyn-Mayer  Distributing  Corporation, 
readily  agreed  to  make  in  order  to  elimi- 
nate any  objectionable  features  which  any- 
one might  have  against  the  picture. 

“The  picture  in  its  present  form  has 
been  approved  by  every  governmental  cen- 
sor authority  and  the  National  Board  of 
Review,  and  has  been  commended  highly  as 
clean  comedy,  full  of  robust  humor.  The 
executives  of  the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Dis- 
tributing Corporation  are  to  be  congratulat- 
ed on  their  willingness  to  eliminate  all  ob- 
jectionable features  of  this  picture.  The 
executives  have  met  with  Irish  newspapers 
and  other  organizations  for  the  purpose  of 
cooperating  by  eliminating  certain  sequences 
in  which  reasonable  objections  were  made. 

“In  its  revised  form  the  picture  embraces 
clean  romance,  a heart  warming  portrayal 
of  mother  love  and  a humorous  characteri- 
zation to  which  no  true  son  of  Ireland 
can  object.  The  picture  in  its  present  form 
we  can  heartily  recommend  as  excellent  en- 
tertainment. 

“D.  J.  DUNN, 

“August  15,  1927  Cor.  Secy.,  A.  O.  H.” 

1 want  to  thank  you  for  your  cooperation  In 
conferring  with  the  several  representatives  of  Irish 
Societies  who  have  brought  this  matter  to  your 
attention,  and  through  you,  to  assure  them  that 
we  are  glad  to  have  been  able  to  cooperate  by 
making  the  eliminations  referred  to. 

The  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Western  Pennsyl- 
vania at  its  recent  convention  attacked 
the  production  in  a resolution,  calling  it 
“offensive  to  millions  of  our  fellow-citi- 
zens” and  requesting  that  M-G-M  with- 
draw the  picture  at  once. 


Longer  Protection  on  Films  Attacked 

By  Penn.-W.  Va.  Exhibitors  Meeting 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PITTSBURGH,  Aug.  30. — Protests  against  proposals  by  producers  and 
distributors  to  grant  circuits  and  downtown  theatres  longer  protection  on 
pictures  than  last  year  were  voted  in  resolutions  passed  by  the  M.  P.  T.  O. 
of  Western  Pennsylvania  and  West  Virginia  last  week. 

The  M.  P.  T.  O.  also  passed  a resolution  demanding  that  M-G-M  withdraw 
“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys.”  The  exhibitors  also  charged  that  Warner 
Brothers  “has  deliberately  taken  the  original  picture,  ‘A  Million  Bid,'  and 
retitled  it  ‘Old  San  Francisco’  and  substituted  an  inferior  picture  and 
released  it  to  the  exhibitors  as  the  original  'A  Million  Bid.’  ” 


20 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


New  YORK. — Paul  Gulick  and  Nat 
Rothstein  have  challenged  each  other 
for  the  golf  championship  of  I'niversal, 
the  match  to  he  played  as  an  added  attrac- 
tion to  the  fall  Film  Golf  tournaments. 
. . . Herb  Crooker  says  if  the  Johnny 

Hines  auto  smash  was  a publicity  stunt 
not  to  blame  it  on  him.  . . . Harvey  Day 
thinks  he  has  a big  edge  because  the  golf 
tournament  is  to  be  played  at  Pjonnie  Brier, 
where  Day  is  a member.  . . . Charlie 

Pettijohn  is  in  Holb'wood  giving  every- 
thing the  once  over.  . . . Ike  Blunienthal, 
Paramount's  general  manager  for  Ger- 
many, sailed  for  Berlin  last  week  after 
spending  several  weeks  at  the  home  office. 
, . . Jiniiiiy  Grainger,  the  travelingest  of 
all  salesmanagers,  hopped  into  New  York- 
last  week  and  then  hopped  right  out  again. 

. . . Ben  Lyon,  a regular  fellow  even 

though  an  actor,  arrived  last  week  from  a 
two  months  stay  abroad,  during  which  he 
worked  in  a film  in  Germany.  . . . Eddie 
Eschinann  left  last  week  for  a trip  over 
the  Pathe  exchanges,  but  expects  to  be  back 
for  the  golf  classic  at  Bonnie  Brier.  . . . 
Ken  Fitzpatrick,  Chicago  motion  picture 
theatre  impresario  of  parts,  is  in  New  York 
and  there  is  a suspicion  he  will  take  a peep 
at  a few  polo  games.  . . . Sol  Raives, 
genial  president  of  the  T.  O.  C.  C.,  is 
getting  so  good  iMetro  is  using  him  for 
advertising  copy.  . . . Bob  Kane  and  his 
First  National  unit  are  leaving  in  sections 
for  the  Burbank  studios  where  their  next 
picture  wdll  be  made.  . . . Jesse  Goldburg, 
regular  commuter,  returned  to  the  Coast 
last  week  after  a few  days  in  New  York. 

. . . Elmer  Pearson  is  in  Los  Angeles, 
but  is  expected  home  in  time  to  pla}'  in  the 


Bonnie  Brier  tournament.  . . . Colvin 

Broivn  has  sailed  for  Europe  in  connection 
with  F B O foreign  business.  . . . Jack 


Leo,  vice  president  of  Fox  Films,  is  on  the 
West  Coast  looking  over  production  mat- 
ters. . . . Loh  Jacobson  says  he  does  not 
expect  his  friend  Alexander  to  accompany 
him  to  the  fall  golf  tournament,  l)ut  still 
yon  never  can  tell  about  Lou.  . . . Fred 
Quimby,  head  of  Metro’s  short  feature  de- 
partment, has  been  kept  so  busy  in  his 
office  that  he  hasn't  had  time  to  get  away 
to  tell  the  e.xchanges  all  about  it.  . . . 

Eddie  Cantor,  film  actor  of  a film  or  two, 
is  writing  a book  telling  all  about  his  ex- 
periences in  the  silent  drama,  which  is  too 
silent  for  Eddie.  . . . Charlie  Christie,  who 
has  been  in  New  York  for  three  weeks, 
returned  last  w'eek  to  the  Coast.  . . . 

A.  H.  Blank  has  returned  from  a vacation 
in  Europe.  . . . E.  B.  Hatrick  is  spending 
several  weeks  on  the  coast  with  his  friend 
boss,  IV.  R.  Hearst.  . . . Herbert  J.  Yates, 
the  dynamic  head  of  Consolidated  Film 
Laboratories,  had  a birthday  anniversary- 
last  week,  but  is  as  shy  as  a spinster  about 
telling  what  one  it  was.  . . . Dveight  C. 
Leeper,  sidekick  of  Ray^  Johnston  in  Rayart 
Pictures,  is  spending  a couple  of  weeks 
fishing  in  Alaine,  and  here’s  hoping  he  has 
a spell  of  weather.  . . . Sammy  Sax,  after 
a couple  of  weeks  in  New  York,  has  re- 
turned to  the  Coast  to  see  that  Lumas  pic- 
tures are  kept  up  to  their  customary  high 
standard.  . . . Jack  Keegan,  who  knows 
more  about  Vitaphone  than  old  man  Vita 
himself,  has  gone  to  A'lilwaukee  to  show 
them  just  how  it  is  done.  . . . Ralph  Kohn 
says  it  is  all  right  about  his  being  elected 
treasurer  of  Famous  Players,  but  that  the 
daily  trade  papers  should  not  spell  his 
name  “Cohen.”  — .SPARGO. 


Warners  Film  Drama  With  Vitaphone 


Work  on  Warner  Brothers’  interesting  experiment,  “The  Jazz  Singer,”  an 
adaptation  of  the  stage  play  of  that  title,  is  progressing  rapidly  under  the 
direction  of  Alan  Crosland.  With  Vitaphonic  recording  being  used  in  mak- 
ing a number  of  scenes,  the  production  may  throw  considerable  light  on 
the  future  of  “talking  pictures.”  The  scenes  pictured  here  show  (above, 
at  left)  A1  Johnson,  the  star,  in  the  temple;  (above,  at  right)  Jolson  and 
May  McAvoy,  who  has  the  feminine  lead;  and  (below)  the  musical  com- 
edy star  in  a singing  pose  familiar  to  many  thousands  of  Americans. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Quarters  Back? 
They  Laugh  to 
Tears  at  Film 

When  H.  E.  Patrick  of  the  Palace  at 
^orth  Rose,  N.  V.,  reports  to  the  Herald^s 
W hat  the  Picture  Did  For  Me**  department 
he  REPORTS^  Read  this  one  for  comedy 
about  a M-G-M  comedy: 

“Rookies”:  Special  cast— 70%.  Aug. 
20.  The  funniest  comedy  ever 
screened.  You  can  exhaust  your  vo- 
cabulary telling  them  about  it  and  the 
picture  will  go  you  one  better.  For 
the  first  time  of  my  picture  experi- 
ence I offered  guaranteed  entertain- 
ment or  money  refunded.  Stood  in 
the  lobby  with  my  hand  full  of  quar- 
ters when  they  came  out,  but  they 
couldn’t  see  me  through  their  tears. 
Seven  reels.— H.  E.  Patrick,  Palace 
theatre.  North  Rose,  N.  Y.— Small 
town  patronage. 


Los  Angeles  Ranks 
First  in  Donations 
To  Flood  Campaign 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  August  30. — Los  An- 
geles led  in  contributions  toward  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  Flood  Relief,  the  picture 
production  center  raising  $54,273  of  the 
total  of  $417,212.  Members  of  the  A.  M. 
P.  P.  contributed  $33,112,  the  remainder 
of  Los  Angeles’  amount  coming  from  a 
benefit  in  the  Hollywood  Bowl. 

For  the  benefit  performances  through- 
out the  country  distributors  contributed 
film  with  rental  value  of  $44,593.  In  ad- 
dition, companies  contributed  film  for  122 
shows  given  for  refugees  in  emergency 
camps.  The  news  reels  played  a large 
part  in  the  appeal.  Exhibitor  organiza- 
tions backed  the  local  Red  Cross  chap- 
ters to  the  limit. 


**Les  Miserahles**  Puts 
Out  S R O Sign  When 
It  Opens  in  New  York 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30.— When  “Les 
Miserables,”  the  Universal  foreign  film, 
had  its  premier  opening  last  week  at 
the  Central  theatre.  New  York,  the  man- 
agement  was  forced  to  hang  out  the 
b.  R.  O.  sign. 

Hundreds  were  turned  away  on  Tues- 
dsy,  the  second  day,  and  the  advance 
sale  is  said  to  be  growing  every  day. 


Dugan  Directs  Tyler 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

tt^^J^LYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— Tom  Tyler, 
B U s popular  western  star,  has  a new 
director.  William  LeBaron,  vice  president 
has  promoted  James  Dugan,  former  assist- 
in'-, , director.  His  first  picture 

will  be  The  Desert  Pirate.” 


Neilan  Directs  Colleen 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

wood,  Aug.  30. — Marshall 
Neilan  has  been  signed  by  John  McCormick 
to  direct  Colleen  Moore’s  next  First  Na- 
tional picture,  tentatively  titled  “Sunny 
Side  Up.  Neilan  will  use  his  Glendale 
studios. 


Four  States’  Exhibitors  Unite 
In  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  New  England 

Massachusetts,  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont  in  New 
Organization  Projected  at  Conferences  with  Woodhull 
— Special  Committee  Named 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORIC,  August  30. — Exhibitors  of  four  Eastern  states  are  to 
unite  in  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  New  England,  formation 
of  which  now  is  assured.  Regional  headquarters  will  be  in  Boston. 

Each  to  Have  Legislative  Committee 

Massachusetts,  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont  are  the  states 
which  are  to  have  a single  organization,  National  President  R.  E.  Wood- 
hull  announced  following  conferences  with  exhibitors  of  these  New  Eng- 
land commonwealths  at  their  invitation. 


“These  states  form  a solid  block  in  the 
Northeast  corner  of  the  country,”  Presi- 
dent Woodhull  declared  on  his  return. 
“Each  state  will  have  separate  Legislative 
Committees  to  care  for  necessary  work  in 
their  respective  capitals. 

“Connecticut  already  has  a very  fine  or- 
ganization under  the  Presidency  of  Arthur 
H.  Lockwood  and  the  same  condition  ex- 
ists in  Rhode  Island  under  the  leadership 
of  E.  M.  Fay. 

Special  Committee  Named 

“A  special  committee  of  exhibitors  was 
named  at  the  Boston  conference  to  de- 
velop ways  and  means  to  hold  a big  mass 
meeting  of  theatre  owners,  out  of  which 
the  main  organization  will  be  formed.  This 
committee  will  meet  soon  and  it  is  ex- 
pected that  within  a few  weeks  the  mass 
meeting  will  be  held  and  definite  shape 
given  to  the  new  organization.” 

The  committee  follows : 

Harry  Wasserman,  Roxbury,  Mass.; 
Stanley  Sumner,  Cambridge,  Mass.;  J. 
Lourie,  Boston,  Mass.;  P.  J.  Lydon, 
South  Boston,  Mass.;  E.  H.  Horstmann, 
Worcester,  Mass.;  O.  Ramsdell,  Malden, 
Mass.;  Linwood  Curtis,  Worcester, 
Mass.;  W.  B.  Littlefield,  Hyde  Park, 
Mass.;  Charles  Moning,  Plymouth, 
Mass.;  Nathan  Yamins,  Fall  River, 
Mass.;  David  Adams,  Concord,  New 
Hampshire;  Mr.  Ford  of  Allston,  Mass., 
and  Mr.  Boas  of  Boston. 

Others  with  Mr.  Woodhull  at  the  meet- 
ing included  C.  A.  Mahor,  F.  G.  Conklin, 
F.  J.  Provost,  T.  J.  Curley,  E.  Daniels, 
Samuel  Goldstein  and  Mr.  Hodgdon. 

In  many  relations  Massachusetts  is  a 
key  state  for  theatre  owners,  the  M.  P. 
T.  O.  A.  holds.  Aside  from  its  being  the 


cultural  and  to  a great  extent  the  com- 
mercial center  of  New  England,  it  has 
established  two  definite  elements  of  pro- 
cedure along  anti-censorship  lines.  When 
President  Coolidge  was  governor  of  Mass- 
achusetts he  vetoed  the  censorship  meas- 
ure presented  to  him  and  later  Mass- 
achusetts in  a statewide  referendum  de- 
feated censorship  by  an  unprecedented  ma- 
jority. In  that  election  every  city  and 
town  in  Massachusetts  where  a motion 
picture  theatre  was  located  went_  against 
censorship  by  a decisive  vote,  evidencing 
the  fact  that  where  the  people  had  an 
opportunity  to  become  familiar  with  the 
screen  they  were  opposed  to  placing  any 
official  embargo  upon  it. 


B & K Protection 
Plan  for  Chicago 
Waited  This  Week 

Completion  of  the  protection  plan  pro- 
posed for  the  Chicago  territory  by  Bala- 
ban  and  Katz,  and  outlined  in  the 
HERALD  several  weeks  ago,  is  expected 
to  take  place  this  week,  when  final  ad- 
justments of  the  situations  in  Kenosha, 
Waukegan,  Beloit  and  possibly  Racine 
are  to  be  worked  out. 

In  the  other  towns  in  the  socalled 
country  district,  new  protection  arrange- 
ments are  practically  settled,  and  in  both 
the  city  of  Chicago  and  the  country  ter- 
ritory the  B & K proposals  in  their 
revised  form  will  be  in  operation  this 
year. 


Mr.  Mindlin  Opens  New  Temple  of 

Cinematographic  Art  on  Saturday 

Those  Chicagoans  who  have  heretofore  been  deprived  by  the  puerility  of 
Hollywood  of  the  delights  that  are  yielded  by  the  cinematographic  art, 
need  suppress  their  desires  in  that  direction  no  longer  than  Saturday  noon, 
when  the  Playhouse,  a former  legitimate  theatre  on  Michigan  Boulevard,  will 
begin  functioning  as  a temple  of  higher  photodramatic  expression — no  foolin’ ! 

All  is  in  readiness,  according  to  Mr.  Fred  Mindlin,  who  will  be  resident 
manager.  Even  the  dainty  cakes  have  been  bought,  as  well  as  the  coffee  and 
tea  and  cigarettes  to  be  served  with  them  free  of  charge  in  the  lounges. 
While  the  higher  photodramatic  expressions  are  being  expressed,  a small  but 
artistically  chosen  symphony  orchestra  will  render  in  tone  colors  the  spiritual 
transmutations  of  their  fellow  artists  on  the  screen. 

It  makes  no  difference,  of  course,  but  the  admission  price  will  be  75  cents, 
and  having  that  sum,  only  a superior  intelligence  will  be  needed  to  enjoy  the 
cinematographic  presentations.  The  opening  presentation,  according  to  Mr. 
Mindlin,  will  be  either  “Potemkin,”  produced  by  the  Russian  firm  of 
Antino,  or  Ufa’s  “Secrets  of  the  Soul.”  The  temple  will  be  open  to  devotees 
continuously  from  noon  until  11  o’clock. 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Exhibitors 


Herald  Production 


This  Production  Directory 
will  be  published  weekly  in 
the  Herald,  with  an  ampli- 
fied form  appearing  monthly 
in  The  Studio. 


Directory 

A Valuable  Resume  of  Production  Activities 


^ Through  Herald’s  Produc- 
tion Directory  entire  motion 
picture  industry  may  keep 
in  constant  touch  with  vital 
subject  of  production. 


Associated  Studios 


Buster  Keaton  Studio 


CHIEF 

PICTURE  DIRECTOR  PLAYERS  BUDGET  STARTED 


Columbia  Pictures  Corp. 


‘Say  It  With 

Louis  Gaznier 

Claire  Windsor  $ 30,000 

Aug.  16 

Sables** 

Reed  Howes 

De  Mille  Studio 

“The  West  Pointer” 

Donald  Crisp 

Wm.  Boyd 

$150,000 

“The  Forbidden 
Woman” 

Paul  Stein 

Jetta  Goudall 

125,000 

July 

21 

“On  to  Reno” 

“My  Friend  From 
India” 

Janies  Cruze 

E.  Mason  Hopper 

FBO 

Marie  Prevost 
Frank’n  Pangborn 

Studios 

100,000 

1 100,000 

Aug. 

15 

“Wizard  of  the 

Frank  Howard 

Buzz  Barton 

$ 40,000 

Aug. 

11 

Saddle” 

Clark 

Bobe  Steele 

40,000 

Aug. 

22 

“Driftin’  Sands” 

Wallace  Fox 

J.  Martin 

40,000 

June 

1 

“Coney  Island” 

Ralph  Ince 

Ralph  Ince 

Lucilla  Mendez 

75,000 

July 

15 

First  National  Studio 

“The  Valley  of  the 

Chas.  Brazin 

Milton  Sills 

$200,000 

Aug. 

23 

Giants” 

“The  Private  Life 

A.  Korda 

Doris  Kenyon 
Maria  Corda 

250,000 

Aug. 

5 

of  Helen  of  Troy” 

“No  Place  to  Go” 

Mervyn  LeRoy 

Lewis  Stone 
Ricardo  Cortez 
Mary  Astor 

160,000 

Aug. 

1 

“A  Texas  Steer” 

Richard  Wallace 

Lloyd  Hughes 
Will  Rogers 

175,000 

Aug. 

22 

“The  Gorilla” 

A1  Santell 

Louise  Fazenda 
Ann  Rork 

Charlie  Murray 

285,000 

Aug. 

16 

“The  Shepherd  of 

A1  Rogell 

Fred  Kelsey 

Alec  Francis 

160,000 

Aug. 

23 

the  Hills” 

“Man  Crazy” 

J.  F.  Dillon 

John  Boles 

Jack  Mulhall 

175,000 

Aug. 

23 

“Louisiana” 

Geo.  Fitzmaurice 

Dorothy  Mackaill 
Billie  Dove 

175,00 

Aug. 

29 

Gilbert  Roland 
Noah  Beery 


Fox  Studio 


“The  Branded 
Sombrero” 

Lambert  Hillyer 

Buck  Jones 

Leila  Hyams 

$100,000 

Aug. 

19 

“No  Title” 

Frank  O’Connor 

Sammy  Cohen 
Ted  McNamara 

90,000 

Aug. 

15 

“Wolf  Fangs” 

Lou  Seiler 

Thunder 

Caryl  Lincoln 
Charles  Morton 

10,000 

Aug. 

15 

“Publicity  Madness’ 

Albert  Ray 

Lois  Moran 
Edmund  Lowe 

125,000 

July 

9 

“Very  Confidential” 

James  Tinling 

Madge  Bellamy 
Pat  Cunning 

60,000 

Aug. 

2 

“Silver  Valley” 

Ben  Stoloff 

Tom  Mix 

Dorothy  Dwan 

150,000 

July 

28 

“High  School  Hero” 

David  Butler 

Nick  Stuart 

Sally  Phipps 

65,000 

July 

22 

“Her  Blue  Black 
Eyes” 

Gene  Forde 

Maria  Casajuana 
Eddie  Clayton 

65,000 

Aug. 

4 

“Grandma  BernIe 
Learns  Her  Letters’ 

John  Ford 

James  Hall 
Margaret  Mann 
Earle  Foxe 

185,000 

July 

20 

“Pajamas” 

J.  G.  Blystone 

Olive  Borden 
Lawrence  Gray 

175,000 

July 

2 

CHIEF 


PICTURE 

DIRECTOR 

PLAYERS  BUDGET 

STARTED 

“Steamboat  Bill  Jr.” 

Chas.  Riesner 

Buster  Keaton 

$300,000 

July  15 

“Rose  Marie” 

Wm.  Nigh 

Renee  Adoree 
Ralph  Forbes 
Harry  Carey 

250,000 

July  25 

“Fair  Co-Ed” 

Sam  Wood 

Marion  Davies  300,000 

John  Mack  Brown 

July  25 

“The  Hypnotist** 

Tod  Browning 

Lon  Chaney 
Marceline  Day 
Conrad  Nagel 

200,000 

July  22 

“Fires  of  Youth” 

Monta  Bell 

John  Gilbert 
Jeanne  Eagels 

250,000 

Aug.  5 

“Mixed  Marriages” 

Hobart  Henley 

Lew  Cody 

Aileen  Pringle 
Bert  Roach 

Mary  McAllister 

185,000 

July  28 

Metropolitan  Studios 


Untitled 

Stuart  Payton 

Jack  Donovan 

$ 30,000 

“Man  Without  a 

Spencer  Bennett 

Allene 

Ray 

40,000 

Face” 

Walter 

Miller 

Paramount  Famous  Lasky  Corp. 

“Now  We’re  In  the 

Frank  Strayer 

Wallace  Beery 

$200,000 

Aug. 

1 

Air” 

Raymond  Hatton 
Louise  Brooks 
Russell  Simpson 

“Open  Range” 

Clifford  Smith 

Betty  Bronson 
Fred  Kohler 

150,000 

Aug. 

13 

Lane  Chandler 

“She’s  a Sheik” 

Clarence  Badger 

Bebe  Daniels 
Richard  Arlen 

200,000 

Aug. 

22 

United 

Artists 

“My  Best  Girl” 

Sam  Taylor 

Mary  Pickford 

$500,000 

May 

20 

“The  Gaucho” 

F.  Richard  Jones 

Doug.  Fairbanks 

706,000 

June 

1 

“Sorrell  & Son” 

Herbert  Brenon 

H.  B.  Warner 
Alice  Joyce 

Anna  Q.  Nilsson 
Norman  Trevor 

600,000 

July 

20 

Carmel  Myers 

Universal  Pictures  Corp. 


“Rawhide  Kid” 

Del  Andrews 

Hoot  Gibson 

$ 75,000 

Aug. 

10 

“Cuhens  & Kellys 
in  Paris” 

Wm.  Beaudine 

All-Star 

75,000 

Aug. 

29 

“Finders  Keepers” 

Wesley  Ruggles 

L,aura  LaPlante 

100,000 

Aug. 

29 

“Thanks  for  the 

Wm.  A.  Seiter 

Laura  LaPlante 

75,000 

Aug. 

23 

Buggy  Ride” 

Edw.  Sloman 

Norman  Kerry 

76,000 

Aug. 

27 

“Foreign  Legion” 

F.  H.  Weight 

Jean  Hersholt 

85,000 

Aug. 

22 

“The  Symphony” 
“The  Man  Who 
Laughs” 

Paul  Lenl 

Conrad  Veidt 
Mary  Philbin 

150,000 

Aug. 

15 

Warner  Brothers  Studio 


‘Roulette” 

Ralph  Graves 

May  McAvoy 
Ralph  Graves 

$ 76,000 

Aug. 

15 

‘Sailor  Izzy 
Murphy” 

Henry  Lehrman 

George  Jessel 
Audrey  Ferris 

75,000 

Aug. 

8 

'The  College  Widow” 

Archie  Mayo 

Delores  Costello 
Wm.  Collier,  Jr. 

$ 60,000 

Aug. 

15 

September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


F.  N,  Increases 
Small  Town  Trade 
Forty  Per  Cent 


Spotty  Sales  Keep  Exchange 
Heads  of  N.  Y.  State  Guessing 

Some  Admit  Having  Failed  to  Sign  with  Any  Large  Circuits 
to  Date — Others  Declare  New  Product  Booked 
75  Per  Cent — Price  Increases  Protested 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  30. — A complex  situation  in  business  written  by  distribu- 
tors in  the  450  theatres  of  Central  and  Northern  New  York  is  puzzling  the 
exchange  managers.  Some  exchanges  admit  they  have  not  signed  a single 
contract  with  any  of  the  larger  circuits  in  the  state,  and  others  assert  the  new 
season’s  product  has  been  75  per  cent  booked.  One  exchange  manager  asserted 
the  situation  was  similar  to  last  year,  only  worse. 

The  whole  situation  admittedly  worries  many  of  the  exchange  managers. 
Several  say  the  situation  was  brought  about  by  many  first-run  houses  overbuy- 
ing last  year. 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30.— Talk  of  an 
exhibitor’s  strike  in  buying  the  new  sea- 
son’s products  is  all  wrong,  according  to 
Ned  Depinet,  general  sales  manager  of 
First  National.  “I  never  knew  a season 
to  start  off  with  better  prospects  than 
the  present  one,”  says  Depinet. 

“An  actual  check  of  business  contracts 
shows  a 10  per  cent  increase  over  last 
year  in  First  National  contracts  with  in- 
dependent exhibitors  and  a 40  per  cent 
increase  in  small  town  business. 

“For  anyone  who  believes  that  the  mo- 
tion picture  business  is  settling  into  a 
slump  I suggest  a few  weeks  spent  on 
the  Coast  with  the  great  productions 
being  made,  followed  by  visits  to  exhib- 
itors who  are  up  on  their  toes  ready  for 
the  biggest  of  motion  picture  years.” 

First  National  has  recently  closed  with 
the  West  Coast  Theatres  chain  whereby 
its  product  will  have  an  outlet  in  150 
theatres. 

Riesenfeld  Will  Open 
Colony  Theatre  on 
September  Ninth 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30.— The  Colony  the- 
atre, now  dark,  will  be  ablaze  with  new- 
ness and  novelty  when  Hugo  Riesenfeld 
inaugurates  a new  policy  there,  beginning 
Friday,  Sept.  9.  A formal,  reserved  seat 
opening  on  that  night  will  be  followed  by 
the  regular  continuous  performance  policy 
beginning  each  day  at  noon. 

It  is  an  open  secret  that  Hugo  Riesenfeld 
has  never  been  enthusiastic  about  acrobats 
and  brass  bands  in  motion  picture  theatres. 

“In  vaudeville  theatres  films  were  often 
used  to  chase  out  the  crowds,  to  make  way 
for  new  audiences  for  the  vaudeville,”  said 
Dr.  Riesenfeld.  “It  seems  just  a little  ab- 
surd to  me  that  the  magnificent  new  picture 
palaces  should  rely  on  vaudeville  to  recruit 
audiences  for  motion  pictures.  I feel  sure 
that  in  this  city  of  six  million  people  there 
are  enough  people  interested  in  films  to 
support  a de  luxe  Broadway  house  dedi- 
cated to  the  finest  screen  entertainment, 
presented  with  discrimination  and  good 
showmanship.” 

New  Hollywood  Paper 
Makes  Its  Appearance 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— The  motion 
picture  magazines  of  Hollywood  come  and 
go.  A new  one  is  announced  to  appear 
next  month,  “The  Tattler  of  Hollywood.” 
Several  others  did  not  survive  the  sum- 
mer, notably  “Hollywood  Topics”  and 
“Tipoff.”  “Hollywood  Life”  folded  up  its 
tent  several  months  ago,  after  appearing 
irregularly  the  first  of  the  year. 


Schenck  Gets  Post 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  head  of  United  Artists  and  other 
producing  concerns,  was  appointed  state 
highway  commissioner  by  Governor  Young 
last  Wednesday  at  Sacramento. 


Thomson  Unit  Return 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30. — Fred  Thom- 
son and  his  “Jesse  James”  company  have 
returned  from  Bridgeport,  Cal.,  where  ex- 
teriors were  made. 


<<'^HE  whole  trouble,”  remarked  one  of 
the  leading  exhibitors  in  Albany,  “is 
that  each  year  the  companies  come  out  and 
say  their  pictures  are  bigger  and  better 
than  ever,  and  promptly  jack  up  the  price. 
Last  fall  we  booked  pictures  at  advanced 
prices  that  did  not  measure  up  to  those 
of  past  years.  Every  exhibitor  in  the  coun- 
try will  agree  with  me  in  that  statement.” 

Placed  Faster,  Say  Some 
So  much  from  the  standpoint  of  the  ex- 
hibitor. A trip  along  Albany’s  Film  Row 
brought  forth  the  statement  from  the  Par- 
amount exchange  that  practically  all  the 
new  product  had  been  set  in  the  key  cities 
and  placed  faster  than  a year  ago.  At 
First  National  it  was  said  the  new  product 
had  been  sold  to  many  chains,  including 
William  Benton,  Lew  Fischer,  Kallet  broth- 
ers, Farash  theatres,  and  split  three  ways 
in  Albany  among  the  Strand,  Leland  and 
Proctor’s.  Here  also,  as  at  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer,  the  booking  was  declared  fur- 
ther advanced  than  in  1926. 

Other  exchanges  declared  the  new  prod- 
uct was  being  booked  very  slowly  by  first 
run  houses  and  the  larger  chains. 

Signs  No  Contracts  to  Date 
C.  H.  Buckley,  owner  of  the  Clinton 
Square  and  Leland  in  Albany,  both  down- 
town houses,  admitted  he  had  not  signed 
a single  contract  for  new  product.  It  is 
said,  however,  that  the  Leland  has  booked 
a portion  of  the  First  National  product, 
although  contracts  have  not  yet  been 
signed. 


Will  Rogers  Saves 
Wisecrackers — and  Why? 

Will  Rogers,  grown  mysterious- 
ly reticent,  arrived  in  Chicago  last 
week,  accompanied  by  Louise  Fa- 
zenda, Ann  Rork  and  other  mem- 
bers of  First  National’s  “A  Texas 
Steer”  company,  which  was  en 
route  to  Washington  for  se- 
quences. Will’s  lips  parted  in  a 
smile  for  one  picture,  but  that  was 
all.  No  question,  no  matter  how 
foolish  (and  newspaper  reporters 
sure  know  their  foolish  ques- 
tions!), could  entice  the  coveted 
wise-crack.  Reticence  so  studied 
naturally  aroused  comment — and 
speculation.  Miss  Fazenda  was 
questioned,  quietly,  cautiously,  in 
throaty  murmurs.  “Well,”  she 
said,  “he’s  a born  politician  and 
one  of  these  days  he’s  going  to 
run  for  something  big.  You  just 
see!”  Has  Miss  Fazenda  been 
eavesdropping.^  And  remember, 
they  made  Rogers  mayor  of  Bev- 
erly Hills! 


First  run  houses  in  Albany  and  Troy,  in 
many  instances,  are  holding  back  but  ex- 
change managers  emphatically  declared 
present  prices  would  be  maintained. 

“If  exhibitors  figure  the  producers  will 
become  panicky  because  the  new  product 
is  not  being  signed  up,  they  are  mistaken,” 
said  one  manager.  “There  seems  to  be 
some  sort  of  propaganda  going  the  rounds 
of  exhibitors  to  the  effect  that  the  pro- 
ducers require  funds  to  carry  on  their  busi- 
ness. And  yet  the  same  exhibitors  fail  to 
consider  that  many  of  the  producing  com- 
panies have  theatres  of  their  own  for  their 
own  protection.  The  whole  situation  ap- 
pears to  be  a ridiculous  one.” 

Stanley  Books  Many 

In  Albany,  several  of  the  new  produc- 
tions are  being  shown.  The  summer  resort 
towns  such  as  Saratoga  Springs  and  Platts- 
burg,  have  shown  many. 

The  Stanley  Company  has  booked  for 
the  Mark  Strand  in  Albany  a number  of 
leading  productions  and  large  newspaper 
advertisements  on  current  attractions  at 
the  Mark  Strand  also  have  the  pictures 
booked  for  the  weeks  to  come. 

The  smaller  houses  are  not  worrying 
much  over  the  new  product,  but  the  show- 
ings at  subsequent  run  houses  will  be  later 
than  last  year. 

Charges  1926  Pictures  Mediocre 

One  exchange  manager  of  Albany  ad- 
mitted frankly  that  mediocre  pictures  had 
been  the  rule  rather  than  the  exception 
last  year,  and  that  theatres  suffered. 

“Why  not  be  frank  with  ourselves,”  said 
the  exchange  manager,  “and  admit  that 
there  were  but  few  real  good  pictures 
made  last  year?  As  exchange  managers, 
we  know  it  and  so  do  our  salesmen.  Com- 
plaints registered  by  exhibitors  have  made 
their  impression  months  ago  upon  the 
producers  who  have  been  forced  to  realize 
that  they  must  make  better  pictures  from 
the  standpoint  of  entertainment  if  the 
theatres  are  to  thrive  and  prosper. 

“There  have  been  big  pictures  made, 
costing  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars, 
which  simply  fell  flat  because  they  did 
not  entertain.  The  theatre  going  public 
today  does  not  care  a rap  whether  a pic- 
ture cost  $10,000  or  ten  times  that  amount. 
But  they  do  want  entertainment  and  a 
cleverly  directed  production  rather  than 
something  that  is  thrown  together  and 
which  the  exchanges  will  later  be  called 
upon  to  foster  upon  the  exhibitor,  who 
in  turn  is  obliged  to  offer  it  to  a paying 
public.” 

A leading  exhibitor  of  Albany  predicts 
this  year  should  be  a banner  season.  “Last 
year  more  houses  were  playing  big  pictures 
on  Broadway  at  advance  prices  todaj',”  he 
explained.  “These  pictures  have  become 
available  this  fall  and  winter  to  the  reg- 
ular houses  at  the  regular  admission.” 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Coast  Officials  and  Stars  Join 
In  Tribute  to  Valentino 

First  Anniversary  of  Death  Observed — Al  Wilson  Narrowly  Escapes 
Death  W hen  Plane  Bursts  into  Flames 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  August  so. — Screen  stars,  notables  and  motion  pic- 
ture officials  were  among  the  thousands  who  gathered  in  honor  of 
the  first  anniversary  observance  of  the  passing  of  Rudolph  Valen- 
tino at  the  Church  of  the  Blessed  Sacrament  in  Hollyv/ood  last  Tuesday. 
High  requiem  mass  was  offered  by  Italian  Fathers  Galli,  Tonelli  and 
Biloilli.  Sylvano  Balboni  acted  as  head  usher,  assisted  by  Mario  Carillo. 


D EPRESENTATIVES  of  Italy  and 
France  attended  in  the  persons  of 
Vice  Consuls  Count  Gradenido  of  Italy 
and  lienri  Didot  of  France.  Promptly 
at  noon  Tuesday  all  studios  ceased  work 
for  five  minutes  to  honor  the  memory  of 
V alentino. 

(In  Chicago  L.  & T.  added  “Monsieur 
Beaucaire”  to  the  regular  program  at  Or- 
chestra Hall  in  tribute  to  Valentino.) 

^ ^ 

First  National  Studio,  Burbank,  has 
sent  questionnaires  to  all  employes  to  as- 
certain who  is  related  to  whom  and  why. 
The  move,  it  is  believed,  is  the  outcome 
of  the  recent  economy  wave  that  has 
been  inaugurated  at  all  studios.  The 
First  National  inquiry  to  determine  the 
relation  of  various  studio  employes  and 
what  positions  they  are  holding  has 
caused  considerable  concern  on  other 
lots  as  it  is  thought  the  same  plan  may 
be  carried  out  in  all  studios.  Two  per- 
tinent questions  of  the  questionnaire 
are:  (1)  “Are  you  related  to  anybody  at 
this  studio?  If  so,  to  whom  and  how?” 
(2)  “Are  you  related  to  anybody  in  the 
industry?  If  so  to  whom  and  how?” 

Fred  Niblo  began  work  yesterday  on 
his  next  production  for  Joseph  M. 
Schenck.  Niblo’s  new  E^nited  Artists  pic- 
ture will  be,  “The  Woman  Disputed.” 

^ 

Al  Wilson,  well  known  aviator  and 
motion  picture  stunt  flyer,  narrowly  es- 
caped death  last  week  when  both  wings 
of  his  airplane  caught  fire  at  an  altitude 
of  3,000  feet.  He  was  flying  an  old  plane 
of  the  Curtis  pusher  tsqje  in  which  the 
pilot  sits  in  front  of  the  motor,  which 
fact  probably  saved  Wilson’s  life. 

^ ^ ^ 

Chaplin  Resumes  “Circus” 

Work  has  been  resumed  at  the  Charles 
Chaplin  studios  on  “The  Circus.”  Sets 
are  being  rebuilt  and  cast  assembled. 

*  *  * * 

Although  planning  to  keep  it  a secret, 
the  wedding  of  Arthur  Stone,  character 
comedian  with  First  National,  and  Miss 
Dorothy  Westmore,  of  the  makeup  de- 
partment of  First  National  Studios,  was 
disclosed  last  week. 

^ ^ ^ 

Pearson  Reaches  Coast 

Elmer  R.  Parson,  first  vice-president 
of  Pathe,  arrived  in  Los  Angeles  last 
week  on  a tour  of  inspection  of  local 
holdings  of  the  newly  consolidated 

Pathe-Producers  Distributing  Corpora- 
tion and  DeMille  Pictures  Corporation. 
While  here  Mr.  Pearson  will  confer  with 
Cecil  DeMille,  James  Cruze,  Mack  Sen- 
nett  and  other  executives  concerning 

next  year’s  product. 

^ ^ ^ 

The  engagement  of  Dorothy  Sebastian, 
screen  actress,  and  Clarence  Brown,  di- 
rector of  many  successful  film  plays,  will 
be  announced  officially  within  a few  days, 
according  to  their  friends.  Both  are  un- 
der contract  to  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. 


The  late  June  Mathis  left  an  estate 
valued  in  excess  of  $200,000,  according 
to  a petition  filed  in  court  last  week.  Miss 
Mathis  left  a will  leaving  her  estate  to 
her  husband,  Sylvano  Balboni,  following 
the  death  of  her  grandmother,  but  owing 
to  the  fact  that  it  bore  no  date,  could 
not  be  probated.  The  petition  has  been 
presented  asking  that  Dr.  T.  M.  Balboni 
be  appointed  administrator. 

^ ^ ^ 

Universal  Studio  Credit  Union,  with  a 
capital  of  $50,000,  has  been  incorporated, 
according  to  announcement  by  President 
Carl  Laemmle  of  Universal.  The  pur- 
pose of  the  union  is  to  establish  a fund 
from  which  needy  employes  of  the  studio 
may  borrow  money  at  a low  rate  of  in- 
terest. The  union  is  patterned  after  the 
employes’  savings  institutions  in  effect  in 
Europe  for  about  fifty  years. 

* * * 

Charges  “Kings”  Pirated 

Mrs.  Joan  Armstrong  Alquist,  69  year 
old  authoress,  filed  suit  last  week  in  Fed- 
eral court  against  Cecil  B.  DeMille, 
Jeanie  Macpherson  and  more  than  a 
dozen  film  concerns  and  individuals 
charging  that  the  motion  picture  produc- 
tion, “The  King  of  Kings,”  had  been 
“pirated”  from  an  original  book  written 
by  her.  Mrs.  Alquist  states  she  submit- 
ted her  book,  “The  Wooing  of  Mary  of 
Magdala,”  to  Cecil  DeMille  in  1924  but 
that  it  was  returned  to  her  as  unavail- 
able. She  now  declares  that  the  biblical 
spectacle  contains  the  entire  plot  of  her 
book  and  that  more  than  fifty-eight 
scenes  were  arranged  in  the  same  se- 
quence as  her  story. 

* * * 

At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Wampas, 
Harry  D.  Wilson,  chairman,  had  as  his 
stellar  attraction  Aimee  Semple  Mc- 
Pherson, the  evangelist.  Mrs.  McPher- 
son was  quite  at  home  among  the  press 
agents  and  gave  an  interesting  talk. 
Count  Felix  Von  Luckner  and  Capt.  John 
Lauderbach,  late  of  Germany  and  the 
World  War,  also  addressed  the  boys. 
Prince  Swan  Singh  of  India,  and  Mrs. 
Elizabeth  Miller  of  Cleveland,  were  also 
among  the  guests  of  honor. 

* * * 

Barnes  with  Goldtvyn 

Samuel  Goldwyn  has  a new  press 
agent,  How'ard  Barnes,  who  assumed  his 
duties  last  week. 

jk  * 

Fred  J.  McConnell,  former  editor  of 
Exhibitors  Daily  Review,  is  supervising 
two  series  of  pictures  being  produced  at 
Metropolitan  studios  for  Pathe.  He 
started  the  first  of  a series  of  eight  fea- 
tures starring  Sandow,  the  dog. 

* * * 

Mack  Sennett  has  again  taken  up  the 
megaphone,  after  seven  years’  retire- 
ment. Owing  to  the  illness  of  Alf  Gould- 
ing,  Sennett  stepped  in  and  is  directing 
“The  Romance  of  a Bathing  Girl,”  a 
feature  length  comedy. 


John  Humm,  treasurer  of  Patbe  Ex- 
changes, Inc.,  is  here  on  his  first  visit 
to  California.  Humm  has  been  treasurer 
of  Pathe  for  20  years  and  is  undoubtedly 
one  of  the  best  posted  financial  men  in 
the  motion  picture  business. 

^ ^ ^ 

Fox  Film  Corporation  has  one  of  the 
most  elaborate  displays  yet  shown  at 
the  Southern  California  Manufacturers 
Exhibit,  in  the  Southwest  building. 


Re-Takes 


Aimee  McPHERSON  addressed  the 
Western  Association  of  Motion  Pic- 
ture Advertisers  last  week  and  didn’t  try 
to  reform  one  of  them.  After  sizing  up 
those  press  agents  she  probably  thought  it 
was  no  use.  But  the  boys  handed  her 
plenty  of  applause  and  her  act  went  over 
big. 

^ ^ ^ 

Especially  the  statement  that  the  Shriners 
of  Cleveland  had  made  her  a Noble,  “be- 
cause she  too  had  walked  the  hot  sands.” 
* 

Aimee  had  a tough  spot  on  the  bill. 
She  followed  a German  war  hero,  a sea 
raider  who  ran  blockades,  sunk  ships  and 
had  a good  time  back  in  1914,  without  los- 
ing a single  life.  He  was  followed  by 
another  German  sea  captain  who  sunk  a 
lot  of  ships  and  said  he  never  took  a life. 
It  seems  the  war  reports  were  greatly 
exaggerated. 

* * 

In-Laws  Being  Investigated 

One  of  our  big  studios  is  inquiring  of 
employes  whether  they  hold  their  jobs  be- 
cause they  are  related  to  someone  else 
in  the  studio.  If  this  thing  spreads  there’s 
going  to  be  a panic  on  a few  lots. 

* SK 

Fake  Notables 

Hollywood  has  been  taken,  in  again  by  a 
bogus  count,  who  came  here  to  spend  some 
thirty  millions,  more  or  less,  and  establish 
a film  colony  abroad.  The  only  hitch  in 
the  proceedings  was  the  fact  that  a hard- 
hearted hotel  proprietor  wanted  money  for 
his  board  and  lodging. 

sjc  ^ 

Speaking  ol  Notables 

We  have  another  flag  pole  sitter,  a lady 
this  time,  who  is  going  to  sit  21  days  on 
top  of  a flag  staff  with  her  sweetheart 
throwing  her  doughnuts  so  she  won’t  get 
hungry.  Long  may  her  marcelle  wave. 

^ ^ 

Very  Accommodating 
“Hollywood  restaurants  rival  Europe’s” 
— headline.  You  bet  we  even  have  a Fly 
Inn  on  Melrose  ave. 

* * 

Had  Had  Experience 

The  day  after  Josef  von  Sternberg’s  wife 
filed  her  divorce  suit,  he  was  assigned  to 
cut  “The  Wedding  March.” 

* * * 

Aesop  Fable 

The  earliest  press  agent  yarn  is  supposed 
to  be  the  one  about  the  actor  who  wasn't 
recognized  by  his  police  dog  when  he  re- 
turned home  in  his  makeup,  but  Gregory 
La  Cava,  director,  wearing  a beard  and 
old  clothes,  was  almost  pinched  by  a 
studio  watchman  the  other  night  and  had 
to  sing  his  way  out  of  the  difficulty,  from 
a piece  of  music  he  had  written.  It  was 
lucky  he  could  sing. 

^ ^ ^ 

Famous  Last  Words 
“Don’t  let  no  newspaper  men  on  our  lot.” 
* * * 

Meadows,  there’s  a tang  of  Fall  in  the 
air.  See  if  the  moths  have  left  anything 
of  my  last  winter’s  overcoat.  — R.  M. 


September  3,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  25 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

by 

the  Camera 

Issue  of  September  3 


The  Harold  Lloyds  (Including  little 
Miss  Mildred  Gloria)  upon  their  ar- 
rival in  New  York,  where  the  Para- 
mount comedian  went  for  scenes  of 
his  next  picture. 


“I  dub  thee  Miss  Illinois!”  Paul  Ash 
jazz  maestro  at  the  Oriental,  Chi- 
cago, and  Lois  Delander  of  Joliet, 
who  will  represent  Illinois  at  Atlan- 
tic City. 


Other  recent  New  York  arrivals  are  the  Christies  and  their  staff,  who  were  on  their  way  to  Europe  to  prepare  treatment  of 
the  forthcoming  Paramount  version  of  “Tillie’s  Punctured  Romance,”  which  will  star  Louise  Fazenda.  From  left  to  right, 
George  Weeks,  Eastern  sales  representative;  Charles  and  A1  Christie,  June  Brooks,  Eddie  Sutherland  and  Monte  Brice. 


26 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


A prayer  to  the  Virgin.  Mary  Astor  in  a 
scene  from  her  next  First  Nationcil  picture, 
formerly  titled  “The  Rose  of  Monterey” 
but  now  being  completed  as  “Rose  of  the 
Golden  West.” 


A cake  to  match,  rather  obvi- 
ously, her  thoughts.  And  “she” 
is  Janet  Gaynor,  shown  in  a scene 
from  her  first  starring  vehicle. 
Fox’s  “Two  Girls  Wanted.” 


Memories  of  last  night  beneath  a Southern 
moon.  Marceline  Day  as  the  heroine  of 
“Romance,”  Joseph  Conrad  story  in  which 
she  appears  opposite  Ramon  Navarro. 
M-G-M  assigned  John  Robertson  to  direct. 


Mervyn  LeRoy  snapped  while  playing  upon  the  credulity  of 
Ben  Silvey,  who,  however,  does  not  seem  to  think  the  de- 
vice an  instrument  with  which  to  record  laughs.  Silvey  is 
LeRoy’s  assistant  in  the  direction  of  First  National  comedy- 
dramas. 


Richard  Barthelmess  bids  “see  you  later”  to  Richard  A. 
Rowland,  First  National  production  chief  (center),  and  A1 
Rockett,  West  Coast  production  manager,  before  their  de- 
parture for  the  Burbank  studios  following  the  premiere  in 
New  York  of  Barthelmess’  “The  Patent  Leather  Kid.” 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


“The  Eagle,”  Buck  Jones’  screen  mount,  condescends  to 
have  a look  at  the  Fox  star’s  super-auto,  doubtless  suppress- 
ing meanwhile  a horse  laugh.  For  after  all  is  it  the  steel 
contraption  that  thousands  see  in  Buck’s  Westerns?  Their 
latest  is  “Blood  Will  Tell.” 


A lull  in  official  proceedings  at  Warner  Brothers  studio — 
and  observe  William  Demarest  to  see  what  a mere  lull  can 
do!  The  “takers”  are  A1  Jolson  star,  and  Alan  Crosland, 
director,  of  “The  Jazz  Singer”  company,  which  also  in- 
cludes Demarest. 


“Sharp  practices”  on  the  Fox  lot,  en- 
gaged in  by  Charles  Farrell  and  Greta 
Nissen  for  the  benefit  of  the  Herald 
photographer. 


A forbidden  woman?  Only  Jetta  Gou- 
dal,  the  friend  and  fellow  worker  of 
Paul  Stein,  who  is  directing  her  in  a 
Pathe  production  which  happens  to  be 
called  “A  Forbidden  Woman.” 


Margarita  Fischer  soon  will  make 
her  “second  debut”  on  the  screen 
in  Universal’s  “Uncle  Tom’s 
Cabin,”  in  which  she  enacts  Eliza, 
as  pictured  above.  Miss  Fischer 
of  course  played  the  part  worked 
in  the  epic  under  the  direction  of 
her  husband,  Harry  Pollard. 


Burlesquing  the  title  of  their  next  Para- 
mount picture,  “Beggers  of  Love,” 
wherein  Jean  Hersholt  (left)  and  Ken- 
neth Thomson  support  Pola  Negri. 


Bebe  Daniels  recently  had  that  special 
pleasure  of  entertaining  a chum  of 
early  youth,  Lila  Lee  Kirkwood,  who  is 
shown  lunching  with  the  Paramount 
star  at  the  studio. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Birdie  Day  at  Bonnie  Brier  Club 
Is  Set  for  September  13th 

And  Eastern  Filmdom  Is  Polishing  Up  Brassies — Jessie  von  Klein  Suc- 
ceeds Richard  Weil  as  Rayart  Publicity  Head 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  August  30. — Bonnie  Brier  Golf  Club,  at  Mamaroneck, 
has  been  selected  as  the  scene  of  carnage  for  the  Fall  Film  Golf 
Tournament,  and  the  date  named  is  Tuesday,  September  13.  This 
announcement  was  made  last  week  by  the  committee  in  charge  of  details, 
and  it  is  the  expectation  that  the  coming  tournament  will  be  one  of  the 
best  since  the  classic  was  started  six  years  ago  by  the  late  and  still 
lamented  Danny. 


'T^OM  MOORE  of  Washington  and 
Christy  Deibel  of  Youngstown,  Ohio, 
probably  the  two  best  golfers  in  the  film 
fraternity,  have  already  signified  their  in- 
tention of  being  here  to  play.  Eddie  Esch- 
mann,  Elmer  Pearson  and  a number  of 
others  of  the  really  good  golfers,  who  are 
away  on  Western  trips,  are  expected  to  be 
home  in  time  for  the  event. 

It’s  on  13th  But  Not  Friday 

When  the  date  of  the  tournament  was 
first  announced  there  were  many  who 
looked  askance  at  that  Thirteenth,  but  an 
investigation  of  the  calendar  showed  this 
falling  on  a Tuesday  and  not  on  a Friday, 
so  everything  was  declared  all  right.  Vic- 
tor Shapiro,  who  goes  out  of  his  way  to 
defy  superstition,  expressed  his  regret  that 
this  particular  Thirteenth  did  not  come  on 
a Friday,  as  in  that  event  he  stood  ready 
to  wager  that  he  would  lower  his  previous 
mark  of  162  strokes  for  13  holes.  As  it  is 
he  will  only  bet  that  he  will  equal  the 
former  mark.  Before  Bruce  Gallup  refuses 
to  express  an  opinion. 

The  committee  having  the  details  of  the 
tournament  in  hand  is  composed  of  Elmer 
Pearson,  Artie  Stebbins,  Felix  Feist,  Bruce 
Gallup,  Don  klersereau  and  Jack  Alicoate, 
if  the  latter  returns  from  philandering  in 
Europe  in  time  for  the  event.  Red  Kami 
will  likely  do  all  the  hard  work  as  usual. 
Miss  Von  Klein  Succeeds  Weil 
W.  Ray  Johnston,  president  of  Rayart, 
announces  that  Jessie  von  Klein,  for  the 
past  year  assistant  in  the  publicity  depart- 
ment of  the  Rayart  organization,  was  this 
week  appointed  director  of  publicity  to  take 
the  place  of  Richard  Weil,  who  resigned 
last  week  to  take  up  other  work  in  Plolly- 
wood.  Miss  von  Klein  has  been  connected 
with  various  enterprises  with  which  Mr. 
Johnston  has  been  associated  for  the  past 
seven  years,  and  her  many  friends  in  the 
trade  will  be  glad  to  learn  of  her  well  de- 
served promotion. 

* * * 

Lon  Chaney’s  latest  opus,  “Mockery,” 
went  over  so  big  during  its  first  week 
at  the  Capitol  that  Major  Edward  Bowes 
decided  to  hold  it  over  for  a second 
week. 

* * * 

“What  Price  Glory”  kept  the  big  Roxy 
theatre  so  jammed  up  with  people  all  dur- 
ing the  second  week  of  its  showing  that 
it  is  being  held  over  for  a third  week.  And 
if  anyone  tries  to  give  you  odds  that  the 
big  Fox  picture  won’t  stay  four  weeks  at 
the  Roxy,  take  it,  for  you  have  more  than 
an  even  chance  to  win. 

“Wrings”  Roadshows  Prepared 

A1  Grey,  head  of  Paramount’s  roadshow 
department,  is  making  arrangements  for 
placing  “Wings”  in  three  other  cities 
shortly.  So  great  has  been  the  success  of 
the  production  since  its  New  York  premiere 
that  it  was  decided  to  get  busy  on  the 
roadshowing.  The  cities  selected  for  the 
three  openings  are  Boston,  Chicago  and 
Los  Angeles,  the  dates  not  yet  decided. 

^ * 

Announcement  was  made  last  week  that 


Metro  would  reopen  the  Embassy  theatre 
next  Friday  evening  with  “The  Garden  of 
Allah,”  Rex  Ingram’s  newest  (and  probably 
his  last)  for  Metro-Goldwyn.  The  picture 
was  made  in  France  and  on  location  in 
northern  Africa. 

^ ^ ^ 

The  Wall  Street  Journal  has  discovered 
what  it  thinks  is  sure  proof  that  the  world 
is  growing  better,  as  witness  the  following 
from  one  of  its  issues  last  week: 

“Twenty  of  the  largest  movie  producers 
in  southern  California  making  up  the  As- 
sociation of  Motion  Picture  Producers, 
Inc.,  have  banned  all  profanity,  ridicule  of 
preachers,  and  sneers  at  the  constitution 
from  their  pictures  and  bill-board  adver- 
tising. Every  once  in  a while  something 
happens  that  is  sure  proof  the  world  is 
growing  better.” 

* * * 

Three  Gilbert  Films  Reissued 

James  R.  Grainger,  general  sales  man- 
ager of  Fox  Films,  has  announced  reissues 
of  three  John  Gilbert  pictures. 

“Cameo  Kirby,”  with  John  Gilbert,  Ger- 
trude Olmsted  and  Jean  Arthur,  was  an 
adaptation  from  the  stage  success  by  Booth 
Tarkington  and  Harry  Leon  Wilson,  di- 
rected by  John  Ford.  This  love  story  of  a 
romantic  Mississippi  river  gambler  unques- 
tionably rates  as  one  of  the  most  powerful 
pictures  in  which  John  Gilbert  ever  dis- 
played his  genius.  Aug.  28  was  the  date 
set  for  this  release. 


Fight  Film  Law  May  Be 
Tried  in  Indianapolis 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Aug.  30.— 
The  federal  law  prohibiting  the 
transportation  of  motion  picture 
films  of  prize  fights  from  one  state 
to  another  may  find  its  test  in  the 
United  States  district  court  in  In- 
dianapolis, it  is  indicated.  The 
probability  was  seen  in  connection 
with  the  management  of  the  Co- 
lonial theatre  here  in  showing  pic- 
tures of  the  recent  Dempsey- 
Sharkey ’fight  in  New  York.  If  the 
matter  goes  into  the  court  here,  it 
probably  will  prove  a case  of  na- 
tion-wide interest,  perhaps  settling 
for  all  time  the  question  of  the 
legality  of  showing  fight  pictures 
in  states  other  than  where  the 
fight  took  place. 

Following  the  pre-showing  for 
the  newspaper  men  and  others,  the 
film  was  confiscated  by  govern- 
ment authorities  and  B.  M.  Stern, 
said  to  be  the  agent  for  the  film, 
was  placed  in  jail  in  default  of 
$5,000  bond.  He  was  held  to  the 
federal  grand  jury  under  that  bond 
by  the  United  States  commis- 
sioner. 


“Honor  First”  and  “St.  Elmo”  are  two 
other  Gilbert  reissues  which  Fox  Films  are 
offering  in  response  to  an  enormous  de- 
mand for  the  stories  in  which  this  star 
created  his  reputation. 

* * * 

Hatrick  Goes  to  Coast 

Edgar  B.  Hatrick,  who  has  charge  of  the 
motion  picture  interests  of  William  Ran- 
dolph Hearst,  left  last  week  for  Los  Ange- 
les. He  will  remain  on  the  West  Coast 
for  several  weeks. 

* * * 

A phenomenal  advance  sale  for  “Wings,” 
the  Paramount  war  aviation  spectacle  now 
in  its  third  week  at  the  Criterion,  was  re- 
ported by  A.  Griffith  Grey,  head  of  the 

Paramount  roadshow  department.  Ever 

since  the  film  opened,  75  standing-room  ad- 
missions— the  maximum  permitted — have 
been  sold  at  each  performance — and  the 
S.  R.  O.  sign  has  been  posted  each  day 
when  the  box-office  opened. 

The  advance  sale  yesterday  was  $19,- 
462.20,  which  was  a gain  of  about  $4,000 
over  that  of  a week  ago. 

Mr.  Grey  made  public  these  figures  il- 
lustrating how  the  public  demand  for 
“Wings”  pasteboards  has  increased ; 

The  advance  sale  on  Friday,  Aug.  12, 
$8,531;  Aug.  13,  $8,677;  Aug.  14,  $7,359; 
Aug.  15,  $8,268;  Aug.  16,  $12,060;  Aug. 
17,  $13,169;  Aug.  18,  $15,491;  Aug.  19, 
$15,491;  Aug.  20,  $21,612:  Aug.  21,  $19,- 
784;  Aug.  22,  $21,239;  Aug.  23,  $20,146; 
Aug.  24  $18,783;  Aug.  25,  $19,462. 

This  smashes  by  a tremendous  margin 
all  records  for  the  advance  sale  of  motion 
picture  specials. 

Another  record  claimed  by  Mr.  Grey  for 
“Wings”  is  the  fact  that  25  agencies  are 
paying  cash  in  advance  for  their  allotments 
with  no  return  privileges. 

* ^ 

Katz  on  Executive  Committee 

Sam  Katz,  president  of  Publix  Theatres, 
Inc ; has  been  elected  a member  of  the 
executive  committee  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors of  Paramount-Famous-Lasky  Cor- 
poration. 

^ ^ 

Ray  Anderson,  Fox  News  staff  camera- 
man at  St.  Louis,  has  arrived  in  New  York 
to  visit  the  home  office.  Anderson  is  the 
cameraman  whose  pictures  of  the  animal 
antics  in  the  St.  Louis  zoo  have  won  for 
him  many  bonuses  and  afforded  gales  of 
laughter  to  millions  of  picture  patrons. 

During  the  Louisiana  flood  Anderson 
traveled  200  miles  in  an  open  boat,  shoot- 
ing the  crest  of  the  flood  as  he  went.  In 
one  Louisiana  parish  he  was  drafted  to 
pack  the  failing  levee  with  sand  while  the 
Mississippi  slithered  over  the  surface. 

“If  this  levee  ever  lets  go,”  he  told  the 
foreman  in  charge,  “I  can’t  swim  a stroke 
and  that’s  that.” 

“Doan’  yo’  worry,  mistah,”  replied  the 
drawling  southerner,  “it  wouldn’t  mattah 
none  if’n  yo’  was  the  bes’  swimmin’  man 
alive  when  that  levee  busts.  Yo’d  have  a 
flyin’  staht  fo’  heaven  or  hell,  an’  swimmin’ 
wouldn’t  help  yo’  none.” 

** Stranded”  Launches 
New  Sterling  Program 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Auff.  30. — “Stranded.” 
from  the  story  by  Anita  Loos  and  star- 
ring Shirley  Mason  and  William  Collier, 
Jr.,  has  been  completed  by  Sterling  Pic- 
tures Distributing  Corporation  and  will 
be  the  first  picture  to  be  released  on  the 
new  program. 

The  second  picture  for  release  will  be 
“Pretty  Clothes,”  and  will  be  directed  by 
Phil  Rosen.  The  leads  for  the  picture 
have  not  been  chosen  yet.  The  corn- 
pany  has  recently  closed  a large  deal  in 
South  Africa  which  calls  for  the  sale  of 
four  of  the  company’s  pictures. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Bert  Levy  Joins  Race  as 
“Youngest  Exhibitor”; 
Has  Rapid  Rise 


And  still  another  youth  (we  hope)  comes 
forward  and  asks  admittance  to  the 
Herald's  “youngest  exhibitor”  group, 
namely  Bert  Levy,  27  years  young  and  a 
native  son  of  Portland,  Ore.,  the  Rose 
City.  Just  a few  short  months  ago  he  put 
over  the  publicity  for  the  Miss  Portland 
contest.  Then  he  took  care  of  consider- 
able publicity  for  the  Columbia  theatre 
there.  Another  boost  made  him  assistant 
manager  for  the  house,  for  which  he  con- 
tinued to  handle  efficiently  the  publicity 
also. 

Finally,  due  to  changes,  he  was  given 
the  reins  and  for  some  months  past  has 
carried  the  load  of  manager  of  the  house 
with  no  publicity  agent,  so  naturally  the 
whole  big  job  is  carried  by  his  broad 
young  shoulders. 

List  of  Owners  of 

Milwaukee  Theatres 

{Continued  from  page  18) 

tures,  serials,  Westerns,  comedy — Four 
times  a week. 

Arcade — Walter  Schoen — Daily — West- 
erns— Downtown  features,  comedy. 
Wright — N.  Nelson. 

Parkway — Goetz  Brothers — Double  .pro- 
grams — Westerns  — Downtown  fea- 
tures, comedy. 

Rainbow — Charles  Trampe — Downtown 
features,  comedy,  no  Westerns — Three 
times  a week. 

Columbia — Sam  Ludwig. 

Astor — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit  (Uni- 
versal) — Downtown  features  — West- 
erns, comedy,  10  cent  admission — 
Three  times  a week. 

Lyric — T.  S.  Schroeder — Downtown  fea- 
tures— Double  feature  programs — Com- 
edy— Three  times  a week. 

Liberty — O.  J.  Vollert — Downtown  fea- 
tures, comedy,  vaudeville,  country  store 
nights — Four  times  a week. 

Violet  — Herman  Schmidt  — Westerns, 
Downtown  features — daily  changes. 
Colonial — E.  Langemach — Three  times  a 
week — Downtown  features,  comedy, 
news  reel. 

State — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit  (Uni- 
versal)— Three  times  a week — Down- 
town features.  Western  serials,  com- 
edy. 

Studio — Joe  Cullen — Downtown  features, 
comedy,  all  seats  10  cents — Changes 
four  times  a week. 


Jackson  Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit 
(Universal)— Four  times  a week — 
Downtown  features,  comedy,  all  seats 
10  cents. 

Tower — Saxe — Three  times  a week — 
Downtown  features,  comedy,  news 
reel. 

OWNERS  ON  MAP  NO.  2 

Shorewood  theatre  — Otto  Gellerup  — 
Downtown  features,  comedy,  news  reel 
— Three  times  a week. 

Miramar — Al.  Dobbs — Four  times  a week 
— Downtown  features,  comedy,  news 
reels,  serial  matinee  only. 

Downer  — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit 
(Universal) — Three  times  a week — 
Downtown  features,  comedy,  news 
reel,  no  Westerns. 

Murray— Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit — 
Downtown  features.  Westerns,  com- 
edy, all  seats  10  cents — Four  times  a 
week. 

Oriental — Saxe — Three  times  a week — 
Downtown  features,  comedy,  news 
reel,  stage  presentations,  no  Westerns. 

OWNERS  ON  MAP  NO.  3 

Wisconsin — Saxe — Once  a week — Regu- 
lar features,  comedy,  news  reel,  stage 
presentation. 

Strand — Saxe — Once  a week — Regular 
features,  comedy,  news  reel. 

Alhambra — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit 
(Universal) — Once  a week — Regular 
features,  comedy,  news  reels,  stage 
number. 

Miller — Saxe — Vaudeville  and  feature 
photoplay. 

Whitehouse  — O.  L.  Meister  — Daily 
Westerns,  comedy,  old  downtown  fea- 
tures, admission  10  cents. 

Princess — Saxe — Three  times  a week — 
Westerns,  old  downtown  features,  com- 
edy. 

Butterfly  — J.  R.  Freuler  — Daily  — Old 
downtown  features,  comedy,  10  cent 
admission. 

Palace — Orpheum — Vaudeville  and  fea- 
ture photoplay. 

Davidson  — Sherman  Brown  — “Legit” 
shows  and  roadshows. 

Garden — L.  K.  Brin — Once  a week — Reg- 
ular feature  photoplay,  comedy,  news 
reel. 

Majestic  — Junior  Orpheum  Circuit  — 
Vaudeville  and  photoplay. 

Merrill — Saxe — Once  a week — Feature 
photoplay,  comedy,  news  reel. 

OWNERS  ON  MAP  NO.  4 

Rivoli — Charles  Washicheck. 

Grace — Charles  Washicheck. 

Idle  Hour — Max  Krofta — Feature  and 
comedy — Four  times  a week. 

Greenfield  — Max  Krofta  — Downtown 
feature,  comedy — Four  times  a week. 

Mozart — B.  K.  Fischer. 

Pearl — Washicheck. 

Mojeska— Saxe — Three  times  a week — 
Downtown  features,  comedy. 

Granada— Goetz  Bros. — Four  times  a 
week — Downtown  features,  comedy. 
Westerns. 

Park — B.  K.  Fischer. 

Juneau  — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit 
(Universal) — Four  times  a week — 
Downtown  serials,  comedy,  gift  night. 

Layton  Park — Washicheck. 

Koschiuszko — Milwaukee  Theatre  Cir- 
cuit— Downtown  features,  Westerns, 
comedy,  admission  10  cents. 

Lincoln — B.  K.  Fischer. 

Riviera — Milwaukee  Theatre  Circuit — 
Three  times  a week — Downtown  fea- 
tures, serials,  comedy. 

Avenue — Steve  Bauer — Downtown  fea- 
tures, comedy,  surprise  nights.  West- 
erns. 

Mirth — Saxe — Three  times  a week — 
Downtown  features,  comedy,  news 
reels. 

Plaza — Saxe — Five  times  a week — Down- 
town features,  comedy,  a few  West- 
erns. 

South  Side  Palace. 


Exhibitor  Morrow  Sailing 
for  Paris  to  Play  in 
Legion’s  Band 


Now  comes  the  exhibitor-bandsman- 
Legionnaire ! 

Exhibitor  Cliff  Morrow,  proprietor  of 
the  Colonial  and 
the  Morrow’s  of 
Decatur,  111.,  has 
been  selected  to 
be  one  of  the 
twenty-seven  men 
of  the  Official 
American  Legion 
Illinois  Band.  This 
band  will  repre- 
sent Illinois  at  the 
National  Legion 
Convention  to  be 
held  in  Paris, 

France. 

The  band  is 
under  the  leader- 
ship of  Ed  Che- 
nette,  nationally 
recognized  band 
leader  and  com- 
poser, and  one  of 
four  bandmasters 
listed  in  Who’s 
Who  In  America. 

Mr.  Morrow 
will  sail  Septem- 
ber 8 on  the  S.  S. 

Caronia  from  New 
York.  The  band 
will  be  the  guests 
Leo  Feist  while  in 
New  York,  and 
arrangements  have 
been  made  to  re- 
cord some  of  Prof. 

Chenette’s  records 
that  afternoon. 

Mr.  Morrow  was 
bandmaster  of  the  5th  Regimental  Band, 
161st  Depot  Brigade  and  later  director  of 
the  Infantry  Central  Officers  Training 
School  Band  at  Camp  Grant  while  in  the 
service. 

Mr.  Morrow  has  been  an  exhibitor  ever 
since  having  been  discharged  from  the 
service,  having  had  theatres  in  Champaign, 
Bement,  Cerro  Gordo  and  three  theatres  in 
Decatur. 

The  picture  shows  Mr.  Morrow  in  the 
French  Blue-Devil  uniform  which  the  out- 
fit will  wear. 

Beck  Gets  Fight  Films 
for  Exclusive  Chicago 
Run  at  Three  Houses 

Pictures  of  the  Dempsey-Tunney  heavy- 
weight championship  fight  at  Soldiers’ 
Field  in  Chicago  Sept.  22  will  have  their 
first  run  in  Chicago  at  Clarence  Beck’s 
Castle,  Rose  and  Pastime  theatres  in  the 
Loop,  with  the  showings  starting  at  2 
o’clock  the  afternoon  following  the  bout. 
In  securing  the  pictures  Beck  outbid  the 
Orpheum  Circuit  and  interests  representing 
the  Shubert  theatres,  the  former  wanting 
the  reels  for  the  State-Lake  and  Majestic 
vaudeville  houses  and  the  latter  intending 
to  present  them  in  a legitimate  theatre  at 
an  admission  price  of  $1.50. 

First-runs  in  other  cities  will  be  started 
as  soon  as  possible  after  the  opening  in 
Chicago,  where  the  exclusive  showings  will 
continue  for  three  weeks.  Goodart,  Inc., 
official  promoters  of  the  pictures  of  all 
Tex  Rickard’s  fights,  will  have  six  cameras 
at  work  during  the  bout,  with  several  on 
a platform  close  to  the  ring,  ensuring  bet- 
ter shots  than  were  taken  at  the  Dempsey- 
Sharkey  battle. 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


At  Portland,  Ore.,  George  Stoll  and  his  Band  are  a feature  of  the  Greater  Movie 
Season  campaign  of  Coast  Theatres.  Here  they  are  seen  aboard  a float. 


Outlay  Rises  25  Per  Cent,  Lasky 
Says  at  Movie  Season  Fete 

Tivo  Hundred  Theatres  Participate  in  West  Coast’s  Campaign — Street 
Pageant  Heads  Portland  Events 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  Aug.  so. — Many  prominent  motion  picture  producers 
and  officials,  as  well  as  several  stars,  attended  the  Los  Angeles 
Chamber  of  Commerce  luncheon  given  at  the  Hotel  Biltmore  last 
Wednesday  in  connection  with  the  West  Coast  Greater  Movie  Season  pro- 
gram, which  is  proving  a success  in  the  downtown  houses.  Harold  B. 
Franklin,  president  of  West  Coast  Theatres,  was  given  a rousing  welcome 
by  the  Los  Angeles  business  men.  Among  the  film  executives  who  made 
short  talks  were  Jesse  L.  Lasky,  president  of  the  Motion  Picture  Pro- 
ducers Association ; Richard  A.  Rowland,  vice  president  and  general 
manager  of  First  National,  and  Mr.  Franklin. 


T ASKY  stated  that  more  than  95  per  cent 
■*-'  of  the  operating  expenses  of  the  motion 
picture  industry  are  expended  in  Hollywood 
annually.  He  stated  that  approximately 
$102,800,000  will  be  spent  this  year  by  the 
large  film  corporations,  which  is  an  increase 
of  about  25  per  cent  over  last  year’s  busi- 
ness. 

Attendance  Up  22  Per  Cent 

Franklin  announced  that  a contract  had 
recently  been  signed  by  his  company  for  the 
exhibition  of  more  than  $98,000,000  of  mo- 
tion pictures.  He  also  stated  attendance  at 
motion  picture  theatres  has  increased  22  per 
cent  during  the  first  six  months  of  1927. 

The  West  Coast  Theatres  Greater  Movie 
Season  was  ushered  in  last  Thursday  for 
the  next  thirty  days  over  200  theatres  along 
the  Pacific  coast  will  observe  the  event.  An 
extensive  advertising  campaign  was  mapped 
out  by  Franklin.  Increased  space  was  taken 
in  all  the  dailies  and  a full  showing  of 
24-sheet  stands,  as  well  as  three’s  and  six 
sheets,  announced  the  opening  from  every 
\ antage  point. 

The  studios  contributed  especially  made 
trailers  which  have  been  running  for  sev- 
eral weeks  in  all  the  West  Coast  houses. 
Banners  and  flags  decorate  every  theatre  of 
the  chain  and  lamp  posts  in  the  vicinity  are 
decorated  and  placarded  with  Greater 
Movie  Season  posters. 

A great  lineup  of  pictures  was  arranged 
to  draw  the  crowds.  The  Metropolitan, 
3,400,  broke  all  records,  with  Clara  Bow  in 
"Hula”  as  the  opening  attraction,  with 
Rube  W'olf  on  the  stage  and  a Fanchon  and 
Marco  act  called  “The  Parisian  Idea.”  This 
will  be  followed  by  First  National’s  new 
picture,  “The  Life  of  Riley,”  featuring 
George  Sidney  and  Charles  Murray.  Bebe 


Daniels  in  “Swim  Girl  Swim”  and  Richard 
Barthelmess  in  “The  Drop  Kick”  are  the 
next  two  for  the  Met. 

At  Loew’s  State,  five  special  productions 
have  been  booked.  “Mockery”  will  be  first, 
with  a Fanchon  and  Marco  “Idea,”  while 
“Annie  Laurie”  will  be  the  second  attrac- 
tion. September  2 the  Paramount  produc- 
tion, “Underworld,”  will  occupy  the  screen, 
and  September  9 “Romance”  will  be  shown. 
The  following  week  Harry  Langdon’s  com- 
edy, “Three’s  a Crowd,”  will  terminate  the 
season.  The  other  houses  of  the  West 
Coast  chain  will  show  the  above  pictures 
following  their  downtown  run. 

Governor  Young  of  California  in  a proc- 
lamation issued  last  week  heartily  endorsed 
the  movement  of  West  Coast. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PORTLAND,  ORE.,  Aug.  30.— Headed 
by  Mayor  Baker,  several  other  city  officials. 
Division  Manager  J.  J.  Franklin  of  West 
Coast  theatres,  and  managers  of  various 
West  Coast  theatres  in  Portland,  Greater 
Movie  Season  was  inaugurated  August  22 
with  a street  pageant  of  attractive  floats 
and  music. 

The  two  outstanding  pictures  for  the 
week  were  “Mockery”  at  the  Broadway 
which  had  won  in  an  essay  prize  contest 
staged  to  determine  which  the  public 
wished  for  the  opener  of  the  season.  By 
signal  of  a green  light  flashed  from  the  the- 
atre the  previous  night  the  choice  was  an- 
nounced to  the  public.  For  a week  previ- 
ous the  slogan  was  “Watch  the  Skies.’”  The 
picture  was  supplemented  by  Fanchon  & 
Marco  in  “Screens,”  and  four  other  out- 
standing offerings.  Floyd  Maxwell  is  man- 
ager. 


**What  Price  Glory 
at  Roxy  Theatre 
Breaks  Records 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Aug.  30. — “What  Price 
Glory”  or  the  Roxy  theatre,  or  both,  are 
still  breaking  records  in  attendance  and  box 
office  receipts.  During  the  second  week  of 
the  showing  of  the  Fox  picture  166,805 
persons  paid  $137,893.70  at  the  box  office. 
This  brings  up  the  total  for  the  two  weeks 
to  an  attendance  of  343,031  and  the  receipts 
to  $282,161.00. 

The  falling  off  in  attendance  of  the  sec- 
ond week  was  10,421,  and  in  receipts 
$6,373.60,  which  figures  would  represent 
quite  a fair  week’s  business  for  a lot  of 
theatres. 

Following  are  the  attendance  and  re- 
ceipts figures  for  the  two  weeks,  the  first 
week  being  reprinted  from  last  week’s  issue 
of  Exhibitors  Herald; 

First  Week 


Day  Attendance  Receipts 

Saturday  23,221  $23,904.75 

Sunday  25,036  26,255.25 

Monday  25,205  18,459.00 

Tuesday  25,234  18,478.45 

Wednesday  26,119  19,308.65 

Thursday  25,837  19,029.40 

Friday  25,574  18,831.80 


Total  176,226  $144,267.30 

Second  Week 

Day  Attendance  Receipts 

Saturday  24,646  $25,469.25 

Sunday  24,559  25,630.85 

Monday  22,293  16,396.25 

Tuesday  24,090  17,731.20 

Wednesday  24,444  18,115.60 

Thursday  23,747  17,391.20 

Friday  23,026  17,159.35 


Total  166,805  $137,893.70 


“What  Price  Glory”  is  now  in  its  third 
week  at  the  Roxy  and  it  appears  likely  now 
that  it  will  be  held  over  for  a fourth  week. 

Tiffany  Names 
7 First  Films 
To  Be  Released 

Tiffany’s  first  seven  productions  to  go 
into  general  release  will  be  the  follow- 
ing: “The  Girl  from  Gay  Paree,”  Sept. 
1;  “Their  Hour,”  Sept.  15;  “Once  and 
Forever,”  Oct.  1;  “Lingerie,”  Oct.  15; 
“Grass  Widows,”  Nov.  1;  “Women’s 
Wares,”  Nov.  15,  and  “Streets  of  Shang- 
hai,” Dec.  1.  Work  also  has  been  started 
on  the  first  of  four  Jack  London  stories. 

Changes  in  the  September  releasing 
list  of  Warner  Brothers  give  the  follow- 
ing as  final:  “Slightly  Used,”  Sept.  3; 
“Jaws  of  Steel,”  Sept.  10;  “One  Round 
Hogan,”  Sept.  17,  and  “A  Sailor’s  Sweet- 
heart,” Sept.  24.  Release  of  “The  Broad- 
way Kid”  is  postponed  until  October. 

A change  in  Paramount’s  schedule 
makes  the  following  releases  for  October 
8:  “Figures  Don’t  Lie,”  with  Esther 
Ralston,  Richard  Arlen  and  Ford  Ster- 
ling, under  the  direction  of  Sutherland, 
and  “Shootin’  Irons,”  previously  an- 
nounced for  that  date.  “The  Glory  Girl” 
and  “The  Big  Sneeze”  originally  were 
given  for  Oct.  8.  “Now  We’re  in  the 
Air”  will  be  released  Oct.  22.  In  it  are 
Wallace  Beery,  Raymond  Hatton  and 
Louise  Brooks.  Strayer  directed. 


Brooks  Heads  Union 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TROY,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  30.— Harry  M. 
Brooks  of  Troy, . N.  Y.,  was  elected  last 
week  for  the  17th  time  as  president  of  the 
operators’  union. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Three  Companies^ 
Releases  Give  Big 
Variety  of  Topics 

All  types  of  subjects  for  short  fea- 
tures are  represented  in  the  fall  re- 
leases of  three  companies,  which  are 
detailed  below.  The  tabulation  shows 
that  while  comedy  predominates  in  the 
totals,  there  is  also  an  abundance  of 
scenics,  color  subjects  and  cartoons. 

The  latest  list,  compiled  for  the  Herald 
in  order  to  benefit  the  exhibitor  in  his 
bookings,  and  running  back  to  the  opening 
of  the  fall  season  in  some  cases,  follows; 

EDUCATIONAL 

AUGUST  21 

“Poor  Fifth— The  Ebbing  Tide,”  Robert  C.  Bruce 
Outdoor  Sketcheft,  Scenic  novelty.  One  reel. 

‘*The  Non-Stop  Fright,**  Felix  the  Cat,  Animated 
cartoon.  One  reel. 

AUGUST  28 

*‘Holly-Nut8,**  Curiosities— The  Movie  Sideshow. 
Novelty.  One  reel. 

“Fully  Equipped,**  Cameo  comedy  with  Jack 
Lloyd  and  Henry  Murdock.  Director,  Robert  Dil- 
lon. One  reel. 

**Up  in  ^ Arms,*’  Dorothy  Devore  comedy,  sup- 
ported by  At  Thompson  and  Glen  Cavender.  Di- 
rector, Norman  Taurog.  Two  reels. 

“Live  News,**  Tuxedo  comedy,  with  Johnny  Ar- 
thur and  Anita  Garvin.  Director,  Charles  Lament. 
Two  reels. 

SEPTEMBER  4 

“At  Ease,**  Hamilton  comedy,  with  Lloyd  Ham- 
ilton and  Estelle  Bradley.  Director,  Norman 
Taurog.  Two  reels. 

‘’Wise  Guise,”  Felix  the  Gat,  Animated  cartoon. 
One  reel. 

SEPTEMBER  U 

“Batter  Up,”  Cameo  comedy,  with  George  Davis 
and  Lucille  Hutton.  Director,  Stephen  Roberts. 
One  reel. 

“Lucky  Dog,”  Cameo  comedy,  Phil  Dunham  and 
Louise  Billetts.  Director,  Stephen  Roberts.  One 
reel. 

“Delving  into  the  Dictionary,”  Lyman  H.  Howe’s 
Hodge  Podge,  Novelty.  One  reel. 

SEPTEMBER  18 

“The  Cry  of  Winter— The  Hot  Place,”  Robert  C. 
Bruce  Outdoor  Sketches,  Scenic  Novelty.  One  reel. 

“Flim  Flam  Flashes,”  Felix  the  Cat,  Animated 
cartoon.  One  reel. 

“A  Half-Pint  Hero,”  Lupino  Lane  comedy,  sup- 
ported by  Toy  Gallagher.  Director,  Charles  La- 
ment. Two  reels. 

SEPTEMBER  25 

“Fox  Tales,”  Mermaid  comedy.  Two  reels. 

“Follies  of  Fashion,”  Cariosities,  Novelty.  One 
reel. 

“Off  Again,”  Cameo  comedy,  with  Jack  Lloyd 
and  Betty  Boyd.  One  reel. 


METRO-GOLDWN-MAYEK 

AUGUST  27 

“An  African  Adventure,”  Oddities  series. 
SEPTEMBER  3 

“The  Sting  of  Stings,”  Charley  Chase  comedy. 

SEPTEMBER  10 
“Jewels  of  Venus,”  Oddities. 

“Sugar  Daddies,”  All-Star  comedy. 

SEPTEMBER  17 

Untitled  Max  Davidson  comedy. 

SEPTEMBER  24 
“Soaring  Wings,”  Oddities. 

“Yale  vs.  Harvard,”  Our  Gang  comedy. 
OCTOBER  1 

“The  Flag,”  Great  Events  series. 

Untitled  Charley  Chase  comedy. 

OCTOBER  8 
“Dog  Days,”  Oddities. 

An  untitled  All-Star  comedy. 

OCTOBER  15 

Untitled  Max  Davidson  comedy 

{Continued  on  Next  Page) 


Are  Accessories 
of  Right  Type? 

W.  A.  Mack  hit  the  nail  on 
the  head  last  week  in  these 
columns,  when,  in  reply  to  Ex- 
hibitor Jay  E.  Gould  of  Mont- 
evideo, Minn.,  the  Pathe  pub- 
licity advertising  executive 
emphasized  that  the  question 
of  Short  Feature  accessories  is 
not  one  of  quantity  but  of 
quality. 

That  is  undoubtedly  what 
Gould  had  reference  to  in  his 
comment  in  the  newspaper  ad- 
vertising survey  which  precip- 
itated the  discussion  and  first 
brought  an  informative  article 
from  Dave  Bader,  accessory 
salesmanager  of  Universal. 

Is  the  subject  closed  or  isn^t 
it?  This  page  is  open  to  ad- 
ditional discussion,  both  from 
those  who  produce  the  acces- 
sories and  those  who  use  them. 
The  question  is:  Are  exhib- 
itors getting,  the  right  kind  of 
accessories  for  Short  Fea- 
tures? 


President  Coolidge  seems  to  be  becom- 
ing expert  at  handling  a news  camera, 
this  Paramount  News  photo  indicates. 
He  started  the  grinding  while  on  one 
of  his  excursions  from  the  Summer 
White  House  at  Rapid  City,  S.  D. 


Sacco  - Vanzetti 
News  Reel  Film 
Will  Be  Burned 

The  Sacco- Vanzetti  case  is  closed,  and 
that  means  as  far  as  news  reel  pictures 
of  the  events  in  the  case  which  terminated 
with  the  execution  of  the  pair. 

The  case  is  closed  on  the  screen,  volun- 
tarily. Executives  of  the  news  reel  com- 
panies were  unanimous  in  their  decision  to 
eliminate  all  reference  to  the  matter  in 
their  releases. 

This  announcment  was  made  following 
conferences  with  representatives  of  Will  H. 
Hays,  after  receipt  by  the  Hays  organiza- 
tion of  requests  from  overseas  that  the 
motion  picture  industry  do  its  share  in 
bringing  the  case  to  an  end  by  ignoring  it 
on  the  screen.  Films  in  the  vault  will  be 
burned. 

Germans  ’ Camera 
Effects  Used  in 
Rainbow  Series 


North  American 
Society  of  Arts. 

Sixteen  girls 
have  been  selected 
for  the  pictures 
from  the  Follies, 
Scandals,  Night  in 
Edna  Murphy  Spain,  Silver  Slip- 

per and  Texas 
Guinan  club  in  New  York.  Lavish  fashion 
spectacles  in  the  scenes,  all  in  color,  pro- 
vide the  reason  for  the  beauty  parade. 

The  six  two-reel  productions  in  Techni- 
color star  Edna  Murphy,  supported  by 

Mabel  Swor,  Walter  Tennyson,  Louis 
Dayton,  Herbert  Fortier,  Louise  Peters, 

Myra  Brooks  and  Kittens  Reichert. 

Donald  Weston  Bartlett,  who  did  the 
stories  and  the  continuities,  is  production 
manager  as  well  as  associate  producer. 
Bert  Tuey  is  assistant  to  the  director,  Ber- 
nard Stearns  made  the  sets,  Robert  Snody 
is  production  editor  and  Howard  Green  is 
at  the  camera. 


New  methods  of  German  photography 
are  being  used  on  the  color  subjects  being 
made  by  Lars  Moen,  director-producer  of 
the  Rainbow  Pro- 
ductions, now  un- 
derway, two  of 
them  already  hav- 
ing been  com- 
pleted. The  series 
is  being  produced 
at  the  Cosmopoli- 
tan studio  for  the 


Lars  Moen 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


NEWSPICTURES 


Shooting  Mount  Vesuvius  from  the  edge  of  the  crater  during  a period  of  volcanic 
activity  is  a thrilling  feat  at  that.  Umberto  Romagnoli,  International  Newsreel 
staff  man  at  Rome,  and  his  assistant  did  it. 


» 

RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  AUGUST  7 

**Jack  From  All  Trades,**  Bijou,  Educational,  one; 
“The  Crimson  Flash,”  No.  8,  Pathe,  two;  “Ant 
Life  As  It  Isn’t,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “The 
College  Kiddo,”  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two; 
^’Scents  and  Dog  Sense,”  Crantland,  Pathe,  one; 
Pathe,  Review,  No.  32,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of 
the  Daj,  No.  32,  Timely  Films,  one-third;  “Whis- 
pering Smith  Rides,**  Adventure,  Universal,  two. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 

^’Bubbles  of  Geography,”  Lyman  H.  Howc*s,  Edn- 
cational,  one;  “The  Crimson  Flash,”  Pathe,  two; 
“Red  Hot  Sands,**  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“What  Women  Did  For  Me,”  Hal  Roach,  Pathe, 
two;  Pathe  Review  No.  33,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  33,  Timely,  Pathe,  one-third; 
“Whispering  Smith  Rides,**  Adventure,  Universal, 
two ; “Bee  Cause,’*  Winkler,  F B O,  one. 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  21 

“Poor  Fish,”  The  Ebbing  Tide,  Outdoor,  Educa- 
tional, two ; “The  Non-Stop  Fright,”  Bijou,  Edu- 
cational, one;  “Plumb  Dumb,”  Mermaid,  Educa- 
tional, two;  “The  Crimson  Flash,”  Pathe,  two; 
“A  Hole  in  One,**  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “On 
the  Hook,”  Grantland,  Pathe;  “Smith's  Candy 
Shop,”  Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; “Roaming  the 
Emerald  Isle  With  Will  Rogers,”  Clancy,  Pathe, 
one;  Pathe  Review,  No.  34,  Pathe,  one;  Topics 
of  the  Day,  No.  34,  Timely  Films,  one-third; 
“Alice  in  the  Big  League,”  Winkler,  F B O,  one; 
“Last  Nose  of  Summers,”  F B 0—1872. 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  4 

“Hawk  of  the  Hills,”  No,  2,  Pathe,  two;  “TTie 
Small  Town  Sheriff,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds; 
“The  Golf  Nut,”  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; 
“Grandma’s  Boy,”  Hal  Roach,  Pathe,  five;  Pathe 
Review,  No.  36,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  36,  Timely,  Pathe,  one;  “At  East,”  Hamilton, 
Educational,  two ; “Wise  Guise,”  Bijou,  Educa- 
tional one;  “Sky  Frontiers,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“The  Salmon  Run,”  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  ‘*The 
Kangaroo's  Kimono,”  Animal,  Fox,  two;  “Tou- 
pay  Or  Not  to  Pay,”  F B .O,  two. 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  11 
“Batter  Up,”  Mermaid,  Educational,  two;  “Lucky 
Dog,”  Cameo,  Educational,  one;  ^’Delving  Into 
The  Dictionary,”  Howe,  Educational,  one; 
“Twenty  Legs  Under  the  Seal,”  Imperial,  Fox, 
two ; “Chin  He  Loved  to  Lift,”  F B O,  two ; 
**Hawk  of  the  Hills,”  No.  3 Pathe,  two  ; “Cutting 
A Melon,”  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Olympic 
Games.”  Roach.  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review  No. 
37,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  37, 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third. 

Ray  Coffin  Heads 
Publicity  Work  at 
Hal  Roach  Studios 

Ray  Coffin  has  taken  over  direction  of 
the  publicity  department  of  the  Hal  Roach 
studios  now  releasing  comedies  through 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.  Ray  Coffin,  per- 
sonal representative  of  Hal  Roach,  is  also 
president  of  the  Wampas. 


Sipes  Helped 

To  Keep  Memphis 
On  Exchange  Map 

WJ  E.  Sipes,  pioneer  branch  manager  of 

’ * • Universal,  became  a Universal  serv- 
ice devotee  back  in  1915 — in  fact,  April  1 
of  that  year  was 
the  date  he  joined 
the  Laemmle  or- 
ganization. 

He  was  made 
manager  of  the 
Memphis  branch 
soon  after  he  es- 
tablished his  con- 
nection with  the 
company  and  at  a 
time  when  the  lat- 
ter was  consider- 
ing the  closing  of 
the  Memphis  of- 
fice. Other  dis- 
tributing concerns 
already  had  done 
this  and  that  left  the  responsibility  of  de- 
veloping the  territory  and  Memphis  as  a 
distributing  center  entirely  upon  the 
shoulders  of  Universal. 

The  business  of  the  office  grew  to  such 
proportions  in  a few  years  that  other 
national  distributors  turned  their  eyes  on 
Memphis,  with  the  result  that  today  the 
city  is  a highly  developed  metropolitan  ex- 
change center,  with  all  the  national  dis- 
tributors housed  in  new  and  modern  fire- 
proof exchange  buildings. 

Fox  Cameraman  Shoots 

War  Game  from  Clouds 

News  reel  shots  of  the  war  games  be- 
tween Army  airmen  and  the  Second  Cav- 
alry at  Fort  Bliss  were  featured  in  the 
Fox  News.  Jack  McFarland,  San  An- 
tonio staff  cameraman  of  the  news  reel, 
did  his  shooting  from  an  observation  plane. 

Mintz  Fetes  Executives 

After  Survey  of  Studios 

Executives  of  Paramount’s  short  fea- 
ture department  were  luncheon  guests  of 
Charles  E.  Mintz  recently  following  a tour 
of  the  studio  where  the  producer  of  the 
“Krazy  Kat”  series  showed  the  steps  in 
the  making  of  the  cartoon  comedies. 


FOX  NEWS  NO.  95 Captain  W.  P.  Erwin  flies 

from  Oakland,  Cal.,  in  search  of  Hawaiian  fliers 
—President  Coolidge  at  Pine  Ridge,  S.  D.,  ad- 
dresses 10,000  Sioux  Indians^— Jack  Dempsey  ar- 
rives in  Chicago  to  begin  training— Uncle  Sam 
examines  candidates  for  air  corps  at  Brooks 
Field,  Tex.,  with  special  machine— England’s  Air 
Minister  at  Southampton,  Eng.,  boards  world’s 
largest  airplaife— Frieda  Miersc  wins  New  York 
City  bathing  beauty  contest— Men  and  women  at 
Durham,  N.  H.,  compete  in  mowing  contest— 
President  Hindenburg  at  Berlin,  Germany,  views 
nation’s  troopsi— Chicago  opera  ballet  begins 
training  at  South  Haven,  Mich. 

M-G-M  NEWS  NO.  4— Army  blimps  at  Langley 
Field,  Va.,  test  smoke  screens — Kangaroos  near 
Sydney,  Australia,  are  given  domain  protected 
by  law— Negro  preacher  at  New  Orleans,  La., 
baptizes  his  congregation  in  Mississippi  river—— 
Boys  at  Berlin,  Germany,  perform  mass  drills"^ 
Helen  Meany  at  Cliff  Manor,  N.  Y.,  does  fancy 
diving— President  Coolidge  views  wonders  of 
Yellowstone  Park. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5321 — Around  the  world  flight 
plane  sets  off  from  Curtiss  Field,  N.  Y.,  on  trip 
—Crowds  at  Norwich,  Elngland,  attend  live  stock 
show^— Navy  men  visit  Rainier  Park^— Dancing 
masters  in  convention  at  New  York  demonstrate 
new  steps. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  68 — Chinese 
troops  at  Poatingfu,  China,  march  in  review— 
Alaskans  at  Wrangell,  Alaska,  ride  on  aquaplanes 
amidst  icebergs— Elephants  at  New  York  make 
long  hikes— World’s  smallest  railroad  at  Romney, 
Eng.,  opens  service  between  two  towns— Mus- 
solini at  Carpena,  Italy,  works  on  farm  during 
vacation. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  69 — Students  at 
Culver,  Ind.,  give  inspiring  display  of  oarsman- 
ship^—Rapid  progress  is  made  on  New  York’s 
new  subway— Baby  flappers  at  New  York  con- 
test for  “Miss  America,  Jr.”  title  Motor  boats 
at  Newport,  R.  I.,  set  terrific  pace  in  regatta— 
Ten  thousand  Sioux  Indians  at  Pine  Ridge,  S.  D., 
stage  war  dance  in  President’s  honor. 

M-G-M  NEWS  NO.  3 President  von  Hindenburg  at 

Berlin,  Germany,  reviews  crack  troops^— Plane 
preparing  for  hop  to  Rome  greets  Leviathan  in 
test  flight  over  Atlantic— Wild  gas  well  at  Hack- 
berry,  La.,  comes  in  like  a volcano— Ballet  girls 
in  New  York  train  on  skyscraper  ledges— An- 
kochun  army  on  Shantung  front,  China,  routs 
Cantonese  and  takes  prisoners^— Redskins  at  Pine 
Ridge,  S.  D.,  dance  for  President  Coolidge^— Cow- 
boys at  Rodeo  in  Chicago,  111.,  ride  wild  horses. 

PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  8 — Student  fliers  at  Gers- 
feld,  Germany,  take  off  in  motorless  planes— 
Sioux  Indians  at  Pine  Ridge,  S.  D.,  stage  dance 
for  President  Coolidge'~*Heavy  rains  at  Salina, 
Kan.,  flood  streets — Ballet  girls  in  New  York 
dance  on  skyscraper  ledges*^Fliers  at  Oakland, 
Cal.,  start  search  for  lost  Hawaiian  fliers— 
Steeplejack  at  Bologna,  Italy,  climbs  old  church. 

Three  Firms  Releases 

Evidence  Wide  Variety 

(Contmiied  from  preceding  page) 

OCTOBER  22 
“Death  Traps,”  Oddities. 

Untitled  Our  Gang  comedy. 

OCTOBER  29 
Untitled  Chase  comedy. 

NOVEMBER  5 

“Assorted  Babies,”  Oddities  series. 

Untitled  All-Star  comedy. 

NOVEMBER  12 
Untitled  Davidson  comedy. 

NOVEMBER  19 
“Fight  for  Life,”  Oddities. 

Untitled  Our  Gang  comedy. 

NOVEMBER  26 

Untitled  subject  of  Great  Events  series. 

Untitled  Chase  comedy. 

DECEMBER  3 
“Winged  Death,”  Oddities. 

Untitled  All-Star  comedy. 

DECEMBER  10 
Untitled  Davidson  comedy. 

DECEMBER  17 
“The  Lion  Hunt,”  Oddities. 

Untitled  Our  Gang  comedy. 

DECEMBER  24 
Untitled  Chase  comedy. 

DECEMBER  31 
“The  Parasol  Ant,”  Oddities. 

Untitled  All-Star  comedy. 


TIFFANY  COLOR  CLASSICS 

SEPTEMBER  1 

**King  of  Sports.” 

SEPTEMBER  15 

“Memories.” 

Others  to  follow  in  the  Color  Classics 
series  of  Tiffany  will  be  “Scar  Face,’’  “M<e 
and  My  Pal,’’  “Footing  the  Bill,’’  “Love 
in  the  Jungle”  and  “The  Man  Who  Mar- 
ried the  Moon.” 


Sqjtember  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Bandshow  Policy  Packing  Theatre 


Says  Acts  Will  Pay 
Dividends  at  Wicket 
If  Booked  Properly 

The  second  installment  of  the  Herald’s 
survey  on  presentation  and  acts  in  small 
towns,  reveals  a continued  diversity  of 
opinion  among  exhibitors. 

While  not  unanimous  'by  any  means, 
there  are  many  theatre  men  who  believe 
that  if  the  right  acts  are  booked  they  will 
pay  well  at  the  box  office. 

A continuation  of  last  week’s  survey  fol- 
lows : 

PRESENTATION  ACTS—To  the  Editor:  With 
improved  roads  people  are  getting  onto  the 
cities  and  seeing  a variety  program  and  there 
is  a definite  demand  for  a varied  entertainment. 
I do  not  devote  over  20  per  cent  to  advertieing 
vaudeville  but  of  the  total  film  and  vaudeville 
outlay,  vaudeville  gets  80  per  cent.  You  must 
try  to  have  good  or  none  at  all. — ^D.  B.  BAKER, 
New  Square  theatre,  Ottumwa,  la. 

(Continued  on  page  34) 


Chicago  Avalon 
Opens  Spite  of 
Strike 

The  new  Avalon  theatre,  a National 
playhouse,  and  one  of  the  many  now  op- 
erated by  Cooney  Bros.,  of  Chicago,  opened 
on  August  29th  in  spite  of  the  motion 
picture  operators  strike.  This  house  as 
well  as  all  the  Cooney  theatres  were  al- 
lowed to  remain  open  on  Monday  evening 
due  to  the  fact  that  the  firm  had  sent 
out  hundreds  of  special  invitations  to  the 
opening  of  the  new  Avalon. 

Whether  it  was  the  premiere  opening  or 
the  movie  strike,  the  amusement  seekers 
rushed  and  jammed  the  new  South  Side 
theatre. 

The  house  is  of  Persian  construction  and 
seats  3,500  people.  It  is  located  in  the  most 
densely  populated  district  of  Chicago’s  far 
South  Side,  79th  Street  and  Stony  Island 
Avenue. 

In  the  next  issue  of  this  publication  we 
will  print  a complete  story  of  the  opening 
program  in  the  Presentation  Section. 


B&K-U.A.to 
Cooperate  in 
Running  Apollo 

Kvale  and  Masters  Make  Debut 
as  Leaders  of  Bands 
in  Chicago 

By  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 
On  August  28  the  Norshore  the- 
atre, a Chicago  North  Side  deluxe 
house  which  has  housed  pictures 
and  vaudeville  for  nearly  three 
years,  inaugurated  its  new  stage- 
show  policy  with  the  launching  of 
A1  Kvale  and  his  Jazz  collegians  in 
a stage  bandshow  presentation. 

Howard  street  near  Clark,  where  this 
theatre  is  located,  was  decorated  with 
banner  and  signs  announcing  this  new 
innovation  and  it  was  more  Or  less  taken 
in  the  spirit  of  a gala  event  for  the  com- 
munity than  as  a new  change  of  policy 
for  the  theatre.  As  usual  the  huge  crowd 
assembled  around  the  box  office  an  hour 
before  the  first  show  was  ready  to  go  on 
and  for  several  hours  later  up  until  the 
last  show,  which  went  on  about  10 
o’clock,  an  enthused  mob  was  still  clam- 
mering  at  the  wicket  for  admission. 

Although  this  house  has  been  in  opera- 
tion for  about  three  years  the  interest 
and  spirit  shown  for  this  inauguration 
was  typical  of  that  shown  by  other 
crowds  here  and  elsewhere  during  the 
installation  of  similar  policies  in  deluxe 
picture  theatres,  either  opening  or  chang- 
ing with  this  policy.  To  the  best  knowl- 
edge of  this  reporter  the  theatre  played 
to  over  15,000  people  on  the  opening  day, 
presenting  this  new  policy  to  capacity 
house  at  each  performance.  Hundreds  of 
late  comers  were  compelled  to  stand  up 
in  the  side  and  back  aisles  during  the 
last  performance  on  account  of  the 
capacity  business. 

As  has  been  said  before  in  these  col- 
umns the  youthful  leader  of  this  new 
band  is  A1  Kvale,  formerly  associated 
with  Paul  Ash  at  the  Oriental  theatre, 
Chicago.  Ash,  creator  of  this  policy,  has 
been  more  or  less  responsible  for  Al’s 
popularity  today  as  a musician  and  a 
comic.  Fine  showmanship  has  been  dis- 
played by  the  executives  of  the  Balaban 
& Katz  circuits  in  selecting  this  chap 
to  lead  their  bandshows  and  even  bettei' 
judgment  has  been  exercised  in  appoint- 
ing Harry  A.  Gourfain  producer. 

Gourfain  will  be  remembered  as  thi; 
producer  of  the  many  wonderful  shows 
held  at  the  Central  Park  theatre,  Chi- 
cago, also  a Balaban  & Katz  house,  u 
(Continued  on  page  34) 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


NORSHORE  OPENS 


{Continued  from  page  33) 
year  ago.  He  is  a showman  and  a 
thorough  producer  with  clever  and 
unique  ideas  that  should  go  far  in  mak- 
ing the  Norshore  one  of  the  outstand- 
ing houses  in  the  presentation  field  offer- 
ing this  form  of  entertainment.  The 
boys  in  the  band  are  all  young  and  fiery 
and  their  music  blends  to  the  critical  ear, 
making  it  one  of  the  most  pleasing  ag- 
gregations of  musicians  yet  heard  in  a 
picture  house.  The  stageshow  for  the 
opening  program  is  covered  in  detail  and 
appears  in  another  page  of  this  section. 
Chauncy  Haines  is  the  featured  organist 
who  is  an  old  favorite  at  this  house. 

This  week  marks  also  the  debut  of 
Frankie  Masters  as  stagehand  leader  of 
the  shows  that  will  appear  at  the  Up- 
town and  Tivoli  theatres,  Chicago,  two 
other  Balaban  & Katz  theatres  which 
have  become  exclusive  stage  bandshow 
houses  with  the  illiminations  of  the  class 
units  formerly  produced  out  of  the  New 
York  Publix  office.  Masters  will  alter- 
nate with  Bennie  Krueger  between  this 
house  and  the  Tivoli  every  other  week, 
with  Milton  Charles  and  Eddie  Hanson 
as  the  featured  organists,  who  will  also 
alternate  with  their  productions,  namely 
Milton  Charles  with  Frankie  Masters  and 
Eddie  Hanson  with  Bennie  Krueger. 
Uldercio  Marcelli,  formerly  of  the  Grau- 
man  theatre,  Los  Angeles,  and  recently 
musical  director  at  these  theatres,  will 
remain  in  the  same  capacity,  acting  as 
conductor  of  music  with  his  orchestra  in 
the  pit  playing  for  features  and  news- 
reels instead  of  the  usual  overture  as 
heretofore.  Much  credit  must  be  given 
to  Will  Harris  for  the  staging  of  this 
Frankie  Masters  show  as  well  as  the  fine 


judgement  exercised  by  the  booking  ex- 
ecutives in  surrounding  him  with  a fine 
band  and  cast  of  artists. 

The  Chicago  theatre,  now  the  only  re- 
maining Chicago  deluxe  house  without  a 
stage  bandshow,  is  reported  to  be  going 
in  for  this  policy  starting  the  middle  of 
September  with  H.  Leopold  Spitalney 
still  conducting  from  the  pit  his  orches- 
tral productions  that  have  become  so 
well  liked  in  that  theatre.  According  to 
further  information  the  Apollo  theatre, 
now  being  remodeled  by  United  Artists 
Corporation,  will  be  operated  with  the 
cooperation  of  Balaban  & Katz,  featur- 
ing a policy  of  super-films  and  stage 
prologues.  To  date  no  definite  policy 
has  been  set  as  to  the  future  plans  of 
this  theatre.  The  constant  rumors  that 
McVickers  theatre,  also  a Chicago  house 
which  originally  presented  the  stage 
bandshows  with  the  original  creator, 
Paul  Ash,  would  return  to  that  policy, 
have  been  denied.  The  house  will  con- 
tinue as  a first  run  picture  house. 


SMALL  TOWN  ACTS 


{Continued  from  page  33) 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor.  Your 
questions  to  "Dear  Mr.  Exhibitor”  is  a problem 
■which  the  writer  is  trying  to  solve,  rather  than 
an  opportunity  to  furnish  you  information. 

I have  on  my  hands  at  the  present  time  the 
Illinois  theatre  which  I built  last  year  and  opened 
on  January  1.  This  theatre  is  open  eix  nights  in 
the  week.  And  I have  the  Elite  and  the  Kozy 
theatres  which  I took  over  from  the  Columbia 
Amusement  Company  of  Paducah,  Ky.,  June  13. 
The  Elite  theatre,  which  formerly  ran  six  nights 
in  the  week,  is  now  closed  down  except  Saturday 
night,  and  the  Kozy  is  entirely  dark.  I own  the 
Illinois  but  I pay  a big  rental  on  the  other  two 
theatre  buildings.  What  to  do  with  them  under 
the  terms  of  a burdensome  lease  is  the  burdensome 
question.  I cannot  dispose  of  the  buildings  and 


if  I did  someone  else  would  build  one  theatre  at 
least. 

Therefore,  the  subject  of  vaudeville  has  been 
occupying  my  mind. 

First:  Vaudeville,  in  some  experiments  in  the 
past,  has  not  proved  tenable  or  profitable  here. 

Second:  I would  be  running  in  competition 

against  the  Illinois.  And  third,  I do  not  know 
what  class  of  vaudeville  to  put  on.  not  being 
conversant  with  the  vaudeville  circles.  This,  how- 
ever,  is  a matter  of  information  which  may  be 
obtained  from  vaudeville  or  stage  play  papers  or 
magazines. 

I will  await  with  interest  your  consensus  of  the 
questions  propounded  and  if  you  can  suggest  any- 
thing specially  covering  my  case  it  will  be  appre- 
ciated.— A.  J.  GIBBONS,  Illinois  theatre,  Metroi>. 
olis.  111. 

P.  S. — This  is  what  I have  to  say  in  favor  of 
vaudeville : It  relieves  the  sameness  of  picture 
shows  exclusively,  and  it  will  help  to  keep  out 
traveling  temtshows  and  rotten  carnivals  by  satis- 
fying the  hunger  for  something  else  besides  pic- 
ture shows. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I tried 
vaudeville  out  in  one  of  my  houses  for  two 
years  but  could  never  make  it  go.  Finally 
abandoned  it  altogether,  though  I have  a town 
of  only  three  thousand. — HENRY  SPARKS,  Grand 
theatre.  Cooper,  Tex. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor;  We 
have  yours  in  regard  to  vaudeville  acts  in  our 
theatre.  We  are  situated  in  a small  town  of  600, 
a,nd  do  not  use  presentation  acts  or  vaudeville. 
We  firmly  believe,  however,  if  we  could  obtain 
worthwhile  acts  at  a figure  we  could  use  them,  it 
would  pay,  even  in  the  smallest  of  towns.  The 
only  handicap  would  be  the  weather. 

Pictures  are  losing  their  pulling  power,  and 
losing  it  fast.  Program  pictures  create  no  ex- 
citement  whatever.  Naturals  draw  some  eoctra 
business.  In  our  six  years  as  an  exhibitor,  we 
have  played  one  outstanding  attraction,  “The 
Covered  Wagon,”  with  but  little  profit  to  our- 
selves. "Charley’s  Aunt”  was  next,  followed  by 
the  Porters.  Greys,  and  Thomsons.  We  recently 
played  “Lindbergh’s  Flight”  in  two  reels,  by  Pathe, 
and  drew  the  best  business  in  three  years. 

They  are  tiring  of  pictures.  There  has  been  so 
many  disappointments  released,  played  up  to  the 
exhibitors  as  "knockouts,”  and  were  to  the  box 
office. 

We  were  in  a nearby  town  of  some  7,000  in- 
habitants recently.  They  have  two  show  houses, 
both  nice : good  music,  cooling  systems,  and  every- 
thing for  the  patrons’  comfort.  We  stood  across 
the  street  just  before  the  shows  started.  Perhaps 
a dozen  walked  in  the  larger  one,  three  or  four 
kids  in  the  smaller.  We  strolled  on  down  the 
street  two  blocks  where  a tentshow  was  playing 
in  a livery  stable  lot.  It  was  just  an  ordinary 
bunch  of  troopers,  their  music  was  fair,  the  chairs 
were  on  uneven  ground  and  uncomfortable.  A 
huge  pile  of  barnyard  manure  was  just  outside 
the  tent.  We  will  leave  the  rest  to  your  imagina- 
tion. The  tent  was  loaded  to  the  guards,  and 
packed  them  in  ail  week.  We  noted  the  adver- 
tising used  to  gather  the  crowd.  A few  lines 
in  the  paper,  a few  window  cards,  and  half  sheete 
did  the  trick. 

Very  few  stock  companies  have  ever  been  able 
to  play  the  house  in  the  town  of  which  we  speak. 
’The  folks  were  not  sore  on  the  houses,  they  were 
only  seeking  a change.  We  are  not  familiar  with 
conditions,  except  here  in  North  Missouri.  Al! 
exhibitors  we  have  talked  with  have  complained 
of  business  being  way  off.  Picture  have  their 
limitations.  We  believe  the  producers  have  tried 
to  furnish  pictures  that  would  pull.  Actors  have 
tried  their  best  to  put  their  all  in  the  picture, 
with  indifferent  success.  We  can  make  more 
money  in  one  week  with  a little  stock  company, 
than  a month  of  pictures.  If  pictures  were  not 
losing  their  grip  on  the  public,  why  do  the  big 
ones  use  presentations,  vaudeville,  orchestras,  etc. 
Some  resort  to  grocery  nights,  amateur  stunts  and 
etc.  It  is  time  to  debunk  the  business. 

We  have  comedians  with  stock,  drawing  $40  a 
week  who  get  more  laughs  and  money  from  a 
crowd  in  15  minutes  than  Lloyd  ever  did,  and  we 
have  played  nearly  all  his  stuff,  and  always  lost 
money  on  it.  It  is  our  opinion  that  the  day  of  the 
10  center  is  coming  back.  ’The  exorbitant  salaries 
paid  some  stars,  according  to  the  press  agents, 
have  gone  a long  way  toward  souring  the  rural 
patron  on  the  movies.  Hollywood  has  had  too 
much  publicity.  It  is  our  opinion  that  you  could 
pick  out  12  stars  from  the  list,  relegate  the  rest, 
and  the  industry  would  not  suffer  in  the  least. 
Rin  Tin  Tin  gets  as  much  at  the  box  as  90 
per  cent  of  the  human  players.  We  see  Thomson 
is  making  Jesse  James.  It  will  mean  his  finish, 
and  he  is  the  country  exhibitors’  best  bet. 

We  see  no  future  for  the  country  show,  unless 
something  is  done  to  attract  the  people.  It  is 
our  opinion  that  it  is  a mixed  program,  or  taps. — 
E.  W.  McClelland,  Rex  theatre,  Gilman  City, 
Mo. 


UNIQUE  VERSATILE 

AL  BELASCO 

“THE  DYNAMIC  BAND  LEADER” 

I CLAIM  NOTHING! 

CRITICS  Say:  “Fiery  Personality,  Pep,  Youth,  Dancer, 
Singer  and  Musician,  Also  a Master  of  Ceremonies  in 
Every  Respect. 

Now  Presenting  Presentations  at  the  HARDING  eind 
SENATE  Theatres,  CHICAGO,  Under  LUBLINER  & 
TRINZ  Management,  Affiliated  with  PUBLIX. 

..  Many  Thanks  to  My  Producers,  CHARLES  NIGGER- 

Last^Word  MEYER  & DAVE  GOULD. 

ACKNOWLEDGED 
BAND  LEADERS 
DeLUXE 

PAUL  ASH 
MARK  FISHER 

Bennie  Krueger 
Frankie  Masters 
Al  Kvale 

Al  Belasco 


Personnel  of — 

NOVELTY  SYNCOPATORS 

D.  Eisenberg,  Violin  ^ J.  Wolf, 


S.  Lang,  Violin 

D.  Volkovitzky, 

Violin,  Librarian 
W.  Kuhns, 

Saxophone,  Clarinet 
F.  Kendall, 

Saxophone,  Clarinet 

C.  Naset,  ^ - 

Saxophone,  Clarinet  : B.  Bass, 
C.  Puchta,  Drums 
Al  Belasco,  Director 


Trumpet,  Conductor 
J.  Caliguri,  Trumpet 
H.  Mathews, 

Trombone 
S.  Freitaz,  Trombone 
N.  Kosloff,  Cello 

E.  Stormer,  Arranger 
Cello,  Banjo 
M.  Rosenberg,  Piano 
Tuba 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


STAGE  SHOWS 


Chicago  Marbro 

Week  Ending  August  28 

This  week  Benny  Meroff  was  presented  here 
in  a one  man  show  called  “The  Versatile  Revue.” 
Lobby  display  and  newspaper  advertisingr  hailed 
Meroff  as  the  seventh  wonder  of  the  show  age. 
Much  to  the  sad  disappointment  of  this  reporter 
and  many  other  spectators  at  this  performance 
it  was  a huge  one  mzin  flop.  In  addition  to  Sonia 
Meroff,  the  leader’s  sister  there  were  several  other 
artists  on  the  bill,  some  did  not  appear  although 
advertised.  The  so^:alled  revue  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  front  of  drop  and  after  a several 
minutes  wait  a shaft  was  finally  noticed  rising 
from  the  orchestra  pit  displaying  a number  of 
instruments  which  probably  was  to  convey  the 
idea  that  they  were  to  be  played  by  Benny  Meroff. 
At  this  point  the  curtain  rises  disclosing  full 
stage  setting  of  unique  scenery  decorated  with 
music  notes  printed  on  white  background.  In 
center  of  this  set  appeared  a huge  panel  of 
Meroff,  dressed  in  his  Eton  outfit,  as  the  band 
boys  dressed  in  jazzbo  style  played  softly  while 
the  Marbro  Girls  wheeled  a huge  bass  drum  on 
wheels  in  wagon  style  form  with  Benny  Meroff 
on  top  playing  a small  drum  with  the  usual  drum 
beats  for  marching. 

This  opening  was  rather  novel  and  after  the 
girls  walked  off  with  the  wagon.  Meroff  does  one 
of  his  trick  dives  into  the  orchestra  pit  and 
emerges  on  the  shaft  with  the  various  instru- 
ments and  prepares  his  series  of  instrument  play- 
ing. We  do  not  quite  remember  the  number  of 
instruments  that  he  tried  to  play  but  we  do  re- 
collect that  there  were  several  tunes  interpolated 
to  the  best  of  this  leader’s  musical  ability,  how- 
ever we  are  quite  sure  in  saying  that  there  were 
not  fifteen  instruments  that  he  played,  or  many 
of  them  that  he  knew  how  to  play. 

After  several  minutes  of  this  sort  of  time- 
killer  an  act  called  Inez  and  De  Wynn  followed 
with  a beautiful  routine  of  acrobatic  dancing 
and  eccentric  poses.  The  young  lady  does  a spe- 
cialty of  turning  a complete  turn-over  while 
lying  on  her  back  by  just  moving  her  feet  up- 
wards from  the  north  angle  to  a south  angle 
without  rising  from  the  floor.  She  is  without 
a doubt  one  of  the  best  in  this  line  and  probably 
the  best  that  this  reporter  has  seen. 

Sonia  Meroff  was  next  introduced  by  her 
brother  and  announced  as  a late  star  of  “Artists 
and  Models”  who  pranced  up  and  down  the  stage 
singing  “Magnolia”  and  “I’ve  Got  Somebody 
Now.”  The  Young  lady  is  capable  in  her  style 
but  lacks  not  only  voice  but  personality  for  this 
type  of  entertainment.  However,  we  have  seen 
worse  artists  come  from  “Artists  and  Models” 
productions.  The  reception  accorded  her  was  not 
very  startling  and  was  more  out  of  courtesy  for 
her  brother. 

’The  next  band  number  was  an  arrangement  of 
“The  Doll  Dance”  with  the  Marbro  Girls  in 
novel  costumes  which  appeared  like  they  were 
dancing  upsidedown  on  their  hands,  a rather  cute 
idea  and  one  that  seemed  to  please.  This  was 
followed  by  another  band  number  of  “Waiting 
for  the  Sunrise”  with  a piano  solo  and  many 
specialties  intermingled  by  the  boys,  also  a soft 
harmony  vocal  selection. 

This  was  followed  by  William  and  Ross,  two 
boys  who  have  done  considerable  around  town 
to  make  their  style  of  dancing  popular.  We 
must  say  that  their  boob  eccentric  routine  was 
the  best  bit  of  entertainment  on  the  whole  bill 
and  were  the  only  artists  with  the  exception  of 
Inez  and  De  Wynn  that  really  held  up  their 
spots. 

Bailey  and  Bamum,  two  men  in  tan  appeared 
next  announced  as  late  stars  of  “Greenwich  Vil- 
lage Follies”  with  one  singing  “Bombay”  as  the 
other  strums  it  on  his  banjo.  Without  any  ex- 
aggeration these  boys  are  doing  the  same  old 
routine  of  songs  and  ditties  that  they  did  years 
ago  when  they  first  won  popularity  in  musical 
comedy.  It  seems  that  the  boys  are  trying  to 
float  on  past  glory  and  certainly  do  not  do  much 
out  of  the  ordinary  to  even  register  fair. 

The  next  specialty  was  done  by  Benny  Meroff, 
himself,  this  time  doing  magic  tricks  ala  com- 
edy style  with  which  he  followed  by  juggling 
his  hat,  after  missing  a few  times  he  finally 
succeeded  in  conveying  the  idea  that  he  could 
also  juggle.  This  he  followed  with  a vocal  selec- 
tion of  “Are  You  Happy?”  using  a version 
phrase  for  the  benefit  of  the  audience  and  I as 
a committee  of  one,  answered  (“No,  I’M  Not.”) 
to  myself. 

Finale:  'The  Marbro  Girls  on  platform  in  line 
formation  represent  a music  staff  each  carrying 


a panel  bearing  a huge  note  all  dressed  in  white 
costume  trimmed  in  black  as  the  back  drop  dis- 
plays another  music  staff  with  white  lines  and 
black  notes.  A clever  bit  of  staging  and  fine 
bit  of  artist  imagination.  'The  entire  cast  as- 
sembled on  stage  for  the  ending  and  there  were 
no  curtain  calls  at  this  performance. 

Observation:  It  is  surprising  to  this  reporter 
that  a leader  of  Meroff’s  calibre  who  won  his 
reputation  in  vaudeville  as  a dancer  and  made 
himself  popular  in  town  as  such  should  resort 
to  a "one-man  show”  especially  when  the  things 
the  management  advertises  him  to  do  cannot  be 
fulfilled  properly  without  audience  ridicule.  Our 
advice  to  Meroff  is  “stick  to  your  dancing  and  to 
your  band”  and  you  will  still  be  the  favorite  you 
have  been. 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  August  27 

Florence  O’Denishawn,  the  Ziegfeld  star,  with 
her  two  partners.  Snow  and  Columbus,  were  the 
outstanding  features  on  the  Stanley  hill. 

Their  act,  billed  as  a “Terpsichorean  Treat.” 
consisted  of  several  numbers,  notable  among  them 
being  the  “Scarf  Dance.”  “Gigolo”  and  “Dance 
Eccentric.”  Snow  and  Columbus  in  evening  dress, 
opened  the  act  with  a song  and  as  the  curtains 
parted,  stepped  to  the  rear  of  the  stage  and 
drew  aside  the  back  drop,  revealing  Miss  O’Deni- 
shawn in  a shimmering,  transparent  pink  dress 
standing  beside  a glittering  vase  as  tall  as  her- 
self. Escorting  her  to  the  center  of  the  stage 
they  gave  a finished  society  dance.  Snow  and 
Columbus  alternated  in  singing  between  the 
dances.  Miss  O’Denishawn  gave  as  her  final 
number  her  well  known  “Scarf  Dance,”  and  the 
swirling  multicolored  scarf  floating  behind  her 
so  deftly  manipulated,  gave  the  impression  of 
an  evanescent  flame.  Snow  and  Columbus  dis- 
played their  versatility  in  “Gigolo”  and  “Dance” 
Eccentric”  and  the  three  gave  a splendid  exhibi- 
tion of  dancing  at  its  best. 

Margaret  McKee  whistled  her  way  into  the 
hearts  of  the  audience.  She  possesses  a regular 
bird  throat  and  her  notes  were  not  only  clear 
but  full  of  warmth  and  depth.  She  gave  a splen- 
did Imitation  of  various  well  known  song  birds 
and  sang  several  songs  accompanied  by  the  or- 
chestra. 


David  Sokolove,  Philadelphia’s  musical  prodigy, 
accompanied  by  the  Stanley  orchestra,  played  a 
difficult  arrangement  of  Liszt’s  “Hungarian  Rhap- 
sopdy.”  ’This  youngster  possesses  the  art,  tech- 
nique and  tone  of  an  embryo  artist.  His  preci- 
sion, attack  and  restraint  are  very  noteworthy 
although  one  feels  that  the  finished  performance 
is  an  interpretation  of  his  teacher’s  conception 
of  the  composition.  There  is  no  doubt  that  the 
youthful  pianist  possesses  latent  ability  that  will 
be  mellowed  by  emotional  experience  into  real 
artistry. 

St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  August  26 

“Keep  Smiling”  was  the  title  of  Herbert  Raw- 
linson’s  stage  offering.  It  included  a serious 
poem,  “The  Weed  and  the  Rose”  by  the  master 
of  ceremonies  himself. 

There  was  also  a very  good  ukulele  solo,  and 
also  some  good  music  by  the  Three  Aces.  The 
Missouri  Ensemble  also  gave  an  eye-filling  exhi- 
bition of  stepping. 

Dave  Silverman  and  his  orchestra  played  as 
their  overture,  “A  Russian  Fantasy”  that  in- 
cluded the  singing  of  The  Volga  Boat  song  by 
a sextette,  and  also  a large  chorus  of  singers 
and  dancers  reminiscent  of  the  Chauvre  Souris. 

Silverman  also  took  the  stage  to  direct  the  sing- 
ing connected  with  the  last  the  stage  presenta- 
tion, three  murals  of  living  figures  after  the 
manner  of  the  Sargent  paintings  in  the  Boston 
Public  Library.  It  was  easily  the  most  artistic 
and  ingenious  musical  idea  presented  on  the  boards 
of  the  Ambassador’s  stage  for  many,  many  weeks. 

Stuart  Barrie  at  the  organ  played,  “The  Mid- 
night Concert.” 

Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  August  26 

“Sports  Revue”  was  the  stage  attraction  at  the 
Newman  this  week,  the  presentation  consisting  of 
musical  depictions  of  football,  cricket,  boxing  and 
other  sports. 

Jules  Buffano  and  His  Newman  Merry  Makers 
were  featured,  as  usual,  in  orchestral  numbers  in- 
termingled with  individual  acts  on  the  program. 

Charlie  Calvert  and  Billie  Stanfield  were  fea^ 


Nick 


LANG  and  VOELK 

“The  Two  Ambassadors  of  Songland” 

HELLO  FOLKS! 

HERE  WE  ARE 
AT  THE 

PARAMOUNT  THEATRE 
NEW  YORK  CITY 

Making  our  first  appearance  on  Broadway  with  BEN 
BLACK  and  HIS  BOYS.  Many  Thanks  to  PAUL  ASH. 


George 


RUTH 


LUELLA 


STANLEY  and  LEE 

DANCERS  PERSONIFIED 

Featured  in  “GEMS  OF  JOY”  A 
PUBLIX-STAGEBAND-UNIT-SHOW 

Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


JACK 


BORN  and  LAWRENCE 

“KOMEDY  KAPERS” 

Featured  in  “Montmartre”  A 

PUBLlX-STAGEBAND-UNlT-SHOW 

Direction — William  Morris  Agency 


JEAN 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


tured  on  the  program  in  a musical  and  dancing 
number. 

Bemis  and  Brown,  Babe  Fenton,  Owen  a«d 
Anderson,  Ada  Kaufman  Dancing  Sextet  com- 
prised a cast  which  was  interwoven  in  several 
numbers  featuring  sports. 

Jules  Buffano  and  His  Merry  Makers  rendered 
popular  selections  as  an  overtrue. 

Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  August  21 

One  of  the  fastest-stepping  Publix  shows  yet 
to  visit  the  Indiana,  traveling  under  the  title 
“Nonstop  to  Mars”  is  sharing  honors  this  week 
with  the  feature  film. 

The  act  is  an  elaborate  affair  in  three  scenes 
showing  the  take-off  of  the  plane,  its  progress 
through  the  clouds  and  its  arrival  in  Mars.  The 
featured  performer  of  the  act  is  Miss  Ferral  de 
Wees,  a young  woman  of  charm  and  exceptional 
dancing  ability.  As  a jazz  dancer,  she  is  about 
all  that  could  be  hoped  for  and  her  “Mars  Black 
Bottom”  is  nearly  the  final  word  in  syncopation. 
Paul  de  Wees  follows  his  sister’s  example  and 
in  his  solo  dance  “Hot  Feet”  shows  amazing 
ability. 

Boyd  Senter,  billed  as  the  “King  of  Synco- 
pators”  lives  up  to  his  billing  with  the  aid  of 
a saxophone  and  clarinet.  Senia  Gluck’s  sextet 
of  burlesque  dancers  are  capital  for  unalloyed 
foolishness  and  Norma  Senta,  Alfhild  Grims,  El- 
sie Dalas  and  the  Anido  Sisters  form  an  attrac- 
tive chorus.  Jack  Russel  is  at  the  piano  and 
Arthur  Ball,  as  pilot  of  the  plane,  is  pleasing  in 
song  numbers. 

St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  August  26 

Roy  D.  Smith  and  his  internationally  famous 
Royal  Scotch  Highland  Concert  Band,  fresh  from 
a most  successful  season  at  St.  Petersburg,  Fla., 
was  the  big  stage  offering. 

His  regular  artists  were  augmented  by  Bobby 
Brollier,  famed  as  “America’s  Scotch  tenor,”  and 
Dora  Miller  Hilton,  contralto,  formerly  with  the 
Metropolitan  Opera  Comi>any.  Other  soloists  with 
the  band  included  Marion  Barry  Taylor,  violinist ; 
“Wee  Jamie”  Clarke,  bagpiper  and  dancer ; Tur- 
ner Nearing,  cornetist:  Albert  Vancole,  soloist: 
John  Lauletta,  harpist,  and  George  Freberg, 
xylophonist. 


Houston  Kirby 

Week  Ending  September  2 

Show  opens  with  soft  house  lights  on,  Kirby 
Concert  Orchestra,  under  the  direction  of  Maurice 
Lawrence,  playing  an  overture  made  up  of  a med- 
ley of  Rudolf  Friml  selections.  Lawrence  is  one 
of  the  most  talented  conductors  that  Houston  has 
ever  had,  and  is  already  appreciated  by  music 
loving  patrons. 

After  the  overture,  the  News  goes  on,  followed 
by  Julia  Dawn,  billed  as  the  “Golden  Voiced 
Songstress,”  at  the  console  of  the  organ,  playing 
a number  of  songs  such  as  “Madame  Butterfly,’’ 
“Just  Like  a Butterfly,”  and  others,  under  the 
title  of  “Butterflies.”  She  has  a beautiful  so- 
prano voice,  and  her  combined  organ  and  vocal 
solos  are  proving  to  be  a sensation.  “Camille,” 
the  feature  picture,  follows,  with  a special  score 
prepared  by  Lawrence. 

A Paramount  Cartoon  and  recessional  march 
completes  the  program  units  of  the  Kirby  in  its 
third  week  of  existence. 

Johnstown  State 

Week  Ending  August  26 

After  Kinogram  followed  a Larry  Semon  com- 
edy, entitled  “The  Dome  Doctor,”  one  of  the 
slap-stick  variety,  after  which  Mack  Edwards, 
the  State  Organist,  rendered  his  Organlogue. 

“Ask  Me  Another,”  featuring  therein  Irving 
Berlin’s  number  “What  Do  We  Do  On  A Dewey 
Day.”  This  Organ  presentation  was  based  on  the 
current  newspaper  article  “Ask  Me  Another,”  and 
the  questions  were  answered  by  appropriate  titles 
of  popular  songs.  Same  was  well  received. 

Then  followed  the  stage  presentation  “Dance 
Flashes”  in  special  drops,  opening  by  a ballet 
with  a specialty  adagio  dance  by  Barring  and 
Lazur.  Jimmy  Givons  and  Mable  gave  a good 
military  tap-dance  as  well  as  an  eccentric  spe- 
cialty, followed  by  Mr.  Azzerone  in  a Russian 
dance  specialty. 

Thereafter  followed  the  “Five  Musical  Clowns,” 
a novelty  musical  comedy  act,  using  various  in- 
struments, such  as  Trumpet,  English  Concertina, 
Bagpipe  and  Saxophone  combinations. 

The  feature  film  for  the  week  was  Richard 
Dix  in  “Manpower.” 


Washington  Palace 

Week  Ending  August  27 

The  Palace  inaugurated  its  policy  of  opening 
on  Saturday  instead  of  Sunday,  and  held  Phil 
Spitalny’s  band  over  for  its  second  week. 

Tom  Gannon’s  overture  was  Memories  of  the 
Opera  and  opened  with  the  Prologue  from  Pag- 
liacci,  then  a piano  solo,  Rigeletto  Paraphrase, 
and  orchestra  pianist,  who  came  in  for  a bow, 
and  as  finale  the  well-known  Sextette  with  some 
fine  counter  melody  by  Dick  Leibert  on  the  organ. 

Phil  Spitalny,  musical  director,  and  Colby  Har- 
riman,  presentation  director,  turned  loose  in  one 
theatre  will  certainly  make  the  world  gasp.  This 
week  Spitalny’s  band  opened  with  Forge  in  the 
Forest.  Little  forest  fires  were  in  the  back- 
ground and,  under  Phil’s  direction,  the  band 
tooted  here  and  fiddled  there  and  finally  the  hoxise 
orchestra,  the  grand  organ  and  Spitalny’s  band 
with  two  made-to-order  sparking  anvils  brought 
the  first  number  to  a close. 

Dawn  of  Tomorrow  was  beautifully  orchestrated 
and  the  tenor  soloist  drew  big  returns.  Muddy 
Waters  was  next  and  well  played,  but  no  out- 
standing feature  unless  one  considers  the  cornetist 
who  blows  longer  and  louder  than  any  cornetist 
heard  in  Washington  for  four  seasons. 

Navy  Blue  was  artistic  if  loud,  organ,  band  and 
house  orchestra,  feature  double  drum  roll. 

For  finale  National  Emblem  March  and  minia- 
ture lighted  battleships  on  a blue  sea  in  the  back- 
ground. Mickey,  dancing  cornetist,  came  in  for 
the  biggest  hand  with  a dance  encore. 

Roscoe  Fatty  Arbuckle,  subject  of  much  con- 
troversy in  our  fair  city,  was  well  received,  re- 
ception, applause  on  various  gags,  applause  on 
drum  solo  after  some  kidding  with  Spitalny,  and 
two  legitimate  bows.  Washington  likes  Arbuckle. 

P'eature  picture,  Norma  Shearer,  “After  Mid- 
night,” news  and  comedy. 


Brooklyn  Strand 

Week  Ending  August  26 

Offering  a program  devised  especial  for  warm 
weather.  Managing  Director  Edward  L.  Hyman 
presented  a show  composed  of  the  feature,  “Lone- 
some Ladies,”  a re-issue  of  Charlie  Chaplin’s 
“The  Rink,”  as  an  added  fun  film,  three  stage 
presentations  and  the  Topical  Review. 

The  performance  started  off  with  the  Famed 
Mark  Strand  Orchestra  playing  the  Offenbach 
overture.  “Orpheus,”  Willy  Stahl  and  Emil 
Baum  in  charge  of  direction.  A special  piano 
cadenza  was  featured  in  the  overture.  Special 
lighting  effects  were  arranged  for  this  musical 
offering. 

After  the  Mark  Strand  came  “The  Three  De- 
butantes,” a trio  of  young  female  violinists,  who 
appeared  on  the  apron  of  the  large  stage,  to 
play  Schubert’s  “Liebeslied”  and  “Moment  Musi- 
calc”  as  incident  number  three. 

After  the  violin  number  came  the  big  stage 
incident  of  the  program,  Edward  L.  Hyman’s 
newest  revue,  “Venetian  Nights,”  which  was 
programmed  as  a Carnival  of  Venice  in  Song 
and  Dance.  The  stage  setting  by  Thomas  Farrar 
represented  a Venetian  boatlanding.  'The  band 
opened  with  “The  Barcarolle,”  and  then  Walter 
Smith,  basso,  stepped  forward  to  sing  “Mari 
Mari,”  an  Italian  folk  song.  Eldora  Stanford, 
soprano,  followed  with  Toselli’s  “Serenade.”  'The 
band  played  its  second  number,  Rubinstein’s 
“Kammenoi  Ostrow,”  and  another  Neapolitan 
song,  “La  Campana”  was  next  sung  by  Carlo 
Ferretti.  Seglyn  and  Wilbur,  in  a piano  duet, 
“The  Tarantella,”  a dance  by  the  ballet  corps 
and  “Funiculi  Funiculi”  followed  in  succession. 

Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  26 

Gene  Rodemich  again  conducts  the  presentation, 
this  week’s  offering  being  one  of  the  fast  and 
furious  variety  of  jazz  programs  which  not  only 
provides  an  arrangement,  including  many  of  the 
most  popular  recent  hits,  but  throws  in  a number 
of  new  ones  for  good  measure. 

A number  of  celebrated  banjo  teams  have 
joined  hands  with  the  stage  band  of  25  pieces, 
providing  an  unusual  array  for  instruments  which 
have  been  well  trained  for  their  numbers.  In- 
cluded in  the  presentation  are  White  and  Man- 
ning, the  Nyron  Sisters,  Margaret  Ball,  Morgan 
and  Stone  and  the  Thompson  Sisters  to  aid  the 
large  ensemble. 

The  orchestra  prelude  is  directed  by  Joseph 
Klien  and  given  by  the  Metropolitan  orchestra, 
while  Arthur  Martel  provides  the  customary  organ 
solo. 

“Service  for  Ladies”  is  the  film. 


GEORGE  GIVOT 

^T//E  COLLEGIATE  SPEED  FLASW* 

A VITAPHONE  Artist 
Formerly  of  “ZIEGFFLD  FOLLIES” 

Now  Playing  Return  Dates 
For  MARKS  and  COONEY  BROS. 
Featured  at  the  new  AVALON  Theatre, 
Chicago,  Week  of  Sept.  5th. 

Will  accept  Bookings  after  OCT.  15th,  until  JAN.  1st. 
Address  Care  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


BILLY  MEYER 

(The  Golden  Tone  Baritone) 

Makes  His  Bow  As  “Singing-Violinist”  STAGEBAND  LEADER 
At  the  New  UPTOWN  Theatre,  Milwaukee,  This  Week 
Rotating  at — UPTOWN — ORIENTAL — TOWER  Theatres,  Mil.,  all  Saxe  Houses 


DAVEY  WHITE 

(The  Young  Old  Soak  Dancer) 

Featured  in  “GEMS  OF  JOY”  A 
PUBLIX-STAGEBAND-UNIT-SHOW 

Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


Chicago  Granada 

Week  Ending  August  28 

This  week’s  stage  presentation  at  this  house 
had  a Scottish  atmosphere,  it  featured  Charles 
Kaley  and  his  band  in  an  offering  called  “Hoot 
Mon’’  with  George  Givot.  “Paid  to  Love”  with 
George  O’Brien  and  Virginia  Valli  was  the  ex- 
clusive first  run  feature  this  week  in  addition  to 
the  excellent  Vitaphone  program.  The  stage  show 
ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  front  of  full  stage  setting  with 
plaid  curtain  as  backgi-ound  with  orchestra  boys 
in  typical  Scotch  costumes  as  the  band  plays 
“Blue  Bells  of  Scotland.” 

The  plaid  curtain  parts  at  this  point  display- 
ing Ruth  Marie  Marcott  as  the  Scotch  lassie  who 
gave  a very  pretty  song  selection  of  this  num- 
ber. She  was  followed  by  Jack  E,  Wyatt,  a 
real  Scotchman,  who  in  addition  to  being  an 
old-time  performer  wore  the  regulation  uniform 
of  the  91st  Canadian  Regiment.  Jack  offered 
some  clever  Scotch  ditties  with  the  assistance  of 
the  Granada  Girls  dressed  in  kilties  who  support 
him  in  a cute  native  dance. 

Charles  Kaley  makes  his  appearance  next 
dressed  in  the  kilties  of  a famous  Canadian 
“Black  Watch”  with  tuxedo  coat  and  announced 
a “Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling”  for  hie  next 
band  number.  After  a verse  and  chonis  Kaley 
steps  out  in  front  of  band  to  sing  a solo  to  the 
number  in  his  likeable  style,  securing  as  usual  the 
nice  reception  that  is  always  accorded  him  for  his 
singing.  The  drummer.  Tom  Thomas,  joins  in 
the  second  chorue  singing  a parody  to  the  same 
tune.  The  number  as  a whole  was  cleverly  in- 
terpreted and  scored  with  this  audience. 

Miller  and  Peterson,  two  young  men,  come 
on  next  with  an  eccentric  buck  and  wing  dance 
after  which  they  swing  into  a waltz  clog  in  per- 
fect rythum.  The  specialty  eccentric  strut  and 
tap  Charleston  that  followed  was  exceedingly 
well  done  and  admirably  received  by  the  out- 
fronters.  The  boys  possess  plenty  of  class  and 
shake  a pair  of  mean  hoofs.  They  are  by  no 
means  not  the  best,  but  one  of  the  best  of  their 
kind  seen  in  presentation. 

Ruth  Marie  Marcott  made  another  appearance 
following  these  boys  this  time  singing  “When  Day 
Is  Done”  with  her  soothing  voice  and  charm- 
ing personality.  We  believe  if  it  hadn’t  been  for 
the  late  run  of  the  show  the  young  lady  would 
have  received  her  usual  encore,  as  she  really  de- 
served it. 

“Just  an  Ivy  Covered  Shack  and  You”  was  the 
next  number-  sung  by  Kaley,  accompanied  by 
the  orchestra  in  a clever  arrangement  of  same. 

Miller  and  Peterson  were  brought  out  again  for 
a short  but  fast  routine  of  eccentric  steps,  which 
led  Charles  Kaley  to  sing  another  number  called 
“Broken  Hearted,”  using  a scrim  presentation 
with  back  curtain  parting  disclosing  boy  and  girl 
standing  in  an  archway  decorated  with  flowers 
supposedly  the  boy  and  girl  named  in  the  song 
The  interpretation  of  this  number,  together  with 
the  dramatic  value  of  the  lyric,  earned  Kaley 
an  encore. 

After  several  minutes  the  orchestra  then  went 
into  a clever  arrangement  of  “The  Campbells 
are  Coming,”  which  served  as  an  introduction 
for  George  Givot,  who  made  his  entrance  leading 
the  Granada  Girls.  George  was  attired  in  ex- 
treme comedy  outfit  to  represent  a Scottish  cos- 
tume. After  his  many  new  ditties  and  Scotch  gags, 
he  retires  behind  a screen  long  enough  to  change 
costumes  while  the  girls  are  doing  a dance  routine, 
George  emerges  again  in  his  collegiate  trousers 
singing  “She  Don’t  Wanna’.”  With  this  number 
he  kids  and  clowns  with  the  girls,  scoring  as  usual 
the  biggest  laugh  hit  of  the  bill.  A clever  little 
bit  was  his  comedy  song  on  the  Dempsey-'Tunney 
fight  with  Wayne  Allen  and  Charles  Kaley  pro- 
traying  the  roles  of  Dempsey  and  ’Tunney,  in  this 
manner.  EJvery  line  was  enacted  with  comedy 
pantomime  that  was  exceedingly  entertaining  as 
well  as  cleverly  given.  We  could  go  on  indefi- 
nitely raving  about  this  boy,  but  you  all  know 
who  he  is  and  why  he  is  so  well  liked. 

Our  only  comment  is  that  we  regret  Givot’s 
absence  from  the  stage  when  he  joins  the  flicker 
of  screen  stars  next  year.  This  is  the  second  ap- 
pearance in  this  house  and  about  the  fifth  time  in 
the  last  six  months. 

The  orchestra  next  struck  up  an  arrangement 
of  “Annie  L auric,”  to  which  Ruth  Marie  Marcott 


sang  the  song  beautifully  and  pleasingly  while 
the  Gautier  Sisters  offered  a real  honest  to  good- 
ness Highland  fling  routine  followed  by  Jack 
Wyatt  with  a base  di-um  solo  assisted  by  the 
orchestra  boys  in  typical  Scotch  style.  The 
Granda  Girls  make  their  appearance  here,  each 
carrying  two  swords  as  the  Gautier  Sisters  headed 
the  reception  playing  a snare  drum  and  bag 
pipes  while  the  girls  formed  a line  for  the 
famous  Scotch  sword  dance. 

Finale:  Two  large  lighted  thistles  descend 
to  center  of  background  as  the  entire  company 
essemble  on  stage  giving  the  entire  atmosphere 
the  proper  punch  and  coloring  that  goes  to  make 
a Scotch  offering  “a  Scotch  offering.” 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  August  26 

Jesse  Crawford’s  organ  recital  and  the  symphony 
concert  by  Irving  Talbot  and  his  orchestra  are 
combined  into  a musical  duel  this  week.  Jesse 
upholding  the  merits  of  popular  music  while  Tal- 
bot favors  the  classical,  with  the  result  that 
everybody’s  tastes  are  catered  to. 

The  stage  presentation  is  called  “Way  Out 
West”  and  the  curtain  rises  to  disclose  Ben  Black 
and  the  Paramount  Stage  Orchestra  garbed  as 
cowboys  with  Black  in  the  traditional  ten  gallon 
hat.  'They  start  things  off  with  “A  Rhythmic 
Indian  Intermezzo.”  The  back  drop  for  this 
presentation  consists  of  a curtain  on  which  are 
painted  scenes  in  the  best  Frederick  Remington 
manner.  The  rendition  of  this  number  features 
the  work  of  one  of  the  saxophone  players,  who 
is,  also,  a dancer  of  no  mean  ability. 

The  Paramount  Girls  are  next,  clad  in  cow- 
girl costume  and  doing  a dance  in  which  their 
toes  beat  out  the  time  of  the  piece  which  the 
orchestra  plays  in  accompaniment. 

Lang  and  Voelk  are  two  singers  who  are  pos- 
sessed of  really  fine  voices  and  who  work  a good 
deal  of  light  comedy  into  their  offering.  It’s 
their  first  appearance  here  and  they  went  over 
with  a bang. 

The  Paramount  Stage  Orchestra  comes  to  the 
fore  again  playing  “No  Wonder  I’m  Happy.” 
They  are  assisted  in  this  number  by  Jack  Powell, 
comedy  drummer,  par  excellence.  Powell  di-ums 
on  every  property  in  the  set  and  proved  to  be  one 
of  the  most  popular  performers  on  the  bill. 

Holly  Hall,  the  “personality  girl/’  was  just 


that.  She  sings  songs  of  the  “intimate  type”  in 
a way  that  makes  you  feel  as  though  she  were 
doing  it  all  just  for  you. 

The  Paramount  Orchestra  gave  a humorous 
number  called  “Ben  Black’s  Original  Version  of 
Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin/’  Black  told  the  famous  story 
while  the  highlights  of  the  narrative  were  illus- 
trated by  appropriate  music  from  his  orchestra. 
The  playing  of  “Hail,  Hail,  the  Gang’s  All  Here,” 
when  he  arrived  at  the  point  where  all  the  slave 
owners  assemble  for  the  pursuit  of  Uncle  Tom 
is  an  illustration. 

The  painted  back  drop  then  gave  way  to  one 
representing  an  Arizona  canyon  and  before  this 
on  a raised  stage  behind  the  stage  orchestra  the 
Paramount  Girls  appeared  dressed  in  Indian  cos- 
tume. They  did  a war  dance  and  then  threading 
their  way  to  the  main  stage  by  three  lanes,  one 
on  each  side  of,  and  one  through  the  center  of 
the  orchestra,  they  mingled  some  agile  acrobatics 
with  their  dancing  to  finish  off  a very  effective 
number. 

Mooney  and  Churchill  were  next  in  a dance 
called  “An  Indian  Legend.”  This  was  an  Indian 
Apache  dance.  At  the  conclusion  Miss  Mooney, 
to  escape  the  unwelome  attentions  of  her  lover, 
hurled  herself  from  the  stage,  symbolical  of  a 
cliff,  into  the  end  of  the  orchestra  pit  and  dis- 
appeared from  sight.  A very  clever  dance  and 
fully  appreciated  by  the  audience. 

The  Finale  was  built  around  the  song  “Moon 
Deer,”  and  brought  evei*yone  on  the  stage.  It 
was  rendered  particularly  effective  by  the  Para- 
mount Girls  in  gorgeous  Indian  head-dress.  The 
lights  were  dimmed  and  the  girls  standing  in 
the  three  lanes  through  the  stage  orchestra  waved 
war  clubs,  on  the  ends  of  which  were  electric 
lights,  like  the  most  experienced  signal  corps, 
the  audience  evidently  knew  the  code,  for  the 
curtain  went  down  amidst  thunderous  applause. 


Houston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  August  26 

“Steamboat  Syncopation,”  third  of  the  Greater 
Publix  bandshows,  was  the  stage  offering  of  the 
Metropolitan  this  week. 

Opened  with  scenes  of  battleship  riding  the 
huge  waves  on  a drop  scrim,  dim  house  lights. 
Scene  fades  out,  house  lights  coming  up  and  fad- 
ing, with  rise  of  curtain  presenting  the  scene  of 
a deck  on  a modern  battleship,  with  the  Merry 


DICK  MARJORIE 

MAXWELL  and  LEE 

“Jesters  of  Dance” 

Now  at  the  PARAMOUNT  Theatre,  N.  Y. 

Full  PUBLIX  Route  to  follow 
Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


Shannon’s  Playtime  Frolics 

Novelty  Surprise” 

Playing  the  Best  Picture  Houses  in  the  Country 

Now  at  the  MAIN  STREET  Theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Direction  Edward  W.  Morse,  Woods  Theatre  Bldg.,  Chicago 


“THE  ARISTOCRATIC  STEPPERS” 

VALE  and  STEWART 

A Presentation  Act  with  Class  and  Speed 
Featured  in  a PUBLIX  UNIT 
Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 

NOTE:  Have  you  seen  WILLIAMS  & ROSS? 


FRANK  HAMILTON 

“You  Tell  ’Em,  1 Stutter  Too  Much” 

Note:  I've  Been  Using  This  Song  for  Over  Seven  Years.  Now  others  are  trying 
to  imitate  me. 

Featured  in  a PUBLIX  STAGEBAND  UNIT  SHOW 
Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency 


DAVID  GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 
BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept. 
Chicago 


38 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Mad  Gang,  Paul  Spor  directing,  grouped  around 
a turret.  Big  guns  revolved  around  turret  to 
face  audience  after  opening  of  curtains. 

First  number  is  medley  of  sea  chanties,  with 
Four  Sailorettes  doing  jazz  interpretation  of 
Sailors  Hornpipe.  Off,  with  Spor  announcing 
Eddie  Willis,  who  does  a fast  tap  acrobatic. 

Next  comes  a novelty  selection  by  Spor  and  the 
Gang,  called,  “Wedding  Marches  Around  the 
World,”  the  famous  matrimonial  music  as  it  is 
played  in  different  nations,  Jazzland  being  last. 
This  number  went  great. 

Murray  and  Alan  come  next  with  their  famous 
Liar  Song.  Get  over  to  a good  hand,  and  give 
several  choruses  to  the  song.  Madge  Rush,  na- 
tive of  Houston,  goes  well  with  her  Doll  Dance. 
Sophie  Kasmir  follows,  with  a medley  of  Victor 
Herbert  Melodics,  which  always  gets  a good  re- 
ception in  Houston. 

Murray  and  Alan  come  back  for  a second  num- 
ber, "3,000  Years  Ago.”  The  hit  of  the  show  is 
Paul  Spor’s  special  rendition  of  “The  Shooting 
of  Dan  McGrew.”  Spor  is  a delightful  eloqu- 
tionist,  and  the  work  of  the  band  with  him  on 
this  number  proves  it  to  be  a wow. 

Lee  MacFarland,  local  boy  winner  of  a har- 
monica contest  is  presented  in  sailor  suit,  play- 
ing medley  of  popular  hits.  Gets  over  to  a great 
hand,  owing  to  ixipularity  here. 

For  Finale,  entire  company  ensembles,  house  go- 
ing black,  with  big  guns  flashing  and  booming. 
V ery  effective. 

Audience  appeal  is  good,  and  this  act  is  pro- 
nounced the  best  of  the  bandshows  yet. 

The  picture  is  Lon  Chaney  in  “Mockery.” 

Bob  West,  featured  organist  in  “Vacation 
Time”  is  the  solo  offered  this  week  by  the 
"Personality  Organist.”  West  goes  back  to  the 
straight  slide  solo  this  week,  with  no  singing. 
The  popularity  of  the  sing-songs  in  Houston  is 
shown  by  the  audience  reaction  to  the  number. 
Although  it  is  beautifully  done,  and  goes  over 
great,  with  a double  bow,  comment  is  always 
heard  on  the  failure  to  have  a singsong. 

Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  August  28 

This  marks  the  opening  week  for  Norman  Steppe 
as  the  band  leader  of  stage  shows  here.  The  pres- 
entation which  is  a regular  weekly  affair  here  is 
presented  twice  a week  with  feature  film  and 


comedy.  The  attraction  for  the  last  half  is  as 
follows : 

Opening:  In  full  stage  with  Norman  Steppe 
leading  the  band  into  an  arrangement  of  “One 
Summer  Night”  while  Jack  Higgins,  a member 
of  the  band,  offers  a chorus  in  vocal  form. 

The  next  artist  introduced  by  Steppe  was  Bert 
Goltra,  a baritone  who  has  been  seen  at  this  house 
before  in  many  singing  roles  and  a capable  man 
to  handle  classic  numbers.  He  offered  “Moon- 
light on  the  Gangies”  for  his  new  selection,  which 
won  him  the  entire  approval  of  this  audience. 
Iris  and  Mack,  an  Adagio  team,  came  on  next, 
and  after  their  routine  were  compensated  by  sev- 
eral bows. 

Shyman,  the  pianist  and  arranger  of  all  the 
clever  band  numbers  for  this  orchestra,  was  next 
announced  and  he  gave  his  own  conception  of  how 
“When  You  and  I Were  Young  Maggie”  should 
be  played  and.  as  we  stated  before  in  these  col- 
umns, this  chap  is  a wizard  of  the  ivories.  For 
an  encore  he  offered  “Mighty  Lak’  a Rose.” 

The  next  band  arrangement  was  one  especially 
arranged  for  this  purpose  and  called  “Shanghai 
Honeymoon,”  which  Steppe,  Higgins  and  Smiley 
another  member  of  the  band  formed  a trio 
for  a vocal  selection.  They  were  followed  again 
by  Iris  and  Mack  with  a short  routine  of  an 
eccentric  doll  dance  stepped  to  the  tune  of  “Sam, 
the  Old  Accordion  Man.”  After  this  number, 
Norman  Steppe  stepped  in  front  of  the  band  to 
sing  “Somebody  Said”  in  a rather  pleasing  man- 
ner with  a soothing  voice.  The  reception  accorded 
him  for  this  offering  gave  this  reporter  the  im- 
pression that  the  new  leader  should  become  a 
favorite  at  this  house  in  a very  short  time,  and 
if  past  performances  mean  anything  in  show  busi- 
ness, he  deserves  the  cooperation  of  this  house. 

Mable  Blondell,  the  featured  artist  on  this  bill, 
was  next  with  her  impersonations  and  interpre- 
tations of  character  songs,  Mable  has  been  re- 
ported before  in  these  columns  and  now,  as  well 
as  then,  she  proved  a winner. 

Finale:  Another  special  arrangement  by  Shy- 
man  of  “The  Road  to  Mandalay,”  played  by  the 
band  as  the  closing  number,  and  if  we  are  any 
judge  of  good  music  this  was  a masterpiece. 

Observation : The  new  leader  up  to  a few 
months  ago  led  the  band  in  a neighborhood  theatre 
and  built  up  a wonderful  business  for  that  theatre 
through  his  fine  personality.  We  believe  he  can 
do  the  same  for  this  house  with  the  proper  assist- 
ance and  cooperation. 


New  York  Strand 

Week  Ending  August  26 

The  Mark  Strand  Stage  Show  opens  this  week 
with  a ballet  fantasy  called  “Yamarka.”  The 
Performersi  are  clad  as  Russian  peasants,  the 
blue  pantaloons  and  red  sashes  of  the  men  con- 
trasting sharply  with  the  white  dresses  of  the 
girls.  The  ballet,  as  usual,  is  built  around  Mile. 
Klemova  and  the  dance  which  they  execute, 
which,  one  of  the  folk  dance  type,  is  of  genuine 
artistic  merit. 

One  may  feel,  perhaps,  that  Mr.  Plunkett  is 
attempting,  here,  something  a little  too  artistic 
for  the  average  movie  audience,  but  week  after 
week  the  patrons  of  the  Strand  resix>nd  whole- 
heartedly and  enthusiastically  to  the  efforts  of 
Mile.  Klemova  and  her  assistants.  An  encourag- 
ing sign. 

The  remainder  of  the  program  is  filled  by  that 
popular  entertainer  Ben  Bemie  and  his  Hotel 
Roosevelt  Orchestreu  There  is  little  to  distinguish 
the  actual  musical  i>erformance  of  this  band 
from  that  of  any  other  first  grade  orchestra,  but 
the  genial  personality  and  infectious  wit  of  Ben 
Bernie,  himself,  surrounds  him  and  his  band 
with  an  aura  of  color  and  a universality  of  appeal 
that  has  drawn  thousands  to  the  Roosevelt  to 
hear  him  play  and  is  drawing  thousands  to  the 
Strand. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  August  27 

Back  to  plainer  fare  after  two  weeks’  feasting 
on  the  luxuries  of  “Roxy’s”  epicurean  treat.  Fox 
patrons  appeared  to  be  well  pleased  with  this 
week’s  program. 

Mary  Haynes,  comedienne,  appeared  in  a series 
of  clever  and  spicy  monologues  and  character 
studies,  part  of  which  were  carried  on  in  prose 
and  part  in  rhyme.  Her  first  number,  a satire 
on  beauty  parlor  customers,  kept  the  audience 
convulsed.  After  a quick  change  of  costumes, 
she  appeared  as  a returned  Cook’s  tourist,  with 
a traveling  bag  covered  with  labels,  and  kept 
up  a running  fire  of  witty  comments  about 
European  customs  in  general,  ending  with  this 
one,  which  brought  down  the  house:  “Traveling 
certainly  does  broaden  one ; I’ve  noticed  it  par- 
ticularly around  my  hips.”  She  followed  this 
with  a burlesque  of  entertainers  on  shipboard. 

Max  Fisher  and  his  orchestra,  a group  of  mu- 
sicians from  California,  who  are  new  to  Phila- 
delphia audiences,  offered  some  exceptionally 
good  musical  entertainment.  One  of  the  best 
liked  numbers  was  an  arrangement  of  “In  a 
Little  Spanish  Town,”  with  dim  blue  lights  and 
muted  instruments  and  with  the  words  sung  by  a 
member  of  the  orchestra  who  was  the  possessor 
of  an  unusually  sweet  voice.  ’There  was  a hu- 
morous number,  “Spring  Is  Here,”  which  was  de- 
cidedly novel  in  the  manner  of  presentation  and 
several  talented  members  of  the  orchestra  sang 
to  great  applause.  The  Fisher  orchestra  is  com- 
posed of  real  musicians  who  indulged  in  none 
of  the  silly  horseplay  so  often  heard  in  jazz  or- 
chestras. Mr.  Fisher  has  a suave  and  pleasing 
personality  and  is  a violin  player  of  marked 
ability.  They  were  forced  to  answer  several 
curtain  calls  before  the  audience  would  stop 
applauding. 

Al  and  Gussie  Blum,  a whirlwind  dancing 
team,  offered  some  ultra  modern  dances,  a grace- 
ful waltz  and  an  eccentric  dance  that  left  them 
apparently  exhausted.  At  any  rate  they  could 
not  be  persuaded  to  api>ear  again  although  the 
applause  was  long  continued.  They  were  ac- 
companied by  the  Fisher  orchestra. 

The  Fox  Theatre  Orchestra  gave  a stirring 
rendition  of  the  “Pagliacci”  overture  by  Leon- 
cavallo. 

Boston  State 

Week  Ending  August  27 

Isham  Jones  and  his  band  of  fourteen  pieces 
provides  the  presentation  number  this  week  with 
some  of  the  best  music  along  popular  lines  that  it 
has  been  Boston’s  good  fortune  to  hear.  To  per- 
sistent demands,  Jones  himself  plays  a piano  solo 
number  which  requires  an  encore  to  appease  the 
applause. 

Aiding  and  abetting  Jones  and  his  band  are 
Dreon  and  Dagmar,  with  a line  of  real  enter- 
tainment which  goes  across  with  a hang. 

Loew’s  State  Tours,  Topics  and  M-G-M  News 
are  followed  by  the  increasingly  popular  organ- 
logue  by  Birge  Peterson,  this  week’s  number  be- 
ing an  adaptation  of  “Side  By  Side.” 

“After  Midnight,”  is  the  feature  film. 


GINGER  ROGERS 

“A  Rarebit  of  Spice’^ 

A JOHN  HELD,  JR.,  Cartoon  Girl  in  the  Flesh 

Now  Featured  in  “KID  DAYS” 

A PUBLl.X-STAGEBAND-UNIT-SHOW.  Direction — Phil  Tyrrell  of 

Wm.  Morris  Agency. 

Jesse  Crawford  Concerts 

With  Mrs.  Crawford  at  Stage  Console 

Paramount  Theatre,  New  York 

At  the  Cross  Roads  of  the  World 

EDDIE  HANSON 

Featured  Organist 

WITH  BENNIE  KRUEGER 

B & K UPTOWN  AND  TIVOLI  THEATRES 

CHICAGO 

VERNE  BUCK 

“The  Prince  O’  Pep” 

Featured  at  ASCHER  BROS. 

SHERIDAN  THEATRE  CHICAGO 

Direction — MARGARET  FELCH 

COSTUMES  FOR  HIRE  iSsi  BROOKS 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  August  27 

BUIy  Meyer  opens  this  week’s  presentation, 
“Let’s  Go,”  dressed  in  black  and  white  satin 
clown  suit  and  singrngr  before  the  curtain  “My 
Baby’s  in  Love  With  Me”  while  the  orchestra  ac- 
companies him  from  behind  the  curtain  which  is 
slowly  raised,  bringing  into  view  the  legs  of  the 
Six  English  Tivoli  Girls  dancing  their  bit-  Be- 
fore the  number  is  completed  the  curtain  is  en- 
tirely raised  and  we  have  the  orchestra  in  cos- 
tumes similar  to  Billy  Meyer’s,  with  the  six  girls 
in  dance  costumes  going  for  fair. 

Dave  Schooler  then  makes  his  appearance  with 
several  wise  remarks  followed  by  Cogert  and 
Motto  singing  "Everything  is  Hotsy  Totsy  Now.” 
These  two  boys  are  plenty  hot.  and  are  known 
as  the  human  jazz  band,  for  they  imitate  a jazz 
orchestra  to  perfection  by  just  using  their  bare 
hands.  The  boys  then  draw  a big  laugh  and  a 
big  hand  from  the  audience  when  they  demon- 
strate how  they  made  “Oh,  Katarina”  for  the 
Okey  Records. 

“Thanks  for  the  Sandwiches”  is  the  next  num- 
ber by  Dave  Schooler  and  His  Play  Boys  with 
Dave  giving  his  version  of  the  chorus  and  also 
two  of  the  boys  in  the  orchestra  giving  theirs. 
Then  one  of  the  Tivoli  Girls  comes  out  in  ‘tux, 
monocle  and  silk  hat  giving  her  version  of  the 
song,  and  last  we  have  Billy  Meyer  appearing 
in  a white  uniform  with  a basket  of  frankfurters 
on  his  arm  interrupting  Dave  Schooler  who  is 
trying  to  sing  some  sentimental  song  with  an- 
other girl  of  the  cast.  Finally  while  the  orchestra 
is  on  the  last  strains  of  the  song  a sour  note 
developcs  and  on  searching  for  the  trouble  each 
musician  draws  from  his  instiniment  a string  of 
sausages.  The  song  was  well  presented  and  got 
a big  hand  from  the  audience. 

Billie  Gerber,  dressed  as  a man  in  swallow  tail 
coat  and  boyish  bob,  went  over  big.  She  sang 
“Ain’t  It  a Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling”  and 
followed  this  up  with  a neat  bit  of  soft  shoe 
dancing.  She  is  plenty  light  on  her  feet  and  a 
very  neat  stepper  to  say  the  least. 

“King”  Lear,  second  baseman  of  the  Milwau- 
kee Brewers,  makes  his  appearance  about  this 
time  and  tickles  the  ivories,  assisted  by  Bob 
Daly.  As  might  be  expected,  he  makes  a big 
hit  with  the  Milwaukee  audience,  and  plays  a 
number  of  popular  numbers,  making  his  exit  with 
his  famous  belly-flop  slide. 

Although  this  is  the  third  week  of  the  Six 
English  Tivoli  Girls  they  still  continue  to  please. 
Their  offering  at  this  time  is  a sort  of  wooden 
soldier  dance  with  all  six  dressed  in  gaudy  uni- 
forms and  going  through  the  various  steps  with 
minute  regularity  and  precision.  They  received 
a good  deal  of  applause  for  their  efforts. 

George  Morton  with  his  “uke”  is  next.  He’s 
all  dressed  up  as  a colored  boy  and  besides  some 
live  stepping  he  sings  “Whosier  Sweetheart,”  and 
‘“rhat’s  Real  Happiness.”  As  an  encore  he  comes 
back  and  renders  “Crazy  Words,  Crazy  'Tune.” 

“One  Summer  Night”  is  the  next  selection  by 
the  orchestra  with  Billy  Meyer  singing  the  chorus 
and  drawing  his  usual  good  round  of  applause. 

Clyde  Cottam,  who  was  introduced  by  Dave 
Schooler  as  being  a Russian  dancer  of  note,  next 
rendered  her  interpretation  of  the  Swan  dance. 
For  the  first  few  minutes  it  looked  like  the  real 
thing  until  a few  missteps  brought  to  the  audi- 
ence the  fact  that  it  was  a burlesque  and  then 
they  started  to  roar.  It  was  a very  good  bur- 
lesque, however,  and  Miss  Cottam  stayed  on  her 
toes  during  most  of  the  act  with  great  adept- 
ness. She  went  over  big  and  got  a good  hand. 


lew  White 

Chief  Organist 


ExclusiUe  B runsioicTi  Artist 


Kay  Spangler  made  her  appearance  with  “HE’s 
the  Last  Word”  as  an  introduction  to  her  brother 
.Tack,  dressed  in  a suit  of  loose  fitting  clothes. 
Before  the  act  was  over  the  pair  demonstrated 
that  what  they  lacked  in  their  singing  they  made 
up  in  their  dancing.  Jack  Spangler  gave  an 
exhibition  of  some  very  clever  dancing,  followed 
by  his  sister  who  sang  “Climbing  the  Ladder  of 
Love”  and  a solo  dance.  For  the  final  they  went 
through  some  strenuous  steps  together  and  re- 
ceived much  applause. 

For  the  grand  finale  the  orchestra  played  the 
“Saxophone  Waltz”  with  Billy  Meyer  singing 
the  chorus.  The  fine  lace  drop  behind  the  orches- 
tra was  then  raised  with  four  girls  playing  saxo- 
phones joining  the  orchestra.  This  was  then 
dropped  again  to  allow  the  Six  English  Tivoli 
Girls  in  bright  striped  costumes  to  take  their 
place  on  the  upper  stage,  each  with  a bright 
spinning  wheel  behind  them,  while  two  of  the 
saxophone  girls  appeared  on  either  wing  joining 
the  orchestra. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  August  26 

George  Dewey  Washington,  negro  baritone,  was 
featured  in  a return  engagement  on  the  Main- 
street  program  this  week. 

Tommy  Wonder  and  Sister  had  a singing  act. 
titled  “California  Songbirds.”  Libonati  offered 
several  jazz  numbers  on  his  xylophone.  Johnson 
and  Baker  had  a skit  titled  “Hats  and  Boxes.” 

Martha  Martell  was  seen  in  vocal  numbers,  sing- 
ing several  popular  melodies.  Gordon  Brothers 
and  Manners  had  an  acrobatic  act  titled  “Titters, 
Twists  and  Turns.” 

Walter  Davison  and  His  Louisville  Loons,  play- 
ing a long  engagement  as  the  orchestral  attrac- 
tion, played  popular  selections  as  an  overtime. 

Chicago  Oriental 

Week  Ending  August  28 

Paul  Ash  did  well  by  his  fans  this  week.  He 
called  his  presentation  “Hey  Rube,”  and  it  is  one 
of  those  presentations  that  have  made  Paul  Ash 
famous.  The  stage  setting  is  the  focal  point  of 
any  small  towni— the  railroad  station  and  the  fire 
station,  and  the  entire  presentation  is  carried  out 
in  the  spirit  of  the  setting  and  the  name  of  the 
show. 

Paul  Small,  dressed  in  a linen  duster  and  carry- 
ing a carpet  bag,  opens  the  program  with  a 
comic  song,  before  the  curtain.  The  muffled  tones 
of  the  orchestra  are  heard  behind  the  curtain. 
The  curtain  rises  showing  the  small  town  setting, 
with  a full  size  fire  station  at  the  right.  The 
doors  of  the  station  open  and  the  band  on  a 
platform  slide  out  of  the  station.  Paul  Ash  is 
dressed  as  the  village  cop,  and  as  the  platform 
comes  to  a stop  in  center  stage.  Ash  directs  his 
gang  through  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song.”  The  eight 
Oriental  girls  go  through  a snappy  dance  routine. 

Maxine  Hamilton  comes  on  to  sing  “Yoo  Hoo, 
That’s  Who,”  and  follows  with  a few  clever  dance 


steps.  The  audience  liked  her,  and  she  left  en- 
tirely too  soon. 

She  is  followed  by  a young  man  who  gets  a 
big  hand  with  his  acrobatic  dancing.  Ash  failed 
to  announce  his  name. 

Ash  and  his  orchestra  next  give  a very  brassy 
interpretation  of  “Hallelujah”  from  “Hit  the 
Deck,”  to  a big  hand.  This  was  followed  by 
“My  Home  Back  in  Indiana,”  a new  number 
written  by  Ash  for  the  show.  Paul  Small,  dressed 
in  a rube  costume,  sings  it,  and  brings  on  the 
eight  Oriental  girls  one  at  a time,  each  of  whom 
is  dressed  in  comic  imbe  attire,  and  Small  and 
the  girls  do  a clever  comic  dance.  The  number 
went  over  great. 

Paul  Small  sings  next  “What’ll  I Do  On  a Dew 
Dew  Dewey  Day”  and  “Grand  and  Glorious  Feel- 
ing,” and  the  way  he  sings  them  is  the  reason 
why  Paul  remains  a favorite  at  the  Oriental. 

Ash  next  Introduces  Beth  Miller,  who  sings  in 
a very  blue  bluey  manner.  She  went  over  fine 
with  “Sing  Me  a Baby  Song,”  and  “I  Ain’t  Tak- 
ing Orders  From  No  One.” 

And  then  comes  Bemis  and  Brown,  who  are 
artists  at  tap  dancing.  ’They  know  all  the  steps, 
and  produce  them  to  the  great  enjoyment  of  the 
house. 

The  show  ends  with  the  band  playing  “My  Big 
Pretty  Baby.”  The  rear  coach  of  a train  backs 
into  the  station,  and  members  of  the  show  board 
the  train  as  curtain  falls.  Everything  about  the 
show  was  good,  and  it  took  a great  deal  of  plan- 
ning and  thought  to  produce  it.  The  stage  set- 
ting was  especially  good. 


Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  August  28 

“Oceanic  Blues”  featuring  Verne  Buck  and  his 
orchestra  was  this  week’s  stage  presentation- 
“The  Gingham  Girl”  with  Lois  Wilson  and 
George  K.  Arthur  was  the  feature  film.  The 
stage  show  although  not  one  of  the  best  presented 
here  was  entertaining  and  ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  with  background 
scene  representing  lighthouse  at  a distance.  The 
orchestra  opens  with  “Highways  are  Happy 
Ways”  as  Verne  Buck  announces  Cloyde  Gris- 
wold in  a song  selection  of  this  number. 

This'  number  was  followed  by  a girl  sitting 
on  top  of  piano  who  comes  off  and  joins  the  boy 
dressed  in  soldier  costume  who  both  render  a 
clever  doll  dance. 

Big  Boy  Williams  follows  them  with  his  guitar 
imitating  various  Instruments.  His  laughing  cor- 
net and  many  other  musical  things  secured  a 
well  given  round  of  applause.  He  gave  an  encore 
with  a clever  interpretation  of  “The  Hungry 
Three”  an  old  number  which  is  so  old  that  it 
is  still  new. 

Bell  and  Coats  was  the  next  specialty  turn 
on  the  bill  who  made  their  entrance  pushing  a 
piano  on  the  stage  and  went  into  a harmony 
offering  of  comedy  songs.  These  boys  have  been 
reported  many  times  before. 


BILLY  ADAMS 

“That  Funny  Long  Fellow^* 

Just  Completed  a Tour  of  L.  & T.  Held  Over  at  the  HARDING  Theatre,  Chicago, 
Last  Week.  A PUBLIX  UNIT  to  Follow. 

Direction — Wm.  Morris  Agency. 


ADELAIDE  HALL 

(The  Versatile  Artist) 

Just  Completed  a Tour  of  Marks  Bros.  Theatres 
Now  Playing  Deluxe  Picture  Houses 

Direction — Murray  Bloom  and  Charles  Hogan 


CHASE 

**The  Unique  International  Comic” 

Just  Finished  a Tour  of  B & K and  L & T Houses 
Also  GREAT  STATES  THEATRES 
Now  Playing  KEI’PH  and  LOEW  VAUDEVILLE 
Direction — William  Morris  Agency — Thanks  to 
A1  Melnick 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Verne  Buck  next  led  his  orchestra  into  a very 
fine  arrangement  of  “A  Night  In  June”  to  which 
he  also  gave  a neat  baritone  sax  solo.  Another 
clever  act  followed  called  Moss  and  Manning, 
man  and  woman  who  gave  dance  interpretations 
opening  with  a doll  routine,  later  going  into 
Russian  eccentric.  The  young  lady  also  stepped 
a few  on  her  own  as  the  man  did  a very  clever 
tap  acrobatic.  This  act  seems  to  just  fit  into 
presentation  and  although  it  is  their  first  ap- 
pearance in  town  we  hope  it  is  not  the  last. 

Cloyd  Griswold,  the  banjoist  was  next  an- 
nounced by  Verne  Buck  to  sing  “Waiting  for 
Ships  that  Never  Come  In.”  (What  would  a band 
number  sound  like  at  this  house  without  Gris- 
wold singing.  Nope,  it  can  never  be,  the  boys 
belongs  with  the  outfit,  and  everybody  seems  to 
know  it).  After  a verse  and  two  choruses,  Gris- 
wold gives  a recitation  of  the  number  a two 
ships  slowly  pass  in  the  background  getting  close 
to  the  lighthouse.  The  effect  is  rather  unique 
and  helps  considerably  in  putting  over  the  num- 
ber. 

The  Little  Entertainei's  who  were  nothing  else 
but  a little  boy  and  girl  of  about  7 to  9 years 
of  age  followed  this  number  singing  “Side  by 
Side,”  with  a pleasing  voice,  later  doing  an  ec- 
centric tap  dance  to  the  same  tune.  The  girl 
followed  this  with  a song  and  chorus  of  “Some- 
time” using  Verne  Buck  as  the  foil  and  ending 
up  the  second  chorus  with  cute  high  kicking 
steps.  Their  burlesque  bowery  dance  was  Clevel- 
and went  over  very  nice. 

The  closing  band  number  was  a very  pretty 
arrangement  of  “Bye  Bye  Pretty  Baby”  sung 
by  the  girl  later  joined  in  by  the  entire  company 
who  essemble  on  the  stage  for  a whirlwind  song 
and  dance  finish. 

Chicago  Harding 

Week  Ending  August  28 

Al  Belasco  and  his  novelty  syncopators  offered 
a very  clever  stage  show  this  week  called  “This 
^n  That.”  Wade  Booth  and  Harry  Rappie  were 
among  the  featured  artists.  Charles  Niggemeyer 
and  Dave  Gould  deserve  a great  deal  of  credit 
for  the  clever  costuming  and  staging.  The  show 
ran  as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  representing 
Sanitarium  in  a Summer  resort  with  the  Gould 
Girls  dressed  as  nurses  wheeling  a patient  on  to 
the  stage  who  turns  out  to  be  Al  Balasco.  After 
a few  smart  remarks  the  girls  take  off  the  cos- 
tumes and  go  into  a dance  routine  to  the  band’s 
arrangement  of  “Who”  as  Al  Belasco  sings  the 
number  in  typical  musical  comedy  style  assisted 
by  the  boys  in  a soft  harmony  offering. 

The  next  band  number  was  “Magnolia”  again 
sung  by  Al  Belasco  who  after  a verse  and  chorus 
did  it  also  on  his  clarinet. 

The  Co-llette  Sisters  followed  him  with  their 
harmony  singing  and  dancing  routine  which  reg- 
istered fairly  well  at  this  performance. 

Harry  Rappie  was  the  next  performer  on  the 
bill  and  as  Rappie  has  been  reported  before  we 


wish  to  say  that  he  did  the  same  thing  here  that 
happened  at  other  houses,  in  fact  he  stopped 
this  show  and  entertained  for  several  minutes 
after. 

To  continue  the  policy  set  in  this  house  by 
a former  leader  the  band  next  struck  up  an 
arrangement  of  a classical  number  in  fox-trot 
time.  We  regret  that  the  name  was  not  secured 
but  the  interpretation  of  it  by  these  boys  was 
cleverly  done  and  the  audience  seemed  to  enjoy 
the  change. 

“The  Girl  is  You”  taken  from  “George  White*s 
Scandals”  was  next  and  as  a band  number  with 
chorus  sung  by  Belasco  and  assisted  by  the  Gould 
Girls  in  a second  chorus  who  offered  a musical 
comedy  dance  routine  to  the  tune  of  same.  Be- 
lasco worked  throughout  this  number  in  typical 
musical  style  again  proving  his  versatility  as  an 
artist  and  band  leader.  This  number  scored 
a tremendous  hit  and  compelled  them  to  come 
out  twice  to  repeat  another  verse  and  chorus  in 
song  and  dance  time. 

Wade  Booth,  the  young  baritone  who  was  re- 
ported in  a loop  house  a few  weeks  ago  made 
his  appearance  on  this  stage  with  his  interpre- 
tation of  “Kipling’s  Boots”  and  as  his  song  pro- 
gram used  a comedy  ballad  called  “My  Baby  Girl” 
the  “Vagabond  King”  and  the  “Volga  Boatman” 
which  he  sang  in  real  Russian  language.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  this  chap  is  an  artist  in  this 
line  as  the  reception  accorded  him,  proved  that. 
He  is  just  the  type  that  presentation  lacks  and 
needs  so  much.  He  caused  the  show  to  stop  here 
and  was  compelled  to  take  many  encores  before 
they  would  let  him  sign  off. 

A point  of  interest  is  the  fact  that  Booth 
carries  his  own  accompanist,  a young  lady  by 
the  name  of  Mildred  Davis  who  is  an  admirable 
aid  towards  his  successes. 

Clifton  and  Brent,  two  young  men,  one  ex- 
tremely tall  and  lean  in  a series  of  acrobatic 
tumbling  and  eccentric  steps  were  the  laugh  hit 
of  this  bill,  and  almost  walked  away  with  the 
first  place  honor. 

This  was  followed  by  a band  arrangement  of 
“Barbara”  as  the  curtain  rises  disclosing  the 
Gould  Girls  in  colonial  blouses  and  gray  wigs 
with  black  trousers,  in  type  style  who  go  into 
a dance  routine  performed  on  a staircase.  The 
costuming  and  the  routine  is  both  novel  and  cute 
and  displayed  clever  training  for  the  toe  minuet 
l>erformed. 

Finale:  With  the  same  scene,  the  girls  doing 
a split  and  the  entire  cast  essembled  on  stage. 


Chicago  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  28 

Del  Delbridge  is  back  on  the  job  after  his  an- 
nual rest  and  led  his  Capitol  Merry  Makers  in  a 
cleverly  arranged  stage  show  this  week  called 
“Rushin’  Jazz.”  The  entertainment  took  place 
as  follows: 

Opening:  In  full  stage  set  as  the  band  plays 


an  arrangement  of  “Following  You  Around,”  a 
beautiful  number  well  offered  by  the  boys. 

The  first  artists  to  be  announced  by  Delbridge 
were  the  Densmore  Sisters,  who  rendered  har- 
mony singing  and  seemed  to  please.  Prank 
Bernard  followed  the  girls  with  his  eccentric 
drunk  dance  that  registered  only  fair  at  this  per- 
formance. Frank  has  been  more  or  less  a cafe 
entertainer  lately  and  it  seems  that  he  is  losing 
his  grip  on  the  theatre  audience. 

The  next  band  number  played  by  Delbridge  and 
hie  boys  was  “Bye,  Bye  Pretty  Baby,”  inter- 
mingled with  many  brass  specialties  by  the  boys, 
each  contributing  their  own  novelty,  that  put  this 
arrangement  over  very  nicely. 

The  Two  Cadets,  who  are  othei-wise  known  as 
Harm  and  Nee,  offered  harmony  that  was  rather 
short  but  well  done.  The  boys  possess  pleasing 
voices  and  fine  personality.  They  have  been  re- 
ported once  before  in  these  columns.  This  makes 
their  second  time  in  Chicago  and  we  hope  to 
see  more  of  them. 

Rector  and  Cooper  were  next  with  their  “Par- 
ade of  the  Wooden  Soldier”  tap  routine  which 
is  so  well  known  that  all  we  can  say  is  that  they 
went  over  as  big  as  ever. 

Finale:  By  request  the  band  played  a special 
arrangement  of  “My  Lucky  Day,”  which  to  the 
best  knowledge  of  this  reporter  is  about  the  best 
arrangement  yet  heard  on  the  number.  The  boys 
sure  played  it  like  they  meant  it  to  please  every- 
body, and  if  applause  counts  for  anything,  they 
sure  did  please. 

Chicago  Chicago 

Week  Ending  August  28 

The  Chicago  offered  two  big  stage  presentations 
this  week,  the  first  being  called  “Moonlight  So- 
nata,” and  the  second  “Kid  Days.” 

“Moonlight  Sonata”  combined  the  effects  of 
Spitalny’s  orchestra,  the  stage  and  screen  being 
built  around  the  color  film  showing  incidents  in 
the  life  of  Beethoven.  The  orchestra  rises  out  of 
the  pit  on  the  rising  platform  for  the  overture 
composed  of  selections  from  Beethoven.  Then 
the  color  film  is  thrown  on  a large  scrim  curtain, 
and  as  picture  ends,  a full  stage  moonlight 
landscape  setting  appears  behind  the  scrim  cur- 
tain with  a man  and  woman  at  right  singing 
an  interpolation  of  “Moonlight  Sonata,”  their 
voices  being  augmented  by  an  unseen  chorus. 
Then  second  scrim  curtain  in  rear  appears  show- 
ing the  choiTis  dressed  in  costumes  of  Bee- 
thoven’s time.  This  double  scrim  effect  is  ex- 
tremely beautiful  and  effective. 

The  second  presentation,  “Kid  Days,”  presents 
four  different  scenes  of  childhood.  The  setting  is 
highly  decorative  with  huge  colored  slate  forming 
background,  and  during  the  presentation  this  is 
changed  to  a street  scene,  and  a military  scene. 
A large  variety  of  acts  are  presented  with  all 
the  performers  dressed  in  kid  costumes.  Due  to 
the  fact  that  none  of  the  acts  are  announced  in 
any  way  it  is  impossible  to  record  the  names  of 
the  acts.  Each  actor  does  his  bit  when  his  turn 
comes  and  is  immediately  followed  by  another, 
not  even  giving  the  audience  time  to  applaud. 
This  seems  a mistake  to  this  reix>rter,  for  many 
people  like  to  know  the  names  of  the  acts.  The 
lack  of  applause  during  this  week’s  presenta- 
tions seems  to  bear  out  in  this.  None  of  the 
acts  received  the  reception  they  deserved. 

Prominent  among  the  acts  were  a young  girl 
who  sang  “Do  I Love  You,”  “Gorgeous,”  and 
other  songs  ; a pair  of  acrobatic  dancers : a bowery 
dance ; and  a soldier  drill  number  to  the  music 
of  “Hallelujah.” 


RUTH  MARIE  MARCOTTE 

** Presentation  Prima  Donna** 

Coloratura  Soprano  Singing  Classical  and  Popular  Ballads 
Now  at  the  MARBRO  Theatre,  CHICAGO 


RAY  TURNER 

Featured  Organist 

Now  at  BALABAN  & KATZ  McVlCKERS  THEATRE,  CHICAGO. 

Also  Broadcasting  Over  Stations  WEBH  and  WJJD. 


JIMMIE  FERGUSON 

Late  Co-Starring  Comic  of 
SISSLE  & BLAKE'S  "CHOCOLATE  DADDIES” 

Also  Producer  of  the  Revues  for  CAFE  De  PARIS 

Now  Playing  the  Better  Class  Presentation  Houses 

Personal  Direction — LEO  SALKINS 

Stcindard  Oil  Bldg.,  910  So.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago 


Now  Booking  His  Own 

ORIGINAL  NOVELTY 
“20  BARRELS  OF  FUN” 
For  Picture  Theaters 
Also 

Discovery  Nights ! 

CALL  — WIRE  — WRITE ! 


1001  Woods  'Theatre 
Bldg.,  54  W.  Ran- 
dolph St.,  Chicago 
Tel.  State  2147-2148 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  August  28 

This  marks  the  debut  of  Frankie  Masters  as  the 
new  stage  band  leader  alternating  between  this 
house  and  the  Tivoli  Chicago.  Masters,  formerly 
a member  of  Bennie  Krueger’s  band  has  been 
surrounded  with  a capable  cast  and  a wonderful 
band  for  his  opening  show,  which  ran  as  fol- 
lows : 

Opening:  In  full  stage  setting  to  represent 
interior  of  an  Arab’s  tent  beautifully  decorated 
with  colored  lights  as  the  Market  Girls  attired 
in  beautiful  white  Arabian  costumes  make  their 
entrance  singing  “Shiek  of  Araby”  to  the  band’s 
arangement  of  same  as  they  parade  up  and 
down  the  runway. 

At  this  point  Frankie  Masters  enters  from 
back-ground  center  costumed  as  a shiek  and  after 
thanking  the  audience  for  the  wonderful  tribute 
shown  him  for  his  first  appearance  as  band 
leader  he  goes  into  a song  selection  of  “No  Won- 
der I’m  Happy”  using  that  as  the  feature  num- 
ber of  the  show  with  a special  version  denoting 
that  he  was  happy  for  the  occasion.  The  num- 
ber was  offered  with  a banjo  accompaniment  as- 
sisted by  the  band  who  also  played  the  tune. 
“The  next  band  arrangement  led  by  Frankie 
Masters  was  a very  pretty  tune  which  is  becom- 
ing quite  popular  and  is  called  “Just  Once 
Again,”  the  spirit  of  these  boys  displayed  in  the 
playing  of  this  number  as  well  as  others  showed 
that  they  were  highly  enthused  not  only  with 
the  audience  reception  but  with  the  youth  and 
personality  that  led  them  through  the  various 
numbers. 

After  this  number  Gus  Mulchay  came  on  with 
his  harmonica  to  do  his  stuff  as  he  has  in  other 
houses  before.  Frankie  Masters  next  announced 
a new  number  called  “Blue  Ribbon”  to  which  he 
also  sang  and  in  this  number  introduced  Louis 
Panico  the  trumpeter  who  offered  a solo  of  the 
song  and  also  interpolated  the  “Wabash  Blues” 
in  iaughing  style.  During  this  scene  a scrim 
presentation  took  effect  in  background  of  a vik- 
ing boat  with  the  Market  Girls  decorating  same. 
Ginger  Rogers  followed  this  with  a male  version 
of  “She  Don’t  Wanna’  ” using  Frankie  Masters 
as  a foil.  Ginger  is  a cute  little  girl  wearing 
a boyish  bob  and  is  typical  John  Held,  Jr.,  cartoon 
girl.  Her  second  number  was  called  "So  Will  I” 
and  was  done  as  a duet  with  Masters  and  went 
over  very  nicely.  The  girl  is  a clever  entertainer 
with  a style  all  of  her  own  and  makes  you  like 
her  more  and  more  as  you  see  her. 

Fritz  and  Jean  Hubert  followed  her  with  a 
fast  acrobatic  tumbling  turn  in  which  they  of- 
fered many  novel  twists  and  spins  which  stopped 
this  show.  The  couple  worked  in  neat  attire 
with  all  the  ease  and  gracefulness  required  for 
this  sort  of  work. 

Frankie  Masters  follewed  this  with  a song 
interpretation  of  “Me  and  My  Shadow”  done  with 
a recitation  and  aided  by  spot-light  giving  the 
effect  of  his  shadow  on  the  wall.  This  number 
as  well  as  the  way  it  was  offered  was  impres- 
sive and  well  liked.  The  Market  Girls  come  on 
again  with  a novel  dance  routine  in  Tiller  style 
costumed  with  odd  outfits  and  tali  black  cone 
hats  and  periot  bodice.  They  were  followed  by 
a band  arrangement  of  “Annabelle  Lee”  a hot 
tune  intermingled  with  specialties  by  the  boys. 

Another  very  clever  artist  who  showed  his 
wares  on  this  bill  was  Tyler  Mason,  a blackface 
with  comedy  suit  who  opened  with  a song  called 
“Someone  to  Lullaby  Me,”  and  dispersed  the 
routine  with  smart  chatter  and  clever  gags.  One 
of  the  treats  he  gave  was  the  wonderful  inter- 
pretation of  “Roses  of  Picardy”  in  which  he 
displayed  his  talent  not  only  as  an  artist  but 

Bill  Bennett 

Featured  Organist 

L.  & T.  Belpark 
Theatre 

CHICAGO 


as  a singer  with  voice  and  volume.  Mason  is  a 
clever  chap  and  should  be  a good  bet  for  stage 
bandshows. 

Finale:  Scrim  set  of  girls  posing  on  platform 
as  Masters  sings  “Ali  Baba  Days”  a special  song. 

Observation:  Sound  judgment  was  exercised 

in  making  Masters  the  new  band  leader  as  his 
past  popularity  is  bound  to  make  him  an  out- 
standing figure  some  day. 


St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  August  26 

Waring’s  Pennsylvanians  held  over  for  the 
week  gave  “Campus  Frolics,”  the  novelty  show 
which  has  gained  for  them  such  widespread  popu- 
larity throughout  the  country.  It  included  an  all 
new  jazz  program. 

Tom  Waring,  tenor  soloist,  sang  several  of  the 
very  latest  popular  tunes,  in  addition  to  leading 
his  band. 

The  stage  setting  for  Campus  Frolics  was  very 
effective.  The  band  acted  as  a bunch  of  very 
high  and  mighty  sophomores,  and  what  they 
didn*t  do  to  a wee  cute  little  freshie  isn’t  in  the 
collegiate  papers.  Paddles  were  used  and  also 
blanket  tossing,  and  then  the  poor  freshie  is 
forced  to  drag  in  the  bandstand.  Then  the  col- 
lege capers  are  cut  and  the  music  and  other 
fun  begins. 

For  his  overture  Leonid  Leonardi  selected  “Or- 
pheus.” Lewis  Williams,  tenor,  sang  with  the 
orchestra  while  the  Ambassador  Rockets  danced. 


A Presentation 
Service 

Any  exhibitor  who  is  contemplating  a 
policy  of  presentation  of  stagehand  shows, 
either  on  a large  or  small  scale,  and  de- 
sires to  secure  information  regarding  the 
booking  of  specialty  acts  or  anything  per- 
taining to  the  proper  launching  of  stage 
entertainment  is  welcomed  to  make  use  of 
this  publication  by  writing  in  at  any  time 
for  any  suggestions  about  the  above  policy. 

The  Presentation  Department  of  The 
Herald  has  made  arrangements  with  some 
of  the  best  informed  people  in  these  lines 
and  has  at  its  command  all  the  data  and 
information  that  will  enable  you  to  install 
this  or  any  form  of  stage  entertainment 
in  your  theatre,  either  as  a permanent 
policy  or  for  extra  added  attractions  on 
certain  nights  and  occasions  such  as  na- 
tional holidays,  etc. 

We  will  be  only  too  glad  to  assist  you 
in  securing  the  best  material  and  talent 
that  your  appropriation  can  buy,  and  we 
sincerely  recommend  the  best  of  results  if 
the  advice  of  our  experts  is  followed. 


Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  August  20 

Saxophone  and  clarinet  syncopation  warmed  the 
atmosphere  during  “Non-Stop  to  Mars,”  wherein 
Boyd  Senter  purveyed  pleasing  jazz  tunes. 

A number  of  fine  stage  effects  have  been  em- 
ployed in  this  production  and  there  was  much 
spirited  tap  dancing  by  a young  man  and  woman. 
The  black  bottom  chorus  as  well  as  a group  in 
tramp  makeup  who  try  their  feet  at  esthetic 
dancing  also  proved  outstanding. 

Guila  Bustabo,  juvenile  violinist  with  excellent 
technique,  was  an  added  attraction. 

Boston  Loew* s State 

Week  Ending  August  20 

Jan  Garber  and  his  Victor  Mirth  Makers  pro- 
vide the  presentation  number  with  a wealth  of 
comedy  and  music,  cleverly  intermingled.  From 
the  volume  of  applause  which  followed,  it  is  safe 
to  say  the  audience  would  be  willing  to  pay  full 
admission  for  two  hours  of  fun  by  this  group. 

Beth  Challis,  dainty  singing  comedienne,  as- 
sisted by  Eddie  Lambert,  provides  the  feminine 
part  of  a program  which  is  otherwise  unusually 
masculine.  Her  solo  numbers,  especially  “Blue 
Ridge,”  are  well  deserving  of  the  spontaneous 
approval  registered. 

The  stage  presentations  are  introduced  by  an 
organlogue,  “At  Sundown.”  with  Birge  Peterson 
at  the  console  of  the  Wurlitzer. 

An  Edgar  Guest  poem.  “Ma  and  the  Auto.” 
Topics  accompanied  by  the  organ  selection.  “Shak- 
ing the  Blues  Away.”  a comedy  reel  and  “The 
Bugle  Call”  as  the  feature  film,  complete  the 
program. 

St.  Louis  Loewis  State 

Week  Ending  August  19 

Loew’s  State  was  celebrating  its  third  anni- 
versary and  in  keeping  with  this  occasion  Don 
Albert  arranged  an  elaborate  overture  number. 
He  selected  a number  of  gypsy  airs  and  put  12 
dancing  girls  on  the  stage  with  tabourines.  He 
chose  a transparent  screen  that  resembled  a huge 
tambourine  before  the  lights  were  on. 

At  the  proper  moment  there  was  flashed  on  this 
screen  the  words  of  "Roam  On.  My  Little  Gypsy 
Sweethearts,”  while  lights  behind  the  screen  re- 
vealed a covered  wagon  and  two  gypsies  who  sang 
the  words  to  the  organ  accompaniment  by  Tom 
Terry.  Naomi  Von  Achen,  .soprano,  and  Elmer 
MacDonald,  barytone,  were  the  singers. 

The  stageshow  proper  started  with  the  playing 
of  Tommy  Christian’s  Dixie  Melodists,  who  were 
grouped  around  a huge  birthday  cake  with  three 
graduated  layers,  reaching  the  proscenium  arch. 
There  were  electrically  lighted  candles  on  two  of 
the  layers  and  three  very  large  ones  on  the  top. 

Christian  directed  the  music  and  acted  as  master 
of  ceremonies.  Florence  Brady  was  the  blues  spe- 
cialist with  the  band,  while  the  Janette  Sisters 
proved  two  exceptional  dancers.  Ballet  girls  ap- 
peared from  behind  cake  and  posed  on  the  layers. 


SOLOS  organ  solos  for  rental 

The  Last  Word  in  Community  Singing 

Week  to  Week  Stunts — Original  Organlogues 
JIMMY  SAVAGE 

Community  805  WOODS  THEATRE  BLDG.,  CHICAGO  Presentations 


KENNETH  ANDERSON 

Featured  Organist 

METROPOLITAN  (Formerly  Ascher)  CHICAGO 

(Photoplay  Syncronizing  a Specialty) 


JELLY  BEAN  JOHNSON 

(The  Lightning  Streak  of  Darkness) 

Now  Playing  DeLuxe  Picture  Houses  Throughout  the  West  Coast. 
Featured  in  FANCHON  and  MARCO  Presentations 
Booked  Solid  until  November  First 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Chicago  Norshore 

Week  Ending  September  3 

Al/*  that  was  the  name  of  the  first 
stagehand  show  presented  at  this  house  on  open- 
ing night,  August  28.  As  we  stated  in  our 
lead  story  that’s  printed  on  page  33  of  this  sec- 
tion the  crowd  out  here  just  swallowed  every- 
thing with  hook,  sinker  and  line.  A1  Kvale 
and  His  Jazz  Collegians  were  more  than  good, 
they  were  better  than  the  people  expected  to  see 
at  this  house.  The  stage  show,  although  quite 
long,  due  to  the  waits  for  applause  and  reception 
was  one  of  the  best  yet  witnessed  in  any  Loop 
the^re,  if  not  in  any  presentation  house. 

Harry  Gourfain,  the  producer  did  a fine  job 
of  everything  and  all  connected  with  this  offer- 
ing receive  our  most  high  compliment.  Lack  of 
space  prevents  us  from  raving  on  about  this 
show  but  due  credit  goes  to  everybody  as  fol- 
lows; 

Opening:  In  full  stage  with  band  boys  play- 
ing catchy  tune  as  Abbott  Girls  dressed  in  cute 
costumes  come  out  on  runway  singing  special 
lyrics  to  “Hello  Cutie”  meant  for  “Al.“  After 
this  number  a huge  sliding  set  is  pushed  on 
the  stage  bearing  two  large  painted  saxophones 
on  it  and  from  above  appears  “Al”  himself  play- 
ing his  sax.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  the  house 
went  wild  about  him  and  showed  it  in  their 
reception.  Al’s  solo  here  was  “When  Day  Is 
Done”  well  played  too. 

He  next  led  the  boys  into  a band  arrangement 
of  “Brotherly  Love”  and  they  sure  showed  plenty 
of  that. 

The  first  act  introduced  were  the  Hearst  Bros., 
two  boys  not  more  than  ten  and  fifteen  years 
apiece  who  sang  in  a fine  voice  of  mellow  range 
such  numbers  as  “Just  Like  a Butterfly.”  and 
the  “Whisper  Song.”  Both  clever  and  well  liked. 

The  Abbotts  came  on  again  with  dance  routine 
on  platform  working  down  a staircase  to  the 
band’s  tune  of  “Grand  and  Glorious  Feeling.” 

Then  came  our  charming  prima  donna,  Ilomay 
Bailey  who  gave  them  a treat  in  the  offering  of 
a love  song  from  “Romeo  and  Juliet”  together 
with  “So  Blue.”  This  young  lady  has  such  a 
splendid  range  and  colorful  voice  one  could  hear 
her  sing  forever. 

A band  arrangement  of  “Dewey  Day”  followed 
sung  by  the  boys  with  a clarinet  solo  by  Kvale. 

Jack  and  Kay  Spangler  reported  before  in  these 
columns  also  appeared  here  with  their  clever 
routine. 

After  this  the  treat  was  served  in  the  way  of 
Lester  Allen,  the  pint  sized  comedian,  late  of 
“Le  Maire’s  Affairs.”  He  dressed  funny  and 
acted  funnier  and  stopped  the  show  cold  with  his 
offering. 

Only  upon  mention  that  he  would  do  some 
more  later  did  they  let  him  go  off.  An  arrange- 
ment of  “Just  Once  Again”  followed  with  a vio- 


lin solo  by  Harry  Collin  and  a sax  solo  by  Al. 
Thp  boys  did  a nice  job  of  this  number. 

At  this  point  a boy  not  announced  came  on 
and  whistled  the  tune  first  straight  and  then 
as  song  birds  and  he  sure  did  whistle  some. 
Lester  Allen  came  back  here  with  loose  clothes 
and  comedy  chatter  and  then  for  several  min- 
utes the  house  lights  were  on  and  smiling  and 
roaring  faces  could  be  seen  from  every  direction. 

For  an  encore  Allen  paid  Kvale  a wonderful 
tribute  and  the  show  went  on  with  a band  ar- 
rangement of  “By  the  Light  of  the  Stars,”  sung 
by  Clem  Dacey  with  special  lyrics  taking  in  all 
the  band  leaders  in  town.  At  this  point  a large 
white  star  was  let  down  in  background  with 
Al’s  name  on  it  as  girls  ensemble  on  stage  for 
finale. 

Observation:  Great!  That’s  the  way  everyone 
expressed  themselves  going  out  of  the  theatre 
aftei*  the  last  show.  We  say  it’s  great  also, 
and  predict  a great  future  for  Kvale  as  band- 
leader. With  this  policy  the  Norshore  is  bound 
to  keep  its  people  in  the  neighborhood. 

Note:  Chauncey  Haines*  organ  solo  was  also 
dedicated  to  Al  Kvale’s  opening  and  went  over 
very  big. 


Operators  Strike  Robs 
Chicago  Public  of 
Presentations 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  Chi- 
cago motion  picture  theatre  operating,  or- 
ders were  received  on  Monday  afternoon, 
August  29th  to  the  effect  that  all  motion 
picture  theatres  and  those  carrying  a com- 
bination policy  of  either  vaudeville,  or 
presentation  and  pictures,  were  to  shut 
down  from  doing  business  at  the  box- 
ofiBce  that  night  at  6 o’clock.  This  was 
all  due  to  the  sudden  walkout  of  two  mo- 
tion picture  operators  employed  at  the 
Belmont  theatre,  Chicago,  formerly  a 
Lubliner  & Trinz  house,  and  operated  by 
the  Orpheum  Circuit. 

These  orders  were  issued  by  Jack  Mil- 
ler, president  of  the  Chicago  Exhibitors 
Association  to  members  of  his  organiza- 
tion against  the  Chicago  Motion  Picture 
Operators  Union  for  unfair  demands. 

Until  an  understanding  is  reached  by 
both  organizations,  all  Chicago  motion 
picture  theatres  amounting  to  about  359 
will  remain  closed.  The  only  houses  that 
remained  opened  on  the  eve  of  the  strike 
were  the  Cooney  Bros.,  Circuit,  the 
Schoenstadts  theatres  and  the  Randolph, 
the  only  Loop  house  that  stayed  open  for 
business. 


THE  PROGRESSIVE  ORGANIST 

Will  Be  Interested  in  Learning  That  at  Last  He  Can  Get  Original 
Show  Stopping  Organ  Novelties 
We  Have  a Very  Interesting  Plan  to  Submit 
WRITE  VS  AT  ONCE! 

PARAMOUNT  SLIDE  RENTAL  SERVICE 
WOODS  BLDG  — CHICAGO,  ILL. 


EDGAR  AMSTEIN 

Featured  Organist 

CENTRAL  PARK  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 
(BALABAN  & KATZ) 


“JAZZ-LIPS”  RICHARDSON 

The  Most  Talked  of  Eccentric  Dancer  in  Bandshoivs 

Featured  this  week  with  Hughie  Mack’s  Syncopation  Show  at  the 
AMBASSADOR  Theatre,  Chicago 
Direction — EZ  KEOUGH 


GALLO  SAYS: 


jN  spite  of  the  Chicago  Motion  Picture  Opera- 
tors strike  the  Avalon,  Cooney’s  new  deluxe 
South  Side  house  opened  to  the  largest  crowd  ever 
to  attend  an  oi>ening.  . . . Speaking  of  openings  the 
Norshore  theatre,  also  of  Chicago,  just  opened 
with  their  new  policy  with  Al  Kvale  as  band 
leader.  . . . “What  Price  Glory”  and  its  accom- 
panying prologue  now  in  its  second  week’s  run 
at  the  Roxy  theatre  will  be  held  over  for  another 
week.  . . . Joe  Hiller,  general  professional  man- 
ager for  Waterson,  Berlin  & Snyder  was  a Chi- 
cago visitor  last  week.  . . . Ray  Turner  formerly 
of  the  North  Center  theatre,  Chicago,  is  now 
feature  organist  at  MeVicker’s.  ...  It  is  reported 
that  the  orchestra  at  the  North  Center  was  given 
its  notice.  . . . Lew  Goldberg,  formerly  of  Publix 
New  York  Press  department,  is  now  in  Chicago  in 
charge  of  Publix  Units  Publicity.  . . . While  on 
the  subject  of  press  agents  let  us  also  state  here 
that  our  good  friend  Bill  Jacobs,  press  director  of 
Newman’s  Kansas  City  and  other  Publix  interests 
was  also  a Chicago  visitor  last  week.  . . . Sam 
Coslow  of  Spier  & Coslow  Music  Co.,  came  to 
Chicago  last  week  to  establish  a new  branch  for 
the  firm.  . . . Ginger  Rogers  is  being  featured  in 
the  new  Publix  unit  leaving  Chicago  this  week 
called  “Kid  Days”.  . . . This  makes  her  second 
trip  around  the  circuit.  . . . The  Duncan  Sisters 
have  been  booked  to  appear  at  the  Chicago  thea- 
tre next  month  together  with  their  photoplay  of 
“Topsy  & Eva”.  . . . Don  Albert  for  three  years 
musical  director  of  Loew’s  State  theatre 
in  St.  Louis,  leaves  to  organize  a new 
symphony  orchestra  for  the  Loew  house 

in  Pittsburgh.  . . . Maurice  Cook,  former 

musical  director  for  super  films  and  of  the 
Kinema  theatre  of  Los  Angeles,  is  now  the  fea- 
tured organist  at  the  new  Indiana  theatre  of  In- 
dianapolis. . . . Grace  Aldrich,  of  vaudeville,  was 
selected  by  Sam  Herman  to  appear  in  last  week’s 
Paul  Ash  Sunday  Club  show.  . . . Dave  Lipton  in 
charge  of  theatre  publicity  for  Balaban  & Katz 
is  responsible  for  the  huge  success  of  the  “Herald- 
Examiner  Bathing  Beauty  Contest”  for  Miss  Chi- 
cago. . . . The  winner  has  been  booked  to  appear 
in  all  the  B.  & K.  houses.  . . . James  A.  Scott 
is  the  fine  young  fellow  that  greets  you  at  the 
Oriental  back  stage  office.  . . . “Scotty”  as  he  is 
called  by  all  his  friends,  is  Paul  Ash’s  secretary. 

. . . The  Ambassador  theatre  of  St.  Louis  cele- 
brates its  first  anniversary  next  week.  . . . Peggy 
Bonier,  Milton  Watson,  Boyd  Senter  and  others 
will  be  in  a huge  birthday  revue.  . . . Maurice 
Grunsky,  reported  to  be  one  of  the  highest  paid 
radio  artists  in  the  country  will  appear  in  West 
Coast  presentations.  ...  It  is  rumored  that  Wade 
Booth  will  go  into  the  Diversey  theatre,  Chicago, 
as  its  master  of  ceremonies  with  the  new  stage- 
band  show  policy.  . . . Another  young  Chicago 
chap  to  make  his  debut  next  week  as  a band 
leader  is  Billy  Meyer  former  singer  of  the  Paul 
Ash  shows.  Meyer  starts  to  rotate  with  the  pres- 
entations at  the  Uptown,  Oriental  and  Tower 
theatre,  Milwaukee  next  week  after  the  opening 
of  the  new  Uptown. 

A.  RAYMOND  GALLO. 

Des  Moines  Des  Moines 

Week  Ending  Aug.  13 

“Metropolis”  was  the  feature  picture  with 
musical  accompaniment  by  Willard  Moore  and  his 
orchestra.  Vergne  Ford  at  the  organ,  played  a 
novelty,  “My  Own  Movie  Show,”  in  which  he 
depicted  a dream  with  the  various  actors  and 
actresses  and  actors  requesting  special  songs. 
There  was  little  response  from  the  audiences. 


ANITA-DeMARS 

anti 

LEONARD  M.  SALVO 

FEATURED  ORGANISTS 

at  the 

CAPITOL  THEATRE 
CHICAGO 

“A  National  Playhouse” 
(COONEY  BROS.) 


The  young  beauty  and  fresh-  charm  of  OLIVE  BORDEN  alone 
would  be  sufficient  to  make  this  FOX  picture  truly  a joy  picture, 
but  it  has  many  distinctions.  Palm  Beach  is  its  background,  and  an 
air  of  social  luxury  pervades  it.  Tropical  beauty  frames  every  scene, 
with  Technicolor  skilfully  preserving  and  presenting  the  high  notes. 
An  intriguing  love  story;  an  ingenious  plot;  a cast  to  marvel  at,  with 
Neil  Hamilton,  Helen  Chandler,  Mary  Alden  and  two  old  (but  never 
antique!)  favorites — Marie  Dressier  and  William  Norris;  and  above 
all,  through  all — youth,  rampant,  cocksure  youth!  JOY  is  the  Sur- 
name of  this  picture  and  GIRL  is  its  family  name  — truly!  A box 
office  bon  bon!  One  of  the  best  and  sweetest  Olive  Borden  pictures! 


One  of  the  53  FOX  PROFIT  PICTURES  for  Good  Showmen 


OLIVE  BORDEN’S  /m/or  the  season 

"THE  JOY  GIRL” 

A WILLIAM  FOX  PROFIT  PICTURE 
ALLAN  DWAN  PRODUCTION 

From  May  Edginton’s  Saturday  Evening  Post  Story.  The  matrimonial  mix-ups 
of  a fortune-hunting  flapper — with  Palm  Beach  as  a setting,  humor  as  a flavor 
and  Technicolor  supplying  the  spice. 


Oh  you  Exhibitor! 

Here’s  Youth  and  Allurement  for  you! 


Cast 

OLIVE  BORDEN 
NEIL  HAMILTON 
MARIE  DRESSLER 
MARY  ALDEN 


■VTILLIAM  NORRIS 
HELEN  CHANDLER 
JERRY  MILEY 
FRANK  WALSH 
CLARENCE  ELMER 
PEGGY  KELLY 
JIMMY  GRAINGER,  Jr. 


Shorts!  Shorts!  Shorts! 


The  House  of  Fox  has  long  been  the  House  of 
superior  Shorts.  Just  as  dimes  make  dollars 
Fox  Shorts  make  the  Program.  And  first 
and  foremost,  always,  is 

FOX  NEWS  104  Issues 


26  FOX  COMEDIES 


26  FOX  VARIETIES 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


Presentation 

LETTERS 

In  this  open  forum  those  interested  in 
presentation  may  discuss  important 
matters  bearing  upon  this  phase  of  thea- 
tre entertainment.  Only  signed  letters 
will  be  published. 


PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Just 
returned  from  my  vacation,  have  considerable 
work  to  do,  and  I naturally  am  trying  to  get 
organized. 

I have  taken  your  copy  for  a number  of  years, 
can  afford  an  advertisement,  and  may  see  fit  to 
do  it  in  the  near  future,  when  I am  not  so 
rushed.  I will  think  it  over. 

I liked  my  brothers  ad,  Leo  Terry,  very  much, 
and  may  consider  that.  Thanking  you  very  much, 
I am.  Sincerely,  TOM  TERRY,  Loew’s  State 
theatre,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Al- 
low me  to  offer  a woi'd  of  praise  to  the  “Ex- 
hibitors Herald,”  for  helping  the  various  theatre 
managers  throughout  the  country  and  assisting 
them  in  putting  on  real  stage  presentations.  All 
one  needs  to  do  is  to  pick  up  the  Exhibitors 
Herald  and  read  their  columns,  which  is  a great 
asset  for  any  theatre,  they  can  secure  a lot  of 
valuable  information  from  its  columns  and  can 
get  some  clever  ideas  in  presenting  something 
new  and  novel  for  the  theatre.  It  not  only  helps 
them  but  keeps  them  in  line  with  the  other  lead- 
ing theatres  of  what  is  being  done  in  the  other 
cities. 

One  cannot  say  enough  in  behalf  of  the  good 
work  the  Exhibitors  Herald  has  done  for  the 
betterment  of  the  theatres. 

Again  thanking  you  for  your  kind  assistance 
and  co-oi)eration,  and  with  kind  personal  regards, 
I remain,  very  truly  yours,  L,  M.  CONRAD, 
Grand  Amusement  Co.,  Johnstown,  Pa. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS  — To  the  Editor: 
Thought  you  would  appreciate  my  sending  you  a 
sketch  of  my  Solo.  I have  had  unusual  success 
in  all  my  solos  and  am  the  youngest  featured 
girl  organist  in  Los  Angeles. 

I am  playing  in  the  city's  newest  Theatre 
downtown  located  on  8th  and  Broadway.  My 
solos  are  received  by  a hearty  applause.  My 
organ  is  a Wurlitzer.  I featured  "Kiss  Me 
Again”  with  the  "Lesson  in  Love”  of  my  own 
arrangement.  Our  picture  was  “Love  Makes  ’Em 
Wild”  and  “Mr.  Wu,”  Thanking  you  if  you 
would  please  mention  this  in  your  Herald.  I 
remain,  MISS  PEGGY  BOWER.  Bard’s  Chinese 
Theatre,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS  — To  the  Editor.  I 
have  your  letter  of  July  30th  and  in  reply  will 
say  that  I would  like  very  much  to  have  you 
send  “The  Exhibitors  Herald”  to  me.  Also  would 
like  to  know  something  more  regarding  your 
advertising  proposition  that  you  mentioned. 
Thanking  you  for  your  interest,  I am.  Very 
truly  yours,  JACK  MARTIN,  Saxe’s  Tower  Thea- 
tre, Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Givot  to  Leave  Stage 
For  Films 

Word  in  received  that  George  Givot  now  making 
his  second  tour  of  deluxe  picture  houses  in  Chi- 
cago will  soon  be  starred  in  a series  of  two- 
reel  comedies  which  will  go  into  production  some 
time  in  the  early  part  of  1928.  It  is  understood 
that  the  type  of  stories  to  be  produced  will  be 
a series  of  college  comedy  dramas  with  Givot 
playing  the  collegian  type  that  he  has  made  so 
well  known  on  the  stage  in  the  last  few  years. 
Givot  who  just  completed  a Vitaphone  arrange- 
ment while  in  Los  Angeles  also  just  finished  a 
20  weeks  tour  of  Fanchon  and  Marco  presenta- 
tions and  will  appear  next  week  as  featured 
artist  at  the  new  Avalon  theatre,  Chicago. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


Peggy  Bower  (Bard’s  Chinese,  Los  Angeles) 
U'=ed  for  her  orcan  solo  for  week  ending  August 
21st  a stunt  called  “A  lesson  in  Love,”  featuring 
‘‘Kiss  Me  Again.”  ‘‘One  Summer  Night.”  and 
‘‘I’ll  Think  of  You.”  These  numbei’s  went  over 
very  big.  Miss  Bower  is  considered  the  youngest 
featured  .o-irl  organist  in  Los  Angedes  and  is 
considerably  popular  at  this  house  for  her  musi- 
cal selections. 


Bill  Bennett  (Chicago  Belpark)  just  returned 
from  his  vacation  and  offered  for  his  community 
singing  program  the  ‘‘Trial  and  Tribulations” 
of  a traveling  organist  and  the  bad  dreams  he 
had  while  away  flepicting  his  audience  as  against 
community  singing.  His  slides  also  stat^^d  that 
his  next  vacation  would  be  spent  at  the  theatre. 
The  son"  pro"^am  ponsisted  of  ‘‘Tinder  the 
Moon,”  “You  Don’t  Like  It,”  and  “Dew-Dew- 
Dewey  Days.”  Bennett  replaced  Hawley  who 
formerly  played  this  organ. 


Arthur  Richter  (Wisconsin.  Milwaukee)  at  the 
organ  presented  for  his  number,  with  the  words 
flashed  upon  the  screen  so  that  the  audience  could 
join  in  singing.  “Just  Like  a Butterfly,”  “Under 
the  Moon,”  “I’d  Walk  a Million  Miles.”  and 
“When  the  Pussy  Willow  Whispers  to  the  Cat- 
nip.” 


J.  Virgil  Huffman  (Chicago,  Irving)  presented 
a solo  entitled,  “Foolish  Questions.”  featuring 
“On  a Dew,  Dew,  Dewey  Day.”  This  solo  gave 
Huffman  an  oru>ortunity  to  inject  a personal 
touch  by  turning  his  face  to  his  audience  and 
kidding  with  them  at  the  end  of  each  question, 
before  the  answer  appeared  on  the  screen.  A 
novel  talking  stunt  was  used  to  introduce  “Under 
the  Moon.”  Other  tunes  used  included  “You 
Don’t  Like  It”  and  “Me  and  My  Shadow.” 


Edward  K.  House  (Chicago  Marbro),  the  sing- 
ing organist  offered  for  this  week’s  solo  “Russian 
Lullaby,”  “It  All  Depends  On  You.”  “Baby 
Feet.”  House  who  is  a regular  contributor  for 
the  entertainment  of  this  audience  isi  steadily 
becoming  one  of  the  main  features  of  the 
program. 


Milton  Charles  (Chicago  Uptown)  is  back  from 
his  vacation  and  offered  “Grand  and  Glorious 
Feeling,”  “Ain’t  She  Sweet?”  “Blue  Skies”  and  a 
medley  of  other  numbers  to  his  comedy  illu- 
strated slides  which  told  a story  about  the  golfing 
and  fishing  days  while  away  from  his  organ.  As 
usual  Charles  injected  his  jazz  syncopation  play- 
ing for  the  finish  which  has  made  him  ix>pular 
at  this  house. 


Edmund  C.  Fitch  (Chicago  Sheridan),  called 
this  week’s  solo  “They’ve  Got  a Radio  Now,” 
which  is  a continuing  chapter  of  his  characters 
“Jazzamine  Wilde”  and  “Hi  Hat.”  “Positively, 
Absolutely”  was  the  first  number  with  “Worrying” 
sung  by  a man  off-stage  and  a medley  of  “Vir- 
ginia” as  Fitoh  started  syncopating  the  tune  in 
the  second  chorus.  A slide  next  announced  the 
“Electrola”  which  played  a record  of  “That  Saxo- 
phone Waltz”  which  was  recorded  by  Verne  Buck 
and  his  orchestra,  and  accomi>anied  by  Fitch’s 
jazz-symphonic  arrangement  on  the  organ.  A 
novel  stunt  that  was  very  well  given  and  re- 
ceived. 


Harold  Ramsay  (Indianapolis  Indiana)  offered 
his  best  program  during  the  week  ending  July 
30  since  the  opening  of  the  theatre.  He  played 
a group  of  Russian  selections  built  around  Irving 
Berlin’s  “Russian  Lullaby.” 


Arthur  Gutow  (Detroit  Michigan)  played  selec- 
tions from  Russian  Melodies  during  the  week  end- 
ing July  30,  among  the  pieces  being  “The  Volga 
Boat  Song.”  “March  of  the  Mannikins”  and  “Rus- 
sian Lullaby.” 


John  H.  La  Mothe  (Lincoln  theatre,  Lincoln, 
111.)  reports  for  the  benefit  of  other  organists 
that  he  used  a stunt  last  week  called  “A  Hard 
Luck  Story,”  blending  the  tune  of  “If  You  See 
Sally”  as  the  main  theme  for  the  solo.  This,  as 
usual,  secured  good  results. 


Harold  T,  Pease  (Washington  Colony)  offered 
his  patrons  “At  Sundown”  with  a set  of  special 
gag  slides.  The  last  slides  were  unusual.  They 
had  music  as  well  as  words  on  them.  As  an  en- 
core he  did  a medley  of  Berlin  hits  with  slides. 
Feature,  “See  You  in  Jail.” 


NEW  SONGS 

Reviewed  by 

IRENE  JUNO 

(Instructor  Washington  College  of  Music) 


I’LL  TELL  THE  WORLD— (Jenkins  & Co.)— 
A fox  trot,  easy  to  sing.  The  tune  goes  the  way 
you  think  it  ought  to  and  you  will  remember  it. 

« s?:  « 

BABY  YOUR  MOTHER— (Feist)— Is  a direct 
mother  appeal.  Seems  we  have  been  fed  up  on 
appeals  of  all  sorts  but  it  might  go  over. 

❖ >5:  * 

Right  here  seems  the  time  and  place  to  talk 
about  the  Simonized  arra.ngcments  Feist  is  putting 
out.  Most  of  the  folks  I have  talked  to  find  the 
arrangements  confusing.  The  jumps  from  one 
manuel  to  another  are  indicated  by  lines  and  are 
often  confused  with  lines  indicating  measures, 
and  so  much  writing  of  Man.  I and  Man.  II  take 
up  space  and  makes  the  whole  thing  a mess. 
An  organist  who  can  play  does  not  need  such 
an  arrangement.  He  is  clever  enough  to  “jump” 
of  his  own  accord,  and  for  the  younger  organist 
it  looks  like  a net  work  of  subway  tracks.  Feist 
numbers  are  good,  with  few  exceptions,  and  should 
stand  on  their  own  merit  and  not  be  “(fobbed” 
up  with  extra  lines  and  meaningless  words.  If 
any  good  organist  can  truthfully  say  he  has  bene- 
fited by  said  arrangement,  may  I have  his  name 
to  put  in  my  little  book  as  being  the  first,  and  I 
shall  recommend  him  for  first  prize  in  contest  of 
“Cross  word  puzzle  experts.” 

HEAVEN  HELP  A SAILOR  ON  A NIGHT 
LIKE  THIS — (Jack  Mills) — While  not  so  new, 
you  will  have  to  look  a long  time  to  find  a better 
comedy  song.  It  has  a catchy  melody  which 
most  comedy  songs  lack.  Is  still  being  need  with 
much  success  by  traveling  bands. 

^ 

JUST  ONCE  AGAIN — (Feist) — A slow  fox  trot, 
most  of  it  being  done  in  half  notes.  Might  take 
with  the  ones  who  don’t  approve  of  i>€p  and 
parties.  The  second  phrase  of  chorus  is  exact 
repetition  of  first,  but  you  end  on  last  two 
measures  instead  of  modulating  to  begin  all  over. 

« « « 

FLUTTER  BY  BUTTERFLY— (Forster)— Hurry 
and  get  this  fox  trot.  A liquid  melody  that 
runs  right  under  your  fingers,  and  it  should 
be  one  of  the  big  hits  of  the  season.  I would 
cheerfully  put  away  my  season’s  pass,  issued 
by  Lawrence  Beatus  of  Loew’s  Palace,  Washing- 
ton, and  pay  my  dollar  admission  to  hear  the  red 
headed  tenor  with  Jan  Garber’s  orchestra  sing 
this  number.  And  when  any  one  gets  a dollar 
away  from  me  you  know  they  are  good.  Get 
this  number. 

* ^ ❖ 

ALONG  MIAMI  SHORE— (Forster)— Another 
good  number  from  this  house.  It  should  enjoy  a 
long  and  steady  run.  A picture  theme  that  will 
be  as  good  two  years  from  today  as  it  is  now. 

WHAT  D’YA  SAY — from  “The  Circus  Princess” 
(Harms).  A fox  trot,  easy  to  play  with  the  usual 
treatment  of  chords.  An  addition  to  any  library, 
dance  or  pictures. 

♦ * >:« 

MAYBE  I WILL — from  “Talk  About  Girls” 
(Harms).  Walter  Paul  has  made  a fine  arrange- 
ment of  this  good  fox  trot  and  has  put  in  a set 
of  progressive  chords  at  the  end  that  could  easily 
be  memorized  and  interpolated  into  any  number 
of  like  rhythm. 


Presentation  Editor, 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

For  the  information  of  other  or- 
ganists, I wish  to  report  that  I 
used - 


for  my  organ  solo  the  week  ending 


(Signed).. 
(Theatre) 
(City) 


44 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


'T^HIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
J-  service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


WHY  SO  MODEST? 

I SHOULD  like  to  know  the  reason,  if 
any,  for  the  seeming  modesty  marking  ad 
mention  of  “The  Stolen  Bride.”  I can  find 
nothing  save  the  title  of  the  picture  to  jus- 
tify it,  yet  the  theatre  running  it  at  its  Chi- 
cago premiere — and,  so  far  as  I am  able  to 
recall,  trade  mention  of  it — is  markedly 
lacking  in  enthusiasm.  I consider  it  a pic- 
ture to  be  proffered  in  complete  confidence, 
to  be  billed  with  good,  strong  language  and 
to  be  exhibited  under  the  best  available 
auspices. 

“The  Stolen  Bride”  is  not,  of  course,  a 
particularly  alluring  title.  The  picture  bear- 
ing it  might  be  almost  anything.  In  reality 
the  picture  is  the  most  credible  and  inter- 
esting reproduction  of  pre-war  Austria  (or 
maybe,  it’s  Hungary)  that  I have  seen.  It 
is,  in  fact,  so  good  that  I just  now  realize 
my  uncertainty  as  to  its  exact  location.  At- 
tribute that  to  my  absorption  in  the  picture, 
not  to  its  failure  to  inform. 

As  I say,  the  picture  is  the  most  credible 
and  interesting  reproduction  of  pre-war  Aus- 
tria. It  may  not  be  the  most  accurate,  but 
that  is  unimportant  in  the  case  of  a picture 
that  entertains.  This  one  does.  It  tells  a 
story  about  a very  beautiful  daughter  of  a 
very  aristocratic  gentleman  who  sandbags 
her  into  betrothal  with  a very  militaristic 
person  in  spite  of  her  quite  logical  interest 
in  a wholly  personable  young  commoner 
who’s  been  to  America  and  knows  his  way 
about.  The  means  by  which  these  young 
folks  inconvenience  their  elders  are  not  par- 
ticularly new  or  striking — indeed,  the  break 
at  the  finish  has  notorious  antecedents — but 
the  manner  of  their  doing  the  things  they 
do  is  worth  the  admission.  In  fact,  it  may 
be  the  polish  upon  the  picture,  pictorially 
as  well  as  structurally  and  otherwise,  that 
intrigues  me.  It  is  so  pleasant  to  watch  the 
thing  that  it  doesn’t  much  matter  why. 

Thinking  that  over,  as  I have  been  since 
writing  the  paragraph  above,  I begin  to 
wonder  if  it  is  not  Billie  Dove’s  personality 
that  I admire  more  than  anything  else  in 
the  picture.  But,  no,  for  she  was  but  one  of 
four  excellent  players  vitally  concerned  in 
the  carrying  of  the  entertainment  burden. 
I will  not  inquire  into  the  matter  of  pre- 
dominence  as  between  these  four. 

Perhaps  the  modesty  mentioned  at  the  be- 
ginning of  these  remarks  is  a hang-over 
from  the  days  when  it  was  believed  unwise 
to  say  too  much  about  a picture  not  defi- 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

nitely  located  in  these  States.  If  that  ogre 
is  still  stalking  the  land,  let’s  have  at  him 
and  lay  him  low  forthwith.  He’s  been  dead 
for  lo  these  many  moons. 


AND,  ON  THE  OTHER  HAND 

A 

^/Tx^JD  then,  on  the  other  hand,  we  have 
pictures  like  “The  Heart  of  Maryland.”  I 
suppose  we  will  always  have  them,  but  it 
seems  unnecessary  to  make  them  all  alike. 
In  fact,  it  seems  too  much. 

This  “Heart  of  Maryland,”  as  you  surely 
remember,  is  the  one  about  the  gal  who 
clung  to  the  clapper  of  the  bell  so  that  the 
alarm  could  not  be  sounded  so  that  the  Con- 
federate soldiers  could  track  down  and 
shoot  the  noble  Union  soldier  just  escaped 
from  the  belfry.  It  is,  even,  the  one  with 
the  leering  Confederate  hero  whose  way 
with  little  things  like  military  modes  and 
manners  that  stand  in  his  amatory  way  is 
something  to  behold  with  awe.  It  is — but 
you  know  what  it  is.  It  is  another  of  those 
Civil  War  drammers,  made  from  the  ancient 
stage  success,  and  who  can  tell  why  we 
hang  on  to  this  ancient  label  in  a period 
when  not  even  the  modern  stage  success  gets 
a dime  through  the  wicket? 

But,  do  not  misunderstand  me.  I am  not 
knocking  the  Civil  War,  I regard  that  con- 
flict, which  deprived  me  of  several  rela- 
tives whose  bequests  I might  now  be  in  a 
position  to  dissipate  at  will  had  they  not 
been  cut  off  in  their  prime,  as  one  of  our 
best  scrimmages.  I think  it  had  several  fea- 
tures more  interesting  than  either  the  war 
of  ’98  or  that  of  ’17,  features  particularly 
good  for  picture  purposes.  I do  not  see 
why  some  of  these  cannot  be  made  into 
highly  interesting  pictures  if  Hollywood  will 
pause  for  a moment  in  its  routine  and  give 
the  matter  a thought. 

The  trouble  with  the  Civil  War  pictures 
of  recent  date  seems  to  be  that  producers 
feel  they  should  be  made  with  the  methods 
in  vogue  at  the  time  Mr.  Griffith  made  his 
eminently  memorable  “Birth.”  It  may  be 
a quite  subconscious  impression,  probably 
is,  but  all  of  them  seem  victims  of  it.  The 
sequences  are  the  choppy,  arbitrary  lengths 
that  used  to  be  standard.  Captions  are 
laboriously  informative  writings  purveying 
facts  that  everybody  knows  the  moment  they 


behold  a blue  uniform.  The  plots — but 
there  is  no  use  going  into  that. 

I respectfully  request  the  people  who  are 
now  or  come  to  be  hereafter  confronted 
with  the  job  of  making  a Civil  War  picture 
to  make  it  with  the  facilities  of  1927  picture 
production.  I think  it  will  be  a pretty  good 
picture. 

FICTION  ABOUT  PICTURES 

T 

I HE  pictures  continue  to  command 
their  undue  share  of  footage  in  the  high- 
priced  magazines,  the  latest  to  publicize  “in- 
side” information  being  the  rotund  Ameri- 
can Mercury.  The  current  number  (no,  I 
don’t  read  it,  but  you  can’t  sit  in  a chair 
like  this  and  avoid  these  things)  contains  a 
dissertation  captioned  “Mad  Movie  Money,” 
and  it  is  less  barbarous  than  the  usual  arti- 
cle of  this  type.  In  fact,  I get  from  it  an 
impression  that  the  writer  (whose  name  gets 
away  from  me)  knows  quite  a little  about 
picture  making  and  is  not  particularly  mad 
at  anyone  except  Jesse  L.  Lasky,  whom  he 
gives  rather  the  worst  of  it.  His  theme  is 
wastefulness,  perhaps  still  new  in  such  mag- 
azines as  the  Mercury,  but  he  divulges  no 
important  or  unfamiliar  trade  secrets.  Alto- 
gether it  impresses  me  as  being  an  article 
such  as  a person  with  well  wishes  for  the 
business  might  write  rather  than  entrust  the 
job  to  an  outsider,  and  I’m  in  hopes  this  is 
the  case.  Enough  outsiders  have  done  it. 

I should  like  to  suggest  to  Hollywood 
writers  in  general,  all  of  whom  are  potential 
contributors  to  the  publications  of  Eastern 
manufacture,  that  the  waste  thing  (or  the 
dirt  thing,  or  whichever  of  the  routine 
things  may  be  ordered)  try  next  time  the  re- 
verse English  method  of  getting  their  points 
across.  I mean,  write  the  one  about  the 
awful  flop  saved  by  the  gag  titles,  the  one 
about  the  open-switch  situation,  which 
places  the  burden  of  construction  upon  the 
observer  and  obviates  fracture  of  the  penal 
code,  any  of  the  everyday  nifties  that  are 
performed  and  gain  immediate  obscurity  by 
reason  of  their  success.  In  telling  any  of 
these,  the  writer  may  not  only  get  over  the 
bad  news  but,  by  the  wholly  proper  and 
therefore  not  very  popular  method  of  telling 
the  complete  story,  may  get  it  over  with 
greater  emphasis  than  otherwise.  If  I do 
not  make  my  idea  quite  clear,  watch  for  my 
book  on  Hollywood,  now  scheduled  for 
publication  on  the  golden  wedding  anniver- 
sary of  Jackie  Coogan,  Jr. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


THE  FILM  MART 


According  to  an  announcement  from  First  National,  its 
West  Coast  studios  will  break  all  records  for  production. 
Eleven  pictures  are  now  in  course  of  production  or  are 
to  be  started  soon,  and  six  pictures  have  already  been 
completed  and  are  now  in  the  cutting  rooms. 

“The  Garden  of  Allah,”  Rex  Ingram’s  new  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  production,  will  open  at  the  Embassy 
theatre,  Friday  evening.  Sept.  2,  for  an  extended  run. 
Practically  all  of  the  exteriors  for  the  picture  were  made 
in  Northern  Africa.  The  cast  for  the  picture  is  headed 
by  Ivan  Petrovich,  Serbian  actor  who  made  his  American 
screen  debut  in  “The  Magician,”  and  Alice  Terry. 

With  20  important  pictures  in  production,  the  Para- 


mount studios  are  taxed  to  capacity. 

James  Cruze’s  first  picture  under  his  new  status  as  an 
associate  producer  with  Cecil  DeMille  will  be  “On  to 
Reno,”  instead  of  “The  Pioneer  Woman,”  as  originally 
announced.  “On  to  Reno”  is  said  to  be  a sophisticated 
comedy-drama.  Cullen  Landis  and  Marie  Prevost  will 
appear  in  the  picture. 

F B O announces  that  it  will  release  four  features  and 
six  short  features  in  September. 

First  Division’s  special,  “Death  Valley,”  will  soon  begin 
an  extended  run  at  the  55th  Street  theatre  in  New  York. 
“Eager  Lips,”  another  First  Division  picture,  has  been 
booked  for  the  entire  Fox  metropolitan  theatre  chain. 


Paramount  Chooses  Girl 
for  Lorelei  Character 

At  last  the  player  has  been  chosen  to 
enact  the  role  of  Lorelei  in  Anita  Loos’ 
famous  story  “Gentlemen  Prefer 
Blondes,”  which  is  to  be  produced  by 
Paramount.  The  lucky  young  girl  is 
Ruth  Lee  Taylor,  a former  Mack  Sennett 
bathing  beauty.  As  you  know,  hundreds 
of  girls  in  Hollywood  were  after  this 
part,  and  most  any  star  would  have  been 
glad  to  get  it.  Louise  Brooks  plays  the 
part  of  Dorothy  in  the  picture,  and  Ford 
Sterling  will  play  the  part  of  Gus  Eis- 
man.  To  do  this  Sterling  had  to  relin- 
quish his  part  in  Bebe  Daniels’  picture, 
“She’s  a Sheik,”  and  James  Bradbury 
has  been  chosen  in  his  stead.  Josephine 
Dunn  will  have  an  important  part  in  the 
Bebe  film. 

"The  Street  of  Sin’  has  been 
substituted  for  “Hitting  for 
Heaven”  as  the  title  for  Emil  Jan- 
nings’  latest  picture,  now  in  pro- 
duction at  Paramount  under  the 
direction  of  Mauritz  Stiller. 

A company  of  54  players  and 
technical  workers  left  the  Para- 
mount studio  last  week  for  Zion 
Canyon,  Utah,  for  a week’s  ex- 
terior shooting  on  the  Zane  Grey 
picture,  “Open  Range.”  Lane 
Chandler  will  play  the  leading 
male  role,  and  Betty  Bronson,  who 
is  the  only  actress  in  the  company, 
will  play  opposite  him.  Flash,  the 
trained  horse,  will  appear  in  the 
picture,  and  Chandler  will  ride 
him.  Arthur  Rosson  is  the  di- 
rector. 

“Victory,”  Joseph  Conrad’s  famous 
novel,  will  be  the  first  starring  vehicle 
for  George  Bancroft  under  his  new  con- 
tract signed  with  Paramount.  John  Good- 
rich is  writing  the  adaptation,  and  Joseph 
von  Sternberg  will  direct.  No  feminine 
lead  has  been  selected  as  yet  for  the 
picture  which  will  go  into  production 
sometime  in  September. 

F.  N.’s  ^‘Patent  Leather  Kid’^ 
Does  Big  Business 

First  National’s  roadshow  picture,  “The 
Patent  Leather  Kid,”  which  opened  at  the 
Globe  theatre.  New  York,  recently  is  do- 


ing a sell-out  business.  It  is  completely 
sold  out  for  two  weeks  in  advance.  It 
is  said  that  the  women  patrons  are  out- 
numbering the  men,  and  this  is  unusual 
for  a war  picture. 

Work  has  begun  on  “No  Place 
to  Go,”  featuring  Mary  Astor  and 
Lloyd  Hughes  with  Mervyn  LeRoy 
wielding  the  megaphone.  Part  of 
the  locale  of  the  story  is  in  the 
South  Sea  islands,  and  it  is  said 
that  a large  portion  of  the  colored 
folk  in  Los  Angeles  have  been 
signed  as  cannibals  to  appear  in 
the  picture.  Richard  Clendenin, 
one  of  the  10  collegiate  stars,  and 
the  15  year  old  Loretta  Young  will 
also  appear  in  the  picture. 

“The  Stolen  Bride,”  starring 
Billie  Dove,  is  packing  theatres 
all  over  the  country,  according  to 
wires  from  exhibitors  received  by 
First  National.  Well,  I’m  glad  to 
hear  it,  for  Billie  Dove  happens 
to  be  one  of  my  screen  favorties. 
She  is  to  begin  work  at  once  on 
“Louisiana,”  and  will  play  the 
part  of  a Southern  belle,  with  Gil- 
bert Roland  as  her  leading  man. 
Her  second  picture,  “American 
Beauty,”  is  now  ready  for  fall  re- 
lease. 

Tully  Marshall  has  been  cast  for  a part 
in  “The  Gorilla.” 

West  Coast  Theatres  has  dated  the 
“Showman  Group”  pictures  of  First  Na- 
tional now  completed  and  is  arranging 
roadshow  engagements  for  “The  Patent 
Leather  Kid.” 

Douglas  Fairbanks,  Jr.,  has  been  cast 
for  the  juvenile  lead  in  “A  Texas  Steer,” 
Will  Rogers’  picture.  The  unit  has  left 
for  Washington,  and  will  go  from  there 
to  Texas  for  some  of  the  exterior  shots. 


Columbia  Completes 
“The  Swell  HeatP’ 

Shooting  has  just  been  completed  on  Co- 
lumbia’s “The  Swell  Head,”  which  is  the 
last  production  on  the  1926-27  schedule. 
The  picture,  originally  titled  “The  Side 
Walks  of  New  York,”  features  Ralph 
Graves,  Eugenia  Gilbert,  Mildred  Harris, 
Mary  Carr,  and  Johnnie  Walker. 

After  spending  nearly  two  weeks 
at  sea  filming  the  water  sequences, 
the  Columbia  company  which  is 
making  “Alias  the  Lone  Wolf,”  has 
returned  to  the  studios  to  complete 
the  picture.  This  is  the  second 
“Lone  Wolf”  picture  produced  by 
Columbia,  the  first  being  “The  Lone 
Wolf  Returns.”  Bert  Lytell  appears 
again  in  the  title  role,  and  Lois 
Wilson  takes  the  leading  feminine 
role. 

Columbia  has  signed  Olga  Printzlau  as 
an  addition  to  its  writing  staff.  Printzlau 
has  to  her  credit  several  hundred  screen 
stories,  her  latest  being  her  adaptation  of 
“Camille.”  Claire  Windsor  will  be  starred 
in  Printzlau’s  first  story  for  Columbia, 
“Say  It  with  Sables,”  it  has  just  been  an- 
nounced. This  picture  will  be  one  of  Co- 
lumbia’s specials. 


Gotham  Completes 
“J/ie  Rose  of  Kildare’^ 

Work  has  been  completed  on  the 
Gotham  picture,  “The  Rose  of  Kildare,” 
Gerald  Beaumont’s  romance  of  Two 
Worlds.  Dallas  Fitzgerald  directed  the 
picture  for  Gotham  and  the  cast  in- 


CapiteJ  Financing  for  Chain  Theatre  Expansion 

^Biealxe^nanctnq 

COrVPORA.TION  q^amer,ica 
162  North  State  Street  CHICAGO 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


eludes  Helene  Chadwick,  Pat  O’Malley, 
Henry  B.  Walthall  and  Lee  Moran. 

Production  will  start  very 
shortly  on  Gotham’s  picture, 
“Blondes  By  Choice,”  adapted 
from  an  original  story  by  Joseph- 
ine Quirk.  According  to  Sam 
Sax,  president  of  the  company,  it 
is  quite  likely  that  Claire  Windsor 
will  get  the  stellar  part  in  the  pic- 
ture. Hampton  Del  Ruth  has  been 
chosen  to  direct  the  picture.  His 
career  as  a director  goes  back  to 
the  days  of  Keystone  comedies. 

The  cast  for  the  last  picture  on  the 
Gotham  1926-27  schedule  has  been  picked. 
The  picture  is  “When  Danger  Calls,” 
and  the  cast  includes  William  Fair- 
banks, Eileen  Sedgwick,  Sally  Long, 
Ethan  Laidlow,  Donald  McDonald  and 
Hank  Mann.  The  picture  centers 
around  the  life  of  a hre-fighter  in  a 
city  fire  department. 

DeMille  Will  Start 
Persoiuil  Picture  Soon 

Cecil  DeMille  has  announced  that  he 
will  soon  start  a picture  under  his  own 
direction.  He  is  now  busy  with  the 
supervision  of  “Chicago,”  “The  Blue 
Danube”  and  other  pictures.  The  exact 
nature  of  the  new  DeMille  personally  di- 
rected picture,  which  Jeanie  Maepherson 
is  now  writing,  is  not  known,  but  it  is 
known  that  it  will  not  be  Biblical  and 
that  it  will  be  stricth^  modern. 

Ethel  Wales  has  been  cast  for 
a featured  character  part  in  “The 
Wise  Wife,”  which  E.  Mason 
Hopper  is  directing  for  DeMille 
with  Phyllis  Haver  in  the  featured 
role. 

Joseph  Schildkraut  and  Victor 
Varconi  are  playing  brothers  in 
“The  Forbidden  Woman,”  which 
stars  Jetta  Goudal.  Paul  Stein 
is  directing  the  picture. 

Harry  Myers,  who  is  still  famous  for 
his  part  in  “The  Connecticut  Yankee,” 
has  been  cast  conspicuously  in  “The  Girl 
in  the  Pullman,”  Marie  Prevost’s  current 
starring  feature  for  DeMille.  A complete 
compartment  Pullman  has  been  taken  to 
the  DeiMille  studio  to  be  used  as  a set 
for  the  filming  of  this  picture. 

Mack  Sennett  is  to  make  another  series 
of  girl  comedies  for  Pathe  this  season. 
Sennett  has  been  the  cause  of  more  than 
a few  girls  rising  to  fame  and  stardom, 
so  we  are  wondering  if  the  girls  chosen 
for  this  new  series  will  be  lucky  as  some 
of  the  girls  who  played  for  Sennett  in 
the  past  have  been. 

^‘The  Cossacks’^  is  M-G-M’s 
Next  Film  for  Gilbert 

John  Gilbert  will  next  be  seen  as  a 
Russian,  for  his  next  starring  role  will 
be  in  “The  Cossacks,”  the  world  famous 
story  by  Tolstoi.  George  Hill  who  made 
“Tell  It  to  the  Marines”  and  “The  Cal- 
lahans and  the  Murphys,”  is  to  handle 
the  megaphone. 

Production  will  start  on  the  pic- 
ture just  as  soon  as  Gilbert  finishes 
“Fires  of  Youth,”  in  which  Jeanne 
Eagels  is  cast  opposite  him.  The 
two  have  returned  from  W ashing- 
ton,  where  sequences  requiring 
views  of  Washington  were  made. 
The  picture  will  soon  be  completed 
in  the  Culver  City  studio. 

And  just  about  the  time  these 
two  arrived  in  the  west  from  the 
East,  Joan  Crawford,  Neil  Neely 
and  Ralph  Emerson  arrived  in 
New  York  to  begin  work  on  “West 
Point,”  which  Edward  Sedgwick 


will  direct  and  in  which  William 
Haines  will  star. 

Neil  Neely  is  a lanky  Texan  and  the 
most  recent  of  Irving  Thalberg’s  dis- 
coveries to  be  placed  under  contract.  Al- 
though Neely  comes  from  the  ranches  of 
Texas,  he  has  appeared  in  several  suc- 
cessful New  York  stage  shows. 

AI  e t r o-Go  1 d wy  n-AI  ay  e r studios  are 
over-run  with  babies  now  for  filming 
has  started  on  “Baby  Mine,”  the  comedy 
from  which  much  is  expected  by  M-G-M 
executives. 

The  cast  for  “Bringing  up  Eather,”  is 
now  just  about  complete.  The  latest  ad- 
ditions are  Rose  Dione,  Tenen  Holtz  and 
none  other  than  Bull  Montana.  Bull  has 
played  almost  every  sort  of  bad  man, 
ape  man  and  what  have  you.  Now  he 
plays  the  part  of  an  Irishman.  The  pic- 
ture is  now  in  production  with  Tack  Con- 
way directing. 

Fox  Writers  Are 
Busy  on  Seven  Stories 

With  the  program  of  production  in  full 
operation  on  the  Fox  studios,  the  story 
writers  are  working  at  top  speed  to  keep 
up  with  the  production  units.  Seven  sto- 
ries are  now  being  prepared,  and  are 
“Come  to  My  House,”  “Womanwise,” 
“The  Girl  from  Havana,”  “Balaoo,”  “La- 
dies Must  Dress,”  “The  Branded  Som- 
brero” and  “The  Comedian.” 

Fox  cameraman,  Fernando  E.  Delgado, 
stationed  at  Buenos  Aires,  has  been  in 
New  York,  and  reports  that  “What  Price 
Glory,”  the  Fox  war  picture,  is  doing  fine 
in  Buenos  Aires.  “I  never  saw  the  Argen- 
tinians become  so  enthused  over  a picture 
and  they  are  a naturally  spontaneous  peo- 
ple,” said  the  cameraman. 

Fox  is  preparing  absolutely  new 
paper,  advertising  and  exploitation 
on  the  re-issue  of  “Honor  First,” 
George  Gibbs’  war  picture,  with 
John  Gilbert  and  Renee  Adoree. 

The  entire  cast  of  “Publicity 
Madness,”  Fox  Production  featur- 
ing Edmund  Lowe  and  Lois  Moran, 
has  departed  for  Catalina  Island 
where  the  exteriors  of  the  picture 
will  be  filmed.  This  production, 
adapted  from  an  original  story  by 
Anita  Loos,  deals  with  the  adven- 
tures of  an  egotistical  soap  sales- 
man whose  ideas  of  publicity  and 
business  provide  the  comedy  for  the 
him. 

Besides  the  re-issue  picture  of  John  Gil- 
bert mentioned  above.  Fox  will  re-issue 
two  more  John  Gilbert  pictures.  They  are, 
“Cameo  Kirby”  and  “St.  Elmo.” 

Some  of  the  sequences  for  “Pajamas,” 
the  picture  in  which  Olive  Borden  stars. 


Release  Dates 


WEEK  OF  AUGUST  14 

“Chain  Lightning" Fox— 5333 

WEEK  OF  AUGUST  21 
“The  Bush  Leaguer"— Warner— 6269 
WEEK  OF  AUGUST  28 
“Not  For  Publication"'^F  B 0—^140 
“Border  Blackbirds"— Maloney— Pathe^— six 
“Hard-Boiled  Haggerty"— First  National^— 7443 
“Soft  Cushions" — Paramount— 6838 
“The  Desired  Woman"— Warner— 6408 
“The  Fighting  Eagle^’-^Pathe— P.  D.  C.——8000 
“What  PriceJ  Glory"— Fox— 1 1 109 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  4 
“Camille"^— First  National^— 8730 
**Chang"^— Paramount  6533 
“We're  All  Gamblers"^— Paramount^— 5935 
“Loves  of  Carmen"— -Fox— 8538 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  11 
“Two  Girls  Wanted"— Fox^— 6293 
“Clancy’s  Kosher  W’edding"^— F B 0^—5701 
“Barbed  Wire"— Paramount— ^951 
“Nevada"^— Paramount — 6258 
“Stark  Love"— Paramount^— 6200 


were  shot  far  up  in  the  Canadian  Rockies. 

Thunder,  the  Fox  dog  star,  has-  left  for 
location  in  Washington,  where  the  exter- 
iors of  “Wolf  Fangs”  will  be  taken.  The 
picture  is  directed  by  Lew  Seiler. 


Universal  Buys  Two 
Rex  Beach  Stories 

Universal  has  just  bought  two  stories 
from  Rex  Beach  for  its  1928-29  program. 
They  are  “The  Alating  Call,”  which  ap- 
peared in  serial  form  in  Cosmopolitan 
magazine,  and  “The  Michigan  Kid,” 
which  was  published  by  Harpers.  The 
latter  story  will  be  used  as  a “Jewel.” 
With  Ward  Russell’s  novel,  “The  Worm 
Turns,”  Universal  has  23  productions  al- 
ready purchased  for  the  1928-29  season. 

Universal  must  prefer  blondes 
of  the  Laura  LaPlante  variety  for 
Violet  LaPlante,  Laura’s  younger 
sister,  has  just  completed  a short 
length  Western,  “The  Valiant 
Rider,”  starring  Bob  Curwood. 

Universal’s  “Cohens  and  Kellys 
in  Paris”  goes  into  production  this 
week  with  William  Beaudine  di- 
recting and  George  Sidney  as  the 
featured  player. 

And  another  picture  going  into 
production  this  week  is  “Stop 
That  Man,”  with  Arthur  Lake  and 
Barbara  Kent  heading  the  cast  of 
players.  The  picture  is  the  screen 
version  of  a successful  stage  play 
two  years  ago. 

Epics  of  this  and  that  are  becoming 
the  rage  in  picture  circles  these  days. 
Universal  has  just  about  completed  pre- 
liminary arrangements  for  its  latest  epic 
which  is  called  “The  Big  Gun,”  and  is 
supposed  to  be  the  epic  of  the  United 
States  navy.  Irvin  Willat  will  direct  the 
picture,  and  is  now  choosing  the  cast. 

Universal  has  given  Helen  Foster  a 
long  term  contract,  and  she^will  be  fea- 
tured soon  in  a “Jewel”  production.  The 
young  lady  is  now  playing  the  leading 
feminine  role  in  the  L^niversal  serial, 
“The  Haunted  Island.” 

Warners  Will  Film 
“The  Girl  from  Chicago’’ 

It  used  to  be  that  Chicago  didn’t 
amount  to  a hill  of  beans  as  a locale  for 
film  stories,  but  all  of  a sudden,  every- 
body started  writing  about  Chicago,  and 
now  the  Windy  Citv  is  well  on  its  way 
toward  fame  as  a story  city.  Warner 
Bros,  is  about  the  latest  company  to  use 
the  name  of  the  city.  It  will  soon  pro- 
duce a picture  to  be  called  “The  Girl 
from  Chicago,”  from  a story  by  Arthur 
Somers  Roche  entitled  “Business  Is 
Best.”  Myrna  Loy  is  the  only  plaver 
thus  far  chosen  for  the  picture. 

Monte  Blue’s  next  picture  for 
Warners  will  be  “The  Comeback.” 
This,  however,  is  a temporary  title. 

It  is  based  upon  a story  by  Harvey 
Gates  and  Lloyd  Bacon  is  an- 
nounced as  its  director.  This  will 
be  Blue’s  third  picture;  the  £rst 
two,  “The  Bush  Leaguer,”  and 
"One  Round  Hogan,”  already  be- 
ing completed. 

As  soon  as  May  McAvoy  fin- 
ishes “Roulette,”  on  which  she  is 
now  at  work,  she  will  be  starred 
in  “If  I were  Single,”  with  Andre 
Ber  anger  playing  opposite  her, 
and  Roy  Del  Ruth  will  handle  the 
megaphone. 

As  soon  as  the  very  busy  Louise 
Fazenda  completes  her  part  in  “A  Texas 
Steer,”  the  Will  Rogers  picture,  she  will 
return  to  the  Warner  studios  to  co-star 
with  Clyde  Cook  in  a comedy  to  be 
known  as  “Five  and  Ten  Cent  Annie.” 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


r THE  THEATRE 

jS^Ajiepartment  of  Practical  Showmanship 


EXHIBITOR  SPIKES  KICK 
AGAINST  FILM  WITH  AD 

Larschan  Uses  Open  Letter  in  Newspaper 
to  Defend  ^^Captain  Salvation’’ 

Exhibitors  are  often  confronted  with  the  problem  of  answering 
prominent  people  in  their  town  who  make  protests  against  pic- 
tures run  l)y  the  exhiljitor.  Even  though  the  protests  are  uncalled 
for,  they  must  be  answered,  and  answering  them  satisfactorily  often  proves 
difficult. 

Few  better  examples  could  he  found  than  the  way  in  which  Sidney 
Larschan,  manager  of  the  Meserole  theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  of  the  Small 
Strausberg  circuit,  handled  this  problem  recently  when  he  ran  “Captain 
Salvation,”  a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  picture. 


The  picture  was  bitterly  attacked  by 
Edward  P.  Doyle,  Assemblyman  from 
the  15th  Assembly  District,  in  a letter 
written  to  Larschan.  The  protest  was 
met  by  Larschan  in  a two  column  ad  in 
the  newspaper,  in  which  Doyle’s  letter 
was  printed  under  the  head,  “A  Protest 
from  Assemblyman  Edward  P.  Doyle.” 
Directly  underneath  this  was  run  an 
open  letter  to  iJoyle  from  I.arschan. 

Doyle  charged  that  the  picture  “is 
something  that  tends  to  impair  the 
morals  of  the  people  of  our  community 
— Greenpoint,”  and  in  another  para- 
graph, he  says:  “I  am  not  an  advocate 
of  censorship,  to  the  point  of  being  an 
extremist,  but  I do  believe  in  decency; 
I do  not  believe  in  mocking  the  Priest, 
the  Minister  or  the  Rabbi,  and  when  an 
effort  is  made  to  illustrate  the  depravity 
to  which  a Minister  of  God  shall  descend 
— when  there  is  absolutely  no  truth  or 
semblance  of  fact  to  the  fiction — such 
as  is  done  in  the  screen  production  of 
‘Captain  Salvation’  then  I believe  it  is 
time  to  call  a halt.  Don’t  you  think 

SO? 

In  Larschan’s  open  letter  printed  in 
the  ad,  he  answers  this  by  saying  in 
part,  “The  community  will  be  glad  to 
know  that  you  are  safe-guarding  its 
morals.  In  this  instance  you  have  be- 
come unduly  alarmed.  The  Meserole 
theatre  has  always  made  an  honest  ef- 
fort to  present  pictures  and  entertain- 
ment created  for  the  entire  family.  Clean 
entertainment  is  always  in  our  minds. 

“ ‘Captain  Salvation’  was  written  by 
Frederick  William  Wallace.  As  a novel 
it  enjoyed  a sale  of  many  thousands  of 
copies.  It  ran  in  serial  form  in  the 
Hearst  newspapers  throughout  the 
United  States  and  Canada.  Never  has  a 
protest  been  submitted  against  this  story. 
As  a screen  production,  it  stood  the 
rigid  censorship  tests  of  the  New  York 
State  Board  of  Censors.  It  bears  their 
license  L-7913.” 

Larschan  continues  in  the  letter  to 


meet  every  argument  produced  by  Doyle 
in  a respectful  but  firm  manner,  and 
to  bring  out  the  features  of  the' story  in 
a way  that  anyone  reading  the  letter 
will  not  only  agree  with  him,  but  will 
want  to  see  the  picture. 

Larschan  ends  his  letter  by  saying, 
“Thanks  for  your  letter.  Assemblyman 
Doyle.  You  are  a representative  well 
worthy  of  the  community  you  represent. 
We  invite  you,  together,  with  your  fam- 
ily, to  view  this  picture  when  it  is  shown 
at  the  Meserole  theatre. 

“In  closing  you  have  this  assurance 
that  as  long  as  this  theatre  remains  in 
the  Small-Strausberg  circuit  the  com- 
munity will  always  have  the  pleasure  of 
knowing  that  we  aim  to  present  the  best 
entertainment  available  and  of  the  type 
intended  for  children  as  well  as  adults.” 

Larschan’s  method  of  answering 
Doyle  is  a masterpiece  in  meeting  a 
problem  of  this  sort.  His  letter  thor- 
oughly answers  Doyle,  and  at  the  same 
time  it  spreads  valuable  propaganda  for 
the  theatre,  and  advertises  the  picture 
better  than  any  straight  ad  would  have 
done. 


“Mr.  Wu” 

T.  E.  COOK,  Liberty  theatre,  Ada, 
Okla. : A special  lobb}'  display  was 

created  and  presented.  A 24  foot  ban- 
ner was  placed  in  front  of  the  theatre, 
and  a special  hand  lettered  cutout  was 
also  placed  in  the  lobby  with  drapes 
done  in  green,  yellow  and  purple.  A 
small  frame,  built  and  lettered,  was 
placed  on  each  side  of  the  lobby.  Photos 
of  the  star  and  players  were  strung 
around  the  entrance. 

An  artist  was  hired  who  sat  in  the 
lobby  of  the  theatre  and  painted  a pic- 
ture of  Lon  Chaney  on  black  velvet.  A 
small  sign  was  placed  on  an  easel,  with 
the  announcement  that  the  picture  would 
be  given  away  on  the  opening  night  of 
the  picture. 


This  advertisement  appeared  in  a 
Brooklyn  newspaper  and  effectively 
answers  a protest  made  by  a patron 
against  “Captain  Salvation,’’  shown 
at  the  Meserole  theatre,  in  Brooklyn. 
Notice  how  the  picture  was  adver- 
tised at  the  top  and  bottom  of  the 
ad. 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


Readers  of  this  department  have  been 
asking  for  more  stories  on  “what  I 
did  for  the  pieture.”  A.  J.  Lukachie, 
owner  and  manager  of  the  Hauber  theatre, 
Camden,  Ark.,  says,  “I  would  like  to  see 
more  ‘What  I Did  for  the  Picture,’  in  your 
department.  I believe  they  are  very  popu- 
lar among  the  boys;  at  least  they  are  appre- 
ciated by  me.” 

All  right,  Mr.  Lukachie  and  the  other 
exhibitors  who  have  been  asking  for  it, 
we  are  giving  this  page  to  it  this  week. 
And  to  start  if  off  we  can’t  do  better 
than  tell  about  the  exploitation  Luk- 
achie promoted  when  he  played  “Get- 
ting Gertie’s  Garter,”  a Pro-Dis-Co  pic- 
ture. Small  cards  were  printed  an- 
nouncing the  picture  and  distributed 
throughout  the  town.  Fastened  on  each 
card  was  a small  garter  made  of  blue 
and  pink  ribbon.  On  the  card  was 
printed,  “Who’s  got  Gertie’s  garter.” 

“In  addition  to  this,”  says  Lukachie, 
“I  sold  the  idea  to  a ladies  furnishing 
store  to  make  two  sets  of  real  fancy 
garters,  and  she  exhibited  these  in  her 
window  for  a week  with  a card  stating 
that  the  garters  were  to  be  given  away 
at  the  showing  of  the  picture.  I am 
sure  these  two  ideas  will  prove  money 
makers  in  spite  of  the  extreme  Southern 
weather.” 

sjc  ^ ^ 

“The  Fire  Fighters” 

SAM  POWELL,  Brown  theatre. 
Stamps,  Ark.:  A novel  display  was 
worked  out  to  attract  attention  of  pass- 
ersby.  “Fire  Fighters”  was  spelled  out 
across  the  front  of  the  theatre  in  letters 
24  inches  high,  each  letter  outlined  in 
red  crepe  paper  which  extended  out 
about  four  inches  all  around.  With  a 
typhoon  fan  behind  them  these  letter 
appeared  to  be  actually  on  fire.  All 
border  lights  were  in  red. 

An  arrangement  was  also  made  with 
the  Stamps  fire  department  for  coopera- 
tion on  this  picture.  Part  of  the  equip- 
ment was  on  display  in  front  of  the 
theatre  during  the  engagement  and  the 
fire  trucks  bore  banners  advertising  the 
picture. 

* * 

“See  You  in  Jail” 

ALVIN  HOSTLER,  Strand  theatre, 
Altoona,  Pa.:  Offered  free  tickets  for 
the  picture  to  all  violators  of  the  city’s 
traffic  regulations  during  the  week  of 
the  showing.  The  stunt  made  the  first 
page  of  the  Altoona  morning  paper.  The 
offer  was  printed  in  double  column 
measure  in  the  paper  as  follows:  ‘“See 
You  in  Jail.’  This  will  be  the  comfort- 
ing thought  of  all  city  traffic  violators 
next  week.  Anyone  presenting  a red, 
or  orange,  or  whatever  hued  ticket  traf- 
fic officers  give  such  offenders,  at  the 
box  office  of  the  Strand  theatre  any  time 
next  week  will  receive  a pass  for  the 
feature  motion  picture,  ‘See  You  in  Jail.’ 

“The  theatre  management  makes  this 
offer  in  an  effort  to  impress  upon  the 
offenders  their  mistake  by  showing  them 
some  of  the  mishaps  which  befall  simi- 
lar violators  in  the  play.” 

* * 

“Babe  Comes  Home” 

J.  G.  WEIGAND,  Columbia  theatre. 
Junction  City,  Kan.:  Obtained  some 
valuable  publicity  for  First  National’s 
picture,  “Babe  Comes  Home,”  through 
the  Junior  Baseball  league  membership 
of  the  city.  Through  the  newspapers  all 
members  of  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
team.  Rotary,  U.  P.  A.  C.,  Lions  and 


Universal  Creates 
Half  Sheet  Poster 

This  department  has  again  been  re- 
sponsible for  the  birth  of  a new  acces- 
sory for  exhibitors.  Universal  has  again 


acted  upon  suggestions  printed  in  THE 
THEATRE,  and  as  a result,  is  now  fur- 
nishing half  sheets  for  exhibitors  on  its 
new  serials.  Here  is  what  Dave  Bader, 
accessory  sales  manager  of  Universal, 
says  in  his  letter  to  THE  THEATRE: 

“Exhibitors  Herald  made  itself  felt  as  a 
practical  cooperator  when  it  originally  pub- 
lished exhibitors’  suggestions  as  to  the 
advisability  of  printing  a new  horizontal 
three  sheet  on  serials.  This  Universal  has 
prepared  on  its  1927-28  serials.  These  are 
called  the  Junior  24  sheet. 

“Now  the  Exhibitors  Herald  again  acts 
as  a medium  whereby  we  learn  through  it 
that  I.  R.  Frankyn  of  B.  S.  Moss’  Regent 
ThEj\tre,  New  York  City,  has  suggested 
that  showmen  could  use  a new  accessory 
in  the  form  of  a half  sheet  poster.  As 
soon  as  we  read  that  letter,  we  started 
work  on  the  poster,  and  we  herewith  at- 
tach photograph  of  the  first  half  sheet 
Universal  will  prepare.” 


During  the  “Days  of  ’76“  cele- 
bration at  Deadwood,  S.  D.,  A.  L. 
Brown  of  the  Isis  theatre  made 
these  excellent  cutouts  for  “The 
Gorilla  Hunt,”  an  F B O picture. 


DeMolay  teams  were  invited  to  report 
to  the  theatre  in  uniform  on  Monday 
afternoon  when  they  would  be  admitted. 

When  the  young  ball  players  reported 
at  the  theate,  they  consented  to  parade 
in  uniform  down  the  main  street  carry- 
ing a big  banner  which  read:  “See  Babe 
Ruth,  King  of  Swat,  in  ‘Babe  Comes 
Home,’  Columbia  now.” 


WHAT  I DID  FOR  THE  PICTURE 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


Herald’s  Production  Budget 
HOLLYWOOD,  CAL.— To  the  Editor  : 
In  your  issue  of  August  20,  received  today, 
we  note  in  your  Production  Directory  a 
very  grave  error  regarding  our  budget  for 
the  production  of  “The  Apache  Raider.” 

Where  you  obtained  the  $12,000  figure, 
we  are  at  a loss  to  understand,  as  this 
amount  is  far  under  the  production  cost  of 
any  Pathe  feature  we  have  ever  made.- — ■ 
Don  F.  Osborne,  Leo  Maloney  Produc- 
tions, Hollywood,  Cal. 


For  Producers  to  Answer 

CRESCO,  lA. — To  THE  Editor  : Having 
perused  Henry  Reeves’  letter  in  the  August 
20  Herald,  I must  admit  his  opinion  on 
“Rookies”  is  far  from  wrong,  although  my 
own  report  did  not  condemn  it. 

The  subject  of  this  letter  is  “Hard 
Boiled  Haggerty,”  and  before  I make  any 
remarks,  I desire  to  inform  everyone  that 
the  writer  is  far  from  being  a prude,  blue- 
nose,  one  man  censor  or  a self-imagined 
movie  director.  I am  only  an  operator- 
manager  for  No.  11  of  the  Herald  Only 
Club,  trying  to  keep  this  theatre  as  suc- 
cessful as  it  has  been. 

As  an  ex-service  man  the  writer  fully 
enjoyed  and  appreciated  Milton  Sills’ work, 
also  that  of  the  cast  in  “Hard  Boiled 
Haggerty,”  especially  in  the  court  martial 
scenes.  Temporarily,  the  bedroom  bathing 
scene  was  forgotten,  also  an  incident  in 
the  cabaret.  Today,  however,  is  time  for 
reports  to  the  Herald  and  a checkup  on  the 
past  week’s  activities.  I will  not  repeat  my 
report  except  that  it  does  not  begin  to  be 
emphatic  enough. 

For  you  who  have  not  seen  it  (imagine 
first,  your  own  theatre  filled  with  some 
men,  more  women  and  a flock  of  kids)  then 
as  the  picture  unwinds  after  a wild  time 
in  Paris,  you  will  see  a carousing  Ameri- 
can soldier  escape  from  the  military  police 
and  take  refuge  under  a bed  in  a lady’s 
apartment.  Lady  enters,  unaware  of  the 
intruder,  disrobes,  kicks  skirt  under  the 
bed,  hauls  out  tub  and  bathes.  Picture 
shows  only  lower  limbs  of  the  girl  with 
only  a glimpse  of  a portion  of  limbs  above 
the  knee.  M.  P’s.  arrive  later  and  girl  in  a 
wrap  denies  knowledge  of  missing  soldier. 
They  leave  the  door  but  not  the  vicinity. 
Girl  turns  around  from  door  and  sees  cat 
playing  with  an  overseas  cap  and  orders  in- 
truder from  under  bed,  and  he  obeys.  Mil- 
itary police  keep  place  under  surveillance 
and  man  is  forced  to  stay  in  girl’s  apart- 
ment all  night  to  avoid  capture.  Of 
course,  they  comply  with  the  proprieties 
by  going  to  sleep  in  chairs  on  opposite 
sides  of  a table. 

In  a later  scene  in  a cabaret.  Sills  ig- 
nores a dance  hall  girl  and  she  politely, 
or  impolitely,  hoists  her  skirt  with  her 
back  turned  to  him  and  displays  a rather 
closeup  view  of  the  seat  of  what  we 
might  call  trousers,  but  really  are  pants, 
right  in  his  face — maybe  such  scenes 
(only  half  described  here)  are  real  enter- 
tainment and  maybe  they  are  not.  For  my 
own  part,  I fail  to  see  why  the  hero  could 
not  have  met  his  sweetheart-to-be  under 
circumstances  fit  to  show  the  average  aud- 
ience instead  of  a bedroom.  I fail  abso- 
lutely to  see  any  necessity  of  the  last 


scene  mentioned,  or  where  it  is  even  com- 
edy. 

It  looks  to  me  as  if  someone  had  de- 
liberately ruined  some  very  excellent  pic- 
ture material  by  trying  to  inject  what  goes 
for  comedy  in  some  places,  into  this  pro- 
duction. 

In  the  absence  of  the  above  mentioned 
No.  11,  the  writer  “stepped  on”  “Rookies” 
a little  and  did  a very  nice  business  with 
only  a few  minor  slaps  on  the  wrist  for 
the  things  in  it  objected  to  by  Mr.  Reeves. 
On  “Hard  Boiled  Haggerty,”  via  slide  and 
newspaper,  I told  them,  “We  have  a pic- 
ture coming  which  we  believe  will  please 
you  more  than  ‘Rookies’  or  any  other 
war  comedy  run  here  in  recent  months.” 

The  mildest  comment  I have  heard  on 
this  from  among  plenty  is,  “It  was  pretty 
raw  in  spots.”  And  from  that  on  down 
to  real  condemnation. 

In  a small  place  where  the  same  patrons, 
week  in  and  week  out  form  the  bulk  of 
your  business,  pictures  like  those  men- 
tioned hurt.  Our  print  was  brand  new 
and  if  it  was  ever  viewed  by  a censor  he 
was  not  looking  when  reel  No.  2 went  by. 

Having  popped  off  and  aired  our  in- 
dignation we  now  await  the  “razzers.” — 
Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco, 
la. 


A Lollypop  For  You 
BENTON  CITY,  MO.— To  the  Editor: 
Let  no  man  say  that  C.  J.  Wheeler  doesn’t 
pay  his  debts ! When  he  sent  out  a chal- 


Orville  Caldwell  and  Natalie  Kingston 
in  two  scenes  from  F B O’s  “The  Har- 
vester,” adaptation  of  the  celebrated 
Gene  Stratton-Porter  novel  which  J. 
Leo  Meehan  now  is  completing. 


* ‘Kiddies  Clubs”  Put 
Crimp  in  Auto  Injuries 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  30. — The  latest 
wrinkle  in  Central  and  Northern 
New  York  among  the  owners  and 
managers  of  motion  picture  thea- 
tres is  the  formation  of  “kiddies’ 
clubs,”  entitling  members  to  at- 
tend matinees  at  the  theatres  pro- 
viding they  possess  a nickel  as 
well  as  a membership  card. 

The  idea  is  receiving  the  hearty 
approval  of  parents  as  well  as  the 
police,  for  it  is  keeping  the  chil- 
dren off  the  streets  and  it  is  said 
there  are  fewer  automobile  acci- 
dents in  which  children  feature. 
Some  of  the  theatre  owners  are 
going  a step  further  and  providing 
a contest  one  afternoon  each  week, 
such  as  a watermelon  eating  stunt. 


lenge  to  any  exhibitor  younger  than  he, 
with  “all-day  suckers”  as  the  prize,  and  got 
beat,  did  he  pay  off?  He  did!  Thanks! 
Yours  very  truly — M.  B.  Russell,  Com- 
munity House,  Benton  City,  Mo. 


An  Answer  to  Monroe 

MACOMB,  ILL. — To  the  Editor:  In 
answer  to  the  letter  in  the  Herald  of  Mr. 
Howard  C.  Monroe  of  the  Regent  theatre, 
Bangor,  Mich.,  I wish  to  say  that  if  Mr. 
Monroe  will  read  my  letter  printed  in  the 
other  issue  carefully,  and  not  jump  at  con- 
clusions, I think  he  would  understand  it 
better. 

In  the  first  place,  I said  that  the  average 
wage  made  or  paid  in  a town  of  eight  or 
ten  thousand  was  $21,  per  week.  I do  not 
mean  for  operators,  I mean  wages  for 
people  who  come  to  your  show. 

I will  say  next  that  as  yet  I have  not 
seen  a picture  I would  give  50  cents  to  see, 
and  I still  say  there  are  no  men  either  at 
the  head  of  producers  or  actors  worth 
from  $10,000  to  $150,000.  It  is  the  pro- 
ducers’ overhead  that  makes  the  high 
rental  for  pictures.  If  I did  not  like  the 
picture  show  business — That  is  what  it 
is  as  it  is  not  the  show  business — I would 
call  it  petty  larceny  show  business  because 
there  is  no  staple  price  for  their  product. 
Every  town  pays  a different  price. 

I would  like  to  ask  Mr.  Monroe  how 
often  he  would  go  to  a show  at  25  cents 
or  35  cents  if  he  was  making  $21  per  week 
and  had,  say,  four  children  and  was  pay- 
ing $25  per  month  rent? 

That’s  the  condition  in  towns  of  six  to 
ten  thousand.  The  average  laborer  gets 
about  $21  per  week.  There  are  not  nearly 
as  many  people  outside  of  the  cities  going 
to  shows  now  as  there  were  five  years 
ago.  Not  because  they  don’t  want  to,  but 
because  they  cannot  spare  the  money. 

I still  say  that  Presentation,  if  they  keep 
it  up,  will  kill  the  picture  business. — H. 
B.  Frank,  Royal  theatre,  Macomb,  111. 


Eliminate  Vulgarity 

COMANCHE,  TEX.— To  the  Editor: 
I am  enclosing  check  to  cover  two  years’ 
subscription  to  the  Herald. 

I cannot  refrain  from  commenting  on  an 
item  which  appeared  in  your  issue  of  last 
week,  announcing  that  20  leading  producers 
had  pledged  themselves  to  omit  profanity, 
ridicule  of  clergy,  salacious  posters,  etc., 
from  their  future  productions.  In  my 
mind  this  is  of  more  importance  to  ex- 
hibitors than  anything  done  by  the  pro- 
ducers in  years.  If  they  would  also  exclude 
the  low  vulgarity  that  has  been  cropping 
out  in  some  of  the  recent  releases,  life 
would  begin  to  be  worthwhile  for  the 
small  towners. — C.  V.  Caver,  Majestic 
theatre,  Comanche,  Tex. 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 

Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


The  Recognized  National 


Cl  assified  Advertising  Medium 


Position  Wanted 


ORGANISTS — Thoroughly  trained  and  experi- 
enced in  theatre  playing.  Men  and  women  now 
ready  for  good  positions.  Union  or  nonunion. 
Write  salary  and  other  data.  Address  Chicago 
Musical  College,  64  E.  Van  Bureii  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 

EXPERIENCED  UNION  PROJECTIONIST 
— Handle  any  equipment.  Experienced  in  repairing 
and  electrical  work.  Can  go  anywhere.  Address 
Luverne  Kelly,  Mitchell,  South  Dakota. 

THEATRE  MANAGER  wants  connection  with 
future.  Experienced  in  all  lines,  straight  pic- 
tures, combination  and  legitimate.  Publicity  ex- 
pert. Good  references  furnished.  Address  Box 
207,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


OPERATOR  AND  ELECTRICIAN  with  ten 
years  experience.  Married.  Wants  steady  job. 
Address  Operator,  920  W.  1st  Street,  Cedar  Falls, 
Im 

YOUNG  M.\N,  12  years  experience  Managing, 
Exploitation,  Operator,  wants  permanent  job.  Ex- 
pert Sign-writer,  cut-out  and  display  man.  Handle 
any  equipment — make  any  type  front  or  ballyhoo 
you  want — use  proven  ideas  in  exploitation.  Now 
employed  but  want  steady  job  in  medium  sized 
town.  Salary  your  best  but  secondary  to  per- 
manency. Address  Allen,  216  N.  Jefferson, 
Springfield,  Missouri. 


ORGANIST:  Ten  years  experience  desires 
position.  Expert  cueing.  Will  do  feature  num- 
bers and  recitals  if  desired.  Good  organ  required. 
Write  Organist,  308  East  Eighth  Ave.,  Taren- 
tum.  Pa. 

MANAGER:  Theatre  or  circuit.  Seventeen 

years  practical  experience.  Pictures;  Vaudeville; 
Presentations:  Publicity;  Public  Service;  Con- 
struction and  Equipment.  Married.  Good  per- 
sonality. ^ Unquestionable  references,  character 
and  ability.  Go  anywhere.  Address  Manager, 
care  of  John  McKone,  36  Pearl  St.,  Hartford, 
Conn. 


House  Manager  Wanted 


HOUSE  MANAGER — Experienced,  under  35; 
circuit  experience  preferred.  For  theatre  of  less 
than  1,500  seats.  ^ To  supervise  personnel,  service, 
cleaning,  mechanical  operation  and  neighborhood 
publicity.  (Booking  and  city  advertising  taken 
care  of.)  Address  “L”  Theatres,  2621  Vine 
Street,  Cincinnati.  Ohio. 


Theatre  For  Sale 


THE.ATRE  For  Sale  in  Dayton,  Ohio.  250 
seats.  Building  rents  for  $50.00  per  month.  Good 
location  and  complete  equipment.  Price  very  rea- 
^nable.  Address  John  C.  Stout,  College  Corner, 
Ohio. 

FOR  SALE — Theatre  Building  and  equipment; 
good  Wisconsin  town  about  2,000  population;  no 
opposition  12  miles.  Address  Clark  Wilkinson, 
Baraboo,  Wisconsin. 


THEATRE  AND  RESIDENCE  FOR  SALE  IN 
TOWN  OF  2500  to  3000  population;  seating  ca- 
pacity 185;  Payroll;  Only  theatre  in  town.  Ad- 
dress  S.  L.  Dilts,  Roseville,  Ohio. 

TWO  ONLY  THEATRES  in  town  5000  popu- 
lation; drawing  power  2000.  One  theatre  in- 
cludes property,  consisting  of  solid  three-story 
brick  building;  the  other  includes  equipment  and 
long  lease.  Price  $15,000;  cash  $8,000;  balance 
to  suit.  Other  business  compels  selling.  Ad- 
dress Box  201,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  S.  Dear- 
born Street,  Chicago,  111. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


CLOTH  BANNERS:  $1.40,  3x10  feet,  3 colors, 
any  copy  up  to  15  words;  one  day  service;  sent 
anywhere;  also  Bargain  Paper  Banners.  Asso- 
ciated Advertisers,  111  West  18th  Street,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. 


WANTED:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  posters,  photos,  slides,  ban- 
ners, and  all  other  kinds  of  accessories  on  any 
subject — features  comedies,  serials,  save  60% — 
Write  for  price  list.  Address  Theatre  Poster 
Supply  Co.,  and  Sign  Exchange,  327  East  Sixth 
Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Theatre  Printing 


“NEARGRAVUREMBOSO”  (type  embossed) 
STATIONERY.  250  letterheads  $3.75.  Post- 
paid. Samples.  Address  Sollidays,  E.  H.,  124, 
Knox,  Indiana. 


5,000  20-LB.  BOND  LETTERHEADS,  $13.75; 
prices  on  smaller  quantities  in  proportion.  Ad- 
dress Badger  Printing  Co.,  Appleton,  Wis. 


100  20-LB.  HAMMERMILL  BOND  LETTER- 
HEADS, 8^x11,  and  100  6f^  Envelopes  to  match, 
$1.00,  postpaid.  Printed  to  your  order.  Address 
Coyle  & Kimball,  Newport,  N.  Y. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS:  Fac- 
tory rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduce  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


ONE  REPRODUCO  PIPE  ORGAN  FOR 
SALE.  Used  two  months.  Like  new,  with  20 
rolls  of  music.  Can  be  played  by  hand  or 
automatic.  Reason  for  selling  just  installed  a 
large  organ.  Terms  third  down,  balance  in  one 
year.  Will  be  glad  to  show  this  organ  to  you. 
Write  Garber  & Bennett,  Rialto  Theatre,  Pekin, 
Illinois. 


Chair  Repairs 


BACKS  AND  BOTTOMS  for  sale.  We  will 
match  yours.  Send  sample  or  write  Box  330,  H. 
P.  Sta.,  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built 
for  a purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best 
of  results  and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph 
Spratler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors,  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  150  thea- 
tres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


HERE  IS  YOUR  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 
several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


WE  ARE  IN  THE  MARKET  for  100  used  pro- 
jectors, any  make,  for  which  we  will  pay  highest 
cash  prices.  Address  Box  199,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street.  (Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  Ml 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


POWER:  SIMPLEX:  MOTIOGRAPH: 

Edison:  Zenith  Projectors.  Graphoscope,  Rheo- 
stats and  Compensarcs.  300  reels  of  films  includ- 
ing big  features  and  comedy  and  western.  Scenics 
and  News  reels.  Completely  rebuilt  machines 
cheap.  We  buy,  sell  and  exchange.  Supplies  for 
mazda  and  calcium  light.  Address  National 
Equipment  Company,  409  West  Michigan  Street, 
Dulitth,  Minn. 


WHO  WANTS  THESE  BIG  BARGAINS? 
Two  Powers  6 A picture  machines,  complete,  with 
motors,  $125  each.  Four  Motiographs,  complete, 
with  motors,  $100  each.  FOB,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
400  Opera  Chairs,  Like  new,  used  3 months.  5 
ply,  19  inches  wide,  with  Hat  Wires,  American 
Walnut  finish,  $1.75  each.  FOB,  Kennett,  Mo., 
232  at  $1.75.  FOB.  Caruthersyille,  Mo.  228 
heavy  opera  chairs,  17  inches  wide,  new,  never 
used,  $2.50  each,  FOB,  Arlington  Heights,  111. 
These  prices  are  $4  regular  prices.  Will  accept 
Vs  cash,  balance  12  monthly  payments.  Address 
Sam  Lears,  3759  Pinegrove  Avenue,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


FOR  SALE  IF  TAKEN  AT  ONCE.  1 Pow- 
ers A Mazda  Machine  complete.  7 good  electric 
fans,  2 of  them  good  size  Exhaust  fans.  1 Metal 
Booth,  1 Reproduce  electric  Pipe  Organ  with  54 
rolls  of  good  music,  some  reels  of  tickets.  A 
Honeydew  Gum  Machine.  Address  Box  27, 
Eureka,  Illinois. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


*‘.What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Columbia 

THE  DANGER  ZONE:  Kenneth  DcDonald— 
Aug:.  2.  Just  an  ordinary  projrram  picture.  Will 
get  by  with  a good  comedy.  Five  reels. — Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

FBO 

CYCLONE  OF  THE  RANGE:  Tom  Tyler  and 
Pals — 75%.  August  12-13.  Dandy  picture.  Tom 
and  his  pals  do  some  fine  work  in  this  one. 
You  will  be  pleased  with  this  one. — Al.  Stoddard. 
Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

AIN’T  LOVE  FUNNY:  Alberta  Vaughn-- 
65%  August  8-9.  Here  is  a tiptop  picture,  one 
that  will  make  any  old  timer  like  it.  There  are 
plenty  of  real  laughs  in  it  and  Alberta  Vaughn 
does  her  stuff.  Will  please  as  many  people  as 
any  picture  could.  Five  reels. — Ai.  Stoddard, 
Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

KOSHER  KITTY  KELLY:  Special  cast— 70%. 
A good  comedy  picture  all  the  way  through. 
Our  patrons  were  well  pleased  with  it.  Eight 
reels. — J.  P.  Johnson,  S.  of  N.  theatre,  Ambrose, 
N.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  ARIZONA  STREAK:  Tom  Tyler— 80%. 
One  of  Tom  Tyler’s  best  pictui’es.  Five  reels. — ■ 
J.  P.  Johnson,  S.  of  N.  theatre,  Ambrose,  N D. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 90%.  A 
great  cast  and  an  excellent  picture.  Mrs.  Strat- 
ton-Porter’s  pictures  are  well  liked  by  our  pa- 
trons, and  especialiy  this  one  seemed  to  take 
better  than  any  other  of  her  older  stories.  Seven 
reels. — J.  P.  Johnson,  S.  of  N.  theatre,  Ambrose, 
N.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cas^-A  very 
good  production.  Has  had  many  favorable  com- 
ments.— Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer, 
Mich. — ^General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN : Special  cast — Very 
good.  Drew  for  us  the  second  night.  Had  people 
who  do  not  make  a practice  of  attending  picture 
shows. — R.  K.  Dattin,  Strand  theatre,  Valparaiso, 
Neb. — General  patronage. 

RED  HOT  HOOFS:  Special  cast — 90%.  Always 
depend  on  Tyler  and  his  Pals  to  please  the  na- 
tives and  very  popular  here. — Ed  C.  Curdts, 
Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — General  patron- 
age. 

HEADS  UP:  Lefty  Flynn — 80%.  August  17. 
Lefty  is  getting  better  all  the  time.  But  keep 
him  out  of  Western  pictures.  He  goes  better  in 
actions.  The  leading  girl  wasn’t  at  all  hard  to 
look  at.  Six  reels. — J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight  the- 
atre, Kingston,  W.  Va. — General  patronage. 

BREED  OF  THE  SEA:  Special  cast— 80%. 
Very  good  subject,  well  directed  and  with  fairly 
good  drawing  power.  Pleased. — Ed  C.  Curdts, 
Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — General  patron- 
age. 

DON  MIKE:  Fred  Thomson — 85%.  July  6. 
This  one  will  please  the  showgoing  people,  as 
Thomson  sure  does  some  trick  riding  and  this 
picture  has  plenty  of  action.  It’s  a pretty  good 
bet  to  play.  Six  reels. — J.  R.  Brown,  Texas  the- 
atre, Shamrock,  Tex, — General  patronage. 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 

daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  57. 


HANDS  ACROSS  THE  BORDER:  Fred  Thom- 
son— 90%.  August  10.  Fred  and  Silver  always 
good.  Six  reels. — J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight  the- 
atre, Kingston,  W.  Va. — ^Genei-al  patronage. 

THE  TWO  GUN  MAN:  Fred  Thomson— 54%. 
July  19.  The  box  office  kept  ringing  and  so  did 
the  favorable  comments.  Six  reels. — Fred  H. 
Rector,  Roseland  theatre,  Chilowie,  Va. — General 
patronage. 

FLASHING  FANGS:  Ranger — 40%,  August  19. 
A fair  dog  picture.  Good  entertainment  of  this 
kind. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

SILVER  COMES  THRU:  Fred  Thomson- 
August  17-18.  A race  horse  story  with  a West- 
ern setting.  The  only  improbable  stuff  is  the 
terrific  speed  attained  by  the  horses  in  the  run- 
away and  later  in  the  race.  No  shooting,  no 
bloodshed  and  the  hero  licks  only  two  men  at 
once  instead  of  a housefull.  One  of  the  best 
from  thus  star  and  horse.  Will  satisfy  all  ex- 
cept blood-thirsty.  Six  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold, 
Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General  patronage. 

TOM’S  GANG:  Tom  Tyler — August  9.  This  is 
just  another  factory  made  Western.  Stars  or 
brands  mean  nothing  unless  the  producers  use 
some  real  stories  and  cut  out  the  everlasting 
stereotyped  hokum.  This  type  of  photoplay  is 
doomed  in  this  town.  They  simply  will  not  draw, 
even  the  acknowledged  Western  fans.  Film  new. 
Five  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco, 
la. — ^General  patronage. 


THE  MIDNIGHT  FLYER:  Cullen  Landis- 
August  6.  Very  good  action  picture.  Had  a good 
crowd.  Nice  picture  for  small  town.  Six  reels. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton, 
Pa. — General  patronage. 

MOTHER:  Special  cast — On  account  of  rain 
had  a very  small  house  on  this.  But  all  who  saw 
it  said  good  picture. — R.  K.  Lattin,  Strand  the- 
atre, Valparauso,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

OUT  OF  THE  WEST:  Tom  Tyler— August  20. 
A nice  little  picture.  A little  different  than  the 
most  of  Tom's.  Has  a baseball  story  running 
through  it.  You  know,  wins  the  game  and  the 
girl  and  saves  the  ranch  in  the  last  reel.  Five 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Ti'ags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

WHEN  A DOG  LOVES:  Ranger — Just  a fair 
dog  picture. — Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre, 
Homer,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

First  National 

LOST  AT  THEi  FRONT:  Special  cast— 75%. 
August  21-2'2.  This  is  a very  funny  picture. 
Could  not  expect  anything  else  with  “Murray  and 
Sidney”  in  cast. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  the- 
atre, Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

LONESOME  LADIES  Special  cast— 50%.  Au- 
gust 10-11.  Good  comments  from  the  few  who 
came  to  see  it.  Six  reels. — E.  H.  Brechler,  Opera 
House,  Fennimore,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Special  cast — 85%. 
July  29-30.  Murray  and  Conklin  make  a great 
comedy  team.  Don’t  pass  this  up.  Eight  reels. — 
George  Benson,  Community  theatre,  Minneota, 
Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BROWN  DERBY:  Johnny  Hines— 80%. 
August  13.  GockI  comedy.  Will  go  over  in  any 
house.  Seven  reels. — J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight  the- 
atre, Kingston,  W.  Va. — General  patronage. 

STEPPING  ALONG:  Johnny  Hines~85%.  Au- 
gust 5-6.  Good  comedy.  If  your  crowd  likes 
Johnny  Hines  as  well  as  ours  does,  this  will 
surely  please  them.  Seven  reels. — George  Benson, 
Community  theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — Small 
town  patronage. 

HIGH  HAT:  Special  cast — 19%.  August  1. 
Terrible.  The  worst  we  have  ever  received  from 
First  National.  Seven  r€jels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  SEA  TIGER:  Milton  Sills— 40%.  Au- 
gust 10.  Very  good  sea  drama  but  pretty  rough 
and  the  ladies  did  not  enthuse  over  it.  Six 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer.  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  LADY  IN  ERMINE:  Corinne  Griffith— 
75%.  August  17-18.  I have  seen  a few  bad  re- 
ports on  this  picture  but  it  did  a good  business 
for  me  and  gave  good  satisfaction.  Seven  reels. — 
E.  H.  Brechler,  Opera  House,  Fennimore,  Wis. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  DARK  ANGEL:  Special  cast — 43%,  June 
3-4,  Suited  the  crowd.  Eight  reels. — Fred  H. 
Rector,  Ro.seland  theatre,  Chilhowie,  Va. — General 
patronage. 

HARD  BOILED  HAGGERTY:  Milton  Sills- 
August  21-22.  We  will  write  a letter  on  this 
one.  You  fellows  in  small  towns  where  you 
meet  your  patrons  on  the  street  evei'y  day  will 
do  very  well  not  to  book  this  until  you  have 
seen  it.  “Rookies”  and  “Callahans  and  Murphys” 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


1 


S/AIUEL  ZIERLEH 

presents 


m 


Perfect  picturization  of  the  Paris 
and  New  York  stage  success  by 
Paul  Geraldy. 


Scintillant  cast  including 

Holmes  Herbert 


Ruth  Dwyer 
Reginald  Sheffield 
Jean  Acker 
Wihred  Lucas 
Thomas  Holding 


Directed  by 

WILL  NIGH 


PICTURES 
COI^POR^TION 


SAMUEL  ZIERlEn./«»>aW 

NEW  • V O K. 


were  tame — very  tame — compared  with  this. 
Eight  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre, 
Cresco,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  DEVIL’S  SADDLE:  Ken  Maynard— Au- 
gust 16.  Maynard  as  a Western  star  is  the  equal 
of  any.  However,  like  the  vast  majority  of  West- 
ern pictures,  this  one  contains  at  least  one  scene 
that  is  not  according  to  Hoyle.  I refer  to  the 
accidental  Indian  shooting  on  the  cliff  wherein 
the  outlaw  could  just  as  well  as  not  have  emptied 
his  gun  at  Maynard  whatever  the  result.  Instead, 
he  gallops  off  and  leaves  the  hero  for  another 
day  to  his  ultimate  sorrow.  Six  reels. — Ivy  D. 
Arnold,  Cresco  theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

PRINCE  OF  HEAD  WAITERS:  Lewis  Stone 
— August  9-10.  The  old  gold-digger  story  in  a 
new  setting,  interestingly  told  and  will  get  by 
with  no  more  than  the  average  number  of  kicks. 
This  is  supposed  to  be  Stone’s  best,  but  this 
means  nothing  as  he  has  no  drawing  power. — ■ 
H.  G.  Stettmund,  H.  & S.  theatre.  Chandler, 
Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 

AN  AFFAIR  OF  THE  FOLLIES:  Billie  Dove 
• — August  7-8.  A very  good  px’Ogram  picture. 
Good  story  and  cast.  Boys,  if  you  had  seen 
Billie  Dove  in  this  one  before  you  voted  in  the 
Beauty  Contest,  there  would  have  been  no  con- 
test at  all,  it  would  have  been  unanimous.  Seven 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neills- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE:  Colleen  Moore— First 
of  all,  a box  office  picture,  and  that  is  what  we 
are  looking  for.  Next,  it  is  hitting  on  all  four 
from  entertainment  standpoint,  and  Colleen  is 
her  old  self  which  means  something.  'The  rest 
of  the  cast  are  excellent.  I say  you  have  one 
of  the  big  hits  of  the  season.  Seven  reels — W.  H. 
Brenner,  Cozy  theatre,  Winchester,  Ind. — ^General 
patronage. 

SUBWAY  SADIE:  Jack  Mulhall — August  9-10. 
A classy  little  program  picture.  Seemed  to 
please  the  majority.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  'Trags- 
dorf,  Trags  theatre.  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MEN  OF  STEEL:  Milton  Sills— July  27-28.  A 
very  good  picture  in  every  way.  Acting  of  Mil- 
ton  Sills  wonderful.  Didn’t  have  much  of  a 
crowd  on  account  of  tent  show  right  next  to  me. 
Ten  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

THE  SUNSET  DERBY : Special  cast — August 
12.  Dandy  good  little  racing  story  that  drew 
well  for  one  night  and  pleased  just  about  100 
per  cent.  It  is  advertised  as  being  different  from 
the  usual  race  track  picture  and  it  is.  Both 
Astor  and  Collier  excellent.  Seven  reels. — Henry 
Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town 
patronage. 

FOREVER  AFTER:  Mary  Astor — August  14. 
A very  fine  production.  Football  and  war  scenes 
good.  Seven  reels. — ^Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags 
theatre,  Neillsville.  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

Fox 

COLLEEN:  Madge  Bellamy — 45%.  August  1-2. 
Splendid  picture.  Lots  of  comedy  that  keeps 
them  laughing.  Sammy  Cohen  a scream.  Be 
sure  and  get  this  one.  Six  reels. — M.  Bailey, 
Strand  theatre,  Dryden,  Ont.,  Canada. — Small 
town  patronage. 

WOMAN  POWER:  Special  cast — 50%.  August 
15-16.  Brother  Exhibitor,  lay  off.  Absolutely 
without  any  power  at  box  office.  Failed  to  take 
in  enough  on  it  to  pad  a crutch.  A few  more 
like  this  would  have  power  enough  to  railroad 
us  out  of  commission. — Ed  C.  Curdts.  Bijou  the- 
atre, Greenville.  S.  C. — General  patronage. 

MARRIED  ALIVE:  Special  cast — 30%.  July 
24-25.  A terrible  piece  of  cheese.  Don’t  run  it. 
Five  reels. — M.  Bailey.  Strand  theatre,  Dryden. 
Ont.,  Canada. — Small  town  patronage. 

WINGS  OF  THE  STORM:  Special  cast— Good 
picture,  and  different,  but  somehow  it  failed  to 
please  our  regular  fans. — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal 
theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

HARD  BOILED:  Tom  Mix — August  18-19.  A 
good  Mix  picture.  He  has  made  many  that 
were  better,  but  this  seemed  to  please  everyone. 
Quite  a little  comedy  in  it.  Six  reels. — Wm.  E. 
Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

ANKLES  PREFERRED:  Madge  Bellamy— A 
good  picture.  Better  than  title  indicates.  Some 
folks  show  poor  taste  in  selecting  titles.  Many 
a picture  is  killed  by  a bum  title. — Ed  C.  Curdts, 


Bijou  theatre,  Greenville.  S.  C. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BRONCHO  TWISTER:  Tom  Mix— About 
the  usual  Mix  standard. — Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic 
theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

MARRIAGE:  Virginia  Valli — Very  good  pic- 
ture, acting  good  and  good  story.  Title  a little 
misleading. — John  Esterl,  Bex  theatre.  Park  Falls, 
Wis. — General  patronage. 

ONE  INCREASING  PURPOSE:  Edmund  Lowe 
— Paid  too  much  and  had  no  drawing  power. 
Pleased  about  25  per  cent. — John  Esterl,  Rex 
theatre.  Park  Falls,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

WHISPERING  WIRES:  Special  casf^A  very 
good  mystery  picture  that  kept  them  on  the  edge 
of  their  seats. — Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre, 
Homer,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

WHEN  THE  DOOR  OPENED:  Special  cast— 
August  11-12.  A fair  Curwood  story  that  drew 
better  than  it  deserved.  Photography  very  poor 
in  many  places.  Hokum  flood  in  the  last  reel 
seemed  to  save  it.  Seven  reels. — Wm.  E.  Trags- 
dorf, Trags  theatre,  Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MARRIED  ALIVE:  Matt  Moore— Book  this  as 
a two  reeler.  It’s  not  much  over  that.  We  came 
near  saying  a two  reel  comedy,  but  it’s  not  even 
that. — R.  J.  Speck,  Kenwood  theatre,  Chicago, 
111. — General  patronage. 

CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— 100%.  July 
30.  This  picture  has  some  good  action  in  it  and 
has  plenty  of  scenei-y.  It’s  well  worth  the  ad- 
mission for  most  small  towns.  Seven  reels. — J. 
R.  Brown,  Texas  theatre.  Shamrock,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

THE  UNKNOWN:  Lon  Chaney— 95%.  Au- 
gust 10-11.  This  one  is  a mystery  to  the  movie 
fans  as  the  two  parts  that  Chaney  plays  will 
amaze  you.  He  keeps  you  wondering  what  he 
is  going  to  do  next.  Seven  reels. — J.  R.  Brown, 
Texas  theatre.  Shamrock,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  BUGLE  CALL:  Jackie  Coogan— 80%. 
August  14-15.  A very  good  picture  and  pleased 
100  per  cent.  Six  reels. — E.  H.  Brechler,  Opera 
House,  Fennimore,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

THE  BUGLE  CALL:  Jackie  Coogan — August 
19-20.  A pretty  good  little  story  for  the  family. 
The  kids  all  like  it,  and  the  women  also,  that 
do  not  mind  a few  dead  Indians.  We  are  curi- 
ous to  know  where  the  fully  equipped  cavalry 
horse  came  from  at  the  opportune  time  after 
Jackie  had  gone  on  foot  in  search  of  his  step- 
mother. Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco 
theatre,  Cresco,  la. — General  patronage. 

TTLLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— 75%. 
July  24-25.  Very  amusing  light  comedy  with 
Marion  Davies  as  a beautiful  and  dumb  stenog- 
rapher. Seven  reels. — George  Benson,  Communi- 
ty theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

CAPTAIN  SALVATION:  Special  cast— 60%. 
August  14-15.  A thrilling  drama  of  1840,  with 
a New  England  seaport  and  a convict  ship  for 
the  settings.  Lars  Hansen,  Pauline  Starke  and 
Ernest  Torrence  as  the  villainous  captain  make 
this  a picture  you  will  remember.  Not  for  chil- 
dren. Eight  reels. — George  Benson,  Community 
theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

ROOKIES:  Special  cast — 70%.  August  20. 
The  funniest  comedy  ever  screened.  You  can 
exhaust  your  vocabulary  telling  them  about  it 
and  the  picture  will  go  you  one  better.  For  the 
first  time  of  my  picture  experience  I offered 
guaranteed  entertainment  or  money  refunded. 
Stood  in  the  lobby  with  my  hand  full  of  quar- 
ters when  they  came  out  but  they  couldn’t  see 
me  through  their  tears.  Seven  reels. — ^H.  E. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


September  3,  1927 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


KANSAS  CITY,  MO.,  AUGUST  17,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

Today  was  “Lindbergh  Day”  in  Kansas  City.  The  colonel  was  scheduled  to  arrive 
at  the  Kansas  City  airport  at  2 p.  ni.  from  St.  Louis,  and  at  two  minutes  before  the 
appointed  time  for  his  arrival  his  plane  was  sighted  coming  out  of  the  East,  and 
after  circling  the  business  section  he  glided  down  and  made  a perfect  landing 
on  the  new  field,  which  he  dedicated  with  proper  ceremonies. 

When  “Lindy”  landed  everything  stopped  but  the  Missouri  river.  The  only 
people  in  Kansas  City  who  didn’t  yell  were  those  who  were  deaf,  dumb  and  blind. 
Whistles  blew,  sirenes  shrieked,  bells  rang,  men  yelled,  women  screamed  and 
everybody  yelled  “Lindy,”  but  Lindy  didn’t  seem  to  care  a continental  whether 
anybody  came  out  to  meet  him  or  not. 

The  colonel  has  come  and  gone  and  Kansas  City  has  settled  hack  into  the  old 
channel  of  trying  to  prove  to  the  world  that  she  is  the  best  town  in  Missouri,  and 
should  she  prove  it,  it  is  going  to  make  St.  Louis  and  St.  Joe  awfully  jealous, 
just  like  it  makes  Omaha  and  Lincoln,  Neb.  jealous  of  Neligh.  They  shouldn’t  feel 
that  way  about  it,  that’s  a naughty  attitude  to  take. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

According  to  E.  J.  Peska,  president  of  Sun  Theatres  Company,  which  owns  and 
operates  the  Rivoli,  Riviera  and  Rialto  theatres  in  St.  Joe,  Publix  and  Universal, 
who  each  own  and  operate  a theatre  there,  have  started  making  faces  at  one  an- 
other and  are  liable  to  take  their  little  red  wagons  and  go  home.  Mr.  Peska  says 
that  Puhlix  gives  away  200  free  tickets  for  each  daily  performance  and  Universal 
sells  two  adult  tickets  for  25  cents  and  a free  ticket  is  given  for  every  purchase, 
no  matter  how  small,  at  any  of  the  stores  good  for  any  show  at  the  Universal 
house.  Wliether  they  are  attempting  to  stimulate  business  or  are  trying  to  elimi- 
nate each  other,  including  the  Sun  theatre,  and  ultimately  wreck  the  whole  works, 
is  a guess  anyone  can  make  whether  he  has  any  chips  in  the  game  or  not,  but 
this  much  is  certain,  somebody  somewhere  is  pulling  a bonehead,  and  someone 
should  get  a hardwood  lath  and  invite  Publix  and  Universal  to  a private  session 
out  in  the  woodshed.  No  public  service  corporation  should  be  permitted  to  dis- 
credit its  own  product  in  that  way.  They  are  selling  it  to  other  people  and  de- 
manding that  it  be  shown  at  reasonable  prices. 

The  Herald  Fillg  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Mr.  Cole,  branch  manager  for  Paramount,  I attended 
a showing  of  “Ten  Modern  Commandments,”  a Famous  Players  picture  at  the 
Newman  theatre,  a Publix  house.  The  picture  was  all  that  anyone  could  ask  for  at 
reasonable  prices,  it  was  well  directed,  well  played,  the  settings  were  elaborate,  the 
photography  excellent  and  the  story  interest  well  sustained  throughout  the  entire 
showing,  but  they  put  on  a presentation  act  consisting  of  a dance  revue  which  con- 
sumed better  than  half  of  the  evening  and  which  took  the  spotlight  position  and 
subordinated  their  own  product.  As  I saw  “Ten  Modern  Commandments,”  it  is 
good  enough  to  fill  any  theatre  without  assistance  and  satisfy  at  reasonable  prices. 
Therefore,  “why  disown  the  child?” 

I am  told  that  one  of  the  downtown  houses  put  out  a questionnaire  asking 
whether  the  patrons  desired  orchestra  and  presentation  acts  with  their  entertainment 
or  straight  picture  programs  with  pipe  organ.  The  straight  picture  programs  and 
the  pipe  organ  won  by  4637  out  of  the  8095  answers  returned.  There  is  food  for 
thought  contained  in  this  survey. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Someone,  presumably  Jay,  or  perhaps  Eagle  Eye  Joe,  or  possibly  that  over- 
worked William  who  doesn’t  keep  up  with  his  correspondence,  sent  me  a coupla 
copies  of  “The  Chicagoan.”  You  may,  or  may  not  know  what  “The  Chicagoan”  is. 
I didn’t  until  I received  the  two  copies  today.  “The  Chicagoan”  is  a magazine 
that  carries  more  big  words  than  Webster  ever  heard  of.  I looked  the  thing  over 
for  two  hours  trying  to  discover  who  was  sponsor  for  it  and  had  about  made  up  my 
mind  that  it  was  an  orphan  when  I discovered  in  very  fine  print  down  on  the 
bottom  of  the  second  page  that  it  is  published  by  Martin  J.  Quigley,  editor  and 
publisher,  and  is  published  at  407  South  Dearborn  street. 

Whether  it  is  a stepson  of  EXHIBITORS  HERALD  or  a twin  sister  of  THE 
STUDIO  I am  not  competent  to  state,  but  whatever  relationship  it  bears  to  our 
favorite  magazine,  if  any,  it  is  a whizer  of  a baby  and  nobody  connected  with  its 
birth  need  be  ashamed  of  it. 

It  seems  to  treat  of  this,  that  and  the  other  thing,  in  a masterful  way,  all  of 
which  are  important  subjects,  and  any  Chicagoan  who  can  read  should  be  tickled 
to  death  to  have  his  John  Henry  on  the  subscription  rolls.  “The  Chicagoan”  looks 
like  it  will  fill  a want  none  others  do,  outside  of  course,  EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 
as  nothing  in  the  field  can  touch  that.  Here’s  to  the  new  baby,  may  he  (or  she) 
squawk  long  and  loud. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

K.  C.,  AUGUST  20. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  left  for  Excelsior  Springs  as  soon  as  the  exchanges 
closed  today  but  fate  ordained  otherwise.  The  exhibitors  and  exchangemen  were 
to  cross  bats  at  2 o’clock  to  settle  a feud  of  long  standing  and  I was  urged  by  both 
factions  to  stay  over  and  cover  the  game  for  the  HERALD.  It  has  been  my 
privilege  to  witness  a great  many  exhibitions  of  the  national  game,  but  never  have 
I witnesses  a contest  equalling  the  one  this  afternoon. 

{Continued  on  following  page) 


Patrick,  Palace  theatre.  North  Rose,  N.  Y. — ■ 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  cast— 90%. 
August  19-20.  Our  audience  just  ate  this  up. 
You  cannot  boost  this  too  strong.  It  has  the 
thrills  and  the  sobs.  Ten  reels. — J.  A.  Enge- 
sather,  M.  W.  A.  Movies,  Brocket,  N.  D. — General 
patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Charles  Ray — A very 
good  special  of  its  type.  On  account  of  ad- 
vanced admission  the  crowd  stayed  away.  I had 
to  pay  too  much  for  it.  Metro-Goldwyn  eime 
put  a high  price  on  their  specials. — -John  Esterl, 
Rex  theatre,  Park  Falls,  Wis. — General  patron- 
age. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special 
cast — 50%.  August  14-15.  This  is  a fine  enter- 
taining picture;  good  satisfaction.  Joan  Craw- 
ford splendid  and  cast  very  good.  As  a special 
it  was  an  extra  good  “program  picture”  only 
sold  to  us  as  a special. — Bert  Silver.  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special 
cast — 50%.  August  12-13.  A slow  moving,  but 
good  program  feature.  Seven  reels. — J.  A.  Enge- 
sather,  M.  W.  A.  Movies,  Brocket,  N.  D. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

CALIFORNIA:  Tim  McCoy— 41%.  August  7. 
Would  class  this  as  an  historic  Western.  The 
picture  is  done  on  a big  scale  and  as  it  has 
plenty  of  action,  comedy  and  suspense  should 
please  the  average  patron.  A good  small  town 
offering.  Six  reels. — ^A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  the- 
atre, Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  SHOW : Special  cast — 58%.  August  9. 
This  is  a good  melodrama.  Thrills  galore  in  this 
one.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  BOOB:  George  K.  Arthur — 60%.  August 
16-17.  Very  funny  picture.  A funny  sap  trying 
to  play  a cowboy.  Ten  and  25c.  Six  reels. — 
G.  S.  Young.  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  BOOB : Special  cast — 60%.  August  15. 
Lay  off  this  one.  Nearest  thing  to  nothing  we 
ever  ran.  If  this  is  a burlesque  on  a Western 
it  should  have  been  killed  in  its  infancy.  If 
it  was  meant  to  be  anything  else,  what  was 
that  else? — J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight  theatre, 
Kingston.  W.  Va. — General  patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY:  Sally  O'Neil^0%. 
July  31.  Exceptionally  good  Irish-Jewish  comedy. 
A family  picture.  Advertising  punk  as  is  per 
usual  with  Metro  pictures.  They  should  get  a 
new  advertising  manager.  Eight  reels — A.  G. 
Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General 
patronage. 

THE  VALLEY  OF  HELL:  Francis  McDonald 
— 100%.  August  16.  Broke  our  Tuesday  night 
record  with  this  picture.  Took  in  more  money 
than  “La  Boheme”  and  "Mare  Nostrom”  at  ad- 
vanced prices.  Francis  McDonald  sure  can  ride 
and  this  picture  was  full  of  riding  and  thrills. 
Five  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — ^General  patronage. 

MR.  WU : Lon  Chaney — 80%.  July  31-Au- 
gust  1.  A wonderful  picture,  and  I consider  it 
one  of  Chaney’s  best.  The  tragic  story  may 
spoil  it  for  some,  but  it  is  beautifully  done,  and 
Renee  Adoree  makes  a very  appealing  little 
Chinese  girl.  Eighe  reels. — George  Benson,  Com- 
munity theatre,  Minnesota,  Minn. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MR.  WU : Lon  Chaney — 50%.  April  26.  Too 
weird.  Lon  Chaney’s  pictures  don’t  suit  our 
customers.  Eight  reels. — Fred  H.  Rector,  Rose- 
land  theatre,  Chilhowie,  Va. — ^General  patronage. 

MR.  WU : Lon  Chaney — Good  business.  Pic- 
ture not  so  good  for  my  people.  Disappointed 
75  per  cent.  Me  included.  Eight  reels. — James 
L.  Delisi,  Uberty  theatre,  Saltsburg,  Pa. — ^Gen- 
eral patronage. 

NEVER  THE  TWAIN  SHALL  MEET:  Special 
cast — 38%.  April  22-23.  ..Very  good,  but  did  not 
draw.  Eight  reels. — Fred  H.  Rector,  Roseland 
theatre,  Chilhowie,  Va. — General  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  MURPHYS:  Sally 
O’Neil — August  18-19.  Some  picture  that  will 
send  them  out  talking  and  they  tell  their  friends 
to  go  see  it. — -H.  G.  Stettmund,  H.  & S.  theatre. 
Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  MURPHYS:  Special 
cast — A little  too  raw  for  those  who  want  clean 
pictures  and  our  patrons  are  the  kind  that  are 
looking  for  clean  entertainment. — R.  K.  Lattin, 
Strand  theatre.  Valparaiso,  Neb. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  MURPHYS:  Special 
cast — Too  much  for  an  American  to  tolerate 


when  such  subtitles  as,  “It  must  be  a black  Prot- 
estant," appear  in  large  type  and  a couple  of 
Irish  women  are  making  a toast  to  our  public 
schools  with  a stein  of  beer.  It  is  absolutely 
padded  with  rot  and  vulgar  remarks  and  chil- 
dren shouldn’t  see  it  at  all.  Remember,  brother 
exhibitor,  that  we  cater  to  all  denominations  and 
can’t  afford  to  insult  our  patrons.  Several 


walked  out  on  this  one.  Seven  reels. — Ray  Wilber, 
Community  House,  Arlington,  N.  Y. — General 
patronage. 

ON  ZE  BOULEVARD:  Special  cast— If  this  is 
a boulevard  give  us  a side  street.  The  redeeming 
feature  of  this  production  is  Lew  Cody’s  acting. 
This  is  just  a sample  of  the  sour  dishes  us 
exhibitors  will  get  in  order  to  show  Metro-Gold- 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


J.  C.  Jenkins— ^is  Colyum 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

The  day  was  ideal  and  the  attendance  would  have  made  Tex  Rickard  think  he 
was  managing  an  old  ladies’  picnic.  The  immense  throng  began  gathering  before 
noon  and  standing  room  was  at  a premium  by  the  time  the  umpire  yelled,  “Play 
hall.”  The  battery  lineup  was  as  follows:  For  the  exchange  men,  Ben  Turpin 
and  Bull  Montana.  For  the  exhibitors,  Sam  Katz  and  Sid  Grauman.  There  was 
considerable  wrangling  over  who  should  umpire  the  game,  as  each  side  seemed 
to  be  mistrustful  of  the  other,  but  they  finally  settled  on  Big  Chief  Will  H.  Hays, 
alias  Will  Warner,  branch  manager  for  First  National.  Wlien  time  came  to  call 
the  game.  Big  Chief  walked  into  the  diamond  toting  a Winchester,  two  44’s  and 
a cheese  knife  and  shouted  “Play  ball.” 

The  exchange  men  had  packed  the  grandstand  with  rooters — mostly  colored — 
and  the  exhibitors  had  to  be  content  with  the  bleachers. 

The  exhibitors  went  to  bat  first,  and  when  Ben  Turpin  walked  into  the  box  they 
put  a batter  on  each  base,  not  knowing  which  way  he  was  going  to  throw  the  ball. 
The  first  batter  up  walked,  the  second  ditto,  but  the  third  one,  by  some  unaccount- 
able accident,  hit  the  hall  into  center  field,  but  was  so  surprised  that  he  started 
to  run  for  third  base  but  was  finally  headed  off  and  started  in  the  right  direction. 
When  the  exchange  men  came  to  bat  some  exhibitor  in  the  bleachers  yelled,  “They 
can’t  hit  anything  with  a ball  bat  but  they  can  bat  like  hell  with  a pencil.”  This 
remark  brought  the  exhibitors  to  their  feet  with  a whoop,  hut  it  illicited  hisses 
from  the  colored  section  in  the  grand  stand. 

At  the  close  of  the  third  inning,  a colored  policeman  walked  out  in  the  diamond 
and  placed  the  Big  Chief  under  arrest  for  holding  a four  bit  wager  on  the  game 
made  by  R.  R.  Biechle,  president  of  the  M.P.T.O.,  and  Harry  E.  Strickland,  branch 
manager  for  Warner  Brothers,  which  was  being  held  in  violation  of  the  laws  of 
the  state  of  Missouri. 

This  caused  a general  commotion,  and  looked  for  a time  like  the  game  was 
going  to  end  in  a riot,  as  the  exchangemen  claimed  it  was  an  outrage  and  the  ex- 
hibitors insisted  he  was  only  getting  what  he  should  have  gotten  years  ago.  It 
finally  developed,  however,  that  it  was  a putup  job,  framed  by  R.  R.  Biechle  of 
the  M.P.T.O.,  A.  H.  Cole  of  Paramount,  and  Peck  Baker,  an  exhibitor  of  Kansas 
City.  Some  even  accused  the  HERALD  man  of  having  a hand  in  it,  which,  of 
course,  was  a mistake.  The  Chief’s  tribe  rallied  to  his  support  and  he  was  allowed 
to  go  on  with  the  game. 

We  left  at  the  end  of  the  sixth  inning  and  when  we  left  each  side  was  carrying 
the  batters  around  the  bases  on  stretchers,  so  we  don’t  know  the  exact  result  of  the 
game,  but  at  the  end  of  the  sixth  the  score  stood  310  to  436  in  favor  of  the 
exhibitors. 

We  don’t  pretend  to  know  very  much  about  baseball — our  line  is  bass  fishing, 
but  if  either  of  these  teams  can  play  ball  tlien  A1  Smith  is  the  dry  candidate  for 
presitlent  on  the  W.  C.  T.  U.  ticket. 

— - —The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Othei’s  Do — — 

It  has  always  been  a belief  of  mine  that  one  couldn’t  find  a nicer  bunch  of 
exchange  managers  and  their  office  forces  than  those  at  Omaha,  but  since  spending 
three  days  here  in  Kansas  City  I have  revised  that  opinion  somewhat,  for,  since 
coming  here,  I have  received  every  courtesy  possible  from  every  branch  of  the 
distributing  end  of  the  business  and  I will  leave  K.  C.  with  a mighty  warm  spot 
in  my  heart  for  all  the  boys  with  whom  I have  come  in  contact,  and  this  goes  for 
the  exhibitors  as  well.  The  only  thing  that  keeps  my  cup  of  joy  from  overflowing 
is  that  I failed  to  add  to  the  HERALD  roster  as  many  names  as  I had  hoped  to 
do.  but  if  all  the  boys  who  promised  to  do  so  will  send  their  check  for  three 
dollars  for  two  years  subscription  to  the  world’s  greatest  magazine  to  my  home 
address  at  Neligh,  Neh.,  or  direct  to  the  office  at  407  South  Dearborn  street,  Chi- 
cago, I will  keep  Kansas  City  on  my  visiting  list  until  Texas  goes  republican,  and 
Pennsylvania  democratic,  and  that  will  be  sometime. 

- The  Heralh  Ji'ills  a Want  None  Others  Do— 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Harry  E.  Strickland,  branch  manager  for  Warner  Broth- 
ers, I was  privileged  to  witness  the  showing  of  Sid  Chaplin  in  “The  Missing  Link,” 
at  the  Globe  theatre,  a Warner  Brothers  house,  also  to  hear  again  the  Vitaphone. 
If  "The  Missing  Link”  is  a fair  sample  of  Warner  Brothers  product  it  is  certain 
that  the  e.xhibitors  will  have  no  complaint  to  register  from  that  source,  for  it’s 
a hilariously  funny  comedy  played  only  as  Sid  can  play  it.  The  Vitaphone  is 
beyond  description,  so  1 will  simply  say  that  IT  IS  WONDEREUL  and  let  it  go 
at  that.  I am  indebted  to  Mr.  Strickland  for  a most  delightful  evening. 

— -The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

I ha  ve  discovered  a double  for  Presiilent  Coolidge  in  the  person  of  A.  H.  Cole, 
branch  manager  for  Paramount,  and  if  Cal  is  as  courteous  to  people  as  Mr.  Cole 
is,  and  was  to  me,  I am  sorry  he  will  not  be  a candidate  for  re-election. 

-The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

The  most  charming  person  I have  met  in  many  a day  is  Mr.  R.  R.  Biechle,  presi- 
dent of  the  Missouri  and  Kansas  M.P.T.O. 

Mr.  Biechle  is  an  exhibitor  in  Kansas  City,  Kan.,  and  is  an  indefatigable  worker 
for  the  exhibitors  interest  throughout  the  territory,  and  notwithstanding  his  deep 
interest  and  strenuous  efforts  in  behalf  of  the  exhibitors,  he  is  held  in  the  highest 
esteem  by  every  member  along  film  row.  The  HERALD  man  is  deeply  indebted 
to  Mr.  Biechle  for  a two  hour  drive  through  the  business  district  and  the  beautiful 
residential  section  of  the  City. 

J.  C.  JENKINS. 

The  HERALD  Man. 


wyn  specials.  By  all  means,  boys,  shelve  thie 
one.  If  you  must  play  it  take  a night  off  when 
you  do  so  that  you  don’t  be  embarrassed  by  fac- 
ing your  patrons. — R.  J.  Speck.  Kenwood  the- 
atre. Chicago,  III. — General  patronage. 


TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney — 
August  17-18.  Splendid  picture,  Chaney  at  his 
be.st.  He  is  not  a draw  here  though,  and  we 
had  the  same  experience  as  with  “Fire  Brigade,” 
a corking  good  picture  that  pleased  all  that  came 


September  3,  1927 

but  results  at  the  B.  O.  were  not  what  we  hoped 
for.  Ten  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre. 
Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

LOVERS:  Ramon  Novarro — A good  program 

picture  but  no  special.  The  title  kept  people 
away.  Weak  plot. — John  Esterl,  Rex  theatre. 
Park  Falls,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

MIKE:  Sally  O'Neil — Lots  of  human  interest. 
Pleased  greatly.  Charlie  Murray  who  has  hun- 
dreds of  friends  here  kind  of  ran  away  with  the 
picture.  When  we  want  a crowd  now,  and  that’s 
about  all  the  time,  with  the  accent  on  the  want, 
all  we  have  to  do  is  to  announce  that  Charlie 
Mm-ray  has  a good  part  and  they  wake  up  and 
face  the  box  office.  The  laughing  show  gets  the 
people.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal 
theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

MIKE:  Sally  O’Neil — July  30.  Here  is  a good 
comedy  drama.  Will  please  them  all.  Sally 
O’Neil  is  very  cute.  Seven  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

FAUST:  Emil  Jannings — August  11.  Too  long 
and  draggy.  No  good  for  small  town.  Nine 
reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlen- 
ton, Pa. — General  patronage. 

Paramount 

TEN  MODERN  COMMANDMENTS:  Esther 
Ralston — 75%.  August  2-3.  Good  entertainment. 
Beautiful  star,  beautiful  settings,  and  a Clevel- 
and amusing  story.  Six  reels. — George  Benson, 
Community  theatre.  Minneota,  Minn. — Small  town 
patronage. 

KNOCKOUT  RILEY:  Richard  Dix— 80%.  Au- 
gust 7-8.  Very  good  Dix  picture.  Story  of  iron- 
worker who  is  forced  by  circumstances  into  the 
fight  game  and  who  eventually  becomes  world 
champion.  Seven  reels. — George  Benson,  Com- 
munity theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — Small  town 
patronage. 

WEDDING  BILLS:  Raymond  Griffith— 4 7%. 
August  13.  Raymond  Griffith  is  always  good 
and  this  is  very  good.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J. 
Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General 
patronage. 

EVERYBODY’S  ACTING:  Betty  Bronson— 
34%.  August  11.  A small  crowd  came  out  to 
see  a very  good  picture.  Everyone  carried  their 
part  well.  Has  a fine  cast.  Seven  reels. — ^Mrs. 
Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. 
— General  patronage. 

STRANDED  IN  PARIS:  Bebe  Daniels— 65%. 
August  6.  This  is  a dandy  comedy.  Not  as  good 
as  "The  Campus  Flirt,”  but  will  please  everyone. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem  theatre, 
Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt— 65%. 
July  22-23.  The  combination  of  Zane  Grey  and 
Jack  Holt  is  always  pretty  good  and  this  one  is 
no  exception.  As  usual,  they  altered  the  story 
almost  beyond  recognition.  Six  reels. — George 
Benson,  Community  theatre,  Minneota,  Minn. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

TIN  GODS:  Special  cast— 56%.  August  20. 
Thomas  Meighan  is  good  and  Renee  Adoree  is 
wonderful.  Man,  this  little  actress  is  a peach- 
erina,  if  you  know  what  I mean.  A fine  picture, 
I call  it.  Just  one  objection,  your  folks  cannot  tell 
you  as  they  go  out  how  well  they  liked  it,  be- 
cause the  lumps  in  their  throats  are  too  big  to 
permit  them  to  talk  without  bursting  into  tears. 
It  is  my  opinion  that  if  this  picture  had  a 
happy  ending  we  would  have  had  more  favorable 
comments  from  our  departing  audience  than  on 
any  picture  in  months.  Nine  reels. — Clarence  E. 
Hopkins.  Hopkins  theatre.  Cotter.  Ark. — Small 
town  patronage. 

FASCINATING  YOUTH:  Special  easf^25%. 
August  16-17.  Did  not  draw.  Lost  money  on  it. 
Seven  reels. — J.  A.  Engesather,  M.  W.  A.  Movies, 
Brocket,  N.  D. — General  patronage. 

THE  VANISHING  AMERICAN:  Special  cast 
— 75%.  Brought  us  fair  business.  Picture  too 
long.  Ten  reels. — J.  P.  Johnson,  S.  of  N.  theatre, 
Ambrose,  N.  D. — General  patronage. 

RITZY : Betty  Bronson — August  8.  Nice  little 
comedy  drama.  Pleased  about  50  per  cent.  Six 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. General  patronage. 

ROLLED  STOCKINGS:  Special  casl^August 
16-17.  Very  good  and  was  enjoyed.  Rather  mys- 
tifying as  to  how  they  got  this  title.  Had  any 
number  of  people  stop  and  ask  how  they  got 
this  title.  However,  everyone  was  well  pleased 
with  the  picture. — H.  G.  Stettmund,  H.  & S. 
theatre.  Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town  patronage. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


September  3,  1927 


RUNNING  WILD:  W.  C.  Fields— August  8. 
An  excellent  comedy-drama  that  everyone  will 
enjoy. — H.  G.  Stettmund,  H.  & S.  theatre,  Chand- 
ler, Okla. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Clara  Bow— August 
15-16.  With  this  one  Clara  Bow  took  top  rank 
as  a feminine  di'aw  here.  How  she  did  pull  them 
in  on  two  hot  mid-summer  nights.  Not  the  story 
that  “It”  was,  but  they  conre  to  see  Clara  and 
that’s  all.  Whether  or  not  the  young  lady  will 
last  to  equal  Colleen’s  consistent  record  remains 
to  be  seen,  but  right  now  she’s  riding  high  it 
seems.  Seven  reels. — Henry  Reeve,  Mission  the- 
atre, Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

ROUGH  HOUSE  ROSIE:  Clara  Bow— Plenty 
of  action,  thrills  and  laughs.  It’s  a good  pic- 
ture. It  thrilled  the  box  office  too.  Boys,  go 
after  this  one,  it’s  there.  Six  reels. — James  L. 
Delisi,  Liberty  theatre,  Saltsburg,  Pa. — General 
patronage. 

MAN  POWER:  Richard  Dix — August  10-11. 
Good  show,  but  I for  one  hope  that  Paramount 
does  not  continue  putting  Dix  in  Wallace  Reid 
re-issues.  Entirely  too  many  comments  and 
questions  relative  to  Reid’s  “What’s  Your  Hurry” 
of  four  or  five  years  ago.  Pictures  may  have 
improved  as  much  as  they  say,  but  this  is  no 
better  than  the  old  one  and  people’s  memories 
are  not  as  short  as  we  might  think.  But  it’s 
good  entertainment,  don’t  mistake  me.  Six  reels. 
— ^Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN : Douglas  MacLean — August 
12-13.  All  comments  were  good  on  this  and  sev- 
eral asked  for  more  on  the  same  general  line.  The 
first  hit  this  star  has  registered  here  for  a long 
time.  Comedies  and  comedy  dramas  seem  to  be 
the  only  drawing  cards  at  pre.sent.  The  com- 
ment was  a welcome  relief  after  what  we  had 
heard  about  the  Wednesday  and  Thursday  offer- 
ing. Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre, 
Cresco,  la. — General  patronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN : Douglas  MacLean — Here  is 
a dandy.  Almost  as  good  as  “We’re  in  the 
Navy  Now.” — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre.  New- 
ark, Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

SORROWS  OF  SATAN:  Special  cast — August 
10-11.  The  stock  comment  was  “it  was  good 
enough  picture,  but  I did  not  like  it.”  Bought 
on  a split  basis  and  was  the  biggest  B.  O.  flop 
of  any  production  ever  run  in  this  house  on 
those  terms.  Number  11,  of  “The  Herald  Only 
Club.”  paid  a neat  sum  for  his  seat  to  this 
show.  Needless  to  write,  there  waa  no  split. 
One  patron  astounded  me  a few  days  later  by 
remarking,  “I  think  'Sorrows  of  Satan’  was 
wonderful.”  I hastily  agreed  as  he  was  serious. 
Seven  reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco  theatre, 
Cresco,  la. — General  patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Wallace  Beery— Au- 
gust 3.  Not  so  good  as  former  comedies  from 
this  star,  and  did  not  do  so  well  at  the  box  office. 
Neither  is  it  the  big  special  they  tout  it  up  to 
be.  Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Special  cast— We 
played  this  picture  under  date  of  August  19-20. 
Did  big  advertising.  Contract  calls  for  rental 
of  $100  for  two  days  and  50  per  cent  all  over 
$250.  Our  patrons  liked  it  so  well,  we  honestly 
took  in  $121.65  for  two  days.  This  is  great. 
If  you  have  bought  this  picture,  I’d  suggest  that 
you  pay  for  it  and  leave  it  in  the  exchange.  It’s 
a picture  that  will  not  appeal  to  the  general  pub- 
lic. Children  and  a few  men  like  it.  The  ladies 
say,  “I  don’t  believe  I’d  like  this”  and  pass  on. — • 
Hattie  Mizelle,  Alcazar  theatre,  Dothan,  Ala. — ■ 
General  patronage. 

EVENING  CLOTHES:  Special  cast — August 
14-15.  A very  excellent  feature  that  slumped  a 
bit  at  the  B.  O..  due  mostly.  I believe,  to  their 
distaste  for  “Sorrows,”  run  the  previous  Wednes- 
day and  Thursday  with  the  same  star.  No,  we 
are  not  blaming  Menjou,  but  we  do  believe  that 
“Evening  Clothes”  would  have  played  to  a 
greater  profit  if  the  bookings  had  been  differently 
arranged.  Seven  Reels. — Ivy  D.  Arnold,  Cresco 
theatre,  Cresco,  la. — ^General  patronage. 

HOLD  THAT  LION : Douglas  MacLean — Au- 
gust 16-17.  A pleasing  MacLean  picture.  He 
has  made  many  that  were  better,  but  this  seemed 
to  please  everyone.  Quite  a little  comedy  in  it. 
Six  reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre, 
Neillsville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOD  GAVE  ME  TWENTY  CENTS:  Special 
cast — “Punk”  does  not  begin  to  describe  this 
thing.  The  sorriest  two-reel  Western  that  you 


From  John  Gilbert’s  new  starring  ve- 
hicle for  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,  "12 
Miles  Out."  Top,  Ernest  Torrence; 
below,  Gilbert  and  Joan  Crawford. 
Jack  Conway  directed. 


can  find  will  please  a small  town  crowd  better 
than  thi«  thing. — O.  F.  Craig,  Royal  theatre, 
Newark,  Ark. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CANADIAN:  Thomas  Meighan — A good 
Sunday  picture.  Pleased  everyone.  Meighan  pic- 
tures are  for  the  whole  family. — John  Esterl, 
Kex  theatre,  Park  Falls,  Wis.— General  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— A very  good 
picture.  You  needn’t  be  afraid  to  play  this  one. 
Pleased  100  per  cent.^ — -John  Esterl,  Rex  theatre. 
Park  Falls,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

FORLORN  RIVER:  Jack  Holt— We  really  be- 
lieve that  this  picture  was  not  up  to  the  Zane 
Grey  standard.  Our  folks  did  not  enthuse  over 
it,  although  the  scenic  effects,  acting  and  loca- 
tion were  fine.  There  is  the  chance  that  it  got 
a damper  when  in  the  first  act  the  sheriff  did 
not  go  up  into  the  attic  or  loft  when  in  search 
of  the  outlaw  because  he  considered  the  wooden 
material  too  weak  for  any  man  to  climb  up  on. 
That  was  a fatally  weak  spot  and  did  not  do  a 
thing  but  make  it  appear  that  the  sheriff  was 
a rummy.  We  can  hardly  imagine  that  kind 
of  sheriff.  We  have  never  seen  one  in  the  cow 
country  as  yet.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers, 
Crystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 


Pathe-P  D C 

NO  CONTROL:  Special  cast — 25%.  August 
17-18.  This  is  an  extra  good  program  picture. 
Some  good  comedy.  But  no  special. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 


GIGOLO:  Rod  La  Rocque — 25%.  August  10-11. 
A very  good  picture.  Nothing  to  the  paper  to 
draw  them  in  so  it  flopped  as  all  P D C pictures 
do  for  us.  We  paid  .$15  rental  and  lost  $6.85  on 
the  picture.  Seven  reels. — Al.  Stoddard,  Rex  the- 
atre, Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 


United  Artists 

ISN’T  LIFE  WONDERFUL:  Carol  Dempster- 
August  4.  Absolutely  rotten.  Many  of  my  pa- 
trons went  home  before  it  was  over.  Too  old. 
Nine  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 


Universal 

THE  PRAIRIE  KING:  Hoot  Gibson— 60%.  Au- 
gust  13.  A good  picture.  Story  better  than  av- 
erage. Star  second  to  none  in  Western  pictures. 
---Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage, 

THE  MYSTERY  CLUB:  Special  cast— 25%. 
August  16.  A fine  program  entertainment. — Bert 
Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

A DENVER  DUDE:  Hoot  Gibson— 90%. 

August  13.  This  picture  is  mighty  good  drawing 
card  of  Hoot  Gibson,  but  not  as  good  as  some 
of  his  others.  Seven  reels. — J.  R.  Brown,  Texas 
theatre.  Shamrock,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

GRINNING  GUNS:  Jack  Hoxie— 7.5%.  Au- 
gust 12-13.  Pleased  a little  better  than  the  aver- 
age machine  made  Western  by  Universal.  Five 
reels. — E.  H.  Brechler,  Opera  House,  Fennimore, 
Wis. — General  patronage. 

HANDS  OFF:  Fred  Humes — 50%.  August  20. 
A good  Western  action  picture. — Bert  silver.  Sil- 
ver Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 

HARD  FISTS:  Art  Acord— 30%.  August  5. 
Fairly  good  Western  and  seemed  to  please  gen- 
erally but  these  Blue  Streaks  don’t  seem  to  click 
at  the  box  office  for  us.  Five  reels. — A.  G.  Wit- 
wer, Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

TAXI,  TAXI:  Edward  Everett  Horton — 33%. 
August  12.  Entertaining  story  but  no  pull  at 
the  box  office.  Steven  reels. — 'A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre,  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage, 

SPANGLES:  Marion  Nixon — -A  fair  program 

picture. — John  Esterl.  Rex  theatre,  Park  Falls, 
Wis. — General  patronage. 

THE  CALL  OF  COURAGE:  Art  Acord— July 
26.  A fair  Western.  Five  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  FIGHTING  PEACEMAKER:  Jack  Hoxie 
— ^August  13.  An  average  Hoxie  offering.  Five 
reels. — Wm.  E.  Tragsdorf,  Trags  theatre,  Nellis- 
ville,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 


Warner  Bros. 

FINGER  PRINTS:  Louise  Fazenda— 65%.  Au- 
gust 12.  Book  it,  boys.  Very  funny,  pleased  all 
who  saw  it,  print  good.  Admission  25  cents  and 
10  cents.  Town  of  1,000.  Six  reels. — G.  S. 
Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

IRISH  HEARTS:  May  McAvoy— Not  much 
of  a picture.  Very  weak  plot. — John  Esterl,  Rex 
theatre.  Park  Falls,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

SIMPLE  SIS:  Special  cast — Wow!  Boys,  what 
a nice  big  ripe  juicy  lemon.  Warners  sure 
should  come  out  with  a big  reduction  on  next 
year’s  product  to  even  up  their  poor  product  of 
last  season. — R.  J.  Speck,  Kenwood  theatre, 
Chicago,  111. — General  patronage. 

THE  BLACK  DIAMOND  EXPRESS:  Monte 
Blue — A good  picture.  Drew  our  biggest  mid- 
summer crowd.  Monte  Blue  has  a most  fas- 
cinating smile.  It’s  worth  the  admission  alone. 
— Ed  C.  Curdts,  Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — 
General  patronage. 

MATINEE  LADIES:  May  McAvoy — An  ordi- 
nary picture.  Not  good  for  young  people. — ’Ed 
C.  Curdts,  Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  BETTER  ’OLE:  Syd  Chaplin — A very 
good  picture.  Everyone  enjoyed  it,  but  I paid 
too  much  for  it  for  the  size  of  my  town. — John 
Esterl,  Rex  theatre,  Park  Falls,  Wis. — General 
patronage. 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


WHILE  LONDON  SLEEPS:  Rin  Tin  Tin- 
August  20.  Good,  book  it.  Six  reels. — G.  S. 
Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — General 
patronage. 

State  Rights 

A CAPTAIN’S  COURAGE:  Special  cast— 
Beautiful  scenery,  old  theme,  well  acted  but 
nearly  made  a burlesque  by  the  fight  that  lasted 
entirely  too  long  not  to  draw  blood  or  mess  up 
the  fighters.  Seven  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers, 
Ci'ystal  theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

CHEYENNE  TRAILS:  Pawnee  Bill— One  of 
the  poorest  Westerns  screened  in  many  a month. 
Failed  to  draw  or  please. — Ed  C.  Curdts,  Bijou 
theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — General  patronage. 

MISSISSIPPI  RIVER  FLOOD  or  AMERICA’S 
GREATEST  DISASTER:  (Harcal  Films  N.  O.) 
— August  8-9.  If  you  are  thinking  of  playing  this 
don’t  think  any  more  about  it.  It’s  no  good.  A 
news  reel  containing  a single  shot  would  be 
just  as  good,  and  would  not  embarrass  you.  Two 
reels. — Al.  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madisonville, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

RACE  WILD:  Special  cast — August  19.  Not 
much  to  it.  Lay  off  this  sorry  stuff.  Ten  and 
25.  Six  reels. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia,  theatre, 
Petrolia,  Tex. — ^General  patronage. 

Serials 

THE  FLAME  FIGHTER:  (S.  R.)  Herbert 
Rawlinson — A bum  sei-ial.  Showed  six  chapters 
and  nothing  to  it.  Stay  off  the  bum  stuff.  Not 
going  to  play  any  more  of  their  serials.  Two 
reels. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  RIDDLE  RIDER:  (Universal) — A dandy 
serial  and  made  good  with  us.  Two  reels. — Ed  C. 
Curdts,  Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — General 
patronage. 

SCOTTY  OF  THE  SCOUTS:  (S.  R.)  Ben 
Alexander — This  was  our  first  serial  in  two 
years  and  will  be  our  last  for  longer  than  that. 
Draws  some  kids,  yes,  but  no  more  than  any 
good  comedy  and  its  pretty  much  of  an  insult  to 
the  adult  intelligence.  Two  reels. — Henry  Reeve, 
Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

WHISPERING  SMITH  RIDES:  (Universal)— 
Another  good  serial  and  getting  more  popular 
each  episode.  Two  reels. — Ed  C.  Curdts,  Bijou 
theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — General  patronage. 

Short  Features 

EDUCATIONAL 

BE  CAREFUL  DEARIE:  Good.  One  reel.— 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
— General  patronage. 

DRAGON  ALLEY : A good  comedy.  The  chil- 
dren are  very  good  in  this  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. 

■ — General  patronage. 

A FAT  CHANCE:  Walter  Hiers— This  was 
certainly  a good  comedy.  Walter  Hiers  is  very 
good.  Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium 
theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

FELIX  BUSTS  A BUBBLE:  Good  cartoon 
comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

FUN’S  FUN:  Very  good  single  reel  comedy. 
One  reel. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

KEEP  TRYING:  Fair.  One  reel. — Andrew 
Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

REVERSE  ENGLISH:  Felix  the  Cat — Sorry 
to  say  that  these  old  standbys  are  apparehtly 
dropping  off  badly.  A man  must  run  out  of 
ideas  sometime  and  Felix,  judging  by  this  one, 
is  vei'ging  to  silliness  and  the  old  punch  is  gone. 
One  reel. — Henry  Reeve.  Mission  theatre,  Menard, 
Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

ROPED  IN:  Al  St.  John — This  is  a good  one. 
Two  reels. — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre, 
Greenville,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

SHORE  SHY : Not  worth  what  we  paid  for 
it.  Would  consider  it  average  only.  Two  reels. — 
J.  A.  Engesather,  M.  W.  A.  Movies,  Brocket, 
N.  D. — General  patronage. 

WHO  HIT  ME?;  Al  St.  John— Good  comedy. 
Plenty  of  action  and  laughs.  Some  good  acro- 


From  F B O’S  "In  a Moment  of  Temp- 
tation,’’ featuring  Charlotte  Stevens 
and  Cornelius  Keefe.  Phil  Carle  di- 
rected. 

batic  stuff  in  this  one.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

F B O 

ALL  OUT:  A good  comedy. — Ernest  Vetter. 
Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — General  patron- 
age. 

FIGHTING  HEART:  (F  B O)— Just  finished 
this  series  and  the  whole  10  episodes  were  good. 
Believe  they  are  the  best  two  reelers  made. — • 
J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight  theatre,  Kingston,  W. 
Va. — General  patronage. 

HEAVY  HIKERS:  This  comedy  got  the  laughs. 
— Ernest  Vetter,  Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. 
— General  patronage. 

HURRICANE:  Not  much  to  it.  Two  reels. — 
Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium  theatre,  Emlenton,  Pa. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  WISE  CRACKERS:  Always  good  and 
gets  patronage.  Stars  papular  here.  Two  reels. — 
Ed.  C.  Curdts,  Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — 
General  patronage. 

FOX 

LYIN’  TAMER:  Very  funny  comedy.  Pleased 
them  all.  Fox  has  the  comedies.  Ten  and  25. 
Two  reels. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petro- 
lia. Tex. — General  patronage. 

SPANISH  OMLET;  A good  comedy.  Two 
reels — Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Green- 
ville, Mich. — General  patronage. 

PARAMOUNT 

ROW  SAILOR  ROW:  Best  we  have  had  of 
the  Paramount  comedies  so  far. — O.  F.  Craig, 
Royal  theatre,  Newark,  Ark. — General  patronage. 

TIRED  WHEELS:  Just  a one  reeler  at  a big 
price  for  what  it  contained.  One  reel. — J.  A. 
Engesather,  M.  W.  A.  Movies,  Brocket,  N.  D. — 
General  patronage. 

PATHE 

BRINGING  HOME  THE  TURKEY:  The  Gang 
— This  is  a very  funny  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

DIVORCE  DODGER:  Good  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— ^Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

DON’T  TELL  DAD:  Ralph  Graves — A very 
good  comedy,  one  that  will  fit  well  with  any  au- 
dience. Two  reels. — Al.  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre, 
Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

FORGOTTEN  SWEETIES:  Charles  Chase— 
Not  as  good  as  some  Chase  subjects,  but  got  over 
O.  K.  Two  reels. — Ed  C.  Curdts,  Bijou  theatre, 
Greenville,  S.  C. — General  patronage. 

HOLLYWOOD  HERO:  Ben  Thirpin— This  is 
an  extra  good  comedy.  Two  reek. — Bert  Silver, 
Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 


THE  JOLLY  JILTER:  Ben  Turpin— This  is 
pitiful.  If  Ben  ain’t  a has-been  he  ain’t  nothin’. 
I was  thinking  F B O’s  “Wisecrackers”  were 
rotten,  but  they  axe  gems  when  compared  to 
Turpin  comedies.  Two  reels. — H.  G.  Stettmund, 
H.  & S.  theatre.  Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town 
patronage. 

PATHE  NEWS:  Rjinning  this  just  one  week 
old  in  a small  town  to  the  perfect  satisfaction 
of  all  concerned.  They  just  don’t  come  any  bet- 
ter so  why  worry  about  the  rest.  One  reel. — 
Henry  Reeve,  Mission  theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — - 
Small  town  patronage. 

PATHE  NEWS:  No.  60.  Good.  Ten  and  25. 
— G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

PEACHES  AND  PLUMBER:  A real  comedy 
and  pleased  the  natives.  Two  reels. — Ed  C. 
Curdts,  Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — General 
patronage. 

SLIPPING  WIVES;  Priscilla  Dean— Could 
have  been  a good  comedy  if  the  director  had  not 
muffled  the  story.  Two  reels. — H.  G.  Stettmund, 
H.  & S.  theatre.  Chandler,  Okla. — Small  town 
patronage. 

SMITH’S  CUSTOMER:  A crackerjack  comedy 
and  got  over  big  with  plenty  of  laughs.  Two 
reels. — Ed  C.  Curdts,  Bijou  theatre,  Greenville, 
S.  C. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNEASY  THREE:  Charlie  Chase— Dandy 
comedy,  plenty  of  laughs.  Nothing  short,  well 
up  to  Pathe  standard.  Two  reels. — Al  Stoddard, 
Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patron- 
age. 

A YANKEE  DOODLE  DUKE:  Ralph  Graves- 
Good  comedy.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Greexi 
Gem  theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patron- 
age. 

YOUR  HUSBAND’S  PAST:  Special  cast— 
Only  fair,  nothing  extra.  Not  up  to  standard  of 
Pathe  comedies.  Two  reels. — Al.  Stoddard,  Rex 
theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

AN  EXCITING  DAY:  Ed  Cobb-^ust  the  usu- 
al Western  stuff.  Okay  for  filler.  Two  reels.—' 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore.- 
General  patronage. 

BUSTER’S  DARK  MYSTERY:  Arthur  Trimble 
— Very  good  comedy.  Pleased  generally.  ’Pwo 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  George  Lewis — It’s  all 
been  said  before,  but  we  consider  these  the  best 
two  reel  stuff  we  have  used  since  Denny  made 
the  “Leather  Pushers,’’  than  which  there  were 
no  whicher.  If  George  can  keep  up  with  his 
studies  he  should  have  a series  a year  till  he 
graduates.  Two  reels. — ^Henry  Reeve,  Mission 
theatre,  Menard,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

DOUBLE  TROUBLE:  Popular  short  subject 
with  us.  A corking  good  filler.  Two  reels. — Ed 
C.  Curdts,  Bijou  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

HAUNTED  HOMESTEAD:  Fred  Gilman- 
Fair  Western  featurette.  Okay  for  filler.  Two 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

IN  AGAIN  OUT  AGAIN;  Arthur  Lake— Fair 
short  comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

MY  MISTAKE : A fair  comedy.  Two  reels. — 
Bert  Silver,  Silver  Family  theatre,  Greenville, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

NEWLYWEDS  SHOPPING  TOUR:  Good  kid 
comedy.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  the- 
atre, Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

ONE  MAN  SHOW:  Neely  Edwards— Not  much 
to  this  comedy.  One  reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

SAY  IT  WITH  LOVE:  Edna  Marian— Like 
these  better  than  Wanda  Wiley’s.  This  was  a 
good  one.  Two  reels. — Mrs.  Hulda  J.  Green,  Gem 
theatre,  Greenriver,  Utah. — General  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

GOLF  WIDOWS:  Fair  comedy. — Ernest  Vet- 
ter, Majestic  theatre,  Homer,  Mich. — General  pa1> 
ronage. 

JERRY’S  WINNING  PUNCH:  Very  good  one 
reel  comedy.  Ten  and  25. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia 
theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

LIGHT  OF  A RACE:  Very  interesting.  First 
one  of  these  that  we  have  heard  any  good  com- 
ments on.  One  reel. — J.  A.  Engesather,  M.  W.  A. 
Movies,  Brocket,  N.  D. — General  patronage. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 


%e  HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  For 
Me”  supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing 
average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on. 
When  10  of  these  percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have 


been  received,  the  average  of  these  10  percentage 
ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.”  Each  additional 
percentage-rating  report  received  on  pictures  entered 
is  combined  with  those  previously  received  and  the 
new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


No  Man’s  Cold  (Fox) 81.41% 

Tell  It  To  The  Marines  (M-G-M) 80.82% 

The  Cohens  And  Kellys  (U) 78.00% 

Irene  <F.  N.) 76.75% 

Keeper  Of  The  Bees  (FBO) 76.69% 

Don  Mike  (FBO) 76.36% 

The  Calgary  Stampede  (U) 75.80% 

It  (Par). 75.27% 

Laddie  (F  B O) 74.79% 

Johnny  Get  Your  Hair  Cut  (M-G-M) 73.95% 

The  Magic  Garden  (FBO) 73.30% 

The  Vanishing  American  (Par) 72.82% 

The  Great  K.  And  A.  Train  Robbery  (Fox)  .72.6.3% 

The  Tough  Guy  (FBO) 72.46% 

Arizona  Sweepstakes  (U) 72.42% 

Chip  Of  The  Flying  U (U) 72.00% 

The  Volga  Boatman  (PDC) 72.00% 

The  Fire  Brigade  (M-G-M) - 71.80% 

Slide,  Kelly,  Slide  ( M-G-M  ) 7 1 .21% 

Flesh  And  The  Devil  (M-G-M) 69.62% 

The  Winning  Of  Barbara  Worth  (U.  A.) 69.43% 

Let’s  Get  Married  (Par) 69.38% 

The  Bat  (U.  A.) 69. .36% 

The  Sea  Beast  (W.  B.) : 69.30% 

The  Overland  Stage  (F.  N.) 68.86% 

The  Gentle  Cyclone  (U) 68-81% 

Ella  Cinders  (F.  N.) 68.80% 

The  Son  Of  The  Sheik  (U.  A.) 68.38% 

Tin  Hats  (M-G-M) 68.36% 

Mr.  Wu  (M-G-M) 68.09% 

The  Quarterback  (Par) 67.96% 

A Regular  Scout  (FBO) 67.8.3% 

The  Unknown  Cavalier  (F.  N.) 67.81% 

The  Scarlet  Letter  (M-G-M) 67.50% 

The  Scarlet  West  (F.  N.) 67.40% 

The  Campus  Flirt  (Par) 67.10% 

The  Last  Frontier  (PDC) 66.78% 

A Denver  Dude  (U) 66.40% 

Sea  Horses  (Par) 66.40% 

The  Four  Horsemen  (M-G-M) 66.30% 

Hands  Across  The  Border  (FBO) 66.1.5% 

Three  Bad  Men  (Fox) 66.0.5% 

The  Black  Pirate  (U.  A.) 65.94% 

Up  In  Mabel’s  Room  (PDC) 6.5.21% 

Man  Of  The  Forest  (Par) 6.5.09% 

Senor  Daredevil  (F.  N.) 65.09% 

The  Devil  Horse  (P) 64.69% 

We‘re  In  The  Navy  Now  (Par) 64. .5.3% 

His  Secretary  (M-G-M) 64.50% 

The  Kid  Brother  (Par) 64.37% 

The  Night  Cry  (W.  B.) 64.33% 

Corporal  Kate  (PDC) 64.20% 

The  Phantom  Bullet  (U) 64.18% 

Across  The  Pacific  (W.  B.) 64.07% 

For  Heaven’s  Sake  (Par) 6.3.4.5% 

Skinner’s  Dress  Suit  (U) 62.84% 

Little  Annie  Rooney  (U.  A.) 62.83% 

Twinkletoes  (F.  N.) 62.62% 

That’s  My  Baby  (Par) 62.42% 

War  Paint  (M-G-M) 62.30% 

Brown  Of  Harvard  (M-G-M) 61.96% 

Lone  Hand  Saunders  (FBO) 61.85% 

The  Man  In  The  Saddle  (U) 61.68% 

Tramp,  Tramp,  Tramp  (F.  N.) 61.00% 

The  Buckaroo  Kid  (U) 60.94% 

The  Understanding  Heart  (M-G-M) 60.81% 

The  Texas  Streak  (U) 60.50% 

Under  Western  Skies  (U) 60.09% 

Behind  The  Front  (Par) 59.94% 

Tony  Runs  Wild  (Fox) 59.78% 

Canyon  Of  Lieht  (Fox) 59.64% 

Tlie  Teaser  (U) 59.50% 

Sweet  Daddies  (F.  N.) 59. .31% 

The  Waning  Sex  (M-G-M) 59.11% 

Wild  To  Go  (FBO) 59.09% 

The  Two  Gun  Man  (FBO) 59.06% 

The  Silent  Rider  (U) 59.00% 

The  Flaming  Forest  (M-G-M) 58.83% 

The  Rainmaker  (Par) 58.80% 

His  People  (U) 58.71% 

The  Palm  Beach  Girl  (Par) 58.27% 

Sally,  Irene  and  Mary  (M-G-M) 58.09% 

Clash  Of  The  Wolves  (W.  B.) 57.75% 

Winners  Of  The  Wilderness  (M-G-M) 57.46% 

The  Dark  Angel  (F.  N.) 57.14% 

The  Cowboy  Cop  (FBO) 57.00% 

Private  Izzy  Murphy  (W.  B.) 57.00% 

Forlorn  River  (Par) 56.92% 


'Fhe  Flaming  Frontier  (U) 56.85% 

The  Wilderness  Woman  (F  N.) 56.84% 

Knockout  Riley  (Par) 56.75% 

The  Temptress  (M-G-M) 56.7.3% 

Old  Clothes  (M-G-M) 56.69% 

Forever  After  (F.  N.) 56.66% 

Rolling  Home  (U) 56.58% 

Upstage  (M-G-M) .36.47% 

Mike  (M-G-M) 56.45% 

The  Red  Mill  (M-G-M) 56. .38% 

The  Flying  Horseman  (Fox) 56.33% 

Mantrap  (Par) 56.26% 

Men  Of  Steel  (F.  N.) .36.1,3% 

It  Must  Be  Love  (F.  N.) 56.11% 

Stranded  In  Paris  (Par) 55.9.3% 

Wild  Justice  (U.  A.) ,35.86% 

Born  To  The  West  (Par) 55.4,3% 

Subway  Sadie  (F.  N.) 55.2.3% 

Breed  Of  The  Sea  (FBO) 5,3.23% 

'Fhe  Return  Of  Peter  Grimm  (Fox) ,3,3.20% 

The  Johnstown  Flood  (Fox) 55.08% 

Kid  Boots  (Par) 55.00% 

The  Unknown  Soldier  (PDC) 5,3.00% 

Her  Big  Night  (U) 54.24% 

Paradise  (F.  N.) 54.06% 


How  It  Works 

Suppose  your  average  daily  gross  on  your 
record  attraction  vas  $60.  That  would  be 
100  per  cent,  or  the  basis  on  which  to  fig~ 
lire  your  percentage  for  THE  BOX  OF‘ 
FICE  TICKER.  The  following  is  illustratit^e 
of  this  system: 


$60.00  100% 

59.50  99% 

59.00  98% 

58.50  97% 

58.00  — 96% 

57.50  95% 

57.00  94% 

56.50  93% 

56.00  92% 

55.50  91% 

55.00  90% 

54.50  89% 

54.00  88% 

53.50  87% 

53.00  86% 

52.50  85% 

52.00  84% 

51.50  83% 

51.00  82% 

50.50  81% 

50.00  80% 

49.50  79% 

49.00  78% 

48.50  77% 

48.00  76% 

47.50  75% 

47.00  74% 

46.50  - 73% 

46.00  72% 

45.50  71% 

45.00  70% 

44.50  69% 

44.00  68% 

43.50  - 67% 

43.00  - 66% 

42.50  65% 

42.00  64% 

41.50  - - 63% 

41.00  62% 

40.50  61% 

40.00  - - 60% 

39.50  - 59% 

39.00  5<^% 

38.50  57% 

38.00  56% 

37.50  55% 

37.00  - 54% 


The  Greater  Glory  (F.  N.) 54.00% 

The  Country  Beyond  (Fox) 5,3.91% 

Hero  Of  The  Big  Snows  (W.  B.) 53.90% 

The  Road  To  Mandalay  (M-G-M) 53.90% 

Variety  ( Par) 5.3.81% 

What  Happened  To  Jones  (U) 53.62% 

Prisoners  Of  The  Storm  (U) 53.10% 

Tin  Gods  (Par) ,32.86% 

Aloina  Of  3Tie  South  Seas  (Par) 52.78% 

Sweet  Rosie  O'Grady  (Col.) 52.72% 

The  Barrier  (M-G-M) .32.68% 

The  Midnight  Sun  (U) 52.68% 

Kosher  Kitty  Kelly  (FBO) 52.57% 

Poker  Faces  (U) 52.35% 

Stepping  Along  (F.  N.) 52.23% 

Let  It  Rain  (Par) 51.70% 

Eagle  Of  The  Sea  (Par) 51.63% 

The  Prince  Of  Pilsen  (PDC) 51.60% 

Say  It  Again  (Par) 51.25% 

The  Ice  Flood  (U) 50.9,3% 

Bred  In  Old  Kentucky  (FBO) 50.90% 

Whispering  Wires  (Fox) ,30.90% 

'File  Runaway  Express  (U) 50.82% 

Miss  Nobody  (F.  N.) 50.47% 

One  Minute  To  Play  (FBO) .30  4-4% 

The  Wanderer  (Par) 50.36% 

Hogan's  Alley  (W.  B.) 50.25% 

Spangles  (U) 50,25% 

Mare  Nostroin  (M-G-M) 50.22% 

Sparrows  (U.  A.) 50.11% 

Padlocked  (Par) 49.88% 

The  Million  Dollar  Handicap  (PDC) 49.82% 

Her  Honor  The  Governor  (FBO) 49.76% 

TTie  Arizona  Streak  (FBO) 49.75% 

The  Show  Oft'  (Par) 49.73% 

The  Ancient  Highway  (Par) 49.40% 

Hair  Trigger  Baxter  (FBO) 49.40% 

Tlie  Brown  Derby  (F.  N.) 48.84% 

The  Blue  Eagle  (Fox) 48.66% 

Faust  ( M-G-M  ) 48.60% 

Battling  Butler  (M-G-M) 48.52% 

Whispering  Smith  (PDC) 48.45% 

Desert's  Toll  (M-G-M) 48.26% 

There  You  Are  (M-G-M) 48.14% 

The  New  Commandment  (F.  N.) 48.08% 

The  Still  Alarm  (U) 47. ,30% 

Take  It  From  Me  (U) 47.50% 

'^rhe  Waltz  Dream  (M-G-M) 47.15% 

Tumbleweeds  (U.  A.) 47.00% 

Wet  Paint  (Par) 46.81% 

Love  'Em  and  Leave  'Em  (Par) -46.72% 

Midnight  Lovers  (F.  N.) 46.50% 

Paradise  For  Two  (Par) 4.3.77% 

'The  New  Klondike  (Par) 45.60% 

So's  Your  Old  Man  (Par) 4.3. 2,3% 

The  Marriage  Clause  (U) 4.3. 1,3% 

The  Border  Sheriff  (U) 45.00% 

Ladies  At  Play  (F.  N.) 44.82% 

Partners  Again  (U.  A.) 44.25% 

The  Blind  (ioddess  (Par) 4,3.88% 

A Little  Journey  (M-G-M) 4.3.46% 

Bigger  Than  Barnums  (FBO) 4,3.27% 

Blarney  (M-G-M) 43.23% 

The  Old  Soak  (U) 43.07% 

Bardelys  The  Magnificent  (M-G-M) 42.73% 

Fine  Manners  (Par) 42.69% 

The  Canadian  (Par) 42.60% 

The  Duchess  Of  Buffalo  (F.  N.) 42.45% 

Hold  That  Lion  (Par) 42.28% 

La  Bohme  (M-G-M) 41.95% 

Fig  Leaves  (Fox) 41.90% 

The  Ace  Of  Cads  (Par) 41.40% 

The  Love  Thief  (U) 40.90% 

Miss  Brewster’s  Millions  (Par) 40.79% 

Fascinating  Youth  (Par) 40,75% 

Everybody’s  Acting  (Par) 40.23% 

The  Wise  Guy  (F.  N.) 39.8,3% 

The  Cal's  Pajamas  (Par) 39.09% 

Nell  Gwyn  (Par) ,37.54% 

Into  Her  Kingdom  (F.  N.) 36.90% 

Steel  Preferred  (PDC) 34.70% 

The  Magician  (M-G-M) 34.42% 

Perch  Of  The  Devil  (U) 34.16% 

The  Great  Gatsby  (Par) ,34.00% 

Exit  Smiling  (M-G-M) 33,50% 

You’d  Be  Surprised  (Par) 31.92% 

Don  Juan’s  Three  Nights  (F.  N.) 30.80% 

The  Amateur  Gentleman  (F.  N.) 30.27% 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  3,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

By  G.  S. 

Demand  for  seven  days’  pay  for  six  days’  work  was  made  last  week 
by  the  Chicago  Federation  of  Musicians  on  the  operators  of  59 
theatres,  in  a letter  from  James  Petrillo,  head  of  the  union,  to  the 
Chicago  Exhibitors  Association.  Jack  Miller,  president  of  the  association, 
immediately  called  a general  meeting  of  all  members  for  Tuesday  and  ap- 
pointed a committee  to  meet  with  representatives  of  the  union  on  the  same 
day,  when  it  is  expected  that  the  union  will  be  told  the  demand  cannot  be 
granted. 


This  is  the  second  increase  in  wages 
sought  by  employes  of  motion  picture 
houses  within  a month,  the  other  being 
that  of  stage  hands.  Their  demand  for  a 
raise  of  from  15  to  25  per  cent  was  re- 
jected and  may  result  in  a strike  at  the 
expiration  of  the  contract  September  1. 

The  musicians’  proposals,  wdrich  involve 
all  houses  specified  by  them  as  “class  six’’ 
theatres,  ask  not  only  seven  days’  pay  for 
six  days’  work,  but  also  that ; 

Day  rehearsals  be  charged  for  at  the 
rate  of  four  dollars  for  two  consecutive 
hours  or  less,  instead  of  two  dollars  as  at 
present. 

No  continuous  playing  be  permitted  for 
organists  in  theatres  where  no  orchestra  is 
employed. 

A minimum  of  four  men,  excluding  or- 
ganists, be  employed  in  each  of  the  “class 
six”  theatres. 

The  proposed  changes  in  the  present 
contract  would  affect  among  the  smaller 
and  less  pretentious  houses  such  theatres 
as  the  Norshore,  Piccadilly,  and  the  Ad- 
miral, while  a strike  resulting  from  a re- 
jection of  the  demand  would  remove  the 


musicians  from  every  pit  and  stage  in  the 
city. 

The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with 
union  representatives  following  the  gen- 
eral meeting  of  the  exhibitors  Tuesday 
morning  at  Ridge  Hall,  consisted  of  Jack 
iMiller,  chairman;  John  Balaban,  Emil 
Stern,  L.  P.  Newhafer,  Mort  Singer,  Earle 
Johnson,  J.  J.  Cooney,  Ludwig  Siegel, 
Frank  Schaefer,  H.  Schoenstadt,  James 
Coston,  Earl  Silverman,  Louis  Marks  and 
Julius  Goodman. 

The  new  contract  would  be  operative  for 
only  the  ensuing  year,  according  to  the 
proposal. 

^ ^ 

Al  Soblcr,  managing  editor,  reporter, 
copy  reader,  etc.,  of  the  admirable  Exhib- 
itors Association  weekly,  has  added  a 
helper  to  his  “staff,”  a wee  mite  who  be- 
fore long  will  answer  to  the  name  of  Bar- 
bara. At  least  Al  says  she  is  a great  help, 
which  is  stretching  things  a bit,  I think, 
since  Barbara  was  born  only  last  week.  On 
behalf  of  the  Herald,  I extend  hearty  con- 
gratulations. 

^ 'Jp.  ^ 

Lhiited  Artists  held  its  preview  of  “The 
ISIagic  Flame”  and  Buster  Keaton’s  “Col- 


lege” at  the  Eighth  Street  theatre  last  week 
and  was  justly  honored  by  the  presence  of 
many  film  folk.  And  the  pictures  were 
every  bit  worthy  of  their  presence. 

^ ^ ^ 

Harold  Hill  of  the  Hollywood  theatre 
is  taking  a three  weeks’  vacation  in  Wis- 
consin. (Three  weeks!  Some  fellows 
have  all  the  luck.) 

t'p  * J»C 

Len  Ullrich  promised  faithfully  last 
week  that  he  would  get  out  the  entry 
blanks  for  the  film  golf  tournament  at 
Olympia  Fields  September  16,  this  week. 
Interest  is  running  high  along  the  Row — 
and  elsewhere,  it  seems,  since  Len  got  a 
letter  from  Verne  H.  Coffman,  exhibitor 
in  Moveague,  111.,  who  wants  to  come  up 
here  for  a chance  at  the  big  cups.  Being 
the  only  one  this  year,  the  meet  should 
be  a record-breaker,  and  it  probably 
will  be. 


Programs 

prepared  by  us 
get  the  public 
interested  in 
your  shows. 

Let  us  send  you 
some  samples. 

THE  NATIONAL 

PROGRAM  & PRINTING  CO. 
729  So.  Wabash  Ave.  • Chicago 


Season  1927-28 

Your  First 

STERLING 

Opportunity! 

The  Sweetest  Box  Office 
Buy  on  the  Market — 


Starring 

SHIRLEY 

MASON 

and 

WILLIAM 
COLLIER,  Jr. 


STERLING’S 


Sizzling  Drama  of 
Hollywood 

from  a story  by 

ANITA  LOOS 


Directed  by  PHIL  ROSEN 


For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS 

83  I SOUTH  WABASH  AVE., 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Supervised  by  JOE  ROCK 

For  Indiana 

MIDWEST  FILM  CO. 

OF  INDIANA 

218  Mimmer  Bldg.,  Indianapolis 


Clearly  Reflected 

at  the  box-oflflce 

If  your  patrons  are  enjoying  faultless 
screen  quality  you  are  projecting  prints 
on  Eastman  Positive  made  from  originals 
on  Eastman  Negative. 

Always  specify  Eastman  prints,  and 
look  for  the  words  "Eastman  Kodak”  in 
the  transparent  margin.  For  Eastman 
screen  quality  is  clearly  reflected  at  the 
box-office. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


iJinotHutf 
ColunMa 
^0X"0ffice 


BERT  LYTELL 

and 

LOIS  WILSON 

in 


AUAS 


THE 


ONE 


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wolf 


From  the  Novel  by^ 

Louis  Joseph  Vance 


Directed  by 

Edward 

Griffith 


|)[liilllllllllliHIIIIIIIIIII1IIHillllHiH(,i^|j 


or  Ward  Leonard  Dimmers 


Srank  t^dani 

ELECTRIC  COMPANY  ^ 

ST.  LOUIS 

office;  in 

PRINCIPAL 

CITIES  /JHH 


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OL.  XXX,  No.  12 


September  3,  1927 


.:SSiv. 


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V/urlJTzer 

ORGANS 


The  reputation  of  the 
Wurlitzer  Organ  has 
been  built  up  to  the 
highest  possible  stand- 
ard by  unsurpassed 
performance,  year  in 
and  year  out.  It  is 
recognized  as  the  su- 
preme achievement 


m 


m organ  construction. 

Attractive  catalog  upon  request 


New  York  Cincinnati  Chicago  Cleveland 
Pittsburgh  Detroit  Philadelphia  Buffalo 
>an  Francisco  Los  Angeles  St.  Louis 


HAMILTON  STuQiQ-  HAr^iLTOM  oh  I O . 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


They^ll  pay  to  see 

good  films  presented  better 


WHY  can  one  theater  charge  more  and  still  pull  bigger 
crowds  than  another,  with  the  same  program,  on  the 
same  evening?  Lighting  effects  — there  lies  the  outstanding 
advantage  of  one  theater  over  another. 

Whenpresented  with  theaid  of  C-H  Simplicity  Dimmers  any 
program  is  better.  By  creating  a fitting  atmosphere  for  the  pic- 
ture, an  atmosphere  which  banishes  the  “cares  of  every  day”, 
C-H  Dimmers  assure  your  patrons  more  restful  entertainment. 


The  Lincoln  Theater,  Lincoln,  Neb,,  makes 
each  film  better  by  means  of  C-H  Simplicity 
Dimmers. 

Hamly^s  Theater,  Clinton, 

Okla.,  with  a seating  capac- 
ity of  300,  is  equipped  with 
C-H  Dimmers,  The  success 
of  Hamly's  proves  what 
lighting  control  can  do  f 
any  house. 


The  balcony  promenade  is  typu 
cal  of  the  beauty  created  by  re* 
decorating  the  Criterion  1 hea- 
ter, N.  Y,  Although  the  seating 
capacity  is  small,  C-H  Simplic- 
ity Dimmers  have  proved  a 
valuable  investment. 


Superiorities  of 
C-H  Simplicity  Dimmers 

Solid  soapstone  bases  have  high  heat  disper- 
sion and  insulating  qualities^great  contin- 
uous load  capacity— and  they  won* t burn  out. 
Contacts  on  each  side  of  plates  allow  twice 
as  many  circuits  in  the  same  space.  Plates  can 
be  taken  out  by  removing  one  screw.  Plates 
of  any  capacity  can  be  substituted— allowing 
easy  adaptation  to  all  theaters. 

Low  ratio  rack  and  pinion  drive  eliminates 
play  and  back-lash,  110  distinct  steps  with  no 
overlapping  of  contacts  assure  flickerless 
fading  from  full  brilliancy  to  black  out. 
Brushes  of  Cophite—a  non-oxidizing,  self- 
lubricating  material. 


Simplicity  Dimmers  can  be  economically  operated  and 
easily  installed  in  your  theater — regardless  of  its  age,  size  or 
decorative  scheme.  Ask  your  electrical  contractor  or  architect. 

Over  800  theaters  have  already  profited  by  the  pulling  power  of 
C-H  Dimmers.  All  are  listed  by  name  and  address  in  the  Book- 
let "Illumination  Control  for  the  Modern  Theater” — which  also 
tells  why  C-H  Dimmers  are  super 'or.  Write  for  your  copy. 

The  CUTLER-HAMMER  Mfg.  Co. 

Pioneer  M.anufacturers  of  Electric  Control  Apparatus 

1237  St.  Paul  Avenue  - MILWAUKEE,  WISCONSIN 


CUTLER^HAMMER 

VeT^ect  IllurntnatioTh  Controljor  the  'Modern  ^Theater 


4 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


This  superb  setting  was  designed  and  produced  by  Mr.  P.  T.  Blackburn  of  Hollywood,  California,  for 
a large  film  producing  studio.  It  is  a fine  example  of  CUT  AWL  work,  with  an  ordinary  wall  board 
surface,  and  was  awarded  the  FIFTH  PRIZE  in  the  recent  Cutawl  Competition. 


Be  prepared  to  turn  out  Backgrounds  of  this 
character  Quickly in  Your  Own  Studio 


With  the  Cutawl  on  the  job  your  scenic  or  poster  department  will  be  prepared  for  almost  any  kind 
of  production  emergency.  Special  signs,  posters,  backgrounds  or  stage  settings  can  be  tamed  out  in  short 
order  when  the  high-speed,  electrically  operated  CUTAWL  is  a part  of  the  regular  Studio  equipment. 


r 


CLOSE-UP  OF  CUTTING  MECHANISM 


The  Studios  of  many  of  the  leading  Theatres  in  the  country  already  use 
this  machine  with  amazing  economies  of  time,  labor  and  material  costs.  You 
can  get  a gratifying  return  on  the  investment  in  dozens  of  different  ways. 

THE  INTERNATIONAL 

cutawl: 

Observe  the  simplicity  of  its  operation,  as  shown  by  the  illustration  below. 
Study  the  artistic  and  beautiful  outlines  of  the  reproduction  above.  You  can 
obtain  the  same  splendid  results  in  your  own  studio  by  using  the  CUTAjWL. 
Posters,  letters,  shadow  effects,  “cut-outs,”  stencils,  figures,  flowers  and  designs 
of  every  description  can  be  quickly  cut  out  of  wall  board,  paper,  felt,  leather 
or  tissue  . . . and  a girl  or  boy  can  do  the  work  as  easily  as  they  operate  an 
ordinary  sewing  machine. 

Instead  of  worrying  along,  trying  to  produce  artistic  work  of  this  character 
BY  HAND  . . . install  a CUTAWL  . . . and  be  prepared  for  any  emergency 
requirement. 

Write  for  Our  15-Day  Trial  Offer 

Any  theatre  or  exhibitors  organization  having  established  credit  rating  can 
have  this  Complete  Cutawl  equipment  for  a 15-day  trial.  If,  after  a thorough 
test,  you  do  not  want  it,  send  it  back.  The  risk  is  all  OURS. 

Write  today  for  particulars. 


THE  INTERNATIONAL  REGISTER  COMPANY 

21  South  Throop  Street  Chicago 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


Another  Fitting  Testimonial 

of 

Qlton 

amelfcica’s  finest  0R,G7\.N 

Supremacy ! 

This  new  $3,000,000  Theatre  “The  Rochester” 
seating  4,000  people  is  ranked  among  the  great 
motion  picture  houses  of  America. 


Matched  with  its  beauty  of  construction  is  an 
organ  of  equal  beauty  in  tone  and  workman- 
ship.  The  Marr  and  Colton  Organ  lends  that 
added  charm  necessary  to  the  realization  of 
maximum  appeal  to  eye  and  ear — appeal  that 
has  box  office  value. 

This  five  manual  organ  is  one  of  the  largest 


theatre  organs  ever  built.  It  is  capable  of 
expressing  the  tone  of  any  musical  instrument 
or  a whole  orchestra  in  a manner  so  expressive 
that  the  casual  listener  wonders  at  times 
whether  he  really  is  listening  to  an  organ,  so 
matchless  is  its  tone  quality — so  marvelous  its 
volume — so  perfect  the  rendition. 


Learn  More  About  This  Marvelous  Organ 


Sign  and  return  attached  coupon  for  catalogs  and  further 
information  about  Marr  &'  Colton  Organs.  We  shall  be 
glad  to  give  you  estimate  of  cost  for  installation  in  your 
theatre.  Get  the  facts — this  does  not  obligate  you  in  any 
way. 


I The  Marr  and  Colton  Co., 

I Warsaw,  N.  Y. 

I We  are  interested  in  a Marr  and  Colton  Organ.  Will  you  please 
I send  us  further  particulars  and  catalogs.  We  understand  this  does 
I not  obligate  us  in  any  way. 


The  Marr  & Colton  Co*  [ Name 


General  Offices  and  Factories,  Warsaw,  N.  Y.  I Address. 


Eastern  Sales  Office, 
Suite  2013, 
Paramount  Building, 
Times  Square, 

New  York,  N.  Y. 


Western  Sales  Office, 

708  Congress  Bank  Building, 
506  S.  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago,  111. 


I City 

^ Theatre 

I 

I Seating  Capacity. 


6 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Interior  of  the  new  Walt  Whitman  Theatre, 
Camden,  N.  J.  Mr.  W.  H.  Lee,  Architect. 


lOl  YKARS  OF 
MANXnPA.CTtJRING 
EXPE-RIBNCE/ 


A COMFORTABLE  SEAT  AT 
THE  WALT  WHITMAN! 


\yiESSRS.  Schindler  and  Varbalow,  practical  and  long  experienced  show^ 
men,  wanted  a theatre  chair  of  unusual  beauty  and  comfort  for  their 
new  Walt  Whitman  Theatre  at  Camden,  N.  J. 

They  selected  OC  417,  one  of  the  best  selling  chairs  in  the  Heywood- 
Wakefield  line.  This  good-looking  chair,  with  its  deep  spring  seat  and 
restfully  pitched  back,  provides  that  extra  comfort  to  the  patron  which 

means  extra  profit  at  the  box  office. 

Perhaps  we  can  help  you  to  select  the  proper,  profitable  seat  for  your 
theatre.  We  shall  be  glad  to  offer  suggestions  or  draw  up  seating  plans 
and  recommendations  without  cost  or  obligation  on  your  part.  Just  drop 
a line  to  the  nearest  Heywood-Wakefield  sales  office. 

^ i.m 


PUBLIC  SEATING  DIVISION  SALES  OFFICES 


Baltimore,  Maryland 
Boston,  Massachusetts 
Buffalo,  New  York 
Chicago,  Illinois 
Detroit,  Michigan 
Kansas  City,  Missouri 


113  West  Conway  St. 

174  Portland  St. 
Wells  and  Carroll  Sts. 
439  Railway  Exchange  Bldg. 
404  Film  Exchange  Bldg. 
1310  West  8th  St. 


Los  Angeles,  California 
Minneapolis,  Minnesota 
New  York,  New  York 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania 
Portland,  Oregon 
St.  Louis,  Missouri 


San  Francisco,  California  737  Howard  St. 


801  East  7th  St. 
357  Loeb  Arcade 
516  West  34th  St. 
244  South  5th  St. 
148  North  10th  St. 
6th  and  O’Fallon  Sts. 


Design  of  the  Modern  Kinebooth 


CHARLES  B.  O’NEILL 
Advertising  Manager 

ALBERT  W.  RANDLE 
Eastern  Representative 


immms 


HARRY  E.  HOLQUIST 

Editor 

JAY  M.  SHRECK 
Managing  Editor 


A monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald,  published  for  the  information 
and  guidance  of  theatre  owners  in  matters  of  theatre  construction,  opera- 
tion and  equipment  and  to  promote  the  ideal  of  greater  and  finer  theatres 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 
EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Rovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

S6S  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt 3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd..  W.  C.  2. 


The  successful  theatre  today  is  the 
one  that  pays  strictest  attention  to 
its  physical  features.  Cinema  pa- 
trons demand  more  than  pictures. 
They  must  be  given  every  degree  of 
comfort,  convenience  and  atmos- 
phere. 

To  the  enterprising  exhibitor  Better 
Theatres  each  issue  presents  numer- 
ous ideas  and  suggestions  for  in- 
creasing profits  through  better  pub- 
lic service  and  management. 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions — 

S3  per  year. 

Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 

Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Circulations  statements 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue 


The  Ideal  Theatre,  an  exposition  of  facts  by  G.  E.  Eichenlaub 
and  W.  C.  Weeks — The  Sunday  morning  concert,  by  Henry  B. 
Murtagh;  Theatres  may  through  this  concert  gain  prestige. 

TI) ROPER  equipment  for  the  Kinebooth,  by  Alvin  Seiler;  The  es- 
sentially equipped  theatre  is  the  one  which  gives  satisfaction — 
Light  values  in  organ  solos,  by  Clark  Piers. 

A PERSIAN  palace,  the  Avalon,  opens  in  Chicago;  Design  is  by 
John  Eberson — Orchestraphone  is  displayed  in  Chicago;  OfFers 
automatic  accompaniment  for  pictures. 


Functions  of  the  motion  picture  section  of  the  department  of 
commerce  detailed  by  N.  D.  Golden — Harmonious  type  display 
in  theatre  advertising,  by  Charles  Raymond. 


CRIPX  of  organ  solo,  by  Hirsch — ^The 
plan  of  originating  organ  solos — Pow- 
er s high  intensity  lamp  is  redesigned — 
S.  M.  P.  E.  to  hold  Fall  meeting  at  Lake 
Placid,  N.  Y. 

CHOREWOOD  THEATRE  opens  in  Mil- 
waukee— Radio-Lite  offers  exhibitors 
two-tone  screen — Managers’  School  of 
Schine  chain  proves  a success — Knocker- 
bocker  architect  found  dead. 

EW  KIRBY,  Publix  Theatre,  opens  in 
Houston ; House  is  model  of  stately 
Colonial  mansion — First  views  of  new 
Chicago  theatre,  the  Marbo,  seating  5,200. 
— Universal  to  open  N.  Y.  Theatre. 


1\/I  ODERN  installations  by  theatres  in 
the  country Roxy  and  B & K dis- 
cuss service  feature  for  theatres Making 

the  theatre  organ  a box  office  asset. 

O ENTRY  Safety  Control  to  be  marketed 
by  National  Theatre  Supply — Har- 
monious colors  for  decorating  theatre  in- 
teriors  Theatres  remodel  for  Fall. 

'HE  exhibitors  decalogue,  by  Ernest  A. 
Rovelstad — Making  the  organ  a box 
office  asset,  by  J.  Newton  Yates — Light  in 
booth  should  be  shielded  from  screen. 

New  color  hood  holder  is  marketed  by 
Reynolds  Electric — Macon,  Ga.,  gets 

new  1200  seat  theatre Schine  chain  has 

big  development  in  1 0 year  period. 


8 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Published  Every  Fourth  Week  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 
Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 


Martik  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the 
following  motion  picture  trade  publications  in  addition  to  Better  Theatres, 
published  as  supplements  to  Exhibitors  Herald:  The  Studio,  every  fourth 
week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semiannual. 


VoL.  XXX  September  3,  1927  No.  12 


away  an  opportunity  to  build  up  goodwill.  Personal 
contact  with  the  public  is  a sure  road  to  public  interest. 

5«  Hold  noise  in  the  booth  to  a minimum. 

The  pianist  was  resting  in  the  middle  of  a drama^  From 

the  projection  booth  came  a loud  “What  the We 

watched  the  reaction.  Several  in  the  audience  shouted 
various  phrasings  of  “Shut  up.”  Some  laughed.  Prac- 
tically every  person’s  attention  was  drawn  away  from 
the  picture,  and  all  because  the  projectionist  and  a friend 
were  talking. 

6*  Make  your  theatre  a community  center. 

We  know  of  one  exhibitor  who  refused  to  permit  the 
use  of  his  theatre  for  the  meeting  of  a civic  organization 
at  an  hour  when  the  show  was  not  running.  We  also 
know  that  hy  this  act  he  forfeited  the  goodwill  of  several 
patrons  and  lost  several  potential  new  patrons. 


The  Exhibitors  Decalogue 

Every  exhibitor — can  and  should — write  his  own  Ten 
Commandments  on  how  to  make  his  theatre  a BETTER 
theatre. 

In  these  days  of  more  and  more  elaborate  theatres  the 
word  de  luxe  has  become  commonplace  and  we  find 
word-harassed  writers  struggling  with  such  impossibilities 
as  super-de  luxe  and  whatnot. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this,  it  is  too  easy  to  lose  sight  of 
the  importance  of  attention  to  details  of  management  and 
operation.  We  are  speaking  here  essentially  of  the  small 
theatre,  the  second  or  subsequent  run,  although  in  gen- 
eral the  facts  can  apply  to  the  largest  house. 

Following  is  a suggested  Decalogue  based  on  actual 
conditions  seen  by  a patron  of  small  theatres  and  on 
other  exhibitors’  experiences,  though  as  stated  in  the 
foregoing  every  theatre  owner  can  list  his  own  Ten  Com- 
mandments to  his  best  advantage. 

1 • Keep  each  seat  in  repair. 

A broken  seat  not  only  irritates  the  patron  who  stum- 
bles into  it  but  may  disturb  as  many  as  20  others,  due 
to  the  moving  about  and  the  noise.  And  the  women 
folk  will  never  forgive  the  theatre  for  a torn  dress. 

2 Keep  your  eye — and  nose — on  the  ventilating 
• system. 

We  came  out  of  one  theatre  as  tired  as  if  we  had  been 
through  three  Argonnes  and  it  did  not  take  long  to  trace 
the  reaction  back  to  the  stuffiness  of  the  place.  We 
voted  “Never  Again.”  No  exhibitor  has  a right  to  operate 
a poorly  ventilated  theatre,  nor  is  there  any  excuse  for 
poor  ventilation. 

Watch  your  projection. 

One  still  occasionally  hears  the  whistling  and  hand- 
clapping (sometimes  derisive  but  more  often  to  draw  the 
attention  of  the  projectionist)  that  signalizes  a contor- 
tion of  the  picture  by  either  too  slow  or  too  rapid  run- 
ning of  the  reel.  There  may  be  any  of  several  reasons 
for  this,  but  the  wideawake  exhibitor  will  eliminate  the 
cause. 

Let  your  patrons  see  you. 

The  owner  or  manager  of  a small  theatre  who  hides 
himself  in  the  theatre  office  while  the  show  is  going  on 
(or  worse  .still,  stays  away  from  the  theatre),  is  throwing 


7 . 

/ • Keep  every  light  in  your  sign  burning. 

We  have  seen  an  electric  sign  go  for  days  with  two 
bulbs  dark.  If  the  exhibitor  noticed  it  he  passed  up 
a bet  by  not  ordering  it  fixed.  If  he  did  not  notice  it 
he  was  not  tending  to  business.  Consciously  or  imcon- 
sciously,  some  patrons  feel  a theatre  management  is 
slipshod  if  things  are  not  kept  in  tiptop  condition. 


Don’t  let  the  piano  be  out  of  tune. 

We  have  left  the  theatre  in  the  middle  of  a picture 
because  the  piano  was  out  of  tune.  It  was  torture  to 
listen  to  it  and  we  could  not  close  our  ears  to  it.  The 
pianist  was  a good  one,  too.  A wheezy  pipe  in  an  organ 
is  just  as  irritating. 

9 • See  that  the  music  conforms  to  the  picture. 

It  is  not  often  that  one  hears  a lively  march  during 
the  showing  of  a funeral  procession  on  the  screen,  but 
we  have,  and  that  was  foUowed  by  at  waltz  for  a horse- 
race on  the  same  newsreel.  It’s  the  exhibitor’s  business 
to  prevent  such  occurences. 


10. 


• Be  on  the  job  every  second, 

A slipup  in  one  detail  does  not  mean  much,  but  piling 
up  a number  of  them  may  wreck  the  box  office.  It’s 
much  cheaper  to  keep  a theatre  shipshape  than  to  lose 
patronage. 


The  foregoing  Ten  Commandments  are  based  on  actual 
observation.  Most  of  them  are  so  apparent  as  to  make 
comment  seem  superfluous,  but  the  fact  that  there  are 
such  errors — most  of  them  omission  rather  than  commis- 
sion— makes  mention  of  them  timely. 


Perhaps  you  would  recommend  an  entirely  new  set  of 
Commandments.  If  so.  Better  Theatres  will  be  glad  to 
receive  them  and  pass  them  on  to  your  fellow  exhibitors. 


ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD. 


Better  Theatres 


this  month  welcomes 
the  following  new  ad- 
vertisers : Maier-Lavaty  Company,  2141  Lincoln 
avenue,  Chicago;  Dura-Tex  Fabrics  Company,  216 
Webster  street,  Cincinnati,  O. ; and  John  C.  Becker 
^ Brothers,  2824  Taylor  street,  Chicago. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


Has  theatre  advancement  reached  the  pinnacle?  When  you  see  the  great  {talaces  in  the  cities  of  the  world  you  are 
almost  {iromf^ted  to  answer  in  the  affirmative.  Yet,  with  the  ofemng  of  each  new  house  there  affear  new  fhases  of 
theatre  construction,  new  equipment  for  facilitating  operation.  Theatre  advancement  has  not  reached  its  fnnnacle. 
This  month  in  BETTER  THEATRES  two  prominent  archit  ects  present  suggestions,  observations  and  recommenda- 
tions for  theatre  betterment.  Subjoined  are  their  recommendations  for — 


The  Ideal  Theatre 


Design : Operat- 

ing  personnel 
should  be  reduced 
to  a minimum,  which  is 
one  person  in  charge.  Our  Standard  Theatres  have 
reached  that  point  in  perfection,  where  two  persons  are 
required  to  handle  projection,  sell  tickets,  play  the  organ, 
supervise  audience,  fire  the  boiler  and  regulate  the  ventila- 
tion. 

If  a hustler,  they  wash  down  the  house,  take  out  the 
ashes,  touch  up  the  paint,  doctor  the  organ,  buy  the  pic- 
tures and  bill  the  town. 

Appearance  is  next : The  front  should  be  like  a theatre 
and  be  lighted  like  one,  so  that  signs  are  not  a needed 


BY 

GEO.  E.  EICHENLAUB 

Architect,  Erie,  Pa. 


Answering  your  by 

request  for  sug-  IVAR  LOHMAN 

L gestions,  observa-  ^ . 

tions  and  recommenda-  Weeks,  Architect 

tions  leading  to  betterment  in  theatre  design,  construction 
and  equipment,  making  for  better  public  service  and 
greater  comfort  in  the  theatre  today,  I submit  the  follow- 
ing remarks,  that  may  or  may  not  be  pertinent  to  your 
inquiry. 

The  present  day  exterior  electric  display  sign  on  thea- 
tres is  an  aftertbought,  a disfigurement  and  an  affront. 
The  architect  designs  a facade,  as  beautiful  as  is  in  his 
capacity,  at  any  rate  one  that  is  complete  and  homo- 
geneous, an  artistic  entity.  It  is,  let  us  assume,  an 


essential. 

The  plan-layout  likewise  should  be  so 
simple  that  again  signs  and  pointing  hands 
should  not  be  required. 

Income  through  subrentals  should  be  pro- 
moted and  all  waste-space,  should  be  made 
commercially  valuable  and  desirable. 

CONSTRUCTION : Should  always  be 
the  best  and  so  fabricated  as  to  meet  with 
the  underwriter’s  approval,  which  indicates 
a very  practically  fire-proof  structure. 

Such  a structure  will  surely  cost  some 
10  per  cent  more  than  the  “cheap”  affair, 
or  at  least  it  should.  Too  many  times,  the 
cheap  building  will  actually  cost  more  than 
the  substantial  structure,  and  the  glib 
contractor  pockets  the  difference.  This 
usually  happens  where  a qualified  architect 
or  engineer  is  not  employed,  due  to  a 
healthy  desire  on  part  of  owner  to  save 
that  6 per  cent  or  8 per  cent  as  usually 
charged.  At  first  it  looks  as  though  the 
cheap  building  were  the  economical  thing 
to  do,  but  it  is  still  fundamental  in  truth 
that,  “Who  builds  a cheap  building  pays 
for  a good  building” ; this  comes  about 
through  higher  maintenance,  insurance, 
depreciation  and  other  fixed  carrying 
charges. 

If  the  structure  is  immediately  sold,  then 
the  buyer  shoulders  those  charges,  which 
explains  why  the  speculative  builder  does 


MR.  EXHIBITOR 

“Better  Theatres”  would  like 
from  you  suggestions  and  rec- 
ommendations for  the  ideal 
Theatre. 


not  build  a good  building.  It  would  not 
pay  him  to  do  so.  The  investor  however, 
wants  a good  building,  so  must  build  it 
good. 

Theatres  are  different  from  any  kind  of 
commercial  buildings,  because  they  are  so 
law-ridden  with  every  state  riding  a dif- 
ferent gait.  These  laws  are  of  such  a 
nature,  that  ordinarily  the  lawyers  even, 
are  not  familiar  with  them  nor  their  in- 
terpretation. 

Fireproof  construction,  does  not  neces- 
sarily mean  employment  of  concrete,  steel 
and  high-priced  construction.  The  main 
essential  is  the  peculiar  and  highly  special- 
{Continued  on  page  20) 


architectural  gem,  and  if  it  were  destined 
to  house  a collection  of  paintings  or  a 
museum  exhibit,  it  would  be  permitted  to 
remain  so.  But  it  is  a theatre  and  must 
l)e  advertised,  so  a sign  designer  is  en- 
gaged to  do  his  worst.  He  erects  a huge 
electric  sign,  perhaps  beautiful  in  itself, 
generally  a monstrosity,  and  always  totally 
out  of  scale  and  harmony  with  the  archi- 
tecture of  the  front  it  is  to  ornament.  He 
places  it  without  regard  to  architectural 
effect,  in  front  of  a column,  a cartouche  or 
a window,  anywhere,  his  only  guide  being 
visibility.  The  more  it  hits  the  passer-by 
in  the  face,  the  better. 

This  is  bad  enough,  but  the  worst  is  yet 
to  come.  The  sign  must  be  adequately 
supported,  so  he  hires  a structural  engi- 
neer, who  designs  a system  of  struts, 
braces  and  other  steel  supports,  an  un- 
clothed skeleton,  as  hideous  and  unlovely 
as  a temporary  scaffolding.  The  archi- 
tect’s creation  is  undone,  the  sign’s  the 
thing.  Why  waste  so  much  time,  thought 
and  money  on  beauty,  if  only  to  obscure 
and  hide  it  behind  an  electric  breach  of 
the  peace? 

The  greatest  innovation  in  theatre  design, 
and  one  most  to  be  desired,  will  be  the 
intelligent  and  harmonious  incorporation  of 
the  electric  sign  in  the  general  design  of 
the  front.  It  will  come,  but  when? 


BETTER  THEATRES  ADVISORY  STAFF 


In  order  to  render  its  readers  assistance  on  I'arioiis  problems 

of  equipment  and  construction  that  arise  from  time  to  time, 

Better  Theatres  has  obtained  the  co-operation  of  the  individ- 
uals and  associations  listed  following  in  this  zuork. 

Through  the  co-operation  of  this  advisory  staff  this  depart- 

ELMER  F.  BEHRNS,  Theatre  architect. 

ROBERT  O.  BOLLEiR,  Boiler  Brothers,  Archi- 
tects. 

A.  B.  COPPOCK,  Presentation  Producer. 

E.  B.  CRESAP,  Secretary,  National  Association 
of  Fan  Manufacturers. 

N.  E.  DURAND,  Frederick  C.  Foltz  & Co. 

JOHN  EBERSON,  Architect. 

G.  E.  EICHENLAUB,  Architect. 

W.  S.  HAYS,  Secretary,  National  Slate  Asso- 
ciation and  The  National  Federation,  Con- 
struction Industries. 

F,  K.  HILL,  Seating  Engineer. 


ment  feels  that  it  has  allied  itself  with  sources  of  expert  knowl- 
edge on  virtually  every  phase  of  theatre  building  and  furnish- 
ing and  is  able  to  offer  theatre  ozvners  a valuable  service  in 
providing  information  and  anszvers  on  a zvide  range  of  subjects 
of  a general  nature 


F.  J.  HUSE,  Chief  Engineer,  Hollow  Building 
Tile  Association. 

CLEXL  JAY,  Projectionist,  New  Theatre,  Little 
Rock,  Ark. 

SAMUEL  R.  LEWIS,  Member,  American  Society 
of  Heating  and  Ventilating  Engineers. 

A.  C.  LISKA,  Remodeling. 

E.  M.  LURIE,  Assistant  to  Commissioner,  As- 
sociated Metal  Lath  Manufacturers. 

HENRY  L.  NEWHOUSE,  Architect. 

J.  F.  O’MALLEY,  Architect. 

GEORGE  L.  RAPP,  Architect. 


GEORGE  W.  REPP,  Service  Division,  American 
Face  Brick  Association. 

HENRY  J.  SCHWEIM,  Chief  Engineer  of  The 
Gypsum  Industries. 

R.  L.  SIMMONS,  Architect. 

HORACE  L.  SMITH,  JR.,  Theatre  Engineer. 

NORMAN  M.  STINEMAN,  Assoc.  Mem.  Amer- 
ican Society  of  Civil  Engineers,  Portland 
Cement  Association. 

MAX  Y.  SEATON,  Technical  Director,  National 
Kellastone  Company. 

J.  L.  STAIR,  Chief  Engineer,  Curtis  Lighting, 
Inc. 


10 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


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A KINEBOOTH  FOR  PROPER  PROJECTION 

In  the  accomftanying  article  Alvin  Seiler  describes  for  exhibitors  and  architects  a hinebooth  for 
the  '^ro'^er  projection  of  pictures.  In  his  discus sion  of  the  subject,  J^r.  Seiler  compiles  for  the~ 
tre  owners  a complete  list  of  essential  equipment  for  the  model  booth.  "M-r.  Seiler  is  director 
of  engineering  for  National  Theatre  Supply  Co  mpany. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


RECOMMENDED  EQUIPMENT  AND  ACCESSORIES  FOR  BOOTH 


Motion  Picture  Projectors. 

Motion  Picture  Objective  lenses. 

Condensing  lens  systems. 

Lamphouses— Reflector  Arm;  High  Intensity; 
Incandescent. 

Electric  Changeover  Devices. 

Film  Speed  indicators. 

Film  Footage  meters. 

Safety  Control  Devices. 

Arc  Controllers. 

Lamphouse  Pilot  Lights. 

Reel  End  Alarms. 

Eyeshields. 

Binoculars. 

Reels. 

Carbon  Waste  Cans. 

Oil  Drip  Pans. 

Carbon  Storage  Cabinets. 

Automatic  Fireproof  Rewind  Element. 

Hand  Rewinders. 

Film  Menders. 


Film  Waxers 

Film  Measuring  Machine. 

Film  Cleaners. 

Film  Scissors. 

Film  Safes 
Film  Cement. 

Operators  Chairs 
First  Aid  Cabinets 
Fireproof  Port  Shutters 
Fusible  Links 
Extension  Light  Fixtures 
Fire  Extinguishers 
Slide  Racks 
Trailer  Cabinets 
Clothes  Lockers 
Tool  Boxes 
Telephones 
Signal  BuKzers 
Carbons 

Extra  Flexible  Asbestos  Wire 

Lacquer  for  Kinebooth  Floor  and  Walls. 


Foot  switches. 

Voltage  Testers. 

Effect  Projectors 

Double  Dissolving  Stereopticon  Projectors. 
Spot  flood  lamps. 

Scenic  and  Color  Effects. 

Effect  storage  cabinets 
Colored  Gelatins 
Color  Frames. 

Cue  Sheet  Holders. 

Color  Boxes. 

Carbons  for  Effect  Equipment. 

Color  Wheels. 

Iris  Shutters. 

Color  Slides. 

Generators. 

Control  Panels. 

Rheostats. 

Rheostat  Racks 
Cork  Generator  Bases. 

Switches. 


The  Design  of  the  Kinebooth 
for  the  Theatre 


A s'^eciahst  talks  to  exhibitors  and  archite  cts  in  exclusive  article  for  "Better  Theatres" 


By  ALVIN  SEILER 


Director  of  Engineering,  National  Theatre  Su^fily  Comfiany 


IN  the  work  of  the  engineering  depart- 
ment of  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company,  the  treatment  of  the  kine- 
booth has  been  given  outstanding  consid- 
eration. It  has 
long  been  appar- 
ent that  this  sub- 
ject is  one  which 
should  come  in 
for  specialized  at- 
tention. In  keep- 
ing with  the  pro- 
duction of  better 
pictures  and  the 
development  o f 
finer  playhouses, 
the  kinebooth,  un- 
fortunately, has 
too  often  been  in- 
adequate and  not 
i n frequently  in-  „ 

correct  m its  de- 
sign  and  construction. 


As  a result  of  much  work  and  extensive 
research  our  engineering  department  has 
developed  a composite  layout  to  accommo- 
date various  types  of  standard  and  recog- 
nized equipment  which  we  believe  answers 
the  question  of  what  is  correct  in  booth 
design  and  arrangement.  We  are  pleased 
to  give  the  results  of  this  work  to  the 
trade  at  large.  This  general  information 
is  given  for  such  value  as  it  may  possess 
and  in  a spirit  that  in  doing  so  National 
is  living  up  to  and  carrying  out  its  avowed 
policy — “Service  to  the  Industry.” 

First  let  us  explain  the  adaptation  of  the 
new  word — “kinebooth.”  We  will  take  this 
from  the  word  “kinetoscope,”  meaning  a 
machine  to  show  moving  pictures,  and  the 
word  “booth,”  the  meaning  of  which  is 
unnecessary  to  explain.  In  the  past  this 
room  has  been  called  a projection  booth, 
projection  room,  picture  booth,  operator’s 
booth,  and  in  some  instances  a machine 
room.  So  now  that  we  know  the  definite 


purpose  for  which  this  room  is  to  be  used, 
i.  e.  to  house  a machine  for  showing  mo- 
tion pictures,  etc.,  let  us  adopt  this  simple 
word  to  supersede  the  many  words  used 
in  the  past,  and  add  it  to  the  glossary  of 
architect’s  words  and  phrases,  which  al- 


ready contain  such  words  clearly  defining 
the  various  parts  of  the  theatre  building. 

Then  too,  let  us  add  a word  to  the  glos- 
sary of  the  theatre  personnel — “projection- 
ist”— the  man  who  operates  the  various 
types  of  projection  apparatus  which  is 
housed  in  the  kinebooth.  The  industry 
owes  much  to  him,  for  many  of  his  tricks 
and  innovations  are  directly  responsible 
for  the  advancements  that  have  been  made. 
To  advance  further  we  should  naturally 
consider  the  conditions  surrounding  the 
projectionist,  and  extend  to  him  such  con- 
veniences as  will  give  his  mind  the  free- 
dom that  it  will  bear  forth  the  better 
things. 

In  the  course  of  the  historical  research 
we  went  back  to  the  beginning  of  the  the- 
atre, and  then  the  beginning  of  the  motion 
picture  industry.  The  primary  considera- 
tion, of  course,  having  been  to  study  the 


National  Seiler  system  D.  C.  and  dis- 
tribution panel  board. 


evolution  of  the  kinebooth.  The  early 
types  of  projection  machines  were  of  such 
nature  that  their  use  in  the  theatre  was 
only  secondary,  and  the  moving  pictures 
more  or  less  of  a novelty.  Therefore,  the 
projection  machine  was  only  used  for  a 
short  period  of  time,  in  many  instances 
only  fifteen  to  twenty  minutes.  In  that 
day  and  age  there  were  no  rigid  State  or 
municipal  regulations,  and  due  to  the  small 
amount  of  film  used  was  not  considered 
as  a serious  fire  hazard.  However,  follow- 
ing the  path  of  progress,  the  length  of  the 
film  was  increased,  the  period  of  presenta- 
tion accordingly;  and  then  after  one  or 
two  accidents  our  fingers  were  burned  and 
we  learned  many  lessons.  Some  of  these 
lessons  resulted  very  disastrously  including 
a toll  of  life  and  property.  Then  came 
the  problem  of  housing  a projection  ma- 
chine to  eliminate  the  fire  hazard. 

Up  to  this  time  the  motion  picture  had 
still  been  secondary  as  an  attraction.  Dur- 
ing this  time  the  projectionist  was  only 
required  to  remain  in  the  kinebooth  for 
about  one  hour  at  a time.  Consequently  in 
designing  the  kinebooth  little  consideration 
was  given  to  his  comfort  or  the  general 
arrangement  and  such  facilities  as  ventila- 
tion, etc.  In  fact,  it  was  just  a case  of 
building  a kinebooth  small  enough  to  house 
one  projection  machine.  Being  considered 
as  a necessary  evil,  no  extensive  study  of 
the  location  or  details  of  construction  were 
made. 

Now,  let  us  take  forward  steps  on  the 
path  of  progress.  With  the  increased  use 
of  motion  pictures  it  became  necessary  to 
use  two  motion  picture  projection  ma- 
chines. Past  experience  and  good  practice 
now  tells  us  that  three  motion  picture  pro- 
jection machines  are  necessary.  This  is 
a proven  fact.  Along  with  this  comes  the 
effect  projector,  double  dissolving  stereop- 
ticon, high  intensity  slide  projector,  heavy 
duty  spot  lights,  high  intensity  flood  lights, 
and  now  we  hear  of  third  dimension  mo- 
tion pictures  requiring  special  apparatus. 
Vitaphone,  with  several  mechanical  in- 
tricacies involving  more  or  less  radical 
changes  in  the  kinebooth,  is  already  a 
{Continued  on  page  21) 


12 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


From  Persia  the 
Avalon  draws  its 
beauty  — preferring, 
however,  the  comfort 
of  modern  America. 
The  photo  above 
shows  how  Xerxes 
might  have  built  a 
booth;  at  left,  a de~ 
sign  over  the  doors; 
at  right,  a wall  dec- 
oration; and  below, 
the  stage  and  pro- 
scenium arch. 


- 1 

4 1 

_ L 

1 

« 1 

•1 

Avalon  Opens  as  New  National  Deluxe  Playhouse 

The  Avalon  is  the  second  deluxe  theatre  of  National,  Cooney  Brothers.  John  Eherson  designed  it. 


September  3,  1927 


13 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

A Persian  Palace  for  Pictures 
Opened  in  Chicago 


New  Eberson  creation 


WHEN  the  Avalon  theatre  on  Chi- 
cago’s South  Side  was  opened 
August  29  by  Cooney  Brothers,  the 
average  American  citizen  probably  for  the 
first  time,  gazed  upon  the  real  splendor 
of  Persian  architecture  and  design. 

Chicagoans,  to  whom  the  opening  of  a 
million  dollar  theatre  has  ceased  to  be  a 
thing  of  interest,  probably  thought  that  the 
Avalon  would  be  “just  another  movie  pal- 
ace.” But  the  Avalon  is  far  above  “just 
a movie  palace.”  It  is  a Persian  palace 
of  the  atmospheric  type  where  pictures 
are  shown,  and  above  that  it  is  an  art 
institute  and  museum  of  Persian  art  and 
design.  It  is  Persian  from  the  front  door 
to  the  back  stage  entrance,  and  to  describe 
it  with  words  is  like  shooting  off  a fire 
cracker  to  duplicate  the  world  war. 

Although  the  Avalon’s  cost  is  expressed 
in  seven  figures  and  has  an  advertised 
seating  capacity  of  3,500,  it  is  not  one  of 
those  gaudy  theatres  that  shrieks  to  every 
beholder,  “look  what  I cost.” 

“I  wanted  to  create  a theatre  where  pic- 
tures could  be  enjoyed  in  restful  and  beau- 
tiful surroundings,  rather  than  one  that 
would  be  a mere  flaunt  of  lavishness,” 
says  John  Eberson,  the  architect,  and  to 
learn  how  successful  he  has  been,  one  has 
only  to  visit  the  Avalon.  Inside  and  out, 
the  Avalon  is  a feast  to  the  eyes,  and  a 
treat  to  one’s  intelligence. 

Entering  the  Avalon’s  single  entrance, 
one  steps  through  a narrow  lobby  into  the 
foyer  which  represents  the  formal  court 
of  a Persian  palace.  At  the  opposite  end 
is  a balcony  with  a wrought  iron  grilled 
window  opening  upon  it.  The  window  is 
known  as  a flirtation  window  from  which 
ladies  of  the  harem  would  flirt  if  the  Ava- 
lon were  really  in  Persia.  The  foyer  is 
divided  into  two  parts  separated  by 
wrought  iron  gateways.  This  facilitates 
efficient  handling  of  patrons.  The  incom- 
ing and  outgoing  crowds  are  at  all  times 
separated  by  the  gateway,  thus  eliminating 
all  confusion. 


is  owned  and  O'^erated  by  Cooney  broth 

By  WILL  WHITMORE 

The  ceiling  of  the  foyer  is  a thing  of 
rare  beauty,  being  studded  with  jewels  of 
many  hues,  and  executed  in  the  design  of 
a Persian  rug.  Flood  lights  concealed  in 
a cove  below  the  ceiling  play  upon  the 
jewels  with  colorful  effects.  On  one  side 
of  the  foyer  are  a series  of  arched  panels 
built  in  the  wall  which  contain  mosaics 
designed  by  Charles  Morgan.  These  mo- 
siacs  tell  a complete  story  of  a religious 
pilgrimage;  the  large  center  panel  mosiac 
shows  pilgrims  encamped  before  the  walls 
of  a city,  and  the  other  mosiacs  in  the 
foyer  are  connecting  links  in  the  story  of 
the  pilgrimage. 

In  a comer  in  the  far  end  of  the  foyer 
is  an  aquarium  built  in  and  flush  with  the 
surface  of  the  wall.  It  contains  many 
species  of  Persian  fish. 

Descending  to  the  basement,  one  finds  a 
spacious  lounge  promenade  from  which 
open  the  ladies’  and  men’s  rooms.  In  the 
center  of  the  ladies’  room  stands  a unique 
seat,  called  a Persian  love  seat.  The  de- 
sign, construction  and  workmanship  of  this 
seat  are  things  at  which  to  marvel. 

Directly  off  this  room  are  the  juvenile 
room  and  children’s  play  room.  The  walls 
of  the  play  room  are  decorated  with  col- 
orful panels  depicting  scenes  from  “The 
Arabian  Knights.”  And  in  this  room  there 
sits  a Persian  cradle,  picked  up  in  New 
Orleans  by  Mr.  Eberson,  which  is  said  to 
have  been  the  cradle  of  Omar  Khayyam. 

The  tile  floor  of  the  men’s  room  follows 
the  design  of  a Persian  prayer  rug. 

An  extremely  unusual  feature  of  the 
lounge  promenade  is  a window  opening 
upon  the  refrigeration  room,  showing  the 
entire  refrigeration  plant.  This  affords  the 
patrons  a view  of  the  plant,  and  proves 
an  interesting  feature  of  the  theatre. 

Saving  the  greatest  beauty  for  the  last, 
one  again  ascends  to  the  first  floor  to  view 
the  auditorium.  It  is  a scene  of  splendor 
t^t  opens  before  the  eyes.  The  audito- 
rium depicts  the  garden  of  the  Persian  pal- 
ace. Above  stars  twinkle  in  a dark  blue 


•.s  on  city's  South  Side 


sky  flecked  with  lazy,  drifting  clouds. 

On  either  side  of  the  proscenium  and 
before  the  organ  lofts  are  tall  minaret 
tower  shrines,  each  of  which  is  of  abso- 
lutely different  design,  thus  getting  away 
from  the  usual  theatre  interior  in  which 
both  sides  are  exactly  similar.  In  the  bal- 
cony of  one  shrine  are  two  panthers,  and 
a peafowl  is  perched  upon  the  railing.  The 
pillars  of  the  shrines  are  incrested  with 
jewels  which  are  fitted  loosely  in  their  set- 
tings so  that  the  natural  vibration  of  the 
theatre  cause  them  to  move  slightly  and 
reflect  the  flood  lights  directed  upon  them. 
At  either  side  stand  large  winged-lion 
statues.  These  lions  had  symbolic  mean- 
ings in  Persian  religion. 

The  seats,  supplied  by  the  A.  H.  An- 
drews Company,  are  of  special  design 
which  carry  out  the  Persian  type  of  art. 
The  arms  and  backs  are  of  clear  wood. 

I said  that  the  Avalon  is  a museum  of 
Persian  art  and  design.  One  has  only  to 
stroll  around  its  spacious  promenades  and 
rooms  to  realize  this.  There  are  many 
beautiful  pieces  of  furniture  throughout 
the  theatre  that  were  gathered  in  Damas- 
cus by  Mr.  Eberson  and  his  agents.  These 
pieces  are  inlaid  with  ebony,  bone,  and 
mother  of  pearl.  In  niches  in  the  wall 
and  upon  rare  old  tables  can  be  found 
charming  bits  of  Persian  bric-a-brac  and 
beautiful  pieces  of  workmanship  in  hand 
beaten  brass.  From  walls  hang  antique 
tapestries  from  Damascus.  All  electrical 
fixtures  are  of  hand  beaten  brass  and  were 
executed  by  the  Victor  F.  Pearlman  Co. 

There  are  90  different  kinds  of  marble 
used  in  the  theatre  which  have  been 
brought  from  Italy,  Russia,  France,  Can- 
ada and  from  many  states  of  this  coun- 
try. The  wrought  iron  gateways,  grills 
and  windows  were  executed  by  the  French 
Artizan  LaBonne.  Mandell  Bros,  of  Chi- 
cago furnished  the  rugs  and  carpets. 

The  dominant  colors  of  the  theatre  are 
dark  blue  and  old  gold.  The  walls  are  of 
Craftex,  designed  by  hand  in  a typical 


An  exterior  and 
an  interior  view 
of  the  new  Ava- 
lon in  Chicago 


14 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


FLOOR  PLANS  OF  AVALON 


Jdain  Floor 


J^ezzanine 


Balcony 


Moorish  texture.  Inlaid  in  the  walls  are 
beautifully  colored  tiles  of  charming  de- 
sign and  color. 

Everything  back  stage  is  of  the  latest 
equipment.  The  three  circuit  switchboard 
is  a Major  Pre  Selective  system,  and  the 
stage  rigging  is  a Peter  Clark  system.  The 
stage  set  was  executed  by  Voland.  The 
theatre  temperature  is  controlled  by  a 
Carrier  Refrigeration  system,  and  a Rey- 
nolds heating  system  with  Wray  oil  burn- 
ers. H.  Reising  Company  furnished  the 
artificial  plants  and  flowers. 

Charles  Ryder  is  chief  projectionist  at 
the  Avalon.  With  him  are  Ed  Sweeney, 
Joe  Berinstein  and  Michael  Whalen. 

The  Avalon  projection  room  is  up-to- 
date  in  every  particular.  It  measures  ap- 
proximately 40  feet  in  length  by  12  feet 
in  depth.  The  equipment  consists  of  three 
Simplex  machines  equipped  with  Peerless 
reflecting  arc  lamps.  Vitaphone  equipment 
is  also  installed  in  the  booth  as  a perma- 
nent feature.  Vitaphone  will  be  used  sev- 
eral weeks  following  the  opening. 

Two  Brenkert  spotlights  are  used  as  well 
as  a Chicago  Cinema  Equipment  dissolver, 
rewind  film  table  and  film  cabinet  stands. 
The  lenses  are  the  Bausch  & Lomb  Cine- 
phor. 

A separate  room  houses  the  Martin  ro- 
tary converter.  Ample  ventilation  is  pro- 
vided together  with  facilities  for  the  pro- 
jectionists such  as  wash  stand  and  lava- 
tory. 

A new  item  of  equipment  noted  in  the 
Avalon  projection  room  is  a device  known 
as  the  Gold-E  framing  light  shield,  the 
work  of  H.  Goldberg,  Chicago.  Strong 
automatic  change-overs  are  also  part  of 
the  booth  equipment. 

In  the  creation  of  this  wonder  theatre 
a great  deal  of  credit  should  be  given  to 
A.  C.  Liska,  chief  draftsman,  William 
Hartman,  and  the  Michael  Angelo  studios. 


Ventilating  System 

Kills  ^^Kleig  Eye^>  Evil 

When  the  revolutionary  “mushroom” 
type  ventilating  system  was  installed  at  the 
Circle  theatre  a year  ago,  studio  officials 
made  note  of  how  efficiently  it  controlled 
the  temperature  and  purity  of  air  inside 
the  theatre.  The  Fox  studios  then  had  the 
same  system  installed  on  one  of  its  big  in- 
door stages  where  “Seventh  Heaven”  was 
to  be  produced.  Players,  directors  and 
technicians  were  amazed  to  find  that  all 
during  the  filming  of  “Seventh  Heaven” 
“kleig  eye”  didn’t  make  its  appearance  once. 

The  Circle  ventilating  system,  which 
washes  and  purifies  the  air  while  controll- 
ing its  temperature,  removes  the  burned 
carbon  dust  from  the  powerful  studio  arc 
lamps,  and  this  burned  carbon  dust  was  the 
real  cause  of  “kleig  eye”  and  not  direct 
rays  from  the  lamps,  as  was  formerly  sup- 
posed. 

Architect  of  IlUFated 
Theatre  Found  Dead 

Reginald  Wakefield  Geare.  37,  architect 
of  the  Knickerbocker  theatre  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  which  collapsed  five  years  ago 
with  the  loss  of  nearly  100  lives,  was  found 
dead  in  a gas-filled  room  of  his  home. 
A tube  from  a gas  jet  was  found  beside 
the  body. 

Mayer  Monsky  Drives 
from  Omaha  to  East 

Mayer  H.  Monsky,  general  manager  of 
the  Blizzard  Fan  Sales  Co.,  is  driving  a 
brand  new  Chrysler  roadster  from  Omaha 
to  New  York  City.  He  is  stopping  at  all 
National  Theatre  Supply  Co.  offices  en 
route. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


Two  Great  Theatre  Organizations  Find  that  "Service-Trained”  Employes  Reap  Rewards  at  Box  Offit 


BALABAN  & KATZ  ROXY  THEATRE 


BY 

FRANK  P.  ARCHER  ^ discloses 

for  readers  of  Better  The- 
atres some  exclusive  information  on  theatre  management, 
from  an  interview  zvith  Jack  Knight,  supervisor  of  theatre 
management  for  Balaban  & Katz  Corporation,  Chicago.) 

Baiaban  & Katz  lead  the  theatrical  world  because  they 
have  re-standardized  the  industry  and  have  re-educated  the 
public.  They  were  pioneers  in  introducing  musical  accom- 
paniment with  motion  pictures ; in  presenting  stage  special- 
ties; in  building  comfortable  and  luxurious  houses,  and  in 
inaugurating  highly  trained  service  personnels. 

The  explanation  of  how  Barney  Balaban  and  Sam  Katz, 
in  19  years,  have  incorporated  the  finest  organization  of  its 
kind  in  the  world  is  as  thrilling  and  romantic  as  any  story 
of  American  big  business.  Even  a short  resume  of  their 
progress  is  interesting. 

Way  Bach  When 

“From  an  old  storeroom,  20  feet  wide  and  55  feet  deep, 
and  with  a legacy  of  $125,  we 
created  our  first  showhouse,  the 
old  Kedzie  theatre  on  the  West 
Side  of  Chicago  in  1908,”  said 
the  two  partners.  “The  seating 
capacity  was  102,  and  the  pa- 
trons were  placed  on  camp  chairs 
set  up  on  the  level  floor.  When 
an  incline  was  built,  so  the  pa- 
trons in  the  rear  could  see  the 
screen,  people  who  came  in  with 
snow  on  their  feet,  slid  down 
front!  So  we  tacked  down  car- 
pet, bought  on  the  installment 
plan,  and  it  checked  the  sliding. 

The  place  was  dimly  lighted, 
and  there  was  no  ventilation. 

Music  was  furnished  alternately 
by  an  old  talking  machine  and 
by  one  member  of  the  family 
who  played  the  piano,  and  an- 
other who  sang  topical  songs. 

Advertising  was  accomplished  by 
a glib  barker  placed  outside  to  at- 
tract attention. 

“People  were  wild  about  mov- 
ing pictures,  and  they  actually 
suffered  to  see  them.  They  put 
up  with  everything  and  any- 
thing. These  experiences  taught 
us  Chicago's  needs.  Through 
the  haze  of  these  primitive  set- 
tings we  saw  that  a movie  house 
should  have  atmosphere, 
scenery,  beauty,  comfort,  fresh 
air  and  wonderful  music. 

“So  we  planned  a motion  pic- 
ture ‘palace’  to  cost  $15,000.  We 
imagined  that  sum  of  money 
would  build  a theatre  that 
would  surpass  anything  in  cre- 
ation. With  the  money  we 
made  and  with  more  that  we 
borrowed  we  cut  loose.  In  time 
the  theatre  was  completed  and 
opened  to  a packed  house  and 
an  overflow  that  stretched  a long  dis- 
tance both  ways.  We  installed  a four- 
piece  orchestra,  which  was  such  a big 
element  of  success  that  people  came 
from  miles  around  to  hear  it. 

“Although  this  was  the  best  motion 
picture  house  in  Chic;ago,  it  was  no 
sooner  completed  than  we  realized  we 
had  only  begun.  Then  was , born  the  de- 
termination to  carry  the  motion  picture 
to  the  highest  point  of  its  possibilities, 
to  give  it  the  setting  and  the  refined  at- 
mosphere it  so  richly  deserved.  We  were 


ABOVE : Finalists  in  inter-Balahan  & Katz  bas- 
ketball contest  last  season  which  was  won  by 
the  Oriental  theatre  usher  team,  Kir.  Knight 
stands  at  extreme  right. 

BELOW : The  yicV ichers  baseball  team.  These 
pictures  illustrate  a phase  of  the  activities  of 
the  'service  trained”  employee. 


working  towards  an  ideal,  towards  vast 
theatres  that  would  accommodate  thou- 
sands, so  that  we  could  give  the  finest 
entertainment  in  the  world  at  a nominal 
price  of  admission.  And  so  it  has  come 
to  pass.” 

Beautiful  theatres  are  almost  taken  for 
granted  today  because  of  the  stupendous 
strides  in  living  conditions.  The  same 
performance  can  be  seen  in  many  parts 
of  the  country. 

The  business  policies  of  the  Balaban 
{Continued  on  page  35) 


BY 

In  presenting  motion  l.  ROTHAFEL 

pictures  to  the  public,  I 

have  always  several  basic  principles  in  mind : 

1.  Happiness  begins  at  home 

2.  Do  Something  different 

3.  It’s  the  little  things  that  count. 

Now  to  elaborate  “Happiness  begins  at  home.”  That 
is  to  say  if  you  want  your  guests  to  enjoy  themselves 
you  must  bear  in  mind,  first  of  all,  that  they  are  your 
guests;  and  second  you  must  assure  yourself  that  you  are 
providing  comfortable,  well  regulated  quarters  and  that 
you  have  entrusted  the  welfare  of  your  visitors  to  a 
competent  and  contented  staff.  Dissatisfaction  among 
employes  not  only  destroys  the  morale,  but  it  quickly 
communicates  itself  to  your  clientele.  It  isn’t  a difficult 
matter  to  make  your  staff  happy.  All  you  have  to  do  is 
to  be  human,  to  remember  that  these  boys  and  girls  are 
starting  off  on  the  sea  of  life,  that  they  wait  their  chance 

to  reach  their  goal  and  attain  the 
fulfillment  of  their  hopes  and  as- 
pirations. 

To  this  end,  we  have  installed 
a definite  system  of  promotion. 
There  is  an  honor  role  and  a de- 
merit system  by  which  those  who 
have  earned  the  right  are  auto- 
matically headed  for  promotion. 
The  page  boy  of  today  is  the 
housemanager  of  tomorrow  if  he 
fulfills  his  obligations  consistently 
and  well.  Our  boys  know  this, 
and  it  encourages  them  in  their 
ambition  to  “get  to  the  top” — the 
desire  of  every  normal  American 
boy.  Already,  though  the  the- 
atre has  been  open  only  a few 
months,  promotions  are  in  order. 

Physical  Training  Essential 

Since  good  health  is  the 
foundation  of  every  human  en- 
deavor, physical  training  is  es- 
sential. Our  young  men  are 
trained  by  an  ex-sargeant  of  the 
marines  who  puts  them  through 
their  daily  routine  of  setting-up 
exercises.  There  is  a hospital 
fully  equipped  on  the  premises 
where  a sprained  ankle,  sore 
throat,  headache,  etc.,  can  be  nip- 
ped in  the  bud,  and  handball 
courts  are  in  the  making. 

I am  a great  believer  in  giving 
the  young  fellow  another  chance, 
and  on  those  occasions  when  a 
lad  has  been  weighed  in  the  bal- 
ance and  found  wanting,  I make 
it  my  personal  business  to  ex- 
amine the  culprit  and  to  plumb 
the  depths  of  his  offense.  It  is 
a duty  and  a welcome  one,  I 
should  think,  for  every  man  in 
authority  to  see  that  every  boy 
in  his  employ  is  given  not  only 
, a square  deal,  but  a chance  to 
make  a man  of  himself  if  by  misfortune, 
temptation  has  been  too  strong  for  him 
and  he  has  succumbed.  It’s  seldom  I 
find  that  one’s  faith  in  human  nature  is 
abused,  but  the  good  you  can  accomplish 
outweighs  your  failures. 

“Do  Something  . Different”i^3y  this  I 
mean  don’t  be  afraid;  to  strike  out  for 
yourself,  don’t  slavishly  attempt  to  follow 
the  fellow  in  the  next  block.  If  you’ve 
got  ideas  use  them.  Develop  your  own 
individuality,  it  will  communicate  itself  to 
{Continued  on  page  S4) 


The  Welfare  of  Your  Visitors 


16 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


1 a-ilKl  T THEATRE 

ALiS?nu’*TSi.,  PA. 


BROWMS  STOCRfRG- 

' ' , GRAKO  RAPffeiMfiCil.  • 


CtUILNATHBAME 

LIMAOHIO. 


WHY  DO  SO  MANY  THEATRES 
CHOOSE  Page  Unit  Orchestral  Organs? 
Because  these  organs  have  a reputation  for  re- 
markable performance.  They  combine  superb 
tonal  quality  with  marvelous  range  and  depth  of 
volume.  They  are  distinguished  for  instant  re- 
sponsiveness and  thoroughly  dependable  action. 
Page  Organ  Players,  too,  bear  the  marks  of 
master  builders  and  solve  the  problem  of  fine 
music  at  surprisingly  low  cost.  With  them  you 
obtain  orchestral  pipe  organ  results  from  ordi- 
nary 88-note  piano  rolls.  Ideal  for  relief  playing 
and  for  smaller  theatres.  Investigate  Page  possi- 
bilities for  your  theatre  without  obligation. 

THE  PAGE  ORGAN  COMPANY 

523  N.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio 


CAPFTOL 

■lDE3^HaS,^S 

^ARTHaaffRE 

W£gTM  Usf S^lSl,linX 


STRAND  THEATRE 

MUNCIE,INI). 

MAJESTJC  THEATRE 

ATHENS, OHIO. 

LEES  THEATRE 
LIBERTY  THEATRE  RAVEnna.ohio. 
GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH. 

LYRIC  THEATRE 

LIMA.  OHIO, 

RIVOLI  THEATRE 

■GRAKD  RAPIDS- 


gem  THEATRE' 

NEV^!ARK.,OH10. 


GRAIsB  iHEATEE 

ST.MAIT/S.,  O^llO. 


LYRIC  THHATES 

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ISIS  THEATRE 

KOKOMO.  IHB. 


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ROYAL  grant  THHA" 

marioh,  imd. 


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OHIO  THEATEl 

DOVER,  OHIO, 


PASADETvA  THEATRE 

DHTP-t-  IT.  MICH, 


■pH..:5./rXF  T14  • FaHK  "‘HEATRE 

Hr^'Y.-P-A  -.v...-. 

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■ KOK  ^'.MO,  iMD. 

- VhEATRE  LClNDOTHEATEB 

THIO 


00s.i;^TBU6.0Hir:. 


The  latest 
acliieveineiit  i n 
theatre  music  is 
this  Ra^e  Model 
M-X-4() — a Iinit 
Orchestral  Organ 
and  ITayer  (.'oni- 
binecl.  It  is 
eriuipped  with  two  man- 
uals anti  two  rolls,  for 
playing  by  hand  or  by 
roll.  We  will  give  you 
the  name  of  the  nearest 
theatre  where  you  can 
see  and  hear  one  of 
them.  Full  particulars 
un  request. 


1 


17 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


RIGHT 

HENRY  B.  MURTAGH  and 

daughter,  Henrietta,  a 'pianist 
and  organist  and  her  father  s 
best  critic.  Nlr.  Nlurtagh  is  the 
Ch  icago  theatre' s fio-fyular  or- 
ganist. 


LEFT 

CLARK  FIERS  , firominent  or- 
ganist of  the  West  Side  theatre, 
Scranton,  Pa.,  whose  articles  in 
"Better  Theatres  " have  become 
widely  read  throughout  the  in- 
dustry. 


Light  Values 
in  Organ 
Solos 

BY 

CLARK  FIERS 


c 


TGHTING  effects  have 
always  had  a peculiar 
fascination  for  me,  just 
why  I am  unable  to  explain, 
except  for  the  fact  that  I am 
unusually  interested  because 
I happen  to  be  employed  in 
a theatre,  where  lighting  is 
a vital  part  in  the  scheme  of 
the  thing.  Possibly  you  will 
think  it  odd  that  a mere  or- 
ganist should  think  or  pon- 
der on  what  is  obviously  the 
electrician’s  job — and  therein 
lies  the  tale. 

As  we  all  know,  from  childhood  when  we  were  taught  to  paint 
in  grammar  school,  the  three  primary  colors  are  Red,  Yellow  and 
Blue,  and  they  each  have  complementary  colors  which  are  de- 
rived from  these  original  shades.  Each  of  these  three  primary 
colors  have  a special  meaning  on  our  color  senses.  We  associate 
the  color  red  with  fire  or  a disturbing  element  of  similar  nature. 
We  think  of  yellow  as  a bright  cheerful  color  and  of  blue  as 
being  quiet  and  subdued  in  character.  This 
may  all  sound  very  simple  to  the  reader 
but  it  leads  up  to  a part  that  might  be 
hard  to  explain  point  blank. 

I wonder  how  many  times  you  have 
walked  into  the  large  deluxe  theatres, 
in  Chicago  for  instance,  and  noted  just 
what  colors  you  percieved  at  the  first 
glance.  You  will  notice  the  color  blue, 
if  the  film  is  being  shown.  That  color  is 
used  there  for  a purpose,  what  is  does  is 
to  create  a soft,  relaxing  effect  on  the 
patron,  fresh  from  the  noisy  street  so 
that  he  can  slide  into  his  seat  with  a feel- 
ing that  is  in  sympathy  with  the  film  pres- 
entation and  the  music  accompaning  it. 

And  this  state  of  feeling  has  a very  won- 
derful effect  on  the  patron  himself  with 
the  result  that  he  enjoys  the  program  be- 
ing offered  and  leaves  the  theatre  mentally 
stimulated,  if  not  pleasantly. 

Now  on  the  other  hand,  if  you  would 
walk  into  one  of  these  theatres  and  see  a 
fiery  red  or  yellow  auditorium,  your  mood 
would  be  anything  but  fit  to  enjoy  the 
program,  no  matter  how  excellent  it  might 
be.  If  you  will  try  this  little  experiment 
out,  you  will  become  convinced  that  colors 
in  the  lighting  effects  of  theatres  have  a 
great  volume  of  effect  on  the  audience. 

So  that  is  settled ! 

Now,  it  seems  that  color  and  music  are 
very  closely  related.  In  colors  we  have 
{Continued  on  page  27) 


At  SIX  o'clock  1 hear  flic  bell 
Of  my  alarm  clock.  Sleep, 
farczeell. 

And  from'  the  hed-cloihes, 
soft  and  warni, 

/ drag  my  large  and  weary 
form. 

Shower-bath  — razor  — hair- 
brush— clothes — 

Breakfast — street-car,  so  it 
goes. 

( f’d  sneak  back  to  bed  if  I 
dared, 

Blit  Sunday’s  concert  must  be  prepared.) 
krom  seven  till  ten  I grapple  with 
The  works  of  Chopin,  Liszt  and  Smith, 
Schubert,  Berlin,  Wagner,  Jones — 

/ perspire — and  the  organ  groans. 


Planning  for 
the  Sunday 
Concert 

BY 

HENRY  B.  MURTAGH 


Necessity,  some  sage  has 
said,  is  the  mother  of  in- 
vention, and  this  is  ade- 
quately illustrated  in  the 
picture  showing  Mr. 
Murtagh  using  the  chest 
console  at  the  Chicago 
Theatre. 


l^urtagh  using 
necessitated  by 
of  his  shoulder. 


a chest  console, 
a recent  fracture 


EARLY-RISING  is  one  bad  habit  that 
is  easily  avoided  but  it  has  been  thrust 
upon  me  for  years  by  old  Alother  Ne- 
cessity. Preparing  a concert  program  re- 
quires nine  or  10  hours  of  concentrated 
study  during  the  week.  Technical  difficul- 
ties must  be  worked  on  until  they  cease  to 
be  difficult;  tone  combinations  of  varied 
color  must  be  developed ; selection  must  be 
timed  so  that  the  concert  will  last  one  hour ; 
and  program-notes  must  be  laboriously 
compiled  with  the  help  of  musical  reference 
books. 

When  the  program  has  been  whipped 
into  shape  you  play  it  only  once  before  an 
audience,  then  start  -work  on  next  Sunday’s 
problems. 

The  value  of  the  organ  concert  is  ap- 
I)reciated  by  a few  progressive  exhibitors 
and  overlooked  by  a great  many  others. 
As  a money-making  proposition  it  is  not 
particularly  important,  but  as  a builder  of 
musical  prestige  for  the  theatre  and  the 
organist  it  is  decidedly  worth  while. 

The  modern  organ  has  unlimited  possi- 
bilities as  an  interpretive  medium  for  all 
clas.ses  of  music.  A carefully  planned  pro- 
gram can  hold  the  interest  of  an  audience 
l)y  covering  a wide  range  of  thematic  ma- 
terial that  is  not  too  academic  nor  too 
trivial. 

A theatre  audience  is  composed  of  many 
(Continued  on  page  26) 


18 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Four  Arrangements  of 
Organ  Solos 

By  WALTER  HIRSCH 


IN  my  last  article  in  the  last  issue  of 
Better  Theatres  I gave  you  a theo- 
retical outline  of  what  your  solo  should 
consist  of  in  construction.  This  time  I 
will  try  to  give  you  a more  concrete  exam- 
ple of  one  phase  of  the  organ  solo. 

There  are  four  distinct  lay-outs  or  plans 
in  the  present-day  solo.  Some  of  these 
are  more  or  less  familiar  to  most  of  you, 
and  the  other  you  have  possibly  read  about 
in  these  columns.  Here  is  a brief  list  of 
the  four  styles  of  solo. 

i.  Straight  Slide  Community 

2.  Straight  Scrim 

3.  Straight  Scrim  and  Scrimaphone 

4.  Slide  Community  and  Scrim 

An  article  recently  appeared  by  Albert  F. 
Brown  regarding  Scrimaphone  and  scrim 
presentations,  which  caused  quite  a bit  of 
comment.  Mr.  Brown  received  a number 
of  letters  asking  him  to  give  a practical 
working  plan  so  that  other  organists  might 
have  an  outline  to  follow.  A number  of 
organists  have  also  written  me  along 
similar  lines,  so  that  I recently  interviewed 
Mr.  Brown  and  Mr.  Raymond  Q.  Dalton, 
and  was  given  permission  to  re-print  an 
outline  of  a presentation  used  by  Mr. 
Brown  at  the  Granada  and  Marhro  theatres 
in  Chicago,  which  I give  in  detail  and  hope 
will  serve  to  make  it  easier  for  other 
organists  to  create  similar  ideas.  It  is  as 
follows ; 

(After  the  main  curtain  is  opened  the 
title  slide  is  flashed  on  the  picture  screen.) 

TITLE  — THE  MARRIAGE  RID- 
DLE (Burlesque).  (Play  Mendelssohn’s 
“Wedding  March.’’) 

Opening  (the  following  to  melody, 
“Marching  Through  Georgia) : 

Folks,  Vve  got  a problem  that  I zcish  you’d 
solve  for  me, 

For  a year  Fve  been  keeping  steady 
company. 

But  I don’t  knovj  just  hoiv  happy  I am 
going  to  be. 

If  I go  out  and  get  married — 

Oh  gee — you  see,  I need  your  good  advice. 
Do  you  believe  that  married  life  is  nice? 
Please  don’t  make  a joke  of  this,  but 
answer  truthfully. 

Do  you  think  that  I should  get  married? 

Looks  like  you  are  all  afraid  to  tell  me 
anything. 

But  I heard  zohen  folks  are  happy  that  they 
always  sing. 

So  I’ll  flash  a song  and  if  I hear  your 
voices  ring 

ril  know  that  I should  get  married — 

Before  I start  I warn  you  once  again 
This  song  is  for  the  happy  married  men 
So  if  you’ve  not  lived  your  married  life 
successfully 

Don’t  sing  the  words  of  this  chorus. 

! 

(Insert  chorus  of  popular  song.) 

J 

7 thought  all  the  happy  married  men  would 
sing  right  out 

But  there’s  no  such  animal  Fve  learned 
without  a doubt, 

If  there’s  any  HAPPY  married  WOMEN 
let  them  shout 

Loud  as  they  can  in  this  chorus. 


(Insert  Chorus-— “Always.”) 

That  proves  there’s  few  happy  married 
zvomen — doti’t  forget 

But  I haven’t  heard  from  all  you  single 
people  yet 

Those  of  you  who  zvoiildn’t  dare  get  mar- 
ried on  a bet 

All  join  in  on  this  chorus — 

(Insert  chorus  of  popular  song.) 

Now  let’s  hear  from  both  the  married 
WOMEN  and  the  MEN 
And  the  ones  that  zvish  that  they  were 
single  once  again 

And  the  SINGLE  ones  that  wish  that  they 
were  soon  to  wed 
All  join  in  on  this  chorus — 

(Insert  chorus— “Russian  Lullaby.) 
(The  following  to  melody  “Here 
Comes  the  Bride.”) 

By  all  advice,  marriage  is  nice. 

If  first  you  don’t  succeed,  just  try  it  over 
tzvice — 

Love  dreams  come  true.  I’ll  prove  to  you 
Don’t  say  I’m  zvrong  till  you  hear  this 
szveet  song — 

I 

TITLE  SLIDE— BABY  FEET  GO 
FITTER  PATTER. 

(PLAY  SLOW  INTRO.  Close  in — Pick 
up  screen — lower  scrim — Open  main  cur- 
tain. ) 

(Title  slide  remains  during  entire 
change.) 

(All  slides  used  on  scrim  must  be  solid 
black  with  white  lettering.) 

(All  lettering  must  be  top  and  center 
of  slide.) 

(Slides  are  super-imposed  at  all  times.) 
(Entire  setting  is  backed  with  black 
velour.) 

Man’s  voice  singing  verse,  “Baby  Feet” 
(unseen). 

Fade  in  man  at  chorus  seated  at  desk. 
(Props  representing  office — desk,  chair, 
etc.,  at  right.) 

Lighting — Two  overhead  spots — 1 Deep 
Lavender — 1 Golden  Amber — These  must 
both  be  focused  on  man’s  head  and  face 
so  that  they  over-lap  and  blend. 

At  least  half  of  chorus  at  cue,  “When  I 
come  back  from  town  they  meet  me  at 
the  gate,”  fade  in  girl  on  platform  about  6 
ft.  high.  Seated  on  low  chair,  holding- 
prop  baby — use  gate  or  fencing  for  back- 
ground. 

Lighting — -Two  over-head  spots — 1 Deep 
Lavender — 1 Medium  Green — Focused  on 
girl’s  head  and  face  so  that  they  over-lap 
and  blend. 

Hold  until  finish  of  chorus. 

On  last  line  buzz  for  slow  curtain  and 
gradually  fad  out.  FINIS. 

This  is  a complete  lay-out  including  stage 
and  lighting  plot  for  a community  and 
scrim  presentation  solo,  and  is  very  simple, 
inexpensive  and  effective.  It  has  a very 
novel  and  unexpected  surprise  finish,  start- 
ing as  a humorous  community  solo,  and 
ending  as  a human-interest  presentation. 

I have  interviewed  several  nationally 
famous  organists,  and  in  other  articles  will 
give  you  the  ideas  I gather  from  them 
through  this  column,  with  a few  explana- 
tory lines,  giving  you  my  idea  of  how  they 
may  be  best  put  into  practical  use. 


Making  An  Organ 
A.  B.  O.  Asset 

By  J.  NEWTON  YATES 

Auditorium  Theatre,  Berwyn,  111. 


A FTE_R  all  is  said  and  done,  all  that  Mr. 

Exhibitor  is  really  interested  in  is  the 
size  of  the  total  receipts  at  the  end  of  the 
day.  Only  a fe-w  of  them  realize  what  an 
important  part  of  the  show  his  organ  is. 

In  picking  a pipe  organ  for  a new  theatre 
some  exhibitors  go  shopping  with  price 
alone  in  mind  regardless  of  tone,  quality 
and  class  of  construction.  As  a result,  after 
a few  months  of  complaints  on  the  part  of 
the  patrons  and  spending  quite  a little 
money  trying  to  make  the  cheapest  sound 
as  good  as  the  best,  they  are  again  back  to 
the  makers  of  standard  organs  trying  to 
trade  the  junk  they  have  on  their  hands  for 
a fraction  of  the  original  price  on  a good 
instrument. 

When  buying  an  automobile  or  other 
article  he  understands  the  value  of,  the 
same  man  will  easily  see  that  the  cheapest 
is  usually  the  most  expensive  in  the  long 
run,  but  it  is  hard  for  him  to  see  that  a 
good  instrument  costs  just  so  much  to 
build  and  that  a small  profit  must  nat- 
urally be  had  and  if  he  would  take  his 
specifications  to  the  standard  organ  makers 
he  would  find  that  the  price  would  not 
vary  $100. 

In  the  organ  business  the  same  as  any 
other  you  get  exactly  what  you  pay  for  and 
no  more.  So  many  exhibitors  in  buying 
for  smaller  houses  are  under  the  impres- 
sion that  a small  organ  will  fulfill  their 
needs  and  a larger  organ  will  be  too  loud. 
A larger  organ  means  more  variety — not 
necessarily  volume. 

After  the  organ  is  ready  for  playing,  the 
thought  comes  that  there  must  be  some  one 
engaged  to  play  it.  So  frequently  less  time 
is  given  to  choosing  an  organist  than  book- 
ing a two-reel  comedy.  Again — the  ques- 
tion arises,  “How  much  will  I have  to  pay?” 
The  answer  is,  “You  will  get  just  what  you 
pay  for  and  no  more.” 

A man  may  say,  “My  theatre  is  not  very 
large.  I cannot  afford  a high  salaried 
organist.” 

Did  you  ever  stop  to  think  that  nine  out 
of  ten  times  you  are  competing  with  a 
larger  house  a few  blocks  away  which  has 
an  orchestra,  presentations  and  a wonder- 
ful organist,  and  that  you  cannot  afford 
to  hire  anything  but  the  best  you  can  get? 
After  your  patrons  go  to  the  larger  house 
and  see  their  wonderful  show,  your  ordi- 
nary organist  is  going  to  sound  pretty  sick 
to  them.  When  they  go  to  a show  again, 
where  do  you  expect  them  to  go? 

The  motion  picture  business  has  come  to 
a place  where  the  patrons  “show  shop.” 
They  demand  better  pictures  and  the  best 
in  music.  Without  that  combination,  the 
smaller  houses  will  be  a garage. 

If  you  are  wise  enough  to  engage  a good 
organist  at  even  a little  more  money  than 
you  expected  to  pay,  if  you  want  to  get 
your  money  back  you  must  advertise  this 
man  week  after  week  and  make  him  a per- 
manent attraction  at  your  theatre.  As  any 
business  man  knows,  the  finest  article  in 
the  world  unadvertised  will  go  unsold. 

Poor  music  will  kill  the  interest  in  music 
quicker  than  anything  else.  When  the  in- 
terest is  gone  as  a box  office  value  your 
music  is  not  worth  a dime.  You  are  pass- 
ing up  the  best  attraction  any  theatre  can 
have  and  with  it  goes  your  music  loving 
patrons  to  your  competitor,  who  is  not 
afraid  to  pay  for  the  best. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


The  INTENSIFLECTOR  Will  Do  for  you 
What  it  Has  Done  for  these  Theatres 


The  New  Intensiflector  (High  Intensity  Reflector  Arc) 


Here  are  actual  reports  of  three  recent  instal- 
lations: 

“A  3,500  seat  first-run  theatre  giving  deluxe 
shows  and  prologues,  which  previously  consumed 
1 20  amperes  for  presentation  of  pictures  to  secure 
good  illumination,  installed  INTENSIFLECTORS, 
which  are  now  operating  on  63  amperes.” 

Reports  from  this  theatre  show  that  an  equal 
amount  of  light  is  projected  on  the  screen  and  the 
picture  besides  having  that  pleasing  flatness  of 
field,  has  an  evenly  distributed  illumination  that 
greatly  increases  the  beauty  and  definition  of  the 
picture  projected.  The  Intensiflectors  are  saving 
this  Theatre  $1,200  per  year  in  current  and  car- 
bon consumption,  and  giving  better  results. 

“A  downtown  theatre  seating  1,200  previously 
used  low  intensity  reflector  arcs.  These  did  not 


meet  the  requirements  for  this  class  of  house.  The 
pictures  were  dark  and  illumination  uneven. 
INTESIFLECTORS  were  installed  using  55  amps. 
This  theatre  now  has  the  finest  projection  obtain- 
able and  at  a low  operating  cost. 

A 1200  Seat  Suburban  Theatre  Test 

The  manager  of  a 1 200  seat  house,  not  fully 

satisfied  with  his  projection  at  90  amperes high 

intensity  — due  to  lack  of  generator  capacity, 
which  caused  a great  variation  in  light  at  the 
change-overs,  installed  Ashcraft  Intensiflectors, 
using  60  amperes. 

Immediately  the  screen  brilliancy  and  defini- 
tion of  the  picture  was  increased  and  the  change- 
overs  were  entirely  unnoticeable.  Intensiflectors 
have  improved  this  theatre  s projection  1 00%  and 
will  save  their  cost  in  a very  short  time. 


The  modern  means  of  De  Luxe  Picture  Projection 

The  Intensiflector 

Built  for  all  theatres — large  or  small — built  to  give  you  the  best  in  Projection, 

at  a minimum  of  cost 


Developed  and  Manufactured  by 

Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Company 

4214-16-18  Santa  Monica  Blvd.  Los  Angeles,  Calif. 


20 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


September  3,  1927 


Bankers  Approve 


Theatre  Owners  and  Architects  send  for  our 
booklet  ‘'Silence  Is  Golden/’  No  obligation. 


Bankers  everywhere  approve  theatre  projects 
that  provide  for  additional  sources  of  revenue. 
Modern  theatres  today  are  placing  bowling 
alleys  and  ball  rooms  in  the  theatre  building. 
These  features  not  only  produce  extra  income 
that  takes  care  of  overhead  but  they  increase 
your  theatre  patnuiage  because-  they  make 
your  building  a recreational  headquarters. 
The  Stevens  System  of  Sound  Proofing  makes 
bowling  alleys  and  ball  rooms  possible  in  a 
theatre  l)uilding  without  any  annoyance  to 
the  patrons  in  your  auditorium. 

Write  for  our  informative  booklet 
containing  valual>le  facts. 

STEVENS  SOUND-PROOFING 
COMPANY 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

Representatives  in  all  large  cities 


*no  theatre  of  any  size 

canhe  without  one" 

LO.Davis  Gen.M^n 


With  the  Subtracting  Ke/board 


Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  Co., 

Department  A,  Watertown,  Wis. 

Please  place  with  us  on  Thirty  Days’  FREE  Trial 
your  Brandt  Automatic  Cashier.  It  is,  of  course, 
understood  that  we  can  return  it  as  we  accept  the 
trial  without  obligation  or  expense. 

Please  check  whether  used  on  the  O RIGHT  or 
Q LEFT  side  of  the  box  office. 

Firm  Name 

Individual 

City 


..State.. 


Sold  Direct 
to  users 

Not  sold  through  dealers 

30  Days’  Trial 
FREE 

MAIL  Coupon 
NOW 


The  Ideal  Theatre 

BY  GEO.  E.  EICHENLAUB 

(Continued  from  page  9) 

ized  knowledge  of  the  engineer,  and  real 
knowledge  of  that  kind  will  always  cost 
at  least  six  per  cent,  and  if  it  can  be  pur- 
chased or  is  offered  for  less,  then  the 
owner  should  regard  that  engineer  with 
suspicion.  A real  good  product  or  the  best 
can  never  be  priced  with  the  imitation. 

EQUIPiMENT ; As  in  construction 
should  be  the  best,  which  is  seldom  the 
lowest-priced  but  the  cheapest  in  the  long 
pull. 

Two  or  three  heavy  and  modern  pro- 
jectors with  the  LI  Arc  or  filament  lamp, 
where  conditions  permit,  hooked  up  with 
the  right  kind  of  husky  M.  G.  set  or  recti- 
fying apparatus  is  most  important.  In 
some  cases  we  use  a gas-engine  generator 
hook-up,  with  the  service  trunks  for  emer- 
gency load. 

Almost  any  theatre  today  should  have  at 
least  upholstered  seats  with  leather  backs ; 
the  small  town  says  “No,”  farmers  can 
sit  on  anything.  But  times  have  changed 
and  are  changing  and  the  extra  money  put 
into  good  seats  is  only  good  business. 

Our  method  of  fastening  seats  to  floor 
again  adds  to  cost,  but  is  justified  on 
account  of  expense  saved  weekly. 

Music  is  expensive  per  week  and  stag- 
gering per  year;  the  hurdy-gurdies  offered 
with  canned  music  are  worse  than  none, 
but  we  see  the  day  approaching  when  high- 
priced  musicians  will  no  longer  take  the 
bigger  half  of  the  earnings  of  the  theatre 
project. 

Even  today,  we  have  devised  a method 
of  supplying  fairly  good  music,  canned 
type,  controlled  from  out  front  and  pre-set 
to  the  cue-sheet  so  to  “follow  the  picture.” 
No,  Roxy  did  not  use  it ; but  the  smaller 
town  exhibitor  finds  it  quite  satisfactorv', 
and  far  better  than  anything  he  could 
afford  to  offer  before. 

Heating  is  still  mainly  with  steam  or 
water,  which  is  not  the  right  answer  for 
many  more  reasons  than  can  be  mentioned 
here.  Suffice  to  say,  if  an  owner  dictates 
steam,  why  steam  it  is,  but  in  our  Standard 
Houses,  all  the  hazards  and  discomforts  to 
say  nothing  of  the  expense,  due  to  steam 
are  avoided  studiously. 

Ventilation  equipment  is  sold  by  a hun- 
dred firms,  all  give  free  service  and  blue- 
prints. They  can  well  afford  to.  Little,  is 
better  than  none  and  an  owner  feels  good 
about  it,  when  he  hears  the  roar  of  the 
squirrel-cage  fan,  with  its  flat  blades,  wood 
barrel  housing,  and  what-not  mainly  built  to 
sell  at  the  highest  possible  profit.  Results  are 
sold  as  a part  of  the  service,  but  are  absent 
after  the  installation  is  made.  Here  again 
the  real  engineer  costs  money,  but  actually 
is  the  cheapest  factor  in  the  system  that 
ventilates. 

Sanitary  equipment  again  should  be  the 
best.  Its  cost  is  10  per  cent  more  on  the 
plumbing  contract,  and  its  value  not  less 
than  100  per  cent  on  the  results  delivered, 
appearance,  low  maintenance,  etc. 

Electrical  wiring  again,  the  best  with  all 
pipe,  wire  and  fittings  and  accessories 
labeled  by  the  underwriters. 

Stage  hardware,  scenery,  drapes,  rail- 
ings, rugs,  carpets,  ropes  and  lines  or  other 
gear,  can  be  had  always  in  variety.  The 
cheap  is  usually  offered  because  it  sells 
more  readil>-  at  a higher  profit, — the  good 
often  enough  must  be  invented  and  always 
must  be  searched  out  by  some  one  who 
knows  what  he  is  looking  for,  and  then 
very’  frequently  purchased,  direct,  because 
not  stocked  in  the  local  store  or  district 
jobber’s  because  he  “has  no  call  for  it.” 

Where  is  the  architect  or  engineer  who 
knows  about  all  these  various  matters  and 
still  would  be  willing  to  handle  a job  run- 
ning less  than  $50,000  total  cost?  I don’t 
know. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


Design  of  the  Kinebooth 
for  the  Theatre 

^Continued  from  page  11) 

realit)'.  Research  physicists  are  now  ex- 
perimen,ting  on  an  entirely  new  theory  of 
producing  a beautiful  polychromatic  light 
effect,  which  we  understand  will  require 
another  piece  of  apparatus  about  the  size 
of  a motion  picture  projection  machine. 

As  the  historical  research  of  this  subject 
dates  back  over  a considerable  period,  to 
treat  extensively  on  the  various  phases 
would  consume  too  much  time.  So,  there- 
fore, let  us  come  right  up  to  the  present 
day ; and  as  we  know  now  what  the  kine- 
booth must  house,  let  us  again  go  over  the 
following  list  of  apparatus,  equipment,  ac- 
cessories and  supplies,  so  that  we  can  im- 
press in  our  mind  the  actual  requirements 
and  to  be  considerate  and  fair  in  making 
our  design. 

The  type  of  theatre  will  naturally  govern 
the  size  and  number  of  pieces  of  apparatus 
to  be  used  in  the  kinebooth,  so,  therefore, 
we  must  first  make  a careful  analysis  of 
the  actual  apparatus  required  to  efficiently 
serve  the  projection  requirements.  This 
being  done  we  must  obtain  the  dimension 
data  of  the  apparatus  as  well  as  the  amount 
of  space  required  for  a free  working  area. 

In\ariably  in  the  past  no  consideration 
was  given  to  this,  and  in  many  instances 
it  was  just  a case  of  visiting  the  neighbor, 
or  making  a personal  inquiry  like  this ; 
“What  size  kinebooth  did  you  have  on 
such  and  such  a job?”  A brief  answer 
giving  rough  dimensions  was  about  all  the 
data  secured.  Then  these  dimensions  would 
then  be  inserted  on  the  drawings,  and  there 
you  are,  there’s  the  kinebooth.  In  many 
instances  after  construction  of  the  theatre 
had  gone  to  a point  where  the  floor  and 
W'alls  of  the  kinebooth  were  in  place, 
many  things  began  to  happen  as  a result 
of  this  neglect  to  detail  of  design.  The 
changes  necessary  to  correct  the  errors 
resulting  from  this  neglect  usually  are 
very  costly  and  cause  considerable  con- 
fusion, many  times  retarding  the  opening 
of  the  theatre.  To  make  a layout  that  will 
fit  each  and  every  individual  requirement 
is  almost  an  impossibility.  However,  we 
have  prepared  a composite  layout  that  will 
give  fairly  clear  general  information  and 
outline. 

The  placing  of  the  projection  apparatus 
should  be  carefully  considered,  so  that 
each  machine  is  located  in  such  a manner 
that  it  is  readily  accessible  for  its  general 
care  and  maintenance.  Another  considera- 
tion must  be  the  sequence  of  operation,  so 
that  a change-over  from  one  machine  to 
another  machine  can  be  made  quickly.  The 
difficulties  of  making  a quick  change-over 
have  been  somewhat  overcome  by  change- 
over devices,  several  of  which  are  now  on 
the  market.  We  must  also  consider  the 
inter-operation  between  various  pieces  of 
apparatus  that  are  used  for  effect  and  spot 
duty.  After  having  definitely  located  the 
various  pieces  of  apparatus  we  are  ready 
to  make  a layout  of  the  floor  plan,  showing 
the  location  of  the  respective  electrical  out- 
lets, and  the  horizontal  dimensions  of  the 
front  wall  apertures.  Next  we  must  make 
a study  of  the  detailed  layout  of  the  front 
wall  for  the  location  of  the  vertical  di- 
mensions of  the  apertures.  The  distance 
from  the  floor  to  the  bottom  of  these  ap- 
ertures varies  according  to  the  angle  of 
projection.  The  tables  on  the  layout  give 
these  dimensions  for  various  angles  of 
projection. 

The  number  and  size  of  the  apertures 
are  of  course  governed  by  the  apparatus 
to  be  installed  and  care  should  be  taken 
to  keep  the  size  of  the  apertures  down  to 
a minimum ; but  not  to  obstruct  the  pro- 
jectionist’s view  of  the  stage  opening  or  to 
interfere  with  the  range  or  sweep  of  the 
effect  or  spot  apparatus.  Increased  area  of 
(Continued  on  page  24) 


'll  Cib  K S f ^ J 


\AW 


If  you  are  contemplating  the 
erection  of  a new  theatre  or 
the  remodeling  of  an  old  one, 
get  all  the  information  on  the 
latest  Wurdack  remote-con- 
trol switchboard,  with  its 
many  new  and  exclusive  fea- 
tures. Write 


Get  the  greatest  possible  re- 
turns from  your  organ  solos. 
Dramatize  them  through  the 
Majesty  of  Light.  With  the 
Wurdack  remote-control 
switchboard  there  is  an  untold 
variety  of  illumination  effects 
within  your  reach  ....  any  of 
which  willbuild  that  emotional 
appeal  so  necessary  for  the  full 
appreciation  of  organ  music. 
Your  box  office  will  feel  the 
results. 


4444  CLAYTON  AVE.  ST.  LOUIS,  MO. 

Chicago  Kansas  City  Omaha  Minneapolis  Dallas  New  Orleans  Louisville 


22 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Front  exterior 


Photos  by  Hawtin  Co.,  Chicago 


Foyer,  facing  lohhy 


Auditorium,  which  seats  over  4,000 


Marbro  Patrons  Find  Elegance,  Plus  Comfort 

Lavish  in  its  mighty  s-^lendor  is  the  hdarhro,  the  new  deluxe  house  which  T^arhs 
Brothers  have  created  far  out  on  Chicago's  West  Side.  J^andel  Brothers  of  Chi- 
cago are  responsible  for  the  impressive  decorations.  Levy  & Klein,  architects. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


Balcony  •promenade  Levy  & Klein,  architects  Grand  staircase 


Lounge  on  the  l^ezzanine 


Marbro  Is  Marks  Brothers’  Second  Film  Palace 

M.arks  Brothers  nearly  doubled  in  the  l^arhro  the  seating  ca-^acity  of  their  first  de- 
luxe theatre,  the  Granada  in  Rogers  Park,  •providing  seats  for  well  over  4,000 
•peo'file.  Photos  on  both  fiages  are  by  Hawtin  of  Chicago. 


24 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  .1927 


Thousands 

AND 


Thousands! 


**The  Super  Reflector  Arc  Lcunp** 

IN  the  projection  rooms  of  thousands  upon  thou- 
sands of  America’s  foremost  theatres  will  be 
found  Peerless  Reflector  Arc  Lamps  . . . The  total 
number  of  Peerless  Lamps  in  daily  operation  rep- 
resents a plurality  of  TWO  TO  ONE  over  the 
combined  total  of  all  other  makes  put  together. 

This  vast  plurality  is  not  a coincident,  but  be- 
speaks a superiority  so  great  that  it  can  only  be 
, understood  through  direct  comparison  and  their 
ability  to  perfectly  perform  after  years  of  constant 
service.  Time  leaves  no  mark  upon  Peerless  Per- 
formance. 

To  have  all  of  the  advantages  that  reflector  arc 
lamps  afford,  Peerless  must  be  your  choice.  “Play 
safe  ” and  decide  on  Peerless. 

WHY  HAVE  LESS? 

ASK  ANY  NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  CO.’S  OFFICE 
OR  SEND  DIRECT  TO  US  FOR  A CIRCULAR 
DESCRIBING  OUR 

DISSOLVING  STEREOPTICON  ATTACHMENT 

MF’D  BY 

The  J.  E.  McAuley  Mfg.  Co. 

552-554  W.  Adams  Street 
Chicago,  111. 


70c  of  Every  Dollar 

IS  PROFIT 

“To  any  Theatre  Owner  looking  for  a ‘new  profit 
getter’  I heartily  recommend  the  Cretors  Popcorn 
Machine”  (name  on  request). 

Theatre  owners  have  described  their  “Cretors”  as 
priceless.  A sure  source  of  profit.  A marvel  in 
Simplicity — Large  Capacity — Quick  Popping  Feature. 
Seasons  Each  Kernel  Alike — while  popping. 

A style  for  every  location 40  different  models. 

Write  for  Catalog — Easy  Installment  Terms. 

C.  CRETORS  & CO. 

Established  1885 

612  W.  22ND  STREET  CHICAGO 


Design  of  the  Kinebooth 
for  the  Theatre 

(Continued  front  faye  21) 

the  apertures  reduces  the  safety  factor  of 
the  kinebooth,  so  when  large  openings  are 
made,  closing  devices  should  be  so  ar- 
ranged that  these  openings  can  be  easily 
closed  when  not  in  use. 

In  addition  to  this,  a complete  fire  safety 
shutter  system  should  be  designed  so  as  to 
effectively  close  all  the  apertures  in  case 
of  fire.  Primarily  this  was  considered  for 
the  safety  of  the  patron ; but  we  must  also 
consider  the  projectionist.  Film  fires  are 
extremely  dangerous,  burning  at  high  ve- 
locity, a large  volume  of  gaseous  smoke  is 
rapidly  generated  which  in  a few  moments 
would  fill  the  entire  kinebooth.  The  ven- 
tilating system  should  therefore  be  so  de- 
signed as  to  have  ample  capacity ; the  duct 
work  and  motor  drive  should  be  so  ar- 
ranged that  hot  gases  passing  through  will 
not  destroy  the  duct  or  stop  the  motor. 
The  electrical  wiring  should  be  so  ar- 
ranged as  to  start  the  ventilating  motor 
automatically  in  case  of  fire.  Finally,  as  a 
safety  consideration  of  most  importance, 
we  must  provide  convenient  egress  from 
the  kinebooth,  and  for  this  we  suggest  two 
doors  arranged  similar  to  the  plan  illus- 
trated. 

Auxiliary  apparatus,  such  as  fire  extin- 
guishers, city  fire  alarm  station  and  other 
fire  control  equipment  is  also  highly 
recommended. 

The  foregoing  remarks  cover  chiefly  the 
details  which  determine  the  size  and  ar- 
rangement'of  the  kinebooth.  The  distance 
of  projection  (length  of  throw)  and  the 
area  of  the  screen  or  stage  surface  to  be 
illuminated  regulate  the  nature  of  the  light 
source,  which  in  turn  guides  us  in  arriving 
at  the  electrical  current  requirements  of 
each  piece  of  apparatus  installed  in  the 
kinebooth. 

Knowing  the  total  load  requirements  and 
considering  the  diversity,  we  are  able  to 
select  the  correct  D.  C.  (direct  current) 
generating  or  converting  apparatus.  Our 
recommendations  are  to  use  a dual  or  twin 
set.  This  scheme  always  provides  a stand- 
by unit  as  well  as  allowing  convenient  in- 
terchange of  repair  parts.  By  this  ar- 
rangement, the  size  of  the  D.  C.  apparatus 
can  be  reduced ; provided  the  electrical 
design  is  of  such  nature  that  it  will  permit 
parallel  operation,  thereby  carrying  peak 
loads  on  both  machines.  This  is  a highly 
efficient  method  of  supplying  D.  C.  current 
requirements  and  correspondingly  reducing 
in-put  current  costs. 

In  certain  applications,  where  incandes- 
cent lamps  are  used  as  a light  source  or 
where  direct  current  is  supplied  by  the 
public  utility,  no  generators  are  required. 
In  this  event  a special  electrical  layout 
must  be  made  to  suit  the  condition.  After 
the  nature  and  characteristics  as  well  as 
the  load  requirements  are  known,  the  elec- 
trical conduits  and  wiring  can  be  specified. 
This,  too,  is  of  course  governed  by  the 
control  and  distribution  system.  For  this 
we  recommend  one  combined  unit  type 
panel  board,  which  contains  the  electrical 
instruments,  shunts,  control  rheostats,  push 
buttons  for  starters  (when  remote  control 
is  used)  main  and  distribution  switches, 
etc. 

With  the  use  of  the  composite  panel- 
board,  the  wiring  cost  is  materially  re- 
duced, due  to  the  fact  that  all  inter-con- 
nections, shunts,  etc.,  are  all  made  in  the 
factory  and  not  on  the  job.  The  number 
and  style  of  generators,  rheostats,  starters, 
etc.,  influence  the  size  of  the  generator 
room,  and  in  this  matter  we  also  recom- 
mend the  allowance  of  sufficient  space  to 
permit  free  circulation  of  air  as  well  as  ac- 
cess in  and  about  the  apparatus  for  clean- 
ing and  lubrication. 

{Continued  on  page  26) 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


m 

The  Fall  Buying  Season  is  on — 
Are  You  Qoing  to  get  your  share? 


“■DETTER  THEATRES”  with  this  issue  in- 
augurates  the  Fall  Season  for  the  motion 
picture  industry  on  a new  and  greater  scale. 
Issues  of  vital  importance  will  carry  your  mes- 
sage to  buyers,  executives  and  managers  of  the 
country’s  motion  picture  theatres  during  this 
period  of  activity. 

“Better  Theatres”  published  every  four  weeks 
supplies  a periodical  service  which  accurately 
fits  the  requirements  of  the  field. 

It  is  a virile  and  vibrant  force  which  keeps 
abreast  of  developments  enabling  the  theatre 
owner  to  be  currently  informed  about  equip- 
ment progress. 

As  such — from  every  viewpoint  it  is  the  preemi- 
nent medium  of  service  and  results  for  the  manu- 
facturer and  distributor  of  products  in  the 
equipment  field. 


Start  your  Campaign 
In  these  Issues 

(Forms  Close)  OUR  Advertising  in  ‘‘Better 

Fall  Special Sep°t™ber21  ^ Theatres”  Reaches  the  “yes  or 

^ a-v  1 no”  Man.  Your  Sales  Message  Goes 

October  29 October  19  c i l n L i j 

Straight  1 hrough  the  Door  Marked 

November  26  November  16  -Private”  to  the  Executive  Who 

December  24 December  14  Makes  Decisions. 


26 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


The  Marbro  Theatre,  Chicago 

Levy  & Klein,  Architects 
IS  EQl'IPPED  WITH  OUR 


ORGAN  CONSOLE,  ORCHESTRA  LIFT  and 
FULL  STAGE  EQUIPMENT,  including 
counterweight  system 

OTHER  IMPORTANT  INSTALLATIONS  INCLUDE 


Roxy  Theatre,  New  York 
Paramount  Theatre,  New  York 
Colony  Theatre,  New  York 
Rivoli  Theatre,  New  York 
Ziegfeld  Theatre,  New  York 
Strand  Theatre,  New  York 
West  Farms  Theatre,  Bronx,  N.  Y. 
Beacon  Theatre,  Brooklyn 
Metropolitan  Theatre,  Boston 
Capitol  Theatre,  Boston 
Uptown  Theatre,  Chicago 
Oriental  Theatre,  Chicago 
Tivoli  Theatre,  Chicago 
Howard  Theatre,  Chicago 
Tow  er  Theatre,  Chicago 


Harding  Theatre,  Chicago 
Belmont  Theatre,  Chicago 
Diversey  Theatre,  Chicago 
North  Center  Theatre,  Chicago 
Royal  Theatre,  Joliet 
Missouri  Theatre,  St.  Louis 
St.  Louis  Theatre,  St.  Louis 
State  Theatre,  Detroit 
Orchestra  Hall,  Detroit 
Michigan  Theatre,  Detroit 
Shea’s  Theatre,  Buffalo 
Saengers  Theatre,  New  Orleans 
Eastman  Theatre,  Rochester 
Kilborn  Hall,  Rochester 
Loew’s  Penn  Theatre,  Pittsburgh 
United  Artists  Theatre,  Los  Angeles 


Considerations  in  Design  of 
the  Kinebooth 

{Continued  from  page  24) 

The  installation  of  other  miscellaneous 
apparatus,  such  as  rewind  tables,  film  cases, 
safety  waste  cans,  etc.,  all  are  factors 
which  determine  the  size  of  the  kinebooth 
and  must  all  be  taken  into  consideration 
when  the  layout  is  made. 

The  foregoing  article  is  not  intended  to 
conflict  with  the  architect’s  ideas  on  the 
subject,  but  rather  to  convey  information 
which  it  is  believed  will  serve  as  an  aid 
and  guide  to  the  clearance  of  the  maze  of 
complexities  which  the  theatre  architect  so 
often  encounters. 


Planning  for  the  Sunday  Concert! 

By  HENRY  B.  MURTAGH 

(Continued  from  page  17) 
elements.  Trying  to  please  only  the  pa- 
trons who  are  musically  cultured  will  result 
in  boring  the  others  to  tears  or  indigna- 
tion. Catering  too  much  to  the  popular- 
music  devotees  will  prove  offensive  to  those 
who  appreciate  the  classics.  A diversified 
program,  holding  something  of  interest  for 
everyone,  will  not  only  establish  a following 
for  the  soloist,  but  help  to  retain  it  as 
time  passes. 

The  “happy  medium’’  method  in  theatre 
concert  planning  is  illustrated  by  these  two 
Chicago  theatre  programs : 

HENRY  B.  MURTAGH,  Organist 

SOLOIST 

CARL  OMERON,  Tenor 
Sunday,  May  29,  1927 

1.  “Fourteenth  Hungarian  Rhapsody 
(Liszt).  Franz  Liszt  was  so  fond  of  this 
rhapsody  that  he  eventually  arranged  it  for 
solo  piano  with  orchestral  accompaniment, 
in  which  form  it  is  better  known  as  “Hun- 
garian Fantasie.” 

2.  “Chant  sans  Paroles’’  (Tschaikowsky). 
This  passionate  song  without  words  is  one 
of  the  most  popular  compositions  of  the 
great  Russian  genius.  Its  rich  vibrant  mel- 
ody, impetuous  rhytbm  and  restless  under- 
tone of  discontent  is  not  easily  forgotten. 

3.  “In  the  Moonlight’’  (Finck).  A dainty 
intermezzo  by  the  composer  of  “In  the 
Shadows.’’ 

4.  (a)  “Rudolpho’s  Aria  from  La  Bo- 
heme"  (Puccini).  (b)  “A  Brown  Bird 
Singing”  (Haydn-Wood.) 

Carl  Omeron,  Tenor 
Ferdinand  Steindel,  Accompanist 

5.  “Italian  Nights,”  waltz  (Tobani).  An 
unusual  composition  in  waltz  form  using 
for  its  themes  old  Italian  melodies  that 
conjure  up  a vision  of  Naples  by  moon- 
light. 

6.  “Little  Gray  Home  in  the  West” 
(Lohr).  Herman  Lohr  is  a popular  Eng- 
lish composer  whose  ballads  have  won  uni- 
versal success.  This  delightful  song  was 
first  introduced  in  America  by  John  Mc- 
Cormack. 

7.  Selections  from  “Babes  in  Toyland” 
(Herbert).  One  of  Victor  Herbert’s  most 
delightful  musical  comedies,  among  its 
many  interesting  musical  gems  are  “Toy- 
land”  and  “March  of  the  Toys.” 

HENRY  B.  MURTAGH,  Organist 

SOLOIST 

BALDWIN  PIANO  TWINS 

MISSES  RUTH  JOHNSTONE  and 
VIOLETTE  BRADLEY 

Sunday,  July  17,  1927 

(Continued  on  page  36) 


Peter  Clark,  Inc. 


534-546  West  30th  St. 


NEW  YORK  CITY 


^‘Warner”  Variable  Speed  Projector  Motor 


Speed 

Control 

Handle 


110  vults,  25  to  00  cycles 


Speeds 

150  R.  P.  M.  to  4000  R.  P.  M. 

Speed  control  entirely  self  con- 
tained within  motor. 

No  external  control  necessary. 
Speed  variations  accomplished  by 
simply  moving  the  handle  as 
shown  in  cut. 

Hundreds  of  theatre  owners  have 
replaced  constant  speed  motors 
with  "Warner”  variable  motors. 
Write  for  bulletin 

The  Wigginton  Company 

434  North  Church  Street 
KALAMAZOO,  MICHIGAN 

Also  Ventilating  Fans  and  Blowers. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


I September  3,  1927 


Light  Values  in  Organ  Solos 

By  CLARK  PIERS 

(Continued  from  page  17) 

bright  cheering  shades  as  well  as  dark  and 
sombre  ones,  and  precisely  the  same  with 
music.  So  the  two  going  hand  in  hand, 
the  theatre  owner  can  captilize  on  these 
two  parts  of  his  show,  colors  and  music. 
Writing  as  an  organist  does  not  neces- 
sairily  mean  that  the  same  cannot  be  ac- 
complished with  an  orchestra,  but  I am  not 
speaking  for  an  electric  piano  or  organ 
that  might  be  playing  “Hearts  and  Flow- 
ers” when  the  villian  pursues  the  innocent 
gal  to  the  very  edge  of  the  cliff — such  is 
sometimes  the  case  with  these  freak  in- 
struments. 

If  your  organist  is  playing  solos,  we 
trust  the  exhibitor  is  giving  his  musician  a 
break  by  placing  a spotlight  on  him  as  he 
plays.  On  a recent  visit  to  Chicago,  I 
attended  several  of  the  large  theatres 
where  the  organ  was  featured  and  noted 
the  colors  used  on  the  organist  during  his 
solo.  One  had  a very  pretty  shade  of 
magenta  (which  is  a sort  of  very  deep 
pink)  while  the  house  lights  were  blue, 
and  for  the  finish,  the  usual  white  spot 
for  bows.  Another  house  had  blues  and 
reds  up  in  the  auditorium,  creating  a sort 
of  violet  shade,  while  the  organist  played 
in  a rich  amber  spot,  and  this  effect  was 
quite  effective.  These  particular  theatres 
threw  their  spots  from  the  projecting 
booth,  but  another  effect  can  be  arranged 
in  this  manner. 

Assuming  that  the  organ  console  is  on 
the  left,  while  facing  the  stage ; place  a 
small  pin  spot  to  the  left  of  the  console 
and  above  it,  about  15  feet  and  slanting 
downward  so  as  to  strike  the  organist’s 
profile.  Another  spot,  larger  in  size,  is 
then  placed  on  the  right,  away  up  on  one 
corner  of  the  proscenium,  that  will  throw 
a light  on  the  entire  console.  It  is  best 
to  keep  the  larger  spot  a darker  shade  and 
the  pin  spot  bright,  if  this  were  reversed, 
the  smaller  one  would  hardly  show.  I can- 
not concieve  an  organist  not  being  given 
a spot  for  his  solo,  it  not  only  shows  off 
the  console  to  advantage  but  impresses  us 
that  the  organist  is  doing  something 
special,  apropos  of  accompaning  the  film  on 
the  screen. 

Consoles  themselves  are  beginning  to  as- 
sume many  fancy  shapes  and  designs,  you 
see  white  ones,  white  ones  trimmed  in 
gold,  and  also  gold  and  silver  ones.  These 
all  take  the  lights  beautifully,  and  much 
more  so  than  plain  wood  finished  ones. 

I was  asked  to  suggest  some  effective 
color  schemes  for  various  types  of  organ 
solos.  One  of  the  most  beautiful  organ 
solos  I ever  remember  was  a rendition  of 
"The  Rosary”  played  in  a mystical  blue 
spot,  house  lights  that  same  color.  The 
effect  was  electrical  in  more  ways  than 
one,  and  the  hearer  caught  the  spirit  of 
the  number  as  it  was  intended.  Could 
this  have  been  accomplished  with  a beau- 
tiful orange  spot?  For  organ  solos  that 
are  played  without  slides,  such  as  classic 
and  semi-classic  numbers,  blue  seems  very 
appropriate,  and  violet  can  also  be  used 
nicely. 

With  the  community  singing  vogue  hit- 
ting all  the  larger  theatres  right  at  the 
moment,  you  will  be  apt  to  hear  some 
fairly  jazzy  tunes  and  some  pretty  awful 
hollering  from  the  folks  in  the  seats.  A 
blue  spot  on  the  organ  during  one  of  these 
solos  would  dampen  it  without  a doubt.  So 
the  brighter  colors  look  best  on  a lively 
solo,  which  can  include  solos  that  use  as 
their  themes  overtures,  novelettes  or 
novelty  numbers  of  any  sort.  Suggested 
tints  are  pink,  straw,  light  medium  and 
dark  amber  and  magenta. 

“At  Sundown”  the  big  Feist  song  hit 
has  as  it’s  theme  the  setting  of  the  sun 


Have  you  received 
your  1927  ‘‘Quiet 
Book*'?  It's 
Different! 


EVIDENCE 

EVERYWHERE 

That  Popularity  for  Your  Theatre  is  spelled  through 
VALLEN  NOISELESS  CURTAIN  CONTROLS 
AND  NOISELESS  ALL-STEEL  TRACKS 
meaning 

Quiet  and  Perfect  Curtain  Manipulation 

VALLEN  ELECTRICAL  COMPANY 


Three  Styles — Moderate  Prices — Convenient 

Terms 


THE 

REPRODUCO 

PIPE 

ORGAN 


Recent  Installations: 

Community  Theatre,  Inc., 

Chattanooga,  Tenn. 

Pines  Theatre, 

Lufkin,  Texas. 

Castle  Theatre, 

Havana,  111. 

Mr.  Stegal, 

Fayette,  la. 

Strand  Theatre, 

Moundsville,  W.  Va. 

W.  E.  Jahr, 

Pt.  Huron,  Mich. 

Seminole  Amusement  Co., 

Shawnee,  Okla. 


There’s  Nothing  Like  the  Reproduce  Pipe 
Organ  for  economical  and  complete  musical 
accompaniment  in  the  Motion  Picture  Theatre. 
The  cost  of  operation  is  about  three  cents  per 
hour.  Ask  the  man  who  owns  one.  Imitation  is 
the  sincerest  flattery.  There’s  only  one  REPRO- 
DUCO PIPE  ORGAN. 


Over  1,500  in  use 


The  Reproduce  Pipe  Organ  Co. 

715  N.  Kedzie  Ave. 

Chicago,  Illinois 


Reproduco  Pipe  Organ  Co., 

715  N.  Kedzie  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

Send  me  descriptive  booklet  and  names  of  users  of  the  Repro- 
duco Theatre  Organs. 

Name 

Gty State 


28 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


The  SYNCROVERTOR  Will  Reduce 
Your  Current  Cost  of  Projection 
Fuly  25% 

One  of  the  many  satisfied  users  of  the  Lib- 
erty Syncrovertor  writes: 

“The  Liberty  Syncroverter  is  a little  giant, 
so  small  and  simple,  yet  powerful  and  de- 
pendable, and  needs  so  little  attention  in 
return  for  the  service  it  gives  that  one  is 
inclined  to  almost  forget  its  presence  in 
the  projection  room,” 

Thus  writes  the  Thurston  Theatre  in  Roch- 
ester who  have  been  using  the  Syncrovertor 
for  over  eighteen  months. 

Motion  picture  theatre  owners — present  and  prospective,  extending 
from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the  other,  are  being  attracted  by  the 
revolutionary  step  in  current  conversion  methods  as  demonstrated 
in  the  Liberty  Syncrovertor. 

This  highly  efficient  device  consists  of  a transformer,  a motor,  a 
commutator,  a switchboard  control  panel,  all  assembled  in  one  unit 
or  booth  control  panel.  The  actual  rectification  is  done  at  the  com- 
mutator, not  within  the  motor. 

The  transformer  of  the  Syncrovertor  is  the  machine’s  own  emer- 
gency unit.  If  the  motor  ceased  to  function,  the  transformer  would 
furnish  A.  C.  current  of  the  proper  voltage  to  the  arc. 


If  rite  us  and  let  ns  tell  you  how  you  can 
save  25%  in  the  cost  of  your  projection 


The  Liberty 


A Better  Method  of  Rectification 

LIBERTY  ELECTRIC  CORP. 

Stamford,  Conn. 


MAIL  YOUR  TRIAL  ORDER  TODAY 


Rainproof 

Pa^ItedofrHeavyP&sUrPaper-Size32bS6'xl0ft^  colors  and 

beautifully  Air-Brushed  - Expert  workmanship  & service  ^arante'''*^ 

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Boards  Size2'x5'-6 -3'x5'ap  tP-?ea-.  or  write  for  detaiis^^^-O  ^ 
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PAPER  BANNERS  3ZSr36/Sf';^  10*p*rfl.  \h\iSliWaorH)per/boi 
ILLUSTRATED  MUSLIN  BANNERS  verffk^pernuuujisfi>o^2^^  ^ cP ' 
PRICES  DO  NOT  INCLUDE  POSTAGE.  ^ 


and  this  idea  can  be  brought  about  very 
cleverly  by  the  use  of  a spot,  the  top  por- 
tion being  a magenta  and  the  lower  a deep 
t)lue.  This  gives  us  the  sunset  picture  ad- 
mirably and  the  catchy  music  serves  to 
complete  the  job.  In  a solo,  this  lighting 
proved  a knockout  for  the  writer. 

“Me  and  My  Shadow”  (Berlin)  would 
look  okay  in  a blue  spot,  light  or  medium, 
and  possibly  you  could  arrange  to  have 
the  projectionist  throw  it  in  such  a way  as 
to  form  a shadow  on  the  wall.  Carrying  out 
the  shadow  idea  should  not  be  hard,  the 
light  would  throw  a shadow  anyway,  but 
just  the  right  kind  of  one,  that’s  what  we 
want. 

“Song  of  the  Wanderer”  (Villa  Moret) 
with  this  I got  real  cocky  and  used  a 
gre«n  spot.  The  date  I played  it  was  too 
far  away  from  St.  Patrick’s  so  they  didn’t 
seem  to  get  an  Erin  Go  Bragh  idea,  and 
the  color  rather  brought  out  the  melan- 
choly strain  that  flits  through  the  melodx'. 

“Hello  Cutie”  (Remick)  we  used  a vio- 
let, just  enough  light  for  pep  and  not  too 
much  to  hurt  their  eyes. 

So  on — any  number  of  ways  you  can 
light  up  your  solo,  but  just  he  sure  that 
it  is  in  good  taste  and  that  it  will  not 
serve  to  turn  their  attention  too  much  to 
the  lighting,  and  forgetting  the  solo  or  sel- 
ection itself. 

After  all,  there  is  so  much  psychologj’ 
attached  to  the  effects  of  colors  on  human 
nature,  and  Allah  knows  I’m  not  capable 
of  even  attempting  to  explain  just  why, 
how,  when  and  where.  Perhaps  you  might 
have  your  own  ideas  which  you  think  in- 
finitely better,  and  to  that,  let  me  shout — 
“Go  to  it,  kid,  and  may  the  best  man  win.” 


Famed  Stage  Folk 
Lay  Cornerstone 
of  Keith  Theatre 

BOSTON,  Aug.  30. — Formal  exercises 
marked  the  laying  of  the  cornerstone  of 
the  Keith  Memorial  theatre  last  week  in 
which  the  major  part  of  the  exercises  was 
taken  by  many  whose  names,  a generation 
ago,  were  as  familiar  to  the  households  of 
the  country  as  are  the  names  of  the  lead- 
ing movie  stars  now'.  The  big  theatre,  to 
he  the  largest  in  Boston,  will  be  a memo- 
rial to  Benjamin  Franklin  Keith,  father  of 
vaudeville,  and  is  being  erected  by  Keith- 
Alhee  interests. 

Edward  F.  Albee,  who  was  a partner  in 
the  Keith  enterprises  during  the  lifetime  of 
Keith  and  who  has  since  succeeded  to  the 
active  management  and  head  of  the  vast 
chain  of  theatres,  was  master  of  ceremo- 
nies at  the  exercises,  in  which  state  and 
city  officials  joined. 

To  one  of  the  newest  stars  in  the  legiti- 
mate stage,  fell  the  chief  honor,  that  of 
sealing  the  strong  box  with  a golden 
trowel.  She  was  Dorothy  Stone,  daughter 
of  Fred  Stone,  who  was  also  present. 

Participating  in  the  program  were  Mayor 
Malcolm  D.  Nichols,  E.  F.  Albee,  F.  F. 
Proctor,  George  M.  Cohan,  Raymond 
Hitchcock,  Walter  L.  Collins,  Earl  L. 
Crabb,  Joe  M^eber  and  Lew  Fields,  Julia 
Arthur,  Henry  Chesterfield,  McIntyre  and 
Heath,  Hapi  Ward,  Maggie  Cline,  James 
Thornton,  Fred  and  Dorothy  Stone. 

Hall  and  Connolly 

Announce  New  Lamp 

Hall  & Connolly  announce  that  they  are 
now  ready  to  put  on  the  market  a new 
type  of  reflector  arc  lamp  equaling  in 
screen  illumination  their  regular  HC  High 
Intensity  lamp,  hut  using  only  half  the 
amount  of  current. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Theatres  in  New 
Fall  Dress 

Brightening  up  of  the  interior 
and  exterior  of  theatres  for  the 
fall  and  winter  season  has  be- 
come more  general  than  in  pre- 
vious years,  exhibitors  realizing 
that  a little  paint,  new  equip- 
ment, and  maybe  new  furnish- 
ings mean  money  at  the  box 
office. 


AIARS  THEATRE,  Lafayette,  Ind. — 
The  Mars  has  reopened  after  complete  re- 
modeling of  the  auditorium,  and  the  instal- 
lation of  new  lights,  curtains,  drapes,  etc. 
The  Wurlitzer  organ  has  been  redecorated 
in  ivory  and  gold. 

LYCELAI  THEATRE,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
— ^Manager  L.  J.  Murdock  has  reopened  the 
Lyceum  following  redecoration  and  renova- 
tion of  the  exterior  and  interior.  The 


Harmonious  Colors 
for  Interiors 

The  following  harmonious  color 
combinations  are  published  for  the 
benefit  of  those  exhibitors  who  may- 
be considering  the  redecoration  of 
their  theatres. 

TAN  with  Old  Rose. 

IVORY  with  Mulberry. 

PEARL  GRAY  with  White,  or 
French  Gray,  or  Maroon. 

DARK  BLUE  with  White. 

LIGHT  IVORY  with  White,  or 
Stone  Color,  or  Buff. 

RICH  YELLOW  with  Cream,  or 
Light  Ivory,  or  Oak  Brown. 

FAWN  BROWN  with  Canary,  or 
Buff,  or  Oak  Brown. 

SEA  GREEN  with  Gray  Tint,  or 
Cream,  or  Pearl  Gray. 

CANARY  with  White,  or  Cream,  or 
Buff. 


Lyceum  will  show  nights  with  matinee  on 
Saturday  and  Sunday. 

RIALTO  THEATRE,  Boone,  la. — Roy 
H.  Brown  has  reopened  the  Rialto,  which 
has  been  closed  for  decoration. 

PALACE  THEARE,  Mason  City,  la. — 
The  Palace,  closed  for  remodeling  and  dec- 
orating, has  been  reopened  bv  Manager 
H.  M.  Heffner. 

GODARD’S  THEATRE,  Sacramento, 
Cal. — This  house  will  reopen  this  month 
following  extensive  renovations  and  im- 
provements. 

GLADSTONE  THEATRE,  Kansas  Chy, 
Mo. — Lmiversal  has  reopened  this  subur- 
ban house  following  complete  decoration. 

COZY  THEATRE,  Pratt,  Kan.^harles 
H.  Barron  has  reopened  his  Cozy  theatre, 
which  has  been  closed  for  alterations. 

COURT  THEATRE,  Auburn,  Ind.— 
Court  Theatre  Company  has  awarded  the 
contract  for  remodeling  its  theatre  here.  A 
new  stage  will  be  constructed  in  a special 
brick  addition  to  the  house.  The  house 
will  seat  1,000  when  work  is  completed.  A 
pipe  organ  will  be  installed  in  a chamber 
at  the  side  of  the  stage. 

HIPPODROME  THEATRE,  Glovers- 
ville, . N.  Y. — This  house  is  being  entirely 
rebuilt  and  refinished.  It  will  reopen  on 
Labor  Dav.  •. 

PARK  ■ THEATRE,  Boston,  Mass.— 
Strand  Amusement  Company  has  leased 


CHANNON! 

COMPLETE  RIGGING 
AND 

FIRE  CURTAIN 

in 

NEW  ORPHEUM  THEATRE 

SEATTLE,  WASHINGTON 

and 

MUNICIPAL  AUDITORIUM 

MINNEAPOLIS,  MINNESOTA 

by 


PAINE  EXPANSION  SHELLS 


For  Anchoring  Opera  Chairs  to  Concrete  Floors 

Will  not  come  loose  when  properly  set 


Furnished  with  bolts  and  washers  ready 
to  install.  \/^"  size  shell  most  gen- 
erally used  for  repair  work  as  well  as 
original  installations.  The  most  satis- 
factory way  to  permanently  anchor  a 
chair  to  concrete. 

Send  for  samples  and  prices 

THE  PAINE  COMPANY 

2951  Carroll  Ave.  79  Barclay  St. 
Chicago,  111.  New  York,  N.  Y. 


Type  No.  2 


30 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


WE  CAN  SAVE  YOU  MONEY  ON  ALL 
YOUR  EQUIPMENT 


We  Are 
Independent 

of  the  largest  as  well  as  one  of  the 
oldest  established  supply  houses  in 
the  country.  It’s  strongest  friends 
and  biggest  boosters  are  the  thou- 
sands of  small  town  theatre  owners 
which  believe  in  independence  and  a 
policy  of  “Live  and  let  live.” 


Why  Not  Give 

I Ic  a Trial  Because  we  are 

US  & 1 lai  confident  we  can 

give  you  more  for  your  money — bet- 
ter service,  and  satisfy  you  in  every 
respect,  we  urge  you  to  get  acquaint- 
ed. If  it’s  only  a $ I item,  send  the 
order  to  us.  Learn  for  yourself  why 
we  have  so  many  satisfied  customers 
and  boosters. 


THESE  Tell  Only  a Part  of  the  Story  of  the 
prices  Savings  We  Offer  You 


Our  Own  Make  parts  for  SIMPLEX 


Intermittent  Sprockets  - $3.50 

Feed  and  Take-Up.... $2.00 

FOR  POWERS 

Intermittent  Sprockets  $3.50 

Feed  and  Take-Up  - $2.00 

6-94  Tension  Shoes - $0.80 

687  Aperture  Plates $1.00 

FOR  MOTIOGRAPH 

lA,  1002D  and  Early  De  Luxe 

Intermittent  Sprockets  $3-50 

D-9  Star  and  Shaft - $10.00 


D-6  Cam  Shaft  and  Pin $11.50 

Feed  and  Take-Up  Sprockets $2.50 

No.  162  Aperture  Plates - $1.75 

96R  Tension  Shoes $1.00 

Radio  Mat  Slides  (Box  of  50) $1.25 

Stock  Tickets,  2,000  on  roll,  numbered. ...$0.35 

Imported  French  Condensers $0.75 

Zefir  Perfume  Crystals  (per  can) $1,15 

Thumb  Tacks  (solid  head,  10  boxes) $1.35 

Silver  Screen  Coating  (quart) $2.50 

Condenser  for  Peerless  Reflecting  Arc 

Lamp  $6.00 

1 Piece  Flat  Belts  for  Simplex  Machine $0.75 


Rebuilt  and  Guaranteed  Projectors 


MONARCH  THEATRE  SUPPLY  CO. 

1223  South  Wabeish  Ave.  Chicago,  111. 


We  Have  No  Branch  Office 


I 


HENNEGAN 

PROGRAM 

COVERS 


HENNEGAN  Co. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio 


Wherever 
Better  Projection 

Exists 


Throughout  the  United  States 
and  Europe 

you  will  find 

"HC”  High  Intensity 
Lamps 

The  “HC”  High  Intensity  Lamp 
will  improve  YOUR  projection 


Send  for  Booklet 


HALL  & CONNOLLY,  Inc. 

129  Grand  Street,  New  York  City 


the  Park  and  will  make  extensive  improve- 
ments. It  will  reopen  as  a first  run  pic- 
ture theatre. 

MELBA  THEATRE,  Dallas,  Tex. — Fol- 
lowing a $200,000  fire,  Loew  is  rebuilding 
the  Melba  theatre.  Work  will  be  com- 
pleted by  Sept.  15.  A new  organ  and 
equipment  will  be  installed. 

STRAND  THEATRE,  Cambridge,  Ohio 
— Newly  painted  and  decorated  under  the 
direction  of  Manager  Fred  Johnson.  It  is 
now  one  of  the  coziest  and  prettiest  small 
houses  in  this  section.  Tan  and  old  rose 
decorations  with  old  rose  velour  draperies 
added.  Old  rose  carpets  and  gold  lace 
served  to  make  it  very  neat  arid  attractive. 

LIBERTY  THEATRE,  Terre  Haute, 
Ind. — The  Interstate  Studio  of  Chicago  has 
been  given  the  contract  to  redecorate  the 
Liberty  theatre,  according  to  R.  W.  Thayer 
of  Western  Indiana  Theatres  Corporation. 
The  walls  of  the  auditorium  will  be  fur- 
nished in  ivory,  with  large  panel  effects 
in  mulberry  and  fancy  designs.  New 
draperies,  carpets  and  lighting  effects  will 
be  installed.  

America  Theatre  in 
Denver  Is  Remodeled 
By  Power  Studios 

Contracts  covering  the  complete  remod- 
eling of  the  America  theatre  in  Denver, 
Col.,  have  been  signed  by  the  Robert  E. 
Power  Studios.  This  house  is  one  of  the 
many  being  run  throughout  the  country 
under  the  direction  of  Universal  Pictures 
Corporation.  Work  will  begin  at  once,  and 
the  house  will  close  down  for  one  week. 

The  present  design  of  the  interior  is 
Adams  mixed  with  Empire,  and  the  plan 
is  to  alter  the  house,  adhering  strictly  to 
the  Empire  period.  Alterations  will  be 
made  not  only  to  the  auditorium,  but  te 
the  foyers,  outside  lobby  and  marquise,  as 
well.  New  lighting  fixtures  will  be  installed, 
and  the  stage  will  be  re-equipped  com- 
pletely. When  finished  the  inferior  will  be 
entirely  changed. 

The  Robert  E.  Power  Studios  are  in 
charge  of  the  complete  alterations,  and 
while  working  on  the  America  theatre  in 
Denver  they  will  also  have  crews  of  men 
working  on  the  alterations  of  the  Orpheum 
theatre  in  Salt  Lake  City,  and  the  decorat- 
ing of  the  new  Bachechi  theatre  in  Albu- 
querque, N.  M. 

Work  will  be  started  soon  on  the  deco- 
rating of  the  new  theatre  under  construc- 
tion at  23rd  and  Central  Ave.,  Los  Ange- 
les. The  interior  of  this  building  is  almost 
ready  and  the  Robert  E.  Power  Studios 
will  begin  work  there  shortly. 


Greater  Movie  Season  was  ushered  in 
at  the  Loew-State  theatre,  Los  Angeles, 
with  new  projection  arc  lights,  a noticeable 
improvement  over  the  former  projection  of 
this  house. 


Are  “Custom  Built”  and 
for  the  smaller  theatre, 
meet  every  requirement  of 
QUALITY  and  PER- 
FORMANCE. 

Write  for  Details 

Schaefer  Organ  Co. 

Slinger  Wisconsin 

Organ  Builders  Since  1875 


National  Service 


is  more  satisfactory  from  every 
angle  of  economy  and  efficiency 

1.  Centralized  management 
2*  Unified  operation  of  stores 
3*  Unequalled  buying  power 
4*  Reduced  operating  overhead 
5.  Equipment  engineering  service 
6*  One-contract  equipment  plan 
7*  Liberal  time-payment  system 
8*  Day  and  Night  emergency  service 
9*  Authorized  repair  parts  and  service 

The  Result: 

Better  Merchandise — ^Better 
Service  at  LOWER  COSTS 


^JSiational  Q[heatre  Supply  Company 


Only  products  of  recognized  merit 
are  distributed  through  National 
Service. 


Offices  in  all 
Principal  Cities 


Read  the  announcements  of  firms 
we  represent  in  this  insert.  Watch 
for  others. 


ANNOUNCING  AN  IMPORTANT  IMPROVEMENT 
NEW  FILM  GATE  ASSEMBLY 
WH  LOWER  FIRE  SHIELD 

FOR 


Projectors 


C 


D 


A 


B 


I 


NEW  FILM  GATE 

POWER’S  DIVISION 

INTERNATIONAL  PROJECTOR  CORPORATION 


90  GOLD  ST. 


NEVY  YORK 


The  Nation^s  Great  Organists 
Came,  Saw  and  Approved 


^mdpT 

0r^ 


ST.  LOUIS  entertained,  last 
month,  the  annual  conclave  of 
the  National  Association  of 
Organists.  To  this  gathering 
came  the  nation’s  foremost 
artists  of  instruments  in  the- 
atres, churches,  colleges  and 
great  auditoriums. 

Kilgren  Craftsmen  were  proud  to  act  as 
hosts  to  this  notable  group  during  their 
stay,  and  were  rewarded  by  the  organists’ 
keen  professional  interest  and  approval. 

Their  enthusiasm  will  indeed  serve  as  an  incentive 
to  still  further  progress  in  the  world’s  largest  plant 
devoted  exclusively  to  the  building  of  pipe  organs. 

We  regret  that  the  motion  picture  exhibitors  also 
could  not  have  seen  the  great  facilities,  and  have 
met  the  skilled  artisans  who  ars  constantly  striving 
to  carry  out  the  master’s  ideals,  established  by 
Sebastian  Kilgen  almost  three  centuries  ago. 

We  sincerely  hope  that  on  future  occasions  those 
who  have  heard  of  the  wonderful  complete- 
ness of  this  plant  will  visit  us.  . . 

Geo.  Kilgen  & Son,  Inc., 

4016  N.  Union  Blvd., 

St.  Louis,  U.  S.  A. 


Kilgen  Organ  Architects  may  be  reached  in  every  office  of  the  National  Theatre  Supply  Co. 


Everywhere  the  demand  grows  for 


THE  SPECIFICATION -BUILT  SCREEN 


The  superior  reproduction  qualities  of  the  American  Silversheet  are  due  to 
the  exclusive  Knobel  process  of  building  up  a pebble  finish  according  to  the 
specifications  of  the  particular  theatre  for  which  the  Silversheet  is  being  made. 
This  individually  made  specification  finish  is  a feature  of  every  Tear-Proof, 
Feather-Weight  and  Seamless  Silversheet  screen. 


The  originator  of  the  specification  surface  screen,  J.  Otto  Knobel,  personally  ap- 
plies his  unique  surface  to  every  Silversheet.  Mr.  Knobel  has  built  over  1 0,000 
successful  screens,  and  his  secret  method  cannot  be  duplicated.  Besides  show- 
ing the  picture  uniformly  bright  to  every  section  of  the  theatre,  the  Knobel- 
Built  Silversheet  surface  allows  on  the  average  the  use  of  30%  less  current  than 
cloth  screens,  a saving  that  will  pay  for  3^our  Silversheet  over  and  over  again. 


All  Silversheets  are 
In  no  other  screen  c 
applied  specification 
Silversheet. 


I by  a money-back  guarantee  ot 
get  this  absolute  guarantee,  or  the 
Be  sure  to  demand  the  genuine 


SAINT  LOUIS,  U.  S.  A 


Write  direct  or  to  the  nearest  branch  of  the  National  Theatre  Supply  Co, 
for  details  and  prices 


I 

I 


■^"i! 

4'i 


Highly  Efficient! 


The  Brenkert  C-14  spot-flood  lamp  is  designed  to  give 
the  utmost  in  brilliance  and  efficiency.  It  produces 

stage  light  just  as  cheaply  as  possible with  a choice 

of  two  methods  of  operation. 

The  same  degree  of  illumination  you  are  now  getting 
can  be  produced  by  the  Brenkert  C-14  on  a current  as 

low  as  30  amperes about  25  amperes  lower  than 

the  ordinary  spot-lamp  current.  For  the  smaller  the- 
atre this  means  a saving  of  nearly  50%  in  operating 
cost. 


BRENKERT  C-14 


Spot-Flood 

Lamp 


Take  your  choice — 

Increased  Light 
or 

Decreased  Operating 
Costs 


By  employing  the  usual  current  of  50  to  80  amperes, 
the  intensity  of  stage  illumination  given  by  the 
Brenkert  super-spot-flood  lamp  is  approximately  80 
per  cent  greater  than  the  ordinary  spot-lamp  intensity 
a feature  which  permits  the  high  intensity  neces- 
sary for  large  theatres  without  the  premium  of  exces- 
sive current  costs.  In  either  case  the  Brenkert  will 
save  its  cost  in  a short  time. 


Distributed  in  the  United 
States  by  National  Theatre 
Supply  and  in  Canada  by 
theatre  supply  dealers. 


For  complete  injorniation,  write  to 

BRENKERT  LIGHT  PROJECTION  CO. 

Engineers  and  Manufacturers 

Detroit,  Mich. 


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From  Coast  to  Coast — From  Continent 
to  Continent  — TRANSVERTERS  are 
daily  performing  their  satisfaction  giv- 
ing service. 

Quietly  — continuously  — year  in  and 
year  out,  they  are  maintaining  their  rec- 
ord as  the  greatest  motor  generator 
equipment  ever  offered  to  the  Exhib- 
itors. 


Deeds  are  better  than  words.  The  DOTS 
tell  the  story. 

Universally  used.  Bought  in  greater 
numbers  today  than  ever  before. 


The  best  is  none  too  good  for  your 
Theatre. 

Let  performance  be  the  first  consider- 
ation— 

Let  popularity  be  the  unquestioned 
gauge  of  merit  in  guiding  your  selec- 
tion— 

Let  price  be  considered  in  its  relation  to 
value — 

And  the  answer  is  invariably  the 
TRANSVERTER. 

It  meets  and  fills  every  need.  It  is  guar- 
anteed to  render  the  service 
for  which  it  is  designed.  ^ 


Distributed  in  V.  S.  A, 
By  The  Nation€il 
Theatre  Supply 
Company 


Ask  US  the  type  and  size  best 
suited  for  your  purpose. 


r 


^pHBRTNER  electric  company 

1900  'W'CSt  ItAlfh.  Street  Ctevot^tld  , OMo  XJ.&A. 


1 


Better  Theatres  Information 
and  Catalog  Bureau 

Many  of  the  products  listed  below  are  advertised  by  reliable  companies  in  this  issue  of  “Better  Theatres” 


Free  Service  to  Readers 


of  “Better  Theatres” 

“Better  Theatres”  offers  on  these  pages  an  indi- 
vidual service  to  its  readers  through  this  Elxhibitors 
Information  and  Catalog  Bureau.  Detailed  informa- 
tion and  catalogs  concerning  any  product  listed  on 
these  pages  will  be  sent  to  any  theatre  owner,  man- 
ager, architect  or  projectionist. 

^Fill  in  the  coupon  on  the  next  page  and  maiil  it  to 
^ the  “Better  Theatres”  division.  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  S.  Dearborn  street,  Chicago. 

^Many  of  the  products  listed  by  this  Bureau  are 
^ advertised  in  this  Issue  of  “Better  Theatres.”  See 
Advertisers  Index. 

^We  are  glad  to  serve  you.  Do  not  hesitate  to  ask 
^ us  for  any  Information  on  equipment  or  problems 
pertaining  to  the  efficient  operation  of  your  theatre. 


A 

1 Accounting  systems. 

2 Accoustical  installations. 

3 Adapters,  carbon. 

4 Adding,  calculating  ma- 

chines. 

5 Admission  signs. 

6 Addressing  machines. 

7 Advertising  novelties, 

materials. 

8 Advertising  projectors. 

9 Air  conditioning  equip- 

ment. 

10  Air  dome  tents. 

11  Aisle  lights. 

12  Aisle  rope. 

13  Alarm  signals. 

14  Arc  lamps,  reflecting. 

15  Architectural  service. 

16  Arc  regulators. 

17  Artificial  plants,  flowers. 

18  Art  titles. 

19  Automatic  curtain  con- 

trol. 

20  Automatic  projection 

cutouts. 

21  Automatic  sprinklers. 

B 

22  Balloons,  advertising. 

23  Banners. 

24  Baskets,  decorative. 

25  Bell-buzzer  signal  sys- 
tems. 

26  Blocks,  pulleys,  stage- 

rigging. 

27  Blowers,  hand. 

28  Booking  agencies  for  mu- 

sicians. 

29  Booking  agencies  (state 

kind). 

30  Boilers. 

31  Bolts,  Chair  anchor. 

32  Booths,  projection. 

33  Booths,  ticket. 

34  Box,  loge  chairs. 

35  Brass  grills. 

36  Brass  rails. 

37  Brokers-Theatre  promo- 

tion. 

38  Bulletin  boards,  change- 

able. 

c 

39  Cable. 

40  Cabinets. 

41  Calcium  lights. 

42  Cameras. 

43  Canopies  for  fronts. 

44  Carbons. 

45  Carbon  sharpeners. 

46  Carbon  wrenches. 

47  Carpets. 

48  Carpet  cushion.  i 


49  Carpet  cleaning  com- 

pound. 

50  Carpet  covering. 

51  Cases,  film  shipping. 

52  Cement,  film. 

53  Chair  covers. 

54  Chairs,  wicker. 

55  Chairs,  theatre. 

56  Change  makers. 

57  Changer  overs. 

58  Color  hoods. 

59  Color  wheels. 

60  Condensers. 

D 

61  Date  strips. 

62  Decorations  (state  kind). 

63  Decorators,  theatre. 

64  Dimmers. 

65  Disinfectants — perfumed. 

66  Doors,  fireproof. 

67  Draperies. 

68  Drinking  fountains. 

69  Duplicating  machines. 

E 

70  Electric  circuit  testing 

instruments. 

71  Electric  fans. 

72  Electrical  fiowers. 

73  Electric  power  generat- 

ing plants. 

74  Electric  signs. 

75  Electric  signal  and  con- 

trol systems. 

76  Emergency  lighting 

plants. 

77  Exit  light  signs. 

F 

78  Film  cleaners. 

79  Film  splicing  machine. 

80  Film  tools  (state  kind). 

81  Film  waxing  machine. 


82  Fire  alarms. 

83  Fire  escapes. 

84  Fire  extinguishers. 

85  Fire  hose. 

86  Fire  hose  reels,  carts. 

87  Fire  proof  curtains. 

88  Fire  proof  doors. 

89  Fire  proofing  materials. 

90  Fixtures,  lighting. 

91  Flashlights. 

92  Flashers,  Electric  sign. 

93  Flood  lighting. 

94  Floorlights. 

95  Floor  covering. 

96  Floor  runners. 

97  Flowers,  artificial. 

98  Footlights. 

99  Fountains,  decorative. 

100  Fountains,  drinking. 

101  Frames-poster,  lobby  dis- 

play. 

102  Fronts,  metal  theatre. 

103  Furnaces,  coal  burning. 

104  Furnaces,  oil  burning. 

105  Furniture,  theatre. 

106  Fuses. 

G 

107  Generators. 

108  Grilles,  brass. 

109  Gummed  labels. 

110  Gypsum  products. 

H 

111  Hardware,  stage. 

112  Heating  system,  coal. 

113  Heating  system,  oil. 

I 

114  Ink,  pencils  for  slides. 

115  Insurance,  Fire. 

116  Insurance,  Rain. 

117  Interior  decorating  serv- 

ice. 

118  Interior  illuminated 

signs. 


J 

119  Janitors’  supplies. 

L 

120  Labels,  film  caution. 

121  Lamps,  decorative. 

122  Lamp  dip  coloring. 

123  Lamps,  general  lighting. 

124  Lamps,  incandescent  pro- 

jection. 

125  Lamps,  high  intensity. 

126  Lamps,  reflecting  arc. 

127  Lavatory  equipment,  fur- 

nishings. 

128  Lavatory  fixtures. 

129  Ledgers,  theatre. 

130  Lenses. 

131  Lights,  exit. 

132  Lights,  spot. 

133  Lighting  fixtures. 

134  Lighting  installations. 

135  Lighting  systems,  com- 

plete. 

136  Linoleum. 

137  Liquid  soap. 

138  Liquid  soap  containers. 

139  Lithographers. 

140  Lobby  display  frames. 

141  Lobby  gazing  balls. 

142  Lobby  furniture. 

143  Lobby  decorations. 

144  Lubricants  (state  kind). 

145  Luminous  numbers. 

146  Luminous  signs,  interior, 

exterior. 

M 

147  Machines,  ticket. 

148  Machines,  pop  corn. 

149  Machines,  sanitary  vend- 

ing. 

150  Make  up,  boxes,  theatri- 

cal. 

151  Marble. 

152  Marquise. 

153  Mats,  leather. 

154  Mats  and  runners. 

155  Mazda  projection  adapt- 

ers. 

156  Metal  lath. 

157  Metal  polish. 

158  Mirror,  shades. 

159  Motor  generators. 

160  Motion  picture  cable. 

161  Musical  instruments 

(state  kind). 

162  Music  publishers. 

163  Music  rolls. 

164  Music  stands. 

N 

165  Napkins. 

166  Novelties,  advertising. 

167  Nursery  furnishings  and 

equipment. 


Exhibitors  Information  and  Catalog  Bureau 

o 


o 

168  Oil  burners. 

169  Orchestral  pieces. 

170  Orchestra  pit  fittings, 

furnishings. 

171  Organs. 

172  Organ  novelty  slides. 

173  Organ  lifts. 

174  Organ  chamber  heaters. 

175  Ornamental  fountains. 

176  Ornamental  metal  work. 

177  Ornamental  metal  thea- 

tre fronts. 

P 

178  Paint,  screen. 

179  Paper  drinking  cups. 

180  Paper  towels. 

181  Perfumers. 

182  Photo  frames. 

183  Pianos. 

184  Picture  sets. 

185  Player  pianos. 

186  Plastic  fixtures  and  dec- 

orations. 

187  Plumbing  fixtures. 

188  Positive  film. 

189  Posters. 

190  Poster  frames. 

191  Poster  lights. 

192  Poster  paste. 

193  Portable  projectors. 

194  Pottery,  decorative. 

195  Power  generating  plants. 

196  Printing,  theatre. 

197  Programs. 

198  Program  covers. 

199  Program  signs,  illumi- 

nated. 

200  Projection  lamps. 


201  Projection  machines. 

202  Projection  machine 

parts. 

203  Projection  room  equip- 

ment. 

R 

204  Radiators. 

205  Radiator  covers. 

206  Rails,  brass. 

207  Rails,  rope. 

208  Rain  insurance. 

209  Rectifiers. 

210  Reconstruction  service. 

211  Redecorating  service. 

212  Reflectors  (state  kind). 

213  Refurnishing  service. 

214  Regulators,  Mazda. 

215  Reels. 

216  Reel  end  signals. 

217  Reel  packing,  carrying 

cases. 

218  Resonant  orchestra  plat- 

form. 

219  Reseating  service. 

220  Rewinding  film. 

221  Rheostats. 

222  Rigging,  stage. 

223  Roofing  materials. 

s 

224  Safes,  film. 

225  Scenery,  stage. 

226  Scenic  artists’  service. 

227  Screens. 

228  Screen  paint. 

229  Seat  covers. 

230  Seat  indicators,  vacant. 

231  Seats,  theatres. 

232  Signs  (state  kind). 


233  Signs,  parking. 

234  Signals,  reel  end. 

235  Sign  flashers. 

236  Sign-cloth. 

237  Sign  lettering  service. 

238  Sidewalk  machines,  corn 

poppers. 

239  Slides. 

240  Slide  ink,  pencils. 

241  Slide  lanterns. 

242  Slide  making  outfits. 

243  Slide  mats. 

244  Shutters,  metal  fire. 

245  Soap  containers,  liquid. 

246  Speed  indicators. 

247  Spotlights. 

248  Stage  doors-valances,  etc. 

249  Stage  lighting  equipment. 

250  Stage  lighting  systems. 

251  Stage  rigging-blocks, 

pulleys. 

252  Stage  scenery. 

253  Stair  treads. 

254  Statuary. 

255  Steel  lockers. 

256  Stereopticons. 

257  Sweeping  compounds. 

258  Switchboards. 

259  Switches,  automatic. 

T 

260  Talley  counters. 

261  Tapestries. 

262  Tax  free  music. 

263  Telephones,  inter-com- 

municating. 

264  Temperature  regulation 

system. 

265  Terra  Cotta. 

266  Terminals. 

267  Theatre  accounting  sys- 

tems. 

268  Theatre  dimmers. 


269  Theatre  seats, 

270  Tickets. 

271  Ticket  booths. 

272  Ticket  choppers. 

273  Ticket  holders. 

274  Ticket  racks. 

275  Ticket  selling  machines. 

276  Tile. 

277  Tile  stands. 

278  Tool  cases,  operator’s. 

279  Towels,  paper. 

280  Towels,  cloth, 

281  Trailers. 

282  Transformers. 

283  Tripods. 

284  Turnstiles,  registering. 

285  Typewriters. 

u 

286  Uniforms. 

V 

287  Valances,  for  boxes. 

288  Vases,  stone. 

289  Vacuum  cleaners. 

290  Ventilating  fans. 

291  Ventilating,  cooling  sys- 

tem. 

292  Ventilating  systems, 

complete. 

293  Vending  machines,  soap, 

towels,  napkins,  etc. 

294  Vitrolite. 

w 

295  Wall  burlap. 

296  Wall  leather. 

297  Watchman’s  clocks. 

298  Water  coolers. 

299  Wheels,  color. 


USE  THIS  COUPON 

“BETTER  THEATRES”  DIVISION 

Exhibitors  Herald 

407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago. 

Gentlemen:  I should  like  to  receive  reliable  information  on  the  items  listed  following: 

(Refer  to  Items  by  Number) 


Remarks  : 


Name Theatre City. 

State Seating  Capacity 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


A pretty  little  miss 
demonstrates  the 
size  of  the  loud-speak- 
ers used  in  Orchestra- 
phonic  reproduction. 
The  speakers,  of 
which  there  are  four 
to  each  installation, 
are  absolutely  non-res- 
onant. 


Marie  Pierson,  cueing 
director  at  the  Orches- 
traphone  studio, 
shown  setting  one  of 
the  two  pick-ups  over 
a record,  while  the 
other  pick-up  trans- 
mits the  impulses  of 
its  corresponding  rec- 
ord. 


Cueing  the  Phonograph  to  Films 

A Descri'^tion  of  the  Orchestrafihone 

By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 


IN  a small  laboratory  in  Chicago  about 
two  years  ago,  three  men  began  one  of 
those  quiet  adventures  which  Success 
later  on  honors  with  the  grand  name  of 
scientific  investigation.  Failure,  of  course, 
has  no  title  to  bestow.  And  most  scientific 
investigations  are  failures.  These  three 
men  had  no  more  assurance  of  success  than 
many,  many  others,  and  doubtless  no  more 
faith  in  their  idea.  Failure,  and  all  that 
failure  means  to  a man  who  has  just  placed 
his  heart  and  soul  into  an  idea,  was  ac- 
cording to  all  odds  the  result  most  likely. 
This,  however,  is  the  story  of  their  success. 

The  idea  is  worthy  of  the  result.  To 
millions  of  motion  picture  patrons  the  suc- 
cess of  these  three  men  may  mean  more 
than  achievements  far  more  spectacular. 
It  was  Harold  Smith’s  idea — ^his  dream,  in 
fact,  as  he  has  said.  Smith  wanted  to  place 
a big  symphony  orchestra  in  the  thousands 
of  smaller  motion  picture  theatres  all  over 
the  country,  in  cities,  towns,  and  hamlets. 
And  now,  it  seems,  his  dream  stands  ready 
to  come  true. 

This  quiet  adventure,  based  about  two 
years  ago  on  an  idea  and  a vision,  has  re- 
sulted in  Orchestraphone,  which  is  a me- 
chanical contrivance  reproducing  phono- 
graphically  an  orchestra  accompaniment  to 
motion  pictures. 

At  the  Pantheon  theatre  in  Chicago  last 
week,  Mr.  Smith  and  his  associates,  Julius 
Kiel  and  the  latter’s  son,  presented  Orches- 
traphone as  an  accompaniment  to  “Barbed 
Wire,”  the  screen  feature  on  the  program. 
The  presentation  was  in  the  nature  of  a 
try-out,  for  the  device  was  just  recently 
evolved  to  a state  satisfying  the  inventors. 
And  the 'Pantheon  theatre  was  chosen  be- 
cause it  is  situated  in  the  famous  Wilson 
avenue  district  of  Chicago,  a community 
justly  celebrated  as  being  a correlative  to 
the  renowned  20-minute  egg.  Residents  of 
the  Wilson  Avenue  district  have  seen 
everything  at  least  once.  The  region  is  the 
especial  rendezvous  of  many  persons  in 
Chicago  who  spat  upon  the  “sucker”  and 
pity  the  “hick.”  And  the  Wilson  avenue 
people  were  “quite  taken”  in  by  the  realism 
and  efficacy  of  Orchestraphone. 

“Barbed  Wire”  is  a Paramount  story  of 
a love  affair  engendered  and  obstructed  by 
the  mutual  hatred  between  France  and  Ger- 
many during  the  late  war.  A young  Ger- 
man soldier  is  captured  and  interned  in  a 
prison  camp  on  the  farm  of  a French  girl, 
and  despite  their  personal  prejudices  and 
the  opposition  of  friends  and  both  families, 
they  realize  a love  for  each  other  that 
transcends  the  temporary  and  local  affairs 


of  this  world.  Of  this  picture,  eight  reels 
in  length,  Orchestraphone  attempted  a 
musical  interpretation,  with  each  change 


Se^kdes 

LETTERS 

from  Readers 

An  extension  of  The  “Letters  from 
Readers”  department  in  Exhib- 
itors Herald.  All  communications 
must  be  signed. 


Can  You  Help  Mr.  Lee? 

BETTER  THEATRES— To  the  Ed- 
itor : We  wonder  if  any  exhibitor  has 
bought  and  installed  a curtain  slide  and 
track  made  by  Richard  Wilcox  Company 
that  would  work  satisfactory? 

We  bought  one  from  this  concern,  in- 
stalled it  as  per  blue  print  in  their  catalog 
and  then  could  not  get  it  to  work.  It 
would  open  half  or  part  way  and  then 
hang  up.  The  noise  it  made  was  also 
objectionable.  You  could  hear  it  opening 
above  the  organ  music.  This  concern  made 
no  effort  to  instruct  us  how  to  correct 
the  faults  and  after  several  days  trying 
to  remedy  the  defects  we  took  it  down  and 
shipped  it  back  to  the  factory.  The  outfit 
cost  us  $68  and  Richard  Wilcox  Com- 
pany issued  us  a credit  of  only  $26.60 
making  a dead  loss  to  us  of  $41.40.  They 
made  no  effort  to  install  a new  track  that 
would  work  or  to  adjust  the  loss.  They 
now  claim  that  they  have  hundreds  of 
these  tracks  in  use  in  theatres  all  over 
the  country  that  are  giving  satisfaction 
but  never  could  get  the  one  we  bought  to 
work.  M.  G.  Lee,  Lee  theatre,  Guthbert, 
Ga. 

We  Thank  You,  Mr.  Levy 

BETTER  THEATRES— To  the  Edi- 
tor ; In  Section  2 of  the  issue  dated  Au- 
gust 6,  1927,  I read  with  great  interest  the 
article  on  “Higher  Court  Decisions  in  The- 
atre Litigation,”  by  Attorney  Leo  T. 
Parker. 

After  several  continuances  through  the 
back  of  the  book,  I finally  reached  the  bot- 
tom of  page  29,  where  the  article  was  ap- 
parently brought  to  a close  through  lack 
{Continued  on  page  49) 


in  emotional  character  perfectly  cued,  and 
the  whole  approximating,  so  far  as  any 
mechanical  device  can  approximate,  the 
playing  of  a large,  competent  symphony 
orchestra.  And  so  far  as  the  writer  is  con- 
cerned, the  attempt  was  surprisingly,  yes, 
entirely  successful. 

French  country  folk  are  in  the  fields, 
when  down  the  road  rides  a woman  in  a 
cart,  beating  on  a drum  the  colloquial  call 
to  assembly.  At  the  instant  the  screen 
shows  the  woman  in  her  cart,  the  “orches- 
tra” ceases  its  bucolic  music  and  from  the 
loud-speakers  in  the  pit  sounds  the  beating 
of  a drum.  The  rustics  run  aroused  from 
their  fields.  The  “orchestra”  swings  into 
a stirring  air  at  the  instant.  The  soldiers 
march  off  to  mobilization  camps.  From 
the  loud-speakers  peals  the  “Marseillaise.” 
And  as  the  heroine  stands  in  a close-up 
weeping  for  her  departing  brother,  the 
“Marseillaise”  grows  dimmer  and  dimmer, 
as  the  tears  grow  larger  on  her  cheeks. 

Throughout  “Barbed  Wire”  the  cueing 
was  precisely  as  alert  and  appropriate. 
Love  scenes,  battle  scenes,  comedy  scenes — • 
let  them  follow  as  rapidly  as  they  might, 
all  offered  no  more  than  an  opportunity 
for  Orchestraphone  to  demonstrate  its 
approximation  in  tone  of  a real  symphony 
orchestra,  and  in  cueing,  its  utter  realiza- 
tion of  such  an  orchestra  being  conducted 
by  an  experienced  interpreter  of  drama. 

Cueing,  of  course,  is  synchronization,  but 
synchronization  without  dependence  upon 
the  projector.  Orchestraphone  cares  not  if 
the  film  breaks  or  how  fast  the  reel  is 
being  run  off.  Does  an  orchestra?  And 
Orchestraphone  is,  after  all,  conducted  as 
an  orchestra,  the  director  being  at  an  in- 
strument board  watching  the  screen  for 
the  cues,  as  illustrated  in  the  picture  accom- 
panying this  article. 

Fully  as  important  is  another  correlative 
to  the  actual  orchestra.  This  is  the  use 
of  phonograph  records  in  the  same  manner 
that  a musical  director  uses  the  scores  from 
his  library.  For  each  picture  a selection 
of  records  is  made,  each  one  contributing, 
instead  of  so  many  bars,  an  inch  or  so  of 
the  concentric  grooves.  And  Orchestra- 
phone can  pick  out  of  any  record  with  per- 
fect accuracy  the  grooves  containing  the 
music  it  is  to  reproduce. 

Not  only  is  the  device  independent  of 
both  the  motion  picture  production  and  the 
projector,  but  practically  all  of  the  records 
are  selected  from  the  stocks  of  two  leading 
phonograph  companies.  These  form  a li- 
brary of  perhaps  several  hundred  subjects, 
{Continued  on  page  34) 


32 


BET  T E R T H E A T R E S SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


^IMPLICITY  distinguishes 
k.  / the  K.irb  y,  as  IS  well  shown 
in  this  view  of  the  stairway  to 
the  mezzanine. 


Equipped  with  a large 

stage,  the  ICirhy  will  offer 
Puhlix  presentations  along  with 
its  program  of  pictures. 


Exterior  and 

interior  views  of 
The  Kirby,  which  is 
described  as  stately 
colonial  mansion, 
minus  the  oppressive 
decorative  motifs 
found  in  some  houses. 
Pale  amber  and  white 
are  the  predominating 
colors. 


Publix  Opens  The  Kirby  Theatre  in  Houston,  Tex. 

This  new  house  will  -present  long  run  pictures  only,  the  opening  hill  being  “Beau 
Geste.  The  Kirhy  is  the  only  theatre  in  Texas  with  a policy  of  extended  runs. 

Pdaunce  hawrence  is  musical  director. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


ADVANCE  NEWSPAPER  ADVERTISEMENTS 


'esf: 


O/^tonigiTt 

ooo/ts  Will  Be~  op£/v  at 
7:50  FOR  OA/F  OF  LVXF 
PFRFORMAMCF  STAPTIXO  AT t>\b 


'ni^y 

bi§iri'i 


rmr  mr  4rpopt/iAR  prkcs 

■liMMsfE' 


With  RONALD  COLMAN 

M»ry  Brian,  Alict  Jnyee,  Noah  Berry.  William 
•Powell,  Vidor  MacLaelen,  Neil  Hamilton. 
Ralph  Forbes  and  Norman  Irevor,  artd  a great 
cart  of  2000 

A PARAMOUNT  PICTURE 


Kirby  Is  Model  of  Stately 
Colonial  Mansion 

Pubhx  Theatre  in  Texas  Shys  from  the  Ga  udy  in  Decoration  and  Also  m Furnishings 

STATE’S  FIRST  LONG-RUN  HOUSE 


PUBLIX  THEATRES  CORPORA- 
TION formally  opened  its  second 
de  luxe  theatre  in  Houston,  Tex., 
Aungust  12,  at  8:15  p.  m.  It  is  the  Kirby, 
and  will  be  an  extended  run  house,  play- 
ing such  pictures  as  “Beau  Geste,”  “Cam- 
ille,” “Chang,”  “The  Gaucho,”  “My  Best 
Girl,”  “The  Circus,”  and  all  of  the  best 
products  of  the  leading  producers.  An 
extended  run  theatre  in  the  South  is  un- 
usual, and  especially  in  Texas,  the  Kirby 
being  the  only  one  in  that  state.  All  pic- 
tures will  be  played  at  a popular  price. 

In  addition  to  the  presentation  of  the 
“big”  pictures,  the  Kirby  states  in  its  policy 
that  the  best  of  musical  novelties  and  in- 
strumental selections,  classical  overtures, 
and  atmospheric  musical  prologues  will  be 
offered.  The  Kirby  Concert  Orchestra 
consists  of  11  pieces,  and  director,  who  is 
Maurice  Lawrence,  for  some  time  the  con- 
ductor of  several  of  the  Publix  stageshows. 
Julia  Dawn,  singing  organist,  will  be  fea- 
tured at  the  Wurlitzer.  Paramount  com- 
edies and  cartoon,  technicolor  scenics, 
and  news  events — M-G-M — will  comprise 
the  auxilliary  features. 

The  Kirby  is  an  attempt  to  get  away 
from  the  oppressive  decorative  motifs  that 
are  being  used  throughout  the  country  in 
new  theatres.  Built  in  a model  of  a 
stately  Colonial  mansion,  the  interior  is 
exquisitely  simple,  with  an  air  of  refined 
luxury  and  comfort  that  suggests  an  in- 
timacy that  is  lacking  in  some  of  the 
more  gaudily  decorated  houses.  The 
simple  decorative  style  of  the  Adams 
brothers  is  carried  out,  retaining  a feel- 
ing of  richness  that  is  gained  in  color 
harmony  and  architectural  beauty.  Pale 
amber  and  white  are  the  predominating 
colors,  with  touches  of  pastel  red,  sky 
blue  and  dull  gold  adding  life  and  break- 
ing the  monotony  of  long  stretches  of  mar- 
bel  walls,  winding  stairways,  and  foyer  and 
mezzanine  promenade. 

Conveniently  located  in  the  heart  of  the 
business  section  of  Houston,  on  Main, 


How  the  Kirby 
Did  It 

Follozviiig  is  the  campaign  which 
was  used  by  Publix  Theatres  in 
Houston  for  the  opening  there  of 
the  Kirby,  deluxe  picture  house, 
zvhich  zvill  present  the  big  pictures 
of  the  year  at  popular  prices: 

80  twenty-four  sheets — 60  on  opening 
and  20  on  “Beau  Geste,”  the  open- 
ing screen  attraction. 

20  insert  frames  placed  in  exclusive 
spots  such  as  ready-to-wear,  drug, 
cigar,  and  candy  stores. 

1000  window  cards  on  the  opening  in 
uptown  windows. 

50  process  cards  in  all  leading  stores 
with  “Welcome  Kirby.” 

Advance  stories  in  all  newspapers 
started  month  prior  to  opening,  and 
continued  with  added  impetus, 
through  day  of  opening.  Papers 
were  especially  cooperative. 

Three  sections  in  local  papers  on 
opening,  with  welcome  ads. 

Ads  started  eight  days  in  advance  of 
opening  and  ran  about  one-third 
and  one-quarter  page  a day. 

Me.ssages  were  obtained  from  “Beau 
Geste”  stars  congratulatory  to  the 
opening. 

Messages  from  all  prominent  state 
and  city  officials,  including  gover- 
nor. mayor,  etc. 

Street  car  company  ran  cooperative 
ads  upon  the  value  of  utilities  to 
Houston,  and  the  importance  of 
the  Kirby  in  the  development  of 
these  utilities. 

Banners  on  all  street  cars  on  opening 
night. 

Flags  of  the  nations  draped  on 
marquee  for  “Beau  Geste.” 

200  prominent  citizens  invited  to  for- 
mal opening  Aug.  12 


Fannin,  and  Walker  streets,  the  Kirby  will 
be  capable  of  seating  almost  2,(X)0  people. 
The  theatre  is  ideally  proportioned  for 
clear  vision.  No  seat  is  more  than  KM) 
feet  from  the  screen,  and  the  angle  of  vi- 
sion does  not  exceed  35  degrees  at  any 
point.  .Alfred  C.  Finn  of  Houston,  the 
contracting  architect,  states  that  every 
provision  possible  has  been  made  for  the 
comfort  of  the  patron. 

The  cooling  and  ventilating  system 
comes  from  the  Wittenmeier  Company.  It 
makes  150  tons  of  ice  daily  for  cooling- 
in  the  summertime,  and  permits  a change 
of  air  every  three  minutes.  A tempera- 
ture of  72  degrees  will  he  maintained 
throughout  the  summer  months.  Houston 
appreciates  the  modern  cooling  systems  in 
theatres,  and  the  three  papers  are  quick 
to  give  space  in  their  columns  on  their 
operation,  hence  the  Kirby  system  has  ob- 
tained ample  advance  publicity,  relieving 
any  doubt  in  the  public’s  mind  as  to  the 
adequacy  of  Kirby  ventilation. 

The  mezzanine  foyer  is  faintly  sugges- 
tive of  the  spacious  landing  above  the 
stately  Colonial  stairways.  Deep  carpets 
of  dark  red  and  blue  pattern  cover  the 
floor,  with  lounges  and  leathern  seats  artis- 
tically placed  for  the  comfort  of  the  pa- 
tron. The  ladies  and  gentlemen's  retir- 
ing rooms  open  off  the  mezzanine  foyer, 
together  with  the  manager's  office.  Two 
entrances  lead  from  the  foyer  to  the  bal- 
cony and  mezzanine,  with  three  e.xits  going 
to  the  three  main  streets. 

In  the  auditorium  proper,  the  motif  of 
simplicity  is  carried  out.  On  the  side 
walls  fronting  the  mezzanine,  a beautiful 
arch  suggesting  an  arcade  window,  with 
soft  lights  and  pale  blue  drapes  carrying 
out  the  effect  of  subdued  refinement. 
Drapes  on  the  stage  are  Pompeian  red, 
with  a dull  gray  work  curtain,  used  for 
closing  in  at  the  end  of  the  feature  and 
overture  numbers. 

The  Wurlitzer  organ  console  is  located 
on  the  right  side  of  the  pit — an  inno\ation 
(Continued  on  /’flt/c  48) 


34 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


OUTSTANDING  CHARACTERISTICS 

NUMBER  ONE  OF  A SERIES 

^^SILENCE’^  

“FOR  PERFECT 
CURTAIN  CONTROL” 

A.  D.  C.  AUTOMATIC  CURTAIN 
CONTROL  AND  ROLL  E-Z  TRACKS 

All  machine  gears  are  of  Bakelite  material, 
Helical-cut. 

The  curtain  is  hung  on  rubber  wheels  which 
roll  in  the  track  and  operate  through  ball 
bearing  steel  pulleys. 

“SILENCE” 


“FOR  BEST  SCREEN  RESULTS” 

Stab  I LAP  c 

MOTOR  GENERATOR 

Instead  of  merely  rolling  the  armature 
over  knife-edges,  all  Stabilarcs  are  bal- 
anced at  full  speed  on  a dynamic 
balancing  machine,  thereby,  eliminat- 
ing vibration  and  noise. 

“SILENCE” 


AUTOMATIC  DEVICES  COMPANY 

737  HAMILTON  ST.  — ALLENTOWN,  PA. 


Of  Course! 


Victor  Hugo’s 


LES  MISERtIlBLES 


is  being  projected  on  the 


Picture  Quality  Prompted  the  Choice 

Raven  Screen  Corporation  New  York,  N.  Y. 


New 
^Belson 
Pin  Spot 


SPECIAL 


250  or  400  Watt 
G.  Lamp 


List  Ptice  $12.50 

BELSON  MFG.  CO. 

804  Sibley  St.,  Chicago 

Representatives  in  all  principal  cities 


INCREASE  Your  revenue 


with  a 

STAR 

Pop  Corn 
Machine 

We  can  fill  your 
requirements  per- 
fectly at  the  right 
price ! 

Write  for  free 
catalogs 

STAR  MFG.  CO. 

Inc. 

1236  N.  Clark  St. 
Chicago,  ni. 


Cueing  the  Phonograph 
to  Films 

By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

{Continued  from  page  31) 

each  one  of  which  can  be  used  for  as  many 
pictures  as  it  is  found  appropriate  for,  pre- 
cisely as  the  musical  compositions  in  the 
library  of  a theatre  orchestra.  Records 
that  become  broken  or  worn,  can  easily  be 
replaced.  Thus  far  the  huge  stocks  of  both 
domestic  and  foreign  records  at  the  two 
phonograph  companies,  have  yielded  music 
and  allied  orchestral  effects  to  fit  every 
picture  cued.  In  anticipation,  however,  of 
scenes  calling  for  interpretative  accom- 
paniment not  provided  for  in  the  stock 
records,  the  Orchestraphone  company  ex- 
pects to  record  the  required  effects,  and 
already  has  installed  in  its  plant  recording 
equipment. 

The  appeal  of  the  device  to  the  smaller 
exhibitor  would,  of  course,  be  negated  by 
a high  investment  cost.  It  is  therefore 
expected  by  the  officials  of  the  concern  that 
each  instrument  and  all  equipment  will  re- 
main the  property  of  the  company  and  the 
operation  of  it  sold  as  a service.  An  in- 
stallation price  will  be  charged  but  it  is 
expected  to  exceed  a thousand  dollars. 

A point  on  which  the  company  insists 
is  that  all  operation,  except  for  the  services 
of  the  person  at  the  instrument  board,  be 
controlled  and  directed  by  the  Orchestra- 
phone  Company.  Operation  is  intended  to 
include  the  cueing  of  all  pictures  in  the 
company  studios,  where  prints  of  from  five 
to  seven  hundred  pictures  a year  will  be 
previewed  and  provided  with  cue-sheets. 

This  method  of  cueing  at  a central  studio 
obviously  requires  that  an  exhibitor  using 
Orchestraphone  must  inform  the  company 
of  his  bookings.  When  the  concern  is  in 
a position  to  cue  practically  all  of  the 
feature  product,  it  will  be  able  to  furnish 
a cue-sheet  within  a few  days  of  receiving 
the  title  of  the  picture  booked.  When  that 
will  be  can  not  now  be  said,  but  it  is  not 
likely  to  be  for  some  time,  officials  of  the 
company  declare.  In  the  meantime  it  is 
expected  that  the  company  will  operate 
through  theatre  circuits,  which  book  each 
picture  for  a large  number  of  houses. 

Cueing  at  a central  studio  is  absolutely 
necessary,  the  officials  hold,  in  order  to 
achieve  the  full  purpose  of  the  device, 
which  is  to  provide  music  by  the  greatest 
symphony  orchestras  and  arranged  for  each 
picture  by  the  best  trained  musical  in- 
terpreters of  motion  pictures.  In  almost 
no  theatre  using  the  instrument,  it  is 
thought,  would  an  expert  at  cueing  be 
available. 

It  is  apparent  that  this  feature  and  the 
booking  arrangement  it  entails  is  fraught 
with  immense  and  revolutionary  possibili- 
ties. If  a thousand  theatres  eventually 
install  Orchestraphone,  it  may  behoove  the 
producing  companies  to  provide  the  means, 
through  contracts  or  otherwise,  of  ensur- 
ing the  cueing  of  their  product  by  the 
Orchestraphone  Company. 

And  as  most  pictures  are  bought  in 
blocks  that  include  many  or  all  of  the 
productions  on  each  producer’s  program, 
the  motion  picture  companies  would  be  con- 
siderably handicapped  in  their  sales  to  the 
theatres  having  Orchestraphone  if  they  had 
not  provided  for  the  certain  cueing  of  all 
their  product. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  apparent  that 
the  exhibitor,  fearing  the  reluctance  of  the 
producing  companies  to  cooperate  as 
closely  as  necessary  with  the  Orchestra- 
phone concern,  may  be  loath  to  install  the 
instrument.  It  is  certain  that  the  success 
of  the  instrument,  which  now  is  ready 
to  take  to  any  theatre,  no  matter  how 
{Continued  on  page  44) 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


The  Welfare  of  Your  Visitors 

By  FRANK  P.  ARCHER 

(Continued  from  page  15) 

& Katz  theatres  are  of  the  highest  and 
most  ethical  standards,  and  they  have  the 
cleanest  theatrical  organization  in  the 
world. 

“Our  most  outstanding  development, 
we  believe,”  said  Mr.  Knight,  “has  been 
in  the  character  and  organization  of  the 
service  departments  of  our  theatres. 
When  the  Chicago  theatre  opened  six 
years  ago  the  service  rendered  there  was 
amazing.  No  one  had  ever  seen  any- 
where footmen,  doormen,  cashiers,  ticket- 
takers,  service  boys,  or  ushers  that  were 
as  courteous,  as  refined  or  as  efficient. 

“We  contend  that  the  first  and  last  im- 
pressions of  an  organization,  particularly 
a theatrical  one,  are  through  the  em- 
ploye. Therefore,  the  men  and  women 
of  our  service  departments  are  trained 
to  interpret  and  personify  the  ideals  and 
standards  of  our  service.  And  as  no 
other  group  of  our  organization  is  in  a 
position  to  render  more  beneficial  serv- 
ice, or  to  reflect  more  good-will  than  our 
ushers,  who  are  charged  with  caring  for 
the  direction  and  comfort  of  our  patrons 
from  the  time  they  enter  the  doors  until 
they  leave  the  building,  they  are  very 
carefully  selected,  trained  and  super- 
vised. Our  ushers  are  usually  college 
students,  and  are  chosen  not  only 
because  they  meet  the  requirements  of  the 
present  position,  but  also  for  the  proba- 
bilities of  their  future  value  to  our  cor- 
poration, as  it  is  our  policy  to  train  and 
advance  men  from  our  service  depart- 
ments to  executive  positions. 

“In  selecting  men  for  ushers,  we  con- 
sider what  we  term  their  personal,  or- 
ganization, and  service  qualifications. 
Have  they  refinement,  good  appearance, 
optimism  and  personalitv?  Will  they  be 
responsible,  reliable,  punctual,  loyal  and 
willing  to  cooperate?  And,  are  they 
courteous,  tolerant,  enthusiastic  and  effi- 
cient? All  Balaban  & Katz  ushers  are 
marked  daily  on  these  13  characteristics, 
and  upon  their  score  depends  their  rank 
and  advancement.  At  one  of  our  the- 
atres recently  there  were  135  men  who 
applied  for  work  as  ushers.  Twelve  of 
these  were  selected  for  training;  seven 
were  put  on  the  floor,  and  three  weeks 
later  only  four  remained. 

“Before  training  we  first  state  care- 
fully and  completely  all  working  con- 
ditions. Applicants  are  told  just  what 
to  expect  and  are  requested  that  if  at 
any  time  they  feel  dissatisfied,  for  any 
reason  or  for  no  reason,  they  check  out. 
This  is  good  employing  psychology. 

“In  training  they  are  taught  and 
drilled  in  signalling  and  in  using  the 
various  phrases  and  actions  required  in 
requesting,  suggesting  and  directing 
patrons  at  the  many  stations  throughout 
the  house.  They  are  taught  where  all 
passageways,  fire  equipment,  rest  rooms, 
telephones,  drinking  fountains,  offices, 
signal  boards,  closets  and  emergency 
exits  are.  They  must  know  the  names 
of  the  executive  members  of  the  organ- 
ization, program  changes,  prices,  han- 
dling of  lost  and  found  articles;  and  must 
know  what  to  do  in  cases  of  sickness,  ac- 
cidents, emergencies  and  fire.” 

A Code  for  Ushers 

The  following  is  neatly  printed  on  a 
large  piece  of  framed  cardboard,  and 
hangs  in  the  ushers’  clubroom  of  the 
Chicago  theatre.  This  helps  to  show 
what  is  partly  responsible  for  the  “esprit^ 
de-corps”  of  the  organization. 

(Continued  on  page  37) 


SUPERIOR  CARBONS  MEAN 
PERFECT  PROJECTION 


CARBONS 

Ensure  Best  Screen  Results  for  All  Types  of  Projection 

HUGO  REISINGER 

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,nr-,nt  ifti-roi  ■ ■ ini-i 

O 


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I TEMFEEATOE 

D 

Manufactures  ideal  theatre  weather 
conditions  the  year  around. 
Cools  / / / Heats  / / / Ventilates. 


o 


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D 

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Q 

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0. 


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hotmim®  else  liee  it  a 

Priced  within  the  reach  of  every  exhibitor 
If  you  are  planning  a new  theatre 

or  wish  to  bring  your  present  i » 

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locao 


36 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE 


September  3,  1927 


Originating  and  Making 
the  Song  Slide 

as  told  to  A.  RAYMOND  GALLO 
By  J.  F.  RANSLEY 

President  of  Ransley  Studios 


The  subject  of  slides  is  one  of  the 
most  talked-of  problems  today  in 
the  theatre.  For  instance,  before  com- 
munity singing  and  other  organ  stunts 
were  thought  of  the  theatre  manager 
would  tell  his  audience  of  the  coming  at- 
tractions by  means  of  slides.  In  this 
manner  local  advertising  of  neighbor- 
hood stores  also  were  constantly  flashed 
before  the  eyes  of  the  ticket  buyers. 
Gradually  this  idea  was  discarded  in  the 
De  I.uxe  theatre,  more  for  the  fact  that 
original  slides  of  a novelty  nature  were 
lacking  to  the  extent  that  the  public  was 
losing  interest  and  in  some  cases  com- 
plained against  the  use  of  such  adver- 
tising slides.  Only  a few  of  the  smaller 
theatres  still  run  advertising  slides  and 
those  that  do  manage  to  keep  the  inter- 
est of  the  audience  in  reading  these 
slides  by  clever  concoctions  and  car- 
toon effect  which  help  inject  a sense  of 
humor  in  the  readers  mind. 

Since  the  organ  has  become  a big 
factor  in  the  motion  picture  theatre,  a 
new  field  has  been  created  for  the  slide. 
That  field  is  called  Song  Slides  and 
plays  a big  part  in  making  a song  a 
success,  as  does  the  organist.  For  in- 
stance, the  idea  is  born  in  the  organist’s 
mind  and  if  he  is  not  able  to  construct 
the  stunt  himself,  he  usually  passes  this 
job  onto  a material  writer  or  a man  who 
specializes  in  creating  and  elaborating 
organ  solos.  This  he  does  in  ryhme. 


supplying  the  necessary  fillers  and  gags 
which  when  completed  in  their  conti- 
nuity, are  turned  over  to  a slide  manu- 
facturer in  practical  form. 

The  first  stage  of  making  .slides  is 
that  the  lettering  should  be  cut  and 
arranged  so  as  to  read  easy  and 
phrased  to  fit  the  music.  This  must 
all  be  executed  in  a neat  manner  not 
too  artistic  in  style  to  be  legible. 

The  second  step,  which  is  the  car- 
toon or  illustrating  stage,  should 
“send  home,”  or  emhelish,  the  idea, 
but  not  with  so  much  elaboration  as 
to  smother  it. 

“One  punch”  to  each  slide  is  suffi- 
cient. In  fact,  it  is  usually  better  to 
lead  up  to  your  punch  with  one  or 
two  slides  before  hand,  using  the 
laugh  on  a slide  by  itself. 

The  third  stage  is  the  photograph- 
ing of  the  drawings  and  the  lettering 
when  they  are  properly  arranged  and 
positive  prints  are  made,  which  are 
later  colored  by  brush,  checked, 
bound  and  packed,  ready  for  delivery. 

A set  of  song  slides  may  consist  of 
15  to  50  different  slides  to  convey  the 
idea  and  put  over  certain  songs  that  the 
organist  may  want  to  feature.  Usually 
an  original  organ  solo  compromising 
the  songs  of  several  publishers  will  do 
more  to  put  over  a number  successfully 
in  one  house  than  if  that  individual  song 


was  “plugged”  by  the  organist  or  staff 
singer  of  the  publisher. 

As  I stated  before  in  the  opening 
paragraph,  advertising  slides  are  a dif- 
ferent thing.  In  order  to  be  of  interest 
they  must  be  short  so  that  they  may 
run  in  between  films  and  the  best  way 
to  illustrate  them  is  in  color  to  catch  the 
eye,  with  suitable  tints,  and  as  few 
words  as  possible  to  drive  home  the 
idea. 

An  organist  who  knows  his  business 
and  is  popular  with  his  audience,  should 
always  keep  in  touch  with  other  organ- 
ists and  should  study  new  ideas  as  well 
as  read  topics  of  the  day  for  they  in 
turn  may  give  him  some  splendid  ideas 
for  solos.  A cleverly  arranged  set  of 
slides  will  do  wonders  to  put  over  your 
solo  in  addition  to  popularizing  you  in 
your  neighborhood. 

You  will  always  receive  wonderful  co- 
operation from  the  music  publishers 
along  these  lines  and  the  stunt  will 
prove  successful  not  only  to  you  from 
the  standpoint  of  clever  showmanship 
but  it  will  also  make  you  well-liked  by 
your  manager,  who  profits  by  your 
clever  ability  at  the  box  office. 


Planning  for  the  Sunday  Concert! 

(Continued  from  page  26) 

1.  Prologue  to  “Pagliacci”  (Leoncavallo). 
Ruggiero  Leoncavallo  was  born  at  Naples, 
March  8,  1858.  At  the  age  of  18  he  left 
the  Naples  Conservatory  with  the  diploma 
of  “Maestro”  and  set  to  work  upon  an 
opera.  One  disappointment  after  another 
finally  compelled  him  to  undertake  any 
work  that  would  keep  him  from  starvation, 
giving  piano  and  singing  lessons  and  play- 
ing accompaniments  at  cafe  concerts.  In 
1892  his  opera  “Pagliacci”  was  produced  at 
the  Teatro  dal  Verme,  Milan,  with  very 
great  success,  and  Leoncavallo’s  name  soon 
became  famous  throughout  Italy.  The 
“Prologue”  is  a truly  great  example  of 
dramatic  composition. 

2.  “Romance”  (Rubenstein).  This  im- 
passioned melody  is  truly  a song  without 
words  and  must  have  been  written  while 
Rubenstein  was  inspired  by  a tremendously 
overpowering  love. 

3.  “Amoreuse”  (Berger).  The  tender 
lyric  w'altzes  of  France  have  an  undefinable 
poetic  quality  in  both  melody  and  rhythm 
that  is  distinctiA’ely  different  and  always  al- 
luring. 

4.  (a)  “Tea  for  Tw'o,”  medley,  (b) 
“Just  Like  a Butterfly.”  (c)  ‘Ale'lody  in 
F.” 

Baldwin  Piano  Twins 
Misses  Ruth  Johnstone  and  \'iolette 
Bradley,  Pianists 

.5.  “Staccato  Etude”  (Rubenstein).  This 
well  known  composition  for  piano  would 
have  been  quite  impractical  for  the  organ 
of  yesterday,  but  the  modern  organ  with 
its  electric  action  and  immediate  response 
to  the  fastest  touch  is  capable  of  interpret- 
ing the  Etude  at  nearly  the  traditional 
tempo. 

6.  “.\nnie  Laurie”  (Scott).  Laugh  at 
Scotch  jokes,  if  you  like — but  always  re- 
member that  Scotland  has  given  the  w'orld 
many  golden  melodies  that  strike  a re- 
sponsive chord  in  all  hearts.  Our  fore- 
fathers sang  “Annie  “Laurie”  and  our  great- 
grandchildren w'ill  sing  it,  for  it  is  one  of 
those  wondrous  songs  that  never  die. 

7.  “Song  of  the  Wanderer”  (paraphrase) 
(Moret).  This  little  musical  concert  takes 
a current  popular  song  and  makes  it  jurnp 
through  a hoop — roll  over — stand  on  its 
hind  legs,  etc.  It  is  quite  amusing — or  a 
beastly  bore — all  depending  on  your  point 
of  view’. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


The  Welfare  of  Your  Visitors 

By  FRANK  P.  ARCHER 

(Continued  from  page  35) 

“Our  service  is  built  upon  good  character 
as  its  foundation. 

“Ungentlemanly  or  boisterous  con- 
duct, profane  or  vulgar  language  are  not 
to  be  indulged  in  anywhere  in  this 
theatre. 

“Neatness,  orderliness  and  cleanliness 
are  the  markings  of  vigorous,  active  men. 

“To  accept  a tip  is  degrading,  and  is 
positively  forbidden;  receiving  a tip 
makes  you  subservient  to  the  giver  of 
that  tip. 

“Flirtatious  conduct  is  unmanly,  un- 
necessary, and  distinctly  a mark  of  ill- 
breeding;  and,  further,  it  is  punishable 
by  dismissal  from  our  service. 

“Respect  for  the  property  of  others  is 
expected  from  employes  of  this  organi- 
zation. 

“Discipline  is  a necessary  part  of  or- 
.ganization,  therefore,  lateness  or  absence 
is  not  expected  nor  will  it  be  tolerated. 

“The  degree  of  respect  and  pride 
which  you  have  in  this  theatre  and  or- 
ganization is  the  degree  of  success  which 
you  may  hope  to  attain  here.  Let  every 
word  and  every  action  measure  up  to 
our  standard,  your  standard.” 

“It  is  a prevalent  idea  that  ushering  is 
easy,”  continued  Mr.  Knight,  “and  that 
ushers  are  effeminate,  lily-fingered  boys. 
I believe  we  have  some  evidence  that 
would  tend  to  disprove  this.  Many  new 
men  faint  while  trying  to  learn  to  stand 
at  attention  for  a long  period  of  time 
and  it  is  a usual  occurrence  for  men  to 
come  off  the  floor  with  their  linen  com- 
pletely saturated  with  perspiration.  If  it 
is  easy  to  control  one’s  self  when  being 
continually  faced  with  trying  circum- 
stances, and  the  problems  of  solving  the 
irritable  human  equations,  then  ushering 
is  easy.  If  it  is  easy  to  work  or  go  to 
school  during  the  daytime,  and  to  work 
four  and  a half  hours  an  evening  without 
any  relaxation,  and  Saturday  and  Sun- 
day afternoon,  seven  days  a week ; then 
ushering  is  easy. 

Where  Do  They  Come  From? 

“As  for  the  personnel  of  the  usher 
force.  The  men,  who  are  usually  from 
18  to  24,  come  from  all  sections  of  the 
country  and  sometimes  from  other  con- 
tinents. At  one  time  a group  of  ushers 
at  the  Chicago  theatre  included  a senior 
hydro-electrical  engineering  student,  an 
ex-soldier  who  was  with  the  A.  E.  F.,  a 
a student  of  literary  criticism,  two  ex- 
sailors, a commercial  art  student,  a cow- 
puncher  from  New  Mexico  and  one  from 
Arizona,  an  Englishman,  a Frenchman, 
a Canadian,  a student  of  violin,  a student 
of  piano,  a stagecoach  driver  from  North 
Dakota,  a veterinary  student  and  a pre- 
medical student. 

“Of  course,  the  new  standards  of  serv- 
ice were  severely  criticised  by  some  and 
warmly  appreciated  by  others.  A series 
of  articles  ran  in  the  Sunday  edition 
of  one  of  the  city  papers,  entitled  ‘Why 
Should  Chicago  Have  Prussian  Guards 
for  Ushers?’  When  the  semi-military  at- 
titude was  temporarily  dropped  we  were 
accused  of  being  too  servial  and  stilted. 
We  now  believe,  however,  that  to  be 
most  effective  a large  usher  force  should 
maintain  the  right  balance  between  the 
semi-military  attitude  and  that  of  a 
friendly  and  sincere  service. 

Value  Received 

“The  good  will  that  Balaban  & Katz 
have  built  up  by  their  superior  service 
has  been  plainly  evidenced  by  the  3,000 
{Continued  on  page  39) 


$195  includes  base  castings,  rheostats,  and  one  stereo  with  each  pair. 


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BUT  IN  COMPETITIVE  TESTS  where  perfonnance  sw-ings  the  verdict, 
PERFECTION  withstands  all  comparisons,  sometimes  to  the  astonishment 
of  the  Exhibitor  but  alw'ays  to  his  satisfaction. 

Certainly  it  will  pay  you  to  investigate. 

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38 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


TYPE  STYLES  THAT  ARE  INEFFECTIVE 


Don’t  I Jnderscore 

Mr.  Raymond  contends  that  copy 
underlined  arouses  the  reader  to  the 
impression  that  the  advertiser  con- 
siders him  thick-headed. 


The  long  thin 
column  is  not 
effective  for  it 
is  associated 
with  thinness 
and  weakness. 
It  also  is  dif- 
ficult to  read 
for  it  does  not 
conform  with 
the  angle  of 
vision. 


Type 
Is  Too  Fat 

The  fat  type  does  not  appeal  to  wo- 
men, to  whom  advertising  copy  must 
be  written. 


The  heavy  rule,  which  catches  the 
eye  by  shock,  is  generally  associated 
with  death  notices. 


A ‘^rej>onderance  of  italics  tyfte, 
says  J^r.  Raymond,  is  ineffec- 
tive for  it  reflects  on  the  intel- 
ligence of  the  reader,  and  also 
causes  an  eye  strain  in  the  read- 
ing. 


The  Unconscious  Appeal 
in  Theatre  Copy 

An  exposition  on  type  and  color  values  in  newspaper  advertising  and  in  sales  manuals 


By  CHARLES  RAYMOND 

Director  of  Publicity  and  Advertising,  Loew' s Boston  Theatres 


Amusement  copy  differs  from  all 
others  because  it  is  written  faster. 
. Commercial  copy  is  prepared  in 
agencies  by  a staff  of  experts  who  special- 
ize in  one  particular  part  of  the  ad.  In 
the  theatre  the  press  agent  is  the  layout 
man,  copy  writer  and  in  many  cases  the 
artist.  In  many  instances  the  ad  must 
be  written  and  ordered  in  to  make  the 
Sunday  editions  in  a day  or  two.  If  the 
average  agency  man  were  asked  to  pre- 
pare a piece  of  copy  in  that  period  of 
time  he  would  be  helpless,  yet  it  is  an 
everyday  occurence  with  the  amusement 
copy  writer. 

This,  however,  is  not  a fact  to  extol. 
On  the  contrary,  it  is  to  be  regretted. 
Since  this  condition  cannot  be  corrected 
the  next  best  thing  to  do  is  adapt  a means 
of  being  sure  the  copy  prepared  in  so 
short  a time  is  adaptable  to  immediate  con- 
sumption by  the  reader  and  that  is  has 
sufficient  story  to  create  a desire  in  the 
mind  of  the  reader  to  attend  the  show 
advertised. 

Obvious  appeals  for  action  are  many 
times  the  surest  but  there  is  now  a new 
school  of  advertisers  who  say  the  uncon- 
scious appeal  is  the  strongest.  Its  adapt- 
ability to  amusement  copy,  with  successful 
results,  is  problematical.  Many  of  the  prin- 
cipals are  of  a typographical  and  make- 
up nature.  These  of  course  are  applicable 
to  all  kinds  of  advertising  and  especially 
that  of  the  theatre,  since  there  are  often 
so  many  different  appeals  to  make  in  the 
same  ad,  this  all  tending  toward  slovenly 
composition  and  make-shift  typography. 

The  well  balanced  ad  will  carry  uncon- 
sciously, the  message  of  a well  balanced 
program.  All  art  work,  of  course,  must 
be  well  done,  since  illustrations  carry- 
more  unconscious  influence  than  written 
copy.  On  the  illustration  rests  the  respon- 
sibility of  inducing  the  reader  to  scan  the 
rest  of  the  ad. 

Black  12-point  rules,  so  often  used  by- 
advertisers  to  get  attention,  carry  the 
wrong  message  when  the  eye  has  been 
arrested,  due  to  their  association  with 
death  notices.  Broad  welts  of  black  catch 


the  eye  by  shock,  not  by  attraction.  They 
do  not  compel  attention,  for  attention 
means  reading,  and  that  is  the  last  thing 
the  troubled  eye  and  mind  can  do.  The 
new,  broad  fat  brood  of  ty'pes  can  be 

Color  Values 
in  Copy 

Mr.  Raymond,  in  his  analysis  of  ad- 
vertising copy,  finds  that  colors 
are  a decidedly  important  phase  of 
appealing  and  money-getting  pro- 
motional talks.  Here  are  the  colors 
as  analysed  by  the  Loew  adver- 
tising man  : 

RED 

Signifies  aggression,  as  well  ais 
warmth  and  vitality 

BLUE 

Associated  ivith  truth,  sincerity, 
coolness  and  dignity 

YELLOW 

Associated  with  gold,  sunlight,  and, 
metaphorically,  cotvardice 

PINK 

Signifies  beauty  and  femininity 

GREEN 

Exemplifies  strength,  masculinity 
and  safety 

WHITE 

Associated  alivays  with  purity 

GRAY 

A symbol  of  dignity  and  repose 

BLACK 

Associated  with  finality,  elegance 
and  death 

PURPLE 

This  is  associated  with  richness 

LAVENDER 

A color  which  signifies  sentiment 


placed  in  the  category  with  12  point  rules. 
Photoplay  copy  is  written  with  a direct 
appeal  to  women  and  unconsciously  as  well 
as  consciously,  all  women  are  opposed  to 
fatness. 

The  amount  of  descriptive  copy  to  write 
is  also  an  important  item.  The  title  of 
the  picture  and  the  stars’  and  players’ 
names  must  be  used  but  the  kind  and 
amount  of  copy  used  to  describe  them 
must  be  given  every  consideration.  Too 
little  copy  often  indicates  that  there  is 
nothing  to  say ; too  much,  that  there  is 
an  effort  to  oversell  and  the  possibility  that 
it  will  not  be  read.  It  is  well  to  avoid 
ponderous,  fist-pounding  aggressiveness, 
this  being  associated  in  our  minds  with  a 
weak  case.  Long  simple  columns  of  nar- 
row type  body  create  an  impression  of 
thinness  and  weakness.  All  italics  or  a 
predominance  of  italics  influences  the 
thought  of  strained  emphasis,  a reflection 
on  the  readers’  intelligence.  Underlined 
copy  awakens  in  the  reader  the  thought  he 
is  regarded  as  thickheaded  and  dull  of 
comprehension.  Excessive  decorations  dis- 
plays an  insincere  straining  for  effect. 

The  influence  of  colors  on  posters  for 
lobby  display  must  not  be  overlooked. 

Red  exhibits  aggression,  but  equally 
ivarmth,  vitality  and  pleasurable  ex- 
citement. 

Blue  associates  with  truth,  sincerity, 
coolness,  dignity;  in  its  darker  shades 
with  solitude  and  repose}  in  its  lighter 
shades  with  youth  and  out-of-doors. 

Yellow  associates  with  gold,  sun- 
light and — by  slang  connection — cow- 
ardice. The  latter  association,  being 
wholly  by  metaphor,  has  no  deeply 
determining  value. 

Pink  associates  with  beauty  and 
femininity. 

Green  associates  with  strength,  mas- 
culinity and  safety;  white  with  purity; 
gray  with  dignity  and  repose;  black 
with  finality,  elegance,  death;  purple 
with  richness  and  lavender  with  sen- 
timent. 

Of  letters  and  numbers  there  are  many 
(Continued  on  page  41) 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


AFTER 


Mr.  Exhibitor: 


Glance  over  this  article  and 
note  what  DURA-TEX  FAB- 
RICS can  do  for  your  chairs. 


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sightly chairs  and  to  bring 
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ness is  good  economy. 


DURA-TEX  FABRIC  Re- 
surfacing Transformations 
can  be  installed  overnight  at  a 
most  nominal  cost,  but  are  not 
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or  “throw  overs”,  as  they  are 
“Tailored-to-Fit”  YOUR  indi- 
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and  economical. 


THINK  — ACT 
DO  NOT  DELAY 


Prices  and  samples 
on  request 


THE  DURA-TEX 
FABRICS  CO.,  Inc. 

216  Webster  St.,  Cincinnati,  O. 


The  Welfare  of  Your  Visitors 

By  FRANK  P.  ARCHER 

(Cofitimted  from  page  37) 

letters  of  appreciation  they  have  received 
from  their  patrons. 

“Not  so  long  ago  actors,  theatre  em- 
ployes and  executives  were  popularly 
considered  as  being  identified  with  a 
somewhat  shady  profession.  Today  they 
are  generally  esteemed  and  respected. 
The  standards  of  Balaban  & Katz  have 
been  a vital  factor  in  this  new  viewpoint. 

On  ^Management 

“The  spirit  of  the  manager,  and  the 
example  set  by  him  is  the  strongest 
element  within  any  organization.  The 
most  important  function  of  management 
is  the  effective  development  and  control 
of  manpower.  You  must  know  each 
member  of  your  organization  by  name 
and  have  definite  knowledge  of  each  in- 
dividual’s background  before  you  can 
justly  make  decisions  which  effect  those 
individuals.  In  our  organization  an  em- 
ploye is  unhampered  by  traditions  which, 
although  they  have  groton  old,  may  not 
meet  present-day  conditions.  Length  of 
service  alone  should  have  very  little 
meaning.  Seniority  is  not  a great  asset. 

“In  this  business  you  need  personali- 
ties, you  need  men  who  are  likeable,  men 
who  are  courageous  enough  to  do  the 
things  that  are  right.  You  need  men 
who  have  sufficient  personality  to  do  the 
better  things  rather  than  to  capitalize 
the  weakness  of  others!” 

And  when  I left  the  office  of  Mr. 
Knight  I couldn’t  help  but  think  that  not 
only  Balaban  & Katz,  but  the  whole 
world  is  crying  out  with  the  poet  who 
wrote : 

God  give  us  men!  The  time  demands 
Strong  minds,  great  hearts,  true  faith,  and 
willing  hands; 

Men  whom  the  crust  of  office  does  not  kill. 
Men  who  have  honor,  men  who  mil  not  lie; 
Men  whom  the  spoils  of  office  cannot  buy. 


Reynolds  Electric  Firm 
Puts  on  Market  New 
Color  Hood  Holder 

The  Reynolds  Electric  Company  of  2650 
W.  Congress  St.,  Chicago.,  manufacturers 
of  color  hoods,  flashers  for  electric  signs, 
etc.,  have  just  placed 
on  the  market  a new 
device  called  a color 
hood  holder,  to  be 
used  in  connection 
with  Reco  color 
hoods. 

The  holder  is  made 
of  noncorrosive  metal, 
and  is  made  to  be 
used  in  connection 
with  both  the  screw 
and  flush  types  of  re- 
ceptacles, for  three 
sizes  of  hoods  : SF14, 

AF19  and  AF21.  With  the  former,  the 
hood  holder  is  clamped  to  the  face  of  the 
sign  surface  by  means  of  the  screw  socket, 
whereas  with  the  flush  type  socket  it  is  fast- 
ened to  the  surface  with  the  two  screws 
which  hold  the  receptacle.  The  hood  holder 
has  a quarter-turn  thread  which  securely 
holds  the  color  hood  in  place. 

The  advantage  of  this  hood  holder  is; 
the  lamp  is  protected  from  dust  and  dirt, 
and  the  matter  of  cleaning  is  thereby  sim- 
plified. Furthermore,  the  hood  holder  pre- 
vents the  white  light  from  escaping  through 
the  end  of  the  hood. 


Why  I Bought 
A Blizzard ! 


Like  all  modern  show- 
men, I wanted  to  please 
my  audiences  and  keep 
them  comfortable,  but  I 
didn’t  want  to  mortgage 
my  trousers  to  get  it.  So 
when  I decided  to  buy  a 
cooling  and  ventilating 
system  I tried  to  find  the 
one  that  gave  the  best 
results  at  the  lowest 
price!  And  now  I own  a 
Blizzard! 

It  is  so  much  better — I 
can  always  rest  assured 
that  my  audiences  are 
never  in  any  way  incon- 
venienced — in  summer 
my  theatre  is  the  coolest 
spot  in  town.  And  in 
winter  I use  the  Blizzard 

to  help  heat  my  house.  Why 
last  winter  I saved  at  least  a 
third  of  my  coal  bill  due  to 
Blizzard’s  efficient  help. 

I never  worry  about  my 
Blizzard  — it’s  guaranteed  ! 
And  listen.  I haven’t  spent  a 
dime  to  repair  my  Blizzard 
since  I installed  it  over  nine 
years  ago.  Boy!  if  you  want 
the  best  in  cooling  and  venti- 
lating systems,  get  yourself  an 
absolutely  guaranteed  Bliz- 
zard ! 

See  your  Nearest  National 
Theatre  Supply  Office  or 


Blizzard  Sales 
Co., 

Omaha,  Nebr 

Gentlemen : 

Kindly  send 
me  more  infor- 
mation relative 
to  the  Guaran- 
t e e d Blizzard 
Blower. 


-Theatre 


City 


40 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE  September  3,  1927 


Whatll  I Do  Next  ? 

By  JAY  M.  SHBECK 


THP!  free-lance  production  depart- 
ment for  organists  l\as  arrived — a 
product  of  this  “organ  era.” 

One  of  the  outstanding  developmmits 
of  present-day  motion  picture  exhibit- 
ing is  the  growth  of 
pipe  organ  manu- 
facturing and  organ 
playing.  In  the 
course  of  only  what 
are  relatively  a few 
years,  organ  mak- 
ing has  become  a 
great  industry, 
while  operation  of 
the  instrument  is 
already  an  elevated 
profession.  The 
screen  theatre,  of 
course,  must  be 
given  the  credit  for 
uncovering  this  ex- 
cellent  source  of  en- 
tertainment, but  naturally  it  has  been 
through  the  intrinsic  qualities  of  organ 


music  that  console  presentations  have  ac- 
quired an  almost  universal  appeal. 

Today  no  motion  picture  theatre  can 
well  get  along  without  an  organ.  Mod- 
ern science  has  rendered  it  peculiarly 
capable  of  interpreting  in  tone  the  drama 
on  the  screen.  And  science  has  not 
stopped  there.  No  single  instrument  now 
has  even  a small  share  of  the  versatility 
on  tap  at  a console.  As  as  result,  an 
organist  is  scarcely  less  requisite  to  a 
screen  theatre  than  a projectionist. 

Out  of  the  specific  suitability  of  the 
organ  to  picture  presentation,  and  with 
the  stimulus  of  stage  acts,  console  music 
has  proved  itself  a box  office  attraction 
of  vast  importance.  Cheaper  than  even 
average  stage  entertainment,  it  offers 
similar  musical  and  comic  appeal,  while 
community  singing  which  in  many  places 
draws  powerfully,  is  almost  dependent 
for  success  upon  it. 


A remarkable  story  is  the  history  of 
the  organ  during  these  few  years. 

And  now  comes  another  advance  in 
the  progress  of  console  music  in  the 
screen  theatre. 

Perhaps  one  of  the  biggest  problems 
of  organists  has  been  to  find  an  answer 
to  the  question,  “What’ll  I do  next?” 
Particularly  has  this  query  presented  a 
problem  to  the  console  artist  in  the 
smaller  theatres,  where  no  resourceful 
production  department  is  available  for 
ideas.  The  growth  in  public  demand  for 
organ  presentations  and  community  sing- 
ing has  produced,  doubtless  inevitably, 
the  free-lance  production  department. 

Organists  of  deluxe  houses  find  this 
new  source  of  ideas  useful,  of  course, 
but  it  is  to  the  organist  in  the  smaller 
houses  that  an  organ  solo  service  is 
particularly  useful.  It  is  a field  com- 
paratively new,  but  when  fully  developed 
and  widely  adopted,  console  presenta- 
tions in  the  smaller  theatres  can  be  and 
should  be  equal  to  those  in  the  deluxe 
theatres. 

Available  now  to  any  theatre  subscrib- 
ing for  the  service  are  complete  organ 
presentations  produced  by  musicians  and 
writers  experienced  in  showmanship  and 
operating  precisely  as  a theatre’s  own 
production  department  is  able  to  oper- 
ate. One  company,  recently  established 
with  Nelson  Chon  in  charge  of  produc- 
tion, offers  a service  of  two  console  nov- 
elties a month,  allowing  each  organist 
getting  the  service  to  use  whatever  other 
material  he  wants  to  in  the  other  weeks. 

This  concern,  the  Paramount  Slide 
Rental  Service,  located  in*  Chicago,  pre- 
pares either  straight  solos  or  community 
“sings,”  from  which  the  organist  may 
choose  the  most  suitable  presentation.  In 
a service  of  this  kind  there  is  obviously 
no  song-plugging.  To  the  contrary,  for 
the  most  part  the  presentation  is  made 
flexible,  adapted  to  the  use  of  any  song 
suitable  at  the  time.  Live  topics  in  the 
news  are  made  use  of,  as  well  as  season- 
able subjects,  such  as  the  Fourth  of  July, 
Christmas,  and  so-on.  Other  presenta- 
tions are  prepared  specifically  for  the  in- 
terpolitan  of  semi-classical  songs  or  in- 
strumental music. 

Although  the  free-lance  production 
service  for  organists  is  a relatively  new 
field.  Nelson  Chon  has  been  creating 
organ  solos  for  a number  of  years,  most- 
ly, however,  in  the  employ  of  popular 
song  publishers.  Among  his  productions 
are  many  that  have  been  used  in  the 
major  houses  of  Balaban  & Katz  and 
other  large  circuits.  Two  of  his  new  pro- 
ductions, prepared  for  the  Paramount 
service,  have  the  approaching  Dempsey- 
Tunney  fight  and  President  Coolidge’s 
famous  “I  do  not  choose”  speech  as  their 
themes.  His  “One  Man  Show”  and 
“School  for  song  Writers”  had  consid- 
erable success  last  winter. 

Chon  writes  music,  lyrics,  and  sup- 
ervises the  entire  production.  The  or- 
ganist is  given  a lead-sheet  of  the  pre- 
sentation, with  every  cue  indicated,  and 
each  production  includes,  not  scrims,  but 
colored  slides.  The  two  solos  each 
month  are  part  of  a regular  service  paid 
for  on  a term  basis. 

Chon,  one  the  the  outstanding  suc- 
cesses in  this  new  adjunct  to  picture 
theatres,  is  a Chicagoan.  He  practically 
developed  the  high-class  and  generally 
adaptable  type  of  organ  solo  that  has 
been  presented  in  the  better  screen 
houses  the  past  year  or  two.  He  has 
been  connected  with  the  production  de- 
partments of  such  deluxe  theatres  as  the 
Capitol  in  Chicago,  and  is  besides  a suc- 
cessful song  writer. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


The 'Unconscious  Appeal  in 
Theatre  Copy 

By  CHARLES  RAYMOND 

{Continued  from  page  38) 
associations  that  are  well  to  be  considered 
ih' design  and  make  up. 

M standing  for' Mother ; F for  Father 
and  Family  and  H for  Home. 

The  numeral  3 is  a universal  power 
symbol  hence  a favorite  number,  be- 
ing associated  with  the  Trinity,  with 
the  family  complex  of  Father,  Mother 
and  Self.  The  numeral  5 is  a favor- 
ite number,  its  significance  arising 
from  the  number  of  fingers  on  the 
hand,  with  which  comes  the  first  abil- 
ity to  grasp  and  hold  things.  It  is 
also  an  important  number  in  our 
monetary  system.  Women  as  a group 
show  a marked  fondness  for  2,  the 
symbol  of  mating.  For  7 the  symbol- 
ism is  sacredness,  the  number  having 
deep  significance  in  religion. 

The  subject  of  association  is  important 
and  when  copy  is  being  prepared,  it  is 
well  to  analyze  what  conscious  effect  will 
stimulate  the  response  desired ; in  other 
words,  what  copy  will  create  in  the  con- 
scious mind  of  the  reader,  with  the  help 
of  unconscious  suggestions,  a desire  to 
see  your  show. 

Suggestions,  to  be  supremely  effective, 
must  stimulate  an  effect  that  will  dominate 
all  adverse  thoughts  about  the  show  adver- 
tised, thereby  dominating  the  conduct  and 
assuring  the  theatre  a patron.  These  im- 
pulses, it  is  true,  are  really  primitive  and 
instinctive  and  all  have  a cultural  or  eco- 
nomic check.  The  primitive  desire  to  have 
a handsome  house,  better  clothes  or  a 
faster  car  than  one’s  neighbor  meets  the 
cultural  or  economic  resistance  of  expense, 
or  self-criticism. 

Let  us  apply  this  principal  to  the  the- 
atre, using  “Ben  Hur”  for  an  example. 
First  of  all,  a person  sold  by  persuasion 
is  only  half  sold  and  is  more  than  likely 
to  be  dissatisfied.  Instilled  in  all  of  us, 
in  some  more  than  others,  is  a certain 
religious  superstition.  “Ben  Hur”  could 
be  sold  on  this  basis.  We  might  frighten 
people  into  attending  it,  but  it  would  be 
l)y  compulsion  which  would  more  than 
likely  work  a reaction  that  would  be  detri- 
mental to  the  theatre.  On  the  other  hand, 
if  this  picture  were  sold  on  its  worth  as  a 
spectacle  and  as  a reproduction  of  one  of 
the  classics  of  literature,  there  could  be  no 
criticism  and  the  fact  that  it  is  being  played 
at  regular  prices  would  preclude  the  pos- 
siliility  of  economic  resistance. 

With  the  deeper  “wish-feelings”  clearly 
in  mind,  make  a wide  analysis  of  the  as- 
sociations that  will  stimulate  them.  It  is 
not  always  possible  to  do  so  by  unconscious 
suggestion  but  search  for  an  unconscious 
influence  will  often  lead  to  a better  con- 
scious sales  talk  than  could  otherwise  be 
attained. 

We  writers  of  amusement  copy  are  prone 
to  use  negative  suggestion  too  often.  Con- 
stant reference  to  the  opposition  by  saying, 
for  instance,  “The  Best  Shows  Are  at  the 
Palace,”  or  “Compare  Our  Program  with 
What  You  Get  Elsewhere  for  the  Same 
Price,”  has  a presumption  in  it  that  the 
entire  industry  is  in  a conspiracy  to  de- 
fraud the  public.  Moreover  the  blatant 
statement,  or  even  the  mere  inference,  that 
“we  alone  are  on  the  level”  doesn’t  con- 
vince anyone.  Another  negative  mistake 
which  I have  made  many  times  myself  is, 
“Ask  Someone  Who  Saw  It.”  This  in- 
timates that  the  writer  is  to  be  doubted 
and  that  all  advertising  from  the  theatre 
is  consequently  misleading.  Negative  sug- 
gestion is  a marked  tendency  of  many 
copy  writers,  especially  those  who  have  a 
disposition  toward  argument.  It  is  the 


NOW  Cold  Weather 

Fall  and  Winter  are  Coming 


Early  fail  and  winter  days — -warm  and  dry 
today — cold  and  wet  tomorrow  are  the  days 
when  you  must  protect  your  organ  chamber 
equipment.  These  sudden  climatic  changes  from 
day  to  day  affect  your  organ’s  tones  and  harm 
the  delicate  mechanisms  in  your  organ  chamber 
for  they  are  so  sensitive  that  any  weather 
change  affects  them  materially. 

Protect  these  delicate  parts  then  from  cold 
and  dampness  by  installing  EVENHEETERS — 
The  Organ  Chamber  Heaters.  They  maintain  an 
even  temperature — Keeping  the  air  warm  in  the 
chamber  and  keeping  this  warm  air  circulating 
to  every  part  of  the  chamber. 

Investigate  this  today.  Install  EVENHEET- 
ERS and  eliminate  organ  troubles  and  organ 
maintenance  expenses  that  arise  from  tempera- 
ture changes  in  your  organ  chamber. 

EVENHEETERS 

CRAMBLET  ENG.  CORP. 

286  MILWAUKEE  ST.  MILWAUKEE 


Recommended  by 
Organ  Manufac- 
turers, approved 
by  Nationally 
known  Architects, 
Installed  in  Prom- 
i n e n t Theatres. 
Endorsed  by  The- 
atre Chains  of 
National  Scope. 


Use  Movie  Scrap  Books 

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42 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


GALLAGHER 


The  theatre  manager  who 
overlooks  the  extra  drawing 
power  of  a large  orchestra 
when  it  can  be  obtained  at  a 
medium  orchestra  price  is 
overlooking  a bet  in  this  day 
of  keen  competition. 


Gallagher  Resonators  increase 
the  volume  by  acting  as  a sec- 
ondary instrument  beneath 
each  musician.  It  is  easy  to 
investigate.  Most  modern  the- 
atres use  them.  Send  for  liter- 
ature. 


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Chicago 


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TTie  well  lighted  theatre  aisle  is  essential  to  the 
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Film  Bldg.  Cleveland,  O. 

R.  B.  Burko,  well  known  through- 
out Canada,  has  accented  an  ex- 
ecutive sales  'position  with 
Electric  Ltd.,  theatre  equi'^ment 
division  at  J^ontreal,  Canada,  a 
subsidiary  of  Canadian  Westing- 
house  Co. 


outlet  of  an  ego  complex,  hence  the  incli- 
nation to  set  up  imaginary  adversaries  and 
then  annihilate  them. 

How  many  of  us  end  an  ad  with  “Don’t 
Miss  It !’’  or  some  such  command ! Ex- 
pressions of  this  kind  strike  one  of  the 
strongest  unconscious  resistances  in  the 
average  American,  that  of  being  com- 
manded. 

The  above  may  sound  like  the  ravings 
of  a psycho-analyst  but  the  writer  has  ap- 
plied the  theories,  with  what  success  it  is 
hard  to  say.  As  all  copy  writers  know 
it  is  almost  impossible  to  make  a check 
on  the  results  of  any  particular  ad;  how- 
ever, results  achieved  over  a long  period 
of  time  upon  changing  copy  and  layouts 
to  embody  the  above  principles,  have  been 
conspicuously  satisfactory  in  several  in- 
stances. 


Howe  of  Glendale 

Advertises  Projection 

HOLLYWOOD,  Aug.  30.— The  unusual 
sight  of  a theatre  advertising  its  projection 
was  witnessed  by  Glendale  residents  last 
week  when  William  Howe,  manager  of 
Glendale  theatre,  posted  banners  across  the 
front  of  his  house  advertising  the  fact  that 
he  had  installed  new  Ashcraft  Intensiflect- 
ors,  and  would  henceforth  have  the  best 
projected  picture  in  town.  The  local  news- 
papers gave  Mr.  Howe  several  stories  on 
his  improved  projection. 


West  Coast  Theatres  has  established  a 
school  at  its  headquarters  to  teach  assistant 
managers  of  its  theatres  how  to  operate  the 
projection  machine  in  case  of  emergency  or 
accident  to  the  regular  projectionist. 


HOLLYWOOD.  Aug.  30.— The  Robert 
E.  Power  Studios  has  just  completed  work 
on  the  new  theatre  on  Whittier  Blvd.,  and 
also  decorated  the  new  Newby  theatre, 
Ventura,  Cal. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


September  3,  1927 


The  problems  of  projection  are  often  for  the  individual  projectionist  to  solve.  The  most  difficult  problem  sometimes 
is  the  most  simple  to  solve.  It  is  annoying,  however,  before  a solution  has  been  found.  Through  “Better  Theatres" 
projectionists  are  exchanging  recommendations  and  suggestions  for  better  propection,  and  in  this  exchange  of  ideas 
you  will  find  many  a solution  to  the  problems  which  have  confronted  and  annoyed  you. 

The  Problems  of  Projection 


Projection  room  of  Proctor  s 86th  Street  theatre.  New  York  City 

Proctor^s  Has  Kinebooth 
Judicially  Planned 

FF.  PROCTOR’S  86th  Street  theatre,  New  York,  may  well  be  proud 
of  its  ideally  equipped  projection  room.  It  is  ideal  from  its  con- 
• ception.  Proctor’s  projection  experts,  in  collaboration  with  the 
architects,  have  designed  a room  generous  in  size,  with  high  ceiling,  amply 
ventilated  and  with  the  electric  wiring  exceptionally  well  taken  care  of. 
Each  projection  unit  is  correctly  positioned  as  well  as  each  unit  of 
auxiliary  equipment. 


A battery  of  three  Motiograph  De  Luxe 
projectors  of  the  latest  type,  having  many 
special  features  and  equipped  with  the  new 
Power’s  high  intensity  lamps,  provide  for 
the  motion  picture  projection.  In  addition, 
there  are  two  C-14  Brenkert  100-ampere 
spot  lamps  and  a Brenkert  dissolving  stere- 
opticon  and  effect  projector. 

Each  motion  picture  projector  is  equipped 
with  special  tip-back  adapters  for  the  upper 
magazines,  electric  speed  indicator  genera- 
tors, special  two-step  200-ampere  switches 
and  boxes  for  the  high  intensity  lamps  and 
other  conveniences  for  the  projectionist. 
Iris  diaphrams  for  the  light  beam  ports  of 
the  projectors  are  used  instead  of  the  usual 
change-over  devices  in  order  to  accommo- 
date the  different  angles  of  projection,  as 
it  is  a policy  of  this  theatre  to  use  two 
screens,  one  father  back-stage  than  the 
other.  Changing  the  angle  of  the  projectors 
is  easily  taken  care  of  with  the  convenient 
regular  tilting  device  of  the  Motiograph 
De  Luxe  projector,  a few  turns  of  the 


handwheel  being  sufficient.  Special  stop 
lock  nuts  on  the  screw  shaft  of  the  tilting 
device  limit  the  motion  of  tilting  in  either 
direction. 

Under  each  observation  port  is  a spe- 
cially constructed  panel  board  on  which  are 
mounted  the  volt  and  amp.  meters  for  the 
lamps  of  the  projectors  and  also  the  speed 
indicator  meter,  this  meter  being  mounted 
at  an  angle  for  perfect  visibility. 

The  dissolving  stereopticon  and  effect 
projector,  as  well  as  each  of  the  spot 
lights,  are  equipped  with  plug  connectors 
and  wall  pockets,  providing  easy  means  of 
moving  or  changing  them  from  their  posi- 
tion. 

At  the  rear  of  each  projector  is  a spe- 
cially designed  carbon  and  tool  cabinet. 

Ventilation  from  the  lamps  of  the  pro- 
jectors is  connected  to  the  main  ventilating 
system  with  6-inch  vent  pipes,  equipped 
with  flexible  connections  to  the  lamphouse 
vent  pipes,  and  so  arranged  to  compensate 
(Continued  on  page  49) 


Have  Light  in  Booth 
Shielded  from 
Screen 

By  KENNETH  SANBORN 

Clay  Center,  Nebraska. 

AS  I have  just  received  your  let- 
ter and  have  studied  the  con- 
^ tents  of  it,  and  as  long  as  this 
will  help  other  projectionists  I will 
help  you  as  far  as  possible ! 

First  take  the  Booth ! It  should 
have  plenty  of  room  so  that  an  oper- 
ator can  have  plenty  of  room  to  move 
around  in.  Then  take  the  light ; you 
should  have  plenty  of  light  and  ven- 
tilation during  the  day,  and  at  night 
one  wants  plenty  of  light,  but  have  it 
shielded  so  it  will  not  cast  reflections 
upon  the  screen. 

The  one  big  thing  in  operating  is  to 
go  the  entire  performance  without  a 
stop.  That  is  most  important. 

I have  found  out  that  you  cannot 
fully  trust  a cue  sheet  because  I ran 
Harry  Langdon  in  “Long  Pants”  by 
cue  sheet,  so  my  advice  is  to  check 
up  on  your  film  before  you  run  it. 

And  last  I must  say  that  there  is 
nothing  as  bad  in  picture  work  as  a 
iwor  film.  One  thing  I wish  the  Pow- 
ers people  had  done  with  their  ma- 
chines was  to  put  a case  around  the 
head  of  the  machine  to  keep  out  a 
little  noise  if  possible.. 


Display  Stage  Lighting 
Company  Issues  Book 

Announcement  is  made  by  the  Display 
Stage  Lighting  Company,  334  W.  44th  St., 
New  York  City,  of  the  publication  of  their 
new  catalogue  covering  various  phases  of 
theatre  lighting.  Theatre  owners  and  archi- 
tects are  invited  to  write  the  company  for 
a copy. 


Opens  Hartford  Office 

Broadway  Amusement  Company  of  New 
York  City,  has  established  a permanent 
branch  office  at  Hartford,  Conn.  It  will 
be  managed  by  Ray  Averill,  former  Massa- 
chusetts exhibitor  who  operated  theatres 
in  Boston,  Cambridge  and  Lowell. 


44 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE  September  3,  1927 


Cueing  the  Phonograph 
to  Films 


Flower  Decorations 

in 

John  Eberson’s 
New  Wonder  Theatre 

The  AVALON 

79th  St^  & Stony  Island  Ave* 

were  furnished 
by 

G.  Reising  & Co. 

227  West  Austin  Avenue 
Chicago,  111. 


ap 


Do  You  Know 
What  a 
MARQUISE 
Does? 


Do  you  know  what  a Marquise  does?  Do  you  know  that 
hundreds  of  theatre  owners,  the  country  over,  have  discov- 
ered that  an  A.  M.  P.  Marquise  is  the  means  of  increasing 
box  office  receipts  (more  than  enough  to  pay  for  a Marquise 
installation).  Do  you  know  that  people  now  pass  up  the 
theatre  without  a Marquise  over  its  entrance  to  patronize 
one  down  the  street,  or  in  another  part  of  town,  where  the 
theatre  has  this  most  modern  of  theatre  attractions? 

Let  us  tell  you  of  the  many  advantages  of  an  A.  M.  P. 

Marquise — Let  us  send  this  information  to  you. 

Architectural  Metal  Products,  Inc. 

COVINGTON,  KENTUCKY 


By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

{Coutiuucd  from  page  34) 
small,  competent  symphonic  interpretation 
of  motion  pictures,  depends  upon  intimate 
relations  of  the  screen  play  producers  and 
the  Orchestraphone  Company. 

This  interdependence  may  be  after  all 
another  and  more  unique  form  of 
“synchronization  !’’ 

Simplicity  in  operation  marks  the  device. 
Like  all  other  loud-speaking  phonographic 
devices  that  have  been  developed  for  use 
in  motion  picture  theatres,  it  grew  out  of 
the  radio,  from  which  came  amplification. 
'I'hat  is  to  say,  Orchestraphone  would  be 
impossible  without  loud-speakers.  The  dis- 
tinctive features  of  Orchestraphone  and 
those  adapting  it  specifically  to  the  purpose 
for  which  it  was  invented,  are  the  pick-up 
and  the  modulator. 

The  pick-up  is  akin  to  the  reproducer 
on  a phonograph.  It  holds  the  needle  and  ‘ 
the  tympanum  from  which  proceed  the  vi- 
brations that  are  transferred  electrically 
through  the  theatre  to  the  amplifiers  at  the 
ends  of  the  loud-speakers  in  the  pit.  The 
secret  of  the  distinction  of  the  pick-up 
from  the  ordinary  reproducer  is  held, 
justifiably  enough,  by  the  inventors.  What 
it  does,  however,  can  be  told — and  shall  be, 
as  soon  as  the  modulator  has  been  ex- 
plained. 

The  modulator  is  an  arrangement  of 
filters  through  which  the  air  waves  before 
being  sent  pit-ward,  performing  the  ex- 
tremely important  and  pleasing  function 
of  permitting  the  “orchestra”  to  shift  from 
one  piece  of  music,  before  it  is  finished, 
to  another,  wdthout  an  abrupt  change.  The 
air  waves  of  the  first  piece  “hang”  in  the 
filters  and  mingle  there  for  an  instant  or 
tw'O  wdth  the  opening  air  waves  of  the 
second  piece,  so  that  the  auditor  experi- 
ences only  the  illusion  of  gradual  change. 
Even  w'hen  the  shift  involves  a change 
from  one  key  to  another,  as  is  usually  the 
case,  the  shift  seems  to  proceed  through 
the  regular  musical  processes  of  the 
orchestra,  instead  of  through  the  substitu- 
tion of  one  record  for  another. 

The  operator  of  the  Orchestraphone 
stands  or  sits  in  view  of  the  screen  at  the 
cabinet,  which  contains  most  of  the  appa- 
ratus and  which  is  covered  by  the  instru- 
ment board.  The  latter  consists  primarily 
of  two  record  turn-tables,  two  pick-ups, 
two  pick-up  dials  and  a control-button.  -A 
cue-sheet  is  before  the  operator,  stating 
what  records  are  to  be  used  and  at  what 
point  of  action  in  the  picture,  together  with 
the  particular  groove  in  each  record  at 
which  the  needle  is  to  fall,  the  groove  being 
indicated,  not  on  the  record,  but  by  a dial 
at  the  side  of  each  pick-up.  When  one 
pick-up  is  playing,  the  other  is  in  readiness 
but  is  up.  The  relationship  is  reversed  by 
pressing  the  control-button. 

Just  before  the  opening  of  the  picture, 
the  operator  places  the  first  and  second 
records  to  be  used  on  the  turn-tables,  which 
revolve  continuously.  When  the  picture 
starts,  he  moves  one  of  the  pick-ups,  say 
the  left,  into  its  proper  place  on  the  left 
record,  then  sets  the  right  pick-up  in  posi- 
tion over  the  right  record.  When  the 
action  on  the  screen  arrives  at  the  point 
calling  for  the  second  record  according  to 
the  cue-sheet,  he  presses  the  control-button. 
The  left  pick-up  jumps  off  the  left  record, 
w'hile  the  right  pick-up  drops  into  its  indi- 
cated place  on  the  right  record.  And  while 
the  latter  is  playing,  the  operator  places 
the  third  record  on  the  left  turn-table  and 
sets  the  corresponding  pick-up  above  it. 
Thus  does  the  process  repeat  itself,  from 
30  to  60  times  until  the  end  of  the  play. 

The  number  of  changes  of  records  neces- 
sary depends  upon  both  the  length  of  the 
(Continued  on  page  46) 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


T 


HE  Shorewood 
in  its  simjilicity 
and  s-^acious  grounds 
Is  well  ada-^ted  to  the 
suburban  community 
it  serves.  In  the  view 
above  is  shown  a sec- 
tion of  the  audito- 
rium, which  contains 
on  its  single  floor  1,- 
200  seats.  Conceal ed 
in  a dome  are  seven 
spotlights  which  can 
be  trained  on  orches- 
tra, organ  and  stage. 
At  left  IS  pictured  the 
front  exterior  and  a 
part  of  the  unusual 
garden,  while  at  right 
IS  shown  one  end  of 
the  lobby.  The  archi- 
tecture IS  Mo  orish- 
sp  amsh. 


New  Shorewood  Is  Suburban  Theatre  With  a Garden 

Now  a theatre  with  a garden — the  new  $500,000  Shorewood  in  the  NIilwauh.ee  sub- 
urb of  that  name.  And  other  unusual  features  mark  this  fine  screen  theatre,  as 
these  pictures  and  a description  elsewhere  in  this  issue  indicate. 


46 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Cueing  the  Phonograph 
to  Films 

By  GEORGE  SCHUTZ 

{Continued  from  page  44) 

picture  and  the  variety  of  situations.  For 
“Barbed  Wire,’’  a picture  of  eight  reels,  47 
changes  were  made,  a few  of  the  cues  re- 
peating themselves. 

The  vibrations,  as  has  been  said,  are 
transmitted  to  the  loud-speakers,  located  in 
the  orchestra  pit  or  some  other  place  near 
the  screen.  There  are  four  loud-speakers, 
each  equipped  with  an  amplifier  especially 
adapted  to  the  transference  of  certain 
lengths  of  air  waves.  The  difference  in 
amplifiers  and  the  necessity  of  four  speak- 
ers is  due  to  the  inability  of  one  amplifier 
and  one  speaker  to  give  all  the  sounds  of 
an  orchestra  their  full  value.  The  various 
types  of  vibrations — bass,  strings,  trumpets, 
etc. — are  divided  into  four  classes,  and  each 
speaker  and  its  amplifier,  while  receiving 
all  the  impulses,  is  yet  especially  capable  of 
translating  one  of  the  four  classes  of  air 
waves. 

The  volume  of  the  music  is  set  at  the 
time  of  installation  according  to  the  size 
and  acoustics  of  each  theatre.  It  can  not 
be  changed,  for  that  part  of  the  instru- 
ment is  sealed.  The  change  in  volume 
necessary  to  create  the  crescendo  and 
diminuendo  effects  of  an  orchestra  is  con- 
trolled by  a lever  on  the  instrument  board. 

And  that,  essentially,  is  Orchestraphone. 

What  does  it  mean?  Prophecy  has  no 
tenable  place  here.  It  seems  obvious,  how- 
ever, that  to  place  music  very  like  that 
of  a great  symphony  orchestra,  accurately 
cued  by  experts,  and  with  all  the  flexibility 
of  a human  operator,  must  mean  a better 
kind  of  motion  picture  entertainment  in  the 
average  theatre.  A poor  picture  is  a poor 
picture,  of  course,  and  yet  it  is  the  poorer 
for  poor  music.  A great  picture  is  a great 
experience  when  re-enforced  emotionally 
by  suitable  musical  interpretation.  And 
no  instrument,  it  would  seem,  can  con- 
sistently match  the  symphony  orchestra. 

But  there  may  have  been  prophecy  at 
the  Pantheon.  Accosted  by  an  attendant 
while  leaving  the  auditorium,  and  ques- 
tioned about  their  reaction  to  the  music,  a 
man  and  his  wife  were  surprised  to  learn 
that  the  accompaniment  was  of  the 
“canned”  variety. 

“Why,  I thought  it  was  an  orchestra,” 
declared  the  woman. 

She  had  no  business  to  think  so.  The 
music  was  obviously  “canned.”  The  point 
is,  however,  she  either  dislikes  a symphony 
orchestra’s  accompaniment  to  a motion  pic- 
ture— or  else  she  did  enjoy  that  of  Orches- 
traphone. 

Macon,  Georgia, 

Gets  New  1200 
Seat  Theatre 

The  new  Macon  theatre  which  is  being 
built  by  the  Union  Dry  Goods  Company  of 
Macon,  Ga.,  for  Arthur  Lucas  and  William 
K.  Jenkins,  is  progressing  rapidly  and  it 
now  seems  that  this  theatre  will  be  opened 
by  Oct.  15. 

The  theatre  is  of  Spanish  architecture, 
having  many  new  innovations  in  it  includ- 
ing atmospheric  treatment  of  certain  por- 
tions : spectacular  flood  light  arrangements 
for  illumination  and  changing  of  the  color 
of  the  exterior,  etc. 

This  theatre  will  seat  1200  and  the  equip- 
ment will  be  of  the  latest  design.  It  is 
one  of  a number  in  the  Lucas  and  Jenkins 
chain  of  theatres. 


FOOTLIGHTS  or  SPOTLIGHTS 


or  any  other  lighting  equipment 
made  by  us  will  give  all  users  the 
utmost  in  service  and  efficiency  and 
every  satisfaction  anticipated. 

LIGHT  YOUR  THEATRE  WITH  MADELITE  and  realize 


mst,  1901 


the  wonderful  quality  in  lighting  equipment  that  is  in  use  most 
satisfactorily  in  De  Luxe  houses  all  over  the  country.  We  have 
made  stage  equipment  for  eight  years  and  know  the  needs  of  your 
theatre  to  give  you  the  right  equipment  at  a 
reasonable  figure  and  guarantee  abso- 
lute satisfaction.  We  can  serve 
you  well  if  you  will  let  us. 


Send  for 
our  new 

illustrated  catalogue 


BELSON  MANUFACTURING  CO. 

804  S.  Sibley  St. 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Est.  1901 


We  are 
represented  in 
New  York,  St. 
1,  o a i s,  Minneapolis, 
Omaha,  New  Orleans, 
Seattle,  Los  Angreles,  San 
Francisco 


do  thw  want 


A PROGRAM  of  good  pic- 
tures, of  course. 


The  “Movie  Standards”  of 
the  American  Family — clear, 
unflickering  reproduction, 
eliminating  all  eye  strain — are 
readily  attained  with  good  pro- 
jectors and  a 


Screen 


DA-LITE  SCREEN  & SCENIC  CO. 

922-24  W.  Monroe  St. 
CHICAGO 


Write  for  Catalogue 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


Universal  Theatre 
Opens  in  Brooklyn 
on  September  15 

Dan  Michalove,  General  Manager  of 
Universal  Chain  Theatrical  Enterprises, 
Inc.,  has  set  Sept.  15th  as  the  opening 
date  of  Universal’s  $1,500,000.00  theatre 
in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Brooklyn  newspapers 
assisted,  through  a voting  contest,  in 
naming  the  theatre  which  is  called  the 
Universal. 

The  Universal  was  designed  by  John 
Eberson  and  is  the  first  atmospheric 
theatre  in  greater  New  York.  It  is  of 
the  Italian  garden  style  of  architecture 
and  will  seat  3,000  people.  It  will  have 
every  ultra  modern  feature  of  theatre  im- 
provement and  is  said  to  be  one  of  the 
finest  motion  picture  theatres  in  the 
world.  The  theatre  occupies  an  entire 
block  front  on  New  Utrecht  Avenue  and 
faces  on  46th  Street.  The  stage  is 
equipped  to  accommodate  any  size  pro- 
duction. A gala  premiere  is  now  being 
planned  at  which  many  celebrities  are  ex- 
pected to  be  present. 


Power* s H.  /.  Lamp 
Is  Re-designed  to 
Meet  Higher  Current 

The  Power’s  high  intensity  lamp  has  un- 
dergone extensive  redesigning  and  a num- 
ber of  important  improvements  have  been 
made.  The  first  lamps  put  out  by  Power’s 
were  installed  in  lamphouses  originally  de- 
signed for  the  ordinary  arc  and  this  cre- 
ated many  annoying  difficulties  and  limi- 
tations, but  as  now  designed  the  lamp  may 
be  operated  up  to  a maximum  capacity  with 
an  absolute  assurance  of  satisfaction. 

The  new  lamphouse  has  been  designed 
with  ample  allowance  for  the  heavy  duty 
the  lamp  is  called  upon  to  perform,  and 
proper  ventilation  has  received  full  con- 
sideration. 

Knauss  Organ  School 
Builds  New  Quarters 

Construction  is  nearing  completion  on  the 
first  section  of  the  new  building  of  the 
Vermond  Knauss  School  of  Theatre  Organ 
Playing  at  Allentown,  Pa.  The  section  is 
of  two  stories  and  is  designed  to  house  the 
chambers  and  studios  of  three  organs,  a 
two  manual  unit,  a three  manual  unit  and 
their  present  two  manual  unified  organ, 
which  is  to  be  moved  into  the  new  quar- 
ters. 

Next  year  the  present  building  will  be 
razed  and  the  second  section  built  on  the 
site.  Students  from  all  over  the  country 
are  enrolled  in  the  school,  and  the  school 
is  filling  a dire  need  in  turning  out  organ- 
ists who  can  make  good  in  theatres. 

Stanley  Theatre  Is 

Nearing  Completion 

John  J.  Payette,  supervisor  of  theatres 
for  the  Stanley-Crandall  Company  of 
Washington,  and  Bernard  Depkin,  manager 
of  the  new  Stanley  theatre,  rapidly  nearing 
completion  in  Baltimore,  have  been  in  New 
York  in  quest  of  special  attractions  suit- 
able for  presentation  in  a house  of  such 
magnificence  as  the  new  Stanley  is  to  be. 

It  is  the  plan  to  make  the  Stanley  thea- 
tre in  Baltimore  the  medium  of  establish- 
ing a new  era  in  entertainment  in  the 
Monumental  City.  Certainly  in  beauty, 
spaciousness  and  every  material  aspect  the 
new  Stanley  will  embody  every  potentiality 
of  extraordinary  divertissement. 


The  New  Universal  Theatre  in  Brooklyn 

Governmental  Bureau  Fosters 
Film  Trade  Abroad 


By  N.  D.  GOLDEN 


Moti  on  Picture  Section,  Bureau  of  Foreign  and  Domestic  Commerce 


ON  July  1,  1926,  a motion  picture  sec- 
tion was  established  in  the  bureau  of 
foreign  and  domestic  commerce  by  a 
$15,000  appropriation  from  congress.  The 
chief  reason  which  prompted  the  creation 
of  this  section  just  at  this  time  lay  in  a 
recognition  of  the  size  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry  among  our  other  industries 
and  particularly  of  its  importance  in  the 
field  of  foreign  trade. 

C.  J.  North  is  chief  of  the  motion  pic- 
ture section  and  associated  with  him  as 
assistant  is  the  writer.  There  is  also  ap- 
propriate stenographic  assistance  in  the 
section  at  Washington.  George  R.  Canty 
is  located  in  Paris  with  the  rank  of  trade 
commissioner  and  as  such  makes  special 
surveys  of  the  motion  picture  markets  in 
Europe  under  the  general  authority  of  this 
section. 

The  work  of  the  motion  picture  section 
lies  chiefly  along  the  following  lines: 

(1)  Reporting  on  all  phases  of  film  condi- 
tion abroad,  both  with  regard  to  the  main- 
tenance and  development  of  American 
trade  in  motion  pictures.  Such  reports  are 
received  through  44  foreign  offices  of  the 
department  of  commerce,  located  in  the 
leading  commercial  centers  of  the  world 
with  the  co-operation  also  of  more  than 
300  consuls  of  the  department  of  state. 
With  particular  regard  to  Europe  the  mo- 
tion picture  trade  commissioner  mentioned 
above  is  the  cornerstone  of  the  reporting 
service  and  he  receives  the  hearty  co-opera- 
tion of  those  in  charge  of  the  department’s 
European  offices,  all  such  material  is  made 
available  to  the  industry  by  the  section  in 
Washington.  Special  circulars  or  bulletins 
are  made  public  from  time  to  time  by  the 
section  covering  particular  topics  of  in- 
terest. A recent  trade  information  bulle- 
tin, ‘‘The  Chinese  Market  for  Motion  Pic- 
tures,” is  an  example  of  some  of  the  in- 
formation that  is  compiled  for  the  use  of 
the  industry  in  furthering  foreign  trade, 
and  another  which  will  be  released  in  the 
near  future  entitled  ‘‘Motion  Pictures  in 
Central  Europe,  Spain  and  Italy.”  Such 
material  is  of  course  part  of  the  permanent 
files  of  the  department  and  is  used  by  the 
motion  picture  section  as  the  basis  of  an- 
swering the  many  individual  requests  for 
information  on  the  foreign  field  which  are 
received  by  correspondence,  telephone 


personal  interview.  The  motion  picture 
section  since  its  existence  has  answered 
over  6,000  of  these. 

(2)  As  full  and  accurate  statistical  data 
as  is  possible  covering  our  exports  and  im- 
ports and  foreign  production  of  films  are 
given  to  the  trade  each  month.  In  this 
connection,  through  the  co-operation  of  the 
commercial  intelligence  division  of  the  de- 
partment, lists  of  motion  picture  theatres 
with  seating  capacity,  prices  of  admission 
and  number  of  performances  each  week  in 
every  foreign  country  are  furnished  to  in- 
quirers on  request.  Lists  of  motion  pic- 
ture producers,  distributors  and  dealers 
are  also  available. 

(3)  A weekly  service  has  been  inaugu- 
rated by  which  stories,  news  items  and 
trade  notes  of  interest  and  value  are  given 
out  each  week  to  the  trade  press. 

(4)  Tariff  information.  Through  the  co- 
operation of  the  division  of  foreign  tariffs, 
the  American  motion  picture  industry  is 
always  advised  of  any  tariff  changes,  the 
imposition  of  special  restrictions  or  other 
similar  legislation  covering  motion  pic- 
tures. 

(5)  Film  piracy  has  flourished  in  certain 
sections  of  the  world,  notably  Central 
America  and  the  Near  East — stolen  and 
duplicated  prints  of  American  motion  pic- 
tures are  unlawfully  exhibited  with  conse- 
quent losses  in  revenue  to  the  authorized 
agents  of  American  producers.  Through 
department  representatives  in  those  locali- 
ties and  the  aid  of  the  division  of  commer- 
cial laws  of  the  department  and  the  mo- 
tion picture  section  representation  has  been 
made  which  in  some  cases  has  stopped  such 
unlawful  exhibitions. 

(6)  The  motion  picture  section  is  fre- 
quently called  upon  to  furnish  sources  for 
distribution  of  industrial  and  educational 
motion  pictures  in  foreign  countries  also  to 
suggest  ways  and  means  as  to  how  and  in 
what  manner  they  should  be  shown.  While 
the  educational  and  industrial  film  fall  into 
an  entirely  different  category  from  the  en- 
tertainment film,  it  is  interesting  to  know 
that  a large  percentage  of  all  the  inquiries 
now  received  are  from  those  interested  in 
furthering  American  trade  or  education. 

(7)  A trade  of  growing  importance  lies 

in  our  foreign  business  in  motion  picture 
■ (Continued  on  page  48) 


48 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Governmental  Bureau  Fosters 
Film  Trade  Abroad 

{Continued  from  page  47) 

accessories.  These  cover  motion  picture 
projectors,  cameras,  screens,  laboratory 
equipment  and  the  like.  The  motion  pic- 
ture section  is  expected  to  supply  informa- 
tion on  all  foreign  markets  for  these,  to- 
gether with  such  other  data  as  may  aid  in 
developing  American  overseas  trade  in  the- 
ater equipment.  Recently  the  section  issued 
a bulletin  entitled,  “Foreign  Market  Possi- 
bilities for  Motion  Picture  Projectors,”  and 
the  number  of  inquiries  resulting  from  its 
publication  illustrates  the  interest  of  man- 
ufacturers of  these  lines  in  overseas  trade. 

The  motion  picture  section  maintains  the 
closest  contact  with  the  Plays  organization, 
the  trade  press  and  other  organizations  de- 
voted to  fostering  the  development  of  the 
motion  picture  industry.  It  endeavors  to 
serve  all  alike  in  every  legitimate  way  and 
will  guarantee  the  closest  possible  attention 
to  every  bona  fide  request  for  information 
and  will  supply  all  the  information  it  can. 

New  Kirby  Is  Stately 
Colonial  Mansion 

(Coitinued  from  page  33) 

in  feature  organs.  Organ  room,  musicians 
rooms,  engine  room,  refrigerating  plant, 
and  an  extra  utility  room  is  located  under- 
neath the  stage  and  in  the  basement.  The 
ushers  locker  room  is  located  on  the  mez- 
zanine floor. 

Three  Simplex  machines,  and  two 
Brenkert  spots  for  the  major  projection 
equipment.  Stage  lighting  equipment  came 
from  the  Major  Equipment  Company. 
Hewitt  Construction  Company,  one  of  the 
Jesse  Jones  interests  in  Houston,  built  the 
JCirby.  H.  Koetter  did  the  decorating,  and 
Alfred  C.  Finn,  the  architect,  let  the  con- 
tracts. 

Floyd  F.  Smith,  of  Memphis,  is  manager. 
C.  B.  Stiff,  also  formerly  of  Memphis,  at 
Loew’s  Palace,  is  the  Houson  City  Man- 
ager of  all  Publix  houses  in  Houston, 
which  includes,  besides  the  Kirby,  the 
Metropolitan,  bandshow  and  picture  house, 
and  the  Queen,  straight  first  run  pictures. 

Two  and  three  weeks  will  be  the  running 
time  _ of  the  majority  of  the  Kirby’s  at- 
tractions. 

Gloria  Theatre 

Has  Opening  at 
Charleston,  5.  C. 

With  the  Gloria  theatre  opening  at 
Charleston  recently.  South  Carolina  is  said 
to  have  gained  its  most  beautiful  and  artis- 
tic theare.  The  theatre  is  operated  by  the 
Pastime  Amusement  company,  of  which 
Albert  Sottville  is  president. 

Construction  was  first  started  on  the  the- 
atre in  1921,  but  after-war  depression 
made  it  advisable  to  stop  construction, 
which  did  not  begin  again  until  1926. 

The  theatre  is  centrally  located,  is  of 
Spanish  architecture,  and  seats  2,000  peo- 
ple. Seats  were  furnished  by  the  Amer- 
ican Seating  Company.  C.  K.  Howell 
of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  is  the  architect,  and  when 
construction  was  resumed  in  1926  the  con- 
tract was  awarded  to  Palmer-Spivey  Com- 
pany of  Augusta,  Ga.  Charles  A.  Hottin- 
ger  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  was  interior  dec- 
orator, and  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company  completely  equipped  the  motion 
picture  projection  booth.  Draperies  and 
stage  furnishings  came  from  Novelty 
Scenic  Studios  of  New  York  City. 


AIR  CONDITIONING 

MEANS 

Comfortable,  Uniformly  Distributed 
Cooling,  Heating  and  Ventilating 

WITH 

CORRECT  TEMPERATURES  & HUMIDITY 
SUFFICIENT  VOLUMES  OF  AIR  AND 
MODERATE  AIR  VELOCITIES  WITHOUT 
OBJECTIONABLE  DRAFTS 

WE  ARE  SPECIALISTS 
IN  AIR  CONDITIONING 

B F REYNOLDS  & CO 

EST.  1885 

118  W.  OHIO  ST.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 

WE  WILL  GLADLY  MAIL  OUR  THEATRE  CATALOGUE  UPON  RECEIPT 

OF  YOUR  REQUEST 


Packed  Houses 


"D  EFLECT  good  judgment  by  master  showmen  who 
know  how  to  attractively  stage  their  programs. 
And  invariably  in  packed  houses  good  stage  lighting 
is  in  evidence — usually  Kliegl  stage  lighting  devices— 
for  there  is  none  better  made,  more  flexible  to  the 
requirements  of  the  theatre,  or  more  serviceable  in  use. 

The  Kliegl  line  of  theatrical  lighting  spe- 
cialties is  complete  — everything  can  be 
furnished  from  spotlights  or  footlights  to 
elaborate  scenic  effects.  Write  for  informa- 
tion, send  in  your  order,  or  request  a cat- 
alogue as  your  requirements  may  dictate. 


Spotlights 
Floodlights 
Sciopticons 
Footlights 
Borderlights 
Exit  Signs 
Aisle  Lights 
Dimmers 


Color  Wheels 
Color  Frames 
Color  Rolls 
Color  Boxes 
Music  Stands 
Connectors 
Plugging  Boxes 
Floor  Pockets 


Scenic  Effects 
Shutters 
Color  Mediums 
Color  Caps 
Lamp  Coloring 
Terminal  Lugs 
Resistances 
Stage  Cable 


I 

OEM. 


Universal  Electric  Stage  Lighting  Co.,inc. 

ESTABLISHED  1896 

THEATRICALS*  DECORATIVE  • SPECTACULAR 


TIM 


321  West  50th  Street 

NEW  YORK,  N.Y. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


The  Kinebooth  in  Proctor 
Theatre 

(Contiimed  from  page  43) 
for  the  different  angles  of  projection  to 
which  the  projectors  are  set. 

The  lighting  of  the  projection  room  is 
well  taken  care  of  with  semi-direct  ceiling 
fixtures.  Each  projector  unit  is  also  sup- 
plied with  an  individual  drop  light.  A large 
switchboard,  located  at  the  left  sidewall 
of  the  projection  room,  takes  care  of  all 
circuits  for  the  room  and  equipment.  The 
floor  of  the  room  is  covered  with  heavy 
battleship  linoleum  and  the  walls  and  ceil- 
ing are  finished  in  appropriate  colors. 

The  projection  room  is  equipped  with 
every  convenience  for  the  projectionists, 
and,  in  addition,  there  is  a workroom  fully 
equipped  to  the  left  of  the  main  projec- 
tion room. 

At  the  right  of  the  main  room  is  the  re- 
wind room  and  toilet  room  with  all  modern 
toilet  facilities. 

Projection  at  Proctor’s  86th  Street  the- 
atre is  entrusted  to  Ed  Greene  and  Joe 
Kleinman,  both  projectionists  of  recog- 
nized ability  and  experience.  Evidence  of 
their  worthiness  is  at  once  apparent  on 
entering  this  projection  room  where  clean- 
liness, order  and  attention  to  every  detail 
well  marks  their  efforts. 


Letters  from  Readers 

{Continued  from  page  31) 
of  space,  not  because  Mr.  Parker  had  fin- 
ished. Will  you  please  advise  me  whether 
you  intend  to  complete  this  article?  If  not, 
will  you  apprise  me  of  Mr.  Parker’s  ad- 
dress so  that  I may  communicate  with  him 
directly? 

In  passing,  allow  me  to  congratulate  you 
upon  the  excellent  work  of  the  Exhibitors 
Herald  and  to  give  you  our  assurance  that 
it  is  of  valuable  assistance  to  this  office  in 
its  work  for  the  exhibitors  of  Connecticut. 
— Edward  G.  Levy,  Secretary,  Motion  Pic- 
ture Theatre  Owners  of  Connecticut,  New 
Haven,  Conn. 

NOTE:  Two  paragraphs  of  Attorney  Parker’s 

article  were  inadvertently  dropped  from  the  last 
issue  of  “Better  Theatres.”  For  the  information 
of  those  who  were  benefitting  by  these  articles^ 
we  publish  these  two  paragraphs  herewith: 

“However,  the  Court  held  the  proprietor  not 
liable  for  the  reason  that  the  evidence  did  not 
clearly  disclose  that  the  attendant  was  unusually 
careless  in  pushing  the  girls,  to  start  them  down 
the  incline.  So,  therefore,  it  is  quite  apparent 
that  convincing  evidence  must  be  introduced  to 
convince  a jury  and  the  Court  that  a theatre  or 
amusement  park  proprietor  is  liable  for  damages, 
where  a patron  claims  to  have  been  injured  through 
carelessness  of  an  employee  or  attendant.” 


Wise  and  Braisted 

Form  Partnership 

C.  E.  Wise,  who  represents  Ward  Leon- 
ard Electric  Company,  Mount  Vernon, 
N.  Y.,  in  the  Detroit  district,  announced 
recently  that  Leroy  Braisted  had  been  ad- 
mitted as  a partner  in  the  former  firm  of 
C.  E.  Wise. 

The  new  name  of  the  concern  is  Wise  & 
Braisted,  and  the  address  is  2,  133  General 
Motors  Building,  Detroit,  Mich.  Mr.  Brai- 
sted has  been  associated  with  C.  E.  Wise 
for  some  years,  and  the  recent  partnership 
is  the  logical  result  of  their  association. 


Cutler-Hammer  Moves 
Its  Cleveland  Office 

The  Cutler-Hammer  Mfg.  Company  has 
announced  that  their  Cleveland  office  has 
been  moved  from  the  Guardian  Trust  build- 
ing to  the  Guarantee  Title  building,  suite 
1905.  The  new  office  has  approximately 
three  times  the  space  of  the  old  one. 


MAIER-LAVATY  COMPANY 

Quality  Built  Uniforms 

2141-45  LINCOLN  AVE.  CHICAGO,  ILL. 


First  Impressions 

Are  Lasting  Ones! 

NTOUR  theatre  gets  its  first  introduction  to 
the  public  through  your  doorman  and 
ushers.  If  they  are  faultlessly  uniformed, 
the  impression  is  at  once  favorable — in  the 
patron’s  mind  this  care  and  discrimination  is 
immediately  associated  with  all  phases  of 
good  management. 

Maier  - Lavaty  uniforms 
are  used  by  the  Orpheum 
Circuit,  and  many  other 
prominent  theatres.  From 
our  large  assortment  of 
fabrics  we  can  meet  your  every  requirement 
for  quality  and  smartness  at  remarkably  low 
prices. 


fF'rite  for  our  illustrated  catalog  showing  a 
full  lino  of  smart  fall  and  winter  uniforms. 
We  will  also  send  samples  of  matorUtls  with- 
out obligation.  Ask  how  %t>e  service  uniforms 
right  in  your  locality. 


ORGAN  MUSIC 
ROLLS 


Enable  the  average  exhibitor  to  re- 
duce his  music  cost  more  than 
50%.  Eilmusic  cues  make  accurate 
cuing  extremely  easy. 

100%  More  Melody 


100%  More  Action 


special  Standing  Order  Price  10 
PICTUROLLS,  $10.00,  Postpaid. 
Write  for  free  catalogue  and  list  of 
leading  pictures  cued  monthly. 


FOR  PICTURES 


Are  You  Planning  a 

PAUL  ASH 
POLICY  I 


We  are  the  producers  of 


Stage  Scenery  and  Draperies 
of  all  Oriental  Theatre 
Productions  for 


Paul  Ash 


We  cordially  invite  theatres 
who  are  planning  a Paul  Ash 
Policy  to  communicate  with 
us.  We  will  be  glad  to  give 
exhibitors  the  benefit  of  our 
experience  as  to  stage  require- 
ments for  the  Paul  Ash  type 
„^show. 


John  C.  Becker  & Bro. 

2824  Taylor  St.  Chicago,  111. 


50 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF 


Many  practical  innovations  are  fre- 
quently jeopardised  through  prema- 
ture attempts  to  place  them  in  gen- 
eral use  before  they  have  passed  complete- 
ly through  the  experimental  stage  and  it 
is  for  this  reason  that  no  attempt  has  been 
made  up  to  this  writing  to  bring  the  semi- 
dark lighting  effect  known  as  Radia-Lite 
to  the  production  fraternity  in  general. 

During  its  progress  to  the  present  point 
of  perfection  this  process  was  known  as 
Violet  Light,  Vi-Lite  and  Radium.  It  had 
many  major  defects  inasmuch  as  it  could 
be  applied  only  to  cotton  fabric ; some  of 
the  colors  had  a tendency  to  stiffen  the 
fabrics  to  which  they  were  applied,  a com- 
pletely darkened  stage  was  essential  and 
perhaps  its  greatest  drawback  was  a special 
lens  which  was  not  only  expensive  but  apt 
to  crack  at  any  moment  and  ruin  the  effect. 
The  expense  was  prohibitive  compared  to 
the  final  result. 

During  the  past  60  days  we  have  seen 
the  elimination  of  all  these  defects,  without 
a single  exception,  as  will  be  seen  from 
the  following  description.  In  making  these 
improvements  we  have  upset  as  many 
scientific  statements  as  did  the  Wright 
brothers  with  their  airplane. 

Originally  florescent  effects  were  said  to 
be  obtainable  from  the  shorter  or  Ultra- 
Violet  end  of  the  light  spectrum.  In  the 
beginning  a coating  of  florescent  liquid 
was  applied  to  a fabric  and  then  a Woods 
filter  was  placed  in  front  of  the  light 
source,  usually  an  arc  lamp.  The  filter 
would  eliminate  all  of  the  long  rays  and 
leave  only  the  invisible  or  ultra-violet  end 
of  the  spectrum  which  of  course  being  in- 
visible to  the  eye  to  see  only  that  part  of 
fabric  which  was  coated  with  Radia-Lite. 

The  present  process  of  Radia-Lite  does 
not  require  a special  lens  or  filter,  utiliz- 
ing a double  thickness  of  deep  blue  gelatin 


or  a piece  of  ordinary  blue  glass.  Lenses 
sent  with  Radia-Lite  are  free  and  are  un- 
breakable. 

Formerly  to  get  a radium  effect  it  was 
necessary  to  completely  darken  the  stage 
with  the  result  that  only  the  treated  ob- 
jects were  visible  to  the  audience.  With 
Radia-Lite  it  is  not  necessary  to  black  out 
the  performer;  in  fact,  Radio-Lite  forms 
an  ideal  medium  when  used  in  connection 
with  lobsterscopes  and  ripple  effects,  inas- 
much as  the  set  when  treated  remains  fully 
visible  while  the  rays  coming  through  the 
glass  or  gelatin  from  the  lamp  will  in  no 
way  dim  the  other  lighting. 

Radia-Lite  is  not  a powder  mixed  with 
an  adhesive  but  is  a liquid  which  comes  in 
the  following  colors ; Red,  orange,  green 
and  yellow.  On  special  application  it  can 
be  had  in  light  blue,  pure  white  and  deep 
purple.  When  applied  to  a fabric  and 
viewed  on  a completely  darkened  stage  no 
effect  is  available  even  though  it  has  previ- 
ous exposure  to  white  light.  The  moment, 
however,  the  fabric  is  placed  in  a deep 
blue  light  from  any  source  that  part  of 
the  fabric  which  has  been  coated  with 
Radia-Lite  becomes  brilliantly  visible  while 
the  remaining  portion  of  the  fabric  is  seen 
but  dimly  or  completely  blacked  out,  de- 
pending on  the  density  of  the  blue  inter- 
vening between  the  source  of  light  and  the 
treated  fabric.  This  liquid  may  be  ap- 
plied to  any  fabric  from  the  finest  grade  of 
silk  to  ordinary  unbleached  muslin. 

Unlike  its  predecessors  Radia-Lite  does 
not  show  to  advantage  on  a closeup  but 
gives  a brilliant  effect  at  the  average  stage 
to  audience  distances. 

In  ordinary  white  light  this  process  adds 
at  least  20  per  cent  to  the  brilliance  of  a 
costume  or  drop  and  its  pastel  beauty 
never  fails  to  evoke  admiration  even  be- 
fore the  lights  are  dimmed.  Its  brilliance 


September  3,  1927 

is  such  that  no  lens  whatever  is  necessary 
where  a stage  is  equipped  with  natural 
blue  lights. 

The  originator  of  this  process  known  as 
Radia-Lite  has  had  prepared  a complete  set 
of  Radia-Lite  colors  including  a complete 
pamphlet  outlining  the  entire  process.  Any- 
one interested  can  obtain  a complete  set 
of  samples  in  order  that  private  tests  may 
be  made  before  an  attempt  is  made  to  try 
this  new  method  before  the  public. 

These  samples  are  available  without  any 
obligation  on  your  part  and  remain  your 
property. 

National  Company 
Markets  Sentry 
Safety  Controls 

Culminating  several  months  of  negotia- 
tions the  Sentry  Safety  Control  Corpora- 
tion has  concluded  a deal  with  the  Na- 
tional Theatre  Supply  Company  whereby 
the  latter  organization  will  market  the 
Sentry  devices  throughout  the  country. 

By  the  terms  of  this  contract  the  Na- 
tional Theatre  Supply  Company  agrees  to 
take  10,000  machines  and  will  handle  all 
installations  and  servicing.  The  Sentry 
Corporation,  while  free  to  negotiate  rentals 
with  exhibitors  on  its  own,  will  devote  its 
future  activities  to  rerating  the  exhibitor’s 
fire  insurance  following  installation  of  its 
devices.  It  is  claimed  by  officials  of  the 
Sentry  Corporation  that  the  installation  of 
its  fire  prevention  devices  reduces  mate- 
rially the  exhibitor’s  insurance  rates  and 
the  Sentpr  Corporation,  through  its  insur- 
ance engineers,  Lang  and  Company,  under- 
takes to  obtain  these  reductions  for  the  ex- 
hibitor who  contracts  for  their  devices. 

The  orders  which  have  been  coming  in 
during  the  past  two  months  and  the  con- 
tract with  the  National  Theatre  Supply 
Company  for  10,000  machines  have  neces- 
sitated the  opening  of  another  factory  at 
13th  and  Cherry  streets,  Philadelphia,  to 
take  care  of  this  additional  business. 

Negotiations  are  now  progressing  for 
the  disposal  of  the  rights  for  Europe  and 
,-Vustralia  which  will  mean  an  additional 
market  for  nearly  15,000  Sentry  controls, 
Announcmement  of  the  successful  conclu- 
sions of  this  important  contract  is  ex- 
pected to  be  made  shortly  by  the  Sentry 
Safety  Corporation. 

The  contract  with  the  National  Theatre 
Supply  Corporation  and  the  pending  con- 
tract which  is  about  to  be  closed  with  large 
European  interests  will  make  the  Sentry 
device  a world-wide  influence  towards  re- 
ducing the  great  outstanding  hazard  of 
theatre  operation,  it  is  said. 

Autovent  Fan  Company 
Issues  New  Catalogue 

The  Autovent  Fan  and  Blower  Company 
of  Chicago  have  just  issued  their  new  cata- 
logue, No.  110.  It  is  a 48-page  book  con- 
taining a large  number  of  photographs,  dia- 
grams, specifications  and  drawings. 

In  the  front  of  the  book  there  is  an  article 
telling  how  to  figure  correct  ventilations  for 
theatres  and  other  buildings.  Complete  in- 
structions are  contained  with  formulae  and 
tables  for  figuring  ventilation  requirements. 
The  catalogue  should  prove  of  value  to  all 
theatre  men. 


Publix  Gets  New  Manager 

OKLAHOMA  CITY.— Adna  M.  Avery,  man- 
ager of  the  Capitol  theatre,  Oklahoma  City,  has 
been  transferred  to  manage  Publix  theatres  at 
McAlester,  Okla.,  succeeding  Ralph  Noble,  who 
has  been  transferred  to  Little  Rock.  Jerry  Bond 
from  Little  Rock  succeeds  Avery  with  Frey  as 
assistant  manager. 


Radia-Lite  green  will  not  he  visahle  when  a^^^lied  to  any  fabric  until 
we  get  a blackout,  therefore,  the  scene  on  the  left  can  be  ‘fainted  over 
the  scene  on  the  right  so  that  when  the  stage  is  in  white  light  'the] 
scene  on  the  right  IS  all  that  the  audience  can  see,  while  a blackout 
will  show  only  the  scene  on  the  right.  In  a like  manner  we  can  have 
a dro'^  refiresenting  Broadway  in  the  white  light  and  when  the  black- 
out comes  the  scene  shows  a log  cabin  in  a Dixie  setting  with  cotton 
felds  and,  etc. 

The  Transformation  Curtain 

By  LOU  SAMMS 

President  of  Lou  Samms  Studios 


I 


September  3,  1927  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


Nine  States  Pay  Bulk 
Jof  Admission  Taxes 
RevenueFigaresShow 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C,  Aug.  30.— Nine 
states  now  pay  the  bulk  of  the  admission 
taxes,  it  is  disclosed  by  figures  just  made 
public  by  the  Internal  Revenue  bureau,  as 
a result  of  provisions  in  the  1926  revenue 
act,  increasing  the  exemption  from  this  tax 
from  50  to  75  cents. 

Collections  from  this  source  during  the 
fiscal  year  1927,  which  ended  June  30,  last, 
totaled  $17,940,636.69,  as  compared  with 
$23,980,676.66  in  the  preceding  year,  a de- 
cline of  ^,040,039.97  due  entirely  to  the 
increased  exemption.  Of  this  sum,  $14,- 
750,^0  was  collected  in  the  nine  states  of 
'California,  Illinois,  Massachusetts,  Michi- 
gan, Missouri,  New  Jersey,  New  York, 
Ohio  and  Pennsylvania.  The  remaining  39 
states  paid  but  little  more  than  $3,000,000 
in  admission  taxes. 

New  York  led  in  the  volume  of  taxes  col- 
ected  with  $6,785,925.95  from  admissions, 
followed  by  Illinois,  with  $2,029,755.11; 
Pennsylvania,  $1,556,998.19;  California,  $1,- 
357,746.30 ; Massachusetts,  $850,483.22 ; Ohio, 
$734,931.12;  Michigan,  $515,937.15;  New 
Jersey,  $4^,155.68;  and  Missouri,  $435,- 
047.57. 


Schine  Chain  Has 
Big  Development 
in  10  Year  Period 

In  the  ten  years’  existence  of  Schine 
Enterprises,  Inc.,  of  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  the 
chain  has  experienced  a remarkable 
growth.  Its  125th  theatre,  the  Ohio,^  at 
Sidney,  Ohio,  is  now  under  construction, 
and  will  be  opened  in  September,  and  it 
has  recently  opened  a new  theatre  at  Fair- 
port,  N.  Y.  It  is  called  the  Temple. 

The  opening  of  this  theatre  was  sur- 
rounded with  a huge  ceremony  that  in- 
cluded the  officials  of  the  city.  It  is 
Italian  Renaissance  in  design  and  was  built 
at  a cost  of  $175,000. 

The  Schine  chain  had  its  birth  in  1917 
when  J.  Myer  and  Louis  W.  _ Schine  of 
Ohio  purchased  a small  theatre  in  Glovers- 
ville, N.  Y.,  and  from  then  on  they  began 
to  branch  out  in  other  cities,  acquiring 
new  property  and  developing  old  ones  into 
paying  propositions.  Two  years  ago  their 
theatre  chain  contained  50  theatres.  Now 
it  is  well  over  the  century  mark. 


Coliseum,  Seattle,  Now 
United  Artists  Theatre 

The  Coliseum  theatre  in  Seattle  will 
hereafter  be  known  as  the  United  Artists 
and  will  house  the  attractions  under  this 
name. 

The  present  United  Artists  theatre  in 
First  avenue  has  resumed  its  old  name,  the 
Liberty.  It  reopened  with  Harry  Langdon’s 
comedy  “Three’s  a Crowd’’  followed  by 
“Adam  and  Evil’’  and  in  future  comedy 
bookings  will  predominate  here. 


New  Theatre  Planned 

The  Majestic  theatre,  which  for  almost 
twenty-five  years  has  offered  amusements 
to  Des  Moines  residents,  closed  last  week. 
'The  building  will  be  razed  and  a new  struc- 
ture built. 


MAJOR 


Footlights 

Borderlights 

Spotlights 

Floodlights 

Stage  Pockets  Striplights 

Special  Effects 

Disappearing  Footlights.  ^ 
Cove  Lights^  etc; 


Send  for  bulletin 


Company 


4603  Fullerton  Ave,  Chicago 


'M 


Atlanta,  Ga. 
Baltimore,  Md. 
Boston,  Mass. 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Buffalo.  N.  T. 
Cincinnati,  Ohio 
Cleveland,  Ohio 


DISTRICT  OFFICES 


Dallas,  Texas 
Denver,  Colo. 
Detroit,  Mich. 
Indianapolis.  Ind. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. 
Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


Miami,  Fla. 
Memphis,  Tenn. 
Minneapolis,  Minn. 
New  Orleans,  La. 
Omaha,  Neb. 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Salt  Lake  City.  Utah 
Seattle,  Wash. 

St.  Lo^.  Mo. 

San  Francisco,  Cal. 
Vancouver,  B.  C. 
Winnipeg,  Manitoba, 
Canada 


11 

lllliilllllllillillillllilllllllilllilllillllil^ 

ii 



■ 

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THEATRE  ORGANISTS 

Furnished  on  Short  Notice 

Managers,  let  us  solve  your  musical  problems.  We  have  expert 
organists  thoroughly  trained  in  showmanship  available  at  all  times. 

No  service  charge. 

Two-  and  three-manual  Kimball  theatre  unit  organs  for  lessons  and 
practice.  Advanced  pupils  have  the  advantage  of  lessons  before  the 
screen  under  the  same  conditions  as  prevail  in  any  large  theatre. 

Our  pupils  succeed  where  other  organists  fail. 

Write  for  Catalogue  H. 

VERMOND  KNAUSS  SCHOOL  OF 

THEATRE  ORGAN  PLAYING 

210  North  7th  St.  Allentown,  Pa. 

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328  Superior  Ave.,  N.  W. 
CLEVELAND,  OHIO 


52 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE  September  3,  1927 


USHER 

SIGNAL 

SrSTEM 


If 

10' 


m 

JheNiW 

NARBRO 

TH^TRE 

Chicago 

Alex.  L,  Levy 
and  Wm.  J.  Klein 
Architects 


If  a large  theatre  has  to  watch  its  vacant 
seats,  how  much  more  necessary  it  is  for  a 
small  theatre  to  do  so.  Your  profit  is  in  the 
last  seat  filled. 

Acme  has  a type  and  size  for  every  theatre 
— write  for  details. 

Acme  Electric  Construction  Co. 

407  S.  Dearborn  St. 

CHICAGO 


delivers  plenty  of  juice  at  the  arc 
and  the  light  is  steady’’ 


Write  /or  information  about  the  Roth 
Emergency  Lighting  System,  "The  Light 
That  ?iever  Fails." 

We  also  ma\e  special  motor  generator 
sets,  motors  for  ventilating  and  pump 
service.  Write  for  buHetini. 


J_JUNDREDS  of  theatre  owners 
have  discovered  from  actual 
performance  that  the  Roth  ACTO- 
DECTOR  puts  more  light  on  the 


There  is  a size  and  type  for  every  theatre,  large  or 
small. 


screen  where  it  can  be  used  because 
of  the  steady  power  supply  which 
this  efficient  unit  delivers.  Read 
what  Mr.  L.  A.  Walker  of  the 
LeRoy  Theatre  in  Lampasas,  Texas, 
says  about  his  ACTODECTOR: 

“Some  time  ago  we  purchased  one 
of  your  ACTODECTORS  and  wish 
to  advise  you  that  this  little  Motor' 
Generator  has  given  remarkable 
service.  It  delivers  plenty  of  juice 
at  the  arc  and  the  light  is  steady. 
We  have  not  as  yet  been  troubled 
with  the  brushes  sparking.  After 
sixteen  months  of  steady  service  the 
commutator  remains  as  bright  as  a 
new  silver  dollar.” 

You  can  have  better  projection  with 
less  work  for  the  projectionist  if 
you  want  it.  Install  the  Roth 
ACTODECTOR. 

Roth  Brothers  dC  Co. 

1409  W.  Adams  Street 

Chicago,  111. 

EH9'3'Gray 


Texas  Has  Many  New 
Theatres  and  Openings; 
Burned  House  Rebuilt 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

DALLAS,  Aug.  30. — ^Many  new  theatres 
are  being  built,  old  ones  are  being  re- 
modeled and  refurnished  with  new  fixtures, 
and  others  are  opening  for  the  new  season 
in  Texas  and  sister  states,  reports  show. 
These  developments  are : 

A new  1600  seat  theatre  will  be  built  by 
Dent  theatres,  Harlington.  . . . Simpson  and 

Nelson  have  purchased  the  Royal  and  Olympic 
theatres  at  Floydada.  . . . The  Rialto  theatre 

at  Laredo  is  being  newly  equipped  and  re- 
modeled. . The  Arcade  and  Star  theatres 

at  Denison  have  been  purchased  by  Dent 
Theatres,  Inc.  . . . The  Colonial  theatre  at 
Dallas  has  been  acquired  by  W.  J.  Burke  as 
part  owner  and  manager.  . . . The  400  seat 
Cozy  theatre  at  Schulenberg  will  open  soon. 
. . . A new  theatre  at  Throckmorton  will  be 

built  in  the  near  future.  . . . L.  B.  Seaton 

has  opened  his  Monroe  Street  theatre  at 
Wichita  Falls.  . . . The  Colonial  theatre  at 
Bay  City  has  been  opened  by  Hamill  and 
Freddy.  . . . Caraway  Brothers  have  opened 

their  new  Cliftex  theatre  at  Clifton.  ...  A 
new  2,000  seat  theatre  will  be  erected  by  Louis 
Dent  at  Brownsville.  . . . The  Best  theatre 

at  Hillsboro  has  been  reopened  by  Rob  and 
Rowley  after  remodeling.  . . . R.  F.  Maples, 

R.  L.  Evans  and  Charles  H.  Russell  have  in- 
corporated the  Coast  Amusement  Company, 
Houston,  with  a capital  stock  of  $5,000.  . . . 

Otto  White  has  opened  his  new  Strand  theatre 
at  Canyon.  . . . The  Regal  theatre  at  Gatesville 
is  being  remodeled  and  new  equipment  addeL 
. New  equipment  is  being  added  to  the 
Linn  theatre,  Petersburg.  ...  A new  $40,000 
theatre  is  being  erected  at  San  Marcos  by  F.  W. 
Zimmerman.  . . . Six  hundred  new  chairs  are 

being  added  in  the  Rembert  theatre  at  Longview. 

. . . Dent  Theatres,  Inc.,  have  appointed  J.  A. 
Burke  as  manager  of  the  Opera  House,  National 
and  Palace  theatres  at  Mexia.  . . . The  new 

Myric  theatre  at  Runge  has  been  opened  by 
H.  N.  McNeese.  . . . Healy  and  Dillon  have 

opened  their  new  dancing  pavilion  and  motion 
picture  house  at  Presidio.  . . . The  Queen 
theatre  at  Fort  Stockton  is  being  remodeled  and 
reseated. 

The  developments  in  Oklahoma  are;  The  Eaton 
theatre  at  Waynoka  has  been  leased  by  Manager 
Campbell.  . . . The  Vendome  theatre  at  Mays- 
ville  has  been  reopened  under  the  name  of  Folly. 

■ V.  Cr-  Waggoner  is  the  new  owner  of 

Ute  Pastime  theatre  at  Miami.  ...  R.  M. 
Orange  has  purchased  the  Swan  theatre  at  Wal- 
nut Ridge,  Ark. 

The  Amusu  theatre  at  Monticello,  Ark., 
recently  damaged  by  fire,  is  being  rebuilt 
by  Mrs.  J.  L.  Allen  and  new  equipment  will 
be  installed. 


Read  This  and  Learn 
WhaTs  Happening  in 
Theatre  Circles 

Construction  work  on  the  new  Granada 
theatre,  to  cost  $115,000,  and  to  be  built  on 
the  site  of  the  old  Rose  theatre,  will  begin 
at  once  at  Everett,  Wash. 

Owners  of  the  Princess  theatre  at  Glennville, 
Ga.,  are  having-  additional  improvements  added  to 
the  building,  with  an  increase  of  100  opera  seats. 

The  Park  Seventh  theatre  of  Sarasota, 
Fla.,  has  been  incorporated  with  a capital  stock  of 
$20,000.  . . . W.  A.  Murphy,  owner  of  the 

Happy  Hour  theatre  at  Beaufort,  S.  C.,  has  leased 
the  building  formerly  occupied  by  the  Community 
theatre,  where  he  plans  to  open  a modern  motion 
picture  house.  . . . Louis  B.  Christ  has  been 

chosen  to  succeed  Earl  Connelly,  who  recently 
drowned,  as  manager  of  Saxe’s  Strand,  Colonial, 
and  Grand  theatres  at  Green  Bay,  Wis. 

It  has  been  erroneously  stated  in  Eastern  publi- 
cations that  the  Columbia  theatre  at  Portland, 
Ore.,  will  change  hands,  but  Manager  Bert  Levy 
emphatically  denies  this.  . . . The  opening  of 

the  new  Orpheum  theatre  at  Seattle,  Wash.,  in- 
curred Aug.  28.  . . . Cecil  Gwinn  of  Olympia, 

Wash.,  has  been  named  general  manager  for  the 
five  theatres  operated  by  the  Twin  City  Theatre 
company  at  Centralia  and  Chehalis.  . . . For- 

mal announcement  has  been  made  of  the  ap- 
pointment of  Irving  Sourkes,  formerly  identified 
with  United  Artists,  as  manager  of  the  new  Au- 
ditorium theatre  in  Quebec  City,  which  is  to  be 
opened  shortly  by  the  Keith-Albee  organization. 

Loew’s,  Inc.,  will  open,  witbin  the  next 
month,  a de  luxe  theatre  in  Houston,  Tex., 
making  two  vaudeville  houses  for  that  city. 


Two  Hyannis  Theatres  Combine 
HYANNIS,  MASS. — Consolidation  of  the  Idle 
Hour  and  Hyannis  Theatres  is  announced,  William 
Fitzgerald  of  the  former  and  E.  Moore  of  the 
latter  having  joined  forces  and  will  jointly  operate 
both  houses. 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


Two  views  of  the  imfiroved  au- 
tomatic change-over  device  de- 
velofied  by  L.  D.  Etrong,  head  of 
the  Essannay  Electric  J^anufac- 
turing  Co.,  of  T^aywood,  111. 
Above  IS  shown  the  interior  con- 
struction. Below  is  a new  ty^e 
foot  switch,  National  Theatre 
Sufi^ly  Co.  distributes  the 
Etrong  {irodct. 


Fox  Theatres  May 

Buck  Stanley  Chain 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Aug.  30. — It  looks  as  though 
the  Fox  Theatres  is  about  to  buck  the 
Stanley  Corporation  of  America,  in  Al- 
bany, for  the  Fox  people  last  week  secured 
an  option  on  Benson’s  Hotel  in  Albany, 
located  about  two  blocks  from  the  State 
Capitol,  and  in  the  main  business  center 
of  the  city. 

The  option  expires  October  10,  and  it  is 
understood  the  property  is  being  held  at 
$175,000.  Some  little  time  ago,  Balaban 
and  Katz,  of  Chicago,  endeavored  to  se- 
cure the  huge  auditorium  that  will  be  a 
part  of  the  new  Masonic  Temple  in  Al- 
bany. 


Wisconsin  Boasts  Artistically 
Different  Theatre 


New  Theatre  in  Suburban  J^ilwaukee  District  Cost  $500,000 


TISCONSIN’S  Artistically  Differ- 
ent  Photoplay  Palace”  appro- 
priately typifies  Shorewood’s 
new  $500,000  community  theatre  located 
at  Oakland  avenue  and  Lake  Bluff  Blvd., 
just  outside  the  city  of  Milwaukee.  The 
theatre  which  is  of  Spanish-Moorish  ar- 
chitecture is  restful  in  its  simplicity  and 
beauty,  and  one  is  aware  that  there  is 
nothing  oppressive  or  tiresome  in  its 
design. 

This  is  further  exemplified  when  one 
approaches  the  theatre  passing  through 
hedged  and  flowered  Spanish  garden  set 
with  carved  stone  benches,  playing  foun- 
tains, huge  Moorish  urns,  which  are 
fitted  with  1,000  watt  flood  lights  to 
illuminate  the  front  of  the  building,  and 
an  artistic  bed  of  flowers  designed  to 
spell  the  name  of  the  theatre.  Passing 
through  Spanish  arches  marking  the  en- 
trance of  the  theatre  one  is  aware  of  the 
spacious  outer  and  inner  lobbies  con- 
taining antique  wrought  iron  chandeliers, 
wall  fountains,  silk  and  velour  drapes  and 
flooring  laid  with  Spanish  red  tile,  while 
heavy  rich  royal  Wilton  carpets  clothe 
the  foyer  and  aisles. 

In  the  auditorium  itself  one  is  im- 
pressed by  its  largeness  and  it  is  equip- 
ped with  twelve  hundred  comfortable 
leather  upholstered  seats  spaced  so  as  to 
afford  comfort  and  ease  to  the  occu- 
pants. These  seats  are  all  on  the  ground 
floor  as  the  theatre  has  no  balcony. 
Many  colored  indirect  lights  are  entirely 
operated  by  two  three  bank  dimmer  con- 
trols, while  seven  spotlights  concealed 
in  one  of  the  two  large  ceiling  domes 
are  focused  on  orchestra,  organ  and 
stage.  A three  manual  elevating  Barton 
organ.  Mason  & Hamlin  piano,  and  or- 
chestra furnish  music  for  all  require- 
ments. 


The  lighting  cones  and  organ  grills 
are  drapped  with  silk  velours,  the  same 
material  being  used  for  stage  curtains, 
valances  and  legs.  The  Da-Lite  screen 
is  in  clear  view  of  every  seat  with  no 
evident  picture  distortion.  Correct  ven- 
tilation is  supplied  by  an  iced  cooled 
washed  air  cooling  system,  while  a five 
battery  oil  burning  equipment  supplies 
sufficient  heat  in  the  coldest  weather. 
The  adaption  of  Spanish-Moorish  archi- 
tecture is  carried  out  through-out  the 
interior  decorations.  The  delicate  col- 
ored wall  spaces  are  enhanced  by  orna- 
mental columns  with  a setting  of  valour 
curtains. 

The  large  modernly  equipped  projec- 
tion room  contains  two  deluxe  Motio- 
graphs,  a stereopticon  lighting  effect 
machine  and  two  spot-flood  lamps,  re- 
quiring two  five  K.W.  generators  from 
which  beautiful  lighting  effect  projected 
on  the  screen  are  featured. 

O.  L.  Gellerup,  pioneer  exhibitor  and 
owner  of  the  Hollywood  theatre,  is  di- 
recting manager  of  the  Shorewood  thea- 
tre, while  Wm.  T.  Meeks,  who  for  the 
past  seven  years  was  manager  of  the 
Murray  theatre  and  other  houses  of  the 
Silliman  theatres  and  the  Milwaukee 
Theatre  Circuit,  is  house  manager.  F.  J. 
Winkel  presides  at  the  Barton  organ. 


Chicago  Interests  Buy 
K.  C,  Site  for  Theatre 

The  northwest  corner  of  12th  St.  and 
Forest  Ave.,  Kansas  City,  was  purchased 
this  week  by  Everett  M.  Oxley  for  Chicago 


interests,  who,  it  was  announced,  will  erect 
a motion  picture  theatre  on  the  site.  Oxley 
said  he  was  unable  to  name  his  client  at 
this  time.  The  site  was  purchased  for 
$18,000.  The  theatre  will  seat  800.  Besecke 
& DeFoe  of  Kansas  City  will  be  the  archi- 
tects. 


Manager's  School 
of  Schine  Chain 
Proves  Success 

The  hundreds  of  applicants  and  the 
graduate  students  who  are  making  suc- 
cesses as  theatre  managers  are  proving 
that  the  student  managers’  school  oper- 
ated by  Schine  Enterprises,  Inc.,  is  a suc- 
cess. 

The  student  managers  are  given  a 
practical  course  in  theatre  management 
extending  over  many  weeks.  First  they 
are  given  technical  points  in  house 
maintenance.  They  are  then  taker* 
through  a two  weeks’  study  of  diagram 
and  theories,  but  their  real  instruction 
comes  when  they  are  assigned  to  the 
various  theatres  over  the  circuit  in  all 
capacities. 

Here  they  take  their  turn  first  with  the 
bill  posting  plant,  then  they  are  taken 
into  the  operating  booth  and  given  a 
thorough  course  in  projection.  Next  they 
are  instructed  in  back  stage  work,  and 
then  follows  instruction  and  actual  ex- 
perience in  every  branch  of  theatre  op- 
eration. By  the  time  the  student  has 
completed  the  course,  he  is  given  actual 
experience  in  theatres  in  every  depart- 
ment. A number  of  the  graduate  stu- 
dents have  been  given  permanent  berths 
as  managers  of  theatres,  and  their  work 
is  proving  thoroughly  satisfactory. 


Rosenbaum  Will 
Build  Atmospheric 
Spokane  Theatre 

A description  of  the  million-dollar 
West  Coast  theatre  that  will  be  built  at 
Monroe,  Sprague  and  First  streets,  Spo- 
kane, Wash.,  starting  early  in  December 
was  given  out  today  by  John  Eberson, 
New  York  architect,  who  will  build  for 
L.  N.  Rosenbaum  what  he  styles  an  “at- 
mospheric” theatre. 

The  auditorium  proper  will  represent 
an  Italian  garden  under  a moonlit  sky. 
The  illusions  will  be  created  with  the 
brush  and  lighting  arrangements  which 
are  original  and  create  a natural  at- 
mosphere. Rough  textured  plaster  and  a 
great  deal  of  polychrome  will  be  used. 

The  whole  scheme  will  be  Hispano- 
Italian  carried  out  in  antique  fashion. 

The  stage,  which  will  be  30  feet  deep 
and  80  feet  high  will  extend  through  for 
an  entire  block.  It  will  be  fully  equipped 
both  for  pictures  and  vaudeville.  The 
builders  are  also  contemplating  drilling 
for  an  artesian  well  to  supply  sufficient 
cold  water  for  the  air  conditioning  plant. 
Temperature  and  humidity  will  be  con- 
trolled. 


54 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Don*t  Say — 

“Reflector  Arc”  or  “Low  Intensity  Lamps” 


SAY  STRONG  LAMPS! 


Automatically 

Delivering 

Continuous 

Satisfaction 


STRONG  LAMPS 
STRONG  RECTIFIERS 
STRONG  RHEOSTATS 
SINGLE  STEREOS 

DOUBLE  DISSOLVING 
STEREOS 


In  Over  500  Theatres 


The  Strong  Electric  Co., 

3248  Monroe  St.  Toledo,  O. 


“The  Sun  Never  Sets  on  Strong  Lamps” 


The  Sign  and  Marquee  That 
Draws  the  Crowds 

TTie  new  Columbia  Theatre,  Paducah, 
Ky.,  has  installed  a Milne  Attention- 
Compelling  Electric  Sign.  From  its 
point  of  vantage  on  the  front  of  The 
Columbia,  this  Milne  sign  is  giving  its 
sales  talk  for  blocks  around — silently 
but  effectively. 

Milne  Signs  are  built  for  showmen  by 
men  who  know  showmanship. 

MILNE 

SIGNS 

Changeable  Letter  Marquise  or  Canopies 

Send  U8  the  name  of  your  theatre  and 
let  us  submit  a colored  sketch  to  you—* 
no  obligation  on  your  part* 

MILNE  ELECTRIC  SIGN 
COMPANY 

189  5th  St.  MILWAUKEE 


The  Columbia 

Paducah,  Ky. 

MILNE-EQUIPPED 


The  Welfare  of  Your 
Visitors 

By  S.  L.  ROTHAFEL 

{Continued  from  page  IS) 

your  patrons.  If  you  are  of  a hiunorous 
turn  of  mind,  put  a little  of  that  into  your 
programs.  If  you  are  an  artist  at  heart, 
let  that  make  itself  in  your  presentations. 
It’s  individuality  that  counts  and  don’t  be 
afraid  of  anything  being  too  good  for  your 
public. 

It’s  been  my  experience  that  the  public 
responds  like  lightning  to  anything  that  is 
really  good,  and  in  such  cases  where  I 
have  attempted  something  I felt  to  be 
good,  and  it  failed,  I know  that  I myself 
was  wrong,  not  the  public.  It  was  my 
error  in  judgment,  not  theirs.  But  if  you 
give  your  theatre  a personality,  you  will 
find  that  you  establish  a bond  of  sympathy 
between  you  and  your  patrons,  that  they 
will  understand,  and  that  they  will  not 
only  appreciate  your  efforts  on  their  be- 
half, but  stick  to  you  through  your  fail- 
ures. 

Shows  Public  Consideration 

Third : “It’s  the  little  things  that  count” 
— If  you  want  to  keep  the  good  will  of 
your  public,  you  must  show  them  consid- 
eration. You  must  think  of  them.  It’s  the 
same  with  an  audience  as  it  is  with  friend- 
ship. Gilbert  and  Sullivan,  you  know, 
severed  a life  long  friendship  over  a piece 
of  carpet.  It  isn’t  luxury,  nor  gold  braid, 
quantities  of  marble  which  please  your 
audience.  It’s  your  consideration  for  them. 
The  exhibitor  on  Main  street  has  just  as 
much  chance  to  make  his  audience  “feel 
at  home,”  as  the  man  who  runs  a big  the- 
atre on  Broadway.  The  tiny  cottage  on 
the  edge  of  a prairie  often  houses  10  times 
more  happiness  than  the  mansion  on  Fifth 
avenue,  because  of  the  spirit  which  dwells 
therein. 

With  our  added  facilities,  we  of  course, 
have  taken  every  precaution  to  insure  the 
least  possible  inconvenience  to  thoes  who 
come  to  the  Roxy.  As  you  know,  we  can 
house  10,000  people  under  one  roof.  It 
takes  a staff  of  500  to  insure  their  wel- 
fare and  the  demands  on  the  energies  of 
this  staff  are  so  great  that  a relief  system 
has  been  installed  not  only  that  they  have 
respite  to  15  minutes,  but  relays  of  fresh 
men  constantly  appear  on  duty. 

In  order  that  “the  little  things”  which 
annoy  patrons  are  obviated  to  every  pos- 
sible degree  we  have  built,  for  example, 
a marquee  extending  the  whole  length  of 
the  building  and  the  lobby  where  soft 
music  plays  during  change  of  program, 
houses  4,000  against  inclement  weather. 
The  lost  and  found  department  is  conveni- 
ently installed  in  the  lobby,  one  of  our 
house  managers  is  always  on  hand,  maids 
are  on  hand  in  the  ladies’  rest  rooms,  no 
gratuities  are  allowed,  and  the  lights  are 
not  glaring.  Little  things  you  say,  but  it’s 
the  little  things  that  count.  Our  aim  is  to 
establish  a soothing,  not  a distracting  at- 
mosphere— that  atmosphere  that  is  to  say 
of  the  well-regulated  home.  It’s  “the  per- 
sonal touch,”  as  an  old  friend  of  mine 
used  to  say,  which  counts.  I keep  in  touch 
constantly  with  the  heads  of  my  depart- 
ments. We  have  staff  meetings,  staff 
luncheons  and  dinners,  and  my  suite  on 
the  top  floor  of  the  Roxy  is  ever  open  to 
receive  members  of  my  staff  who  wish  to 
discuss  their  problems  with  me.  All  may 
confer  over  the  various  problems  in  the 
library,  or  over  the  dinner  table  in  between 
sessions.  We  give  as  much  thought  to  “the 
little  things”  as  to  the  big  issues  for  it  is 
the  little  things  that  count 


September  3,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


55 


Modern 

Installations 

The  tendency  among  theatres, 
hath  Targe  and  small,  throughout 
the  country  is  to  modernize.  Evi- 
dence of  this  encouraging  situa- 
tion is  found  in  the  many  instal- 
lations of  eqw^ment  refiorted  hy 
leading  manufacturers. 


J.  H.  Channon  Corporation 
STAGE  RIGGING 

New  Orpheiim  theatre,  Seattle,  Wash., 
Channon  equipped,  including  rigging,  fire 
curtain,  draw  curtain  tracks,  piano  truck 
and  cyclorama  fittings. 

Municipal  Auditorium,  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  Channon  rigging  and  steel  curtain. 

Avalon  theatre,  Chicago,  steel  curtain. 

Great  States  theatres,  Rockford  and 
Waukegan,  111.,  have  contracted  for  stage 
rigging  and  fire  curtains. 

Miller  theatre,  Woodstock,  111.,  stage  rig- 
ging. 

Woods  theatre,  Chicago,  changes  in  rig- 
ging. 

Hoffmann  8C  Soons 
RHEOSTATS 

New  Capitol  theatre,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 
— three  60/80  amp.  Paramount  type  R.  C.  3 
rheostats;  four  40/75  amp.  rheostats;  two 
45/125  amp.  rheostats. 

Central  theatre.  New  York  City — Two 
60/140  amp.  rheostats,  style  No.  140. 

Loew’s  Penn  theatre,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. — 
Three  Perfection  volt  meter,  ammeter  and 
speed  indicator  panels. 

Oriental  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — Seven 
rheostats;  Two  style  No.  60;  two  style 
No.  100;  three  style  No.  125. 

New  Revere  theatre.  Revere,  Mass. — One 
speed  indicator  R.  C.  switch  panel. 

Keith’s  Albee  theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. — 
Two  Perfection  style  No.  100  rheostats. 

Loew’s  Willard,  Coney  Island,  State  and 
Lexington,  New  York  City. — New  rheo- 
stats and  switches. 

Marr  8c  Colton  Co. 
ORGANS 

Great  Lakes  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — ■ 
Messrs.  Funk  and  Lancaster  have  con- 
tracted for  a three  manual  Marr  & Colton 
organ  to  be  installed  in  this  theatre  which 
is  now  under  construction  and  will  open 
in  November. 

Oakman  Boulevard  theatre,  Detroit, 
Mich. — London  Brothers  have  contracted 
for  a three  manual  Marr  & Colton  organ 
which  is  to  be  installed  in  the  Oakman 
Boulevard  during  September. 

Oakdale  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — Messrs. 
Schulte  and  Barrett  have  purchased  a tvyo 
manual  Marr  & Colton  to  be  installed  in 
the  Oakdale  theatre  now  under  construc- 
tion and  which  will  open  early  in  Sep- 
tember. 

V.  C.  Luppert  of  Williamsport,  Pa.,  vis- 
ited the  Marr  & Colton  factory  during  last 
week  and  ordered  a large  three  manual 
Marr  & Colton  organ  which  is  to  be  in- 
stalled in  his  new  theatre  which  is  under 
construction  at  Fourth  and  Mifflin  streets, 
Williamsport,  Pa. 

Madison  theatre,  Oneida,  N.  Y. — Kallett 
Theatres,  Inc.,  associated  with  Comerford 
Theatrical  Enterprises,  has  placed  an  order 
for  a three  manual  Marr  & Colton  organ 


YOUR  LIGHTING  PROBLEM 
CAN  BE  SOLVED  WITH  OUR 

NEW  CATALOG 

Light  for  Every  Purpose** 


DISPLAY  STAGE  LIGHTING  CojNC 

334 "^ST  44 TH  ST,  NEW  YORK  CITV 


FULLY  ILLUSTRATED  WITH 
DESCRIPTIONS  AND  PRICES 

SEND  FOR  ONE 

Dept.  C 


EDWARDS  SHEET  METAL 
MARQUEES  or  CANOPIES 

For  use  over  entrances  to  theatres,  hotels,  cafes,  store  buildings,  etc.  A work  of  art 
and  they  have  the  massive  and  ornamental  appearance  of  cast  iron,  at  but  a fraction  of 
the  cost.  Furnished  complete,  easy  to  erect — Made  of  galvanized  iron  or  copper  in  any 
style  or  size  desired.  Shipped  in  largest  convenient  sections,  with  glass  packed  sep- 
arately. Our  large  catalog  showing  complete  line  Marquises  or  Canopies,  Balconies, 
Cornices,  Theatre  Fronts,  Signs,  Skylights,  Metal  Roofing,  Metal  Ceilings  and  Walls, 
etc.,  sent  free  on  request. 

The  Edwards  Manufacturing  Co. 

409-459  East  Fifth  St.  Cincinnati,  Ohio 

The  World’s  Largest  Manufacturers  of  Metal  Roofing,  Metal  Shingles, 

Metal  Spanish  Tile,  Metal  Ceilings,  Metal  Garages,  Portable 
Buildings,  Rolling  Steel  Doors,  Partitions,  etc. 


56 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OE  September  3,  1927 


The  Strongest  Endorsement 
for  Perfection  Rheostats 

is  the  representative  theatres  which  have  installed  them 


Roxy  Theatre 

-—New  York  City 

Paramount  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Rialto  Theatre 

— New  York  City 

Rivoli  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Loew’s  State  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Astor  Theatre 

—New  York  City 
Proctors  86th  St. 

— New  York  City 
Cohan  Theatre 

— New  York  City 
Publix  Theatre 

—Buffalo,  N.  Y, 


New  Capitol,  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

Keith’s  Circuit  M.  & S.  Circuit  Loew’s  Circuit 

What  Price  Glory — Road  Shows  Oriental  Theatre — Detroit,  Mich. 

Big  Parade — Road  Shows  Beau  Geste — Road  Shows 

Simplex  Division,  International  Projector  Corp.  Vitaphone  Companies 
Eastman  Kodak  Company  U.  S.  Navy,  and  others 


SOLD  BY  ALL  BRANCHES  NATIONAL  T.  S.  CO.,  SAM  KAPLAN,  N.  Y.  C. 


HOFFMANN  & SOONS 


Mfg.  Division 

522  First  Avenue  New  York  City 

Contracting  Electrical  Engineers — Moving  Picture  Theatre  Electrical  Specialists 


Nine  Times  in  Ten — 

when  your  projection  is  ‘^not  right” 
the  fault  lies  in  the  screen.  Install  a 
Minusa  De-Luxe  Special  and  be 
relieved  of  all  further  worry. 

Your  best  picture  will  always 
appear  better  on  a Minusa. 

Minusa  Cine  Screen  Company 

Bomont  at  Morgan  Saint  Louis 


THE  BEST 


^MINU/'A^ 

De  Luxe  Special 


SINCE  1914 


to  be  installed  in  the  Madison  during  Sep- 
tember. 

Genesee  Street  theatre,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. — • 
Messrs.  Basil  and  Vohlwinkle  have 
awarded  the  contract  for  the  large  four 
manual  organ  to  be  installed  in  the  new 
Genesee  Street  house  to  the  Marr  & Colton. 
This  organ  is  to  be  installed  in  the  new 
theatre  at  Genesee  and  Nevada  streets 
which  is  now  under  construction.  The 
Genesee  Street  theatre  has  a seating  ca- 
pacity of  2,200  and  the  console  of  the  or- 
gan is  to  be  placed  on  a push  button  ele- 
vator and  will  be  one  of  the  outstanding 
features  of  the  house. 

State  theatre,  Toledo,  O. — This  house 
will  insall  a three  manual  Marr  & Colton 
organ. 

The  new  theatre  operated  by  Atlas  The- 
atre Company,  of  which  G.  L.  Fleischman 
is  president,  is  to  install  a three  manual 
Marr  & Colton  organ.  The  World  theatre 
in  that  city  is  operated  by  the  same  com- 
pany. 

Egleston  theatre,  Boston,  Mass. — W.  B. 
Littlefield  is  installing  a two  manual  Marr 
& Colton  organ  in  the  Egleston,  a vaude- 
ville and  motion  picture  house. 

Empress  theatre,  Danbury,  111. — A.  J. 
Collins,  well  known  Danbury  exhibitor,  is 
installing  a two  manual  Marr  & Colton 
organ  in  the  Empress,  which  is  now  being 
rebuilt  and  will  open  Labor  Day. 

Uptown  theatre,  Utica,  N.  Y. — Rolu  Cor- 
poration, operated  by  Messrs.  Robins  and 
Lumberg  are  installing  a three  manual 
Marr  & Colton  organ  in  their  new  Uptown, 
which  will  be  opened  in  October.  The  con- 
sole is  to  be  placed  on  a push  button  con- 
trol elevator  and  will  be  one  of  the  out- 
standing features  of  the  beautiful  new 
neighborhood  theatre. 

Gayety  theatre,  Ottawa,  111. — Gregory 
Theatre  Circuit  has  installed  a two  manual 
Marr  & Colton  organ  in  the  Gayety.  The 
organ  will  be  ready  to  play  Labor  Day. 

Eltinge  theatre,  Bismarck,  N.  D. — Finkel- 
stein  & Reuben  of  Minneapolis,  has  placed 
an  order  for  a two  manual  Marr  & Colton 
organ  for  the  Eltinge.  The  same  firm  has 
recently  installed  Marr  & Colton  organs 
in  the  Lagoon,  Minneapolis;  Nicholas, 
Fairmont,  Minn.,  and  in  the  Chateau, 
Rochester,  Minn. 

Randolph  theatre,  Chicago,  is  installing  a 
two  manual  Marr  & Colton  organ  which 
was  opened  Sunday  August  20.  Roy  Farr, 
organist  is  featured  at  each  show. 

Plaza  theatre.  East  Stroudsburg,  Pa.,  has 
ordered  a three  manual  Marr  & Colton 
organ  to  be  installed  in  the  theatre  in 
October. 

Liberty  theatre,  Exeterboro,  Pa. — Joseph 
Walsh  has  installed  a two  manual  Marr  & 
Colton  organ  in  the  Liberty. 

Front  Street  theatre.  New  York  City. — 
Whitehall  Amusement  Company  of  New 
York  has  installed  a two  manual  Marr  & 
Colton  organ  in  its  Front  street  theatre. 
This  organ  will  be  opened  Labor  Day. 

National  Theatre  Supply 
KILGEN  ORGANS 

Colonial  theatre,  St.  Joseph,  Mo. — Uni- 
versal has  purchased  a Kilgen  Wonder  or- 
gan for  this  theatre. 

Alladin  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Wil- 
liam Parsons,  Joplin,  Mo.,  has  purchased  a 
Kilgen  Wonder  organ  for  this  theatre. 

State  theatre.  Great  Bend,  Kan. — A Kil- 
gen Wonder  organ  was  recently  installed 
in  this  theatre. 

Bird’s  New  State  theatre.  Grand  Rapids, 
Mich. — Kilgen  Wonder  organ  was  recently 
installed  in  this  theatre  and  was  opened  by 
Ralph  Waldo  Emerson. 

Pantages  theatre,  Birmingham,  Ala. — A 
large  Kilgen  Wonder  organ  has  been 
recently  purchased  by  this  theatre. 

Griffith  Amusement  Company,  Ardmore, 
Okla. — A large  Kilgen  Wonder  organ  has 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


I September  3,  1927 


been  purchased  by  this  company  for  its 
theatre. 

Orpheum  theatre,  Kingston,  N.  Y. — A 
large  Kilgen  Wonder  organ  was  purchased 
by  West  Shores  Theatres,  Inc.,  for  this 
new  theatre. 

Liberty  Theatre,  Irvington,  N.  J. — Irving- 
ton Amusement  Corporation  has  placed  its 
order  for  a large  Kilgen  Wonder  organ 
for  its  new  theatre. 

Paramount  theatre,  Albany,  N.  Y. — Pa- 
troons  Theatre  Corporation  bas  placed  its 
order  for  a large  three  manual  Kilgen 
Wonder  organ  to  be  installed  in  its  new 
theatre. 

Racine,  Wis. — I.  Masik  has  placed  his 
order  for  a large  Kilgen  Wonder  organ 
to  be  installed  in  his  new  house  in  Racine. 

Lyric  theatre.  Harbor  Springs,  Mich. — 
The  opening  of  this  theatre,  where  a new 
Kilgen  Wonder  organ  has  just  been  in- 
stalled, was  a complete  success.  The  organ 
was  played  on  the  opening  night  by  Ralph 
Waldo  Emerson,  Chicago  organist. 

Page  Organ  Company 
PAGE  UNIT  ORGANS 

Park  theatre,  Lehighton,  Pa. 

Bedford  theatre,  Bedford,  O. 

Princess  theatre.  New  Castle,  Ind. 

Majestic  theatre,  Sidney,  O.  (Schine  En- 
terprise, Inc.). 

Roman  theatre,  Pittston,  Pa.  (M.  B. 
Comerford). 

Strand  theatre,  Hanover,  Pa. 

Colonial  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Temple  theatre.  Bay  City,  Mich. 

Sigma  theatre,  Dayton,  O. 

Riverdale  theatre,  Dayton,  O. 

Brown’s  opera  house,  Wapakoneta,  O. 

Pulton  theatre.  Grand  Rapids,  Mich. 

Grand  theatre,  Newark,  O. 

Roth  Brothers  8C  Company 
ACTODECTORS 

Alabama  theatre,  Birmingham,  Ala. — 2. 

Worth  theatre.  Fort  Worth,  Tex. — 2. 

Forest  Hills  theatre.  Forest  Hills,  N.  Y. 

— 1. 

New  theatre,  Westerville,  O. — 1. 

Granada  theatre,  Detroit,  Mich. — 2. 

Rialto  theatre,  Waterlo,  la. — 1. 

Biltmore  theatre,  Harrison,  N.  Y. — 1. 

Rex  theatre,  Greeley,  Col. — 1. 


Change 'if  Color 


makes  signs  seem  new 

A theatre  manager  writes:  ‘Tleco  Color  Hoods 
have  bri^tened  up  my  sign  so  you  wouldn’t 
snap  over  clear  lamps  of  standard  sizes  and 
provide  rich  color  that  won’t  fade  or  wash  out — 
it  is  in  the  glass.  Cheaper  than  dipped  bulbs 
and  far  more  satisfactory, 
know  it." 

COLOR  HOODS 


Write  for  Bulletin  75 
We  also  make  Motors, 
Flashers. 
Traffic  Con-  ' 
trols,  S i R n- 
board  Refleu- 
' tors,  Food 
Mixers,  Vege- 
table Peelers, 
etc. 


2651  W.  Congress  St.,  Chicago,  Ills. 


Park  theatre,  Moundsville,  W.  Va. — 1. 

Palace  theatre,  Covington,  Tenn. — 1. 
Orpheum  theatre,  Omaha,  Neb. — 2. 
Stanley  theatre,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. — 2. 
Kenton  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. — 2. 
Manor  theatre,  Norwood,  Pa. — 2. 
Waverly  theatre,  Drexel  Hills,  Pa. — 2. 
Royal  theatre,  Cameron,  Mo. — 1. 
r)enver  theatre,  Denver,  Col. — 2. 

Stanley  theatre,  Baltimore,  Md. — 2. 
Wyenefield  theatre,  Philadelphia,  Pa. — 2. 

EMERGENCY  LIGHT  PLANTS 

Marbro  theatre,  Chicago,  111. 

Cambria  theatre,  Johnstown,  Pa. 

Strong  Electric  Company 
STRONG  LAMPS 

Penn  theatre,  Erie,  Pa. 

Columbia  theatre,  Warren,  Pa. 

Strand  theatre,  Sioux  City,  la. 

Happy  Hour  theatre,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
Sceller  Park  theatre,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 


JHEATRI^U 


Q>/v\PLEJt 
Send  for 

J.KfLANCY>i 


SyracuseN.Y 


Majestic  theatre,  Greenville,  S.  C. 
Reading  theatre,  Reading,  Mass. 
Community  theatre,  Newton,  Mass. 
Empire  theatre,  Lawrence,  Mass. 

Dream  theatre,  Winthrop,  Mass. 

Happy  Hour  theatre,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 
Rivoli  theatre,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 
Community  House,  Schroon  Lake,  N.  Y. 
Monroe  theatre,  Troy,  N.  Y. 

Lansing  theatre,  Troy,  N.  Y. 

State  theatre,  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y. 
Congress  theatre,  Saratoga,  N.  Y. 
Crescent  theatre,  Statesville,  N.  C. 
Palace  theatre,  Thomasville.  N.  C. 
Temple  theatre,  Hartsville,  S.  C. 

Webbs  theatre,  Shelby,  N.  C. 

Princess  theatre,  Aurora,  Mo. 

Glove  theatre,  Gloversville,  N.  Y. 
Commodore  theatre.  Canton,  O. 

Strand  theatre,  Akron,  O. 

STRONG  RECTIFIERS 

Scheller  Park  theatre,  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
Temple  theatre,  Fairport,  N.  Y. 


Mr,  Projectionist 


Would  you  equip  your  car  with  a Liberty 
Motor,  hard  tires  and  no  springs? 

Then  why  equip  your  projection  machine 
with  lenses  that  have  only  good  light 
transmission  to  the  exclusion  of  definition, 
flatness  of  field  and  other  desirable  quali- 
ties ? 

B&L  Cinephors  are  balanced — no  factor 
making  for  good  projection  has  been  over- 
looked or  left  out. 

Let  us  tell  yoti  about  them. 

Bausch  & Lomb  Optical  (io. 

652  St.  Paul  St.,  Rochf'lci.  N. 


58 


BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION  OF  September  3,  1927 


Advertised  in  This 
BETTER  THEATRES  SECTION 

(If  you  desire  something  not  listed  here,  Exhibitors  Information  and  Catalog 
Bureau  published  in  this  issue  will  get  it  for  you. ) 

Page  Page 


AISLE  LIGHTS 

8129  Rhodes  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Kausalite  Mfg.  Co 42 

ANCHOR  EXPANSION  BOLTS 

The  Paine  Co 29 

2951  Carroll  Ave.,  Chicago,  111. 

AUTOMATIC  CURTAIN 
CONTROL 

Automatic  Devices  Co 34 

17  N.  7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

E.  J.  Vallen  ELlec.  Co 27 

Akron,  Ohio. 

BANNERS,  HAND  PAINTED 

H.  Dryfhout  28 

736  S.  IVabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

CARBONS 

Hugo  Reisinger  35 

11  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 

CHANGE  MAKERS 

Brandt  Automatic  Cashier  Co 20 

Watertown,  Wis. 

DIMMERS 

Cutler-Hammer  Mfg.  Co 3 

12th  & St.  Paul  Ave.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

DISPLAY  CUTOUT  MACHINES 

International  Register  Co 4 

15  Throop  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

DRAPERIES 

Windowcraft  Drapery  Co 51 


328  Superior  Ave.,  N.  W.,  Cleveland. 

ELECTRIC  FLASHERS,  COLOR 
HOODS 


Reynolds  Electric  Co 57 

2651  W.  Congress  St.,  Chicago,  I.l. 

EQUIPMENT  SUPPLIES 

Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co 30 

1223  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

National  Theatre  Supply  Co Insert 

624  S.  Michigan  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

FLOWERS,  PLANTS — ARTIFICIAL 

G.  Raising  & Co 44 

227  W.  Austin  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

HEATING  & VENTILATING 

B.  F.  Reynolds  & Co 48 

118W.  Ohio,  Chicago,  III. 

LAMPS,  HIGH  INTENSITY 

Ashcraft  Automatic  Arc  Co - 19 

4214  Santa  Monica  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles, 

Cal. 

Hall  & Connolly,  Inc 30 

129  Grand  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

LAMPS,  REFLECTING  ARC 

McAuley  Mfg.  Company 24 

554  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Perfection  Arc  Co.,  Inc 37 

736  37th  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Strong  Electric  Co 54 

2501  Lagrange  St.,  Toledo,  Ohio. 

LENSES 

Bausch  & Lomb 57 

Rochester,  N.  i'. 

MARQUISE,  CANOPIES 

Architectural  Metal  Prod.,  Inc. ...  44 

19  W..  8th  St.,  Covington,  Ky. 

Edwards  Mfg.  Co 55 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


MOTION  PICTURE  CABLE 
Rockbestos  Products  Corp, 


New  Haven,  Conn.  3rd  Cover 

MOTOR  GENERATORS 

Automatic  Devices  Co 34 

Allentown,  Pa. 

MOTORS  FOR  PROJECTORS 

The  Wigginton  Co 26 

434  N.  Church  St.,  Kalamazoo,  Mich. 

MOVIE  SCRAP  BOOKS 

Bishop  Publishing  Co 39 

822  Dobson  St.,  Evanston,  III. 

MUSIC  ROLLS 

Filmusic  Co 49 

6707  Santa  Monica  Blvd.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 

MUSIC  STANDS 

Gallagher  Orchestra  Equip.  Co.  ..  42 

616  W.  Elm  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

ORGANS 

George  Kilgen  & Son,  Inc Insert 

4016  N.  Union  Blvd.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Marr-Colton  Organ  Co 5 

Warsaw,  N.  Y. 

Nelson-Wiggen  Piano  Co 37 

1731  Belmont  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Operators  Piano  Co 27 

715  N.  Kedzie  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

Page  Organ  Company 16 

519  N.  Jackson  St.,  Lima,  Ohio. 

Schaefer  Organ  Co 30 

Slinger,  Wis. 

Rudolph  Wurlitzer  Co .2nd  Cover 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

ORGAN  HEATERS 

Cramblet  Eng.  Corp 41 

286  Milwaukee  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

POP  CORN  MACHINES 

C.  Cretors  Co ,..._ 24 

612  IV.  22nd  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Star  Mfg.  Company 34 

1236  N.  Clark  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

PROJECTORS 

Enterprise  Optical  Co 4th  Cover 

564  W.  Randolph  St.,  Chicago,  III. 
International  Proj.  Corp.,  Pow- 
er’s Division Insert 

90  Gold  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 

International  Proj.  Corp.,  Sim- 
plex Division Insert 

90  Gold  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

RHEOSTATS 

Hoffman  & Sons 56 


522  First  Ave.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

SCHOOLS  FOR  ORGANISTS 

Vermond  Knauss  School  of  The- 
atre Organ  Playing 51 

210  N.  7th  St.,  Allentown,  Pa. 

SCREENS 

American  Silversheet  Co Insert 


915  Wash  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Da-Lite  Screen  Co 46 

922  W.  Monroe  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Minusa  Cine  Screen  Co 56 

Morgan  at  Bomont,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Raven  Screen  Corp * 34 

1476  Broadway,  N.  Y.  C. 

SEATS 

Hey  wood- Wakefield  Co 6 

209  Washington  St.,  Boston,  Mass. 


Page 


SIGNS — ELECTRIC 

Milne  Elec.  Co 54 

189  Fifth  St.,  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

SLIDES 

J.  F.  Ransley 57 

54  W.  Randolph  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

SOUND  PROOFING  SYSTEMS 

Stevens  Soundproofing  Co 20 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 


STAGE  LIGHTING  EQUIPMENT 

Frank  Adam  Elec.  Co Front  Cover 

3650  Windsor  Ave.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 


Belson  Mfg.  Company 34-46 

800  Sibley  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Brenkert  Light  Proj.  Co Insert 

7348  St.  Aubin  Ave.,  Detroit,  Mich. 

Display  Stage  Lighting  Co 55 

334  W.  44th  St.,  New  York,  N.  Y. 

Kliegel  Brothers  48 

321  W.  50th  St.  N.  Y.  C. 

Major  Equipment  Co 51 

4603  Fullerton  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 


Wm.  Wurdack  Elec.  Mfg.  Co 21 

21  S.  11th  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

STAGE  RIGGING  HARDWARE 


J.  H.  Channon  Corp 29 

223  W.  Erie  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

J.  R.  Clancy - 57 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Peter  Clark,  Inc 26 

534  W.  30th  St.,  New  lurk,  N.  i’. 

STAGE  SCENERY 

John  C.  Becker  & Bros 49 

2824  Taylor  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

Tiffin  Scenic  Studios 42 

Tiffin,  Ohio. 

STEREOPTICONS 

Best  Devices  Co 42 

Film  Bldg.,  Cleveland,  O. 

THEATRE  CHAIR  COVERINGS 

Dura-Tex  Fabrics  Co.,  Inc 39 

216  Webster  St.,  Cincinnati,  O. 


THEATRE  PRINTING,  PROGRAMS 

Exhibitors  Printing  Service 51 

711  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 


THEATRE  PROGRAM  COVERS 

The  Hennegagn  Co 30 

Cincinnati,  O. 

TRANSFORMERS 

Hertner  Ellectric  Co Insert 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Liberty  Elec.  Corp 28 

Stamford,  Conn. 

Roth  Brothers  & Co 52 

1400  W.  Adams  St.,  Chicago,  111. 

UNIFORMS 

Maier-Lavaty  Co 49 

2141  Lincoln  Ave.,  Chicago,  III. 

USHERS’  SIGNAL  SYSTEMS 

Acme  Elec.  Construction  Co 52 

407  S.  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  III. 

VENTILATING  EQUIPMENT 

Blizzard  Fan  Sales  Co  39 

1514  Davenport  St.,  Omaha,  Neb. 

Supreme  Heat.  & Vent.  Co 35 

1915  Pine  St.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Typhoon  Fan  Co 57 

345  W.  39th  St.,  N.  Y.  C. 


ROCKBESTOS 

-the  asbestos  covered  wire 


Extra  Flexible — that’s 
Rockbestos  Motion 
Picture  Cable 


Motiograph  De  Luxe  Pro- 
jector in  Ike  New  Orpheum 
Theatre,  Madison,  IPis. 


The  important  features  of  Rockbestos  insulation  on  Motion 
Picture  Cable  that  make  it  the  first  choice  of  most  project 
tionists,  are  flexibility,  ability  to  withstand  high  temperature, 
flame  and  overloads;  and  that  it  will  not  crack,  break  or  de- 
teriorate.  The  finish  on  the  outside  braid  will  not  flake  off. 
It  is  a part  of  the  cable. 

The  Motiograph  De  Luxe  Projectors  are  usually  fitted  with 
Rockbestos.  High  grade  projectors  demand  high  grade 
equipment. 

ROCKBESTOS  PRODUCTS 

CORPORAT  I ON 


6942  Grand  Central  Term.  Bldg.,  New  York 


NEW  HAVEN,  CONN. 

465  Union  Trust  Bldg.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
On  the  Pacific  Coast — Allied  Industries.  Inc. 


224  Madison  Term.  Bldg.,  Chicago 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


For  the 

Conservative  Buyer 
Nothing  Will  Equal 
The 

Motiograph  Special 


ASK  FOR  ITS  SPECIFICATIONS 


Enterprise  Optical  Mfg.  Co. 

564  W.  Randolph  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


Buys  the 

NOnOCRAPH 


less  Lamphouse 


^Jhe  (Inde^yrdenz 


Hail!  Hail!  Our 
Gang’s  All  Here! 


WE’RE  WITCI 
M-G-M  NOW! 


(good  fellows  always  get  together) 


Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc. — Will  H.  Hays,  President 


vvi/vvi/i/vy 


vvVvvvvvvwvJinL 


HAL  ROACH  COMEDIES 

1C  OUR  GANG 

lOCiHARLEY  CHASE-10  ALL-STAR 
10  MAX  DAVIDSON 

M-G*M  NEWS 

104  Great  Newsreels 

M-O-M  QREAT  EVENTS 

6 in  Technicolor 

M-G-M  ODDITIES 

25  UFA  / 


SECTION  1 


ECTIONS 


XXX»  No.  13 


Entered  as  second-class  matter,  August  20,  1917,  at  the  Post  Office  at  Chicago,  III.,  under  the  act  of  March  3,  1 fl  1007 

IS79.  Published  weekly  at  407  South  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago.  Subscription  $3.00  a year.  Single  copies,  25  cents,  •JCjJit.Hiucr  lu, 


''The  organ  is  a positive 
sensation  T'' 

Q)elano  theatre 
Q)elano,  Galif. 


Kobebt  u^onroN  obcan 


^Mhe  success  of  this  organ 
prompted  us  to  order 
another. 

Gongress-Srove  theatres 

^Newark,  5\C 


Send  me  without  obligation  Mil 
details  of  your  New  Selling  PtaA  f 


Name 

Theatre. 

Seating  Capacity 
City 


State* 


wonderful  addition  to 
our  presentations.^^ 

Strand-Gmpire  ‘theatre 
Ghillicothe,  3VLo. 


GENUIUE  DEAGflN  PERCUSSIONS  USED 


irai 


^hii  others  say  about 

PIT  PIPE  organ: 

I can  say  your  instru- 
ment playing  to  continuous 
jammed  house.'''' 

Region  ‘theatre 
^[arshalltown,  Bowa 

'^Congratulations  on  won- 
derful instrument.'''' 

Clermont  theatre 
Ghicago 

"Increased  our  business  more 
than  enough  to  warrant  the 
investment !' 

‘tuxedo  theatre 
5Vejv  ^rk  Gity 

"In  itself  a distinct  musical 
attraction. 

Brand  theatre 

Hidinter  BCaven,  Florida 


*^usic  Feature  for 
thehiera^e  Exhibitor 

-highest  type  performance 
at  Minimum  Cost. 

Does  not  require 
liigh-priced  organist. 

Played  manually,  or  ysritti 
ordinary  88  note  music  rolls, 

THE  ROBERT  MORTON 
ORGAN  CO. 

i^ewYorlLj'^  156oBroadwy  /'' 
\ (3hicago-624SaMchigan 
\ San3 rand  SCO 


168  GoldvtGalt 


\ £os  i^ngeles 
iUfeh  A mSo.Vemoni 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


3 


why  18  paramount  s 
100%  program  click- 
ing so  sensationally 
all  over  the  country? 


smash  all  picture  records  at  the 
Paramount  Theatre,  New  York?  With  extra  midnight  shows  at 


Why  did  "Underworld”  ^ 


the  theatre — and  still  unable  to  handle  the  overflow.  Doing  S.R.O 


now  at  the  Rivoli,  N.  Y.,  where  it  was  moved  for  an  indefinite 


long  run  by  public  demand.  ^ Why  is  "Way  of  all  Flesh” 
the  outstanding  hit  of  the  new  season?  10th  capacity 


week  at  the  Rialto,  New  York.  6 weeks  at  the  St.  Francis,  San 


Francisco.  Variety  says;  " '^Way  of  all  Flesh’  ran  absolutely  wild 
at  the  Metropolitan,  Boston.”  Topped  all  picture  records  for  the 
house.  Emil  Jannings,  over-night  the  greatest  male  dramatic 
drawing  card  on  the  sereen!  Exhibitors  rushing  to  book  "Variety” 


and  any  other  film  they  can  tack  his  name  on.  Jannings’  next. 


4 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


”The  Street  of  Sin,”  finished  and 
pronouneed  in  pre-views  even  supe= 


paramount 
clicking  so 
all  over 


rior  to  ”Way  of  all  Flesh.”  ^ Why 
is  Wings”  instantly  a $2. 

success  at  the  Criterion,  New  York? 

Already  classed  by  the  industry  with  the  two  or  three  super-road  shows  of 
history.  Packed  houses  and  the  biggest  advance  sale  ever  known. 
flWhy  is  ^'Beau  Geste”  cleaning  up  everywhere?  ^Why  do  we 

get  scores  of  wires  on  ” Chang”  like  this  one  from  the  Stanley 

Co.  of  America:  ” 'Chang’  tremendous  hit  at  Aldine,  Philadelphia. 
Impossible  to  accommodate  crowds.  Record  breaking  engagement.” 
9 terrific  weeks  for  "Chang”  at  the  Rivoli,  New  York.  Fenway,  Boston; 
Roosevelt,  Chicago;  Million  Dollar,  Los  Angeles;  Lyceum,  Duluth,  and 
then  after  less  than  a month  repeating  its  success  at  the  Strand,  same 
town  — hit,  hit,  hit,  everywhere.  ^ Why  is  Clara  Bow  in  "Hula 


making  "It”  records  look  silly?  With  the  Ambassador,  St.  Louis,  high 
beaten  already  and  skyrocket  business  at  the  Paramount,  N.  Y.  ^ Why 
was  the  run  of  "Metropolis,”  set  for  two  weeks  at  the  Roosevelt, 


Chicago,  extended  to  four?  ^ Why  did  "Firemen,  Save  My  Child” 
“ break  the  two  years’  house  record  at  the  Rivoli,  Portland,  Ore.? 
And  score  a resounding  hit  at  the  Riviera,  Omaha?  Now  set  to  follow 
"Underworld”  for  a long  run  at  the  Rivoli,  New  York.  ^ Why  has 
"Rough  Riders”  in  San  Antonio  “rolled  up  the  greatest  gross  a 

popular  priced  picture  ever  got  in  the  State  of  Texas,”  according  to 
the  theatre’s  wire?  Chosen  from  all  the  pictures  in  the  industry  by  the 
Kansas  City  Star  as  the  feature  at  its  annual  show,  "Rough  Riders” 
played  to  60,000  people  in  one  day,  with  10,000  standees.  flWhy  is 
"Service  for  Ladies”  setting  new  highs  for  Adolphe  Menjou? 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


”1  ^ Why  does  the  Cinein- 

A nati  Post  hail  ”Stark 

Love”  as  ”a  great 

moment  in  our  lives”  and 
add : ” A great  pieture  has 
been  born  and  shown.  So  real,  so  terribly  real,  so  beautiful  that  it 
makes  ash-faeed  anemies  of  studio  productions!”  ^ Why  has  ” Barbed 
Wire 


/q  program 
sensationally 
the  country 


knocked  the  opposition  in  Buffalo  and  scores  of  other 
towns  galley- west?  ^ Why  have  resounding  hits  been  scored  by  Douglas 
MacLean  in  ”Soft  Cushions,”  Dorothy  Gish  and  Tony  Moreno  in 

j ”Mme.  Pompadour”?  ^ Why  has  Paramount  News  leaped  into 

; instant  success  with  public  and  exhibitors  alike?  Revealing  from  its 


very  first  issue  a news  reel  in  advance  of  anything  ever  seen  before. 

. ^ Why  are  Paramount  shorts  — Christie  comedies,  Horton  comedies. 
Novelties,  Krazy  Kat  and  Inkwell  Imps  cartoons,  so  consistently,  amaz- 
ingly good?  Why  is  Paramount  so  far,  far  ahead  of  the  field  this  new 
season?  Why  has  this  one  company  been  able  to  pour  out  hit  after  hit 
week  after  week?  Exactly  on  release  dates.  ^ The  glory  of  it  is 

I that  the  pictures  already  released  are  only  the  start ! 60  more  of  them 
are  coming!  Attractions  like  Harold  Lloyd,  ” Gentlemen  Prefer 
Blondes,”  Fred  Thomson  in  ” Jesse  James,”  Beau  Sabreur,”  Emil 
Jannings  in  ”The  Street  of  Sin,”  and  more,  Clara  Bow  in  ”Red  Hair” 
and  others,  Richard  Dix  in  ” Shanghai  Bound,”  Conklin  and  Bancroft 
in  "^Tell  it  to  Sweeney,”  ”Tillie’s  Punctured  Romance,”  Beery-Hatton 
in  ”Now  We’re  in  the  Air”  and  more,  Fields-Conklin  in  ”Side  Show” 
and  more,  Meighan,  Negri,  Ralston,  Vidor,  Zane  Grey,  George  Bancroft 
(a  star  by  unanimous  popular  acclaim  after  ” Underworld”) — to  name 
but  a few.  Why  is  Paramount’s  record  this  year  the  talk  of  the  nation? 


'A. 


because  it’ 


s a new  era  in  the 
show  business  and  Para- 

i 

mount  alone  is  making  the 
new  era 


type  of  picture 


Q Because  Paramount  alone  has  a producing  organization  alive  and 
geared  up  to  the  exacting  standards  of  the  times.  Because  while  other 
companies  slept.  Paramount  was  developing  a Jannings,  a Bow,  a Beery- 
Hatton,  a Bancroft,  pioneering,  daring  to  make  the  ”Changs,”  the 
” Underworlds,”  the  ”Way  of  All  Fleshes.”  Because  while  other  com- 
panies thought  the  old  stuff  would  get  money  in  1927,  Paramount 
sensed  a shrewder,  smarter  public  hot  for  something  better  and  differ- 
ent. ^ Paramount  bought  a new,  enlarged  studio,  expanded  its  organi- 
zation, packed  it  with  new  young  talent  and  bent  every  energy  and 
resource  to  making  a group  of  pictures  that  would  write  box  office 
history!  They’re  w'^ting  it.  You  know  it!  Have  you  got  Paramount’s 
100%  Program?  How  can  you,  your  business,  your  investment  do  with- 
out it?  You  exhibitors  are  not  saps:  you’re  smart  business  men.  That’s 


why  Paramount  has  closed  more  contracts,  big  and  small,  in  less  time 


in  business.  There  isn’t  an 


time  in  its  16 


exhibitor  in  the  country  who  can  keep  these  pictures  away  from  his 
public.  There  isn’t  a sensible  exhibitor  who  can  afford  to  have  his  op- 
position playing  them! 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  September  10,  1927 


WOl 


d 


Y on  will  .sliow  it  111  Octolier  and  your  audiences 
will  remeinlier  it  forever.  By  playing  Ben~Hur 
in  your  tlieatre,  you  are  proving  tlie  greatness  of 
your  tlieatre.  T1  le  final  t 
creation  lias  lieen  acliieved 
wlien  you  pl^^y 


ower  of  motion  picture 
— on  your  screen- — - 


Ben-Hur 


i 


>v^RUDOLI^  SCHILDKIUUT 

Virginia  Bradford  - Frank  Morion 

icRUN  PLAY  BY  BEULAH  MABIE  OtX  aoaptio  rnoH  storiis  by 
JZQLAFOnnCSTER  and  MANN  PAGE  •••  SUPERVISED  BY 
BERTRAM  MILLHAUSER  •uiRicTEDBYRUPtRT  jULIAN 

PRODUCCO  BY  D(  MILLE  PICTURES  CORR 


A sensational  hit  in 


A new,  bright 

personality  in  the 

PATHE^DE  MILLE 

galaxy  of  featured 
players 


Her  next 


A mighty  spectacle 
in  which  a storm 
of  human  passions 
reaches  its'  height 
against  a raging 
storm  of  the  sea. 


WITH  VIRGINIA  B 
FRANK  MARION  • ALAN  HALE  • 
AND  SAM  De  ORASSE 


iPafhe  Exchange,  Inc. 
r^r — ° 


I3e  Milue  Studio  pictures  - patke  news 


Pathe  Westerns  - patheserials  - Pathecomedies 


SUGGESTED  BY  HENRY  WADSWORTH  LONGFEUDWS  FAMOUS  POEM 

BY  HARRY  CAftQ  — JOHN  FARROW 

Directed  by  Elmer  Clifton  • 

PRODUCED  BY  OeMILUE  PICTURES^  CORP. 


Foreign. Dislribulors  Producers  Internationa!  Corporation.  130  West  46th  Street.  N.  T 
WIIJJAM  M.  VOGEL.  General  Manager 


i 


PATHE 

SHOWMANSHIP 

SERVICE 


Man.^  Bank 


is  not  just  a slogan-- 
it  represents  the  highest 
type  of  advertising  and  ex- 
ploitation help,  designed 
by  skilled  advertisers, 

shov^men  and  artists* 
Pathe  advertising  produces  maxi- 
mum results  at  a minimum  of  cost 
to  you,  IT  PAYS  TO  ADVER- 
TISE, and  wise  showmen  will 
make  liberal  use  of  PATHE’S  high- 
powered  lithographs,  lobbies,  cuts, 
mats,  slides,  banners,  press  sheets 
and  other  accessories. 


With' 


ALLENt  RAY  AND 
WALTER  MILLER! 


SPSNCER  CORDON  ©ENNET 


f’ftCE  ARTHUR  GRAY 


OEHlLLt  STUDIO  PICTURES  - PATHE*  NEWS 


PATHEf  WESTkRNS  - PhTH^SCRIALS  - PATHECOHEOIES 


Member  of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of  America.  Inc« 
Will  H.  Hays.  President 


»P^FECT  ■ 
pUlTteiMlAN 


MackSeimett 

’A  COLD  DIGGER  or 
WEEPAH 


BILLY  BEVAN 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


7 


The  window  to  the 
world’s  events  is 
thrown  open  to  your 
patrons  by  Kinograms. 
And  there  is  nothing 
to  dim  the  view.  For 
Kinograms  has  no  in- 
terest except  to  get  the 
news.  It  is  the  only 
truly  independent 
news  reel. 


AN D while,  under  the  keen  eyes  of  Kinograms  cameras, 
xjL  the  world’s  pace  grows  faster  and  more  gruelling— and 
your  patrons  want  laughs  more  than  ever  before— Edtica' 
tional’s  comedies  and  novelties  furnish  a never-failing  supply 
of  laughter  and  wholesome  amusement. 


and  EducationaVs  comedies 
and  novelties  insure  any 
program — and  any  box-office. 

Member,  Motion  Picture  Producers  & Distributors  of  America,  Inc. 
Will  H.  Hays,  President 


EDUCATIONAL 
FILM  EXCHANGES,  Inc. 


THE  SPICE  OF  THE  PROGRAM' 


8 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD  September  10,  1927 


but  the  ONLY  BIG  THREE 

in  existence  are 

The  World’s  Greatest  Motion  Picture 

WHAT  PRICE  GLORY 

with 

Victor  McLaglen  Edmund  Lowe  Dolores  Del  Rio 
RAOUL  WALSH  Production 

The  International  Record  Breaker 

7"'  HEAVEN 

with 

Janet  Gay  nor  Charles  Farrell 

FRANK  BORZAGE  Production 


A De  Luxe  Attraction 

DOLORES  DEL  RIO 
VICTOR  McLAGLEN 

in 

LOVES  OF  CARMEN 

RAOUL  WALSH  Production 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


BIG  BIG 


SAY- 

what’s  the  use  of  talking.  By  this 
time  everybody  in  the  industry  is 
CONVINCED  that  FOX  doesn’t 
make  ’em  any  other  way 


r 


MONEY-IN- 

THE-BANK- 

PICTURES 


A De  Luxe  Attraction 

EAST  SIDE,  WEST  SIDE 

George  O’Brien 
Virginia  Valli 


Janet  Gaynor 


in 


2 GIRLS  WANTED 


THE  JOY  GIRL 

Olive  Borden 
Neil  Hamilton 


PAJAMAS 

Olive  Borden 


VERY  CONFIDENTIAL 

Madge  Bellamy 
Mary  Duncan 


LUNA  PARK 

Victor  McLaglen 


Greta  Nissen 
Charles  Farrell 


SILK  HATS 

Madge  Bellamy 
Victor  McLaglen 
Edmund  Lowe 


HANGMAN’S  HOUSE 

Charles  Farrell 
Virginia  Valli 
Victor  McLaglen 


■& 


PUBLICITY  MADNESS 

Lois  Moran 
Edmund  Lowe 


THE  GAY  RETREAT 


Sammy  Cohen 
Ted  McNamara 


also 

14  WESTERNS 

with  TOM  MIX  and  BUCK  JONES 

FOX  SHORT  SUBJECTS 

104  issues  of  FOX  NEWS  26  Comedies  26  Varieties 


I 

Fox  Pictures  are  Proeit  Pictures 


12 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


October  15! 

^HE  FALL  ISSUE  of 
the  Box  Office  Record 
and  Equipment  Index  will 
be  in  the  mails,  October 
15. 

For  years  this  unfailing 
guide  to  better  pictures 
and  equipment  has  been 
anxiously  awaited  by  ex- 
hibitors everywhere. 


To  A dvertisers : 

Forms  dose  for  the 
fall  issue  of  the  Box 
Office  Record  & Equip- 
ment Index  on  Octo- 
ber 5. 


To  Exhibitors: 

IT  is  physically  impos- 
sible to  answer  by  per- 
sonal letter  your  inquiries 
concerning  the  next  issue 
of  the  Box  Office  Rec- 
ord & Equipment  Index. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


^‘The  response  of  the  public  to  Unb 
versaPs  ^Les  Miserables’  is  little  short 
of  amazing!*  The  public  is  flocking  to 
see  it  in  New  York.  Victor  Hugo  is  still 
being  read.  The  picture  is  Hugo^s  work 
sincerely  and  very  humanly  screened.’^ 

W.  A.  JOHNSTON 

Motion  Picture  News 

* At  noon  on  Sunday,  August  28th,  the  box  office  at  the  Central  Theatre  was 
forced  to  close  while  the  police  attempted  to  clear  a passageway  in  front 
of  the  theatre.  10  minutes  betore  the  box  office  closed,  every  seat  for  the  after^ 
noon  and  evening  performances  had  been  sold,  so  that  in  order  to  take  care 
of  the  overflow  a special  six  o’clock  performance  was  arranged  and  sand^ 
wiched  in  between  the  matinee  and  evening  shows.  Even  this  extra  perfor- 
mance was  insufficient  to  take  care  of  the  crowds  and  the  theatre  was  compelled 
to  sell  standing  room  only  and  turn  them  away  — — — that’s  UniversaVs 
sensational  special  **Les  Miserables!^^  Standing  room  only  at  every  performance 
to  date —this  is  fact!  Check  with  ‘‘Variety’s”  report  on  the  Central  Theatre. 


is  .i"*® 

jr  ®/so  fl»  - ®^Ce  Ak  I 

C;^:!  *>  Cr"*^  foi'’ 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


- - — 


;> 

i 


10  The  Collegians 

Carl  l^emmle  Jr’s  Junior  Jewel  2 Reelers- 

12  Snookums 

Stem  Brothers  Junior  Jewel  2 Reelers 

26  Oswald-THE  lucky  rabbit 

Winkler  Productions.  1 Reelers 

12  New  Gumps 

Samuel  Van  Ronkel  Prod.  2 Reelers 

104  International  Newsreel 

Twice  Each  Week  Every  Week  in  the 
Year.  Hearst  Produced.  Hearst  Publicised 

S2  Stern  Brothers  Comedies 

2 ]^6clei!*s 

13  Rube  Goldberg’s  MIKE  AND  IKE 
13  R F Outcault’s  BUSTER  BROWNS 
13  Pop  Momand’s  KEEPING  UP  WITH 
THE  JONESES 

13  George  McManus*  LET  GEORGE 
DO  IT 

5 First  Run  Serials 

including  Carl  Laemmle’s  Junior  Jewel 
Serial  BLAKE  OF  SCOTLAND  YARD 
and  THE  SCARLET  ARROW 
THE  HAUNTED  ISLAND 
THE  VANISHING  RIDER 
THE  TRAIL  OF  THE  TIGER 

S2  Action  Featurettes— 2 Reelers 
13  Stunt  Westerns 
1 3 Northwest  Mounted  Stories 
13  Boy  Wonder  Sensations 
13  Texas  Ranger  Stories 

6 Octavus  Roy  Cohen -CharRe 
Puffy  2 Reelers 

26  Snappy  Comedies  1 Reelers 

13  Harold  Highbrows 

13  Drugstore  Cowboys  with  Arthur  Lake 

— Universal's  Brick  and 
Mortar  Super  Shorts! 


Cash  in  right  on  this  one  ....  It’s  a CLASS  SPECIAL  for  FIRST 
RUNS—CLASS  HOUSES! 

The  smart  boys  whoVe  seen  it  are  going  to  play  it  that  way  . . . . 
That’s  YOUR  cue  for  a killing! 

Vast,  sweeping  scenes  ....  Epic  story  ....  Class  comedy  . . . . 
Great  romance ....  AND  MAYNARD  NEVER  SO  MAGNETIC ! 


Think  of  all  the  great  adventure  specials  of  the  past  and  you’ll 
know  what  to  expect  from  this! 


jPitsenkdbif>  -OmLE$  R.ROCERS 
^romiheshm  bii’  * MARION  IACKSON 
Vireckd  bif-'-  ALBERT  ROCELL  ^ 
Aifewimlbif.-  ■ -HAWW  J.BROWN 


I 


3ir>5i 

national  jVi 


SEETM 


We  told  you 

SET  Titles  - 
Casts.... 

And  now  we 

IE  out  of  58  f 
ally  on 
America's 

And  the  seas 
months  ol 

AND  ARE  THE 

you'll  find 
dred's  of  B 
ments. 

While  others  a 
Promises— 

First  National  I 
FINISHED  PRO 


, atyour 
Local  Exchange 


m NATIOHALI 
SHOWHAM)  GROUP 


/3  mClALf 


f A L N A D G E 


in  “Camille" 


COLLEEN  NOORE 

in  “Lilac  Time" 

fALNADCEl 

s^n  “Breakfast  at  SunriseJ^ 

BABrHELMESS 

in  “ f he  Patent  Lea  ther  Kid  ’’ 

Santell 

“The  Shepherd  of  the  Hills" 

by  HAROLD 
BELL  WRIGHT 

WILL  ROGERS 

in  “A  Texas  Steer" 

“THE  COBILLA”j 

An  Alfred  Saiitel!  Production  M 


“LOUISIANA” 

A George  Fitzmaurice  Production 

With  Billie  Dove 

“ThePrivaleUfeof 
HELEN  OF  TBOT” 

with  Maria  Corda  and  Lewis  Stone 

THE  NIRACLr^ 

Max  Reinhardt’s 
Epoch  Making  Stage  Spectacle 


^^ROSE  OF  THE^ 
GOLDEN  WESr^ 

A George  Fitzmaurice  Production 
with  Mary  Astor,  Lewis  Stone,  ^ 
^ and  Gilbert  Roland  of  “Camiil^^^ 

^^THE  BARKER*' 

A George  Fitzmaurice  Production 
Kenyon  Nicholson’s  play  pro- 
duced on  the  stage  by 
Charles  Wagner 

HILTON  SILLS 

A Special  Announcement  to  be 
made  later 


45  WBEKAfTER  WEEK  HITI 


COLLEEN  NOOBE 

^ "Baby  Face,’’  and  2 others 

RICHARD 

BARTHELNESS 

"The  Little  Shepherd  of  Kingdom 
^Come,’’  "TheNoose”and  2 others 

HARRY 

^L  A N G D p N 

'^^^^^^Siree’s  a Crowd" 

"The  Nineteenth  Hole” 

and  1 other  *^3?a*s* 

HILTON  SILLS 

"Valley  of  the  Giants,”  "Burning 
Daylight”  by  Jack  London 

and  1 other  _ 

^'THE  POOR  NUT* 

with  Jack  Mulhall  and 
, Charlie  Murri\ 

From 

ROBERT  KANE 

"The  Golden  Calf,”  Elinor  Glyn’s 
"Man  and  the  Moment,”  "ACbild 
in  their  Midst,”  “French  Dress- 
ing,” “Harold  Teen”  from  Carl 
Ed’s  famous  comic  strip 
the  last  2 with  BEN  LYON 

CHARLIE 

.M  A y 

'^'^*®'4“The  Life  of  fliley”  s 

"Wine,  Women  and  Song” 
"Down  Went  McGinty” 
“Kelly’s  Kids” 


JOHNNT  HINES 

“Home  Made,”  and  2 others 

KEN  HAYHARsD 

Raiders’^^ 

“The  Caravan  Trail,”  “The  Royal 
American,”  "The  Upland  Rider,” 
"Canyon  of  Adventure” 
“Gun  Gospel” 

BILLIE  DOVE 

H “The  Stolen  Bride”  ;a 

“American  Beauty" 

"Heart  of  a Follies  Girl” 
“Once  There  Was  a Princess” 

DOROTHY 
HACKAILL  and 
JACK  HULHALL 

"Smile,  Brother,  Sm'ile”  ^ 

"Man  Crazy” 

"Butter  and  Egg  Man” 
"Ladies  Night  in  a Turkish  Bath” 

NABVASTOBand 
LLOVD  HUGHES 

“No  Place  to  Go,”  "Do  It  Again,” 
“Sailors’  Wives”  by  WarnerFabian 
and  1 other 

**THE  PR.INCE  OF 
HEADWAITERuS* 

with  Lewis  Stone 


L^e  ROMANCE-  ' * 
CLASSIC  that 
took  Months  and 
, Millions  to  r 
V ; " make.  / 

Nta.  • , - - 

- - y ^ #' 


^TlONbfmore 
than  half-a'Cen- 
V tury.  J 


Hie  Picture 
that  BROKE 
RECORDS  iu 
- Omaha  and 
i Seattle* 


GREAT 
SPECIAL  that 

Broadway 
^ kept  for  13 
weeks. 


51  The  HIT  ^ 
that  ran  9 weeks 
at  the  New  York 
Globe  at  $2.20  top. 


wondi/u 


Exhibitor/  mouth{ 
arewaterlHj^for* 


A Modern  Version 
fiKSadai  W JOSEPH  M'SCHENCK. 

GILBERT  ROLAND 

SCREEN  STORY  BY  - FREO  DE  GAESAC 

PRED  NIOLO 

PROOUCTIOM 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


EDITORIAL  AND 
ADVERTISING  OFFICES 

CHICAGO 

407  So.  Dearborn  St.  Telephone 
Harrison  9248.  Cable  Address: 
Quigpubco. 

Jay  M.  Shreck,  Managing  Editor 
George  Clifford,  Business  Manager 
Ernest  A.  Kovelstad,  News  Editor 

NEW  YORK 

565  Fifth  Ave.  Telephone  Vander- 
bilt  3612-3613. 

James  Beecroft,  Manager 
John  S.  Spargo,  New  York 
News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray,  Manager 
Douglas  Hodges, 
Advertising  Manager 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
Faraday  House,  8-10  Charing  Cross 
Rd.,  W.  C.  2. 


INDEX  TO 

EDITORIAL  CONTENTS 


DEPARTMENTS 

Short  Features  — 41 

Presentation  Acts  43 

The  Theatre  54 

The  Film  Mart  52 

Classified  Advertising ; 58 

The  Box  Office  Ticker 57 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  59 

FEATURES 

Los  Angeles,  by  Ray  Murray,, 36 

Re-Takes  34 

Pictorial  Section  37 

Service  Talks,  by  T.  O.  Service  51 

Letters  from  Readers 56 

Chicago,  by  W.  W 66 


SUBSCRIPTION  RATES 

United  States  and  possessions— 

$3  per  year. 
Canada — $4.50  per  year. 

Other  points  of  the  world — 

$6  per  year. 
Single  copies,  25  cents. 

Advertising  rate  cards  and  Audit 
Bureau  of  Cireulations  statonents 
furnished  upon  application. 


In  This  Issue — 


D^^TH  of  Marcus  Loew  shocks  entire  industry;  closes  brilliajit 
career  of  president  of  MetrO“Goldw3m-Mayer  and  head  of 
huge  theatre  circuit. 

Chicago  theatres  reopen  after  exhibitors  give  colleagues 
throughout  country  a powerful  lesson  in  cooperation — Labor 
situation  over  U.  S.  in  epitome. 

T3UTTERF1ELD  circuit  acquires  sixteen  theatres  of  Fitzpatrick  & 
-L>  McElroy  in  Michigan  by  closing  of  deal;  F.  & M.  retains  hold- 
ings in  Illinois  and  Indiana. 

PETTIJOHN  urges  theatre  owners’  cooperation  in  address  before 
M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Wisconsin  at  annual  convention  in  Milwaukee; 
McWilliams  is  elected  president. 


T ORD  S DAY  ALLIANCE  launches  na- 
-L-<  tionwide  drive  for  funds  to  push  blue 
laws  through  Congress;  Lankford  bill  will 
be  made  football  of  so-called  reformers. 

Like  to  pilot  Hon  in  airplane  across 
U.  S. ? M-G-M  will  do  it;  Honolulu 
flight  prize  winner  will  carry  Leo  in  spe- 
cial cage  from  Culver  City  to  New  York. 

EN  Albany  theatres  in  nine  blocks,  yet 
all  are  making  money;  Neighborhood 
houses  well  scattered,  survey  shows — 
Houston’s  autocratic  censors  play  havoc 
with  Aims. 

"P  ROMO  1 ERS  of  studio  enterprise  in 

Vancouver  arrested  on  fraud  charge 

Canadian  body  urges  all  children  under  1 6 
be  barred  from  picture  houses ^Agree- 

ment seen  on  clearance  plan  at  Coast 
theatres. 


LJARRY  REICHENBACH  tells  just  what 
^ American  theatre  folk  are  doing  in 
Paris — Growing  importance  of  short  fea- 
tures told  to  A.  M.  P.  A.  by  Hal  Roach. 

T OHN  W.  TOONE,  treasurer  of  E^uca- 
tional,  dies — Motion  Picture  Club  of 
New  York  takes  long  strides  toward  per- 
manent organization  — Stanley  opening 
three  theatres. 

Richard  DIX  objects  to  role  in  new 
picture  and  break  is  narrowly  avert- 
ed— West  Coast  Theatres  will  award  gold 
medal  to  producer  of  best  picture  during 
circuit’s  Greater  Movie  Season. 

/^ENSORS’  shears  and  near- riot  mark 
K-'  showings  of  “Callahans  and  Murphys’’ 
— Many  theatres  in  Rhode  Island  are  de- 
clared unsafe — Wire  short  circuit  kills  em- 
ploye. 


“The  Studio”  Appears  This  Week 
As  Section  Two  of  the  Herald 


22 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


EXHIBITORS 

HERALD 

Q)te  independent  ^Im  Srade  ^aper 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  Publisher  ^Editor 

Published  Eyery  Wednesday  by 

Quigley  Publishing  Company 
Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 

Marti*  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwi*  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  he  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the 
following  motion  picture  trade  publications  published  as  supplements  to 
Exhibitors  Herald:  Better  Theatres,  every  fourth  week.  The  Studio, 
every  fourth  week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Equipment  Index,  semi- 
annual. 


VoL.  XXX  September  10,  1927  No.  13 


Roxy’s  Policies 

TO  the  lasting  credit  of  Mr.  S.  L.  Rothafel,  the  origina- 
tor of  the  presentation  policy  in  motion  picture  thea- 
tres, it  may  he  said  that  however  enthusiastic  he  may  at 
any  moment  become  on  the  subject  of  presentation  he 
continues  to  run  presentation  and  he  does  not  permit 
presentation  to  run  him.  It  seems  as  the  father  of  the 
idea  he  best  knows  the  limitations  and  excesses  of  his 
brain  child.  While  others,  less  familiar  with  the  subject, 
permit  it  at  times  to  run  off  with  their  theatres  and 
their  profits,  Mr.  Rothafel  succeeds  very  effectively  in 
keeping  it  within  proper  bounds. 

Mr.  Rothafel  is  in  the  unique  position  of  being  respon- 
sible at  once  for  a great  benefit  to  the  industry  and  like- 
wise a great  harm.  The  benefit  he  has  achieved  is  quite 
apparent:  He  presents  the  greatest  of  motion  picture 
shows  and  has  accomplished  a great  deal  in  inciting  pub- 
lic interest  in  motion  pictures  and  elevating  the  standard 
of  theatre  entertainment.  The  harm  he  has  done — for 
which  he  caimot  be  held  to  strict  accountability  because 
he  is  not  his  brother’s  keeper — is  that  he  has  given  an 
idea  to  other  theatremen  which  at  times  runs  off  with 
them. 

Roxy’s  example  naturally  creates  followers.  Exhibitors 
see  his  show  and  without  thinking  very  sanely  as  to 
whether  his  problem  and  theirs  have  anything  in  com- 
mon, they  rush  out  and  seek  within  their  very  severe 
limitations  to  Roxyize  their  theatres.  The  result  in  many 
eases  is  a long,  expensive  and  tiresome  lot  of  appendages 
tacked  on  to  the  motion  pictures.  Instead  of  helping 
over  the  pictures  they  hinder  the  possible  success  of  the 
pictures.  They  attempt  to  follow  Roxy  but  they  do  not 
make  the  grade. 

Careful  scrutiny  of  Roxy’s  policy  shows  that,  unlike 
many  other  large  theatres,  the  Roxy  theatre  never  really 
loses  sight  of  the  fact  that  the  picture  is  the  thing.  Take 
the  case  of  the  current  engagement  of  “What  Price 
Glory”:  The  Roxy  program  consists  of  a single  intro- 
ductory stage  number  and  the  picture.  And  the  result 
is  the  greatest  theatre  attendance  on  record.  Mr.  Rotha- 
fel— unlike  some  of  his  contemporaries — is  not  afraid  to 
allow  the  picture  to  he  THE  attraction  of  his  theatre;  he 
is  not  afraid  that  unless  original  numbers  occupy  the  pro- 
gram largely  he  is  lowering  his  prestige  by  allowing  the 
work  of  some  producer  to  gain  the  chief  glory. 

The  basic  difference  between  Roxy’s  policy  and  the 
policy  of  various  of  the  other  large  presentation  houses 
seems  to  be  that  in  offering  incidental  acts  he  aims  to 


September  10,  1927 

help  the  pictures  and  not  substitute  some  other  type  of 
entertainment. 

* 

‘^Pictures  and  Organ” 

The  operator  of  one  of  the  most  successful  circuits  of 
medium-sized  theatres  recently  said  to  us  that  what 
the  picture  business  needs  most  at  this  time  is  a return  to 
the  policy  of,  “Pictures  and  an  organ;  admission  15 
cents.” 

A straight  motion  picture  policy  with  an  organ  for 
musical  atmosphere  with  the  reasonable  admission  price 
of  15  cents  represents  substantially  the  basis  upon  which 
the  success  of  the  motion  picture  business  was  built. 
There  is  no  question  as  to  where  that  policy  stands  with 
millions  of  theatre  patrons.  And  there  is  no  question  as 
to  how  sound  economically  it  is. 

On  the  subject  of  music  a great  number  of  medium- 
size  theatres  have  been  running  up  blind  aUeys.  They 
have  felt  lately  that  some  kind  of  an  orchestra  is  indis- 
pensable. With  their  present  and  possible  revenues  con- 
fining them  within  severe  limitations  they  have  set  out 
to  present  orchestral  music — and  a sad  job  most  of  the 
houses  of  this  class  make  of  it.  Four  or  five  indifferent 
players  are  turned  loose  in  the  theatre  to  bang  away  on 
what  is  supposed  to  be  a musical  program.  The  result 
in  no  way  matches  the  general  satisfaction  of  organ  solos 
and  accompaniments  to  pictures  and  the  cost  is  excessive. 

“Pictures  and  an  organ;  admission  15  cents”  offers  a 
policy  that  would  mean  salvation  to  hundreds  of  theatres 
and  at  the  same  time  would  make  both  for  the  stability 
of  the  industry  and  the  increased  satisfaction  of  the  pub- 
lic. 

♦ * * 

The  Labor  Dispute 

The  labor  crisis  in  Chicago  theatres  represents  one  of 
the  most  serious  developments  of  its  kind  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  industry.  As  these  lines  are  being  written 
the  outcome  remains  undecided  but  the  circumstances 
which  have  brought  it  about  stand  in  plain  view  and 
these  afford  interesting  material  for  consideration. 

The  operators’  union  in  Chicago  is  one  of  the  best  or- 
ganized and  managed  labor  bodies  in  the  country.  There 
is  no  question  as  to  how  successfully  it  has  done  the  job 
which  labor  unions  set  out  to  do.  But  it  has  been  lack- 
ing— and  is  now  lacking — in  one  very  important  re- 
quisite: It  has  choked  out  of  its  policies  any  trace  of 
tolerance  and  consideration  for  the  other  fellow’s  inter- 
ests. The  real  job  for  a labor  union  is  to  get  the  best 
deal  it  can  for  its  members;  not  the  best  deal  it  can 
think  of. 

The  heads  of  this  union  have  brought  great  prosperity 
and  progress  to  their  membership  but  there  have  been 
growing  indications  that  under  the  force  of  their  de- 
mands employers  were  rapidly  arriving  at  the  breaking 
point.  Labor  negotiations  are  a form  of  diplomatic  ex- 
change; diplomats  fail  either  because  they  get  too  little 
or  they  demand  too  much.  The  Chicago  operators’  union 
has  been  demanding  too  much  and  the  only  way  out  of 
the  present  situation  seems  to  be  an  agreement  to  con- 
cessions. 

For  the  complete  success  of  the  operators’  case  the 
present  situation  is  an  unfavorable  one.  Many  theatres, 
great  and  small,  are  either  making  red  entries  in  their 
ledgers  or  else  they  are  very  close  to  this  extremity. 
Every  sensible  businessman  seeks  compromise  and  ad- 
justment on  wages  and  working  conditions  with  the  labor 
he  employs.  But  when  he  is  faced  with  demands  that  he 
cannot  meet  without  hardship  he  is  forced  to  fight.  This 
is  what  has  happened  in  Chicago.  The  situation  has 
reached  a stage  at  which  recession  from  present  demands 
must  be  gained. 

However,  as  both  sides  to  this  dispute  are  intelligent 
and  expertly  directed  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  an  equitable 
and  a permanent  solution  will  be  arrived  at. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


Marcus  Loew’s  Death  Robs 
Industry  of  Great  Leader 


HOST  OF  FRIENDS 
PAYS  TRIBUTE  TO 
FILM  EXECUTIVE 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — Tributes  to  Mar- 
cus Loew  and  messages  of  sympathy  to  the 
Loew  family  poured  into  his  home  yester- 
day. They  came  from  Charles  M.  Schwab, 
William  Randolph  Hearst,  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  Senator  Copeland,  Will  H.  Hays, 
Lee  Shubert,  David  Warfield,  Lord  Beaver- 
brook,  Louis  B.  Mayer,  Irving  Thalberg, 
Harry  Rapf,  Rupert  Hughes,  Nathan  Bur- 
kan,  Eddie  Cantor,  Harold  Lloyd,  W.  C. 
Fields,  Fred  Niblo,  Richard  A.  Rowland, 
J.  J.  McCarthy,  Ben  Rothman,  of  Metro 
Films,  Berlin;  M.  E.  Comerford,  D.  E.  Pom- 
eroy, N.  L.  Nathanson,  Sir  William  Jury, 
William  Morris,  J.  B.  Joel,  Ernest  Fred- 
man,  Edgar  Hatrick,  Walter  J.  Kenlon,  A1 
Boyd,  Morris  Meyerfeld,  Norma  Talmadge, 
Jean  Sapine,  Lillian  Gish,  Lon  Chaney, 
John  Gilbert,  Norma  Shearer,  Ramon  No- 
varro,  Marion  Davies,  Greta  Garbo,  Jack 
Coogan,  Sr.  and  Jackie  Coogan.  The  Lambs, 
The  Friars  Club  and  the  Jewish  Theatrical 
Guild  also  sent  messages  of  condolence  to 
the  family. 

Many  of  the  expressions  of  regret 
came  from  Hollywood.  Mr.  Loew  had 
made  his  last  visit  to  the  Coast  last  No- 
vember. He  was  in  poor  health  at  that 
time  and  under  the  care  of  physicians. 
Following  are  some  of  the  hundreds  of 
tributes  paid  Mr.  Loew: 

WILL  H.  HAYS.— He  was  one  of 
the  kindliest  men  I have  ever  known. 
His  humaneness  and  gentleness  were 
equalled  only  by  his  real  ability. 

ADOLPH  ZUKOR.— I have  lost  a 
great  friend.  I can’t  find  words  to  ex- 
press my  feeling. 

NICHOLAS  M.  SCHENCK.— His 

memory  will  linger  long  in  our  hearts 
and  in  the  annals  of  the  amusement 
business.  The  affairs  of  Loew’s,  Inc. 
and  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  will  continue 
uninterrupted,  as  in  an  effort  to  preserve 
Mr.  Loew’s  health  he  has  had  no  active 
administrative  part  since  1924. 

LOUIS  B.  MAYER.— It  is  a terrible 
loss.  I am  too  shocked  to  begin  to 
realize  what  the  death  of  my  dear  friend 
means  to  all  his  friends  in  the  theatrical 
business. 

WATTERSON  R.  ROTHACKER.— 

The  shocking  news  of  Marcus  Loew’s 
death  will  stun  the  whole  amusement 
world. 

SAM  KATZ. — The  business  world  and 
the  entire  motion  picture  industry  has 
lost  one  of  its  most  powerfully  construc- 
tive leaders  in  the  death  of  Marcus 
Loew.  The  influence  of  his  dominant 
personality  has  been  felt  in  every  branch 
of  the  business.  He  was  one  of  the  pio- 
neers and  from  the  first  to  the  last,  a 
man  to  respect  and  admire.  His  death 
comes  as  a personal  loss  to  me  as  to  all 
his  steadfast  friends. 

AL  LICHTMAN,  HARRY  D.  BUCK- 
LEY  AND  ARTHUR  W.  KELLY.— 
The  motion  picture  industry  attained 
prominence  through  the  life  struggles  of 
a handful  of  men.  Marcus  Loew,  per- 
haps the  greatest  of  them,  has  passed, 
and  we  join  in  silent  tribute  with  every 
(Continued  on  page  SO) 


End  Comes  as  Shock 

Despite  Long  Illness 

No  Change  Expected  in  Policy  of  M-G-M  and  Loew’s, 
Inc, — Wealth  Estimated  $30,000,000 

By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 


NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — Marcus  Loew  is  dead.  The  head  of 
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  Pictures  Corporation  and  Loews,  Inc.,  passed 
quietly  from  sleep  to  death  at  6:30  last  Monday  morning  at  his  mag- 
nificent country  estate,  Pembroke,  Glen  Cove,  Long  Island.  The 
immediate  cause  of  death  was  a heart  attack. 

Funeral  services  will  be  held  at  11  o’clock  Thursday  morning  at  the  Glen 
Cove  estate  and  burial  will  be  in  Cypress  Hills  Cemetery. 

Death  Shocks  Industry 

While  Mr.  Loew  had  not  been  in  good  health  for  the  past  three  years,  it 
was  generally  believed  that  he  was  better  recently  than  he  had  been  for  a 
long  time  and  the  suddenness  of  his  death  came  as  a shock  to  the  film  in- 
dustry, in  which  he  was  probably  the  most  loved  man. 


Recently  Mr.  Loew  had  been  visiting 
the  home  of  Nick  Schenck,  at  Saratoga, 
and  not  feeling  well  decided  to  return  to 
Glen  Cove  last  Saturday.  He  was  taken 
to  Albany  in  an  automobile,  and  there 
boarded  his  yacht,  the  Caroline,  for 
home,  arriving  Sunday. 

In  Fine  Spirits  Sunday 
He  was  in  fine  spirits  up  to  the  time 
of  retiring  at  10  o’clock  Sunday  night, 
and  there  was  no  intimation  of  his  ap- 
proaching death,  which  occurred  while 
he  was  asleep  at  6:30  Monday  morning. 
His  entire  family  was  present,  having  all 
gathered  at  Glen  Cove  for  his  return. 

Mr.  Loew  was  being  attended  by  Dr. 
George  Baehr  and  a nurse  who  had  been 
with  him  since  a pneumonia  attack  last 
spring.  The  attendant  nurse  noticed  a 
flutter  in  the  patient’s  sleep  soon  after  6 
o’clock  in  the  morning  and  in  less  than  a 
minute  Mr.  Loew  was  dead.  The  cause 
of  death  was  given  as  angina  pectoris 
and  chronic  myocarditis.  Mr.  Loew  is 
survived  by  Mrs.  Loew  and  their  two 
sons,  Arthur  M.  and  David,  who  were  in 
the  house  and  hurried  to  the  bedside. 
Mr.  Schenck  will  have  charge  of  the 


funeral  arrangements.  The  Loew  thea- 
tres all  over  the  country  will  be  closed 
for  that  day. 

No  Change  in  Policy  Expected 

Since  Mr.  Schenck,  who  is  first  vice 
president  of  both  the  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  Pictures  Corporation  and  Loew’s, 
Inc.,  had  relieved  Mr.  Loew  of  the  man- 
agement of  much  of  his  business,  no 
change  of  policy  is  expected  in  the  pro- 
ducing company  and  the  theatres.  Both 
Mr.  Loew’s  sons  are  vice  presidents  in 
his  organization  and  will  work  in  asso- 
ciation with  Mr.  Schenck. 

Mr.  Loew’s  wealth  has  been  estimated 
at  $30,000,000  but  this  figure  is  admitted- 
ly a guess  based  on  general  calculation. 

In  1924,  Mr.  Loew  bought  “Pem- 
broke,” the  late  Captain  Joseph  R.  De 
Lamar’s  estate  here,  for  an  announced 
price  of  $550,000.  In  February  of  this 
year  he  was  reported  to  be  carrying  life 
insurance  of  $5,000,000,  being  one  of  the 
nine  men  in  the  country  insured  for  that 
much  or  more.  His  holdings  are  said 
to  be  concentrated  in  the  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer Pictures  Corporation  and 
Loew’s,  Inc. 


All  Theatres  Will  Close  Thursday  Until 
2 p.m.  During  Marcus  Loewis  Funeral 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — In  respect  to  the  memory  of  Marcus  Loew  nearly 
every  motion  picture  theatre  in  the  United  States  will  remain  closed  until  2 
p.  m.  on  Thursday,  September  8,  at  which  time  the  funeral  services  for  Mr. 
Loew  will  have  been  concluded. 

This  announcement  was  made  yesterday  by  Will  H.  Hays,  president,  M.  P. 

P.  D.  A.,  after  a special  meeting  of  its  directors.  4s  a further  token  of  re- 
spect the  orchestras  and  organs  in  every  theatre,  at  the  opening  of  the  first 
performance  Thursday  afternoon,  will  play  “Lead  Kindly  Light,”  which  had 
been  Mr.  Loew’s  favorite  hymn  since  hearing  it  at  the  time  of  President  Mc- 
Kinley’s funeral. 

All  motion  picture  studios  and  motion  picture  film  exchanges  in  the  United 
States  and  Canada  will  cease  all  operations  for  five  minutes  beginning  at  2 
p.  m.,  New  York  daylight  saving  time,  on  Thursday. 

The  services  will  be  held  at  11  o’clock  and  the  procession  will  start  at  11  ;30 
from  Pembroke  to  Cypress  Hills.  The  Rev.  Dr.  Aaron  Eisman  will  officiate. 
Pallbearers  will  be  David  Warfield,  Nicholas  M.  Schenck,  David  Bernstein, 
Adolph  Zukor,  Joseph  Michaels,  John  Golden,  Lee  Schubert,  Charles  M. 
Schwab,  William  Randolph  Hearst,  Edward  A.  Schiller,  Will  H.  Hays,  Aaron 
Jones,  Arthur  Brisbane  and  E.  F.  Albee. 


24 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


JMapT,  1870  ....  iHatCUSi  I^OCiU  ....  ^cpt.  5,1927 


^Wheii  Marcus 
^ Loew  paid  one 
of  his  annual  visits 
to  the  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  studios 
at  Culver  City  to 
look  the  plant 
over,  he  was  pho- 
tographed with 
the  following 
(middle  picture, 
left  to  right)  : Ar- 
thur Loew,  Harry 
Rapf,  associate 
producer;  Irving 
Thalberg  (sec  ond 
from  right),  asso- 
t riate  producer,  and 
David  Loew. 


Sketch  by  Karl  E.  Jolinson 


Marcus  Loew 
was  heloved  of 
executives  in  many 
lines  of  human  en- 
deavor. Bottom 
left:  Boyle  Work- 
man, president  of 
the  city  council  of 
Culver  City,  and 
C.  V.  Loop,  mayor, 
greeting  him  on 
the  Coast.  Bottom 
right:  David  War- 
field  (left)  bid- 
ding bon  voyage  to 
the  executive  and 
Enid  Bennett  and 
Fred  Niblo  on  a 
journey  overseas. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


Marcus  Loew 


career  of  Marcus  Loew  was  an 
expression  of  the  career  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry.  Just  as  the  motion 
picture  launched  out  into  existence  under 
the  humblest  circumstances,  so  did  the 
career  of  Marcus  Loew.  The  phenomenal 
progress  of  the  industry  was  paralleled 
by  his  progress.  And  just  as  unknowing 
persons  are  pleased  to  regard  the  suc- 
cess of  the  industry  as  something  result- 
ing from  great  good  fortune,  they  have 
been  many  who  have  used  the  term, 
“Loew  Luck,”  to  account  in  some  impor- 
tant measure  for  the  success  of  Mr.  Loew. 

But  the  edifice  of  great  commercial 
success  reared  during  the  lifetime  of 
Marcus  Loew  was  built  as  solidly,  as  sub- 
stantially and  as  lasting  as  Gibraltar.  The 
possibilities  of  the  industry  with  which 
he  was  associated,  of  course,  had  the 
natural  play  in  determining  the  limit  to 
which  his  commercial  and  financial  ef- 
forts could  carry,  but  in  any  industry  of 
his  choosing  Mr.  Loew  would  have  trav- 
elled far  and  successfully.  This  because 
he  was  a tireless  worker,  because  he  had 
extraordinary  vision  and  judgment  and — 
probably  most  important  of  all — because 
he  was  believed  in  by  his  associates  and 
by  his  customers. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Loew  will  cause  a 
greater  and  wider  feeling  of  personal  loss 
than  in  the  case  of  any  personality  of 
the  industry  who  has  passed  before  him. 
He  was  a genuinely  friendly  man  who 
made  friendships  freely  and  widely  be- 
cause he  valued  friendship.  His  myriads 
of  friendships  throughout  many  walks  of 
life  were  made  because  he  was  a friend- 
ly, sincere  man — and  without  any  thought 
of  seeking  or  inviting  an  advantage 
whether  it  be  personal,  social  or  finan- 
cial. With  the  same  ready  hand-clasp, 
cheery  smile  and  bright  word  with  which 
he  would  greet  Mr.  Otto  H.  Kahn  as  they 
were  waiting  to  board  their  yachts  in 
the  East  River  he  would  hail  a run-down 
vaudevillian  who  some  time  had  played 
over  the  Loew  time.  He  was  everywhere 
and  at  all  times  thoroughly  approachable 
for  the  usual  good  reason  in  such  cases 
that  he  always  felt  sure  of  himself. 


Among  the  many  tragic  significances 
‘ to  the  industry  of  his  passing  at  this 
time  is  the  fact  that  those  characteristics 
of  moderation,  sanity  and  sensible  pro- 
cedure which  so  signally  distinguished 
him  are  things  so  badly  needed  by  the 
industry  at  this  time  to  guide  it  aright. 
Only  a few  months  have  passed  since  the 
influence  of  his  sound  conservatism,  his 
whole-hearted  devotion  to  the  principle 
of  live  and  let  live  prevented  an  extrava- 
gant theatre  building  program  in  a par- 
ticular locality  which  would  have  plunged 
the  territory  into  difficulties  which  would 
have  crippled  it  for  a decade  and,  mean- 
while, brought  financial  disaster  to  a 
number  of  independent  operators. 

The  passing  of  such  a man  as  Marcus 
Loew  cannot  be  but  an  event  of  over- 
whelming sorrow  to  his  family  and  to  all 
who  knew  him,  but  in  the  light  of  how 
he  lived  and  what  he  did,  there  are  many 
mitigating  circumstances.  Before  death 
called  him  he  had  reached  the  very  pin- 
nacle of  his  goal  and  his  ambition.  He 
never  chose  to  dominate  or  rule;  he 
wanted  only  to  succeed  himself  and 
hardly  less  earnestly  he  wanted  others  to 
succeed.  He  had  amassed  a fortune  to 
the  point  where  the  mere  accumulating 
of  money  no  longer  interested  him;  he 
had  built  a business  of  which  he  was 
thoroughly  and  unqualifiedly  proud  and 
he  had  assembled  an  organization  for 
the  carrying  on  of  that  business  which 
had  his  whole-hearted  confidence.  Thus, 
in  the  full  flush  of  success,  his  career 
ended. 

Mr.  Loew  carried  his  fortune  grace- 
fully. Whether  his  friend  be  a million- 
aire or  a pauper  there  was  no  variance 
in  the  hand  of  fellowship  extended.  He 
was  notably  charitable — and  even  more 
important — he  was  notably  considerate, 
thoughtful  and  kindly.  To  have  been  his 
friend  is  one  of  life’s  richest  compensa- 
tions. His  memory  will  live,  and  never 
grow  tarnished,  in  the  hearts  of  those 
who  knew  him. 

—MARTIN  J.  QUIGLEY. 


Loew  a Figure 
Unique  in  U.  S. 
Theatre  Annals 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6.— Marcus  Loew 
was  in  many  ways  a personality  unique 
in  American  theatrical  history. 

Born  in  the  heart  of  New  York’s 
Ghetto  May  7,  1870,  his  talents  were  suc- 
cessively employed  as  newsboy,  printer, 
newspaper  publisher,  merchant,  and 
finally,  as  theatre  owner.  Since  his  in- 
vestment in  a penny  arcade  on  Four- 
teenth street.  New  York,  in  1904,  his 
amusement  interests  grew  until,  at  his 
death,  he  not  only  controlled  more  than 
300  theatre,  but  was  chief  executive  of 
one  of  the  three  largest  motion  picture 
companies. 

From  the  time  when  he  was  a 7-year- 
old  newsboy  selling  papers  on  the  side- 
walks of  New  York,  Marcus  Loew  was 
known  to  his  friends  and  associates  as  a 
hard  and  intelligent  worker.  He  saved 
his  money,  and  his  business  integrity 
was  without  a flaw.  When  he  failed  in 
business  he  paid  all  his  obligations  down 
to  the  last  cent,  although  not  legally  re- 
sponsible for  them.  He  never  broke  his 
word  to  anyone,  and  failure  only  inspired 
him  to  harder  work. 

The  publication  of  his  earlj^  newspaper, 
“The  East  Side  Advertiser,”  with  the 
help  of  a friend,  was  an  episode  in  his 
career  followed  by  an  experience  as  a 
dry  goods  clerk,  and  salesman  for  a 
dress  retailing  firm.  He  embarked  in  the 
latter  business  “on  his  own,”  failed  twice, 
paid  all  his  debts,  and  when  still  in  his 
early  twenties  helped  organize  the  golf 
cap  jobbing  house  of  Baher  and  Loew. 
Reaped  “Penny  Arcade”  Harvest 
Then  an  investment  in  the  “penny  ar- 
cade” proved  so  remunerative  that  in  six 
months  Mr.  Loew  and  his  associates  had 
got  back  an  original  expenditure  of  about 
$100,000.  This  was  in  1904. 

New  investments  in  penny  arcades  in- 
cluded two  in  Manhattan  and  one  in  Cin- 
cinnati. It  was  the  latter  which  put 
Loew  firmly  on  the  pathway  of  motion 
picture  development.  He  tried  the 
“movies”  in  his  Cincinnati  arcade,  and 
the  public  response  was  amazing.  Within 
half  a year  more  than  40  empty  stores 
and  other  buildings  in  New  York  had 
been  transformed  into  embryonic  motion 
picture  palaces.  Experimenting  with  his 
new  “vaudeville  circuit,”  Mr.  Loew 
worked  out  plans  for  a combined  show- 
ing of  the  better  type  of  vaudeville  and 
pictures.  In  what  had  been  one  of  the 
worst  sections  of  Brooklyn,  Mr.  Loew 
took  over  a cheap  burlesque  house, 
erected  a handsome  new  theatre  and 
realized  a profit  of  $60,000  the  first  year. 

Next  Acquired  Metro 
With  the  acquisition  of  Metro  Pictures, 
Mr.  Loew  became  one  of  the  really  big 
figures  in  the  producing  and  distributing 
end.  Subsequent  mergers  with  the  Gold- 
wyn  Company  and  with  Louis  B.  Mayer 
resulted,  in  April,  1924,  in  the  creation 
of  the  powerful  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
organization. 

In  the  summer  of  1926  Marcus  Loew 
was  awarded  the  medal  of  the  French 
Legion  of  Honor  in  recognition  of  the 
constructive  enterprise  of  the  American 
film  pioneer  in  improving  the  general 
quality  of  French  amusement  enterprises. 

Mr.  Loew’s  European  trip  of  last  year 
is  believed  to  have  been  of  extreme  im- 
portance as  a factor  in  clearing  up  mis- 
understandings that  had  arisen  between 
European  and  American  producers  and 
exhibitors. 


M,P.P.D.A.  Directors 
Deplore  Loew* s Death 
As  Passing  of  Leader 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — A special 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
the  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  America  was  held  this  after- 
noon and  the  following  resolution  adopt- 
ed: 

WHEREAS,  tlie  members  of  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors of  Motion  Picture  Producers  and  Dis- 
tributors of  America,  Inc.,  are  deeply  grieved  at 
the  death  of  one  of  the  ablest,  most  respected  and 
l)est  loved  pioneers  and  leaders  in  the  motion  pic- 
ture industry,  IMarcus  I.oew,  and 

WHEREAS,  as  president  of  his  corporations 
and  a member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Mo- 
tion Picture  Producers  and  Distributors  of 
America,  Inc.,  he  has  by  his  splendid  talents, 
sound  judgment  and  that  rare  and  admirable  at- 
tribute— eternal  humanness — succeeded  preemi- 
nently in  a field  which  reckons  success  in  terms 
of  service  as  well  as  in  accumulation  of  worldly 
goods,  and 

WHEREAS,  by  his  charity  to  all  men,  in 
thought  and  in  deed,  he  built  for  himself  in  the 
hearts  of  his  associates  a position  of  honor  which 
time  will  not  eclipse,  and 

WHEREAS,  his  example,  his  foresight,  his 
ideals  and  his  accomplishments  remain  a heritage 


to  those  who  follow  in  the  industry  he  loved  and 
served. 

NOW,  THEREFORE  BE  IT  RESOLVED, 
That  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Motion  Picture 
Producers  and  Distributors  of  America,  Inc.,  in 
special  meeting  convened,  does  hereby  express  its 
profound  regret  at  the  passing  of  this  great  leader 
who  was  a friend  to  all  men,  whose  deeds  are  a 
lasting  monument  and  whose  career  will  be'  an 
inspiration  forever,  and 

BE  IT  FURTHER  RESOLVED,  That  these 
preambles  and  resolutions  be  spread  upon  the 
records  of  the  association  and  copies  thereof  sent 
to  the  family  of  our  friend. 

June  Exports  of  Film 
Increase  More  T han 
Million  Feet  Over  May 

(Washington  Bureau  of  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Sept.  6.— June 
exports  of  the  motion  picture  films  in- 
creased more  than  1,000,000  feet  over 
those  of  May,  but  sliowed  a decline  in 
value  of  $140,000,  according  to  statistics 
compiled  by  the  Bureau  of  Foreign  and 
Domestic  Commerce.  Total  shipments 
during  the  month  were  22,717,250  feet, 
valued  at  $643,641,  against  21,307,725  feet 
valued  at  $782,671  in  June. 


September  10,  1927 


New  YORK. — Bill  Mack  is  going  to 
take  a vacation  some  time,  maybe, 
but  the  date  having  been  postponed  six 
times  has  got  him  wondering.  . . . Briice 
Gallup  heard  about  Henry  King  winning 
a cup  with  a very  low  score  on  the  Coast, 
and  is  paying  some  attention  to  handi- 
capping him  in  the  tournament  next  week. 

. . . Joe  Reddy  has  been  with  Harold 

Lloyd  so  long  that  he  is  beginning  to  look 
like  him,  especially  about  the  cheaters. 

. . . Harry  Kraft,  presentation  expert, 

has  entered  the  legitimate  field  and  will 
soon  produce  a play  at  the  George  M. 
Cohan  theatre.  . . . Joe  Boyle  has  gone 
to  the  Coast  to  direct  Bob  Kane’s  first 
picture  at  Burbank.  . . . Carl  Laemmle 
has  joined  the  staff  of  Satevepost  authors 
with  some  very  interesting  stuff  about  the 
picture  business,  which  Paul  Guliek  reads 
with  keen  attention.  . . . Pete  IVoodhull 
and  Mike  Conierford  are  spending  nights 
and  week-ends  en  famille  at  Lake  Hopat- 
cong,  which  is  in  New  Jersey.  . . . Christy 
Deibel  has  sent  word  that  he  has  built 
an  addition  to  his  trophy  room  at  Youngs- 
town, so  will  take  home  a few  more  cups 
from  the  film  golf  tournament  next  week. 

. . . Sam  Katz  is  busy  denying  that 

Publix  is  disposing  of  a number  of  small 
theatres,  but  a lot  of  picture  people  are 
good  deniers.  . . . Eddie  Cantor  is  proudly 
displaying  a new  watch,  the  gift  of  Sidney 
Kent  in  recognition  of  the  fact  that  Eddie 
proved  to  be  a good  film  actor  in  a good 
film.  . . . Harry  Reichenbach  returned 
this  week  from  a month’s  stay  in  Paris 
looking  so  fat  and  sassy  that  his  friends 
have  recommended  that  he  go  on  an 
Obesi-tea  diet.  . . . Vivian  Moses  is  back 
on  his  job  again  after  a session  with 
septic  poisoning,  which  he  says  is  no  good 
thing  to  spend  a vacation  with.  . . . 

Joe  Kennedy,  who  has  been  spending  a 
month  at  Bretton  Woods,  Maine,  is  ex- 
pected back  in  time  for  the  tournament 
with  his  golf  greatly  improved. 

T.  Hayes  Hunter,  who  made  a number  of 
pictures  and  many  friends  here,  is  now 
directing  pictures  in  England.  . . . Hal 
Hodes  held  a levee  in  the  Astor  Hunting 
room  on  his  return  from  a two  and  a half 
months  trip  over  the  country  in  the  in- 
terests of  Universal  short  features.  . . . 
Ned  Depinet  is  busy  getting  twelve  “Patent 
Leather  Kid’’  roadshow  units  ready  to  let 
the  country  see  that  First  National  has 
another  great  picture.  . . . Earl  Denison, 
long  with  Paramount,  has  joined  up  with 
United  Artists  as  head  of  a new  depart- 
ment of  film  service  and  maintenance.  . . . 
Ned  Marin  is  back  from  strenuous  labors 
at  First  National’s  Burbank  studio,  and 
is  resting  and  playing  golf  on  Long  Island. 

. . . Sol  Lesser,  en  route  from  the  Coast 
to  New  York,  stopped  over  at  Atlantic 
City  for  the  holidays.  . . . Sam  Sax 

leaves  next  week  for  the  Coast.  (This  is 
the  second  time  we  have  had  him  leaving, 
but  he  crosses  us  up.)  . . . Jack  Alicoate 
arrived  from  a European  trip  in  time  to 
attend  the  premiere  of  “The  Garden  of 
Allah’’  with  two  hours  to  spare  between 
boat  landing  and  show  opening.  . . . 

I^ouella  Parsons  is  again  in  our  midst, 
having  come  East  to  attend  the  big  fight 
in  Chicago,  her  old  home  town.  . . . 

Rose  Pelswick,  another  of  the  real  literary 
lights  of  the  film  industry,  is  back  from 
a vacation  during  which  she  almost  made 
a hole  in  par  on  Shawnee  golf  course. 
. . . Lon  Young  is  vacationing  in  Ber- 
muda and  a lot  of  us  are  hoping  he  vvill 
find  some  way  to  bring  some  back  with 
him.  — SPARGO. 


THE  GIRL 
FROM 
GAY  PAREE 

This  is  Tiffany’s  first  produc- 
tion for  the  new  season.  Top 
picture  shows  Margaret  Liv- 
ingston, Barbara  Bedford, 
Lowell  Sherman  and  Malcolm 
McGregor.  Below:  McGregor 
and  Miss  Bedford.  Left: 
Miss  Bedford,  McGregor  and 
Miss  Livingston. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


Chicago  Theatres  Reopen; 

Give  Cooperation  Lesson 


Exhibitors  Stay  United 
Against  Union  Demands 

Settle  with  Musicians  After  Operators  and  Stage- 
hands Return  to  Work  at  350  Houses 

By  ERNEST  A.  ROVELSTAD 

Chicago’s  theatre  strike,  probably  the  worst  in  the  history  of  the 
city  and  the  nation,  is  over  arid  exhibitors  of  the  country  have  before 
them  one  of  the  greatest  lessons  in  cooperation  ever  aflForded.  Three 
hundred  and  fifty  theatres  remained  dark  for  six  days  in  protest 
against  what  their  owners  termed  unreasonable  demands  from  the 
operators,  reopening  Sunday  only  after  a complete  settlement  of  the 
issue  had  been  reached. 

The  lesson  is  this:  If  theatre  owners  of  the  nation  would  cooperate  with 
similar  loyalty  in  meeting  common  problems,  there  is  practically  no  limit  to 
the  success  they  could  achieve  in  protecting  their  interests. 

Operators  Return  Until  January 

The  two  operators,  discharge  of  whom  had  precipitated  the  closing  of  prac- 
tically every  theatre  in  Chicago,  went  back  to  the  Belmont,  Orpheum  circuit 
house,  until  January  1,  1928,  when  their  contract  expires  and  a new  one  will 
be  made. 


LABOR  SITUATION 
OVER  U.  S.  IN 
EPITOME 


Sedalia^  Mo. 

A 5 per  cent  wage  increase  has  been 
granted  to  the  operators  and  stagehands  at 
two  of  the  principal  local  theatres.  Settle- 
ment followed  a strike  and  closing  of  the 
city’s  houses. 

Muskogee,  Okla. 

Muskogee  theatres  have  indicated  that,  in- 
sofar as  musicians  are  concerned,  they  will 
operate  on  an  open  shop  basis. 

Dallas,  Tex. 

A temporary  injunction  has  been  granted 
restraining  union  employes  of  the  Sunset 
theatre  from  interfering  with  the  operation 
of  the  house.  A.  C.  Manurary,  manager,  had 
objected  to  the  “unfair  posters”  and  pickets 
which  had  been  used. 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 

R.  R.  Biechele,  president  of  the  M.  P.  T. 
O.  of  Kansas-Missouri,  states  there  will  be 
no  sympathy  strike  in  Kansas  City  “for 
everything  is  harmonious  enough  in  Kansas 
City.” 

Bellingham,  Wash. 

A strike  of  operators  arid  stagehands  here 
is  said  by  union  officials  to  be  the  forerun- 
ner of  a movement  extending  to  the  Pacific 
Northwest. 

Springfield,  Mo. 

Theatres  here  have  been  operating  under 
a nonunion  policy  and  under  police  protec- 
tion as  a result  of  the  demands  of  musicians, 
operators  and  stagehands  for  an  increase  of 
$5  weekly.  A final  demand  for  an  increase 
of  $1.75  for  two  operators  also  was  rejected. 

Carthage,  Mo. 

Theatres  of  this  city  have  been  dark  ow- 
ing to  a strike  of  union  employes. 

Kansas  City,  Mo. 

Orchestra  leaders  here  are  being  paid  $100 
a week,  while  operators  and  stagehands  are 
receiving  from  $70  to  $80.  There  is  no  dis- 
satisfaiction  here. 

Watertown,  N.  Y. 

The  differences  between  the  theatre  man- 
agers and  the  union  employes  have  been 
straightened  out,  and  the  theatres  have  been 
reopened. 

New  York,  N.  Y. 

There  is  little  fear  of  a strike  of  union 
theatre  employes  here,  for  the  T.  O.  C.  C. 
has  a two  year  contract  with  operators  and  a 
three  year  contract  with  stagehands.  The 
only  trouble  could,  be  caused  by  the  musi- 
cians, with  whom  the  organization  has  no 
contract. 

St.  Louis,  Mo. 

Conditions  here  between  the  theatres  and 
unions  are  satisfactory.  The  theatres  have 
contracts  with  employes  which  have  from 
one  to  two  years  to  run. 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Demands  of  the  unions  here  were  par- 
tially met,  and  the  present  coriditions  are  to 
prevail  for  the  coming  three  years.  The  new 
contract  here  is  between  the  theatres  and 
the  musicians  and  the  stagehands.  The 
(Continued  on  next  page) 


The  operators’  union  had  demanded 
that  the  Belmont  theatre  maintain  four 
projectionists  despite  the  protests  of  the 
management  and  the  Orpheum  circuit 
that  there  was  sufficient  work  for  only 
two.  The  operators  called  a strike 
against  the  Orpheum  circuit  and  the  Ex- 
hibitors’ Association  of  Chicago  deter- 
mined to  support  the  vaudeville  circuit 
in  upholding  a principle  of  fairness  to 
the  small  theatre  owner.  And  all  mem- 
bers of  the  association  remained  stead- 
fast to  that  principle  in  the  face  of  six 
days’  loss  of  box  office  receipts. 

The  final  consummation  of  amicable 
relations  with  the  unions  came  with  the 
signing  of  a new  contract  with  the  musi- 
cians at  1 a.  m.  Sunday  night. 

Terms  of  the  new  agreement  with  the 
musicians’  union  follow: 

Four-piece  orchestras  to  be  main- 
tained in  33  small  theatres  for  a 40- 
week  season,  in  eight  large  theatres 
for  44  iveeks  and  in  six  for  35  weeks. 

Pay  for  the  first  rehearsal  of  the 
week,  of  two  hours  or  less,  to  be  $4, 
the  others  $2. 

Fifteen-minute  rest  in  each  hour  for 
organists. 

Reopening  of  the  theatres  Sunday 
brought  tremendous  attendances  de- 


spite the  many  out-of-town  excursions 
planned  for  the  Labor  Day  week-end. 
Crowds  were  waiting  even  at  such 
houses  as  had  9 a.  m.  shows. 

Mayor  at  Conference 

The  settlement  with  the  operators  and 
stagehands,  who  had  gone  on  strike  in 
sympathy  with  the  projectionists,  came 
late  Saturday  after  a conference  at  the 
offices  of  Mayor  William  Hale  Thomp- 
son in  the  Sherman  hotel. 

Attending  this  meeting,  besides  Mayor 
Thompson,  were  Jack  Miller,  business 
manager  of  the  Chicago  exhibitors’  or- 
ganization; Charles  C.  Pettijohn,  chief 
counsel  of  the  Film  Boards  of  Trade; 
Barney  Balaban,  of  Balaban  & Katz; 
City  Comptroller  Charles  C.  Fitzpatrick, 
Thomas  Maloy  and  Ralph  Browne,  busi- 
ness agents  of  the  operators  and  stage- 
hands. Fitzmorris  had  been  named  an 
arbiter  following  a request  from  Bala- 
ban and  Miller  that  a fifth  and  disinter- 
ested person  be  appointed  to  participate 
in  the  conferences.  Previously  they  had 
offered  to  have  as  fifth  member  W.  E. 
Canavan,  president  of  the  Operators’ 
Union. 

The  night  before  a meeting  with 
Mayor  Thompson  had  failed  to  bring  an 
(^Continued  on  next  page) 


Strike  Costs  Box  Office  $1,200,000; 

Loss  to  Exchanges  Called  Negligible 

Who  pays  the  freight  for  the  theatre  strike  in  Chicago? 

Quoted  estimates  of  the  loss  of  box  office  receipts  averaged  $200,000  a day. 
For  the  six  days  of  darkness  that  would  mean  more  than  one  million  dollars 
in  business  that  was  lost. 

The  loss  is  practically  all  in  revenue,  with  a negligible  amount  to  the  ex- 
changes, due  to  the  arrangement  of  setting  back  the  booking  of  pictures  for 
one  week,  according  to  Jack  Sampson,  president  of  the  Film  Board  of  Trade. 
For  example,  a picture  contracted  for  last  week  Monday,  the  day  the  strike 
began,  was  set  back  until  Monday  of  this  week.  Both  in  news  reels  and  in 
the  adjudicating  of  special  cases,  Sampson  said,  the  loss  will  be  “negligible.” 

What  the  situation  practically  amounts  to  is  that  the  exhibitor  will  double 
up  on  pictures  wherever  he  can. 


28 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Herald  photo 


'‘Three  pairs  of  sox  for  $.50”  might  be  seen  in  any  £ve  and  ten  cent  store,  but 
when  such  a sign  stretches  across  the  lobby  of  a theatre,  there  must  be  some  un- 
usual reason  for  it. 

The  sign  under  which  a street  hawker  did  a flourishing  business  in  sox  was 
seen  all  last  week  in  the  lobbies  of  the  Gem  and  Kozy  theatres  during  the  Chicago 
strike. 

Sidney  Selig,  owner  of  the  theatres,  rented  the  lobbies  at  $12.50  a day  each  to  the 
“pitch  men”  who  reported  that  business  was  good. 

Chicago  Exhibitors  Teach  Lesson 

of  Cooperation  in  Operator  Strike 

(Continued  from  preceding  page) 


agreement,  though  it  had  given  indica- 
tion that  a settlement  was  in  sight.  Pet- 
tijohn  had  told  the  mayor  that  he  “could 
not  see  why  these  questions  could  not  be 
settled  with  the  theatres  open  as  well  as 
with  them  closed.’’  Miller  had  stated 
after  the  Friday  night  meeting  that  “ne- 
gotiations were  broken  off  when  the 
union  leaders  delivered  an  ultimatum  of 
‘all  or  nothing.’  ” 

Union  Leaders  Adamant 
Union  leaders  had  been  adamant 
against  arbitration  of  the  issue  since  the 
strike  opened.  The  exhibitors  also  had 
determined  to  stand  pat  on  their  princi- 
ples as  explained  by  Miller. 

“There  is  no  question  of  money  in- 
volved,” iMiller  had  said.  “The  associa- 
tion is  not  attempting  to  cut  down  the 
wages  of  any  person  in  any  of  the  three 
unions.  It  is  simply  a matter  of  condi- 
tions and  working  forces.  The  owners 
are  determined  that  they  will  no  longer 
allow  the  unions  to  force  them  to  carry 
men  on  the  payrolls  for  whom  they  have 
no  need. 

“We  want  the  public  to  understand 
that  we  are  making  every  effort  to  get 
pictures  for  them.” 

Federal  Conciliators  Attend 
Friday  night’s  conference  followed  ap- 
peals for  action  from  Benjamin  M. 
Marshman  and  Fred  Keightly,  concili- 
ators of  the  United  States  Department 
of  Labor,  who  had  come  to  Chicago  and 
offered  their  official  services. 

At  a preliminary  conference  at  the 
Congress  hotel  Asher  Levy  and  John 
Balaban  represented  the  exhibitors, 
while  Thomas  Reynolds,  Thomas  E. 
Maloy  and  Ralph  O’Hara  spoke  for  the 
operators.  Meantime  the  full  executive 
committee  of  the  owners  was  waiting  at 
the  Sherman  hotel.  Maloy  finally 
changed  his  attitude  and  declared  for 
further  conference. 

Unions’  Wages  Listed 
Important  to  exhibitors  throughout 
the  country  are  the  figures  on  wages  and 
working  hours  of  union  men  in  theatres, 
as  brought  out  by  John  Balaban  in  the 


course  of  the  meetings,  though  at  the 
same  time  he  emphasized  that  working 
conditions  and  not  wages  were  the  basis 
of  the  present  darkening  of  the  theatres. 

Balaban  declared  that  B.  & K.  employs 
51  stagehands  in  all  its  theatres  and  their 
average  wage  exceeds  $100  a week.  At 
the  Chicago  theatre,  one  stagehand — 
W.  Oke — ^has  been  paid  $4,595  in  the 
eight  months  since  January  1,  with  $110 
his  lowest  weekly  wage  and  $229  his 
highest. 

At  the  Roosevelt,  without  stage  shows, 
there  are  two  stagehands.  One  turns  on 
the  lights  in  the  morning,  the  other 
turns  them  off  at  night,  and  in  eight 
months  one  of  them  drew  $3,511  and  the 
other  $3,535. 

The  operators  have  a five-hour  day, 
except  that  those  in  the  downtown  the- 
atres work  42  hours  a week.  The  wages 
downtown  are  $95  a week,  and  in  the 
large  neighborhood  theatres  $90,  though 
it  is  stated  the  operators  downtown 
average  $15  a week  in  excess  of  this 
figure.  In  small  theatres  the  pay  is  $80. 
Both  theatre  owners  and  union  men  esti- 
mate the  average  of  the  653  operators  at 
almost  $100  a week. 

Musicians’  pay  was  quoted  as  varying, 
with  a number  of  extras  added  to  their 
envelopes.  An  organist,  for  example, 
adds  $7  to  his  base  pay  of  $70  because  he 
plays  alone.  The  base  pay  for  an  or- 
chestra member  in  a de  luxe  theatre  was 
given  as  $85,  but  in  addition  he  receives 
$4  the  first  day  for  a two-hour  rehearsal 
and  $2  for  each  rehearsal  thereafter; 
also  $14  extra  for  appearing  on  the 
stage  and  $3.50  for  appearing  in  costume. 

Department  Heads  Get  $93.50 

George  Browne,  of  the  stagehands’ 
union,  admitted  that  the  figures  on  wages 
were  correct,  but  denied  they  were  over- 
paid, or  that  the  union  forced  the  the- 
atres to  employ  more  men  than  needed. 
He  declared  the  trouble  was  that  the 
theatres  insisted  on  working  the  men  too 
long. 

Browne  placed  the  pay  for  heads  of 
departments  at  $93.50. 


Labor  Situation 

In  Epitome 

(Continued  from  page  27) 


musicians’  contract  has  to  run  until  Sept.  1 
1928. 

Des  Moines,  la. 

The  trouble  which  arose  here,  presumably 
because  of  the  employment  of  outside  musi- 
cians at  the  Capitol  theatre,  a Blank  house, 
during  the  reorganization  of  the  presenta- 
tion force,  has  been  amicably  settled. 

Houston,  Tex. 

Union  operators  are  back  at  work  at  the 
Metropolitan,  Queen,  Kirby,  Majestic  and 
Royal  following  a one-day  strike.  A short 
conference  between  John  J.  Friedl,  Publix 
district  manager,  R.  J.  O’Donnell,  Interstate 
representative,  C.  B.  Stiff,  city  manager  for 
publix  and  union  officials  resulted  in  a fav- 
orable decision.  Operators  will  get  their 
pay  increase,  with  no  decrease  in  hours, 
while  stagehands  will  get  no  increase  in  pay, 
but  will  have  a six  day  week. 

San  Antonio,  Tex. 

Union  operators  are  back  on  the  job  wait- 
ing a conference  between  John  J.  Friedl 
and  Manager  Lytle  of  the  local  Publix 
houses. 

Toronto,  Canada 

Musicians  strike  was  averted  Tuesday  by 
the  signing  of  a three-year  compromise,  the 
musicians  gaining  65  per  cent  of  demanded 
pay  increases  but  accepting  shorter  rest 
periods. 

Hollywood 

Further  negotiations  are  undertaken  with 
the  operators,  musicians  and  stagehands.  Ex- 
hibitors offer  to  submit  issue  to  a board  of 
arbitration. 


New  Ingram  Photoplay 
**Garden  of  AllaErHas 
Premiere  in  New  York 

Alice  Terry  Stars  in  New  Film 
Supported  by  Prominent 
Continental  Artists 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — “The  Garden 
of  Allah,”  the  final  picture  made  by  Rex 
Ingram  under  his  contract  with  Metro- 
Goldwyn,  was  given  its  world  premiere 
last  Friday  night  at  the  Embassy  theatre, 
and  met  with  a pleasing  reception  from 
an  audience  of  invited  guests. 

The  production,  which  was  adapted  by 
Willis  Goldbeck  from  Robert  Hichens 
popular  and  much  discussed  novel,  shows 
the  Ingram  touch  throughout,  is  beauti- 
fully mounted,  superbly  photographed 
and  splendidly  acted  by  a cast  of  foreign 
actors  with  the  exception  of  Alice  Terry, 
and  a couple  of  minor  characters. 

Playing  opposite  her  is  Ivan  Petrovich, 
a handsome  and  talented  young  Russian 
actor,  in  the  part  of  Father  Adrien,  the 
young  Trappist  monk. 

The  production  was  photographed 
chiefly  in  Northern  Africa,  supposedly  on 
the  very  sites  which  Hichens  used  as 
the  locale  of  his  romantic  story.  Many 
of  the  outdoor  shots  show  scenes  of 
wondrous  beauty. 


Tiffany  Opens  Exchange 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CHARLOTTE,  N.  C.,  Sept.  6.— Tiffany 
Productions,  Inc.,  has  opened  a motion  pic- 
ture exchange  here  at  227  N.  Graham 
street.  It  is  managed  by  E.  E.  Heller, 
former  Pathe  manager  for  this  territory. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


History  of  Chicago  Theatre  Strike  in  Pictures 

The  Cause 


Here  are  the  two  mo- 
tion picture  operators 
whose  discharge  from 
the  Belmont  theatre 
led  to  the  tieup: 
Julius  F.  Holzapfel 
(left)  and  J.  P.  Mac- 
Kinnon. 


Middle  left:  Jack 

Miller,  business  man- 
ager of  the  Exhibitors 
Association  of  Chi- 
cago, tells  the  theatre 
owners  that  they  no 
longer  should  tolerate 
the  conditions  im- 
posed by  the  opera- 
tors union. 


Middle  right:  Peter 
Shayne,  addressing 
the  operators,  says 
they’ll  stick  together 
to  the  finish. 


Bottom  left:  An  agree- 
ment is  reached  at  the 
mayor’s  office.  (L  to 
R)  Leo  Spitz,  at- 
torney for  exhibitors; 
Congressman  Frank 
Reid;  Jack  Miller; 
Barney  Balaban  of 
B & K;  Mayor  Wil- 
liam Hale  Thompson; 
City  Controller 
Charles'  Fitzmorris; 
George  Brown,  stage- 
hand union’s  agent; 
Tom  Maloy  agent  of 
operators  union,  and 
Charles  Pettijohn. 


Bottom  right: 
Throngs  wait  at  the 
Chicago  theatre  for 
seats  when  the  an- 
nouncement is  made 
that  the  strike  has 
been  settled  and  the 
show  will  go  on. 


^^We  11  Stand  Pat  Exhibitors  ^^We  It  Stand  Pat  Operators 


Intprnutional  New3 


The  Settlement 


The  Result 


30 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Like  to  Pilot  Lion  in  Airplane 
OverU.S.?  M-G-M  To  Do  It 

Martin  Jensen,  Winner  of  Second  Prize  in  Flight  to  Hawaii,  Will  Carry 
Leo  from  Culver  City  to  New  York  September  11 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

New  YORK,  Sept.  6. — There’s  going  to  be  an  airplane  trip  from 
California  to  New  York  City  Sunday,  September  11,  and  the  pilot 
and  the  passenger  will  not  even  be  on  speaking  terms,  before, 
during  or  after  the  journey.  The  passenger  will  be  a lion,  and  a live  one 
at  that.  Which  explains  why  the  pilot  will  not  have  much  to  say  to  the 
passenger,  though  the  passenger  may  have  a lot  to  say  to  the  pilot. 


The  lion  will  be  Leo,  the  Metro-Gold- 
wyn-Mayer  lion,  and  the  one  who 
will  have  the  figurative  lion’s  share  of 
the  proceedings  will  be  Martin  Jensen, 

_ Tn  second  prize  in  the  Dole  air 
a e 'oss  the  Pacific  to  Hawaii.  The 
n’s  share  will  be  just  to  sit,  and 
hopes  he’ll  confine  his  efforts  to 
just  that. 

Jensen  Will  Be  Chef,  Too  J 
Jensen,  in  addition  to  piloting  the 
plane,  will  also  be  chef  for  his  passenger, 
Leo  will  be  fed  and  watered  by  means  of 
tubing  extended  from  the  pilot’s  com- 
partment to  a container  at  the  bottom 
of  the  cage.  The  compartment  in  which 
the  cage  will  be  built  will  be  enclosed 
in  isinglass  to  keep  out  wind  and  rain, 
and  ventilation  will  be  through  the  roof. 
The  compartment  will  be  immediately 
behind  the  pilot’s,  and  Jensen  might  be 
pardoned  if  he  suggests  that  it  be  more 
“behind”  than  “immediate.” 

Preparations  for  the  flight  are  now 
nearing  completion  with  the  return  of 
Jensen  from  Honolulu.  The  plane  is 
being  constructed  at  the  B.  F.  Afahoney 
Aircraft  shops  in  San  Diego  and  will  be 
practically  a duplicate  of  the  Lindbergh 
machine.  It  will  carry  350  gallons  of 
gasoline  for  the  nonstop  flight. 

Transport  Circuses  by  Plane? 

A1  G.  Barnes,  circus  man  and  owner 
of  Leo,  the  M-G-A!  mascot,  whose  like- 
ness appears  on  the  company’s  trade- 
mark, sees  in  this  feat  a forerunner  of 
the  day  w'hen  entire  circuses  will  be  car- 
ried by  plane. 

Louis  B.  Mayer,  production  chief  of 
M-G-M,  points  to  the  flight  as  a stimulus 
to  commercial  aviation,  declaring  that 
“aviatjon  today  has  reached  a point  of 
advance  where  about  the  only  pioneering 
to  be  done  is  wholly  within  its  commer- 
cial aspects.” 

It  is  planned  to  hop  off  from  the  back 
lot  of  the  M-G-M  studio  at  Culver  City, 
with  Roosevelt  Field  as  the  probable 
landing  place  at  the  journey’s  end. 

One  detail  of  preparation  calls  for 


heating  Leo’s  suite  by  piping  from  the 
.’■exhaust  and  passing  under  the  animal’s 
compartment.  It  is  not  stated  whether 
■Jensen  will  carry  a thermometer  to  avoid 
any  possible  complications  should  the 
y;St€am  heat  rise  above  the  normal  tem- 
perature fixed  by.  the  janitors’  union, 
f vvit  can  be  stated  definitely,  however, 

' that -the  pilot  will  not  adopt  as  his  slogan 
for  the  journey  the  yell  of  the  Lions 
Club,  “Roar,  lionj'roar.”  ' 

Gotham  Announces 
Mrs.  Wallace  Reid’s 
Tour  Opens  in  West 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — The  personal 
tour  of  Mrs.  Wallace  Reid  in  the  dra- 
matic playlet,  “Evidence,”  which  is  being 
booked  in  conjunction  with  her  latest 
starring  picture  for  Gotham,  “The  Satin 
Woman,”  opened  at  the  Pantages  thea- 
tre in  San  Francisco  Sept.  3.  The  itinerary 
of  the  star  has  been  completed  until 
Nov.  5. 

Clarence  Hennecke  has  been  appointed 
comedy  constructor  for  “Blondes  by 
Choice”  by  Gotham.  The  picture  goes 
into  production  this  week  with  Claire 
Windsor  in  the  stellar  role. 

Theatre  Man  Is  Killed 
by  Wire  Short  Circuit 

Carl  Schlord,  janitor  for  the  Elmo 
theatre,  Chicago,  was  found  dead  in  the 
theatre,  his  hand  clutching  a large  flood 
light. 

The  police  said  that  his  death  was  due 
to  a short  circuit  on  the  light,  which 
electrocuted  him.  He  was  35  years  old. 


M.  H.  Starr  Loses  Son 

{Special  to  the  Herald') 

DETROIT,  Sept.  6.— Mr.  and  Mrs.  M. 
Harlan  Starr  are  mourning  the  loss  of 
their  son,  Billy,  who  died  last  week. 


Censors  Shears  and  Near-Riot  Enliven 
Showing  of  *^Callahans  and  Murphys^* 

Showings  of  “The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys”  have  resulted  in  the  barring 
of  the  him  in  several  cities  and  in  at  least  one  other  in  an  incipient  riot. 
Seven  men  in  Yonkers,  N.  Y.,  were  arrested  during  a presentation  of  the  pic- 
ture and  arraigned  on  a charge  of  inciting  riot.  They  are  declared  to  have 
used  rocks  and  other  missives  in  interpreting  their  protest  against  the  picture. 

The  censorship  board  of  San  Antonio,  after  a private  viewing  of  the  him 
at  the  Princess  theatre,  ordered  it  barred  from  that  city.  An  appeal  has  been 
sought  by  Marsline  K.  Moore,  manager  of  the  Princess.  Showing  of  the 
picture  has  been  forbidden  in  Jersey  City  by  Public  Safety  Commissioner 
Beggans,  who  declared  that  he  was  “taking  the  authority”  of  the  censors  in 
making  his  action.  Following  a protest  by  Congressman  John  J.  Douglas  and 
officials  of  Irish  societies  at  a private  showing,  the  Orpheum  theatre,  Boston, 
withdrew  the  production,  despite  the  fact  the  him  had  been  approved  by  state 
and  city  censors. 

Under  the  heading,  “Irish  World  Leaders  Give  Their  Views,”  the  “Irish 
World  and  American  Industrial  Liberator,”  in  its  issue  of  September  3, 
devotes  a full  page  to  letters  discussing  “The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys.” 


LEO,  THE  M-G-M  MASCOT 

Many  Theatres  in 
Rhode  Island  Are 
Declared  Unsafe 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

PROVIDENCE,  R.  I.,  Sept.  6.— Alany 
infractions  of  the  new  laws  governing  con- 
struction and  operation  of  motion  picture 
theatres  in  towns  of  the  state  have  been 
reported  following  inspection  of  43  of  the 
theatres  by  state  police.  Attorney  General 
Charles  P.  Sisson  is  conducting  the  in- 
vestigation. 

Six  of  the  theatres  have  been  closed 
until  such  time  as  changes  are  made  in 
accordance  with  the  new  laws  and  ap- 
proval by  the  state  police.  Warnings 
have  been  issued  in  the  other  instances  and 
if  corrections  are  not  made  when  the  re- 
inspection starts,  in  about  two  weeks,  more 
will  be  ordered  closed.  The  inspection 
does  not  include  cities  of  the  state,  which 
are  regulated  by  municipal  ordinances. 

Of  the  infractions  ordered  corrected,  14 
theatres  failed  to  provide  ventilators  for 
the  projection  booths;  27  booths  were 
found  equipped  with  gravity  aperture 
slides  which  would  not  operate  when 
tests  were  made;  29  booths  had  inflam- 
mable rewind  benches ; 20  booths  were 
smaller  in  size  than  required  by  the  new 
law;  24  were  not  provided  with  fire  ex- 
tinguishers as  required  and  29  were  not 
equipped  with  fireproof  receptacles  for 
burnt  carbons.  Faulty  wiring  and  un- 
covered switches  were  found  in  numerous 
instances. 

A number  of  operators  were  found  who 
“are  not  licensed  in  this  state.”  They  are 
required  to  pass  a state  license  test  and 
then  secure  a permit  from  the  town  police 
or  fire  wardens. 

Warner  Bros.  Promote 
4 Salesmen  in  Canada 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6.— Warner  Bros, 
announce  that  four  salesmen  have  been 
promoted  to  the  position  of  managers  in 
the  Canadian  territory. 

Wolf  Cohen,  formerly  a salesman  at- 
tached to  the  St.  John  branch,  has  been 
made  manager  of  the  Winnipeg  branch. 
William  Feldstein,  formerly  a salesman 
in  Toronto,  has  been  made  manager  of 
the  St.  John  branch.  Rich  Wilson,  a 
Calgary  salesman,  is  now  Calgary  rnan- 
ager  and  Joseph  Plottel,  a Winnipeg 
salesman,  has  been  made  manager  at 
Vancouver. 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


September  10,  1927 

Agreement  Is  Seen 
on  Clearance  Plan 
Among  Coast  Houses 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— A satisfactory 
settlement  of  the  new  Clearance  plan  will 
likely  be  reached  this  week.  Several  meet- 
ings have  been  held  between  representatives 
of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Southern  California 
and  Harold  B.  Franklin,  president  of  West 
Coast  Theatres,  Inc.  The  latter  asked  for 
a revision  of  the  present  zoning  system. 
A working  basis  agreeable  to  all  parties 
is  now  being  framed. 

Charles  C.  Petti john  who  has  assisted 
in  adjusting  the  matter  has  returned  to 
New  York.  He  asked  for  the  fullest  co- 
operation of  the  exhibitors  and  stated  the 
Clearance  Plan  undoubtedly  has  merit  and 
is  eventually  going  to  work  out  satisfac- 
torily. Several  propositions  were  offered 
the  exhibitors  at  last  week’s  session  and 
counter  propositions  were  advanced  by 
West  Coast  Theatres. 

The  matter  of  double  features,  country 
stores,  prize  nights,  gift  nights,  public  wed- 
dings and  previews  was  presented  by 
several  independent  exhibitors.  Mr.  Frank- 
lin agreed  to  abolish  all  of  these  so-called 
evils  in  West  Coast  houses  excepting  the 
previews,  which  he  stated,  would  be  im- 
possible in  certain  theatres,  as  they  have 
become  an  established  thing  and  are  quite 
necessary. 

At  the  meeting  held  Wednesday  a com- 
mittee was  selected  to  meet  at  an  early 
date  and  amicaibly  settle  the  Clearance 
Zoning  matter;  Harold  B.  Franklin,  presi- 
dent West  Coast;  a member  of  the  Film 
Exchange  Board  of  Trade  to  be  selected 
by  the  exhibitors;  and  a member  of  the 
M.  P.  T.  O.  selected  by  Ben  Berenstem, 
are  to  compose  the  committee. 

Fred  McConnell  Heads 
Two  Pathe  Series  Units 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— Fred  J.  Mc- 
Connell, formerly  owner  and  editor  of  the 
Exhibitors  Daily  Review,  and,  on  several 
occasions,  supervisor  of  productions  at 
Universal  City,  is  functioning  in  similar 
capacity  with  two  series  of  pictures  being 
made  for  release  through  Pathe  Exchange, 
Inc. 

He  has  started  production  on  the  first 
of  a series  of  eight  feature-length  pictures 
in  which  a screen  dog  will  be  starred. 

Ray  art  Chooses  Cast 
For  Light  in  Window*^ 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6.— Henry  B.  Wal- 
thal  has  been  chosen  as  lead  for  “The 
Light  in  the  Window,”  to  be  produced  by 
Rayart  Pictures  Corporation,  according  to 
W.  Ray  Johnston,  president  of  the  com- 
pany. 

Others  in  the  cast  are  Patricia  Avery, 
Erin  LaBissner,  Henry  Sedley,  Tom  0’ 
Grady  and  Cornelius  Keefe. 

Columbia  Exchanges 

Opens  New  Offices 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Sept.  6. — Columbia 
Film  Exchanges,  Inc.,  newly  organized  Pa- 
cific Coast  distributing  organization  of 
Columbia  pictures,  opened  permanent 
offices  this  week  in  Portland,  Ore.,  and 
Butte,  Mont. 

Adolph  Rosecan  is  the  branch  manager 
at  Butte  and  L.  E.  Tillman  is  the  Portland 
branch  manager. 


Butterfield  Gets  16  Theatres 
By  Fitzpatrick-McElroy  Deal 

F & M Retains  Houses  Owned  and  Operated  in  Illinois  and 
Indiana,  Including  Three  Newly  Acquired  at 
Muncie  and  One  at  Richmond,  Ind. 

Sixteen  theatres,  comprising  all  the  Fitzpatrick-McElroy  holdings  in  the 
state  of  Michigan,  are  now  under  the  Butterfield  banner  through  lease  and 
purchase  as  a result  of  final  completion  last  Friday  of  negotiations  which  have 
been  under  way  all  summer. 

The  Butterfield  circuit  took  possession  of  the  theatres  Sunday,  following 
negotiations  carried  on  in  New  York  and  completed  in  Chicago.  Fitzpatrick 
& McElroy  retains  its  holdings  in  other  middlewest  states. 

retains  and  operates  the  following  hold- 
ings : 

Tivoli  and  Starland  theatres  in 
Michigan  City,  Ind.;  the  Grand  and 
the  Lyric  in  Blue  Island,  III.;  the 
Harvey  and  the  Garden  in  Harvey, 
III.;  the  Lincoln,  Dixie  and  Washing- 
ton theatres  at  Chicago  Heights,  III., 
and  the  most  recent  acquisitions  in 
Indiana,  including  the  Rivoli,  Strand 
and  the  Star  at  Muncie  and  the  Tivoli 
at  Richmond. 

Nor  does  this  take  in  the  many  other 
realty  holdings  of  the  company.  A state- 
ment to  stockholders  adds  the  information 
that  “the  states  of  Illinois,  Indiana  and 
Wisconsin  hold  out  many  prosperous  out- 
looks for  further  operations  by  Fitzpatrick- 
McElroy  Company,  and  our  policy  will  be 
to  acquire  additional  prominent  locations 
with  a view  to  affiliating  them  at  a sub- 
stantial profit  with  the  large  international 
theatrical  circuit  owners.” 

The  statement  to  stockholders  says  that 
associated  with  W.  S.  Butterfield  are  Para- 
mount, owners  of  B & K,  of  the  Publix 
Theatres,  and  the  Keith  Vaudeville  Ex- 
change of  New  York,  “they  being  the  larg- 
est producers  of  motion  pictures  and  vau- 
deville attractions,  operating  theatres  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.” 

Following  is  a list  of  the  Butterfield 
theatres ; 

Ann  Arbor — Arcade,  Majestic,  Orpheum  and 
Wuerth. 

Battle  Creek — Bijou. 

Bay  City — Columbus,  Orpheum,  Regent,  State, 
Washington  and  Wenonah. 

Flint — Garden,  Palace  and  Regent. 

Grand  Rapids — Isis,  Majestic,  Orpheum,  Powers 
and  Strand. 

Hillsdale— Dawn. 

Ionia — Family  and  Regent. 

Jackson — Capitol,  Regent  and  State. 

Dansing — Capitol,  Colonial,  Gladmer  and 
Strand. 

Owosso — Capitol. 

Pontiac — Eagle,  Oakland,  Orpheum,  Rialtp, 
State  and  Strand. 

Port  Huron — Desmond,  Family  and  Regent. 
Saginaw — Franklin,  Mecca  Palace,  Regent, 
Strand,  Temple  and  Wolverine. 

Ypsilanti — Martha  Washington  and  Wuerth. 

Promoters  of  Studio  Enterprise  in 

Vancouver  Arrested  on  Fraud  Charge 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

VANCOUVER,  B.  C.,  Sept.  16. — The  promotion  of  the  "National  Cinema 
Studios”  at  Vancouver,  B.  C.,  for  the  producing  of  motion  pictures  in  Canada 
has  reached  the  Police  Court  stage,  the  two  principals.  Jack  Anderson  and 
Fay  M.  Lear,  being  charged  with  conspiring  to  defraud  the  public,  the  cases 
being  scheduled  for  hearing  before  Magistrate  H.  C.  Shaw  of  Vancouver. 

According  to  the  chief  witness  at  the  preliminary  hearing,  Charles  B. 
Dench,  a former  detective,  the  promoters  worked  on  the  assumption  that  con- 
siderable English  capital  had  been  provided  for  the  Vancouver  proposition. 
Dench  declared  that  he  had  been  told  by  Anderson  that  between  $2,500,000 
and  $3,000,000  had  been  subscribed  in  London,  England,  for  the  development 
and  promotion  project.  Witness  declared  he  had  spoken  to  Anderson  and 
that  the  latter  had  told  him  that  the  English  capital  was  a “hoax.” 

The  names  of  Capt.  Vaughan,  Lord  Robert  Kindersley  and  a Mr.  Sales  were 
mentioned  in  evidence  as  being  the  British  backers  of  the  Vancouver  scheme. 


While  the  consideration  was  not  made 
public,  Blair  McElroy  stated  that  it  “was 
substantial  and  mutually  satisfactory  to 


follows ; the  Lib- 
erty theatre,  Ben- 
ton Harbor;  Bi- 
jou, also  at  Ben- 
ton Harbor;  Rivi- 
era, Three  Rivers ; 

Lyric,  Traverse 
City;  Lyric,  Cadil- 
lac, and  Colonial, 

Big  Rapids. 

The  ten  others,  leased  from  other  own- 
ers and  operated  bv  F & M and  now  sub- 
leased to  Butterfield  after  purchase  of  the 
good  will  and  equipment  owned  by  F & M, 
are : 

The  Croswell  and  New  Family  theatres 
at  Adrian,  Mich. ; the  Lyric  and  the  Maltz 
at  Alpena ; Bell  Opera  House,  Benton  Har- 
bor; Kozy,  Ludington;  Lyric,  Manistee; 
Caldwell,  St.  Joseph;  Rex,  Three  Rivers, 
and  the  City  Opera  House  at  Traverse 
City. 

“It’s  a proper  move  to  make  due  to  the 
necessity  of  the  centralization  of  the  pow- 
ers of  the  industry,”  Blair  McElroy  said 
of  the  deal. 

Fitzpatrick  & McElroy,  one  of  the  old- 
est firms  operating  in  Illinois,  Indiana  and 
Michigan,  and  one  of  the  most  successful. 


all  parties  con- 
cerned.” 

Six  of  the  six- 
teen Michigan  the- 
atres in  the  deal 
represent  realty 
holdings  of  the 
Fitzpatrick  - Mc- 
Elroy Company  as 


Blair  McElroy 


32 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Harry’s  Paris  Moviettes 

Direct  from  our  eagle-eyed  Ambassador  Extraordinary  to  the  former 
court  of  Louis  XVI  (and  a few  other  Louises) — Sir  Harry  Reichenbach. 


J.  R.  Rubin,  at  Crillon  hotel,  recovering  from  auto  accident. 

Jack  Alicoate,  learning  to  play  baccarat, 

Connie  Talmadge,  in  Ritz  lobby,  holding  a conference  with  20  young  men, 
Emmett  Flynn,  chasing  all  over  town  ivith  brief  case  (or  grief  case), 
containing  the  rights  to  several  French  books, 

Norma  Talmadge,  at  Care  St,  Lazaire,  bidding  Fanny  Rrice  god’ -by, 

Rex  Ingram  Sports  Sandals 
Rex  Ingram  without  stockings — wearing  sandals, 

Sidney  Garrett,  with  new  store  teeth,  rushing  for  London  boat  train, 

W innie  Sheehan,  on  the  sand  at  Lido,  ivith  beautiful  flowered  pajamas, 
Carl  Laemmle — ditto — but  no  flmvers, 

S,  L,  Lynch,  at  Deauville  baccarat  table,  with  thousands  of  francs  before 
him, 

Harry  Lachman  (former  Ingram  assistant)  showing  his  scenic  laugh  films 
to  all  and  sundry,  and  beautiful  they  are,  too, 

Leonce  Perrett  at  dinner  with  Schmidt  of  Eastman  Kodak, 

Sir  William  Jury  and  accent  lunching  with  Bob  Rubin, 

Katz  and  Kane  in  Pursuit 

Sam  Katz  and  Bob  Kane  chasing  a chemin  de  fer  for  Cherbourg  ( chemin 
de  fer  means  train), 

Reginald  Ford  commuting  betiveen  his  Paris  theatre  and  his  Cannes  Casino, 
Al  Kaufman  busy  all  day  at  new  Paramount  theatre — at  night  with  Mrs,  K,, 
who  is  very  ill, 

Hope  Hampton  color  film  a hit  at  a Boulevard  movie  house. 

And  yours  truly  trying  to  write  news  with  the  poorest  pen  on  earth.  Best 
ever,  to  yourself  and  Martin, 

— Harry  Reichenbach. 


British  Exhibitors 
Show  More  Interest 

in  Short  Features 

England  Grows  Tired  Waiting  for 
Chaplin  s Picture  ‘‘The 
Circus” 

(Speci-al  to  the  Herald) 

LONDON,  Sept.  6. — C.  Graham  of 
Paramount  has  announced  that  his  com- 
pany is  establishing  a department  in  this 
country  for  the  distribution  of  short  fea- 
tures. There  has  been  of  late  a marked 
tendency  among  British  exhibitors  to  show 
more  interest  in  shorts. 

* 

Persistent  rumors  having  been  current 
of  late,  concerning  the  progress  of  the 
Wembley  scheme  outlined  by  Ralph  J. 
Pugh  last  June,  an  official  denial  was 


issued  this  week.  Pugh  says  that  there 
is  no  reason  to  doubt  that  the  first  stage 
will  be  ready  for  production  activities  by 
Jan.  1,  as  previously  stated,  and  if  cer- 
tain negotiations  which  are  now  afoot, 
really  materialize,  there  is  a strong  like- 
lihood that  three  stages  will  be  available 
bv  that  time. 

* 

The  news  that  the  property  issue  in 
the  Chaplin  divorce  proceeding  has  been 
settled,  fires  those  British  exhibitors  who 
have  booked  the  star’s  new  picture — now 
very  much  overdue — with  fresh  hope  that 
in  due  course  they  will  indeed  be  able 
to  screen  “The  Circus.’’ 

Feelings  in  exhibiting  circles  on  this 
side  have  lately  been  more  characteristic 
of  a jungle  than  a circus,  for  patience 
has  been  tried  to  breaking  point,  and 
many  exhibitors  wishing  to  cancel  their 
contracts  have  been  further  inflamed  by 
the  refusal  of  Allied  Artists  to  accept 
such  cancellations. 


St.  Louisians  Show 
Good  Pictures  Are 
What  They  Want 

( special  to  the  Herald ) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Sept.  6. — St.  Louisians  dur- 
ing the  week  closing  on  Friday,  Sept.  2, 
demonstrated  forcefully,  that  real  motion 
pictures  do  not  have  to  take  second  place 
to  any  other  form  of  entertainment,  and 
that  the  widely  held  belief  that  pretentious 
presentations,  band  shows,  etc.,  are  re- 
quired to  bring  patrons  in  generous  num- 
bers to  our  modern  picture  palaces  is  false. 

Four  or  five  high  class  motion  pictures 
were  on  the  screens  of  the  leading  the- 
atres of  St.  Louis  and  combined  they  did 
a tremendous  business — perhaps  the  great- 
est aggregate  week  in  the  history  of  St. 
Louis  film  theatres.  Certainly  second  to 
no  other  week  with  perhaps  the  single  ex- 
ception of  the  big  Christmas  Week  of  1926. 
The  showing  of  the  pictures  is  considered 
remarkable  in  view  of  the  keen  competition 
of  horse  racing  and  a couple  of  tracks  of 
dogs. 

At  Loew’s  State  “The  Big  Parade’’ 
grossed  (unofficially)  more  than  $42,000  in 
a week,  with  100,0(X)  cash  patrons.  It  was 
held  over  for  a second  week. 

Just  a few  blocks  from  Loew’s  State 
at  Skouras  Brothers’  Ambassador  “Beau 
Geste  had  a fine  week.  Its  business  was 
the  best  the  Ambassador  has  had  for  many, 
many  weeks. 

“Metropolis,’’  at  Skouras  Brothers’  Mis- 
souri Theatre,  played  to  remarkable  busi- 
ness on  Saturday  and  Sunday,  August  27 
and  28,  but  failed  to  hold  up,  yet  on  the 
whole  the  week  was  much  above  the  av- 
erage for  this  house.  “What  Price  Glory’’ 
m Its  third  St.  Louis  run  at  the  Grand 
opera  house  stood  ’em  up  all  week. 


Wa  rner  Brothers 
Announce  Releases 
From  October  1st 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — ^Following  are 
the  Releases  of  Warner  Bros,  following 
Oct.  1. 

October  1— “THE  BROADWAY  KID  (tempor- 
ary  title),”  starring-  George  Jessel;  October  8 — 
A DE  LUXE  (title  to  be  designated) ; October 
22_“BEWARE  of  married  MEN,”  starring 
Irene  Rich. 

November  5— “SAILOR  IZZY  MURPHY,” 
starring  George  Jessel;  November  19 — “A  DOG 
OF  THE  REGIMENT,”  starring  Rin  Tin  Tin. 

December  3 — “REBECCA  O’BRIEN,”  starring 
May  McAvoy;  December  17 — “FIVE  AND  TEN 
CENT  ANNIE,”  starring  Louise  Fazenda,  sup- 
ported by  Cook  and  Demarest;  December  31 — 
“GOOD  TIME  CHARLEY,”  starring  Warner 
Oland. 

Release  dates  have  not  been  set  as  yet  for  the 
following:  “The  Comeback  (Temporary  title),” 
starring  Monte  Blue;  “Powder  My  Back,”  star- 
ring Irene  Rich;  “The  Girl  From  Chicago  (tem- 
porary title),”  starring  Conrad  Nagel  supported 
by  Loy;  “Across  The  Atlantic,”  starring  Monte 
Blue;  “Rinty  Of  The  Desert,”  starring  Rin  Tin 
Cook;  “Roulette  (temporary  title),”  starring  May 
McAvoy;  “The  Devil  Dog  (temporary  title),” 
starring  Rin  Tin  Tin;  “The  Silver  Slave 
(temporary  title),”  starring  Irene  Rich;  A De- 
Luxe,  title  to  be  designated;  “If  I Were  Single 
(temporary  title),”  starring  May  McAvoy  sup- 
ported by  Conrad  Nagel;  Another  Warner  Win- 
ner, starring  Louise  Fazenda,  supported  by  Cook 
and  Demarest. 

Release  dates  have  not  been  set  as  yet 
for  the  following:  “The  Jazz  Singer,” 
starring  Al  Jolson;  “The  Fortune  Hunter,” 
starring  Syd  Chaplin;  “Ham  And  Eggs,” 
starring  Conklin,  supported  by  Loy; 
“Black  Ivory,”  starring  Monte  Blue; 
“Noah’s  Ark,”  and  three  Dolores  Costello 
Production,  starring  Dolores  Costello. 


Canada  Body  Urges  Children  Under 

16  Be  Barred  from  Picture  Houses 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

OTTAWA,  Sept.  6. — Aside  from  a portion  of  his  report  which  recommends 
that  childreji  under  sixteen  years  of  age  be  barred  from  motion  picture  houses 
the  hndings  of  Justice  Boyer  of  Montreal  for  the  Royal  Commission  hold 
nothing  particularly  alarming  for  the  motion  picture  industry  in  Canada. 
Justice  Boyer’s  investigation  is  an  aftermath  of  the  Laurier  Palace  disaster. 

His  report  states  that  he  found  motion  pictures  generally  speaking,  were 
not  immoral.  The  report  further  contains  an  approval  of  Sunday  shows. 
More  than  427  persons,  including  many  exhibitors,  have  given  testimony  in 
the  investigation. 

Religious  bodies  expressed  approval  over  the  proposed  ban  on  children 
under  16  years  from  theatres  but  were  disappointed  in  Justice  Boyer’s  judg- 
ment on  the  question  of  Sunday  shows. 

Present  theatre  laws  and  regulations  are  credited  with  being  generally 
sufficient  by  Justice  Boyer.  He  recommends  a poster  censor  board  to  work 
with  the  film  censors  thus  abolishing  local  poster  censors  in  the  various  cities. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Study  the  Public,  Petti john 
Urges  Wisconsin  Exhibitors 

Average  Theatre  Earns  4 to  9 Per  Cent  on  Investment,  M.  P. 

T.  O.  Convention  Is  Told — F.  J.  McWilliams 
of  Madison  Is  Elected  President 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MILWAUKEE,  Sept.  6. — Intelligent  study  of  the  demands  of  the  pub- 
lic in  regard  to  pictures  was  urged  before  more  than  100  exhibitors  last 
week  by  C.  C.  Pettijohn  of  the  Hays  organization,  at  the  annual  conven- 
tion of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Wisconsin.  F.  J.  McWilliams  of  Madison  was 
elected  president. 

“Amateur  Visibility”  Days  Over 

Pettijohn  stated  that  the  public  was  willing  to  pay  a fair  price  for  shows, 
but  that  a certain  quality  was  also  demanded.  To  flood  the  market  with 
cheap  shows  would  not  be  a very  good  procedure,  he  stated,  because  the 
public  has  gone  through  the  days  of  “amateur  visibility”  as  far  as  pictures 
are  concerned. 


DeLuxe  Feature  Ft Im 
Acquires  4 Hamrick 
Theatres  in  Seattle 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SEATTLE.  WASH.  Sept.  6.— Four  of 
John  Hamrick’s  Seattle  neighborhood  the- 
atres, The  Egyptian,  The  Neptune,  The 
Uptown  and  The  Lakeside,  have  been  sold 
to  A1  Rosenberg  for  $150,000,  it  was  an- 
nounced today. 

The  deal  transferred  the  properties  from 
Mr.  Hamrick  and  the  West  Coast  The- 
atres, Inc.,  to  the  DeLuxe  Feature  Film 
Company.  Neither  The  Blue  Mouse  here 
nor  the  two  show  houses  of  the  same  name 
in  Portland  and  Tacoma,  Mr.  Hamrick’s 
three  largest  theatres,  were  involved  in  the 
deal. 

The  Lakeside,  Montlake  district;  The 
Uptown,  Queen  Anne  district  and  The 
Neptune  in  the  University  District,  were 
jointly  and  equally  owned  by  Mr.  Hamrick 
and  the  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.  The 
Egyptian  on  University  Way  was  the  sole 
property  of  Mr.  Hamrick. 

Goodwill  Film  Exchange 
Will  Distribute  Films 
of  Excellent  Pictures 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6.— The  Goodwill 
Film  Exchange,  Inc.,  will  distribute  the  18 
feature  productions  to  be  produced  and 
distributed  by  Ex- 
cellent Pictures 
Corp.,  for  the  sea- 
son of  1927-28,  in 
California,  Neva- 
da, Arizona  and 
the  Hawaiian  Is- 
lands. 

The  same  com- 
pany has  also  con- 
tracted for  the 
distributing  rights 
on  “six  big  pic- 
tures starring 
George  Walsh.” 

Adrian  Johnson 

IS  head  of  the  Adrian  Johnson 

scenario  depart- 
ment of  Excellent  Pictures. 


Paramount  Announces 
Profit  of  $3,532,325 
for  First  Six  Months 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6.— The  Para- 
mount Famous  Lasky  Corporation,  in  its 
consolidated  statement,  which  includes 
earnings  of  subsidiary  companies,  reports 
combined  net  profits  of  $1,465,051.66  for 
the  three  months  and  $3,532,325.49  for 
the  six  months  ended  July  2,  1927,  after 
deducting  all  charges  and  reserves  for 
Federal  Income  and  other  taxes.  The 
six  months  figures  include  its  $479,415.55 
undistributed  share  of  earnings  of  the 
Balaban  & Katz  Corporation,  a 65  per 
cent  subsidiary. 

After  allowing  for  payment  of  divi- 
dends on  the  preferred  stock,  the  above 
earnings  amount  to  $2.27  per  share  for 
the  three  months  and  $5.60  per  share  for 
the  six  months,  on  the  common  stock 
outstanding. 


Moss  Has  New  Post 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6.— Richard  L. 
Moss,  of  the  Warner  Bros,  home  offices 
and  publicity  writer,  has  been  made  assist- 
ant manager  of  the  Oxford  theatre,  a new 
consolidated  house  in  the  Bronx.  . 


Organization  in  the  ranks  of  the  exhibi- 
tors is  also  an  item  and  a problem  that 
is  very  important,  the  chief  counsel  of  the 
Boards  of  Trade  stated.  With  the  growth 
of  the  motion  picture  field,  problems  are 
arising  every  day  whose  solution  affects 
every  branch  of  the  industry,  he  declared. 
To  advance  their  own  interest  exhibitors 
should  have  good  organizations  and  bene- 
fit from  cooperation  as  well  as  from  ex- 
change of  ideas.  He  stated  this  was  the 
■first  time  he  had  ever  addressed  a conven- 
tion of  Badger  theatre  men,  but  this  ter- 
ritory was  familiar  to  him  as  he  had  trav- 
eled over  it  many  times  in  the  days  of  his 
apprenticeship. 

Exhibitors  Profit  4 to  9 Per  Cent 

Pettijohn  was  quite  emphatic  in  stating 
that  people  are  misinformed  when  they  say 
that  theatre  owners  are  making  huge  profit 
percentages  on  their  theatres.  Figures 
show  that  the  average  theatre  earns  only 
4 to  9 per  cent  profit  on  the  investment, 
which  is  not  a great  deal,  he  added.  In- 
creased overhead  expenses  in  the  way  of 
additional  entertainment,  etc.,  have  added 
materially  to  the  cost  of  operating  a thea- 
tre and  competition  has  also  played  a part 
in  the  game. 

Competition  is  very  good  for  the  thea- 
tre industry,  said  Pettijohn.  It  is  very 
likely  to  promote  activity  on  the  part  of 
theatre  owners  so  they  will  make  efforts 
to  attract  more  people  to  their  theatres. 
Competition  of  the  wrong  kind,  however, 
will  work  a great  deal  of  havoc  with  the 
business,  he  warned. 

Calls  Radio  Competitor 

As  far  as  vaudeville  acts  are  concerned, 
the  radio  is  a competitor  of  the  theatre, 
said  the  speaker.  Excellent  vaudeville  acts 
are  broadcast  over  the  radio  that  local  thea- 


tres never  could  afford  to  book.  If,  then, 
a local  theatre  advertises  second  and  third 
rate  acts  as  being  the  best  obtainable,  the 
showing  will  suffer  when  placed  alongside 
the  drawing  power  of  excellent  acts  over 
the  radio.  It  was  his  suggestion  that  the 
photoplay  be  featured  always  to  draw  the 
crowds  and  the  vaudeville  acts  booked  to 
give  the  patrons  an  additional  period  of  en- 
tertainment for  their  admission  price. 

Need  of  better  relations  betwe'en  the  ex- 
hibitors and  the  distributors  was  stressed  by 
Pettijohn,  who  stated  considerable  difficulty 
had  been  experienced  in  the  past  between 
these  two  important  ends  of  the  theatre 
industry.  Cooperation  and  a realization  of 
mutual  principles,  however,  will  do  much 
to  obliviate  much  of  the  misunderstanding 
that  now  exists,  he  said. 

Urge  Labor  Peace 

With  the  present  stirrings  of  difficulties 
with  the  unions,  such  as  the  strike  in  Chi- 
cago last  week,  there  is  every  reason  for 
Wisconsin  theatre  owners  to  meet  all  such 
problems  with  an  end  to  maintain  amicable 
relations,  in  the  opinion  of  the  many  dele- 
gates who  participated  in  an  open  discus- 
sion meeting  Tuesday  afternoon. 

The  Wednesday  morning  meeting  was 
given  over  to  further  discussion  of  thea- 
tre management  problems  in  which  all  dele- 
gates took  a part.  This  varied  from  stage 
production  to  double  features. 

The  annual  election  of  officers  was  theri 
held.  Besides  F.  J.  McWilliams,  Madison, 
president-elect,  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  named! 
A.  C.  Gutenburg,  vice  president;  Max 
Krofta,  recording  secretary;  Ernest  Lange, 
treasurer;  William  Jacobs,  sergeant-at- 
arms.  Henry  Staab,  was  re-elected  execu- 
tive secretary  and  business  manager. 


Dempsey-Sharkey  Fight  Film  Makes 

Trouble  for  Just  About  Everybody 

It  seems  as  thought  the  Dempsey-Sharkey  hght  him  and  its  distributors  and 
exhibitors  just  can’t  keep  out  of  trouble.  In  Indianapolis  it  is  understood 
at  the  Federal  building  that  an  extensive  investigation  is  under  way  to  deter- 
mine just  how  a print  of  the  him  was  brought  to  Indiana.  One  print  was 
conhscated  and  its  alleged  owner  arrested  by  the  department  of  justice,  but 
the  Colonial  theatre,  fulhlling  its  advance  advertisements,  is  showing  a second 
print  this  week  to  capacity  houses. 

At  Tucson,  Ariz.,  the  federal  grand  jury  is  scheduled  to  convene  shortly  to 
investigate  any  alleged  conspiracy  of  Phoenix  theatrical  men  to  engage  in 
transporting  the  him.  Harry  Nace,  head  of  the  Rickard  and  Nace  string  of 
theatres  in  Arizona,  is  awaiting  trial  at  Phoenix  on  charges  of  receiving  and 
exhibiting  the  him.  , 

In  St.  Louis  the  Garrick  theatre  is  completing  a two  weeks’  showing  of  tho 
him  after  William  Sievers,  local  motion  picture  exhibitor,  was  hned  $600  for 
transporting  the  him  from  Chicago. 


34 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


10  Albany  Theatres  in  9 Blocks, 
Yet  All  Are  Making  Money 

Neighborhood  Houses  Well  Scattered  for  Most  Part,  Survey  Shows — 

18  Theatres  in  City 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

Albany,  Sept.  6. — just  when  is  the  saturation  point  reached  in  re- 
spect to  the  motion  picture  theatre?  Much  depends  upon  the  type 
L of  the  city.  It  may  be  made  up  of  ultra  conservatives  who  do  not 
attend  the  theatres  with  any  degree  of  regularity.  Perhaps  the  city  has 
a large  percentage  of  foreignborn,  or  again  the  city  may  be  an  industrial 
center  with  the  theatres  and  places  of  amusement  dependent  upon  two 
nights  a week  for  profits  that  must  take  care  of  the  other  five  days.  Then 
again  a great  deal  depends  upon  the  manner  in  which  a theatre  is  con- 
ducted as  well  as  the  location  of  the  theatres. 


ONE  exhibitor  in  Albany  declared  no 
city  was  overseated  as  long  as  the  thea- 
tres paid  a fair  return  on  the  amount  in- 
vested in  the  houses. 

Ten  Houses  in  Nine  Blocks 
The  city  of  Albany  has  a population  of 
about  130,000.  All  the  downtown  theatres 
are  clustered  in  a group,  with  ten  houses 
within  nine  blocks,  all  but  one  of  the  ten 
being  on  the  same  street.  It  should  be 
borne  in  mind  that  these  blocks  are  short 
ones  at  that.  Yet  all  these  theatres  are 
making  money.  The  houses  spend  plenty 
of  money  in  newspaper  advertising  and 
have  educated  the  people  to  a large  extent 
to  come  downtown  for  their  amusement. 
At  the  same  time  there  appear  to  be  enough 
people  left  in  the  residential  sections  to 
provide  good  paying  audiences  for  these 
houses. 

The  ten  downtown  houses  are  all  good 
sized,  with  seating  accommodations  from 
800  to  2,000  or  more.  It  was  only  about 
a year  or  so  ago  that  the  latest  addition 
to  Albany’s  string  of  downtown  houses 
was  built,  the  Mark  Ritz,  one  of  the  Stan- 
ley chain.  At  that  time  more  than  one  per- 
son expressed  wonder  as  to  where  the  pat- 
ronage was  coming  from,  and  as  to  what 
houses  would  suffer.  The  house  was 
opened,  and  from  that  day  to  this  it  has 


paid,  and  what  is  more  to  the  point,  the 
other  theatres  appear  to  be  as  well  filled 
as  before. 

Of  course  in  Albany,  like  many  an^ 
other  city,  there  are  residential  houses 
that  are  poorly  located.  There  are  still 
some  people  who  are  laboring  under  the 
impression  that  all  one  has  to  do  is  to 
erect  a theatre  in  any  old  place  and  the 
crowds  will  come.  Some  of  these  per- 
sons have  learned  a sad  and  costly  les- 
son in  Albany. 

As  a general  thing,  however,  Albany’s 
residential  houses  are  well  scattered,  some 
being  two  miles  from  the  downtown  dis- 
trict. These  houses  have  built  up  a busi- 
ness all  their  own,  and  instead  of  using 
any  great  amount  of  newspaper  space,  they 
utilize  the  program  booklets  which  are  dis- 
tributed from  house  to  house  each  week. 
In  one  instance  the  owner  accompanies  the 
boys  distributing  each  week  to  see  that  no 
home  is  skipped.  These  houses,  all  subse- 
quent run  affairs,  are  not  injured  in  any 
way  by  the  larger  first-runs  downtown. 

All  told,  Albany  has  eighteen  theatres, 
with  a new  one  in  course  of  construction 
with  a seating  capacity  of  1,200,  to  open 
early  this  month.  Albany’s  houses  are 
making  money,  which  is  proof  that  the 
saturation  point  has  not  yet  been  reached. 


Re-Takes 


\^ELL,  if  the  theatres  all  over  the 

V,  ‘^^^'^try  decided  to  close  up  for  a 
while  the  producers  could  put  into  effect 
a real  economy  plan — it  wouldn’t  be  neces- 
sary to  make  any  pictures  for  a while. 

* * * 

Some  of  our  best  directors  and  actors 
are  looking  ahead,  and  have  gone  into  the 
auto  washing  business.  They  figure  folks 
will  always  drive  cars  and  there  will  be 
no  dull  season — in  California. 

* * 

I refer  to  Bill  Beaudine  and  William 
Russell.  They  ought  to  make  good,  Beau- 
dme  can  polish  the  tops  and  Russell’s 
strong  enough  to  polish  the  nickel. 

^ ^ ^ 

"Extra”  Note 

Suppose  you’ve  heard  the  one  about  the 
extra  who  said  he’d  let  his  beard 
grow  until  he  got  work  and  the  day 
he  got  his  first  call  he  tripped  over  his 
whiskers  and  broke  his  leg. 

* * :j! 

Getting  Razzed,  Too 

That  fellow  Levine  with  his  airplane  is 
skipping  around  to  so  many  countries  he’s 
going  to  run  out  of  landing  places  by  and 
by.  He’s  better  come  back  to  Noo  Toisey. 

* Sk  * 

Original 

The  old  kidnapping  story  was  revived 
by  a press  agent  last  week  who  said  a cer- 
tain red  headed  actress  of  Beverly  Hills 
was  being  close  guarded  by  the  police  be- 
cause several  men  were  seen  watching  her 
home.  Of  course  the  actress  couldn’t  be 
reached  by  the  papers  to  get  her  story  of 
the  affair  until  the  next  day,  and  that  made 
another  story  when  she  denied  the  plot. 

^ ^ ^ 

Help  Wanted 

The  various  studios  hereabouts  should 
hire  men  especially  to  name  new  stars, 
like  the®  Pullman  company  does  for  its 
sleeping  cars.  Only  a few  of  the  pro- 
ducers have  given  this  much  attention. 
These  recently  announced  “Lena  Malena” 
and  “Vera  Veronica.”  I think  these  can 
be  improved  upon. 

* * * 

The  Ham  and  Egg  Joke 

I see  Chicago  is  to  have  fully  lighted 
underground  streets  when  it  gets  the  new 
subway — when  it  gets  it. 

^ 

All  Lost 

Aimee  McPherson  spoke  to  the  Wampas 
boys  two  weeks  ago  but  none  of  them  have 
reformed  yet. 

* * 

All  Going  via  Airplane 

The  air  is  going  to  be  thick  with  planes 
if  one-half  of  the  big  butter  and  egg  di- 
r^tors  hereabouts  fly  to  Chicago  for  the 
big  fight,  who  say  they  are. 

* * * 

Famous  Last  Words 

“I’ll  star  you  in  my  next  picture.” 

Hfi  ig  ig 

Dig  me  some  worms,  Meadows,  I’m  go- 
ing trout  fishin’  tomorrow.  R.  M. 


Aiglon  Films,  Inc.,  Cuts 
**It  Won^t  Be  Long  Nou/^ 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — Aiglon  Films, 
Inc.,  recently  organized,  is  now  cutting 
its  latest  production,  “It  Won’t  Be  Long 
Now,”  a five-reel  comedy-drama  taken 
from  the  French  novel,  “The  Rivals.” 

It  is  a story  of  American  life  in  Paris, 
and  the  book  has  been  a best  seller  in 
France.  The  cast  is  headed  by  Muriel 
Kingston,  Jack  Halladay  and  Lee  Timmans. 


Houston's  Autocratic  Censorship 

Board  Is  Playing  Havoc  with  Films 

The  problem  of  censorship  has  reached  unusual  proportions  in  Houston, 
Tex.,  with  the  city  censorship  board  becoming  more  and  more  autocratic  in 
their  demands  for  omissions  and  cuts  in  films. 

For  years,  Houston  has  been  the  center  of  censorship  strife,  and  it  seems 
that  recently  the  board,  headed  by  the  Houston  city  manager,  but  controlled 
by  a Mrs.  T.  S.  Eggert,  has  become  so  powerful  that  unheard  of  demands  are 
being  put  in  force  on  every  61m  that  plays  in  Houston. 

Recently  a screening  of  Fox’s  "Cradle-Snatchers”  was  held  for  the  censor 
board  at  the  Majestic,  an  Interstate  house,  and  despite  the  fact  that  the  pic- 
ture passed  the  exacting  Pennsylvania  board,  which  is  the  model  for  the 
Houston  board,  the  picture  was  not  allowed  to  play  here.  The  reason  sub- 
mitted by  the  board  for  prohibition  of  showing  was  that  the  picture  had  some 
subtitles  that  were  derogatory  to  the  character  building  of  children  of 
12  to  13. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


35 


Alliance  Launches  U.  S.  Drive 
To  Push  Blue  Laws  in  Congress 

Millions  to  Be  Raised  for  Fight  with  Lankford  Bill  as  Football 
of  Socalled  Reformers — Seek  Introduction  of 
Many  Sunday  Closing  Bills 
By  FRANCIS  L.  BURT 

WASHINGTON,  Sept.  6. — A nationwide  campaign  for  funds  with  which 
to  push  blue  law  legislation  through  the  coming  Congress  has  been  inaugu- 
rated by  the  Lord’s  Day  Alliance.  Millions  of  dollars  are  to  be  raised  for 
the  fight.  Cooperation  of  all  other  important  reform  organizations,  in- 
cluding the  Board  of  Temperance  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the 
Federation  of  Churches  and  the  Anti-Saloon  League,  is  to  be  sought. 

Lankford  Bill  to  Be  Football 

The  bill  introduced  last  session  by  Congressman  Lankford  of  Georgia, 
the  subject  of  spirited  verbal  and  fistic  encounters  during  stormy  hearings, 
which  was  finally  jammed  through  the  subcommittee  of  the  House  com- 
mittee on  the  District  of  Columbia  as  a result  of  the  grave  mistake  made  by 
Representative  McLeod,  youthful  chairman  of  the  subcommittee,  when 
he  first  slated  it  for  hearings,  will  be  the  football  of  the  reformers  next 
winter. 


^^What Price  Glory^^ 
Smashes  Records 
at  Roxy  Theatre 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — “What  Price 
Glory”  after  three  weeks  at  the  Roxy  The- 
atre, breaking  all  records  of  entertainment 
attendance  and  entertainment  receipts,  was 
taken  off  to  make  room  for  “The  Joy 
Girl,”  another  Fox  production. 

During  the  three  weeks  “What  Price 
Glory”  played  to  493,059  persons  and  $408,- 
152.45.  The  weekly  attendance  and  re- 
ceipts were: 

First  Week 


Attendance 

....176,226  Receipts. 
Second  Week 

_.$144,267.30 

Attendance...  . 

....166,805  Receipts. 

Third  Week 

137,893.70 

Attendance 

....150,028  Receipts. 

125,991.45 

Following 
third  week : 

is  the  day  by  day 

record  of  the 

Saturday  

24,771 

$25,708.20 

Sunday  

24,938 

26,140.60 

Monday  

20,572 

15,144.75 

Tuesday  

20,506 

15,377.50 

Wednesday  „ 

22,325 

16,795.05 

Thursday  

15,873 

11,165.85 

Friday  

21,043 

15,659.50 

150,028 

$125,991.45 

M.  P.  T.  O.  of  Ohio 
Meet  at  Columbus 
November  15  to  16 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

COLUMBUS,  O.,  Sept.  6. — At  a meeting 
of  the  Board-of-Trustees  of  the  Motion 
Picture  Theatre  Owners  of  Ohio  held  re- 
cently at  the  Neil  House,  it  was  decided  to 
hold  the  Seventh  Annual  Convention  of  the 
organization  in  Columbus  on  November 
15th  and  16th,  1927. 

J.  J.  Harwood,  Cleveland ; John  A. 
Schwalm,  Hamilton ; Sam  E.  Lino,  Zanes- 
ville; and  W.  M.  James  and  P.  J.  Wood, 
Columbus,  were  appointed  a committee  to 
handle  the  details  in  regard  to  the  conven- 
tion. 

In  connection  with  the  Convention,  a 
trade  exposition  will  be  held  at  which  dis- 
plays of  the  very  latest  in  motion  picture 
equipment  and  accessories  will  be  shown, 
and  as  Columbus  is  a central  point,  motion 
picture  exhibitors  from  the  entire  Middle 
West  are  to  be  invited  to  attend  the  ex- 
position. 

Schenck  Publicity 
Department  Is  Well 
Organized  for  Work 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— Under  the 
leadership  of  Beulah  Livingstone,  the 
publicity  department  of  Joseph  M. 
Schenck  Enterprises  at  United  Artists 
studios  is  well  organized  and  in  full 
swing. 

Associated  with  Miss  Livingstone  are 
Russel  Phelps,  John  P.  Miles,  Weed 
Dickinson,  Mrs.  L.  Case  Russell,  Nellie 
Kemper,  Betty  Travilla,  Lucile  Hepburn, 
Myrtle  Crane  and  Constance  Riquer. 

U Men  Honor  Blumberg 
at  Dinner  in  Milwaukee 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

MILWAUKEE,  Sept.  6. — ’Celebrating 
the  first  anniversary  of  N.  J.  Blumberg’s 
connection  with  Universal  as  general 
manager  of  the  Milwaukee  theatre  circuit, 
a dinner  was  tendered  him  in  his  honor 
recently  at  the  Hotel  Maryland. 


At  the  same  time,  an  effort  will  be  made 
to  obtain  introduction  of  the  legislation  in 
the  Senate,  with  a view  to  saving  time  by 
having  that  body  consider  Sunday  closing 
for  the  District  of  Columbia  at  the  same 
time  as  the  House,  with  the  possible  influ- 
ence upon  one  house  of  its  passage  by  the 
other,  and  a demand  will  be  made  upon 
President  Collidge  and  the  secretaries  of 
war  and  the  navy  to  order  military  and 
naval  establishments  throughout  the  coun- 
try to  conform  to  the  Sunday  laws  of  the 
states  in  which  they  are  situated,  with  a 
view  to  citing  such  an  order  as  an  evidence 
of  the  approval  of  the  administration  to- 
ward a closed  Sunday. 

Field  Open  to  All 

The  field  will  be  open  to  all  who  wish  to 
enter,  the  reformers  asking  the  introduction 
of  not  one  but  a number  of  Sunday  clos- 
ing measures.  It  is  anticipated  that  most  of 
the  legislation  will  be  introduced  by  South- 
ern Democrats,  upon  whose  support  the 
reformers  are  counting  to  overbalance  the 
disinclination  of  the  Northern  and  Western 
members  to  approve  such  legislation. 

Every  possible  means  of  forcing  such 
support  will  be  adopted.  To  bring 
about  the  wholehearted  advocacy  of  the 
legislation  by  the  South,  the  reformers 
have  at  their  command  the  anti-lynch- 
ing legislation  previously  before  Con- 
gress, the  most  detested  legislation 
since  the  reconstruction  measures  which 
followed  the  Civil  War,  from  the  stand- 
point of  that  section  of  the  country, 
which  could  be  easily  revived  as  a re- 
sult of  recent  lynchings  and  floggings  in 
several  states. 

The  proposed  legislation  would  apply 


only  to  the  District  of  Columbia,  but  is 
avowedly  a “model”  measure,  adoption 
of  which  by  Congress  would  be  followed 
immediately  by  a demand  for  its  enact- 
ment in  states  not  now  having  such  a law. 
Sunday  theatricals  and  motion  pictures 
would  be  absolutely  prohibited  for  profit. 

Soviet  Russia  Cited  as  Example 

Funds  for  the  campaign  are  being  sought 
on  the  ground  that  lax  Sunday  observance 
is  responsible  for  today’s  lawlessness  and 
that  a large  proportion  of  our  criminals 
are  young  people.  Soviet  Russia’s  advocacy 
of  elimination  of  religion  is  cited  as  an  out- 
standing influence  in  this  country,  despite 
the  fact  that  investigations  of  the  largest 
church  and  reform  organization  in  this 
country  has  shown  that  many  of  their  mem- 
bers are  “parlor  pinks”  with  a direct  tieup 
with  the  'Third  Internationale. 

The  demands  for  blue  legislation  next 
session  will  be  bolstered  by  recent  develop- 
ment in  the  motion  picture  industry. 

Publix  Plans  Program 
for  T ennessee  and 

Carolina  Theatres 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

GREENVILLE,  S.  C.,  Sept.  6.— Ten- 
tative plans  for  the  fall  program  for  Pub- 
lix theatres  of  the  two  Carolinas  and 
Tennessee  were  outlined  at  a meeting  of 
upwards  of  30  representatives  of  the 
theatre  chain  in  this  city  several  days  ago. 
J.  J.  Fitzgibbons,  of  New  York  City, 
division  manager,  presided  over  the  ses- 
sion. 


United  Artists  Announces  Major 

Changes  in  Its  Sales  Organization 

AI  Lichtman,  United  Artists’  vice-president  and  general  manager  of  Dis- 
tribution, has  announced  several  major  changes  in  positions  and  personnel  of 
the  company’s  sales  organization. 

The  position  of  divisional  sales  manager  has  been  discontinued.  The  East- 
ern, Western  and  Southern  and  Midwestern  sales  divisions  have  been  merged 
into  one  national  unit.  The  position  of  sales  promotion  manager  has  been 
created  with  Paul  N.  Lazarus  as  the  manager.  A house  organ,  “United 
Action,”  will  be  published,  edited  by  Lazarus. 

Cresson  E.  Smith  has  been  promoted  to  assistant  general  salesmanager. 
Moxley  A.  Hill  has  been  made  manager  of  the  newly  created  contract  depart- 
ment. David  Bershon  and  Edward  L.  Lindeman,  whose  appointments  as 
special  representatives  have  been  announced,  will  visit  exchanges  throughout 
the  country.  The  new  changes  are  made  to  afford  more  time  for  individual 
concentration  and  specialization  in  respective  positions. 


36 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Richard  Dix  Objects  to  Role  in 
New  Film;  Break  Averted 

Gold  Medal  to  Be  Awarded  by  West  Coast  Theatres  During  Greater 
Movie  Season  to  Producer  of  Best  Picture 
By  RAY  MURRAY 

Hollywood,  Sept.  6. — a break  between  Paramount  and  Richard 
Dix  was  narrowly  averted  last  week,  a settlement  having  been 
arrived  at  after  several  conferences  between  the  star  and  officials 
of  the  studio.  The  disagreement  arose  several  days  ago  when  Dix  walked 
off  the  set  where  he  was  working,  turned  in  his  wardrobe  and  said  he  was 
through.  He  referred  all  inquiries  to  his  attorney.  Later  Dix  met  studio 
officials  and  agreed  to  argue  the  matter  out,  and  after  twenty-four  hours 
came  to  terms.  He  will  return  to  work,  according  to  B.  P.  Schulberg, 
production  chief,  within  a few  days. 


The  trouble  started  several  weeks  ago 
when  Dix  objected  to  his  new  vehicle 
which  calls  upon  him  to  play  the  role  of 
Joaquin  Miller.  The  star  maintained  that 
he  did  not  look  the  part  of  a Latin  and 
furthermore  did  not  like  the  story.  After 
several  scenes  he  disagreed  with  Bennie 
Ziedman,  supervisor,  and  walked  off  the 
stage. 

* * * 

Seek  Best  Picture 


estate,  Beverly  Hills,  by  a group  of  motion 
picture  stars,  directors  and  wrtiers.  The 
syndicate  is  headed  by  Milton  Sills,  First 
National  star,  and  includes  Lew  Cody,  Jack 
Gilbert,  Chester  Conklin,  Laura  LaPlante, 
A1  Rogell,  Ena  Gregory,  William  Seiter 
and  Edward  Montagne.  The  screen  not- 
ables have  purchased  126  acres  adjoining 
the  Doheny  estate  and  the  Geo.  E.  Read 
tract  and  will  cut  it  into  estates. 

* * * 


West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  is  going  to 
award  a gold  medal  to  the  producer  who 
makes  the  best  picture  during  the  Greater 
Movie  Season,  now  in  progress.  The 
medal  will  be  given  to  the  company  mak- 
ing the  picture  that  does  the  biggest  gross 
business  over  the  entire  West  Coast  circuit 
of  260  houses.  The  award  will  be  made 
at  the  close  of  the  Movie  Season  next 
week. 

^ * 

Bennie  Ziedman,  supervisor  at  Para- 
mount studios,  was  picked  up  by  deputy 
sheriffs  at  Santa  Monica  last  Sunday  and 
charged  with  failing  to  stop  and  render  aid 
after  an  accident,  following  a crash  on  the 
beach  road,  north  of  Santa  Monica.  Zied- 
man was  released  through  intervention  of 
Jos.  M.  Schenck. 

^ ^ Jk 

Charles  Logue,  production  supervisor, 
has  severed  relations  with  Universal.  Fol- 
lowing the  expiration  of  his  contract  Logue 
was  asked  to  return  to  his  former  posi- 
tion as  scenarist. 

jjs  jK 

Vera  Reynolds,  De  Mille  star,  was  rushed 
to  the  Physicians  Emergency  Hospital  last 
Monday,  suffering  from  convulsions  caused 
by  something  she  had  eaten,  and  a stomach 
pump  was  applied.  A story  circulated  that 
she  had  taken  poison  but  no  trace  of  drugs 
was  found.  She  was  able  to  resume  work 
Wednesday  at  De  Mille  studios. 

j}s  ^ 

D.  W.  Griffith,  pioneer  film  producer, 
was  made  a full-fledged  captain  of  police 
last  week.  The  chief  clerk  administered 
the  oath  and  presented  Griffith  with  a badge 
at  the  City  Hall. 

i}c  ^ 

Fliers  Given  Reception 

A rousing  reception  was  tendered  Major 
Arthur  Goebel,  Dole-Hawaiian  flight  win- 
ner, upon  his  return  to  Hollywood  last 
Friday.  Roger  Adams,  president  of  Holly- 
wood Aero  Club,  in  charge  of  the  airplane 
squadron,  met  Goebel  and  his  navigator, 
Lieut.  Davis,  as  they  arrived  via  airplane 
from  San  Francisco.  John  LeRoy  John- 
ston was  head  of  the  reception  committee. 
Many  picture  stars  and  officials  greeted  the 
aviator  at  the  headquarters,  Christie  Hotel, 
and  a banquet  followed  the  reception. 
Goebel  has  appeared  in  many  pictures  and 
assisted  in  the  staging  of  several  airplane 
flights  for  pictures. 

* * * 

An  exclusive  film  colony  has  been  estab- 
lished just  west  of  the  immense  Doheny 


The  Lionel  West  Productions,  Inc.,  has 
been  granted  permission  by  State  Corpora- 
tion Commissioner,  to  sell  3,188  shares  of 
preferred  stock  and  the  same  number  of 
common,  to  organize,  erect  and  operate  a 
building  in  Hollywood  for  the  purpose  of 
housing  six  producing  companies  at  the 
same  time.  It  will  be  known  as  the  Studio 
Castle.  Lionel  West  is  promoting  the 
studio. 

^ ^ ^ 

In  New  De  Mille  Film 

Jacqueline  Logan  is  playing  her  first  role 
for  De  Mille  studios  since  completing  work 
in  “The  King  of  Kings.”  She  has  the  fea- 
tured feminine  role  opposite  Franklin 
Pangborn  in  “My  Friend  From  India.” 
Those  who  have  seen  the  early  “rushes” 
state  Miss  Logan  makes  a splendid  foil 
for  Pangborn.  Ben  Hendricks  and  Ethel 
Wales  are  also  in  the  same  picture,  which 
E.  Mason  Hopper  is  directing. 

sK  ^ 

Joseph  Franklin  Poland,  supervisor  of 
feature  comedies  for  Universal,  has  pur- 
chased two  new  stories  for  Norman  Kerry. 
They  are  “Broadway  Romance,”  a story  by 
Nell  Martin,  and  “This  Way  Out,”  a novel 
by  Frederic  S.  Ishman. 

* 

Scott  R.  Dunlap,  former  director  of 
Buck  Jones,  who  has  been  directing  a series 
of  pictures  for  Phillips  Film  Co.,  Ltd., 
abroad,  will  be  detained  for  some  time  in 
Hawaii,  due  to  the  serious  illness  of  his 
mother. 

* * * 

Lois  Moran,  recently  signed  to  a long 
term  contract  by  Fox,  has  completed  her 
first  role  under  her  new  affiliation.  It  is 


This  Theatre  Is 
A Family  Affair 

( Special  to  the  Herald) 

SALEM,  MASS.,  Sept.  6.  — 
Joseph  Morency,  who  operates  the 
Plaza,  boasts  a theatre  which  is 
100  per  cent  a family  affair. 
Morency  is  the  owner  and  mana- 
ger; Mrs.  Morency  is  organist; 
Elizabeth  Fitz,  a niece,  is  cashier 
and  bookkeeper ; Louis  Morency,  a 
brother,  is  stage  hand  and  Nap 
Morency,  another  brother,  is  house 
superintendent. 


“Publicity  Madness,”  a comedy  written  by 
Anita  Loos.  Del  Roy  directed. 

^ ^ 

With  a double-barreled  contract,  calling 
for  his  services  as  director  and  actor,  Alan 
Hale  has  launched  upon  a new  role  in  “The 
Blue  Danube,”  one  of  the  most  pretentious 
pictures  on  the  De  Mille  schedule  this  sea- 
son. Hale’s  signature  was  secured  to  the 
director-actor  contract  following  the  public 
response  to  his  return  to  the  screen  in 
“Vanity.” 

* * * 

Alfred  E.  Green,  having  had  a brief 
vacation  in  Grand  Canyon,  Col.,  is  prepar- 
ing to  film  “Come  to  My  House,”  a story 
from  Liberty  magazine.  A1  has  a couple  of 
ducats  for  the  Tunney-Dempsey  go  in 
Chicago  and  hopes  to  get  a close-up  of  that 
affair  late  this  month. 

^ ^ ^ 

The  Thunder  Bay  Company,  making 
“The  Spirit  of  the  Wilderness,”  is  at  Fort 
William,  Ontario.  It  is  a story  of  Cana- 
dian life  and  Dorothy  Dwan,  Hollywood 
actress,  has  the  leading  role. 

^ ^ 

Elizabeth  Pickett,  director  of  Fox  “Vari- 
eties,” will  return  from  the  East  this  week, 
following  the  sudden  death  of  her  mother 
in  Chicago. 

^ ^ if: 

Signs  Phillips 

Rayart  has  secured  the  services  of  Dor- 
othy Phillips  to  play  the  lead  in  “The  Law 
and  the  Man,”  which  was  started  last  week. 

Jjj 

Fred  Thomson  will  complete  his  first 
Paramount  production,  “Jesse  James,”  next 
week.  For  several  days  Fred  and  forty 
cowboys  have  been  performing  hazardous 
stunts  with  a couple  of  railway  coaches 
just  outside  of  Hollywood  on  a spur  of 
the  Santa  Fe. 

* * 

Bob  DeLacy  is  to  have  Patsy  Ruth  Miller 
for  his  leading  lady  in  his  initial  special 
production  for  F B O.  Miss  Miller  will 
play  the  role  of  a trapoer’s  daughter  in 
“Red  Riders  of  Canada.” 

* * * 

Tom  Tyler,  F B O’s  popular  Western 
star,  again  appears  with  Frankie  Darro 
in  “The  Desert  Pirate,”  which  was  shot  at 
Keen  Camp.  James  Dugan  is  directing, 
while  Nick  Musuraca  is  cameraman. 

5}? 

Wallace  Fox  is  directing  Bob  Steele,  the 
21-year-old  Western  star,  in  his  third  star- 
ring vehicle,  “Driftin’  Sands.” 

❖ 

Martha  Mattox  has  just  signed  to  play 
a role  in  “The  Devil  Dancer,”  the  Samuel 
Goldwvn  production  starring  Gilda  Gray. 

* * * 

Begins  “Ramona” 

Edwin  Carewe  has  begun  actual  shoot- 
ing on  “Ramona.”  It  will  be  one  of  the 
big  Lffiited  Artists  productions  of  the  sea- 
son. 

* * * 

George  Sidney  has  been  engaged  by  Uni- 
versal to  play  “Cohen”  in  “The  Cohens 
and  Kellys  in  Paris.”  He  is  also  sched- 
uled to  return  to  First  National  Oct.  1 to 
work  in  “Down  Went  McGinty.”  Work  on 
the  LTniversal  picture  will  likely  start  this 
week. 


Boy  Ian,  Fox  Title  Man, 
Writes  for  ** Photoplay” 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6. — James  R. 
Quirk,  editor  of  Photoplay  magazine,  has 
signed  Malcolm  Stuart  Boylan,  title 
writer  for  Fox,  to  do  a series  of  fiction 
stories  and  articles.  Boylan  is  now  writ- 
ing titles  on  his  40th  Fox  production. 

Brazilians  Prefer  Our  Films 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.— The  people  of  Brazil 
have  a marked  preference  for  American  motion 
pictures,  according-  to  Assistant  Commercial  At- 
tache A.  Pierrot, -Rio  de  Janeiro. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


37 


Film  News 

PICTORIAL  SECTION 

Stories  Told 

in 

Pictures 

of  Exhibitors  Herald 

by 

the  Camera 

Issue  of  September  10 

If  Judge  Ben  B.  Lindsay  becomes  the 
Will  Hays  of  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.,  as 
has  been  pjoposed,  a sentence  from 
him  to  make  a successful  picture 
should  carry  considerable  weight. 
Here  are  Sam  Taylor,  director  for 
Mary  Pickford,  and  the  star  before 
the  bench  with  “My  Best  Girl.” 


Ruth  Lee  Tayloi-  sped  up  the  ladder  to 
stardom  when  the  former  Mack  Sennett 
bathing  girl  was  picked  over  200  con- 
testants for  Lorelei  in  Paramount’s 
“Gentlemen  Prefer  Blondes.” 


Speaking  of  personal  appearances 

if  anyone  was here  is  one  of  the 

very  first  before  the  camera  from 
Clarence  Kenyon  Mills,  the  son  of 
Milton  Sills,  star  in  First  National 
pictures,  and  Doris  Kenyon  (Mrs. 
Mills),  taken  at  the  Sills  home  at 
Beverly  Hills. 


Two  Chicagoans  meet  on  the  West  Coast.  William  Wrigley, 
Jr.,  and  Gloria  Swanson  exchanged  gossip  while  Chief  Tui 
Poi  of  Samoa  tells  all  about  the  origin  of  the  Charleston  in 
one  of  the  native  dances,  we  are  advised.  The  chief  heads 
a group  of  Samoans  in  United  Aitists  “Sadie  Thompson,” 
for  which  exteriors  were  taken  at  Catalina  Island  Isthmus. 
Next  to  brother  Pui  we  have  (L  to  R)  Pierre  Bedard,  pro- 
duction manager;  the  Marquis  de  la  Falaise,  husband  of 
Gloria  Swanson;  Mr.  Wrigley  and  the  star. 


When  Louis  B.  Mayer,  M-G-M  production  chief,  entertained 
Nicholas  Longworth,  the  speaker  of  the  House;  (L  to  R) : 
Congressman  Joe  Crail,  California;  Dr.  Frank  Barham,  pub- 
lisher, Los  Angeles  Herald;  Harry  Rapf;  Ray  Long,  editor-. 
Cosmopolitan;  William  Randolph  Hearst;  Monta  Bell;  Marion 
Davies;  King  Vidor;  Mr.  Longworth;  Clarence  Brown;  Mr. 
Mayer;  Victor  Seastrom;  Buron  Fitts,  lieutenant-governor; 
Dorothy  Sebastian;  John  R.  R.  Quinn;  Victor  Watson;  Medel 
Silberbegg  and  Hunt  Stromberg. 


38 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Come  days  pugilistic,  promoted  doubtless  by  the  season’s  fight  epidemic. 
Monte  Blue’s  next  Warner  Brothers  picture  “One  Round  Hogan,’’  is 
either  a cause  or  a result.  The  photo  was  taken  on  the  set  and  shows 
among  others  (from  left  to  right)  Director  Howard  Bretherton,  Monte, 
Jack  Warner,  and  Jim  Jeffries,  former  champion. 


Ride  ’im,  cowboy!  Jack  Daugherty,  star  of  Uni- 
versal serials,  caught  by  the  camera  as  he  pilots 
a bucking  broncho  without  “scratching  the  sad- 
dle.’’ Daugherty’s  latest  chapter  thriller  is  “The 
Trail  of  the  Tiger.’’ 


When  the  cook  is  very  lovely,  masculine  hearts  may  take  extreme  meas- 
ures  justifiably,  we  think to  ensure  their  being  reached.  (L  to  R) 

Dave  Howard,  assistant  director;  Henry  Sharpe,  cameraman;  James 
Murray,  male  lead;  Eleanor  Boardman,  the  star;  and  the  latter’s  direc- 
tor-husband, King  Vidor,  who  made  M-G-M’s  “The  Crowd.’’ 


Rose  Host  left  her  New  York  home  as  a stowa- 
way, ’tis  said,  and  sailed  to  California,  lured  by 
Hollywood.  Anyway,  here  she  is  shown  being 
taught  the  make-up  magic  by  Jack  Luden,  Para- 
mount Western  star. 


The  camera-reporter,  believing  that  Walter  Anthony,  Uni- 
versal’s chief  titler,  has  been  too  long  concealed  behind  his 
achievements,  induced  him  to  pose  with  his  staff  outside  his 
office.  Left  to  right,  Albert  De  Mond,  Mary  Barth,  Anthony, 
Jean  Mitchel,  and  Tom  Reed. 


Wild  night  life  on  location — Tom  Mix’s  Fox  company 
“flashlighted”  after  a day’s  work  on  “Silver  Valley.”  Tom 
is  at  the  extreme  right,  reaching  for  high  C,  while  next  to 
him  are  his  leading  woman,  Dorothy  Dwan,  and  Dave 
Clark,  chief  cameraman. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


39 


Charlie  Murray  has  been  promotetl  from  his 
time-honored  role  as  cop,  for  in  First  National’s 
“The  Gorilla”  he  has  the  part  of  a detective, 
while  Fred  Kelsey  is  his  sleuthing  partner. 
Charlie  seems  to  think  the  case  is  a snap. 


The  distinguished  trio  that  has  much  to  do  with  First  National’s  “The 
Crystal  Cup,”  now  being  completed.  At  left  is  shown  Henry  Hobart, 
producer,  the  others  being  Dorothy  Mackaill,  who  is  co-starred  in,  the 
picture  with  Jack  Mulhall;  and  John  Francis  Dillon,  director  of  the  pro- 
duction. 


A new  comedy  team  to  which  each  member 
brings  great  experience — Marie  Dressier  and 
Polly  Moran,  who  having  scored  in  M-G-M’s 
“The  Callahans  and  the  Murphys,”  are  now 
working  in  “Bringing  Up  Father.” 


Will  Rogers  pulls  a “fast  one”  on  Sam  Rork  and  Director  Richard  Wal- 
lace, as  they  talk  over  matters  relative  to  “A  Texas  Steer,”  which  Rork 
now  is  making  for  First  National,  with  Rogers  starring  and  Wallace 
directing.  Ann  Rork  was  given  an  important  part,  while  the  feature 
role  is  Louise  Fazenda’s. 


Archduke  Leopold  of  Austria  (with  cape  thrown  over 
shoulder)  takes  his  first  direction  from  the  Fox  director, 
John  Ford  (shown  seated).  On  the  duke’s  right  stands 
Earle  Foxe,  star  player,  while  Francis  X.  Bushman,  Jr.,  is 
at  left,  attired  in  a dark  uniform. 


Excellent  Pictures  is  bringing  a favorite  American  actress 
back  to  the  screen  in  its  production  “The  Nest,”  in  which 
Pauline  Frederick  has  the  starring  role.  She  is  shown  above 
in  a scene  from  the  play  with  Holmes  Herbert,  who  has  the 
masculine  lead. 


40 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Growing  Importance  of  Short 
Feature  Pointed  by  Roach 

fP  ill  Soon  Rank  U ith  Longer  Films,  Producer  Declares — Advises 
Outstanding  Comedy  Stars  to  Stick  to  Two  Reel  Productions 
By  JOHN  S.  SPARGO 

New  YORK,  Sept.  6. — That  the  short  feature  will  in  the  future  take 
its  place  and  rank  in  importance  on  the  program  with  the  feature 
was  the  prediction  made  by  Hal  Roach  at  last  Thursday’s  luncheon 
of  the  Associated  Motion  Picture  Advertisers. 


He  also  exipresscd  the  belief  that  the  big 
comedy  stars  would  do  better  to  make 
two-reel  comedies  than  full  length  features 
and  that  in  the 
long  run  the  ex- 
h i b i t o r s would 
profit  more  if  this 
were  done. 

Also,  he  pointed 
out  that  “the  two- 
reel  studio  repre- 
sents a sort  of 
kindergarten  for 
talent,”  holding 
that  about  seventy- 
five  per  cent  of 
today’s  screen  fav- 
orites in  the  fea- 
ture picture  field 
c a m e from  the  John  w.  Toone 

short  features  lot. 

In  spite  of  a heavy  downpour  of  rain 
there  was  particularly  good  attendance  of 
Ampas,  and  Air.  Roach,  the  guest  of  honor, 
was  presented  by  Howard  Deitz.  Pete 
Woodhull,  president  of  the  Al.  P.  T.  O.  A., 
and  Mike  O’Toole,  business  manager  and 
former  chief  executive  of  that  organization, 
were  also  present. 

The  annual  election  of  officers  will  take 
place  at  next  Thursday’s  A.  AI.  P.  A.  lunch- 
eon. 

:Ji  ^ ^ 

Picture  Chib  Launched 
The  Motion  Picture  Club  of  New  York 
is  now  in  a fair  way  of  getting  itself 
launched  at  last.  A meeting  of  the  officers 
and  chairmen  of  the  ^-arious  committees 
was  held  last  week  and  long  strides  made 
towards  permanent  organization. 

The  delay  has  been  caused  by  the  fact 
that  the  name  desired  for  the  club  had  been 
used  in  the  chartering  of  another  organiza- 
tion long  since  defunct.  In  order  to  use 
the  name  it  was  necessary  to  bring  about 
a legal  dissolution  of  the  defunct  club. 
This  has  finally  been  done  and  it  is  ex- 
pected that  the  charter  will  he  issued  within 
the  next  week  or  so. 

The  object  of  the  meeting  last  week  was 
the  consideration  of  several  articles  which 
are  to  be  incorporated  in  the  constitution 
and  by-laws,  the  discussion  of  six  possibil- 
ities for  temporary  quarters  for  the  club 
and  the  initiation  of  a membership  drive. 
This  drive  is  for  charter  members  and  will 
end,  as  was  ^•oted  at  one  of  the  preliminary 
meetings,  thirty  days  after  the  charter  has 
been  granted. 

At  this  same  time,  too,  the  initiation  at 
the  charter  membership  rate  of  $100  will 
be  terminated  and  the  permanent  initiation 
fee  at  a much  higher  figure  will  be  de- 
termined upon. 

One  of  the  clauses  under  consideration 
for  the  charter  was  the  requirements  of 
membership,  and  this  was  definitely  settled. 
At  that  start,  at  least,  there  will  be  no 
class  of  membership  for  men  who  are  not 
in  some  way  directly  interested  by  occupa- 
tion with  the  motion  picture  industry. 

Consider  Headquarters 

Six  sites  or  possibilities  for  club  quar- 
ters were  submitted  by  the  committee  hav- 
ing that  matter  in  charge  and  were  thor- 
oughly discussed.  All  except  one  were  in 


the  center  of  the  theatrical  district.  Two 
were  modern,  up-to-date  hotels,  three  in 
office  liuildings,  where  a restaurant  pro- 
vided for  the  elimination  of  club  catering, 
and  one  was  a proposal  to  combine  with 
another  club. 

A committee,  consisting  of  President  Al 
Lichtman,  Dave  Chadkin  and  Lee  Ochs, 
was  appointed  to  get  the  rock  bottom  prices 
on  the  three  situations  which  were  regarded 
as  most  promising  and  make  report  to  a 
general  meeting  to  be  held  in  the  Astor 
Hotel  on  September  15th. 

^ ^ * 

John  W.  Toone,  for  the  past  eight  years 
treasurer  of  Educational  Pictures,  died  last 
Thursday,  following  an  illness  of  several 
weeks.  Air.  Toone’s  death  occurred  at  the 
Polyclinic  Hospital  where  he  was  taken 

about  a week  before.  Last  Monday  a trans- 
fusion of  blood  was  resorted  to  in  an 

effort  to  save  his  life,  but  he  continued  to 
sink  until  death  followed  Thursday. 

Air.  Toone  was  with  Eamous  Players  for 
a number  of  years,  leaving  there  to  go  to 
Educational.  He  is  survived  by  Airs.  Toone, 
who  lives  at  740  West  End  avenue.  New 
York  City;  two  sisters  and  one  brother, 
who  reside  in  England. 

* * * 

‘^Managers”  on  Job 

There  is  one  theatre  on  Broadway  which 
always  has  to  have  a “Manageress”  instead 
of  a “Manager.”  At  least  that  apparently 
is  the  idea  of  the  Aletro  people  who  control 
the  destinies  of  the  Embassy  theatre. 

When  the  house  was  opened  Gloria 
Gould — the  name  spells  blue  book,  society 
and  money — was  selected  as  “manageress,” 
and  remained  on  the  job  until  she  decided 
to  go  to  Paris  for  the  purpose  of  garnering 
for  herself  one  of  those  French  divorces. 
And  just  what  “manageressing”  Gloria  did 
besides  standing  about  the  lobby  on  opening 
night  no  one  has  been  able  to  quite  figure 
out. 

But  now  it  is  different.  Aliss  Grace 
Niles,  who  has  had  a lot  of  experience 


Charges  Against  Stems 
Are  Dropped  by  Police 

( Special  to  the  Herald ) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Sept.  6.  — 
Seymour  Sterns  of  this  city,  who 
went  to  Elwood,  Ind.,  some  time 
ago  and  contracted  with  merchants 
there  to  install  curtains  in  three 
motion  picture  houses  in  that  city, 
upon  which  advertisements  were 
to  be  placed,  was  engaged  in  a 
legitimate  enterprise,  according  to 
the  chief  of  police  of  that  city, 
who  had  filed  an  affidavit  against 
Sterns  for  embezzlement.  The 
police  officials  visited  Indianapolis 
and  Sterns  established  proof  that 
he  had  an  agreement  with  W.  M. 
Dickson,  former  owner  of  the 
Baby  Grand  and  Alhambra  Thea- 
tres, and  with  L.  T.  Brisco,  owner 
of  the  Princess  theatre,  for  the  in- 
stallation of  the  curtains. 


about  motion  picture  houses,  has  been 
named  as  the  new  “managress”  of  the  Em- 
bassy, her  duties  starting  with  the  reopen- 
ing of  the  house  with  “The  Garden  of 
Allah”  last  Friday  night.  Aliss  Niles  was 
promoted  to  the  “manageress”  post  from 
the  Astor  theatre  where  she  has  been  treas- 
urer during  the  “Big  Parade”  run. 

^ jjs 

According  to  statements  made  in  execu- 
tive circles.  Fox  Film,  as  a result  of  the 
showing  of  pictures  at  the  Roxy  Theatre 
should  receive  from  this  source  alone  ap- 
proximately $525,000  from  film  rentals  an- 
nually, equal  to  over  $1  per  share  on  its 
500,000  shares  outstanding  stock. 

Fox  Theatres  Corporation  and  Fox  Film 
jointly,  it  was  made  known  for  the  first 
time,  invested  approximately  $4,000,000  to 
acquire  control  of  the  Roxy  theatre,  and 
the  two  companies  are  expected  to  receive 
$1,000,000  annually  on  this  investment.  Fox 
Theatre  Corporation  owns  75  per  cent  of 
the  capital  stock  of  the  Roxy  Circuit,  which 
in  turn  controls  51  per  cent  of  the  Roxy 
Theatre,  and  it  is  expected  the  company 
will  receive  approximately  $500,000  a year 
in  di\  idends  from  the  Roxy  Theatre. 

* =K  * 

Signs  Juvenile 

AL  H.  Karper,  Eastern  representative  for 
the  Lange-Joy  Films,  Inc.,  producers  of 
comedies  starring  Al  Joy,  placed  Frank 
Alino,  Italian  stage  and  screen  juvenile 
under  contract  for  his  company.  Mino, 
who  has  been  featured  by  the  Cinis-Cine- 
matography  of  Alihan  Italy  and  also  in 
various  American  made  pictures,  will 
shortly  leave  for  Hollywood  where  he  will 
join  the  Lange-Joy  Film  Company  produc- 
tion unit,  now  making  Al  Joy  comedies 
under  the  direction  of  Joseph  A.  Richmond. 
^ ^ ^ 

Count  that  week  lost  in  which  Columbia 
Pictures  does  not  add  an  outstanding  name 
to  its  organization.  The  latest  addition  to  its 
rapidly  growing  scenario  department  is 
Harold  Shumate,  who  started  his  writing 
career  in  1917  with  Triangle  and  has  been 
on  the  scenario  staffs  of  most  of  the  big 
companies  in  the  business.  He  is  the  third 
writer  of  prominence  to  be  added  to  the 
Columbia  force  within  a short  time,  the 
other  important  names  being  Norman 
Springer  and  Olga  Printzlau. 

^ ^ 

Open  Three  Houses 

Three  new  motion  picture  theatres,  with 
a combined  seating  capacitv  of  nearly 
5,000,  will  he  opened  by  the  Stanley  Com- 
pany of  America  in  Philadelphia  next 
month.  The  new-  houses  are  the  Alanor, 
the  Egyptian  and  the  Drexel  Hill,  all  lo- 
cated in  growing  residential  neighborhoods. 

With  these  additions,  the  Stanley  chain 
will  number  more  than  230  theatres  in  op- 
eration throughout  the  East. 

« * * 

Someone  has  demoted  Col.  Clarke,  of 
Cranfield  & Clarke,  and  they  ain’t  doing 
right  by  a good  fellow  who  means  well. 
Several  of  the  trade  papers  have  been  re- 
ferring to  him  as  Major  Clarke. 

* * * 

It  is  likely  that  next  week  will  see  the 

completion  of  the  long  run  of  “The  Big 
Parade”  at  the  Astor  theatre,  although 
from  the  viewpoint  of  attendance  the  King 
Vidor  production  appears  to  be  good  for 
several  months  yet.  The  reason  for  the 
shutdown  is  that  Aletro  wants  the  theatre 
for  the  housing  of  “The  Student  Prince,” 
which  is  also  confidently  expected  to  stay 
for  a long'  run.  “The  Big  Parade”  will 
shortly  be  booked  into  the  Capitol  theatre 


Young  Goes  to  Bermuda 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW'  YORK,  Sept.  6. — Lon  Young  di- 
rector of  publicity  and  advertising  for 
Gotham,  will  leave  at  the  end  of  next  week 
for  Bermuda  with  Airs.  Young.  He  ex- 
pects to  be  gone  about  two  weeks. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


41 


MAYER  ACQUIRES  GOOD  WILL 
BY  SHORT  FEATURES  QUERY 


Gives  Tickets 
To  Public  for 
Best  Letters 

Are  you  making  efforts  to  attract 
the  public’s  attention  to  the  Short 
Features  on  your  programs?  If  not, 
there  is  a tip  for  you  in  the  up-to- 
the-minute  exploitation  moves  of  Joe 
H.  Mayer,  director  of  publicity  for 
the  Palace  theatre  at  Hamilton,  Ohio, 
as  well  as  the  sprightly  house  organ, 
“The  Palace  Review.” 

Mayer’s  latest  stunt  is  to  offer  free 
tickets  for  the  best  letters  from  patrons 
on  the  type  of  Short  Features  winning  most 
popular  approval  at  the  theatre. 

In  the  current  issue  of  the  “Review”  the 
following  appears : 

“What  short  subject  now  be- 
ing shown  at  the  Palace  appeals 
to  you  most  and  why?  Two  tick- 
ets for  the  best  letter  of  50 
words  received  by  September 

isr 

Mayer  put  the  matter  of  Short 
Features  squarely  before  his  patrons 
in  April  in  a questionnaire,  as  fol- 
lows; (1)  Do  you  ever  come  to  the 
Palace  especially  to  see  a comedy  or 
other  short  feature?  (2)  Do  you 
ever  refrain  from  coming  to  see  a 
feature  picture  because  you  do  not 
like  the  comedy  or  short  subjects 
advertised  on  the  bill?  (3)  What 
short  feature  now  being  shown  at 
the  Palace  do  you  like  best? 

While  the  total  number  of  re- 
sponses to  the  questions  were  few, 
there  is  value  in  the  nature  of  the 
replies,  as  showing  patron-reaction 
to  programs. 

One  replied  in  part  as  follows : 
“There  have  been  times  when  the 
short  feature  has  influenced  my  at- 
tendance. I am  particularly  found  of 
the  ‘Music  Master’  series  for  their 
wonderful  educational  value.  Am 
likewise  fond  of  the  color  pictures 
you  have  shown,  such  as  ‘The 
Vision,’  which,  to  my  notion,  are 


UAi.  a.O^CM 


Hal  Roach  (left)  conferred  with  Felix 
Feist,  M-G-M  salesmanager,  on  his 
current  visit  to  New  York  in  connec- 
tion with  the  comedies  which  he  is 
producing  for  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
release  this  season. 

veritable  studies  in  color  harmony. 
‘Twisted  Tales’  also  appeal  to  me  on 
account  of  being  different  from  the 
usual  run  of  short  features.” 

To  the  third  question  he  added 
that  besides  those  mentioned  in  the 
foregoing  he  does  “enjoy  the  cartoon 
comedies,  ‘Andy  Gump,’  and  similar 
short  features,  which,  for  the  most 
part,  are  devoid  of  slapstick,  pie- 
throwing and  other  similar  activities 
which  usually,  through  their  forced 


SALESMAN  WANTED 

In  each  territory  to  handle  some- 
thing new  in  Motion  Picture  Adver- 
tising needed  by  every  theatre.  You 
should  easily  make  $100  weekly. 
Quick  action  will  put  you  next  to 
the  niftiest  idea  in  years.  Wire  ad- 
dress and  telephone  number  to 

K.  WOODWARD 

5 E.  Main  Street,  Uniontowm,  Pa. 


Patrons  Tell 
Preferences 
On  Pictures 

comedy,  do  not  register  favorably 
with  me.” 

Another  writer  says  that  his  “taste 
changes  according  to  time  available.” 
He  explains:  “Often  I seek  a diver- 
sion of  30  minutes  and  ask  at  the 
ticket  window  whether  a comedy  or 
news  reel  is  showing.  At  other  times 
Friend  Wife  and  I have  a heavy  date 
and  we  are  especially  interested  in 
the  feature.” 

The  short  feature  never  prompts 
him  to  stay  away  from  the  theatre, 
he  writes,  because  “should  the  short 
feature  be  of  little  interest  I can  be 
patient  with  the  confidence  they 
soon  will  give  way  on  the  screen  to 
other  reels.” 

This  patron  says  that  the  query  on 
the  type  of  short  picture  he  prefers 
reveals  he  is  a “lowbrow,”  explain- 
ing: “News  reels  always  carry  inter- 
est. So  do  the  slapstick  comedies. 
And  so  do  kid  comedies.  Cartoon 
stuff  is  particularly  funny  tvhen  en- 
livened by  Wortendyke’s  orchestra. 
Travelogues  and  scientific  and  bo- 
tanical subjects  undoubtedly  lawer 
the  tempo  of  a program  and  prepare 
the  fan  for  the  more  tense  and  ac- 
tive subjects  to  follow,  probably  giv- 
ing a balance  which  would  be  dis- 
cernible if  omitted.  But  personally 
they  hold  no  attraction.” 

He  follows  with  this  shot : “Please 
feature  the  orchestra  member  with 
the  big  bass  horn.  My  little  boy, 
when  he  accompanies  me  to  the  the- 
atre, watches  him  and  I thereby  have 
enough  peace  to  enjoy  the  screen- 
ing.” 

A woman  writer  gives  a novel  rea- 
son for  not  going  especially  to  see 
the  short  feature.  She  writes  : “Am 
not  much  intrigued  by  comedies. 
They  often  make  me  cry !” 

“On  the  other  hand,”  she  goes  on. 


42 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Four  of  the  Rainbow  productions  have  been  completed  for  the  North  American 
Society  of  Arts.  Here  are  scenes  from  the  early  productions,  in  which  Ednai 
Murphy  and  Walter  Tennyson  are  featured.  Left  to  right  are  Tennyson,  Mabelle 
Swor,  Miss  Murphy  and  Frances  Laundau.  Lars  Moen  is  producing  and  directing 
the  series  at  the  Cosmopolitan  studio. 


“they  do  not  keep  me  home.”  The 
best  short  feature,  to  her,  is  the 
Palace  Timely  Topics,  while  she 
says  “the  best  series  of  short  sub- 
jects was  the  musical  study — 
Beethoven,  Mozart,  etc.” 

A fourth  writer  to  Mr.  Mayer  de- 
clares that  “good  comedies  and  un- 
usually attractive  novelty  reels  are 
appreciated  by  the  public  if  they  are 
picked  with  the  same  judgment  as 
the  ‘feature’  and  not  merely  to  fill 
the  evening’s  program.”  This  writer 
is  partial  to  the  news  reel  and  asserts 
that  “it  is  literally  possible  to  teach 
more  in  ten  minutes  of  Pathe  News, 
thoroughly  and  permanently,  than 
six  hours  of  schooling  under  proper 
American  educational  methods.” 
Aesop’s  fables,  he  says,  “are  always 
entertaining,  delightful,  clever  and 
amusing  and  to  cap  the  climax  is  a 
witty  moral,  guaranteed  to  please 
both  old  and  young.” 

Promotes  Good  Will 

Another  patron,  very  succinct  in 
his  replies,  said  he  never  went  to  the 
Palace  just  to  see  the  short  feature 
but  he  never  stayed  away  on  account 
of  them  either,  though  he  “could  do 
without  the  comedy  and  feel  repaid 
with  the  feature  alone.” 

There  is  one  angle  to  this  exploita- 
tion move  of  Mr.  Mayer  that  cannot 
be  over-emphasized.  That  is  the 
fact  that  it  promotes  good  will. 
Without  exception  the  writers  com- 
plimented Mayer  on  the  program. 

Appeal  to  the  intelligence  of  any 
member  of  any  audience  and  you 
have  made  a friend.  And  that  is 
why  such  exploitation  efforts  are  of 
value  at  the  box  office,  regardless  of 
whether  you  might  be  disappointed 
in  not  getting  the  particular  in- 
formation you  expected.  One  thing 
is  certain:  For  each  reply  you  re- 
ceive, there  are  many  others  who 
have  noticed  the  matter  and  given  it 
thought. 


Rainbow  Series 
May  Be  Shifted 
To  8‘Reel  Film 

Advisability  of  making  an  eight-reel 
production  out  of  the  new  completed 
series  of  Rainbow  productions  is  being 
considered  by  the  North  American  So- 
ciety of  Arts.  This  would  substitute  for 
the  original  plan  of  releasing  the  pictures 
as  a series  of  six  two-reel  productions. 

The  twelve  reels,  entirely  in  color, 
were  shot  in  the  record  time  of  three 
weeks,  due  to  the  efforts  of  Lars  Moen, 
and  Donald  Weston  Bartlett,  co-produc- 
ers, and  Robert  Snody,  production  editor. 

Two  highlights  shot  last  week  were 
the  night  club  scene  and  the  fashion 
show,  arranged  by  the  Silk  Association 
of  America. 


NEWSPICTURES 


PARAMOUNT  NEWS  NO.  10^— Legionnaires  ar- 
rive in  Cherbourg,  France,  for  Paris  convention 
Log  rollers  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.,  compete  in 
contests^— Luis  Firpo,  at  Buenos  Aires,  trains  for 
another  try  at  championship-^Lindbergh's  home 
town,  Little  Falls,  Minn.,  welcomes 
National  Guard  at  Pine  Camp,  N.  Y.,  does 
maneuvers— -Helen  Wills  at  Forest  Hills,  N.  Y., 
defeats  Betty  Nuthall  of  England  to  regain  tennis 
crown. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWSREEL  NO.  71 — Victorious 
Chinese  army  on  Shantung  front  batters  re- 
treating Reds  Coolidge  views  wonders  of  Yel- 
lowstone Falls^— Bobby  Jones  at  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  defeats  Chick  Evans  in  championship 
golf  tournament^— Dublin,  Ireland,  welcomes 
Mayor  Walker  of  New  York^— Dogs  and  Monkeys 
at  North  Bergen,  N.  J.,  give  show— Redfem  hops 
off  from  Brunswick,  Ga.,  in  Bight  to  Rio 
Janeiro— Aquaplane  rider  at  Long  Beach,  Cal., 
wins  fat  men’s  derby. 

KINOGRAMS  NO.  5322— Sixteen  year  old  swimmer 
at  Washington,  D.  C.,  wins  President’s  cup— 
Legionnaires  sail  from  New  York  for  Paris  con- 
vention—Shipwreck  Kelly  at  New  York  stands 
on  flag  pole  all  night— Secretary  of  the  Navy 
Wilbur  at  San  Francisco  visits  battleship— 
Lumbermen  at  Duluth,  Minn.,  hold  tenth  annual 
log  rolling  contests. 

PATHE  NEWS  NO.  71 — Honolulu  welcomes  Dole 
prize  winners  President  sees  Yellowstone  Park- 
Dancing  masters  in  New  York  convention  see 
latest  dance  steps^— Auto  at  La  Capelle,  France, 
leaps  hedge  in  race  with  horse  Army  blimps 
at  Langley  Field,  Va.,  test  smoke  screens. 

M-G-M  NEWS  NO.  5^— Bobby  Jones  at  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  again  captures  golf  title  Huge  arch 
bridge  in  the  Alps,  France,  Is  completed  after  IS 
years  of  work— Redfem  hops  off  from  Brunswick, 
Ga.,  for  Brazil^— President  visits  Yellowstone 
Park^— Archers  at  Los  Angeles  show  skill  with 
bow  and  arrows— The  second  A*  E.  F.  lands  at 
Cherbourg,  France* 


Jack  White  Weds 
Pauline  Starke 
Sunday  in  Frisco 

Jack  White,  director-in-chief  of  the 
Educational  studio  at  Los  Angeles,  mar- 
ried Pauline  Starke  Sunday  at  San  Fran- 
cisco. 

Mr.  White  has  headed  the  directorial 
staff  producing  Mermaid  Comedies  since 


Pauline  Starke  Jack  White 

their  inauguration  seven  years  ago,  when 
Lloyd  Hamilton  was  their  chief  star.  The 
producer-director  now  has  charge  over  the 
comedies  of  Lupino  Lane,  Hamilton, 
Dorothy  Devore  and  those  under  the 
series  names  of  Tuxedo,  Mermaid  and 
Cameo.  He  also  is  credited  with  discover- 
ing “Big  Boy,”  the  baby  star. 

Miss  Starke  until  recently  was  a Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  player.  She  started  in 
pictures  under  the  banner  of  D.  W. 
Griffith.  Her  first  bid  for  success  was  in 
“Puppets,”  a novelty  picture,  with  DeWolf 
Hopper. 


RELEASES 


WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  4 
**Hawk  of  the  Hills,**  No.  2,  Pathe,  two ; 

Small  Town  Sheriff,**  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirdt; 
**The  Golf  Nut,**  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; 
**Grandma*8  Boy,**  Hal  Roach,  Pathe,  five;  Pathe 
Review,  No.  36,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day, 
No.  36,  Timely,  Pathe,  one;  **At  East,**  Hamilton, 
Educational,  two;  **Wiee  Guise,**  Bijou,  Eduea- 
tional  one;  **Sky  Frontiers,**  Varieties,  Fox,  one; 
“The  Salmon  Run,’*  Varieties,  Fox,  one;  “TTie 
Kangaroo’s  Kimono,**  Animal,  Fox,  two;  “Tou- 
pay  Or  Not  to  Pay,’*  F B O,  two. 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  11 
“Batter  Up,**  Mermaid,  Educational,  two ; “Lucky 
Dog,**  Cameo,  ESducational,  one;  “Delving  Into 
The  Dictionary,**  Howe,  Educational,  one; 
“Twenty  Legs  Under  the  Seal,**  Imperial,  Fox, 
two ; **Qiin  He  Loved  to  Lift,**  F B O,  two ; 
**Hawk  of  the  Hills,’*  No.  3,  Pathe,  two;  “Cutting 
A Melon,’*  Fables,  Pathe,  two-thirds;  “Olympic 
Games,**  Roach,  Pathe,  two;  Pathe  Review  No. 
37,  Pathe,  one;  Topics  of  the  Day  No.  37, 
Timely,  Pathe,  one-third. 

WEEK  OF  SEPTEMBER  18 
“The  Cry  of  Winter— The  Hot  Place,’’  Outdoor, 
Educational,  one;  “Film  Flam  Films,’*  Bijou, 
Educational,  one ; “A  Half-Pint  Hero,**  Lupino 
Lane,  Educational,  one;  **Under  Colorado  Skies,** 
Varieties,  Fox,  one;  “A  Fool  And  His  Honey,** 
Van  Bibber,  Fox,  two  ; “Fresh  Hair  Fiends,*’  No. 
8,  F B O,  two;  “Mickey’s  Circus,**  No.  1,  Mickey 
McGuire,  F B O,  two;  “Wanderers  of  the  Waist- 
line,** No.  1,  Standard,  F B O,  two;  “Hawk  Of 
The  Hills,*’  No.  4,  Pathe,  two;  “In  Again  Out 
Again,’*  Fables,  two-thirds;  “Tackles  And 
Touchdowns,*’  Grantland,  Pathe,  one ; 
“Smith’s  Pony,**  Mack  Sennett,  Pathe,  two ; 
“Prowling  Around  France  With  Will  Rogers,’* 
Clancy,  Pathe,  one;  Pathe  Review,  No.  38, 
Pathe,  one;  Topics  Of  The  Day,  No.  38,  Timely 
Films,  Pathe,  one-third ; “Crimson  Colors,*’  Col- 
legians, Universal,  two ; “Blake  Of  Scotland 
Yard,*’  Junior  Jewels,  Universal,  two;  “Keeping 
In  Trim,’*  Stern,  Universal,  two;  “Buster,  Come 
On,*’  Stem,  Universal,  two ; “Dancing  Fools,*’ 
Stem,  Universal,  two ; “Newlyweds*  Troubles,*’ 
Junior  Jewels,  Universal,  two ; “Oh  Teacher,** 
Oswald,  Universal,  two ; “The  Scrappin*  Fool,** 
Mustang,  Universal,  two ; “Danger  Ahead,*’  Mus- 
tang, Universal,  two* 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


43 


A1  Jolson 


Lured  to  Presentation 


Small  House 
Puts  on  Own 
Presentation 

Herald  Readers  in  Small  Towns 
Differ  as  to  Value  of 
Stage  Acts 

Is  there  a theatre  too  small  to  build  its 
own  presentation?  It  is  doubtful.  The 
survey  conducted  by  Presentation  Acts 
has  divulged  this  fact. 

If  you  are  not  now  running  presenta- 
tion in  connection  with  your  pictures, 
and  if  you  believe  that  your  town  and 
house  are  too  small,  read  the  letters 
from  exhibitors,  which  are  subjoined. 

You  may  find  in  these  discussions  of 
the  subject  of  stageshows  a lot  of  valu- 
able tips,  and  maybe  a few  which  might 
mean  money  at  the  box  office. 

PRESENTATION  ACTS — To  the  Editor.  In  re- 
ply to  your  form  inquiry  just  received.  I’m  afraid 
the  information  that  I can  send  you  will  not  be 
of  vital  importance,  but  here  it  is  for  what  it’s 
worth. 

We  are  so  far  from  Dallas,  250  miles,  that  it 
is  impossible  to  pay  and  play  regular  vaudeville 
acts.  'The  only  outside  acts  we  can  use  are  the 
traveling  teams,  mostly  family  affairs,  that  want 
a higher  percentage  of  the  gross  receipts  than 
their  talents  warrant.  I have  a new  theatre  here 
with  a stage  large  enough  to  handle  almost  any 
roadshow  out  today  but  I find  that  both  from  the 
financial  angle  as  well  as  from  the  viewpoint  of 
patron  satisfaction  that  the  booking  of  such  acts 
as  come  our  way  is  far  from  satisfactory. 

The  HERALD  was  kind  enough  a year  or  two 
ago  to  give  considerable  space  and  comment  to 
an  idea  of  mine  that  has  worked  here  remarkably 
well.  I head  and  produce  ray  own  Presentation 
Acts  using  a fixed  unit  of  local  girls  and  a couple 
of  boys  in  the  acts,  depending  on  the  needs  of 
each  production.  While  this  is  in  one  sense  local 
talent  stuff,  we  are  working  it  out  here  in  a way 
that  can  hardly  be  termed  under  that  heading.  The 
results  have  been  most  satisfactory,  and  our  peo- 
ple have  been  most  responsive  to  the  work  on  a 
pure  basis  of  entertainment  as  well  as  the  local 
interest  angle. 

I usually  base  an  act  on  some  outstanding 
characteristic  of  the  accompaning  picture,  adver- 
tise both  units  fairly  equally.  We  have  a Photo- 
player  pii)e  organ  here,  that  has  been  augmented 
by  a sot  of  regular  Robert-Morton  pipes  and  we 
feel  that  we  are  giving  better  music  than  most 
small  towns,  certainly  it  is  better  than  any 
mechanical  organ  that  I have  ever  heard. 

A glance  at  the  HERALD  files  in  the  fall  of 
1925-26  will  give  you  a better  idea  of  what  we 
do  here.  That  work  was  in  our  old  Star  theatre. 
We  plan  even  more  along  this  line  in  our  new 
place,  seating  500,  with  a regulation  stage  and 
lighting  facilities. 

Afraid  the  above  is  not  of  much  value  to  you 
in  your  search  for  Information  on  vaudeville. 
Routing  of  acts  is  almost  impossible  out  in  this 
{Continued  on  next  page) 


NEW  SONGS 


Reviewed  by 


IRENE  JUNO 


(Instructor  Washington  College  of  Music) 


EVERY  NIGHT  I BRING  HER  FRANKFUR- 
TER SANDWICHES— (Jack  Mills)— Another  nut 
song,  fox  trot  tempo.  Why  we  haven’t  heard 
more  of  this  number  I don’t  know?  It  should 
take  with  the  younger  class. 

*  *  * « 

I CAN’T  BEUEVE  THAT  YOU’RE  IN  LOVE 
WITH  ME — (Jack  Mills) — K fox  trot  of  good 
melody  and  good  lyrics.  Heard  it  at  Keiths  the 
other  day.  Adapts  itself  to  slow  or  fast  move- 
ment. 

* » * 

NAY  NAY  NEIGHBOR— (Villa  Moret)— Why 
we  haven’t  heard  more  of  this  song  number  I 
don’t  know.  It  has  all  the  ear  marks  of  a hit. 

* * * 

HAVANA — (Irving  Berlin) — A fox  trot  with  a 
catchy  tricky  arrangement  of  three  notes  against 
two  in  some  parts  of  the  chorus.  It  is  having  a 
big  run  here  and  will  soon  be  a street  song. 

* * » 

CAN’T  YOU  HEAR  ME  SAY  I LOVE  YOU— 
(Jenkins  Music  Company) — A minor  waltz  ar- 
rangement of  chords  in  the  verse  and  a smooth 
chorus  should  make  this  a good  theme  or  fill  in 
when  a tuneful  number  is  needed. 

« # 4 

TALK  ABOUT  DIXIE— (Villa  Moret)— Another 
red  hot  Dixie  tune.  Moret  certainly  puts  out 
some  good  ones  when  he  works.  A perfect  patter 
rounds  out  a perfect  number. 

4 4 * 

WHEN  YOU  DREAM  OF  ME— (Villa  Moret)— 
A fox  trot  of  slow  movement  but  it  ought  to  get 
there  just  the  same.  Better  in  a slow  tempo. 

4 4 4 

WHEN  DAY  IS  DONE— (Harms)— Was  an 
European  success  before  we  found  it.  Elxcep- 
tionally  good.  Only  one  a season  published  like 
this,  but  if  you  can’t  read  music,  well,  don’t  at- 
tempt the  verse.  Has  a good  slide  arrangement 
to  be  reviewed  later. 

* 4 4 

SIXTY  SECONDS  EVERY  MINUTE  I’M  IN 
LOVE  WITH  YOU— (Feist)— Catchy  fox  trot,  not 
much  to  distinguish  it  from  dozens  of  others  but 
its  the  kind  of  music  now  in  public  favor,  and 
we  all  need  it  for  the  theatre. 

4 4 4 

JUST  THE  SAME — (Feist) — A fox  trot  that 
is  faintly  reminiscent  of  the  Meadow  Lark  num- 
ber of  last  season.  Try  some  trick  arrangements 
of  it  on  your  organ.  You  will  find  it  worth  the 
trouble. 

4 4 4 

YOU  SAID  GOOD  NIGHT  BUT  YOU  MEANT 
GOOD  BYE — (Edw.  B.  Marks  Company) — Marks 
made  a mistake  in  not  calling  the  attention  of 
the  public  to  this  number.  It  is  a fox  trot  ballad 
of  lovely  melody.  Don’t  pass  it  up. 

4 4 4 

A KISS  BEFORE  THE  DAWN— (Edw.  B. 
Marks  Company) — Another  waltz  number  that 
has  been  hidden  away.  Has  harmonizing  tricks 
for  its  long  suit  in  the  verse  and  syncopated 
waltz  rhythms  in  the  chorus.  A good  band  and 
a tenor  could  do  wonders  for  this  number. 


Big  Money  Is 
Being  Taken 
by  Comedian 

Salary  Said  to  Be  Highest  Ever 
Paid  for  Similar  Engage- 
ment 

Presentation  is  garnering  in  the 
biggest  of  ’em. 

Now  it’s  AI  Jolson,  he  of  the 
mammy  song,  the  screen  and  the 
stage.  Harold  B.  Franklin,  presi- 
dent of  West  Coast  Theatres,  did 
the  honors  in  signing  Jolson  for  a 
week  at  the  Metropolitan  theatre  in 
Los  Angeles.  The  engagement 
opened  on  September  8. 

And,  according  to  Franklin,  the  black- 
face boy  will  receive  the  highest  salary 
ever  received  for  a similar  engagement. 
Is  there  any  wonder  Jolson  succumbed 
to  the  lure  of  the  picture  theatre  stage? 

Amount  Not  Revealed 

The  amount  was  not  revealed  by 
Franklin.  So  promiscuous  have  the  high 
salaries  paid  artists  for  personal  appear- 
ances in  motion  picture  houses,  or  for 
that  matter  the  salaries  of  all  artists 
connected  with  motion  pictures,  been 
discussed,  that  they  have  come  to  mean 
little  with  the  public,  according  to 
Franklin,  and  he  feels  also  that  Jolson’s 
salary  for  his  one  week’s  appearance 
is  so  much  higher  than  that  ever  paid 
anyone  anywhere  that  it  would  not  be 
believed. 

It  is  known  that  the  singing  of  Jolson 
brings  considerable  satisfaction  to  the 
“mammy”  singer.  For  years  he  has 
wanted  to  play  before  the  masses — those 
who  could  only  afford  the  price  charged 
for  pictures.  Playing  before  the  “small 
man  and  his  family”  was  an  impossibil- 
ity for  the  blackface  singer  as  long  as 
he  remained  in  the  costly  Broadway  re- 
vues. 

Signed  by  Morris  Agency 

It  is  not  known  whether  the  singer 
expects  to  make  a policy  of  appearing 
in  motion  picture  houses,  but  it  is  known 
that  his  appearance  before  “every-day 
men  and  women”  is  affording  him  a 
great  deal  of  satisfaction. 

Arrangements  for  the. signing  of  Jol- 
son were  made  by  Walter  Meyers,  of 
the  William  Morris  Agency,  which 
agency  has  only  recently  established  a 
Los  Angeles  office.  Booking  of  Jolson 
is  the  first  contract  negotiated  by  Mey- 
ers in  his  new  post. 

Jolson  will  not  appear  in  any  other 
theatre  of  any  kind  on  the  Coast. 


44 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Small  Towns 


(Continued  from  preceding  page) 

country.  This  will  change  in  time  I have  no 
doubt. — HENRY  REEVES,  Mission  theatre, 
Menard,  Tex. 

* « « 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Your 
inquiry  received  as  to  vaudeville,  I opened  Miami 
June  18,  1925,  and  ran  straight  pictures. 

On  July  1 and  2,  I booked  a musical  act  and 
my  receipts  were  less  than  Friday  and  Saturday 
before  or  any  Friday  and  Saturday  since. 

I have  a small  stage,  8x18  feet,  and  I fixed 
my  footlights,  got  a spotlight  intending  to  put 
on  vaudeville. 

But  my  first  experience  failed  so  I have  been 
showing  straight  pictures  since.  I have  no  organ, 
I am  sorry  to  confess.  Business  in  June  and 
July  have  been  the  best  I ever  had  for  these 
months.  I could  add,  April  and  May,  too. 

I don’t  know  how  to  account  for  it,  except 
I have  been  showing  some  good  pictures  right 
through  the  summer.  I think  the  newsreel  has 
stimulated  business  some.  I started  trailer  service 
on  all  pictures  in  April,  and  my  cooler  probably 
helps  some.  Has  not  been  over  74  in  theatre  this 
summer.  I just  added  a new  generator  and  2 
Motograph  reflector  arc  lamps,  and  hope  to  keep 
business  up  for  the  year.  (I  said  I hoped  to.) 
There  is  so  much  to  write  about  in  this  business, 
it  is  hard  to  stop.  I hope  I did  not  go  too  far 
on  answering  your  question. — R,  S.  WENGER, 
Miami  theatre.  Union  City,  Ind. 

* <t  « 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  In 
regards  to  theatres  in  5,000  and  smaller  towns 
playing  vaudeville  two  nights  a week  with  pic- 
tures: If  we  could  get  good  vaudeville  at  a 
reasonable  price  it  could  be  made  a great  help 
to  the  business,  but  to  take  the  independent  acts 
as  they  are  wildcatting  around,  I found  it  a 
loser  and  cut  out  acts  and  added  good  orchestra 
music.  Circuits  of  good  clean  acts  for  small 
towns  would  make  work  for  a lot  of  worthy 
performers  that  need  the  work,  but  the  circuit 
should  be  managed  by  a showman  that  knows  the 
difference  between  a good  and  bad  performance, 
and  the  managers  of  theatres  could  depend  upon. 
A little  more  honesty  and  business  methods  would 
help  U6  all.  Good  vaudeville  will  help,  but  poor 
will  hurt.  I find  good  clean  programs  that  the 
whole  famiy  can  enjoy  keep  them  coming.  We 
use  10  piece  orchestra. — BERT  SILVER,  Silver 
Family  theatre,  Greenville,  Mich. 

« # « 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Our 
houses  at  Aurora,  Mo.,  and  Malvern,  Ark.,  are  on 
main  lines,  and  quite  often  have  vaudeville 
booked,  but  not  regular  as  it  has  never  seemed 
to  pay.  One  night  possibly  once  a month  is  all 


we  can  use.  Harrison  and  Searcy  are  not  on 
main  lines,  and  therefore,  seldom  have  an  oppor- 
tunity to  book  vaudeville.  The  expense  of  getting 
to  these  two  towns  would  not  justify  them  coming, 
as  experience  has  proven  that  increased  patronage 
does  not  justify  us  booking  them,  and  the  amount 
taken  in  would  not  justify  them  in  coming.  We 
would  book  something  extra  good  once  in  a 
while  just  to  give  our  patrons  a change,  but 
the  receipts  would  not  justify  them  coming  as 
above  stated. 

We  have  organs  in  all  four  houses. — D.  E. 
FITTON,  Fitton  theatres,  Harrison,  Ark. 

* 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  In 
reply  to  the  questions  asked  concerning  vaude- 
ville acts  I will  say  that  we  do  not  play  any 
vaudeville  acts  becau.se  they  are  not  available. 
However,  there  are  a number  of  acts  that  are 
out  barnstorming  for  some  cause  or  other  and 
occasionally  they  drop  in  for  a night  or  two. 
When  such  an  act  is  booked,  it  is  played  just 
once,  in  the  evening,  either  with  or  without 
the  picture  program.  Usually  these  acts  carry 
their  own  advertising  and  put  up  a big  ballyhoo 
that  will  overshadow  anything  that  I could  do 
or  say  regarding  the  picture  program.  My  town 
is  on  a branch  line  and  good  acts  do  not  make 
the  branch  lines  because  of  connections  and 
consequently  a loss  of  time.  We  try  to  pick 
out  the  best  of  the  bunch  and  play  them  for  a 
little  variety,  usually  phoning  some  other  ex- 
hibitor nearby  who  has  run  their  acts.  There 
are  a number  of  good  acts  that  make  this  circuit 
each  year  and  they  have  established  a reputation 
and  are  trying  to  hold  it.  Quite  often  we  book  a 
bloomer  and  of  course  this  reacts  on  the  drawing 
power  of  the  quality  acts  that  are  established. 

We  do  not  have  an  organ.  It  is  impossible  to 
find  a player  or  to  pay  the  salary  that  one  would 
demand  if  we  were  to  import  one,  and  me- 
chanical music  is  taboo  as  far  as  we  are  con- 
cerned. 

Hoping  that  I have  furnished  the  necessary 
information  and  that  you  will  feel  free  to  ask  my 
cooperation  at  any  time,  I remain. — RAY  W. 
MUSSELMAN,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan, 

« « 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Do 
you  play  vaudeville  acts?  Yes,  once  or  twice  a 
month.  Where  do  you  book  them  from?  The 
Gus  Sun  Agency  in  Springfield  is  doing  the  book- 
ing for  us  but  we  occasionally  get  a good  act 
from  Steve  Forrest,  412  Blackstone  building,  Pitts- 
burgh, Pa.  How  many  acts  do  you  play?  Only 
one.  Do  you  play  them  with  pictures?  Yes, 
always  a picture  with  act.  Do  you  play  up  pic- 
ture or  act  in  advertising?  Feature  the  act.  Do 
you  find  facilities  for  routing  acts  in  smaller 
theatre  inadequate?  I do  not.  No  reason  why 
any  house  cannot  get  all  the  acts  he  wants, 
either  high  priced  or  cheap  ones.  Although  it 
really  pays  to  pay  a little  more  money  and  get 
the  good  ones  and  then  boost  your  prices  up  a 
dime  or  more  to  cover  the  extra  cost  of  the  bill. 
Do  you  have  an  organ?  Yes,  in  both  Strand  and 


Colonial.  We  play  the  higher  priced  acts  at 
Colonial  where  we  can  get  better  prices  and  the 
smaller  and  inexpensive  acts  at  Strand. 
Occasionally  I book  in  a tab  show  with  16  to  20 
people.  Act  runs  an  hour  and  then  the  picture 
an  hour  for  which  we  get  50  cents  for  grownups 
and  20  cents  for  children.  These  can  be  booked 
for  three  days  or  week,  buy  outright  or  book 
percentage  with  guarantee  that  their  share  shall 
reach  a certain  amount.  The  best  tab  shows  come 
through  the  Gus  Sun  offices. 

We  also  find  that  girl  orchestra,  and  also  boys, 
offering  a musical  presentation  to  the  picture 
draws  heavily.  Of  course  it  is  business  to  play 
the  acts  with  the  weaker  and  cheaper  pictures. — 
FRED  E.  JOHNSON,  C.  & M.  Amusement  Com- 
pany, Cambridge,  O. 

p # * 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  In 
reply  to  your  letter  of  yesterday,  we  do  not  play 
vaudeville  acts  with  our  pictures. 

We  give  a real  evening’s  entertainment  of  fine 
pictures  with  the  accompaniment  of  organ  music 
and  we  draw  for  15  miles  around. 

We  attempted  an  improvement  of  our  program 
with  vaudeville  but  our  patrons  did  not  approve 
and  we  discontinued  it. — E,  W,  SWARTHOUT, 
Palace  theatre,  Aurora,  Ind. 

<1  4: 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  For 
paBt  eight  years  have  had  houses  where  policy 
was  straight  pictures.  Up  to  that  time  we  had 
been  located  as  to  use  vaudeville  occasionally. 
Found  that  it  paid  whenever  an  act  or  acte  could 
be  secured  that  were  good,  a variation  of  the 
regular  picture  diet  seeming  to  please  immensely. 

Speaking  from  the  small  town  viewpoint,  the 
greatest  trouble  is  to  get  vaudeville  that  is  fit 
to  offer.  Very  often  the  acts  that  hit  what  they 
term  the  sticks,  are  so  poor  that  one  is  much 
better  off  not  to  use  them  and  offend  patrons. — • 
P.  G.  ESTEE,  S.  T.  theatre,  Parker,  S.  D. 

. * * 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  Yes, 
just  started  stagehand,  with  which  I am  using 
specialties  first  three  days  each  week.  Band  sup- 
plies specialties  balance  of  week.  Advertise  our 
heads  off  on  whole  show.  Routing  not  much  to 
our  advantage.  Yes,  organ  for  pictures. 

Pictures  seem  to  be  pretty  well  worn  out  in 
respect  to  interesting  any  bulk  of  population. 
Hope  stagehand,  etc.,  will  at  least  arouse  enough 
business  to  permit  keeping  something  on  the  stage. 
— C.  L.  ROSER,  Al.  Ringling  theatre,  Baraboo, 
Wis. 

* . * 

PRESENTATION  ACTS — To  the  Editor:  Wo 
very  seldom  play  vaudeville  acts.  Good  acts  do 
not  work  in  this  territory. 

We  do  not  have  an  organ. — ART  E.  TROTZIG, 
City  Theatre,  Vermillion,  S.  D. 

* • * 

PRESENTATION  ACTS— To  the  Editor:  I do 
not  play  vaudeville  only  on  rare  occasions.  The 
average  acts  on  the  road  are  so  d rotten  I 
would  not  put  them  in  my  house.  I saw  an  act 
last  week  in  Oecorah,  la.  It  was  a crime  it 
was  on  with  a good  picture.  Admission  was  40 
cents.  The  picture  was  not  strong  enough  to 
save  the  show  at  that  admission  in  a small  town. 
Seeing  that  act  and  how  the  people  felt  about  it 
made  me  all  the  stronger  for  pictures  only  with 
plenty  of  mixed  short  subjects.  I wish  I had 
an  organ.— O.  R.  HANS,  Scenic  theatre,  Hastings. 
Minn. 


Clark  in  New  Post 

Local  theati-e  circles  were  agog  this  week  when 
it  was  announced  that  George  F.  Clark,  veteran 
theatre  manager,  would  have  charge  of  the  new 
Shrine  auditorium  for  the  season.  Mr.  Clark  has 
gone  East  to  make  his  bookings. 

Although  the  nature  of  the  bookings  was  not 
made  public,  it  has  been  rumored  that  legitimate 
entertainment  will  predominate. 

The  auditorium  is  equipped  with  the  latest  ma- 
chines for  the  projection  of  motion  pictures  and 
there  is  much  conjecture  as  to  whether’  or  not 
any  of  the  roadshow  films  will  be  included  in 
the  season’s  offerings. 


MURRAY  and  ALAN 

“Jesters  of  3,000  Years  Ago” 

Featured  in  “STEAMBOAT  SYNCOPATION."  a PUBLIX 
STAGEBAND-UNIT-SHOW 

P.  S.  NOVELLE  BROS,  are  better  acrobats  than  violin  players,  so  we’ve  heard. 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY 


THE  PROGRESSIVE  ORGANIST 

Will  Be  Interested  in  Learning  That  at  Last  He  Can  Get  Original 
Show  Stopping  Organ  Novelties 
We  Have  a Very  Interesting  Plan  to  Submit 
WRITE  VS  AT  once: 

PARAMOUNT  SLIDE  RENTAL  SERVICE 
WOODS  BLDG  — CHICAGO,  ILL. 


Originator  of  the  New  Organ  SCRIMAPHONE  PRESENTATIONS 

Albert  F.  Brown 

FEATURE  ORGANIST 

Alternating  at  the  MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago 

All  Solos  Conceived  by  Albert  F.  Brown  and  Staged  by  RAYMOND  Q.  DALTON 

REPRESENTS  A NEW  ERA  OF  DE  LUXE  THEATRE  ENTERTAINMENT 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


45 


STAGE  SHOWS 


Chicago  Diversey 

Week  Ending  September  7 

This  marks  the  opening  of  the  Orpheum’s  new 
policy  of  stage  presentation  at  their  Diversey 
theatre  with  Austin  Mack’s  Century  Serenaders. 

Wade  Booth  parts  the  curtain  and  announces 
the  new  policy  and  introduces  Austin  Mack  and 
His  Century  Serenaders.  Mack  next  introduces 
Wade  Booth  and  they  both  receive  good  hands. 

Wade  Booth  acts  as  master  of  ceremonies  and 
introduces  Frank  Jones,  a peg  leg  dancer.  Jones 
is  a war  veteran  who  has  lost  his  leg.  Jones 
goes  into  a monologue  interspersing  some  jokes 
and  then  plays  a mean  harmonica.  He  then  does 
some  dancing  on  his  peg  leg  and  ends  up  with 
a fair  somersault  or  acrobatic  dancing  amid  a 
thunder  of  applause. 

When  Wade  Booth  comes  out  to  introduce  the 
next  act,  Mack  asks  him  to  show  the  audience 
what  Wade  himself  can  do.  Wade  with  his  own 
piano  accompanist  sings  “Boots,”  by  R'udyard 
Kipling,  put  to  music.  On  this  he  receives  a 
good  hand  and  then  sings  “The  Song  of  the 
Vagabonds”  and  amid  a thunder  of  applause  in- 
troduces Babe  Kane. 

Miss  Kane  is  a local  cafe  favorite  and  it  neems 
as  though  many  of  her  fans  recognized  her  by 
the  applause  she  received  on  her  singing  and 
dancing  and  was  made  to  do  an  encore. 

The  band  then  swings  into  “Songs  of  the 
Sunny  South”  introducing  each  number  of  the 
band  in  a hot  solo.  This  is  a hot  arrangement 
and  the  band  uses  as  an  encore,  a comedy  num- 
ber called  “Fresh  Fish.”  In  this  number  Jimmie 
Julian  is  featured  singing,  with  the  boys  helping 
out.  Julian  is  a great  asset  to  the  orchestra  and 
has  a wonderful  personality  by  which  he  will 
win  a number  of  admirers.  Jimmy  has  always 
said  he  is  not  a musician  but  only  a drummer. 

Paul  Howard,  a contorsionist  and  dancer  has 
been  reported  in  the  columns  before. 

Booth  next  introduces  Earl  and  Bell,  two  boys 
from  Sunny  Spain,  with  guitars.  Dressed  in 
Spanish  costumes  they  make  a hit  with  the  au- 
dience with  their  comedy  songs  and  playing.  They 
received  three  encores. 

Chilton  and  Thomas,  two  hoofers,  a girl  and 
man,  as  they  were  introduced  by  Booth,  were 
next.  The  girl  does  a single  followed  by  the 
man  in  a single  and  then  both  finish  up  in  a 
double.  They  were  very  good  and  received  an 
encore. 

The  closing  band  number  was  “Brotherly 
Love”  and  ended  with  a good  hand  for  iheir 
work. 

Chicago  Piccadilly 

Week  Ending  September  10 

One  of  the  best  stageshows  in  the  history  of 
the  Piccadilly  theatre  was  presented  to  large  and 
appreciate  audiences  on  Labor  Day.  The  overture 
by  the  Piccadilly  Orchestra  consisted  of  selections 
from  “The  Student  Prince,”  followed  by  Zita 
Norpell  at  the  organ.  The  high  spot  of  her  play- 
ing was  reached  when  a Hawaiian  trio  played 
and  sang  the  old  favorite  “Aloha”  in  English, 
with  scenic  background. 

Norman  Steppe  took  over  the  baton  of  the 
orchestra  and  presented  a diverse  program,  be- 
ginning with  “Riorita.”  The  selection  was  fol- 
lowed by  Betty  Davis  who  sang  “My  Hero”  to 
the  evident  satisfaction  of  the  crowd.  Dave  Tiny 


L.  CARLOS 
MEIER 

Featured 

Organist 

Ascher’s 

TERMINAL 

Theatre 

CHICAGO 


showed  his  skill  as  dancer  and  brought  down 
the  house  with  his  ecentric  skate  dance.  Crandall, 
saxophone  and  clarinet  player  in  the  orchestra, 
next  stepped  forward  and  proved  to  the  audience 
that  he  could  pluck  a mean  set  of  strings  on  the 
harp,  playing  selections  from  “No,  No,  Nannette.” 

The  orchestra  followed  with  Stampede,  a nov- 
elty piece.  Marque  and  Marquette,  whose  acro- 
batic dancing  has  been  appreciated  by  other  Pic- 
cadilly audiences,  next  “did  their  stuff,”  followed 
by  Bell  and  Coats  who  sang  “Positively”  and 
“Me  and  My  Shadow”  to  their  own  piano  accom- 
paniment. 

The  finale  was  a bit  different  from  other  Pic- 
cadilly presentations.  Instead  of  having  most  of 
the  principals  return  to  the  stage,  Betty  Davis 
and  William  Comins  staged  the  Prison  Scene 
with  its  Miserere  from  “H  Trovatore,”  followed 
by  the  famous  old  Anvil  Chorus.  The  picture  was 
“Madame  Pompadour,”  with  Dorothy  Gish  — in 
which  Lively  Dorothy  was  not  given  a chance. 
There  is  hardly  any  role  so  unsuited  to  her  as 
that  of  Madame  Pompadour.  It’s  a pity  to  see 
such  talent  and  lavish  display  go  to  waste. 

Chicago  Uptown 

Week  Ending  September  5 

Bennie  Krueger’s  stageshow  was  called  “Ban- 
dana Land”  and  beside  offering  talented  cast  also 
offered  some  good  red  hot  music  which  the  boys 
play. 

Opening:  Ten  Markert  Girls  dressed  in  yellow 
and  green  bandana’s  doing  a well  directed  van- 
tini  dance  in  front  of  drop  made  entirely  of 
large  yellow  and  green  bandana’s. 

After  girls  exit,  curtain  parts  to  screen  with 
Colonial  scene  as  orchestra  plays  “Caroline,” 
with  young  man  singing  in  background.  Boys 
donned  in  silk  overalls. 

Bennie  Krueger  then  enters  to  good  reception 
and  announces  a new  number  called  “Are  You 
Happy”  which  orchestra  plays  and  while  he  plays 
on  his  sax.  This  receives  a good  hand.  Krueger 
then  announces  Benny  and  Western,  two  clever 
boys  who  offer  a novelty  tap  dance  in  which  they 
each  use  a whiskbroom  while  dancing.  This  re- 
ceives a good  hand. 

Orchestra  then  plays  melodramatic  storm  music 
as  boys  enter  with  oi>ened  umbrellas.  Storm  ef- 
fect subsides,  boys  close  umbrellas  and  go  into  a 


clever  eccentric  tap  dance  which  earned  them  an 
encore  in  which  they  did  a good  little  hookum 
dance  before  exiting. 

Bennie  next  announces  a novelty  dance  by  the 
Markert  Girls  (10)  who  enter  dressed  in  beautiful 
orange  colored  gowns  and  waving  large  picture 
hats.  After  a few  well  routined  steps  they  jump 
out  of  skirts  and  offer  a clever  routine  then  for 
finish  jump  back  into  skirte  and  exit  to  good 
hand. 

Gypsy  Bryce,  a young  lady  dressed  in  young 
man’s  suit,  sings  “Ain’t  That  a Grand  and  Glor- 
ious Feeling,”  then  goes  into  good  fa.st  tap  dance. 
Finishing  with  a good  tap  and  black  bottom. 
Immediately  prior  to  exit  Miss  Boyce  pulls  her 
hat  off  disclosing  the  fact  she  is  a young  lady, 
she  receives  a good  hand. 

The  orchestra  next  offer  a wonderfully  arranged 
number  called  “The  Evolution  of  Dixie”  which 
included  many  songs  of  the  South.  A young  man 
sings  “Swanee  River”  and  receives  a good  hand. 

George  Riley  sings  “Red  Lips”  and  plays  a 
uke,  clowns  and  pulls  gags,  and  has  every  one 
laughing.  George  has  been  reported  many  times 
before  and  he  met  with  same  success  he  always 
does  where  he  plays. 

The  Markert  Girls  again,  this  time  in  green 
and  yellow  costume  and  with  4 foot  high  hats  offer 
more  well  directed  routine  dances  which  get  a 
good  hand.  After  this  a young  colored  boy  does 
some  good  acrobatic  feats. 

After  this,  house  and  stage  lights  are  extin- 
guished and  two  pair  of  feet  and  two  heads  (in 
phosphorous)  do  a dance.  Girls  on  bridge  and 
orchestra  boys  with  phosphorous  painted  hats 
making  a very  novel  effect. 

Chicago  Sheridan 

Week  Ending  September  11 

Verne  Buck’s  Show  was  called  “At  the  Pad- 
dock”  and  met  all  the  requirements  of  Sheridan 
par.  The  show  was  built  around  Wright  and 
Douglas  and  their  Spark  Plug  act.  The  bill  also 
included  a versatile  cast.  The  credit  for  the  good 
show  goes  to  Ray  MacMullen  and  Verne  Buck, 
who  were  the  producers. 

Opening:  Full  stage  set  of  a race  track  scene 
of  stables  on  sides  and  orchestra  in  jockey  suits. 
In  front  of  each  row  of  boys  there  was  what 
appeared  to  be  a hurdle,  giving  the  stage  a real- 


GEORGE  GIVOT 

^Tf/E  COLLEGIATE  SPEED  FLASW* 

A VITAPHONE  Artist 
Formerly  of  ‘‘ZIEGFELD  FOLLIES” 

Now  Playing  Return  Dates 
For  MARKS  and  COONEY  BROS. 
This  week  at  the  new  AVALON  Theatre, 
Chicago 

Will  accept  Bookings  after  OCT.  15th,  until  JAN.  1st. 
Address  Care  EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


JOSEPH  ALEXANDER 

One  of  the  Leading  Young  Organists 

Formerly  with  Marks  Bros.,  and  Schoenstads’  & Sons  of 
Chicago 

Now  at  the  OHIO  in  Indianapolis,  opened  Sept.  4th 

Specializing  in  Photoplay  Accompaniment 


Jimmie  WHITE  BROS.  Eddie 

Double  Dancing  DeLuxe 
**We  Dance  as  One” 

Now  Playing  De  Luxe  Picture  Houses 
Direction — ElZ  KEOUGH 


46 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


ifitic  appearance.  Orchestra  played  “The  Handi- 
cap** as  the  Six  Joe  Keith  Girls  do  a neat  gallop- 
ing routine.  Miss  Douglas  sings  “The  Handicap” 
and  at  their  exit  Verne  Buck  (in  red  dress  coat, 
white  breeches,  boots  and  high  hat)  enters  to 
good  reception,  and  announces  a hot  number  en- 
titled, “Yes  She  Do,’*  which  the  boys  play  well 
and  which  gets  them  a fine  hand.  (Verne  and 
the  boys  are  full  of  pep  after  enforced  lay  off 
and  it  shows.) 

Jimmie  Ferguson,  colored  boy  with  hot  feet, 
sings  in  a pleasing  manner,  “I’m  Coming  Vir- 
ginia,” then  goes  into  his  clever  eccentric  slow 
tap  dance  which  got  him  a good  hand.  After 
this  dance,  he  does  a good  fast  eccentric  tap 
and  buck  dance  which  earns  him  an  encore  in 
which  he  does  a clever  pantomime  crap  shooting 
game  as  orchestra  plays  “Song  of  the  Wanderer.” 
Jimmie  receives  a good  hand. 

He  was  followed  by  Hudson  Wonders*  Two  Lit- 
tle Girls  who  offer  some  clever  novelty  acrobatic 
and  dancing  feats  which  were  well  received. 

“Sing  Me  a Baby  Song,”  arranged  cleverly  by 
Luck  Hiatt,  the  band’s  trombone  player,  and 

Verne  Buck,  is  ably  played  by  the  orchestra  and 
beautifully  sung  by  Buck’s  Trio  (Cloyd  Griswold, 
Frank  Wilson  and  Verne  Buck).  These  boys  offer 
real  harmony  and  are  a real  treat  to  hear. 

’The  Six  Joe  Keith  Girls  in  pretty  costumes 
dance  a neat  routine  with  Verne  dancing  with 
them  at  the  exit.  This  number  received  a good 
hand  and  was  followed  by  Hazel  Romaine,  a cute 
little  miss  who  sings  pleasingly,  “Love  and 

Leave  ’em  Joe “Ho  Don’t  Wanna,”  which  she 
sings  and  clowns  with  Buck  and  which  earned 
her  an  encore  of  “You’ll  Never  Be  Missed,” 
which  also  received  a good  hand. 

Frank  Wilson,  the  band’s  flute  player,  sings 
“When  Day  Is  Done,”  the  number  he  met 

such  success  with  about  six  months  ago  and 

which  was  requested  for  this  show.  Frank  stops 
the  show  as  usual  and  is  forced  to  encore. 

Verne  then  plays  the  same  number  on  his 
soprano  saxophone  to  a veiT  good  hand. 

“Spark  Plug”  follows  and  is  very  well  received 
right  from  the  start.  Miss  Douglas  leads  “Spar- 
ky” through  all  his  paces  and  has  the  audience 
rolling  out  of  their  seats.  The  act  received  a 
very  fine  hand. 

Finale:  A new  number,  “Are  You  Happy,” 
played  by  orchestra,  then  soloed  by  piano  as  boys 
sing  chorus.  Girls  then  enter  and  do  a neat  rou- 


tine after  which  entire  company  is  on  for  finish. 
Observation : Good  show. 


New  Y ork  Roxy 

Week  Ending  September  9 

The  Roxy  Symphony  Orchestra  opens  the  bill 
this  week  with  one  of  their  customarily  able  ren- 
ditions of  selections  from  “La  Boheme.” 

“Voice  of  the  Chimes”  was  a tremendously 
effective  piece  in  which  Roxy  was  evidently  trying 
to  justify  the  slogan  which  describes  his  theatre 
as  the  “cathedral  of  the  motion  picture.” 

The  Roxy  Men's  Chorus  appears  on  the  stage 
banked  around  an  altar  which  is  illuminated 
with  tall  candles.  They  are  garbed  in  monastic 
robes  of  deep  red  and  as  they  sing  a solemn  chant 
they  are  answered  by  the  women’s  chorus,  arrayed 
as  nuns  and  singing  from  the  balconies  which 
flank  the  stage.  From  these  balconies,  now,  come, 
in  single  file,  the  ballet  corps,  also  in  nun’s  attire. 
They  take  the  centre  of  the  stage  and  there 
execute  a simple  and  dignified  ballet  to  conclude 
an  act  which  by  its  simple  effectiveness  and 
universal  appeal  drew  a volume  of  applause  that 
fairly  rocked  the  vast  theatre. 

The  divertissements  consisted  of  two  ballet  num- 
bers, the  first  one  being  an  interpretive  silhouette 
in  which  a darkened  stage  and  a dully  illuminated 
orange  back  drop  threw  the  i>erformer’s  figures 
into  sharp  relief,  and  the  second  of  a more 
pretentious  nature  and  involving  the  use  of  the 
entire  ballet  corps  in  Chinese  costume,  whirling 
and  twirling  before  a back  drop  on  which  ap- 
peared one  of  those  huge  dragons  so  dear  to  the 
heart  of  the  Oriental. 

In  a “Review  Picturesque”  the  curtain  goes  up 
to  reveal  Roxy’s  Gang  clustered  about  the  tables 
of  a set  that  represents  the  interior  of  a night 
club  with  Louis  Katzman  and  His  Anglo-Persians 
providing  the  music. 

Adelaide  De  Loca  is  the  first  entertainer,  sing- 
ing “So  Blue”  as  only  she  can. 

Joe  Ross  is  an  acrobatic  dancer  who  knows  all 
the  usual  tricks  and  some  new  ones  besides.  He 
got  a royal  reception. 

Jeanne  Mignolet  and  the  chorus  are  next,  sing- 
ing the  Italian  Street  Song  from  the  Victor 
Herbert  opera  “Naughty  Marietta.”  They  bring 
to  their  rendition  that  pep  and  snap  which 
always  make  this  number  a roaring  success  when 
done  in  this  fashion. 


Dolores  and  Eddy  do  a comedy  dance  which 
transports  one  to  the  Bowery.  Good  work  and 
Eddy  follows  it  up  with  a dance  in  which  he 
stands  on  his  hands  instead  of  his  feet. 

Those  popular  comedy  singers.  The  Russian 
Choir,  who  are  functioning  this  week  as  the 
waiters  in  Roxy’s  night  club  gathered  together 
to  sing  “Salad  Italienne  a la  Russe,”  a nonsensi- 
cal song  which  their  truly  excellent  voices  put 
across  in  irresistible  fashion. 

King  and  King  then  put  on  a contest  in  which 
each  one  of  them  tried  to  outdo  the  other  in 
hot  foot  dancing.  These  boys  are  top-notchers 
and  the  audience,  from  their  applause,  appre- 
ciated it.  'They  all  joined  in  the  finale  with  the 
dancers  out  in  front  to  wind  up  a bill  of  even 
more  than  customary  merit. 

New  York  Paramount 

Week  Ending  September  9 

Jesse  and  Mrs.  Crawford,  as  usual,  head  the 
week’s  bill  at  the  Paramount,  with  a group  of 
popular  melodies  and,  as  usual,  draw  the  great 
round  of  applause  which  they  invariably  deserve. 
The  first  number  is  a song  called  “Joy  Bells,” 
which  is  the  name  of  this  week’s  stageshow. 
That  versatile  trio,  “The  Three  New  Yorkers,” 
sing  this  one  before  a transparent  curtain  of 
deep  blue. 

The  curtain  then  goes  up  on  a set  that  is 
called  “The  Belfry.”  This  set  discloses  Ben  Black 
and  His  Paramount  Stage  Orchestra  seated  before 
a raised  stage  with  a back  drop  of  blue 
on  which  are  stencilled  hundreds  of  small  bells. 
At  the  sides  of  the  set  are  balconies  resembling 
those  which  one  finds  at  the  top  of  the  average 
belfi*y. 

The  first  number  is  the  “Ballet  of  Belles.”  This 
is  an  unusual  ballet  dance  performed  by  six  girls 
in  support  of  Eve  Masgagno,  the  premiere. 

The  Paramount  Stage  Orchestra  is  next  playing 
that  old  favorite,  “The  Bells  of  St.  Mary’s”  with 
June  Korle  Lee,  a soprano  of  more  than  average 
ability,  appearing  on  the  raised  stage  and  aiding 
the  orchestra  in  putting  over  a number  that  got 
a splendid  reception. 

Charlotte  Arren  followed  this  with  a humorous 
song  entitled  “Call  for  Mr.  Brown.”  Miss  Arren 
is  a diminutive  comedienne  who  appeared  dressed 
in  a bell-hop’s  costume  and  whose  vivacious  per- 
sonality and  clever  clowning  took  the  audience 
by  storm.  Joseph  Parson  was  the  next  performer 
and  he  sang  “Asleep  in  the  Deep,”  from  the 
raised  stage  while  the  curtain  behind  him  parted 
to  disclose  a back  drop  suggestive  of  night  on 
the  bounding  main ! Parson  has  a rich  bass 
voice  which  is  most  effective  in  a song  of  this 
type. 

“The  Dumb  Bells,”  otherwise  Maxwell  and  Lee, 
are  two  comedy  dancers  who  sling  each  other 
all  over  the  stage  as  they  mingle  the  most  diffi- 
cult steps  with  their  fun-making.  This  pair  got 
a tremendous  hand. 

“Telephone  Bells”  was  a novelty  number  by 
the  stage  orchestra  in  which  they  actually  used 
telephone  bells  instead  of  their  musical  instru- 
ments. At  the  end  of  this  piece  Maury  Leaf  a 
member  of  the  orchestra  whom  his  buddies  call 
“the  musical  Milt  Gross,”  gave  his  version  of 
“Cohen  at  the  Telephone.”  *11115  was  a very 
amusing  number  and  was  enthusiastically  received. 

The  Roma  Brothers  were  tumblers  par  excel- 
lence and  showed  the  audience,  who  applauded 
them  heartily,  that  the  athlete,  as  well  as  the 
actor,  may  be  an  artist. 

The  Finale  brought  them  all  in,  each  one  doing 
his  or  her  respective  stuff,  with  Ben  Black  and 
His  Crowd  playing  a snappy  tune  as  the  curtain 
went  down. 


Houston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  September  3 

“Jems  of  Joy,”  first  Publix  bandshow  to  use 
John  Murray  Anderson’s  settings  and  costumes, 
played  to  appreciative  audience  at  the  Metro- 
politan this  week.  Delight  was  expressed  by  all 
seeing  the  show  at  the  decided  improvement  over 
past  bandshows. 

Paul  Spor  and  the  Merry  Mad  Gang  opened 
with  a symphonic  arrangement  of  “Faust.”  fol- 
lowed by  Stanley  and  Lee,  who  do  a good  tap 
waltz.  Davcy  Jones  goes  great  next  with  his 
famous  "Stuttering  Song.”  despite  the  fact  that 
he  was  used  as  a spot  act  with  the  same  routine 
two  months  ago  by  the  Met.  Encored  at  all  shows 
with  tap  dance,  and  on  the  big  shows  with  a 
patriotic  tap  to  tune  of  “Sousa’s  March.”  Six 
Jems  of  Joy,  chorus,  do  a Cape  Dance  next  to 
“Blame  It  On  the  Waltz.”  Spor  presents  The 
Gang  playing  Irving  Berlin  Jems,  a medley  of 
past  and  present  Berlin  hits  that  goes  over  big 
with  the  blaring  finale  using  “Blue  Skies.” 

Edith  Griffith,  appearing  for  the  third  time  at 
the  Metropolitan,  sings  “He  Don’t  Like  It,  Not 


WHAT  PRESS  AND 
PUBLIC  THINK  OF 
THE  “ADMIRAL- 
PRESIDENT”— 
“ACE”,  Dramatic  Critic 
of  the  “Kansas  City 
Post”,  says:  — “When 
George  Dewey  Washing- 
ton sings  a song,  you 
have  heard  it  sung”. 


GEORGE  DEWEY  WASHINGTON 
“Just  Songs” 

Now  playing  second  en- 
gagements over  Publix  Cir- 
cuit— Soon  to  repeat  all 
Chicago  Balaban  & Katz 
and  Lubliner  & T r i n z 
Houses. 

Many  Thanks  to  PAUL  ASH 


Solos  Community  Singing 

HAROLD  J.  LYON 

Premier  Organist 
CAPITOL  THEATRE,  OTTUMWA,  lA. 

The  Youngest  and  Most  Popular  Organist  in  IOWA 

“The  Best  for  the  Best’’ 


MURIEL  KAYE 

“The  Distinctive  Dancer’* 

For  DeLuxe  Theatres 

Now  Featured  in  Presentations 

Direction  WILLIAM  MORRIS  AGENCY  Through  Max  Turner  and  Phil  Tyrrell 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


47 


September  10,  1927 


Much,”  followed  by  Davey  White  in  his  ioose- 
jointed  Dance  of  the  D.  T.’s. 

Ross  and  Gilbert  prove  to  be  the  sensation  of 
the  show  with  their  Saint  Louis  Blues,  Ross  get- 
ting a novel  effect  of  a combined  trumpet  and 
clarinet  by  using  his  hands  cupped  up. 

Finaie  presents  entire  company  on  stage  for 
specialties,  ending  with  quartet  composed  of 
Ross,  Gilbert,  White  and  Jones. 

Response  to  this  show  was  greatest  ever  dis- 
played for  bandshow.  The  Anderson  sets  and  cos- 
tumes were  especially  appreciated,  and  all  audi- 
ences were  pleased.  Picture  for  the  week  was 
rather  weak,  but  passed  as  a program  feature — 
“After  Midnight,”  with  Norma  Shearer. 


Los  Angeles  State 

Week  Ending  September  9 

Loews  State  theatre  has  a new  orchestra  leader, 
who  recites,  sings,  dances,  wise-cracks  and  plays 
the  piano.  His  name  is  Cliff  Nazarro  and  bids 
to  become  a favorite  with  the  Broadway  house. 

The  presentation  act  consists  of  a review  of 
$100,000  worth  of  fur  wraps  dispiayed  before  a 
velvet  background  with  rhinestone  steps  down 
which  the  models  walk.  The  display  drew  the 
women  folks  while  Bebe  Daniels  in  “Swim,  Girl 
Swim”  drew  the  men.  The  picture  was  somewhat 
of  a repeat  on  “The  Poor  Nut”  in  which  Jack 
Mulhall  starred. 


Los  Angeles  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  September  8 

“Moonlit  Waters”  is  the  title  chosen  by  Fanchon 
and  Marco  for  their  elaborate  stage  presentation 
this  week.  The  striking  setting,  costumes  and 
sets,  the  latter  designed  by  Jaron  and  Mary  Kelly, 
are  very  colorful  and  the  outstanding  part  of 
the  act. 

Rube  Wolf  and  His  Band  deliver  several  num- 
bers in  his  peppy  style.  Sally  and  Ted  drew 
good  applau.se : the  Two  Hairpins  delivered  in 
the  usual  style  expected  of  them  and  the  Foursome 
singing  “At  Sundown,”  “You,  That’s  Who”  and 
other  numbers  won  unstinted  enthusiastic  ap- 
plause. 


Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  August  28 

“Rustic  Revels”  opened  the  bill  with  the  or- 
chestra dressed  in  “trick”  overalls  and  farmer 
hats  and  playing  for  the  ensemble  dancers  to 
introduce  the  atmosphere.  Jimmy  Ellards  led  the 
orchestra  and  announced  the  numbers,  bringing 
a hay-seed  voice  and  manner  into  play  nicely. 

Louise  Ploner  sang,  “Gorgeous”  and  “What  Do 
We  Do  on  a Dew  Dewy  Night.”  The  Hawley 
Sisters  from  the  chorus,  did  a song  and  dance 
number,  “The  Tap  Tap.” 

Penny  Pennington  and  his  drums,  assisted  by 
four  jazzists,  did  a rural  number. 

Jimmy  Ellards  sang  “Someday  Sweetheart”  and 
a Swede  comedy  encore,  followed  by  request 
songs. 

Osborne  and  Curry  did  a Bowery  dance  fol- 
lowed by  Fauntelroy  and  Van  in  a comedy  num- 
ber with  trick  instruments.  Soft  shoe  dancing 
was  a part  of  this  act. 

'The  chorus  in  feathery  “chicken”  costumes 
put  on  a classy  dance. 

Tim  Marks,  whistler,  did  a popular  single  and 
was  recalled  numerous  times.  He  was  followed 
by  Joseph  Grifiin  singing  “Song  of  Songs”  and 
“Here  Am  I Broken-Hearted.” 

'There  was  a grand  finale.  “Grand  and  Glorious 
Feeling,”  with  the  entire  company  on  deck. 

“After  Midnight”  was  the  feature.  'There  was 
a newsreel  and  Herbert  Koch  played  a medley  of 
popular  songs. 


Kansas  City  Newman 

Week  Ending  September  2 

“The  Iceland  Frolics/*  with  the  stag'e  set  to 
resemble  some  Far  Northern  point,  was  the  stage 
attraction  at  the  Newman  this  week.  Jules  Buf- 


DAVID 

GOULD 

LUBLINER  & TRINZ 

BALABAN  & KATZ 

Production  Dept, 
Chicago 

^‘Lousy” 

Des  Moines  claims  the  only  musical  di- 
rector in  captivity  who  doesn’t  believe  in 
publicity.  In  fact,  he  was  quoted  as  hav- 
ing said  it  was  “lousy.” 

Jimmy  Ellard,  director  of  the  Jazz  Jes- 
ters at  the  Capitol  theatre  and  yearned 
over  by  half  the  feminine  population  of 
Des  Moines,  was  in  the  spot  light  of  pub- 
licity this  week,  when  a mythical  Fie  Moo, 
was  reported  by  a local  columnist  to  have 
revealed  that  the  idol  of  the  baton  was 
not  only  married,  but  the  proud  papa  of 
two  small  offspring. 

“Something  should  be  done  to  remove 
this  cloud  from  Jimmy,”  wrote  another 
admiring  woman,  but  the  columnist  an- 
swered that  he  wasn’t  even  able  to  an- 
nounce that  TWO  wives  claimed  J.  E.,  or 
that  there  was  any  other  scandel  to  re- 
lieve the  anxious  admirers  of  the  “gentle” 
sex. 

Then,  according  to  the  story,  Jimmy 
descended  upon  the  columnist  and  told 
him  forcefully  and  with  no  mincing  of 
words,  what  he  thought  about  the  whole 
affair.  It  was  during  this  interview  that 
he  was  reported  as  saying  that  publicity 
was,  in  the  inelegant  language  above  noted, 
“lousy,” 

“That  settles  it,”  wrote  the  newspaper 
man,  “he  gets  no  more  attention  in  this 
column.” 


fano  and  His  Newman  Merrymakers,  composing 
the  permanent  orchestral  part  of  the  programs 
each  week,  were  costumed  in  attire  of  the  far 
north. 

Jimmy  Dunn  was  featured  on  the  program  as 
a comedian.  He  also*  rendered  vocal  numbers. 
Brown  and  Baily  had  a dancing  act,  while 
Helen  McFarland  and  Naum  Coster  had  vocal 
numbers.  Norman  Hewlett  had  a xylophone  num- 
ber, Beth  Calvin  having  a musical  and  vocal 
act.  The  Iceland  Girls  were  seen  in  several 
chorus  numbers. 

Jules  Buffano  and  His  Newman  Merrymakers 
rendered  popular  selections  as  an  overture. 


Kansas  City  Mainstreet 

Week  Ending  September  2 

Walter  Davison  and  His  Louisville  Loons  cele- 


brated their  tenth  week  as  the  orchestral  attrac- 
tion in  the  stage  program  at  the  Mainstreet  thea^ 
tre  this  week,  playing  popular  selections  as  an 
overture  and  being  featured  in  each  stage  number. 

Paul  Yocan  and  Company  had  a skit  titled 
“Artistic  Moments,”  while  Frank  “Peg”  Jones 
was  billed  in  his  monologue  as  “The  Old  Soldier.” 
Kathryn  Smith  had  a versatile  number,  she  being 
titled  as  the  “Personality  Girl.”  Cruse  Brothers, 
the  “boys  from  Arkansas,”  had  a comic  skit. 
Shannon’s  Frolics  was  composed  of  song  and 
dance  numbers  while  Red  Mack  Carter  was  a 
dancing  comedian. 

Milwaukee  Wisconsin 

Week  Ending  September  3 

All  over  the  country  audiences  are  always  re- 
ceptive to  anything  pertaining  to  the  famous 
Bowery.  Milwaukee  theatregoers  were  treated  to 
a rare  scene  when  Dave  Schooler  and  His  Play- 
boys appeared  at  the  Wisconsin  during  annual 
state  fair  week  in  “A  Limestone  Night.” 

The  setting  was  an  underground  cafe  in  New 
York  with  barred  windows,  pale  shadow  lights 
flooding  the  whole  of  it  and  making  it  resemble 
one  of  the  old  dungeons  of  the  time  of  the  Span- 
ish Inquisition.  Dave  and  His  Playboys  were 
dressed  in  the  good  old  Bowery  sweaters,  rang- 
ing from  solid  red  to  gaudy  stripes.  The  slouch 
caps  and  cigarettes  were  there,  too.  In  the  back- 
ground was  a bar  lined  with  glasses  and  a few 
loungers. 

The  presentation  opened  by  the  Playboys  play- 
ing a Bowery  medley  of  various  tunes.  Then 
the  popular  Tivoli  Girls,  who  are  still  playing 
in  Milwaukee  after  four  weeks,  made  their  ap- 
pearance, in  polka  dot  outfits,  three  as  boys, 
three  as  girls,  and  they  danced.  Clever  it  was 
and  got  a big  hand. 

Next,  two  Apache  dancers  appeared.  The  man 
was  rough  but  the  women  seemed  to  like  it.  It 
was  more  of  a contortionistic  and  acrobatic  act 
than  a dancing  act,  but  it  was  done  well  and  the 
audience  liked  it. 

Accustomed  as  Dave  Schooler  is  to  drama,  he 
chose  a very  appropriate  moment  to  enter  the 
scene.  The  audience  was  still  thrilled  by  the 
Apache  dance  when  a woman’s  shriek  rang  out, 
a blood-curdling  shriek,  and  down  the  stairs 
leading  into  the  cafe  from  the  street  comes  Dave 
Schooler,  dressed  in  a tight  brown  velvet  suit, 
dragging  the  unconscious  form  of  a woman  be- 
behind  him.  No,  she  wasn’t  alive.  She  was  a 
dummy  of  course.  After  dancing  with  the 
dummy  for  a few  moments  Dave  nonchalantly 
tossed  the  remains  into  the  orchestra  pit. 

Next  on  the  scene  was  the  act  of  the  Two 


HARM  AND  NEE 


(( 


Those  Two  Cadets 


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Now  Playing 

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CHARLES  KALEY 


<<■ 


‘The  Singing  Band  Leader” 
An  Exclusive  COLUMBIA  Artist 
Now  conducting  MARKS  BROS.  Presen- 
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COSTUMES  FOR  HIRE  s™  BROOKS 


48 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


Dean  Brothers  who  know  how  to  dance  and  jig. 
Speed  characterized  these  boys,  and  they  got 
plenty  of  applause.  They  had  grace  and  speed 
together. 

These  two  chaps  had  no  sooner  gotten  through 
when  Dave  and  his  orchestra  played,  “I  Wonder 
How  I Look  When  I’m  Asleep.*’  The  song  was 
effective  for  the  stage  was  in  entire  darkness. 
Finally  the  Playboys  snapped  on  small  flash- 
lights and  sang  the  song.  Dave  and  another 
chap,  Billy  Meyers,  tenor,  came  out  dressed  in 
long,  white  old  fashioned  nightgowns,  and  sang 
the  song,  after  which  Meyers  sang  the  chorus 
alone.  It  was  well  received. 

Different  in  scene  as  well  as  in  character  was 
the  rendition  of  a few  popular  numbers  by  Jue 
So  Tai,  now  of  America,  but  formerly  of  China. 
She  sang  such  numbers  as  “Hello  Cutie,’’  “The 
Dough  Song”  (as  it  is  now  called)  and  she  sang 
the  second  chorus  of  each  number  in  Chinese. 
Although  Chinamen  were  not  in  the  majority  in 
the  audience  the  Chinese  choruses  were  appre- 
ciated for  Miss  Tai  received  thunderous  applause. 

The  Tivoli  Girls,  who  are  original  and  fasci- 
nating in  all  they  do,  appeared  again.  This  time 
they  were  dressed  as  policemen,  and,  boy,  you 
should  have  seen  the  size  of  their  feet  (wide 
like  a duck’s  foot).  They  gave  an  interesting 
example  of  a cop’s  dance,  humorous  and  clever. 
Again  they  got  a big  hand. 

The  lights  snapped  out  and  Dave  Schooler  hops 
(yes,  that’s  the  word),  over  to  the  piano  and 
plays  “Rustle  of  Spring.”  It  was  well  done  and 
Dave  was  busy  bowing  in  recognition  of  the 
applause. 

The  humor  of  the  program  rested  in  Forsyth 
and  Kelly,  who  cracked  a number  of  good  jokes, 
pep  in  each  one  of  them.  Forsyth  sang,  “Falling 
in  Love,”  while  Kelly  walked  out  with  a hatrack, 
took  Forsyth’s  straw  hat  from  his  hand,  placed 
it  on  the  hat  rack  and  walked  nonchalantly  off 
the  stage,  Kelly,  who  was  very  funny,  sang  an 
improvised  song,  and  received  plenty  of  applause. 

An  interesting  part  of  the  program  was  the 
dance  rendered  by  Lillian  Drew,  whom  Schooler 
introduced  as  a bit  of  local  talent.  Miss  Drew 
is  a blond,  well  proportioned  and  certainly  could 
kick  both  front  and  otherwise.  Her  acrobatic 
dancing  was  interesting  to  watch  and  she  dis- 
played innate  qualities  of  stardom  which  are 
bound  to  be  appreciated  as  she  grows  older. 

The  finale  con.sisted  of  dancing  by  the  Dean 
Brothers,  dancing  by  Lillian  Drew,  as  well  as  by 
the  Tivoli  Girls,  and  a well  proportioned  presen- 
tation came  to  an  end.  E.  Weisfeldt,  manager 
of  the  Wisconsin,  conceived  and  executed  the 
entire  presentation. 

St.  Louis  Ambassador 

Week  Ending  September  2 

“What  a Girl”  was  Herbert  Rawlinson’s  stage 
offering  for  this  week.  This  show  brought  back 
to  St.  Louis  Peggy  Bernier,  who  made  such  a 


big  hit  as  the  “positively,  absolutely  girl”  with 
Brooke  Johns  at  the  Missouri  theatre  some  weeks 
ago. 

Milton  Watson,  a Chicago  tenor  ; the  Three 
Aces  and  the  Missouri  Rockets  were  also  featured 
in  the  show. 

Danny  Graham,  comic  dancer,  also  went  very 
well,  while  Rawlinson,  himself  got  away  with  a 
funny  golf  story  and  an  old  timer  that  still  gets 
some  laughs. 

Dave  Silverman  arranged  a special  music  score 
for  the  feature  picture,  “Beau  Geste.” 

St.  Louis  Missouri 

Week  Ending  September  2 

A Broadway  revue,  “Young  America,”  featur- 
ing 16  girls  from  various  parts  of  the  country, 
including  Katherine  Hoevel  of  St.  Louis,  was  the 
stage  offering  of  this  week. 

In  the  overture,  “The  Prince  of  Pilsen,”  Leonid 
Leonardi  and  His  Orchestra  cooperated  with  Mil- 
ton  Slosser  at  the  organ. 

The  Ambassador  Rockets  were  also  featured  in 
the  stageshow. 

St.  Louis  Loew*s  State 

Week  Ending  September  2 

The  original  stage  effects  for  “The  Big  Parade” 
were  used  during  the  first  week  of  this  picture’s 
first  St.  Louis  showing  at  popular  prices. 

The  Axt-Mendoza  music  score  was  used  by  the 
orchestra. 


Washington  Palace 

Week  Ending  September  3 

Phil  Spitalny  has  been  asked  to  take  out  natur- 
alization papers  and  make  himself  a Washing- 
tonian. He  is  playing  his  third  week  and  an- 
nouncing his  fourth.  Quite  a record  for  a visiting 
band. 

Phil  transferred  his  activities  to  the  orchestra 
pit  for  the  opening  gun  and  with  the  house 
orchestra  augmented  by  his  own  men,  they  went 
through  “Capricio  Italienne,”  followed  by  a pop- 
ular number.  His  trumpet  player  and  hie  drum- 
mer plus  a good  looking  banjoist  shared  the  spot- 
light. Two  rows  of  seats  have  been  taken  out 
and  the  orchestra  pit  made  larger  to  take  care 
of  the  extra  men  who  will  remain  for  the  season. 
Spitalny  then  took  his  men  on  etage  and  although 
they  looked  cooped  up  surrounded  as  they  were 
by  wood  drops,  they  put  over  a gypsyland  fea- 
ture. 

Opening  with  Herberts  “Gypsy  Love  Song”  the 
band  showed  some  clever  arranging  and  the  tenor 
soloist,  who  has  quite  a following,  topped  the 
number.  “Second  Rhapsody”  was  a pot  pourri  of 
parts  of  the  well  known  number.  Just  as  we 
got  to  humming  one  movement  they  dashed  to 
another.  Fair  applause. 


The  22  Chester  Hale  Dancers,  one  of  whom  was 
missing,  did  a gypsy  dance  ensemble,  and  Joyce 
Coles  did  two  solo  numbers.  She  was  not  as 
clever  as  many  of  the  girls  in  line,  and  while 
billed  as  direct  from  the  Capitol,  New  York  City, 
and  considered  a big  flash  act  it  doesn’t  compare 
with  many  presentations  staged  by  Colby  Harri- 
man  without  the  fuss  and  feathei-s. 

The  M-G-M  newsreel  was  with  us,  also  a bird 
reel  cleverly  played  by  Dick  Leibert,  organist 

Feature — Thomas  Meighan  in  “We’re  All  Gam- 
blers.” Brought  in  to  substitute  for  Clara  Bow 
in  “Hula.”  who  failed  to  arrive.  Bow  billed  for 
next  week. 

Detroit  State 

Week  Ending  August  27 

The  new  policy  of  Loew’s  vaudeville  and  mo- 
tion pictures  was  inaugurated  at  the  State  this 
week  before  capacity  audiences.  The  opening 
bill  sparkled  with  high-grade  acts  and  it  was 
fitting  that  a Detroit  pair,  the  Dancing  De  Mar- 
cos, should  be  selected  as  headliners. 

Displaying  exceptional  ability,  Antonio  and 
Nina  DeMarco  are  exponents  of  ballroom  steps 
that  draw  big  applause.  They  were  accompanied 
by  a string  orchestra  whose  tuneful  numbers 
afforded  an  excellent  background  for  the  act. 

Another  favorite  here,  Lillian  Shaw,  was  gen- 
erously received.  Her  “baby  song”  done  in  dia- 
lect was  a hit  of  the  bill. 

Three  misses  in  an  excellent  bit  of  harmony 
singing  made  up  the  entertainment  listed  under 
“The  Three  Co-Eds”  and  Saranoff  offered  a min- 
iature revue  which  involved  Saxton  and  Carroll, 
two  dancing  girls  with  plenty  of  pep,  Eileen 
Berten,  an  unusual  contortionist ; James  Grady, 
tenor  and  Maurice  Leo,  a dancer. 

Harry  Hines,  monologist  and  master  of  cere- 
monies, did  some  wisecracking  while  the  juggling 
portion  of  the  program  went  to  the  Royal  Sid- 
neys, two  clever  workers  with  numerous  tricks. 

“Silk  Stockings,”  with  Laura  La  Plante,  was 
the  feature  film. 

Detroit  Michigan 

Week  Ending  September  3 

“Orangre  Blossoms,”  a syncopated  stagehand 
carnival,  offered  some  smart  performers  on  the 
stage  this  week.  Speeding  up  the  hilarity  are 
gay  groups  of  singers,  dancers  and  funmakers. 
Although  the  caption  would  indicate  Publix  pre- 
sentation form,  this  attraction  differed  greatly 
from  those  which  have  been  prescribed  heretofore 
in  this  theatre.  And  the  attendance  apparently 
did  enjoy  it. 


Detroit  Capitol 

Week  Ending  September  3 

A tabloid  extravaganza,  “Flower  Festival,”  set 
off  in  elaborate  fashion  various  excellent  num- 
bers with  Russ  Morgan  and  His  Band  for  mu- 
sical background.  Specialties  from  Lewis  and 
Dody,  the  dancing  team  formerly  seen  at  Winter 
Garden  Llora  Hoffman,  soprano;  Harry  Tighe,  a 
jolly  jester;  Charley  Jolley,  the  Capitol  tenor; 
and  a dancing  octette  added  spice  to  the  bill. 


Johnstown  (Pa.)  State 

Week  Ending  September  3 

Kinograms  and  a comedy,  “Brain  Storms” 
opened  the  show,  after  which  followed  the  Organ 
Solo,  “Hungarian  Lustspiel  Overture.”  Mack 
Edwards,  the  organist,  put  this  one  across  in 
rapid-fire  fashion. 

Then  the  stage  presentation  of  D’ Albert’s  Re- 
vue, produced  by  Serge  Papaloff,  using  five  dif- 
ferent settings,  opened  with  a Spanish  Bolero 
dance  by  the  Ballet,  followed  by  a clever  toe 
adagio  dance  by  Margie  Shannon,  closing  with  a 
Dance  Orientale  to  the  ballet  music  from  “Thais” 
by  Miss  Shannon  and  the  Ballet.  Then  followed 
the  second  presentation  of  Mile.  Ivy  in  toe  dance 
specialties,  among  which  an  Indian  adagio  toe 
dance  was  very  effective. 

As  a whole  the  presentations  were  very  well 
received,  as  was  the  feature  picture,  “Adam  and 
Evil,”  starring  Lew  Cody  and  Aillen  Pringle. 


Philadelphia  Fox 

Week  Ending  September  2 

The  program  at  the  Fox  theatre  was  brimful 
of  entertainment  from  start  to  finish.  The  Fox 
Theatre  Orchestra,  with  William  A.  Krauth  con- 
ducting, interpreted  the  overture  “Evolution  of 
Naila”  with  unusual  spirit,  leading  up  to  an 
enthusiastically  applauded  finale.  The  drummer 
received  a generous  round  of  applause  in  the 
midst  of  the  overture  for  his  unique  performance 


SUNSHINE  SAMMY 

Star  of  ‘‘OUR  GANG’’  Comedies 
in  SONG  and  DANCE 

Like  “OUR  GANG”  comedy  films  brought  them  into  your 
theatre  SUNSHINE  SAMMY  will  bring  the  IXDLLARS  rolling 
into  your  box-office. 


One  of  the  BIGGEIST  “Little  Star"  attractions  ever  offered 

COMBINATION  THEATRES. 


He  has  broken  Box-Office  Records  all  over  the  ORPHEUM 
CIRCUIT  and  will  do  the  same  for  YOU. 


BOOKINGS  under  direction  of  EZ  KEOUGH,  Woods  Theatre 
Bldg.,  CHICAGO. 


FRANK  A.  TILLMAN 

Featured  Organist 

LOEW’S  COLUMBIA  THEATRE 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


49 


in  tearing  long  strips  of  paper  in  perfect  rhythm, 
carrying  out  the  tempo  of  the  selection. 

Jean  Myrio  and  Mile.  Desha,  of  the  Ziegfeld 
Follies,  presented  an  artistic  bit  of  interpretive 
dancing.  Mile.  Desha  alone  danced  a charming 
“Bubble  Dance.”  A huge  bubble  catching  and 
reflecting  the  blue  green  lights,  with  the  figure 
of  Mile.  Desha  changing  from  one  graceful  pose 
to  another  below  it,  made  a satisfying  picture  for 
lovers  of  beauty.  Jean  Myrio  then  joined  her  in 
the  "Magic  Fire  Dance,”  to  the  music  of  Wagner’s 
“Die  Walkure,”  in  which  their  team  work  was 
admirable.  Suddenly  the  lights  changed  to  red. 
changing  their  white  costumes  to  scarlet.  Flames 
apparently  sprang  up  in  the  background  and 
their  action  increased  in  speed.  The  dance  ended 
in  a burst  of  applause. 

Georgia  Price,  star  of  “A  Night  in  Paris,” 
sprang  some  jokes — the  kind  that  make  you  laugh 
in  spite  of  yourself.  His  imitation  of  an  “Arabian 
gentleman”  was  side  splitting.  He  sang  “Bye, 
Bye  Blackbird”  with  lots  of  action  and  a 
whistling  chorus,  also  “Broken  Hearted.” 

Max  Fisher  and  His  Jazz  Orchestra  were  a 
vaudeville  show  in  themselves.  They  sang,  they 
played,  they  danced  and  gave  minute  sketches. 
Some  of  their  songs  were  “Under  the  Moon,”  “I 
Will  Be  Home  Tonight,”  and  “When  Banana  Skins 
Are  Falling,  I’ll  Come  Sliding  Back  to  You.” 

The  Blums  gave  a “Rag  Doll  Dance”  that 
brought  a storm  of  applause.  Sometimes  one 
almost  doubted  one’s  senses  and  thought  “Perhaps 
she  really  is  just  a doll.” 


Philadelphia  Stanley 

Week  Ending  September  3 

Nothing  outstanding  marked  the  presentation 
bill  at  the  Stanley  this  week,  Isham  Jones  and  his 
orchestra  being  the  premiere  attraction. 

Lee  Morse,  billed  as  the  Southern  Aristocrat  of 
Song,  failed  to  put  over  her  negro  songs,  if  ai>- 
plause  is  any  criterion  of  success.  Dressed  in 
black  she  sang  her  negro  melodies  in  a hoarse, 
throaty  contralto  and  opinion  seemed  divided  as 
to  whether  this  was  done  to  portray  the  negro 
music  or  whether  she  does  not  possess  a musical 
voice.  Robert  Downey  was  an  excellent  accom- 
panist. 

Isham  Jones  and  His  Orchestra  played  the 
usual  jazz  compositions  and  some  of  his  own 
compositions  as  well.  He  conducts  with  dignity 
and  it  is  a relief  to  feel  that  the  members  of 
the  orchestra  are  not  afflicted  with  St.  Vitus’ 
dance  as  is  the  case  with  so  many  jazz  orchestras. 
An  outstanding  number  was  Jones’  novelty  “The 
Cat,”  in  which  the  stage  was  darkeed  except  for 
a green  spot  and  two  members  of  the  orchestra 
represented  cats.  Another  member  of  the  orchestra 
sang  “Just  Dike  a Butterfly”  and  a selection  in 
which  there  was  some  good  yodeling.  Jones  is 
very  generous  in  sharing  honors  with  the  mem- 
bers of  the  orchestra.  There  was  a series  of 
song  hits  written  by  Jones  and  among  the  num- 
bers which  the  audience  liked  were  “Sundown,” 
“Swinging  Down  the  Lane,”  “Spain”  and  “I’ll 
See  You  in  My  Dreams.” 

Indianapolis  Indiana 

Week  Ending  September  4 

The  Eight  Popular  Victor  Artists  are  topping 
the  bill  this  week  at  the  Indiana  with  an  act, 
presented  by  Publix,  which  contains  the  enter- 
tainment value  of  a complete  vaudeville  show. 
Each  one  accomplished  in  a particular  line  of 
music  and  each  widely  known  as  a maker  of 
phonograph  records,  the  eight  men,  including 
Henry  Burr,  James  Stanley,  Billy  Murray,  Carl 


EDMUND  C.  FITCH 


FEATURE  ORGANIST 


Mattieu,  Monroe  Silver,  Stanley  Bau^rhman, 
Frank  Banta  and  Sam  Herman,  are  able  to  turn 
out  one  enjoyable  feature  after  another. 

The  act  is  unusual  for  its  versatility  and  good 
quality.  Their  reception  in  this  cold  theatre  city 
gave  proof  of  their  popularity,  for  the  applause 
continued  even  after  the  screen  had  been  lowered 
and  the  showing  of  the  photoplay,  “The  Heart  of 
Maryland,”  had  begun. 

Billy  Murray  acts  as  master  of  ceremonies,  in- 
troducing the  others  and  announcing  their  con- 
tribution to  the  act,  and  then  comes  forward 
with  two  comedy  songs  of  his  own,  which  were 
greeted  enthusiastically. 

Another  unusual  reception  is  accorded  Henry 
Burr  for  his  singing  of  “If  You  See  Sally,”  and 
an  enjoyable  encore.  Sam  Herman  entertains  at 
the  xylophone,  Frank  Banta  follows  the  opening 
chorus  with  a piano  solo  and  then,  with  Herman 
and  Baughman  at  the  other  two  pianos,  plays  a 
medley  of  popular  hits.  Monroe  Silver,  noted  for 
his  “Cohen”  records,  contributes  an  amusing 
monologue  and  character  song.  James  Stanley 
sings  “The  Blind  Ploughman”  and  the  Peerless 
Quartet  offers  a few  selections 


Indianapolis  Circle 

Week  Ending  September  4 

The  Circle,  which  remains  after  11  years  one 
of  the  most  attractive  motion  picture  theatres 
in  the  Middle  West,  is  celebrating  its  anniver- 
sary this  week,  with  Waring's  Pennsylvanians 
as  the  feature  attraction. 

It  is  difficult  for  a stage  presentation  to  stop 
a motion  picture  show,  but  the  Warings  did  it 
at  the  Circle.  The  orchestra  without  doubt  is 
one  of  the  best  in  the  country  of  the  new  pop- 
ular type.  It  is  very  likely  the  organization  will 
prove  the  most  popular  aggregation  of  the  Cir- 
cle’s fourth  summer  syncopation  season. 

Under  the  able  and  agile  direction  of  Fred 
Waring,  the  orchestra  plays  a distinctive  type 
of  music.  There  is  vitality,  good  humor  and  a 
rare  sense  of  syncopation  in  the  playing.  At 
each  performance  the  band  is  called  back  time 
after  time.  The  program  varies  from  a sym- 
phonic arrangement  of  “At  Sundown”  to  an  all- 
jazz arrangement  of  “Ain’t  She  Sweet”  and  other 
popular  numbers. 


Perhaps  the  best  number  is  an  interpretation 
of  “Saluta”  in  which  an  amusing  interlude  is 
provided  by  the  drummer,  a boy  with  a trick 
voice,  which  proves  a source  of  much  hilarity, 
Tom  Waring  is  featured  in  a solo  number. 

Omaha  Riviera 

Week  Ending  September  2 

“Rustic  Revels”  marked  the  opening  of  the 
second  month  of  stageshows  at  the  Riviera  under 
the  socalled  “new  idea”  under  which  a master  of 
ceremonies  directs  a stage  orchestra  and  syn- 
chronizes the  acts.  The  series  has  proven  popu- 
lar with  theatregoers,  particularly  as  it  gives  an 
opportunity  for  effective  stage  effects  on  a large 
scale.  The  programs  which  Manager  Arthur  Stolte 
has  offered  during  the  month  have  had  universal 
appeal. 

A1  Evans,  master  of  ceremonies,  and  his  asso- 
ciates became  rubes  for  the  week,  and  while 
down  on  the  farm  they  reaped  a harvest  of 
applause.  The  other  rustics  were  Louise  Ploner, 
Fauntleroy  and  Van,  Tim  Marks,  Curry  and 
Osborne,  Joe  Griffin  and  the  Six  Farmerettes. 

Particularly  appropriate  on  the  entertainment 
program  were  Fred  Fauntleroy  and  Jimmy  Van, 
who  play  blacksmith  bellows,  saws  and  broom- 
stick fiddles.  They  are  “Oklahoma  slickers”  from 
down  Texas  way. 

Louise  Ploner  sang  her  way  into  favor,  par- 
ticularly with  her  “What  Do  We  Do?”  Also  in 
the  musical  line,  Joseph  Griffin  did  well,  especially 
with  “Broken  Hearted”  and  “When  the  Day  Is 
Done.” 

Partly  musical  and  partly  dancing  was  the  act 
of  Tim  Marks,  who  whistles  and  steps,  while  the 
art  of  dancing,  at  least  of  the  strenuous  kind, 
had  its  exponent  in  Curry  and  Osborne.  They 
did  eccentric  numbers  and  a difficult  Charleston. 

The  picture  of  the  week  was  “Hula-” 

Boston  Metropolitan 

Week  Ending  September  2 

Innovations  in  dancing  are  so  infrequent  and 
the  field  covered  in  so  limited  that  it  is  decidedly 
refreshing  to  find  something  sufficiently  new  to 
attract  interest  and  hold  it  unabated  throughout 


Community  Songs — 

JOHNNIE  DEVINE 

Featured  Organist 
PATIO  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 

Where  they  sing  “DEVINELY” 

— Solo  Presentations 


NORMAN  STEPPE 

Conductor  and  Master  of  Ceremonies 

AT  THE 

PICCADILLY  THEATRE,  CHICAGO 


PARAMOUNT  COSTUMERS— 

MRS.  ALICE  PIERCE,  Manager 

NOW  MAKING  COSTUMES  FOR  MOST  OF  CHICAGO’S 
BIG  BANDSHOWS 

Telephone  State  3465  Room  600,  Loop  End  Bldg. 


EDWARD  K.  HOUSE 

**The  Singing  Organist** 

MARBRO  and  GRANADA  Theatres,  Chicago 


50 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


an  entire  number.  Usually  there  are  some  steps 
which  have  been  seen  over  and  over  ag’ain  with 
a new  adaptation  here  and  there  to  relieve  the 
act  from  monotony.  In  this  week's  presentation, 
John  Murray  Anderson  has  provided  something 
which  is  really  new  in  a group  of  Japanese 
dancers,  whose  rhythm  of  movement,  grace  of 
form  and  ease  of  execution  of  difficult  new  steps 
at  once  stamps  them  headliners  in  the  realm 
of  entertainment. 

The  prelude  is  played  by  the  Metropolitan  Grand 
Orchestra  under  the  general  direction  of  Nathaniel 
Finston  with  Arthur  Geisler  this  week  conducting. 
“Memories,"  a Technicolor  novelty,  which  inci- 
dentally takes  in  a I’emarkably  pretty  view  of 
Henry  Ford’s  old  mill  at  Wayside  Inn,  Sudbury, 
is  followed  by  the  weekly  Paramount  News. 

Rise  of  the  curtain  on  “Tokio  Blues,"  the  title 
of  the  presentation,  introduces  a particularly 
effective  drop  with  Japanese  boy,  George  Hirose, 
singing  Irving  Berlin’s  well  known  melody.  The 
drapes  wing  back,  revealing  Gene  Rodemich  and 
H is  Met  Merry  Makers  in  Japanese  costumes  and 
typical  Japanese  helmet-hats  apparently  seated 
in  the  pit  of  another  stage,  whose  curtain  rapidly 
rises  to  reveal  a Japanese  stage  setting  and 
tableau.  The  tableau  figures  quickly  come  to 
life  and  there  ensues  on  the  double  stage  some 
of  the  most  remarkable  and  graceful  acrobatic 
dances  ever  presented.  Aida  Kawakamv  is  the 
solo  dancer  of  the  troupe  with  six  Japanese  girls, 
who  first  entertain  in  pairs  and  then  in  a final 
ensemble. 

Rodemich  takes  this  occasion  to  introduce  to 
Boston  the  new  jazz  number,  “Dancing  Tam- 
bourine.” which  comes  in  for  liberal  applause. 

Willie  Solar,  late  comedian  of  the  Follies,  pro- 
vides the  comedy  with  hLs  stories  and  songs. 

The  film  is  “We're  All  Gamblers." 


Des  Moines  Capitol 

Week  Ending  September  3 

“Montmarte,"  the  Publix  show,  proved  a bit 
topheavy  with  singing  and  a trifle  light  on  danc- 
ing. However,  Irene  Taylor  and  Don  Carroll  put 
over  much  of  the  singing  with  Miss  Taylor  mak- 
ing a hit  with  “Muddy  Waters." 

Jimmy  Ellard,  director  of  Jazz  Jesters,  sang 
“under  the  Moon"  and  “By  Baby’s  in  Love  with 
Me,"  and  Billy  Randall,  dancing  violinist,  did 
some  interest-bits.  Six  girls  in  the  ensemble  sang 
something  about  wanting  the  audience  to  like  the 
show. 

Jack  Born  and  Gene  Lawrence,  comedians,  got 
fun  out  of  clowning  in  ill-fitting  dress  suits. 

Hard  Boiled  Haggerty"  was  the  feature  with 
Paramount  News  reel. 

Herbert  Lee  Koch  played  “A  Local  Perform- 
ance" on  the  organ. 


Hodges  with  Skouras 

Skourai?  Brothers  are  making  a change  at  their 
Missouri  theatre.  On  Saturday,  September  10, 
Jimmy  Hodges  will  have  charge  of  the  vaudeville 
end  of  the  theatre’s  program. 


ORGAN  SOLOS 


LEONARD  SMITH  — (Chicago  Avalon)  — - 
“Greetings”  was  the  title  of  Leonard  Smith’s 
opening  solo  at  the  Avalon.  The  first  slide  is 
a picture  of  the  exterior  of  the  theatre.  The 
following  slides  welcome  the  Avalon’s  patrons 
and  describe  the  theatre.  This  is  all  put  to  music 
using  an  old  tune  called  “Avalon.”  On  a balcony 
over  the  organ  a singer  out  of  Buddy  Fisher’s 
band  sings  the  “Kashmire”  song  accompanied  by 
the  organ.  Smith  then  goes  into  “Just  Like  a 
Butterfly”  with  slides  on  the  screen  and  plays 
the  organ  masterfully  closing  amid  much  ap- 
plause. 


BOB  WEST  (Metropolitan,  Houston). — Enthusi- 
asm such  as  has  never  before  been  displayed  by 
a Houston  audience  was  apparent  at  every  per- 
formance this  week  when  Bob  West,  the  Person- 
ality Organist,  did  his  solo  number  “Yesterday.” 
Interpolating  such  songs  of  yesterday  as  “In  the 
Shade  of  the  Old  Apple  Tree,”  “Maggie.”  “Sweet 
Alice,”  “The  Old  Oaken  Bucket,”  “Silver  Threads 
Among  the  Gold,”  the  audience  was  in  just  the 
right  mood  for  the  latest  popular  song  of  the 
day.  “Yesterday.”  Music  stores  in  Houston  re- 
port a record  sale  of  this  piece  for  the  week. 
Editorials  were  written  by  two  of  the  papers  on 
the  appeal  of  the  solo. 


EARL  WEIDNER  (Metropolitan,  Boston).  'This 
week  finds  Weidner  as  guest  organist,  whose  spe- 
cial number  is  “A  Garland  of  Roses.”  Weidner 
has  played  in  several  of  the  Publix  theatres  in 
New  England  and  won  a warm  affection  with  the 
audience  of  his  own  home  town  Publix  house, 
the  Strand,  Malden. 


Arthur  Richter  (Milwaukee  Wisconsin)  at  the 
gigantic  Barton  console  gave  the  crowd  a little 
singing  practice  and  everyone  responded  in  fine 
shape.  It  seems  as  though  they  felt  like  singing. 
Arthur  is  very  popular  with  Wisconsin  theatre 
patrons. 


EDMUND  C.  FITCH  (Chicago  Sheridan)  offers 
community  singing — -“I’d  Walk  a Million  Miles,” 
“Pretty  Baby.”  “Highways  Are  Happyways”  and 
“Sundown.”  ’These  numbers  were  all  sung  with 
a will  as  everyone  was  undoubtedly  happy  to  be 
back  in  the  theatre.  Eddie  was  given  a hearty 
reception. 


Bob  West  (Houston  Metropolitan)  played  “What 
Shall  I Play”  the  week  of  Aug.  6.  and  went  over 
great.  Audience  seemed  to  like  the  seeming  con- 
fidence which  was  placed  in  their  selections,  and 
sang  loud  and  lustily.  ’Two  front  page  editorials 
on  West  appeared  during  the  week,  showing  his 
popularity  in  Houston,  and  the  entertainment 
value  of  his  feature. 


HOST  OF  FRIENDS 
PAY  TRIBUTE  TO 
FILM  EXECUTIVE 

{Continued  from  page  23) 


member  of  the  industry  for  which  he 
did  so  much. 

SIDNEY  R.  KENT.— The  loss  of  his 
leadership  to  the  great  business  he 
helped  build  and  guide  to  eminence  can- 
not be  estimated.  The  loss  of  his  sweet 
and  generous  friendship  to  the  countless 
number  who  knew  and  loved  him,  can- 
not be  replaced. 

JESSE  L.  LASKY.— In  the  death  of 
Marcus  Loew  the  industry  has  lost  one 
of  its  builders. 

E.  F.  ALBEE. — He  was  a keen  busi- 
ness man;  loved  home  life  and  his  fam- 
ily; was  a fair  opponent  in  business.  I 
considered  him  one  of  the  finest  ex- 
amples of  clean  business  principles  in 
the  theatrical  world. 

JAMES  R.  QUIRK.  — Marcus  Loew 
was  the  greatest  of  all  stars  of  stage  or 
screen. 

ARTHUR  BRISBANE.  — Marcus 
Loew’s  death  is  a loss  to  the  world’s 
happiness.  His  friends  must  find  com- 
fort in  remembering  that  he  gave  pleas- 
ure to  millions. 

E.  W.  HAMMONS.— Marcus  Loew 
has  aided  in  raising  the  motion  picture 
to  its  present  position  of  affluence  and 
his  passing  strikes  a serious  blow  to  all. 

WILLIAM  FOX.— He  was  one  of  the 
real  pioneers  in  motion  pictures  and  his 
death  makes  a big  gap  in  the  ranks. 

R.  F.  WOODHULL. — He  was  a maker 
of  stars,  a genius  of  industry,  a student 
of  human  nature  and  a man  whose  re- 
markable gift  of  vision  will  be  forever 
reflected  in  the  future  of  our  industry. 

S.  L.  (ROXY)  ROTHAFEL.— He 
was  a genius  and  a great  organizer.  The 
industry  has  suffered  an  irreparable  loss. 

B.  S.  MOSS. — The  motion  picture  in- 
dustry has  lost  a pathfinder,  who  blazed 
the  trial  by  his  progressiveness,  his  fear- 
lessness and  his  integrity. 

JAMES  R.  GRAINGER.— We  can  ill 
afford  the  loss  of  their  great  leader,  but 
his  inspiring  example  surely  will  lead 
us  on  to  a measure  of  accomplishment 
to  which  he  wmuld  have  pioneered  but 
his  untimely  death. 

DAVID  WARFIELD.— T he  o u t- 
standing  trait  that  was  Marcus  Loew’s 
was  his  honesty  in  every  sense  of  that 
priceless  word. 

National  Body  Will 
Assist  Theatres  in 
Building,  Equipping 

Announcement  of  the  creation  of  a 
new  department  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Theatre  Owners  of  America  known  as 
the  Theatre  Auxilliary  department  is 
made  by  President  Woodhull  and  Busi- 
ness Manager  O’Toole.  The  department 
will  cater  to  the  needs  of  theatres  in  a 
physical  way,  that  is,  aside  from  exploi- 
tation and  advertising. 

A man,  whose  name  is  not  revealed, 
but  who  is  said  to  have  an  extensive 
experience  along  this  line  will  carry  on 
the  work  from  national  headquarters. 

“If  a theatre  owner  feels  the  need  of 
advice  in  the  matter  of  building,  re- 
modeling or  otherwise  handling  the 
physical  phases  of  locating  or  furnishing 
a theatre  and  the  Motion  Picture  Thea- 
tre Owners  of  American  can  be  of  serv- 
ice in  any  way  it  will  be  freely  tendered,” 
says  the  M.  P.  T.  O.  A.  announcement. 


GOLFERS! 


The  fall  Film  Golf  Tournament  will  be  held  on  Tuesday,  September  13th 
At  Bonnie  Briar,  Larchmont,  N.  Y. 

Easy  to  get  to — And  a beautiful  course 

THE  ALBEE  TROPHY  ' 

THE  FILM  DAILY  TROPHY 
and 

the  usual  splendid  array  of  company  and  individual  cups,  trophies  and  prizes 


SIGN  THIS! 


Entry  blank  and  mail  it  today 
to  any  committee  member. 
Here  is  my  entry  and  ten  dollars  for  the  Fall  Film  Golf  Tournament: 


The  Committee 


Elmer  Pearson,  Pathe  Exchange,  35  West 
45th  St. 

Bruce  Gallup,  United  Artists  Corp.,  729  7th 
Ave. 

Don  Mersereau,  The  Film  Daily,  1650  Broad- 
way. 


Felix  Feist,  M-G-M,  1540  Broadway. 

Arthur  Stebbins,  1540  Broadway. 

J.  S.  Dickerson,  Motion  Picture  News,  729 
7tb  Ave. 

Jack  Alicoate,  The  Film  Daily,  1650  Broad- 
way. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


51 


rHIS  department  contains  news,  information  and  gossip  on  current  productions.  It  aims  to  supply 
service  which  will  assist  the  exhibitor  in  keeping  in  touch  with  developments  in  connection  with 
pictures  and  picture  personalities — and  what  these  are  doing  at  the  box  office.  No  prophecies  on  the 
entertainment  value  of  pictures  are  made.  Opinions  expressed  are  simply  those  of  the  author  or  of 
his  contributors  and  the  reader  is  requested  to  consider  them  only  as  such. — EDITOR’S  NOTE. 


VICTIMS  OF  THE  STRIKE 

S a result  of  the  strike,  referred  to 
more  recently  as  a lockout,  I have  no  pic- 
tures to  write  about  in  this  space  at  this 
time.  For  this  reason  I shall  do  the  next 
best  thing,  which  is  to  write  about  the 
strike,  admitting  in  the  beginning  that  I 
know  as  little  as  possible  about  it  beyond 
the  fact  that  Chicago  theatres  were  closed 
from  Monday  afternoon  to  Saturday  evening 
of  last  week.  I believe  that  is  the  important 
thing,  at  that. 

I begin  by  stating  the  fact  that  in  my 
time  I have  been  both  projectionist  and 
musician.  Indeed,  I even  worked  as  stage- 
hand in  the  old  days  when  that  occupation 
had  attractions.  I add  that  not  even  during 
my  employment  in  these  various  capacities 
did  I have  the  slightest  illusion  about  the 
importance  of  my  endeavors  nor  the  money 
value  of  the  same  to  my  employers.  I will 
further  add  that  my  estimates  in  this  re- 
spect had  important  part  in  my  ultimate 
decision  that  other  fields  had  advantages. 

And  now  that  that  side  of  the  thing  is 
fairly  well  set,  I will  state  the  likewise  rele- 
vent  facts  that  I have  done  duty  as  paid 
manager  of  a fairly  representative  picture 
theatre  and  that  I progressed  from  that  post 
to  that  of  joint  owner  (don’t  misinterpret 
that)  and  from  all  these  points  of  observa- 
tion I accumulated  a point  of  view  with  re- 
spects to  these  strike  things  which  I believe 
warrants  this  expenditure  of  good  white 
space.  It  seems  to  be  a point  of  view  shared 
by  none  of  the  participants  in  the  recent 
negotiations. 

It  seems  to  me  that  the  people  who  go 
to  the  shows  ought  to  get  a little  considera- 
tion, from  both  parties  to  these  arguments. 

I mean,  a little  pro  consideration;  they  get 
plenty  of  the  other  kind.  As  an  operator,  as 
a musician,  as  a stage  hand,  as  a manager, 
as  an  owner,  I always  felt  a little  sorry  for 
a public  that  would  persistently  put  up  with 
the  slipshod  treatment  it  received  (and  still 
receives)  in  the  best  theatres.  In  fact,  I al- 
ways wondered  why  they  put  up  with  it, 
why  they  let  the  mainly  unqualified  people 
in  charge  “get  away  with  it.”  It  was  not 
until  I got  outside  the  theatre  proper  and 
into  this  relatively  detached  position  that 
I came  to  know  the  public  feels,  how  it 
trudges  on  and  on  in  the  despairing  hope 


By  T.  O.  SERVICE 

that  the  theatre  may  do  better  next  week 
than  last,  how  it  is  sustained  by  its  love  of 
entertainment  and  by  practically  nothing 
else. 

It  was  not  until  I got  out  of  the  business 
that  I came  to  know  how  little  the  people 
in  it  know  about  its  real  importance  to  the 
people.  It  was  then  I discovered  that  peo- 
ple look  upon  operators  as  some  oddly 
gifted  species  empowered  to  make  the  pic- 
tures move,  upon  muscians  as  another  spe- 
cies somehow  co-responsible  for  the  charm 
that  lies  in  motion  picture  entertainment, 
and  upon  stage  hands  as  angular  fellows  in 
white  overalls  who  push  the  scenery  about 
and  always  carry  hammers.  I believe  it  is 
no  secret  that  picturegoers  are  very  little 
interested  in  stage  hands. 

Nor  was  it  before  then  that  I found  out 
how  little  people  know  or  care  to  know 
about  theatre  managers  or  owners.  This, 
somehow,  has  continued  to  puzzle  me 
through  the  years.  It  would  seem  that  the 
owner  (or  seeming  owner)  of  a million  dol- 
lar theatre  should  enjoy  a position  of  emi- 
nence in  the  community,  that  he  should  be 
a fellow  pointed  out  in  a crowd,  mentioned 
with  rising  inflection  in  discussions  of  im- 
portance and  that  his  statement  with  re- 
spect to  the  mayoralty  probabilities  should 
be  given  respectful  hearing.  This  is  un- 
mistakably not  the  case. 

Taking  these  various  phenomena  into  con- 
sideration, it  is  always  surprising  to  me 
that  these  various  individuals  in  the  theatre 
scheme  permit  themselves  to  be  made  the 
spectacles  they  become  when  strikes,  lock- 
outs and  such  are  brought  to  public  at- 
tention. If  the  factors  involved  were  less 
great  the  scene  would  be  tremendously 
comic.  With  the  factors  what  they  are,  it 
is  tremendously  tragic.  I am  always  re- 
minded to  the  Indians  who  sold  Staten  Is- 
land (if  it  was  Staten  Island)  for  a bottle 
of  whiskey  (if  it  was  a bottle  of  whiskey)  or 
of  the  tribesmen  from  whom  the  Martin 
Johnsons  obtain  whatever  it  is  they  wish 
to  obtain  for  beads,  can  openers  and  calico. 
I feel  sure  that  the  parties  to  these  strikes 
are  no  more  aware  of  the  values  involved 
than  these  natives. 


The  Chicago  affair  was  more  thoughtfully 
administered  than  most.  There  were  no 
bombs.  There  were  relatively  few  wild 
statements.  But  there  were  the  conferences, 
the  newspaper  streamers,  the  blah  about  the 
losses  sustained  and  the  final  session  with 
the  mayor.  All  of  which,  save  the  final 
gesture,  was  strictly  trade  news  and  not 
even  good  trade  news.  And  all  of  which 
gave  the  reading  public  a distinctly  reverse 
reaction  to  that  which,  no  doubt,  the  parties 
to  the  conflict  believe. 

To  the  public  (I  am  making  a direct  re- 
port based  on  extensive  inquiry)  this  thing 
leaves  the  formerly  somewhat  majestic  op- 
erator a cheapened  workman  only  slightly 
removed  from  the  brigand.  It  leaves  the 
musician  a counterfeit  artist.  It  reaffirms 
the  already  well  formed  hunch  that  the 
stage  band  always  carries  a hammer.  It  re- 
duces the  theatre  manager  or  owner  to  an 
even  lower  rung  in  the  community  scheme. 
It  gives  the  theatre  a big,  round  black  and 
blue  eye  that  appears  only  funny  to  the 
people  trained  (by  expensive  and  pro- 
tracted ad  campaigns)  to  respect  it. 

None  of  which  observations  may  be  par- 
ticularly new,  and  of  course  there  is  the 
“what  to  do  about  it”  thing.  As  to  the  lat- 
ter, the  public  usually  manages  that  very 
well.  The  well  warranted  kick  in  the  pants 
is  invariably  forthcoming,  though  it  be  de- 
livered by  imperceptible  degree  and  over  a 
long  period.  The  thing  not  to  do,  which 
is  the  same  thing  people  always  want  to  do, 
is  to  guard  against  repetition  of  the  spec- 
tacle. Better  to  let  it  repeat  as  frequently 
as  possible  until  one  side  or  the  other  shall 
register  decisive  victory.  Victory  can  be 
respected. 

VERY  EXTRA  SPECIAL 

S an  extra  special  favor  to  those 
thousands  of  motion  picture  people  good 
and  true  who  cannot  get  here  to  see  the 
fight — and  to  those  other  thousands  who 
will  not  be  able  to  get  tickets — and  to  those 
additional  thousands  who  will  not  be  able 
to  see  it  if  they  do  get  seats — I hereby  prom- 
ise to  report  the  fight  in  all  its  details  as  ex- 
pertly covered  by  myself  with  the  aid  of  my 
trusty  Atwater  Kent.  Extra  copies  of  the 
issue  carrying  this  story  should  be  ordered 
well  in  advance. 


52 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


THE  HIM  MART 


“Beau  Sabreur,”  the  Paramount  picture  and  a sequel 
to  “Beau  Geste,”  has  been  completed  and  officials  are 
highly  pleased  with  the  preview. 

After  completing  “Now  We’re  in  the  Air,”  Wallace 
Beer}-'  and  Raymond  Hatton  are  looking  for  new  insti- 
tutions to  kid,  and  they  have  now  turned  to  society  for  a 
background  for  their  gag  pulling.  They  will  next  pro- 
duce “We’re  in  Society  Now,”  and  Frank  Strayer  will 
again  direct  the  comical  pair. 

Paramount  announced  one  day  last  week  that  Esther 
Ralston’s  picture,  “The  Glor}-  Girl,”  had  had  its  title 
changed  to  “Spotlight,”  and  the  next  day  this  title  was 
thrown  out.  Now  they  are  looking  for  a new  title.  The 
picture  goes  into  production  early  this  month. 

D,  W.  Griffith  has  been  appointed  an  honorary  Captain 
of  the  Los  Angeles  police.  The  honor  is  conferred  an- 


nually upon  some  civilian  who  has  shown  himself  con- 
spicuous in  civic  affairs. 

Warner  Baxter  has  been  awarded  the  role  of  Allesandro 
in  “Ramona,”  the  picture  Edwin  Carewe  is  making  for 
Lffiited  Artists.  Dolores  Del  Rio  plays  the  title  role. 
Production  starts  on  the  picture  early  this  month. 

“Hard  Boiled  Haggerty,”  the  latest  Milton  Sills  picture, 
opened  recently  at  the  Stanley  Mark  theatre  in  New  York, 
and  according  to  the  manager  of  the  theatre,  the  picture  is 
doing  more  business  than  any  Sills  picture  since  “The 
Sea  Hawk.” 

Cecil  De  Mille  has  obtained  the  directorial  services  of 
his  bother,  William,  for  the  production  “Rip  Van  Winkle” 
for  Pathe.  The  picture  goes  into  production  shortly  with 
Rudolph  Schildkraut  as  “Rip.” 


Tiffany  Works  on 
Th  ree  Pictures 

“The  Girl  from  Gay  Paree”  has  been 
completed  by  Tiffany  Productions  and  it 
is  now  in  the  cutting  rooms.  The  cast 
of  the  picture  includes  the  following 
galaxy:  Lowell  Sherman,  Barbara  Bedford, 
Malcolm  McGregor,  Walter  Hiers,  Mar- 
garet Livingston  and  Betty  Blythe. 

“Women’s  Wares,”  a 1927  model 
romance  featuring  Evelyn  Brent, 
Bert  Lytell,  Gertrude  Short,  Larry 
Kent  and  Sylvia  Ashton,  is  also  in 
the  process  of  cutting  and  editing. 
“Once  and  Forever,”  said  to  be  a thrill- 
ing romance,  is  now  being  filmed  with 
Patsy  Ruth  Miller,  who  has  recently  been 
signed  to  play  the  lead  in  several  Tiffany 
productions.  Johnny  Harron  has  also  been 
added  to  the  cast. 

Tiffany's  production  schedule  calls  for 
24  Tiffany  “Gems”  and  production  energy 
is  now  being  centered  on  the  first  seven 
c)f  them. 

Pathe  Signs  Stage 
Actress  for  Film 

Pathe  has  signed  Katherine  Dale  Owen 
for  a role  in  “The  Wise  Wife,”  which  stars 
Phyllis  Haver  and  boast  of  a cast  including 
Jacqueline  Logan,  Tom  Moore,  and  Joseph 
Striker.  Miss  Owen  is  well  known  on  the 
dramatic  stage,  her  last  appearance  being 
in  “The  Play’s  the  Thing,”  a successful 
play  by  Franz  IHolnar. 

When  extras  were  needed  by 
Donald  Crisp  recently  in  the  film- 
ing of  "The  West  Pointer,”  the 
officers  and  wives  at  West  Point 
volunteered  for  screen  duty,  and  it 
is  reported  they  did  excellently. 

Robert  Armstrong,  who  was  co- 
starred  in  the  prize  fight  stage  hit, 
“Is  Zat  So?”  has  been  cast  for  a 
featured  role  in  “The  Main 
Event,”  the  Pathe-DeMille  feature 
which  William  K.  Howard  will 
produce  with  Vera  Reynolds  as 
the  star.  The  leading  role  opposite 
the  star  has  been  assigned  to 
Charles  DeLaney,  who  appeared  in 
“Frisco  Sally  Levy”  and  “The  Sky 
Pirate.” 


Jack  Padjans,  the  latest  addition  to  the 
ranks  of  Pathe  Western  stars,  is  being 
directed  in  “Square  Shooting,”  his  initial 
production,  by  Thomas  Buckingham,  who 
guided  Tom  Mix  in  many  of  his  hits. 
Padjan’s  supporting  cast  includes  a number 
of  well  known  Western  players. 

William  Collison,  author  of  many  of  the 
farces  that  have  been  produced  by  A.  H. 
Woods,  is  collaiborating  with  Charles  Bea- 
han.  Eastern  production  representative  for 
Cecil  DeMille,  in  the  writing  of  a farce  to 
be  called  “The  Gay  Nighties.” 


Ramon  Novarro  Plays 
King  for  M-G-M 

In  his  next  starring  picture  of  Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer,  Ramon  Navarro  is  to 
have  the  role  of  one  of  the  most  famous 
kings  in  all  the  history  of  France — Louis 
XIV — according  to  announcement  made 
recently  by  Irving  G.  Thalberg.  The 
picture  which  is  to  be  lavishly  produced, 
will  be  directed  by  Robert  Leonard  and 
will  cover  that  period  of  medieval  France 
between  the  birth  and  marriage  of  the 
French  king.  Production  is  to  start  very 
soon. 

Andy  McClellan,  known  for  his 
character  role  of  the  gangster  in 
“The  Blackbird,”  and  the  murderer 
in  “The  Show,”  has  been  added  to 
the  cast  of  Lon  Chaney’s  picture, 
“The  Hypnotist.”  He  will  play 
the  part  of  one  of  Chaney’s  de- 
tectives in  the  Scotland  Yard  pic- 
ture. And  Claude  King,  character 
actor  of  both  the  stage  and  screen, 
has  also  been  added  to  the  cast, 
and  will  play  the  part  of  “The 
Stranger”  in  the  picture.  Others  in 
Chaney’s  cast  are  Marceline  Day, 
Conrad  Nagel,  Henry  B.  Walthall, 
Polly  Moran  and  others. 

William  Fairbanks,  who  has  been 
starred  for  a number  of  years  in  Western 
pictures,  has  been  signed  by  M-G-M  to 
play  the  role  of  “Buffalo  Bill”  Cody  in 
“Wyoming,”  Tim  McCoy’s  next  Western 
vehicle.  McCoy  has  been  in  Wyoming 
for  the  last  two  weeks  perfecting  ar- 
rangements for  the  filming  of  the  picture 
which  will  show  one  of  the  great  land 
rushes  for  the  taking  up  of  Indian  lands 


Columbia  Adds  5 to 
Cast  of  '^^By  Whose  Hand?” 

Five  more  players  have  been  added  to 
Columbia’s  “By  Whose  Hand?”  now  in  the 
second  week  of  production,  They  are, 
Tom  Dugan,  William  Scott,  Lillianne 
Leighton,  J.  Thornton  Baston  and  Edgar 
Washington  Blue. 

The  picture  stars  Ricardo  Cortez 
and  features  Eugenia  Gilbert.  It  is 
a sophisticated  detective  story 
which  gives  plenty  of  opportunity 
for  the  inclusion  of  many  mystery 
thrills.  Suspense  is  the  keynote  of 
the  story  which  concerns  itself 
with  the  theft  of  valuable  jewels, 
but  plenty  of  comedy  has  been 
supplied  to  relieve  the  high  ten- 
sion. 

Dorothy  Revier  has  been  loaned  again 
by  Columbia  to  First  National  for  its  pic- 
ture, “The  Gorilla.”  She  has  just  completed 
her  work  with  Richard  Barthelmess  on 
First  National’s  “The  Drop  Kick.”  Upon 
the  completion  of  her  second  picture  Miss 
Revier  will  start  work  immediately  in  a 
featured  role  of  a Columbia  production 
scheduled  for  early  release. 

Jolson  Sings  6 Songs  in 
Warners  ^^Jazz  Singer” 

“The  Jazz  Singer”  is  in  the  final  stages 
of  jiroduction,  and  announcement  is  made 
that  Jolson,  who  stars  in  the  picture,  will 
sing  six  songs  for  the  Vitaphone  accom- 
paniment. They  are,  “Mammy,”  “Toot 
Toot  Tootsie,”  “My  Gal  Sal,”  “Dirty 
Hands,  Dirty  Face,”  “It  All  Depends  on 
You,”  anl  as  a climax  the  star  will  be 
heard  singing  “Kol  Nidre.” 

After  his  work  in  “Slightly 
Used,”  with  May  McAvoy,  Conrad 
Nagel  has  been  signed  to  appear  in 
two  more  Warner  pictures.  The 
first  will  be  “The  Girl  from  Chi- 
cago,” in  which  Myrna  Loy  is  the 
girl,  and  Rockcliffe  Fellowes  has 
an  important  role.  The  second  is 
“If  I Were  Single,”  in  which 
NageJ  will  play  opposite  May 
McAvoy  again. 

The  first  of  series  of  important  roles 
planned  for  Helene  Costello  this  season 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


53 


by  Warner  Bros,  will  be  in  support  of 
Warner  Oland  in  “Good  Time  Charlie,”  a 
production  to  be  started  early  this  month 
with  Michael  Curtiz  directing.  At  pres- 
ent she  is  working  on  the  M-G-M  lot 
where  she  was  loaned  by  Warners  for  the 
lead  in  “In  Old  Kentucky.” 

Fox  Is  in  Midst 
of  Heavy  Production 

With  “Publicity  Madness”  and  “The 
High  School  Hero”  completed  and  in 
the  cutting  rooms,  the  Fox  studios  are 
going  right  ahead  at  a brisk  rate  of  pro- 
duction. 

“Very  Confidential,”  Madge  Bellamy’s 
new  Fox  production,  has  entered  the 
third  week  of  shooting,  the  company 
having  just  returned  from  Lake  Arrow- 
head, where  exteriors  were  made  under 
direction  of  James  Tinling. 

Pajamas,”  Olive  Borden’s  com- 
edy-drama, has  gone  into  the 
seventh  week  of  production.  Ex- 
teriors were  shot  near  Big  Bear 
and  Lake  Arrowhead,  Cal.,  and 
Lake  Louise,  Canada. 

John  Ford,  shooting  a German- 
American  picture  for  Fox,  has 
entered  the  fifth  week  of  produc- 
tion. The  cast  includes  Earle  Fox, 
James  Hall,  Margaret  Mann, 
Francis  X.  Bushman,  Jr.,  Charles 
Morton,  Albert  Gran,  Archduke 
Leopold  and  others. 

Tom  Mix’s  picture,  “Silver  Val- 
loy,”  has  just  been  completed  by 
Ben  Stoloff.  Dorothy  Dwan  plays 
opposite  Tom.  Harry  Sinclair 
Drago,  the  novelist,  is  writing  an 
original  story  for  Tom  Mix  to 
serve  as  his  next  picture. 

Buck  Jones,  with  Leila  Hyams  as  his 
loading  lady  and  with  Lambert  Hillyer 
directing,  has  completed  the  first  week 
of  shooting  on  “The  Branded  .Som- 
brero.” 

“Wolf  Fangs”  has  gone  into  produc- 
tion and  sheep  ranch  exteriors  are  being 
shot  in  Mount  Baker  National  Park, 
Washington.  The  cast  includes  Charles 
Morton,  Caryl  Lincoln,  Frank  Rice  and 
James  Gordon. 

David  Butler,  who  has  completed  his 
first  directorial  effort  for  Fox  is  now  in 
the  cutting  room  with  “The  High  School 
Hero.”  Sally  Phipps  and  Nick  Stuart 
are  featured,  and  Charles  Paddock,  the 
fastest  man  on  earth,  is  in  the  cast. 

Paramount  Releases  8 
Pictures  This  Month 

During  the  month  of  September  Para- 
mount will  release  eight  feature  produc- 
tions, each  containing  a different  type  of 
story.  “Chang”  will  be  offered  Sept.  3. 
“We’re  All  Gamblers”  is  the  newest  Thomas 
Meighan  production  with  Marietta  Millner 
in  the  leading  feminine  role,  and  James 
Cruze  directed  the  picture,  to  be  released 
also  on  Sept.  3.  “Barbed  Wire,”  with 
Pola  Negri  and  Clive  Brook  dividing 
honors,  will  be  released  Sept.  10.  I like 
Pola  in  this  picture  best  of  all  her  pictures 
for  a long,  long  time.  “Nevada,”  starring 
Gary  Cooper  will  be  ready  for  showing 
Sept.  10.  “Stark  Love”  and  Bebe  Daniels’ 
picture,  “Swim,  Girl,  Swim,”  will  be  re- 
leased Sept.  17,  and  “One  Woman  to  An- 
other,” starring  Florence  Vidor;  and  “Tell 
It  to  Sweeney,”  with  Chester  Conklin  and 
George  Bancroft,  will  be  released  on  Sept. 
24. 

Gary  Cooper  has  been  assigned 
the  role  opposite  Pola  Negri  in 


“Ben-Hur”  is  running  at  the  Capitol  in 
New  York  this  week  at  popular  prices. 
.<4s  the  spectacle  is  being  run  in  its 
entirety,  other  program  features  ex- 
cept orchestral  accompaniment  are 
eliminated.  In  these  scenes  are  Alice 
Terry,  Ramon  Novarro  and  Bert 
Woodruff. 

"Rachel,”  which  will  go  into  pro- 
duction within  two  weeks.  Row- 
land V.  Lee,  who  directed  Pola 
Negri  in  “Barbed  Wire,”  will 
again  handle  the  megaphone. 

Thelma  Todd  has  been  cast  to 
play  opposite  Richard  Dix  in  his 
next  picture,  “The  Gay  Defend- 
ers.” This  will  be  the  first  big 
role  for  the  blonde  graduate  of 
Paramount’s  school.  Previously 
she  had  bits  in  “Fireman  Save  My 
Child,”  and  “Nevada.” 

“Honeymoon  Hate”  went  into  production 
last  week. 

Frank  Strayer  has  hired  15  airplanes 
to  be  used  in  the  production  of  “Now 
We’re  in  the  Air,”  the  new  Beery-Hatton 
team,  in  which  Louise  Brooks  has  the 
feminine  lead. 


First  Division  Will 
Star  Betty  Compson 

First  Division  Distributors,  Inc.,  an- 
nounces that  the  Chadwick  studios  are  soon 
to  star  Betty  Compson  in  the  feature, 
“Temptations  of  a Shopgirl.”  Pauline 
Garon  and  Armand  Kaliz  are  to  be  fea- 
tured. Tom  Terris  will  handle  the  mega- 
phone on  the  picture. 

The  title  of  the  Ormont  fea- 
ture, “Polly  of  the  Movies,”  is 
to  remain  just  that.  It  had  been 
rumored  that  the  title  would  be 
changed  to  “Madonna  of  the 
Movies,”  but  according  to  Jesse  J. 
Goldburg,  president  of  the  com- 
pany, Polly  will  remain  just  Polly. 

1.  E.  Chadwick  is  making  12  features  and 
four  special  Pauline  Garon  productions, 
and  James  Ormont  is  producing  six  specials, 
one  of  which  is  “Ragtime,”  for  First 
Division. 


Universal  Completes 
‘‘The  Flying  Nu^ 

“The  Flying  Nut,”  the  second  “Uni- 
versal-Jewel” farce  comedy  with  Glenn 
Tryon  and  Patsy  Ruth  Miller  under  the 
direction  of  William  James  Craft,  was 
completed  last  week  and  is  now  being 
edited  for  an  early  preview. 

Cameras  started  grinding  last  week  on 
the  “Universal-Jewel”  production  “Stop 
that  Man”  with  Nat  Ross  directing  and 
Barbara  Kent  and  Arthur  Lake  in  the 
featured  roles. 

“Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride,” 
Laura  LaPlante’s  next  starring 
picture  for  Universal,  goes  into 
production  this  week  under  the  di- 
rection of  her  husband,  William 
A.  Seiter.  The  leading  male  role 
is  to  be  played  by  Glenn  Tryon, 
who  must  be  a very  busy  young 
man  in  the  Universal  studios. 

Reginald  Denny’s  next  picture 
will  be  an  original  prize  fight  story 
written  by  himself  and  titled  “Use 
Your  Feet.”  Fred  Newmeyer, 
who  directed  the  star  in  his  last 
picture,  “Mile  a Minute  Love,” 
will  again  direct. 

Filming  started  last  week  on  “The 
Symphony,”  in  which  Jean  Hersholt  is 
starred  and  George  Lewis  and  Marian 
Nixon  are  featured.  F.  Harmon  Weight 
is  handling  the  megaphone  on  the  pro- 
duction. 

Hoot  Gibson  and  his  company  of  SO 
have  returned  from  location  at  Zion  Na- 
tional Park,  Utah,  where  exteriors  were 
shot  on  “The  Rawhide  Kid,”  a screen 
version  of  the  Peter  B.  Kyne  story,  “The 
Lion  and  the  Lamb.” 


Mulhall,  MacKaill  Team 
in  F-N’s  “Man  Crazy  ^ 

Dorothy  MacKaill  and  Jack  Mulhall  will 
be  co-featured  in  First  National’s  picture, 
“Man  Crazy,”  from  the  Saturday  Evening 
Post  story,  “Clarissa  of  the  Post  Road.” 
Dorothy  plays  the  part  of  a rich  young 
thing  who  starts  a roadside  inn  to  help  a 
crippled  boy.  As  has  been  said  before, 
we  like  this  team. 

When  Richard  Barthelmess’  next 
picture,  “The  Drop  Kick,”  is  re- 
leased some  time  this  month,  Dick 
will  have  two  pictures  on  Broad- 
way at  the  same  time.  His  “Patent 
Leather  Kid”  running  at  the 
Globe  theatre.  New  York,  is  click- 
ing right  along,  grossing  $42,463.50 
the  first  13  days  which  indicates  a 
complete  sellout.  His  next  picture 
is  to  be  “The  Noose.” 

Noah  Berry  has  been  added  to 
the  cast  of  “Louisiana,”  the  First 
National’s  picture  starring  Billie 
Dove. 

Husband  and  Wife,  Milton  Sills  and 
Doris  Kenyon,  go  to  work  this  week  on 
“The  Valley  of  the  Giants,”  the  story  by 
Peter  B.  Kyne  with  a locale  in  the  big 
tree  section  of  California. 

At  last  the  cast  for  “The  Gorilla”  is 
complete  and  includes  Charlie  Murray, 
Fred  Kelsey,  Tully  Marshall,  Claude  Gill- 
ingwater,  Dorothy  Revier,  Walter  Pidgeon, 
Gaston  Glass,  Brooks  Benedict,  Syd 
Crossly  and  Aggie  Herring.  That  includes 
just  everybody  but  the  gorilla  and  his 
identity  will  remain  a mystery. 

Panzer,  in  Latest  Paths 
Serial,  Was  Also  in  First 

Paul  Panzer,  with  an  even  score  of  years 
in  the  industry,  is  back  with  Pathe  in  its 
latest  serial,  “The  Hawk  of  the  Hills,”  star- 
ring Allene  Ray  and  Walter  Miller. 

Panzer  was  in  the  first  Patheserial  ever 
made,  “The  Perils  of  Pauline.” 


54 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


[THE  THEATIOeI 

^Q.,^JJ)epartment  of  Practical  Showmanship  ^ 


THIS  EXPLOITATION  BREAKS  ALL 
RECORDS  FOR  ROBEY  THEATRE 


When  the  Robey  theatre,  Spencer,  W. 
Va.  recently  ran  “The  Unknown,”  a Metro- 
Goldwyn-Mayer  picture,  Clark  Munson 
staged  an  exploitation  for  the  picture  that 
broke  every  record  since  there  has  been  a 
theatre  in  the  town. 

Now  any  exploitation  that  does  that  is 
bound  to  be  some  exploitation,  and  any- 
one reading  this  will  agree  that  Munson’s 
exploitation  was  the  “real  McCoy.”  Each 
individual  angle  of  the  exploitation  prob- 
ably had  no  original  feature,  but  it  is  the 
magnitude  of  the  exploitation  that  made  it 
so  effective.  There  were  17  distinct  angles 
to  the  promotion. 

Special  tie-ups  were  made  with  a laundry, 
a dairy,  the  newspapers,  and  an  ice  plant. 
A special  musical  dance  prologue  was 
staged,  and  heralds,  posters,  street  hally- 
hoos  and  sidewalk  signs  were  effectively 
used. 


Good  Morning! 

Are  You  Happy  and  Healthy? 

You’ll  be  healthy  if  you  drink 
lots  of  the  Spencer  Creamerie’s 
pure  pasteurized  milk — 
and 

You’ll  be  happy  if  you  See  Lon 
Chaney  in  the  “UNKNOWN” 
at  the  Robey  theatre  Tuesday, 
Aug.  23  rd,  with  a Musical- 
Oandng  Stage  prologue. 

Note:  if  this  card  is  ORANGE  it 
is  good  for  admittance  to  the  **VN‘ 
KNOWN.**  Present  it  at  the  door. 


Three  hundred  of  these  shirt 
boards  were  put  in  laundry  pack- 
ages as  a part  of  the  Robey  the- 
atre’s exploitation  on  “The  Un- 
known,” a Mero-Goldwyn-Mayer 
picture  starring  Lon  Chaney.  Six 
of  the  cards  were  printed  on  or- 
ange stock,  and  were  good  for  ad- 
mission to  the  theatre. 


Munson’s  letter  to  the  The  Theatre,  des- 
cribing the  exploitation  gives  complete 
details,  so  here  it  is : 

Editor,  THE  THEATRE 
Exhibitors  Herald, 

407  So.  Dearborn  St., 

Chicago,  111. 

Dear  Sir: 

I am  sending  you  this  in  view  of  the 
remarkable  results  obtained  on  this  ex- 
ploitation of  “The  Unknown.” 

We  broke  every  record  since  there  has 
been  a theatre  here,  20  years.  Did  more 
gross  business  and  more  paid  admissions 
that  any  attraction  to  ever  play  the  town. 
Our  strongest  sales  attraction  was  the 
musical  dancing  prologue  with  30  Spencer 
amateurs.  Three  dancing  choruses,  eight 
piece  orchestra  and  special  comedy  numbers 
went  over  better  than  any  previous  presen- 
tation, due  somewhat,  no  doubt,  to  the 
packed  condition  of  the  theatre.  It  was 
contagious.  My  years  on  the  road  with 
John  B.  Rogers  Producing  company  and 
Harrington  Adams,  Inc.,  staging  local 
musical  productions,  make  the  staging  of 
presentations  with  local  talent  only  the 
matter  of  a few  well  organized  rehearsals. 

Following  is  the  complete  campaign: 

1.  Teaser  slides  two  weeks  in  advance. 

2.  One  thousand  Lon  Chaney  word  puz- 
zles, 10  days  in  advance. 

3.  Crossword  puzzles  in  newspapers,  10 
days  in  advance.  (Tied  up  so  newspapers 
gave  tickets.) 

4.  One  hundred  thriller,  trick  rubber  band 
cards.  These  were  new  here  so  received 
an  extensive  circulation. 

5.  Three  hundred  pound  cake  of  ice  with 
still  of  Lon  Chaney  frozen  in  center.  Dis- 
played in  lobby  Saturday  before  Tuesday 
opening.  Received  200  guesses  on  the  time 
in  which  it  would  melt. 

6.  Two  hundred  postal  cards  mailed  in 
“hard  nuts.”  (A  check-up  showed  they  res- 
ponded well.) 

7.  Three  hundred  shirt  boards  placed  in 
laundry  packages.  Passes  if  the  boards  were 
printed  on  orange  stock.  (Six  free  ones.) 

8.  Three  hundred  milk  bottle  hangers. 
Put  out  day  before  showing.  (Similar  pass 
arrangement  as  on  laundry  boards.) 

9.  Laundry  trucks  bannered,  “Watch  your 
laundry,  you  may  get  a ticket  to  ‘The  Un- 
known’ ” dates,  etc. 

10.  Milk  trucks  bannered. 

11.  Three  sets  of  11x14  teaser  cards. 
(“Watch  for,”  “Wait  for,”  “Now”  etc.) 

12.  Regular  paper  consisting  of  ones, 
threes,  sixes,  24,  window  cards,  heralds, 
photos. 

13.  Ballyhoo  on  street  in  costume. 

14.  Boys  pass  heralds  dressed  in  costume. 

15.  Voluntary  newspaper  notices. 

16.  Sidewalk  painted  day  of  showing. 

17.  Last  minute  reminder  heralds  dis- 
tributed by  boys  in  costume. 

Letters  of  appreciation  were  sent  to  tie- 


up  co-operators,  milk,  laundry  and  ice 
company.  Passes  for  full  week  to  all 
prologue  participants. 

This  is  my  parting  contribution  to 
Spencer  theatricals.  On  September  1., 
I leave  for  Champaign,  111.,  to  be  associated 
with  Mr.  A1  Gonsior  of  the  Virginia  the- 
atre. Chicago  being  my  home,  I will  be 
within  hailing  distance  and  hope  to  drop 
into  the  Herald  office  to  see  you  occasion- 
ally. 

Sincerely, 

CLARK  MUNSON 

We’ll  bet  Munson  has  some  dandy 
schemes  all  cooked  up  for  the  Virginia 
theatre,  and  if  they  are  even  nearly  as 
good  as  this  one,  the  Virginia  is  in  for 
a rosy  time. 


WHEN  YOU  SEND  YOUR 

SHIRTS 

TO  THE 

SPENCER  LAUNDRY 

The  EXCELLENCE  of  the  work  is  not 

UNKNOWN 

MN  CHANEY 


WHEN  YOU  SEE  LON  CHANEY  IN 

•THE  UNKNOWN" 

Wilb  The  Uolqae  Mostcal  STAGE 

PROLOGUE 

AttheRcbey  Th-t-e.  TUESDA-Y  AUG,  23rd 
Vnii'll  Aeree  That  Entertainment  Such  As  This 
s3d  Not  be  UNKNOWN  to  ANYONE  In 
Spencer 

II  IMPORTANT  II 

II  Tbi.  Card  U ORANGE  It  Will  Admit  Yon  la  st. 

Till  mnm 

JCST  PRESENT  JT  *T  THE  DOOB 


Three  hundred  of  these  milk  bot- 
tle hangers  were  distributed  by  a 
dairy  for  the  Robey  theatre, 
Spencer,  W.  Va.,  the  day  before 
the  showing  of  “The  Unknown,” 
the  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  picture 
starring  Lon  Chaney.  Six  of  the 
hangers  were  printed  on  orange 
stock,  and  when  presented  at  the 
box  office,  were  good  for  admis- 
sion. 


THE  THEATRE  is  always  on  the  look- 
out for  good  exploitations,  so  send  the 
news  to  us,  you  exhibitors  who  are  put- 
ting over  good  exploitations. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS 


HERALD 


55 


These  House  Organ 
Stunts  Stimulate 
Reader’s  Interest 

One  of  the  best  ways  to  put  additional 
interest  in  theatre  house  organs  and  to 
stimulate  reading  by  patrons  is  to  offer 
small  prize  contests  in  them.  There  is  no 
limit  to  the  numlber  that  can  be  run, 
but  just  to  help  you  along,  we  are  offer- 
ing these  suggestions. 

The  following  contests  are  used  by  Joe 
Mayer  in  his  “Palace  Review,”  house 
organ  for  the  Palace  theatre,  Hamilton, 
Ohio.  We  believe  they  are  splendid  con- 
tests. Two  of  them  are  excellently  de- 
signed to  give  merchant  co-operation,  and 
one  of  them  is  designed  to  check  up  on 
patron  approval  of  short  features  run  by 
the  theatre,  and  all  of  them  have  definite 
local  interest.  Here  they  are,  clipped  right 
out  of  the  pages  of  the  “Palace  Review.” 

Next  month  we  will  have  a “Kodak  Col- 
umn,” in  which  will  he  printed  photo- 
graphs made  hy  Hamilton  amateurs.  The 
Palace  will  award  a prize  of  $1.00  for  the 
hest  kodak  picture  submitted  by  the  15th  of 
September.  The  picture  can  be  of  any 
subject,  so  long  as  it  is  made  by  an  amateur 
of  Butler  county.  Come  on,  “kodakers,”  get 
in  on  this. 


Which  advertisement  in  this  issue  of  the 
Palace  Review  is  the  best,  and  why? 

For  the  best  fifty  word  letter  received  by 
September  15,  we  will  give  as  a prize,  one 
book  containing  $3.60  worth  of  tickets  good 
for  admission.  These  tickets  can  be  used  at 
any  time — ^Sundays  or  Holidays  included — 
when  the  admission  price  is  40  cents. 


Several  of  our  readers  have  asked  us  to 
revive  the  short  story  contest.  All  right, 
we’ll  do  it. 

For  the  best  short  story — not  to  exceed 
five  hundred  words — submitted  by  the  15th 
of  September,  we  will  award  a prize  of 
$5.00.  The  stories  must  be  original,  and 
should  be  written  on  the  typewriter,  double 
spaced;  however,  this  is  not  compulsory. 
If  written  in  long  hand,  use  only  one  side 
of  the  paper  and  leave  space  between  each 
line. 

Manuscripts  not  accepted  will  be  held 
unless  a special  request  for  their  return  is 
made. 


What  was  the  most  interesting  event  of 
the  month  in  Hamilton?  For  the  best  reply 
of  fifty  words,  two  tickets  will  be  given. 
Replies  must  reach  the  contest  editor  not 
later  than  September  15. 


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''^Now  Boys  — 
ril  Ask  One!” 


How  is  your  ventilation? 

How  is  3our  projection? 

.Are  vour  firmly  establishinj;:  the  Schine  trademark 
COl’RTKSY  ” through  all  of  your  house 
employees? 

Are  you  writing  letters  instead  of  using  the  tele- 
phone or  wiring;  except  in  emergency  cases? 

.Are  you  gi'ing  your  lobby  proper  allenli<in  and 
thought? 

Are  you  conserving  newspaper  space  and  using  the 
proper  punch  in  your  ads? 

Are  you  choosing  strong  catch  lines? 

.Are  your  paper  locatitms  placed  where  you  will  get 
the  proper  returns? 

Are  you  getting  the  proper  protection?. 

Are  you  running  your  pictures  after  the  cities  that 
will  give  you  the  most  advantage  from  news- 
paper advertising? 


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The  above  was  clipped  out  of  “The 
Live  Wire,”  the  Schine  Enter- 
prises, Inc.,  house  organ,  but  it  is 
so  pertinent  to  all  exhibitors,  it 
will  pay  any  exhibitor  to  check 
his  own  management  against  these 
questions. 


Fire  Department 
Tieup  Puts  Over 
^‘The  Fire  Brigade” 

When  F.  E.  Johnson,  manager  of  the 
Colonial  theatre,  Cambridge,  Ohio,  played 
the  Metro-Goklwyn-Mayer  picture,  “The 
Fire  Brigade,”  he  staged  a tieup  with  the 
fire  department  that  gave  him  a large  share 
of  publicity,  and  the  exploitation  proved  a 
huge  success. 

Tlie  picture  was  run  under  the  auspices 
of  the  fire  department,  which  gave  excel- 
lent cooperation.  An  old  fire  engine, 
bought  by  the  city  in  1876  was  placed  in 
front  of  the  theatre  during  the  showing. 
The  firemen  drove  their  fire  trucks  through 
the  town  afternoon  and  evenings  adver- 
tising the  picture.  A bell  and  siren  were 
worked  back  stage  for  effects  that  put  a 
lot  of  “atmosphere  into  the  picture.”  The 
firemen  made  over  $300  net  on  the  attrac- 
tion. “I  would  advise  anyone  playing  this 
feature  to  use  the  same  tieup,”  says  John- 
son. 

The  opening  exploitation  of  this  picture 
was  made  by  Louis  B.  Mayer  in  an  address 
before  the  last  National  Fire  Chief’s  con- 
vention. 


This  antiquated  hre  engine,  made  in  1869,  occupied  a position  of  honor  in 
front  of  the  Colonial  theatre,  Cambridge,  Ohio,  during  the  showing  of  “The 
Fire  Brigade,”  a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  picture.  The  Colonial  manager,  F. 
E.  Johnson,  is  seen  behind  the  old  fire  fighter  and  the  other  gentleman  is 
Fire  Chief  Long.  The  picture  was  successfully  run  under  the  auspices  of  the 
fire  department. 


What  short  subject  now  being  shown  at 
the  Palace  appeals  to  you  most  and  why? 
Two  tickets  for  the  best  letter  of  50  words 
received  by  September  15. 

When  you  are  up  town  in  the  evening,  on 
your  way  to  the  Palace  Theatre,  you  prob- 
ably do  a lot  of  window  shopping.  Which 
show  window  do  you  think  has  the  most 
attractive  display  of  merchandise?  Send 
your  opinion  in  the  form  of  a fifty  word 
letter  and  receive  a prize  of  two  tickets. 
Write  on  or  before  September  15. 


These  are  excellent  contest  stunts,  we 
believe,  and  we  want  to  compliment  Joe 
Mayer  for  them,  and  his  house  organ  as 
a whole.  It  is  pocket  size,  32  pages,  and  is 
pulblished  monthly.  It  is  chock  full  of 
interesting  stories  and  items.  One  of  the 
stories  is  recopied  from  the  Aug.  13  issue 
of  “The  Studio,”  the  Herald  supplement. 
And  here’s  a good  tip,  exhibitors : The 
Studio  contains  lots  of  stories  and  news 
that  you  can  use  to  advantage  in  your 
house  organ. 


This  60  foot  board  with  a 24  sheet  and  79  other  24  sheet  boards  were  used 
recently  to  announce  the  opening  of  the  Kirby  theatre,  Houston,  Tex.  The 
paper  was  released  to  one  union  man  and  two  independent  posters,  with  the 
management  playing  up  the  competitive  angle. 


56 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


LETTERS 
From  Readers 

A forum  at  which  the  exhibitor 
is  invited  to  express  his  opinion 
on  matters  of  current  interest. 
Brevity  adds  forcefulness  to  any 
statement.  Unsigned  letters  will 
not  be  printed. 


Richard  Dix  Nominated 
NEHAWKA,  NEB. — To  the  Editor;  I 
noticed  in  the  September  3 issue  of  your 
magazine  that  one  man  thought  Thomas 
Meighan  in  “Tin  Gods”  and  “The  Cana- 
dian” was  good.  I wish  to  disagree  with 
him  as  1 think  they  were  rotten ! Why 
does  Tom  Meighan  have  to  play  in  those 
kind  of  pictures?  Eor  the  last  few  years 
they  have  been  awful.  Why  can’t  he  play 
in  pictures  like  he  used  to?  For  instance, 
“The  Bachelor  Daddy.”  Everyone  could 
bank  on  his  pictures  being  good  and  you 
could  get  a crowd,  but  now  you  can’t.  Of 
course,  he  does  wonderful  acting  but  for 
a small  town  they’re  not  clean  and  are  not 
the  kind  of  pictures  w^e  want. 

I don’t  see  wTy  the  producers  can’t 

Brink  in  Many 
Trades  Before 
Taking  to  Film 

Howard  F.  brink,  manager  of 
Educational’s  Buffalo  branch,  be- 
came interested  in  the  motion  picture 
distributing  busi- 
ness early  be- 
cause of  his  ex- 
perience in  oper- 
ating vaudeville 
and  early  - day 
picture  houses. 

Leaving  Lehigh 
University,  he 
was  employed 
first  at  the  Beth- 
lehem Steel  Com- 
pany but  resigned 
to  enter  the  res- 
taurant game.  He 
sold  his  restau- 
rant after  a short  Howard  F.  Brink 

time  and  became 

connected  with  Messrs.  Mark,  Wag- 
ner, Zukor  and  Morris,  and  later  the 
United  Vaudeville  Agency  in  penny  ar- 
cade work.  After  about  six  years  of  this 
he  automatically  worked  into  the  picture 
industry  by  becoming  manager  of  the 
second  motion  picture  theatre  to  be 
operated  in  Buffalo.  Then  he  obtained  a 
chain  of  theatres  and  played  10  acts  of 
vaudeville  and  musical  comedy  shows. 

Leaving  this  business,  he  went  with 
the  General  Film  Company  in  Buffalo, 
becoming  the  first  salesman  in  Western 
New  York.  Next  he  tied  up  with  Mu- 
tual Film,  then  with  Victor  Exchange 
(now  the  Universal  Film  Exchange)  and 
finally  went  with  Famous  Players  for 
five  years.  Going  to  Chicago,  Mr.  Brink 
opened  an  exchange  there  and  then  went 
to  Kansas  City  for  two  years.  Return- 
ing to  Buffalo,  he  became  manager  of 
the  Robertson-Cole  Film  Exchange. 
After  a few^  years  with  this  company  he 
connected  with  a state  right  concern  and 
worked  for  a few  years  with  Sam  Grand. 
Then,  five  years  ago,  he  became  man- 
ager of  the  Buffalo  branch  for  Educa- 
tional. 

Mr.  Brink’s  pet  hobbies  are  golf  and 
driving  high  powered  automobiles. 


think  of  the  small  town  when  they  make 
pictures.  Aren’t  we  just  as  important  as 
the  big  cities?  At  least  the  salesmen 
think  so  when  they  try  to  sell  you  pictures. 

I am  only  16  years  old  and  not  quite  a 
full  fledged  exhibitor,  but  hope  to  be  some 
time. 

I wish  to  thank  Mary  Brian  for  her 
picture.  I certainly  appreciated  it,  and  was 
sorry  she  didn’t  win  in  the  Beauty  Con- 
test, because  I thought  she  deserved  it. 

And  now,  since  that  is  over  with,  why 
not  have  a “Most  Popular  Actor  Contest,” 
or  something  to  that  effect.  I think  we 
have  always  had  ladies’  contests,  so  why 
not  give  the  men  a chance?  I’ll  start  the 
ball  rolling  by  nominating  Richard  Dix. 
Come  on,  let’s  go!  And  we’ll  show  the 
men  they’re  just  as  popular  as  the  ladles. 
— Virginia  Pollard,  Auditorium  theatre, 
Nehawka,  Neb. 


A Merchant’s  Carnival 

ALEDO,  ILL. — ^To  the  Editor;  Am 
writing  this  letter  as  a friendly  tip  to 
brother  exhibitors  in  this  territory  who  may 
be  approached  by  a Mr.  Smith  of  the 
Smith  Advertising  Company,  wanting  to 
put  on  a Merchants  Carnival. 

1 have  just  finished  playing  this  propo- 
sition on  a 50- .SO  basis  for  six  days  in 
.Aledo  and  Galva  and  in  each  town  my  split 
was  about  $75  less  than  an  average  week’s 
business. 

While  the  proposition  is  okay  and  Mr. 
Smith  and  I had  no  difficulties  of  any 
kind,  there  is  nothing  to  warrant  a 50-50 
split  if  you  include  your  Saturday  or  Sun- 
day— and  by  no  means  include  both. 

I would  suggest  that  you  play  70-30  if 
you  include  Saturday  or  Sunday  or  50-50 
if  you  do  not,  or  a 50-50  split  on  all  over 
an  average  week’s  business. — Leslie  J. 
Trevor,  Aledo  Opera  House,  Aledo,  111. 


Look  Who’s  Sore 

LINCOLN,  KAN. — To  the  Editor;  I 
am  enclosing  a few  reports  and  am  sorry 
that  I haven’t  been  sending  them  regularly, 
but  I couldn’t  report  on  them  until  I ran 
them,  and  had  something  to  report  on. 

I see  that  J.  C.,  is  down  in  this  country 
again.  I guess  he  heard  about  some  of  the 
golf  tournaments  that  we  are  having  and 
be  wanted  to  get  in  on  some  of  them. 
Well,  the  last  tournament  we  had  was 
won  by  a doctor  who  shot  105,  so  that  old 
false  alarm  has  a chance.  I hope  he 
comes  back  through  here  ’cause  I am  sore 
about  m.y  subscription.  I only  get  my 
Herald  once  a week. — Ray  W.  Mussel- 
M.\N,  Princess  theatre,  Lincoln,  Kan. 


Found;  A New  Beauty 

BAR.A.BOO,  WIS. — To  the  Editor; 
Here  is  a little  article  I wish  you  would 
publish  under  “Letters  from  Readers ;” 

ATTENTION,  J.  C. ; 

The  first  town  that  you  and  Clara  pull 
into  that  is  show'ing  Douglas  MacLean  in 
“Soft  Cushions,”  stop  off  and  lamp  your 
blinkers  on  a real  beauty — then  disinherit 
Clara  at  once  if  you  don’t  want  to  be  a 
back-number. 

Her  name?  Sue  Carroll  and  she’s  Doug’s 
leading  lady  in  the  picture.  And  How ! 
Thanking  you  for  publishing  the  above  and 
assuring  you  that  I believe  the  Herald  to 
“Fill  a Want  None  Others  Do,”  I remain, 
— Clark  Wilkinson,  Gale  Agency,  Bara- 
boo,  Wis. 


An  Ode  to  Adeline 

SALMON,  IDAHO. — To  the  Editor; 
WTat  a girl  that  Adeline  Further  is.  Now 
she  has  Peter  Bylsma  writing  sonnets  and 
Pete’s  last  effusion  seemed  to  win  her  over 
completely. 

Eagle  Eyed  Joe  to  the  rescue ; Don’t  let 
this  Adeline  affair  go  any  further  or  soon 
we’ll  hear  of  others  falling  by  the  wayside, 
and  read  of  Peter  Latta,  Roy  Adams  and 
Robert  L.  Anderson  coming  home  from  a 


stag  party  and  howling  “Sweet  Adeline”  in 
four  different  keys,  under  that  lovely  girl’s 
window  and  thus  bringing  the  whole  exhib- 
itor profession  into  disrepute.  Eagle  Eye, 
do  your  duty ! 

So,  Peter  says  he  can  beat  me  writing 
verse — well,  here  goes  ; 

There  was  an  exhib  named  Pete 

Who  zorote  verse  to  Adeline  szoeet 

But  his  home  he  imperiled 

For  his  wife  read  the  Herald 

.tnd  the  “Spotlight”  blew  up  from  the  heat! 

— Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon  Idaho. 

Exhibitors  Seek  Law 

to  Stop  Carnivals 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ALBANY,  Sept.  6. — While  street  car- 
nivals received  a setback  in  many  places 
in  New  York  state  this  summer,  through 
the  activities  of  exhibitors  who  have  tens 
of  thousands  of  dollars  invested  in  their 
theatres,  there  is  evidence  today  that  be- 
fore next  summer  foils  around  the  ex- 
hibitor will  take  the  bull  by  the  horns  and 
seek  the  adoption  of  an  ordinance  which 
will  do  away  with  carnivals  in  many  other 
places. 

In  the  past  these  carnicals  have  cost  ex- 
hibitors in  New  York  state,  cities  and 
villages,  a handsome  penny.  Exhibitors 
declare  that  they  do  not  want  to  hog  all 
of  the  entertainment  by  any  means,  but 
they  do  assert  that  a city  or  a village 
should  stand  back  of  the  man  whose 
thousands  are  invested  in  that  city  or 
village  in  an  entertainment  place  that 
operates  the  year  round  and  upon  which 
taxes  are  made. 

Esch  Sang  for 
Own  Shows;  Now 
With  Universal 


WH.  ESCH,  Universal’s  branch  man- 
• ager  at  Indianapolis,  dates  his  activ- 
ities in  the  industry  back  to  1910,  with  the. 
showing  of  one 
reel  and  an  illus- 
trated song,  and 
he  adds  that  “at 
that  stage  of  my 
terrible  career”  he 
did  his  own  sing- 
ing, relieved  the 
operator,  played 
his  own  traps — all 
in  addition  to  his 
daily  work  as  jan- 
itor. 

With  the  prog- 
ress of  the  indus- 
try, he  built  a new 
theatre.  In  a lit- 
tle over  a year  he 
bought  up  the  opposition  and  later  on  built 
the  Princess  and  Phoenix  theatres  in  La 
Porte,  Ind.  After  operating  seven  years 
in  that  city,  he  sold  his  interests  and  re- 
built the  Princess  theatre  in  New  Castle, 
Ind.  He  ran  that  for  four  years. 

Esch  joined  Universal  four  years  ago, 
accepting  a position  in  Indianapolis  as  ex- 
ploiteer.  He  was  thoroughly  familiar  with 
this  work,  as  he  had  done  all  his  own 
advertising  work.  After  a year  he  was 
accepted  on  the  sales  force,  being  assigned 
to  the  city  of  Indianapolis  territory  for 
seven  months.  Winning  first  prize  in  a 
sales  drive  he  was  promoted  to  the  man- 
agership at  Indianapolis. 

Esch  recalled  that  he  was  showing  Uni- 
versal pictures  KX)  per  cent  at  the  time 
that  Carl  Laemmle  had  not  enough  Amer- 
ican made  pictures  and  was  induced  to  take 
some  of  foreign  make,  which  were  not 
accepted  quite  as  well. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


57 


BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 


^he  HERALD  System  for  determining 
the  definite  attraction  values 
of  Motion  pictures 


Exhibitors  reporting  “What  the  Picture  Did  For 
Me”  supply  a percentage  rating  obtained  by  dividing 
average  daily  gross  of  house  record  attraction  into 
average  daily  gross  of  picture  being  reported  on. 
When  10  of  these  percentage  ratings  on  a picture  have 


been  received,  the  average  of  these  10  percentage 
ratings  is  entered  in  “The  Ticker.”  Each  additional 
percentage-rating  report  received  on  pictures  entered 
is  combined  with  those  previously  received  and  the 
new  average  thus  created  is  entered. 


No  Man’s  Cold  (Fox) 81.41% 

Toll  It  To  the  Marines  (M-G>M) 80.82% 

The  Cohens  and  Kellys  (U) 78.00% 

Irene  (F.  N.) 76.75% 

Keeper  of  the  Bees  (F  B O) 76.69% 

Don  Mike  (F  B O) 76.25% 

Laddie  (F  B O) 76.21% 

The  Calgary  Stampede  (U) 75.80% 

It  (Par)  75.27% 

The  Fire  Brigade  (M-G-M) 74.36% 

Johnny  Get  Your  Hair  Cut  (M-G-M) 73.95% 

Thei  Magic  Garden  (F  B O) 73.31% 

The  Vanishing  American  (Par) 72.82% 

The  Great  K.  and  A.  Train  Robbery  (Fox). .72. 63% 

The  Tough  Guy  (F  B O) 72.46% 

Arizona  Sweepstakes  (U) 72.42% 

Slide,  Kelly,  Slide  (M-G-M) 72.12% 

The  Last  Trail  (Fox) 72.10% 

Chip  of  the  Flying  U (U) 72.00% 

The  Volga  Boatman  (PDC)..._ 71.20% 

Flesh  and  the  Devil  (M-G-M) 69.62% 

The  Winning  of  Barbara  Worth  (U.A*) 69.43% 

Let’s  Gel  Married  (Par) 69.38% 

The  Sea  Beast  (W.  B.) 69.30% 

The  Bat  (U.  A.) 69.15% 

The  Unknown  Cavalier  (F.  N.) 68.96% 

The  Gentile  Cyclone  (U) ». 68.81% 

Ella  Cinders  (F.  N.) 68.80% 

The  Son  of  the  Sheik  (U.  A.) 68.38% 

The  Overland  Stage  (F.  N.) 68.34% 

Tin  Hats  (M-G-M) 68.21% 

Mr.  Wu  (M-G-M) 68.09% 

The  Quarterback  (Par) 67.96% 

A Regular  Scout  (FBO) 67.83% 

The  Scarlet  Letter  (M-G-M) 67.50% 

The  Scarlet  West  (F.  N.) 67.40% 

The  Campus  Flirt  (Par) 67.19% 

The  Last  Frontier  (PDC) 66.78% 

Sea  Horses  (Par.) 66.40% 

The  Four  Horsemen  (M-G-M) 66.30% 

Senor  Daredevil  (F.  N.) 66.17% 

Hands  Across  the  Border  (FBO) 66.15% 

The  Black  Pirate  (U.  A.) 65.94% 

Up  in  Mabel’s  Room  (PDC) 65.21% 

Man  of  the  Forest  (Par) 65.09% 

Three  Bad  Men  (Fox) 64.95% 

Tlie  Devil  Horse  (P) 64.69% 

We’re  in  the  Navy  Now  (Par) 64.53% 

His  Secretary  (M-G-M) 64.50% 

The  Kid  Brother  (Par) 64.37% 

The  Night  Cry  (W.  B.) 64.33% 

While  London  Sleeps  (W.  B.) 64.30% 

Corporal  Kate  (PDC) 64.20% 

The  Phantom  Bullet  (U) 64.18% 

Across  the  Pacific  (W.  B.) 64.07% 

For  Heaven’s  Sake  (Par) 63.45% 

Skinner’s  Dress  Suit  (U) 62.84% 

Little  Annie  Rooney  (U.  A.) 62.83% 

Lone  Hand  Saunders  (FBO) 62.71% 

That’s  My  Baby  (Par) 62.42% 

War  Paint  (M-G-M) 62.30% 

Brown  of  Harvard  (M-G-M)..., 61.96% 

A Denver  Dude  (U) 61.72% 

The  Man  in  the  Saddle  (U) 61.68% 

Twinkletoes  (F.  N.) 61.22% 

Tramp,  Tramp,  Tramp  (F.  N.) 61.00% 

The  Buckaroo  Kid  (U) 60.94% 

The  Texas  Streak  (U) 60.50% 

Under  Western  Skies  (U) 60.09% 

The  Two  Gun  Man  (FBO) 60.00% 

Behind  the  Front  (Par) 59.94% 

Tony  Runs  Wild  (Fox) 59.78% 

Canyon  of  Light  (Fox) 59.64% 

The  Teaser  (U) 59.50% 

The  Understanding  Heart  (M-G-M) 59.47% 

Sweet  Daddies  (F.  N.) 59.31% 

The  Waning  Sex  (M-G-M) 59.11% 

Wild  to  Go  (FBO) 59.09% 

The  Silent  Rider  (U)...., 59.00% 

The  Flaming  Forest  (M-G-M) 58.83% 

His  People  (U) 58-71% 

The  Palm  Beach  Girl  (Par) 58.27% 

Sally,  Irene  and  Mary  (M-G-M) 58.09% 

Clash  of  the  Wolves  (W.  B.) 57.75% 

Stranded  in  Paris  (Par) 57.64% 

Winners  of  the  Wilderness  (M-G-M)...,. 57.46% 

The  Dark  Angel  (F.  N.) 57.14% 


The  Cowboy  Cop  (FBO) 57.00% 

Private  Izzy  Murphy  (W.  B.) 57.00% 

Forlorn  River  (Par) 56.92% 

The  Flaming  Frontier  (U) 56.85% 

The  Wilderness  Woman  (F.  N.) 56.84% 

Knockout  Riley  (Par) 56.75% 

The  Temptress  (M-G-M) ,56.73% 

Old  Clothes  (M-G-M) 56.69% 

Forever  After  (F.  N.) 56.66% 

Rolling  Home  (U)...,. 56.58% 

Upstage  (M-G-M)  56.47% 

Mike  (M-G-M)  56.45% 

The  Red  Mill  (M-G-M) 56.38% 

The  Flying  Horseman  (Fox) 56.33% 

Mantrap  (Par)  56.30% 

Men  of  Steel  (F.  N.) 56.13% 

Wild  Justice  (U.  A.) 55.86% 

The  Rainmaker  (Par) 55.72% 

Paradise  (F.  N.) 55.58% 

Bom  to  the  West  (Par) 55.45% 

Subway  Sadie  (F.  N.) 55.25% 

It  Must  Be  Love  (F.  N.) 55.20% 

The  Return  of  Peter  Grimm  (Fox) 55.20% 

Breed  of  the  Sea  (FBO) 55.14% 

The  Johnstown  Flood  (Fox) 55.08% 

Kid  Boots  (Par) 55.00% 

The  Unknown  Soldier  (PDC) 55.00% 

Let  It  Rain  (Par) 54.27% 

Her  Big  Night  (U) 54.24%» 

The  Greater  Glory  (F.  N.) 54.00% 

The  Country  Beyond  (Fox) 53.91% 


How  It 

Works 

Suppose  your 

average  daily  gross  on  your 

record 

attraction 

was 

$65. 

That 

would  be 

100  per  cent,  or 

the 

basis\ 

on  which  to  fig- 

ure  your  percentage 

for 

THE 

BOX  OF. 

FICE  TICKER. 

The  following  is 

illustrative 

of  this 

system : 

$65.00 

100% 

64.50 

99% 

64.00 

63.50 

97% 

63.00 

96% 

62.50 

95% 

62.00 

94% 

61.50 

93% 

61.00 

92% 

60.50 

91% 

60.00 

59.50 

89% 

59.00 

88% 

58.50 

58.00 

86% 

57.50 

85% 

57.00 

. 

84% 

56.50 

83% 

56.00 

82% 

55.50 

81% 

55.00 

80% 

54.50 

79% 

54.00 

78% 

53.50 

77% 

53.00 

76% 

52.50 

75% 

52.00 

74% 

51.50 

73% 

51.00 

72% 

50.50 

71% 

50.00 

. 

.......  70% 

49.50 

69% 

49.00 

68% 

48.50 

. 

67% 

48.00 

66% 

47.50 

65% 

47.00 

........  64% 

46.50 

.. 

63% 

46.00 

62% 

45.50 

. 

61% 

45.00 

60% 

44.50 

. 

. 

59% 

44.00 

58% 

43.50 



57% 

Hero  of  the  Big  Snows  (W.  B.) 53.90% 

The  Road  to  Mandalay  (M-G-M). 53.90% 

Variety  (Par)  53.81% 

What  Happened  to  Jones  (U) 53.62% 

The  Ice  Flood  (U) 53.53% 

Aloma  of  the  South’  Seas  (Par) 53.44% 

Prisoners  of  the  Storm  (U) 53.10% 

Tin  Gods  (Par) 52.86% 

Sweet  Rosie  O’Grady  (Col.) 52.72% 

The  Barrier  (M-G-M) 52.68% 

The  Midnight  Sun  (U) .,52.68% 

Kosher  Kitty  Kelly  (FBO) 52.57% 

Poker  Faces  (U) 52.35% 

Stepping  Along  (F.  N.) 52.23% 

Eaglei  of  the  Sea  (Par) 51.63% 

The  Prince  of  Pilsen  (PDC) 51.60% 

Say  It  Again  (Par) 51.25% 

Sparrows  (U.  A.) 51.15% 

Bred  in  Old  Kentucky  (F  B O) 50.90% 

Whispering  Wires  (Fox) 50.90% 

The  Runaway  Express  (U) 50.82% 

Miss  Nobody  (F.  N.) 50.47% 

One  Minute  to  Play  (FBO) 50.44% 

The  Wandered  (Par) 50.36% 

Hogan’s  Alley  (W.  B.) 50.25% 

Spangles  (U)  50.25% 

Mare  Nostrum  (M-G-M) 50.22% 

Padlocked  (Par)  49.88% 

The  Million  Dollar  Handicap  (PDC) 49.82% 

Out  of  the  West  (FBO) 49.80% 

Her  Honor  the  Governor  (FBO)...,. 49.76% 

The  Arizona  Streak  (FBO) 49.75% 

The  Show  Off  (Par) 49.73% 

The  Ancient  Highway  (Par) 49.40% 

Hair  Trigger  Baxter  (F  B ()) 49.40% 

The  Brown  Derby  (F.  N.) 48.84% 

The  Blue  Eagle  (Fox) 48.66% 

Faust  (M-G-M)  48.60% 

Battling  Butler  (M-G-M) 48.52% 

Whispering  Smith  (PDC) 48.45% 

Desert’s  Toll  (M-G-M) 48.25% 

The  New  Commandment  (F,  N.) 48.08% 

The  Still  Alarm  (U) 47.50% 

Take  It  From  Me  (U) - 47.50% 

The  Waltz  Dream  (M-G-M) 47.15% 

Tumbleweeds  (U.  A.) 47.00% 

Wet  Paint  (Par) 46.81% 

Just  Another  Blonde  (F.  N.) 46.80% 

There  You  Are  (M-G-M) 46.77% 

Love  ’Em  and  Leave  ’Em  (Par) >46.72% 

Paradise  for  Two  (Par) 45.77% 

The  Marriage  Clause  (U) >45.25% 

So’s  Your  Old  Man  (Par) 45.25% 

The  Border  Sheriff  (U) 45.00% 

Ladies  at  Play  (F.  N.) 44.82% 

Partners  Again  (U.  A.) 44.25% 

Midnight  Lovers  (F.  N.) 44.07% 

The  Blind  Goddess  (Par) 43.88% 

A Little  Journey  (M-G-M) 43.46% 

Bigger  Than  Barnums  (FBO) 43.27% 

The  New  Klondike  (Par) 43.27% 

Blarney  (M-G-M)  43.23% 

The  Old  Soak  (U) - 43.07% 

Bardelys  the  Magnificent  (M-G-M) 42.73% 

Fine  Manners  (Par) 42.69% 

The  Canadian  (Par) ».,42.60% 

The  Duchess  of  Buffalo  (F.  N.) 42.45% 

Hold  That  Lion  (Par) 42,28% 

La  Boheme  (M-G-M) 41.95% 

Fig  Leaves  (Fox) 41,90% 

The  Ace  of  Cads  (Par) ,41.40% 

Fascinating  Youth  (Par) 41.29% 

The  Love  Thief  (U) 40.90% 

Miss  Brewster’s  Millions  (Par) 40.79% 

Everybody’s  Acting  (Par) 40.23% 

The  Wise  Guy  (F.  N.) 39.83% 

The  Cat’s  Pajamas  (Par) 39.09% 

Perch  of  the  Devil  (U) 37.69% 

Nell  Gwyn  (Par) 37.54% 

Into  Her  Kingdom  (F.  N.) 36.90% 

Steel  Preferred  (PDC) 34.70% 

The  Magician  (M-G-M) - 34.42% 

The  Great  Gatsby  (Par) 34.00% 

Exit  Smiling  (M-G-M) — 33.50% 

You’d  Be  Surprised  (Par) 31.92% 

Don  Juan’s  Three  Nights  (F.  N.) 30.80% 

The  Amateur  Gentleman  (F.  N.) — 30.27% 


58 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


CLASSIFIED 

Advertising 


Five  cents  per  word,  payable  in  advance.  Minimum  charge, 
$1.00.  Copy  and  checks  should  be  addressed  Classified  Ad 
Dept.  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  So,  Dearborn  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


The  Recognized  National  Classified  Advertising 


Medium 


Position  Wanted 


EXPERIENCED  UNION  PROJECTIONIST 
— Handle  any  equipment.  Experienced  in  repairing 
and  electrical  work.  Can  go  anywhere.  Address 
Luverne  Kelly,  Mitchell,  South  Dakota. 


YOUNG  MAN,  12  years  experience  Managing, 
Exploitation,  Operator,  wants  permanent  job.  Ex- 
pert Sign-writer,  cut-out  and  display  man.  Handle 
any  equipment — ^make  any  type  front  or  ballyhoo 
you  want — use  proven  ideas  in  exploitation.  Now 
employed  but  want  steady  job  in  medium  sized 
town.  Salary  your  best  but  secondary  to  per- 
manency. Address  Allen,  216  N.  Jefferson, 
Springfield,  Missouri. 


YOUNG  MAN,  age  23,  single,  desires  connec- 
tion with  theatre  where  hard  work  and  integrity 
will  bring  advancement.  Have  high  school  edu- 
cation, two  years  publicity  experience,  five  years 
experience  on  Power’s  and  Simplex  projectors 
with  High  Intensity  and  Reflector  arcs.  If  you 
have  an  opening  for  a clean-cut  enterprising  young 
man,  whose  capability,  reliability  and  character 
will  stand  a rigid  investigation,  address  Box  202, 
Exhibitors  Herald,  407  S.  Dearborn  Street,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 


Theatre  For  Sale 


THEATRE  FOR  SALE — In  one  of  the  best 
towns  of  its  size  in  Southwestern  Iowa.  Doing 
a good  business,  fully  equipped.  No  competition. 
If  interested  write  for  particulars  to  Box  163, 
Cumberland,  la. 


TWO  ONLY  THEATRES  in  town  5,000  popu- 
lation; drawing  power  2,000.  One  theatre  in- 
cludes property,  consisting  of  solid  three-story 
brick  building;  the  other  includes  equipment  and 
long  lease.  Price  $15,000;  cash  $8,000;  balance 
to  suit.  Other  business  compels  selling.  Ad- 
dress Box  201,  Exhibitors  Herald,  407  S.  Dear- 
born Street,  Chicago,  111. 


Gift  Night  Souvenirs 


GIFT  NIGHT  MERCHANDISE:  Over  300 
fine  novelties  in  our  large  free  catalog  at  genuine 
wholesale  prices.  Write  today.  No  obligation. 
Address  Fair  Trading  Co.,  Inc.,  307  Sixth  Ave., 
New  York. 


Banners  and  Posters 


WANTED:  USED  POSTERS,  Photos,  Slides, 
Banners,  and  Accessories  of  all  kinds.  Must  be 
in  good  condition.  Will  allow  liberal  credit.  Ad- 
dress Theatre  Poster  Supply  Company  and  Sign 
Exchange,  327  E.  Sixth  Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


FOR  SALE:  Used  posters,  photos,  slides,  ban- 
ners, and  all  other  kinds  of  accessories  on  any 
subject — features  comedies,  serials,  save  60% — 
Write  for  price  list.  Address  Theatre  Poster 
Supply  Co.,  and  Sign  Exchange,  327  East  Sixth 
Street,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 


Organs  For  Sale 


SMITH  UNIT  THEATRE  ORGANS:  Fac- 
tory rebuilt.  Also  Wurlitzers,  Bartolas  and  See- 
burg  Pitz  Organs.  All  factory  rebuilt.  Address 
Perfection  Theatre  Equipment  Company,  711 
Wells  Street,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


FOR  SALE:  Bartola  Pipe  Organ.  Used  Wur- 
litzer  Pipe  Organ,  model  U,  very  reasonable. 
Cremona  Pipe  Organ  used  or  new  Reproduco  Pipe 
Organs.  Address  S.  B.  McFadden,  Havana,  Illi- 
nois. 


ONE  REPRODUCO  PIPE  ORGAN  FOR 
SALE.  Used  two  months.  Like  new,  with  20 
rolls  of  music.  Can  be  played  by  hand  or 
automatic.  Reason  for  selling  just  installed  a 
large  organ.  Terms  third  down,  balance  in  one 
year.  Will  be  glad  to  show  this  organ  to  you. 
Write  Garber  & Bennett,  Rialto  Theatre,  Pekin, 
Illinois. 


Projector  Repairing 


HIGH  SPECIALIZATION  AND  GREAT 
SKILL  in  mechanics — a shop  and  tools  built 
for  a purpose — can  produce  nothing  but  the  best 
of  results  and  satisfaction.  This  is  what  Joseph 
Spratler  has  in  conducting  his  own  motion  picture 
equipment  repair  business.  Send  your  work  to 
me  and  satisfaction  will  be  assured.  Relief  equip- 
ment loaned  free.  Address  me  at  12-14  E.  Ninth 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


BEST  REPAIR  SHOP  in  the  country  for 
overhauling  and  repairing  projection  machines, 
ticket  machines,  motors,  etc.  Expert  workman- 
ship, prompt  service,  reasonable  prices.  Movie 
Supply  Company,  844  South  Wabash  Avenue, 
Chicago. 


BIGGEST  AND  BEST  EQUIPPED  REPAIR 
SHOP  in  the  South.  Expert  workmanship  guar- 
anteed on  all  projectors,  motors  generators,  etc. 
Loan  mechanism  free.  Address  Monarch  Theatre 
Supply  Company,  Memphis,  Tenn. 


Mailing  Lists 


21,000  MOVING  PICTURE  THEATRES  show- 
ing population  and  seating  capacity  in  most  cases. 
Price  $6  per  M.  or  $50  for  the  complete  list. 
2,100  chain  theatres  operating  from  2 to  ISO  thea- 
tres @ $20  per  M.  1,043  Film  Exchanges  @ $10 
per  M.  222  Manufacturers  of  studios  @ $4  per  M. 
452  Moving  Picture  Machine  and  Supply  Dealers 
@ $8.50  per  M.  All  guaranteed  97%  correct.  Ad- 
dress Trade  Circular  Company,  166  W.  Adams 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Theatre  Chairs 


here  is  your  OPPORTUNITY  to  obtain 

several  lots  of  used  upholstered  theatre  chairs 
that  we  have  on  hand  in  Spanish  leather;  guar- 
anteed condition  at  a very  reasonable  price.  Also 
5 and  7 ply  veneer  used  chairs.  Write  us  your 
needs  and  we  will  be  pleased  to  quote  you  prices. 
Address  Illinois  Theatre  Equipment  Company, 
12-14  E.  Ninth  Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


1,000  DANDY  UPHOLSTERED  chairs  twenty 
inches  wide  and  for  regulation  sloping  floor.  These 
chairs  are  from  one  of  Chicago’s  finest  theatres 
and  we  will  guarantee  every  chair  to  be  in  per- 
fect condition  before  leaving  Chicago.  Write  for 
exact  photograph  and  exceptional  low  price.  Ad- 
dress C.  G.  Demel,  845  South  State  Street,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 


Equipment  Wanted 


WE  PAY  BEST  prices  for  used  opera  chairs, 
projection  machines,  ventilating  fans,  portable 
projectors,  etc.  Movie  Supply  Company,  844 
South  Wabash  Avenue,  Chicago. 


WE  ARE  IN  THE  MARKET  for  100  used  pro- 
jectors, any  make,  for  which  we  will  pay  highest 
cash  prices.  Address  Box  199,  Exhibitors  Herald, 
407  South  Dearborn  Street.  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Equipment  For  Sale 


CHICAGO  CLEARING  HOUSE  for  Second 
Hand  Equipment.  Seats,  Rebuilt  projectors  of  all 
makes.  Screens,  Pianos,  Organs  and  other  mis- 
cellaneous articles  for  the  theatre.  Address  Illi- 
nois Theatre  Equipment  Company,  12-14  E.  9th 
Street,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


“EVERYTHING  FOR  THE  MOVIES.”  Guar- 
anteed Rebuilt  Simplex-Powers  and  Motiograph 
Projectors,  Opera  Chairs — Generators — Screens, 
etc.  Supplies  and  complete  equipments.  Lowest 
prices.  Cash  or  easy  terms.  Special  bulletin 
free.  Monarch  Theatre  Supply  Co.,  Memphis, 
Tenn. 


COMPLETE  THEATRE  EQUIPMENT  includ- 
ing 500  opera  chairs,  two  Simplex  Projectors, 
Martin  Rotary  Converter,  Screen,  Ticket  Selling 
Machine,  Lightning  Changer,  Ticket  Chopper,  etc. 
Address  Box  111,  Exhibitors  Herald,  Chicago. 


POWER;  SIMPLEX;  MOTIOGRAPH; 

Edison:  Zenith  Projectors.  Graphoscope,  Rheo- 
stats and  Compensarcs.  300  reels  of  films  includ- 
ing big  features  and  comedy  and  western.  Scenics 
and  News  reels.  Completely  rebuilt  machines 
cheap.  We  buy,  sell  and  exchange.  Supplies  for 
mazda  and  calcium  light.  Address  National 
Equipment  Company,  409  West  Michigan  Street, 
Duluth,  Minn. 


WHO  WANTS  THESE  BIG  BARGAINS? 
Two  Powers  6 A picture  machines,  complete,  with 
motors,  $125  each.  Four  Motiographs,  complete, 
with  motors,  $100  each.  FOB,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
400  Opera  Chairs,  Like  new,  used  3 months.  5 
ply,  19  inches  wide,  with  Hat  Wires,  American 
Walnut  finish,  $1.75  each.  FOB,  Kennett,  Mo., 
232  at  $1.75.  FOB.  Caruthersville,  Mo.  228 
heavy  opera  chairs,  17  inches  wide,  new,  never 
used,  $2.50  each,  FOB,  Arlington  Heights,  111. 
These  prices  are  54  regular  prices.  Will  accept 
% cash,  balance  12  monthly  payments.  Address 
Sam  Lears,  3759  Pinegrove  Avenue,  Chicago, 
Illinois. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


59 


‘What  the  Picture  Did  For  Me” 

VERDICTS  ON  FILMS  IN  LANGUAGE  OF  EXHIBITOR 

Copyright,  1927 


This  is  the  original  exhibitors*  reports  department,  established  October  14,  1916. 

Beware  of  cheap,  misleading  imitations. 

“What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me”  is  the  one  genuine  source  of  exhibitor-written  box  office 
information. 

Address:  “What  the  Picture  Did  for  Me,”  EXHIBITORS  HERALD,  407  South  Dearborn 
Street,  Chicago,  III. 


Columbia 

THE  PRICE  OF  HONOR:  Special  cast— 65%. 
Prison  story  revolving  around  capital  punish- 
ment. If  there  is  capital  punishment  contro- 
versy in  your  state,  play  it.  Did  not  do  much 
on  first  day,  but  held  up  fairly  well  on  second 
day,  with  no  agitation  in  this  state  at  this  time. 
Six  reels. — Garden  theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

F B 0 

ARIZONA  NIGHTS:  Fred  Thomson— 60%.  Au- 
gust 6.  One  night  to  good  crowd  and  it  pleased 
immensely.  Comedy  action  and  romance  all  in 
it.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  SONORA  KID:  Tom  Tyler— 22%.  Au- 
gust 20.  A good  clean  Western  with  plenty  of 
comedy.  However,  the  kids  missed  the  boy  and 
his  pony  in  this  one.  Print  okay. — J.  S.  Landry, 
Columbia  theatre,  Morganza,  La. — Small  town 
patronage. 

MOJAVE  KID:  Bob  Steele— 60%.  August  22. 
Exhibitors  who  cater  to  a Western  trade  take 
notice — a knockout  Western.  Zane  Grey’s  pic- 
tures have  nothing  on  this  one.  Steele’s  next 
one  can’t  come  too  soon.  We  sure  hope  it  will 
be  another  one  equally  as  good  as  “The  Mojave 
Kid.”  Five  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss.  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — ^Small  town  patron- 
age. 

THE  DUDE  COWBOY:  Bob  Custer^80%.  Au- 
gust 23.  Comments  very  satisfactory.  Five  reels. 
— Fred  H.  Rector,  Roseland  theatre,  Chilhowie, 
Va. — General  patronage. 

THE  GREAT  MAIL  ROBBERY:  Theodore  Von 
Eltz — 70%.  August  18-19.  A very  good  suppor1> 
ing  cast.  This  is  a good  melodrama  of  bandits 
and  U.  S.  marines.  It  drew  and  pleased  very 
much,  and  the  paper  on  it  is  great.  F B O got 
an  A number  1 in  every  respect  for  their  first 
one  of  the  new  group.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Rich- 
ard A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 75%. 
Very  beautiful  story.  Picture  slipped  some  more 
compared  with  her  other  two  offerings. — Garden 
theatre.  St.  Clair.  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 75%. 
August  18-19.  There  is  no  question  about  the 
popularity  of  Gene  Stratton  Porter.  I doubt  if 
this  one  breaks  any  house  records  but  it  is  good 
for  a nice  house  full  and  what  is  better  yet  it 
meets  with  everybody’s  approval. — Homer  P. 
Morley,  Princess  theatre.  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— 70%. 
Very,  very  good.  Had  a nice  crowd  on  one  of 
the  hottest  nights  of  the  summer.  Pleased  every- 
one that  came.  Second  and  third  nights  both 
good.  Seven  reels. — Wilcox-Miller,  Lake  View 
theatre.  Lake  View,  la. — General  patronage. 

THE  MAGIC  GARDEN:  Special  cast— A good 
clean  picture  with  usual  Porter  drawing  ix>wer. 
Nothing  heavy  but  seems  to  please.  Seven  reels. 
— Guy  S.  Abbott,  Homline  theatre,  Estelline,  S.  D. 
— General  patronage. 

LURE  OP  TH;P  NIGHT  CLUB:  Viola  Dana— 
75%.  August  5.  Miss  Dana’s  old  fans  will  like 


Editor’s  Note 

Percentage  ratings  given  by 
exhibitors  in  reports  to  this  de- 
partment are  obtained  in  the 
following  manner:  Average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported 
is  divided  by  average  daily  gross 
of  picture  holding  house  record 
to  determine  relative  box  office 
value  in  terms  of  percentage. 

EXAMPLE:  $75  (average 
daily  gross  of  picture  reported) 
divided  by  $100  (average  daily 
gross  of  picture  holding  house 
record)  equals  .75  (percentage 
rating  given  picture  in  report). 

When  a picture  has  received 
percentage  ratings  in  10  reports 
it  is  entered  in  THE  BOX 
OFFICE  TICKER  with  its  cur- 
rent gross  average  indicating 
relative  attraction  values  of  pic- 
tures listed  therein. 

THE  BOX  OFFICE  TICKER 
appears  on  page  57. 


this.  This  is  one  of  her  best  from  F B O.  Story 
and  direction  satisfactory.  Six  reels. — Helen  Ul- 
man,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — 
General  patronage. 

OUT  OF  THE  WEST:  Tom  Tyler— 19%.  July 
16.  A good  all  ’round  Western  that  pleased. 
Print  bad. — J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  theatre,  Mor- 
ganza, La. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON  MIKE:  Fred  Thomson — 75%.  Very  good 
but  drew  less  than  his  two  previous  pictures,  for 
some  unknown  reason.  Six  reeis. — A.  N.  Miles, 
Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  GORILLA  HUNT:  Special  east— 70%. 
August  21-22.  Perfect  of  its  kind.  An  Educa- 
tional travelogue  through  the  jungles  of  Africa 
on  a gorilla  hunt.  Many  scenes  from  the  jungle 
country  picturing  wild  animals  and  natives.  Not 
any  thrills  to  mention  of.  but  will  stand  up  if 
not  misunderstood. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre. 
Madisonville,  Tex. — Small  town  patronage. 

BREED  OF  THE  SEA:  Ralph  Ince — 54%.  W» 
have  run  a number  of  the  present  deluge  of  sea 
pictures  but  this  one  ranks  right  up  in  front. 
The  only  one  surpassing  it  is  "The  Sea  Beast." 
If  you  want  good  action  drama  get  this. — A.  N. 
Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — Small 
town  patronage. 

LADDIE : Special  cast — 95%.  Very  good  pic- 
ture that  satisfied  all  who  saw  it.  Not  compar- 
able wtih  “Keeper  of  the  Bees"  for  drawing 
power. — Garden  theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich. — General 
patronage. 


LADDIE : Special  cast — 90%.  There  is  only 

one  thing  I could  complain  about  on  this  picture 
— dark,  very  dark.  Story,  cast  and  director 
fine,  pleased  full  house.  Seven  reels. — Lester  N. 
Leek,  Club  House,  Jackson,  Wyo. — Small  town 
patronage. 

LADDIE:  Special  cast — 85%.  August  19-20. 

Not  one  thing  short  of  a wonderful  picture.  Will 
do  any  house  credit  to  run  it.  There  never 
was  made  a more  perfect  picture  than  “Laddie.” 
Play  it — you’ll  be  happy  afterwards.  Seven 
reels. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madisonville, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  TWO  GUN  MAN:  Fred  ’Thomson — 90%. 
August  5-6.  Very  good  as  we  have  found  all 
this  star’s  pictures  to  be.  Six  reels. — Minnie  M. 
Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

LONE  HAND  SAUNDERS:  Fred  Thomson— 
80%.  August  26-27.  A good  show  and  gets  the 
people  out  as  usual.  Six  reels. — E.  H.  Brechler, 
Opera  House,  Fennimore,  Wis. — General  patron- 
age. 

SILVER  COMES  THRU:  Fred  'Thomson- Fair 
business  on  this  one.  Thomson  well  liked  here. 
Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan.  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City,  Mo. — Suburban  patronage. 

MOULDERS  OF  MEN : Conway  Tearle — A 
very  good  lesson  picture  with  Frankie  Darro 
carrying  the  heavy  part  of  the  entertainment. 
Drawing  power  light  but  will  please.  Seven 
reels. — Guy  S.  Abbott,  Homline  theatre,  Estel- 
line, S.  D. — General  patronage. 

CYCLONE  OF  THE  RANGE:  Tom  'Tyler— 
This  was  much  better  than  “The  Sonora  Kid” 
and  “Splitting  the  Breeze”  as  he  had  the  kid, 
Frankie  Darro,  back  in  this  one,  but  did  not 
draw  as  the  other  two  without  the  kid  were  so 
bad  they  would  not  come  again.  Five  reels. — 
R.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre,  Sanborn,  Minn. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  TRAFFIC  COP:  Lefty  Flynn — August 
20.  Very  good  picture.  Pleased  my  patrons.  Had 
a good  crowd.  Five  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  The- 
atorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

First  National 

SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL:  Jack  Mulhall— 22%.  Au- 
gust 15.  Pretty  fair  comedy  but  only  seemed  to 
please  a few.  Warm  spell  of  weather  hurt  busi- 
ness. Six  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

LOST  AT  THE  FRONT:  Special  cast— 70%. 
About  the  same  business  as  “Tin  Hats.”  War 
farce  comedies  will  go  fair  but  don’t  pay  big 
special  prices  for  them. — Garden  theatre.  St. 
Clair,  Mich.— General  patronage. 

LOST  AT  THE  FRONT:  Special  cast— 60%. 
Not  nearly  so  good  as  Murray’s  former  pictures. 
Some  scenes  are  not  all  that  they  should  be.  ’This 
is  not  by  any  means  a special,  although  it  is  a 
fair  picture.  Six  reels. — Wilcox-Miller,  Lake 
View  theatre.  Lake  View,  la. — General  patronage. 

PUPPETS:  Milton  Sills— 25%.  July  17.  Low 
percentage  not  due  to  picture,  as  this  star  al- 
ways registers  between  75  and  100,  but  to  condi- 
tions brought  on  by  overflow.  Nothing  but  praise 
from  the  few  who  saw  it.  Star  favorite  here. 
Have  just  purchased  his  four  last  pictures.  Print 
in  good  condition. — J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  the- 
atre, Morganza,  La. — Small  town  patronage. 

PARADISE:  Milton  Sills — 80%.  August  20. 

Sills  and  Bronson  both  went  good  in  this  pic- 


60 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


ture.  Betty  seems  to  be  getting  better  all  the 
time.  Can’t  go  wrong  on  this  one.  Noah  Beery 
and  Sills  fight  in  the  last  reel  exciting  enough 
for  the  most  blood  thirsty  action  fan.  Eight 
reels. — J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight  theatre,  Kings- 
ton, W.  Va. — Mining  camp  patronage. 

AN  AFFAIR  OF  THE  FOLUES:  Special  cast 
— 22%.  August  25.  Excellent  story  and  pro- 
duction. Pleased  all  who  saw  it.  Seven  reels. — - 
A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — 
General  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Charles  Murray — 60%. 
July  26-27.  An  outstanding  picture  in  the  comedy 
field.  A laugh  almost  from  start  to  finish. 
Seven  reels. — Homer  P.  Morley.  Princess  the- 
atre, Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

McFADDEN’S  FLATS:  Charles  Murray — A 
good  story  full  of  light  entertainment  that  went 
over  big.  Leaves  a good  taste  in  your  mouth  and 
that  is  what  our  “rubber  stamps”  like  when  the 
picture  reflects  likewise  in  one  box  office.  Seven 
reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone, Ariz. — General  patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE:  Colleen  Moore— 80%. 
This  picture  did  more  business  for  us  than  any 
of  the  big  socalled  specials  we  have  run  this 
summer,  and  on  top  of  that  it  pleaser  every  one 
that  saw  it.  Second  and  third  day  business  very 
good.  'This  picture  is  the  one  kind  that  will 
please  the  entire  audience.  The  house  was  in 
an  uproar  all  the  time  the  picture  was  on  the 
screen.  Give  us  some  more  like  this  Miss  Moore. 
We  can  appreciate  a picture  of  yours  after  most 
of  them.  Eight  reels. — Wilcox-Miller,  Lake  View 
theatre.  Lake  View.  la. — General  patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE:  Colleen  Moore— 80%. 
August  21-22.  A good  comedy  play  from  Colleen 
and  proved  the  best  drawing  card  of  her  pic- 
tures this  year.  Well  liked  and  drew  very  good 
business.  Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer.  Princess  the- 
atre. Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE:  Colleen  Moore— Good 
picture,  good  attendance,  for  Sunday  okay.  Six 
reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan.  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City. 
Mo. — Suburban  patronage. 

THE  OVERLAND  STAGE:  Ken  Maynard— 
57%.  August  5-6.  Good.  'They  all  like  Ken  and 
his  horse.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  Ihde,  Photoplay  the- 
atre. Ashland,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

SENOR  DAREDEVIL:  Ken  Maynard— 90%. 


August  22.  Maynard  has  taken  the  play  away 
from  Dix  in  this  camp.  Have  some  regular  May- 
nard fans  here  in  that  his  is  the  only  picture 
they  will  come  to  see.  Plenty  of  action,  good 
riding  and  most  intelligent  horse  of  the  Western 
stars.  Seven  reels. — J.  A.  Rowan,  Moonlight  the- 
atre, Kingston,  W.  Va. — Mining  camp  patronage. 

SENOR  DAREDEVIL:  Ken  Maynard — August 
23.  This  was  my  first  picture  of  this  star.  This 
is  a dandy  Western.  Tarzan,  the  horse,  is  won- 
derful. Seven  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

TWINKLETOES:  Colleen  Moore— 50%.  Avery 
good  picture  that  failed  to  draw  at  the  box  office. 
This  is  the  first  time  Colleen  has  failed  for  me 
with  no  apparent  outside  competition.  Weather 
fair  and  cool. — Garden  theatre.  St.  Clair.  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

TWINKLETOES:  Colleen  Moore— 50%.  Au- 
gust 20.  A fair  picture  for  those  who  like  Col- 
leen. Fell  down  like  a ton  of  brick  here.  'The 
picture  would  be  much  better  if  cut  to  five  or 
six.  Nine  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre, 
Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN  CAVALIER:  Ken  Maynard 
— 100%.  August  16-17.  Just  like  all  the  rest, 
A no.  1.  Book  it  and  boost  it.  Will  stand  ad- 
vanced admission.  You  can’t  go  wrong  on  Ken 
as  he  is  there  and  over.  Our  patrons  are  now 
looking  forward  for  the  “Overland  Stage.”  Seven 
reels. — Ethel  M.  Hanson,  Lincoln  theatre.  Elm 
Creek,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

IT  MUST  BE  LOVE:  Colleen  Moore— 30%. 
August  14.  Since  the  McCrea  levee  broke  we 
have  been  practically  closed.  Business  at  this 
time  is  just  about  50  per  cent  of  normal,  or  be- 
fore the  flood.  'This  picture,  like  all  the  others 
featuring  this  star,  was  100  per  cent  insofar  as 
entertainment.  However,  due  to  conditions,  our 
receipts  on  it  were  just  50  per  cent  of  the  aver- 
age receipts  on  this  star’s  pictures.  We  lost 
money  but  as  this  is  the  first,  we  are  satisfied. 
It  was  surely  no  fault  of  the  picture.  One  lady 
told  the  writer  that  it  was  the  best  picture  she 
had  ever  witnessed  in  our  theatre.  Several  days 
ago  the  writer  noticed  in  the  “Exhibitor’s  Her- 
ald” a report  on  “Irene.”  This  report  went  on 
to  say  that  it  was  the  first  picture  of  this  star 
he  had  played.  Had  to  wipe  my  glasses  and 
read  again,  but  sure  that’s  what  it  said.  What 
we  cannot  understand  is  how  can  anyone  be  in 


NATIONAL  SCREEN  SERVICEl 

Dishibuled  ihrou^oul  lh&  Unihd  States  from 

CHICAGO  NEW  YORK  LOS  ANGELES 

845  S.Wabash  Ave.  ^ 126-130  W.46'*St.  • 1922  S. Vermont  Ave. 


the  picture  show  game  and  not  use  this  star’s 
pictures?  Our  advice  to  this  exhibitor  is  to 
get  busy  with  his  nearest  First  National  ex- 
change and  book  all  of  this  star’s  pictures  that 
he  can  get  a good  print  on.  Go  way  back  and 
get  all  of  them  and  make  yourself  some  dough. 
We  have  played  them  all  and  just  closed  con- 
tract for  her  four  next.  Seven  reels. — J.  S. 
Landry.  Columbia  theatre,  Morganza,  La. — Small 
town  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  IN  SONORA:  Ken  Maynard — 
60%.  August  19-20.  A very  good  Western.  Six 
reels. — E.  H.  Brechler,  Opera  House,  Fenni- 
more,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

SOMEWHERE  IN  SONORA:  Ken  Maynard- 
Good  picture  and  well  liked  by  most  patrons. — 
P.  G.  Vaughan.  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — 
Suburban  patronage. 

JUST  ANOTHER  BLONDE:  Jack  Mulhall— 
31%.  Very  clever  program  picture.  Six  reels. — 
A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — 
General  patronage. 

RANSON’S  FOLLY : Richard  Barthelmess — • 
21%.  July  10.  Plenty  of  good  comments  from 
the  few  who  saw  it.  Print  okay.  Eight  reels — 
J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  theatre,  Morganza,  La. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

BABE  COMES  HOME:  Babe  Ruth— Had  to 
play  this  three  days  on  account  of  miss-out  of 
another  picture.  Did  not  come  up  to  standard 
on  second  day  and  fell  flat  on  third.  Athletic 
stars  pictures  failures  here.  Six  reels. — Garden 
theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  SCARLET  WEST:  Special  cast — July  4. 
A big  Western  which  pleased  100  per  cent.  To 
try  and  revive  business  after  the  overflow  we 
gave  this  to  our  patrons  free.  (Refugee  pic- 
ture.) Of  course  we  had  a full  house  and  was 
enjoyed  by  all.  Print  okay.  Nine  reels. — J.  S. 
Landry,  Columbia  theatre,  Morganza.  La. — Small 
town  patronage. 


Fox 

OUTLAWS  OF  RED  RIVER:  Tom  Mix— 100%. 
Tom  is  still  there  with  the  goods,  if  you  give 
him  the  right  title  and  picture.  Biggest  Sab 
urday  this  summer.  Six  reels. — Garden  theatre. 
St.  Clair,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

WAR  HORSE:  Buck  Jones — 71%.  August  20. 
A good  picture  but  would  rather  .see  Buck  Jones 
in  Westerns.  This  is  a war  picture.  However, 
it  did  a very  big  business  and  came  close  to 
breaking  house  record  for  Saturday  for  this  year. 
Drew  more  business  in  one  night  than  opposi- 
tion did  in  three  nights  with  “Love  of  Sunya.” 
Six  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton, 
Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

HARD  BOILED:  Tom  Mix — 70%.  August 
14-15.  More  people  tell  me  how  tired  they  are 
of  Tom  Mix  than  of  any  other  actor,  yet,  every 
time  we  run  him  the  box  office  barometer  goes 
up,  so  why  worry.  ’This  is  a humorous  darn 
thing  that  goes  over.  Personally,  liked  it  better 
than  a lot  of  his  impossible  stunt  Westerns. 
These  impossible  stunts  being  introduced  into 
Mix  and  ’Thomson  pictures  do  ruin  the  show 
for  a lot  of  people  and  should  be  toned  down. — ■ 
Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon.  Idaho. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

BRONCHO  TWISTER:  Tom  Mix— 60%.  Au- 
gust 12-13.  Another  good  Mix  picture  to  big 
business  two  nights.  Gave  good  satisfaction. 
Seven  reels. — R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chil- 
ton, Wis. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LAST  TRAIL:  Tom  Mix— 84%.  August 
13.  A very  pleasing  program  that  pulled  a big 
house  for  us.  It  is  a fast  moving  picture  with 
just  enough  comedy  to  make  it  go  over  in  fine 
shape.  You  won’t  make  any  mistake  in  playing 
this  one.  Six  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion 
theatre,  Holyrood,  Kan.- — Small  town  patronage. 

THREE  BAD  MEN : Special  cast — 44%.  Au- 
gust 19-20.  This  is  an  old  timer  but  I couldn’t 
get  around  to  play  it  sooner.  I am  unable  to 
understand  why  it  didn’t  draw  for  me  but  busi- 


5 AUTOMATIC  TICKET  KE6ISTER  CORF 

723  Sg-vgxxn  AveMtjg.  Wfew  ’Vown  CITY  _ 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


61 


J.  C.  Jenkins— ^is  Colyum 


OMAHA,  NEB.,  August  28,  1927. 

DEAR  HERALD: 

It  is  just  about  out  of  the  question  for  us  to  get  our  mind  off  of  Kansas  City, 
because  of  the  reception  we  received  from  the  exchange  managers  there  last 
week.  If  the  exhibitors  in  the  Kansas  City  territory  have  a kick  to  register 
against  any  exchange  we  would  not  know  just  which  one  it  would  be.  We  can’t 
conceive  of  any  exhibitor  going  into  any  one  of  those  exchanges  with  a chip  on  his 
shoulder  and  going  out  with  other  than  the  kindliest  feelings  for  the  office  force. 
We  are  more  familiar  with  the  workings  of  the  Warner  Brothers  office  than  any  of 
the  others  because  Harry  E.  Strickland  insisted  on  our  making  his  office  our  head- 
quarters while  in  the  city,  and  did  other  things  for  us  for  which  we  will  always  feel 
indebted. 

Miss  Virginia  McMullen,  Harry’s  secretary — and  I might  add  his  confidential  ad- 
viser— denied  emphatically  any  relationship  to  Nebraska’s  governor.  We  told  her 
that  she  was  passing  up  a good  bet  by  her  denial  because  the  governor  was  the  Ne- 
braska ballyboo  for  Frank  Lowden  for  President,  but  that  the  ballyhoo  was  a one- 
man  proposition  so  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  discover.  There  are  two  important 
factors  that  ought  to  make  Warner  Brothers’  product  popular  in  the  K.  C.  territory, 
viz.:  Harry  E.  Strickland  and  Virginia  McMullen.  At  least  they  are  both  mighty 
popular  with  us. 

The  Kansas  City  Film  Delivery  Company  seems  to  he  performing  a very  satisfac- 
tory service  from  all  accounts  we  could  get.  This  company  collects  the  film  from 
the  various  exchanges,  takes  it  to  its  office,  checks  each  shipment  with  the  exchange 
list  before  sending  it  out  and  in  this  way  catches  any  possible  mistake  that  might 
be  made  in  the  exchange.  This  company  handles  all  film  to  be  delivered  within  a 
radius  of  100  miles  and  for  practically  the  same  cost  as  parcel  post. 

We  were  told  hy  the  manager  that  this  company  is  soon  to  open  branch  offices 
in  Denver  and  in  Omaha. 

W.  E.  Truog,  division  manager  for  Universal,  must  have  to  keep  his  working 
clothes  on  24  hours  a day,  for  he  has  under  his  supervision  the  exchanges  of  Min- 
neapolis, Des  Moines,  Sioux  Falls,  Omaha,  Kansas  City,  St.  Louis,  Wichita,  Okla- 
homa City,  Dallas  and  San  Antonio,  and  if  this  job  won’t  bold  a man’s  nose  to  the 
grindstone  then  “thar  hain’t  no  grindstone.” 

We  are  mighty  glad  we  had  the  opportunity  of  meeting  him  because  anybody 
would  be  glad  to  meet  him,  drunk  or  sober,  and  we  were  both  sober,  and  that’s 
another  reason  why  we  were  glad  to  meet  him  and  a further  reason  why  we  liked 
Kansas  City. 

We  had  the  pleasure  of  meeting  another  chap,  a young  fellow  by  the  name  of 
A1  Steen.  A1  is  the  big  pollywog  on  the  Reel  Journal,  his  name  appearing  as  editor- 
in-chief.  Hurrah  for  Al! 

We  came  mighty  near  missing  Ben  Shylen.  Ben  is  a blonde,  but  it  is  no  fault  of 
his  and  he  shouldn’t  be  held  responsible  for  it.  Ben  is  president  of  an  association 
known  as  The  Consolidated  Association  of  Regional  Papers,  which  includes  the  cities 
of  Omaha,  Des  Moines,  Detroit,  Kansas  City,  Oklahoma  City  and  Dallas  and  one 
paper  in  Chicago.  Three  cheers  for  Ben! 

Therefore,  having  again  elucidated  to  some  extent  on  Kansas  City  and  some  of 
her  citizens,  we  will  proceed  to  other  matters. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 


North  Kansas  City  is  beginning  to  feel  her  oats.  She  looks  across  the  river  at 
K.  C.  proper  and  says,  “Oh,  you  big  hunk  of  cheese,  just  wait  until  we  shed  our 
swaddling  clothes  and  then  we  will  annex  you  and  Kansas  City,  Kan.,  both.”  And 
stranger  things  have  happened.  North  K.  C.  has  some  of  the  largest  elevators  in 
the  world,  she  has  some  immense  flour  mills,  she  has  a number  of  large  factories, 
she  looks  like  the  making  of  a real  town.  The  townsite  is  owned  by  Swift,  Armour 
and  tbe  Burlington  railroad  and  is  in  tbe  bands  of  a selling  corporation  that 
handles  the  business  for  these  various  interests. 

G.  W.  Hartman  operates  the  only  theatre  there  at  present,  but  has  approved  plans 
for  a fine  theatre  to  meeting  the  growing  needs  of  the  town  and  he  said  he  has  an 
exclusive  theatre  right  in  the  town  for  10  years  which  was  granted  him  by  this 
selling  corporation.  Soft?  Well,  yes  mam,  soft  is  right.  G.  W.  took  us  under  his 
wing  and  showed  us  over  the  town  and  treated  us  just  like  we  were  his  grand- 
father. G.  W.  reads  the  HERALD,  is  prominent  in  city  affairs,  and  that’s  why 
North  Kansas  City  is  going  to  amount  to  something. 

— —The  Herald  Pills  a Want  None  Others  Do — 


We  met  Abe  Shafer  in  K.  C.  Abe  operates  an  airdome  in  Edgerton,  and  he  gave 
us  an  outline  of  a birthday  stunt  he  pulled  at  his  airdome  that  would  have  wrecked 
the  place  only  for  a big  rainstorm  wbicb  intervened.  We  didn’t  get  the  full  par- 
ticulars, as  he  was  busy  trying  to  impress  on  Mr.  Knight  of  the  Universal  exchange 
that  his  check  for  over  six  million  might  be  turned  down  at  the  home  bank,  so  we 
are  going  to  ask  Abe  to  write  tbis  stunt  up  for  the  boys  and  send  it  to  the  HERALD. 
That’s  what  Abe  has  to  do  as  a penalty  for  being  away  from  home  when  we  called. 
Come  across,  old  timer. 

T’he  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

The  only  change  we  could  note  in  John  Egli  of  the  Hickory  theatre  in  St.  Joe, 
since  we  met  him  last  spring,  is  that  he  has  got  a lot  better.  John  just  simply 

{Continued  on  following  page) 


ness  was  very  poor.  Everyone  was  exceptionally 
well  pleased  with  the  picture.  Nine  reels. — 
S.  G.  Ihde,  Photoplay  theatre,  Ashland,  Kan. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

desert  valley  : Buck  Jones — 26%.  Au- 
gust 13.  A very  good  Jonee  picture  that  your 
patrons  will  like.  Print  first  class. — J.  S.  Lan- 
dry. Columbia  theatre,  Morganza,  La. — Small 
town  patronage. 

UPSTREAM:  Earle  Fox— 12%.  July  24.  Not 
much.  A bunch  of  starving  actors  trying  to 
make  a living.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town 
patronage. 

IS  ZAT  SO:  George  O’Brien — A prize  fighter 
and  his  manager  in  high  society.  Good  enter- 
taining picture.  Edmund  Loew  excellent. 
Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss.  Arvada 
theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

GOOD  AS  GOLD:  Buck  Jones — Good  Western. 
Plenty  of  action  and  as  usual  Buck  does  his 
stuff.  Five  reels. — R.  F.  Hageman,  Pleasure  the- 
atre, Sanborn,  Minn. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GREAT  K.  AND  A.  TRAIN  ROBBERY: 
Tom  Mix — The  usual  Tom  Mi.x  picture.  Five 
reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crystal  theatre.  Tomb- 
stone, Ariz. — General  patronage. 

CANYON  OF  LIGHT:  Tom  Mix— Same  old 
Tom  Mix  stuff.  The  impossible  cleaning  up  of 
a gang  of  12  or  15  men  in  the  last  reel.  Say, 
Tom.  will  you  please  write  and  tell  me  how  you 
do  it  as  I have  worn  out  all  the  excuses  I can 
think  of  and  would  like  something  new  to  tell 
them  how  it  is  done  or  I will  try  and  get  some- 
thing that  is  more  true  to  life  as  they  are  not 
coming  so  thick  any  more.  six  reels. — R.  F. 
Hageman,  Pleasure  theatre.  Sanborn,  Minn. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THREE  IN  EXILE:  Special  cast— 60%.  Au- 
gust 26.  Just  a fair  Western.  Not  much  action, 
our  folks  like  action.  Ten  and  25.  Five  reels. — 
G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre.  Petrolia,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

THE  RETURN  OF  PETER  GRIMM:  Special 
cast — This  was  a very  good  show  and  Fox  did 
not  lie  when  he  sold  it  as  a special.  Eight  reels 
which  did  not  get  tiresome  and  follows  the  book 
very  closely.  Alex  B.  Francis  and  entire  cast 
very  good.  Eight  reels. — R.  F.  Hageman.  Pleas- 
ure theatre,  Sanborn.  Minn. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 

TWELVE  MILES  OUT:  John  Gilbert— 75%. 
July  25-2’6.  It  goes  to  show  that  John  Gilbert 
can  be  a regular  he  man  in  this  and  also  a 
woman’s  man,  too,  without  the  deep  love  scenes. 
This  is  a good  picture  of  rum  runners  with 
Joan  Crawford  and  Ernest  Torrence  excellent. 
Will  get  the  business  in  most  towns.  Eight 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

ANNIE  LAURIE:  Lillian  Gish — 80%,  Au- 
gust 23.  I was  very  much  afraid  of  this  because 
of  Scotch  atmosphere  and  costume  type,  besides 
Gish  never  meant  anything  to  me  as  a draw  and 
from  reports  was  very  much  afraid.  However, 
it  proved  a surprise  to  me  from  both  the  draw 
and  satisfaction.  Many,  many  fine  expressions 
of  gratification  from  audience  was  the  reaction, 
which  might  have  been  partly  due  to  our  newly 
installed  Wicks  theatre  organ  which  helped  put 
it  over  with  a bang.  Nine  reels. — Joe  Hewitt, 
Strand  theatre,  Robinson,  III. — General  patronage. 

ANNIE  LAURIE:  Lilliam  Gish — 50%,  Au- 
gust 21-22,  This  picture  will  please  about  80  per 
cent  of  the  people.  The  only  fault  with  it  is  the 
length.  Nine  reels. — E.  H.  Brechler,  Opera 
House,  Fennimore,  Wis. — General  patronage. 

THE  BUGLE  CALL:  Jackie  Coogan — 85%. 
August  25.  The  trade  and  fans  alike  have  been 
watching  Jackie  grow  up  and  wondering  how  he 
will  be  able  to  hold  his  own.  Well,  if  this  is 
any  criterion  to  go  by  Jackie  is  holding  his 
own  and  the  “kid”  really  shows  further  quali- 
ties of  acting.  Pulled  my  first  vacation  ma- 
tinee (kids)  in  years  and  got  the  surprise  of 
my  life,  as  they  are  hard  to  draw  outside  of  school 
time.  Picture  drew  fine  two  days.  Six  reels. — 
Joe  Hewitt,  Strand  theatre,  Robinson,  111. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

THE  BUGLE  CALL:  Jackie  Coogan— 70%. 
August  15.  Jackie’s  latest.  Drew  and  pleased. 
Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  the- 
atre, Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

AFTER  MIDNIGHT ; Norma  Shearer— 65%. 
August  25-26.  Love,  laughter  and  tears  before 
and  “After  Midnight.”  Norma  and  Larry  Grey 
as  a cigarette  night  club  girl  and  a low  down 
crook  with  a heart  of  gold.  We  find  this  pic- 
ture to  please  our  Thursday  and  Friday  crowd. 


Seven  reels. — ’Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada 
theatre,  Aravda,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

ON  ZE  BOULEVARD:  Lew  Cody— 23%.  Au- 
gust 13.  Pretty  good,  but  no  draw,  on  “Ze” 
killed  it.  Sounded  like  French  and  they  stayed 
away.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Pruess,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 


CAPTAIN  SALVATION:  Special  cast— 33%. 
August  21.  A good  picture  of  its  kind,  but  too 
rough  and  appealed  to  male  patrons  only.  Poor 
business.  Eight  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

SLIDE,  KELLY,  SUDE;  and  THE  RED 
MILL:  Special  casts — 100%.  Very  good  enter- 

tainment that  pleased  all.  When  the  producers 


62 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


J.  C.  Jenkins — His  Colyum 


{Continued  from  preceding  page) 

grabs  onto  you  and  hangs  on  and  he  won’t  take  no  for  an  answer,  so  we  gave  up 
and  did  just  what  John  wanted  us  to  do,  and  that  was  a plenty.  John  knows  every- 
body in  St.  Joe  and  everybody  in  St.  Joe  knows  John.  John  has  mighty  good 
judgment.  He  came  clear  from  Switzerland  to  mary  Mrs.  John  and  she  is  proof 
of  this  assertion. 

We  want  to  publicly  thank  John  for  his  treatment  of  us  and  also  for  sending  our 
portfolio,  which  we  left  in  his  car,  to  Omaha. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

Wlien  we  called  at  the  Globe  theatre  in  Savannah,  A.  E.  Sharer  said,  “Well,  I 
never  expected  you'd  make  this  place  a visit.”  And  we  replied,  “Boy,  look  us 
over,  there  is  Clara  out  there  and  why  should  you  form  such  conclusions?”  We 
had  a short,  but  very  pleasant  visit,  for  we  were  in  a hurry  to  get  to  Clarinda,  la., 
for  the  night. 

We  wanted  to  get  to  Clarinda  on  account  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  F.  Vantassel  and 
their  daughter,  Mrs.  Budd,  and  her  husband  who  operate  the  Armory  theatre.  We 
spent  the  night  in  Clarinda  once  before  and  met  these  people.  That’s  why  we 
wanted  to  go  back  again.  It  was  dark  when  we  got  there  and  J.  F.  was  playing 
the  second  show,  which  was  a Cecil  B.  DeMille  picture,  “His  Dog,”  with  Joseph 
Schildkraut  and  Julia  Faye. 

This  isn’t  a BIG  picture,  but  it  is  a MIGHTY  GOOD  one.  We  liked  it  immensely, 
probably  because  we  are  a lover  of  a dog.  Schildkraut  put  feeling  in  this  picture 
by  his  facial  expressions  that  put  a lump  of  hard  coal  in  our  throat  as  big  as  a 
baseball.  We  swallowed  it  finally  and  then  J.  F.  took  us  up  to  his  house  and  proved 
to  us  that,  no  matter  how  much  it  rained,  the  water  could  never  get  into  his  cellar. 

If  all  people  in  this  country  were  built  on  the  same  plans  and  specifications  as 
these  people,  we’d  have  no  need  for  courts  or  court  officers,  and  we’d  salute  Old 
Glory  with  a greater  degree  of  reverence  and  thank  God  that  we  are  American  citi- 
zens. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

We  are  unalterably  opposed  to  the  use  of  profanity.  To  use  it  is  one  of  the 
symptoms  of  degeneracy,  and  we  all  have  too  many  already,  but — - 

Did  any  of  you  boys  ever  have  hay  fever?  We  got  it  this  morning  just  as  our 
tootsie  wootsies  hit  the  floor,  when  we  got  out  of  bed  and  we  have  sneezed  on 
everything  in  town  except  the  home  for  the  feeble-minded.  There  has  been  enough 
water  run  out  of  our  eyes  and  nose  to  float  a gunboat.  We  have  changed  our  socks 
three  times  and  haven’t  a dry  pair  left,  so  if  any  of  you  guys  can  handle  emphatic 
language  please  come  over  here  and  sit  down  by  us  for  a spell.  Maybe  we  can  use 
you.  Five  hundred  people  have  said  today,  “Whatsmatter,  got  hay  fever?”  When 
they  knew  doggone  well  we  had,  and  the  next  one  that  asks  that  question  we  are 
going  to  lose  our  grip  on  our  high  ideals  and  start  slipping  and  are  liable  to  say, 
“Snoneofyourdambusinesswhatwe’vegot,”  just  like  that. 

Tile  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

We  are  in  receipt  of  a letter  from  E.  T.  Dunlap,  who  operates  the  Dunlap  theatre 
at  Haywarden,  la.,  and  we  are  relaying  it  on  to  the  HERALD.  Perhaps  this  should 
go  to  Adeline  Further,  since  he  is  evidently  making  application  for  membership  in 
the  Poetry  Club,  for  he  warbles  forth  like  a nightingale  as  follows: 

rO  OUR  CLARA 

On  the  west  plains,  darling  Clara, 

’Neath  the  moonlight’s  silvery  sheen. 

You  are  always  and  forever 

My  ring-bone,  spavined  queen. 

We  don’t  know  whether  to  take  that  as  a compliment  or  a slam  on  Clara,  but  if 
it  don’t  get  him  into  that  Poetry  Cluh  then  it’s  the  bug  house  for  another  exhibitor. 

The  Herald  Fills  a Want  None  Others  Do 

But  speaking  of  Clara  reminds  us  that  some  one  said  in  the  HERALD  that  Clara 
was  writing  us  a letter.  It  has  had  plenty  of  time  to  get  here,  but  we  haven’t  heard 
from  Clara  yet.  She  has,  no  doubt,  been  influenced  by  that  statement  that  Stettmund 
of  Chandler,  Okla.,  broadcast  through  the  HERALD  when  we  were  a candidate  in 
that  Exhibitors’  Beauty  Contest  which  statement  said  that  we  were  85  years  old  and 
the  father  of  19  children. 

Up  until  that  statement  was  broadcasted  we  had  that  contest  won  with  both  hands 
in  our  pockets,  but  as  soon  as  that  came  out  it  turned  every  flapper  vote  against  us. 
We  don’t  know  what  Stettmund  got  out  of  it,  but  we  have  always  had  our  suspicions 
that  Grasshopper  Sprague  and  “Fishy”  PhU  had  something  to  do  with  it.  If  Stett- 
mund knows  the  truth  when  he  sees  it,  we  wish  he’d  have  a little  higher  regard  for  it. 

Hold  on.  Jay,  we  are  going  to  sneeze  again.  Wait  a minute  until  we  get  another 
dry  sheet. 

J.  C.  JENKINS, 

The  HERALD  man. 


make  up  their  minds  to  give  us  fewer  pictures 
and  more  of  this  class,  it  will  be  better  for  the 
indiKtry. — Garden  theatre,  St.  Clair,  Mich. — 
General  patronage. 

SLIDE.  KELLY,  SLIDE:  William  Haines— 
65%.  August  23.  You  can’t  go  wrong  with  this 
one,  it’s  funny.  Baseball  story.  Ten  and  25 
admission.  Eight  reels. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia 
theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

THE  FIRE  BRIGADE:  Special  caet— 100%. 
August  23-24.  Here  is  a genuine  fire  picture 
that  has  everything.  It  is  beyond  a doubt  the 


best  picture  of  its  type  ever  produced  and  it 
will  please  more  than  just  those  who  like  spec- 
tacular thrilling  melodrama.  Seven  reels. — Homer 
P.  Morley,  Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

FRISCO  SALLY  LEVY;  Sally  O’Neil— 70%. 
August  14-15.  A good  Irieh-Jewish  comedy  play. 
Proved  entertaining.  Sally  O’Neil  very  good. 
Good  business  on  Sunday  and  biggest  Monday 
business  for  a long  time.  Seven  reels. — ^R.  Pfeif- 
fer. Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small  town 
patronage. 


THE  DEMI-BRIDE:  Norma  Shearer — 36%. 
August  22-23.  Consider  this  to  be  the  weakest 
subject  this  star  has  put  out  since  I can  re- 
member. Drew  as  weil  as  could  be  expected. 
Eight  reels. — S.  G.  Ihde,  Photoplay  theatre,  Ash- 
land, Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  DEMI-BRIDE:  Norma  Shearer — 30%. 
July  27-28.  This  is  a real  society  show.  Too 
much  for  small  towns,  but  it  is  real  snappy. 
Eight  reels. — O.  A.  Halsted,  Cozy  theatre,  Duc- 
hesne, Utah. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  DEMI-BRIDE:  Norma  Shearer — 'This  is 
not  the  best  thing  that  Norma  has  done  but 
nevertheless  it  is  a good  comedy,  and  after  the 
first  two  reels  Norma  comes  into  her  style  and 
goes  over  big.  Seven  reels. — R.  F.  Hageman, 
Pleasure  theatre,  Sanborn,  Minn. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  UNKNOWN:  Lon  Chaney — 61%.  Augrust 
14.  Chaney  does  another  wonderful  performance 
in  this  but  the  picture  was  too  heavy  for  the 
ladies  as  a great  many  said  they  did  not  like  it. 
The  picture  drew  them  in  and  after  all  that  is 
what  counts.  Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand 
theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — -General  patronage. 

TIN  HATS:  Special  cast — 65%.  Very  good  of 
its  kind,  but  did  not  come  up  to  expectations. 
$40  short  as  compared  with  “Slide,  Kelly,  Slide” 
and  $15  as  compared  with  "The  Red  Mill.”  War 
farce  comedies  losing  out  as  compared  with 
comedy  dramas.  Seven  reels. — Garden  theatre, 
St.  Clair,  Mich. — General  patronage. 

THE  UNDERSTANDING  HEART:  Special  cast 
— 38%.  August  15-16.  Mighty  fine  picture  that 
should  go  over  very  good,  especially  in  small 
towns.  Eight  reels. — S.  G.  Ihde,  Photoplay  the- 
atre, Ashland,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies— 100%. 
July  31.  A 100  per  cent  attraction  in  every  re- 
spect. Seven  reels.— Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess 
theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies — 64%. 
August  <8-9.  Good.  Drew  better  than  any  aver- 
age Monday  and  Tuesday  business  and  I had  to 
compete  with  Chautauqua  besides.  Most  every- 
one seemed  to  like  it  very  well.  Seven  reels. — 
S.  G.  Ihde,  Photoplay  theatre,  Ashland,  Kan. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

TILLIE  THE  TOILER:  Marion  Davies^^One 
couldn’t  expect  a very  heavy  story  from  a comic 
strip  picture  but  Marion  works  hard  and  it 
makes  a clean  light  entertainment.  Don’t  prom- 
ise too  much  but  rely  on  people’s  familiarity  with 
title  to  get  them  in.  It  is  amusing  but  not 
funny.  Six  reels. — Guy  S.  Abbott,  Homline  the- 
atre, Estelline,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

THERE  YOU  ARE:  Conrad  Nagel— 18%.  Au- 
gust 19.  A good  program  picture.  Six  reels. — 
R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — Small 
town  patronage. 

THERE  YOU  ARE:  Conrad  Nagel— August  13. 
A pretty  good  picture.  Very  funny.  'Thanks, 
Conrad,  for  the  photo.  Six  reels. — Andrew  Rapp, 
Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

DESERTS  TOLL:  Francis  McDonald— 48%. 
August  10-11.  This  is  as  good  a Western  pic- 
ture as  we  have  had.  Three  cheers  for  Francis 
McDonald.  He  is  well  liked  in  our  town  and 
draws  a real  nice  crowd.  Beautiful  scenery 
taken  in  Zion  National  park.  Six  reels.— O.  A. 
Halsted,  Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small 
town  patronage. 

LOVERS:  Special  cast — 32%.  August  3.  One 
day  to  slim  house.  Pleased  very  few.  Acting 
good.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Ar- 
vada theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

MOCKERY : Lon  Chaney — Not  Chaney’s  best, 
but  at  that  it  got  Chaney  fan’s  out  in  bad 
weather.  A Russian  picture.  Seven  reels. — Mrs. 
Richard  A.  Preuss.  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. 
— Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CALLAHANS  AND  MURPHYS:  Special 
cast — A regular  shanty-Irish  comedy  that’s  a 
little  rough  but  all  in  fun  and  with  the  objec- 
tionable gag  about  the  Jewish  baby  that  they 
had  hung  on  the  ending  removed  (thanks  no 
doubt  to  Mr.  T.  O.  Service’s  tip).  I see  no  rea- 
son for  anyone  taking  objection  to  this  picture 
any  more  than  to  any  take-off  on  any  other 
race.  My  audiences  had  a great  evening’s  en- 
tertainment and  there  were  plenty  of  Irish  there. 
Seven  reels. — Guy  S.  Abbott,  Homline  theatre, 
Estelline,  S.  D. — General  patronage. 

TELL  IT  TO  THE  MARINES:  Lon  Chaney- 
August  16-17.  Here  is  a very  good  picture.  I 
ran  it  two  days.  Had  a big  crowd  first  night 
but  second  night  didn’t  get  many  on  account  of 
rain.  William  Haines  wonderful  in  this  pic- 


beptember  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


63 


ture.  I would  like  an  autographed  photo  of 
him.  Ten  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

FAUST:  Emil  Jannings — Hell,  fire  and  dam- 
nation in  a wad.  This  about  the  sorriest  that 
Metro  has  ever  put  out.  Talk  about  the  beauty- 
in  it.  Well.  I just  didn’t  see  it.  If  you  had 
read  the  play,  you  might  have  liked  it  better, 
but  not  one  in  100  have  read  it.  Nine  reels. — 
F.  R'.  Odle,  Palace  theatre,  Meridan,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

Paramount 

RUNNING  WILD:  W.  C.  Fields— 60%.  Au- 
gust 20.  Gee!  This  is  good  and  very  entertain- 
ing. Pleased  a Saturday  night  crowd  fine.  Seven 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

TIP  TOES:  Dorothy  Gish — August  17.  An- 
other one  of  those  across  the  country  musical 
comedy  pictures.  Good  title  but  not  much  of  a 
picture.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  WORLD  AT  HER  FEET:  Florence  Vidor 
— 23%.  August  10.  Good  but  no  box  office  ap- 
peal. Flopped.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

CABARET:  Gilda  Gray— 30%.  August  22. 

This  lady  can  act  as  well  as  dance.  The  story 
is  good  and  seemed  to  please  all  who  saw  it. 
Seven  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Raini- 
er, Ore. — General  patronage. 

LET  IT  RAIN : Douglas  Maclean — 80%.  A 
side  ripping  comedy  of  the  marines  and  gobs. 
A good  story  and  cast.  Much  better  than  "Hold 
That  Lion.”  Douglas  is  better  in  this  than  any- 
thing since  he  left  Thos.  H.  Ince.  In  fact,  this 
one  reminds  us  of  some  of  his  old  pictures.  The 
color  photography  in  the  last  reel  lends  much  to 
the  feeling  of  patriotism  and  sends  them  away 
pleased.  Six  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera 
House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

MANTRAP:  Clara  Bow — 57%.  August  19-20. 
Clara's  acting  saved  the  picture.  Six  reels. — Fred 
H.  Rector,  Roseland  theatre,  Chilhowie,  Va. — 
General  patronage. 

STRANDED  IN  PARIS:  Bebe  Daniels— 85%. 
August  9-10.  This  is  pleasing  and  Miss  Daniels 
scores  again  with  her  comedy.  Her  power  to 
make  herself  understood,  and  her  freedom  from 
imitation  place  her  in  the  ranks  of  the  screen’s 
foremost  comediennes.  There  is  an  unusual  epi- 
sode of  pantomine  in  this.  Seven  reels. — Helen 
Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — 
General  patronage. 

CASEY  AT  THE  BAT:  Wallace  Beery— 80%. 
August  17.  A good  comedy  although  the  beer 
keg  scenes  might  be  objectionable  in  some  towns. 
— B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

PARADISE  FOR  TWO:  Richard  Dix— 70%. 
August  1.  Quite  a drop  from  “The  Quarter- 
back.” Dix  deserves  better  and  my  patrons  ex- 
pect better.  The  picture  is  all  right  of  its  kind, 
but  this  star  has  dramatic  ability  and  he  proved 
it  in  “The  Vanishing  American.”  Too  light  and 
too  much  comedy  to  make  much  impression.  Six 
reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House, 
Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— 30%. 
August  10-11.  A very  good  comedy  which  should 
please  if  you  can  get  them  in.  Had  no  drawing 
power  whatsoever  for  me.  Eddie  works  hard 
to  put  it  over  and  does,  but  the  public  evidently 
doesn’t  care  for  him  in  pictures.  This  would 
have  made  an  ideal  vehicle  for  Lloyd.  Six  reels. 
- — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 
■ — Suburban  patronage. 

SPECIAL  DELIVERY:  Eddie  Cantor— 19%. 
August  17.  Not  a special  but  a fair  program 
comedy,  and  a poor  drawing  card  here.  Six 
reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

NELL  GWYN:  Dorothy  Gish— 80%.  Had  I 
played  this  picture  this  winter  I am  sure  it 
would  have  pleased,  but  it  did  not  please  10  per 
cent.  Not  enough  action  for  a crowd  of  people 
who  crave  action.  Seven  reels. — Lester  N.  Leek, 
Club  House,  Jackson,  Wyo. — General  patronage. 

THE  NEW  KLONDIKE:  Thomas  Meighan— 
20%.  August  7.  Our  patrons  did  not  like  this. 
However,  we  think  that  if  your  patrons  like  base- 
ball this  will  please  them.  Print  in  good  condi- 
tion.— J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  theatre,  Morganza, 
La. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  RAINMAKER:  Ernest  Torrence— 25%. 
August  13.  I didn’t  see  this  but  some  of  my 


patrons  said  it  was  good.  It  rained,  consequent- 
ly, a low  percentage.  Seven  reels. — Minnie  M. 
Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

ALOMA  OF  THE  SOUTH  SEAS:  Gilda  Gray 
• — 12%.  August  10.  Was  very  much  disappointed 
in  this  one  as  it  failed  to  draw  and  the  few  who 
came  to  see  it  said  they  did  not  particularly  care 
for  it.  Nine  reels. — S.  G.  Ihde,  Photoplay  theatre, 
Ashland,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CAMPUS  FURT:  Bebe  Daniels— 70%. 
August  20.  A fine  program  offering  that  re- 
ceived many  favorable  comments.  A nice  clean 
picture  that  is  full  of  comedy  and  action.  This 
is  as  good  as  some  of  the  so-called  specials  that 
we  have  played.  You  can’t  go  wrong  on  this 
one.  Seven  reels. — Paul  B.  Hoffman,  Legion  the- 
atre, Holyrood,  Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

LOVERS  IN  QUARANTINE:  Bebe  Daniels— 
20%.  July  24.  This  is  a little  old.  but  if  you 
have  not  played  it,  do  so  by  all  means.  Fine 
picture  and  what  our  patrons  said  was  100  per 
cent.  Print  out  of  New  Orleans  in  good  condi- 
tion.— J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  theatre,  Morganza, 
La. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  ENCHANTED  HILL:  Jack  Holt— 15%. 
August  7.  Old  but  good  and  print  which  we 
received  out  of  New  Orleans  exchange  was  in 
perfect  condition.  If  you  haven’t  played  this 
and  your  exchange  can  furnish  you  a good  print, 
play  it  by  all  means. — J.  S.  Landi-y,  Columbia 
theatre,  Morganza,  La. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  PALM  BEACH  GIRL:  Bebe  Daniels- 
August  12-13.  This  one  is  a wow.  From  the 
title  you  would  think  it  was  a bathing  beauty 
picture  but  it  is  a thrilling  exciting  comedy 
from  start  to  finish.  The  boat  race  is  great. 
Just  book  it  and  step  on  it  and  you  won’t  go 
wrong.  I think  there  must  have  been  a little 
fire  in  the  smoke  that  blacked  Bebe’s  face  in  the 
start  which  set  her  to  going  for  she  sure  did  put 
it  on.  Seven  reels. — Ethel  M.  Hanson,  Lincoln 
theatre.  Elm  Creek,  Neb. — General  patronage. 

FASCINATING  YOUTH : Junior  Stars  of  1926 
• — 50%.  Very  pleasing  and  buoyant  with  youth. 
Juniors  well  cast  and  directed.  Seven  reels. — 
W.  W.  Peine.  American  theatre,  Minier,  III. — 
General  patronage. 

A SON  OF  HIS  FATHER:  Special  cast— 21%. 
July  31.  Those  who  saw  this  picture  said  it 
was  just  fine.  Plenty  of  comments.  All  favorable. 
Print  okay. — J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  theatre, 
Morganza,  La. — Small  town  patronage. 

FIREMEN  SAVE  MY  CHILD:  Special  cast— 
August  23-24.  It  had  to  rain  the  first  night  and 
that  spoiled  business.  It’s  a shame  on  a picture 
with  this  100  per  cent  comedy  team.  Beery  as 
Apel  was  great.  Kennedy  and  Hatton  o.  k.  A 
good  comedy  with  lots  of  laughs.  Good  paper 
and  cuts.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper — Lots  of 
wild  action,  but  only  a fair  Western.  Five  reels. 
— Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre.  Ar- 
vada, Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

ARIZONA  BOUND:  Gary  Cooper — A good 
picture.  Cut  the  price  but  could  not  get  them 


in.  Five  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan.  Sun  theatre. 
Kansas  City,  Mo. — Suburban  patronage. 

THE  MYSTERIOUS  RIDER:  Jack  Holt— Fair 
picture  but  did  not  draw  as  Holt’s  usually  do. 
Six  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas 
City.  Mo. — Suburban  patronage. 

THE  MAN  OF  THE  FOREST:  Jack  Holt- 
August  13.  A good  Zane  Grey,  and  went  over 
big  here  as  all  of  his  stories  do.  Six  reels. — 
B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas,  Wash. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

SAY  IT  AGAIN:  Richard  Dix— August  19-20. 
Can’t  say  much  for  this  one.  Not  as  good  as 
the  average  Dix  pictures.  Better  lay  off  as  it 
will  knock  Dix  as  a star.  Eight  reels. — Ethel 
M.  Hanson.  Lincoln  theatre.  Elm  Creek,  Neb. — 
General  patronage. 

A KISS  IN  A TAXI:  Bebe  Daniels— One  of 
Bebe’s  poorest.  Deliver  me  from  American  ac- 
treesses  that  try  to  act  French.  Six  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Subur- 
ban patronage. 

Pathe-P  D C 

CRUISE  OF  THE  JASPER  B:  Rod  LaR'ocque 
— 50%,  July  12.  I booked  this  for  two  days  but 
took  it  off  after  the  first  day.  It  is  a shame  to 
waste  Rod  LaRocque  in  anything:  like  this,  after 
he  has  proven  his  ability  to  really  act.  I bought 
this  to  be  burlesque  and  it  turned  out  worse 
than  slap-stick.  It  was  beautifully  photographed 
if  that  means  anything,  and  Mildred  Harris 
showed  some  of  her  old  charm,  but  that’s  all  I 
can  give  it.  Six  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s 
Opera  House.  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

NOBODY’S  WIDOW:  Leatrice  Joy~70%.  July 
19-20.  Entertainment  for  the  grown-ups,  but 
don’t  entice  the  children.  Slightly  above  the 
star’s  usual  offering.  Should  go  in  houses  used 
to  this  star’s  pictures.  Seven  reels. — Helen  Ul- 
man, Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

WEST  OF  BROADWAY:  Priscilla  Dean— 
75%.  August  23-24.  An  entirely  new  story  idea 
and  rich  in  entertainment.  Some  very  good  ach- 
ing in  this.  Adeptly  handled  and  holds  interest 
until  the  final  fade-out.  This  is  what  I want. 
The  old  story  ideas  and  some  of  the  old  players 
are  no  longer  pleasing  my  fans.  New  faces  and 
new  stories  seems  to  be  the  slogan  for  the  com- 
ing year.  Seven  reels.— Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s 
Oi>era  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

HER  MAN  O’WAR:  Jetta  Goudal— 45%.  Au- 
gust 17-18.  Ordinary  program  picture  that  seemed 
to  please  very  well.  Six  reels. — S.  G.  Ihde,  Photo- 
play theatre,  Ashland,  Kan. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

ALASKAN  ADVENTURES:  50%.  August  17- 
18.  A good  interesting  educational  picture  which 
is  good  to  play  for  a change.  Played  “Shoulder 
Arms’’  with  same  and  did  the  biggest  Wednes- 
day-Thursday  business  for  a long  time.  Six  reels. 
— R.  Pfeiffer,  Princess  theatre,  Chilton,  Wis. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

ALASKAN  ADVENTURES:  Special  Cast^July 
19-20.  A wonderful  picture  and  no  mistake.  As 
entertainment  of  itself  it  will  hardly  stand  up 


64 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


any  more  than  would  a half  dozen  reels  of 
news,  but  it  certainly  fills  the  bill  in  a double 
feature  program.  Six  reels. — Homer  P.  Morley, 
Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town 
patronage. 

THE  BLACK  CYCLONE:  Rex— 60%.  August 
15-16.  A fine  picture.  An  old  one  that  will 
please.  Still  better  than  many  new  ones.  If 
you  haven’t  played  it  you  can  make  money  on  it, 
as  rental  is  low  and  print  and  paper  are  fine. 
Six  reels. — AI  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madison- 
ville,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

WEST  OF  BROADWAY:  Priscilla  Dean— 25%. 
August  17-18.  Like  every  producer's  picture  it 
did  not  make  the  grade  for  me.  Very  good  pic- 
ture though,  but  paper  has  no  ix)wer  to  pull 
them  in.  P.  D.  C.  are  my  “joners.”  Six  reels. — 
Al  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — 
General  patronage. 

BRAVEHEART:  Rod  LaRocque— 18%.  July  9. 
Very  good  picture,  which  was  enjoyed  by  all  the 
boys.  Rod  LaRocque  as  “Braveheart”  is  good. 
Print  first  class. — J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  theatre, 
Morganza,  La. — ^Small  town  patronage. 

THE  VOLGA  BOATMAN:  Special  cast— 56%. 
A very  wonderfully  acted  picture  of  the  Russian 
revolution.  Julia  Faye  came  near  running  away 
with  it. — ^A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Emi- 
nence, Ky. — General  patronage. 

FLAME  OF  THE  YUKON:  Special  cast— 75%. 
August  16-17.  The  snow  scenes  in  this  make  it 
good  for  summer  show.  While  an  all  star  cast, 
it  is  quite  pleasing.  The  leading  man,  Arnold 
Gray,  has  a striking  resemblance  to  the  late 
Wallace  Reid,  and  he  can  act.  The  story  is  sure 
to  please.  Seven  reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s 
Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

THREE  FACES  EAST:  Jetta  Goudal— 60%. 
August  15-16.  Intensely  interesting  spy  story 
that  drew  fairly  well. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence 
theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

PLAY  SAFE:  Monty  Banks — 45%.  A very 
satisfactory  thrill  comedy  reaching  its  climax  on 
the  deck  of  a swift  runaway  train.  Better  than 
the  average  offering  of  this  type.  Five  reels. — 
W.  W.  Peine,  American  theatre,  Minier,  111. — 
General  patronage. 

FOR  WIVES  ONLY:  Marie  Prevost— 30%. 
August  2-3.  This  was  an  average  program  pic- 
ture. Six  reels. — Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess  the- 
atre, Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

NO  CONTROL:  Phyllis  Haver — The  name  is 
enough  for  this  picture.  Did  not  do  the  busi- 
ness.— P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. — Suburban  patronage. 

NO  CONTROL:  Special  cast— August  26-27. 
Sold  and  bought  as  a special  production.  Just 
an  average  program  picture,  and  we  didn’t  ‘‘get 
off  the  lot”  and  we  didn’t  deserve  to  get  off  with 
this.  Seven  reels. — Clark  & Edwards,  Palace 
theatre,  Ashland,  O. — General  patronage. 

THE  LAST  FRONTIER:  William  Boyd— Here 
is  a picture  some  compare  with  “The  Covered 
Wagon.”  However,  we  couldn’t  see  it,  nor  our 
patrons.  The  comparison  is  about  like  comparing 
a nice  juicy  t-bone  steak  with  a piece  of  shoe. 
“Better  pictures”  is  the  cry  that  comes  from  the 
multitude  and  cleaner  ones.  Even  the  so-called 
“men  about  town”  seem  to  have  tired  of  the 
broad,  coarse  and  suggestive  pictures.  This  slant, 
however,  does  not  apply  to  “The  Last  Frontier.” 
It’s  clean.  Eight  reels. — Giacoma  Brothers,  Crys- 
tal theatre.  Tombstone,  Ariz. — General  patronage. 

THE  FRONTIER  TRAIL:  Harry  Carey— Here 
is  a peach  of  a Western  frontier,  Indian,  U.  S. 
army  post  story.  I have  run  lots  of  specials  not 
as  good  as  this  program  picture.  Good  story, 
exciting  and  interesting.  Good  cast.  Book  it. — 
Philip  Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon,  Idaho. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

Rayart 

CYCLONE  CAVALIER:  Reed  Howes— 30%. 
August  11.  This  was  a very  good  comedy  drama 
of  South  American  revolutions,  Reed,  of  course, 
falling  in  love  with  the  president’s  daughter  and 
winning  her  after  saving  the  republic  for  her 
father.  Very  trite,  but  proved  entertaining.  Five 
reels. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence, 
Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

CRACK  O’  DAWN:  Reed  Howes— 22%.  July  6. 
A very  sterotyped  auto  race  story.  Put  on  with 
our  serial  it  pleased  the  serial  fans  very  well. 
Five  reels. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Emi- 
nence, Ky. — General  patronage. 

United  Artists 

RESURRECTION:  Rod  LaRocque— 75%.  Au- 
gust 19-20.  A very  good  picture  which  will  rank 
high  for  the  year’s  output.  A love  drama  which 


Dear  Jenks  — 

1 see  by  the  HERALD  that  you 
have  been  up  in  my  neighborhood  a 
couple  of  times,  but  have  failed  to 
call  on  me.  Here  I have  kept  my 
hands  all  manicured  and  curried  so 
I could  be  ready  for  a good  hand- 
shake, and  then  you  pass  me  by. 

I used  to  he  a neighbor  of  yours 
when  I was  in  Wakefield  in  1914-18 
and  think  I met  you  in  Omaha  one 
time.  Has  that  meeting  anything  to 
do  with  your  never  calling  on  me?  I 
know  I am  a hardboiled  exhibitor  but 
sure  enjoy  meeting  a real  he-man 
once  in  awhile. 

W hen  I saw  that  you  were  headed 
this  way  I got  out  all  my  fishing  tackle 
and  a few  good  fish  pictures  taken 
in  Northern  Minnesota  thinking  you 
might  he  interested,  and  I sure  have 
some  pictures  that  would  make  a lot 
bf  fishermen  stretch  their  stories  quite 
a distance  to  equal. 

Well,  Jenks,  I always  pay  my  bills 
but  if  I had  to  run  a few  more  pic- 
tures lik'’“  Rubber  Heels”  and  “Love’s 
Greatest  Mistake”  and  that  “Midnight 
Kiss”  you  spoke  of,  I doubt  whether 
I would  be  able  to  for  long.  I'm  with 
you,  so  go  after  the  bad  ones  hard. 
Wlien  I knock  them  in  the  HERALD 
the  exchange  gets  sore  and  hands  out 
something  like  this  “Well,  it’s  just 
another  hill  we  have  to  pull  over.” 
You  know  how  it  goes. 

We  have  been  a subscriber  to  the 
HERALD  for  a good  many  years  but 
my  wife  and  I have  decided  to  let  it 
run  out,  so  you  will  have  to  come  and 
get  us  to  renew  the  subscription. 
Hawarden  is  still  in  the  same  place 
and  if  you  don’t  believe  it  by  gum, 
ask  any  salesman  and  he  will  tell 
you  where  and  who  runs  the  show. 
They  can  tell  you  plenty. 

So  long, — E.  T.  DUNLAP,  Dunlap 
theatre,  Hawarden,  la. 

P.  S. — Am  sending  you  a picture 
to  prove  my  fish  story.  This  puts 
Gailey  of  W'avne  in  the  shade. — 
E.  T.  D. 


will  go  over  in  small  towns  as  well  as  larger 
ones.  Ten  Reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Para- 
mount theatre,  Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

RESURRECTION:  Special  cast— 40%.  August 
11-12-13.  Small  towns  had  better  stay  away  from 
this  one  as  it  certainly  won’t  get  over.  Acting 
is  good  and  so  is  the  story  as  far  as  that  goes, 
but  is  far  from  a small  town  picture.  “Volga 
Boatman”  is  a much  better  picture  than  this  one. 
Ten  reels. — S.  G.  Ihde,  Photoplay  theatre.  Ash- 
land, Kan. — Small  town  patronage. 

SPARROWS:  Mary  Pickford — 70%.  Contrary 
to  various  exhibitors’  reports,  tbis  picture  seemed 
to  please  my  patrons  and  drew  an  immense 
number  of  children  as  well  as  grownups.  No 
kicks  from  anyone.  Drew  unusually  good  busi- 
ness on  Family  Nigbt.  Nine  reels. — P.  G. 
Vaughan.  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City,  Mo. — Subur- 
ban patronage. 

THE  BAT:  Special  east— 65%.  August  21-22. 
Suffering  snakes!  What  a picture.  Had  to  hire 
taxis  to  take  home  women  scared  to  go  home  in 
the  dark.  Town  lights  went  out  just  after  first 
show  and  the  kids  huddled  outside  in  the  corners 
of  the  lobby  afraid  to  venture  forth  and  expect- 
ing the  Bat  to  swoop  down  on  them  at  any  mo- 
ment. One  kid  bawled  out  in  the  middle  of  the 
picture,  “I  want  to  go  home.”  and  believe  me 
my  patrons  had  the  spooky  thrill  of  their  lives. 
We  used  weird  music  which  sure  made  ’em  grip 
their  chairs.  Fine  picture.  Book  it. — Philip 
Rand,  Rex  theatre,  Salmon.  Idaho. — General  pat- 
ronage. 

TUMBLEWEEDS:  William  S.  Hart— ’This  pic- 
ture is  historical,  built  around  the  opening  of 
the  Cherokee  strip  in  1889,  Kansas-Oklahoma. 
It  sure  pleased  and  held  better  the  second  night._ 
By  the  way,  the  old  man  who  played  in  the  first 


part  of  the  picture  in  “Tumbleweeds”  was  pres- 
ent, Doc  Martin  of  Atwood.  Kan.,  telling  how  it 
was  made  and  giving  a full  detail.  The  people 
of  St.  Francis  enjoyed  his  little  talk  after  the 
.5how  wa,s  over. — Earl  N.  Conway,  Electric  the- 
atre, St.  Francis,  Kan. — General  patronage. 

THE  SON  OF  THE  SHEIK:  Rudolph  Valen- 
tino— August  18.  Nothing  much  to  this  one.  Had 
a fair  crowd.  Seven  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Thea- 
torium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

Universal 

FAST  AND  FURIOUS:  Reginald  Denny— 
95%.  August  16-17.  If  Denny  has  lost  any  of  his 
drawing  power  with  his  last  few  pictures  this 
one  will  reinstate  him.  Enjoyed  the  best  busi- 
ness for  a long  time  and  everybody  went  out 
boosting  for  the  show,  the  theatre  and  every- 
thing pertaining  to  it.  One  of  his  best  so  far. 
Seven  reels. — Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess  theatre, 
Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

FAST  AND  FURIOUS:  Reginald  Denny— 
50%.  August  '8-9.  ’This  is  sure  fast,  funny  and 
furious  with  clever  subtitles  and  not  a draggy 
spot  in  the  six  reels.  More  like  this  one.  Six 
reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre, 
Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  patronage. 

PAINTED  PONIES:  Hoot  Gibson— 100%.  This 
is  another  good  one  with  Hoot.  Rodeo  scenes  re- 
mind you  of  “The  Calgary  Stampede,”  if  not  even 
a little  better.  Slim  Simmerville  good  for  some 
good  hearty  laughs  so  that  altogether  it  is 
splendid  entertainment.  Six  reels. — Homer  P. 
Morley.  Princess  theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small 
town  patronage. 

A DENVER  DUDE:  Hoot  Gibson— 15%.  July 
30.  Just  about  like  all  the  Gibson  pictures.  This 
star  does  not  mean  much  to  us.  Print  in  good 
condition. — J.  S.  Landry,  Columbia  theatre,  Mor- 
ganza. La. — Small  town  patronage. 

HERO  ON  HORSEBACK:  Hoot  Gibson— 44%. 
August  4-5.  Didn’t  do  tbe  usual  good  business 
that  we  always  do  on  Hoot.  A pleasing  West- 
ern comedy.  Six  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A.  Preuss, 
Arvada  theatre.  Arvada,  Col. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

GRINNING  GUNS:  Jack  Hoxie— August  19. 
Fairly  good  Western  subject  which  seemed  to 
pleased  generally.  Five  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer, 
Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

TAXI  TAXI : Edward  Everett  Horton — 44%. 
August  24.  Very  pleasing  comedy  drama.  Well 
acted  and  well  directed,  which  failed  to  draw  av- 
erage Saturday  night’s  attendance  on  an  ideal 
night.  Seven  reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan.  Sun  the- 
atre, Kansas  City,  Mo. — Suburban  patronage. 

PERCH  OF  THE  DEVIL:  Special  cast— 80%. 
July  13-14.  Substituted  this  for  “Cruise  of  the 
Jasper  B”  and  it  pleased.  Nothing  new  in  the 
story  line,  but  the  cast  was  good.  ’Theodore  Von 
Eltz  doing  very  good  work  considering  the  part 
he  had.  We  would  like  to  see  more  of  him.  ’This 
was  better  than  expected  for  summer  show.  Six 
reels. — Helen  Ulman,  Ulman’s  Opera  House,  Sal- 
isbury, Md. — General  patronage. 

BUTTERFLIES  IN  THE  RAIN:  Laura  La- 
Plante — 80%.  August  25.  Although  this  has 
neither  rain  scenes  nor  butterflies,  as  one  might 
imagine,  it  is  a picture  worthy  of  a bowery  title. 
Perhaps  this  title  is  the  first  one  they  thought 
of.  so  we  won’t  condemn  them  for  that.  The 
story  is  all  right,  but  it  is  too  long  drawn  out. 
James  Kirkwood  is  poorly  cast  as  the  leading 
man.  The  majority  of  my  patrons  want  youth- 
ful players.  Eight  reels. — Helen  Ulman.  Ulman’e 
Opera  House,  Salisbury,  Md. — General  patronage. 

THE  ICE  FLOOD : Special  cast — 90%.  August 
19-20.  Personally  I didn’t  think  so  much  of  this 
lumber  camp  picture,  but  it  seemed  to  please  a 
splendid  crowd.  Six  reels. — A.  N.  Miles,  Emi- 
nence theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

Warner  Brothers 

WHAT  EVERY  GIRL  SHOULD  KNOW:  Patsy 
Ruth  Miller — 65%.  July  17-18.  A very  interest- 
ing show  indeed.  A good  moral  lesson  worth  the 
time  spent  in  seeing  it.  Appreciated  by  both 
old  and  young.  Seven  reels. — O.  A.  Halsted, 
Cozy  theatre,  Duchesne,  Utah. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

THE  BRUTE:  Monte  Blue— 75%.  August  13. 
A very  good  picture.  Pleased  everyone.  Just 
enough  comedy  mixed  in  to  get  a few  laughs. 
Seven  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  theatre,  Sumas, 
Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  CLIMBERS:  Irene  Rich — 50%.  August 
23.  An  elaborate  well  directed,  well  produced 
production  which  was  very  well  received  in  my 
house.  Warner  Brothers  pictures  are  striking  a 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


65 


A Good  Start — Let’s  Keep  It  Up 


I have  not  hitherto  reported  on 
pictures  because  I have  found  that 
American  exhibitors’  reports  were  gen- 
erally of  little  value  to  me  and  conse- 
quently mine  would  have  no  value  to 
them.  It  may  be  of  interest  to  in- 
stance this  by  taking  “The  Amateur 
Gentleman”  unfavorably  roasted  by 
exhibitors.  I did  excellent  business 
and  all  patrons  were  pleased.  Per- 
sonally, I consider  it  very  true  of 
those  times  and  without  flaws,  cast 
good,  though  perhaps  the  leading  lady 
was  too  stiff  and  unbending  for  the 
part  of  a great  lady. 

On  the  other  hand,  take  another 
well  known  book,  “Bardelys  the  Mag- 
nificent.” The  author’s  name  drew  a 
class  to  the  theatre  that  never  patron- 
ize as  a rule.  Business  fell  off  each 
day  and  one  and  all  criticized  the 
absurd  “Fairbanks’  antics”  of  John 
Gilbert  (copied  from  “The  Black  Pi- 
rate” at  the  end).  These  spoilt,  in 
our  opinion,  an  otherwise  beautiful 
picture. 

Fox’  “One  Increasing  Purpose”  is, 
with  the  possible  exception  of  “Beau 
Geste,”  the  picture  that  most  faith- 
fully follows  the  book.  It  was  very 
well  liked  by  the  reading  public,  but 
the  others  didn’t  understand  what  it 
was  all  about.  I,  myself,  thought  the 
acting  was  A-1. 

Speaking  generally,  I think  the  pub- 
lic is  a little  tired  of  all  comedies, 
and  also  farces  of  the  type  we’ll  say, 
“The  Prince  of  Pilsen.”  I would  say, 
give  us  pictures  like  “His  Secretary” 
and  “The  Waning  Sex.”  Something 
more  or  less  possible  in  life.  These, 
I think,  were  splendid. 

“The  Flag  Lieutenant”  was  the  rec- 
ord for  my  house,  but  then  this  is  a 
very  English  community. 

“Winners  of  the  Wilderness,”  the 
title  did  not  draw  at  all,  apparently, 
but  it  was  a very  excellent  picture 


and  Joan  Crawford  is  very  lovely  to 
look  at. 

“Orchids  and  Ermine,”  as  good  as 
any  of  Colleen  Moore’s  and  very  well 
liked. 

“Tillie  The  Toiler,”  for  some  rea- 
son the  public  was  disappointed  with 
this.  Apparently  they  expected  too 
much.  Personally,  I thought  it  very 
clever. 

“Frisco  Sally  Levy,”  in  my  opinion, 
the  best  of  its  kind  so  far.  Will 
please  any  audience. 

“Love’s  Blindness,”  what  little  the 
censor  had  left  of  it  had  no  sense  at 
all. 

“White  Gold,”  wonderfully  acted, 
but  I only  had  two  favorable  com- 
ments on  it.  Apparently  the  public 
will  not  stand  for  a sad  ending. 

“Tbe  Love  of  Sunya,”  we  think 
Gloria  Swanson  is  worthy  of  a better 
setting  than  this. 

“Johnny  Get  Your  Hair  Cut” 
pleased  everybody,  as  also  did  “Tell 
It  to  the  Marines.”  I think  the  pub- 
lic would  prefer  to  see  Lon  Chaney 
more  often  in  a role  of  this  kind  in 
preference  toi  his  more  gruesome 
ones. 

“Captain  Salvation,”  something  dif- 
ferent and  a good  theme,  but  some- 
what over-acted  and  the  mushy  part  a 
little  too  long. 

“Beau  Geste,”  absolutely  perfect, 
no  flaws  and  caste  entirely  good. 

“It,”  most  amusing  and  clever. 

In  conclusion,  I would  side  for 
good,  clean  comedy  of  not  too  ex- 
aggerated a type;  something  possible 
in  fact.  I have  not  at  all  a prudish  or 
strait-laced  audience,  but  I find  they 
don’t  like  sex  pictures,  and  kisses 
(with  all  respect  to  Miss  Garbo) 
where  the  actors  make  a meal  of  it, 
drive  them  out.  I find  your  HER- 
ALD of  great  service  to  me. — G.  G. 
BAISS,  Capitol  theatre,  Duncan,  B.  C. 


high  average  for  entertainment  value  this  year, 
although  not  all  are  box  office  attractions.  Seven 
reels. — P.  G.  Vaughan,  Sun  theatre,  Kansas  City, 
Mo. — Suburban  patronage. 

THE  GAY  OLD  BIRD:  Louise  Fazenda — 35%. 
Augnst  25-26.  The  same  old  story  of  a man  who 
must  produce  a wife  and  tries  to  secure  a for- 
tune from  a rich  uncle.  Have  seen  the  same 
thing  in  two  reelers  many  a time.  Of  course 
this  is  produced  on  a bigger  scale  but  it  falls 
way  short  of  any  prize  money.  Steven  reels. — 
Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess  theatre,  Buchanan, 
Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  GAY  OLD  BIRD:  Louise  Fazenda— 30%. 
August  21-22.  A rotten  comedy,  not  even  one 
good  joke.  The  worst  Warner  has  ever  put  on 
screen.  Seven  reels. — O.  A.  Hal-sted,  Cozy  theatre, 
Duchesne,  Utah. — Small  town  patronage. 

DON’T  TELL  THE  WIFE;  Irene  Rich— 40%. 
August  27.  Six  reels. — ^G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia 
theatre,  Petrolia,  Tex. — General  patronage. 

TRACKED  BY  THE  POLICE:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 
55%.  August  1-2.  Too  many  dogs  appearing  in 
pictures  to  make  Rinty  a big  drawing  card.  Drew 
fair,  but  it  pleased.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard 
A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col. — Small 
town  patronage. 

’BOBBED  HAIR:  Marie  Prevost— 40%.  This 
had  a good  box  office  title  and  proved  a pleasing 
picture  for  our  ladies’  night  when  we  admit  one 
lady  free  with  each  25  cent  ticket.  Six  reels. — 
A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — 
Small  town  patronage. 

THE  BETTER  OLE:  Syd  Chaplin— 65%.  This 
is  a good  comedy  but  it  is  about  two  reels  too 
long.  There  is  too  much  footage  for  the  amount 
of  comedy.  Not  as  good  as  “Charley’s  Aunt,” 
but  will  please  a fair  percent  of  the  crowd  if 
they  like  war  comedies.  Eight  reels. — 'Wilcox- 
Miller,  Lake  View  theatre.  Lake  View,  la. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

WHILE  LONDON  SLEEPS:  Rin  Tin  Tin— 
65%.  August  20.  Good  Saturday  night  show. 
Six  reels. — G.  S.  Young,  Petrolia  theatre,  Pe- 
trolia, Tex. — General  patronage. 

SIMPLE  SIS:  Louise  Fazenda — July  31.  From 
“Cradle  Snatchers”  to  “Simple  Sis,”  it  shows 
Miss  Fazenda  can  act.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Rich- 
ard A.  Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada.  Co. — 
Small  town  pati-onage. 

A MILLION  BID:  Dolores  Costello — A good 
sob  picture  of  marriage  with  Malcolm  MacGre- 
gor in  the  cast.  Seven  reels. — Mrs.  Richard  A. 
Preuss,  Arvada  theatre,  Arvada,  Col.  — Small 
town  patronage. 

State  Rights 

DEMPSEY  TUNNEY  FIGHT;  70%.  August 
24.  A good  card  and  well  liked  by  the  fans. 
Four  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rain- 
ier, Ore. — General  patronage. 

EDUCATIONAL 

DON’T  STOP : Cliff  Bowes — This  is  a dandy 
one  reeler. — Andrew  Rapp.  Theatorium,  Emlen- 
ton.  Pa. — General  patronage. 

PERMIT  ME : Fair.  One  reel. — Andrew  Rapp. 
Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

QUICK  SERVICE:  Cliff  Bowes— Good.  One 
reel. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton.  Pa. 
— General  patronage. 

WHO’S  MY  WIFE?:  Had  very  few  laughs. 
Where  are  all  the  good  funny  comedies  that  the 
producers  tell  us  about  ? They  must  keep  them. 
Two  reels. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Emi- 
nence, Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

F B O 

HIGH  BUT  NOT  HANDSOME:  My  people 
like  these  comedies  fine.  Always  something  new. 
This  one  especially  good.  Two  reels. — Lester  N. 
Leek,  Club  House,  Jackson,  Wyo. — ^General  pat- 
ronage. 

HONEYMOON  FEET:  Three  Fat  Men— Not 
much  of  a comedy.  Too  silly.  Two  reels. — An- 
drew Rapp,  Theatorium,  Emlenton,  Pa. — General 
patronage. 

HOT  FEET:  Good  single  reel  comedy.  Use 
these  with  news  reel. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium, 
Emlenton.  Pa. — General  patronage. 

FOX 

BATTLING  KANGAROO:  Very  good  animal 
comedy.  The  kangaroos  are  sure  clever.  Two 
reels. — Minnie  M.  Schnoor,  Paramount  theatre, 
Stapleton,  Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 


DIZZY  DANCERS:  Good  comedy.  Two  reels. 
— Minnie  M.  Schoor,  Paramount  theatre,  Stap- 
leton, Neb. — Small  town  patronage. 

MOTOR  BOAT  DEMON:  Earle  Foxe— Very 
good  comedy.  Good  print,  plenty  of  laughs.  Two 
reels. — G.  S.  Young.  Petrolia  theatre,  Petrolia, 
Tex. — General  patronage. 

PATHE 

HIS  WOODEN  WEDDING:  Charley  Chase— 
A rib  tickler  for  fair.  Some  new  stunts.  Pleased 
everyone.  Two  reels. — B.  Hollenbeck,  Rose  thea- 
tre, Sumas,  Wash. — Small  town  patronage. 

THE  LOVE  BUG:  Our  Gang — Not  near  up  to 
standard  of  Our  Gang.  I don’t  get  the  old  com- 
ment on  Our  Gang  any  more.  Two  reels. — A1 
Stoddard.  Rex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — Gen- 
eral patronage. 

PUPPY  LOVE  TIME:  Charles  Chase— Some 
good  laughs  in  this  one.  Would  class  as  average 
comedy.  Two  reels. — Lester  N.  Leek,  Club  House, 
Jackson,  Wyo. — General  patronage. 

RAINY  NIGHTS:  Very  good  comedy  up  to 
par  for  Pathe.  Two  reels. — A1  Stoddard,  Rex 
theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — Small  town  patron- 
age. 

SPANKING  BREEZES:  Ralph  Graves— Very 
good  comedy.  Rates  less  than  par  but  not  as 
bad  as  some  others.  Two  reels. — A1  Stoddard, 
Rtex  theatre,  Madisonville,  Tex. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

UNIVERSAL 

BARELY  REASONABLE:  Another  good  com- 
edy Western.  We  like  this  series.  Two  reels. — ■ 
A.  N.  Miles.  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence,  Ky. — 
Small  town,  patronage. 


THE  CHAMP:  Fairly  good  short  comedy.  One 
reel. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier,  Ore. 
— General  patronage. 

THE  COLLEGIANS:  Special  ea^st — Played  this 
with  Universal’s  serial  "The  Silent  Flyer”  and 
made  the  strongest  combination  I have  had  for 
some  time.  “Collegians”  very  popular  with  every- 
body. Two  reels. — Garden  theatre,  St.  Clair, 
Mich. — General  patronage. 

HOT  AIR:  Charles  Puffy — A very  good  short 
comedy.  Some  good  aeroplane  stuff  in  it.  One 
reel.  — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre.  Rainier, 
Ore. — General  patronage. 

INTERNATIONAL  NEWS:  With  all  the  news- 
reels  now  on  the  market  there  may  be  some 
that  are  just  as  good  as  International,  but  in 
my  opinion  there  is  none  better.  As  long  as  I 
am  able  to  get  the  service  I now  receive  I 
wouldn’t  ask  for  better. — ^Homer  P.  Morley,  Prin- 
cess theatre,  Buchanan,  Mich. — Small  town  pat- 
ronage. 

JANE’S  FLIRTATION:  Rather  poor.  Two 
reels. — A.  N.  Miles,  Eminence  theatre.  Eminence. 
Ky. — Small  town  patronage. 

LONE  STAR:  Western  featurette  okey  for 
filler.  Two  reels. — A.  G.  Witwer,  Grand  theatre. 
Rainier,  Ore. — General  patronage. 

MISCELLANEOUS 

AFTER  NOON  TEA:  Nothing  much  to  it. 
Too  old.  Two  reels. — Andrew  Rapp,  Theatorium. 
Emlenton,  Pa. — General  patronage. 

SCREEN  SNAPSHOTS:  Have  played  several 
of  these  and  they  have  all  been  well  received. 
I consider  them  an  excellent  short  subject.  One 
reel. — Homer  P.  Morley,  Princess  theatre,  Buch- 
anan, Mich. — Small  town  patronage. 


66 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


September  10,  1927 


CHICAGO  PERSONALITIES 

- ■ ■ By  W.  W.  • 

There  was  only  one  topic  of  conversation  along  the  Row  last  week, 
and  of  course  it  was  about  the  strike.  If  you  wanted  to  catch  an 
exhibitor,  just  stand  in  front  of  the  building  in  which  Jack  Miller 
has  his  offices,  and  sooner  or  later  your  man  would  come  along.  You  saw 
exhibitors  with  tales  of  woe  written  on  their  faces,  and  to  be  truthful  the 
exhibitors  were  not  the  only  ones  with  sad  tales.  The  exchanges  were 
getting  their  share  of  the  general  grief.  But  all  are  smiles  again  with  the 
difficulty  settled. 


Over  in  the  F B O exchange  I heard  the 
most  woeful  tale  of  all.  A small  exhibi- 
tor from  the  South  Side  dropped  in 
there  either  for  sympathy  or  advice  or 
lioth,  and  here  was  his  trouble.  He  was 
striking  against  himself,  for  he  operates 
his  own  machine  and  is  a member  of  the 
operators’  union.  Being  a member  of 
the  association,  he  joined  the  strike, 
and  then  was  afraid  the  union  would  take 
his  card  from  him  because  he  closed  his 
theatre.  This  man’s  state  of  mind  is  a 
perfect  definition  of  a dilemma. 

While  the  strike  lasted  the  Pathe 
News  was  probably  the  only  newsreel  be- 
ing shown  in  Chicago,  and'  it  was  being 
seen  in  only  one  theatre,  the  Olympic, 
where  the  legtimate  play,  “The  Spider,’’ 
makes  use  of  the  newsreel  in  the  course 
of  the  performance. 

^ ^ ^ 

Here  is  one  bit  of  news  that  carries 
no  taint  of  the  strike.  Jimmy  Gillick 
became  the  proud  father  of  a nine  pound 
baby  girl  the  first  day  of  September. 
But  perhaps  after  all,  the  strike  enters 
into  this  too,  for  in  years  to  come  Mr. 
Gillick  will  probably  remember  the  age 
of  his  daughter  by  the  date  of  the  strike. 


District  managers  C.  E.  Maberry  and 
Fred  Aiken  of  Pathe  left  last  Tuesday 
for  New  York. 

* * * 

By  this  time  Len  Ullrich  has  sent  out 
his  application  cards  for  the  film  golf 
tournament.  Len  says  that  he  hopes 
everyone  will  send  in  their  cards  at  once 
so  that  the  committee  can  make  the  ar- 
rangements for  playing.  It  was  first 
thought  that  it  would  be  wise  to  drop 
the  tournament  on  account  of  the  strike, 
but  on  second  thought  the  committee 
knew  that  if  the  strike  continued,  play- 
ing golf  would  be  about  all  the  contest- 
ants would  have  to  do  anyway,  and  if 
the  strike  is  ended  before  the  tourna- 
ment, it  would  not  make  any  difference 
anyway.  So  there  will  be  a tournament, 
strike  or  not. 

* * * 

Frank  Miller,  studio  superintendent  at 
the  De  Mille  studios,  was  in  town  last 
week  taking  stills  of  the  entrance  to  the 
Chicago  Criminal  Court  building  and  in- 
terior, and  of  Chicago  street  cars.  The 
stills  will  be  used  for  making  sets  for  the 
Pathe  picture,  “Chicago.” 


E.  C.  Derr  of  the  home  office  of  FBO 
held  a sales  meeting  last  week  at  the 
Chicago  exchange  of  the  company. 

* * 

Exhibitor  E.  L.  Frum  of  Villa  Park 
was  in  town  last  Friday  booking  pictures 
for  his  new  Park  theatre.  He  will  open 
the  theatre  the  last  week  in  September. 
It  has  a seating  capacity  of  750.  For 
years  Frum  operated  a theatre  in  Lom- 
bard. 

* * * 

H.  O.  Duke,  in  charge  of  Pathe  Ex- 
changes from  the  New  York  office,  held 
a convention  of  Pathe  bookers  of  the 
Middle  West  last  Sunday  and  Monday  at 
the  Chicago  Pathe  exchange. 

Accola  Flies  Own 
Plane  220  Miles 
To  Buy  Pictures 

The  a\iation  bug  has  hit  at  least  one 
exhibitor.  But  the  effect  proved  beneficial. 
The  victim  is  E.  C.  Accola,  Prairie  du  Sac, 
Wis.,  owner  of  the  Bonham  theatre  in  that 
city  and  the  Majestic  in  Mazomania. 

Accola  wanted  some  pictures  for  his 
house.  He  wanted  the  Pathe-De  Mille 
product  and  he  wanted  it  in  a hurry,  so 
he  jumped  into  his  airplane  and  flew  the 
220  miles  to  Milwaukee. 

When  he  landed,  he  phoned  the  Pathe 
exchange  and  a car  was  sent  for  him.  Af- 
ter a short  talk  with  Bill  Aschmann  and 
Branch  Manager  “Doc”  Honeck,  he  signed 
up  for  the  entire  program.  Then  he  had 
lunch  and  flew  home. 

Indianapolis  Theatre 
Holds  Party  for  Kids 
in  City*s  Institutions 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

INDIANAPOLIS,  Sept.  6. — A theatre 
party  for  the  children  from  the  city’s  in- 
stitutions was  recently  held  at  the  Zaring 
Egyptian  theatre  through  the  courtesy  of 
A.  C.  Zaring,  owner  of  the  theatre,  and 
the  Indianapolis  branch  of  the  Indorsers 
of  Photoplays. 

“Eireman  Save  My  Child,”  the  Para- 
mount comedy  featuring  Wallace  Beery 
and  Raymond  Hatton  was  the  picture 
shown  to  the  kiddies.  Many  clubs  and 
companies  furnished  transportation  for 
the  children. 

Terre  Haute  Theatres 
Give  Stag  for  Staffs 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

TERRE  HAUTE,  IND,  Sept.  6.— A 
stag  banquet  for  members  of  the  entire 
service  staff  of  the  Indiana,  Liberty  and 
American  theatres  of  Terre  Haute,  Ind., 
was  given  the  night  of  Aug.  29  at  the 
Deming  Hotel.  The  Western  Indiana 
Theatres  Corporation  was  host.  Speakers 
of  the  evening  included  R.  W.  Thayer, 
S.  R.  Nicholson,  Maurice  A.  Pox  and 
R.  W.  Cotton.  H.  M.  Markbreit,  special 
service  man  of  Chicago,  who  has  been  giv- 
ing the  ushers  of  the  three  theatres  spe- 
cial instruction  in  theatre  etiquette,  also 
spoke. 


Curry  Will  Marry 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

DES  MOINES,  Sept.  6. — Des  Moines 
papers  announce  the  engagement  and  ap- 
proaching marriage  of  John  Joseph  Curry, 
West  Coast  representative  for  Paramount- 
Lasky  to  Miss  Genevieve  Kearns  of  Los 
Angeles,  formerly  of  Des  Moines.  Mr. 
Curry  was  advertising  sales  manager  for 
the  Des  Moines  Paramount  exchange  prior 
to  the  later  position. 


Here’s  a Slick  Comedy  with 
Everyone  Having  Good  Time 


“RAGTIME” 

Produced  by  First  Division  Pictures. 
Directed  by  Scott  Pembroke. 

Presented  at  Orchestra  Hall. 

THE  CAST 

Ted  Mason John  Bowers 

Beth  Barton.. ..Marguerite  De  La  Motte 

Steve  “Slick”  Martin Robert  Ellis 

“Goldie”  Martin Rose  Dione 

Max  Ginsberg William  H.  Strauss 

Mrs.  Mason Kate  Bruce 

Prof.  August  Schultz Bernard  Siegel 


By  Mae  Tinee. 

Good  morning! 

This  is,  all  things  considered,  one  of  the 
smoothest  comedy  dramas  it  has  been  my 
pleasure  to  witness  lately.  Not  so  much  be- 
cause of  its  story,  nor  its  direction,  nor  the 
photography,  but  because  the  capable  players 
throw  themselves  so  wholeheartedly  into  their 
performance.  As  with  the  spoken  word, 
which  means  much  or  little  according  as  to 
how  it  is  spoken,  the  portrayal  of  an  actor 
reflects  his  spirit.  In  “Ragtime,”  without  ex- 
ception, everybody  appears  to  be  in  fine  fet- 
tle, having  a thoroughly  enjoyable  time  and 
anxious  that  you  should  enjoy  their  party. 

You  do. 


The  scenes  are  laid  in  and  about  “Tin 
Pan  Alley,”  where  “the  ghosts  of  great  com- 


For  Illinois 

GREIVER  PRODUCTIONS 

831  SOUTH  WABASH  AVE., 
CHICAGO,  ILL. 


posers  return  to  find  themselves  in  jazz” — 
something  like  that  the  subtitle  says — and 
you  are  given  a sort  of  theatrical  boarding 
house  squint  into  the  activities  of  a company 
who  not  only  use  slang — AND  some — but 
live  it.  They  are  a brassy,  jazzy,  cheap 
shrewd  lot.  But  in  their  midst  is  one  who 
yearns  for  better  things.  Ted  Mason,  who 
plays  the  piano  in  the  notorious  Jail  cafe. 

Ted  has  a nice  mother  and  he  would  com- 
pose music — not  as  ragtime  row  knows  it,  but 
as  Beth  Barton,  cultured  and  studying  for  a 
musical  career  under  a great  teacher,  knows  it. 

Beth  comes  into  Ted’s  life  via  a slumming 
party.  Also  into  that  of  “Slick”  Martin,  pro- 
fessional dancer  at  the  joint,  who  has  been 
long  and  scrappily  married  to  a twelve  min- 
ute egg  you  could  easily  believe  to  be  a thir- 
teen minute  one. 

Will  you  please  give  a thoughtful  O.  O.  to 
the  work  of  Robert  Ellis  as  “Slick”?  I 
think  there  has  never  been  a more  finished 
impersonation  of  the  sort  of  character  he 
starts  out  to  portray.  You’ve  run  into  his 
“Slick”  time  and  again — and  never  without 
experiencing  a jungle  urge  to  crush  and  kill. 
(This,  by  the  way,  is  the  same  Robert  Ellis 
who  used  to  make  our  hearts  go  pitty  pat  in 
love  scenes  of  not  so  long  ago!  Times  and 
changes.) 

There’s  no  space  for  further  comment  and, 
anyway,  what  can  I say,  dears,  after  I’ve  said 
— “Ragtime”  is  a humdinger  of  a comedy? 

For  Indiana 

MIDWEST  FILM  CO. 

OF  INDIANA 

218  Wimmer  Bldg.,  Indianapolis 


Clearly  Reflected 

at  the  box-oflflce 

If  your  patrons  are  enjoying  faultless 
screen  quality  you  are  projecting  prints 
on  Eastman  Positive  made  from  originals 
on  Eastman  Negative. 

Always  specify  Eastman  prints,  and 
look  for  the  words  "Eastman  Kodak”  in 
the  transparent  margin.  For  Eastman 
screen  quality  is  clearly  reflected  at  the 
box-office. 


EASTMAN  KODAK  COMPANY 

ROCHESTER,  N.  Y. 


E X H I B I T O R S HERA  L D 


/ 


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Vil 


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■ 


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mm 


-/■' 


// 


Conscience 

insurance 


You  protect  your  family,  your  be- 
longings; you  protect  your  time,  your 
well-being;  you  carry  every  ordinary 
insurance  safe-guard  — life,  property, 
fire,  health,  automotive — But 

Has  anyone  ever  tried  to  sell  you 
Conscience  Insurance? 

Could  you  ever  palliate  or  even  at- 
tempt to  pay  for  the  death  of  one  little 


child  due  to  a panic  resulting  from  a 
fire  scare  in  your  theatre? 

Such  a sorrowful  event  would  be 
your  fault  and  would  be  forever  on 
your  conscience,  because  there  is  no 
longer  the  shadow  of  an  excuse  for 
it  to  happen.  It  is  100%  preventable 
by  use  of  the  SENTRY  SAFETY 
CONTROL. 


CQ  RPDRATIQN 


Lincoln  Bldg.,  PHILADELPHIA 


1560  Broadway,  NEW  YORK 


AND  ALL  BRANCHES  OF  NATIONAL  THEATRE  SUPPLY  COMPANY 


SECTION  2 


|||lllHlllllllllllllHl|lll|lllllllllllllllllliilj|j 


ALAN  HALE,  at  left, 
signs  contract  ivith 
Cecil  B.  De  Mille  to  act  and 
direct. 


rill  ARLES  LAMONT,  di- 
^ rector  of  Educational 
comedies,  loas  one  time  a 
circus  acrobat. 


1 

J 

VOL.  XXX,  No.  13 


September  10,  1927 


What  is  the  New  Theatrical 
Season  to  Mean  to  You? 


Fall  is  just  a few  short  weeks  away.  In  the  mo- 
tion picture  business,  as  in  all  other  lines  of  the- 
atrical entertainment,  it  means  the  beginning  of  a 
NEW  YEAR. 

What  is  it  going  to  mean  to  you? 

Are  you  satisfied  where  you  are.  at  the  present  time? 
Do  you  feel  that  you  made  the  progress  during  the  past 
twelve  months  that  you  should  have?  Has  the  industry 
rewarded  you  for  your  ability? 

If  you  are  not  satisfied  with  your  place  but  you  are 
confident  you  have  the  ability  and  the  talent  to  go  on- 
ward and  upward,  there  is  only  one  thing  to  blame — 
your  publicity  and  advertising  effort. 

Hiding  your  light  under  a bushel  basket  may  be 
becoming  modesty,  but  is  poor  business — mighty  poor 
show  business. 

The  Studio  brings  you  regularly  before  the  entire 
industry.  It  gives  you  the  opportunity  to  call  attention 
to  your  successes  and  your  progress — ^^not  in  small  type 
but  in  a constructive  and  interest  compelling  way.  Start 
the  NEW  YEAR  with  new  determination. 


Start  your  Campaign 
In  these  Issues 

(Forms  Close) 

October  8 September  28 

November  5 October  26 

December  3 November  23 

December  31 December  21 


OUR  Advertising  in  “The 
Studio”  Reaches  the  “yes  or  no” 
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Makes  Decisions. 


Studios  on  Coast  Hit  Slow  Pace 


JOHN  S.  SPARGO 
JAMES  BEECROFT 
Eastern  Representatives 


RAY  MURRAY 
DOUGLAS  HODGES 

Editors 


A monthly  supplement  of  Exhibitors  Herald  devoted  to  production. 


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EXHIBITORS  HERALD 

CHICAGO 

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NEW  YORK 

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bilt 3612-8613. 

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News  Editor 

LOS  ANGELES 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.  Telephone 
Gladstone  3754. 

Ray  Murray 
Douglas  Hodges. 

Editors,  The  Studio 

LONDON 

The  Bioscope  (J.  Cabourn,  Editor) 
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There  is  no  more  important  phase 
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business. 


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In  This  Issue — 


PRODUCERS  at  Coast  studios  loafing;  Only  46  pictures  are  now 
in  production;  Big  Lasky  plant  works  on  three;  Overhead  goes 
on — “In  Conference,”  an  enlightening  and  humorous  feature  of  the 
studio,  by  Bob  Early. 

UNIVERSITY  on  Coast  installs  picture  school  with  the  approval 
of  Will  H.  Hays;  Elaborate  course  is  offered  to  fame  struck 
youths;  Fake  “movie  schools”  invent  new  means  of  frisking  the 
yokels  of  Hollywood. 

Exhibitors  herald’s  Production  Directory,  a monthly  am- 
plihcation  of  the  important  feature  published  each  week  in  the 
Herald;  A resume  of  studio  activities  including  information  of  real 
interest  to  exhibitors. 


The  Test  of  Hollywood,  an  editorial  by  Martin  J.  Quigley — 
Rambling  ’Round  in  Hollywood,  a page  of  humor  by  J.  M. 
Loughborough — Dan  Clark  denies  that  new  society  of  photographers 
will  absorb  American  Cinematographers. 


CAMERAMAN’S  organization  is  founded 

at  the  Paramount  studio Dorothy 

Farnum,  well  known  scenarist,  leaves 
Holljrwood  on  continental  tour  — Fred 
Niblo  will  direct  fifth  Colman-Banky  fea- 
ture. 

CAMERAMEN  at  Tom  Mix  home  get 
lessons  in  first  aid,  by  Foster  Goss; 
These  demonstrations  are  staged  through 
arrangements  made  by  Dan  Clark,  presi- 
dent of  the  American  Society  of  Cinema- 
tographers. 

G MILING  THROUGH,  a humorous  side- 
light  on  things  that  happen  in  Holly- 
wood, by  Rufus  McCosh AJ  Rogell,  di- 

rector of  Ken  Maynard  AVesterns,  signs 
new  contract — McCosh  would  ban  “ultra 
wise”  gags. 


/^N  a lot  of  the  Lots,  by  Hodges — Studio 
copy  for  home  town  papers  of  exhib- 
itors and  for  theatre  house  organs “Cat 

and  Canary”  registers  heavy  at  its  premier 

in  Texas  with  heavy  opposition Ken 

Maynard  and  horse  to  make  vaudeville 
tour. 

Five  thousand  families  to  settle  in  the 
San  Fernando  valley  during  year;  In- 
flux results  from  the  building  of  new  film 
plants  at  Studio  City,  which  is  located  a 

few  miles  beyond  Burbank James  Dugan 

has  been  assigned  to  direct  Tom  Tyler 
for  F B O. 

Random  angles,  a llttle  of  this  and 

that  from  the  studios,  by  Abe  Gold- 
ener — Cecil  B.  DeMille  is  given  a gold 
tablet  at  the  200th  show  of  “The  King  of 
Kings  ” at  Grauman’s  Chinese  theatre. 


4 


GERTIE’S  latest  big 
time  IV  O' r Ic  is  in 
^‘Adani  and  Evil.”  And, 
more  f 0 r III  a 1 1 _v  , Miss 
Short’s  recent  role  is  in 
an  M-G-M  release. 


A L BOASBERG  has 
completed  the  jo'b  of 
comedy  construction  on 
“The  Fair  Co-Ed”  for 
M-G-M. 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


PAUL  STEIN  ends  concentrated  work  on  “The  Forbidden 
Woman”  for  Pathe-P.  D.  C.  Congratulating  Victor  V ar- 
coni  for  his  zvork  is  David  Abel,  chief  camerman  on  the  pic- 
ture. Director  Stein,  right,  contemplates  a zisit  to  Europe 
zvithin  the  next  fe-w  months. 


JDEPORTS  following 
*■  the  previezv  of  “The 
Wreck  of  the  Hesperus” 
indicate  Alan  Hale  steals 
the  show.  Pathe  release. 


Girls  IVanted!” — .Janet  Gaynor  is  one  of  them.  Al 
J-  Green,  left,  directed  the  production  for  Fox  and  the  first 
prints  are  in  N ezv  York.  The  two  cinematographers  on  the 
right  are  Irving  Rosenberg  and  Ray  JFise.  If'ise  (in  szveater) 
is  Flollyzfood’s  only  Esquimo. 


George  M ARSHALL,  supervisor  of  Fox  co'inedies,  holds 
conference  on  the  hlarshall  patio.  (The  result  was  a 
couple  of  funny  comedies.)  Seated  is  Lou  Breslozv;  top  rozv, 
1.  to  r.,  Max  Gold,  Lion  Meyers  and  Eddie  Grainger  (son  of 
Jimmie.)  Second  rozv:  Mike  Miggins,  Geo'rge  M.,  and  Orville 
Dull. 


T)A  RNEY  McGill, 
D handsome  Warner 
Brothers  cameraman, 
zvho  says  he  refuses  to 
go  on  the  screen.  (Don’t 

4-  L ^ ^ \ n L yy  P J 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


5 


Publication  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St.,  CHICAGO,  U.  S.  A. 
Martin  J.  Quigley,  President 

Edwin  S.  Clifford,  Secretary  George  Clifford,  Asst.  Treasurer 

Member  Audit  Bureau  of  Circulations 
Copyright,  1927,  by  Quigley  Publishing  Company 

All  editorial  and  business  correspondence 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Chicago  office 

Other  Publications:  The  Chicagoan  and  Polo,  class  journals;  and  the 
following  motion  picture  trade  publications,  in  addition  to  The  Studio,  pub- 
lished as  supplements  to  Exhibitors  Herald:  Better  Theatres,  every 
fourth  week,  and  The  Box  Office  Record  & Eguipment  Index,  semi-annual. 

VoL.  XXX  September  10,  1927  No.  13 


The  Test  of  Hollywood 

A REAL  test  of  the  plan  of  concentrating  production  in 

^ California  is  now  being  made.  The  outcome  of  the 
present  test  is  very  likely  to  fix  a definite  and  permanent 
policy  upon  the  American  industry  for  some  time  to 
come. 

For  all  practical  purposes  it  may  now  be  said  that  pro- 
duction is  wholly  concentrated  in  California.  There  is 
less  activity  in  production  outside  of  the  film  capital  at 
this  time  than  at  any  time  since  the  industry  attained  its 
present  proportions.  Outside  of  what  are  regarded  as 
location  trips  there  is  actually  nothing  of  importance  be- 
ing produced  elsewhere  in  the  United  States. 

The  concentration  of  production  in  California  has 
been  mainly  prompted  by  economic  considerations.  Pro- 
ducers freely  admit  the  socalled  artistic  advantages  of 
making  a percentage  of  the  product  elsewhere — princi- 
pally in  and  about  New  York  City — but  this  scheme  of 
operation  has  proved  costly  and  uncertain.  Several  lead- 
ing producers  have  stoutly  insisted  upon  the  advantages 
which  the  East  offers  for  the  making  of  certain  types  of 
pictures  but  the  experiences  encountered  in  attempting  to 
do  this  have  brought  the  practice  to  a halt. 

It  now  appears  that  production  in  the  East  may  well 
be  dispensed  with  provided  that  Hollywood  properly  con- 
forms with  what  is  expected  of  it.  The  economic  advan- 
tages of  coneentration  are  indeed  important  and  accept- 
able substitutes  for  many  of  the  inducements  of  the  East 
can  be  supplied  by  Hollywood. 

* -X-  * 

BLTT,  in  order  to  bring  this  about,  the  insular  conven- 
tions and  traditions  of  Hollywood  must  be  broken 
down;  Hollywood  must  cease  to  have  a Chinese  Wall  of 
self-sufficiency  thrown  around  itself.  If  Hollywood  wants 
to  materialize  its  current  opportunity  to  remain  for  a 
long  time,  at  least,  the  exclusive  production  center  of 
America  it  will  have  to  realize  very  thoroughly  that  its 
task  embodies  the  making  of  screen  entertainment  for  the 
whole  of  the  United  States — and  practically  for  the  whole 
of  the  outside  world — and  in  order  to  do  this  it  must  have 
a consistent  viewpoint  and  manner.  It  must  bury  its  pro- 
vincialisms, its  prejudices  and  its  favoritisms  and  must 
set  out  to  learn  the  outside  world  and  be  guided  by  it. 


The  condition  of  concentration  which  provides  the  eco- 
nomic advantages  which  are  being  sought  is  the  very 
thing  that  threatens  the  artistic  success  of  the  plan. 
Proximity  of  studios  and  people  tends  to  create  a colony 
that  lives  within  itself  and  becomes  shut  off  from  the 
outside  world.  The  trend  of  the  colony  is  to  set  up  its 
own  idols  and  ideas  and  follow  these,  regarding  every- 
thing that  is  foreign  to  itself  as  unintelligent,  amateurish 
and  unimportant.  We  do  not  here  speak  of  a possible 
evil  of  the  Hollywood  production  situation;  we  speak  of 
an  evil  which  already  has  manifested  itself. 

It  has  been  said  that  continued  residence  among  the 
picture  people  of  Hollywood  will  eventually  press  any 
individual — regardless  of  temperament — into  practically 
an  identical  mould  of  thought,  expression  and  disposition 
toward  picture  making.  It  is  admitted  that  some  cases 
are  more  stubborn  than  others  hut  it  is  claimed  that  all 
fall  into  line  sooner  or  later. 

This  is  probably  an  exaggerated  statement  of  the  case 
but  there  is  a great  deal  of  truth  and  fact  behind  it.  In- 
stances are  numerous  in  which  the  narrowed,  provincial 
— as  to  pictures — and  self-sufficient  stamp  of  Hollywood 
has  been  fixed  upon  persons  who  previous  to  their  arrival 
there  gave  every  evidences  of  being  able  to  hold  them- 
selves aloof  from  the  undesirable  influences  of  the  colony. 

-»  -X-  -X 

Regardless  of  the  disposition  and  efforts  of  the  peo- 
ple in  Hollywood  who  are  mainly  responsible  for 
the  drift  of  affairs  it  is  an  indisputable  fact  that  continued 
residence  in  the  colony,  with  pictures  thought  and  pic- 
tures talked,  in  one  way  or  another,  from  morning  to 
night,  cannot  help  hut  he  a confining  and  narrowing  in- 
fluence. 

A partial  solution,  at  least,  of  the  problem  might  be 
had  in  the  adoption  of  a policy  under  which  writers  and 
directors  were  expected  to  roam  out  of  Hollywood 
throughout  the  rest  of  the  country  and,  to  an  extent, 
throughout  the  rest  of  the  world.  If  the  viewpoint  of 
the  writer  and  the  director  is  sound,  production  from 
every  artistic  standpoint  will  remain  sound.  These  per- 
sons might  move  about  freely  without  any  disadvantage 
whatsoever  to  concentration  of  production.  Their  com- 
ing and  going  would  not  affect  studio  organization; 
would  not  affect  the  arrangement  under  which  players 
are  available  at  a single  point  as  they  may  he  wanted  and 
would  not  disturb  the  vast  artistic  and  technical  per- 
sonnel and  equipment  which,  it  has  been  proven,  must 
be  concentrated  in  a particular  locality  if  production  is 
to  be  carried  on  under  the  most  economic  arrangements. 

With  writers  and  directors  regularly  shaking  off  the 
stamp  of  Hollywood,  production  would  be  to  a consider- 
able extent  saved  from  the  dangers  with  which  the  film 
capital  threatens.  With  the  writer  constantly  getting  new 
material  and  fresh  viewpoints  and  with  the  director 
periodically  freed  from  the  confining  influences  of  Holly- 
wood, production  should  prosper  in  all  of  its  important 
artistic  aspects  and,  meanwhile,  there  would  he  no  finan- 
cial derangement  of  what  appears  to  he  the  best  produc- 
tion situation. 

However,  if  Hollywood  is  to  continue  as  the  virtual  film 
capital  it  must  succeed  by  one  means  or  another  in  be- 
ing cosmopolitan,  broad  and  exjierienced ; it  must  be 
truly  understanding  of  life  and  the  people  of  the  outside 
world. — Martin  J.  Quigley. 


6 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


IN  CONFERENCE 

* *■  ■■  I— "i'  By  Bob  Early 


M UCH  interest  is  being  manifested  in  at  least  four  pictures  which  are 
being  readied  for  early  release.  Von  Stroheim's  “The  Wedding  March” 
was  taken  away  from  that  eccentric  genius  about  a month  ago  and  handed 
to  a fellow  countryman,  Joe  Von  Sternberg,  when  it  became  evident  that 
Von  Stroheim  had  gotten  as  far  as  he  could  with  it.  He  had  spent  some- 
thing like  four  months  in  editing  the  film  and  in  that  time  had  succeeded 
in  getting  it  down  to  47  reels.  Von  Sternberg  is  said  to  have  condensed  it 
to  12  reels  but  it  is  very  likely  that  when  Eric  sees  it  in  that  shape,  the 
running  of  the  picture  will  be  accompanied  by  loud  shrieks  of  anguish. 

Then  there  is  “The  Jazz  Singer”  from  the  Warner  Fils  atelier,  starring  A1  Jolson 
with  Vitaphone  trimmings.  Those  who  have  seen  it  in  preview  minus  Vitaphone 
speak  in  very  high  praise  of  it  and  of  Jolson’s  initial  screen  effort.  It  is  scheduled 
for  a Broadway  opening  on  October  7 with  seats  around  $25  per  each. 

There  are  two  at  First  National  that  are  being  watched  with  more  than  ordinary 
interest,  “The  Gorilla”  and  “The  Private  Life  of  Helen  of  Troy.”  The  former 
which  was  written  as  a burlesque  on  mystery  plays  is  being  done  as  straight  mys- 
tery melodrama  with  big  comedy  moments,  while  the  Erskine  travesty  on  the  good 
old  days  in  Athens  is  being  done  as  broad  burlesque.  With  Charlie  Murray  in  the 
former,  “The  Gorilla”  looks  like  one  of  the  best  bets  of  the  coming  season,  while 
“Helen,”  according  to  the  wise  ones,  will  be  either  a big  success  or  a grand  flop, 
with  chances  favoring  the  latter. 


Big  Dough  for  A1 

/\ 

Tx  L JOLSON  wound  up  his  first  bout  with  Hollywood  by  playing  a week  at  the 
Metropolitan  theatre  in  conjunction  wfith  a picture  at  more  money  than  ever  before 
paid  any  entertainer  as  straight  salary.  A1  got  $17,500  for  the  week — four  shows  a day — 
and  the  irony  of  it  was  that  A1  would  not  let  the  West  Coast  management  make  public 
the  amount  paid  him. 

* TOUGH  ON  THE  EXTRA  BOYS 

HEY  have  a new  wrinkle  now  at  the  studios.  Robot  extras.  Or  if  that  means 
nothing  to  you,  synthetic  extras.  In  filming  “The  Main  Event”  at  the  DeMille  studio.  Di- 
rector William  K.  Howard  had  1,500  papier  mache  fight  fans  manufactured  to  use  as  his 
audience.  Among  them  were  scattered  live  extras  and  the  general  effect,  it  is  said,  was 
perfect.  Only  150  real  persons  were  used  and  the  saving  must  have  been  tremendous 
as  the  cost  of  the  dummies  was  less  than  one  day’s  pay  for  an  extra. 


Not  Even  a Subject  for  Retakes 

A\.0S£  MARIE”  the  beautiful,  tuneful  operetta,  has  gone  the  way  of  ‘‘Mysteri- 
ous Island”  and  ‘‘A  Certain  Young  Man”  at  the  M etro-Goldwyn-M ayer  Studio.  It 
was  to  have  been  one  of  the  big  pictures  of  the  season  with  much  technicolor,  ETC., 
ETC.,  but  when  it  was  about  two-thirds  completed,  work  was  suddenly  halted.  Di- 
rector William  Nigh  taken  off  the  job  and  the  cast  dismissed.  It  was  announced 
that  the  picture  would  be  remade  by  Director  Edmund  Goulding  who  was  to  re-adapt 
the  story,  but  after  some  weeks  of  preparation  Goulding  declared  that  everything 
he  wanted  to  do  with  ‘‘Rose  Marie”  had  already  been  done  in  M-G-M’s  ‘‘Flaming 
Forest.” 

OLD  GUARD  VANISHING 

ERHAPS  by  the  time  this  is  in  print.  Hector  Turnbull  will  have  moved  his  bronze 
inkstand  from  the  Paramount  studio — the  last  of  the  old  guard  which  took  part  in  the 
filming  of  many  good  pictures  in  the  dozen  or  more  years  of  the  Lasky  studio’s  interest- 
ing existence.  Turnbull  is  a brother-in-law  of  Jesse  Lasky  and  has  been  a production 
executive  almost  since  the  beginning  of  the  company.  Of  late  he  has  been  one  of  the 
many  supervisors  of  the  Schulberg  regime  and  his  last  work  was  the  preparation  of  the 
screen  version  of  “Gentlemen  Prefer  Blondes.” 


ON  A LOT 
OF  THE  LOTS 


HOLLYWOOD.  — Jack  White  left 
Hollywood  Sunday  and  is  no  longer  a 
blushing  bachelor.  His  wedding  to  Pauline 
Starke  took  place  in  San  Francisco.  . . . 
Philip  Bartholomae  has  been  in  Hollywood 
three  months  and  has  signed  a contract  to 
continue  wuiting  good  scenarios  for  First 
National  and  he  has  started  by  handing  in 
a treatment  of  “The  Butter  and  Egg  Man” 
and  how  should  a B.  and  E.  man  be 
treated?  ...  If  you  wonder  how  news- 
papermen “draw  on  their  gourd”  when 
deadline  approaches  them  with  no  news, 
go  to  the  jMontmartre  for  lunch  and  you’ll 
find  them  comparing  notes  at  the  press 
table.  They  got  their  break  Saturday 
when  Monte  Blue,  Tom  Mix  and  Judge 
Ben  Lindsey  walked  in  and  dished  the  dirt 
with  them  for  an  hour.  . . . The  Judge 
said  policemen  should  not  be  allowed  to 
carry  guns  and  Ray  Hoadley  says  if  they 
didn’t  it  would  be  easy  sailing  for  Holly- 
wood press  agents.  . . . Eddie  Cline  left 
the  Sennett  lot  Saturday  and  will  begin 
directing  under  a new  contract  with 
another  company  (to  be  announced  next 
week)  and  it’s  a mystery  to  most  of  us 
why  Eddie  doesn’t  go  after  the  acting 
thing  hard.  . . . After  a 96-hour  story 
conference  Sol  Wurtzel  and  Al  Green 
emerged  Saturday  from  Sol’s  office,  took 
slight  nourishment  and  retired  for  Labor 
Day.  . . . Bess  Meredyth  will  take  a few 
days’  vacation  beginning  next  week  and 
then  go  to  bat  again  at  the  F.  N.  lot.  . . . 
Joe  Blair’s  press  activities  for  Al  Martin 
have  been  temporarily  discontinued  and 
Al  says  Joe  will  go  to  work  again  as 
soon  as  the  Blair  honeymoon  is  over  and 
Joe  gets  serious.  . . . Al  Boasberg  says 
Sam  Wood  used  a Scots  lassie  on  each 
team  of  the  basketball  sequences  in  “The 
Fair  Co-Ed.”  They  made  the  free  throws. 
. . . Meadows  says  it  was  difficult  to 
keep  big  Jim  Loughborough  from  misusing 
Ray  Murray  at  the  St.  Andrews  course 
last  week.  Jim  got  suspicious  when  Ray’s 
caddy  gulped  a hiccough  every  time  Jim 
teed  off.  . . . Frank  Ur  son  has  been 

signed  by  DeMille  to  direct  “Chicago”  and 
he’ll  start  work  on  the  picture  at  once.  . . . 
Maurice  Henle  has  signed  up  with  West 
Coast  Theatres  and  is  working  on  JejJ 
Lazarus’  staff.  . . . Patsy  Ruth  Miller  will 
begin  work  this  week  at  the  F B O lot. 
. . . Harry  Langdon  says  he  got  a fan 
letter  from  Arabia  this  week  and  when  I 
got  back  to  the  office  I got  one  from 
Joe  Mayer  in  Hamilton,  Ohio. 

—HODGES. 


Fat  Man  Comedian  Dies 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

ST.  LOUIS,  Sept.  6.— Leslie  Hodgins, 
professional  singer  and  five  years  ago  one 
of  Hollywood’s  fat  men  of  the  comedies, 
died  Tuesday,  August  30,  at  the  Lutheran 
Hospital,  here,  from  a carbuncle.  Pie  had 
been  ill  but  10  days.  Hodgins  was  42 
years  old.  He  first  developed  as  a singer 
in  the  choir  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
(ihurch.  Later  he  branched  out  as  a 
singer  of  comedy  songs,  appearing  at 
various  entertainments. 


Can’t  Take  a Joke 

L the  “Studio”  number  of  two  months  ago,  this  column  contained  reference 
to  the  exposure  of  a person  claiming  to  be  a prince  of  the  Romanoffs,  who  was 
working  in  pictures.  The  Los  Angeles  papers  recently  discovered  Prince  Mike 

(Continued  on  page  30) 


Jones  Films  ** Sombrero** 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Sept.  6.— Buck  Jones 
has  returned  from  Sonora,  Cal.,  where  he 
shot  scenes  for  “Blood  Will  Tell”  and  has 
begun  work  on  “The  Branded  Sombrero.” 


September  10,  1927  EXHIBITORSHERALD  7 

Producers  Loafing;  Only  46 
Pictures  Are  in  Production 

5^VFamiiies~tr  Big  Lasky  Plant  Works 
Settle  in  Hot  Zone  on  3;  Overhead  Goes  On 


John  Ford  Leads  Fox  Program  with  Pretentious 
Filmy  ^‘Grandma  Bernle  Learns  Her  Letters** 

By  RAY  MURRAY 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6. — Following  one  of  the  dullest  summer  sea- 
sons in  the  history  of  the  Hollywood  studios,  the  seven  major  producing 
companies  are  now  making  46  pictures. 

First  National  and  Fox  each  have  nine  productions  actually  in 
work. 

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer  has  eight;  Universal  has  eight. 

United  Artists  has  five  in  production. 

Paramount  has  three ; DeMille  Studios  five,  while  independent 
studios  have  12  in  production. 

Executives  of  the  large  studios  state  many  productions  will  have  to  be 
completed  between  September  and  January.  The  greater  the  number  of 
companies  working  the  smaller  is  the  overhead  on  each  production  and 
as  this  is  in  line  with  economy  it’s  hoped  it  will  be  followed  by  all  pro- 
ducers. 


(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6. — ^Preparations 
are  being  made  for  the  housing  of  5,000 
families  which  will  move  into  the  equatorial 
heat  of  the  San  Fernando  Valley  during  the 
next  year.  That  is  the  figure  realtors  have 
placed  on  the  people  coming  in  as  a result 
of  the  building  of  new  film  plants  at  Studio 
City,  a spot  a few  miles  beyond  Burbank. 

The  Valley,  which  is  already  occupied  by 
Universal  and  will  be  occupied  by  Mack 
Sennett’s  studios,  is  former  desert  land  and 
has  what  is  regarded  as  the  most  sizzling 
temperature  in  the  vicinity  of  Los  Angeles. 
Many  times,  reports  have  it,  the  hot  roads 
have  melted  the  inner  tubes  of  autos  during 
August  and  September — but  there’s  a degree 
of  doubt  in  that. 

DeMille  Given  Gold 
Tablet  at  200th  Show 
of  **Kings**  on  Coast 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— A wrought 
Roman  gold  tablet  engrossed  with  the 
autographs  of  many  of  filmdom’s  fa- 
mous stars  on  a parchment  inlay  was 
presented  to  Cecil  B.  De  Mille  last  week 
on  the  occasion  of  the  200th  perform- 
ance of  “The  King  of  Kings”  at  Grau- 
man’s  Chinese  theatre.  Stars,  directors 
and  producers  attended  the  show  which 
was  turned  into  a jubilee  program. 

De  Mille  Studios  Get 
Traveling  Camera  Crane 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CULVER  CITY,  Sept.  6. — An  overhead 
tramway  has  been  installed  on  a recently 
completed  stage  at  the  DeMille  studios  to 
which  a swinging  camera  carriage  may  be 
attached  and  the  camera-crew  and  director 
are  now  able  to  cruise  all  over  this  400  foot 
stage  without  the  least  interruption  of  their 
progress. 

The  first  star  to  be  photographed  with 
this  new  device  is  Marie  Prevost  on  the 
“Pullman”  set. 


Utah  People  Prepare  to 
Greet  Rogell  F.  N,  Unit 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CEDAR  BREAKS,  UTAH,  Sept.  6.— A1 
Rogell,  First  National  director,  will  arrive 
here  this  week  with  a large  company  of 
players  to  make  scenes  for  “Shepherd  of 
the  Hills,”  Harold  Bell  Wright’s  novel  that 
was  read  by  every  literate  man  in  Utah  a 
decade  or  so  ago.  Utah  people  living  as  far 
as  25  miles  from  here  are  preparing  to  visit 
the  location  grounds  to  see  “how  the  movies 
are  made.” 

Maynard  to  Make  Vaude 
Tour  With  Horse  Tarzan 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— Ken  May- 
nard’s personal  appearance  this  week  at  the 
Hillstreet  theatre  here  is  a forerunner  of  a 
vaudeville  tour  he  will  make  soon.  His  act 
consists  of  a stunt  or  two  with  Tarzan,  his 
horse,  and  a few  rope  tricks  and  wise 
cracks. 


With  nine  companies  working  and 
many  others  scheduled  to  start  soon, 
production  activities  at  the  Fox  Films 
West  Coast  studios  are  rapidly  ap- 
proaching the  peak  of  fall  activities. 
John  Ford  is  in  the  midst  of  a preten- 
tious production  with  a German-Ameri- 
can  background  based  on  1.  A.  R.  Wy- 
lie’s Saturday  Evening  Post  story 
‘“Grandma  Bernle  Learns  Her  Letters.” 
This  will  be  the  biggest  production  Ford 
has  made  in  several  years.  Fox  has  an- 
other big  picture  in  the  offing,  “Sun- 
rise,” which  will  be  released  this  fall,  as 
well  as  “Love  of  Carmen,”  just  finished. 

Other  Fox  productions  in  work  are: 
“Publicity  Madness”  an  A1  Ray  feature 
with  Lois  Moran  and  Edmund  Lowe; 
“Pajamas,”  a J.  G.  Blystone  production 
with  Olive  Borden;  “Very  Confidential,” 
directed  by  James  Tinling,  starring 
Madge  Bellamy;  “High  School  Hero,” 
which  is  David  Butler’s  initial  directorial 
effort;  “Blood  Will  Tell,”  a Ray  Flynn 
production,  and  “The  Branded  Som- 
brero,” directed  by  Lambert  Hillyer, 
both  Buck  Jones  starring  vehicles;  and 
“Silver  Valley,”  a new  Tom  Mix  pro- 
duction, directed  by  Ben  Stoloff. 

Seiler  Making  ‘‘Wolf  Fangs” 

Lou  Seiler  and  his  company  are  mak- 
ing “Wolf  Fangs,”  with  “Thunder,”  the 
police  dog,  and  Charles  Morton  fea- 
tured. Dick  Rossen  is  to  direct  “Balla- 
hoo,”  while  A1  Green’s  next  production 
is  “Come  to  My  House”  from  Arthur 
Somers  Roche’s  story.  The  comedy 
companies  of  Fox  are  likewise  pushing 
ahead  on  fall  schedules.  O.  O.  Dull  is 
making  “A  Fool  and  His  Money”  with 
Tyler  Brooks;  Robert  Ray  is  directing 
“Twenty  Legs  Under  the  Sea”  and  “Her 
Blue  Black  Eyes,”  a Eugene  Forde  com- 
edy with  Maria  Casajuana,  and  “A  Silly 
Sailor,”  directed  by  Wallace  McDonald, 
is  under  way  under  George  E.  Marshall’s 
supervision. 

Neilan  Directing  Colleen 

Colleen  Moore,  back  from  a lengthy 
vacation,  has  started  her  new  First  Na- 
tional picture  “I’ll  Tell  the  World,”  un- 
der the  direction  of  Marshall  Neilan. 
John  McCormick  is  producing  it  at  the 
Neilan  studios,  Glendale. 

“The  Private  Life  of  Helen  of  Troy” 


is  nearing  completion  at  the  Burbank 
studios  of  First  National.  Carey  Wil- 
son is  producing  this  screen  version  of 
John  Erskine’s  satire,  with  Alexander 
Korda  directing.  Maria  Corda,  Lewis 
Stone  and  Ricardo  Cortez  have  the  lead- 
ing roles. 

Richard  Barthelmess’  next  picture  will 
be  called  “The  Noose,”  and  Harry  Lang- 
don  is  at  work  on  a new  comedy  as  yet 
unnamed.  Milton  Sills  is  making  “The 
Valley  of  the  Giants”  from  Peter  B. 
Kyne’s  story  with  Charles  Brabin  di- 
recting. It  is  a Wid  Gunning  production. 

Johnny  Hines  has  just  completed 
“Flome  Made”  under  Production  Man- 
ager C.  C.  Burr’s  supervision,  at  the 
Tec-Art  studios.  Billie  Dove’s  current 
starring  vehicle  is  “Louisiana”  for  First 
National.  George  Fitzmaurice  directs 
with  Gilbert  Roland  and  Noah  Beery  in 
support.  Will  Rogers  and  his  “Texas 
Steer”  company  made  the  first  scenes 
of  the  Sam  E.  Rork  production  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  They  will  return  to  the 
Burbank  studios  late  in  September  for 
the  final  scenes. 

Another  Saturday  Evening  Post  story 
to  reach  the  screen  is  “Man  Crazy,” 
which  will  feature  Dorothy  Mackaill  and 
Jack  Mulhall.  Charles  R.  Rogers  is 
producing  it  with  J.  F.  Dillon  directing. 
Mervyn  LeRoy  is  just  completing  his 
first  directorial  venture  “No  Place  to 
Go,”  which  features  Mary  Astor  and 
Lloyd  Hughes.  It  is  a clever  comedy 
drama  with  New  York  City  and  South 
Sea  Island  settings.  “The  Shepherd  of 
the  Hills”  is  another  Charles  R.  Rogers 
production  for  First  National,  directed 
by  A1  Rogell,  with  Alec  B.  Francis,  John 
Boles  and  others  in  the  cast. 

“Gorilla”  Small’s  Thriller 

“The  Gorilla”  from  Ralph  Spence’s 
mystery  play  is  a thriller-plus.  Al.  San- 
tell  is  directing  this  for  Edward  Small, 
with  Charles  Murray  and  Fred  Kelsey 
as  the  famous  sleuths. 

At  the  big  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 
plant.  Culver  City,  many  of  the  immense 
stages  are  occupied.  Work  has  tem- 
porarily been  held  up  on  “Rose  Marie” 
which  William  Nigh  is  directing,  for 
certain  changes  in  the  story.  “The 
(Continued  on  page  24) 


8 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


BETWEEN  THE  SCENES 


Motion  picture  studios  have  got  to  save  more  money.  Millions 
have  been  wasted.  And  one  way  they  can  save  more  money  is  to 
require  every  player,  writer,  star  and  director  to  get  a yellow  card, 
or  possibly  a white  one,  and  punch  a time  clock.  The  clock  would  not  cost 
much. 


Or  if  the  clock  were  too  expensive  the 
studio  could  do  as  Warner  Brothers  has 
done  and  employ  a man  to  sit  at  the  gate  at 
noon  and  write  the  name  of  the  outgoing 
employes  on  a slip  of  paper.  Opposite  his 
name  goes  the  time  he  left  for  lunch.  When 
the  director  (or  author  or  star)  returns 
from  his  ham  sandwich  the  Warner  sentry 
enters  the  time. 

There  are  studios  where  directors,  who 
are  not  on  a shooting  schedule,  are  taking 
as  much  as  an  hour  and  45  minutes  for 
lunch. — but,  they  aren’t  Warner  studios  1 

Tully  ill  a 
Yellow  Cover 

JIM  TIILLY,  who  pleads  membership 
to  your  fraternity  of  the  show-business, 
is  said  to  have  attended  a gathering  at  the 
home  of  Jimmie  Cruze.  In  the  course  of 
the  evening  J.  T.  is  reported  as  having  an- 
swered a taunt  of  Hank  Mencken’s  by  say- 
ing: “Your  American  IMercury  ain’t  so 
much ; it’s  nothing  but  a Scribner  s in  a 
green  cover.’’ 

“An  Ex-Hobo  Looks  at  America”  ain’t 
so  much ; but  it  appears  in  the  September 
issue  of  Scribner’s — under  the  name  of  Mr. 
Tully — and  also,  under  a yellow  cover. 

^ * 

Exhibitors 
Not  Admitted 

Mrs.  SAIITH  told  me  in  strict  confi- 
dence that  she’d  never  buy  their  pic- 
tures again  and  I have  no  intention  of 
breaking  her  confidence  so  I pledge  you  to 
keep  it  to  yourself. 

She  is  a Dixie  theatreowner  and  says 
she  had  no  previous  desire  to  see  the  Para- 
mount lot  because  their  people  meant  less  to 
her  than  Marie  Prevost,  Mulhall  and  such 
stars.  But  her  hotel  was  nearby  and  she 
dropped  in  one  afternoon. 

“Alberta  Smith,  theatre  owner  from 
Rockmartre,  Georgia,”  she  explained  to  an 
unwhiskered  youth  at  the  door. 

“Air.  Gains  says  no  one  can  see  our  ar- 
tists working,”  the  unwhiskered  one  re- 
plied. 

She  went  to  others,  among  them  the  ex- 
change manager  in  Los  Angeles.  She 
went  because  she  wanted  to  make  sure  that 
Air.  Gains’  order  was  actually  intended  to 
prevent  exhibitors  from  visiting  the  factory 
where  their  wares  are  ground  out. 

But  the  order  stuck;  she  did  not  see  the 
“artists”  working. 

Bully  for 
Clara  Bow 

P P.  SCHPTLBERG  will  release  Clara 
Bow  to  Paramount  for  $150,000  and 
the  papers  will  be  signed  this  week.  Clara 
says  Paramount  is  a piker  not  to  offer 
more,  look  what  they’re  getting. 

* * * 

If  you  don’t  believe  that  Clara’s,  a “Bern- 
hardt” ask  her  father.  (Or  ask  Clara.)  It 
was  her  father,  at  any  rate,  who  stormed 
the  offices  of  an  agency  that  had  posted 


“Sparklet”  placards  in  Hollywood  a day  or 
two  ago.  Papa  said  the  placards  bore  the 
name  of  Clara  in  connection  with  the  ar- 
tesian water  and  with  the  fact  that  her  pic- 
ture, “Hula,”  was  booked  for  the  Metro- 
politan theatre.  “No  datter  of  mine  can  be 
used  this  way,  unless — ahem — there’s  a cash 
remuneration.” 

Bully  for  Clara;  and,  bull-y  for  Clara’s 
Dad ! 

* ❖ ^ 

Now  It’s 
Kelly  Cohn 

T T takes  all  kinds  of  nationalities  to  pro- 
duce a successful  motion  picture  writer. 
Up  to  last  week  people  wondered  how  the 
author  of  “The  Cohens  and  Kellys”  could 
have  knowm  so  much  about  the  “Cohens” — 
or  how  he  could  have  known  so  much  about 
the  “Kellys.” 

It  was  last  week  that  A1  Cohn  found 
that  his  mother’s  grandmother’s  name  was 
Powell  until  she  was  married  in  Dublin  to 
a bright  young  fellow  named  Cohn.  That 
wedding  was  a hundred  years  ago  but  that 
was  the  wedding  that  Carl  Laemmle  can 
thank  today  for  the  hit . made  by  “The 
Cohens  and  the  Kellys.”- — Douglas  Hodges. 


Ewart  Adamson  Uses 
Experience  in  Scenario 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.  — Ewart 
Adamson,  well  known  scenarist  and 
author,  who  has  travelled  around  the 
world  four  times  and  has  visited  every 
port  of  importance  on  the  face  of  the 
globe,  declares  that  every  minute  in 
Singapore  is  an  exciting  drama.  Like 
the  late  Jack  London,  Adamson  has  seen 
life  at  the  very  core.  He  has  been  a 
soldier,  sailor,  Canadian  trapper  and  a 
South  Sea  island  refugee. 

While  fighting  with  the  Canadian 
forces  in  the  recent  World  War,  Adam- 
son rose  from  the  ranks  of  a private  to 
that  of  a major.  Many  incidents  of  his 
colorful  life  are  elaborated  on  in  his 
screen  stories.  In  “Shanghaied,”  one  of 
his  recent  scenarios  filmed  by  FBO,  a 
gruesome  deck  fight  was  the  replica  of 
one  that  Adamson  had  witnessed  while 
seafaring  on  a tramp  steamer. 

U^s  **Cat  and  Canary” 
Clicks  in  San  Antonio 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SAN  ANTONIO,  Sept.  6.— The  acid 
test  was  given  Universal’s  mystery  drama, 
“The  Cat  and  the  Canary,”  starring  Laura 
LaPlante,  at  the  Aztec  theatre  last  week, 
in  what  was  announced  as  the  world’s  pre- 
miere. With  severe  opposition  in  the 
“Rough  Riders,”  at  the  Texas  theatre,  the 
Aztec  registered  heavily  with  this  mock 
mystery.  Manager  William  Epstein  states 
that  he  is  more -than  pleased  with  the  show- 
ing that  the  picture  made,  and  assures 
R.  I.  Payne,  manager  of  the  new  LIniversal 
exchange  in  San  Antonio,  that  he  will 
henceforth  book  as  many  LIniversals  as 
possible. 


Wally  Fox,  director  at  leit,  and  AI  Sieg- 
ler,  cameraman,  on  their  hundred 
forty-eighth  scene  of  “Driftin’  Sands” 
for  Film  Booking  OfEces. 

Dan  Clark  Denies 
New  Society  Will 
Absorb  the  A.  S.  C. 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— Daniel  B. 
Clark,  president  of  t’ne  American  society 
of  Cinematographers,  denies  the  A.  S.  C. 
is  to  be  absorbed  by  the  International 
Photographers  of  the  Motion  Picture 
Industry,  or  that,  as  reported,  several  mem- 
bers of  the  A.  S.  C.  had  joined  the  newly 
formed  organization. 

“The  American  Society  of  Cinemato- 
graphers,” Clark  states,  “is  one  of  the  old- 
est organizations  in  the  motion  picture 
industry,  with  assets  aggregating  many 
thousands  of  dollars,  and,  as  such,  has  absol- 
utely no  intention  of  being  absorbed  by 
any  recently  created  photographic  body. 
After  nine  years  of  constructive  usefulness 
to  t’ne  cinema  art,  with  policies  of  recog- 
nized and  proven  success,  it  is  farcical  to 
suggest  that  the  A.  S.  C.  forfeit  its  ident- 
ity to  a newcomer  of  unascertained  stabil- 
ity. Comprising  a membership  that  is  now 
in  excess  of  200,  which  numbers  more  than 
90  per  cent  of  the  men  who  are  actually 
employed  at  photographing  the  world’s  best 
motion  pictures,  the  A.  S.  C.  is  at  the  most 
successful  point  in  its  history. 

“We  wrote  that,  according  to  the  pub- 
lished report,  members  of  the  new  organ- 
ization are  not  to  be  permitted  to  do  any 
work  in  connection  with  lighting.  To 
divest  the  cinematographer  of  the  power 
to  light  his  players  and  sets  is  to  extinguish 
one  of  the  prime  requisites  of  the  pro- 
fession of  a cinematographer,  and  no  cap- 
able camera  artist  would  for  one  minute 
countenance  such  an  unprofessional  inno- 
vation— which  would  ultimately  mean  an 
inferior  m.otion  picture  and  thus  harm  the 
industry  as  a whole.” 


Mexico  Bars  Pictures 
WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Sept.^  6.— The  Post 
Office  department  has  been  advised  that  films 
produced  and  distributed  by  a number  of  Ameri- 
can motion  picture  concerns  are  prohibited  from 
entering  Mexico  because  of  the  inclusion  therein 
of  matter  deemed  derogatory  to  the  Mexican  peo- 
ple. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


9 


University  on  Coast  Installs 
Film  School  with  Hays’  O.K. 

Elaborate  Course  Offers  Fame  Struck  Youths  a Run  for  Their 
Money;  Fake  “Movie  Schools”  Invent  New  Means 
of  Frisking  Hollywood  Yokels 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6. — The  University  of  Southern  California,  which  is  lo- 
cated here,  has  digested  the  newspaper  reports  of  the  chief  of  police  in  his  war  on 
fake  movie  schools  and  last  week  announced  that  it  would  do  its  part  in  providing 
a school  for  film  struck  adolescence. 

Rufus  P.  von  Kleinschmidt,  president,  has  obviously  concluded  that  since 
there  are  hundreds  of  people  with  a hankering  for  the  screen  and  since  they 
are  long  on  theory  and  ready  to  pay  for  it,  his  university  can  do  no  better 
than  give  them  a real  school. 

Will  Give  Them  Run  for  Their  Money 

He  is  eng'aging  good  instructors  and  outlining-  a course  that  will  at 
least  give  them  a run  for  their  money. 


WHAT  PRICE 
LAUGHS! 


Stephen  Roberts  “at  ease”  with  one  of 
the  lionesses  he  used  in  a picture. 


A CAT  is  said  to  have  nine  lives,  but 
-P*  Stephen  Roberts,  Educational  ace 
comedy  director,  has  exceeded  this  quota 
in  his  quest  for  laughs.  It  does  seem 
that  Roberts  has  had  more  escapes  than 
his  share.  He  has  escaped  sudden  and 
complete  extinction  in  dynamite  and 
gasoline  explosions,  airplane  falls,  roller 
coaster  crashes  and  attacks  by  lions  and 
tigers ! 

What  price  laughs! 

A lioness  pounced  upon  him  three 
times  while  he  was  directing  a jungle 
scene.  He  spent  six  weeks  in  a hospital 
recovering  from  57  bites  and  scratches. 
He  learned  about  lions  from  her. 

While  doubling  for  a camera  man, 
strapped  to  a roller  coaster,  he  was 
hurled  clear  out  of  the  car  when  the 
ropes  broke.  It  was  going  a mile-a-min- 
ute,  nearly  100  feet  in  the  air.  A friend 
reached  out  with  one  hand,  caught  him 
and  pulled  him  back  to  safety. 

High  up  in  a giant  California  sequoia 
tree,  he  was  drenching  the  tree  with 
mixed  oil  and  gasoline  to  get  a special 
forest  fire  effect.  He  looked  down, — 
in  a circle  of  oil  60  feet  below,  an  actor 
was  lighting  a cigaret.  Later  the  tree 
went  up  in  a solid  sheet  of  flame. 

Despite  every  precaution  against  ac- 
cident a powder  explosion  in  a scene 
hurled  a 4x5  timber  directly  at  the  direc- 
tor. It  hit  him  squarely  between  the 
eyes,  knocking  him.  cold,  but  it  did  not 
break  his  glasses.  He  might  have  been 
blinded. 

While  doubling  again  for  a camera 
man,  he  fell  out  of  an  airplane  while 
the  pilot  was  doing  a stunt.  He  caught 
the  camera  and  pulled  himself  back. 
While  not  particularly  affectionate,  he 
kissed  the  property  man  who  wired  that 
camera  to  the  plane. 

Even  tragic  moments  have  their  hu- 
morous side.  While  directing  another 
jungle  scene,  he  accidentally  sat  upon  a 
box  which  contained  meat  for  the  tiger. 
What  that  tiger  did  to  the  director  was 
nobody’s  business. 

What  price  laughs! 


Subjects  to  be  taught  include  motion 
picture  architecture,  decorative  arts, 
science  and  technique  in  cinematogra- 
phy, composition,  literature  and  criticism, 
with  emphasis  on  scenario  writing  and 
continuity. 

Establishment  of  the  motion  picture 
curriculum  followed  conferences  with 
Douglas  Fairbanks  and  Milton  Sills, 
president  and  chairman  respectively  of 
the  Academy  of  Motion  Picture  Arts 
and  Sciences.  Will  Hays  also  has  en- 
dorsed the  course. 

Requirements  Rigid 

Requirements  for  admission  to  the 
course,  and  this  is  the  only  misfortune, 
will  be  the  same  as  apply  to  the  College 
of  Liberal  Arts  and  other  departments  of 
the  university. 

During  the  past  few  days  an  entirely 
new  scheme  for  mulcting  the  unwary 
has  been  discovered  in  Hollywood.  Sev- 
eral small  concerns,  without  financial 
backing  or  e.xperience,  have  rented  space 
in  independent  studios  hereabouts  and 
announced  themselves  as  independent 
producers  of  motion  pictures. 

Solicit  Dancers 

They  then  obtain  a list  of  graduates 
or  pupils  attending  dancing  schools  of 
the  city  and  by  correspondence  or  direct 
selling  talk  convince  these  classic  danc- 
ers that  their  opportunity  to  get  into  pic- 
tures has  arrived.  It  is  then  explained  that 
if  they  wish  to  enter  pictures  to  play  bits, 
01'  atmosphere,  it  can  be  arranged  for  a 
very  nominal  sum,  say  $250.  If,  however, 
they  are  more  ambitious  and  want  bigger 
parts  for  $500  they  can  be  given  important 


“Rough  Riders”  Breaks 
San  Antonio  Record 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

SAN  ANTONIO,  Sept.  6.  — 
Breaking  by  far  all  records  of  the- 
atre attendance  in  San  Antonio, 
the  Texas  theatre  literally  jammed 
them  in  for  one  solid  week  with 
* the  showing  of  “Rough  Riders,” 
Paramount’s  epic  of  Roosevelt’s 
famous  horsemen.  The  huge  at- 
tendance is  explainable  because 
the  picture  was  almost  entirely 
filmed  in  San  Antonio,  with  many 
of  its  citizens  taking  part. 

The  picture  played  last  week  at 
the  Texas,  and  a state  record  was 
made  for  50c  top  price  houses.  The 
house  took  in  well  over  six  thou- 
sand dollars  more  than  its  previ- 
ous record,  since  the  opening  in 
December. 


roles  or  featured  parts.  Anyone  with 
$1,0(.K)  can  be  made  a star  immediately. 

This,  of  course,  means  that  they  will 
be  used  in  these  cheaply  made  pictures, 
which  have  no  market  value,  and  have 
no  releasing  outlet,  save  a few  wild-cat 
theatres  here  and  there  which  play  double 
hills. 

Promise  Share  in  Profits 

The  suave  salesman  for  one  of  these 
companies  also  promises  these  embryo 
stars  a share  in  the  profits  of  the  pic- 
ture, if  any,  thus  they  will  get  back  part 
or  all  of  their  original  payment. 

Business  has  not  been  so  good  with 
one  of  these  concerns  and  when  the  in- 
dependent studio  found  out  that  they 
were  not  only  low  in  finances,  but  were 
working  a scheme  that  was  not  strictly 
on  the  level,  they  were  ordered  out.  Leg- 
islation has  been  suggested  to  curb  not  only 
the  movie  schools  of  California  but  also 
these  “fly-by-night  producers”  who  en- 
gage people  to  work  for  them  and  in 
nine  cases  out  of  ten  fail  to  make  good. 

Niblo  to  Direct  Fifth 
Colman-Banky  Picture 

(St'coal  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.  — Samuel 
Goldwyn,  producer,  announced  yesterday 
he  had  made  arrangements  with  Joseph 
P.  Scheuck,  of  United  Artists,  to  obtain 
the  services  of  Fred  Niblo,  who  is  under 
contract  to  him,  to  direct  the  fifth  Ron- 
ald Colman-Vilma  Banky  production  to 
follow  “The  Magic  Flame.”  Niblo  has 
just  completed  “The  Enemy,”  starring 
Lillian  Gish.  Other  films  whose  excel- 
lence may  be  attributed  to  his  skill  in- 
clude, “Ben  Hur,”  “The  Mark  of  Zorro,” 
“The  Three  Muskateers”  and  “Camille.” 

Ronald  Colman  will  be  co-starred  with 
Vilma  Banky  in  this  next  film,  as  yet 
untitled. 

Dorothy  Farnum  Goes 
on  Continental  T our 

(Special  "o  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— On  the  first 
leg  of  a whirlwind  Europeon  tour, 
Dorothy  Farnum,  Hollywood  scenarist, 
will  leave  Los  Angeles  Saturday  for  New 
York,  whence  she  will  sail  Sept.  10,  on 
“The  He  de  France”  for  the  Continent. 
Maurice  Barber,  her  husband,  head  of 
the  Cinema  Finance  Company,  of  Holly- 
wood, will  join  her  abroad  in  November. 

Miss  Farnum  will  tour  France,  Eng- 
land, Italy,  and  Egypt  on  the  trip.  She 
has  obtained  leave  from  Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer,  who  has  a contract  for  her  serv- 
ices. 


10 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


Rambling  ’Round  in  Hollywood 


WHEN  Fred  Thomson  does  things  he  acts  in  accordance  with  the 
Code  of  Romance.  There’s  nothing  but  poetry  and  imagery  about 
Fred.  To  him  this  workaday  world  is  a palace  of  enchantment. 
He’s:  a dreamer.  That’s  why  he’s  a good  actor. 

As  proof  of  Fred’s  romantic  spirit,  he’s  going  to  Ireland  this  month  to 
buy  a horse.  Everybody  goes  there  to  kiss  the  Blarney  Stone  or  to  see 
the  Lakes  of  Killarney.  But  how  many  make  the  trip  just  to  buy  a horse? 


Fred,  now  making  “Jesse  James”  for 
I^aramount,  has  a noble  beast,  but 
recently  he  heard  of  another  horse,  in 
Ireland,  with  w'hite  eyes,  this  white  extend- 
ing solidly  through  the  eye  balls,  similar 
to  Silver  King.  A horse  of  this  type  screens 
like  Pegasus  looks  to  a poet. 

So  Fred  is  going  to  Ireland  for  the  sole 
purpose  of  buying  the  white-eyed  animal  of 
Erin. 

* * 

Hollywood  Cops  Are  That  Way 

Here’s  a story  of  a big-hearted  motion 
picture  actor.  He  was  in  a casting  direc- 
tor’s office  recently  when  he  saw  a pretty 
young  extra  girl  in  tears.  He  questioned 
her.  She  was  evasive.  He  consoled  her. 
She  wept  all  the  more.  Finally  his  kindness 
w’on  out.  Womanlike,  she  told  her  story. 
She  had  been  occupying  a furnished  apart- 
ment with  two  other  extra  girls.  'They 
skipped  by  the  light  of  the  moon,  leaving 
her  responsible  for  a rent  bill  of  $100.  And 
she  didn’t  even  have  a trading  stamp.  The 
actor  asked  how  much  baggage  she  had  in 
the  apartment.  Just  one  trunk.  That  was 
easy,  he  said.  He  told  her  to  be  in  the 
apartment  at  2 o’clock  on  the  following 
morning  wdth  the  trunk  all  packed  and 
that  he  would  come  along  with  a truck. 
This  he  did,  driving  the  vehicle  into  an 
alley  alongside  the  apartment.  As  he 
stepped  out  of  the  truck  a policeman  came 
along  and  proceeded  to  give  him  a ticket 
for  parking. 

“I’m  not  parking,”  said  the  actor,  “I’ve 
just  bought  a trunk  which  is  upstairs.  It’s 
too  heavy  for  one  man  to  carry.”  “There’s 
nothing  too  heavy  for  me  to  carry,”  boasted 
the  cop.  “I  used  to  be  a champion  shot- 
putter.”  “Is  that  so?”  smiled  the  actor. 
“Well,  I’ll  bet  you  can’t  carry  this  trunk 
downstairs.”  The  cop  hurried  into  the 
apartment  house,  proceeded  to  a door  which 
had  been  left  open  by  the  extra  in  distress, 
put  the  trunk  on  his  shoulders  and  carried 
it  dowm  to  the  truck.  “You’re  a fine  one,” 
he  said  to  the  actor.  “It  was  a cinch  to 
lug  this  down.”  Sounds  something  like  the 
old  Follies  story  of  the  Policeman  Who 
Kicked  the  Fairy  Over  the  Fence,  doesn’t 
it?  Well,  the  yarn’s  true,  the  name  of  the 
actor  is  withheld  at  his  own  request,  the 
extra  girl  has  gone  back  to  her  home  in 
Iowa — and  that’s  that. 

>}c  ^ ^ 

But  They’re  in  the  Movies  Now 

And  now  for  a real  story  which  illustrates 
the  character  of  John  Ford,  Fox  director. 
A visitor  to  the  Fox  Hills  studios  was  in- 
troduced to  Ford,  who  served  as  a major 
overseas.  Ford  looked  at  him  keenly  for 
a time  and  then  asked ; “Weren’t  you  run 
out  of  Paris  during  the  war  for  slapping 
a major  in  the  face?” 

“I  was,”  replied  the  visitor.  “I’m  the  guy. 
Why?” 

“Oh,  nothing,”  answered  Ford  ...  “I 
was  the  major.” 

The  visitor  almost  collapsed.  He  had 
slapped  Major  Ford  while  suffering  from 
an  attack  of  Vin  Blanc.  He  began 
stumbling  out  an  apology  but  Ford  directed 


him  to  forget  it.  That’s  one  reason  every- 
body likes  John. 

^ ^ ^ 

West  Coast  Greater  Movie  Season  this 
year  is  proving  a joy  and  a delight  out  these 
ways.  It  is  spectacular.  It  is  swift.  The 
campaign  has  been  carried  on  with  such 
speed  that  many  interesting  sidelights  were 
overlooked.  Harold  B.  Franklin,  president 
of  West  Coast  Theatres,  Inc.,  gets  the  solid 
silver  mead-cup  for  working  up  the  West 
Coast  Greater  Movie  Season.  Many  main- 
tained that  “it  couldn’t  be  done”  without 
a tremendous  expenditure  of  money. 

The  wiseacres  got  together  and  advised 
that  one  man  be  put  in  charge  of  publicity. 
Franklin  said  no.  He  wanted  competition. 
He  wanted  each  theatre  press  agent  to  align 
himself  against  the  other  and  see  which 
would  come  out  on  top.  Prizes  would  be 
given  to  those  who  did  the  best  work  in 
their  respective  districts.  Then  the  fun 
began.  It  was  one  press  agent  against  the 
other,  with  no  quarter.  Did  they  work? 
And  how ! Big  breaks  in  the  papers.  Pages 
of  cooperative  ads.  Bob  Doman,  of  Loew’s 
State,  lost  30  pounds  the  first  two  weeks, 
so  that  he  now  looks  like  Stonewall  Jackson 
instead  of  Nero,  the  P.  A.  who  was  a fiery 
fiddler.  Bob  Collier,  rangy  in  build,  holds 
the  world’s  record  for  covering  more  news- 
paper offices  in  an  hour  than  any  three  pub- 
licity men.  The  whole  affair  has  gone  over 
with  a bang.  A great  desire  on  the  part 
of  the  public  to  see  motion  pictures  was 
created  and  the  box  offices  groaned  with 
new  records.  The  theatre  publicity  men  are 
still  working  18  hours  a day  and  liking  it, 
because  each  thinks  he  is  larruping  the 
other.  Newspaper  clippings  as  bulky  as 
bales  of  cotton  are  being  sent  to  the  West 
Coast  offices.  The  tough  part  of  it  all  is 
that  Lou  Edelman,  editor  of  “Now,”  the 
West  Coast  official  organ,  has  to  boil  the 
steaming  facts  down  to  only  a few  pages. 

Never  before — never  again — never  unto 
eternity  will  there  be  another  West  Coast, 
East  Coast  or  any  Coast  Greater  Movie 
Season  as  “peppy”  as  the  present  one.  Even 
the  stars  got  huge  twinkles  of  fun  and 
thrills  out  of  making  personal  appearances, 
and  on  one  memorable  night  everybody  who 
had  anything  to  do  with  the  making  of  a 
certain  big  picture — “Underworld”  was 
featured  at  the  Metropolitan  theatre.  And 
the  public  got  a big  “kick”  out  of  it. — 
J.  M.  Loughborough. 

Cameramen  Create 

Studio  Organization 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.  — Having  for 
its  purpose  the  increasing  of  production 
efficiency,  two  cameraman’s  organizations 
have  been  formed  at  the  Paramount  stu- 
dios. 

In  addition  to  the  increasing  production 
efficiency  the  newly  created  organizations 
will  strive  to  bring  about  a close  affiliation 
among  the  workers  in  the  camera  depart- 
ment. 


Smiling  Through  ” 

— - "■  By  Rufus  McCosh*-^  ■— 

TWID  you  hear  about  me  and  Patsy 
Brunner  gettin’  married? 

What  do  you  mean  ‘frequently?’  I ain’t 
kiddin.’  This  is  on  the  level.  You’re  as 
wise  as  a motion  picture  editor  on  a Los 
Angeles  paper — which  don’t  believe  any- 
thing unless  he  sees  it,  and  not  much  of 
that. 

Me  and  Patsy  Brunner  has  been  engaged 
off  and  on  ever  since  we  was  both  in  New 
York,  her  in  vaudeville  and  me  as  her 
personal  press  agent.  When  I’m  her  finan- 
cee  I’m  her  press  agent  and  when  I ain’t 
her  financee  I ain’t  her  press  agent,  and 
vice  verses.  Women  is  so  temperamental. 
Anyhow,  I been  both  a couple  of  times 
since  she’s  out  here,  and  it  ain  t no  easy 
job  bein’  either.  It  kinda  gets  on  my 
nerves  sometimes.  She  don’t  do  nothin 
to  write  much  about  and  whatever  I write 
don’t  suit  her  and  don’t  suit  these  here 
new'spaper  men. 

The  Globe  people  has  a big  part  for  a 
vamp  and  as  a gag  they  sends  out  return 
post  cards  to  a lotta  film  noticeables  for 
suggestions  as  to  the  right  actress  for  the 
part.  I gets  one  off  of  a feller’s  desk  that 
would  give  it  to  me  if  he’d  been  in  right 
then,  and  gets  500  printed  like  it.  I fills 
in  Patsy’s  name  and  mails  ’em.  What’s 
wrong  with  that  ? They  wanted  sugges- 
tions didn’t  they?  I gave  ’em  some.  That’s 
absolutely  all  they  was  to  it,  but  you’d  a 
thought  I murdered  somebody  when  I 
calls  at  the  studio  a coupla  days  later  to 
ask  about  the  returns.  How  was  I to  know 
they  only  sent  out  a measly  200  cards.  I 
thought  they’d  send  out  a couple  of  thou- 
sand at  least.  At  that  they  couldn’t  prove 
nothin’  on  me.  It  was  all  suspicions. 

So  I’m  kinda  on  the  outs  with  the  news- 
papers and  this  all  happens  about  the  time 
they’re  printin’  a lot  ’a  bunk  about  not 
givin’  so  much  free  publicity  to  the  movie 
actors. 

Anyhow  I decides  to  make  something 
happen  which  they  will  have  to  print  and 
with  those  ends  in  view  I fixes  up  a plan 
with  Patsy  which  I tells  her  is  ‘sure  fire. 

“Baby,”  I says,  “we  gotta  give  these 
birds  some  real  news.  That’s  the  answer. 

“It  sounds  like  a question,”  she  says. 
“Are  we  gonna  get  married?” 

“Not  right  away,”  I says,  “conditions 
ain’t  just  right,  and  would  make  it  harder 
for  you  to  get  strong  established  in  pic- 
tures,” I says. 

“Yeh?”  she  says,  “that  would  be  terrible. 
All  I gets  now  is  promises  from  you  and 
the  agency,  and  my  money  won’t  last  for- 
^Yer.  How  about  that  swell  part  at^  First 
National  you  says  A1  Rockett  was  going  to 
have  for  me?” 

“Lissen,  Baby,”  I says  “you  do  as  I say 
and  they’ll  all  be  callin’  for  you.” 

“Yeh?”  she  says,  “with  the  ambulance!” 

“Wait  a minute,  can’t  you?”  I says,  “all 
you  gotta  do  is  set  fire  to  a curtain  in  your 
sittin’  room  at  exactly  11  p.  m.  tomorrow 
night  and  leave  the  rest  to  me.” 

“Leave  the  rest  to  you,”  she  hollers. 
“Leave  the  rest  to  the  police,  you  mean . 
What  kind  of  a chump  do  you  take  me 
for?”  _ _ 

“How  many  kinds  ot,  you  mean ! 1 

comes  back  at  her.  But  at  last  I gets  her 
to  agree  and  I goes  home. 

The  next  morning  I calls  up  Reed  Mal- 
loy who  is  one  of  these  motion  picture 
editors. 

“Reed,”  I says  “you  gonna  be  at  the 
opening  at  the  ‘Carthay  Circle’  tonight? 

(Continued  on  page  28) 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


11 


Latest 

Production 

News 


TACK  ]V  ARNER,  able  studio 
*J  executive  of  Warner  Brothers, 
starts  produ'ctio'u  on  six  new  pic- 
tures and  keeps  up  with  the  year’s 
schedule. 


ria 


Direct 

to 

Exhibitors 


JOHN  FORD  has  seen  great  possibili- 
ties in  '‘Grandma  Bernle”  and  he  is 
zuorking  with  a good  cast  to  produce  a 
Fox  picture  that  tvill  ring  the  bell. 


Gertrude  astor  plays  the 

role  of  “the  Great’’  in  “Ginsberg 
the  Great.”  A Warner  Brother.^  Jezv- 
ish  production  just  completed. 


RTHUR  STONE,  featured  First  National  comedian, 
weds  Dorothy  Westmore,  member  of  the  technical  staff 
at  F.  N.  The  newlyzveds  are  at  Scotia,  Cal.,  for  several 
days.  Arthur’s  last  picture  was  “Hard  Boiled  Haggerty” 
in  which  he  supported  Milton  Sills.  He  also  played  an  im- 
portant role  in  "Patent  Leather  Kid.” 


HE  report  has  reached  California  that  although  Jaysee 
Jenkins  continues  to<  talk  about  “Clara,”  (his  fiivz'er)  he 
has,  in  reality,  ditched  "Clara”  inadvertently  or  otherwise 
and  is  driznng  a Lincoln  christened  "Marie”  in  honor  of 
Marie  Prevost,  Pathe  star.  Whether  the  facts  are  true  they 
are  interesting. 


12 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


T)UTH  HIATT’S  zcork  in  the  ‘‘Sinith 
-LI  Scries”  has  made  her  famed,  or 
famous.  She  is  the  Hollyzvood  girl  zvith 
light  hair  zvho  did  not  try  out  for 
‘‘Gentlemen  Prefer  Blondes.”  She’s  in 
Pathe’s  lineup. 


^AROL  LOMBARD,  leading  zeoman 
^ for  Billy  Bevan  in  his  latest  Mack 
Sennett  comedy  for  P.  D.  C.-Pathe,  is 
blonde  and  hound  for  a place  in  some- 
one’s marquee  lights. 


rIME  for  lunch!  Lloyd  Bacon  demon- 
strates an  overdone  floUyzoood  pastime 
zoith  Myrna  Loy,  Warner  Brothers  ac- 
tress, in  the  role  of  the  angel.  Their 
latest  film  is  “Only  a SailoPs  Sweetheart.” 


Leo  MEEHAN  held  a private 
shozoing  of  “The  HarvesteP’ 
last  zueek  and  nczvspapermcn  re- 
port it  is  bo.r  office  stuff.  It’s  the 
Indiana  story  made  for  F B 0. 


OLIVE  BORDEN  is  playing  in  “Pa- 
jamas” for  Fo.r  and  posing  in  them 
for  this  still  zvith  her  Chozv  dog.  (The 
Chozv,  Olive’s  supervisor,  contemplates 
action  of  ne.vt  scene.) 


ii'T^HE  Movn  of  Israel”  zz’as  made  four  years  ago  by  Michael  Curtis  in 
-L  Europe  but  zvas  released  only  recently  by  F B 0.  Curtis  in  inset. 
During  the  first  zveek  of  its  shozving  at  the  Roxy  theatre,  Nezv  York,  the  box 
office  registered  iio.ooo  attendance.  Still  shozvs  mob  in  front  of  “Amon 
Rah,”  Babylonian  deity. 


T^RED  NIBLO  completed  “The  Enemy” 
JP  for  M-G-M  on  scheduled  time  by  shoot- 
ing an  average  of  14  scenes  each  day.  An 
intelligent  cast  aided  him.  Above  are  Lillian 
Gish,  Polly  Moran,  and  Ralph  Forbes. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


13 


Intimate  Shots  from  Hottywood  and  Environs 


fpVERYBODY  in  the  cast  toes  the  mark.  It’s  Mer- 
vyn  Leroy’s  first  cast,  his  first  big  mark  (and  very 
likely  his  first  toes).  “No  Place  to  Go,”  the  title,  F.  N. 
the  releasing  co'inpany;  left  to  right:  Myrtle  Stedman, 
Mary  Astor,  Ben  Si'lvey,  Ben  Lyon,  Hal  Cooley  and 
Mervyn. 


rAKL  a snapshot  of  an 
artist  and  you’ll  get  an  ef- 
fect like  this.  Both  Leo  E. 
Kuter  and  Park  French,  right, 
are  art  directors  for  United 
Artists. 


A LBERTA  VAUGHN,  one 
71  of  the  younger  genera- 
tion of  leading  feminine  play- 
ers, appears  in  First  Nation- 
al’s “The  Drop  Kick”  zvith 
Barthelmess. 


HERE  are  producers  who  receive  letters  from  fans  and 
theatre  ozvners.  Jack  White,  one  of  them,  says  the  letters 
bring  him  constructive  suggestions  that  guide  him  in  his  opin- 
ions as  to  public  demand  in  Educational  comedies.  If  you 
doubt  it  'write  him  and  get  a reply.  Perhaps  he  zoill  give  you 
a few  suggestions. 


CHARLES  C.  BURR,  a college  man  zolw  has  made  a fig- 
ure in  the  show  business,  and  Marjorie  Daio,  who’s 
figuring  importantly  in  “Home  Made,”  the  comedy  Johnny 
Hines  is  making  for  First  National.  Although  the  picture 
ivill  be  completed  this  week  it  zvill  not  be  released  before 
the  end  of  the  year. 


14 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF  September  10,  1927 


Fred  NIBLO  completes  cutting  and  editing  of  “The  Enemy’’  for  M-G-M  foT 
loiving  concentrated  efforts  to'  turn  the  picture  out  on  time.  Some  say  the  pic- 
ture is  Niblo’s  testimonial  that  pictures  can  be  made  on  an  efficiency  program.  His 
twofold  agreement,  incidentally,  noiv  takes  him  to  the  U.  A.  lot  to  make  his  next 
production.  At  right  is  his  first  assistant,  Harold  Buequet;  left,  a staff'  assistant. 


rHE  stage  had  but  one  Duse — the 
screen  but  one  Goudal.  The  world 
knows  her  for  the  work  she  has  done 
in  De  Milk  pictures.  Her  latest  is 
“Eorbidden  Women,”  Pathe  release. 


George  hill,  director  of  “But- 
tons,” has  completed  cutting  the 
picture  and  will  begin  on  another 
M-G-M  production  at  once.  “Buttons” 
stars  Jackie  Coogan. 


W 


ILLIAM  K.  HOWARD  begins  work  on  “Almost  Human,”  a story  of  a pair 
of  pugilists  and  a pretty  girl.  Eotvr  of  the  cast  appear  with  him  above: 


Rudolph  Schildkraut,  Charles  Delaney,  Vera  Reynolds,  W.  K.  H.,  and  Robert  Arm- 
strong. Director  Howard  is  under  contract  vrith  P.  D.  C. -Pathe.  Vera  Reynolds 
has  been  elevated  to  stardom. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


15 


J^OB  De  LACY  is  in  the  Salt  Lake  City  coun- 
■O  try  directing  "The  Red  Riders  of  Canada,”  a 
mounty,  after  having  completed  i8  films  starring 
Tom  Tyler,  right.  Tom,  FBO  crowd-getter,  is 
working  under  James  Dugan’s  direction. 


A1  Boasberg  will  visit 
Chicago  several  days 
as  a part  of  his  va- 
cation program  this 
month. 


JUST  to  shozo  you  that  Johnny  Hines  is  able 
to  be  up  and  around — Johnny  is  completing 
"work  on  "Home  Made”  despite  the  misfortune 
of  an  automobile  accident  a few  days  ago.  First 
National  zcill  release  the  picture. 


T^DDIE  QUILLEN  turns  film  salesman.  He 
Cj  pointed  out  the  highlights  of  Educational 
studios  to  Mrs.  Alberta  Smith  of  the  Palace  thea- 
tre, Rockmartre,  Ga.,  and  her  daughters,  Louise, 
left,  above,  Edna  and  Marion,  left  and  right, 
below. 


Jack  Mulhall  starts 
to  work  next  week  on 
“Man  Crazy,”  First 
National  comedy. 


ryROUDf  If  you  had  a new  Studebaker  road- 
ster  and  this  German  wolfhound  you’d  be  as 
proud  as  Billy  Bevan.  Billy  has  been  at  the  Sen- 
nett  lot  more  than  nine  years  and  in  Pathe  com- 
edies nearly  as  long.  (Note  Bevan  moustache  in 
his  hat.) 


Buck  JONES  knows  lUs  IPKsfems.  He  is  doing  “The 
Branded  Sombrero Fox  production.  One  of  the  most 
steady  -workers  in  the  constellation  of  stars,  Buck  turns  out 
almost  a dozen  pictures  a year.  That  is  the  record  stride  of 
any  U'estern  player  in  his  sphere. 


A STAR  shines  the  pumps  of  his  teammate.  Harrison  Ford, 
./a  who  shines  as  a comedian  in  “The  Girl  in  the  Pullman,” 
is  counted  one  of  the  best  box  o'ffice  names  on  the  Pathe 
lineup.  Marie  Prevost  is  opposite  him  in  the  “Pullman” 
film,  just  completed. 


OROTHY  DEVORE  called  this  her  “slapstick”  scene. 
The  slapping  is  too  real  to  be  amusing.  The  director 
of  the  comedy  is  Norman  Taurog,  center;  his  cameraman 
right,  Leonard  Smith.  Miss  Devore  is  becoming  zvell  known 
as  a screen  comedienne. 


and  Joseph  Schildkraut  appear  in  the  cast;  David  Abel,  left, 
is  cameraman  while  Pawl  Stein,  right,  is  the  distinguished 
director.  It’s  a Pathe  release. 


17 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


JANET  GAYNOR  zvill 
appear  in  another 
Frank  Borzage  film  and 
hopes  it  zvill  come  up  to 
“Seventh  Heaven.”  Fox 
says  it  may. 


(^TEFE  ROBERTS 

O zvasii't  c.rpccfing  to  he 
shot  all  hough  he  zvas  in 
the  midst  of  a nezv  Great 
War  comedy  on  the  Edu- 
cational lot. 


If^Ll ZABE'TH  PICKETT , zvomaji  director  and  producer  of 
“Varieties,”  in  the  snozv  country  of  Oregon.  (Mt.  Ranicr 
in  the  background.)  As  a result  of  locations  discovered  by 
her  recently  and  a story  suggested  by  her  Fox  Films  has  sent 
Lou  Siclcr  to  Washington  to  direct  “Wolf  Fangs.” 


HE  HERALD  cameraman  zvas  dispatched  to  get  a photo- 
graph  of  a team  whose  likenesses  have  never  appeared  in 
its  pages.  The  h.  c.  returned  with  the  above  shot  of  Sammy 
Cohen  and  Ted  McNamara  zoith  Elinor  Flynn  sandzmehed 
in.  They’re  in  nezv  Fox  comedy.  See  ’em  later. 


r^ARNER  BAXTER 
yy  zvill  play  the  role  of 
“AUesandro”  in  “Ramona,” 
Edzvin  Carezve’s  produc- 
tion for  United  Artists. 


Gladys  McCON- 
NELL’S  big  break  of 
year  is  role  in  “Three’s  a 
Crozvd,”  zvhich  stars  Harry 
Langdon.  F.  N.  release. 


18 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


Below  is  the  copy  exhibitors  are 
placing  in  home  town  papers 

Publication  Rights  Granted  Exhibitors 


Special  Assignments  Will 
Be  Covered  for  Elxhibitors 
Upon  Request  to  Editor 
“The  Studio,”  Exhibitors 
Herald,  Los  Angeles. 


^ A Double  News  Service  In- 
forming the  Showman  Upon 
Studio  Events  and  Enabling 
Him  to  Inform  His  Reader 
Patrons  in  Turn. 


HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— Alan  Hale, 
DeMille’s  popular  director-actor,  has  been 
given  a brand  new  contract,  under  which 
he  will  not  only  play  comedy  roles,  but 
.will  also  direct.  His  next  portrayal  will  be 
in  “The  Blue  Danube.”  Other  outstanding 
roles  portrayed  by  Hale  appear  in  “V anity” 
and  “The  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus.” 

Ho,  Hum! 

Mack  Sennett  has  a dog  that  talks,  ac- 
cording to  Sennett’s  truthful  press  agent. 
The  dog’s  name  is  Balto  and  says  “ham- 
burger” distinctly  enough  for  anyone  to 
understand.  It  is  only  necessary  to  dangle 
a piece  of  the  meat  before  his  nose  to 
get  him  to  talk. 

^ ^ ^ 

Life  is  just  one  picture  after  another 
for  Buck  Jones.  Having  finished  “Blood 
Will  Tell”  on  Thursday  Buck  did  a hop, 
skip  and  jump  and  immediately  started  an- 
other “The  Branded  Sombrero”  on  Friday. 
Ray  Flynn  directed  “Blood  Will  Tell”  for 
Fox. 

^ ^ 

Reinhardt  Arrives 

Max  Reinhardt,  Europe’s  most  eminent 
exponent  of  the  spoken  drama,  has  finally 
surrendered  to  the  call  of  Hollywood  and 
motion  pictures,  and  has  signed  a contract 
to  direct  one  picture  for  Joseph  M. 
Schenck,  and  L^nited  Artists. 

* * Ji? 

Leo  Meehan,  F B O director,  having  just 
completed  “Little  Mickey  Grogan,”  is  now 
assembling  a cast  for  “Freckles,”  the 
screen  version  of  Gene  Stratton-Porter’s 
most  widely  read  book. 

* * * 

A1  Rogell’s  next  big  production  for 
First  National  will  be  “The  Shepherd  of 
the  Hills,”  a Charles  R.  Rogers  production. 
Rogell  is  now  selecting  players  best 
fitted  for  the  roles.  Alec  B.  Francis  and 
John  Boles  are  two  who  will  appear  in 
the  screen  version  of  Harold  Bell 
Wright’s  story. 

jjs  ^ ^ 

Lois  Moran  had  her  first  ride  in  an 
airplane  last  week,  when  she  hopped  off 
for  Catalina  Island  for  a scene  for  “Pub- 
licity Madness,”  a Fox  production.  Al- 
bert Ray  is  directing  the  opus. 

^ ^ ^ 

From  script  girl  to  ingenue  in  one  year 
is  the  screen  history  of  little  Alice  White, 
First  National  player,  who  is  playing  the 
role  of  a Grecian  girl  in  “The  Private 
Life  of  Helen  of  Troy.”  Alexander 
Korda  is  directing,  and  his  wife  Maria 
Corda  is  playing  the  lead. 


Stone  Dolls  Up 

For  the  first  time  in  Arthur  Stone’s 
screen  career,  he  is  to  have  a “dressy”  role. 
Wid  Gunning  has  cast  Stone  as  a “Brum- 
mel”  Buck  in  “The  Valley  of  the  Giants” 
in  which  Milton  Sills  is  starred.  Stone 
plays  the  role  of  a wealthy  young  chap 
who  knows  nothing  about  railroad  build- 
ing, but  is  willing  to  try. 

Jjj  * * 

Having  just  completed  titling  their 
seventh  First  National  picture  Rufus  Mc- 
Cosh  and  Dwenelle  Benthall  have  left  for 
a tour  of  Northern  California,  their  first 
vacation  in  tw'o  years.  “The  Drop  Kick” 
and  “Rose  of  the  Golden  West”  are  their 
latest. 

:)=  * 

According  to  the  Los  Angeles  Record 
extras  used  in  the  studios  of  Hollywood 


last  month:  Paramount  291;  FBO  66; 
Fox  341;  Metro  - Goldwyn  - Mayer  11; 
United  Artists  106;  Universal  253;  Warner 
Brothers  181.  And  there  are  15,000  extras 
in  town  seeking  work. 

-Jf  Sf.  if. 

Leroy  Scott’s  well  known  novel  “13 
Washington  Square”  has  been  purchased 
by  Universal  and  the  mystery  story  will 
be  directed  by  Mel  Brown.  Harry  O.  Hoyt 
and  Jack  Townley  are  working  on  the 
script. 

* * * 

“Glory”  for  Fort 

Garrett  Fort  is  writing  an  original  story' 
for  Esther  Ralston,  Paramount  star,  based 
on  the  life  of  a well  known  evangelist.  It 
will  be  called  “The  Glory  Girl.” 

SK  * * 

A1  Boasberg,  who  has  just  completed 
work  on  “The  Fair  Co-ed”  as  comedy  con- 
structionist, has  left  for  Chicago  and  a 
short  vacation. 

* * Jjs 

Warner  Brothers  liked  Conrad  Nagel’s 
work  in  “Slightly  Used”  so  well  they  have 
again  borrowed  him  from  MGM  to  play 
opposite  May  McAvoy  in  “If  I Were 
Single.”  Roy  Del  Ruth  will  direct.  He 
will  also  appear  in  “The  Girl  from  Chi- 
cago,” which  Raymond  Enright  is  directing. 

* * 

Baxter  to  U.  A. 

Warner  Baxter,  popular  leading  man, 
has-been  awarded  the  role  of  “Allesandro” 
in  “Ramona,”  the  Inspiration  Pictures  pro- 
duction for  LTnited  Artists. 

* * iK 

Reisner  Finds  Artist 

Charles  “Chuck”  Reisner  is  credited  with 
a new  “discovery,”  Marion  Bryon,  a young 
cornedienne  without  previous  screen  ex- 
perience, who  is  now  playing  the  feminine 
lead  opposite  Buster  Keaton  in  “Steamboat 
Bill,  Jr.”  Keaton  has  placed  her  under 
five  year  contract. 

Jjf  * Jjs 

I-ou  Seiler,  Fox  director  of  many  of  Tom 
Mix’s  successes,  is  directing  “Wolf  Fangs,” 
written  by  Seton  I.  Miller  and  Elizabeth 
Pickett.  The  idea  for  the  story  came  to 
Miss  Pickett  upon  a recent  visit  to 
Washington,  where  she  photographed  a 
novelty  reel,  “Fox  Varieties.” 

^ ^ ^ 

Reginald  Denny,  Universal’s  comedy 
star,  has  returned  from  a brief  vacation 
in  his  native  country,  England.  His  next 
picture  will  be  a prize  fight  story,  “Use 
Your  Feet,”  written  by  himself. 

* * * 

Charles  Lament,  after  several  weeks 
delay,  waiting  for  his  star  to  recover  from 
measles,  has  started  work  on  a “Big  Boy” 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


19 


Oh!  Oh!  Orville  O.  Dull!  Mary  Ash- 
craft, and  crafty  enough,  persuades 
the  Fox  director  to  cast  her  in  a new 
Van  Bibber  comedy.  Mr.  Dull  is  the 
director  of  several  big  Mix  and  Buck 
Jones  features. 

comedy  for  Educational.  It  is  a story  of 
the  Great  War  and  offers  an  appealing  role 
for  the  child,  it  is  said. 

* * * 

Orville  0.  Dull,  Fox  comedy  director,  has 
started  a new  Van  Bibber  picture. 

* * * 

“Good  Time”  for  Curtis 

“Good  Time  Charley”  is  the  name  of 
Michael  Curtiz’s  next  Warner  Brothers 
production.  Curtiz  recently  directed  “The 
Outpost.” 

* ^ 

First  National  has  named  Alice  Adair, 
beautiful  extra  girl,  “Venus  of  Hollywood.” 
She  will  play  Venus,  goddess  of  beauty,  in 
“The  Private  Life  of  Helen  of  Troy”  now 
filming. 

=K  * 

William  Conselman  has  been  made 
supervisor  of  four  units  at  the  Fox  studios. 
Conselman  has  written  several  originals  for 
the  Fox  company. 

* ^ * 

Clarke  All  Recovered 

Charles  Clarke,  cameraman  on  the  John 
Ford  production  “Grandma  Bernle  Learns 
her  Letters,”  has  entirely  recovered  from 
a badly  poisoned  knee. 

^ * 

Len  Smith,  Educational  cameraman,  has 
just  finished  shooting  his  fourth  Dorothy 
Devore  picture  this  year. 

❖ * * 

Mack  Sennett  introduced  a reel  of  tech- 
nicolor in  his  feature-length  comedy,  “The 
Girl  from  Everj’where,”  which  Eddie 
Cline  directed. 

^ * 

Gilbert  Warrington  is  cameraman  on 
“The  Symphony”  which  F.  Harmon  Weight 
is  directing  for  Universal.  An  “extra”  mob 
of  18,000  was  used  for  one  scene,  taken  at 
Hollywood  Bowl,  where  a concert  was  in 
progress. 

* * * 

Barney  McGill  has  shot  the  last  of  “The 
College  Widow,”  the  Warner  Brothers 
feature,  starring  Dolores  Costello. 

* * * 

“Silver  Valley”  is  the  name  of  the  next 
Tom  Mix  feature  for  Fox.  Dan  Clark 


acted  as  cameraman,  and  Ben  Stoloff  di- 
rected. 

^ * 

Nick  Musuraca,  under  contract  with 
F B O,  is  chair  cameraman  with  the  Tom 
Tyler  company  on  “The  Desert  Pirate” 
being  directed  by  Jimmy  Dugan. 

* * * 

David  Abel,  who  has  acted  as  camera- 
man for  Director  Paul  Stein  on  most  of 
his  pictures,  has  finisher  “The  Forbidden 
Woman,”  Jetta  Goudal’s  latest  starring 
vehicle. 

.*  * * 

The  title  of  the  “oldest  tenant  at  the 
Metropolitan  studios”  belongs  to  Renaud 
Hoffman,  who  has  just  finished  directing 
“Harp  in  Hock”  for  DeMille-Pathe.  Hoff- 
man moved  this  week  to  Culver  City  to 
work  at  the  DeMille  studios. 

* * * 

Cecil  DeMille  sent  James  Cruze  a tele- 
gram in  the  form  of  a huge  cake,  the  day 
Cruze  started  his  first  DeMille-Pathe  pro- 
duction “On  to  Reno,”  starring  Marie 
Prevost.  The  message  said;  “May  this  day 
mark  the  beginning  of  a long  and  success- 
ful association.” 

t.  t-  t- 

Arthur  Guy  Empy,  the  novelist,  has 
written  a story,  “The  Flagpole  Sitter,” 


(showing  the  terrible  influence  of  these  sit- 
ting contests)  and  Universal  is  going  to 
make  it  into  a picture. 

Dugan  Gets  Megaphone 
on  Tyler  Films;  Began 
Career  With  Broomstick 

( Special  to  the  Herald)  ^ 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6. — James  Dugan 
was  appointed  last  week  lyv  W'illiam  Le 
Baron  of  F B O,  to  handle  the  megaphone 
on  Tom  Tyler  in  his  next  picture,  “The 
Desert  Pirate.”  He  is  already  under  way 
with  the  picture  and  is  rushing  through  the 
script  with  the  alacrity  of  a Cruze  and  the 
thoroughness  of  a De  Mille. 

Dugan  started  his  screen  career  on  the 
handle  of  a broom  at  the  old  Lasky  studio. 
Quickly  he  arose  to  the  height  of  a prop- 
erty man  and  later  to  cameraman  at  Fox. 
After  the  war,  Wallace  Worley  took  him 
to  Goldwyn’s  as  assistant  director.  There 
he  assisted  on  many  pictures,  including 
“The  Hunchback  of  Notre  Dame.”  He  has 
been  at  F B O more  than  a year. 

Oliver  Drake  is  now  busy  on  Tyler’s  pic- 
ture. The  new  director  replaces  Robert 
DeLacy,  who  directed  Tyler  in  his  last  18 
productions.  DeLacy  will  direct  “Red  Rid- 
ers of  Canada,”  an  F B O special  feature 
of  the  Northwest  Mounted  Police. 


Address:  Inspiration  Point,  Cedar  Breaks,  Utah. 
Making  “The  Shepherd  of  the  Hills” — THE  Picture 
of  the  Exhibitors’  Year — from  Harold  Bell  Wright’s 
novel.  In  the  most  Beautiful  locations  ever  shot  by 
Motion  Picture  Camera. 

Albert  Rogell 

P.  S.  The  Book  has  20,000,000  readers.  The  Picture  is  going  to  be 
loved  by  60,000,000  fans  and  Exhibitors.  A.  R. 

DIRECTOR 
PAUL  L.  STEIN 

is  completing 

“THE  FORBIDDEN 
WOMAN” 

A Cecil  B.  De  Mille  Production 

« 

MOLE  - RICH  ARDSON,  INC. 

The  Mark  of  Progress 

STUDIO  ELECTRICAL  EQUIPMENT 

HE  8191  6310  SANTA  MONICA  BLVD.,  HOLLYWOOD,  CALIF. 

20 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


Jack 

MulhaU 

Now  Playing  the 
Male  Lead  in 

“Man 

Crazy” 

FIRST  NATIONAL 
PRODUCTION 


A COWBOY 

COP:  Tom 

Tyler  — 75%. 

August  6.  Take 
no  issue  in  any 
talk  that  this 
is  not  a real 
picture.  You 
can  spell 
Tom’s  Pals 
with  capital 
letters  in  this 
one.  Frankie 
Darro  and 
Beans  are 
strong  in  this  one 
some  of  what  they 
duced  heretofore. 

— A1  Stoddard,  Rex  theatre, 
Madisonville,  Tex.  — General 
patronage. 

OUT  OF  THE  WEST: 
Tom  Tyler — 55%.  May  13- 
14.  This  was  well  liked.  Not 
a gun  throwing  Western  but 
a good  program  with  West- 
ern action  which  pleased  the 
crowd  and  especially  the  kids. 
The  ball  game  was  a dandy. 
Five  reels. — John  Cosner, 
■Sun  theatre,  Sargent,  Nebr. 


F.  B.  O. 
RELEASE 


ab 


have 


pro 


Five 


eels 


TOM  TYLER 


Star  of 

‘The  Desert  Pirate” 


RANDOM  ANGLES 


T ASKY  needed  a “Lorelei”  for  “Gentle- 
men Prefer  Blondes.”  There  was  a 
nation-wide  search  for  the  girl.  This  was 
topped  with  a warning  to  editors  to  keep 
blondes  away  from  Hollywood.  The  rail- 
roads brought  blondes — natural'  and  drug 
store — from  far  and  wide.  At  last  the 
lucky  girl  was  selected.  An  unknown? 
Hardly.  A former  Sennett  beauty.  iMore 
heartaches.  Alore  hopefuls  for  the  over- 
flowing extra  ranks. 

^ ^ ^ 

A blonde  film  player  met  a nobleman 
from  India.  He  emphasized  his  love  with 
valuable  presents.  The  fair  lady  seemed 
slated  for  Hollywood’s  growing  royal 
circle.  But,  alas ! The  nobleman  wrote 
rubber  checks  and  an  unfeeling  hotel  man 
called  in  the  law.  So  the  poor  lady  hid 
her  sorrow  on  the  front  pages  as  she  pro- 
tested that  the  ennobled  Indian  had  been 
misled  by  her  broken  English. 

Unfortunate  publicity — ^but  publicity! 

^ * 

Apropos  of  the  prevailing  “ask-me-an- 
other”  craze  Webster  Cullison,  the  direc- 
tor, propounds  and  answers  the  following: 

“What  are  moving  picture  actors?” 

“Those  who  are  wedded  to  their  art — 
divorced  from  their  wives  and  husbands.” 

^ 

I rather  liked  the  way  she  held  my  hand. 
Her  womanly  art  was  perfection  itself. 
Undoubtedly  she  was  the  best  manicurist  in 
Hollywood.  But  one  day  the  barber  shop 
saw  her  no  more.  Life  was  not  the  same. 
At  a preview  the  other  night  I found  her. 
She  was  still  holding  hands — as  the  leading 
lady  of  a Western  star. 

Verily,  talent  abounds  everywhere ! 

* ❖ -Si 

DO  YOU  REiMEMBER  when  Katherine 
MacDonald  was  the  American  Beauty? 
Her  beauty  brought  in  the  shekels  even 
though  film  salesmen  struggled  hard  to 
convince  unwilling  exhibitors.  Katherine 
still  makes  beauty  a paying  proposition. 
She  operates  a beauty  shop  just  off  Holly- 
wood Boulevard. 

jJj  jji 

SUBTITLE  CLASSIC  OF  THE 
MONTH 

“Don’t  you  think,  Mr.  Lasky,  that  a sal- 
ary cut  at  this  time  would  be  a wise  and 
economical  move?” 

{From  the  stupendous  super  productive 
“FIASCO’') 

— Abe  Goldener. 

Miss  Logan  in  Hopper 
Picture  at  De  Mille  Lot 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

CULVER  CITY,  Sept.  6.— Jacqueline 
Logan  is  working  in  the  l)i.g  role  of  “My 
Friend  from  India,”  which  E.  Mason  Hop- 
per is  directing  here  for  De  Mille.  She  told 
a Herald  representative  this  week  that  she 
would  never  have  been  a motion  picture 
player  if  she  had  not  attended  college  a 
few  years  ago — a peculiar  college,  too — a 
colle.ge  for  the  training  of  pipe  organists. 

While  in  high  school  in  Colorado  Miss 
Logan  studied  the  pipe  organ  and  after  her 
graduation  she  matriculated  at  the  college. 
She  became  accustomed  to  appearing  in 
public  and  it  was  this  poise  that  later  stood 
her  in  good  stead  when  she  accepted  her 
first  part  in  a musical  comedy  in  New  York. 

Had  she  not  been  habituated  to  public 
appearances  she  would  never  have  had  the 
courage  to  go  through  with  her  starring 
role  in  the  musical  comedy,  for  with  little 
or  no  previous  stage  experience  she  was 
cast  as  the  ingenue  lead  of  the  “Floradora” 
revival  at  the  Century  theatre.  Her  popu- 
larity in  this  role  gained  her  a motion  pic- 
ture contract  and  this  was  the  beginning  of 
her  climb  to  her  present  heights  as  a De 
Mille  player. 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


21 


GARRETT  FORT’S  success  as  a screen 
writer  is  attested  by  the  script  of 
"The  Prince  of  Headwaiters,”  First 
National  film  recently  released. 


Columbia  Cuts  Costs 
to  the  Bone  in  Film 
Production  Says  Cohn 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — Jack  Cohn, 
treasurer  of  Columbia  Pictures,  who  has 
just  returned  to  New  York  from  the 
company’s  West  Coast  studios,  says  that 
“we  cut  down  costs  to  the  bone  in  our 
final  costs  because  our  production  sys- 
tem at  the  studios  makes  no  allowance 
for  waste  of  time.  That’s  the  secret  of 
making  good  pictures  so  far  as  we  are 
concerned.” 

Columbia  studios  are  in  the  midst  of 
heavy  activity  now.  “By  Whose  Hand?” 
starring  Ricardo  Cotez,  has  gone  into 
the  cutting  rooms,  and  several  other 
“Perfect  Thirties”  are  in  production,  and 
the  script  is  being  prepared  on  others. 

Dorothy  Sebastian  and  Gibson  Gow- 
land  have  been  chosen  for  important 
roles  in  support  of  Conway  Tearle  in 
“Isle  of  Forgotten  Women,”  and  Pauline 
Garon  and  Alice  Calhoun  have  been 
assigned  to  appear  in  two  forthcoming 
releases  of  “The  Perfect  Thirty.”  Co- 
lumbia’s “Blood  Ship”  is  continuing  to 
pile  up  first  run  bookings. 


Louise  Fazenda  and 
Harold  Wallis  Will  Wed 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6. — Louise  Fazen- 
da and  Harold  Wallis,  head  of  the  pub- 
licity department  of  Warner  Brothers,  will 
be  married  at  the  conclusion  of  the  ac- 
tress’ present  role,  according  to  Wallis’ 
statement  today. 


Sanson  Has  New  Post 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— Tom  Sanson, 
formerly  handling  the  Fanchon  and  Marco 
circuit  publicity  for  West  Coast  Theatres, 
Inc.,  has  been  assigned  to  handle  the  pub- 
licity for  Criterion  theatre,  Jeff  Lazarus, 
publicity  chief  of  West  Coast  announces. 
Sanson  is  handling  the  campaign  for  “Ca- 
mille” which  opens  Sept.  14  at  the  Criter- 
ion. 


MARGARET  LIVINGSTON 

“American  Beauty” 

for 

First  National 


LOU  SEILER 

Director  of 

TOM  MIX 

in 

“Outlaws  of  Red  River” 
“Great  K&A  Train  Robbery” 
“No  Man’s  Gold” 

“Tumbling  River” 

Fox  Release 

Now  Directing  “Wolf  Fangs” 


SCOTT  R.  DUNLAP 

Now  Directing 
a Series  of 
Features 
for 

Phillips  Company,  Ltd. 
Australia 


22 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


The  Latest 

LEO  MEEHAN  PRODUCTION 

For  F B O Is 

‘THE  HARVESTER” 

from  the  famous  novel  of 

Gene  Stratton-Porter 

Made  in  Indiana  on  the  original  locations  as  described  in  the 

book 

This  production  will  be  one  of  the  biggest  box  office 
money-makers  of  1927-28.  Remember  “The  Keeper 
of  the  Bees,”  “Laddie,”  “The  Magic  Garden.”  All 

LEO  MEEHAN  PRODUCTIONS 

“Ask  the  man  who  runs  ’em” 


CHARLES  LAMONT 

Director 

“Brunettes  Prefer  Gentlemen” 

with 

Jerry  Drew 

Educational’s  New  Find 


LOBBY  PHOTO  ALBUM 


Hercivith  are  names  of  players  together  with 
exhibitors  requesting  their  autographed  photos. 

Estelle  Taylor 
Wins  Honors 

tPSTELLE  TAYLOR  wins  hon- 
ors  in  the  Lobby  Album  de- 
partment this  month  with  the 
distinction  of  receiving  requests 
from  48  exhibitors  for  photographs. 
Harry  Nichols,  HERALD  represen- 
tative, traveling  in  the  East,  found 
exhibitors  in  all  cities  anxious  to 
dress  their  lobbies  with  Miss  Tay- 
lor’s photo,  especially  since  at  this 
time  she  and  her  husband.  Jack 
Dempsey,  are  very  much  in  the  pub- 
lic eye. 

Exhibitors  requesting  her  photo 
are  as  follows: 

Leo  F.  O’Brien,  Gem  Theatre,  Peaks  Island, 
Me. 

Wm.  E.  Reeves,  Strand  Theatre,  Portland,  Me. 
Wm.  Gallagher,  Colonial,  Portland,  Me, 
Harland  J.  Boucher,  Empire  Theatre,  Portland, 
Me. 

Joe  Goodwin,  Cumberland  and  Pastime,  Bruns- 
wick, Me. 

G.  I.  McIntosh,  Bijou  and  Central  Hall,  Lisbon 
Falls,  Me. 

Walter  W.  Kennedy,  Red  Men’s  Hall,  Orrs 
Island,  Me. 

William  T.  Powell,  Opera  House,  Bath,  Me. 
Saul  S.  Hayes,  Opera  House,  Boothbay  Harbor, 
Me. 

Otis  S.  Page,  Lincoln  Theatre,  Damariscotta, 
Me. 

Mrs.  C.  F,  Lewis,  Pavilion  Theatre,  Pemaquid, 
Me. 

R.  L.  Brackett,  Surf  Casino,  New  Harbor,  Me. 
Harry  L.  Bossa,  Friendship  Playhouse,  Frend- 
ship.  Me. 

E.  N.  Prescott,  Prescott  Theatre  Circuit,  Union, 
Me. 

Carl  M.  Benson,  Park  and  Empire  Theatres, 
Rockland,  Me. 

Newell  Ware,  Comique  Theatre,  Camden,  Me. 

H.  O.  Hussey,  Colonial  Theatre,  Belfast,  Me. 

C.  E.  Greene,  Union  Hall,  Searsport,  Me. 

Frank  O.  McCambridge,  K of  P Hall,  Frank- 
fort, Me. 

W.  G.  Crockett,  Winterport,  Me. 

Sam  Gioro,  Mgr.  Olympia  Theatre,  Bangor,  Me. 
A.  W.  Pinkham,  Park  Theatre,  Bangor,  Me. 

A.  E.  Fowler,  Opera  House,  Bangor,  Me. 

A.  E.  Rosie,  Alamo  Theatre,  Bucksport,  Me. 
Lewis  Clark,  Folly  Theatre,  Castine,  Me. 

W.  B.  Wardwell,  Pastime  Theatre,  Penobscot, 
Me. 

A.  P.  Leach,  Pastime  Theatre,  S.  Penobscot, 
Me. 

Guy  M.  Means,  Eureka  Theatre,  Sedgwick,  Me. 
Mrs.  L.  A.  Sherman,,  Miami  Theatre,  N.  Brook- 
lin.  Me. 

Harry  Hinckley,  Town  Hall,  Blue  HBl,  Me. 

H.  A.  Robinson,  Dirigo  Theatre,  Ellsworth,  Me. 
J.  A.  Emery,  Star  Theatre,  Bar  Harbor,  Me. 

N.  T.  Grindle,  Neighborhood  Theatre,  Seal 
Harbor,  Me. 

Don  Robbins,  Pastime  Theatre,  North  East 
Harbor,  Me. 

Mrs.  R.  L.  Hodgkins,  Park  Theatre,  Southwest 
Harbor,  Me. 


ARTHUR  STONE 

FIRST  NATIONAL  STUDIOS 

“HARD-BOILED 

HAGGERTY” 

“THE  VALLEY  OF 
THE  GIANTS”— Next 


“Studio  Section,** 

EXHIBITORS  HERALD, 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 

GENTLEMEN : 

1 should  like  to  receive  an  autographed 

for  placement  in  my  **Lobby  Album’*  of 
stars  whose  pictures  are  especially  popular 
with  my  patrons. 

(Exhibitor) 

(Theatre) 

(City) 


(State) 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


23 


H.  G.  Reed,  Reed’s  Theatre,  McKinley,  Me. 

Clifford  H.  Martin,  Opera  House,  Millbridge, 
Me. 

C.  A.  McClure,  Union  Hall,  Cherryfield,  Me. 

Frank  B.  McKeown,  Jonesport  Opera  House, 
Jonesport,  Me. 

Charles  H.  Fish,  Town  Hall,  Jonesboro,  Me. 

W.  G.  Means,  Jr.  Colonial  Theatre,  Machias, 
Me. 

R.  K.  Dennison,  Arcade  Theatre,  E.  Machias, 
Me. 

Mrs.  M.  H.  Fisher,  Star  Theatre,  West  Pem- 
broke, Me. 

H.  K.  Fisher,  New  Howard  Theatre,  Robbins- 
ton.  Me. 

Ronald  E.  Warren,  Eagle  Theatre,  Lubec,  Me. 

Henry  W,  Gillespie,  St.  Croix  Opera  House, 
Calais,  Me. 

Mrs.  Wilbur  A.  Shea,  Acme  Theatre,  Eastport, 
Me. 

Fletcher  A.  Garnett,  Acme  Theatre,  Eastport, 
Me. 

Other  stars  and  exhibitors  requesting 
photos  are  as  follows : 

RENEE  ADOREE — Carson  T.  Metcalf,  Opera 
House,  Greenfield,  111. 

VILMA  BANKY — H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

VILMA  BANKY — H.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

VILMA  BANKY — C.  E.  Holt,  American  Le- 
gion Theatre,  Elmwood,  Wis. 

RICHARD  BARTHELMESS— W.  H.  Holt, 
Cherry  River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

WALLACE  BEERY— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry 
River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

OLIVE  BORDEN — John  D.  Orange,  Swan 
Amusement  Co.,  Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. 

CLARA  BOW — C.  L.  Tivenan,  American  Le- 
gion Theatre,  Nevada,  Ohio. 

CLARA  BOW — Carson  T.  Metcalf,  Opera 
House,  Greenfield,  111. 

CLARA  BOW — Babe  Mickols,  Burnside  Thea- 
tre, Chicago,  111. 

CLARA  BOW — Mrs.  W.  A.  Shea,  Acme  Thea- 
tre, Eastport,  Me. 

CLARA  BOW — C.  E.  Holt,  American  Legion 
Theatre,  Elmwood,  Wis. 

CLARA  BOW — John  D.  Orange,  Swan  Amuse- 
ment Company,  Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. 

CLARA  BOW — H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

BETTY  BRONSON— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry 
River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

LOUISE  BROOKS — W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry 
River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

LOUISE  BROOKS — H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

LON  CHANEY — Elwin  Schilling,  505  West 
Bloomfield  St.,  Rome,  N,  Y. 

LON  CHANEY — H.  M,  Logan,  Jr.,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

JOAN  CRAWFORD— H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

GARY  COOPER — H.  Ulman,  Opera  House, 
Salisbury,  Md. 

BEBE  DANIELS — W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richmond,  W.  Va. 

MARION  DAVIES— C.  H.  Albrecht,  Y.  M.  C. 
A.,  Whitmire,  S.  D. 

DELORES  DEL  RIO — H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

DELORES  DEL  RIO — John  D.  Orange,  Swan 
Amusement  o.,  Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. 

RICHARD  DIX — Mrs.  W.  A.  Shea,  Acme 
Theatre,  Eastport,  Me. 

RICHARD  DIX — Babe  Mickols,  Burnside 
Theatre,  Chicago,  111, 

RICHARD  DIX — O,  A.  Fosse,  Community 
Hall,  Ridgeway,  Iowa. 

RICHARD  DIX — S.  R.  Cook,  Lyric  Theatre, 
Dunseith,  N.  D. 

RICHARD  DIX — \V.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

RICHARD  DIX — H.  M.  Logan,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

RILLIE  dove — W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

BILLIE  DOVE — Iz.  Wiernick,  Strand  Theatre, 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

DOUGLAS  FAIRBANKS— W.  H.  Holt, 

Cherry  River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 


WILLIAM 

NIGH 


DIRECTOR 

“THE  FIRE 
BRIGADE” 

“MR.  WU” 

M.  C.  M. 


ROY  WILLIAM  NEILL 

A uthor-Director 

Now  writing  four  originals  for  production  and  release 
during  1927-28 


GERTRUDE  SHORT 


Now  Free  Lancing 

“ADAM  AND  EVIL”— M.  G.  M. 
“LADIES  AT  EASE” — Chadwick 
“WOMEN’S  WARE”— Tiffany 


CHARLES  (Chuck)  RIESNER 

Director 

“BETTER  ’OLE” 

“THE  MISSING  LINK” 

“WHAT  EVERY  GIRL  SHOULD 
KNOW” 

Warner  Brothers  Releases 
Now  Directing  Buster  Keaton  in 

“STEAMBOAT  BILL” 


24 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


DOUGLAS  FAIRBANKS— W.  H.  Holt,  New 
Star  Theatre,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

GRETA  GARBO— H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

JOHN  GILBERT— W.  H.  Holt.  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

JOHN  GILBERT— H.  M.  Logan,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

LILLIAN  GISH— H.  M.  Logan.  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

JETTA  GOUDAI H.  M.  Logan,  Box  431, 

Royalton,  Minn. 

CORINNE  GRIFFITH— John  D.  Orange, 
Amusement  Co.,  Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. 

WM.  HAINES — H.  M.  Logan,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

JAMES  HALL-^W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

JACK  HOLT— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

LEATRIE  JOY— A1  Stoddard,  Rex  Theatre, 
Madisonville,  Texas. 

DORIS  KENYON— R.  H.  Ries,  Calhan  Thea- 
tre, Calhan,  Colo. 

LAURA  LA  PLANTE — Carson  T.  Metcalf, 
Opera  House,  Greenfield,  III. 

HAROLD  LLOYD— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

DOUGLAS  MacLEAN — Agnes  Flannery,  Ken- 
wood Theatre,  1225  E.  47th  St.,  Chicago,  111. 


KEN  MAYNARD— C.  E.  Holt,  American  Le- 
gion Theatre,  Elmwood,  Wis. 

KEN  MAYNARD— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

THOMAS  MEIGHAN— F.  D.  Johnson,  Opera 
House,  Woodland,  Me. 

TOM  MIX — Wm.  Slepka,  Jewel  Theatre,  Oke- 
mah,  Ok!a. 

TOM  MIX — F.  D.  Johnson,  Opera  House, 
Woodland.  Me. 

COLLEEN  MOORE— O.  W.  Moore,  Rock 
Lake  Theatre,  Rock  Lake,  N.  D. 

COLLEEN  MOORE — C.  E.  Holt,  American 
Legion  Theatre,  Elmwood,  Wis. 

COLLEEN  MOORE— H.  M.  Logan.  Jr.,  Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

EVA  NOVAK— M.  W.  A.  Morris  Theatre, 
Brocket,  N.  D. 

RAMON  NOVARRO— H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

GEORGE  O’BRIEN — H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

GEORGE  O’BRIEN — John  D.  Orange,  Swan 
Amusement  Co.,  Walnut  Ridge,  Ark. 

MARY  PICKFORD — Andrew  Rapp,  Emlenton, 
Penn. 

MARY  PICKFORD— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry 
River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

MARIE  PREVOST— Carson  T.  Metcalf,  Opera 
House,  Greenfield,  111. 


TITLED 

THE  DROP  KICK 

RICHARD  BARTHELMESS 
First  National 

“Smile,  Brother,  Smile” 

Jack  Mulhall — First  National 

“The  Stolen  Bride” — Billie  Dove — First  National 
“Naughty  But  Nice” — Colleen  Moore — First  National 
“Lonesome  Ladies” — -Lewis  Stone — First  National 

6372  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 

Phone  Gladstone  4809 


September  10,  1927 


AILEEN  PRINGLE— H.  M.  Logan,  Jr., ' Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

NORMA  SHEARER— H.  M.  Logan,  Box  431, 
Royalton,  Minn. 

NORMA  SHEARER— Dale  Willson,  Palace 
Theatre,  Tecumseh,  Okla. 

NORMA  SHEARER— Jas.  D.  Kennedy,  Apollo 
Theatre,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

MILTON  SILLS— R.  H.  Ries,  Calhan  Thea- 
tre, Calhan,  Colo. 

MILTON  SILLS— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richmond  W.  V'a. 

FORD  STERLING— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry 
River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

GLORIA  SWANSON— M.  W.  A.  Morris  Thea- 
tre, Brocket,  N.  D. 

GLORIA  SWANSON-^W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry 
River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

GLORIA  SWANSON— H.  M.  Logan,  Jr.,  Box 
431,  Royalton,  Minn. 

FRED  THOMSON— Mrs.  W.  A.  Shea,  Acme 
Theatre,  Eastport,  Me. 

FRED  THOMSON— F.  W.  Johnson,  Opera 
House,  Woodland,  Me. 

FRED  THOMSON — G.  Louis  Ginsburg,  Grand 
Theatre,  Paterson,  N.  J. 

VIRGINIA  VALLI — L.  T.  Lawler,  Princess 
Theatre,  Sault  Ste.  Marie,  Marie,  Can. 

FLORENCE  VIDOR— ^W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry 
River  Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 

LOIS  WILSON— W.  H.  Holt,  Cherry  River 
Amusement  Co.,  Richwood,  W.  Va. 


Production 


{Continued  from  page  7) 
Hypnotist”  is  Lon  Chaney’s  latest, 
which  Tod  Browning  is  directing.  “The 
Fair-Coed,”  Sam  Wood’s  production 
starring  Marion  Davies  is  rapidly  near- 
ing completion.  Sam  colaborated  with 
Byron  Morgan  while  A1  Roasberg  is 
comedy  constructionist  on  the  story. 

Gilbert  in  “Fires  of  Youth” 

Hobart  Henley  is  directing  Aileen 
Pringle  in  “Mixed  Marriages”;  W.  S. 
Van  Dyke  is  making  “Wyoming,”  and 
John  Gilbert  is  busily  engaged  with 
“Fires  of  Youth”  under  Monta  Bell’s 
direction. 

Greta  Garbo’s  next  will  be  “The  Di- 
vine Woman”  which  Victor  Seastrom 
is  directing,  and  John  McCarthy  is 
wielding  the  megaphone  on  “The  Love- 
lorn,” in  v/hich  sisters,  Sally  O’Neill  and 
Molly  O’Day,  play  the  principal  parts. 
Clarence  Brown  has  finished  his  epic 
of  the  gold  rush  “The  Trail  of  ’98” 
which  is  being  cut  and  edited. 

DeMille  Lot  Busy 

Unusual  activity  marks  the  Cecil  B. 
DeMille  lot,  also,  where  four  companies 
are  at  present  shooting  and  several  pre- 
paring. William  K.  Howard  has  secured 
very  unusual  shots  for  his  new  picture, 
“The  main  Event”;  Paul  Sloan  is  direct- 
ing “The  Blue  Danube,”  starring  Lea- 
trice  Joy  and  in  which  Alan  Hale  will 
furnish  a strong  comedy  role.  Donald 
Crisp  has  just  returned  from  West 
Point,  N.  Y.,  where  he  directed  early 
scenes  for  “The  West  Pointer,”  a Wil- 
liam BojM  starring  vehicle;  James  Cruze 
is  directing  Marie  Prevost  in  “On  to 
Reno,”  his  initial  De-Mille-Pathe  pro- 
duction; E.  Mason  Hopper  is  making 
“My  Friend  from  India”  with  Franklin 
Pangborn  starred;  and  Paul  Stein  is  put- 
ting the  finishing  touches  to  “The  For- 
bidden Woman,”  a Jetta  Goudal  opus. 

8 Shooting  at  U 

There  is  apparently  no  let  up  in  pro- 
duction at  Universal  studios  for  with 
eight  companies  shooting  and  eight 
others  preparing  at  present  it  looks  like 
a very  busy  season  for  Carl  Laemmle’s 
staff.  The  pictures  in  production  in- 
clude “Rawhide  Kid,”  a Hoot  Gibson 
vehicle;  “The  Cohens  and  Kellys  in 
Paris,”  with  George  Sidney  and  Jean 
Hersholt,  directed  by  William  Beaudine; 
“Stop  that  Man,”  directed  by  Nat  Ross; 
“Finders  Keepers,”  a Wesley  Ruggles 
production;  “Thanks  for  the  Buggy 
Ride,”  a William  Seiter  production; 
“Foreign  Legion,”  which  Edward  SIo- 
man  is  directing;  “The  Symphony,”  be- 
ing directed  by  F.  Harmon  Weight,  and 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


25 


“The  Man  Who  Laughs,”  a Paul  Leni 
vehicle. 

Dugan  Tyler  New  Director 

September  will  be  a busy  month  on 
the  F B O lot.  Eight  companies  are 
scheduled  to  shoot  pictures  during  that 
period.  At  the  present  time  “Wizard  of 
the  Saddle”  starring  Buzz  Barton,  with 
Frank  Howard  Clark  directing  is  in 
work;  “Driftin’  Sands”  with  Bob  Steele 
is  being  made  under  the  direction  of 
Wallace  Fox;  Jimmy  Dugan  is  directing 
Tom  Tyler  in  “Desert  Pirate”  and  Ralph 
Ince  is  directing  the  final  scenes  of 
“Coney  Island.”  Robert  DeLacy  is 
away  on  location  making  “Red  Riders 
of  Canda,”  an  epic  of  the  Northwest 
Mounted  Police;  Leo  Meehan  having 
finished  “Little  Mickey  Grogan”  is  pre- 
paring “Freckles,”  another  Gene-Strat- 
ton-Porter  story,  and  Edward  1.  Luddy 
is  preparing  “Her  Summer  Hero,”  a 
story  of  Coast  guard  life. 

Warners  at  Peak 

Six  productions  at  one  time  are  as 
many  as  Warner  Brothers  have  ever 
made,  and  that  is  the  number  now  in 
work  at  the  Sunset  boulevard  studios. 
“Roulette”  is  the  temporary  title  of  Alay 
McAvoy’s  starring  vehicle  being  directed 
by  Ralph  Graves;  Howard  Bretherton 
is  directing  Irene  Rich  in  “The  Silver 
Slave”  from  the  script  of  Anthony 
Coldeway  and  Pete  Milne;  Ross  Leder- 
nian  is  directing  “The  Dog  of  the  Regi- 
ment,” from  Charles  Condon’s  story ; 
Michael  Curtiz  is  in  the  midst  of  “Good 
Time  Charley”  featuring  Warner  Oland 
and  an  all  star  supporting  cast;  while 
Archie  Mayo  has  just  completed  “The 
College  Widow,”  starring  Dolores  Cos- 
tello “The  Girl  from  Chicago,”  a mys- 
tery story  adapted  from  Arthur  Somers 
Roche’s  story,  will  feature  Myrna  Loy 
and  Conrad  Nagel.  Ray  Enright  is  di- 
recting. “Private  Izzy  Murphy,”  star- 
ring George  Jessel  has  been  completed 
by  Henry  Lehrman. 

Insiration  Pictures,  Inc.,  will  com- 
mence shooting  on  “Ramona”  next  week 
with  Dolores  Del  Rio  in  the  leading- 
role.  Edwin  Carewe  and  his  production 
staff  are  now  on  location  in  Utah. 

Columbia  on  Big  Schedule 

Columbia  Pictures  has  one  of  the 
most  pretentious  schedules  outlined  for 
the  new  season  since  its  inception.  “For- 
gotten Women,”  directed  by  George  B. 
Seitz,  who  made  “The  Blood  Ship,”  is 
now  in  work  with  Conway  Tearle  and 
Dorothy  Sebastian  heading  the  cast. 
Louis  J.  Gasnier  is  now  at  work  on  “Say 
It  with  Sables”  with  Claire  Windsor 
and  Reed  Howes  playing  the  leads  and 
production  will  start  soon  on  “The  Col- 
lege Hero”  in  which  Pauline  Garon  will 
be  starred.  Walter  Lang  will  direct  the 
latter. 

The  various  comedy  lots  are  very 


JULES 

WHITE 

Director 


EDUCATIONAL 

PICTURES 


Dorothy  Yost 

F.  B.  O. 

Now  adapting 
Temple  Bailey’s 
“WALLFLOWERS” 


JOHN 

FORD 


Directing 

“GRANDMA 

BERNLE 

LEARNS 

HER 

LETTERS” 


Fox  Release 


GEORGE 

MELFORD 

DIRECTOR 

“A  MAN’S  PAST” 

Universal  Production 
Starring  CONRAD  VEIDT 


26 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


‘‘The 

Rejuvenation 

of 

Aunt  Mary” 


“The 

Rush  Hour” 


“The  Girl 
in  the 
Pullman” 


HARRISON 

FORD 

IN 

DeMILLE 

PICTURES 


MERVYN  LEROY 

now  directing 

“NO  PLACE  TO  GO” 

for  First  National 


The  SCREEN’S 
SAFETY  CORNER 

WHERE  ALL  THE  FILM 
FOLK  GET  THEIR  BRAKES  FIXED 


Latest 

Drum 

Trueing 

Machines 


Hsk  Buster  Collier  About  Us 


AL  HALL 

CHIEF  FIUM  EDITOR 
FIRST  NATIONAL  PICTDRB^S 
WEST  COAST  STUDIOS 


Raybestos  “Bill”  Ellenbeck 

Selma  and  Wilcox  Avenue 
HOLLYWOOD,  CAL. 

Gladstone  8270 


busy  also,  turning  out  product  for  the 
season  of  1927-28.  Three  companies  at 
Christie  Studios  occupy  the  available 
stage  space  of  that  lot;  four  companies 
are  shooting  at  Educational  studios; 
Mack  Sennett  has  three  companies 
shooting;  Stern  Brothers  have  three 
companies  shooting  and  others  prepar- 
ing; while  four  companies  are  shooting 
at  the  Hal  Roach  studios. 


McCosh  Would  Put  Ban 
on  ** Ultra  Wise’*  Gags 

(Sfjtecial  to  the  Herald) 

HOLL\WOOD,  Sept.  6. — “In  its  proper 
place  the  socalled  ‘wise  crack’  has  much  to 
recommend  it.  Improperly  controlled,  it 
becomes  an  abomination,”  declares  Rufus 
McCosh,  who  is  associated  with  Dwinelle 
Benthall  in  writing  film  titles. 

‘‘The  first  requisite  of  a title,”  says  Mc- 
Cosh, “is  that  it  shall  be  completely  in  the 
mood  of  the  pictured  scene  of  which  it 
forms  a part.  If  this  be  effectively  accom- 
plished, the  audience  will  read  the  title 
without  realising  that  it  has  seen  one,  and 
many  persons  would  be  totally  unable  to 
tell  after  viewing  a picture  whether  a title 
had  occurred  at  that  point  or  not. 

“On  the  other  hand,  a ‘wise-cracking’ 
title  which  might  not  match  the  feeling  of 
the_  scene  at  once  destroys  the  illusion 
which  has  been  created,  and  shocks  the 
spectator  entirely  out  of  the  mood  in  which 
he  has  been  placed  by  the  picture.  The 
‘wise  crack,’  though  perhaps  most  amusing 
when  considered  only  by  itself,  becomes  an 
irritation  and  an  annoyance,  and  entirely 
fails  of  its  purpose. 

“Titling  is  largely  a matter  of  good  taste. 
In  its  proper  place,  joking  is  not  to  be  ob- 
jected to,  but  the  constant  smart-Aleck  is 
apt  to  prove  a bore.” 


GEORGE  SIDNEY 

“The  Life  of  Riley” 

with  Chas.  Murray  and  I 
IS  A PIP 

Getting  ready  now  for  “The 
Cohens  and  Kellys  in  Paris” 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


27 


No  strings  attached!  The  dog  is 
Champion  Lowe  of  the  House'of  Ed- 
mund Lowe.  The  audience  is  Lois 
Moran,  youthful  screen  artist,  appear- 
ing in  “Publicity  Madness,”  Fox  pro- 
duction completed  last  week. 

Walenstein  Says  Good 
Stories  Are  Essential 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6. — “If  you  have  a 
strong,  human  story  with  lots  of  emo- 
tional value,  three-quarters  of  the  battle 
is  won.  We’ve  worked  on  this  basis 
with  our  new  product,  and  it’s  worked 
wonders  for  us,”  says  I.  L.  Walenstein, 
for  the  past  six  months  Eastern  repre- 
sentative of  Sterling  at  the  Hollywood 
studio.  He  has  just  returned  to  New 
York. 

Songs  Are  Rushed  to 
Chicago  for  ** Ragtime” 

When  the  First  Division  picture,  “Rag- 
time,” opened  at  the  Orchestra  Hall,  Chi- 
cago, under  booking  arrangements  with 
Greiver  Productions  of  Chicago,  it  was 
necessary  to  rush  the  two  songs  written 
specially  for  the  picture  by  air  mail  to 
Chicago  for  the  opening. 


Vaude  Star  Stops  at 
Plaza;  in  M-G-M  Film 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— Gene  Adams, 
42  inches  tall  and  50  pounds  in  weight,  has 
arrived  here  and  is  stopping  at  the  Holly- 
wood Plaza  hotel  while  he  is  working  in  a 
role  in  the  M-G-M  production,  “Baby 
Mine.” 

Al  Rogell,  Director  of 
Maynards  Signs  Up 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

LOS  ANGELES,  Sept.  6.--A1  Rogell,  di- 
rector of  the  majority  of  Ken  Maynard’s 
Western  features,  has  been  signed  to  a new 
long  term  contract  by  Charles  R.  Rogers, 
producer,  at  the  First  National  lot. 


Marion  Byron  Heads  Celebration 

SACRAMENTO,  CAL. — Marion  Byron,  di- 
minutive leading  lady  of  the  Buster  Keaton  com- 
pany on  location  here  was  mistress  of  ceremonies 
at  celebration  of  completion  of  Sacramento  River 
link  of  Victory  Highway.  She  was  named  as 
Miss  Victory  Highway. 


Victor 

Schertzinger 


Director 


“The  Secret  Studio’' 


with  Olive  Borden 


Fox  Release 


“My  Friend  from 
India” 

1 < ’ .3!'^ 

is  on  the 

way 

'I 

FRANKLIN  PANGBORN 

in 

DeMille  Pictures 

Al  Boasberg 

Now  with  Sam  Wood,  on  the  Cosmopolitan-Metro-Goldwyn- 
Mayer  Production  “THE  FAIR  CO-ED”  starring  Marion  Davies 

Comedy  construction  by  Al  Boasberg. 

Available  Sept^  10 

UNDER  EXCLUSIVE  MANAGEMENT  OF  EDWARD  SMALL  CO. 


28 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


JACQUELINE  LOGAN 

CECIL  B.  DE  MILLE  PLAYER 


ALFRED  A.  COHN 

FREE-LANCE  WRITER 
“The  Cohens  and  Kellys 
in  Paris” 

“The  Jazz  Singer” 
“The  Cat  and  the  Canary” 
“We  Americans” 

“The  Last  Warning” 

5617  Hollywood  Blvd.,  Hollywood 


Smiling  Through 

Rufus  McCosh  » 

(Continued  from  page  10) 

“Yeh,”  he  says,  “for  the  speeches  and 
the  prologue.  I seen  the  picture. 

“That’s  what  I thought,”  I says.  “How 
about  leavin’  with  me  and  cornin’  over 
to  my  room  afterwards  for  a few  drinks 
and  etcetera?” 

“Sorry,  Benny,”  he  says,  “but  I ain’t  in 
the  market.  Your  wet  goods  is  too  harsh, 
and  your  etcetera  is  all  wet,  with  my  paper 
— they  won’t  print  it.” 

“I  ain’t  got  nothin’  to  sell  you,”  I says. 
“Just  wanted  to  have  a little  talk  with  you 
personal,  about  old  times,  and  I ain’t  got 
no  more  of  that  Scotch.  This  here  is  real 
old  Bourbon  made  nearly  six  months  ago,” 
I says.  “But  suit  yourself,  if  that’s  the 
way  you  feel  about  it,”  I says  kinda  stiff 
like. 

“Oh,  don’t  get  sore,  Benny,”  says  Reed, 
“I’ll  come.  Where’ll  I meet  you?” 

“In  the  lobby  at  ten  thirty,”  I says. 

Anyhow  I’d  fixed  things  like  I wanted, 
so  I phoned  Patsy  about  it. 

“Hold  on,  Benny,”  she  says,  “how  about 
me  goin  with  you  to  the  opening?” 

“Lissen,  honey,”  I says,  “I’ve  explained 
to  you  that  it  ain’t  good  policies  for  us 
to  be  seen  too  much  together,  and  tonight 
particular  on  account  of  what’s  gonna 
happen.” 

“Oke,”  she  says,  “but  if  this  don’t  go 
over  big  I’m  gonna  get  myself  a real 
press  agent.” 

“All  right,  get  yourself  another  press 
agent,  you  darned  fat  old  haabeen !”  I 
yells.  But  I hung  up  first. 

Reed  meets  me  per  schedule  and  we  goes 
over  to  the  parkin’  lot  and  gets  into  his 
car. 

“Drive  up  Las  Palmas,”  I says,  “I  wanta 
leave  some  clippings  with  Patsy  Brunner. 
I ain’t  seen  her  for  a month.” 

“What’d  you  clip  ’em  from,  Benny”  asks 
Reed,  “your  scrap  book?” 

Just  when  we  come  in  sight  of  the  apart- 
ment house  where  Patsy  lives  I liked  to 
died.  The  house  was  on  fire  right,  and 
not  no  curtain  burnin’  either ! Flames  and 
smoke  was  cornin’  out  of  the  cellar 
window  and  the  first  floor  was  ablaze  in- 
side. “My  God !”  I says  to  myself,  “Patsy’s 
done  it  now!”  And  I wondered  could  I get 
to  Mexico  before  they  caught  me. 

People  is  runnin’  from  everywhere,  and 
Reed  stops  his  car  and  jumps  out  and 
joins  the  crowd.  I’m  just  about  to  start 
the  car  again  and  beat  it  for  the  border 
when  I looks  up  to  Patsy’s  room  on  the 
third  floor  front.  There  stands  Patsy  at 
the  window  and  she  ain’t  even  yellin.’  I 
thinks  she  must  be  scared  stiff.  Right  then 
something  hit  me  inside  so  hard  I couldn’t 
hardly  crawl  outa  the  car.  I tumbles  out 
somehow  tho  and  starts  runnin’  for  the 
house.  Someone  grabs  me  by  the  arm.  I 
looks  around.  It’s  Reed. 

“Where  you  goin’  you  dam  fool  ?”  he 
hollers,  “you’ll  die  in  there !” 

“What  the  hell  do  I care?”  I sorta 
whispers,  “lemme  go — lemme  go.  Patsy’s 
in  there !” 

But  he  don’t  let  me  go.  “You  can’t  help 
her,”  he  says,  “you’re  just  throwin’  your 
life  away.” 

“What  of  it,”  I says,  “it  ain’t  worth  two 
cents  if  she  dies.  It’s  my  fault  she’s  there. 
And  that  ain’t  all.  Patsy  Brunner  is  nty 
woman,  and  I just  found  it  out!  Lemme  go, 
dam  you.”  And  I slams  him  on  the  jaw. 

The  next  thing  I finds  myself  in  the 
hall  and,  believe  me,  if  I coulda  prayed  I 
(Continued  on  page  30) 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


29 


Theatres  Smallf  Films 
Old  in  Arabia,  Langdon 
Fan  Letter  Reveals 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6.— In  Harry 
Langdon’s  fan  mail  last  week  came  a letter 
from  Saddler  Walter  Brown,  who  is  sta- 
tioned with  the  Royal  Artillery  unit  at  Fort 
Morbut,  Aden,  Arabia.  He  sent  Langdon 
his  best  wishes  for  “Three’s  A Crowd”  and 
said  that  he  didn’t  expect  to  see  it  soon 
because  “in  this  part  of  the  country  we 
have  only  one  small  picture  show  and  it 
only  holds  about  100  people,  mostly  Tom- 
mies, and  the  pictures  they  show  are  as  old 
as  Adam.” 


CHAS.  G.  CLARKE— A.  S.  C. 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

“RED”  GRANGE’S  “ONE  MINUTE  TO  PLAY” 
and  Latest  “THE  MOTOR  MANIAC” 
“GOING  CROOKED” — FOX— “UPSTREAM” 
“GRANDMA  BERNLE”— Fox 


LEONARD  SMITH 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 

“AT  EASE”— Lloyd  Hamilton.  “UP  IN  ARMS”— 
Dorothy  Devore.  “KILTIES” — Dorothy  Devore. 
“COUNTRY  GIRL” — Dorothy  Devore 
Directed  by  Norman  Taurog 
EDUCATIONAL  RELEASE 


Charles  Van  Enger 

A.  S.  C. 

CINEMATOGRAPHER 


*‘SEA  TIGER^^ 

Milton  Sills 

“THE  SILEMT  LOVER^^ 
“EASY  PICKINGS^^ 
“FRAMED^^ 

“SMILE,  BROTHER  SMILE^^ 
“LIFE  OF  RILEr^ 

FIRST  NATIONAL 


Camera! 

A Department  Devoted  to  News  and  Affairs  of 
the  American  Society  of  Cinematographers  and  Its 
Members,  Published  as  a “Studio  Section”  Feature. 


Cameramen  at  Tom  Mix  Home 
Get  First  Aid  Lessons 

By  FOSTER  GOSS 

N angle  of  the  subject  of  waste  not  hitherto  brought  into  the  limelight 
L\  is  first  aid  to  the  injured,  recently  given  considerable  attention  by 
X X.  the  American  Society  of  Cinematographers. 

On  August  29,  a demonstration  of  “first  aid”  was  made  at  the  country 
home  of  Tom  Mix  in  Beverly  Hills  by  an  expert  group  from  the  Southern 
California  Telephone  Company,  of  Los  Angeles,  for  the  instruction  of  sev- 
eral hundred  motion  picture  operatives  who  studied  the  scenes  with  in- 
tense interest. 


The  demonstration  was  staged  by  the  ar- 
rangement of  Daniel  B.  Clark,  president 
of  the  A.  S.  C.,  and  for  many  years  chief 
cinematographer  attached  to  the  Mix  unit 
at  Fox  Studios. 

The  Southern  California  Telephone  Com- 
pany was  selected  to  make  the  demonstra- 
tion iiecause  of  the  expertness  of  its 
operatives  in  the  art  of  first  aid.  This 
corporation  has  long  recognized  the  ne- 
cessity of  a 100  per  cent  training  of  its 
personnel. 

1,500  Learn  First  Aid 
The  demonstration  included  first  aid  for 
electric  shock,  burns,  fractures,  arterial  cuts, 
drowning,  etc.,  and  upwards  of  1,500  people 
took  advantage  of  the  occasion  to  gain 
their  primary  instruction  in  the  art  of  effi- 
ciently and  promptly  helping  their  fellow 
men  and  creatures  in  time  of  injury  and 
disaster. 

This  attendance  was  entirely  l)eyond  the 
expectations  of  Mr.  Clark  and  demonstrated 
his  contention  that  the  people  of  the  mo- 
tion picture  industry  are  ripe  and  eager 
for  instruction  in  first  aid.  It  was  held  at 
the  home  of  Mr.  Mix  because  of  the  Fox 
super-star’s  interest  in  the  subject  since  he 
learned  it  during  his  service  in  the  U.  S. 
Army.  Mr.  Clark  is  probably  the  pioneer 
of  first  aid  in  the  movies  because  of  the 
many  hard  knocks  he  and  his  crew  have 
suffered  in  the  photographing  of  Western 
pictures  but  he  took  no  initiative  in  bring- 
ing the  subject  before  the  industry  for  offi- 
cial recognition  and  general  adoption  until 
its  necessity  was  brought  home  to  him  by 
the  reports  of  several  serious  accidents  in 
the  filming  of  certain  large  productions  of 
recent  date. 


BARNEY 

McGILL 

Cinematographer 

‘WHAT 

PRICE 

GLORY?” 

FOX 


He  at  once  recognized  the  necessity  of 
action  because  of  both  the  humanitarian  and 
economic  reasons  pertinent  to  the  subject 
and  brought  it  before  the  American  So- 
ciety of  Cinematographers  which  enthusias- 
tically endorsed  it,  and  henceforth  evepr 
cinematographer  not  already  equipped  will 
be  instructed  in  the  use  of  first  aid  meth- 
ods and  devices  and  all  assistants,  likewise 
will  be  so  informed. 

Cameramen  at  Hand 

No  matter  where  the  other  operatives  are 
the  camera  crew  is  close  to  the  action,  the 
cinematographer  being  the  key-man  at  all 
times.  Hence  the  initiative  of  the  A.  S.  C. 
in  this  great  work. 

Concerns  which  employ  large  numbers  of 
men  like  the  Southern  California  Telephone 
Company  find  from  experience  that  a gen- 
eral knowledge  of  first  aid  among  the  em- 
ployes makes  for  the  elimination  of  waste — 
in  loss  of  time,  energy  and  nerve  force 
through  injuries,  not  to  mention  pain,  grief, 
property  and  insurance  loss.  And  they  also 
find  that  it  makes  for  fewer  accidents  and 
a finer  morale.  Almost  all  studios  are 
equipped  with  temporary  hospitals  with 
nurses  in  attendance  but  this  does  not  help 
on  location  and  it  is  there  the  hazards  are 
greatest  and  the  serious  accidents  most 
common. 

So  once  more  the  cameraman  is  a pio- 
neer in  the  evolution  of  the  industry,  and 
the  encouragement  given  the  movement  by 
AIlx  and  the  Fox  organization  is  evidence 
that  the  industry  as  a whole  will  enthusias- 
tically adopt  it. 


Nick 

Musuraca 

A.  S.  C. 

Cinematographer 

“Cyclone  of 
the  Range” 

“The  Senora 
Kid” 

“Splitting  the 
Breeze” 

“Tom’s  Gang” 

“South  Sea 
Love” 

“Desert  Pilot” 

F.  B.  O.  Studios 


“Desired 
W Oman” 

MICHAEL  CURTIZ 

“College 

Widow” 

ARCHIE  MAYO 
WARNER  BROS. 


Nick 

Musuraca 

A.  S.  C. 

Cinematographer 

“Cyclone  of 
the  Range” 

“The  Senora 
Kid” 

“Splitting  the 
Breeze” 

“Tom’s  Gang 

“South  Sea 
Love” 

“Desert  Pilot 

F.  B.  O.  Studios 


30 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


IN  CONFERENCE 

{Continued  from  page  6) 


and  have  been  giving  him  lots  of  publicity 
which  should  help  get  him  out  of  pictures 
very  expeditiously.  The  dope  on  “Prince” 
Mike,  as  printed,  is  that  he  is  a native  of 
Cincinnati  -which  is  not  in  Russia,  as  many 
well  read  picture  people  know;  and  that 
he  can’t  ez'en  speak  the  language  of  the 
Slav.  Well,  it’s  all  in  fun. 


Another  Scoop 

T 

HIS  department  was  also  first  with  the 
amount  of  the  Chaplin  settlement,  i.e.,  to 
wit : $825,000.  Quite  a neat  sum,  all  things 
considered.  Charlie’s  appearance  evidences 
the  relief  of  the  long  strain  and  there  are 


DAVID  ABEL 

A.  S.  C. 

Current  Release 

‘‘DEARIE’’ 

with  Irene  Rich 
Now  Shooting 

“THE  FORBIDDEN 
WOMAN” 

A De  Mille  Production 


PHOTOGRAPHY 

BY 

KARL  STRUSS 

“BEN-HUR’^ 
“FOREVER  AFTER’^ 
“SUNRISE” 


F.  W.  MURNAU’S  FIRST 
AMERICAN  PRODUCTION 
WITH  CHARLES  ROSHER 


indications  that  he  will  resume  filming  of 
“The  Circus"  very  shortly. 

Shooting  the  Whole  Works 

Universal  is  getting  ready  to  shoot 

another  million  bucks.  True  the  budget 
for  “The  Man  Who  Laughs”  is  not  nearly 
that  amount,  but  no  one  on  the  lot  expects 
it  to  be  made  for  anything  less  than  a 
thousand  grand.  Paul  Leni  who  directed 
“The  Cat  and  the  Canary,”  is  to  make  it 
and  months  have  been  spent  in  preparing 
the  screen  version  of  the  Hugo  classic. 
Conrad  Veidt  is  to  play  the  ugly  chap  with 
the  perpetual  grin  anl  Mary  Philbin  is  to 
be  the  blind  girl  who  think  he’s  a sheik. 
There  is  a shooting  schedule  of  ten  weeks, 
but  no  one  expects  it  to  be  filmed  in  less 
than  twice  that  time.  So  geht  es  in  dieser 
vein 

Julius  Gets  Post  with 

Anti-Blue  Law  Party 

( special  to  the  Herald) 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  Sept.  6.— 
E.  Haldeman  Julius  of  Girard,  Kans., 
publisher  of  books,  magazines  and  news- 
papers, has  accepted  the  office  of  national 
chairman  of  the  Anti-Blue  Law  Party  of 
America,  and  will  serve  until  the  national 
convention  of  the  party  in  New  York  City 
in  1928,  according  to  announcement  from 
the  new  office  of  the  party  at  817  Thir- 
teenth St.,  N.  W. 

A provisional  executive  committee  has 
been  named  consisting  of  Attorney  Howell 
S.  England,  Detroit,  Hugh  P.  Meese  of 
the  Carnegie  Steel  Co.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa., 
George  C.  Marcley,  advertising  manager, 
the  Republican-Journal,  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y. ; 
and  Dr.  Joseph  A.  Themper,  Washington, 
D.  C. 

Athletic  Wave  Hits 

Paramount  Studios 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

HOLLYWOOD,  Sept.  6. — Paramount 
studios  are  being  engulfed  by  a wave  of 
athletics.  Fostered  by  the  studio  club, 
of  which  all  employes  are  members, 
seven  tournaments  embracing  a like 
number  of  sports  are  scheduled  to  be 
held  in  the  near  future. 

Art  Hawley,  who  drives  automobiles 
for  the  Paramount  studios  in  Hollywood, 
has  been  awarded  a silver  cup  proving 
him  the  champion  “dub”  golfer.  He 
made  a 71  in  the  Paramount  “Dubs”  golf 
tournament. 


Smiling  Through 

m^mm,  .gy  HufuS  McCosk’  —■  ■■  ■ 

{Continued  from  page  28) 

would  have  done  so  then.  I ain’t  no  fire 
fighter  but  I been  to  the  movies  and  what 
little  sense  I got  left  makes  me  take  off 
my  coat  and  tie  it  around  my  head.  Then 
I feels  my  way  up  to  Patsy’s  room.  I 
been  up  them  steps  often  enough  to 
know  how,  but  my  instincts  is  about  all  I 
got  left.  I know  a lotta  jokes  about  Hell, 
but  I ain’t  never  gonna  tell  ’em  any  more. 

Then  I finds  myself  in  Patsy’s  room, 
blubberin’  her  name.  I yanks  my  coat 
from  my  head.  There  she  is  still  standin’ 
by  the  window.  As  I come  in  she  turns 
around. 

“Well,”  she  says,  “you  took  long  enough 
gettin’  here ! And  I thought  you  wanted 
me  to  start  the  fire,  not  you.  I must  say 
you  started  a good  one.  What  do  we  do 
now?” 

“My  God,  Patsy,”  I says,  “this  is  a real 
fire ! I didn’t  start  it ! And  I don’t  know 
what  we  do  now ! We  can’t  go  back  the 
way  I come.  The  stairs  just  caved  in.” 

Then  she  was  scared,  and  she  didn’t  have 
nothin’  on  me.  Down  below  is  a bunch  of 
firemen  with  a thing  that  looks  like  a 
postage  stamp  from  where  I am,  but  which 
I knows  is  a net. 

“Shall  we  jump.  Baby?”  I asks. 

“Jump,  you  bonehead,  jump!”  I hears 
one  voice  say,  and  I knows  I didn’t  kill 
Reed. 

“Come  on.  Honey,”  I says,  “we’ll  jump 
together.”  And  we  did.  That’s  the  last 
I knows  for  two  hours.  You  see  I landed 
on  the  net  and  she  landed  on  me. 

When  I wakes  up  I’m  on  a cot  at  the 
Emergency  and  Patsy  is  hangin’  over  me 
while  Reed  stands  by  and  rubs  his  jaw. 

“Benny,”’  says  Reed,  “I’ll  print  this  story 
if  it  cost  me  my  job  I” 

“OK  REED,”  I says.  “Come  along  down 
to  the  city  hall  tomorrow  and  we’ll  give 
you  another  story  to  print.” 

“Oh,  Benny!”  says  Patsy. 


F-N’s  “Helen  of  Troy” 
Gets  Good  Publicity 

(Special  to  the  Herald) 

NEW  YORK,  Sept.  6.— Although  “Helen 
of  Troy,”  the  First  National  picture,  has 
not  yet  been  produced  it  is  getting  good 
publicity.  The  story  is  being  serialized  by 
141  newspapers  throughout  the  country, 
and  recently  an  editorial  about  the  picture 
carrying  a picture  of  the  star,  Maria  Corda, 
was  published  by  the  Hearst  chain  of 
newspapers. 


George  Folsey 

Cinematographer 

“LADIES  AT  PLAY” 

“ORCHIDS  AND 
ERMINE” 

“SEE  YOU  IN  JAIL” 
“NAUGHTY  BUT  NICE” 
“AMERICAN  BEAUTY” 
“NO  PLACE  TO  GO” 


R.  J. 

BERGQUIST 

Cinematographer 

“SANDY” 

“WOMAN 

POWER” 

“ONE 

INCREASING 

PURPOSE” 


Fox  Release 


DANIEL  B. 
CLARK 
A.  s.  a 

Cinematographer 

Tom  Mix 
Productions 


September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


31 


Exhibitors  Herald  Production 

Directory 

Chicago  Office:  407  So.  Dearborn  St. 


Director  Star  Scenarist  Cameraman  Story  Budget  Started 


^ Hollywood  Representatives; 
Ray  Murray, 

Douglas  Hodges. 

^ New  York  Representative: 
John  Spargo. 


A Monthly  Service  Devoted 
to  Stars,  Directors,  Scenar- 
ists and  Cameramen  at 
Work  Upon  Pictures  in 
Current  Production. 


ASSOCIATED  STUDIOS.  3800  Mission  Road.  Ca.  2120. 


No  Production  Thii^  Month 


CALIFORNIA  STUDIOS.  1420  Beachwood  Drive.  He.  2111. 


Leo  Maloney  Leo  Maloney  Ford  Beebe 

Chas.  Hunt  All-Star  Arthur  Hoerl 

E.  Kull 

Hap  De  Pew 

“Boss  of  Rustler  Roo3t“ 
“Light  in  the  Window” 

S 15.000 
12,000 

Aug.  29 
Aug.  26 

CHRISTIE  STUDIOS.  6101  Sunset  Blvd.  He.  3111. 

Bill  Watson  Billy  Dooley  Hal  K.  Wells 

Arvid  Gillstrom  Jack  Duffy  Hal  Conklin 

Bob  Kerr  Jimmie  Adams  Sig  Herzig 

Eddie  Lyons-Sid  Walsh 
.Alex  Phillips-Monte 
Steadman 

Alfred  Jaequemtn- 
Frank  Sullivan 

. Aug.  18 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Aug.  2 

Aug.  22 

COLUMBIA  STUDIOS.  1438  Gower  St.  Ho.  7940. 

George  B.  Seitz  Conway  Tearle  Olga  Printzlau 

Dorothy  Sebastian 

Walter  Lang  Pauline  Garon 

J.  O.  Taylor 

“Say  It  with  Sables** 

“The  College  Hero” 

75.000 

60.000 

Cutting 

Preparing 

CHADWICK  STUDIO.  6101  Sunset  Blvd.  He.  4111. 

Larry  Semon  Larry  Senion 

Hans  Koenecomp 

Untitled 

Aug.  22 

DE  MILLE  STUDIO.  Culver  City,  Calif.  Empire 

9141. 

Donald  Crisp 

Paul  Stein 

James  Cruze 

E.  Mason  Hopper 
Paul  Sloan 

Wm.  K.  Howard 

William  Boyd 

Jetta  Goudal 

Marie  Prevost 

Franklin  Pangborn 
Leatrice  Joy 

Vera  Reynolds 

Douglas  Doty 
Clara  Beranger 
Walter  Woods 
Rex  Taylor 

Paul  Sloan 
Roehus  Gliese 

Peverell  Marley 
David  Abel 

Ernest  Miller 

Dewey  Wrigley 

Lucien  Andriot 

“The  West  Pointer” 

“The  Forbidden  Woman” 

“On  to  Reno” 

“My  Friend  from  India** 

“The  Blue  Danube” 

“The  Main  Event** 

.306,000 

237.000 

100.000 
100.000 
100,000 
200.000 

Aug.  1 

July  21 
Aug.  16 
Aug.  20 
Preparing 
Aug.  9 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

M.  C.  Levee,  President 

100,000  square  feet  of  props,  garnered  Let  ns  supply  the  props  for 
from  the  four  corners  of  the  globe.  your  next  production. 

UNITED  STUDIOS,  Inc. 

5341  Melrose  Ave.,  Hollywood,  Calif. 


32 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


Director 

Star  Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Budget  Started 

EDUCATIONAL  STUDIO.  7250  Santa  Monica  Blvd. 

Ho.  2806. 

Norman  Taurog 
Charles  Lamont 
Stephen  Roberts 
Clem  Beauchamp 

Dorothy  Devore  Staff 

Big  Boy  Staff 

George  Davis-Eddie  Quillan  Staff 

Lupino  Lane  Staff 

Len  Smith 

William  Hyer 

Dwight  Warren 

Jay  Turner 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Untitled 

Aug.  IS 

Aug.  22 

Aug,  22 

Aug.  23 

F.  B.  O.  STUDIOS.  780  Gower  St.  Hollyw'ood  7780. 


F.  H.  Clark 

Buzz  Barton 

F.  H. 

Clark 

Roy  Eslick 

“Wizard  of  the  Saddle” 

40,000 

Aug.  11 

Wallace  tox 

Ralph  Ince 

Edw.  1.  Luddy 

Leo  Meehan 

Bob  Steele 

Ralph  Inee-Lucila 

Oliver 

Mendez 

Drake 

Al.  Seigler 

“Driftin'  Sands” 

“Coney  Island” 

“Her  Summer  Hero” 
“Freckles” 

40.000 

75.000 

Aug.  19 
July  IS 
Preparing 
Preparins 

Jas.  Dugan 

Robt.  Delacy 

lorn  lyler 

All-  Star 

Oliver 

Drake 

Nick  Musuraca 

“Desert  Pirates” 

“Red  Riders  of  Canada” 

30.000 

50.000 

Aug.  18 
Preparing 

FINE  ARTS  STUDIO.  4500  Sunset  Blvd.  01.  2131. 


Duke  Worne  Forrest  Stanley 

Georgia  Hale 


Joseph  Anthony  Walter  Griffin  “Wheel  of  Destiny” 

Geo.  W.  Pyper 


15,000  Aug.  27 


FIRST  NATIONAL.  Burbank,  Calif.  Gl.  4111. 


Marshall  Neilan 

Colleen  Moore 

Gerald  Duffy 

George  Folsey 

“I'll  Tell  the  World” 

200,000 

Sept. 

2 

A.  Korda 

Maria  Corda 

Carey  Wilson 

Leo  Garmes 

“The  Private  Life  of  Helen 

250,000 

Aug. 

5 

Charles  Brabin 

R.  Wallace 

Lewis  Stone 
Ricardo  Cortez 
Milton  Sills 

Will  Rogers 

Bernard  McConville 

McCord 

Jack  McKenzie 

of  Troy” 

“The  Valley  of  th©  Giants” 

“A  Texas  Steer” 

200,000 

175,000 

Aug. 

Aug. 

23 

22 

G.  Fitzmaurice 

Billie  Dove 

Benj.  Glazer 

Garmes 

“Louisiana” 

175,000 

Aug. 

29 

M.  LeRoy 

Mary  Astor-Lloyd 

Hughes 

Adelaide  Heilbron 

G.  Folsey 

“No  Place  to  Go” 

160,000 

Aug. 

1 

A.  Santell 

Charlie  Murray-Fred  Kelsey  J.  T.  O'Donohue 

W'agner 

“The  Gorilla” 

185,000 

Aug. 

16 

A.  Rogell 

Alec  B.  Francis 

Marion  Jackson 

Sol  Polito 

“The  Shepherd  of  th©  Hills” 

160,000 

Aug. 

23 

J.  F.  Dillon 

John  Boles 
Molly  O'Day 
Jack  Mulhall-Doro 

thy 

Perry  Nathan 

J.  Van  Trees 

“Man  Crazy” 

175,000 

Aug. 

29 

Mackaill 


FOX  STUDIO.  Western  at  Sunset.  Ho.  3000. 


Lambert  Hillyer 

Buck  Jones 

Lambert  Hillyer 

Reginald  Lyons 

“Branded  Sombrero” 

100,000 

Aug. 

19 

Frank  O'Connor 

Sammy  Cohen 

Ted  McNamara 

Randall  Faye 

Guy  Wilky 

“No  Title” 

90,000 

Aug. 

15 

Lew  Seiler 

“Thunder” 

Charles  Morton 

Seton  I.  Miller 

L.  W.  O’Connell 

“Wolf  Fangs” 

100,000 

Aug. 

15 

Albert  Ray 

Lois  Moran-Edmund  Lowe 

Andrew  Dennison 

Sidney  Wagner 

“Publicity  Madness” 

125,000 

July 

9 

James  Tinling 

Madge  Bellamy 

Randall  Faye 

Joseph  August 

“Very  Confidential” 

60,000 

Aug. 

2 

Ben  Stoloff 

Tom  Mix 

Harold  Lipsitz 

Dun  Clark 

“Silver  ValUy” 

150,000 

July 

28 

David  Butler 

Sally  Phipps-Nick  Stuart 

Seton  I.  Mille 

Ernest  Palmer 

“High  School  Hero” 

65,000 

July 

22 

John  Ford 

Margaret  Mann 

James  Hall 

Earle  Foxe 

Philip  Klein 

Geo.  Schneidermann 
Chas.  Clarke 

“Grandmother  Beml©  Learns  Her 
Letters” 

185,000 

July 

20 

J.  G.  Blystone 

Olive  Borden 

Wm.  Conselman 

Glen  MacWilliams 

“Pajamas” 

175,000 

July 

2 

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER  STUDIOS.  Culver  City,  Calif.  Em.  9111. 


Wm.  Nigh 

Renee  Adoree 

Ralph  Forbes 

Kaplan-Dale 

John  Arnold 

“Rose  Marie” 

200,000 

July 

28 

Tod  Browning 

Lon  Chaney 

Waldemar  Young 

Gerstad 

“The  Hypnotist” 

200,000 

July 

25 

Sam  Wood 

Marion  Davies 

Byron  Morgan-Sam 
Wood 

John  Seitz 

“Th©  Fair  Co-ed” 

200,000 

July 

25 

John  McCarthy 

Sally  O'Neill-Molly  O'Day 

Bradley  King 

Henry  Sharp 

“Th©  Lovelorn” 

150,000 

Aug. 

3 

Victor  Seastrom 

Greta  Garbo 

Dorothy  Farnum 

“The  Divine  Woman” 

200,000 

Aug. 

22 

Monta  Bell 

John  Gilbert 

Alice  D.  G.  Miller 

Percy  Hilburn 

“Fires  of  Youth” 

250,000 

Aug. 

5 

Van  Dyke 

Tim  McCoy 

Ross  Wills-Madeliene 
Ruthven 

Clyde  de  Vinna 

“Wyoming” 

150,000 

Aug. 

15 

Hobart  Henley 

Aileen  Pringle 

Lew  Cody 

Florence  Ryerson 
Colin  Clements 

Barlatier 

“Mixed  Marriages” 

185,000 

July 

28 

THE  Story  Record  of  the  Screen  for  1927  Is  the  Record  of 

GARRETT  FORT 

SIGNED  BY  PARAMOUNT 

Writing  “The  Glory  Girl”  for  Esther  Ralston 

September  10,  1927 


EXHIBITORS  HERALD 


33 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Budget 

Started 

METROPOLITAN  STUDIO.  1040  Las  Palmas.  Gr.  3111. 


S.  Bennett  Allene  Ray-Waiter  Miller  “Man  Without  Face"  40,000  July  29 

Ted  Wilde*  Harold  Lloyd  Neal-Rogers  Walter  Lundin  Untitled  500,000  July  10 

* Paramount  production. 


PARAMOUNT.  5451  Marathon  St.  Hollywood  2400. 


Frank  Strayer 

Clifford  Smith 
Clarence  Badger 


Wallace  Beery  and  Ray- 
mond Hatton  with 
Louise  Brooks 
Lane  Chandler-Betty 
Bronson 
Bebe  Daniels 


Tom  Geraghty  Harry  Perry 


John  Stone-J.  Walter  Harold  Rosson 
Ruben 

Lloyd  Corrigan  J.  Roy  Hunt 


“Now  We’re  in  the  Air" 


“Open  Range" 
“She's  a Sheik" 


200,000 

Aug.  1 

150,00 

Aug.  13 

200,000 

Aug.  22 

HAL  ROACH  STUDIO.  Culver  City,  Calif.  Em.  1151. 


Robt.  McGowan 

Our  Gang 

Staff 

Art 

Lloyd 

Untitled. 

James  Parrott 

Charley  Chase 

Staff 

Len 

Powers 

Untitled 

Fred  Guiol 

All-Star 

Staff 

Untitled 

Hal  Yates 

All-Star 

Staff 

Untitled 

Aug.  1 
Aug.  10 
Aug.  22 
Aug.  12 


MACK  SENNETT  STUDIO.  1712  Glendale  Blvd.  01.  2181. 


Harry  Edwards 

Johnny  Burke 

Matty  Kemp 

Sally  Eilers 

Alma  Bennett 

Lee  Davis 

John  E.  Boyle 

**Romance  of  a Bathing  Girl" 

Aug. 

10 

Eddie  dine 

Daphne  Pollard 

Madeline  Hurlock 

Boyce  Jennings 

"Aeroplanes" 

Aug. 

22 

Harry  Edwards 

Billy  Bevan 

Vernon  Dent 

Dot  Farley 

Carolle  Lombard 

Billy  Williams 

George  Unholz 

23 

Day  and  Night 

HE  5606 

ALPHA 

FLORAL 

SHOP 


“The  Garden  of  Eden” 
Corinne  Griffith 


United  Artists 

5566  Hollywood  Blvd. 
Los  Angeles,  Cal. 


Mark 

Sandrich 

Now 

Directing 

LUPINO 

LANE 

for 

Educational 


ELIZABETH  PICKETT 

Fox  Varieties 


CURRENT  RELEASE 

“Under  Colorado  Skies” 


GEORGE  ARCHAINBAUD 

DIRECTOR 


Recent  Box  OfiBce 
Successes 


“THE  SILENT  LOVER’^ 
“MEN  OF  STEEL” 
“PUPPETS” 


FIRST  NATIONAL  PICTURES 


34 


STUDIO  SECTION  OF 


September  10,  1927 


Director 

Star 

Scenarist 

Cameraman 

Story 

Budget 

Started 

STERN  FILM 

CORPORATION. 

6048  Sunset  Blvd. 

Ho.  0391. 

Cus  Meins 
Francis  Corby 

Samuel  Ne'^field 

Sunny  McKeen 
Charles  King 

Charles  Dorely 

Sid  Saylor 

Page  Wright 

Jack  Rawlins 

^'ni.  Weber 

Page  \^’right 

Edwin  Brickert 

Harry  Forbes 

Victor  Scheurich 

Edgar  Lyons 

“The  Newlyweds  and  Their  Baby” 
“Mike  and  Ike— They  Look  Alike” 

“Let  George  Do  It” 

“Keeping  Up  with  the  Joneses’' 

Aug.  22 
Aug.  20 

Aug.  15 
Preparing 

TEC-ART  STUDIO.  5360  Melrose 

Ave.  Gr.  4141. 

Edwin  Carcwe 

Dolores  Del  Rio 

Finis  Fox 

Robert  Kurrle 

“Ramona” 

230,000 

Preparing 

UNITED  ARTISTS  STUDIO.  1041  Formosa.  Gr.  5111. 

Lew-is  Milestone 
Raoul  Walsh 
Chas  Reisner 

D.  W.  Griffith 
Slav  Tourjansky 

Corinne  Griffith 
Gloria  Swanson 
Buster  Keaton 

Mary  Philbin 

John  Barrymore 

Hans  Kraly 

Carl  Harbaugh 

Jack  Lloyd 

Fred  de  Grcsac 

Harry  Jackson 

Bob  Kurrle 

Dev  Jennings-Bert 
Haines 

“Garden  of  Eden” 

“Sadie  Thompson'’ 

^^Steamboat  Bill,  Jr. 

“The  Dreams  of  Love"’ 

“Tempest” 

200,000 

250.000 

200.000 

400.000 

250.000 

Aug.  23 
July  20 
July  15 

Aug.  29 
Aug.  30 

UNIVERSAL.  Universal  City,  Cal.  He.  3131. 


Del  Andrews 

Hoot  Gibson 

Arthur  Statter 

Beumann 

‘‘Rawhide  Kid” 

73.000 

Aug.  10 

William  Beaudine 

All'Star 

A1  Cohn 

C.  Stumar 

“Cohens  and  Kellys  in  Paris” 

75,000 

Aug.  29 

William  Beaudine 

Geo.  Sidnev-Jean  Hersholt 

Madison  Clark 

“Give  and  Take” 

Preparing 

Mel  Brown 

Wm.  Jas.  Craft 

Glen  Tryon 

Harry  O.  Hoyt 

Harry  O,  Hoyt 

“13  Washington  Square” 
“Painting  the  Town” 

73,000 

Preparing 

Editing 

Reaves  Eason 

George  Melford 

Patsy  Ruth  Miller 

Hoot  Gibson 

All-Star 

J.  Grubb  Alexander 

“The  Horse  Trader” 

“Freedom  of  the  Press” 

Preparing 

Preparing 

Fred  Newmeyer 

Reginald  Denny 

Earl  Snell 

“Use  Your  Feet” 

Preparing 

Nat  Ross 

Barbara  Kent-Arthur  Lake 

Harry  O.  Hoyt 

Robinson 

“Stop  That  Man” 

40,00o 

Aug.  1 

Desley  Kuggles 

Laura  La  Plante 

Beatrice  Van 

“Finders  Keepers” 

100,009 

Aug.  27 

Wm.  A.  Seiter 

Laura  La  Plante 

Beatrice  Van 

Todd 

“Thanks  for  the  Buggy  Ride” 

73,000 

Aug.  23 

Wm.  A.  Seiter 

Reginald  Denny 

Earl  Snell 

“Good  Morning  Judge” 

Preparing 

Edward  ^loman 
Eidward  Sloman 

Norman  Keriy 

Al  Cohn 

Charles  Kenyon 

“We  Americans” 

“Foreign  Legion” 

75,000 

Preparing 
Aug.  27 

F.  Harmon  Weight 

Jean  Hersholt 

Gharles  Kenyon 

G.  Warrenton 

“The  Symphony” 

85,000 

Aug.  22 

Irvin  Willat 

Paul  Leni 

Conrad  Veidt-Mary  Philbin 

Edward  Montague 

J.  Grubb  Alexander 

“The  Big  Gun” 

“The  Man  Who  Laughs” 

150,000 

Preparing 
Aug.  15 

WARNER  BROTHERS  STUDIO. 

Sunset  at  Bronson. 

Ho.  4181. 

Howard  Bretherton 

Irene  Rich 

Anthony  Coldewey 

“The  Silver  Slave” 

75,000 

Aug. 24 

Ralph  Graves 

May  McAvoy 

Robert  Lord 

Norbert  Brodin 

“Roulette” 

75,000 

Aug.  15 

Henry  Lehrman 

George  Jessel 

E.  T.  Lowe,  Jr. 

Frank  Kesson 

“Sailor  Izzy  Murphy” 

75,000 

Aug.  8 

Archie  L.  Mayo 

Dolores  Costello 

Paul  Schofield-Peter 
Milne 

Barney  McGill 

“The  College  Widow” 

60,000 

Aug.  15 

Ray  Enright 

-All-Star 

Graham  Baker 

“The  Girl  from  Chicago” 

50,000 

Sept.  1 

Rose  Lederman 

Kin-  I'in*  1 in 

Charles  Condon 

“A  Dog  of  the  Regiment” 

40,000 

Sept.  3 

Michael  Curtiz 

W arner  Uland  and 

All-Star  Owen  Francis 

“Good-Time  Charley” 

Preparing 

LOCATION  CAMPS 
DE  LUXE 

Every  Convenience  of  a Modem  Apartment 

Electric  Lights 

Individual  Hot  and  Cold  Showers 

Individual  Inside  Lavatories  Excellent 

Dressing  Room — Bedroom — Bath  Cuisine 

W.  L.  ANDERSON 
ANDERSON  BOARDING  * SUPPLY  CO. 
1316  Washington  Bldg. 

LOS  ANGELES,  CAL. 

Ask  Executives  in  charge  of: — “The  Win-  MUTUAL 

ning  of  Barbara  Worth,”  “The  Silent  NEW  OAO/* 
Lover”  (Milton  Sills)  " PHONE  54^5 

Operators  of  Industrial  Mess-balls  and  Commissaries 


ALAN  HALE’S  NEW  DE  MILLE  CONTRACT  CALLS  FOR  STAR-DIRECTOR  SERIES 


Con-.ic  Will  Act  Direct 
Under  New  Agreement 


cinematters 

'oiiiMnnciciit  t'pii.'oy  Dcir>ra>i.i  m of 
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the  Movies  1 Uos  Angeles  Kecord  I Eduar 

Thirty-First  Year  LOS  ANGELE^  SATURDAY.  AUGUST  27. 1927  Two  Cents 

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ROBERT 

DeLACY 

Now  Directing  a 
F B O Special 

“RED  RIDERS 
OF  CANADA” 


44 


BUCK 

JONES 


Now  Making 


THE  BRANDED 
SOMBRERO” 

His  Next 
Starring  Drama 
For  Fox 

Lambert  Hillyer 
Directing 


CLARENCE 

BROWN 


IS  NOW 
DIRECTING 


“THE 

TRAIL 

OF 


^ The  alert,  thrill-loving  public  of  today  is  keen  for  Fred  Thomson  and  his 
clean,  dashing  action  pictures.  They  demanded  a higger  field  for  their  idol. 
Thomson  longed  for  just  such  an  opportunity.  His  affiliation  with  Paramount — 
and  ”Jesse  James” — is  the  answer.  ^ First  run  theatres  everywhere  are  proud  to 
book  and  play  ”Jesse  James.”  The  leading  long  run  houses  of  the  country  have 
it  set.  A big  special  in  every  sense  of  the  word.  Produced  on  '^Covered  Wagon”  scale.  With  all  the  hair- 
trigger  action,  romance  and  thrilling  stunts  for  which  Thomson  is  beloved.  Portraying  a dare-devil,  sympa- 
thetic hero  more  sinned  against  than  sinning.  ^ And  with,  of  course,  ^Silver  King” — Thomson’s  fiery  steed. 
Directed  by  Lloyd  Ingraham.  Story  by  Frank  M.  Clifton.  Jesse  E.  James,  biographer  and  technical  advisor. 
Then  another  great  special.  And  two  super-Thomson  features.  ^ Fred  Thom- 
son joins  Harold  Lloyd,  Clara  Bow,  Richard  Dix,  Bebe  Daniels,  Beery  and 
Hatton,  Fields  and  Conklin,  Adolphe  Menjou,  Thomas  Meighan,  Pola 
Negri,  Emil  Jannings,  Esther  Ralston,  Florence  Vidor,  George  Bancroft, 

Zane  Grey  and  others  in  the  brilliant  galaxy  of  Paramount  100%  stars! 


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Scanned  from  the  collection  of 

The  Museum  of  Modern  Art 
Department  of  Film 


Coordinated  by  the 

Media  History  Digital  Library 
www.mediahistoryproject.org 


Funded  by  a donation  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries